iStock/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) -- For iPhone X users who want a perfectly rectangular display, they can now splurge on Notch Remover, a new 99 cent app designed to camouflage the top bar that interrupts the complete edge-to-edge display.

After Apple CEO Tim Cook unveiled the 10th-anniversary edition of the iPhone, pronounced iPhone 10, in September, the design has generated controversy after its edge-to-edge display included a notch at the top, which houses all the technology behind the advanced front-screen camera and Face ID.

The notch causes the now most expensive smartphone on the market not to have a completely rectangular display, as most phones do.

App developer Axiem Systems, the makers of photo editor applications for both iOS and Android, is the brainpower behind Notch Remover.

The app doesnt actually remove the notch but instead masks it by modifying the wallpaper on the phone to adjust for the notch, Notch Removers App Store description reads.

Since Notch Remover is available through Apple's App Store, it would have been approved by Apple, according to its developer guidelines that say the company reviews all apps submitted to the App Store.

But this innovation may also go against Apple's developer guidelines that instruct companies not to attempt to hide such features as the notch.

Dont attempt to hide devices rounded corners, sensor housing, or indicator for accessing the Home screen by placing black bars at the top and bottom of the screen, Apples guideline for app developers reads. Don't use visual adornments like brackets, bezels, shapes, or instructional text to call special attention to these areas, either.

Apple and Axiem Systems did not immediately responded to ABC News requests for comment.

Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved
A federal appeals court has ruled that President Donald Trump's order restricting travel to the U.S. from several countries may take effect in part.

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Monday that people who have no bona fide relationships to people or institutions in the U.S. may be barred from visiting.

A three-judge panel said that the government could implement the restriction, except on "foreign nationals who have a credible claim of a bona fide relationship with a person or entity in the United States." The judges said such people include grandparents, grandchildren, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins of people in the United States. Entity relationships "must be formal, documented, and formed in the ordinary course, rather than for the purpose of evading."

While the judges did not explain their ruling, they cited the July Supreme Court decision that first allowed visitors with bona fide relationships.

The ruling temporarily overturns the Hawaii lower court decision that blocked the travel order entirely. The three-judge appeals court panel is slated to hear arguments on the lower court's ruling next month.

Hawaii Attorney General Douglas Chin, who had sued over the ban on behalf of his state, said in a statement: Today's decision "closely tracks guidance previously issued by the Supreme Court. I'm pleased that family ties to the U. S., including grandparents, will be respected."

The travel order would have barred various travelers from Syria, Libya, Iran, Yemen, Chad, Somalia, North Korea and Venezuela. It was the Trump administration's third version of an order restricting travel and was prevented from taking effect last month by two lower courts, the one in Hawaii and one in Maryland.

The Maryland lower court ruling was narrower than the Hawaii one, excluding Venezuela and North Korea, and limiting travel restrictions on travelers from the other six countries to those without bona fide relationships. It was appealed by the federal government, and the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals is due to hear arguments in that case on December 8. The arguments will be heard en banc, before all of the appeals court's 15 judges but two.
The United Nations says Asia Pacific countries need to address issues surrounding the rights of migrant workers as international talks move toward a Global Compact on migrant labor.

The Global Compacts rise, with a final agreement set for 2018, was a result of the migrant crisis faced by the European Union with the influx of refugees and migrants from North Africa since 2015.

The U.N.s Special Representative on migrant labor, Louise Arbour, says states can no longer ignore the issues of labor migration in a globalized economy.

It has become increasingly clear that globalization has opened up more opportunities for people to migrate and that it has been in everybodys interest not to curtail migration, actually, but to facilitate safe, orderly, regular migration, Arbour told VOA.

Arbour, a Canadian lawyer and jurist, is overseeing the international consultations setting the framework for the draft document to be negotiated among U.N. member states.

40 countries involved

Talks in Bangkok included representatives from more than 40 countries, including officials, academics and civil society, providing input into the final document.

The meeting called for migrant labor to have access to regular and safe migration opportunities, to be protected by labor laws as well as social protection.

U.N. Under Secretary General Shamshad Akhtar told the conference migrant rights were overlooked with their contributions going unrecognized.

Migrants are often poorly paid, concentrated in labor work, employed in low skill jobs and in the informal sector requiring difficult and sometimes dangerous physical labor, Akhtar said. Addressing these challenges directly is all the more critical.

Millions of migrant workers

In Asia and the Pacific there is estimated to be more than 60 million migrants living in the region, with more than 100 million originating from its shores working abroad.

Nepal and the Philippines are prime examples of countries heavily dependent on income from funds sent by migrant workers.

In 2017 remittances from migrant labor is forecast to inject almost $276 billion into the regions economies.

Vulnerabilities

A U.N. report released to coincide with the Bangkok meeting detailed the issues of migrants vulnerabilities to exploitation and abuse that governments need to address.

The human rights of migrants face significant risks throughout the migration process by recruitment agents, employers and others, the report said.

The report added that women migrant workers face particular risks, especially those in domestic work. These risks are even more acute for migrants in an irregular situation.

The Global Compact aims to build on existing conventions related to the protection of the rights of all migrant workers and conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO).

Arbour said the Global Compact should be helpful in putting together better interstate cooperation to facilitate safer and more orderly migration flows.

But she said challenges remain. These include reducing extravagant recruitment costs, lowering the cost of transfers of remittances, portability of benefits, specific protection for migrants, women workers and children.

Key to greater protection

Arbour said the Global Compact is a key step to greater protection for migrant workers.

In some cases we will continue to see a lot of bilateral agreements or multilateral, very regional agreements with, I hope, much, much better implementation of existing human rights and labor standards.

So its not the end of the road, but I think its going to propel much, much better international cooperation and policy to deal particularly labor related migration, Arbour said.

A global compact for safe, orderly and regular migration, is set for final acceptance at the U.N. in New York by late 2018.
After years of inquiry, the U.N. Monitoring Group on Somalia and Eritrea has found no conclusive evidence of Eritrean support for al-Shabab militants in Somalia, an allegation that led to sanctions in 2009. In its latest report, the group identified violations of those sanctions and recommended that the Security Council form a new entity focused only on Eritrea to continue investigating the countrys actions.

In 2009, the U.N. imposed an arms embargo and targeted sanctions on Eritrea, including an asset freeze and travel restrictions on the countrys leaders, but individuals have not been named, and high-ranking Eritrean officials continue to move freely.

Allegations that Eritrea had destabilized Somalia by supporting al-Shabab and other armed groups and concerns that it had not withdrawn troops following a border conflict with Djibouti in 2008 prompted the sanctions. In response to the penalties, Djiboutis representative, Roble Olhaye, said he welcomed justice for unprovoked, naked and blatant aggression against my country by Eritrea almost two years ago. Somalias representative, Elmi Ahmed Duale, blamed Eritrea for deepening his countrys protracted conflict.

Destabilization, limited transparency

Despite a lack of evidence of Eritreas involvement in Somalia, the monitoring group did find evidence of continued activity on Eritreas side of its border with Djibouti. It also determined that Eritrea has continued to support armed groups in the region, including the Patriotic Ginbot Sebat and the Tigray Peoples Democratic Movement in Ethiopia, along with groups in Djibouti. The monitoring group did not characterize these groups as critical threats to Eritreas neighbors, but it did raise concerns that Eritreas actions destabilize the region. It also determined that the expansion of a military base operated by the United Arab Emirates near the port of Assab and related transfers of military materiel and assistance violate the arms embargo.

The monitoring group also said that it has been repeatedly denied entry to Eritrea, preventing a full investigation of alleged violations. A lack of transparency around financial transactions, particularly within Eritreas mining sector, has hampered the groups work, according to its latest report.

Disassociation

The monitoring group recommended that the Security Council disassociate the sanction regimes for Eritrea and Somalia. This means an independent sanctions committee and monitoring group would need to be formed to focus on Eritrea. Similar recommendations were made last year, but the Security Council did not act on them.
The United States is participating in the 23rd Conference of the Parties (COP-23) of the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change, despite President Donald Trump's announcement it will be leaving the Paris Climate Accords.

The State Department says a U.S. delegation is participating in the conference in Bonn, Germany.

A State Department statement Monday said, "The United States remains a Party in good standing to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change and is participating in ongoing negotiations under the Framework Convention as well as the Paris Agreement, in order to ensure a level playing field that benefits and protects U.S. interests."

The president announced in June the United States will leave the Paris climate agreement, which would obligate the United States to cut its overall greenhouse gas emissions by at least 26 percent by 2025, compared with 2005 levels.

Trump, Energy Secretary Rick Perry and Environmental Protection Agency head Scott Pruitt have all questioned how much human activity has contributed to climate change.
The top Republican in the U.S. Senate, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, said Monday that Alabama Republican Roy Moore should end his Senate candidacy in the wake of allegations he had sexual contact with a 14-year-old girl four decades ago when he was a 32-year-old local prosecutor.

McConnell previously said Moore should end his candidacy if the allegations were proven true. But now McConnell said he believes Leigh Corfmans account of her 1979 encounter with Moore and that of three other women who told The Washington Post in a story published last week that Moore pursued them when they were teenagers and he was more than a decade older than they were at the time.

I think he should step aside, McConnell told reporters in Louisville.



McConnell said Republicans could attempt to win the December 12 special election with a write-in candidate, possibly by Senator Luther Strange, the appointed lawmaker whom Moore defeated for the partys Senate nomination in a primary election in late September.

But a write-in candidacy would be complicated by the fact that Moores name has already been printed on absentee voter ballots and the deadline for withdrawal from the race has long since passed.

There was no immediate reaction from Moore, 70, about McConnells call for him to end his candidacy. But Moore could well ignore it since he has routinely ridiculed McConnells performance as the Senate Republican leader and rebuffed calls from other prominent Republicans to drop out of the race.

Moores contest against Democrat Doug Jones, a former federal prosecutor, is to fill out the last three years of the seat once held by Jeff Sessions, now attorney general in President Donald Trump's Cabinet.

Lawsuit



Moore told political supporters Sunday that last week's Post report was "fake news" and "a desperate attempt to stop my political campaign." He said the newspaper "will be sued." The newspaper's story, included an on-the-record account from Corfman, now in her 50s, and from the three other women who said Moore pursued them as well.

Moore told the political rally that "there are groups that don't want me in the United States Senate," naming the Democratic Party and establishment Republican officials in Washington. He accused them of working together to derail his campaign, but said, "We do not plan to let anybody deter us from this race."

The White House has said Moore should end his candidacy if the charges are proven to be true, a stance adopted by other key Republicans, including most Republican senators.

White House legislative aide Marc Short said Sunday, "I think there's a special place in hell for those who actually perpetrate these crimes. But, having said that, he hasn't been proved guilty. We have to afford him the chance to defend himself."





McCain, Romney revoke endorsements



Aside from McConnell, other Republicans, including Senator Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania and two former Republican presidential candidates, Mitt Romney and Senator John McCain of Arizona, have called for Moore to end his candidacy or revoked their past endorsements.

Moore has tried to raise money off the controversy, telling potential donors that "vicious and sleazy attacks against me are growing more vicious by the minute."

He said, "I'm counting on you to stand with me at this critical moment by chipping in a donation to help me bust through the vicious lies and attacks and get the truth out to as many voters as possible before December 12."

Four surveys of voters taken in Alabama, a southern state, in the immediate aftermath of the newspaper story and Moore's adamant rejection of it show him to be in a close race with Jones, separated by a few percentage points, with a significant share of undecided voters.
Polling stations have opened in the self-proclaimed republic of Somaliland for the third presidential election since 2003.

A VOA Somali reporter in Hargeisa, Barkhad Kariye, says he saw long lines, with some people waiting since 3:00 a.m.

They wanted to be the first to cast their ballot, people want to make sure they vote before polling stations close, Kariye said.

The electoral commission has urged people to prioritize the elderly and the vulnerable. There are 1,642 polling stations were voters will cast their ballots.

Security tight

Security is tight as Somaliland security chiefs have encouraged the public to go about their business and vote.

We would like to tell the public that the external and domestic security has been secured, they should sleep in peace, do their business in peace and live in peace, we are going to execute our duty, chief of staff of the Somaliland army General Nuh Ismail Tani said.

Tani vowed that army chiefs will serve whoever is elected president of Somaliland.

We are obliged to be obey whoever is elected. Right now we are not sure who is going to win so all three of you have our respect, but we appeal to you to care for the interest of the public and keep the peace, he said to the candidates.

The commander of Somaliland Police, General Abdullahi Fadal Iman, said the movement of the traffic is restricted but borders will not be closed.

The border is only closed to the enemy, he told journalists in Hargeisa.

An international team of 60 election monitors are in Somaliland to oversee the election. The observers are from 27 countries including African countries, Europe, Africa, Asia and the U.S. and Canada.

We are hopeful for a peaceful election, said Michael Walls, chief of the observer team.

This election is different

Somaliland had elections before, but Walls says this election is different from the previous ones.

One of the ways its different is that there is a voter register in place, that register being widely accepted as being pretty robust in terms of eliminating multiple registrations, Walls told VOA Somali. The other difference is that the incumbent president is not standing, so it means going into this election we know there is going to be a change in leadership.

Observers hailed the biometric iris scanning process, which is used for this election, that does not allow multiple registrations.

Turnout expected to be high

Turnout is expected to be high. More than 700,000 people have registered to vote and all have collected their biometric voter cards.

I would presume that the turnout will be very high because the voter registration process involved the people registering and then picking up cards so they have already shown quiet a commitment to the process, Walls said.

Three candidates are vying to become the fifth president of Somaliland, which seceded from Somalia in 1991 but so far has not gained international recognition.

People are choosing between Muse Bihi, a former rebel commander and later a minister of interior of Somaliland, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro, who is the former speaker of Somaliland parliament, and Faysal Ali Warabe, a veteran, colorful opposition politician.

Nasir Mohamed Ali is the director of the Institute of Peace and Conflict Resolution at Hargeisa University.

This election has come through different stages, setbacks, delays and preparation, it has come to the finale now, Ali told VOA Somali.

It was a difficult campaign, no punches were spared but after the 21 days of heated campaign, the atmosphere is different. We feel that the candidates who were criticizing each other and their rhetoric, the end result is about Somaliland, and whoever is elected is going to be the president for all the others  we are going to build Somaliland.

Election delayed; results take days

This election should have taken place in 2015 but it was delayed because of droughts and political wrangling and financial constraints.

Somaliland officials will block access to social media immediately after 6 p.m. when polling stations close. The blockade will continue four to six days, according to officials. The measure was taken to fight fake news and possible circulation of nonexistent results.

Observers do not expect the results to be announced immediately.

It will come few days after the election, although it may come as much as a week after the election for a preliminary result, Walls said. After the preliminary result there will be a window of time when objections are allowed to be launched and if there are no objections then announcement will be made, the preliminary result will be confirmed, he added.

If there are objections they will be handled by the Supreme Court. Constitutionally the presidents terms ends one month after the election, so there is a one month for everything to be sorted out, Walls said.

The fact that Somaliland is holding its sixth election since 2002 is a lesson for countries on the continent and beyond, experts say.

Its a pretty remarkable thing for Somaliland to have got to the a stage where they can look back having organized pretty peaceful elections  decent elections, organizations, by a country that has a very limited resources, Walls said. It really goes on the goodwill of people towards that process. Somaliland has a good record of doing something in terms of holding elections to decide the government that has eluded a lot of other countries with far greater resources.

Ismail Mohamed and Sagal Mustafe contributed to this report from Hargeisa.


President Donald Trump: Late in last year's presidential campaign, a secretly recorded tape surfaced of a 2005 conversation in which Trump lewdly described abusive treatment of women. He said as a star, You can do anything, adding, Grab them by the p----. You can do anything. He was elected president a month later.



Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-N.Y.: Once viewed as a rising star in New York politics, the seven-term married lawmaker resigned from Congress in June 2011 after admitting he'd tweeted a photograph of himself in snug-fitting underpants to an undergraduate in Washington state. Weiner also said he'd had inappropriate online interactions with at least six other women. Weiner, now 53, was sentenced to 21 months in prison this past September after pleading guilty to obscenity charges involving lewd online communications with a 15-year-old girl in 2016. Weiner and his wife, former Hillary Clinton aide Huma Abedin, are getting a divorce.



Rep. Eric Massa, R-N.Y.: Massa resigned in 2010 after less than two years in office following reports that the House Ethics Committee was examining allegations that he'd harassed a male aide. The Washington Post reported that Massa, who was married, had groped several male staffers over the previous year. After resigning, he denied the accusations but said he'd had tickle fights with aides in a house they shared.



Sen. David Vitter, R-La.: In 2007, Vitter apologized for a very serious sin after his phone number appeared in a call list of a high-end Washington escort service run by the so-called D.C. Madam, Deborah Jean Palfrey. He won re-election to the Senate in a landslide in 2010, but lost a 2015 bid to become Louisiana governor. He served in the Senate until last January.



Rep. Mark Foley, R-Fla.: The six-term lawmaker immediately resigned from Congress in 2006 as reports emerged that he'd sent sexually explicit messages to at least one teenage male former page. Foley apologized for letting down his family and Florida voters.



President Bill Clinton: The House voted in 1998 to impeach, or formally accuse, Clinton of perjury and obstruction of their investigation into Clinton's sexual encounters with White House intern Monica Lewinsky. In February 1999, the Senate acquitted him. In 1998, Clinton agreed to an $850,000 settlement with Arkansas state worker Paula Jones, who'd accused Clinton of exposing himself and making indecent propositions when Clinton was governor. That settlement included no apology or admission of guilt.



Rep. Robert Livingston, R-La.: On the verge of becoming House speaker in 1998, the married lawmaker abruptly announced he would resign from Congress after acknowledging that he'd had adulterous affairs. His revelation came amid reports that Hustler magazine had pursued tips that he'd had several affairs. Livingston shocked his colleagues by announcing his decision to the House as it debated the impeachment of President Bill Clinton. He left Congress in March 1999.



Sen. Bob Packwood, R-Ore.: Less than a month after his 1992 re-election to a fifth Senate term, The Washington Post reported that 10 female ex-staffers alleged that Packwood had sexually harassed them. Packwood said he was sincerely sorry if his actions were unwelcome and said he would undergo alcohol counseling. More accusations surfaced and calls for his resignation grew. After the Senate Ethics Committee voted to recommend his expulsion and released 10,000 pages of evidence, Packwood resigned in 1995.



Sen. Charles Robb, D-Va.: Robb said in 1991 that he'd been in a hotel room with a former Miss Virginia, Tai Collins, and that she'd given him a massage. Robb, married to one of President Lyndon Johnson's daughters, Lynda Bird, revealed the incident just before NBC News aired an interview with Collins. She claimed she'd had an affair with Robb while he was governor during the 1980s. Robb was re-elected to the Senate in 1994 and retired in 2001.



Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass.: After a 1989 report in The Washington Times, Frank acknowledged he'd hired a male prostitute in 1985 who lived with him and worked for him in his Washington apartment. Frank said he fired the man, Steve Gobie, when he discovered he was using Frank's apartment to run a prostitution service. The House voted overwhelmingly to reprimand Frank in 1990 after the House Ethics Committee said he'd fixed numerous parking tickets the man had received. Frank was re-elected to Congress 11 additional times and retired in 2013.



Sen. Gary Hart, D-Colo.: Hart was considered a front-runner for the 1988 Democratic presidential nomination when in 1987 the Miami Herald published a report alleging that model Donna Rice had spent the night at the married Hart's Washington town house. The two denied an affair, but Hart ended his campaign shortly afterward.



Rep. Gerry Studds, D-Mass.: The first openly gay member of Congress, Studds was censured by the House in 1983 for having an affair a decade earlier with a 17-year-old congressional page. Studds was re-elected to six more House terms.
The next World Economic Forum of world leaders and CEOs in Davos will be chaired by women including International Monetary Fund director Christine Lagarde, Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg and IBM's chief executive Ginni Rometty.

The seven co-chairs for the four-day event in January were announced in the face of criticism that the conference has in the past lacked female representation.

"Co-chairs... were chosen to reflect global stakeholders," said a spokeswoman for WEF, adding the co-chairs were all leaders in their fields.

The co-chairs shape the program and lead discussions and panels. The theme of the 48th conference is to "explore the root causes of, and pragmatic solutions for, the manifold political, economic and social fractures facing global society," WEF said.

WEF, in an annual report this month, found it will take another 217 years before women earn as much as men and have equal representation in the workplace, revealing an economic gap of 58 percent.

It is the second straight year the Swiss non-profit has recorded worsening economic inequality.

A typical representative of the more than 2,500 titans of industry and influence that each January descend upon the Alps has received the unofficial moniker of "Davos Man"  a sign of the further shift in representation and thinking still necessary to balance uneven gender dynamics.

Other co-chairs are Isabelle Kocher, head of French energy conglomerate Engie; Italian physicist and director general of the CERN particle physics research centre Fabiola

Gianotti; founder of the rural cooperative Mann Deshi Bank for women, Chetna Sinha; and International Trade Union Confederation General Secretary Sharan Burrow.

Next year's event will take place January 23-26, 2018.
Yemeni Houthi rebels have directly rebutted U.S. assertions that a missile launched into Saudi Arabia earlier this month was manufactured by Shiite ally Iran.

Col. Aziz Rashed, a spokesman for rebel-allied forces, said Sunday that the missile intercepted by the Saudis near the capital Riyadh on Nov. 4 was Yemeni-produced. The U.S. contends that the ballistic missile was Iranian-made and remnants of it bore Iranian markings.

Rashed added however that if the rebels could obtain strategic weapons from any state, we would not hesitate one moment.

A Saudi-led, U.S.-backed coalition allied with Yemens internationally recognized government has been at war with the rebels since March 2015. The Houthis control most of northern Yemen, including the capital, Sana'a.

The coalition tightened its blockade on Yemen after the missile was fired.
Zimbabwe's powerful but often silent top military leadership has weighed in on the shake ups in the ruling Zanu-PF party that resulted in the expulsion of Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, last week.

The Commander of Zimbabwe's Defence Forces, General Constantine Chiwenga, on Monday warned that "the military will not hesitate to step in," if the purges against former liberation war fighters continue.

In a written statement that appeared to target the group reportedly led by First Lady Grace Mugabe, Professor Jonathan Moyo and several others who go by the name Generation 40 or G40, that are reportedly behind the expulsions in the party, Chiwenga said "it was saddening to see our revolution being hijacked by agents of our erstwhile enemies who are now at the brink of returning our country to foreign domination against which so many of our people perished."

Chiwenga attacked the lack of development in the country due to the "squabbling within the ranks of Zanu-PF," which he said was being spearheaded by people who did not participate in the revolution that brought independence to Zimbabwe.

He noted that any commotion in Zanu PF had a negative impact on Zimbabweans.  It is common cause that any instability within the party naturally impacts on their social, political and economic lives. Accordingly, there is distress, trepidation and despondence within the nation.

Our peace loving people who have stood by the government and endured some of the most trying social and economic conditions ever experienced are extremely disturbed by what is happening within the ranks of the national revolutionary party.

He said the people, who were fanning factionalism in the party, were counter-revolutionaries whose agenda is to destroy it from within.

It is saddening to see our revolution being hijacked by agents of our erstwhile enemies who are not at the brink of returning our country to foreign domination against which so many of our people perished.

General Chiwenga said there is need to take action in order to stop friction within the ruling party.

It is our strong and deeply considered position that if drastic action is not taken immediately, our beloved country Zimbabwe is definitely headed to becoming a neo-colony again.

He further claimed that the situation my degenerate in Zimbabwe if it is contained by the army. From a security point of view we cannot ignore the experiences of countries such as Somalia, DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo), Central Africa Republic and many others in our region where there have been serious conflicts.

General Chiwenga strongly urged some members of the party to stop what he called were reckless statements denigrating the military which is causing alarm and despondency within the rank and file.

He stated that Zanu PF should also stop the current purging of which is clearly targeting members of the party with a liberation background.

War veterans have claimed that they are being removed from all critical structures of the party by G40 members.
LAWSUITS

Tesla faces racial harassment suit

Teslas production floor is a hotbed for racist behavior, more than 100 African American employees claimed in a lawsuit in which they said that black workers at the electric carmaker suffer severe and pervasive harassment.

The employees are asking permission from a judge to sue as a group and are seeking unspecified general and punitive monetary damages, as well as an order for Tesla to implement policies to prevent and correct harassment.

Although Tesla stands out as a groundbreaking company at the forefront of the electric car revolution, its standard operating procedure at the Tesla factory is pre-Civil Rights era race discrimination, the employees said in the complaint filed Monday in Californias Alameda County Superior Court.

Tesla has about 33,000 employees globally. More than 10,000 employees work at its sole auto assembly plant in Fremont, Calif., where the United Auto Workers launched a campaign to convince workers to join the union.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Marcus Vaughn, who worked in the Fremont factory from April 23 to Oct. 31. Vaughn alleged that employees and supervisors regularly used the N word around him and other black colleagues. Vaughn said he complained in writing to human resources and Musk but that he was fired last month for not having a positive attitude.

Tesla didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.

 Bloomberg News

TECHNOLOGY

Qualcomm shuns Broadcom bid

Qualcomm rejected Broadcoms $105 billion acquisition offer, kicking off what would be the largest technology takeover battle in history.

The wireless-chip maker recommended that shareholders spurn the deal, saying its an opportunistic move by Broadcom to buy the company on the cheap. Qualcomm also said the transaction may face regulatory scrutiny that would cast doubt on its completion.

The rebuff ratchets up pressure on Broadcom to sweeten its offer or embark on a proxy battle, which carries its own risk of rejection by shareholders. For now, Broadcom said it remains  fully committed to going ahead with the purchase.

It is the Boards unanimous belief that Broadcoms proposal significantly undervalues Qualcomm relative to the companys leadership position in mobile technology and our future growth prospects, Paul Jacobs, executive chairman and chairman of the board of Qualcomm, said in a statement.

Broadcom chief executive Hock Tan on Nov. 6 offered $70 a share in cash and stock for Qualcomm, seeking to build a powerhouse that leads the market for wireless chips in devices such as iPhones.

Tan said hes pleased with the reaction he has received from Qualcomm shareholders and customers regarding his proposal and would prefer to keep the negotiations friendly.

 Bloomberg News

ECONOMY

U.S. budget deficit jumped in October

The federal government began its new budget year with an October deficit of $63.2 billion, up sharply from a year ago.

The Treasury Department said Monday that the October deficit was 37.9 percent higher than the $45.8 billion deficit recorded in October 2016.

Both government receipts and spending were up for the month, with receipts climbing 14.3 percent to $235.3 billion, a record for the month of October. The larger spending figure was up 11.6 percent to $298.6 billion.

The deficit for the 2017 budget year, which ended Sept. 30, totaled $666 billion, up 13.7 percent from a 2016 deficit of $586 billion.

 Associated Press

Also in Business

Lyft is expanding its ride-hailing services north of the border to Toronto, its first market outside the United States. The Uber rival plans to launch in Canada's largest city "before you know it," the start-up said in a blog post Monday. The Toronto Star said Lyft will begin services in the greater Toronto area and Hamilton, Ontario, next month to cash in on the holiday demand. According to the Toronto Star, about 50,000 people in Toronto have downloaded the Lyft app this year, even with no service yet available.

The U.S. Commerce Department said Monday that it had made final determinations that hardwood plywood from China was being subsidized and dumped in U.S. markets, and it set an anti-dumping duty of 183.6 percent and anti-subsidy duties ranging up to 194.9 percent. The United States imported an estimated $1.12 billion of the products from China in 2016.

Credit Suisse Group has agreed to pay $135 million to settle allegations that its foreign exchange traders deceived customers, improperly shared their information and tried to manipulate currency prices, the New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) said Monday. The settlement stems from a DFS probe that found "unlawful, unsafe and unsound conduct" in the Swiss bank's Forex business from at least 2008 to 2015, the regulator said. The traders used chat rooms to share confidential customer information, coordinate trades and try to manipulate currencies or bench mark rates, DFS said.

 From news reports

Coming today

8:30 a.m.: Labor Department releases the Producer Price Index for October.
[This story has been optimized for offline reading on our apps. For a richer experience, you can find the full version of this story here. An Internet connection is required.]





The Korean Demilitarized Zone was established as a buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea following the 1953 armistice in the Korean War. It divides the peninsula roughly in half and is about 160 miles across and 2.5 miles wide.





More than 25 million South Koreans live under constant threat from North Korean heavy artillery, much of it in fortified positions along the border. The weapons are precise and have a range of up to 44 miles.

Greater Seoul, the capital of South Korea and a global economic powerhouse, sits just 25 miles from the DMZ.

South Korea is home to nearly 30,000 active-duty American military members. Camps Casey and Red Cloud  both within 20 miles of the DMZ  have more than 6,000 soldiers stationed there. Yongsan Garrison, in the heart of Seoul, has served as the headquarters for the U.S. military in South Korea. Because it lies within the Norths artillery range, the U.S. has begun moving operations to a new garrison in Pyeongtaek, roughly 35 miles to the south.





The Joint Security Area is overseen by the United Nations and is where diplomatic discussions between the two countries take place. Its the only place where North and South Koreans stand face to face. South Korean guards, who must be black belts in taekwondo and meet certain height requirements, prevent anybody from crossing the border.

Between 2004 and 2016, more than 100 South Korean companies employed North Korean workers in the Kaesong Industrial Complex. The area, connected to the south by roads and rail, was started to ease tensions and help North Korea reform its flailing economy. South Korea pulled out after a 2016 rocket launch.

About half of the heavy artillery pieces along North Koreas southern border are multiple rocket launchers, including 18 to 36 that are 300 millimeter. Pyongyang has bragged about the reliability of these huge launchers, and state media last year published photos during a test-firing attended by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

An unintentional benefit of no people and no development for nearly 65 years: The slender DMZ is a nearly pristine ecological habitat. Several endangered species live there, including red-crowned (shown in photo) and white-naped cranes  which live near the Imjin River  and Amur gorals, which are related to goats and live in the mountainous areas.

The Sepo stockbreeding zone recently expanded livestock facilities to increase production of meat for the country, where food shortages are common.





Imnam Dam, on the Bukhan River in North Korea, was completed in 2003. In fear of an intentional release of massive amounts of water, South Korea constructed Peace Dam 22 miles to the south.





Haean, a small township of about 1,500 people, sits in the Haean Basin, nicknamed The Punchbowl by U.N. troops during the Korean War. In 1990, a 6-by-6-foot North Korean tunnel was discovered in the northern part of the valley before it could be completed. It was the fourth suspected invasion tunnel found in the DMZ.





The 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang are just over 50 miles from the DMZ. South Korea plans to increase cybersecurity and mobilize more than 5,000 members of its armed forces to protect the venues.
Book sales are an imprecise indicator of social anxiety, but 30-year-old novels don't come back from the dead for no reason. "The Handmaid's Tale" has sold about a million copies since the ascension of Donald Trump, making it one of the most popular novels of the unpopular president's first year. Surely, Hulu's Emmy-winning adaptation jacked up even more interest, but it didn't hurt that Republicans kept releasing photos from Gilead of white guys congratulating each other for curtailing women's rights. Only the Nobel committee, so characteristically out of touch, failed to recognize that this is the year of Margaret Atwood.



****HANDOUT IMAGE Future Home of the Living God, by Louise Erdrich, (credit: Harper) ***NOT FOR RESALE (Harper)

And her influence is not limited to her own work. Atwood mentored Naomi Alderman and has been actively promoting her feminist dystopia, "The Power," which won this year's Women's Prize for Fiction. It's not difficult to see why Alderman's smart, chilling novel would appeal to Atwood. "The Power" flips the social structure of "The Handmaid's Tale" and imagines a world in which women can electrocute with their hands. Complementary to Atwood's story but in no way derivative, "The Power" is just the kind of novel we need to reflect on the forces surging through our society.

But do we need another novel that reenacts the grim obstetrical control of The Handmaids Tale?

This is the awkward question inspired by Louise Erdrich's new novel, "Future Home of the Living God." Long recognized as one of America's finest writers  winner of a National Book Award and a National Book Critics Circle Award  Erdrich has published an extraordinary cycle of novels largely about the Ojibwe people of North Dakota. But "Future Home" marks a striking departure  an experiment of sorts, inspired 15 years ago and then reignited by the incendiary election of Donald Trump.

[Naomi Alderman has written our eras Handmaids Tale]

In an author's note, Erdrich explains that she wrote the first draft back in 2002 when President George W. Bush reinstated the "global gag rule," which barred the United States from funding any health-care organization that provided abortions or abortion counseling. When Trump was elected, she read her old manuscript again. "I felt I'd circled back to 2002," she writes, "only worse." After some quick work with her editor and publisher, "Future Home of the Living God" is now being released just as emboldened theocrats in Congress are plotting to outlaw abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. "The timing is right," Erdrich says.

But timing isnt enough.

Future Home comes to us as a diary kept by Cedar Hawk Songmaker, a 26-year-old woman four months pregnant. For reasons that probably have something to do with environmental degradation, evolution is suddenly running backward  at an absurdly high speed. Prehistoric animals and insects have already appeared. More troubling, human genetics has been rewound, rendering most fetuses inviable and most pregnancies fatal. The United States government has been replaced by the Church of the New Constitution, which imprisons all pregnant women to harvest their babies, hoping to sift the rare normals from the atavist stillbirths.



Author Louise Erdrich (Hilary Abe)

Everybody except Rep. Steve King of Iowa is likely to find this vision pretty terrifying, but the political and environmental context is only vaguely and rarely hinted at in Future Home. Erdrich is not so much tantalizing as miserly with the details of her fantastical conceit. Nobody knows exactly what is happening, Cedar says, and neither do we. Throughout the novel, were kept largely in the dark with her as she hides or flees from people out to capture her and steal her unborn baby.

Her plight is intermittently exciting. Whom can she trust? Who might betray her next? But the novel remains weirdly depth-resistant. For one thing, Cedar Hawk Songmaker is nowhere near as fine a writer as Louise Erdrich, and the choice to keep us trapped in Cedar's diary constrains the narrative considerably. The plot material is here for an interesting exploration of Anglo and Native American attitudes about women, reproductive freedom and environmental protection, but those issues remain overshadowed by Cedar's far less interesting rumination on her parents. (The whole world is dying, but  wait  Cedar's mother has hurt her feelings.) And when Cedar does reflect on biology, the Incarnation and the more profound concerns of the day, we get passages that sound like an undergraduate cramming on a term paper. "Evolution has never been a very controversial part of Catholic discourse even though the Archbishop of Vienna has made some retro noises on the subject," she writes. "We have seemingly reached the end of what Teilhard de Chardin hoped would be our apotheosis. Maybe T.S. Eliot had it right. Our world is ending not with a bang but a puzzled whimper."

(Mental note: Do not try to improve on T.S. Eliot by tossing in an extra adjective.)

Perhaps the problem stems from this novel's abnormally long and then rushed gestation period. Maybe it suffers from the conflicting motives of wanting to make a point but knowing that polemical novels are a drag. Or maybe if "Future Home" weren't sitting next to Erdrich's masterpieces, such as "The Plague of Doves" and "The Round House," along with Atwood's "Handmaid's Tale," it wouldn't seem so slack and minor.

Strangely, the novels final paragraphs, when Cedar falls into reverie about how snow used to look before the earth heated up, demonstrate what a gorgeous writer Erdrich can be. But, as we might say about our own climate, by then its too late.

Ron Charles is the editor of Book World and host of TotallyHipVideoBookReview.com.


Liz Smith in New York 2009. The gossip columnist, who died Nov. 12 at 94, helped put President Trump on the celebrity map. (Stephen Chernin/AP)

Liz Smith claimed to have invented Donald Trump, and in a powerful and enduring way, she did.

Trumps rise to celebrity was the product of an energetic injection of tabloid journalism into New Yorks media bloodstream in the 1970s and 80s, and it was Smith who turned Trump into one of the main characters in the citys soap opera.

The legendary gossip columnist, who died Sunday at 94, started delivering her daily dish about New York celebrities in 1976, the same year the brash Australian press lord Rupert Murdoch bought the New York Post and transformed it into a British-style splash of lurid headlines, crime-drenched reporting and juicy gossip.

Smiths column ran in the competition, the Daily News, and the two tabloids tumbled into a classic newspaper war. One of the bloodiest battles centered on the dissolution of Donald and Ivana Trumps marriage.

Smith and Trump were made for each other. She was a kinder, gentler gossipmonger, winning access to celebrities by telling the stories they wanted told rather than the more slashing tidbits that turned some columnists into personae non gratae among the boldface names. And he was a young real estate mogul hungry to establish himself as one of the citys biggest names.

Trump had been schooled in the art of manipulating the news media by his mentor Roy Cohn, the New York lawyer who had launched his own career in the 1950s by enlisting the 20th centurys greatest gossip columnist, Walter Winchell, as a booster for Sen. Joseph McCarthys communist-hunting crusade. Now, Cohn was guiding Trump toward tabloid fame as a means of gaining power and greater fortune.

From the start of Trumps career as a builder of hotels and apartment towers, Cohn had urged him to cultivate the gossip columnists, to make appearances at the right nightspots, to make certain that he was being seen and recorded with the hottest models and rising stars on his arm.

Trump loved the attention. He started his day, then as through the ensuing decades, with a file of clippings about himself. At times, he served as his own press agent, sometimes calling reporters and columnists under his own name, sometimes pretending to be a PR man named "John Miller" or "John Barron."

Trump used the tabloids to establish himself as a champion of the little guy. When we would talk particularly to immigrants, recent immigrants who were the readers of the Daily News, they would always want to know about Donald Trump, said News gossip columnist George Rush. He embodied the American Dream to them. Excessive conspicuous consumption is not a bad thing in New York to a lot of people.

Excessive conspicuous consumption was pure oxygen to Smiths gossip page. And Trump provided unending fodder. Smith socialized with Ivana and Donald, traveled with them on their private jet, attended their anniversary and birthday parties, even referred to him in her column as my pal.

Trump was the king of hyperbole and he had just the requisite touch of Elvis vulgarity to endear him to the common man, Smith later wrote.

Trump in turn would hug her for the cameras, calling her the greatest. Smith declared herself embarrassed by the attention, but she also allowed that she found Trumps hugs endearing since his germ phobia made public touching a rarity for him.

Smith later claimed that I put my tongue firmly in cheek in everything I wrote about the Trumps, but at the time, her copy read like a ceaseless celebration of the builder, his buildings and his ego.



Donald Trump with his then-girlfriend, Marla Maples, in Atlantic City in 1991. The relationship with Maples led to the dissolution of Trumps marriage to Ivana, news of which Smith broke in her gossip column. (Anonymous/AP)

In late 1989, someone sent a photo of a blond model named Marla Maples to a reporter at the New York Post, along with a note declaring that she was dating a prominent married businessman. The Posts Page Six gossip column published the picture, along with a cryptic story about Maples having an affair with a business tycoon.

But the story went no further at the Post, in part because the owner, Peter Kalikow  to whom Murdoch had sold the paper  was a friend of Trumps who had ordered that his paper not be the one to break the story of trouble in the Trump marriage.

Smith also heard about the affair and asked Trump to give her an exclusive. The story might be embarrassing, she argued, but at least shed handle it sensitively. Give me this story or you are going to be in someplace a lot worse than the Liz Smith column, she wrote to Trump. He didnt reply.

Soon thereafter, Ivana Trump took matters into her own hands, and while her husband was in Japan on business, she summoned Smith to her apartment and told her the story of the marriages dissolution, including details of her plastic surgery and the decline of the couples sex life.

Exclusive! Love on the Rocks, the News headlined Smiths column. The tabloid war was on, as Smith wrote about nothing but the Trumps for several months, trading scoops with the Posts Cindy Adams, who took Donalds side as Smith became an advocate for her own source, Ivana.

If this isnt a tabloid story, then there are no tabloids, one of Smiths editors told her.

The Daily News plastered Trump split stories on the front page for 12 days in a row; the Post responded with eight consecutive Trump headlines on Page One. A one-fact piece stating that Donald and Ivana slept in separate beds at their Mar-a-Lago estate qualified as a lead story.



Donald and Ivana Trump, at right, backstage at Carnegie Hall after a show by Liza Minelli, center with Henry Kissinger, in 1987. At left is Kissingers wife, Nancy. (Ron Frehm/AP)

Another day, the headline in the Post was Trump: Fire Liz Smith.

But of course no one involved in the whole sordid chapter wanted that to happen. The stories were a bonanza for the newspapers, and Trump later said that the divorce episode put him on the celebrity map, despite any pain that may have stemmed from having his personal life exposed. Liz Smith used to kiss my ass so much it was embarrassing, Trump wrote in one of his books.

Late in her life, Smith said that she had been mistaken to take sides in the divorce story, but she argued that she had no choice but to be nice to them for a while to get access to them.

The Ivana-and-Donald story made Smith a star, establishing her as the highest-paid print journalist in the country. And it lifted Trump to a new level of fame and infamy. He relished the idea that he was the talk of the town, both in the boardrooms from which hed always felt excluded and in the barrooms where, he believed, middle-class New Yorkers aspired to be like him.

Smith recounted going to a cocktail party at which CBS reporter Mike Wallace shushed a room full of media executives: Be quiet so Liz can tell us everything about the Trumps! And out on the streets, Smith accompanied Ivana through a crush of photographers and a crowd of everyday Joes, some of whom shouted, Get the money!

People couldnt get enough of the Trumps, Smith wrote in 2015. And: I was a star.
Nabi Hussain, a 13-year-old Rohingya Muslim, poses with the yellow plastic drum he used as a flotation device while crossing the Naf river from Burma to Bangladesh. Nabi is living on his own after escaping violence in his homeland, Burma. (Bernat Armangue/AP)

Nabi Hussain owes his life to a yellow plastic oil drum.

The 13-year-old Rohingya boy couldnt swim and had never even seen the sea before fleeing his village in Burma, a Southeast Asian nation also called Myanmar. But he clung to the empty drum and struggled across the water with it for about 2 miles, all the way to Bangladesh.

The Rohingya, a mostly Muslim ethnic group in Burma, have been so desperate to escape the violence in their homeland that some are trying to swim to safety in neighboring Bangladesh. In just a week, more than three dozen boys and young men used cooking oil drums like life rafts to swim across the mouth of the Naf River and wash up ashore in Shah Porir Dwip, a fishing town and cattle trade spot.

I was so scared of dying, said Nabi, a lanky boy in a striped polo shirt and checkered dhoti, a wrap that covers his legs. I thought it was going to be my last day.

Although Rohingya Muslims have lived in Burma for decades, the countrys Buddhist majority still sees them as invaders from Bangladesh. The government denies them basic rights, and the United Nations has called them the most persecuted minority in the world. Since August, after their homes were torched by Buddhist mobs and soldiers, more than 600,000 Rohingya have risked the trip to Bangladesh.



Rohingya Muslim children carrying babies in a refugee camp in Ukhiya, Bangladesh, on November 13. An estimated 40,000 Rohingya children are living in Bangladesh without their parents. (A.M. Ahad/AP)

We had a lot of suffering, so we thought drowning in the water was a better option, said Kamal Hussain, 18, who also swam to Bangladesh with an oil drum.

Nabi knows almost no one in this new country, and his parents back in Burma dont know that he is alive. He doesnt smile and rarely maintains eye contact.

Nabi grew up in the mountains of Burma, the fourth of nine children of a farmer. He never went to school.

The trouble started two months ago, when Rohingya fighters attacked Burmese security forces. The Burmese military responded with a brutal crackdown. It has been accused of killing men, attacking women and burning homes and property. The security forces this week said they did nothing wrong. U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is scheduled to visit Burma on Wednesday.

Nabis family fled, heading toward the coast, passing dead bodies. But when they arrived at the coast with a flood of other Rohingya refugees, they had no money for a boat and a smuggler.

Every day, there was less food. So after four days, Nabi told his parents he wanted to swim the delta to reach the thin line of land he could see in the distance  Shah Porir Dwip.

His parents didnt want him to go. One of his older brothers had left for Bangladesh two months ago, and they had no idea what had happened to him. They knew the strong currents could carry Nabi into the ocean.

Eventually, though, they agreed, on the condition that he not go alone. So on November 3, Nabi joined 23 other young men, and his family came to see him off.

Please keep me in your prayers, he told his mother, while everyone around him wept.

Nabi and the others strapped the cooking oil drums to their chests as floats, and stepped into the water just as the current started to shift toward Bangladesh. The men stayed in groups of three, tied together with ropes. Nabi was in the middle, because he was young and didnt know how to swim.

Nabi remembers swallowing water, in part because of the waves and in part to quench his thirst. The water was salty. His legs ached. But he never looked behind him.

Just after sundown, the group reached Shah Porir Dwip, exhausted, hungry and dehydrated.

Nabi is now alone, one of an estimated 40,000 unaccompanied Rohingya Muslim children living in Bangladesh. He looks down as he speaks, just a few feet from the water, and murmurs his biggest wish: I want my parents and peace.

Late afternoon on the next day, authorities spotted a few dots in the middle of the water. It was another group of Rohingya swimming to Bangladesh with yellow drums. They arrived at the same time as a pack of cattle  except that the cows came by boat.
TWIN FALLS  A teen boy has been charged in the hit-and-run accident at a Twin Falls McDonalds that was a close call for restaurant diners.

Police say a 14-year-old boy drove into the front of the McDonalds building at 110 Addison Ave. W. Nov. 3 while he was waiting for a friend who was inside the adjacent convenience store. The Ford Explorer came close to hurting two children inside the restaurant, Valley Food Service President Bill Kyle told the Times-News.

The boy fled the scene in the truck before police could arrive, leaving his friend at the service station, police reports say.

His vehicle died a few blocks away from the location of the accident, Lt. Terry Thueson said. He did get out and ran on foot.

Police worked to track him down as he fled to his home on the north side of town. Hours later, his parents turned him in, Thueson said.

The boy was taken into custody and charged with leaving the scene of an accident  a misdemeanor crime because there were no injuries.

But it was a close call, said Kyle, who went to the restaurant as soon as he found out about the crash. One child inside said a portion of the wall hit in in the leg, but he wasnt hurt enough to need medical attention.

Another younger child, Kyle said, had been walking toward the door to go out, but got out of the way just in time.

Police have not confirmed whether the 14-year-old driver had a valid drivers license. In Idaho, children are eligible for drivers education at 14  years.

The driver was not cited with any lesser violations, but Thueson said the responding officer wouldnt necessarily add lesser charges, if applicable, because a guilty plea could nullify the higher charge.

The kid was using somebody elses vehicle, and the owner of the vehicle has no insurance, Kyle said.

Hed also been told that the owner of the vehicle was in jail at the time of the accident. Kyle said his priority is to make necessary repairs first, but then he would probably pursue getting payment for the damages from the drivers parents. He estimates damages to be at least $5,000

My deductible wont even touch that, so its going to be entirely out-of-pocket, Kyle said.

The loss to business due to the boarded-up entrance has been detrimental, he added. A sign posted on the boards outside tells customers they can enter the restaurant from the convenience store.

Repairs will probably not be complete until the end of the month, and include replacing metalwork, brickwork, tiles and damaged furniture.
Dear Readers: Today's Sound On is about organ donation.

Dear Heloise: My 17-year-old son received a new kidney after the tragic death of a young woman in an auto accident, and he is now doing fine. He had kidney problems almost from birth, and the doctors said Id lose him before he turned 30 unless he received a kidney transplant. No parent wants to outlive his or her children, but thankfully a donor was finally found. I would like to raise awareness of how desperately donated organs are needed. To those who have graciously become organ donors, thank you, from a very grateful mother.

Lisa G., Ann Arbor, Mich.

Dear Heloise: Here are some money-saving tips that help people all year:

 Clip coupons and carry them in a separate container in your purse or wallet.

 Brown-bag it to work. Going out to eat gets expensive.

 Before you make a purchase just because you like it, ask yourself if you really need it.

 Call credit-card companies or banks and ask them to drop their penalty or overdraft fees.

A Reader, via email

Dear Heloise: Aloha! Ive been saving wine bottle corks, and I use them to top skewers when preparing a whole chicken for roasting. Youre safe from poking yourself or tearing the foil, and its easy to remove when the cooking is done.

Liz H., Kauai, Hawaii

Liz H.: Aloha to you, too!

Dear Readers: The question of what to do with all of your empty plastic containers motivated many of you to send me some hints:

Carol F. wrote: Call a day-care center. They usually can use empty plastic containers for crayons, paints or other craft materials.

Win G. wrote: I give them to a local senior center, and they use them to send any leftovers home after the daily lunches.

April B. wrote: I keep them and fill them with Christmas cookies and candies.

June K. wrote: I keep a supply of chalk in empty containers so my granddaughters can draw on the sidewalk when they visit.

Thanks to all my readers who had so many great ideas to share.

Dear Heloise: Its easier to replace the cap on a spray product if the cap is placed upside down on the counter and the upside-down can is pressed into the cap.

Marge G., via email

Dear Readers: My little dog, Chammy, has suggestions of her own: It's always a good idea to wash out pet food bowls every week with soap and hot water to make sure that there's no bacteria growing on your dog's or cat's food and water bowls.

Heloises column appears six days a week at

washingtonpost.com/advice

. Send a hint to

Heloise

, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Tex. 78279-5000, or email it to

Heloise@Heloise.com

.
Former columnist

Leigh Corfman mustered her courage.

Although reluctant to go public with what she says happened to her at age 14, at the hands of Roy Moore, she decided it was important to tell her story.

"I have prayed over this," Corfman told The Washington Post.

All I know is that I cant sit back and let this continue, let him continue without the mask being removed.

She and three other women decided that the voters of Alabama had a right to know about the former Alabama Supreme Court judge who, after winning the Republican primary, appeared to be headed for a U.S. Senate seat.

Their reward for this public-spirited bravery?

To be smeared as liars.

To be the objects of vicious criticism about their private lives  their marriages, divorces, and bankruptcies.

And to be described as political tools of the Democratic Party. (Corfman, now a 53-year-old customer service representative, says she voted for Republican candidates in the last three presidential elections.)

This incident happened almost 40 years ago, goes the outraged refrain. Why are these women only coming forward now?

Heres a better question: Why would any other woman, seeing whats happened in the past week, ever come forward again?

This is exactly why women wait 40 years, said Gretchen Carlson, the former Fox News host who sued her longtime boss, Roger Ailes, for sexual harassment.

Carlson was responding not just to what Moore himself had said  that the Post story was full of scurrilous lies  but to what Breitbart News had done: Send reporters to Alabama to discredit The Posts story.

Its weaponizing the fear and shame of sexual-assault victims against themselves, wrote Seth Mandel, an opinion editor at the conservative New York Post. Even for Breitbart, he said, this is some low stuff.

Breitbart also gleefully claimed last week that it outscooped The Post by publishing Moores denial before the story itself was published. It doesnt take an investigative reporting team to figure out who tipped them, given that Moore had been asked by The Post for his response to its reporting so that it could be included in their story.

What did the Breitbart reporters find in Alabama? Virtually nothing, but that didnt keep the media company (headed by former Trump strategist, perpetual bombthrower and Moore-booster Stephen K. Bannon) from publishing screaming headlines, like this one: Mother of Roy Moore Accuser: Washington Post Reporter Convinced My Daughter to Go Public.

She did not go to them  they called her, Corfmans mother, Nancy Wells, told Breitbart.

We were meant to recoil in horror, I guess, at how Post journalists committed treasonous acts of journalism. Yes, they persuaded their sources to go on the record, sometimes by making the case that there is a greater good to be served.

Portraying this as an expose was especially absurd because The Posts first story last week made clear that none of the women approached the reporters.

Its worth revisiting that passage in full:

Neither Corfman nor any of the other women sought out The Post. While reporting a story in Alabama about supporters of Moores Senate campaign, a Post reporter heard that Moore allegedly had sought relationships with teenage girls. Over the ensuing three weeks, two Post reporters contacted and interviewed the four women. All were initially reluctant to speak publicly but chose to do so after multiple interviews, saying they thought it was important for people to know about their interactions with Moore. The women say they dont know one another.

Nor was Breitbart alone in its eager victim-blaming. Fox Newss Sean Hannity brought the networks legal analyst, Mercedes Colwin, on his show to blast women who accuse powerful men, saying that they mostly do it for the money.

"There are victims of predators," Hannity allowed, having given Moore's denials plenty of airtime and emphasizing their supposedly consensual nature.

Very few and far between, Colwin retorted.

And WBMA in Birmingham sent a reporter out to talk to local people, coming back with the news that they didnt believe the womens accounts.

Then, bringing the trashing full circle, Breitbart offered the Sinclair-owned station a megaphone with this headline: Alabama ABC Affiliate Cant Find One Voter Who Believes WaPo Report about Roy Moore in Man-on-the-Street Segment. (Speaking of journalism basics, its almost always pointless to stick a microphone in front of random people who often have only heard the general outlines of a developing story.)

Of course, its not The Posts credibility thats really under attack here. Its that of the women themselves, who had the courage to be named, quoted and shown in photographs.

The vilifying response to Leigh Corfmans story makes it all the more remarkable  and a testament to strength in numbers  that a fifth woman came forward on Monday, saying that Moore sexually assaulted her when she was 16.

Whats not remarkable in the least is that it took them so long.

For more by Margaret Sullivan visit wapo.st/sullivan
Two aspiring politicians with strong ties to Washingtons poorest ward are mounting challenges to D.C. Council members Elissa Silverman (I-At Large) and Anita Bonds (D-At Large), citing concerns about how economic changes in the city are impacting working-class residents.

Dionne Bussey-Reeder, 46, who opened Cheers at the Big Chair on Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue in Southeast in 2015, said she is running against Silverman because of the landmark paid family and medical leave program that Silverman co-sponsored.

The program, which levies a 0.62 percent payroll tax on employers to generate $250 million annually to fund the program, poses a threat to small businesses such as her own, Bussey-Reeder said. The council is considering amending the program, which is opposed by the District's business community and which Bussey-Reeder said could force her to shrink her eight-person staff.

Paid family leave is progressive, and I think we should focus our attention on it, but I dont think it should be on the backs of small-business owners, said Bussey-Reeder, who will run as an independent next November. City law requires that two of the councils four at-large seats be reserved for non-majority party members.

[D.C. Council at odds over changes to landmark paid family leave law]



D.C. Council member Anita Bonds D-at large), left, is facing Aaron Holmes and two other challengers in next years primary. ( Katherine Frey/The Washington Post, Kea Taylor)

Silverman, a progressive lawmaker who was elected in 2014, said she thinks the bill that was passed last year helps small businesses and benefits working families. The program, which is one of the most generous in the nation, guarantees eight weeks of paid leave to new parents, six weeks of paid time off to care for ailing relatives, and two weeks of personal sick time.

In particular, it benefits our lowest-paid workers, who cant afford to take a day off to take care of themselves and their families, said Silverman, a former policy analyst and journalist. We heard from small businesses that they want to provide this benefit but cant afford to do it out of pocket.

Bussey-Reeder grew up in Columbia Heights and returned to the District after graduating from West Virginia State University with a degree in political science. A resident of mostly gentrified Ward 1, she has spent most of her career in community organizing, including developing a program to prepare at-risk youth for college and spending a decade at the Far Southeast Family Strengthening Collaborative.

Although some worry that new development east of the Anacostia River  including a Starbucks and a Busboys and Poets  will displace longtime residents, Bussey-Reeder is excited about the changes.

Business draws business, she said. But as people bring businesses, it is their responsibility to hire in the community where they are located.

[Could the Districts poorest sector gain cache as the citys East End?]

The city's rapid economic transition, now spreading east of the river to Wards 7 and 8, is also an important issue for Aaron Holmes, 34, who works at a communications firm and joins two other millennials in challenging Bonds in the June 19 Democratic primary.

Gentrification is really the question, and jobs are the answer, said Holmes, a resident of Fairlawn. We have to economically defend populations that we want to remain in the city.

Holmes, who unsuccessfully sought the Ward 8 council seat in 2016, said the city could begin to combat the displacement of longtime residents by focusing on providing entry-level jobs for residents instead of devoting resources to training programs that do not necessarily lead to jobs.

He said he has no specific criticism of Bonds, 72, who has served on the council since 2012 and chairs the D.C. Democratic Party.

You dont run against a person, he said. You run for office. This is a marketplace of ideas. I really do believe that there is an opportunity for us to make greater gains in the space of expanding opportunities. We can think bigger.

The other Democratic candidates are Marcus Goodwin, an acquisitions associate at a real estate development company, and Jeremiah Lowery, an organizer at the Chesapeake Climate Action Network.

Holmes, whose father was a D.C. police officer, founded a program in March called MyPD that brings D.C. police into public schools to speak with students and improve relationships between officers and community members. The program has connected more than 50 officers with 1,000 students and is continuing this school year, he said.

Strengthening traditional public schools is a priority for Holmes, who graduated from Oxon Hill High School in Prince Georges County and studied at the University of Maryland but did not graduate.

There are 24 charter schools in my neighborhood, and there is one grocery store, Holmes said. I dont have a problem with educators being creative and innovative. But I do have a problem when education is the most profitable business in my neighborhood.
University of Washington students walk on the Seattle campus in 2012. Campuses nationwide are reporting a decline in the number of newly enrolled foreign students. (Elaine Thompson/AP)

The flow of new international students entering U.S. colleges and universities shrank last year and has continued to decline this fall on many campuses, breaking a recent trend of growth, a nonprofit group said Monday.

The data from the Institute of International Education are likely to fuel questions about how the divisive 2016 presidential campaign and U.S. policy shifts since President Trump took office have influenced the global academic market.

Higher education leaders have been on alert for signs that the Trump administration's efforts to ban travelers from certain majority-Muslim countries and heightened scrutiny of foreign visitors are deterring international students.

Allan E. Goodman, the institutes president and chief executive, said its too early to conclude there has been a Trump effect on enrollment. Saudi Arabia and Brazil, he noted, recently scaled back government scholarship programs that had propelled many students to the United States. And total foreign enrollment at U.S. institutions  counting continuing students as well as new ones  reached a record high of 1.08 million in 2016. The total grew because some of the continuing international students remained enrolled longer than in years past.

But Goodman said he is struck by two questions he often hears when he travels abroad: Does everybody in America have a gun? And does everybody in America pay full price for college? Those issues arise in media coverage of U.S. gun violence and of the U.S. education sector, which relies heavily on affluent international students for tuition revenue. Safety and value, Goodman believes, are increasing priorities for foreign students.

Theyre not unreasonable questions, he said. They have nothing to do with whether you live in a red state or a blue state.

The institute, in partnership with the U.S. State Department, tracks international enrollment at about 2,100 U.S. colleges and universities through an annual report called Open Doors. Except for a brief period after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, international enrollment at U.S. schools has grown consistently for decades.

[Surge in foreign students may be crowding Americans out of elite colleges]

Students from China account for nearly one-third of foreign enrollees in the United States. The Chinese total surpassed 350,000 in fall 2016, up 7 percent from the previous year. India ranked second, with 186,000 students in the United States last fall, up 12 percent. The Saudi student total fell 14 percent, to 53,000, and the Brazilian total fell 32 percent, to 13,000.

International student exchange is an essential contributor to Americas economic competitiveness and national security, Alyson L. Grunder, deputy assistant secretary of state for policy in the departments Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, said in a statement. The U.S. higher education sector remains the global leader in welcoming students from around the world, and at the same time, we are committed to increasing opportunities to study abroad for Americans.

But the Open Doors report found new foreign enrollment fell nearly 10,000 students in fall 2016, to about 291,000. The 3 percent drop was the first in the six years the report has published that statistic.

Separately, the institute teamed with 10 education groups on a snapshot survey of foreign enrollment this fall. About 500 schools responded, reporting an average decrease of 7 percent of new international students. That figure offers a preliminary and partial view. New foreign enrollment was up at many schools and down at others.

I need to see another year of data, Goodman said, to know what effect, if any, Trump has had.

The snapshot survey found colleges cite a mix of factors for this years decline, including competition from other countries, the cost of U.S. higher education, visa delays or denials and an uncertain U.S. social and political climate. Half of schools responding to the survey said they are worried about perceptions of the United States among international students who are considering enrolling next year.

Many colleges have sent top officials overseas this year to reassure incoming and potential students, and they have launched a social-media campaign called #YouAreWelcomeHere.

[From refugee camp to Cornell to a Rhodes Scholarship]

At the University of Florida, new international enrollment  mostly graduate students  fell this fall to about 1,270 students, from about 1,880 the previous year. Thats a decline of 32 percent.

UF Provost Joseph Glover said engineering and business programs were hit hard, with a significant decline in new students from India. Glover said university officials have heard of similar drops elsewhere.

If it represents the beginning of a downward trend, that could represent a serious problem for the nation, Glover said. Its something that were watching with great concern.

Rahul Choudaha, an executive vice president at StudyPortals, a Netherlands-based online search platform for international students, said market forces were causing enrollment shifts well before Trumps presidential campaign. But he said Trumps victory and actions in office have influenced many overseas who are attracted to U.S. schools but worried about their career prospects after graduation.

The tightening of the immigration process is really posing some concerns for international students, especially at the graduate student level, Choudaha said. Still, the United States remains a powerful educational draw. There is a huge diversity of options in the U.S., he said. A lot of these options are very high quality. Its unparalleled.
THE DISTRICT

Eight are treated for carbon monoxide

Eight people were treated for complications due to carbon monoxide exposure early Sunday after rescue workers were called to a boardinghouse in Northwest Washington.

D.C. fire and EMS officials said they found high levels of carbon monoxide in the three-story home in the 500 block of U Street when they arrived about 8 a.m. Officials say the deadly gas probably came from a malfunctioning furnace.

Eight occupants were taken to the hospital with a range of mild to moderate symptoms, but none were believed to be life-threatening.

Rescue officials took to Twitter to remind residents to make sure they had working alarms that can detect the odorless, colorless toxic gas.

 Arelis R. Hernandez

MARYLAND

Fire leaves woman with serious injuries

A Prince Georges County woman suffered life-threatening injuries Sunday in a basement blaze inside a Capitol Heights home firefighters pulled her out of.

Fire department spokesman Mark Brady said the victim was in critical condition after sustaining severe burns and inhaling smoke while inside the home in the 700 block of Eastern Avenue, near the border of Prince Georges County and the District.

Firefighters arrived to the home about 11:40 a.m. to find the woman, in her 60s, in the basement, where investigators think the fire originated before spreading to the first floor.

One firefighter suffered second-degree burns to the ears and was taken to a hospital burn unit, officials said. The firefighter is expected to be released.

 Arelis R. Hernandez

VIRGINIA

One killed, two hurt in Prince William crash

A three-car crash on Interstate 66 in Prince William County early Sunday left one person dead and two injured, Virginia State Police said.

The incident occurred about 4 a.m. in the westbound lanes near the Mile 48 marker. One vehicle overturned, leaving the driver with minor injuries. Two people were injured  one fatally  in the second vehicle.

The driver of the third vehicle, a white SUV, fled. A short time later, authorities spotted the vehicle leaving the highway. They stopped it and arrested the driver, 58-year-old Dustin Tran of Manassas, on charges of hit-and-run and driving under the influence.

Authorities did not release the name of the deceased victim.

 Michael S. Rosenwald
Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) signs the countys $15 minimum-wage bill surrounded by members of the County Council and activists in Rockville, Md. (Rachel Siegel/TWP)

Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) signed legislation Monday that requires a $15-an-hour minimum wage starting in 2021 for businesses with at least 51 employees, and giving smaller businesses a bit more time to implement that wage.

The wealthy county is the first jurisdiction in Maryland, and the second in the region behind the District, to adopt a $15 minimum, which has become a central focus of the progressive movement in recent years. Leaders of the business community oppose the law and say it will put Marylands largest jurisdiction at a disadvantage compared to its suburban neighbors.

Advocates are vowing to use the legislations passage to renew their push for a statewide $15 minimum, noting that Montgomery is the only suburban U.S. jurisdiction to mandate the wage in a state that has not enacted a similar law statewide.

"In most debates there are gives and takes," Leggett said Monday at the signing, acknowledging more than a year of back and forth with the council over the timeline for implementing the $15 wage and the definition of small and large businesses. "Montgomery County has done what is right, what is appropriate, and what is reasonable under the circumstances and conditions."

Leggett, who is finishing the third year of his third and final term in office, said the debate over the bill was one we should take a great deal of pride in.



The crowd celebrates as Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett D) signs the countys $15 minimum-wage bill into law in Rockville, Md. (Rachel Siegel/TWP)

The implementation and economic impacts of a higher wage, however, will fall to Leggetts successor.

Among the Democrats running for his seat, Marc Elrich (D-At Large) was the bills lead sponsor. George Leventhal (D-At Large) was a co-sponsor, and Roger Berliner (D-Potomac-Bethesda) voted in favor of the final bill. State Del. C. William Frick (D-Montgomery) has said raising the minimum wage should be dealt with at the state level.

Two other Democrats running for county executive, David Blair and Rose Krasnow, could not be reached for comment on Monday. Robin Ficker, the only Republican in the race so far, answered questions about the minimum wage by slamming recent tax hikes in the county, and said an increase to $15 an hour may not be enough to offset the tax bite being taken out of peoples paychecks.

In January, Leggett vetoed legislation that would have raised the minimum wage to $15 along a more condensed timeline, saying he was concerned about overburdening businesses and triggering employee layoffs. He then commissioned a study to quantify the impact of a $15 minimum wage, but that study was widely discredited for overestimating the number of local jobs that would be lost.

In September, Leggett proposed changes to a revised minimum-wage bill sponsored by Elrich, calling on council members to expand the definition of small businesses and elongate the compliance timeline.

Last week, the council unanimously approved a compromise between Elrich's bill and Leggett's recommendations. Businesses with 11 to 50 employees must pay at least $15 an hour by 2023. Businesses with 10 or fewer employees must pay the wage by 2024.

At a news briefing before Mondays signing, Berliner said he received frustrated phone calls from local retailers in the wake of last weeks vote.

There are people that are unhappy, he said.

Gigi Godwin, president and CEO of the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, which testified against the increase in September, said she still has concerns over Montgomerys competitiveness in attracting businesses, particularly as low-wage jobs are being transformed and replaced by technology.

What kinds of policies are we putting in place that will attract and retain the employer of the future, who in turn is going to attract and retain the employee of the future? Godwin asked.

After the signing, Elrich said Montgomerys bill is more moderate in its timeline than similar legislation in larger cities. He said he was confident business owners would be creative and smart in managing their businesses moving forward.

The truth is, its the law, he said.
Arun Rao, the federal prosecutor in charge of overseeing cases for the division that covers Prince Georges and Montgomery counties for the past two years, has left for a position in the private sector.

Rao starts Monday as executive vice president of Investigative Group International and its affiliated law practice, the Lenzner Firm, based in Washington, D.C.

Rao, who also worked at the White House during the Obama administration, will lead corporate internal investigations, advising clients on risk management, white-collar prosecutions and government investigations, according to an announcement from the firm.

As chief of the Southern Division of the U.S. attorneys office for the District of Maryland under Rod J. Rosenstein, who is now Deputy Attorney General, Rao managed a wide range of high-profile cases involving public corruption, gang activity, terrorism and money laundering.

Rao, 41, who lives on Capitol Hill with his wife, reflected on his time as a federal prosector in an interview with The Washington Post last week. This has been edited for length and clarity.



Arun Rao, former chief of the Southern Division of the U.S. attorney's office for the District of Maryland. (White House)

What are some cases youre proud of during your time in the U.S. attorneys office?

The office has done some remarkable cases over the past six months. We have had MS-13 prosecutions that have just been terrific. Those assistant U.S. attorneys put their heart and soul into these cases. Through grunt work and work with cooperating witnesses, theyve been able to secure a number of verdicts in the past few months where defendants have received life in prison.

One case I played a part in firsthand was among public corruption cases we called "Operation Dry Saloon." [The case involved liquor store owners bribing lawmakers in exchange for favorable votes on legislation that would expand liquor sales in Prince George's County.]

Thats just been a real success as far as what you want to see out of a public corruption investigation. The legislature introduced and the governor signed the public integrity act in response to our investigation.

Its a source of pride for us at the U.S. attorneys office when we can see the work we do have a tangible impact in the world.

United States v. Waffen was a case I handled in 2011 and 2012 involving the largest theft ever from the National Archives, which was perpetrated by a former supervisory archivist. The theft of our nation's history by someone who was entrusted with its preservation was unconscionable, and I am proud of my work in that case.

What are some trends youve noticed in your time as a federal prosecutor?

The opioid crisis is one of the greatest and most rapidly increasing public health and criminal justice problems facing Maryland. In 2012, Deborah Johnston and I successfully tried the first case involving the distribution of heroin resulting in death in federal court in Maryland: United States v. Sweeney. The defendant was sentenced to 20 years in prison, the mandatory minimum sentence under federal law.

Since 2012, sadly, the prosecution of these types of cases by our office has become far more common  and now frequently involve dangerous substances like acetyl fentanyl and carfentanil. Earlier this year, prosecutors in the Greenbelt office secured a sentence of life in prison in a case involving the distribution of acetyl fentanyl resulting in death. And earlier this month, I spoke at the Maryland State's Attorneys' Association board meeting about the ability of federal prosecutors to help state prosecutors with this growing problem, which threatens to overwhelm local authorities. I expect that as U.S. attorney, Rob Hur will continue to devote substantial resources to this area.

The MS-13 cases definitely seem to be more prevalent than when I began. What I have noticed over the past couple of years is that the geography within which these guys are operating is expanding. It used to be just in Langley Park. Now its in Montgomery County and eastern Virginia, and now we have a case where some members are involved as far south as rural Virginia, and were doing cases in Frederick. Regionally, not withstanding our best efforts, were still seeing a spread of the violence. The most puzzling and alarming thing in the MS-13 cases is the violence seems almost purposeless. It is violence for violences sake.

Youre leaving the U.S. attorneys office in Maryland at a time of transition. Well-respected longtime federal prosecutor Deborah Johnston recently died, and Robert K. Hur is expected to take over the office after Rosenstein left.

Deborah Johnston was just a legend. She was the finest attorney Ive worked with and an even better person. Sometimes I feel like Im leaving the office at a difficult time for folks I consider friends and colleagues. I take comfort in the fact that the office is in good hands. Rob and I handled cases together in the past. Hes someone with integrity, intelligence and humility. Im confident hes going to maintain the high standards of the office. The office in Greenbelt is going to be in good hands with Kristi OMalley, who will be handling things until Rob is confirmed.
Police in riot gear contain a group of protesters at the corner of 12th and L streets NW on the day of President Trumps inauguration. (Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post)

Federal prosecutors must scale back their search of Facebook accounts connected to protests during President Trumps inauguration to protect private data unrelated to the ongoing probe, a judge in Washington has ruled.

The risk for disclosure of private political speech and association of innocent persons to the government cannot be ignored and therefore additional protections are necessary, D.C. Superior Court Chief Judge Robert E. Morin ruled.

The ruling is the latest development in a legal battle over the governments request to search three Facebook accounts, including that of a political group that helped plan the Jan. 20 demonstrations. More than 200 people were arrested and are facing felony rioting charges connected to the protests that injured police and damaged property in downtown Washington.

[When is a Facebook 'like' a crime?]

The judge ordered Facebook to redact the identities of about 6,000 people who liked or followed the DisruptJ20 Facebook page and to limit the production of photographs. However, Morin did not go as far as attorneys for the two individual users had requested to limit the search of their private content.

The court agreed to impose safeguards to protect political activity and third-party communications from government snooping, but was not equally careful to protect our clients private and personal communications, Scott Michelman, an attorney with the ACLU of the District of Columbia, said in a statement.

[ACLU fights warrants seeking political communications of Facebook users]

The fight over the warrants became public after Facebook went to the D.C. Court of Appeals to protest a judge's order that prevented the company from alerting its users to the search. Prosecutors in the District backed off their request to keep Facebook quiet in September, allowing the company to alert the three users.

In his 21-page order issued Thursday, Morin distinguished between the two individual accounts and the DisruptJ20 Facebook page used as a common forum by many people. The judge said he was trying to balance individual rights to private online expression with the governments ability to prosecute criminals.

Among other limitations, Morin ordered investigators to clear their search plan with the court before accessing the DisruptJ20 page and get the courts permission to uncover any third-party names.

While the government has the right to execute its warrants, it does not have the right to rummage through the information contained on the Facebook accounts and discover the identity of, or access communications by, individuals not participating in alleged criminal activity, particularly those persons who were engage in protected First Amendment activities, Morin wrote.

The individual targets of the search  Lacy MacAuley and Legba Carrefour  have not been charged with any crime. The judge ordered the names redacted of MacAuley's and Carrefour's Facebook friends and the names of anyone who communicated with the two.

But Morin ruled that because the government has established probable cause to believe that criminal activity is likely to be found in the individual accounts, investigators can review those communications and postings.

The office of the U.S. attorney for the District had no comment on the ruling.


O'Neil McGean, right, and former partner Brian Betts, a popular D.C. principal who was killed in 2010, in the mid-1990s. Both were later murdered in two separate crimes, years apart. (Family photo)

To the hundreds of students who lined up outside the funeral home that April evening in 2010, Brian Betts had been a beloved Washington middle school principal. A second father. An inspiration.

R.I.P. Mr. Betts, said their shirts and hoodies.

Mr. Betts, We Love You, read their signs.

But to ONeil McGean, who stood in the Pierce Funeral Home parking lot in Manassas, Va., gripping a friends hand and fighting back tears, Brian had been so much more.

He had been the love of ONeils life.

They had met at a stoplight, ONeils personality so boisterous it took him only a few seconds to make a lasting impression. Soon they bought a house together in Shaw, fixing it up in the evenings. They were inseparable for almost a decade. And even after their breakup, after ONeil moved to Mexico and Brian moved to Maryland, they remained good friends.

Then came the gunshots late one night inside Brians bedroom in Silver Spring, and the phone ringing 2,000 miles away in Mazatlan.

[Successful, beloved D.C. principal found fatally shot]

A week later, ONeil stood in front of his exs casket wondering what had gone wrong.

Why did this happen, Brian? ONeil asked aloud.

The answer came two weeks later when police arrested four men, one of whom had arranged to meet Brian via a telephone chat line only to rob him, shoot him and leave him to die.



A 2010 memorial outside Shaw Middle School at Garnet-Patterson for beloved principal Brian Betts. (Mark Gail/The Washington Post)

The crime chastened ONeil. He was already careful about living in Mexico. Now he grew wary of online dating.

But by Oct. 25, 2016, that caution had waned. After agreeing to meet someone through a dating app, ONeil disappeared  as did $16,000 from his bank accounts.

The question this time was less why than how.

How could ONeil fall prey to the same trap that had claimed Brian six years prior?

How could the 53-year-old not see it coming?

Hope he is ok

The first messages werent alarming.

Hola amigo, you there, Jorge Guillen Gonzalez wrote on Facebook messenger on Oct. 26, 2016.

Si, yo estoy aqui, replied Donnie McGean, ONeils oldest brother. All is good, and you?

Not as good [as] I want.

They had met six months earlier when Donnie and his wife visited ONeil in Mazatlan, a city known as the Pearl of the Pacific.

ONeil had moved there in 2006 after visiting a few times. The same charisma that had made him the center of attention as a kid in Chevy Chase  leading his little brother Chris and their friends through Rock Creek Park, refereeing fights after school at Blessed Sacrament, captaining dodgeball games  made him popular in the gay-friendly resort town.

It was in Mazatlan that ONeil met Jorge, a handsome young Mexican with dark hair, green eyes and a tattoo across his tightly muscled chest reading Warrior of God. They had dated for a short time before opening a cafe together in 2014.

Now Jorge said he was worried.

ONeil had gone on a date the night before with someone hed met on a gay dating app, Jorge said, and ONeil wasnt home yet, nor was he answering his phone. His two cherished dogs  Brandy and Guinness, named after ONeils favorite drinks  hadnt been fed.

Drug violence in the surrounding state of Sinaloa had crept into Mazatlan. So when Jorge said he was receiving strange Spanglish texts from ONeils phone, Donnie told him to call the police.



Jorge Guillen Gonzalez, left, and O'Neil in 2006, when ONeil moved to Mexico. Family photo)

[I] really miss ONeil. He is my life. He knows how much I love him. Hope he is ok, wherever he is, Jorge wrote in broken English.

My heart is broken, he said later. I just wanna die.

Hang in there. I will be there tomorrow, Donnie wrote as he prepared to board a flight from his home in Maui to Mazatlan. Our family is very grateful to have you as a friend of ONeil. Without you we would be nowhere right now.

You dont give the orders

Twenty hours later, Donnie, an energetic 62-year-old who founded a trio of natural food groceries, stepped off a plane and headed to meet Jorge at the Hotel Punta Pacifico, a remote resort north of the city. It was here, Jorge said, that ONeil had gone to meet his date the night he disappeared.

[She thought shed saved her daughter from MS-13 by smuggling her to the U.S. She was wrong.]

But hotel employees denied seeing ONeil, and drone footage of the surrounding countryside showed no trace of him or his car.

The sun dipped over the ocean as Jorge drove them south to Mazatlan. They were eating seafood at a restaurant on the malecon when the Mexicans phone suddenly began to buzz.

The messages were from ONeils phone  but not from ONeil.

Pay great attention because I will not say it again, the kidnappers said in Spanish. If it occurs to you to do something rash, you will not hear from me or your little sponsor again.

The kidnappers had already withdrawn about $16,000 from ONeils bank accounts. Now they demanded $26,000 more, but gave confusing directions, first instructing Jorge to pay in the morning, then ordering him to deposit a fifth of the money immediately  without providing a bank account.

I wont do anything until I see a photo that ONeil is ok, Jorge wrote back.

First hand, came the cryptic, chilling answer. Want the other? You dont give the orders here.

As the texts became more threatening, Jorge grew visibly distraught, sobbing and retching, recalled Donnie, who was busy dialing FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration officials  contacts of a relative whod retired from the DEA  to ask them to try to trace his brothers phone.

The next morning, someone spotted ONeils car, parked downtown and filled with trash and beer bottles. As Donnie and Jorge watched state police dust the car for fingerprints, an officer pulled the American aside to say he had a bad feeling about Jorge.

Donnie shrugged it off, as he did the other things people said about Jorge: that ONeil had recently fired him from the cafe; that hed been banned from ONeils house for throwing wild parties while the American was away.

Jorge went everywhere with Donnie, translating for him by day and sleeping in the same house at night. He even suggested suspects to the police, organizing a stakeout at a property where he said ONeil might be held, Donnie recalled.



O'Neil along the waterfront in Mazatlan in 2012. (N/A/Family photo)

ONeil had been a popular figure in Mazatlan, donating money to local causes and hosting events at his cafe, so his disappearance was major local news. On Oct. 31, Donnies fourth day in town, he and Jorge went to meet the mayor. Carlos Felton told Donnie hed spoken that morning to the governor, who had made it clear he wanted the case solved quickly.

A lot of these guys were very afraid that this would affect their tourism, would affect the cruise ships, Donnie later recalled.

The same day, Donnie met with the prosecutor handling ONeils disappearance.

What took you so long to come in here? Agripino Flores Sanchez asked. We told Jorge a family member has to sign off on the investigation.

The next day, when Donnie returned to talk to Flores, the prosecutor barred Jorge from entering the room. He then showed Donnie a diagram of communications between the suspected kidnappers. Jorges name appeared, Donnie recalled.

Donnie again dismissed the idea. Jorge must have been trying to reach the kidnappers to negotiate ONeils release, he thought.

The next day Mazatlan was packed with people celebrating the Day of the Dead. To take his mind off his brothers disappearance, Donnie walked among the thousands of partygoers with their faces painted like skulls before ducking into a restaurant to call a kidnapping expert.

If youre continuing to be hopeful, dont, the expert said after Donnie told him the kidnappers had gone quiet. Ill tell you right now that your brother is dead.

You cannot trust anybody

Donnies phone rang just hours after hed left Mazatlan.

Police had found ONeils body, his youngest brother, Chris, told him, and they had arrested Jorge.

Six years after Brians murder, ONeil had fallen prey to a similar trap  one allegedly orchestrated by his best friend.



Guillen Gonzalez on Valentine's Day in 2014. He and ONeil had opened a cafe together in Mazatlan. Now he is charged in connection with ONeils killing. (Family photo)

ONeil had been lured not to the Punta Pacifico but to another hotel, where he had been beaten so badly that his lungs were punctured, investigators told Donnie. His brothers body was then wrapped in a hotel curtain, stuffed inside a large bag, ferried across town in a taxi and buried in a yard under freshly poured concrete.

The FBI agent had warned him not to look at ONeils face, so Donnie identified his little brother by the Irish family crest tattooed on his shoulder.

Mexican law does not allow Mexican media to fully identify suspects until they have been convicted. But multiple people close to the situation, including investigators and an attorney for Jorge, confirmed his arrest and those of two others: Luis David Soto and Carlos Ramon Anguiano. A fourth suspect, Joel Carrillo Anguiano  a relative of Carlos  has also been charged but remains at large.

State and local authorities did not respond to repeated requests for comment.

In an interview with The Washington Post, Jorges attorney, Hector Soto, said his client had been made into a scapegoat by officials eager to close a high-profile and politically sensitive case.

Jorge had sounded the alarm over ONeils disappearance and pressured police to investigate, Soto argued. A confession by Carlos Anguiano implicating Jorge was unreliable, he said.

Carlos says he was tortured into giving that statement, Soto said.

That accusation cuts deep in a country that has struggled to modernize its outdated, underfunded and, at times, corrupt criminal justice system. Despite a decade-long effort to bolster the rule of law by improving policing and introducing American-style oral court proceedings, more than 93 percent of homicides go unsolved, according to the Citizens Council for Public Security and Criminal Justice, a Mexican think tank.

On the rare occasion that a homicide case is closed, it is often tainted by accusations of torture, as in the case of two Australian surfers killed in Sinaloa a year before O'Neil.

In a jailhouse letter sent to The Post by his brother, Jorge claimed he is innocent.

Im locked up because of the whims of prosecutors and the disabilities of judges, he wrote. Im locked up because the state government wants to get along with the American community.

Donnie McGean believes Jorge is guilty. Rather than as signs of innocence, he sees Jorges retching and crying as evidence that he knew the robbery had gone too far and that ONeil was dead. But even he isnt certain.

In Mexico, you cannot trust anybody, Donnie said, including the police.

A year after his brothers death, Donnie and his relatives worry that the case will fall apart. The governor who had prioritized ONeils case left office last year amid accusations of corruption.

I feel that the case is being put on the back burner, Donnie wrote to Sinaloas new governor, Quirino Ordaz Coppel, in May. A kidnapper, robber and murderer of an American living in Mexico is still walking the streets.

Donnie never received a response. Later he learned Ordaz, who did not respond to requests for comment, owns the Pacific Palace hotel, where ONeil was killed.

A month after ONeils body was found, expats drank tequila and sang Danny Boy at a memorial in Mazatlan. On the same day in Washington, mourners packed Blessed Sacrament for a memorial just as emotional as the one held for Brian.

Earlier this year, when Chris and Donnie went through their brothers belongings, they found dozens of childrens books Brian had given ONeil, each with a love note written inside.

And in his dressing room in Mazatlan, framed behind glass, they found a collage of photographs of ONeil and Brian  both of them now gone.
TWIN FALLS  It was a common complaint among College of Southern Idaho students: Wireless Internet access wasnt always reliable  or even existent in some places.

But now, thats changing.

CSI is upgrading wireless infrastructure at its Twin Falls campus to include 185 access points  both indoor and outdoor. The college plans to wrap up the project by the end of 2017.

Students often complained about not having wireless access in outdoor public spaces such as gathering areas and parking lots. Plus, CSIs old wireless system was outdated and the manufacturer is no longer supporting the equipment.

Before, if you ever asked any students on campus what our wireless was like, they said it was terrible. It sucks, said Bruce Nukaya, systems and network architecture director for CSI.

The $160,000 project includes two phases and started last year. The first one, which is complete, included installing new wireless access points inside campus buildings.

Now, CSI information technology employees are wrapping up the second phase: installing outdoor access points. It has about 25 left to go.

CSI student body president Lance Teske said its typically faster and more convenient for students to use their personal devices to do schoolwork than going to school computer labs.

It means students arent restricted on when and how they can do their homework, he said, and many rely on CSIs wireless Internet if they dont have access at home.

Its impossible to do any kind of classwork without having Internet access, Teske said. Most of the time, its much easier to use your own personal device.

When student body leaders were doing skits during an event at the beginning of the school year, one was about how wireless Internet was terrible outdoors at CSI, he said. Its almost a joke on campus that youre just not going to have connection in certain areas.

Teske said he appreciates how CSI administrators are listening to students and working to fix the problem. I know its a process.

The wireless project kicked off in June 2016 with a trial run in three buildings on campus.

Our wireless infrastructure was becoming outdated, Nukaya said. We went out and redesigned the whole thing from scratch.

CSI is using Ruckus Wireless equipment, which Nukaya describes as state-of-the-art and the newest technology for high-speed Internet.

Manufacturer engineers completed site surveys at CSI to determine what kind of wireless coverage the college needed.

Its important for CSI to support students and stay up-to-date with modern technology, Nukaya said. In this day and age, everybody has to have wireless.
Some legislators are questioning whether fare evasion should be a crime at all, arguing that targeted enforcement campaigns are bound to ensnare poor and low-income people who dont have the money to pay their fares  let alone fines. (Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post)

At a recent public hearing on a proposal to decriminalize fare evasion on Metro, D.C. Council member Charles Allen made a shocking admission.

Allen, chairman of the panels judiciary committee, is a repeat offender.

I cant tell you the number of times that Ive tapped my card and it gave me the beep that said my balance had dropped below what the fare was, said Allen (D-Ward 6), a daily bus rider. And the driver just said, Just fill it up when you get to the station. 

Ive never once thought, Im going to actually get a citation or have a criminal record for riding the bus,  he said.

Allen's conclusion  that a business-suit-wearing white man would be an unlikely target of a fare-evasion sting  is part of the perspective propelling proposed legislation in the District that would decriminalize fare evasion, lowering the maximum possible fine to $100 from $300 and eliminating the possibility of jail time.

The D.C. Councils move mirrors a trend in cities across the country based on a growing awareness among lawmakers of how issues such as legacy policing practices, unconscious bias and systemic racism can unfairly target communities based on race or age  even in the seemingly mundane case of fare jumping.

Some legislators are questioning whether fare evasion should be a crime at all, arguing that targeted enforcement campaigns are bound to ensnare poor and low-income people who dont have the money to pay their fares  let alone fines.

Absolutely theres been a raised consciousness on this that did not exist 20 or 30 years ago, said Nassim Moshiree, policy director at the American Civil Liberties Union of the District of Columbia. Activism like the Movement for Black Lives has had a positive impact on raising awareness that policing  and the explicit and implicit bias in policing  means that certain communities are impacted in unfair ways. Even when it comes to something like fare evasion.

Metro is in the midst of a crackdown on fare evasion, spurred partly by financial pressure and partly in response to heightened concerns about crime in the system. Nearly a quarter of assaults on bus operators, for example, result from disputes over fares.

From January to June of this year, the number of fare-evasion citations issued more than doubled from the year before, with almost 6,000 tickets issued in that six-month period. About 65 percent of those tickets were issued to rail users; 8 percent of the tickets resulted in an arrest, Metro said.

[Why Metros crackdown on fare evasion isnt just about the money]

Metro does not get any of the money raised through the fines; those dollars are funneled to the corresponding jurisdictions where the tickets were issued. But the cash-strapped agency is worried about lost fare revenue. Metro Transit Police Chief Ronald A. Pavlik Jr. estimated that the agency loses up to $25 million a year in unpaid fares  a hefty sum for an agency that just announced that it will seek a $29 million increase in the operating subsidies from the jurisdictions that fund it.

Metro General Manager Paul J. Wiedefeld said he understands concerns about unfair targeting, but he also thinks that people across demographic boundaries feel a sense of injustice that some people flout the rules and ride free, while others dig deep to pay their fares.

Its a fairness issue, across the entire community, Wiedefeld said. You have people in those same communities that theyre concerned about being targeted, who are paying their fares. And I think its right that everybody pay their fare.

Still, despite Metros assertions that the crackdown is systemwide, Pavlik said he does not track demographic data on those ticketed.

At a recent hearing, that council bill to decriminalize fare evasion seemed to have the support of several members  with Jack Evans, who also is Metro board chairman, the lone voice of opposition. For now, the proposal remains at the committee level, and Allen says he is mulling how to proceed.

Lawmakers nationwide have become increasingly aware of how citations or arrests for fare jumping can have disparate impacts on low-income riders and communities of color. For some groups, a simple citation or misdemeanor arrest can affect their job, parole or immigration status.

In 2015, Washington state passed a law decriminalizing fare evasion for minors, with officials expressing concern that such convictions would give teenagers criminal records and that it would be difficult for them to make it to court to challenge a citation.

A year later, California did the same thing  buoyed in part by the fact that, a decade earlier, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency decriminalized all fare- evasion offenses.

(San Franciscos change was prompted by concerns about the confusing and cumbersome process of court involvement with fare-evasion citations; agency officials said it was faster and more convenient for riders to pay their citations directly to the transit agency, without getting courts involved.)

Earlier this year, in Oregon, prosecutors vowed to quit pursuing charges against the majority of fare evaders on Portlands TriMet light-rail system, after a Portland State University study concluded that black riders were significantly more likely to be suspended from the system for repeat violations.

And in New York, two state lawmakers have offered legislation similar to the Districts that would decriminalize fare evasion on public transit, turning it into a civil offense that would not affect a persons criminal record or immigration status.

That proposal gained traction last month when a New York advocacy group, the Community Service Society, released a report concluding that fare-evasion arrests happen more frequently at stations that abut low-income neighborhoods. In addition, the report said that half of all fare-evasion arrests in Brooklyn involve black men between the ages of 16 and 36, but they represent only 13.1 percent of poor adults.

Jon Orcutt, a spokesman for the New York-based advocacy group the Transit Center, says the increasing openness to decriminalization is a cultural shift for the transit industry, which is a pretty conservative bunch nationally.

Its unclear whether decriminalization has led to more fare evasion. But transit administrators and lawmakers are beginning to recognize the costs of prosecuting the offense, Orcutt said, and considering whether its better to focus their attention on strategies to encourage more ridership, such as switching to all-door bus boarding so that riders have faster commutes and spend less time at stops.

Its a different approach. . . . People are learning from examples around the world, and not just taking the build a gate around the system approach, Orcutt said.

And though transit operators argue that cracking down on fare evasion can help improve safety  catching riders who would flout other rules and engage in misbehavior  Orcutt said he questions the wisdom of transit adapting broken windows policies.

He compared it with the approach that modern-day urban planners have taken on homelessness in public spaces  a nuisance that some in the past would have considered a public-safety issue.

We dont have fewer homeless people in the parks, but the parks are cleaned up, and there are lots of other people spending time there now, and its changed the quality of the park very dramatically, Orcutt said. The more attractive you make transit service, the less frequently those other problems come to the fore.
The success of Democrats in last week's Virginia elections was a political windfall for Gov. Terry McAuliffe, raising his profile as a potential presidential candidate in 2020.

His partys unexpectedly strong victory  taking governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general by wide margins, and coming within a hair of gaining control of the House of Delegates  added to McAuliffes bragging rights as a Democrat who knows how to win in the era of Donald Trump.

It was McAuliffe who put Gov.-elect Ralph Northam on a course for the top job, recruiting him four years ago to run for, and win, lieutenant governor. And Northam triumphed last week on promises to continue McAuliffes policies of protecting and expanding civil rights for women and minorities as a way to woo business and build Virginias economy.

McAuliffe also delivered Virginia last year for his longtime friend Hillary Clinton  the only Southern state to resist the Trump tide.

Seen just four years ago as a hard-partying wheeler-dealer who made his name raising money for the Clintons, McAuliffe  who is prohibited by the state constitution from seeking a consecutive term as governor  has new national gravitas.

[Virginias governor lives it up on the national stage, hedges bets for future]

It makes him a bit of a hero to a new generation of Democrats  millennials and other people who dont necessarily remember his time with [the Clintons], said Jennifer Duffy of the Cook Political Report. I bet that he suddenly finds himself a sought-after speaker at state party dinners, and candidates could ask him to campaign with them.

As University of Mary Washington political scientist Stephen Farnsworth put it: It would not surprise me if Virginias current governor started spending a lot of time in Iowa and New Hampshire come January.

McAuliffes ambition is widely assumed around Richmond, though the governor himself has been coy about it. Asked on election night about his prospects for running in 2020, he demurred.

This is a great night for Virginia, he said. Tonight, Im celebrating Ralph.

But he also knew the country was watching, via CNN and other network cameras, and made his case as a leader who has figured out the formula at a time when the national party is fractured and uncertain about the path back to power. This is the revitalization of the Democratic Party in America. This isnt just about Virginia tonight, he said.

What this should tell Democrats, McAuliffe said the next day, if youre going to win, youve got to run on values you believe in. Make it about economy and jobs  and connect that to social issues, as he has.

View Graphic The latest stories and details on the 2017 Virginia general election and race for governor.

McAuliffe departed later Wednesday for Europe, mentioning that Im going to be speaking in Parliament, going to Oxford and attending U.N. climate negotiations in Germany.

At 60, McAuliffe has an extensive political network built over decades in national politics, relationships nurtured by his varied stints as the top fundraiser for Bill Clintons presidential campaign, head of the Democratic National Committee and, last year, chair of the National Governors Association.

Once he leaves the governors mansion in January, McAuliffe will be doing exactly what a prospective presidential candidate should do: traveling around the country, working to get members of his party elected in every state.

He has signed on to help former U.S. attorney general Eric H. Holder Jr. in his effort to influence redistricting around the country, aiming to rebuild the Democratic Partys infrastructure at all levels. McAuliffe referred to that last week when asked about his presidential plans in a radio interview on WAMU-FM (88.5).

[Eric Holder leading Democratic redistricting effort]

Im also going to take a lead on winning the 36 governors races, so I will be very visible, very much traveling around the country next year, he said.

But theres a long way to go and a lot of baggage to shed to get McAuliffe to the 2020 campaign. There is already a crowded field of hopefuls, Duffy said, and McAuliffes Clinton connections will be a drag for those Democrats who are eager for new leaders.

In 2016, they nominated a well-known, establishment candidate and that didnt go so well, she said. My guess is they sort of make a 180 in 2020, and the establishment Democrats may struggle. And I think that given McAuliffes long past in Democratic politics hed probably fall into that category.

Whats more, Virginias big week could lose luster if Democrats fail to build on that momentum in races next year. Anti-Trump sentiment was a huge factor in the wins  even McAuliffe was caught off guard by the scope of Democrats success in House of Delegates races.

With some contests still too close to call, Democrats are set to pick up at least 15 seats in the 100-seat House, and could get a 50-50 split after being down 66-34 the past two years. As recently as the Sunday before the election, McAuliffe had been predicting gains of about a half-dozen seats.

Not all Democrats think McAuliffe deserves credit for those wins. Some of the House candidates were aided more by progressive groups than by the state party apparatus.

It was obviously a huge win for Democrats on Tuesday but not necessarily a win for any particular brand of Democrat, said Jeff Weaver, who managed the insurgent presidential campaign of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) last year.

The Virginia elections look a lot better in hindsight than they did a few weeks ago, he said. At DNC meetings in Las Vegas last month, there was almost a panic about what was going on in Virginia, Weaver said  panic that the state was going to blow its big chance.

[National Democrats are jittery about Virginia governors race]

He credited some progressive groups  such as Our Revolution, a group he formerly led  with mobilizing money and volunteers to get the legislative candidates elected, drawing voter turnout that then benefited the top of the ticket.

Weaver said McAuliffe deserves respect for his governing of Virginia, where the unemployment rate is 3.7 percent. But if he runs for president as an establishment candidate, he will have to explain how 2020 is going to be different from 2016, Weaver said.

McAuliffe is a natural campaigner: a loud, animated politician who fills up any room and is always half-jokingly introduced around Virginia as his excellency. He has won praise even from Republicans for his tireless salesmanship, which he uses to recruit companies to the state. McAuliffe is widely known for crowing about every new business, from Humm Kombucha opening a brewery in Roanoke to Facebook announcing a billion-dollar data center in Henrico County.

[Terry McAuliffe and Ed Gillespie had a bromance; now its on the rocks]

It could be that his image as a dealmaking, jobs-creating, civil rights-protecting defier of Trump will be enough to get him a serious look in other states.

What people are looking for now, theyre looking for leaders who say what they believe, then follow up with action. And I think thats where Governor McAuliffe has a very strong record, he doesnt hem and haw, said Cecile Richards, the national head of Planned Parenthood.

The group was one of the biggest donors to Virginia Democrats this year, giving more than $2.3 million to multiple candidates, according to the Virginia Public Access Project.

Richards praised McAuliffe for his track record of protecting funding for Planned Parenthood and standing up to Republican efforts to restrict womens access to health care. If health care continues to be as prevalent an issue as it has been over the last year . . . I think that helps him certainly with women all across the country and gives him something to distinguish himself compared with other leaders, she said.

Some Republicans have taken note. John Fredericks, a conservative radio host who helped run Trumps presidential campaign in Virginia last year, has become a grudging McAuliffe fan. He has praised the governor for his economic development efforts and conceded that McAuliffes push to unlock federal dollars by expanding Medicaid, which the Republican-controlled General Assembly has so far resisted, was probably the right call.

He would be the one to bring the working-class jobs debate to Trumps base and make the argument that he could peel some of it away in the battleground working-class swing states, Fredericks said. I fear Terry McAuliffe more than any other candidate in the Democratic field in 2020.

Few others will go that far, but after last Tuesdays strong showing, McAuliffe has at least earned mentions in the chatter about presidential contenders.

It sure doesnt hurt, lets put it that way, said Republican pollster Whit Ayers. But any Democrat who has hopes of national prospects has got to figure out how to bridge the governing-Democrat-versus-Bernie-socialist divide, and I dont think anyone has quite figured that out.

Laura Vozzella and Jenna Portnoy contributed to this report.
Vice Mayor Justin Wilson argues for more spending on infrastructure in early 2017, as seen in this screencapture from the meeting webcast. (N/A/Alexanadria City Government)

Alexandria Vice Mayor Justin Wilson will announce Monday that he plans to challenge Mayor Allison Silberberg in the citys June 12 Democratic primary, giving voters in this small Northern Virginia city a choice between two distinctly different leadership styles.

Wilson, 38, has spent much of his three terms on the council trying to address Alexandrias budget problems and its aging infrastructure, from replacing roofs and sewers to providing broadband access. Those issues, and improving school quality, will be the major focus of his campaign, he said.

All Im going to ask of voters is look at my record, and Im hopeful theyll come to the conclusion that I earned their vote, he said.

Wilson, a senior director with Amtrak, is known for rapid responses on social media, multiple emails to city employees about budget matters and his lengthy, detailed monthly emails to residents.



Alexandria Mayor Allison Silberberg D) (Nikki Kahn/The Washington Post)

A speedy talker with a command of spending and revenue numbers, he has been impatient with Silberberg, who responds at length to residents concerns at meetings and who has resisted some development, particularly in Old Town.

Silberberg has said she will run for another three-year term in 2018, when all seven council seats will be on the ballot. The job of mayor is the top political office in the city of nearly 140,000 people. It pays $30,500 a year.

The Wilson-Silberberg clashes, mostly civil but occasionally pointed, began on the dais almost as soon as Silberberg took office in January 2016. She had announced that she planned to set up an ethics commission, and in disregard of the council's normal way of doing business, she invited supporters to testify. Wilson, working behind the scenes with other council members, pushed through a limited version of an ethics study, taking the new mayor by surprise and leaving her without allies to knock it down.

Not two months later, Wilson said the council's failure to decide whether to rezone a public housing complex to allow more density there "was a leadership moment, not just for the mayor, but for all of us. And I think we all failed." He also defended the city attorney after Silberberg publicly blamed him for bad advice.

Wilson twice successfully proposed raising the city's tax rate, in 2016 by 3 cents, triple the city manager's proposal, and in 2017 by 5.7 cents, citing the demand for new and renovated schools, higher Metro spending and a costly sewer repair project. Silberberg opposed both increases but lost.

In her first year in office, Silberberg responded to nearly every comment made during the 30-minute open mic public comment period that starts the councils Saturday morning meetings. That delayed the start of the councils regular business, twice pushing it back by more than3 hours, frustrating many who were waiting to testify or for votes on long-scheduled issues.

In January, Wilson led the adoption of a limit on the number of first-in-the-morning speakers to 15, requiring anyone else to wait until the end of the meeting.

View Graphic The latest stories and details on the 2017 Virginia general election and race for governor.

Silberberg called the action draconian, arbitrary . . . anti-democratic. Wilson answered that improving the management of the meetings on behalf of all residents is the definition of democracy.

The Democratic primary could also attract other candidates for mayor. Those interested have until the end of March to announce their intentions, said voter registrar Anna Leider.
A cottage at Bradford Health Services in Warrior, Ala, where physicians get addiction treatment without jeopardizing their licenses. (Pew Charitable Trusts) (The Pew Charitable Trusts)

 The day a 39-year-old surgeon checked into his rustic cabin here at Bradford Health Services, he said he doubted that he could beat his decades-long struggle with alcohol and find joy again in treating patients. Three weeks later, he said, he was convinced otherwise.

It took six weeks for a 54-year-old physician to see a way out of her depression, anxiety and addiction to prescription painkillers. But now she says shes confident and excited to return to practice.

They are among hundreds of physicians from across the country who come to this pine-shaded retreat 25 miles north of Birmingham, where they can get mental-health and addiction treatment without jeopardizing their medical licenses.

Bradfords regimen isnt unique  more than a dozen other addiction centers offer similar programs  but because it works hand in hand with state programs that follow up for five years with drug testing and because doctors can lose their licenses if they relapse, it is extraordinarily effective.

Studies have found that these programs have a success rate of 70 to 90 percent, far higher than the 50 percent rate typical of programs offered to the general population. Researchers believe its rewards-based strategy and extensive follow-up care could help many more of the roughly 20 million Americans who suffer from opioid and other drug and alcohol addictions.

The typical person who is addicted to opioids or other substances relapses multiple times before maintaining long-term sobriety, even when treated with highly effective medications and evidence-based behavioral therapies. In an opioid epidemic that is killing about 145 Americans every day, according to preliminary estimates for 2016, finding effective addiction treatment can make the difference between life and death.

How it works

More than 1 in 10 doctors becomes addicted to drugs or alcohol, a slightly higher rate than in the general population. Burnout, a recognized problem in the medical professions, and the easy availability of drugs probably make addiction more common among doctors.

Nearly all states allow doctors to complete specialized treatment plans  such as an in-patient stay at Bradford or a similar facility  rather than lose their license because of a mental health condition or drug or alcohol addiction, or both.

In addition to the program for health care professionals, which includes dentists, nurses, pharmacists and veterinarians, Bradford offers treatment for lawyers, pilots, first responders and athletes.

Working with state medical licensing boards, physician health programs are typically funded through medical licensing fees, grants and private donations. Bradford treats about 120 physicians annually, at a cost of $25,000 to $42,000 per person.

In some cases, doctors who suspect they have a mental-health problem or addiction that may be affecting their work seek help from the programs on their own. But most physicians who enroll do so after being told by an employer, licensing authority or the Drug Enforcement Administration to seek treatment if they want to keep their medical license.

The first step is a mental and behavioral health assessment. Next, doctors sign a contract with Bradford agreeing to complete four to 12 weeks of residential treatment and to submit to five years of monitoring.

If a doctor relapses after treatment, his or her license may be suspended. And if the relapse raises concerns of patient endangerment, the license can be revoked.

Success rate

According to a 2009 survey of close to 40 program directors, nearly 80 percent of doctors remained sober throughout the five-year program, and 70 percent continued to practice medicine.

Robert DuPont, a co-author of the survey and a former White House drug czar under President Richard Nixon, maintains that a key principle of the program can be effectively applied to other people with addiction.

Its not that most physicians are affluent, highly motivated and compliant, he said. The secret to the programs success is the way it manages relapses using swift and meaningful consequences, DuPont said.

For doctors to remain sober after they return to high-stress jobs with easy access to controlled substances, there has to be a big payoff. For physicians, the reward is huge  keeping a medical license that cost them hundreds of thousands of dollars and years of their lives to obtain.

Lynn Hankes, a former director of Washington states physician health program, said another critical ingredient is the five years of random drug tests and follow-up support. Most people who undergo treatment get no follow-up care, he said.

Doctors tend to be compliant and to believe in the evidence that backs up the treatment program, but theyre used to being in charge, said Michael Wilkerson, Bradfords medical director. Following someone elses rules isnt always easy for them.

When they first get into treatment, they do it because they feel the heat, he said. If theyre going to stay in recovery, they need to see the light. They need to buy into the benefits of recovery.

Linda Bresnahan, director of the Federation of State Physician Health Programs, noted that physicians who complete a treatment and monitoring program are better equipped to handle stress and less likely to endanger patients. A study in Occupational Medicine showed that more than 800 doctors who graduated from Colorado's physician health program between 1983 and 2010 had a lower malpractice risk rating than other physicians.

The treatment

Most physician health programs are 12-step or similar regimens that call for abstinence, in part because many state medical boards have concerns about allowing doctors to practice if they are taking maintenance drugs such as methadone and buprenorphine.

In October, doctors came to Bradfords site outside Birmingham, leaving behind jobs and families in Arkansas, California, Georgia, Massachusetts, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma and West Virginia, as well as other parts of Alabama.

The 39-year-old surgeon who had been pessimistic about treatment said he was ready to quit practicing medicine when a colleague told him about the physician health program. His wife had filed for divorce, he was depressed, and he said his way of dealing with stress was to throw himself into his work and drink heavily on his days off. I seriously considered suicide, he said.

The 54-year-old doctor who got treatment for her addiction to painkillers at Bradford saw a pain specialist who put her on a non-opioid drug thats helping her neck and shoulder pain. She, too, had been ready to stop being a doctor, she said, but with a big balance left on her medical school loan, she said she couldnt afford to.

As for the five years of random drug screenings they face, both physicians, now confident they can continue doctoring, said they werent worried.

This is a lifelong deal. I know that, said the surgeon, who began suffering from depression at age 14. But for the first time in at least 25 years, theres hope that I dont have to go on living the way Ive been living.

Read more

Why doctors are leery about seeking mental-health care for themselves

Doctors prescribed me pain meds but couldnt help me get off them

Treating addicts: The tension between medication and abstinence
President Trump has selected Alex Azar, a former pharmaceutical executive and a top health official during the George W. Bush administration, to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.

In announcing that he is nominating Azar to be secretary of the governments largest civilian department, the president turned to a health policy insider and conservative thinker. Azar spent a decade at Eli Lilly and Co., including five years as president of Lilly USA, its biggest affiliate, before stepping down in January to work as a health-care consultant. He previously was HHS general counsel, then served for two years as the departments second-in-command.

Republicans predicted that, if confirmed, Azar would pursue Trumps goals to tilt health-care policies in a more conservative direction through executive action. Leading Democratic health policy experts, while not sharing Azars views, said he is well qualified for the post. His ties to the drug industry drew some rapid criticism, however.

In announcing his decision on Monday, Trump tweeted that Azar "will be a star for better healthcare and lower drug prices!" He has a close rapport with the department's top political appointees as well as Vice President Pence.

Azar has been highly critical of the Affordable Care Act, saying in interviews in recent months that the law was certainly circling the drain and that many of its problems were entirely predictable as a matter of economic and individual behavior.

View Graphic Tracking how many key positions Trump has filled so far

In a June interview on Bloomberg Television, Azar said the administration could alter the implementation of the health-care law even if congressional Republicans failed to repeal much of it. One of the nice things in it is it does give tremendous amount of authority to the secretary of HHS, he said.

He also supports converting Medicaid from an entitlement program covering everyone who is eligible into block grants, a polarizing and long-standing GOP goal. He opposed expansion of the program under Obamacare to people with slightly higher incomes, something most states chose to pursue.

Azar boasts sterling conservative credentials, having clerked for the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia before working under special counsel Kenneth Starr to investigate Bill Clinton's failed Whitewater real estate investments. Still, administration officials and Democrats alike expect he could work more deftly with competing health-care interests and politicians than his predecessor, Tom Price. Revelations that Price racked up more than $1 million in expenses by making official trips on noncommercial aircraft forced his departure.

The White House plans to send the official nomination to the Senate on Tuesday, according to deputy press secretary Hogan Gidley.

As expected, Azars selection was widely praised by congressional Republicans. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) said he plans to schedule a courtesy hearing on the nomination promptly. As a former HHS official and private-sector executive, Alex Azar has the qualifications and experience to get results, Alexander added.

Senate Democrats have begun preparing for Azar's confirmation proceedings. They intend to focus on his ties to the pharmaceutical industry, his position on high drug prices and the way he would continue implementing Obamacare. On Monday, they used Azar's selection as an occasion to bash anew the Trump administration's health policies. "It's time to turn over a new leaf at HHS," Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (N.Y.) said in a statement.

Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, the top Democrat on the health committee, said in a statement that she wants to understand whether [Azar] is willing to stand up to President Trump and his Administration to ensure the needs of all patients and families are put first, whether science or ideology will drive his decision-making, and whether he plans to continue the Administrations ongoing and unprecedented attack on womens constitutionally protected health care rights.

And Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon, the senior Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, which will hold the official confirmation hearing on the nomination, said he would closely scrutinize Mr. Azars record and ask for his commitment to faithfully implement the Affordable Care Act and take decisive, meaningful action to curtail the runaway train of prescription drug costs.

On the opposite end of the political spectrum, antiabortion groups praised Azars work for Scalia and another conservative jurist and said they will listen for his commitment to reversing Obama administration policies on the issue.

Dan Mendelson, president of the Washington consulting firm Avalere Health, said that, conservative as Azar is, he is well accepted by Democratic policy people by having good policy wonk credentials. Mendelson, who has known Azar for two decades, said that after the departments turmoil under Price, he will bring stability to this agency. He really understands the mechanisms of HHS.

Azars ties to Pence date to his days at Lilly, an Indiana-based pharmaceutical firm, when Pence was Indiana governor.

While Azar initially backed Jeb Bush for president in 2016 and served on his Indiana steering committee, he later donated $2,700 to a Trump Victory committee. Since 2008, records show, he has donated more than $96,000 to GOP candidates.

In an undated Yale Law School alumni profile, Azar said that he "wrestled with the question" as to whether he should take his first job at HHS but that it set him on the career path he has followed ever since.

I realized I had found my lifes calling: to help people around the world live longer, healthier, and happier lives, he said.

As HHS general counsel, Azar worked on the administrations response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the ensuing anthrax attacks, stem-cell policy and the advent of the Medicare prescription drug benefits. During his tenure as deputy secretary, he pushed for greater disclosure of prices associated with medical services to help foster competition and contain costs. He also backed converting medical records to electronic form.

It is absurd to me that one of the largest sectors of the economy is run in a way where consumers dont have a way to find out about price or quality, Azar said at an event in Providence, R.I., in 2007.

In recent weeks, Azar was seen as the only likely choice to be nominated to become the next secretary of HHS, a sprawling department that encompasses the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, among other branches.

His selection comes even as Trump has repeatedly attacked U.S. drug companies for profiting too much, suggesting the federal government should negotiate with them to get lower prices.

While Azar led Lilly USA, the U.S. list price of its Humalog insulin more than doubled  from $123 per vial in January 2012 to $255 per vial when he left the company five years later. But a spokesman said the net amount Lilly receives has declined since 2009 because of rebates to middlemen in the drug-supply chain.

Critics said Monday that Azars leadership at a company that repeatedly raised prices on existing drugs makes him ill-suited to lower drug prices. Supporters countered that his understanding of the complex dynamics behind pharmaceutical pricing will give him an advantage in striving to make drugs more affordable.

Alice Crites and Carolyn Johnson contributed to this report.

Read more:

ACA sign-ups spike at open enrollments start

States will be allowed to impose Medicaid work requirements, top federal official says
IRAQ

Up to 400 bodies feared in new mass graves

Iraqi security forces have found mass graves in an area recently retaken from the Islamic State that could contain up to 400 bodies, an Iraqi official said Sunday.

The bodies of civilians and security forces were found in an abandoned base near Hawijah, a northern town retaken in October, the governor of the northern province of Kirkuk said. He did not say when authorities will start exhuming the bodies.

A local shepherd who led troops to the site said Islamic State militants used to bring captives to the area and shoot them dead or pour oil over them and light them on fire. The area was strewn with torn clothing and what appeared to be human bones and skulls.

Iraqi forces have driven the Islamic State from nearly all the territory it once controlled in the country. Authorities have uncovered several mass graves in those newly liberated areas.

Some fighting is still underway near the western border with Syria. On Saturday, Iraqs prime minister announced an operation to capture a patch of territory on the western edge of the country near the Syrian border. Hours later, the Defense Ministry announced that the Romana area had been captured.

 Associated Press

SOMALIA

3 U.S. drone strikes target Islamist ghters

U.S. forces said they carried out three drone strikes within 24 hours in Somalia, stepping up their campaign against the militant al-Shabab and Islamic State groups.

The strikes by unmanned aircraft killed several extremists, a spokeswoman for the U.S. military command in Africa said Sunday. With these three attacks, the United States has carried out 26 strikes in Somalia against extremist targets in 2017, she said.

The first of the weekend strikes occurred Saturday near Gaduud, about 250 miles southwest of the capital, Mogadishu, a U.S. Africa Command statement said. The strike came after an al-Shabab attack on a convoy of U.S. and Somali forces, it said.

The second strike occurred Sunday against al-Shabab in the Lower Shabelle region, about 40 miles west of Mogadishu.

The third strike was reportedly against the Islamic State in the northern Puntland area. This is the second U.S. strike against the militant group in Somalia. The Islamic State has emerged in Somalia over the past two years.

The Trump administration this year approved expanded military operations against extremists in the Horn of Africa nation.

 Associated Press

BRITAIN

Spouse fears for health of woman jailed in Iran

The husband of a British woman imprisoned in Iran said Sunday that his wife has discovered lumps in her breasts, and he urged the British government to step up efforts to free her.

Richard Ratcliffe said his wife, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, had seen a doctor but was on the verge of a nervous breakdown.

Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a 38-year-old dual British-Iranian citizen, is serving a five-year sentence for allegedly plotting the soft toppling of Irans government.

Her husband spoke by phone Sunday to Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, who has been under fire for making misleading statements about the case.

Earlier this month, Johnson told lawmakers that Zaghari-Ratcliffe was teaching people journalism when she was detained in Iran last year. Her family and her employer, the Thomson Reuters Foundation, insist she was on vacation taking her toddler daughter to meet relatives in the country.

Johnson later apologized for his comment, but Irans state broadcaster said it was an implicit admission of guilt.

 Associated Press

Spain rescues 276 migrants crossing Mediterranean: Spain's maritime rescue service said it saved 276 migrants from seven boats attempting the perilous crossing of the Mediterranean Sea. The rescue service said that the boats were intercepted in waters east of the Strait of Gibraltar after they had set sail from North Africa and that there were no confirmed causalities. Tens of thousands of refugees and migrants each year try to cross the Mediterranean in search of a better life in Europe. Thousands die in the attempt.

Slovenian president reelected: Slovenian President Borut Pahor was reelected to a second term after winning a runoff against a former comedian who serves as the mayor of a northern town. Pahor, 54, a veteran politician, won 53 percent of the vote to Marjan Sarec's 47 percent, according to a completed preliminary count.

 From news services
Former deputy editorial page fditor

On July 15, 2016, an American college professor named Henri Barkey convened an academic workshop about Iran at a hotel on an island near Istanbul. That night, elements of the Turkish military attempted a coup against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that quickly failed but triggered a massive campaign of repression which continues to this day. Barkey went through with his conference, spent a couple of days in Istanbul and flew home.

To Barkeys astonishment, he soon became a target of the worlds newest political weapon: fake news, in the form of a feverish, government-sponsored campaign. Pro-Erdogan media claimed that Barkey was on the island of Buyukada not to discuss Irans foreign relations with fellow academics but to direct the coup operation on behalf of the CIA.

To those who know the professor, a stereotypically tweedy 63-year-old intellectual who has combined teaching at Lehigh University with stints at Washington think tanks and the State Department policy planning staff, the claims were literally laughable. But the real-world consequences have not been. The five Turkish scholars who attended the conference have been defamed and stripped of their passports; one was detained for two weeks.

On Friday, the Turkish press reported that a prosecutor had issued a warrant for Barkey's arrest. The indictment also charges Metin Topuz, a U.S. consular employee whose detention several weeks ago triggered a diplomatic spat in which both countries temporarily suspended the issuance of visas. Topuz did not attend the conference, and Barkey says he has never met him.

Last month, one of Turkey's best-known philanthropists and liberal activists, Osman Kavala, was arrested and jailed. One of the two charges against him is "contact with Henri Jak Barkey and foreigners who were among the organizers of the [July 15, 2016] coup attempt," according to court papers. Kavala was also not at the conference, but Barkey says they spoke briefly at a restaurant in Istanbul. "Knowing me," the professor ruefully told me, "is enough to send someone to jail for life."

Kavala, Topuz and Barkey are just three among some 150,000 people imprisoned, fired or sanctioned by Erdogan's government in the past 16 months, including 150 journalists and 6,000 university employees. But the case is a good example of how fake news has become a tool for authoritarian governments that have watched closely how Russia  and President Trump  have used it.

The first lesson is that not just facts but basic plausibility are unimportant when concocting charges. Social media can be used to make anything sound convincing to the followers of a Trump or Erdogan. The Turkish ruler's propagandists claimed, for example, that Barkey enlisted the notorious convicted murderer Scott Peterson as muscle. Peterson is imprisoned in California. But no matter: An American journalist also named Scott Peterson happened to be at the meeting.

Once the fake news is floated, political leaders can demand investigations while claiming they only want to learn the facts. Their main objective is not prosecutions, but advancing a political narrative. In Erdogan's case, the point is to suggest that the United States is responsible for the coup attempt  a lie that he is attempting to leverage into concessions from Washington. Above all, he wants the extradition of Fethullah Gulen, the Pennsylvania-based cleric accused of masterminding the coup. Erdogan may also be trying to fend off charges that his government offered millions of dollars to former national security adviser Michael Flynn in exchange for Gulen.

Hence the warrant for Barkey and arrests of Topuz and Kavala, an internationally admired secular activist. Erdogan has referred to him as Turkeys [George] Soros, in reference to the liberal U.S. financier; he also claimed that Kavala and Topuz are connected, without further explanation.

Thats the trick: to use fake news without accepting responsibility for it. Erdogans prime minister, Binali Yildirim, offered me another demonstration of that last week when I asked him, during his visit to Washington, whether the Turkish government really believed that Barkey directed the coup. Whether Henri Barkey managed the coup or not, I dont know, he replied, claiming that he was unaware of the allegation.

He then said that Turks were inclined to believe that the United States must have something to do with the coup because of Washingtons failure to hand over Gulen. Sometimes perception becomes more important than facts, he concluded.

That, of course, is exactly Erdogan's objective. And if his repression seems far removed from the tactics of Trump, it's worth recalling that the president and the media that support him are even now promoting the manifestly false story that Hillary Clinton corruptly influenced the sale of a uranium company to Russia and are demanding a criminal investigation. No wonder Trump said as he met the Turkish strongman in September, "We're as close as we have ever been."

Read more from Jackson Diehl's archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook.
Weight loss support

TOPS Club (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), a nonprofit weight-loss support group, will meet weekly at several locations.

The Twin Falls chapter will meet at 4:30 p.m. Monday at the Twin Falls Senior Center, 530 Shoshone St. W., 208-734-2641 or 208-734-5300.

Other local chapters will meet at 5:15 p.m. Wednesday at 2025 S. Highway 81 in Malta, 208-645-2438; 9:15 a.m. Thursday at the Jerome Public Library, 100 First Ave. E., 208-324-6693; 9:30 a.m. Thursday at 410 E. Third St. in Rupert, 208-436-6037 or 208-679-3518; and at 5:30 p.m. Friday at 1800 J St. in Heyburn, 208-678-8706 or 208-678-2622.

Breastfeeding

Free Breastfeeding 101 class, 7 p.m. Monday in Oak Room 4 on the lower level of St. Lukes Magic Valley, 801 Pole Line Road W., Twin Falls.

The class is for new mothers and breastfeeding mothers wanting to review their skills. Babies and your support person are welcome.

Free; pre-registration is required, 208-814-0402.

Yoga

Morning Bliss Yoga, 9 a.m. Tuesday and Saturday at the Magic Valley YMCA, 1751 Elizabeth Blvd. Stretch and strengthen your muscles through yoga.

Free to the community. Information: ymcatf.com or 208-733-4384.

Alzheimers support

Magic Valley Caregiver Support Group, presented by Alzheimers Association Greater Idaho Chapter, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Bridgeview Estates, 1828 Bridgeview Blvd., Twin Falls. The group meets on the second Tuesday every month.

Information: facilitator Yolanda Martinez, 208-404-6720.

Yoga

Prenatal Yoga classes, 6:45 to 7:45 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday at Center for Physical Rehabilitation, 754 N. College Road, Suite D, Twin Falls.

All levels are welcome to join and exercise safely. Sami Ashenbrener, doctor of physical therapy at Center for Physical Rehabilitation, is also a certified yoga instructor with specialized training in prenatal yoga.

Equipment is available, or bring your own equipment if desired. First class is free.

Ostomy support

Ostomy Support Group, 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday in the Pine Room on the lower level of St. Lukes, 801 Pole Line Road W., Twin Falls.

The meeting is for ostomy patients and their families.

Free; 208-308-6153.

Alzheimers support

Alzheimers Association, Greater Idaho Chapters Caregiver Support Group meeting, 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Twin Falls Senior Center, 530 Shoshone St. W.

The group meets on the third Wednesday every month.

Information: Pattie Dennis, 208-734-4264 or 208-539-4290.

Nutrition

Jerome Recreation District offers Meal Plans nutrition class, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at 2032 S. Lincoln in Jerome.

Learn to plan meals based on your individual needs, exploring how to reach appropriate calorie levels and basic nutritional methods for improved nutrition and weight loss.

Free; all ages welcome. Spanish will be offered. Information: 208-324-3389.

Asthma education

Free asthma education class for patients and caregivers to assess and manage asthma will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday.

The class is presented by St. Lukes Magic Valley and meets on the third Thursday of each month.

Pre-registration is required. To register and for location of the class: 208-814-8765.

Grief support

Griefshare meeting, 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Lighthouse Church, 960 Eastland Drive, Twin Falls. The series will continue on Thursdays through Feb. 15.

Anyone who has lost a loved one or friend is welcome to attend any session. A separate class for teens will begin at the same time. Enter through the east doors at the rear of the main building.

Information: 208-737-4667.

Recovery support

Safe Harbor will hold Recovery group meetings at 7 p.m. Thursdays at 213 Fifth Ave. W. in Twin Falls. A donation meal begins at 6 p.m.

Ongoing food donations are welcome. Information: 208-735-8787.

Anxiety support

Anxiety Support Group, 6 p.m. every Thursday at Magic Valley Fellowship Hall, 801 Second Ave. N., Twin Falls.

Support for those who experience anxiety, panic attacks or depression. Learn about the signs, symptoms of anxiety and depression, and coping skills.

Information: Cathy Shaddy, 208-410-2768.

CPR, first aid

St. Lukes Magic Valley Education Department is offering a Heartsaver Pediatric CPR, First Aid and AED class, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Learning Center, 840 Meadows Suite 2, Twin Falls.

The course provides training for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid and using an automated external defibrillator.

Cost is $60. Pre-registration is required, 208-814-9050.

Reiki

CSI Community Education Center is offering Reiki Level One: Training and Attunement, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday in CSIs Shields Building, room 107.

Learn the history of Reiki and basics of energy, along with hands-on practice. Level I Reiki certificates will be given upon completion of the class.

Instructor Sandy March, a Reiki master, has been working in the alternative health field for more than 17 years.

Cost is $199; register: csi.edu/communityed, 208-732-6442 or at the Community Education Center.

Rides for treatment

The American Cancer Societys Road to Recovery program provides free transportation to and from treatments for people with cancer who do not have a ride or are unable to drive. There are several volunteer drivers in the Mini-Cassia area who donate their time and the use of their car so patients can go to their treatments.

To schedule a ride to treatments, call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345 to be matched with a volunteer driver.

Blood drives

The American Red Cross has scheduled community blood drives in Twin Falls from 1 to 8 p.m. Nov. 20, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 21 and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 22 at Church of Ascension-Episcopal, 371 Eastland Drive N.

To schedule an appointment to donate, use the free blood donor app, visit redcrossblood.org or call 800-733-2767. Completion of a RapidPass online health history questionnaire is encouraged.

CPR, infant safety

Infant safety and cardiopulmonary resuscitation class, 6:30 to 9 p.m. Nov. 21 in Oak Rooms 2-4 on the lower level of St. Lukes Magic Valley Medical Center, 801 Pole Line Road W., Twin Falls.

New parents, grandparents and caregivers learn CPR and what to do if an infant chokes. The class isnt a certification course.

Free; no registration required. 208-814-0402.
Authorities investigate the scene of a terrorist attack in New York on Oct. 31 that left eight people dead and at least 11 others injured. (Jason Szenes/Epa-Efe/Rex/Shutterstock)

Columnist

In the wake of the Oct. 31 terrorist attack in New York City, it's clear that time has run out for the Trump administration to develop, articulate and implement a real strategy to deal with domestic radicalization. Due to politics, bureaucratic wrangling and a lack of resources, the United States is falling behind in combating the fastest-growing part of the terrorist threat.

After Sayfullo Saipov killed eight people in his massacre in Lower Manhattan, President Trump blamed weak immigration policies. But all the evidence suggests that the Uzbek-born Uber driver was radicalized after he entered the United States. During Trump's campaign and presidential transition, his team railed against the Obama administration's "countering violent extremism [CVE]" policies and promised to radically change the U.S. approach. But almost one year later, a plan is still missing in action.

Former officials and experts say the Trump administration is dismantling parts of the Obama-era initiative, especially those that involve working with Muslim groups, without anything to replace them.

The attack on the West Side Highway is evidence of the current threat environment in which we live, former homeland security secretary Jeh Johnson told me. Its critical that the U.S. government engage those communities in the homeland from which terrorist organizations may seek to recruit. Im concerned that these efforts are atrophying.

While he was Homeland Security secretary, John F. Kelly initiated a full review of counter-radicalization policies. He shifted some of the $10 million worth of grants under the DHS Office of Community Partnerships from community engagement toward law enforcement. The Trump administrations 2018 budget doesnt fund the grant program at all. Kelly also cut the OCP office staff and downgraded its authority.

The leader of that office, George Selim, quit in July after clashing with Trump political appointees, including Katharine Gorka, wife of former White House official Sebastian Gorka, who has waged a rhetorical jihad against "countering violent extremism." Selim was tarred by the far right as an "Obama administration holdover known for engaging fringe Islamic radicals," even though he was a conservative Republican viewed skeptically by Muslim groups.

Another conservative Republican, Rep. Michael McCaul (Tex.), was attacked by the far right for supporting CVE programs when his name was floated to lead DHS. On the left, CVE also faces criticism from civil liberties groups that see the effort as targeting young Muslims who have never committed crimes.

There are no built-in advocates in the United States for CVE, said Seamus Hughes, deputy director of the Program on Extremism at George Washington University. As a result, we are five years behind Europe on this.

Trump is entitled to set his own priorities, a former Trump administration DHS official said, but not having a strategy is unacceptable. The Obama administration was slow to organize on the issue, but the Trump team no longer has the luxury of time.

Almost one year in, theres been zero articulation of policy, zero demonstration of resources on these issues, and theres no leader on this issue, the official said.

Two current DHS officials disputed that account. They said that a new strategy on countering radicalization was in the works. Meanwhile, DHS is committed to increasing, not decreasing, efforts in the space.

The last administration was focused on strategy documents, were focused on action, one DHS official said.

Their first step was to rebrand CVE as terrorism prevention. In September, acting DHS secretary Elaine Duke laid out that vision, testifying to Congress that programs must be risk-based, intelligence-driven, proven effective and focused on front-line actors. Congressional officials called that reasonable but lamented the lack of details and visible implementation.

Absent federal leadership, local communities are moving forward. Dealing with terrorist recruits who have been prosecuted but will be released is a huge concern. Last week, a federal judge in Minnesota released a Somali man, Abdullahi Yusuf, who tried to join the Islamic State. Yusuf participated in the nation's first pretrial jihadi rehabilitation program.

Theres no silver bullet for stopping people from becoming terrorists, but theres a clear need to drastically increase federal support for education and for tools that help communities spot the signs of radicalization and report them to authorities. The FBI cant surveil every suspect forever. There must be a plan to intervene with potential militants before they are fully indoctrinated. And there must be a system for helping those who are prosecuted but will eventually get out of jail.

The United States cannot bomb, arrest and prosecute its way out of Islamist radicalization and recruitment. Trump may point to immigration, but unless his team gets serious about domestic radicalization, the threat of New York-like attacks will continue to rise.

Read more from Josh Rogin's archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook.
As a lifelong (Northern) Virginian, I was totally insulted to read Jerry Falwell Jr.'s tweet in E.J. Dionne Jr.'s Nov. 9 op-ed, "A new era begins," that "DC should annex [Northern Virginia] and return the governance of VA to Virginians." If the board of directors expects Liberty University to be taken seriously as an institution of higher learning, then it needs to examine whether its president undermines the school's reputation by denigrating a region of the state because he doesn't like how people voted.

Kathleen Thompson, Falls Church
THE MOST definitive and detailed recent study of Metro makes clear that the transit system's problems are not mainly about management, spending or labor  though improvements are required in all those areas. Its overarching challenge is funding, according to a comprehensive study of the network by Ray LaHood, a former Republican congressman who served as transportation secretary in the Obama administration.

Mr. LaHoods conclusion is not a surprise, though the evidentiary detail he summons is powerful. Metros surpassingly competent general manager, Paul J. Wiedefeld, and others who have scrutinized the 40-year-old rail system have also determined that reliability, safety and service levels will plummet without at least $500 million in new, earmarked annual capital funding.

"WMATA's infrastructure is aging and needs renewal, and the funding it receives today is not enough to get this done. Not even close," Mr. LaHood wrote in transmitting his report to Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D), who commissioned it. Metro's "problems will never be solved without this new money."

As a corollary to that conclusion, Mr. LaHood also recommended that Metro scrap its 16-member governing board  too big, fractious and parochial, in Mr. LaHood's widely shared view  and replace it for three years or so with a five-member reform board. A credible board, Mr. LaHood told us, would soothe the "heartburn" that elected officials in Maryland and Virginia would otherwise have about pumping more dollars into Metro.

Lets hope hes right and that streamlined governance at Metro will coax Republicans in Virginia and Maryland to consider more funding. Unfortunately, until now many GOP lawmakers  particularly in Richmond, where many of them were just tossed out of office  preferred throwing up a smokescreen of ancillary issues to focusing on Metros dominant money issues. Mr. LaHoods report makes clear that years of anemic capital spending contributed to a backlog of worn-out rail cars, tracks and other infrastructure whose cost of replacement and repair is now some $7 billion.

Thats an awfully big elephant in the room for Republicans to ignore  though many have managed nonetheless, preferring to harp on labor costs (average compared to those of other major transit systems, Mr. LaHood found), operating expenses (ditto) and mismanagement (mainly a thing of the past).

Mr. LaHood is not blind to Metros inefficiencies and failings. He thinks bus service is unsustainable and needs to be downsized; unionized workers should pay more into their retirement plans; and pensions should not reflect overtime earnings. Fare evasion by passengers is a problem, as is absenteeism among employees.

By and large, however, what distinguishes Metro from its peers elsewhere is not how much it spends but how much it receives, both from local stakeholders in Virginia, Maryland and the District and from the federal government, whose employees make up 40 percent of rush-hour passengers. Their failure to commit to ongoing, assured and adequate funding led Metro to its current woes. It's on them to ante up to set the system up for a brighter future.
Columnist

"Something is wrong on the internet," declares an essay trending in tech circles. But the issue isn't Russian ads or Twitter harassers. It's children's videos.

The piece, by tech writer James Bridle, was published on the heels of a report from the New York Times that described disquieting problems with the popular YouTube Kids app. Parents have been handing their children an iPad to watch videos of Peppa Pig or Elsa from "Frozen," only for the supposedly family-friendly platform to offer up some disturbing versions of the same. In clips camouflaged among more benign videos, Peppa drinks bleach instead of naming vegetables. Elsa might appear as a gore-covered zombie or even in a sexually compromising position with Spider-Man.

The phenomenon is alarming, to say the least, and YouTube has said that it's in the process of implementing new filtering methods. But the source of the problem will remain. In fact, it's the site's most important tool  and increasingly, ours.

YouTube suggests search results and "up next" videos using proprietary algorithms: computer programs that, based on a particular set of guidelines and trained on vast sets of user data, determine what content to recommend or to hide from a particular user. They work well enough  the company claims that in the past 30 days, only 0.005 percent of YouTube Kids videos have been flagged as inappropriate. But as these latest reports show, no piece of code is perfect.

Similar algorithms serve as the engine behind almost all of the most successful tech companies, powering everything from Facebook's news feed to Google's search results. (Google, incidentally, is the parent company of YouTube.) Naturally, these mysterious tools have become convenient scapegoats for many of the content problems we face today, from bizarre videos aimed at vulnerable children to misinformation in news feeds during the 2016 election.

Clearly, Silicon Valley has some work to do. But in addition to demanding more accountability from companies after their tools go awry, we should demand more responsibility from ourselves. We need to think about whether we want to reduce our own reliance on corporate algorithms, and if so, how.

As the Internet has become an ever-larger part of our lives, we've come to rely on these proprietary bits of code as shortcuts for organizing the world. Algorithms sort through information and make decisions for us when we don't have the capability (or perhaps just the energy) to do it ourselves. Need to distract the kids? Send 'em to the wildly educational world of YouTube. The app will pick out the safe videos  probably. The mechanism may be skewed by profit motives, biased by its data sets or just generally inscrutable, but is that any reason to give it up?

Why aren't we more alarmed by this? Maybe because we've always used decision-making shortcuts, and they've always had flaws. How would we have chosen a children's video before YouTube? Perhaps we'd act on a recommendation from a librarian, or a peer group, or even a National Legion of Decency list. These sources, too, were insular, subject to personal biases and limited in scope.

Still, there were meaningful differences between those old-school shortcuts and today's machine-learning algorithms. The former had at least some oversight and regulation; it's unlikely that a public library would lend out nursery rhyme snuff films. Shared community values made it clear which choices were being favored, and why. And human judgment  today almost quaint  occasionally allowed for serendipity in a positive direction. One might come across a resource not carefully calibrated to agree only with one's stated preferences, and be the better for it.

Is there any way to steer our current algorithmic regime in that more human direction? It's not clear how. Some lawmakers have suggested that companies release their algorithms for public review; others propose regulating corporate algorithms. For now, the lesson for everyday users may just be an urgent need for increased awareness, a reminder that maybe we shouldn't place all of our trust in a decision-making function that we don't fully understand. Frightening children's videos are, among other things, a wake-up call. If there's something wrong on the Internet, we should do more than just watch.
The Nov. 9 editorial "The crisis in Yemen" called attention to the effect of Saudi Arabia's blockade on famine in Yemen. It mentioned the lack of media attention to the Yemeni tragedy, which includes "the fastest-growing cholera epidemic ever recorded" and "the world's biggest food emergency." It said that Saudi Arabia bears heavy responsibility for the crisis for its "ruthless but unwinnable war." But it did not mention direct U.S. military complicity in this long and pointless campaign.

In addition to selling a vast arsenal of weapons to Saudi Arabia, our government's military gave logistical guidance in the Saudi military headquarters in Riyadh and continues to provide intelligence to Saudi defense officials and aerial refueling during bombing runs. The Saudi-led coalition could not have conducted the two and a half years of bombing without the support of our military. In recent years, our military has carried out innumerable raids on the terrorist group al-Qaeda in Yemen, but al-Qaeda and the Islamic State have taken advantage of the Saudi-led campaign to seize territory and expand their activities in the Arabian Peninsula. There is a move afoot in the House and the Senate to end U.S. involvement in this tragic war. It is time to pass legislation to end it.

Marjorie Ransom, Washington

The writer is a retired diplomat who served in Yemen.
"Who one observer compared to a bag of mulch" ["Our long-term political turbulence," Joe Scarborough, Washington Forum, Nov. 10] and "Democrats won the Virginia governorship with a candidate who is not, shall we say, overburdened with charisma" ["Voters' righteous message," Eugene Robinson, op-ed, Nov. 10] are only two examples of post-election media coverage calling Gov.-elect Ralph Northam boring. At this time in American history, if boring means a rural Virginian, family- and community-centered, stable, grounded, likable, compassionate pediatric neurologist, Army veteran and proven public servant, then I applaud boring. If boring means you can listen more than you talk and you can calmly, compassionately and professionally give families devastating news about their child, then I am thankful for boring.

And if boring means you can best your opponent by nine points, the biggest margin in that contest in more than three decades, as Mr. Robinson wrote, then I cheer boring.

Ellen M. Swecker, Harrisonburg, Va.
WHAT IS going on at the State Department? Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has begun a "redesign" and has spent much of this year working on it. There is not an agency in government that could not benefit from a fresh look, but the importance of the State Department's mission should not be in doubt. Does Mr. Tillerson really intend to strengthen diplomacy as a tool for dealing with persistent global problems, or is this an exercise in slashing at the people and offices necessary to represent the United States abroad, defend its interests and keep a watch on the future?

In a forthcoming issue of the Foreign Service Journal, the monthly magazine of the American Foreign Service Association (which is the professional association and union of the Foreign Service), the group's president, former ambassador Barbara Stephenson, raises a fresh alarm about the future of the U.S. diplomatic corps. This refrain has been heard all year, as many outside experts and foreign-service veterans criticize Mr. Tillerson's proposals to slash the department's budget by about 30 percent. Congress rejected the most draconian cuts of Mr. Tillerson's reorganization process, which Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin of Maryland, ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has called a "pre-cooked and ideologically driven exercise."

Ms. Stephenson reports that the department has decided "to slash promotion numbers by more than half." Usually, the number of promotions is aimed at matching available jobs at various grade levels. A multiyear smoothing algorithm is used to avoid big fluctuations from year to year. But now, she says, the number of officers at the rank of career minister has fallen from 33 to 19; the number of minister counselors from 431 to 369. Because of a hiring freeze, intake into the Foreign Service will drop from 366 last year to 100 this year, she says. "The rapid loss of so many senior officers has a serious, immediate, and tangible effect on the capacity of the United States to shape world events," she wrote.

In response, a State Department spokeswoman said that suggestions that drastic cuts to our Foreign Service ranks are taking place are simply not accurate, that freezes on hiring and promotions are only temporary, and that Mr. Tillersons commitment will be reinforced once the freezes on personnel movement, including hiring, are lifted at the appropriate time.

When will that be? Meanwhile, the department still has big holes in the ranks of appointed leadership. According to The Post and the Partnership for Public Service, among the assistant secretary positions at State, four are confirmed, three are nominated and 15 are still awaiting President Trump's nominee. Asked about this in a Fox News interview, the president blithely replied, "Let me tell you, the one that matters is me. I'm the only one that matters, because when it comes to it, that's what the policy is going to be."

Not quite. The United States has sprawling interests around the globe, and the State Department is on the front lines. The world is not growing any less adversarial, nor the need for diplomacy any less urgent. The redesign must not be a recipe for retreat.
The Supreme Court said Monday that it would decide whether it violates free speech guarantees for California to require crisis pregnancy centers, which counsel against abortion, to tell patients that the state offers contraception services and abortion assistance.

The case is one of three raising First Amendment concerns that the court announced it will hear early next year. Another involves a Minnesota law that bans wearing political messages at polling places. The third stems from the arrest of a man who spoke out against corruption at a Florida city council meeting.

The California case promises to be a high-profile conflict that raises important free speech issues about when a states intent to regulate the medical profession violates constitutional protections.

Crisis pregnancy centers provide services for pregnant women and try to persuade them not to end their pregnancies. But some state legislatures, including Californias, have charged that they use deceptive advertising and confuse and even intimidate women who think they are going to receive more neutral abortion counseling.

Californias Reproductive FACT Act requires the centers to disclose whether they have medical personnel on staff and to inform women that the state offers subsidized contraceptives and abortion.

A panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit upheld the law, saying the state could regulate professional speech and had a valid interest in safeguarding public health. The required sign did not encourage abortion, the judges said, but merely informed patients of available state services.

But the centers said they are targeted because their message is unpopular with the states leaders.

The state, rather than using countless alternative ways to communicate its message, including its own powerful voice, instead compels only licensed facilities that help women consider alternatives to abortion to express the governments message regarding how to obtain abortions paid for by the state, says the petition filed by the National Institute of Family and Life Advocates.

The case is NIFLA v. Becerra.

With the acceptance of the cases, the term will be heavy with First Amendment challenges.

The court next month hears what could be the marquee case of the term, when it examines whether a Colorado law that says a baker must make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple violates constitutional protections against compelled speech. The baker says creating such a cake would be an endorsement of the marriage his religious beliefs do not allow.

The polling-place case the court accepted Monday challenges a Minnesota law prohibiting voters from wearing T-shirts or political badges, buttons or other insignia with overtly political messages.

Violators are asked to cover up or remove the items, but elections officials are told not to bar them from voting.

Andrew Cilek, executive director of the Minnesota Voters Alliance, was delayed from voting in 2010 because he wore to the polls a T-shirt with a tea party logo and a button that said Please I.D. Me.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit upheld the law, saying it was intended to maintain peace, order and decorum at polling precincts. At least 10 other states have similar laws.

This is an encouraging day for the cause of free speech and freedom of expression, said Wen Fa, an attorney for the Pacific Legal Foundation, which is representing the voters group.

With this case, the Supreme Court has an opportunity to strike a blow for core constitutional freedoms, by declaring that Minnesota cant turn polling places into First Amendment-free zones.

The case is Minnesota Voters Alliance v. Mansky.

The Florida case means a return to the Supreme Court for Fane Lozman, who previously won a landmark ruling from the court that said his floating home was a house, not a vessel subject to maritime seizure laws.

This time, Lozman is suing because of his arrest at a 2006 Riviera Beach City Council meeting. He was never prosecuted on charges of disrupting the meeting, and he then sued the city, charging that the arrest was retaliation and violated his free speech rights.

A jury and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit ruled against him. They said because there was probable cause for the arrest, he could not bring his suit.

Represented by lawyers at the Stanford Supreme Court Litigation Center, Lozman says lower courts are divided on the issue of whether a finding of probable cause is enough to defeat a claim of retaliatory arrest.

Recent years have seen a fresh surge of civic engagement, much of it involving criticism of the government, Lozman said in his petition to the court. Thus, the risks of retaliatory arrests remains a pressing concern.

The city council says the decision to arrest Lozman was made by the police officer, even though a council member had warned Lozman not to continue his tirade against government corruption during the public comments portion of the meeting.

The case is Lozman v. City of Riviera Beach.
NBC News fired "Today" show host Matt Lauer for what it said Wednesday was "inappropriate sexual behavior" with a colleague, making him perhaps the most familiar figure in America brought down so far by the misconduct accusations that have swept through Hollywood and the media over the past two months.
Senate Republican leaders on Monday waged an urgent campaign to pressure GOP nominee Roy Moore to withdraw from the Alabama Senate race amid allegations of sexual misconduct, declaring him unfit to serve and threatening to expel him from Congress if he were elected.

But Moore showed no signs that he was preparing to step aside, even as another woman came forward, accusing him of sexually assaulting her in the late 1970s when she was 16 years old.

The fusillade from Senate Republicans started Monday morning in Louisville, where Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) called on Moore to end his run.

I believe the women, yes, he said of the allegations leveled against Moore.

Later, National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) issued a written statement going further. If he refuses to withdraw and wins, the Senate should vote to expel him, Gardner said. He told reporters afterward that Moore doesnt belong in the United States Senate.

In a sign of Moores fading support among conservatives, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) pulled his endorsement of his candidacy.

I am not able to urge the people of Alabama to support his candidacy so long as these allegations remain un-refuted, he told reporters late Tuesday.

The public comments from top Republican senators marked a dramatic escalation from their initial reactions to Thursday's Washington Post report detailing allegations that Moore initiated a sexual encounter with a 14-year-old girl when he was 32.

The intensifying effort against Moore reflected a growing sense that his candidacy is becoming a national emergency for the Republican Party, which is already deeply concerned about its standing with voters ahead of the 2018 midterm elections. In campaigns far from Alabama, Democrats on Monday sought to tie GOP candidates to Moore to take advantage of the controversy surrounding the former judge.

Still, national Republican leaders and their allies were left without a clear path forward, with no way to remove Moores name from the ballot for the Dec. 12 special election. One last-ditch possibility that some GOP officials were pushing was a write-in campaign by Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who vacated the seat to join the Trump administration.

While top Republicans favor Sessions because they think he would be a widely known and well-liked GOP alternative, unlike other potential contenders, there was considerable skepticism in Sessionss orbit that he would agree to that idea and leave his current post for his old job.

Others floated the prospect of a write-in effort for Sen. Luther Strange (R-Ala.), whom Moore defeated in the primary in September.

Sen. Richard C. Shelby (Ala.) was among the Republicans voicing confidence that Sessions was the partys best hope as a write-in candidate. He told reporters that the attorney general would be a strong one.

President Trump has been relatively quiet on the controversy while traveling in Asia, adding a degree of uncertainty to how the party should proceed with Moore. Last week, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Trump believed that if the allegations against Moore are true, he will do the right thing and step aside.

In recent days, senior Trump administration officials have been in touch with Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey (R) and her inner circle, according to several people briefed on the talks. One person described those conversations as information gathering so the White House would know where Ivey stands and to keep the channels of communication open.

But since Trump wont return from Asia until late Tuesday and is still considering his own options regarding how to further address Moores candidacy, White House officials have been reluctant to lean on Ivey in any way, the people said.

Its tough having him out of town because no one wants to get too far ahead of him, said one Republican involved in the talks, speaking on the condition of anonymity to describe private deliberations.

McConnell has spoken to Trump about Moore since the allegations were first reported last week, Republicans familiar with their conversations said. Some top Republicans believe that Trumps positioning  wherever he decides to come down  will be crucial in the attempt to force Moore out.

Gardners call to expel Moore if he is elected was Senate Republican leaders most aggressive move yet to get the former judge to drop out of the race. But expelling a senator is extremely rare and would require the approval of two-thirds of the chamber to be successful. An actual vote hasnt happened since 1862.

Moore was defiant amid the increasing pressure from party leaders. He wrote on social media that McConnell is the one who should step aside and that he has failed conservatives.

The war of words unfolded on the same day that Beverly Young Nelson, who turns 56 Tuesday, accused Moore, now 70, of sexually assaulting her and bruising her neck in the late 1970s when she was 16 years old.

Nelson said at a news conference at a New York hotel that Moore, then the district attorney of Etowah County, was a regular at a restaurant, Old Hickory House in the northeastern Alabama town of Gadsden, where she was a waitress, and that he would sometimes compliment her looks or touch her long, red hair. She showed a copy of her high school yearbook that she said Moore signed on Dec. 22, 1977, with the inscription: To a sweeter more beautiful girl I could not say Merry Christmas. 

On a cold night about a week or two after that, Nelson alleges, Moore offered to give her a ride home from work after her shift ended at 10 p.m. Instead of taking her home, Nelson said, Moore pulled the two-door car into a dark and deserted area between a Dumpster and the back of the restaurant.

When she asked what he was doing, Nelson alleges, Moore put his hands on her breasts and began groping her. When she tried to open the car door and leave, Nelson said, he reached over and locked the door. When she yelled at him to stop and tried to fight him off, she alleges, he tightly squeezed the back of her neck and tried to force her head toward his lap. He also tried to pull her shirt off, she said.

Moore denied this latest accusation during a brief campaign appearance Monday evening in Etowah County, where he still lives.

I can tell you without hesitation this is absolutely false, Moore said, according to the Anniston Star newspaper. I never did what she said I did. I dont even know the woman. I dont know anything about her. I dont even know where the restaurant is or was.

The new allegation followed an extensive report published Thursday by The Post in which Leigh Corfman alleged that Moore initiated a sexual encounter with her when she was 14 and he was a 32-year-old assistant district attorney. Moore has denied the accusation.

In addition to Corfman, three other women interviewed by The Post in recent weeks said Moore pursued them when they were between the ages of 16 and 18 and he was in his early 30s, episodes they said they found flattering at the time, but troubling as they got older. None of the three women said Moore forced them into any sort of relationship or sexual contact.

Neither Corfman nor any of the other women sought out The Post. While reporting a story in Alabama about supporters of Moores Senate campaign, a Post reporter heard that Moore allegedly had sought relationships with teenage girls. Over the following three weeks, two Post reporters contacted and interviewed the four women.

Moore has declined to rule out that he may have dated girls in their late teens when he was in his 30s, but he has said he did not remember any encounters.

Last week, McConnell and many other senators said that "if" those allegations were true, Moore would need to step aside, stopping short of the position he took Monday.

Scott Jennings, a former McConnell aide, wrote a column published Monday endorsing the idea of trying to recruit Sessions to run.

President Trump should intervene, Jennings wrote in the Louisville Courier-Journal, by demanding that the Alabama Republican Party withdraw Moores name as a candidate, which it almost certainly would do if ordered by the White House; dispatch a still-popular Sessions to run a write-in candidacy; and campaign for and hope Sessions wins.

A Sessions spokeswoman at the Justice Department did not immediately comment on the proposal. A Republican close to Sessions, speaking candidly on the condition of anonymity, said that Sessions has told folks in Alabama that he is not considering it.

Sessions is scheduled to be on Capitol Hill on Tuesday to testify before the House Judiciary Committee.

Inside the White House, Sessions has been floated as a potential replacement, according to two White House officials and several Senate Republican aides.

Sessions  whose once-close relationship with Trump has frayed over the past year following Sessionss recusal from the federal probe into Russian interference in the 2016 election  has dismissed the notion in private but would of course listen to the president, should he reach out, according to one White House official.

Sen. Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah), who expressed solidarity with McConnell's rejection of Moore, wrote on Twitter that Strange would be "an excellent alternative."

At one point Monday, Strange declined to comment when asked if he would mount a write-in campaign or if he had spoken to Moore.

A spokeswoman for the Alabama Republican Party did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the prospect of a write-in campaign. In an interview Sunday with the website Alabama Political Reporter, state GOP Chairman Terry Lathan said "it would be a serious error" for party officials to publicly endorse a write-in candidate.

While Moore's name must remain on the ballot, the state Republican Party has the power to disqualify him  meaning votes cast for him would not be certified.

Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) criticized Moore on Monday. He also distanced himself from the campaign of Democratic nominee Doug Jones, who is trying to demonstrate independence from national party figures in hopes of winning some crossover votes in Alabama, which leans heavily conservative.

"I thought Moore never belonged in the Senate, even before these allegations," Schumer said. As for the Jones effort, Schumer said: "When they ask us for help, we'll do it. But it's been an Alabama race."

As Republican senators returned to Washington on Monday, several made clear to the leadership in phone calls and through colleagues that they would support a tougher line on Moore in the coming days and would encourage Trump to join them once he returns from Asia, according to two people familiar with the discussions.

Asked if there was any easy solution to the Moore situation, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) replied: No. Then he reconsidered.

Theres one solution, McCain said. He should never be a United States senator.

Paul Kane, Ed OKeefe and Elise Viebeck contributed to this report.
President Trump met here Monday with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte amid questions from human rights advocates about whether Trump would confront his counterpart over a bloody drug war that has resulted in thousands of extrajudicial killings.

Trump praised Duterte for doing an "unbelievable job" in combating the illicit drug trade during a private phone call in April that focused mostly on North Korea. In that call, the contents of which were first revealed in detail in May by The Washington Post, Trump also invited Duterte to visit the White House.

The two leaders met for the first time briefly on Friday at an economic summit in Danang, Vietnam, and were photographed raising wine glasses together in a toast at the opening dinner of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations forum on Sunday. Images of them appearing at ease with one another and, like other leaders at the summit, wearing traditional Barong Tagalog shirts were published in Philippine newspapers.

On two occasions, however, Trump declined to answer shouted questions from reporters about whether he had pressed Duterte on human rights.

[Trumps incoherent message to U.S. allies in Asia]



President Trump toasts with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte at an ASEAN Summit dinner in Manila on Nov. 12, 2017. (Andrew Harnik/AP)

Weve had a great relationship, Trump told reporters, sitting with Duterte at the start of the bilateral meeting. This has been very successful. He praised Dutertes handling of the summit and said, Ive really enjoyed being here.

As Trump pivoted to talking about the nice weather in Manila, Duterte cut off the American reporters who tried to press Trump on human rights.

Whoa, whoa, he protested. This is not a press statement. This is the bilateral meeting.

Duterte at one point called reporters spies, prompting Trump to chuckle. You are, Duterte repeated.

A spokesman for Duterte said after the meeting that human rights did not come up, although the Philippine leader did raise his efforts in the "drug menace."

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told American reporters that the two leaders spoke about combating terrorism and illegal drugs, as well as bilateral trade. Human rights, she said, came up briefly in the context of the Philippines drug war. She did not elaborate.

Ahead of his visit here, Trump boasted that he expected things to go a lot better than during the last trip to the Philippines by President Barack Obama. However, Trump appeared to mix up his references. Obama canceled a bilateral meeting with Duterte in September 2016 after the Philippine leader made derogatory comments about him and the United States, a longtime treaty ally. Obamas 2015 visit to Manila went smoothly  before Duterte was elected.



Protesters burn an effigy of President Trump during the ASEAN Summit in Manila, on Nov. 13, 2017. (Bullit Marquez/AP)

I have a sense that he is not going to address human rights, largely because he is trying to build a relationship with Duterte. This 10-day trip is about building alliances in response to North Korea, said James Zarsadiaz, director of the Yuchengco Philippine Studies program at the University of San Francisco.

[Dutertes assistant is a selfie king]

White House aides said Trump routinely brings up human rights in his private conversations with world leaders, and in a couple of notable instances he has addressed the matter in public on his five-nation Asia trip. In a speech to the South Korean parliament, Trump called North Korea a hell no person deserves, and he laid out in sometimes gruesome detail the abuses Pyongyang has perpetrated  including purportedly killing babies and carting the bodies away in buckets.

In Tokyo, Trump met with the families of Japanese citizens who were abducted by North Korean agents four decades earlier. Other presidents, including Obama and George W. Bush, also met with the families.

Well work together and see if we can do something, now the spotlight is on, Trump said at a news conference with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, calling the abductions a very, very sad thing.

Yet Trump has not talked about human rights more broadly outside the context of North Korea. He has yet to make any public statement in the two months since Burma escalated a military campaign against the Rohingya, a Muslim ethnic minority that has been persecuted for years by the country's Buddhist majority. The United Nations' top human rights official has called the military campaign "a textbook example of ethnic cleansing."

In Vietnam, Trump embraced the communist nation's leaders, paying a state visit to Hanoi, without publicly raising an ongoing crackdown on political speech and independent journalists. Obama also embraced Hanoi, but his administration insisted on the release of hundreds of political prisoners and had sought to use a 12-nation trade deal, the Trans-Pacific Partnership, to enact new protections for workers in Vietnam and elsewhere. Trump, on his third day in office, removed the United States from that deal.

On Thursday, as Trump flew from China to Vietnam, a White House official told reporters aboard Air Force One that Trump has been quite concerned about Burma.

Its come up in a number of his conversations with Southeast Asian leaders, and certainly hell be discussing it, and publicly as well, said the official, who was not authorized to speak on the record. As of Monday afternoon, Trump had yet so do so.

The question of whether Trump will press Duterte on human rights is often talked about as a test of U.S. power, both in the Philippines and in the region as a whole.

[As Trump arrives, a young victim of Dutertes drug war is mourned]

Although the Obama administration promised a pivot to Asia, in part structured on human rights and U.S. values diplomacy, there has long been a sense that U.S. influence in the Asia-Pacific region is waning while Chinas is on the rise.

Over the last decade, China has stepped up trade, investment and tourism in Southeast Asia, becoming a major economic player with close ties to the political and military elite.

All 10 ASEAN member states joined the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, a Chinese-led multilateral financial institution that is issuing billions in loans. An authoritarian state that sharply curtails free speech and political dissent, China has not tied human rights reforms or worker protections to its economic largesse.

The Obama administration sought to unite ASEAN members around values that include human rights. But the 10 member countries have widely disparate political systems  some democratic, some authoritarian  and economic systems.

Trump aides, including Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, said the president believes it is more effective to discuss such human rights issues in private; Trump has helped gain the release of a number of Americans who had been detained in Asia and the Middle East. The president railed about North Koreas mistreatment of American college student Otto Warmbier, who died shortly after being released from 17 months of captivity.

Across both East and Southeast Asia, U.S. allies are uncertain about what Trump stands for and nervous about what he does next, said Richard Heydarian, a security analyst and author of The Rise of Duterte.

They see a total collapse of American soft power, largely because of Trump, and also American structural decline, especially relative to China, he said. But its a mistake to see this as a clear win for the Chinese, he added. Despite Chinas spending in Southeast Asia, countries are not ready to align with Beijing, which is seen as a bully over its military-led maritime expansion in the South China Sea and its economic pressure.

[When strongmen meet: Trump and Duterte in Manila]

Absent a clear leader in the region, middle-power countries, including Japan, Australia and India, are stepping up their own diplomacy. Trump was scheduled to meet with leaders from each of those countries on Monday amid talk that they would form a quad of powers to help hedge against China in the Indo-Pacific.

Duterte made his frustration with the United States clear, lashing out at Obama for criticizing the anti-drug campaign and threatening to curtail U.S.-Philippine military ties.

He announced that he wanted a divorce from the United States and planned to align himself with Chinas ideological flow. China, in turn, promised money for major infrastructure projects and military upgrades.

But despite protests against Trump in Manila during his visit, a majority of Filipinos are more comfortable with the United States than with China and are certainly not prepared to cast their lot with Beijing alone.

Dutertes administration has continued to work with the United States on a range of issues and still takes money for counternarcotics work, police training and other things. In the run-up to Trumps visit, Duterte struck an almost conciliatory tone.

The upshot is that U.S. influence in the Philippines is not over, and Trump probably has the political capital to nudge Duterte on the drug war, should he choose to do so, experts said.

The credibility of the U.S. is at stake because of Trumps unsophisticated ways in diplomacy, said Zarsadiaz, the Philippine studies director. In the grand scheme of things, in Asia, there is still this sense that the U.S. is an arbiter of justice. . . . Time will tell whether Trump will follow the lead of congressional leaders, of the U.N., of Amnesty International, and stand behind what are seen as American principles.
The White House said a scheduling issue is preventing President Trump from meeting with American recipients of Nobel Prizes for science and economics. (Fernando Vergara/AP)

U.S. recipients of Nobel Prizes for science and economics will not meet with President Trump or be feted at the White House when they visit Washington this week, a break with past administrations.

Eight American scientists and academics were announced as winners of the prestigious prizes last month. Six of them are expected to attend a Nobel symposium at the Swedish Embassy on Tuesday. The annual event is typically timed to coordinate with a White House invitation for American winners.

Its just a scheduling issue, White House spokesman Raj Shah said Monday. The president congratulates this years Nobel laureates. The White House is unable to make an event work given the demands on the presidents schedule, including a 12-day trip to Asia.

Trump concludes the nearly two-week trip to Asia on Tuesday, returning to Washington that evening. He originally planned to return to Washington on Tuesday morning, but extended his stay in Manila, the last Asia stop, to attend the East Asia summit Monday.

Although the White House event has not been held every year, it has been customary at least since the Clinton administration.

Trumps decision for this first year in office has been a topic of interest among scientists especially, because of administration policies and decisions seen as hostile to research into climate change, pollution, pesticides and more.

[EPA is taking more advice from industry, ignoring its own scientists]

The Nobel event typically takes place in mid- to late November, a tight window after the winners are announced in early October and before the Nobel Prize ceremony in Stockholm in early December.

The decision not to invite laureates to the White House was first reported by the science and medical news website Stat News.

We went through the regular channels, as we always do, and this year because of the travel it just wasnt possible, Swedish Embassy spokeswoman Kate Reutersward said.

Scheduling the event is often tricky because of the busy fall legislative calendar, the Thanksgiving holiday and other complications, she said.

Reutersward said Nov. 14 was chosen because it was the date when most of the laureates could attend. The White House told the embassy that neither Trump nor Vice President Pence could see the laureates that day, she said. Both the White House and the embassy expressed hope that the event could be held next year, assuming there are American winners, she added.

[American among three winners of 2017 Nobel Prize for chemistry]

Chemistry laureate Joachim Frank of Columbia University is among the American laureates expected to attend Tuesdays discussion and news conference at the embassy.

Frank said he was not contacted by the Trump administration either when he won or in connection with a White House invitation. In an email exchange, Frank said he would not have accepted the invitation if offered.

I was very relieved that there would be no chance of him being present, Frank said.

The other American winners are physicists Kip S. Thorne, Barry C. Barish and Rainer Weiss; geneticists Jeffrey C. Hall, Michael Rosbash and Michael W. Young; and economist Richard H. Thaler.

[Watch: Three Americans win Nobel Prize for physics]

Last year, the White House event for laureates was held Nov. 30, after Thanksgiving. The event, President Barack Obamas final such meeting, was also notable for the absence of laureate Bob Dylan. The musician won the 2016 Nobel Prize in literature.

Obama did not hold the event in 2009, his first year in office, when he won the Nobel Peace Prize. He met with U.S. laureates each subsequent year of his presidency.
The demilitarized zone separating the two Koreas was the scene of an unusual amount of action Monday as an American man unsuccessfully attempted to cross into the North and a North Korean soldier succeeded in defecting to the South.

The 2.5-mile-wide strip between North and South Korea, which President Bill Clinton once called the scariest place on Earth, has kept the two states separate since the Korean War ended in 1953 in an armistice and without a peace treaty.

But a handful of North Koreans have made it across in recent years, and several Americans have been thwarted trying to make the opposite journey.

[This thin ribbon of land separates North and South Korea]

A 58-year-old man from Louisiana was arrested by South Korean forces Monday morning for crossing the civilian control line just outside the DMZ as part of an attempt to get into North Korea for political purposes, authorities said.

A resident of the border county of Yeoncheon, 40 miles north of Seoul, saw the man and alerted police, the Yonhap News Agency reported.

The man, identified only as A, arrived in South Korea three days earlier.

The U.S. Embassy in Seoul was aware of the report and was looking into it, an official said. If it is determined that a U.S. citizen has been detained, the U.S. Embassy will provide appropriate consular services, he said.

In a separate incident, a North Korean soldier manning a guard post on the northern side of the Joint Security Area  the border-straddling site of squat blue buildings where inter-Korean meetings are sometimes held  defected to the South.

He was shot by North Korean soldiers while escaping across the line and is being treated in a hospital, South Koreas joint chiefs of staff said.

The military has raised its alertness against the North Korean militarys possible provocations and is maintaining its full readiness posture, a military official said, according to Yonhap.

President Trump attempted to visit the DMZ last week during his trip to South Korea, but his helicopter had to turn back because of bad weather.



North Korean soldiers march during a visit by Australian officials to the border village of Panmunjom in Paju, South Korea, on Oct. 12. (Ahn Young-Joon/AP)

Read more:

Trumps attempt at surprise visit to Korean demilitarized zone foiled by weather

Trump strikes at the heart of the North Korean regime with speech

In hard-line speech, Trump warns North Korea: Do not underestimate us

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world

Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news
The new U.S. ambassador to Japan, William Hagerty, embarked Monday on a careful visit to Okinawa, where he met with the governor who wants the American military presence on the southern island prefecture sharply reduced.

The U.S. bases on Okinawa are the most sensitive aspect of the two countries' security alliance, which President Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe celebrated during their meetings in Tokyo last week.

The governor of Okinawa, Takeshi Onaga, has been campaigning against the relocation of the huge Marine air station at Futenma, in the middle of Okinawas main island, to a remote spot on reclaimed land farther north at Henoko.

Hagerty is scheduled to visit Camp Schwab, the existing American base at Henoko, by helicopter Tuesday if the weather permits.

But Onaga and a majority of Okinawans, according to polls, dont want the base moved there. Instead, they want the base moved out the prefecture entirely, saying that the southern islands bear too much of the burden for the U.S.-Japanese alliance.

People in Okinawa prefecture are working hard to stop that base ever being finished, Onaga told Hagerty during their 35-minute meeting, according to local media reports.

Onagas previous attempts to persuade policymakers in Washington have led nowhere, with American officials telling him it is a matter for him to sort out with the central government in Tokyo. Abes government has been pressing ahead with the plans to expand the base in Henoko, while Onaga has come up with creative ways to stymie them.

[ For military-weary Okinawa, Donald Trump offers a glimmer of hope ]

Onaga took the opportunity to make his case to Hagerty, complaining about the environmental impact of the construction at Henoko, particularly on sea life, and asking why Okinawa had to have the new base.

Okinawa was occupied by the United States for almost three decades after the end of World War II, and the bases remained after it was handed back to Japan in 1972. The island chain accounts for less than 1 percent of Japans landmass but houses 74 percent of the U.S. military bases in Japan.

This is discrimination against Okinawa, Onaga told Hagerty.

In response, Hagerty said that the United States had an agreement to reduce the military burden on Okinawa and alleviate some of the impact of hosting the bases.

The governor also raised concerns about a recent series of military accidents in Okinawa involving tilt-rotor Ospreys or other military aircraft.

A Marine CH-53E transport helicopter last month caught fire in midair during a training flight in the northern part of Okinawa's main island. The copter crashed just 300 yards from houses. No one was injured.

Sporadic and sometimes serious crimes also have fueled Okinawans concerns about the large American military presence.

A U.S. military contractor, Kenneth Franklin Shinzato, is expected to plead guilty Thursday to charges of raping a 20-year-old Okinawa woman last year and then dumping her body, but not guilty to killing her.

[ In Okinawa, protesters dig in as work proceeds to relocate U.S. Marine base ]

Hagerty, a Tennessee businessman who spent three years working in Japan for the Boston Consulting Group earlier in his career, was at pains to be diplomatic at the start of his visit Monday.

"My visit to the Peace Memorial Park and Museum was a deeply moving experience," Hagerty wrote on Twitter after visiting the memorial to the 200,000-plus people who were killed during the three-month-long Battle of Okinawa in 1945. It was the only battle of World War II that was fought on Japanese territory.

Hagerty also visited Shuri Castle, the center of the kingdom that ruled the islands before Japan took them over, and tweeted that he had a "fantastic" visit with high school students.

This is not Hagertys first visit to Okinawa since taking up his post at the end of August.

He and his family went to the main island in October, but the ambassador did not meet Onaga at that time. Analysts said that the sensitive spot was a strange choice for a family getaway, especially just weeks before snap parliamentary election in Japan.

Still, Okinawans will likely feel encouraged that Hagerty has started his posting by showing an interest to their prefecture.

Caroline Kennedy, the U.S. ambassador before Hagerty, visited the islands during her term but met the governor only when Onagas pro-base predecessor was in office.

Yuki Oda contributed to this report.

Read more:

Japanese leader Shinzo Abe plays the role of Trumps loyal sidekick

Okinawa murder dominates talks between Obama and Abe

Okinawans have been treated like we are disposable for too long

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world

Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news
Register for more free articles. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading.

Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! Already a Subscriber? Already a Subscriber? Sign in Terms of Service Privacy Policy
European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, center, poses with E.U. foreign and defense ministers after signing the notification on Permanent Structure Cooperation (PESCO) in Brussels on Monday. (Emmanuel Dunand/Pool/AP)

Nearly two dozen European nations agreed Monday to extend the European Union's power into the military realm, approving a security pact that backers hope will boost defense cooperation.

The deal among most E.U. countries is an effort to give the E.U. the same clout on military matters that it has long held on trade and economics. Britain's decision to leave the E.U. has unsettled the 28-nation bloc, and President Trump has pushed Europe to spend more on its own defense.

Proponents say the deal is the biggest step forward in E.U. defense policy in decades and that it will open a path for robust military cooperation for years to come. Skeptics question whether the plan can succeed. They point to previous efforts at cooperation that fell by the wayside.

What we can do together, we can do better than alone, said E.U. foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, who masterminded the initiative that was signed Monday by defense and foreign ministers of 23 countries. This is a historic achievement for European defense.

[The Trump administrations harsh threat to Europe on defense]



French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian speaks with German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen during a meeting of E.U. foreign and defense ministers in Brussels. (Virginia Mayo/AP)

The initiative, known as Permanent Structured Cooperation, or PESCO, is an effort to forge a more assertive E.U. in defense matters. Britains planned exit from the bloc opened the door to the initiative, since London had blocked previous proposals, saying they duplicated the NATO military alliance.

The agreement will create binding rules to boost defense spending and require European countries to cooperate with one another when they develop and buy new military equipment. Nations could also team up on military deployments and interventions.

Europeans have been criticized by U.S. and NATO leaders for taking a parochial approach to defense, favoring domestic manufacturers and allocating resources to deliver political dividends rather than concrete security benefits.

But in the Trump era, amid the deepest splits between Europe and the United States since World War II, many Europeans say they cannot rely on Washington for help.

It was important for us that we Europeans stand up independently, especially after the election of the U.S. president, German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen said. Nobody will solve our security problems for us. We have to do it ourselves.

[Facing Russian threat, NATO boosts operations for first time since Cold War]

The project would try to fight inefficient domestic spending by encouraging cross-border investments. Countries that join would also be expected to fulfill planning requests aimed at bolstering E.U. military capabilities as a whole. NATO also imposes similar requirements, leaving open questions about how the defense planning requests would be coordinated and what would happen if they contradicted each other. Most E.U. members belong to NATO and vice versa.

NATO leaders have endorsed the efforts, saying they support any plan to boost E.U. defense capabilities and spending.

Its really about getting Europeans to be more capable on defense. And in order to be more capable on defense, given the size of our countries, we have to do it together, said Nathalie Tocci, director of the Institute of International Affairs in Rome and an adviser to Mogherini.

Its a potential game-changer, laying the groundwork for an ambitious rethinking of the way Europe approaches defense issues, she said.

But defense experts said results may take time.

[Fearing Trump, Europe seeks less security dependence on U.S.]

On balance, the biggest changes, if any, will happen in the long run, said Tomas Valasek, director of the Carnegie Europe think tank. The decision by itself isnt going to make countries behave differently tomorrow.

The plans are the result of a tug of war between France and Germany over the ambitions for the project. France wanted an exclusive war-fighting club of nations that could contribute troops and equipment toward expeditionary deployments far from European borders. Germany favored a more inclusive approach that its leaders said would provide a bigger jump-start to European defense more broadly.

In the end, the Germans prevailed, with only five E.U. nations sitting out the effort for now: Britain, Ireland, Denmark, Portugal and Malta. E.U. leaders still must give final approval to the initiative in December.

Read more

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world

Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news
Ahmed Gaddaf al-Dam, cousin of Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi, smiles as he escorted by policemen into the office of the Egyptian general prosecutor after being arrested in Cairo on March 19, 2013. (AFP/AFP/Getty Images)

In an opulent apartment near the Nile River, the late Libyan dictator Moammar Gaddafi lives on.

A faded picture on one wall shows him as a young man lounging in a tent. In another, hes dressed in military uniform and seated in a plane.

Every week, a group of men who once supported him gather here to discuss Libyas future and their own fates. Presiding over the meetings in Cairo is Gaddafis cousin, whose apartment this is.

He inhabits the hearts of millions, Ahmed Gaddaf al-Dam said, glancing at one of the pictures.

Gaddafis overthrow and death six years ago reversed the fortunes of his clan and allies, who thrived under his patronage for more than four decades. Tens of thousands of his loyalists fled into exile when he was killed, many to neighboring Egypt. They have remained ever since, yearning for a role in shaping a new Libya.



Ahmed Gaddaf al-Dam looks at a portrait of his late cousin, Libyan dictator Moammar Gaddafi, superimposed over a picture of Omar Mukhtar, the Libyan leader who fought the Italian colonialists before they hanged him in 1931, on October 10, 2017. (Sudarsan Raghavan/For The Washington Post)

With Gaddafis sons wanted, in exile, in jail or dead, Gaddaf al-Dam has emerged as the main spokesman for the family and tribe. He represents the hopes of Libyans who once had privileged lives, and the anxieties of many others who fear the return of those who backed Gaddafis authoritarian rule.

As insecurity and violence grip Libya, Gaddaf al-Dam now senses an opening. He and his supporters are cultivating ties with influential tribes and former rivals disillusioned by the political inertia, seeking to undermine Libyas weak Western-backed government.

They see opportunity in a new U.N. effort to bring peace, with possible elections next year. The release from jail this summer of Gaddafi's most prominent son, Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, also gives them hope, though he remains in hiding.

There wont be peace without us, said Gaddaf al-Dam, who bears a striking resemblance to his cousin. We represent the majority of Libyans. And we want to set things right and correct the past.

The "past" is the violent revolt, a chapter of the Arab Spring uprisings, and subsequent crackdown by Gaddafi that drew in international powers and NATO airstrikes in 2011. That led to Gaddafi's ouster and to his death at the hands of militia fighters in the city of Sirte, his birthplace, that year in October.

By then, Gaddaf al-Dam had fled the country.

[A reporters journey through Tripoli: Long lines, kidnappings and murder]



Moammar Gaddafi, right, tours the Louvre museum in 2007 with his cousin Ahmed Gadhaf al-Dam in Paris. (Thibault Camus/AP)

A key member of Gaddafis inner circle, Gaddaf al-Dam was educated in military academies and schools in Britain, Turkey and Pakistan. He helped funnel Gaddafis weapons and cash to the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa and Zimbabwes independence movement. He later became Libyas envoy to Cairo, living in an apartment in the island enclave of Zamalek, and resettled there after the uprising.

In 2013, Libya's post-revolution authorities issued a warrant for his arrest and sought his extradition, along with other officials of the former regime. Egyptian police raided his apartment and clashed with his guards before he was taken into custody.

Steps from his bedroom, he still keeps a white door riddled with bullet holes as a reminder.

He was acquitted by an Egyptian court after his lawyers argued that he held an Egyptian passport  his mother was Egyptian  and that he had defected from Libya in objection to the killing of protesters.

These days, an arrest is unlikely. Gaddaf al-Dam is close to Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sissi  they trained at the same military academy. Libya is far more divided.

Now 65, Gaddaf al-Dam is youthful-looking, with dark curly hair, and favors tailored suits and bright ties. His apartment is furnished with plush goldtone sofas and ornate wooden chairs. A wall in his study is lined with photos of him with influential dignitaries and tribal leaders.

A lot of people still trust him, but others accuse him of selling the former regime out by leaving, said Abdelbasit Ahmed Abu Dieh, former head of the Libyan News Agency. He has a lot of influence. . . . He can help reshape the political scene, but he cannot actually enforce his visions as powerfully as he would have done in the past.

Gaddaf al-Dam refers to the Libyan revolution as the disaster.

He says young Libyans had a right to go out and protest the regime, acknowledging that we werent angels. He describes those who took up arms as traitors.

The revolution would have failed without foreign intervention, he said, and the eight-month resistance against NATO proved the regime had the support of the people.

We are the real regime, he said. Those ruling now came on top of the missiles over Libya. Missiles do not create legitimacy.

Gaddaf al-Dam often appears on television in Egypt with a blunt message: The remnants of the old regime must be included in any U.N. and Western-brokered political solution. He has called for the release of thousands of Gaddafi loyalists held in Libyan prisons. Even as he rails against Libyas revolutionaries, he has called for reconciliation.

Such efforts, though, have been rejected by political players and well-armed militias long opposed to Gaddafi.

Returning to politics would be really difficult for Gaddaf al-Dam and Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, said Mohamed Amaazeb, a senior official with the U.N.-backed Presidential Council in Tripoli. Security-wise, it is almost impossible. Former regime figures wish their days would be revived, but not everything one wishes for comes true.

With Libya in turmoil, Gaddaf al-Dam said he is making inroads with powerful tribes, including some who opposed Gaddafi. Since the revolution, many have been marginalized by armed groups.

"When you need to shape the country, you need to see the tribes," said Ibrahim al-Ghoweil, a former ambassador during the Gaddafi regime. "They must be included. They must hear their voices. This is our culture."

Gaddaf al-Dam chimed in: "If we had turned to the tribes, we would have never reached this point."



[A day in Libyas capital, just as the civil war reignites]

A group of influential Gaddafi supporters recently gathered in the sun-filled living room of the Cairo apartment. The United Nations had announced a new strategy for Libya that included a referendum on a new constitution and, ultimately, presidential and parliamentary elections.

The United Nations' special representative for Libya, Ghassan Salame, said the new political process would open the door to "those ostracized, those self-

marginalized, those players who have been reluctant to join the political process."

It was great news for the group.

Why should the revolutionaries be the only ones drafting the constitution? said Ali Hassan Abu Saif, a former captain in Gaddafis army.

I believe the U.N. and the countries that destroyed Libya want us to be part of the discussion, part of the process of regaining peace again in Libya, Gaddaf al-Dam replied. I know this government is victimizing us, but we need to get out of this pathetic situation.

By the end of the meeting, the group had decided to send representatives to help draft a constitution, take part in a national political conference and select members for a presidential council.

We cant allow our opponents to choose the members, said Gaddaf al-Dam, as everyone in the room nodded.

They all agreed that the best person to run their country was Saif al-Islam Gaddafi.

Released in June, after being held by a militia since 2011, he is wanted by the International Criminal Court at The Hague for crimes against humanity. A court in Tripoli has sentenced him to death. Salame told a French television network that Gaddafi could run as a candidate in the planned elections next year.

At a news conference in Tunis last month, a lawyer for the Gaddafi family said Saif al-Islam was in good health and closely following developments in Libya.

Hes working on politics from his base in Libya, with the tribes, with the cities, with the decision-makers, Khaled al-Zaidi said.

Today, Saif al-Islams supporters are keeping his whereabouts secret for security reasons, though some in the apartment said they were in contact with him. They insisted that Libyans would accept another Gaddafi and noted that before Saif al-Islam joined his father in suppressing the rebellion, he supported political freedoms, free-market reforms and opportunities for Libyas youth.

Hes not like his father, said Noor Ibrahim, a young lawyer.

In the living room, theres a portrait of the dictator superimposed over a picture of Omar Mukhtar, the Libyan leader who fought the Italian colonialists before they hanged him in 1931. Today, Mukhtar is viewed as a symbol of resistance in the Arab world.

Thats how Gaddaf al-Dam believes the world will one day view his cousin.

He will be a saint for Libyans, Arabs, Muslims and Africans, he said. All Libyans are now regretting that Gaddafi is not here. They wish they could go back to his days.

Read more:

They are not treated like humans: Abuse of migrants is becoming systematic in Libya

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world

Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news

Heba Farouk Mahfouz contributed to this report.


Married couple Rogelio Alvarado-Robles and Blanca Flores-Solis were arrested in August, a few weeks after arriving from Mexico. Investigators found 213 pounds of narcotics in their apartment in the Kew Gardens neighborhood in the New York borough of Queens. (Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor for the City of New York)

The middle-aged couple in the station wagon went shopping at a New Jersey Walmart on a warm night in August. They stopped for dinner at an IHOP on the way home. And when they arrived at their apartment building in a quiet residential section of Queens, the narcotics agents following them got a warrant to go inside.

They found several suitcases loaded with brick-shaped bundles of what appeared to be heroin. But lab tests determined that most of it  141 pounds  was pure fentanyl, a synthetic and supremely dangerous opioid 50 times more powerful than heroin.

It was the largest fentanyl seizure in U.S. history. There was enough inside the apartment to kill 32 million people, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

The married couple who were arrested, Rogelio Alvarado-Robles, 55, and Blanca Flores-

Solis, 52, had no criminal record in the United States. They had flown to New York a few weeks earlier with Mexican passports. They had no weapons.

But they were drug cartel emissaries, investigators said, sent to broker the sale of tens of millions of dollars worth of narcotics, like pharmaceutical executives on a business trip.

DEA agents say recent arrests reflect an emerging pattern, as Mexican trafficking groups attempt to turn New York City into their Northeast distribution hub. They operate with quasi-corporate sophistication and an inconspicuous, transient presence, sending sales teams to deliver staggering quantities of drugs and then quietly disappear.

This year, narcotics agents have seized more than 350 pounds of pure fentanyl in New York City, 10 times as much as they did in 2016. A calculated business decision appears to be behind the boom.



Alvarado-Robles and Flores-Solis had 141 pounds of pure fentanyl in their Queens apartment, enough to kill 32 million people, the Drug Enforcement Administration said. It was the largest seizure of the powerful opioid in U.S. history, according to the DEA. (Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor for the City of New York)

The cartels realize that fentanyl is much more profitable than heroin, said James Hunt, head of the DEAs New York Division.

Unlike heroin, whose raw opium base must be collected from poppy growers in remote mountain valleys, fentanyl can be made in clandestine labs using relatively inexpensive chemicals. And because it is so much more potent, it can be diluted with cutting agents to make exponentially more street-level doses, whether in powder form or ersatz pills pressed to resemble brands such as OxyContin and Percocet.

These guys are evil businessmen, but they are still businessmen, Hunt said. I dont know of any other product where you could invest $3,000 and make millions.

More than 60,000 people died from overdoses in the United States last year, according to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and deaths from synthetic opioids such as fentanyl increased fivefold.

According to DEA intelligence gleaned from wiretaps, about 80 percent of the fentanyl seized in the New York area appears to be linked to Mexicos Sinaloa cartel. The organization remains North Americas dominant trafficking group, even as its leader, Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, awaits trial in a maximum-security jail in Lower Manhattan.

Sinaloas smuggling machine has carried on without Guzman, meaning his legal defense may be funded in part with profits from fentanyl sales made just a few miles from his cell.

The Sinaloa group does not bother with retail-level commerce, according to the DEA. It uses New York to deliver large wholesale shipments to middlemen, typically local Dominican traffickers. Those groups distribute to markets in New England, Pennsylvania, Baltimore and other places where the opioid crisis is raging.

[In New England, wave of addiction to fentanyl worsens]

Late last month, as President Trump declared opioid addiction a public health emergency, Attorney General Jeff Sessions traveled to a mail inspection facility at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport to praise the customs agents who have intercepted fentanyl shipments arriving from China.

With synthetic drugs flooding our streets, drugs are now more powerful, more addictive and more dangerous than ever, Sessions said.

Fentanyl is the number one killer drug in America, he said. And as deadly as it is, you can go online and order it through the mail.



TWP (TWP)

But Mexican traffickers are sending fentanyl through the U.S. interstate highway system, not the postal service, and in quantities that dwarf the amounts arriving in envelopes.

They smuggle it across the border in fake vehicle panels or commercial loads of produce, furniture, auto parts and other cargo, driving it across the country from California and Arizona.

The loads arrive at industrial parks in New Jersey, where cartel emissaries are sent to meet the shipments and oversee wholesale transactions. Then they must figure out what to do with bricks of cash that are even bulkier than the drugs.

The Bronx and northern Manhattan are choice locations for the traffickers, agents say, because their proximity to major bridges and highways offers the same logistical advantages sought by any commercial distributor.

Last month, narcotics agents arrested a Mexican driver in an industrial area of the Bronx with 37 pounds of fentanyl in the back of a delivery truck. The location was not far from a hotel where, in June, they seized 40 pounds of the drug stashed in a duffel bag.



Nearly 20 pounds of fentanyl and heroin were seized from a $4,000-a-month apartment overlooking Central Park in August. The building appeared in episodes of the sitcom Seinfeld. (Yana Paskova/For The Washington Post)

Like the couple in Queens, traffickers appear to be avoiding high-crime neighborhoods where they might be at greater risk of being robbed or detected. DEA agents in August found 20 pounds of fentanyl and heroin at a $4,000-a-month apartment overlooking Central Park. The building's exterior had appeared in episodes of the sitcom "Seinfeld" as the apartment of the Elaine Benes character.

Inside, a Dominican drug gang was blending fentanyl and heroin in coffee grinders and stamping the drug packages with labels such as Pray for Death, Uber and Gilligans Island. As police raided the apartment, an elderly resident came outside to walk her poodle. She complained to the DEA about her neighbors loud music.

Two years ago, any one of these seizures would have been huge, Bridget Brennan, New York Citys special narcotics prosecutor, said in an interview. But weve never seen volumes like what were seeing now, she said. Not even close.

The couple arrested in Queens face major drug trafficking charges. An attorney for Flores-Solis said she was not aware of any illegal activities that her husband, Alvarado-Robles, may have been involved in. His attorney declined to comment.

New York City's homicide rate soared in the 1980s, when Colombian traffickers dominated the cocaine trade, setting up extensive distribution networks and defending them with lethal force.

The Mexican traffickers flooding the city with fentanyl and other drugs are different. They largely eschew violence, and they dont carry guns. They are the sales teams  not the enforcement division  of Fentanyl Inc.

Theyre smart, said Jimmy Arroyo, a DEA special agent who leads the team that in recent months has made several large busts linked to the Mexican traffickers. They know that if they kill people, they will attract attention.

Last year, amid an unprecedented surge of opioids into New York City, the number of homicides decreased to 335, the lowest total since 1963.



TWP (TWP)

This is not to say the cartels are not violent, only that they are strategic. In Mexico, where they kill easily and with near-total impunity, the homicide rate is at a 20-year high. And in some major New York drug cases, prosecutors say, their U.S. trafficking partners have been forced to send relatives to Mexico as insurance in case a deal goes bad. One major heroin dealer sent his own son.

Although the opioid boom hasn't led to more violence in New York, it has produced a staggering amount of death. The city had nearly 1,400 fatal overdoses last year, a 46 percent increase from 2015. Fentanyl showed up in 44 percent of autopsies.

[Fentanyl linked to thousands of urban overdose deaths]



Jimmy Arroyo, a DEA group supervisor, and Erin Mulvey, a DEA special agent, work outside an apartment building overlooking Central Park where nearly 20 pounds of fentanyl and heroin were seized in August. (Yana Paskova/For The Washington Post)

Heroin spiked with fentanyl  known on the streets as fire  had been in the citys drug supply for years, but recent lab tests showed that doses were increasingly composed of cutting agents and pure fentanyl, which users say provides a more intense high than heroin alone.

Its also shorter in duration, requiring more frequent doses to avoid crippling withdrawal symptoms.

Prosecutors say there are signs that the Mexican trafficking groups have started taking steps to dilute their fentanyl shipments before delivery, apparently worried that the surge in overdose deaths could harm sales. Recent seizures have found pre-mixed packages with lower and somewhat less lethal concentrations of fentanyl.

The cartels have their own self-interest at heart, and if they do nothing but put out fentanyl, they will kill their customer base, said Brennan, the special narcotics prosecutor. From a business perspective, its good to send a small, compact load, but if the person receiving it is not familiar with how to dilute it, you will kill too many people and draw more law enforcement attention.

Getting accurate test results on the composition of seized drugs now takes longer, because narcotics agents can no longer cut open packages to conduct field tests. The fentanyl is too dangerous; even a dusting of airborne powder can trigger an overdose. Narcotics agents must conduct raids using respirator masks, gloves and even full-body suits, and when they enter a "pill mill," they increasingly find criminals wearing the same gear.

DEA agents say they do not think that Mexican trafficking groups will eventually take over retail-level fentanyl distribution in New York. That would require far more personnel, exposing the organization to more arrests, and therefore more informants. They prefer to continue outsourcing and remain mostly anonymous in the drug trade.

The sales representatives who reach New York, communicating with encrypted software such as Silent Circle and Signal, are typically nameless figures whom narcotics agents have never seen. And in a matter of days or weeks, theyre gone.

In June, when Arroyos team seized 40 pounds of pure fentanyl at the Umbrella Hotel in the Bronx borough of New York, they arrested Carlos Ramirez, 25. He wore thick glasses, shorts and sneakers. He looked like he was in town for a comic book convention, not a massive fentanyl deal.



Carlos Ramirez, 25, appears in security camera footage at the Bronx hotel where he was arrested in June. He is accused of having 40 pounds of pure fentanyl in a black duffel bag. Ramirez had stayed at the hotel on previous occasions, telling staff members that he was from the state of Sinaloa, home to Mexicos most powerful drug cartel. (Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor for the City of New York)

Prosecutors say he arrived from Lakeland, Colo. But a clerk at the hotel who remembered Ramirez said she spoke to him in Spanish. He had stayed there on other occasions before his arrest, she said, telling her he was a pipe fitter in New York for construction jobs. He asked her for advice on where to eat, and what clubs to go to. He told her he was from Sinaloa.

It was strange, the clerk said. I never saw him wearing any work clothing.
A federal appeals court panel on Monday allowed President Trumps third travel ban to partially take effect, deciding that the government  at least for now  can keep out people targeted by the measure who have no bona fide ties to the United States.

In a brief order, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit temporarily put on hold part of a lower judges ruling that had nearly completely blocked the government from enforcing its ban.

The judges said the government could implement the ban, except on foreign nationals who have a credible claim of a bona fide relationship with a person or entity in the United States. They said such people include grandparents, grandchildren, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins of people in the United States.

[Trumps travel ban keeps getting blocked. What happens now?]

Tyler Q. Houlton, a Department of Homeland Security spokesman, said officials were reviewing the court order and looking to operationalize the ruling, consistent with all applicable court orders, and provide guidance to the field. Justice Department spokeswoman Lauren Ehrsam similarly said the government would begin enforcing the travel proclamation consistent with the partial stay, adding, We believe that the proclamation should be allowed to take effect in its entirety.

A State Department representative said the agency was working with the Justice and Homeland Security departments to implement the order and would keep the public apprised of changes affecting travelers to the United States.

Hawaii Attorney General Douglas Chin, who had sued over the ban on behalf of his state, said in a statement: Todays decision today closely tracks guidance previously issued by the Supreme Court. Im pleased that family ties to the U.S., including grandparents, will be respected.

The third version of Trumps travel ban had been set to take effect last month and would have barred various types of travelers from Syria, Libya, Iran, Yemen, Chad, Somalia, North Korea and Venezuela. But before it could be implemented, two federal judges ruled against the measure, blocking the government from enforcing it on people from six of the eight countries.

A federal judge in Hawaii had blocked the government from implementing the measure almost completely, though he said it could be enforced on people from North Korea and Venezuela. A federal judge in Maryland, meanwhile, issued a less complete halt, barring the government from enforcing the measure on people from six of the eight countries  save North Korea and Venezuela  but only in those instances where it sought to block travelers who had "bona fide" relationships with a person or entity in the United States. That would include family members, as well as those with a job offer or other professional engagement.

The government appealed in both cases, and oral arguments are set for next month. To get the measure fully restored, the government would have to run the table  winning in both the 9th Circuit, the higher court for the Hawaii case, as well as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit, the appeals court for the Maryland case.

The ruling from the 9th Circuit does not affect that schedule but rather allows the government to implement the measure at least partially, on people without any U.S. ties, until then. The judges issued what is known as a stay, or temporary halt, on U.S. District Judge Derrick K. Watsons blockade of the ban. They could ultimately reverse course after hearing more arguments.

The government has argued that the ban is necessary for national security. Various versions have taken a tortuous path through the legal system, and so far, none has succeeded in sticking.

The first iteration, signed in January, sought to block citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries and all refugees, though judges ruled against it, and the president revoked and revised the measure. The second version, signed in March, winnowed the list of countries from seven to six, though it, too, was largely held up in court until it expired.

The latest ban was devised after an extensive process in which the United States sought information from foreign governments to help vet their travelers. Those nations that were either unwilling or unable to cooperate ended up on the list, authorities have said.

Unlike the last ban, the newest one is permanent; countries can get off the list, but only if they are able to provide the data the United States requires.It also affects different countries in different ways.

For Syria and North Korea, it blocks immigrants wanting to relocate to the United States and non-immigrants wishing to visit in some capacity. For Iran, it blocks both immigrants and non-immigrants, although it exempts students and those participating in a cultural exchange.

For Chad, Libya and Yemen, it blocks people from coming to the United States as immigrants or on business or tourist visas. It blocks people from Somalia from coming as immigrants, and it names Venezuela, though it blocks only certain government officials of that country.

Those suing over the ban have argued that although the measure is different from its predecessors, it still amounts to an unconstitutional Muslim ban. They have found district judges to be sympathetic, though their path through the higher courts might be more challenging.

Although both the 4th and 9th circuit courts had ruled against the measure's previous version, the Supreme Court vacated the precedent in both of those decisions.

The case in the 9th Circuit is being heard by Judges Michael Daly Hawkins, Ronald M. Gould and Richard A. Paez, all appointed by President Bill Clinton. The 4th Circuit recently announced it would consider the case sitting with a full complement of judges.
A Russian daredevil who fearlessly leaped off the world's highest peaks and swirled through the winds on top of the world died during a BASE-jumping accident in the Himalayas over the weekend.

Valery Rozov's death was announced by his sponsor Red Bull.

The acclaimed and legendary BASE jumper was killed in eastern Nepal during an expedition on the 22,349 foot-high Mount Ama Dablam, located in the Himalayas, the company said.

Mingma Gelu Sherpa -- who works with Seven Summits Club, the group that organized the expedition -- said the accident happened Saturday.

The rescue was very difficult as it was inside a crevasse, Gelu said. He said many Sherpas trekked to the spot to recover his body since helicopters cannot land in the area.

The 52-year-old adventurer was born in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, and started his career in 1998, Red Bull said. He is famous for jumping into a live volcano in Russia and off Ulvetanna Peak in the Antarctic.

One of Rozov's goals had been to carry out BASE jumps "from the highest possible points in each continent," Red Bull said.

From 2009 to this year, he BASE-jumped in the other five continents. He had only two peaks left: Australia and North America, Red Bull said.

"Valery Rozov had been a member of the Red Bull family since 2004. The Russian received international recognition as a highly professional athlete, an aerial adventurer who tirelessly set himself against increasingly difficult goals," the company said.

"Valery will always remain in our memory: strong in spirit, professional, modest, full of energy, an eternal dreamer who was forever burning with new ideas and projects. We express our deepest condolences to Valery's wife and sons, whom he loved and valued very much."

Base jumping is an extreme sport in which participants leap from fixed objects with nothing more than a parachute between themselves and the earth.

Jumpers often wear "wingsuits" that, with arms extended, create additional surface area for gliding through the air. Wearing these suits allows jumpers to soar for longer periods of time before opening their parachutes.

The Seven Summits Club praised and mourned Rozov.

"We had the good fortune to work and be friends with this star person," the club said.

"I have known him for 10 years," said Gelu, who also spearheads the Sherpa Care Foundation . "He is my friend."

Rozov's body was brought to Kathmandu on Sunday and preparations were being made to return the body to Russia.

CNN's Joe Sterling reported and wrote in Atlanta. CNN's Omar Khan reported in New Delhi, India. CNN's Hilary McGann contributed to this report
Yukiya Amano is the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, which says Iran is sticking to the limits imposed by the 2015 nuclear deal. (Jon Gambrell/AP)

Iran is adhering to the restrictions imposed on its nuclear program under a 2015 agreement, the United Nations agency charged with monitoring the countrys facilities has said in its first report since President Trump refused to certify the Islamic republics compliance.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said in a confidential report viewed by Reuters and several other news outlets Monday that Irans stockpiles of enriched uranium have not exceeded the agreed limit of 300 kilograms. It also reported that IAEA inspectors were able to gain access to any sites they tried to visit.

The quarterly report marked the ninth successive time the IAEA has attested that Iran is meeting its commitments since the nuclear deal between Iran and six major powers, including the United States, was implemented early last year.

Last month, Trump refused to certify that Iran was keeping up its end of the deal. Although U.S. officials have acknowledged that Iran is in "technical" compliance, they say the country is violating the "spirit" of the landmark agreement to curb its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions being suspended. During his campaign and into his presidency, Trump has been a fierce critic of the agreement, which he calls "the worst deal ever."

Trump declared that the agreement does not serve U.S. national security interests, and he sent it to Congress so lawmakers could fix sections he considers not advantageous to the United States. Under U.S. law, Congress faces a Dec. 12 deadline for taking action.

Sens. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) and Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) are working on legislation that would threaten the reimposition of nuclear-related sanctions if Iran did not meet certain criteria.

So far, however, no legislation has been introduced, and Corker has said they are in no hurry as he tries to come up with a bipartisan plan.

The United States is the only country among the six that negotiated the deal to express dissatisfaction. European diplomats have been lobbying Congress not to make any changes that would jeopardize it.

According to Iranian news reports, Ali Akbar Salehi, the head of Irans atomic energy agency, said Sunday that if the deal fails, Iran will take appropriate measures that will astound people.

The IAEAs report provides more ammunition for supporters of the agreement who say the United States will isolate itself and possibly be responsible for killing the deal if it imposes restrictions beyond what was agreed on in negotiations.

Daryl G. Kimball, head of the Arms Control Association and a supporter of the agreement, said the IAEA's latest report confirms that the deal is blocking Iran's path to a nuclear bomb.

President Trump should recognize and support what our European allies have said, Kimball said, that we can build upon key elements of the Iran nuclear deal in the years ahead, but only if all sides fully implement their existing obligations, and that the United States cannot unilaterally renegotiate the terms of this multilateral agreement.

But Mark Dubowitz, the head of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and a strong critic of the agreement, said the basic flaw is that the accord does not guarantee that Iran will not eventually be capable of developing nuclear weapons.

The problem with the nuclear deal is not whether Iran is complying or cheating, he said. It is the dangerous reality that the very structure of the deal gives Iran patient pathways to nuclear weapons and [intercontinental ballistic missiles] simply by following the deal and waiting patiently for key restrictions to sunset.
Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) arrives at the federal courthouse in Newark on Oct. 26. The jury deliberating bribery charges against him said in a note it was deadlocked on Nov. 13. (Julio Cortez/AP)

The jury weighing bribery charges against Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) said in a note Monday that its members are deadlocked on whether to convict him  but the trial judge told it to take the rest of the day off and try again.

As of 2 p.m., on behalf of all the jurors, we cannot reach a unanimous decision on any of the charges, the jury wrote in the note to U.S. District Judge William Walls. Is there any additional guidance? And what do we do now?

The judge decided to send the jury home an hour early so it could try again starting Tuesday morning.

Outside the courthouse, Menendez said, Clearly there are jurors who believe in my innocence. . . . I believe no juror should be coerced.

The note from the jury came on the first day of deliberations after a female juror was excused from the panel for a long-planned vacation and replaced with an alternate. After participating in deliberations for more than two days, that former juror predicted the panel would end in a hung jury.

Menendez is accused of engaging in a corrupt bargain with Florida eye doctor Salomon Melgen. Prosecutors say the senator took gifts such as a luxury hotel stay, private flights and hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign donations from Melgen, and in return, Menendez acted as the doctor's "personal senator," advocating on his behalf on various government matters.

Menendez and Melgens lawyers have argued there was no corrupt agreement, just acts of friendship between two men who have known each other for more than a decade and liked to spend vacation time together.

There is more at stake in the trial than just the balance of power between Republicans and Democrats in the narrowly divided U.S. Senate. Some lawyers say a defeat for the Justice Department in the Menendez case could make prosecutors more reluctant to pursue corruption charges against elected officials.

[Supreme Court makes it harder to prosecute corruption]

After the note was sent to the judge, prosecutor Peter Koski said the jury had been deliberating only a couple of hours with its new juror and asked that Walls tell them to continue talking.

Menendez attorney Abbe Lowell said 11 of the 12 jurors have been deliberating for several days and asked that Walls declare a mistrial.

If the jury comes back Tuesday and again insists it is deadlocked, the judge would probably end up reading it an instruction known as an Allen charge  a final plea to jurors to do everything within reason to reach a unanimous verdict.

After being released, the excused juror said Thursday she felt strongly that Menendez was not guilty.

What I saw, the government didnt give me enough. So I think the defense showed me enough to say hes not guilty on every count, Juror No. 8, Evelyn Arroyo-Maultsby, said as she left the courthouse.

She said other jurors want to vote not guilty on some counts, but Im the only one thats held out that hes not guilty on every single charge.

The panel heard nine weeks of testimony before beginning its deliberations last week.

Read more:

This is what bribery looks like: Sen. Menendez corruption trial gets underway

Everything you need to know about Sen. Robert Menendezs corruption trial
The company operating the RT website and television channel has filed paperwork registering with the Justice Department as a foreign agent  a step it had said it would be forced to take to keep operating in the United States.

RT, which is headquartered in Moscow and was formerly known as Russia Today, is accused by the U.S. government of being a propaganda outlet for the Kremlin.

The registration follows an acrimonious back-and-forth between RT and the Justice Department about whether they should have to file paperwork under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, known as FARA.

[RT agrees to register as an agent of the Russian government]

RT editor in chief Margarita Simonyan posted a statement on its website Monday, saying: Choosing between a criminal case and registration, we have chosen the latter. Congratulations to American freedom of speech and all those who still believe in it.



An RT television broadcast van outside the Luzhniki stadium ahead of an international soccer match in Moscow. (Kirill Kudryavtsev/AFP/Getty Images)

The filing, on behalf of T&R Productions, the company that operates RT, said the firm had received payments from a foreign principal identified as ANO TV-Novosti, a Russian media company. In announcing the filing, the Justice Department called ANO TV-Novosti a Russian government entity. The paperwork lists Mikhail V. Solodovnikov as the sole owner of T&R.

In the Friday filing, T&R said that the production of its programs remains under the independent editorial control of registrant, adding that T&R respectfully disagrees that FARA should apply.

The filing also shows RTs two-month budget is about $6.6 million.

RT disputes the accusation that it is an agent of the Russian government, saying it offers alternatives to mainstream news coverage.

U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded that the network

and website push relentlessly

anti-American propaganda at the behest of the Russian government.

Russian officials have pledged to pass legislation imposing similar requirements on Western media outlets.

A leading member of the pro-Kremlin party in the Russian parliament said Radio Liberty, CNN, Voice of America and Deutsche Welle could fall under a law being drafted in the Russian legislature to apply the foreign agent status to some media organizations in Russia.
Kirstjen Nielsen, President Trumps nominee for Homeland Security secretary, testifies before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on Nov. 8. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

A Senate panel is scheduled to vote Tuesday on the nomination of President Trumps pick to lead the Department of Homeland Security, Kirstjen Nielsen, despite a push from Democrats to hold additional hearings.

Five Democrats on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee wrote a letter last week to the panel's chairman, Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), urging him to bring Nielsen back for more questioning. They cited a report in The Washington Post describing efforts by top White House officials to pressure the acting DHS secretary, Elaine Duke, over an immigration decision. The report also detailed Duke's plans to resign.

Johnson has not formally responded to the Democrats' letter, but his decision to schedule a vote for Tuesday morning indicates the panel's Republican majority wants to proceed with her nomination.

If Nielsen is approved Tuesday, it would set the stage for a full Senate confirmation vote in the coming weeks.

[Democrats want DHS nominee to return for more questioning]

The Democrats letter was followed by a statement from Duke, sent Friday by a DHS spokesman, calling accounts by The Post and others alleging White House pressure seriously flawed.

Those accounts, from current and former officials, described calls by White House Chief of Staff John F. Kelly and others who were unhappy with Dukes decision to extend the provisional residency of about 57,000 Hondurans.

Kelly and other White House officials wanted Duke to expel the Hondurans and were concerned Nielsen could face uncomfortable questions on the matter during her confirmation hearings, according to the officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive internal deliberations.

The Democrats who sent the letter said the reports left them with concerns about Nielsens ability to stand up to the Trump White House.

In the statement issued Friday by DHS officials, Duke described her talks with Kelly as typical, expected and necessary when making a major policy decision.

Dukes statement denied she was preparing to leave DHS.

Upon confirmation of Kirstjen Nielsen as the next Secretary of Homeland Security, I look forward to continuing our important work as the Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security, the statement said. I have no plans to go anywhere and reports to the contrary are untrue.

[White House tried to pressure acting head of DHS to expel Hondurans]

Nielsen was picked by Kelly for the top job at DHS, an agency with 240,000 employees and a $40 billion budget. Nielsen worked as Kellys chief of staff during his tenure as DHS secretary from January to July, and Kelly made Nielsen his deputy when Trump brought him to the White House.

Nielsen, 45, a cybersecurity expert who is the first nominee to have previous experience working at DHS, appeared before the Senate panel on Wednesday and made no missteps.

But Johnson, the committee chairman, postponed a vote on her confirmation he had scheduled for the next day, citing the need to give Nielsen more time to answer 197 follow-up questions senators submitted after her testimony.
A taxi filled with women from many countries arrives at an unofficial border crossing across from Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle, Quebec, on Roxham Road in Champlain, N.Y., in August. (Charles Krupa/AP)

In late October, starkly worded warning signs began appearing on the Canadian border with New York state and Vermont aimed at discouraging would-be asylum seekers fleeing the United States.

Stop. It is illegal to cross the border here or any place other than a Port of Entry. You will be arrested and detained if you cross here.

Not everyone is eligible to make an asylum claim, reads a second sign. Claiming asylum is not a free ticket into Canada.

As the Trump administration signals that it may soon remove the Temporary Protected Status designation from more than 300,000 Central Americans and Haitians, threatening them with deportation, Canadian officials are bracing for a new wave of asylum seekers flooding over the border.

Last week, acting U.S. homeland security secretary Elaine Duke announced that she was lifting protected status for 2,500 Nicaraguans, effective January 2019. And while she extended the same protection for 57,000 Hondurans until July 2018, she warned that the protection may end at that time.



A new sign posted by Canadian authorities at the border between Canada and the United States. (Canada Border Services Agency)

The U.S. government decided to protect both groups from deportation following the devastation wrought by Hurricane Mitch in 1999, and the measures were repeatedly renewed until this year. Duke said the original conditions justifying that protection no longer exist. Canada and its immigrant-friendly policies may be seen as a viable alternative for those reluctant to return to their countries of origin.

In addition to the new signs on the border, the Canadian government said it is increasing its outreach in communities in the United States that are likely to be affected. It also plans to send Spanish- and Creole-speaking members of Parliament to Los Angeles and Miami to meet community leaders and explain Canadian asylum rules. Canadas 12 consulates in the United States have also been recruited to spread the message that asylum is not automatic.

Were absolutely convinced that there will be another wave, said Jean-Pierre Fortin, national president of the Customs and Immigration Union, which represents 10,000 Canadian border agents and other officials. Are we ready? I dont think so.

In July and August, as many as 250 people a day crossed a ditch at the end of Roxham Road in Champlain, N.Y., into rural Quebec, most of them Haitians fearful that the protected status they received after the 2010 earthquake in their country would soon end. (A ruling is expected from the Department of Homeland Security this month.)

The numbers have declined since then, with 50 to 60 migrants crossing daily. Government officials insist they are doing what they can to discourage new arrivals. So far this year, more than 35,000 asylum seekers have landed in the country, up from 24,000 in the same period in 2016.

The summer surge forced officials to house asylum seekers at Montreal's Olympic Stadium and other temporary locations. While the numbers have since receded and the stadium site was closed, border officials recently installed heated trailers at the border in anticipation of continued crossings during the winter.

Of the 13,000 refugee claims filed so far this year by asylum seekers, only 300 had been processed by last month. Half of these asylum seekers were granted refugee status. While they await their hearings, asylum seekers are granted work permits and have access to health care.

For Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, a new flood of asylum seekers would pose not only a logistical challenge but also a threat to his pro-migrant policies if public opinion sees the influx as a threat.

Earlier this month, the government published a three-year plan aimed at accepting almost 1 million immigrants as permanent residents, with a clear bias toward economic migrants, who will make up 58 percent of the total. The balance will be shared between family and refugee classes.

Public reaction to the plan  which will see intake grow from 300,000 in 2017 to 310,000 in 2018, 330,000 in 2019 and 340,000 in 2020  has been generally positive with many of the critics, including the governments council of economic advisers, saying Canada should be accepting even more immigrants.

Canada has an increasingly diverse population, with visible minorities making up 22.3 percent of the population in 2016, according to recently released census figures, compared with 4.7 percent in 1981. By 2036, visible minorities are expected to make up 33 percent of the population.

Canada is probably the best country in the world to be an immigrant, because we give immigrants a chance to climb the ladder to success, said Kareem El-Assal, senior research manager at the Conference Board of Canada, a think tank, where he specializes in immigration.

He said Canadas immigration system works, in part, because the Canadian government helps newcomers integrate through language, skills and job training at a cost of almost a billion dollars a year. Furthermore, immigrants benefit from Canadas universal health-care system and its good public education and reasonably priced universities.

Public opinion surveys continue to show that Canadians are pro-migration. A survey by the Environics Institute last spring showed that 72 percent of respondents agreed that overall, migration has a positive impact on the economy. Yet in the same survey, 54 percent said that too many immigrants do not accept Canadian values.

As for those border warning signs, Fortin, the union leader, says that asylum seekers are reading them and then crossing the border anyway.

It doesnt seem to have a very big dissuasive effect, he said.

Read more

Trudeau vowed to legalize marijuana across Canada by July. It hasnt been that easy.

Meet the Sikh politician who might out-Trudeau Justin Trudeau

This war hero was forgotten in Canada and portrayed as a Brit in Dunkirk. Now hes finally getting his due.

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world

Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news
This appeared in Saturdays Washington Post.

In 1979, Roy Moore, then a 32-year-old assistant district attorney in Alabama, allegedly brought a 14-year-old girl to his home alone. She told The Post that Moore served her alcoholic drinks, kissed her and undressed her. Moore reportedly pursued relationships with three other teenagers between 16 and 18 during that same time period. Such predatory behavior is appalling from any quarterparticularly from a government official with great power in his community. It is especially egregious in a candidate for federal office. Yet Republican officials have yet to denounce the alleged conduct of Moore, the GOPs nominee for senator from Alabama, as clearly beyond the pale.

The four women who spoke to The Post all described similar behavior from Moore, who flattered the teenagers before asking them out on dates or taking them to his house. Only one woman, Leigh Corfman, remembered the candidate as having initiated sexual contact beyond kissing. Corfman was 14 at the time, below Alabamas age of consent at 16meaning Moores alleged actions would have broken state law. Moores campaign declares that this garbage is the very definition of fake news.

Innocent until proven guilty is for criminal convictions, not elections, former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney wrote, demanding that Moore withdraw from the race. I believe Leigh Corfman. Unfortunately, other members of Romneys party lack this moral clarity. With some exceptionsincluding Sen. John McCain, Ariz., who likewise called for Mr. Moore to step asideRepublicans in Washington have hedged their condemnations. If true, [the allegations] would disqualify anyone from serving in office, a statement from Vice President Mike Pences office announced. If these allegations are true, he must step aside, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., declared.

To be sure, the national Republican Partys response has been less egregious than that of the Alabama GOP, many of whose officials have chosen to defend Moore. The partys Senate fundraising wing has cut tieswith the Moore campaign. But if true is nothing more than a dodge if Republicans have no answer to what comes next. What more would they want to know in order to consider these allegations credible?

Republican support for Moore was pitiful even before this revelation, given his long record of contempt for the rule of law and for Americans who are different from him. In that light, maybe it should not surprise that leaders such as McConnell cannot bring themselves even now to clearly repudiate Moore. And yet surprise it does.

If true is not enough. These women had nothing to gain and much to lose by coming forward. Now their word is questionedand for what? To save a business tax cut?
Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 13/11/2017 (1829 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Coun. Marty Morantz says he has too many questions and no answers to explain how engineers in the public works department and a private consultant covertly designed a four-lane expressway through south Charleswood without the knowledge or consent of council or the citys chief administrative officer.

Morantz isnt the only one who has questions, but, like many of the controversies that have dogged city hall, no one in authority seems willing to stand up and have them answered in a public forum.

There is one individual at city hall who should be able to explain what happened  Scott Suderman, the citys transportation facilities planning engineer, who headed up the east-west corridor project and who was blamed by both Morantz and CAO Doug McNeil for keeping everyone in the dark.

PHIL HOSSACK / FREE PRESS FILES Scott Suderman gave his notice to the city hours after being blamed for the covertly designed four-lane expressway.

It should be easy enough for Morantz, who is chairman of the public works committee, to call a special meeting of his committee where Suderman can be questioned.

But Suderman gave his notice  hours after Morantz and McNeil blamed him for the mess. Hes only here until the end of November. If Morantz and other council members really want to know what happened, then Suderman needs to be asked some questions. They include:

 When was the decision made to develop the southwest extension of the Sterling Lyon Parkway as the preferred east-west corridor through south Charleswood?

 Who made that decision: Suderman alone? Was it the MMM Group (now known as WSP Canada)? Was Suderman given instructions to develop that route, and if so, by whom?

 Did Suderman really withhold that decision from Morantz and McNeil? Did Suderman inform any of his superiors in the public works department or anyone else at city hall? Who? And when?

 Why did MMM Group submit an environmental review application  a detailed, 127-page document that would have taken months to prepare  to the province in July 2017, when supposedly no one on council or the CAO knew that the Sterling Lyon Parkway extension had been chosen as the corridor route?

More questions emerged at Wednesdays executive policy committee meeting, where commercial appraiser Brett Ferguson said he had been hired by MMM Group in the fall of 2015 to estimate the cost of expropriations for the Sterling Lyon Parkway extension route. Thats several months before city hall launched its own public consultation process on three possible corridor routes, none of which was the SLP option, and two years before MMM Group went to the province for an environmental review of the Sterling Lyon Parkway route.

The information provided by Ferguson, who was speaking on behalf of area residents, left the impression that the parkway route was picked as the preferred route years ago, but was deliberately kept secret from council members and the public.

If Suderman and/or the MMM Group acted on their own, that must be made clear. If they were taking orders, then the identities of those individuals need to be disclosed. If they kept others in the loop as they worked, again, who and when must be made clear.

Only Suderman can provide these answers. It cant be his boss or CAO McNeil  any answers they give would, and should, be dismissed as a coverup.

The public needs to know the answers to these questions; councillors need to know. If these questions arent asked and answered publicly, then the cynicism that came to be associated with the former Katz administration will surely envelop this council as well  if it hasnt already.

aldo.santin@freepress.mb.ca
Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 13/11/2017 (1829 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Late last month, Toronto police Chief Mark Saunders underwent a kidney transplant.

Any time a prominent person undergoes an organ transplant, you can bet it will be news. However, in this case, there was more to the story than a medical procedure involving Torontos top cop.

Turns out that Saunders, who was born with only one kidney, got a new one from his wife Stacey, who, remarkably, was a perfect match to be a donor.

Aaron Vincent Elkaim / Canadian Press files Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders received a kidney transplant last month.

It seems fair to conclude that if Saunders had an option other than his wife, he would have gone that way.

The reality is that hundreds of Canadians die every year waiting for organ transplants that never come. At present, nearly 5,000 Canadians linger anxiously on waiting lists in a country with all of the technology and resources to do a transplant, but not enough organs to make it a reality.

The sad fact is that Canada, along with other countries as well, does a pathetic job of marshaling the prior approval of its citizens to donate organs.

This sets up a painful, tragic dichotomy in public policy. Despite the fact that opinion polls show between 70 and 90 per cent of Canadians support organ donation, only 20 per cent of us have registered to be organ donors.

Why? For some, its a religious concern about the desecration of human remains. Still others see it as an intrusion by the state in a deeply personal matter. Procrastination probably accounts for many others.

There are solutions. The countries with the highest rates of organ donation have instituted legal regimes which presume that we are all organ donors until we opt out.

Its a fascinating and elegant solution which creates a much greater pool of potential donors while still giving all conscientious objectors the right to refuse.

Unfortunately, this approach has not been embraced by Canada. Even when lawmakers are given the opportunity to deal with an issue that could save hundreds if not thousands of lives, we balk.

Such was the case recently in Manitoba when a private members bill sponsored by MLA Steven Fletcher that would have instituted Canadas first presumed consent policy for organ donation suffered its own untimely death.

The bill died when it failed to get the support of the Progressive Conservative caucus. With a commanding Tory majority in the legislature, no private members bill can move forward without the support of a strong majority of those MLAs. And for a variety of reasons, that support was not to be.

Tory caucus chairman Reg Helwer told reporters that his party would not support the bill and believed that public education was the proper route to take. Then, Premier Brian Pallister announced that the issue would be studied by an all-party task force.

This laid-back response is completely unacceptable when you consider the gravity of the issue. However, there were complicating factors.

First off, let it be said that there was no way the Tories were going to allow any bill sponsored by Fletcher to become law. The renegade MLA was kicked out of the PC caucus for frequent acts of mutiny. Any private members bill with his name on it is destined to become a litter-box liner.

Fred Chartrand / Canadian Press files Steven Fletcher sponsored a bill that would have made everyone in the province an organ donor unless they asked not to be.

However, the Tories cant admit that spite drove them to discard Fletchers bill. So, via Helwer, they spouted some nonsense about religious concerns that are, to some extent, a red herring.

There certainly are religious sentiments that associate organ donation with desecration of remains. However, even in those religions where the debate is most vigorous  such as Judaism  there is support significant for organ donation.

In Israel, for example, advocates of medical necessity found a solution: priority for available organs would be given to people who had provided prior consent to donate their own organs. One of the architects of this policy, a cardiologist, said he pressed for changes after he had been told by several Orthodox Haredi Jews that although they would never donate organs, they saw nothing wrong in accepting a donated organ.

And that, in a nutshell, is the problem we face in Canada. Faced with the imminent demise of a loved one who needed a new heart or lung or kidney, most of us would strike any deal necessary to secure a new organ. And we would do that even if we had no intention of actually donating our own organs.

The current system has relied almost entirely on our willingness to step up and do the right thing. And to this point, weve failed spectacularly in that challenge. For all the right reasons, its certainly time to give presumed consent a test drive.

For the Pallister government, its a potential watershed moment. The previous NDP government never got around to dealing with this issue. Desperate to create contrast between themselves and the evil New Democrats, the Tories can demonstrate some real initiative by making presumed consent a hallmark of their new approach to governing.

The Tories couldnt stomach a solution that was penned by Fletcher. Fine. So lets get on with the business of designing a modern policy to encourage more organ donation that doesnt contain any of his input.

In political hyperbole, politicians too often describe challenges as matters of life and death. This is one of those instances where presumed consent is a life-and-death issue.

Largely because, without a new law, people will most definitely die.

dan.lett@freepress.mb.ca
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 13/11/2017 (1829 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

When Simrat Jhally decided to pursue a career in law enforcement, he sought out a volunteer position where he could learn skills hed need as a police officer.

The 22-year-old volunteers every week as a safety ambassador with the Downtown Winnipeg Business Improvement Zone (BIZ).

I really think if I want to be in the Winnipeg Police Service, I have to know about downtown, especially whats going on and how to make it safer, Jhally says. By volunteering with the Downtown BIZ, I can gain some experience and it can count as an asset.

PHIL HOSSACK / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Simrat Jhally volunteers with the Downtown Winnipeg Business Improvement Zone.

Born and raised in India, Jhally moved to Winnipeg in 2014 to study.

He started volunteering at the BIZ in 2015, shortly after graduating from the applied accounting program at Red River College.

Safety ambassadors provide directions and safe walks to downtown users. They also assist panhandlers and intoxicated people.

Jhally appreciates the co-ordination between the Downtown BIZ and the police service.

The biggest thing I enjoy (about volunteering) here is everybody knows exactly what theyre doing, he says. We act as the ears and eyes for the police.

Safety ambassadors arent the only volunteers at the BIZ. It also has a team of host ambassadors who help promote events, programs and services and gives information to downtown users.

The best part about volunteering as a host ambassador is getting to meet different people, Miaofen Zhou says.

Zhou began volunteering with the Downtown BIZ in July, after graduating from Red River Colleges international business program.

I wanted to do something to help promote local businesses, says the 27-year-old, who grew up in Kaiping, a city in southern China. I try my best to help them and, at the same time, I am improving myself because they are teaching me things I never expected I could learn from them.

Safety and host ambassadors such as Jhally and Zhou provide important services, says Victoria de Haan-Traa, BIZ volunteer co-ordinator.

They really enhance our capacity to meet the goals that we have, says de Haan-Traa, adding that the BIZ is always on the lookout for more volunteers. We look for people who are enthusiastic and people-oriented.

People who care about Winnipegs downtown and making it a safe and enjoyable place to be are encouraged to apply to volunteer as either a safety ambassador or host ambassador by visiting downtownwinnipegbiz.com/volunteer.

Zhou enjoys being involved at the BIZ, working to improve a city that is 9,000 kilometres away from where she grew up.

I think Winnipeg is like a peaceful city, she says. People are friendly and nice here. If you have any trouble, people will try their best to help you.

Jhally has similar feelings.

Even though he misses his family in India, he has found a good group of friends in Manitoba and is looking forward to pursuing a career in law enforcement here.

I love Winnipeg, he says. This is home now.

If you know a special volunteer, please contact aaron.epp@gmail.com.
Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 13/11/2017 (1829 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy quickly thwarted the ill-conceived attempt of Catalan separatists to break their region away from Spain and make it an independent country. Now he has to pull his country back together, restore public confidence in its political processes and calm inflamed tempers.

Canadians have watched this movie before. Quebec separatist governments held one referendum in 1980 and another in 1995 aimed at breaking Canada apart. Both failed. The idea of Quebec independence is still around, but the separatists are now a small presence on the Quebec political scene, and they talk about other things. Canadian unity has been more or less restored. Mr. Rajoy could call up some recent Canadian prime ministers and find out how it was done.

He might hear a wide variety of explanations. The promise of renewed federalism was part of it. Under Pierre Trudeau, the Constitution was given an amending formula and a Charter of Rights and Freedoms, though attempts at further changes ended in disagreement and ill will. Under Jean Chretien, the Supreme Court of Canada outlined how Parliament might lawfully respond to a successful independence referendum. Parliament mapped out in the Clarity Act a steep and difficult path to independence.

Bloomberg photo Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy.

Under Stephen Harper, Parliament recognized that the people of Quebec form a nation within a united Canada.

Within Quebec, meanwhile, separatist and federalist parties alternated in power. The idea of independence retained a following among baby boomers, but the millennials, those who came to voting age in this century, saw wider horizons and showed less interest in refighting the old battles of their parents generation. The Quebec public never renounced the possibility of independence, but they turned to other things.

The United States fought a civil war a century and a half ago over secession of the southern slave-holding states. The result showed that secession from the United States is not permitted. Thats one way of dealing with separatist threats, but not an appealing one

Mr. Rajoys government is accusing the Catalan separatist leaders of rebellion, with a threat of imprisonment. At the same time, he has called a regional election for Dec. 21, which may show how many Catalans want to separate and how many want to continue to be part of Spain.

Neither imprisonment nor electoral defeat is likely to kill the dream of Catalan independence. Spain already had one civil war and shows no inclination to repeat the exercise.

A better solution may be to provide a democratic and peaceful method by which Castilians and Catalans and other Spaniards could agree to pull their country apart, if it ever came to that. Spain is a fine country, but it should not be a prison in which an unwilling region can be held forever captive. Once an exit door is provided, the urge to smash the building will probably subside.

The Catalan separatist movement failed because no one outside Catalonia thinks the Catalans are an oppressed people groaning under Madrids tyranny.

Mr. Rajoy should go out of his way to be reasonable and accommodating so the watching world will continue to dismiss Catalan separatist complaints as unfounded. If he seems to be persecuting the Catalans or clapping them in prison without good reason, he may just provide fuel for the next spasm of separatist frenzy.
Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 13/11/2017 (1829 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

China Mieville, a novelist I much admire, has published a history of the October Revolution to mark its 100th anniversary (which is actually on Nov. 7, since the Russians were still using the Julian calendar in 1917). It had an unusual effect on me. It made me question whether I was right about the utter futility of that revolution.

We all know it ended horribly: first civil war and famine, then three decades of lies, oppression and mass murder  Stalin, the Great Purge, the gulag  followed after Stalins death by the era of stagnation, a dying fall of three and a half decades of petty tyranny and economic failure. I got to know the Soviet Union well as a journalist in the last decade of its existence, and I dont miss it a bit.

Mieville doesnt have any illusions about how early and how badly the revolution went wrong; what he questions is the inevitability of all that. In an article in the Guardian last May, he quoted the lifelong revolutionary Victor Serge, born in Belgium to an exiled Russian revolutionary couple, who travelled to Russia to serve the Bolshevik revolution and was later persecuted and jailed by the Stalinists.

It is often said that the germ of Stalinism was in Bolshevism from its beginning, Serge wrote in 1937. Well, I have no objection. Only, Bolshevism also contained many other germs, a mass of other germs, and those who lived through the enthusiasm of the first years of the first victorious socialist revolution ought not to forget it.

To judge the living man by the death germs which the autopsy reveals in the corpse  and which he may have carried in him since his birth  is that very sensible? Serge was insisting that it could have come out differently and better, and Mieville is agreeing with him.

Well, I dunno. I can remember sitting in the old Akademicheskaya Hotel in Moscow in the mid-1980s, flicking paper-clips at the cockroaches and writing an angry piece about how much better off the Russians would be if the Bolsheviks had not seized power in late 1917.

After all, Russia had a rapidly developing economy at the start of the 20th century, about on a par with Italys. If the bourgeois democratic revolution of early 1917 had survived and normal capitalist development had resumed in Russia after the First World War ended, Russians might be as free and as prosperous as Italians today.

Instead, Russian GDP per capita is only $10,000 a year, even a quarter-century after the Communists finally quit.

Italian GDP per capita is $30,000. Italy is also a democracy, whereas Russia is run by an oligarchy of gangster capitalists. And to achieve this splendid success, at least 10 million Russians died at the hands of their own fellow citizens.

Even Vladimir Putin, the oligarch-in-chief, was moved to ask two weeks ago: Was it not possible to follow an evolutionary path rather than go through a revolution? Could we not have evolved by way of gradual and consistent forward movement rather than at the cost of destroying our statehood and ruthlessly fracturing millions of human lives?

You can imagine an alternate history in which the February Revolution survived and the Bolshevik coup never happened, but thats not what Mieville is asking. He wants to know if the real, radical revolution could have had a different, better outcome, and he has made me think all that through again.

Lets put all this in context. For several hundred thousand years all human beings lived in circumstances of absolute equality. All our ancestors were hunter-gatherers who lived in small bands, rarely more than a hundred people, and made all their decisions by consensus: there were literally no leaders, and powerful social customs blocked any takeover bids by ambitious men.

Then we invented agriculture, developed into the mass civilizations  and every one of them turned into a brutal hierarchy of power and privilege. It probably had to be like that, because these were complex societies where somebody had to make the decisions and enforce them. A million people cannot make those decisions by consensus, especially if they are almost all illiterate.

And finally, about two-and-a-half centuries ago, it became theoretically possible for mass societies to make their decisions democratically: they were literate, they had the printing press, and so they could all talk to one another. We immediately began to reclaim our old heritage of equality through revolutions, beginning in the United States and then France  and the Bolshevik revolution does belong to that sequence.

It was extreme, of course, but thats because it aimed at full equality, not the halfway houses of democracies with equal opportunity but huge practical differences of income and privilege that most of us live in today. This was not some petty economic argument between the followers of Hayek and Keynes. It was about the big issue: equality.

And most of us have concluded, partly on the evidence of the Russian revolution, that modern mass societies have to settle for what you might call managed inequality.

The social, political and human cost of trying to make old-style absolute equality work is just too high. But you can see why Mieville rages against that fact.

Gwynne Dyer is an independent journalist whose articles are published in 45 countries.
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 13/11/2017 (1829 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

My husband and I recently returned from a two-week vacation in Spain and Portugal.

My husband and I recently returned from a two-week vacation in Spain and Portugal.

Photo by Jeff O'Leary The author, pictured on her recent trip to Spain and Portugal.

It was an amazing trip with perfect weather. It was also a learning experience for me, as I had never visited Spain or southern Portugal.

My mother always used to say that it was good to travel, but always great to come back home. I realized on this trip that I am definitely a Canadian prairie girl.

In Madrid, I spent a long time in the Reina Sofia Museum, studying Pablo Picassos Guernica  a moving anti-war painting which drew attention to the horrors of the Spanish Civil War. It seemed relevant considering the present political turmoil in Catalonia. Discussions of the separatist movement were everywhere, and brought back memories of our own Canadian referenda of 1980 and 1995.

Mostly it is the history in Europe which amazes me. Just outside the white village of Ronda in southern Spain, we visited the Pileta cave. The caves are run by the family which discovered them in 1905. The tour, by lantern light, takes you deep inside the caves, where you can see Stone Age paintings of horses, goats, and fish from 25,000 years ago.

In central Portugal, we revisited the town of Evora. There, we wondered at the Chapel of Bones. The inscription above the entrance reads, We, the bones that are here, await yours  a reminder of our own mortality. Just outside Evora, we visited Neolithic stone formations. The 95 standing stones were first laid in 6,000 BC. Their purpose is unknown, and the site itself is mysterious.

We also took some time for rest and relaxation during our holiday.

In Tavira, Portugal, we spent an afternoon on Barril Beach. Here we discovered a ship anchor graveyard and seashells.

In Lagos, Portugal, we spent a hot sunny afternoon on a boat touring through grottos and caves. The water was warm enough for a brisk swim.

During our travels, we feasted on fresh fish, seafood, and tapas. The wine was delicious, inexpensive and plentiful. We enjoyed flamenco dance in Spain and fado music in Portugal.

On our return to Winnipeg, we enjoyed a few days of sunshine and warm weather. As much as I enjoy my European travels, it is always great to come back home. I always appreciate the wide open spaces, sparse population, wildlife and greenery of Canada.

As the weather turns colder, I will cherish the memories of my European vacation, and embrace the beauty of the winter season.





Joanne OLeary is a community correspondent for Riverbend. Contact her at jeffandjoanne@hotmail.com
In recent weeks, ICE has unleashed a series of raids in Western Massachusetts, sweeping up and detaining undocumented residents and workers.

A recent high-profile case reported in regional news outlets involves Lucio Perez, who fled Guatemala in 1999 and had been living in the mid-sized city of Springfield, Massachusetts.

Perez came to ICEs attention in 2009, after he had gone into a Dunkin Donuts in West Hartford, Connecticut while his children waited in the familys car. He was detained by local police and charged with child abandonment. That charge was quickly dropped, but ICE was alerted to his case, and began deportation proceedings against him.

Lucio arranged to meet periodically with ICE and was granted a series of stays over the next 6 years. However, at his last check-in, he was denied further stays and ordered to leave the country by October 19. Faced with the prospect of being sent thousands of miles from his wife and children to a country he had not lived in for nearly two decades, Perez defied the deportation order and sought sanctuary at a Unitarian Church in Amherst, Massachusetts, where he continues to take refuge.

ICE has classified Lucio as a fugitive and vowed to arrest and deport him. In an effort to counteract the huge popular support his case has received, the agency has painted Perez as a criminal, with ICE representative Khalid Wells referring in an interview to Perezs numerous convictions for misdemeanor offenses. Wells declined to specify what those convictions were, citing privacy rules.

Matt Cameron, a lawyer who has taken on Perez case, told the Amherst Bulletin that ICE is withholding that information about the convictions because they are all traffic-related, and because hes not a criminal at all...this is their favorite game now, to blame the victim.

On November 9, ICE executed another raid in the area and detained three farmworkers on their way back to their homes in Springfield. One of the men detained, Edgar Lopez, had been deported twice by ICE to Guatemala and had returned to live in the United States both times, a criminal offence under federal law.

In a statement to the media, ICE referenced Lopez criminal background, including assaulting an officer and drunk driving, and referred to prior misdemeanor convictions in relation to Adolfo Gonzalez-Velesquez, one of the other detained men.

Bill Newman, director of the Western Regional Law Office of the American Civil Liberties Union, which is organizing legal defense for the detained men, stated that when ICE uses terms like other misdemeanors, frequently that means minor traffic violations.

While both cases have been publicized in local media outlets, they are only the tip of the iceberg of the Trump administrations crackdown on immigrant workers in Western Massachusetts.

According the ACLUs Immigrant Protection Project, which provides crucial support, including legal representation, to those swept up by ICE, these cases represent a mere fraction of ICEs activities in the region.

Javier Luengo, a coordinator at the Immigrant Protection Project, told the WSWS that ICE appears to receive an alert every time state or local police enter information into a national database on someone they were unable to identify with a Social Security number or government-issued ID card.

Asked how such a system could function, Luengo responded we are not sure how they are doing it. They may be targeting certain words or phrases in the reports. Or perhaps they have a program that automatically detects it, but they definitely know. Even if police do not positively ID someone during a stop, other information is collected, includingmost cruciallytheir address. When that happens, ICE is provided with a new target for deportation and executes an arrest.

The Trump administration, in an effort to justify the brazen attacks on immigrants and whip up a lynch mob atmosphere, has also launched a concerted propaganda offensive, instructing the Department of Homeland Security to publicize weekly lists of alleged crimes committed by undocumented immigrants. One does not need to reach too far to find a historical parallel to this reactionary practice.

Just as the Nazi newspaper Der Sturmer published a list of supposed Jewish crimes in Germany in the run-up to the Holocaust, Trumps executive order on immigration, issued last January, instructs the Department of Homeland Security to make public a comprehensive list of criminal actions committed by aliens and any jurisdiction that ignored or otherwise failed to honor any detainers with respect to such aliens.

Emails sent by the Department of Homeland Security obtained under the Freedom of Information Act and reported on by The Intercept reveal instructions issued to each local DHS branch to come up with three egregious cases to be published by the media. The email then states If a location has only one egregious case  then include an extra egregious case from another city.

The crackdown also contains chilling echoes of Americas pre-civil war past, when the Fugitive Slave Act, referred to by abolitionists as the bloodhound law, enlisted local police in the North to do the bidding of slave owners by slapping a $1,000 fine on any law enforcement agent who did not arrest someone alleged to be a runaway slave. A simple affidavit was all the law required to prove ownership of a person with black skin. Like the Fugitive Slave Act, Trumps executive orders and the aggressive operations of ICE seek to punish local governments and law enforcement agencies that provide aid or protection to those targeted for capture.

Absent from coverage of these raids in the establishment media outlets is any discussion of the conditions that are driving people to risk their lives and flee to the United States in the first place.

The men recently detained in Western Massachusetts originally hail from Guatemala, a deeply impoverished country where the United States overthrew a democratically elected government in 1954 and then provided support for a series of military dictators as they waged a three-and-a-half-decade long genocidal campaign against indigenous peasants and the rural poor.

Guatemalan society was thoroughly brutalized by these events and today experiences an epidemic of violent crime, corruption and extreme poverty. One particularly bloody organization now terrorizing the population is the criminal cartel known as Las Zetas, formed from the most sadistic elements of the US-trained Guatemalan military after their demobilization in the mid 90s.

Deporting Guatemalans and other Central Americans living in the US thus not only separates them from their families, it may equal a death sentence. As they seek to avoid this fate, hundreds of thousands of people are being made into fugitives by the very government responsible for destroying their countries social fabric.
The faculty of New York Universitys Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute voted unanimously to sever relations with NYUs satellite campus in the United Arab Emirates after the UAE denied visas to three NYU professors, most likely as a result of religious or political discrimination, or both, constituting a gross violation of academic freedom.

NYU professors Mohamad Bazzi and Arang Keshavarzian were both slated to teach courses at NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), NYUs portal campus in the UAE capital, before Emirati authorities denied them the security clearance necessary to get work visas. Both professors are US citizens born overseas with Shia Muslim backgrounds. A third tenured professor was also denied entry, but has decided not to publicly disclose his or her identity.

Bazzi is an associate professor of journalism and was the Middle East bureau chief for Newsday during much of the Iraq War. He has written articles critical of UAE ally Saudi Arabia, including the brutal Saudi-led war in Yemen. Bazzi was born in Lebanon. Keshavarzian is an associate professor of Middle Eastern studies whose research and teaching has focused on Iran, including domestic Iranian politics. Keshavarzian was born in Iran.

Both professors, who are US citizens, were denied entry after disclosing on their visa application forms that they are Shia Muslims. The UAE, which is ruled by a reactionary Sunni monarchy, requires that visa applicants disclose their religion and sect, and NYU reportedly told both professors to comply with this request.

The UAE has refused to explain why it denied Bazzi and Keshavarzian the right to teach at NYUAD. In an Op-Ed in the New York Times, Bazzi says that the UAE security apparatus denied my security clearance most likely for sectarian reasons.

It cannot be excluded that, especially in Bazzis case, political motives are also at work here. The UAE is heavily involved in Saudi Arabis war in Yemen, with Abu Dhabi contributing a military brigade to the campaign. In an August 2016 article in the Nation magazine titled Why Is the United States Abetting Saudi War Crimes in Yemen? Bazzi notes that, warplanes from the Saudi-led coalition have bombed a Yemeni school, a hospital run by Doctors Without Borders and a potato-chip factory, killing more than 40 civilians, including at least 10 children.

A letter signed by a majority of the NYU Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute senior faculty (including Bazzi) also hints at possible political motives, saying, if [the decision to deny visas] was for reasons of religious affiliation  or because of our colleagues writing and research, it would represent a significant threat to academic freedom on that campus.

The letter, which is addressed to NYU President Andrew Hamilton, asks Hamilton to do everything in your power to convince the authorities in Abu Dhabi to grant Profs. Bazzi and Keshavarzian visas and correct this situation.

Other organizations and NYU departments have also protested the UAEs decision to deny visas to Bazzi and Keshavarzian. NYUs Department of Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies (MEIS) sent a letter to Hamilton, noting: While a number of NYU facultyas well as our graduate student Alya El Hosseiny, who had been awarded a Humanities Research Fellowship for dissertation work by the NYU Abu Dhabi Institutehave been denied entry to the UAE in recent years, this is, we believe, the first time that tenured members of the NYU faculty whom NYU Abu Dhabi had invited to come teach there have been prevented from doing so.

The MEIS letter concludes, Until NYUs leadership addresses these issues seriously, the majority of the MEIS faculty, in solidarity with our colleagues and students, feel compelled to call on NYU faculty based in New York to consider refraining from teaching or participating in academic events at NYU Abu Dhabi until such time as all NYU faculty and students are free to do so.

Faculty at NYUs Gallatin School of Individualized Study likewise voted to encourage faculty to boycott NYUAD.

Ten members and officers of the NYU chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) condemned the move in a letter, calling it a gross violation of the AAUPs basic principles of academic freedom. The AAUP letter also denounced NYUs lackluster response, which mostly consists of stock statement[s] which are widely seen as merely evasive.

The Middle East Studies Association (MESA), which promotes scholarship and teaching on the Middle East and North Africa, wrote a letter to Hamilton expressing its deep concern over the denial of visas. The MESA letter notes, given the increasingly repressive atmosphere in the country, It is therefore plausible that UAE security officials were unhappy about something that Professor Bazzi and/or Professor Keshavarzian may have said, written or taught concerning UAE or Gulf region politics.

Hamiltons response came in the form of a reply to MEIS faculty. While he called the visa denial very troubling to me and expressed sympathy for the disruption forced on Bazzi and Keshavarzian, he shouldered off any responsibility falling on NYU: I know of no universities that can guarantee to their scholars that they can cross any border at any given time to teach or conduct research, because the matter is out of the institutions hands.

The strongest words in the letter are left for the promised boycott of NYUAD, which he calls premature and would instead punish NYUADs students and faculty colleagues.

This is not the first time the UAE, abetted by NYU, has infringed on academic freedom. NYU professor Andrew Ross, a labor studies scholar, was barred from entering the country in March 2015. NYU alumna Kristina Bogos was initially denied entry to the UAE, only to be permitted to enter as a tourist under surveillance.

Ross and Bogos crimes against the UAE government were their research into labor conditions, notorious in the Gulf region, where most of the construction work is done by heavily exploited migrant workers.

The horrific conditions facing migrant workers in the UAE are bound up directly with NYUAD, which was constructed with such exploited labor. After a scandal erupted in 2014 regarding working conditions at the NYUAD construction site, then-NYU President John Sexton argued that the conditions were due to construction contractors, not NYU itself.

But, as the media noted at the time , the building contractor was hired by one Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak. It was Mr. Mubarak who persuaded NYUs Board of Trustees to build the campus and saw to it that the government of Abu Dhabi gave the university $50 million to do so. Mr. Mubarak is now a member of the NYU Board of Trustees, its governing body that has final say on all university decisions.

Since the beginning, NYUAD was marred by this sordid deal with the reactionary sheikdom and barbaric working conditions there. Even before construction began, many noted the authoritarian nature of the UAE regime and the prospect of limitation on academic freedom. It has become clear that such concerns were well-founded.

NYU students who are seeking to defend democratic rights and oppose corporate influence at the university from a socialist perspective should contact the International Youth and Students for Social Equality club at NYU.
The recent mass arrests in Saudi Arabia combined with the kidnapping of Lebanons prime minister, the escalation of the war against Yemen and Riyadhs charge that both Iran and Lebanon have declared war against it point to an immense regional crisis that threatens to erupt into a wider conflict.

After more than a quarter century of uninterrupted US wars of aggression, occupations and regime-change operations that have claimed the lives of over a million people and driven many millions more from their homes, the Middle East is a powder keg.

Entire societies have been decimated by these interventions, from Iraq to Libya, Syria and Yemen. This immense bloodletting has as its primary driving force the attempts by US imperialism to offset the relative decline in its dominance over the capitalist world order by means of military force, particularly through the assertion of its hegemony over the oil-rich Middle East.

Despite the immense destructive power of the means employed, however, they have failed to achieve Washingtons ends. After expending roughly $2 trillion in resources and sacrificing the lives of over 4,400 US troops in Iraq and bringing tens of thousands back seriously wounded, the US has failed to achieve its aims of unquestioned dominance in the region. In Iraq, Syria and elsewhere in the region, the US faces Iran as a significant regional rival, with Russia and China also challenging American capitalism for control of markets and energy resources.

The US response has been the stoking of ever-widening conflicts that threaten to drag the entire region into war, with the potential of drawing in the worlds major nuclear powers as well.

The Trump administration has deliberately sought to provoke a direct conflict with Iran, refusing to certify its compliance with the 2015 nuclear accord negotiated with the Obama administration and the other major powers. The nonsensical claims that Iran is not living up to the spirit of the agreement, i.e., bowing to US demands for the countrys disarmament and complete subordination to American interests in the Middle East, have led to a ratcheting up of tensions with Tehran and are setting the stage for direct military conflict.

With his trip to Riyadh last May, Trump laid the foundations for a Sunni sectarian alliance against Iran based upon the reactionary oil sheikdoms of the Persian Gulf led by Saudi Arabia. This US policy has essentially given a carte blanche to the Saudi regime to carry out repression at home and escalate military violence and provocations throughout the region.

This orientation has been confirmed by the reaction of the White House to the sweeping purge launched by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman involving the arrest of some of the most powerful figures in the kingdom, including a dozen princes, current and former ministers and one of the countrys wealthiest billionaires, all under the pretext of battling corruption. In reality, the crackdown, accompanied by the placing of allies of the crown prince in key positions, is part of a consolidation of power in the hands of the most bellicose and anti-Iranian faction within the regime.

This was accompanied by the Saudi regimes summoning last week of Lebanese Prime Minister Hariri to Riyadh. Credible reports indicate that when Hariri arrived in the Saudi capital, his plane was surrounded by police, his cellphone was confiscated and he was detained until he read a prepared speech over Saudi state media resigning his position and denouncing both Iran and the Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah. The Saudi monarchy apparently decided that Hariri, a Sunni who holds joint Saudi-Lebanese citizenship, had to be removed because he failed to adopt a policy of breaking with Hezbollah, which forms a major part of his government. He and his family appear to remain hostages of the House of Saud.

The initial response of the Trump administration, as well as that of the corporate media, to these extraordinary developments was essentially to echo the line from Riyadh, casting bin Salman as a reformer.

I have great confidence in King Salman and the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, they know exactly what they are doing, Trump tweeted in response to the arrests.

Similarly, the Trump administration unconditionally backed unsubstantiated claims that a rocket fired from Yemen toward Riyadhs international airport had been supplied by Iran. The Saudi response, also fully supported by Washington, has been to escalate its near-genocidal war against the Yemeni people, stepping up bombings and closing all of the countrys borders and ports to relief supplies. The UN has warned that this tightening of the US-backed blockade threatens to unleash a famine of world-historic proportions, claiming the lives of millions.

While succeeding in killing some 12,000 Yemenis and razing the poorest society in the Arab world to the ground, the Saudi military has proven incapable of conquering the country. This failure is of a piece with its unsuccessful attempt to blockade Qatar into submission and the disintegration of the Islamist Al Qaeda-linked rebels that it sponsored in Syria. Its response is to up the ante with threats of war with Iran.

In recent days, sections of the US ruling establishment and media have begun to voice concern over these events, largely from the standpoint that the shakeup in Riyadh and Saudi provocations in the region could expose the House of Saud as a house of cards. Attempting to consolidate power in his own hands, bin Salman risks destabilizing the regime and opening up the threat of a revolt from below in a country that is one of the most unequal on the face of the planet and is plagued by mounting economic, social and political crises driven by the fall in oil prices.

Thus, the New York Times published an editorial noting that if Iran had been carrying out actions similar to those of the Saudi regime, there would have been expressions of outrage from Trump, the US Congress and others within the ruling establishment. The Times hastens to add, however, Theres a big difference, of course, between Saudi Arabia and Iran; the former is an American ally, the latter an antagonist. This recalls nothing so much as Franklin Delano Roosevelts explanation of US support for the blood-soaked Nicaraguan dictatorship of General Somoza: He may be a son of a bitch, but hes our son of a bitch.

The Washington Post, for its part, drew parallels between the House of Saud and the House of Trump, noting the US presidents disdain for courts and for the media and scorn for ethical norms, and pointing to the trip by his son-in-law Jared Kushner to Riyadh shortly before the arrests.

To the extent that these rather muted expressions of concern express disagreements within US ruling circles, they are of an entirely tactical character. Democratic and Republican administrations alike have for more than seven decades supported the Saudi monarchy, one of the most reactionary regimes on the face of the planet, as a linchpin of US policy in the Middle East, arming it to the teeth.

Differences revolve around whether the headlong rush to a regional war in the Middle East will only undermine broader US strategic interests in relation to its buildup toward confrontation with China and Russia. It also threatens to further provoke conflict with Washingtons nominal European allies in NATO, who have shown little inclination to follow Washington down the path to war against Iran, a country where they are seeking profitable markets and investments.

Whatever these tactical differences, the political events in the Middle East, with the kidnapping of a prime minister, provocative statements about declarations of war, and, of course, the US and Russia pursuing diametrically opposed aims in Syria by military means, more and more echo the kind of regional conflicts, particularly in the Balkans, that gave rise to the First World War.

The threat of mankind being dragged into a Third World War, this time with nuclear weapons, can be countered only by the international working class, mobilizing its independent strength on the basis of a socialist program aimed at putting an end to capitalism, the source of war and social inequality.
At 10:45 on Thursday morning, based only on an erroneous tip about another crime, Providence and Rhode Island State Police provoked a high-speed traffic chase that ended in their firing some 40 bullets into a pickup truck and killing its unarmed driver. The deadly police assault happened on a busy highway on-ramp next to the Providence Place Mall.

Rhode Island Department of Transportation video footage shows at least five police cars chasing the white Ford F250 truck through traffic onto Route 10 after its driver, Joseph J. Santos, drove away from an attempted traffic stop. In order to stop the truck from getting on Interstate 95, which could have led to an interstate chase, another Providence police vehicle blocked the on-ramp.

Santos, unable to escape and boxed in with other drivers whose safety was threatened by the police actions, tried to ram the car in front of him while police on foot surrounded his pickup. Five Providence and four State police officers fired on him when he rammed the other car.

Video footage shows a cloud of smoke from the tires of Santos pickup, which were still spinning furiously after he had been shot dead.

In a press conference to address the shooting, Providence Public Safety Commissioner Steven Pare coldly told reporters: When we use deadly force, its to eliminate. Its just that: deadly force.

The incident began when Donald W. Morgan escaped State Police custody the same morning. Morgan, who had been arrested for an unrelated crime, was being driven to court from the Lincoln Woods Barracks when the trooper driving the cruiser stopped to check on another accident. The trooper left his keys in the ignition and Morgan, whose hands had been cuffed in front of him, got into the front seat and drove off.

Morgan abandoned the police cruiser about 15 minutes later, not even taking the troopers gun with him. He has since been found and arrested again. But a witness told Providence Police that they thought theyd seen him getting into the bed of a white pickup.

Police then pulled over several white pickups, including the F250 driven by Santos. It is unclear whether Santos knew of Morgans crimes, but he was not involved in them. He himself had a record of nonviolent but serious crimes including credit card fraud and larceny, and he had two outstanding warrants. His passenger, Christine Demers, has a history of drug-related crimes. The two had reason to be afraid of going back to jail, and tried to escape the police on Thursday morning. Demers was critically injured in Thursdays shooting.

Santos sister, Justine, told WJAR-TV: He was probably nervous that he was going to get pulled over and sent back to jail, so he didnt want to stop.  He was a good person that was scared, and not the person trying to hurt people that theyre trying to say he was.

TV news showed police in military-style uniforms and carrying M4 assault rifles as they scoured residential neighborhoods looking for Morgan. A commenter on the Providence Journals web site posted that they invaded a neighborhood in Providence with assault weapons roaming the streets in gangs 6 strong in full combat gear  as if they were going into Afghanistan or the slums of Rio. That is what they think of the neighborhood and the people in it.

The State Police acquired their M4 rifles three years ago through the federal 1033 program, and have since added what a Providence Journal article recently described as the same Kevlar helmets worn by members of the U.S. military in full-blown combat engagements and  black bullet-proof vests emblazoned with State Police patches.

According to data researched by WPRI in 2014, municipal police in Providence County had acquired nearly $1.7 million worth of military equipment from the federal government through its 1033 program, including infrared rifle sights, night goggles, 90 5.56 millimeter rifles, and an armored truck. The fiscal year 2018 Providence Police budget of $76.86 million dwarfs the Fire Departments budget by more than $6 million. The polices budget for guns and ammunition jumped from $70,000 in fiscal year 2016 to $111.7 million in fiscal year 2017. Between fiscal year 2014 and fiscal year 2016 its budget for salaries jumped from $22 million to $29.8 million, a 35 percent increase.

After the execution of Santos, the Providence police tried to defend the shooting by releasing video which portrayed his actions as a public safety danger, focusing in particular on his ramming of the car ahead of him after he was cornered. The five Providence officers who fired their guns have been put on administrative leave, but have the full backing of their superiors.

At a news conference on Friday, Providence Police Chief Hugh T. Clements Jr. said about the video that was being released: We believe that video shows the acts of the officers as doing exactly what we would want them to do in stopping an imminent and significant threat.

The State Police have taken the opposite tack by keeping secrets and refusing even to divulge the name of the trooper who let Morgan escape.

Despite Providences attempts at transparency, however, only one of the three cops who were wearing body cameras turned his on. A second claimed that hed forgotten, and the third that he tapped his on switch once instead of twice.
Country

United States of America US Virgin Islands United States Minor Outlying Islands Canada Mexico, United Mexican States Bahamas, Commonwealth of the Cuba, Republic of Dominican Republic Haiti, Republic of Jamaica Afghanistan Albania, People's Socialist Republic of Algeria, People's Democratic Republic of American Samoa Andorra, Principality of Angola, Republic of Anguilla Antarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S) Antigua and Barbuda Argentina, Argentine Republic Armenia Aruba Australia, Commonwealth of Austria, Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Bahrain, Kingdom of Bangladesh, People's Republic of Barbados Belarus Belgium, Kingdom of Belize Benin, People's Republic of Bermuda Bhutan, Kingdom of Bolivia, Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana, Republic of Bouvet Island (Bouvetoya) Brazil, Federative Republic of British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago) British Virgin Islands Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria, People's Republic of Burkina Faso Burundi, Republic of Cambodia, Kingdom of Cameroon, United Republic of Cape Verde, Republic of Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad, Republic of Chile, Republic of China, People's Republic of Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia, Republic of Comoros, Union of the Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, People's Republic of Cook Islands Costa Rica, Republic of Cote D'Ivoire, Ivory Coast, Republic of the Cyprus, Republic of Czech Republic Denmark, Kingdom of Djibouti, Republic of Dominica, Commonwealth of Ecuador, Republic of Egypt, Arab Republic of El Salvador, Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Republic of Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Faeroe Islands Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Fiji, Republic of the Fiji Islands Finland, Republic of France, French Republic French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon, Gabonese Republic Gambia, Republic of the Georgia Germany Ghana, Republic of Gibraltar Greece, Hellenic Republic Greenland Grenada Guadaloupe Guam Guatemala, Republic of Guinea, Revolutionary People's Rep'c of Guinea-Bissau, Republic of Guyana, Republic of Heard and McDonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras, Republic of Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China Hrvatska (Croatia) Hungary, Hungarian People's Republic Iceland, Republic of India, Republic of Indonesia, Republic of Iran, Islamic Republic of Iraq, Republic of Ireland Israel, State of Italy, Italian Republic Japan Jordan, Hashemite Kingdom of Kazakhstan, Republic of Kenya, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait, State of Kyrgyz Republic Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon, Lebanese Republic Lesotho, Kingdom of Liberia, Republic of Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liechtenstein, Principality of Lithuania Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Macao, Special Administrative Region of China Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Madagascar, Republic of Malawi, Republic of Malaysia Maldives, Republic of Mali, Republic of Malta, Republic of Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania, Islamic Republic of Mauritius Mayotte Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco, Principality of Mongolia, Mongolian People's Republic Montserrat Morocco, Kingdom of Mozambique, People's Republic of Myanmar Namibia Nauru, Republic of Nepal, Kingdom of Netherlands Antilles Netherlands, Kingdom of the New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua, Republic of Niger, Republic of the Nigeria, Federal Republic of Niue, Republic of Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway, Kingdom of Oman, Sultanate of Pakistan, Islamic Republic of Palau Palestinian Territory, Occupied Panama, Republic of Papua New Guinea Paraguay, Republic of Peru, Republic of Philippines, Republic of the Pitcairn Island Poland, Polish People's Republic Portugal, Portuguese Republic Puerto Rico Qatar, State of Reunion Romania, Socialist Republic of Russian Federation Rwanda, Rwandese Republic Samoa, Independent State of San Marino, Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda, Republic of Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe
SNL took aim at Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore during its cold open this week, and even Kate McKinnons Jeff Sessions thinks the embattled candidate is creepy.

The sketch saw Moore, played by Mikey Day, called to the White House to meet with Beck Bennetts Mike Pence. It fell to Pence to convince Moore to drop out of the Alabama Senate race because of the scandal about Moore dating underage girls.

Roy, I dont have to tell you that the Senate hangs in the balance, Bennetts Pence said. We are trying to pass a tax reform plan this year to bring Mr. Trumps list of big legislative accomplishments to one. We cant lose your seat this December.

Also Read: Larry David Catches Flak for Holocaust Joke in 'SNL' Monologue (Video)

I know you are Bannons guy, but this latest news about you is concerning, Pence continued. Voters in Alabama will never elect someone who has had relations with a minor.

Are you sure about that? Days Moore asked.

Alabama is quite a place, but we cant take that chance, Pence answered.

Also Read: 'SNL': Baldwin's Trump's Plans to Pardon Manafort By Pretending He's a Thanksgiving Turkey (Video)

Just like he has been this week, Moore insisted that the allegations against him were lies, and that hes being targeted by the liberal media.

Its hard to convince people that you are not into young girls when you dress like Woody from Toy Story,' Pence told Moore, referencing the candidates cowboy-like clothes.

All right, Days Moore said. Everyone thinks I did it, Ill marry her.

No, Roy, no. I want you to consider stepping aside, Pence told him. Dont think of it as ending your campaign. Think of it as going to conversion therapy to turn yourself into someone who is no longer a candidate.

With Pence failing to convince Moore to drop out of the race, the door on the small cabinet in the room popped open, revealing Attorney General Jeff Sessions, played by Kate McKinnon.

Story continues

Also Read: 'SNL': McKinnon's Kellyanne Conway Channels 'It,' Drags Anderson Cooper Into the Sewer (Video)

Jeff Sessions, what are you doing here? Moore asked.

Im just doing what I always do: Cookin up nightmares for children, Sessions said, taking over the discussion for Pence.

Roy, you have been doing some controversial stuff, McKinnons Sessions continued. You wave a gun around on stage. You tell folks Muslims shouldnt be allowed in the Congress and that 9/11 was Gods punishment for sodomy. I love it. You check a lot of boxes for me.

Also Read: 'SNL Weekend Update' Says Harvey Weinstein Should Be in Prison

But this is really bad. Im usually the creepiest one in the room, but i look at you and Im like oh, my god. I got the goose flesh. They say you even admitted to being with a couple of 16-year-olds, Sessions said.

Sessions finally kicked Moore out of the room, saying, I am Alabama, Mr. Moore, but you are too much Alabama.

Related stories from TheWrap:

Every 'SNL' Alec Baldwin Donald Trump Sketch Ranked, From Least to Most Retweetable (Photos)

'SNL': Sarah Huckabee Sanders Sings Demi Lovato's 'Confident' During White House Press Briefing (Video)

'SNL': Baldwin's Trump's Plans to Pardon Manafort By Pretending He's a Thanksgiving Turkey (Video)

'SNL': McKinnon's Kellyanne Conway Channels 'It,' Drags Anderson Cooper Into the Sewer (Video)

'SNL Weekend Update' Says Harvey Weinstein Should Be in Prison
When my husband and I got engaged, we entertained the idea of getting married in the church. After all, we were both raised Catholic. Up until high school, he attended a Catholic private school. And I started every Sunday with mass and then picked a Catholic university.

Charla Storey Photography

There was no way around it. We were engulfed in religion.

It was the primary reason we were even considering incorporating the ritual in our wedding day. Even though during our two-year relationship, and one-year engagement we had never attended mass as a couple, we felt like it was something we had to do.

So we began calling churches to inquire about pricing. I was shocked to discover our first pick required a $1,200 mandatory donation for 45-minute use of the church (more than 10 times the cost of our wedding venue for the evening). And from there, our options got less and less attractive.

A wedding symbolizes the start of a life together. The planning process is one of the first official steps in working as a team, and deciding what's best for you as a couple. Getting married in a church is a beautiful tradition, but we had to look at our options objectively to decide if this was something worth sacrificing for and potentially going over budget for.

We decided it wasn't.

Elizabeth Messina

The church had played no part in our relationship. We honored and respected the traditions held by family and friends, but realized we had to make a choice between what we 'should do' and what was right for us. For us, that meant promising to honor, love and respect each other every day. A pledge requiring work from both parties and not a religious deity to do the heavy lifting for us.

It was not a decision made out of spite or as a protest statement. But rather as a practical look at our finances and interactions with our religion. Not everyone was thrilled and it took time for some people to accept our decision. But ultimately, upon hearing our explanation, everyone understood our approach to the situation and welcomed it wholeheartedly. It helped that we were paying for most of the wedding ourselves, because it gave us the liberty to do what we wanted.

Story continues

In the end, it all worked out. We got married without any church drama or protests. And that's in large part because we analyzed the situation and did what was best for our relationship.

Family members still ask if one day I'll get married by the church. Being Mexican and Catholic is part of my identity so the answer is yes. One day it'll happen when we're ready, not when someone tells us to.

Style Me Pretty Contributor - Ximena N. Larkin is a writer and publicist. She lives in Chicago with her husband and dog.
[MUSIC] [APPLAUSE] [MUSIC] [APPLAUSE] [MUSIC] [BLANK_AUDIO]

Everyone's favorite royal trio paid tribute to fallen veterans today for Remembrance Sunday. Prince William and Prince Harry joined their father Prince Charles among the crowds during the somber ceremony, which honors those who have served and died for Britain. Taking over for Queen Elizabeth, the 65-year-old prince laid the ceremonial wreath, which was a big break in tradition, marking a shift in royal duties.

William and Harry also laid wreaths in remembrance of the fallen. After the ceremony was done, the three royals marched alongside the 10,000 servicemen and women and veterans along the streets of London.

RELATED: Pregnant Kate Middleton Looks Gorgeous in Velvet Coat Dress at Festival of Remembrance

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip watched as the ceremony progressed from a balcony in Buckingham Palace, while the Duchess of Cambridge and Sophie the Countess of Wessex looked on from another.

For the occasion, pregnant Kate Middleton bundled up against the London chill in a black double-breasted coat featuring two rows of gold buttons. She accessorized the somber ensemble with an oversize black hat. The Duchess swept up her shoulder length hair so it hit above the shoulders.

This is the second day of services in honor of Remembrance Day. Yesterday, Kate joined the Queen and other members of the royal family at the Royal Albert Hall for a concert in honor of veterans.
Kate Middleton Covers Baby Bump in Chic Coat Dress at Festival of Remembrance The 35-year-old royal was seated next to Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip.

Kate Middleton's pregnancy style continues to impress!

The Duchess of Cambridge covered up her baby bump in a chic black velvet coat dress at the Royal Festival of Remembrance at Royal Albert Hall in London on Saturday.

Middleton's Catherine Walker & Co Caressa dress featured jet, glass and silver Swarovski buttons. The 35-year-old royal accessorized the look with black pumps and a red paper poppy to honor fallen troops.

Photo: Stefan Rousseau - WPA Pool / Getty Images

Photo: Stefan Rousseau - WPA Pool / Getty Images

The soon-to-be mother of three was seated next to Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip at the event, who were also dressed in black. Middleton's husband, Prince William, and his brother, Prince Harry, meanwhile were in Wales, attending the Wales v. Australia Autumn International rugby match at the Principality Stadium.

Photo: Stefan Rousseau - WPA Pool / Getty Images

RELATED: Pregnant Kate Middleton Recycles Chic Black Dress Also Worn By Meghan Markle!

Middleton, who revealed her pregnancy in September, is due in April 2018. She and William are already parents to 4-year-old Prince George and 2-year-old Princess Charlotte.

See more in the video below.

Related Gallery

Related Articles
Fox News host Sean Hannitys fans expressed discontent with sponsors who said their advertisements wont appear during the anchors show following his controversial comments about Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moores alleged sexual misconduct with teenagers.

Hannity, one of Fox Newss top anchors since Bill OReillys ouster earlier this year, interviewed Moore last week following a Washington Post report that alleged Moore pursued romantic and sexual relationships with teenagers when he was in his 30s. Moore denied the accusations in the interview. Hannity had also suggested Moore deserves the presumption of innocence and that none of us know the truth about the allegations.

As a result, three sponsors  Keurig, Realtor.com and Eloquii  responded to Hannitys critics saying they pulled their advertising from his show.

The news appeared to anger Hannitys viewers, who started the #BoycottKeurig hashtag on social media to protest the companys response to Hannitys comments.

However, social media users who agreed with Keurigs decision came out in force, tweeting that they would buy a Keurig machine and making jokes about similar boycott movements targeted at companies for making similar decisions in recent months.

While Hannity said Moore should leave the Senate race if allegations are true, he appeared to question the legitimacy of the accusations made in the Post story.

Every single person in this country deserves the presumption of innocence, Hannity said last week. With the allegations against Judge Moore, none of us know the truth of what happened 38 years ago. The only people that would know are the people involved in this incident.

Four women told the Post that Moore had made advances on them when they were teenagers and he was in his 30s. In once case, a woman said she met Moore when she was 14 years old and sitting outside a courthouse with her mother. When the mother went inside, Moore asked for the 14-year-olds phone number and, in the days that followed, brought her to his home and kissed her. She said she visited his home a second time, where Moore undressed himself, took off her shirt and pants, and touched her over her underwear.

Story continues

These allegations are completely false and misleading, Moore said on Hannitys radio show last week.

On Saturday, he doubled down on his defense and questioned the timing of the accusations.

I have not been guilty of sexual misconduct with anyone, Moore said. These allegations came only four and a half weeks before the general election on Dec. 12. Why now?

Hannitys reaction to the news is similar to those of other Republicans who have questioned the legitimacy of the claims at a time when women are coming forward with their stories of sexual assault and harassment at the hands of powerful men in numerous industries.

Representatives for Fox News and Keurig did not respond immediately to a request for comment from TIME.
Supergirl showrunner Andrew Kreisberg was suspended amidst rumors of sexual harassment

With countless allegations of sexual harassment and assault coming to light in Hollywood, its difficult to comprehend how many alleged offenders are working in the industry. (Anyone else tired of finding out people you once admired are secretly scumbags?) Thats why its important to continue to out those who have used their power to harm others. As Hollywoods roster of alleged harassers grows, we cant help but wonder when it will all finally end. Or, if this is just the beginning.

Most recently, TV exec Andrew Kreisberg has been suspended amidst rumors of sexual harassment. Kreisberg is an executive producer for shows on The CW like Arrow, Supergirl, and The Flash. According to Variety, details of Kreisbergs inappropriate misconduct include touching people without permission. He also allegedly asked for massages and kissed women without asking their permission. Not ok.

The allegations against Kreisberg are not even close to being the first in Hollywood, unfortunately. Recently, comedian Louis C.K. was accused of sexual misconduct by five women in a New York Times article. Though he has since admitted that such rumors are true, other stars like Kevin Spacey have yet to admit that theyre at fault for their own wrongdoings.

Warner Bros. TV Group launched an investigation into Kreisbergs behavior.

Four men and 15 women say that he engaged in alleged sexual harassment and inappropriate physical contact over the years. Many of the victims who spoke out against Kreisberg waited to speak up. Why? They felt doing so would be unwise for their careers.

Sarah Schechter and Greg Berlanti of Berlanti Productions, which oversees Kresibergs shows, spoke out on the allegations.

We were recently made aware of some deeply troubling allegations regarding one of our showrunners, Schechter and Berlanti said in a statement, according to Variety. We have been encouraging and fully cooperating with the investigation into this by Warner Bros. There is nothing more important to us than the safety and well-being of our cast, crew, writers, producers and any staff. We do not tolerate harassment and are committed to doing everything we can to make an environment thats safe to work in and safe to speak up about if it isnt.

Story continues

Variety reports that Kreisberg strongly denies the allegations against him.

I have made comments on womens appearances and clothes in my capacity as an executive producer, but they were not sexualized, Kreisberg told Variety. Like many people, I have given someone a non-sexual hug or kiss on the cheek.

Stay strong and let your voices be heard.
A 10-year-old Florida boy who has been traveling across the country giving doughnuts to cops to thank them their service has stopped in Las Vegas after the largest mass shooting in modern U.S. history.

Tyler Carach made the stop as part of a two-week road trip for his 10th birthday. He met Las Vegas police officers at the Mandalay Bay Hotel to thank them for their heroism during the Oct. 1 tragedy.

Read: Formerly Homeless Woman Now Giving Back to Other Women in Her Community

It makes me happy, Tyler said. I get to thank the person that keeps my family safe.

The 10-year-old hopes to eventually buy a doughnut for every cop in America, and he is on his way.

Tyler has visited 24 states in 14 months and has handed out 34,000 doughnuts.

He began his mission earlier this year in his hometown of Bratt, Fla., when he bought doughnuts for officers in a local store with his own money.

After Tylers mother, Sheena Carach explained to him that cops have a really hard time, the 10-year-old set out on his mission.

It makes me [proud] for wearing this uniform, said Houston officer Thomas Wozniak. To see this little boy give so much support and love, thats awesome.

Tyler also visited Houston in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.

Girl, 6, Opens Lemonade Stand to Help Pay Off Her Classmates' Lunch Debt

Carach said shell continue to encourage her sons dream.

If you breath good into the world, if you speak good into the world, if you do good into the world, it does come back to you, Carach said.

Related Articles:
Mr Gore says it is unlikely Germany, Japan, and other American allies would ever succeed in persuading President Trump to reverse his plans to withdraw the Paris climate accord: Anthony Harvey/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures

Al Gore has suggested America could stay in the Paris Climate Agreement if a new president gets into the White House in 2020.

President Donald Trump announced he would be withdrawing the US from the Paris Climate Agreement in June, making the US as the only country in the world not to get behind the framework deal to tackle greenhouse gas emissions.

The agreement states that signatories cannot withdraw until 4 November 2019 but the actual departure would not become official until the following year.

If there is a new president  a new president could simply give 30 days notice, and the United States is back in the agreement, the former US Vice President told an audience at COP23, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bonn, Germany.

Mr Gore added: The first date upon which the United States could actually leave the Paris Agreement happens to be the first day after the next presidential election in 2020 so that's good news.

But he interrupted his comments during the climate finance panel at the US Climate Action Centre with a quick pause before adding Excuse me a moment and bowing his head and folding his hands in prayer.

The former Democrat presidential candidate joked: That was not a partisan comment there. You can't quote me on that.

The accord was signed by nearly 200 countries in December 2015 in an attempt to restrict global greenhouse gas emissions and limit global warming to within two degrees Celsius.

The United States of America is still in the Paris Agreement, and we are going to meet and exceed our commitments, Mr Gore continued.

He said: The United States of America is very seriously moving forward. This train, if you'll forgive the metaphor, left the station in Paris.

Mr Gore, who gained an Oscar for his 2006 documentary about climate change An Inconvenient Truth, said it was unlikely Germany, Japan, and other American allies would ever succeed in persuading President Trump to reverse his plans to withdraw the Paris climate agreement.

Story continues

The politician, whose world-renowned work in climate change activism with the IPCC gained him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007, rebuffed President Trump's declared readiness to re-engage in the 2015 agreement if he gained better terms for US taxpayers and businesses, saying it was merely a smokescreen".

"It's a classic political effort to have things both ways. He's made his decision but he wants to give the other side a faint hope that ... that he might yet change his mind," he told Reuters from the sidelines of the 200-nation meeting.

It's pointless for me to continue trying to persuade him to change his mind," he said. "Can somebody else? (German) Chancellor Angela Merkel? (Japanese) Prime Minister (Shinzo) Abe? Somebody else? I don't know. I doubt it.

Syria, the last nation outside the pact, became a signatory of the Paris climate agreement last week.
Amazon Prime Video is a decent bargain when you're getting unlimited streaming video and a host of other perks, but it has some fresh competition: Roku, Vudu and others are starting to offer some content for free. How do you compete with that? By offering your own free service, naturally. Ad Age sources claim that Amazon is developing a free, ad-supported streaming service as a "complement" to Prime Video, reviving an idea that had surfaced back in 2014. It would reportedly give creators a lot of power and viewer data in exchange for content guarantees, although the material wouldn't compete with what Prime offers. The insiders say that Amazon could share both ad revenue and audience data, and might even tie payments to the amount of time people spend watching shows. Media companies would not only know what works, but would have a strong incentive to offer good content. In return, though, they'd need to offer a "set number of hours" of material every week. The gotcha: like Roku or Vudu, Amazon would dive into the "back catalogs" looking for older movies and TV programming rather than focusing on the latest and greatest. It's supposedly interested in kids' shows, travel, cooking and others that are a "good fit." We've asked for comment. However, it's easy to see Amazon going this route. A free tier not only counters the likes of Roku, it serves as a demo for Prime Video. If it can get its foot in your door, you may be more inclined to pay for Prime to get the ad-free viewing and star-studded originals you'd otherwise miss. Update: Amazon told us it has "no plans to create a free, ad-supported version of Prime Video." That's not quite a denial, though -- Ad Age didn't say it was a free version of Prime, just a free service that could serve as a companion to Prime.
Another woman has come forward to say that Alabama Republican Roy Moore sexually abused her when she was a teen and he was more than a decade older.

Beverly Young Nelson, who is represented by attorney Gloria Allred, told her story at a New York press conference on Monday.

Nelson, who met Moore through her job as a waitress, recalled an incident in which Moore offered to give her a ride home one night in 1977. But instead of taking her home, she said, he drove around the restaurant to a deserted area and assaulted her.

I thought that he was going to rape me, Nelson said. At the time, she was 16 and he was in his 30s.

After a struggle, Nelson said, Moore let her go with a threat.

He looked at me, and he told me, Youre just a child. And he said, I am the district attorney of Etowah County, and if you tell anyone about this, no one will ever believe you, she added.

Nelson described how Moore groped her breasts and grabbed her neck, leaving it black and blue and purple, as he tried to force her head toward his crotch.

I was begging him to stop, she said. I had tears running down my face.

Nelson said she eventually either fell or was pushed out of the vehicle. The passenger door was still open as he burned rubber pulling away leaving me laying there on the cold concrete in the dark, she said.

Moore had been a regular customer at the restaurant where Nelson worked, she said, and used to sit in the same seat night after night until the establishment closed  occasionally remarking on her appearance. One week prior to the incident, Nelson said, Moore left a note in a high school yearbook she had left on the counter.

To a sweeter, more beautiful girl, I could not say Merry Christmas, read the note, which Moore had signed, Love, Roy Moore D.A.

Roy Moores signature in Beverly Young Nelsons yearbook compared to his signature this year: pic.twitter.com/DoBoCx77eX  Scott Bixby (@scottbix) November 13, 2017

A representative for Moore responded to news of the press conference with a personal attack against Allred, calling her a sensationalist leading a witch hunt in a statement that also referenced the attorneys role in abortion policy.

Story continues

Judge Moore is an innocent man and has never had any sexual misconduct with anyone, the statement read. This is a witch hunt against a man who has had an impeccable career for over 30 years and has always been known as a man of high character.

Moore also denied the allegations during a brief press conference Monday evening.

This is absolutely false, I never did what she said I did. I dont even know the woman, I dont know anything about her, I dont know where the restaurant is or was, Moore said. This is a political maneuver and has nothing to do with reality, its all about politics.

Moore declined to answer reporters questions following his statement.

Allred stated that her firm corroborated Nelsons story with her mother, her sister and her husband. The attorney, known for defending feminist causes in high-profile cases, called on the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee to hold a public hearing to address the allegations against Moore, adding that her client would be available to testify under oath.

Nelson said she waited so long to speak up because she was afraid, saying she felt that Mr. Moore would do something to me or my family.

The Alabama resident joins four women who went on record with damaging allegations against the U.S. Senate hopeful in a Washington Post report published last week.

In the most serious accusation, Leigh Corfman said Moore sexually assaulted her in 1979, when she was 14.

Moore was a 32-year-old assistant district attorney in Alabama when, according to Corfman, he approached her and asked for her phone number. Corfman said he later brought her to a wooded area, where he kissed her and touched her over her underwear, guiding her to touch him as well.

Three other women told the Post that Moore pursued them when they were between the ages of 16 and 18. Wendy Miller said she was 14 when she first met Moore and 16 when he asked her out, but added that she didnt go on any dates with him. Debbie Wesson Gibson said she briefly dated Moore at age 17 and that the relationship did not go beyond kissing. Gloria Thacker Deason was 18 years old, one year below Alabamas legal drinking age at the time, when Moore began taking her on alcohol-infused dates, she said.

Roy Moore on Nov. 11. (Photo: Wes Frazer via Getty Images)

In response to the report, the Senates campaign arm, the National Republican Senatorial Committee, severed its ties with Moore on Friday.

Yet only a handful of Republicans have voiced criticism individually and pulled their support of Moore.

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) was one of the first politicians to say definitively that the Alabama candidate was not fit to serve in the Senate. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who was the Republican presidential nominee in 2012, tweeted that innocent until proven guilty is for criminal convictions, not elections, and that Moore is unfit for office.

After suggesting he needed more information before passing judgment, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said Monday that he believe[s] the women and that Moore should step aside. Meanwhile, Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Mike Lee (R-Utah) rescinded their endorsements.

Its unclear what effect the mounting accusations will have, as many Republicans in the Senate have said they would only denounce Moore if the womens stories are proven to be true.

Nelson said coming forward was not about politics.

My husband and I supported Donald Trump for President, she said Monday. This has nothing to do with Republicans or Democrats. It has everything to do with Mr. Moores sexual assault when I was a teenager.

This article has been updated with comments from Moores press conference on Monday.

Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
Bonobos, one of our closest primate relatives, could teach some humans a thing or two about helping others before being asked.

These predominantly peaceful primates  sometimes called "hippie chimps," as they are known to be less aggressive and more altruistic than chimpanzees  tend to look out for one another and even share their food.

But these courtesies aren't extended only between bonobos that are already acquainted with each other. Researchers recently found that bonobos would help unfamiliar bonobos reach a food reward, even when they didn't receive a reward themselves. And the helpful primates would lend a hand to assist the stranger whether or not the unknown bonobo asked them for help. [8 Humanlike Behaviors of Primates]

"Trust," the scientists wrote in a new study, "is fundamental to social life." Modern human societies are built on trust that we often extend to people who are unfamiliar to us, a behavior known as xenophilia. Evidence of this behavior in non-human primates suggests that xenophilia may have evolutionary origins that predate the modern human lineage, likely because such behavior improves the chances of a group's survival, the scientists reported.

Prior studies have shown that xenophilia is especially prevalent in bonobos. They move more easily between social groups than chimpanzees do, and when two groups interact, tensions rarely escalate into violence, the study authors wrote. In experiments, bonobos have unlocked one-way doors to share their food with unfamiliar bonobos, even when unlocking the entry would admit a group of strangers  something that chimpanzees would go out of their way to avoid, according to the study.

Hello, stranger

In the new study, researchers worked with wild bonobos at a sanctuary in the Democratic Republic of Congo, to further explore the primates' practice of connecting with bonobos that they didn't know.

A female bonobo embraces a newcomer on her first day in a new group. Courtesy of Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary

The scientists suspended pieces of apple over an enclosure, securing the rope so that it was impossible for a bonobo in the room to reach the fruit. But the apple could be lowered to them if a second bonobo in an adjacent room climbed the fence and pulled a wooden pin to release the rope.

Story continues

Screens prevented the second bonobo from grabbing the apple for themselves. Yet, even when there was no reward for them  and when they had to put aside a toy and go out of their way to climb the fence  they released the fruit to their waiting neighbor.

In some of the tests, the waiting bonobos were visible to their benefactors and could use begging gestures to indicate that they wanted the fruit. But even in trials where the bonobos had limited visual contact with each other, the helpful bonobos released the fruit without receiving any beseeching signals at all, the study authors reported.

Sympathetic yawning

Another experiment tasked the bonobos' responses to yawning, an activity that is known to spread between individuals  humans as well as bonobos  triggered by a form of empathy.

But do you have to know someone, in order to empathize with them enough to "catch" their yawn? Not if you're a bonobo, according to the study.

The scientists discovered that the bonobos were just as likely to join in when confronted with an unfamiliar yawner  they yawned along with a stranger as often as they did when the yawner was part of their social group.

When female bonobos reach adulthood, they abandon the social group of their youth for another, unrelated group. Being able to quickly bond with strangers would therefore be a critical strategy for these highly social primates, Jingzhi Tan, a postdoctoral associate with the evolutionary anthropology department at Duke University in North Carolina, said in a statement.

"All relationships start between two strangers," Tan explained. "You meet a stranger, but you may meet them again, and this individual could become your future friend or ally. You want to be nice to someone who's going to be important for you."

The findings were published online Nov. 7 in the journal Nature: Scientific Reports.

Original article on Live Science.

Editor's Recommendations
Photojournalist Daniel McCabe first went to the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2008, to cover a series of armed rebellions that were tearing the countrys eastern regions apart.

A chance encounter with a young, charismatic and potentially dangerous major in the Congolese national army led to an epic story of the people caught up in Congos ongoing violence. McCabe switched his camera settings to video, and produced what is now the full-length documentary This is Congo, which had its U.S. premier at Doc NYC in New York City on Nov. 12.

McCabe, who describes Congo as Narnia on acid, spoke with TIME about the nations distinctive difficulties, meeting the films hero and what lies ahead for Congo as its president continues to delay the end of his reign.

TIME: Why Congo?

McCabe: Congo is this incredibly special place, full of contrasts: Beauty and horror, hope and despair. The more I started to learn about it, the more I realized how unique Congo was in both its problems and its qualities. So I wanted to be able to tell the real story of Congo, with all its complexities. I wanted people to walk away having a degree more understanding of whats happening so they dont just flip the channel next time news flares up.

Your film takes place during the M23 rebellion, but it flashes back to Congos colonial and Cold War history. What point are you trying to make?

While on one hand [the situation in Congo today] has so much to do with its history, on the other hand its a modern day story of the corruption of man and the banality of war. You have this country thats been sliced up to suit Western powers. Theyre in Berlin, carving Africa up without any regard for the ethnic groups, only about the resources that can be extracted. And that has repercussions today. This film represents a more general understanding of what happens when we start manipulating countries and weand I mean the proverbial wecreate these shadow wars to further our own needs.

Story continues

How did you meet your main character, Colonel Mamadou Ndala, whose trajectory towards national hero becomes the backbone of your story?

We were out filming the rebels, and Mamadous unit arrested us when we were crossing back over the front lines. We were brought back to their base, and were waiting for our fates to be passed down by the commanding officer, wholl soon come in the room. In my mind Im like, Oh man, if they look on my memory card [and see footage of the rebels] oh fk. And then the officer [Mamadou] comes in, and it turns out he and my fixer are old boarding-school friends from when they were seven years old. So we ended up staying on that base for a week just hanging out, not even filming. At the time, Mamadou was just a low-level officer. But over the course of the next few years, he kept getting promoted, and by the time he gets lead command position for [the city of Goma, at the peak of the war in 2012], Im inside the unit.

A lot of your footage is taken right from the front lines with the national army. Were you ever concerned for your safety?

Totally. But when all of a sudden there is access to the front lines, which I had been chasing for a year and a half, and the guys are like, Dude, are you on the truck or are you off? there is no way I wouldnt go. When I watch it now, Im definitely like, Oh, shouldnt have done that. Call it stupidity or bravado, but it was thrilling too. Its like looking at the sun: you know its so bad but there is that part of that says, Oh yeah, Im going to look.

Congolese President Joseph Kabila has just postponed elections again, until end of 2018  two years after the official end of his term. Already we are seeing sporadic uprisings. What does your experience filming the M23 rebellion in 2012 tell you about whats in store for Congo?

Well, it tells me that the major issue facing Congo is still internal corruption. And after that, you still have armed groups, and you still have infrastructure and education issues  all of which combine to make an impossible scenario. My suspicion is that there will be another eastern conflict, and the government simply wont be able to get the elections going, which will give Kabila enough time to figure out what to do with his hundreds of different businesses and how to avoid criminal charges while holding onto the billions of dollars hes stolen.

So what do we need for Congo to find peace? We need the government to no longer be corrupt, and we need armed groups to go away. Then we need to build infrastructure, and make it so people dont die from an infected tooth or a mosquito bite. Congo needs to get to that place, but the real lynchpin is that the Congolese need to do it themselves. If we go in there with our humanitarian groups and the United Nations and our electoral officials to create peace for them, it will never last. That was what was so special about Mamadou: all of a sudden, there was this guy that people could feel proud of and they could get behind him. The power of Mamadou was patriotism.
Hawkins, meet The Six.

Millie Bobby Brown and Drake, two celebrities whose work has made me very emotional, met on Friday night when Brown stopped by a Drake concert in Brisbane, Australia. The two are clearly fans of each other and were thrilled to hang out IRL, which  surprise!  also made me emotional.

SEE ALSO: Drake admits that he's been investing in Birkin bags for his future lady

As if things couldn't get any cuter, both Brown and Drake also posted delightful backstage photos. Drake opted for the serious, Eleven-esque shot...

Hawkins Very Own A post shared by champagnepapi (@champagnepapi) on Nov 11, 2017 at 12:10am PST

...while Brown went with the sincere friendship pic, in which Drake looks absolutely thrilled.

this guy...  A post shared by Millie Bobby Brown (@milliebobbybrown) on Nov 11, 2017 at 12:29am PST

Thanks for this nice moment, celebrities! Much needed.
Sean Hannity fans suddenly hate their Keurig coffee machines.

People are smashing their Keurig coffee makers after the company that makes them announced its advertisements will no longer appear on Fox News host Sean Hannitys show. The move comes after Hannity urged people not to rush to judgment about Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore, who is facing allegations that he pursued relationships with teenagers while he was in his thirties.

One of Foxs top anchors since Bill OReilly was ousted, Hannity conducted an interview with Moore during his Friday radio show following a Washington Post report in which multiple women said Moore pursued relationships with them when he was in his 30s and they were teenagers. During the segment, Hannity said that Moore deserves the presumption of innocence and that none of us know the truth about the allegations.

Moore told Hannity: Im not going to dispute anything, but I dont remember anything like that.

I dont remember dating any girl without the permission of her mother, Moore added.

After Keurig Green Mountain announced it was pulling its ads, some Hannity fans and Moore supporters took to Twitter to share videos of themselves going full Office Space on the coffee makers, vowing never to use the products again. Just like that, #BoycottKeurig and the #KeurigSmashChallenge hashtags were born.

Defenders of Hannity are really letting these appliances have it.

With a hammer.

I pulled an "Office Space" with my Keurig... Would be a shame if everyone else joined me in the Keurig Smash Challenge #BoycottKeurig #IStandWithHannity #SundayMorning pic.twitter.com/yEADeRC006  Angelo John Gage (@AngeloJohnGage) November 12, 2017

Or a ceremonial drop.

Story continues

Everyone #StandWithHannity #BreakYourKeurig this #SundayMorning and start your morning with some @blckriflecoffee Hey @Keurig you want to cave to Soros Funded Media Matters, we all got 2 words for you #BoycottKeurig @seanhannity we have your six!pic.twitter.com/ESoj8c8la1  The General (@GenRickDeMarco) November 12, 2017

One particularly passionate viewer even created a video of an simulated A-10 aircraft attack run on his coffee maker to the tune of AC/DCs Shoot To Thrill.

A-10 attack run on 2 Keurigs part deux (AC/DC Shoot to Thrill)#BoycottKeurig for messing with Hannity pic.twitter.com/Uc5CHm4bUx  Eazy Duz MAGA (@socalmike_SD) November 13, 2017

Keurig is just one of at least five sponsors that have backed out of Hannitys show. Natures Bounty, Eloquii, 23 and Me, and Realtor.com also pulled their advertising. People are also taking to Twitter with boycott hashtags for the other brands, but you cant smash a house listing or a pair of pants quite so dramatically.

How is Hannity responding? I am humbled and speechless and frankly laughing my a off. I love all my deplorable friends. Thank you and Game on!! He even shared that hes buying 500 coffee makers for a giveaway recognizing the best videos.

These videos are hilarious!! https://t.co/pwCGhrJtbr  Sean Hannity (@seanhannity) November 13, 2017

Others have used the hashtag to voice support for the company amid the allegations.

Lets make America great again by ensuring that we support companies that publicly denounce & dont line the pockets of pedophiles & their apologists. @Keurig has done just that. Thank you!



Dont #BoycottKeurig.  Simar (@sahluwal) November 12, 2017

Following the allegations, some Republicans withdrew their endorsements for Moore.
Cairo (AFP) - The Arab League will hold an extraordinary meeting next Sunday at the request of Saudi Arabia to discuss "violations" committed by Iran in the region, according to a memorandum.

Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates supported the Saudi request, which was also approved by Djibouti, the current chair of the pan-Arab bloc, said the document shown to AFP by diplomats on Sunday.

Tensions have been rising between Saudi Arabia and Iran, including over League members Qatar and Lebanon.

Sunni Muslim powerhouse Saudi Arabia and Iran, the predominant Shiite power, are long-standing rivals based as much in geostrategic interests as religious differences.

Facing off across the Gulf, the two energy-rich powers have for decades stood on opposing sides of conflicts in the Middle East.

According to the memo, the Saudi request for an Arab League meeting was based on a missile the Sunni-ruled kingdom says its air defences intercepted near Riyadh after being fired from Yemen on November 4.

A Saudi-led coalition has been battling Shiite Huthi rebels in Yemen, and it has accused the Iran-backed rebels of firing the missile.

Saudi Arabia's powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman later accused Iran of "direct military aggression" against the kingdom by supplying the rebels with ballistic missiles.

But Iran denied any involvement in the missile attack, with President Hassan Rouhani warning that the Islamic republic's "might" would fend off any challenge.

- Trading blame -

According to the memo, Saudi Arabia also decried what it described as "sabotage" and "terrorism" over a pipeline fire in Bahrain on Friday that temporarily halted oil supplies from its territory.

Bahrain's foreign minister blamed Iran for the fire.

"The attempt to blow up the Saudi-Bahraini pipeline is a dangerous escalation on Iran's part that aims to terrorise citizens and to harm the world oil industry," Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed al-Khalifa wrote on Twitter.

Story continues

Tehran rejected any involvement in the incident, calling the allegation "childish".

In its request for the meeting of Arab foreign ministers, Saudi Arabia referred to those two incidents "in addition to the violations committed by Iran in the Arab region, which undermines security and peace, not only in the Arab region, but around the globe," according to the memo.

Saudi Arabia has been at the forefront of a dispute with Qatar since June 5, leading a group of nations including Bahrain, Egypt and the UAE in accusing Doha of supporting terrorism.

Riyadh has for its part been accused of being behind last weekend's resignation of Lebanese prime minister Saad Hariri, in a televised address from Riyadh.

In his broadcast, Hariri accused Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah of taking over Lebanon and destabilising the broader region, saying he feared for his life.

The Arab League has 22 members, but Syria's membership was suspended at the end of 2011 following months of brutal repression of anti-government demonstrations and an opposition movement supported by Gulf monarchies.
Remember the Arab Spring? "Revolution 2.0"? Remember how we imagined, full of triumphal optimism, that social media would become the web that knit the oppressed masses together, would empower them to join forces and overthrow their oppressors and stride shoulder-to-shoulder together into a better world?

Yeah, those were the days. But now -- "disillusioned" hardly begins to describe it. I write to you from Tunisia, the Arab Spring's poster child, now a secular democracy; but even here, in this lovely country full of hospitable people, whose downtown hipsters and students thronging the Carthage Film Festival could be teleported to Brooklyn or the Mission and not look one whit out of place, today's headlines inform me that the nationwide state of emergency has been extended yet again.

Elsewhere of course the revolutions ended utterly disastrously. Egypt ultimately just replaced an iron-fisted dictatorship with iron-fisted military rule. Syria and Libya descended into blood-drenched civil war. Since then, Brexit and recent Western elections have made a caustic mockery of notion that social media might bring nations together, rather than split them apart. Where is our optimism now?

...Machine learning, is the cautious answer. It lets us address whole new categories of problems that were previously inaccessible. It will drive cars for us, design and construct buildings for us, identify incipient food shortages in the developing world before they happen, pick meaningful patterns out of clouds of data and find solutions in them.

Yes, there's concern that machine learning will be biased when (not if) it learns from biased data. But, contrary to the increasingly popular image of the tech industry as callow blinkered hotheads, I doubt there's a single serious AI researcher on the planet who isn't already very aware of this problem, many-to-most of whom are already pondering ways to make their algorithms equitable, transparent, and accountable.

Story continues

What concerns me more is that machine learning algorithms will serve business models first and civil society second. (Well, maybe civil society more like fifth, or seventh, or ninth.) The best minds of our generation will no longer be working on ways to make users click on ads; instead, they'll be evolving AI algorithms which optimize for how many users click on ads.

Does sowing discord lead to higher engagement metrics? Then they'll sow away, without worrying about the reaping. That's not what they're built for, after all. And, moreso than noticing and adjusting for bias, it's extremely hard for researchers to even identify, much less measure, the long-term emergent social implications of whatever technical systems they build.

Regulation won't be the answer, unfortunately, because in the same way that generals are always preparing to fight the last war, regulators are always aiming their guns at last year's problem, which will be generations obsolete by the time their prescriptions finally come into force.

Maybe instead of an ever-crescendoing parabolic rise in machine learning we should hope for a kind of punctuated equilibrium, periods of hypergrowth alternating with AI winters, giving us time to reflect and adjust. It seems odd to be musing about the merits of an AI winter when we're just at the beginnings of an AI spring; but when I consider the so-called Arab spring, I cannot help but wonder.
Musician-philanthropist Bob Geldof is returning a prestigious award Monday to protest Myanmars de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi holding the same honor.

In giving back his Freedom of the City of Dublin, Geldof joins a chorus of international voices that have condemned Suu Kyis muted response to the ongoing Rohingya human rights crisis in Myanmar.

Her association with our city shames us all, Dublin-born Geldof said in a statement, according to the BBC. We honored her, now she appalls and shames us.

After a career with the Irish band Boomtown Rats  known for their hit I Dont Like Mondays  Geldof shot to global prominence in 1984, when he formed the pop-charity organization Band Aid. Through concerts and the sale of recordings, the organization raised millions for poverty alleviation in Africa. He was awarded the Freedom of the City of Dublin in 2005. In 1999, Suu Kyi was accorded the same honor while under house arrest in Myanmar. Her NLD Party secured a sweeping victory in Myanmars 2015 elections.

Read more: Waves of Rohingya Refugees Are Overwhelming Aid Workers and Authorities in Bangladesh

More than half a million Rohingya have fled the countrys western Rakhine State since militants attacked security posts there on August 25. The UN has called the ensuing military crackdowns as a textbook example of ethnic cleansing and refugees have repeatedly described scenes of murder, rape, and the razing of their villages at the hands of authorities and local mobs.

Suu Kyis failure to intervene in the crisis, Geldoff said, is starting to look a lot like assent.

In what it described as an unprecedented step Oxford City Council stripped the Nobel Prize winner of a similar freedom of the city award in October. Suu Kyis portrait at St. Hughs College at Oxford University, where she read politics, has also been taken down.

[BBC]
London (AFP) - Queen Elizabeth II took a significant step back from official duties on Sunday, leaving heir to the throne Prince Charles to lay a tribute to Britain's war dead on her behalf.

The queen traditionally lays a wreath at the Cenotaph national war memorial in London, but for the first time she observed the annual Remembrance Sunday service from a balcony.

Her eldest son Charles instead stepped forward following a nationwide two-minute silence, placing a wreath of poppies at the monument close to parliament.

Other members of the royal family, including princes William and Harry, also took part in the ceremony along with senior politicians and veterans.

Prime Minister Theresa May and opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn also placed wreaths at the Cenotaph, while the ceremony was attended by former premiers including Tony Blair.

The queen has missed the ceremony only six times in her 65-year reign and handing over her role to Charles is a visible sign to her subjects that she is reducing her official duties.

Buckingham Palace announced in advance that the 91-year-old monarch would view the service from a Foreign Office balcony, alongside her husband Prince Philip, 96, who retired from public duties in August.

Queen Elizabeth has already reduced her schedule, with official engagements dropping 22 percent from the 425 in her 2012 diamond jubilee year to 332 in 2016.

Remembrance Sunday is the Sunday nearest to Armistice Day on November 11, the anniversary of the 1918 signing of the peace treaty that ended fighting in World War I.

More than one million people from the then British empire died in the four-year conflict, but the day has become a time to remember all the troops killed in wars since then.
Travelers at the Orlando International Airport flew into a panicked frenzy after a camera's battery exploded at a terminal security checkpoint.

Read: TSA Claims It Has Turned Around, Bringing Security Wait Times Down to Just Minutes

The lithium-ion battery inside a passengers backpack was mistaken for a bomb when it began smoking and making a popping noise at about 5 p.m. Friday evening.

Some witnesses panicked and self-evacuated the area, Greater Orlando Aviation Authority CEO Phil Brown said in a statement. Others [] mistook the sounds as gunfire and within seconds, a spontaneous evacuation of the main terminal occurred.

As passengers waiting in the security line hurried out of the way, TSA Agent Ricardo Perez could be seen on surveillance footage grabbing the bag and rushing it away from the crowds.

I heard people yelling," Perez told WKMG. "I was so close to the bag. I figured, 'Let me get it out of the way.'

Perez explained he noticed an empty corner in the airport and rushed to drop the bag there and away from travelers.

There were folks all over [when] the bag started smoking, Perez said. I approached it, I radioed, then I picked up to the bag and brought it to that wheelchair sign in hopes that if it did go off, some of the shock would be absorbed by the pillar.

As per the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), lithium-ion or lithium metal batteries, usually used for cell phones, laptops and portable chargers, are only allowed to be brought on an airplane in a carry-on bag and must adhere to regulations on wattage and weight.

While no one was hurt in the incident, all planes were temporarily halted and 24 among them were canceled. Thousands of travelers faced hours of delays.

Flights were deplaned and passengers waiting at the gates were asked to go through security again, according to a statement shared by the Orlando International Airport.

Read: Several Injuries Reported After Taxi Crashes Into Pedestrians at Boston's Logan Airport: Authorities

Story continues

Im relieved that it wasnt a worst-case scenario because it could have been and there would have been a lot of people hurt, Perez said.

He explained he was inspired to join the TSA after 9/11.

I lost a few friends," he said. "TSA became available and I figured that was the way I could serve my country again."

Related Articles:
By Manolo Serapio Jr MANILA (Reuters) - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau hopped from one table to the next, chatted with people and posed for selfies on Sunday at a fastfood chain store in Manila, charming residents of the Philippines capital for the second time in two years. Trudeau, in Manila for a summit of regional leaders, dropped in at an outlet of fastfood giant Jollibee Foods Corp after a visit to a nearby women's clinic that advocates family planning, a touchy subject in the Catholic-majority Philippines. He greeted nearly everyone in the store, shaking hands and exchanging hugs with fans after ordering fried chicken and a strawberry float. "Can I get it to go? I'll eat it in the car," Trudeau said, before going behind the counter for a photograph with Jollibee staff. Earlier, when he landed at Clark airport, a smiling Trudeau waded into a crowd of children gathered to greet dignitaries arriving for the summit, exchanging high fives and waving to others. During his last visit to Manila, Trudeau won a Twitter poll with the hashtag #APEChottie that asked people to vote for the most attractive leader at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in 2015. "He's so handsome! And he's very nice," said 29-year-old Rina Aparicio, among the customers at the fastfood outlet. "I asked for a selfie and he said yes right away." Outside the store, hundreds of people screamed and shouted as Trudeau got into his car, waving what appeared to be hastily written placards saying "Welcome to the Philippines!" Trudeau visited the first Jollibee store in Winnipeg, Canada in January, a country with hundreds of thousands of Filipino immigrants. Jollibee, a $5 billion company that has been dubbed the McDonald's of the Philippines, is looking to go global with primary targets including China and the United States. The company, which also serves burgers and sweet spaghetti, is opening another outlet in Winnipeg this month and plans are to increase that to 30 in five to 10 years, said Jose Minana, a Jollibee executive. Minana said the company did not seek out Trudeau for the visit, and said it was requested by Canadian officials. "We're very humbled by him taking time from his obviously busy schedule to give us a slice of his time," said Minana. "I'd like to also think that he enjoys the food." (Reporting by Manolo Serapio Jr.; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan)
(JACKSONVILLE, Fla.)  Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Roy Miller was arrested early Saturday in Florida on a domestic battery charge, according to Duval County jail records.

Miller was jailed shortly before 5 a.m. by the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office. The incident involved a minor injury, but no other details were available about the alleged battery.

Local news outlets reported that Miller was released on his own recognizance after an initial court appearance Saturday. Another hearing was set for Nov. 28.

The Chiefs, who are off this week, said in statement to The Associated Press that they were aware of the incident and gathering facts. They declined any further comment.

The 30-year-old Miller, who was drafted out of Texas by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, spent the past four seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Miller signed a $1.4 million deal with Kansas City this past offseason but has only appeared in seven games with two tackles.

The AFC West-leading Chiefs (6-3) visit the New York Giants on Nov. 18.
By John Whitesides

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell led a chorus of establishment Republicans on Monday urging Roy Moore, the party's Senate candidate in Alabama, to quit the race as a fifth woman came forward with allegations Moore had sexual contact with teenage girls decades ago.

Beverly Young Nelson said Moore sexually assaulted her when she was 16 and he was a prosecuting attorney in his 30s. At a New York news conference, the tearful Nelson said Moore groped her, tried to pull her shirt off and shove her head in his lap, then warned that "no one will believe you" if she told anyone.

"I was twisting and struggling and begging him to stop," said Nelson, a waitress at an Alabama restaurant where Moore often ate when the incident occurred. "I had tears running down my face."

Moore, a Christian conservative and former chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court, has refused to withdraw from the race. His campaign released a statement denying "any sexual misconduct with anyone" and saying the new allegations were part of a "witch hunt."

McConnell told reporters in his home state of Kentucky that party officials were considering whether a Republican write-in candidate could be found to challenge Moore in the Dec. 12 special election.

"I think he should step aside," said McConnell, who previously said Moore should leave the race if the allegations were true. "I believe the women."

Republican Senators Orrin Hatch, Susan Collins, Lindsey Graham, Todd Young and Cory Gardner joined McConnell in calling for Moore to drop out - a move that could open the door for Democrats to cut into Republicans' narrow two-seat Senate majority.

Collins said she was not convinced by his denials. Gardner, the head of the Senate Republican campaign arm, said Moore was unfit to serve in the Senate.

"If he refuses to withdraw and wins, the Senate should vote to expel him, because he does not meet the ethical and moral requirements of the United States Senate," Gardner said in a statement.

Story continues

Senator John Cornyn, the Senate's No. 2 Republican, withdrew his endorsement but said Alabama voters should make the final judgement on Moore.

Moore had been a heavy favourite to win the election against Democrat Doug Jones. He has denied the allegations first raised in a Washington Post story about his relationships with four women when they were teenagers, including a charge he initiated sexual contact with a 14-year-old girl when he was in his 30s.

He said on Twitter that McConnell was the person who should step down.

"He has failed conservatives and must be replaced," Moore said.

MANY SUPPORTERS STEADFAST

The state party and many other Alabama Republicans have not wavered in their support of Moore, who scored a decisive Republican primary victory in September over Luther Strange. Strange, who drew the support of President Donald Trump in the primary, was appointed to fill the seat vacated by Jeff Sessions when he became U.S. attorney general earlier this year.

The growing furore over Moore sets up a confrontation between establishment Republicans and Moore's supporters in the party's populist movement led by former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon.

A Democratic win in Alabama would be a blow to Trump's agenda and shift the political outlook for next year's congressional elections, giving Democrats a stronger shot at recapturing control of the U.S. Senate.

It is too late to remove Moore's name from the ballot, but McConnell told reporters he was "looking at" potential write-in candidates who could mount a successful campaign. Asked if Strange might be a candidate again, he said: "We'll see."

On Twitter, Hatch said Strange was "an excellent alternative."

The special election had been a long shot for Democrats in Alabama, which has not elected a Democratic senator in a quarter century. Jones, a former federal prosecutor, was trailing by double digits in some opinion polls.

Moore, who is prone to incendiary comments on social and cultural issues, has survived controversy before. He was twice forced out of his position as chief justice, once for refusing to remove a Ten Commandments monument from the courthouse and once for defying the U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage.

He threatened to sue the Post over the weekend and said the allegations in its story were a smear campaign by his political opponents. Reuters has been unable to independently confirm any of the allegations.

While making the new allegations, Nelson showed reporters Moore's signature in her high school yearbook. She said he had offered to give her a ride home one night, then pulled the car behind the restaurant and assaulted her.

"I was terrified," she said. "I thought he was going to rape me."

Nelson said she told her sister about the attack two years afterward, and eventually told her mother and husband. She said she backed Trump for president last year and was not coming forward because of politics but because she was inspired by the women who talked to the Post.

"Their courage has inspired me to overcome my fear," she said.

The news conference was arranged by lawyer Gloria Allred, who has represented women in a number of high-profile sexual misconduct cases. Moore's campaign said Allred was trying to create a spectacle.

(Additional reporting by David Alexander and Susan Cornwell in Washington and Peter Szekely in New York; Editing by Bill Trott and Peter Cooney)
A fertility doctor says that in theory, men could attempt to become pregnant as soon as "tomorrow" thanks to advances in uterus transplant surgeries. But other experts say that such a procedure won't happen anytime soon because many more studies are needed to know whether it could be done safely.

Dr. Richard Paulson, the outgoing president of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), said he thinks it would be possible to perform uterus transplants on transgender women, who are born male and transition to female, according to The Telegraph. Speaking at ASRM's annual meeting, he said he sees no biological reason why the procedure wouldn't work in the male body.

"You could do it tomorrow," Paulson was quoted as saying. "There would be additional challenges, but I don't see any obvious problem that would preclude it. I personally suspect there are going to be trans women who are going to want to have a uterus and will likely get the transplant." [The 9 Most Interesting Transplants]

But other experts point out that the procedure isn't even mainstream for women, let alone men.

Uterus transplants are "still highly experimental," said Arthur Caplan, a professor of bioethics and head of the Division of Medical Ethics at New York University's School of Medicine. This means that the procedure is still being studied for its safety and effectiveness in women, and it is performed only as part of experimental trials.

Because of the additional research needed to understand the risks of the procedure and its effect on the fetus, performing a uterus transplant on a man right now would not be responsible, he said. "Surgically, could you put [a uterus] in a man tomorrow? Yeah, but it would be completely irresponsible," Caplan told Live Science.

Dr. Saima Aftab, medical director of the Fetal Care Center at Nicklaus Children's Hospital, agreed that the fertility treatment field has not yet reached the point where this procedure could be done in men.

Story continues

"Even for women, there's still a reason for caution" as researchers collect more information about the safety procedure, Aftab said. "[We're] still far away from understanding enough to be able to do this safely in men," she said.

Uterus transplants are a relatively new procedure, with only about a dozen transplants performed so far worldwide. In Sweden, doctors have performed nine uterus transplants, and five of these women went on to successfully get pregnant and have children. But a recent uterus transplant in the United States failed after the organ became infected and had to be removed.

There are a number of risks involved with uterus transplantation, Aftab said. The surgery itself is a complicated procedure that requires the organ to be properly connected to the body's veins and arteries so that it has an adequate blood supply. If there is a problem with the blood supply, the organ will start to die, she said. In addition, people who undergo any organ transplant need to take medications to suppress their immune system so that the body does not reject the organ. But these medications can also increase a person's risk of developing infections.

In men, there could be several added risks. The surgery would be more complicated because the "body's anatomy is not naturally designed for there to be space and blood supply for the womb," Aftab said.

In addition, men do not produce the hormones needed to support pregnancy, so they would need a lot of hormone therapy to allow pregnancy to happen, which could introduce additional risks.

Animal studies likely would be needed to examine the doses of hormones needed to support pregnancy in men and to see whether the blood flow to the uterus is adequate after transplantation, Caplan said.

Finally, if a uterus transplant were to be performed on a person with male anatomy, that person would have to give birth via cesarean section because the male pelvis is too narrow for a baby to pass through, Aftab said. A C-section is also a major surgery that comes with risks. (Women who receive a uterus transplant also have to give birth via C-section because labor may be too stressful for the transplanted organ and because recipients do not feel contractions in the same way women who have traditional pregnancies do, according to Scientific American.)

Right now, the risks of the procedure for someone with male anatomy are so great, "it would be very difficult to think it's something that would be feasible in the short-term future," Aftab said. But it's conceivable that with additional research, doctors would get to a point where the risks are much lower, she said.

Original article on Live Science.

Editor's Recommendations
Terrorists have taken to using a weapon that's easy to obtain and can do a lot of damage: ordinary vehicles, driven into crowds. A Department of Homeland Securty-FBI bulletin from 2012 warned that "vehicle-ramming offers terrorists with limited access to explosives or weapons an opportunity to conduct a homeland attack with minimal prior training or experience."



CNN recently listed nine vehicle-based terrorist attacks that have occurred within the past year, and in just in the past three months incidents in New York, Edmonton and Barcelona have claimed more than 20 lives and injured dozens after ISIS-affiliated drivers plowed into pedestrians.



The deadliest so far was a Bastille Day attack in Nice, France that killed 86 people after a terrorist drove a truck into a crowd following a fireworks display. CNN also reported that "Al Qaeda's Yemeni branch encouraged its recruits in the West to use trucks as weapons," and noted that a 2010 article in the terrorist group's webzine called for deploying a truck as a "mowing machine, not to mow grass but mow down the enemies of Allah."



Such attacks have been more common in Europe and other places where guns are harder to get, making vehicles violent and readily available weapons. But it's not only ISIS and Al Qaeda terrorists that have turned cars into weapons. A man with white nationalist ties drove a Dodge Challenger into a crowd of counter-protesters at the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Va., in August, killing a 32-year-old woman and injuring dozens more.



Some believe that autonomous vehicle technology could help stop these tragedies. "Terrorist attacks like the one in New York are a good example of why we need AVs more quickly," Caleb Watney, technology policy associate at the R Street Institute, a D.C.-based think tank, recently told the website Inverse.



Dr. Junfeng Jiao, director of the Urban Information Lab at the University of Texas, told Inverse that "these tragedies may be taken into account by the makers such as Tesla and Google" when developing autonomous technology. "This is a huge opportunity for the next generation to de-weaponize cars," he added.



Many vehicles already have forward collision warning with emergency autonomous braking, and a few combine it with pedestrian detection, although the latter technology typically works at speeds below 20 mph. But with current driver-assist features and future self-driving systems, automakers and others would have to develop software that can instantly detect a dangerous situation like a collision with humans and somehow stop or divert the vehicle.



Remote operation of autonomous vehicles would seem like an ideal solution and is being developed by most companies in the self-driving space. "Teleoperation is a word that's getting a lot of attention," Jada Tapley, VP of Advanced Engineering at Delphi told me. "Think of teleoperation as air traffic controller for autonomous vehicles."



But as with that analogy, remote operators would be able to monitor but not control autonomous vehicles. Taply said that in Delphi's case, teleoperation will be employed when an autonomous vehicle "encounters a situation it doesn't know how to handle.



"It's not a case where a teleoperator can step in to avert a disaster situation," Tapley said. "It's where there's an unusual use case and the car is asking for a little human brain power to make the decision.



She also noted that teleoperation is designed for urban, low-speed driving. "It's not designed for when a deer bounds across the road and you're driving at 60 mph," she says. "That's not something a use case for teleoperators."



Unfortunately, there are millions of manually driven cars and trucks available  and will be for years to come  that someone with bad intentions can use to harm innocent people. But self-driving tech could perhaps in the future make it harder for terrorists to use vehicles as weapons in crowded urban areas or at least decrease the frequency and damage of such attacks.



Related Video:

Story continues





Could self-driving cars stop terrorist attacks? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Nov 2017 11:30:00 EST.
Whats more American than the United States Capitol combined with McDonalds and a heavy dose of American flag-printed clothing? To one Washington, D.C.-based couple, nothing.

When planning their holiday card, Matt Violette and Sarah Keating decided to go with an American Dream theme. And its safe to say they succeeded.

(Photo: Emily White Photography)

A few months back, I promised Sarah and Matty a Christmas card photoshoot, photographer Emily White explains to Yahoo Lifestyle. Little did I know the vision that Sarah had in mind. She is quite the creative and definitely likes to take things to the next level.

(Photo: Emily White Photography)

For Keating, she knew right off the bat that she wanted something fun and lighthearted for her holiday card. Last year, we sent a our holiday card with a picture of us wearing matching sweaters and bathing suits saying, Thanks for all the 2016 Instagram likes. May they continue in 2017. Love Two of Your Favorite Americans, Keating tells Yahoo.

(Photo: Emily White Photography)

After a great response, Keating and Violette are back for the 2017 holiday season  and have taken things up a notch.

(Photo: Emily White Photography)

What does that entail, exactly? The series of photographs taken by White feature the couple wearing American flag shorts and denim tops while eating french fries, Big Macs, and McNuggets in front of the U.S. Capitol building. Violette threw on an American Flag hat for good measure. Some highlights include them eating from both ends of the same burger and them feeding each other french fries with the Capitol in the background.

(Photo: Emily White Photography)

We wanted to incorporate Chubbies shorts and McDonalds the way that some people would incorporate their baby or their pet. We dont have either just a love for McDonalds, Keating explains.

(Photo: Emily White Photography)

We did a lot of the typical poses that couples do in engagement shoots (I am a professional photographer and have done quite a bit of these), White adds of the couple, who actually arent engaged yet.

Sowhat is this American Dream theyre attempting to depict, exactly? I think our American Dream is living and celebrating every moment to its fullest, Violette says. Sarah and I love making people smile and laugh. Anything we can do to brighten the day of someone else makes life more enjoyableoh and we clearly love McDonalds. The point of the shoot was to just have a blast showing off some of our favorite things.

Story continues

(Photo: Emily White Photography)

His blogger girlfriend agrees. There was no message, just lighthearted holiday cheer. Our American dream includes each other and McDonalds.

(Photo: Emily White Photography)

Well, if theyve achieved anything, its sharing their love of fast food with the world. Matt and Sarah even explained their vision to the McDonalds staff in Tenleytown who promised they would post the final product on their employee board. If nothing else came from it, that in itself = success.

Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day.




Energy and anger shifting from Republicans amid high turnout, analysts say, as Republican pollster acknowledges challenges ahead for party

Democratic victories in elections across the US this week showed the first concrete evidence of an emerging anti-Donald Trump coalition, analysts said.

Sweeping wins in Virginia and surprise gains in state legislative races  seen by many as a referendum on the president  have boosted Democratic hopes of even bigger wins in next years midterm elections.

Bill Galston, a senior fellow in the Brookings Institution governance studies programme, said: The thing I found most striking was the enormous increase in turnout, particularly on the Democratic side.

What that suggests is the energy and anger have shifted from the Republican side, where it has been located for a series of elections, to the Democratic side. Trump succeeded in mobilising his support before he succeeded in mobilising his detractors. Hes now reached phase two.

For the first time, there is a tangible measure of an anti-Trump coalition.

Its a negative coalition at this point, Galston added. Anger, fear, concern are bringing his adversaries together in the same way that antipathy to Barack Obama brought his adversaries together.

Republicans found they could get so far as the party of no. It all came out in the wash: they were the proverbial dog that caught the car and its been a rocky first year. The fight over what the Democratic party is for will be on hold until after the midterms.

In some quarters, Tuesdays results were called the revenge of the suburbs, as university-educated voters joined women and minorities in finding an outlet for their frustration against Trump, backing a new slate of female, African American and transgender Democrats.

Galston said: We know how minorities are going to vote. We know how whites with a lower education level are going to vote. The swing element in American politics is the mainly white college-educated. Its a bit of a simplification to say the white middle-class suburbs are the new battleground, but thats the heart of it.

Story continues

You had a massive turnout of the people Donald Trump has spent his presidency attacking Bill Galston, Brookings Institution

Democrats are now in a strong position for the midterms, Galston said. Its a foregone conclusion that Democrats will gain considerable ground in the House of Representatives. Its not clear whether that will be enough to take control. If the elections were held tomorrow, the Democrats would take over the House  Im quite confident of that.

The elections were widely interpreted as a resounding verdict on the Trump presidency. Whit Ayres, a Republican pollster at North Star Opinion Research, said: Its hard to interpret the result any other way.

The fact is it was not a lack of turnout among lethargic Republicans: Ed Gillespie got 17% more than the last Republican in the Virginia gubernatorial election. But you had a massive turnout of the people Donald Trump has spent his presidency attacking.

Its a continuation of the very clear pattern of 2016. Republicans traded large, upscale, more diverse counties for smaller, low-scale, slow-growing, less diverse communities. This is not a foundation for long-term electoral success.

There had been signs of momentum earlier this year in special elections in Georgia and elsewhere, as Democrats performed better than they typically would in Republican strongholds.

The wind is going to be blowing in the face of Republicans in the midterms, Ayres said. Thats not say they cant hold the Senate and House with a good campaign and record.

Homogenising against Trump

The womens march in Washington dwarfed Trumps inauguration crowd in January and there has been no shortage of anti-Trump satire from late-night TV hosts and wags on social media. But this week demonstrated that such sentiment could be channeled to the ballot box.

Democrats won the governors offices in Virginia and New Jersey, smashed a dominant Republican majority in the Virginia house of delegates and won a special election that gave them control of the Washington state senate. They have gained at least 30 seats since Trump won the White House a year ago, ending years of Republican momentum.

Jennifer Carroll Foy, an African American woman who won a seat in the Virginia House of Delegates, told MSNBC on Friday: It really started with the election from last year. I just remember these feelings of fear and anxiety and helplessness and hopelessness.

Ralph Northam celebrates at his election night rally after winning the race for Virginia governor. Photograph: Aaron Bernstein/Reuters

I knew there needed to be a counterbalance, there needed to be a response to Trump and Trump-style politics, because he was just inserting so much misogyny and racism and bigotry. He ran on that platform and inserting that into our community. I knew we needed a response to that, someone who would be an advocate and say there are other options. Theres the Democratic option, which is the best option.

Dan Cassino, a political science professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, New Jersey, said: The Democrats are homogenising against Trump. There were definitely Democrats who were not excited by Hillary Clinton, but were now seeing a Democratic party more united than the Republican party is. Thats a reversal of the last 30 years.

Democrats are angry and motivated; Republicans are fractured. If these trends keep up the midterms will be a wipeout Dan Cassino, Fairleigh Dickinson University

We also see a reversal of voting turnout. Democrats were always less likely to vote. This time Republicans stayed home. Democrats are angry and motivated; Republicans are fractured. If these trends keep up for the midterms, it will be a wipeout.

The contrasting enthusiasm translates to candidates, Cassino added. In New Jersey, candidate recruitment for Democrats is off the charts. On the other hand, a lot of Republicans are retiring. Democrats are coming out of the woodwork to run in 2018. Republicans are staying put and will wait for 2020 or 2022.

Democrats still face a tall order. While Trumps pariah status in the suburbs might swing the House, the vast majority of Senate seats at stake are in conservative rural states, where the president still commands a deep well of support.

Larry Jacobs, director of the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance at the University of Minnesota, struck a note of caution.

The reaction of Democrats with elation says more about Democrats than 2018, he said. I dont think it was a wave election or a confirmation of doom for Republicans.

I think Democrats are so demoralised after 2016 that any kind of good news produces elation, but it feels quite strained and forced. There was a rush of over-interpreting. These are not bellwether areas. The headline would have been if Democrats did not do well.

Jacobs added: The expectation of this repudiation of Trump is overstated: we havent seen that. Whats going to happen in Ohio and in some the battleground states? Trumps approval ratings are low but Democrats have their own disarray. Their most prominent figure, Bernie Sanders, is not even a Democrat. There is tremendous dissent and division. I dont see grounds for breaking open the champagne in 2018.

Shaun Bowler, a political science professor at the University of California, Riverside, said: There have been these grass roots mobilizations all year. The question all along is whether these organisations can be translated into electoral victories. And the jury is still out a little on that.

The Democrats seem to think that harping on Trumps personality will win them elections. I think most voters have a pretty good sense of Trump by now  they would like some policies that speak to their concerns.
Photo credit: John Phillips / Getty

From Prima

The Duchess of Cambridge attended the Remembrance Sunday Service in London this weekend, to pay her respects to fallen soldiers.

Although the royal is currently pregnant, her baby bump wasn't visible. She did debut a new hairstyle though, wearing her hair in a chic faux bob.

Photo credit: Karwai Tang / Contributor / Getty

The royal's usually long hair was pinned up so as to give the appearance of a long bob. The style definitely suits the Duchess, who usually wears her hair shoulder-length and wavy.

Photo credit: John Phillips / Getty

Perhaps she was testing out the new style before making the decision to go for the chop?

You Might Also Like
Duchess Kate nearly pulled a fast one on us!

The 35-year-old royal stepped out for the Remembrance Sunday ceremony looking totally different. What did she do you might ask? Kate wore her hair in a bob.

The Duchess of Cambridge, who has kept her shiny brunette tresses in a mid-length style for as long as we can remember, looked dramatically different with her much shorter locks. She tucked her hair under a black broad-brimmed hat while polishing off her dramatic 'do with statement earrings adorned with pearls and a military-inspired Dolce & Gabbana jacket with large buttons.

However, a closer inspection of the look confirms that it appears to be a faux bob, a look that actress Blake Lively also recently rocked. We have to say though, if Kate did opt to chop her locks, she can definitely pull off the much shorter look!

RELATED: All of Kate's looks from her third pregnancy:



Later that night, she switched up her outfit for an event at London's Royal Albert Hall in celebration of the 90th anniversary of the Royal Festival of Remembrance, which the queen attended in her role as patron of the Royal British Legion.

Kate opted for a black velvet silk dress by one of her favorite designers, Catherine Walker. The flattering number featured full-length sleeves, a hemline that flared just above the knees and a vintage feel to the look thanks to the Swarovski buttons.

Just last week, Kate stepped out in a number of stylish looks including a merlot-colored dress from Goat and a black lace Diane von Furstenberg dress for a gala. The royal is currently pregnant with baby No. 3 and is due in April. For more on Duchess Kate's pregnancy, watch the video above.

RELATED: Kate's love for lace dresses:


Elizabeth Perkins is the latest actor to suggest that she has also experienced sexual harassment in Hollywood.

The 56-year-old actress participated in the Take Back the Workplace March and #MeToo Survivors rally in Hollywood on Sunday, carrying a sign that read James Woods #MeToo. Yahoo Lifestyle has reached out to representatives of both Perkins and Woods for comment.

Elizabeth Perkins holds a James Woods #MeToo sign at the Hollywood Womens March and Me Too protest on Nov. 12, 2017. (Photo: Perez/X17online.com)

The Weeds star walked alongside hundreds of other women who have claimed to experience harassment, including TV reporter Lauren Sivan, who has accused Harvey Weinstein of sexual misconduct.

Not in pots, not in plants, keep your junk inside your pants, the crowd reportedly chanted, along with, Harvey Weinstein is a joke, women workers just got woke.

While its not clear what Perkins is alleging that Woods has done, this isnt the first time the 70-year-old actor has been publicly named. Amber Tamblyn, 34, claimed the actor tried to pick her and another female friend up when she was 16.

He wanted to take us to Vegas. Im 16 I said. Even better he said,' the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants actress alleged. Woods, an avid Twitter user, tweeted that Tamblyns story was a lie.

He has yet to weigh in on Perkinss sign, but instead tweeted his gratitude for reaching 1 million followers.

One million followers! It humbles and touches me that so many of you would engage in conversations we enjoy here on @Twitter every day. Im a gambling man, and I would bet I have the best friends anywhere on this wild and wonderful forum. Thank you, each and every one of you.  James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) November 13, 2017

While Perkins has not elaborated on the meaning of her sign on social media, she has been posting pictures and videos from yesterdays event. Stay tuned for any updates.

Story continues

Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day.
ANKARA/SOCHI (Reuters) - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan took swipes at U.S. and Russian interventions in Syria on Monday and said if countries truly believed a military solution was impossible, they should withdraw their troops.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump said in a joint statement on Saturday they would continue to fight against Islamic State in Syria, while agreeing that there was no military solution to the country's wider, six-year-old conflict.

"I am having trouble understanding these comments," Erdogan told reporters before flying to Russia for talks with Putin. "If a military solution is out of the question, then those who say this should pull their troops out.

"Then a political method should be sought in Syria, ways to head into elections should be examined... We will discuss these with Putin," he said.

After more than four hours of talks with Putin in the southern Russian resort of Sochi, Erdogan said the two leaders had agreed to focus on a political solution to the conflict.

"We agreed that the grounds to focus on a political solution (in Syria) have been formed," he said.

Putin said Russia would continue to work on Syria with Turkey and their efforts were yielding results: "The level of violence has definitely been reduced, favourable conditions are being created for the progression of a inter-Syrian dialogue."

Neither leader went into more specific detail. Asked if the two discussed Erdogan's earlier comments, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the talks were about more complex issues which could not be made public, according to RIA news agency.

Turkey has been annoyed by both Russian and U.S. missions in Syria. Before his trip to Russia, Erdogan said both Moscow, which backs President Bashar al-Assad, and Washington, which armed Syrian YPG Kurdish forces Ankara sees as allied to separatists fighting in southeastern Turkey, had set up bases.

Story continues

"The United States said it would completely leave Iraq, but it didn't. The world is not stupid, some realities are being told differently and practised differently," he said.

He said the United States had 13 bases in Syria and Russia had five. The YPG has said Washington has established seven military bases in areas of northern Syria. The U.S.-led coalition says it does not discuss the location of its forces.

Russia has been a strong supporter of Assad, whose removal Erdogan has demanded, and Moscow's military intervention two years ago helped turn the conflict in the Syrian president's favour.

Turkish troops have also fought in Syria to halt the advance of Kurdish YPG forces along its frontier.

"We attach great importance to the joint steps Turkey and Russia will take on (the) defence industry," Erdogan said.

His remarks follow Turkey's recently completed purchase of Russian S-400 surface-to-air missile systems, a defence deal that Turkey's Western allies see as a snub to the NATO alliance.

The weapon cannot be integrated into NATO defences.

Ankara says it is making agreements with the Franco-Italian EUROSAM consortium to develop, produce and use its own sources for air defence system.

(Reporting by Tuvan Gumrukcu and Ece Toksabay in ANKARA, Olesya Astakhova in SOCHI and Ezgi Erkoyun in Istanbul; Writing by Dominic Evans and Jack Stubbs; Editing by Ralph Boulton and Peter Graff, William Maclean)
By Samia Nakhoul, Laila Bassam and Tom Perry BEIRUT (Reuters) - From the moment Saad al-Hariri's plane touched down in Saudi Arabia on Friday Nov. 3, he was in for a surprise. There was no line-up of Saudi princes or ministry officials, as would typically greet a prime minister on an official visit to King Salman, senior sources close to Hariri and top Lebanese political and security officials said. His phone was confiscated, and the next day he was forced to resign as prime minister in a statement broadcast by a Saudi-owned TV channel. The move thrust Lebanon back to the forefront of a struggle that is reshaping the Middle East, between the conservative Sunni monarchy of Saudi Arabia and Shi'ite revolutionary Iran. Their rivalry has fueled conflicts in Iraq, Syria and Yemen, where they back opposing sides, and now risks destabilizing Lebanon, where Saudi has long tried to weaken the Iran-backed Hezbollah group, Lebanon's main political power and part of the ruling coalition. Sources close to Hariri say Saudi Arabia has concluded that the prime minister - a long-time Saudi ally and son of late prime minister Rafik al-Hariri, who was assassinated in 2005 - had to go because he was unwilling to confront Hezbollah. Multiple Lebanese sources say Riyadh hopes to replace Saad Hariri with his older brother Bahaa as Lebanon's top Sunni politician. Bahaa is believed to be in Saudi Arabia and members of the Hariri family have been asked to travel there to pledge allegiance to him, but have refused, the sources say. "When Hariri's plane landed in Riyadh, he got the message immediately that something was wrong," a Hariri source told Reuters. "There was no one was waiting for him." Saudi Arabia has dismissed suggestions it forced Hariri to resign and says he is a free man. Saudi officials could not immediately be reached for comment on the circumstances of his arrival, whether his phone had been taken, or whether the Kingdom was planning to replace him with his brother. Hariri has given no public remarks since he resigned and no indication of when he might return to Lebanon. "NO RESPECT" Hariri was summoned to the Kingdom to meet Saudi King Salman in a phone call on Thursday night, Nov. 2. Before departing, he told his officials they would resume their discussions on Monday. He told his media team he would see them at the weekend in the Red Sea resort of Sharm al-Sheikh, where he was due to meet Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on the sidelines of the World Youth Forum. Hariri went to his Riyadh home. His family made their fortune in Saudi Arabia and have long had properties there. The source close to Hariri said the Lebanese leader received a call from a Saudi protocol official on Saturday morning, who asked him to attend a meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He waited for about four hours before being presented with his resignation speech to read on television, the source said. "From the moment he arrived they (Saudis) showed no respect for the man," another senior Lebanese political source said. Hariri frequently visits Saudi Arabia. On a trip a few days earlier, Prince Mohammed bin Salman had arranged for him to see senior intelligence officials and Gulf Affairs Minister Thamer al-Sabhan, the Saudi point man on Lebanon. Hariri came back from that trip to Beirut "pleased and relaxed", sources in his entourage said. He posted a selfie with Sabhan, both of them smiling. He told aides he had heard "encouraging statements" from the crown prince, including a promise to revive a Saudi aid package for the Lebanese army. The Hariri sources say Hariri believed he had convinced Saudi officials of the need to maintain an entente with Hezbollah for the sake of Lebanon's stability. Hezbollah has a heavily armed fighting force, in addition to seats in parliament and government. Saudi-backed efforts to weaken the group in Lebanon a decade ago led to Sunni-Shi'ite clashes and a Hezbollah takeover of Beirut. "What happened in those meetings, I believe, is that (Hariri) revealed his position on how to deal with Hezbollah in Lebanon: that confrontation would destabilize the country. I think they didn't like what they heard," said one of the sources, who was briefed on the meetings. The source said Hariri told Sabhan not to "hold us responsible for something that is beyond my control or that of Lebanon." But Hariri underestimated the Saudi position on Hezbollah, the source said. "For the Saudis it is an existential battle. It's black and white. We in Lebanon are used to gray," the source said. Sabhan could not immediately be reached for comment. RESIGNATION Hariris resignation speech shocked his team. Lebanese President Michel Aoun, a Hezbollah ally, told ambassadors to Lebanon that Saudi Arabia had kidnapped Hariri, a senior Lebanese official said. On Friday, France said it wanted Hariri to have "all his freedom of movement". In his speech, Hariri said he feared assassination and accused Iran and Hezbollah of sowing strife in the region. He said the Arab world would "cut off the hands that wickedly extend to it," language which one source close to him said was not typical of the Lebanese leader. Hariri's resignation came as more than 200 people, including 11 Saudi princes, current and former ministers and tycoons, were arrested in an anti-corruption purge in Saudi Arabia. Initially there was speculation Hariri was a target of that campaign because of his family's business interests. But sources close to the Lebanese leader said his forced resignation was motivated by Saudi efforts to counter Iran. Hariri was taken to meet the Saudi king after his resignation. Footage was aired on Saudi TV. He was then flown to Abu Dhabi to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed, the Saudi crown prince's main regional ally. He returned to Riyadh and has since received Western ambassadors. Sources close to Hariri said the Saudis, while keeping Hariri under house arrest, were trying to orchestrate a change of leadership in Hariri's Future Movement by installing his elder brother Bahaa, who was overlooked for the top job when their father was killed. The two have been at odds for years. In a statement, the Future Movement said it stood fully behind Hariri as its leader. Hariri aide and Interior Minister Nohad Machnouk dismissed the idea Bahaa was being positioned to replace his brother: "We are not herds of sheep or a plot of land whose ownership can be moved from one person to another. In Lebanon things happen though elections not pledges of allegiances." Family members, aides and politicians who have contacted Hariri in Riyadh say he is apprehensive and reluctant to say anything beyond "I am fine". Asked if he is coming back, they say his normal answer is: "Inshallah" (God willing). (Writing by Tom Perry; Editing by Nick Tattersall)
Facebook has made quite a few headlines when it comes to fake news. In September, it was revealed that Russian groups may have spent $100,000 or more disseminating fake news posts on the social media platform during the 2016 election season. The company has issued a new set of media guidelines that it hopes will improve the News Feed's algorithms and filter out fake news. However, now Facebook's fact checkers are speaking out, and their perspective is a grim one. According to The Guardian, Facebook's latest war on fake news has failed and the entire thing has become nothing more than a PR campaign.

Late last year, when it became clear that Facebook's fake news problem had influenced the election, CEO Mark Zuckerberg outlined steps the organization would take to combat the epidemic. One of these initiatives was to partner with Poynter's International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) to check whether stories flagged as fake news were real or not.

Now, the fact checkers, who spoke with The Guardian anonymously, have raised concerns about Facebook's refusal to release statistics on their work, even internally. The social network introduced a "disputed" warning banner for potential fake news, but one fact checker found that it was rare to actually see the tag applied. "Fact checkers said they had queries about how often the tags were placed on articles, what effect they had on the content and what sites were most often targeted -- but said that Facebook had not provided information," reports The Guardian.

This isn't the first time we've heard about these issues when it comes to Facebook's fact-checking efforts (or perhaps the lack thereof). Back in September, a report from Politico suggested that the data Facebook had gathered from this fake news "crackdown" could be valuable, but the organization hadn't shared it. Now, it's becoming increasingly clear that the reason for its refusal to disclose any data about its fight on fake news might be because Facebook is losing badly.
Tell us how you really feel.

During Donald Trumps visit to the Philippines on Sunday, protesters in Manila expressed their distinct lack of support for the U.S. president by burning a large effigy of his likeness.

To make their point really clear, the artists behind the Trump effigy fashioned it like a swastika. Each of Trumps four rotating arms held an object  a gun, a missile, a sack of cash and an excavator  according to Newsweek.

One protester referred to the insulting effigy on Facebook as the fascist spinner.

The group behind the creation, Manila-based UgatLahi Artist Collective, unveiled it at a rally during Trumps meeting with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, according to The Hill.

The 13-foot-tall model featured a smaller effigy of Filipino president Rodrigo Duterte cowering behind the Trump figure.

(Photo: Jes Aznar via Getty Images)

The protest was organized by a left-wing Filipino movement known as Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN), or New Patriotic Alliance in English.

BAYAN posted a message on the groups Facebook page from its secretary general, Renato M. Reyes, Jr., declaring Trump to be the biggest threat to peace.

Trump is bad news for Filipinos here and in the US. Today we give him a fiery welcome befitting his status enemy of Filipino the people, Reyes added.

Reyes told EuroNews that the swastika effigy was erected for a specific reason.

This is a meeting between two presidents with a very bad, fascist mindset, and that is why we use the Trump fascist spinner with the swastika depicting the fascist orientation of the Trump regime, he said.

The complete post appears below:

Protesters tried to push toward the venue where Trump and Duterte were meeting with other leaders attending the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, but were blasted by water cannons and pushed back by riot police, according to the the U.K.s Express newspaper.

(Photo: Jes Aznar via Getty Images)

Trump spent Monday heaping praise on Duterte while shutting down reporters who tried to press the leaders on human rights abuses in The Philippines.

Story continues

Phelim Kine, deputy director for Human Rights Watch in Asia, isnt surprised.

Trump has a well-documented affinity for strongman leaders who abuse the rights of their people and he has, over the months, expressed and made several references to how he supports what Duterte is doing in the Philippines, Kine told HuffPost.

Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today.

Also on HuffPost

U.S. President Donald Trump flies via Marine One helicopter over the Tokyo suburbs to meet Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at Kasumigaseki Country Club in Kawagoe, Japan.

President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe wave to reporters after they signed hats reading 'Donald and Shinzo, Make Alliance Even Greater'.

President Donald Trump gestures to Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as Japanese professional golfer Hideki Matsuyama looks on, as they play golf at the Kasumigaseki Country Club in Kawagoe, north of Tokyo, Japan.

President Donald Trump pours fish food out as Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe looks on while they were feeding carps before their working lunch at Akasaka Palace in Tokyo.

President Donald Trump puts on a U.S. Pacific Air Forces bomber jacket before delivering remarks to members of the U.S. military at Yokota Air Base, Japan.

First Lady Melania Trump shows her calligraphy with Akie Abe, wife of Japanese prime minister, while attending a calligraphy class of 4th graders at the Kyobashi Tsukiji elementary school in Tokyo.

Melania Trump and Japan's first lady Akie Abe visit Kyobashi Tsukiji elementary school in Tokyo.

President Donald Trump smiles during a joint press conference with South Korea's President Moon Jae-in at the presidential Blue House in Seoul, South Korea.

White House senior staff discuss the situation as U.S. President Donald Trump sits in his car after being grounded from an attempt to visit the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in the truce village of Panmunjom dividing North Korea and South Korea, at a U.S. military post in Seoul.

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania visit the Forbidden City.

President Donald Trump shakes hands with opera performers at the Forbidden City.

President Donald Trump departs Seoul in Marine One while en-route to Osan Air Base, South Korea.

U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania arrive on Air Force One in Beijing, China, November 8, 2017. REUTERS/Aly Song

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania arrive on Air Force One at Beijing, China.

U.S. President Donald Trump takes part in a welcoming ceremony at the Great hall of the People in Beijing, China.

President Donald Trump and China's President Xi Jinping shakes hands after making joint statements at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

President Donald Trump boards Air Force One to depart for Vietnam from Beijing Airport.

Melania Trump smiles with children holding U.S. and China flags as she visits Beijing Zoo.

Melania Trump visits the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China.

President Donald Trump shakes hands with Russia's President Vladimir Putin (R) as they pose for a group photo ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit leaders gala dinner in the central Vietnamese city of Danang on November 10, 2017.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
BEIJING  General Motors' China joint ventures will be able to generate enough new energy vehicle (NEV) sales volume to meet government production quotas by 2019 and without the need to buy credits, GM China chief Matt Tsien said on Monday.

China has set stringent production quotas for NEVs which automakers must meet by 2019, a move that is prompting a flurry of electric car deals and new launches of battery electric and plug-in hybrid models as automakers in China race to ensure they do not fall short.

GM produces vehicles in China through a joint venture with SAIC, the country's largest automaker, as well as a three-way tie-up with SAIC and Guangxi Automobile Group, formerly known as Wuling Motors.

Tsien, GM's China chief since 2014, said both SAIC-GM Corp and the three-way tie-up "are working to at least meet, if not exceed, those credit mandate requirements."

Tsien told reporters on Monday that both joint ventures will try to meet those requirements without having to purchase NEV credits from other automakers with excess credits.

China officially unveiled NEV requirements for automakers in late September. When the green car quotas take effect in 2019, automakers will need to accumulate enough credits by producing and selling enough NEVs to hit a threshold equivalent to 10 percent of annual sales. That level would rise to 12 percent for 2020.

Tsien said GM is off to a good start with an electric battery car that it launched in July. The car, called the Baojun E100, is undergoing a feasibility study of a direct-sale method GM devised for it and is currently available only in the south China city of Liuzhou where GM's three-way joint venture produces them.

In October, GM sold a total of 1,724 E100s, with cumulative volume hitting nearly 4,000 units since July. The E100 starts at 93,900 yuan ($14,142) but sells for 35,800 yuan  or about $5,400  after government purchase subsidies.

Story continues

"Sales so far have largely met our expectations, perhaps even slightly above our expectations," Tsien said. The car is one of the three electric battery car models GM already has available in China. GM plans to launch at least seven more NEVs in China by 2020.

($1 = 6.6400 Chinese yuan renminbi)

Reporting by Norihiko Shirouzu



Related Video:

GM says its EV sales will meet China's quotas by 2019 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Nov 2017 08:40:00 EST.
Google's Pixel 2 phones have a clever trick up their sleeve when recording video: they can use both electronic and optical image stabilization, delivering largely jitter-free clips even if you're walking down the street. But how does it meld those two technologies, exactly? Google is happy to explain: it just posted an in-depth exploration of how this stabilization works. As you might guess, Google uses some of its machine learning know-how to incorporate both anti-shake technologies where many phones can only use one or the other.

The system starts off by collecting motion info from both OIS and the phone's gyroscope, making sure it's in "perfect" sync with the image. But it's what happens next that matters most: Google uses a "lookahead" filtering algorithm that pushes image frames into a deferred queue and uses machine learning to predict where you're likely to move the phone next. This corrects for a wider range of movement than OIS alone, and can counteract common video quirks like wobbling, rolling shutter (the distortion effect where parts of the frame appear to lag behind) or focus hunting. The algorithmic method even introduces virtual motion to mask wild variations in sharpness when you move the phone quickly.

This isn't to say that Google's approach is flawless. As others have noted, the Pixel 2 can crop the frame in unexpected ways and blur low light footage more than it should. On the balance, though, this shows just how much AI-related technology can help with video. It can erase typical errors that EIS or OIS might not catch by themselves, and produces footage so smooth it can look like it was captured with the help of a gimbal.
By Tim Reid SUTHERLAND SPRINGS, Texas (Reuters) - Joe Holcombe and his wife, Claryce, lost eight members of their family in the Texas church shooting last Sunday, including their son, grandchildren, a pregnant granddaughter-in-law and a great- granddaughter who was still a toddler. But they are serene. Its just not a problem to us, said Holcombe, 86, adding that he and 84-year-old Claryce believe their dead family members are now alive again in heaven. We know exactly where the family is, and its not going to be long until well both be there," he said. "And were really sort of looking forward to it." The Holcombes were upbeat and full of good humor during a telephone interview, and they are not an exception in this deeply evangelical part of Texas. What is so striking about relatives and friends of the 26 victims of the church shooting in tiny Sutherland Springs is that they all believe good will come from this act of evil and that their loved ones are now safe for eternity, and breathing again, with God. Psychologists say such deep faith can help families deal with such a ghastly event. Even so, they warn that leaning too heavily on ones religious beliefs can stunt the natural grieving period and result in post-traumatic stress later. I can see potentially it could be some form of denial, a delayed traumatic reaction, and if you dont have some kind of negative feelings, it can catch up with you, said clinical psychologist and trauma expert Bethany Brand. Gina Hassan, a psychologist in northern California, said Sutherland Springs faith was invaluable in the wake of the shooting, "but if its relied upon in a rigid way, then its going to be a problem down the line and come back to bite you later on. Local veterinarian George Hill, a relative of the Holcombes, said an evangelical belief in Christ was the only way to deal with such a tragedy. We havent lost hope," he said. "They are not gone. They are just gone ahead. And we know well see them again. He expressed faith that evil would not prevail. "It looks like evil won, but it didnt," he said. "Good is going to win. Pastor Mike Clements of the First Baptist Church in Floresville, a small city 14 miles from Sutherland Springs, is officiating over the funeral services for the extended Holcombe family on Wednesday. The dead include Bryan Holcombe, Joe and Claryce Holcombes son, and his wife Karla. Their son Danny Holcombe was killed as well, along with his 18-month-old daughter, Noah. Crystal Holcombe, who was 18 weeks pregnant, was Bryan and Karla Holcombes daughter-in-law. Also shot and killed were Emily, Megan and Greg Hill, three children from Crystal's first marriage, which had ended with her husband's death. Under Texas law, Crystals unborn child is also being counted as a victim, making a death toll of nine for the family. People in Sutherland Springs are truly grieving, Clements said. But evangelicals accept Christ into their lives in a very real way, and because of that, their faith is incredibly liberating, especially at a time of such great tragedy. Most fundamentally, he said, they believe people who have accepted Christ will go to heaven. It doesnt get any better than this, Clements said over lunch near his church. There is nothing better than heaven when you are a believer. (This story has been corrected in paragraph 14 to show the children were Crystal Holcombe's, not Karla Holcombe's. Also clarifies that Crystal was left a widow after her first marriage.) (Editing by Frank McGurty and Lisa Von Ahn)
There was nearly a 20 percent increase in anti-Muslim incidents in 2016, according to the FBI. (Photo: Council on American-Islamic Relations)

Hate crimes across the U.S. rose nearly 5 percent in 2016, according to the FBIs annual tally, marking the first time in over 10 years that the country has experienced consecutive annual increases in crimes motivated by bias against race, religion, sexuality, national origin or disability.

The FBIs annual hate crimes report, published Monday, counted 6,121 hate crime incidents in America last year, up from 5,850 such incidents in 2015, a rise of 4.6 percent.

About 58 percent of the hate crimes in 2016 were motivated by racial bias, with more than half of the race-based incidents targeting black Americans, the report said. Hate crimes targeting Latinos rose 15 percent, and hate crimes targeting Arabs and whites rose 38 percent and 17 percent respectively.

Twenty-one percent of the hate crimes the FBI counted last year were motivated by religious bias. Of those religious-based incidents, 54 percent were anti-Jewish and 25 percent were anti-Muslim.

There was a 3 percent increase in anti-Jewish incidents, and a nearly 20 percent increase in anti-Muslim incidents. (Last year, the number of anti-Muslim incidents rose 67 percent, increasing to levels not seen since the period directly after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.)

Nearly 18 percent of the hate crimes last year were motivated by sexual-orientation bias, 62 percent of those targeting gay men. The FBI also counted 105 anti-transgender incidents last year, a rise of 44 percent.

The much-anticipated FBI report is the most comprehensive hate crime data available for the divisive 2016 election year, and backs up earlier evidence of rising hate in America. The Southern Poverty Law Center documented a wave of hate incidents in the months following the November 2016 election.

We now have an unbroken streak of presidential election year increases [in hate crimes] going back to 1992, around the time national data collection commenced, said Brian Levin, a professor at the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University, San Bernardino.

Story continues

But what makes 2016 stand out, Levin previously told HuffPost, is the steep rise in hate crimes around Election Day itself. Los Angeles, for example, saw a 29 percent increase in hate crimes in the last quarter of 2016, and New York City saw a five-fold increase in hate crimes over a two-week period around the election.

This is, to me, the most striking piece so far from the FBI's data release https://t.co/AOSrvvIrrO  Ken Schwencke (@schwanksta) November 13, 2017

Corey Saylor, spokesman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, told HuffPost that we cannot see such data and forget the humans whose lives were changed by an act of hate.

Americans have to act to ensure that these hate crimes numbers go down by standing up to fear mongers, he said.

Its deeply disturbing to see hate crimes increase for the second year in a row, Jonathan A. Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, said in a statement. Hate crimes demand priority attention because of their special impact. They not only hurt one victim, but they also intimidate and isolate a victims whole community and weaken the bonds of our society.

About 29 percent of hate crimes last year, according to the FBI, were acts of intimidation; 26 percent were acts of destruction, property damage or vandalism; 23 percent were simple assaults; and 12 percent were aggravated assaults. The FBI counted 4 murders in 2016 that it considered to be hate crimes.

The FBIs annual hate crime statistics, while the best measurement of hate in America, are deeply flawed. Thats because the FBI relies on local and state police departments to voluntarily report their hate crime numbers to the FBI, which over 3,000 law enforcement agencies dont bother to do on a yearly basis.

In 2015, of the agencies that did report hate crimes to the FBI, 88 percent reported zero. Moreover, federal law enforcement agencies like Customs and Border Protection and the Drug Enforcement Administration often fail to send their own hate crime statistics to the FBI, even though they are required to do so by law.

A national survey by the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics found that over half of hate crime victims dont report incidents to authorities at all. There were a staggering 250,000 hate crimes each year in the U.S. between 2003 and 2015, according to the survey.

FBI data showing 6,121 total hate crime incidents and 7 anti-Sikh hate crime incidents in 2016 represents the tip of the iceberg, said Sim Singh, the Sikh Coalitions national advocacy manager. The only way to bridge the data gap is for law enforcement agencies to adopt mandatory hate crime reporting.

If law enforcement agencies fail to document the true extent of hate crimes against our communities, our nation will have a hard time mobilizing the political will and resources necessary to prevent and combat the problem, Singh said.

In a statement Monday, Attorney General Jeff Sessions said that no person should have to fear being violently attacked because of who they are, what they believe, of how they worship.

He stated that the Justice Departments Hate Crimes Subcommittee will continue to explore ways to expand and improve training for federal, state, and local prosecutors and investigators; improve data collection of hate crimes; and to create even better partnerships with local law enforcement and affected communities.

Meanwhile, the hate crime numbers for 2017 arent looking great. Levin, the CSU San Bernardino professor, conducted an analysis in September that found that 827 hate crimes had occurred so far this year in 13 large cities, a rise of nearly 20 percent compared to the same period in 2016 for those locations.

Of those crimes, 526 happened in Americas six largest cities, amounting to a 22 percent rise, Levin said.

Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
Hundreds of demonstrators brought an online movement to life Sunday, marching across Hollywood to denounce sexual assault and harassment.

Two demonstrations, the Take Back The Workplace March and the Me Too Survivors March, joined forces as protestors marched in a loop from the intersection of Hollywood and Highland to the CNN building about a mile away. The Los Angeles Times estimated several hundred people attended, and a march organizer estimated as many as 300 people showed up.

The Me Too Survivors March shares a name with the online #MeToo movement, in which scores of victims of sexual assault or harassment shared the hashtag  sometimes with their own stories of abuse  on social media in recent weeks to show the pervasiveness of the problem and to encourage other victims to come forward.

Tarana Burke, who originally created the #MeToo campaign 10 years ago, was one of several speakers at Sundays rally.

Me too is everywhere, Burke told the crowd. This issue will not be ignored. Every hashtag is an act of bravery. Behind every hashtag is a person. Today is a reminder that we are living breathing humans and not just hashtags.

Broadcast journalist Lauren Sivan, one of dozens of women to allege sexual misconduct against Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein, helped organize the Take Back The Workplace March.

You are all brave, Sivan told demonstrators before marching. Bravery comes in many different forms. You dont have to wear a flak jacket to make America a better place to live and to work and youre all doing it by being here today.

Sivan has accused Weinstein of cornering her 10 years ago, exposing himself and masturbating in front of her.

Marchers stepped over stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame dedicated to some of the high-profile men accused of sexual misconduct, including actor Kevin Spacey and President Donald Trump.

See photos and video from the event below:

Tarana Burke (center), originator of the #MeToo campaign, leads marchers.

Protesters hold up signs denouncing sexual misconduct.

This is a perfect place to hold this rally, an attendee says, feet away from Kevin Spacey and Donald Trumps Stars. #MeToo march pic.twitter.com/NIK5FvKlub  Brittny Mejia (@brittny_mejia) November 12, 2017

Protesters hold up signs denouncing sexual misconduct.

A protester covered her body in messages condemning sexual assault.

Protesters hold signs as they march through Hollywood.

One woman holds a sign echoing the #MeToo social media campaign.

Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
By Michael Holden and Elizabeth Piper

LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Theresa May's government is considering granting diplomatic protection to a jailed aid worker in Iran as part of an effort to secure her release from a jail in the Islamic Republic.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a project manager with the Thomson Reuters Foundation, was sentenced to five years after being convicted by an Iranian court of plotting to overthrow the clerical establishment. She denies the charges.

Her husband, Richard Ratcliffe, said the case had become a bargaining chip for Iran in its relations with Britain and urged Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson to extend diplomatic protection for his wife.

It is unclear how such protection could be offered retrospectively to a dual Iranian-British citizen, or whether such a move would secure her release, but May's spokesman said that it was one option being considered.

"I think that the foreign secretary has obviously spoken with her husband and that is one of the options being looked at," the spokesman said.

"The prime minister has been involved with this case from the outset, she's raised it with the Iranian president on at least two occasions, the entire government is working towards securing her release as quickly as possible."

A legal opinion prepared for human rights charity Redress on Zaghari-Ratcliffe's case said the British government could grant her diplomatic protection as she is "predominantly" a British citizen who has been denied a fair trial.

It is unclear how Tehran would view such a step which would explicitly make Zaghari-Ratcliffe's fate an issue in state-to-state relations rather than a purely consular case.

Zaghari-Ratcliffe's fate become a major political issue in Britain after Johnson said on Nov. 1 that she had been teaching people journalism before her arrest in April 2016, contradicting statements from her employer.

IRANIAN JAIL

Story continues

The Thomson Reuters Foundation, a charity organisation which is independent of Thomson Reuters and which operates independently of Reuters News, said she had been on holiday and had not been teaching journalism in Iran.

Iranian state television said Johnson's comments showed Zaghari-Ratcliffe's guilt and that she was involved in spying.

Johnson later said his remarks could have been clearer and there was no doubt she had been on holiday, although opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn said he should resign.

Her husband said it would not be helpful for Johnson to resign but asked to come with Johnson on a trip to Tehran planned for later this year.

"Nazanin is being held because she is British and is being used as a bargaining chip against the UK, now justified by your words," he said in an article in the Evening Standard newspaper.

"Nazanin is no longer simply a consular case as she has been endangered in a deeper way," he wrote.

The situation had affected his wife's health, he said, saying she had gone to hospital for tests after finding lumps on her breasts, which the specialist thought were benign and stress-related.

Opposition lawmakers have called on Johnson to resign for his remarks which they say have endangered Zaghari-Ratcliffe.

British ministers have rallied round Johnson but one of his allies, Environment Secretary Michael Gove, was accused of muddying the waters in a television interview on Sunday when he said he did not know what Zaghari-Ratcliffe was doing in Iran.

(Editing by Guy Faulconbridge and Angus MacSwan)
For more than a week, New Delhi has been gasping for breath. As unprecedented, emergency levels of toxic smog continue to choke Indias capital, much of the citys daily grind has been halted. Construction work has stopped. Airlines have cancelled or re-routed flights. And hospitals are overwhelmed with cases of respiratory illness, even children vomiting, because of the acrid air.

It wasnt like this five years ago, Anupam Sibal, a medical director and senior pediatrician told The New York Times, adding that his hospital has seen a 30% to 35% increase in patients.

The Indian Medical Association has declared the situation a public health emergency and recommends that residents do not to leave their homes.

Amid the health scare, United Airlines suspended flights to New Delhi from November 9 to 13, though some routes were reportedly set to resume on Sunday night.

Noxious air is a perennial problem in populous New Delhi, where air pollution readings have long ranked among the worlds worst, surpassing even notorious Beijing. Last year, the toxic smog that enveloped the city after a firework-filled Diwali festival was record breaking. But this year its worse than ever, with haze from illegal field burning exacerbating the situation.

This past week, readings of the most harmful particulate matter, called PM2.5, exceeded 1,000 parts per million on the U.S. EPAs air quality index, ABC reported. Ratings of PM2.5 between the levels of 121-250 are normally considered very poor with health side effects possible after prolonged ingestion of the fine particles. Levels above 250 are called severe with respiratory impacts likely even among the healthiest. A rating of 1,000 soars far beyond the chart.

Authorities plan to rein in some of the toxins by deploying fire trucks and water cannons in the citys most persistently polluted quarters after measures like raising parking fees and banning commercial trucks made little impact. The city also mulled, and then backtracked on a plan to limit private vehicles to driving every other day.

Story continues

Sprinkling water is the only way to bring down the dangerous pollution levels, Shruti Bhardwaj, an environmental official in charge of monitoring air quality, told the Straits Times.

So far, city officials seem to have their sights set on rain forecast November 14-15 as the best bet for clearing the pollutants.

But with every day the oppressive haze lingers, public anger has mounted. Air, some say, is a human right, but its one that New Delhi residents no longer seem to have.

In the face of the blinding and headache and fatigue-inducing smog, many have taken to Twitter to vent their rage.

As Delhi's air quality continues to remain worse, what appals me is the lackadaisical attitude of the local administration. Equally disturbing is the silence of media on this issue. Perhaps our lives don't matter. #DelhiSmog #DelhiChokes #DelhiGasChamber #DelhiPollution  ??????/Shashvat ???????? (@ShashvatSingh) November 13, 2017

I check the pollution levels because my physical symptoms are getting worse: after a bad sleep, headaches, enormous thirst, debilitating fatigue after just a few hours of being awake #airquality #DelhiChokes  Anja Kovacs (@anjakovacs) November 13, 2017

PM 2.5 level 999 ... Not a priority for politicians right now !!#delhipollution #DelhiChokes https://t.co/XjAYSICxgd  Kranti Sambhav (@Kranti_Sambhav) November 24, 2016

New Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal admitted his mega-city has become a gas chamber, but emphasized to fight the haze, long-term, national solutions need to address the underlying issues.
By Babak Dehghanpisheh BEIRUT (Reuters) - Iran put a ballistic missile on display as thousands marched on Saturday to mark the anniversary of the 1979 seizure of the U.S. embassy, with a senior official accusing President Donald Trump of a "crazy" return to confrontation with Tehran. Turnout for the annual Iranian street rallies commemorating the embassy takeover, a pivotal event of the Islamic Revolution, appeared higher than in recent years when Trump's predecessor Barack Obama pursued detente with Tehran. Last month, Trump broke ranks with European allies, Russia and China by refusing to re-certify Iran's compliance with its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, reached during Obama's tenure. Under that deal, most international sanctions on Iran were lifted in exchange for Tehran curbing nuclear activity seen to pose a risk of being put to developing atomic bombs. Iran has reaffirmed its commitment to the deal and U.N. inspectors have verified Tehran is complying with its terms, but Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has threatened to "shred" the pact if the United States pulls out. "All the governments confirm that the American president is a crazy individual who is taking others toward the direction of suicide, Ali Shamkhani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, told a rally in Tehran, state media reported. "Trump's policies against the people of Iran have brought them out into the streets today," Shamkhani said. He did not identify the governments he had in mind. The other parties to the nuclear deal - Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany - have voiced disquiet at Trump's opposition to it, fearing this could stir new Middle East instability. But the Europeans share U.S. concern over Iran's ballistic missile program and "destabilizing" regional behavior. NOT NEGOTIABLE Senior Iranian officials have repeatedly said that the Islamic Republic's missile program is solely defensive in nature and is not negotiable. In a sign of defiance, a Ghadr ballistic missile with a range of 2,000 km (1,240 miles) was put on display near the ex-U.S. embassy in Tehran, now a cultural center, during Saturday's street demonstration, Tasnim news agency said. "That America thinks Iran is going to put aside its military power is a childish dream," said Brigadier General Hossein Salami, deputy head of its elite Revolutionary Guards which oversees the missile development, according to Tasnim. Fars news agency posted pictures of demonstrators nearby burning an effigy of Trump and holding up signs saying "Death to America". Iran and the United States severed diplomatic relations soon after the 1979 revolution, during which hardline students seized the embassy and took 52 Americans hostage for 444 days. Shamkhani spoke a few days after Khamenei said the United States was the "number one enemy" of the Islamic Republic. U.S.-Iranian tensions have risen anew at a time when Tehran has been improving political and military ties with Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Tehran on Wednesday. Khamenei told him that Tehran and Moscow must step up cooperation to isolate the United States and help defuse conflict in the Middle East. Iran and Russia are both fighting on the side of Syrian President Bashar al Assad against rebels, some of them U.S.-backed, and Islamist militants trying to overthrow him. (Reporting by Babak Dehghanpisheh; editing by Mark Heinrich)
(Updates toll, adds details)

By Parisa Hafezi

ANKARA, Nov 12 (Reuters) - At least 61 people were killed and 300 were injured in border areas of Iran when an earthquake of magnitude 7.3 struck neighbouring Iraq on Sunday, Iranian state television reported.

It also quoted the head of the country's emergency services, Pirhossein Koulivand, as saying that many of the victims were in the town of Sarpol-e Zahab, about 15 km (10 miles) from the border.

"The quake was felt in several Iranian provinces bordering Iraq ... Eight villages were damaged ... Electricity has been cut in some villages and rescue teams have been dispatched to those areas," the TV reported.

Iranian media and officials gave partial and contradictory figures on the number of people killed and injured in the quake and semi-official Tasnim news agency quoted an emergency services official as saying there were fears that casualties in distant villages and small towns could be high.

People were staying out on the streets in towns in the western Kermanshah province because of the threat from aftershocks, a local Red Crescent official told TV. Many houses in rural parts of the province are made of mud bricks and are known to crumble easily in quake-prone Iran.

A quake registering a magnitude between 7 and 7.9 can inflict widespread, heavy damage.

Local people said in media reports and on Twitter they had felt several aftershocks. TV said schools were closed in the Kermanshah and Ilam provinces on Monday.

(Additional reporting by Dubai newsroom; Editing by Richard Balmforth)
Mr Biden has been coy on whether he'll run for president for the third time: Getty Images

Former Vice President Joe Biden says that there is no way he would have ever agreed to replace Hillary Clinton as the 2016 Democratic nominee, even though he had reservations about her campaign tactics.

Mr Biden was asked about former Democratic National Committee chair Donna Braziles claim in her new book, Hacks, where she said shed considered replacing Ms Clinton with Mr Biden over health concerns.

I would have never done that, Mr Biden said on NBCs Today show Monday.

The former vice president and senator who supported Ms Clinton with both an endorsement and relentless campaigning for the Democratic nominee as election day grew closer last year, has cited trauma over his son Beaus death as a major deciding factor in his ultimate absence from the race. But he wasnt without concerns.

It hit me like a ton of bricks, there was no discussion of issues in her campaign, Mr Biden said.

Since handing the keys for the vice presidential residence over to Vice President Mike Pence earlier this year, Mr Biden has been a vocal critic of President Donald Trump. He has also been non-committal when it comes to whether hell run for president in 2020.

Ive done it a long time, Mr Biden said in a Snapchat interview reviewed by the Associated Press and slated to go live Tuesday, referring to his runs for president in 1988 and 2008. But Im just not sure its the appropriate thing for me to do.

Mr Biden said that he isnt laying the groundwork for a run, at least not at this point.

Im not doing anything to run, he said in the Snapchat interview. Im not taking names, Im not raising money, Im not talking to anybody, but somethings got to happen.

That said, he noted that hes open to a run if no one steps up.

The Democratic field in 2020 is shaping up to be robust. Emboldened by Mr Trumps historically low poll numbers, the potential number of candidates for the Democratic nomination has jumped into the double-digits.

Whether someone who Mr Biden sees as worthy of the challenge of taking on Mr Trump will step up, is another question. A son of Scranton, Pennsylvania  the type of working class town that saw Mr Trump gain a surprisingly robust following in 2016  Mr Biden appealed to his blue collar roots frequently on the campaign trail in 2016 when trying to boost Ms Clinton.

Story continues

With that background in mind, and his decades of public service, sources close to Mr Biden have indicated to Politico that he views himself as the only one capable of taking on the President at this current moment in history.

Hes a great respecter of fate, one person said of Mr Biden, and his contemplation of another run. At some point, it may turn into fate and planning.

Mr Biden, whose personal life was overshadowed by grief right at the time he would have needed to decide to run in 2016, has plenty of time. Just one Democrat has officially announced his candidacy for 2020. But, with just under a year before the midterm elections, theres also plenty of time for others to show Mr Biden he can confidently decline a third run at the presidency.
White House Chief of Staff John Kelly said he doesnt follow President Donald Trumps tweets  hours after Trump lashed out on Twitter, describing North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as short and fat.

Someone, I read the other day, said we all just react to the tweets, Kelly told reporters on Sunday in Vietnam, according to the Los Angeles Times. We dont. I dont. I dont allow the staff to. We know what were doing.

Believe it or not, I do not follow the tweets, Kelly said.

I find out about them, he said, according to the Times. But for our purposes, my purpose, is we make sure the president is briefed up on what hes about to do.

Trump is currently in the Phillipines after visiting Japan, China, South Korea and Vietnam on a tour of Asia this week.

Why would Kim Jong-un insult me by calling me old, when I would NEVER call him short and fat? Oh well, I try so hard to be his friend  and maybe someday that will happen! Trump wrote as part of a series of tweets on Sunday morning in Vietnam. He also slammed Crooked Hillary Clinton and all the haters and fools who are raising questions about possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia in the 2016 presidential election.

Kellyanne Conway, counselor to the president, defended Trumps tweet on Sunday when asked in an ABC News interview if name-calling is helpful.

I think that that was a  the president just responding the way he does to somebody who insulted him first, but I look at the full context of his entire trip and everything that hes trying to do, Conway said. I think its been an incredibly successful and inspiring trip for those who care about North Korea not being nuclearized.

When will all the haters and fools out there realize that having a good relationship with Russia is a good thing, not a bad thing. There always playing politics - bad for our country. I want to solve North Korea, Syria, Ukraine, terrorism, and Russia can greatly help!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 12, 2017

Does the Fake News Media remember when Crooked Hillary Clinton, as Secretary of State, was begging Russia to be our friend with the misspelled reset button? Obama tried also, but he had zero chemistry with Putin.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 12, 2017
Mr Trump has faced criticism for his meeting with Mr Duterte: AFP/Getty Images

Senator John McCaine has criticized President Donald Trump for sidelining human rights during his meeting with Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte.

Human rights obviously not a priority in @POTUSs meeting with Duterte  again, sad, Mr McCain wrote on Twitter, co-opting one of Mr Trumps favourite ways to express his frustration.

The tweet came after the White House indicated that the two world leaders had briefly discussed Mr Dutertes drug crackdown that has left thousands of people dead in the country, and elicited accusations of human rights abuses, which Mr Duterte has denied.

Mr Dutertes spokesman contradicted the White House, however, saying that the issue was not brought up. There was no mention of human rights, no mention of extralegal killings, Harry Roque said.

Mr Trump, following the meeting, said that he has a great relationship with Mr Duterte, and chose to focus on his own style of transactional diplomacy to discuss other issues than human rights, a stark contrast past presidents and their approach to the issue.

Mr Dutertes spokesman said that human rights had not come up during their meeting, even as Mr Duterte discussed the drug menace in the Philippines.

Related:

For more news videos visit Yahoo View.

Mr Trump appeared sympathetic and did not have any official position on the matter, and was merely nodding his head, indicating that he understood the domestic problem that we faced on drugs, Mr Roque, the spokesman, said.

Mr Trump's predecessor Barack Obama had taken a much tougher line over the drug policy of Mr Duterte and the two clashed verbally. Mr Duterte's spokesman Mr Roque keen to play up the difference. He described the relationship between between the two presidents as warm, friendly and candid.

It's very apparent that both of them have a person who they consider as not a best friend, he added. They have similar feelings towards former US President Barack Obama.

Story continues

Since taking office Mr Duterte has overseen a massive and controversial war on drugs that have left thousands of suspected or alleged drug addicts and dealers dead in the streets. More than 3,900 people have been killed so far, although human rights group claim the number is much higher. Mr Duterte's government says the police act in self-defense, but critics say executions are taking place with no accountability. Mr Trump was criticized in April for praising Mr Duterte in a phone call in saying he was doing a "great job" to counter illegal drugs.

In a joint statement, the White House listed human rights as the third topic discussed, of 14 in total. The two sides underscored that human rights and the dignity of human life are essential, and agreed to continue mainstreaming the human rights agenda in their national programs to promote the welfare of all sectors, including the most vulnerable groups, the statement said.

Just last week, Mr Duterte boasted he had stabbed a person to death as a teenager, following similar admissions previously, including killing three men while mayor of the city of Davao.

Not everyone was happy with the meeting. As the two leaders met, hundreds of left-wing protesters clashed in central Manila with riot police, who used water cannons to disperse them. The demonstrators chanted slogans against the drugs crackdown and Mr Trumps escalating rhetoric on North Korea. They burnt an effigy of the US president that showed the billionaire developer with four arms, all bent into the shape of a swastika. They were not the only concern of critics. Mr Trump has business interests in the financial district of Manila, where he is connected to a 57-story $150 million luxury tower. One of his partners is Jose EB Antonio, a developer on the project, and also Mr Dutertes trade envoy to America.

As with much of the rest of his Asia trip - particularly in relation to China's President Xi Jinping, Mr Trump relied on his personal relationships to try and push ahead with his agenda. The lack of a concerted push on human rights can likely be placed in the same bracket as "not blaming" China over the trade relationship with the US while Mr Trump was in Beijing - despite his anger about the "one sided" relationship on the campaign trail for the presidency.

A sense of that personal bond was highlighted on Sunday, when Mr Duterte sang a hit Filipino love song Ikaw (You) at a gala dinner for summit leaders in Manila, saying it was on the orders of Mr Trump.

One of the song's verses, translated from Filipino, begins: You are the light in my world, a half of this heart of mine.

Ladies and gentlemen, I sang uninvited, upon the orders of the commander in chief of the United States, Mr Duterte said later, according to the ABS-CBN news channel.

Mr Duterte has expressed enthusiasm for closer ties with both Russia and China in recent months, leaving Mr Trump little wiggle room if he wanted to keep Mr Duterte on his side with the issues of the threat from North Korea and terrorism high on the agenda. Ahead of his final day in the region, Mr Trump seemed pleased with his efforts.

He met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday and highlighted their two nations' deeper and more comprehensive ties, looking to strengthen a relationship that is vital to the US vision of an Indo-Pacific region that attempts to de-emphasize China's influence. He also jointly met with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who hosted the president in Tokyo earlier in the trip. Mr Trump was keen to play up progress on both trade and the issue of North Korea.

Mr Trump said he would wait until his return to Washington and elaborate with a major statement on those two topics on Wednesday. But he hinted at progress while in Manila.

We've made some very big steps with regard to trade  far bigger than anything you know, Mr Trump said.
(Photo: Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Jurors in the federal corruption trial of Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) said Monday they are deadlocked.

U.S. District Judge William Walls in Newark, New Jersey, reportedly told members of the jury to go home, clear their heads, and resume trying to reach a verdict on Tuesday.

Menendez was indicted in April on 14 charges, including public corruption. The government alleged that Menendez accepted donations and pricey gifts from a Florida ophthalmologist and close friend, Salomon Melgen. In return, the government charged, Menendez helped Melgen challenge Medicare reimbursement charges his business faced at the time.

Menendezs lawyers initially hoped the judge would toss out the charges due to a legal theory put into doubt by a Supreme Court decision last year that overturned the conviction of former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell (R). Walls declined to oblige, however, allowing the case to proceed last month.

Menendez consistently denied the charges, stating his indictment contradicted my public service career and my entire life. The senator was never called to testify. His defense featured bipartisan testimony from two character witnesses: Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.).

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
Paris (AFP) - Fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld has sparked outrage by evoking the Holocaust as he attacked German Chancellor Angela Merkel for opening the country's borders to migrants.

"One cannot -- even if there are decades between them -- kill millions of Jews so you can bring millions of their worst enemies in their place," he told a French television show.

"I know someone in Germany who took a young Syrian and after four days said, 'The greatest thing Germany invented was the Holocaust,'" he added.

Several hundred people lodged official complaints about Lagerfeld's comments, the French media regulator said Monday after he appeared on the "Salut les terriens!" (Hello Earthlings!) talkshow on the C8 channel on Saturday.

The veteran Chanel designer, who was born in Hamburg just as Adolf Hitler came to power, had earlier lambasted Merkel for taking more than one million asylum seekers since the migrant crisis of 2015.

"Merkel had already millions and millions (of immigrants) who are well integrated and who work and all is well... she had no need to take another million to improve her image as the wicked stepmother after the Greek crisis," said Lagerfeld.

"Suddenly we see the pastor's daughter," he said in reference to Merkel's father, who was a Protestant minister in the former East Germany.

Lagerfeld, who is rarely afraid of controversy, said he was going to "say something horrific" before criticising the chancellor for the "huge error" of accepting so many refugees from war-torn Syria and elsewhere.

"Look at France, the land of human rights, which has taken, I don't know, 10,000 or 20,000," he added.

The French TV regulator, the CSA, said it had received several hundred complaints over the weekend about Lagerfeld's comment, and was looking at the programme.

The designer was roasted for the outburst on social media, although some users also came to his defence.
On Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath, Remini discussed with journalist, Tony Ortega, Scientology's drug rehabilitation program, Narconon. Though the program advertises extremely high success rates, as much 91% on their website, there are no studies to support those numbers and as Ortega stated, "In fact, we have documents showing their own attorneys saying 'We have to stop saying that, it's not true.'" Ortega also went on to explain that the Narconon facilities are essentially a front for conversion, saying, "Scientology advertises that it's going to give you individualized drug counseling. And they're very careful never to tell you that you won't be talking about drugs at all. You're just getting Scientology training." According to Ortega, people who go to Narconon are put in harm's way with a risky detox program. With people coming in that have compromised immune systems and livers they, "then go into this 25-day sauna program where they're being baked, you know, four or five hours a day. Well, these parents, before sending their loved ones to Narconon should be checking it out before putting them into a risky situation. It's risky, it's bad, and several people have died." With the tragic deaths of patients at these facilities (including four at the Narconon Arrowhead, Oklahoma facility) this Aftermath episode shed light on the questionable legitimacy of Narconon and its rehab program.
- Iranian Students News Agency, ISNA

Iranian rescue teams were struggling Monday to reach isolated villages cut off by landslides after a 7.3 magnitude earthquake which killed more than 400 people and injured almost 7,000.

The powerful earthquake struck the Iran-Iraq border region on Sunday night, shaking the Middle East as far as Israel and Turkey, but the worst of the devastation was borne in western Iran.

Iran said at least 407 people had been killed but the death toll was expected to rise as rescuers reached more remote parts of the mountainous Kermanshah province. Another 6,700 people were injured.

At least seven people were killed in Iraqs Kurdish region and more than 300 were reportedly taken to hospital with injuries.

The earthquake was the worst in Iran since 2005, when 612 people were killed in the countrys southeast. It was also the deadliest earthquake of 2017, overtaking the 369 people killed in Mexico City in September.

A collapsed house is seen hours after the 7.3 magnitude earthquake Credit: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

Irans government said it was mobilising the army, militia forces, and the elite Revolutionary Guard Corps to help with relief efforts but as the sun set on Monday rescuers were still struggling to reach parts of the disaster zone.

Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khameini, exhorted rescue teams to move as quickly as possible while there was still a chance to save people buried by the quake.

It is the duty of the authorities in these first hours with all their determination and ability to help the injured, especially those trapped under the rubble, he said.

Graphic: Iraq earthquake

Aid workers used rescue dogs and heat sensors to try to find those trapped inside collapsed buildings while helicopters and heavy construction equipment were brought in to support the search.

More than 200 people were reportedly killed in Sarpol-e Zahab, a city of around 34,000 people which sits a few miles from the Iraqi border.

Photographs from the scene showed buildings that had completely collapsed and a mother weeping in the street as she held the body of her young daughter. Another woman and her baby were pulled from rubble, according to local media.

Story continues

In one video posted online on Monday morning, a resident said soldiers were working to help people without gloves or any special equipment and there was no sign of rescue teams.

Narrator: 100s of soldiers with no masks/gloves/equipment; theft is rampant and stopped by locals; and no officials present since the quake #Kermanshah#Iranpic.twitter.com/ugujpV8dMu  Holly Dagres (@hdagres) November 13, 2017

There has been no help yet, neither food nor water, no clothing, no tents, there is nothing, said another man. Our electricity, water, gas, phone lines are out, everything is completely out, the whole city has been destroyed, it is wrecked.

Eshaq Jahangiri, one of Irans vice presidents, said many of the buildings which had collapsed had been built under the Mehr Housing Project, a government building programme championed by former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Mr Jahangiri said there would be an investigation into the structures, which were build for poor Iranians as a part of Mr Ahmadinejads populist domestic policies.

Devastated families gather around one of the victims in Sarpol-e Zahab county in Kermanshah Credit: Reuters

Thousands of people in Tehran and other cities waited in long lines to donate blood after the earthquake.

Boris Johnson, the foreign secretary, offered deepest condolences to both Iran and Iraq. The UK stands ready to help the victims and the recovery effort, said Mr Johnson, who is expected to visit Iran in the coming weeks.

The Pope and other world leaders also sent their sympathies. "Upon the injured and the emergency and civil authorities engaged in rescue and recovery efforts, His Holiness invokes the divine blessings of consolation and strength, a Vatican spokesman said.

Mourners gather around the body of one of the victims Credit: Reuters

The Turkish Red Crescent dispatched 33 aid trucks to the Iraqi city of Sulaimaniyah while Turkeys military flew a cargo plane with aid and rescue workers into Iraq. Turkey said it was prepared to help Iran also if aid was requested.

The earthquake struck Iraqs Kurdish region just weeks after fighting between Iraqi government forces and Kurdish troops after a disputed independence referendum. Baghdad said it would help all Iraqis, regardless of the recent tensions in the area.

Sherwana Castle, an historic 18th century fortress built by a Kurdish king, appeared to have been badly damaged by the quake.
Beirut (AFP) - Lebanese President Michel Aoun said on Monday he was happy to hear resigned prime minister Saad Hariri would be returning to Beirut from Saudi Arabia "soon."

Hariri stepped down from his post during a televised address more than a week ago from Riyadh and has remained there, sparking rumours he was under de facto house arrest.

But he pledged during a television interview on Sunday night that he would be home within days, a development welcomed by Aoun.

"I was happy with Prime Minister Hariri's announcement that he would return to Lebanon soon," Aoun said on Twitter.

"I am awaiting this return to discuss with the prime minister the issue of the resignation, the reasons for it and the circumstances, issues, and concerns that need to be resolved," he added in an emailed statement.

Aoun had said on Sunday that Hariri appeared to be "restricted" in his movements and demanded Riyadh clarify why he had not returned to Beirut.

In Sunday's interview with his party's Future TV, Hariri, 47, said he was free to travel and would return to Lebanon in "two or three days".

"I will return to Lebanon very soon to initiate the necessary constitutional procedures," he said with reference to his resignation.

Lebanese fear that a new power vacuum in their country could put it in the crosshairs of rising regional tensions between Riyadh and Tehran.

And France's Foreign Minister on Monday said his country was "worried by the situation in Lebanon" and wanted to see the government there "stabilise as quickly as possible".

- Iran denies meddling claims -

A fragile balance has ruled over Lebanon since a complex political deal a year ago brought Aoun to the presidency and Hariri to the premiership.

"It will still be possible to save this political settlement if the government truly and practically commits to the disassociation policy," said Samir Geagea, a Christian ally of Hariri, on Monday.

Story continues

"Especially when it comes to Hezbollah's withdrawal from Syria and the crises of the region," Geagea wrote on Twitter.

The "disassociation policy" refers to an agreement among political factions that Lebanon would not get involved in regional conflicts.

Hariri has blasted Iran and its Shiite ally Hezbollah -- an ally of Aoun and a member of the Lebanese government -- for intervening militarily in Syria and Yemen.

He said he could walk back from his resignation if Lebanese factions seriously committed to keeping out of these conflicts.

Aoun -- who has yet to formally accept the premier's resignation -- said on Monday he "acknowledged" Hariri's comments on reversing the decision.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for Iran's foreign ministry categorically denied interfering in Lebanon's politics.

"Lebanon's internal affairs concern Lebanon, and we never intervene in the internal affairs of other countries," Bahram Ghassemi said.

"Hariri's resignation was sudden and suspect, but we hope that with his interview last night, he will return to Lebanon as soon as possible so that the legal process of his resignation can be applied," he added, in quotes reported by state media.

Hariri was still in Riyadh on Monday, where he met with the German and British ambassadors to the kingdom.
Mexican authorities have deported a polygamist disciple of Warren Jeffs back to the U.S., where he faces law enforcement scrutiny in three slayings. Two of the victims were his sons.

Orson William Black, 56, was turned over to U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers, then to police in El Paso, Texas, last week, authorities said. Mexican authorities detained Black this month at his compound in Chihuahua, where they said he was living with four wives, a concubine and 22 others, including several children.

Almost 100 Mexican police, along with agents of the FBI and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, stormed Blacks homes in the Rancho El Negro compound and seized him. They said they found scores of preserved exotic animal heads and carcasses, including zebras, buffaloes, red foxes, black squirrels, a lion and a bear rug, and elephant feet, suggesting Blacks group was involved in wildlife and trophy trafficking, according to the Chihuahua Attorney Generals Office.

Black is suspected in the murders of two teenagers, who have been identified as his sons by the Chihuahua attorney general, and a 23-year-old man, according to Mexican authorities. The victims  all U.S. citizens  are brothers Michael Black, 15, and Robert W. Black, 19, and Jesse Barlow, 23, the BBC reported. Their bodies were found this month on the sprawling compound. They had no birth certificates, according to Mexican authorities.

The motive has not been clarified and is still being investigated, Felix Gonzalez, a spokesman for the attorney general, told the Los Angeles Times.

A woman who said Black married three of her sisters told The Salt Lake Tribune that Barlow is Blacks stepson. She said she believes the three were fatally shot by members of a drug cartel who had been working with Black producing methamphetamine.

Black fled to Mexico from Arizona 15 years ago after he was charged in the state with five felony counts of sexual misconduct with two underage girls who became his wives, according to a 2003 report in the Phoenix New Times. Black and one of the girls conceived a son they named Robert William Black, born in in 1998, who was one of the slaying victims.

Story continues

Black was a member of Warren Jeffs polygamist Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Arizona. Jeffs is serving life in prison for sexually assaulting two underage girls he took as brides.

Related coverage

61-Year-Old Polygamous Pastor: I Believe Polygamy Benefits My Wives

Polygamous Sect Leader Lyle Jeffs Caught After Almost A Year On The Lam

US Polygamist Busted In Mexico Following Deaths Of Three Young Americans

Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
Michael Flynn - AP

The lawyer for former U.S. national security adviser Michael Flynn on Thursday labeled as "outrageous" and "false" media reports suggesting his client may have been involved in an alleged plan to seize a Muslim cleric and deliver him to Turkey in exchange for millions of dollars.

The rare statement from lawyer Robert Kelner came after the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday that Special Counsel Robert Mueller was investigating an alleged proposal under which Flynn and his son would receive up to $15 million for seizing Fethullah Gulen from his U.S. home and delivering him to the Turkish government.

The Journal cited people familiar with the investigation.

NBC also reported on Friday about an alleged December 2016 meeting, saying Mr Mueller's team was investigating whether Mr Flynn met with senior Turkish officials in the weeks before President Donald Trump's January 2017 inauguration about a possible quid pro quo in which Mr Flynn would be paid to do the bidding of Turkey's government while in office. NBC cited multiple people familiar with the probe.

"Out of respect for the process of the various investigations regarding the 2016 campaign, we have intentionally avoided responding to every rumor or allegation raised in the media," Mr Kelner said in an emailed statement.

"But today's news cycle has brought allegations about General Flynn, ranging from kidnapping to bribery, that are so outrageous and prejudicial that we are making an exception to our usual rule: they are false."

The Wall Street journal reported that the alleged plan involving Mr Flynn and Turkish officials emerged during Mr Mueller's wider investigation of possible Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and any collusion by the Trump campaign.

Mr Flynn was fired by Mr Trump after just 24 days in the job for misleading Vice President Mike Pence about the extent of his conversations with then Russian ambassador Sergei Kislyak last year.

Story continues

US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen Credit: Charles Mostoller/Reuters

Barry Coburn, a lawyer for Mr Flynn's son, Michael Flynn Jr., declined to comment.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan accuses Mr Gulen of instigating a failed coup in July 2016 and wants him extradited to Turkey to face trial. Mr Gulen has denied any role in the coup.

A spokesman for Mr Mueller's team declined to comment on the report on Friday.

Flynn is a central figure in Mr Mueller's investigation because of conversations he had with Mr Kislyak and because he waited until March to retroactively register with the Justice Department as a foreign agent for work he did for a Turkish businessman.

The Journal reported that FBI agents asked at least four people about a December meeting in New York where Mr Flynn and Turkish government representatives discussed removing Mr Gulen, citing people with knowledge of the FBI's inquiries.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan waves to supporters Credit: Presidency press service/AP

NBC also reported that investigators had questioned witnesses about an alleged December meeting between Mr Flynn and Turkish officials where Mr Gulen was discussed. The group also discussed how to set free a Turkish-Iranian gold trader, Reza Zarrab. Zarrab is in prison in the United States on federal charges that he helped Iran skirt U.S. sanctions, NBC said.

A Reuters report on Oct. 26 said one of Mr Flynn's business associates, former CIA Director James Woolsey, pitched a $10 million contract to two Turkish businessmen to help discredit Mr Gulen while Mr Woolsey was an adviser to Mr Trumps election campaign.

Mr Woolsey was a member of Mr Flynn's firm, the Flynn Intel Group, according to a Justice Department filing by the firm and an archive of the company's website.

Mr Mueller's team has also interviewed White House senior policy adviser Stephen Miller, the highest-level Trump aide known to have spoken with investigators, CNN reported on Thursday
Its been almost two months since a Pennsylvania teen whod recently moved to New York City disappeared.

Since Sept. 20, no one has seen or heard from 19-year-old Corinna Slusser, an aspiring cosmetologist who grew up in Bloomsburg.

According to family, Slusser traveled to New York City in March after meeting a Harlem man her relatives suspect of being a pimp.

She wanted out from this small town that she was living in and this guy gave her that out, Slussers aunt, Julie Anne Becker-Calfa,told News 12 The Bronx. And it just developed and the psychology behind human trafficking is insane. They know exactly what theyre doing to break these girls down.

Slussers family reported her missing on Sept. 12, when she failed to show up at her grandfathers funeral in Florida.

After alerting authorities, Slussers mother, Sabina Tuorto, turned to Facebook, pleading for her daughters return.

My daughter was a great student, [and] a cheerleader. She had many friends and lived her life as a normal teenager. I need her home and I cant bare anymore days like this, Tuorto wrote on Oct. 10.

A New York City Police Department spokesperson told HuffPost the last confirmed sighting of Slusser was at the Haven Motel in Queens on Sept. 20. No one has heard from Slusser, who turned 19 on Oct. 6, since then.

The teen, an avid social media user, last posted in early September.

On Sept. 7, Slussertweeted photosof a Bronx apartment.

My first apartment all to myself in NYC!!! Never been more happier in my life. Forver dream accomplished pic.twitter.com/MEalxceMIw  Rina (@SlusserCorinna)September 8, 2017

Slusserslast Facebook post  a selfie  was dated Sept. 8, and she has not shared anything on Instagram since Sept. 10, when sheposted a photowith a Bronx location tag.

A post shared by Corinna Slusser (@corinnaslusser)on Sep 10, 2017 at 10:58am PDT

Story continues

The teens disappearance came on the heels of a complaint she filed in Manhattan on Aug. 25 against a 32-year-old man she accused of assaulting her,The New York Daily Newsreported.

Slusser said the man stole her money and then grabbed her by the throat and slammed her against the wall, making it difficult for [her] to breathe, according to court papers obtained by the Daily News. The man was reportedly arrested, and Slusser was granted a temporary order of protection.

Authorities fear the teen is a sex trafficking victim.

HuffPost could not reach Slussers family for comment on Monday.

I fear the worst, but I pray for the best and her to return home, her mother wrote in her Oct. 10 Facebook post.

Police described Slusser as a white female with blond hair and blue eyes, weighing 140 pounds and standing approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall, with a large black flower-type tattoo in the middle of her chest.

Anyone with information about Slusser should call the NYPDs Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-8477.

Tips? Feedback? Send David Lohr an email or follow him onFacebookandTwitter.

Need help? Visit RAINNs National Sexual Assault Online Hotline or the National Sexual Violence Resource Centers website.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
Missouri is launching an investigation into whether Google has broken its consumer protection and antitrust laws.

In a statement, the state's attorney general, Josh Hawley, said that his office has issued a subpoena to the search giant earlier on Monday.

The investigation will seek to determine if Google has violated the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act -- its principal consumer-protection law -- and other state antitrust laws, according to a statement.

Hawley, who's running for U.S. Senate next year, is launching the investigation at a time when America's largest tech companies are facing considerable scrutiny from both parties for their position in both America's corporate and civic spheres.

Today, I am announcing a new investigationwe are issuing Civil Investigative Demands to Google Inc. seeking documents and information related to the companys business practices and whether they violate the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act and Missouris antitrust laws. pic.twitter.com/iO27KEhX27  AG Josh Hawley (@AGJoshHawley) November 13, 2017

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

Late last month in hearings before the House and Senate, representatives from Facebook, Google and Twitter were taken to task for their potential role in distributing Russian propaganda during the last Presidential election.

With the investigation, the state's top lawyer will examine Google's collection, use and disclosure of personal information; its "alleged misappropriation of online content from the websites of its competitors;" and its manipulation of search results to preference "websites owned by Google" and to "demote" websites that compete with Google, according to a statement.

There is strong reason to believe that Google has not been acting with the best interest of Missourians in mind, Hawley said in the statement. My Office will not stand by and let private consumer information be jeopardized by industry giants, especially to pad their profits.

Story continues

In the announcement, Hawley's office emphasized the historic $2.7 billion in fines leveled by the European Union against Google for its anti-trust practices and a complaint filed by the Electronic Privacy Information Center with the Federal Trade Commission on Google's consumer tracking practices.

Also of interest to Hawley's investigation is the roughly 70 percent of all card transaction information that Google collects.

When a company has access to as much consumer information as Google does, its my duty to ensure they are using it appropriately, Hawley said in the statement. I will not let Missouri consumers and businesses be exploited by industry giants.

We've reached out to Google with a request for comment and will update when we hear back.
A Florida mother and her boyfriend were arrested after the womans 3-year-old daughter was found dead in a wooded area on Friday, police said.

Destinee Merrell, 23, told police that her boyfriend, Cory M. Hagwell, 29, kicked the child in the head because she had climbed out of her car seat, Fox News reported.

Read: Family of 4, And Dog, Found Dead in Murder-Suicide: Cops

The toddler, who police identified as Adelynn Merrell, was then locked in a closet in the master bedroom of their home, where she died, the station reported. Her body was later found in the woods, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriffs Office.

The couple initially reported the child missing, but police said the mother later divulged what allegedly happened, the Northwest Florida Daily News reported.

Authorities said the 3-year-old suffered head trauma but they are waiting on autopsy results to determine an official cause of death, reports said.

Authorities said that a 5-year-old boy in Merrells care was also found to be suffering malnutrition and had bones in all regions of his body exposed.

Read: 16-Year-Old Allegedly Kills Newborn After Sticking Rock in Her Throat: Report

Merrell faces three counts of child neglect and one count of aggravated child battery. Hagwell faces one count of aggravated child abuse.

More charges are forthcoming, reports said.

Related Articles:
UPDATE: Nov. 14  The letter from Alabama pastors that Kayla Moore, the wife of Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore, posted Sunday to her Facebook page appears to be re-release of an endorsement originally written in August before the GOP primaries, AL.com reports.

The newer version deletes three paragraphs from the original letter, which still appears on Roy Moores campaign website and contains sentences urging voters to join us at the polls on Tuesday, August 15th.

At least two of the pastors listed as signatories on the recent post have said they were not contacted about the update, and have asked for their names to be removed.

Previously:

Fifty-three pastors in Alabama have signed a letter throwing their support behind Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore, who has been accused of sexually assaulting multiple women.

For decades, Roy Moore has been an immovable rock in the culture wars  a bold defender of the little guy, a just judge to those who came before his court, a warrior for the unborn child, defender of the sanctity of marriage, and a champion for religious liberty, the pastors wrote. Their letter was posted to the Facebook page of Kayla Moore, the candidates wife, on Sunday and published Monday on Alabama news site AL.com.

The letter detailed the two times Moore was suspended from court during his tenures as chief justice of Alabama  first for refusing to take down a Ten Commandments monument he had erected in the Alabama Judicial Building and later for defying federal orders on same-sex marriage.

The pastors described these incidents as evidence of Moores unwavering faith in God and his immovable convictions for Biblical principles.

The letter did not address that multiple women have accused Moore of sexual misconduct when he was in his 30s and they were teenagers.

We are ready to join the fight and send a bold message to Washington: dishonesty, fear of man, and immorality are an affront to our convictions and our Savior and we wont put up with it any longer, the pastors wrote. We urge you to join us at the polls to cast your vote for Roy Moore.

Story continues

The Washington establishment has declared all-out war on his campaign, they added.

Roy Moore, who is slated to face Democrat Doug Jones in a Dec. 12 special election to fill the Senate seat vacated by Attorney General Jeff Sessions. (Photo: Tom Williams via Getty Images)

The National Republican Senatorial Committee, the Senates campaign arm, severed its ties with Moore on Friday. The committees decision came one day after The Washington Post reported that four women had said Moore pursued them when they were teenagers and he was in his 30s. One woman, Leigh Corfman, said she was 14 years old when Moore sexually assaulted her in 1979.

Another woman, Beverly Young Nelson, came forward with allegations on Monday. She said in a press conference that she met Moore while working as a waitress roughly four decades ago. Nelson said Moore offered to give her a ride home one night in 1977. But instead of taking her home, she said, he drove around the restaurant and assaulted her.

I thought that he was going to rape me, she said.

He looked at me, and he told me, Youre just a child. And he said, I am the district attorney of Etowah County, and if you tell anyone about this, no one will ever believe you, she added.

Carol Kuruvilla contributed to this report.

CORRECTION: A previous version of this story misstated the circumstances of Roy Moores first removal from the Alabama supreme court.



Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
Royals manager Ned Yost said he could have died after fall from a tree last week. (AP)

Kansas City Royals manager Ned Yost was in a lot of pain last week when he was fixing a deer stand at his home in Georgia and fell from a tree. Yost broke his pelvis and some ribs in the fall, but were learning now that doctors and even Yost himself feared it was going to be much worse. Perhaps even fatal.

Yost said if he didnt have his cellphone and wasnt able to call for help, he could have bled out. Later, a surgeon told Yost a number of people have died from similar falls.

Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com talked to Yost on Monday, who described everything that happened after the fall. If you thought this was Man falls out of tree and hurt himself, it was a lot more serious:

Ned Yost is back at home after his horrific fall that shattered his pelvis. He told me, Theres no doubt I would have bled out if I didnt have my cellphone with me. There was nobody that was coming. Nobody would have found me. I would have been dead by nightfall.  Jeffrey Flanagan (@FlannyMLB) November 13, 2017

Ned Yost also told me, "The trauma surgeon said, Man, Ned, I was really scared about you. Weve seen these things before  this is a 25-30 percent mortality rate. You were crashing on the table. We couldnt get the bleeding stopped. I thought we were going to lose you.'"  Jeffrey Flanagan (@FlannyMLB) November 13, 2017

Ned Yost also said he will be in a wheelchair for at least two months but hopes to be able to move around normally by Spring Training. He tells me he feels "like a lucky man" right now.  Jeffrey Flanagan (@FlannyMLB) November 13, 2017

Thats pretty brutal. Yost, 63, is an avid outdoorsman and hunter, so we can assume it wasnt his first go-round with a deer stand. Reports at the time said the deer stand just gave way as Yost was working on it.

Story continues

Hurray for cellphones  and for Yost being all right.

     

Mike Oz is the editor of Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at mikeozstew@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

More from Yahoo Sports:

 Fans planned Veterans Day NFL boycott backfires

 NFL star lost infant child hours before playing game

 Dan Wetzel: Meet the most dangerous man in college basketball

 Pat Forde: What went wrong for Butch Jones at Tennessee


A woman says Alabama Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore sexually assaulted her when she was a minor.

Beverly Young Nelson said Monday that the alleged incident occurred in 1977, when she was a 16-year-old waitress in a Gadsden, Ala., restaurant where Moore, then 30, was a regular customer and would often flirt with her. Moore even signed her high school yearbook in December of that year, she said.

A week or two later, Nelson said, she was waiting to get a ride home from work from her boyfriend, who was late, when Moore offered to drive her. Nelson said that Moore groped her in his car without her consent. When she told him to stop, Nelson said Moore squeezed the back of her neck and tried to force her head onto his crotch.

I was terrified, Nelson said in a detailed statement delivered at a press conference in New York City, where she was introduced to reporters by her lawyer, Gloria Allred. I thought that he was going to rape me.

Attorney Gloria Allred, right, comforts Beverly Nelson at a press conference in New York City on Monday. (Photo: Lucas Jackson/Reuters)

Nelson said that at some point Moore gave up and warned her not to tell anyone about the encounter.

He then looked at me and said, You are a child. I am the district attorney, Nelson recalled. If you tell anyone about this, no one will believe you.

Moore, now 70, called the charges absolutely false.

I never did what she said I did, Moore told reporters on Monday night. I dont even know the woman. I dont know anything about her. I dont even know where the restaurant is or was.

Nelson said that she met Moore when she was a 15-year-old waitress at the restaurant. Nelson said that on Dec. 22, 1977, she brought her high school yearbook to work, and Moore asked her to sign it.

To a sweeter more beautiful girl I could not say Merry Christmas, Moore allegedly wrote in the yearbook, signing it: Love, Roy Moore, D.A.

She showed the page to reporters at the press conference.

Beverly Nelson displays a page from her high school year book allegedly signed by Roy Moore. (Photo: Lucas Jackson/Reuters)

Nelson is the fifth woman to accuse Moore of pursuing a sexual relationship with them when they were teenagers. She said she was inspired to come forward by Moores other accusers.

Story continues

If I thought I was Mr. Moores only victim, I probably would have taken my secret to my grave, Nelson said. Mr. Moore no longer has any power over me, and I will no longer live in fear.

Nelson said that her coming forward has nothing to do with politics, noting that both she and her husband, a truck driver, voted for Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election.

This has nothing whatsoever to do with the Republicans or the Democrats, she said. It has everything to do with Mr. Moores sexual assault when I was a teenager.

Allred, who represented some of the women who accused President Trump and Bill Cosby of sexual misconduct or assault, called for a Senate hearing on the allegations. Nelson, Allred said, is willing to testify under oath.

Gloria Allred is a sensationalist leading a witch hunt, and she is only around to create a spectacle, Bill Armistead said in a statement on Monday afternoon. Allred was the attorney who claims credit for giving us Roe v. Wade which has resulted in the murder of tens of millions of unborn babies.

Armistead added: Weve said this before and well say it again: Judge Moore is an innocent man and has never had any sexual misconduct with anyone. This is a witch hunt against a man who has had an impeccable career for over 30 years and has always been known as a man of high character.

Roy Moore speaks in Vestavia Hills, Ala., on Saturday. (Photo: Hal Yeager/AP)

On Thursday, the Washington Post published its bombshell report quoting a woman, Leigh Corfman, who alleged that in 1979  when she was 14 and Moore was 32  Moore partially undressed her and himself, touched her over her undergarments and guided her hand to touch him. The age of consent in Alabama was then and remains 16.

The story also quoted three other women who said Moore hit on them when they were 16 to 18 and he was in his 30s. Moore initially dismissed the entire report as fake news and an attack by the Democratic Party and the countrys most liberal newspaper. On Friday, Moore denied even knowing Corfman, who told the Post she with her mother when she met him. Her mother, Nancy Wells, confirmed her daughters account.

On Sunday, a defiant Moore told supporters that said he intends to sue the newspaper, and questioned the timing of the accusations.

These attacks said I was with a minor child and are false and untrue  and for which they will be sued, Moore said. Why would they come now? Because there are groups that dont want me in the United States Senate.

We do not plan to let anybody deter us from this race, he added.

Moores wife, Kayla, suggested his accusers were part of a concerted smear campaign.

This is the same Gloria Allred that did the very exact thing to Trump during his campaign, she wrote in a Facebook post on Monday morning. Going on two months now theyve been on a witchhunt here.

Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, said the Senate should vote to expel Moore should he refuse to withdraw from the race.

I believe the individuals speaking out against Roy Moore spoke with courage and truth, proving he is unfit to serve in the United States Senate, Gardner said in a statement. If he refuses to withdraw and wins, the Senate should vote to expel him, because he does not meet the ethical and moral requirements of the United States Senate.

Earlier Monday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said that he believes the accusations in the Post report are true and that Moore should step aside.

I believe the women, yes, said McConnell, who backed Moores GOP challenger, Luther Strange, in the primary.

Moore responded via Twitter.

The person who should step aside is @SenateMajLdr Mitch McConnell. He has failed conservatives and must be replaced. #DrainTheSwamp  Judge Roy Moore (@MooreSenate) November 13, 2017

Moore and Democratic candidate Doug Jones are vying for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Jeff Sessions when he was appointed attorney general by President Trump. The special election is scheduled for Dec. 12.

Trump, who also backed Luther Strange, has yet to comment publicly on the allegations against Moore. Last week, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters aboard Air Force One that the president believes that we cannot allow a mere allegation  in this case, one from many years ago  to destroy a persons life.

However, the president also believes that if these allegations are true, Judge Moore will do the right thing and step aside, Sanders added. Regardless, the president must and will remain focused on representing our country on his historic trip to Asia where he has been treated with great respect and made unprecedented progress in further strengthening alliances and promoting Americas interests above all else.

On Sunday, White House officials said they were disturbed by the allegations but cautioned against a rush to judgment against the Senate hopeful.

I think that theres a special place in hell for those who actually perpetrate these crimes, White House director of legislative affairs Marc Short said on Sundays Meet the Press on NBC. And I think Roy Moore has to do more explaining than he has done so far.

Read more from Yahoo News:
An inset photo of Sayfullah Saipov on the scene of multiple bikes crushed along a bike path in lower Manhattan in New York City on Oct. 31, 2017. (Photo: Brendan McDermid/Reuters/ABC)

If there was any comfort to be had in the wake of the shooting at a Texas church Nov. 5 that killed 26 worshippers, it was that this latest atrocity, coming just a week after an immigrant from Uzbekistan was charged with running over 20 people on a crowded Manhattan bicycle path, had nothing to do with ISIS. Recent history has given us all too many illustrations of the aphorism coined by the Nobel Prize-winning physicist and outspoken atheist Steven Weinberg: With or without religion, good people can behave well and bad people can do evil; but for good people to do evil  that takes religion.

Weinberg, writing two years before the 9/11 attacks, based his conclusion on evidence that had been accumulating more or less since the dawn of history, mentioning in particular Frederick Douglasss observation that his own situation as a slave became worse when his master underwent a religious conversion that allowed him to justify slavery as the punishment of the children of Ham. Its unlikely that anything going on in the world now would give him reason to change his mind, in a year when terrorists have struck New York, London and Paris in the name of Islam, while more than a half-million Muslims have been driven from their homes in Myanmar by Buddhists.

Tears roll down the cheeks of a child while drinking water from a kettle, as Rohingya Muslims who have fled persecution in Myanmar wait along the border for permission to move farther toward refugee camps near Palong Khali, Bangladesh, Nov. 2, 2017. (Photo: Bernat Armangue/AP)

Weinberg was writing about how zealotry can turn even good people into monsters. The man who shot up the church in Sutherland Springs appeared to be acting out of a personal grievance, to the extent that it makes sense to even attribute a motive to such an act, and what we know of his background, including convictions for domestic violence, is damning. But the head of state of Myanmar, Aung San Suu Kyi, had a reputation as a very good person, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize for her long struggle to bring democracy to her country. It is uncertain how much control she exercises over the powerful Myanmar military. But on the face of it, she has been either complicit or at best indifferent to the ethnic cleansing underway in Rakhine province, a brutal campaign characterized by murder, forced evacuations and the burning of houses. The victims are members of a minority ethnic group, the Rohingya, who are guilty of belonging to a religion that is not Buddhism.

It is shocking, of course, that these atrocities have been perpetrated by co-religionists of the Dalai Lama. But it sheds a clarifying light on the debate over the nature of Islam  is it a religion of war or of peace?  that crops up after every atrocity, a pointless exercise of quoting competing passages from the Koran and the Hadith. One side may quote the fierce injunction of Surah 9, verse 123, (O ye who believe! Fight such of the disbelievers as are near to you and let them find hardness in you), which certainly sounds like a justification for running down pedestrians with a truck. The other side may bring up 2:257 (There should be no compulsion in religion), a call to tolerance regrettably undermined by the fact that 13 mostly Muslim countries, including Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, have laws that treat atheism as a crime punishable by death.

As Ali Rizvi, author of The Atheist Muslim, points out, this is an unpopular view among progressives, who are inclined to defend the typically dark-skinned, historically oppressed adherents of Islam. So I will attempt to defuse that criticism by stipulating that other religions are capable of behaving just as badly. Sam Harris, author of The End of Faith, calls the war on the Rohingya an absolutely horrific example of tribal violence, although he thinks it would be very much worse if Buddhism, like Islam, contained within it doctrines that explicitly justify violence. In its literature and teachings and everyday practice, Buddhism really is a religion of peace. But confronted by a competing faith within its own borders, its adherents take on the same defensive, suspicious and ultimately violent characteristics as Muslims, Hindus, Jews or Christians. Religion divides people. You are either one of the chosen people, or you are not. You either accept Jesus as your savior, or you dont. These are distinctions that many believers treat as a matter of life or death.

How much blood was shed over the centuries in wars between Catholics and Protestants? How many were killed in the brutal fighting between Muslims and Hindus at the birth of India and Pakistan, and still more in the occasional clashes that have continued since then, even as both countries have armed themselves with nuclear bombs? How many are still dying in the Middle East in fighting between Muslims and Jews, and the endless exchange of car and suicide bombings between Sunni and Shia, carrying on a schism that dates back to the seventh century? That so many of us are still dying on account of ancient myths is as bewildering as it is horrible, Harris has written, and our own attachment to these myths, whether moderate or extreme, has kept us silent in the face of developments that could ultimately destroy us.

Of course, the lesson of the 20th century is that people make war for all sorts of reasons. The Hutus of Rwanda worked themselves up into a genocidal frenzy against the Tutsis without needing the excuse of religious differences. The worst deeds of ISIS and al-Qaida are but footnotes to the volumes of misery inflicted on their own citizens by the atheistic governments of the Soviet Union, communist China and Pol Pots Cambodia. Religion is just one more thing for people to fight about, but a particularly galling one because it holds itself out as the opposite. Every religion contains prayers for peace, but was a war ever stopped by religion?

Cambodian youngsters gather in a knot within a crowd of older Khmers including soldiers of the toppled Pol Pot regime, following the groups escape across the frontier, April 16,1979, in Wong Mon, Thailand. (Photo: Jeff Robbins/AP)

Rizvi believes Islamic terror will be defeated not by waging war on it, nor by the peaceful camp of Muslims winning the argument with the radicals over the meaning of the Koran, but by more Muslims embarking on the intellectual passage he describes in the subtitle of his book, A Journey From Religion to Reason. The Western world has been on that journey since the Enlightenment, leading to what has been described as a post-Christian society in Western Europe, where almost no one, except Muslims, cares enough about his religion to want to kill for it.

To reach that point took several centuries from Locke and Voltaire, Rizvi notes, but that was in a world where ideas spread by the relatively inefficient media of books, tracts and speeches. There are powerful forces within Islam working against an Islamic Enlightenment, Harris contends, but there is reason to hope they are fighting a rear-guard action. As Maryam Namazie, the Iranian human rights activist has said, The internet is doing to Islam what the printing press did in the past to Christianity.

Or maybe we can pray for a deus ex machina. If God really does love the world, this would be a good time for him to send down the messiah hes been promising for 2,500 years. Or else come down from the heavens as he did routinely in biblical days and tell the world what an increasing number of people have come to suspect anyway: that he doesnt actually exist.

Read more from Yahoo News:
At least eight militants were shot dead and two Pakistani soldiers died in a skirmish along the restive border with Afghanistan Monday, the military said, as Islamabad tries to tightens its grip on the frontier.

"Terrorists from Afghanistan side attempted attack on Pakistani posts" along the border in Bajaur in the tribal districts of northwest Pakistan, the military said in a statement, adding that 8-10 of the attackers were killed.

"Captain Junaid Hafeez and Sepoy Raham embraced shahdat (martyrdom) while four soldiers sustained injuries," it added.

The statement did not specify when the incident happened but a security official told AFP it was on Monday.

Afghanistan's failure to control its side of the border made it easy for "terrorists" to launch such raids, the statement added.

Islamabad and Kabul regularly accuse each other of supporting or failing to curb militants who cross the largely open border to carry out attacks.

Over recent decades members of the Afghan Taliban, Al-Qaeda, and other groups have operated with impunity in the region, crossing the colonial-era frontier at will.

In March Pakistan began fencing much of its border. But the fencing threatens to disrupt the daily lives of communities who have traditionally paid the frontier little heed.

Villages straddle the frontier and mosques and houses have one door in Pakistan and another in Afghanistan.

They now face stricter controls and must use official crossing points, which are subject to delays and frequent closures. One closure was only lifted last week after a full month.
Freshman year of high school is a big deal for students, socially and academically.

Parents should pay attention to this big transition in their student's life, says Janice K. Jackson, chief education officer of Chicago Public Schools.

Many parents believe their teens need more freedom in high school, says Jackson, a former high school teacher and principal. But she says parents should aim to give their teen increased independence while still providing social and academic support to help students succeed.

How well students perform academically in ninth grade can predict their future success, according to a 2017 study from the University of Chicago Consortium on School Research. The group looked at the freshman-year grades of about 187,000 Chicago public school students from 2006 to 2013.

Parents should consider the following reasons for why a successful freshman year is crucial.

1. Ninth-grade GPA can predict graduation. The Chicago report authors found that freshmen with A's, B's and C's were much more likely to graduate high school than their peers with lower GPAs, says Lauren Sartain, co-author of the study and a senior research analyst at the Consortium.

More than a decade ago, Chicago officials started paying more attention to success during freshman year. After doing so, Jackson says they saw more students complete ninth grade, and that led to higher graduation rates. Among their efforts, school officials use early warning indicator data, such as attendance rates, to determine which freshmen need extra help before school even starts.

Twitter users sounded off below on how ninth-grade success can predict the future.

Because your high school GPA begins with your very first assignments in 9th grade, start strong to finish strong!

-- BAHS Counseling (@BaconCounseling) November 8, 2017

Freshman scores begin formulation of GPA, a credit-based system of grade promotion that middle schoolers struggle to weigh in importance. Poor freshman scores can sink a student's GPA in 1st yr, creating the illusion of a hole they can't climb out of, towards success.

Story continues

-- YWLAFortWorthLibrary (@ywlalibrary) November 8, 2017

I think 9th grade grades matter because they indicate the level to which a student is acclimating to a high school workload and more complex learning.

-- Mrs. Wendy Ramos (@MrsRamosAP) November 8, 2017

[Parents can follow these steps to help freshmen lay the groundwork for college.]

2. Freshmen GPAs often mirror junior-year grades. The relationship between ninth- and 11th-grade GPAs is super strong, says Sartain. That really illustrates the importance of freshman year, she says, because junior-year grades are often an important factor for college admission.

But freshmen who struggle can still turn around their grades, says Sartain. For example, about half the students in the study with a D-level GPA in ninth grade improved to a C-level GPA by 11th grade, she says.

[Learn how parents can help freshmen get on track.]

Twitter users agree that ninth-grade success can set the tone for high school.

Ninth grade- grades sets the foundation for the rest of your high school career. It's hard to recover from a bad academic freshman year.

-- Achievement Matters (@AchieveMatters1) November 9, 2017

@alipannoni and @USNewsEducation, Gr 9 performance sets the foundation for HS, affording access to rigorous coursework 10-12 and in college

-- Kayla Ritter Rickels (@KRitterRickels) November 8, 2017

3. Academically strong freshmen are more likely to attend college. "It's all about getting that B or better," says Sartain, in terms of the grade freshmen will need to be more likely to start and remain in college.

Ninth-grade marks were also a better predictor than test scores of whether students would be successful in high school and college, Sartain says.

"That's not to say that test scores aren't important, because colleges obviously look at test scores and grades, among other indicators, when making admissions decisions," she says.

Her colleagues at the Consortium have found through other work that high test scores give students access to more selective colleges, she says. "But grades do a much better job of predicting how successful you are in college once you get there."

Freshmen who do well academically have the necessary tools to succeed in high school and beyond, Twitter users told U.S. News.

9th Grade is a time to challenge yourself or try something new. Your exploration will prepare you for college in ways you cannot imagine! https://t.co/M9m9Uh1sa1

-- Jennifer Dart (@jj_dart) November 8, 2017

Students' high school careers are made by their habits. "High school is not about how smart you are it is about how responsible you are"

-- Rudolph Matheny (@Coach_Rudy) November 8, 2017

Strong academic performance early on gives students confidence to take on more challenging coursework throughout high school, encourages grit, and puts them on a path towards college readiness.

-- Cecilia Xia (@csquaredx) November 8, 2017

Putting in the work in ninth grade will really pay off for students, Sartain says, because finishing high school and college is strongly related to career success.

Have something of interest to share? Send your news to us at highschoolnotes@usnews.com.

Alexandra Pannoni is an education digital producer at U.S. News. You can follow her on Twitter or email her at apannoni@usnews.com.
Conservatives are publicly destroying their Keurig coffee makers in response to the companys decision to pull its advertisements from Sean Hannitys television and radio programs.

I pulled an "Office Space" with my Keurig... Would be a shame if everyone else joined me in the Keurig Smash Challenge #BoycottKeurig #IStandWithHannity #SundayMorning pic.twitter.com/yEADeRC006  Angelo John Gage (@AngeloJohnGage) November 12, 2017

Liberals are offended by this video of a Keurig being thrown off of a building.



Please retweet to offend a Liberal.#BoycottKeurigpic.twitter.com/0qbHlmyqcA  Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) November 12, 2017

At least five companies, including Keurig, have said they will no longer advertise their products on Hannitys shows following the hosts coverage of Roy Moore. The Alabama GOP Senate candidate has been accused of sexual misconduct with several teens, including a 14-year-old girl, The Washington Post reported.

Story continues

The angry videos, shared thousands of times, featured hashtags like #BoycottKeurig and #KeurigSmashChallenge.

Hannity retweeted some of the Keurig destruction videos on Sunday and hinted that he was purchasing 500 coffee makers of an unnamed brand to give away to those who made such clips.

Deplorable friends, I am buying 500 coffee makers tomorrow to give away!! Details on radio and TV. Hint; best videos!!  Sean Hannity (@seanhannity) November 13, 2017

Many responded to the trend with a mixture of indifference or support:

How was your day?

I destroyed my coffee maker because the company that made it stopped advertising on a show where the host defended a child molester.

Cool. https://t.co/tiqpNBdSxY  Jon Favreau (@jonfavs) November 13, 2017

Destroying your Keurig because the company took a stand against pedophelia is a great idea. Caffeine is clearly clouding your judgement.  Emery Emery (@emeryemeryii) November 13, 2017

Folks, you don't actually need the Keurig Coffee Maker, though.



You can get just as much coffee by squeezing the k-cups with your hands.



(In other news, good on Keurig, but those cups are still an environmental catastrophe)  Andrew Thaler (@DrAndrewThaler) November 13, 2017

Dont #BoycottKeurig, they pulled their ads from Hannity & deserve to be celebrated for it. @Keurig  Scott Dworkin (@funder) November 12, 2017

An open letter to Keurig bashers:



YOU CANT BOYCOTT SOMETHING YOUVE ALREADY BOUGHT!   JustSaki (@Just_Saki_) November 13, 2017

Sorry, I was off Twitter for a while - it appears that people are destroying coffee machines to show their support of child molesters?  Geraldine (@everywhereist) November 13, 2017

Hannity was lambasted over his coverage of the Moore scandal after he appeared to justify the allegations and blame the victims.

Moore has also tried to discredit his accusers and slammed the allegations as a politically motivated attack ahead of a Dec. 12 special election to fill the Senate seat vacated by now-Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

I am not guilty of sexual misconduct with anyone, Moore said on Saturday in response to the allegations. I have the highest regard for protection of young women.

Many Republicans have withdrawn their support for Moore since the bombshell report was released by The Washington Post. The party has also been scrambling to develop a strategy in light of the accusations, including efforts to launch a write-in campaign for another candidate.

Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today.

Related...

Heres What Could Happen With Roy Moore And The Alabama Senate Ballot

The Excuses Men Are Making For Roy Moore

2 GOP Senators Drop Endorsements Of Roy Moore

Roy Moore During Speech To Honor Vets: Accusations Against Me Are 'Hurtful'

Also on HuffPost

Anchor Asks Why A Muslim Would Write About Christianity

"You're a Muslim, so why did you write a book about the founder of Christianity?" Fox's Lauren Green asked scholar and author Reza Aslan during a 2013 interview.



Face, meet palm.

'Obama's Hip-Hop BBQ Didn't Create Jobs'

Greg Gutfeld Has Thoughts On Fossil Fuel

"Isn't fossil fuels the ultimate renewable energy? It's renewed once. It used to be a dinosaur. Now it's fuel. How is that not renewable?"

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
People on Twitter are using a powerful hashtag to condemn Republican Senate nominee Roy Moore of Alabama amid the recent allegations that he sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl.

North Carolina lawyer Catherine R.L. Lawson created the hashtag #MeAt14 a few hours after the news broke Thursday that Moore allegedly gave a 14-year-old girl alcohol and touched her inappropriately in 1979, when he was 32 years old. Three other women say that Moore pursued them sexually when they were between 16 and 18 years old.

While most Senate Republicans immediately distanced themselves from Moore, many GOP officials in Alabama stood by the Senate nominee. One Alabama Marion County GOP chairman even dismissed the allegations to the Toronto Star, insinuating that a 14-year-old can give consent.

I shared a picture of me at 14 to illustrate there is no acceptable version of this story, Lawson told BBC. Teenagers cant consent to a relationship with a grown man, ever.

Cant consent at 14.

Not in Alabama.

Not anywhere. #MeAt14 pic.twitter.com/AFUw1Ru4X2  Catherine R L Lawson (@catlawson) November 10, 2017

Moore responded to the allegations on Saturday, calling them hurtful and politically motivated, designed to ruin his Senate chances in a vote that will take place Dec. 12.

I am not guilty of sexual misconduct with anyone, Moore said. I have the highest regard for protection of young women ... I have not provided alcoholic beverages, beer, or anything else to a minor.

The #MeAt14 hashtag picked up steam when Lizz Winstead, co-creator of The Daily Show, tweeted a photo of herself at 14 on Saturday.

This is me at 14. I was on the gymnastics team and sang in the choir. I was not dating a 32 year old man, Winstead wrote, asking others to tweet a picture of their 14-year-old selves.

Story continues

This is me at 14. I was on the gymnastics team and sang in the choir. I was not dating a 32 year old man. Who were you at 14? Tweet a pic, tell us who you were and pic to the top of your page #MeAt14 #NoMoore pic.twitter.com/HPVzMgaD8h  Lizz Winstead (@lizzwinstead) November 12, 2017

Many women and men joined in on the #MeAt14 hashtag. Some described how naive they were at 14, reiterating that someone so young cannot give consent to a 32-year-old man.

Others shared photos of their teen selves along with their stories of sexual abuse and how theyve healed.

Winstead told HuffPost she believes the hashtag resonated with so many people because women profoundly understand that they are vulnerable to predators by their mere existence, adding that to hear dating used by Moore as a way to lay blame on his 14-year-old victim was not going to stand.

Story continues below.

#MeAt14 A CHILD. Nothing more. Any man who thinks otherwise should be locked up. pic.twitter.com/dMQDu4MsW4  christine  (@Masta1Christine) November 13, 2017

This is #MeAt14; although I was a HUGE Prince fan, I didnt date a 32 yrs old man & they would have been scared to ask my Mom #NoMoore pic.twitter.com/ShuINPntjC  Marie Delus (@MarieDelus) November 12, 2017

#MeAt14 I hid my school progress reports because I was failing math. Only thing I wanted was contact lenses. And a new Swatch. I was a nerd. And a child. pic.twitter.com/KZFVHVRct8  barb sobel (@barbsobel) November 13, 2017

This is me at 14. I had just gotten my 1st job & was excited to be in my churchs fashion show. I wasnt dating 30 yo men! #MeAt14 #NoMoore pic.twitter.com/XFF0pOhofa  Areva Martin, Esq. (@ArevaMartin) November 13, 2017

This is me at 14. Likes: volleyball, singing in the choir (not very well) penny loafers, feathered hair and pink lip gloss. #MeAt14 #NoMoore pic.twitter.com/nV6l4fARJx  Sheareh (@sheareh) November 13, 2017

In 1961, this is #MeAt14 in Decatur, IL. Growing up a cute boy in the 1950s, the predators werent just strangers. They were friends & family. The recent news has caused more flashbacks, PTSD, and caution than usual. Folks should know these are hard times for all survivors. pic.twitter.com/clScOr3gNL  Loren Coleman (@CryptoLoren) November 13, 2017

This is me at 14, a shy and innocent bookworm. No way is a 14-yr-old developmentally prepared to date a 32-yr-old man. #MeAt14 #NoMoore pic.twitter.com/e5pYBcMyx3  Fern Naomi Renville (@Fern_Renville) November 12, 2017

I was focused on my grades and dance class, and had just gotten my braces off #MeAt14 pic.twitter.com/pNL551xZ7R  Holly Cukier (@HollyCukier) November 13, 2017

Me at 15. At #disneyworld with family. Only a year older than the kids that #raymoore had affairs with. Lets be clear, 14 year olds are #children. So are 15 and 16 year olds. #nomoore #MeAt14 pic.twitter.com/pEpBq0MjCI  Benish Shah (@benishshah) November 13, 2017

I wanted to be on Broadway. I wore too much jewelry, was dreaming about Ricky Schroeder & would not kiss a boy for another 2 yrs. #MeAt14 pic.twitter.com/k8ZANU3yGo  Stephanie J. Block (@StephanieJBlock) November 13, 2017

A picture around the age when as a teen #MeAt14 when I was sexually assaulted, over 40 years ago. Still remember it to this day, though at the time I did not report it, nor tell anyone, since I didn't know it was assault. I do now,

That doesn't mean it didn't happen @MooreSenate pic.twitter.com/EjcxBluzCg  Timothy McBride (@mcbridetd) November 11, 2017

This is #MeAt14 , having already been abused by a grown man. I'm lost. Battling anorexia, bulimia, insomnia, low self esteem, I've already begun drinking.



This is what the aftermath of sexual abuse looks like. #NoMoore pic.twitter.com/D9loYOAJZp  Laura Parrott Perry (@lparrottperry) November 13, 2017

#MeAt14 if anyone saw me as a sexual being at this point in my life, there is a serious issue pic.twitter.com/OppQ2uKgNT  rumple fugly (@nutsintheair) November 13, 2017

#MeAt14 All I wanted to do was play softball. I was attacked by a neighbor boy who had snuck into our house. I fought him and broke the kitchen. My stepfather beat me and said it was my fault. #NoMoore pic.twitter.com/XtnOqBGrpV  OMG IM This (@weatherbee_lisa) November 13, 2017

Big names like actress Alyssa Milano, journalists Gretchen Carlson and Katie Couric, and author Jenny Han weighed in on the #MeAt14 conversation.

I was eating a lot of chocolate chip cookie dough and learning to do the hustle and not worrying about a 32 year old man trying to hustle me, Couric tweeted with a photo of herself as a teenager.

Milano wrote: I worshipped my brother. I loved my dog, Pucci. I loved OMD. I had Big hair. I was happy. I was innocent.

Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today.

#MeAt14 I worshipped my brother. I loved my dog, Pucci. I loved OMD. I had Big hair. I was happy. I was innocent.



Please share your #MeAt14. pic.twitter.com/ccPyVHgcVS  Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) November 12, 2017

This is me at 14. I liked to bake cookies and read. My favorite perfume was Victorias Secret Freesia. I had a crush on a boy named George. #MeAt14 #NoMoore pic.twitter.com/ROaJfi1a4i  Jenny Han (@jennyhan) November 12, 2017

I was eating a lot of chocolate chip cookie dough and learning to do the hustle and not worrying about a 32 year old man trying to hustle me. #MeAt14 pic.twitter.com/xp7UPiiZdq  Katie Couric (@katiecouric) November 12, 2017

Head over to Twitter to read more #MeAt14 stories.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
Papua New Guinea officials deployed police vehicles and buses around a shuttered Australian refugee camp Monday as a deadline passed for some 400 detainees to move from the controversial centre.

Hundreds of men have refused to leave the Manus Island camp in an increasingly tense stand-off with authorities since Australia declared the facility closed on October 31 and shut off electricity and water.

Refugees said police filled in wells and drilled holes in storage tanks that they had been using to hold drinking water, as part of the effort to force them out on Monday.

Inmates sent out photos showing a line of buses and police vehicles outside the camp, built on a former PNG naval base, a day after Immigration Minister Petrus Thomas gave them 24 hours to get out.

More than 100 of the refugees have left for three "transition" centres on Manus since it was officially closed.

The remaining men, who have been held on Manus for more than four years, insist they should be resettled in third countries and not simply transferred to another detention camp in PNG.

"We are still refusing to leave this prison camp for another prison camp," tweeted Behrooz Boochani, a Kurdish-Iranian refugee and journalist.

Thomas told the detainees in a statement Sunday that they needed to leave by Monday, but he stopped short of saying they would be moved forcibly.

Under its harsh immigration policy, Australia has been sending asylum-seekers who try to reach the country by boat to Manus or a second camp for families on the Pacific island of Nauru.

The PNG Supreme Court recently declared the Manus camp unconstitutional, forcing Australia to close the site.

Australian and PNG authorities insist the three transition centres built to house the refugees provide basic services including food and water.

But Boochani told AFP on Sunday that men who had moved to the centres had complained of harsh conditions.

Meanwhile New Zealand's new prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, was hoping to convince her Australian counterpart, Malcolm Turnbull, to accept her offer to take 150 refugees from Manus and Nauru.

Story continues

Turnbull snubbed the offer when she raised it in bilateral meetings in Sydney a week ago.

But Ardern said she would press the issue in a "substantive" talk with Turnbull on the sidelines of this week's East Asia Summit in the Philippines.

"I think it's clear that we don't see what's happening there as acceptable, that's why the offer's there," she said.

Canberra has struggled to transfer refugees from Manus and Nauru, with just 54 accepted so far by the United States under a deal reached with former president Barack Obama. His successor, Donald Trump, has called the deal "dumb".

Australia's offshore processing policy has been criticised by the United Nations and rights groups as essentially placing refugees in indefinite detention.

But the government says it has stopped deaths at sea after a spate of drownings.
Warsaw (AFP) - Poland's right-wing leaders on Monday spoke out against xenophobia after a controversial Independence Day march organised by far-right groups.

Having started small in 2009, the annual event attracted a large following this year, with police estimating the crowd on Saturday in Warsaw at around 60,000.

While many marchers denied membership of or sympathy for extreme right groups, the event also drew representatives of far-right parties from Britain, Hungary, Italy and Slovakia, among others.

Dramatic images of the event showed some marchers holding banners saying "Pure blood" and "Europe will be white", while others chanted "Pure Poland, white Poland" and "Refugees get out".

Poland's conservative President Andrzej Duda insisted Monday that "there is no place or consent in our country for xenophobia, there is no place in our country for sick nationalism, there is no place in our country for anti-Semitism."

The American Jewish Congress on Monday urged the "Polish government to expressly oppose the hatred fueled by the Polish extreme right."

The AJC added that the march "was used to promote the slogans of white supremacists and neo-Nazi rhetoric."

Duda was echoed by the powerful leader of Poland's ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, widely regarded as Poland's defacto powerbroker.

Kaczynski called the far-right slogans at Saturday's march "extremely bad, completely unacceptable", but insisted they were "very marginal" incidents.

"The Polish tradition that we identify with has nothing to do with anti-Semitism, we are far from it, and have nothing to do with racism, nothing to do with xenophobia," Kaczynski said.

He also said the racist slogans could have been a "provocation" by "those who want to harm Poland", without specifying who he had in mind.

The PiS leader himself campaigned on a staunchly anti-refugee platform in 2015, claiming that refugees were bringing "cholera to the Greek islands, dysentery to Vienna, various types of parasites" -- comments that critics at the time slammed as racist.
Wall Streets dirty little secret

By David Nelson, CFA

Lets start by stating the obvious. Avoiding taxes is the national pastime. Since the dawn of organized society special interest groups have employed petitioners to lobby for better treatment under the tax code. Im sure even in the days of Egyptian Pharaohs, there was a cottage industry helping some avoid taxes on cooking oil. Today, an army of lobbyists has descended on Washington like locusts to preserve or establish a loophole to cut the tax burden on their clients.

When it comes to special interest groups, theres nothing more special than hedge funds, real estate and private equity firms. Carried interest is one of those Wall Street terms that forces a yawn as you roll your eyes looking to change the TV channel. Your lack of interest is just what the industry is hoping for. If current proposals from both the House and Senate are an indication of the final tax reform package, then once again your government has failed you protecting one of the most egregious tax loopholes in modern history.

Before we get deep into the forest, lets establish just what carried interest is and why its important. Carried interest is a share of the profits paid to an investment manager in excess of the amount the manager contributes to the partnership, often called a performance fee. The advantage is, under current tax law much of that income is magically transformed into capital gain taxed at just 23.8% rather than as ordinary income which for many private equity, hedge fund and real estate managers would be the top rate of 39.6%. Private equity enjoys the biggest benefit as more of its investments are held long term, unlike hedge fund counterparts who trade frequently.

According to the Tax Policy Institute, a non-partisan think tank out of Washington, private equity was controlling $3.8 trillion as of 2014. The math is pretty simple. It doesnt take long to realize that with a potential 20%-30% performance fee, theres a lot at stake.

Story continues

Of course, supporters of carried interest say its an incentive to get better performance out of money managers. Excuse me, Hello?! If your money managers arent doing the best they can regardless of the fee paid, go to their offices and tell them: Youre fired!

Top Private Equity Contributors 2017-2018

Source: OpenSecrets.org

Hedge funds have been big political donors for some time, but recently private equity firms may be sensing they have the most to lose, and they are quickly making their political clout known. OponSecrets.org (Center for Responsive Politics) says private equity has recently increased its campaign contributions and lobbying efforts to fend off legislation aimed at boosting the tax rate on private equity managers earnings.

The industrys arrogance is captured in the 2010 comments of Blackstone Groups chief executive Stephen Schwarzman. He compared any attempt to shut down the carried interest loophole to war, saying, Its like when Hitler invaded Poland in 1939. Hes apologized since, but I suspect this is the sentiment throughout much of the private equity community.

Politicians duck the issue

Making the rounds last week, Secretary of State Steven Mnuchin was speaking to the merits of the current GOP tax bill as he tried to deflect hard hitting questions from Fox Business news anchor Trish Regan. Later that day, former Chief of Staff to President George W. Bush, Karl Rove, dismissed carried interest as too small to deal with now.

When the first version of the House bill was released, carried interest wasnt even mentioned. Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee Kevin Brady thinks hes solved the problem by extending the holding period to 3 years. Its an insult to believe this somehow changes the outcome. The average holding period for private equity is over 5 years. In the end, those on the receiving end give up nothing.

House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady, R-Texas, left, calls for a short recess to consider his managers amendment, to the objections of Rep. Richard Neal, D-Mass., right, the ranking member, as the GOP tax bill debate enters a final day, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

I dont blame the financial community for using the loophole. It is entitled to do everything it can to lower the tax burden. Its the politicians who take their money and behind closed doors do their bidding.

There will be those who point to this as a GOP giveaway. Theres nothing partisan about it. Supporters for carried interest exist on both sides of the aisle. I doubt a change in the balance of power in 2018 or 2020 would tip the scales the other way.

Candidate Trump campaigned against carried interest saying, Hedge fund guys are getting away with murder. I understand politics is about compromise, but every now and then you come across something so wrong and unfair, you have put your foot down. Mr. President, respectfully, this is one of those times.

-

Please contact your Belpointe investment advisor representative if there are any changes in your financial situation or investment objectives.

Investment advice is offered through Belpointe Asset Management, LLC. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. Insurance products are offered through Belpointe Insurance, LLC and Belpointe Specialty Insurance, LLC. It is important to read our email disclosures available at this link: http://belpointe.com/disclosures.
President Donald Trump had a little trouble figuring out an awkward group handshake with world leaders at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit on Monday  and people on Twitter noticed.

Trump was standing on stage at the Manila summit alongside leaders including Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc when they crossed their arms for a traditional group handshake.

Video of the moment shows the U.S. president looking slightly bewildered as everyone else around him took hands. At first, he grabbed Xuan Phucs hand with both of his. Then, a couple of seconds and a few funny faces later, Trump realized his mistake and switched his hands over to join in with the group shake. The internet was quick to respond:

Donald Trump hasn't quite got the hang of the ASEAN handshake with Rodrigo Duterte in Manila today. pic.twitter.com/Z6YlmU0G0O  Audrey Young (@audreyNZH) November 13, 2017

good luck to whoever has three weeks to get this regional production of Mamma Mia! into shape pic.twitter.com/eCZ81VxbMi  Dave Itzkoff (@ditzkoff) November 13, 2017

This is what peak performance looks like pic.twitter.com/BiH7gUMk9C  j.r. hennessy (@jrhennessy) November 13, 2017

In another strange and candid moment from the ASEAN summit, Duterte  who recently said he stabbed someone to death when he was a teenage because of a look  sang a Filipino love song on the orders of Donald Trump shortly before the summit.

Story continues

In a meeting Monday, Trump praised Dutertes hospitality and said nothing about human rights, including the thousands killed in the countrys blood drug crackdown. The two men also shared a laugh in the meeting when Duterte called reporters spies, the Associated Press reports.

The awkward moment at ASEAN is not the first time that Trump has made headlines for a handshake. French President Emmanuel Macrons knuckles famously turned white after he shook Trumps hand at the NATO summit in May and in July the pair had a lengthy 25-second handshake as they marked the end of Trumps trip to France.

Trump also famously shook Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abes hand for 19 seconds during an official meeting and held hands with British Prime Minister Theresa May as they walked along the colonnade of the White House.
(HANOI, Vietnam)  President Donald Trump is exchanging school yard taunts with North Koreas Kim Jong Un.

In a response to North Korea calling Trumps speech in South Korea reckless remarks by an old lunatic, Trump tweeted from Hanoi on Sunday morning: Why would Kim Jong-un insult me by calling me old, when I would NEVER call him short and fat?'

Trump goes on to say sarcastically, Oh well, I try so hard to be his friend  and maybe someday that will happen!

Trump has been working to rally global pressure against North Koreas nuclear weapons program on a trip to Asia. That includes a stern speech delivered in South Koreas National Assembly on Tuesday, in which he said: Do not underestimate us. And do not try us.  The weapons youre acquiring are not making you safer, they are putting your regime in grave danger. Every step you take down this dark path increases the peril you face.

On Saturday, Kims government responded by accusing Trump of trying to demonize North Korea, keep it apart from the international community and undermine its government.

Reckless remarks by an old lunatic like Trump will never scare us or stop our advance, the Norths Foreign Ministry said in a statement. On the contrary, all this makes us more sure that our choice to promote economic construction at the same time as building up our nuclear force is all the more righteous, and it pushes us to speed up the effort to complete our nuclear force.

North Korea is not known to have tested any of its missiles or nuclear devices since Sept. 15, a relative lull after a brisk series of tests earlier this year.

Asked at news conference with Vietnams president later Sunday if he could become friends with the North Korean leader, Trump replied it might be a strange thing to happen but its certainly a possibility.

He said he doesnt know if that friendship will develop, but added it would be very, very nice if it did.
Arizona State University professor Jaime Lara resigned shortly after being identified as a former New York City priest who sexually abused children. (Photo: ASU)

A renowned professor of medieval art history has resigned from his post at Arizona State University after he was unmasked by the Catholic church as a former priest who was defrocked for sexually abusing children 25 years ago.

James Lara, who also went by the first name Jaime, served 19 years in the Catholic ministry in New York City before being ousted in 1992 for the abuse, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn announced on Thursday.

Lara was one of eight former priests publicly identified for the first time by the church as having been defrocked, or laicized, for sexual offenses against children. (The others are listed below.)

A spokesman for ASU, who confirmed that Lara resigned the same day as the Brooklyn dioceses announcement, did not respond to questions on whether the school knew of his past life in the priesthood before last week or if it had received warnings about him.

Attorney Mitchell Garabedian, who is representing three of Laras victims and was portrayed in the Academy Award-winning film Spotlight for his work on cases of sexual abuse by clergy members, stressed that based on his experience, the churchs admission is only the tip of the iceberg.

It was well known that the priests sexually abused whomever they wanted whenever they wanted to, he told HuffPost on Monday.

The question remains why the Diocese of Brooklyn did not warn parishioners, he said. He called the Catholic Church totally irresponsible for not publicizing sooner that Father Lara was a sexual abuser.

Diocese spokeswoman Carolyn Erstad told The Arizona Republic that the church released the names last week following the recent creation of the Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program, which will provide financial compensation to abuse survivors. That program started in June.

It is important to note that all of the names posted on the Diocese of Brooklyns website were passed along to the appropriate law enforcement agencies years ago, Erstad told the news site. So while this is the first time they are being posted publicly, they were shared with law enforcement.

Story continues

Erstad did not specify which law enforcement agencies received the information or what actions resulted from it.

Requests by HuffPost for comment from Erstad and the New York Police Department were not immediately returned.

Arizona State University confirmed that Jaime Lara resigned on Thursday after he was on a list of defrocked priests published on the Brooklyn diocese's website. (Photo: mdilsiz via Getty Images)

Garabedian expressed skepticism on what information was allowed to leave the church.

The church deals in secrecy, he told HuffPost. Reporting it to the local authorities does not mean that the victim reported it to local authorities ... So one has to question what was actually reported.

After his quiet removal, Lara went on to have an illustrious academic career; he authored multiple books and publications, and colleges where he taught before arriving at ASU in 2013 include Yale Universitys Divinity School and Institute of Sacred Music and the University of Notre Dame.

Lara also was employed at California State University-Los Angeles as an assistant professor of art for a very brief period in the late 1990s, spokesman Robert Lopez told HuffPost.

Paul J. Browne, Notre Dames vice president of public affairs & communications, told HuffPost that Laras employment with the university was terminated in July of 2011, less than a year after he was hired. He declined to say why or if it was related to Laras past life in the priesthood.

Ricardo Gonzalez, 48, told the New York Times that he was around 11 years old when Lara began abusing him. Gonzalez, who has received compensation for what happened to him, said that in his adult years he called institutions that hired Lara to tell them about the former priests secret past. He said he felt like no one believed him.

I want everyone to know who he is, he told the Times. I want him to lose his job, I want him to not have a drink of water. He ruined the little belief that I have. He is a very, very horrible person.

Former priest Robert M. Hoatson, who helps abuse victims, told the Times that he also tried to warn others about Lara, including Notre Dame officials after hearing of his employment with the school.

Browne declined to comment to HuffPost on whether the university received any such warnings about Lara.

The other former priests identified by the Diocese of Brooklyn on Thursday are:

Joseph P. Byrns, ordained in 1969 and in active ministry until 2002.

William E. Finger, ordained in 1962 and in active ministry until 1980.

Stephen Placa, ordained in 1995 and in active ministry until 2002.

Thomas O. Morrow, ordained in 1971 and in active ministry until 1987.

Romano J. Ferraro, ordained in 1960 and in active ministry until 1988.

Charles M. Mangini, ordained in 1968 and in active ministry until 1993.

Christopher Lee Coleman, ordained in 1994 and in active ministry until 2011.

This story has been updated with comment from California State University-Los Angeles.

Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today.

Related...

Pope Francis Meets With Survivors Of Sex Abuse

Pope Francis Asks Forgiveness From Victims Of Clergy Sex Abuse

Pope Francis Urges Priests To Call Out The Exorcists

Pope Admits Church Was "Late" In Addressing Clergy Sex Abuse Scandal

Also on HuffPost

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
There are so many housing issues to sort out, even if the relationship lasts. (Photo: warrengoldswain via Getty Images)

Buying a house or condo with someone who hasnt put a ring on it is fraught with serious financial risks.

Plenty of laws help protect married couples when they split up and divide their property. No such legal sympathy exists for those who are unmarried and do the same.

Yet according to a widely quoted Coldwell Banker study from 2013, 1 in 4 unwed millennial couples had bought property together. The reasons were and are clear: Low-rate mortgages, rising rents, and the ability to deduct mortgage interest and property taxes from income taxes all make being a homeowner an attractive option. Some fear that if they dont buy now, they wont ever be able to afford it.

So unmarried couples will keep purchasing homes together, and then, sadly, many of them will fall out of love. To mitigate the financial pain of breaking up, here are some issues they should discuss before they buy.

How will you split costs?

Owning a home means coming up with a down payment and closing costs, covering property taxes and utilities, and paying repair and maintenance bills. Rarely can those financial responsibilities be split 50-50.

One person may have the savings for a heftier deposit. One may earn a higher regular salary and find it easier to make mortgage payments. One may be saddled with student debt or a low credit score. One may be skilled with tools and ready to do repairs around the house, raising the issue of whether in-kind contributions have a monetary value and what that value should be.

But if the contributions arent divided equally, should ownership of the home be divided equally?

How do you hold title to the property?

Certainly, one person can hold the title alone. That means the couple isnt really buying the property together  one person owns it and the other is essentially paying rent and probably shouldnt be expected to cover home repairs or taxes. Of course, the couple can still buy furniture together, decorate together and call the place home together.

Story continues

Two (or more) people can take title to a house as tenants in common. The percentages of ownership dont have to be equal. Upon the death of one such tenant, that persons share passes to their heirs, whoever they might be.

Heres how it might work and where the problems can arise: A widowed man who has two adult children buys a house with his new girlfriend as tenants in common. They each contribute half of all expenses, including the down payment. If the man dies, his share of the house passes to his designated heirs  likely his adult children. His new girlfriend still owns her half of the house, but she may not be able to continue living there unless an agreement can be reached with his kids. They may want her to start paying them rent. Or they might be eager to get their whole inheritance by selling the house. A tenant in common can bring a lawsuit to force a property sale if the other co-owners are unwilling to sell. The court can order the property sold, with the proceeds split among the co-owners according to their ownership shares.

Alternatively, two unrelated people can own a house as joint tenants, where the full title to the property automatically passes to the surviving partner upon the other partners death. There isnt even a formal probate process.

Joint tenancy is a popular way to hold title among married couples. Unmarried couples may or may not be willing to pass that big an asset on to the other person.

What happens if you split up?

Before unwed couples leap into homeownership, theyd be well advised to draw up a legal document spelling out all the what-ifs and what-wed-do-thens.

What happens to the house in case of a breakup? Address the issue of buying each other out and how to resolve the matter if both of you want the house. You may want a contract to automatically give one of you the first right to buy out the other at fair market value within 90 days. Or you may opt for a coin toss to decide who gets to buy out the other. (Yup, that can be legal if you agree to it.)

What if one partner wants to break up, move out and let somebody else live in the house in their place? What if one partner wants to break up, not move out and bring somebody else to live in the house with them?

What happens if one partner gets a great job offer in another city and the other partner cant afford to stay behind and maintain the house alone, but doesnt want to move?

If you have a child, will anything about the ownership arrangement change?

Talk these things through and get your solutions down in writing before you close the deal.

Mortgages dont disappear when love does.

A pre-purchase contract shouldnt cover just questions of how you hold the ownership title. Theres also the matter of the mortgage. Taking your name off the title isnt necessarily enough to wash your hands of this chapter of your life. If you co-signed the loan, youll still be on the hook.

That means their credit limit  the amount of money they can borrow from financial institutions  could still be tied up in the house. As long as their name remains on the loan, their credit will be affected by their former partners ability to pay the mortgage on time. And if the one who stayed actually misses payments, the one who left is still responsible.

One suggestion is to agree in advance that if the relationship dissolves, the home will be refinanced, removing the departing partners name. Decide who pays any refinancing costs. What if the mortgage cant be refinanced because, say, the original loan was granted based on two salaries and the remaining partners income isnt enough to obtain a new loan? Perhaps then, you agree that the house will be sold to a third party within a fixed period of time. Spell it all out.

What happens in real life?

HuffPost talked to two unmarried couples  one younger, one older  about how and why they decided to buy property together. Then we ran their situations by an estate planning lawyer for some general advice.

Radio producer Evan Chung and wedding DJ Karin Fjellman began dating in 2011 and moved in together in 2013. Last year, when their out-of-state landlord wanted to sell the Chicago condo they were renting, they raised their hands to buy it.

Evan Chung and Karin Fjellman bought a condo together in Chicago. (Photo: Courtesy of Karin Fjellman)

We really hadnt been in the market to buy, but faced with the prospect of moving, we looked around a little bit, saw this was a good deal and went for it, Fjellman said.

They bought the unit for about $265,000, with Fjellman, who had more in savings, contributing more money toward the down payment. They have an understanding that Chung will repay her the difference and that they will be equal partners in ownership.

Did they get a legal document drawn up laying out the terms of ownership, as her mother suggested?

No, we didnt, Fjellman said. In the rush of buying, they just didnt  which speaks to the point, she said, that they love one another, feel committed (theyd already adopted a beagle together, she noted) and are both comfortable with their co-ownership.

We never thought owning a place was even a possibility until the opportunity basically fell into our lap. We trust each other, so we figured, what the heck? Fjellman said, adding, Famous last words, maybe.

They opened a joint checking account and each of them deposits an equal amount a month to cover their living expenses. They also use the Splitwise app to keep track of those expenses, including Chungs ongoing repayment of the down payment. For a few years now, Chung, who gets health insurance through his job, has covered Fjellman as a domestic partner. Theyve been using Splitwise to keep track of that, too.

We have been very open about our finances, she said.

What would happen if one of them received a job offer elsewhere or wanted to move out for whatever reason? Fjellman said they would deal with the situation, noting that they could always rent out the condo to cover the monthly mortgage if the market wasnt strong enough to sell.

This is an investment for us, she said. We would work it out.

Even now, it isnt too late for Chung and Fjellman to put in writing what they want, said Laurie Murphy, a partner at Valensi Rose PLC in Los Angeles, who was speaking generally. She suggested that their agreement include, at the very least, what happens if one wants to sell and one doesnt, what theyll do if one loses a job and cant contribute financially, what happens if they break up or decide to marry, and who will inherit the others interest if one of them dies.

Bottom line: Owning property can be complicated, and in my opinion it is always best to have something in writing, especially if you are unmarried, Murphy said. When and if they go to document their agreement, it will of course force them to confront some uncomfortable issues  similar to those confronted by couples who document pre- and post-nuptial agreements.

I couldnt have asked for a more perfect arrangement.

Elizabeth Lees and Mel Schwimmer were both married to other people when they met at an Alzheimers support group for patients and their caregivers.

The four of us would go to dinner sometimes, said Lees. But then our spouses worsened and had to be moved to a facility, and Mel and I were left.

A relationship blossomed. We got on together really, really well, she said.

Mel Schwimmer and Elizabeth Lees co-purchased a house, but saw a lawyer first. (Photo: Courtesy of Elizabeth Lees)

Three years ago, they decided to move in together. They sold their respective houses and paid cash for a 1,900-square-foot condo in Marina del Ray, California. In Lees case, the sale of her house also provided the money to pay for her husbands care.

Both Lees and Schwimmer have adult children and they went into their condo co-ownership with a whats mine is mine and whats yours is yours attitude. They continue to keep their finances separate. They have one joint checking account from which all household expenses, including property taxes and the homeowners association bills, are covered. They pay their own way on vacations, buy their own cars and their own insurance, and are not responsible for each others medical bills.

Lees and Schwimmer went to a lawyer to help them set up their ownership terms and were transparent with their children to avoid potential conflict down the road. They own the condo 50-50 in a life estate, which means that when one of them dies, the other can live in the condo until that person dies or moves. When they are both gone from the condo, the ownership reverts to their respective trusts. At that point, their heirs can sell it.

Although both their spouses have died, Lees said they have no plans to marry each other. It just would be too complicated. I couldnt have asked for a more perfect arrangement, she said.

Purchases made by later-in-life unwed couples can present especially complicated issues, said Murphy, who advised Lees and Schwimmer. Their financial affairs may differ significantly. One will have more money than the other, the lawyer said. Plus, there can be adult children, minor children, grandchildren and sometimes elderly parents to be considered.

But any time two unmarried people of any age want to buy property together, its imperative that they plan for an infinite number of what-ifs, Murphy said. Without a legal document, there are no rights or rules to protect them if they split, she said.

Just get it in writing.

Whether or not youre investing in property together, there are such things as cohabitation agreements, which set forth the who-gets-what in a breakup, much like a prenup, Murphy said.

Otherwise known as no-nups, these written contracts are designed to ensure that the assets a person brings into a relationship remain under that persons control if the relationship ends. They can also address what happens to property acquired during the period of unwedded bliss.

Finally, dont count on the idea of common-law marriage to sort things out for you. There is a mistaken belief that people who live together for seven years are automatically married somehow. Only 15 states and the District of Columbia recognize common-law marriage by statute, and even those states offer little uniformity in how real property is divisible. On top of that, theres this big problem: You may have a common-law marriage, but there is no such thing as a common-law divorce.

Murphys advice for those buying a house is simple: Get married or get a legal agreement.

Also on HuffPost

This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated.

Related Stories
Its beginning to look a bit like Christmas at New York Citys Rockefeller Center  but dont worry, you still have more than a month of shopping to go.

A 75-foot Norway spruce arrived in the Big Apple on Saturday to grace the plaza this holiday season. The installation caps an estimated 240-mile journey from State College, Pennsylvania, where the tree was cut down.

The massive holiday tree will be adorned with more than 50,000 lights and topped with a Swarovski star before its lighted on Nov. 29. It will continue to shine in the famed plaza until Jan. 7.

A crane hoists the Rockefeller Center tree upright on Saturday in New York City. (Photo: Stephanie Keith via Getty Images)

After that, the tree will be donated to the nonprofit Habitat for Humanity to be used as lumber for building homes, according to the events webpage. This will be the 11th straight year the Rockefeller Center tree has gone to the charity.

This years tree will be the plazas 86th Christmas tree. Though many New Yorkers have become used to the annual sight of a massive holiday tree, one employee working in Rockefeller Center said the ritual never gets old.

The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is going up on the plaza! https://t.co/iyGpETgTrK pic.twitter.com/zRjhJaHUYq  TODAY (@TODAYshow) November 11, 2017

It doesnt matter how many times you have seen this tree, when you have the opportunity to see it roll in in person, theres nothing that beats it, she told 1010 WINS Samantha Liebman.

Check out more photos of the tree on its way from Pennsylvania to the Big Apple below:

Community members watch as the 75-foot Norway spruce is loaded onto a truck to be taken to Rockefeller Center in New York City on Thursday, Nov. 9.

The Norway spruce from Pikeview Road is carefully lifted by a crane after being cut.

With a banner and a strand of holiday lights, the 75-foot Norway spruce heads off to Rockefeller Center on Nov. 9.

The Rockefeller Center tree arrives in Manhattan on a truck.

Workers place the Rockefeller Center tree on its base.

The tree will remain on display on the plaza until Jan. 7.

The tree will be lit for the first time on Wednesday, Nov. 29.

The Rockefeller Center tree is seen just before it is set upright.

A worker drives a spike into the bottom of the Rockefeller Center tree during the installation.

The 75-foot Norway Spruce from State College, Pennsylvania, will become the 86th Christmas tree to grace the plaza.

A crane hoists the Rockefeller Center tree upright on Saturday in New York City.

Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
Roy Moore, seen here speaking at the Values Voter Summit of the Family Research Council in Washington, DC on October 13, 2017, faces allegations of pursuing relationships with underage women: REUTERS/James Lawler Duggan

More than a third of evangelical Christians in Alabama have said they are more likely to vote for Roy Moore, the Republican candidate for Senate, after claims surfaced that he had sexual contact with a 14-year-old girl.

Thirty-seven per cent of people who said they were evangelical Christians would be more likely to pick him over Democratic rival Doug Jones even after details of the allegations were published by The Washington Post, they told pollsters JMC.

The claims, relating to events in the late 1970s and early 80s, made 28 per cent of evangelicals less likely to support Mr Moore, while 34 per cent said they made no difference.

Mr Moore, at the time 18 years his accuser's senior, has denied the Posts report, calling it fake news and saying he would sue in response.

Overall, 29 per cent of the 575 responders said they would be more likely to vote for the former judge following the report. The poll had a 4.1 per cent margin of error.

Related:

For more news videos visit Yahoo View.

Mr Jones has overtaken Mr Moore in JMCs latest poll  with 46 per cent of people saying they would back him over Republican Mr Moore. It was a significant shift from its previous poll in early October.

In its analysis, JMC said Mr Moore had lost his lead particularly among men. Mr Jones appeared to have attracted more undecided voters, it said, adding that the political climate has become less favourable for Republicans even in Alabama.

President Donald Trump, also a Republican, has seen his own approval ratings slide in the state since winning it convincingly in the November 2016 election.

But those who did not register a view on Mr Trumps job performance may hold the key in Alabama, JMC suggested, saying that group was more likely to favour Mr Jones.

The pollsters added: Those who approve of President Trump support a Republican by a near-unanimous 82-11 per cent, but Moore is only favoured 76-10 per cent.

Story continues

In summary, Roy Moore has in the last month seen the race move against him.

While the general election is still a month away, he needs to reassemble the Republican base and recognise that in the aftermath of the 7 November national elections, there is tangible evidence that Democrats are clearly more energised, and that benefits Jones.
WASHINGTON  Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., released a statement Monday demanding that Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore step aside after another woman came forward and said he had assaulted her when she was 16 years old.

Gardner, the head of the Senates political fundraising arm, said Moore should be expelled from Congress if Alabama votes him into office Dec. 12 despite two women accusing him of sexually assaulting them when they were minors. Three other teen girls said he pursued a relationship with them when he was in his 30s, the Washington Post reported.

If he refuses to withdraw and wins, the Senate should vote to expel him, because he does not meet the ethical and moral requirements of the United States Senate, Gardner said in a statement. The Colorado Republican, who chairs the National Republican Senatorial Committee, had endorsed Moore after he defeated Sen. Luther Strange in a primary.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., on Monday also called for Moore to exit the race, saying he believes the women who have accused the former judge of misconduct. A recent poll found that Moore was leading his Democratic challenger Doug Jones by 10 points.

So could Moore be expelled from the Senate if he wins, and what does that entail?

It takes two thirds of the Senate  67 votes  to expel one of its members, and the body has taken that step just 15 times. Fourteen senators were expelled for supporting the Confederacy during the Civil War, according to the Senates historians. William Blount, a Republican from Tennessee, was expelled for conspiring with the British to buy Louisiana to drive up his own land prices in 1798. Blount, a signer of the Constitution, refused to attend his own trial in the Senate chamber.

Sen. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, left, on allegations against Roy Moore, right: I believe the women, yes. (Photo: ABC News)

No senator has been expelled in modern times, in part because those implicated in corruption scandals tend to simply resign before facing the humiliation of an expulsion vote.

If Gardner makes good on his threat to pursue expulsion for Moore and other senators join him, a lengthy ethics investigation would cloud the first few months of Moores time in Washington.

Story continues

Robert Walker, the former chief counsel of the Senate Ethics Committee, said that in Moores case, the committee would likely begin to investigate the allegations against Moore and then go through the process of holding hearings, which could take months.

Walker said the ethics committee believes misconduct before a senator is elected is still within its purview for investigation, and age of the decades-old allegations would likely not deter investigators.

I suspect in this case if there is a proceeding involving Mr. Moore that all sides will want it to be as accelerated as possible consistent with fairness, Walker said.

After the committee released its findings, the Senate majority leader would then decide whether to hold an expulsion vote.

Though its unusual for a senator to be threatened with expulsion before even being elected, it has happened in the past, Walker said. Sen. Roland Burris, who filled Barack Obamas Senate seat after he was elected president, was threatened with expulsion before he was appointed by Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich. Then-Majority Leader Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., said he would not seat Burris.

Reid didnt follow through on the threat, and Burris served out his term despite an ethics investigation during his short time in the Senate.

If Moore is elected and then expelled, he may have a powerful legal argument to make that senators were attempting to deny him his seat entirely, which the Supreme Court has ruled in the past is illegal. A congressman won his case in 1969 after he was expelled from the House for corruption by saying the expulsion vote was an attempt to deny him the seat altogether instead of booting him out for misconduct once he was in office.

Holding hearings and investigating Moores alleged misconduct could ward off that argument, however.

It may be just a matter of checking your boxes and superficial distinctions, said Adam Winkler, a law professor at UCLA. They cannot refuse to seat him, but they can expel him on day one.

Read more from Yahoo News:
Woman says Alabama nominee for Senate attacked her in a car and threatened her: You are a child. If you tell anyone, no one will believe you



Another woman has come forward to accuse Alabama Senate nominee Roy Moore of sexual misconduct when she was a teenager, as national Republicans continued to flee from the controversial candidate.

Beverly Young Nelson, speaking on Monday at a news conference in New York with attorney Gloria Allred, alleged Moore sexually assaulted her when she was 16.

Nelson said that Moore physically attacked her in a car, grabbing her breasts and trying to force her head down on to his crotch.

I thought he was going to rape me, said Nelson, who at one point broke down in tears.

Nelson also alleged that the Republican Senate candidate threatened her after the assault. He then looked at me and said, You are a child. I am the district attorney of Etowah County. If you tell anyone about this, no one will believe you.

And she said: When I got home, I went to my room, and the following morning, my neck was black and blue and purple.

In a statement released shortly before the press conference, Moore called the allegations a witch hunt. Later, Moore gave a statement to local news: This is absolutely false. I never did what she said I did. I dont even know the woman. I dont know anything about her. I dont even know where the restaurant is or was.

Nelson had produced her high school yearbook, which Moore signed, and said Moore had been a regular at the restaurant where she worked.

Nelsons statement follows a Washington Post report last week that the Moore had had sexual contact with a 14-year-old girl and pursued three other teenagers decades earlier when he was in his 30s.

Immediately after the press conference, Cory Gardner, the chair of the National Republican Senate Committee, said that if elected on 12 December, Moore should be expelled from the Senate.

I believe the individuals speaking out against Roy Moore spoke with courage and truth, proving he is unfit to serve in the United States Senate and he should not run for office. If he refuses to withdraw and wins, the Senate should vote to expel him, because he does not meet the ethical and moral requirements of the United States Senate.

Story continues

Beverly Young Nelson (left) with attorney Gloria Allred during a press conference: I thought he was going to rape me. Photograph: Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/AFP/Getty Images

His statement followed remarks by Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell, who said earlier on Monday that Moore should step aside from the race and added of his accusers: I believe the women.

In response, Moore said McConnell was the person who should step aside.

Other Republicans have distanced themselves as well. Senator Ted Cruz withdrew his endorsement of Moore on Monday. I cant urge the people of Alabama to support a campaign in the face of these charges without serious persuasive demonstration that the charges are not true, said the Texas Republican. Among those senators who initially backed Moore, only Rand Paul has yet to withdraw his endorsement.

The toughest comment by a Republican was by Senator Jeff Flake of Arizona, who told reporters Monday: If the choice is between Roy Moore and a Democrat, I would run to the polling place to vote for the Democrat.

Moore has insisted he will stay in the race. Dean Young, a top adviser, pledged on Monday to the Guardian: Hes going to run, hes going to win and hes going to be seated or there will be in trouble in this nation.

Young viewed the attempt to pressure Moore to step down as a coup and described the allegations as two worlds colliding, elitist Republicans and the establishment which includes the Democrats and the fake news versus the good solid people of Alabama.

Homosexuality should be illegal

In 2005, Moore said: Homosexual conduct should be illegal. In an interview televised on C-Span, Moore added: It is immoral. It is defined by the law as detestable. During a debate in September 2017, he went out of his way to bemoan the fact that sodomy [and] sexual perversion sweep the land.

September 11 attacks as divine punishment

In a speech in February, Moore appeared to suggest that the terrorist attacks of September 11 were the result of divine retribution against the United States and prophesized in the Book of Isaiah. In comments first reported by CNN, Moore quoted Isaiah 30:12-13, saying: Because you have despised His word and trust in perverseness and oppression, and say thereon ... therefore this iniquity will be to you as a breach ready to fall, swell out in a high wall, whose breaking cometh suddenly at an instance. Moore then noted: Sounds a little bit like the Pentagon, whose breaking came suddenly at an instance, doesnt it? He added: If you think thats coincidence, if you go to verse 25: There should be up on every high mountain and upon every hill, rivers and streams of water in the day of the great slaughter when the towers will fall."

Praise for Putin

In an interview with the Guardian in August, Moore praised Putin for his views on gay rights. Maybe Putin is right. Maybe hes more akin to me than I know. The comments came after Moore suggested the United States could be described as the focus of evil in the world because we promote a lot of bad things. Moore specifically named gay marriage as one of those bad things.



'Reds and yellows

At a rally earlier in September, Moore talked about reds and yellows fighting while discussing racial division in the United States. Moore justified this on Twitter by citing lyrics from the song Jesus Loves the Little Children. He wrote Red, yellow, black and white they are precious in His sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world. This is the Gospel.

Tracking livestock is communism

In 2006, Moore condemned a proposal for a national ID system for animals as more identifiable with communism than free enterprise. The proposal received attention after a cow in Alabama had been diagnosed with mad cow disease. Moore, who was then running for governor, was skeptical that the outbreak was real. Instead, Moore suggested it was a ruse intended to promote the tracking system.



Moore has long been a critic of establishment Republicans and told a cheering crowd at an election eve rally in September: Mitch McConnell needs to be replaced.

McConnell actively supported the appointed incumbent Luther Strange against Moore in the runoff to fill the Senate seat that was vacated by Jeff Sessions confirmation as attorney general. Strange lost by a margin of 55%-45%.

Doug Jones, Moores Democratic opponent, said in a short statement to the Guardian: We applaud the courage of these women. Roy Moore will be held accountable by the people of Alabama for his actions.

Moore told supporters on Sunday night in Huntsville, Alabama that neither Democrats nor Republicans want to see him win on 12 December. The Post story, he said, was fake news and a desperate attempt to stop my political campaign.He also questioned why such allegations would be leveled for the first time so close to the special election, despite his decades in public life.

Why would they come now? Because there are groups that dont want me in the United States Senate, he said, naming the Democratic party and the Republican establishment and accusing them of working together. He added: We do not plan to let anybody deter us from this race.

Some Republicans have mooted the idea of Moore stepping aside. However, even if he were to do so, his name would probably remain on the ballot. Any effort to add Strange would probably divide the Republican vote and give the Democratic Doug Jones a greater chance of winning. On Monday morning, the realclearpolitics.com average gave Moore a two-point lead, putting the race in a deep red state into unlikely toss-up territory.

Another possibility suggested by Washington Republicans is that Sessions would run for his old seat and step down as attorney general. However, a source close to Sessions told the Guardian that he has been telling folks in Alabama he isnt interested.



Beverly Young Nelson holds up a yearbook photo of herself. She has accused Roy Moore of assaulting her when she was 16. Photograph: Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/AFP/Getty Images

The White House, pointedly noting that Trump did not back Moore during the primary  after it deleted tweets in support of Strange and made favourable comments about Moore  said the president would probably weigh in when he returned from Asia later this week.

On Air Force One on Saturday, Trump referred reporters to press secretary Sarah Sanders original statement on Moore, which said he should step aside if the allegations were proven to be true. The president also claimed he did not know about Moores case because he did not watch much television.

Trump himself has been accused by least 16 women of sexual misconduct or assault. He has denied the allegations and Sanders said last month all the women were lying.

Moore is an outspoken Christian conservative who has said homosexual conduct should be illegal and who claimed the 9/11 attacks were a case of divine retribution. He was removed from the Alabama supreme court in 2003, for refusing to remove a biblical monument from the state judicial building, and in 2016, for refusing to follow the US supreme court ruling that legalised same-sex marriage.

In an interview with conservative radio host Sean Hannity, Moore did not wholly rule out dating teenage girls when he was in his early 30s.

Asked if that would have been usual for him, he said: Not generally, no. He added that he did not remember ever dating any girl without the permission of her mother.
London (AFP) - Russia will not succeed in efforts to sow discord in the West, British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Monday.

In an annual address to the Lord Mayor's Banquet, she catalogued various Russian actions -- from the annexation of Crimea to "seeking to weaponise information" -- which "threaten the international order."

Moscow is "deploying its state-run media organisations to plant fake stories and photo-shopped images in an attempt to sow discord in the West and undermine our institutions," she said.

"So I have a very simple message for Russia. We know what you are doing. And you will not succeed."

May said Russia had underestimated the resilience of Western democracy, "and the enduring attraction of free and open societies, and the commitment of Western nations to the alliances that bind us."

Her blunt language contrasts with US President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly adopted a friendly tone towards Russian President Vladimir Putin and denied he directed meddling in American elections.

Nonetheless May -- who heads a fragile, scandal-plagued government navigating a fractious exit from the European Union -- sought to reaffirm transatlantic ties and Britain's post-Brexit place in the world.

She insisted the country would continue to counter Russian activities through its alliances, while also driving reform of NATO -- a longstanding Trump demand.

She also vowed to strengthen cyber security and tighten financial rules to stop the "profits of corruption" arriving in Britain from Russia.

But May sounded a conciliatory note, calling for ongoing engagement with Moscow and reiterating foreign secretary Boris Johnson will visit the country in the coming months.

"We do not want to return to the Cold War, or to be in a state of perpetual confrontation," she said, adding there was "another way".

"Many of us here looked at a post-Soviet Russia with hope," May said.

"Because we know that a strong and prosperous Russia which plays by the rules would be in the interests of the United Kingdom, Europe and the world."
Fox News Channel anchor Sean Hannity: Mike Segar/Reuters

A coffee machine company's decision to pull its advertising from Sean Hannitys Fox News show, has led some viewers to smash up their products in protest.

Keurig resolved to stop its commercials from airing around the programme, after the host was accused of being too soft on Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore who has been accused of sexual misconduct with a number of teenage girls, including a 14-year-old, when he was in his thirties.

Speaking with a co-host, Lynda McLaughlin, Mr Hannity seemed to justify Mr Moores reported conduct by calling one of the encounters consensual", something he later said in a statement was absolutely wrong and that he misspoke.

However, he then brought up the possibility of accusers lying for money, or for political purposes.

In light of his comments, a number of firms including Keurig, decided to pull their advertising.

Fans of Mr Hannity reacted to the news by posting videos smashing up their coffee makers on social media.

Liberals are offended by this video of a Keurig being thrown off of a building.



Please retweet to offend a Liberal.#BoycottKeurigpic.twitter.com/0qbHlmyqcA  Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) November 12, 2017

Some of the tweets received thousands of retweets and his supporters began circulating the hashtag BoycottKeurig.

Story continues

Mr Moore, a former Alabama Supreme Court judge, has denied the claims that have been made against him.

There have been calls for him to stand down after Leigh Corfman last week.

She told The Washington Post that Mr Moore, then 32, approached her outside an Alabama courthouse, where he offered to watch out for her while her mother went inside.

When the pair were alone, she said he asked her for her phone number.

He later arranged to pick Ms Corfman, who was 14-years-old, up near her home, where she said he kissed her. On a second similar visit, she said he removed his clothes and touched her sexually,

I wanted it over with  I wanted out," she said. Please just get this over with. Whatever this is, just get it over.

Mr has threatened legal action against the newspaper which published her account, along with those from two other women who made similar allegations.

But he has yet to launch proceedings.
By Manuel Mogato and Steve Holland MANILA (Reuters) - Leaders of Asian nations meeting in Manila on Monday skirted around the mass exodus of Rohingya Muslims triggered by Myanmar's military crackdown, disappointing human rights groups who were hoping for a tough stand on the humanitarian crisis. There was no pressure either from U.S. President Donald Trump over the Philippines' bloody war on drugs during a meeting on the sidelines of the summit with President Rodrigo Duterte. Trump told reporters that he had a "great relationship" with Philippines leader, who, a year ago, had branded then-President Barack Obama "a son of a bitch" for questioning his ruthless campaign. "They really hit it off," Duterte's Communications Secretary Martin Andanar told reporters after the meeting with Trump. A draft of the statement to be issued after a meeting of Southeast Asian leaders made no mention of the flight of Rohingya from military operations in Myanmar's Rakhine state that the United Nations has described as ethnic cleansing. One paragraph mentioned fleetingly the importance of humanitarian relief for "affected communities" in Rakhine state. The statement was drawn up by the Philippines, current chair of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which includes Myanmar. It did not use the term Rohingya for the persecuted Muslim minority, which Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi has asked foreign leaders to avoid. The government in mostly-Buddhist Myanmar regards the Rohingya as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and does not recognize the term. Over 600,000 Rohingya have fled to refugee camps in Bangladesh since military clearance operations were launched in response to attacks by Rohingya militants on Aug. 25. The plight of the Rohingya has brought outrage from around the world and there have been calls for democracy champion Suu Kyi to be stripped of the Nobel peace prize she won in 1991 because she has not condemned the military's actions. Some ASEAN countries, particularly Muslim-majority Malaysia, have voiced strong concern over the issue recently. However, in keeping with ASEAN's principle of non-interference in each others' internal affairs, it appeared to have been put aside at the summit. "With Myanmar having ethnically cleansed 600,000 Rohingya Muslims in just two months, it's time for ASEAN to transcend its do-nothing approach to atrocities among its members," said Kenneth Roth, executive director of Human Rights Watch, in a Twitter message. SOUTH CHINA SEA WARNING The ASEAN leaders did agree that they should not take a lull in the dispute over the South China Sea for granted. "While the situation is calmer now, we cannot take the current progress for granted," they said in a statement drafted ahead of a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. "It is in our collective interest to avoid miscalculations that could lead to escalation of tensions." China claims almost all of the sea, one of the world's busiest waterways. Taiwan and four ASEAN nations - Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines and Brunei - have competing claims. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte suggested ahead of the summit that, despite their differences, the leaders should not discuss the South China Sea. "We have to be friends. The other hotheads would like us to confront China and the rest of the world on so many issues," he said on Sunday. "The South China Sea is better left untouched." At the meeting's formal opening on Monday, he pointed to other triggers for a threat of violence in the region, including terrorism, violent extremism, and piracy on the seas. "The menace of illegal drug trade continues to endanger the very fabric of our society," he said. DUTERTE TO TRUMP: "WE ARE YOUR ALLY" More than 3,900 people have been killed in the war on drugs that Duterte declared when he took office last year. His government says the police act in self-defense, but critics say executions are taking place with no accountability. The United States and the Philippines, a former U.S. colony, have been strategic allies since World War Two. But their relations have been strained by anti-U.S. outbursts from Duterte and his enthusiasm for better ties with Russia and China. However, the animosity of the past appears to have been all-but forgotten, and Duterte - who has been called the "Trump of the East" for his brash style and coarse language - told the U.S. president: "We are your ally. We are an important ally." Trump was criticized earlier this year after he praised Duterte during a phone call for the "great job" he was doing to counter illegal narcotics. The two leaders seem to have warmed to each other after meeting for the first time on Saturday at a meeting of Pacific Rim leaders in Vietnam. On Sunday, Duterte crooned hit Filipino love song "Ikaw" (You) at a gala dinner in Manila, saying it was on "the orders" of Trump. One of the song's verses begins: "You are the light in my world, a half of this heart of mine". On the last leg of a marathon Asia tour that has taken him to Japan, South Korea, China and Vietnam, Trump told reporters that he had made significant progress on trade issues. "We've made some very big steps with respect to trade, far bigger than anything you know," he said, describing his trip as fruitful and adding: "It was red carpet like nobody, I think, has probably ever seen." (Additional reporting by Karen Lema, Martin Petty, James Pomfret and Enrico dela Cruz in MANILA, and Ben Blanchard in BEIJING; Writing by John Chalmers; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan)
A spokesman for Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said that the issue of human rights violations did not arise during a bilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump at the ASEAN summit in Manila on November 13.

By contrast, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said that human rights briefly came up during the meeting, in the context of the Philippines fight against illegal drugs.

Responding to Maricel Halili, a journalist from TV5, spokesman Harry Roque said that Duterte had explained the Philippines war against drugs at length to Trump and said that Trump seemed to be appreciative of Dutertes efforts.

Duterte said on November 8 that he would tell Trump to lay off if he raised the issue of human rights during their meeting, Reuters said. Credit: Facebook/Presidential Communications via Storyful
Spotify, the $16 billion digital music "startup" that is hotly tipped for an IPO, continues to lay the groundwork to diversify its platform beyond basic streaming. In the latest development, the company is going to start selling beauty products.

Yes, you read that right, you can now buy makeup on Spotify .

The new service is the latest expansion of Spotify's partnership with Merchbar, which Spotify started working with last year to sell artists' merchandise on their profile pages.

Working with popular make up artist Pat McGrath and musician Maggie Lindemann, Merchbar is now moving into areas adjacent to direct merchandise, so that fans can 'shop the look' of a particular artist, a large theme for how products are sold on other social media sites like Instagram.

In this digitally-empowered, digital era of make-up, where fans crave instant glamour gratification I always want to reach fans where theyre most engaged. Thats why this relationship with Spotify is absolutely major, because it merges beauty and music in a whole new way, thats never been done before, said McGrath in a statement. Im thrilled to see it finally come to life.

McGrath -- a makeup artist to the stars with a huge social media presence -- has her own business, Pat McGrath Labs, and it will be kicking off the partnership selling three shades of her lipstick, each retailing for $22, as well as an eye pencil for 18.95 (UK price), among other items.

Lindemann is also launching a new single to coincide with the launch.

To be clear, this is not a new revenue stream for Spotify, which does not take a cut of any of the sales that happen through the platform. The idea, instead, is to sweeten the deal for artists and give them more opportunities to make money on Spotify beyond streaming.

This is an important effort, since Spotify has been accused by some as being a struggle as far as making money from music goes, because the royalties that get collected on song plays amount to small numbers for anyone but the most popular artists (and even these have complained).

Story continues

And so the company has been on a long campaign to turn that image around. (It's also made acquisitions that point to how it might also help artists market themselves to improve their business prospects.)

Spotify is also helping artists in other ways, which may well be requiring more investment and getting more returns than the merchandising effort.

Earlier this year, Spotify launched a new concert event in London, Who We Be (based on one of its popular playlists) and just today announced it had sold out tickets. It has similarly sold tickets in the U.S. for RapCaviar Live, a six-city hip hop tour also tied in with music on its platform.

Ticketing turned out to be a complicated business for the likes of Pandora, which eventually sold off its Ticketfly operation to Eventbrite, but moving into events is a sign of how Spotify might be looking, as with the merchandising, to develop these adjacent areas as a way to build its community first, before it considers anything in other business lines.

Spotify would not comment on whether the beauty launch with McGrath will be the first of many such partnerships, or whether McGrath or Merchbar will be expanding the range of items on offer.

More to the point, it's a signal of how Spotify, which now has over 60 million paying users, and over 140 million users overall (including those who listen ad-supported, for free), is trying to leverage its audience to expand the horizons for business people in its community -- which on Spotify translates to musicians.

Maggie Lindemann is an extremely exciting young artist, with over 7 million fans listening to her all over the world every month on Spotify," said Jordan Gremli, Spotifys Head of Artist and Fan Development, in a statement. "In partnering with Pat McGrath to offer beauty products in this innovative new way, she will be connecting directly with her fans in the place where they go to enjoy her music already on Spotify."

While Spotify is not getting a cut on these sales, it could help the company keep artists dedicated to using it for their marketing efforts, and users coming back to do more on the platform than just listen to music, remaining sticky on both sides of its marketplace.
Mr Bannon wants to back a series of 'insurgent' candidates: AP

Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon has called on American Zionists to join his insurgency movement against the Republican Party establishment as he attempts to unseat senators he claims are blocking Donald Trumps agenda.

In a fiery address he called on people to join him and work as partners" in his challenge against members of the US President's own party.

Were leading an insurgency movement against the Republican establishment, he told the crowd at the Zionist Organisation of Americas annual awards dinner in New York.

Thats how you get the Iran deal, he said. Thats how we still allow the American government to finance people that have blood on their hands of innocent Jewish civilians.

The president needs our back, he added. Were a nation at war. This war is only going to be won if we bind together and work as partners."

Among the gala's attendees were a number of current and former staff members from Mr Trumps administration.

The Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) has largely embraced Mr Bannon. However, other Jewish leaders have raised concerns about both him and the Breitbart News outlet that he runs.

The website is popular among some white supremacists, anti-Semites and others who identify with the so-called alt-right movement.

Activists led by the IfNotNow Jewish social justice group marched from the New York Public Library to the hotel hosting the gala in protest against Mr Bannon's appearance at the event.

The former White House strategist was invited to the gala last year but did not show up,

He was described in the summer as one of the best friends that Israel has had in any administration by Arthur Schwartz, the external political and policy adviser to ZOA.

Were honoured that he accepted our invitation, he told The Atlantic magazine.

Since leaving the White House in August after less than a year in his role, Mr Bannon has singled out a number of sitting Republican senators who he claims are blocking the presidents agenda in Washington.

Story continues

He has also been raising money in an attempt to defeat them and he is reportedly in the process of recruiting a number of candidates to run against Republicans facing re-election in a number of seats.

Additional reporting by Associated Press
Want to know what extinction looks like? This is the last male Northern White Rhino. The Last. Nevermore pic.twitter.com/o4obIQUpaR  Daniel Schneider (@BiologistDan) November 6, 2017

The tweet went viral on Nov. 6: a photo of a lone rhinoceros, resting with its chin on the dusty ground of a wooden enclosure. Accompanying the photo, the caption read, "Want to know what extinction looks like? This is the last male Northern White Rhino. The Last. Nevermore."

The photo struck a chord, though the rhino in it has been the last of his kind for years now. The second-to-last male northern white rhino (Ceratotherium simum cottoni), Angalifu, died at the San Diego Zoo in December 2014. That left a single male, Sudan, shown in the viral photograph, who turns 44 this year and is very unlikely to produce any more offspring.

Sudan's story may not be new, but the stark framing of the tweet by biologist and activist Daniel Schneider earned the lonely male more than 44,000 retweets and 1,700 replies. Unfortunately, it will take more than awareness to save northern white rhinos from extinction. At this point, it may take a technological miracle. [In Photos: The Last 5 Northern White Rhinos]

Last of their kind

Sudan lives at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya, along with the only two remaining females of the species, Najin and Fatu. Sudan technically belongs to the Dvur Kralove Zoo, in the Czech Republic, but was moved to Kenya along with another male in 2009 in the hope that breeding attempts in the rhinoceroses' native range would be more successful than trying to breed them in Europe. But natural mating attempts produced nothing. In 2015, veterinarians found that Sudan's sperm count is very low, and that both Najin and Fatu have age- and uterine-related conditions that make carrying a pregnancy impossible, according to Ol Pejeta Conservancy.

Story continues

Sudan, the last male northern white rhino, at Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya on June 25, 2015. Georgina Goodwin/Barcroft Media via Getty Images

The only hope, researchers now say, lies in rhino in vitro fertilization. Veterinarians have harvested eggs from female northern whites, including some who have since died, and have been collecting sperm from males since their numbers started dwindling. At the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research, scientists are racing to figure out how to fertilize a northern white rhino egg in the lab and transplant it into the uterus of a closely related subspecies, the southern white rhino (Ceratotherium simum).

This isn't as easy as it might sound, the director of reproductive physiology at that institute, Barbara Durrant, told Live Science in 2016. Conditions in the uterus are different between animal species, and no one has ever developed an IVF procedure tailored to rhinos before.

In the worst case, scientists are considering inseminating a southern white rhinoceros with northern white rhino sperm, to at least save some of the subspecies genetic diversity, if not the species itself.

Driven to the brink

The northern white rhino once lived throughout northwestern Uganda, southern Chad, southwestern Sudan, the eastern part of Central African Republic, and northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. No individuals have been spotted in the wild since 2006.

Both the northern and southern white rhino subspecies were poached to near-extinction by the late 1990s, but southern whites made a comeback after conservationists focused on breeding and relocating individuals to protected areas. As of 2010, according to the IUCN, there were about 20,160 southern white rhinos in the wild, mostly in South Africa.

But poaching is still a problem. The practice of killing rhinos for their horns has actually increased in recent years, bolstered by a black market in traditional Chinese medicine, which uses the horn in concoctions meant to increase health and vitality  even though horns are just keratin, the same protein that makes up human hair and fingernails.

Original article on Live Science.

Editor's Recommendations
This streaker's mad dash gave Buffalo Bills fans a jolt of excitement during a blowout loss on Sunday. (Photo: Tom Szczerbowski via Getty Images)

The Buffalo Bills found the answer to their anemic rushing attack on Sunday  but he lacked a uniform, or any other clothing for that matter.

A streaker who invaded the field literally rushed for more yards than the entire Bills team during their 47-10 home loss to the New Orleans Saints.

Lets take a look at the stats: Five Bills players carried a total of 15 times for 69 yards.

According to the Buffalo News, the streaker sprinted from end zone to end zone  100 yards.

He was eventually stopped by security after he slipped on a cutback move in an attempt to run across the field yet again. He was escorted off with a yellow security jacket to cover what needed to be covered.

Heres some relatively SFW highlights of his naked dash.

STREAKER ON THE FIELD AT THE BILLS SAINTS GAME pic.twitter.com/FJRtxJDmhh  Jake Giron (@JGiron) November 12, 2017

Attention-getting over. (Photo: Brett Carlsen via Getty Images)

Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
Sochi (Russia) (AFP) - Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed Monday on the need to boost efforts to achieve a lasting political settlement in Syria.

Despite being on opposing sides of the Syrian conflict, Russia and Turkey have been working together since a 2016 reconciliation deal ended a crisis caused by the shooting down of a Russian warplane.

During four hours of talks at the Black Sea resort of Sochi, in southwest Russia. the two sides agreed on the need to do more to stabilise Syria, Putin said.

"We are united in the need to increase efforts to ensure the long-term stabilisation (of Syria), above all to advance the process of a political settlement," the Russian leader told reporters after the meeting.

"We agreed that there is now a base which allows us to focus on the political process," said Erdogan.

The pair last met in Ankara in September, when they agreed to push for the creation of a "de-escalation" zone in Syria's key northern province of Idlib, in addition to others already proposed.

Russia, along with Iran, is the key backer of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Moscow's military intervention in Syria is widely seen as tipping the balance in the conflict.

Turkey, however, has backed the rebels seeking Assad's ouster

"Our relationship has been restored almost to its full capacity," Putin said ahead of the talks, adding that he was glad to see the Turkish leader.

- 'Mutual need' -

Their efforts have helped bring about a de-escalation of violence in parts of Syria, though fighting continues.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told journalists earlier that Ankara was seeking a political solution to the crisis.

"Without a ceasefire we cannot talk about a political solution. Now we have made a lot of achievements and we can pay more attention to the political process," he said.

Moscow and Ankara have supported negotiations in Kazakhstan's capital Astana from the start of the year, which have run parallel to talks taking place in Geneva with the backing of the United Nations.

Story continues

Alexei Malashenko, director of research at the Dialogue of Civilizations institute, said Putin and Erdogan had a "mutual need".

"Russia, which is in a very difficult position (in Syria), simply cannot lose allies there -- they can't even lose partners, let alone allies," he told AFP.

- 'High opinions of themselves' -

Meanwhile Erdogan is dissatisfied with the West's attitude towards him, Malashenko said, pointing to a deal Ankara has signed to buy S-400 air defence systems from Russia.

The deal, reportedly worth $2 billion (1.7 billion euros), has shocked Turkey's NATO allies.

"It's a meeting of two charismatic people, two people with a very high opinion of themselves, two leaders," Malashenko added,

An apparent agreement at the last talks between Putin and Erdogan saw the release of two leading Crimean Tatar activists who had been sentenced by Russian authorities for their political activities in the peninsula annexed from Ukraine.

Erdogan has pledged to support Crimea's Turkish-speaking Tatar minority.

Russia and Turkey have a record of struggling to overcome a regional rivalry that goes back to the Ottoman Empire and the Romanov dynasty.

Ties between the two countries went through their worst crisis since the end of the Cold War when the Turkish air force shot down a Russian warplane over Syria in November 2015.

More than 330,000 people have been killed in Syria since the conflict began in March 2011 with anti-government protests.
A 15-year-old pupil stabbed teacher Ann Maguire to death in a completely irrational act stemming from a deep seated grudge, a senior detective has told the inquest into her death.

Detective Superintendent Nick Wallen said the 61-year-old stood absolutely no chance whatsoever when she was attacked in her classroom by teenager Will Cornick as she taught Spanish at Corpus Christi Catholic College, Leeds, in April 2014.

Mr Wallen was giving evidence on the first day of the inquest into Mrs Maguires death which is due to last two weeks at Wakefield Coroners Court, in West Yorkshire.

Cornick had already been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 20 years, in 2014, after he pleaded guilty to murder.

The officer took the jury of six women and five men through the shocking events at the school describing how the slight and petite teacher was ambushed by a strapping 15-year-old lad.

He said she was stabbed seven times with a kitchen knife Cornick had brought from home, including one blow which cut her jugular vein.

Will Cornick stabbed his teacher in her classroom (Picture: SWNS)

Answering questions Mr Wallen agreed that, on the day he killed Mrs Maguire, Cornick told at least 10 other pupils precisely what he was going to do  where he was going to do it and how he was going to do it.

But the detective said none of the children took him seriously and it was not reported to any staff.

Most popular on Yahoo News UK

Dont block my drive: Patient whose neighbour left angry note on ambulance has died

Britains most married man Ron Sheppard is heartbroken after wife number NINE leaves him

WW1 in colour: Stunning images bring historic conflict to life ahead of Armistice Day

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe in nervous breakdown in Iranian jail over breast cancer fears

11 tweets that have come back to haunt Donald Trump

He told the inquest: He was a young man who was prone to say things that werent true. Thats the reason that, on the day, most people who Will spoke to thought Thats just Will, thats what he does.

Story continues

Mr Wallen told the inquest: This attack came completely out of the blue. Nobody in the classroom saw this coming.

The officer added: I would say she stood absolutely no chance whatsoever.

Teacher Ann Maguire was stabbed in her classroom in 2014 (Picture: SWNS)

Mr Wallen said Cornick and his family were not known to the police nor any safeguarding agencies before the incident.

He said Facebook messages exchanged with another pupil around Christmas 2013, discovered after the killing, showed a hatred for Mrs Maguire and talked about attacking her.

Mr Wallen said the other child involved said he did not believe Cornicks threats were real.

The officer said there was an incident when Cornick stormed out a meeting called to discuss his work in Spanish, involving Mrs Maguire, when she had argued that he should not be allowed to drop the subject.

The 61-year-old teacher was stabbed in her classroom (Picture: SWNS)

He said this followed an incident in which Mrs Maguire had put him in detention rather than go on a bowling trip, but he went on the trip anyway.

But Mr Wallen said this incident was similar to many which happen in schools around the country and added: Is it a warning that this individual was about to kill his teacher? My answer to that would be no.

The detective told the court: We spoke to his teachers and his parents and at no time did we have the impression of a disruptive, violent, angry individual who there was an sense was about to explode in a frenzy of violence such as this.

The detective said: I absolutely am of the view that there is one person responsible for Ann Maguires death  that is William Cornick.

Floral tributes were left to teacher Ann Maguire (Picture: SWNS)

He has pleaded guilty at the crown court to Anns murder.

And nothing in the days and weeks proceeding the murder could have given anyone at the school, the police, his family, any idea whatsoever that anything of this sheer horror was about to take place.

Mr Wallen said he believed airport-style security was not a proportionate response in a school like Corpus Christi.

The jury heard how Cornick pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum tariff of 20 years.
The ex-wife of Devin Patrick Kelley, the 26-year-old gunman who killed 26 people in a rural Texas church last week, says she lived in constant fear of him during their brief marriage.

In her first TV interview since the massacre, Tessa Brennaman opened up about her relationship with Kelley, saying that the former Air Force member had threatened to kill her and her whole family, according to a clip published Friday on CBS News website.

He just had a lot of demons or hatred inside of him, said Brennaman, 25, who was Kelleys first wife. She told CBS Inside Edition that her short marriage to Kelley was filled with abuse and described one violent interaction she had with him over a speeding ticket.

He had a gun in his holster, said Brennaman. And he took that gun out and he put it to my temple and said, Do you want to die? Do you want to die?

Kelley would choke, punch and kick her, she added. There would be times where I would be on the floor curled up and having to protect my organs because he would be violently kicking me on my side.

Brennaman contacted her sister and the Air Force about the abuse, but she said that Kelley threatened to kill her and her entire family if she told anyone. He even said to her: I could just bury you somewhere here in the desert and nobody would ever find you.

Devin Patrick Kelley shot and killed 26 people and wounded 20 others last week at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas. He was later found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. (Photo: HuffPost/Reuters/Getty)

Brennaman, who married Kelley in April 2011, filed for divorce from him just over a year later. Around that same time, Kelley was charged with assaulting Brennaman and her child from a previous relationship. In November 2012, he pleaded guilty in a military court to strangling, striking and pulling the hair of Brennaman on multiple occasions, as well as fracturing his stepsons skull. He was sentenced to 12 months confinement in a military prison.

After serving his sentence, he received a bad conduct discharge from the Air Force in 2014. Later that year, he married his second wife, Danielle Lee Shields.

The domestic violence conviction should have barred Kelley from purchasing firearms from licensed gun sellers. But the Air Force admitted Monday that it had failed to enter the conviction into a national database used by licensed gun sellers to determine whether an interested buyer is eligible to access firearms.

Story continues

This glaring omission allowed Kelley to purchase an assault rifle from a sporting goods store in April that he would later use at the church where Shields relatives worshipped. Her grandmother was among those killed.

The Air Force has pledged to undergo a comprehensive review of Air Force databases to ensure records in other cases have been reported correctly.

This piece has been updated with added details about the abuse Brennaman suffered.

Watch Brennamans full interview with Inside Edition at 7 p.m. ET on Monday.

Need help? In the U.S., call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) for the National Domestic Violence Hotline.

Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
(Photo: Melissa Jeltsen)

SUTHERLAND SPRINGS, Texas  One week after it became the site of the deadliest mass shooting in modern Texas history, the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs reopened to the public on Sunday.

Gone were the pews.

Instead, 26 handcrafted chairs marked locations where worshippers were fatally shot. Each chair had a name inscribed on the backrest, and a red rose. An audio recording of scripture readings by church staff played on a loudspeaker.

The scene of an unspeakable crime had been transformed into a moving tribute to those who lost their lives.

Everyone who walks in there will know that the people who died lived for their Lord and Savior, the Rev. Frank Pomeroy, the First Baptist pastor, said at a Sunday service earlier in the day held under a tent nearby.

Footage from inside the First Baptist Church, which has been transformed into a memorial for those murdered last Sunday. pic.twitter.com/rS1aqIvrKy  Melissa Jeltsen (@quasimado) November 12, 2017

On Nov. 5, Devin Patrick Kelley attacked the church with a semiautomatic rifle. He killed 26, and wounded 20 others. As he exited the church, he was shot by an armed civilian. He fled in his SUV and was later found dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

As soon as law enforcement finished processing evidence, a construction team began renovating the church building, according to a media handout. Chairs, pews, and carpet were removed from the small sanctuary. The walls and floors were painted, and the windows were replaced.

Before the media was allowed to tour the church on Sunday, a number of family members of victims were escorted inside to spend a few minutes in silence. One woman had to be held up by a chaplain as she exited the worship hall in tears.

The Rev. Mark Collins, the associate pastor, said in a press release that he hoped it would be healing for the community to be able to enter the church once more.

Story continues

This is our church, but it is not just us that are suffering, Collins said. This tragedy has rocked our nation, and has had an impact on all Americans and our country as a whole.

The church will be open Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

It is unclear whether the memorial will be permanent, or whether the building will be razed.

Also on HuffPost

Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
Juba (AFP) - South Sudanese troops have withdrawn from around the residence of powerful former army chief Paul Malong, a week after a tense standoff over his bodyguards sparked fears of clashes in the capital.

In a press statement on Sunday entitled "Misunderstanding Resolved", army spokesman Lul Ruai Koang said a peaceful resolution had been found to a dispute over the number of bodyguards in Malong's service.

Lul Ruai said scores of troops had been deployed around Malong's house as he had failed to comply with an order that he release most of his government-appointed bodyguards to return to their former duties.

"Withdrawal came about after Gen. Paul accepted (a) presidential order on reduction of his bodyguards," the army statement says.

Lul Ruai said troops were withdrawn after a "security review was undertaken which indicated lack of real security threats to the government in particular and residents of Juba in general (and) to reduce and eliminate uncertainty created by deployment of security forces."

The move was also an attempt "to build confidence between the Government and General Paul."

- 'Human rights violations, corruption' -

Malong is a hardline ethnic nationalist whose dismissal in May by President Salva Kiir had sparked fears of a clash between his supporters and troops loyal to the president, although that never materialised.

The deployment of troops around his house last Friday saw people holing up at home for fears of clashes.

Malong, who belongs to Kiir's majority Dinka tribe, is widely regarded as the mastermind behind fighting that erupted in Juba in July 2016 that killed hundreds of people.

The clashes also crushed hopes of a power-sharing government between Kiir and Riek Machar, his former deputy turned rebel chief, who is a member of the Nuer tribe.

South Sudan has been gripped by a brutal civil war that has lasted nearly four years. Initially putting the Dinka and the Nuer against each other, the conflict has metastasised, drawing in a variety of ethnic groups and grievances.

Story continues

The general, who is under house arrest, was one of three senior South Sudan officials who was hit by US sanctions in September on charges of fomenting and profiting from the civil war.

Canada followed suit last week, with Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland saying the sanctions related to individuals "linked to human rights violations and corruption".

South Sudan gained independence after the Christian-majority south split from the Muslim north in 2011 after a 22-year civil war that killed hundreds of thousands of people.

But the world's youngest nation quickly fell into civil war in December 2013 after Kiir accused Machar of plotting a coup, with the conflict leaving tens of thousands dead and forcing a third of its 12 million people out of their homes.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's invitation to the East Asia Summit, a key forum for regional and global security discussions, is a sign Canada's aggressive overtures in the region have paid off, Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland said Sunday.

Canada has been invited to the summit for the first time as an observer, officials said, and Trudeau will be privy to high-level talks, alongside the likes of Chinese President Xi Jinping, on the tenuous security situation in North Korea.

"This is the first time Canada will be present ... that is a really big deal," Freeland told reporters about the two-day summit in Manila that starts Monday. "The East Asia Summit is the top table in Asia on security issues. Canada has never been there before, so when the prime minister says 'Canada is back,' the fact that he has been invited ... is a very, very important sign of that.

"Our government is acting on our pledge that 'Canada is back,' and the world is recognizing that," she said.

Canada will formally ask to join the summit  which is held every fall and coincides with the annual Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) leaders' meeting  as a permanent member, something that could prove elusive as membership has only been expanded a handful of times since its creation. In 2011, the last year there were additions, the U.S. and Russia were invited to join. The summit's 18 members must reach a consensus on whether to lift a current membership moratorium and allow Canada to join.

Canada appointed its first ambassador to the ASEAN region, Marie-Louise Hannan, following the recent appointment of envoys to Cambodia and Laos, also firsts, meaning Canada has diplomatic representation in all East Asia Summit member countries.

When he was U.S. president, Barack Obama attended every East Asia Summit  except one, when he faced a federal government shutdown in 2013  as he saw the EAS as the best forum to assert American influence on Asia-Pacific affairs.

Story continues

In an interview with CBC News before Trudeau left for his Asian trip, Philippines Ambassador to Canada Petronila Garcia said the other members of the East Asia Forum are ready to give Canada a chance to make its case for membership.

"They're interested in joining ... and [being invited as an observer] will provide them a venue to express their points," she said.

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte, who is hosting ASEAN leaders amid a brutal anti-drugs campaign in his country that has ignited human rights concerns, invited Trudeau to attend.

Canada sees opening in Asia as Trump retreats

Canada sees an opening to bolster its standing in the region as U.S. President Donald Trump continues creeping towards isolation, pursuing a retrenchment of sorts from Asia-Pacific.

For example, in a speech to APEC delegates this week in Danang, Trump warned he will continue to pursue an "America First" agenda and shun multilateral trade deals like the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

Moreover, American officials were largely absent from ministerial level talks at the APEC summit in Vietnam last week, whereas Freeland, and International Trade Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne, were busy glad-handing their Asian counterparts, mostly in the pursuit of a renegotiated TPP, but also to strengthen fledgling bilateral ties.

Trump seriously considered skipping the ASEAN summit altogether, before finally deciding to tack on a couple of extra days to meet with his southeast Asian counterparts. "I think that he heard from friends and fellow leaders who said, 'Hey, why don't you stay an extra day,'" a senior Trump administration official said in a briefing with reporters. "It happened in a conversation. He said, 'Let's do that, let's do that.'"

Joshua Brown, head of the Canada-ASEAN Business Council, said Canada needs to capitalize on this rare moment in time.

"That political event [the U.S. drift towards isolation] is creating opportunities for us that we should take advantage of," he said in an interview with CBC News.

The ASEAN market countries have "huge populations with increasingly large middle classes that are hungry for the types of high-quality products that Canada produces," he said.

Lobbying for UN Security Council seat

Canada is in the throes of an aggressive diplomatic engagement with ASEAN countries, officials said, in an effort to expand economic ties and curry favour with countries ahead of a vote on a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council.

Freeland raised Canada's bid for a seat with her Australian counterpart while at APEC. She will ask others to support Canada's pursuit of a seat during bilateral talks here in Manila.

While the TPP faces an uncertain future, Trudeau also will push ahead with exploratory talks on a Canada-ASEAN free trade deal while at the summit this week.

As a group of countries, the 10 member ASEAN states represent Canada's sixth largest trading partner.

ASEAN includes Singapore, Brunei, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar.

"Having the prime minister here, at their 50th anniversary of ASEAN ... is a great way to kick those talks off, and I've already heard from many ASEAN leaders how much they appreciate that," Freeland said.
President Donald Trump was thrown off by a handshake intended to kick off an international conference in the Philippines on Monday.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Manila began with an opening ceremony and photo op of attending world leaders. The heads of state were invited on stage to participate in the conferences traditional handshake, in which they cross their arms and join hands with the leaders next to them.

Heres what it looked like when President Barack Obama attended the conference in Laos in 2016.

(Photo: YE AUNG THU via Getty Images)

Heres how it went for Trump:

(Photo: JIM WATSON via Getty Images)

According to The Associated Press, the announcers instructions briefly baffled Trump. The photos below captured the confusion:

1. Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte motions for Trump to step forward.

2. World leaders begin to take each other's hands. Trump turns to Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

3. Trump uses his right hand, instead of his left, which is required for such a handshake. Phuc turns to Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, who also offers the wrong hand.

4. Trump notices something is amiss. Medvedev just sticks with it.

5. Trump begins switching his hands.

6. But the reach is a little far for him.

7. He gets there.

8. Though he appears to look a tad uncomfortable.

9. More than a tad.

10. There we go.

Things got a bit awkward as Pres. Trump posed with world leaders for a group handshake at the beginning of the ASEAN summit in the Philippines. https://t.co/dhlr1L4z5o pic.twitter.com/TrBQWcxWLP  This Week (@ThisWeekABC) November 13, 2017

Trumps bizarre handshakes have made headlines since he was sworn into office, and even prompted world leaders to prepare for the peculiar greeting in advance.

Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today.

Also on HuffPost

U.S. President Donald Trump flies via Marine One helicopter over the Tokyo suburbs to meet Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at Kasumigaseki Country Club in Kawagoe, Japan.

President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe wave to reporters after they signed hats reading 'Donald and Shinzo, Make Alliance Even Greater'.

President Donald Trump gestures to Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as Japanese professional golfer Hideki Matsuyama looks on, as they play golf at the Kasumigaseki Country Club in Kawagoe, north of Tokyo, Japan.

President Donald Trump pours fish food out as Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe looks on while they were feeding carps before their working lunch at Akasaka Palace in Tokyo.

President Donald Trump puts on a U.S. Pacific Air Forces bomber jacket before delivering remarks to members of the U.S. military at Yokota Air Base, Japan.

First Lady Melania Trump shows her calligraphy with Akie Abe, wife of Japanese prime minister, while attending a calligraphy class of 4th graders at the Kyobashi Tsukiji elementary school in Tokyo.

Melania Trump and Japan's first lady Akie Abe visit Kyobashi Tsukiji elementary school in Tokyo.

President Donald Trump smiles during a joint press conference with South Korea's President Moon Jae-in at the presidential Blue House in Seoul, South Korea.

White House senior staff discuss the situation as U.S. President Donald Trump sits in his car after being grounded from an attempt to visit the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in the truce village of Panmunjom dividing North Korea and South Korea, at a U.S. military post in Seoul.

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania visit the Forbidden City.

President Donald Trump shakes hands with opera performers at the Forbidden City.

President Donald Trump departs Seoul in Marine One while en-route to Osan Air Base, South Korea.

U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania arrive on Air Force One in Beijing, China, November 8, 2017. REUTERS/Aly Song

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania arrive on Air Force One at Beijing, China.

U.S. President Donald Trump takes part in a welcoming ceremony at the Great hall of the People in Beijing, China.

President Donald Trump and China's President Xi Jinping shakes hands after making joint statements at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

President Donald Trump boards Air Force One to depart for Vietnam from Beijing Airport.

Melania Trump smiles with children holding U.S. and China flags as she visits Beijing Zoo.

Melania Trump visits the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China.

President Donald Trump shakes hands with Russia's President Vladimir Putin (R) as they pose for a group photo ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit leaders gala dinner in the central Vietnamese city of Danang on November 10, 2017.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
MANILA (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump arrived in the Philippine capital Manila on Sunday to attend an annual gathering of leaders from East and Southeast Asian countries. Trump arrived from Vietnam, where he attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, during which he delivered a strong message on trade and briefly met Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. The Philippines will be the last leg of a tour that has also taken Trump to Japan, China and South Korea. Just hours before Trump's arrival, Philippine riot police used water canon to prevent hundreds of anti-American protesters from reaching the U.S. embassy in Manila. (Reporting by Steve Holland; Writing by Martin Petty; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan)
WASHINGTON  One of President Donald Trumps judicial nominees didnt tell the Senate about a major conflict of interest in his bid to become a lifetime federal judge: his wife is chief of staff to White House counsel Don McGahn, who oversees the presidents judicial nominations.

As first reported by The New York Times, Brett Talley, a nominee to an Alabama district court seat, did not disclose in his questionnaire to the Senate Judiciary Committee that hes married to Ann Donaldson, McGahns top aide.

The questionnaire specifically asks Talley, 36, to identify family members who are likely to present potential conflicts of interest. He did not identify his wife.

Neither Talley nor the White House returned a request for comment.

Talley, who is currently a deputy assistant attorney general at the Justice Department, has already sparked controversy with his nomination. He has only practiced law for three years. He has never tried a case in court. And he was deemed not qualified to be a judge by the American Bar Association, making him Trumps fourth judicial nominee to earn the rare and abysmal rating by the nations top legal organization.

Here's Brett Talley posing for a portrait in a cemetery. In addition to being nominated to a lifetime court seat for some reason, he writes horror stories. (Photo: The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Christopher Kang, who oversaw the selection and vetting of President Barack Obamas judicial nominees for more than four years, said the insanity of Talleys nomination extends to his job at the Justice Department, where he vets judicial nominees and helps them with their nomination paperwork.

It is literally his job to help nominees fill out these forms honestly and completely, Kang told HuffPost. If this is how he approached his own nomination, what is he advising everyone else?

Before he was a judicial nominee, Talley also made his political positions clear. In tweets that have since been made private, he said Hillary Rotten Clinton might be the best Trumpism yet and that she belonged in jail. A month after the 2012 mass shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, he wrote a blog post titled A Call to Arms: Its Time to Join the National Rifle Association.

Story continues

None of these details stopped the Senate Judiciary Committee from advancing Talleys nomination last week. All Democrats voted against his nomination.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (Calif.), the top Democrat on the committee, said Monday that the Senate shouldnt hold Talleys confirmation vote unless he explains why he didnt tell them about his wifes role in the White House. She noted that Donaldson is also a witness in special counsel Robert Muellers investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

Judicial nominees are required to disclose potential conflicts of interest, Feinstein said in a statement. Talleys nomination shouldnt be considered by the Senate unless he answers questions about this glaring omission and clarifies matters concerning when he would recuse himself.

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), who chairs the committee, did not respond to a request for comment on whether he is having second thoughts about supporting Talley given his failure to disclose his wifes job to the committee.

Alabama Sens. Richard Shelby (R) and Luther Strange (R) recommended Talleys nomination to Trump. Strange said he stands by Talley.

Brett Talleys record reflects a nominee well-equipped to serve on the federal bench, and he has my full confidence and endorsement, Strange said in a statement. As my Deputy Solicitor General in Alabama, he applied his reverence for the Constitution and the rule of law to crucial cases, arguing multiple times before 11th Circuit Court of Appeals and building a reputation for professionalism.

Shelby did not respond to a request for comment.

Talley is on track to get his Senate confirmation vote as soon as this month.

UPDATE: 10:30 p.m. ET  White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders gave no signs that the president is backing off of Talleys nomination.

Mr. Talley served as Deputy Solicitor General for the state of Alabama, currently serves in the Department of Justices Office of Legal Policy and was recommended by Alabamas U.S. Senators, Sanders said in a statement. He is more than qualified to serve in the federal judiciary.

Another White House spokesman, who requested to speak anonymously, emphasized that Donaldson is not involved in this judicial selection or other judicial nominations. The men and women the president nominates should be judged on their own merits.

Also on HuffPost

Sonia Sotomayor

Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor throws out the ceremonial first pitch before the New York Yankees play the Boston Red Sox in a baseball game at Yankee Stadium in New York. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

Elena Kagan

Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan, center, stands on the field during batting practice before a baseball game between the Washington Nationals and the Arizona Diamondbacks at Nationals Park in Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Samuel A. Alito

United States Supreme Court Associate Justice Samuel A. Alito, Jr. throws out the ceremonial pitch before a baseball game between the Oakland Athletics and Texas Rangers Wednesday, June 19, 2013, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Ruth Bader Ginsburg

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg waves to the crowd before discussing Roe vs. Wade case on its 40th anniversary at The University of Chicago Law School in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

Antonin Scalia

US Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonin Scalia poses for a photo during the White House Correspondents Association Dinner in Washington, DC. (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)

Sonia Sotomayor

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor pushes the Waterford crystal button that signals the descent of the New Years Eve Ball in Times Square in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)

Antonin Scalia

Surrounded by security, Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia walks October 10, 2005 in the annual Columbus Day Parade in New York City. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Samuel A. Alito, Jr.

United States Supreme Court Associate Justice Samuel A. Alito, Jr., left, participates in a fireside chat event with the Honorable Ronald A. Cass at Roger Williams University Law School in Bristol, RI. (AP Photo/Lindsey Anderson)

Ruth Bader Ginsburg

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg speaks with National Constitution Center president and CEO Jeffrey Rosen. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

John Roberts

Chief Justice John Roberts stands in front of the U.S. Supreme Court Building in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Supreme Court Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, left, enters the UC Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco. Ginsburg is scheduled to discuss the role of Supreme Court Justices in our political system; progress on achieving gender equality, the legal limits of free speech, working relationships among the Justices, and more at the law school this evening. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Clarence Thomas

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas addresses the audience during a program at the Duquesne University School of Law in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Tribune Review, Sidney Davis)

Elena Kagan

Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court Elena Kagan speaks onstage at the FORTUNE Most Powerful Women Summit on October 16, 2013 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images for FORTUNE)

Stephen Breyer

US Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer answers a question during an interview with Agence France-Presse at the Supreme Court in Washington, DC. (JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/GettyImages)

Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
Asked about allegations against the Republican Senate nominee, Trump said I dont get to watch much television. Primarily because  Im reading documents

Judge Roy Moore, speaking on Saturday, said a Washington Post report about him was fake news. Photograph: Marvin Gentry/Reuters

Donald Trump on Saturday deflected questions about whether Roy Moore should drop out of the Alabama Senate race over allegations of sexual misconduct, insisting that because he does not watch much television he did not feel qualified to comment.



Travelling in Asia, the president told reporters: Ive been with you folks, so I havent gotten to see too much. And believe it or not, even when Im in Washington or New York, I do not watch much television.

Numerous reports have detailed Trumps TV-watching habits, including large screens in the White House residence, tuned to cable news. His tweeting habits have frequently been shown to follow content on certain shows, particularly the Fox News morning magazine, Fox & Friends.

The Washington Post reported this week that an Alabama woman said Moore had sexual contact with her when she was 14 and he was a 32-year-old assistant district attorney. On Air Force One, Trump referred reporters to a statement that was read by White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders after the Post report was published.

The statement said Trump believes Moore will do the right thing and step aside if the decades-old allegations are true.

Trump himself faces allegations of sexual misconduct or assault from at least 16 women. Last month, Sanders said all those women were lying.

Moore is a hardline conservative Christian and former state supreme court judge, twice removed for unconstitutional behaviour. He is also known for controversial statements, including that homosexual conduct should be illegal and that the 9/11 terror attacks on the US were a case of divine retribution.

In an interview with conservative radio host Sean Hannity on Friday, he said the alleged encounter with the 14-year-old never happened. I dont know Ms Corfman from anybody, he said. I never talked to her, never had any contact with her. The allegations of sexual misconduct with her are completely false. I believe theyre politically motivated.

Story continues

Believe it or not, even when Im in Washington or New York, I do not watch much television Donald Trump

Three other women told the Post Moore had sexual contact with them when they were teenagers. Moore said: With regard to the other girls, you understand this is 40 years ago and, after my return from the military, I dated a lot of young ladies. He also said he did not remember ever dating any girl without the permission of her mother.

On Saturday, Moore made his first public appearance since the Post report was published, speaking to a Republican club in a suburb of Birmingham. In the next few days there will be revelations about the motivations and the content of this article that will be brought to the public, he said. We fully expect the people of Alabama to see through this charade.

Asked why the allegations would emerge now, after he has run five state political races in the past 17 years, he said the Post report was fake news and added that the accusations were completely false and untrue about something that happened nearly 40 years ago.

On Air Force One, Trump was asked when he would decide if Moore did what he has been accused of, given that four women had come forward. He said: Honestly, Id have to look at it and I have to see. He also said he was busy dealing with the president of China, the president of Russia.

Trump said: People that dont know me, they say I like to watch television  people with fake sources. You know, fake reporters, fake sources. But I dont get to watch much television. Primarily because of documents. Im reading documents. A lot.

And different things. I actually read much more  I read you people much more than I read television. But anyway. So I have not seen very much about him, about it. And you know I put out a statement yesterday that hell do the right thing.

In a week that saw Democratic gains in state and local elections, the allegations against Moore have sparked concern among national Republicans. But they have produced little more than a shrug in Alabama, which will hold an election on 12 December to fill the seat formerly held by attorney general Jeff Sessions.

Jim Zeigler, the state auditor, told the Washington Examiner: Mary was a teenager and Joseph was an adult carpenter. They became parents of Jesus. Theres just nothing immoral or illegal here. Maybe just a little bit unusual.

Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang shakes hands with Donald Trump in Hanoi. Photograph: Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images

A state representative, Ed Henry, was quoted by the Cullman Times as saying of Moores accusers: If they believe this man is predatory, they are guilty of allowing him to exist for 40 years. I think someone should prosecute and go after them.

Governor Kay Ivey said on Saturday she has no plans to move the election, regarding the allegations against Moore. The Democratic candidate is Doug Jones, an attorney who prosecuted two members of the Ku Klux Klan over the 1963 Birmingham church bombing in which four young African American girls were killed. Senior figures including former vice-president Joe Biden have campaigned for Jones, as the party sniffs an unlikely win.

Trump campaigned for Luther Strange, whom Moore defeated in the primary. Trump then deleted tweets supporting Strange and pledged to campaign for Moore.

Establishment Republicans including Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell have said Moore should step aside if the allegations are true. On Friday, the National Republican Senatorial Committee cut off fundraising support. Two presidential candidates, John McCain and Mitt Romney, said Moore should stand down now.

On Saturday the Tennesee senator Bob Corker, a leading critic of Trump, tweeted: Look, Im sorry, but even before these reports surfaced, Roy Moores nomination was a bridge too far.

Moore is backed by the populist wing of the party. Steve Bannon, formerly chief White House strategist, told a New Hampshire audience on Thursday the allegations were a liberal media conspiracy.

On Air Force One, Trump said he would stick with my statement for now. But Ill have further comment as we go down the road. I have to get back into the country to see whats happening.
Protesters in Manila burned a swastika-shaped effigy of Donald Trump as the US President arrived in the Philippines for trade talks.

The sight of the spinning four-armed construction  holding a bag of cash, a handgun, a nuclear bomb and a bulldozers scoop  contrasted with the red carpet welcome Mr Trump said he had received from governments throughout Asia.

The billionaire is now in the closing stages of a tour of the region designed to push his agenda on trade that is fair to the US, and to shore up opposition to North Koreas threatening behaviour.

He said the trip had been very fruitful for the US and added: It was red carpet like nobody, I think, has probably ever received.

And that really is a sign of respect, perhaps for me a little, but really for our county. And Im really proud of that.

He was in the Philippines for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and related meetings.

Police used water cannon to keep hundreds of protesters away from the US embassy before his arrival.

Demonstrators carried signs reading Dump Trump and Down with US imperialism but were blocked by riot police.

Conversely, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau received a heros welcome as he bantered with customers at a fast food restaurant.

The 45-year-old visited chain giant Jollibees where his support among the public appeared as strong as it was two years prior when he was voted the most attractive politician at the APEC summit  a key point in his rise as a global figure.

Environmental critics reportedly expressed utter dismay, however, at his failure to resolve a dispute over the shipping of 50 containers of waste to the Philippines in 2013.

Mr Trumps visit to Manila was being watched closely for mentions of Philippines President Rodrigo Dutertes human rights record.

The strongman leader has overseen a brutal anti-drugs crackdown that has left thousands dead since his election.

When a reporter asked Mr Trump if he would raise human rights at the meeting, Mr Duterte said: Whoa, whoa. This is not a press statement. This is the bilateral meeting.

Story continues

A Philippines government spokesman later said human rights were not raised, though White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the topic was mentioned briefly.

The conversation focused on Isis, illegal drugs, and trade. Human rights briefly came up in the context of the Philippines fight against illegal drugs.

Mr Trump was criticised in May for praising Mr Duterte during a phone call for the great job he was doing to counter illegal narcotics.

Additional reporting by agencies
Brett Talley, the deputy assistant attorney general at the Justice Department, may soon land a lifelong appointment on the federal bench without ever litigating a case in court.

President Donald Trump nominated the 36-year-old Alabama lawyer for a federal district judge seat despite his lack of experience in the courtroom.

Brett Talley was one of four judicial nominees to receive a Not Qualified rating from the American Bar Association. (Photo: The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Although Talley graduated from Harvard Law School and spent four years as a law clerk, he was one of four judicial nominees to receive a Not Qualified rating from the American Bar Association. Yet despite his lack of training, Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee approved Talleys nomination on Thursday and sent it to the Senate for a full vote.

What Talley lacks in experience, however, he makes up for in his support of the president. He also has a quality Trump prides above all else: loyalty. In fact, Talley has posted multiple tweets denouncing former presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton and supporting Trump, the Washington Post reported.

The worst part of #NeverTrump is that they are helping Hillary win the election. Their self-righteousness while doing it is a close second, one tweet read.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) called these tweets, along with Talleys previous blogging in support of the National Rifle Association, a concern.

Feinstein said she asked during the committee hearing if Talley would commit to recusing himself from cases involving the NRA or where the NRA had taken a position.

He didnt commit to doing so.

CORRECTION: A previous version of this story mistakenly attributed to Sen. Dianne Feinstein a question that Sen. Dick Durbin asked Talley in a post-hearing questionnaire.

Related...

President Trump's Judicial Nominees Drive Samantha Bee To Drink

The Real Name Of The Judicial Game Is Not The Supreme Court, But The Federal Judiciary

Senate Advances Judicial Nominee With History Of Restricting Voting Rights

Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
When US President Donald Trump and other world leaders meet in the Philippines from Sunday, copying their controversial host's signature fist salute could land them in hot water.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has adopted a clenched fist, often stuck out in front of his chest or sometimes at eye level, as his trademark gesture.

Duterte often seeks to have visitors pose for photos with him doing the salute, with Chinese internet tycoon Jack Ma and Hollywood actor Steven Seagal among those pictured doing so.

But critics warn the gesture has come to represent the brutalities of Duterte's drug war, which has claimed thousands of lives.

They also say it has uncomfortable similarities with Nazi leader Adolf Hitler's salute.

"Foreign leaders should recognise that the fist... symbolises a purposeful attack by Duterte on rule of law that has inflicted a human rights calamity on thousands of Filipinos," Phelim Kine, Human Rights Watch deputy Asia director, told AFP.

"(They) should deny the architect of this human rights calamity the international recognition he undeservedly craves."

Australia's spy chief, Nick Warner, was criticised when he returned home from Manila in August to find the Philippine government had released photos of him clenching his fist with Duterte.

"Completely inappropriate photo for the head of one our most important intelligent (sic) services to be in," federal opposition member of parliament Anthony Byrne said in a Twitter post.

With the photos becoming a major news item in Australia, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop was forced to publicly defend Warner. Bishop had previously criticised the drug war.

Trump and Duterte are expected to hold a one-on-one meeting in Manila on Monday on the sidelines of a 20-nation summit of Asia-Pacific leaders.

Eyes will be on whether Trump does the fist pump, having told Duterte in April he was doing a "great job" in his drug war.

Story continues

Arriving back in Manila early Sunday, Duterte seemed confident he had Trump's backing for his deadly war on drugs.

"He said something about: 'You know, you handle it very well'," he told reporters.

Duterte might also expect support from Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who struck the pose when the pair met in Tokyo last year.

A photo posted by Duterte's aide on Facebook showed the two men smiling along with their officials, who also raised their fists against the backdrop of Japanese and Philippine flags.

Abe, whom Duterte has called a "true friend", has not criticised the drug war.
Ankara (AFP) - Turkey has rejected as "ludicrous" allegations that it offered several million dollars to the United States to extradite a political rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

US media reported that investigators in Washington are probing whether former White House national security advisor Michael Flynn discussed expelling Muslim preacher Fethullah Gulen in exchange for a secret payout.

Ankara blames Gulen's movement for the July 15, 2016 failed coup against Erdogan, and has pressed for his extradition from the United States, where he has lived since 1999.

Gulen, who has a large Turkish following, strongly denies the charges.

"All allegations that Turkey would resort to means external to the rule of law for his extradition are utterly false, ludicrous and groundless", Turkey's embassy in Washington said on Twitter Saturday.

NBC News and the Wall Street Journal said Friday that US special prosecutor Robert Mueller is examining a meeting Flynn had with senior Turkish officials weeks after Donald Trump won the presidential race last year.

The meeting allegedly discussed a secret payout of up to $15 million dollars if, once in office, Flynn would engineer the deportation to Turkey of Gulen as well as help free Erdogan-linked Iranian-Turkish businessman Reza Zarrab from prison.

NBC and the Journal both cited multiple people familiar with the probe by Mueller, who is leading the investigation into whether members of Trump's campaign colluded with Russian meddling in the election.

The Journal said it is not clear how far the proposal went and that there was no sign that any payments were made.

Lawyers for Flynn have labelled the allegations "outrageous" and "false".

According to the two reports, the discussions included details of how Gulen could be flown secretly by private jet to the isolated Turkish prison island of Imrali.
By Doina Chiacu WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The head of the House of Representatives' tax-writing committee said on Sunday he would not accept elimination of a federal deduction for state and local taxes, opposing a proposal from Senate Republicans that would hike taxes for some middle class Americans. House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady said he guaranteed the deduction would not be entirely scrapped in a final tax bill that emerges from dueling plans already unveiled by Republicans in the House and the Senate. Asked on "Fox News Sunday" if House Republicans would reject a bid by Senate Republicans to do away with the deduction entirely, Brady said: "That's what I'm saying." The deduction for state and local taxes, known as SALT, has been one of the most hotly contested issues as Republicans seek to achieve a significant overhaul of the U.S. tax code and hand President Donald Trump his first major legislative victory. It is a chief concern for a group of House Republicans who face re-election battles next year in high-tax, typically Democratic-leaning states such as California, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts. Other sticking points include a proposal by the Senate to delay implementation of a cut in the corporate tax rate and a House plan to eliminate the estate tax on inheritances. Republicans control both the House and the Senate. Lawmakers will debate their respective plans this week before heading home for the Thanksgiving Day holiday. Republicans hope to resolve their differences in time to reach their goal of enacting the legislation by the end of the year. The Senate tax blueprint introduced on Thursday would repeal the SALT deduction entirely. The House bill would repeal it only for state and local income and sales taxes, but preserve it for property tax up to $10,000 a year. Brady said there were many similarities in the rival tax proposals. "I know that everyone's stressing the differences - there are some - but there's far more common ground," he said. Both the House and Senate plans would add $1.5 trillion over 10 years to the budget deficit and national debt, an increase that has worried some fiscally conservative Republicans. Both plans also call for deep tax cuts for high-earners and businesses and would reshape how the United States taxes multinational corporations. They are both widely seen as a boon for business. CORPORATE GIVEAWAY OR RECIPE FOR GROWTH? Congressional Democrats have criticized the Republican plans as lopsided, favoring wealthy Americans and corporate interests. "Both the House and the Senate bills would raise taxes on millions of middle-class families, particularly in the suburbs, while providing a huge giveaway to corporations and the wealthy," Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said. "Republicans should go back to the drawing board and fully restore the SALT deduction," he said in a statement. Some analyses show that some Americans would see a tax increase under both plans. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin acknowledged that on CNN's "State of the Union" on Sunday, although he said most middle-class families would be better off. "For most people - and, again, it may not be 100 percent, but by far the majority - both the House and Senate version provide middle-income tax relief," he said. White House economic adviser Gary Cohn said both plans adhere to Trump's two main objectives in overhauling the tax code: a tax cut for middle-income Americans and a deep reduction in the corporate tax rate to make U.S. businesses competitive. "That's how we're going to grow the economy. That's how we're going to pay for the tax bill," Cohn said on Fox's "Sunday Morning Futures." A report by Congress' Joint Committee on Taxation estimated earlier this month that the House bill could raise taxes on as many as 38 million people who earn between $20,000 and $40,000 per year, beginning in 2023. Republican Representative Peter King has fiercely opposed the elimination of the SALT deduction, saying many in his home state of New York earning $300,000 a year were hardworking, two-income families facing a very high cost of living. "They're not hedge fund people," King said on "Sunday Morning Futures." "These are hardworking people and they're going to get screwed by this bill." (Reporting by Doina Chiacu; Additional reporting by Sarah N. Lynch; Editing by Kieran Murray and Dan Grebler)
By John Whitesides

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell led a chorus of establishment Republicans on Monday urging Roy Moore, the party's Senate candidate in Alabama, to quit the race as a fifth woman came forward with allegations Moore had sexual contact with teenage girls decades ago.

Beverly Young Nelson said Moore sexually assaulted her when she was 16 and he was a prosecuting attorney in his 30s. At a New York news conference, the tearful Nelson said Moore groped her, tried to pull her shirt off and shove her head in his lap, then warned that "no one will believe you" if she told anyone.

"I was twisting and struggling and begging him to stop," said Nelson, a waitress at an Alabama restaurant where Moore often ate when the incident occurred. "I had tears running down my face."

Moore, a Christian conservative and former chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court, has refused to withdraw from the race. His campaign released a statement denying "any sexual misconduct with anyone" and saying the new allegations were part of a "witch hunt."

McConnell told reporters in his home state of Kentucky that party officials were considering whether a Republican write-in candidate could be found to challenge Moore in the Dec. 12 special election.

"I think he should step aside," said McConnell, who previously said Moore should leave the race if the allegations were true. "I believe the women."

Republican Senators Orrin Hatch, Susan Collins, Lindsey Graham, Todd Young and Cory Gardner joined McConnell in calling for Moore to drop out - a move that could open the door for Democrats to cut into Republicans' narrow two-seat Senate majority.

Collins said she was not convinced by his denials. Gardner, the head of the Senate Republican campaign arm, said Moore was unfit to serve in the Senate.

"If he refuses to withdraw and wins, the Senate should vote to expel him, because he does not meet the ethical and moral requirements of the United States Senate," Gardner said in a statement.

Story continues

Senator John Cornyn, the Senate's No. 2 Republican, withdrew his endorsement but said Alabama voters should make the final judgment on Moore.

Moore, 70, had been a heavy favorite to win the election against Democrat Doug Jones. He has denied the allegations first raised in a Washington Post story about his relationships with four women when they were teenagers, including a charge he initiated sexual contact with a 14-year-old girl when he was in his 30s.

He said on Twitter that McConnell was the person who should step down.

"He has failed conservatives and must be replaced," Moore said.

MANY SUPPORTERS STEADFAST

The state party and many other Alabama Republicans have not wavered in their support of Moore, who scored a decisive Republican primary victory in September over Luther Strange. Strange, who drew the support of President Donald Trump in the primary, was appointed to fill the seat vacated by Jeff Sessions when he became U.S. attorney general earlier this year.

The growing furor over Moore sets up a confrontation between establishment Republicans and Moore's supporters in the party's populist movement led by former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon.

A Democratic win in Alabama would be a blow to Trump's agenda and shift the political outlook for next year's congressional elections, giving Democrats a stronger shot at recapturing control of the U.S. Senate.

It is too late to remove Moore's name from the ballot, but McConnell told reporters he was "looking at" potential write-in candidates who could mount a successful campaign. Asked if Strange might be a candidate again, he said: "We'll see."

On Twitter, Hatch said Strange was "an excellent alternative."

But Strange told reporters it was "highly unlikely" he would mount a write-in campaign. "Now its going to really be up to the people of our state to sort this out," he said.

A special-election victory had been a long shot for Democrats in Alabama, which has not elected a Democratic senator in a quarter century. Jones, a former federal prosecutor, was trailing by double digits in some opinion polls.

Moore, who is prone to incendiary comments on social and cultural issues, has survived controversy before. He was twice forced out of his position as chief justice, once for refusing to remove a Ten Commandments monument from the courthouse and once for defying the U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage.

He threatened over the weekend to sue the Post and said the allegations in its story were a smear campaign by his political opponents. Reuters has been unable to independently confirm any of the allegations.

While making the new allegations, Nelson showed reporters Moore's signature in her high school yearbook. She said he had offered to give her a ride home one night, then pulled the car behind the restaurant and assaulted her.

"I was terrified," she said. "I thought he was going to rape me."

Nelson said she told her sister about the attack two years afterward, and eventually told her mother and husband. She said she backed Trump for president last year and was not coming forward because of politics but because she was inspired by the women who talked to the Post.

"Their courage has inspired me to overcome my fear," she said.

The news conference was arranged by lawyer Gloria Allred, who has represented women in a number of high-profile sexual misconduct cases. Moore's campaign said Allred was trying to create a spectacle.

(Additional reporting by David Alexander and Susan Cornwell in Washington and Peter Szekely in New York; Editing by Bill Trott and Peter Cooney)
By Michael Holden and Guy Faulconbridge

LONDON (Reuters) - British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson issued a second, fuller apology on Monday for remarks about an Iranian-British aid worker jailed in Iran that critics said might have prompted Iran to extend her prison sentence.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a project manager with the Thomson Reuters Foundation, was sentenced to five years after being convicted by an Iranian court of plotting to overthrow the clerical establishment. She denies the charges.

Johnson told a parliamentary committee on Nov. 1 that she had been teaching people journalism before her arrest in April 2016, contradicting her and her employer, who said she had been on holiday visiting her family.

"It was my mistake. I should have been clearer. I apologise for the distress and anguish that has been caused to Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe and her family," Johnson told lawmakers on Monday. "Our priority now is to do everything we can to get her out of Iran on humanitarian grounds."

On Nov. 7 Johnson said in the course of an exchange with an opposition MP in parliament that "I am sorry if any words of mine have been so taken out of context and so misconstrued as to cause any kind of anxiety for the family."

Opposition British lawmakers had said the remarks could land the aid worker a longer term in jail.

Johnson, whose job has come under pressure over the case, said he would meet Zaghari-Ratcliffe's husband this week, adding that the issue was casting a shadow over relations with Iran.

"I shall travel to Iran myself later this year to review the full state of our bilateral relations and to drive home the strength of feeling in this House and in the country at large," Johnson said.

Earlier on Monday, the government said it was considering granting diplomatic protection to Zaghari-Ratcliffe as part of an effort to secure her release from jail.

It is unclear how such protection could be offered retrospectively to a dual Iranian-British citizen, or whether such a move could help to secure her release, but a spokesman for Prime Minister Theresa May said it was one option being considered.

Story continues

"The prime minister has been involved with this case from the outset, she's raised it with the Iranian president on at least two occasions, the entire government is working towards securing her release as quickly as possible," he said.

A legal opinion prepared for the human rights charity Redress on Zaghari-Ratcliffe's case said the British government could grant her diplomatic protection as she is "predominantly" a British citizen who has been denied a fair trial.

It is unclear how Tehran would view such a step, which would explicitly make Zaghari-Ratcliffe's fate an issue in state-to-state relations rather than a purely consular case.

BARGAINING CHIP

Zaghari-Ratcliffe's fate become a major political issue in Britain after Johnson made remarks on Nov. 1 that appeared to cast doubt on statements from her employer.

The Thomson Reuters Foundation, a charity organisation that is independent of Thomson Reuters and operates independently of Reuters News, said she had been on holiday and had not been teaching journalism in Iran.

Iranian state television said Johnson's comments showed Zaghari-Ratcliffe's guilt and that she was involved in spying.

Her husband, Richard Ratcliffe, said the case had become a bargaining chip for Iran in its relations with Britain, and that it would not be helpful for Johnson to resign.

He has asked to come with Johnson on a trip to Tehran planned for later this year and called for her to be given diplomatic protection.

"Nazanin is being held because she is British and is being used as a bargaining chip against the UK, now justified by your words," he said in an article in the Evening Standard newspaper.

"Nazanin is no longer simply a consular case as she has been endangered in a deeper way," he wrote.

He added the uncertainty had affected his wife's health and she had gone to hospital for tests after finding lumps on her breasts, which the specialist thought were benign and stress-related.

British ministers have rallied round Johnson but one of his allies, Environment Secretary Michael Gove, was accused of muddying the waters in a television interview on Sunday when he said he did not know what Zaghari-Ratcliffe was doing in Iran.

(Additional reporting by Elizabeth Piper; Editing by Angus MacSwan and William Maclean)
NEW YORK (Reuters) - United Airlines has temporary suspended flights from Newark, New Jersey to New Delhi, India, on poor air quality concerns in the Indian capital, according to a company spokesman on Sunday. The third-largest U.S. airline added that it currently has waiver policies in place for customers who are traveling to, from or through Delhi. "We are monitoring advisories as the region remains under a public health emergency, and are coordinating with respective government agencies," the spokesman said in an email. Delta Air Lines said it does not operate flights to India, according to a spokeswoman. Last week, New Delhi declared a pollution emergency as toxic smog hung over the city for a third day. (Reporting by Catherine Ngai; editing by Diane Craft)
NEW YORK/SINGAPORE (Reuters) - United Airlines said it had resumed flights from Newark, New Jersey to New Delhi, India on Sunday, after suspending the service temporarily over concerns about poor air quality in the Indian capital. UA Flight 82 had been canceled on Friday and Saturday, data from flight tracking website FlightRadar24 showed, while the airline's website said it had waiver policies in place for passengers traveling to, from or through Delhi until Monday. UA Flight 82 has resumed operations, but "we will continue to monitor conditions over the next few days", a spokesman said. The third-largest U.S carrier is monitoring advisories as the New Delhi region remains under a public health emergency, and is coordinating with respective government agencies, the United Airlines spokesman had earlier told Reuters. Last week, New Delhi declared a pollution emergency as toxic smog hung over the city for days, with tourism operators reporting cancellation of bookings for the Christmas holidays. U.S. rivals Delta Air Lines Inc and American Airlines Group Inc said they do not operate flights to New Delhi, while several Asian airlines contacted by Reuters said they had not canceled flights. Verisk Maplecroft, a risk consultancy, says India has the worst air quality out of a list of 198 countries it measures, and that New Delhi ranks among the world's top 10 most polluted cities with many urban areas around the capital also among those with the worst air quality. "At the national level, India tops the index rankings (i.e. the country with the worst air quality), followed by Bangladesh and Thailand," said Richard Hewston, Verisk Maplecroft's global head of environment and climate change. The company's Air Quality Index assesses the atmospheric concentrations of fine particulate matter smaller than 2.5 micrometers, known as PM 2.5. A U.S. embassy measure of PM 2.5 showed a reading of 481 in New Delhi on Monday morning, local time. The outer limit of "good" air is 50. (Reporting by Catherine Ngai in New York and Jamie Freed and Henning Gloystein in Singapore; editing by Diane Craft and Himani Sarkar)
Caracas (AFP) - Venezuela hosted a brief meeting of creditors on Monday as the struggling yet oil-rich country sought to stave off a default seen as inevitable by experts, while the EU stepped up the pressure with new sanctions on Caracas.

However, the 25-minute closed-door gathering in a government building across from the presidential palace ended with no agreement and no plan broached, several participants said. Another meeting was promised, but no date was given.

Vice President Tareck El Aissami chaired the meeting, during which he read a statement blaming US sanctions for delays to Venezuela's debt repayments.

His presence was problematic for some, as the US has designated him a drug kingpin with whom US entities are barred from dealing.

"They said they are going to form working groups to evaluate short- and mid-term debt-renegotiation proposals," Geronimo Mansutti, from the Rendivalores brokerage, told AFP.

"But they didn't give any concrete details on their plans, on what they hope to get."

He said there had been around 300 investors or their representatives at the meeting.

Venezuelan authorities had said 414 creditors representing 91 percent of its traded debt had responded to President Nicolas Maduro's invitation to attend.

Maduro said early this month he was seeking a refinancing and restructuring of Venezuela's debt, which is estimated at $150 billion, including bonds issued by the government and state oil company PDVSA as well as direct loans from China and Russia.

The country has less than $10 billion left in hard-currency reserves.

The financial news agency Bloomberg said that none of the foreign investors it had contacted last week planned to travel to Caracas.

About 70 percent of Venezuelan bondholders are North American, according to government figures.

Major credit rating agencies say that default on Venezuela's debt will happen, though they don't know precisely when.

The country has repayments of $1.4 billion to make before the end of the year, and another $8 billion next year.

Story continues

- Decision postponed in New York -

Venezuelan economist Luis Vicente Leon said Maduro called the creditors' meeting to try to get them to pressure the US government to allow a restructing to go ahead, despite a ban on US entities buying new Venezuelan debt.

A committee of the International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) is already weighing whether holders of PDVSA debt with default insurance -- credit default swaps -- can collect payment.

The Maduro government had said it would make a $1.2 billion payment on a PDVSA bond on November 2, but it was unclear if the funds ever reached creditors.

The so-called Determinations Committee for the Americas, comprised of 15 financial firms, met in New York following an initial gathering last Friday, "to discuss whether a Failure to Pay Credit Event had occurred" with respect to PDVSA, according to the ISDA.

It ended up deciding to again postpone a decision until Tuesday.

Tightening the squeeze on Maduro was the European Union's announcement of sanctions, including an embargo on arms and equipment that could be used for political repression.

Restrictions include a prohibition on US entities buying any new Venezuela debt issues -- usually a required step in any restructuring.

- Maduro defiant -

Late Sunday, Maduro struck a defiant tone, insisting that his country would "never" default and pointing to ongoing negotiations with China and Russia.

But his options are very limited.

A default can be declared in several ways: by the major ratings agencies, big debt-holders or by the government itself.

News on Friday that a state-owned utility, Electricidad de Venezuela, failed to make a $650 million payment within a one-month grace period bolstered creditors' wariness that a default was unfolding.

As rough as the ride has been regarding debt, Maduro is also being buffeted by international accusations that he is acting as an autocrat -- stomping on democracy by marginalizing the opposition, which controls the parliament, and stifling independent media.

- US criticism -

Adding to the political pressure against Maduro, the UN Security Council met on Venezuela at the behest of the United States.

During the informal session, US Ambassador Nikki Haley slammed Venezuela as an "increasingly violent narco-state" that poses a threat to world security.

Permanent council members Russia and China boycotted the meeting, as did non-permanent members Bolivia and Egypt.

Venezuela's envoy to the UN, Rafael Ramirez, called the meeting "illegal."

"This is a hostile act by the United States and clearly an act of interference," he said.
Caracas (AFP) - Monday looks like crunch day for Venezuela, with a planned Caracas meeting for creditors to discuss debt restructuring, a New York bondholders' meeting that could lead to a default announcement, and new EU sanctions.

Combined, the events point to a day of reckoning for the OPEC-member nation, and a tighter squeeze on its beleaguered President Nicolas Maduro and his socialist government.

But when it comes to the technical world of debt trading, things remain unclear. Monday may be the day that Venezuela's house of cards comes tumbling down. Or, judgment day may be pushed off again -- though not very far by most accounts.

The Caracas meeting of foreign bondholders, called to talk over debt refinancing and restructuring Maduro wants, could bring some clarity.

Yet it's not yet clear who will be attending, what possible terms of engagement could be set, or even if a restructuring can be brought about.

To encourage attendance, Venezuela has reportedly said Vice President Tareck el-Aissami won't physically be there -- despite being put in charge of the restructuring. US sanctions designate him a drug kingpin, with whom American entities are barred from doing business.

- Default inevitable, but when? -

Speaking on state television on Sunday night, Maduro struck a defiant tone, insisting his cash-strapped country would "never" default and pointed to ongoing negotiations with China and Russia.

His aim is to establish a rescheduling of repayments of the public part of Venezuela's total debt mountain -- estimated at up to $150 billion, counting sovereign bonds, debt issued by state oil company PDVSA and taken on by the two allied countries.

A default can be declared in several ways: by the major ratings agencies, big debtholders, or by the government itself.

A significant step in that direction could come in a meeting of creditors in New York under the International Swaps and Derivatives Association. Those creditors, represented by 15 financial firms which make up a Determinations Committee, started a meeting Friday and decided to continue it on Monday.

Story continues

The decision before them is whether to declare conditions are met for default insurance -- known as credit default swaps -- have been met.

By Monday, it should be known whether most or all of $1.2 billion meant to have been paid by PDVSA last week has made it to bondholders' accounts. As of Friday, information on that was incomplete and contradictory.

The rating agencies all forecast a Venezuelan default as inevitable, but differ on when it might occur. With less than $10 billion in hard-currency reserves, though, it cannot be far off.

- Creditors' hopes -

Several in the bond-trading industry are holding out hope that Venezuela will keep up with payments, even belatedly, as it doesn't make sense to lose liquidity by paying out the $1.2 billion if a default is going to happen anyway.

However, news on Friday that a state-owned utility, Electricidad de Venezuela, failed to make a $650 million payment within a one-month grace period bolstered creditors' wariness that a default was unfolding.

As rough as the ride has been regarding debt, Maduro is also being buffeted by international accusations that he is acting as an autocrat -- stomping on democracy by marginalizing the opposition, which controls the parliament, and stifling independent media.

The United States has imposed successive rounds of sanctions on Venezuela for that reason, most recently last week.

The European Union is poised to officially unveil its own measures on Monday, EU sources have told AFP and other media.

They are to take the form of an arms embargo meant to prevent Venezuela buying weapons, such as water cannon, and surveillance equipment that could be used for repression.

A blacklist for sanctioned Venezuelan individuals and entities would also be created, the EU sources said, though for the moment it will be empty.

"It's a gradual, flexible and reversible tool," one diplomatic source said.

Claudio Salerno, Venezuela's ambassador to the EU, said in imposing sanctions the EU is "bowing to the call of the head of the empire" -- President Donald Trump -- adding Venezuela sees itself as a "victim."

"The Venezuelan people will decide next year if they want to continue with this model or if they want to take another route," she said. "It has to be decided through the polls, not through international pressure."

The EU move, after those of the US, comes on top of widespread criticism across Latin America of Maduro's actions -- especially his appointment in August of a chamber of loyalists that has usurped parliamentary powers.

Adding to the political pressure against Maduro, Monday will also see a UN Security Council meeting called by the United States.

"As the Venezuelan economy continues to crumble, the situation will likely only worsen especially as the country is at risk of defaulting on its debt," the US delegation said in a document calling the meeting.
A parade to honour a British missionary who died after being kidnapped from the eye clinic he had set up -

Residents of an impoverished Nigerian village have held a parade to honour a British missionary who died after being kidnapped from the eye clinic he had set up in their neighbourhood.

Dressed in black, hundreds of villagers from Enokhora, a remote community in Nigeria's southern Delta region, turned out to mourn the death of Surrey optician Ian Squire, 57, who was kidnapped by a criminal gang last month.

Three other British missionaries who were held with him were freed last week, but Mr Squire is understood to have died after being unable to access medication for an asthma condition.

His death has brought both sadness and anger among the local community, who now face the closure of the clinic that the missionaries ran, one of the few health facilities in the area.

One placard held up by the demonstrators read: "Ian, you live, you never die, because we cherish you in our hearts."

Local TV news reports also showed footage of the missionaries' clinic - now padlocked - and their nearby living quarters, where the locks on the doors had been smashed open when the kidnappers struck just after midnight on October 13.

Ian Squire, a British national who was killed three weeks after being kidnapped in Nigeria Credit: Squire family

One neighbour who is thought to have worked with the missionaries, said: "All of a sudden in the night, around 1245am, one of my friends came to me and said: 'Wake up! They have stolen our white men!"

Meanwhile, a Nigerian newspaper quoted one local, Comrade Michael Ogobiri, as saying that the missionaries had turned down offers of guards, despite separate reports that they had already faced one previous abduction attempt.

We had set up a local vigilante for them before, but they rejected it because they said they believed in God and theyre missionaries," Mr Ogobiri told the Nigerian Tribune. "We never believed such could happen. Theyve been here since 2007."

Ian Squire Credit: LinkedIn

Villagers also called on local security forces to step up their hunt for the leader of the kidnapping gang, known locally as the Karowei. Some have already been arrested or killed.

Story continues

One unidentified community leader said: "These people have come all the way from the UK to help us and because of the kidnapping by the Karowei, this led to the death of Doctor Ian.

"We want to the world to see that we are not happy with the activities of this gang, and to appeal to the federal government to make sure that the Karowei should be brought to book. The loss of Doctor Ian has led to the closure of this clinic."

Hundreds of villagers from Enokhora, a remote community in Nigeria's southern Delta region, turned out Credit:

One of the suspected kidnappers died during a shoot-out with police in the nearby town of Sapele, north of the regional capital Warri, on Wednesday. A policeman, Sanusi Lanre, also died from wounds sustained in the operation, which came after the arrest of two other members of the gang in Warri earlier that day.

Mr Squire, who ran his own optician business, had been founder and chairman of the Christian charity Mission for Vision since 2003.

He was kidnapped along with former Cambridgeshire GP David Donovan and his wife Shirley, both 57, and Alanna Carson, of Fife. Mr Squire had teamed up in 2013 with the Donovans own New Foundations health charity.

The Donovans and Ms Carson have since returned to the UK, and have thus far declined to comment about their ordeal.
When Indian actress Divya Unny flew into the southern state of Kerala in 2015, she thought it was for a business meeting with an award-winning director about a role in his upcoming film.

Instead, she was called to the directors hotel room at 9 pm, where the man propositioned her for sex and told her she would have to make compromises if she wanted to succeed in the film industry.

You always hear of actresses getting called by directors to hotel rooms at night, but I didnt think twice because I was going in with a reference, she told Reuters.

Unny said she rejected the advances of the director, whom she declined to name, and left without a role in the movie. Reuters was unable to confirm her accusations.

Three other women involved in Indias film industry, the worlds largest, told Reuters that Unnys experience isnt unique. But even after allegations of sexual assault and harassment levelled at Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein prompted a wave of similar complaints, Bollywood has been reluctant to name and shame perpetrators.

The way men are being called out in Hollywood right now, I dont know if it can happen in India, said Alankrita Shrivastava, a director whose last film, Lipstick Under my Burkha was acclaimed for its examination of women and sexuality.

In terms of how our psychology is, how patriarchy functions, it is much more entrenched, she said.

The vast majority of Bollywoods biggest producers and film-makers are men, many from prominent film families who until recently controlled most of the industry.

Mukesh Bhatt, who co-heads production house Vishesh Films, said Indias film industry should not be singled out and was limited in what more it could do to prevent harassment.

What can we do? We cannot do any moral policing, Bhatt, told Reuters in a telephone interview. We cannot keep moral cops outside every film office to see that no girl is being exploited.

The industry also had to be cautious about false allegations, said Bhatt, who was previously the chairman of apex industry body, the Film and Television Producers Guild of India.

Story continues

I am not saying men have not been exploitative. They have been for centuries. But todays woman is also not as simple as she pretends to be, he said. But just as there are good men and bad men, so also there are women who are exploitative and very cunning. Also blatantly shameless to offer themselves. He declined to provide any examples.

Few Complaints

Despite laws requiring Indian companies to form internal committees to investigate sexual harassment at the workplace, very few of cases are reported to the police, said womens rights activist and lawyer, Flavia Agnes.

They (companies) may have a committee or they may not have one. They may do an investigation or they may not do one. And they may or may not file a complaint. It could go wrong at every stage, she said.

Reports of sexual assault, while rare, are not unheard of in Indias film industry.

Earlier this year, Gopalakrishnan Padmanabhan Pillai, a popular actor in the Malayalam film industry best known by his stage name Dileep, was arrested by police who accused him and several others of kidnapping and molesting an actress. Dileep denies the accusations.

He says it is a completely false case. He was framed by the police and some enemies, B Raman Pillai, a lawyer for Dileep, told Reuters.

Fans cheered and distributed sweets as he walked out on bail last month after more than 80 days in prison. The police havent filed formal charges in court, after which a date for the trial would be set.

We will file a charge sheet in the next two weeks. Maybe next week, Biju Paulose, an inspector of police in charge of the case, told Reuters by phone.

Harassment depicted as love

Kangana Ranaut is one of the few Bollywood actresses who has publicly spoken out about the sexual assault and harassment. Ranaut, who has appeared in 30 films in the past decade, told Reuters she had faced severe sexual exploitation and harassment at the work place, without elaborating.

Ive read some stories (about harassment) shared by few prominent people, but most people find it hard to open up about such experiences, she said. Victim shaming is very common in our society, its done brutally and openly.

According to a survey conducted by The Indian National Bar Association this year, around 70 percent of Indian women said they would not report sexual harassment at the workplace because they werent confident about the complaint mechanism and because of the stigma attached to victims.

Shrivastava, the director, said the kind of cinema Bollywood often produces demonstrates its attitude towards sexual harassment and assault.

For example, two of this years hit movies  Toilet  Ek Prem Katha and Badrinath Ki Dulhaniya  showed the hero stalking the leading lady, taking pictures of her without her knowledge.

For decades, we have created cinema where harassment is depicted as love, Shrivastava said. And that reflects the mentality of the creators  that they keep portraying it, and excusing it in the name of commerce.
A Walmart cashier's simple act of kindness has shown that slowing down and showing patience can sometimes make all the difference.

In a widely-shared Facebook post, Spring Herbison Bowlin said her heart was warmed during a recent shopping trip to a Walmart in Mississippi.

Bowlin had stopped by the megastore on her lunch break Thursday and was waiting in the checkout line when she said she was moved by a cashier's kindness toward one customer.

RELATED: How to have a happy (and healthy) holiday



Bowlin wrote that a man in front had just been given his total when he nervously looked back at her and started to apologize as he placed handfuls of change on the counter.

"He miscounts and starts to get flustered," Bowlin wrote.

"His hands and voice are shaking," she said. "This beautiful cashier takes his hands and dumps all the change on the counter and says, 'This is not a problem, honey. We will do this together.'"

SEE ALSO: Volunteers needed to knit special hats for newborns

After the transaction was handled, Bowlin said she thanked the cashier for being so patient with the customer.

"She shakes her head and replies, 'You shouldn't have to thank me, baby. What's wrong with our world is we've forgotten how to love one another.'"

The post, which was uploaded Thursday, has since been liked more than 24,000 times.
How does Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman stand to gain, if at all, from Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariris tumultuous resignation ? It depends which expert you believe and which media outlet you rely on.

Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter



Theres one thing all camps agree on: Hariri, who was summoned to the kings palace in Riyadh twice in four days the week before his resignation, had no intention of stepping down. The second time, he got off the plane straight into the arms of Saudi security guards. His and his escorts cell phones were confiscated and he was instantly disconnected from the wide world. He was seated in front of television cameras and the crown princes message box was shoved into his hands. Hariri himself sounded as if he didnt believe his threats to cut off Irans hands in Lebanon.

Moreover, those who peeked at the Lebanese prime ministers schedule before and after the last flight can reach only one conclusion: A person who plans to quit and flee Lebanon does not fill his timetable with meetings with IMF and World Bank representatives, with the directors-general of his governments water and economy ministries and with three ministers.

Hariri and bin Salman. How does the Saudi crown prince stand to gain from the Lebanese prime ministers tumultuous resignation? (Photo: Reuters)

Bin Salman, however, had other plans. He knew that Oger, Hariris huge construction empire in Saudi Arabia was faltering due to a $9-billion debt, and he knew that a resignation would get Hariri in trouble with thousands of laborers, who are now threatening to sue their employer, who is no longer protected by immunity. Bin Salman is also threatening to cut the aid to Lebanon, plunge the country into a deep economic crisis and convince US President Donald Trump to step up the sanctions against Hezbollah and against Iran.

If up until a week ago Hariri was a billionaire controlled by Saudi Arabia, after the resignation he turned into a hostage under tight security. The obsessive tweeter from Beirut has disappeared from social media as well, and the managers of the new agenda wont let him return. How can he return, after whining that there is an assassination plot against him? If there are no threats, why did he resign?

Lebanese President Michel Aoun, who is very close to Hezbollah, said Saturday that Hariri had been kidnapped by Saudi Arabia . Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah said: This must be said loud and clear. The Lebanese prime is being held in Saudi Arabia under house arrest. A huge poster of the Lebanese prime minister with the caption We are all Hariri was hung in Beirut over the weekend.

Meanwhile, the United States has also called on Hariri to return to Beirut: If hes going to step down, as I understand it, he needs to go back to Lebanon to make that official, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Saturday. Im hopeful that if it is still his intention to leave that hell do so in order that the government of Lebanon can function properly.

In the updated profiles of the worlds intelligence agencies, including the Israeli, bin Salman is portrayed as hasty and impatient. The Islamic States collapse, his miserable failure in driving Bashar Assad away from the presidential palace in Damascus and the ongoing war in Yemen, which is costing the Saudis hundreds of millions of dollars and is far from ending, have reversed his working plan.

First of all, Tehran: When the Quds Force stretches half of the Shiite Crescent from Iran through Iraq and Syria, and races to Lebanon with Nasrallah paving the way, it is seen as theft in broad daylight of outposts that have been removed from Saudi influence. Hariri, as bin Salman sees it, didnt lift a finger: He didnt complain about the forced partnership with Hezbollah in the government and didnt threaten to leave. His tumultuous removal, on the other hand, creates confusion, tension and an explosion of rumors and speculations, and is aimed at sending Lebanon into a tailspin.

The unconvincing wording of the resignation motives was intended for the American presidents ears. The Saudi crown prince, who believes Trump is his ally, is sending his mouthpieces to vilify Iran, smear Hezbollah and strengthen the dialogue with Washington and with Israel.

Yes, no one will confirm it, but the dialogue is alive and kicking behind the scenes. We just have to pay attention to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's silence and to the recommendation that Israeli diplomats voice their support for the Saudi plan (not the Saudi peace initiative, God forbid) and be careful not to criticize Riyadh.
The annual Likudiada event for members of the governing party once again made headlines this year, as promotional materials for the event tweeted by the official Likudiada Twitter account showed a blurred photo of Shira Rabanformer Prime Minister's Residence employee currently suing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's wife Sara for abusealongside a photo of the Netanyahus next to the caption: "Israel's mother and father. You won't hurt them!"

Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter



"Neither Shira nor Raban will be able to hurt them. See you at the Likudiada!" another tweet read.

The Likudiada tweeted Raban's photo

The Likud party's special event will take January 11 in Eilat. Another tweet showed a photo of Likud ministers and MKs such as David Bitan, David Amsalem, Miri Regev and others sitting on a bus supposedly making its way to Eilat with the writing, "Off to the Likudiada we go."

Public criticism was also leveled against the timing of the 2017 Likudiada , as opponents scorned the fact that it would fall on the same day as International Holocaust Remembrance Day on January 27. In response Minister of Culture Miri Regev claimed, "International Holocaust Remembrance Day never received so much coverage as it did this year, thanks to the Likudiada."

Responding to questions regarding their use of Raban's image, Moshe Pesel and Moshe Ben-Zaken, two of the event's organizers, said, "We have nothing personal against Ms. Raban, but we are making a statement opposing the campaign of incitement and agitation against the prime minister and his wife."
Latin America's largest airline holding company, LATAM Airlines, announced last week that it will begin operating direct flights between Israel and South America in 2018.

Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter



According to the Chile-based airline, three weekly flights will be operated from Santiago en route to Israel, with a stop-over in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The Ministry of Tourism confirmed that talks are being held with the airline on the new commercial flights.

No direct flights currently exists between Israel and South American countries after Israels EL AL Airlines terminated its flights to Brazil, forcing passengers to stopover in European destinations.

LATAM was founded in 2012 as an umbrella airline incorporating LAN Airlines and TAM Airlines belonging to Chile and Brazil respectively. Since being founded, the group has set up subsidiaries in Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Paraguay and Argentina.

LATAM Airlines (Photo: Yedioth Ahronoth)

The range of the airlines aircraft includes a Boeing 787 and 767, and Airbus A350 and short and medium-range airbuses.

Direct London-Eilat flights on the horizon?

With developments on the South American front, the Israeli Ministry of Tourism has also turned its attention to British Airways to discuss the possibility of launching direct flights in the winter between London and the holiday resort of Eilat.

The direct flight routes were supposed to be reserved for Monarch Airlines, but the plans were brought to an abrupt halt recently after the airline announced bankruptcy, leaving the routes literally up in the air.

British Aiways Boeing 787 Dreamliner (Photo: British Airways)

According to the companys chief executive and chairman Alex Cruz, British Airways is not ruling out the possibility of filling the gap left behind by Monarch but direct London-Eilat flights would not be happening any time in the near future.

We have no announcement on the issue of Monarch stopping its flights to Eilat and at the moment we dont have a plane that is appropriate at this stage for the flight configuration to Eilat, Cruz said.

Cruz flew to Israel to mark 85 years of since the airlinethen known as Imperial Airwaysfirst began operating flights from London to what eventually became Israel. Embarking on its first journey in 1932 to the territory then controlled by the British, the airline is the oldest to operate in Israel.

Today, British Airways operates 14 flights between Tel Aviv and London and was ranked 14th best airline, including among Israeli companies, out of all competitors operating in Ben Gurion Airport.
Prime MInister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that Israel would operate in Syria how and when it sees fit, regardless of the ceasefire agreement signed Saturday between the US, Russia and Jordan that Jerusalem complained fell significantly short of its security demands.

Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter



I clarified for our friends, first and foremost in Washington and also our friends in Moscow, that Israel will act in Syria, including in southern Syria, in accordance with its understanding and our security needs, the prime minister said during a Likud party meeting.

PM Netanyahu (Photo: Reuters)

That is what is happening and that is what will continue to happen, he added.

The agreement, which included a clause removing Iranian forces, Hezbollah and Shi'ite militias in Syria from its border with Israel on the Golan Heights, raised eyebrows among Israeli security officials after learning that they would be permitted to remain present a mere 5-7km from the border.

Depending on current rebel positions on the Syrian Golan Heights, an official said, speaking on condition of anonymity due, the forces would have to deploy up to 30km from the border.

We are concerned for Israels security and you all know this very well. We are doing this with the right combination of firmness and responsibility, Netanyahu continued.

We are protecting our borders, we are protecting our country and we will continue to do so.

US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday affirmed joint efforts to stabilize Syria as its civil war wanes with the expansion of a July 7 truce in the southwestern triangle bordering Israel and Jordan.

Preident Trump and President Putin (Photo: AFP)

A US State Department official said Russia had agreed to work with the Syrian regime to remove Iranian-backed forces a defined distance from the Golan Heights frontier with Israel, which captured the plateau in the 1967 Six-Day War.

Israel has been lobbying both the US and Russia to deny Iran, Lebanons Hezbollah and other Shiite militias any permanent bases in Syria, and to distance them from the Golan, as they gain ground while helping Damascus beat back Sunni-led rebels.

On Sunday, Regional Cooperation Minister and Netanyahu confidant, Tzachi Hanegbi (Likud), however, sounded circumspect about the deal, telling reporters that it does not meet Israels unequivocal demand the there will not be developments that bring the forces of Hezbollah or Iran to the Israel-Syria border in the north.
Interior Minister Aryeh Deri announced on Monday that he would adopt the recommendation of Minister for strategic affairs and public security Gilad Erdan, thereby refusing to allow a delegation of European parliamentarians and French mayors to visit Israel and the Palestinian Authority, due to their promotion of anti-Israeli BDS movement and intent to visit convicted Palestinian terrorist Marwan Barghouti.

Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter



The delegation, which includes 20 participants, including French parliamentarians, European Parliamentarians and mayors, is scheduled to visit Israel and the Palestinian Authority on November 19-23.

Interior Minister Deri (R) and Public Security Minister Erdan (Photo: Alex Kolomoisky)

The delegation announced that the purpose of the official visit was to meet with Barghouti in Hadarim Prison, in a show of support of him and other Palestinian security prisoners.

After examining Erdan's recommendation and the materials concerning the delegation, Deri announced that the delegation members would be refused entry upon their arrival.

The announcement was made in advance, so as to allow members of the delegation to be informed of the matter and not fly at all.

Marwan Barghouti (Photo: Reuters)

"This is not the first time that I have prevented the entry of BDS activists, but this time it is a delegation of senior European officials who are coming to act against Israel, so the subject has a different aspect to it," Deri stated. "After examining their backgrounds and the circumstances of their visit, I decided that the delegation did not have a place in Israel."

"We will not allow the entry of those who actively call to attack the State of Israel, especially in light of their request to meet and bolster the murderer Barghouti and thus support terrorism," Erdan added. "These are senior politicians who consistently support and even promote boycotting Israel."
Ghana has seen many rap talents over the years, especially since the advent of Hiplife in the middle of the 1990s.

Click here for more entertainment news on YEN.com.gh

Sarkodie

Talk of Reggie Rockstone, the originator himself; Obrafour; Lord Kenya; Okyeame Kwame to Yaa Pono, M.anifest, Kwaw Kese, among the many others, rappers have popped up here and there and have thrilled fans with their music.

READ ALSO: Bishop Obinim claims to have raised 24-year-old from death in new video

Despite the contributions of the many rappers to the music industry in Ghana, Sarkodie stands tall when it comes to success as a rapper and you will definitely agree with this point of view after reading through his many achievements as we have put together below:

1. Awards:

Sarkodie receiving an award at the 2014 Ghana Music Awards

Every musician wants to be appreciated for their talents. One of the ways such appreciation manifests is being recognised for awards.

Sarkodie stands tall in this regard. With his 19 wins from over 50 nominations, he is the most successful artiste of the Ghana Music Awards.

And he will likely hold that record for a long time as the career of his closest contender, Ofori Amponsah who has 12 awards to his name, seems to have dwindled.

READ ALSO: Late Major Mahama finds place among war heroes on Remembrance Day

2. International recognition:

Sarkodie with his BET Award trophy

Gone are the days when Ghanaian musicians were content with their status as local champions. They want to be recognised outside the shores of the country.

Here too Sarkodie leads the way.

He was the first Ghanaian to receive a BET Award with his Best International Act: Africa Award in 2012 and has also received two nominations since then.

He is had nominations and /or won international awards including MOBO, MAMA, EMY Awards, among others.

In 2015, he became not only the first Ghanaian rapper but the first one from Africa to perform at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles, United States when he rendered a freestyle before the 2015 BET Awards.

READ ALSO: Majid Michel sends 'God-filled' birthday wish to Yvonne Nelson but did he know she was pregnant all along?

3. Impact outside music circles:

Sarkodie at the Harvard Business School

The Rapperholic rapper's impact is not felt only in the music circles.

Outside of it, his work has caught attention and he has had the privilege speaking at the prestigious Harvard Business School in the US.

Speaking under the theme, The Art Of The Hustle on February 27, 2016, Sarkodie used his life and career to inspire students who participated in the conference.

He has also, together with businessman, Prince Kofi Amoabeng, embarked on similar engagements to share their success stories with students of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).

It takes a lot of effort for a showbiz person to get serious attention from academia and it definitely shows how serious Sarkodie's career is taken even outside the industry.

READ ALSO: Gov't to stop buying Land Cruisers for ministers from 2018

4. Consistency and Versatility:

Sarkodie with his grandmother, Mary, who is the inspiration behind his 2015 album

Sarkodie has been active since 2007 but has been a top artiste for about seven years now and one thing he has shown in abundance is consistency and versatility.

There has never been a year since 2010 that you would not hear a hit track from him.

Having released Makye (2009), Rapperholic (2011), Sarkology (2013), Mary (2015) and most recently Higher (2017), he has released five albums over the period he is stayed in the limelight which is a very good turn out for a rapper.

He has also proved over the period that he is not only good in his comfort zone of rap (Hiplife) as he has experimented with other genres to much success. The Mary album and other collaborations he has had are clear examples of that.

It is one thing to perform very well in your comfort zone but it is a whole different ball game with such experiments.

Even the great Lionel Messi, it is argued by fans of Cristiano Ronaldo, will not perform that well if he were to leave his comfort zone of Barcelona for another club or league entirely.

So, Sarkodie definitely needs commendation for this. Of all the notable rappers in Ghana, Obrafour is about the only one who could shuffle that easily between genres with such success.

READ ALSO: Afia Schwarzenegger captured in video kissing YFM presenter at birthday party

5. Commercial success:

Ultimately, all musicians, even if they claim to be doing it as hobbies, would like to reap financial rewards for their talents.

And for someone who has decided to dedicate his life to the craft, it is more crucial to make some money in order to put food on the table.

Sarkodie is a full time rapper and he can afford to put food on the table because he is getting paid enough for his trade.

His shows are almost always sold out. He has endorsement deals with Samsung and Tigo and also has other businesses including a personal clothing line.

In fact, he is considered as one of the richest musicians in the whole of Africa.

According to the May 2017 edition of Forbes Magazine, Sarkodie is the 9th richest African artiste with an estimated worth of $7million.

No Ghanaian artiste, not to talk of rappers alone, has ever been featured in the Forbes rich list and it proves that Sarkodie is the most commercially successful Ghanaian act.

READ ALSO: Top 5 Awurama Badu songs which made her a Highlife legend

All in all, the man born in Tema on July 10, 1988 as Michael Owusu Addo stands tall among rappers in Ghana.

You may have your preference based on style of delivery or even likeness for another rapper but if it's about impact and success with their talents, no one compares to King Sark, as his fans call him.

What do you make of this post?

Let us know your views in the comments section below

Your stories and photos are also welcome.

Send us a message via our official Facebook page to get it published on YEN.com.gh

Source: YEN.com.gh
The Vatel International Business School of Hotel and Tourism Management recently accepted qualified Filipino students for a hands-on, intensive six-week internship summer exchange program in the city of Nimes in southern France.

A number of students from The School of Hotel, Restaurant, and Institution Management (SHRIM) of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) immersed themselves in extensive and thorough restaurant, hotel, and spa operations, planning, management, and day-to-day functions as part of the holistic experience they undergo for the requirements of their respective degree program.

Benildes School of Hotel, Restaurant, and Institution Management students

In partnership with DLS-CSB, they offer two-degree programs, namely, Bachelor Vatel-Manager en Hotellerie internationale, and MBA Vatel Directeur dHotellerie Internationale.

For 35 years, Vatel has prepared students for middle and higher management posts in the international hospitality tourism industry. It has 31 schools around the world, with more than 7,000 students presently enrolled in its programs, and over 29,000 alumni who occupy leadership positions in global hotels and restaurants under its roster.

Benilde is a part of Vatels global network, a recipient of the coveted Best Hotel School at the Worldwide Hospitality Awards Ceremony recently held at the InterContinental Paris Le Grand. The final selection was made by over 800 hotel industry professionals.

ADVERTISEMENT

Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.
A deadly tremor hit the Iraq-Iran border overnight killing more than 330 people and injuring thousands more, most of whom on the Iranian side.

The casualty toll of the 7.3-magnitude quake is expected to rise as rescue operations progress.

The majority of those who died were in Irans western Kermanshah province. Nearly 4,000 were said to be injured.

Iranian state news agency Irna quoted an emergency official as saying 3,950 were injured in Iran alone.

Most of the victims were in the town of Sarpol-e Zahab, about 15km (10 miles) from the border, Irans emergency services chief, Pir Hossein Koolivand was quoted as saying on Iranian state television channel Irinn.

On the Iraqi side, the most extensive damage was in the town of Darbandikhan, 75km (47 miles) east of the city of Sulaimaniyah in the Kurdistan Region.

The quake was so powerful that the tremors were felt in Lebanon and Turkey. The termors were also felt in the UAE, according to social media users.
Israels internal security service, Shin Bet, arrested early Monday in the West Bank, Tariq Qaadan, an alleged member of Gaza-based Islamic Jihad.

The arrest came as the war of words between Israel and the groups in Gaza heats up following the death of several fighters of the Islamic Jihad and Hamas in the destruction of a tunnel by Israel late last month.

Qaadan was nabbed in Arrabeh, southwest of Jenin, in the northern West Bank, reported Times of Israel quoting Shin Bet sources.

Fifteen other Palestinians were arrested in the Monday raid on similar terrorism charges.

Shin Bet describes the Palestinian national as a senior officer of Islamic Jihad in the West Bank.

Israel considers Hamas and the Islamic Jihad terrorist groups.

Israel last month said it used a modern technology to destroy a tunnel under construction. Twelve Palestinians among whom fighters of the two Palestinian groups were reported killed.

The tunnel was destroyed from within Israel, near the fence with the enclave.

Islamic Jihad vowed to retaliate in order to avenge the death of its fighters. The Islamic group also on Sunday pledged to continue its attacks against Israel.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the army have warned that Israel is aware of plans for retaliation and will hit back powerfully against any attack.
Human rights watchdog, Amnesty International, has denounced in a report the crimes against humanity committed by forces loyal to Bashar Al Assad in Syria through their starve or surrender strategy and sieges that have devastated areas controlled by the opposition.

In a report titled We leave or we die, Amnesty analyzed four local accords that the rights body said were preceded by unlawful sieges and bombardment aimed at forcing civilians to leave their homes.

The report shows that government forces surrounded and bombed densely-populated, opposition-controlled areas. Thousands of people were given an ultimatum to abandon their homes or die.

The sieges, unlawful killings and forced displacement by government forces are part of a systematic as well as widespread attack on the civilian population, therefore constituting crimes against humanity, the report said.

While the report concludes that all sides in the conflict had violated international law, it says the regimes strategy of systematically preventing crucial food and medicine supplies from entering civilian areas while mounting bombing campaigns amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.

In essence, the deals have enabled the government to reclaim control of territory by first starving and then removing inhabitants who rejected its rule, the report says.

Amnesty noted that it conducted the report using videos and satellite imagery alongside interviews with 134 people, including residents and UN officials, between April and September this year.

A leading United Nations official said on Thursday that eastern Ghoutas 400,000 residents were on the verge of a complete catastrophe resulting from a block on aid deliveries. I feel as if we are now returning to some of the bleakest days of this conflict again, said Jan Egeland, a senior adviser to the UNs Syria envoy.

Eastern Ghouta is one of several de-escalation zones created under a deal brokered by Russia and Turkey to reduce the violence in Syria. But the government has continued to impose a siege on the area and there have been airstrikes in recent days.
Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri gave his first interview in Riyadh to a Lebanese TV channel saying that he will return to Lebanon soon to formally confirm his stepping down and that his country risks enduring sanctions by Gulf countries because of rising influence of Iran-backed Shia militia, Hezbollah.

In his first public comments since he read out his resignation on television from Riyadh eight days ago, Hariri held out the possibility he could yet rescind his resignation if Hezbollah agreed to stay out of regional conflicts such as Yemen.

He said his resignation is meant as a positive shock to Lebanon, adding that he will return to the country to unite the Lebanese people but did not specify when exactly.

He said that the Saudi royal family has a lot of respect for him and that the King sees him as a son, brushing off concerns that hes being held against his will.

The former prime minister denied rumors that he was under house arrest, or that his resignation was related to Riyadhs arrest of 11 princes and former officials on the same day. Im free in the kingdom and I can travel anytime I want, Hariri said.

He said Lebanese expatriates in the Gulf could face hard times if Hezbollah did not dissociate itself from conflicts in the region.

Im not against Hezbollah as a political party, but that does not mean allowing Hezbollah to ruin Lebanon, he said.

Maybe theres a regional conflict between Arab countries and Iran. Were a small country. Why put ourselves in the middle? Hariri added.
King Mohammed VI is paying an official visit to Qatar against the backdrop of tense ties between Doha on one side and Saudi Arabia, UAE and Bahrain on the other side.

Moroccos Monarch, who flew to Doha Sunday after a stay in Abu Dhabi where he met senior officials including Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed, held private talks with Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani.

The Moroccan news agency said that the talks raised the excellent relations between the two brotherly countries and the firm will by the two leaders to further reinforce cooperation in the different areas.

It added that the two leaders also discussed regional and international topics of shared interest.

The visit is seen by analysts as a mediation attempt to defuse tension in the Gulf crisis in light of Moroccos close strategic partnership with the GCC countries and its neutrality in the rift.

The Kings visit will also give a boost to Moroccos good offices, which started as soon as the crisis between Qatar and its neighbors outbroke last June. The King has then dispatched foreign minister Nasser Bourita to express support for the mediation efforts led by Kuwait.

The Moroccan foreign ministry had then issued a statement expressing the Kingdoms willingness to mediate in the crisis between the GCC member states.

If the parties wish so, Morocco is ready to offer its good offices conducive to a calm, franc and comprehensive dialog on the basis of non-interference in domestic affairs, the fight against religious extremism, clarity in positions and loyalty in commitments, the statement had said.

Since the outbreak of the crisis, King Mohammed VI maintained close and continuous contact with different parties, the statement had said.

Relations between Morocco and Arab Gulf countries gained momentum thanks to the special ties King Mohammed VI has with all leaders of the GCC who invited in 2011 the North African kingdom to join the group. Jordan was also invited to the elite group in a move seeking to propel joint Arab action to counter common regional and international threats.

The Moroccan-Gulf alliances also took shape in the participation of the Royal Armed Forces in the Saudi-led coalition against the Houthi rebels in Yemen.

In April 2016, King Salman, in an address before the first Morocco-GCC summit in Riyadh with the participation of King Mohammed VI, reaffirmed total rejection by Saudi Arabia and the other member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council of any act that may affect Moroccan supreme interests, on top of which the Moroccan Sahara issue.

At the economic level, Morocco is seen as a stable and attractive destination for Gulf investments. In 2012, four Gulf states  Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the UAE  agreed to provide aid worth a total $5 billion to Morocco over the 2012-2017 period to help the North African country build up its infrastructure, strengthen its economy and foster its tourism sector.
The Kenyan government has agreed with local lenders to convert more than $400 million of Kenya Airways debt into equity, increasing the government stake to 48.9 percent from 29.8 percent.

KQ Lenders Company, which comprises 11 banks that converted their loans into equity, will control 35.69 per cent shareholding of the national carrier, Nairobi-based Standard newspaper reported.

The agreement has been deposited with the Capital Markets Authority, as Kenya Airways is listed at the Nairobi Securities Exchange. If approved, it will mark the final phase of KQs restructuring strategy.

Kenya Airways posted about $253 million loss in 2016. The carrier has announced a $690-million reorganization last year aimed at returning the company to profit. The carrier plans to expand its pan-African network, which currently includes 47 destinations outside Kenya.

Air France-KLM, which owned 26.7 per cent; the International Finance Corporation of the World Bank, which owned 9.6 per cent; and retail investors, who owned 33 per cent of the airline; appear to be the big losers of the new deal.

Neither the government nor the banks intend to make a takeover offer for Kenya Airways, local media reported.
Tanzania and Uganda have opposed a plan by the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate alleged human rights abuses in Burundi, a statement from the office of Tanzanian President John Magufuli said.

According to the two leaders, who are both members of the East African Community (EAC), the Hague-based courts decision compromises efforts of an EAC committee tasked with seeking a resolution to the Burundi conflict.

The statement was released following a three-day visit to Uganda by Tanzanian president John Magufuli who held talks about Burundi with Museveni, the current chairman of the regional economic bloc.

Regional mediators of the Burundi peace talks are expected to hold another round of talks on Nov. 23, the Tanzanian presidency said.

The Pre-Trial Chamber III of the International Criminal Court, last week, authorized Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda to open an investigation into Burundi.

The investigation concerns crimes against humanity allegedly committed in Burundi and, in some cases, outside the country in 2015.

The ICC gives an estimate of more than 1,200 people killed, thousands of cases of illegal detentions as well as hundreds of cases of disappearances.

The court indicated that the alleged violence also resulted in the displacement of 413,490 people between April 2015 and May 2017.

On Friday, Burundis government said it would not cooperate with the proposed ICC investigation.

The East African nation recently withdrew from the ICC charter, making the country the first in history to officially withdraw from the Rome Statute.
Georgia receives $1.1 billion from international tourism in first half of 2017

Georgia hosted more than 6.4 million international travelers during the first 10 months of 2017, says the head of the National Tourism Administration.Giorgi Chogovadze said that a total of 6,430,824 international visitors entered Georgia in January-October of this year, which is 1,016,180 (or 18.8 percent) more than in the same time period of last year.Of these, 3.042.907 visitors stayed in Georgia for longer than 24 hours, which is a 28 percent increase compared to 2016.The countries from where the largest number of visitors came to Georgia in January-October of 2017 were: Azerbaijan  10.8 percent increase Armenia  15.8 percent increase Russia  33.3 percent increase Turkey  4.1 percent decrease Iran  122.8 percent increaseFrom European Union countries: United Kingdom  40 percent increase Austria  36.8 percent increase The Netherlands  34.6 percent increase France  30.4 percent increase Germany  29.1 percent increaseThe countries with the most significant increase were: Saudi Arabia  171.5 percent increase Kuwait  150.3 percent increase Iran  122.8 percent South Korea  88.1 increase Uzbekistan  75.4 percent increase India  70 percent increase China  56.9 percent increaseIn October alone, Georgia was visited by 607,989 international travelers, which was a 15.2 percent increase compared to October of 2016."According to data from the second quarter of 2017, the income from international tourism amounted to $658.7 million USD for Georgia, which was $143 million more (or 27.8 percent increase) than the same period last year, Chogovadze said.As for the total income from international tourism in the first and second quarters of 2017, it amounted to $1.1 billion  26 percent increase from the last year.In the same period, tourism was 6.7 percent of Georgias GDP, which is a 5.9 percent increase from last year.In January-September of 2017, financial operations carried out with foreign cards by international visitors was 1.653.855 GEL  a 38.7 percent increase from the last year.
First BTK freight train reaches Kars

The first freight train running along the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway reached Kars Nov.3.ADY Express , subsidiary of Azerbaijan Railways, told Trend Nov.3 that the first operation on cargo transshipment on the BTK rail line took place at Akhalkalaki station."From Kars the train has already left in the direction of Mersin (in the south of Turkey), this road will take about 40 hours," the company said.The train, consisting of 32 containers loaded with grain, traveled from Baku to Kars in 40 hours. The train departed from Kazakhstan Oct. 24. Its final destination will be the Turkish Mersin.The opening of the BTK railway took place in Baku Oct.30.The first train departed from the Azerbaijani port of Alat after its inauguration by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili. In order not to miss such an historic event, the leaders and high-ranking officials of a number of countries, including Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, that will somehow be involved in the transportation along this corridor, attended the solemn ceremony.The BTK railway was constructed on the basis a Georgian-Azerbaijani-Turkish intergovernmental agreement. The railways peak capacity will be 17 million tons of cargo per year. At an initial stage, this figure will be one million passengers and 6.5 million tons of cargo.
@alextdaugherty

For years, Miami Republicans were often isolated from the rest of their GOP counterparts in Florida on climate change issues.

A 2018 election environment that appears to favor Democrats could change that approach.

Republican Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota, announced Monday that he wants President Donald Trump to reconsider his decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord after Syria joined the pact, leaving the U.S. as the only country who hasn't signed on. Buchanan also urged Trump to stay in the accord in May, though Trump announced that the U.S. would pull out in June.

"Climate change is a serious threat, especially for a state like Florida that has two coastlines vulnerable to rising waters," Buchanan said. "There is a reason why 196 nations across the globe support this voluntary and non-binding agreement."

Since Trump made his decision to leave the accord, Hurricane Irma swept through the state and Buchanan drew a serious Democratic challenger who once came within 750 votes of winning a state House seat. Siesta Key attorney David Shapiro said Buchanan's stance on the Paris Climate agreement was "too little too late," indicating that climate change will be a major campaign issue in Buchanan's low-lying Gulf Coast district that includes Sarasota and Bradenton.

Democrats also scored major victories in local elections across the country last week, including the St. Petersburg mayor's race in Florida where incumbent Rick Kriseman held off Republican Rick Baker despite trailing in most polls. Last week's results have put Republicans on edge ahead of a 2018 cycle where the House of Representatives could be up for grabs.

Buchanan's district voted for Trump over Hillary Clinton by 11 percentage points in 2016 though the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, a Washington-based organization that seeks to elect Democrats to the House of Representatives, has put Buchanan's district on the organization's target list for the 2018 elections. The DCCC is now targeting 6 Florida seats, including all three Miami-based seats that are held by Republicans.

Buchanan has over $2 million on hand to defend his seat, according to Federal Election Commission records.
In Montana, the phrase "traditional painting" usually conjures up images of Charlie Russell canvases.

Two recent transplants studied a much older tradition, academic painting and drawing, in the academies of Florence, Italy.

Terra Chapman and Maurilio Milone, a married couple ages 27 and 31, respectively, recently moved from Europe to Missoula with plans of opening a studio to create their own works and teach others.

Their artistic introduction comes courtesy of a show at Gallery 709 at Montana Art and Framing, located on Ronan Street across from the Bitterroot Spur Trail just off South Sixth Street East.

The exhibition gathers drawings, etchings and paintings, in their respective styles. Chapman, who's interested in myths and nature, hews to the old master techniques she learned in school. A trompe l'oeil still life is all the more remarkable when you consider that she painted it when she was only 17. Her more recent work dips into fairies and myths, some of her original interests.

Milone shares etchings that show his academic training, but he's also more invested in surrealism and digital painting. He likes a heightened palette that represents the emotional energy of his subjects, sometimes portraits of alienated subjects or surrealistic interpretations of music.

***

Chapman began painting seriously at age 7. She was born in San Diego, but her family moved around: Portugal, Texas, Washington, D.C, all before she was 12. She began taking lessons early, and one of her grandmother's private art instructors encouraged her to study in Italy. When it came time to look at schools, she attended a convention of university art programs, where students could discuss what they wanted to pursue. Some recruiters told her they couldn't help her with the Old Master style she prefers.

When she was 18, she moved to Florence, Italy, where she attended a string of academies: Angel Academy of Art, the Florence Academy of Art's painting program, and the Russian Academy of Art's drawing program.

The academy isn't college. There were no math and science classes, or even grades. Chapman said they were painting every day, almost all day.

The training was rigorous and the criticism blunt. Some of Chapman and Milone's instructors were trained in the Soviet Union and communicated with the students via translators, which added another potential layer for misinterpretation of the tone of their critiques.

"Every day at least one student would cry in front of their easels," Milone said. Chapman said she definitely cried. "Everybody cried," Milone said. "There were no exceptions."

That said, they both grew the thicker skin required to pursue art. Many of those instructors became friends, and some attended their wedding.

After finishing school, Chapman stayed in Europe. She wasn't ready to return to the United States, and Milone was there. They both taught at the Barcelona Academy of Art.

Milone, a Sicily native, had a more tangential route to the academy. He felt obliged to pursue a career, and studied economics and finance in Milan. After the financial crisis, he had further doubts about his chosen path.

"I was already disenfranchised, and I really didn't like what the system was doing and what I was training for myself, and then I got to see all the effects of the bank bailouts and all that," Milone said.

The final straw was a robbery at gunpoint. He'd just parked his car at home and was putting away the Beach Boys greatest-hits CD when it happened.

"I see this guy opening the passenger door and he sits next to me and he has a gun between his legs, and he starts swearing and he's definitely high on something," he said. The robber hit Milone in the head with his gun multiple times, all for the five euros of gas money in his pocket.

Milone wasn't badly hurt, but in the moment he remembers thinking that he was going to be OK but regretful if he stayed on his current path. "But I just wished I had studied art instead of business and economics," he recalled.

Three months later, he moved to Florence and met Chapman, first a fellow student at the Russian Academy, then a friend, neighbor, fiancee and now his wife.

***

Earlier this year, the two moved to Missoula. Chapman's aunt and uncle, Jennifer and Brent Parker, live in Drummond, where they opened the Parkers' Restaurant, aka the place with 135 different burger options.

After the Parkers moved here, so did their children and Chapman's grandparents and eventually her parents.

When she brought Milone here to meet her grandparents, they liked it so much the thought of moving here lingered. They decided to get married and then set up shop in Missoula.

They plan on opening a studio here. They hope to find a space large enough that Chapman can pursue large-scale works while leaving enough room for private lessons.

The two taught a six-week class at the Missoula Art Museum, in which students spent the entire duration producing a single drawing. They have a class for teens coming up as well.

At their studio, they'd like to help artists who want to further their development, as well as hobbyists, enthusiasts and kids who are starting from scratch. They want to encourage people to make art, to take a break from the screens that dominate work and leisure time.

"It's like an antidote for modern-day alienation," Milone said. "Art-making, it's healing."

Chapman and Milone like to refer to the technical training as "the toolbox." Anybody can learn the techniques if they practice, Chapman said, just like anyone can learn to play an instrument or learn to read and write. "It's what you do with the toolbox later that is what makes people an artist or not," she said.

They both said they're not trying to determine the style that anyone pursues, only provide the toolbox.

As an example, she pointed to the expressionist figurative painter Egon Schiele. His work doesn't resemble Chapman's, but it's clear he knows line, color, value and anatomy.
A single mother with disabilities with two children is in need of a twin bed mattress only and bedding. She is also in need of warm winter coats and gloves. She would like a men's jacket size XXL. She also needs a microwave and extinguisher and three smoke alarms. Please call Darin at Winds of Change, 406-721-2038.

***

A mentally disabled client needs a phone. The client is hoping to get a Straight Talk phone from Walmart with a $45 phone card in order to establish employment in the community. A Walmart gift card for $60-$80 would be ideal. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Please contact Christian, case manager at Western Montana Mental Health Center, 406-532-9733.

***

A homeless woman with a disability could use a vehicle to attend appointments with her health care providers, therapist and case manager as well as for emergency shelter when needed. She is unable to use the Poverello Center due to past trauma. She is currently seeking other options for emergency shelter but due to limited personal and community resources remains homeless. Financial assistance would also be helpful given her Social Security benefit will only cover limited stays in a motel. If you can help, please contact Francis at Winds of Change, 406-721-2038, Ext 242.

***

A single mom needs assistance with providing her daughter with an extra special eighth birthday party. Donations in the form of gift cards to department stores or Outback Steakhouse are appreciated. If interested in making a contribution, please contact Rachel at 406-721-2038, Ext. 211.

***

A single, disabled mom needs a bed in good condition. If interested in donating, contact Rachel at 406-721-2038, Ext. 211.

***

A disabled woman needs winter clothing including pants (size 22 or 2X) and a coat (size 3X). If interested in donating, please contact Rachel at 406-721-2038, Ext. 211.

***

A disabled client with many health issues needs assistance with funds to get her camper winter ready. She has limited funds due to her disability. She needs a certain part for her camper to heat it properly. LIEAP is out of funds for weatherization at this time. If you can help, call Angel at 406-203-7625.

***

A disabled woman in her 60s is unable to have her companion dog living with her at this time. The dog is being kenneled until she can locate appropriate housing. The kennel payment is causing hardship. If you are able to provide a donation, please contact Aubrey Johnson, MSW through Home and Community Based Services, 406-327-4578.

***

An 80-year-old woman with Parkinson's disease could use Walmart gift card donations. She has a very small income and not enough to buy items like eye drops, shampoo and other essentials. She no longer drives, but can take a bus to Walmart. No donation is too small! Please contact case manager Judea at 406-327-3686.

***

A homeless family currently in a shelter program needs financial assistance. They need $630 to pay off an old power bill so that they can be approved to rent an apartment. Please contact Darin at Winds of Change, 406-721-2038, if you would like to help this family.
Members of Montanas sister-state of Kumamoto, Japan, will be in Missoula to celebrate 35 years of friendship on Monday.

The Mike and Maureen Mansfield Center and Montana Department of Commerce lead the event, which runs from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Missoula Childrens Theater. The governor of Kumamoto Prefecture and other Japanese delegates will be present, along with members of the Japan Friendship Club.

We have a Montana club in Kumamoto thats been around since the 1980s, Japan Friendship Club organizer Ian Marquand said. We get together here to welcome visitors from Japan, or share stories when we travel there.

Montana has occasionally operated a trade office in Japanese cities, helping state grain, beef and manufacturing businesses find customers in Japan. During the 1990s, many Japanese investors bought ranches and grain facilities in Montana.

Mondays gathering includes performances by the Missoula Symphony, Dolce Canto, Rocky Mountain Ballet Theatre and Missoula Childrens Theater. Admission is free but internet reservations are required.
Tara Walker Lyons remembers feeling hopeful last April when Gov. Steve Bullock signed the law that would provide the groundwork for teachers to truly begin addressing childhood sexual abuse.

While that hope hasnt faded completely away, Lyons believes her journey to ensure that children are equipped with the knowledge they need to keep abusers at bay still may have a long way to go.

As far as I can tell, there arent any programs available yet through OPI (Office of Public Instruction), she said. Im not really sure where its headed at this point. Theres no handbook that I can read to see that happens after that happens. This has never been done in this state before.

When the state Legislature passed HB 298  which its sponsor later named Taras Law  it joined 45 other states that already had taken the step to require that information about childhood sexual abuse be taught in the schools.

Unlike most of those other states, Montanas law isnt a mandate and it didnt include any funding to develop a curriculum or hire the people needed to provide training.

So far, OPI has created a new webpage focused on sex trafficking and sexual abuse that gives educators a place to read the new law and see the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services guidelines for identifying and reporting child abuse and neglect.

But thats about all thats happened.

Dylan Klapmeier, OPIs communications director, said the agency is working to develop a new mandatory reporting class that teachers can take as part of their required courses for certification renewal, but currently there isnt anyone working on developing a curriculum for schools. Klapmeier expects that will get underway sometime after the first of the year.

Flathead County School Superintendent Jack Eggensperger said he hasnt seen anything from OPI about developing a policy to address the new law.

Quite frankly, I wasnt very aware of anything about this particular bill, Eggensperger said.

There hasnt been any discussion about the issue in the Northwest Montana Curriculum Consortium meetings that hes attended. None of the school districts he works with directly have made any inquiries.

If there was new curriculum, that would typically come down through OPI, he said. I havent heard anything about implementation yet.

***

Rep. Ed Greef, R-Florence, sponsored the bill. Hes not surprised that its taking time for the idea to catch hold.

When he introduced the bill initially, it included $1.5 million in funding. Due to the tight budget facing the Legislature, Greef said he was forced to remove that fiscal note in order to get the legislation passed.

Its his hope that OPI will fund the effort in the next round of budgeting as a line item.

I look for the funding to happen the next session, Greef said. If it doesnt happen then, then the session after that. Once it has funding, I think some more districts will show interest.

Greef is opposed to requiring schools to offer the educational program that would help young children understand the difference between right and wrong touching and teach them how to seek out a trusted adult to talk to when abuse occurs.

I dont think mandating needs to be part of the solution, Greef said. I think its the school districts teachers and board who need to be the ones requesting the material they need. It needs to originate at the local level.

Greef has talked with a number of local teachers, both still working in schools and retired, about the issue.

I havent spoken to a teacher yet who isnt aware of the need and who wouldnt welcome having the additional resources, he said. The interest from the teachers is very sincere. They desire it.

***

Lyons saw that, too, when she spoke to a group of teachers and counselors at a recent training session in Missoula.

Lyons was 12 when she was sexually abused by a relative. The realization of just how deeply that abuse affected her life didnt come until years later when she was treated for abusing alcohol. While she was in treatment, she discovered that she wasnt alone.

I was nervous standing in front of all of these educators, Lyons said. Im a college drop-out and all I had to share was my experience. I hope to show them how important it is to report. That it doesnt take proof or disclosure. Suspicion is enough to place that first report.

Lyons has given her speech to prisoners, lawmakers and almost anyone else who will listen. Over the past couple of years, shes seen other young sexual abuse victims become emboldened to add their own testimonies in an effort to get this educational piece in place.

She plans to be back in Helena when the Legislature reconvenes in 2019.

The original idea of requiring that childhood sexual abuse prevention be taught in school begin with author and activist Erin Merryn, who was molested by a family member between the ages of 11 and 13. Nationally, the law is called Erins Law.

Lyons said Merryn told her early on that for the law to be effective, it has to be mandated.

At the end of the day, we just didnt think we could get that this first time around, Lyons said. Parents can always opt out of having their kids take the classes. We dont want to shove anything (down) anyones throat. Every parent wants the best for their child unless they are the ones abusing the child.

I plan to go back and keep working, she said. Schools are beginning to reach out to me. I know that this isnt over. We just have to keep pushing forward.
This week, Montanas legislators will return to Helena for a special session called by Gov. Steve Bullock to plug yawning holes in the states biennial budget. Without action, Montana is facing the prospect of a $227 million shortfall.

But special sessions are themselves expensive. It costs more than $100,000 to convene a special session of the Legislature on the first day, and nearly $60,000 for each day after.

Montanans must hold our legislators accountable for making good use of this time. Their focus should be on patching up the state budget in a way that maintains the most critical services to Montanans, and a final agreement should be reached as quickly as possible.

This means Republican legislators, who hold a legislative majority, must be willing to consider the temporary tax increases proposed by Bullock. Democratic leadership, for their part, must be willing to consider the ideas offered by Republicans in their successful petition to expand the scope of the session, such as the $30 million private prison deal.

But leaders from both parties must make it clear that petty politics and pet projects will not be tolerated  and their constituents back home must stand ready to hold their legislators feet to the fire.

One constructive place to start the budget discussion is wildfire funding, which nearly everyone agrees must be covered by raising additional revenues, such as a temporary tax increase. Although Montana received federal help paying its firefighting costs this year, the summer fires proved to be more expensive than expected, draining the money set aside by the state to pay for firefighting and leaving it with a $75 million bill  as well as nothing in the fund for next summer.

Bullocks starting point is a plan that calls for $76.6 million in cuts to an array of state agencies, $75.1 million in temporary tax increases and $76.5 million in transfers from other funds. If legislators refuse to approve any tax increases or transfers, the full amount of the budget shortfall would have to be made in the form of cuts.

That is completely unacceptable. A 10 percent cut to the Department of Public Health and Human Services alone would mean the loss of health care management for children in foster care, reduced services for children with blindness, reduced funding to support teen parents, dramatically fewer services for individuals with disabilities and seniors, and much more.

As it is, Bullocks revised reductions would still mean the loss of 19 Offices of Public Assistance scattered throughout the states most rural communities, as well as the elimination of an early intervention program for developmentally delayed youth ages 3-21.

The new proposal would require DPHHS to reduce its budget by 4.7 percent, for a total cut of more than $49 million  still painful, but vastly less so than the $105 million the department is currently considering which, if enacted, would trigger the additional loss of $135 million in federal funds.

To balance the books, Bullock is hoping legislators will support temporary tax increases such as a 3 percent increase on the accommodations tax and a 6 percent increase on the tax for rental cars.

An additional fee would collect 3 percent from certain Montana State Fund accounts with assets exceeding $1 billion, a solution that ought to be viewed with deep skepticism by legislators from both sides of the aisle. Although such a fee would raise nearly $30 million over the next two years, it would basically be a tax on Montanas small businesses, ranchers and loggers, and would jeopardize the long-term stability of the fund as well.

On the other hand, a company called CoreCivic that operates a private prison in Shelby has recently offered to turn over some $32 million to the state toward the purchase of the facility. The money would come from an account the state has been paying into under a contract that is set to expire in August 2019. Democratic leaders have characterized the offer as a distraction from urgent budget discussions, but given the urgency of the special session, it should be on the table.

Montanans are going to expect our governor and legislators to at least meet each other in the middle to start these discussions. After all, theyre the ones who left the state in this mess when the regular session was adjourned  two days early  in April. The clock is ticking. Montanans are watching.
Gov. Steve Bullock's proposals to temporarily raise taxes to help close a $227 million budget hole got decidedly mixed reviews on the opening day of a special legislative session in Helena.

A $30 million tax proposal, financed by a 3 percent charge on some funds invested by the quasi-state-run workers compensation insurer, was widely criticized by those who testified, while pitches to increase the tax charged on accommodations and rental cars fared better.

No votes were taken in several joint committees that met Monday, though by Tuesday morning action should show if the governors measures will advance further or be shot down by a Republican-controlled Legislature.

The budget is not balanced because revenues came in lower than the Legislature projected at the end of the last session in April and the state spent $75 million fighting the summer's wildfires.

Bullock, a Democrat, has proposed addressing the budget imbalance by dividing it into thirds, with $76 million coming from cuts hell make to state agencies, $75 million from fund transfers and another $75 million from tax increases.

The biggest chunk of the tax increase portion  $30 million  would come from the fee Bullock's office proposed charging the Montana State Fund on investments of over $1 billion made with the state Board of Investments.

Its just plain wrong, said Bob Biskupiak, deputy insurance commissioner under Republican Commissioner Matt Rosendale. I ask you where this money came from. It came from the policyholders and it should stay with the policyholders.

In Montana, most employers are required to carry workers compensation insurance. Montana State Fund must take all companies, no matter their size or risk prospects.

Some who testified on Senate Bill 4 representing industries such as contractors and loggers called the bill discriminatory because it does not apply to larger insurers.

Ali Bovingdon, deputy chief of staff for Bullock, said that criticism was misplaced because the fee is charged on portfolios managed by the Board of Investments, not insurers.

Kevin Braun, general counsel for Montana State Fund, said charging the management fee reminded him of past legislative actions that pulled money out of the state fund at amounts great enough to trigger insolvency in the early 2000s, creating a situation where the state had to create and backfill an Old Fund to handle older claims.

This is the type of thing that really led to the Old Fund, Braun said. When the Legislature taps a funding source, they repeatedly tap that funding source.  Once (the Old Fund) was tapped by the Legislature it was tapped until now we all know it was bust.

Braun also raised legal concerns about tapping the State Fund investments. But Bovingdon said state Supreme Court opinions and the Legislature's ability to change laws alleviate those concerns.

Support for the bill, carried by Sen. Ed Buttrey, a Republican from Great Falls, came from the governors office, the Montana AFL-CIO and AARP, which said it would rather see the fee than more cuts to state government. All of Bullock's revenue increases heard Monday were carried by Republicans in an effort to build bipartisan support.

The bill specifies that the cost of charging the management fee cannot be passed on to policyholders, and Buttrey argued the fee will not tap reserves, only reduce the amount paid into reserves going forward. The bill would sunset in 2019.

Bullocks other two tax proposals, raising the rates charged on rental car taxes from 4 percent to 10 percent and upping the amount of money the general fund gets from the accommodation tax from 3 percent ot 6 percent, received a warmer welcome. Most who testified in support focused not on the changes the bill would bring, but how it would stave off deeper cuts Bullock would have to make in lieu of more revenue coming in.

Supporters said doubling the lodging tax to 6 percent and increasing the car rental tax from 4 percent to 10 percent to help pay for Montana's unexpected fire season, would target mostly tourists and would prevent other cuts that would harm people in need of home health care and other services.

As proposed, Senate Bill 6 would bring in $12.7 million this fiscal year and $32.6 million the following, and sunset in 2019. Bullock made a move Monday, however, to expand the bill to also apply the tax to short-term rentals offered through websites such as Airbnb. That change is expected to be debated Tuesday.

Tim Burton, executive director of the Montana League of Cities and Towns, said his organization supported the increased taxes because the combination of cuts, transfers and perhaps some new revenues would mitigate the severity of the cuts.

But the proposal was not without opposition. Riley Johnson, who represents the car rental company Enterprise, said the tax placed the burden too much on his industry.

We feel this is totally unfair. He also pointed out the tax would not only target tourists, as proponents said, but would target Montanans, as well. The state, he noted, is his company's largest customer. The state would be exempt from paying the tax.

Steve Wahrlich, who owns the Best Western Clocktower Inn in Billings, told the committee it was unfair to target businesses like his before taxing short-term rentals like Airbnb the same. He also questioned how many Montanans would end up paying the tax.

Department of Revenue director Mike Kadas told the committee he had information from a University of Montana research institute that about 70 percent of the bed tax was paid by out-of-state residents, though those on the Joint House Taxation and Senate Taxation Standing Committees said they had information from the same institute that said otherwise.

The Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research did not return a request for clarification.

Transfers and other changes

A handful of other proposals in another of the thirds solution presented by Bullock fared well Monday. Most are also temporary changes that would expire in about two years.

A proposal to switch the system for awarding state liquor licenses from the current lottery to an auction system, Senate Bill 5, received support, as did a bill to suspend contributions to the judge retirement system and implement a two-month state employer contribution holiday. The judges retirement fund is overfunded at 167 percent and the bill would save the state $2.9 million over an 18-month period. That bill is Senate Bill 1.

Senate Bill 2 to eliminate about $12 million in block grants to schools received support from the states educational groups with the stipulation the reductions will still be painful for some districts. The grant proposed for elimination is the primary way schools fund transportation services, such as morning and afternoon bus routes.

The bill requires districts to shift to reserve funds instead of raising property taxes, but theres concern taking from reserves could jeopardize school funding in future years. Budget Director Dan Villa said the $12 million reduction is minimal to the nearly $1.6 billion in general fund dollars schools receive each biennium.

Other proposals that are expected to play a major role in this special session are a $30 million offer from the company that runs the private prison in Shelby in exchange for the state extending its contract, which is set to expire in 2019. Republicans, who hold a majority in the House and Senate, have said accepting the money will be key if a budget deal is to be struck, while Democrats have opposed it, calling it blackmail.

Reporter Erin Loranger from the Helena Independent Record contributed information for this story.
Ask legislators to work with Bullock on budget

Fellow Montana voters: So here come the same hardline GOP leaders, who first created the budget mess we are in, back to Helena vowing to ignore the well-proffered financial solution/compromise by Governor Bullock. They only bring along their unworkable fiscal ideology of "small" government, the people be damned.

Rep. Brad Tschida said it best of his tea-party colleagues mind-set when in a recent letter to the editor he insulted any Montana who cares, by snidely stating that if they want enhanced revenue for our budget dilemma, they should just send their check to the Department of Revenue. Please contact your reasonable legislators (they are there) and ask that they work with the Governor to quickly give a solution to the next biennial budget. And demand that the GOP leadership under Knudsen NOT expand the session as they are planning to do just to make more mischief.
Protect rights, oppose anti-transgender Initiative 183

As someone who has lived and worked in Montana for the last 18 years, there are many things I love about this state. Chief among those are a strong sense of community and how we care for our neighbors. The kindness we show to strangers is known throughout the country; just ask anyone who has visited our beautiful state.

It is because of this kindness that I would like to ask you, one Montanan to another, to please oppose Initiative 183.

This initiative has been proposed for the sole purpose of keeping transgender Montanans from being able to use our public spaces such as libraries, parks, even our schools. Transgender individuals do not only exist in the vacuum of politics; they are our friends, family, neighbors and co-workers. Trans Montanans live and work alongside us every day, and I-183 directly denies them the freedom, dignity, and privacy that the rest of us take for granted.

I hope that you will join me in protecting the rights of all Montanans by opposing I-183. We are too strong, too smart and too kind to allow such a discriminatory and hateful initiative to become law under the Big Sky.

-- Sadie Viergutz, Missoula
Its safe to say The Montana Standard has not been in lockstep with Sen. Steve Daines on the issues.

We have taken exception to his citation of EPA Administrator Scott Pruitts clueless promise to clean up the Berkeley Pit in announcing his support for Pruitts confirmation. We have not seen eye to eye with him on issues of heath care in particular, and we were recently disappointed that he did not find the political will to co-sponsor a bill to ban the importation, sale and industrial use of asbestos, a lethal mineral that has killed hundreds if not thousands of Montanans.

We were surprised at his initial support of Alabama Senate Candidate Roy Moore, although we were pleased that, given the news developments last week, he rescinded that support Friday after 24 hours of equivocation.

But heres an issue for which we can only offer Steve Daines the sincerest congratulations for a job well done: The opening of China as a market for Montana beef.

Daines record on this issue is one of action, leadership and ultimate success. Thats a good thing for the state.

In April, we reported that Daines hand-delivered four Montana steaks to Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on a congressional delegation trip and lobbied for China to open its borders to U.S. beef.

The following month, Daines announced that an agreement in principle had been reached; in June, the shipments of U.S. beef began.

In September, Daines brought Chinese Ambassador to the U.S. Cui TianKai to a roundtable discussion in Belgrade where trade opportunities for Montana beef producers were discussed. And Daines hosted the ambassador at a (Montana beef) barbecue at Daines home.

Last week, we got the news that JD.com, one of Chinas major retailers, and the Montana Stockgrowers Association have reached an agreement for the sale of $200 million worth of Montana beef, and a further $100 million deal to build a processing facility in the state.

While we are sure many others have had a hand in creating this excellent result, Daines role cannot and should not be minimized. He has engaged in effective one-on-one diplomacy, reflecting his pre-political experience opening foreign markets to U.S. goods.

Congratulations, Sen. Daines. You got this one right, and we are grateful.

Now, lets build that processing plant right here in Silver Bow County, at the junction of Interstates 90 and 15, and near Buttes soon-to-expand airport.
MUSCATINE  Muscatine residents have until Wednesday to donate to four major projects and help the city secure a $500,000 state grant.

The city has been working to obtain a Community Attractions and Transportation grant from the Enhance Iowa Board, to fund the "Pearls of Progress" projects. The projects include the new Musser Public Library and HNI Community Center, a community dog park, the Westside Trail and and cabins at Deep Lakes Park.

The Enhance Iowa Board approved the grant on Oct. 11, contingent on Muscatine raising half-a-million dollars by Nov. 15. City leaders said last week around $136,000 is still needed to close the gap.

"The focus needs to be on closing that last little small gap," City Planner Andrew Fangman said. "We need $130,000 for an $8 million dollar project, so it's really not that much."

Thanks to Kent Corporation, all donations from the public will be matched. But if the fundraising effort is unsuccessful, the grant will be revoked.

City leaders and volunteers have been out in the community, including at Hy-Vee last weekend, asking for donations.

"The community response has been very good," Fangman said. "We've made a lot of money in a pretty short period of time and I have great confidence we'll get to where we need to be."

Fangman said the CAT grant is needed to complete all four projects on time.

HNI Corp. donated its old headquarters, at 408 E. 2nd St., to be used as the new Musser Public Library and HNI Community Center. The more than $6 million project should wrap up next spring.

One of the most popular projects, the community dog park, would be located off Houser Street across from Kent-Stein Park. The roughly $200,000 14-acre dog park should open next year.

The nearly $800,000 Westside Trail would run from 1.75 miles between the Kent-Stein Park trailhead to Discovery Park, completing a 15-mile trail network throughout the city, and should be completed in 2019.

Finally, the city and Muscatine County are working to open four cabins at Deep Lakes Park, on Lake Ivy inside the park off of the Pettibone Avenue entrance. The $1 million fully furnished cabins could be available for rental next year.

Residents may still donate to the projects through the city of Muscatine Finance Department. All donations are tax deductible and those who choose to donate can specify which project the money should go toward. A donation to any project will help leverage funds for all four.

To donate, send a gift of $10 or more to the city of Muscatine, or through the Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine. For more information, visit the city's Pearls of Progress web page.
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 []
Donald and Emily Gray

On November 10, 2017, Donald Dosson Gray, age 91, died peacefully at Queen of the Valley Hospital after sustaining injuries caused by an automobile accident. On November 11, his wife Emily Moise Gray, age 90, died peacefully from injuries she suffered in the same accident. Loving family members surrounded them at the times of their deaths.

Known as Em and Don they lived at The Meadows of Napa Valley since 2012. Emily and Don looked forward to lively conversations with their many friends over meals at The Meadows and were sustained by love from their family and friends.

Emily and Don met in the 1940s while students at Tulane University and Sophie Newcomb College. During their courtship, Emily rode on the handlebars of Dons bicycle, and they were married in The Old Newcomb Chapel in New Orleans in 1949. They lived in New Orleans until 1960 then moved to Bethesda, Maryland, where they lived for 52 years.

Emily was a native of New Orleans and Don was captivated by her laughter, joy for life, and love of music and books. She loved the French language, travel, and her work as the Executive Director of the Biophysical Society in Washington, DC. The societys Emily M. Gray award was established in her honor in 1997. Like Don, Emily was a lifelong learner and a voracious reader whose intellect remained lively through her last hours.

A child of the Depression, Don was born in Kansas City in 1926. A strong student of math at Tulane, Don worked as an executive at IBM where he developed a life-long habit of wearing white shirts and ties. Although Dons outward formality reflected a keen intellect and a penchant for order, his family and friends will remember him most as a devoted husband and a deeply generous man who gained joy by helping others. Don was proud to serve in the United States Navy during the Korean War. His death on the observance of Veterans Day is fitting.

Emily and Don Gray are survived by three daughters, Adele Cotter of Napa, CA; Anne Semmler of Cranberry Township, PA; and Betsy Kelly of Belmont, MA; six grandchildren, Emily, David, Jackie, Stephen, Glenn, and Keith; and two great-grandchildren, Collin and Gray. They will be laid to rest in the Moise family crypt in Lafayette Cemetery in New Orleans. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to the Napa County library, 580 Coombs Street, Napa, CA 94559.
Some may have believed  or hoped  that the furor over sexual harassment in and around the state Capitol would soon fade away.

Nope.

The initial letter complaining about harassment, signed by 140 women, has exploded with many more names and a spate of personal accounts.

The Los Angeles Times, which broke the initial story, and the Sacramento Bee have pursued the story aggressively, driving home the ingrained nature of the syndrome case-by-case.

Its a well-deserved black eye for the Capitol community. Its dominated by Democrats and liberal activists who purport to value gender equality and other progressive causes, yet its evident that sexism, sexual objectification and other obnoxious traits abound.

Over the years, specific cases of demands for sexual favors and other forms of harassment have been ignored or covered up, often with secret payoffs of victims.

One of the most disturbing incidents to emerge involves Assemblyman Raul Bocanegra, a Los Angeles Democrat who lost his seat to Democrat Patty Lopez in 2014, but regained it in 2016 with broad support of his partys leaders.

He received that support even though he had been secretly admonished for stalking a legislative staffer and grabbing her beneath her clothes at an event in 2009. After the case was revealed, Bocanegra issued an apology, but now faces demands from women in his district to resign, the Sacramento Bee reported last week.

The story about the harassment letter broke just two days after Kevin de Leon, the president pro tem of the state Senate, announced that he would challenge U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a fellow Democrat, next year.

For de Leon, the timing could not have been worse. For four years running, his close friend, Sen. Ricardo Lara, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, has buried, without a vote, legislation that would give legislative employees the same rights that civil service workers enjoy to complain about working conditions without retaliation  bills introduced by Republican Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez.

De Leon and Lara have been leading advocates of civil and human rights for undocumented immigrants, the LGBT community and union members but appear to deny those rights to their own employees, even when it comes to sexual harassment.

De Leon has been scrambling to avoid fallout that would poison his campaign against Feinstein, a pioneer for women in politics.

When the letter became public, de Leon applauded the courage of women working in and around the Capitol who are coming forward, but as the furor gained intensity, he was compelled to go further, admitting that the Legislatures system for handling complaints doesnt work if the employees its designed to protect dont have complete trust and confidence in it and pledging to re-evaluate the system with the intention of replacing or strengthening our current process with a trauma-informed set of policies that all our employees, and the women who work in and around the Capitol, can be assured will protect them.

Feinsteins camp saw opportunity and pounced. Major surgery is required, and de Leon is offering a Band-Aid, Nathan Ballard, a Democratic strategist and Feinstein supporter, told the New York Times. This will be a big issue that dogs de Leon at every campaign stop until he does the right thing. A press release isnt going to make it go away.

The heat will rightfully be on de Leon and other legislative leaders to clean up the mess they allowed to fester even as they professed fidelity to a progressive states politically correct values.
The investigation into what sparked the most destructive wildfire in modern California history is centered on a rural property northwest of downtown Calistoga, a wooded plot with a modest home that, according to its owner, was unoccupied when it burned to the ground.

While authorities have not discussed the precise point of origin of the Tubbs Fire, the 10-acre property on Bennett Lane, just north of Highway 128, has been blocked off since the blaze ignited the night of Oct. 8, first by Cal Fire investigators and then by representatives of a property management company.

On Friday, they could be seen walking the blackened grounds with workers from an insurance company, inspecting the shell of the former house, along with razed structures around a swimming pool and a partially burned carport. But the property managers declined to comment on their work  or the status of the probe.

In a brief telephone interview Friday from her part-time home in Indian Wells (Riverside County), the property owner, 89-year-old Ann Zink, said she was in Southern California when the fire started and wasnt able to recover anything from the home before it was reduced to ash and rubble.

She said she believed a lightning strike had kicked up the fire, which killed 22 people and destroyed 4,655 homes, 94 commercial buildings and 894 outbuildings as a windstorm blew the flames west into Sonoma County and northern Santa Rosa. However, state officials said they ruled out lightning.

Investigators working to pinpoint the cause of the Tubbs Fire  along with the other blazes that ravaged Northern California last month, killing 43 people and leaving billions in damage  have been looking at overhead Pacific Gas and Electric Co. power lines as one possible ignition source.

But they said that their work is far from complete and that they havent ruled out a number of other possible causes. Wildfire investigations often take several months or even more than a year to complete.

Although PG&E officials have not said whether their equipment may be to blame for any of the fires, the utility said in a court filing Thursday that the Tubbs Fire may have been started by electrical equipment not owned or installed by the company. Attorneys for PG&E said that preliminary investigations suggest that this fire might have been caused by electrical equipment that was owned, installed and maintained by a third party.

Zink said she wasnt aware of any electrical issues on her property.

The PG&E filing, which came in response to lawsuits filed by fire victims, gives no supporting evidence for the companys claim other than referring to an electric incident report that the utility submitted to state regulators in the wake of the fires. The report, released to the public last week, described Cal Fire investigators taking possession of customer-owned overhead lines on a property near Calistoga.

A PG&E spokesman declined to elaborate on the filings assertion. Cal Fire officials said they would not comment on their investigations. As of Wednesday, they said, 28 investigators continued working to determine the cause of the wildfires in Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino and Yuba counties.

We have not released any information to anybody, said Deputy Chief Scott McLean, a Cal Fire spokesman. Our investigations are ours, and Im not sure what PG&E is talking about.

The Tubbs Fire started near Zinks property about 9:45 p.m. on Oct. 8, and all of the structures on the property were leveled. On Friday, yellow crime-scene-style tape surrounded each site. A home next door was also destroyed, and private security guards blocked the driveways of both homes.

A representative of the management company overseeing Zinks property, who did not want to be identified by name, said the home had been unoccupied when the fire started. He said the property was being inspected by an insurance company.

Nearby, 77-year-old Charlie Brown worked on his Bennett Lane property, which survived while only a few outbuildings burned, including a shed and pump house. He said he rents the home to a woman who awoke the night of the fire as flames crawled over a ridge separating his house from the Zink residence. The tenant didnt have time to put on shoes before fleeing, Brown said.

Investigators had been at his home, too, and Brown is eager to learn what sparked the fire. He said he returned to his property for the first time Monday.

I thought for sure it burned, he said, noting that the Tubbs Fire was the third wildfire, including one in 1964, that spared his home but destroyed neighbors houses. Its a miracle.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman appears to be shredding our understanding about how Saudi Arabia is ruled. Seeking to consolidate his power, he threw caution and consensus-building - the traditional techniques of Saudi leadership - out the window months ago, proceeding instead with almost reckless speed and an apparent disregard for winning the support of his uncles and numerous cousins. The arrests last weekend of a reported 11 princes on charges of corruption suggests the royal family, the House of Saud, is no longer above the law.

The commentary over Mohammed bin Salman's recent moves has been divided between predictions that he is leading the country toward dictatorship or toward family revolt. But a careful examination of Mohammed bin Salman's actions and statements over the last year suggest that he is more calculating than impetuous. The Saudi attorney general said this week that the corruption investigations had been going on for three years, while Mohammed bin Salman mentioned the wide-ranging crackdown on corruption in a May interview. "I assure you that any person involved in a corruption case, whether minister, prince, or whatever, will not escape," he said.

Meanwhile, since April, Mohammed bin Salman, now 32, has been quietly orchestrating the appointments of a range of young princes in their late twenties or thirties to positions of power. They will likely be crucial to the success of his remodeling of the kingdom and could emerge as arbiters of power for decades to come. They are all either the grandsons or great grandsons of the kingdom's founder, Ibn Saud, who died in 1953. Mohammed bin Salman is entirely prudent in promoting these younger cousins, appealing to their ambition and vanity, and securing their loyalty. It is a good way of internalizing any competition between family lines - Ibn Saud had more than 40 sons, and the number of grandsons is in the hundreds. Mohammed bin Salman's actions have so far forestalled a collective family revolt, proving once again the utility of that adage: divide and conquer.

As in all monarchies, bloodline is often more important than competence for prospective leaders in Saudi Arabia. Mohammed bin Salman probably wants to promote talent - but will also be paying attention to how to deflect resentment or the hint of opposition. Promoting sons can take some of the pain out of fathers being sidelined.

The House of Saud has witnessed difficult transitions before. What's different this time is that age is no longer equivalent to seniority and instead may have become a handicap. Comparative youth necessarily means a relative lack of experience but that is a risk which Mohammed bin Salman seems to have decided he can handle.

The young up-and-coming princes to watch are (in alphabetical order):

Abdulaziz bin Fahd is a great-grandson of Ibn Saud and deputy governor of the Jawf region, bordering Jordan, since June 2017. His father, a soldier, was made commander of Saudi ground forces in April 2017.

Faisal bin Sattam was appointed ambassador to Italy in June 2017. He had shown early sympathy for the rise of Mohammed bin Salman: As a member of the Allegiance Council (the grouping of senior family members), he voted against Prince Muqrin becoming deputy crown prince in 2014, an early sign of belonging to the Salman camp. (Muqrin became crown prince on King Abdullah's death in January 2015 but was replaced by King Salman three months later. The late King Abdullah is reported to have schemed to replace Muqrin with Salman, thereby creating an opening as crown prince for the king's son Miteb, who was sacked as national guard minister last weekend and is one of those detained.)

Abdulaziz bin Saud is the 30-year-old interior minister, appointed in June 2017. He replaced his full uncle and the then-crown prince, Muhammad bin Nayef, who was forced to resign. Abdulaziz bin Saud's father is governor of the oil-rich Eastern Province, where Saudi Shiites form a local majority. His new powers were curtailed within days of his appointment by the transfer of some of his responsibilities to a new state security organization. If he was upset, he didn't show it publicly.

Abdulaziz bin Turki, 34, is deputy chairman of the General Sport Authority, appointed June 2017. His father, Turki bin Faisal, served as ambassador in Washington and London, as well as head of the kingdom's external intelligence body, the General Intelligence Presidency. Of late, Turki bin Faisal has engaged in public discussions with former Israeli officials.

Ahmed bin Fahd, a great-grandson of Ibn Saud, was appointed deputy governor of the Eastern Province in April 2017. His father, who had been deputy governor of the Eastern Province from 1986 to 1993, died in 2001.

Bandar bin Khalid, 52, was appointed adviser to the royal court in June 2017. His father is governor of Mecca Province.

Khalid bin Bandar was appointed ambassador to Germany in June 2017. He is the Oxford-educated son of Prince Bandar bin Sultan, the former ambassador to the United States who cultivated ties with multiple American presidents.

Khalid bin Salman, 29, was appointed as the Saudi ambassador to Washington this year. He is a former F-15 pilot and full brother of Mohammed bin Salman.

Saud bin Khalid was appointed deputy governor of Medina in April 2017.

Turki bin Muhammad, 38, was appointed adviser to the royal court in June 2017. His father, a son of the late King Fahd, was governor of the Eastern Province from 1985 to 2013.

A prince who just a week ago would have made this list was Mansour bin Muqrin, the deputy governor of Asir Province who was killed a helicopter crash on Nov. 5. He had served as deputy governor since 2013 and was made adviser to King Salman in April 2015, when his father was pushed from the position of crown prince. There is considerable speculation that he disliked Mohammed bin Salman, which is plausible because his father had been sidelined. An additional rumor is that his death was not accidental, for which, as yet, there is no evidence.

This list of princes is also notable for who is absent. It does not include any sons or grandsons of the late King Abdullah, and only one grandson of King Fahd. Any direct relatives of Prince Ahmed bin Abdulaziz, one of the so-called Sudairi Seven, are also absent. The omission is easily explicable: Ahmad is thought to have voted in the Allegiance Council against the appointment of Mohammed bin Salman as crown prince in June this year.

Mohammed bin Salman clearly sees himself, and is seen by his father, as the next king of Saudi Arabia. The latest rumor is that the change may happen as soon as this weekend. Traditionally, the success of his transition would depend as much as anything on acceptance and support in the wider royal family, but Mohammed bin Salman's impatience and ambition suggest that won't be an option. Instead, his authority will rely on the backing of those in this list.

Another group that could prove crucial is princes in the military. These are harder to identify and are essentially in their positions to stop coups. A 1985 State Department cable released by WikiLeaks is rather dated but provides a good overview. "The mere presence of princes in the Armed Forces provides some degree of stability to the Al Saud regime," it concludes.

King Salman is thought to see Mohammed bin Salman as a modern-day Ibn Saud, a potentially great leader with huge ambition, and much more promising than any other, older potential contenders for the throne. But even Mohammed bin Salman appears to realize that, in order to transform his kingdom's economy and cope with the challenges of regional chaos, he must be the leader of a royal team.
After a year in office, President Donald Trump hasn't become a despot - but he clearly wants to be one. Every day, it seems, he smashes through democratic norms, the soft guardrails of American democracy. As he does so, the echoes of authoritarianism in the United States are growing louder.

Trump demonizes the press. He issues calls to "lock up" his political rival and brazenly deploys divide-and-rule tactics, whipping up nationalist anger against Muslims and migrants. He surrounds himself with family members and cronies, riding roughshod over long-accepted ethical standards. And he belittles our democratic allies while bizarrely cheerleading for brutal despots across the globe.

If this is the scorecard after 10 months, what will American democracy look like after four years of Trump? Will it be recognizable? As I see it, there are four plausible scenarios, ranging from the hopeful to the catastrophic.

1. The Trump Vaccine

A vaccine is a weakened form of a virus injected into the body to allow the immune system to recognize its own vulnerabilities and patch them up before a more virulent and dangerous strain invades. Trump embodies a relatively diluted strain of demagoguery, more impulsive than ideological, more simpleton than scheming strategist. In this sense, he could serve as a kind of vaccine for American democracy.

One could argue that Trump has done us all an important service by exposing how much our system of government is based on pliant norms rather than hard laws. But we must go beyond the mere acknowledgment of the lesson and take corresponding action. We must require presidential candidates to release tax returns. We should make it illegal for a president to fire an FBI director or special counsel who is investigating the White House. We should require top officials to divest themselves of entangling business interests. We should pass laws ensuring automatic voter registration to defeat voter suppression. And, above all, we must work to build a new political culture that treats democracy like something more than a reality television show or a spectator sport only requiring citizen action every few years at the ballot box.

2. Democratic Decay

Democracy is a bit like a sand castle. It takes a long time to build but can quickly be swept away. The Trump wave likely won't sweep away democracy in the United States, but it is steadily eroding it.

We've already grown dangerously accustomed to many of Trump's unacceptably authoritarian habits. We now barely blink when he issues tweets calling for the investigation of his political opponents or the closure of critical media outlets. Such behavior poisons the minds of many voters, who applaud his strongman tactics and even falsely believe that the nonpartisan congressional legislative scorekeeper is "little more than fake news." Many in Trump's base now trust crackpot InfoWars conspiracy theories more than accurate, well-sourced reporting. And the Republican Party's willingness to mainstream populist bigots like Roy Moore exposes how much Trump has corroded previously bipartisan American values.

After Trump, we will find ourselves hard-pressed to fix the damage, raising the possibility that the era of democratic decay he has ushered in will linger and endure. This is the most likely scenario: American democracy will survive, but in profoundly weakened form.

3. The Forerunner

What if a smarter, savvier and more disciplined Donald Trump 2.0 comes along? Trump has paved the way for such a figure. Imagine an authoritarian populist who borrows from the Trump playbook while avoiding its more obviously divisive and self-defeating qualities. Imagine someone with Ronald Reagan's charisma and Barack Obama's polished rhetoric peddling ideological Trumpism. The Trump presidency could serve as the rehearsal for someone far more dangerous.

4. American Authoritarianism

This is, thankfully, the least likely option. But if a catastrophic mass casualty terrorist attack or other national security nightmare takes place on Trump's watch, all bets are off. He has shown us his authoritarian instincts, his willingness to defy democratic constraints and his disdain for constitutional checks and balances. During the campaign, Trump proposed banning Muslims from entering the United States and floated the idea of registering Muslims in a government database. It would not be a shock if he were to magnify these troubling traits in destructive ways in the wake of a security crisis.

Whichever of these scenarios comes to pass, the bottom line remains: U.S. democracy is under threat. The framers, thankfully, anticipated a Trump-like demagogue and designed a system of government that could withstand attacks on its institutions. But the Constitution is not written on magical parchment. We can preserve and protect our democracy only through our own actions.

Reagan said that "freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction." He was right. Our generation is now being tested by Trump's authoritarian impulses. We must rise beyond partisan and policy squabbles so that we may protect and save democracy.
A strong quake measuring 7.2 magnitude hits Iran's northern province of Sulaimaniyah on Sunday, killing 4 peole and wounding 50 others. (Xinhua Photo)

BAGHDAD, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- A huge earthquake measuring 7.2 magnitude hit Iraq's northern province of Sulaimaniyah on Sunday, killing four people and injuring 50 others, according to the Kurdish Rudaw newsite.

The epicenter of the earthquake was 32 km southwest of the Halabja area near the Iranian border at the depth of 33.9 km, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

The earthquake was felt in many Iraqi provinces in the north and central regions, including the Iraqi capital Baghdad, witnesses said.

Four people were killed and nearly 50 others injured by the damage of the houses, in addition to a landslide in a mountain adjacent to the Darbandikhan Dam, according to the report.

Most casualties occurred in the town of Darbandikhan, some 35 km southeast of the city of Sulaimaniyah.

The casualties in Darbandikhan could rise as some houses have collapsed and it is not clear yet whether there were people buried under the debris, Nasih Mala Hassan, mayor of Darbandikhan, was quoted as saying.

The Iraqi Minister of Water Resources warned the people down the Darbandikhan Dam to be in highest alert as the condition of the dam is not clear.

In Erbil, the capital of the semi-autonomous Kurdish region, dozens of people were taken to hospitals. Some were treated from injuries and others fainted or shocked, said the online newsite.

Many of the injured in Erbil were students who live in dormitories, local health department was quoted as saying.

Saad Maan, spokesman of the Iraqi Interior Ministry, told reporters that cracks appeared in some buildings in central Baghdad, while an old house was seriously damaged.

In Iraq's eastern province of Diyala, five people were wounded in the city of Khanaqin, some 165 km northeast of Baghdad, due to the collapse of their houses and shops, Head of the City Hall Samir Mohammed Noor told Xinhua.

Faris al-Azzawi, head of Diyala's provincial health department, told Xinhua that some 140 people fainted due to the earthquake and were sent to hospital, but no casualties were reported so far from the collapse of some houses and buildings.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 06:09:16|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

DUBAI -- The 15th edition of the biennial Dubai Airshow kicked off here on Sunday, as China's Aviation Industry Corporation (AVIC) and air force acrobatic team are ramping up appearance in this third-largest such gatherings.

The airshow, which features an international turnouts of 160 commercial and military aircraft, invited for the first time the Chinese Air Force's August 1st Air Demonstration Team, which will demonstrate with seven J-10 aerobatic fighter jets its acrobatic skills. (Dubai-Airshow)

- - - -

DUBAI -- Emirates Airline, the international carrier of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), ordered here on Sunday 40 aircraft of Boeing's 787-10 Dreamliner worth 15.1 billion U.S. dollars, marking the first major order at the Dubai Airshow 2017.

The deal was signed by Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, chairman and CEO of the Dubai government-controlled carrier Emirates, and Kevin McAllister, CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, in the presence of UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohamed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum on day one of the 15th edition of the biennial airshow. (UAE-Dubai Airshow-Emirates)

- - - -

BAGHDAD -- An Iraqi helicopter crashed on Sunday in Iraq's eastern province of Wasit, killing seven crew members, the Iraqi military said.

The Russian Mi-17 helicopter was on a training mission when it crashed in Wasit province, and "all of its seven crew members were killed," the media office of the Joint Operations Command said in a brief statement. (Iraq-Helicopter Crash)

- - - -

BAGHDAD -- A huge earthquake measuring 7.2 magnitude hit Iraq's northern province of Sulaimaniyah on Sunday, the official website of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said.

The epicenter of the earthquake was 32 km southwest of the Halabja area near the Iranian border at the depth of 33.9 km, the USGS said. (Iraq-Earthquake)

- - - -

BEIRUT -- Lebanon's Prime Minister Saad Hariri confirmed on Sunday that he would return to Beirut "within the coming few days."

Hariri made his first live appearance since his sudden resignation on Nov. 4 in an interview with Future TV from the Saudi capital Riyadh. (Lebanon-PM Resignation) Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 08:09:37|Editor: liuxin

Video Player Close

ANAHEIM, the United States, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Risk of blood clots increases with the amount of time spent watching television, even if people get the recommended amount of physical activity, according to preliminary research presented Sunday at the American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Sessions 2017 in Anaheim, California.

"Watching TV itself isn't likely bad, but we tend to snack and sit still for prolonged periods while watching," Mary Cushman, co-author of the study and professor of medicine at the Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont in Burlington, was quoted as saying in a news release.

Each year, it is estimated that between 300,000 to 600,000 people in the U.S. develop venous thromboembolism, making it the most common vascular diagnosis after a heart attack or stroke.

In previous studies, prolonged TV viewing has already been associated with heart disease involving blocked arteries. But according to researchers, this is the first study in a western population to look at blood clots in veins of the legs, arms, pelvis and lungs known as venous thromboembolism or VTE.

Among 15,158 middle-aged, 45-64 years, participants in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study, researchers found that the risk of developing a venous thromboembolism for the first time was 1.7 times higher in those who reported they watch TV "very often" compared with those who watch TV "never or seldom."

"You could put a treadmill or stationary bike in front of your TV and move while watching. Or you can delay watching TV by 30 minutes while you take a walk. If you must see your favorite show, tape it while you are out walking so you can watch it later, skipping the ads," said Cushman, who is also the director of the Thrombosis and Hemostasis Program at the University of Vermont Medical Center.

Besides avoiding prolonged TV watching, you can lower your risk of venous thromboembolism by maintaining a healthy weight and staying physically active, researchers say.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as many as 900,000 people could be affected (1 to 2 per 1,000) by DVT/PE, also called venous thromboembolism, each year in the United States.

AHA's Scientific Sessions, a premier global exchange of the latest advances in cardiovascular science for researchers and clinicians, attracts nearly 18,000 attendees, with a global presence from more than 100 countries.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 08:39:43|Editor: liuxin

Video Player Close

MANILA, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- The 12th East Asia Summit (EAS) and related meetings take place here from Monday to Tuesday as leaders of member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) gather for their 31st annual summit.

The EAS is an annual meeting by leaders of, initially, 16 countries in East Asia, Southeast Asia and South Asia. The membership has now expanded to 18 countries, including 10 ASEAN member states and six dialogue partners -- China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, New Zealand as well as the United States and Russia as new comers.

Since its inception in 2005, the EAS has served as a forum for dialogue on broad strategic issues of relevance to East Asia as well as other regional and global issues, with the focus on areas such as international terrorism, energy, infectious diseases, sustainable development and poverty reduction.

The historic decision for the ASEAN to host the first EAS was made at the ASEAN Plus Three (China, Japan and South Korea) Summit in November 2004.

The 1st EAS was inaugurated on Dec. 14, 2005 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Leaders signed the Kuala Lumpur Declaration at the East Asia Summit.

At the 2nd EAS in January 2007 in Cebu, the Philippines, leaders signed Cebu Declaration on East Asian Energy Security.

The 3rd EAS was held in November of 2007 in Singapore. Leaders at the summit adopted the Singapore Declaration on Climate Change, Energy and the Environment.

At the 4th EAS in October 2009 in Hua Hin, Thailand, leaders adopted the Cha-am Hua Hin Statement on EAS Disaster Management.

The 5th EAS was chaired by Vietnam in October 2010. The participants issued the Hanoi Declaration commemorating the fifth anniversary of the EAS.

At the 6th EAS in November 2011 in Indonesia's Bali, the leaders adopted the Declaration of the EAS on the Principles for Mutually Beneficial Relations and the Declaration of the 6th EAS on ASEAN Connectivity.

The 7th EAS adopted the Phnom Penh Declaration in November 2012, pledging to help narrow development gap among ASEAN member states so as to achieve the ASEAN Community by the end of 2015.

Leaders of ASEAN countries and dialogue partners adopted a Declaration on Food Security at the 8th EAS in the Bruneian capital of Bandar Seri Begawan in October 2013, pledging to increase cooperation to strengthen food and energy security.

The 9th EAS in Nay Pyi Taw, capital of Myanmar, looked forward to further strengthening and consolidating the EAS process as EAS approaches its 10th anniversary. The summit welcomed the Declaration on Strengthening the ASEAN Secretariat and Reviewing the ASEAN Organs and commended the High-Level Task Force (HLTF) for its efforts in developing its recommendations.

The 10th East Asia Summit was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in November 2015. Participants discussed key issues of global and regional politics, exchanged views on the initiative of participating countries in regional security, the fight against terrorism and illegal migration, financial and economic stability and development of free trade areas in the Asia-Pacific.

At the 11th East Asia Summit held in the Lao capital Vientiane, the EAS leaders adopted the Vientiane Declaration on Promoting Infrastructure Development Cooperation in East Asia proposed by Laos, EAS Declaration on Strengthening Responses to Migrants in Crisis and Trafficking in Persons, and EAS Statement on Non-proliferation.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 08:39:45|Editor: Yang Yi

Video Player Close

MANILA, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Leaders from the 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as well as China, Japan and South Korea meet here from Monday to Tuesday for the 20th ASEAN Plus Three (APT) Summit (10+3) as well as their respective ASEAN Plus One Summits (10+1).

The ASEAN plus China, Japan, South Korea cooperation mechanism incorporates the 10+3 as well as the 10+1 framework. The latter stands for ASEAN's respective cooperation mechanism with China, Japan and South Korea.

The two frameworks were established in the late 1990s when ASEAN countries decided to enhance cooperation with other major economies of Asia against the backdrop of economic globalization.

The first ASEAN Plus Three summit was held in Malaysia in December 1997, a very important time when all countries in the region were facing an economic setback. The financial crisis was regarded as having provided the impetus for this summit.

The two frameworks, initially focused on economic cooperation, have expanded in recent years to the fields of politics, security and culture. Nowadays, they have developed into mechanisms of great significance in strengthening and deepening East Asia cooperation at various levels and in various areas, particularly in economic, social and political areas.

A total of 66 dialogue mechanisms at various levels have been established in 24 fields within the framework of ASEAN+3, covering diplomacy, economy, finance, agriculture, labor, tourism, environment, the fight against cross-border crime, health care, energy, telecommunications, social welfare and administration innovation.

Within the framework of ASEAN+1, great emphasis has been put on cooperation in the sectors of agriculture, information and communication industry, human resources development, mutual investment and development of the Mekong River Basin.

State leaders, ministers and other high-ranking officials from 10 ASEAN countries, China, Japan and South Korea meet annually to discuss cooperation and major international and regional issues.

Apart from the above-mentioned three countries, ASEAN has also carried out ASEAN+1 dialogues with some countries outside the region on an aperiodic basis.

Established in 1967, ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 09:09:51|Editor: liuxin

Video Player Close

CANBERRA, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Australian voters appear to be turning away from Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's coalition government in the wake of the citizenship crisis embroiling parliament.

Turnbull's conservative Liberal-National Party coalition has lost ground to the opposition Labor Party, according to the latest Newspoll conducted for The Australian newspaper.

Labor leads the coalition 55 to 45 in two-party terms, while the coalition's primary vote has fallen from 35 to 34 percent since the citizenship scandal erupted.

The poll also found Turnbull's own personal rating had slumped. He now leads Labor leader Bill Shorten as preferred prime minister by just 2 percentage points, with his approval rating dipping five to 36 percent in the past two weeks. That compares with a lead of eight points just two weeks ago and 17 points at the end of August.

The latest results place Labor in its strongest overall position since Turnbull replaced Tony Abbott as prime minister in September 2015.

The poll was released as controversy over the country's parliamentary eligibility rules continued to rumble on.

Liberal backbencher John Alexander resigned at the weekend conceding he may also be a British citizen. He was the eighth MP to have been caught up so far in the citizenship crisis.

Australia's constitution bars from parliamentary office those who are eligible to be citizens of another country.

Last month Barnaby Joyce, who was the National Party leader and deputy prime minister, was forced to stand down and recontest his seat of New England in a by-election on Dec. 2 after he was ruled ineligible by the High Court. Though born in Australia, he was conferred New Zealand citizenship by descent from his father.

Labor is in danger of also being drawn into the eligibility mire. Several of its MPs are facing pressure to clarify their status, with Turnbull saying at the weekend they, like any other MP, regardless of their party affiliation, may need to go to the High Court to do so.

Alexander's resignation means the coalition no longer has a majority in its own right in the House of Representatives but Turnbull said his government retained the support of the crossbench on matters of confidence and supply, and an election was not necessary.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 10:10:05|Editor: liuxin

Video Player Close

MANILA, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) kicked off here their 31st summit on Monday, with peace, stability and cooperation high on their agenda.

At the summit, the leaders from the 10 member states will also discuss ways to strengthen the ASEAN Community and assert its position in global economy.

The Philippines holds the rotating chair of ASEAN this year.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 10:50:21|Editor: liuxin

Video Player Close

ALGIERS, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) - France voiced its willingness to regain its position as Algeria's major economic partner, having been overshadowed recently by other countries.

"In recent years, France has seen its economic exchanges with Algeria go from 24 percent to 10 percent," French Minister for the Economy and Finance Bruno Le Maire said here on Sunday in his opening remarks at the fourth session of the Algerian-French Joint Economic Committee (COMEFA).

According to figures of the Algerian Customs, France's exports to Algeria were worth 4.7 billion U.S. dollars in 2016, representing 10.15 percent of the total imports of the North African nation.

China, France, Italy, Russia and Spain are Algeria's top importing nations, and the top destinations for its exports are Italy, Spain, the United States, France and Brazil.

The minister remained optimistic about the future of bilateral economic cooperation between the two countries, saying "It is true that our bilateral partnership has moved backward. We are determined to give it new impetus in the future."

Le Maire said that the signing of three partnership agreements in the agri-food, energy and automative sectors, including the establishment of an assembly unit for the French automaker PSA-Peugeot in the western province of Oran, "proves that we can achieve such goals only when there is political will."

"We have been looking at the technical problems (related to Peugeot) every week, and finally we have managed to fix them. We have also set up working groups to address issues related to our joint projects, including those of Alstom, Renault and Sanofi, in a bid to advance," he added.

The PSA- Peugeot project was officially revealed for the first time by former French President Francois Hollande during his visit to Algeria in 2015. However, the project has been postponed due to "technical reasons" raised by both sides.

Bilateral relations between France and Algeria have been lagging, with both unable to overcome their common "painful" past, which includes 132 years of French colonial era in Algeria, said analysts.

Despite these difficulties, Algeria remains one of France's biggest economic partners in Africa. France is also the largest investor in Algeria in the field of hydrocarbons.

At the COMEFA, a memorandum of understanding was also signed between Algeria's Agrolog and French Agromed for the establishment of a joint venture to export Algeria's fruits and vegetables, in addition to a partnership agreement in the field of organic agricultural products.

Besides, the two sides signed a shareholders' pact between the Algerian state-run group of Elec El Djazair and the French Schneider Group in the field of manufacturing low, medium and high voltage electrical equipment.

Some 45 protocols, memoranda and partnership agreements have been signed at the joint committee since it was created five years ago, with an aim to help promote the bilateral economic and trade relations between Algeria and France.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 11:15:25|Editor: liuxin

Video Player Close

KINSHASA, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- A 13-car train crashed in the southeast Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Sunday, killing at least 34 people and injuring 26 others, a provincial governor said.

The number of casualties is likely to rise because some cars remain on fire and some are carrying fuel, according to Lualaba governor Richard Muyej Mangez.

Radio Okapi reported that the cause of the crash is yet unclear and 11 cars of the National Railway Company of Congo train, en route from the southeast city of Lubumbashi to the southern town of Luena caught fire.

The injured were transported to a hospital some 30 km from the crash site, with some losing their limbs, the hospital's media officer was quoted on radio as saying.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 11:40:29|Editor: Zhou Xin

Video Player Close

TEHRAN, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- A huge earthquake measuring 7.3 magnitude struck near the Iran-Iraq border area on Sunday, killing 129 and injuring over thousands, according to Iran's official media Monday.

The quake's epicenter was located approximately 32 km south of the city of Halabja in a remote mountainous region of eastern Iraq, some 200 km north-east of Baghdad and 400 km west of Tehran, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

The quake hit the area at 9:18 p.m. local time (0018 GMT), when many people would have been at home, the US Geological Survey said.

At least 14 provinces in Iran had been affected by the earthquake. The worst-hit towns in Iran were Ghasre Shirin in Kermanshah and Azgaleh, about 40 km northwest, Iran's state-run news agency IRNA said.

It added that 30 Red Cross teams had been sent to the quake zone, parts of which had experienced power cuts.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in a phone call with the Interior Ministry emphasized the need for maximum effort from officials.

The governor's office said helicopters and sniffer dogs could only start working at first light. It was expected there would be more casualties found under the rubble.

Iranian social media was abuzz Sunday night with posts of people evacuating their homes, particularly in Kermanshah and Ghasre Shirin.

Officials announced that schools in Kermanshah and Ilam provinces would be closed Monday because of the tremor.

In Iraq, officials said the quake had killed six people in Sulaimaniyah province and injured more than 150.

The earthquake was felt in many Iraqi provinces in the north and central regions, including the Iraqi capital Baghdad, witnesses said.

Most casualties occurred in the town of Darbandikhan, some 35 km southeast of the city of Sulaimaniyah. People were killed and injured by the damage of the houses, in addition to a landslide in a mountain adjacent to the Darbandikhan Dam, local report said.

The casualties in Darbandikhan could rise as some houses have collapsed and it is not clear yet whether there were people buried under the debris, Nasih Mala Hassan, mayor of Darbandikhan, was quoted as saying.

The Iraqi Minister of Water Resources warned the people down the Darbandikhan Dam to be in highest alert as the condition of the dam is not clear.

In Erbil, the capital of the semi-autonomous Kurdish region, dozens of people were taken to hospitals. Some were treated from injuries and others fainted or shocked, said the online newsite.

Many of the injured in Erbil were students who live in dormitories, local health department was quoted as saying.

Saad Maan, spokesman of the Iraqi Interior Ministry, told reporters that cracks appeared in some buildings in central Baghdad, while an old house was seriously damaged.

In Iraq's eastern province of Diyala, five people were wounded in the city of Khanaqin, some 165 km northeast of Baghdad, due to the collapse of their houses and shops, Head of the City Hall Samir Mohammed Noor told Xinhua.

Faris al-Azzawi, head of Diyala's provincial health department, told Xinhua that some 140 people fainted due to the earthquake and were sent to hospital, but no casualties were reported so far from the collapse of some houses and buildings.

Turkey's Health Ministry offered aid for northern Iraq, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported.

Other aid agencies said they were on standby to help. "Our humanitarian team in Iraq is monitoring today's earthquake and is on standby to respond," The International Rescue Committee (IRC) tweeted.

The quake struck along a 1,500 km fault line between the Arabian and Eurasian tectonic plates, a belt extending through western Iran and into northeastern Iraq.

This area sees frequent seismic activity. In 2013, a magnitude 6.6 earthquake flattened the historic city of Bam, killing 26,000 people.

Since then, Iran has experienced at least two major quake disasters, one in 2005 that killed more than 600 and another in 2012 that left some 300 dead.

More recently, a 5.7-magnitude earthquake near Iran's border with Turkmenistan in May killed two people, injured hundreds and caused widespread damage.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 11:45:31|Editor: Yamei

Video Player Close

Attendees pose for group photos during the 31st Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and related meetings in Manila, Philippines, Nov. 13, 2017. The 31st ASEAN Summit and related meetings opened here Monday, with leaders of 10 ASEAN member countries and dialogue partners convening to discuss security, cooperation and regional integration. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

MANILA, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- The 31st Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and related meetings opened here Monday, with leaders of 10 ASEAN member countries and dialogue partners convening to discuss security, cooperation and regional integration.

The Philippines, ASEAN's rotating chair for 2017, set the theme of "Partnering for Change, Engaging the World," putting security and regional integrity high on the agenda.

At the opening ceremony, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said that the next two days will present excellent opportunities for ASEAN leaders and their dialogue partners to engage in meaningful discussions on matters of regional and international importance.

"Terrorism and violent extremism endanger the peace, stability and security of our region because these threats know no boundaries," he said, adding that piracy and armed robbery on the seas also put a dent on growth and disrupt the stability of both regional and global commerce.

The non-traditional security issues are challenging "the prosperity of regional economies, the integrity of our institutions, and more importantly the safety of ASEAN people," Duterte said.

On regional cooperation, Duterte said it "has been a pleasure to work with our ASEAN family and the dialogue partners in moving the ASEAN community forward in enhancing cooperation in various areas."

Related meetings scheduled for Monday and Tuesday include the ASEAN+1 summits, ASEAN+3 (China, Japan and South Korea) Summit and the East Asia Summit. ASEAN countries and more than 10 dialogue partners, including international organizations such as the EU and the UN, will discuss issues of common concern.

Leaders of 10 ASEAN countries and six of its dialogue partners, namely Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand, will meet for their first Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) leaders' meeting Tuesday, the first such meeting after related negotiations started in 2012. ASEAN Secretary General Le Luong Minh will attend the meeting.

At the closing ceremony of the ASEAN summit and related summits on Tuesday, Duterte will hand over the chairmanship of ASEAN to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong of Singapore, the incoming chair for 2018.

Established in 1967, ASEAN, which groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.

The ASEAN Community, with the Political-Security Community, the Economic Community and the Socio-Cultural Community as three pillars, was established at the end of 2015.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 13:15:44|Editor: liuxin

Video Player Close

NEW DELHI, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Indian and Canada began their fourth annual ministerial dialogue in the national capital on Monday, focusing on some of the key commercial drivers to enhance the bilateral partnership.

The dialogue was led by India's Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu and his Canadian counterpart Francois-Philippe Champagne, an official release said.

"Efforts would be made to work towards the expeditious conclusion of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) for a progressive, balanced, and mutually beneficial agreement covering both goods and services," it added.

The trade ministers of both countries are likely to discuss issues to explore ways of expediting the early conclusion of the CEPA and the Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement, the release said.

India and Canada's merchandise trade stood at 6.13 billion U.S. dollars in 2016-17.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 13:25:48|Editor: pengying

Video Player Close

Photo taken on Nov. 12, 2017 shows a scene of boat capsizal in India's southern state of Andhra Pradesh. The death toll in boat capsizal has risen to 19 as rescues are searching the missing, officials said Monday. (Xinhua/Stringer)

NEW DELHI, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- The death toll in boat capsizal in India's southern state of Andhra Pradesh has risen to 19 as rescues are searching the missing, officials said Monday.

The boat capsized in River Krishna in Krishna district, 55 km east of Amravati, the main city of Andhra Pradesh.

"The death toll in the Krishna boat capsizal has gone up to 19, " a senior official at Krishna collectorate said.

"The bodies have been fished out and we are trying to trace the remaining missing ones," he added.

According to the officials, the boat was carrying around 40 people when it capsized into the river on Sunday evening.

Following the incident, the official said they rushed police and disaster management officials to the spot to carry out rescue work.

"Rescue operation has been continuing since yesterday with four of our teams including divers making efforts to trace missing people," a national disaster response force (NDRF) official on the spot told media.

Eyewitnesses said 20 people were rescued by local fishermen after the boat overturned.

The local tourists on the boat were heading to witness the grand maha haarathi, a local ritual.

"The victims were identified as members of the Ongole Walkers Club in Prakasam district while some were from Nellore," a local resident Arun Kumar told Xinhua.

The banks of the river were crowded with holiday visitors when the tragedy struck.

Police officials said the boat was operating without a license besides there were no life jackets or floatation devices on it.

Authorities said they have ordered an investigation into the boat capsizal though apparently overcrowding is said to be the cause.

Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed pain over the loss of lives due to capsizal of boat in the Krishna River.

"Capsizing of a boat in the Krishna River is anguishing. My thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives in this tragedy. The Andhra Pradesh government and NDRF headquarters have been working on rescue operation," a government spokesman quoted Modi as having said.

In April this year, 13 people drowned after boat carrying them capsized in the state.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 14:20:57|Editor: Yang Yi

Video Player Close

HANOI, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday called on China and Vietnam to enhance high-level strategic communication to ensure bilateral ties move forward in the right direction.

The remarks were made when Xi held talks with Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang during a state visit to the Southeast Asian country.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 14:20:57|Editor: Zhou Xin

Video Player Close

A man receives medical treatment after a traffic accident at a local hospital in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, Nov. 13, 2017. At least five people were dead and 37 others wounded in a traffic incident in Afghanistan's southern province of Kandahar on Monday, a provincial government spokesman said. (Xinhua/Sanaullah Seiam)

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- At least five people were dead and 37 others wounded in a traffic incident in Afghanistan's southern province of Kandahar on Monday, a provincial government spokesman said.

"The incident happened early Monday morning on Kandahar-Herat highway where a long-distance bus belonging to Ahmad Shah Abdali Transport Company veered off the road and fell down in a ditch, leaving five people dead and some 37 others wounded," Spokesman Qudratullah Khoshbakht told Xinhua.

The deadly accident occurred in Zhari district, west of provincial capital Kandahar city, and the victims were shifted to a main hospital in the city where over a dozen of them remained in critical condition, the source added.

Poor road condition and drivers' recklessness are mostly behind tragic traffic incidents in some Afghan provinces.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 14:41:01|Editor: pengying

Video Player Close

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Secretary General Le Luong Minh receives an interview with Xinhua in Manila, the Philippines, Nov. 12, 2017. China and ASEAN are among the most important partners for each other, Le Luong Minh said here Sunday ahead of the 31st ASEAN summit and related meetings.(Xinhua/Wang Xi)

by Zhao Qing, Dario Agnote

MANILA, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are among the most important partners for each other, ASEAN Secretary General Le Luong Minh said here Sunday ahead of the 31st ASEAN summit and related meetings.

"We have a comprehensive strategic cooperation in all three pillars - the political-security, economic and socio-cultural - and we do have very ambitious targets in our cooperation in the very important economic pillar," Le told Xinhua in an interview.

He said that ASEAN and China have set the target of scaling up two-way trade to 1 trillion U.S. dollars and bilateral investment to 150 billion U.S. dollars by 2020. "Overall, relations between ASEAN and China are very strong," Le said.

Le said he believed cooperation between the two sides will be bolstered by the establishment of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

"Once the RCEP is established, it will create the biggest single market in the world, one that will comprise of all the ASEAN member states and major economic and trading partners of ASEAN," he said.

RCEP, which includes 10 ASEAN countries and six dialogue partners, represents an integrated market of more than 3 billion people with a combined GDP of 22.4 trillion U.S. dollars.

"China plays an important role in the process of negotiations of the RCEP," Le said, adding that ASEAN is committed to early conclusion of the RCEP.

"Hopefully we can substantially conclude this year, so the full-fledged RCEP can be concluded next year under the Singapore chairmanship (of ASEAN)," Le said.

On the prospects of future relations, the secretary general stressed that China and ASEAN share common position in promoting multilateral trading system and open policy, which forms the basis for further cooperation.

At the 25th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting that just concluded in Vietnam, ASEAN reiterated its firm commitment to multilateral trading system, open trade and economic liberalization, which is in accordance with China's position, Le noted.

"We hope that our shared commitment to open regionalism, to multilateralism can enhance our coordination and cooperation," Le concluded. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 15:01:07|Editor: pengying

Video Player Close

NEW DELHI, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- At least two troops belonging to paramilitary Assam Rifles were killed and six others wounded Monday in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast in India's northeastern state of Manipur, officials said.

The IED went off in Chandel district, 64 km south of Imphal city, the capital of Manipur.

"Two personnel of Assam Rifles were killed and six others wounded in an IED blast today in Chandel district," an official said.

Officials said the paramilitary troops were on a routine patrol in the area.

Local media reported that the wounded troops were removed to hospital using a chopper.

So far no militant outfit operating in the state has claimed responsibility of the attack.

The attack has come after a brief lull, reports said.

Manipur is a conflict-ridden state in India's northeast. Several separatist groups in the state have run long armed insurgency demanding separation from Indian union. The groups often target Indian armed forces.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 15:10:15|Editor: pengying

Video Player Close

SINGAPORE, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- The second edition of the Singapore FinTech Festival kicked off here on Monday, offering an opportunity for connection, collaboration and co-creation for the world's FinTech community.

The highlight of the festival is the three-day FinTech Conference which will start on Tuesday. More than 160 leaders from central banks and regulatory agencies, financial institutions, venture capital firms, and FinTech companies will be speaking at the conference.

The conference will focus on nine key themes, including global market insights, data analytics, tech risk, sustainable FinTech, and the future of FinTech.

A new feature of this year's festival is the Investor Summit or "Deal Day", which will provide an opportunity for Singapore-based financial technology start-ups to access funding from a variety of local and global investors.

Meanwhile, the highlights of last year's festival, including the Global FinTech Hackcelerator, the FinTech Awards, visits to innovation labs, as well as community and networking events, will take place again this year.

Sopnendu Mohanty, Chief FinTech Officer of the organizer, Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), said this year's Singapore FinTech Festival had grown to be the world's largest FinTech Festival.

It is a synergistic platform for the global FinTech community to spark new ideas and gain valuable insights, and there will be many opportunities for financial institutions and FinTech companies to come together and collaborate on value-adding partnerships, he said.

"It is a key thrust of our efforts to establish Singapore as a smart financial center and a transformational FinTech hub," he added.

The week-long event was organized by the Monetary Authority of Singapore. It has attracted over 25,000 participants from more than 100 countries and areas.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 15:35:25|Editor: Ying

Video Player Close

KABUL, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- At least eight policemen were killed following a shooting at a security checkpoint in Afghanistan's western province of Farah on Monday, local TV channel Ariana News reported.

The initial findings showed that the incident was likely caused by an insider attack as "a policeman of the checkpoint went missing after the firing and there were no signs of insurgents' activities near the targeted post," the media quoted provincial police chief Gul Bahar Mujahed as saying.

The incident occurred early Monday morning in Rigee, an area on the outskirts of provincial capital Farah city, 695 km west of Kabul, the report said.

Provincial police were trying to find the main reason behind the incident and the checkpoint has been reopened after the incident, according to the report.

Taliban insurgency has been on the rampage since the beginning of 2015 when the Afghan security forces assumed full responsibilities of security from the U.S. and NATO troops.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 15:55:32|Editor: pengying

Video Player Close

BAGHDAD, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- A total of eight people were killed and hundreds others wounded in a huge earthquake that hit Iraq's northern and eastern provinces late on Sunday, health officials told Xinhua on Monday.

The heaviest casualties occurred in the semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan, where seven people were killed and more than 300 others wounded, according to a medical source from the health department of Sulaimaniyah province in northeastern Iraq.

The source said that four of the deaths were killed in the town of Darbandikhan, some 35 km southeast of the city of Sulaimaniyah, and three others in other areas in the Kurdish region, the source said.

In early Monday morning, a team of experts and engineers from the Iraqi Ministry of Water resources headed to check the Darbandikhan dam, which was built in 1956 on the Diyala River in Sulaimaniyah province.

Late on Sunday, the Iraqi Minister of Water Resources warned the people down the Darbandikhan Dam to be in highest alert as the condition of the dam is not clear.

Another civilian was killed and five others wounded by the collapse of buildings in the city of Jalawlaa in Iraq's eastern province of Diyala, Faris al-Azzawi, head of Diyala's provincial health department, told Xinhua.

However, the number of casualties is still conflicted in the Kurdish region as Joint Crisis Coordination Center for the government of Kurdistan region said on its Twitter page that there are over 500 casualties and that local hospitals in Sulaimaniyah province is in urgent need for medical personnel, equipment and medicines to treat the wounded civilians.

On Sunday evening, a huge earthquake measuring 7.2 magnitude hit Iraq's northern province of Sulaimaniyah.

The epicenter of the earthquake was 32 km southwest of the Halabja area near the Iranian border, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The earthquake was felt in many Iraqi provinces in the north and central regions, including the Iraqi capital Baghdad.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 16:00:34|Editor: Lifang

Video Player Close

HARBIN, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese and Russian travellers are expected to benefit from a visa-free policy for cross-border travel between Heihe in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province and Blagoveshchensk, capital of Russia's Amur State.

Heihe government confirmed on Monday that it is in talks with the Russian side on visa-free travel.

The two cities are only 750 meters apart, separated by the Heilong River, known as Amur River in Russia.

Currently, travellers on cross-border day trips have to queue for hours for customs clearance.

Wang Ping, head of the China Chamber of Tourism, said the organization has been involved in talks on a visa-free policy and encourages the Russian region to offer accommodation catering to Chinese tourists.

Donets Andrey Ivanovich, deputy governor of Russia's Amur region, said the Amur government would apply for approval of the visa-free policy from national departments.

Galushka Alexander Sergeevich, director of the Russian Far East Development Department, said Heihe and Blagoveshchensk visa-free travel was on the agenda of the Far East development planning.

The transportation between the two cities currently depends on ferries in summer and a pontoon bridge when the river is frozen.

Construction of a permanent bridge started in 2016 after 28 years of negotiations between China and Russia. Scheduled to open in 2019, the bridge will be an important part of the China-Mongolia-Russia economic corridor.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 16:20:37|Editor: pengying

Video Player Close

MOGADISHU, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- At least one Al-Shabaab militant was killed when the U.S. military carried out another airstrike against the Al-Qaida allied insurgent group in Somalia late Saturday.

The operation occurred near Bulogudud, about 400 km southwest of the capital city of Mogadishu, the U.S. Africa Command (Africom) said late Sunday.

"In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, the U.S. forces conducted an airstrike in Somalia against Al-Shabaab at approximately 4:30 p.m. local time (1330 GMT) on Saturday, killing one enemy combatant," Africom said in a statement.

"Prior to this strike, the U.S. forces observed the Al-Shabaab combatant participating in the attacks on a U.S. and Somali convoy. The U.S. forces subsequently conducted the strike under collective self-defense authorities," it added.

The U.S. military has killed several militants in strikes carried out in coordination with the Somali government in the past week in a bid to stabilize the Horn of Africa nation.

Washington said Al-Shabaab has pledged allegiance to Al-Qaida and is dedicated to providing safe haven for terrorist attacks across the world.

"Al-Shabaab is publicly committed to planning and conducting attacks against the United States and our partners in the region," it said, vowing to intensify airstrikes against the militants in Somalia.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 16:30:40|Editor: Mengjie

Video Player Close

VIENTIANE, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, arrived in Laos Monday for a state visit as the two socialist countries are seeking to consolidate their traditional friendship.

It marks the first visit in 11 years by a Chinese head of state and top CPC leader to this neighboring country in Southeast Asia.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 16:45:44|Editor: Mengjie

Video Player Close

VIENTIANE, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, arrived in Laos Monday for a state visit as the two socialist countries are seeking to consolidate their traditional friendship.

It marks the first visit in 11 years by a Chinese head of state and top CPC leader to this neighboring country in Southeast Asia.

Xi is scheduled to meet with Bounnhang Vorachit, general secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee and president of Laos, Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith, and President of the Lao National Assembly Pany Yathotu.

Vientiane is the final leg of Xi's first overseas trip after the 19th CPC National Congress, which was held last month. Prior to the Laos visit, he attended the 25th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Meeting in Vietnam's central city of Da Nang and paid a state visit to the country in Hanoi.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 17:10:54|Editor: Yurou

Video Player Close

by Zhao Qing, Chen Yao

MANILA, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Made Island, lying offshore in the Bay of Bengal of the Indian Ocean covering 10 sq-km, is an isolated, unknown place in Kyaukphyu area of Myanmar's Rakhine state.

Its 3,000 inhabitants from five natural villages had been living on fishing and farming for more than 1,000 years.

Things started to change on the island in June 2010, when the China-Myanmar oil and gas pipeline project was launched under the witness of both premiers of China and Myanmar.

In 2016, when the project was concluded, the island became the starting point of a 771 km-long crude oil pipeline leading to the border with China, with a designed transmission capacity of 22 million tons per year.

Made Island has become Made Island port equipped with a 300,000-ton crude oil wharf.

The project not only helped ease the pressing demand for oil in Myanmar and southwestern China, boost the economic and trade ties between the two countries, but also turned Made Island into a modernized port with up-to-date facilities, greatly enhancing local people's lives.

During the Water Festival of 2012, Made Island inhabitants started to use clean running water, instead of muddy water in the past, to throw on each other for festive celebration.

Electricity has already been available 24 hours a day. Some families have bought diesel-engined farming machines and motorcycles.

Schools and clinics have been set up on the island. A base of 3G mobile signal was also built to provide service for mobile phone users.

"We appreciate the pipeline project very much as it made our lives so convenient. In the past we were able to use power only for four hours a day, but now it's 24 hours," a villager named U Hla Kyaw said. "We used to store rainfall water for use but now we are using clean running water. This is amazing."

U Hla Kyaw and his fellow villagers are only some of those who have benefited from the projects under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Proposed by China in 2013, the initiative aims to build trade and infrastructure networks connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient Silk Road trade routes to seek common development and prosperity.

As of August this year, the number of countries, regions, and international organizations that have signed cooperation agreements with China on the joint development of the Belt and Road Initiative has reached 69, covering various areas of transportation, industrial parks, trade zones, financial services, digital cooperation, education and others, according to China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).

As of the end of 2016, Chinese businesses had built 56 economic and trade cooperation zones in more than 20 countries along the Belt and Road, with the total investment exceeding 18.5 billion U.S. dollars, generating nearly 1.1 billion dollars in tax revenue and creating nearly 180,000 local jobs.

In Asia, the priority area for implementing the initiative, many projects have been successfully concluded. Thousands of residents living along the routes have reaped the early benefits, seeing their living environment modernized, jobs and education opportunities turn up.

The Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone (SEZ), jointly established by China and Cambodia in 2008, is the biggest SEZ in Cambodia. Over 100 factories have been opened in the zone, employing more than 16,000 people.

It plans to attract 200 more factories, providing 100,000 extra jobs, according to Cao Jianjiang, general manager of the Sihanoukville SEZ Company.

By working in the SEZ, many farmers from nearby regions have been alleviated from poverty.

The Chinese management side opened language training schools to teach free Chinese lessons to the villagers. Many of those who excel in learning are now working as clerks in offices or as translators, earning much more than those working in the factories.

The Thai-Chinese Rayong Industrial Zone, located in central Thailand, has now attracted 90 Chinese enterprises, with a total investment of 2.5 billion dollars and industrial output value of 8 billion dollars, employing over 20,000 local people.

As Chinese leaders have stated on many occasions, the objective of the Belt and Road Initiative is to share China's achievements in economic development with the world, enhance cooperation among countries and achieve common prosperity.

"We love to come here for a visit as it is not just a new port," a Sir Lanka teacher accompanying her students told Xinhua on a tour of Port of Hambantota, a flagship Belt and Road project in Sir Lanka.

"This is where we see our hope, our future, where our new life begins," she said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 17:20:58|Editor: Yurou

Video Player Close

BEIJING, Nov. 13(Xinhua) -- Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Nasser Bourita will pay an official visit to China Thursday to Friday, at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, a spokesman said Monday.

"It is Bourita's first visit to China since he took office, and China attaches great importance to the visit," said spokesman Geng Shuang at a news briefing.

Geng said Chinese leaders would meet Bourita during his stay, and Wang would hold talks with him.

"China hopes to exchange ideas with Morocco on bilateral ties, international and regional issues of both countries' concern, implement consensus, deepen cooperation and promote friendship to push forward the strategic partnership between two countries," Geng said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 17:36:04|Editor: Yurou

Video Player Close

JAKARTA, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Indian officials, police, soldiers and volunteers have attempted to direct nine whales after they were stranded on a beach in Aceh province of western Indonesia, a police officer said on Monday.

The nine whales were discovered in Ujung Kareng beach of Aceh Besar district at about 9:30 a.m. Monday, said Agus Salim, police chief at Masjid Raya sub-district.

"The stranded whales were first found by villagers and sailors fishing around the place," he added.

Officials along with soldiers, policemen and volunteers are directing the whales toward deep waters, he was quoted by Merdeka media as saying.

Some of the whales suffered from injuries but it was not clear about the cause of the wounds, according to the media.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 17:36:05|Editor: Yurou

Video Player Close

PHNOM PENH, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Twenty-five Cambodia's nearly-extinct Royal Turtles were released on Monday into their natural habitat in southwestern Koh Kong province's Sre Ambel river, the only place in Cambodia where the species is found, a conservationist group said.

After undergoing health examinations by veterinarians from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), all 25 sub-adult turtles were fitted with acoustic transmitters that will allow researchers to monitor their survival and seasonal movements, and to better understand their habitat use within the river, said a joint statement issued by the Cambodia's Fisheries Administration (FiA) and WCS.

The Royal Turtle, also known as Southern River Terrapin (Batagur affinis), is one of the world's most endangered freshwater turtles and is listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List as Critically Endangered, the statement said.

The species lives only in Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, and its global wild population numbers less than 500 mature individuals, it said, adding that it was designated Cambodia's National Reptile by Royal Decree in 2005.

Som Sitha, WCS's technical advisor to Koh Kong Conservation Project, said the recent ban of sand dredging along the Sre Ambel river by the Cambodian government was vital to safeguard the only known natural habitat and breeding ground of Royal Turtles.

"We will be able to monitor the movement of the released animals, their habitat utilization and survival rate," he said. "These data will allow conservationists of FiA and WCS to better plan and manage this species-a huge step forward in our ability to recover the population."

"We are optimistic about this release because we succeeded in 2015 when we released 21 Royal Turtles into the Sre Ambel system. After two years of regular monitoring, we found that over 85 percent of them are still alive," he added.

The species is still known locally in Cambodia as the "Royal Turtle" because historically the eggs were considered a delicacy protected for the king, the statement said. More recently, however, they have been pushed to the brink of extinction largely due to unsustainable harvesting of both eggs and adults.

As a result of this persecution the Royal Turtle was believed extinct in Cambodia until 2000 when a small population was re-discovered by the FiA and WCS in the Sre Ambel river.

Ouk Vibol, director of fisheries conservation department of the FiA, said that FiA, in collaboration with WCS, has been working to conserve the Royal Turtles for nearly 20 years.

He said efforts have ranged from nest and habitat protection, to education and awareness, to the construction by WCS and FiA of the Koh Kong Reptile Conservation Center for housing, rearing and breeding the turtle species.

"Collection of eggs or adults for consumption or sale is illegal in Cambodia. Everyone can help conserve the Royal Turtle by not buying or eating their meat or eggs," he said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 17:41:06|Editor: Yurou

Video Player Close

WELLINGTON, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- A 38-year-old Brazilian drug courier appeared at New Zealand's Manukau District Court for trial on Monday.

The man arrived from Chile to New Zealand's Auckland Airport on Sunday and was questioned by the customs. A baggage search revealed inconsistencies in his suitcase, and the drug identification device found three kg of cocaine, worth up to 1.3 million NZ dollars (900,000 U.S. dollars) in his suitcase.

Customs Manager Passenger Operations at Auckland Airport Peter Lewis said that risk-assessing, questioning and searching luggage is part of everyday airport operations.

"It is not uncommon to find drug couriers trying to sneak through as legitimate travelers," Lewis said, adding that as the customs gears up for increasing travel volumes over the summer, "we will be putting just as much focus on drug couriers."

The customs has arrested seven drug couriers at Auckland Airport in the last three months. They arrived from Thailand, Chile, and Brazil, carrying a total of over 20 kg of either methamphetamine or cocaine, the customs statement said.

Based on the New Zealand Drug Harm Index, these seizures have prevented around 25.7 million NZ dollars (17.8 million U.S. dollars) of additional harm to communities.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 17:56:10|Editor: Yurou

Video Player Close

MOGADISHU, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Voting kicked off at 7 a.m. in the breakaway region of Somaliland on Monday as over 700,000 voters lined up in queues to vast their ballot to elect their fifth president.

Queues started forming in a number of the stations as voters lined up to vote in 1,642 polling centers.

"I am very happy to vote and I will give my vote to the most suitable candidate," Sagal Mohamed told Xinhua.

Muse Bihi Abdi will be defending the ruling party seat while former House Speaker Abdirahman Irro is vying in Wadani ticket. Faisal Ali Warabe is running under Justice and Development Party (UCID).

This is the first poll in Somaliland to use a new voter registration system, which itself marks the first use of iris-scan biometric technology in an African election.

Meanwhile, a 60-member team of international observers from 27 countries is monitoring the polls.

The international election observation mission (EOM), which has been invited by Somaliland's National Electoral Commission (NEC), said it will conduct its observation activities in accordance with the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation, emphasizing the impartiality and independence of that observation.

The EOM is led by the Development Planning Unit (DPU) at University College London (UCL), and Somaliland Focus UK.

This EOM marks the fourth election in Somaliland observed and reported on by DPU and Somaliland Focus since 2005.

"Preparations for this mission have been intense, and we are very appreciative of the invaluable assistance we have had from so many stakeholders in Somaliland, and from the British government in funding this mission," Michael Walls of DPU, chief observer on the EOM.

"Now that we are seeing the hard work bear fruit, we are hoping we will see a spirited and peaceful polling day marking another step in Somaliland's democratic development," Walls said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 18:06:15|Editor: Yurou

Video Player Close

China and Laos are friends and comrades who have a shared mission in advancing the great cause of building socialism with our respective characteristics. Last month, the Communist Party of China successfully convened its 19th National Congress and set forth general principles and guidelines for the future development of the Party and the country. The Party Congress laid out the blueprint for China's development all through to the middle of the century: we will complete the building of a moderately prosperous society by 2020, basically realize socialist modernization by 2035, and build China into a great modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious and beautiful by the middle of this century. We have the ability and confidence to rally the Chinese people toward the realization of the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation. Under the leadership of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, Laos enjoys social harmony and economic prosperity. It is making fast progress and steadily advancing comprehensive reforms in line with the goals set at the 10th Congress of the Party. Like Lancang-Mekong River that runs through our two countries, the common mission and ideals that bind us together have forged a common destiny for us.

-- We need to strengthen strategic communication and build a community of shared future based on mutual respect and mutual trust. The two sides should take forward our traditional friendship, keep the bilateral relations on the right track, and deepen political mutual trust. We should learn from each other's experience, including theories and practices of reform and socialist construction, and increase exchanges between our political parties, governments, legislatures, and provinces/cities to broaden and deepen our comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership. We should continue to support each other on issues involving each other's core interests and major concerns, and make foreign policy decisions based on the merits of matters to jointly uphold the rights and interests of developing countries.

-- We need to enhance the complementarity of our development strategies and build a community of shared future through mutual assistance. China supports Laos in leveraging its geographical position to achieve green and sustainable development. As an important part of the Trans-Asian Railway network, China-Laos railway is of major strategic and practical importance to Laos. The two sides should increase coordination and work for early completion and operation of the project to connect Laos with its neighbors and the world. We must advance construction and operation of major projects, such as economic cooperation zones, satellite, and hydropower stations to bring more benefits to the Lao people as early as possible.

-- We need to expand practical cooperation and build a community of shared future for mutual benefit. China and Laos are close neighbors with economic complementarity. Laos enjoys good natural endowments and fast economic development. The country is at a crucial stage of industrialization and modernization. China has rich experience and strength in capital, technology and equipment. The two sides should tap cooperation potential and explore new ways of cooperation. We could expand practical cooperation in electricity connectivity, finance and energy, promote the development of Lao infrastructure for agriculture, water conservancy, transportation and telecommunication, and bring real benefits to the two peoples.

-- We need to increase people-to-people exchange and build a community of shared future featuring mutual learning. We should strengthen exchanges and cooperation in the fields of culture, science and technology and youth and subnational interactions to take China-Laos friendship from generation to generation. We welcome more Lao people to China to study, tour or work and to serve as envoys for the traditional friendship between our two countries. China will support Laos in hosting the 2018 Tourism Year, encourage more Chinese tourists to visit Laos and experience the unique charm of Lao history and culture.

China and Laos are both important members of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) framework. The LMC has achieved fruitful results since its inception in 2016. It has demonstrated a Lancang-Mekong speed and efficiency, and fostered a Lancang-Mekong culture of equality, sincerity, mutual assistance and affinity. Laos will be the LMC Co-Chair next year. China will work with Laos to facilitate more cooperation outcomes, implement the early-harvest projects proposed by Laos, promote sub-regional development and bring more benefits to countries and peoples in the region.

As a Lao saying goes, one piece of firewood does not make high flames, and a single wood stick does not make a fence. The Chinese believe that people, if united, are as strong as a fortress, and flame runs high if everyone adds wood to it. I am convinced that as long as our two countries trust each other and work together, we will create an even better future for our bilateral relations.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 18:06:16|Editor: Yurou

Video Player Close

by Abdul Haleem

KABUL, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- A new technology to plant, produce, process and export high-quality saffron has been set up by a Chinese businessman in Afghanistan, a country still notorious for growing opium-producing poppies for the illicit drug trade.

Following the collapse of the Taliban reign in Afghanistan and serious demand from the international community for the Afghan government to check poppy cultivation in the poverty-stricken country, farmers in parts of the western Herat province have begun replacing poppies with saffron and the practice has been gradually extending to other parts of the country.

However, growing opium poppies and hashish is still rampant in militancy-plagued Afghanistan and the government has yet to eradicate poppy farming and overcome the war on illicit drugs.

The suitable weather conditions for growing saffron in Afghanistan, according to Chinese businessman Jia Dongdong, drew his attention to invest in saffron fields and use a new technology to produce high quality saffron here.

"The appropriate weather conditions here mean we can invest in the saffron industry and by using new Chinese technology, we can grow, produce and distribute the highest-quality saffron in the world," Jia, who serves as vice president for the firm Afghanistan Band-e-Amir Saffron Co. Ltd., told Xinhua recently.

The joint venture between Afghanistan Band-e-Amir Saffron Co. Ltd. with a local company, the Afghan Apple Agricultural Union, has seen work to cultivate and produce high-quality saffron and introduce it to international markets since the collaboration went operational in July this year.

Fighting the poppy trade in the poverty-battered nation is another ambitious plan of the newly-established saffron company in Afghanistan. Jia said the company would help farmers to give up their poppy plantations and replace them with legal saffron crops.

"As I heard that many Afghan farmers are involved in growing poppies, which is damaging the country's image, I thought that by producing high-quality saffron through the use of new technology, farmers could be encouraged to replace poppies with saffron," said the Chinese businessman.

He added that this would also help the nation to tackle its jobless situation and that saffron is a highly-valued plant with a good market in China.

The Kabul based Band-e-Amir Saffron Co. Ltd. has four Chinese staff and 15 Afghan workers, including 12 women, working on three acres of saffron land on the southwestern edge of Kabul city.

Fatima, 56, while saying she was satisfied with her new job, explained that she was paid on a daily basis.

Saffron, according to the Afghan Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, is cultivated in 30 out of 34 provinces on a total area of around 2,800 hectares involving approximately 18,000 farmers, providing them with a total of 765,000 workdays.

In the fall of 2016, the total yield from saffron cultivation was estimated to be 6,000 kg, with the total area suitable for growing the corms in Afghanistan estimated to be between 15,000 to 20,000 hectares with a total yield potential of between 60,000 and 80,000 kg.

This, according to officials figures, could net potential revenue of between 108 and 144 million U.S. dollars each year.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 18:16:21|Editor: Yurou

Video Player Close

BEIJING, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- The recent record-breaking business deals between China and the United States were directed by companies and market-oriented, according to a vice commerce minister in an exclusive interview Monday.

"The achievements are business agreements and trade cooperation intentions directed by enterprises, negotiated and signed under market principles," said Yu Jianhua, vice minister of commerce and deputy international trade representative with the Ministry of Commerce.

China and the United States signed deals worth 253.5 billion U.S. dollars during U.S. President Donald Trump's visit last week, consisting of 34 cooperative agreements and plans.

Among them, there are 26 trade items worth a total of 108.8 billion U.S. dollars and eight mutual investment projects worth 144.7 billion dollars, according to Yu.

"The record high value of the business achievements shows bilateral economic and trade cooperation enjoys an extensive basis of popular opinion, receives strong support from industrial members and has broad prospects," Yu said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 18:26:26|Editor: Mu Xuequan

Video Player Close

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, arrives in Vientiane on Nov. 13, 2017 for a state visit to Laos. (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng)

VIENTIANE, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, arrived in Laos Monday for a state visit as the two socialist countries are seeking to consolidate their traditional friendship.

It marks the first visit in 11 years by a Chinese head of state and top CPC leader to this neighboring country in Southeast Asia.

Xi is scheduled to meet with Bounnhang Vorachit, general secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and president of Laos, Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith, and President of the Lao National Assembly Pany Yathotu.

In a written speech delivered upon arrival at the airport, Xi extended sincere regards and best wishes to the brotherly LPRP, the Lao government and the Lao people on behalf of the CPC, the Chinese government and the Chinese people.

Both as Communist-led socialist countries, China and Laos are truly "good neighbors, friends, comrades and partners," Xi said.

Since the two countries established diplomatic ties 56 years ago, the traditional good neighborly and friendly relations have stood the test of international vicissitudes and have become even stronger, Xi said.

The in-depth development of bilateral comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership has not only brought tangible benefits to the two countries and peoples, but also contributed to the peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world at large, he said.

"I believe with concerted efforts of both sides, my visit will achieve our desired results, lift our relationship to a new high and bring greater benefits to our two peoples," he added.

Xi was greeted by senior party and state leaders of Laos at the airport.

Huge portraits of Xi and Bounnhang, as well as banners bearing welcome slogans in the Chinese and Lao languages "Warmly welcome the state visit by Comrade Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and Chinese president, to Laos," were seen hanging on the main streets of the Lao capital Vientiane.

Thousands of local residents, including young students, lined up along the streets, waving national flags of the two countries and cheering as Xi's motorcade passed by.

Vientiane is the final leg of Xi's first overseas trip after the 19th CPC National Congress, which was held last month. Prior to the Laos visit, he attended the 25th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Meeting in Vietnam's central city of Da Nang and paid a state visit to the country in Hanoi.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 18:26:27|Editor: pengying

Video Player Close

JUBA, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan said it has resolved the standoff with ex-army (SPLA) Chief of General Staff Paul Malong by withdrawing hundreds of soldiers that had been surrounding the latter's home following more than one week of standoff over his bodyguards.

SPLA spokesperson Lul Ruai Koang, in a statement on Sunday night in Juba announced the peaceful resolution of the standoff between the government and Malong.

"SPLA announces peaceful resolution of misunderstanding between the government and the former Chief of General Staff," he said.

He disclosed that Malong who was sacked in May by President Salva Kiir finally accepted the presidential order to allow withdrawal of the over 30 bodyguards from his home.

"Security review was undertaken which indicated lack of real security threats to the government in particular and residents of Juba in general," Koang said of the reasons behind the withdrawal.

He also added that the decision will help reduce and eliminate uncertainty created by deployment of security forces around the residence of the former Chief of General Staff, and will help to build confidence between the government and Malong.

Koang also said Malong's house confinement since the beginning of November had caused inconvenience to several road users in the capital and that peaceful settlement of this once contentious matter will free up some roads for public use.

The United States Department of the Treasury this year indicted and effected asset freeze for Malong and other two senior ranking officers accused of fanning the more than three years of violence and obstructing peace efforts.

Hundreds of soldiers on armored personnel carriers (APC) had until surrounded the former army chief's residence on the pretext he may escape with his bodyguards, after the government in May had blocked him with his heavily armed troops in Yirol Western Lakes state en route to his home area of Aweil in Northern Bahr El Ghazal.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 18:31:28|Editor: pengying

Video Player Close

MOGADISHU, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Security is tight as Somalilanders in the semi-autonomous region of Somalia lined up on Monday to elect their new president in polls delayed by severe drought and political disagreements.

The northern region's military chiefs promised to ensure that the election which begun at 7.a.m runs smoothly without any disruption from terrorists and pledged to work with whoever emerges the winner.

"We will work with every candidate that wins. Somaliland forces are in every area, at the borders and at all polling stations across the country to secure and make sure the election is peaceful," said Somaliland Chief of Army Nuh Ismail Tani.

He added that all forces were already prepared to secure the safety of the voters to ensure peace prevails in Somaliland during the presidential election.

Observers said election is significant because it's the first time an incumbent is not contesting, giving voters in the former British protectorate a real choice between the three candidates.

Tani called on Somalilanders to maintain peace to ensure the election runs smoothly. The results of the presidential election are not expected until Friday.

Residents told Xinhua that there is heavy security presence in Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland and in all polling stations, saying the forces are also guiding voters who are blind, pregnant or weak on to cast their ballot.

"The security situation is okay. So far there are no insecurity incidents which have been reported. There are Special Forces everywhere maintaining security. There has also been public awareness by politicians, community leaders and presidential candidates on the importance of maintaining peace," said a resident who refused to be named.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 18:31:29|Editor: Lifang

Video Player Close

NANNING, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- It is the busiest time of the year at Nguyen Thien Kam Wan's store in Dongxing, a Chinese border city.

Ahead of Singles' Day, the Vietnamese businesswoman has been shipping Vietnamese specialties to Chinese buyers, who placed orders for more than 2,000 bags of dried jackfruit alone.

"It is larger than our sales in a normal month," she says.

For years, Nguyen Thien Kam Wan has crossed the border from the Vietnamese city of Mong Cai to Dongxing in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region every morning, returning home after work. More than 10,000 Vietnamese cross-border workers fill a variety of jobs in Dongxing.

She received less than 100 U.S. dollars a day when doing the business in 2003, but now her daily revenue surpasses 500 U.S. dollars, partly thanks to the e-commerce platform Taobao, she and her Chinese friend have used since 2014.

"Back in 2003, I didn't see many Vietnamese business people like me, and I always finished work early. But now, customs has extended the closure time to 7 p.m." she says.

Since the 1990s, China has allowed border residents to conduct small-scale cross-border business, attracting Vietnamese residents to do business in Dongxing. In 2012, the Dongxing city government allowed Vietnamese residents to open stores in the city, fueling a surge in the number of workers crossing the border.

China's miraculous economic growth since the country's opening up and reform in the late 1970s has benefited its neighbors, including Vietnam, especially in border trade, according to Phung Thi Hue with the Institute of Chinese Studies of Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences.

In addition to traditional trade in goods, some border residents of the two countries have seized opportunities in China's booming e-commerce, said the senior researcher.

Figures from the data provider Syntun show that China's major e-commerce sites recorded nearly 254 billion yuan (about 38 billion U.S. dollars) in sales over 24 hours this Saturday, named Singles' Day because the date 11-11 resembles four "bare sticks," a term used in China to refer to single people.

Besides commuters, an increasing number of Vietnamese workers have been stationed in factories of Guangxi's border cities such as Dongxing and Pingxiang.

Dongxing began implementing a pilot scheme in 2015 that allows eight local factories to hire about 1,000 Vietnamese employees for a single stay of up to six months. Now, more than 4,000 Vietnamese workers are hired by nearly 20 factories in the city as the scheme expanded. Pingxiang began the pilot in early 2017.

As a beneficiary of the pilot, Hoang Chunyan works at Dongxing Yicheng Food Development Company, earning at least 2,000 yuan a month, higher than a similar job would offer in her hometown.

The company, with more than 300 Vietnamese workers in the peak season, provides them with accident insurance, giving the machine workers peace of mind.

Vietnamese employees help relieve the shortage of blue collar workers in border areas, according to Jiang Liansheng, head of Guangxi's commerce department.

"China's Belt and Road Initiative will bring closer cooperation between the two countries and the border trade will be more prosperous," Phung Thi Hue said."Therefore, more and more Vietnamese people will seek jobs in China."
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 18:46:36|Editor: pengying

Video Player Close

by Muhammad Tahir

ISLAMABAD, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- As the United States and its Western allies do not have any plan to press for a negotiated settlement of the conflict in Afghanistan, Pakistan and regional stakeholders insist there is no military solution to the Afghan problem and a political solution is imperative for lasting peace and stability.

Regional countries including Pakistan, China, Iran, Russia and Central Asian States are engaged in diplomatic efforts to encourage peace negotiations between the Taliban and the Afghan government as their concerns are rapidly growing over the lack of progress on peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan.

Analysts are of the view that the Afghan crisis has contributed towards regional instability, power struggles, regional polarization, economic degeneration and a humanitarian crisis over the decades.

Rtd. Brig. Ishaq Ahmed from the Pakistan Army argues that regional and neighboring countries have stakes and are gravely affected by the war in Afghanistan and therefore their efforts towards political solutions are likely to be more concerted and dedicated.

"Global powers like the U.S. and India, which have vested interests in the region, have ensured their personal positions are kept in view, but their efforts have not yielded results, as 16 years of continued war is as a result of their policies," Ahmed, director of Intelligence and International Security Studies at South Asian Strategic Stability Institute University, Islamabad (SASSI), told Xinhua.

"The only solution to the Afghan crisis is the Afghan sought resolve to consult with neighboring and regional countries," he further said, referring to Russian's regional peace initiative in which only directly affected countries and players namely Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, China and Russia along with the Taliban, are needed and should be encouraged and supported.

Afghanistan's former Defense Minister Shahnawaz Tanai says the Trump administration has adopted the path of war, which is no solution to the Afghan problem as this option has not worked over the past 16 years.

"It is unfortunate that the U.S. still insists on military options as it has other objectives that also include its intention to grab the rich and bountiful natural resources in Afghanistan, while it also eyes resources in other regional countries," Tanai told Xinhua from Kabul via the phone.

He also said the United States has not paid attention to the basic problems in Afghanistan, forcing the Afghan government to depend on the United States and its NATO allies for almost everything.

Ahmadullah Ahmadzai, an Afghan writer and analyst, said regional countries working towards political solutions are the best option.

"Peace in Afghanistan without the cooperation of regional countries will not be possible. But I think the U.S. is not allowing Russia and Iran to play a role in peace and reconciliation," Ahmadzai told Xinhua.

He was of the view that the Afghan government understands that peace cannot be ensured without the cooperation of regional countries.

"But it seems the Afghan government is not ready to seek the role of regional counties as the U.S. has advised the Kabul administration against active diplomatic efforts by regional countries in recent months," Ahmadzai added.

There is no doubt the solution to the Afghan issue lies mainly with the United States as it led the NATO military alliance to invade Afghanistan in 2001 and toppled the Taliban regime for hosting Osama bin Laden, who was blamed for the Sept. 11 attacks. For their part, the Taliban leaders are defending what they call their "holy war" waged on foreign forces to leave Afghanistan.

The Taliban has repeatedly said they are ready for talks with the United States to find out if it has any plan to leave Afghanistan and to discuss a timeframe for the possible withdrawal.

However, the United States is unwilling to hold direct talks with the Taliban as it could annoy the Afghan government. As both sides have kept the political option open, they should show flexibility in bringing an end to the protracted war which now mainly claims the lives of Afghan civilians and causes destruction to infrastructure.

Months after President Trump unveiled his Afghan strategy, focusing on the use of force with the deployment of more troops, NATO defense ministers agreed in their meeting in Brussels last week to increase the number of troops deployed to Afghanistan from around 13,000 to roughly 16,000, which means the military alliance is focused on the military option.

Although NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that NATO continues to support an Afghan-led peace and reconciliation process, no strategy has been unveiled as to how to end the conflict through negotiations.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 18:56:38|Editor: pengying

Video Player Close

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Casualties were feared as a suicide car bombing targeted a foreign military convoy in Dand district of southern Afghanistan's Kandahar province on Monday, said a local official.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 19:06:41|Editor: Mengjie

Video Player Close

SEOUL, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping displayed his in-depth, philosophical thought about China's diplomatic vision during the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), head of a global organization said.

"During the 19th National Congress of the CPC, President Xi suggested a new diplomatic vision... I think it's a very comprehensive concept," said Secretary-General of the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) Lee Jong-heon in an interview with Xinhua.

At the opening session of the 19th CPC National Congress, President Xi has proposed that all nations come together to build a "community of shared future for mankind" in the highly interdependent world, where the fates of all nations, big or small, rich or poor, are tightly intertwined.

"This new concept provides really a very in-depth, philosophical and theoretical background about China's future foreign policy related to the new approach to the international relations," said the TCS chief.

The TCS is an international organization, which was launched in September 2011 and headquartered in Seoul to promote peace and common prosperity among China, Japan and South Korea.

"Personally, China's new diplomatic vision is very impressive for me. I sincerely hope, and expect, that China's new diplomatic vision will be realized in close cooperation with neighboring countries, based on shared interest and shared responsibility," said Lee.

He forecast China's new vision will help eventually achieve peace, stability and prosperity in the Asian region.

Lee recommended that China, Japan and South Korea should try to better understand each other's foreign policy to prevent possible misunderstanding as the two other countries also came up with their own diplomatic visions.

"The three countries are all talking about peace, stability and prosperity. In the process of each country's pursuing its own strategic goals without converging into a grand, common strategy, the three countries maybe attempt to be engaged in more confrontation than in cooperation," said Lee.

In this regard, the Belt and Road Initiative was "playing a very important role" in closing a possible gap among the three countries, said the TCS chief.

"The initiative is a key factor in terms of increasing a connectivity within the region as well as between the region and the rest of the world. It is a grand project that should be an integral part of China's new diplomatic vision," he noted.

Proposed by President Xi in 2013, the initiative aims to build trade and infrastructure networks connecting Asian with European and Africa on and beyond the ancient Silk Road routes. It comprises the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.

Lee said the increased connectivity will be the most important concept to realize an open, real regionalism.

"By increasing connectivity, every related country can get substantial benefit, for example by reducing the cost of trade... Every region is related and interconnected with each other, so we need to strengthen endeavor to expand this connectivity," he said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 19:36:49|Editor: Mu Xuequan

Video Player Close

Chinese President Xi Jinping (L), also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, meets with General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong again in Hanoi, Vietnam, Nov. 13, 2017. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang)

HANOI, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping said here on Monday that the party-to-party and state-to-state relations between China and Vietnam are solid.

Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks when he met with General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong again here on Monday.

Xi said the consensus reached by leaders of the two countries is being translated into tangible cooperation achievements.

Noting that his visit to Vietnam was very smooth, Xi said he had friendly and in-depth exchanges with Trong on Sunday, with the two sides agreeing to further deepen bilateral cooperation and advance the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

As the international and regional situations in the new period are undergoing profound changes, the significance of China-Vietnam relationship is becoming more prominent, Xi said.

To guide the development of the bilateral ties, the two sides should hold the general direction of China-Vietnam relationship, enhance people-to-people exchanges, cement popular support of the bilateral ties, and firmly safeguard friendly cooperation between the two countries, so as to ensure that the relations between the two parties and two countries will always advance on the right track, Xi said.

Trong, for his part, said it is of great significance that Vietnam becomes Xi's first overseas destination after the 19th CPC National Congress, adding that the Vietnamese people sincerely welcome Xi's visit.

The friendly talks on Sunday fully reflected the bond of camaraderie and brotherhood, Trong said.

Vietnam is willing to work with China to strengthen exchanges on party and state governance, carry forward traditional friendship, and strive to lift relations between the two parties and two countries to a new stage, he said.

The two leaders, after the meeting, went for a stroll at the former residence of late Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh, reviewing the friendly exchanges by previous generations of the two countries' leaders.

Xi also attended a wreath laying ceremony at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum on Monday.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 19:51:57|Editor: Lifang

Video Player Close

By Xinhua writers Li Binian, Wang Linyuan

ZHENGZHOU, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- When he learned to paint as a teenager,Xiao Yanqing, 52, a farmer in Central China's Henan Province, could never have imagined it would lift him out of poverty.

Villagers of Xiao's home village of Wanggongzhuang used to draw and sell new year paintings, a business that dates back to the early 20th century, when a retired Imperial Palace craftsman brought the technique to the village.

In the 1980s, Xiao learned to draw new year paintings. In his spare time after farm work, he would paint and travel to cities to sell the paintings, which sold so cheaply he could barely make ends meet.

However, 1998, the year of tiger, proved a turning point in his life. A client ordered a tiger painting.

"I used to draw flowers and birds, but not once had I drawn a tiger," Xiao said.

With no real tigers around, he borrowed a tiger painting from a neighbor to copy. His painting sold at a good price, and he realized he was on to something that could benefit his whole village.

"Chinese people love tigers and are willing to hang tiger paintings in their homes as they believe the powerful tigers can scare away evil spirit," he said.

So he began a travel, not to sell paintings, but to zoos in northeastern China to observe tigers and dedicated himself to painting them.

It was a great success. In 1999, he was the first in the village to buy a color TV, and a year later a computer.

Using the Internet, Xiao managed to sell his paintings abroad, first to Singapore, then to Japan, Europe and the United States.

He surprised the clerks of the local bank when he brought in U.S. dollars to change for Renminbi.

"I guess they thought I was a criminal," he said smiling.

Impressed by Xiao's success, some of his friends followed suit, and more of the villagers joined later.

Tiger painting has become a trademark of the village and over 60 percent of the 1,366 villagers are now engaged in the business.

The village now sells thousands of tiger paintings every year, 40 percent of them to overseas markets, including Japan and Bangladesh.

Currently, the village can make a yearly revenue of nearly 100 million yuan (15 million U.S. dollars) by selling paintings.

Wang Jiansheng, a man in his 30s, has done a lot of jobs, from construction worker to butcher, but none of them earned him enough to buy a house. But tiger painting earns him 300,000 yuan a year, and allowed him to open his own workshop. He plans to buy a big apartment in Zhengzhou, capital of Henan, and open a gallery there.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 19:57:01|Editor: pengying

Video Player Close

HARARE, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Zimbabwe government has relaxed controls on importation of basic goods into the country to improve supply and stabilize prices ahead of the festive season, the state-run Herald newspaper reported Monday.

Industry and Commerce Minister Mike Bimha said the government was also willing to give import licenses to individuals and organizations with free funds to bring in the goods.

Zimbabwe is facing an acute shortage of foreign currency which has resulted in price hikes of some basic commodities as retailers are sourcing hard cash on the parallel market at a premium.

In September, the country experienced a temporary shortage of cooking oil and other basic goods due to panic buying by consumers after social media messages claimed there would be shortages of such commodities due to the ongoing forex shortages.

The availability of such goods has since stabilized but demand for basic commodities usually rise during the festive season.

Bimha said the government wanted to avoid shortages of such goods by licensing more importers.

"What we would want to announce today is that, we want to call upon companies and individuals who have free funds to import basic commodities and my ministry is ready to process permits and licenses to that effect," Bimha said.

The minister said the government was monitoring prices of various commodities and had discovered that many sectors, including brick making, packaging and pharmaceuticals, had hiked prices without any justification.

"What is disturbing, though, is that some of these companies are companies that are getting a lot of support from government," he said.

He warned that the government could withdraw operating licenses for companies that had unjustifiably hiked prices.

A cabinet task force appointed recently to monitor prices of various goods would meet this week to identify culprits and decide on the action to take, the minister said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 19:57:01|Editor: Mengjie

Video Player Close

MANILA, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will start consultations on the text of the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said here on Monday.

Li made the remarks when attending the 20th China-ASEAN (10+1) leaders' meeting in the Philippine capital of Manila.

China, which has most of its freight of foreign trade passing through the South China Sea, wants peace and stability for that area more than any other country, Li noted.

The Chinese premier said China is committed to maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea and resolving territorial and maritime rights disputes with parties directly involved through negotiations and in a peaceful manner.

Such a stance would never change, he added.

China, he said, expects to work with ASEAN countries on the basis of friendly negotiations to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and to push for consultations on the COC.

At the ASEAN foreign ministers' meetings in August, China and ASEAN countries drew up and approved the framework of the COC, saying they would initiate substantive consultations on the code's text within the year.

The framework, Li said, epitomizes the consensus on the COC key elements reached by all parties and is an important outcome of their consultations already carried out.

"Through consultations on the COC, we hope that all parties could enhance their mutual understanding and trust, and strive to adopt the COC at an early date on the basis of consensus and make it a stabilizer of peace in the South China Sea," said the Chinese premier.

Li arrived in the Philippines on Sunday for an official visit to the country and for a series of leaders' meetings on East Asian cooperation.

In Manila, he will also attend the 20th ASEAN-China, Japan and South Korea (10+3) leaders' meeting, as well as the 12th East Asia Summit.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 20:27:09|Editor: Lifang

Video Player Close

LONDON, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- A leading British academic on Monday defended the award-winning Confucius Institute at the University of Sheffield, saying it is key to helping business in northern England create trade with China.

Professor Sir Keith Burnett, vice-chancellor of the University of Sheffield, responded to criticism of Confucius Institutes that are established at universities across the world.

In late October, leading British business newspaper the Financial Times (FT) published an article. While acknowledging the mission of Confucius Institutes is to satisfy overseas demand for learning Chinese, it quoted an unnamed U.S. professor suggesting the centers amount to one country interfering with the education process of another.

Burnett, who is also head of the science and innovation board for the Sheffield City Region, a large industrial area in the heart of Britain, hit back at the criticisms in a letter to the FT.

Burnett said his response letter to the FT was submitted "to correct a misunderstanding that seems to have arisen about the role of Confucius Institutes, as I know them."

In the letter, Burnett called for effective work with partners around the world, including China, "arguably the present leader in global free trade."

The University of Sheffield, said Burnett, works with Chinese universities and companies in various research fields that in turn bring opportunities and investment back to the Sheffield City Region.

Burnett said that the Confucius Institute at Sheffield, besides providing language teaching to individuals and companies wishing to learn Mandarin, plays a key role in this work.

"Our award-winning Confucius Institute ... has put a great deal of our effort to helping local industry and commerce to work with Chinese partners and prospective investors and customers," he wrote.

"This is warmly welcomed by our local Chamber of Commerce, Sheffield City Council and local enterprise partnership," he added.

The cooperation between the university and the Chinese side listed in the letter include innovative technologies for low-carbon electric cars, quantum computing and the high-performance metals used on the Chinese space station.

Established in 2007, the Confucius Institute at Sheffield celebrated its 10th anniversary this year.

Burnett, who chairs the board of the Confucius Institute at Sheffield, has twice been awarded the prestigious Individual Performance Excellence award by China in recognition of his contribution to the greater understanding of Chinese language and culture.

The University of Sheffield is rated among the Top 100 in the world, and is a member of of the Russell Group of leading British research universities.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 20:32:10|Editor: pengying

Video Player Close

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Casualties feared as a suicide car bomb targeted foreign military convoy in Dand district of the southern Kandahar province on Monday, a local official said on condition of anonymity.

"A terrorist riding an explosive-laden car parked it alongside a road in Dand district and blew it up next to a military convoy of foreign forces today afternoon," the official told Xinhua.

Spokesman for Kandahar provincial government, Qudratullah Khoshbakht, confirmed the attack but avoided commenting on the possible casualties.

The NATO-led Resolute Support mission has yet to issue any statement on the report.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 20:32:11|Editor: Lifang

Video Player Close

BEIJING, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- An upcoming exposition will create a new platform for Chinese and African businesses to strengthen industrial capacity cooperation, officials said Monday.

The China-Africa Industrial Capacity Cooperation Exposition will take place in Nairobi, Kenya, from Dec. 13 to 16, organized by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), according to Chen Zhou, vice chairman of CCPIT, at a press conference.

Preparatory work has been basically completed for the expo, which is being organized by the CCPIT in Africa for the first time, according to Chen.

"Altogether 56 Chinese companies will take part in the expo to showcase high-quality products and advanced technology in railway and road construction, infrastructure, telecommunications, machinery, manufacturing and farm produce processing," Chen said.

"The expo will provide a new platform for Chinese and African businesses to conduct full-scale communication and deepen cooperation, and encourage more Chinese firms to enter Africa and speed up its industrialization process," Chen said.

"While Africa has rich natural and human resources and stands at the starting period of industrialization, China has the technology, equipment, talent and funds that can help Africa realize independent, sustainable development," he said.

Michael Kinyanjui, Kenya's ambassador to China, said the expo aimed to attract local and regional delegates from over 30 African countries.

"We believe the expo will add impetus to the ongoing China-Africa collaboration in trade, investments, and also cooperation in industrialization," Kinyanjui said.

Chen hailed the win-win cooperation between China and Africa in recent years, speaking of rapid growth in trade and investment.

The two sides saw their trade volume rise 19 percent year on year to 85.3 billion U.S. dollars in the first half of this year, when Chinese firms' non-financial direct investment in Africa increased 22 percent year on year to 1.6 billion dollars, according to Chen.

The China Africa Development Fund, an equity investment fund managed by China Development Bank, has authorized 4.5 billion dollars of investment in 91 projects in 36 African nations since its establishment in 2007, according to Zhou Chao, vice president of the fund.

"With investment areas ranging from industrial capacity and infrastructure to energy and agriculture, those projects are estimated to drive more than 20 billion dollars of investment from Chinese enterprises after their completion," Zhou said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 20:32:12|Editor: Mengjie

Video Player Close

HANOI, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- China and Vietnam reached a series of consensuses on strengthening cooperation on trade and maritime issues, according to a joint statement issued here on Monday.

The two sides agreed to jointly implement the five-year plan of China-Vietnam economic and trade cooperation starting from 2017, sign and carry out a list of key cooperation projects, the statement said.

Hanoi and Beijing decided to push for the early completion of the Hanoi light rail (Cat Linh - Ha Dong) project and instruct companies of both sides to solve problems and obstacles as soon as possible.

The two countries will complete the design of a standard-gauge railway linking Hai Phong, Hanoi, and Lao Cai, part of a cross-border railway network that connects China with Vietnam's eastern coast as scheduled, said the statement.

China and Vietnam are committed to promoting a sustained, stable and balanced development of bilateral trade, it said.

According to the statement, China is willing to expand its imports from Vietnam and prioritize the assessment of the import of Vietnamese dairy products to China.

China will also open up markets for certain kinds of Vietnamese fruits and cooperate with Vietnam in such fields as agriculture, forestry and fisheries.

During Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to Vietnam, the two sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on accelerating the negotiation process of the framework agreement for the construction of China-Vietnam cross-border economic cooperation zone.

The MOU aims to drive the development of border areas and enhance the level of interconnection between the two sides, said the statement.

On maritime cooperation, China and Vietnam agreed to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and strive for the early conclusion of a Code of Conduct (COC) on the basis of consensus made through consultations.

The two sides agreed to manage and control the differences concerning maritime issues and refrain from taking actions that will make the situation complicated and the disputes enlarged, so as to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea.

The two sides agreed to abide by the important consensus reached by top leaders of the two parties and two countries on maritime issues as well as a pact on the basic principles concerning guidance for solving maritime disputes between China and Vietnam, make good use of the border negotiation mechanism between the two governments and seek a fundamental and long-term solution accepted by the two nations.

China and Vietnam agreed to conduct follow-up works of the joint inspection in waters outside the Beibu Gulf, an area potentially rich in resources.

The two sides also decided to advance the negotiation on demarcating the waters outside the mouth of the Beibu Gulf and actively push forward joint development of the area.

The Gulf is a half-closed bay surrounded by Chinese and Vietnamese territory and a traditional fishing area for the two countries.

The two countries also pledged to push forward the work of the working group for consultation on maritime joint development and effectively implement agreed cooperative projects in less sensitive areas, according to the statement.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 20:37:13|Editor: pengying

Video Player Close

ISLAMABAD, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan's military said on Monday that two security personnel were killed in terrorists' firing from the Afghan side of the border.

An army statement said terrorists fired from across the border on Pakistani Border post in Bajaur tribal region.

"Terrorists from (the) Afghanistan side attempted (an) attack on Pakistani posts along Pak-Afghan border in Bajaur Agency. The attempt was effectively responded killing 8-10 fleeing terrorists, while many seen running back (were) injured," the statement from the army's media wing Inter-Services Public Relations said.

The statement added that four soldiers also got injured in the incident.

"Absence of the Afghan writ on the Afghan side of the border like many other areas, facilitates terrorists to undertake such attempts," the army said.

Pakistani security officials insist that the Pakistani militants, who have fled to Afghanistan as the result of military operations, operate from the Afghan border regions and launch attacks on Pakistani posts.

Pakistan and Afghanistan have nearly 2,600 kilometers border, mostly porous, and now Pakistan army fencing the border to stop the cross-border movement of the militants.

It is the fourth terrorist attack on Pakistani border posts from the Afghan side of the border in two months.

On Nov. 9, a Pakistani soldier was killed in terrorists' firing from the Afghan side of the border, according to the army. Another soldier was killed in terrorists' firing in the same area on Oct. 4.

On Sept. 23, the officer Commanding Lieutenant Arsalan Alam of a post in Khyber tribal region was killed in terrorists' firing.

The banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed responsibility for Monday's attack in a statement sent to the local media.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 20:42:15|Editor: pengying

Video Player Close

BRUSSELS, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Defense ministers of 23 EU member states Monday signed a pact to on joint defense cooperation and handed it over to EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini.

According to a statement released by Mogherini's foreign affairs council, the pact on the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) foresees the possibility of a number of EU member states working more closely together in the area of security and defense.

Of the 28 EU members, Britain, Denmark, Portugal, Ireland and Malta have yet to decide whether to join the pact.

The European commission said a formal decision of establishing PESCO will be adopted by the end of the year, with the first projects to be identified in parallel.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 20:47:16|Editor: Yamei

Video Player Close

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, attends a grand welcome ceremony hosted by Nguyen Phu Trong, general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, ahead of their talks in Hanoi, Vietnam, Nov. 12, 2017. (Xinhua/Li Tao)

by Xinhua writer Hou Lijun, Tao Jun

HANOI, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- China and Vietnam cemented their special bond of "camaraderie + brotherhood" and agreed to explore new prospects for interconnected interests during a state visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

This is Xi's first overseas trip on the heels of the landmark 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) held in October, which reflects the irreplaceable importance of the Sino-Vietnamese relations.

"The visit is an important diplomatic activity for implementing Xi's proposition of building a community of shared future for mankind in the new era," said Zhang Yunling, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

CEMENTING BOND OF FRIENDSHIP

Xi, who is also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, has been accorded with friendly and high-level reception during his trip to the Southeast Asian nation.

Upon his arrival at Hanoi, Xi was welcomed by a cheerful crowd wearing traditional clothes and waving the flags of the two countries.

At the Presidential Palace, he attended a grand welcome ceremony hosted by Nguyen Phu Trong, general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee, with full military honors and a 21-gun salute.

"While stepping on this beautiful and fertile land once again after two years, I feel strongly the friendly feeling of the Vietnamese people towards the Chinese people," Xi told a welcoming banquet jointly hosted by Trong and Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang.

During his meetings with the Vietnamese leaders, Xi repeatedly recalled the China-Vietnam traditional friendship nurtured by previous generations of the two countries' leaders.

He said China and Vietnam are close neighbors connected by mountains and rivers, good friends sharing weal and woe, good comrades with similar ideals and beliefs, and good partners for win-win cooperation.

During their talks, Xi and Trong agreed to carry forward, preserve and promote the traditional friendship between China and Vietnam.

As a special arrangement, Xi chose the Vietnam-China Friendship Palace as the first stop of his Hanoi visit.

The Palace, a landmark project built with Chinese assistance, is a reflection of the consolidated friendship between the two peoples in the new era.

With Xi's visit this time, the top leaders of the two parties and the two countries have had mutual visits within a single year twice in just three years.

Xi's visit is of great importance to the Vietnam-China relationship in the new period, said Do Tien Sam, the former director of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (VASS) Institute of Chinese Studies.

Sam said the visit has consolidated mutual political trust between the two countries and created favorable conditions for all types of cooperation between China and Vietnam in the future.

ENHANCING TOP LEVEL DESIGN

On the second day of his state visit, Xi and Trong went for a stroll at the former residence of late chairman Ho Chi Minh and tasted Vietnamese lotus tea together.

High-level exchanges have accelerated the development of bilateral ties. China and Vietnam have both embarked on a new journey of reform and development, forging ahead toward their ambitious goals.

The CPC successfully held its 19th National Congress last month, drawing a blueprint for China's development between now and the middle of this century.

Vietnam is, in line with the guidelines set at the 12th CPV National Congress, advancing all-round renewal for early realization of the goal of a prosperous people and a strong, democratic, equitable and advanced industrialized country toward modernity.

During their talks, Xi and Trong re-doubled their commitment to deepening bilateral comprehensive strategic cooperation under new circumstances.

A stable and closer China-Vietnam relationship lies not just in their proximity -- the two share a border stretching 1,450 kilometers -- but few countries have as much in common as China and Vietnam. With similar political systems, they are both communist party-led socialist states, intertwined in advancing the cause of socialism.

The two leaders pointed out that China and Vietnam should learn from each other and seek common development, push for sustained, healthy and steady development of their partnership and jointly contribute to regional peace, stability and prosperity.

They agreed to maintain the tradition of high-level exchanges, firmly adhere to a friendly policy toward each other, enhance strategic communication and political mutual trust, and properly deal with differences, so as to lead China-Vietnam relations to move in the right direction.

Sharing a unique bond, the two sides also pledged to deepen party-to-party exchanges and step up exchanges of experience in governance of party and state.

"The top-level design has charted the future development of Vietnam-China relationship and will help to advance mutual understanding between the two parities and the two countries amid new development of the international landscape," said Ruan Zongze, vice president of China Institute of International Studies.

FOSTERING FUTURE COOPERATION

With support of both leaders, China and Vietnam have deepened and broadened practical cooperation in recent years.

Statistics illustrated the strong economic ties between the two neighbors.

China has been Vietnam's biggest trading partner for 13 years in a row, and Vietnam has become China's biggest trading partner among ASEAN countries. There are over 300 passenger flights between the two countries every week.

Bilateral trade in 2016 reached nearly 100 billion U.S. dollars. More and more Chinese companies are investing in Vietnam.

To reinforce the sound momentum of pragmatic cooperation, Xi and Trong agreed to further synergize the development strategies of their countries.

They witnessed on Sunday the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the joint implementation of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative and Vietnam's "Two Corridors and One Economic Circle" plan.

"We greatly appreciate China's 'One Belt and One Road' initiative, which plays an important role in international cooperation and has a significant impact on the peace and stability in the region and the world," said Don Tuan Phong, acting president of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Associations.

Leaders of both sides also pledged concerted efforts to promote regional economic links and connectivity, secure practical results in such cooperation areas as economy and trade, industrial capacity, investment, infrastructure and monetary finance, and push forward the construction of cross-border economic cooperation zones as well as cooperation in agriculture, environment, science and technology, and transportation.

"We are encouraged by the agreement reached by both leaders on expediting the construction of the cross-border economic cooperation zones," said Yang Wansheng, president of Guangxi Jingxi Full Rich Investment Co., Ltd.

The Chinese company vowed to step up cooperation with its Vietnamese partners in building the Longbang, China--Tra Linh, Vietnam Cross-border Economic Cooperation Zone Pilot Project.

The project is expected to create more than 100,000 jobs at the border areas and help 350,000 local residents get rid of poverty, according to Yang.

During Xi's visit, the two sides also vowed to expand cooperation in culture, education, media, health, youth-related affairs and tourism, and bring the Chinese Cultural Center in Hanoi and the Vietnam-China Friendship Palace into operation as early as possible, so as to further consolidate public support for China-Vietnam friendship.

Shared water, shared future. As the saying goes in China, "when water comes, a channel is formed," which means when conditions are ripe, success is achieved. The landmark visit of Xi will surely push China-Vietnam relations toward a shared future.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 20:47:17|Editor: pengying

Video Player Close

ISLAMABAD, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- At least six people were killed and 56 others injured in six separate road accidents in Pakistan on Monday, local media and police said.

According to the reports, at least three people were killed and 20 others sustained injuries when a passenger bus overturned in Mastung, a district near Pakistan's southwest provincial capital of Quetta.

The accident happened when the bus heading from Quetta to the southern port city of Karachi overturned due to over speeding at the Mastung bypass area.

In another accident, at least one student was killed and 11 others wounded when their vehicle fell into a gorge in Hari Pur district of the northwest province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Apart from this, at least two people lost their lives in two separate accidents in Kasur district of Pakistan's eastern Punjab province, police said.

In other two separate incidents which happened in Gujranwala and Faisalabad district of Punjab, at least 25 people including school children and teachers were injured when their vans met accidents while on the way to schools.

Punjab Police said that all the four accidents in the province happened due to due low visibility caused by the dense smog.

All the bodies and injured were shifted to nearby hospitals where injured were reportedly in stable condition.

The Punjab province has been engulfed by a thick smog over the last 20 days, which is causing road accidents.

Over 40 people have lost their lives and over 150 others got injured due to the smog-caused accidents over the last 20 days, the reports said.

According to official data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, around 9,000 road accidents are reported every year since 2011 in the country, killing more than 4,500 people on average annually.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 20:47:18|Editor: Liangyu

Video Player Close

NANNING, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Every day, merchant Nguyen Thi Huyen Trang travels from her home in the Vietnamese town of Mong Cai, across the border to Dongxing, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, to work at her rosewood furniture store.

She opened the store two years ago. Previously, she purchased lamps from China and sold them in Vietnam.

"Transportation is convenient; trade is vibrant. We benefit directly from interconnectivity. On Chinese holidays, our business is extremely busy," Trang said in her shop in Dongxing, a county-level city in Guangxi.

The two countries are set to strive for closer and more fruitful ties as their leaders agreed to continuously boost the China-Vietnam comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership to bring more benefits to the two peoples, at a meeting in Hanoi Sunday.

Both sides also pledged to implement cooperation documents related to the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative and Vietnam's "Two Corridors and One Economic Circle" plan, to promote regional economic links and connectivity, and push forward the construction of cross-border economic cooperation zones.

Improved infrastructure is already delivering benefits.

The new Beilun River bridge, which connects Dongxing and Mong Cai, was completed in September after a three-year construction period. Three kilometers downstream from the previous bridge, it was built to meet the growing demand of bilateral trade and personnel exchange.

Like Trang, thousands of people do business at the border area in Dongxing.

The number of people who passed through the Dongxing border crossing reached a record high of 8 million from January to early November, up 40 percent year on year, largely boosted by tourism and business.

"In the second half of this year, seafood and nuts imported from Vietnam are selling well. We are busy every day," said Tan Xiangwu, a Dongxing resident who began cross-border trade three years ago, and has since encouraged his family to join the business.

Also in September, a new freight route connected China's Friendship Pass in Pingxiang, also in Guangxi, which is China's major land port for fruit trade, with Vietnam's Huu Nghi border crossing. Some 45,000 trucks have crossed the border via the new route, up 32 percent year on year.

The Pingxiang Integrated Free Trade Zone, which began operation in 2011, has attracted 189 Chinese companies and three Vietnamese firms. In the first nine months of this year, the zone's foreign trade grew 23 percent year on year to reach 13.6 billion U.S. dollars.

Bilateral trade has seen stable growth in the past few years, reaching almost 100 billion dollars last year. China has been Vietnam's biggest trading partner for 13 years, while Vietnam is China's largest trading partner among members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Last month, a trade zone opened in Jingxi, Guangxi, offering more convenient customs services for border residents.

Phung Thi Hue with the Institute of Chinese Studies of Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences said Southeast Asian countries have greatly benefited from their participation in the Belt and Road Initiative.

Vietnam-China cooperation is increasingly closer thanks to the implementation of the initiative, said the Vietnamese researcher at the 10th China-ASEAN Think Tank Strategic Dialogue Forum held in Nanning, capital of Guangxi, last week.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 20:57:21|Editor: Lifang

Video Player Close

CHENGDU, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Germany's iF International Forum Design will open a design center in China's city of Chengdu to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in design and creativity.

The center, located at the hi-tech industrial development zone of Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, will open in April 2018, according to the organizing committee of the ongoing Chengdu Creativity and Design Week.

The Hannover-based company is a design-related services provider and the organizer of the world major design award, the iF Design Award.

The center will be composed of areas including a design shop for co-branded products, exhibition halls and designer studios.

The center will host activities such as exhibitions of works by iF award winners and international design forums.

Chengdu Creativity and Design Week started on Nov. 10, and is an annual event hosted by the local municipal government.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 21:12:26|Editor: Lifang

Video Player Close

by Xinhua writer Gao Shan

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- With flowers in their hands, hundreds of people waited in line at noon Sunday to pay tribute to late U.S. physician Robert O. Wilson in the United Methodist Church in Arcadia, the western U.S. state of California.

One by one, they leave flowers in front of the granite monument of the civic pride of the Arcadia city and the benefactor of China's Nanjing city in the unveil ceremony of Dr. Wilson's monument.

The inscription on the face of the monument reads: "He will always be remembered by us for his courageous act during Nanjing Massacre."

Wilson was born in Nanjing on Oct. 5, 1906 to missionary parents. He received his medical degree from Harvard in 1929 and returned to Nanjing in 1936 as a doctor and a missionary dispatched from Arcadia Methodist church.

He decided to remain in the war zone during the 1937 Nanjing Massacre to treat victims. His work at the University of Nanjing Hospital, and in the Safety Zone, helped to save thousands of lives.

Over a period of six weeks starting on Dec. 13, 1937, invading Japanese aggressor troops committed mass murder and mass rape against the residents of Nanjing after they captured the city. Over 300,000 Chinese civilians and disarmed soldiers were murdered by the Japanese army.

Aside from saving lives in Nanjing in 1937, Wilson, who deceased in 1967, also played a role in offering the world more knowledge of what Japanese troops did to Chinese during the period, by testifying before the International Military Tribunal for the Far East in Tokyo after the surrender of Japan, and publishing a collection of his diary entries recording the stark realities in Nanjing at the time of the atrocities.

"My father loves Chinese people. Chinese were his people from the time he was born," said Marjorie Garrett, daughter of Wilson, noting that the history of the Nanjing Massacre needs to be told to the younger generation today.

Accompanied by several other family members from four different generations, white-haired Garrett was greeted enthusiastically by the crowd.

"I am humbled today by the people that have come up to me, to shake my hand and say 'thank you.' They are thanking me for what my father did. They are letting me know what they feel," Garrett told Xinhua.

"Dr. Wilson helped many Chinese as an American surgeon and a missionary dispatched from Arcadia in 1937. But little is known of his act during the Nanjing Massacre for American people. So it's significative for us to commemorate Dr. Wilson today," said Sho Tay, Mayor Pro Tem, City of Arcadia.

Professor Ying Ying Chang, mother of the late celebrity author Iris Chang, also took part in the ceremony.

Iris Chang published her best known international bestseller "The Rape of Nanking, The Forgotten Holocaust of World War II." After Iris' untimely death in 2004, Ying Ying Chang and her husband have channeled their energy into the preservation of the history of World War II in Asia. They co-founded the Iris Chang Memorial Fund in 2006 to honor their beloved daughter.

"The history of the Nanjing Massacre can't be forgotten, especially when Japanese government is still trying every means to deny their crimes committed in the World War II," said Chang.

David Rio, a local resident of Arcadia, witnessed the unveiling ceremony of Dr. Wilson's monument with his family members.

"I have never heard the story of Dr. Wilson before. It's a moving story. I am honored to live in the community he lived," said Rio.

"The reason that Chinese American citizen wanna donate and build this monument is that, Dr. Wilson not only saved lives of thousands of Chinese, but also helped to record the atrocities and crimes committed by the Japanese army in our darkest history," said Consul Chang'an Tang, who is in charge of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Section in the Consulate General of China in Los Angeles.

"Dr. Wilson was an international humanitarian hero, he was one of us, and that's why we memorize him as 'a Nanjing citizen with blue eyes'," said Tang.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 21:17:28|Editor: Lifang

Video Player Close

BEIJING, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- The recent record-breaking business deals between China and the United States were market-led, mainly created by companies, a vice commerce minister said in an exclusive interview with Xinhua on Monday.

"The achievements are business agreements and trade cooperation intentions negotiated and signed under market principles mainly by enterprises," said Yu Jianhua, vice minister of commerce and deputy international trade representative with the Ministry of Commerce (MOC).

China and the United States signed deals worth 253.5 billion U.S. dollars during U.S. President Donald Trump's visit last week, consisting of 34 cooperation agreements and letters of intent.

Among them, there are 26 trade items worth a total of 108.8 billion U.S. dollars and eight mutual investment projects worth 144.7 billion dollars, according to Yu.

"The record high value of the business achievements shows bilateral economic and trade cooperation enjoys an extensive basis of popular opinion, receives strong support from industrial members and has broad prospects," Yu said.

Yu dismissed the claim that many of the agreements are "repackaged," saying that "China and the United States had already removed the so-called repackaged projects during the process of project collection."

"But there are some projects where initial consensus might have been reached before and finalized at this time, such as the Boeing aircraft purchase deal," according to Yu.

"Please allow me to make an analogy, an engagement one year ago was a good news. But who can say a marriage one year later is not a good one?" Yu said.

Responding to public opinion on the unequivalence of the business achievements, Yu said that "the business results are mutually beneficial, balanced by and large."

"It is win-win business cooperation and is going to bring tangible benefits to the two countries' enterprises and people," said Yu.

For example, China's Sinopec will take the lead in the joint development of liquified natural gas in Alaska. The project could create 70,000 new jobs for the United States, while helping China to reduce 80 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually, according to Yu.

"International trade deals are done against the backdrop of the global value chain. The amounts of exports and imports reflect different countries' positions on the value chain and respective comparative advantage. It is not scientific to talk abstractly about whether export or import is better," He said.

Stressing the role of economic and trade cooperation as a "ballast" and "propeller" in bilateral relations, Yu said the MOC will do its job to increase economic cooperation and properly manage differences in the future.

"Given that the scale of trade and investment between China and the United States is huge, it is normal that frictions will occur," said Yu, noting that rational dialogue and increasing mutual trust are key to ties.

So far, newly increased bilateral trade of goods and services, as well as mutual investment have exceeded 750 billion U.S. dollars in value every year, according to Yu.

Being the world's top two economies, a good China-U.S. relationship benefits the world, while a bad one harms all, he said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 21:22:29|Editor: pengying

Video Player Close

ISTANBUL, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Turkey has sent an aid convoy of 50 trucks to northern Iraq after a strong earthquake hit the region overnight, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday.

"A 50-truck aid convoy has just crossed into Iraq from Habur border gate in coordination with AFAD and the Turkish Red Crescent," Erdogan told reporters in Istanbul prior to his departure for Russia.

He noted that the AFAD, or the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency, and the Turkish Red Crescent are currently conducting search and rescue efforts in the Iran-Iraq border area along with other Turkish aid units, where a 7.2-magnitude earthquake has killed eight Iraqis and at least 328 Iranians and left more than 4,000 others injured.

"Our institutions have been given the necessary instructions for an immediate delivery of necessary assistance, the fulfillment of urgent needs and binding up of the wounds," Erdogan said, offering his condolences to peoples of the two countries.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 21:37:33|Editor: pengying

Video Player Close

NAIROBI, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- The UN refugee agency said on Monday that it will launch a major new campaign that calls on Africans to take action to solve the continent's worsening refugee crisis.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said the campaign, "LuQuLuQu," is centered on the African philosophy of "Ubuntu" or "Ujamaa" that promotes the principles and values of shared responsibility, shared resources, and caring for one another, inherent to African culture and belief.

"The essence of the LuQuLuQu campaign is to engage ordinary citizens and corporate organizations to redefine the existing image of Africa's displacement crisis, and co-create with the UNHCR, a new image of the African refugee -- one of self-reliance, empowerment and inclusion into the mainstream," it said in a statement issued in Nairobi.

The campaign to be launched in Nairobi on Saturday asks the hundreds of millions of people on the continent, or connected to Africa, to take ownership of the refugee and displacement problem through simple everyday philanthropic actions, to promote self-reliance and independence, and in so doing, empower refugees.

The LuQuLuQu campaign is a social movement that seeks to create a community of supporters. The LuQuLuQu tribe embraces all of society that seeks to share resources, hospitality, and helps to amplify the voices of the displaced.

With a goal to change the narrative and conversation around the fate of the displaced in Africa, the aim is to demonstrate that Africans can play a transformative role in changing the lives of refugees and the uprooted.

"The LuQuLuQu campaign will be launched simultaneously in six countries in on the continent -- including South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast and Senegal throughout November," the UNHCR said.

"There are 20.2 million displaced people in Africa. There are nearly half a million in Kenya (489,239). 78 percent of them are women and children," said the UNHCR.

According to the UNHCR, more than half, or 57 percent, are under 18. So far this year, only 35 percent of the critical funding required to assist refugees in Africa has been received.

"With increased displacement crises across the world, earmarked funding for Africa has dropped. UNHCR seeks to engage Kenyans to partner in bringing solutions to the displaced in Africa," it said.

According to the UNHCR, corporates and private enterprises are also invited to take part through new and innovative donation channels.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 21:47:36|Editor: pengying

Video Player Close

NAIROBI, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Kenya losses 31,000 children annually from pneumonia, a government official said on Monday.

Cabinet Secretary of Health Ministry Cleopa Mailu blamed low uptake of health promotion and prevention interventions for the deaths.

"It s unfortunate that access to quality newborn, child adolescent health care services and treatment that are treatable conditions remains a challenge in our health care system," Mailu said on Monday during the launch of Amoxicillin Dispersible tablets as the first line for the management of pneumonia in children under five years.

He called on Kenyans to protect the health and well being of children so that they live to their full potential, adding that care seeking for children with symptoms of acute respiratory infection stands is 66 percent in both public and private health facilities.

"We plan to step up oral antibiotics for the management of pneumonia, application of injectable antibiotics and oxygen for management of severe pneumonia to reach all sick children and prevent unnecessary deaths," Mailu said.

He also announced plans to scale up exclusive breastfeeding, adequate complementary feeding and vitamin A supplementation to provide the foundation of keeping children healthy and free of pneumonia.

This move will include intensifying immunization, availing safe drinking water, ensuring that sanitation and hygiene are maintained and reducing household air pollution to prevent children from dying.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 21:52:37|Editor: Mu Xuequan

Video Player Close

Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang presides over a meeting of the State Council leading group on poverty relief in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 13, 2017. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

BEIJING, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang Monday underlined the importance of applying a sense of mission in poverty reduction to meet the target.

Presiding over a meeting of the State Council leading group on poverty relief, Wang, also head of the group, urged authorities to implement the central leadership's instructions through enhancing a sense of mission and crisis awareness, and targeting problems to fulfill the Party's promise to the Chinese people and the international community.

Training of local authorities in charge of poverty reduction should be stepped up, Wang said, stressing the importance of carrying out research and investigation, and averting formalism.

China has set 2020 as the target to complete the building of a "moderately prosperous society," which requires the eradication of poverty.

To achieve that target, China needs to lift more than 10 million people out of poverty every year, meaning nearly one million people per month or 20 people per minute.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 21:57:39|Editor: Mengjie

Video Player Close

VIENTIANE, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Bounnhang Vorachit, general secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee and president of Laos, said here Monday that the achievements of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) greatly contributed to the development of socialist theories in a new era.

Bounnhang made the remarks during a meeting with visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 21:57:40|Editor: Zhou Xin

Video Player Close

Rescuers search for survivors in front of damaged buildings in Sarpol-e Zahab, Iran, Nov. 13, 2017. The powerful 7.3-magnitude earthquake which hit the border region between Iran and Iraq on Sunday has killed at least 395 Iranians, state TV reported on Monday. (Xinhua/Ahmad Halabisaz)

TEHRAN, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- The powerful 7.3-magnitude earthquake which hit the border region between Iran and Iraq on Sunday has killed at least 395 Iranians, state TV reported on Monday.

The quake also injured over 6,600 people, the report said. The quake's epicenter was located approximately 32 km south of the city of Halabja in a remote mountainous region of eastern Iraq, some 200 km north-east of Baghdad and 400 km west of Tehran, according to the United States Geological Survey.

The quake hit the area at 9:18 p.m. local time (0018 GMT), when many people would have been at home, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

The tremor was felt in several Iranian provinces bordering Iraq including the capital, Tehran.

Over 20 Iranian villages in Iran's Kermanshah province have been damaged and power and water flows disrupted. The roads networks in the area have sustained damage. Officials said the access to rural areas is still limited.

Iranian emergency teams have been dispatched to the quake-hit region and helicopters are delivering basic needs. There are also strong aftershocks in the area.

Field hospitals have been set up in the quake-hit areas. Hospitals in Tehran have been put on alert to treat those of the wounded who are transferred to the capital, Press TV reported.

At least 43 ambulances, four ambulance buses, and 130 emergency technicians have been stationed in the Mehrabad Airport in Tehran for a quick transfer of the victims to hospitals.

Over 100 medics have also been dispatched to the affected areas. The Iranian Air Force, too, has deployed helicopters to accelerate the transfer of the wounded.

Iranians have been flocking to the branches of the Blood Transfusion Organization to donate blood.

President Rouhani is scheduled to travel to Kermanshah Province to oversee the rescue work on Tuesday.

On Monday, Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli left for quake-hit province of Kermanshah in western Iran, accompanied by Minister of Health Hassan Qazizadeh Hashemi, Head of Iran's Red Crescent Society Ali Asqar Peivandi and a delegation from Presidential Office, official IRNA news agency said.

Iran is one of the most seismically active countries in the world, being crossed by several major fault lines that cover at least 90 percent of the country. As a result, destructive earthquakes in Iran occur constantly.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 22:07:45|Editor: pengying

Video Player Close

CAIRO, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Egypt expressed on Monday its sincere condolences for the victims of the devastating earthquake which killed over 300 people and injured thousands in both Iraq and Iran.

In a statement, The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed that Egypt stands with the peoples of Iraq and Iran in such ordeal.

On Sunday, a huge earthquake measuring 7.3 magnitude hit the border areas between Iraq and Iran, leaving eight Iraqis and at least 328 Iranians dead and thousands injured.

The quake's epicenter was located approximately 32 km south of the city of Halabja in a remote mountainous region of eastern Iraq, some 200 km north-east of Baghdad and 400 km west of Tehran, according to the United States Geological Survey.

Iran is one of the most seismically active countries in the world, being crossed by several major fault lines that cover at least 90 percent of the country. As a result, destructive earthquakes in Iran occur constantly.

The deadliest quake in Iran's modern history happened in June 1990. It destroyed the northern cities of Rudbar, Manjil, and Lushan, along with hundreds of villages, killing about 37,000 people.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 22:07:46|Editor: Mengjie

Video Player Close

MANILA, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- China proposes the formulation of a vision for strategic partnership between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) toward the year 2030 to upgrade cooperation, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said.

Speaking at the 20th China-ASEAN (10+1) leaders' meeting held in the Philippine capital of Manila on Monday, Li said the vision will upgrade the China-ASEAN cooperation framework from 2+7 to 3+X.

The "2+7" refers to a cooperation framework proposed by Li in 2013 at a meeting with ASEAN leaders in Brunei, which emphasizes a two-point political consensus, namely enhancing strategic trust and promoting economic cooperation, and seven cooperation fields including trade facilitation, interconnectivity and security exchanges, among others.

The 3+X, using the letter X in math to represent the unknown, means China-ASEAN will touch many fields while focusing on three pillars -- political security, economy and trade, and people-to-people exchange.

Li said China-ASEAN cooperation will have more global substance and build a new exemplar for South-South cooperation.

It is a consensus of the ASEAN nations that China-ASEAN relationship is the most vibrant and has the richest contents among the relationships ASEAN has with its partners, he said. And China was the first major country outside the bloc to endorse the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, to form a strategic partnership with ASEAN, and to start free trade area talks with it.

China and ASEAN have firmly maintained their relationship in a good neighborly and friendly direction and properly handled sensitive issues through dialogue and consultation so as to always keep bilateral relations on the right track, he said.
395 Iranians were killed, 20 villages were destroyed and 6,600 others were injured in a powerful quake measuring 7.3 magnitude at Iran-Iraq border area. (AFP Photo)

TEHRAN, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- The powerful 7.3-magnitude earthquake which hit the border region between Iran and Iraq on Sunday has killed at least 395 Iranians, state TV reported on Monday.

The quake also injured over 6,600 people, the report said. The quake's epicenter was located approximately 32 km south of the city of Halabja in a remote mountainous region of eastern Iraq, some 200 km north-east of Baghdad and 400 km west of Tehran, according to the United States Geological Survey.

The quake hit the area at 9:18 p.m. local time (0018 GMT), when many people would have been at home, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

The tremor was felt in several Iranian provinces bordering Iraq including the capital, Tehran.

Over 20 Iranian villages in Iran's Kermanshah province have been damaged and power and water flows disrupted. The roads networks in the area have sustained damage. Officials said the access to rural areas is still limited.

Iranian emergency teams have been dispatched to the quake-hit region and helicopters are delivering basic needs. There are also strong aftershocks in the area.

Field hospitals have been set up in the quake-hit areas. Hospitals in Tehran have been put on alert to treat those of the wounded who are transferred to the capital, Press TV reported.

At least 43 ambulances, four ambulance buses, and 130 emergency technicians have been stationed in the Mehrabad Airport in Tehran for a quick transfer of the victims to hospitals.

Over 100 medics have also been dispatched to the affected areas. The Iranian Air Force, too, has deployed helicopters to accelerate the transfer of the wounded.

Iranians have been flocking to the branches of the Blood Transfusion Organization to donate blood.

President Rouhani is scheduled to travel to Kermanshah Province to oversee the rescue work on Tuesday.

On Monday, Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli left for quake-hit province of Kermanshah in western Iran, accompanied by Minister of Health Hassan Qazizadeh Hashemi, Head of Iran's Red Crescent Society Ali Asqar Peivandi and a delegation from Presidential Office, official IRNA news agency said.

Iran is one of the most seismically active countries in the world, being crossed by several major fault lines that cover at least 90 percent of the country. As a result, destructive earthquakes in Iran occur constantly.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 22:32:53|Editor: Zhou Xin

Video Player Close

PYONGYANG, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Monday slammed Japan for its latest move to evade responsibility for the "comfort woman" crimes committed by the Imperial Army of Japan during World War II.

The United Nations Committee for Abolition of Racial Discrimination recently publicized the Japanese government's reply to the agency's recommendations for comprehensively solving the "comfort woman" issue, including appropriate reparations.

In its reply, the Japanese government said, "The issue had already been settled under the San Francisco Peace Treaty," adding that it is "difficult to make detailed verification from now," thus the government is unable to hold those responsible to account.

In reference to Tokyo's refusal to recognize its crime of conscription of "comfort woman" during WWII, DPRK's official daily Rodong Sinmun said in a commentary that Japan's crimes related to the sexual slavery are hideously against humanity and can never be pardoned.

It stressed that the San Francisco Peace Treaty is illegal and it is illogical for Japan to allege having settled the reparation issue under the pretext of the treaty.

Japan and the United States signed the San Francesco Peace Treaty in 1951 to formally end the war between the two countries, yet the treaty was rejected by China and DPRK, two major victim nations of Japanese war of aggression and occupation.

"The crimes related to the sexual slavery which Japan committed in the past are hideous crimes against humanity which can never be pardoned and, therefore, the issue has to be looked into with all clarity and those responsible must be dealt with by law," said the commentary.

It pointed out that the aim sought by Japan is not just to evade the shame as a war criminal state. "Its true aim is to bring back the imperial era and realize without fail the ambition of domination over Asia which it failed to do in the past," it said.

Historians believe that as many as 200,000 women, mostly from the Korean Peninsula as well as from China and Southeast Asian nations, were forced into sex enslavement for Japanese soldiers during the devastating war. However, those who deny history in Japan denigrate them as "paid prostitutes" or "willing volunteers."
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 22:52:58|Editor: Mu Xuequan

Video Player Close

WINDHOEK, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Namibia's Ministry of Environment and Tourism has decided to either capture or translocate a pride of 15 lions after a devastating attack on about 86 goats belonging to a farmer from the Kunene region, a government official said on Monday.

The ministry stated in a press statement that arrangements are underway to move the lions, noting that if capturing the animals proves difficult, the ministry might be forced to eliminate them completely.

According to Spokesperson Romeo Muyunda, the ministry will continue to keep to other ways to prevent and mitigate Human Wildlife Conflict (HWC) so as to manage the situation.

Muyunda said that one of the strategies that the ministry is looking into is to dispose the animals through trophy hunting but still maintaining healthy population numbers.

"The ministry takes HWC management very seriously, it is a complex and serious problem that if not addressed appropriately can harm conservation efforts and tourism benefits for the country. We recognize this threat," he said.

The ministry is currently finalizing the review of the National Policy on Human Wildlife Conflict Management which has been endorsed by cabinet and will now go to parliament for final consideration and approval.

Under this policy, a Human Wildlife Conflict Management Plan for North West Namibia has been developed and will be implemented fully.

This comes just a week after a farmer from the Kunene region lost about 86 goats from a lion attack. The lions managed to get into the kraal, and killed nearly all the goats and sheep, as well as the dog.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 23:18:07|Editor: Mu Xuequan

Video Player Close

JAKARTA, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia's westernmost province of Aceh will hold an international freediving competition from Nov. 28 to Dec. 2 with at least 40 athletes, an official said here on Monday.

The competition will be featured in 2017 Sail Sabang event which will gather international yachters in Balohan Bay, Sabang in Aceh province slated to begin on Nov. 26.

"Foreign athletes already registered to take part in the freediving competition are from Colombia, Australia, the Netherlands, the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Japan, Belgium, Thailand, China, Malaysia and Singapore," Deputy Minister Domestic Tourism Development at the Tourism Ministry Esthy Reko Astuti said.

Two registered divers hold world records - William Trubridge from New Zealand and Alexey Molchanov from Russia, she added.

The competition will provide a total rewards of 200 million rupiah (about 14,700 U.S. dollars), she said.

Freediving is a sport that contending the durability of diver to dive into the deep with a single inhale without the help from scuba.

The categories are Dynamic with Fins (DYN), Constant Weight Without Fins (CNF), Dynamic Without Fins (DNF), Costant Weight (CWT), Free Immersion (FIM) and Static Apnea (STA).

Indonesia Tourism Minister Arief Yahya said that Sabang Sail was designated as Indonesia's new marine tour program, highly expected to generate new cruise ship route linking Sabang with Malaysia's Langkawi and Thailand Phuket.

"Sail Sabang is part of Indonesia's accelerated marine tour program. We already have agreement with Langkawi and Phuket. Our big dream is to see triangle marine tour route in the region," the minister said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 23:23:09|Editor: Mu Xuequan

Video Player Close

ULAN BATOR, Nov.13 (Xinhua) -- Mongolian teachers on Monday began a indefinite strike across the nation to demand higher pay from the government.

Teachers with a total of 177 secondary schools, 217 kindergartens and 11 scientific organizations vowed to continue the strike until the government decides to raise their salaries.

In a letter addressed to the authorities of the educational and scientific organizations, Minister of Education, Science and Sport Tsedenbal Tsogzolmaa said that the strike would only lead to a mess, but not solve the financial issues.

The wage issue can not be resolved by blackmail or provocation, which will cause damage to the interests of students, their parents and the society, Tsogzolmaa said in the letter.

In efforts to partially satisfy the demand of the teachers, the government decided to issue a one-time premium in the amount of 516,000 Mongolian togrogs (about 210 U.S. dollars).

But the interim committee of the teachers said that a single measure will not solve their financial issues, demanding a 50 percent pay rise as of January 1, 2018. If so, the average salary of Mongolian teachers who works in public schools will rise from the current level of some 162 U.S. dollars per month to 244 U.S. dollars per month.

Mongolian teachers began their protest over pay in August this year. But the government refused their demand in case the country loses support from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

One of the conditions for allocating aid to Mongolia within the framework of the IMF is a refusal to raise salaries for civil servants and pensions until 2020.

In total, there are 778 schools in Mongolia, 590 of which are State-run schools.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 23:53:17|Editor: Zhou Xin

Video Player Close

by Bedah Mengo

NAIROBI, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- The rift between Kenya's opposition National Super Alliance (NASA) and ruling party Jubilee continues to widen, an indication that the political standoff arising from two disputed presidential polls in the country is far from over.

Leaders from the two major political formations in the east African nation have maintained hard-line positions, with those allied to President Uhuru Kenyatta in Jubilee accusing NASA of seeking to take power through the backdoor.

Jubilee Party has dismissed calls for the formation of an interim government, insisting that they would only have dialogue with the opposition once Kenyatta is sworn in.

Two petitions have been filed at the Supreme Court to challenge the incumbent's win.

"You are day-dreaming by demanding for a transition government to prepare a fresh election," Jubilee lawmaker Cecily Mbarire told NASA leader Raila Odinga on Monday.

"Odinga has thrown the constitution out of the window and using jungle law to get power," she said. "An interim government is not provided for by any Kenyan law."

On the other hand, those in NASA have threatened to swear in Raila Odinga if Kenyatta is sworn into office. They hold onto the position that Odinga's win was stolen on Aug. 8.

"If they will swear in Kenyatta we will swear in Raila Odinga. Let them have their country, we would also form ours," NASA MP Gladys Wanga told a cheering crowd in Nairobi on Sunday.

NASA leaders in the meantime have resorted to holding rallies raising political temperatures in the country, amid products boycott and formation of People's Assemblies, two other strategies they have adopted.

"Opposition leader Raila Odinga is to arrive back into the country on Friday. To this effect, we welcome all Kenyans to a rally on Thursday," said a statement by Senator James Orengo on Monday. "The rally will be a dress rehearsal for the Friday grand welcome."

The ongoing political rhetoric is dividing Kenyans further as citizens strive to eke out a living following a lengthy electioneering period.

The grandstanding, according to analysts, is worsening Kenya's political situation as most citizens believe what their leaders tell them.

"When a leader calls for secession, not once but thrice, citizens begin creating the impression of having their own country in their minds," said Henry Wandera, an economics lecturer in Nairobi.

"This is dangerous for Kenya because it is a threat to unity," he said.

Benji Ndolo, a lawyer in Nairobi, reckoned that the opposition may not be meaning all that it is saying but is using various strategies to push for its course.

"I doubt NASA will move forward with the threat of swearing in Raila," he said.

Peter Kagwanja, a political strategist allied to Jubilee, accused the opposition of engaging in arm-twisting tactics to force a coalition government.

"Opposition is sponsoring boycotts and protests to force dialogue, unity government and power-sharing, which casts a dark shadow on the country's economy," he said. "The country may have successfully pulled back from the brink following disputed polls, but the dilemma of liberal democracy is far from over."

Legal scholar Makau Mutua, who leans toward NASA, believes that Odinga and his team are fighting for a just cause -- against exclusion perpetuated by the Kenyan political system where the winner takes all.

"Those in Jubilee feel they are in power legitimately and can't overcome the conscience of those who believe the regime is illegitimate. And those in NASA feel they have been robbed victory and excluded from government," said Mutua.

Mutua roots for the destruction of the presidential system of government to end the culture of exclusion.

"We need to adopt an explicitly parliamentary system of government with a constitutional formula that denies political parties a tribal base," he said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-13 23:58:18|Editor: Mu Xuequan

Video Player Close

KHARTOUM, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- The National Consultative Meeting of the East Africa's bloc, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), kicked off Monday in the Sudanese capital Khartoum to discuss a protocol on free movement of persons in the region.

Representative of the IGAD Executive Secretary Ambassador Abu Zaid Al-Hassan said Khartoum's meeting tends to discuss the IGAD National Protocol on Free Movement of Persons in the region.

He added that the protocol tends to encourage organization of the huge non-official movement of persons and provide legal framework for the movement of persons in the region.

"The IGAD agenda on migration governance is intended to promote a safe, legal and beneficial migration in this region and globally," said al-Hassan.

"In the last decade, the IGAD Member States have worked with the IGAD Secretariat towards solving several old and emerging challenges in the region," he noted.

Sudan's Interior Minister Hamid Mannan stressed the importance of migration governance and movement of persons within the IGAD region.

He pointed out that the IGAD countries are witnessing intensive population movement that needs to be organized by governing laws.

"There are many population movements within the IGAD countries represented in refugees and legal and illegal migrants besides the regular seasonal movement of the pastoral communities which constantly cross the political borders," he said.

The IGAD has recently received a grant from the EU emergency Trust Fund with the intention of facilitating the establishment of a free movement regime within the IGAD region.

The IGAD, established in 1986, includes members Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, Djibouti, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia and Eritrea.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-14 00:03:22|Editor: Mu Xuequan

Video Player Close

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, attends a grand welcome ceremony held by Bounnhang Vorachit, general secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and president of Laos, before their talks in Vientiane, Laos, Nov. 13, 2017. (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng)

VIENTIANE, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- China and Laos on Monday agreed to build a community of shared future with strategic importance during Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to the Southeast Asian country.

The two sides made the decision during a meeting between Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, and Bounnhang Vorachit, general secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and president of Laos.

It is the first visit in 11 years by a Chinese head of state and top CPC leader to Laos.

Speaking highly of each other's development achievements, the two sides agreed to strengthen exchanges and mutual learning, and push forward China's reform and opening up and Laos' reform and renewal.

The two countries will continue to hold the spirit of good neighbors, good friends, good comrades and good partners, consolidate the China-Laos traditional friendship, and strive to lift their long-standing and stable comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership to a new stage, they said.

Xi praised Laos for sticking to a socialist path with its national characteristics and the country's great achievements in economic and social development.

He stressed that he believes under the leadership of the LPRP Central Committee headed by Bounnhang, the Lao people will achieve greater achievements in their pursuit for comprehensive reform and renewal.

For his part, Bounnhang spoke highly of the elevation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era into the CPC's guiding principles during the 19th CPC National Congress.

Bounnhang said he believes that under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Xi at the core, the Chinese people will forge ahead smoothly towards the two centenary goals.

The achievements of the 19th CPC National Congress have greatly contributed to the development of socialist theories in a new era, and are conducive to peace, friendship, cooperation and development in the region and the world at large, he said.

The two leaders exchanged in-depth views on international and regional issues of common concern, and reached important consensuses.

The two sides noted that the two countries are socialist states led by Communist parties.

They agreed that jointly building a community of shared future with strategic importance based on mutual trust is in accordance with the fundamental interests and common expectations of the two parties, two countries and two peoples, and is also conducive to the noble cause of peace and development for mankind.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-14 00:13:24|Editor: Mu Xuequan

Video Player Close

by Alex Osei-Boateng

ACCRA, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo on Monday launched a national campaign on sanitation, pledging his commitment to rid the country of filth.

"Successive Ghanaian governments have tried to ... inculcate a habit of greater discipline in the care of our surroundings. It has not succeeded. My government intends to walk a new path," he said.

In leading by example, Akufo-Addo indicated that every government department and agency had assigned two officers to be designated sanitation marshals to oversee compliance of by-laws on sanitation in their offices.

Additionally, a corps of young people called the national sanitation brigade will see to the enforcement of rules and regulations on sanitation whether in state or private establishments or households.

"The personnel of this outfit would conduct regular visits to all offices to ensure that there is compliance and where it so requires take legal action against those infringing on the laws," he said.

The national sanitation campaign comes at the backdrop of a promise by the president to make the national capital Accra the cleanest city in Africa by 2020.

It is expected to change the attitude of Ghanaians as regards proper sanitation and to consolidate existing national policies on sanitation.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-14 00:13:25|Editor: Mu Xuequan

Video Player Close

AMMAN, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Jordan on Sunday called on the international community to increase its aid to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNWRA).

Jordan's Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi made the remarks at a meeting with the UNWRA Commissioner General Pierre Kraenbuehl, during which he stressed on the need for more aid to enable the agency to better serve the Palestinians.

He said it was important to help the agency overcome its challenges and tackle its annual budget deficits to enable it to continue to provide education and health services.

Kraenbuehl voiced appreciation to Jordan's support to the agency at all levels.

The commissioner called on governments, donors and stakeholders to "keep on supporting UNWRA to complete its mission."

"I expect our members to come forward with additional support, for it is vital to continue to improve the situation of the Palestinian refugees, and we cannot accomplish our mission without them," he added.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-14 00:18:27|Editor: Lu Hui

Video Player Close

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R), also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with former Lao President Choummaly Saygnasone, also former general secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee, in Vientiane, Laos, Nov. 13, 2017. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

VIENTIANE, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, met here Monday with former Lao President Choummaly Saygnasone, also former general secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee.

Xi spoke highly of the significant contributions made by Choummaly over the past decade in promoting a leap-forward development in China-Laos relations, cementing their traditional friendship and boosting bilateral cooperation in all areas when he served as the top party and state leader of Laos.

He said the 19th CPC National Congress held last month has produced important outcomes that can help build a new type of international relations and a China-Laos community of shared future with strategic importance, and his visit is aimed at lifting the bilateral relations to a new high.

He expressed the hope that Choummaly will continue to support the development of the China-Laos relations and play a role in ensuring that the bilateral ties always travel along the right track.

Choummaly extended his congratulations on the historic outcomes achieved at the 19th CPC National Congress, especially the inclusion of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era into the CPC Constitution.

He hailed Xi an old friend of the Lao people, saying that Xi's state visit bears historic significance in the history of Laos-China relationship.

China is a friendly neighbor of Laos and plays an important role in international affairs, Choummaly said, adding that Laos is committed to promoting the exchanges and cooperation between the two parties and two countries, and deepening the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation.

Bounnhang Vorachit, general secretary of the LPRP Central Committee and president of Laos, attended the meeting, along with some senior party and government officials from both sides.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-14 00:18:28|Editor: Mu Xuequan

Video Player Close

ISTANBUL, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Forty-six suspects went on trial Monday in Istanbul over their alleged roles in planning last year's triple suicide bombing attacks on the city's Ataturk Airport that left 45 people dead.

The suspects are asked to be sentenced to 46-time aggravated life imprisonment each over "attempting to destroy the constitutional order" and "murder," the state-run Anadolu Agency said.

In addition, they are accused of "being members of an armed terror group" and "forming and running a terror group," charges that could put each of them in jail for up to 3,342 years if convicted, the agency said.

Citing the indictment, Anadolu said the suspects are from Russia, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Syria and Turkey, with four of them still at large.

On June 28 last year, three suicide bombers opened fire at crowds and then blew themselves up at Ataturk Airport in one of the worst terror attacks that hit the country that year.

No group claimed responsibility for the attack, but the Turkish authorities blamed it on the Islamic State.
Quake death toll rises sharply to 445 in Iran as more still buried in ruins one day after a 7.3-magnitude powerful quake hit Iran and Iraq. (AFP Photo)

TEHRAN, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- The quake death toll has risen to 445 one day after the 7.3-magnitude powerful earthquake hit the Iran-Iraq border area, local media reported on Monday.

So far 445 people have been killed and 7,100 others injured in the quake measuring 7.3 magnitude.

The quake's epicenter was located approximately 32 km south of the city of Halabja in a remote mountainous region of eastern Iraq, some 200 km northeast of Baghdad and 400 km west of Tehran, according to the United States Geological Survey.

The rescue teams from across Iran are still digging out those who are stuck under the rubbles in the villages and towns in Kermanshah province.

In a telephone conversation with President Hassan Rouhani on Monday, Governor of Kermanshah province Hooshang Bazvand expressed concerns that the death toll would still rise, according to Tasnim news agency.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-14 00:23:29|Editor: Mu Xuequan

Video Player Close

NAIROBI, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's Supreme Court is this week set to start the hearing of three election petitions three months after nullifying Aug. 8 outcome.

The Oct. 26 repeat poll has been challenged by the former Assistant Minister Harun Mwau and another by human rights activists Njonjo Mue and Khelef Khalifa.

The petitioners have argued that the repeat poll is a nullity because the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) failed to subject candidates to fresh nominations, after the poll was invalidated.

Another petition filed by the Institute for Democratic Governance (IDG) wants National Super Alliance leaders found culpable for violence and disruption of elections.

The judges will converge on Tuesday morning for a pre-trial conference. In the conference, parties choose the lead counsel and time to be allocated to each party.

The court has six days to hear and determine the three cases, with the last day of the judgment being Nov. 20.

All the parties had filed their responses and submissions, alongside issues for determination. Parties seeking to join the case as interested parties and amicus curiae (friend of the court) had also filed their applications.

Ekuru Aukot of Thirdway Alliance was the first to file his application, seeking to join the case. Attorney General Professor Githu Muigai and Law Society of Kenya also filed applications to join the cases as amicus curiae.

Parties are also expected to have framed issues to be determined by the court. On its part, IEBC had framed four issues for determination.

The electoral body wants the court to declare that they conducted the fresh presidential election within the strict confines of the constitution and the electoral laws and that President Uhuru Kenyatta was duly elected as the president.

The commission further wants the court to declare that there is no requirement for nomination in a fresh presidential election where the nomination of the candidates was not in issue in a previously invalidated presidential election. IEBC will also be seeking costs of the suit.

In response to the petitions, NASA accuses President Kenyatta of resorting to improper means by corruptly luring opposition supporters and politicians to his side as he campaigned for the Oct. 26 repeat poll.

On its part, the Institute for Democratic Governance wants the judges to determine whether they have the jurisdiction to hear and determine the petition and whether NASA principals led by Odinga committed election offences and engaged in serious electoral malpractices and or irregularities.

The organization further wants the court to determine whether the public has suffered loss and damage as a result of NASA's acts and conduct and what are the appropriate orders to be made by the court, if they are found culpable.

In the petition, the organization through lawyer Kioko Kilukumi alleges that Nasa's "irreducible minimums" were set unilaterally with the intention to undermine the independence of the Commission and to usurp its constitutional mandate.

The lawyer further says Odinga, his running Kalonzo Musyoka, Musalia Mudavadi and Senators James Orengo (Siaya) and Moses Wetangula (Bungoma) were determined to ensure that the fresh election did not take place.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-14 00:23:30|Editor: Mu Xuequan

Video Player Close

by Mohamed al-Azaki

SANAA, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of people staged a mass rally in front of the United Nations headquarters in the Yemeni capital Sanaa on Monday to protest against air, sea and land blockade imposed by the Saudi-led military coalition.

"Lift the blockade, you are killing millions of Yemeni people," read one of the slogans raised by the protesters.

Protester Ahmed Abdulkarim, 20, said he came here to show strong disapproval to the closure of all airports, seaports and border land crossings. "The coalition is killing us," he said.

The coalition of 10 Arab countries led by Saudi Arabia and backed by the United States intervened in Yemen's conflict in March 2015 to recapture territories including the capital Sanaa, which was control in late 2014 by Iran-aligned Yemeni Shiite Houthi rebels and reinstate internationally recognized Yemeni government of exiled President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi.

On Nov. 6, Saudi Arabia closed all ports of its southern neighboring poor country in response to the Houthi missile attack on the Saudi capital Riyadh's airport two days earlier.

The Nov. 4 missile attack was intercepted over Riyadh King Khalid Airport without casualties.

Saudi's official media blamed its regional foe Iran for supporting the Yemeni rebels with long-range ballistic missiles. Iran has denied the accusation, saying the missile was a reaction to "Saudi's aggression."

The United Nations and the European Union have warned that the all-out blockade could push millions of Yemenis into mass famine.

The rebel-held capital Sanaa has since witnessed a complete fuel shortage and the streets were almost empty of usual movement.

The Saudi-led coalition eased the blockade last week by reopening Yemen's southern Aden seaport and Alwadiah land border crossing between southern Saudi Arabia and northeast Yemen, but the coalition has kept the Houthi-controlled northern ports shut.

The UN aid agencies said the coalition's move to ease the siege was not enough and warned of mass famine and health catastrophes in Yemen's north.

The coalition said aid supplies would continue to access the northern ports, but the UN agencies said they were not able to reach the northern ports.

On Sunday, the Houthi movement warned on its Al Masirah satellite TV that it could target the warships and oil tankers from the Saudi-led coalition countries in the international waters of the Red Sea in retaliation for the closure of the Yemeni ports.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-14 00:28:33|Editor: Mu Xuequan

Video Player Close

BUDAPEST, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Hungary's industrial output rose 5.4 percent year on year in September, official data revealed on Monday.

Based on working-day adjusted data, the production grew by 8.1 percent, Hungary's central statistical office KSH said in a statement.

Industrial output went up by 5.2 percent year on year in the first nine months of 2017, according to KSH.

On a month-to-month basis, industrial output in September was 0.7 percent lower than the previous month, KSH said.

September's industrial export sales increased by 5.9 percent year on year. Industrial domestic sales grew by 6.3 percent.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) had revised upwards its outlook for Hungary's gross domestic product (GDP) growth.

For 2017, IMF increased its forecast by 0.3 percentage point to 3.2 percent, in the November issue of its regional economic outlook report for Europe. For 2018, it changed its forecast from 3.0 percent to 3.4 percent, and for 2019, from 2.6 percent to 2.8 percent.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-14 00:33:36|Editor: Zhou Xin

Video Player Close

PARIS, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday led a ceremony to commemorate the victims killed in the shootings and explosions that rocked several places across Paris and in the city's northern suburb of Saint-Denis on Nov. 13, 2015.

The commemorations started in front of the door of the Stade de France where the first suicide bomber killed one person and broke the calm in Parisian vibrant venues.

Accompanied by his predecessor Francois Hollande, government members and Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo, Macron later returned to the cafes and restaurants Le Carillon, Le Petit Cambodge, La Bonne Biere, Comptoir Voltaire and la Belle Equipe, where he laid wreaths and observed one minute of silence.

The ceremony ended at the Bataclan performance hall where 90 people lost their lives.

Two years after Islamic State militants killed more than 130 people in a series of shootings and explosions in Paris, France "holds on" by taking efficient security measures but the combat against terror at home was not over, French officials said.

After its worst terrorist attacks that ignited security fears and internal conflicts, France had succeeded to preserve its way of life, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said Monday, stressing "France is still France."

"We can say that our country holds on and has been able to find legal and military answers (to assaults), but also a form of attachment to what it is, of a resolute commitment to a way of being, a way of life that it does not want to be challenged," he added.

However, France remains top target of terrorist cells due to its military intervention in Iraq, Syria and the Sahel region.

It had imposed emergency security rules in the wake of the Nov. 13, 2015 attacks. Since then, the country has witnessed a wave of terror attacks, and the bloodiest was in the city of Nice, where a man drove his truck into a crowd, killing 86 people on Bastille Day last year.

The French prime minister told France inter radio on Monday, "the threat level remains obviously high."

Speaking to the daily Le Figaro in an interview, Laurent Nunez, head of France's internal intelligence agency DGSI said "we know that the will of the jihadists to take action is intact," stressing that terror threat was still "very serious."

"What worries us are plans for terrorist attacks prepared by teams that are still operating in fighting zones in Syria and Iraq ...Our concerns are about the capacity that IS still has - but also al Qaeda ... to plan an attack on French territory," he added.

According to the Interior Ministry data, emergency security measures have helped intelligence agencies foil more than 30 attacks since 2015.

Recently, eight individuals arrested earlier last week in a joint Franco-Swiss anti-terrorism operation, have been placed under formal investigation on charge of criminal terrorist conspiracy.

Making the fight against terrorism one of his mandates priorities, Macron signed a bill that will enshrine emergency security rules into law expected to offer police more power to better combat terrorism.

"The first mission of the State is to protect our fellow citizens and ensure the security of the territory..." We have to adapt our organization, out action," Macron told security force members last month.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-14 00:33:37|Editor: Liangyu

Video Player Close

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) meets with New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in Manila, the Philippines, Nov. 13, 2017. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

MANILA, Nov.13 (Xinhua) -- China stands ready to work with New Zealand to advance their talks on upgrading a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA), Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said here on Monday.

Li made the remarks when meeting with New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on the sidelines of the East Asia leaders' meetings in the Philippine capital of Manila.

China-New Zealand relations have maintained positive momentum in development since the establishment of diplomatic ties 45 years ago, Li said.

New Zealand has always been in forward ranks of developed countries in developing relations with China, he added.

New Zealand was among the first countries to acknowledge China's full market economy status as well as the first developed country that concluded a bilateral FTA with China.

Lauding New Zealand's adherence to the one-China policy, Li voiced his confidence that Ardern, who assumed office last month, will further promote his country's relations with China and create more "firsts" in bilateral ties.

China is willing to work with New Zealand to further take advantage of their complementarity and press forward with negotiations on upgrading bilateral free trade pact, the Chinese premier said.

The existing China-New Zealand FTA was signed in 2008.

For her part, Ardern said New Zealand-China relations are of great significance, and the two nations have always respected each other and enjoyed mutually beneficial cooperation.

Both countries are committed to promoting social development and people's well-being, she noted.

Stressing that New Zealand adheres to the one-China policy, Ardern said her country is willing to cooperate more closely with China and advance their talks on the FTA upgrade.

Li arrived in the Philippines on Sunday for an official visit to the country and a series of leaders' meetings on East Asian cooperation.
Somali refugee Amina Ali feeds her kid beside her makeshift tent at the Dagahaley refugee camp in Dadaab, Kenya, on April 14, 2015. (Xinhua/Stephen Ingati)

NAIROBI, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- The UN refugee agency said on Monday that it will launch a major new campaign that calls on Africans to take action to solve the continent's worsening refugee crisis.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said the campaign, "LuQuLuQu," is centered on the African philosophy of "Ubuntu" or "Ujamaa" that promotes the principles and values of shared responsibility, shared resources, and caring for one another, inherent to African culture and belief.

"The essence of the LuQuLuQu campaign is to engage ordinary citizens and corporate organizations to redefine the existing image of Africa's displacement crisis, and co-create with the UNHCR, a new image of the African refugee -- one of self-reliance, empowerment and inclusion into the mainstream," it said in a statement issued in Nairobi.

The campaign to be launched in Nairobi on Saturday asks the hundreds of millions of people on the continent, or connected to Africa, to take ownership of the refugee and displacement problem through simple everyday philanthropic actions, to promote self-reliance and independence, and in so doing, empower refugees.

The LuQuLuQu campaign is a social movement that seeks to create a community of supporters. The LuQuLuQu tribe embraces all of society that seeks to share resources, hospitality, and helps to amplify the voices of the displaced.

With a goal to change the narrative and conversation around the fate of the displaced in Africa, the aim is to demonstrate that Africans can play a transformative role in changing the lives of refugees and the uprooted.

"The LuQuLuQu campaign will be launched simultaneously in six countries in on the continent -- including South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast and Senegal throughout November," the UNHCR said.

"There are 20.2 million displaced people in Africa. There are nearly half a million in Kenya (489,239). 78 percent of them are women and children," said the UNHCR.

According to the UNHCR, more than half, or 57 percent, are under 18. So far this year, only 35 percent of the critical funding required to assist refugees in Africa has been received.

"With increased displacement crises across the world, earmarked funding for Africa has dropped. UNHCR seeks to engage Kenyans to partner in bringing solutions to the displaced in Africa," it said.

According to the UNHCR, corporates and private enterprises are also invited to take part through new and innovative donation channels.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-14 00:53:41|Editor: Liangyu

Video Player Close

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, addresses a welcome banquet held by Bounnhang Vorachit, general secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and president of Laos, in Vientiane, Laos, Nov. 13, 2017. (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng)

VIENTIANE, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Laos will deepen the traditional friendship of the two countries, and promote their comprehensive strategic cooperation, said Bounnhang Vorachit, general secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and president of Laos.

Bounnhang made the remarks in his speech at a welcome banquet for Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee.

He said the LPRP congratulates sincerely on the important achievements of the 19th CPC National Congress, adding that he also believes the Chinese people will accomplish the strategic "two centennial" goals under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Xi at the core.

In his remarks, Xi said he is sincerely delighted to see that Laos has achieved new progress in spurring economic development, maintaining social stability and promoting efficient governance and harmony among its people since his last visit to the country seven years ago.

Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 56 years ago, the two neighbors, which are connected with mountains and rivers, have enjoyed a great friendship and fruitful cooperation, bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples, said Xi.

China is willing to join Laos to promote friendship, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, push the comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation to new heights and build the China-Laos community of shared future with strategic importance, he added.

Before the banquet, Xi also met with some Lao representatives who used to study in China. The Chinese leader hailed their contributions to the development of the two countries' friendly ties, encouraging the young people to carry forward the long-lasting friendship between the two sides.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-14 01:03:46|Editor: Zhou Xin

Video Player Close

JUBA, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan on Monday denied that it was deliberately using food as weapon of war to starve thousands of people.

President Salva Kiir's spokesman Ateny Wek Ateny said the Friday report, submitted to the UN Security Council's South Sudan Sanctions Committee, is biased as it did not consider efforts by the government to allow improved humanitarian access in the restive northern Wau and Bahr El Ghazal regions.

"The people of South Sudan are the very people the government seeks to govern so we don't have any policy of using food as weapon of war," Ateny said in Juba.

The UN report said the denial of humanitarian relief had caused extreme food insecurity among large sections of the population, with malnutrition and death by starvation in the Greater Baggari area in Wau County.

Ateny said President Kiir last week directed security agencies not to obstruct humanitarian aid in conflict zones in order to allow food to reach those in need.

The government last week extended the three-month state of emergency in those regions until 2018 in the wake of deadly violence between communities and clans.

According to the updated Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) released early November by the government, UN agencies, and other humanitarian partners, the number of people experiencing severe food insecurity across the country for the October-December period is likely to increase by 1.4 million from a year earlier to 4.8 million.

South Sudan descended into violence in December 2013 after political dispute between President Kiir and his former deputy Riek Machar led to split within the SPLA, leaving soldiers to fight alongside ethnic lines.

The 2015 peace agreement to end the conflict was weakened after renewed fighting in July 2016 caused the SPLA-in opposition leader Machar to flee the country.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-14 01:23:51|Editor: Liangyu

Video Player Close

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) meets with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc in Manila, the Philippines, Nov. 13, 2017. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

MANILA, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Monday called on China and Vietnam to speed up the alignment of their development strategies during a meeting here with his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

Li said the two countries should align their development strategies, referring to China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative and Vietnam's "Two Corridors and One Economic Circle" plan, so as to achieve a balanced trade between the increase of bilateral trade volume and the inclusive as well as diversified development.

Hailing China and Vietnam as friendly neighbors and important partners, Li said Chinese President Xi Jinping's successful visit to Vietnam indicates bilateral relations have stepped into a new phase featuring sustainable and healthy development.

On relations between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Li said developing relations with ASEAN has always been a priority of China's neighborhood diplomacy, adding that China stands ready to enhance the relationship with ASEAN countries and elevate the China-ASEAN strategic partnership to a higher level.

He also expressed the hope that the related parties can jointly send positive signals of focusing on regional cooperation and safeguarding regional stability at a series of leaders' meetings on East Asian cooperation.

On the South China Sea, Li said China is willing to advance the consultations on a Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea with ASEAN countries in order to make it a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation.

For his part, Nguyen Xuan Phuc said Vietnam and China have made joint efforts to achieve positive progress in the development of friendly bilateral ties.

He said Vietnam stands ready to deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation between the two countries, promote the integration of the bilateral development strategies, and strengthen cooperation on capacity, transport facilities, cross-border economic cooperation zones, agriculture, finance, and environmental protection so as to lift bilateral trade relations to a new level.

Lauding the agreement reached by China and ASEAN countries on the COC framework, he said that Vietnam is willing to promote maritime cooperation with China and safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea.

The Chinese premier arrived in the Philippines on Sunday for an official visit to the country and a series of leaders' meetings on East Asian cooperation.

He attended the 20th China-ASEAN (10+1) leaders' meeting held in the Philippine capital of Manila on Monday, and will also attend the 20th ASEAN-China, Japan and South Korea (10+3) leaders' meeting, as well as the 12th East Asia Summit here.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-14 01:43:57|Editor: Mu Xuequan

Video Player Close

PARIS, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- France suggested Monday that further sanctions could be imposed "if needed" against Iran over its ballistic missile program, the country's foreign ministry spokesperson said.

"The European Union (EU) has already placed sanctions on Iranian entities involved in the ballistic program. If needed, new sanctions could be taken," said Quai d'Orsay spokeswoman Agnes Romatet-Espagne.

However, "the political dialogue between France and Iran is active and makes it possible to address all topics, including strategic and regional issues," she added.

French foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian is soon to fly to Tehran where he "will have a firm dialogue," said the ministry's spokesperson during an electronic press briefing.

During a visit to the United Arab Emirates last week, French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed support for the 2015 Vienna nuclear deal. However, he proposed to negotiate Iran's ballistic activities, which he said should be restricted to preserve the region's stability.
(File photo/Xinhua)

BERLIN, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel (SPD) on Monday praised the signing of the defense pact on Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) by 23 EU member states as a "milestone of European development."

Gabriel told press that Monday's meeting marked a "a big step towards the self-reliance and strengthening of EU security and defense policy."

Gabriel's comments were made as 23 EU member states agreed to establish a new EU defense union known as "Permanent Structured Cooperation" (PESCO).

As of December 2017, first projects under the framework of PESCO could witness the creation of a joint paramedic command, as well as the creation of shared logistics operations to unify military transportation and procurement.

Germany's decision to join PESCO entails an obligation to regularly raise national defense spending. However, Gabriel expressed the view that more military cooperation would allow EU states to save money in the long-run with greater efficiency and effectiveness.

"We have around 50 percent of the defense expenditure of the U.S., but only 50 percent of their efficiency because we fail to coordinate among ourselves," said the German foreign minister.

Growing transatlantic tensions are a key driving force behind the foundation of PESCO.

U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly raised questions over the historical security guarantee provided by Washington to its European allies under the umbrella of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

In response, European leaders have increasingly voiced a desire to forge an independent EU defense policy.

Nevertheless, German politicians flatly rejected a simultaneous plea from Antonion Tajani, president of the European Parliament, to double the EU's budget.

Speaking to the "Funke" media group, Tajani said that the EU needed "240 billion euros instead of 140 billion euros" in order to cope with the challenges of the refugee crisis, terrorism, as well as raise the level of investments.

"This topic does not feature on our daily agenda at all" Steffen Seibert, the official speaker of Chancellor Angela Merkel, said.

The Ministry of Finance also reacted with skepticism towards Tajani's proposal to raise some of the funds through new taxes, including on financial transactions. The ministry noted that negotiations over the EU's next budget were not due to commence until 2018.

Free Democratic Party (FDP) leader Christian Lindner was most vocally opposed to the initiative of the president of the European Parliament.

Writing in the newspaper "Rheinische Post", Lindner argued that the "EU was not a state, but rather a federation of states."

"We therefore want to maintain the current arrangement wherein the budget is financed by contributions from member states," the FDP leader added.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-14 03:29:31|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

KAMPALA, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir and his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni on Monday held business and security talks in Uganda.

The two leaders in a communique issued after the talks in Entebbe, 40 km south of the Ugandan capital Kampala, agreed to convene a Joint Investment Conference in Khartoum to showcase trade and investment opportunities in both countries.

They agreed that Sudan's Tarco Airlines should start direct flights between Khartoum and Entebbe, which would greatly improve connectivity between the two countries and promote trade, tourism and investment.

On regional security, the two leaders said there is need for a regional-led initiative to find a lasting solution to the South Sudan crisis.

"They undertook to intensify efforts, bilaterally and within the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and African Union frameworks towards finding a lasting political solution through an all-inclusive National Dialogue," the communique said.

On the situation in Somalia, they called upon the international community to support the building of the country's institutions, especially in the security sector to enable the government to deal with the militants.

The Sudanese president will end his two-day visit to Uganda on Tuesday. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-14 03:49:37|Editor: Mu Xuequan

Video Player Close

DUBLIN, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney on Monday welcomed the British government's introduction of the Northern Ireland budget bill to parliament.

"The introduction of a budget bill for Northern Ireland at Westminster today is a significant development for the political process in Northern Ireland, founded on the Good Friday Agreement," Coveney said in a statement.

The Good Friday Agreement or Belfast Agreement, was a major political development in the Northern Ireland peace process of the 1990s. The agreement is made up of two inter-related documents, both agreed in Belfast on April 10, 1998.

"A budget for Northern Ireland is a matter that should be considered and decided on by the power-sharing executive and assembly. As there is no executive in place at present, the necessary budgetary decisions cannot be made by the devolved institutions," the Irish foreign minister said.

"In the meantime, a statutory basis for the continued funding of public services in Northern Ireland is required," he said.

But he said this step has been taken by the British government "with reluctance and at the latest possible stage in order to seek to preserve the role of the devolved institutions to decide on budgetary and other matters within their responsibility when they are operating again".

In the statement, Coveney said he was deeply disappointed that no agreement was concluded to form an executive after several phases of negotiations in different formats.

"The taoiseach (prime minister) and I continue to engage with the British government and the parties in Northern Ireland to give full effect to that commitment," he said.

On Monday, the Northern Ireland party talks broke down and the British government introduced a budget bill for the region at Westminster.

Northern Ireland has been without an executive for more than 10 months since the January collapse of power-sharing arrangement.

Despite protracted negotiations, Northern Ireland's two largest parties Sinn Fein and the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) have been unable to reach an agreement to restore power-sharing.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-14 03:59:40|Editor: Mu Xuequan

Video Player Close

ADEN, Yemen, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Saudi-backed Yemeni government announced Monday that Aden's International Airport will officially resume activities and non-stop flights on Tuesday after receiving permission from the Saudi-led coalition.

An official at Aden's Airport told Xinhua that the government-controlled airport will be open on Tuesday and flights by the Yemeni Airways will be resumed.

He said that the first flight will depart from Egyptian capital Cairo to the southern port city of Aden after several days of temporary closure imposed by the Saudi-led coalition.

On Sunday, sources at the government said that the Saudi-led coalition rejected providing Yemeni Airways with a permit to resume its flights from and to Yemen.

Saudi Arabia announced the closure of Yemen's ports, airports and all borders of its southern neighboring poor country in response to the missile attack fired by the Shiite Houthi group on Riyadh airport.

Prices of food and fuel skyrocketed within hours of the closure announcement. In some northern provinces controlled by Houthis, fuel has already run out. Many public hospitals and water pumps were shut down, according to local residents.

Over the past week, the Saudi-led Arab coalition has gradually reopened some ports.

However, Sanaa airport that is controlled by Houthis remains closed, including for humanitarian flights by organizations and the United Nations.

Local observers say that most Yemenis live under Houthi control and they are 80-90% dependent on imported food and fuel through Houthi-controlled ports in particular the port of Hodeidah that is still closed.

Earlier in the day, thousands of people staged a mass rally in front of the United Nations headquarters in the Yemeni capital Sanaa to protest against air, sea and land blockade imposed by the Saudi-led military coalition.

Elsewhere in Aden, where the Saudi-backed government is based, hundreds of university students demonstrated to protest "the unbelievable raise in prices of the public transportations and the severe fuel crisis in addition to the deterioration of the currency."

The United Nations and the European Union have warned that the all-out blockade could push millions of Yemenis into mass famine.

The UN aid agencies said the coalition's move to ease the siege was not enough and warned of mass famine and health catastrophes in Yemen's north.

The coalition said aid supplies would continue to access the northern ports, but the UN agencies said they were not able to reach the northern ports.

On Sunday, the Houthi movement warned on its Al Masirah satellite TV that it could target the warships and oil tankers from the Saudi-led coalition countries in the international waters of the Red Sea in retaliation for the closure of the Yemeni ports.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-14 04:09:44|Editor: Liangyu

Video Player Close

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) meets with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Manila, the Philippines, Nov. 13, 2017. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

MANILA, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Japan should make joint efforts with China to keep up the momentum for improvement in China-Japan relations, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said here on Monday.

Li made the remarks during a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on the sidelines of the 20th China-ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) (10+1) leaders' meeting in the Philippine capital of Manila.

Li said that the current China-Japan relations have shown some positive changes, but sensitive factors still exist.

This year marks the 45th anniversary of the normalization of China -Japan relations, and next year marks the 40th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship.

He called on Japan to take history as a mirror and face towards the future, and work with China to overcome difficulties and challenges in the bilateral ties.

Li pointed out that China and Japan, as close neighbors and the world's important economies, should tap their complementary advantages and enhance economic cooperation, which is of positive significance to the economic development of East Asia and the global economic recovery.

He called on the two countries to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation in economy, trade and investment, discuss cooperation in the third-party market, and jointly promote the negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and free trade area talks between China, Japan, and South Korea.

To strengthen people-to-people exchanges, and advance enterprise-to-enterprise and youth-to-youth exchanges in particular, will create an environment for the stable development of the China-Japan relations, said Li.

For his part, Abe said China and Japan, as the world's second and third largest economies, have the responsibility for promoting world peace and global development.

Currently bilateral relations have shown signs of improvement, he said.And next year marks the 40th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship

Japan, said Abe, is willing to treat China as a partner instead of a threat, strengthen bilateral high-level exchanges, and consolidate the momentum for improvement in the bilateral ties based on the principle of building the bilateral strategic relationship for mutual benefit.

He expressed hope that the two countries will enhance economic dialogues, explore opportunities in inter-connectivity projects within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, expand cooperation in finance, environmental protection, energy conservation, and the third-party market, and promote high-quality cooperation between Japan, China and South Korea as well as speed up the process of RCEP negotiations.

The Chinese Premier arrived in the Philippines on Sunday for an official visit to the country and for a series of leaders' meetings on East Asian cooperation.

In Manila, he will also attend the 20th ASEAN-China, Japan and South Korea (10+3) leaders' meeting, as well as the 12th East Asia Summit.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-14 04:29:53|Editor: Zhou Xin

Video Player Close

Rescuers search for survivors in front of damaged buildings in Sarpol-e Zahab, Iran, Nov. 13, 2017. (Xinhua/Ahmad Halabisaz)

TEHRAN, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- The quake death toll of Iranians rose to 445 one day after a powerful earthquake hit the Iran-Iraq border area as more are still buried in ruins, local media reported on Monday.

At least 445 people have been killed and 7,156 others injured in the quake measuring 7.3 magnitude, the reports said.

The quake's epicenter was located approximately 32 km south of the city of Halabja in a remote mountainous region of eastern Iraq, some 200 km north-east of Baghdad and 400 km west of Tehran, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

The quake hit the area at 9:18 p.m. local time (0018 GMT), when many people would have been at home, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

At least 14 provinces in Iran had been affected by the earthquake, including the capital Tehran. The worst-hit areas in Iran were Qasr-e Shirin and Sarpol-e Zahab counties in Kermanshah province, some 20 km from the border.

Some 30 Red Cross teams from across the country have been sent to the quake zones, parts of which had experienced severe damage.

Over 20 Iranian villages in Iran's Kermanshah province have been damaged and power supply and water flows are disrupted. The roads networks in the area have sustained damage.

However, the provincial police chief, General Manouchehr Amanollahi said Monday that all roads are open and the traffic flow is normal.

Also, officials said the access to rural areas is still limited.

Iranian emergency teams have been dispatched to the quake-hit region and helicopters are delivering basic needs. There are also strong aftershocks in the area.

Field hospitals have been set up in the quake-hit areas.

The earthquake and after-shakes magnitude varied from 4.5 to 6.1. The earthquake has also been felt in Turkey, Armenia, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.

In Iran's western Sanandaj and Qasr-e Shirin cities, people evacuated their houses following the strong earthquake.

Esmail Najar, the head of Iran's National Disaster Management Organization said more injured people might be buried under the rubble in Qasr-e Shirin and Sarpol-e Zahab counties.

The rescue teams from across Iran are still digging out those who are stuck under the rubbles in the villages and towns in Kermanshah province.

Witnesses in Sarpol-e Zahab said that they were appalled to see the city skyline on Monday morning, saying half of the buildings seem to have been destroyed, Tasnim news agency reported.

Three mourning days has been announced in Kermanshah province. Officials announced that schools in Kermanshah and Ilam provinces would be closed Monday because of the tremor.

In a telephone conversation with President Hassan Rouhani on Monday, Governor of Kermanshah province Hooshang Bazvand expressed concerns that the death toll would still rise, according to Tasnim news agency.

At least 43 ambulances, four ambulance buses, and 130 emergency technicians have been stationed in the Mehrabad Airport in Tehran for a quick transfer of the victims to hospitals.

Over 100 medics have also been dispatched to the affected areas. The Iranian Air Force, too, has deployed helicopters to accelerate the transfer of the wounded.

Iranians have been flocking to the branches of the Blood Transfusion Organization to donate blood.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has urged all Iranian officials and institutions to "rush to the aid of those affected in these early hours" after the incident.

Khamenei said the country's entire range of capabilities had to be used swiftly to prevent a further rise in the death toll, according to Press TV.

He called on Iran's Armed Forces to help with removing the rubble and transferring the injured to medical centers.

Besides, Iranian president emphasized the need for maximum effort from officials, in a phone call with the interior ministry.

On Monday, Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli left for quake-hit province of Kermanshah in western Iran, accompanied by Minister of Health Hassan Qazizadeh Hashemi, Head of Iran's Red Crescent Society Ali Asqar Peivandi and a delegation from Presidential Office, official IRNA news agency said.

The delegation has been assigned to evaluate the process of emergency aid to quake-stricken people and present a report about the implemented measures on the scene.

On Monday, Turkey's Prime Minister Binali Yildirim pledged to support victims of the strong 7.3-magnitude earthquake which hit the Iran-Iraq border on Sunday.

Also, a number of world states, including, Egypt, Russia and Pakistan condoled victims of Iran-Iraq powerful earthquake.

Iran is one of the most seismically active countries in the world, being crossed by several major fault lines that cover at least 90 percent of the country. As a result, destructive earthquakes in Iran occur constantly.

The deadliest quake in Iran's modern history happened in June 1990. It destroyed the northern cities of Rudbar, Manjil, and Lushan, along with hundreds of villages, killing about 37,000 people.

An earthquake in the southeastern city of Bam in December 2003 killed 26,000 people.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-14 04:45:00|Editor: Zhou Xin

Video Player Close

LONDON, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- In a surprise move on Monday, Brexit Secretary David Davis announced a new parliamentary bill that will give Members of Parliament (MPs) and House of Lords peers a vote on Britain's final deal with Brussels when the country leaves the European Union (EU).

The move, announced by Davis in the House of Commons, was seen as a major concession on the eve of a major debate on Britain's main withdrawal bill.

A number of Conservative MPs have threatened to side with the main opposition Labour Party by voting against Prime Minister Theresa May's government in this week's debate.

Media in London said politicians on both sides of the house attacked Davis' plan, saying they were angered it did not give parliament any say in the event that no deal is reached.

Labour Party member Chris Leslie called the plan by Davis a "sham", describing it as an "eleventh hour" act to save the government from losing votes in the House of Commons.

Labour's shadow Brexit Secretary Keir Starmer, slammed Davis' move as a significant climbdown from a weak government on the verge of defeat.

He said: "For months, Labour has been calling on ministers to guarantee Parliament a final say on the withdrawal agreement. With less than 24 hours before they had to defend their flawed (Brexit) bill to Parliament, they have finally backed down."

The debate, starting Tuesday, is aimed at ensuring EU law is enshrined into British law when Britain leaves the bloc in March, 2019.

Davis told the Commons that the government's new withdrawal agreement and implementation bill would give legal standing to Britain's separation from the EU, meanwhile warning MPs that if they reject the legislation, Britain would leave the EU without a deal.

The new bill is expected to cover the contents of the withdrawal agreement, including issues such as an agreement on citizens' rights, any financial settlement and the details of an implementation period agreed between both sides.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister May chaired a roundtable meeting Monday with leaders of Europe's key business organizations at 10 Downing Street.

Later, May's spokesperson said: "The prime minister reassured the group that Brexit meant the UK was leaving the EU, not Europe, and reiterated her ambition for free and frictionless trade with the EU27 once the UK departs. She also expressed her commitment to giving businesses the certainty they need by agreeing a time-limited implementation period as soon as possible."
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-14 05:15:10|Editor: Mu Xuequan

Video Player Close

KHARTOUM, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Sudan's government on Monday expected a deficit in the supplies of crude oil and oil derivatives in 2018, with the import costs estimated at more than 2 billion Sudanese pounds (300 million U.S. dollars), according to a Finance Ministry official on Monday.

Sudan's State Minister at Oil Ministry Saad-Eddin Al-Bushra, while presenting a statement to the parliament, announced a declining of oil companies due to accumulation of their debts.

He said the country's oil production dropped to 88,000 barrels a day, with an average reduction of 12 percent, attributing that to the decrease in the oil prices in the international market and accumulation of the companies' debts.

He stressed the need for the government to commit to paying the debts of the partners, saying "if the government failed to commit to repaying the debts of the partners, the oil ministry will be forced to look for external funding with the guarantee of the crude."

In the past, Sudan's oil production amounted to 105,000 barrels a day.

Following the separation of South Sudan in 2011, Sudan lost around 75 percent of its oil revenues.

In 2012, Sudan and South Sudan reached an oil deal stipulating that Juba would pay 3 billion dollars to Sudan over three years as a compensation for losing its oil resources because of the separation.

The deal also stipulated that South Sudan government would pay around 20 dollars per barrel as transit fees for exporting its oil through Sudan's territories.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-14 05:25:14|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

KHARTOUM, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Sudan government on Monday expressed condolences to the peoples and governments of Iraq and Iran together with the families of the victims of the deadly earthquake which hit Iraq-Iran border areas.

"Sudan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in the name of Sudan government and people, expresses its sincere condolences to the Iraqi and Iranian peoples and to the families of the victims of the deadly earthquake which hit the Iraqi-Iranian border areas," said the ministry in a statement Monday.

The ministry expressed full solidarity of Sudan government and people with the Iraqi and Iranian peoples in this humanitarian plight, expressing hope that its impact would be contained as soon as possible.

A 7.3-magnitude earthquake hit the northern border region between Iran and Iraq, leaving at least 445 people dead and over 7100 others injured.

The quake's epicenter was located approximately 32 km south of the city of Halabja in a remote mountainous region of eastern Iraq, some 200 km north-east of Baghdad and 400 km west of Tehran, according to the United States Geological Survey. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-14 05:30:16|Editor: Mu Xuequan

Video Player Close

JERUSALEM, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Israel's attorney general said Monday the wife of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would be summoned for a hearing in January on suspicion of using state funds for personal expenditures.

A statement released by the Ministry of Justice said the hearing would be held by Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit.

The police concluded its investigation on the case in May 2016 with a recommendation to indict Sara Netanyahu, with sufficient evidence allegedly found in the case.

In September, the Ministry of Justice said in a statement that Netanyahu was suspected of procuring items, fraud and breach of trust, and said that Mandelblit was "considering" indicting her.

The hearing, not a usual step in the Israeli legal system, is supposed to be the last step before Mandelblit would decide whether to indict Sara Netanyahu.

In the case, widely known in Israel as "the meals-ordering affair," Sara Netanyahu and Ezra Saidoff, deputy director of the Prime Minister's Office, allegedly created a false impression between 2010 and 2013 that no cook was employed in the office prime minister's residence, while in fact there were several chefs, according to the ministry.

The false impression was aimed to draw state funds to finance gourmet meals prepared by chefs.

"In this way, hundreds of meals from restaurants and chefs worth 359,000 shekels (101,000 U.S. dollars) were received from the state fraudulently," the statement read.

The move comes as the prime minister himself is entangled in two corruption investigations. In these cases, dubbed by the police "case 1,000" and "case 2,000," Netanyahu is suspected of receiving luxury gifts from Israeli-U.S. Hollywood tycoon Arnon Milchan and allegedly making secret deals to receive favorable coverage in Yediot Aharonot, one of Israel's largest daily newspapers.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-14 05:35:18|Editor: Zhou Xin

Video Player Close

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (R) meets with U.S. President Donald Trump in Manila, Philippines, Nov. 13, 2017. (Xinhua)

By Matthew Rusling

WASHINGTON, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- After a period of animosity between Washington and Manila, the leaders of the United States and the Philippines improved ties on Sunday and Monday. But experts said challenges remain.

The meeting "went well, so I would expect them to have a positive relationship," Brookings Institution Senior Fellow Darrell West told Xinhua, referring to U.S. President Donald Trump's trip to the Philippines Sunday and Monday, at the tail end of his much-publicized Asia trip.

"The two are tough men who take a strong stance against opponents so they have a similar leadership style," West said of Trump and Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte.

The meetings come around a year after Duterte had a falling out with former U.S. President Barack Obama, after Duterte lobbed a personal insult at the U.S. president, causing Obama to cancel their meeting.

Trump said on Monday he had a "great relationship" with Duterte, making little mention of Duterte's war on drugs and alleged extrajudicial killings of drug addicts and dealers, for which Western leaders and rights activists have blasted the Philippines' president.

"We had a great relationship," Trump said, trumpeting Duterte's hosting of the meetings, including a gala dinner on Sunday and a number of Philippine cultural performances on Monday.

Echoing those thoughts, Duterte Spokesman Harry Roque said "President Trump specifically said he has always been a friend of the Duterte administration, unlike the previous administrations of the United States. He stressed that he can be counted on as a friend of the Duterte administration."

West added that the two countries "have a long history that should enable the leaders to work well together. Duterte did not like Obama so the shared antipathy will create a tie that binds between the leaders."

But at the same time, some analysts said there remain a number of issues that need to be resolved between the United States and the Philippines.

"I think there will be broader issues that remain to be resolved between the United States and the Philippines, beyond the meeting between Presidents Trump and Duterte and their shared dislike of President Obama," Dan Mahaffee, senior vice president and director of policy at the Center for the Study of Congress and the Presidency, told Xinhua:

Even with Trump's own stances on law and order, the alleged human rights violations in the Philippines and concerns about the Philippines' approach to ISIS require continued U.S. attention and assistance, experts said.

There is some disagreement among analysts regarding whether personal relationship between leaders matter, or whether that's all optics and what really matters is each nation's goals.

Supporters of the latter argument contend that what matters most are national interests, and that leader's personal relationships are inconsequential.

West said interpersonal relations are important in foreign policy.

"If two individuals feel a personal chemistry, that can help them work together and resolve important issues," West said.

Mahaffee said while the optics and pomp and circumstance play into Trump's perceptions of the visit, the progress on a wide range of areas from trade, territorial issues, climate, and other agreements remain the real challenge for these meetings.

Trump's Philippines visit comes at the tail end of his Asia tour, which includes Japan, the Republic of Korea, China, Vietnam and the Philippines.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-14 05:45:23|Editor: Mu Xuequan

Video Player Close

AMMAN, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Jordan has hosted a meeting of the working group on stabilization affiliated with the Global Coalition to Counter Daesh, in coordination with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Germany.

At the opening of the meeting on Sunday that attracted 100 participants from 32 countries and organizations, Nawwaf Al Tal, advisor to Jordan's foreign minister, said Jordan was and will remain at the forefront in fighting terrorism, which threatens the security and values of all.

He said by hosting the meeting for the second time this year, Jordan sends a clear message to the world that is committed to fighting the terrorist Islamic State (IS) group and building on the success in the liberated areas.

He stressed the significance of the military success against the IS recently, saying it should be followed with humanitarian, development and political efforts.

The official added that Jordan was ready for being a gate for the reconstruction of Iraq.

Mahdi Allaq, secretary general of the Iraqi Cabinet, said Iraq was looking forward to the international community's support to implement reconstruction projects.

The Iraqi government, he said, was keen on the return of displaced Iraqis and reaching reconciliation in the community and removing the booby-trapped objects to allow the return of Iraqis to liberated areas.

UAE officials voiced appreciation for Jordan's support to all efforts in fighting terrorism and for hosting the meeting.

The participants underlined the need for continued cooperation and coordination to combat terrorism across the world.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-14 06:15:43|Editor: Mu Xuequan

Video Player Close

LISBON, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Plans to build a second Lisbon airport have been delivered to the government, the CEO of Airports Portugal (ANA) announced on Monday.

The plans propose redeveloping an existing air force base for commercial use. The base is located in Montijo, across the river Tagus from Lisbon.

"The next step will involve a deeper and more detailed study of every dimension of the proposal," Carlos Lacerda, CEO of ANA, told the Portuguese Lusa News Agency.

ANA, which is managed by Vinci Airports, a French-owned entity, has been commissioned by the government to find a solution to Portugal's growing airport capacity problem.

In 2016, 22.4 million passengers flew in or out of Lisbon airport, registering an 11.7 percent rise from that in 2015.

In national terms, Portugal is set to surpass 50 million annual air passengers for the first time in 2017.

Lacerda was speaking at an event to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Lisbon airport. Officially named as Humberto Delgado Airport, it was previously known as Portela, the name of the neighborhood in which it is located.

The urban landscape of Portela and the surrounding motorways limit the possibilities of its further expansion.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-14 06:15:45|Editor: Zhou Xin

Video Player Close

TRIPOLI, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- A Libyan official on Monday said that IS has set up a checkpoint near its former stronghold in the Libyan city of Sirte, local media reported.

Chairman of the Security Committee of Sirte, Zarroug Sweti, said that IS members set up a checkpoint on Monday just 20 kilometers south Bohadi area in the city of Sirte.

"The terrorists are stationed in rugged valley areas, some 80 kilometers south of Bohadi," Sweti told local media on Monday.

IS affiliates in December 2015 were defeated and expelled from Sirte, some 450 km east the capital Tripoli, by forces allied with the UN-backed government, backed by US air force.

"IS members also searched cars of civilians passing by," Sweti added, pointing out that Sirte's security force "rushed to the area immediately after receiving information about presence of terrorists. However, the terrorists had fled."

"IS affiliates attack shops south of the area of Bohadi from time to time and establish checkpoints on the main road," Sweti said.

IS fighters attacked an army checkpoint in southern Libya on August, killing several army soldiers.
newsandtech.com expired on 10/18/2022 and is pending renewal or deletion.

Backorder Domain
We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription.
The US should look at Moroccos comprehensive anti-terrorism strategy in its efforts to put an end to mass shootings, said the editorial board of the Christian Science Monitor (CSM)

In the wake of 9/11 attacks, the US launched a counter-terrorism strategy that proved efficient abroad though lone wolf killers inspired by radical Islam, such as those responsible for the shootings in San Bernardino, Calif., in 2015 and Orlando, Fla., in 2016, have been difficult to detect ahead of time, said the paper, adding that  Its also been difficult to identify non-Muslims, who, motivated by racism, revenge, or anti-Islam bigotry, have planned attacks, and prevent them from carrying them out.

In this respect, the CSM advices the US to take the example of Morocco as a country that has experienced a shift in public attitudes.

After a series of terrorist attacks in Casablanca that killed 45 in 2003, the North African nation launched a holistic and proactive approach aimed at reaching deep into society to avert further attacks, the article highlights.

It also recalls that Morocco was praised in the US State Department report last July for its multidimensional strategy, which places at the top of its priorities the objectives of economic and human development, vigilant security measures, as well as regional and international cooperation.

Morocco has made social reforms, such as granting rights to women in hopes they might better prevent radicalization, said the CSM, noting that the Kingdom has taken economic reforms aimed at its poorest regions in order to reach marginalized youth.

It encouraged Muslim preachers to promote a peaceful version of Islam. It beefed up security agencies to provide community-based policing and better track individuals supporting the Islamic State group. And if radicalized Moroccans are captured, the government tries to de-radicalize them and reintegrate them into society, underscores the article.

Morocco is now considered a leader in the battle of ideas taking place in the Muslim world, according to an article in Foreign Affairs magazine last year, and in forging a more inclusive society.
King Mohammed VI of Morocco held talks with Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Ben Hamad Al Thani, shortly after he arrived in Doha Sunday, coming from the United Arab Emirates.

The two heads of state held tete-a-tete talks before they chaired a meeting attended by the members of the delegation accompanying the Moroccan Monarch, including Royal advisor Fouad Ali El Himma, Foreign Affairs Minister Nasser Bourita, Director General of Studies and Documentation Department (DGED), Mohamed Yassine Mansouri, and several senior Qatari officials.

The excellent relations between the two brotherly countries and the shared will of the two Heads of State to consolidate further bilateral cooperation in various fields were at the center of talks.

The King of Morocco and the Emir of Qatar also discussed regional and international issues of common concern.

During his five-day friendship and work visit to the United Arab Emirates, King Mohammed VI attended on Wednesday the official inauguration of the Louvre Abu Dhabi museum and held a meeting Saturday with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

The two leaders discussed the latest regional developments and international issues of mutual concern, as well as the brotherly and excellent ties binding the two countries and ways to strengthen further their multi-faceted strategic partnership.

The royal visit is taking place at a time Qatar is in a standoff with its Gulf neighbors, namely the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, plus Egypt.

Since the outbreak of the crisis last June, when the four countries severed their relations with Qatar over its alleged support of terrorism and sidelining with Iran, King Mohammed VI maintained close and continuous contact with the different parties and Morocco offered his mediation to defuse the crisis.

A statement released then by the Moroccan foreign Ministry had pointed out that King Mohammed VI called on all parties to show restraint and wisdom in order to defuse tension and overcome the crisis with a view to finding a lasting settlement to the causes that have led to the current situation in line with the spirit that has always characterized the GCC.

Morocco, which remains closely linked to Gulf countries in all fields despite geographic distance, is very concerned with this crisis although it is not directly involved in it, the statement had said, noting that the North African Kingdom has adopted a constructive neutrality which does not confine it to a passive observation of a disturbing escalation between brotherly countries.

Many analysts saw in this visit a potential to defuse the Gulf crisis, given the close ties binding Morocco and the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
Prime minister of Saint Lucia, Allen Michael Chastanet, in his quality as president of the secretariat of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), has reiterated support for Moroccos sovereignty over the Sahara.

Chastanet told the press after a meeting with head of the government Saad Eddine El Othmani in Rabat Saturday that the OECS backs Morocco in its efforts to preserve its territorial integrity.

Chastanet also thanked Morocco for the relief it sent following hurricanes that hit the Caribbean region.

He said his meeting with Othmani was an occasion to examine means to foster bilateral cooperation and reinforce relations between the two countries private sector, via the opening of an OECS diplomatic office in Morocco.

For his part, head of the government welcomed the position of St Lucie and the OECS in favor of Moroccos territorial integrity and unity.

On this occasion, El Othmani underscored Moroccos willingness to bolster bilateral ties with the OECS at the economic, trade and tourism levels.
Photo: William Manning/Getty Images

Donald Trumps presidency has made white supremacy as apparent to white liberals as it has always been to black Americans  as stark as a beige Band-Aid on a brown childs knee. Gauche in every aspect, from his tamarin blowout to his gilded parlor, Trumps lack of subtlety has had the effect of making racism feel fresh again.

The immediate threat posed by Trump has caused many black Americans to ping-pong between declaring our cynicism (we tried to tell you America has always been racist!) and combating the complacency to which cynicism often leads.

In a much-praised excerpt from his forthcoming book We Were Eight Years in Power, Ta-Nehisi Coates seems similarly caught between the instinct to sound the alarm, and a desire to point out that the bell has long been ringing. Tracking white supremacy through history into the present, Coates frames Trump as the apotheosis of Americas racial legacy  its first president for whom whiteness is so essential that he might be considered our first white president, rather than our 44th. This provocative description of Trump feels calculated to inject urgency into an argument which otherwise leans heavily on the banality of political racism.

That instinct is an understandable one  Trumps threat does feel both particularly exigent and especially racialized. But Coatess other narrative, which rightly casts racism as a historical constant, proves that racism alone is an inadequate explanation of Americas current political predicament.

The intellectual context for Coatess essay is a debate that has been boiling over since the election: To what extent was Trumps election attributable to racism as opposed to other factors, including class? Coates argues, persuasively, that race has been used to derail class equality since Americas inception: The tightly intertwined stories of the white working class and black Americans go back to the prehistory of the United States  and the use of one as a cudgel to silence the claims of the other goes back nearly as far. Coates describes a bargain in which poor whites were promised salvation from the lowest rung of American society  that occupied by black slaves  in exchange for white identity. The presence of a racial underclass transformed the status quo into a prize worth defending: Poor whites who might otherwise have asked to be freed from their poverty were instead appeased with the gift of relative superiority. Whiteness was intended to prevent the formation of a multiracial economic coalition that might have served to create a version of America which hewed much more closely to its foundational ideals than does the country we live in today.

Of course, racism is central to understanding Trumps election, as it is to diagnosing what ails American politics more generally, but Coates takes it a step farther, casting those who focus on the role economic anxiety played in 2016 as disingenuous apologists who only emphasize class in order to avoid their own complicity. He characterizes such thinkers as indifferent to the monstrous incarceration of legions of black men, the destruction of health providers for poor women, the effort to deport parents, excessive police force, and the punitive treatment of black schoolchildren  in short, those policy concerns that are inextricably racial in nature.

Coates is right to highlight how race affects the level of public sympathy for those who suffer (for example, the opioid epidemic is a crisis while crack babies were a scourge); Obama would never have been elected if he, like Trump, compared his penis size to that of his political opponents; the struggles of the black working class are considered pedestrian, while the concerns of the white working class launched a thousand think pieces.

Coates reads economic anxiety as a red herring because, historically, it has been used to leverage sympathy for, as Hillary Clinton once described them, hard-working Americans, white Americans. But he errs in allowing history to wield too much power over an as yet unwritten future. The racist nature of Trumps agenda has had another effect: It has primed some liberal activists and writers to be distrustful of any political coalition which fails to center race. But it is class, not race, that is the best basis on which to form the foundation of a progressive coalition.

Barack Obamas two campaigns are a powerful model for what a presidential pitch centering economics, rather than race, sounds like. As Michael Gerson, a speechwriter for President George W. Bush and Bob Dole observed, Obamas 2012 stump speech was very much an FDR Democratic class-warfare speech  Hes very much running on economic populist themes in tough economic times. Highlighting class, Obama was able to win decisive numbers of white voters in crucial midwestern states. Despite his own identity, he won. Twice. Democrats should not let Trumps racism drive them away from that effective strategy.

Its often argued that centering economics means abandoning racial or other identity groups that have fought hard for unprecedented (and well-deserved) political leverage over the past few decades. (Perhaps Obamas race allayed those fears.) But political messaging is not a zero-sum game. The question is not identity politics or economic justice, but how to adopt a complementary union of the two.

Identity is a crucial part of policy development and implementation, and it will continue to be as long as historical (and contemporary) prejudice yields racial disparities which can be either redressed or exacerbated by government policies. There is also significant symbolic value in the success of diverse political representatives: Last Tuesdays electoral results in Virginia reflected an increasing acceptance of nontraditional (read: non-cis white male) candidates that is rightly heartening. But while it may be tempting to take Tuesday as a lesson in the power of identity, its worth noting the political substance behind those identities. Danica Roem, celebrated as one of the first openly transgender legislators in America, confronted her opponents bigotry with a campaign rooted not in her identity, but the local issue of her districts traffic concerns. If anything, Roems success, and the success of nearly two dozen Our Revolution candidates who embraced Sanderss economic justice message, speaks to the power of centering policy.

This doesnt mean that identity should be downplayed or erased either, but that, especially on a national level, identity politics should play a more strategic role in political messaging.

For example, Democrats should consider whether its a good idea to emphasize the white people in the top 1%, when the complaint is chiefly about wealth, power, and corruption. Accurately identifying the role of racism in wealth inequality is crucial for policy development and political redress, but when appended to an otherwise broadly inclusive class critique, centering race can reinforce the false identity of interest between poor and wealthy whites that early American elites cultivated for their own self-interest, and which Coates cynically describes as unshakable. This type of empty virtue signaling isnt just irritating. It can actually hurt the cause.

One particularly revealing study, by the political scientists Edward Carmines and Geoffrey Layman, suggests that, regardless of their racial attitudes, Republican voters are unlikely to support government programs. But while Democrats in general view such programs more favorably, those who express antagonistic attitudes toward blacks are much less likely to support government programs if they are framed in racial terms.

In other words, racial signaling isnt likely to have much of an effect on the Republican base  they are already ideologically predisposed to reject government help for the problems of minorities. But it does have an effect on those voters who would support progressive policies if not for their racial animus. Its the progressive deplorables in our midst who are the real problem  at least from an electoral perspective.

And there are a significant number of progressive deplorables, as evidenced by the 25 percent of Hillary voters who believe that black Americans are more lazy than whites. Although the Reuters/Ipsos poll, which showed that an even greater percentage of Trump voters held racist attitudes, was used as proof that Trump voters were beneath political notice, no one has suggested that the Democratic deplorables be purged from the party, and with good reason: Democrats cant afford to leave those votes on the table. Of course, some people are forever beyond the partys reach, but thats no reason to abandon all efforts to secure those swing voters whose support helped win elections in 2008 and 2012, but who, in 2016, gave the presidency to Trump. (I suspect this is what Steve Bannon had in mind when he claimed: [T]he longer they talk about identity politics, I got em. I want them to talk about racism every day. If the left is focused on race and identity, and we go with economic nationalism, we can crush the Democrats.)

Examples of this phenomenon abound: Forty-six percent of registered voters famously viewed Obamacare unfavorably when polled, compared with only 37 percent when asked about the Affordable Care Act. The means-tested program Aid to Families With Dependent Children was designed during the New Deal era to help white mothers while excluding black families. It became increasingly reviled when civil-rights gains gave greater access to black Americans, about whom white Americans developed punitive and antagonistic attitudes.

None of this should be surprising after reading Coatess historical account  tragically, in America, black lives dont matter. But given this political reality, progressives should think hard about whether its good strategy to make black faces the singular mascot of a broader and more inclusive movement. Race is an important factor in this narrative, but centering it exclusively risks shifting focus away from those voter concerns that politicians can actually control. Personal prejudice, unfortunately, is not one of them.

And yet the tacit prescription offered by some Democrats to remedy the ills of white identity politics is, inexplicably, to double down on identity-based messaging. Some Democrats even take this so far as to argue that the party should not reach out to Trump voters at all because they are racist - advocating by implication that we cede those voters completely to the right. This is where identity politics, despite its benefits, has the potential to be most dangerous.

Photo: John Taggart/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Centering race as paramount, Coates is dismissive of the leftist critique that Democrats have abandoned labor, and their status as the party of the working people, in favor of empty identity politics. He chides Sanders for finding fault with the Democratic Partys inability to communicate with the white working class, and characterizes the lefts suggestion that Democrats have a class issue as a category error. The real problem, he says, is that white workers are not divided by the fact of labor from other white demographics, he argues. They are divided from all other laborers by the fact of their whiteness. In other words, Coates argues, The Democrats arent the party of white people  working or otherwise. Certainly, a substantial portion of the white working class has been persuaded to identify as white first and working class second. But how does scoffing at economic anxiety  which is at times wielded as a pretext for racism, but is also an expression of legitimate concern  help reverse that trend?

On the other hand, Coates vastly overstates the work done by identity politics. Confusingly, he credits the empty performativity of the Clintons racial outreach while dismissing economic-justice efforts as insufficiently deferential to Americas racial legacy. He lumps New Democrat Bill Clinton and socialist Bernie Sanders together as similarly complicit in failing to center race, calling their approaches raceless anti-racism. By contrast, he praises Hillary Clinton for acknowledging the existence of systemic racism, despite the fact that her rhetorical gesture had no discernible effect on voter turnout, and didnt appreciably shape her largely-centrist-until-nudged-left-by-Sanders policies. By contrast, Sanders and the progressives who support his movement argue that unifying objectives like universal health care, free education, and a living wage provide greater potential to build a broader, stronger political coalition.

Economic justice isnt a panacea. Criminal-justice reform, immigration, and voting rights, for example, are all crucial progressive issues rooted in identity which would become less visible if we didnt see race. But without a strong class-based argument, Democrats will be left to rely on the twin engines of demographic change and racial solidarity to win in the future. Unfortunately, neither is reliable.

Although identity can, at times, serve as shorthand for political views, it provides no more certainty than a stereotype. Racial groups are not monolithic  nor are their voting patterns written in stone. It is the height of hubris, for example, to assume that non-Hispanic immigrants and non-immigrant black Americans would be equally invested in immigration activism as are certain recently arrived Latinx communities. Latinx communities are themselves quite politically diverse, with an incredible 34 percent of Latinx voters choosing Trump in 2016  a significantly larger proportion than won by Mitt Romney in 2012.

And as depressed voter turnout among African-Americans and Latinx voting trends suggest, all Americans, regardless of color, need a principle to vote for, not just an enemy to resist. For those living on the margins, incremental change is a life sentence to inhumane conditions, and Democratic candidates whose biggest selling point is being not as-racist-as-the-next-guy are unlikely to secure the voter investment Democrats need in 2018 and 2020. Simply put, relying on identity alone is a bad bet.

My ultimate quibble with Coatess piece is with its pessimism  the presumption that the union between rich and poor whites, forged in the heat of antebellum anti-black antipathy, is Americas destiny as well as its past. Coates argues that admitting race, rather than class, was the proximate cause of Trumps electoral victory would mean that leftists would have to cope with the failure, yet again, of class unity in the face of racism. But that presupposes that class unity was attempted by the Democratic Establishment in 2016. Tragically, it was not. Perhaps, if it had been, there would be no need to address the phenomenon of our first white president. Wed be discussing our first female president instead.
Hariri. Photo: Tasos Katopodis/Getty

In a strange interview given on a Saudi television station that he owns, a haggard-looking Lebanese prime minister Saad Hariri said that he was not being held against his will by Saudi Arabia, days after his abrupt resignation and flight from Lebanon startled the Middle East.

Hariri said he would be returning to Lebanon in a few days to formally submit his resignation.

His decision to step down on November 4 left political observers baffled. But many speculated that Saudia Arabia had forced Hariri, who is a Sunni Muslim, to resign in an effort to isolate Hezbollah, the Shiite militant group and Iran ally that has enormous influence in Lebanon. In initial remarks after his resignation, Hariri condemned Hezbollah for creating discord, devastation and destruction, proven by its interference in the internal affairs of Arab countries.

On Sunday, Hariri framed his departure as a wakeup call for Lebanon not to get involved in regional conflicts, and maintained that he was free to travel as he pleased. But reports have indicated that Hariri is, in effect, a Saudi hostage, and his uneasy performance on Sunday is unlikely to quell that impression.

Saudi Arabia and Iran are engaged in a long-running proxy war that includes battlefields in Syria and Yemen, where an already devastating Saudi blockade has left famine imminent. Saudi Arabias increasingly assertive foreign policy, which also includes a blockade of Qatar, coincides with the rise of 32-year-old Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who recently ordered the arrests of a number of prominent ministers, princes, and businessmen under an ostensible corruption crackdown. That move, as well as bin Salmans aggressive posture toward Iran, has the backing of President Trump.

After Hariris resignation, Hezbollah accused Saudia Arabia of declaring war on Lebanon, raising fears of a new regional conflict. Whether Hariris return to his country will calm the waters in any substantial way remains to be seen.
Residents look at the damage in Sarpol-e Zahab. Photo: FARZAD MENATI/AFP/Getty Images

A 7.3 magnitude earthquake hit the Iran-Iraq border late on Sunday, killing 328 people and injuring 3,950, according to the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency. The death toll is expected to rise.

The quake was centered 19 miles from the Iraqi city of Halabja, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Shock waves were felt as far away as Israels Mediterranean coast.

Eight people have been reported dead in Iraq, but most of the casualties were in Irans Kermanshah Province, where some of the countrys poorest regions are located. Rescuers worked through the night to dig people from rubble, and some people slept on the streets because they were afraid of aftershocks.

Earthquake survivors wait outside damaged and collapsed buildings in Kermanshah, Iran. Photo: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Irans supreme leader, expressed his condolences on Monday and ordered military and government forces to assist in the rescue efforts. Prime Minister Binali Yildirim of Turkey said his country was sending food and medical aid, and supplies had already arrived in the Iraqi city of Sulaimaniyah.

Members of the Turkish Red Crescent distribute aid to survivors in Sulaimaniyah, Iraq. Photo: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

The county of Sarpol-e Zahab in Iran appeared to be particularly hard-hit. In a video posted online by Irans government newspaper, a resident said help had yet to arrive.

There has been no help yet, neither food nor water, no clothing, no tents, there is nothing, the man said. There are no facilities yet. Weve slept outside since last night. This is the condition of our homes. Our electricity, water, gas, phone lines are out, everything is completely out, the whole city has been destroyed, it is wrecked.

Iran sits on dozens of fault lines and deadly quakes are not uncommon. In 2003, more than 20,000 people were killed when an earthquake hit the southern city of Bam.
The embattled Senate candidate speaks at a mid-Alabama Republican Clubs Veterans Day event on November 11, 2017 in Vestavia Hills, Alabama. Photo: Wes Frazer/Getty Images

Roy Moore began dismissing the Washington Posts report that he pursued romantic relationships with teen girls when he was in his 30s as fake news before the story was actually published. Then on Sean Hannitys radio show, the Republican Alabama Senate candidate denied even knowing Leigh Corfman, who accused him of molesting her when she was 14. However, he was cagier when asked if he ever dated teenagers in the late 70s and early 80s, saying it would have been out of character. He said if he did date any teen girls, he would have gotten permission from their mothers.

It was not the clearest denial, but soon we may get a better picture of what facts Moore says the paper got wrong. At a Christian Citizen Task Force forum in Huntsville, Alabama, on Sunday night, Moore said the Post had impugned his character and reputation because they are desperate to stop my political campaign, adding, these attacks said I was with a minor child and are false and untrue  and for which they will be sued.

Or perhaps there wont be any legal action. Moore offered no details about what kind of suit he planned to file, or when he planned to file it. As NBC News notes, both President Trump and Harvey Weinstein threatened to sue the New York Times after the paper published allegations of their sexual misconduct, but neither suit has materialized.

Moore also said he planned to reveal more information about the background of his accusers. Weve still got investigations going on, Moore said. Were still finding out a lot we didnt know.

It appears hes already following through on that promise, with help from Breitbart News. The Post reported that the outlet sent its employees to the state to investigate the four women who accused Moore of misconduct.

It was Breitbart that ran Moores denial of the Post report shortly before it was published, and the outlet has been pushing the idea that the allegations are the result of Democrats scheming with the BezosAmazonWashington Post.

That effort continued on Sunday, when Breitbart published a report titled Exclusive: Mother of Roy Moore Accuser: Washington Post reporters Convinced My Daughter to Go Public. It reads:

Corfmans mother, Wells, told Breitbart News that reporters for the Washington Postconvinced her daughter to give them an interview. She did not go to them, said Wells. They called her.

They tried to convince her to do it? this reporter asked.

Yes, replied Wells, matter-of-factly.

Wells was asked about Corfmans motivations for going public. It wasnt done for politics, you know, Wells replied. It was done for personal reasons. And it wouldnt have been done if the reporters hadnt contacted my daughter.

Asked about the timing of The Post interview and why 38 years after the alleged incident her daughter decided to speak out weeks before the election, Wells replied: She was contacted by the reporter. Thats why.

Breitbart says this seems to indicate activist behavior on the part of the Washington Post reporters, but others said the activities described are called reporting. The Posts original report on Moore explained that the women agreed to come forward following multiple interviews with the paper:

Neither Corfman nor any of the other women sought out The Post. While reporting a story in Alabama about supporters of Moores Senate campaign, a Post reporter heard that Moore allegedly had sought relationships with teenage girls. Over the ensuing three weeks, two Post reporters contacted and interviewed the four women. All were initially reluctant to speak publicly but chose to do so after multiple interviews, saying they thought it was important for people to know about their interactions with Moore. The women say they dont know one another.

Earlier on Sunday, another national Republican, Senator Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, called on Moore to drop out before the election on December 12.

This is a terrible situation. [] Well probably never know for sure exactly what happened, Toomey said on Meet the Press. But from my point of view  I think the accusations have more credibility than the denial. I think it would be best if Roy would just step aside.
Staff Sergeant Logan Melgar. Photo: U.S. Army.

Late last month, we learned that two Navy SEALs were under investigation for the mysterious death of an Army Green Beret in June. It appears Staff Sergeant Logan Melgar, 34, died in embassy housing in Bamako, Mali, on June 4. The Intercept reported that one of the SEALs is Petty Officer Anthony DeDolph, a former professional MMA fighter; the other has yet to be publicly identified.

The SEALs initially said they found Melgar dead in the quarters they shared, attempted to revive him, then brought him to an emergency clinic. Then the autopsy found Melgar had died of homicide by asphyxiation, and they changed their story. According to the Intercept, the SEALs then said they had been grappling with Melgar around 5 a.m., and he was put in a chokehold  a common MMA move. They said he passed out from the chokehold, and then they took him to a medical facility.

Its unusual for a U.S. soldier to be killed by fellow troops, and that combined with the involvement of the elite SEAL Team 6 operators sparked rampant speculation about the incident. On Sunday night, a possible motive emerged. According to the Daily Beast, two special-operations sources say that Melgar discovered the SEALs were pocketing money from a fund used to pay informants. They offered to cut Melgar in, but he declined.

Its still unclear what occurred during the June 4 altercation, but Melgar lost consciousness and stopped breathing. The sources said he was dead by the time the SEALs and another Green Beret got him to a nearby French clinic.

The SEALs reportedly came up with an alibi even worse than the MMA story. At least one report said Melgar was drunk during their training session, but the autopsy report found no drugs or alcohol in his system. One source believed he never drank alcohol. Melgars widow reportedly raised concerns about the drinking allegation, and said her husband had told her he had a bad feeling about two of the SEALs he was working with, but would tell her the full story when he got home.

If true, this latest revelation raises questions about how the case was handled by the military. According to the New York Times, Melgars superiors in Stuttgart, Germany, suspected foul play almost immediately, and an investigating officer was on the scene within a day. The Armys Criminal Investigation Command spent months investigating the case, and it was handed off to the Naval Criminal Investigative Service in September.

Shortly after the incident, the two SEALs were flown out of Mali and placed on administrative leave. No one has been charged in Melgars death, though the SEALs are now considered persons of interest. Prior to the Times breaking the story last month, neither the Army nor U.S. Africa Command had issued a statement about Melgars death.
New pals Trump and Duterte at a gala dinner on November 12, 2017. Photo: ATHIT PERAWONGMETHA/AFP/Getty Images

After spending the past few days dealing with the fallout from his suggestion that Vladimir Putin is a trustworthy source on the topic of Russias election-meddling, on Monday, President Trump moved on to praising another despotic world leader.

In remarks before reporters during his first official meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines, Trump said: Weve had a great relationship. This has been very successful. And the ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) conference has been handled beautifully by the president in the Philippines.

When a reporter asked if Trump would raise questions about human-rights abuses in the Philippines, Duterte shut them down, saying, Whoa, whoa. This is not a press statement. This is the bilateral meeting. Then Trump chuckled when Duterte referred to members of the press as spies.

Trump and Duterte having a laugh about how journalists are *spies" "Hah, hah, hah" pic.twitter.com/6DjpIZznRc  Gabriel Snyder (@gabrielsnyder) November 13, 2017

White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said the topic was briefly mentioned during their private discussion. The conversation focused on ISIS (Islamic State), illegal drugs, and trade, she said. Human rights briefly came up in the context of the Philippines fight against illegal drugs.

Last week, Duterte said he would tell Trump to lay off if he brought up the 7,000 plus people who have been killed since last year in the presidents war on drugs.

Its no surprise that Duterte and Trump have been getting along. In an April phone call, Trump praised Duterte for his unbelievable job on the drug problem. (When President Obama suggested Duterte tackle the problem the right way, he responded by calling him the son of a whore.)

The Duterte-Trump alliance isnt all about the U.S. president kowtowing to a guy whos bragged about stabbing someone to death for no reason. On Sunday, Duterte serenaded the 19 world leaders at a gala dinner with the the Filipino love song Ikaw.

Ladies and gentlemen, I sang uninvited, upon the orders of the commander-in-chief of the United States, Duterte said.
Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. Photo: Mikhail Klimentyev/AFP/Getty Images

We have by now grown so inured to the sight of Donald Trump treating Vladimir Putin like a trustworthy source it was only moderately shocking when he dismissed his own countrys intelligence analysts as political hacks while refusing to consider the possibility that Russias dictator might have political interests of his own. Still, Trump made another comment in passing that deserves more attention. Speaking of Putin, and expressing his fear that continued investigation into Russian election interference would upset relations between the two countries, Trump said, I think he is very insulted by it, which is not a good thing for our country.

Consider how unusual a statement this is, especially coming from Trump. Trump is assuming that Putin is a sensitive soul who might be personally wounded by unflattering portrayals in the American media. He is further asserting that Putins emotional distress might cause him to lash out at the United States or harm its foreign-policy interests in some way. Trump is speaking to his country like a cowering mother warning her children not to upset their father.

Needless to say, this is the opposite of the imagery Trump uses to discuss almost everybody else. He is famously obsessed with dominance. Everything he does, he does strongly. (In his clean-up remarks, Trump walked back his dismissal of American intelligence like so: I believe in our agencies. Ive worked with them very strongly.) Trump portrays every relationship as a negotiation in which he is the figure holding leverage. When Republicans said during the primary they might not support him, he warned that they better treat him right or he would refuse to help them. He has threatened American allies to contribute more or he would abandon NATO. When he confronts adversaries, Trump insists they ought to be careful not to make him angry.

The prevailing theory used to explain Trumps Russophilia is that he gravitates toward figures who praise him and lashes out at those who criticize him. That would account for Trumps general friendliness toward Putin, which is in keeping with his cozy relations with all sorts of erstwhile allies. It does not explain his very unusual submissiveness.

What would explain it is the analysis supplied by Christopher Steele, the British intelligence agent turned private investigator who last year wrote an explosive memo on Trumps connections to Russia. In it, he reported that Russia had obtained compromising information on Trump over the years  including, but not limited to, a now-infamous and possibly apocryphal episode in which he allegedly hired prostitutes to defile a bed on which President Obama had slept:

Photo: Contributed by: Mark Schoofs, BuzzFeed

Its been well established that Russia habitually seeks out and collects compromising information on famous Americans who visit. I have no doubt that most every journalist and diplomat who has worked in Russia has such a file in his or her name, just waiting to be put to good use, reported Julia Ioffe earlier this year.

One might wonder what kind of information could compromise a figure as notorious as Trump, who has flaunted his extramarital affairs. Possibly something financial, showing that Trump has either engaged in illegal activity or has less money than he claims? (Trump is clearly secretive about his finances and has gone to great lengths to avoid disclosing them.) It is also possible that some forms of sexual activity would embarrass him. Michael Gross reported for the Daily Beast last year that Trump had hosted sex parties in which men were connected with younger and often underage girls. A man who is happy to be whispered about in connection with famous models might not be happy about stories like this.

It is also entirely possible that none of this is true. But the possibility that Russia has leverage over the president of the United States is both plausible and terrifying in its implications. In the back-and-forth over the Mueller investigation, we have lost sight of one of the most important questions in need of resolution.
We need less of this. Photo: Kevin Frayer/Getty Images

Most experts agree that the world is heading toward a catastrophic rise in global temperatures unless something changes drastically, and soon. But there had been at least one recent ray of sunshine on the climate front: Emissions plateaued in the last three years, bolstering hopes that wed seen the absolute peak of global emissions.

Well, it turns out we hadnt. Happy Monday!

In papers released by the Global Carbon Project, scientists predicted that emissions from human activity would rise by about 2 percent this year, to 41 billion tons. Thirty-seven-billion of those are a result of fossil fuels and industry. Its too early to say whether the rise is part of a trend, or more of a blip, but either way, its a return to the norms of the early part of this decade, when carbon output regularly inched upwards by multiple percentage points a year.

The bump is driven largely by China, which accounts for almost 30 percent of emissions worldwide. The country has invested heavily in coal to power its burgeoning economy, even as it attempts to assume the mantle of global leadership on climate change, with the United States in retreat.

Carbon emissions are also rising in developing nations, most notably in India  though the pace of 2 percent there is much lower than in recent years thanks to government-backed efforts.

Emissions are ticking down in Europe and the United States, but Americas retrenchment on coal (thanks, President Trump!) means it is projected to decline only 0.4 percent, less than in previous years.

The reports highlight the difficulty of meeting the modest goals of the Paris climate accords, which has been committed to by every country in the world except the U.S. They arrive amid the backdrop of a global climate meeting in Bonn, Germany, where the United States is represented both by the Trump administration and a shadow delegation attempting to assure the rest of the world that, even with a climate-denying president in office, the country still cares about averting disaster.
This is no laughing matter.

Fox News Sean Hannity recently found himself in some hot water after appearing to defend the actions of Republican Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore, who has been accused of initiating sexual encounters with multiple teenage girls while he was in his 30s. Since his comments, a number of advertisers on Hannitys show on Fox News have pulled out, including realtor.com, 23andme, and ELOQUII. The most high-profile loss by far was the coffee machine (and pod) company Keurig, which decided to withdraw its advertising from the show after being alerted of the issue on Twitter.

Angelo, thank you for your concern and for bringing this to our attention. We worked with our media partner and FOX news to stop our ad from airing during the Sean Hannity Show.  Keurig (@Keurig) November 11, 2017

This simple tweet launched Hannity fans into a frenzy this weekend, inspiring a totally rational, not-at-all-insane, fan-base-wide decision to #BoycottKeurig. Unlike your run-of-the-mill Twitter protest  which would usually stay almost entirely online  this one was much more serious. The Hannity fans of Twitter meant business. In the vein of the Boston Tea Partiers of lore and legend, there was only one obvious next step for these modern-day patriots: They had to smash their Keurig machines. (And upload a video of it to the internet to upset the liberals, of course.)

Liberals are offended by this video of a Keurig being thrown off of a building.



Please retweet to offend a Liberal.#BoycottKeurigpic.twitter.com/0qbHlmyqcA  Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) November 12, 2017

I pulled an "Office Space" with my Keurig... Would be a shame if everyone else joined me in the Keurig Smash Challenge #BoycottKeurig #IStandWithHannity #SundayMorning pic.twitter.com/yEADeRC006  Angelo John Gage (@AngeloJohnGage) November 12, 2017

Dear Keurig, I have had some version of your product in my home for over 10 years, but guess what...THAT ENDS TODAY! Just as it is your freedom to choose where you advertise, it is also my freedom to be free from you. You side with MSM REPROBATE I can fix that! #BoycottKeurig pic.twitter.com/v0EOk5Mwsp  BrewOnThis (@BrewOnThis) November 12, 2017

Im hearing a lot of you saying Wait, didnt they have to buy the Keurig to destroy it? Doesnt that cancel out the whole purpose of the protest? and let me be the first to tell you, you couldnt be more wrong: As civil-rights activists have long held, the point of protest is not to financially harm the companies youre protesting and pressure them into adopting your position, but to trigger libs online.
Photo: Bobby Doherty/New York Magazine

The Goal: Find the softest cashmere yarn. Expert knitters guided us away from yarns made of short hairs that pill quickly and toward longer fibers in plush, prewashed skeins.

The Verdict: Rebecca Kevelson started her knitting career a decade ago as a shop clerk at String, an Upper East Side boutique owned by Linda Morse, the woman who, with Luxury Knitting, literally wrote the book on fancy yarn. When her mentor sold the shop, Kevelson went on to write for Vogue Knitting, and she soon noticed a gap in the market for quality soft yarns. In August, she opened Clinton Hill Cashmere Company, offering threads measuring 15.5 microns, well below the usual cashmere count of 19 microns, making her fibers thinner and therefore silkier than just about everything else. Her cashmere gets sheared in northern China and Mongolia before its processed, washed, and spun in a high-end Italian mill. Kevelson doesnt hawk the kaleidoscopic array of colored yarn found at your typical Jo-Ann craft shop  she sticks to six simple solid hues for the no-nonsense holiday-scarf knitters.
The deputy mufti of Uganda Sheikh Abdallah Semambo has urged all Muslim-founded schools across the country to teach Arabic.

Speaking from his base at the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC), Semambo argued that research has found that the language is now internationally recognised as a medium of communication, for promotion of both business and the religion of Islam.

Semambo made the appeal recently, while presiding over special duwa prayers for learners at King Fahad Islamic primary school Busega in Lubaga.

As UMSC, we are appealing to all Muslim-founded schools and institutions across the country to embrace the culture of teaching the Arabic language... many schools have either ignored or deliberately failed to teach this language, an act which has denied students an opportunity to learn it. [Learning the language] will enable our children access jobs and opportunities in the Arab world.

He commended the schools management for insisting on teaching Arabic to pupils. The school head teacher, Hajji Swaibu Ssedomero, revealed that they are on an expansion drive.

"Our school has improved both in performance and enrolment of pupils; as of last year, we had 160 candidates sitting for Uganda National Examinations Board exams, where 120 passed in grade one, he observed.

He also urged the government to support private schools by waiving taxes on various scholastic implements.



nambafusafinah@gmail.com
The Sultan of Sokoto in Nigeria, Alhajj Muhammadu Saad Abubakar has pledged to raise more support for the Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU).

Speaking during his first visit to Uganda over the weekend, Alhajj Abubakar said he was pleased with the progress at IUIU and called for more assistance.

As members of OIC [Organisation of Islamic Conference], we need to come in and support the university, he said.

The Supreme Mufti Sheikh Silman Kasule Ndirangwa (R) greets the Sultan at IUIU Kampala campus in Kibuli

We should not leave this work to the OIC and Islamic Solidarity Fund (ISF), but come in and support by linking the university to other universities in the world.

The Sultan of Sokoto was a special guest at IUIUs graduation ceremonies over the weekend, at which 2,331 students received various degrees and diplomas, at the main campus in Mbale.

The caliphate supports over 400 students at IUIU, who are pursuing both postgraduate and undergraduate studies.

A day before the graduation ceremonies, IUIU officials held a special dinner in the Sultans honour at Speke Resort Munyonyo where he made the pledge for more support to the university.
Scholars across the East African region have expressed concern at the little governments support for research, leaving the bigger burden to foreign donors.

The academicians say the consequence of this is that donors dictate the direction of research and this, in the long run, may not help countries develop.

Prof Mike Kuria, the deputy executive secretary for the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA), said that it is saddening that the funds given by donors are not fully utilised.

Prof John Chrysostom Maviiri, has been appointed vice chancellor of Uganda Martyrs University

Overdependence on donors is risky; apart from the fact that research work may not solve the problems affecting countries like unemployment and poverty, the donors can dictate the direction of the research, Prof Kuria said.

Let East Africa lead in financing and publishing our findings  African problems will be solved by African solutions if we [fund] our own research.

Speaking at the International Communication Association - Africa Region's (ICAfrica), Regional Research and Publication Training workshop held in Kampala recently, Prof Kuria also said the low level of research and innovation commitment by governments doesnt match the momentum required to realize regional development visions.



STATISTICS

Unlike other countries in the world where governments are committed to funding research, the East African region invests less than one per cent of the EACs GDP.

According to IUCEA, South Africa spends 0.9 per cent of its GDP on research and publications development. However, this compares poorly with Israel at 4.8 per cent, Japan at 3.4 per cent, United States of America (USA) at 2.7 per cent and Germany at 2.5 per cent.

The findings also show that East Africa invests only 0.09 per cent in research and publications. IUCEA observes that the low investment in research and dissemination creates a weak environment for innovation, stifles human capacity development, and makes it harder to break the cycle of poverty.

Uganda invests averagely about 0.4 per cent of GDP, and as a region (EAC) invests less than 0.09 per cent of regional GDP. In both cases this is way below the Unesco recommended target of one per cent of a country's GDP, Prof Kuria said.



RESEARCH AND INNOVATION

IUCEA says the human resource position in research and innovation is still low; for every one million East Africans there are only 82 researchers.

For every new PhD produced in a year, 0.2 are lost to non-EAC countries  EAC partner state standards are at a level that does not speak well for internalisation of research and innovation, he said.

Prof John Chrysostom Maviiri, the vice chancellor of Uganda Martyrs University, while reacting to the findings, said EAC researchers are still weak.

He observed that East Africa is home to 11 of Africas top 100 universities, and three of Africas top ten business schools; however, academic research productivity is weak.

Right now the challenge we have is not the funding, but researchers who cant write good proposals and papers to attract funding, he said.

Prof Maviiri explained that UMU hosts such workshops to train and mentor young researchers especially at postgraduate level; we give them capacity before they ask for funding.

He noted that although Uganda only gives 0.02 per cent of the budget, the funds are not fully absorbed because researchers lack capacity to absorb.



justuslyatuu08@gmail.com
Five years ago, the law, engineering and medical schools of Makerere made their name for problem solving training. But as CHRISTOPHER TUSIIME found recently, the move is spreading to other parts of the university.

The chief coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), Gen Salim Saleh, has pledged to continue supporting innovations at Makerere University in order to nurture upcoming entrepreneurs.

Speaking on his behalf, the deputy OWC chief coordinator, Lt Gen Charles Angina, said they were proud to be associated with innovations in Makerere University.

The OWC fraternity commends the university for your efforts. You give us confidence that the future is brighter than others say, Lt Gen Angina said. I urge you students to be better people in the country and produce unique products than those on the market.

L-R: Prof WIlliam Bazeyo, Lt Gen Charles Angina, Prof Elia Hisali, Winner Jeannette, the winner and Dr Umar Kakumba, display the dummy cheque for To App

Lt Gen Angina was speaking at the second Entrepreneurship Students expo organised by the college of Business and Management Sciences (Cobams) at the universitys Freedom Square, on October 27, 2017. He added that OWC would continue to support innovations across the country.

The acting deputy vice chancellor for Finance and Administration, Prof William Bazeyo, revealed that the university management would set up an innovation fund to support students, whose ideas would be found viable. He represented the vice chancellor, Prof Barnabas Nawangwe.

Makerere University has big potential and the raw materials, the brains are here  if we were doing this [exhibition] every week, it would be an amazing place, he said.

On behalf of the university management, Prof Bazeyo pledged to support the best five innovators at the expo. He also requested Cobams to consider holding the student exhibition twice a year to be able to track improvements.

Cobams principal Dr Eria Hisali assured the students that success was possible as long as they partnered good sponsors. He explained that the exhibition was intended to help fight unemployment in the country.

On many occasions, we have seen a number of graduates moving from door to door looking for jobs. The main cause of this is students lacking the entrepreneurial skills; seeing this students' exhibition, Im impressed, Hisali said.

The dean of the school of Business, Dr Umar Kakumba, commended the students for their innovations and explained that the expo under the theme, MAK has talent, was about nurturing an enterprising mind. The college would continue working with various business partners to help students create an impact in their communities.

Speaking on the sidelines of the expo, Dr Peter Turyakira, the Cobams head of department of Marketing and Management, explained that the college had introduced theory to the students, who are then encouraged to put the ideas into practice. Dr Turyakira emphasized the need for a practical approach to learning at Makerere University.

He added that the programme would enable students to become job creators rather than job seekers. As coursework, we have decided that they should demonstrate what they have learned rather than repeating what they have been told, he said.

Students display briquettes as part of their innovation

The exhibition saw over 1,000 students showcasing various products, ranging from eco packaging materials, charcoal stoves, cakes, processed jam, honey, fruit shakes to juices and bushera (millet porridge), candles, and briquettes, among other products.

There were other presentations by public entities such as OWC, Uganda Revenue Authority and Pride Microfinance. Dr Turyakira explained that the move would eventually culminate into an entrepreneurship centre, to train students in how to start, manage and maintain their business ideas.

Whether you are an engineer, or a doctor, you need entrepreneur skills  how do you start a business, how do you sustain it? he asked.

He explained that the department hoped to encourage students to find ways of sustaining their businesses and end the adage that Uganda is the deathbed for many small-scale businesses.

The expo featured students drawn from various programmes, such as the Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Development Economics, bachelor of Arts in Economics, as well as the Master of Business Administration, Master of Economic Policy and Management.

The exhibitors, who were organised in groups of five to ten, were evaluated on their performances during the exhibition.

A team of facilitators from Cobams evaluated the 145 business ideas/innovations presented during the expo. The best five were set aside for recognition.

The best five included To App, a software developer, who earned the Shs 1m, for an application that monitors how students can obtain orientation and other information on where they can find their classes.

The second place, claiming a cash prize of Shs 700,000, was captured by Agro Innovations, a student group that developed a solar dryer to limit post-harvest losses. This dryer is able to store energy, when the sun is not shining brightly.

In third place was Nkwatako Beverages, a group of postgraduate students, who received a Shs 500,000 cash prize for their efforts in wine making.

Other recognised efforts included producers of various organic jams and bread spreads as well as Esperanza Limited, who made a charcoal stove from anthill soil and grass.

Among the many exhibitors was a group called Unique Candle Makers, who showcased new designs, including glass candles to limit fire outbreaks. The group is planning to make candles designed to repel mosquitoes, while leaving behind a good aroma. The move is aimed at reducing malaria in various homes.



Tusiime.chris20@gmail.com
Being born into a poor family can make a challenging start in life. However, as ALFRED OCHWO writes, there are ways to get around poverty.

Bulikya Nambogga is just 20 years old and a student at Kiwoko SS. She has an infectious but easy smile about her, as she explains her fortune at being in school.

I have never been a school fees defaulter, we attend camps, she says.

The senior six student is one of several beneficiaries of Concern for the Girl Child (CGC), since she joined the school in senior one.

Students of Mazzi SS cleaning cups

According to CGCs managing director Catherine Opondo, the organisation is engaged in empowering the girl child through education in the communities of Luweero and Nakaseke districts, and Nakawa division in Kampala.

During a recent visit of the beneficiary schools in Nakaseke and Luweero recently, The Observer found that CGC had provided to the girl child through education and health information, as well as advocating and lobbying for the rights of children.

CGC provides us with counseling and also provides us with practical skills; for me now I can bake cakes, fabricate shoes from leather, and make reusable pads, Nambogga adds.

In addition to education, CGC has built a multi-purpose hall in Mazzi, equipped with 25 computers connected with internet. The institution is also involved in advocating for child protection and psychosocial support, health support services, economic strengthening, advocacy and organizational development.

During the visit, The Observer learned that Opondos organisation had been honored by the locals for some of its activities.

Since the inception of CGC, we have impacted the lives of about 785 girls and their families and the impact has spilled over to the surrounding communities. We sponsor school fees, uniform, tour expenses, empower them into art and craft to make reusable pads and also built teachers' quarters, she said.

We are honored to have been recognized by Nakaseke and Luweero districts for our exemplary service delivery especially in providing education to the needy girl child, provision of water sources and construction of classroom blocks in the cattle corridor.

Students of Mazzi SS, one of the beneficiary schools, doing revision

Opondo adds that they also plan to construct a girls' dormitory at Kiwoko SS since 50 per cent of the girls in the school are beneficiaries.



HUMBLE START

Concern for the Girl Child was founded by Dr Ann F Hayes and the late Freddie Henry Kasozi of Luweero who appealed to friends and families to start an orphanage in 2001, but somehow it changed to supporting girls in secondary schools.

According to Opondo, they started with secondary schools, with Kalinabiri SS as the first to take care of orphaned girls. However, the large number of vulnerable girls persuaded them to develop the idea into a school.

Due to the many challenges Luweero district underwent [during the 1981-1986 guerilla war], it forced us to expand our support to also embrace Luweero SS, she said.

Although headquartered in Kampala, CGC activities are largely based in the old Luweero triangle, where Opondo and her colleagues are fighting to stem the high rate of girls dropping out of school, before their due date. They are doing this through a network of child rights activists.

These partners who are at the national, district, sub-county, parish and village levels have made it possible for us to reach as many beneficiaries as possible, she adds.

Our vision is to envision a world where all people are contributing to the social, economic and political development of their communities.



OPTIMISM

For now, the likes of Nambogga look to have reason to maintain an even wider smile. Nambogga is studying to become a teacher and be of use to her community, one day.

Teachers have always been my role models  adding value to society is the least I can do; after all that has been done for me. And many others are looking to emulate Namboggas optimism.



alfredodcho@gmail.com
Friends are meant to be friends forever. I thought this would be so with my childhood friend, Asante.

Her father had been a policeman for as long as we had known him. He was one of the few people that spoke Kiswahili in our village. For no clear reason, we dreaded him.

As children, we had always heard rumors that Asantes dad always had a gun wherever he went. We heard that even in bed, he had his gun under the pillow.

One adolescent boy did not grow weary in trying to lecture us on the difference between a gun and a pistol. He said Asantes father possessed both. What did it matter to me whether he owned a gun or pistol?

I never wished to find myself in a scenario where he had to use any of the two on me. Even the notorious thieves in the village avoided his home like a plague.

He had done his professional training in the neighboring Kenya, probably explaining the reason why his daughter had such a name. Asantes family environment did not deter her from making friends. I was one of her friends.

We all knew our boundaries when it came to visiting her home or calling her for games. It was difficult to forget that her father possessed a gun.

Life became slightly liberal when we joined university. At least Asante had moved away from the mean, lurking eyes of her father. However, it seemed that the spirit of her father kept hovering over her head.

Each time her new friends learnt of her family background, they kept a clear distance from her. This drew me to sympathize and bring her even closer into my life. We had come such a long way.

Right from attending the same schools to being village neighbors back at home. We shared a lot in common. Much as her father was dreaded because of his mean demeanor, Asante was by all means a good girl with a golden heart.

In my second year at university, Lady Luck smiled on me. I got a boyfriend. He was not the ordinary boyfriend just looking for another sexual escapade and run to his next victim.

He was the ideal man that every girl would want to write home about as the incoming in-law. I look back and even wonder why I, at first, played so hard to get  risking my chances of having this godsent angel.

Our relationship moved well for the two years we were at university. I told all and sundry about our intentions to get married upon graduation. This man was the kind that every girl would have loved to call the man of her life.

My friend Asante always reminded me of how lucky I was to have a man with all the good attributes. She had not been as lucky on the side of boy-girl relationships.

The few men that had proposed to her had literally asked her to bed hardly after a month into the relationship. She felt very frustrated and used.

It was her frustrations that drew her close to Rweshe, my man, for counsel. As her friend, I understood and shared her pain. Her closeness to my boyfriend did not bother me at all.

I knew it was as genuine and innocent as the intentions that led to it. With time, I started getting concerned when Rweshe started avoiding me. The long night walks characterised by fantasies of our soon-to-be home, the children we would have and all the silly jokes became tales of the past.

My naivety could not lead me to suspect Asante as the cause of my evidently crumbling relationship. I confided in her.

Just withdraw a bit. If he is interested in you, he will come begging for you, she soothingly advised me.

I took her advice. She had experience in failed relationships; so, she was the best-suited person to walk this journey with me. Withdrawing from Rweshe was the last nail in the coffin.

When we left university a few months later, Asante moved in with Rweshe. She did not fear her tough father; neither did she fear the gun, his deadly weapon. Of course she couldnt; she had not feared to disappoint me, her best friend!
Because of the unstable platforms we sometimes work on while using electronic media to communicate, many of us harbour lingering worries that we may lose our data and never recover it.

Unstable platforms aside, we are constantly reminded of the possibilities that our devices may crash or be stolen.

Now, what is one to do to put such worries to rest? The simple answer is cloud storage. This is a data saving option that enables one to secure their data offshore with service providers that include, among others, Dropbox, Google Drive, Livedrive, OneDrive, SpiderOak and SugarSync.

These services will let you store your data in one of their data banks, of course providing you with the requisite safety measures, including passwords.

However, what we are going to examine here is Dropbox. Those who are familiar with Dropbox may want to quickly point out that it is essentially a PC app. Whereas that may be true, the app enables you network with other devices.

I personally have Dropbox installed on my laptop but also have it on my smartphone, having the two devices talking to each other.

Oftentimes after discovering I cannot download a document or image onto my laptop because of poor internet connection, I simply resort to my phone, perhaps boasting a better connection, to do it.

I then immediately, and effortlessly, chuck them into my phone Dropbox where there will be instant syncing, thereafter I will find them sitting neatly and safely in the laptop Dropbox.

Dropbox works almost invisibly, appearing and working more like a part of your operating system than a separate app.

And that is not even the best aspect that makes me grateful and appreciative of Dropbox.

I once lost all the important data on my laptop  documents, photos, videos and all  due to the carelessness of a technician who was servicing it.

My initial reaction of devastation turned into total elation when, after remembering about my Dropbox account, proved that I could download most of the lost documents  down to the last full stop  from their website.

Jill Duffy believes Dropbox is among the simplest and most elegant cloud storage and file-syncing services. Writing on www.pcmag.com, she observes that dozens of apps integrate easily with Dropbox, making it highly versatile.

However, storage space that will be given to you gratis is limited. The free personal account starts you out with a meager 2GB, probably dissuading you from storing large files such as videos, though you can earn more space through referrals (an additional 500MB for every friend who joins, up to 16GB). A paid personal plan, called Dropbox Pro, includes 1TB of space for $9.99 per month or $99 per year.



fkhan@observer.ug
The death on November 8 of Ruhaama MP William Beijukye brought new political attention to hepatitis B, the deadly viral disease, which killed him.

On Monday last week, the state minster for Primary Health Care, Sarah Opendi Achieng, said the lack of information by health workers and a budget shortfall were to blame for the increase in cases of hepatitis B in the country.

According to Opendi, unlike HIV/Aids, which has adequate resources from partners to support counseling, testing and treatment, it is a challenge for hepatitis B.

We have a challenge because for hepatitis B, it is difficult to do individual counseling, testing and of course provide the vaccine. We are constrained with the resources and the health workers are not ready to provide all their time to every individual person that comes and is tested positive, Opendi told The Observer.

Her revelations came on the coat-tails of the death of Beijukye, from hepatitis B.

A-Plus Funeral Management handlers assisted by Uganda police carry former Ruhaama MP William Beijukye Zinkuratires body

At a special parliamentary sitting convened for MPs to pay tribute to their colleague, Veterans Affairs minister Bright Rwamirama blamed the hepatitis B disease on the refugee influx in the country, while other legislators expressed concern over the damage it is causing like shattering families and marriages due to inadequate counseling and guidance of the victims.

INFORMATION

Opendi said: There has been a problem in that some of the health workers did not have adequate information regarding hepatitis B. This has been a challenge but we have sent out teams to sensitise, educate and provide them with all the necessary information and guidance they need to give to the patients.

While appearing before the parliamentary committee on Health in August 2016, ministry of Health officials led by Minister Jane Ruth Aceng noted that Uganda is highly endemic for hepatitis B virus (HBV), with 52 percent lifetime exposure at 3.5 million, accounting for 10 percent of the population living with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

At the time, the highest infection rates were recorded in Karamoja (23.9%), northern Uganda (20.7%), West Nile region (10%), central region with 6 percent, and southwestern 3.8%.

Hepatitis B infection is a life-threatening disease caused by a virus. It attacks the liver and causes damage and inflammation.

The virus is passed from person to person through exchange of bodily fluids (including sweat), blood, unprotected sex, contaminated skin-piercing instruments or from an infected mother to her baby at birth.

The state minister for Housing, Dr Chris Baryomunsi, who is also a public health expert, says there are scars which form on the liver of an infected person and that in adults, up to 90 per cent of those who get infected recover from it, but 10 per cent of the cases usually progress to chronic hepatitis B where symptoms do occur.

In children, majority progress into the chronic phase with just 10 per cent recovering from the acute phase. Within the meagre resources allocated to health care, Opendi reveals that interventions have been made in high-prevalence districts in Acholi and Lango, followed by Karamoja, Teso and West Nile. Next is Busoga.

About Shs 200 billion is needed to cover the whole country for sensitisation of health workers and the masses, testing and treatment.

Opendi, however, said the other challenge is that health workers have no morale and are not willing to spend a lot of their time attending to hepatitis B patients.

We are finding challenges in the districts where we are operating in that even where we have taken the vaccines, the health workers are not willing to provide the vaccines throughout the week, she said.

They have been allocating one day in a week and for limited numbers. They can say maybe 20 patients and that is it, and that is why you see that the vaccines are not utilised at the rate we actually expected them to be utilised, she added.

Vaccination for children against this lethal condition was introduced in Uganda since 2002, meaning children who are 15 years and below have been protected through the routine immunisation.

Baryomunsi says when one tests positive, hepatitis B infection cannot be treated. Some relief can be provided to patients using antiviral drugs Tenofovir and Entecavir which suppress the infection so that it does not progress to active disease state.



SUPPRESS IT

According to Baryomunsi, a number of people who get infected go through a cycle as happens with other viral infections and then the disease just disappears on its own. But once it has progressed into an active disease when signs and symptoms can be seen in the patient, then it cannot be cured but you can only suppress it using the antiretroviral drugs.

The late MP [Beijukye] had the manifestations of symptoms after the election. That means he could have contracted it earlier but it was in the latent phase for a long time because the incubation period can extend from 30 to 180 days and then you go into what we call acute phase which lasts for about six months, Baryomunsi said.

You will have the illness but you are not showing the visible symptoms, it is only when it crosses to the chronic type when you develop the symptoms that you start seeing features of the disease. So, he could have contracted it much earlier but it took time to manifest and it was unfortunate that by the time the diagnosis was made, a lot of damage had been done on his body even when he got specialised treatment here in Uganda and in India, he said.

It was too late to save him because it had progressed into cancer of the liver which spread to other parts of the body including the lungs and this caused collapse of his lungs, leading to his death, he added.

Baryomunsi says unlike in measles where after immunisation one can still suffer from it, the hepatitis B vaccine is extremely potent to the extent that it gives one protection to over 95 per cent and rarely does it occur after one has been immunised, except maybe when a persons immunity gets compromised.



namuloki16@gmail.com
As debate on the contentious age limit bill continues to draw attention, parliaments legal and parliamentary affairs committee is baffled by the nonappearance of key stakeholders, writes OLIVE EYOTARU.



The legal and parliamentary affairs committee in parliament has until November 20 to hear submissions on the controversial age limit bill but with just seven days to go, the situation is mired because several witnesses have declined to appear.



The committee chaired by West Budama South MP Jacob Oboth-Oboth started work on October 31, by meeting Raphael Magyezi (Igara West), the drafter of the bill, which seeks to remove presidential age limits from the Constitution.

Legal and Parliamentery Affairs committee head Jacob Oboth-Oboth (L)

By the end of last weekend, only 13 out of the 31 individuals and groups had appeared before the committee to give their views on the bill which has generated widespread debate.



Last week, Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda disputed the insinuation of Richard Todwong, the NRM deputy secretary general, that Article 102 (b), which is the major pointer in the bill, was sneaked into the Constitution. Other people who appeared included Prof Tarsis Kabwegyere, the former Disaster Preparedness and Refugees minister, Ndebesa Mwambutsya and Leader of Opposition Winnie Kiiza.



Absent, though, were the Makerere University law school dons, who last month stated that they would not appear before the committee on grounds that the amendment bill was illegal.



On November 8, former premier Apolo Nsibambi and Makerere University lecturers Dr Simba Ssali Kayunga and Dr Yasiin Olum also didnt show up. In a move that took the committee by surprise, NRM Electoral Commission chairman, Dr Tanga Odoi, and Uganda Management Institute lecturer Dr Gerald Karyeija sent apologies requesting for another meeting day.



On November 9, the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU), Uganda Local Government Association (ULGA), Uganda National NGO Forum and Eastern Africa Center for Constitutional Development were scheduled to appear but none showed up.



When contacted, Rose Gertrude Gamwera, the ULGA secretary general, told The Observer they asked to re-schedule their meeting to a later date. She explained that the association is still monitoring the decisions of all district councils before coming up with a solid position.



Martin Ojara Mapenduzi, the ULGA vice president (North), confirmed that a five-member committee resolved to conduct more consultation with the local governments. This will give the district councils time to table their resolutions before the association makes a more holistic presentation before the committee.



What we will present before the committee should be voice of the local governments. We need to get all their views and some local governments have already passed resolutions and communicated them. We require a minimum of 78 districts, that is, two thirds, to make that decision, Mapenduzi said in a phone interview.



IRCU, in a letter dated October 27 and signed by its secretary general, Joshua Kitakule, also declined the invitation.



I wish to report that the Council of Presidents formally issued a press statement...this communication is, therefore, to regret the invitation. Please accept our apologies, Kitakule said.





The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has also followed suit. During an Extraordinary General Meeting held on November 9, members resolved that the society does not appear before the committee.

According to Francis Gimara, ULS president, the lawyers have resolved to engage in litigation to challenge the legality of the process. Gimara said this will be pursued once parliament passes the law.



This decision will be implemented when the bill is passed. You cannot legally challenge it now because it would be premature. Normally, you go to court after the bill has been passed as law, he said in a brief interview on Saturday.



MORE WITNESSES



Meanwhile, committee chair- man Oboth-Oboth was unavailable for comment. He, however, told The Observer in an earlier interview that those who have rejected parliaments invitations will miss out on an opportunity.



Their presence or absence will not affect the work of the committee and will produce its report, he said.



On Tuesday (tomorrow), the committee is expected to meet constitutional lawyers. They include Peter Mulira, Godfrey Lule, Prof Fredrick Ssempebwa and Prof George Kanyeihamba. Benjamin Odoki, the former chief justice, is also scheduled to appear but sources in the committee revealed that he will be a no-show.



Former presidential candidates Amama Mbabazi and Venansius Baryamureeba are also lined up but Dr Kizza Besigye and Abed Bwanika declined to appear. After the completion of Kampala hearings, the committee is expected to move upcountry for regional meetings.



eyotaru@gmail.com
Prof Joe Oloka-Onyango

Proponents of the ongoing commission of Inquiry into land matters, or President Musevenis countrywide tours to galvanise support for the unpopular proposed amendment on land acquisition are deluded they will solve the land question, experts have warned.

A one-year investigation by Makerere Universitys Human Rights and Peace Centre (HURIPEC) between November 2016 and October 2017 concludes that the land question is essentially a product of the political economy of a country.

It is a governance issue. Unless the politics of the land question is comprehensively addressed, focusing on the reform of law or policy alone will not resolve the problem, reads the report, whose framers are researchers who have deeply interrogated land disputes, administration, laws and policies.

The report, which was launched last week at Hotel Africana in Kampala and published under the Land Justice and Post-Election Governance in Uganda Project, is premised on the analysis of two fundamental points of departure.

First, that there is a deep land crisis, and secondly that such crisis is connected to governance introduced with the advent to power of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government led by President Museveni.

While officiating the reports launch, Dr Zahara Nampewo, the HURIPEC director, said they focused on Musevenis regime because land, as one of the historical problems, was one of the platitudes for the bush war, as reflected under point 8 of NRM/ NRAs ten-point program.

And yet 30 years later, it remains an issue. The NRM has failed at redressing these historical errors, she said.

Nampewo noted that in HURIPECs experience, working on the 2016 elections, with the support of Open Society Initiative Eastern Africa (OSIEA), land and natural resources became highly contentious issues during the 2016 elections, especially in areas of Bundibugyo and Kasese, hence the year-long investigations.



BAMUGEMEREIRE COMMISSION



The report, which is compiled by Prof Joe Oloka-Onyango, a constitutional law lecturer at Makerere University, notes that whereas the Justice Catherine Bamugemereire-led commission could be a worth-while effort, it is highly questionable whether the findings and recommendations of the commission will fundamentally alter the existential crisis represented by the NRM rule and the historical legacy of the colonial era, coupled with failed attempts at land reform by the early post-colonial governments.

While the public hearings of the commission have done much to expose the shenanigans of land sharks aided by a network of officially-connected and sanctioned individuals and groups, the fact is that it will do little to transform the coextensive system of patronage and the mechanisms of political control and dominance which have led to the crisis in the first instance, the report reads.

Justice Catherine Bamugemereire

The 80-page report further notes that land has become an intricate component of the networks of patronage, nepotism and neo-patrimonial governance which have been instituted since 1986.

Accordingly, the diagnosis of the report is that: the roots of the problem lie in the complete lack of transparency around the acquisition of wealth by senior government/public officials, the failure to institute robust mechanisms for ensuring accountability over the acquisition of that wealth and the absence of effective sanctions for those who take advantage of or simply abuse their positions of authority.

In sum, the system is rotten, and the rot begins at the top. That rot permeates not only the mechanisms in place governing the acquisition of public land, it extends into the arena of the administration of private land, hence the major problems afflicting the system of land registration in the country as a whole.

For that matter, the major conclusion of the report is that; unless the governance crisis is resolved, very little can be done to change the conditions of land mis-governance, impunity and institutional collapse which are but manifestations of the wider problem.

METHODOLOGY

In that respect, there were three regional investigations of land disputes and administration carried out by researchers, through key informant and in depth interviews, observations and document analysis, in a total of nine districts from the three target regions of the country  namely northern (Amuru, Agago and Otuke districts), western (Kasese, Kabarole and Bundibugyo districts all located in the Rwenzori sub-region) and central (Kayunga, Mukono and Kampala districts).

Besides, another team of legal experts led by Makerere University land law lecturer, Dr Rose Nakaayi, who is also a member of the commission of inquiry into land matters, and Dr Monica Twesiime-Kirya, reviewed the laws and the legal jurisprudence on land governance by pointing out the loopholes.

All studies led to production of separate reports, which culminated into one synthesised report entitled Land Injustice, Impunity and State Collapse In Uganda: Causes, Consequences and Correctives, with an illuminating mapping of the land crisis.

FINDINGS

The three main areas of focus for the report are Land Administration and Governance; Land Dispute Settlement and Adjudication and Land Impunity, which led to the broad conclusions, respectively.

On land ad- ministration and governance, the report indicates that there is an almost total breakdown of the institutions of land administration and governance in Uganda which is largely the result of; (1)inadequate oversight and protective mechanisms within the land administration and governance institutions; (2) insufficient resources and personnel to handle an issue of considerable magnitude; and (3) a proliferation of ad hoc, and largely incompetent institutions conferred with conflicting mandates over land administration.

Accordingly, it is observed that; absence of a comprehensive transformation of the powers, independence and oversight mechanisms of the officially-designated land administration bodies, improvement of the land regime will remain a pipe-dream.

As regards land dispute settlement and adjudication, the report notes that there is a need for a comprehensive overhaul of the powers and resources of the courts and a strong reaffirmation of their superior position and independence vis a vis the whole network of governmental institutions that should assist them to execute their mandate.

In the absence of such reform, the settlement of land disputes will not only remain a matter of increasing contention, but also of mounting frustration, reads the report.

As regards ending land impunity, the research notes that since those involved in land- related criminality are not only highly-connected public officials and significantly-placed non-state actors; their actions of large-scale evictions, Land Office forgery and various acts of bribery and coercion can only be curtailed through a vigorous process of prosecution.

But, in order to achieve the massive prosecution of the culprits in the land crisis, it is proposed that there should be inculcation of a new political dispensation with the necessary will to address the situation of impunity.

The signalling of such will can only come from the highest office in the land, the Presidency, reads the report.

The researchers opine that the disclosure of who owns what land and property, how they acquired it and whether their acquisitions match their earnings, is a prerequisite step that will lead to wider revelations of the wealth of public servants and those connected to them.

The demonstration of that will is only possible with a full disclosure of all the assets and liabilities of all public officials, commencing with the President, reads the report.

The way forward proposed by the report is that there should be a national dialogue to chart a way forward but with a strong focus on issues of human rights and governance.

REACTIONS

During the launch of the report, stakeholders, including senior citizens, religious leaders, cultural leaders, local leaders as well as academia, critically reflect on the reports findings.

Opening the discussion was Richard Mugisha, the executive director of OSIEA, who much as he agrees with the report findings on the land crisis to be an issue of state collapse, he argues that the diagnosis must be tilted further to encompass the land question in from the context of globalisation.

The question of land is global...If the argument is that citizens are stakeholders, who are the owners? If the deprivation of the land is for development, whose development is it anyway? Development without people is useless. Mugisha opened the discussion as he gave an anecdotal example of Madagascar, where land led to the overthrow of a government.

PREDATORY CAPITALIST STATE

Contributing to the discussion under the theme of land as a cause of conquest, domination and subjugation: The case of Uganda, Kalundi Serumaga, a native cultural and civic activist, said the report is a descriptive mapping of the land crisis.

As a descriptive mapping, it is fine but when it goes towards the end, it talks about the break- down of the state as the cause of the problem; then it is wrong to that extent, he said.

Serumaga argues that to understand the land crisis well, the curtain has to be taken back to the time when Uganda became an imperial state.

This period will help you understand that the situation today is not accidental but deliberate...it was intended to serve the capitalist system. Land question must be interrogated from that perspective, he argues.

Serumaga, who uses class analysis lenses, was not shy to inform the gathering that the land reforms must be appreciated from the global conversation of agribusiness.

The whites need more corn to feed their cattle and chicken but they anticipate that most of this corn will come from Africa. Now two things will be needed: the land and the production. The only way to get this land is through the local elite depriving peasants, which they in turn will give to the so-called capitalist in agribusiness, under the guise of foreign investors, he said.

On the needed production levels, Serumaga argues that this will be enabled through use of the genetically modified seeds.

But for the GMOs, they will need laws in place to regulate it. Explaining why they rushed to pass the law on GMOs as we were in the age limit debate, he said.

Serumaga concludes that to facilitate the needed outcomes, agri-business needs a government and a state system that supports it.

The current capitalist state is a robber, thief or armed robber. A robber cannot change habits. So, any proposed reforms within this state is wrong...the solution is to get rid of it and get back to our native state system that was good, he said advising that all citizen formations must be alive to the problem of land crisis from that context.

On his part, Daniel Kalinaki, a managing editor at Nation Media Group, agreed with Serumagas diagnosis.

The land question is not merely legal, political or administrative but it takes us back to 1884. Lets look at the companies that have come to take over. Who is buying this land and for what benefit? Rarely do you see someone taking the land and they develop it but they are merely commission agents, Kalinaki said.

Norah Owaraga, a cultural anthropologist, thinks that the solution is to get rid of the English legal system that commodifies land and is couched in the neoliberal paradigm.

If we are buying into the neoliberal paradigm, then the success of it is when the majority of the Ugandans are landless...English law can be subjugated by our old wisdom of the mutuba and user rights as opposed to individual ownership, she said.

GOVERNMENT SPEAKS

While reacting to the report and reactions to it, Betty Amongi the lands minister, disagreed with the report as being ill-informed.

What is a state that has collapsed? Uganda is not a state that has collapsed, if we are use the definition of the UN. Injustice; we have given titles to people, is that injustice? Impunity maybe to some extent, Amongi said.

On grabbing of land, Amongi disputed land grabbing; You will not see any person grabbing private land...The problem is on mailo land, which creates multiple interests and public land, she said.

On the part of investors, Amongi said investors are allocated land that belongs to government. In the case where they want private land, that is when we give technical support to help them negotiate, Amongi said.



skakaire@observer.ug
The age limit bill continues to split the rank and file of the ruling NRM loyalists at the grassroots.

After weeks of consultations by the ruling party MPs, members of NRMs central executive committee (CEC) joined the campaign trail last week and confronted for the first time the wave of public anger toward the Raphael Magyezi bill, which seeks to remove the 35 and 75- year age limits for presidential candidates.

The CEC members including cabinet ministers led 17 NRM teams across the country on a one-week campaign to market the bill.

Like many of their MPs who have come under fire in the constituencies for backing the bill, CEC members found the going rough in certain areas.

Hajji Abdul Nadduli; the minister without Portfolio and NRM vice chairman for Buganda, was embarrassed by walk-outs in Buvuma while in Mukono, the police had to save him from an angry group of his partys local leaders.

Abdul Nadduli arrives for the age limit consultation

Dominic Gidudu, who was sent by CEC to Sebei and Elgon sub-regions, faced the same fate in Sironko as NRM leaders in the district rejected the Shs 30,000 he was handing out for facilitation to popularise the bill.

In the western Kyegegwa district, some NRM leaders branded Justice and Constitutional Affairs minister Maj Gen Kahinda Otafiire an arrogant man after the outspoken minister told them that whether they wanted it or not, Article 102(b) would be amended to remove the age limitations.

Other protestations were witnessed at Kyotera district headquarters ahead of President Musevenis arrival with Tanzanian president Pombe Magufuli.

The two leaders were in the area as part of the official ceremonies flagging off works on the oil pipeline. Organisers thought this was a fine opportunity to market the bill to Kyotera locals. One by one, they invited local leaders to the microphone until the moment Vincent Kayondo, the LC-V councillor for Nabigasa, spoke against the amendment, attracting wild cheers.

To avoid such embarrassments, when consulting in his Bukoto Central constituency, Vice President Edward Ssekandi drew a list of the people he wanted at his meetings in Kabonera, Kyesiiga and Kyannamukaaka; the three sub-counties that make the constituency.

Only invited journalists were let in, and these were given instructions about what to and not to write about.

The reason why we selected you is because you are part of us [pro-NRM]; we dont expect you to write whatever youll see or hear in these meetings, Vincent Kityamuweesi Musuubire, an aide to Ssekandi, was quoted as having said by a journalist who attended the event.

The NRM vice chairman for Western Uganda, Maj Gen Matayo Kyaligonza, who had refused to join the campaign finally gave in on November 8 and joined the team sent to Bunyoro sub-region.

According to a statement by the NRM secretariat communications officer, Kyaligonza was apologetic for skipping most of the meetings in Bunyoro.

In Kigezi, Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda who was in the company of ministers David Bahati (Planning) and Chris Baryomunsi (Housing) indicated that the party would take disciplinary action against its leaders at different levels who are harshly critical of the bill.

He singled out Rubanda West MP Denis Sabiti for defying the party position to support the Magyezi bill. Rugunda went to Kigezi a week after Sabiti had held rallies and openly asked his electorate to reject the removal of the presidential age limit. Rugunda said this angered the party leadership since it was clear that the legislator is directly fighting Musevenis success and his developmental projects.

Rugunda is lucky that at least he had an audience unlike his colleague, first deputy prime minister Gen Moses Ali. Ali had to be saved by his military police guards from constituents in his Adjumani district. He had gone to consult as MP for Adjumani West.

Still in West Nile, the state minister for Finance in charge of general duties, Gabriel Aridru Ajedra, was also saved by police from his constituents in Vurra, Arua district who flatly told him to resign his ministerial post.

Ajedra had rather tauntingly told them that he would resign as minister if his constituents reject the bill.



ISSUES

Some NRM MPs looked at the efforts of the CEC members as a waste of resources since many of them have little influence.

Many of them are people who lost an election; how much can they do to change the peoples hearts? an MP who preferred not to be named wondered.

But Kassanda South MP Simeo Nsubuga, one of the key proponents of the so-called Magyezi bill, thinks otherwise.

We the MPs had failed to penetrate the structures being that our opponents, people that we defeated, are part of the structures. This is where they [CEC members] have helped most because they are highly respected, Nsubuga said.

The party is also looking at Musevenis unfulfilled promises as part of the reason for the widespread opposition to the bill. For instance, in Buvuma from where Nadduli was chased, Museveni has for years been promising the people a bigger ferry to ease transport between the island district and Mukono. For more than a decade now, the ferry is not forthcoming.

This in addition to concerns over health and education facilities, issues the locals raised in meetings convened by their MPs, Robert Migadde Ndugwa and Jeniffer Nantume Egunyu (Woman).

The ferry is a big issue in Buvuma and we suspect that it is the reason why the Buvuma MPs are opposed to the bill. But when you also look at the districts around Lake Victoria, opposition to the bill is high because of the highhandedness of the UPDF soldiers who were sent to fight illegal fishing, an NRM official said.



PARLIAMENT

Insider sources intimated to The Observer at the weekend that by the close of last week, the agitators for the amendments were short of the numbers required to pass the bill.

NRM wants to have at least 294 MPs to have the bill read for the second time in parliament but the estimated numbers were slightly below 290 with more MPs having a change of heart after consulting their constituents. The latest MP to openly speak out against the bill is Mawogola Souths Joseph Ssekabiito Kitayimbwa.

The problem is with the method of work; selected meetings as opposed to public meetings. If in a village of 500 residents you call only 10 and take them somewhere in the name of consulting them, and I consult the entire village, who is likely to get meaningful returns? I invited all my constituents and the voice was I should not support the amendment, Ssekabiito told The Observer.

NRM still has hopes of winning over some of the undecided MPs, some of whom are said to have requested to have a one-on-one meeting with Museveni to get assurances on the issues affecting their constituencies.

COMMITTEE

This week, the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs committee is expected to conclude its hearings in Kampala and travel upcountry.

NRM is understood to be keenly following the happenings in the committee where some of its members have made worrying statements.

For instance, when bill sponsor Raphael Magyezi appeared on October 31, the party leadership at parliament could not believe it when they saw their own members voting in support of chief opposition whip Ssemujju Ibrahim Ngandas demand that the Igara West MP be put on oath.

The NRM publicity secretary Margaret Muhanga (Burahya) openly castigated her colleagues for having supported the opposition in embarrassing Magyezi.

Other than the committee vice chairperson Robina Rwakoojo (Gomba West), Guster Mugoya (Bukooli North) and Remigio Achia (Pian), the party is not sure of the support of its other members on the committee.

We are preparing for the outcome of the committee, we are sure that the committee is coming out with two reports, a minority report and a majority and we plot on our next move, a source said.

The opposition is also on the other hand suspicious of the committee chairperson Jacob Oboth-Oboth. When the committee first met on October 31, Ssemujju accused Oboth-Oboth of working under pressure from State House.

On Saturday, an opposition member of the committee who preferred not to be named, alleged that the chairman already had a draft report and is trying to drive the committee to fit into the contents of his report.

They are also trying to manipulate our planned upcountry visits by ferrying people to come and fill up the halls, the opposition MP said.

On Saturday, Oboth-Oboth was presiding over a function in Tororo and could, therefore, not say much but refuted the claims by the opposition MP.

That is false and an insult, he told The Observer on Saturday.

Owing to the tension that the bill has caused in the countryside, it is unlikely that parliament will have any other business until it is concluded.

We dont expect the speaker to call MPs from recess to handle other things when we still have this bill, the source said.

sadabkk@observer.ug
Businessman, Abid Alam of Alam Group of Companies is to be arraigned in court soon to face murder charges after the commission of inquiry into land matters sent his file to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).



According to the Catherine Bamugemereire led commission of inquiry commission into land matters, Alam is under investigation for possible prosecution for murder, assault and grievous harm, inciting violence, disobedience of lawful orders and unlawful destruction of property, among others, relating to violent evictions in Mubende district.



To get to the bottom of the matter, joint investigations of the matter have since been launched by the police and the commission, supervised by the land crimes department in the office of the DPP, a statement from the commission reads in part.



It is therefore diversionary for anyone to claim that Mr. Alams arrest was politically motivated. It is the hope of the commission that the public, including those under investigations on land-related issues, should take the work and directives of the commission seriously.

Abid Alam (L) with President Museveni

The commission's secretary, Olive Kazaarwe issued an arrest warrant for Alam to all police stations on November 8 after receiving information about his involvement on a disputed plot.



The disputed land measures about 12 square miles. it is located in Bukoba, Mubende district and was donated to some 350 World War ex-servicemen by the Queen of England through the Kabaka of Buganda in 1954, according to information before the commission.



Alam claimed that his subsequent arrest and detention at Wandegeya police station in Kampala was politically motivated.



Somebody brought a lorry of innocent Ugandans, gave them pangas, guns and told them to go to a place called Bukoba and asked them to cut everything, Bamugemereire said on Friday as she closed public hearings in Mbarara.



The commission received numerous complaints from families of ex-World War II servicemen who claimed they were being violently evicted from a large chunk of land in Bukoba by agents of Alam since 2006. They said they had peacefully lived on the land for over 50 years.



Commission investigators were dispatched to conduct preliminary investigations into the matter. The commission had the opportunity to visit the disputed land between September 11 and 14, 2017. Representatives of the about 2,000 affected residents of the disputed land and Alam appeared before the commission sitting in Mubende to give their sides of the story.

Based on the submissions by both parties during the public hearings, the commission recommended further inquiries before it could make its final findings and recommendations. Effectively, the commission gave a directive for the preservation of the status quo by both parties, pending finalization of commission investigations.



However, contrary to the directive, Alam visited the disputed land on October 31 and he reportedly told the area Local Council vice chairperson, Michael Kintu that he had been cleared by the commission to utilize the land. He further asked Kintu to tell residents to leave the camp or he would evict them forcefully.

Some of the machetes allegedly recovered from Abid Alam's agents used to terrorise residents in Mubende district

On November 1, the commission received reports that Alam had returned with a group of about 20 strong men wielding clubs and machetes. They started clearing the area and also descended on a Catholic church structure under construction and razed it to the ground. Some people were injured in the ensuing scuffle.



On November 5, Alam led another group of more than 50 young men armed with machetes, clubs, iron bars to the Bukoba camp. The commission understands that Alam ordered the men to forcefully evict the residents and destroy their residences and personal belongings. A fight ensued and a number of people were injured on both sides.



During the Sunday scuffle, one of Alams private security guards lost a gun, but the residents reportedly took the weapon to their area deputy chairperson, Kintu, who later handed it over to security. The police was called in, but they arrived when the fighting had stopped and only focused on the recovery of the lost gun.



It is against that background that the commission on November 8 issued a warrant of arrest against Alam to be produced before the commission to answer charges of obstructing the work of; and disregarding directives issued by the commission, resulting into his arrest on November 9.



Mubende police sent five files from its investigation about the violent incidents for review by the DPP. However, the DPP noted that the investigations had been poorly conducted and ordered further investigations.



The commission understands that the businessman has since been released on police bond, pending the further inquiries under the supervision of the DPP.

alitwaha@observer.ug
The Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) has suspended 22 courses after they failed to attract substantive numbers of applicants.

The university rector, Dr Ahmed Kawesa Sengendo, says they can't run the courses in the 2017/18 academic year due to the small number of applicants.



15 of the suspended courses were being offered at the main campus in Mbale, three at the Kibuli campus and four at Kabojja female campus.

The affected courses include Masters of Arts (Islamic Studies English version), Masters of Arts in Religion, Peace and Conflict Resolution, Bachelor of Arts in Economics, Bachelor of Development Studies, Diploma in Library and Information Science, Master of Science in Environmental Science, Diploma in Business Administration and a post-graduate diploma in Project Planning and Management.

The university has also suspended a Masters of Business Administration, Post-graduate diploma in Public Administration, Post-graduate diploma in Human Resource Management, Diploma in Guidance and Counselling, a Post-graduate diploma in Education Management and Administration and post-graduate diploma in Management and Teaching at Higher Education and Certificate in Early Childhood Education.



Those suspended at the Kibuli campus include Bachelor of Statistics, Bachelor of Computer Science and Bachelor of Development Studies. Those suspended at the female campus are Diploma in Law, Diploma in Business Studies, Bachelor of Development Studies, and Bachelor of Procurement and Logistics Management.

President, Yoweri Museveni has severally complained about some of the arts courses offered by universities in the country, saying they are irrelevant.

He has in the past singled out courses such as Bachelor of Development Studies, Masters of Arts in Religion, Peace and Conflict Resolution, Bachelor of Arts in Economics as irrelevant.



Museveni has constantly expressed the need for more science and technology based programs, arguing that the 21st century is driven by unprecedented advances in science and technology as well as research and development.

The decision by IUIU to suspend the courses was reached during the executive board's 255th meeting held on September 7th 2017.



Sengendo, attributes the decline of applicants for the courses to the increase in the number of campuses being opened by universities in major towns across the country including Mbale where the IUIU main campus is located.



"This is a serious challenge since the University depends mainly on student fees to finance its activities," Dr Sengendo said. Adding that; "the university needs to find funds and strategies to do more marketing and search for students."



The university executive board recently proposed to use recruiting agents and offer them incentives to attract more students for the university. Under this arrangement, it was proposed and approved that a recruitment agent will be paid Shs 50,000 on each of the student recruited beginning the 2018 January intake.



The university has also proposed to increase fees for registration from the current Shs 80,600 to Shs 150, 000 in order to offset loss of income.

Currently, all the four campus of IUIU have a total of 8,056 students. The main campus has an enrollment of 3,761 students while there are 3, 334 students at Kibuli, 701 at Kaboja and 260 at the West Nile campus in Arua.



Dr Abdul-Aziz Alsabail, the Saudi Arabia based IUIU University Council chairperson, says they have to do whatever is possible to increase student enrollment since the university is heavily dependent on tuition.



IUIU was formed out of an agreement between the government of Uganda and the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC). OIC conceptualized the formation of the university in 1974. But was it was established in February 1988.



IUIU was established to serve students from English-speaking Muslim communities in Southern and Eastern Africa. Uganda currently has a total of 50 universities and other degree awarding institutions.
Woman giving birth from a bush in Kamuli

The medical interns have announced total withdrawal of all medical services including emergency services citing intimidation from government officials.

When the doctors laid down their tools last week on Monday, the Uganda Medical Association (UMA) announced that the doctors would maintain skeleton staff to attend to emergency services cases and pregnant women.

However, today the interns announced that starting today at 12am, they would withdraw all labour in public hospitals, because according to them they cant continue working under intimidation from government officials including Resident District Commissioners (RDCs).

The RDCs were recently ordered by President Museveni to write weekly monitoring reports about the state of hospitals, availability of doctors and medicines.

The medics are protesting low pay and poor working conditions. There are about 1,000 medical interns currently working in public hospitals.

The intern doctors say they have been working without the basic medical supplies such as gloves, sutures sometimes asking patients to buy them.

In a Thursday night press conference, minister of health, Jane Ruth Aceng ordered the doctors and misled intern doctors to return to work immediately or face the consequences.
The mathematical (and other) thoughts of a (now retired) math teacher,
We are interested in fuel briquettes ruf. We are ready to buy 100 tons per month at 100% payment.
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.
GLENS FALLS  Buyers and sellers had only one complaint about the first gun show held in the city in decades.

The room was too crowded.

Its OK, because next time we are going to have it on the ice rink, and there will be more tables and more room, said Martin Tretola, a Long Island-based promoter who said he had 120 tables for the show in Heritage Hall for his first Glens Falls Gun Show, but had to turn dozens of dealers away. We had plenty of dealers and plenty of people, and in March, well be able to have 200 tables and probably take care of everybody.

Tretola has booked the arena for two shows next year, one March 3 and 4 and another Oct. 13 and 14.

He said Saturdays show drew 822 people, and Sunday drew more than 400. We had a nice crowd, Tretola said. Everybody was glad we were able to come up here. They thanked us when they left.

Jane Havens of Calamity Janes Firearms and Fine Shoes in Hudson Falls said Saturday was really busy and Sundays turnout was respectable.

Havens, whose store has been open since August 2016, said she saw a lot of familiar faces at the show.

I saw a lot of our regular customers, but there were also some people from Vermont and western New York, she said.

Havens was the only local gun dealer at the show, but Paul Brockway, who prints t-shirts in Glens Falls, had a table as well.

Saturday was really busy. You couldnt move in here, he said.

Dealers came from across the state, and many seemed to spend as much time on the computer doing background checks as they did selling guns.

Havens said that in order to buy a handgun, customers already have to have a pistol permit from their local county. We dont have permitting for rifles or shotguns, but people still have to pass a federal background check before they can buy them, she said.

There is no gun-show loophole, said Steve Heath of Steves Guns of Stephentown. People have to pass the background check or have a permit.

Some dealers and customers declined to talk to a reporter, but most were friendly and willing to talk about shows and shooting.

The people you meet at a gun show  customers and dealers  are some of the best people you will ever meet, Heath said.

Bob McQuade of Comac Guns in Glenmont had a relatively quick trip to this weekends show, but will be on a road trip to Chantilly, Virginia, for a big show there later this week.

Like most dealers, he had plenty of modern firearms, but he also had a large selection of classic, handmade guns, including a double-barrel rifle with a $14,500 pricetag on it.

You look at some of the handiwork that goes into some of these guns and it is just amazing, he said.

There were plenty of other items beyond guns and ammunition. Some dealers had knives. Others had challenge coins, backpacks, targets, pink hats and posters.

The politically motivated posters leaned hard to the right, including a Lock Her Up poster of Hillary Clinton.

Recent mass shootings were not a common topic of conversation, but Karen Tremblay of East Greenbush, a gun dealer with her partner, Ronald Hertzel, had some strong opinions.

When you look at the church shooting last week, that man never should have been able to buy guns, if the Air Force had done what it was supposed to and report him, she said. As gun dealers, we like the laws, except for the SAFE Act. Thats just too much. But we like having to make sure people should be able to get the guns they are buying.

Havens, who is helping to organize a trap-shooting league for local high schools, said she has had positive experiences with law enforcement.

I work with local and national law enforcement, and they are doing their job, she said. I have excellent relations with them. And as a dealer, we have the right to not sell a gun to someone if we think they are suspicious.
NORTHUMBERLAND  Farmers talked taxes, trade, minimum wage, hemp and the future of farming on Monday as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue visited King Brothers Dairy Farm.

Perdue stressed the need for better communication and educating the public on the benefits of a wholesome, healthy food supply to expand markets during a question-and-answer session.

Communication is key. ... We lost a whole generation of milk drinkers. Whole milk is actually good for you, he said.

Perdue toured the King Brothers operation and was joined by three members of Congress: Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Willsboro, Rep. John Faso, R-Kinderhook, and Rep. Claudia Tenney, R-New Hartford.

He is in the process of visiting farms across the country to better understand the issues facing farmers on the local level. Perdue was appointed by President Donald Trump and took over the post in April.

Farm Bureau President David Fisher, speaking to a crowd of about 50 people, said immigration and trade top the list of concerns for farmers at the 35,000 farms across New York.

Farm Bureau Vice President Eric Ooms placed the blame on NAFTA and Canadian farmers driving down milk prices due to overproduction.

We are swimming in milk in New York, he said.

Dairy producers are unhappy Canadian farmers started selling milk proteins to domestic processors at a discount due to Class 7, a new pricing deal, which curbed American imports.

Rep. Stefanik said, Modernizing NAFTA and making sure we strengthen it, and dont throw the baby out with the bathwater as we go into these trade talks, is so important.

According to Perdue, President Trump wants an agreement.

Class 7 and Canada are hindering prices. It is against the spirit of NAFTA, Perdue said.

Future farmers

Jeff King, of King Brothers Dairy, said his sons will be entering college for agriculture and he hopes when they return they will want to take over the business.

The Kings attribute their success to a strong network of farmers, competition and farming groups such as 4-H and FFA.

We are very fortunate, King said.

Milk production on site offers a unique aspect to the business. His cows milk from the barns, and the milk is pasteurized and bottled right on site.

It adds to the quality, freshness and taste, King said.

Perdue certainly didnt mind pausing for a second chocolate milk while taking questions.

He also addressed the plight of small farms.

It is a matter of surviving. ... Most are just trying to hold on to what they have, he said. We are losing a lot of small dairy farms because that economy of scale.

Small farms face land challenges, with the transition of suburbanization of communities, central agriculture production and environmental issues, Perdue said.

Rep. Tenney placed the blame on state government.

We have some of the highest property taxes. Farmers rely on having large tracts of land. ... Some farmers mentioned the enormous minimum wage that has been imposed on farms in New York that is higher than the national wage and higher than our neighboring states and people that fall under a similar milk order determination.

They are putting our farmers at a huge disadvantage, Tenney said.

Hemp

It is not all bad news.

Perdue said the Northeast is leading the way when it comes to production methods and technology and farms are growing.

A new product that lacks federal support is hemp. New York has already pledged support for more research with $10 million in grant funding.

State officials are hoping the federal regulation of hemp will be reclassified in an updated version of the Farm Bill.

Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner, D-Round Lake, is among those.

Two billion dollars of hemp is imported annually into the United States, she said.

Woerner said hemp is a good rotational crop to go along with corn and soybeans.

New York has joined a handful of other states in support of growing hemp for industrial uses, which range from pet food and animal bedding to paint and fabrics.

Nearly a hundred people attended a question-and-answer session last month at Washington County Fairgrounds.

Perdue did acknowledge the difficulties behind the cash crop.

It is tough to regulate in nature, because there is an unregulated crop associated with it, Perdue said.
FORT EDWARD  For two hours, Washington County supervisors tried to find ways to cut the proposed 2018 budget.

But in the end, out of the $84 million budget, they only moved $15,000 from two lines to other lines. They didnt cut a cent.

They started out trying hard. Easton Supervisor Dan Shaw urged the board to make cuts so that the countys savings do not run out. The general fund balance will run out in less than seven years unless they cut back.

But we arent doing anything about it, Shaw said. Im saying we have to reduce. We need to deal with our problem as a whole, and not line by line. If we dont reduce spending and we have to dip into savings and its gone ... .

Budget Officer and Hebron Supervisor Brian Campbell agreed with him, but stood by the budget he wrote.

I think were all trying to avoid that, he said of running out of money. Im scared for the same reason youre scared.

Campbells proposed budget uses $2.1 million from savings to balance the budget without going over the tax cap. He liked the idea of cutting expenses and then cutting back on the fund balance usage.

But Hartford Supervisor Dana Haff focused on the tax levy. He wanted to cut expenditures to reduce next years taxes, not to reduce the countys reliance on savings.

After a short debate, he couldnt get support for reducing the tax levy. Supervisors agreed to reload the savings instead.

And after all that, they ended up not making any cuts at all.

They moved $10,000 from the budget for repairing or maintaining acquired property to a budget line for agriculture and livestock program expenses.

Then they thought they could cut $5,000 from the budget line for medical supplies at the jail. But an hour later, they used that $5,000 to increase the salary of director of the Office for the Aging. She makes less money than some of the people she supervises.

Shaw was deeply frustrated by that decision.

We had $5,000 more savings, but now weve increased our fixed expenditures from now to eternity. Just so you know what youre doing, he said.

The Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on the budget on Friday, after which the board is expected to vote on whether to adopt the budget.
















Israel and the Palestinian terrorist groups Jihad Islami and Hamas are conducting a heated war of words over the Gaza Strip. But both keep mum on the real situation on the ground.



In the two weeks since the IDF blew up a Jihad Islami tunnel running up to the Israeli village of Kissufim, killing a dozen Jihad operatives, significant security-related events have taken place. Neither side is shouting information about these events from the rooftops, so as not to force the Iranian-backed Jihads hand into a response.





The IDF has meanwhile cordoned off the area around the Gaza border and declared it off limits to civilians. On Saturday, Nov. 11, IDF Maj. Gen. Yoav Mordecai, Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, cautioned terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip in the strongest terms: We know that the Palestinian Jihad Islami is spinning a conspiracy against Israel at the expense of the citizens of the Gaza Strip, in revenge for the destruction of their tunnel and the deaths of their operations.



Israel will not hesitate to hit back forcefully also against Hamas, he said, and addressed a special warning to Jihad leaders in Damascus  meaning that Israel had no qualms about striking back at them in the Syrian capital, as well as the Gaza Strip, even if this meant expanding the conflict further.

The general delivered his warning in the Arabic language by video.

The next day, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu opened the Sunday cabinet meeting with this statement: At the present time, some party is toying with an attempt to renew attacks on Israel.

We shall mete out harsh treatment to whoever those parties may be and wherever they are. Netanyahu vowed. He went on to elaborate: I mean any party  factions, rogues or organizations. We hold Hamas responsible for any attack on us that comes from the Gaza Strip.

The prime minister, by referring to any party, anywhere, fully backed Mordecais threat to reach terrorists operating out of Damascus  or even Beirut, if it comes to that.

An answer came back Sunday from the Jihad Islamic leader in the Gaza Strip, Khaled Al-Batshi: Israel killed 12 Palestinians in Gaza and one more on the West Bank in the last two weeks, and has reason to be scared, because thats what is preoccupying us. He went on to say, When our sons, resistance fighters are killed  especially members of the Islamic Jihad, we have no option but to punish the occupier and continued to build up our strength in preparation for a confrontation.

The war of words is being accompanied by military movements.



On the Israeli side, the IDF Sunday launched a military exercise around the Gaza Strip to continue at least until Wednesday. It doesnt take a military genius to grasp that the military is out on guard for the moment that rhetoric is translated into operational terms. While not privy to exactly what is going on in the Gaza region, many Israelis sense something is afoot and are on edge.

They have further reason for disquiet because the Palestinian Hamas and Jihads decision on when and how to start shooting is no longer in the hands of local leaders in Gaza, else they would have let loose on Oct. 30 after the tunnel explosion. Both are committed to working hand in glove with the Lebanese Shiite Hizballahs leader Hassan Nasrallah and Irans commander of Mid East wars, Gen. Qassem Soleimani, who has just ended a period of mourning for the death of his 95-year old father.

While waiting for a green light from Tehran or Beirut to go into action, they are filling the air waves with rhetoric. But Nasrallah and Soleimani too are figures on a larger chessboard and are also standing by for instructions dependant on events playing out in other parts of the region and beyond.































A fire at a pipeline run jointly by Saudi Arabia and Bahrain has been called a terrorist attack sponsored by Iran by the Bahrainian interior minister. In response, Saudi Arabia immediately increased security at its own oil facilities. The pipeline attack follows a missile attack on the Riyadh International Airport that was foiled by Saudi defenses.









The plan to step up security was reported by Al-Arabiya television Saturday, citing the Saudi energy ministry. Bahrains Interior Ministry said recent terrorist activities in Bahrain were directed by Iran, and security forces determined that the fire was intentional. The pipeline later in the day resumed pumping oil after a brief halt, the state-run Bahrain News Agency reported, citing a statement by Bahrain Petroleum Co. The "attempt to bomb the Saudi-Bahraini oil pipeline is a dangerous Iranian escalation that aims to scare citizens and hurt the global oil industry," Bahrains Foreign Minister Khalid Al-Khalifa said on Twitter. Iran responded by saying the Bahrainis need to know that the era for lies and childish finger-pointing is over," official Islamic Republic News Agency reported on Sunday, citing Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi. Tensions have been rising in the region after Saudi Arabia blamed Shiite-ruled Iran for an attempted missile attack on Riyadhs international airport last week, saying it could be considered an act of war. Saudi Arabia said the thwarted missile launched by Yemeni rebels had Iranian markings, a charge Iran has denied.





The missile attack, the attack on the pipeline, and the forced resignation of Lebanon's Prime Minister Saad Hariri are only the latest in a series of events that have caused tensions to skyrocket in the region and make war between Saudi Arabia and Iran more likely.





By forcing Hariri to resign, the Saudis may be deliberately trying to start a civil war in Lebanon. The ostensible reason for pulling support from Hariri was that he wasn't tough enough with Hezb'allah. Hariri tried to argue - in vain - that his position in Lebanon was extremely delicate and that trying to stand up to Hezb'allah would destabilize the country. That the Saudis ignored this warning was not lost on Lebanese factions. Sunni, Shiite, and Christians in Lebanon are preparing for the unthinkable - a repeat of the civil war that devastated the country for 20 years.





At this point, it wouldn't take much to ignite a shooting war between the Saudis and Iran. The Kingdom has already warned Iran that missiles from Yemen will be considered an attack by Iran and a push by Hezb'allah to engineer a complete takeover of Lebanon might also be seen as an act of war.





Can the two sides pull back from the brink? Not with the stakes as high as they are and the belief by both sides that their enemy represents and existential threat to their existence.





































Israel signaled Sunday it will not be bound by a reported ceasefire deal in southern Syria reached by the United States, Russia and Jordan, with ministers indicating Israel will continue to operate across the border when it deems it necessary. The agreement, announced in a US-Russian statement Saturday, affirms a call for the reduction, and ultimate elimination of foreign fighters from southern Syria.

According to reports, the deal includes Iranian proxies fighting on behalf of Syrian President Bashar Assads regime, which would be required to leave the border area and eventually Syria.





Israeli Intelligence Minister Yisrael Katz told The Associated Press the agreement is a positive development. But he stressed that Israel is not a party to the agreement and will defend its interests.





While the agreement seeks to remove Iranian-backed militias from near the border, a key Israeli demand, Regional Cooperation Minister Tzachi Hanegbi said it did not go far enough.





The pact does not meet Israels unequivocal demand that there will not be developments that bring the forces of Hezbollah or Iran to the Israel-Syria border in the north, Hanegbi told reporters Sunday, according to a Reuters report.





Theres reflection here of the understanding that Israel has set red lines, and will stand firm on this, Hanegbi said.









Although Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not address the deal, he and Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman have long said Israel will not tolerate an Iranian presence along the Golan nor allow Iran to entrench itself military in Syria.





































Mousa Abu Marzouk, a member of Hamas's political bureau who is one of the most senior members of the organization, said on Sunday that the Oslo Accords signed between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in 1993 are long dead and that all existing arrangements have nothing to do with those accords.





In an interview with the Arab21 website, Abu Marzouk rejected the claims against Hamas that under the reconciliation initiative with Fatah, the movement relinquished its basic principles. Arab21









"The claim that we agreed to a Palestinian state as a step towards national consensus, the establishment of a Palestinian state in the (West Bank) and the (Gaza) Strip with eastern Jerusalem as its capital, the return of the Palestinian refugees and the removal of the settlements from the West Bank  we agreed to all these things as a gradual program with a national consensus," he said.





Abu Marzouk rejected the demand of Palestinian Authority chairman Mahmoud Abbas that the armed militias in Gaza disarm, saying, "The resistance is the right of the Palestinian people and the right of all the resistance organizations, and on this basis we say that the weapon of the resistance will not be included in the issues (in the framework of the reconciliation talks with Fatah)."





Hamas's leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, previously declared that the weapons held by the Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas's military wing, will continue to serve as the spearhead in the struggle for the liberation of Palestine.












Welcome Guest! You Are Here:
The planned acquisition of aluminum maker Aleris Corp. by Chinese investment firm Zhongwang USA has been terminated, the two companies announced Monday.

Aleris, with manufacturing operations in west Davenport, said the merger agreement terminated as of Sunday upon mutual agreement. The companies first announced the merger in August 2016.

In separate news releases Monday, the companies expressed disappointment that the deal will not proceed.

The companies had tried unsuccessfully to win approval for the $2.33 billion deal from the U.S. Committee on Foreign Investment, or CFIUS, which assesses mergers to ensure they do not endanger national security. Zhongwang USA said the decision was driven by uncertainty related to the receipt of CFIUS approval.

In November 2016, Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and 12 other senators urged CFIUS to reject the merger, citing national security concerns.

Zhongwangs purchase of Aleris would directly undermine our national security, including by jeopardizing the U.S. manufacturing base for sensitive technologies in an industry already devastated by the effects of Chinas market distorting policies, and creating serious risk that sensitive technologies and knowhow will be transferred to China, further imperiling U.S. defense interests, the senators wrote.

United Steelworkers International also expressed concern about the deal.

"While this is not the outcome we intended, we remain committed to our growth strategy and have made great strides over the past year in expanding our capacity and developing the capabilities required to meet the future demands of our industry," Aleris Chairman and CEO Sean Stack said in the release. "This includes our automotive expansion project in Lewisport, Kentucky, which is beginning to serve customers."

Since 2010, Aleris has been owned and controlled by a group led by certain investment funds of Oaktree Capital Management as well as certain funds managed by Apollo Management.

Aleris became the parent company of the Davenport plant in 2014 as part of Aleris' $110 million acquisition of the former Nichols Aluminum from Quanex Building Products Corp. Aleris, a leader in aluminum rolled products, is headquartered in Cleveland. It operates production facilities in North America, Europe and Asia.

"Our ownership group remains committed to Aleris and highly supportive of the company's strategy," Stack added.

Zhongwang is majority-owned by Liu Zhongtian, founder of China Zhongwang Holdings Limited, the world's second largest industrial aluminum extrusion developer and manufacturer.

The company said that through the proposed deal it "was committed to preserving American jobs and investing substantial funds into Aleris, beyond the purchase price" particularly in Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan and Iowa. Its capital investments would have increased "productivity and American competitiveness while supporting in excess of 1,000 new jobs across four states," the release said.

Zhongwang also plans to continue pursuing expansion opportunities in the United States and other parts of the world.
A Davenport man charged in connection with an armed robbery and two vehicle fires has been sentenced to prison in three separate cases.

John Kevin Gilmartin, 19, was sentenced Thursday to up to 10 years each on charges of first-degree theft and second-degree arson, and up to five years in prison on a charge of second-degree theft.

Judge Mark Smith ordered the sentences to run concurrently, or at the same time.

Gilmartin pleaded guilty to the charges in September. In exchange for his plea, prosecutors dismissed additional charges of first-degree robbery, conspiracy to commit a forcible felony, second-degree arson, second-degree criminal mischief, and third-degree burglary at sentencing.

According to court documents:

At 1:15 a.m. Dec. 24, police and fire fighters responded to the 2000 block of East 14th Street where a 2006 Dodge van was on fire.

The vehicle was stolen the day before in Davenport. In a Facebook message to the owner, Gilmartin admitted to stealing the vehicle and that it was set on fire.

At 2:50 a.m. May 20, Gilmartin entered an unoccupied 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee in the 3600 block of West Kimberly Road and intentionally set fire to it. He was seen on video surveillance getting into the vehicle.

Earlier that day, he took a box of ice cream bars and a sandwich from Walmart, 2101 W. Kimberly Road, without paying for the items.

At 11:19 p.m. May 29, police were called about an armed robbery that occurred in the Village of East Davenport. In an interview with police, Gilmartin said he and his co-defendants were armed with handguns and stole a person's cellphone and tried to steal the person's vehicle.

He and co-defendants, Dante N. Garth, 18, Tyrone A. Smith, 21, and Marlon K. Martin Jr., 19, all of Davenport, conspired to commit the robbery of two people for their property and all had knowledge of the robbery prior to it happening. Gilmartin was positively identified during a photo line-up, according to police.

Garth pleaded guilty in September to conspiracy to commit a non-forcible felony and was placed on two years of probation earlier this month.

Smith pleaded guilty in September to conspiracy to commit a forcible felony and will be sentenced Friday.

Martin also pleaded guilty in September to conspiracy to commit a forcible felony and was slated to be sentenced Nov. 3. However, the hearing was continued and his pretrial release was revoked after his arrest on drug and domestic battery charges in Rock Island County, according to court documents.
An East Moline man wanted in connection with an assault on a Moline Police officer earlier this month was arrested Sunday in Scott County.

Austin Dean Clenney, 20, last known address in the 600 block of Mansur Avenue, was booked into the Scott County Jail just before 10 p.m. Sunday on a Rock Island County warrant.

He also was booked on a misdemeanor charge of interference with official acts. According to online records, he was released from the jail at 9:23 a.m. and was taken into custody by Rock Island County.

According to the Moline Police Department:

Around 8:30 a.m. Nov. 3, officers were dispatched to the 1800 block of 18th Avenue A for a report of a suspicious vehicle.

The first officer on scene located the car, a 2010 Honda sedan. The officer then began talking to the driver, Clenney, and his passenger, Mario Pena, also 20, of East Moline.

Clenney and the officer began struggling and they both went to the ground. The officer was injured during the struggle and Clenney was able to break free and flee in the vehicle.

Pena fled the scene on foot but was soon captured.

The officer, who has not been identified, was taken to Trinity Rock Island for treatment and later released.

Pena was wanted on a warrant for a charge of mob action out of Waukegan, Illinois, and was taken to the Rock Island County Jail to await transfer back to the Lake County Jail.

A $75,000 arrest warrant for aggravated battery to a peace officer and aggravated assault was issued for Clenney, according to police.

Clenney was arrested Sunday night in Eldridge.

According to an arrest affidavit, Eldridge police responded to a suspicious vehicle in the 1000 block of East Iowa street around 7:43 p.m.

Officers approached the driver side window and two people fled on foot and ran in different directions, according to the affidavit.

Clenney ran northwest toward a hotel. A desk clerk said she saw a Hispanic man enter through the back door on the west side of the building and banged on the door of one of the rooms and was let in by the occupant, according to the affidavit.

Several attempts were made to contact the occupant of the room; entry was eventually made and Clenney was found hiding in the bathroom shower, according to the affidavit.

His girlfriend and a family member later said that he admitted that police were trying to locate him and that he requested their assistance in concealing him, according to the affidavit.
On the morning of Oct. 2, a man walked through the doors of the Davenport Public Library's Eastern Avenue Branch with a box of books to donate to the library's used book sale.

The box was the first of many.

Over two days, the man dropped off more than 1,000 books, classical literature, lush coffee table art books and volumes about nature  flowers, plants and birds. Especially birds.

Because of the quantity and quality of the books, Friends of the Davenport Library is hosting a special Estate Book Sale on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 17-18. Prices will be higher than the 50 cents customarily charged for used hardbacks.

Volunteers with Friends spent much of October researching book titles on Amazon.com to find online list prices, then reducing them by one-third or one-half, said Carol Wagner, a Friends volunteer.

The most expensive offering will be a 16-volume set titled "Birds of the World" for $2,000, she said. A book of colored drawings by John James Audubon is priced at $180. The least-expensive books in the sale are $2.

The library has received other large donations in the past, but this one is unique in subject matter and condition and is among the largest library director Amy Groskopf can remember.

Before the books were priced for sale, library personnel with expertise in various areas picked through the offerings to see if there were any they'd like to put on the library's own shelves. There were. The library kept about 10 percent of the total number of titles, Groskopf said.

The books belonged to John A. Marshall, 78, of Davenport, formerly of Peoria, who died Sept. 30.

Marshall was a hospital and retail pharmacist who loved botany, bird-watching, literature, learning different languages and travel, according to his obituary. He traveled to Europe and Asia and especially loved Paris and Italy.

For several years, he was chairman of the board of Community Health Care, Davenport, and executive director Tom Bowman remembers him fondly.

"He was a voracious reader," Bowman said. "He was always sending me magazine articles of things he found on the internet about public health. He kept up with the community. He kept up with the world. And he was a world traveler."

Marshall experienced kidney failure. When the Quad-City Times asked readers in 2015 to send in their wishes for Christmas, Marshall wrote that he wished for a new kidney. He urged people to sign up for organ donation.

Any of Marshall's books that remain after the sale will go to Matthew Bullock Auctioneers, an Ottawa, Illinois-based company that specializes in collections such as antiques to artwork, Wagner said. Eventually, all the books will be sold.

In a normal year, the Friends group raises $30,000 to $40,000 for the library through the operation of used bookstores at the Eastern and Fairmount branches, she said. For fiscal 2017, the amount was $38,103. In addition, the group raised $3,497 from Birdies for Charity, the fundraising effort of the John Deere Classic, and $7,206 from the annual fund drive, she said.

The Friends group does not host big annual or bi-annual sales, as does Bettendorf, so the estate sale is something unique.

"What a windfall this is for us," she said.

Money raised by Friends is used to buy materials and fund programs, especially the summer reading program, and to use as matches for grants such as the Big Read program.
This year's United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bonn, Germany, provided world leaders and global businesses a glimpse of Davenport's past, present and future.

For the past week, Davenport Mayor Frank Klipsch has not only represented the city, but the 80 mayors who participate in the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative, in an effort to promote the risks of pulling out of the Paris climate accord, as well as promote opportunities for investment in regional sustainability and economic development.

"The takeaway is we have some opportunities to do some great things for water quality, food security, flood resiliency and riverfront development," Klipsch said in an interview from Bonn.

While President Donald Trump has indicated the U.S. intentions to pull out of the Paris Agreement by 2020, U.S. leaders, including California Gov. Jerry Brown and former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, launched America's Pledge to show that cities, states and businesses are committed to the pact.

Klipsch and the initiative have voiced support for the accord, given the impacts climate change poses to the Mississippi River Basin, which is the most productive for food production in the world and represents one of the largest resources for commodities trade.

"It's important that the U.S. is involved with the climate change issue," Klipsch said. "A lot of the other countries have decided to put tariffs on countries that don't have good environmental records and carbon reduction plans in place."

In addition to the 20 million people who depend on fresh drinking water from the Mississippi River, its top-seven economies contributed more than $500 million in annual revenue and are responsible for more than 1.5 million jobs.

While Klipsch and St. Gabriel, Louisiana, Mayor Lionel Johnson, co-chairs of the initiative, have indicated their support for the Paris agreement, they also have been highlighting the number of programs already in place to help combat climate change.

Along with representatives from Walmart, Klipsch and Johnson made a presentation on the partnership it reached last year to offer incentives to farmers and supply chain companies to control fertilizer runoff and nutrients from seeping into the Mississippi River.

With a number of large organizations and companies in attendance, Klipsch said the conference also provided the initiative with an opportunity to develop contacts and network.

This was an important part of the conference because of the initiative's recently announced partnership with CDP, formerly known as the Carbon Disclosure Project, to help link investors to sustainable infrastructure projects.

CDP warehouses the largest collection of corporate environmental data. Its supply chain members represent more than $2 billion in purchasing power.

In 2017, communities up and down the Mississippi River have had to deal with hurricanes, 1,000-year rain events, floods and drought.

Rather than wait on whether communities will receive federal funding, the partnership with CDP was a proactive step toward finding alternatives to move green, sustainable infrastructure projects forward.

Projects are not limited to infrastructure and for a city like Davenport, which is in the process of developing its riverfront area now that the former Rhythm City Casino barge is gone, it could infuse additional dollars to help expedite the process.

"On our riverfront, working with these types of investors will help us find ways to get those funded," Klipsch said. "They're looking for return on investment, but we would get upfront capital to help these projects move forward."
We hear that Democrat Ralph Northam's decisive win in the race for Virginia governor was extra extraordinary in that he was a weak candidate. Voters, the story goes, seriously rejected Trumpian politics, an especially nasty brew that Republican Ed Gillespie had channeled in end-of-race desperation.

Has anyone considered the possibility that Northam ran a smart campaign? A 9-point win is not a squeak-through. Furthermore, the notion that Trumpism without Trump is not a powerful strategy greatly overestimates Trumpism with Trump.

Do recall that Donald Trump lost to Hillary Clinton in Virginia by over 5 points. And that was 12 long months ago, before Trump proved how ineffectual and unpresidential he could be.

Northam clearly understood the first commandment of winning elections: Thou shalt not repel the voters.

Democrats prevailing in purple or even red areas of the country have found a formula for bringing more moderate voters over to their side. (Trumpism does get credit for turning many nonparticipants into voters.)

These savvy politicians are creating safe spaces for parts of the electorate that dislike what Republicans are doing but have felt culturally abandoned by Democrats. That's why Northam denounced the ad by the Latino Victory Fund showing a pickup truck with a Confederate flag running over children of color.

Many white Virginians who are not particularly racist and were distressed by the recent right-wing spectacle in Charlottesville nonetheless feel tarred by such imagery. Those dynamics went completely over the head of the progressive Democracy for America. It abruptly rescinded its Northam endorsement. Meanwhile, Our Revolution, allied with Bernie Sanders, took its own whack at him.

Northam also said he is against sanctuary cities, which A) Virginia doesn't have anyway and B) 80 percent of voters, including most Democrats, are against. Opposition to sanctuary cities mirrors opposition to illegal immigration, not necessarily to immigrants.

In a statement taking back its support for Northam, Democracy for America declared, "We refuse to be silent any longer and even remotely complicit in the disastrous, racist, and even voter-turnout-depressing campaign Ralph Northam appears intent on running."

Some turnout depression. African-American turnout swelled Tuesday. And Northam took the black vote by 75 percentage points. Women gave him a 22-point lead.

Certain "progressive" groups, it appears, were willing to throw the election to Trumpism rather than back a Democrat who objected to messaging that, actually, was quite objectionable.

One recalls Larry David's only funny line as recent host of "Saturday Night Live." Impersonating Sanders as a contestant on a game show, he declared, "We're gonna win this thing the Bernie way, which means if I lose, I'll bring everyone else down with me."

The audience laughed nervously. Many were no doubt aware that after his burnt-earth campaign against Clinton, 1 in 5 Sanders supporters didn't vote for her.

Tom Perriello, by contrast, rose to the occasion. A Bernie-backed progressive who lost the primary to Northam, Perriello enthusiastically campaigned for the centrist Democrat. This show of unity may have contributed to the Democrats' swamping victories in the Virginia House of Delegates.

Every activist group  on the Democratic and Republican sides  wants the party to be a reflection of itself. Northam understood that a party has to be a reflection of those voters open to its message. To win seats held by Republicans, Democrats obviously have to make room for people who formerly voted Republican, as well as get their natural constituencies to the polls.

Trumpism is losing big-time nationally, especially in the suburbs. Northam showed how a Democrat can prevail in a purple state. Suffice it to say, he didn't do it by being a poor candidate. On the contrary.
One of the most unusual Illinois veto sessions Ive ever seen wrapped up last week.

The two-week session was supposed to be about whether infuriated legislative Republicans would abandon Gov. Bruce Rauner in droves over his signature of HB40, which provides government funding of abortions for state workers and women on Medicaid. The potential for drama was high, but nobody was prepared for what actually happened.

The veto session kicked off on Oct. 24 under a dark and unexpected cloud of accusations when a group of more than 100 women signed an open letter claiming misogyny is alive and well in Illinois politics, particularly at the Statehouse. The women leveled a series of specific accusations against unnamed men who used their power to humiliate, subjugate or prey on women. The uproar was immediate and intense.

Legislative leaders promised quick action, but it soon became apparent that there were other problems besides the widespread allegations of a culture of harassment. Illinois hasnt had a Legislative Inspector General since 2015, ostensibly because the four leaders couldnt agree on who that should be.

During the week between the two scheduled veto session weeks, the House held a committee hearing in Chicago designed to highlight Speaker Michael Madigans attempt to address the sexual harassment issue. But the hearings substance was completely overshadowed by surprise testimony from crime victim advocate Denise Rotheimer, who claimed that Sen. Ira Silverstein, D-Chicago, had used his position as the chief sponsor of her bill to sexually harass her for months.

Perhaps even worse, Rotheimer claimed that she had tried to report her allegations against Sen. Silverstein almost a year earlier and nothing had been done. Why? Because only an inspector general is empowered by law to investigate such matters and, conveniently enough, the General Assembly didnt have one. After saying they couldnt find anybody for over two years who would accept the job or who was acceptable to all four legislative leaders, the powers that be all of a sudden found somebody to accept the post on an interim basis.

Aside from the fact that the people in charge dont like having anybody around nosing into their business, this is typical Illinois stuff. Nothing ever gets done until an existential crisis finally forces a decision. Unpaid pension liabilities have to be swamping the state before a solution is proposed. A comprehensive alternative energy plan can only be enacted as part of a bailout to prevent a couple of unionized nuclear power plants from closing. Hundreds of thousands of people have to suffer and universities have to be on the brink of closure before we get a state budget.

Too often, nothing becomes a priority until an issue becomes a crisis.

As a result, Gov. Rauners attempt to remain relevant was almost completely pushed to the side.

During his first two years in office, the Republican Rauner was remarkably successful at preventing all but a tiny handful overrides of his dozens of vetoes, despite Democratic super majorities in both the House and the Senate.

But then things began to fall apart this past summer, when his vetoes of the budget, a tax hike and more money for local 911 emergency centers were all overridden. And then he signed HB40 and furious Republican legislators vowed to vote their districts in the upcoming veto session.

Instead of trying to keep everyone in line on every veto, Gov. Rauner and House Republican Leader Jim Durkin focused almost all their energy on just a few bills. Their number one priority was stopping an override of legislation to ban municipal governments from creating local right to work zones. Nothing energizes this governor more than trimming the power and influence of organized labor.

So, Rauner looked the other way while huge numbers of Republicans joined Democrats to override 17 of his vetoes. As long as they stuck with him on right to work and a couple of other bills, he didnt squawk.

But that meant he was clobbered by one of his top political nemeses, Comptroller Susana Mendoza. Rauner had vetoed Mendoza-backed legislation to require monthly reports of how many unpaid bills were at each state agency. The two officials are bitter rivals, so the bill may have been politically motivated, but the veto was even more so.

The override motion passed the House unanimously and just three Republicans voted with the governor in the Senate. Yet, because he stopped a few overrides that he truly cared about, Rauner could proclaim victory, at least in his own mind.

Like I said, it was an unusual session.
Problems at the Indian Health Service hospital in Winnebago, Neb., have led the Winnebago Tribe to begin the process of taking over the management of the hospital from the federal government.

The Winnebago IHS facility is one of several in the Great Plains region that has been beset by problems in recent years, including failed inspections that led to the termination of the Winnebago hospitals participation in Medicare and Medicaid.

The Winnebago Tribe said in a news release Monday morning that its tribal council voted Nov. 9 to initiate a process under federal law to take over the operation of the hospital by July 1, 2018.

We believe the Tribe can improve the quality and access to care at the Hospital, and stabilize the management of the health system, said a written statement from Tribal Chairman Frank White.

Under the new arrangement, some level of federal funding of the hospital would continue, although day-to-day management of the hospital would shift from IHS to the tribe. The federal government, through the IHS, serves the health-care needs of 2.2 million Native Americans across the nation, pursuant to longstanding treaties, laws and court decisions.

Elsewhere in the IHS Great Plains area, the hospital in Pine Ridge is scheduled to lose its Medicare and Medicaid payments Saturday due to multiple failed inspections.

The IHS hospital in Rosebud has apparently come back from the brink of losing its Medicare and Medicaid certification. But tribal leaders there are threatening to ban some IHS officials from the reservation over an alleged lack of consultation about the awarding of a contract to a private company for staffing of the Rosebud hospitals emergency department.

Those and other problems led U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., to introduce a bill seeking a wide-ranging audit of the IHS. Last week, he said during a Senate Indian Affairs Committee meeting that Native Americans are suffering unimaginable horrors at IHS facilities.
After unleashing a verbal assault on the Indian Health Service last week, Mike Rounds pledged in a Journal podcast interview to keep the pressure on.

This is something that Im not going to let go of, he said. If you want to talk about quality of life in South Dakota, this is where we can truly make a difference for real people who have no place else to go.

Rounds, a Republican U.S. senator and former governor, is the guest for the latest episode of the Journals political podcast, Mount Podmore. The 20-minute episode is available on the newspapers website, on iTunes and on various podcast apps, along with previous episodes featuring the speaker of the South Dakota House of Representatives, Mark Mickelson, and U.S. Sen John Thune, R-S.D.

The Rounds interview was recorded a couple of hours after he testified Wednesday to the Senate Indian Affairs Committee in Washington about his bill to require a wide-ranging audit of the Indian Health Service. The IHS is a $5 billion federal agency that serves 2.2 million Native Americans from 567 tribes across the country, pursuant to longstanding treaties, laws and court decisions.

During the committee hearing, Rounds peppered his testimony with blunt language. He said Native Americans are experiencing unimaginable horrors at IHS facilities and are suffering and even dying due to inadequate and disgraceful care.

In the podcast interview, Rounds explained his IHS audit legislation and expressed a desire to get more Native Americans involved in the delivery of their own health care. He said some tribes should consider pursuing contracts with the federal government that allow the tribes to take over the management of hospitals and clinics from the IHS, with the aid of federal funding.

Rounds also talked about his motivation for pursuing IHS reforms. For many years, he said, he has heard disturbing stories about the IHS from friends and acquaintances. Those include a story of a podiatrist receiving IHS payments to amputate the toes of patients but being denied payments to treat underlying diabetic problems, and stories of physicians delaying referrals of Native American patients until more money becomes available in IHS accounts.

Rounds said he wonders how he would react if those things happened to his children, parents or other relatives.

You put yourself in that position, and you realize this has been going on for decades and nobodys done anything about it, Rounds said in the podcast interview. If youre governor, youre more limited in your ability to influence the federal approach to things. But as a United States senator, if we cant get something done, then who can?
This archery season, Kale Grimsrud arrowed an unusual bull elk while hunting in the Missouri River Breaks east of Roy, but the antlers will never hang on his wall.

Thats because Grimsrud became entangled in an issue of ownership that raised legal, moral and ethical questions worthy of discussion and debate. After reading his story, ask what you would do in a similar situation.

Grimsrud, a 26-year-old native of Roy, was in Hunting District 410 with his buddy, J.D. Harrell, when they ran into a band of elk on his familys property. Harrell shot, hit a bull, and the rest of the herd spooked. Putting his bow down, since he had shot, Harrell hurried along with Grimsrud to cut the elk off over the next hill. To reach the hilltop they crawled over a fence that outlines a 320-acre parcel of BLM land and snuck into the trees.

The club bull

With Harrell at his side manning a rangefinder, Grimsrud heard his buddy say: Club! Club! Club! Grimsrud was confused. Whaddaya mean club?

14 yards, Harrell said, pointing out a bull with a club antler close by.

At 26 yards Grimsrud fired an arrow at the bull as it quartered slightly away. Dropping his bow and pulling up his binoculars to watch the elk trot away, Grimsrud said he could see half of the arrow poking out the other side of the bull, just behind the shoulder, in what seemed to be an obviously mortal shot.

If you push them, theyll run for miles, Grimsrud said.

So he and Harrell decided to drive back to Grimsruds home and phone his parents to get their help hauling the elk meat out, since cellphone service is spotty in that remote area. Driving back to the house, they made arrangements to pick up Harrells girlfriend. Within an hour they were back, and Grimsrud was hiking to the area where he had shot to search for the unique, club-antlered bull. Harrell and his girlfriend split off to look for the one he had shot at.

Field trial

What Grimsrud saw after cresting the knoll was not what he expected.

I walk over the hill and theres six guys gutting out my elk and cutting it up to pack it out, Grimsrud said. It wasnt 100 yards from where I shot it.

Grimsrud said the hunters told him that they saw his elk, a different bull with an arrow stuck in its shoulder (possibly the one Harrell hit), run down the hill.

Boy, that sure looks like mine, he told them, intimidated by the fact that he was outnumbered and felt like his elk was being stolen, and there was nothing he could do about it.

When his friend and parents arrived later, a screaming match ensued. The men accused Grimsrud of lying, saying one of their hunters fired the killing shot and that they had seen no one around. When confronted with the fact that the bull had been shot twice, shown the blood trail and after Grimsruds bloody arrow was discovered stashed in a nearby bush about 15 feet away from the elk, evidence seemed to point to a cover-up by the other hunters.

It seemed awful suspicious it was over there, Grimsrud said of the arrrow.

Warden arrives

With the daytime temperature rising, Grimsrud agreed to let the other hunters take the elk meat to their nearby cabin to be cooled down. In the meantime, someone got a cellphone signal and called for a Fish, Wildlife and Parks warden.

FWP warden Trey Gacke, of Lewistown, responded with a fellow warden who was riding with him that day. After checking out the scene of the shooting, talking to Grimsrud, Harrell and the other hunters, Gacke had to make a tough decision.

He noted that Grimsrud had done the right thing by backing away after shooting the elk not to push it, but also said that he should have stayed close by.

If they had kept one guy there to keep eyes on it, they would have been still active in the hunt, Gacke said. Its wide open country, they couldve watched the other guys coming in.

Law vs. ethics

As it was, one of the other hunters had fired a second arrow, the elk died and he tagged the bull.

There was nothing legally done wrong from the other guys side because they did put the bull down, Gacke said. They killed it.

Then it turns into an ethical or moral issue, he said. Morally some people may think they should have turned the bull over. They chose to keep it. Theres nothing we couldve done.

Gacke noted that during the archery season, animals sometimes get shot and dont die, so its not unheard of that a hunter may see an elk with an arrow in its shoulder. This is the first time Gacke has run into such an elk custody issue, although hes heard tales about similar incidents where a hunter shoots an animal, it runs around a corner and someone else shoots the same beast.

Antlers do strange things to peoples thought process, Gacke said.

Aftershock

In the aftermath of the incident, the story spread quickly.

News travels fast in a little town like Roy, Grimsrud said.

The incident will undoubtedly tarnish how out-of-town hunters are now viewed in the area, since hunters are ambassadors for the sport as well as their communities.

Out here in the middle of nowhere, you dont see anybody until its hunting season, Grimsrud said. You just dont expect it to happen out here.

His sister, KayLee Grimsrud, agreed. Being from a rural town in Central Montana, I guess we maybe grow up differently, she wrote. We grow up respecting the land, our neighbors, and wildlife. Its an unspoken language, you just understand what is right and what is wrong, and you act accordingly.

After all of the time and effort Grimsrud put into shooting that one bull, he has lost his motivation for the rest of the archery season.

Its unfortunate, Gacke said. I wish it would have turned out differently.
Golez; HERE COMES THE QUADRILATERAL ALLIANCE OF US, INDIA, JAPAN & AUSTRALIA, FORGED IN THE PHILIPPINES DURING THE ASEAN SUMMIT: "ASEAN Summit: China says US, Japan, Australia and India should not target Beijing" https://t.co/JU28ivkBaL

Golez: It is ironic that while some sectors would like to project and boost the image of China during the ASEAN Summit, even calling it the No. 1 economic power of the world (note: It is not no.1. Its GDP is $11.2 trillion, a far second to the US GDP of $18.5 trillion), what happened is the Summit became the venue for the leaders of the US (President Trump), India (PM Modi), Japan (PM Abe) and Australia (PM Turnbull) to meet on the side to discuss and start forging the Indo-Pacific Quadrilateral Alliance aimed at counterbalancing the aggressiveness of China in the East China Sea, South China Sea and the Indian Ocean. This was indeed an opportune time as it was difficult for the said leaders to meet. The Philippines became their venue. As I have noted three years ago, China's aggressiveness is triggering an alliance against itself.

This Indo-Pacific Quadrilateral is economically and militarily powerful:

ECONOMIC:

The US a GDP of $18.5 trillion, Japan GDP is $4.9 trillion, India GDP is $ 2.2 trillion and Australia GDP is $1.2 trillion for a combined GDP of $ 26.8 trillion compared to China's GDP of $11.2 trillion.

MILITARY:

Militarily, the US is ranked a very far No. 1 military power of the world, India is ranked No. 5, Japan is ranked no. 4 and Australia is ranked No. 22 (it is modernizing its submarine force with the procurement of $35 billion worth of new modern submarines from France.

China is ranked No. 3.

Source: Business Insider, Military & Defense.

I quote from article:



ASEAN Summit: China says US, Japan, Australia and India should not target First Post

WorldIANSNov, 13 2017 14:40:28 IST

Tweet

Beijing: China on Monday said the US, Japan, India and Australia should not target Beijing, a day after the four met on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Manila and decided to work for a "free, open, prosperous and inclusive Indo-Pacific region".

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met US president Donald Trump at the ASEAN Summit in Manila on Sunday. PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met US president Donald Trump at the ASEAN Summit in Manila on Sunday. PTI

China also said the US-brokered proposal of these countries to ensure free and open "Indo-Pacific ... should avoid politicising or excluding some relevant parties".

"The relevant proposal should be open and inclusive and should be conducive to the win-win cooperation and avoid politicising or excluding some relevant parties," foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said.

"From China's persistent foreign policy, we welcome the development of friendly cooperation between the relevant countries and we hope these kind of relations is not directed against any third party and we hope these kind of relations will be conducive to the regional peace and stability." Geng added.

The region described by India and US as "Indo-Pacific" is called "Asia-Pacific" by China.

The representatives of the four countries met for the first time on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit on Sunday.

Later, India's external affairs ministry said: "The discussions focused on cooperation based on their converging vision and values for promotion of peace, stability and prosperity in an increasingly inter-connected region that they share with each other and with other partners.




Blog Archive June (1) May (16) April (23) March (20) February (17) January (13) December (22) November (40) October (57) September (45) August (55) July (52) June (165) May (121) April (141) March (32) February (76) January (141) December (85) November (130) October (146) September (96) August (89) July (82) June (64) May (99) April (41) March (98) February (61) January (64) December (67) November (51) October (70) September (75) August (52) July (66) June (76) May (104) April (93) March (151) February (168) January (107) December (42) November (56) October (69) September (103) August (75) July (191) June (171) May (207) April (302) March (490) February (155) January (138) December (135) November (226) October (146) September (107) August (160) July (292) June (316) May (361) April (460) March (327) February (49) January (2) November (13) October (3) September (37) August (43) July (6) June (12) May (1) April (29) March (30) February (58) January (27) December (11) November (16) October (34) September (81) August (81) July (93) June (12) May (1) February (1) November (3) October (2) September (6) August (1) July (2) June (14) May (10) April (8) March (13) February (1) January (5)
Thank you for reading!

Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading.
 Retiring House Judiciary Chair Goodlatte mentions "enacting criminal justice reform" as an out-the-door priority | Main | Might last week's voting results in Virginia help lead to voting rights for everyone, including those with criminal records? 

November 12, 2017

Former state Arizona AG, only now, says his state's death penalty is "unconstitutional" and "bad policy"

Terry Goddard, who served as the Arizona's attorney general from 2003 to 2011, apparently just now got around to figuring out that how his state administers the death penalty makes it unconstitutional and bad policy. He explains his new thinking in this commentary headlined "Arizona's 40-year experiment with the death penalty has failed." Here are excerpts (with some emphasis added for my follow-up commentary):

As the attorney general, I was responsible for overseeing dozens of appeals from sentences of death. Six people were executed during my tenure. It was critical for me that we imposed the ultimate sanction only on those most deserving. Tragically, our state has failed in this undertaking in fundamental ways. The breadth of our statute, capturing nearly every first-degree murder, makes it unconstitutional. But more than that, Arizonas use of the death penalty is bad policy. Arizona does not have a good track record for getting it right. At least nine times our death penalty has swept up the innocent in its net. Nationwide, 160 people have been exonerated from death row. Getting it wrong once is one time too many. Death, in its finality, means correcting a wrongful sentence is not an option. Sentencing the innocent to die undermines the publics confidence in the entire criminal justice system, and is reason alone to abandon the death penalty. Moreover, Arizonas death penalty scheme has unsettling racial disparities in its application. People in Arizona who are accused of murdering white victims are more likely to receive the death penalty. Hispanic men who are accused of murdering whites are more than four times as likely to be sentenced to death as white defendants accused of murdering a Hispanic victim. Any other state policy with that sort of disparity would be quickly repudiated. The Legislature should end this horrible death penalty malfunction. The spiraling costs of seeking and imposing a death sentence are further reason to abandon the policy. These costs have caused the location of the crime to take precedence over its heinousness. Several counties simply cannot afford to pursue the death penalty, creating imbalances having nothing to do with the crime.... The costs associated with defending Arizonas statute (never mind the cases themselves) have been substantial. Dozens of convictions have been set aside because Arizona, unlike almost every other state, did not provide for jury sentencing in capital cases. Arizona was one of two states to extend the death penalty to felony murders, leading to a rebuke by the Supreme Court and further reversals. The Arizona Supreme Court narrowly interpreted our states prohibition on executing the intellectually disabled until they were recently forced to reconsider. And case after case has been reversed because of flaws in the instructions given in capital sentencing proceedings.... Weve been here before. In 1972, the court struck down every states death-penalty statute because they operated to execute a capriciously selected random handful, rather than the worst offenders. Similar to other states efforts, then-state Sen. Sandra Day OConnor and Rudy Gerber (who later became an Arizona judge) rewrote Arizonas statute to comply with the courts narrowing requirements by obligating the prosecutor to prove one or more aggravating factors before the death penalty could be imposed. More than four decades have passed and we are back to square one. Despite the efforts of OConnor and Gerber, Arizona has failed to narrow the application of the death penalty and has been unable or unwilling to provide the guidance necessary to ensure that the death penalty is only imposed on the worst offenders.

Though I am not an expert on the statutory and practical ins-and-outs of the death penalty in Arizona, I am pretty sure that the vast majority of the problems cited here by former state AG Goddard were plenty evident circa 2003 when he started serving his eight years at the top lawyer and law enforcement official in the state. For example, this DPIC list of death row exonerations indicates that eight of the nine exonerations in Arizona occurred by 2003. If "getting it wrong once" is, as Goddard says now, "one time too many" and "reason alone to abandon the death penalty," why didn't Goddard while serving as AG become a vocal opponent of capital punishment?

Similarly, I believe the breadth of the Arizona statute allowing capital punishment for nearly all first-degree murders is not a new reality. If that reality makes the statute unconstitutional in the view of Goddard, why did he work vigorously to uphold death sentences under that statute for eight years? In his role as AG, Goddard swore an oath to uphold the US Constitution, and he should have felt duty-bound not to seek to preserve capital convictions secured via an unconstitutional statute. But, it would seem, Goddard was very slow to achieve this critical constitutional wisdom.

Likewise, I would guess that "unsettling racial disparities" in the application of Arizona's death penalty did not only recently become evident. (Linked here, for example, is a 1997 article with data on this kind of disparity and discrimination in Arizona.) Did Goddard even care about the data on disparities when serving in the AG role for eight years? If he really believes "any other state policy with that sort of disparity would be quickly repudiated," I would like to ask him why he did not quickly repudiate the death penalty over the eighth years he was in an ideal official position to do something about this state policy.

I make these points not only to suggest that there is a notable johnny-come-lately quality to Goddard's capital criticisms, but also to wonder if Goddard might someday write another commentary that explains why a person in the role of Attorney General cannot or will not face up to problems in a state's criminal laws until long after completing service. I have always wondered whether it is just political and institutional pressures that prompt government officials to defend questionable criminal laws and practices, or whether other sets of personal and professional factors are the heart of this story. Some first-person accounting of just how and why Goddard has now come to a different view of these issues a number of years after his extended tenure as state AG could actually make his commentary much more valuable than the standard abolitionist review of reasons to oppose the death penalty.

November 12, 2017 at 06:09 PM | Permalink

Comments

I have no knowledge of the career of Mr. Goddard, so would be interested to know his opinion over his long career regarding the death penalty. Those in office often are more inclined to uphold the power of the government, especially if the policy is chosen in some fashion by the chief executive of the state.

People have changed their mind when they changed roles. Those who strongly stated a view as a member of the executive at times changed their minds while on the judiciary. Certain moments might be deemed tipping points. The fact problems existed alone doesn't necessarily answer the question there. The case cited might be seen as such a point -- the case to be decided serves perhaps as a moment he felt it is time to say "enough."

A quick search found Goddard, at least while in office (oath or no oath, people do at times convince themselves wrongly they are doing okay things there), supportive of the death penalty. So, I'd be interested if he discussed his reasons for his apparent change of position. Thus, there is some common ground re questions and institutional pressures.

Posted by: Joe | Nov 12, 2017 10:42:23 PM

Post a comment
 Might last week's voting results in Virginia help lead to voting rights for everyone, including those with criminal records? | Main | "The Boom and Bust of American Imprisonment" 

November 13, 2017

Voting intrigue in SCOTUS capital case dissent on latest order list

The Supreme Court wrapped up its formal pre-Thanksgiving public activities toady with the release of this order list. The list will surely generate news based on the granting of cert in three First Amendment cases, one dealing with abortion issues, one dealing with polling places, and one with some criminal procedure elements. But sentencing fans, particularly those eager to predict the future of the Supreme Court's capital jurisprudence, will want to give some attention to this lengthy cert denial dissent by Justice Sotomayor in Reeves v. Alabama. This dissent was joined (only) by Justices Ginsburg and Kagan, and it starts this way:

Petitioner Matthew Reeves was convicted by an Alabama jury of capital murder and sentenced to death. He sought postconviction relief in state court based on, as relevant here, several claims of ineffective assistance of trial and appellate counsel. Among those claims, Reeves argued that his trial counsel was ineffective for failing to hire an expert to evaluate him for intellectual disability, despite having sought and obtained funding and an appointment order from the state trial court to hire a specific neuropsychologist. His postconviction counsel subsequently hired that same neuropsychologist, who concluded that Reeves was, in fact, intellectually disabled. Reeves contended that this and other evidence could have been used during the penalty phase of his trial to establish mitigation. The Alabama Circuit Court held an evidentiary hearing on Reeves postconviction petition, at which Reeves presented substantial evidence regarding his intellectual disability and his counsels performance. He did not, however, call his trial or appellate counsel to testify. The court denied the petition, and the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed. In doing so, the Court of Criminal Appeals explained that a petitioner seeking postconviction relief on the basis of ineffective assistance of counsel must question his counsel about his reasoning and actions. Without considering the extensive record evidence before it regarding Reeves counsels performance or giving any explanation as to why that evidence did not prove that his counsels actions were unreasonable, the Court of Criminal Appeals held that Reeves failure to call his attorneys to testify was fatal to his claims of ineffective assistance of counsel. The Alabama Supreme Court denied review. There can be no dispute that the imposition of a categorical rule that counsel must testify in order for a petitioner to succeed on a federal constitutional ineffectiveassistance-of-counsel claim contravenes our decisions requiring an objective inquiry into the adequacy and reasonableness of counsels performance based on the full record before the court. Even Alabama does not defend such a rule. Instead, the dispute here is whether the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals in fact imposed such a rule in this case. I believe it plainly did so. For that reason, I respectfully dissent from the denial of certiorari.

After this start, Justice Sotomayor goes on for 10+ pages to provide great detail on the proceedings below and the errors she sees therein. Her dissent concludes with a call for a summary reversal and remand "so that the Court of Criminal Appeals could explain why, given the full factual record, Reeves counsels choices constituted reasonable performance." This concluding recommendation, along with length of the dissent, leads me to wonder if it was drafted with the hope that there would be five or more votes to send this case back to the Alabama courts given that, as Justice Sotomayor explains, Alabama itself "does not attempt to defend the Court of Criminal Appeals rule on its merits."

Of course, the issuance of this dissent shows that Justice Sotomayor could not get five or more votes to send this case back to the Alabama courts. But, as SCOTUS fans know, only four votes are needed to grant certiorari, and Justice Breyer would seem to be an obvious candidate to provide a fourth vote for taking this capital case up on its merits. I am inclined to guess that Justice Breyer decided to issue a so-called "defensive denial" vote: as explained here, Justice Breyer's vote in Reeves may involve the "strategy by which a justice will vote to deny review because the justice fears that, if review is granted, the Court will reach the wrong result and make bad law."

Because I am not a SCOTUS procedure guru, I am not going to spend too much time speculating about what the voting dynamics might reveal in Reeves. But in the wake of his Glossip opinion and other subsequent comments and votes, some have been coming to believe that Justice Breyer would now vote in favor of a capital defendant in any and every close or tough case. His vote to deny cert in Reeves suggests that, in deciding how to resolve capital cert petitions, he is still concerned with matters other than just how he thinks he should resolve each and every particular capital case that comes before him.

November 13, 2017 at 11:00 AM | Permalink

Comments

Breyer and more so Kagan [since she's younger] will be playing strategy for years to come so w/o knowing the specifics (this is part of a wider story that I alluded to when referencing William Baude's "shadow docket" article recently) a defensive denial is possible. When justices don't on the record dissent in cases like this (both ways), it should be taken with a grain of salt.

Nonetheless, is very important cases, and lives being at stake is one of them, I honestly wish people like Breyer would explain why they aren't voting in a way that the uninitiated would think is natural. The uninitiated might say "huh, maybe this is a bad case, the person should lose, if Breyer didn't vote." But, it is what it is. As Kimberly Johnson, the SCOTUS reporter noted months back, the liberals specifically have picked their spots. The conservatives have in certain cases too.

Posted by: Joe | Nov 13, 2017 11:19:52 AM

(Kimberly Robinson ... who has a new book out.)

Posted by: Joe | Nov 13, 2017 11:21:10 AM

I can see why Breyer would opt against full review if Kennedy was not inclined to grant summary reversal.

There is language in the Alabama opinion that strongly suggests that an inmate must call counsel at the collateral review hearing to carry the inmate's burden of persuasion on the incompetence prong of an ineffective assistance of counsel claim. The Alabama Attorney General's Office, however, took a narrower read of the opinion, claiming that the opinion does not go that far. Instead, in their view, the opinion merely notes the reasons why it is exceedingly difficult to prevail without calling counsel -- the presumption of competence, the burden of persuasion, and the role of trial strategy.

While my read of the Alabama opinion is that the inmate's "spin" on the decision is probably more accurate than the state AG's "spin," I can easily see a final opinion in a 5-4 split basically adopting the position being argued by the State's AG, affirming the Alabama decision and holding that: 1) it is not an absolute requirement in an IAC case that an inmate call counsel but 2) that it is almost impossible for an inmate to win if he opts not to call counsel.

By having an apparent 6-3 vote with a published dissent from the denial of certiorari, the four "liberal" Justices get to have it both ways. They signal to Alabama and other states that they do not think that there is an absolute requirement that the inmate call counsel while not getting an opinion on the merits that places a very high burden on inmates in IAC cases.

Posted by: tmm | Nov 13, 2017 12:07:13 PM

tmm's analysis is interesting.

I wonder how much these "signals" really do influence the relevant actors.

Posted by: Joe | Nov 13, 2017 12:13:33 PM

My suspicion would be that a statement regarding denial of cert doesn't carry much influence.

Perhaps more when it's a statement regarding what kind of case might be taken (I could see that influencing counsel to better perfect a particular case as a vehicle for the issue under discussion) but not when the statement is about the legal standard that should be applied.

Posted by: Soronel Haetir | Nov 13, 2017 1:30:28 PM

breyer did not vote for cert because he knew the inmate would lose on plenary review and make bad law.

Posted by: hgd | Nov 15, 2017 10:07:38 AM

Breyer did not vote for cert because he knows Kennedy is retiring. I am a court watcher.

Posted by: romanette | Nov 15, 2017 11:46:26 PM

Kennedy's potential retirement does not sound like a plausible explanation for this vote.

We are still early enough in the term that any argument would be held in February or March (particularly as the case was initially heard at the last conference of the October session meaning that if there were four votes to grant, it would have been granted at the October 27th conference). It's been a long time since a justice announced their retirement in the middle of the term and immediately stepped down. (Justice O'Connor announced her retirement in July 2005 but the retirement did not take effect until Justice Alito was confirmed in the middle of the next term. Apparently the last two before that -- both in the 1960s -- were forced retirements -- Justice Whittaker for health reasons and Justice Fortas due to scandal.) I can't see Kennedy departing from the tradition of announcing his retirement at the end of the term.

Now, things would be different if this were February. At that point, new grants are for the following term and justices might be reluctant to agree to take a case that depended on Kennedy for a majority unless they were 100% sure about Kennedy's plans.

Posted by: tmm | Nov 16, 2017 1:37:00 PM

I share tmm's take on the timing. Indeed, if Breyer thought he had Kennedy's vote on the merits, I think he want to make sure this case or another like it was granted ASAP so that it could be heard/decided before Kennedy moves on.

Posted by: Doug B. | Nov 16, 2017 3:42:16 PM

Post a comment
The national carrier Vietnam Airlines and American aerospace manufacturer Pratt & Whitney signed a $1.5 billion contract of the selection of aircraft engines and support services for 20 Airbus A321NEO aircraft.



The two parties also signed a memorandum of understanding on maintenance contracts covering these engines.

The deal between Vietnam Airlines and Pratt & Whitney includes 44 Pure Power Geared Turbofan (GTF) engines in accordance with comprehensive terms of warranty, maintenance and repair of engines.

President and CEO of Vietnam Airlines Duong Tri Thanh said the signing ceremony marked a new step in the development of Vietnam Airlines A321 fleet.

Thanh said the engine the firm chose was highly fuel efficient and especially environmentally friendly, and comes with comprehensive repair arrangements which help the firm to increase operational efficiency and save on operating expenses.

I believe that the agreement between Vietnam Airlines and Pratt & Whitney will further reinforce the important economic, trade and investment partnership between Vietnam and the US, said Thanh.

Speaking at the ceremony, senior vice president of sales, marketing and customer support at Pratt & Whitney, Rick Deurloo, said he was proud to celebrate this momentous occasion with Vietnam Airlines.

"Weve been powering Vietnam Airlines since the early 1990s when the airline received its first PW4000-powered 767. We look forward to continuing our strong relationship and long history with Vietnam Airlines, said Deurloo.

Since its first operation in 2016, the GTF engine has shown strong performance with a reduction of 16 per cent in fuel consumption, 50 per cent in emissions and 75 percent noise compared with the current engine.

Vietnam Airlines A321 airplanes equipped by GTF engines are the new version of the A321 - the largest aircraft type in the Airbus A320 family.

The A321NEO will provide passengers with new standards that will optimise cabin space, increase the size of the exits and new design of passenger cabins. Vietnam Airlines expects to receive 20 A321NEOs in 2018 and 2019.

Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp USA established in 1925, is a global aerospace leader in the design, manufacture and services of aircraft engines and auxiliary power units. Today, Pratt & Whitneys large commercial engines are being used by 25 percent of the worlds aircraft. Pratt & Whitneys maintenance, repair and overhaul services are carried out on a global basis.

On the same day, Vietjet and Pratt &Whitney also announced the selection of the GTF engine to power the budget airlines order of 10 new aircraft.

This deal, which is valued at $600 million at list prices, includes a 12-year EngineWise Fleet Management Program for Vietjets 10 new-age aircraft.

We are delighted to add 10 additional GTF-powered aircraft to our fleet. We look forward to the proven performance and environmental benefits that they deliver, Dinh Viet Phuong, Vietjets vice president said.

The PetroVietnam Gas Joint Stock Corporation (PV Gas) struck a MoU on the Son My natural liquefied petroleum gas warehouse with the AES Group Ltd. with a total value of $1.3 billion, and another MoU on co-operation with the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation in natural liquefied petroleum gas provision and upstream investment. Meanwhile, Hoang Huy and Navistar groups inked a MoU on trade of trucks.

Trumps first visit to Vietnam, which ended on Sunday, was taking place at a time when the Vietnam-US comprehensive partnership is progressing, especially after the US visit by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc in May 2017.

Vietnam and the US established diplomatic ties on July 12, 1995. Positive strides have been recorded in bilateral relations in all spheres since the countries established a comprehensive partnership in July 2013 on the basis of respecting each others territorial integrity, political regime and development path, for the sake of their own interests and for regional peace, stability and development co-operation. Since 2005, the US has become one of the leading trade partners of Vietnam, with two-way trade rising 20 percent in recent years.

VNS
SIOUX CITY -- The Sioux City Economic Development Department will host the fall 2017 Business for Breakfast event at 7:30 a.m. Friday at the Orpheum Theatre.

The free event will feature best-selling author, host and founder of The Unmistakable Creative podcast, Srini Rao, as he shares excerpts from The Art of Being Unmistakable: Why Only Is Better Than Best," his best-selling book.

In his presentation, Rao will share how to ignore best practices, trust your intuition, develop creative ideas and breakthrough solutions to solve problems. He teaches how to think like artists as opposed to marketers, embracing a compass instead of a map.

Business for Breakfast is a networking forum for company executives, entrepreneurs, higher education students, and professionals interested in emerging business trends and topics. The free event is sponsored by Iowas West Coast Initiative, The Siouxland Initiative and Sioux City Economic Development.

A complimentary breakfast will be provided and RSVPs are encouraged by calling 712-224-5500 or online at www.locatesiouxcity.com/business-breakfast.
SIOUX CITY | The Sioux City Journal has sponsored Mr. Goodfellow Charities during the holidays to raise money to purchase toys for needy children in Siouxland for more than a century.

Sunday marks the first day the Journal launches a daily page A1 feature that recognizes the many businesses, groups and individuals that have contributed $1,000 or more to the charity. The goal this holiday season is to raise $135,000 to buy toys for nearly 6,500 underprivileged children.

"Mr. Goodfellow is as important today as it was 103 years ago as many families are trying to make ends meet," said organizer Sue Stusse. "Providing toys for the children takes the stress off those families that are trying to meet the basic needs of food, shelter and clothing."

The fund drive culminates with the annual sale of the Little Yellow Dog pup at noon on Dec. 9 in the atrium of the HoChunk Centre in downtown Sioux City. Last year, Aspen-- a 14-week-old Maltese at the time-- went to the high bidder to a tune of $16,000. This year's dog has not been revealed.

Families must apply for the Goodfellow toys with the application that is running every day in The Journal and in the Siouxland Shoppers Guide. An application can also be picked up at The Journal, 515 Pavonia St. The toys will be distributed on Dec. 10 and Dec. 16 at the warehouse directly south of the Journal building.

A Journal reporter started Mr. Goodfellow Charities in 1914. Organizers sold the first Little Yellow Dog in 1936.
SIOUX CITY | Best-selling author J.D. Vance will be featured at Morningside College's 2017 Waitt Lecture at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 20 at Eppley Auditorium, 3625 Garretson Ave.

Vance's 2016 "Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis" spent more than a year on the New York Times best-seller list. His personal account of a traumatic and turbulent childhood offers a firsthand look at the impact of social, regional and economic decline on American's white working class.

Raised by his grandparents in Middletown, Ohio, Vance graduated from Ohio State University and Yale Law School. He regularly discusses politics and public policy on ABC, CBS and Fox News. He's a regular contributor on CNN.

Norman Waitt Jr., a 1986 Morningside graduate and a member of the Morningside College Board of Directors, established the Waitt Lecture Series in 1997. Recent lecturers have included CNN commentator Fareed Zakaria, "Meet the Press" host Chuck Todd, presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin and filmmaker Ken Burns.
OMAHA | A Bancroft, Nebraska, man pleaded guilty Monday to the April robbery of a Bancroft bank.

Jeffrey Bonneau, 38, entered his plea in U.S. District Court in Omaha to single counts of bank robbery and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. His sentencing was scheduled for Feb. 12.

Bonneau walked into First Bank of Bancroft on April 20 while wearing a dark motorcycle helmet and demanding money from the tellers, who recognized his voice. Bonneau fled on an ATV after taking $6,745 from the bank. Officers tracked him to a grove of trees, where he brandished a handgun. After taking cover and waiting for 15 minutes, officers heard Bonneau fire a shot before fleeing on the ATV, court documents said.

Bonneau rolled the ATV and was hospitalized for several days because of his injuries.

Authorities recovered approximately $1,020 in cash from Bonneau's hiding spot and another $4,205 that had been placed in a tree. Bonneau later admitted to robbing the bank and directed officers to the money.

Lenn Zuhlke, 55, of Bancroft, has pleaded not guilty to aiding and abetting in the robbery, though his role is not defined in court documents. He is scheduled to change his plea on Nov. 27.
PENDER, Neb. | An Emerson, Nebraska, woman has been sentenced to up to four years in prison for stealing at least $100,000 from her employer.

Hollie Koopman, 36, pleaded guilty in August in Thurston County District Court to single counts of theft by unlawful taking and theft by deception. She was sentenced Wednesday to 16-48 months in prison. District Judge John Samson also ordered her to pay $100,000 in restitution by transferring and assigning her 100 shares of stock in Emerson Manufacturing Inc., of Pender, Nebraska.

According to court documents, Koopman wrote a number of checks on Emerson Manufacturing's account and also used a company credit card to pay her credit card debt and other personal expenses.
WAYNE, Neb. -- Wayne State College's School of Education and Counseling will engage in a new partnership with Educational Service Unit 2 teachers who aim to integrate arts into their content area.

A $1.5-million federal Arts in Education  Professional Development for Arts Educators grant will fund tuition at Wayne State College for ESU2 teachers who wish to take part in the program.

Educational Service Unit 2 was awarded the grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The department awarded 20 projects across the nation, representing 14 states. The project, Mastering the Arts, is a four-year program designed to improve classroom teacher appreciation of the arts while improving their ability to integrate arts into classroom instruction in American history, science, math and language arts.

Participants in the program will enroll in a masters degree program of study through Wayne State College. Workshops will be held each fall, winter and spring during weekends as well as a summer institute.

For teachers interested in this opportunity, whether in or outside of the target districts, please apply online at: https://goo.gl/forms/G2xD3mQi7uOWnuym2. Application deadline is Nov. 22. For specific questions about this grant opportunity, please contact Diane Wolfe at dmwolfe@esu2.org or at 402-721-7710. ext. 220.
WINNEBAGO, Neb. | The Winnebago Tribal Council has moved to take over management of the troubled Omaha Winnebago Hospital.

After voting last week to initiate the self-governance process, the tribe will soon ask the Indian Health Service to begin negotiations for the tribal takeover of the federally operated health care facility in Winnebago.

"The Winnebago Tribe has been working toward this day for more than two years. We believe the tribe can improve the quality and access to care at the hospital and stabilize the management of the health system," tribal Chairman Frank White said in a news release.

The tribe hopes to assume operation of the hospital by July 1. The tribe has scheduled a press conference for 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Ho-Chunk Center in Winnebago to discuss the move.

Self-governance allows Indian tribes to assume administration of federal programs. A steering committee has been formed to help the Winnebago Tribal Council prepare for the negotiations and eventual management of the hospital.

"Committee members have been working since June to plan and develop materials that support the assumption of the hospital. It is a critical endeavor for Winnebago to raise the level of health care available to all tribal citizens in our area," tribal councilwoman Victoria Kitcheyan said.

In July 2015, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services terminated the hospital's Medicare contract after IHS and hospital officials failed to correct deficiencies the agency had found. The CMS released a report that identified a number of life-threatening deficiencies at the hospital, located about 20 miles south of Sioux City. Critics have blamed problems at the hospital for multiple deaths and misdiagnosis of patients.

Trust in the hospital took another hit in August, after it was revealed that up to 35 podiatry patients may have been inadvertently infected with diseases including HIV and hepatitis because a podiatry instrument was not properly sterilized between procedures. The podiatrist responsible for the mistake was fired.

IHS officials says improvements have been made at the hospital, where some top staff were replaced and day-to-day management of the emergency department was turned over to a private contractor based in Arizona.

The tribal council said it hoped to retain current employees after it assumes management of the hospital.

Winnebago tribal leaders have met with the Omaha Tribal Council regarding the transition because both tribes share concerns about the IHS' failure to achieve recertification and want the hospital restored to appropriate standards, White said in the news release.
VESTAVIA HILLS, Ala. (AP)  A defiant Roy Moore on Saturday insisted the allegations of sexual misconduct decades ago were false and voters in Alabama would "see through this charade."

The Republican Senate candidate showed no signs of backing down despite the demand of a growing number of Washington Republicans for him to step aside.

Moore made his first public appearance on Saturday since The Washington Post on Thursday published interviews with four women who said Moore had tried to have sexual or romantic relationships with them decades ago - when they were teenagers and Moore was in his 30s and an established attorney.

A wave of national Republican leaders, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, called for Moore to drop out of the race if the allegations are true. Trump, who is in Asia and said he was too busy to keep up with the news about Moore, referred to a prior statement given to reporters that said Trump believes Moore will "do the right thing..." if the allegations are true.

That did not sit well with some Moore supporters.

"I'm really upset at my own party for condemning him so quickly," said Tom Byars, who came to hear Moore speak at the Mid-Alabama Republican Club at a library in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, on Saturday. "Even with the president, you know, he had some trouble, too, and he's turned around and tried to condemn Roy Moore to step down?"

Moore's speech in Vestavia Hills on Saturday was his first public appearance since the report, although he had also denied the story Friday to conservative radio host Sean Hannity. Moore used the occasion to accuse the Post of engaging in a "desperate attempt to stop my political campaign for United States Senate."

The staunch GOP audience - which included state Supreme Court Justice Glenn Murdock and members of Alabama's Republican National Committee - gave Moore a standing ovation when he finished speaking.

Moore denied claims in the story that he had provided beer and wine to women too young to buy it themselves, or that he'd had sexual contact with a 14-year-old girl.

"I have not provided alcoholic beverages, beer or anything else, to a minor," Moore said. "I have not been guilty of sexual misconduct with anyone."

Moore also said it was "strange" that women would wait 40 years to make such accusations shortly before a general election. Moore is running against Democrat Doug Jones to fill the U.S. Senate seat previously held by U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

"That's not a coincidence. It's an intentional act to stop the campaign," Moore said.

But a lawyer for one of the women quoted in the Post report said the women whom Moore victimized were young teenagers while he was a powerful prosecutor.

"They likely feared that he would publicly persecute them ... precisely as he has done this week," Attorney Paula Cobia said in an email to The Associated Press.

Jones, speaking at an event Saturday in Tuscaloosa, said Moore needed to do more to address the allegations. "These are very serious allegations that he needs to significantly try to address," Jones said, according to the Tuscaloosa News reported.

Before Moore's speech, his opponents gathered outside the library, carrying signs and chanting anti-Moore slogans.

A group consisting mostly of women gathered to oppose Moore. Cheryl Knowles, a Vestavia Hills Democrat, held up a sign that said "#NoMoore" outside the library where Moore spoke.

"Please tell the people of America that some of us are so embarrassed," said Knowles.

Moore also said there would be new "revelations" in connection with the newspaper report that brought allegations of sexual misconduct to light.

"In the next few days there will be revelations about the motivations and the content of this article that will be brought to the public," he said. "We fully expect the people of Alabama to see through this charade."

A spokesman for Moore declined to provide further information about what information those revelations might contain.

In the hours following the Post report Thursday, some Republicans speculated that Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey would delay the Dec. 12 special election.

However, Ivey spokesman Josh Pendergrass said Saturday that Ivey "is not considering and has no plans to move the special election for U.S. Senate."

__
For the Week of November 13, 2017

Dina's decision to shake things up at Jabot had Jack concerned over his mother's bizarre behavior. Would Hilary regret that she rattled the skeletons in Jordan's closet? Did the result of Cane's impromptu roll in the hay cause the end to his marriage? And a welcome return to the familiar in Two Scoops.

"Well, you never do nothin' to save your doggone soul." Doesn't that lyric from the Bill Haley classic "Shake, Rattle and Roll" sound like an accurate statement about Billy Abbott? And the Y&R writers have sure been doing some shaking and rattling of their own, since Billy was left without a girlfriend and a job after his big rescue of the teens from the fire. It serves him right. If one didn't know any better, it would seem like he had saved the kids so he could be a hero in both Phyllis' and Victoria's eyes. Only for Victoria, his grand gesture was too little, too late, and for Phyllis, it wasn't enough to wipe out all of his deceit and underhandedness.

And speaking of Billy's foolish act of entering a burning building, where were all the firefighters while the flames were scorching Nick's business? I sure didn't see any in the building, although I saw plenty of them outside the Underground, preventing Cane from trying to save his children. So, were the rest of the firefighters handing out weenies or marshmallows to roast over this unexpected campfire? Several youngsters were trapped inside, yet they could only stand and watch as the fire burned hotter and the smoke got denser. It was only after Billy was trapped by the debris of the collapsing ceiling and walls that one brave firefighter dared to attempt a rescue. How sad. If the firefighters did that on Chicago Fire, the ratings would disintegrate into ashes and the show would burn to the ground. Perhaps a Chicago firefighter should transfer to Genoa City and show them how it's done.

After a figurative roll of the dice, the Newmans and the Abbotts somehow landed on opposite sides of the playing board. Victor had both of his daughters back under his wing at Newman Enterprises, and all was right with his world again. Who needed Nikki and Nick? They were turncoats that didn't deserve the time of day from his very expensive watch anyway. And Jack finally forgave Billy for pursuing his wife, so all was forgiven and forgotten. Well, for as long as Phyllis kept pushing Billy aside, that is.

And suddenly, almost all of the Abbotts -- Jack, Ashley, Billy, and Dina -- were living together in the Abbott mansion. Traci just needed to move back home to make it complete. Hey, Jill should move in, too. That huge house has to have many spare bedrooms and bathrooms. And the family wouldn't be complete without John's ghost returning from time to time to advise them all. But I guess he wouldn't need a bedroom or bathroom, would he?

As it turned out, however, Billy had a change of heart and decided to move into his mother's mansion. Seriously, he should have known that's where Cane had landed, since Cane still considered Jill as his mother. Cane had to go somewhere after he and Lily split up. But strangely enough, Billy had no problem with Cane being there. In fact, we were treated with what used to be the normal bickering between the two.

And a welcomed humor developed from within their situation, and not just for loud guffaws from a couple of hilarious lines. As they drank some of the finest liquor, the two guys reflected upon what a mess each had made of his life. Billy even admitted that he had wanted to be the hero during the fire in order to get Phyllis back. I knew it! Billy Boy, you were just too obvious.

Billy and Cane declared themselves men of action, and their actions sent them straight to jail. Looking back, they probably should have waited until the next morning to become sober men of action. I am enjoying watching this Billy Abbott again -- the screwup Billy Abbott. The one who wasn't constantly trying to totally ruin other people's lives, like Jack's and Cane's. I couldn't remember Billy ever being so vindictive before, so it's refreshing having him back to being the pain-in-the-neck Billy. This Billy is familiar and much more likable. Welcome back, Billy! I missed the man who, even when he's making mistakes, would show that his heart was in the right place.

So Billy and Cane landed in jail, where they could keep each other company. It just seems to me that the Chancellor mansion would have been more comfortable. And I was all ready for some more fun banter between the two jailbirds, but Billy was immediately bailed out the next morning. Oh, well, what else did they have to discuss, anyway, since they had already talked the loser thing to death, which is what landed them in jail in the first place?

But finally, Cane was given his freedom, too, just in time to rush to the courthouse to be granted a second form of freedom -- except that wasn't what he wanted. Leave it to Juliet and her perfect timing to put a halt to Lily's almost caving in to give her marriage a second chance. You know Juliet had to plan these things. She knew she wasn't wanted, but she popped up at the courthouse anyway. I absolutely agreed with Lily when she said that Juliet just wanted to make sure the divorce went through, and she wanted a ringside seat to witness it. Lily guessed that Juliet was either clueless or selfish, and I can tell you right now, Lily -- Juliet was not clueless.

Still, Juliet's plot went a tad awry when her little bun in the oven refused to cooperate. I actually thought Juliet was trying to put on an Academy Award-winning performance when she passed out, until Charlie showed the blood on his hand. So the divorce proceedings came to a grinding halt, anyway, and Juliet died, which made her planning and scheming all for naught. In hindsight, maybe this wasn't her best idea. So the baby, newly named Sam, only had Cane left in the world.

I would love to see Cane raise his baby with Lily. The babe with all of his medical complications could bring a whole new dynamic to their family. Lily still loves Cane, and she has a big enough heart to give to his child, too. And the twins would have a brand-new baby brother to fuss over. With Juliet's demise, they got rid of the biggest obstacle to their happiness. I certainly did not shed any tears over her death.

Things were also shaking up when Victoria was able to move on without Billy as her constant companion, and even Phyllis stood strong and wouldn't let Billy's sudden bravery sway her back to him. The two ladies' devotion to Billy was starting to get on my last nerve. It seemed to go on forever, and it was nauseating. Hurray for both of them for kicking him to the curb; however, I would have been more impressed with Victoria if she hadn't gone straight from Billy back to her father.

Gosh, which is the lesser of the two evils here? Victoria was truly starting to look pathetic by using any corporate method she could think of to keep her ex by her side. Yet now, Victor has control of Brash & Sassy again. I don't care how many contracts Victoria has him sign. No one knows loopholes better than Victor, and he will locate and use every single one of them to call all the shots at Victoria's beloved company.

Phyllis said no, no, no to Billy, but Billy was determined that wouldn't last long because he insisted that she was the one person who really got him. Are you kidding? That's exactly why they should stay far apart from each other. They are too much alike and too combustible whenever they are together. It's amazing the sparks between them didn't ignite and blow up any place -- or anyone -- within a couple of feet of them once they started sleeping together. Phyllis will eventually give in to Billy. Anyone should be able to see that coming a mile away.

Poor Nick, thinking he might have been the one to cause the fire in his nightclub when actually Dina had unintentionally set the place ablaze. The flames on the bar were a little exaggerated, though. I never saw where the oil from the oil lamp had gone all the way around the bar -- it was only on one large spot right by the lamp. But the flames shot around the bar so fast, some kind of accelerant had to have helped them along their merry way. Without the bar, not only Nick's livelihood but his very soul could be in danger, since Victor was always nearby and on the prowl. Victor's words don't always match his intentions. No matter how much or how often he denies his son, Victor would jump on any opportunity to pull Nick back into the Newman fold, if only to control him.

There's probably a reason why Dina has had a companion at her side, and the evidence seems to point to dementia or Alzheimer's disease. My mother is in her 80s now, and her memory has been slipping the past several years. At first, she was petrified with fear because she, like me, has had a great memory throughout her life. But now, she's pretty much adjusted to the fact that she tends to forget things from time to time. She can even joke about it now. My mother also has good days and bad days, and she is aware of that. So, my mother, my sister, and I will be able to relate to this storyline, since we are all devoted fans of Y&R. I just hope the writers do it justice, since this is probably more common than we wish to believe.

When Dina caused the fire at the Underground, was that a result of her disease? Probably, since normally, a little common sense would tell one to clean up an oil lamp spill to prevent a fire from starting. Most definitely, something was off with her when she was making decisions at Jabot without even clearing them with Jack first. And she was downright nasty when she compared Jack unfavorably to John. If she had been in her right mind, she would have known how much that would wound her son. Jack was very concerned about his mother's erratic behavior, and he would have been even more so if he had known she was swiping packets of sugar and also silverware, which came in handy later for her to use to stab Nikki. Jack said, "Loving someone always comes with hurt. It's inevitable." And he will realize just how painful, as he also learns why Graham probably didn't fight him for guardianship of Dina.

Whoa, Jordan and Chelsea sure weren't happy about Hilary wanting to mess with their past by rattling the skeletons in their closets. In fact, Jordan sounded downright threatening. See, it's that new-guy-in-town syndrome again, only it's taken a little time for Jordan to be afflicted by it too. Jordan's been such a nice guy...well, as nice as one can be by chasing a married woman and hoping that her marriage would fall apart. But he had to actually threaten Hilary with blackmail of posting her sexy pictures over social media in order to "shut her down."

Well, believe me, Jordan, that's the only language Hilary understands. The only hope Jordan had was to threaten her on-screen image or the success of her show. Those are the two big loves in Hilary's life. I have to laugh any time I hear someone ask her about her love for Devon. What love? Oh, the love she had for what he could give her. Oh, yeah, that love.

What could Jordan and Chelsea want so desperately to keep hidden? You don't suppose he was the head of a sex trafficking ring and she was one of his ladies, do you? Nah, that's too far-fetched. But Hilary was bound and determined she was going to learn the secret, so she decided to sniff around in Jordan's room, where she found a couple of driver's licenses with his picture but with another name on each. Hey, suddenly that wacko idea about Jordan being in charge of a sex trafficking ring doesn't seem so out there now, does it? But, no, I don't think he's been working with Zack, although it was Hilary, in a way, who "pimped out" Phyllis to Jordan so she could dig up his deepest secrets.

I couldn't believe it when I saw Jordan threatening Hilary with publishing her sexy pictures online. That was like waving a red cape in front of a charging bull, and Hilary was out for blood. It's just not something any intelligent person would do. "You don't tug on Superman's cape. You don't spit into the wind. You don't pull the mask off that old Lone Ranger...and you don't mess around with -- Hilary." Well, Jim Croce almost sang it that way. Believe me, if the dearly departed Mr. Croce had known Hilary, he would have been willing to change the lyrics of his song, even if they didn't rhyme.

So, surprise, surprise, surprise! Hilary announced to all of her viewers that Jordan was hiding driver's licenses under other names. That sure took the wind out of his sail of threats. Jordan even backed off of involving the police in the ransacking of his room. He most certainly is hiding something, and I am very interested in hearing what it is, especially since it also involves Chelsea. We can all learn a lesson from Hilary's comment to her audience, "If there's one thing I know about my bees, sometimes we are all about the honey, and sometimes we're all about the sting." (Technically, that might be two things, though.) Jordan, you might want to take note of this.

Hopefully, whatever secret Jordan and Chelsea are covering up won't trash Chelsea's new career as Neil's image consultant. Honestly, Devon and Chelsea were right that it was time to change his look, since he's been stuck in that one for quite a while now. A fancy-dancy Italian suit may be perfect as the CEO of a corporation, but a more relaxed look -- first a sweater and tie and later, a colorful jacket and no tie -- has been the right touch for a progressive and edgy PR firm. And it may work wonders for his personal life, also. I couldn't help but notice that the entire time Neil was talking to Chelsea and Devon, he kept sneaking glances over at Hilary at the bar. Could Neil possibly be interested in pursuing his ex-wife again, now that his son is out of the picture?

With Victoria's return to Newman Enterprises, Abby's lack of self-esteem and confidence reemerged. No wonder she's the lowest tier on Victor's totem pole. I'm not sure jumping at the chance of having Zack move in with her will heal her bruised ego. I really had the impression that someone was pulling Zack's strings, but it's sounding more and more like he is the mastermind behind the sex trafficking thing. In that case, let Paul quickly find the evidence to finally put an end to this farce -- and not in a funny kind of way. At least Abby can be grateful that she can't sink down too much lower on Victor's totem pole. However, after a little praise from her dad, Abby actually believed she could move up a tier on his pole. Silly girl.

After all, Victor has had no problem with pitting siblings against each other. He's been doing that to Nick and Victoria for years. Victor first told Abby that the party was being thrown in her honor, and then he, Neil, and Victoria decided it would be a grand announcement for Victoria's new title as second in command. And Victor didn't even bother to tell his younger daughter before the party.

Really? How did Victor think Abby would feel? She was humiliated, and no one cared less than Victoria, who just comes and goes at Newman Enterprises as she pleases. If the pain he caused Abby wasn't deliberate, Victor sure was being very inconsiderate. It's like Abby didn't matter to him at all. Oh, sure, according to Victor, her role was much appreciated and her contributions valued. Hogwash.

Wow, Victoria is truly transforming into a Victor clone right in front of our eyes. She even echoed his words to Jordan about trust and loyalty being the most valued traits. Trust and loyalty are a two-way street. Maybe Victoria should take a good look around and see that she has no one left from Brash & Sassy because she fired them all. And she got rid of Jordan based on Hilary's claim, which was funny, since she had never trusted a word coming out of Hilary's mouth before. But doesn't Victoria understand that loyalty and trust have to be earned? How can she earn her employees' trust when she keeps firing them? They never stay long enough for that to happen. Oh, well, at least she still has her papa, a man who has proven in the past that he can never be trusted, since he always goes by his own agenda.

Oh, joy, Crystal came back into the picture -- and into Genoa City. Goody-goody gumdrops (I haven't thought of that expression in a long time). Well, Crystal did identify Zack as the guy in charge of the sex trafficking ring. But this storyline is still slowly chugging along, since she refused to tell the police. Crystal insisted that she had to leave the safe house because she knew Zack was hot on her trail. She said that by her constantly being on the move, Zack couldn't track her down. So, of course, the first place she ran to was the town where Zack resided.

Oh, yeah, that makes sense. Crystal could have gone to any place in the world, but she picked the one where Zack lives? She must be using the hiding-in-plain-sight strategy. Yes, that's it. Why, Zack would never think to look for her there.

Nick has been saying over and over that he gave the trust fund to charity in order to free himself from his father, but it seems to me that his intention has backfired. You would think that much money would give Nick the freedom to do whatever he wants, even when Victor is gunning for him. Okay, since Victor bought out the liquor distributor in order to up their rates, Nick could either throw money at another distributor, who would be willing to make him a deal, or pay the bigger rates. Shoot, the liquor distributors could haul in a good chunk of change. However, since Nick gave up his millions, Noah would be wise to go in another direction with Tessa's support. But for how long? It could very well be just a matter of time before Tessa runs from Noah's loving arms to Mariah's.

Come on! Mariah and Tessa are so obviously conflicted whenever they are around each other. Is everyone in Genoa City that blind or obtuse? How could they not notice? Mariah refuses to take no for an answer, and Tessa doesn't want to rock the boat of her new family. Who cares about Noah and his feelings? I'm not sure he's even a factor in the final outcome, not as far as they're concerned.

Noah obviously cares more about his sister than she does about him. Mariah is really disappointing me. She's never been so selfish and self-centered before. If she truly loved them, wouldn't she want Noah and Tessa to be happy together, especially since that's what Tessa claimed she wanted?

Tessa comforted Noah over his loss of the Underground -- until she got a message about her sister, and then she was gone in a flash. But she left him with his father, so that was okay, except Nick only disappointed his son with his news that he was done with every location of the Underground. Noah found himself on his own and felt his dad was pushing him away. And Nick was, since he was the one with Victor's target on his back, not Noah. Nick probably did the best thing for Noah by deserting him. Victor would just continue to take pot shots at Nick until there was nothing left to shoot at. With the obstacle of Nick removed, Noah's chances of fulfilling his dream improved by about 100%. After all, Victor would never give anything less.

Noah had to look in another direction for his next dream, but he needed to look no farther than being manager of the Newman restaurant. So Abby was still lingering at the bottom of Victor's totem pole, and Noah shot right up past her to the "Top of the Tower." But Abby had other concerns, since Zack's past seemed to have caught up with him. Calling all media! Whenever the Newmans celebrate, shocking drama tends to follow. For someone who was supposed to be hiding in fear, Crystal had no qualms about announcing to the world that Newman was paying for Zack's Design Date app, which was a front for a sex trafficking ring. It wasn't exactly the appropriate time or place, but she got the job done. But it was obvious that the self-doubting Abby did not want to believe it.

Other notable (or humorous) items that happened during the week

It didn't take Scott too long to grow his mustache and beard back. Some guys just prefer having them. My husband would turn down a role in a play if he had to shave off his mustache. Well, at least Eric Braeden would never have that problem on Y&R. Victor couldn't be "the Mustache" without "the mustache."

It's been a joy watching Eileen Davidson playing Ashley on Y&R and Susan on Days of our Lives this week. The lady is so talented. The two roles are so different that there is absolutely no way that you could tell that the same actress was playing both parts if you didn't already know it. Brava, Ms. Davidson!

Until next time, please stay tuned.

Teddi
Iceland Air officials were among those gathered at Faleolo International airport tarmac awaiting the arrival of Samoa Airways on Saturday.

After two years of negotiations with Samoa Airways over aircraft leasing, the event was as significant to Iceland Air as it was to Samoa and her people.

For Managing Director and President of Iceland Air, Gudnie Hreinsson, Manager Production, Berlind Guomundsdottir and sales and marketing representative, Halldor Paddi Halldorsson, the moment of the aircrafts arrival was one of immense satisfaction and pride after a long process of establishing the groundwork in cooperation and production.

Mr. Halldorsson spoke to the Samoa Observer about the beginning of the business relationship between the two countries.

I started meeting with Alvin two years ago and we were discussing opportunities and possibilities of leasing an aircraft and taking it on, he said.

Of course its a big step for Samoa and it became clear to me after my first visit, that the opportunities were definitely here. So that meant that a couple of months later, I came back and then ended up building a strategic plan and today is the big day, finally. Two years later, we are here to day.

Mr. Hreinsson also expressed similar sentiments, saying he was excited and proud that two years of negotiations finally came to fruition.

Its a Boeing 77800 and its one of the most popular and most common aircrafts in the world, he said.

Its been a very successful and reliable aircraft and I think its a great fit for the routing that Samoa Airways is going to operate to Auckland and to Sydney as well. Its freshly painted, straight out of a scheduled maintenance on the aircraft which you do every now and then. Its coming straight out of there and as we would put it, its as good as new.

Once negotiations had concluded and the ink had dried on the contracts, Ms. Guomundsdottir stepped in to take over and according the President of Iceland, Ms. Guomundsdottir does all the real work.

I am in production, I basically take over when they sign the contract, she said.

I came here in August and Ive been here now for two weeks. Ive been monitoring the training and following up on the things that are going to be ready now. The training is based on the Italian A.O.C. because the aircraft is still registered there.

I train the cabin crew; you have a full Samoan cabin crew. The first few flights you will have some Italians as well just to do the training flights and then you will have a full Samoan cabin crew.

The Iceland Air officials spoke about how much they enjoyed their time in Samoa in between business dealings and that they planned to discover more about our island once Samoa Airways starts flying and gets into a routine.

I love it here, its absolutely amazing its such a beautiful country and the people are so nice and friendly, said Ms Guomundsdottir.

Last time I went around half of the island, hopefully this time I will go around the other half of the island and hopefully I will see the other island as well. But I am sure I will be coming back so if I dont get it this time, I will do so next time.

Mr. Halldorsson praised Samoa Airways for their hard work in the lead up to the aircrafts arrival and is confident that they are more than ready to successfully operate the aircraft and service the people of Samoa.

They have done a terrific job and of course everyone is very enthusiastic for the aircraft to come, he said.

Everyone has been working back to back and doing the absolute best and more than that actually and so I know they are more than prepared for the arrival of the first aircraft and I say the first aircraft because its the first of many to come Im sure.
Reinventing the World Social Forum?

Social Movements  November 13, 2017  Boaventura de Sousa Santos

The World Social Forum (WSF) met for the first time in Porto Alegre, Brazil in 2001. This was an event of extraordinary importance. It signaled an alternative form of globalization to the globalization being promoted by global capitalism, at a time when capitalism was increasingly assuming it is most exclusive and antisocial version: neoliberalism. This was not its first signal, but it was unquestionably its most consistent one. It put on the international agenda the struggles of the movements and social organizations fighting all over the world against the many faces of social exclusion: economic, racial, ethno-cultural, sexist, religious, etc. The WSF was, at the same time, both a symptom and a potentiality of the hope harbored by the oppressed social groups. It emerged as a world vocation in Latin America, because the subcontinent was then the world region where the popular classes were more consistently translating hope into forms of progressive government.

Such hope, both utopian and realistic, had been recently reignited in Hugo Chavezs Venezuela, from 1998 onwards, and would go on sparking with the new governments of Lula da Silva (Brazil) and Nestor Kirchner (Argentina), in 2003, and, in the following years, Rafael Correa (Ecuador), Evo Morales (Bolivia), Manuel Zelaya (Honduras), Fernando Lugo (Paraguay), and Pepe Mujica (Uruguay). With the WSF, a decade of hope was inaugurated and, starting from the subcontinent, projected throughout the whole world. Only in the subcontinent did it make sense to speak of 21st-century socialism, even if the concrete political practices had little to do with the discourses.

The great novelty of the WSF and its most precious asset was that it facilitated relations of mutual knowledge among the social movements and organizations involved in all kinds of struggles in different countries and according to historically very distinct political cultures. At the beginning, such an objective was well served by a culture of free and consensual discussion, as well as by the refusal of the WSF, as such, to make any political decisions. Which does not mean that, from the very beginning, there was no political debate among the more committed activists, a debate that became increasingly intense in the course of time.

Political Issues of Debate in WSF

Here are some of the main issues. Could the WSF be a truly world, progressive forum if the big NGOs (non-governmental organizations) were in control to the detriment of the small ones and grassroots social movements? If those in more need for the solidarity of the WSF could not afford to participate? If the dominant forces in the WSF did not fight against capitalism, rather fought, at most, against neoliberalism? Could there be, behind the ideology of consensus, the iron hand of some entities, individuals, or positions? If no political decisions were allowed, what would the point be of continuing to meet and repeat ourselves? Since there were no structures to organize the debates, those who felt troubled by these issues gradually withdrew. Nonetheless, the genius of the WSF was to go on attracting, over more than ten years, new movements and organizations.

However, by the end of the first decade of 2000 the international conjuncture had changed in ways that were dramatically opposed to the objectives of the WSF. Undermined by their own internal contradictions, the progressive governments of Latin America were in crisis. U.S. imperialism, which had been focusing on the Middle East for a decade, came back in force to the continent. The first signal was the forced resignation, in 2009, of President Manuel Zelaya, a democratically elected president. [Ed.: see Bullet No. 290] It became the first test of a new kind of institutional coup under democratic guise. It would repeat itself in Paraguay in 2012 [Ed.: see Bullet No. 657] and Brazil in 2016 [Ed.: see Bullet No. 1249]. Neoliberalism, fully backed now by global financial capitalism, invested strongly against every policy of social inclusion. The financial crisis provoked the social crisis and, as a result, the movements had to focus on national and local struggles. Actually, these struggles were increasingly more difficult because of repression and persecution. Under the excuse of the war on terror, the paranoia of surveillance and security rendered extremely difficult even the international mobility of activists, as witness Montreal 2016, when more than 200 visas were refused to activists of the global South.

Under such circumstances, what would the viability and usefulness of the WSF be? At a time when not only social policies but also democracy itself are at risk, would the continuity of the WSF be sustainable, a WSF reduced to a mere forum of debate and self-prevented from making decisions at the exact moment when neofascist forces were taking power? Such questions indicated an existential crisis of the WSF. The crisis reached its utmost at the meeting of the International Council (IC) in Montreal, when this organ refused to take a position against the impeachment of President Dilma Rousseff. I left the meeting feeling that the WSF was at a crossroads: either it would change or it would perish. For the past months, I have been thinking that it would agonize and slowly perish. Lately, however, as I watch the dynamism of the preparation of the WSF of Salvador (March 13-17, 2018), I concluded that the possibility of change is there, and that the WSF may yet adjust to the dramatic conditions and challenges of the present time.

What Are the Necessary Changes?

Proposal 1

During the forthcoming WSF in Salvador, a plenary assembly will be convened with only one item on its agenda: alteration of the Charter of Principles. Proposals will be accepted up to the previous day. The assembly board composed of three members of the local Salvador committee and two members of the IC will be in charge of organizing the vote. The Popular University of Social Movements (PUSM), of which I am a representative, is preparing to present the following proposal:

According to its terms, the WSF proclaims to be an organization and a process committed to defending and strengthening democracy, and claims competence to make political decisions whenever democracy is in danger. Concrete political decisions are made by the movements and organizations in charge of promoting each meeting of the WSF, whatever their geographic or thematic scope. The political decisions are valid within the geographic and thematic scope in which they are made.

Proposal 2

The current IC moves to suspend itself and open itself to a refoundational debate to be concluded in the plenary assembly of Salvador. The proposal being prepared by the PUSM addresses the following items:

The IC is hereupon to be composed of permanent members (those who are already and have declared to wish to continue to be permanent members) and an equal number of members elected at the Salvador WSF from among organizers and participants, bearing in mind diversity of countries, cultures, and struggles. Such will be the composition of the IC until the next WSF. The following WSF will have sovereignty to vote other proposals.

The IC is an organ for reflection, guidance, and facilitation. It has competence to decide, among several proposals, the venue of the next meetings of the WSF.

Proposal 3

The decisions of the WSF will be made at the plenary assemblies of the different Forums and will concern the scale and topic that presided over the meeting.

The Salvador WSF is perhaps more needed today than the Porto Alegre one was at the time. Will there be conditions not to squander this (last?) opportunity? 

First published in the Bulletin Intercoll , Novembre 2017.
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.
ANNAPOLIS (Nov. 13, 2017)After a four-year wait to provide medical cannabis to patients, the drug could be available to Marylanders as early as this month, according to industry stakeholders.



"I think we could see product in November, with increase in December and a steady flow from all operators in the new year," said Wendy Bronfein, the marketing director for Curio Wellness, a company in Lutherville, awarded two licenses to cultivate and process medical marijuana.



However, racial diversity in the state's medical marijuana industry is wanting, and some lawmakers said they are planning to introduce a bill early next session to grant licenses to African-American business owners.



A disparity study ordered by Republican Gov. Larry Hogan in April and due in December focuses on whether minorities who sought a license in the cannabis industry were at a disadvantage.



The study was prompted after the Maryland Legislative Black Caucus raised concerns about the lack of African-American involvement in the industry.



Of the 321 business owners granted preliminary licenses to grow, distribute or process the drug, 208 were white men or women and the remaining 113 identified as a member of a minority group or as multiracial. Of these, 55about 17 percentwere black men and women, according to the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission.



"It's shameful in a state like Maryland where we have one-third of the population of the state, one-third is African American," said Delegate Cheryl Glenn, D-Baltimore, chairwoman of the Legislative Black Caucus.



As the General Assembly's January session approaches, members of the Black Caucus told the University of Maryland's Capital News Service they have begun drafting a bill that would award 10 new licenses for growers and processors specifically targeted at African-Americans interested in the industry.



They will move forward with their legislation regardless of the outcome of a Hogan's disparity study, Glenn said.



"I will bank on it that we'll come away from the table with five new licenses for growers and five new licenses for processors that will be awarded based on the results of the disparity study. What does that mean? That means these licenses will go to, in large part, African Americans," said Glenn.



A weighted scoring system will give businesses an advantage of being awarded a particular license if they have a certain percentage of African-American ownership, Glenn said.



A "compassionate use fund" will be part of the legislation in order to make medical marijuana affordable for patients in Maryland. The fund will be financed based on the fees that licensees in the industry must pay, Glenn said.



"Marijuana is still an illegal drug, according to the federal government. Your insurance will not pay for marijuana even though it is medical marijuana. So what does that mean? That means it becomes a rich man's struggle. We're not gonna have that," said Glenn, whose mother died of cancer and is the commission's namesake.



Marylanders who are insured through the state's Medicare and Medicaid programs will not be covered for medical cannabis, said Brittany Fowler, spokeswoman for the Maryland health department.



The legislation has been numbered Senate Bill 1 and House Bill 2, and should gain initial approval as an emergency bill during a joint hearing by the House and the Senate during the first weeks of the sessionwhich is scheduled to start Jan. 10Glenn said.



Members of the Legislative Black Caucus said they intend to use the upcoming election as leverage for the bill.



"Next year is election year  so timing is everything  I am very, very sure that this is going to be taken care of," Glenn said.



Cannabis companies have said that the drug is likely to be available to patients this month.



ForwardGro Inc., the first licensed medical marijuana grower, successfully passed the state's cannabis assessment this year, said Darrell Carrington, the medical cannabis director of Greenwill Consulting Group LLC.



Patients will be able to get cannabis in a variety of forms such as lotion, pills and transdermal patches, said Michael Klein, the chief operating officer of Wellness Solutions in Frederick, Maryland.



The industry has been projected to open toward the end of the year, according to Brian Lopez, the chairman of the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission.



"The industry is starting to move forward," Lopez said late last month. "We hope we are going to have another 20 to 30 dispensaries by the end of the year and at that point we will have an industry that is starting to receive product consistently around the state. But with that we are going to also, I'm sure, see some growing pains."



Maryland still faces a wide range of challenges as the industry starts up. The commission has not decided how to regulate how dispensaries will serve out-of-state patients, deal with the green waste from the cannabis, or address fraudulent activity within the industry, said Lopez.



"I'm sure we are going to hit road blocks, but we plan to work through them in a very consistent manner and with diligence," Lopez said.



Maryland is considered to have one of the slowest medical cannabis rollouts in the nation, hampered by several delays that arose during the four-year process since it was legalized.



Stakeholders in the industry have pointed to the lack of funding of the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission in its beginning stages, and to lawsuits filed against the commission, as major stumbling blocks.



In 2016, GTIGreen Thumb Industriesa Bethesda, Maryland-based company that was originally awarded pre-approved licenses as a grower, filed a lawsuit against the commission for retracting its licenses in order to create geographical diversity.



The commission, which as of mid-2017 had 10 new members, made the decision to retract the license from GTI after the Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh stated in 2016 that the commission must ensure geographical diversity when choosing applicants.



GTI attempted to work with the Black Caucus to reverse the decision during the 2017 General Assembly session through legislation, which would have awarded them a license, said Delegate Pamela Queen D-Montgomery, financial secretary for the Black Caucus.



The legislation failed in the last 90 minutes of the session and there were no additional medical marijuana growing licenses given to any companies owned by minorities, Queen said.



The Legislative Black Caucus earlier this year asked Senate President Thomas V. "Mike" Miller Jr., D-Prince George's, Charles and Calvert, and Speaker of the House Michael Busch, D-Anne Arundel, to reconvene the General Assembly to Annapolis for a one-day session to pass a law expanding the medical marijuana industry. However, the request was denied.



In another lawsuit against the commission, filed in October 2016 by Alternative Medicine Maryland, a predominately African-American owned business, Judge Barry Williams ruled in May that if he finds that the commission unlawfully disregarded racial diversity during the application process for licenses he reserves the right to revoke the licenses of those who were pre-approved.



This could ultimately shut down the industry, according to John Pica, a lobbyist and attorney representing Alternative Medicine Maryland.



Frosh also had said it would be unlawful to seek racial diversity in the application process without there being a history of racial disparities in the nascent cannabis industry.



"While it is still too soon to say for certain when we can expect a final analysis, we are encouraged and grateful to collaborate with these offices as we pursue this important work," said Medical Cannabis Commission Executive Director Patrick Jameson, who announced his resignation from the commission on Thursday.



Queen said she thinks that a major issue that negatively affected the industry was the poor funding the commission initially received from the state.



When the panel was created as the Natalie M. LaPrade Medical Marijuana Commission in 2013, its purpose was to oversee academic medical intuitions in distributing medical marijuana. However, the institutions were unwilling to distribute the drug because it is illegal under federal law.



In 2015, when the commission was recreated as the Natalie M. LaPrade Medical Cannabis Commission, they were given a greater responsibility to evaluate and certify businesses to grow, process and distribute the drug.



The commission received $140,795 in fiscal year 2015 and $2,540,331 in fiscal year 2017. The increase of funding over time was used to hire more employees, contractual labor, office spaces that can support the growing staff, travel expenses and to pay Towson University for scoring license applications for the industry, according to Maryland Department of Budget and Management.
The State Highway Administration has bough nine new "quad axle" trucks to supplement their standard fleet. These new trucks, pictured here Nov. 8, 2017, in Hanover, can carry more than double the amount of salt and 40 more gallons of fuel. (Photo: Josh Schmidt)

HANOVER, Md.

(Nov. 13, 2017)The Maryland State Highway Administration is preparing for winter with improved technology that the agency said will clear roads more efficiently, curb salt usage and provide more information to drivers.The highway agency on Wednesday demonstrated an infrared measurement system and a larger truck, which they hope will help improve drivers' experience.Whether and when the state will be hit with inclement weather is unknown, but the agency is striving to be prepared for the worst case, highway administration spokesman Charlie Gischlar said.While the Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang predicts more snow than in recent years, those estimates will likely change over the coming weeks, said Tim Canty, associate research professor in the Atmospheric and Oceanic Science Department at the University of Maryland, College Park."We're in a transition region, so it's difficult to assess," Canty said. "We're at the border between the north and south. Then we have the sea to our east and mountains to our west so it's very difficult to forecast."While the new trucks should help ease commutes, the infrared system will help forecasters and residents alike, WBAL-TV meteorologist Lowell Melser told the University of Maryland's Capital News Service.The Lufft NIRS31-UMB, a non-invasive infrared system, can be used to instantly measure road temperature, freeze point temperature, ice depth and friction. These machines, which are placed on highway signage and other tall poles near the road, provide data on the state highway agency's website and can be accessed by anyone, Jerad Hoke, of Communications Electronics, said.Communications Electronics is a contractor for the highway agency that provides, installs and maintains the infrared machines.This sensor, which is going into widespread use this winter, was tested last year. All the data it provides is immensely helpful, and surface temperature will be particularly helpful to predict whether snow will stick to the roads, Melser explained."Forecasting is so unreliable, so you can just get lost in this trove of information," Melser said.Additionally, the state will be using more salt brine, a water mixture of 23 percent salt, which is more environmentally friendly, agency officials said. This year they have designated certain routes in the state as "liquid only snow routes" where they will only use brine unless there are blizzard conditions.In case of blizzard-like conditions, the agency will send out "heavy-duty tow trucks to strategic locations" and use the standard granular salt.Last year, they reduced their salt usage by 50 percent using more salt brine than granular salt, agency officials said.While too little salt isn't effective, too much salt actually promotes freezing, said Ben Durbin of Communications Electronics.SHA also presented their purchase of nine new "quad axle" trucks. These trucks, which cost $212,000$56,000 each more than a standard truckcan carry more than double the amount of salt and 40 more gallons of fuel.These trucks are helpful for clearing roads in rural Maryland, where there are long stretches of road and little time to refill, multiple snow plow drivers said Wednesday. Quad axle trucks will allow longer, more efficient trips so certain routes don't require extra salt.The highway administration identified high-traffic routes in Anne Arundel, Allegany, Montgomery and Prince George's counties where these trucks will be stationed.With so many factors impacting meteorology, it's unknown how much snow or ice the region will receive this winter, Canty said. If Maryland is hit hard, the State Highway Administration hopes that their new trucks, infrared machines and salting procedures will make a difference."We hope that these changes can help ease the impact of winter conditions" in Maryland, highway agency administrator Gregory Slater said. "With more transparency from these machines, citizens can be better prepared and safer."
WASHINGTON (Nov. 13, 2017)Maryland Sen. Ben Cardin and a group of other Senate Democrats said Friday that they are going to continue to participate in global climate talks, even though President Donald Trump won't back the Paris Climate Agreement.



"We are here because it's our responsibility to be part of the global community," Cardin said in a conference call with reporters from Bonn, Germany, site of the annual United Nations Climate Change Conference. "We're here because it's in our national security interests to deal with climate change."



On the call with Cardin were Democratic Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, Jeff Merkley of Oregon, Brian Schatz of Hawaii and Ed Markey of Massachusetts. No Republican senators made the trip.



"In my personal assessment, the death grip of the fossil fuel industry on the Republican Party precludes their participation in events like this without dire consequences to them," Whitehouse told reporters.



The Paris agreement, which sets goals for limiting global greenhouse gas emissions, was finalized in December 2015. The U.S. was one of 169 countries that ratified the agreement.



President Trump announced the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris accord in June. At the time, he said: "Not only does this deal subject our citizens to harsh economic restrictions, it fails to live up to our environmental ideals. As someone who cares deeply about the environment, which I do, I cannot in good conscience support a deal that punishes the United States"



Despite Republican intractability on climate issues and Trump's determination to pull out the Paris accord, the United States cannot legally do so until November 2020 at the earliest.



"What the president did in my view has been very harmful," Cardin said. "So we are still in (the Paris deal), make no mistake about it."



According to the senators, there is no one from the Trump administration set to attend the U.N. conference until next week, when negotiations around various agreements related to the accord heat up. And that has left an opportunity that some senators are worried China is all too eager to take.



"Whenever America is not as aggressive as it should be, not as engaged as it should be, it leaves opportunities for other countries to step forward and fill that void," said Cardin. "We believe that China is one of those other countries that may very well step forward and fill that void."



The annual conference, called COP, or Conference of the Parties, is held to assess progress towards the goal of signees to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which negotiated the Paris accord as well as similar agreements that preceded it.



When asked by Capital News Service if the Democratic delegation was being taken seriously by foreign attendees to the conference despite their role as members of the opposition party back home, Cardin responded: "I think they (foreign governments) understand our political system perhaps better than we think they do, and they recognize that first of all, climate change should not be a partisan issue. And that they recognize that a lot of the progress that has been made historically has not been on a partisan line basis."



Cardin added that he's had conversations with Republican colleagues in the Senate and that they're more interested in what's happening in Bonn than they admit publicly.



"The president of the United States is a powerful person but he can't stop us from moving forward on clean energy," Schatz said.
LEONARDTOWN, Md.

Disclaimer: In the U.S.A., all persons accused of a crime by the State are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. See: so.md/presumed-innocence. Additionally, all of the information provided above is solely from the perspective of the respective law enforcement agency and does not provide any direct input from the accused or persons otherwise mentioned. You can find additional information about the case by searching the Maryland Judiciary Case Search Database using the accused's name and date of birth. The database is online at so.md/mdcasesearch . Persons named who have been found innocent or not guilty of all charges in the respective case, and/or have had the case ordered expunged by the court can have their name, age, and city redacted by following the process defined at so.md/expungeme.

(Nov. 13, 2017)The Leonardtown Barrack of the Maryland State Police (MSP) released the following incident and arrest reports.CDS (17-MSP-041028): On September 28, at approximately 7:00 a.m., Detective Sergeant J. Linger was on-duty in the area of MD RT 235 in the area of St. John's Road in Hollywood. D/Sgt. Linger conducted a traffic stop on a 2008 Ford Taurus and made contact with the driver, identified as. D/Sgt. Linger observed partially burnt hand rolled cigars in plain view inside the vehicle. Upon further investigation, and inspection, the cigar contained K2/Spice which is a synthetic marijuana. Mr. Dyson was arrested for possession of CDS- Non marijuana.CDS (17-MSP-041032): On September 28, at approximately 7:00 a.m., TFC J. Mulhearn responded to a motor vehicle collision on MD RT 5, north of MD Rt 249, Callaway. Upon arrival, TFC Mulhearn made contact with the driver of one of the vehicles, identified as. While speaking with Ms. Wood, he observed noticeable signs of impairment at which time Standardized Field Sobriety tests were conducted. As a result of the tests, it was determined that Ms. Wood was driving under the influence and was placed under arrest. A search incident to arrest revealed a plastic bag containing suspected Alprazolam, a controlled dangerous substance. Ms. Wood was charged with driving under the influence of CDS and transported to St. Mary's County Detention Center.CDS POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE (17-MSP-041784): On October 3, at approximately 12:21 a.m., TFC C. DiToto was travelling southbound on MD RT 235 at Pegg Road when he observed a vehicle operating in an erratic manner. TFC DiToto attempted to stop the vehicle on Pegg Road, but it continued. As the vehicle approached the intersection of Pegg Road and Forest Run Drive, TFC DiToto observed the driver throw multiple white bags out of the passenger side of the vehicle. The vehicle turned on Westbury Blvd and then stopped at the intersection of Westbury Blvd and Saltmarsh Court. The driver was identified as. Mr. Hill admitted throwing contraband out of the vehicle. A search incident to arrest revealed a plastic bag containing suspected cocaine located in the vehicle as well as a large sum of money on his person. TFC C. Ruth and Deputy Bush returned to the location where the contraband had been thrown from the vehicle and located additional plastic bags of suspected cocaine. Mr. Hill was transported to the St. Mary's County Detention Center where he was charged with Possession of CDS (Crack Cocaine), Possession of CDS with Intent to Distribute and Possession of CDS Paraphernalia.CDS POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE (17-MSP-041967): On October 4, at approximately 9:45 a.m., while conducting speed enforcement in the area of MD RT 246 at Pacific Drive in Lexington Park, TFC B. Ditoto observed a green Isuzu exceeding the speed limit and conducted a traffic stop. TFC Ditoto observed the rear seat passenger acting in a suspicious manner. Upon making contact with the driver, TFC Ditoto observed a pill bottle in plain view and when the front passenger (identified as) was looking for the registration in the glovebox, TFC Ditoto noticed another pill bottle which was unlabeled. The rear passenger had no identification and ultimately provided TFC Ditoto with a false name because he had an active warrant. He was identified as. During a probable cause search, numerous small plastic bags containing suspected crack cocaine were located. Mr. Scott was charged with CDS Possession with Intent to Distribute, Possession of CDS-Not Marijuana and False Statement to a Peace Officer. Ms. Thompson was charged with Possession of CDS-Not Marijuana. Both were transported to the St. Mary's County Detention Center.CDS POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE (17-MSP-042026): On October 4, at approximately 4:30 p.m., TFC J. Mulhearn responded to Exquisite Court in Lexington Park for a warrant service. While attempting to make contact with the subject listed on the warrant, he detected the odor of marijuana emitting from the residence. When he approached the front door of the residence he observed live suspected marijuana plants in individual planter pots outside the front door in plain view. The plants were seized and he attempted to locate the owner of the residence. At 5:49 p.m., the home owners,, and, arrived at the residence. Tabatha Hower was charged with Possession of CDS: Marijuana on a criminal summons. David Hower Sr. was charged with CDS Manufacturing, CDS Possession with Intent to Distribute, and Possession of CDS Marijuana on a criminal summons.BURGLARY (17-MSP-043051): On October 11, at 11:30 hours, Trooper D. Coppedge responded to, for a report of burglary/theft. Upon arrival and making contact with the home owner, it was revealed that an unknown person had stolen his Bersa Thunder .380 handgun and approximately $700 cash from a safe inside the residence. There were no signs of forced entry. The investigation continues.DISTURBANCE, POSSESSION OF CDS, FIREARM VIOLATION (17-MSP-037761): On September 5, at approximately 6:00 p.m., TFC A. Oyler responded to South Springsteen Court in California for a reported disturbance. Upon arrival, TFC Oyler made contact with a male subject, identified as, who was causing the disturbance. During TFC Oyler's investigation, it was revealed Mr. Butler was in possession of cocaine and a handgun.THEFT (17-MSP-038373): On September 9, at approximately 3:00 p.m., TFC S. DiToto responded to Target in California for a reported theft of a wallet. Upon arrival and making contact with the victim, it was discovered the victim left her purse in a shopping cart, unattended, while she was in the adjacent isle. Video surveillance identified a white male, wearing a black t-shirt, blue jeans and red shoes remove a wallet from the victim's purse and left the store. Investigation continues.CDS POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE (17-MSP-038841): On September 13, at approximately 1:19 a.m., TFC Meurrens conducted a traffic stop in the area of Old Great Mills Road and Point Lookout Road in Great Mills. Upon making contact with the occupants, a strong odor of marijuana was detected. During a probable cause search of the vehicle, over 94 grams of marijuana and drug paraphernalia were recovered. Further investigation revealed the drugs belonged to a passenger in the vehicle, identified as. During a search incident to arrest, a large amount of cash was also found on Mr. Padgett. He was placed under arrest and transported to the St. Mary's County Detention Center. He was charged with Possession of Controlled Dangerous Substance and Possession with the Intent to Distribute. He was also wanted on an open warrant through King George County Sheriff's Office in Virginia.THEFT, POSSESSION OF CDS (17-MSP-038916): On September 13, at approximately 12:30 p.m., Trooper M. Manning responded to Seymour Used Auto Parts in Charlotte Hall for a reported theft of a tire. The suspects left prior to Trooper Manning's arrival. Trooper Manning was able to locate the vehicle and the suspects at Mr. Tire in Mechanicsville. Investigation revealed the three suspects identified as; and, loaded a tire in their vehicle and left without paying. All three suspects were arrested and transported to St. Mary's County Detention Center where they were charged with Theft under $100. During a search incident to arrest, Mr. Burke was found to have suspected marijuana inside his sock. He was issued a civil citation for possession of marijuana less than 10 grams.Heflin, William James, 49, of Hollywood, arrested on 9/12/2017Smith, Mark Thomas, 20, of Ellicott City, arrested on 9/16/2017Zamora, Omar Salas, 27, of Meridian, MS arrested on 9/17/2017Simmons, Quadre Matthew, 24, of Lexington Park, arrested on 9/17/2017Kinder, Amanda Lynn, 32, of Lexington Park, arrested on 9/18/2017Scott, Crystal, 27, of Lexington, KY arrested on 9/19/2017Reece, Rita Mary, 34, of Lexington Park, arrested on 9/20/2017Reece, Rita Mary, 34, of Lexington Park, arrested on 9/22/2017Burch, Daniel Louis, Jr., 56, of Mechanicsville, arrested on 9/24/2017Makle, Kevin Antionne, 34, of Waldorf, arrested on 9/24/2017Clybourne, De'Aune Nathan, 23, of Lexington Park, arrested on 9/25/2017Carvalho, Jodee, 52, of Dameron, arrested on 9/26/2017Russell, Charlie, 69, of Gettysburg, PA arrested on 9/26/2017Wood, Amanda Lyn, 27, of Mechanicsville, arrested on 9/28/2017Bowie, Lauren Elizabeth, 24, of Waldorf, arrested on 9/29/2017Ellsworth, Christopher Todd, 29, of Leonardtown, arrested on 9/29/2017Stone, Sandra Denise, 44, of Mechanicsville, arrested on 9/30/2017Buitrago, John Charles, 33, of California, arrested on 9/30/2017Gross, Marquita Shanez, 34, of Great Mills, arrested on 9/30/2017Brooks, Randy De Angelo, Jr. 30, of Lexington Park, arrested on 9/30/2017Henry, Sean Harvey, 47, of Bryans Road, arrested on 9/30/2017Hilario Cervantes, 50, of Collinsville, OK arrested on 10/1/2017 TFC D. CoppedgeTyler Nathaniel Hair, 24, of Mechanicsville, arrested on 10/3/2017 TFC C.DitotoEmmanuel Rosario Ojeda, 30, of Denver, CO arrested on 10/4/2017 TFC D. CoppedgeRobert Miguel Huici, 31, of Charlotte Hall, arrested on 10/4/2017 TFC S. DitotoAmy S. Santoria, 50, of Antioch, IL arrested on 10/5/2017 Cpl. M.GrimesRobert Wilson Barrett, 56, of California, arrested on 10/5/2017 Tpr. M. ManningThomas Eugene Hill, 59, of Lexington Park, arrested on 10/5/2017 TFC S. DitotoMichael Anthony Hall, 23, of Lexington Park, arrested on 10/7/2017 Cpl. M. GrimesTerrance Anthony Quille, 21, of Walforf, arrested on 10/8/2017 Cpl. M. GrimesGeorge Leon Walker, 50, of Upper Marlboro, arrested on 10/8/2017 TFC B. MeurrensJake John-Patrick McGuire, 24, of Great Mills, arrested on 10/12/2017 TFC S. DitotoSharmayne Danae Heigh, 22, of Upper Marlboro, arrested on 10/13/2017 TFC S. DitotoCaitlynn Taylor Rader, 23, of Lexington Park, arrested on 10/13/2017 Tpr. T. HowardEric T. Daniel, 55, of Irvington, NJ arrested on 10/13/2017 TFC B. DitotoJeremiah Anton Thomas, 37, of Chaptico, arrested on 10/16/2017 TFC B. MeurrensPatricia Ann Swann, 62, of Lexington Park, arrested on 10/18/2017 TFC D. CoppedgeDarrin Loon Poon, 49, of La Plata, arrested on 10/18/2017 Tpr. M. WhitmanLisa Ann Gaddis, 50, of Hollywood, arrested on 10/19/2017 Cpl. M. PitcherJames Tolson Walker, 44, of Brooklet, GA arrested on 10/21/2017 TFC B. DitotoAmanda Brooke Malamphy, 25, of Lusby, arrested on 10/21/2017 S/Tpr. E. EvansJohn Jeffrey Burch, 49, of Lusby, arrested on 10/21/2017 TFC S. DitotoJoseph Leon Davis, Jr., 37, of Lexington Park, arrested on 10/29/2017 TFC D. Coppedge
(WB) Piers Morgan angered Caitlyn Jenner when he joked about her transition and gender confirmation surgery.

According to the Sun, while filming with Jenner for an episode of Life Stories Morgan pulled out a male doll meant to represent Jenner pre-transition.

You were an all-American, 6ft 2in muscle-bound guy. When you look at that guy what do you think? Morgan asks Jenner.

Good for him. There is a lot more to this story than just that, Jenner replies.

Morgan continues to press Jenner for details on her transition asking, How does your physique compare now to what it did then? Obviously, certain areas we know about.

Jenner fired back at Morgan calling his comment disrespectful.

You made a comment there and thats why you would get in trouble, OK? You said, Certain areas  that, to a trans person, is disrespectful, Jenner says. Its not funny. Its life. Its a very serious part of my life. I take that very seriously and so out of respect to myself and the community, its not something that you joke about.

This is serious stuff. People die over these issues. Its not a joke, Jenner adds.

Jenners argument seemed to resonate with Morgan who simply replied point taken.

Morgan is known for his fiery debates with the transgender/non-binary community. His argument with a non-binary couple on Good Morning Britain went viral in May.

 Mariah Cooper, Washington Blade courtesy of the National LGBTQ Media Association.
As the weather gets a little colder and the fall harness meet resumes next weekend at Northlands Park, there is action on other fronts. A number of horsemen who raced in Alberta this year, have decided they prefer a warmer climate and have re-located to Cal Expo in Sacramento. The list includes Quentin Schneider, Richard Remillard, Ryan Grundy, Gary Clark, Rene Goulet, and Gord Empey.

Gary Clark already has already recorded a win, as he got his picture taken with Real Buzz in the opening race of last Friday nights card. Grundy has won with both Shesamysterytome and with Justabitcrazy. Goulet scored with Cenalta Call Girl on the Saturday program.

Theyll try and make some money in US dollars and build on the relationship between California and Alberta horsemen. There have been a number of conversations involving officials from California, Fraser Downs and Alberta Standardbred about what it would take to put together a series that would start in California, continue in BC and wind up in Alberta. There is some interest, but the pieces needed to make something like that a reality arent yet in place. The past couple of years, a handful of California horsemen have come to the ASHA yearling sale to buy horses, which is a tribute to the relative strength of the Alberta breeding program. It would be nice to see those horses, at least a couple of times, racing in the province and not lost completely to the Alberta racing scene.

Speaking of yearling sales, HRA officials counted 11 horses that were purchased by Alberta interests at the annual Harrisburg Sale, which wrapped up this past Friday evening in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Two are going to Keith Clarks barn in De Winton; three were bought by John Glen of Sherwood Park; a couple others were purchased by Meridian Farms of High River, and five are now owned by Blair Corbeil of Beaumont. Sadly, the Corbeil horses are not coming back to Alberta, at least not right now.

Ive been coming to this sale for 12 years and this is the toughest its ever been to get good horses, Corbeil told HRA. Anything that looked good was expensive. I paid $25,000 for a three-year-old filly, Rockn Opium, which I had owned in partnership and which I now own outright. Shes been racing in Toronto, so were going to leave her with trainer Jennifer Bongiorno. Her brother, Joe, drives some of Ron Burkes horses on the Ontario circuit and Ive been very impressed with their work.

Jenn Bongiorno just took out her trainers license in June, but already has 15 horses to work with. She and her brother are fourth generation in the business. Their great uncle is harness racing legend Stanley Dancer.

Theres a Betterthancheddar colt thats going to Ron Fellows stable in Toronto, said Corbeil. The others are going to Ron Coynes stable in New Jersey. I also had six horses in the sale that I was able to sell.

John Glen picked up three yearlings. He got an American Ideal colt called American Risk, a Betterthancheddar filly called Rue Hanover, and an American Ideal filly named Quantum Blue Chip.

Im sending the two American Ideal yearlings to Clark Beelby down in Florida, Glen told HRA. Rue Hanover will go to Gord Remmen in Toronto. Well see how they train down in the spring and then decide what to do with them. I kind of rolled the dice on Quantum Blue Chip. Im hopeful that she can develop into a good racehorse but certainly she could also be a broodmare prospect longer term.

Anytime you buy a horse its a gamble. I like the breeding on these three, but it will be next summer before we know exactly what we have.

Glen, whose family is in the automotive business in western Canada, was in Vancouver when HRA caught up with him on Sunday morning. He had an interesting story to tell, though, about a Saturday evening trip to Fraser Downs.

Ive raced there for years, Glen told HRA. It was great to see the grandstand really packed on Saturday night. It was BC Breeders Day and it drew a crowd. There was a weather delay part way through the card, but almost nobody left. It tells me that people want to come to the races. Theyre not content simply to sit at home and watch them on their computers.

Im anxious to see if that happens in Alberta. Yes, the machine gaming is important, but so is the fan experience of coming to watch live racing. Fraser Downs has a tiered level of seating that provides great viewing of the racetrack. I hope that will be part of both Century Mile and Century Downs when those facilities are completed.

Glen has three horses racing in Toronto at the moment. Two of them are trotters, so theres no chance they will find their way to Alberta. The third is the mare, Buttermilk Hanover.

Rod Boyd has her and shes been racing in non-winners of $15-20,000, Glen told HRA. They go for purses of $20,000 and race every week. So, it doesnt make any sense to bring her out to Alberta where shed have to race in the Open class for half that money.

I didnt buy anything at the ASHA yearling sale in September, so at the moment, Im not sure what Ill have for the Alberta circuit for 2018. Well see what these yearlings do as they get ready to start their racing careers and then make some decisions based upon what they show us.

Meanwhile, two yearling buys are headed to Keith Clarks farm in De Winton. Armycaptin Hanover is a yearling son of Captaintreacherous. Three Grand is a son of Mach Three. Clark echoed John Glens thoughts on their potential, saying well see what they show us when we get them here and into training in the spring.

Meridian Farms added a two-year-old filly, What A Feeling, at a cost of $5,000. She went through the Lexington Select sale in October of 2016 for a price of $15,000 US. I think we got a steal with this one, Meridian Farm Manager Terry McIsaac told HRA. A daughter of Bettors Delight, out of the Art Major mare, All The Buzz, shell be turned loose on the Alberta scene next summer. Meridian also added to its broodmare band, picking up the ten-year-old JK Sure I Can. She made nearly $160,000 during her racing career, including a win in the Ladyship Stakes at the Meadowlands as a three-year-old. Shes currently in foal to Sportswriter.

McIsaac will be pleased to know that Sportswriter sired three of the four winners of $100,000 stakes races on Saturday at Fraser Downs. Scardy Cat in the Betty Millbank Memorial for two-year-old fillies, Yoga Pants in the Mary Murphy Breeders for three-year-old fillies and Millbanks Bart in the Robert Murphy Memorial for three-year-old colts and geldings, are all products of the Ontario-based stallion. And it was a good day for Rick Mowles JJJ Stable from Prince George, BC. Alberta saw a lot of his horses during the summer meet at Century Downs. He won three of the four $100,000 finals on Saturday and finished one-two with Scardy Cat and with Dali Double in the Betty Millbank Memorial.

Ima Dude, driven by Brandon Campbell, finished runner-up to Millbanks Bart in the Robert Murphy Memorial.

(Horse Racing Alberta)
Panocchio, the seven-year-old gelded son of No Pan Intended, conquered a trio of obstacles on Sunday night (November 12) while scoring his 35th lifetime win, which came in the $11,000 Open Handicap Pace.

The obstacles he brushed aside were: 1) a strong million dollar field of competitors; 2) the outside post and 3) near monsoon conditions which enveloped the track.

At the wire, Panocchio and driver Wally Hennessey had a two and three-quarter-length margin over his nearest competitor in 1:51.4.

E R Melvyn, handled by Rick Plano, finished second while Rockntouch, teamed with Mickey McNichol, was third. Bestinthebusiness and Team Captain picked up the minor awards in the field of nine.

At the outset, Panocchio was away near the back of the pack, but rushed up quickly thereafter to find himself third over  but sixth  at the opening quarter. Drachan Hanover and Rockntouch were battling it out at that point through the :27 opening marker, while Team Captain was third and Barbarian fourth on the outside and hung out to dry.

Drachan Hanover and Rockntouch were one-two past the half in a hot :55 over the sloppy racing oval with Barbarian next and ready to call it a night.

That's when Hennessey sent Panocchio on his devastating double-bubble brush that took him right to the front during the next eighth mile, followed by a similar move by E R Melvyn from seventh.

By the time they reached the third station in 1:23.4, Panocchio owned a daylight lead over E R Melvyn that kept widening right to the wire.

After the race, Hennessey related, "What a horse. What a pleasure to drive. You known Jimmy (trainer Mattison) doesn't go too much with him in training miles  maybe a trip in 2:20 or 2:30  but, when he sees the (starting) gate, he's all business.

"I wasn't that anxious leaving with him tonight because a bunch of them were leaving, so I went looking for a decent spot and there was none around so my only choice was to follow some cover and hope it took us far enough along. On the backside, I sent him on one of your 'double-bubble' moves and he responded like-WOW!

"He amazes me every start."

Panocchio now has a 57-27-12 scorecard in 136 career starts, good for lifetime bounty of $480.643, including his 35 wins at Pompano Park, one of which is his track record 1:48.3 performance.

For this season, Panocchio has nine wins in 28 starts and earnings of $83,225 for trainer Jim Mattison, who co-owns with Emile Johnson, Jr.

As the 3-2 favourite, Panocchio paid $5.00 to win.

Hennessey also captured the $10,000 co-feature with Duc Dorleans, who scored a very sharp decision in 1:52 over Major Starlight (Dave Ingraham) with Dees Rocket Man (Fern Paquet Jr.) a sharp-closing third. Skip Jive was fourth in the field of nine while Sumthintallnstrong finished fifth.

Duc Dorleans, a seven-year-old altered son of Shanghai Phil, took command at the opening quarter in :27 and proceeded to wire together subsequent fractions of :55.1 and 1:23.2 before his :28.3 kick home was more than enough to get the job done  the margin was three and three-quarter lengths.

Trained by Jacques Dupont for Les Ecuries Dorleans, Inc., Duc Dorleans won for the third time this year in 18 starts and set a seasonal best time with the win.

Career-wise, Duc Dorleans has 39 wins and $642,689 to go along with his Mohawk mark of 1:48.4.

Third choice at 7-2, Duc Dorleans paid $9.20 to win.

Racing will continue on Monday night with a Super Hi-5 finale jackpot swelling with a carry-over of $7,794.

Post time is 7:20 p.m.

(Pompano)
As I write, there is an email forward and social media post that is floating around by the same title. It asks, Are You Sick of Highly Paid Teachers? and then goes on to show that, actuallyteachers are not paid enough. I say: Teachers are paid plenty. While that may or may not be true , the economics of the article does deserve a closer look. In full, the note says:

Teachers hefty salaries are driving up taxes, and they only work 9 or 10 months a year! Its time we put things in perspective and pay them for what they do  babysit!

We can get that for less than minimum wage.

Thats right. Lets give them $3.00 an hour and only the hours they worked; not any of that silly planning time, or any time they spend before or after school. That would be $19.50 a day (7:45 to 3:00 PM with 45 min. off for lunch and plan that equals 6 1/2 hours).

Each parent should pay $19.50 a day for these teachers to baby-sit their children. Now how many students do they teach in a daymaybe 30? So thats $19.50 x 30 = $585.00 a day.

However, remember they only work 180 days a year!!! I am not going to pay them for any vacations.

LETS SEE.

Thats $585 X 180= $105,300 per year. (Hold on! My calculator needs new batteries).

What about those special education teachers and the ones with Masters degrees? Well, we could pay them minimum wage ($7.75), and just to be fair, round it off to $8.00 an hour. That would be $8 X 6 1/2 hours X 30 children X 180 days = $280,800 per year.

Wait a minute  theres something wrong here! There sure is!

The average teachers salary (nation wide) is $50,000. $50,000/180 days = $277.77/per day/30 students=$9.25/6.5 hours = $1.42 per hour per studenta very inexpensive baby-sitter and they even EDUCATE your kids!) WHAT A DEAL!!!!

Make a teacher smile; repost this to show appreciation for all educators.

Update: Im glad that many people have shown their support for teachers by reposting this note, but I am not the original author. I received this as an anonymous chain letter email, and I wanted to share it to support the public workers of Wisconsin.

While this note is seemingly clever and cute in its own way, it has a problem. It was written by someone with no grasp of economics. Not only does the note only discuss salaries, it completely excludes the entire notion of fixed costs. On this account, the note should not be taken seriously.

Lets look at it. And for the sake of confusion, assume that the numbers presented in the note are actually correct.

The note says that in the USA, a teachers average salary is $50,000 per year. But, if teachers were just paid like daycare workers or inexpensive babysitters, making between three dollars an hour and minimum wage, they would be making between $105,300 and $280,800 per year.

Well. This implication begs the question: Why dont daycare workers, working for a daycare that charges $64 per day, per student, make $280,800 per year, or more?

The answer is fixed costs: Quite simply, salary is not the only expense that a school has.

Said differently, schools that take in X dollars in revenue do not pay out X dollars in salary.

If 30 parents pay $8 per hour, or $64 per day (for an 8 hour day), to put their child in daycare, for a total of $1,920 per day  the teacher is not paid $1,920 per day. There is more to operating a school than that. First, there is the cost of the building that has to be built and financed. Utilities must be paid. Insurance costs have to be taken into account. A maintenance crew must be retained for building repairs and cleaning. A bus must be bought if the children ever wish to take a field trip. An administration staff must be kept. Computers and software must be purchased. And most employees will require the cost of health benefits, social security taxes, and retirement.

In contrast, many people would probably consider it a bargain to educate students for $9,360 ($280,800 / 30 students) per year as a good deal. This is because as late as 2009, Houston school districts stated per-pupil cost was $8,418. Los Angeles reported a cost of $10,053 per pupil, Chicago was $11,536, and the District of Columbia $17,542. But, as the Cato Institute reports, these numbers are actually guilty of the same problem: In many cases, school districts leave out many fixed costs from reported statistics. When all costs are added to the figures, Houstons per-pupil cost jumps to $12,534, Los Angeles goes to $25,208, Chicago to $15,875, and the District of Columbia rises to $28,170.

The entire rationale behind this popular note is wrong. Prices are not determined by false analogy.

Just as easily, one could make a similar mistake in regard to both truck drivers and merchant ship captains.

Tractor-trailer truck drivers are in charge of transporting one tractor-trailer over long distances. For this, tractor-trailer drivers make, on average, $44,873 per year. Therefore, merchant ship captains, who routinely are in charge of transporting the equivalent of 15,000 tractor-trailers, should be paid approximately $673,095,000 per year ($44,873*15,000).

What misguided reasoning.

As I said, prices are not determined by false analogy.

In the absence of intervention, prices are determined by the supply of, and the demand for, goods and services.

The price of labor is no exception.

Saying, or implying, otherwise is simply false.

This post was first published by LvMI Canada.
A HUGE leak of financial documents has thrown Lord Michael Ashcroft once again into the spotlight.





The UK-born billionaire businessman and TCI Belonger may have broken rules on how his offshore investments were managed, according to investigators.





The documents also suggest that he retained his non-domiciled tax status while in the House of Lords, despite claiming he was resident in the UK.





The Paradise Papers, as they have been dubbed, reveal a world of tax dodging within the off-shore finance industry.





They come mostly from offshore law firm Appleby based in Bermuda, and also include corporate registries in 19 tax jurisdictions.





Several politicians, celebrities, multinational companies and wealthy individuals have already been exposed as having used complex structures to avoid high taxes.





According to the BBC: "The papers also throw light on the legal firms, financial institutions and accountants working in the sector and on the jurisdictions, that adopt offshore tax rules to attract money.





But it will take many more months for the papers to be investigated fully as the file consists of more than 1,400GB of data, containing about 13.4 million documents.





The papers were obtained by German newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung, as with last years Panama Papers. But the source has not been revealed.





The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), a global network of investigative journalists, was called in to oversee the investigation.





The Guardian, BBC Panorama and the New York Times are among nearly 100 media organisations worldwide looking into the papers.





Spotlight on Ashcroft

Ashcroft, a former Conservative party deputy chairman and a significant donor, was among the first to be pinpointed in the scandal when details were made public on Sunday (November 5).





BBC Panorama revealed that the 71-year-old peer gave assets worth hundreds of millions of dollars to the Punta Gorda Trust in Bermuda in 2000.





"The Paradise Papers suggest he sometimes made decisions without consulting trust officials. Such action could see the trust challenged by HMRC, the BBC report said.





A further article from the BBC claimed that Ashcroft remained a non-dom, and continued to avoid tax despite attempts by UK Parliament to make peers pay their full share.





"The peer was domiciled for tax purposes in Belize at a time when it was widely believed he had given up the status, the Paradise Papers show, the report reads.





"While ordinary Britons have to pay tax on everything they earn, non-doms are only taxed on their UK income.





The leaked documents show that between 2000 and 2010, Lord Ashcroft received payments of about $200 million from his offshore trust in the Bermuda.





Lord Ashcrofts spokesperson Alan Kilkenny is quoted in The Guardian as saying the peer had never engaged in tax evasion, abusive tax avoidance or tax avoidance using artificial structures, and "any suggestion or implication that he has will be vigorously challenged.





Lord Ashcroft is the majority shareholder in Waterloo Investment Holdings Ltd (WIHL), an international company with significant investments in the Caribbean and Latin America.





Through its asset-backed loans and other businesses it is one of the largest businesses in the Turks and Caicos Islands.





According to Lord Ashcrofts website: "WIHL has had a long history of investing in the Turks and Caicos Islands and continues to believe in its future as one of the most pristine destinations in the Caribbean.





Following the demerger of BCB Holdings non-Belizean business in October 2011, WIHL became the holding company for the non-Belizean businesses including British Caribbean Bank (BCB).





BCB, one of the largest ?nancial institutions in the TCI, provides lending and deposit facilities together with a range of other banking services to domestic and international customers.





Its assets comprise of principally loans with a high concentration in asset backed lending to the tourism and property development sectors.





Ashcroft is a lifelong supporter of the Conservative Party. In 2000 he was knighted and became a member of the House of Lords.





In March 2015, he resigned after concluding that his other activities did not permit him to devote the time that membership required.





In 2013 Lord Ashcroft signed up to The Giving Pledge, making a public commitment to donate more than half his wealth to charity.





He has authored eight books, negotiated multi-billion dollar deals and has headed companies employing more than 100,000 people.




THREE years after her first appointment Jamaican-born jurist Margaret Ramsay-Hale has been re-appointed as Chief Justice of the Turks and Caicos Islands.





Her June 2014 appointment placed Ramsay-Hale squarely in a prestigious group of women in top positions in the territory and the first woman to hold the post in the TCI.





This past week, the Governors Office confirmed to the Weekly News that Ramsay-Hales appointment had been extended for a further three years on October 10.





It was made by Governor John Freeman under section 87(1) of the Constitution, and in accordance with the advice of the Judicial Services Commission "unless otherwise instructed by Her Majesty through the Secretary of State.





Ramsay-Hale, whose initial appointment was made by former Governor Peter Beckingham, is the second woman that had been appointed to a high-ranking position within the TCIs judicial system since 2013.





Turks and Caicos Islander Rhondalee Braithwaite-Knowles was the first with her appointment as Attorney General in February 2014.





Ramsay-Hale first practiced law in the chambers of Howard Hamilton after being called to the Bar in October 1991.





She then took up a position in the Public Bar of Jamaica as a Crown Counsel in January 1994.





In 1995, she was appointed a judge of the family court in St James, Jamaica, and eventually moved on to the criminal courts as a resident magistrate for the parish.





In September of 1998, she moved to the Cayman Islands to serve as a magistrate of the summary court of there.





In 2006, she sat as an acting judge on the Grand Court for several months and was appointed as Chief Magistrate in 2008, where she served until taking up a judgeship in the TCI. (Delana Isles)




By Olivia Rose

SEVERAL irate immigration officers carried out a sickout on Sunday (November 5) to demonstrate their frustration with management.





The protest caused operations at Providenciales International Airport to be disrupted just before the Southwest Airlines inaugural flight into the Turks and Caicos Islands was due.





Only one officer reported to work while the others called in sick leaving multiple posts unattended.





According to one immigration officer who spoke to the Weekly News, the industrial action was taken to demand better wages and outstanding overtime payment.





Deputy Governor Anya Williams issued a press statement shortly after the incident explaining that a number of immigration officers stationed at the airport reported that they were unwell and could not attend work.





She noted that the Task Force was called in to avert disruption to passenger processing.





Williams assured the public that the cause for the sickout will be determined as the Government works to address the issue.





Meanwhile, member of the Progressive National Party, Mark Fulford, said the immigration officers right to overtime should not be overlooked.





In a strongly worded statement issued on Monday (November 6), Fulford said that non-payment and unequal payment seems to be the growing trademark of the present administration.





"It is unfortunate that the entitlement of immigration officers to their legitimately earned overtime pay had to be highlighted on the day of what the present administration hails as its biggest achievement to date - the inaugural flight of Southwest Airlines.





He condemned the Government for not upholding the same law it compels others to follow.





"Governments make the law but seem to not want to uphold it. The private sector faces serious consequences when it does not pay overtime due and owing to its employees, but who is going to bring the Government to bear when they disregard and delay the payment of overtime to many of its men and women in uniform, departments such as customs, immigration and the constabulary.





"These immigration officers are expected to be away from their families from the wee hours of the early morning and also late at night awaiting passenger arrivals and because of this they are contracted to receive overtime pay.





He said that withholding the officers overtime is "unlawful and their treatment is "appalling.





"This is just another incident in a growing trend. We have heard reports that the former PDM opposition leader has bemoaned the treatment he received from this Government under their discriminatory practice of paying expatriate workers one rate and offering to pay him a Belonger at a lower rate.





"This kind of treatment by a government of its people is a sign of heartlessness and is averse to the interests of those very people.





"Both garbage dump sites were closed to the public, and the workers at the dump sites stated that they closed the dumpsites because the government did not pay its bill.





Fulford also called on the Government to be more transparent and advise the public if it is having difficulties in meeting its financial obligations.




By Olivia Rose

IN LESS than 60 days since hurricane Irma, FortisTCI has been able to restore electricity across the Turks and Caicos Islands.





The territorys sole electricity provider, in an update this week, said that major restoration efforts are winding down as power has now been restored to all customers that can currently receive it.





According to the company, it has made significant progress in its restoration drive after suffering extensive damage to poles, power lines, and transformers across the territory.





Although the restoration drive was plagued with many challenges FortisTCI president and CEO Eddinton Powell said the company has set a new standard in the Caribbean for restoration from a hurricane.





He noted that considering the scale of the devastation caused by hurricanes Irma and Maria, it is a great accomplishment to have restored electricity in such a short period.





"I am pleased to say that the full return of electricity to the Turks and Caicos Islands has occurred in less than eight weeks.





Powell credited the achievement to the massive team work effort undertaken to ensure that the TCI is up and running in a timely manner.





He said: "We would not have achieved this without the support of our parent company Fortis Inc, and our sister subsidiaries across Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean and their employees that volunteered to help us, and to the staff of FortisTCI for responding with a sense of urgency to what was a devastating situation.





"Also, our success would not have been possible without the close working relationship with the TCI Government, their leadership, and the partnerships with other key stakeholders.





Powell in a statement expressed gratitude to the community for being patient and supportive during this difficult time.





He added that while significant work has already been done, much is still left to be accomplished.





"We will not relent in our efforts to restore power to every single customer as quickly as possible.





"We know how important electricity is to our customers and to the overall economy and we are applying all available resources to this effort.





Hardest hit

The announcement comes shortly after work on rebuilding sections of the transmission and distribution networks on Grand Turk and Salt Cay, two of the hardest hit islands, concluded yesterday.





Efforts to restore electricity to the TCI began immediately after the all clear was issued by the Government on September 8, and was quickly ramped up with the support and arrival of 58 Fortis emergency response employees on September 10.





The utility company reiterated that the process of restoring electricity began with getting power to essential services such as hospitals, water plants, and airports.





Then crews then worked on repairing and restoring main the powerlines that provide electricity to large groups of customers.





Following this, the focus was extended to restoring smaller service lines that feed particular streets and cul-de-sacs from the main powerlines.





According to Fortis the full restoration included several hundred utility and contract workers locally, and from across Canada, the United States, and the Cayman Islands.





Unfortunately, the few customers whose homes received extensive damage are still unable to be connected.





"While electricity is now available to all customers that can receive it, persons with damages to their homes and businesses or those with isolated issues must have all necessary repairs completed before reconnection of service can be done.





"Once repairs are completed, the property must then be inspected by the Government Planning Department and a certificate for reconnection submitted to FortisTCI.





The company is urging customers to contact a licensed electrician before undertaking any electrical repairs.




By Delana Isles

GOVERNOR John Freeman has commended the growth in the economy of the Turks and Caicos Islands while also observing that there is definite room for growth within the financial sector.





Continuing our series of articles from an interview conducted with Dr Freeman on October 31, the Weekly News in this piece addresses the Governors observations of the state of the financial sector and the economy of the Islands since taking up the governorship one year ago.





He pointed to the growth the territory has been experiencing over the past few years and the strides it has made allowing it to be one of few Caribbean islands that has been rated very well by international rating agencies.





This is particularly pertinent given the aberrant economic history that preceded the suspension of the constitution.





Governor Freeman said: "Before the hurricanes came there had been a gradual improving economy in this country and thats wonderful because this territory hit a very bad place in the not too distant past, and so it has been making a real improvement.





"The very fact that Standard and Poors gave the kind of rating twice to this territory is demonstration of the confidence that objective outsiders were placing in the economic improvement and financial resilience in this territory that spawned growth.





"Clearly the two hurricanes coming along is going to rock the boat a bit but I think one should be careful, [because] there is an underlying picture of gradual improvement, and thats what I would see being restored as we move out of the post hurricane period and as the economy begins to deliver again.





He also observed that while the tourism infrastructure took a hit over the past several weeks, it has not been severely impacted, evidenced in the fact that the territory continues to rebuild and repair from the recent disasters.





"We are in quite a good place, so much of the tourist infrastructure, 84 percent of the Islands direct and indirect economy is predicated on tourism...





"A lot was not damaged, only superficially, and the territory has been putting out the message absolutely right - we are open for business, we are looking forward to receiving tourists, to visitors coming back we are all pushing that message because its right and its true, the Governor said.





Developments

Addressing the issue of lack of new developments being constructed over the past few years, the Governor noted that there a quite a number of new developments in prospect, pointing out that the possibilities are definitely there.





However, he also pointed to the financial sector which he believes can be developed to help boost the economy even further.





"There are a number of hotel and tourism developers in prospect and some of course have been the source of legal action which I believe has come to an end, so there are a number of possibilities there.





"Of course, it is also good to see other sectors such as financial services being developed as much as possible, but it is still a relatively small part of our economy here but it could be more and obviously, there is some exploration of that.





"But for the moment as far as one could see tourism and the whole condominium economy is going to remain the big earner, hence the importance of getting out and pushing the message that we are functioning, ready and looking forward to visitors coming here.





Boosting the financial sector

While the Turks and Caicos Islands does not have an offshore financial sector the likes of Bermuda, Gibraltar, Cayman Islands and other British overseas territories, there has been interest in the Islands about developing the local sector some more.





However, while those other territories have been booming in offshore banking, they have come under intense scrutiny as tax havens for the rich and famous around the world.





This has spawned reports that while the UK itself ranks only in 21st place in the financial secrecy index, it supports and partly controls a web of secrecy jurisdictions around the world, from the Cayman Islands and Bermuda to Jersey and Gibraltar.





Reports suggest that if the entire British network were to be aggregated it would easily top the financial secrecy index, far above Switzerland.





Asked if the British government is at all keen on the TCI developing as an offshore financial sector, given this assessment, the Governor responded: "I think the UK is in favour of developments that are in accordance with the law and international financial best practice and that is the position here.





As to whether theres room for the TCI to develop in that regard, the Governor said he does not believe that is a question for the UK, but rather one of where the market is currently positioned.





"That question has to be asked by the [TCI] financial services. Can we here in these Islands develop financial services in a way that discovers new customers, draws in new business and allows that sector to develop properly?





He said that the TCI has been properly fulfilling its obligations, as there are quite a number of legislative developments, and in terms of its membership of the CFATF (Caribbean Financial Action Task Force) on which the attorney general has played a leading role in that regional effort.





"And the financial services industry has played a major role too - it has been very cooperative in talking these things through sensibly.





He added: "Broadening the base of this economy is clearly a good thing to try to do but lets not decry the tremendous business in the hotel and tourism side, which has delivered so much to these Islands and will continue to deliver so much to these Islands.




Spain`s Rajoy urges return of `democratic and free` Catalonia

Protesters hold a banner during a demonstration by pro-Catalan independence supporters calling for the release of jailed separatist leaders.

AFP :

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy visits Catalonia for the first time since Madrid imposed direct rule on the region, a day after hundreds of thousands of Catalans marched to demand the release of jailed regional officials

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said Sunday he wanted to return to a "democratic and free" Catalonia as he aimed to rally support for a unified Spain on his first visit to the turbulent region since it declared independence.

A day after hundreds of thousands of people marched in Barcelona to demand the release of separatist officials detained over their independence drive, Rajoy called on the "silent majority" of Catalans to back unity.

"We have to recover the sensible, practical, enterprising and dynamic Catalonia... that has contributed so much to the progress of Spain and Europe," Rajoy told members of his Popular Party in Barcelona.

"We want to regain a Catalonia for everyone, democratic and free," he added. "We can do it if the silent majority turn out and vote."

The Catalonia crisis has caused concern in the European Union as the bloc deals with Brexit and uncertainty over the fate of the region's 7.5 million people. More than 2,400 businesses have moved their legal headquarters elsewhere.

Rajoy on Sunday urged those businesses "not to go".

Separatist lawmakers, who were dismissed by Madrid after declaring their region independence from Spain last month, insist that they were given a mandate for secession by a banned October 1 referendum.

However, pro-unity camps say that the vote was deeply flawed and largely boycotted by opponents of independence, though more than 90 percent of those who turned out backed a breakaway.

Several officials have been detained over their role in pushing for independence, which is outlawed under Spain's post civil-war constitution.

The region-which accounts for a fifth of Spanish GDP-remains deeply divided on independence and Barcelonas mayor on Saturday slammed separatist lawmakers for dragging Catalonia into chaos.

A poll commissioned Sunday by the Madrid-based El Pais daily showed that less than a third of Catalans now believed independence was possible in the near future.

The 28 percent of respondents who said they thought swift secession was viable was down sharply from a similar poll in October.

Rajoy has used his powers as head of Spain's central government to dismiss Catalan lawmakers, suspend the region's autonomy and call for fresh regional elections on December 21.

The prime minister, who attended a presentation by a party candidate at hotel in Barcelona, did not appear in public.

Rajoy's Party Popular won only 8.5 percent in Catalona's last election two years ago that saw pro-independence parties sweep to power.

His candidate Xavier Garcia Albiol on Sunday said events since the October 1 referendum showed that "independence is toxic and is destroying Catalonia."

Eight ministers under Catalan ex-leader Carles Puigdemont have been detained on charges of sedition, rebellion and misuse of public funds. Two heads of pro-independence lobby groups are also behind bars.

Six former parliamentarians were granted bail last week by Spain's Supreme Court on similar charges.

Local police said 750,000 people turned out in Barcelona on Saturday to demand the release of detained officials.

The demonstrators gathered on an avenue next to the regional parliament building waving Catalan independence flags and chanting "Freedom!" while some held up banners announcing: "SOS Democracy".

"The situation is sad, the politicians haven't done their jobs," said Robert Muni, who was protesting with his children, although some protesters shouted their support for Puigdemont, "our president".

But Barcelona's charismatic mayor, Ada Colau, on Saturday slammed the behaviour of Puigdemont and his former ministers.

"They've provoked tensions and carried out a unilateral independence declaration which the majority do not want," Colau told a meeting of her party members hours before Saturday's march.

"They've tricked the population for their own interests."

Puigdemont himself is in self-imposed exile in Belgium and is due to appear before a judge next week after Spain issued a EU-wide warrant for his extradition.

Several hundred people gathered in central Brussels on Sunday in support of Catalan independence and demanding that Spain release the jailed leaders.




KISHOREGANJ: Deputy Commissioner Md Azimuddin Biswas addressing the law and order conference at Collectorate Conference Room on Sunday.
Maduro says Venezuela will 'never' default on its massive debt

AFP, Caracas :

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro insisted on Sunday that his cash-strapped country would "never" default, as he prepared to meet with creditors in Caracas to discuss rescheduling part of the country's massive $150 billion debt.

"Never, default will never reach Venezuela," he declared on his weekly television show. "Our strategy is to renegotiate and refinance all the debt."

Maduro pointed to ongoing negotiations with his allies China and Russia, to which Venezuela owes, respectively, $28 billion and $8 billion.

He said talks with China were "moving along perfectly" and noted that agreement had been reached this week with Moscow to restructure roughly $3 billion in loans. That was seen to give Caracas at least a few weeks' breathing room to make other upcoming payments.

But sanctions imposed by the United States in August-the White House cited the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, the creation of "an illegitimate Constituent Assembly" and "rampant public corruption"-have made it hard for the country to raise money from international investors.

Venezuela's huge levels of debt have left it in a desperate state, unable to import badly needed food, medicine and other goods.

Maduro accused the financial rating agencies, which this week lowered Venezuela's debt rating, of being part of a "financial war" waged by the United States, a favorite target of his.

The downgrading of Venezuela's ratings by Standard and Poor's and Fitch was seen as increasing the likelihood of a default.




IEM founder Dr. Satyajit due today

Business Desk :

Prof. Dr. Satyajit Chakrabarti ,Vice Chancellor, University of Engineering & Management, Jaipur and the founder of Institute of Engineering & Management will arrive in Bangladesh on Tuesday.

Prof. Dr. Satyajit Chakrabarti completed M.Tech in Mechanical Engineering from IIT, Kharagpur and done his PhD from Burdwan University.

He has also completed MBA from Missori University, USA.He has done research in the field of Machine Tools, Industrial Electronics, Aviation, Alternate Fuel and Robotics.

Prof. Dr. Satyajit Chakrabarti after doing Mechanical Engineering from IIT, Kharagpur, joined Steel Authority of India (SAIL) as Chief and was in-charge of Western Region in India for 13 years. (1971 to 1984). Then he worked as Vice President in British America Investors Corporation at World Trade Centre (BAICORP), New York, USA. (1984 to 1994).

After that he worked as Director of Institute of Engineering & Management, Salt Lake, Kolkata (1994 to 2011). He was also associated West Bengal Higher Education Council (1997 to 2006) and worked as consultant to Chairman of Coal India Limited (2 years) for marketing of coal (1997-1999) and Vizag Port Trust as consultant (2 years) for material chandelling in Port (2000-2002). At present he is working as Vice Chancellor, University of Engineering & Management, Jaipur.

He is the Recipient of IETE Gold Medal for highest contribution in Indian Industrial Electronics that happened during last 10 years (1999). He is also the Recipient of Edupreneur award from MHRD in 2013 for highest contribution in the field of education. Press release
Nearly 26 million die in pain every year

Life Desk :

Globally, about 26 million people die every year in severe pain and of which, one in ten is a child. The deaths could be easily alleviated with morphine at just three cents per dose, reveals a new study.

Approximately, half of all deaths that occur every year. The findings are reported in The Lancetmedical journal, warning of a "global pain crisis."

'Globally, the crisis can be solved through an essential package of palliative care, which can be made readily available by the health systems. '

The vast majority of the world's population (75%) live in countries that provide less than half of the morphine needed for palliative care.

The crisis can be solved through an essential package of palliative care, which can be made readily available by health systems, worldwide, revealed The Lancet Commission.

About 61 million people suffer from severe physical and psychological problems and pain every year, worldwide.

br> Of which, 83 percent people live in low and middle-income countries, and access to low-cost, off-patent morphine is rare or unavailable.

The annual burden, when numbered in days of severe physical and psychological suffering, is enormous.

Nearly, six billion days which accounts for 80 percent in the low and middle-income countries, revealed The Lancet Commission on Global Access to Palliative Care and Pain Relief, where the team studied the health issue for three years.

Globally, only about 10.8 metric tonnes of oral morphine is distributed to low and middle-income countries out of 298.5 metric tonnes.

Felicia Knaul, chair of The Lancet Commission and Professor at the Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami quoted, "The pain gap is a massive global health emergency which has been ignored, except in rich countries."

The oral and injectable morphine can be immediately released at the center of the essential package. A pain-relieving dose in high-income countries, costs about three cents per 10 mg. Whereas, in the low-income countires, it costs about 16 cents when it is available.

"The pain gap is a double-edged sword with too little access to inexpensive opioids for developing nations and misuse by the rich ones. The enormous disparity between need and availability of opioids for palliative care is growing and skewed against people living in poverty," said Julio Frenk, co-author, and President of the University of Miami.

Pain reliever opioid resembles opium in its addictive properties and physiological effects.

Nearly, 172 countries have been studied. Of which, 25 countries had no morphine essentially, and 15 countries had enough to meet less than one percent of pain relief requirements.

Source: Medindia
Cox`s Bazar tourism sector faces serious setback

The Rogingya refugee crisis has dealt a serious blow to Cox's Bazar's tourism sector, which was growing sharply in the recent years.

Tourist operators on Sunday reported lower turn out of the tourists though it was the peak season of tourism.

"Hotel reservations are at their lowest level as the Rohingya crisis gripped the country," Sarwar Alam, Manager of Ocean Paradise Hotel and Resort, told The New Nation yesterday.

He said the spread of Rohingya refugees throughout the costal town threatened tourism, as tourists are reluctant to come fearing unforeseen problems.

"Many entrepreneurs set up high-class hotels offering state-of-the-art facilities to attract both foreign and local tourists but they are now counting losses because of the dwindling number of tourists," added Alam.

Cox's Bazar is the most sought after tourist destinations in Bangladesh having the world's longest unbroken 120 km beach slopping gently down to the blue waters of the Bay of Bengal against the picturesque background of a chain of hills covered with deep green forests.

"We're struggling to attract tourists in our weekend tour packages. Almost all of the trips planned for November have been canceled due to the Rohingya crisis," John Kamol, Managing Director of Dhaka Holidays, a Dhaka-based tourist operator, told The New Nation yesterday.

"Our booking is running about 40 per cent below the previous year. We need business. But our business faced serious set back due to the refugee crisis," a manager of Hotel Coral Reef, told The New Nation.

He said tourists are not coming. Only aid workers and few journalists are coming for covering news of the refugees.

Nearly 400 hotel, motel and guesthouse are situated in Cox's Bazar district having accommodation facility of 70,000 tourists.

The district is now hosting over one million Rohingya refugees most of whom arrived in since August 25 to escape brutal violence in Myanmar's Rakhine state.

James Babu Hazra, secretary general of Bangladesh Hotel and Guest House Owners Association, however, said holidaymakers should be reassured that the army is now monitoring the Rohingya issue. "The tourists won't face any security problem and will be able to move freely. But the businesses in Teknaf and Saint Martin's Island will however suffer if proper measures are not taken," he said. Md Nasir Uddin, Chief Executive Officer of Bangladesh Tourism Board, said the local tourism sector will not face any problem if the government manages to give shelter to the Rohingyas properly.
IRC fears influx of 2 lakh more Rohingyas

Staff Reporter :

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) fears around 200,000 more Rohingyas will flee to Bangladesh in coming weeks, exacerbating an "unimaginable humanitarian crisis" in Cox's Bazar that already hosts over 800,000 refugees.

"The IRC expects a further 200,000 new arrivals in coming weeks-bringing the total refugee population to over 1 million," the New York-based humanitarian organisation, which operates in Myanmar's Rakhine State, said in a statement on Saturday.

The figure is based on knowledge of the remaining population of Rohingyas in Rakhine State as the pre-crisis number is estimated to be approximately 1.1 million, said IRC spokesperson Chiara Trincia.

The Rohingyas continue to flee Rakhine despite the world leaders' call to stop violence, allow access to aid agencies and ensure their security.

The UN Security Council has issued a statement condemning the atrocities, but taken no concrete action against Myanmar because of opposition from veto power China though the UN termed the military campaign "textbook example of ethnic cleansing".

Amid worldwide criticism, Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi had earlier said there was no conflict in Rakhine since September 5.

Yet, the persecuted minority group continues to flee from the Myanmarese state.

The new arrivals say they had no sense of security there as they saw their homes or those of neighbours burning, men killed and women raped. They also spoke of severe food and cash crisis.

Hundreds of Rohingyas were feared killed in Myanmar army's clearance operations that began in response to insurgent attacks on August 25, forcing over 613,000 Rohingyas to stream into Bangladesh.

There were shortages of life-saving supplies in Rakhine as Myanmar had blocked all UN aid agencies from delivering vital supplies of food, water and medicine to thousands of civilians after the military campaign began.

Late October, Myanmar agreed to allow the World Food Programme to distribute food there, but it is not known how far it could reach to the people in distress.

The Red Cross, which has been operating in Rakhine, says it is often difficult to reach the people who stayed back in Myanmar.

"The nature of the terrain is very difficult, you have mountains, rivers, wetlands, and people are scattered," said Fabrizzio Carboni, head of delegation of the Red Cross in Myanmar.

When they go to these remote villages, the first thing they do is listen to people's problems, Carboni told Beijing-based CGTN television channel on Saturday.

"I mean, there is this isolation of community, this psychological impact of the violence."

The Red Cross says its humanitarian aid is essential now, but adds that its help is not a long-term solution.

"It's not just a humanitarian responsibility, this is a political responsibility for the people to go back to their normal life," Carboni said.

"There is obviously a need to reconcile communities to create a political environment which allows people to go back to their normal life," he added.

A recent survey conducted by humanitarian agencies in Cox's Bazar has revealed shocking levels of malnutrition amongst Rohingya children.

It is further deepening fears of an impending and very serious public health crisis awaiting the world's most vulnerable group of refugees, according to IRC.

The severe acute malnutrition rate of children is 7.5 percent, nearly four times the international emergency level.

"This means that a quarter of Rohingya children between six months and five years of age-almost 40,000 -- are already malnourished and in urgent need of life-saving help," the IRC said in a statement, fearing the malnutrition rates to be higher with the aid agencies struggling to provide adequate food and other services.

Nearly three-quarters of the Rohingya people in Cox's Bazar lack enough food as well as sanitary living conditions, while 95 percent of them drink water contaminated with faecal matters.

"The conditions we are seeing in Cox's Bazar create a perfect storm for a public health crisis on an unimaginable scale," said Cat Mahony, IRC's emergency response director in Cox's Bazar.

"The situation will only deteriorate with more arrivals and a greater strain on already overstretched resources."




Over 400 killed, 7000 hurt

Strong earthquake jolts Iraq and Iran

A man looks at a damaged building following an earthquake in the town of Darbandikhan, near the city of Sulaimaniyah, in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, Iraq. Inset: Iranians mourn over the body of a victim following a 7.3-magnitude earthquake in Sa

Reuters :

More then 400 people were killed when a magnitude 7.3 earthquake jolted the northern border region between Iran and Iraq on Sunday, state media in the two countries said, and rescuers were searching for dozens trapped under rubble in the mountainous area.

State television said more than 396 people were killed in Iran and more than 7,000 were injured. Local officials said the death toll would rise as search and rescue teams reached remote areas of Iran.

Officials expected the casualty toll to rise when search and rescue teams reached remote areas of Iran.

A quake registering a magnitude between 7 and 7.9 can inflict widespread and heavy damage, Reuters reported.

Moreover, many houses in rural areas of Iran are made of mud bricks that can crumble easily in a quake.

The earthquake was felt in several provinces of Iran but the hardest hit province was Kermanshah, which announced three days of mourning.

The quake also triggered landslides that hindered rescue efforts, officials told state television. At least 14 provinces in Iran had been affected, Iranian media reported.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei offered his condolences on Monday, urging all government agencies to do all they could to help those affected.

More than 142 of the victims were in Sarpol-e Zahab county in Kermanshah, about 15 km (10 miles) from the Iraq border.

The main hospital of the capital of the county was severely damaged and could not treat hundreds of injured people who were taken there, the head of the Iranian emergency services, Pirhossein Koulivand said.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake measured magnitude 7.3. An Iraqi meteorology official put its magnitude at 6.5 with the epicenter in Penjwin in Sulaimaniyah province in the Kurdistan region close to the main border crossing with Iran.

Kurdish health officials said at least four people were killed in Iraq and at least 50 injured.

The quake was felt as far south as Baghdad, where many residents rushed from their houses and tall buildings when tremors shook the Iraqi capital.

Electricity was cut off in several Iranian and Iraqi cities, and fears of aftershocks sent thousands of people in both countries out onto the streets and parks in cold weather.

The Iranian seismological center registered around 50 aftershocks and said more were expected.

The head of Iranian Red Crescent said more than 70,000 people were in need of emergency shelter.

Iranian Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli said some roads were blocked and were worried about casualties in remote villages. The Iranian armed forces have been deployed to help the emergency services.

An Iranian oil official said pipelines and refineries in the area remained intact.

Iran sits astride major fault lines and is prone to frequent tremors. A magnitude 6.6 quake on Dec. 26, devastated the historic city of Bam, 1,000 km (600 miles) southeast of Tehran, killing about 31,000 people.
Repatriation of Rohingya remains uncertain

Mohammad Amjad Hossain :

Since latest atrocities on Rohingya ethnic minority in Rakhine State of Myanmar by security and armed forces on 25 August of this year on the pretext of attacking by so-called Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army on security posts in Rakhine State killing six police officers and one soldier more than 600,000 Rohingya have fled Myanmar on foot or by ferry boats to neighboring country of Bangladesh to seek asylum. Until 25 August it was not known about existence of Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army.

Following criticism from international community on the atrocities of stateless Rohingya minority community of Myanmar by armed forces there has been concern in the administration of de facto leader of Myanma Aung San Suu Kyi who dispatched a delegation led by a Minister Kyaw Tint Swe to Bangladesh on 2 October to discuss ways to find out modus operandi for repatriation of Myanmar Rohingya from Bangladesh. Bangladesh delegation was led by Foreign Minister A.H.Mahmood Ali who was assisted by Home Minister Ashaduzzaman Khan who had been to Myanmar recently to discuss about repatriation of Rohingya to Myanmar. Memorandum of Understanding was signed on border liaison posts following talks in Naypyidaw. As of now both government did not succeed to form a joint working group for repatriation of Rohingya.

The discloser by Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh and Home Minister as well that no positive response came from Myanmar authority as of now for repatriation. That reflects diplomacy played by Bangladesh government does not have desired effect as of now.

Meanwhile, there are two contradictory reports emanated from Myanmar and Bangladesh. A spokesman Zaw Htay, Director-General in the office of de facto Myanmar leader, is reported to have commented by saying "Myanmar was ready to begin the repatriation process any time based on along the lines an agreement that covered returns of Rohingya to Myanmar in early of 1990's. We are now afraid of delaying the programme of deporting the refugees since currently they have got $ 400 million as international subsidies". The government of Bangladesh retorted by issuing a statement on 1st November saying Myanmar has not agreed to ten points put forward by its Ministry at last week's talks, including implementation of recommendation of an advisory commission on Rakhine State for a sustainable return. While Foreign Minister Mahmood Ali briefing foreign diplomats in Dhaka has stated that no response has been received to the draft proposal to Myanmar government for repatriation of Rohingya. Bangladesh government was not in agreement with 1992 agreement signed with Myanmar military regime for repatriation of 236599. The present draft is at variation to that of 1992.United Nations in fact raised $ 345 million in Geneva in last part of October this year to help Rohingya.

On the other hand, having swallowed huge criticism from around the world except China, Russia, Japan and India de facto leader and Foreign Minister of Myanmar Aung San Suu Kyi visited devastating Rakhine state on 1st of November for the first time to see the conditions and has spoken to remaining Rohingya against the backdrop of scathing attack in Mandalay by a group of nationalistic, openly hostile monks such as Thu Sait with his hateful speeches suggested" to bring a law to protect race and religion. That was necessary because the Muslims are multiplying rapidly." Aung San Suu Kyi is stated that Rohingya would be taken back if they produce document of staying in Rakhine State. According to Salil Tripathi, Chairman of the Writer-in-prison committee of PEN International who covers extensively for Wall Street Journal, the Far Eastern Economic Review and the New Statesman and India Today, global opinion has turned sour. From being an inspiring idol whose struggle; stirred global consciences, Suu Kyi is now seen as a papier-Mache mask giving the General who had once jailed her - credibility.

Historically, Tatmadaw was formed in collaboration of Imperial Japanese army during 1942 to 1945 when Burma was occupied by Japan and had assisted formation of Tatmadaw Independence Army to become independence from the British while Aung San, father of Suu Kyi, had formed ant-fascist organization in 1945 and sought help of the Bristish to drive out Japanese and finally won independence in cooperation with the British in 1948. During second world war Rohingya extended support to the British while Burmese nationalists supported Japanese. Seed of animosity planted during second world war between Rohingya and Burmese nationalists. However, the British did not keep their reported promise of a separate state for Rohingya. Burmese military has been continuously applying and using all tactics, strategist of fascist Imperial Japanese until now. Historically, Chittagong was occupied by King Min Bin of Arakan from 1546 to 1547 while Mughal took back in 1660 from Arakan King.

Rohingya minority community in Myanmar are in fact admixture of early Arab, Persian, Turks and Mughals traders but populations reportedly had been driven back and forth from Arakan several times since 1700's to Chittagong in particular of Bengal. Arakan old coin dated back to 15 centuries minted by Shams al-Din Ghazi, Sultan of Bengal. During Bristish colonial rule of Burma from 1824 to 1948 many Muslims in what now India and Bangladesh relocated to Burma to work and absorbed into the Rohingya. The language of Rohingya is close to Chittagonian dialect which this writer does not understand when faced with exodus of Rohingya in Cox's Bazar camps in 1992 while on a visit with newly recruited foreign service officers.

The capital of Rakhine state Sittwe, is now having deep sea port being built with the help of Indian government and the area is set for economic growth while China, another county bordering with Myanmar, a transnational pipe line is built by China National Petroleum Company connecting Sittwe to Kunming of China. Japan, on the other hand, has invested in Myanmar designed to upgrade infrastructure there to contain Chinese influence on Myanmar. Being largest donor country Japan in fact exempted hundred billion of Yen worth of debt to Myanmar in the face of democratic process since first and fair election on 8 November of 2015.

Having seen reports of atrocities Secretary of State Rex Tillerson intends to visit devastated areas of Rakhine State on 15 November who is on record blaming Myanmar military leadership responsible for crackdown on the Rohingya. US administration now has sided with the British government in suspending training programme to Myanmar military.

International outcry would not resolve Rohingya crisis. A concerted attempt needs to be taken by Bangladesh government in particular in collaboration with Malaysia and Indonesia to put pressure on China, Japan and India to impress upon Chief of armed forces of Myanmar to rehabilitate Rohingya in Myanmar. Myanmar armed forces control the administration which was intended to bring dishonor to Aung San Suu Kyi. In this process they are successful indeed. Any deviation in dealing with Rohingya minority without concurrence of Tatmadaw will bring down fall of Aung San Suu Kyi. There is a need to impose economic sanctions on armed forces of Myanmar and a modus operandi should be evolved by the United Nations to take Rohingya back to their home land with respect they deserve.



(Mohammad Amjad Hossain, retired diplomat from Bangladesh writes from Falls Church, Virginia)
Attack on Rangpur Hindu village

THE Friday attack on Hindu homes by a mob in Thakurpara in Rangpur Sadar comes as a renewed shock to the nation. It appears local vested interest groups used a Facebook post that hurt religion sentiment of the Muslim as a cause of arson attack. Many believe the attack basically aimed at evicting the Hindu families from their homes for land grabbing by some local influential persons. It is heinous crime that can't go unpunished.

One more development caught the local by surprise. Following the attack two cases were filed involving 200 persons with Gangachara Police that led to arrest of 48 persons, most of them however Jamaat men giving it yet another political color.







The incident saw killing of at least one person in police firing on the mobs who set fire to at least eight houses and damaged 15 more in the village. The question is why Hindus to be blamed blindly for any such Facebook post that hurt the Muslims. Even a Muslim can do it putting blame on a Hindu man to achieve dirty objective. It appears some people quickly exploited the emotion of the ordinary Muslims. They gathered the mob to destroy the Hindu homes. As we see this is a set pattern to attack Hindu villages using religions sentiment in which politically influential people have their hands. They use mob to make Hindus homeless and eventually take over their land.







Last year over 200 houses and business establishments of Hindus were vandalized at Nasirnagar Upazila in Brahmanbaria district and we are not aware of whether the perpetrators who enjoyed protection from a Minister were punished. Attack on Santal villages at Gaibandha also went unpunished and their land not returned. Bangladesh Hindu Bouddha Christian Oikkya Parishad Secretary Rana Dasgupta has reasonably raised question why such attacks are taking place on Hindu villages and why mobs are misled before independently verifying the allegations.







The other question is why police and local administration don't take precautionary measures when such rumors spread on social media to keep peace and clear the case by hastily carrying out investigation. In fact police and local administration are often complicit with local political quarters instead of timely coming to protecting the victims. There is a lack of political will of the government to curb excess by party men.





Rana Dasgupta listed at least 40 sectarian attacks on Hindu villages since 2012 and perpetrators were not punished due to flawed probes and impunity that ruling party men enjoyed. Protest on the latest Rangpur incident is pouring in from all quarters but the government is not taking the right step to nab the real culprits. We must say justice must be meted out to the victims and attackers must get exemplary punishment.






Laws not enough; govt. resolve important to stop capital flight

NEWS reports said the government is going to revamp the taskforces for strengthening activities against money laundering and terror financing in the backdrop of growing capital flights from the country and Hundi business drying remittance inflow badly. The Finance Ministry has already drafted the new structure of reconstituted taskforces - one at the central level and others at divisional levels. The new bodies would have power to adopt strategies with the changing character of money laundering or illicit fund transfers from the country. We welcome the move but given the prevailing situation, doubt remains whether or not such agency will be able to stop it.







Former Chairman of BASIC Bank is still at large, even the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is unable to touch him due to protection he is enjoying from the high places of the government. It adds to the doubt whether the new move would bring any positive change in the ever-growing capital flight scenario.







Experts said reconstituting the taskforces in the name of checking money laundering would be a mere eye-wash unless the government agencies including Anti-Corruption Commission and Bangladesh Bank take effective steps to stop growing capital flights from the country. A former central bank governor noted that there was no effective measure by the ACC and BB to hunt down the persons responsible for sending money abroad illegally. Illicit fund outflows cost the country US$ 8.97 billion in 2014.





The country also lost $75 billion between 2005 and 2014 due to illegal outflow of fund through Hundi and trade mis-invoicing.





The local money laundering prevention agencies also failed to nab any persons who sent money illegally to Malaysia for availing the 'second home facility'. A total of 3,546 Bangladeshis invested money to get approval of the facility in July since 2002 to hold third position after Chinese and Japanese. Money held by Bangladeshis in Swiss Banks increased to $694.15 million at the end of 2016, marking 19 percent increase from the previous year. Revamping the taskforces became imperative after changes made to the Money Laundering Prevention Act in May that allowed police and taxmen to investigate into money laundering cases, which was previously done by the ACC alone.





Representatives from different state-agencies, banks, financial institutions and non-government organizations have been included in the central taskforce to be led by Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit Chief for coordinating activities among different investigation agencies, law enforcement agencies and divisional taskforces. Expert said the countrymen want better performance from the state agencies to check money laundering as the growing Hundi operations had already made the growth of the inflow of remittances negative and put pressure on the current account balance.





We reiterate that if ruler is honest laws are unnecessary and if ruler is dishonest laws are ineffective. So it needs serious government resolve and foolproof laws to achieve the goal. Powerful people are doing it so use of more power is important to quell with them.
Suu Kyi promises safe return of Rohingyas

Desk Report :

Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi has reportedly promised to facilitate the safe repatriation of Rohingya people who fled from the strife-torn Rakhine state to Bangladesh.



Suu Kyi made the assurance after concern for the welfare of the displaced Rohingyas was raised during the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) plenary summit led by President Duterte on Monday, reports Manila Bulletin.



According to Presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr., the return of the Rohingyas to their homeland will reportedly be made three weeks following Myanmars agreement with Bangladesh on the matter.



When the Rohingya refugee situation was tackled at the ASEAN summit, Roque told Palace reporters: Myanmar responded: Kofi Annan report being addressed.



Humanitarian assistance is welcomed; and repatriation of IDPs (internally displaced persons) within three weeks after MoU (memorandum of understanding) signing with Bangladesh, Roque added.



Roque said the Philippines acknowledged the need for relief assistance not only to the displaced families of Marawi City but also the Rohingya refugees.



More than 500,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled violence and threats in Rakhine, Myanmar and sought refuge in Bangladesh.



The United Nations earlier accused Myanmars military of deliberately driving out the Rohingyas from the country. A UN report claimed that the Myanmars military operations were part of the plan to keep them across the border.



Myanmar authorities however explained that the military operations were supposedly meant to combat the terrorism threat and restore stability in Rakhine.



Apart from the Rohingya refugee situation, the ASEAN leaders also discussed counterterrorism efforts, the South China Sea issue and the tension in the Korean peninsula, among others, during the plenary summit.



On the disputed waters, Roque said the Philippines mentioned it was looking forward to Chinas announcement on the crafting of the code of conduct to ease the tension in the South China Sea.



Roque said the Philippines also cited the importance of freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. With peace, (the region) can focus on cooperation, he said.




3 cops among 20 hurt in Hatia JL factional clash

Our Correspondent :

At least 20 people, including three policemen, were injured as a factional clash between two groups of Juba League broke out during a rally marking the 45th founding anniversary of the pro-Awami League youth body in Hatia of Noakhali on Saturday.

Police said Hatia upazila unit of Juba League, led by its convener Shah Azizur Rahman Miraz, arranged a rally marking the 45th anniversary of the founding anniversary.

However, another group of local Jubo League carried out several attacks on the rally, triggering the clash that left at least 20 people, including Hatia Police Station officer-in-charge Kamruzzaman Shikdar and two constables.
The Undead Archives

I have finally salvaged my pre-Blogger TDR archives and added them into Blogger. They are almost totally in the form of one giant post for each month. And the formatting strayed from the originals. Sorry. But historians everywhere can rejoice that this treasure trove of my thoughts is restored to the world.
The best bang for your buck! This option enables you to purchase online 24/7 access and receive the Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday print edition at no additional cost * Print edition only available in our carrier delivery area. Allow up to 72 hours for delivery of your print edition to begin. Print edition not available for Day Pass option.
A place to exercise ideas before writing about them with greater discipline.
The Claflin University student charged in his roommates shooting death has lost his best friend, the suspects attorney said.

It looks like this is a tragic accident, attorney Jerry Leo Finney said during a Sunday bond hearing.

His client, 21-year-old Andre Demetrius Sanders Jr., has been charged with involuntary manslaughter.

Finney said Sanders called 911 immediately after Fridays incident which killed Dravious Dre Terry, a 21-year-old from Greer. Both were Claflin seniors.

They were not only roommates, they were best friends, Finney said.

Magistrate Derrick Dash set Sanders bond at $75,000. He cant leave the state without the courts permission, have any contact with Terrys family or trespass on Claflin Universitys campus

Terrys father, the Orangeburg County Sheriffs Office victims advocate and Investigator Marty Carrigg asked Dash not to set a bond.

Dash said he doesnt think Sanders is a flight risk.

Finney assured the court that Sanders will appear for all court dates. Dash said Sanders is allowed to leave the state to live with this parents in Savannah, Ga.

Finney told the court that Sanders is expected to graduate next month from Claflin with a degree in accounting.

Sanders and Terry lived together for about a year and did not have any prior incidents prompting a response from law enforcement, Finney said.

My client has been in jail all weekend. Hes been cooperating, Finney told the court.

The shooting incident occurred Friday morning at the privately owned Campus Corner apartments on Chestnut Street.

Investigators detained Sanders for questioning and charged him later Friday afternoon.

This is the second time in two weeks a Claflin student has suffered a gunshot wound off campus.

On Oct. 31, a junior in mathematics suffered a non-fatal gunshot wound at an apartment complex near Buckley Street and Russell Street.

Authorities have not yet charged anyone in that shooting.

Fridays shooting and the one on Oct. 31 are not related, according to sheriffs office Major Rene Williams.
Its now one year since the election of Donald J. Trump as our nations president. Is America great again?

The election certainly did make America grate. Ive never seen people so much at one anothers throats, especially on social media.

But great? Yes and no.

The giddy stock market signals are unmistakable (up over 20 percent since the election), and job numbers look better with unemployment down to 4.1 percent, albeit too many remain out of work and drop off the statistical radar.

What role does a U.S. president play in this?

As a limited-government guy, I want that answer to be almost none. But government spends your tax dollars, and it regulates your business, neither of which started in 2017.

Yet the president does sets an agenda, and therefore a tone, that can fuel or undermine greatness.

Government spending is worrisome and could derail the good just noted. The 2017 deficit is an astounding $666 billion, and Americas total accumulated debt is now $20 trillion.

Another debt-limit battle potentially looms in December; agreement on tax reform remains elusive; health insurance markets remain something of a shamble. Theres a lot of uncertainty.

But on cutting red tape in the economy, things are trending extremely well  even though no regulatory reform legislation has made it to Trumps desk. Less regulation can mean more jobs and income for those who may not be sharing in the stock boom. You dont write a check the way you do for taxes, but regulations costs, hidden in prices and undermining efficiency and growth, hit the typical household to the tune of $15,000 annually.

Trump had prominently declared that 70 percent of regulations can go, and issued a regulatory freeze early in his term (so did Obama).

Seventy percent didnt go yet, but Trump has issued executive orders targeting regulations. He is requiring agencies to look for ways to speed up permitting on large scale construction, pipelines and other infrastructure. He issued a January executive order requiring the elimination of two rules for every one adopted, and required net new costs of zero. Few realize that Trump's one-in, two-out program has bipartisan pedigree in the United States, as well as a healthy track record overseas to learn from. So while the administration and Congress debate legislation, at least costs arent growing.

We can see the results in the size of the regulatory rulebook. The Federal Register is the daily depository of agencies proposed and final rules (plus many other kinds of notices). Its all-time record was set last year under President Obama, when it reached 97,110 pages.

This past week, the Federal Register stood at 51,752 pages.

Interestingly, though, the Federal Register stood at 78,700 pages on Election Day 2016, under Obama.

So even without regulatory reform legislation, the 2017 regulatory rulebook is 34 percent less hefty than that of 2016. That seems pretty great. Similarly, the numbers of final and proposed rules and regulations from the Trump administration are far below those of Obama. These reductions are reminiscent of Ronald Reagan, under whom rules and Federal Register page counts dropped over a third over a few years.

But a year out from Election Day 2016, in terms of cutting red tape to promote prosperity, good things are happening even without congressional action. There is some bipartisan disinclination to regulate new technologies like Uber, Airbnb, drones and driverless cars, all of which could source many new jobs and industries. Sentiments like these can be a bridge to working with Trump on cutting red tape. Meanwhile, the prominent bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus (House co-chairs are Josh Gottheimer, D-New Jersey, and Tom Reed, R-New York) has had sights on regulation too.

Obama used to talk of going it alone if Congress didnt act. Sure, greatness can be sought unilaterally from either partisan standpoint, with executive reforms of executive agencies. Even greater, though, might be some bipartisanship on cutting red tape  and fixing that budget, besides.
One year into the Trump era, America is becoming great again but not how Trump envisions.

In a world increasingly dominated by alternative facts, defining greatness is perhaps more difficult than one would expect. President Donald Trump would most certainly tell us how great he has made America in 240 characters.

Unfortunately for Trump and Americans looking for greatness, his alternative understanding of both facts and what makes a country great do not match with reality or the needs of our nation. A year into the Trump era, America is not making the progress he promised as a candidate or is promising as president.

The tone was set early on when President-elect Trump decided to take a victory lap on promised job creation. He used workers in Indiana as a backdrop and claimed he had saved jobs. The problem, one that is all too familiar now, is that he was lying.

Then he made it worse by disparaging a local worker leader who had the audacity to tell the truth. This is not greatness. Lying about and to the very people who had help elect him and then insulting an American citizen is petty, not great.

And so, throughout the last year we have seen this pattern play out. Boasting and bullying. Lies followed by distraction followed by blame. Time and again key Trump promises either disappear or come crashing down to inglorious face planting failure when met with reality.

Lets review a few of the key failures in his proclaimed quest to make America great.

On the campaign trail, Trump championed the repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare as it is more commonly referred. This legislative goal, despite continuing pushes from Trump himself and numerous attempts by his congressional enablers has not happened. Why? Inept legislative maneuvering aside, people actually like Obamacare despite years of tearing it down with false rhetoric and outright sabotage. Saying its going to be great and trust me simply are not effective tools for actual legislative achievement.

Trump also talks much about making America safer but his clumsy and dangerous approach to world affairs is actually making us less safe, not to mention being despised by allies. The ridiculous and potentially perilous way in which he is handling North Korea, a hostile and erratic nation with nuclear weapons, is downright outrageous. His egotistical approach to his meetings with foreign allies is embarrassing. None of this make us safer or greater.

His disdain for the press and any news that contradicts his manufactured reality is nothing short of treacherous. A truly great America is an open America that enhances debate and centers that debate on facts.

The list goes on, of course. No wall to speak of and certainly no payment by Mexico despite that being a central theme of his campaign. The D.C. swamp is not drained but rather overflowing with the worst special interest creatures imaginable. A renegotiation of NAFTA is stalled at best. The plan of cutting taxes for everyone is falsely being represented by what is moving through Congress and even that is being met with much resistance from Trumps own party.

Thats just a small sample of the many boastful promises made by Trump. We could debate, and will, whether Trumps plans would actually make America great but the complete lack of progress on almost any of his agenda makes it hard to claim victory even with an alternate view of reality.

The central and defining theme in all of these failures is Trump himself and his persistent and self-serving disconnect from reality. Its led to a massive resistance movement on the left. Support for a sitting president nationwide is at or near record lows. The first truly representative electoral response to Trump, in Virginia and New Jersey state elections, ended in a landslide rebuke of the style and content of his first year since election.

Nothing about what Trump has been doing is great. Certainly America is not greater for having him as president. His allies and apologists in Congress are disgraceful. What is great is the awakening of a corrective force that is defending rights, defending free speech, standing up to bullying and hate, and exercising our democratic power to change. If that continues, Trump will have made America great again, just not in the way he thought.
The V.C. Summer nuclear facility at Jenkinsville is a major liability for electrical ratepayers, and for the State of South Carolina because of the involvement of public utility Santee Cooper. Nevertheless, the stalled nuclear project is a potential asset, and should be preserved, at least until independent engineers determine if it can be made functional at some later date.

Doing so means another expense for the twin-reactor project, which has already gobbled about $9 billion. But if left exposed to the elements, it won't be worth anything.

Consider that the Tennessee Valley Authority stopped construction on its 80-percent-completed Watts Bar 2 reactor in the early 1980s, then restarted work in 2007, completed construction in 2015 and finally started producing electricity in 2016. Though sidelined for years, it became the nation's first new source of nuclear-generated electricity in 20 years.

On the other hand, Duke Power abandoned its Cherokee Nuclear Power Plant near Gaffney in 1982 and left it to the elements. Its only practical use came in 1987, when movie producer James Cameron filled the turbine pit and containment vessel with water and used them to film "The Abyss."

Former Santee Cooper CEO Lonnie Carter has estimated that preserving the construction site could cost about $15 million per year.

Already, a few big players in the electric power industry are kicking the tires of Santee Cooper, which owns 45 percent of the stalled nuclear project. So it's certainly in the state's interest, and those of taxpayers and ratepayers, to preserve what's there, at least for the present. The Legislature should insist on it.

Although the project was only 37 percent finished when work was stopped July 31, about 90 percent of the remaining parts worth billions of dollars have been purchased and are on-site.

Sen. Mike Fanning, D-Fairfield, whose district includes the site, told a Senate committee that the need to act is urgent. He's right. "We have a state asset there  at least 45 percent of the $9 billion invested there.

A spokesman for Gov. Henry McMaster has said the governor would urge SCE&G/SCANA, which owns 55 percent of the project, to help preserve the site for "the benefit of the state."

But SCANA officials have expressed a desire to abandon the project to take advantage of tax write-offs potentially worth billions.

Though the state has limited oversight of SCE&G/SCANA, the state Public Service Commission should demand that the utility shoulder its share of the upkeep costs.

Mothballing the reactors won't ensure their eventual completion and use, but it will retain the viability of the project, assuming that errors in the project's construction can be repaired. If experts can make the call on that essential question in the near term, so much the better.

This editorial is from The Post and Courier of Charleston via The Associated Press.
By Azernews





By Laman Ismayilova

The bright event of Azerbaijan Fashion Week spring / summer 2018 (AFW) was the fashion show of the world-famous French designer Patrick Boff.

It was the first visit of French designer to Azerbaijan's capital-Baku, Trend Life reported.

In an interview, he expressed admiration for a modern appearance of Baku, which contrasts harmoniously with the ancient monuments. The designer emphasized the beauty and style of fashion lovers in the City of Winds.

Guests of Azerbaijan Fashion Week Patrick Boffa presented a collection inspired by the works of Yves Saint Laurent.

Azerbaijan Fashion Week took place in a luxury Fairmont Baku Hotel, Flame Towers on November 7-10.

The project aims to unite talented designers from Azerbaijan and foreign countries and create a platform to demonstrate their creations.

Besides fashion shows, AFW showrooms were available for the guests.

At the same time, Wedding Fair was also organized for brides as part of the event.

Azerbaijan Fashion Week is held twice a year in November and May. The event is organized by Fashion Consulting Group and supported by Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Media partners of the event are Trend.az, Day.az, Milli.az, Azernews.az




















By Trend





President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a letter of condolences to Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq Haider al-Abadi.

I was deeply saddened by the news of heavy casualties and destructions as a result of a terrible earthquake that hit your country, President Aliyev told Iraqi PM in his letter.

On the occasion of this tragedy, on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan and on my own behalf, I extend my deepest condolences to you, families and loved ones of those who died, and all the people of Iraq, and wish those injured the swiftest possible recovery, and the soonest elimination of the consequences of the natural disaster. May Allah rest the souls of the dead in peace! added the president.
By Trend





Vice Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament Bahar Muradova told Trend on November 13 that the results of the OSCE Minsk Group's activity cannot be considered satisfactory.

"It looks like the OSCE Minsk Group is busy fulfilling its mission, since much is said about the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, numerous trips and meetings are organized, however, if one evaluates the results of the groups activity, for sure it cannot be considered satisfactory," she said.

Muradova stressed that if no concrete result is achieved in the conflict settlement, Azerbaijan will naturally be dissatisfied with the activity of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs.

Therefore, the Azerbaijani delegation to the OSCE PA once more specifically expressed its position at a meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council, Muradova said.

She noted that the relevance of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict attracts even more attention after the developments around the Kurdish autonomy of Iraq as well as Spain's Catalonia.

It should be noted that during a regular meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council, the Azerbaijani delegation made a statement that Azerbaijan expects the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs to take effective steps to intensify the negotiations on settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

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.
By Trend





The Turkish Air Force attacked the positions of terrorists in northern Iraq, the Turkish General Staff said in a message on November 13.

The message says that air operations against the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) are held in the Zab region in northern Iraq.

PKK strongholds were destroyed during the operations, said the General Staff.

The conflict between Turkey and the PKK, which demands the creation of an independent Kurdish state, has continued for more than 30 years and has claimed more than 40,000 lives.

The UN and the European Union list the PKK as a terrorist organization.
By Azernews





By Kamila Aliyeva

Russia is interested in creating efficient routes for transit of cargo between Europe and Asia.

This was stated by Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev at the ASEAN business and investment summit in Manila, Philippines, on November 13, TASS reported.

"The main goal of these efforts is to make the transit of goods along the Asia-Europe route as fast as possible, economically viable and to form a powerful transport hub in the Russian Far East, which will help meet the needs of the entire Asia-Pacific region," he said.

The prime minister noted that the trade turnover between Russia and the ASEAN economic community so far amounts to around $15 billion per year.

"The potential can be much larger, more at times and potentially dozens of times," Medvedev said.

ASEAN  Russia dialogue was launched in July 1991 when Russian representatives were invited to attend an ASEAN Ministerial Meeting. Russia was subsequently elevated to a full Dialogue Partner of ASEAN in July 1996 at the 29th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in Jakarta.

The Russia  ASEAN Business Council was established in 1998 to promote economic cooperation. The council's experts monitor the economic environment in regional countries, assess priority cooperation avenues and facilitate the creation of negotiation venues. The council members also help select business partners and assist the work of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the region.

The Business Council also attracts professional investors from ASEAN member states to Russia and selects investment projects in ASEAN member states on favourable terms for Russian companies.

In 2014, the ASEAN  Russia trade turnover reached $22.5 billion, while Russia's foreign direct investment in the region came in at $698 million in 2012-2014.
Bahrain-based Bank ABC Islamic has reported a net profit of $21million for the first nine months of 2017, 25 per cent higher than the net profit of $16.8 million recorded during the same period in 2016.



Net profit for the third quarter was $5.9 million, compared to $6.1 million for third quarter 2016.



Total operating income rose to $26.6 million, 20 per cent higher compared to the first nine months of last year of $22.2 million. Operating expenses of $5.4 million were slightly higher compared to $5.2 million for the same period of last year.



Shareholders equity September 30, 2017 stood at $328 million, compared to $307 million at 2016 year-end. The banks capital base remains very strong with a capital adequacy ratio of 29.1 per cent.



Bank ABC Islamics total assets stood at $1.644 billion as of September 30, 2017 compared to $1.634 billion at 2016 year-end.



Hammad Hassan, managing director of Bank ABC Islamic, said: We are pleased with the Banks performance in the first nine months. Despite subdued economic environment in our target markets, our focused approach to balance sheet use, new customer acquisition and leverage on ABC Groups product expertise and our footprint made this achievement possible. I look forward to continuation of similar momentum over the coming months and as we move ahead in to 2018.  TradeArabia News Service
An impressive line-up of experts will speak on a range of lighting design topics, including lighting systems of the future at the next Middle East Lighting Design Summit in Dubai, UAE.



The seventh edition of the summit will take place on May 2 and 3, 2018 said event organiser Expotrade.



Where in previous years, the event has focused on aspects such as smart lighting, public lighting and streetlighting, the 2018 summit will lay a strong emphasis on lighting design and the current trends, technologies and practices that are shaping the lighting design industry.



The summit will see speakers focusing on human-centric lighting; the importance of lighting in interior design; indoor light management; architectural lighting; and urban lighting design concepts.



Lighting design is becoming increasingly significant across the region, especially as it is forecast to be one of the fastest growing markets. Furthermore, the GCC has already committed to reducing its carbon footprint and electricity demand by 2025, with extensive targets in place to achieve this - and companies are striving to improve visual appeal whilst simultaneously employing sustainable methods of lighting.



Brad Hariharan, regional director, Expotrade Middle East, said: With the ever-increasing digitalisation of light, technology and connectivity, lighting companies are set to adapt their business models and devise a new approach to industry growth. At next years summit, these types of companies will be part of the 400-plus lighting professionals from across the region that will meet to gain new insights and opportunities to discuss new technologies, trends and the future of the lighting design industry.



The event will include the worlds leading manufacturers showcasing their most innovative products and applications  the previous edition saw household names such as Philips, Osram, EE Consulting, Tecon and Fael Luce participate at the event.



The seventh Annual Middle East Lighting Design Summit will not only offer leading and international experts speaking on a range of topics, but it will also provide delegates with an ideal opportunity to learn more about the potential within the market, developing trends and emerging technologies driving the sector, Hariharan added.- TradeArabia News Service
Dubai Municipality said it has signed an energy co-operation agreement with Dubai Land Department to support its Dubai Lamp initiative, which is the fruit of a unique research partnership between Philips Lighting and the municipality.



Their tieup resulted in the development of the worlds first commercially available, 200 lumen per Watt LED lamp.



The lamp is available in the local market and Dubai has plans to replace 80 per cent of its lamps with the new ones in cooperation with Philips.



The agreement translates the government's plans to transform Dubai into one of the smartest cities in the world, remarked Hussain Nasser Lootah, the director-general of Dubai Municipality, after signing the deal with Sultan bin Butti bin Mejren, the director-general of DLD.



It highlights the interest of the two government organisations in the field of rationalisation of energy consumption in the emirate through participation in the efforts and awareness campaigns, and replacing traditional lamps with the new Dubai Lamps, noted Lootah.



"It is clear that the strategic community participation impacts the course of sustainable development in the UAE, so we do not see the Dubai Lamp initiative as just another initiative, but it is an innovative, sustainable and equitable vision that is first of its kind in the region," he added.



Mejren said the agreement reflects the vision of integration between the various official government departments and establishments in the emirate in various fields.



The Land Department will gradually increase use of Dubai Lamp in a number of its existing and new projects to save energy for longer periods and reduce costs dramatically and significantly, he added.-TradeArabia News Service
The UAE-based Zulekha Hospital celebrated its Silver Jubilee with the message 25 years of compassion and care.

The celebration took place in Zulekha Hospital Sharjah in the presence of Dr Zulekha Daud, founder and chairperson of Zulekha Healthcare Group; Taher Shams, managing director; Zanubia Shams, co-chairperson; and Professors of Medicine Dr Adil Daud and Dr Pamela Munster from the University of California - San Francisco, US.

The groups employee strength has grown from 25 to more than 2,000 in 25 years. The event honoured the efforts of every working member of the organization for the relentless commitment they have shown over the years.

Dr Daud commented: We are very glad to be a part of the UAE medical community. This country has paved the road for us since day one and we have had tremendous support from its wise leadership. The UAE has for many years placed a great emphasis on medical innovations to continuously improve the lives of its citizens. - TradeArabia News Service
The 122nd China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair) which recently concluded in Guangzhou, China, reported a cumulative export turnover of 198,65 billion yuan ($30.16 billion), marking an 8.2 per cent year-on-year increase.



The event saw a total of 191,950 buyers from 213 countries and regions attend, which was an increase of 3.36 per cent over the fairs 120th session, said a statement from the organisers.



Machinery and electronic products continued to lead in trade volume, making up 52.7 per cent of the total turnover, seeing a 5.4 per cent year-on-year increase.



This was followed by light industrial products and textile and clothing. Turnover at the brands sections has grown by 13.6 per cent, while the pet sector also received large number of inquiries.



Xu Bing, spokesman for the Canton Fair, noted that the fruitful results were achieved thanks to the growing number of buyers and their purchasing power.



Some participants include: 84,445 buyers from Belt and Road Initiative countries with a 3.48 per cent year-on-year increase; a total of 104 companies listed in the latest Top 250 Global Retailers, including eight of the top 10 companies among which were Walmart, Kroger, Walgreens Home Depot, Carrefour, Aldi, Tesco and Amazon; about 1,086 international companies and sourcing groups, such as Auchan (France), KESKO (Finland), Taurus (Spain), Staples (US), Harbor Freight Tools (US), Lifetime Brands Inc (US), Kawan Lama Group (Indonesia) and LOCK&LOCK (South Korea).



In addition, the fair hosted 50 events that covered trending topics in the international market, industry forum, design and innovation discussion, technology R&D, branding and marketing, regional industry promotions and new product releases.



Some of the events were: "UAE on the Belt and Road" - China-UAE Purchasing Matchmaking; The Canton Fair (UK) international market forum; The Canton Fair Sourcing Day-United Nations and International Organization.



Bing said: We are thrilled to see the fair continuing to promote global trade by maintaining optimising exhibition sections to improve the precision in attracting investment.



We wish that in the upcoming 123rd Canton Fair we will meet more new businesses and work together to reshape the international trade market, taking it into a new era, Bing concluded.  TradeArabia News Service
Dubai-based Jetex Flight Support, a global leader in executive aviation services, has revealed plans to build its aircraft hangar at the Jetex FBO Terminal near Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South Aviation District, Dubai, UAE.



The news underlines the impressive strength and position of Jetex as it continues to expand both its global reach and market share in the UAE, said a statement from the company.



Set to be operational by 2019, the new development, encompassing 20,000 sq m, will feature an air-conditioned hangar fully equipped to accommodate the parking and maintenance needs of all major types of aircraft, it said.



The facility further enhances the existing terminal, the largest in the Jetex portfolio and the first in Dubai to be awarded the prestigious International Standard of Business Aircraft Handling (IS-BAH) certification, it added.



Officially launched in December 2016, the Jetex FBO Terminal was recently announced FBO of the Year at the Aviation Business Awards, and will round off a highly successful first year by serving as official FBO of Dubai Airshow 2017.



Khalifa Al Zaffin, executive chairman, Dubai Aviation City Corporation, said: The signing of the agreement with Jetex Flight Support to build a new hangar is testimony to Dubai Souths commitment to providing its partners and investors with an optimum platform and world-class infrastructure to grow their businesses.



Our partnership with Jetex represents an innovative solution to meet future aviation needs and requirements. These plans are aligned with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoums vision to make Dubai the aviation capital of the world, and todays milestone serves to corroborate this strategy, he said.



Jetex has proved adept at exceeding client expectations since launching over a decade ago, and strives to streamline operations on a global scale by offering end-to-end trip support solutions. The construction of the new aircraft hangar will enable the Jetex team to deliver a comprehensive range of quality and timely services.



Adel Mardini, CEO and president, Jetex, said: We are excited to announce this important step in the expansion of both our flagship Dubai facility, and the spectrum of services offered by us worldwide.



The new hangar will allow us to deliver a complete range of trip support from one location, increasing convenience for clients and ensuring they receive maintenance services of the highest quality from a name they can trust, he added.



The hangar is the latest in a series of enhancements unveiled at the terminal, and follows hot on the heels of the addition of a striking new second FBO. Designed to offer guests a quiet, calm environment with additional discretion, the new lounge presents a striking contrast to the bright, modern lines of the original FBO.



The 600 sq m space draws inspiration from the natural world to create a tranquil, invitingly organic environment which delivers a unique passenger experience.



Combined, the two FBOs offer more than 1,500 sq m of dedicated VIP lounge space, making the Jetex Terminal one of the largest facilities of its kind anywhere in the world. These ground-breaking developments further strengthen Jetexs reputation as a pioneering force in executive aviation, it stated.  TradeArabia News Service
Rockwell Collins has been selected by Calidus, a new aircraft manufacturer in the UAE, to provide Pro Line Fusion on its new B-250 light attack aircraft with multi-role capabilities.



Launched at the Dubai Airshow, the aircraft is designed for combat and asymmetric warfare, said a statement from the company.



The Pro Line Fusion system features advanced graphical interfaces integrated with a digital head-up display (HUD), intuitive icons, easily configurable touchscreen and multi-function display windows, all leading to enhanced situational awareness during all phases of flight and in different flying conditions.



Pro Line Fusion is already operational on a number of different platforms, including business jet, air transport, tilt-rotor and military flight decks. The system has also been successfully demonstrated for use as a ground control station for unmanned aerial system (UAS) applications, it stated.



Colin Mahoney, senior vice president, International and Service Solutions for Rockwell Collins, said: The UAE aerospace and defence industry continues to grow and Calidus is a part of making that happen.



We look forward to working with Calidus to provide our expertise to develop new, local capabilities so customers in the region are equipped to succeed, he added.



Hamdan Al Shkeili, chief software engineer and official spokesperson for Calidus, said: We welcome Rockwell Collins as our strategic partner for the B-250s avionics.



This partnership reflects our will to ensure our new light attack aircraft with multi-role capabilities is built around the missions it will fulfill, and will offer its pilots the most advanced, leading-edge technology throughout every one of its components.



Pro Line Fusion is flexible enough to enhance the aircrafts multi-role mission of basic and advanced flight training, counterinsurgency (Coin), close air support (CAS), and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR).



Talel Kamel, managing director for Rockwell Collins in the Middle East, Turkey and North Africa, said: The fully integrated Pro Line Fusion cockpit provides a flight deck that connects the aircrew to the aircraft, battlespace and the mission in an unprecedented seamless way.



The system is highly intuitive for pilots just learning the basics of flight or for advanced aircraft manoeuvring, he added.  TradeArabia News Service
More than 500 regional and international luxury brands will be showcased at the upcoming VOD Dubai International Jewellery Show, the regions biggest jewellery and gem exhibition, in Dubai, UAE.



Numerous catwalk shows, trend presentations, influencer talks and more will form the agenda at the event taking place at Dubai World Trade Centre from November 15-18.



The event will merge the emirates two leading showcases  the trade-centric Vicenzaoro Dubai and the consumer-friendly Dubai International Jewellery Week.



Following a successful three-month pre-promotional roadshow headed up by Show Director Luca Veronesi, a top delegation from the exhibition has amassed an impressive curation of the worlds leading jewellery brands that Dubai has ever seen.



On show will be the newest collections from top international brands hailing from China, Russia, Singapore, Thailand, the UK, the US and beyond, who will be introducing brand new product lines, collections and special bespoke pieces in gold and diamond.



Local brands include Dhamani, Mahallati, La Marquise, Malabar Gold and Diamond, Amwaj, Renee Jewellers and more, while representing the global arena are the likes of Nsouli, Itan, Leading Italian Jewels, Superoro, Chiampesan, Luca Carati, Ferrari Firenze, Garavelli and many others.



Catwalk creations



Aside from checking out stunning jewellery and diamond collections, visitors can also enjoy daily fashion shows featuring international models showcasing the latest trends. The opening days gold-themed catwalk Extreme Sophistication will put a shine on the runway, while The Masters Archive diamonds show and Fauvist Fantasy coloured stones catwalk are scheduled for days two and three, respectively. Aiming to foster young and local talent by creating career opportunities for regional designers, the Jawhara Heritage Awards will also be held on the closing day, November 18.



Meet the influencers



To complement the catwalk shows, visitors and fans alike can attend daily talks with some of the regions biggest influencers and celebrities, while getting up close and personal with the favourite style heroes. This years event will welcome Aishwarya Ajit on day 1, Nina Zandnia on day 2, Nina Ali on day 3 and NisaTiwani on day 4, who will be interviewed on stage by the editors of some of Dubais most popular fashion and lifestyle magazines.



Fashion meets jewellery



This season, VOD Dubai International Jewellery Show has teamed up with Arab Fashion Week to bring the most impressive curation of luxury jewellery and ready couture fashion collections.



With both events taking place across the same four days, the exhibitions have partnered up to host a series of seminars and presentations at each other venues.



Follow the trends



Not content with being just the regions biggest jewellery and gem exhibition, VOD Dubai International Jewellery Show also serves as an indispensable tool for fashion magpies wanting to keep on top of the industrys key trends. Both the key 2017 and 2018 jewellery and gem trends will be discussed during the open-to-all Trendvision seminars conducted by Italian luxury trends forecaster Paola De Luca.  TradeArabia News Service
Bahrain-based Manara Developments has signed up as strategic sponsor for next year's Gulf Property Show, the boutique showcase for the real estate and property development sectors based in the Northern Gulf.



It will be held under the patronage of HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister of Bahrain, from April 24 to 26 at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre, said the event organiser Hilal Conferences and Exhibitions (HCE).



Renewing its commitment to the top expo, Dr Hasan Al Bastaki, the managing director of Manara Developments, said: "We have set a standard for real estate development that creates a sustainable environment for our community of residents. Our association with Gulf Property Show, is an association between Bahrains marquee real estate brand with the kingdoms leading real estate event."



We are currently working towards unveiling the new phases of two projects at Gulf Property Show; Wadi Al Riffa and the large seafront property, Hasabi," revealed Dr Al Bastaki.



Hasabi and Wadi Al Riffa, he stated, were two unique housing projects designed specifically to meet the demands of modern Bahraini families, and built to the highest quality and environmental standards



Jubran Abdulrahman, the managing director of HCE, said: "Manara Developments has embodied Bahrain societys values through their real estate developments."



"We are humbled by their continued support and encouragement in the ongoing evolution of Gulf Property Show as Bahrains leading real estate showcase," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Forbes Middle East has unveiled its Global Meets LocalTop 100 Executives in the Arab World' ranking, which is topped Nabil Habayeb, President and CEO for Menat at General Electric.

The exclusive ceremony held to reveal the 2017 list welcomed the top regional business heads of global companies for an evening of networking and debate. The notable leaders present were recognized not only for spearheading Middle East business, but also for actively governing larger areas based out of the GCC.

Habayeb is followed by Georges Elhedery, Group General Manager, Deputy Chairman and CEO for Mena at HSBC Holdings; and Yves Manghardt, Chairman and CEO for the Middle East at Nestle.

The technology and banking sectors dominate the list. And the UAE consolidates its position as the hub for global business with 94 of the 100 top leaders based in the emirates.

Khuloud Al Omian, Editor in chief, Forbes Middle East, said: The Middle East has always been a lucrative market for global brands and is constantly serving millions of consumers. Favorable geographical conditions and government policy support has helped businesses nurture further growth. With the changing landscape in business, the regional heads of global companies are now helping governments adopt technology to drive digital transformation.

In compiling the list, Forbes Middle Easts research team spoke to the companies listed on the Forbes Global 2000 ranking that have significant operations in the Arab world. Based on the responses, the top executives were ranked according to their global impact, employment impact, the number of countries or regions that they oversee and their total work experience. - TradeArabia News Service
Iranians stay outside their building following the quake.Image courtesy: EPA

A 7.3-magnitude earthquake rattled the northern border region between Iran and Iraq, killing over 328 people and injuring 3,950 others and triggering landslides that were hindering the rescue effort, said a BBC report.

Tremors were felt all over the region, including the Gulf countries.

Footage posted on Twitter showed people fleeing a building in Sulaimaniyah, northern Iraq, as windows shattered at the moment the quake struck late on Sunday, while images from the nearby town of Darbandikhan showed major walls and concrete structures had collapsed.



At least 129 people were killed in Irans western province of Kermanshah on the Iraqi border, the provincial deputy governor told state television. We are in the process of setting up three emergency relief camps, said Mojtaba Nikkerdar, the deputy governor of Irans Kermanshah province.

The earthquake sparked panic, with fears of aftershocks sending residents out into the streets.

The quake hit 30 km southwest of Halabja in Iraqs Kurdistan at around 9.20 pm, when many people would have been at home, the US Geological Survey said.

Mosques in the Iraqi capital Baghdad have been broadcasting prayers through loudspeakers.

Six more were reported dead in Iraq. The death toll is likely to rise, the BBC report said.

Most of the victims were in the town of Sarpol-e Zahab, about 15km from the border, Iran's emergency services chief, Pir Hossein Koolivand was quoted as saying on Iranian state television channel IRINN.

It was difficult to send rescue teams to the villages because the roads have been cut off there have been landslides, he added. The town's main hospital was severely damaged, leaving it struggling to treat hundreds of wounded, state TV reported.

Damage was reported in at least eight villages, the head of Iran's Red Crescent Organisation, Morteza Salim, told the channel.

On the Iraqi side, the most extensive damage was in the town of Darbandikhan, 75km east of the city of Sulaimaniyah in the Kurdistan Region.

"The situation there is very critical," Kurdish Health Minister Rekawt Hama Rasheed told Reuters news agency.
Thousands of oil and gas professionals, industry leaders, and decision makers are in the UAE capital to discuss key industry issues at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (Adipec).



The worlds most influential oil and gas event, Adipec kicked off its 20th edition today (November 13) under the theme Forging Ties, Driving Growth.



This year's edition will be the largest yet, with an exhibition bringing together more than 2,200 exhibiting companies, 27 country pavilions, and 100,000 trade professionals from more than 125 countries.



The exhibition will span 135,000 sq m of floor space, including a dedicated quay-side exhibition area with tours of offshore vessels.



At the same time, Adipecs renowned strategic and technical conference programmes will feature more than 900 speakers, in 185 conference sessions, with around 10,000 delegates taking part in the global industrys premier knowledge exchange platform.



For the first time, the exhibition and conference will include the downstream petroleum industry, including refining and petrochemicals, alongside its established focus on upstream and midstream businesses.



Ali Khalifa Al Shamsi, the chief executive of Al Yasat Petroleum Operating Company, and Adipec 2017 chairman, said: "The global oil and gas industry is undergoing profound change, and organisations are investing in innovation and technology to ensure sustainable, long-term growth. Increasing investments by NOCs in the downstream sector is a key example, as resource owners move to access value throughout the value chain."



"Within this environment, the expo continues to evolve, providing a powerful, strategic, knowledge-sharing platform for the industrys most influential decision makers, reflecting the most important executive priorities and playing a significant role in guiding the industry forward," he added.



Christopher Hudson, the president of dmg events, Global Energy, said: "Adipec draws on the power of high-level strategic discussion to supercharge its value as a commercial showcase for exhibition exhibitors."



"More than half of all attendees have authority to make purchasing decisions, while exhibiting companies range from the largest NOCs and IOCs, through to global oilfield services companies, to suppliers of new and niche technologies. From both a strategic and operational perspective, ADIPEC creates value and enables excellence," he added.



Hosted by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) and organised by dmg events, Adipec will include keynote presentations by Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State and Adnoc Group CEO; Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy, Mohammed Barkindo, the secretary general of Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) and Lord Jim ONeill, former commercial secretary, HM Treasury, UK Government.



The Adipec Conference Programme, one of the worlds largest and most influential speaking platforms for the oil and gas industry, will invite government decision makers to the stage in the first of two Ministerial Panels, which will focus on creating energy opportunity through foresight, vision, inspiration and innovation, said the organisers.



Ministerial speakers on the opening day include Al Mazrouei; Tarek El Molla, Egypt's Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Mohammed Hamad Al Rumhy, Oman's Minister of Oil and Gas; Dr Ibe Kachikwu, Nigerian Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and Dr Fabian Pok, Minister for Petroleum and Energy for Papua New Guinea.



The opening day will also feature two Global Business Leader sessions with speakers including Patrick Pouyanne, the chairman and chief executive of Total; Bob Dudley, Group chief executive of BP; Tan Sri Wan Zulkiflee Wan Ariffin, the president and Group chief executive of Petronas; Vagit Alekperov, the president of Lukoil; Musabbeh Al Kaabi, the chief executive of Petroleum and Petrochemicals, Mubadala Investment Company; Jose Antonio Gonzalez Anaya, the chief executive of Pemex; Alexander Medvedev, the deputy chairman, management committee of Gazprom; and Dr Rainer Seele, the chief executive of OMV, offering a world outlook for the oil industry, said the organisers.



The topics at Adipec will reflect the two elements of the expo's theme. For Forging Ties, the emphasis will be on fostering relationships and creating business models for success, while for Driving Growth, CEO speakers will focus on pioneering strategies and breaking boundaries for global success, they stated.
The UAE-based Zulekha Hospital celebrated its Silver Jubilee with the message 25 years of compassion and care. The celebration took place in Zulekha Hospital Sharjah in the presence of Dr Zulekha Daud, founder and chairperson of Zulekha Healthcare Group; Taher Shams, managing director; Zanubia Shams, co-chairperson; and Professors of Medicine Dr Adil Daud and Dr Pamela Munster from the University of California - San Francisco, US.

The groups employee strength has grown from 25 to more than 2,000 in 25 years. The event honoured the efforts of every working member of the organization for the relentless commitment they have shown over the years.

Dr Daud commented: We are very glad to be a part of the UAE medical community. This country has paved the road for us since day one and we have had tremendous support from its wise leadership. The UAE has for many years placed a great emphasis on medical innovations to continuously improve the lives of its citizens. - TradeArabia News Service
The Middle Easts premier jewellery and watch exhibition, Jewellery Arabia, is set to return to the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre from November 21 to 25.

Held under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister of Bahrain, this spectacular annual event brings together over 600 exhibitors from 30 countries for a dazzling five-day gala of glitz and glamour.

Spanning 21,000 sq m of exhibition space, a huge range of finished jewellery, luxury timepieces, precious stones, objets dart, clocks, fine writing instruments and more from around the globe go on sale.

Last year, we welcomed over 49,000 visitors from 43 countries. In 2017 visitors can look forward to the latest collections, creations and innovations at this trendsetting exhibition and the unique opportunity to purchase from the widest selection of jewellery and watches in the region, said UBM AEMs director of sales and marketing, Fawzi Al Shehabi.

World famous watch and jewellery houses will be making a return appearance at the 26th edition of the exhibition, including major brand names. Many of these high profile international exhibitors will use the event as a platform to introduce exclusive collections and limited edition pieces to the Middle East collectors market.

Complementing these iconic brands are national groups from leading jewellery export countries. They include large returning delegations of the finest retailers, designers and manufacturers from Hong Kong, India, Singapore and Thailand. Collectively, these groups reflect the very best manufacturing capabilities, design expertise and gemological resources that their respective countries have to offer.

Joining international brands and national groups are a host of designers, retailers and manufacturers from all over the world, including a selection of Bahrains leading jewellers.

To assist visitors with making informed buying choices, the worlds foremost authority on gemology the GIA (Gemmological Institute of America) will be offering visitors complimentary seminars on gems and jewellery.

Jewellery Arabia 2017 is open free of charge to the public. The exhibition will open from 4 pm to 10 pm from November 21 to 24, and from 12 pm to 10 pm on November 25.  TradeArabia News Service
Medigo, a Berlin-based medical tourism startup, has launched operations in Ras Al Khaimah with the support of Ras Al Khaimah Department of Economic Development (RAK DED).

Medigo is a healthcare connector, arranging higher quality care, shorter waiting times, and affordable treatment through its global network.

The company inaugurated its Mena region office in Ras Al Khaimah in collaboration with RAK DED and RAK Incubator and Accelerator, which work to build a practical ecosystem for startups in Ras Al Khaimah.

Medigo improves access to healthcare for people everywhere. It is an easy to use digital platform and service that helps patients to get medical second opinions and to schedule affordable, high quality medical treatment abroad.

The Medigo network has more than 800 hospitals and clinics in 35 countries, thousands of expert doctors, and a dedicated 24/7 Care Team, to support patients.

Ras Al Khaimah is a tourism hub, and innovative companies like Medigo brings a lot of value to DEDs continuous efforts to grow business in the Emirate. RAK DEDs efforts to attract successful companies that are seeking to expand and serve the business and society in the Emirate, and with RAK considered a growing tourist spot, we look forward to becoming the destination for medical tourism, said Dr Abdul Rahman Al Shayeb Al Naqbi, Director General, DED.

We look forward to support the medical tourism sector in the emirate and the UAE, in conjunction with the UAE vision and medical tourism initiative. As we at Medigo will start offering our services to all residents throughout the UAE for treatment abroad where the company has presence. We will work closely with RAK DED and Ras Al Khaimah Incubator and Accelerator to support their efforts in the medical tourism sector, said Dr Mohamed Sami, Medigos Regional Manager for the Mena region. - TradeArabia News Service


Lufthansa Technik, a leading provider of maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) for civil aircraft, has developed a cabin concept for the Airbus A330 multi-role tanker transport aircraft (MRTT) while having received an order for a VIP cabin completion for a Boeing 787-8.



The contract of an undisclosed customer is the first completion for the Boeing 787-8 for Lufthansa Technik. The project is scheduled to start in 2018.



Tailored to the customer's specific requirements the aircraft will receive an elegant VIP design. The private section includes a representative office area, a bathroom and a bedroom. The following section combines a dining and conference area. In the rear sector of the aircraft, a delegation seating in different classes will be integrated.



"With the conclusion of this completion contract, we are closing the final gap in our expertise for the Boeing 787," said Wieland Timm, senior director Sales, VIP & Special Mission Aircraft at Lufthansa Technik. "Our existing experience for this type of aircraft in the fields of modification, maintenance, repair and overhaul is a valuable basis for the equipment of this special VIP aircraft."



To date, Lufthansa Technik has provided technical services to more than 100 Boeing 787 from various commercial and VIP 787 operators. The portfolio also includes engineering services and spare parts supply.



Cabin concept for Airbus A330 MRTT



Four different configurations - "State", "Governor", "Rescue" and "Trooper" - as well as new usage possibilities can be realized, said experts from the Lufthansa Technik VIP & Special Mission Aircraft division.



Lufthansa Technik has already gained a customer for the "Governor" configuration. Some 30 A330 MRTT aircraft have been ordered or are already in service with various air forces.



"Aircraft used for civil or military purposes must meet different requirements depending on the situation," said Timm



"We have therefore developed cabin layouts for four particularly frequent deployment scenarios, which will enable significantly more intensive and improved use of the aircraft in the future. The combined civil and military approval permits fast deployment of the machines for their respective missions. Our approximately 60 years of experience in equipping VIP and special mission aircraft and an intensive coordination with current and potential civilian and military customers form the basis for this unique utilization concept."



The "State" and "Governor" variants are designed for the transport of head-of-states, government members and delegations. "State" is designed as a flying government office containing the necessary spatial and technical equipment to enable governmental authorities or military staffs to work productively on board. The "Governor" version is designed to transport larger delegations with different functions and different statuses.



The "Rescue" version has been developed for the execution of humanitarian aid flights and medical evacuation transports. It offers a modular, flying intensive care unit that can accommodate additional passengers or all kinds of medical equipment on board as needed. For this purpose, Lufthansa Technik is offering its Patient Transport Unit (PTU NG) which is one of the most modern patient transport options on the market. It can be modularly adapted to the requirements of customers and patients.



The fourth design concept "Trooper" is optimized for long-distance passenger or troop transport and offers maximum capacity in different classes. Also in this version, a small intensive care unit can be integrated if required.



The cabin variants were developed in cooperation with military services. They meet the requirements with regard to risks through leaking emanations (NATO TEMPEST requirements). Lufthansa Technik also offers a complete portfolio of technical services for the Airbus A330 MRTT, covering the entire life cycle of the aircraft.  TradeArabia News Service
The world renowned 2017 Haute Grandeur Global Hotel Awards granted Fairmont Nile City, Cairo, the Best Business Hotel in Egypt award.

It also awarded Frank Naboulsi, regional vice president and general manager, the Best Hotel General Manager in Egypt award. Additionally, Willow Stream Spa at Fairmont Nile City won the Best Health & Wellness Spa in Egypt and the Best Spa Brand in Africa awards.

The 540-room hotel won the esteemed awards for its unwinding experience amidst exclusive business settings and dedicated service professionals, the hotel said.

The Haute Grandeur Global Awards is a prestigious accolade and is considered a leading awards initiative by rewarding outstanding hotel experiences and honoring the highest achievements from the global hotel industry.

Naboulsi commented: I am humbled to be awarded the Best Hotel General Manager in Egypt by a prestigious accolade such as Haute Grandeur Global Hotel Awards. All four awards received by Fairmont Nile City are recognized globally and will definitely have an impact on our guests in their desire to stay at the hotel which will add to the reputation and status of a hotel of this magnitude.  TradeArabia News Service
Air Arabia, a leading low-cost carrier (LCC) in Mena, has signed a lease agreement for six Airbus A321neo Long Range aircraft with the Los Angeles based Air Lease Corporation (ALC).



These additional aircraft will join Air Arabias fleet starting 2019 and will help the airline better serve its existing network as well as enter longer range routes in the near future, a statement said.



The agreement was signed between Adel Al Ali, Group chief executive officer of Air Arabia and Alex Khatibi, executive vice president of Air Lease Corporation on the sidelines of Dubai Airshow.



The A321 is a member of Airbus industry leading A320 family which makes up of Air Arabias current fleet. The A321neo LR has been further enhanced with its new engine option (NEO) jetliner versions and expanded seating capacity with optimised use of cabin space. It is the longest range single aisle airliner on the market. Air Arabias new A321neo LR aircraft will feature 215 seats per aircraft while maintaining Air Arabias industry leading seat pitch that customers currently enjoy.



Al Ali said: We continue to witness growth in passenger traffic across our hubs and remain focused on our business model and mission to provide affordable fare and value for money to passengers. The addition of A321neo Long Range aircraft allow us to expand our service to longer range destinations and helps offer more flexibility in our existing high density routes. We look forward to receiving the new aircraft in 2019 as we continue to offer our customers an excellent product with more destinations to discover.



The newA321neo LR will join Air Arabias existing fleet of 50 A320 aircraft that serve over 133 routes from five hubs in the UAE (Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah), Morocco, Egypt and Jordan.



We operate our business on a global basis, providing aircraft to airline customers in every major geographical region; and as the fastest growing aviation market in the world, the Middle East region remains one of our key markets, said Khatibi



Our relationship with Air Arabia dates back to the formation of the airline and we are pleased to sign this lease agreement with Air Arabia supporting their ambitious growth plans. The A321neo Long Range will complement the carriers existing fleet and support its vision to expand into new markets.



We are pleased that Air Arabia have chosen to support its fleet with our world-class A321 LR, which is a great addition complementing its current all Airbus fleet, said John Leahy, chief operating officer Customers, Airbus Commercial Aircraft. With its unique customised interior and passenger comfort, the aircraft will enable Air Arabia to continue to innovate and lead the low cost air travel market in the MENA region while providing its customers with a great value driven product.



The A321neo LR builds on the success of the A321neo, which has captured over 80 per cent of the market share with more than 1,400 orders to date. It provides additional flexibility as it has the longest range of any single aisle airliner, enabling airlines to tap into new markets not previously accessible with current single aisle aircraft.  TradeArabia News Service




The TransGriot is available for speaking engagements, college lectures, panel discussions, media interviews, conferences or Trans 101 education efforts for your school, business or professional organizations.



For local Houston area, Texas or national events, you can e-mail me at transgriot@yahoo.com



For events outside the Houston metro area, I ask that my travel and lodging expenses be covered.



This is separate from my speaking fee.



If you are interested in having me appear as a speaker or panelist, you can e-mail me with the date and details of your proposed event.

Please book as early as possible because my speaking and event calendar slots during the year rapidly fill up.
Meet award-winning artisans and buy their products at Kerala Arts and Crafts Village
Authorities are looking for a man who left Casper Re-Entry Center on Thursday and did not return as scheduled.

Scott Lee, 32, left the detention center for work at 12:45 p.m. Thursday and did not return when he was due back at 10 p.m. that night, Sgt. Aaron Shatto said.

The sheriffs department had not found Lee by Monday morning.

Lee was serving part of a two-to-four year sentence after being convicted of robbery in Clark County.

He is a five-foot 11-inch tall, 200 pound, blond-haired white man with hazel eyes, according to a Natrona County Sheriffs Office deputy.

The Casper Re-Entry Center is a privately owned facility that provides rehabilitation and substance abuse treatment to inmates before they are released.

The center operates under a contract with the Wyoming Department of Corrections.

The Wyoming Board of Patrol describes the Casper Re-Entry Center and other similar facilities as providing an alternative to incarceration or traditional probation/parole supervision.

Residents of the facility are required to hold off-site jobs and pay rent as part of their rehabilitation, according to the parole board.

The Natrona County Sheriffs Office asked anyone with knowledge of Lees whereabouts to call 307-235-9282.
A female was sexually assaulted in a University of Wyoming stadium parking lot on Friday night, according to an email sent to students and staff on Sunday.

The victim  whose age and relation, if any, to the university is unclear  was walking across the East Stadium parking lot adjacent to War Memorial Stadium on Friday night when she was tackled by a suspect she did not know, the email states. The suspect sexually assaulted her.

There are few other details about the attack. Chad Baldwin, the spokesman for the university, said the victim, who has chosen to remain anonymous, has not filed a formal report with law enforcement, though evidence has been collected should she decide to.

The email did not include information about where the victim was going at the time she was attacked.

Baldwin could not provide a description of the suspect.

University police became aware of the attack at around 2 a.m. Sunday morning. Baldwin said they are investigating and have attempted to get in contact with the victim, though he did not know whether theyve had any success.

The information we got did not come from the victim, Baldwin said. It was not direct information from the victim. I think the police would love to have that information.

Baldwin could not say whether the victim was a university student.

He said that university police are the lead investigators on incidents that happen on campus and that they may ask other agencies  like the Laramie Police Department  for assistance, though he could not provide details about this specific investigation.
MANILA, Philippines  President Trump is ending his lengthy Asia trip with an international summit and a trio of meetings with Pacific Rim allies, including his host in the Philippines who is overseeing a bloody drug war.

Trump, in Manila, attended the opening ceremonies of the Association for Southeast Asian Nations conference, which began with pageantry, including a group photo of the leaders and the summits traditional handshake. That cross-body shake, during which each leader shakes the opposite hands of those next to him, briefly baffled Trump, who then laughed as he figured out where to place his arms.

One of the leaders on his flank was Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who has overseen a bloody drug war that has featured extrajudicial killings.

The two men were slated to hold longer, formal talks later Monday and White House aides signaled that Trump was not expected to publicly bring up human rights in their discussions.

Trump has shown little interest in pressuring Duterte to rein in the violence, instead saluting him during a May phone call.

I just wanted to congratulate you because I am hearing of the unbelievable job on the drug problem, Trump told Duterte, according to a transcript of the conversation that later leaked. Many countries have the problem, we have a problem, but what a great job you are doing and I just wanted to call and tell you that.

White House officials have suggested there is a strategy behind Trumps flattery of Duterte.

Advisers have said that while Trump is unlikely to publicly chastise the Philippine president, he may offer criticisms during private meetings. Trump would plan to hold his tongue in public in order not to embarrass Duterte, whom he is urging to help pressure North Korea and fight terrorism and to avoid pushing him into the arms of China.

Trump will also meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, which plays a key role in the U.S. vision of an Indo-Pacific region that attempts to de-emphasize Chinas influence. And he will meet with Australian Prime Minister Malcom Turnbull, with whom he had a contentious phone call this spring.

Trumps discussions will largely center on trade and North Korea, but he remains dogged by things he has said, and not said, about Russia.

He tried to have it both ways on the issue of Russian interference in last years presidential race, saying he believes both the U.S. intelligence agencies when they say Russia meddled and President Vladimir Putins sincerity in claiming that his country did not.

I believe that he feels that he and Russia did not meddle in the election, Trump said Sunday in Hanoi, Vietnam.

As to whether I believe it, Im with our agencies, Trump said. As currently led by fine people, I believe very much in our intelligence agencies.

But just a day earlier, he had lashed out at the former heads of those U.S. intelligence agencies, dismissing them as political hacks and claiming there were plenty of reasons to be suspicious of their findings that Russia meddled to help Trump defeat Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Former CIA director John Brennan, appearing Sunday on CNNs State of the Union with former national intelligence Director James Clapper, said Trump was deriding them in an attempt to delegitimize the intelligence communitys assessment.

I think Mr. Putin is very clever in terms of playing to Mr. Trumps interest in being flattered. And also I think Mr. Trump is, for whatever reason, either intimidated by Mr. Putin, afraid of what he could do or what might come out as a result of these investigations, Brennan said.

Clapper called the threat from Russia manifest and obvious.

To try to paint it in any other way is, I think, astounding and, in fact, poses a peril to this country, he said on CNN.

Brennan said Trumps ambiguity on Russias involvement was very, very worrisome from a national security standpoint.

I think hes giving Putin a pass and I think it demonstrates to Putin that Donald Trump can be played by foreign leaders who are going to appeal to his ego and play upon his insecurities, Brennan said.

Questions about whether Trump believes the assessment about Russian election-meddling have trailed him since January, when he said for the first time, shortly before taking office, that he accepted that Russia was behind the election-year hacking of Democrats that roiled the White House race.

A special counsels examination of potential collusion between Moscow and Trump campaign aides so far has led to indictments against Trumps former campaign chairman and another top aide for crimes unrelated to the campaign, and a guilty plea from a Trump foreign policy adviser for lying to the FBI.

Multiple congressional committees are also investigating.

Trump told reporters traveling with him to Hanoi on Saturday that Putin had again vehemently denied the allegations. The two spoke during an economic conference in Danang, Vietnam. Trump danced around questions about whether he believed Putin, but stressed Putins denials.
When he came to Arizona Opera in spring 2016, Joseph Specter was focused on fulfilling one goal: How can we be the most exciting opera company for Arizona?

He thinks the answer may be coming next season, when the company shakes its programming model to the core.

Instead of five masterwork operas mounted on the big stages of Tucson Music Hall and Phoenix Symphony Hall, the 47-year-old company that serves both cities is splitting its season in half, opening with smaller, more daring operas in smaller spaces in both cities before returning to its bread-and-butter masterworks in the winter.

In September/October, the company will open its 2018-19 Arizona Opera Red series with Astor Piazzollas tango operetta Maria de Buenos Aires at Tucsons Temple of Music and Art and Phoenixs Herberger Theater Center. In November, the company will mount Daniel Schnyders jazz opera Charlie Parkers Yardbird on those same stages.

In January/February 2019, the company returns to its longtime halls for its Mainstage Series: Verdis La Traviata followed by Kevin Puts and Mark Campbells Pulitzer Prize-winning Silent Night in March and Mozarts The Marriage of Figaro in April. Silent Night, which premiered in Minnesota in 2011, inaugurates the companys new Marlu Allan and Scott Stallard Modern Masterworks Series.

One of the reasons I came to Arizona was because this organization is one that really embraces the importance of ensuring that opera is a living and breathing art form today, said Specter, who replaced Ryan Taylor as president and general manager at the end of the 2015-16 season.

Specter said Taylors 2014 Arizona Bold initiative, which included programming lesser known or completely unknown works to attract new audiences, paved the way for Red. Taylors initiative was aimed at supporting regionally relevant operas in hopes of broadening audiences including tapping into the states Hispanic population.

Through Arizona Bold the company mounted the first-ever mariachi opera Cruzar la Cara de la Luna (To Cross the Face of the Moon) in 2014 and the American debut of Emmerich Kalmans 1953 operetta Arizona Lady in 2015. Early this year, the company performed the world premiere of the first true Western opera, Craig Bohmlers Riders of the Purple Sage, which the company commissioned from the Arizona-based composer.

Specter said Red builds on the companys commitment to present adventurous, compelling repertoire that will appeal to new audiences and keep current audiences engaged. But doing that required thinking outside the box, and outside Music Hall.

Youre looking at these two incredibly diverse works  Yardbird and Maria de Buenos Aires  that we would never be able to present in a larger theater because the drama of the piece requires this kind of up-close and intimate experience, he said.

Arizona Operas new business plan is very exciting, Marc Scorca, president/CEO of Opera America said in a written statement. Increasing the production of new works, performing in different venues, and building programs to engage new and more diverse audiences are strategies that are embraced by leading opera companies across the country. Arizona Opera is to be commended for designing a plan that promises artistic success and institutional stability.

Specter and his team have been working on Arizona Opera Red since he walked in the door, he said. The primary goal was to connect our community to the art form in a new and exciting way, a thrilling way that is a little bit risk taking, but that we couldnt do because the one-theater format limited that, he said. But he admitted there was another more practical, audience-driven strategy in the timing; Arizona Operas largest audiences come during the winter, when seasonal residents return to escape colder climes in the East and the Midwest. The company will have an easier time in the slower fall months filling Temple of Music & Arts 627 seats than it would filling nearly 2,300 seats at Music Hall. Same for Phoenix; Symphony Hall seats just over 2,300 compared to the Herbergers 802.

The Temple of Music and Art anchors the downtown Spanish Colonial Revival-style cultural center that was built in 1926. It was renovated in 1990 and became home to Arizona Theater Company that year.

Both ATC and Arizona Opera were founded in Tucson, ATC in 1967 and the opera company four years later, in 1971. ATCs Phoenix home is at the Herberger.
We've collected a few front pages from newspapers.com to give you a look at some Nov. 13 papers in history. With a subscription to newspapers.com you can search the Arizona Daily Star and many other newspapers using keywords or dates, and download articles or pages.
A member of the Tohono Oodham Nation who lives in Mexico was sentenced last week to 200 months in prison for smuggling methamphetamine through the reservation southwest of Tucson.

Bernardo Romo-Ramos, 35, of Sonoyta, Sonora, was sentenced to more than 16 years in prison by Chief U.S. District Judge Raner C. Collins, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office of Arizona.

On Aug. 23, 2016, Romo-Ramos drove a 2001 Chevrolet pickup truck through the Papago Gate on the reservation that was loaded with 22 kilograms of methamphetamine and 1.2 kilograms of heroin, the release said. Officials found 47 packages stuffed in compartments under the floorboards of the truck, the release said.

Bernardo Romo-Ramos had previously pleaded guilty to importation of more than 500 grams of methamphetamine. The latest case marked Romo-Ramoss fourth drug trafficking conviction, the news release said.
The Tiger Mine bears the distinction of being the first mine patented and recorded in Yavapai County. The patent was recorded on April 30, 1874, for the mine, 5 miles southwest of Crown King in the southern Bradshaw Mountains.

The discovery of the mine occurred in late 1870 after Hod Curry and Dud Moreland successfully extracted 2 feet of silver ore from a 30-foot shaft they dug. As more development occurred in the area, including the discovery of a rich silver ledge, another strike yielded 500 pounds of silver ore averaging between 800 to 1,500 ounces of silver per ton.

With reports surfacing that the Tiger Mine was comparable to the Comstock, miners were lured en masse from Prescott to lay claims in the area, each claim 200 feet long and sold for up to $100 per foot. More than 150 miners worked the area, where mules were needed to haul the ore to Prescott.

Multiple houses along with an assay office were the earliest buildings erected. The Tiger Mining District was fully functioned by May of 1871 with more than 300 miners exploiting the findings.

The Tiger shaft soon reached 180 feet in depth. Multiple attempts by outside interests failed to entice the owners of the mine to sell, including one made at $150,000. The mine became a renowned silver producer in the Bradshaw Mountains, with ore shipped for processing to San Francisco and Virginia City, Nevada. It was serviced by the nearby town of Bradshaw City, officially established in 1874 after the opening of the post office. The town lasted a decade, reaching a population of 5,000, 35 miles south of Prescott on the northwest slope of Mount Wasson. It took 2 days from Prescott to reach the mining camp by saddle train, due to the challenging topography.

F.E. Harrington was in charge of early production along with F.M. Murphy. One of the best-producing months credited to the Tiger Mine was October 1879, when it produced $29,000 worth of ore. Two months later, the mill shipped $40,000 worth of silver bars to San Francisco. That year the mine produced over one-half-million dollars with a $350,000 profit.

The mine was not without misfortune. A mining accident in August of 1879 cost the lives of several men when a 700-pound cable became unraveled, causing the hoist carrying miners working the third shift to drop to the bottom of the shaft.

Financial scandals and mismanagement also caused the mine to suffer that year. By the 1880s and 90s, both Bradshaw City and the Tiger Mine fell into decline. Records of production for the Tiger mine from 1870 through 1934 include $700,000 of silver along with $50,000 in gold and $30,000 in copper.

Golden Crown Mining Co. purchased the mine in 1948, and 2,500 tons of ore composed of silver averaging $25 per ton was mined and shipped for processing to the Crown King Mill. The operation was short-lived, halting in April 1949. A decade later, Golden Crown Estates oversaw the property.

Other mines in the Tiger district encompassing several square miles include the Oro Belle and Gray Eagle veins renowned for their gold production. Located at an elevation of 5,400 feet on the south slope of Wasson Peak, this locality was worked in the early 1900s by George Harrington and his son, James R. Rube Harrington, and is credited with having produced $700,000 through 5,662 ounces of gold, 16,301 ounces of silver and 23,830 pounds of copper. The Oro Belle included a series of eight tunnels including one that ran 1,000 feet. The Gray Eagle encompassed a 600-foot shaft located a quarter-mile north of the mill. During its operation it claimed 1 ounce of gold and 2 ounces of silver per ton.
Excavators tearing down old interstate bridges, new ones going up and hundreds of gallons of new deck concrete being poured are some of the most dramatic  and visible  parts of the massive $148 million Ina Road-Interstate 10 interchange project.

But theres also some interesting stuff going on behind  or perhaps more accurately, under  the scenes.

Beneath the old Ina bridge over the Santa Cruz River, which will be replaced by a pair of two-lane bridges, you can hear the high-pitched squeaks of the migratory Mexican free-tailed bat before getting a whiff of their roosts distinctive smell.

Though its the low season , Arizona Game and Fish bat ecologist Joel Diamond told the Road Runner that theres an estimated 1,000 of the creatures packed tightly into the crevices. At high season, as many as 25,000 call the soon-to-be-destroyed structure home, while a nearby tunnel also hosts roughly 10,000 cave myotis bats.

So, where are the bats going to go when the place theyve called a seasonal home for years comes tumbling down?

If things go according to plan, theyll be moving right next door, into bat boxes installed under the new bridges. Game and Fish crews are sealing up the cracks every night after the bats head out to forage for the evening.

The low season was selected for that work to minimize what is no doubt a frustrating situation for the bats: Returning home after a long nights hunt to find that, effectively, the locks have been changed on their homes.

However, the new homes should be to their liking. Thats because Diamond and his colleagues have been logging microclimate data from inside the current roosts in order to better mimic those conditions in the boxes under the new bridges.

The effort was further aided by what Diamond described as significant collaboration in the design phase between the bridge contractor  Psomas  and his office.

Previous efforts have generally been the engineer comes in, designs the bridge, finishes the bridge and the biologist comes in as an afterthought, he said. With this bridge and ... the Houghton bridge, we came in on the front end.

Weve re-created the habitat as closely thermicly as we possibly can, given engineering constraints, and well see what happens next year, he added.

What the bats are looking for are the insulating properties of concrete, which can keep them cooler for longer in the summer and warmer for longer in the winter.

The Houghton boxes are already occupied, according to Diamond.

The seven on the Ina bridge will be monitored monthly over the next couple of years.

Kevin Thornton, Psomas senior project manager for the Ina interchange, said hes glad we were able to keep (the bats) there. Im excited to see how it all turns out when they move over.

Theres a lot of people who go to check out the bats, he added.

Diamond pointed out that they also serve important ecological functions and keep the bug situation under control during the summer. Each of the bats can eat more than twice its body weight in bugs every evening, he said.

All the phases of the project, which include some bat boxes at the Cortaro Road bridge, were expected to cost about $80,000, according to a 2015 project document.
How long will our so-called leaders stand idly by and do nothing to deal with our uniquely American mass shootings? President Trump acknowledged the problem when he stated: We have a lot of mental-health problems in this country, as do many other countries. So, if all countries have mental-health problems, why are we different?

Its the fact that we have millions of personal weapons of mass destruction! When every American must take a gun to church, will the NRA and gun manufacturers be satisfied? Probably not. I urge our senators and representatives to get some backbone and stand up to the gun lobby. It is time they did their job and come up with some solutions to our most pressing and depressing social issue.

Bruce Hilpert

North side
Citizens have said "enough" once again and have gone back to the streets to demand "dignity" and "respect". This is the general feeling of the thousands of people who have filled the streets of the city of Barcelona this Saturday.

750,000 people, according to Local Police, have filled the street Marina in Barcelona on Saturday in a demonstration called by the Catalan National Assembly (ANC) and Omnium Cultural to ask for the release of the counselors and the imprisoned leaders of both associations.

Large protest

"Freedom for political prisoners" was one of the most chanted songs during the afternoon, although they also sounded strongly "we are a republic" and "outside the occupation forces", in reference to the 12,000 police and civil guards displaced in Catalonia.

The demonstrators carried banners, independence flags and messages against the application of article 155, which means nothing more and nothing less than the suspension of the Catalan government. This measure had never been applied before.

Some of them included photographs of the dismissed counselors or the two imprisoned leaders Jordi Sanchez (ANC) and Jordi Cuixart (Omnium).

At the march, there were two heads: one calling for the release of political prisoners with relatives of the councilors and the presidents of the ANC and Omnium; and the other in favour of the republic, with political representatives.

La vostra llum ens arriba fins a Brusselles i illumina el cami que hem de continuar recorrent. Sou la nostra forca #11nLlibertat pic.twitter.com/iDzZVIQim1  Carles Puigdemont  (@KRLS) November 11, 2017

The families of the prisoners appeared on stage and read letters that the prisoners themselves have written from prison.

Joaquim Forn, Meritxell Borras, Carles Mundo, Josep Rull, Dolors Bassa, Raul Romeva, Jordi Turull, Oriol Junqueras, Jordi Cuixart and Jordi Sanchez. A video in support of the President Carles Puigdemont and the other members of the Catalan government in Brussellas has also been screened.

Among the politicians present at the event were the Mayor of Barcelona, Ada Colau, Josep Lluis Cleries (PdeCAT), Roger Torrent (ERC), Joan Josep Nuet, the ex-secretary of Podem Catalunya Albano Dante Fachin and the ex-deputy of CUP Mireia Boya.

Trip to Brussels

The leaders of ANC and Omnium Cultural have called to fill the streets of Brussels on December 7 to "express from the European capital in front of the EU and the world, and in front of the president of the Catalan government, the determination to continue the fight for democracy". This was expressed in the parliaments and the demonstration this Saturday by the vice presidents of the two organisations Agusti Alcoberro (ANC) and Marcel Mauri (Omnium).
In the run up to last year's EU Referendum, The Independent published an article suggesting an EU Army is the solution to all of Britain's problems. The idea was dismissed by the Remain camp as an example of Leave "lies" whilst the EU hid its plans from the British public to lull them into a false sense of security.

"These assertions are patronising to the European countries that have managed for centuries without a single European army"

However, The Independent suggested this would be the answer to the UK's inability to manage its own conflicts.

They said an EU Army would have prevented Britain from being dragged into the 2001 War on Terror and the 2003 Iraq War at the United States' request. The newspaper claimed a European Defence Union would enable Europe to stand up to America and prevent individual member states from being dragged into unnecessary conflicts. They also highlighted France's management of the Mali war as an example of an individual country's inability to manage conflicts. These assertions are patronising to the European countries that have managed for centuries without a single European army.

Plans for an EU Army were being created by Federica Mogherini, Brussels' chief of foreign affairs and security policy, prior to the EU Referendum.

They aimed to establish a joint military headquarters which will manage military assets provided by member states. Jean-Claude Juncker believes it is the only way for the trading bloc to be taken seriously as a military force.

These plans would cause the EU to become a direct threat to NATO, which is partly why they are so dangerous.

Because NATO is dependent upon member states' resources, it cannot summon them when they need to deter President Putin. Instead, they would be centralised in Brussels, and the Belgian capital would prove inadequate in pulling together resources from across 28 member states.

"This would divide the West and benefit Vladimir Putin"

Lord Owen warned before the EU Referendum an EU Army would clash with NATO operations. This would divide the West and benefit Vladimir Putin, who could then fulfill his ambition of conquering Eastern European states.

An EU Army is not in Europe's best interests and it is time the trading bloc's officials realised this.
When Russia invaded the Ukraine in 2014, why did they not just proceed with occupying the rest of Eastern Europe, which is part of President Putin's supposed "grand plan" to rebuild Russian imperialistic ambitions? It is no secret Moscow possesses the military resources to achieve this goal and former US president Barack Obama was too weak to stand up to the Russian President then. In theory, nothing could have stopped Russia.

The reason is because the continent is protected by NATO. This military alliance has been the preserver of peace in Europe since the Second World War.

Its survival depends upon the ability of nations to collaborate in pooling their resources together to prevent Russia from conquering Eastern Europe and more. That is why, if the situation deteriorated after the 2014 Ukraine invasion, President Putin's ambitions would have been halted.

"The evidence speaks for itself; Europe is safer under US protection"

The Independent published an article yesterday claiming the Russians hacked the EU Referendum. According to the newspaper, an undisclosed source from the Kremlin said it was no secret they were interfering in the Leave campaign. When President Trump had to respond to claims the Russians determined his victory last year, he said a Hillary victory would have been more beneficial to President Putin because she wanted a military conflict with Moscow.

The same logic applies to Brexit; why would the Russian President want Britain to leave a union that wants to create a European Defence Union, which would undermine NATO and allow him to divide and conquer the continent? The evidence speaks for itself; Europe is safer under US protection.

This is why President Putin would love a European Army; it would have no US influence.

Czech military analyst Martin Koller told Sputnik an EU Army would not resolve the refugee crisis engulfing Europe. A European Defence Union would cause member states to increase their defence spending and this would help nobody but the Russians.

"The only beneficiaries of an EU Army would be European defence companies"

The New York Times reported the only beneficiaries of an EU Army would be European defence companies, not the sluggish European economies, which are struggling enough.

President Putin is already determining the Middle East's fate. The Spectator wrote he is the only politician trusted to resolve conflicts there. If the EU wants to stop his influence spreading to Europe, they must abandon their plans for a European Army now.
I recently wrote an article stressing the importance of proving guilt before delivering punishments within the British justice system. Today I have to focus on the need, when that proof is clear, to deliver justice that is seen to be within the bounds of reason and not warped to allow truly evil people to get away with murder (sometimes literally), make fools of everyone and deliver more torment to the real victims. To do this, I must bring into view three people that it is nauseating to even contemplate, so I apologise in advance and advise you to gird your loins, this will make your blood pressure rise.

The sex pest attacker

First is a nondescript toerag called Hasan Alkhabbaz, a 22-year-old Syrian refugee, who repays the ridiculous kindness of this country with sex attacks on six women in three subways located in Paddington, London, between November last year and March of this year. This charmer's offences escalated on each attack from initially grabbing a victims bottom from behind, frightening and demeaning enough for a woman alone in a subway, to more aggressive, sustained and intimate attacks, with the last victim blaming the assault on the subsequent break up of her relationship.

Hasan had his excuses to hand of course. He was traumatised from seeing his sister killed in a bomb attack.

Sadly for him, he was examined by psychiatrists who found nothing to be wrong with him and the court heard he derived sexual pleasure from the horrified faces of the victims. His punishment; sixteen months jail (out in eight months) and a sexual harm prevention order! This man is a growing menace but there was no order to deport him straight after his release.

Abhorrent!

The repeatedly violent thug

Yes, indeed, but it gets far worse. Step forward Somali serial violent thug and illegal immigrant Abdulrahman Mohammed. This hateful creature is a serious prolific offender, jailed more than a dozen times for endearing behaviour including burglary, knife possession, robbery, and of course multiple assaults.

Mohammed has been the subject of a deportation order since January 2008 but the imbecilic European Court of Human Rights (yes we all knew they would crop up somewhere) ordered the UK not to deport him until further notice. The arrogance of those bureaucrats!

Having no other choice authorities detained this wretch for 445 days while they fought to kick him out. We the public then provide him with funding to bring a case of wrongful imprisonment and our own High Court (taking a leaf out of the Human Rights Court jackasses book) decide we must pay this robbing thug 78,500 of our money. Pay an illegal immigrant with 15 years worth of serious, violent offending nearly eighty thousand pounds because we had to detain him as, to comply with Human Rights laws we could not kick him out!

Insanity! It surely can't get any worse. Can it?

The Monster

Well, sadly it can, significantly worse. In 2013 one of the most loathsome, nihilistic acts of terrorism was committed by Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale. They drove a car into off-duty soldier Lee Rigby, then while he was lying helpless on the floor, tried to sever his head. Adebolajo was seen on television, his hands dripping blood, ranting nonsense about being a soldier of Allah with a meat cleaver in his hand. If a poll had been taken of the UK population about whether this man should be executed it would have resulted in a massive majority wanting him gone. We would all at least have hoped that we would see no more of the murderer.

We would like to assume he was going to be thrown into a dungeon on bread and water with perhaps a thin slice of mouldy cheese on a Sunday, for the remainder of his wicked life. Perhaps kept in solitary confinement, perhaps with his brain dead accomplice. But no, after paying about 190 thousand for legal aid for his conviction and then appeal the conviction, we find he is now suing for 25,000 damages for an alleged assault by prison guards who were trying to subdue the nutter. A judge says we should fund his legal case at a cost of up to 100 thousand. The alternative apparently is to let him defend himself, allowing him more publicity and an opportunity to cross-question witnesses. All this for one of the most evil men in the country who continues to maintain he is a soldier of Allah at war with us all and diligently goes about recruiting other naive idiots imprisoned with him, to also try and murder us.

The requirements of natural justice

Justice must be careful to protect people who are vulnerable, have made misjudgements and those innocent of the crimes they are accused of. But it must also ensure it has the support of the people in the country who have to fund and uphold it. Allowing the clearly stupid manipulation of the system to ensure that people who have certainly committed some of the worst offences possible can avoid punishment and indeed claim money from the people they have affronted will not be sustainable in the long run.

Claims about Human Rights, publicly funded legal aid and that only God has the right to punish will not cut the mustard. Democracy demands the will of the majority is respected and followed.

People like Nick Clegg and Jean Claude Juncker believe they know better than the plebs and they will do as they wish - so increasingly do many senior judges. In the end they are wrong. Keep flouting what the majority of people as well as natural justice clearly demands and chaos will rule. There are signs of it already all through Europe.

Stop these criminals making a mockery of our justice system and stop it now!
The Ministry of Defence has hit back at claims that the European Union (EU) is creating a European Army.

The news comes as a Change petition is being circulated round social media to push for the Government to not support a European Defence Force. 182 people have so far signed the online petition, with only 18 signatures needed for it to gain approval. A UK Parliament petition on the same issue was rejected last month.

"We must not undermine member states' sovereignty over their military forces"

The Ministry of Defence provided Blasting News with a statement saying: "The UK does not support the notion of a European Army.

We have been consistently clear that we must not undermine member states' sovereignty over their military forces, or create new institutions that compete with NATO."

George Connolly, the UKIP candidate for Wyre Forest, Worcestershire, in the 2017 General Election, told Blasting News: "We were warned by Nigel Farage in the run-up to the 2014 European Elections that there are plans for an EU Army. Former deputy prime minister Nick Clegg dismissed these claims and said there is no chance of this whatsoever. How wrong he was!

"When you're told by people that the Leave camp lied in the referendum because of some numbers on the side of a bus that may have been slightly over-inflated, compare that with the lies we've had for half a century- a European Army is happening.

"They are just as deluded as Mr. Clegg"

"Ministers including Boris Johnson and Michael Fallon have been signing up to the EU's military plans on the basis that they will lay down a loose marker for post-Brexit security cooperation. They are just as deluded as Mr. Clegg."

Major-General Julian Thompson outlined the disadvantages of Britain joining an EU Defence Union in a speech to the Veterans for Britain Bruges Group event at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester last month.

During his Tory Party Conference speech, Major-General Thompson told delegates a European Army would have a substantial impact on NATO and that MPs have been bypassed on an issue more advanced than British commentators realise.

According to the army general, Britain has been signed up to this scheme since November 2016.

He dismissed suggestions that many Leave voters did not know what they were voting for when he decided to opt for Brexit.

Major-General Thompson said he does not want unaccountable politicians sending young people to war.

The army general revealed to conference delegates a Ministry of Defence paper written by the French and Germans setting out plans for a European Defence Union. He referred to the numerous times European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and French President Emmanuel Macron have mentioned the possibility of a European Army.

Major-General Thompson said there is nothing stopping the UK from fashioning its own defence agreements post-Brexit. He referred to the Memorandum of Understanding between Britain and Holland which authorised cooperation between their respective Marine Corps that has been in place since the early 1970s, or the Anglo-French agreement.

The army general said this is an example of how mutual operational support can continue and there is no solid reason why that would change once the UK leaves the EU. He blasted "Remoaners" for failing to understand this.

"The creation of a European Army has never been formally proposed"

The Ministry of Defence told Blasting News the creation of a European Army has never been formally proposed at an EU level and the idea would never receive unanimous support across the trading bloc.

They added that for the UK, NATO remains the cornerstone of Euro-Atlantic security and this will not change.

Mr. Connolly said: "In the last century, we have had two world wars, both of which we have fought against a European dictatorship.

Surely an EU Army is just the start of another? Thank goodness we are leaving this madness. It started out as a trading union and we are now seeing that it has its own anthem, parliament and now the start of an army. This is the new United States of Europe!"
Indie Film .

Charlie says filming is her passion and she looks forward to working on more film projects in the future. She told us about her goals and past acting experience and about her role as a Rachel Hopkins in the new

Acting beginnings

Sabina: Charlie, can you tell us about your acting beginnings?

Charlie: I have always liked to perform, from a very young age. When I moved to Cornwall at the age of 7 I started dance lessons and it continued from there. I moved to London to do a degree in Dance at London Studio Centre. There I became more and more involved in acting and decided I'd found my niche.

A year after graduating from LSC I joined Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts and gained another degree, this time in acting. That same year I made my professional stage debut in Timon of Athens at The National Theatre, directed by Nicholas Hytner and have continued to play various roles on TV, film, and stage since.

A dream come true

Sabina: What are your best projects to date?

Charlie: I have very fond memories of my first job at The National, performing alongside Simon Russell-Beale and taking our bows to a standing ovation every night on the Olivier Stage. It was a petty big deal for me straight out of drama school. I am also particularly proud of my new film Matriarch coming out soon. I play the lead character, Rachel Hopkins.

The role really is a dream come true for me. My character is put through her paces both emotionally and physically. It was a tough shoot for me, very demanding, but I'm so proud of what we have achieved.

Sabina: How has acting change your life?

Charlie: I wouldn't say acting has necessarily changed my life; more that it has become a very big part of my life.

It's certainly not your usual 9-5 job. The hours are odd and there are highs and lows in terms of successes and rejection. I've been very fortunate to travel a lot with acting too, to Japan, LA, and Singapore, among other places. Acting has given me a very varied life and I couldn't imagine doing anything else.

Film is my passion

Sabina: In what kind of acting roles are you most interested in?

Charlie: Film is my passion. Both as a filmmaker and audience member. I still get goosebumps watching a great film in the cinema. I also love TV drama's and I have quite a period look so that sort of work appeals to me. My goal though is to continue to be as versatile as possible in every medium, including the stage. There's nothing more fun than really sinking your teeth into a challenging character, whose traits are far from your own.

Sabina: Do you have any interesting film or TV projects coming up?

Charlie: I have a few projects in the pipeline but it's early stages, so I can't say too much - and of course, I have Matriarch coming out hopefully next year, so watch out for that!
A huge nationalist march took place in the Polish capital Warsaw, drawing out crowds as large as 60,000 people. According to the Independent, it was said to have been one of the biggest far-right gatherings to have ever taken place in the world. Far-right and nationalist figures from all over the world attended the march, including the likes of the English Defence League founder Tommy Robinson. The protestors marched through the streets of Warsaw chanting things like "God, honour, country." There were also some reports of racist chants taking place, with some of the far-right marchers chanting "Pure poland, White Poland."

The far-right is on the rise across the continent.

About 2,000 "anti-fascist" counter-protestors attended the march, which saw marchers carrying Polish flags and throwing red smoke bombs.

Polish Independence Day is marked to signify the country gaining independence 123 years ago after it was divided by Russia, Prussia and the Anglo-Hungarian empire. Some of the concerns voiced by some of the marchers spoke of the worry over the "Islamisation of Europe," a sentiment that has become increasingly common on the far-right.

In Europe, the rise of far-right parties has become an alarming phenomenon, with many far-right parties in established European countries making significant inroads into mainstream politics. In France, Marine Le Pen, the leader of the Front National came second in the recent French elections, being beaten in the election by Emmanuel Macron, who became the youngest head of state in France since Napoleon.

Although Marine Le Pen was defeated, she still managed to gain 33 percent of the vote, an unthinkable prospect just five years ago. The Front National, who was founded by Marine's father Jean Marie Le Pen has a notorious reputation in France when it comes to racism and anti-Semitism.

Far-right support on the rise

In Holland and Germany, far-right parties have made significant gains in recent elections.

A common issue of concern that is voiced by these members of the far-right is the situation regarding immigration. Europe has seen an influx of migrants enter the continent from the war zones of the Middle East and the poverty-stricken countries of Sub-Saharan Africa since the "migrant crisis" as it is referred to began in early 201.

Angela Merkel's decision to allow well in excess of a million migrants into Germany has coincided with a noticeable rise in far-right sympathies. During this time Europe has also been victim to multiple terrorist attacks which have claimed hundreds of lives.

We may be repulsed by some of the views that some people within these far-right parties hold. There has always been that element of the right who is only concerned with stoking the fires of division and hate. But a march like we saw in Poland should speak of a greater problem. It was reported that only a small minority of those attending the march participated in the racist chanting, there are those people who have grave concerns about some of the deeper social issues that are occurring in society that are also drawn in by these far-right movements.

If our political elite refuses to address the serious concerns that people have regarding issues like unregulated mass migration, these far-right parties will continue to grow, possibly to all to our detriment.
Boris Johnson has apologised for remarks he made about Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a British-Iranian woman currently being held in Iran. Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who has been imprisoned in Tehran for the past 18 months, was jailed for five years on allegations of spying and attempting to topple the Iranian regime.

In the last several days, Mr Johnson - currently Britain's foreign secretary - claimed that Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe was "training journalists" while in Tehran, something which was taken as official confirmation from British authorities to help back up their arrest.

However, Mr Johnson has since retracted his claims, saying that she was not there in any kind of official capacity,

Speaking to the House of Commons, Mr. Johnson said:

Insofar that people got a different impression, it was my mistake, I should have been clearer ... I apologise for the distress and anguish caused to Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe and her family. Our priority now is to do everything we can to get her out of Iran on humanitarian grounds.

Diplomatic protection

Mr. Johnson also noted that, after speaking with Ms. Zaghari-Ratcliffe's husband, he would discuss the idea of giving her diplomatic protection when he next meets with the foreign affairs select committee. He said he had already written to the committee in order to correct his remarks.

Discussing his meeting with Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe's husband, Mr Johnson also noted that he had asked for the woman's release on humanitarian grounds, saying:

He has requested to come to Tehran. I dont know whether that will be possible but we will see what we can do...We do not normally call for the release of consular cases because very often that exacerbates their position.

But I have called for her release on humanitarian grounds.

During his time in the House of Commons today, Mr Johnson also expressed his apology for any distress caused to Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe and her family, but only after being pressed by a number of Labour MPs. The apology mainly came about after Mr Johnson returned to the House of Commons from Brussels after his shadow minister, Emily Thornberry, called for him to simply and unequivocally retract his remarks and apologise.

At the time, Ms Thornberry told the House of Commons:

We know, from the evidence of Richard Ratcliffe, that when Nazanin was told of the remarks and saw how the Iranian authorities would exploit them she became hugely distressed and upset.
A new study from the University of Vermont in Burlington revealed that Watching Television for a prolonged period of time can increase the risk of developing Blood clots in the leg veins or lungs.

The study, presented at the annual meeting of the American Heart Association, showed that people who tend to binge-watch their favorite shows or movies have 1.7 times higher risk of developing a so-called Venous thromboembolism (VTE), compared to those who seldom or never watch television.

For the study, the researchers used the data of more than 15,000 middle-aged participants of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study.

Among the participants, those who reported watching television very often were 1.7 times more likely to develop VTE than those who reported never or seldom watching television.

Interestingly, participants who met the recommended guidelines for physical activity but reported watching television very often have 1.8 times higher risk than those who reported watching television never or seldom.

VTE third leading vascular diagnosis in the United States

Affecting about 300,000 to 600,000 Americans each year, VTE is considered to be the third leading vascular diagnosis in the U.S., following heart attack and stroke. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates the 60,000 to 100,000 Americans die of VTE, with 10 to 30 percent of those dying within one month of diagnosis.

Often underdiagnosed, VTE is a serious but preventable medical condition that occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein. There are two types of VTE. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a clot in a deep vine, usually in the leg, but sometimes in the arm or other veins. On the other hand, pulmonary embolism occurs when the DVT breaks free from a vein wall and travels to the lungs, blocking some or all of the blood supply.

Healthy and active lifestyle can lower the risk of VTE

VTE is more common in adults 60-year-old and over. However, it can occur at any age, though rarely observed in children. Surgery, hospitalization, and immobilization, as well as cancer, can increase the likelihood of VTE.

Due to the increased risk of VTE brought about by prolonged television watching, the researchers recommend simple changes on peoples watching habits.

Mary Cushman M.D., M.Sc., co-author of the study and professor of medicine at the Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont, encourage the use of a treadmill or stationary bike while watching television. They also urge people to have a 30-minute walk before sitting in front of televisions. Consumers can also utilize the record settings on their television to save their favorite shows.
Patrick Charles Hannon, 53, was executed by the state of Florida on November 8. He was sentenced to death for murdering 27-year-old Brandon Snider and 28-year-old Robert Carter in 1991. As with all executions, there were people who witnessed as the state carried out the capital punishment imposed against Hannon. CBS News reporter Greg Angel was a media witness who was present, the New Zealand Herald noted.

An estimated 20 people, in all, witnessed as the state administered the lethal injection protocol, holding Hannon accountable for the murders he committed.

Angel, as well as three media contemporaries, were present at the execution to better assess and assure the public that the delivery of death was a humane process, the Herald reported.

Media witness to executions says the process is like someone falling asleep

Angel assessed the medias attendance at the macabre events as a watchdog advocacy role, the Herald relayed. He further stated that the importance of reporters witnessing executions is to make sure that the injection is carried out with an accurate record of events. After three executions, Angel describes the process as watching someone fall asleep.

At 8:50 PM on Wednesday, Hannon was pronounced dead. The afternoon following Hannons execution, Tallahassee Citizens Against the death penalty (TCADP) held a vigil at the capitol.

Hannon was the 25th death row inmate executed during Florida Governor Rick Scotts tenure.

Death penalty protestors version of execution conflicts with eyewitness account

A representative of TCADP stated that the vigil was in protest of the death penalty. The group was gathered to protest the violent act committed in our name and to say that this was not an act of justice, according to the representative and to WEAR TV.

TCADPs characterization of Hannons execution, however, conflicts with the eyewitness account that Angel shared with the New Zealand Herald. Many define an execution as a barbaric act, he said, but it is veiled in the guise of a medical procedure.

He also stated that there werent any violent physical reactions. He told the Herald, as well, that the execution was silent, and somewhat peaceful.

Victims family member waves 'goodbye' to killer as execution happens

Prior to administering the three-drug lethal injection cocktail on Wednesday, Hannon delivered his final statement.

He insisted that he was innocent and offered an apology to Carters family. During the 1991 killings, he fatally shot Carter in the chest six times, the Tampa Bay Times reported.

He told Carters family that he hoped his execution would give them some peace. He also stated, I wish I could have done more to save Robert. Carter fled upstairs and was hiding under a bed after Hannon cut Sniders throat and nearly decapitated him. Carter and Snider were roommates when they were murdered on January 10, 1991.

One of Sniders relatives, also witnessing the execution, whispered an obscenity, the Times noted. She also waved goodbye as he was put to death. She didnt want to identify herself or offer media a comment.

Angel observed the contrast between how the victims were murdered in relation to the killers executions that he has witnessed. He told the Herald that there was a drastic difference in tone when considering murderers level of violence committing crimes that put them on the gurney in the first place.
On Veterans Day, it's been routine for the President of the United States to make remarks in honor of the men and women who gave their lives for the country. After Donald Trump sent out a tweet for his first Veterans Day as commander in chief, critics of the president responded on social media.

Trump on Veterans Day

It all started back on the floor of Trump Tower in June 2015. That was when Donald Trump, with his family by his side, created a media frenzy by officially announcing his candidacy for president, doing so as a Republican. Over the next year, Trump would go from a joke to a legit candidate, especially after surprising many with his primary win over 16 other Republicans.

During this time, the former host of "The Apprentice" made sure to repeat several talking points in an attempt to gain support. One area that Trump focused on was his apparent respect and admiration for the United States military and the veterans who served throughout the years. Since then, and following his general election upset win over Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, Trump has continued to stick with his claim of respect for veterans, despite not pushing for any legislation that would be beneficial to those who have served. On the other hand, those who oppose the president have not been shy in holding back their criticism, including pointing out the five deferments Trump received to avoid the Vietnam War, with many referring to him as a "Draft Dodger" while pushing to send troops to war while serving in the White House.

As seen on his Twitter account on November 11, Trump decided to send out a special message to honor Veterans Day.

On this wonderful Veterans Day, I want to express the incredible gratitude of the entire American Nation to our GREAT VETERANS. Thank you! pic.twitter.com/GhQbCA7yII  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 11, 2017

Taking to Twitter on Saturday, Donald Trump tweeted out a message for Veterans Day.

"On this wonderful Veterans Day, I want to express the incredible gratitude of the entire American Nation to our GREAT VETERANS," Trump tweeted out in a video message, before adding, "Thank you!"

In a follow-up tweet via his Instagram account, Donald Trump praised veterans of the Vietnam War 50 years after the United States first took part in the war.

"#DaNang #Vietnam- President Trump & CoS #General John Kelly meet with U.S. Vietnam veterans, after signing a proclamation commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War," the Instagram post read.

Twitter responds

Following Donald Trump's remarks about Veterans Day and the Vietnam War, backlash quickly followed on social media. "Yes, we love our veterans. But we must not go down the path of nuclear war. Please stop making incendiary remarks. You are making me fear for my children's lives and precipitating the end of life as we know it on earth," one tweet read.

Unless of course youre John McCain. Or transgender. Or Humayun Khan. Or a vet with ptsd. Everyone else, Trump is grateful!   Angelyna Gee (@Angelyna_G24) November 11, 2017

He has The Best bones spurs.  Princess Mueller (@Princess_Pea_3) November 11, 2017

"Looks like your blood pressure is way up Donnie.

Under some sort of stress?" another tweet noted in reference to the attached video of the president. "Unless of course youre John McCain. Or transgender. Or Humayun Khan. Or a vet with ptsd. Everyone else, Trump is grateful!" an additional tweet added.

Thanks so much to the bone spur gods, because if you served in our military, we could be the United States of Russia now.  Ed Krassenstein (@EdKrassen) November 11, 2017

While you enjoyed 5 deferments while people like my father risked their life everyday... You hypocritical twat.  John Melendez (@stutteringjohnm) November 11, 2017

Whay a disgrace to are vets. To have a coward draft dodger. In the white house. Sad .  christopher francis (@cfrancis1035) November 11, 2017

"What a disgrace to our vets.

To have a coward draft dodger in the white house. Sad," yet another tweet stated. "Thanks so much to the bone spur gods, because if you served in our military, we could be the United States of Russia now," a Twitter user wrote. The negative reaction continued as the opposition to Donald Trump and his lack of military service moved forward.
Dina Mergeron is an interesting and complex character on "The Young and the Restless." The range of acting skills of her portrayer Marla Adams is quite amazing. This woman can be loving and kind one moment and a grand dame ice princess the next. She is sharp as a tac in the boardroom, but also wakes up at night in bed disoriented. Fans are hoping new head writer Mal Young will keep this character vibrant and relevant in Geno City. Dina can be brutally honest even to causing hard feelings one moment and expressing a fragile vulnerability the next.

This is especially true when Mrs. Victor Newman is around.

Dina is running amuck without Graham

The first sign that something was wrong with Ms. Mergeron was the night of Nikki's concert. When she found out that Graham was not on hand Dina became confused and thought she had been left alone. Mr. Bloodworth had always stuck to her like glue and she seemed frantic without him. One night she woke up screaming his name and seeming very frightened, but that version of Dina does not last long. Jack and Ashley rescued her from Graham in Florida and brought their mother back to Genoa City, where things have been intense ever since.

Dina walked away from the Abbott home when Jack was not looking and unwittingly caused the fire that burned down Nick Newman's club The Underground.

She waltzed right back through the front door and went upstairs and her son never even missed her. She has been sparring with Nikki for quite some time, expressing that she does not want this woman to date her son. On Friday things heated up between the two women and Ms. Mergeron really got out of hand and committed a crime.

Nikki pushed Ms. Mergeron to the breaking point

Earlier in the day, Abby caught her grandmother stealing sugar packets from a restaurant, and later when no one was looking she put the silverware in her purse. That night at Top of the Towers, Crystal announced that Zack was using the Newman dating app as a front for prostitution.

Nikki overheard Jack's mom making a snide comment about her family and began arguing with her. As she often does, Dina mentioned Mrs. Newman's past as a stripper, making comments about lap dances and poles.

This time Nikki was so enraged that she referred to Dina as an old lady and told her to shut up. Ms. Mergeron reached into her purse and pulled out one of the stolen items and stabbed Victor's wife in the arm. As Nikki was screaming in pain, Dina made her getaway before anyone realized what had transpired.She is now on the loose in Genoa City and there is no telling what will happen next, so stay tuned.
The Duggar Family is always the target of rumors and speculation. This time though, the gossip spinning around could mean good news. Jill Duggar and her husband, Derick Dillard have been dodging controversy left and right. From their mission work in El Salvador to her complicated home birth and parenting techniques, this couple can't catch a break. They welcomed their second son five months ago and now, there is speculation Jill Duggar may be pregnant again.

Is Jill expecting again?

According to the Hollywood Gossip, Jill Duggar looked pregnant in a photo that was recently shared by the Duggar family Facebook page.

She is seen carrying a little weight in her midsection. This could be the extra baby weight that hasn't been worked off yet. She had a second c-section birth, which also plays a part in weight loss and midsection frump. There are rules the couples must follow after giving birth before they can resume their private time together. The wait time has passed and the couple could be expecting their third child.

Both Jill Duggar and Derick Dillard have discussed having more children. She will have to be careful though, especially since both of her births have resulted in surgery. Eventually, the doctors may advise her to stop having children. They have not ruled out adoption, but they haven't been as vocal about it as Jessa Duggar and Ben Seewald have.

If Jill Duggar is pregnant, she will be the second daughter to have a baby due in 2018. Joy-Anna Duggar is due with her first child later this winter. It is rumored to be a honeymoon baby, and the timing fits right in.

Duggar baby boom 2018

Right now, Joy-Anna Duggar is the only confirmed delivery happening in 2018. There is still plenty of time for the other siblings to get in on the action.

Jill Duggar could easily be around three months pregnant, but it is likely she is newly pregnant if at all. The announcements happen pretty quickly when the Duggars are involved. Anna Duggar, Josh Duggar's wife, just welcomed her fifth child a few months ago. The two could welcome another child in 2018 as well. Then, there is Jessa Duggar.

She could easily become pregnant in the coming months. Her second child born earlier this year. It is unclear if they are going to continue having their own children, or if they are planning to adopt one.

If Jill Duggar is pregnant, the announcement will likely be made via People magazine as they have in the past. Could another Dillard boy be on the way?
Meghan King Edmonds' candle party will create all kinds of awkwardness on the next of episode of "Real Housewives of Orange County." Episode 19 will feature the aftermath of Iceland after the cast returns home. It's funny what a trip away will do to a group of women, and even more so, coming back. Lots of things are said, alcohol is involved, and friendships are tested. There's bound to be some turmoil and, of course, there is!

Kelly and Shannon's marital troubles out in the open

In one of the clips for episode 19 of "rhoc," Kelly Dodd has grown tired of the struggle for dominance in her marriage with Michael.

As she's preparing to leave for Meghan's party, she argues with Michael about being polite at the event. The downfall of their marriage is seen in this episode as Kelly reaches her breaking point with Michael; the same can be said of Shannon Beador and her husband, David. As they're on their way to pick up Kelly and Michael, Shannon complains about her difficulty in getting along with her friends. David seems indifferent to her grievances, only to tell Shannon that's she's certainly a "direct" person. On the car ride to Meghan King Edmonds' party, no one is saying much.

In last week's episode, Shannon came to the realization that David has "checked out" of their marriage. She's currently separated from David and Kelly is divorcing Michael.

It stands to reason that none of them are particularly delighted in the upcoming "RHOC" episode.

Tamra Judge and Vicki Gunvalson go back to being distant. Tamra isn't happy with the fact that Vicki hasn't apologized to Eddie for the rumors she spread about him. 12 hours after getting back from Iceland, Tamra shares that she heard more gossip about Eddie from a friend of Vicki's.

Disgusted with Vicki, Tamra decides that she's not going to waste any more time on Vicki's lies.

Peggy apologizes to Meghan

Peggy Sulahian apologizes to Meghan for what she said in Iceland about her parenting choices. She implied that Meghan didn't care that her baby was in the next room crying while she was partying with the other ladies, but was aware of it and wanted Aspen to soothe herself to sleep.

Shannon, on the other hand, is keeping her communication with Peggy limited after her behavior in Iceland. Lydia McLaughlin defends Peggy, telling Shannon that Peggy is genuinely sorry for what she said to Meghan and didn't have a clear head in Iceland.

"Real Housewives of Orange County" season 12, episode 19 airs Monday, November 13 at 9 PM, ET / 6 PM, PT on Bravo.
Lindwe Sisulu, minister of human settlements, cuts the ribbon for the sample house built by CMIG Drawin, at Ekurhuleni in Gauteng province, South Africa.[Photo provided to China Daily]

China Mingsheng Drawin Technology Group Ltd, a Hong Kong-based investment holding company and a high-tech manufacturing enterprise, launched its first housing project in Gauteng province of South Africa last month.

The $2.6 billion overseas project, which is expected to be completed over the next ten years, marks yet another milestone for the subsidiary of China Minsheng Investment Group.

The latest venture is aimed at meeting demand for accommodation brought by development and urbanization in South Africa.

For long, CMIG Drawin's focus has been on businesses like property investment and prefabricated construction engineering.

It is known for building technology parks in Guangdong, Zhejiang and Hunan provinces in China. Its own subsidiaries operate and manage assets like properties.

Founded in 2014, CMIG Drawin now focuses on the whole industrial chain of prefabricated buildings, and boasts 1,300 patents in the field.

It plans to help build 18,000 houses in 10 years for immigrant poor population in John Dube New City project under construction in Gauteng, South Africa's richest province, as they lack sufficient living spaces and a safe living environment.

The project includes public rental apartments, commercial residential buildings and supporting facilities, including schools, hospitals and shopping malls with a total area of 497 hectares.

Local residents pose in front of the sample house built by CMIG Drawin.[Photo provided to China Daily]

Lindiwe Sisulu, minister of human settlements, government of South Africa, said improving housing supply in poor regions is one of the top priorities of the central government.

According to a World Bank report, 472 million people live in urban areas across the African continent. Their number is expected to reach 1 billion by 2040.

The report said about 100,000 people migrate to Johannesburg, capital of Gauteng, every year, many of whom live in slums where poor living conditions and high crime rates are common.

"We needed to build houses with good quality as quickly as possible to help more children move in to spacious new houses and receive better education," Sisulu said.

David Makhura, governor of Gauteng province, said the project will bring changes to both the residential districts and spatial planning, which will help promote modernization and reindustrialization of the region.

Gauteng still needs another 1 million residential buildings, the World Bank report said.

The local government has put forward a plan to build 31 new cities. The John Dube program is the biggest and earliest of them with an estimated investment of 17 billion yuan ($2.6 billion).

Instead of bringing in construction workers from other countries, the project expects to hire 95 percent of the total staff locally, which translates to about 1,000 new jobs.

CMIG Drawin is also contributing new prefabricated buildings whose parts can be produced at local industrial parks and assembled in a day.

Besides, people can move into such houses in three days after completing interior decoration, according to Yin Jun, president of CMIG Drawin.

This not only helps shorten the construction period but makes it easier to train local workers with relatively low requirement for technical level, he said.

A 40-square-meter model house built within three days by the company has been put on display at Ekurhuleni in Gauteng. It contains two bedrooms, one washroom and one living room.

A local woman, Rebecca, said she was eager to move in to such a house. Her family of four live in a room no bigger than 10 square meters now. They cannot afford to buy a new one because she is the only breadearner.

Yin said he expects the company to land similar projects in overseas markets, including Southeast Asia and the Middle East, where several countries are involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.
About 10,000 existing parking slots in Qingdao, Shandong province, have been transformed into shared ones. XIAO JIAN/CHINA DAILY

The sharing economy does not just involve bicycles, taxi rides and accommodation. Shared parking space has also recently become a huge market in major Chinese cities.

Statistics from the National Development and Reform Commission show that major Chinese cities are faced with a shortage of parking slots as the ratio of cars to parking spaces is around 1 to 0.8 in those cities.

In Qingdao, a coastal city in East China's Shandong province, up to 10,000 existing parking slots have been transformed into shared ones with the help of Airparking, an online shared parking platform developed by Guangzhou Yueting Network Technology Co Ltd.

Through its app, users can either share or book a parking place. Owners who have idle parking slots can share detailed information including parking position, license number and time limit in the platform. With this information, users can easily find the nearest place to park.

The average parking fee for Airparking is four yuan ($0.6) per hour, almost the same as the service fee in traditional parking spaces, and the company will get half of the parking fee from lot owners.

"Different from building a parking place, which takes longer time and bigger costs, shared parking is more cost-efficient as it improves traffic order and optimizes resources," said Jiang Xiaohai, deputy chief of the Traffic Police Brigade for Shibei District, one of Qingdao's first areas to promote shared parking.

Qingdao is only one of the Chinese cities that encourage shared parking. Major cities including Beijing, Shanghai and Hefei have all begun to test the concept.

The Shanghai government, for example, upgraded more than 6,500 shared parking slots to encourage the public to use shared parking.

In fact, the idea of "shared parking" sprung up several years ago, but it has not been widely accepted by users.

"The biggest problem of shared parking industry is that it relies highly on the offline market, where many interest groups are involved. It is difficult to strike a balance among them," said Feng Zhidong, founder of Airparking and an expert in the field.

Unlike other sharing economy sectors such as bicycles, the new parking method engages car owners, parking lot owners, property management companies and local governments. Even residents in the community where shared parking is located are concerned about the safety of their community if spaces are opened to all cars.

Feng added that it is also one of the reasons why most shared parking companies in China are doing business on a small scale and have not become leading firms nationwide like car-hailing platform Didi Chuxing.

"Promoting scarce resources takes time. We try to convince various interests that this sharing mode actually will bring benefits. Even though faced with difficulties, we are still optimistic about the industry," he said.

The optimism is shared by consumers.

Leng Bin, a resident from Qingdao who frequents central business districts, said: "Finding a place to park used to be a headache for me, especially when I had to handle affairs in some difficult-to-park areas. Thanks to shared parking, it is no longer a problem."
BEIJING - Cooperation in East Asia and regional economic partnership will be high on the agenda for Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's Philippines trip.

The premier left Beijing Sunday for an official visit to the country and a series of high-level regional meetings, including the 20th China-ASEAN (10+1) leaders' meeting, the 20th ASEAN-China, Japan and Republic of Korea (10+3) leaders' meeting and the 12th East Asia Summit, as well as the leaders' meeting on Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

The meetings hold special significance for East Asia cooperation, as this year marks the 50th anniversary of ASEAN's establishment and the 20th anniversary of the 10+3 framework.

Also, the next year marks the 15th anniversary of the China-ASEAN strategic partnership, and a new page is to be turned on relations between China and the 10-nation bloc.

China expects the meetings to "focus on dialogue and cooperation, expand consensus, pursue common development of mutual benefit, work jointly to address challenges in order to further push forward cooperation on economic development, culture and non-traditional security," Assistant Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong told the press prior to Li's departure.

Li will brief on China's policy on cooperation in East Asia, and propose nearly 30 new initiatives to deepen practical cooperation on interconnectivity, food security, poverty reduction, tourism and anti-corruption, Chen said.

Relations between China and ASEAN -- Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam -- have grown in recent years, with trade reaching over $452 billion in 2016.

The two sides have also worked on the Belt and Road Initiative for stronger regional connectivity and integration.

"China-ASEAN ties have developed into the most dynamic and enriched among ASEAN's relations with its dialogue partners," said Xu Bu, Chinese ambassador to ASEAN.

China is expected to play a positive role in the upcoming RCEP talks, which will be the first leaders' meeting since its launch in 2012. RCEP is a free trade pact involving the 10 ASEAN members and six other countries -- China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.

By setting the theme of this year's meetings as "Partnering for Change, Engaging the World", ASEAN is sending signals of joining with its partners and pushing for further regional economic integration.

Upon establishment, the 16 RCEP participating countries will form a trade bloc with a population of three billion and some 30 percent of global trade, which will pave way for the building of the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific.

"China has always been a firm supporter of economic globalization and free trade, as well as a participant and contributor to the RCEP negotiations," said Xu.

Meanwhile, as the first visit to the Philippines by a Chinese premier in 10 years, Li's trip is seen as an important move regarding bilateral ties.

During Li's stay, the premier will hold talks with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, and the leaders will exchange views on regional and international issues of common concern.

The two countries were expected to exchange views and sign cooperation documents on infrastructure, industrial zones and aid to the Philippines, to further promote bilateral comprehensive cooperation, according to the foreign ministry.
Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site.

License for publishing multimedia online 0108263



Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349
Premier Li Keqiang said on Sunday that China is ready to work with the Philippines to continue to properly handle maritime issues through friendly bilateral consultation. This can be done by giving full play to mechanisms such as the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea.

Li made the remarks in a signed article published by The Philippine Star on Sunday, when he arrived in Manila to begin a five-day visit to the country, where he will attend high-level meetings on East Asia cooperation.

The China-Philippines relationship is now seeing a rainbow after the storm and showing good momentum across the board, Li said in the article, adding that he hopes the visit will enhance the friendship between the two peoples, deepen cooperation and open new prospects for China-Philippine ties.

The visit marks the first time a Chinese premier has visited the Philippines in 10 years. Li will meet with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte for bilateral talks, and the two leaders will attend ceremonies marking the opening of several projects that China subsidized.

Starting on Monday, Li will attend a series of high-level leaders' meetings on East Asia cooperation, including the 20th China-ASEAN (10+1) leaders' meeting; the 20th ASEAN-China, Japan and Republic of Korea (10+3) leaders' meeting; and the 12th East Asia Summit during his trip to the Philippines, which holds the rotating chair of ASEAN this year.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of ASEAN, and 2018 will be the 15th anniversary of the China-ASEAN cooperation of strategic partnership.

ASEAN, a regional bloc of 10 Southeast Asian member nations that promotes intergovernmental cooperation and facilitates economic integration, reached a combined GDP of $2.4 trillion in 2016, equivalent to the sixth largest economy in the world. The theme for this year's summit is "Partnering for Change, Engaging the World".

At the meetings, Li will propose some 30 new initiatives on East Asia cooperation, covering areas including connectivity, infrastructure, poverty alleviation, trade and anti-corruption, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

"This year is of critical importance to East Asia cooperation because all key operations under the frameworks are reaching a crucial stage," said Ruan Zongze, vice-president of the China Institute of International Studies.

Also in Manila, Li is expected to attend the leaders' meeting of the 16 nations of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, a proposed free trade agreement comprised of ASEAN members and other states.

It is the first time that the 16 leaders of RCEP countries will meet for a talk since negotiations started in 2012.
A mixture of academic success and hands-on experience provide lecturers with a stimulating environment, as Hou Liqiang reports.

In 2015, shortly before delivering his first lecture at the Party School of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China in Beijing, Zheng Huan began to panic. He felt he wasn't ready for the challenge of delivering the class lecture, even though he had spent three years employed as a teaching assistant and was familiar with the school's methods and ethos.

"Despite learning a lot of theory during my 10-year study of political science, I failed to answer many of the students' questions when I worked as an assistant. My knowledge and the training I had received weren't enough to meet the demands of the job," the 32-year-old lecturer said.

"Many of the students have doctorates, and many have an international perspective because they have traveled overseas frequently. They know what I know, but I don't necessarily know what they know."

The school, which is the nation's top training establishment for Party officials, offers a wide range of courses. Each lecture lasts two hours, and irrespective of the topic, a few students are always experts in the field. For example, a recent lecture about the new normal of China's economic development was actually introduced by one of the students.

In addition to learning about theory, the officials also need to understand how to apply that knowledge, which presents many challenges, according to Zheng.

"Freed temporarily from the burdens of work, the students make full use of their time at the Party School to find answers to the questions they have been asking themselves and discovering solutions to problems that have been troubling them," he said.

Changing times

When Yue Liang began working as a full-time teacher in 2012, he had already taught part time at another school for 10 years, while studying history at Beijing Normal University. The 35-year-old still finds his work challenging.

"As a Party School teacher, you can never stop learning. The Party always keeps pace with the times. The world is changing and the Party is also changing to respond to new problems," he said.

"Many people say it's a tiring job because our students are officials with deep experience and different backgrounds, so the teachers have to know about different subjects. It's not enough to just read books about your own major."

He added that last year he read about 40 books on history, economics, political science and sociology.

Reading is one of the main activities on campus, and in addition to regular discussions at a bookstore on the school grounds, the different departments and teachers organize regular dialogues. Moreover, to gain even more experience, many teachers conduct extensive research in the field.

Yue spends more than 40 days a year on field research. "When I return, I contact my colleagues and students to discuss the problems I have discovered, and consult documents to identify the causes and solutions," he said.

Chen Qiqing, a professor of economics who joined the school in 2006, said that when problems are identified, it is easy to carry out in-depth studies because one can always find students with relevant experience.

One of the topics under current scrutiny is the hukou, or household registration, system. In many areas, people cannot benefit from social services if they live in places where they are not registered. During his research, Chen discovered that many people from the countryside are unable to obtain hukou in urban areas and are therefore excluded from the benefits system, even though they have moved to towns to meet the demand for workers.

In his search for a solution, Chen has consulted some of his students who are officials at the Ministry of Public Security and therefore well-qualified to explain reform of the hukou system and the challenges that will produce.

"Party School students are all officials at different levels in different regions and industries. If they share their insights based on their practical experience, it helps us teachers to understand the country better," he said.

Practical experience

Many of the teachers also take temporary posts in grassroots governments to gain hands-on experience.

Wang Xuebin, who joined the school in 2010, spent last year working as deputy head of Xiuwen county, Guizhou province, because he felt his "lack of practical experience hindered communication with the students".

Initially, he was assigned to take charge of the county's financial affairs office and the tobacco and weather bureaus, in addition to assisting another official in overseeing cultural affairs and tourism.

Soon after he took his post, the county organized an international festival dedicated to a renowned philosopher known as Bo'an (1472-1529), but the head of local publicity department, who was in charge of the event, was hospitalized unexpectedly. As he has a background in history, Wang was asked to take the job, which involved organizing a forum and an art show.

"Although I was involved in organizing meetings or forums at university, I never oversaw any of them. This job was so stressful that it felt as though the weight of the world was on my shoulders," he recalled.

Most of the local officials regarded Wang as a stranger, and doubted his ability to organize the event. "It was difficult to get any cooperation at the start," he said, adding that he regularly worked until midnight.

"It was common to receive more than 100 phone calls a day. After I got up at 6 am, my phone kept ringing."

His dedication soon won him the trust of his colleagues: "They no longer considered me a bookworm. I won their respect because I was always in the frontline."

To identify qualified keynote speakers, he read more than 300 papers submitted by academics who had applied to join the forum. He was too busy rehearsing the event to go to bed the night before it took place.

The festival was a success, so Wang was entrusted with more tasks, including acting as interim head of the publicity department and overseeing the local justice department.

He also toured isolated areas, mobilizing social funds to help poverty-stricken students. One, a second-grader at senior high school, had packed his bags and was ready to head out to work when Wang visited to give him 3,000 yuan ($450), which enabled him to stay at school.

Inspiration

Wang also went to villages to inspect flood preparations before the rainy season. He said he not only learned invaluable lessons in Xiuwen, but was also inspired by the cadres.

The head of the local publicity department had been diagnosed with cancer two years before, but she insisted on continuing to work.

"Once, I saw her in a cold sweat - she couldn't even stand upright while she spoke on the phone. She died in January. She was in her 50s, and her child was still in university, but that wasn't why she continued to work. It was more a sense of dedication, and she wanted to do her work to the best of her ability," he recalled.

"Before, I thought I failed to give good lectures because my knowledge was incomplete, but after a year in Xiuwen I realized that it was because I didn't know much about the officials' real world."

His experience in the county has helped him to understand the needs of the Party School students and how they think. In addition to practical examples, he now includes more ideology and methodology related to the policies of the Communist Party of China's Central Committee in his regular lectures.

Zheng Huan, the political science major, opted to work at the Party School because he believes it offers an unrivaled environment in which to study China and its political realities.

Last year, as deputy head of Zunyi, a former county which is now a district in Zunyi city, Guizhou, he participated in many meetings, including one related to the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20). He regularly visited rural areas to learn about the operations of grassroots committees, which gave him a clear picture of the structure and operations of local government.

"The Party attaches the greatest importance to the grassroots. Many local cadres work very hard, day and night, and even at weekends. It would be hard to find officials as dedicated in other countries," he said.

Zheng was moved by many of the cadres he met during his time in the countryside, especially Huang Dafa, Party secretary of Tuanjie, a village in Zunyi.

The 82-year-old spent more than a decade leading his fellow villagers in efforts to construct an irrigation canal, with more than 7 kilometers running across a cliff face.

In Zheng's opinion, China boasts many examples of good governance, such as the partner-assistance system, in which developed cities provide assistance to less-developed areas.

"I think it's my duty to do more research into the county's cadre groups and grassroots political practices. Why was the reform and opening-up policy successful? What is the key to the success of China's system of governance? I want to find the answers to these questions, and show them to the world. Many of China's experiences, for example in poverty alleviation, could be instructive to other developing countries."

Contact the writer at houliqiang@chinadaily.com.cn

From left: Yue Liang, Chen Qiqing, Wang Xuebin and Li Shaowen at the campus of the Party School in Beijing on Friday.Zou Hong / China Daily

(China Daily 11/13/2017 page6)
At a recent China town hall held by the New York-based National Committee on US-China Relations, Susan Rice, the former US national security advisor, said China remains the most reliable whipping boy - after probably Hillary Clinton and Susan Rice herself - for domestic political discourse in the context of a campaign.

She said US policymakers and leaders need to be more judicious on how they deploy China in US domestic politics, adding that a lot of heated rhetoric applied to China makes US policymaking difficult.

I wonder about the accuracy of comparing herself and Clinton with China, but the admission by a former senior White House official about China bashing is quite telling.

For years, many Chinese have watched with great frustration how US politicians, including many with scant knowledge of the world, used China as a bogeyman in order to score in US domestic politics, or simply to win votes.

Some Chinese have tried to view this in a positive light, saying such fear-mongering about China reflects their country's fast rise and success.

China has made tremendous strides forward over the last four decades. Its economy, which was smaller than California's in the late 1970s, has become the second largest in the world (or the largest, according to the International Monetary Fund using purchasing-power parity).

China bashing is politically fashionable in a large part of the Washington establishment. Basically, you can accuse China of any unsubstantiated allegations, or just plain lies, and not be held responsible. No US news media would bother to fact check.

Such nasty US politics do not just reflect on China. Politicians in both the Republican and Democratic parties attack each other virtually every day in order to score personally, ignoring the real issues that matter to the American people who elected them.

The partisan politics clearly make Washington more dysfunctional. The China bashing also has an impact on people's perception and even policymaking, as Rice admitted.

The result is a knee-jerk reaction that anything relating to China is bad, just like when the Obama administration rallied US allies in 2015 in what turned out to be a failed mission to reject the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank initiated by China.

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership has been portrayed as a China-led, low-standard trade agreement that is bad for the region, despite the fact that it was proposed by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and does represent a step forward in regional economic integration and liberalization.

Even in her China town hall talk, Rice's criticism of Chinese investment in Africa and the Belt and Road Initiative is best described as nitpicking, overlooking the huge bright side of the stories.

It's quite possible that the public was misled by the rhetoric of their politicians and news media in various polls about China.

For example, a Nov 9 Pew survey shows that 46 percent of Americans see China's power and influence as a major threat to the well-being of the United States; 40 percent said it's a minor threat, and only 11 percent said it's not a threat.

What's most troubling is that many pundits also look increasingly like politicians and hold only one-sided views of China, thereby damaging their own credibility as scholars or researchers.

China, like any country in the world, does good things and makes mistakes. China deserves credit when it does good things, and it's all right to point it out when China makes errors.

That should be the right approach for pundits and news media, as well as US politicians, to keep their citizens well informed and formulate good policies. China bashing hurts not only China but the United States.

Contact the writer at chenweihua@chinadailyusa.com.
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, walks with Nguyen Phu Trong, Xi's counterpart in Vietnam's Communist Party, during a welcoming ceremony in Hanoi on Sunday. FENG YONGBIN / CHINA DAILY

China and Vietnam signed documents to boost cooperation in such areas as the economy, investment, finance and cultural exchanges on Sunday during President Xi Jinping's state visit to the neighboring country.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, and Nguyen Phu Trong, general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee.

The two countries will boost cooperation in building the Belt and Road, the economy and trade, as well as developing renewable energy and training officials.

Xi's visit marks an unprecedented level of exchanges between the top leaders of the two nations following Trong's visit to China in January and Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang's visit in May.

It is also Xi's first trip overseas since the CPC's 19th National Congress. The congress elected a new CPC Central Committee.

During their talks, Xi and Trong agreed that the two nations, led by communist parties, should learn from each other, inject new impetus into each other's social development and make contributions to world peace, stability and prosperity.

They also agreed to properly handle maritime issues in accordance with the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, push forward cooperation including joint exploitation of resources, and be dedicated to maintaining the peace and stability of the South China Sea.

Xi expressed gratitude for the congratulatory message sent by the Communist Party of Vietnam and Trong on the success of the recent congress and Xi's re-election as general secretary.

The Communist Party of Vietnam has led the Vietnamese people to make remarkable progress and find an appropriate development strategy since the country started its reform and opening-up three decades ago, Xi said.

Noting that it is his second state visit to Vietnam, after the first in 2015, Xi expressed gratitude for the warm, considerate reception from the Vietnamese party, government and people.

When Xi's plane arrived in Hanoi, local people wearing Vietnamese traditional clothes greeted the Chinese delegation, holding the flags of both countries. Local people also gathered in front of Xi's hotel to welcome the delegation when his car arrived.

Calling Xi a kindly comrade and old friend of the Vietnamese people, Trong said Xi has made especially important contributions to Vietnam-China relations and once again congratulated him.

Trong said that the fact that it is Xi's first trip overseas after the congress shows the high level of attention of the CPC and Xi to advancing Vietnam-China relations.

Trong expressed gratitude for China's support of the APEC Economic Leaders' Week held in Da Nang, saying that China has made important contributions to regional and global peace and stability.

Xi attended the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting held on Friday and Saturday in Da Nang, where he gave a speech that gained global attention with his proposal to boost open economies.

Zhang Mingliang, a researcher at the School of International Studies of Jinan University, said that both China and Vietnam attach great importance to bilateral relations and are willing to consolidate bilateral ties through high-level exchanges.

Strengthening mutual trust among the public and enhancing communication between the people of the two countries will help to enhance political trust, he said.

Through the idea of mutual benefit, China and Vietnam can find a solution to maritime disputes that benefits and is accepted by both countries, he added.

China and Vietnam have made pioneering moves to manage their differences, according to Ruan Zongze, vice-president of the China Institute of International Studies.

Previous success and experience in solving territorial disputes have given the two countries confidence, which will help in finding solutions through negotiation, Ruan said.

As close neighbors with highly complementary economies, China and Vietnam will promote cooperation in infrastructure construction and connectivity, Ruan said.

Vietnam is actively promoting China-ASEAN cooperation, he said, and the free trade agreement between China and ASEAN will also create favorable conditions for the two nations' development.

"China-Vietnam relations are special and have a long history," Ruan said, adding that strengthened communication in governance between the two countries and the two parties will help to enhance political trust.

He noted that high-level exchanges play an important role in guiding and leading bilateral ties, which are driven by the "two engines" of relations between the two parties and countries.

With the two countries having entered a new development period, high-level exchanges will create more opportunities for bilateral cooperation, he said.
President Xi Jinping once again highlighted the importance of open economies and inclusive development for a new round of global prosperity on Saturday, the second day of his attendance at APEC events.

Xi made the remark while speaking at the 25th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Meeting in the coastal Vietnamese city of Da Nang.

The 21 APEC members should promote innovation as a strong growth driver and open up their economies to create more space for development, Xi said.

"History has taught us that closed-door development will get nowhere, while open development is the only right choice," he told APEC leaders.

While addressing the APEC CEO Summit on Friday, Xi had also called on APEC members to build open economies and pursue inclusive development.

On Saturday, the president said APEC members should remain true to the group's founding purpose: to advance trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, build an open economy, uphold and strengthen the multilateral trading regime and help rebalance economic globalization.

"We need to take determined steps toward a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific in line with the agreed road map, and herald a new round of development in the Asia-Pacific in the course of opening-up," he said.

Zhang Jun, director-general of the Foreign Ministry's international economics department, said at a news conference in Da Nang on Saturday that this year's APEC Economic Leaders' Week has achieved proactive results that consolidate Asia-Pacific regional cooperation among member economies.

"Clear messages have been delivered by President Xi that China's development is entering into a new stage," said Zhang. "Many leaders speak highly of the proposition raised by President Xi, having great prospects for China's future development and expecting to participate in international cooperation based on the Belt and Road Initiative to facilitate regional prosperity and development."

Chen Xiangyang, director of the Crisis Management Research Center of the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, said that Xi's speech has expressed China's strong confidence and responsibility as the world's second-largest economy.

"Leading by the new Thought in a new era after the 19th CPC National Congress, China will become the anchor of peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, and the experience of China's development will continue to drive the world's growth," said Chen.

Founded in 1989, APEC, with 21 members, now accounts for about 40 percent of the global population, 60 percent of global economic output and 48 percent of global trade.

Noting that next year will mark the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening-up, Xi said that in nearly four decades China has opened its arms to embrace the world and achieved "leapfrog development" in the process.

"Looking ahead, China will open still wider and its development will deliver even greater benefits to the rest of the world," he said.

He told the other APEC economic leaders that starting next year, China will hold an international import expo.

"I am sure this new platform of mutually beneficial cooperation will help all parties better share the opportunities of China's development," he said.

The leader of the world's second-largest economy also underlined the role of innovation in driving China's economic development in recent years.

He said online retail sales in China, which now has 750 million internet users, are growing by 30 percent a year, with the "sharing economy "volume having reached 3.5 trillion yuan ($527 billion) and mobile payment transactions having exceeded 158 trillion yuan.

Xi called for greater efforts to address the lack of inclusiveness in development, which is a problem facing many economies, in a bid to enable more people to share the benefits of development.

He asked APEC members to develop a stronger sense of community, harmonize their policies and create synergy.

"As we have agreed on the direction and framework of an Asia-Pacific partnership, it is time to take solid steps toward this goal," he said.

In addition, Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, briefed the other leaders on last month's 19th CPC National Congress, which drew a blueprint for China's development in the next five years and beyond.

China will bring more opportunities and make greater contributions to the Asia-Pacific and the world at large, Xi said.

During the second phase of the meeting on Saturday afternoon, the APEC economic leaders discussed the new driving forces for trade and investment.

They agreed that the FTAAP process should be advanced and that inclusive development must be boosted to enable all parties to benefit from economic globalization.

A declaration was issued following the conclusion of the 25th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, which was held on Friday and Saturday using the theme of "Creating New Dynamism, Fostering a Shared Future".

On Saturday morning, Xi and the other leaders also held a dialogue with Christine Lagarde, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, on the global economic situation. Xi gave a briefing about China's economy.

Contact the writers at anbaijie@chinadaily.com.cn
The Arkansas-China solar connection is heating up.

The CEOs of two cutting-edge high-tech Arkansas solar companies are heading to China to strengthen partnerships with Chinese manufacturers and promote the building of facilities in the US.

Douglas Hutchings of Picasolar Inc and Corey Thompson of WattGlass Inc were joined by Yang Luo-Branch of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. They are scheduled to arrive at Yingli Green Energy in Baoding, Hebei province on Monday, and from there will visit Shanghai.

"The timing is interesting," said Yang Luo-Branch, as Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson had just completed his third official trade mission to China prior to US President Donald Trump's first state visit to China last week.

"I am excited about all the meetings and the warm reception we have been receiving already, but nervous about how much we are packing into a single week," Hutchings told China Daily.

Picasolar Inc has developed a process to improve the efficiency of solar cells, while WattGlass Inc has an anti-reflective and anti-soiling glass coating to increase the amount of light that reaches the solar cells. The two technologies are complimentary, and both companies are funded by the US Department of Energy.

Yingli Green Energy is one of the world's leading solar module manufacturers and has partnered with the two US companies to leverage their technological innovation.

In addition to Yingli, the two companies are working with several well-known Chinese solar manufacturers in an effort to bring down costs.

Corey Thompson (center), CEO of WattGlass Inc, Douglas Hutchings, CEO of Picasolar Inc, and Yang Luo-Branch pose for a photo in front of the gate of Yingli Green Energy in Baoding, Hebei province. Photo provided to China Daily.

"The goal of our trip is to finalize the production plans for the equipment and coordinate getting the equipment to our manufacturing partners," said Hutchings.

Hutchings said it was too soon to comment on the terms of the deal, but he did say that the Picasolar technology is expected to improve module energy output by more than 5 percent.

WattGlass' coating would not only provide a 3-to-5 percent improvement in efficiency, but also drastically reduce the cost to operate a solar farm, due to not having to clean the panels as often.

WattGlass has also developed the chemistry for completely water-based cleaning while the competition uses solvents that pose problems for storage and waste disposal.

"The Chinese manufacturers we work with have expressed interest in building manufacturing in the United States when the time is right," Hutchings said.

Hutchings called the transition from traditional energy sources to advanced energy sources "the largest wealth creation opportunity of our time".

"Trillions of dollars will be spent over the coming decades," he said, "and I want to make sure that I participate, that our partners participate, and that Arkansas participates in that opportunity."

He said China has demonstrated its determination to be a leader in this space and he hoped the US would match that drive.

yuanzhang@chinadailyusa.com
Zhang Qiyue (second from right), consul general of China in New York; Dawood Farahi, president of Kean University in New Jersey (right); Xu Yongji (left), education consul at the Consulate General in New York; and Vassar College President Elizabeth Howe Bradley attend a reception for educators and students on Friday at the Consulate General. Zhang Ruinan / China Daily

The first-hand experiences of American students who have studied in China highlighted an educational event at the Chinese Consulate General in New York.

"Going to China was always a dream of mine; I didn't have many impressions of China before I went there. But after I went there, I found I loved the country a lot, especially the history, the culture and arts," said William Harrison, a senior at Kean University in New Jersey, who studied in Wenzhou for one semester last year.

More than 300 university presidents, provosts, Confucius Institute directors, educators from the College Board and American students who have studied or hope to study in China attended a reception hosted by Consul General Zhang Qiyue on Friday.

"Regarding the area of education (among the achievements and consensus reached on Thursday between President Xi Jinping and visiting US President Donald Trump), the two sides (China and the US) agreed to further boost university exchanges and cooperation, and render great support for student exchanges and also to promote the visits of young people to each other's country," Zhang said.

"In this regard, the Chinese government has already announced that it will provide 10,000 scholarships for short-term study with credits for American students they will have some study experience in China for the next four years," she said.

Dawood Farahi, president of Kean University and the founder of Wenzhou-Kean University, said: "We have 2,000 students already in Wenzhou, China. And we graduated our first students in 2015; 70 percent of them are going to the best universities in this land."

Established in 2014 by Wenzhou University in Zhejiang province and Kean University, the joint venture is a newcomer among the seven Western-style schools operating in China.

Harrison, the Kean University student, said he had studied Chinese for four years but was still surprised when he got to China. Seeing all the different imperial palaces in China that he had studied in history class in the US enhanced his understanding of Chinese culture and arts.

Joseph Ruiz, who studied in China in 2009 through a program at Brooklyn College in the City University of New York, was equally impressed.

"It's one of the most magnificent experiences in my life, I really didn't know what to expect when I went down there, and when I arrived it was just breathtaking - a number of technologies around me, the buildings and the food are just so amazing," Ruiz said.

"What I took away the most was the people; they were so wonderful, very friendly, and tried to help me, which made me feel at home."

ruinanzhang@chinadailyusa.com
Experts weigh in on short, long-term effects of US president's trip to Asia

China watchers in the United States have spoken positively of US President Donald Trump's trip to China last week.

During the Nov 8-10 trip, which was defined by the Chinese government as a "state visit-plus", Trump described, in multiple tweets and elsewhere, his meetings with President Xi Jinping as "very productive on both trade and the subject of North Korea".

In Beijing on Nov 8 and Nov 9, US and Chinese businesses signed deals worth some $253 billion, largely involving Chinese purchases of US products from planes to soybeans.

Jon Taylor, a China scholar and professor at the University of St Thomas in Houston, said Trump's trip "went as well as could be expected".

"While obvious differences remain, the two leaders demonstrated a genuine respect for each other. That may be the biggest take going forward - that they understand each other and their counterpart's positions - on issues such as trade imbalances, the Korean Peninsula, and market access," he said.

Taylor said that he is encouraged by talk of mapping out a new blueprint to remain partners as opposed to being rivals, which reinforces the dialogue that begun in April at Mar-a-Lago in Florida.

"I think that President Xi summed it up best when he said that when working together, China and the US can accomplish many great things of benefit to the entire world," he said.

Ted Carpenter, a senior fellow of defense and foreign policy studies at Cato Institute, said the visit turned out to be better than expected, given the considerable apprehension leading up to the meeting between Trump and Xi.

"Both leaders engaged in a gratifyingly cordial exchange of views," Carpenter said, adding that there also was definite progress about how to deal with the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

"Although President Trump (like most American leaders) still seemed to believe that Beijing has more leverage over Pyongyang than actually is the case, he abandoned his insulting and confrontational rhetoric toward Kim Jong-un's regime and indicated a willingness to conduct meaningful negotiations," said Carpenter, adding that it is a stance that China has urged for years.

He observed that Trump also noticeably softened his statements and policy positions regarding trade issues with China. "His comment that he did not blame China for the habitual bilateral trade deficit was especially surprising and constructive, given his previous protectionist statements," Carpenter said.

While noting there was little substantive movement on other policy differences, including Taiwan and the South China Sea, Carpenter said those are complex issues that were not likely to be resolved in a short meeting.

"The important aspect was that those contentious matters were discussed in a cooperative, non-confrontational manner," he said. "All in all, it was a surprisingly friendly and modestly successful summit."

"It's a joyful and successful visit by all indications," said Zhiqun Zhu, a professor of political science and international relations at Bucknell University.

He said Xi and Trump further developed their friendship during the visit, and the warmth and chemistry between the two leaders definitely help the maintenance of a stable and friendly US-China relationship.

"With such a positive framework and constructive environment, difficult issues can be discussed and problems can be resolved satisfactorily," Zhu said.

According to Zhu, the US-China relationship is always marked by competition and cooperation. If the two sides choose cooperation, they can achieve a win-win outcome; if they choose confrontation, there will be high tensions in the relationship and no positive results.

chenweihua@chinadailyusa.com
China may be starting to beef up.

By the end of September, US beef exports to Chinese mainland reached about 1,000 metric tons, for a total of $12.5 million since the export ban was lifted in May, according to the US Meat Export Federation.

The number is still small - in contrast, US beef exports to Hong Kong totaled $551 million as of September. Exports to Chinese mainland are climbing, albeit slowly, with total exports expected to reach $20 million by the end of the year.

The Chinese mainland potentially represents a $2.6 billion market for US beef products, so US exports have a lot of room to grow.

Industry experts attribute the slow growth to two major factors: short supply and hefty prices.

Beef exported to China must meet stringent requirements, including no growth hormones. Currently, supplies meeting those requirements are rather small, and raising cattle that meet those standards takes about two years starting with a calf, said Pete Bonds, a rancher in Saginaw, Texas, and a former president of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association.

Bonds said that while it takes time to develop China-specific beef products, meeting the Chinese requirement also increases costs.

"We hoped to be able to export a lot of beef to China's middle class, but by not using growth hormone, the price will be prohibitive. Currently, most US beef is sold only in major cities like Shanghai and Beijing," Bonds said.

USDA Prime ribeye sells for nearly $60 a pound in Shanghai, according to media reports.

"It's more a luxury item in China, instead of being a daily protein source for the Chinese," said Bonds.

However, Chinese are quite partial to US beef due to its remarkable marble cut.

"The rest of the world produces grass [fed] beef, we have the luxury of feeding cattle with corn for 150-180 days to produce marbled beef. US beef is juicier, more tender and more delicious," said Bonds.

He said recent studies show that marble fat is healthier than fat from other part of the cattle, akin to olive oil.

How many Chinese are willing to pay a high premium for a bite of tasty and healthy US beef?

S&S AgriSource, a Houston-based company exporting beef to China, is testing the market.

S&S AgriSource has been exporting beef from South America to China. It is utilizing its available distribution network to gain a market share for US beef in China.

"We do see high enthusiasm for US beef from China; many are interested," said Jane Shi, a purchasing specialist at S&S AgriSource. "We have quoted prices to distributors in China. Due to the high price, they haven't made up their mind to issue the order yet, but we are close to making some deals."

mayzhou@chinadailyusa.com
Please turn JavaScript on and reload the page.

Loading...

Checking your browser before accessing the website.

This process is automatic. Your browser will redirect to your requested content shortly.

Please wait a few seconds.
HA NOI  It came, it kind of burst, and its come back stronger.

When bubble tea, the Taiwanese tea-based beverage with chewy tapioca pearls in them, first burst on the scene in Viet Nam about 15 years ago, it was instant hit, especially among children and the youth.

But the thrill failed to last very long, and dogged by fears triggered by rumours of imported plastic bubbles being used by unscrupulous businesses, it soon became difficult to find the drink as some shops stopped serving them and some almost exclusive bubble tea outlets shut down.

Today, its one of the easiest drinks to find with an almost ubiquitous presence in major cities and several popular brands jostling for greater space in a highly competitive market.

The comeback has happened in fits and starts, but over the last two years, it has firmed its position and look set to stay. There are several factors that have helped bubble teas resurgence and strengthened its staying power this time around.

One is the products establishment packaging. There has been much heavier investment in the tea shops, showier displays and harder hitting promotions.

A boom in supporting services and products accompanying the bubble-tea wave has also helped. Some market observers say that bubble tea brands are expanding faster than other restaurant or coffee chains, especially in urban areas, thanks to their simple and franchise-friendly business model.

App promotions

The key demographic for bubble tea in Viet Nam are the youth and office workers, whose regular use of smart phones influence all aspects of their lives. Hence, many bubble tea brands have incorporated their promotions, including discount codes, into distribution applications on mobile platforms, aiming to increase brand awareness and sales.

Price reduction via discount codes has been the go to sales boosting method for almost every brand of bubble tea in the market, whether it is to push a new product or even a new brand.

Sellers can choose between short and specific periods of validation for their discount codes, aptly named golden hours, or apply such discounts during an opening week or even a whole month worth of promotion and free samples. These are designed to give customers the motivation to experience the newly introduced brands or products, which is key to hold ones own in an increasingly crowded and competitive market.

One familiar application is Jamja, a discount codes promoting search engine with nearly a million users. The company behind Jamja has been collaborating strategically with other startups specialising in restaurant reviews and food deliveries.

Bubble tea brands have also managed to take full advantage of their customer-base to spread their image via social media in exchange for further discounts. This form of advertising has contributes greatly to the industrys sudden surge, as it were.

Sales management

For food and beverage businesses in general and bubble tea chains in particular, cutting costs and controlling losses are extremely important, especially as the business develops into a franchise.

Without good management procedures and tools, total operational costs can be overwhelming.

With thousands of cups being sold per day, well known bubble tea brands like TocoToco, Goky, or Gongcha cannot use a manual billing service, nor any amateur, cumbersome software lacking in features like labels and bills printing, as lengthy waiting periods will lead to customers dissatisfaction and plummeting sale.

As these direct selling brands are increasingly competitive, they are constantly demanding more effective promotion means than their rivals by maximising positive customer experience and optimising revenues.

In response to this need, many technology companies have jumped into the fray, providing Point of Sale (POS) software to restaurants and coffee shops. With the explosion of bubble tea chains, it is an effective strategy for managers to work with such third parties to boost sales and business productivity.

One such software provider, iPOS.vn, is a partner for many big tea brands like GongCha, Tocotoco, and Royal Tea.

Additionally, more and more bubble tea brands are opting for multi-channel sales through their own websites or social media pages such as Facebook or Zalo, to varying degrees of success. The Tocotoco chain, for instance, saw the deployment of a mobile application increase daily online orders from approximately 100 to more than 1,700.

The rest

Other issues that come to focus are related to product and personnel, as bubble tea brands are currently being evaluated as being almost identical in terms of taste and presentation, and service provided by the staff fails to pull its weight.

This has lead to a demand for training centres and the use of higher quality ingredients, though few companies are looking to invest in research for creating pioneering products.

With white-collar workers who can afford higher quality drinks in sophisticated settings being the current target audience for bubble tea brands, sellers are prompted to invest strongly in both taste and presentation.

Thus raw materials and formulas are imported from Taiwan or reputable partners in Japan or Korea, and expensive central locations are chosen four bubble tea outlets. This has improved product quality and consumer safety.

The bubble tea market is now moving to its next development phase, expanding from central cities like Ha Noi or HCM City to suburban areas as well as other localities like Bac Ninh, Hai Phong and Can Tho.  VNS
HA NOI  Three years after an initial public offering (IPO), Viet Nam Waterway Construction Joint Stock Corporation (Vinawaco) has not transferred the States capital from the transport ministry to the State Capital Investment Corporation (SCIC).

The largest problem for the company is its losses and debts, which reached VN138 billion (US$6.13 million), local media reported in August. The problem has stirred public concerns over the chance of the Government suffering losses when selling its stake in the company.

According to company chairman Ngo Van Tuan, the losses and debts included VN66 billion worth of bank loans and VN38.2 billion in construction costs for 25 unfinished projects that were launched before 2013.

The largest bank loan was the VN53 billion borrowed from Vietcombanks HCM City branch 22 years ago. The loan began at VN12 billion and had generated VN40 billion in interest after 22 years.

Tuan said that the losses and debts were not covered in the company valuation when it prepared its IPO, thus, the actual numbers must be larger than the recorded figures.

The State is holding 30 per cent of Vinawaco, equal to VN109.8 billion. If those losses and debts are counted in the valuation, the States capital will be reduced to a negative VN30.3 billion, Tuan said.

The situation has become worse for Vinawaco, as the company has been sued by its own shareholders, suppliers and partners, while its bank accounts have been frozen after being declared non-performing loans by local lenders, Vinawaco said in a statement sent to the transport ministry.

At the companys annual shareholders meeting held in late July, Vinawaco reported VN440 billion in revenue and only VN1.8 billion in post-tax profits  the lowest in three years  resulting in a dividend payout rate for shareholders of only 0.6 per cent.

The company also reported that receivables and inefficient financial investments consumed 56 to 59 per cent of the total payables, while bank loans have tripled the firms owner-equity capital.

To sort out solutions for Vinawaco, the Ministry of Transport had asked the company to compile and submit a report on its debts and losses by September 30, Vietnam News Agency reported on Friday, citing deputy transport minister Nguyen Van Cong.

The report must cover Vinawacos loans from Vietcombanks HCM City branch and other businesses, such as Transport Investment Cooperation and Import and Export Joint Stock Company (Tracimexco), as well as the companys receivables and long-term financial investments, he said.

The ministry will seek solutions to deal with the firms financial losses and debts, and seek charges against individuals and groups that had led to this situation, Cong said. The ministry will report any issues that are beyond its authorisation to the Prime Minister.

Vinawaco was founded in 1982 and has been operating as a joint-stock company since June 2014. The company launched its IPO in late March 2014, selling nine million shares, offered at the IPO for an average VN10,100 per share.

The transport ministry has remained a shareholder of the company on behalf of the Government with a 30 per cent stake, equal to VN109.8 billion.  VNS
HA NOI  The capital city of Ha Noi has launched a development plan for support industries during the period 2017-20 with a vision to 2025 to promote development of enterprises within the industry.

According to the Ha Noi Department of Industry and Trade, the plan will focus on developing three key areas, including production of parts, auxiliaries for hi-tech products, along with the garment, textile and footwear industries.

The city will develop support programmes that match the ability of enterprises, requirements of multinational corporations, and that meet international standards in the field of support industries. It will also develop enterprises in the support industry, reaching international standards in production management and product quality.

The plan will establish production systems with connections among suppliers and multinational corporations, foreign enterprises, producers in Ha Noi, and other places nationwide.

Ha Noi will promote supplies in the key northern economic region, especially among industries having high demand for auxiliary products. These include automobile and motorbike production in Ha Noi, Vinh Phuc, Bac Giang and Hai Phong; mechanical products in Ha Noi, Vinh Phuc, Thai Nguyen and Hai Phong; and mobile phones in Bac Ninh, Thai Nguyen and Vinh Phuc.

To assure the plan is successful, the city will continue to offer more efficient support for enterprises and link Vietnamese enterprises with foreign businesses.

The city will also seek investments for the parts supply industry, supporting enterprises in human resources development and technology transfers, reforming administrative procedures, and improving the investment environment.

Currently, Viet Nam is home to about 0.3 per cent of the approximately 500,000 enterprises operating in the parts supply industry, including 200 enterprises in Ha Noi.

According to experts, the parts supply industry has not developed as expected due to poor awareness about the industry, lack of capital and technology, and low investment.

Also, implementation of policies on encouraging development of the support industry have not been as efficient as expected.  VNS
HA NOI  Viet Nam will never tolerate or permit activities related to illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) Vu Van Tam said on Saturday.

Tam shared his opinion after receiving information that a foreign fishing vessel had violated IUU fishing regulations and was suspected to have docked in Viet Nam.

Tam said MARD assigned relevant agencies, especially the Directorate of Fisheries and the Department of Animal Health, to verify this information and report to the ministry this week.

If violations are detected, the cases shall be strictly handled, Tam said.

"Viet Nam is being warned by the EU of being issued yellow cards on IUU, so we will have to do our best to overcome this problem," he added.

Countries that fail to meet European Commission standards on fighting against IUU fishing are issued a yellow card, which is considered a warning and offers Viet Nam the opportunity to take measures to rectify the situation within six months. To this end, the EC has proposed an action plan for the country. The "yellow card" is followed by a "green card" if issues are resolved or a "red card" if they arent. A red card can lead to a trade ban on fishery products.

Tam said the Government and MARD had directed relevant ministries to fight against IUU fishing, making it clear Viet Nam would not tolerate or allow illegal fishing activities.

To go along with the international community to stop the IUU fishing, Viet Nam is concentrating on implementing many solutions through which it will put the fight against IUU fishing into the revised Fisheries Law and build a national action plan to prevent, minimise and eliminate IUU fishing until 2025.

The Prime Minister has also sent a message on preventing, minimising and stopping illegal fishing vessels and Vietnamese fishermen from fishing in foreign waters. Through these activities, Viet Nam hopes the EU will lift the yellow card soon.

In addition, the community of seafood exporters in Viet Nam also expressed its determination through its commitment to combat IUU fishing. According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), 62 enterprises have committed to purchasing and importing seafood from legal fishing vessels with clear origin.

They will not buy seafood of fishing vessels caught illegally or exploited without a permit, without fishing diary, not reported as regulated and exploited with prohibited fishing tools. At the same time, they will say no to rare species of seafood and catch products that are smaller than those permitted.

Earlier, at a meeting with VASEP and businesses held on November 9 in HCM City, First Counselor of Trade and Economic Affairs of the EU Delegation in Viet Nam Miriam Garcia Ferrer provided information on an IUU fishing vessel that was suspected to have landed in Viet Nam.

Shortly after receiving this information, deputy secretary general of VASEP Nguyen Hoai Nam said the association would verify the information from relevant sectors.  VNS
HCM CITY  More than 1,200 local and international visitors flocked to HCM Citys Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street to participate in a South Korea culture expo that opened on Saturday evening.

The HCM City-Gyeongju World Culture Expo 2017, which ends on December 3, is co-hosted by HCM City and Gyeongsangbuk-do Province of South Korea.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Nguyen Thanh Phong, chairman of HCM City Peoples Committee, said the festival marked the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Viet Nam and South Korea have many similarities in terms of culture, history and people, he said. During the past years, the two countries have gained much success in most fields, including economics, culture, commerce and education.

Kim Kwan Yong, governor of Gyeongsangbuk-do, noted that Viet Nam is South Koreas third-largest trading partner.

The opening ceremony included artistic performances from musicians and others from 15 countries, including Russia, China, India, Turkey, Thailand, Slovakia, Singapore, the Philippines, Brunei, Cambodia, Latvia, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Kuwait, and Malaysia.

The event, which aims to promote cultural exchange and economic cooperation between South Korea and Viet Nam, is expected to attract local citizens, members of the Korean community and other expatriates.

Themed Cultural exchange for a prosperous Asia, this years event features more than 30 programmes that combine the two countries traditional cultures, bringing to light the values of historical and cultural heritage in Gyeongju and Viet Nam.

The programmes include a parade, a variety of performances, a special exhibition on the two countries cultural exchanges, and an event involving South Korean residents in Viet Nam, among others.

Venues for the programmes are HCM Citys major tourist attractions and its historic places, including Nguyen Hue Street, September 23 Park, HCM City Hall plaza, Reunification Palace, and the Opera House.

Organisers selected HCM City as the stage for the event as it is home to many South Korean firms and expats and has an extensive road network.

More than 800,000 local and international visitors are expected to take part in the 23-day event.

The Gyeongju World Culture Expo, which began in 1998 by the Gyeongsangbuk-do provincial government and the Gyeongju city government, will be the third of its kind to be held overseas following the first event at Angkor Wat in Siem Reap in Cambodia in 2006, and the second one held in Istanbul in 2013.

The event is one of the most significant festivals of South Korea and has been organised eight times, both in and outside South Korea, attracting 66,000 artists from 345 countries and territories and 17 million visitors.

Gyeongju in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, 370km southeast of Seoul, was the former capital of the ancient Korean kingdom of Silla (from 57 BC to AD 935), which ruled two-thirds of the Korean Peninsula between the 7th and 9th centuries. Many archaeological sites and cultural properties from this period remain in the city.  VNS
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc arrives in Manila, the Philippines on Sunday to attend the 31st ASEAN Summit and related meetings from November 12-14. VNA/VNS Photo

MANILLA  Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc arrived in Manila, the Philippines on Sunday to attend the 31st ASEAN Summit and related meetings from November 12-14 which are set to focus on orientations and measures for enhancing connectivity to realise the ASEAN Community Vision 2025.

Along with the 31st ASEAN Summit, the PM and the Vietnamese delegation are scheduled to participate in the 20th Meeting of the ASEAN Plus Three (China, Japan and the Republic of Korea), the ASEAN meetings with China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, India, the US, Canada, the European Union, and the United Nations.

The PM will also attend the East Asia Summit, which includes ASEAN and its eight dialogue partners  Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Russia, and the United States.

These are the most important events of the year for ASEAN, with the participation of leaders from the 10 ASEAN member nations and the blocs partners, which are major countries and important regional and international organisations.

On the occasion, the Vietnamese leader will join the ninth Mekong-Japan Summit and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Leaders Meeting.

The 31st ASEAN Summit is the most important event of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations that groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam.

As many as 55 documents are expected to be signed and adopted at the meetings. The Philippines will also issue nine declarations of the Chair of the Summits.

While a number of countries and organisations want to establish relations with ASEAN, many non-ASEAN nations have expressed their interest in joining the Treaty of Amity and Co-operation in Southeast Asia.

These partners have also tightened multifaceted cooperation with ASEAN, assisted it to build a Community and supported the blocs central role.

The Vietnamese delegations participation in ASEAN-31 and related meetings is meant to help enhance ASEANs solidarity, bring into play the associations central role, strengthen ASEANs ties with partners, and create a favourable environment for sustainable development in each country and the whole region.

The delegation also hopes to promote Viet Nams image as a country with active and responsible engagement in regional cooperation.  VNS
MANILA  The 31st summit of the Association of South-east Asian Nations (ASEAN) started in the Philippines capital of Manila on Monday with an agenda focusing on peace, stability and cooperation.

Leaders from 10 member will discuss measures to develop the ASEAN Community and confirm its position in the global economy. At the opening ceremony in Manila, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, said that the two days of meetings presented an excellent opportunity to engage in meaningful discussion on matters of regional and international importance.

"Terrorism and violent extremism endanger the peace, stability and security of our region because these threats know no boundaries," Duterte said , who last month declared victory over Islamic State-inspired militants in the southern Philippine city of Marawi.

At the start of the ASEAN-only meeting, Duterte said issues he expects participants to discuss include threats posed by "non-traditional security issues" to the peace and stability and prosperity of the region.

Related meetings will be held after the summit, including the 20th meeting of ASEAN Plus Three (China, Japan and the South Korea); separate ASEAN meetings with China, Japan, South Korea, India, the United States, Canada, the European Union, and the United Nations; and the 12th East Asia Summit (EAS).

A Vietnamese delegation led by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc arrived in Manila on Sunday to participate. The PM will also attend the ninth Mekong-Japan Summit and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Leaders Meeting.

The ASEAN Summit is the most important event of the bloc this year with the participation of leaders from 10 member countries and ASEAN partners. As many as 55 documents are expected to be signed and adopted at the meetings.

The Philippines will also issue nine declarations as the chair of the summits.

ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam.  VNS/KYODO
QUANG TRI  Commuters in central QuangTri Province are risking their lives commuting on old, unsafe bridges, which have been weakened by recent floods in the locality.

Hai Lang, a remote district in the province, has 170 concrete bridges across its canals. Forty of them were built in the 1980s and are getting weak due to time-related deterioration and increasing number of commuters.

Truong Hoa, a 60-year-old resident in the districts Hai Truong Commune, said he found more travelers using the nearby bridge despite its risky status. Hoa said months ago, the bridge vibrated whenever a commuter travelled on it, forcing locals to reinforce it through temporary measures.

Recently, residents tied steel bars with the bridge poles in an attempt to reduce vibration on the bridge when commuters travelled on it. Locals said many bridges in the district are in very bad condition.

A statistic report made by the districts economy and infrastructure division said 2,800 commuters travelled on the bridges daily. Tran Kim Cuong, the divisions deputy head, said all these bridges were built from 1980 to 1985, with concrete, steel and wooden structures.

Cuong said the division was aware of the status of these small bridges, but was struggling to find a sound capital source for construction of new bridges to replace the existing ones.

According to Cuong, the districts authorities have received no reply yet in response to the call for capital for these bridges.  VNS
Taxation and customs general departments must simplify their administrative procedures and eliminate unnecessary licences to attract more overseas Vietnamese investors, experts said. Photo tapchitaichinh.vn

HCM City  Taxation and customs general departments must simplify their administrative procedures and eliminate unnecessary licences to attract more overseas Vietnamese investors, experts said.

Vietnamese taxation and customs policies were reformed in recent years to create favourable conditions for local and foreign enterprises to do business, Peter Hong, deputy chairman of the Business Association of Overseas Vietnamese, said.

However, Vietnamese taxation and customs policies change regularly, which makes it difficult for Vietnamese to have information. Also, the overseas Vietnamese business community does not receive much information about incentive projects and fields, he added.

Hong said overseas Vietnamese send a huge number of remittances every year to Viet Nam, but only a small amount of the money was used to invest and conduct business.

For the first 10 months of the year, a total of US$2.7 billion of remittances were sent to HCM City, of which only $260 million were channelled into investments.

It means that most remittances have been spent for individual purposes and they havent created any new value at a time when the city lacks huge capital for socio-economic development, he said.

Chau Ba Long, general director of Minh Nguyen enterprise, said the Government had given priority to supporting industries, but machinery imports for these industries had not received preferential taxes and customs procedures as several other industries had.

More importantly, import licenses for secondhand machinery are out of date, he said.

The law stipulates that enterprises cannot import 10-year-old machines, but in reality many machines have operated over 10 years and retain their quality and efficiency better then many new-tech domestically made machines.

David Ngo, a businessman, cited the example of automated and engineering machines from Germany, France and Sweden.

Such machines operate for a long time and their precision is still much better than brand-new ASEAN products, he said. Furthermore, Vietnamese authorities regulate old and new technology based on the amount of time, which is inappropriate. Such regulations have restricted many overseas Vietnamese from importing machines.

Many overseas Vietnamese businesspeople have also complained that their vehicles such as cars and motorbikes could not be brought into Viet Nam because of regulations on equipment, machinery and private vehicle imports that require time of usage rather than certain levels of efficiency and environmental protection.

They are also concerned about financial regulations which do not limit the amount of money that overseas Vietnamese can bring into Viet Nam, but limit the amount that can be sent out.

The regulation allows us to bring the same or less amount of money than we brought to the country. But if the time period is more than one year, we must have a licence from the State Bank of Viet Nam. How can we benefit over the long term? David Ngo asked.

Bui Viet Cuong, an overseas Vietnamese from Switzerland, said: Regulations are very necessary to ensure State management in every aspect of life. The knowledge of overseas Vietnamese in finance is great, and relevant authorities should issue proper policies to encourage them to invest and promote the countrys development.

Nguyen Huu Nghiep, deputy head of the HCM Citys Customs Department, said that authorities had tried to reform administrative procedures, especially online services, to reduce cumbersome procedures for overseas Vietnamese and investors, and have regularly organised forums to hear complaints.

We will submit all proper and practical complaints to relevant ministries for adjustment in order to create the most favorable conditions for investors, he added. -- VNS
HCM CITY  In Viet Nam, getting into a university has been described as a national obsession and getting admission seen as a cut-throat competition.

However, despite getting through such a tough initiation, more students are failing to stay in college until graduation, and the steady increase in their numbers is worrying educators.

Several factors, including expulsion, dropping out, transferring and repeating courses are said to be the prime causes behind this phenomenon.

In 2016 June, the HCM City Agriculture and Forestry University surprisingly expelled as many as 946 students, many of them are those whod already completed three of eight terms.

The university said the decision was not taken lightly.

All the expelled students were those whod received three academic warnings. This school puts an emphasis on education quality. If the students fail to invest their efforts into studying, then expulsion is in order, said Tran inh Ly, head of the universitys training department.

Prior to this serial expulsion, the university had already issued warnings to 1,937 students  1,614 received their first and 323 their second.

In 2016 March, the HCM City University of Social Sciences and Humanities under the Viet Nam National University HCM City let go of 214 students, citing repeated failures to obtain minimum credits in a term, those whose average score in tests in the first term or in two consecutive terms were below 3.0 and 4.0, respectively.

Ly estimated that 15-20 per cent of students in the university wont make it to the final year.

It means that if the 2017s enrollment target is 5,200 students, after four years, by 2021, there will be about only 4,000 students left in the senior year, he said.

Similarly, the HCM City University of Food Industry reported a 15-20 per cent loss in the number of students, with the head of its training department saying that besides the majority of expulsions, other factors included students having chosen wrong majors or schools or falling way behind the lessons.

The rate of dropouts at the HCM City University of Polytechnics is as high as 30 per cent, according to Le Chi Thong, head of its training department.

At the HCM City Open University, the number of students managing to graduate in time (in four years) is just 50 per cent.

Ha Noi, too

Universities in Ha Noi have similar stories to tell.

The Ha Noi University of Education, for example, expelled 620 students and issued warnings to 1,076 during the 2013-2017 period.

The Ha Noi University of Industry reported that 10 per cent students who enrolled in 2014  555  have received warnings over poor grades. In 2015, this number rose to 576 students, or 7.9 per cent, but in 2016, the figure dropped to 268 students, or 4.2 per cent of the total number of students. However, in these three academic years, 634 have been expelled. Over four years, the rate of expulsion was around 9-10 per cent for each class.

Waste of time and money

Pham Thai Son, deputy head of the training department at HCM City University of Food Industry, said the situation requires both the universities and the students to take a serious look at themselves.

On our part, the number of students in each class will no longer be the same, affecting our revenue. No school can prepare its education programme factoring in the expulsion of a large number of students, but this cant be avoided, he told the Vietnamnet newspaper.

If the reason for leaving is because the school is just their (students) secondary choice in application, then we will surely try to improve our education quality and brand. If the reason is harsh assessments that make it difficult for students to adapt, we will review our education and training work, Son said.

He also said that students who drop out of school or get expelled after a year of study are doing themselves a disservice.

A lot of money and time has been spent and wasted for nothing. Especially, in Viet Nam, where online education or degree obtained via part-time courses while working are not highly valued, they will have to start from zero again.

He said those expelled in their third or fourth year are mostly those that could not follow the curriculum, or to be honest, they are lazy and their excuses are life difficulties.

Once expelled, the chance that they will seek university education again is slim to none, he said.

Many reasons

The problem has drawn many views and opinions from education experts who mostly attribute it to inappropriate policies and lack of proper attention from universities, while admonishing students to realise that no one else can study for them.

o Van Dung, Rector of the HCM City University of Technology and Education, one of the policy critics, explained: First, the schools tuition policy. Currently, tuition is rising as public universities autonomy is encouraged. Without financial means, students will have to work part-time and neglect their studies.

Second, student loans can only satisfy a very small portion of the real demand. Third, the uncontrolled multi-marketing schemes that promise huge profits are irresistible for some students.

Dung also warned that worried about declining revenues, some schools have told teachers to not grade failing scores that would force the school to expel underperforming students.

Hoang Ngoc Vinh, former head of the professional education department und the Ministry of Education and Training, blamed the low scores on students adopting a relaxed attitude after a hectic, high pressure period preparing for the university entrance exams.

He said counselling and other forms of assistance to help students adapt to university life and various other aspects like homework, thesis writing, or credit system is lacking in most universities because they are already too busy with student recruitment and financial burdens.

Tran Anh Tuan, Deputy Director of the HCM City Centre for Forecasting Manpower Needs and Labour Market, said this current situation was the result of 75 per cent of high school students having insufficient understanding of majors in universities.

Career orientation is only popular in urban areas. In rural areas, it is almost non-existent, Tuan said, citing several surveys done by his organisation.

am Quang Minh. rector of the private Thanh Tay (Western University), did not see reasons to get unduly worried.

He said more studies are needed to see the actual rate as well as reasons for dropping out of university education  whether it was to change majors, switch to another university, overseas study, financial problems or others.

Minh said that in American universities, only 55 per cent of students graduate and the rate of students pulling out in the middle of the school-year is around 30 per cent.  VNS
HA NOI  The Ministry of Public Security is working on a national database that will store and supply basic and accurate information about citizens via their personal ID numbers.

It says the work aims to reduce inconvenience caused to citizens dealing with administrative procedures, prevent waste of time and other resources, and simplify admin procedures.

According to statistics compiled by the Justice Ministry, of 5,400 administrative procedures in different ministries and agencies, nearly 1,600 require residents to show their personal papers.

With a population of more than 90 million, the demand to certify citizens papers can reach about 600,000 turns per day, the justice ministry estimates.

The Ministry of Public Security assesses that the work imposes a financial burden of thousands of billions of ong (VN1 billion equals US$44,400) per year for individuals and enterprises completing administrative procedures.

At present, the country does not have a system to manage citizens information. Several provinces and cities like s Hai Phong, Bac Ninh, Ha Noi, Ba Ria-Vung Tau and HCM City have set up their own systems, but these have not been completed at the national level.

Lieutenant General Tran Van Ve, standing director of the General Department of Police, said that after the national database is complete and ready for public use, citizens will be able to complete all admin procedures with just their ID card, instead of having to produce number of personal papers.

The Ministry of Public Security will try to complete the task in the next three years, he said.

Pilot programme

To have the experience and background to perform the task at a national level, the ministry has run a pilot project in the northern port city of Hai Phong over the last three years.

The local database thus set up has helped city police resolve permanent resident registration issues for more than 70,000 people and temporary resident registration issues for thousands of others.

It has also shortened time taken to complete procedures, since residents dont have to present their personal information several times, and imparted clarity to documents, Ve said.

Colonel Nguyen Trong Phuong, deputy director of the municipal police department, said that the city attracted a great number of workers from different places, so resident management was complicated.

The new database was an excellent change in administrative reform, he said. The information was accurate and updated regularly.  VNS
QUANG NGAI  Massive waves have washed away two brothers in the central province of Quang Ngai. The body of one boy remains missing.

Peoples Committee Chairman Bui Trang of Binh Hai Commune, where brothers Cao Chang Bin, 11, and Cao Van Quoc Tinh, 9, resided, confirmed the incident on Monday morning.

According to Trang, the victims went to play in a sunken ship off the seashore of their village of Phuoc Thien on Sunday afternoon. Sudden strong waves, however, engulfed the two, carrying them into the sea.

Residents who noticed the accident rushed to rescue the boys but were only able to bring back the body of the elder brother.

Search is underway for the missing Tinh, Trang said.  VNS
BINH DUONG  The New Port-Song Than Inland Clearance Deport (ICD) company has launched the first rooftop, solar-power logistics centre in the southern province of Binh Duong.

The company told Viet Nam News the renewable system, which was built in an area of over 4,000sq.m, will provide more than 748,000KWh (kilowatt per hour) per year  30 per cent of total energy consumption of the ICD  while cutting carbon emissions by 518 tonnes each year.

It said the solar power system was built with local equipment and facilities provided by the IREX Energy Joint Stock Company.

According to experts from the European Union, Viet Nam has high potential for the integration of rooftop solar power production. The cost of solar power installation is lower than in countries such as the United States.

The country has extensive resources to develop solar energy with technical potential estimated at 300 Gigawatt (GW). The Vietnamese Government has set ambitious targets to install 12GW of solar power by 2030.

A Vietnamese expert said it needed US$2,800 for a home solar-power with a minimum capacity of 2KWp (kilowatt photovoltaic) in providing 240KWh green energy each month.

A solar-power driven lighting and sea-water filter system was developed on the Truong Sa Island and Song Tu Tay Island of Viet Nam two years ago.  VNS
TEHRAN  More than 200 people were killed and hundreds more injured when a 7.3-magnitude earthquake shook the mountainous Iran-Iraq border triggering landslides that hindered rescue efforts, officials said on Monday.

The quake hit 30km southwest of Halabja in Iraqi Kurdistan at around 9.20pm (1820 GMT) on Sunday, when many people would have been at home, the US Geological Survey said.

On Monday morning, Iran gave an provisional toll of more than 200 dead, while only six others were reported killed on the Iraq side of the border.

"There are 207 dead and around 1,700 injured", all in Irans province of Kermanshah, Behnam Saidi, the deputy head of the Iranian governments crisis unit set up to handle the response to the quake, told state television.

Mojtaba Nikkerdar, the deputy governor of Kermanshah, said authorities there were "in the process of setting up three emergency relief camps".

Irans emergency services chief Pir Hossein Koolivand said it was "difficult to send rescue teams to the villages because the roads have been cut off... there have been landslides".

The official IRNA news agency said 30 Red Cross teams had been sent to the quake zone, parts of which had experienced power cuts.

In Iraq, officials said the quake had killed six people in the northern province of Sulaimaniyah and injured around 150.

Footage posted on Twitter showed panicked people fleeing a building in Sulaimaniyah, as windows shattered at the moment the quake struck, while images from the nearby town of Darbandikhan showed major walls and concrete structures had collapsed.

In Sulaimaniyah, residents ran out onto the streets and some damage to property was reported, an AFP reporter there said.

"Four people were killed by the earthquake" in Darbandikhan, the towns mayor Nasseh Moulla Hassan said.

A child and an elderly person were killed in Kalar, according to the director of the hospital in the town about 70km south of Darbandikhan, and 105 people injured.

Residents flee homes in Turkey

The quake, which struck at a relatively shallow depth of 25km, was felt for about 20 seconds in Baghdad, and for longer in other provinces of Iraq.

On the Iranian side of the border, the tremor shook several cities in the west of the country including Tabriz.

It was also felt in southeastern Turkey, "from Malatya to Van".

In the town of Diyarbakir, residents were reported to have fled their homes.

The quake struck along a 1,500km fault line between the Arabian and Eurasian tectonic plates, a belt extending through western Iran and into northeastern Iraq.

The area sees frequent seismic activity.

In 1990, a 7.4-magnitude quake near the Caspian sea in northern Iran killed 40,000 people and left 300,000 more injured and half a million homeless. Within seconds the quake reduced dozens of towns and nearly 2,000 villages to rubble.

Thirteen years later, a catastrophic quake struck the ancient southeast Iranian city of Bam, famed for its mud brick buildings, killing at least 31,000 people and flattening swathes of the city.

Since then, Iran has experienced at least two major quake disasters, one in 2005 that killed more than 600 and another in 2012 that left some 300 dead.  AFP
Once the worlds third largest maker of wristwatches, Junghans was almost taken down when its parent company went bust in 2008. The watchmaker best known for its Max Bill timepieces was then acquired by a German businessman who installed Matthias Stotz as chief executive, with a mandate to restore the brands lustre.

Located in Schramberg, a town in the Black Forest, Germanys traditional centre for clockmaking, Junghans has always been a maker of functional timepieces, leaning heavily on the latest technology of the day, starting with mechanical watches and evolving into quartz, radio-controlled and solar-powered movements. In fact, Junghans was responsible for the first German-made quartz watch, the Astro-Quartz, in 1970.

That helped turned Junghans into a mighty industrial giant  at the turn of the 20th century, the firm was the largest clockmaker in the world, producing over three million clocks a year. And in the mid 20th century, Junghans was surpassed only by Omega and Rolex in production of chronometer wristwatches, thanks to a workforce of some 3000 people making 9000 watches a day.

The 21st century was less kind to Junghans, having been acquired by Hong Kong-based luxury group EganaGoldpfeil, which then filed for insolvency in 2008 amidst allegations of financial impropriety. Into the breach stepped Dr Hans-Jochem Steim, a German industrialist whose great-grandfather founded a spring and wire maker that got its start making watch mainsprings  making the Steim familys acquisition of Junghans a return to its roots.

Having been in charge for a decade, Matthias Stotz has put Junghans back on the map as a maker of affordable, practical watches, with annual production averaging 60,000 timepieces a year. Stotz was in Singapore last month to inaugurate Junghans partnership with retailer Watches of Switzerland and we got a chance to speak with him. Here he explains how he got Junghans back on track, and what the future holds for the brand.

The interview was edited and condensed for clarity.

On the turning point from bust to boom

Its been 10 years since I joined Junghans. When I started, it still belonged to EganaGoldpfeil, which went bust at the end of 2008. It was a hard time, and there was the Lehman Brothers crisis, but it was a very good time to reestablish the brand.

I focused much more on traditional design and heritage. The Max Bill watches were already successful then. In 2006 and 2007, we made the decision to focus on wristwatches instead of clocks, and we developed sophisticated mechanical movements in homage to founder Erhard Junghans.

But the turning point came when we introduced the Meister Chronoscope and Meister Chronometer, because it was only then that the DNA of the brand  traditional watchmaking at affordable prices  was truly reestablished.

It was important for me to consider our heritage and values. You cant ignore or change the DNA because a historical brand does not only belong to you. You can move a big brand, but you have to move gently.

What is Junghans?

Max Bill and Meister  these are the pillars of the brand.

Max Bill attracts a very young audience  people in their twenties who identify themselves with the arts, like architects, photographers and designers. They love it. Its a design icon and already 60 years old. Max Bill was an artist, an architect, but many people only know of Max because we make beautiful Junghans watches. But I guess thats a good problem to have.

The Meister attracts a slightly older crowd, people with an interest in traditional watchmaking, so they have more decoration, more hour indices, additional volume to the case. The Meister have open casebacks, but the Max Bill dont because people buy them for the design. The vintage remakes are so important, not just for Junghans but the industry at large, so we can educate the younger generation.

And we also have a variety of technology, which not many brands offer. We have mechanical, quartz, solar, radio-controlled, and theyre all part of our heritage. Were also using different case materials such as ceramic and titanium.

Today half of our watches are mechanical, but the quartz watches have the same strong design; they sometimes serve as the first entry point into the brand, where customers can learn about our other watches later on.

Affordable but mechanical, or the latest in high-tech timekeeping

Im a fourth generation watchmaker, so I really like developing new designs and movements. We are focusing on our brand DNA and we still keep our tradition of radio-controlled movements. Its much better to have a good design and perfect movement from Switzerland than to be expensive and having to disappear eventually.

We have created some in-house movements, found in the Erhard Junghans limited edition. It was very expensive and limited to just 12 pieces. But the core values of the brand are to offer great design, classic and affordable watches.

In the past it was important for many, many brands to produce mechanical movements in-house. But the result was that their prices had to skyrocket and they couldnt survive. Today in the market you can see that some brands no longer exist or they have to go back to outsourcing.

Junghans was always an affordable brand, and in the past we had enough volume to create our own mechanical movements. But today we only make 60,000 watches a year, so we are too small to price it reasonably if we were to bring movement production back in-house. And besides, there are really good Swiss movements in the market that we can buy.

What we do, however, is produce our radio-controlled movements in-house, doing the full R&D. We do all the programming, PCP, assembly in-house. So we are able to make our own movements, but mechanical  at least not today.

They are a big part of our heritage. Junghans was the inventor of radio-controlled table clocks in 1985, and then radio-controlled watches in 1990. Its a nice story because German industrial designer, Hartmut Esslinger, was the designer of the Junghans Mega 1, the first radio-controlled wristwatch in the world.

In the first year, we produced 800,000 of the Mega 1. Today, we are still producing the antenna, strap, and spare parts for the Mega 1 because there are so many collectors who still keep their watches running. Next year were doing something very special for radio-controlled movements. We have a new generation of movements coming up.
WATERLOO  A Waterloo teen who is awaiting trial for allegedly shooting at a house in January and carrying a stolen gun in August has been arrested in connection with an armed robbery.

Acting on a tip, Waterloo police arrested Dijonis Deontray Brown, 18, of 154 Argyle St., on Saturday after they stopped a Dolly's Party Bus he was riding in on Highway 20 on warrants for first-degree robbery and missing court dates for his shooting and firearm charges.

Police also found two handguns on the bus but could not say if they belonged to Brown.

Brown is in the Black Hawk County Jail, and his bond was set at $375,000.

UPDATE WITH PICTURE: One arrested in Tuesday robbery WATERLOO  One person has been arrested in connection with an armed robbery in a parking lot

The new charges stem from the Oct. 3 holdup of a Waterloo man outside the Hy-Vee gas station on Logan Avenue. According to court records, a female accomplice had arranged to sell used cell phones to the victim, and when they met, Brown was carrying a gun and took a waist pouch containing a large amount of cash from the victim and left.

Police stopped a vehicle matching the description of the getaway car and found money, but Brown, who was a passenger, was released at the time, court records state. The alleged accomplice, 21-year-old LaDajia Rayarra Elaine Greer, who was driving, was later arrested, and police found information on her phone that connected Brown to the robbery, records state.

Authorities said Brown and another person were involved in a Jan. 18 shooting that damaged a home in the 700 block of Logan Avenue, and he was charged in the shooting in July. Then in August, while out on pre-trial release, police tried to stop him while he was riding his bicycle. He fled allegedly threw a stolen .45-caliber handgun that was then recovered by officers.

Trial in the shooting and firearm cases had been scheduled to begin last Tuesday, but Brown missed pre-trial conferences on Nov. 3, court records state.
CEDAR FALLS  A Lincoln Elementary School music teacher has caught the eye of the organization that honors top-selling recording artists.

Dont expect to see Michelle Droe giving a speech on TV at the Grammy Awards. But the Lincoln vocal music teacher could be flown to New York in February to attend the 60th annual award show and other Grammy events if she is chosen as the 2018 recipient of the Music Educator Award.

Given by the Recording Academy and the Grammy Museum, the award was established to recognize music teachers who have made a significant and lasting contribution to the field of music education, according to a news release. They also must demonstrate a commitment to the broader cause of maintaining music education in the schools. Nominees can work at any level from kindergarten to college, in public and private education.

In April, Droe was among 197 quarterfinalists for the award, drawn from 2,300 nominations from across the country. Recently, she was named as one of 25 semifinalists. In December, 10 finalists will be announced.

A $1,000 honorarium will be given to the finalists. The 15 remaining semifinalists receive a $500 honorarium. In both cases, a matching grant will be given to their schools.

I didnt expect to be in the 25 semifinalists, said Droe, who has been teaching for 26 years and worked in Colorado and Florida before moving to Cedar Falls. She is already dreaming up uses for whichever matching grant her school receives. Im very happy about that.

Now in her 12th year at Lincoln, Droe was nominated by student Elianna Davidson and her mother, Marla. Id never heard of the Grammy award for teachers, she said. She was grateful for the nomination, though, and filled out an application.

The quarterfinalist notification included a request she submit several videos. Among those was an eight-minute video of Droes teaching and several four minute videos of her proudest moments, obstacles she has overcome and how she has been an advocate for education. There also were a number of videos with testimonials by other people.

They didnt give too many requirements, she said, for the videos. They want to see you as a musician outside of your classroom.

The videos were recorded by her husband, Kevin, an associate professor of music education at the University of Northern Iowa. Hes like my assistant, said Droe, making repairs in her classroom and running sound at concerts. He also has pushed his wife to get out of her comfort zone.

One result of that is her involvement in the Spectrum Project, which meets at Lincoln every Saturday from January to April. It provides opportunities for music, visual art, dance/movement and drama for children ages 5-18 who are on the autism spectrum.

UNI students serve as program directors in each of the areas. My job now is to mentor the music directors, she said.

Some of Droes other professional work includes serving on the states 16-member fine arts standards adoption team and being the repertoire chair for childrens choirs on the Iowa Choral Directors Association. She also substitutes on French horn for wcfsymphony and recently started a social justice choir with Travis Gratteau-Zinnell.

In her classroom work, she extensively uses games to teach notes and other concepts to students followed by brief periods of focus.

Games and having fun is not a bad thing, said Droe, noting she only sees students twice for 35 minutes every six days. Were trying to teach them the joy of music. I meet them where they are and pull the best out of them.
Register for more free articles. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading.

Obituaries Newsletter Sign up to get the most recent local obituaries delivered to your inbox. Sign up! Already a Subscriber? Already a Subscriber? Sign in Terms of Service Privacy Policy
past daily news Sep 13 (1) Sep 09 (15) Sep 06 (12) Sep 04 (10) Sep 03 (10) Aug 31 (17) Aug 29 (14) Aug 26 (13) Aug 22 (11) Aug 21 (12) Aug 19 (21) Aug 14 (6) Aug 13 (10) Aug 10 (10) Aug 08 (9) Aug 07 (10) Aug 06 (10) Aug 05 (8) Aug 03 (8) Aug 02 (7) Aug 01 (7) Jul 31 (14) Jul 29 (1) Jul 27 (7) Jul 25 (5) Jul 24 (10) Jul 22 (11) Jul 19 (16) Jul 17 (6) Jul 16 (10) Jul 15 (13) Jul 12 (7) Jul 11 (5) Jul 10 (8) Jul 08 (8) Jul 07 (3) Jul 06 (5) Jul 05 (8) Jul 04 (11) Jul 03 (8) Jul 02 (7) Jul 01 (5) Jun 30 (8) Jun 28 (7) Jun 27 (8) Jun 26 (7) Jun 25 (8) Jun 24 (6) Jun 23 (6) Jun 22 (9) Jun 20 (5) Jun 19 (9) Jun 18 (8) Jun 15 (9) Jun 13 (13) Jun 11 (11) Jun 09 (19) Jun 06 (10) Jun 04 (10) Jun 03 (8) Jun 01 (6) May 31 (5) May 30 (5) May 29 (6) May 28 (7) May 27 (7) May 26 (6) May 25 (4) May 23 (6) May 22 (6) May 21 (4) May 20 (7) May 19 (9) May 18 (4) May 17 (6) May 16 (5) May 15 (7) May 14 (3) May 13 (3) May 12 (9) May 10 (3) May 09 (7) May 08 (4) May 07 (3) May 06 (5) May 05 (8) May 03 (9) May 02 (1) May 01 (5) Apr 30 (8) Apr 29 (5) Apr 28 (4) Apr 27 (7) Apr 26 (12) Apr 25 (4) Apr 24 (8) Apr 23 (7) Apr 22 (5) Apr 21 (3) Apr 20 (1) Apr 19 (5) Apr 18 (3) Apr 17 (6) Apr 16 (6) Apr 15 (5) Apr 14 (2) Apr 13 (4) Apr 12 (2) Apr 11 (4) Apr 10 (3) Apr 09 (3) Apr 08 (3) Apr 07 (5) Apr 06 (3) Apr 05 (10) Apr 04 (2) Apr 03 (3) Apr 02 (9) Apr 01 (7) Mar 31 (10) Mar 30 (6) Mar 29 (7) Mar 28 (5) Mar 27 (3) Mar 26 (10) Mar 25 (4) Mar 24 (5) Mar 23 (10) Mar 22 (6) Mar 21 (5) Mar 20 (11) Mar 19 (8) Mar 18 (5) Mar 17 (4) Mar 16 (11) Mar 15 (10) Mar 14 (7) Mar 13 (7) Mar 12 (5) Mar 11 (3) Mar 10 (3) Mar 09 (5) Mar 08 (6) Mar 07 (8) Mar 06 (6) Mar 05 (12) Mar 04 (6) Mar 03 (8) Mar 02 (6) Mar 01 (8) Feb 28 (7) Feb 27 (5) Feb 26 (6) Feb 25 (7) Feb 24 (3) Feb 23 (6) Feb 22 (4) Feb 21 (3) Feb 20 (1) Feb 19 (6) Feb 18 (4) Feb 17 (4) Feb 16 (2) Feb 15 (5) Feb 14 (3) Feb 13 (6) Feb 12 (6) Feb 11 (4) Feb 10 (6) Feb 09 (6) Feb 08 (4) Feb 07 (6) Feb 06 (4) Feb 05 (2) Feb 04 (3) Feb 03 (5) Feb 02 (1) Feb 01 (4) Jan 31 (8) Jan 30 (2) Jan 29 (4) Jan 28 (1) Jan 27 (4) Jan 26 (7) Jan 25 (4) Jan 23 (4) Jan 22 (8) Jan 21 (2) Jan 20 (2) Jan 19 (3) Jan 18 (4) Jan 17 (2) Jan 16 (7) Jan 15 (6) Jan 14 (4) Jan 13 (6) Jan 12 (5) Jan 11 (4) Jan 10 (5) Jan 09 (4) Jan 08 (5) Jan 07 (4) Jan 05 (5) Jan 04 (4) Jan 03 (3) Jan 02 (2) Jan 01 (1) Dec 31 (5) Dec 29 (4) Dec 28 (5) Dec 26 (3) Dec 25 (2) Dec 24 (3) Dec 23 (2) Dec 22 (4) Dec 21 (4) Dec 20 (3) Dec 19 (3) Dec 18 (2) Dec 17 (1) Dec 16 (4) Dec 15 (2) Dec 14 (3) Dec 13 (7) Dec 12 (5) Dec 11 (4) Dec 10 (3) Dec 09 (2) Dec 08 (2) Dec 07 (4) Dec 06 (4) Dec 05 (1) Dec 04 (5) Dec 03 (3) Dec 02 (5) Dec 01 (6) Nov 30 (5) Nov 29 (10) Nov 28 (6) Nov 27 (2) Nov 26 (3) Nov 24 (2) Nov 23 (5) Nov 22 (4) Nov 21 (3) Nov 20 (6) Nov 19 (2) Nov 18 (5) Nov 17 (5) Nov 16 (3) Nov 15 (2) Nov 14 (3) Nov 13 (3) Nov 12 (2) Nov 11 (4) Nov 10 (5) Nov 09 (4) Nov 08 (5) Nov 07 (5) Nov 06 (5) Nov 05 (4) Nov 04 (5) Nov 02 (4) Nov 01 (4) Oct 31 (9) Oct 30 (9) Oct 29 (3) Oct 28 (2) Oct 27 (6) Oct 26 (6) Oct 25 (6) Oct 24 (3) Oct 23 (6) Oct 22 (4) Oct 20 (3) Oct 19 (6) Oct 18 (5) Oct 17 (5) Oct 16 (4) Oct 15 (5) Oct 14 (2) Oct 13 (4) Oct 12 (7) Oct 11 (5) Oct 10 (4) Oct 09 (5) Oct 08 (10) Oct 07 (1) Oct 06 (10) Oct 05 (6) Oct 04 (8) Oct 03 (3) Oct 02 (4) Oct 01 (6) Sep 30 (5) Sep 29 (1) Sep 28 (6) Sep 27 (6) Sep 26 (5) Sep 25 (3) Sep 24 (6) Sep 23 (5) Sep 22 (7) Sep 21 (6) Sep 20 (6) Sep 19 (5) Sep 18 (3) Sep 17 (5) Sep 16 (5) Sep 15 (5) Sep 14 (6) Sep 13 (4) Sep 12 (5) Sep 11 (7) Sep 10 (6) Sep 09 (5) Sep 08 (3) Sep 07 (4) Sep 06 (8) Sep 05 (6) Sep 04 (7) Sep 03 (3) Sep 02 (4) Sep 01 (5) Aug 31 (8) Aug 30 (6) Aug 29 (6) Aug 28 (6) Aug 27 (1) Aug 26 (4) Aug 25 (3) Aug 24 (7) Aug 23 (4) Aug 22 (4) Aug 21 (4) Aug 20 (7) Aug 18 (5) Aug 17 (8) Aug 16 (8) Aug 15 (4) Aug 14 (6) Aug 13 (5) Aug 12 (4) Aug 11 (2) Aug 10 (5) Aug 09 (4) Aug 08 (8) Aug 07 (4) Aug 06 (3) Aug 05 (4) Aug 04 (4) Aug 03 (10) Aug 02 (9) Aug 01 (8) Jul 31 (1) Jul 30 (3) Jul 29 (2) Jul 28 (11) Jul 27 (10) Jul 26 (10) Jul 25 (7) Jul 24 (5) Jul 23 (3) Jul 22 (2) Jul 21 (7) Jul 20 (10) Jul 19 (8) Jul 18 (7) Jul 17 (1) Jul 16 (10) Jul 14 (7) Jul 13 (6) Jul 12 (11) Jul 11 (7) Jul 10 (5) Jul 09 (6) Jul 08 (5) Jul 07 (8) Jul 06 (4) Jul 05 (6) Jul 04 (6) Jul 03 (7) Jul 02 (6) Jul 01 (2) Jun 30 (7) Jun 29 (7) Jun 28 (5) Jun 27 (8) Jun 26 (5) Jun 25 (6) Jun 23 (4) Jun 22 (4) Jun 21 (5) Jun 20 (8) Jun 18 (2) Jun 17 (3) Jun 16 (4) Jun 15 (3) Jun 14 (7) Jun 13 (4) Jun 12 (7) Jun 11 (3) Jun 10 (2) Jun 09 (8) Jun 08 (8) Jun 07 (8) Jun 06 (10) Jun 05 (14) Jun 04 (6) Jun 03 (6) Jun 02 (8) Jun 01 (6) May 31 (7) May 30 (2) May 29 (7) May 28 (7) May 27 (2) May 26 (4) May 25 (5) May 24 (4) May 23 (5) May 22 (5) May 21 (5) May 20 (3) May 19 (10) May 18 (6) May 17 (3) May 16 (6) May 15 (2) May 14 (3) May 13 (5) May 11 (1) May 10 (5) May 09 (3) May 08 (4) May 07 (2) May 06 (4) May 05 (6) May 04 (5) May 03 (5) May 02 (1) May 01 (6) Apr 30 (6) Apr 29 (7) Apr 28 (8) Apr 27 (9) Apr 26 (14) Apr 25 (6) Apr 24 (6) Apr 23 (7) Apr 22 (1) Apr 21 (8) Apr 20 (3) Apr 19 (6) Apr 18 (4) Apr 17 (7) Apr 16 (1) Apr 15 (8) Apr 14 (1) Apr 13 (7) Apr 12 (10) Apr 11 (7) Apr 10 (2) Apr 09 (2) Apr 08 (4) Apr 07 (3) Apr 06 (6) Apr 05 (6) Apr 04 (9) Apr 03 (4) Apr 02 (5) Apr 01 (2) Mar 31 (5) Mar 30 (4) Mar 29 (8) Mar 28 (5) Mar 27 (9) Mar 26 (4) Mar 25 (5) Mar 24 (11) Mar 23 (10) Mar 22 (9) Mar 21 (10) Mar 20 (11) Mar 19 (5) Mar 18 (7) Mar 17 (3) Mar 16 (7) Mar 15 (6) Mar 14 (6) Mar 13 (9) Mar 12 (6) Mar 11 (3) Mar 10 (3) Mar 09 (5) Mar 08 (6) Mar 07 (13) Mar 06 (6) Mar 05 (3) Mar 04 (7) Mar 03 (4) Mar 02 (5) Mar 01 (6) Feb 28 (6) Feb 27 (4) Feb 26 (5) Feb 25 (6) Feb 24 (6) Feb 23 (9) Feb 22 (6) Feb 21 (7) Feb 20 (8) Feb 19 (6) Feb 18 (3) Feb 17 (4) Feb 16 (6) Feb 15 (5) Feb 14 (7) Feb 13 (5) Feb 12 (3) Feb 11 (4) Feb 10 (5) Feb 09 (9) Feb 08 (8) Feb 07 (7) Feb 06 (10) Feb 05 (7) Feb 04 (2) Feb 03 (8) Feb 02 (7) Feb 01 (5) Jan 31 (4) Jan 30 (4) Jan 29 (7) Jan 28 (3) Jan 27 (7) Jan 26 (8) Jan 25 (6) Jan 24 (6) Jan 23 (5) Jan 22 (4) Jan 21 (6) Jan 20 (8) Jan 19 (6) Jan 18 (8) Jan 17 (12) Jan 16 (5) Jan 15 (4) Jan 14 (8) Jan 12 (6) Jan 11 (6) Jan 10 (7) Jan 09 (4) Jan 08 (6) Jan 07 (4) Jan 06 (6) Jan 05 (9) Jan 04 (9) Jan 03 (4) Jan 02 (6) Jan 01 (8) Dec 31 (2) Dec 30 (1) Dec 29 (5) Dec 28 (4) Dec 27 (8) Dec 26 (4) Dec 24 (5) Dec 23 (7) Dec 22 (12) Dec 21 (4) Dec 20 (7) Dec 19 (3) Dec 18 (5) Dec 17 (3) Dec 16 (1) Dec 15 (7) Dec 14 (10) Dec 13 (7) Dec 12 (12) Dec 10 (3) Dec 09 (6) Dec 08 (7) Dec 07 (12) Dec 06 (6) Dec 05 (13) Dec 04 (6) Dec 02 (8) Dec 01 (8) Nov 30 (6) Nov 29 (7) Nov 28 (7) Nov 27 (4) Nov 26 (8) Nov 24 (2) Nov 23 (5) Nov 22 (11) Nov 21 (7) Nov 20 (3) Nov 19 (10) Nov 18 (7) Nov 17 (6) Nov 16 (11) Nov 15 (10) Nov 14 (7) Nov 13 (3) Nov 12 (5) Nov 11 (12) Nov 10 (4) Nov 09 (14) Nov 08 (10) Nov 07 (11) Nov 06 (8) Nov 05 (5) Nov 04 (11) Nov 03 (9) Nov 02 (10) Nov 01 (8) Oct 31 (12) Oct 30 (5) Oct 29 (5) Oct 28 (5) Oct 27 (11) Oct 26 (13) Oct 25 (9) Oct 24 (10) Oct 23 (8) Oct 22 (5) Oct 21 (11) Oct 20 (8) Oct 19 (6) Oct 18 (5) Oct 17 (5) Oct 16 (6) Oct 15 (4) Oct 14 (9) Oct 13 (10) Oct 12 (11) Oct 11 (9) Oct 10 (10) Oct 09 (7) Oct 08 (5) Oct 07 (10) Oct 06 (9) Oct 05 (14) Oct 04 (9) Oct 03 (12) Oct 02 (4) Oct 01 (9) Sep 30 (5) Sep 29 (7) Sep 28 (13) Sep 27 (10) Sep 26 (11) Sep 25 (3) Sep 24 (9) Sep 23 (7) Sep 22 (10) Sep 21 (12) Sep 20 (12) Sep 19 (4) Sep 18 (5) Sep 17 (7) Sep 16 (11) Sep 15 (8) Sep 14 (5) Sep 13 (8) Sep 12 (8) Sep 11 (6) Sep 10 (10) Sep 09 (5) Sep 08 (9) Sep 07 (8) Sep 06 (11) Sep 05 (2) Sep 04 (8) Sep 03 (2) Sep 02 (6) Sep 01 (9) Aug 31 (9) Aug 30 (7) Aug 29 (9) Aug 28 (4) Aug 27 (8) Aug 26 (6) Aug 25 (5) Aug 24 (8) Aug 23 (4) Aug 22 (5) Aug 21 (2) Aug 20 (4) Aug 19 (6) Aug 18 (4) Aug 17 (4) Aug 16 (6) Aug 15 (3) Aug 14 (4) Aug 13 (7) Aug 12 (6) Aug 11 (3) Aug 10 (5) Aug 09 (8) Aug 08 (9) Aug 07 (7) Aug 06 (7) Aug 05 (7) Aug 04 (7) Aug 03 (11) Aug 02 (6) Aug 01 (9) Jul 31 (11) Jul 28 (7) Jul 27 (11) Jul 26 (5) Jul 25 (5) Jul 24 (1) Jul 22 (3) Jul 21 (2) Jul 20 (9) Jul 19 (8) Jul 18 (6) Jul 17 (7) Jul 15 (4) Jul 14 (2) Jul 13 (6) Jul 12 (10) Jul 11 (11) Jul 10 (2) Jul 09 (3) Jul 08 (5) Jul 07 (5) Jul 06 (6) Jul 05 (3) Jul 04 (6) Jul 03 (5) Jul 02 (3) Jun 30 (8) Jun 29 (5) Jun 28 (6) Jun 27 (4) Jun 26 (4) Jun 25 (1) Jun 24 (5) Jun 23 (11) Jun 21 (5) Jun 20 (5) Jun 19 (7) Jun 17 (4) Jun 16 (7) Jun 15 (4) Jun 14 (6) Jun 13 (4) Jun 12 (4) Jun 11 (6) Jun 10 (6) Jun 09 (8) Jun 08 (6) Jun 07 (8) Jun 06 (7) Jun 05 (5) Jun 04 (7) Jun 03 (1) Jun 02 (9) Jun 01 (5) May 31 (8) May 30 (7) May 29 (5) May 28 (5) May 27 (4) May 26 (4) May 25 (4) May 24 (3) May 23 (5) May 22 (2) May 21 (3) May 20 (7) May 19 (11) May 18 (1) May 17 (7) May 16 (3) May 15 (4) May 14 (3) May 13 (4) May 12 (4) May 11 (11) May 10 (2) May 09 (6) May 08 (6) May 07 (2) May 06 (3) May 05 (4) May 04 (5) May 03 (8) May 02 (4) May 01 (4) Apr 30 (6) Apr 29 (13) Apr 28 (5) Apr 27 (7) Apr 26 (5) Apr 25 (5) Apr 24 (2) Apr 23 (7) Apr 22 (9) Apr 21 (11) Apr 20 (2) Apr 19 (2) Apr 18 (5) Apr 17 (5) Apr 16 (6) Apr 14 (5) Apr 13 (2) Apr 12 (9) Apr 11 (10) Apr 10 (6) Apr 09 (5) Apr 08 (3) Apr 07 (10) Apr 06 (7) Apr 05 (7) Apr 04 (7) Apr 03 (9) Mar 31 (12) Mar 30 (9) Mar 29 (7) Mar 28 (4) Mar 27 (3) Mar 26 (6) Mar 25 (3) Mar 24 (8) Mar 23 (7) Mar 22 (4) Mar 21 (10) Mar 20 (6) Mar 19 (6) Mar 17 (7) Mar 16 (11) Mar 15 (6) Mar 14 (9) Mar 13 (4) Mar 12 (6) Mar 10 (3) Mar 09 (9) Mar 08 (10) Mar 07 (4) Mar 06 (5) Mar 05 (3) Mar 04 (2) Mar 03 (4) Mar 02 (5) Mar 01 (5) Feb 28 (3) Feb 27 (8) Feb 26 (9) Feb 24 (11) Feb 23 (8) Feb 22 (9) Feb 21 (8) Feb 20 (7) Feb 19 (4) Feb 18 (9) Feb 17 (6) Feb 16 (5) Feb 15 (7) Feb 14 (11) Feb 13 (2) Feb 12 (5) Feb 11 (5) Feb 10 (3) Feb 09 (10) Feb 08 (9) Feb 07 (9) Feb 06 (2) Feb 05 (9) Feb 03 (7) Feb 02 (5) Feb 01 (7) Jan 31 (4) Jan 30 (5) Jan 29 (6) Jan 28 (5) Jan 27 (2) Jan 26 (7) Jan 25 (7) Jan 24 (8) Jan 23 (4) Jan 22 (14) Jan 20 (8) Jan 19 (10) Jan 18 (11) Jan 17 (9) Jan 16 (5) Jan 15 (3) Jan 14 (9) Jan 13 (6) Jan 12 (7) Jan 11 (7) Jan 10 (2) Jan 09 (7) Jan 08 (6) Jan 07 (10) Jan 06 (8) Jan 05 (7) Jan 04 (9) Jan 03 (8) Jan 02 (5) Jan 01 (14) Dec 30 (13) Dec 29 (13) Dec 28 (9) Dec 27 (5) Dec 26 (4) Dec 25 (7) Dec 24 (4) Dec 23 (5) Dec 22 (4) Dec 21 (8) Dec 20 (3) Dec 19 (8) Dec 18 (9) Dec 16 (8) Dec 15 (5) Dec 14 (5) Dec 13 (8) Dec 12 (4) Dec 11 (17) Dec 09 (8) Dec 08 (5) Dec 07 (10) Dec 06 (12) Dec 05 (6) Dec 04 (8) Dec 02 (6) Dec 01 (7) Nov 30 (9) Nov 29 (6) Nov 28 (11) Nov 27 (6) Nov 26 (15) Nov 24 (7) Nov 23 (15) Nov 22 (9) Nov 21 (6) Nov 20 (11) Nov 18 (11) Nov 17 (13) Nov 16 (8) Nov 15 (13) Nov 14 (7) Nov 13 (7) Nov 12 (3) Nov 11 (13) Nov 10 (13) Nov 09 (6) Nov 08 (9) Nov 07 (6) Nov 06 (4) Nov 05 (12) Nov 04 (8) Nov 03 (9) Nov 02 (8) Nov 01 (6) Oct 31 (10) Oct 30 (8) Oct 29 (3) Oct 28 (8) Oct 27 (15) Oct 26 (10) Oct 25 (10) Oct 24 (13) Oct 23 (9) Oct 21 (8) Oct 20 (13) Oct 19 (6) Oct 18 (11) Oct 17 (8) Oct 16 (14) Oct 14 (9) Oct 13 (11) Oct 12 (9) Oct 11 (13) Oct 10 (7) Oct 09 (15) Oct 07 (7) Oct 06 (11) Oct 05 (18) Oct 04 (14) Oct 03 (1) Oct 02 (10) Sep 30 (11) Sep 29 (11) Sep 28 (11) Sep 27 (15) Sep 26 (7) Sep 24 (9) Sep 23 (11) Sep 22 (7) Sep 21 (17) Sep 20 (20) Sep 19 (4) Sep 18 (11) Sep 16 (10) Sep 15 (12) Sep 14 (9) Sep 13 (12) Sep 12 (14) Sep 11 (4) Sep 10 (8) Sep 09 (9) Sep 08 (5) Sep 07 (13) Sep 06 (15) Sep 05 (8) Sep 04 (11) Sep 03 (10) Sep 02 (12) Sep 01 (12) Aug 31 (14) Aug 30 (14) Aug 29 (8) Aug 28 (8) Aug 27 (9) Aug 26 (12) Aug 25 (6) Aug 24 (8) Aug 23 (12) Aug 22 (6) Aug 21 (5) Aug 20 (6) Aug 19 (9) Aug 18 (4) Aug 17 (7) Aug 16 (11) Aug 15 (2) Aug 14 (12) Aug 12 (15) Aug 11 (11) Aug 10 (6) Aug 09 (7) Aug 08 (3) Aug 07 (4) Aug 06 (5) Aug 05 (7) Aug 04 (7) Aug 03 (4) Aug 02 (5) Aug 01 (5) Jul 31 (7) Jul 30 (5) Jul 29 (9) Jul 28 (8) Jul 27 (8) Jul 26 (7) Jul 25 (6) Jul 23 (8) Jul 22 (6) Jul 21 (5) Jul 20 (9) Jul 19 (5) Jul 18 (15) Jul 15 (14) Jul 14 (5) Jul 13 (6) Jul 12 (12) Jul 11 (8) Jul 10 (3) Jul 09 (11) Jul 08 (8) Jul 07 (7) Jul 06 (10) Jul 05 (4) Jul 04 (4) Jul 03 (5) Jul 02 (7) Jul 01 (8) Jun 30 (7) Jun 29 (10) Jun 28 (8) Jun 27 (4) Jun 26 (5) Jun 25 (4) Jun 24 (2) Jun 23 (11) Jun 22 (5) Jun 21 (7) Jun 20 (3) Jun 19 (7) Jun 18 (10) Jun 17 (11) Jun 16 (5) Jun 15 (5) Jun 14 (7) Jun 13 (14) Jun 11 (6) Jun 10 (8) Jun 09 (9) Jun 08 (11) Jun 07 (14) Jun 06 (16) Jun 03 (8) Jun 02 (12) Jun 01 (5) May 31 (7) May 30 (15) May 28 (7) May 27 (5) May 26 (21) May 25 (14) May 24 (10) May 23 (7) May 22 (8) May 21 (11) May 20 (5) May 19 (4) May 18 (10) May 17 (11) May 16 (5) May 15 (6) May 14 (7) May 13 (12) May 12 (10) May 11 (7) May 10 (13) May 09 (4) May 08 (7) May 07 (3) May 06 (6) May 05 (9) May 04 (14) May 03 (7) May 02 (10) May 01 (10) Apr 30 (6) Apr 29 (9) Apr 28 (5) Apr 27 (9) Apr 26 (8) Apr 25 (8) Apr 24 (6) Apr 23 (14) Apr 22 (16) Apr 21 (11) Apr 20 (7) Apr 19 (16) Apr 18 (8) Apr 17 (7) Apr 16 (10) Apr 15 (8) Apr 14 (5) Apr 13 (11) Apr 12 (10) Apr 11 (8) Apr 10 (12) Apr 09 (5) Apr 08 (13) Apr 07 (9) Apr 06 (11) Apr 05 (15) Apr 04 (7) Apr 03 (15) Apr 02 (5) Apr 01 (11) Mar 31 (12) Mar 30 (10) Mar 29 (8) Mar 28 (7) Mar 27 (12) Mar 26 (8) Mar 25 (8) Mar 24 (7) Mar 23 (15) Mar 22 (17) Mar 21 (9) Mar 20 (8) Mar 19 (4) Mar 18 (16) Mar 17 (8) Mar 16 (19) Mar 15 (13) Mar 14 (7) Mar 13 (20) Mar 11 (5) Mar 10 (11) Mar 09 (13) Mar 08 (13) Mar 07 (7) Mar 06 (6) Mar 05 (9) Mar 04 (10) Mar 03 (16) Mar 02 (16) Mar 01 (13) Feb 29 (8) Feb 28 (6) Feb 27 (16) Feb 26 (10) Feb 25 (6) Feb 24 (12) Feb 23 (14) Feb 22 (9) Feb 21 (11) Feb 20 (8) Feb 19 (12) Feb 18 (12) Feb 17 (11) Feb 16 (8) Feb 15 (9) Feb 14 (7) Feb 13 (10) Feb 12 (11) Feb 11 (13) Feb 10 (5) Feb 09 (6) Feb 08 (4) Feb 07 (9) Feb 06 (13) Feb 05 (10) Feb 04 (11) Feb 03 (7) Feb 02 (19) Jan 31 (21) Jan 29 (11) Jan 28 (10) Jan 27 (13) Jan 26 (7) Jan 25 (5) Jan 24 (2) Jan 23 (8) Jan 22 (13) Jan 21 (11) Jan 20 (9) Jan 19 (13) Jan 18 (4) Jan 17 (11) Jan 15 (7) Jan 14 (13) Jan 13 (9) Jan 12 (9) Jan 11 (5) Jan 10 (8) Jan 09 (7) Jan 08 (7) Jan 07 (6) Jan 06 (11) Jan 05 (7) Jan 04 (7) Jan 03 (3) Jan 02 (8) Jan 01 (5) Dec 31 (10) Dec 30 (9) Dec 29 (7) Dec 28 (9) Dec 27 (4) Dec 26 (1) Dec 25 (5) Dec 24 (6) Dec 23 (6) Dec 22 (7) Dec 21 (6) Dec 20 (7) Dec 19 (13) Dec 18 (16) Dec 17 (10) Dec 16 (13) Dec 15 (11) Dec 14 (8) Dec 13 (4) Dec 12 (9) Dec 11 (10) Dec 10 (12) Dec 09 (10) Dec 08 (13) Dec 07 (7) Dec 06 (12) Dec 05 (8) Dec 04 (11) Dec 03 (12) Dec 02 (16) Dec 01 (14) Nov 30 (10) Nov 29 (11) Nov 28 (15) Nov 27 (16) Nov 26 (11) Nov 25 (9) Nov 24 (13) Nov 23 (10) Nov 22 (1) Nov 21 (7) Nov 20 (12) Nov 19 (10) Nov 18 (11) Nov 17 (11) Nov 16 (10) Nov 15 (3) Nov 14 (10) Nov 13 (14) Nov 12 (8) Nov 11 (13) Nov 10 (10) Nov 09 (6) Nov 08 (9) Nov 07 (11) Nov 06 (12) Nov 05 (17) Nov 04 (12) Nov 03 (11) Nov 02 (5) Nov 01 (12) Oct 31 (11) Oct 30 (11) Oct 29 (10) Oct 28 (18) Oct 27 (16) Oct 26 (11) Oct 25 (9) Oct 24 (12) Oct 23 (11) Oct 22 (14) Oct 21 (12) Oct 20 (17) Oct 19 (12) Oct 18 (13) Oct 17 (15) Oct 16 (14) Oct 15 (10) Oct 14 (16) Oct 13 (12) Oct 12 (13) Oct 11 (8) Oct 10 (12) Oct 09 (21) Oct 08 (22) Oct 07 (19) Oct 06 (18) Oct 05 (6) Oct 04 (17) Oct 03 (13) Oct 02 (14) Oct 01 (13) Sep 30 (14) Sep 29 (15) Sep 28 (12) Sep 27 (11) Sep 26 (15) Sep 25 (13) Sep 24 (9) Sep 23 (10) Sep 22 (12) Sep 21 (8) Sep 20 (4) Sep 19 (12) Sep 18 (12) Sep 17 (16) Sep 16 (21) Sep 15 (14) Sep 14 (7) Sep 13 (5) Sep 12 (10) Sep 11 (16) Sep 10 (7) Sep 09 (8) Sep 08 (10) Sep 07 (7) Sep 06 (5) Sep 05 (8) Sep 04 (9) Sep 03 (8) Sep 02 (11) Sep 01 (10) Aug 31 (4) Aug 30 (6) Aug 29 (1) Aug 28 (10) Aug 27 (8) Aug 26 (8) Aug 25 (14) Aug 24 (4) Aug 23 (3) Aug 22 (5) Aug 21 (13) Aug 20 (9) Aug 19 (13) Aug 18 (3) Aug 17 (3) Aug 16 (3) Aug 15 (6) Aug 14 (8) Aug 13 (7) Aug 12 (12) Aug 11 (9) Aug 10 (8) Aug 09 (14) Aug 08 (6) Aug 07 (1) Aug 06 (4) Aug 05 (8) Aug 04 (6) Aug 03 (6) Aug 02 (2) Aug 01 (6) Jul 31 (6) Jul 30 (3) Jul 29 (6) Jul 28 (8) Jul 27 (7) Jul 25 (4) Jul 24 (6) Jul 23 (5) Jul 22 (3) Jul 21 (7) Jul 20 (5) Jul 18 (6) Jul 17 (5) Jul 16 (4) Jul 15 (9) Jul 14 (2) Jul 13 (8) Jul 12 (1) Jul 11 (5) Jul 10 (8) Jul 09 (3) Jul 08 (3) Jul 07 (13) Jul 05 (2) Jul 04 (5) Jul 03 (6) Jul 02 (6) Jul 01 (7) Jun 30 (7) Jun 29 (3) Jun 28 (1) Jun 27 (4) Jun 26 (7) Jun 25 (4) Jun 24 (6) Jun 23 (9) Jun 22 (4) Jun 21 (3) Jun 19 (4) Jun 18 (7) Jun 17 (7) Jun 16 (7) Jun 15 (11) Jun 12 (6) Jun 11 (3) Jun 10 (10) Jun 09 (3) Jun 08 (3) Jun 07 (4) Jun 06 (2) Jun 05 (9) Jun 04 (8) Jun 03 (9) Jun 02 (6) Jun 01 (4) May 30 (7) May 29 (9) May 28 (13) May 26 (8) May 25 (5) May 24 (2) May 23 (8) May 22 (9) May 21 (7) May 20 (4) May 19 (6) May 18 (7) May 17 (8) May 15 (9) May 14 (5) May 13 (8) May 12 (6) May 11 (6) May 09 (7) May 08 (6) May 07 (11) May 06 (7) May 05 (4) May 04 (11) May 03 (5) May 02 (4) May 01 (9) Apr 30 (6) Apr 29 (4) Apr 28 (9) Apr 27 (4) Apr 26 (3) Apr 25 (5) Apr 24 (3) Apr 23 (10) Apr 22 (8) Apr 21 (9) Apr 20 (3) Apr 19 (4) Apr 18 (8) Apr 17 (7) Apr 16 (4) Apr 15 (6) Apr 14 (8) Apr 13 (3) Apr 12 (6) Apr 10 (2) Apr 09 (4) Apr 08 (5) Apr 07 (5) Apr 06 (2) Apr 05 (2) Apr 04 (5) Apr 03 (7) Apr 02 (7) Apr 01 (12) Mar 31 (12) Mar 30 (3) Mar 29 (1) Mar 28 (2) Mar 27 (6) Mar 26 (2) Mar 25 (5) Mar 24 (4) Mar 23 (7) Mar 22 (4) Mar 21 (6) Mar 20 (9) Mar 19 (9) Mar 18 (8) Mar 17 (9) Mar 16 (7) Mar 15 (11) Mar 13 (5) Mar 12 (12) Mar 11 (9) Mar 10 (12) Mar 09 (4) Mar 08 (5) Mar 07 (5) Mar 06 (5) Mar 05 (5) Mar 04 (6) Mar 03 (11) Mar 02 (5) Mar 01 (8) Feb 27 (9) Feb 26 (9) Feb 25 (8) Feb 24 (6) Feb 23 (4) Feb 22 (3) Feb 21 (6) Feb 20 (3) Feb 19 (10) Feb 18 (9) Feb 17 (7) Feb 16 (5) Feb 15 (2) Feb 14 (8) Feb 13 (12) Feb 12 (8) Feb 11 (10) Feb 10 (7) Feb 09 (6) Feb 08 (3) Feb 07 (2) Feb 06 (7) Feb 05 (4) Feb 04 (11) Feb 03 (5) Feb 02 (7) Feb 01 (4) Jan 31 (5) Jan 30 (8) Jan 29 (12) Jan 28 (6) Jan 27 (8) Jan 26 (13) Jan 24 (8) Jan 23 (12) Jan 22 (8) Jan 21 (10) Jan 20 (8) Jan 19 (6) Jan 18 (9) Jan 17 (6) Jan 16 (4) Jan 15 (11) Jan 14 (4) Jan 13 (6) Jan 12 (7) Jan 11 (6) Jan 10 (2) Jan 09 (6) Jan 08 (5) Jan 07 (6) Jan 06 (4) Jan 05 (4) Jan 04 (3) Jan 03 (6) Jan 02 (2) Jan 01 (3) Dec 31 (6) Dec 30 (4) Dec 29 (6) Dec 28 (4) Dec 27 (4) Dec 26 (2) Dec 25 (3) Dec 24 (5) Dec 23 (7) Dec 22 (5) Dec 21 (4) Dec 20 (4) Dec 19 (5) Dec 18 (8) Dec 17 (5) Dec 16 (9) Dec 15 (7) Dec 14 (3) Dec 13 (10) Dec 12 (10) Dec 11 (9) Dec 10 (10) Dec 09 (11) Dec 08 (5) Dec 07 (5) Dec 06 (6) Dec 05 (9) Dec 04 (3) Dec 03 (8) Dec 02 (10) Dec 01 (6) Nov 30 (1) Nov 29 (3) Nov 28 (9) Nov 27 (3) Nov 26 (7) Nov 25 (12) Nov 24 (3) Nov 23 (8) Nov 22 (4) Nov 21 (3) Nov 20 (12) Nov 19 (6) Nov 18 (10) Nov 17 (12) Nov 16 (5) Nov 15 (5) Nov 14 (12) Nov 13 (3) Nov 12 (7) Nov 11 (8) Nov 10 (7) Nov 09 (6) Nov 08 (5) Nov 07 (5) Nov 06 (6) Nov 05 (12) Nov 04 (9) Nov 03 (6) Nov 02 (14) Nov 01 (3) Oct 31 (6) Oct 30 (7) Oct 29 (9) Oct 28 (9) Oct 27 (3) Oct 26 (6) Oct 25 (9) Oct 24 (8) Oct 23 (4) Oct 22 (3) Oct 21 (4) Oct 20 (2) Oct 19 (11) Oct 17 (6) Oct 16 (7) Oct 15 (7) Oct 14 (8) Oct 13 (5) Oct 12 (8) Oct 11 (6) Oct 10 (5) Oct 09 (11) Oct 08 (10) Oct 07 (8) Oct 06 (3) Oct 05 (7) Oct 04 (8) Oct 03 (3) Oct 02 (10) Oct 01 (3) Sep 30 (7) Sep 29 (6) Sep 28 (5) Sep 27 (8) Sep 26 (11) Sep 25 (11) Sep 24 (15) Sep 23 (8) Sep 22 (9) Sep 21 (4) Sep 20 (8) Sep 19 (9) Sep 18 (10) Sep 17 (10) Sep 16 (5) Sep 15 (5) Sep 14 (7) Sep 13 (5) Sep 12 (5) Sep 11 (8) Sep 10 (6) Sep 09 (7) Sep 08 (5) Sep 07 (2) Sep 06 (4) Sep 05 (7) Sep 04 (11) Sep 03 (7) Sep 02 (7) Sep 01 (2) Aug 31 (3) Aug 30 (1) Aug 29 (10) Aug 28 (5) Aug 27 (4) Aug 26 (10) Aug 25 (6) Aug 24 (9) Aug 22 (11) Aug 21 (8) Aug 20 (12) Aug 19 (8) Aug 18 (4) Aug 17 (4) Aug 16 (3) Aug 15 (6) Aug 14 (4) Aug 13 (7) Aug 12 (8) Aug 11 (7) Aug 10 (12) Aug 08 (5) Aug 07 (6) Aug 06 (6) Aug 05 (8) Aug 04 (5) Aug 03 (4) Aug 01 (7) Jul 31 (6) Jul 30 (12) Jul 29 (4) Jul 28 (5) Jul 27 (7) Jul 25 (7) Jul 24 (8) Jul 23 (8) Jul 22 (3) Jul 21 (8) Jul 20 (6) Jul 19 (3) Jul 18 (8) Jul 17 (2) Jul 16 (7) Jul 15 (6) Jul 14 (9) Jul 13 (10) Jul 11 (9) Jul 10 (8) Jul 09 (3) Jul 08 (7) Jul 07 (7) Jul 06 (7) Jul 05 (10) Jul 04 (4) Jul 03 (6) Jul 02 (6) Jul 01 (8) Jun 30 (5) Jun 29 (6) Jun 28 (1) Jun 27 (15) Jun 26 (10) Jun 25 (9) Jun 24 (16) Jun 23 (6) Jun 22 (12) Jun 20 (6) Jun 19 (8) Jun 18 (10) Jun 17 (6) Jun 16 (7) Jun 15 (5) Jun 14 (5) Jun 13 (13) Jun 12 (7) Jun 11 (14) Jun 10 (3) Jun 09 (2) Jun 08 (2) Jun 07 (7) Jun 06 (16) Jun 05 (7) Jun 04 (18) Jun 03 (12) Jun 02 (8) May 31 (3) May 30 (6) May 29 (6) May 28 (7) May 27 (4) May 26 (4) May 25 (6) May 23 (4) May 22 (8) May 21 (5) May 20 (6) May 19 (2) May 18 (9) May 17 (1) May 16 (5) May 15 (5) May 14 (7) May 13 (7) May 12 (7) May 11 (4) May 10 (4) May 09 (5) May 08 (10) May 07 (4) May 06 (13) May 05 (4) May 04 (10) May 02 (2) May 01 (5) Apr 30 (9) Apr 29 (6) Apr 28 (3) Apr 27 (4) Apr 26 (9) Apr 25 (9) Apr 24 (7) Apr 23 (11) Apr 22 (7) Apr 21 (3) Apr 20 (10) Apr 19 (6) Apr 18 (5) Apr 17 (6) Apr 16 (6) Apr 15 (7) Apr 14 (11) Apr 13 (4) Apr 12 (5) Apr 11 (9) Apr 10 (4) Apr 09 (6) Apr 08 (6) Apr 07 (3) Apr 06 (6) Apr 05 (10) Apr 03 (9) Apr 02 (9) Apr 01 (12) Mar 31 (4) Mar 30 (9) Mar 29 (10) Mar 28 (7) Mar 27 (8) Mar 26 (8) Mar 25 (15) Mar 24 (11) Mar 23 (8) Mar 22 (7) Mar 21 (14) Mar 20 (6) Mar 19 (11) Mar 18 (11) Mar 17 (12) Mar 16 (8) Mar 15 (8) Mar 14 (13) Mar 13 (8) Mar 12 (10) Mar 11 (8) Mar 10 (7) Mar 09 (3) Mar 08 (12) Mar 07 (15) Mar 06 (16) Mar 05 (9) Mar 04 (6) Mar 03 (12) Mar 02 (20) Feb 28 (11) Feb 27 (8) Feb 26 (11) Feb 25 (6) Feb 24 (14) Feb 23 (5) Feb 22 (6) Feb 21 (8) Feb 20 (11) Feb 19 (7) Feb 18 (4) Feb 17 (8) Feb 16 (11) Feb 15 (3) Feb 14 (10) Feb 13 (4) Feb 12 (10) Feb 11 (7) Feb 10 (7) Feb 09 (4) Feb 08 (6) Feb 07 (5) Feb 06 (4) Feb 05 (10) Feb 04 (5) Feb 03 (4) Feb 02 (4) Feb 01 (3) Jan 31 (3) Jan 30 (5) Jan 29 (2) Jan 28 (6) Jan 27 (3) Jan 26 (2) Jan 25 (5) Jan 24 (7) Jan 23 (4) Jan 22 (4) Jan 21 (5) Jan 20 (5) Jan 19 (6) Jan 18 (7) Jan 17 (6) Jan 16 (4) Jan 15 (3) Jan 14 (5) Jan 13 (4) Jan 12 (5) Jan 11 (3) Jan 10 (5) Jan 09 (6) Jan 08 (6) Jan 07 (3) Jan 06 (1) Jan 05 (4) Jan 04 (5) Jan 03 (3) Jan 02 (6) Jan 01 (2) Dec 31 (6) Dec 30 (1) Dec 29 (5) Dec 27 (1) Dec 26 (2) Dec 25 (4) Dec 24 (8) Dec 23 (2) Dec 22 (1) Dec 20 (3) Dec 19 (8) Dec 18 (3) Dec 17 (4) Dec 16 (3) Dec 15 (3) Dec 14 (3) Dec 13 (3) Dec 12 (4) Dec 11 (4) Dec 10 (7) Dec 09 (5) Dec 08 (2) Dec 07 (5) Dec 06 (6) Dec 05 (10) Dec 04 (9) Dec 03 (4) Dec 02 (2) Dec 01 (8) Nov 29 (5) Nov 28 (7) Nov 27 (5) Nov 26 (9) Nov 25 (3) Nov 24 (5) Nov 23 (6) Nov 22 (5) Nov 21 (12) Nov 20 (12) Nov 19 (10) Nov 18 (4) Nov 17 (3) Nov 16 (8) Nov 15 (7) Nov 14 (7) Nov 13 (6) Nov 12 (12) Nov 11 (6) Nov 10 (3) Nov 09 (4) Nov 08 (10) Nov 07 (5) Nov 06 (5) Nov 05 (9) Nov 04 (4) Nov 03 (4) Nov 02 (3) Nov 01 (3) Oct 31 (10) Oct 30 (4) Oct 29 (11) Oct 28 (3) Oct 27 (7) Oct 26 (7) Oct 25 (6) Oct 24 (7) Oct 23 (11) Oct 22 (2) Oct 21 (7) Oct 20 (4) Oct 19 (6) Oct 18 (7) Oct 17 (5) Oct 16 (8) Oct 15 (5) Oct 14 (5) Oct 13 (3) Oct 12 (7) Oct 11 (20) Oct 10 (2) Oct 09 (4) Oct 08 (21) Oct 07 (20) Oct 06 (34) Oct 04 (24) Oct 03 (21) Oct 02 (3) Oct 01 (7) Sep 30 (3) Sep 29 (5) Sep 28 (6) Sep 27 (5) Sep 26 (6) Sep 25 (5) Sep 24 (2) Sep 23 (8) Sep 22 (4) Sep 21 (3) Sep 20 (9) Sep 19 (11) Sep 18 (5) Sep 17 (7) Sep 16 (6) Sep 15 (3) Sep 14 (7) Sep 13 (8) Sep 12 (11) Sep 11 (7) Sep 10 (6) Sep 09 (5) Sep 08 (3) Sep 07 (6) Sep 06 (10) Sep 05 (7) Sep 04 (7) Sep 03 (5) Sep 02 (4) Sep 01 (8) Aug 31 (5) Aug 30 (7) Aug 29 (10) Aug 28 (7) Aug 27 (6) Aug 26 (6) Aug 25 (3) Aug 24 (8) Aug 23 (6) Aug 22 (6) Aug 21 (8) Aug 20 (8) Aug 19 (4) Aug 18 (2) Aug 17 (5) Aug 16 (7) Aug 15 (4) Aug 14 (3) Aug 13 (4) Aug 12 (6) Aug 11 (6) Aug 10 (4) Aug 09 (8) Aug 08 (6) Aug 07 (4) Aug 06 (6) Aug 05 (4) Aug 04 (12) Aug 03 (3) Aug 02 (4) Aug 01 (10) Jul 31 (3) Jul 30 (7) Jul 29 (3) Jul 28 (6) Jul 27 (4) Jul 26 (5) Jul 25 (4) Jul 24 (7) Jul 23 (10) Jul 22 (8) Jul 21 (5) Jul 20 (4) Jul 19 (7) Jul 18 (9) Jul 17 (10) Jul 16 (11) Jul 15 (5) Jul 13 (5) Jul 12 (9) Jul 11 (11) Jul 10 (12) Jul 09 (6) Jul 08 (5) Jul 07 (8) Jul 06 (9) Jul 05 (10) Jul 04 (8) Jul 03 (10) Jul 02 (12) Jul 01 (8) Jun 30 (5) Jun 29 (6) Jun 28 (23) Jun 27 (18) Jun 26 (12) Jun 25 (14) Jun 24 (15) Jun 23 (11) Jun 22 (11) Jun 21 (15) Jun 20 (9) Jun 19 (8) Jun 18 (11) Jun 17 (7) Jun 16 (6) Jun 15 (6) Jun 14 (6) Jun 13 (5) Jun 12 (6) Jun 11 (9) Jun 10 (10) Jun 09 (9) Jun 08 (6) Jun 07 (2) Jun 06 (6) Jun 05 (4) Jun 04 (3) Jun 03 (4) Jun 02 (3) Jun 01 (6) May 31 (3) May 30 (5) May 29 (8) May 28 (7) May 27 (2) May 26 (2) May 25 (8) May 24 (7) May 23 (6) May 22 (9) May 21 (6) May 20 (5) May 19 (6) May 18 (9) May 17 (10) May 16 (11) May 15 (5) May 14 (11) May 13 (6) May 12 (7) May 11 (7) May 10 (5) May 09 (3) May 08 (10) May 07 (8) May 06 (11) May 05 (5) May 04 (9) May 03 (3) May 02 (2) May 01 (5) Apr 30 (5) Apr 29 (8) Apr 28 (6) Apr 27 (4) Apr 26 (9) Apr 25 (11) Apr 24 (4) Apr 23 (11) Apr 22 (7) Apr 21 (5) Apr 20 (7) Apr 19 (10) Apr 18 (8) Apr 17 (10) Apr 16 (8) Apr 15 (4) Apr 14 (5) Apr 13 (7) Apr 12 (11) Apr 11 (6) Apr 10 (7) Apr 09 (6) Apr 08 (3) Apr 07 (3) Apr 06 (9) Apr 05 (10) Apr 04 (7) Apr 03 (2) Apr 02 (6) Apr 01 (4) Mar 31 (3) Mar 30 (4) Mar 29 (3) Mar 28 (5) Mar 27 (10) Mar 26 (5) Mar 25 (4) Mar 24 (5) Mar 23 (7) Mar 22 (6) Mar 21 (9) Mar 20 (5) Mar 19 (5) Mar 18 (9) Mar 17 (2) Mar 16 (8) Mar 15 (10) Mar 14 (9) Mar 13 (10) Mar 12 (10) Mar 11 (2) Mar 10 (1) Mar 09 (6) Mar 08 (4) Mar 07 (4) Mar 06 (3) Mar 05 (3) Mar 04 (7) Mar 03 (6) Mar 02 (8) Mar 01 (9) Feb 28 (6) Feb 27 (3) Feb 26 (8) Feb 25 (7) Feb 24 (3) Feb 23 (4) Feb 22 (4) Feb 21 (7) Feb 20 (4) Feb 19 (4) Feb 18 (2) Feb 17 (1) Feb 16 (6) Feb 15 (6) Feb 14 (5) Feb 13 (4) Feb 12 (7) Feb 11 (2) Feb 10 (2) Feb 09 (5) Feb 08 (5) Feb 07 (9) Feb 06 (4) Feb 05 (9) Feb 04 (3) Feb 03 (3) Feb 02 (10) Feb 01 (9) Jan 31 (5) Jan 30 (8) Jan 29 (5) Jan 28 (3) Jan 27 (4) Jan 26 (5) Jan 25 (6) Jan 24 (5) Jan 23 (4) Jan 22 (8) Jan 21 (3) Jan 20 (3) Jan 19 (7) Jan 18 (3) Jan 17 (6) Jan 16 (8) Jan 15 (7) Jan 14 (9) Jan 13 (1) Jan 12 (7) Jan 11 (1) Jan 10 (3) Jan 09 (3) Jan 08 (5) Jan 07 (4) Jan 06 (2) Jan 05 (3) Jan 04 (5) Jan 03 (4) Jan 02 (4) Jan 01 (4) Dec 31 (3) Dec 30 (4) Dec 29 (5) Dec 28 (8) Dec 27 (4) Dec 26 (4) Dec 25 (2) Dec 24 (4) Dec 23 (4) Dec 22 (7) Dec 21 (5) Dec 20 (3) Dec 19 (4) Dec 18 (6) Dec 17 (4) Dec 16 (5) Dec 15 (5) Dec 14 (8) Dec 13 (3) Dec 12 (6) Dec 11 (8) Dec 10 (5) Dec 09 (4) Dec 08 (4) Dec 07 (7) Dec 06 (7) Dec 05 (6) Dec 04 (6) Dec 03 (7) Dec 02 (1) Dec 01 (6) Nov 30 (2) Nov 29 (8) Nov 28 (16) Nov 27 (7) Nov 26 (5) Nov 25 (2) Nov 24 (6) Nov 23 (5) Nov 22 (5) Nov 21 (5) Nov 20 (15) Nov 19 (8) Nov 18 (2) Nov 17 (3) Nov 16 (5) Nov 15 (7) Nov 14 (6) Nov 13 (9) Nov 12 (7) Nov 11 (8) Nov 10 (3) Nov 09 (5) Nov 08 (8) Nov 07 (9) Nov 06 (9) Nov 05 (1) Nov 04 (4) Nov 03 (8) Nov 02 (6) Nov 01 (3) Oct 31 (6) Oct 30 (7) Oct 29 (3) Oct 28 (3) Oct 27 (4) Oct 26 (4) Oct 25 (8) Oct 24 (4) Oct 23 (1) Oct 22 (6) Oct 21 (1) Oct 20 (8) Oct 19 (6) Oct 18 (10) Oct 17 (6) Oct 16 (15) Oct 15 (4) Oct 14 (5) Oct 13 (3) Oct 12 (9) Oct 11 (7) Oct 10 (1) Oct 09 (5) Oct 08 (7) Oct 07 (3) Oct 06 (8) Oct 05 (5) Oct 04 (3) Oct 03 (7) Oct 02 (6) Oct 01 (6) Sep 30 (8) Sep 29 (6) Sep 28 (13) Sep 27 (10) Sep 26 (8) Sep 25 (8) Sep 24 (8) Sep 23 (3) Sep 22 (7) Sep 21 (9) Sep 20 (7) Sep 19 (8) Sep 18 (4) Sep 17 (3) Sep 16 (4) Sep 15 (8) Sep 14 (5) Sep 13 (7) Sep 12 (7) Sep 11 (9) Sep 10 (4) Sep 09 (10) Sep 08 (4) Sep 07 (12) Sep 06 (13) Sep 05 (15) Sep 04 (5) Sep 03 (4) Sep 02 (6) Sep 01 (9) Aug 31 (7) Aug 30 (6) Aug 29 (8) Aug 28 (11) Aug 27 (2) Aug 26 (6) Aug 25 (15) Aug 24 (6) Aug 23 (8) Aug 22 (5) Aug 21 (6) Aug 20 (7) Aug 19 (2) Aug 18 (5) Aug 17 (5) Aug 16 (11) Aug 15 (4) Aug 14 (6) Aug 13 (9) Aug 12 (4) Aug 11 (5) Aug 10 (6) Aug 09 (5) Aug 08 (7) Aug 07 (9) Aug 06 (4) Aug 05 (4) Aug 04 (4) Aug 03 (8) Aug 02 (9) Aug 01 (10) Jul 31 (11) Jul 30 (4) Jul 29 (3) Jul 28 (11) Jul 27 (4) Jul 26 (7) Jul 25 (7) Jul 24 (4) Jul 23 (8) Jul 22 (5) Jul 21 (4) Jul 20 (10) Jul 19 (6) Jul 18 (9) Jul 17 (6) Jul 16 (7) Jul 15 (6) Jul 14 (4) Jul 13 (7) Jul 12 (8) Jul 11 (6) Jul 10 (14) Jul 09 (6) Jul 08 (5) Jul 07 (4) Jul 06 (9) Jul 05 (8) Jul 04 (5) Jul 03 (8) Jul 02 (5) Jul 01 (5) Jun 30 (6) Jun 29 (3) Jun 28 (3) Jun 27 (4) Jun 26 (8) Jun 25 (3) Jun 24 (5) Jun 23 (14) Jun 22 (11) Jun 21 (5) Jun 20 (8) Jun 19 (7) Jun 18 (4) Jun 17 (3) Jun 16 (12) Jun 15 (12) Jun 14 (10) Jun 13 (10) Jun 12 (9) Jun 11 (6) Jun 10 (12) Jun 09 (4) Jun 08 (3) Jun 07 (12) Jun 06 (6) Jun 05 (7) Jun 04 (6) Jun 03 (3) Jun 02 (4) Jun 01 (8) May 31 (4) May 30 (3) May 29 (8) May 28 (7) May 27 (4) May 26 (3) May 25 (5) May 24 (9) May 23 (16) May 22 (12) May 21 (11) May 20 (7) May 19 (10) May 18 (8) May 17 (8) May 16 (10) May 15 (8) May 14 (5) May 13 (1) May 12 (6) May 11 (9) May 10 (9) May 09 (10) May 08 (9) May 07 (6) May 06 (5) May 05 (7) May 04 (10) May 03 (7) May 02 (9) May 01 (10) Apr 30 (4) Apr 29 (9) Apr 28 (12) Apr 27 (9) Apr 26 (4) Apr 25 (5) Apr 24 (9) Apr 23 (4) Apr 22 (7) Apr 21 (8) Apr 20 (9) Apr 19 (6) Apr 18 (4) Apr 17 (2) Apr 16 (4) Apr 15 (10) Apr 14 (7) Apr 13 (5) Apr 12 (7) Apr 11 (7) Apr 10 (7) Apr 09 (6) Apr 08 (7) Apr 07 (10) Apr 06 (8) Apr 05 (8) Apr 04 (9) Apr 03 (6) Apr 02 (4) Apr 01 (4) Mar 31 (11) Mar 30 (12) Mar 29 (16) Mar 28 (8) Mar 27 (10) Mar 26 (12) Mar 25 (6) Mar 24 (9) Mar 23 (3) Mar 22 (12) Mar 21 (12) Mar 20 (14) Mar 19 (8) Mar 18 (7) Mar 17 (8) Mar 16 (4) Mar 15 (10) Mar 14 (9) Mar 13 (9) Mar 12 (6) Mar 11 (5) Mar 10 (13) Mar 09 (8) Mar 08 (10) Mar 07 (12) Mar 06 (6) Mar 05 (4) Mar 04 (2) Mar 03 (3) Mar 02 (12) Mar 01 (8) Feb 29 (11) Feb 28 (5) Feb 27 (3) Feb 26 (13) Feb 25 (10) Feb 24 (13) Feb 23 (10) Feb 22 (9) Feb 21 (18) Feb 20 (6) Feb 19 (7) Feb 18 (9) Feb 17 (5) Feb 16 (9) Feb 15 (7) Feb 14 (6) Feb 13 (5) Feb 12 (6) Feb 11 (4) Feb 10 (8) Feb 09 (5) Feb 08 (8) Feb 07 (10) Feb 06 (7) Feb 05 (7) Feb 04 (5) Feb 03 (11) Feb 02 (4) Feb 01 (3) Jan 31 (12) Jan 30 (7) Jan 29 (7) Jan 28 (7) Jan 27 (12) Jan 26 (7) Jan 25 (11) Jan 24 (4) Jan 23 (6) Jan 22 (8) Jan 21 (12) Jan 20 (11) Jan 19 (6) Jan 18 (6) Jan 17 (11) Jan 16 (9) Jan 15 (4) Jan 14 (3) Jan 13 (6) Jan 12 (9) Jan 11 (9) Jan 10 (10) Jan 09 (5) Jan 08 (10) Jan 07 (5) Jan 06 (6) Jan 05 (8) Jan 04 (5) Jan 03 (8) Jan 02 (7) Jan 01 (7) Dec 31 (10) Dec 30 (11) Dec 29 (6) Dec 28 (5) Dec 27 (10) Dec 26 (4) Dec 25 (5) Dec 24 (7) Dec 23 (2) Dec 22 (9) Dec 21 (8) Dec 20 (8) Dec 19 (5) Dec 18 (1) Dec 17 (5) Dec 16 (6) Dec 15 (5) Dec 14 (13) Dec 13 (8) Dec 12 (7) Dec 11 (9) Dec 10 (12) Dec 09 (7) Dec 08 (11) Dec 07 (9) Dec 06 (11) Dec 05 (10) Dec 04 (6) Dec 03 (8) Dec 02 (6) Dec 01 (14) Nov 30 (7) Nov 29 (8) Nov 28 (8) Nov 27 (6) Nov 26 (9) Nov 25 (10) Nov 24 (12) Nov 23 (10) Nov 22 (10) Nov 21 (10) Nov 20 (4) Nov 19 (4) Nov 18 (8) Nov 17 (9) Nov 16 (9) Nov 15 (12) Nov 14 (6) Nov 13 (9) Nov 12 (3) Nov 11 (9) Nov 10 (10) Nov 09 (10) Nov 08 (7) Nov 07 (8) Nov 06 (10) Nov 05 (8) Nov 04 (7) Nov 03 (10) Nov 02 (11) Nov 01 (10) Oct 31 (5) Oct 30 (8) Oct 29 (8) Oct 28 (8) Oct 27 (11) Oct 26 (6) Oct 25 (9) Oct 24 (10) Oct 23 (5) Oct 22 (14) Oct 21 (10) Oct 20 (8) Oct 19 (11) Oct 18 (13) Oct 17 (7) Oct 16 (6) Oct 15 (9) Oct 14 (7) Oct 13 (12) Oct 12 (13) Oct 11 (9) Oct 10 (8) Oct 09 (9) Oct 08 (7) Oct 07 (12) Oct 06 (8) Oct 05 (13) Oct 04 (11) Oct 03 (7) Oct 02 (5) Oct 01 (14) Sep 30 (12) Sep 29 (12) Sep 28 (11) Sep 27 (11) Sep 26 (7) Sep 25 (10) Sep 24 (3) Sep 23 (7) Sep 22 (8) Sep 21 (8) Sep 20 (8) Sep 19 (7) Sep 18 (5) Sep 17 (14) Sep 16 (7) Sep 15 (11) Sep 14 (13) Sep 13 (11) Sep 12 (9) Sep 11 (5) Sep 10 (4) Sep 09 (13) Sep 08 (11) Sep 07 (11) Sep 06 (16) Sep 05 (1) Sep 04 (10) Sep 03 (8) Sep 02 (8) Sep 01 (7) Aug 31 (1) Aug 30 (6) Aug 29 (2) Aug 28 (3) Aug 27 (6) Aug 26 (8) Aug 25 (5) Aug 24 (5) Aug 23 (6) Aug 22 (7) Aug 21 (6) Aug 20 (4) Aug 19 (9) Aug 18 (7) Aug 17 (7) Aug 16 (10) Aug 15 (2) Aug 14 (5) Aug 13 (5) Aug 12 (10) Aug 11 (5) Aug 10 (4) Aug 09 (8) Aug 08 (3) Aug 07 (5) Aug 06 (12) Aug 05 (5) Aug 04 (7) Aug 03 (6) Aug 02 (7) Aug 01 (14) Jul 31 (7) Jul 30 (7) Jul 29 (13) Jul 28 (10) Jul 27 (6) Jul 26 (7) Jul 25 (7) Jul 24 (4) Jul 23 (12) Jul 22 (14) Jul 21 (6) Jul 20 (9) Jul 19 (12) Jul 18 (9) Jul 17 (4) Jul 16 (6) Jul 15 (8) Jul 14 (15) Jul 13 (8) Jul 12 (10) Jul 11 (6) Jul 10 (6) Jul 09 (6) Jul 08 (6) Jul 07 (9) Jul 06 (15) Jul 05 (6) Jul 04 (10) Jul 03 (6) Jul 02 (6) Jul 01 (11) Jun 30 (7) Jun 29 (4) Jun 28 (8) Jun 27 (8) Jun 26 (5) Jun 25 (11) Jun 24 (9) Jun 23 (10) Jun 22 (8) Jun 21 (8) Jun 20 (6) Jun 19 (5) Jun 18 (15) Jun 17 (8) Jun 16 (13) Jun 15 (15) Jun 14 (11) Jun 13 (6) Jun 12 (15) Jun 11 (7) Jun 10 (7) Jun 09 (18) Jun 08 (20) Jun 07 (17) Jun 06 (9) Jun 05 (9) Jun 04 (12) Jun 03 (13) Jun 02 (14) Jun 01 (8) May 31 (13) May 30 (8) May 29 (6) May 28 (8) May 27 (17) May 26 (8) May 25 (13) May 24 (12) May 23 (9) May 22 (4) May 21 (4) May 20 (11) May 19 (14) May 18 (6) May 17 (10) May 16 (4) May 15 (5) May 14 (28) May 12 (9) May 11 (17) May 10 (15) May 09 (12) May 08 (5) May 07 (4) May 06 (10) May 05 (8) May 04 (10) May 03 (5) May 02 (6) May 01 (8) Apr 30 (8) Apr 29 (12) Apr 28 (6) Apr 27 (11) Apr 26 (12) Apr 25 (6) Apr 24 (3) Apr 23 (5) Apr 22 (10) Apr 21 (19) Apr 20 (13) Apr 19 (11) Apr 18 (11) Apr 17 (5) Apr 16 (12) Apr 15 (11) Apr 14 (17) Apr 13 (6) Apr 12 (16) Apr 11 (10) Apr 10 (1) Apr 09 (18) Apr 08 (14) Apr 07 (6) Apr 06 (10) Apr 05 (21) Apr 04 (12) Apr 03 (4) Apr 02 (13) Apr 01 (8) Mar 31 (10) Mar 30 (11) Mar 29 (10) Mar 28 (8) Mar 27 (6) Mar 26 (12) Mar 25 (15) Mar 24 (10) Mar 23 (12) Mar 22 (12) Mar 21 (8) Mar 20 (4) Mar 19 (11) Mar 18 (7) Mar 17 (7) Mar 16 (9) Mar 15 (10) Mar 14 (4) Mar 13 (2) Mar 12 (14) Mar 11 (13) Mar 10 (7) Mar 09 (9) Mar 08 (17) Mar 07 (5) Mar 06 (7) Mar 05 (13) Mar 04 (10) Mar 03 (14) Mar 02 (12) Mar 01 (18) Feb 28 (8) Feb 27 (2) Feb 26 (9) Feb 25 (13) Feb 24 (17) Feb 23 (13) Feb 22 (12) Feb 21 (11) Feb 20 (11) Feb 19 (16) Feb 18 (17) Feb 17 (15) Feb 16 (15) Feb 15 (15) Feb 14 (10) Feb 13 (8) Feb 12 (10) Feb 11 (15) Feb 10 (11) Feb 09 (13) Feb 08 (10) Feb 07 (9) Feb 06 (6) Feb 05 (15) Feb 04 (15) Feb 03 (11) Feb 02 (14) Feb 01 (15) Jan 31 (11) Jan 30 (9) Jan 29 (19) Jan 28 (9) Jan 27 (9) Jan 26 (16) Jan 25 (19) Jan 24 (17) Jan 23 (8) Jan 22 (15) Jan 21 (9) Jan 20 (11) Jan 19 (7) Jan 18 (9) Jan 17 (6) Jan 16 (7) Jan 15 (12) Jan 14 (9) Jan 13 (14) Jan 12 (11) Jan 11 (13) Jan 10 (8) Jan 09 (8) Jan 08 (20) Jan 07 (11) Jan 06 (11) Jan 05 (8) Jan 04 (14) Jan 03 (6) Jan 02 (7) Jan 01 (7) Dec 31 (14) Dec 30 (15) Dec 29 (7) Dec 28 (10) Dec 27 (4) Dec 26 (3) Dec 25 (11) Dec 24 (9) Dec 23 (9) Dec 22 (15) Dec 21 (12) Dec 20 (11) Dec 19 (4) Dec 18 (16) Dec 17 (6) Dec 16 (12) Dec 15 (14) Dec 14 (11) Dec 13 (10) Dec 12 (6) Dec 11 (10) Dec 10 (17) Dec 09 (11) Dec 08 (12) Dec 07 (16) Dec 06 (11) Dec 05 (5) Dec 04 (12) Dec 03 (15) Dec 02 (15) Dec 01 (12) Nov 30 (16) Nov 29 (7) Nov 28 (11) Nov 27 (13) Nov 26 (13) Nov 25 (16) Nov 24 (15) Nov 23 (10) Nov 22 (10) Nov 21 (4) Nov 20 (8) Nov 19 (9) Nov 18 (16) Nov 17 (11) Nov 16 (11) Nov 15 (10) Nov 14 (9) Nov 13 (6) Nov 12 (10) Nov 11 (12) Nov 10 (15) Nov 09 (9) Nov 08 (10) Nov 07 (6) Nov 06 (7) Nov 05 (12) Nov 04 (14) Nov 03 (10) Nov 02 (13) Nov 01 (9) Oct 31 (9) Oct 30 (11) Oct 29 (18) Oct 28 (13) Oct 27 (23) Oct 26 (12) Oct 25 (14) Oct 24 (20) Oct 22 (18) Oct 21 (18) Oct 20 (19) Oct 19 (12) Oct 18 (11) Oct 17 (5) Oct 16 (18) Oct 15 (8) Oct 14 (11) Oct 13 (9) Oct 12 (13) Oct 11 (6) Oct 10 (7) Oct 09 (27) Oct 08 (14) Oct 07 (10) Oct 06 (9) Oct 05 (7) Oct 04 (10) Oct 03 (6) Oct 02 (9) Oct 01 (13) Sep 30 (12) Sep 29 (13) Sep 28 (8) Sep 27 (9) Sep 26 (8) Sep 25 (14) Sep 24 (4) Sep 23 (14) Sep 22 (20) Sep 21 (11) Sep 20 (6) Sep 19 (9) Sep 18 (14) Sep 17 (8) Sep 16 (17) Sep 15 (6) Sep 14 (11) Sep 13 (9) Sep 12 (4) Sep 11 (7) Sep 10 (14) Sep 09 (12) Sep 08 (17) Sep 07 (12) Sep 06 (13) Sep 05 (9) Sep 04 (20) Sep 03 (16) Sep 02 (16) Sep 01 (10) Aug 31 (13) Aug 30 (4) Aug 29 (9) Aug 28 (6) Aug 27 (8) Aug 26 (11) Aug 25 (10) Aug 24 (14) Aug 23 (12) Aug 22 (13) Aug 21 (10) Aug 20 (13) Aug 19 (15) Aug 18 (8) Aug 17 (10) Aug 16 (8) Aug 15 (3) Aug 14 (11) Aug 13 (12) Aug 12 (15) Aug 11 (10) Aug 10 (17) Aug 09 (6) Aug 08 (13) Aug 07 (11) Aug 06 (13) Aug 05 (11) Aug 04 (11) Aug 03 (10) Aug 02 (7) Aug 01 (6) Jul 31 (10) Jul 30 (21) Jul 29 (14) Jul 28 (13) Jul 27 (16) Jul 26 (10) Jul 25 (15) Jul 24 (17) Jul 23 (15) Jul 22 (15) Jul 21 (19) Jul 20 (17) Jul 19 (9) Jul 18 (7) Jul 17 (26) Jul 16 (18) Jul 15 (20) Jul 14 (16) Jul 13 (19) Jul 12 (11) Jul 11 (5) Jul 10 (13) Jul 09 (11) Jul 08 (8) Jul 07 (12) Jul 06 (16) Jul 05 (9) Jul 04 (5) Jul 03 (15) Jul 02 (11) Jul 01 (14) Jun 30 (13) Jun 29 (19) Jun 28 (8) Jun 27 (9) Jun 26 (16) Jun 25 (22) Jun 24 (17) Jun 23 (11) Jun 22 (15) Jun 21 (14) Jun 20 (8) Jun 19 (17) Jun 18 (10) Jun 17 (10) Jun 16 (17) Jun 15 (13) Jun 14 (14) Jun 13 (4) Jun 12 (13) Jun 11 (15) Jun 10 (25) Jun 09 (10) Jun 08 (23) Jun 07 (14) Jun 06 (20) Jun 05 (10) Jun 04 (11) Jun 03 (12) Jun 02 (21) Jun 01 (14) May 31 (10) May 30 (14) May 29 (8) May 28 (23) May 27 (20) May 26 (16) May 25 (13) May 24 (12) May 23 (10) May 22 (18) May 21 (14) May 20 (12) May 19 (18) May 18 (14) May 17 (13) May 16 (4) May 15 (7) May 14 (16) May 13 (13) May 12 (8) May 11 (18) May 10 (8) May 09 (7) May 08 (13) May 07 (11) May 06 (15) May 05 (18) May 04 (17) May 03 (7) May 02 (5) May 01 (11) Apr 30 (19) Apr 29 (21) Apr 28 (18) Apr 27 (16) Apr 26 (8) Apr 25 (11) Apr 24 (9) Apr 23 (20) Apr 22 (23) Apr 21 (5) Apr 20 (16) Apr 19 (13) Apr 18 (6) Apr 17 (6) Apr 16 (16) Apr 15 (18) Apr 14 (13) Apr 13 (14) Apr 12 (9) Apr 11 (3) Apr 10 (16) Apr 09 (14) Apr 08 (12) Apr 07 (18) Apr 06 (7) Apr 05 (11) Apr 04 (9) Apr 03 (19) Apr 02 (17) Apr 01 (16) Mar 31 (16) Mar 30 (22) Mar 29 (16) Mar 28 (16) Mar 27 (19) Mar 26 (31) Mar 25 (25) Mar 24 (26) Mar 23 (27) Mar 22 (22) Mar 21 (22) Mar 20 (13) Mar 19 (21) Mar 18 (20) Mar 17 (24) Mar 16 (18) Mar 15 (9) Mar 14 (9) Mar 13 (29) Mar 12 (15) Mar 11 (11) Mar 10 (11) Mar 09 (20) Mar 08 (12) Mar 07 (6) Mar 06 (21) Mar 05 (22) Mar 04 (19) Mar 03 (9) Mar 02 (20) Mar 01 (11) Feb 28 (11) Feb 27 (27) Feb 26 (15) Feb 25 (18) Feb 24 (17) Feb 23 (19) Feb 22 (24) Feb 21 (10) Feb 20 (14) Feb 19 (25) Feb 18 (16) Feb 17 (19) Feb 16 (23) Feb 15 (8) Feb 14 (11) Feb 13 (25) Feb 12 (16) Feb 11 (12) Feb 10 (18) Feb 09 (12) Feb 08 (14) Feb 07 (8) Feb 06 (27) Feb 05 (28) Feb 04 (24) Feb 03 (17) Feb 02 (20) Feb 01 (23) Jan 31 (16) Jan 30 (20) Jan 29 (26) Jan 28 (17) Jan 27 (21) Jan 26 (24) Jan 25 (16) Jan 24 (14) Jan 23 (16) Jan 22 (17) Jan 21 (19) Jan 20 (21) Jan 19 (17) Jan 18 (13) Jan 17 (14) Jan 16 (10) Jan 15 (21) Jan 14 (16) Jan 13 (19) Jan 12 (30) Jan 11 (14) Jan 10 (11) Jan 09 (8) Jan 08 (23) Jan 07 (13) Jan 06 (21) Jan 05 (15) Jan 04 (18) Jan 03 (9) Jan 02 (12) Jan 01 (15) Dec 31 (18) Dec 30 (7) Dec 29 (13) Dec 28 (11) Dec 27 (8) Dec 26 (6) Dec 25 (8) Dec 24 (28) Dec 23 (12) Dec 22 (12) Dec 21 (17) Dec 20 (19) Dec 19 (19) Dec 18 (22) Dec 17 (24) Dec 16 (17) Dec 15 (29) Dec 14 (22) Dec 13 (12) Dec 12 (22) Dec 11 (24) Dec 10 (25) Dec 09 (18) Dec 08 (15) Dec 07 (21) Dec 06 (24) Dec 05 (30) Dec 04 (28) Dec 03 (26) Dec 02 (22) Dec 01 (33) Nov 30 (23) Nov 29 (9) Nov 28 (18) Nov 27 (25) Nov 26 (17) Nov 25 (23) Nov 24 (27) Nov 23 (12) Nov 22 (10) Nov 21 (15) Nov 20 (23) Nov 19 (23) Nov 18 (24) Nov 17 (21) Nov 16 (20) Nov 15 (13) Nov 14 (15) Nov 13 (27) Nov 12 (23) Nov 11 (19) Nov 10 (21) Nov 09 (13) Nov 08 (16) Nov 07 (16) Nov 06 (32) Nov 05 (24) Nov 04 (20) Nov 03 (29) Nov 02 (12) Nov 01 (15) Oct 31 (20) Oct 30 (22) Oct 29 (27) Oct 28 (20) Oct 27 (23) Oct 26 (21) Oct 25 (15) Oct 24 (23) Oct 23 (26) Oct 22 (27) Oct 21 (28) Oct 20 (24) Oct 19 (13) Oct 18 (9) Oct 17 (30) Oct 16 (8) Oct 15 (20) Oct 14 (14) Oct 13 (17) Oct 12 (16) Oct 11 (8) Oct 10 (19) Oct 09 (22) Oct 08 (16) Oct 07 (18) Oct 06 (23) Oct 05 (7) Oct 04 (15) Oct 03 (21) Oct 02 (17) Oct 01 (22) Sep 30 (25) Sep 29 (20) Sep 28 (17) Sep 27 (13) Sep 26 (20) Sep 25 (15) Sep 24 (24) Sep 23 (23) Sep 22 (18) Sep 21 (20) Sep 20 (11) Sep 19 (24) Sep 18 (25) Sep 17 (25) Sep 16 (19) Sep 15 (21) Sep 14 (15) Sep 13 (10) Sep 12 (23) Sep 11 (23) Sep 10 (25) Sep 09 (25) Sep 08 (17) Sep 07 (3) Sep 06 (17) Sep 05 (14) Sep 04 (24) Sep 03 (16) Sep 02 (11) Sep 01 (19) Aug 31 (20) Aug 30 (11) Aug 29 (24) Aug 28 (24) Aug 27 (16) Aug 26 (26) Aug 25 (21) Aug 24 (15) Aug 23 (19) Aug 22 (15) Aug 21 (25) Aug 20 (27) Aug 19 (19) Aug 18 (24) Aug 17 (14) Aug 16 (10) Aug 15 (15) Aug 14 (16) Aug 13 (21) Aug 12 (30) Aug 11 (19) Aug 10 (8) Aug 09 (12) Aug 08 (17) Aug 07 (21) Aug 06 (26) Aug 05 (23) Aug 04 (21) Aug 03 (12) Aug 02 (7) Aug 01 (19) Jul 31 (21) Jul 30 (25) Jul 29 (29) Jul 28 (23) Jul 27 (17) Jul 26 (11) Jul 25 (21) Jul 24 (14) Jul 23 (15) Jul 22 (19) Jul 21 (15) Jul 20 (9) Jul 19 (10) Jul 18 (15) Jul 17 (22) Jul 16 (18) Jul 15 (21) Jul 14 (20) Jul 13 (7) Jul 12 (9) Jul 11 (29) Jul 10 (19) Jul 09 (17) Jul 08 (26) Jul 07 (21) Jul 06 (18) Jul 05 (14) Jul 04 (20) Jul 03 (17) Jul 02 (24) Jul 01 (23) Jun 30 (23) Jun 29 (18) Jun 28 (16) Jun 27 (16) Jun 26 (17) Jun 25 (23) Jun 24 (32) Jun 23 (29) Jun 22 (8) Jun 21 (17) Jun 20 (25) Jun 19 (28) Jun 18 (19) Jun 17 (25) Jun 16 (23) Jun 15 (9) Jun 14 (11) Jun 13 (14) Jun 12 (22) Jun 11 (19) Jun 10 (17) Jun 09 (15) Jun 08 (16) Jun 07 (7) Jun 06 (29) Jun 05 (27) Jun 04 (24) Jun 03 (22) Jun 02 (22) Jun 01 (13) May 31 (9) May 30 (26) May 29 (19) May 28 (15) May 27 (15) May 26 (23) May 25 (13) May 24 (12) May 23 (24) May 22 (13) May 21 (21) May 20 (18) May 19 (16) May 18 (7) May 17 (12) May 16 (25) May 15 (24) May 14 (23) May 13 (19) May 12 (17) May 11 (8) May 10 (6) May 09 (14) May 08 (21) May 07 (26) May 06 (14) May 05 (14) May 04 (3) May 03 (3) May 02 (24) May 01 (13) Apr 30 (15) Apr 29 (24) Apr 28 (24) Apr 27 (11) Apr 26 (8) Apr 25 (13) Apr 24 (27) Apr 23 (15) Apr 22 (21) Apr 21 (19) Apr 20 (17) Apr 19 (8) Apr 18 (20) Apr 17 (27) Apr 16 (27) Apr 15 (21) Apr 14 (8) Apr 13 (8) Apr 12 (7) Apr 11 (7) Apr 10 (22) Apr 09 (15) Apr 08 (15) Apr 07 (17) Apr 06 (14) Apr 05 (5) Apr 04 (12) Apr 03 (19) Apr 02 (17) Apr 01 (19) Mar 31 (25) Mar 30 (13) Mar 29 (9) Mar 28 (16) Mar 27 (23) Mar 26 (22) Mar 25 (17) Mar 24 (25) Mar 23 (16) Mar 22 (13) Mar 21 (24) Mar 20 (27) Mar 19 (20) Mar 18 (24) Mar 17 (17) Mar 16 (11) Mar 15 (6) Mar 14 (20) Mar 13 (28) Mar 12 (30) Mar 11 (20) Mar 10 (21) Mar 09 (12) Mar 08 (8) Mar 07 (17) Mar 06 (20) Mar 05 (19) Mar 04 (15) Mar 03 (17) Mar 02 (8) Mar 01 (12) Feb 28 (16) Feb 27 (17) Feb 26 (8) Feb 25 (23) Feb 24 (15) Feb 23 (8) Feb 22 (10) Feb 21 (24) Feb 20 (14) Feb 19 (24) Feb 18 (19) Feb 17 (27) Feb 16 (13) Feb 15 (11) Feb 14 (15) Feb 13 (13) Feb 12 (13) Feb 11 (21) Feb 10 (16) Feb 09 (15) Feb 08 (10) Feb 07 (17) Feb 06 (21) Feb 05 (17) Feb 04 (14) Feb 03 (23) Feb 02 (5) Feb 01 (8) Jan 31 (17) Jan 30 (22) Jan 29 (23) Jan 28 (10) Jan 27 (24) Jan 26 (12) Jan 25 (9) Jan 24 (12) Jan 23 (19) Jan 22 (19) Jan 21 (14) Jan 20 (21) Jan 19 (12) Jan 18 (8) Jan 17 (20) Jan 16 (14) Jan 15 (23) Jan 14 (8) Jan 13 (20) Jan 12 (9) Jan 11 (7) Jan 10 (18) Jan 09 (11) Jan 08 (18) Jan 07 (13) Jan 06 (12) Jan 05 (12) Jan 04 (11) Jan 03 (10) Jan 02 (9) Jan 01 (9) Dec 31 (12) Dec 30 (11) Dec 29 (6) Dec 28 (9) Dec 27 (13) Dec 26 (15) Dec 25 (8) Dec 24 (6) Dec 23 (8) Dec 22 (5) Dec 21 (6) Dec 20 (14) Dec 19 (17) Dec 18 (14) Dec 17 (14) Dec 16 (13) Dec 15 (9) Dec 14 (9) Dec 13 (11) Dec 12 (16) Dec 11 (18) Dec 10 (4) Dec 09 (24) Dec 08 (11) Dec 07 (19) Dec 06 (6) Dec 05 (26) Dec 04 (15) Dec 03 (20) Dec 02 (17) Dec 01 (11) Nov 30 (10) Nov 29 (18) Nov 28 (21) Nov 27 (10) Nov 26 (22) Nov 25 (16) Nov 24 (12) Nov 23 (8) Nov 22 (18) Nov 21 (9) Nov 20 (17) Nov 19 (16) Nov 18 (16) Nov 17 (5) Nov 16 (9) Nov 15 (21) Nov 14 (17) Nov 13 (20) Nov 12 (16) Nov 11 (13) Nov 10 (9) Nov 09 (10) Nov 08 (16) Nov 07 (15) Nov 06 (18) Nov 05 (19) Nov 04 (16) Nov 03 (11) Nov 02 (5) Nov 01 (17) Oct 31 (17) Oct 30 (21) Oct 29 (9) Oct 28 (16) Oct 27 (6) Oct 26 (6) Oct 25 (16) Oct 24 (18) Oct 23 (14) Oct 22 (17) Oct 21 (10) Oct 20 (6) Oct 19 (8) Oct 18 (11) Oct 17 (12) Oct 16 (14) Oct 15 (19) Oct 14 (15) Oct 13 (11) Oct 12 (9) Oct 11 (10) Oct 10 (23) Oct 09 (13) Oct 08 (15) Oct 07 (20) Oct 06 (13) Oct 05 (4) Oct 04 (16) Oct 03 (17) Oct 02 (17) Oct 01 (20) Sep 30 (17) Sep 29 (9) Sep 28 (8) Sep 27 (14) Sep 26 (20) Sep 25 (19) Sep 24 (13) Sep 23 (11) Sep 22 (9) Sep 21 (5) Sep 20 (8) Sep 19 (21) Sep 18 (12) Sep 17 (20) Sep 16 (16) Sep 15 (10) Sep 14 (6) Sep 13 (18) Sep 12 (14) Sep 11 (24) Sep 10 (17) Sep 09 (16) Sep 08 (16) Sep 07 (10) Sep 06 (20) Sep 05 (13) Sep 04 (23) Sep 03 (14) Sep 02 (12) Sep 01 (11) Aug 31 (11) Aug 30 (13) Aug 29 (18) Aug 28 (14) Aug 27 (21) Aug 26 (10) Aug 25 (8) Aug 24 (10) Aug 23 (17) Aug 22 (15) Aug 21 (14) Aug 20 (20) Aug 19 (20) Aug 18 (7) Aug 17 (9) Aug 16 (11) Aug 15 (12) Aug 14 (14) Aug 13 (19) Aug 12 (14) Aug 11 (6) Aug 10 (12) Aug 09 (7) Aug 08 (18) Aug 07 (16) Aug 06 (16) Aug 05 (20) Aug 04 (12) Aug 03 (8) Aug 02 (12) Aug 01 (14) Jul 31 (16) Jul 30 (16) Jul 29 (11) Jul 28 (8) Jul 27 (9) Jul 26 (17) Jul 25 (20) Jul 24 (17) Jul 23 (11) Jul 22 (18) Jul 21 (7) Jul 20 (10) Jul 19 (14) Jul 18 (11) Jul 17 (15) Jul 16 (12) Jul 15 (10) Jul 14 (8) Jul 13 (8) Jul 12 (17) Jul 11 (18) Jul 10 (16) Jul 09 (13) Jul 08 (10) Jul 07 (12) Jul 06 (8) Jul 05 (16) Jul 04 (14) Jul 03 (17) Jul 02 (13) Jul 01 (16) Jun 30 (19) Jun 29 (7) Jun 28 (19) Jun 27 (21) Jun 26 (27) Jun 25 (23) Jun 24 (23) Jun 23 (12) Jun 22 (9) Jun 21 (18) Jun 20 (15) Jun 19 (24) Jun 18 (21) Jun 17 (13) Jun 16 (9) Jun 15 (9) Jun 14 (18) Jun 13 (24) Jun 12 (18) Jun 11 (23) Jun 10 (25) Jun 09 (24) Jun 08 (27) Jun 07 (5) Jun 06 (25) Jun 05 (30) Jun 04 (23) Jun 03 (22) Jun 02 (16) Jun 01 (17) May 31 (18) May 30 (19) May 29 (17) May 28 (23) May 27 (15) May 26 (10) May 25 (19) May 24 (16) May 23 (16) May 22 (27) May 21 (20) May 20 (26) May 19 (6) May 18 (8) May 17 (20) May 16 (8) May 15 (18) May 14 (5) May 13 (21) May 12 (9) May 11 (8) May 10 (12) May 09 (18) May 08 (11) May 07 (27) May 06 (12) May 05 (16) May 04 (19) May 03 (14) May 02 (18) May 01 (18) Apr 30 (25) Apr 29 (27) Apr 28 (11) Apr 27 (10) Apr 26 (18) Apr 25 (10) Apr 24 (29) Apr 23 (29) Apr 22 (14) Apr 21 (15) Apr 20 (20) Apr 19 (22) Apr 18 (16) Apr 17 (32) Apr 16 (12) Apr 15 (21) Apr 14 (21) Apr 13 (15) Apr 12 (13) Apr 11 (14) Apr 10 (16) Apr 09 (20) Apr 08 (36) Apr 07 (22) Apr 06 (11) Apr 05 (28) Apr 04 (20) Apr 03 (29) Apr 02 (32) Apr 01 (18) Mar 31 (12) Mar 30 (9) Mar 29 (15) Mar 28 (22) Mar 27 (24) Mar 26 (17) Mar 25 (17) Mar 24 (13) Mar 23 (5) Mar 22 (12) Mar 21 (15) Mar 20 (18) Mar 19 (19) Mar 18 (16) Mar 17 (10) Mar 16 (6) Mar 15 (18) Mar 14 (24) Mar 13 (18) Mar 12 (18) Mar 11 (17) Mar 10 (13) Mar 09 (12) Mar 08 (18) Mar 07 (25) Mar 06 (16) Mar 05 (16) Mar 04 (22) Mar 03 (17) Mar 02 (6) Mar 01 (23) Feb 29 (19) Feb 28 (25) Feb 27 (26) Feb 26 (23) Feb 25 (12) Feb 24 (13) Feb 23 (15) Feb 22 (26) Feb 21 (31) Feb 20 (12) Feb 19 (21) Feb 18 (15) Feb 17 (10) Feb 16 (15) Feb 15 (19) Feb 14 (15) Feb 13 (25) Feb 12 (20) Feb 11 (9) Feb 10 (7) Feb 09 (28) Feb 08 (20) Feb 07 (22) Feb 06 (20) Feb 05 (19) Feb 04 (14) Feb 03 (16) Feb 02 (28) Feb 01 (37) Jan 31 (27) Jan 30 (31) Jan 29 (18) Jan 28 (14) Jan 27 (10) Jan 26 (18) Jan 25 (26) Jan 24 (34) Jan 23 (21) Jan 22 (21) Jan 21 (18) Jan 20 (18) Jan 19 (18) Jan 18 (26) Jan 17 (24) Jan 16 (23) Jan 15 (30) Jan 14 (20) Jan 13 (18) Jan 12 (24) Jan 11 (11) Jan 10 (23) Jan 09 (22) Jan 08 (17) Jan 07 (17) Jan 06 (9) Jan 05 (18) Jan 04 (15) Jan 03 (19) Jan 02 (14) Jan 01 (6) Dec 31 (12) Dec 30 (4) Dec 29 (15) Dec 28 (11) Dec 27 (7) Dec 26 (10) Dec 25 (16) Dec 24 (13) Dec 23 (16) Dec 22 (11) Dec 21 (26) Dec 20 (28) Dec 19 (14) Dec 18 (25) Dec 17 (23) Dec 16 (19) Dec 15 (22) Dec 14 (38) Dec 13 (26) Dec 12 (25) Dec 11 (27) Dec 10 (31) Dec 09 (15) Dec 08 (30) Dec 07 (31) Dec 06 (27) Dec 05 (38) Dec 04 (25) Dec 03 (27) Dec 02 (15) Dec 01 (36) Nov 30 (23) Nov 29 (17) Nov 28 (23) Nov 27 (13) Nov 26 (16) Nov 25 (14) Nov 24 (18) Nov 23 (21) Nov 22 (21) Nov 21 (24) Nov 20 (20) Nov 19 (23) Nov 18 (17) Nov 17 (17) Nov 16 (34) Nov 15 (25) Nov 14 (17) Nov 13 (21) Nov 12 (18) Nov 11 (9) Nov 10 (15) Nov 09 (9) Nov 08 (9) Nov 07 (12) Nov 06 (8) Nov 05 (4) Oct 29 (1) Oct 01 (1) Jul 29 (1) May 11 (1) Jul 11 (1)
Yes, you can transfer your domain to any registrar or hosting company once you have purchased it. Since domain transfers are a manual process, it can take up to 5 days to transfer the domain.

Domains purchased with payment plans are not eligible to transfer until all payments have been made. Please remember that our 30-day money back guarantee is void once a domain has been transferred.

For transfer instructions to GoDaddy, please click here.
Staying out of debt is easier said than done, I know. However, its something you can do, and its something you should be practicing everyday. As Christians, we are in this world, but we are
Nov 13, 2017 | By Benedict

A 3D printed skull has helped an Australian infant survive a birth complication. Baby Sophia, from Perth, was born with bone fused over her nasal cavity, and could not breathe without a ventilator. Surgeons used a 3D printed model to get a better look at the skull before operating.

Sometimes, when you have a cold or are suffering from allergies, it gets hard to breathe because your nose is so stuffed up. But imagine how much worse it would be if you had solid bone closing up your nostrils.

Thats how Sophia, a young baby from Perth, was actually born.

When mother Brooke Seidel gave birth to little Sophia, she couldnt hear any crying. This was cause for concern for all around, and doctors had to carry out immediate treatment on the baby.

It's not an easy sight when you see a minute old baby and they're doing compressions on her chest, the mother said. We didn't know if she was going to make it.

The lack of crying was because baby Sophia couldnt breathe properlydue to bone having fused over her nasal cavity. At this point, however, doctors hadnt yet diagnosed the problem, and had to put the baby on a ventilator to keep her alive while they examined her.

When the problem was spotted, Dr Jenn Han, a surgeon at Princess Margaret Hospital, asked biomedical engineers if a plastic 3D printed model could be made depicting Sophias weird skull.

Han was preparing to perform the surgery on Sophia, but wanted to get a better feel for the exact shape and size of the babys head before operating.

She was born fairly small for her age as well, and whether the instruments were going to fit in her nose was one of the most important considerationswhether I could do the surgery on such a small baby, Han said.

Once the model skull had been 3D printed using visual data acquired from CT scans, Han was able to use her surgical instruments and see whether they would do the trick for the procedure required. Because of Sophias size, Han had to use the kind of instruments normally used on ear canal surgeries.

Thankfully, the 3D printed model offered positive signs that the surgery would be possible, and Han then used the replica skull to explain to Sophias parents what would happen.

I was able to explain to Sophia's parents exactly what condition it is because its so hard to draw for them to visualise what's going on, Han said. We could see exactly the scope of what needed to be done and to make sure that the surgeon had the right tools that would fit properly in her nose.

The 3D printed model also meant surgery could be carried out in a shorter time, which meant Sophia didnt have to be under anaesthetic for quite so long.

The newborn may have to undergo a few more procedures before shes fully fit and well, but the 3D printing-assisted procedure has done its job for the time being.

Its something her parents will never forget either: theyve kept the 3D printed skull!

Posted in 3D Printing Application

Maybe you also like:












Nov 13, 2017 | By David

As 3D printing expands, regions that were previously new to the technology are starting to find themselves at the forefront of research. A new 3D printing center is due to be opened in France, in the northern part of the country. Hot on the heels of the opening of Addimadour, a new metal 3D printing center in Bayonne, the city of Tincques will soon see the establishment of the headquarters of 3D Partners. 3D Partners is the 3D printing arm of the Economic Interest Group (GIE).

The GIE consists of five businesses local to the area: Elanplast, based in Tincques, 3D Perspectives of Arras, Desailly de Bouzincourt in the Somme, 3D Metal Print in Saint-Omer and 3D FT Lab based in Bailleul. Together they are jointly contributing towards the development of different technologies, with 3D printing being a key focus. 3D Partners will now be capable of gathering all its expertise, knowledge and resources together in the one location. The site will be capable of making composite, metal and plastic products, for a huge range of different applications.

Around half a million Euros have been invested in the construction of the new headquarters. The building will cover an area of around 375 square meters, on several stages, and it should be finished sometime towards the end of 2018.

The site for the construction of the new headquarters was officially sold by the president of the Artois intercommunal committee, Michel Seroux recently, ready for building work to get underway. The plot is on the Ecopolis Industrial Park, and is around 2600 square meters.

Beyond manufacturing, there is all the... portion-engineering that will enable us to design and model the parts our customers need " said Arnaud Pommier, chief executive of plastics firm Elanplast, which is leading the collaboration. "3D printings growth is continuous in the industry. It offers beautiful perspectives, whether for designers, in textile, and even in concrete construction''.

France has been looking to increase its 3D printing influence for a couple of years now, with a number of private and state initiatives providing funding for various businesses and research and development projects. 3D printing expert PolyShape, known for producing Europes largest 3D printed components for the aerospace industry, is based in the country, as are Dassault Systemes and Prodways, two other major players. PolyShape recently co-founded FAIR, a multi-million Euro initiative to develop more advanced additive manufacturing processes and techniques in France.

Posted in 3D Printer Company

Maybe you also like:












by Leanne Ogasawara

I wrote about Piero della Francesca's the Flagellation of Christ in my post about my botched Piero Pilgrimage of 2015. A woman of many mangled pilgrimages, this one continues to haunt me. Perhaps Piero's most famous picture, there are numerous explanations for what is being depicted. The conventional understanding of the left side is understood to be of Christ being flogged by the Romans, while Pilate looking like the Ottoman Sultan sits watching off to the side. Hence, the picture's title. But who are those three people on the right and why are they so oblivious to the cruelty going on?

British art historian John Pope-Hennessy, whose essay on the Piero Pilgrimage is in my top three essays of all time, doesn't think it is Christ at all being floggedbut rather, Saint Jerome.

Do you recall Saint Jerome's Dream?

To attain the kingdom of heaven, Jerome had left everything and headed off toward Jerusalem to wage holy war. Prepared to meet any enemy and to undergo any hardship, the one thing he found it surprisingly hard to give up was his library of beloved books. And so he made a pact with himself to undergo all the necessary hardships and to fast by day so as to reward himself at night in reading Cicero. It was just his little secret and everything was going well enoughuntil he had that dream. Hauled before the "Judgement seat of the Judge," he was asked who and what he was (because people back then could be asked to whom they belong).

I am a Christian, he said meekly (for he really had been fasting and was all skin and bones).

But He who presided said: Thou liest, thou art a follower of Cicero and not of Christ. For where thy treasure is, there will thy heart be also.

His lord then ordered him scourged.

Waking up from this troubling dream, Jerome decided in his heart to devote himself to the study of the Book of God, not to the books of men for, as some translations have it, he had to prove that he was not a "Ciceronian" but a Christian.

Not surprisingly, Saint Jerome became very adept at translating the ancient Greek and Hebrew languages. Making the first Latin translation of the Bible, he is the patron saint of translators.

++

A translator myself, last autumn, I wrote a post here called Romance of the Red Dictionaries. About my experiences thinking and dreaming in Japanese, the post explored the surprise I felt over time in seeing myself transformed by the language. I was in many ways a "different person" in Japanese. I really think I was nicer at least. I also laughed more. My experiences in Japan are something I would never trade for anything. And lately I've been toying with the idea of taking up a new language. I would never have the energy to master another difficult language again as we all know that language learning is definitely an activity for the young, with their plastic minds and ability to learn by heart. But how about a "dead language," one where we would only be talking about reading ability? So, I have been playing around with the idea of learning Latin in my old age. How hard could that be, right? (That was a joke!)

But speaking of getting outside one's comfort zone, I am auditing another class at Caltech. This time in history. Taught by intellectual superhero Nicolas Wey Gmez, we are reading all kinds of wonderful texts from Aristotle to al-Kindi. It is a strange and somehow poignant experience to find oneself sitting with a group of young undergraduates reading the classics again. Can you imagine going back to university again and sitting with the kids? Despite my awkwardness, I am enjoying it immensely! A highlight so far has been Scipio's Dream (or Somnium Scipionis).

Many people say Cicero's prose is the height of Latin beauty. Reading the text, I cannot help but wish I could access its mysteries in the original Latin. In translation, you just can't help but feel somehow locked out.

Scipio's Dream is an extraordinary work written by Cicero around 50 BC. The scene takes place just weeks prior to the last battle of the Third Punic War, which effectively wiped Carthage off the face of the earth. In the story, Scipio the Younger arrives at the court of the King of Numidia (Numidia was the turncoat North African kingdom that had changed sides from Carthage to Rome which hastened Carthage's eventual final destruction). There, Scipio has a dream in which he is visited by his adopted grandfather, Scipio Africanus the Elder, who was the great Roman war hero of the Second Punic War. Scipio Africanus the Elder, you will recall, was the man who marched on Carthage to capture Hannibal, the bete noire of the Romans. Scipio the Elder, like Hannibal, was larger than life. And for this feat, Scipio Africanus the Elder secured his place in history as one of the world's greatest generals, "greater than Napoleon" as one book title has it.

So, in the dream, Scipio the Elder appears to his adopted grandson and together they float up to space in a wondrous astral projection dream journey!

It's kind of amazing that in a time when human beings had not yet crossed the oceans, Cicero is able to imagine what the earth is like when viewed from the upper stratosphere. And from their vantage point up above, the two Scipios see the nine spheres that make up the universe. Highest above is the celestial sphere of the fixed stars. From there, they see the other crystalline spheres of Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, the sun, Venus, Mercury, the moon and finally the earth (immovable in the center). Scipio is filled with awe at the vision of this celestial harmony and amazed by the sweet music of the spheres.

Then, Scipio the Elder tells his grandson his future. And this being Cicero, it boils down to heaven having a special place reserved for Roman soldiers who live up to their duty. But as great as Rome may be, seeing how the earth appears as if it is just a speck in the expanse of the celestial heavens above, Scipio the Younger notices that smaller still is Rome. Indeed, Scipio can hardly believe how insignificant the empire appears from space. All this trouble and for what?

A great orb when seen from above (and don't let anyone ever tell you otherwise since human beings have know the earth was a sphere since ancient times), Scipio then describes the earth as divided into five zones or belts. With two polar regions that are inhospitable to human life being frigid cold in extremis, so too is the central tropical belt described as being burning red hot and inhospitable to human life. There remained two temperate zones. The first was the inhabited world of the three continents (Europe, Asia and Africa) as the ancients knew it; while the other was a terra incognita zone in the southern antipodes. According to Cicero, the known world and the unknown world were separated by a great distance (or of unsurpassable waters) so that in the end, being thus cut off from one another, Rome's domain was limited and circumscribed.

Stoic Balance in all things, after all.

We like to reduce our histories to reductionistic and easy to tell stories. But history is so much richer than the tales we tell about what happened back then. Even if they hadn't worked out all the details, the people of the late antiquity and the early middle ages were certainly not anti-science in the way the modern meme has it. No, they were grappling with many theories and trying to come reconcile them all. As Professor Nicolas Wey Gmez said about Plotinus, for example, faced with the resurfacing of Aristotle the people of the time sought hard to "reconcile" the various theories. For Plato was smart and Aristotle was smart and surely they both must be right? This reminds me a lot of CS Lewis' wonderful essay (also in my top three list) on Imagination and Thought in the Middle Ages, in which he described the medieval man not as a dreamer or spiritual adventurer but more like an obsessive organizer and codifier. They were, he suggested, a literate people who had lost all their books and like some kind of shipwreck castaways who wash ashore with just a few of their greatest books, they sought to rebuild their civilization. Georgetown University philosopher Daniel N. Robinson once remarked that if you want to really understand what the Renaissance was in terms of science and philosophy, you shouldn't look at 15th century Florence at all but rather you should instead turn your eyes to the Hellenistic Islamic world of the 11th century and the medieval universities of Europe (Bologna, Paris and Oxford) of the 12th century.

Thinking of this image of a civilization in ruins trying to rebuild with what books they had left is an image taken up the recent book, Learning to Die in the Anthropocene, by Roy Scranton. I've written about this book before here in these pages. And I highly recommend this one to you. Ostensibly about climate change, the short book is really a brilliant meditation on death. Convinced there is no rolling back the damage, the book is about ways of facing the end of civilization. And Scranton wants us to learn from Rome. We don't want to have to rebuild like those shipwreck survivors of the early middle ages trying to frantically recreate all the knowledge that was lost. And so much has already been lost. We must, therefore, make a concerted effort, he says, to conserve our ecological and our civilizational heritage. We need to look at the big picture.

And what about the big view and the view from above?

There is another famous scene about Scipio the Younger that I have long loved. Described by the Greek historian Polybius, who had traveled along with the famous emperor to Carthage to witness the last battle of the Third Punic War and the utter destruction of Carthage. He wrote in his history that Scipio, after a long siege, swept in to inflict defeat on the Carthaginians and razed the city to the ground. Anyone not killed was sold into slavery and the city buildings and its walls were all destroyed. The final moments of the battle have been told and retold. The Carthaginian general, hoping to at least spare any final suffering after he realized that all was lost, had left the citadel to surrender, to the disgust of his wife, who yelling insults at his cowardice leapt with her children into the fires. The entire city was, by that time on fire. And then as the Greek historian Polybius stood by his side, Scipio with tears streaming down his cheeks, was said to have cried out a sentence from Homer:

A day will come when sacred Troy shall perish,

And Priam and his people shall be slain.

The Greek historian was deeply moved by this; for as all historians know the victors always re-write history. And, not just that. For there is such a thing as Homeric destiny, and hence, just as Troy fell, and now Carthage falls, so too shall one day Rome be destroyed as well. Indeed, if we aren't careful perhaps generations from now a curious little girl will dream of reading Moby Dick, translated into Japanese, in that original and sadly dead language called English.

++

Cicero Scipio's Dream in Harpers

The Tropics of Empire: Why Columbus Sailed South to the Indies, by Nicolas Wey Gomez

Romance of the Red Dictionaries

Posts about my favorite essays: The Best Picture in the World (Pope-Hennessy) & Snow on Hawaii (CS Lewis) & Hot Gates (William Golding)
by Bill Benzon

Also known as Tottle and Stutter. But the real name was Tudor and Stuart: The Tudor and Stuart Club.

The Tudor and Stuart Club was a literary society at The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore  yes, they insist upon that the before Johns  and I was the club secretary for several years back in the late 1960s and 1970s. I dont know just how that honor came to me. But Id taken many literature courses as an undergraduate, half of them or so with (the now legendary) Richard Macksey and the others with members of the English Department: Earl Wasserman, Donald Howard, D. C. Allen, and J. Hillis Miller. They must have decided that I had a future as a literary critic and so deserved this honor, though, naturally, it came trailing a few pedestrian duties. I was pleased. Im pretty sure it was Dick Macksey who told me.

T&S was established athwart the boundary between those pesky Two Cultures academic reformers are wont to natter on about [1]. The club room was located on the Arts and Sciences campus (where I was), but the Medical School (across town in East Baltimore) had an equal partnership in the clubs affairs. Sir William Osler, FRS, FRCP [2], one of the four founders of The Johns Hopkins Hospital  yes, you read right, Sir in the New World no less  endowed the club in 1918 as a memorial to his son, Edward Revere Osler, who was killed in World War I. Osler was a legendary character, the Father of Modern Medicine, but also a bibliophile and historian. Part of his sons book collection went to the club, along with some of his fishing tackle  at least I think it was his Reveres. But it might have been Sir Williams. I dont rightly recall what I was told at the back then. Anyhow, I assure you, there was fishing tackle in the clubs oak-paneled room in Gilman Hall and it had a distinguished provenance. Had to, it belonged to T&S!

The Tudor and Stuart Club Room, c. 1929

Meetings were organized around an academic presentation, which was followed by cold cuts, tobacco, beer, conversation and, on a good evening, conviviality. As Sir William had been a physician, not a literary scholar or critic, the Medical School contingent and the Arts and Sciences contingent alternated in picking topics and choosing speakers for the monthly meetings.

As secretary it was my duty to go down to the Lexington Market and buy the cold cuts. If meeting minutes were taken and distributed, I didn't know about it. That wasn't my responsibility. I provisioned the meeting [3].

I forget which vendor we bought the cold cuts from, but the club had an account. I would be offered samples each time I made the monthly purchase. Pastrami, corned beef, roast beef, ham  I guess. Id sample each, nod my approval, and the requisite poundage would be sliced, wrapped, and placed in shopping bags, one for each hand. I must have bought some cheese somewhere  not that I actually remember doing so, but Im just saying so out of the principle of the thing, along with the bread and condiments. These things are all necessary, no? And, as they couldnt materialize out of thin air, I must have purchased them and transported them back to the club room on meeting day.

But not before Id been to Faders tobacco shop to buy the tobacco, boxes of Sher Bidis, cigars, and loose pipe tobacco of various kinds. A couple deep draughts [4] on a Bidi was good for a bright-edged buzz, and perhaps an exchange of knowing winks about inhalants used in more private settings. And sometimes those winks were exchanged between a faculty member and a student.

Oh my!

Have you ever been in a good tobacco shop? The aroma coalesces into an olfactory substance that drapes itself around you, connecting you with the vital organic. It is a delicious illusion.

T&S had a standing order with Faders, which was a good thing, as I surely didnt know anything about purchasing tobacco. The order included the clubs special mix. Who formulated that, and when? I can still smell the shop, well, almost, after five decades.

Id deliver the food and the smokes to the club room and then go over to The Johns Hopkins Faculty Club where I was one of the group that had dinner with the evening's guest speaker. The others would be faculty from both the Medical School and the Arts and Sciences School, as appropriate to the meeting, along with guests and club officers. The only other officer I remember is the curator, Michael Hancher, who was a young assistant professor in the English Department. The club must have had a president, a vice president, and a treasurer, but I dont remember who they were or how they were distributed between the two schools [5]. As far as my memory is concerned, it was just me and Mike. We ran the party.

The worthy who had endowed the Faculty Club back, I believe, in the 1930s, also decreed that each meal should be finished with a cup of sherbet. For some reason I cannot fathom, that worthy believed that culinary elegance required sherbet, and so it was sherbet at the Faculty Club. That was fine with me. I liked sherbet (still do).

We would meet at the bar first. Thats where I learned to drink scotch. Id never had scotch before, not at home, not otherwise at Hopkins. It started with Torpor and Stupor  I jest  at the club. Dont ask me just how that came about, because Id then have to fabricate an answer, which is something Id rather not do. No doubt I followed someones example.

Yes, I was of drinking age by that time.

After a suitable period of lubrication we would repair to a private room for dinner. Was there a linen cloth on the table? Lets say that there was, and reasonable flatware, not pressed tin. How was the food, you ask? I dont remember. What I remember is that T&S had its own bottle of cognac. Once the cognac had been poured and drunk, a mark would be placed on the clubs bottle so we could be sure that no one stole a drink from it between meetings. The bottle must have been stored somewhere, but thats another one of those many minor mysteries on which I am uninformed. Did the Faculty Club have a little cubby where they stored the bottles belonging to various members?

Cognac consumed, we would make our way to the clubs room on the 4th floor of Gilman Hall. I have this vague sense that there may have been occasions when my step was not the steadiest on this saunter. Along with the oak paneling, the books, and the fishing tackle, there was an oriental carpet on the floor [6] and there was a bust of Sir William himself in a shelf nestled in a corner. I believe  though I am to some extent making this up  that the evenings comestibles, smokes, and a keg of beer were kept in the Office of the Humanities Center, which was adjacent to the T&S room. Oh, Im pretty sure of the respective locations of the rooms, and of the door between them. Its the location of the goods Im not sure about. We got to them after the evenings paper and subsequent discussion.

Which was erudite. I have since read that academic jobs sometimes hung in the balance, but I dont remember such things. Ive also read of informal conventions as to who got to ask the first question, at least on literary evenings. No doubt that, as a mere graduate student, I wasnt privy to such politicking. I have this vague, albeit paradoxically specific, recollection of some one occasion when the room was packed. But surely that wasnt always the case. No doubt some presentations were better than others, some discussions better than others. But I have few specific memories about any of that.

One thing that I do remember specifically, however, is that one graduate student, Sister Gertrude, had a wide black leather band sewed to the bottom hem of her habit. The skirt seemed wide, long, and weighty enough to be worthy of a Sufi dervish. THAT I remember, and you can see why. Some referred to her, surreptitiously of course, as the S&M nun.

She was a graduate student in the English Department. At the time the undergraduate school was all male, though that changed in my last year or two at Hopkins. But women were admitted to the graduate school. And of course there were some on the faculty. Phoebe Stantons two semester introduction to art history was legendary, and for good reason. She was a superb lecturer. Mary Ainsworth introduced me to primate ethology in an independent study course I took with her on infant-mother attachment [7]. But the English Department faculty as all male at the time.

Sister Gertrude was not the only woman at those T&S meetings. I remember another graduate student, whod taught my discussion section in Earl Wassermans course on Romantic Literature. And then theres the woman who was the wife of one of the young medical school professors. Thats three women I remember specifically, though only one of them in any detail. Surely there were others. After all, women constitute half the worlds population.

But, in the logic of the thing, at Hopkins and at that time they must still have been greatly out-numbered by the men. And, you know what, I dont remember more than one or three of the men either, that is not specifically. Sure, Wasserman, Miller, Allen, Macksey and so forth, they must have been there. I say that, not because I have specific memories of them at specific meetings  dont have many memories of specific meetings  but because they were at Hopkins in the late 1960s and early 1970s and so must have attended T&S meetings, drinks and dinner before hand has.

I do, however, remember Mike Hancher, the young assistant professor who was the clubs curator. He had an elegant apartment in a new building on the south edge of Wyman park at the southern edge of the Arts and Sciences campus. What I remember is late at night, after the questions had been made and answered, after intellectual reputations had been hazarded and forgotten, after the condiments had been spread and the cold cuts ingested, after the beer had been quaffed and jokes shared, after the pipes had been filled and the tobacco transubstantiated into tastes, aromas, ash and memories, after friendships had been joined, affirmed, and confirmed, after all that, Mike and I had to stick around and conduct the unconsumed beer through a tube and down a drain.

At 2AM.

Why, pray tell, did we do that, waste all that perfectly fine beer? Once upon a time a custodian came upon a keg after a meeting. It still had beer in it. He proceeded to rectify that situation and consequently did something  I dont know what  that got him fired. Maybe just for being drunk. Anyhow, the club decided that it couldnt allow that to happen again. If there was any beer left in the keg at the end of the night, the curator and secretary would have to empty it out [8].

Hancher left for the University of Minnesota at the end of the 1972 academic year. In the Fall of 1973 I shuffled off to Buffalo [9] to get a Ph.D. in English. I took a course on Traditional Forms of the Narrative from Bruce Jackson, who was married to Diane Christian, aka Sister Gertrude. She had left the order and married Bruce, a folklorist and documentarian. In 1983 they released Out of Order [10], a documentary about six nuns whod left religious life. She was named SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor in 1997. In 1981 Michael Hancher published an early article of mine in Centrum: Working Papers of the Minnesota Center for Advanced Studies in Language, Style, and Literary Theory [11]. These days both of us are interested in digital humanities.

I havent been back to Hopkins in years. But Ive never left the Old School, even if Im cruising cyberspace many hours a day.

Veritas vos liberabit.

Notes

[1] Ive been listening to laments about the gap between these two cultures for 50 years and little has changed. I conclude the discussion isnt serious. Its mostly penance undertaken as an ethical price paid for keeping things the way they ARE.

[2] If youre curious about the initials, look them up. Id guess that F is Fellow and R is Royal. S is likely Society. I leave the rest as an exercise for the reader.

[3] I wonder just how the duties of club secretary are spelled out in the bylaws.

[4] British spelling, you know.

[5] No doubt spelled out in the bylaws.

[6] I believe Dick Macksey arranged for it. Through a dealer on Greenmount Avenue? I remember him remarking that it was an OK carpet, but no more. I remember this because it seemed fine to me. Remember that carpet Henry James made a big deal of? Of what quality and tribe? Woven by young girls?

[7] She had worked with (Sir) John Bowlby in Britain and done field work on mother-infant interaction in Africa. She had a prepublication copy of his Attachment, Vol. 1, which I read in a mimeograph copy of the typescript.

[8] I cant imagine that this particular duty was spelled out in the clubs bylaws. No doubt it would have been allowed under a such tasks as deemed necessary provision of some kind.

[9] Yeah, I had to say it. The devil made me do it. BTW, that was the catch phrase of Flip Wilson, a comedian born in Jersey City, where Ive lived most of the last two decades. Im now in Hoboken.

[10] Diane Christian and Bruce Jackson, Out of Order, Documentary Educational Resources, 89 min, 1983. http://www.der.org/films/out-of-order.html

[11] You can download the whole issue at this link: http://conservancy.umn.edu/handle/11299/164588
by Evert Cilliers (visuals by David Thall)

1. Actor Kevin Spacey:

"All my life I've gone around groping other men, or falling on them bodily when I was drunk. And I never got into trouble about it until Harvey Weinstein blew it all up for us sex harassers. Now they've gone and canceled my series House of Cards that everyone loved. Is this fair to the audience who was waiting breathlessly for the next season? And is this right for me as an actor? Heck, my reputation as a sex harasser could've added depth to my immoral character in the series. They could've written a few sexual gropings for my character in the next season, which would've made it very topical. I could've done a great acting job because it would've been based on my own experience. Now all this great acting opportunity is buggered because of Harvey Weinstein. Harvey Weinstein, you effing douchebag! You've messed things up for me. I hope you get arrested and go to jail for how you've ruined my life."

2. Director James Toback: "Until that moron Harvey Weinstein screwed things up for us sex harassers, I had a great time sexually harassing my way among all the juicy actresses in Hollywood until 310 women complained. 310 actresses! Imagine that! Bill O'Reilly and Cosby, I bet you guys never came close to my record. I'm the king of sex harassers. Then Harvey came along and ruined everything for us powerful men who got off on thrusting our pelvises at women who wanted it anyway. Harvey, you utter asshole! You've screwed things up for me forever. I might never get consensual sex with any respectable woman ever again. Am I reduced to finding five-dollar hookers to suck me off on Hollywood Boulevard? I never thought my life would turn out to be as hard as my dick until Harvey screwed things up for me."

3. Pundit Mark Halperin: "Listen, I wrote Game Change, which was such a good book about the 2008 presidential election that HBO filmed it. I was a pundit revered by everyone. So I groped a few chicks who had the gall to stand so close to me that I couldn't help just reaching out and putting my hand in a few intimate places. Heck, boys will be boys  can we help it if a woman comes within handy groping distance? Harvey, you complete idiot! How could you go and ruin the career of a respected pundit who was only an occasional groper, and never raped anyone seriously for real that I can remember, but just put his hand where women don't expect it to be put, although it's their fault really, because they have these places on their bodies where a man's hand automatically goes to?"

4. Fox News TV Star Bill O'Reilly: "Listen, I got fired from Fox News because the sons of Rupert Murdoch weren't as mature as him when it came to matters of sexual harassment. These young guys, what do they know? They're into consensual sex. Do they have the know-how to appreciate the pleasures of non-consensual sex? No. They lack my experience. But now Harvey comes along, and he's ruined my career even more after my career was already ruined. As I said to Roger Ailes the other day just before he died, probably from grief over all these rumors about him poking his dick at places where it supposedly was unwanted  how can guys like us get other big jobs now, jobs that are powerful, so powerful that we can sexually harass all the women under us, who should be really right under us, ha-ha-ha, if you get my meaning?"

5. Ex-President Herbert Walker Bush:

"So I'm in a wheelchair, ferchrissake, so how can I be a sexual harasser? My arm is just at the height of the lower half of a woman's body, so my hand naturally falls on the lower waist of any woman standing next to me for an innocent photo opportunity. To be precise, my hand falls on a woman's butt, without me being able to do anything about it being as I'm in a wheelchair. So what do I do? I give that butt a few reassuring pats because my hand is there. And I think my funny joke really excuses the whole thing, when I say so everyone can hear me while my hand is on the women's ass: Do you know who my favorite magician is? David Cop-a-Feel!' People shouldn't be making such a fuss, especially with me having Parkinson's so I get a bit whacked out sometimes with my hand not knowing where it is making women uncomfortable, who shouldn't be uncomfortable, because this is a hand that signed many great bills into Acts of Congress."

6. Comedian Bill Cosby:

"When my case comes up again, the jury is going to be totally against me because of this damn Weinstein business, and I think Harvey should be sued for placing me in this invidious position when my trial starts again because I just fed a harmless drug to some women who met me to discuss their careers whom I was willing to promote if they just let my winkie into their podinkies for a few satisfying thrusts that would've hurt nobody really when you consider the advantages to their careers."

7. Politician Anthony Wiener:

"This Harvey Weinstein business is going to make me look even worse than before, even though I'm paying for my sins in goddam jail because of sexting with an under-age girl who hit on me first, dammit what is a man supposed to do when a woman you never met starts texting sexy dirty come-on stuff to you over the internet? Besides, it was a compulsion on my part, and can't a man be excused for compulsive behavior? You're compulsivized by some demon, so it's not your fault  they should put the demon in jail, not you yourself. I never groped or fucked anyone, I just sexted, dammit, and here I am in jail. These women didn't complain when I sent them dick pics, did they? Shouldn't women see my Carlos Danger dick when it's such a good size, a dick as big as the dick I am?"

8. Director Roman Polanski:

"Now I'll never be able to return to Hollywood, the place of my greatest triumphs, or win an Oscar again, even if I make a picture as good as Chinatown or The Pianist for which the Oscar voters gave me an Oscar even though they knew I raped an under-age girl-child. This Weinstein business has really screwed things up for me. Heck, I might not be able to get financing for a movie again."



9. DJ David Mueller (he groped Taylor Swift's ass):

"Listen, she was standing next to me, and I always thought she had a cute ass. So what I was doing when I put my hand on her ass and squeezed it with my fingers trying to reach deep in her butt crack? I was simply worshipping her talent. But did she appreciate my groping worship in honor of her fabulousness? No, she got all uppity and got me fired two days later because she mentioned this minor act of worship to my bosses in a bad light, and then humiliated me in the court case when she was all confident and everything. Just for a grope I was ruined. Heck, if she weren't a celebrity, nothing might have happened like with other women whose asses I've worshipped in the past which we don't need to mention now."

10. Magazine Editor Leon Wieseltier:

"My life is over, and I'm still only in my sixties. I've been fired from every position  my Brookings Institution stripped me of my fellowship, the Atlantic doesn't want my contributions anymore, this wealthy widow who was going to finance a new magazine for me, went AWOL on me. All just because when I ran The New Republic, my widely admired magazine, I kissed a whole bunch of young women full on the mouth against their wishes; I described their bodies to them, really a rather complimentary act at the time, I thought; I recounted my own sexual exploits in detail to them, which I was only doing just in case they wanted to add to these exploits; I sputtered obscenities at them, and apparently this brought tears and shame to females under my power. Everyone on the New Republic knew about this, but no one on the staff, man or woman, had the courage to call me out then, so why are they doing it now? Most unfair. All because of you, Weinstein  didn't you know the risk you were taking, the risk that you'd be ruining the careers of other sex assaulters besides yourself? You really let the team down when you couldn't keep your shenanigans out of the newspaper anymore. I know you tried to shut down that New York Times article and Rose McGowan by hiring Mossad agents and star lawyer David Boies, whom I commend for trying to protect you, but you should've tried harder."

11. Islam Scholar and Oxford University Professor Tariq Ramadan:

"I will not let these women who say I raped them get away with it. Henda Ayari, this French Muslim author hussy, says, "I considered him like a father figure." Good for her. But then she turned around and claimed I assaulted and raped her when she met me in a hotel suite in Paris in 2012. She says I slapped her in the face when she resisted and she says, to quote her, "He told me I came for that, and I deserved what I got. That I didn't wear the veil, so I was a prostitute." Now there's another women who said I raped her. How dare they accuse an Islamic scholar like me with a prestigious job at Oxford University? I'm not going to lay down and just take it like those American wimps Bill O'Reilly, Kevin Spacey, James Toback, Mark Halperin, Leon Wieseltier and Harvey Weinstein, although I wish Harvey hadn't done all those things that now has given the brotherhood of sex harassers a bad name. These guys are Christians, and they don't know how to fight back. I will demolish these women, and I will make them feel really raped when I screw them over in my defamation suits."

12. Fox News Boss Roger Ailes:

"It's very hot here where I'm spending the rest of my dead days, but I still feel I have to complain that Harvey Weinstein has queered the pitch even for us dead sexual harassers. Satan has given me extra hurt time in the Flaming Pitchforks Room, all because of that moron Weinstein. Harvey, you prick, how dare you give Beelzebub the motive to burn my dick even more than he already has?"

13. GOP Senate Candidate Roy Moore:

"Here's this woman who lies about something that supposedly happened a million years ago when she was 14 and I was in my thirties, and I'm 70 now.

"She says I took off her shirt and pants and removed my clothes. She says I touched her over her bra and underpants, and guided her hand to touch my erection over my underwear. She remembers thinking, I wanted it over with  I wanted out. Please just get this over with. Whatever this is, just get it over.' She asked me to take her home, and I did.

"Now I ask you, if another guy had done this, not me, let's try this thought experiment.

"1. My pal Alabama state auditor Jim Ziegler said this: Take the Bible. Zachariah and Elizabeth, for instance. Zachariah was extremely old to marry Elizabeth, and they became the parents of John the Baptist. Also take Joseph and Mary. Mary was a teenager, and Joseph was an adult carpenter. They became parents of Jesus. There's just nothing immoral or illegal here. Maybe just a little bit unusual.' See, there's a precedent for this in the Bible, a divine tradition, so how can it be bad?

"2. This happened in the south, known for a tradition of incest, where Jerry Lee Lewis long ago established a tradition of older men going out with under-age girls; he even married a 15-year-old. At least the man in our thought experiment didn't sleep with his sister, so what he did was not so bad.

"3. The girl was 14, not 9, so I don't think it's right to call the thought-experiment guy a pedophile. He didn't even sleep with her, so it's not statutory rape either, so it was not so bad. He took her home, which I think was nice of the thought-experiment guy. It shows he had her welfare in mind, so it was not so bad.

"4. Since I'm not this thought-experiment guy, at all, I've written to my fellow-Christians as follows: The Obama-Clinton Machine's liberal media lapdogs just launched the most vicious and nasty round of attacks against me I've EVER faced. The forces of evil will lie, cheat, steal  even inflict physical harm  if they believe it will silence and shut up Christian conservatives like you and me. That's why I must be able to count on the help of God-fearing conservatives like you to stand with me at this critical moment.' Then I asked them for an emergency contribution to my campaign.

"5. A Hollywood liberal, Harvey Weinstein, inspired this woman to lie about me, so how can I be bad?"

14. Comedian Louis C.K.:

"I never touched any of these offended women, I merely masturbated in front of them. So I'm not as bad as all these other guys. Besides, I asked first before I pulled my organ out in front of them. And I gave a great apology when it all came out, so I think I'll be forgiven in a few weeks after all this blows over, and everybody remembers how bad everyone else was, especially Harvey Weinstein, for getting me into this mess, when all I did was masturbate. Heck, I wouldn't mind a woman masturbating in front of me, so why should a woman mind me masturbating in front of her? And I came on myself, not on them, after all. There was not a smidgen of sperm on any woman when I was done, so I think my fans will forgive me."

15. Movie Producer Harvey Weinstein:

"I have already apologized for my behavior to those women who were offended by my behavior towards them, although it was all consensual as far as I am concerned, and furthermore, there are women who had stunning careers because they allowed me to put my porksword in their doodahs, and I haven't seen any of them complain to the media about how much their careers advanced because they were nice to me, unlike the women who were not very humane and accommodating, and are now complaining all over the place to the point that I might be arrested for my behavior by the NYPD or the London bobbies for behavior that I'd been doing for many decades that furthered the careers of many actresses who knew on which side of the bread their future was buttered. But now I wish to apologize to all my fellow harassing bros, the brotherhood of sexual harassers, whom I have let down terribly by having my behavior exposed by those two female journalists on the NY Times who, by the way, I wouldn't have harassed at all since they're not nearly as fuckable as all these juicy Hollywood actresses. Sorry, guys, that I have made life so complicated for you, and actually ruined many of your lives. I think we should stand together, us brothers in sexual harassment, and not forget that we are the true victims here, since we have helped many women advance in life and it only costs them a few moments of our pleasure with them. What could we do, they looked so delicious, and we knew we could help them in their careers, we felt we had to help them, and all we required from them was a little help with our erections which their presence had caused in the first place. These women, they still went ahead and had their lives, and now all the women in the world can complain freely about the brotherhood of sexual harassers, even in France, where their #metoo hashtag is called #BalanceTonPorc, and do you know what that means in English? It means Expose Your Pig.' They hurt us enough by outing us, do they have to insult us by calling us pigs on top of that?"

16. President Donald Trump:

"I thought I should write more than a tweet of a 140 characters about all this sex harassment stuff since Harvey Weinstein, a great guy, has landed in deep doodoo because he harassed a few women who wanted him to further their careers, and all he wanted for the big favor he was going to do them, was a little favor in return, a few minutes of pleasure for him, in exchange for a lifetime of great success for them. That's what I call a good deal, and I'm a master of the art of the deal. The women who made the deal, they got ahead, and those who didn't, well he screwed them over, didn't he? That's what happens when you walk away from a good deal with your eyes open and your vagina snapped shut. Harvey was a celebrity, and this is how it is with celebrities, women let you do anything to them when you are a celebrity, you can grab them by the pussy and all. I mean, I've done it, I know they don't mind if you grab them by the pussy when you're a celebrity. Heck, I'm the president now, the biggest dude on the planet, so now I can look for the most important woman on the planet to grab her by her pussy. Who is the most important woman in the world? Hillary? Angela Merkel? I'd grab them by the pussy any time, except they don't look as good as my daughter Ivanka, whose pussy I'd grab any day if she weren't my daughter."
All the news that's fit to eat.

International Smoke Opens

International Smoke, the delicious collaboration between Ayesha Curry and Michael Mina, opens today in the old RN74 space. The restaurant explores a global approach to cooking with fire, smoke, and the grill; and as such, features dishes like Argentine ribeye, Binchotan grilled lobster, Armenian lamb steak with rice pilaf and feta, and more. The 80-seat restaurant will also have wine and cocktails. // 301 Mission St. (SoMa), michaelmina.net





Munchies Cookbook Party

The folks from Munchies (Vice's foodarm that produces Fuck That's Delicious, The Pizza Show, Chef's Night Out and more) released a new cookbook dubbed MUNCHIES: Late-Night Meals from the World's Best Chefs and is throwing a rad party at Mister Jiu's tonight to celebrate. The Bay Area's best will gather in Brandon Jew's kitchen and cook up recipes from the book, including from Daniel Patterson (Alta Group), Gabriela Camara (Cala), Stuart Brioza and Nicole Krasinski (State Bird Provisions), and Maya Erickson (formerly of Lazy Bear). Drinks will be flowing. // 28 Waverly Pl. (Chinatown), Tickets ($60) include a copy of the book can be purchased on eventbrite.com.









A16 Celebrates Italian Cuisine Week with Collab Dinner

A16 is celebrating Italian Cuisine Week with a collaborative dinner with Michelin-starred Chef Accursio Caparo from Modica, Sicily this Thursday. The menu is still being finalized, but there'll be a la carte options in addition to A16's existing menu, and James Beard Award Winning wine-goddess Shelley Lindgren will be pouring specially imported Il Frappato secured from her winemaker friend Arianna Occhipinti to perfectly pair with the fare. // Thursday November 16th, 2355 Chestnut St. (Marina), a16pizza.com













'Aina Launches Tasting Menu

The Dogpatch's modern Hawaiian restaurant is launching a special new tasting menu at their chef's counter. The "mo'olelo" tasting menu will feature six courses for $60 with optional beverage pairings for $20. The options will change, but expect to find dishes including Hawaiian kanpachi (the best version of poke you just might ever eat), pipikaula made with cured Marin Sun Farms wagyu beef with bone marrow flan on a beef tendon chicharron, pork belly with hand-pounded poi, and more. // 900 22nd St. (Dogpatch), ainasf.com









WesBurger Launches Late Night Menu at The Den

Burger wizard, Wes Rowe, is launching a new late night menu at The Den, "the smallest bar in SF," adjacent to his eponymous restaurant. Expect tasty delights that will undoubtedly satisfy late night munchie cravings such as the double smash burger, brisket sausage corndog, Nashville chicken and tot skewers, and smoked brisket tots. To keep the party going, The Den serves Lo-Fi Apertif-based drinks, Lone Star craft beer, and more. // 2240 Mission St. (Mission), wesburgernmore.com
Independent Research Report



Site Visit Research Note - Sprott Capital Partners

Sydney, Nov 13, 2017 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Lithium Power International Limited ( ASX:LPI ) ( LTHHF:OTCMKTS ) ("LPI" or "the Company") is pleased to advise that Sprott Capital Partners has recently completed a research report on LPI.



Sprott Capital Partners has written this research report following a site visit to the LPI's Maricunga lithium brine project in Chile in October 2017.



The Company hosted Sprott Capital Partners on this site visit but did not commissioned them to write this research report.



To view this report, please visit:

http://abnnewswire.net/lnk/09H3YOPH





About Lithium Power International Ltd





Lithium Power International Limited (ASX:LPI) is a pure-play lithium explorer and developer, focusing on developing and fast-tracking to production the high-grade Maricunga lithium brine project in Chile.

LPI has a well-known performing technical team with the experience to take the Maricunga project all the way through the development stages to production.

The regions that LPI is currently focused on are:

1. Maricunga JV (Chile) - Located within the "Lithium Triangle", Maricunga is Chile's highest grade and most advanced lithium project outside the Salar de Atacama. The project lies 170 km northeast of Copiapo and 250 km from the port of Caldera.

2. Pilbara (Western Australia) - LPI has three granted exploration tenements covering 203 km2 in the Pilbara region of northern Western Australia. The largest granted exploration tenement is the Pilgangoora tenement which is 2-3 km west of the Pilbara Minerals (ASX:PLS) and Altura Mining (ASX:AJM) lithium deposits.

3. Greenbushes (Western Australia) - LPI has two granted exploration tenements covering 400 km2 in the Greenbushes area of southern Western Australia. The tenements are adjacent to the world's largest hard rock lithium mine owned and operated by Tianqi/Talison.

4. Centenario (Argentina) - Through its Argentinian subsidiary, Lithium Power holds a total of seven granted tenements in the Centenario lithium brine salar within the Salta province of the Puna Plateau. In total, the seven granted tenements cover an area of 68.46 km2.

With the exception of the Maricunga JV, all tenements are 100% owned by LPI or LPSA (including rights to the Centenario tenements).


Managing Director Resigns

Sydney, Nov 13, 2017 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Mustang Resources ( ASX:MUS ) ( GGPLF:OTCMKTS ) announces that Christiaan Jordaan has resigned as Managing Director, effective today. He remains as a Non-Executive Director of the Company.



Key Points



- Christiaan Jordaan has resigned as Managing Director for personal reasons and now serves as a Non-Executive Director



- Mustang Chairman Ian Daymond becomes Interim Executive Chairman until a new Managing Director is appointed



- The Board has commenced the search for a new Managing Director



Mustang emphasises that it was Mr Jordaan's decision to resign and the Directors reluctantly accepted his resignation, but are pleased he still serves on the Board.



Mustang Chairman Ian Daymond has agreed to become Interim Executive Chairman until a new managing director is appointed. The search for a new managing director has commenced.



Director Cobus van Wyk remains in charge of the operations in Mozambique and Non-Executive Director Peter Spiers assists on technical matters related to the Montepuez Ruby Project and the Caula Graphite Project.



Mr Daymond thanked Mr Jordaan for the crucial role he played in the Company's growth and development since his appointment as Managing Director in February 2016.



"Mustang has been transformed under Christiaan's leadership," Mr Daymond said. "He has worked successfully and incredibly hard on advancing the Company's mineral projects.



"On behalf of the Board, I thank Christiaan for his immense efforts and dedication to Mustang Resources.



"The Company continues to receive valuable feedback from the first ruby auction and plans to make a further announcement later this week regarding future ruby exploration and marketing strategies."



Mr Jordaan said: "I am proud to have led Mustang Resources as it grew from a junior exploration company to becoming a new entrant in the ruby sector in such a very short period and to having one of the world's highest grade graphite projects, the Caula Graphite Project, with the recently announced maiden JORC Inferred Mineral Resource."



Material terms of Mr Jordaan's employee entitlements on resignation and non-executive director's fee are disclosed in Annexure A hereto.





About New Energy Minerals Ltd





New Energy Minerals Ltd (ASX:NXE) (FRA:GGY) is an ASX listed junior mining company, that recently announced the divestment of the Company's Caula vanadium - graphite project and the Montepuez Ruby project in Mozambique.
Speedcast to Provide Services to 40 Sites Throughout Multiple Countries in South America



Awarded Fully-Managed Communications Contract for Nabors in South America

Sydney, Nov 14, 2017 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Speedcast International Limited ( ASX:SDA ), the world's most trusted provider of highly-reliable, fully-managed, remote communication and IT solutions, today announced that the company has been selected by an affiliate of Nabors Industries Ltd. ( NYSE:NBR ) ("Nabors") to provide new IT communications equipment and cloud-based connectivity services to 40 land-based sites in Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela and Argentina.



Speedcast will leverage satellite Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSAT) connectivity to deliver communications to the remote land-based sites throughout South America. The cloud-based service will be supported by Speedcast's 24x7x365 global customer service centers, with local field engineers in the region to provide fast, reliable support at all times. Speedcast is currently supporting Nabors for similar networks both onshore and offshore in multiple locations around the world.



"Speedcast has operated in South America for many years with a solid local presence- multiple offices, a teleport and full field support team, serving major Energy operators in a region rich with opportunity," says Speedcast's EVP of Energy, Keith Johnson. "We are delighted that Nabors chose us to deliver the same type of solution here that they have trusted us to provide in other regions for years. It is a testament to the level of quality and attention to customer service that we strive to deliver for each and every customer Speedcast serves."



Speedcast holds a leadership position as an end-to-end communications and IT solutions provider for the Energy market with more than 30 years' experience serving customers both onshore and offshore. Supporting 9 of the top 10 global drilling contractors, Speedcast leverages the largest and most robust global network in the mobile satellite industry to design, install, optimize and support solutions for critical applications anywhere in the world. The company's extensive infrastructure promotes flexibility and operational efficiency, allowing customers to scale their networks to current requirements and business needs while also receiving world-class 24/7 support.





About Speedcast International Ltd





Speedcast International Ltd (ASX:SDA) is the world's most trusted communications and IT services provider, delivering critical communications solutions to the Maritime, Energy, Mining, Media, Telecom, Cruise, NGO, Government, and Enterprise sectors. With more satellite capacity than any other provider, Speedcast enables faster, seamless pole-to-pole coverage from a global hybrid satellite, fiber, cellular, microwave, MPLS, and IP transport network with direct access to public cloud platforms. The company also integrates differentiated technology offerings that provide smarter ways to communicate and distribute content, manage network and remote operations, protect and secure investments, and improve the crew and guest experience. With a passionate customer focus and a strong safety culture, Speedcast serves more than 3,200 customers in over 140 countries. Learn more at www.speedcast.com.


Board Changes

Perth, Nov 13, 2017 AEST (ABN Newswire) - The Board of Directors wishes to advise that Mr Qingjiao Yu has tendered his resignation as a non-executive director of Prospect Resources Limited ( ASX:PSC ) ("PSC" or "Company") effective immediately. Ms Yan Wang who acted as an alternate non-executive director to Mr Yu will also resign as a result.



The Board would like to thank Mr Yu and Ms Wang for their contribution to the Company over the past 12 months and wishes each of them well in their future endeavours.



The Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr HeNian Chen, as a non-executive director of the Company, effective after the Company holds its 2017 annual general meeting today.



Mr Chen has served as the Chairman of Changshu Yuhua Property Co. Ltd since 2003, and has served as the Deputy Chairman of Afore Ne Energy Technology (Shanghai) Co. Ltd since 2007.



Chairman of the Company, Hugh Warner said that "We are pleased to welcome Mr Chen to our board. Over the past year, Harry Greaves and I have got to know Mr Chen during our frequent trips to China. Mr Chen is a successful businessman, based out of Shanghai and will be a helpful link between Prospect and our increasingly large Chinese shareholder base."





About Prospect Resources Ltd





Prospect Resources Limited (ASX:PSC) is based in Australasia with operations in Zimbabwe and is a publicly listed company. We are committed to creating value for Prospect's shareholders and the communities in which our company operates. Our vision is to build a Southern African based mining company of international scale.
Get AfricaFocus Bulletin by e-mail! Format for print or mobile Africa/Global: Counterproductive Counterterrorism AfricaFocus Bulletin

November 13, 2017 (171113)

(Reposted from sources cited below) Editor's Note What strategies work to counter terrorism effectively, whether in Africa or anywhere else in the world? Few would claim to have a convincing answer to that question. However, there is some real evidence of what strategies do not work and are even counterproductive. For example, a new UNDP study studying recruitment to violent extremism, based on interviews with former extremists in Nigeria, Kenya, and Somalia, found a number of factors underlying the growth of violent extremism. Particularly striking was the finding that 71 percent of recruits interviewed said that it was some form of government action that was the 'tipping point' that triggered their final decision to join an extremist group. Those interviewed cited incidents such as 'killing of a family member or friend' or 'arrest of a family member or friend', as the incident that prompted them to join. These findings throw into stark relief the question of how counter-terrorism and wider security functions of governments in at-risk environments conduct themselves with regard to human rights and due process. State security-actor conduct is revealed as a prominent accelerator of recruitment, rather than the reverse. This AfricaFocus contains excerpts from the 128-page UNDP report "Journey to Extremism in Africa," as well as links to a press release and the full report. It also contains a survey article by Obi Anyadike, Africa Editor of IRIN, on how police conduct (which should be the first line of defense against extremism) instead fosters recruitment through abuses against civilians. IRIN, founded by the United Nations, is now an independent non-profit news service featuring first-hand reporting on humanitarian crises. Another AfricaFocus Bulletin, also released today, and available at http://www.africafocus.org/docs17/sah1711.php, focuses specifically on the questions raised for the recent deaths of four U.S. Soldiers in Niger. It features links and brief excerpts from articles selected to highlight questions asked, unasked, and half-answered. For previous AfricaFocus Bulletins on peace and security issues, visit http://www.africafocus.org/intro-peace.php ++++++++++++++++++++++end editor's note+++++++++++++++++ Unfair cop - why African police forces make violent extremism worse Obi Anyadike, Editor-at-Large and Africa Editor IRIN. 28 Septermber 2017 http://www.irinnews.org - direct URL: http://tinyurl.com/yab9couf Part of a special project exploring violent extremism in Nigeria and the Sahel (https://www.irinnews.org/in-depth/countering-militancy-sahel) Undermanned, underfunded, underwhelming: African police forces struggle to contain regular crime, and they are even further out of their depth when it comes to tackling violent extremism. The best way to identify threats to public safety is a policing model that promotes trust and collaboration with the community, say the policy manuals on preventing violent extremism, better known as PVE. A positive relationship is believed to help build resilience to radicalisation. But the reality in much of the world is that the police are viewed as corrupt, violent, and people best avoided. "In African culture the police are there to intimidate, to coerce," acknowledged Kenyan senior sergeant Francis Mwangi. He is trying his best to change that perception. Sharp and articulate, Mwangi is the face of a new policing initiative in the Nairobi slum of Kamakunji, which aims to build a partnership with the community to help blunt radicalisation of the youth. Traditional policing - far too often based on brutality and arbitrary arrest rather than proper detective work - can create more fear of the security services than the insurgents and is clearly counter-productive. The effectiveness of police forces, whether national or international, such as this UN peacekeeping patrol in Mali in 2014, depend on good relations with local communities.

But the growth of violent extremism in many countries is a signal that this counsel is often not followed in practice. UN Photo/Marco Dormino.

A new UNDP study based on interviews with more than 500 jihadists - drawn mainly from Kenya, Nigeria, and Somalia - found that in over 70 percent of cases "government action", including the killing or arrest of a family member or friend, was the tipping point that prompted them to join. Why is the culture of human rights abuse and resistance to reform so deeply ingrained? Citizen or subject Part of the problem is history. African police forces were set up by the colonial powers to maintain control over the local population. Independence didn't really change that function. Their role largely remains regime protection and representation rather than serving the public. As a result, most police forces are seriously undermanned. The UN recommends a ratio of 300 officers per 100,000 citizens. It's a rough guide - force levels are influenced by a range of factors. But Kenya manages a ratio of only 203, Nigeria 187, and Mali - another country facing an Islamist insurgency - just 38. Police forces are also underequipped. From vehicles and the fuel to run them, to paper, pens, and printing ink. The barest of necessities are in short supply, before you get to functioning forensic labs and national fingerprint databases. Unsurprisingly, conviction rates are low. In South Africa, one of the more advanced police forces on the continent, only an estimated 10 percent of murder cases end in conviction. In crimes of sexual violence, it falls to between four and eight percent. The temptation, then, is to turn to forced confessions. In Nigeria, torture has become such an integral part of policing that many stations have an informal torture officer, according to a 2014 Amnesty International report. The prevalence of shoot-to-kill policies are also a reflection of the failure of the criminal justice system, with sections of the community seeing themselves as targets of persecution. Police hit squads take that logic one step further. In the Kenyan port city of Mombasa, they are known to operate against so-called radical elements, whose deaths only serve to stoke the anger of Muslim youth, who view themselves as already marginalised. Nigeria provides a stark example of the impact of the failure of due process. In 2009 the police killed Boko Haram founder Mohamed Yusuf while he was in custody. It did not stop his movement, and his successor, Abubakar Shakau, has proved a far more brutal and implacable enemy. The impunity of the police commanders involved in the murder undermines the moral authority of the Nigerian state. Governance failure is key in the tolerance of abuse. A corrupt political system breeds corrupt cops. If states are unwilling to provide opportunities, services, and rights to entire sections of its citizens, "there is then little reason to expect national police actors to do so", argues a report by the Global Centre on Cooperative Security. Sympathy for the police The subservience of the police to the ruling elite doesn't win them any political favours. Conditions of service are generally appalling and pay poor. Families of officers killed in action can struggle to receive their benefits - with kickbacks expected. A former Nigerian Inspector General of Police acknowledged that some barracks were "to say the least, nauseating". In the absence of accommodation, one Nigerian officer told IRIN how he spent the first few months of his posting to the northeastern city of Maiduguri sleeping on two plastic hard-backed chairs. The police top-brass regularly make whistle-stop visits to the city as part of political entourages, but hardly ever drop in on the officers who are on the frontline of the insurgency, and very much targets for Boko Haram. Predatory police take out their frustrations on the public - typically the most vulnerable and powerless members of society. According to an Afrobarometer survey across 34 countries, the police are universally regarded as the most corrupt of institutions - well ahead of even government officials. "In most cases the police in Africa are demoralised because the remuneration they are getting is just peanuts," said sergeant Mwangi in half-hearted mitigation. "They have a family to feed so can be prone to being compromised." In the Afrobarometer survey, more than half of respondents who had been victims of a crime did not report it to the police. Regionally, levels of distrust were highest in East Africa - just 43 percent said they would seek the assistance of police first if they became victims. That's because the police don't have a monopoly on criminal justice. People often have multiple choices, with varying degrees of legitimacy and links to the state - from family and friends out to exact revenge, to local militia, customary courts, and formal commercial security guards. Western models of PVE stress community policing - the ideal of the "bobby on the beat". But in an African context, community policing means something quite different. These informal security systems - some of which are just plain vigilantes - have less to do with notions of state legitimacy, "and more to do with what's available, trusted, and affordable," the Global Centre on Cooperative Security report points out. Resistant to reform Security sector reform is a growth industry in aid world, despite little concrete evidence of success. The reports compiled by external police experts, paid for with donor money, gather dust on the shelves of police commands, the officer in Maiduguri told IRIN. According to researcher Alice Hills, police reform cannot be divorced from "fundamental socio-political change". Without buy-in from the powers that be, the effects are only transitory. The lessons being learnt by sergeant Mwangi in Kamakunji, for instance, are yet to feature in the curriculum of the Kenyan police college. Reform is admittedly difficult to tackle in the middle of an insurgency. The priority of governments and their international partners is for harder-hitting security services, not the soft power of PVE. What that can mean in practice is squads of men who are simply more proficient at harming their fellow citizens and extracting rents. What is needed are "programmes that recognise that the core problems of governance lies in incentives and desire, not capacity," write researchers Rachel Kleinfeld and Harry Bader. oa/ag UNDP, Journey to Extremism in Africa: Drivers, Incentives and the Tipping Point for Recruitment. 2017. http://journey-to-extremism.undp.org/en/reports

- Direct URL for full report: http://tinyurl.com/y9g6n6qp

- Sept. 7, 2017 press release: http://tinyurl.com/yamo4ucy Journey to Extremism in Africa: Key findings Starting with the 'accident of geography' that is place of childhood, experiences related to living in highly peripheral regions of Africa  often borderlands and traditionally marginalized regions - begin to shape individuals' worldview and vulnerability. Long-standing realities of 'centre/periphery' divides have, if anything, been exacerbated by the recent economic growth enjoyed overall in Africa. The vulnerabilities of communities living in such areas (macro- and meso-level factors) were, in the journeys to extremism of the individuals interviewed, refracted through micro-level experiences of early childhood. These included a relative lack of exposure to people of other religions and ethnicities. Perception of childhood happiness was lower among those who went on to join violent extremist groups within the sample. The critical factor in explaining childhood unhappiness that correlates with future extremism is perceived lack of parental involvement in the child's life. Further, in environments where overall levels of literacy and education are low, individuals who later join violent extremist groups are found in this research to be particularly deprived in educational terms. Their experience of civic engagement in childhood was also low. The findings also clearly differentiate between perceptions about religion and its significance as a reason for joining violent extremist groups, and actual religious literacy. Fifty-one percent of respondents selected religion as a reason for joining. However, as many as 57 percent of the respondents also admitted to limited or no understanding of religious texts. Indeed, higher than average years of religious schooling appears to have been a source of resilience. These findings challenge rising Islamophobic rhetoric that has intensified in response to violent extremism globally, and demonstrate that fostering greater understanding of religion, through methods that enable students to question and engage critically with teachings, is a key resource for PVE. Further, feeling that 'religion is under threat' was found to be a common perspective among many respondents. This sounds a warning that recruitment by violent extremist groups in Africa, using religion as a touchstone for other context- based grievances, can readily expand. The Journey to Extremism research unequivocally underscores the relevance of economic factors as drivers of recruitment. The grievances associated with growing up in contexts where multidimensional poverty is high and far deeper than national averages, with the lived reality of unemployment and underemployment, render 'economic factors' a major source of frustration identified by those who joined violent extremist groups. This is a key dimension of individuals' vulnerability to narratives that invite them to channel such grievances and associated desperation into the cause of extremism. If an individual was studying or working, it emerged that that he or she would be less likely to become a member of an extremist organization. Employment is the single most frequently cited 'immediate need' faced at the time of joining. Individuals who joined but were studying or employed (not in vulnerable employment) at the time of joining the organization took longer to take the decision to join than did counterparts either in vulnerable employment or unemployed. Respondents report uneven experiences in receiving salaries for being active members of violent extremist groups: some were paid above the local average, whereas at least 35 percent were not paid at all during their period of recruitment. The research makes clear that a sense of grievance towards, and limited confidence in, government is widespread in the regions of Africa associated with the highest incidence of violent extremism. This may be an inevitable corollary of the life experience of growing up in the context of acute and relative multidimensional poverty, neglect and political marginalization affecting these areas. However, disaffection with government is highest by significant margins among the Journey to Extremism respondents who were recruited by violent extremist groups across several key indicators. These include: belief that government only looks after the interests of a few; low level of trust in government authorities; and experience, or willingness to report experience, of bribe-paying. Grievances against security actors, as well as politicians, are particularly marked, with an average of 78 percent rating low levels of trust in the police, politicians and military. Those most susceptible to recruitment express a significantly lower degree of confidence in the potential for democratic institutions to deliver progress or meaningful change. Meanwhile, positive experience of effective service provision is confirmed as a source of resilience: respondents who believed that governments' provision of education was either 'excellent' or 'improving' were less likely to be a member of a violent extremist group, within the sample. The research specifically set out to discover what pushed a handful of individuals to join violent extremist groups, when many others facing similar sets of circumstances did not. This specific moment or factor is referred to as the 'tipping point'. The idea of a transformative trigger that pushes individuals decisively from the 'atrisk' category to actually taking the step of joining is substantiated by the Journey to Extremism data. A striking 71 percent pointed to 'government action', including 'killing of a family member or friend' or 'arrest of a family member or friend', as the incident that prompted them to join. These findings throw into stark relief the question of how counter-terrorism and wider security functions of governments in atrisk environments conduct themselves with regard to human rights and due process. State security-actor conduct is revealed as a prominent accelerator of recruitment, rather than the reverse. AfricaFocus Bulletin is an independent electronic publication providing reposted commentary and analysis on African issues, with a particular focus on U.S. and international policies. AfricaFocus Bulletin is edited by William Minter. AfricaFocus Bulletin can be reached at africafocus@igc.org. Please write to this address to suggest material for inclusion. For more information about reposted material, please contact directly the original source mentioned. For a full archive and other resources, see http://www.africafocus.org
Get AfricaFocus Bulletin by e-mail! Format for print or mobile USA/Sahel: Questions Asked, Unasked, Half-Answered AfricaFocus Bulletin

November 13, 2017 (171113)

(Reposted from sources cited below) Editor's Note The U.S. military presence in Africa, which has been growing steadily since the years following the 9/11 attack, has been having a spotlight in U.S. media after the death of four U.S. soldiers in Niger on October 4. But despite numerous questions raised, and the prominent attention given to the characteristically obtuse and insensitive response from the White House, the questions raised have been at best half-answered. And fundamental questions about counterterrorism strategy and U.S. policy were left unasked in the Washington-focused debate. While the Pentagon review about the details of the incident continued, and there were debates about both intelligence failures and whether the mission was in fact only "training and reconnaissance" or also a botched effort to target a "high-profile target," questioning of existing policy was muted. Administration and congressional hawks focused on providing more resources to double-down on U.S. military involvement. Congressional critics focused on the lack of updated authorization and called for a full debate on counterterrorist military operations around the world, but the momentum for such debate quickly faltered. The outcome to date appears to be much wider awareness of the extent of U.S. involvement, based on investigative reporting as well as the military's own reports which previously attracted little media attention. But there was little if any sign of questioning the basic premise of U.S. strategy centering military responses to terrorist threats around the world. Even the critics who pointed out the ineffectual and even counterproductive results of U.S. policy made little effort to address the question of what should be done by African governments or multilateral efforts to counter real terrorist threats. This AfricaFocus Bulletin contains a selection of very brief excerpts from coverage related to these debates over the last six weeks, in each case with a link to the full article. Some provide some partial answers; most leave more questions than answers. And key questions remain unasked. Another AfricaFocus Bulletin sent out today (and available at http://www.africafocus.org/docs17/cve1711.php) highlights more substantive discussion about one fundamental question only hinted at in Washington debate, namely, whether counterterrorism policies, whether by the United States or other actors, is not only ineffective but also counterproductive, serving to increase rather than decrease future terrorist threats. That, of course, is an issue which is not limited to Africa. But the default response in Washington to "double-down" on military engagement in the Sahelpromises not more security for Africa and the United States, but less. For coverage of Niger in the Washington Post and the New York, in October and November 2017, use the following link to a customized Google search: http://tinyurl.com/y8vj87hd For previous AfricaFocus Bulletins on West Africa, visit http://www.africafocus.org/west.php For previous AfricaFocus Bulletins on peace and security issues, visit http://www.africafocus.org/intro-peace.php ++++++++++++++++++++++end editor's note+++++++++++++++++ What happened and what is the U.S. doing in the Sahel? Sudarsan Raghavan, "U.S. soldier in Niger ambush was bound and apparently executed, villagers say," Washington Post, Nov. 10, 2017. http://tinyurl.com/y6v5qgor Adamou Boubacar, a 23-year-old farmer and trader, said some children tending cattle found the remains of the soldier Oct. 6, two days after the attack outside the remote Niger village of Tongo Tongo, which also left five Nigerien soldiers dead. The children notified him. When Boubacar went to the location, a bushy area roughly a mile from the ambush site, he saw Johnsons body lying face down, he said. The back of his head had been smashed by something, possibly a bullet, said Boubacar. The soldiers wrists were bound with rope, he said, raising the possibility that the militants  whom the Pentagon suspects were affiliated with the Islamic State  seized Johnson during the firefight and held him captive. Ken Dilanian, Courtney Kube, and Mac William Bishop, "U.S. Soldiers in Niger were pursuing Isis recruiter when ambushed," NBC News, Oct. 24, 2017. http://www.nbcnews.com - Direct URL: http://tinyurl.com/ydczxthm The U.S. Special Forces unit that came under attack in Niger earlier this month had been pursuing a senior militant, multiple U.S. officials told NBC News. The officials did not provide the name of the target, whom one of the officials described as an ISIS recruiter. The soldiers did not succeed in catching him. ... The Niger mission was carried out under the broader auspices of Operation Juniper Shield, a program initiated under the Obama administration and reauthorized under the Trump administration, according to multiple U.S. military officials. Juniper Shield is intended to "disrupt or neutralize" terror organizations affiliated with Al Qaeda and the Islamic State operating across North and West Africa, primarily through the killing or capturing of members of its senior and intermediate leadership. A subset of this operation, Juniper Micron, is focused specifically on supporting the French counterterror and stabilization mission in Mali, Operation Barkhane. Alexis Arieff, "CRS Insight: Attack on U.S. Soldiers in Niger: Context and Issues for Congress," Oct. 5, 2017. https://fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/IN10797.pdf Niger hosts one of the largest numbers of U.S. troops in Africa. In June, the White House reported to Congress that some 645 U.S. military personnel were stationed there to support counterterrorism operations by "African partners." More recent news reports have cited 800. These figures show a significant increase since 2013, when President Obama announced the deployment of about 100 military personnel to Niger for regional intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations. This trend has coincided with sizable increases in U.S. security assistance for African countries over the past decade, of which Niger has been a major beneficiary. In addition to conducting security assistance and cooperation activities in Niger and neighboring states, the U.S. military also provides logistical and intelligence support to France's Operation Barkhane. Sean Naylor and Paul McLeary, "Used to Afghanistan, Special Operators Suffer from Lack of Support in Africa," Foreign Policy, Oct. 27, 2017. http://foreignpolicy.com - Direct URL: http://tinyurl.com/y9yghtuy Four U.S. soldiers, four Nigerien troops, and an interpreter died in the Oct. 4 battle. It was a bitter reminder to the 3rd Group that it was no longer in Afghanistan, the combat theater where the Fort Bragg, North Carolina-based unit had been focused from 2002 until late 2015. There, its teams could call in airstrikes often instantaneously and almost always within minutes. But since switching from Afghanistan to North and West Africa, the group has had to grapple with what its veterans repeatedly refer to as the continent's "tyranny of distance," combined with a paucity of resources when compared with mature combat theaters like Iraq and Afghanistan. The sheer vastness of the area of operations, combined with the lack of resources when compared with Afghanistan, can be a shock to special operators used to having drones and strike aircraft available to get a team out of trouble. A former 3rd Group officer with extensive Afghanistan experience said for special operators who have spent their entire military career fighting in Afghanistan, the adjustment to Africa can be jarring. "You had a shitload of resources in Afghanistan  even when it was underfunded, compared with Iraq  that you don't have in Africa," the former officer said. Wider context on U.S. involvement Karen Attiah, "After Niger, ramping up U.S. 'agression' in Africa is a really, really bad idea," Washington Post, Oct. 24, 2017 http://tinyurl.com/y7c66xfp - includes excellent 3-minute video "Just what the heck is the U.S. military up to in Africa?" In the absence of answers, and a lack of a clear and coherent Africa strategy to begin with, ramping up U.S. military aggression in Africa sounds like a really, really bad idea right now. To be fair, the Trump administration inherited an overmilitarized Africa policy from the Obama administration, which oversaw the expansion of the Africom regional command and special operations forces. Africa hosts the second largest regional contingent of special operations forces after the Middle East. The percent of special forces deployed to Africa rose from 3 percent to 17 percent between 2010 and 2016. ... On Thursday, asked about why U.S. troops were in Africa, White House Chief of Staff John F. Kelly said, "They're there working with partners  teaching them how to be better soldiers; teaching them how to respect human rights " However on Friday, the Post reported that the Pentagon was adopting a "status-based targeting" system for suspected terrorists, meaning troops will be able to use lethal force against a suspected member of a terrorist organization even if that person does not pose an immediate threat." This should make anyone who cares about human rights and effective counterterror strategy quite nervous. Tom Engelhardt, "The U.S. Military Is Still Doing Exactly What Bin Laden Wanted It To," Foreign Policy in Focus, Nov. 8, 2017. http://fpif.org/u-s-military-still-exactly-bin-laden-wanted/ Looking back, 16 years later, it's extraordinary how September 11, 2001, would set the pattern for everything that followed. Each further goading act, from Afghanistan to Libya, San Bernardino to Orlando, Iraq to Niger, each further humiliation would trigger yet more of the same behavior in Washington. After all, so many people and institutions  above all, the U.S. military and the rest of the national security state  came to have a vested interest in Osama bin Laden's version of our world. ... In twenty-first-century Washington, failure is the new success and repetition is the rule of the day, week, month, and year. Take, for example, the recent events in Niger. Consider the pattern of call-andresponse there. Almost no Americans (and it turned out, next to no senators) even knew that the U.S. had something like 900 troops deployed permanently to that West African country and two drone bases there (though it was no secret). Then, on October 4th, the first reports of the deaths of four American soldiers and the wounding of two others in a Green Beret unit on a "routine training mission" in the lawless Niger-Mali border area came out. The ambush, it seemed, had been set by an ISIS affiliate.

... And suddenly U.S. Africa Command was highlighting its desire for more money from Congress; the military was moving to arm its Reaper drones in Niger with Hellfire missiles for future counterterrorism operations; and Secretary of Defense Mattis was assuring senators privately that the military would "expand" its "counterterrorism focus" in Africa. The military began to prepare to deploy Hellfire Missile-armed Reaper drones to Niger. "The war is morphing," Graham insisted. "You're going to see more actions in Africa, not less; you're going to see more aggression by the United States toward our enemies, not less; you're going to have decisions being made not in the White House but out in the field." Nick Turse, "It's not just Niger - U.S. Military activity is a "recruiting tool" for terror groups across West Africa," The Intercept, October 26, 2017. http://theintercept.com - Direct URL: http://tinyurl.com/yatdu2ed The mission never made the front page of the New York Times or the Washington Post. It wasn't covered on CNN or Fox News. Neither the White House chief of staff, the chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, nor the president ever addressed it in a press briefing. But from mid-January to late March 2013, Green Berets from the 10th Special Forces Group deployed to the impoverished West African nation of Niger. Working alongside local forces, they trained in desert mobility, the use of heavy weapons, and methods of deliberate attack. On May 15 of that year, another contingent of Special Forces soldiers arrived in Niger. For nearly two months, they also trained with local troops, focusing on similar combat skills with an emphasis on missions in remote areas. From the beginning of August until mid-September, yet another group of Green Berets traveled to the hot, arid country for training, concentrating on desert operations, heavy weapons employment, intelligence analysis, and other martial matters, according to Pentagon documents obtained by The Intercept via the Freedom of Information Act. One constant of all of these counterterrorism missions, which were carried out by small teams of elite U.S. troops operating alongside Nigerien forces, was a concentration on reconnaissance. Until recently, such missions were conducted without notice or media scrutiny. ... U.S. efforts, primarily focused on training allies and proxies, are flawed, often ineffective, and can have destabilizing effects on countries that military operations are meant to strengthen, according to experts. Cast as benign training operations, they can lead to unforeseen consequences and dangerous blowback. ... "Simply throwing more money at the existing programs and doing what we've been doing  but just simply more of it  strikes me as a really bad idea," [RAND Corporation analyst Michael] Shurkin added. "At the very least, we're going to waste a lot of money. And we can definitely make things worse." Stephen Biddle, Julia Macdonald & Ryan Baker, "Small footprint, small payoff: The military effectiveness of security force assistance," Journal of Strategic Studies, April 12, 2017. http://tinyurl.com/y9e5nbre After 15 years of war in Afghanistan and Iraq, many now see 'smallfootprint' security force assistance (SFA) - training, advising and equipping allied militaries - as an alternative to large US ground-force commitments. Yet, its actual military efficacy has been little studied. This paper seeks to fill this gap. ... In fact, this idea of using 'small footprint' SFA to secure US interests without large ground-force deployments is now at the very forefront of the US defense debate. ... More broadly, SFA is central to US policy for Yemen, Somalia, Libya, Niger, Mali, Nigeria, Pakistan, Mauritania and many other ongoing and prospective conflicts around the world. In fact, it has become a major pillar of global US national security policy - the 2012 Defense Strategic Guidance frames it as central to effective stability operations in an era in which US forces will no longer be sized to accomplish these by themselves. ... Our central finding is that effective SFA is much harder in practice than often assumed and less viable as a substitute for large unilateral troop deployments. For the US in particular, the achievable upper bound is normally modest, and even this is possible only if US policy is intrusive and conditional, which it rarely is. This is because SFA is best understood as a principal-agent (PA) problem, and one whose structural conditions promote large agency losses for the SFA provider. That is, the conditions under which the US provides SFA commonly involve large interest misalignments between the provider (the principal) and the recipient (the agent), difficult monitoring challenges and difficult conditions for enforcement - a combination that typically leaves principals with limited real leverage and that promotes inefficiency in aid provision. ... For the foreseeable future, small footprints mean small payoffs for the US - where limited US interests preclude large deployments, major results will rarely be possible from minor investments in SFA. ... But SFA's real costs and risks are easy to underestimate, and its military benefits have often been oversold. Overuse is thus a real danger: SFA can help, but only rarely will it provide major effectiveness improvements from modest investments in training and equipment. Yvan Guichaoua and Andrew Lebovich, "America's Options in Niger - Join Forces to Reduce Tensions, Or Fan the Flames," The Conversation, Nov. 3, 2017 http://allafrica.com/stories/201711030833.html The links between militant groups in the region - whether identified as "jihadist" or not - are often fluid and belie easy categorisation. This label obscures a situation which deserves much more consideration before pulling the trigger. And it takes attention away from the experiences of local populations who are often stuck between militant groups and sometimes hostile governments and foreign armies. The area in which the American soldiers died is already replete with all possible forms of foreign or domestic interventions. These range from muscular to diplomatic, security-oriented to development oriented. The G5 Sahel, a regional initiative backed by the French to enhance security cooperation, presents one opportunity to consolidate and harmonise these efforts. For now, though, it has struggled to develop its capabilities and to raise the money necessary to function. Rather than considering whether they should revise their military rules of engagement, US authorities should ask themselves how they could contribute to what already exists. They should also understand that without attention to the local environment and genuine care for local civilians, the fire along the Mali-Niger border will only grow hotter and more difficult to contain. [This article also includes a concise history of jihadist groups in the area.] Ndubuisi Christian Ani and Omar S Mahmood, "Africa: What Trump's Stance On Africa Means for Continental Security Efforts," Institute for Security Studies (Pretoria), Nov. 6, 2017 http://allafrica.com/stories/201711070135.html "When Donald Trump was elected president of the United States (US) in January, many wondered what his administration's policy towards Africa would be. Ten months later, it is clear that regarding security at least, a reduction of the US cost burden for United Nations (UN) peacekeeping, combined with increased direct US military engagement and a preference for bilateral support, are key pillars. ... these approaches risk constraining the capacity of nascent African initiatives that require predictable support not only on a bilateral level, but also from the UN. The US continues to support the fight against extremist groups in the Sahel, Lake Chad Basin and the Horn of Africa. However Trump's insistence on reducing US financial aid has affected many areas of cooperation with Africa on peace and security. This includes blocking proposals to use UN-assessed contributions to support African peace security operations like the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM) and the G5 Sahel mission. The US has instead pursued a more bilateral approach. Maradi, Niger - A Nigerien soldier from the 322nd Parachute Regiment shoots during target practice facilitated by 1st Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) Soldiers April 3, 2007.

The training is part of Operation Flintlock 2007 which includes an interactive exchange of military, linguistic and intercultural skills for Niger and the U.S.

Credit: http://www.eucom.mil/media-library/photo/16808/eucom-photo

Wider context on security and the Sahel For in-depth background analysis and first-hand reporting on conflict in the Sahel region, two extremely useful sources are the IRIN humanitarian news service and the International Crisis Group. For IRIN background articles on the Sahel, see https://www.irinnews.org/in-depth/countering-militancy-sahel An excellent overview from early 2016 by IRIN's Africa editor Obi Anyadike is "Briefing: The new Jihadist strategy in the Sahel."

http://tinyurl.com/ycgxoxul For recent International Crisis Group reports on the region, visit http://tinyurl.com/y7guaxeq Three particularly relevant articles from 2017 on Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso are the following. "Niger and Boko Haram: Beyond Counter-insurgency," 27 Feb. 2017.

http://tinyurl.com/h8o44n7 "The Politics of Islam in Mali: Separating Myth from Reality," 18 July 2017

http://tinyurl.com/y7ylld35 "The Social Roots of Jihadist Violence in Burkina Faso's North," 12 Oct. 2017.

http://tinyurl.com/y889bu5w New Sahel anti-terror force: risks and opportunities IRIN, 30 October 2017 http://www.irinnews.org - direct URL: http://tinyurl.com/y9dv7pc6 Fabien Offner, Freelance journalist based in Dakar Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger are teaming up to take on Islamist militants with the launch of a the 5,000-strong "FC-G5S" force in the restive Sahel. But are more boots on the ground the answer? UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recently told the Security Council, which votes today on whether to fund the nascent multinational military force, that supporting it was "an opportunity that cannot be missed" and that failing to back it would carry serious risks for a region where insecurity has become "extremely worrying". The Security Council "welcomed the deployment" of the force in a resolution adopted in June, but put off a decision about financing. The resolution's wording was the subject of a prolonged tussle between France - the G5 force's main proponent - and the United States, which didn't believe a resolution was necessary, sees the force's mandate as too broad, and, as the world body's biggest contributor, isn't convinced the UN should bankroll it. On Friday, US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley said Washington wants to know "what the strategy would be, how they see this playing out, what's involved in it, before we ever commit to UN-assessed funding". France has been working hard to win over the United States. On a visit to Washington last week, French Defence Minister Florence Parly said the former colonial power had no desire to become the "Praetorian Guard of sovereign African countries". Existing forces In 2013 and 2014, France's Operation Serval drove back militants in Mali's northern desert from some of the towns and other sanctuaries they had taken. With attacks nevertheless continuing and having spread beyond Mali's borders, 4,000 French troops are currently deployed under the banner of Operation Barkhane across all the G5 states. Mali is also home to the 14,000-strong MINUSMA force, one of the UN's most expensive peacekeeping missions. It has come under frequent attack by militant groups such as the Jama'a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM), an al-Qaeda-linked coalition forged last March. Some 86 blue helmets have been killed in militant attacks since MINUSMA was established in July 2013. Meanwhile, efforts by civil society groups to negotiate with some jihadist groups have come to nought, while parties to a 2015 peace agreement between Mali's government and two coalitions of domestic armed groups - a deal that excluded the jihadists - are embroiled in violent divisions among themselves. Some of these domestic groups are also responsible for attacks against the state. These divisions have dimmed hopes of forging any kind of common front against the jihadists, and even of properly implementing the 2015 accord. The government's failure to address widespread political and economic grievance further undermines its position. Humanitarian fallout All this insecurity comes at a high price for Mali's civilians. At the end of the 2016-17 academic year, 500 schools were closed, up from 296 the previous year, while the numbers of refugees and internally displaced reached a record 140,000 and 55,000 respectively. Acute malnutrition among children under five has reached "critical levels" in conflict-affected areas around Timbuktu and Gao, according to UNICEF. The agency predicts that 165,000 children across the country will be acutely malnourished next year. "Repeated criminal acts" prompted the International Committee of the Red Cross to suspend its operations in the northern Kidal region in mid-October. Funding concerns The primary mandate of the G5 force will be to secure the bloc's common borders and fight "terrorist" and criminal groups. The force's headquarters were established in September in the central Malian town of Sevare, but its financing has yet to be secured. "Estimates still vary; nothing has been settled," said a diplomat who has followed the latest developments. "If we get to 250 million euros at the donors' conference in December, that would be very good. But even if financing is obtained in December, the force will not be operational the next day." The G5 says it needs 423 million euros to set things up and run the force for its first year, but so far only a quarter of this sum has materialised, with the G5 and the EU both coming up with 50 million euros and France another eight million. "Mobilising sustainable and consistent financial support over a period of several years will remain a significant challenge," conceded Guterres in his report. Money is far from the only uncertainty: Trust between G5 member states remains shaky. "The Burkina military believe their Malian counterparts are 'lazy' and joined the army to get an income and not to defend the country," the International Crisis Group said, for example, in its latest report on Burkina Faso. And the security and political agendas of G5 states are not always aligned. Facing an economic and social crisis, regional powerhouse Chad, which already has troops in MINUSMA and in a separate regional force fighting Boko Haram, hopes to make the most of its involvement in the force, whose remit it would like to see expanded to include other regional threats closer to home. Risks Given how often existing forces in Mali, including the army, are attacked (losing weapons and vehicles in the process), deploying yet more troops in the region carries a real risk of further boosting jihadists groups' military assets. "Malian armed movements have employed an increasing proportion of heavy weaponry from Malian government stockpiles - particularly ammunition for larger weapon systems such as rockets and artillery - as opposed to Libyan or other foreign sources," Conflict Armament Research said in a 2016 report on the Sahel. Human Rights Watch recently reported on "killings, forced disappearances and acts of torture" committed by security forces in Mali and Burkina Faso against suspected members of jihadists groups. Even if they are only committed by a minority of soldiers, such acts lead civilians to mistrust the armies supposed to protect them, and in some cases to join the armed groups to seek their protection instead. "The fighters are found among the greater population, are part of them and live with them. It is not easy to identify them. That makes combat difficult, even if there are far fewer jihadist than soldiers," explained Ibrahim Maiga, a researcher with the Institute for Security Studies. "You can't defeat these people without helping the population caught in the middle. One side accuses them of being terrorists, the other of collaborating with national or foreign armies. This is why it is imperative that the state gains more legitimacy," he added. The G5 joint force's first operations are expected to take place in the LiptakoGourma region, where the borders of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso meet. These states have been particularly affected by the attacks carried out by JNIM, Islamic State in the Greater Sahara, and Ansarul Islam against national and foreign security forces. On 21 October, 13 gendarmes were killed when their barracks in Ayorou in Niger's Tillaberi region came under attack. The joint force will be deployed in an environment rife with trafficking of all kinds, and with globalised jihad, and where myriad local conflicts merge with and fuel each other. On the border between Mali and Niger, economic rivalry between Tuareg and Fulani communities has deepened since becoming militarised and politicised. Fulani youth - too simplistically - are seen as ready recruits to jihadist groups, and Nigerien Tuareg militia are being used by the government to hunt them. In northern Burkina Faso, Ansarul Islam built its popularity by challenging social structures widely seen as inequitable, according to the ICG. None of the groups operating in the region has claimed responsibility for the 2 October attack in which four US and four Nigerien soldiers were killed 200 kilometres north of Niamey - an attack a top US general has attributed to a local IS-affiliated group. The incident served to bring international attention to US military presence in the region, described by some media as a "shadow war" at a time when the US is in the process of moving its drone operations from Niamey to the central Niger town of Agadez. "Our American colleagues believe the [Niger] attack against their troops exposes a dilemma: Do too much and be exposed, or don't do enough," a French diplomat remarked. It seems the Pentagon is going for the first option: US Defense Secretary James Mattis recently informed Congress that the United States was increasing its antiterrorism activities in Africa and that new rules of engagement were being introduced, allowing troops to open fire on mere suspects. But for the jihadist groups in the region, a greater US military footprint will feed their rhetoric of occupation and help swell their ranks. fo/am/oa/ag AfricaFocus Bulletin is an independent electronic publication providing reposted commentary and analysis on African issues, with a particular focus on U.S. and international policies. AfricaFocus Bulletin is edited by William Minter. AfricaFocus Bulletin can be reached at africafocus@igc.org. Please write to this address to suggest material for inclusion. For more information about reposted material, please contact directly the original source mentioned. For a full archive and other resources, see http://www.africafocus.org
The government has announced it is taking control of national carrier Kenya Airways in a move to turn the company to profit.

The Kenyan government and the companys national lenders agreed to convert $405.3 million of Kenya Airways Plc debt into equity, Bloomberg reports citing local news.

The government of Kenya shall acquire effective control in Kenya Airways and it shall make an application to the Capital Markets Authority for exemption from the take-over requirements in compliance with the Take-overs regulations, Treasury Secretary Henry Rotich said.

The airline has been on a deficit track over the few years. Last year the company posted $253 million losses.

After pumping $238.1 million into the airline to help it float, the government with this move, increases its stakes up from 29.8 percent to 48.9 percent, giving it a significant edge over Air France-KLM which controls 26.7 percent stakes.

To revamp its activities for profit, the airline last year announced $690-million plan.
The Mauritania government is on the verge of being granted a $163-million assistance package earmarked for economic reforms from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), reports say.

Estimated at $162.8 million, the credit received a first draft approval pending a final decision by the board of directors of the IMF in December, next month, Jeune Afrique reports.

The first approval is decided following a mission by the international institution in the Mauritania capital, from September 25 to October 6.

The targeted reforms according to IMF, seek to foster an inclusive and diversified growth, maintain the macro-economic stability, restore debt sustainability and reduce poverty.

The IMF also expects Nouakchott to improve banking supervision, improve business climate and develop the social security scheme.

The loan will help to put in place a competitive exchange market and a modernized monetary policy framework.

The arrangement makes the Mauritania eligible for the credit over three years.

Discussions to reach the arrangement were led on the side of the IMF by its staff team coordinated by Eric Mottu, a Deputy Divison Chief, with expertise in Macro-economics.
A powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake that struck the Iraq-Iran border region killed over 332 people in both countries, sent people fleeing their homes into the night and was felt as far west as the Mediterranean coast, authorities reported on Monday.

Irans western Kermanshah province bore the brunt of the temblor, with Irans state-run news agency reported the quake killed 328 people in the country. State television said some 3,950 were injured. The area is a rural, mountainous region where residents rely mainly on farming to make a living.

The earthquake killed at least seven people in Iraq and injured 535 there, all in the countrys northern, semiautonomous Kurdish region, according to Iraqs Interior Ministry.

The magnitude 7.3 quake was centered 19 miles (31 kilometers) outside the eastern Iraqi city of Halabja, according to the most recent measurements from the U.S. Geological Survey. It struck at a depth of 23.2 kilometers (14.4 miles), a shallow depth that can have broader damage. Magnitude 7 earthquakes on their own are capable of widespread, heavy damage.

Iranian social media and news agencies showed images and videos of people fleeing their homes into the night. More than 100 aftershocks followed.

The quakes worst damage appeared to be in the town of Sarpol-e-Zahab in Kermanshah province, which sits in the Zagros Mountains that divide Iran and Iraq.

Kokab Fard, a 49-year-old housewife in Sarpol-e-Zahab, said she could only flee empty-handed when her apartment complex collapsed.

Immediately after I managed to get out, the building collapsed, Fard said. I have no access to my belongings.

Reza Mohammadi, 51, said he and his family ran out into the alley following the first shock he felt.

I tried to get back to pick some stuff but it totally collapsed in the second wave, Mohammadi said.

Those in Sarpol-e-Zahab also said the power and water were out in the town as telephone and cellphone lines were spotty.

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei offered his condolences on Monday morning and urged rescuers and all government agencies to do all they could to help those affected, state media reported.

The semi-official ILNA news agency said at least 14 provinces in Iran had been affected by the earthquake. Officials announced that schools in Kermanshah and Ilam provinces would be closed on Monday because of the temblor.

In Iraq, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi issued a directive for the countrys civil defense teams and related institutions to respond to the natural disaster. Brig. Gen. Saad Maan, an Interior Ministry spokesman, gave the casualty figures for Iraq.

The quake could be felt across Iraq, shaking buildings and homes from Irbil to Baghdad, where people fled into the streets of the capital.

The Iraqi city of Halabja, closest to the epicenter, is notorious for the 1988 chemical attack in which Saddam Husseins regime killed some 5,000 people with mustard gas  the deadliest chemical weapons attack ever against civilians.

Turkey dispatched emergency aid to northern Iraq as officials expressed their deep sadness at the tragedy. Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said his country took immediate action to provide medical and food aid to northern Iraq.

Kerem Kinik, Turkish Red Crescents vice president, told The Associated Press from Habur border crossing that 33 aid trucks were en route to Iraqs city of Sulaimaniyah, carrying 3,000 tents and heaters, 10,000 beds and blankets as well as food.

A Turkish military cargo plane arrived in Iraq as the official Anadolu news agency reported multiple dispatches by Turkeys disaster agency. Ankara also said it would help Iran if Tehran requests assistance.
Every 2nd child is being exposed to one or the other form of sexual abuse and every 5th child faces critical forms of it. They all are in need of protection. In India, one in every two children is a victim of child sexual abuse. India shelters 430 million children, approximately one in five children in the world and the government assesses that 40 per cent of Indias children are susceptible to coercions such as trafficking, homelessness, forced labour, drug abuse, and crime.

The National Study reported that 53.18 per cent children in the family environment not attending school reported facing sexual abuse. 49.92 per cent children in schools reported facing sexual abuse. 61.61 per cent children at work (shop, factory or other places) reported facing sexual abuse. 54.51 per cent children on the streets reported facing sexual abuse. 47.08 per cent children in institutional care reported facing sexual abuse. 20.90 per cent of all children were subjected to severe forms of sexual abuse that included sexual assault, making the child fondle private parts, making the child exhibit private body parts and being photographed in the nude. 50 per cent abusers are persons known to the child or in a position of trust and responsibility. The survey conducted by humanitarian aid organisation World Vision India with a sample of 45,844 respondents also revealed that one in every five do not feel safe because of the fear of being sexually abused. It also said one in four families does not come forward to report child abuse.

There is no day gone without the news about child molestation, everyday one child hit the headline but no one knows what happened there after. The reported cases make noise but there are many cases that go silent. The children had to go through hell; they become adult at very tender age. Their teachers, drivers, helpers and uncles or sometimes-even father mars them. Perversion and lust know no boundaries or human values, they just need someone to satisfy their urges, and that can be their small daughter/student/or any child.

A six-year-old girl was molested by a sanitation worker in the toilet of a school in Kalyan town of Mumbai and the accused was arrested and now on bail. The girl went to wash her hands after lunch and by mistake she entered the boys toilet, where the 43-year-old accused was doing cleaning work, on seeing the girl in the toilet alone, he grabbed and molested her and also made obscene gestures at her.

In Bareilly, a school bus conductor tried to molest a nine-year-old girl, while some school staff beat up and held captive the students father when he went to speak to them about the incident. In the same month, a 45-year-old principal of a government school in Sehore, Madhya Pradesh, was arrested for outraging the modesty of a class 8 girl on its campus. He molested many students, but they just kept silent. This follows a series of unfortunate events involving children in schools, highlighting the seriousness of school safety in the country.

In another incident, a 12-year-old girl was kidnapped and raped in Chandigarh. Crimes against children have gone up in Chandigarh in recent years. This girl, on her way to school to celebrate Independence Day, was kidnapped and raped. The Class 8 student had taken a short cut to school through park in Chandigarhs Sector 23 when a man stopped her, pulled her aside and raped her twice and left her wounded. The rapist is still not traceable, the CCTV footage could not capture the tragedy, and no one knows who that man was. As usual police is still doing routine investigations but the rapist is roaming free. You never know if he is doing the same with other small girls too. Meanwhile, Raipur Police arrested a CRPF constable in connection with the molestation of girl students of a state-run residential school during a cultural programme in Chhattisgarhs Dantewada district. The constable was not alone, he took his friend to do the same, and these two men raped that student taking turns. The incident took place on July 31, during a Raksha Bandhan programme that was organised by the CRPF troopers ahead of the festival at the state-run residential school in Dantewadas Palnar village under Kuakonda police station.

There is another incidence, where a seven-year-old girl was sedated and molested by two senior girl students, repeatedly over the last few months, at her school in west Delhis Moti Nagar. A 14-year-old girl was abducted and molested by two men in a car when she was returning home after school on foot in Hyderabads Hayathnagar area. A 35-year-old man from Bhiwandi in Thane, who used his four-wheeler to ferry school children, was arrested for raping two minor girls for six months. These are just point one per cent examples. The child exploitation and sexual abuse is on rise. Violence takes place in homes, schools, orphanages, residential care facilities, on the streets, in the workplace, in prisons and in places of detention.

The murder of a Class 2 student in Ryan International School in Gurugram, who was found with his throat slit in the bathroom shortly after he reached school, has raised troubling questions about how safe children are in school premises.

In 2017, four such cases, (including the recent murder at Ryan International) took place in Delhi. Sexual assault cases have become too common in schools. In Delhi alone, crimes against children in schools, both public and private, are disturbingly common; eight out of 10 incidents were reported in Delhi alone.

There was an appalling disclosure by government commissioned survey which says more than 53 per cent of children in India are subjected to sexual abuse, but most dont report the assaults to anyone. The survey covered different forms of child abuse  physical, sexual and emotional  as well as female child neglect; found that two out of every three children have been physically abused. Child abuse is swathed in silence and there is a conspiracy of calm around the entire subject.

The survey, carried out across 13 states and with a sample size of 12,447, revealed that 53.22 per cent of children reported having faced one or more forms of sexual abuse, with Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Assam and Delhi reporting the highest percentage of such incidents. In 50 per cent of child abuse cases, the abusers were known to the child or were in a position of trust and responsibility and most children did not report the matter to anyone. Over 50 per cent children were subjected to one or the other form of physical abuse and more boys than girls were abused physically. The first-ever survey on child abuse in the country disclosed that nearly 65 per cent of schoolchildren reported facing corporal punishment  beatings by teachers  mostly in government schools. Of children physically abused in families, in 88.6 per cent of the cases, it was the parents who were the perpetrators. More than 50 per cent had been sexually abused in ways that ranged from severe such as rape or fondling  to milder forms of molestation that included forcible kissing. When it comes to emotional abuse every second child was subjected to emotional assault and in 83 per cent of the cases, parents were the abusers.

Now tell me how one can think of secured nation or society for young lives in India?

(Any suggestions, comments or dispute with regards to this article send us on feedback@afternoonvoice.com)
Vietnam and China agreed on Monday to back away from conflicts in the South China Sea, in a move aimed at easing tensions over Beijings claims to most of the waterway.

The communist neighbours have long-sparred over the sea  to which Brunei, Taiwan and the Philippines also have partial claims  through which $5 trillion in shipping trade passes annually.

China has built artificial islands and airstrips capable of hosting military installations in the sea, which is believed to sit atop vast oil and gas deposits.

Hanoi and Beijing agreed Monday to keep the peace in the sea, the countries said in a joint statement during a state visit to Hanoi by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

They agreed to well manage disputes at sea, make no moves that may complicate or expand disputes, (and) maintain peace and stability on the East Sea, the Vietnamese version of the statement said, using Hanois term for the sea.

Tensions flared earlier this year when Vietnam suspended an oil exploration project in an area off its coast that China claims as its own, reportedly following pressure from Beijing.

Relations hit rock bottom in 2014 when Beijing moved an oil rig into waters claimed by Vietnam, sparking weeks of protests.

Later on Monday China and ASEAN, which includes Vietnam, were expected to announce in Manila that they have agreed to begin talks on a much-delayed code of conduct for the sea.

China insists the code must not be legally binding, a demand to which Southeast Asian countries have so far acquiesced.

Vietnam had been pushing for the code to be legally binding but ASEAN agreed in August that it would not have any legal force.

China agreed in 2002 to begin talks on a code, but has delayed actually doing so while carrying out its expansionist strategy.
You have permission to edit this article.

Edit Close
Amerijet International has extended its GSA contract with Network Airline Services (NAS) to include Malta, while sister firm ANA Aviation Services has won the deal to cover Dubai.

Florent Turlier, business development director of Network Aviation Group, of which NAS and ANA are GSA branches, said: Our global network of offices and knowledge of the Amerijet market were significant factors in us winning these important new contracts.

"In 2015, we were able to extend our agreement in the country of France to include South Africa. Today, another milestone has been reached and we are truly proud of our long-standing relationship with Amerijet and look forward to expanding their presence in the Middle East and Malta markets by representing these flights across all of our locations.

Simon Pantin, director of global network development of Amerijet, added: We are very pleased with the quality of representation and the performance of NAS in both France and South Africa and are excited to have the group expand to represent us in Malta and Dubai.

"NAS and ANA Aviation are perfectly positioned to meet Amerijets needs and we look forward to building a stronger, more successful partnership with them.

Share this story
A 56-year-old man was found shot to death in the bedroom of southwest Birmingham home Monday morning.

Authorities on Monday afternoon identified the victim as Larry Sanders.

Birmingham police and rescue responded to Sanders' home in the 1300 block of 17th Street S.W. shortly before 10 a.m. He was pronounced dead on the scene from a gunshot wound to the chest.

Sanders was discovered sitting in his chair in the bedroom when he failed to show up for work Monday morning. Officials at the Alabaster trucking company called one of the victim's brothers who went to the home and made the discovery. A co-worker arrived almost simultaneously to check on the man.

Multiple homicide detectives and crime scene investigators responded to the scene. They canvassed neighbors asking them if they had heard any gunfire, but they said they did not.

Several family members were on the scene. They said Sanders lived alone and went to work everyday. They had no idea why anyone would kill him.

Investigators said they saw no obvious motive for the crime. His co-worker said he was at work Friday, but police and family said it wasn't immediately clear when he was last seen alive or heard from.

The man is Birmingham's 92nd homicide this year. Of those, at least five have been ruled justifiable and therefore aren't deemed criminal. In all of Jefferson County, there have been 140 slayings.

Anyone with information is asked to call Birmingham homicide detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
Senate candidate Roy Moore said in a speech Sunday night that he intended to file a lawsuit against The Washington Post regarding the story it published Thursday in which he was accused of sexual misconduct with a 14-year-old girl.

Moore spoke at Huntsville Christian Academy in an event closed to the media.

A video of Moore's speech was posted on his campaign Facebook page.

Click here to read AL.com's coverage of Roy Moore.

Moore again vehemently denied the allegations in The Post story, which interviewed four women who described romantic or sexual encounters with Moore when they were teens and the Republican nominee was in his 30s.

Moore brought up the allegations near the end of a 40-minute speech.

"About three days ago, The Washington Post published another attack on my character and reputation in a desperate attempt to stop my political campaign," he said. "These attacks about a minor child are completely false and untrue. And for which they will be sued."

Moore then received an ovation from the crowd - one of many that occurred during the speech. At the end, Moore received a standing ovation.

The Senate election against Democrat Doug Jones is Dec. 12.

Speaking tonight in Huntsville Posted by Stand with Judge Roy Moore on Sunday, November 12, 2017

Moore also adamantly said that he had no intention of dropping out of the race nor of being forced to leave the race.

"We do not intend to let the Democrats, we do not intend to let the established Republicans, we do not intend to let anybody deter us from finishing this race," Moore said. "We fully expect the people of Alabama to see through this charade. And we will continue our efforts."

Moore has repeatedly denied the allegations raised in The Post story. According to The Post, Moore met with a 14-year-old girl and took her to a remote place, removed her clothes, touched her over her bra and underpants and guided her hand to touch him over his underpants.

The girl, Leigh Corfman, told The Post that Moore introduced himself to her and her mother at the courthouse in Etowah County. Moore was an assistant district attorney at the time.

Three other women said they had romantic encounters with Moore while they were in their teens but the physical relationship never progressed beyond kissing.

Moore said in a Friday interview with Fox News personality Sean Hannity that he was conducted his own investigation into The Post allegations and briefly alluded to that investigation in his Sunday speech.

"We've still got the investigation going on," he said. "We're still finding out a lot that we didn't know."

Moore has given no indication when he might release the findings of that investigation.

Moore also told the audience that he has a daughter and that he and his wife, Kayla, will celebrate their 33rd wedding anniversary two days after the election.

"I have the highest regard for the protection of young ladies," Moore said.

Democrats and the Republican establishment are behind the "attacks" by The Post, said Moore, who also referred to stories the newspaper has written raising questions about the financial activities of Moore's Foundation for Moral Law.

He said the stories about the foundation "kind of failed for them."

"Why have they come now?" Moore said of the sexual misconduct allegations. "Because there are groups that don't want me in the United States Senate. The Democratic Party - they don't want to see me in the United States Senate. There's the Republican establishment, which has spent over $30 million to keep me out of the Senate (in backing former opponent Luther Strange).

"Working together, they realized that my opponent is 11 points behind. They're desperate."

Polling before the allegations indicated Moore led from 6 to 11 points. Since the allegations, polls have shown that the race has tightened and one poll put Jones ahead by 4 points.

"This article is a prime example of fake news, designed to divert attention from the true issues facing our country like health care, military readiness, immigration and raising the national debt," Moore said.

Updated today, Nov. 12, 2017, at 10:41 p.m. with new information throughout.
Roy Moore's wife described allegations of sexual misconduct against her husband as "outrageous."

In an interview with Breitbart News - Moore's media outlet of choice overseen by staunch supporter Stephen Bannon - Kayla Moore also said that the supposedly "common knowledge" of her husband's interest in teenage girls when he was in his 30s wasn't known to her.

A former co-worker of Moore's used the phrase "common knowledge" to describe his affinity for teenage girls.

"In all the contests that he's ever been in, nothing like this has ever happened," Kayla said. "Nothing like this has ever come up. Nothing I've ever heard of. It's supposedly coming from our hometown. I've never heard anything about it.

"They say it was 'common knowledge,' but it wasn't 'common knowledge' for me and it wasn't common knowledge for any of our family. We're all shocked by this. We raised our children there. We had four children. So if it was 'common knowledge,' I'd like to know whose 'common knowledge' it was."

Both Moore and his wife are natives of Etowah County in northeast Alabama and they make their home in the small town of Gallant.

The Post reported Moore had sexual or romantic encounters with four teenage girls when he was in his early 30s while working as an assistant district attorney in Gadsden. One of the girls was 14 and said Moore undressed her and touched her over her bra and underpants while guiding her hand to touch him over his underpants.

The Post said it learned of the allegations while reporting on Moore in Gadsden. The newspaper said it contacted the four women and they agreed to give their names and speak on the record.

A former co-worker of Moore's, Teresa Jones, posted on Twitter and said in a CNN interview that it was "common knowledge" that Moore had a "propensity for teenage girls."

"Everyone we knew thought it was weird," she told CNN.

Breitbart said the interview with Kayla Moore took place following a private appearance by her husband at Huntsville Christian Academy.

In a video of the speech posted on Moore's campaign website, he said he intended to sue The Washington Post for publishing allegations of sexual misconduct that he again adamantly denied.

"About three days ago, The Washington Post published another attack on my character and reputation in a desperate attempt to stop my political campaign," Moore said in the speech. "These attacks about a minor child are completely false and untrue. And for which they will be sued."

Kayla Moore said it's been a difficult time for the family since the allegations were posted on The Post's website Thursday.

"It's been very hurtful," she said. "But we are a very close family, and we stay in prayer together. The community and the entire county and the entire state--even outside our state--has just been enormous because everyone sees this for what it is.

"The Washington Post has been after us since the day that he was elected the Republican nominee. They've come after me personally. They've come after him. They've come after the foundation. And none of that worked. So what did they do? They went after my husband with outrageous, outlandish things--I can't even describe how I feel."
The Army has lifted a ban on recruits with some forms of mental illness.

The change occurred in August but was first reported over the weekend by USA Today. The change allows people with a history of self-mutilation such as cutting; bipolar disorder; depression; or drug and alcohol abuse to seek waivers to join the Army.

In a statement to USA Today, Army spokesperson Lt. Col. Randy Taylor said the ban, which has been in place since 2009, was lifted in part because there is greater access to medical information about potential recruits. It also comes as the Army faces a goal of recruiting 80,000 new soldiers by September 2018, 11,000 higher than last year's goal.

"The decision was primarily due to the increased availability of medical records and other data which is now more readily available," Taylor's statement to USA TODAY said. "These records allow Army officials to better document applicant medical histories."

The Army did not confirm how many waivers have been issued.

News of the change comes after Devin Kelley, a dishonorable discharged former Air Force member, shot and killed 26 people during a morning church service in Sutherland Springs, Texas. Kelly has been kicked out of the Air Force in 2012 on charges he assaulted his wife and stepson and was later committed to a mental health facility.

.
Do you want to talk with local and national educators and leaders about the state of public education?

If so, make plans to attend Monday night's town hall in downtown Birmingham, hosted by AtlanticLIVE, an event production arm of The Atlantic magazine.

The event, called "Schools Across America: A Birmingham Town Hall," will feature panel discussions with a host of local leaders, including Birmingham Mayor-elect Randall Woodfin, Birmingham Business Alliance Senior Vice President Waymond Jackson and Jefferson County superintendent Dr. Craig Pouncey.

Contributing Editor and award-winning journalist Alison Stewart will direct multiple panel discussions focused on equity issues in education.

The event is underwritten by the American Federation of Teachers. National AFT President Randi Weingarten will participate in a discussion alongside local AFT presidents Richard Franklin of Birmingham and Marrianne Hayward of Jefferson County.

Other panel participants include two Birmingham City teachers, Lindsey Bloodworth and Tawanda Morgan, students from the Birmingham and Jefferson County school systems and AL.com's Trisha Powell Crain.

From the AtlanticLIVE web site:

In the School Across America series, The Atlantic will examine how individual communities are grappling with the national challenges of rising inequality, persistent inequity, and a changing economy. This first installment will seek to understand the shape of these national challenges in Birmingham, Alabama, bringing together local teachers, policymakers, students and advocates to explore the next steps for building a more equitable education system in the metro area.

Previous AtlanticLIVE events have covered a diverse range of topics from vaccines to race and justice issues to women in science.

The doors open at 5 p.m. at the Avon Theater at 2829 7th Avenue South. The program starts at 5:30 p.m. Those planning to attend are asked to register through the event's web site.

The event will be live-streamed from the main event web page.
An Alabama state senator and chairman of the Etowah County Republican Party -- home to U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore -- said Monday that the woman who accused Moore of initiating a sexual encounter with him when she was 14 years old and other women who have made allegations "deserve the full measure of credibility that any victim should be given in cases such as these."

But state Sen. Phil Williams, who also serves as head of the Etowah County GOP, also lamented that Moore could not mount a "true defense" against the allegations, pointing out that the statute of limitations have expired. He said that the situation "is the worst of humanity on display."

Williams did not say whether he believes Leigh Corfman, who accused Moore of picking her up when she was 14 years old, or Moore.

"On one hand, if the allegations are true, then a young woman at a defenseless position in her life was the victim of actions that no one should be subjected to - actions that may well have colored her days thereafter," Williams said. "On the other hand, if the allegations are untrue then we have a situation in which outright lies are being told with the sole intent to destroy the life and ruin the name of someone for the sole purpose of gaining an edge in politics. It is horrible to contemplate that anyone would wreak either havoc on another person - but that is the world that we live in and those are the only two possible grounds for the stories being given top billing in the media today. God help us as we sort through the mess."
As region votes, young people say the last generation has failed them as they vow to participate in politics.

One evening in October, the three presidential candidates in Somalilands elections sat backstage in one of Hargeisas best hotels, listening to a briefing about the televised debate they were about to take part in.

No talk of clan or personality, they were admonished, and no personal attacks. Instead, the candidates were to focus strictly on foreign policy, domestic policy and socioeconomic plans.

This landmark event was organised not by top-tier politicians, but by a group of very young Somalis, who, dissatisfied with the level of political discourse, came together to draw attention to some of the issues affecting the countrys youngest citizens.

An estimated 70 percent of the population is under 30.

There are lots of national issues of significant importance that are not discussed, says Adnan Hagoog, one of the founders of Inspire Group, the think-tank that organised the debate.

Young people don't want to be associated with clan politics anymore and the apathy shows their discontent. by Guleid Ahmed Jama, chairperson of Somaliland's Rights Centre

The perception here is that youth cannot deliver, agrees his colleague, Abdirashid Ibrahim, but when we organised the debate we rose to the challenge, and we were able [to make the candidates] focus on the bigger picture and forget about the clan.

Although Somalilands political system incorporates both traditional elements and modern, political structures, it is mostly divided and fought over clan lines, and the two, main political parties represent a specific clan, or a coalition of clans and sub-clans.

One of the reasons youth are excluded from politics is the clan system, explains Mohamed Farah, director of the Academy for Peace and Development. The traditional system was led by old men, so youth and women are still excluded.

Not registered

Many young people have not registered to vote in presidential elections on Monday, and many feel like they are not being properly represented in the political system.

Young people dont want to be associated with clan politics anymore, says Guleid Ahmed Jama, chairperson of Somalilands Rights Centre, and the apathy shows their discontent.

Yet, several young activists who connect largely via social media are fighting to increase young peoples political participation in Somaliland, in a bid to have their voices heard and improve their life prospects in the country.

Some reports say the formal unemployment rate for youth under 35 is 75 percent, and the rate of literacy is low, at around 44 percent, and even lower for women, at 20 percent.

The last generation has failed us, agrees Khadar Mariano, himself a youth activist and founder of YEEL Volunteers, an organisation working to improve Somalilands education system. But not voting is not an option here.

Young people need to have serious discussions, we need to network and increase our [political] activity so that we dont have to face this problem again in the next elections, says Mariano.

Whoever gets elected will become the constitutional president of this country, whether we like it or not. The question is what do we do in those five years to change things.

Young people are not completely absent from politics.

There was a lot of hope for the youth joining the political system, but those running in the past have not been the right candidates, explains Hagoog. The clan system does not give a chance to smart, educated youth to get elected and actually improve things.

But Hagoog, Mariano and Ibrahim do all agree that the clan system and its elders have had a seminal role in Somalilands development, and the self-declared republic would not be where it is today without it.

Clan elders are widely credited for making  and maintaining  the peace in the critical post-war years, following the civil war to overthrow Siad Barre in the 1980s, and their traditional conflict resolution mechanisms are what enabled the country to reconcile.

It is elders who bring Somaliland together and keep the peace, but one point here needs to be very clear: clan leaders should not be involved in decision making, argues Hagoog.

Involving clan and elders in the mainstream politics is corrupt, its rotten, and its the old way of doing things. Somaliland as at a crossroads now, we want the political interest to be directed and led by political ambition, by political objectives, not by clan affiliation.

Promises to the young

Confronted with the pressure put on them by organisations like Inspire Group and activists like Mariano, political officials have had to take notice, and the issues of education, youth unemployment and political participation have been central to the discourse in the run-up to the presidential election.

{articleGUID}

The country cannot progress if young people dont participate in the decision-making process, agrees Hussein Badhani, a representative of the ruling Kulmiye party, which vows to empower young people and increase their political participation.

{articleGUID}

We intend to reform our curriculum to focus on technical skills and increase employment, and many positions in our government will be for youth, Badhani told Al Jazeera

{articleGUID}

Abdirashid Jeeni, a representative of the main opposition party, Waddani, told Al Jazeera that, in case of victory next week, the party would reserve 40 percent of jobs in public institutions for young people, adding that theirs is the first party in Somaliland to create a youth wing.

Whether the political parties will act on their promises after election remains to be seen, but Somalilands youth are already taking the necessary steps to ensure they wont be bystanders in the future, or the present, of their country.

These old men tell us we are the leaders of the future, laughs Mariano. But we have to say: No, we are the leaders of now. Now is the time.'
If the events unfolding in Riyadh are any indication of what Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) will be like as a king, we are in for a bumpy ride for years ahead.

The shake-up of the decades-old Saudi power consensus, as well as the presumably forced resignation of Saad Hariri in Riyadh, all mean that MBS seeks recognition of his authority both domestically and internationally.

Some commentators have dubbed him the Vladimir Putin of the Middle East referring to his bold moves in changing the power equilibrium in the Kingdom and bringing down Saudi oligarchs.

The Russia-Saudi rapprochement of recent months arguably became possible precisely because Russian President Vladimir Putin and MBS speak the same language. Both prefer to use hard power to resolve issues domestically and internationally and both see the world in black and white.

Since MBS was empowered by his father, King Salman, in early 2015, Saudi foreign policy has been undergoing a Russia-style transformation embracing a full-on offensive character. The Yemen war, the Qatar blockade and, finally, Saudi Arabias alleged role in recent Lebanese developments all seem to have been borrowed out of Putins playbook.

The Russian president is arguably the politician who brought realpolitik back into fashion, with his military campaign in Syria and a series of hybrid involvements in former Soviet republics. In the region where the power balance is increasingly changing, Saudi Arabia sees the need to stay alert and pro-active, which is why Putins revisionist policies strongly resonate with the leadership in Riyadh.

If MBS is using Putin's strategy as a guidebook, he is doing it all wrong. by

While Putin and MBS have a similar approach to foreign policy, they have different starting points. With his leadership facing no serious challengers at home, Putin can afford a long-term strategy of carrot and stick. For Mohammed bin Salman, foreign policy is, to a large extent, dictated by the need to cement his power domestically as soon as possible.

Russian and Saudi politics are similar in that leadership cults play an enormous role in nation building. Power projection domestically and globally is a factor that determines the acceptance and legitimacy of the leader. Putin spent years carefully building his public image (to the point where his approval rating has been above 80 percent for years now), while his assertive foreign policy, whether one likes it or not, made Russia a country whose opinion cannot be dismissed. It increasingly looks that MBS is set to establish a similar footing for his rule which will likely last for decades.

There is no doubt that both Putin and MBS are products of the very power system that they have tried to rein in. Putin rose from Russias unruly power vertical of the 1990s; he sought to take control of it throughout the 2000s, battling the unruly business oligarchy, and succeeded. Likewise, MBS has been a beneficiary of the royal consensus system of rule; his father, King Salman, took to the Saudi throne, patiently waiting for his turn.

{articleGUID}

The process of taking over a huge family-based apparatus (incidentally, Russias oligarchic system was, at some point, also called the family) has only just started for the Saudi crown prince, but we can already see what it has led to in Russia, years after that fight was fought. Oligarchs were either coopted into the political system or exiled, while corruption permeated all spheres of life even deeper.

However, if MBS is using Putins strategy as a guidebook, he is doing it all wrong. By forcibly eliminating influential family members from the power equation, the young prince is dismantling the system of consensus rule, something that has allowed Saudi Arabia to maintain a careful balance and keep the Kingdom together for decades. What MBS is, in fact, looking to do is to install a governing system based on his uncontested power, which is a page out of Putins playbook, but, unlike the Russian president, the Saudi crown prince is ruining an equilibrium that helped the Kingdom maintain stability.

Instead of creating a class of royal elites unconditionally loyal to the monarch, MBS risks alienating those who see themselves as having the legitimate right to a chunk of the power pie in the Kingdom. The crown prince, an aspiring patriarch of sorts who no longer views other descendants of Ibn Saud as equals, is creating an enormous class of royalty that will feel disadvantaged and thus united in their rejection of the new status quo.

{articleGUID}

This rejection, however, is brewing deep inside the elites and wont show until it transforms into dissent. This explains why the MBS-led shake-up in Riyadh was indiscriminate in who it was targeting, disproportionate to the stated goals, and was probably aimed at preventing dissent from appearing rather than targeting any dissident specifically.

This marks the key difference between MBS and Putin. The Russian president has a good sense of underlying domestic power dynamics and easily reigns over them. He created a political system in which branches of the family are pitted against each other and he acts as a referee between them.

In this power structure, individual political clans all seek proximity to the leader and compete for Putins attention and favour. Thus, the power players remain focused on their squabbles and would not challenge the top because once this power pyramid crumbles, it will bring down everyone, including the dissenters.

MBS is looking to establish a very different system, by essentially equally weakening all other branches of the House of Saud to maintain his power over them. This set-up, however, does not guarantee the same level of stability and perhaps will not be able to maintain the same longevity of the regime.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy.
In the last few weeks, more attention has been focused on South African President Jacob Zuma than usual because of the release of an explosive new book  The Presidents Keepers, by Jacques Pauw. The book details the extraordinary ways in which Zumas alleged corruption is enabled by criminals and spies.

It is a chilling read and  unsurprisingly  Pauw has come under considerable pressure in the aftermath of its publication. The state security agency has threatened to ban the book, and as a result, pirated copies have flooded the social media accounts of many South Africans eager to know more and to defy the authorities desires to squash an important story.

Pauws book has enjoyed strong support from South Africans of all races. Black and white people have been equally incensed  the middle classes who have data and the money to buy the book have generally been very supportive of his efforts.

Still, at Pauws book launch in a tiny Johannesburg suburb this past week, the looming question of racism couldnt be ignored. The large crowd  over a thousand people are said to have attended  was predominantly white. Many of the black people in attendance felt uncomfortable.

Quanitaah Hunter, a journalist at the Sunday Times, the most widely read South African weekend paper, was there. Shortly after the launch, Hunter posted a message on social media in which she noted she felt there was a smug sense of see what happens when you put blacks in charge. She suggested that for some of the white people attending the launch, their motivation for attending, indeed for reading the book, was suspect. The contents of the book, she suggested, were being used to justify racism and anti-black sentiment.

For those familiar with daily life in South Africa, this is no surprise. In recent years racial tensions have run high. There have been a range of high-profile incidents of white arrogance and racism, which have sent shockwaves across a country where black people have done so much to demonstrate their forgiveness of the collective racism of the white population that oppressed them for so long.

The most fearless and prominent anti-corruption campaigners in the democratic era have not been whites. by

Many black South Africans who had hoped the end of apartheid would signal the end of white privilege, have been disheartened by the way race relations have unfolded in the post-apartheid period. This disappointment is compounded by the fact that the economic and social systems that made black South Africans poor remain firmly in place. The townships where black people were forced to live under apartheid remain largely removed from the centres of economic activity where whites live.

It is no surprise that whites continue to occupy a disproportionate space in economic affairs: wide-scale change takes time. Yet it is the attitudes and behaviours of many whites that have led to the sort of disillusionment voiced by Hunter. Many black South Africans had hoped the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) would inspire their white compatriots to eschew the sort of racism that now colours the corruption debate.

For some of the white South Africans who attended Pauws book launch, the state of governance is emblematic of the failure of black people to manage the affairs of the country. For them, government corruption is not simply linked to the dangers of any political party that has enjoyed the kind of super-majority the ANC had since it was no longer banned. They see Zumas scandals and the allegations of corruption that trail him, as a function of his race: Jacob Zuma is corrupt, because he is black.

{articleGUID}

Jacques Pauws book does not imply this racial connection at all. The book is meticulously documented and covers much ground that has been previously reported. He joins the dots around previously public information, bolstering it with new evidence, and he does so without resorting to stereotype.

Still, it would be foolhardy to suggest that discussions about corruption in South Africa  which have spiked in volume as the excesses of President Zuma and his friends and family have become more and more outrageous  are race neutral.

Journalists like Pauw  who track corruption in the post-apartheid era  may simply be doing their jobs, but their stories land in a public domain that is already deeply divided across racial lines. Many of these journalists are themselves black, but this does not change the way the larger narrative of race and mismanagement is framed. This problem is not unique to South Africa of course  yet because of the countrys history, the challenge is especially close to the surface.

Some political commentators have begun to question why it is the black officials  rather than the (often) white people who corrupt them  who are under more scrutiny in the press. A case in point is the coverage of an important new book  Apartheid Guns and Money by Hennie van Vuuren and Michael Marchant.

The book has received far less press than the president and his keepers. However, it is no less deeply researched, and importantly; it shows the extent to which white South African billionaires paid money to the apartheid regime in return for favours. It is easy to forget that the South African state under apartheid was deeply corrupt  not simply in a moral sense. Under apartheid, the rot was both of a racial and an economic nature.

Pauws book has been published at a time when white South Africans are mobilising in new ways. While their organising is ostensibly on the basis of the effect Zuma is having on the country, it is hard not to view their concern as being motivated by self-interest and an outsized sense of their importance in a country where their importance is no longer guaranteed merely by virtue of their skin colour.

{articleGUID}

In April of this year, many white people took to the streets after the value of the currency fell due to market jitters related to poor governance. In general, black South Africans were pointed in their avoidance of these rallies. Some have suggested that until whites are collectively prepared to protest against the effects of government corruption on the poorest black citizens, they will withhold their support for #ZumaMustFall campaigns. The president is unfit for office, many believe, but his demise cannot come on the basis of racist ideas about black peoples capabilities.

As the crowd gathered to listen to Pauw, a curious thing happened along the sidelines of the massive book launch last week. Members of the audience who had broken away from the ruling party  those who are the chief protagonists in the book  were asked to autograph the book. Most of them happened to be black South Africans. They were cheered and patted on the back by their white compatriots.

Cynics will suggest that these brave South Africans are seen as exceptions. This may be the case. Still, it served as an important reminder for those who may be tempted to suggest there is an inherent relationship between Africans and poor governance. The most fearless and prominent anti-corruption campaigners in the democratic era have not been whites. People like Thuli Madonsela, the former anti-corruption head, and opposition leaders Mmusi Maimane, Julius Malema and Bantu Holomisa, who jointly took the president to court over the scandal involving his presidential palace have been on the front lines in challenging Zumas leadership.

Former ANC insiders have also broken ranks, and church leaders and various members of civic groups have all spoken out  all of these good people, fierce opponents of greed  have been black people.

The good news is that many South Africans are adamant that neither corruption nor racism has a place in the society they fought for. Exposing corruption  as Pauw and others have done with such courage and professionalism  will only yield results when the crimes of white South Africans and global corportations are as thoroughly investigated and debated by whites as those of their black compatriots. Until then, President Zuma and his keepers may have little to fear.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy.
At least 43 civilians have been killed and dozens more wounded in three air raids on a busy market in Atareb, a town in Syrias western Aleppo province.

Al Jazeera Suhaib al-Khalaf, reporting from Idlib city, Syria, said the overall toll was expected to rise because dozens of people had been wounded or were still missing after the attack.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said it was not immediately clear whether Mondays attacks on Atareb, a town in a so-called de-escalation zone, had been carried out by Syrian or Russian warplanes.

Videos posted on social media purported to show massive destruction at the scene with rubble from damaged buildings covering the towns street and peoples faces drenched in blood.

The air raids come less than two weeks after peace talks in Astana where Russia, Turkey and Iran announced plans to implement no-fly zones over four so-called de-escalation zones.

SHOCKING footage of one of the many woman injured after the bombing of the marketplace of #Atarib, Western #Aleppo today. 50+civilians were killed, 100+ wounded.https://t.co/LXUbyhsYWx pic.twitter.com/hP62blm3LO  Dr Shajul Islam (@DrShajulIslam) November 13, 2017

The zones, which include the provinces of Idlib, Homs, Latakia, Aleppo and Hama  are areas where fighters and government forces should halt hostilities, including air raids, for six months.

More than 2.5 million people are believed to live in the zones.

The agreement, however, excludes the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) group and Tahrir al-Sham.

Idlib is mainly controlled by Tahrir al-Sham, an alliance of anti-government groups formed in January and linked to al-Qaeda.

Syrias conflict evolved from a government crackdown on protests in 2011 to a devastating war that has drawn in world powers, including Russia and a US-led international coalition.

Since then, hundreds of thousands of people have been killed and more than 10 million displaced, according to the UN.








Amnesty International says that the surrender or starve campaign being waged by the Syrian government against its civilians is a crime against humanity.

Amnesty International says the Syrian governments surrender or starve campaign targeting civilians constitutes a crime against humanity.

Its calling for an end to what it calls the dark stain on the worlds conscience.

A new report says government forces surrounded and bombed densely-populated, opposition-controlled areas. Thousands of people were given an ultimatum to abandon their homes or die.

The report condemns not only the Syrian government but also some armed opposition groups. It says both restricted and blocked humanitarian help.

Amnesty is asking for an independent body to investigate and prosecute those responsible.

Al Jazeeras Osama Bin Javaid reports from the Turkish town of Gaziantep, close to the border with Syria.

Warning: some viewers may find some images disturbing.
Syria is expected to be high on the agenda when Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan meets with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Russias Black Sea resort of Sochi on Monday. It is the fourth meeting between Putin and Erdogan this year.

Syria is expected to be high on the agenda when Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan meets with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Russias Black Sea resort of Sochi on Monday. It is the fourth meeting between Putin and Erdogan this year. Trade between the two countries is also expected to be discussed.

After his talks with Putin, Erdogan will head to Kuwait on Tuesday, and Qatar on Wednesday, to discuss the five-month-long Gulf diplomatic crisis.

Marwan Bishara, Al Jazeeras senior political analyst, discusses Erdogan and the geopolitics of the region.

I think the Turks think the Americans and the Europeans are backstabbing cowards. And I think the Americans and the Europeans think Erdogan is [a] rash and brash leader.
Islamabad, Pakistan  Hundreds of supporters of a conservative leader, many armed with sticks, continue to block the main entrance to the Pakistani capital, demanding the resignation of the federal law minister and a strict adherence to the countrys blasphemy laws.

Led by Khadim Hussain Rizvi, the leader of the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan political party, the protesters sit-in on a major highway entered its sixth day on Monday.

The demonstrators, who number up to 2,000 at peak times, entered Islamabad last week, protesting against a slight change in the countrys electoral law, that saw what they term a softening of the states position against the Ahmadis.

Muslim parliamentarians in Pakistan are required to declare that they consider members of the Ahmadi sect to be non-Muslim, and their prophet to be an imposter. The electoral reform bill changed the wording of the declaration to I believe from I solemnly swear, which Rizvi and his supporters deemed unacceptable.

The bill was amended to return to the original wording on October 5, days after it was first passed.

Rizvis supporters, however, are demanding that federal Law Minister Zahid Hamid, whom they consider responsible for the change, be fired and face criminal charges. The government has repeatedly said that the change in wording was a clerical error.

The protest marks the latest challenge to the embattled PML-N government, which saw its leader Nawaz Sharif disqualified as prime minister in July and has since been fighting the decision on both the political and legal fronts.

Rizvis Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan party has capitalised on the leaders reputation as a staunch defender of the countrys strict blasphemy laws, which dictate a mandatory death penalty for those found to be insulting Islams Prophet. Recent years have seen an increasing expansion in what is widely considered blasphemy.

At least 73 people have been murdered over alleged blasphemy since 1990, according to an Al Jazeera tally.

The party managed to secure third place in a recent by-election in the eastern city of Lahore, the heartland of the ruling PML-N party. It also delivered a strong showing in another by-election in the northwestern city of Peshawar, bagging 7.6 percent of the vote.

Negotiations or force

Islamabad has been under virtual lockdown since the protesters entered the city, camping out at an intersection on a major highway leading into the city. The government has deployed as many as 1,800 police personnel to secure the entry and exit points near the protest, as well as blocking off access to the citys government quarter using cargo containers.

It is the governments fault that the people are facing such an inconvenience, said Faisal Javed, 23, who travelled from the town of Toba Tek Singh, 300km south of the capital, to attend the protest. We will stay for as long as [Rizvi] is here.

Members of the government and civic administration say they are focused on ending the standoff via negotiations, but that no clear resolution has been achieved.

The government is clear on one thing: We will not accept any demand that is not according to either the constitution or the law, Talal Chaudhry, minister of state at the interior ministry, told Al Jazeera.

Chaudhry said his government preferred not to use force against the protesters, but would not hesitate to do so if needed.

If we want to thin them out or remove them from there, we can do it, but in Pakistan we are already fighting a war where religion is at the centre, and we do not want there to be any situation where the biggest religious sect [a part of which Rizvi represents] feels victimised, he told Al Jazeera.

Of course we cannot allow this to go on for an unlimited period, said Mushtaq Ahmed, a senior civic administration official.

Hang them publicly

The anger at the protest is palpable.

Why are they calling these Qadianis our brothers and sisters? demanded Azhar Rizvi, 22, who was manning the protesters barricades at the entrance to the sit-in, using a derogatory term for Ahmadis. Every [Ahmadi] should be publicly hanged, so that it is in front of everyone!

Nearby, a group of children shouted Labbaik, labbaik ya Rasool Allah, a slogan signifying solidarity with Islams Prophet, at pedestrians braving the barricades to cross into Islamabad on foot.

The sit-in site itself is covered with dozens of tents and rugs. A truck lined with speakers and a makeshift stage sits at the centre of the flyover the protesters have occupied, from which Rizvi often addresses the charged crowd.

On Monday morning, volunteers handed out cakes to protesters, who lined up in orderly queues to receive their breakfast.

We are here only so that [Law Minister] Zahid Hamid is punished, said Muhammad Abbas Anjum, 30, a seminary teacher who travelled 240km from Sheikhupura to attend the protest. We only want him to be punished according to the law of the land.

Even as he uttered the words, however, a cry went up among dozens of protesters around him. Gustaakh-e-Rasool ki ek hi saza: Sar tan se judah, sar tan se judah!

There is only one punishment for those dishonouring the Prophet: to remove their heads from their bodies!

Asad Hashim is Al Jazeeras Web Correspondent in Pakistan. He tweets @AsadHashim.
After years of diplomatic wrangling, 10-nation bloc to start work with Beijing on South China Sea code of conduct.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China have agreed to begin talks on regional guidelines for the South China Sea in a major breakthrough over the long-disputed territory.

In a statement issued late on Monday, Robespierre Bolivar, spokesman of the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, said the neighbouring countries would commence the negotiations on a substantive and effective code of conduct based on a framework established in August.

Leaders of ASEAN  as well as powers such as the United States, China, Japan, and India  have been meeting in Manila over the last two days.





For 15 years, the 10-member ASEAN bloc has struggled to reach a deal with its dominant neighbour, China, leading to several diplomatic skirmishes over disputed islands and territory in the resource-rich area.

Bolivar did not say when the talks would begin, but he said the Philippines would issue a separate statement regarding the agreement.

A draft statement released to the media said, While the situation is calmer now, we cannot take the current progress for granted.

The statement said it is important that we cooperate to maintain peace, stability, freedom of navigation in and over-flight above the SCS [South China Sea], in accordance with international law.

It is in our collective interest to avoid miscalculations that could lead to escalation of tensions.

China claims most of the South China Sea, one of the busiest shipping routes in the world. ASEAN member nations Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Brunei, as well as Taiwan also claim overlapping parts of the area.

A code of conduct would serve as a guideline for the competing claimants on how their sea vessels and aircraft can pass through the territory without dispute.

Peace over confrontation

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who hosted the 50th ASEAN summit, said instead of highlighting the regions differences with China, the countries should be friends.

The other hotheads would like us to confront China and the rest of the world on so many issues, he said during one of the ASEAN events on Sunday.

The South China Sea is better left untouched; nobody can afford to go to war. It can ill afford a violent confrontation.

Dutertes predecessor, Benigno Aquino, had accused China of building illegal structures and reclaiming sandbars in the middle of South China Sea, igniting a long-standing diplomatic face-off between Manila and Beijing.

In July 2016, an international tribunal in The Hague ruled in favour of the Philippines in that territorial dispute with China.

But Duterte downplayed the ruling and said the Philippines could not afford to go to war with its more powerful neighbour.

It was also revealed recently that the Philippine and Chinese navies had another confrontation over structures built by Manila on one of the islands within its exclusive economic zone.





Duterte, however, ordered the Philippine military to pull out of the area, prompting his critics to say he was sacrificing the countrys sovereignty.

Separately, Vietnam and China were also involved in a tense standoff over the Paracels Islands and Johnson Reef.

On Monday, during the opening of the ASEAN summit, Duterte skirted the South China Sea issue and instead focused on the rise of terrorism and violent extremism in the region.

Terrorism and violent extremism endanger the peace, stability, and security of our region because these threats know no boundary, he said.

Piracy and armed robbery in the seas put a dent on our growth and disrupt the stability of both regional and global commerce. The menace of the illegal drug trade continues to endanger the very fabric of our society.
US president lauds his relationship with the Philippines leader, who stands accused of acting with impunity over a brutal war on drugs that has left thousands dead.

US President Donald Trump has been holding meetings at the annual Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in the Philippines capital Manila with his counterparts  including President Rodrigo Duterte.

The White House and Dutertes spokesman gave conflicting accounts on whether the two discussed human rights when they met on the sidelines of the international summit on Monday.

Trump said he had a great relationship with Duterte, while a White House official said human rights got only a brief mention. A spokesman for Duterte said there was no mention at all of human rights or extrajudicial killings during their conversation.

Harry Roque, Dutertes spokesman, told a news conference that the Philippine president had explained his anti-drugs policy at length to Trump, who seemed to be appreciative of his efforts.

Al Jazeeras Jamela Alindogan reports from Manila.
Muslims comprise less than 0.5 percent of population, but face disproportionate about of hatred from fellow citizens.

Prague, Czech Republic  Walking along the idyllic streets of Prague just blocks away from the famed Wenceslas Square, 38-year-old Palestinian-born Raed Shaikh stopped to point out a halal grocery store he and the handful of other Muslim residents in town frequent.

He then motioned towards a Middle Eastern restaurant to the right, hidden behind a small mosque.

Here is the highest concentration of Muslims in Prague, the IT project manager said laughingly.

Though no exact figures exist, the Muslim community in the Czech Republic is small, between 5,000 and 20,000, or less than 0.02 percent of the total population.

Just a portion lives in Prague.

Yet Islam has become a hot-button topic in Czech national politics, where the power to resolve the countrys hung parliament could lie with a politician whose only policy is, No to Islam. No to terrorism.

Czech-Japanese entrepreneur Tomio Okamura and his Freedom and Direct Democracy Party (SPD) rode into parliament as the third most powerful party after the recent October nationwide elections, with no discernible policy other than to drive Islam completely out of the Czech Republic.

The campaign slogan was convincing enough for the newly formed SPD to scoop significant votes in its first ever electoral race.

Having built ties to other far-right movements in Europe, such as Marine Le Pens National Front in France, Okamura hopes to achieve his goal through ongoing coalition talks with controversial billionaire Andrej Babis, who is slated to become the countrys next prime minister.

Babis Action of Dissatisfied Citizens Party (ANO) won the October elections in decisive fashion but did not secure a simple majority. Now he must form a coalition with a fragmented parliament that has expressed little willingness to work with the populist agro-magnate who at the time of the elections was being investigated for fraud.

Muslims quit country amid rising Islamophobia

Some Muslims in Prague fear that the circumstances may lead to an alliance with Okamura, giving him an unprecedented platform  a worrying prospect given ANO and SPDs common disdain for Muslim refugees.

We have to fight for what our ancestors built here. If there will be more Muslims than Belgians in Brussels, thats their problem. I dont want that here. They wont be telling us who should live here, Babis told journalists in June.

This type of increasingly hostile rhetoric against migrants has profoundly stoked Islamophobia. For the members of Pragues small Muslim community, it is a sign of worrying times ahead.

Most of the Muslims here are doctors, engineers and IT specialists and so on, yet some political parties are trying to change our rights and eliminate Islam by Vladimir Sanka, board member of Muslim Community in Prague association

Many of our friends have already left, and if [Islamophobia] was not the first reason, it would certainly be the second, the Palestinian-born Shaikh said.

Currently, Islam is recognised as a religion in the Czech Republic, but its followers are restricted from several basic privileges enjoyed by other faiths, including the right to establish schools, to hold legally recognised weddings and conduct religious ceremonies in public spaces.

Most of the Muslims here are doctors, engineers and IT specialists and so on, yet some [political] partiesare trying to change our rights and eliminate Islam, said Vladimir Sanka, a 58-year-old Czech Muslim, who is on the board of the Muslim Community in Prague association.

Nobody can forbid freedom of religion

With negotiations between the two parties ongoing, Okamura has already told local media that ANO has pledged to consider a restriction on asylum for Muslims and a ban on Sharia, or Islamic law, and that SPD will not support Babis unless an agreement is reached.

Lubomir Kopecek, a political analyst at Masaryk University in Brno, said that an alliance at this stage is unlikely, though, by no means unfeasible.

If an ANO and Okamura government would happen in the next weeks or months, it could change many things, he said, referring to religious freedoms.

Even if the two parties did align, they would have a hard time carrying out such a ban, the chief of the Constitutional Court, Pavel Rychetsky, told local media saying: Nobody can forbid freedom of religion and belief.

Still, the move would not be unprecedented for the region.

Slovakia last year passed a law effectively banning Islam from gaining official status as a religion.

Making matters worse, growing anti-Islam sentiment has resulted in an uptick in hate speech and even physical attacks against Muslims who moved here long before the refugee crisis.

In July, local media reported two Muslim women were escorting a group of children to an aquapark in Prague when a third woman began verbally and physically assaulting them.

One of the victims was Shaikhs wife.

It is becoming more and more tough here, unfortunately, he said.

Shaikh, who twice debated the issue with Okamura on Czech television in 2015, said it has become difficult for his community to find a place in Prague to gather for Eid al-Fitr  the celebration at the end of Ramadan  in recent years.

Large halls want nothing to do with Muslims.

It wasnt a problem for 23 years, but a couple of years ago it became mission impossible, said Shaikh.

Czechs exhibit highest level of racial bias in Europe

Like its eastern neighbours, Poland and Hungary, the Czech Republics attitude towards migrants soured in 2015 after an escalation of attacks in Western Europe and as the refugee crisis continued to unfold.

Despite a very small number of Muslims and never having fallen victim to attack, the perceived threat of attacks paired with a tradition of nativism  for example, the longstanding persecution of the ethnic Romani  has made the country susceptible to populism and far-right attitudes.





According to a Harvard University survey published earlier in 2017, of the hundreds of thousands of people in Europe, Czechs exhibited a higher level of implicit racial bias than in any other European country.

In Prague, politicians including President Milos Zeman have sought advantage by adopting tough positions on Muslims, standing in fierce opposition to EU refugee quotas, taking just 12 of nearly 2,700 refugees allotted by the European Commission.

The stance has led to inflammatory rhetoric, with Zeman remarking that Muslim integration in Czech society is practically impossible.

Such rhetoric has paved the way for anti-Islam groups like Block Against Islam, which is known for staging outlandish events that last year included dressing up in traditional Muslim garb and mocking the Hajj pilgrimage by marching around a portable toilet meant to resemble the Holy Kaaba at Mecca.

In a separate event, the group staged a fake Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) invasion at Old Town Square that included a mock beheading.

They are a small group, but they want to provoke a reaction and hope that we react so that they can say they told us so, Sanka said.

Exacerbating the issue, the Czech Republic has fallen victim to a destabilising disinformation campaign  widely believed to be perpetrated by the Kremlin  that hopes to see Czechs turn against western-backed democratic politics in favour of illiberal autocrats.

In order to do that, dozens of fake news organisations established in recent years have focused on creating a false narrative against Muslims with the goal of herding the populace towards populists.

HateFree, an anti-discrimination organisation run by the government has debunked approximately 100 anti-Muslim hoax stories in the Czech Republic over the past few years.

We dont have the capacity to do much here, but we are still in a very tough position, Shaikh said of his small community.

On every corner, on every TV and newspaper, you can see their stance and the fear, so it is no wonder why people are scared.
Questions emerge about whether Egypt shares Saudis positions on several key issues affecting the Middle East.

Egypts Foreign Minister Sameh al-Shukri has embarked on a visit to six Arab capitals in a bid to reduce tensions in the region.

The tour could give some insight into Egypts stance on several of the ongoing crises in the region, especially with regard to escalating tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran, and the situation in Lebanon.

Shukri began his tour in the Jordanian capital, Amman, where he met King Abdullah II and his Jordanian counterpart Ayman Safadi.

According to a statement issued by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, Shukri will also visit Saudi Arabias capital, Riyadh, Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, the Bahraini capital Manama and Omans capital, Muscat.





Egypts most senior diplomat is expected to deliver messages from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to the leaders of those countries.

Shukris sentiments expressed so far imply that Egypts position is not in line with those of its allies, especially Saudi Arabia.

Sisi has said more than once that he is against any war in the region, and that he will not take action against the Iranian-backed Hezbollah movement in Lebanon.

The Egyptian leader has previously condemned Iranian interference in Arab affairs and has emphasised the importance of securing the Gulf states.

However, his position on Lebanon has raised questions about where he stands exactly.

Sisi came to power in 2013 in a military coup, which overthrew Egypts first freely elected president, Mohamed Morsi, amid mass protests against his rule.

The overthrow and the subsequent crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood were backed financially and politically by Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states, which poured billions of dollars into the Egyptian economy.
Turkish presidents comments come after Putin and Trump said there was no military solution to Syrias war.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has suggested Russia and the United States should pull their troops out of war-torn Syria after their leaders  Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump  said there was no military solution to the countrys long-running conflict.

I am having trouble understanding these comments, Erdogan was quoted by reporters as saying on Monday, before he flew out to Russias coastal city of Sochi for talks with Putin.

If a military solution [in Syria] is out of the question, then those who say this [Russia and the US] should pull their troops out  and steps for a political solution should be taken, he said.

Erdogans comments came two days after the Kremlin released a statement, issued on the sidelines of an Asia-Pacific summit in Vietnam, in which Putin and Trump agreed there was no military solution to the conflict in Syria.

They also called on all parties to take part in the Geneva process  diplomatic efforts to end Syrias conflict under the auspices of the United Nations.

Russia has been a major backer of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, while the US has been supporting the Syrian YPG Kurdish forces on the ground.

In his reported comments, Erdogan said neither Russia nor the US would be pulling out of Syria soon.

The United States said it would completely leave Iraq, but it didnt. The world is not stupid, some realities are being told differently and practised differently, he said.





Commenting on Erdogans reaction to the Turkish presidents remarks, Marwan Bishara, Al Jazeeras senior political analyst, said: The question probably on Erdogans mind is why am I not the one sponsoring the talks in Geneva?

The whole idea of this superpower logic, when it comes to Syria, we all know that Iran and Turkey are playing a far greater role and Turkey is not on the same wave as the US [in Syria], added Bishara.

Sochi talks

Turkey, Russia and Iran have been brokering Syria talks in Kazakhstans capital, Astana  a separate process than the one in Geneva.

Just like Moscow, Tehran is a major military backer of al-Assad, whereas Turkey supports certain rebel groups seeking to overthrow him.

The Syrian conflict and bilateral trade were expected to be high on the agenda during the Putin-Erdogan meeting in Sochi, the fourth this year.

Al Jazeeras Rory Challands, reporting from the Black Sea city, said Erdogans visit was aimed at mending Turkeys battered relationship with Russia, something that has taken years to repair.

Theyre still trying to rebuild a relationship thats taken a battering in recent times, he said.





It started when the Turks shot down a Russian plane over southern Turkey, near the Syrian border, two years ago. Following that, the Russians put in place a whole host of restrictions, a restriction of citizen movement, embargoes etc  theyre trying to repair that.

The relationship is now nearly back to how it was before the turmoil started.

Erdogan, however, still has concerns over Putin and Trumps comments and is also concerned by whats unfolding in Idlib province, our correspondent said.

Idlib is one of the most complicated battle spaces in Syria. The Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army is squashed in together with much more hardline elements, groups linked to al-Qaeda and the group formerly known as the Nusra Front.

The Turks are trying to split these elements apart but the area is still under bombardment from regime forces, and the Turks arent happy about that.

The Turks are also concerned about their perennial problem  the Kurds, Challands said.

Turkish troops pushed into Syria in August of last year in an effort to push the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) group away from its border and to stop the advance of Kurdish fighters.

Russia has a fairly open dialogue with the YPG which Turkey considers a terrorist group, and Erdogan has raised concerns about that here in Sochi, Challands added.
Aid agencies, Turkey send help as death toll reaches more than 450 after 7.3 magnitude tremor hits Iran and Iraq.

Rescue efforts are under way in Iraq and Iran after a 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck the border region between the two countries, killing more than 450 people and injuring an estimated 7,400.

As aftershocks continued on Monday and as rescuers scrambled to find survivors, Tasnim news agency reported that the death toll in Iran has reached 445, while 7,100 have been injured.

In the Iraqi side of the border, Rudaw news website reported at least seven dead and more than 300 injured in the Kurdish region.

The US Geological Survey (USGS) said Sundays powerful quake hit close to Halabjah, southeast of Sulaimaniyah, a city in the semi-autonomous Kurdish region of northern Iraq.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has sent a group of ministers, headed by Interior Minister Rahmani Fazli, to areas impacted by the earthquake to consider the process of relief and to address the injured, according to the Iranian government.

Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Commander Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari along with his forces is overseeing the rescue operations in the badly-hit western province of Kermanshah.

A three-day mourning period has been declared in the province following the disaster.

Tasnim quoted Hooshang Bazvand, governor of Kermanshah, as saying that he expects the death toll to rise.

Most of the victims are believed to be in the Iranian town of Sarpol-e Zahab. An estimated 70,000 people have been displaced across the country.

Al Jazeeras Imran Khan, reporting from the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, said: The Iranians have moved on the emergency response teams very quickly, setting up field hospitals and moving in heavy machinery to try and get to people that could still be trapped in the rubble.

Aid groups, Turkey send help

Across the border in Iraq, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi offered reassurance to his citizens over the recovery efforts.

I have instructed Civil Defence teams and health and aid agencies to do all that they can to provide assistance to our citizens affected by yesterdays earthquake. We will do everything possible to help them. Wishing safety and security for all our people, Abadi said on Twitter.

I have instructed Civil Defence teams and health and aid agencies to do all that they can to provide assistance to our citizens affected by yesterdays earthquake. We will do everything possible to help them. Wishing safety and security for all our people  Haider Al-Abadi   (@HaiderAlAbadi) November 13, 2017

To assist Iraq, Turkey has sent a search and rescue operation of 20 people, including the head of the Prime Ministry Disaster and Emergency Management Authority, Mehmet Gulluoglu.

The government of Iraqi Kurdistan thanked Turkey and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for the prompt assistance and offer of help.

The Kurdish Rudaw news agency tweeted a photo of a Turkish cargo plane landing in the Sulaimaniyah airport in Iraqi Kurdistan.

#Turkey extends a helping hand to Iraq. Search and rescue teams and humanitarian relief supplies are ready to take off for Iraq. pic.twitter.com/F5bkzIfR6A  AFAD (@AFADTurkey) November 13, 2017

Turkey and Iraqs Kurdish region have been at odds recently over a referendum on the oil-rich area declaring independence from Iraq.

Meanwhile, aid groups in the region are also responding to the earthquake.

Action Against Hunger, a nonprofit whose website says it works to save the lives of malnourished children, is sending a team to the epicentre of the quake near Halabjah.

Ralph El Haj, spokesman for the International Committee of the Red Cross & Red Crescent Societies, said the Iranian Red Crescent Society has so far deployed close to 174 rescue rapid response teams, who are providing medical supplies, blankets, tents and other facilities to help the injured or to find those still trapped under the rubble.

Its important in these situations to also refresh the memories of people on how to deal with earthquakes, he told Al Jazeera on the phone from Baghdad.

Crossed by several major fault lines, Iran is one of the worlds most seismically active countries.

In 2003, a 6.6 magnitude earthquake flattened the historic city of Bam in southeastern Iran, killing some 26,000 people.

Misery still to come

Baghdad shaken It was a little after 9:15pm on Sunday when I felt the room sway. At first I thought a bomb had gone off nearby and I immediately rushed to the window to see what had happened. Experience has taught me that if the windows of your room are intact, then the explosion was far enough to risk moving towards glass and taking a look. But then the room continued to shake. I looked back across at my desk and my laptop was moving ever closer to the edge of the desk as the wardrobe doors opened and shut. My brain raced to process what was going on. This was Baghdad. A place where earthquakes simply didnt happen. But as the building swayed from side to side and my room shook, I knew this was an earthquake. Instinct took over and I took the emergency stairs down to street. I wasnt alone. Frightened and bewildered faces greeted me as people tried to understand what had just happened. Like me, many initially thought it was a bomb, and the realisation that it had been an earthquake was sinking in. Cars had come to a standstill on the streets and everywhere you looked Iraqis had mobile phones glued to their ears, calling loved ones and trying to get information. What we all feared was aftershocks that may come. As it was late, people had come out in pyjamas and clutching laptops and purses. Information was hard to come by and panic ensued. Baghdad hasnt felt a tremor like this in living memory. As one woman put it to me: We have lived through so much. Now we have earthquakes to deal with.  Imran Khan, Al Jazeera correspondent

As aftershocks continue to rattle the country, Iran has shut down one of its main gas plants in the west for safety concerns.

This is another problem, said our correspondent.

This is an area that gets very, very cold at night, so that is going to have an impact on peoples heating and their ability to cook food. So, a lot of misery is still to come.

As authorities assess the damage in daylight, there are concerns that the death toll will go up.

The crisis in Iran will go on for a number of days while they try and get people back to their houses and try to evaluate all the damage that has taken place so far, said Al Jazeeras Khan.

On the other side of the border, Sulaimaniyah officials declared an emergency in the early hours of Monday to assess the aftermath of the quake, according to local Kurdish media.

Sundays tremor, which was felt as far away as Qatar, struck at 9:18pm local time (18:18) GMT.

Its epicentre was at a depth of 33.9km.

Politicians and social media users have offered their condolences to the neighbouring countries.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Iranian and Iraqi brothers who lost their lives in this tragic calamity, said Pakistans Foreign Minister Khwaja Asif.

UKs Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn urged urgent support for those affected by the quake.

My thoughts are with the victims of the devastating earthquake which hit Iraq and Iran yesterday, he wrote on Twitter.

Thousands have been left without shelter and many without medical treatment. We must do all we can to provide urgent support.

Those affected by the quake also described the moments of the tremor on social media.

Woke up to my bed shaking and entire room shaking with the sounds of crumbling in Najaf, one Twitter user said.

https://twitter.com/beebee313/status/929782286811303937?ref_src=twsrc^tfw
Saad Hariri has said that he will be returning to Beirut very soon to affirm his decision to resign as Lebanons prime minister.

Saad Hariri has said that he will be returning to Beirut very soon to affirm his decision to resign as Lebanons prime minister. He was speaking in an interview in the Saudi capital Riyadh, the same city where he announced his surprise resignation more than a week ago, prompting reports that he has being held there against his will.

Hariri also reiterated his call for Lebanons Hezbollah movement and Iran to stay out of regional conflicts.

One concern is that instability in Lebanon could spark a wider conflict, which is why the crisis is being followed closely, particularly in Israel.

Al Jazeeras Harry Fawcett reports from West Jerusalem.
South Korean troops find wounded North Korean on their side of the heavily fortified demilitarised zone.

South Korean forces are on high alert for possible provocations after a North Korean soldier was shot and wounded by his comrades as he defected across the demilitarised zone.

The rare defection occurred on Monday along the Joint Security Area (JSA) that is policed by both the South and Norths militaries, with soldiers staring each other down face-to-face at the heavily fortified border that divides the Koreas.

Gunfire rang out and South Korean troops found the bleeding North Korean soldier  dressed in a combat uniform but unarmed  on their side. He was taken by helicopter to a nearby hospital for treatment.

The Souths soldiers did not return fire.

The Korea Joongang Daily reported the North Korean was shot in the shoulder and elbow. His condition remains unknown.

{articleGUID}

In the afternoon today, a North Korean soldier defected from a guard post on the North Korean side of the JSA towards our side and our military took him, the Yonhap news agency quoted an unidentified military official as saying.

The military has raised its alertness against the North Korean militarys possible provocations and is maintaining its full readiness posture, the official added.

Yonhap described Mondays incident as a very rare case because North Korean troops stationed along the demilitarised zone are known for their loyalty to Pyongyang.

The 1950-53 Korean War  with the South backed by the United States and the North supported by China  ended in a ceasefire, not a peace treaty, meaning the conflict is technically still ongoing.

The US still has about 28,500 troops stationed in South Korea.

{articleGUID}

Major military exercises involving three American aircraft carrier attack groups and seven South Korean warships off the tense peninsula will wrap up on Tuesday.

The massive military build-up led to an angry response from North Korea, which accused the alliance of planning a first attack against the communist country.
Blue helmets have lost thousands of weapons and millions of rounds of ammunition this century, Small Arms Survey says.

United Nations, New York  UN-backed peacekeepers have lost enough guns and ammunition in sub-Saharan Africa over the past two decades to arm an army, according to a study by the Small Arms Survey.

The research groups director, Eric Berman, said peacekeepers have lost at least thousands of weapons and millions of rounds of ammunition this century, often handing them over to local fighters without putting up a fight.

Losses range from pistols and bullets to heavy machine guns, mortars, recoilless guns and grenade launchers, which can be military game-changers on the battlefields of Somalia, Democratic republic of Congo, and Sudan, Berman told Al Jazeera.

Peacekeepers are losing arms and ammunition that are going to be used against them and against civilians that theyre asked to protect, and prolonging conflicts that theyre asked to help resolve, Berman said.

The 75-page study, called Making a Tough Job More Difficult, identifies 20 forces operating under the UN, the African Union or some other international coalition that have lost guns and ammunition from 1993-2017.

Most losses occurred in Congo, Somalia, Sudan, Burundi, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone, Mali and the Central African Republic.

Haiti, Cambodia, the Israel-Syria border and the Balkans have also been affected.

Some losses were unavoidable, the report said.

Peacekeepers can be ambushed while patrolling the wrong place at the wrong time or be overwhelmed in a surprise attack from a superior force and have caches plundered, Berman said.

But incidents of less-than-best practice and corruption are also rife, Berman added.

There have been many hushed-up cases of peacekeepers handing over weapons to rebels rather than risk a shoot-out, of failing to guard caches properly, or uncovering rebel groups arsenals and selling them on the black market, said Berman.

Challenging conditions

Aditya Mehta, a UN peacekeeping spokesman, told Al Jazeera that it takes the issue very seriously but said the Small Arms Survey report overstated the impact of blue helmet arms losses on turbulent parts of Africa.

The loss of weapons in peacekeeping operations are an exception, and the number of weapons lost are insignificant, far less than half of one per cent of the total amount of weapons and ammunition in circulation around conflict zones such as in Darfur and South Sudan, he said.

Losses occur in very challenging conditions, and the UN already works hard to raise standards, he added.

Mehta did not fulfil Al Jazeeras request to share the UNs register of arms that had gone missing in recent years.

{articleGUID}

The Small Arms Survey report listed many examples of losses.

In May 2000, Zambian peacekeepers lost more than 500 assault rifles, machine guns, mortars and 45,000 rounds of ammunition when they surrendered to Sierra Leonean rebels rather than fight their way out Berman said.

A Nigerian peacekeeping convoy similarly succumbed to a not overwhelming force of rebels in in Darfur, Sudan, in March 2010, handing over 55 assault rifles, machine guns and some 14,000 rounds of ammunition, he added.

Details on such incidents are unclear, Berman said.

According to the report, political sensitivities and opacity in reporting have resulted in misleading reports of arms losses in official UN documents.

This report is just the tip of the iceberg, Berman added, saying that the true scale of the problem is much greater than the relatively small number of losses that have been documented in UN and newspaper reports in recent decades.

The scale of losses may even be increasing, the report suggested.

Kenyan troops with AMISOM, the AU force in Somalia, lost more than 150 assault rifles, 26 machine guns, five mortars and 140,000 rounds of ammunition when al-Shabab rebels raided their camp at El Adde in January 2016, it said.

The report also highlights how in June 2015, Burundian troops lost a comparable cache of more than 100 assault rifles, 20 machine guns, anti-tank weapons and mortars when the al-Qaeda aligned fighters attacked them in Leego, Somalia.

Peacekeeping has been rocked by scandals in recent years, over bringing a deadly strain of cholera to Haiti that claimed some 10,000 lives, as well as thousands of claims of sexual abuse by blue helmets in Congo and elsewhere.

{articleGUID}

The UN is also under pressure from US President Donald Trump. In June, the US trimmed the annual peacekeeping budget to $7.3bn, cutting $600m from costs and slicing 7.5 percent off Washingtons bill.

More than 80 countries are set to address peacekeeping problems at a summit in Vancouver, Canada later this week.

Significant problem

Paul Williams, a scholar at George Washington University, said the reports estimate of peacekeeping weapons losses was conservative, adding that deployment chiefs need better oversight, recovery and accountability mechanisms.

This is a significant problem for peacekeepers, the organisations that mandate and pay for peace operations, and, ultimately for the local populations, which may see such arms and ammunition strengthen militant groups, Williams told Al Jazeera.

Other analysts told Al Jazeera that peacekeepers are often torn between loyalties to their own country and serving the world body. Blue helmet troops may see themselves as answerable to their capitals rather than UN headquarters.

Norrie MacQueen, a University of St Andrews scholar, noted that soldiers are unwilling to die for the UN and prone to giving up without a fight. But Joachim Koops, of Vrije Universiteit Brussels, agreed with the UN that its weapons losses were not particularly significant.

Jean Krasno, a scholar and editor of Leveraging for Success in UN Peace Operations, said any arms losses should be seen in the context of the valuable contributions of peacekeepers. The UN has made Africa safer by destroying vast numbers of guns under various peace deals, she said.

But it is desperate to staff 15 missions with 110,000 peacekeepers and can be lax with contributors. To get the numbers out there, they may just have to look the other way in terms of vetting, training and capability, Krasno told Al Jazeera.

Berman, the reports author, agreed that the UN and AU face mighty challenges, but that a few more checks and balances on internal oversight and monitoring of peacekeepers would keep better tabs on weapons, saving money and lives.

Follow James Reinl on Twitter: @jamesreinl
Riot police used water cannon and sonic alarms to repel hundreds of protesters shouting anti-Donald Trump slogans on the sidelines of a major summit in Manila on Monday.

Colourful effigies of the US president, including one with four arms in the shape of a Nazi swastika, were carried through the streets of the Philippine capital.

A likeness of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte peeked out from behind the figure, as the two leaders readied to sit down for formal talks less than three kilometres away.

Protesters carried placards that read Trump Go Home and Ban Trump #1 terrorist.

Police said there were nearly 2,000 people at the rallies.

They were met with riot police  some wearing flak jackets and carrying rifles  who fired water cannon and sounded high-pitched alarms.

At least six police officers were injured in the melee, an AFP reporter at the scene said.

They hit us with wooden sticks. One of my colleagues was hit in the face by a rock, police officer Ramon Dumagat said, his arms covered in reddish welts.

Rights groups have called on Trump to speak out over Dutertes drugs war, which has seen police and suspected vigilantes kill thousands of people during his 16 months in power.

But the one-time property magnate, who is on the final stop of a tour of Asia, has so far shown nothing but warmth for a strongman leader who has boasted of personally killing people.

Satur Ocampo, a former communist rebel leader and ex-congressman who was among the demonstrators, told AFP he had little hope Trump would raise a drug war that critics say could amount to a crime against humanity.

They think alike, he told AFP.

He let Trump sit beside him at (Sunday evenings) banquet, gave him a place of honour.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations is hosting two separate events on Monday and Tuesday in Manila.

They also include China, Japan, Russia, South Korea, India, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, as well as the United States.

The rising threat of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) group across Southeast Asia, and efforts to pressure North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to abandon his nuclear ambitions, are top agenda items.
With Australias same-sex marriage poll results due this week, conservatives are asking for protections for parents, school teachers and businesses which continue to defend a traditional understanding of marriage.

The government has pledged to hold a parliamentary vote to legalise gay marriage before the end of the year should the nationwide survey, held after more than a decade of political wrangling, return a yes when results are announced on Wednesday.

But divisions within the conservative governing coalition over how to protect the rights of people who oppose same-sex marriage threatens to derail that timeline.

A draft bill drawn up by Liberal Senator Dean Smith to legalise gay marriage contained exemptions that allow religious organisations to refuse to conduct same-sex marriages. That bill received bipartisan support.

But on Monday another Liberal party senator, James Paterson, unveiled a rival bill that would protect not only religious entities but also parents, school teachers, charities and businesses who oppose gay unions.

If it is wrong to force a priest to participate in a same-sex wedding against their beliefs, it should be wrong to force a florist or a photographer too, he wrote in The Australian newspaper.

Paterson supports same-sex marriage and describes himself as a religious agnostic, but insisted the values of gay marriage opponents need to be respected.

He said his bill would also allow parents to have their children opt out of classes that conflict with their values.

This upholds the right of parents to control the moral and religious education of their children, he added.

Paterson said would try to reconcile his bill with that put forward by Smith.

But the opposition Labor Party, which backed Smiths bill, denounced Patersons proposal as a delaying tactic from the opponents to marriage equality.

Are we really saying, in Australia today, that you can refuse to serve someone because theyre gay? You can refuse to bake them a cake or drive them in your car? Honestly, that is a bridge too far, said Tanya Plibersek, the deputy Labor chief.

Equality advocates also slammed the Paterson bill as aimed at curtailing Australias discrimination laws.

Australians are voting to make our country a fairer and more equal place, not to take us back to a time where people can be denied service at a shop, Anna Brown of the Equality Campaign said in a statement.

Turnout for the controversial survey reached almost 80 percent when voting closed last week, with polls indicating a yes vote is imminent.

The conservative government chose an unusual approach for the poll  a voluntary and non-binding postal vote  after an election promise of a national plebiscite was twice rejected by parliaments upper house, the Senate.
Another wave of refugees trying to escape the violence in Myanmar crossed into Bangladesh on Sunday. Many of them repeat stories of rape and murder carried out by Myanmars troops.

More Rohingya refugees have fled into Bangladesh amid fears of violence, torture, and rape.

This is just a small group of some 600,000 Rohingya to have sought refuge in Bangladesh, many of them repeating stories of rape and murder carried out against them.

Their escape from Myanmar was fraught with danger and frustration as they had to build makeshift boats using plastic jerry cans left over from other villages.

A senior UN official says Myanmars troops have systematically gang-raped and tortured Rohingya women.

The envoy on sexual violence in conflict has been speaking to some of the refugees. She says shes going to raise the mistreatment of Rohingya with the International Criminal Court, calling rape a weapon of genocide.

Al Jazeeras Peter Sharp reports.
More than 400 have people died and 2,500 were injured after 7.3 magnitude quake in border area between Iran and Iraq.

An earthquake in the border area between Iran and Iraq has killed hundreds of people and injured thousands of others, according to Iranian officials.

The 7.3 magnitude quake on Sunday hit the Iraqi town of Halabjah, southeast of Sulaymaniyah, a city in the semi-autonomous Kurdish region of northern Iraq.

Tremors were felt across Iraq, parts of Iran, and as far away as Lebanon and the Gulf state of Qatar.

The initial reaction on social media was one of confusion as people tried to make sense of what they had just felt.

As details became clearer, confusion gave way to shock as images emerged of destroyed buildings in the areas closest to the epicentre and news of deaths emerged.

Some of the earliest footage of the aftermath of the quake appeared on Twitter soon after it struck late in the evening.

Twitter user Laween Qasim posted footage from the Kurdish city of Erbil in northern Iraq showing crowds of people who had gathered on a street after fleeing nearby buildings.

Erbil resident Omar Ali, the Iraq director for the British charity Human Appeal, described scenes in the city shortly after the tremors began.

Just survived an earthquake. Building violently shaking. Ran from 19th floor. Many tears here. Thank God, alive and out safely! he wrote on Twitter, describing how he came across an elderly woman inside his apartment block who pleaded with him for help.

https://twitter.com/omaralikr/status/929779902223659008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Incredibly scary tbh (to be honest) from the 19th floor. Ran down with an old Iraqi lady  she said dont leave me. First proper #earthquake experience.

Within hours, Ali, a British Palestinian, was back to work helping Human Appeal organise its response to the earthquake.

In neighbouring Iran, images emerged of greater devastation with rubble strewing the streets and buildings visibly damaged by the disaster.

A Twitter user named Ibrahim posted images sent to him by a relative showing the devastation in Kermanshah province, on the border with Iraq.

https://twitter.com/swekurd/status/929804365346541568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

People in Qasri Shirin have been buried under after the earthquake!! Electricity is gone people are outside in panic, trying to find their families, he wrote.

As the scale of the damage became clear, attention shifted to helping those in need. Some Twitter users queried what they could do, while others shared images of the outpouring of help people in Iran and Iraq were offering.

Iranian citizens in Tehran lining up to donate blood for those who wounded in last night earthquake, west of the country. pic.twitter.com/swpaqK2Aj6  Alireza Karimi (@AlirezaKarimi12) November 13, 2017

One user, Alireza Karimi, posted pictures of Iranians in the capital, Tehran, who had gathered outside clinics where they hoped to donate blood to help treat those injured.

Iran is vulnerable to earthquakes because it is situated at the meeting of the Eurasian, Indian and Arabian tectonic plates.

In 2003, an earthquake in the southeastern town of Bam, killed at least 26,000 people, injured tens of thousands more, and flattened its historic citadel.
South Sudan has withdrawn troops and armoured vehicles surrounding the former army chiefs house, a military spokesman said, ending a weeklong standoff that raised fears of clashes in the war-torn countrys capital.

Army spokesman Lul Ruai Koang said in a statement the army pulled back its troops late on Saturday after General Paul Malong agreed to reduce the number of his bodyguards.

Malongs wife Lucy Ayak told Reuters by phone from Nairobi that her husband remains under house arrest but said the troop withdrawal is a sign of peace. Ayak could not confirm if the reduction of bodyguards took place.

Malong led the armys war effort against rebels from 2014, but was sacked and placed under house arrest this May after a fall-out with President Salva Kiir.

Last weekend, Kiir sent troops to disarm Malongs bodyguards, but they refused. Kiirs troops surrounded the house.

Malong is under US sanctions and has been accused, along with Kiir, by a UN experts panel of leading troops who murdered and raped civilians during the civil war.

South Sudans war began in 2013 between Kiir, an ethnic Dinka, and his former Vice President Riek Machar, a Nuer.

Tens of thousands have been killed, and the war has created Africas largest refugee crisis in two decades. The UN said the conflicts ethnic cleansing was setting the stage for genocide.

Malong is also Dinka, and the standoff with Kiir raised fears of fighting within the ethnic group, which is South Sudans largest and comprises the bulk of the army and the governments ruling coalition.

One commander loyal to Malong joined Machars rebels with dozens of armed troops during the standoff. Dinka leaders from around the nation convened to negotiate a solution.

Earlier in the week, Malong requested the UN mission in South Sudan to intervene and give him protection. Malongs troops have been accused of attacking UN installations and killing peacekeepers. The UN did not respond to the request.
Two journalists working for Swiss broadcaster RTS held for 50 hours after covering the opening of the new Louvre museum.

Authorities in the United Arab Emirates have detained two journalists working for Swiss broadcaster RTS while they were covering the opening of the new Louvre museum in Abu Dhabi, and held them for two days.

Journalist Serge Enderlin and cameraman Jon Bjorgvinsson were held on Thursday when they were taking pictures at an open-air market in Abu Dhabi, according to the channel.

They were accredited to cover the museums opening and interview French architect Jean Nouvel, who designed the Louvre Abu Dhabi.

UAE security forces detained the duo for more than 50 hours, without allowing them contact with the outside world, the channel said, adding that they were subjected to interrogations that sometimes lasted 10 hours straight.

They were blindfolded while being transported to different facilities, and their camera, computers, storage disks and other equipment were confiscated, RTS said.

We were separated, our phones and watches confiscated, and were put in total isolation, said Bjorgvinsson in an interview with RTS. They never hurt us, but their interrogations were tough and took a very long time, he added.

Abu Dhabi authorities wanted to know why they had taken pictures of the market and seemed irritated by the Swiss portrayal of migrant workers, according to the channel. They also questioned them about their collaboration with NGOs and third states.

The electronic data on my phone has been violated, Enderlin said. The security forces made him give up the codes to his phone in the face of what he called blackmail after 25 hours of detention.

They finally had to sign a confession to be released, the channel said.

Speaking to Al Jazeera from Lausanne, Enderlin said he was not able to read the document, as it was in Arabic.

We presumed that what we signed for was just a summary of what weve been saying during our interrogation. The officers were particularly interested in previous reporting trips Ive made to Qatar in 2002 and 2003, he said.

All we wanted to do was put the opening of the Louvre in a wider context  as a flip-side to the glitz of the museum we wanted to show the migrant workers who actually built it, Enderlin added.

What was especially bothersome was the lengths of the procedures and the extreme intimidation.

The journalists were released on Saturday night and allowed to return to Zurich, leaving their equipment and much of their belongings behind, RTS reported.

RTS condemns the press freedom violations against the journalists, Pascal Cretan, director of the channel, said in a press release.
As US provides arms to Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, congressmen take first steps to limit American involvement.

US politicians are set to debate a resolution that would limit unauthorised American involvement in the Saudi-led war in Yemen, but the bill is unlikely to move past the House of Representatives, analysts say.

H.CON.RES.81 is expected to be debated on the House floor on Monday. It calls for the invocation of the War Powers Act to end US participation in the war in Yemen.

The act, introduced in 1973, requires Congressional approval for the countrys involvement in any war.

By aiding the Saudis in airstrikes that kill civilians, we are creating a security vacuum that allows groups like ISIS to gain a foothold.  Ro Khanna (@RoKhanna) November 13, 2017

According to Democratic Representative Ro Khanna, the resolutions main sponsor, the bill acknowledges that our government is assisting the Saudi refuelling, and acknowledges that such activity is unauthorised.

Currently, the US provides midair refuelling for Saudi and UAE warplanes that are conducting air attacks in Yemen, as well as assistance with bomb targeting, Khanna said.

In another sign of his beliefs, the representative tweeted late on Monday in California: By aiding the Saudis in airstrikes that kill civilians, we are creating a security vacuum that allows groups like [ISIL] to gain a foothold.

The US has been supporting Saudi Arabia and its allies  mostly Sunni, Arab states  since March 2015, when the Kingdom intervened in neighbouring Yemen to push back Houthi rebels and reinstate the government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi.

{articleGUID}

Armed with US weaponry and logistical support, the Saudi-led coalition has been fighting the Houthi rebels, who are backed by Iran.

At least 10,000 people have been killed in the conflict, and seven million are in dire need of food assistance.

The US began supporting the Saudi-led coalition through a decision by then-US President Barack Obama, who cited the Authorisation for Use of Military Force (AUMF) to justify US involvement.

Since taking office, President Donald Trump has done the same.

Passed in 2001, the AUMF gives the president the power to use force against all nations, organisations, or persons he determines planned, authorised, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001.

It has since been used as legal justification to involve the US in various conflicts around the world, including Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia.

For more than a decade, the US has carried out air attacks against al-Qaeda bases across Yemen, using the AUMF as a pretext.

This seems to be the result of mounting pressure on the US government to distance itself from a war that is causing so much human suffering. by Robert Blecher, International Crisis Group's Middle East and North Africa deputy programme director

The Obama administration used the same legal basis to support the Saudi-led coalition, which is targeting the Houthis, not al-Qaeda elements in Yemen.

The war in Yemen is an entirely separate war from the fight against al-Qaeda, yet Congress has never authorised it, the authors of H.CON.RES.81 highlighted in a statement.

Debate on the bill was postponed earlier this month, when differences regarding the resolutions objectives emerged between its sponsors and the House leadership.

A compromise was reached following weeks of internal debate, but the bill was stripped of its privileged status, meaning it is no longer fast-tracked for an on-the-record vote.

Despite the setback, Khannas office confirmed to Al Jazeera that the bills sponsors are still hoping to push for an official vote following the congressional debate.

International pressure

Robert Blecher, International Crisis Groups Middle East and North Africa deputy programme director, told Al Jazeera that the bill may have been introduced due to international pressure over Yemens humanitarian crisis.

This seems to be the result of mounting pressure on the US government to distance itself from a war that is causing so much human suffering and in which all sides, including US ally Saudi Arabia, have been repeatedly accused of international humanitarian law violations, Blecher said.

"It will be the largest famine the world has seen in many decades, with millions of victims." Yemen facing massive famine, says @UN chief pic.twitter.com/CIXSmmbSGj  Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) November 9, 2017

More than 2,000 Yemenis have died in a cholera outbreak, now affecting nearly one million people who are unable to receive adequate medical assistance. According to the UN, the country is also on the verge of famine.

Although the attempt to strike up debate over the war comes more than two years after the Saudi-led coalition waged war on Yemen, analysts say US political and economic interests in the region are also factors behind its initial and continuing support for the war.

The Obama administration had reservations about the Yemen war from the beginning, but supported the fight largely to show support for Saudi Arabia at a time when the relationship was strained by the Iran nuclear deal, Blecher explained.

During the negotiations for the 2015 nuclear deal, Saudi Arabia had been largely sidelined.

{articleGUID}

Luciano Zaccara, a Gulf politics researcher at Qatar University, said that the US involvement in Yemen complied with the long-term strategic alliance it has with Saudi Arabia.

The US was forced to support the war during Obama times due to the increasing sentiment of abandonment expressed in the GCC, on the benefit to Iran after the signing of the JCPOA, Zaccara said, referring to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or the Iran nuclear deal.

This, Zaccara added, was exacerbated when Trump shifted his administrations attention towards shedding Irans role and significance in the Middle East, which includes weakening the Iranian positions regionally  including Yemen.

Even if the bill is passed, American support for Saudi in Yemen would still be possible if the Trump administration considers that as a fundamental step in weakening Iran, said Zaccara.

Will recent Middle East developments factor?

Analysts often describe the conflict in Yemen as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Recent developments in Saudi Arabia  including the sacking and detention of senior ministers and princes  came in the context of a regional power play by Saudi Arabia against Iran, analysts say.

Many noted that the moves aimed to consolidate the authority of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is the mastermind of the Saudi-led war in Yemen.

Most recently, Saudi Arabia blamed Iran for a Houthi ballistic missile attack that targeted Riyadh.

While the US bill was introduced prior to these developments, analysts say they may play a factor in the debate.





[Mohammed bin Salmans] latest moves are in part designed to shift attention from this disastrous war, said Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson, who served as the chief of staff of former US Secretary of State Colin Powell.

In their attempt to help him do so, some members of the US Congress want to continue US support for the Saudis in Yemen, Wilkerson told Al Jazeera. But this is very bad policy  Efforts are emerging now because some congressmen have been awakened to the fact that the president has abused the US constitution with respect to the war power.

If the bill does pass, it is unlikely to lead to any tangible change, said Lawrence.

The US Congress is very fearful that if it does not support the coalition, Riyadh might agree to denominate oil sales in a currency other than the US dollar, he explained.

But according to Yemen expert Adam Baron, these efforts are not new and are largely based on existing US-Saudi relations.

I think theyre largely picking up steam just because the war is dragging on, Baron told Al Jazeera.

At the end of the day, Saudi Arabia is a key US ally and their security was threatened by the Houthis takeover of Yemen, he added. Id say that was the primary reason that the US backed the coalition  Id be surprised if the bill passes Congress.
General Constantino Chiwenga says military could intervene if ruling party infighting does not come to an end.

Zimbabwes army chief has called for an immediate end to purges within President Robert Mugabes ruling party following the dismissal last week of the countrys vice president.

In a rare statement, General Constantino Chiwenga warned on Monday that the military could intervene if the infighting in the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) did not stop.

The current purging which is clearly targeting members of the party with a liberation background must stop forthwith, Chiwenga told a media conference in the capital, Harare.

We must remind those behind the current treacherous shenanigans that when it comes to matters of protecting our revolution, the military will not hesitate to step in, he said, adding that the instability was causing anxiety in the country.

Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who joined the struggle for Zimbabwes liberation struggle at a young age, was sacked by Mugabe on November 6 for showing traits of disloyalty.

Explaining the reasons for Mnangagwa dismissal, information minister Simon Khaya Moyo said: The vice president has consistently and persistently exhibited traits of disloyalty, disrespect, deceitfulness and unreliability.

It had become evident that his conduct in his discharge of his duties had become inconsistent with his official responsibilities.

The expulsion of Mnangagwa, a former minister of defence and state security, had removed a potential successor to Mugabe, the 93-year-old president and leader of the ruling ZANU-PF party.

It had also cleared the way for Mugabes wife, Grace, to succeed her husband. Zimbabwes first lady leads the ruling partys Womens League, and has been endorsed as a potential candidate for the vice presidency by some structures within ZANU-PF.

The day before Mnangagwas removal, Grace Mugabe called the vice president a coup plotter and a coward in a speech that shook ZANU-PF.

The speech came a day after Mugabe publicly criticised Mnangagwa for the first time during a speech at a rally on November 4.

Some powerful army generals backed Mnangagwa to succeed Mugabe and have publicly said they will not allow someone who did not fight in the 1970s independence war to rule. Grace Mugabe, 52, did not fight in that war.

Relations between Zimbabwes leader and his former vice president soured in August after hints by Mnangagwas allies that he had been poisoned by ice cream from a dairy owned by the Mugabes.

Mugabe, who has been leading Zimbabwe since it gained independence in 1980, intends to contest elections due next year and does not face a united opposition.
The Indian government has controversial plans to link more than a billion ID cards with mobile phones and bank accounts.

The worlds largest biometric identity card system, Aadhaar, is in India, where more than one billion Indians are registered by a unique 12-digit number. Government officials say the Aadhaar ID system reduces identity theft, corruption and bureaucracy.

If the government gets its way, sharing these ID cards will soon be required to access services provided by mobile phone companies and banks by the end of March next year.

Opponents say requiring citizens to share this information with an increasing number of service providers is a taste of Big Brother that violates everyones privacy. There have been security breaches in the past where data on the governments databases has been hacked and leaked.

Some have taken the government to the Supreme Court, where one of the Constitution benches will be delivering a verdict by the end of the month.

Judges are being asked: why should Indians give the government information in a neat little package? What if the system were to be hacked?

Presenter: Laura Kyle

Guests:

Sanjay Kapoor, Editor, Hard News magazine

Alok Prasanna Kumar, Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy

Robin Tombs, Founder of digital identity service Yoti
Wajiha Jendoubi is an actress and one of Tunisias best-known comedians.

To be a woman comedian in this North African nation can be a challenge, but the countrys gender gap is narrowing for the first time in almost a decade and Wajiha sees Tunisia as a country that stands for womens rights and supports it.

My Tunisia is the free woman. My Tunisia is the woman who speaks out. My Tunisia is the woman who is active; the militant one, the hard-working one. My Tunisia is my world, says the popular comedian who is on a mission to make Tunisians laugh about the tough things in life.

My artistic choices are always about painful subjects. I like to talk about what people are afraid to confront or even dont know how to express. But I always like to say it in a comic way because humour easily reaches the audience.

Through comedy, I try to create pain and puzzlement and questioning too. I am not interested in someone coming to see me on stage and leaving empty-headed. I want them to think and question and try to understand the situation we are in, and the environment too. by Wajiha Jendoubi, actress and comedian

When the 2011 Arab Spring began in Tunisia, Wajiha was hopeful. Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets to demand more democracy from their government. We had dreams for a better country, a stronger democracy.

However, as events unfolded, darkness appeared, explains Wajiha, alluding to the rise of The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) that swept across the region.

People were full of hatred and ignorance. I was always taught that religion is tolerant. A beautiful thing that makes you love life. Love your family and friends, love your work and your life. I was never taught that religion is hatred and killing, blood and assassinations. These things were shocking. I cant accept them. I will never accept them.

In post-revolution Tunisia, theatre is my weapon, says Wajiha. I will reject those things [extremism] and cross them out.

Wajihas comedy show deals with the rise of post-revolutionary extremism. She has performed the show 276 times in five years, selling over 400,000 tickets. When not on stage, shes acting in Tunisian television dramas and is a regular personality on the radio.

As Wajiha lets us into her life, we see her prepare for a new show that is set to launch next year.

Between rehearsals and her performances, we learn that her success in the limelight comes with a great number of challenges at home  mainly finding time for her husband and two children.

I have two lives and they must work together  it is my choice to be in an artistic field which requires my body and mind. It occupies my mind, and at the same time my home needs me to be present in body and mind, she says.

Luckily, her supportive husband, Mehdi, picks up the slack when Wajiha isnt around.

Her days are very long. Sometimes she is shooting from 8am until midnight without coming home. So I take our son to her. Thats how it is. We are used to it, says Mehdi, who is the sound and lighting designer on her shows.

But a family gathering is special and theatre remains a job.

As her work intersects reality and comedy in a country thats still trying to rebuild itself, Wajiha explains. Through comedy, I try to create pain and puzzlement and questioning too. I am not interested in someone coming to see me on stage and leaving empty-headed. I want them to think and question and try to understand the situation we are in and the environment too.
In a recent visit to Capitol Hill, a UF Health child psychiatrist and researcher highlighted her ongoing work with Tourette syndrome.

Carol Mathews, the director of the UF Center for OCD, Anxiety and Related Disorders, attended a congressional briefing alongside the Tourette Association of America on Oct. 18.

Our goals were to make our senators and representatives aware of the importance of TS, and in particular, of the importance of continuing funding for education about TS through the Centers for Disease Control and funding for research from the National Institutes of Health, Mathews wrote in an email.

She said she advocated for the continued funding of $2 million to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, which works with the Tourette Association of America. The funding provides education for schools, pediatricians and other health care professionals, she said.

Mathews said Tourettes research has allowed for better treatment options, better care guidelines and the use of global networks to coordinate research.

After meeting with legislative aides and congressional members to discuss recent research, Mathews said feedback was positive.

Mathews, who has been researching Tourettes for 20 years, works alongside Michael Okun, the UF Department of Neurology chair, at the Tourette Association of America, she said.

Tourette syndrome is among the most mysterious medical curiosities on the planet, Okun wrote in an email.

Okun said its important for Congress to fund Tourettes research and education so the general public can understand it.

A secret in medicine is not always a pill, procedure or behavioral therapy, he said. A secret can be wisdom on a topic relevant today or any day in the future. We must do a better job to educate TS patients and families.

Enjoy what you're reading? Get content from The Alligator delivered to your inbox Subscribe Now
After hundreds of sea turtles were discovered dead off Central Americas coast, Gainesville sea turtle experts are theorizing about the cause of the deaths.

About 300 to 400 sea turtle bodies were found off the coast of El Salvador between Oct. 28 and Nov. 2, according to National Geographic.

UF graduate student Daniel Evans, who is a researcher at Sea Turtle Conservancy in Gainesville, said he suspects the die-off was caused by red tide, which is algal blooms containing red toxins from runoff water.

Turtles cover a very large area during their migration, so because this was so concentrated, we know that it is tied to a specific event, he said. Red tide does seem like a valid explanation for it.

David Godfrey, the executive director of the conservatory, said researchers in El Salvador are examining the tissue, blood and stomach content to assess if the animals died from the red tide toxins. The blooms most likely grew due to climate change, Godfrey said.

The algal most likely bloomed as a result of increased ocean water temperature due to global warming and/or agricultural runoff, Godfrey said.

Godfrey said he has hope for the turtles despite the die-off. The species was promoted from the list of endangered animals to the list of vulnerable ones in 2008, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.

It is absolutely terrible that these turtles are dying in such large numbers, but it is worth noting that despite the terrible die-off, there are hundreds of thousands of olive ridley, Godfrey said. The species is doing quite well.
Scooters, SUVs and a 1986 hot rod were some of the about 30 vehicles members of the Campus Diplomats washed in honor of Veterans Day.

All money raised from the annual car wash, about $600, goes to the UF Collegiate Veteran Success Center, said Mallory Kazaleh, a liaison between the veterans center and Campus Diplomats.

The car wash, held in the parking lot of Checkers and Rallys on West University Avenue on Saturday, has happened every year for the past five years, said Tommy King, a liaison with the Campus Diplomats.

The Campus Diplomats are all about connecting people at UF and making sure that everybody feels like theyre at home, King, a 20-year-old UF biology junior, said. The people that are benefited by the CVSC feel like theyre home.

Kazaleh and King said they feel a personal connection to the CVSC.

We believe that these student veterans deserve just as many opportunities as a normal UF student, and we are going to do everything in our power to guarantee their access to these opportunities, Kazaleh, a 20-year-old UF biology junior, said.

Jason Conner, a Marine Corps veteran and UF chemical engineering senior, washed cars and bought volunteers chicken bites and fries from Checkers.

Personally, the CVSC gives us a location to meet other people and help each other transition from military to civilian life, the 27-year-old said. When lunchtime came around, I figured I had to repay them somehow. Who doesnt love food?
For more than two years, U.S. Navy veteran Gabriel George wasnt in control.

A motorcycle accident in 2009 left George in a coma for three weeks, with a paralyzed right arm and two fractures to his neck vertebrae. Through 2011, he tried everything from Percocet and morphine to spinal cord stimulators. It wasnt until his doctor recommended medical marijuana the 31-year-old said he felt like himself again.

I was on every pill they could prescribe me, all it did was zombify me or constipate me, he said. Im here now, Im alive because Im a medical marijuana user.

George and five others spent Veterans Day protesting outside the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center, located at 1601 SW Archer Road, fighting opioid deaths and in support of medical marijuana for veterans.

The veterans marched across the intersection of Southwest Archer Road and Center Drive carrying a casket draped in an American flag. At the front lawn outside the hospital, the group then folded the flag and poured hundreds of empty pill bottles inside the open casket.

Joshua Littrell, a protest organizer and the founder of the nonprofit Veterans for Cannabis, said the demonstration was meant to show how deadly opioids are.

With grief in his eyes, Littrell called for a moment of silence.

Each one of these bottles is a brother and sister no longer with us, the 37-year-old U.S. Air Force veteran said. Each one of these here is a life.

Gathered at the side of the casket, as cars on Southwest Archer Road honked in support of the groups signs that read Pills Kill, Cannabis Saves Lives, the veterans shared their stories.

Michael Thompson held his wife DeAnns hand and fought back tears.

It was Oct. 10, 2008, when Thompsons daughter, Cheyenne, passed away from grand mal seizure. She was a month shy of her third birthday. Shortly afterward, the U.S. Air Force veteran turned to alcohol and tried to take his own life.

He eventually turned to marijuana to treat the emotional trauma he felt and later learned the drug might have helped Cheyennes genetic predisposition to seizures.

Enjoy what you're reading? Get content from The Alligator delivered to your inbox Subscribe Now

The only thing that mattered to me in the world was my daughter, and I couldnt fix her, he said. My daughter could still be alive today, if she had access to cannabis.

For U.S. Army veteran Jimmy Johnston, access to marijuana is the difference between life and death.

Johnston, a lead coordinator for pro-marijuana and veteran support group Weed for Warriors, said hes seen veterans wait as long as two and a half years for an MRI scan, get hooked on pills and then turn to cheaper street drugs like heroin when they cant afford what the VA prescribes.

So much of the pain, addiction and overdose could be solved with medical cannabis, he said.

One plant to treat it all, he said. Instead of the 20 different medications the VA is trying to prescribe you, you got one plant that will solve all of it with no side effects.

Littrell, who served as an army biomedical engineer, said he plans to take Veterans for Cannabis platform to Washington, D.C., to urge Florida and Georgia representatives to grant veterans greater access to medical cannabis.

Any demonstration he organizes, be it a protest or lobbying effort in Tallahassee, he wears a suit and tie and never says marijuana, only cannabis. Otherwise, no one would take his group seriously, he said.

I thought my fighting days were over when I got out of the Army, Littrell said. Theyre not. Now Im fighting for my brothers and sisters here at home, to make sure were getting the care were owed.

Veterans for Cannabis founder Joshua Littrell speaks about opioid deaths among veterans Saturday outside the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center, located at 1601 SW Archer Road. Littrell and four other veterans protested by filling a casket with empty prescription pill bottles. Each one of these bottles is a brother and sister no longer with us, he said.

From Left: Veterans Jimmy Jonhston, Gabriel George, Michael Thompson and Joshua Littrell carry a casket full of empty pill bottles Saturday outside the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center, located at 1601 SW Archer Road. The four veterans and Thompsons wife, DeAnn, protested the over prescription of opioid pills and advocated for medical cannabis.
White supremacy is on the rise. Not just in the U.S. but in nations across the globe.

This past weekend, Poland celebrated its 99th Independence Day with a number of ceremonies held in the capital. According to CNN, the celebrations were interrupted by a gathering of tens of thousands of nationalist protesters. The demonstrators reportedly carried banners that read abhorrent things like, White Europe, Europe must be white and Pray for an Islamic Holocaust. Other protesters sought to send a message to keep Poland Catholic and chanted, Death to enemies of the homeland.

CNN reported the National Radical Camp, a far-right movement in Poland often referred to as a neo-Nazi group, was the lead organization behind the march.

We have found ourselves wondering, with each new horrific demonstration, why these people do what they do. Support for these groups remains small. Those who align with their white-supremacist beliefs are viewed by society as nothing less than evil, heinous and foolish. Nevertheless there are people who continue to support white supremacy anyway.

No matter how hard we try, we cant fathom how anyone could truly believe the things white supremacists and their supporters do. We cant understand how anyone could fully believe they are more worthy of life than someone else simply due to uncontrollable circumstances like the color of their skin or the religion they follow. The only theory we could muster up that made even a little bit of sense to us is even they dont really believe what they are doing is right.

Hear us out.

Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin and Benito Mussolini are, at this point, household names. Even if history isnt your strong suit, you know they existed. These three men are perfect examples of the fact that when people act outrageously, they get remembered. For some people, this is the only goal they have. It doesnt matter if their name goes down in infamy or in esteem, as long as they are remembered long after they are gone.

What we have begun to believe is this might be, at least in part, the driving force behind some of these white supremacists. Richard Spencer, for example, has a pretty good deal going with the National Policy Institute. As of 2017, the notorious alt-right figurehead has a net worth of $185 million. He was also ranked as the top paid activist of 2017. Although he is hated by most, he does maintain a gaggle of loyal followers who worship him. For better or worse, Spencer will be remembered long after he is gone.

According to the Associated Press and the Daily Mail, as of 2016, the top four white nationalist groups in the U.S. managed to rake in nearly $8 million in tax-deductible donations. These are the groups leading protests. These are the groups enticing others to join them. These are the groups spreading messages of hate. As they gain more loyal followers, they also gain more notoriety and money. Even if they might have reservations about the ideas they spread, they might value more the monetary reward and the certainty of a legacy.

Enjoy what you're reading? Get content from The Alligator delivered to your inbox Subscribe Now










English News China, Vietnam leaders agree to safeguard peace on S.China Sea

Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 13 Novembre 2017



The two countries have seen real progress in the strategic alignment of their development - China's Belt and Road Initiative and Vietnam's "Two Corridors and One Economic Circle" plan - the latter of which covers regions that link China and Vietnam by land and sea.

By Bai Tiantian From Global Times/People`s Daily Chinese President Xi Jinping began a state visit to Vietnam on Sunday as relations with the Southeast Asian nation continue to improve, arriving in Hanoi on his second visit to Vietnam as China's head of state.



Before flying to Hanoi, Xi concluded a busy two-day stay in the country's central city of Da Nang, where he attended the 25th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting.



In Hanoi, Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, held talks with Nguyen Phu Trong, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), and met with Vietnam's President Tran Dai Quang.



The visit comes on the heels of the 19th CPC National Congress and is a way to reciprocate for the visits to China by Trong and Quang earlier this year.



Xi and Nguyen agree to handle sea disputes in a proper fashion and push cooperation to contribute to peace and stability in the South China Sea.



Nguyen congratulated Xi on the success of the 19th CPC National Congress and his reelection as general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, and thanked him for China's assistance in the liberation and development of Vietnam. He said Vietnam supports China in playing a bigger role in international and regional affairs.



In a signed article on November 9 in Nhan Dan, the official newspaper of the CPV, Xi said that, more than ever, China and Vietnam need to make a joint effort in their dreams of national strength and prosperity.



The two countries have seen real progress in the strategic alignment of their development - China's Belt and Road Initiative and Vietnam's "Two Corridors and One Economic Circle" plan - the latter of which covers regions that link China and Vietnam by land and sea.



Bilateral trade has also seen rapid growth over the past few years, with China being Vietnam's largest trading partner for 13 consecutive years, while Vietnam is China's largest trading partner in Southeast Asia.



China's Ministry of Commerce has said trade between the two is expected to reach $100 billion in 2017. China put $823.6 million into Vietnam in the first quarter of 2017, making it the third largest foreign direct investor of the country.

"It is really significant for the two leaders to strengthen top-level design and work together on a blueprint of future development," the Chinese ambassador told Xinhua.



"Sino-Vietnamese ties are recovering in spite of the friction of the past and China's rapid development and its progress with the Belt and Road initiative are bringing its neighbors closer," Shen Shishun, an Asia-Pacific expert at the China Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times.



Stronger ties



Ties between the two have suffered in recent years because of territorial disputes in the South China Sea, but with the adoption of a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea framework by Chinese and ASEAN ministers earlier this year, the conflicts have gradually subsided as the parties agree to resolve disputes through negotiations.



"More important, the two countries share a related socialist cause and China's experiences could shed some light on Vietnam's path for the future," Shen added.



Vietnam faces similar domestic problems as China and is in need of boosting confidence, experts say.

"The success of China's 19th CPC National Congress has confirmed the status of the CPC and China's achievements could boost the Communist Party of Vietnam's confidence on the path it has chosen," Shen concluded.



Dans la meme rubrique : < > China sees prosperous development of offshore wind power generation China speeds up efforts to expand, renovate expressways 'First-store economy' leads consumption upgrade Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena)
Some weeks ago, former President George W. Bush delivered a speech attacking the incumbent president, Donald Trump, and his supporters. That was the unmistakable thrust of Mr. Bushs remarks, in the apprehension of virtually everyone, even though he chose not to mention President Trump by name. The address consisted largely of elliptical references to sins committed against democracy, with the guilty parties left unidentified. But all of the sins referenced -- bigotry, white supremacism, nativism, protectionism, isolationism, casual cruelty, Russian interference in the last election -- sounded like liberal talking points. This address, given at an assemblage entitled Spirit of Liberty: At Home, In the World in New York City, was not criticism of the Democrats.

The former President, of course, has grounds for personal animosity against Trump. As a candidate, Mr. Trump attacked the Bush Administration and, in particular, the Iraq War. He was not kind to Jeb Bush when they were competing for the Republican nomination. And yet, President Bushs two current friends, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, denigrated him often enough. And their supporters in Congress, the press, Hollywood, and everywhere else reviled him. More significantly, this is about the future of the American people, not the personal pique of the famous and powerful.

For those of us who venerate President Bushs leadership in the months after September 11, there is no pleasure in taking exception to what he chooses to say now. The former President, of course, is perfectly free to denigrate the present Republican Administration, having uttered not a word against his Democratic predecessor or successor, whose company he now keeps with manifest cordiality. Mr. Bush apparently deems uplifting the sight of him associating with such men as Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, in bipartisan pursuit of the national good, which includes hostility to President Trump.

Internationalism is Mr. Bushs first theme. That means free trade and the propagation of democracy around the world. All good things have come from the global advance of free markets, from the strength of democratic alliances, and from the advance of free societies. And it is free trade that helped make America into a global economic power. Now, however, we are afflicted with fading confidence in the value of free markets and international trade and we forget that conflict, instability, and poverty follow in the wake of protectionism.

Mr. Bush acknowledges the economic and social dislocations caused by globalization. He has compassion for those affected. People are hurting. They are angry. And they are frustrated. Much of the former Presidents address has to do with quelling the irrational anger of those who in their ignorance and parochialism simply do not know what is best. We must hear them and help them, he stipulates, but not listen to anything they say (because they dont get it). [W]e cant wish globalization away, Bush intones, any more than we could wish away the agricultural revolution or the industrial revolution. Retraining the displaced for new opportunities and growing the economy are the answers.

We have no occasion here to examine the complex issues of international trade to which President Bush summarily alludes. It is one thing to say that free trade undergirded by international conventions is in the long-term interest of the country, even if there are temporary disruptions in some of our industrial sectors. It is quite another to consign to the realm of demagoguery the mere assertion that American economic policy, domestic and international, should be designed to preserve the wellbeing of Americans, the citizens of this country, whose votes give public officials their authority. Surely there may be inquiry as to whether other countries with which we trade themselves practice protectionism, or otherwise act to the disadvantage of the United States.

Thus far in the Trump Administration, there have been no actual protectionist measures enacted. There was talk of such policies during the campaign, and in the first days of the Administration the President used the bully pulpit to induce a few firms to keep jobs in America. That would not quite add up to conflict, instability, and poverty. Is the economy not prospering, with increased growth and a surging stock market?

Americas duty to promulgate freedom in the world is another Bush theme. There is no explicit reference to war, but the allusions to isolationism and security threats abroad suggest that armed conflict is part of what he means by the promulgation of freedom. President Bush is very certain that everyone the world over wants freedom. We know that the desire for freedom is not confined to, or owned by, any culture; it is the inborn hope of our humanity. Furthermore, the crusade for freedom represented 70 years of bipartisan policy, in which the presidents of both parties believed that American security and prosperity were directly tied to the success of freedom in the world. Striving for that success came naturally to Americans, because it expressed the DNA of American idealism.

Now, however, we have seen the return of isolationist sentiments -- a very bad thing, when your DNA goes haywire -- forgetting that American security is directly threatened by the chaos and despair of distant places. And American security indeed may be so threatened. But finding success in American military interventions since the Second World War takes a bit of looking. Inconclusive results or outright catastrophes achieved over prolonged periods and at a certain price in blood have been the pattern. The suggestion that there was bipartisan support for the war that President Bush himself initiated in 2003, or for the Vietnam War, or for any of the military measures taken by the Reagan Administration is a joke, though not the most amusing sort.

Is it really isolationism to wish that before American troops are sent to fight and die, there be a resolve to use whatever means are necessary to attain victory? Or to think that if such means are deemed immoral or impractical, the troops ought not be sent in the first place? Should the American armed forces be deployed for any reason other than that of protecting the security and freedom of the American people, or of upholding their honor, by adhering to treaty commitments constitutionally undertaken? Is it not a consummate folly to send our soldiers to fight for the sake of foreign peoples, from whom gratitude is then expected, but never in the end forthcoming? The inhabitants of this planet plainly do not all love freedom -- there are millions of them whose devotion is instead to Islam and Sharia.

Finally, there is the attack upon nativism, as well as anger about immigration and resurgent ethno-nationalism. President Bush patiently explains to us that being an American means believing certain things, and it makes no difference how the nations demography changes. Our identity as a nation [and it would seem, as a people]  is not determined by geography or ethnicity, by soil or blood. Take the population of this country that existed in 1965, when the immigration laws were amended through the endeavors of Senator Kennedy and others, change it to one with a different majority race, and you have altered nothing, so long as the members of the new racial majority still venerate the ideas of Jefferson and Madison.

In Mr. Bushs eyes, no Americans should be perturbed about ceasing to be part of the demographic majority in their own country and becoming henceforth of the minority. Of course, a learned paper predicting that by the middle of this century, more than half the population of Japan (or Nigeria, or Mexico) would consist of persons of Northern European descent perhaps would not inspire adulation, but that must be what President Bush means when he tells us that we are unlike many other nations.

President Bush closes his remarks by praising the American capacity for self-correction, which is the secret strength of freedom. And was self-correction not precisely what the American electorate sought to accomplish in 2016? In the minds of Mr. Trumps supporters, his election was the remedy for unsatisfactory leadership on the part of some on the stage at President Bushs gala event. They were happy neither with their jobs vanishing, their sons perishing in wars with no apparent strategy for victory, nor with the massive migration to this country, for which they did not vote. The gaze of condescension that our Washington aristocracy casts upon those who turned to Donald Trump is my idea of casual cruelty.
If one reads the original Washington Post article on Judge Moores supposed harassment of underage girls with an open mind, one will conclude that Judge Moore is completely innocent, and that he is the victim of Fake News.

First, a few definitions. I shall call a human female who is under the age of consent, a girl. I shall call a human female who is of the age of consent, a woman. I shall also define the age of consent to be what the legal code of the state of Alabama, both in the 1970s and today, to be the age of consent: 16. This age is above the biological age of consent, which is puberty: menstruation for a woman, pubic hair for a man. In medieval canon law, a woman was thus of the age of consent around 12. In most of current-day Mexico, this is still the age of consent. I am a 70-year-old college professor, and to me, a woman under the age of 30 seems like a young girl. I personally regard none of my female students as women; all are children in my eyes. But I shall reject both the biological age of consent, and my own personal view of the age of consent, and adopt Alabamas age of consent.

Now read the Post article and assume that the reporters wrote the exact truth about what four human females told them (a big assumption, I grant). Then three of the four claim that Roy Moore dated them when they were women, not girls. And not only did they themselves consent to dating Moore, their families consented to their dating Moore. (Actually, according to one, her family withdrew consent, after which Moore ceased to date her). Furthermore, according to these three women, Moore never went beyond kissing and hugging. Which are the only acts a Christian man is permitted to engage in with a woman not his wife. According to these three women, Moore consistently acted as the Christian he claims to have been, and claims to be now.

The fourth human female told the Post reporters a completely different story. She claims that not only did Moore date her when she was a girl of fourteen, but that he also undressed her, and exposed himself. Notice the differences between this single claim and the other three reports: In a single case, Moore, a trained lawyer, dated jailbait. In this single case, Moore behaved in a dishonorable manner to a girl, not a woman. In this single case, we have reasons, given in the Post article, to doubt the claim: the accuser has been married three times, and has been in bankruptcy twice.

A commonsense view of human behavior is that bad guys repeat their MOs. Willie Sutton did not stop with a single bank robbery. Harvey Weinstein, Roman Polanski, and Bill Cosby have numerous rape accusers, not just one. Yet we are asked to believe a single report of mere sexual misbehavior, which is not even a claim of statutory rape.

On the basis of the Post article alone, I would have no doubt that Judge Moore dated young women when he was a young man in his early 30s. It is irrelevant that these women were in their late teens. They were of the age of consent, and hence women, not girls. It was my own experience in my thirties that women preferred older men. My own wife is six years my junior. Judge Moores wife is fourteen years his junior. (Judge Moore was 38 when he married his wife of 24, which an indication that he preferred younger women -- and that his wife preferred older men.)

Disregarding the single dubious accusation, Judge Moore is accused of behavior which has been considered completely moral for almost the entirety of human history: courting a young women in her teens while being more than ten years older. In contrast, John McCain, who has demanded that Judge Moore resign from the senate race, committed adultery, and divorced his wife to marry the woman with whom he committed adultery.

Notice that I dont have to write alleged to have committed adultery. McCain admits it, because adultery is not only no longer illegal, it is now not even immoral. But for the entirety of human history, adultery has been, not only immoral, but a capital offence (Leviticus 20:10). Thou shalt not commit adultery is the Seventh Commandment. No doubt this is real reason the federal judges object to Judge Moore placing the Ten Commandments in his courtroom.

Democrat Doug Jones, Judge Moores opponent in the senate election, supports partial birth abortion, which is to say, infanticide. In earlier times, Jones would have been considered not merely immoral, but a homicidal psychopath. Jones, should be elected, fully intends to continue supporting infanticide. Judge Moore will support pro-life Christian morality.

The Alabama voters have a choice. I hope they make the only moral choice.

Frank J. Tipler is Professor of Mathematical Physics at Tulane University. He is the co-author of The Anthropic Cosmological Principle (Oxford University Press) and the author of The Physics of Immortality and The Physics of Christianity, both published by Doubleday.
If you were to randomly ask a sample of 100 Americans from around the country why the mortgage interest deduction was implemented in the tax code, I'd wager that the bulk of the answers would range from "I don't know" to "they were designed to give a tax break to the rich."

Both answers suggest ignorance of facts, but the former is at least honest. The latter is just regurgitation of a leftist talking point by those feigning knowledge on the subject.

The truth is a bit different than popular perception on this matter.

Few, if any, among that small sample would offer the correct answer. That is, that the mortgage interest deduction has been a part of the tax code since 1913, when the 16th Amendment was first implemented, and that there was fairly sound reason for it.

Essentially, such interest payments have been deductible in the modern American tax era as an effort to preserve market neutrality in the lending market, in spite of taxation. The idea is that if a lender loans money to a borrower and charges interest, the lender will increase lending rates in proportion to the taxes required to be paid on the income earned by lending the money. This income is taxed at the corporate tax rate, which is currently 35%. This inflates the cost of investment to the borrower relative to the cost of taxation to the lender, which might act as a disincentive to invest in a home, or more practically in 1913, a farm.

Only it still doesn't act as a disincentive to invest in a home today, because the investor is still able to deduct the interest paid from his income.

If that, in principle, doesn't make sense, here are a couple of examples which might explain why it might.

Take this first example. Say someone purchases a $500K home. He puts the requisite $100K down, meaning that in the first year of ownership, he will pay nearly $18K in the first year on the $400K loan (at an assumed 4.5% rate).

Today, the lender is taxed for this $18K of income at a 35% rate, meaning the government collects $6,300 in revenue from this loan. In real terms, the price of the interest would otherwise be $11,700 to a consumer to get a return the lender desires, absent taxation to the lender. For the borrower, this $18K is deductible from his income tax. Let's assume this borrower earns $300K annually, and that this $18K deduction would reduce his tax liability such that the cost of the loan would actually be nearer to the $12K price of the loan, again, absent taxation.

Some might say that this deduction acts as "incentive" to purchase more expensive homes. A better way to frame it, however, would be that it doesn't act as "disincentive" for more expensive home purchases. As Curtis Dubay of the Heritage Foundation explains, "stopping a disincentive to invest is not the same as creating an incentive or providing a subsidy."

There are still others who might say that this borrower's deduction amounts to the taxpayers' "subsidizing" more expensive homes. However, to suggest that the $6K that the borrower got back is actually the rightful property of the federal government, with the other taxpayers as its proxies, rather than the property of the homeowner as fundamentally understood in the tax code since its inception, is anything but a free-market argument.

Now, I will be the first to tell you that the tax code is bloated, full of deductions which are suspicious in nature, and practically, that the progressive income tax is among the greatest affronts to individual liberty in American history. There can be no argument that there's more of Marx in it than of Madison. The 16th Amendment granted license for the federal government to tax individuals discriminately and without defined limitations, leading to the redistributionist monstrosity that we have today. I would be 100% in agreement with a more simplified system -- a flat tax, for example, which applies to all Americans equally.

But we should not pretend that the current call to curtail the mortgage interest deduction is anything but a means to "soak the rich." In this case, it's meant to target higher-income earners who might purchase an expensive home relative to their high income in the future.

There is proof that I'm correct. There has been selective acceptance about the proposed curtailing of this deduction. Good, many say. Taxpayers shouldn't subsidize homes for the rich, and all that. But there's no outrage about the proposed expansion of another deduction which serves, much more holistically, the exact same purpose (and then some) for millions upon millions of other Americans.

I'm speaking, of course, about the standard deduction.

Let's take a second example. Let's say you purchase a home for $187K, and you put your 20% down, leaving a roughly $150K loan that you pay interest upon. You'll be paying a little over $6,500 in mortgage interest in that first year. Assuming your other deductions don't bring you and your spouse above the current standard deduction for married filers at $12,700, TurboTax or some tax professional will prompt you not to itemize that $6,500. You should just take the standard deduction.

Assuming you have no other deductions (that's unlikely, but it's equally unlikely that you're itemizing deductions rather than taking the standard deduction since 70% of Americans opt for the latter), this is the same result as the government "pretending" that you paid $6,200 more in mortgage interest than you did. If you earn, say, $85K annually, this amounts to roughly $1,550 more in tax refund than you would have received had you simply itemized your mortgage interest deduction.

The person in the second example is: A) paying a much lower effective tax rate than the higher-income earner in the first example, even if you consider the first person's deductions, and B) getting roughly 2% of his income back from the federal coffers because of an arbitrary tax deduction which is not predicated upon any principle of market neutrality, but on the basis of good, old fashioned government redistribution.

The second person can claim all he likes that he's subsidizing the home of the first. But any fool can tell you that the opposite is closer to the truth.

The first person is among the top 5% of income earners. The top 5% of income earners pay roughly 60% of all income tax to the federal coffers, despite only earning a 36% of shared adjusted gross income. Even with all his sinister deductions firmly in place (and with the help of the current Alternative Minimum Tax, when applicable), he's helping to provide the lion's share of government revenue.

But here's an additional bit of food for thought. The proposed House GOP tax bill nearly doubles the standard deduction to $24,000. There's not a lot of squawking about this. Why? The simple answer is because it will likely function as a tax cut for the majority of middle America. But you don't hear higher-income earners screaming that they're forced to "subsidize" an additional bit of money into the pockets of middle-class earners.

Inversely, I've heard plenty of commentary that curtailing the mortgage interest deduction is a good thing, despite the fact that it very obviously will function as a tax hike for many higher income earners in areas of the country which have higher-priced real estate, and that keeping the mortgage interest deduction, as is, somehow amounts to taxpayers "subsidizing" their high-priced homes.

Utter nonsense.

It's true that not all tax deductions are created equal. For example, I can see the rationales in the arguments that state and local tax deductions amount to subsidizing high-tax state policies. But, as aforementioned, there's an equally good argument that the standard deduction amounts to the middle class being subsidized by higher income earners. The point is, unless we opt for true reform of the tax code, eliminating state and local income taxes will specifically act as a tax hike for high-income earners in higher-tax states, just as raising the standard deduction amounts to a specific tax cut for the middle class. Indeed, if 70% of Americans take the standard deduction today, doesn't it stand to reason that those same Americans will be able to deduct an extra $11K+, altogether arbitrarily, if the standard deduction is nearly doubled?

I am for the proposed increase in the standard deduction, mind you. This is a simple plea.

Do not be suckered into supporting selective tax hikes in order to achieve tax cuts for what we presume to be the masses. We conservatives, in unison, should be calling for the shrinking of government, entitlement reform, and tax cuts for working Americans which leaves more of their earned money in their own pockets. We do nothing but muddle our efforts by playing into Washington's redistributive rhetorical shenanigans.

William Sullivan blogs at Political Palaver and can be followed on Twitter.
Scandals take many forms. If you could be transported back to antebellum times, for example, would you not find scandalous the desire to perpetuate the legal institution of slavery? This brings us to the Alabama special election to fill Jeff Sessions vacant Senate seat, a contest now front-and-center with the recent sex allegations made against GOP hopeful Judge Roy Moore. Moore denies the charges, but there are certain things that cant be denied.

Democrat Doug Jones, Moores opponent, has some noteworthy positions. Hes pro-prenatal infanticide. Its not a stance he took 40 years ago but has since abandoned, and it doesnt mean hes accused of once having kissed an underage girl.

It means he believes in the murder of underage girls  and boys. Thats beyond scandalous.

Jones supports de-facto amnesty, meaning, he wouldnt even require illegal aliens to return to their home countries before being granted citizenship. This undermines the rule of law and exemplifies the treasonous attitude that subordinates the good of ones countrymen to the good of invading foreigners  and all because theyll vote Democrat after being naturalized. Selling out your culture for political power is scandal on steroids.

Jones supports the regulation of carbon dioxide, otherwise known as plant food, because he pushes the dubious global-warming  climate-change , uh, global climate disruption agenda. Since its average Americans wholl pay these regulations costs, this serves to further impoverish the struggling. Thats scandalous.

Jones advocates the unscientific, socially disastrous transgender agenda. First, he said President Trump was wrong, wrong, wrong to return to the longtime status quo of banning so-called transgender people from the military; this means he supports social experimentation in the armed forces.

Second, he also supports allowing boys masquerading as girls to use girls bathrooms and locker rooms. In fact, he said that Trumps rescinding of Barack Obamas school guidance to that effect was wrong, wrong, wrong! (Because, you see, when you say that way it makes the other guy three times as wrong.) By the way, below is a video of Jones expressing these sentiments just last month.

Oh, yeah  the above is scandalous, too.

In addition, Jones advocates using taxpayer money to fund fanciful, economically unviable energy schemes such as solar, wind and thermal energy. Apparently, hed like to repeat Obamas green energy boondoggles (e.g., Solyndra), which only turned out green in that they wasted 2.2 billion worth of Americans greenbacks.

But Jones loves spending other peoples money. While he doesnt believe in cutting your taxes to spur economic growth, he thinks having government give away your tax money will do so.

Lastly, despite the fact that ObamaCare is unconstitutional, has caused millions of Americans healthcare premiums to rise and created co-ops that have collapsed right and left, Jones opposes rescinding the program. Well, no matter. Hell have great healthcare through the Senate if he wins December 12.

As for the last four positions, some would say calling them scandalous is a stretch, so you can apply your own adjective (stupid comes to mind). And whatever you might prefer for characterizing all his positions, old and repudiated dont fit. Current sure does, though.

So, killing babies, killing the rule of law, killing with regulations, killing tradition and kids right to privacy, killing our pocketbooks, killing the economy and killing healthcare (sounds like an alternate-universe Bill OReilly book series). In the scandal department, Roy Moore has a long way to go to have a chance of keeping up with the Joneses.

Simply put, Doug Jones is the most scandalous of creatures: a leftist radical. Its a wonder he isnt seeking office in California, New York, Massachusetts or North Korea. Running someone whose positions are so wholly contrary to Alabaman culture is a slap in the face to the state. Is this a political version of Punkd?

If I lived in Alabama, on December 12 Id vote for Judge Roy Moore while holding my nose  but only because the stench from Doug Jones name would be rising right from the ballot.

Contact Selwyn Duke, follow him on Twitter or log on to SelwynDuke.com
Remember ISIS? When Obama left office, it was still a growing network of eager sadistic killers, with secret sponsorship by Turkey, by some Gulf Arab regimes, the Wahhabi radicals, and by the Iranians. Today a lot of those boastful YouTube killers are just smoking splotches in the sand.

A single MOAB bomb was dropped on a mountain tunnel complex in Afghanistan, apparently a clean target with no "weddings" going on. The day afterwards the media said that 94 ISIS killers died, but that assumes that somebody had already cleaned up that collapsed tunnel structure; not a chance. So a hundred or more of the worst human beings since Hitler died in one big explosion.

Most important, the United States sent a strong signal of determination. Trump-Mattis announced a strategy of "surround and kill the enemy in place." For mass-murdering criminals there will be no mercy.

The U.S. media just rolled its eyes and yawned, but the Muslim world got the message loud and clear. Theyve been wondering how long the United States, which was the winning power in the Cold War and the two world wars was going to come back to its senses. Well, the MOAB bombing wasn't wish-washy, it wasnt half-hearted and it didn't signal cowardice and weakness. The United States was finally getting serious.

Obama would never even name the enemy, and most importantly, under Obama the United States lost the moral high ground against child-murdering sadists; we started to support Sunni killer cults in Syria.

If ISIS is just a minor nuisance, as Obama tried to tell us, that would make the genocides of history meaningless. But genocide is first-degree murder on an enormous scale. Murder with malice aforethought is punished for a good reason. The church killer in Tennessee the other day had a previous conviction for attacking a two-year-old baby, and he should have been put away for good. It would have saved many good and decent lives in Tennessee.

ISIS is just like that guy, except they think God wants them to kill babies.

Obama never, ever seemed to get that basic point of morality, nor did Hillary, nor did any other Democrat. Trump and Mattis obviously understand it, and Mattis has been subtly reminding Muslims that yes, they also have a moral code that prohibits baby killing (it depends on the religion of the baby). Since Mattis took over, DOD press releases constantly remind Muslims that baby-killing is the worst evil.

Obama seemed to take the side of the enemy, and Bush just called the whole thing the War on Terror," totally ignoring the monstrous doctrine that runs Al Qaida and ISIS and other jihad killer cults. American military who were on the ground in Syria and Afghanistan were tremendously demoralized by U.S. failure to cast this war in the proper moral terms. Mattis in particular emphasizes morality in war, a concept liberals cant even imagine. You kill people because they are beyond evil. You dont kill innocents. Somehow the Democrats cant seem to remember that.

So Trump and Mattis have been effective against ISIS because they know they are doing the right thing. So do the rest of us. (But Hillary never seemed to get the point, either.)

ISIS war theology is still peddled by the Wahhabi priesthood in the Sunni states and by Saudi-funded mosques around the world. The Iranians have their own version of primitive desert morality, and they are still encircling the Sunni states and Israel.

So Trump opened up our domestic oil and gas. In one year we have become the biggest supplier in the world. OPEC doesnt control the price anymore, and we are now the strong horse.

The new heir to the Saudi throne (known as MBS for Mohammed bin Salman) and the aging king needed our help against Iran. They know Trump won't help Saudi Arabia if they don't purge their own jihad sponsors. That is one big reason for the purge over there, and we will have to see how it comes out.

Now why do you suppose the Bushes, the Clintons, the Obamas and such didn't think of cranking up U.S. oil and gas? They could have done it by executive order at any time since the first truck bomb attack on the Twin Towers in 1993. Just think of that.

Would Bush have opened the American oil spigot? Or Obama? Hillary?

Fat chance.

But Trump did it, and patriots should be cheering.

The Saudis could see their doom coming up fast, and they have been sending surrender signals. So their fabulous century of oil dominance is fading, and it was change or die. That is why the current purge had to come.

Trump is supposed to be an idiot, but this idiot has been a success in the international hotel business for years, and people like that have to know about currencies and commodities. They have to have credible information sources or they'll make the wrong moves. They have to read price signals. Rex Tillerson is one likely source for Trump, and so is Mattis.

(Meanwhile the idiot media are spotting a Trump-Tillerson split. They have no idea how serious these people are, and its better to keep them in their hate-hate-hate narrative. They cant make real trouble that way.)

Pessimists still say you can't defeat the Muslim terror campaign. In jihad you have to kill the diehards on the battlefield, but then you also have to change them ideologically. We did it with Japan in World War II, another war theology with a knack for martyrdom. In Germany, the Nazis were destroyed and the culture changed. In the former Soviet Union, the culture has changed dramatically. So yes, the U.S. does have a track record of beating fanatics and ultimately changing war ideologies.

After the Ottoman Empire went down after World War I, Kemal Ataturk was able to secularize Turkey, and that lasted until the present jihadist dictator Recip Erdogan. Turkey became modern, women were educated, and then the reactionary throwbacks took over again. Erdogan put a stop to modernization, but maybe its time for America to take the moral side in Turkey, too.

Let's remember that one year ago, when Obama left office. Obama didn't just leave the United States idling in neutral, foreign-policy-wise, but rather in the worst shape we've ever been in. He made clear his lifelong hatred and contempt for the United States --- that's what the Obama Apology Tour was about -- and our worst enemies were celebrating.

So, post-Obama, the United States wasn't just on level zero. We were below zero.

Today the NYT-WaPo Axis of Sabotage is complaining that Trump is scaring Kim III of North Korea too much. OMG, he's gonna get us into a nuke war!!!

The Wap-NYTs have always whipped up fear about strong U.S. presidents, never about foreign throwbacks like Kim III threatening us with nuclear weapons. They don't care if it's the Soviet Union, or the Nazis way back then, or Stalin, or the 9/11/01 Wahhabi killers. Our enemies are all victims of U.S. Imperialism, and if they're mad at us we gotta just take the punishment we deserve.

This is a form of liberal insanity, of course, but the one positive is that the voters understand it all. The Trump voters include tens of millions of Americans who love their country, and wanted Obama and Hillary out of their lives.

The Democrats still can't believe it, because somewhere in their infantile minds they just can't grasp that normal people do not love them. Just like Harvey the perp, anytime he shook his personal business at a young actress, he just couldn't take No for an answer.

Well, the American voter said No! loud and clear, and the left is still screaming at the heavens in protest. (Though not at God).

The Democrats will lose as long as the current inner cult stays in charge. All we can do is encourage them to get as infantile as possible, and hope they'll never bring in any adults.

Trump might just achieve that all on his own.
The objective genius writers and editors at Salon.com  supported by a lecturer in the Department of African-American studies at the University of Maryland who really should know better  are busy parroting the latest far-left Only Black Lives Matter non-historians who have recently discovered pro-slavery references in what is now being claimed to be a racist National Anthem. And they'd be right, too, except that's not what Francis Scott Key was writing about. Not at all. Salon might be forgiven for not knowing this, but Professor Jason Nichols really should (and possibly does) know better.

The verse in question reads:

No refuge could save the hireling and slave

From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave

What Francis Scott Key was not referring to was a group of American black chattel slaves fighting for the British. What he was referring to were the 30,000-plus mercenary soldiers from the German principality of Hesse  which is why they were called Hessians  as well as the German principality of Kassel, who unwillingly became cannon-fodder for British King George III (himself a German by heritage). They served against their will in the British expeditionary army for much of the Revolutionary War, fighting American patriots a generation before the War of 1812. These men, conscripted by their prince and shipped off to America (for a hefty fee), had no choice in the matter of being sent to fight Washington's army.

Our revolutionaries referred to them contemptuously as slaves, because they had no choice in the matter of service, and hirelings because their services could be sold to the highest bidder. Hessian soldiers had largely been press-ganged into service, and deserters were routinely and summarily executed. Many Hessians who survived desertion, or who lasted out until the end of the Revolution, chose to stay in America. Here, they became farmers, shopkeepers, tradesmen, craftsmen  and Americans.

A generation later, when the British once again tried to reintegrate their former colonies into their empire, it was a common belief among American patriots of 1812 that this latest levy of British soldiers were also bought and paid for, involuntarily serving mercenaries  hence, as the song said, men who were hireling and slave.

A lack of any basic understanding of America's founding history, 1775-1815, could lead someone who had legitimate reasons to hate slavery to conflate these Germans, press-ganged involuntary (i.e., slaves) and soldiers for hire (hirelings), with African-American chattel slaves who some claim served with the British in 1812. However, the British Army in America was a professional army, who, at the same time they were fighting the United States, were also putting the end to Napoleon's dreams of empire. These professional warriors had no use for soldiers who were untrained, inexperienced escaped agricultural workers, except as manual laborers. Some escaped slaves, however, served as Royal Navy apprentice sailors  the Royal Navy still used press-gangs, and it was always prepared to provide enforced-by-the-cat-o'-nine-tails on-the-job training for willing (or unwilling) apprentice seamen.

What Francis Scott Key wrote about so contemptuously in his heroic poem, which was only later put to music, was not black sailors who may have come from America, or from the West Indies, or indeed from other current or former slave-holding countries. Instead, Key reflected the common American conceit that this latter-day generation's British soldiers in 1812  many of whom were indeed from the European Continent, as well as from a variety of other non-British nationalities  were in fact another levy of press-ganged mercenaries, not at all different from the contemptible Hessian "hireling and slave" of the Revolutionary War era.

We shouldn't be amazed that activists  who make no pretentions about being historical scholars  would glom onto a turn of phrase like "hireling and slave" and just assume that it refers to African-American chattel slaves, despite the fact that those slaves were not hirelings. When presumably educated writers at Salon parrot this notion, it's problematic. When a lecturer at the University of Maryland also parrots such nonsense, on Tucker Carlson Tonight (11/8/17), those who love history need to hunker down for a long, ignorant siege.

One more thing: I'd like to offer some background on Jason Nichols, but his bio page on the University of Maryland Department of African-American Studies website is blank.

Ned Barnett studied American history and communications in college and has been an on-camera historian on nine History Channel programs. He has also written a series of historically accurate novels about air combat during the first year of the Pacific War, available on Amazon. He owns Barnett Marketing Communications in Nevada (barnettmarcom.com).
The Department of Justice (under Jeff Sessions's leadership!) is keeping secret from taxpayers the budget for Robert Mueller's investigation. Thus, Judicial Watch once again is being forced to sue for data that belongs to taxpayers and that Congress has every right to see under its oversight responsibilities.

Michael W. Chapman of CNS News reports:

The government watchdog group Judicial Watch is suing the Department of Justice (DOJ) to release its information on the budget for Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into alleged Russian collusion with the 2016 Trump campaign. The Freedom of Informaiton Act (FOIA) lawsuit was filed in federal court because the DOJ did not respond to a July 10, 2017 request from Judicial Watch seeking information on the special counsel's budget, which is paid for by U.S. taxpayers. "The Mueller special counsel investigation is growing with seemingly little concern about costs to the taxpayer," said Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton. "Is the Justice Department hiding basic budget information about the Mueller special counsel operation because taxpayers and Congress would be outraged by the costs?"

I am old enough to remember when the cost of Kenneth Starr's investigation was a huge issue for the Democrats. Those costs were not hidden from the public.

Please join me in donating to Judicial Watch.
For Jerry Brown, it was never about science. Or, for that matter, spirituality.

On confronting global warming, it's all about coercive government power:

"It's not just a light rinse," Brown said. "We need a total, I might say, brainwashing. We need to wash our brains out and see a very different kind of world."

Brown was addressing a global warming conference in of all places, the Vatican.

The science blog Watts Up With That and Instapundit commentator Sarah Hoyt point out that brainwashing to get people to accept something isn't exactly the norm of scientific inquiry, which involves questioning and testing and research, coming to conclusions based on empirical evidence, and the pursuing the conclusions further wherever they may lead.

Brainwashing is so much easier. Because that's how science works, you know, by brainwashing, wrote Hoyt.

Brown doesn't fare any better on the spiritual plane, which, according to Politico, he seemed to think he was combining with his non-science.

The National Catholic Register's Joan Desmond points out that Brown's resort to brainwashing is at odds with Catholic spiritual teaching:

True enough: Brown has not achieved perfection. And perhaps this failure has led him to dismiss the value of his traditional Jesuit formation. And maybe he no longer believes in the power of the Holy Spirit to effect personal change  and by extension  social transformation. That is surely one way to interpret the governor's casual reference to the need for "brainwashing."

So Moonbeam has been shot out of the water on both the science and the spiritual fronts in his plea for global brainwashing over the issue of global warming.

That leaves one thing to explain his idiocy: he's calling for a cult. And global warming already is a cult, given its hostility to science and its substitute-religious qualities.

Brown wants to make it a real cult.

Like maybe Heaven's Gate?

Presumably with Brown as the cult leader. Like all cult leaders, he practices hypocrisy  one set of laws for himself and one set for everyone else.

In the Sacramento Bee's piece on Brown, he bloviates on the awfulness of greed at the Vatican, blaming humankind:

The problem ... is us. It's our whole way of life. It's our comfort[.] ... It's the greed. It's the indulgence. It's the pattern. And it's the inertia.

In WattsUpWithThat's item on Brown, the blogger points to a comfortable retirement ahead:

Perhaps retirement is what Brown had in mind, when Jerry Brown instructed state regulators to survey his Northern California ranch for oil in 2015. Despite the disappointing results of the survey, income from Brown's land holdings, his governor's pension and whatever other investments he has accumulated should make for a comfortable retirement.

Meanwhile, the National Catholic Register's Desmond points out that Brown, who is wrapping himself in Vatican spirituality as justification for his views, has a pretty long record of signing legislation at odds with Catholic teaching.

Back in California, Brown has embraced a vision of social transformation that contradicts Pope Francis' teaching. As governor, he has signed legislation that legalized physician-assisted suicide, expanded access to abortion, and targeted crisis pregnancy centers.

Cultie leaders never need to carry on the same laws they apply to the rest of us. Now that Brown is advocating brainwashing, he's let the cat out of the bag.
On Friday, Sean Hannity reignited efforts by enemies of his on the left to take him off the air via putting pressure on his advertisers to dump his show. His telephone interview with Senate nominee Roy Moore, broadcast live on his radio show and replayed later on his nightly Fox News Channel program, actually won more praise than might have been expected from a variety of analysts.

Hannity asked Moore tough questions and got the former judge to go on the record. The interview represented Moore's first spoken comments on the controversy since the story was initially reported on Thursday in the Washington Post.

Almost immediately, his enemies, in particular Media Matters for America, struck. Earlier attempts of this kind, including last May after Hannity reported on the unsolved murder of DNC staffer Seth Rich, did not succeed.

But now, over the past weekend, according to Forbes, Deadline Hollywood, the Daily Caller, and hundreds if not thousands of other media outlets, this latest "kill shot" (as Hannity termed such efforts last May) aimed at the country's #1 cable news host may be gaining traction.

CNBC reported on Sunday:

At least five companies said over the weekend that they will no longer advertise their products during Fox News' "Hannity" television show. . . Keurig, Realtor.com, 23 and Me, Eloquii and Nature's Bounty all pulled their ads from the television show, in response to Fox host Sean Hannity's coverage of the sexual misconduct allegations against Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore.

Hannity, never one to support boycotts, has not specifically called for a boycott of the advertisers who are deserting him. Instead, he has posted tweets on his Twitter feed about his interest in what his fans and critics of the advertisers are doing.

He also announced on Sunday evening:

Deplorable friends, I am buying 500 coffee makers tomorrow to give away!! Details on radio and TV. Hint; best videos!!

Chances are these will not be Keurig coffee makers.

Media Matters for America (MMFA), the far-left group founded by David Brock to attack conservative media, is behind the boycott Hannity campaign. In fact, Keurig tweeted a thank-you to MMFA's president, Angelo Carusone, for calling Hannity's coverage of the Moore case to the company's attention:

Angelo, thank you for your concern and for bringing this to our attention. We worked with our media partner and FOX news to stop our ad from airing during the Sean Hannity Show.

On his Twitter account, Hannity has tweeted a link to a website  registered to the domain angelocarusone dot com  that is titled and alleges, "Angelo Carusone Exposed! Anti-Gay, Anti-Semitic and Racist."

On Sunday, a counter-campaign among Hannity's supporters to boycott the boycotting advertisers  Keurig in particular  quickly took off on social media. As the work week starts today, the second large viral wave of coverage of this issue is mostly about the spread instigated by Hannity's fans of boycotts of the advertisers who have ended sponsorship of his program.

The stakes in this emerging fight couldn't be higher. Sean Hannity, and a handful of other high-profile conservative hosts on Fox News, represent the last thin line in the mainstream media left standing against the almost universal fake news onslaught by the MSM aimed at taking down President Donald Trump. Last April, advertisers who deserted Fox News's #1 program at the time, The O'Reilly Factor, after allegations of sexual harassment by host Bill O'Reilly resurfaced in the media, got the host of that program summarily fired in less than three weeks.

Peter Barry Chowka is a veteran reporter and analyst of news on national politics, media, and popular culture. Follow Peter on Twitter @pchowka.
So the Washington Post and other media outlets go to James Clapper and John Brennan  who both lied to Congress and who essentially allowed Putin to do whatever he wanted in Ukraine  to say Trump is being played?

One of the first things Barack Obama did upon taking office was to back away from a commitment to put up missile defense shields in the Czech Republic and Poland to appease Putin.

When Putin attacked Ukraine, Obama wouldn't even provide Ukraine with defensive weapons  and that certainly pleased Putin.

I don't believe that Trump ever joked about Russian hostility being an outdated relic of the Cold War, as Obama did to Mitt Romney prior to the 2012 election.

Trump didn't allow Russia to get American uranium to spread around, and Trump never promised to give Putin flexibility once accountability to voters was no longer an issue, as Obama did.

Of course, Obama also essentially did nothing as North Korea advanced their nuclear ambitions. It is up to Trump to fix this mess.

Obama also strengthened Iran with hundreds of billions of dollars to further Iran's ability to menace the world and continue to threaten death to America and Israel. Obama and his team were played. They even paid $100s of millions in ransom.

I would love for Brennan, Clapper, or any reporter to list what Obama, Kerry, or Hillary did to make the world a safer place during his eight years before they lecture Trump about being played.

Why would anyone use John Brennan or James Clapper as a source, since they have been so willing to lie in the past?
Brexit Balls: Irish cheese panic

More fine anti-Brexit work in the The Guardian, where news is that people who eat non-organic butter and hum-drum Irish cheddar are going to be worst off once the country quits the EU:

Leaving the customs union in a hard Brexit scenario could lead to the price of meat doubling and the price of dairy, half of which is imported, rising by up to 50%.

How so?

A block of cheddar imported from Ireland that costs 1 now will cost 1.41 under World Trade Organisation rules, with Ireland being a major producer of cheddar. This would prompt a vicious economical cycle and a period of runaway food price hikes, he warned.

The quoted he is Gabriel DArcy, chief executive of dairy producers LacPatrick in Strabane in Northern Ireland. In May Mr DArcy said LacPatrick had seen a 25pc surge in its sales into the British market in the wake of Brexit, due to its presence in Northern Ireland. Not all doom and gloom, then.

And as for the Guardians words on WTO, well, the quoted price hike represents the maximum import tariffs, so-called ceiling rates on bound rates . You can charge less through applied rates. The Government could go further and charge no tariffs (aka tax), and make the populace richer by allowing them to keep more cash in their pockets by way of cheaper cheese.

No need to panic, then, and dash out to buy lots of Irish cheese. Guardian readers, of course, can stick with their runny brie.

Anorak

Posted: 13th, November 2017 | In: Broadsheets, Money, News Comment | TrackBack | Permalink
(ANSA) - Rome, November 13 - Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano has reiterated Italy's strong support for the unity, sovereignty and independence of Lebanon and Lebanon's political leadership.

"Italy calls on all parties, in Lebanon and in the region, in order to spare no effort to preserve the country from regional conflicts and tensions," he said.

Following the announcement of the resignation offered by Prime Minister Hariri, Italy calls for the necessary respect for the proper functioning of the Lebanese democratic institutions and its constitutional procedures, and supports President Aoun's appeals for calm and unity.

In renewing its constant commitment, both multilaterally and bilaterally, to the stability of Lebanon, Italy is convinced that this crucial objective can only be achieved through strong and respected state institutions, in particular the armed and police forces that constitute the legitimate guarantors of the country's security, to which constant international support is directed, a foreign ministry statement said.


Anti-IS coalition to meet in Amman mid-November

(ANSAmed) - AMMAN, NOVEMBER 13 - Jordan will host this month an international meeting that includes the EU, NATO, Interpol, the Arab league and dozens of representatives of governments from around the world, on means of fighting growing influence of the Islamic State (IS), officials said today.



According to Jordan foreign ministry spokesman, Mohammad Kayed the gathering comes at an important milestone after the capture of Mosel and Raqa from IS earlier this year. The meeting is a continuation of a previous ministerial gathering held by foreign ministers of the small group in September in New York on the side-lines of the 72nd conference of the UN General Assembly.



The Global Coalition was formed in September 2014 and comprises 69 countries and four international organisations: Arab League, NATO, Interpol and EU. According to its objectives, the alliance is working on tackling IS financing and economic infrastructure, preventing the flow of foreign fighters across borders, supporting stabilization and the restoration of essential public services to areas liberated from the group. (ANSAmed).




ROME - Bahraini opposition leader Sheikh Ali Salman will be tried on charges of spying for Qatar, according to a tweet by the Bahraini general prosecutor's office.



"The prosecutor has transferred to the High Criminal Court the case of Ali Salman, Hassan Sultan and Ali Mahdi, accused of spying for the State of Qatar," the tweet said.



Salman, leader of the Shia al-Wefaq party, has been in jail since 2014.



He is serving a nine-year sentence for "public insults to the interior minister" and for "publicly inciting disobedience to the laws" in speeches in 2012 and 2014.



He is now accused of "spying for a foreign state with the aim of carrying out subversive acts against Bahrain and damaging its national interests".



He is also charged with revealing defence secrets to a foreign state and spreading information damaging to Bahrain's status and reputation.



The al-Wefaq party, which Bahrain's high court dissolved in 2016, held a majority in parliament before its members resigned due to the repression of the revolts against the Al Khalifa monarchy that also broke out in Bahrain in 2011.



According to Bahraini state television, it was Qatar that fueled the protests that have since that time reappeared in the kingdom.


ROME - Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Al Hariri, currently in exile in Saudi Arabia, said he will return to Lebanon soon.



He said Iran is the cause of the Lebanese political crisis set off by his declaration to resign. "I resigned and I will return to Lebanon and I will follow constitutional procedures," Hariri said in an interview with Future TV.



"I take responsibility and I will return to Lebanon," he said.



"I'm not against Hezbollah as a political party but it shouldn't be the cause of Lebanon's destruction," he said.






PARIS - French President Emmanuel Macron, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo and relatives of the 130 victims of the November 13, 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris and Saint-Denis gathered on Monday at the Stade de France stadium to commemorate the second anniversary of the attacks.



The stadium in Saint-Denis was the site of the first suicide bomber attacks on the evening of November 13.



Security measures for Monday's ceremony, during which Macron is not expected to speak, are very tight.



October 31 marked the end of a two-year state of emergency in France - the country's longest ever - and a new security law has been in place since November 1.



Laurent Nunez, the head of France's internal intelligence agency DGSI, told French daily Le Figaro "ISIS's will to attack us remains intact".



"ISIS is asking jihadists to hit their places of residence," Nunez said, adding that France remains a "main target" of ISIS propaganda, provoking in some jihadists a "strong temptation" to "resort to rudimentary methods".

Nunez said the threat remains "very strong".
ROME - The 90 names of the victims of the terrorist attack at Paris's Bataclan theatre were read in front of the concert venue on Monday, the two-year anniversary of the attack.



The names included that of 28-year-old Italian student Valeria Solesin, who was killed in the attack.



The reading of the names lasted more than four minutes, and was followed by a minute of silence in the presence of friends and family of the victims as well as French President Emmanuel Macron, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo and former French President Francois Hollande. Members of the band Eagles of Death Metal, who were playing a concert at the time of the attack, were also present at the ceremony, along with many Paris residents who came to pay tribute to the 130 victims of the attacks that took place in the city on November 13, 2015.


PARIS - French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, speaking Monday on the second anniversary of the Paris terrorist attacks, said "the country has held up and remained France", speaking during a radio interview with France Inter.



"The threat level obviously remains high," Philippe said, but added that following ISIS's "military defeat" in Syria and Iraq, "organising actions is probably much harder".



Regarding the possible return to France of foreign fighters, Philippe said, "we must be extremely prudent and not naive" and that those who return "will be systematically subjected to criminal proceedings".



Meanwhile, Laurent Nunez, the head of France's internal intelligence agency DGSI, said, "ISIS's will to attack us remains intact", during an interview with French daily Le Figaro.



"ISIS is asking jihadists to hit in their places of residence," he said.



He said France is a "main target" of terrorist propaganda, which can lead to a "strong temptation" in some to "pass to the act (of terrorism) with rudimentary means".


"Io sono soggetto a rischio per il covid, e oggi, anche se sembra che la pandemia stia assumendo caratteri meno aggressivi, ho fatto la...
As this exhibition opened, DAM museum director Christoph Heinrich sheepishly admitted that he did not know many of these artists beforehand. Thats not necessarily his fault. As Ms. Madeline researched and conceived the show, she discovered that many museums had stashed these paintings in storage, rarely if ever putting them on view. Some did not know where paintings she requested were. Still other works were neglected, in too poor condition to be lent.

I suspect that curt comment made by that curator simply did not know better for the same reason.

In any case, I will concede that I did not personally love everything in the exhibition (Do I ever? Not sure). I will also concede that only a dozen or so, in my mind, were great paintings. But many others were very fine ones. Among the best, for me, are the three Ive posted here, from the top: Beauxs Ernesta (Child With Nurse), Anna Anchers Young Woman Arranging Flowers and Marie Bashkirtseffs The Meeting.

We have to hold women to the same standards as men, but not to higher ones, and we often do.

And, as a friend noted to me after reading the review, Italy is next.

Good idea.

Photo Credits: Courtesy of the Denver Art Museum
CAIT said that against its demand of CBI enquiry, Infosys has come out with 'lame excuses'.

Traders body Confederation of All India Traders said it will move the court if the government takes no action against Infosys, responsible for the technical snags on the GSTN portal. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: Traders body Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), which has blamed Infosys for glitches in the GST Network, said on Sunday if no action is taken against the company, it will have no other option left but to take "shelter of the court of law".

In a statement, CAIT said GST portal has brought much harassment and mental agony to traders by its non-smooth functioning and has proved a major roadblock in success of a good taxation system like GST.

The traders body said that "it has failed to understand why no action is being taken against Infosys and other companies who have taken the contract of GST portal at a huge cost of about Rs 1,400 crore".

Infosys has already denied the allegations as "completely inaccurate".

CAIT said that against its demand of CBI enquiry, the Infosys has come out with "lame excuses" having a stereo type reply that portal is functioning well.

"...if no immediate action is taken against Infosys, it will have no other alternative left but to take shelter of the Court of Law to intervene in the matter and while identifying the culprits award them suitable punishment for non performance and wastage of public money. No one will be allowed to run away with public money," CAIT said.

Earlier this month, the IT major in a statement had said: "Infosys is very proud to be associated with the prestigious GST project which is the largest tax project of its kind in the world. The system has already demonstrated success across several parameters".

Infosys, however, said a transformative large project has to deal with changes in both policy and stakeholder usability and some of these modifications have resulted in rapid changes to the system like its integration with Aadhaar and heterogeneous IT ecosystems.

"Given the complex nature of the project and rapid change management, there have been several stakeholder concerns that have also been raised. Some of our finest engineers are supporting the GSTN team as they work towards resolving these and serving all stakeholders," it added.
The director took to Twitter where he recalled shooting for the songs 'Hawa Hawai' and 'Kaate Nahi Kat Te' from the 1987 blockbuster.

Mumbai: Filmmaker Shekhar Kapur has praised his 'Mr India' actor Sridevi for her impeccable understanding of both comic and sensual aspects of the craft.

The 71-year-old director took to Twitter where he recalled shooting for the songs 'Hawa Hawai' and 'Kaate Nahi Kat Te' from the 1987 blockbuster.

"Filming 'Mr India' songs and the Charlie Chaplin sequence with Sridevi were one of the most joyful moments of my directing experience. Her intuitive sense of the comic and the sensual are amazing," Kapur wrote alongside an article.

Filming Mr India songs and the Charlie Chaplin sequence with SriDevi were one of the most joyful moments of my directing experience. Her intuitive sense of the comic and the sensual are amazing @SrideviBKapoor https://t.co/xQSS5u33xe  Shekhar Kapur (@shekharkapur) November 11, 2017

Sridevi responded by returning the praise to the acclaimed director.

You are responsible for all what I could do in those sequences, in fact the full film was a happy experience , thanks to you , the script & the entire crew. #MrIndia  SRIDEVI BONEY KAPOOR (@SrideviBKapoor) November 12, 2017

Kapur added he couldn't forget the experience of the film due to the veteran actress' brilliance.

I will never forget the making of Mr India mostly because of your brilliance @SrideviBKapoor https://t.co/pzxJXuwL7i  Shekhar Kapur (@shekharkapur) November 12, 2017

Also starring Anil Kapoor and Amrish Puri, the movie was produced by Sridevi's husband Boney Kapoor.
Protests took place in Mumbai, Noida, Jamshedpur and Ahmedabad demanding a ban against the film.

Mumbai: Around 25 people of a Rajput community outfit on Saturday protested outside filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali's office in suburban Juhu against his upcoming movie 'Padmavati', the police said.

The protesters demanded that the film should not be released, a senior police official said.

'Padmavati,' helmed by Bhansali, is slated to hit theatres shortly. The movie has been facing a lot of trouble since early this year.

Police said that they detained the protesters, but later released them.

The film, starring Deepika Padukone as Padmavati, Shahid Kapoor as Maharawal Ratan Singh and Ranveer Singh as Alauddin Khilji, is based on the legend of Rani Padmavati, a Hindu Rajput queen.

Bhansali had been assaulted by activists of a Rajput community group, the Karni Sena, during the shooting of the film in Jaipur in January. The outfit has been constantly seeking a ban on the movie, claiming it "distorts" history.

Meanwhile in Noida, several outfits protested against the film and appealed to people not to watch the Sanjay Leela Bhansali directed movie.

Two of the protesting organisations -- the Rajputana Vikas Sanghthan and the Veer Kunwar Singh Shodh Sanghthan -- also submitted a memorandum to the district magistrate, demanding a ban on the movie.

The Rajputana Vikas Sanghthan protested and tore posters of the film in front of a Sector 38 mall and a Sector 18 cinema hall, while at the Sector 25, its members raised slogans against the movie.

The outfit's president S P Chauhan said that his community will not tolerate any "misleading" views on Rani Padmavati.

The Veer Kunwar Singh Shodh Sangthan burnt the effigy of Bhansali and demanded the film be banned.

Its president Thakur Man Singh said that Maharani Padmavati was respected by Hindus and alleged that the film had distorted facts.

The Hindu Jan Jagriti Manch and the Akhil Bhartiya Kshatriya Maha Sangh also protested against the movie.

Moreover, an organisation of the Rajput community here demanded a ban on the upcoming Bollywood movie and said it would not allow its release in any of the theatres in and around Jamshedpur.

"We will not allow release of the movie in any of the theatres in and around Jamshedpur," said Samresh Singh, president of the youth wing of the Akhil Bharatiya Kshatriya Mahasabha (ABKM).

He said the organisation would also urge the state government to ban the movie scheduled to be released on December 1.

"The glorious history of the country has been distorted in the movie which will not be tolerated," Singh said after a meeting of the organisation.

Asking theatre owners not to screen the film, he said the ABKM might also move court to stop its release.
Like every other year, Aaradhyas birthday parties will follow a certain theme.

Amitabh Bachchan did not celebrate his 75th birthday this year with a big bash, on account of the death of Aishwarya Rai Bachchans father Krishnaraj Rai earlier in the year. The family took off to Maldives to celebrate the occasion instead.

But Aishwarya wants to ensure the family celebrates her daughter Aaradhya Bachchans sixth birthday on November 16, with a celebration.

A source says, They have sent out invitations to celebrities with kids, and Aaradhyas friends for a small birthday bash at the old Bachchan bungalow, Pateeksha.

Like every other year, Aaradhyas birthday parties will follow a certain theme.

Sanskriti Media
The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) Project will be completed by March 2021.

The Chenab Railway bridge will stand 35 metres taller than the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris. (Photo: RailMinIndia | Twitter)

New Delhi: The world's tallest bridge over the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district, currently under-construction, will be able to withstand up to 8 magnitude earthquakes and high-intensity blasts, according to railway officials.

The arch bridge, a part of an ambitious railway project connecting Kashmir to the rest of the country, will have a "security setup" against possible terror threats and quakes, the officials said.

The work on the Rs. 1,250-crore bridge, which will be 359 metres above the Chenab river bed and stand 35 metres taller than the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris, will be completed by May 2019.

As Jammu and Kashmir is faced with terror activities and prone to earthquakes, MK Gupta, Member (Engineering) of the Railway Board, said that the railways "will put in place a security setup against any such threat in consultation with defence forces".

"The bridge has been designed in such a way that it will withstand an earthquake measuring eight on the Richter scale. There will be no damage to the bridge," Mr Gupta said, who began the work on putting the main arch on November 5.

He said that a detailed, site-specific seismic analysis has been carried out by experts from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Roorkee, and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore.

"The bridge has also been designed with anti-terror features in consultation with the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO)," a senior engineer working on the project said, without explaining further.

The bridge, a part of the Udhampur-Reasi-AnantnagSrinagar-Baramulla railway project, can withstand a blast of 30 kg of explosives, the engineer said.

The overall length of the bridge is 1,315 metres, having 17 spans, of which the main steel arch portion across the Chenab river is of 476 metres in length and its height is 359 metres above the river bed.

"There are certain unique and unparallelled features in the under-construction bridge. It is for the first time in India that a concrete-filled steel arch is being used as the main arch," he said.

He said that the work on viaduct portion of the bridge at Srinagar end was nearing completion.

The project work is being carried out by AFCONS Construction Company through Konkan Railway.

The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) Project will be completed by March 2021, he said.

Officials overseeing the project on the ground said that more than 1,300 workers and 300 engineers have been working round-the-clock to complete the bridge in time. Over 70 per cent of the work has been completed, they added.

The construction work started in 2004, but the work was briefly stopped in 2008-09 in view of the safety of rail passengers due to frequent high-velocity winds in the area.
Burning of crop residues by farmers in neighbouring states has been blamed for the toxic smog enveloping Delhi during the winter season.

While Manohar Lal Khattar said on Monday he was open to meeting Kejriwal 'anytime anywhere' to find a solution to the issue, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh last week said the situation warranted Centre's intervention as it has inter-state implications. (Photo: PTI)

Chandigarh: Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Monday asked his Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal what steps he has taken to end stubble burning by farmers in areas near the national capital as air pollution peaked to alarming levels.

Kejriwal last week had sought a meeting with counterparts from Haryana and Punjab to discuss ways to manage the worsening air pollution in Delhi and the neighbouring states.

While Khattar said on Monday he was open to meeting Kejriwal "anytime anywhere" to find a solution to the issue, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh last week said the situation warranted Centre's intervention as it has inter-state implications.

The practice of burning of crop residues by farmers of the two states have been blamed for the toxic smog enveloping the region during the winter season every year.

In a letter to Kejriwal, Khattar said some 40,000 families cultivate around 40,000 hectare in Delhi. "What steps have been taken to keep them from stubble burning?".

"I write this in response to your letter dated November 8. I believe no single person, organisation or government can improve the quality of air. Such collective problems require everyone to do their bit. And more importantly, a strong mechanism to enhance the outcome of such constructive steps," Khattar told Kejriwal in the letter dated November 10.

Quoting from Rabindranath Tagore's poem, 'Where The Mind Is Without Fear', he said the bedrock of such a mechanism is a "mindset" where "words come out from the depth of truth".

"Unfortunately, your letter contains no hint of such a mindset. In fact, your reference to the helplessness of farmers in Punjab and Haryana in stubble burning betrays an inability to rise above short-term electoral interests," he said.

He cited "publicly available satellite imagery data" and said they showed substantial reduction in stubble burning cases and fires from 2014 onwards in Haryana.

Khattar said he was "likely" to be in Delhi on November 13 and 14. "You may feel free to call me to fine tune a mutually convenient date, time and venue for the meeting."

A thick blanket of smog, mainly caused by stubble burning, has enveloped parts of Punjab, Haryana and Delhi, severely affecting normal life and troubling people in breathing.

Haryana's outspoken minister Anil Vij has previously said that if the Kejriwal-led AAP government wants to tackle the smog problem in Delhi, it should provide grants to farmers of Haryana to stop them from burning crop residue.
The right-wing groups held a joint protest against the release of the film in Surat on Sunday.

The Member of Parliament from Kerala took to Twitter and said education for women in Rajasthan was more important than a 'goonghat'. (Photo: File)

New Delhi: Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Monday highlighted the state of female literacy rate in Rajasthan amid raging protests against the release of the Sanjay Leela Bhansali's magnum opus 'Padmavati'.

The Member of Parliament from Kerala took to Twitter and said education for women in Rajasthan was more important than a "goonghat", as state's female literacy rate was among the lowest in the country.

"Agree totally. The #Padmavati controversy is an opportunity to focus on the conditions of Rajasthani women today and not just of queens six centuries ago. Rajasthan's female literacy among lowest. Education more important than goonghats." Tharoor posted on Twitter.

Agree totally. The #Padmavati controversy is an opportunity to focus on the conditions of Rajasthani women today  just of queens six centuries ago. Rajasthans female literacy among lowest. Education more important thang Hoog hats https://t.co/82rvGmkfwO  Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) November 13, 2017

Tharoor had to put out at a one more tweet later to clarify a confusion after the auto correct feature in his device had autocorrected the word goonghats to 'thang Hoog hats'.

The Rajput Community, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, the Bajrang Dal and the Karni Sena held a joint protest against the release of the film in Surat on Sunday.

"The government must put a ban on the release of the film because it is portraying Rani Padmavati in an objectionable way. The history has been distorted in this film. The government has to listen to us otherwise everyone will have to face consequences for this. We will not tolerate disrespect to our community," a protestor said in Surat.

Meanwhile, in Maharashtra at least 15 members of the Akhand Rajputana Seva Sangh were detained while protesting on Sunday.

Earlier, the Supreme Court rejected a petition filed against the release of 'Padmavati', saying the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) was yet to issue a certificate to the movie.

The top court had added that the CBFC was an independent body and the court should not intervene in their jurisdiction.

The period drama, starring Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, and Shahid Kapoor, has been facing protests from various Hindu groups for allegedly tampering with historical facts.

The Karni Sena, which demolished the sets of the movie in Jaipur and also thrashed Bhansali, had again warned the director that he would face consequences if the movie distorted historical facts.

The movie is slated to hit the theatres on December 1.
Earlier, the apex court had upheld the Delhi HC order which had sentenced Mukesh and other three convicts to the gallows.

Protestors demand the death sentence for the rapists shortly after the 2012 Delhi gangrape and murder. (Photo: File)

New Delhi: The Supreme Court, on Monday, will hear the review petition filed by one of the convicts, Mukesh, in the Nirbhaya gangrape and murder case.

Earlier, the apex court had upheld the Delhi High Court order which had sentenced Mukesh and other three convicts to the gallows.

The review petition was moved through Advocate M L Sharma by Mukesh, who is one of the four convicts sentenced to death.

In May, a Supreme Court bench, headed by Justice Dipak Misra and consisting of Justices R. Banumathi and Ashok Bhushan, had upheld the High Court's order of death sentence to the four convicts - Akshay, Pawan, Vinay Sharma and Mukesh.

On December 16, 2012, six people gangraped a 23-year-old physiotherapy intern in a moving bus.

The woman succumbed to her injuries in a Singapore hospital on December 29, 2012.

One of the accused, Ram Singh hanged himself in the prison, while another person, who was a juvenile at the time of the crime, was convicted in August last year and will serve the maximum sentence of three years in a reform home.
The CBI probe into the murder of the seven-year-old at Gurgaon's Ryan International School has also revealed illegality by police.

Pradyuman Thakur was found, with his throat slit, inside the toilet of the school premises on September 8. (Photo: File)

New Delhi: Investigation in Pradyuman murder case has revealed illegality and destruction of evidence by Gurgaon police, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) sources said on Sunday.

On Wednesday, the murder case of the seven-year-old Ryan International School student took a new turn after the CBI arrested a class 11 student of the same school and gave a clean chit to the bus conductor, who was arrested by the Gurgaon police for the murder and sexual assault of the child.

Pradyuman Thakur was found, with his throat slit, inside the toilet of the school premises on September 8.

The accused confessed to his crime in front of his father, the CBI had told a juvenile court last week.

The CBI said the accused committed the crime to postpone the parents-teachers meeting and the exams.

Meanwhile, the accused student has been sent to Faridabad observation home where he will be kept until the next hearing in the case on November 22.

Congress slams Haryana CM for influencing probe

Congress on Sunday slammed Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and BJP government in the state for party leaders allegedly trying to scuttle the police investigation into the murder of Class II student Pradhuman Thakur.

"Pradyuman Thakur Murder - CBI points fingers at BJP politicians and minister for scuttling police investigation as CM Khattar hurriedly gives clean chit," said Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala on Twitter attaching a news story with a headline CBI scans politicians' role in Ryan police probe.

"Will justice be made a scapegoat at the altar of political expediency?" he asked.
Prime Minister has assured strict action against those who have been taking the law into their hands in the name of cow vigilantism, Mr Kumar said.

Patna: Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Monday strongly reacted to former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullahs statement that PoK belonged to Pakistan, saying that the entire Kashmir, including the areas occupied by Pakistan, was an integral part of India.

We have always held that Kashmir is an integral part of India. This has been our unequivocal stand on the issue. We hold that the whole of Kashmir, including the areas occupied by Pakistan, is an integral part of the country, he told reporters on the sidelines of his weekly Lok Samvad (public interaction) programme.

Mr Abdullah on Saturday had said that PoK should be handed over to Pakistan to resolve the long-pending border dispute between the two countries.

The Bihar chief minister also showed his concerns about growing cases of cow vigilantism in the country. He said that the matter was brought up for discussion with the Prime Minister who assured strict action against those who have been involved in such incidents.

Prime Minister has assured strict action against those who have been taking the law into their hands in the name of cow vigilantism, Mr Kumar said.

Questions were raised after a man was allegedly shot dead by cow vigilantes in Rajasthan on November 10. Nitish Kumars JD (U) which is part of the NDA has been facing criticism from the opposition parties after incidents of cow vigilantism were reported from several states.
The incident happened near the canteen area, triggering chaos in court premises.

It is suspected that the accused posed as a litigant. (Representational Image)

New Delhi: An undertrial was shot dead inside the Rohini court complex in Delhi on Monday, the police said.

The incident happened near the canteen area, triggering chaos in court premises.

The victim, Vinod alias Balle, was produced by the staff of Third Battalion in Rohini Court, said Rishi Pal, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Rohini).

While he was being taken back, he was shot at by an assailant at 11.20 am. The accused was arrested from the spot and the weapon of offence seized, he said.

It is suspected that the accused posed as a litigant.

Vinod was taken to Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hospital where he was declared brought dead, said the officer.

This is the second such incident near the court complex.

In April, a 38-year-old undertrial was shot dead there.
Paediatric pneumonia can claim young lives.

Pneumonia is a major cause for concern in children under the age of five, especially as 40 per cent in the age bracket are malnourished. Also, the mortality due to the disease is as high as 16 per cent, primarily because children do not get enough vitamin A in the first two years of life.

Early breastfeeding practices are not followed, which is also one of the major reasons for lower immunity in children. Dr Sanjay Srirampur, senior paediatrician explains that vaccination is the best method to control the disease and the inclusion of the vaccine in the government scheme will hopefully reduce the number of cases in the coming years.

Why is tackling paediatric pneumonia complicated?

The problem of pneumonia is multi-fold as it is caused due to various reasons. The respiratory infection is caused by droplets, which means that the child must have a strong immune system to fight the bacterial and viral infections. Over the years, it has been found to severely affect children who are malnourished or undernourished, those with vitamin A deficiency and those who are not breastfed up to six months.

The recent National Health survey data shows that 46 per cent of mothers are exclusively breastfeeding their children. But a sizeable amount of 54 per cent is not doing the same. Also, those who are feeding in less than one hour of birth are only 23 per cent. There is a wide number which has to be covered and this requires awareness, initiation and implementation, both at the caregivers level and at the clinical level.

Are the pneumonia patients coming to the clinics on time?

Recent data in India shows that 69.6 per cent of the children are being brought to the healthcare units on time. This shows that at the primary care level, the disease is being identified on time.

Why is the mortality rate increasing year after year and what are the steps being taken to reduce the same?

Pneumonia is of two types  viral and bacterial. Viral pneumonia is self-limiting in nature and comes under control but bacterial pneumonia is a cause for concern as it leads to a lot of complications and also causes multi-organ failures. For this reason, in children under five, it is essential to strengthen the immune system of the child so that the body can fight these diseases.

Is climate change responsible for this disease? What precautions can parents take?

Climate change allows the virus to be in the atmosphere for a longer time or there is movement of different viruses in the air which can lead to cold and flu. When the viral infection activates the bacteria and increases its number in the lungs, then the infection becomes a serious concern. People must follow cough etiquette, opt for balanced foods and also take vaccinations, which are effective in 90 per cent of the cases. This year, with MMR and Pentavalent vaccine being introduced in the government immunisation programme, there is hope that the deaths due to pneumonia will reduce in the next few years.

What steps should be taken to build the right kind of immunity in children?

Vaccines provide lifetime immunity to patients, but it is also important that there is a right intake of balanced foods like vegetables, fruits and lean proteins to protect the body from disease. Processed foods, sugary drinks, beverages and junk food must be avoided.
The world's biggest QR code made up with individuals was assembled at Sias International University, China.

The record-breaking attempt to build a 51-meter-long and 51-meter-wide QR code involved people holding colourful umbrellas. (Photo: Facebook/China Plus News)

Over 2520 people assembled at Sias International University in the city of Zhengzhou, China to win the Guinness record-setting challenge for the world's biggest human QR code.

The record-breaking attempt to build a 51-meter-long and 51-meter-wide QR code involved people holding colourful umbrellas which made the pattern scannable.

The event was held on November 1 in China's Henan province.

It was organized by the Chinese ride-sharing app Didi Express.

The app offered the university a bonus of 1 million yuan (approximately US$150,600) if they could break the previous record and create a working QR code made out of people.

They lived up to their promise and paid the university after the "human" code was scanned.

The university will share the winnings with the students who participated.
Suspect in question, Sean Sykes Jr, was being questioned over intel to sell cocaine and being in possession of a firearm in Missouri.

According to reports Sykes leaned to one side of his chair and released a loud fart before answering with the address.

In a bizarre case, US police were forced to stop interrogating a suspects on drugs and gun charges after he continually replied to their questions with Farts.

The suspect in question, Sean Sykes Jr, was being questioned over the intel to sell cocaine and being in possession nof a firearm in Kansas City, Missouri, when the bizarre incident occurred.

The detective who was given the task of interrogating the suspect wrote in his report that Mr Sykes leaned to one side of his chair and released a loud fart before answering with the address.

His report further went on to state that Sykes continued to be flatulent after which he was forced to end the interview.

Sykes denied the accusations and no charges were filed following the interrogation in September. However, he was taken back into custody this month after being found in possession of a stolen fiream.

Police searched a car containing Sykes to find a .357 Magnum which had been reported missing a few days earlier.

According to court documents, police also found marijuana and crack cocaine inside the vehicle.
So along with what residents describe as apartments full of other mixed couples, he and Alqam see a solution in Kafr Aqab.

For Palestinians in marriages where one partner is from West Bank and the other from the Israeli state, the slum is a haven. (Photo: Pixabay)

Kafr Aqab is no ones dream destination: the overcrowded neighbourhood separated from adjacent East Jerusalem by Israels barrier in the occupied West Bank is notorious for rutted roads, drugs and violence.

But for Palestinians in marriages in which one partner comes from the West Bank and the other from territory Israel had declared to be part of the Israeli state, the slum is a haven where they can live legally together.

When 23-year-old Yacout Alqam, a resident of East Jerusalem, first met her fiance, she loved that he was very kind. Very free. Everything.

There was just one catch: The problem of identification cards, said Alqam, the wide smile on her small frame fading.

Hailing from East Jerusalem, Alqam carries an Israeli-issued Jerusalem residency card, which provides her many benefits but not actual citizenship. Israel annexed the area after the 1967 Middle East war in a move not recognised internationally.

Her fiance, Adham Abu Lateefa, 23, is a Palestinian from the West Bank, territory also captured by Israel in 1967 but where the Palestinian Authority administers limited self-rule.

Holding a West Bank identification card, Lateefa cannot, under Israeli rules, live in East Jerusalem. Alqam cannot live in the West Bank without risking the loss of her residency permit, as she must prove she resides in Jerusalem to keep it.

So along with what residents describe as apartments full of other mixed couples, he and Alqam see a solution in a sort of twilight zone, in Kafr Aqab.

Since its inhabitants pay Jerusalem municipal taxes, Alqam can live in Kafr Aqab and still be considered an East Jerusalem resident.

And because Israels barrier and a military checkpoint separate Kafr Aqab from the city, her fiance can reside there, even with his West Bank identification card.

Thanks to its special status, Kafr Aqab, once a small neighbourhood of several thousand people, now has a population in the tens of thousands who live in dilapidated high-rise buildings where apartments sell for about a quarter of what they cost in the rest of East Jerusalem.

Haya Khader, a Palestinian teacher from East Jerusalem, married her high school sweetheart, a West Bank resident, 18 years go. Soon after they wed, a Palestinian uprising erupted and Israel built the barrier, calling it a bulwark against attacks on its cities. Palestinians see it as a land grab.

Khader said she hates living in Kafr Aqab, where she said no one is responsible for us, leading to poor municipal services. Israeli authorities rarely venture in, she said, while the Palestinian Authority has no jurisdiction.

Khader said she is resigned to the situation. But Alqam is holding out hope that her fiance will be granted a permit to live in Jerusalem through Israels family unification law.
The two men were killed in separate incidents within a span of a few hours on October 22.

Nupur Prasad, DCP(Shahdara), said that they were conducting raids in Sambhal when it was learnt that the suspects involved in northeast Delhi's killings were hiding there. (Representational Image)

New Delhi: Three men have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the killing of two men in northeast Delhi last month, the police said on Monday.

The two men were killed in separate incidents within a span of a few hours on October 22.

The three accused, Rashid, Golu and Rashid alias Waseem, were arrested from Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, in the last couple of days, the police said.

On October 22, a man named Wazid was shot dead in Zaffrabad and he died on the spot. On the same day, a man named Arif Hussain was also shot dead in Bhajanpura.

Following the two killings, teams of northeast district, Special Cell and Crime Branch were working on leads to arrest the accused.

Police said that a team of Krishna Nagar police station in Shahdara police district was conducting raids in Sambhal in connection with another case when it was learnt that the accused of the killings in northeast Delhi were hiding there.

Nupur Prasad, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Shahdara), said they were conducting raids in Sambhal when it was learnt that the suspects involved in northeast Delhi's killings were also hiding there. A raid was conducted and they were nabbed.

During interrogation, they revealed that they have been involved in multiple crimes such as robbery, armed robbery, murder, snatching in Delhi, UP and Tamil Nadu, the DCP said.

After the arrest, the accused were handed over to northeast district police who are questioning the accused about the motive of the twin killings.

It is suspected that the October killings were the result of personal enmity.
Sources close to Mr Pushkar, who represents Timarpur, said his equation with the AAP had improved.

New Delhi: Badly bruised by dissident attacks, the beleaguered ruling Aam Aadmi Party is offering an olive branch to party rebels to mend relations and strengthen its position in the national capital.

The party has reached out to rebel MLAs Pankaj Puskhar and Col. Devinder Sehrawat (Retd), a senior AAP leader said on the condition of anonymity.

Yes, there is a positive development, Col. Sehrawat said, confirming that there was a thaw in the hostility between the Bijwasan MLA and the party leadership. He, however, did not elaborate on the moves.

Sources close to Mr Pushkar, who represents Timarpur, said his equation with the AAP had improved and he had started attending party and government events in his constituency.

We are basically fighting the same force, the BJP. So it makes more sense to cooperate, Mr Pushkar said. Informal talks are being held with several dissidents, who are being persuaded not to take up positions against the party, the senior AAP leader said.

Talks were on with sacked ministers Sandeep Kumar and Asim Ahmed Khan who, AAP sources said, had turned neutral in comparison to their earlier hostile stands on party matters.

The sources said the efforts were bearing fruit, with Col. Sehrawat and Mr Pushkar backing motions mooted by the government.

In a special session of the Delhi Legislative Assembly in October, Mr Pushkar came out in support of safeguarding the House panels of the Assembly when the lieutenant-governor sought to withdraw the powers of department-related standing committees.

Col. Sehrawat had been at odds with the leadership ever since it removed founder-members Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan from top party committees.

Known to be close to Mr Yadav and Mr Bhushan, Col. Sehrawat was suspended last year when he accused some party leaders of exploiting women in Punjab, a charge put down by the party.
The govt scrapped plans to implement odd-even scheme after NGT said there won't be exemption for women, two-wheelers and govt servants.

'There is a meeting with Pawan Hans officials to discuss the plan of aerial sprinkling of water,' said the urban development minister of Delhi. (Photo: File)

New Delhi: Scientists in the environment department are "constantly monitoring" the pollution level in the national capital where the air quality index has been "fluctuating" in the last 48 hours, Delhi Minister Gopal Rai said on Monday.

The urban development minister said at a press conference in Delhi that there is a meeting with Pawan Hans officials on Monday evening to discuss the plan of aerial sprinkling of water.

The chief minister and the Cabinet are in "constant touch" with environment scientists, who are continuously monitoring the pollution level.

"The report for the last 48 hours given by the scientists is that the air quality is fluctuating. The report has been submitted to the chief minister and the Cabinet," Rai said.

Meanwhile, the Delhi government moved the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Monday, seeking amendment to its November 11 order on odd-even car rationing scheme.

The government on Saturday scrapped its plan to implement the odd-even scheme after the NGT had said that there would be no exemption for women, two wheelers and government servants.

"Movement of trucks and construction works are under scrutiny, water is being sprinkled, we are continuously monitoring the situation," he said.

Rai also hit out at the Haryana government for "playing blame game on stubble burning instead of taking action in his own state".

The national capital has been experiencing dense smog for about a week, forcing authorities to enforce emergency measures such as banning construction activities and brick kilns in the National Capital Region.

Rai, during the press conference, also hit out at the Centre, over the issue, referring to a media report that the Union government allegedly "did not release funds" to states in north India, meant for farmers to dissuade them from stubble burning.

Asked about the allegation made by the Haryana government as to what the AAP government was doing for Delhi farmers, he said, "We have been doing more than we can."

"In Haryana and other states, the crop is cut from the top using technology, so it leaves a long stubble which need burning for removal. In Delhi, our farmers cut crops close to the roots. And, have you seen any visual on TV or photos in newspapers of Delhi farmers resorting to stubble burning," he said.

"I was in Rohtak yesterday and the air in Haryana right now is more noxious. What is Haryana government doing?" he asked.
The HC will be hearing the matter of Kanjurmarg land on Monday.

Mumbai: The state government has given the final nod to allotting 33 hectares of the Aarey Milk Colony for the metro carshed project in the Development Plan 2034. Despite various measures proposed by the state government to mitigate the projects impact on environment, the adivasi community from Aarey is still not convinced and will be launching a huge protest in the coming days.

Activists have also claimed that while the Bombay high court had observed that an inquiry should be conducted for the land available in Kanjurmarg for the shed, but the state government hastily changed the land notification of Aarey. The HC will be hearing the matter of Kanjurmarg land on Monday.

The tribal community, mostly the Warli tribe, has asserted that earlier a major plot of the green cover has been already lost to an NSG training centre, film city and housing complexes. We have been living here even before the dairy was set up in 1951. Since then, we have only seen exploitation of our green space. The state

government should respect the rights of the adivasis, said Prakash Bhoir, leader, Shramik Adivasi Sanghtna, an adivasi group.

According to officials from the state urban development department, various measures will be taken to mitigate the environmental impact on Aarey Colony. These include providing a groundwater recharging facility in the depot and ensuring that the underground water table does not get disturbed from construction activities. However, environmentalists believe that these steps are not efficient when it comes to preventing the flooding of the Mithi in Aarey.

There are three flooding streams flowing through the 30-hectare plot in Aarey. Now when the land is filled from construction, the floodwater is bound to flow downstream. It will create worse situations in MIDC, Mahim, the airport area and other low-lying areas. The state government has not provided any solution to that, said Zoru Bhathena, an activist.
The doctors said that one of the victims might have had her skull fractured in the accident.

The victims on Sunday said that they will be lodging a complaint against Andheri Railway Station at Andheri East Police Station. (Representational Image)

Mumbai: A portion of the ceiling at Andheri Railway station came crashing down and injured two members of a family.

The slab fell off the ceiling and injured Asha, a resident of Vadodara, and her nephew Sourav on Sunday night.

Asha's head started bleeding profusely and she was immediately rushed to the emergency ward of the railway station.

Asha later said, "My son went to book tickets while we were standing nearby. Suddenly, the slab fell off the ceiling on my head. I was then rushed to the emergency ward by my son after which I lost consciousness. My nephew was also hurt."

"The doctors said that Asha might have had her skull fractured in the accident", informed Sourav, who suffered minor injuries.

Irked Sourav said, "If this is the condition of the establishment, then think of the condition of the other old railways. One can understand what kind of materials were used for construction."

Andheri railway station was rebuilt in 2015.

He added, "What happened in Elphinstone railway station, can also happen at Andheri. As Andheri is a major part of the Mumbai railways, if such incident occurs here, it will be massive."

On September 29, at least 22 people were killed and 30 critically injured in a rush hour stampede in Elphinstone railway station.

"Railways have given a meagre amount of Rs 500 as compensation even after looking at the severity of her condition, which is wrong," Asha's nephew said.

When media asked Sourav if they will be lodging a complaint, he said: "We will be filing a complaint against Andheri Railway Station at Andheri East police station."

The doctors will determine further course of Asha's treatment after getting the reports on Monday.
The AHAR has around 12,000 restaurants as its member in Mumbai and has started a poster campaign thanking the government.

Mumbai: Around 8,000 restaurants in Mumbai allegedly incurred a loss in their profit margins of approximately 30 per cent on a daily basis after an 18 per cent Goods and Services Tax (GST) was enforced from July 1, according to Indian Restaurant and Hotels Association (AHAR). After the Centres decision to reduce GST on hotels and restaurants to 5 per cent from November 15, AHARs members are expecting a quick revival of their business.

Reacting to a speculation that the Centres decision to withdraw input tax credit benefits from November 15 may lead to an increase in prices on the menu, AHARs president Adarsh Shetty assured that the prices would not be hiked.

In a major relief to the hotel and restaurant industry, the GST slab was reduced from 12 and 18 percent to 5 percent following massive criticism by the common man, as eating out became expensive. The AHAR has around 12,000 restaurants as its member in Mumbai and has started a poster campaign thanking the government and informing the patrons that the 5 per cent GST rate will be levied from November 15. Earlier with the 18 per cent GST, around Rs 7 to Rs 8 crore loss was incurred by the restaurants on a daily basis, according to a survey by the association.

Adarsh Shetty, president of AHAR, said, We are really happy with the GST rates coming down to 5 percent. We have had a tough time for last four months with our profit going down by 30 percent.

Nowadays, the AC has become a necessity not a luxury; the government has to understand that. Now even the transport system is using AC then why are only the restaurants discriminated on that basis. We are really happy that the government has brought AC and non-AC restaurants under one umbrella, Shetty added.
The crime was discovered on Monday morning. Of the 224 lockers in the bank, 30 were found broken.

Customers outside the Bank of Baroda branch at Juinagar, which did not have any CCTV.

Mumbai: A daring heist has been uncovered where a group of burglars dug a 25-foot-long tunnel from within a shop they had rented in May into the locker room of the Bank of Baroda's Juinagar branch, decamping with loot worth crores.

The crime was discovered on Monday morning. Of the 224 lockers in the bank, 30 were found broken. There was no CCTV inside the bank, according to the police.

Stating that the value of the stolen property is yet to be ascertained, Navi Mumbai police commissioner Hemant Nagrale said, We have some leads.

The accused used to sell farsan at the shop, but it was closed most of time. The tunnel was three-feet-wide, allowing two persons to easily crawl through. According to the police, the accused used plywood and bamboo for support. The accused had apparently filled gunny sacks with the loosened soil and disposed of them during the nighttime.

Some women had noticed mud in the shop a few days ago but were ignorant of the accused's intentions, said a police officer.

The burglars dug a 25-feet tunnel and broke open 30 out of the 224 bank lockers.

Recounting how the crime came to light, victim Rupali Adagale, who visited the bank on Monday morning to get her jewellery from her locker ahead of a wedding her family, said, I tried to open the door to the lockers, but it wouldn't yield. I then called a bank officer and we pried it open.

She said that on opening the door, they notice that few lockers were open.

Many locks were lying broken and scattered on the ground. I immediately called out to the bank officers. They, in turn, called the police. I was so shocked, could not hold back my tears, Ms Adagale said. She lost more than 200 grams of jewellery.

Pravin Thakur, 50, who rushed to the bank on hearing the news, was trembling when he enquired about the fate of his locker, and almost collapsed on being told that it had been broken open. He lost jewellery that was in his family's possession for half a century.

An offence has been registered at the Sanpada police station under Sections 454, 457 and 380 of the Indian Penal Code, which deal with lurking house-trespass or house-breaking in order to commit offence punishable with imprisonment, lurking house-trespass or house-breaking by night in order to commit offence punishable with imprisonment and Theft in dwelling house, etc, respectively.
The training is taking place in every zone and every month.

Mumbai: Training for traffic constables would be upgraded to help them handle difficult violators like the one seen in the Malad incident three days ago, a top official said on Monday.

Joint commissioner of police (Traffic) Amitesh Kumar said, Traffic cops are imparted a training in tackling the public. The training is taking place in every zone and every month. But looking at the Malad incident, we will now intensify the training.

He said, We will try to sensitise the policemen more in these training sessions.

On Friday, Shashank Rane, a traffic police constable, was suspended after he towed a car when a woman passenger, Jyoti Mali, was sitting inside it while breastfeeding her child.

Former IPS officer K.L. Prasad said both Rane and Ms Mali were in the wrong. He said, There are two different videos that went viral. In the first video, the traffic policemen towed a car, in which woman was sitting in the car with her child. Traffic policeman Rane, should not have done this. In the second video, it clearly showed that the traffic police pleaded the woman to get down from the car but she didnt and sat inside with her child.

Mr Prasad said, In this case, that woman was wrong in not listening to the cop, and taking advantage of the child and putting his life in danger.

He said Rane should have taken a decision patiently and could have parked the car at a spot where it would not be a hurdle for other cars. Rane should have then taken a photo of the car and sent a challan, Mr Prasad said.

The cop is not completely wrong but he should have acted patiently, he added.
Justin Trudeau, in Manila for a summit of regional leaders, dropped in at an outlet of fastfood giant Jollibee Foods.

Justin Trudeau greeted nearly everyone in the store, shaking hands and exchanging hugs. (Photo: Jollibee | Twitter)

Manila: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau hopped from one table to the next, chatted with people and posed for selfies on Sunday at a fastfood chain store in Manila, charming residents of the Philippines capital for the second time in two years.

Trudeau, in Manila for a summit of regional leaders, dropped in at an outlet of fastfood giant Jollibee Foods Corp after a visit to a nearby women's clinic that advocates family planning, a touchy subject in the Catholic-majority Philippines.

He greeted nearly everyone in the store, shaking hands and exchanging hugs with fans after ordering fried chicken and a strawberry float.

Earlier on Monday, Canadian Prime Minister @JustinTrudeau sat down and had a chat with some of our customers enjoying their meals at Jollibee North Harbour Branch! :) #PMTrudeauAtJollibee

Earlier today, Canadian Prime Minister @JustinTrudeau sat down and had a chat with some of our customers enjoying their meals at Jollibee North Harbour Branch! :) #PMTrudeauAtJollibee pic.twitter.com/ZpuF99QIRn  Jollibee (@Jollibee) November 12, 2017

"Can I get it to go? I'll eat it in the car," Trudeau said, before going behind the counter for a photograph with Jollibee staff.

Earlier, when he landed at Clark airport, a smiling Trudeau waded into a crowd of children gathered to greet dignitaries arriving for the summit, exchanging high fives and waving to others.

During his last visit to Manila, Trudeau won a Twitter poll with the hashtag #APEChottie that asked people to vote for the most attractive leader at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in 2015.

"He's so handsome! And he's very nice," said 29-year-old Rina Aparicio, among the customers at the fastfood outlet. "I asked for a selfie and he said yes right away."

Outside the store, hundreds of people screamed and shouted as Trudeau got into his car, waving what appeared to be hastily written placards saying "Welcome to the Philippines!"

Trudeau visited the first Jollibee store in Winnipeg, Canada in January, a country with hundreds of thousands of Filipino immigrants.

Jollibee, a $5 billion company that has been dubbed the McDonald's of the Philippines, is looking to go global with primary targets including China and the United States.

The company, which also serves burgers and sweet spaghetti, is opening another outlet in Winnipeg this month and plans are to increase that to 30 in five to 10 years, said Jose Minana, a Jollibee executive.

Minana said the company did not seek out Trudeau for the visit, and said it was requested by Canadian officials.

"We're very humbled by him taking time from his obviously busy schedule to give us a slice of his time," said Minana. "I'd like to also think that he enjoys the food."
After an awkward few seconds, Trump appeared to recognise his error and made the link between Nguyen and Duterte.

Donald Trump fails to hold the right hands, breaks a lineup intended to showcase unity. (Photo: AFP)

Manila: Donald Trump was all fingers and thumbs during a carefully choreographed photo op Monday at a summit of world leaders, failing to grasp whose hands he was supposed to be holding and breaking a lineup intended to showcase unity.

Trump, whose insurgent election victory was built on his willingness to disrupt political convention, was supposed to cross his arms and join hands with the men on either side of him.

But as others clutched the hands of the person to their left and their right, Trump used both of his hands to clasp the extended fingers of Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

The doubling up left summit host Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte with a spare hand -- and broke the line into two parts.

The handshake chain is a set piece of gatherings of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), who are meeting with leaders from China, the US, Russia, New Zealand, Australia, India, Canada, Japan and South Korea.

After an awkward few seconds, Trump appeared to recognise his error and made the link between Nguyen and Duterte.

Trump is on the final leg of a tour of Asia that has taken in Japan, South Korea, China and Vietnam.

The famously bullish former businessman has largely avoided the kind of protocol pitfalls that can ensnare even the most careful traveller in this often formal part of the world.
Qualcomm feels that Broadcoms $70-per-share bid undervalues it and does not price in the uncertainty associated with regulatory approvals.

US chipmaker Qualcomm Inc is making preparations to reject rival Broadcom Ltds $103 billion bid as early as this week, four people familiar with the matter said on Sunday, setting the stage for one of the biggest-ever takeover battles.

Qualcomms board of directors could meet as early as Sunday to review the unsolicited acquisition offer and decide on its strategy, the sources said. The preparations for the board meeting indicate that Qualcomm is poised to rebuff the bid as insufficient as early as Monday, although it may decide to spend a few more days this week to prepare its full response to Broadcom, the sources added.

Qualcomm Chief Executive Steven Mollenkopf has spent the past few days soliciting feedback from Qualcomm shareholders and feels that Broadcoms $70-per-share bid undervalues the company and does not price in the uncertainty associated with getting the deal approved by regulators, according to the sources.

Broadcom CEO Hock Tan, who said earlier this month he would redomicile his company to the United States from Singapore, has stated he is open to launching a takeover battle. Broadcom was also preparing to submit a list of directors for the stockholders to vote before Qualcomms Dec. 8 nomination deadline. That would allow Qualcomm shareholders to vote to replace the companys board and force it to engage with Broadcom.

Broadcom has also been deliberating the possibility of raising its bid for Qualcomm, including through more debt financing, some of the sources said, although it was not clear when Broadcom would choose to make such a move.

The sources asked not to be identified because the deliberations are confidential. Qualcomm and Broadcom did not immediately respond to requests for comment.Qualcomm shares closed at $64.57 on Friday, while Broadcom ended at $264.96.
Modi and Trump are understood to have also discussed the security scenario in the Indo-Pacific region.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds bilateral talks with US President Donald Trump in Manila, Philippines, on Monday. (Photo: PIB | Twitter)

Manila: The ties between India and the United States are growing, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi after holding a bilateral talk with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of ASEAN Summit in Philippines on Monday.

"Our (India-US) relations go beyond, we are working for future interests of Asia and humanity," Modi said in Manila.

"It's an honour to meet you again," Trump told Modi.

Both the leaders also discussed a range of key issues, including defence and security.

The meeting in the Philippines capital came a day after officials of India, the US, Japan and Australia held talks to give shape to the much talked-about quadrilateral alliance to keep the strategically important Indo-Pacific region free, open and inclusive.

Modi and Trump are understood to have discussed the security scenario in the Indo-Pacific region besides several other issues of mutual interests, including ways to further boost bilateral trade.

The move to set up the quadrilateral alliance comes in the backdrop of growing Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea. The US has been favouring a larger role for India in the strategically important Indo-Pacific region.

The use of the term "Indo-Pacific" by President Trump has led to speculation that it may have something to do with Washington preparing the ground for a revival of the so called quadrilateral strategic alliance between the US, Japan, Australia and India to counter China's rise.

Trump on Saturday praised India's "astounding" growth after it opened up its economy and also lauded Modi, saying he has been working successfully to bring the vast country and its people together.

Speaking at a gathering of CEOs on the sidelines of the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in the Vietnamese city of Danang, President Trump had cited India as one of the countries in the Indo-Pacific region making strides.

He praised India as a sovereign democracy with a population of over 1 billion as well as the largest democracy in the world.

It was the fourth meeting between Modi and Trump this year.

They earlier met when Modi visited the US and next, at the G20 Economic Summit.

Reportedly, the two leaders did not share a hug this time, unlike their earlier meetings.

Earlier on Monday, President Duterte and his wife Honeylet Avancena welcomed the world leaders at the opening ceremony of 31st ASEAN Summit in Manila.

Modi also arrived there and shook hands with President Duterte.

Among the highlights of the opening ceremony was a music and dance excerpt from the musical Rama Hari, based on the characters of the Ramayana, an epic narrative that is a shared heritage among the ASEAN member states.

The performers were Arman Ferrer and Lara Maigue, vocal soloists, Ballet Philippines, choreographed by Alice Reyes, with the Philharmonic orchestra conducted by Herminegildo Ranera.

Modi later visited the International Rice Research Institute in Los Banos, Philippines, earlier in the day, and inaugurated the Resilient Rice Field Laboratory, named after him.

He will also meet the members of the Indian community at a reception to be hosted by the Indian envoy in Philippines.
Scientists briefed the PM on flood-tolerant rice varieties which can provide 1-3 tonnes more yield per hectare.

The government is also setting up a regional centre of the International Rice Research Insitute in Varanasi, to develop high-yielding rice varieties. (Photo: PTI | Representational)

Los Banos (Philippines): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday visited the Global Rice Research Centre in the Philippines and got a briefing from the scientists at the world famous institute which is working towards developing better quality of rice seeds to address issues relating to food scarcity.

A large number of Indian scientists are working in the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in Los Banos, an urban locality situated at a distance of around 65 kms from Manila, the capital of the Philippines.

A number of scientists at the IRRI briefed the Prime Minister on flood-tolerant rice varieties which they said can withstand 14-18 days of submergence and can provide 1-3 tonnes more yield per hectare in flood affected areas.

The Indian Government is also setting up a regional centre of the IRRI in Varanasi, the Prime Minister's constituency, to develop high-yielding rice varieties.

The IRRI, which has offices in 17 countries, is known for its work in developing rice varieties that contributed to the Green Revolution in 1960s.

"The Varanasi Centre would help increase farmers' income by enhancing and supporting rice productivity, reducing cost of production, value addition, diversification and enhancement of farmers' skills," the Prime Minister's Office tweeted.

Spokesperson in the external affairs ministry Raveesh Kumar said the IRRI has successfully collaborated with Indian Council for Agricultural Research to introduce drought-tolerant, flood-tolerant and salt-tolerant varieties of rice in India.

He further said the IRRI and its partners have provided assistance to 2,00, 000 women farmers in Odisha which included providing capacity building programmes, and improved agriculture technology.

The IRRI centre in Varanasi will help in utilising the rich biodiversity of India to develop special rice varieties.

Modi arrived in Philippines on Sunday on a three-day visit to attend the ASEAN-India and the East Asia summits.
Trump praised Duterte's hospitality, the organisation of the summit he was hosting and even the weather, but said nothing about human rights.

Advisers have said that while Trump was unlikely to publicly chastise Duterte, he may offer criticisms behind closed doors. (Photo: File)

Manila: Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has sanctioned a bloody drug war that features extrajudicial killing. He called Barack Obama a "son of a whore." This week, he boasted that he murdered a man with his own hands.

All that went unmentioned in public by President Donald Trump when the leaders held talks on Monday in the Philippines.

Reporters saw the beginning of the leaders' bilateral meeting during which Trump praised Duterte's hospitality, the organisation of the summit he was hosting and even Manila's weather.

Trump said nothing about human rights and both leaders ignored shouted questions about the violent drug crackdown.

Breaking with his presidential predecessors, Trump has largely abandoned publicly pressing foreign leaders on human rights, instead showing a willingness to embrace international strongmen for strategic gain.

He has cozied up to autocrats such as Saudi Arabia's King Salman, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Earlier in this trip to Asia he made no mention of human rights during multiple appearances in Beijing with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

"Trump seems very comfortable with strongmen. It's not just that he won't criticize Duterte. I wouldn't be surprised if he patted him on the back," said Mike Chinoy, senior fellow at U.S.-China Institute at the University of Southern California, before the meeting.

Duterte's war on drugs has alarmed human rights advocates around the world who say it has allowed police officers and vigilantes to ignore due process and to take justice into their own hands.

Government officials estimate that well over 3,000 people, mostly drug users and dealers, have died in the ongoing crackdown. Human rights groups believe the victim total is far higher, perhaps closer to 9,000.

"Human rights groups, I think, will be quite disappointed by the visit," said Amy Searight, director of the Southeast Asia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "It's unlikely that human rights or rule of law or due process are going to be topics that President Trump will raise."

Duterte has strenuously defended the violence and boasted of participating himself.

Late last year, he bragged that he personally pulled the trigger and killed three people years ago while serving as mayor of Davao City. And last week, while in Vietnam for an international summit, he said he took his first life years earlier.

"When I was a teenager, I had been in and out of jail, rumble here and there," Duterte said during a speech in Danang, where he briefly crossed paths with Trump on the sidelines of an international summit. "At the age of 16, I already killed someone."

He claimed he fatally stabbed the person "just over a look." His spokesman later tried to downplay the comment, saying, "I think it was in jest."

Trump has shown little interest in pressuring Duterte to rein in the violence, instead saluting him during a May phone call.

"I just wanted to congratulate you because I am hearing of the unbelievable job on the drug problem," Trump told Duterte, according to a transcript of the conversation that later leaked. "Many countries have the problem, we have a problem, but what a great job you are doing and I just wanted to call and tell you that."

Trump also criticized Obama during the call, noting that his predecessor "did not understand" the drug problem the Philippines faces. Meanwhile, Duterte was openly critical of Obama in the final year of his presidency, including cursing his name.

White House officials have suggested there is a strategy behind Trump's flattery of Duterte.

Advisers have said that while Trump was always unlikely to publicly chastise the Philippine president, he may offer criticisms behind closed doors.

Trump would plan to hold his tongue in public in order not to embarrass Duterte, whom he is urging to help pressure North Korea and fight terrorism, and to avoid pushing him into the arms of China.

The White House did not immediately respond if Trump brought up the subject in private. The two men shared a laugh in the meeting when Duterte called reporters "spies."

"If the administration is not going to care about human rights in China, why would you care in the Philippines?" asked Gordon Chang, Asia expert and author of "Nuclear Showdown: North Korea Takes On the World." He said the "logical thing to do is keep them close and not let Duterte flirt with China. In our struggle with China, we need all the friends when we can get."

Duterte has seemed less committed to the strategic partnership with the U.S. Searight said a good relationship is "vital to the United States given its location on the South China Sea and the enhanced access that the American military has gotten in recent years with the Philippines."

White House aides have suggested that Trump's strategy has worked before, pointing to his interactions with el-Sissi. Trump refrained from chastising the Egyptian leader but quietly worked with him to help engineer the release of American prisoner Aya Hijazi in April.

Trump dismissed the notion that he buddied up to dictators. He said on Saturday that he has great relationships with all sorts of leaders, "every person in that room today," after leaving a summit in Vietnam attended by Duterte and Putin, among others.

Human rights groups have expressed dismay at Trump's public silence, believing that the spotlight an American president can shine on human rights abuses overseas can rally pressure on an authoritarian regime to change its ways.

"In the old days, we used to call on the U.S. government to raise human rights issues during these trips," said John Sifton, Asia advocacy director at Human Rights Watch.

But given the administration's lack of credibility in raising human rights abuses, he said, they have pivoted to a different tack, focusing on international attention.

"We haven't given up," Sifton said.
Pak's decision to allow a meeting between Kulbhushan Jadhav and his wife is being linked to quiet efforts by the US.

Officials are reluctant to link Pakistan's decision on Jadhav as well as the brief lull in LoC clashes to the US intervention. (Photo: File)

Islamabad: The US is quietly nudging Pakistan and India to re-engage as the Trump administration seeks to defuse tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours, according to a media report on Monday.

America's objective to normalise ties between the two South Asian rivals is part of its efforts to have a more focused approach on the Afghan end game.

US secretary of state Rex Tillerson took up the issue with the leadership of both Pakistan and India during his recent visit to the two countries, the Express Tribune quoting government officials and diplomatic sources as saying.

"Behind the scenes, efforts appear to have started paying dividends since Tillerson's visit, as there has been a noticeable reduction in violence along the Line of Control (LoC) in the disputed Kashmir region," the paper said.

The border between the two nations has been the scene of bloody clashes between the armies of Pakistan and India for the last couple of years.

2017 has been the worst in terms of ceasefire violations as well as civilian casualties.

Officials with the knowledge of the backdoor manoeuvres confirmed that the Trump administration wanted to see a lowering of tensions between the two neighbours.

A senior official, who requested not to be identified because he was not authorised to speak to the media, said Tillerson had informed Pakistan that the Trump administration was willing to encourage a rapprochement between Islamabad and New Delhi.

The surprise decision by Pakistan to allow a meeting between convicted Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav and his wife was also being linked to the quiet efforts by the US.

Pakistan, however, publicly insisted that the offer was made purely on the humanitarian grounds.

The former Indian Navy officer was sentenced to death after a Field Court Martial on charges of espionage and involvement in terrorist activities.

Officials are reluctant to link Pakistan's decision on Jadhav as well as the brief lull in LoC clashes to the US intervention.

They said it was too early to draw any such conclusions as the Trump Administration was still struggling to come up with a workable roadmap for Afghanistan and South Asia.

The official, nevertheless, made it clear that continued tensions between Pakistan and India would certainly undermine US efforts to bring some semblance of peace in Afghanistan.

Historically, Islamabad has not been averse to third-party intervention, but India has publically opposed such approaches.

The official said the Pakistani side had urged the US to use its influence over India for the resumption of dialogue after a number of terror attacks in India.

It is, however, not clear if the two sides would resume the full spectrum of talks, considering the timing.

Since Pakistan is also just a few months away from parliamentary elections, it is highly unlikely that structured dialogue would be restored.

However, political leaders and officials may interact with each other as a result of US efforts in order to arrest any further slide in ties between Pakistan and India, the report said.
The PM said India had always contributed to world peace.

New Delhi/Manila: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday criticised the Congress, questioning it on its record in governance and scams that erupted before the 2014 general election. PTI reports from Manila said the PM made the remarks while addressing the Indian diaspora in the Philippines capital. He went on to say that no matter what happens, he will transform the country for the better.

Hinting at the success of the governments key financial measures, demonetisation and GST, Mr Modi was quoted in reports from Manila as saying: Before 2014, people used to ask how much money went... in the coal scam, 2G scam... but after 2014, people ask how much money came in.

He asked Indians to work hard to ensure that the 21st century belongs to India and said his government was making every effort to transform the country and take it to new heights. Addressing the Indian diaspora in Manila, Mr Modi said there might be difficulties, but no one could stop India from achieving new heights. Our efforts are aimed at transforming India and ensuring everything in our nation matches global standards, he said in his nearly 35-minute speech.

Noting that the 21st century was described as Asias century, Mr Modi told the cheering audience that it was the duty of every Indian to work hard to make it Indias century. I say it is possible, Mr Modi asserted.

The PM said India had always contributed to world peace and over 1.25 lakh Indian soldiers had sacrificed their lives for the sake of peace in the two world wars.

Our contingent in the UN Peacekeeping Forces is among the biggest. India is the land of Mahatma Gandhi, peace is integral to our culture, he said, highlighting Indias contribution to the world peace. Mr Modi also lauded some of his governments initiatives such as Swachchh Bharat, Jan Dhan Yojana and Ujjwala Yojana. Which Indian doesnt want cleanliness? We have started from where Mahatma Gandhi left and till now over 2.25 lakh villages in India have become open defecation-free, he said.

Stating that getting a LPG connection once used to be a big achievement, Mr Modi said his government has provided free LPG connections to more than 3.5 crore families in over three years.

Visiting the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in Los Banos, an urban locality 65 km from Manila, Mr Modi also contributed two Indian rice seed varieties to the gene bank of the international rice research centre, which he said was working towards mitigating global poverty and hunger by improving the cultivation of the grain. He also interacted with a large number of Indian scientists working there.

A rice field laboratory named after Mr Modi was also inaugurated by him at the institute. He unveiled a plaque marking the inauguration of the Shri Narendra Modi Resilient Rice Field Laboratory. A contribution from India to IRRI... Presented two Indian rice seed varieties to the IRRI gene bank, the PM tweeted.

Mr Modi also visited a philanthropist organisation in the Philippines that provides free Indian-made prosthesis Jaipur Foot to needy amputees and donated $200,000 for its activities. The Mahaveer Philippine Foundation, a long-running humanitarian cooperation programme between India and the Philippines, was set up by highly-regarded Indian-origin Manila mayor Ramon Bagatsing in 1985. The foundation has been instrumental in the fitting of the Jaipur Foot to needy amputees. About 757 amputees benefited from the programme this year.

Wonderful visit to Mahaveer Philippine Foundation. Their efforts of fitting the Jaipur Foot on needy amputees have touched several lives. During my visit, saw a series of exhibits and interacted with amputees, Mr Modi tweeted.
The two leaders had a bilateral meeting in Manila on Monday during which they discussed a range of key issues.

New Delhi/Manila: The relationship between India and the United States goes beyond mutual interest and can be beneficial for Asia and humanity at large, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday to US President Donald Trump, who described him as a friend who is doing a great job.

The two leaders had a bilateral meeting in Manila on Monday  described by foreign secretary S Jaishankar as a cordial, constructive and comfortable talk between the two during which they discussed a range of key issues, including defence and security, the threats posed by terrorism to the region, trade ties and market access as well as a broad review of the strategic landscape in Asia.

Lavishing further praise, the Trump said Modi was doing a fantastic job by bringing lots of factions in India together...

Modi also assured Trump that India will try to live up to the expectations of the US and the world and thanked him for speaking highly about India during his trips.

The comments came ahead of their bilateral talks and reflect the growing convergence of the two nations on strategic issues in the Indo-Pacific region.

Modi later told the ASEAN (Southeast Asian) leaders that the task of transforming India is proceeding at an unprecedented scale and that we are working day and night towards easy, effective and transparent governance.

The talks come a day after officials of four countries  India, the US, Japan and Australia  held a meeting amid signs of an emerging Quadrilateral that is being seen as a mechanism to check Chinese military and economic assertiveness in the Asia-Pacific region, which is now being referred to by Trump as the Indo-Pacific region, highlighting the centrality of Indias role in US plans for the region.

In their bilateral talks, the two leaders also discussed world issues such as North Korea, Myanmar, Afghanistan and the situation in West Asia.

Foreign secretary S Jaishankars mention of discussions on the strategic landscape in Asia indicates that the role of China was also possibly discussed. The relations between India and the US are growing... and I also feel that the relationship between India and the US is not only for mutual interest. It goes beyond that. We are working together for the interest, for the future of Asia and for humanity as a whole in the world, Modi said.

The cooperation between India and US can rise beyond bilateral cooperation and both countries can work for the future of Asia and the world...We are moving ahead together on many issues, he added.

Modi also thanked Trump for praising India whenever he got an opportunity to speak about the country during his Asia tour.

In the few days wherever President Trump has travelled and whenever the opportunity arose to talk about India, he has expressed his very high opinion about India," Modi said.

I would like to assure you whatever the expectations are of the world, of the US from India, India has always made efforts to fulfil those expectations and we will continue to do so in the future too, he added.

Trump, on his part, described Modi as a friend and a great gentleman.

PM Narendra Modi is here. We had met at the White House before. He has become a friend of ours. Hes doing a great job. A lot of things were solved and we will continue to work together, Trump said.

Meanwhile, showcasing the economic reform initiatives of his government, Modi also invited the ASEAN countries to ramp up their investments in India and said the task of transforming the country was proceeding at an unprecedented scale.

Addressing the ASEAN Business Forum, the Prime Minister said Indias Act East policy puts the 10-member bloc at the Centre of the countrys engagement. He listed all major economic reform measures taken by his government, including rolling out of the GST and new laws and institutions for bankruptcy and insolvency proceedings.

On demonetisation, the Modi said, We are using our Unique ID system in financial transactions and taxation for this purpose, and the results are already visible. These steps, coupled with demonetisation of high-value notes, has resulted in formalising a large part of our economy.
Demands grow for resignation of foreign secretary Boris Johnson over Tehrans jailing of UK-Iranian woman.

London: British Prime Minister Theresa May was facing fresh turmoil as it emerged on Sunday that as many as 40 of her own party MPs are ready to sign a letter expressing a lack of confidence in her leadership.

Conservative MPs are now just eight short of the required number of 48 to force a leadership challenge as Ms May struggles to steady her government after two high-profile resignations, the Sunday Times reported.

Indian-origin MP Priti Patel stepped down as the international development minister amid a dramatic row over her series of unauthorised meetings with Israeli officials earlier this week. Her resignation came days after Sir Michael Fallon was forced to quit as defence secretary amid allegations of sexual misconduct.

Two of Ms Mays other senior Cabinet colleagues, foreign secretary Boris Johnson and first secretary of state Damian Green, continue to battle demands that they step down.

Mr Johnson has been accused for endangering the life of a British-Iranian national, imprisoned in Tehran, by making an incorrect statement at a House of Commons committee meeting. Mr Green is under investigation by the parliamentary authorities over allegations of sexual misconduct and that pornography had been discovered on his Commons laptop a few years ago.

The Opposition and her own party MPs believe that the British PMs failure to take firm action against them reflects her weakness as a leader and it is time for her to quit Downing Street.

The embattled leader also faces mounting pressure from the European Union over the Brexit negotiations, after Brussels issued an ultimatum that Britain must agree on its divorce bill payments with the economic bloc within weeks or face the prospect of no future trade deal with the EU once it is no longer a member.

Ms May is headed for some further bruising in the House of Commons when the EU Withdrawal Bill returns to Parliament on Tuesday, with Labour expected to join Tory rebels to inflict a series of damaging defeats on the government.

One of Labours key demands is that Parliament, and not ministers, has the final say on whether to approve the withdrawal agreement and how best to implement it. Continuing uncertainty about the governments approach to Brexit is now the biggest risk facing our country. The Prime Minister must end the confusion, take on the no-deal extremists in her government and back a jobs-first Brexit for Britain, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn warned in an article in the Sunday Times. He demanded that Ms May should govern or go as she was now showing every sign of being in office but not in power.

Mr Corbyn also indicated that sacking Boris Johnson would be a sign of some strength as he had become a liability. We have put up with Johnson embarrassing and undermining our country with his incompetence and colonial throwback views and putting our citizens at risk for long enough. Its time for him to go, he said. Mr Johnson is reportedly set for a meeting with the husband of Nazanin Zaghari-Radcliffe, a dual British and Iranian national in jail on charges of an attempted coup against the Iranian regime. Richard Radcliffe has been arguing his wifes innocence and campaigning for the UK foreign office to secure her release.
The worst-hit towns in Iran were Qasr-e Shirin in Kermanshah and Azgaleh, about 40 kilometres northwest.

Footage posted on Twitter showed panicked people fleeing a building in Sulaimaniyah, northern Iraq, as windows shattered at the moment the quake struck late Sunday. (Photo: AP)

Sulaymaniyah: At least 207 people were killed and 1700 injured when a 7.3-magnitude earthquake shook the mountainous Iran-Iraq border triggering landslides that were hindering rescue efforts, officials said Monday.

Footage posted on Twitter showed panicked people fleeing a building in Sulaimaniyah, northern Iraq, as windows shattered at the moment the quake struck late Sunday, while images from the nearby town of Darbandikhan showed major walls and concrete structures had collapsed.

The official IRNA news agency said some 300 people had been injured, adding that the toll was expected to rise.

Six others were reported dead on the Iraq side of the border.

"We are in the process of setting up three emergency relief camps," said Mojtaba Nikkerdar, the deputy governor of Iran's Kermanshah province.

The quake hit 30 kilometres (19 miles) southwest of Halabja in Iraqi Kurdistan at around 9.20 pm, when many people would have been at home, the US Geological Survey said.

Iran's emergency services chief Pir Hossein Koolivand said it was "difficult to send rescue teams to the villages because the roads have been cut off... there have been landslides."

The worst-hit towns in Iran were Qasr-e Shirin in Kermanshah and Azgaleh, about 40 kilometres northwest, IRNA said.

It added that 30 Red Cross teams had been sent to the quake zone, parts of which had experienced power cuts.

In Iraq, officials said the quake had killed six people in Sulaimaniyah province and injured around 150.

In Sulaimaniyah, residents ran out onto the streets and some damage to property was reported, an AFP reporter there said.

"Four people were killed by the earthquake" in Darbandikhan, the town's mayor Nasseh Moulla Hassan told AFP.

A child and an elderly person were killed in Kalar, according to the director of the hospital in the town about 70 kilometres south of Darbandikhan, and 105 people injured.

Residents flee homes in Turkey

The quake, which struck at a relatively shallow depth of 25 kilometres, was felt for about 20 seconds in Baghdad, and for longer in other provinces of Iraq, AFP journalists said.

On the Iranian side of the border, the tremor shook several cities in the west of the country including Tabriz.

It was also felt in southeastern Turkey, "from Malatya to Van", an AFP correspondent said. In the town of Diyarbakir, residents were reported to have fled their homes.

The quake struck along a 1,500 kilometre fault line between the Arabian and Eurasian tectonic plates, a belt extending through western Iran and into northeastern Iraq.

The area sees frequent seismic activity.

In 1990, a 7.4-magnitude quake near the Caspian sea in northern Iran killed 40,000 people and left 300,000 more injured and half a million homeless. Within seconds the quake reduced dozens of towns and nearly 2,000 villages to rubble.

Thirteen years later, a catastrophic quake struck the ancient southeast Iranian city of Bam, famed for its mud brick buildings, killing at least 31,000 people and flattening swathes of the city.

Since then, Iran has experienced at least two major quake disasters, one in 2005 that killed more than 600 and another in 2012 that left some 300 dead.

More recently, a 5.7-magnitude earthquake near Iran's border with Turkmenistan in May killed two people, injured hundreds and caused widespread damage.
Hariri brushed aside rumours that he was under de facto house arrest in the kingdom and said he would land in Beirut 'in two or three days'.

Saad Hariri stepped down from the Prime Minister's post in a televised broadcast from Riyadh. (Photo: AFP)

Beirut, Lebanon: Saad Hariri, whose resignation as Lebanon's prime minister a week ago sent shockwaves across the region, said Sunday he is "free" in Saudi Arabia and will return to Lebanon "very soon".

In an interview from Riyadh with his party's Future TV, Hariri brushed aside rumours that he was under de facto house arrest in the kingdom, from which he announced his surprise departure.

"I am free here. If I want to travel tomorrow, I will," Hariri said.

"I will return to Lebanon very soon," Hariri said, adding later that he would land in Beirut "in two or three days".

Hariri, 47, announced he was stepping down from his post in a televised address on November 4 from Riyadh, and has yet to return to his native Lebanon.

However, Lebanese President Michel Aoun has yet to formally accept his resignation and said the premier has been "restricted" in his movements.

Hariri's surprise resignation came as tensions rise between Riyadh and Tehran, which back opposing sides in power struggles from Lebanon and Syria to Yemen.

At the time, Hariri accused Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah of taking over his country and destabilising the broader region.

"We cannot continue in Lebanon in a situation where Iran interferes in all Arab countries, and that there's a political faction that interferes alongside it," he repeated on Sunday in apparent reference to rival movement Hezbollah.

"Maybe there's a regional conflict between Arab countries and Iran. We're a small country. Why put ourselves in the middle?"

'Rescind resignation'

Wearing a suit and tie and with a Lebanese flag in the background, the former premier looked tired on Sunday and spoke softly but firmly throughout the interview.

Hariri, who also holds Saudi citizenship, told journalist Paula Yaacoubian that he wrote his resignation himself and wanted to submit it in Lebanon, "but there was danger".

He also appeared to lay down an exit strategy, saying he would be willing to "rescind the resignation" if intervention in regional conflicts stopped.

"We need to respect the disassociation policy," Hariri said, referring to an agreement among Lebanese political factions that they would not interfere in Syria's six-year war.

He appeared to be alluding to Hezbollah's military intervention on behalf of the Syrian government, to which Hariri is opposed.

Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah said Friday that Hariri was "detained in Saudi Arabia, he is banned from returning to Lebanon".

'Excellent' ties with Saudi'

Hariri has spent the past week in a string of meetings with diplomats and Saudi officials in Riyadh, including an encounter with Saudi King Salman.

He left the kingdom once for a trip to Abu Dhabi.

In his interview on Sunday, Hariri said he has "excellent" ties with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in an apparent effort to put to rest rumours that the Saudi crown prince had pressured him to step down.

"Really, I consider him a brother and he considers me a brother. It's an excellent and special relationship," he said.

But he refused to comment on the internal political turmoil in Saudi Arabia, where dozens of high-profile politicians and businessmen have been arrested in what authorities say is an anti-graft drive.

The two-time premier's father Rafik made his fortune in Saudi Arabia and also served as premier for years before he was assassinated in 2005.

Saad cited fears for his life when he resigned from his post last week, less than a year after his unity government was formed with Hezbollah.

Lebanese have expressed concern that the move could thrust the country into a political and economic tailspin, as it remains unclear who could replace Hariri.

Western countries moved quickly to express their support for the premier, with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson calling him a "strong partner".

Tillerson warned against "any party, within or outside Lebanon, using Lebanon as a venue for proxy conflicts or in any manner contributing to instability in that country".
Vatican City (AsiaNews) - Faced with the indignation of the corrupt, "a Christian cannot afford to be naive", but there are " cunning Christians ", made of "healthy mistrust", reflection and prayer said Pope Francis at Mass this morning. He was commenting commenting Lukes Gospel on the administrator who squandered his masters possessions and recalling Jesus invitation to be as prudent as snakes and as simple as the dove.

We talk about smog that causes pollution, but there is also a smog of corruption in society, said the Pope. Christians, therefore, must be cunning and use their intuition, because they cannot risk losing out of naivety that treasure which they hold inside: the Holy Spirit. The Pontiff then outlined to all Christians three attitudes in particular: the first is a healthy distrust towards those who promise too much and speak too much, towards all those who tell you, Invest in my bank I will give you a double interest. Then it is fundamental to stop and think, especially in front of the seductions of the devil who launches his attacks focusing on the weaknesses of each one of us. Finally, there is prayer, to ask the Lord for the grace of shrewdness and not to fall into the corrupt network of corruption.

The Pope then highlighted how those systems, are like that of the administrator of todays Gospel, who, though found guilty of dissipating his masters possessions, instead of looking for an honest job, he continues to steal. And he does so with the complicity of other colleagues. A true corrupt roped-party. And they are powerful, eh! When they set up their corrupt roped-party, they are powerful; they even have some mafia-like attitudes. But it shouldnt come as a surprise, Its not a fairy tale to look for in ancient books, its a story that we find every day in the newspapers: every day. It happens even today, especially with those who have the responsibility to administer the peoples property, not their own property, because this man was the administrator of someone elses property, not of his own. With their own goods, nobody is corrupt, they defend them the Pope says.

And while the children of this world continue to carry out their cunning with silk gloves, with courtesy, and undisturbed, what must the children of the light do? How should they behave? But if these are more cunning than Christians - but I will not say Christians, because many corrupt people call themselves Christians - if these people are more cunning than those faithful to Jesus, then I wonder: but is there a Christian shrewdness? Is there an attitude for those who want to follow Jesus, so that they dont end up being hurt, that they dont end up eaten alive - as my mother would say - eaten raw - by others? What is Christian shrewdness? Is it a kind of shrewdness that is not sinful, but that serves to take me forward in the service of the Lord and in the help of others? Christian shrewdness is called intuition. And it is a grace to be asked to God, If there is one thing that the Christian cannot afford is to be naive. As Christians, we have a treasure inside: the treasure that is Holy Spirit. We must safeguard It. And someone naive let themselves be robbed of the Spirit. A Christian cannot afford to be naive. Pope Francis concluded that we should ask God for this grace of Christian shrewdness and for Christian intuition. We ask to be cunning Christians. And in the same prayer we shall pray for the corrupt Poor them, may they find the exit from that prison into which they wanted to enter.
"How many Christians, by their example, with their inconsistency, drive people away from the Faith: the incoherence of Christians is one of the readiest weapons the devil has to weaken the People of God." "Every shepherd must ask: How is my friendship with money? Or the shepherd who seeks to rise: vanity leads him to climb, instead of being gentle, humble, because meekness and humility favor closeness to the people."

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - Woe to those who cause scandal, like the Christian who is not "coherent" with the Gospel or the shepherd attached to money or who "tries to climb the ladder" because scandals kill hopes, illusions, families and distances God's people from the Lord said Pope Francis at Mass this morning at Casa Santa Marta. He was commenting on the passage of the Gospel (Luke 17,1-6) in which Jesus says, "it is inevitable that they are scandals," but woe to the one through whom they occur.

Jesus then warns the disciples: "Be on your guard! Be careful not to scandalize. Scandal is evil, because scandal wounds  it wounds Gods People where they are most vulnerable, and strikes the People of God where they are weakest  and many times, the wounds inflicted by scandal are borne by the faithful throughout their lives. Not only does it do harm: scandal is capable of murder  of killing hopes, killing dreams, killing families, killing so many hearts.

Be on your guard! is a warning for everyone, and especially to people who call themselves Christian, but live as Pagans. This is the scandal of the People of God. How many Christians, by their example, with their inconsistency, drive people away from the Faith: the incoherence of Christians is one of the readiest weapons the devil has to weaken the People of God and to divert the People of God from the Lord  to say one thing and do another. This is the incoherence which gives scandal, which today gives us to ask ourselves, How coherent is my life? How coherent is it with the Gospel, How coherent is it with the Lord? The Pope then offered the example of Christian entrepreneurs who do not pay just wages and who exploit people for their own gain, or even the scandal given by pastors in the Church, who, careless of their sheep, see them wander off and go astray.

"Jesus tells us that we cannot serve two masters: both God and money  and when the pastor is one who is attached to money, he gives scandalize. People are scandalized: the shepherd, attached to money. Every shepherd must ask: How is my friendship with money? Or the shepherd who seeks to rise: vanity leads him to climb, instead of being gentle, humble, because meekness and humility favor closeness to the people  or the shepherd who feels himself a lord, and lords it over everyone, proud, and not the servant-pastor of Gods People. " Pope Francis concluded saying, Let today be the propitious day, on which to make this examination of conscience: Do I give scandal? If so, how? Thus, shall we be able to answer the Lord and approach Him a little more closely.
by Mathias Hariyadi

The Indonesian Constitution of 1945 says that the state is based on a belief in the One and Only God. Indonesians must choose a religion for their identity card. Islam, Catholicism, Protestantism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Confucianism are the only official religions recognised. About 400,000 people claim to belong to religions other than the six official religions. Atheism is not legal in Indonesia and often leads to charges of blasphemy.

Jakarta (AsiaNews)  Indonesias Constitutional Court (Mahkamah Konstitusi) ruled on 7 November that Indonesian identity papers will no longer only identify Indonesians according to recognised religions (Islam, Catholicism, Protestantism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism). For human rights activists, This opens a new chapter in religious freedom in Indonesia. It also will lead to the recognition of native religious beliefs (Penghayatan kepercayaan)

Until now, the Indonesian state had refused to recognise indigenous beliefs as a religion since they do not have major religious figures nor sacred scriptures. Followers of native spirituality believe in the great power of the universe and show respect for their ancestors. Their religious practices include offering sacrifices as an expression of their respect for ancestors and nature.

The Indonesian Constitution of 1945 says that the state is based on a belief in the One and Only God, and guarantees "all persons the freedom of worship, each according to his/her own religion or belief.

However, blasphemy legislation adopted in 1965 protects only the six aforementioned religions, the only ones officially recognised by the state, something further enshrined in other regulations and subsequent laws. Other religions are deemed illegal, heretic, and "strictly forbidden".

Identity papers (Kartu Tanda Penduduk) include a section in which bearers are required to declare their religious affiliation. Atheism is not legal in Indonesia and often leads to charges of blasphemy.

According to Bonar Tigor Naipospos, of the Setara Institute, a group that supports religious harmony, Indonesians who refuse to pick a religion on their identity cards have limited access to education, job opportunities and are denied the right to legal marriage.

Through its chief justice, Arief Hidayat, the Constitutional Court accepted a case filed against the state by followers of indigenous Indonesian faiths. Nggay Mehang Tana, Pagar Demara Sirait, Arnol Purba turned to the court when they were prevented from filling the religious section on their identity card with the word "Penghayatan kepercayaan".

On Friday, Home Affairs Minister Tanjug Kumolo said that his ministry would comply with the ruling and recognise its provisions in all of the countrys 34 provinces and 405 regencies.

Nia Sjarifudin, of the Unity in Diversity Alliance, noted that the Courts historic ruling will also apply to non-indigenous religions like Baha'ism and Judaism.

Based on the 2000 census, about 400,000 people in Indonesia claim to belong to religions other than the six that are officially recognised. According to the Education Ministry, there are at least 187 kepercayaan (mysticism) currents or schools in the country, 53 in Central Java alone, and 50 in East Java.
The economy is in a phase of stagnation with an annual growth of 0.6 per cent. Some 233,000 workers are required in various industries. The country must attract young foreigners and skilled labour to keep pace with developed economies and increase productivity. Diplomatic isolation, a low birth rate and an aging population are major challenges for the national economy.

Taipei (AsiaNews/Agencies)  Taiwan must become a friendlier country to migrant workers from Southeast Asia to meet serious labour shortages of more than 200,000 workers in various industries, this according to Taiwanese Prime Minister William Lai Ching-te.

Lin Wan-I, an academic and minister without portfolio in the Taiwanese cabinet (Executive Yuan), said the government should look at attracting and retaining talented people from countries that benefit from the New Southbound Policy to become Taiwan nationals.

In order to keep pace with other modern developed economies, Taiwan should attract young foreigners and skilled workers to live in the island nation to boost its labour productivity.

Lin suggested that the government entice students from Southeast Asian countries to pursue technical or higher education, so that they will be equipped with the necessary skills that various industries want.

By training young people, the hope is that they will stay and work in Taiwan and eventually become permanent residents.

For Lin, better labour rights should also be given to foreign domestic caregivers, who were becoming an important human asset for Taiwan, given that quite a large number of them are willing to work and spend many years doing that work  up to the 14-year upper limit.

According to Ministry of Labour statistics, at the end of February 2017, 233,000 workers were needed by various industries in Taiwan.

About 88,000 people were needed in manufacturing, including 18,706 workers required in plants making electronic parts. Plus, there were over 43,000 vacancies in retail and wholesale businesses.

Taiwan's economy is the world's 19th largest in terms of purchasing power. It is considered an advanced economy by the International Monetary Fund and tops the global entrepreneurial index in Asia.

Despite being ranked Asias fifth largest economy and its apparent good health, the islands economy is currently in a phase of stagnation, with annual growth of 0.6 per cent.

In the recent past, exports, driven by electronics, machinery and petrochemical production, have been the primary impetus for economic development. However, this heavy dependence on exports has exposed the economy to fluctuations in world demand.

Taiwan's diplomatic isolation, low birth rate and rapidly aging population are other major long-term challenges.

The total fertility rate, just over one child per woman, is among the lowest in the world. This aggravates the prospect of future shortages, a decline in domestic demand and a fall in tax revenues.

As Taiwan's population ages rapidly, it is expected that the number of people over 65 will reach 20 per cent of the total population by 2025.












When I travel, I travel as Light as possible. The only time you'll see me lugging so much stuff was when we traveled to USA with Kyle as a baby! But given the chance to lessen the "load", I make sure to be as effective and efficient by bringing and using only the things that works.









I was looking into Just like my travel bag! I have a HUGE handcarry bag and have an extra bag folded neatly inside my luggage so number one - It has to be foldable and not bulky!I was looking into leather travel backpack one time and got inspired to look for a similarly designed travel bags





I like backpacks the most for travel but of course, it's not always "safe" to carry a backpack in certain countries, I want the bag to be multi-functional that can be used as a "handcarry" bag too especially on crowded streets (less chances of bumping other people too!) - that's my number two requirement.





Let's head on the requirement three which is one of the most important requirement. It has to be spacious and easy to get my things - from wallet, camera, mobile phone, passport, sunglasses.





And lastly, it doesn't hurt if it looks fashionable! Who likes to carry ugly bags anyways?

Rootote is known in Japan for the innovation of a simple tote bag into a stylish and functional bag that fits an active lifestyle while highlighting Japanese street-style fashion. Rootote has 14 stand-alone stores and are in more than 200 department stores all over Japan, along with stores in Taiwan, Thailand, Korea, Vietnam, and now in the Philippines.

Rootote offers a unique line-up of 2-way backpacks and tote bags that are fit for both men and women. Japanese influence is evident in every Rootote bag with fashion-forward style and design functions that are very practical in any situation. The name Rootote comes from the animal kangaroo; since kangaroos have an inner pocket, so do all Rootote bags inside with the patented roo pocket.

Rootote emphasizes on the perfect combination of form and functionality, as all bags are designed to be the perfect stylish companion for travel, sports, casual-use, and other outdoor activities. All bags have the patented roo pocket along with numerous pockets inside and outside the bag. These bags are mostly 2-way backpack/tote bags, and have other useful features such as being water-repellent. It is perfect for any occasion and any weather.

I picked the ceoROO 2way backpack in Pink and r oad tested this bag during my recent Seoul trip. As small as it seems the backpack looks, looks definitely good be deceiving! I was able to fit my important documents, long wallet, makeup kit, mobile phones (yes with "s" as I brought 2), Flytpak (which is big and rectangular yet it fits perfectly on the front pocket making me a perfect "Wifi Hub" for everyone!) and lastly, would you believe I was able to fit in my foldable flats inside?





And I can easily hold it as "handcarry"...





or swing it on the side using just a single strap or releasing 2 straps to use it as a backpack!





Because the color I chose tends to dirty up easily, I don't mind as I can easily have my "Roo" washed without ruining the quality of the bag at the same time, this baby is waterproof so seriously, what more can you ask for in a bag?





But of course, the usage of this bag doesn't stop there, I am definitely using it still back in Manila as my in a rush bag in completing my daily errands!





Have you heard about Rootote in the past?

Which particular Rootote bag style are you eyeing for?

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

Guess what? Found it all with ROOTOTE Bags!Rootote is available at the 3 rd level of The Block in SM North Edsa for now.
Bega makes takeover offer for Peanut Company of Australia





Bega Cheese has made a takeover offer for Australian grown peanut supplier, the Peanut Company of Australia.

Under a placement agreement, Bega will subscribe for 19.99 per cent of the issued shares of the Peanut Company of Australia (PCA) for AUD $1.9 million.

Under a bid implementation agreement, and after issue of the placement shares, Bega will make an AUD $10 million unconditional takeover bid to acquire all the issued shares of PCA not held by Bega.

Located in Kingaroy Queensland, PCA has been supplying Australian grown peanuts, both locally and internationally, for over 90 years.

PCA is also recognised globally for its peanut research and development program.

Bega Executive Chairman, Barry Irvin, said the acquisition of PCA will help grow the supply of Australian grown peanuts for the manufacture of peanut butter at Begas newly acquired Port Melbourne factory, formerly used to produce Kraft peanut butter.

We have plans to increase the domestic supply of peanuts by working with farmers to expand peanut plantings and product, Irvin said.

We have a long history of working with farmer suppliers in the dairy industry and we will apply that experience to the peanut industry.

The bid is an unconditional cash offer.

PCA board recommends shareholders accept the bid

PCA said its Board unanimously recommends PCA shareholders accept the bid.

Begas acquisition of PCA will ensure continued Australian ownership of the iconic peanut business, PCA said.

The PCA Board considers that the Bid, if successful, will also facilitate business expansion opportunities and provide confidence to farmer suppliers to expand peanut plantings and increase production and therefore provide additional supply to our customers.

Related articles
Ferreros Australian hazelnut plantations feed global demand





The expansion of Italian food giant Ferro into growing hazelnuts in south-western New South Wales is helping to feed global demand for the companys hazelnut products.

Ferrero, which is a private family-owned company, has global manufacturing operations and is best known for its hazelnut Nutella spread and Ferrero Rocher hazelnut chocolates. The company has long relied on Turkish grown hazelnuts for its products.

Price volatility and tight supplies in Turkey however appears to be losing Turkeys grip on this lucrative $US 2.8 billion global supply industry.

Turkey currently produces 70 per cent of the worlds hazelnuts. A strain in its supply chain or high prices could leave buyers such as Ferrero vulnerable.

This lead Ferrero to look for a new reliable source elsewhere for hazelnut supplies.

In Australia, a Ferrero subsidiary, Agri Australia, has planted 900,000 hazelnut trees on 2000 hectares of land in South-West New South Wales since 2014.

A spokesman for the Hazelnut Growers of Australia has said that Ferrero are helping growers through research and with the practicalities of hazelnut growing.

The company has also contributed towards a project in Ottawa, Canada, where 25,000 acres of hazelnuts trees will be planted by 2027.

In 2014, a cold snap damaged Turkeys crops, causing hazelnut buyers into panic.

Ferrero has since diversified where it procures its hazelnuts, with a Ferrero spokesperson describing the strategy as not being driven by short-term events.

Ferrero have also said they still expect Turkey to remain a major producer.

Hazelnut prices fluctuate quickly

The price of hazelnut kernels can fluctuate enormously in just a week.

In the U.S. they currently sell for $US 5, 600 per tonne, down from more than $US 17,000 in 2015, according to Freeworld.

The profitability of hazelnut farming is high, with the product ten times more lucrative than corn in Canada.

Related articles


(Daviles/Bigstock.com) (Daviles/Bigstock.com)

The replacement for the popular 457 visa, which allows people to work in Australia for up to four years and can be a pathway to permanent residence, is just four months away.The new Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) visa, which is introduced in March 2018, will be split into two categories. The new visa programme will be comprised of a short term visa for up to two years and a medium term visa for up to four years.Those working on a two-year visa will have the option to apply for a second visa subject to a continuing offer of employment and those with a four year visa may have the option to apply for permanent residency after three years employment subject to support from their visa sponsor.Ahead of the change the Federation of Ethnic Communities Council of Australia, which represents people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, is calling on the Government to ensure that workers coming to Australia under the new visa are protected from abuse.The council's chairperson Mary Patetsos said overseas workers are critical to Australia's economy and it must be ensured that the new categories of temporary work visas provide proper protections to migrant workers.'The key to safeguarding the welfare of migrants is encouraging the broader community to recognise the contribution of migrant workers to Australia's economy and society,' she said.A spokesman for the Department of Immigration said it's expected that the number of people applying for the new Temporary Skills Shortage visa will fluctuate, depending on the response to economic needs.FECCA had also welcomed potential changes to the new citizenship rules which was withdrawn from a vote in the Senate pending amendments which it had described as a 'cruel, unnecessary and discriminatory' proposal.'The plan to extend the waiting period and demand university standard English language skills from migrants in order for them to become Australian citizens was unjust and unfair,' said Patetsos.'The fact is that generations of migrants, despite having limited command of English when they became citizens, have made huge contributions to Australian society. For decades, Australian citizenship had fostered inclusivity, allowing migrants to feel Australian, regardless of their country of origin,' she pointed out.'This legislation would have damaged Australia's cohesive multicultural society by creating an underclass of Australian residents denied citizenship. We now have a great opportunity for FECCA to work with the Government to find positive ways to make migrants feel welcomed and part of Australian society,' she added.
Photo of Peter Fleet (right), Ford's group vice president and president of Ford Asia Pacific, and Ying Jianren, chairman of Tech-New Group Ltd. and board director of Zotye Auto courtesy of Ford.

Ford Motor Company and Zotye have reached a definitive agreement to establish Zotye Ford Automobile Co., Ltd., a new 50/50 joint venture that will offer a range of battery-electric vehicles for consumers in China under a new indigenous brand, Ford announced.

The agreement was signed in Beijing by Peter Fleet, Ford group vice president and president, Ford Asia Pacific, and Ying Jianren, chairman of Tech-New Group Ltd. and board director of Zotye Auto.

Pending regulatory approval, the new joint venture will design, build, market, and distribute all-electric passenger vehicles for China, the worlds leading electric vehicle market. The establishment of the joint venture is a key step by Ford towards realizing its vision of a cleaner, more environmentally-sustainable future.

The new joint venture will leverage a combined investment of approximately $756 million.

Building upon Fords ambitious China electrification strategy, the company announced earlier this year that at least 70% of Ford-branded vehicles sold in the country will offer electrified powertrain options by 2025.

Zotye Ford plans to build a dedicated product research and development center as well as its own sales and services network.

A new manufacturing plant for the joint venture will be constructed in Zhejiang Province. The all-electric vehicles produced will be sold under a new Chinese brand designed to meet Chinese consumers aspirations for electric vehicles.

Ford and Zotye will also explore offering mobility services to consumers in China as local demand for such solutions continues to grow.

Ford already operates successful vehicle joint ventures with Changan Ford Automobile Corporation, Ltd. and Jiangling Motors Corporation. The automaker will continue working closely with its joint venture partners to develop and manufacture New Energy Vehicles to meet rising consumer demand in China during the impending electrification phase of the Chinese auto industry.
Secession Bill and some guy is trying to buy all Sugar companies in western Kenya after he realised laundering money on hotels doesnt make sense because Cholera.  Martin Mwangi (@MartinKellmen) November 13, 2017

Thank you peter Kaluma for presenting the SECESSION BILL to IEBC! We don't need gullible people like Ekuru Aukot and DP Ruto in people's republic of Kenya! #Resist November 13, 2017

Why are Kikuyus and Kalenjins bitter about Secession Bill? I thought it should excite them as it allows them to alternate the presidency at will.  nyandiga (@nyandiga001) November 13, 2017

The NRM through the Homa Bay town MP Peter Kaluma has issued a three-page response to the IEBC to highlight the sucession process as indicated in the Constitution. The country will be divided into two; the peoples' republic of Kenya and the Central Republic of Kenya.Chairman Wafula Chebukati was responding to Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma. He said he can pursue the matter but must adhere to the law.Kaluma last Thursday submitted a Secession Bill to the IEBC after writing to Chebukati on October 2 asking if the commission had set up procedures to hold a referendum to amend the Constitution to split the country.Chebukatis three-page response seen by the Star highlights constitutional provisions Kaluma should follow and states the changes made on the Election Act in addressing constitutional ambiguities Raila Odingas Cord faced during its Okoa Kenya drive.A referendum question on an issue other than that contemplated in Articles 255, 256, and 257 of the Constitution shall be decided by a simple majority of the citizens voting in the referendum, Chebukati says, citing the new clause introduced to Section 54 of the Election Act.Kaluma wants the creation of two new countries, the Peoples Republic of Kenya and the Central Republic of Kenya. People have been advocating for the division as part of the healing from the injustices.Raila Odinga went to the US since last week and joined by his colleague Kalonzo Musyoka. The duo has been planning on how fresh credible, fair, verifiable and free elections can be conducted.
Could there be a fix for Florida's growing python problem?

FWC holding python invasive species meeting Monday afternoon

Wildlie officials developing python management plan

Meeting today at Suncoast Youth Conservation Center, 6650 Dickman Road, Apollo Beach

Wildlife officials are meeting Monday in Hillsborough County to discuss more effective ways to curb the invasive species.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials say the goal is to get more public input on how to regulate the growing python problem locally. Previously, the python issue was thought to be only a South Florida problem.

Officials said they want to spread awareness northward.

Last month, residents in a Manatee County neighborhood were put on alert when a home surveillance system captured images of a what appeared to be a Burmese python, one of the five largest species of snakes in the world.

Professional python hunters were brought in, but the snake was not found.

"Ive heard its loose in here," said Jerry Gore, a resident in the Ancient Oaks neighborhood in Parrish. "They had video of it, and I think the chances are pretty slim of them finding it, but well see what happens."

State wildlife officials said incidents like this are more common than people think. People often get the snakes as pets, then dump them after the animals become too large to manage. Now, there's a breeding population of the invasive snakes in the Everglades and spottings across South Florida.

"Over the past 20 or so years, Burmese pythons have spread from being a very localized problem, to a larger landscape program that requires cooperation among state and federally managed lands and even private lands," FWC's Sarah Funck said.

Monday's meeting is scheduled for the Suncoast Youth Conservation Center in Apollo Beach. The meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. The meeting is open to the public.

"I dont like any kind of snake," said Ancient Oaks resident Joenelle Comer. "And I think its good to educate people, so its scary to have those things around you when you live in a neighborhood like this, they need to educate people."
A 27-year-old man was killed Sunday evening in Zephyrhills when the go-kart he was driving was struck by pick up truck.

Man, 27, killed riding in go-cart on Zephyrhills street

Cody J. Liller of Zephyrhills killed in crash

Driver, 64, in pick up truck crashed into back of go-cart

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Cody J. Liller of Zephyrhills was in the eastbound lane facing east on Central Avenue, west of Warbler Street, when a GMC Sierra pick up being driven by a 64-year-old man crashed into the back of the go-cart.

Liller's vehicle was knocked off the road. Troopers did not provide exact details on how the crash happened.

Liller was rushed to Florida Hospital of Zephyrhills where he was pronounced dead a short time later.

The crash remains under investigation.
One week after a gunman stormed a tiny church in Texas, mourners gathered again for Sunday service and paid homage to lives lost.

Sunday service memorializes 26 Texas church shooting victims

Sutherland Springs church sanctuary draped in white

Twitter Moments curated series of thoughts, tweets

RELATED: Texas church shooting leaves 26 dead Officials: Air Force never sent Texas shooter's record to FBI





The Sutherland Springs First Baptist church's sanctuary was draped in white, ceiling to floor, with 26 chairs and roses representing the victims killed in the Nov. 5 massacre.

"The sense of urgency to get it done was so that those families that were coming into town that needed to come to where their loved one was can have that opportunity," said the church's associate pastor, Mark Collins, of creating the memorial. "We had some amazing people come and pull off a miracle, to basically rebuild the sanctuary in about 72 hours, so that it was presentable to those families.

Following a service, the first since the deadly shooting a week prior, held in a tent outside, worshippers headed into the sanctuary to see the solemn memorial.

Those who have come have said they've really appreciated what we've done and that it honors their loved ones, which was our main concern," said Collins, who added that the fate of the church -- the structure itself -- would be up to its members in the future.

Twitter Moments curated key takeaways from the day, such as when Texas Senator John Cornyn spoke of the strength of the church pastor, who had lost his own 14-year-old daughter in the shooting, or long lines of people formed, hoping to enter the church to pay their respects.

Meanwhile, The New York Times mused that the Sunday service offered hope to the many who attended.

Many reacted online to the photos of the memorial, praising its construction and significance.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

Marvin Mott has a notebook full of names of people who have traveled from around Texas and Louisiana to his shop in Spurger, 45 miles north of Beaumont, on a frequently fervent, quest.

Tucked away in the small town along pine-embraced Farm Road 92, Mott's Texas Knives and Collectibles has become a destination for knife collectors. It's one of the reasons Spurger was declared the Knife Capital of Texas in a resolution sponsored by state lawmakers James White and Robert Nichols and signed by Gov. Greg Abbott.

Head-high, glass-fronted oak cases displaying more than 3,000 knives, including 1,750 from W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Co., fill half the store. In the rest of the space, the utilitarian vies with the eclectic in a general-store miscellany of hardware, feed, auto parts and gourmet foods and coffee. Olive oil, balsamic vinegar and whole bean coffee are sold in bulk near jars of pickles, salsas and pickled quail eggs.

Mott stops to offer a cup of coffee to customers as they browse.

"There's not many of us small people left, and service is what's keeping us there," he said.

"People are so good to us. They drive from all over to Spurger," said Mott, whose customers find him through word-of-mouth and the Internet.

Kenny Weaver said he goes to the store, where "everyone's family," every morning to drink coffee and kibbitz with about half a dozen other men. His wife, Cindy, is the knife collector in the family, picking up 20 to 25 knives from Mott's store since they moved to town in 2008.

Dads often bring their children to the store to pick out their first pocket knife, Mott said. "It's a family event."

The business began in 1980 as a full-service Gulf gas station in "downtown Spurger," he said.

"We changed oil, greased cars and fixed flats. It was just whatever needed to happen," he said.

In 1992, the Motts moved and opened a hardware and feed store with a few knives for sale. In 1998, he got more serious about knives. His business has since grown into the largest retail display of Case knives in the country, he said.

Mott has a sense of romance about his objects of utility. He has commissioned a series of knives with handles made from bricks of local landmarks, including Beaumont's Pig Stand restaurant, South Park High School and the Newton County Courthouse.

The bricks are crushed and mixed with the acrylic used in the knives' handles. Mott and his wife, Kathy, choose the color combinations for the handles, like the green and white mixed with red brick for the South Park Greenies knife.

The blades are custom-inscribed as well. The clip blade on the South Park version is engraved "South Park Greenies, 1915-1986," and the spey blade contains the school motto in classic script: "The sun that sets may never rise, but Greenie fight never dies."

Other knives feature bricks from Read-Turrentine Elementary School in Silsbee and the former Kirbyville High School and Buna School buildings.

His customer base is as varied as his selection.

"We'll have hunters. We'll have people buying gifts," Mott said. "It's just a total hodgepodge of customers."

His most prized item is a small Case whittling knife he doesn't keep on display, though it has a price tag of $15,995. The knife is one of only seven that were made.

Mott said it symbolizes the growth of his store and the relationship he has with the Pennsylvania-based knife company whose wares fill his cases.

Mott once sold it to a collector, whose family sold it back to him after the man's death. He says he might sell it again for the right price but would "probably cry as it goes out the door."

RPelham@BeaumontEnterprise.com
A second Jasper Police Department officer has been arrested in recent weeks for allegedly sexually assaulting a child, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Billy Joe "B.J." Murphy, 37, of Huntington was arrested on Friday in Angelina County. Texas Rangers were notified of the alleged assault that occurred on Nov. 7, DPS wrote.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

The Texas church gunmans first wife said Devin Patrick Kelley once held a gun to her head and threatened to kill her in an interview with Inside Edition.

"He just had a lot of demons or hatred inside of him," Tessa Brennaman, 25, said in a recorded interview.

Kelley enlisted in the Air Force in January 2010 and obtained a marriage license in April 2011 to wed Tessa K. Loge, now Tessa Brennaman. Their troubled relationship ended in New Mexico with divorce in October 2012 after he was charged with assault for attacking her and fracturing his stepsons skull and sentenced to 12 months in a military prison.

Now Playing: Twenty-six people died in the Sunday massacre at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs on November 5, 2017. Video: San Antonio Express-News

Brennaman, who lives in New Braunfels, declined interviews with San Antonio Express-News but told Inside Edition that Kelley once threatened to kill her and her entire family, according to a report on Inside Edition.

"And he had a gun in his holster right here and he took that gun out, and he put it to my temple and he told me, 'Do you want to die? Do you want to die?'" Brennaman said.

She said the threat came after a speeding ticket.

Following their divorce, Kelley was charged with animal cruelty in Colorado in 2014, remarried and hopped from job to job. His work history includes brief stints at H-E-B and Schlitterbahn New Braunfels. He left the Air Force on a bad conduct discharge in 2014.

Most recently he worked for Summit Vacation and RV Resort in New Braunfels, where he reportedly left work early due to a headache a day before entering the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs on Nov. 5 where he shot and killed 26 people and injured 20 others.
Updated at 7:16 a.m. ET on 2017-11-14

Rohingya refugee Senoara Khatun knew nothing about HIV/AIDS until doctors found the immunodeficiency virus in her bloodstream, days after the expectant mother and her husband escaped to Bangladesh last month.

Khatun, 24, was 31 weeks into her term when she received the diagnosis, but it was too late to abort the pregnancy, the physicians told the couple. Khatun gave birth two weeks ago to their first child, a girl named Renu, who, as they feared, was born HIV-positive.

After arriving here, we went for a regular check-up to see if everything was ok with her pregnancy. Two days later, doctors told us that she had this incurable disease, which could be transmitted to our child, Khatuns husband, Mohammad Shajahan, 33, told BenarNews.

Khatun and her newborn are among 62 cases of HIV  made up by a majority of women but also including at least 11 children  that have been confirmed in overcrowded Rohingya refugee camps along Bangladeshs southeastern border, according to Dr. Shaheen Chowdhury, the resident medical officer (RMO) of a government-run hospital in Coxs Bazar, where the mother and baby are being treated.

One of the 62, a woman, has since died of AIDS. Physicians and other health experts estimate that thousands of refugees in the camps are infected with the HIV virus that causes AIDS, but have yet to be diagnosed.

If we come to grips with the actual scale of the problem, it would be very frightening, Chowdhury, who is overseeing the treatment of HIV positive Rohingya in Coxs Bazar, the southeastern district that houses the refugee camps and settlements, told BenarNews.

Myanmar  from where 615,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled to Bangladesh since Aug. 25, according to the latest U.N. estimates  has Southeast Asias second highest prevalence of HIV after Thailand, with about 230,000 people of the total population of about 51 million, living with the virus as of 2016, according to UNAIDS. Myanmar is one of 35 countries that together account for 90 percent of new infections globally.

We estimate that at least 5,000 Rohingya, who have arrived in Bangladesh since Aug. 25, are HIV-positive, Chowdhury said.

A military crackdown Myanmars Rakhine state spurred the ongoing influx of refugees. It followed attacks on police and army posts there that were blamed on Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) insurgents. About 1 million Rohingya refugees, including those who fled earlier cycles of violence in Rakhine, are sheltering in southeastern Bangladesh.

Stigma

Abdus Salam, a government-appointed civil surgeon in Coxs Bazar, said more than 2,000 doctors, interns and others were working to detect HIV at the refugee camps in the district.

A lot of the Rohingya are either unaware they are HIV-positive or they try to hide it due to the stigma attached with the disease, Salam told BenarNews.

However, of the 62 confirmed cases, only five  like Khatun  were unaware they were carrying the virus, Chowdhury said.

The remaining 56 cases were detected in Myanmar and the carriers knew they were HIV-positive when they entered Bangladesh, he said, adding that in many cases, the reuse of disposable syringes seemed to be the cause of transmission.

It is a possibility that hospitals in Myanmar intentionally did this to harm the Rohingya population, but I dont know. There is no way to confirm that, he said.

The government of Buddhist-majority Myanmar does not recognize Rohingya Muslims as citizens and refers to them as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. Its security forces have been blamed for carrying out killings, rapes and arson against the community for decades, in what the U.N. has described as textbook ethnic cleansing of the persecuted Muslim minority.

Patients wait for treatment in a special ward for Rohingya refugees at a government-run hospital in Coxs Bazar district, Bangladesh. [Tushar Tohin/BenarNews]

61 being treated



While Senoara Khatun declined to be interviewed out of fear her neighbors would shun her if they came to know that she was HIV-positive, her husband, Shajahan, said she frequently fell ill over the last three years.

Every time we went to a hospital [in Rakhine] they gave her some injections and sent her back. But she never got better, he said. We didnt even know what HIV was until we came to Bangladesh.

Chowdhury said five of the 61-HIV positive Rohingya who were being treated at his hospital were at stage three, meaning they wouldnt last much longer.

All HIV patients, including those at stage three, visit the hospital for their antiretroviral treatment and go back to the camps, he said, adding that hospital staff also provided counseling to the patients and their guardians to help them maintain a positive state of mind.

Shajahan visits the Coxs Bazar district hospital, which is about 50 km (31 miles) from his camp, almost every week.

The counselor here tells me about HIV and guides me on ways we can help my wife and my baby lead a near normal life despite the infection. My only aim is to keep my wife and child alive and happy for as long as I can, he said.

An earlier version misspelled the name of civil surgeon Abdus Salam and incorrectly reported that 60 people were hospitalized for HIV/AIDS treatment.
U.S. President Donald Trump meets Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte for bilateral talks on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Manila, Nov. 13, 2017.

Updated at 5:55 p.m. ET on 2017-11-13

Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte and U.S. President Donald Trump touched on the threat posed by the Islamic State (IS) and the ongoing Rohingya crisis in Myanmar during a bilateral meeting in Manila, a joint statement released by the White House said Monday.

Trump arrived in Manila on Sunday at the tail end of a 12-day Asian tour. He met with Duterte on the sidelines of an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit attended as well by leaders of China, Japan, Russia, South Korea, India, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

President Trump expressed his condolences for the tragic loss of life in Marawi City at the hands of ISIS-affiliated terrorists, and congratulated the Armed Forces of the Philippines for its success in liberating Marawi, the statement said, using an acronym for the Islamic State group.

Trump vowed that the United States would continue its support and assistance for the Philippines fight against terrorism, it said. The United States, as well as Australia, provided aerial intelligence support during the Marawi firefights.

Late last month, Manila declared an end to a five-month battle against Islamic State-backed militants in the southern city of Marawi. Officials said the fighting, which included heavy bombing runs by Philippine Air Force jets, killed 930 militants, 165 soldiers and 47 civilians.

No boundaries

In a speech at the summits opening ceremony, Duterte underscored that Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore had provided valuable assistance during the fighting that reduced Marawi to a landscape of ruined houses and buildings and displaced its more than 200,000 residents.

He said terrorism and violent extremism endangered peace and stability in the region, which is home to more than 500 million people and at least three Muslim-majority countries  Brunei, Malaysia and Indonesia.

The threats posed by radical groups know no boundaries, Duterte warned.

Piracy and armed robbery in the seas put a dent on our growth and disrupt the stability of both regional and global commerce, he said, while adding that the spread of illegal drugs across borders also endangered the very fabric of society.

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the spread of IS, which is also known by its other acronym ISIS, rose sharply in recent years in the region partly inspired by the earlier successes of ISIS in the Middle East.

But while congratulating the Philippines for ending the Marawi clashes, he said the militants could be biding time before launching more deadly attacks.

Therefore, it is important to strengthen counter-terrorism cooperation, he said. Law-enforcement agencies must continue to coordinate closely, and facilitate the timely exchange of intelligence.

Rohingya crisis

In their bilateral meeting, Trump and Duterte spoke about the Rohingya crisis gripping Myanmar and Bangladesh, a topic of great concern among ASEANs Muslim-majority nations.

The two leaders called for the expeditious delivery of humanitarian assistance to affected communities to affected communities," according to the statement, which did not use the word Rohingya.

The two leaders welcomed the Myanmar governments commitment to end the violence, restore media access, ensure the safe return of displaced persons, and implement all of the recommendations of the Advisory Commission on Rakhine State, and urged all parties to support these government commitments, the statement said.

More than 600,000 people have crossed the border into Bangladesh since Aug. 25, after a violent crackdown by security forces in Buddhist-majority Myanmar against the Rohingya Muslim community. The crackdown followed coordinated attacks on Myanmar police and army posts that were blamed on Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) insurgents.

Human rights briefly came up

Activists were hoping the 40-minute meeting between the two leaders would center on extrajudicial killings, an offshoot of Dutertes anti-drug crackdown that has left more than 3,000 Filipinos dead, according to official figures.

The two sides underscored that human rights and the dignity of human life are essential, and agreed to continue mainstreaming the human rights agenda in their national programs to promote the welfare of all sectors, including the most vulnerable groups, the statement said, listing human rights as the third of 14 topics discussed by the two leaders.

"The conversation focused on ISIS, illegal drugs, and trade. Human rights briefly came up in the context of the Philippines' fight against illegal drugs," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told reporters.

But Philippine presidential spokesman Harry Roque told reporters earlier Monday that the issue of human rights did not arise. It was not brought up. He later said the leaders had discussed the Philippines war on drugs, with Trump appearing sympathetic unlike previous administrations in the United States.

South China Sea better left untouched

Absent from Dutertes opening remarks was China, which is engaged in territorial dispute with ASEAN members over the South China Sea. Geopolitical analysts have warned that overlapping claims could lead to violence and threaten regional stability.

Last year, The Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in favor of the Philippines, and dismissed Chinas sweeping territorial claims. Beijing angrily reacted and said it would not heed the ruling.

Four ASEAN members  the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam  as well as Taiwan and China have overlapping claims to islands in the South China Sea. But while all claimants have agreed to maintain the existing state of affairs in the volatile region, China has continued to fortify islands it claims and built land features, according to Philippine defense officials.

ASEAN leaders were expected to introduce the South China Sea item during the Manila meeting, but it was apparently sidestepped after Duterte was called to a meeting with Xi in Vietnam over the weekend, site of the Asia Pacific Economic Forum (APEC) summit.

China earlier this year agreed to begin negotiations with ASEAN for a code of conduct in the region, but a copy of the chairmans statement issued by the host country left the item on South China Sea blank.

In a meeting with businessmen Sunday night before a gala dinner, Duterte said, And today, China is the No. 1 economic powerhouse. And we have to be friends.

The South China Sea is better left untouched.

He said Xi had assured him that his government was not prepared to battle over a strip of tiny, potentially rich islands, situated in a vital sea lane through which an estimated $5 trillion of the worlds trade passes through annually.

I do not want to waste the lives of my countrymen for a useless war that cannot be won by anybody, Duterte quoted Xi as telling him.

He made it clear to us that the only way to go is cooperation. And so I would say that we should open our doors to everybody. Ideological conflicts are no longer in the vogue, it is passe, Duterte said.

Since assuming the Philippine presidency last year, Duterte has taken steps to repair damaged ties with China. Among his first foreign trips was to Beijing, where he received millions in economic pledges while advocating friendlier relations, a marked departure from an antagonistic stance espoused by his predecessor.

But in moving for closer ties to China, and to Russia  another American rival  Duterte antagonized the United States, the countrys longtime defense ally. After Trump took office in January, relations were put back on track.
The Thai government vowed to locate and deport as many as 100,000 foreigners who overstayed their visas, a deputy prime minister said Monday, indicating that Islamic State (IS) militants and criminals from other countries could be among them.

Thai authorities are cracking down on all foreigners who have not left the country at the proper time because police officers and other security personnel are having difficulty identifying those who may be linked to IS or its ideology, Gen. Prawit Wongsuwan told reporters.

We fear that there are IS infiltrators among them, so we started arresting those who overstay, said Prawit, who also serves as defense minister. We arrested 100 of them in the South. We did arrest them where we found pockets of those who overstayed.

Thai police said officers have arrested criminals from across the globe, including a Nigerian with a forged visa and other documents, a Taiwanese gang that set up an illegal call center to solicit money from overseas and prostitutes from African and Arab nations.

Immigration police in Phuket reported rounding up 95 foreigners staying illegally in the province over three days last week, including 62 Indians, 11 Pakistanis and six Egyptians, according to the Bangkok Post. Of those, 70 had overstayed their visas and the others were determined to be illegal immigrants.

Prawits announcement came less than a week after the Brussels-based International Crisis Group published a study saying there was no evidence of any ties between IS militants and insurgents in Thailands Deep South, which encompasses three provinces and four districts of an adjacent province near the Malaysian border.

Leaders in the countrys predominantly Muslim and Malay-speaking southern border region overwhelmingly rejected the ideology espoused by IS, according to the report, Jihadism in Southern Thailand: A Phantom Menace.

100,000 overstayed

About 100,000 foreigners who have overstayed their visas are in Thailand at the moment, Defense Ministry spokesman Lt. Gen. Kongcheep Tantrawanich said over the weekend.

Thai authorities had stepped up measures to identify illegal foreigners by checking finger prints against police records to determine if they had committed crimes while in Thailand, he said.

At this point, we dont know if they committed crimes or not. We charged them only with illegal entry or overstaying their visas, but if they were found leaving latent finger prints at crime scenes, we will prosecute them before sending them back, he said.

In the South, we dont have a face-detection device. But the commanders realize its importance and we will have such a project in place because face detection is almost 100 percent reliable, Kongcheep said.

In addition, a more stringent visa screening process to counter crimes will be imposed, an immigrant police officer said.

We can deal with consular offices overseas, giving them to information on most crime-sensitive regions. There could be 50 to 60 out of 100 applicants receiving visas who have criminal issues, police Maj. Gen. Itthipol Itthisarnronachai told BenarNews.

Thailand expects more than 32 million tourist arrivals at the end of 2018.

Popular destinations including Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Phuket and Samui are affected by criminal activities ranging from drugs, arms trades, prostitution, human trafficking to economic crimes, officials said.
Translations on this website are prepared by a third-party provider. Some portions may be incorrect. Some itemsincluding downloadable files or imagescannot be translated at all. No liability is assumed by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center for any errors or omissions. Any user who relies on translated content does so at his/her own risk.
At the Climate Change Conference in Bonn

At the Climate Change Conference in Bonn |

A rebellion against Trump!

Arnold Scharzenegger called for the implementation of the Paris Agreement at the World Climate Conference in Bonn.

Ultimately, he said, it had no consequences that US President Donald Trump quit the climate accord.

Lesen Sie auch

It doesnt mean anything, said the Hollywood star and former governor of California on Sunday evening in front of a cheering audience who celebrated him if he were a climate pop star.

In view of the climate accord, the politician said, I will do everything in my power  no matter what it takes  for the agreements implementation. 

Lesen Sie auch

California and other important US states had intensified their efforts to meet each current climate goal.

Schwarzenegger: California is leading the revolution for alternative energy sources.

PS: Sind Sie bei Facebook? Werden Sie Fan von BILD.de-Politik!
For Immediate Release, November 13, 2017 Contact: Tierra Curry, (928) 522-3681, tcurry@biologicaldiversity.org Endangered Species Protection Sought for Imperiled Los Angeles Snail Rare Mollusk is Threatened by Sprawl, Climate Change, Fire LOS ANGELES The Center for Biological Diversity filed a petition today with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service seeking Endangered Species Act protection for a rare snail that lives only in the Los Angeles area. Before the city was developed, the San Gabriel chestnut snail was found from south of Compton to the San Gabriel Mountains in the north. Now it survives only in the Angeles National Forest and on adjacent private lands between Glendora and Altadena. The snail is threatened by development, fire and climate change. Saving the San Gabriel chestnut snail may seem like a small matter, but snails actually do a lot of important things for humans, said Tierra Curry, a senior scientist at the Center for Biological Diversity. These amazing little animals play critical roles in the environment and deserve to be protected like other imperiled wildlife. The San Gabriel chestnut snail is dark and glossy, with a spiraled shell that is chestnut in color and a little more than 1 inch wide. It has very specific habitat requirements and cannot relocate when its habitat is in harms way from development or fire. There are currently no mechanisms in place that protect the unique snail or its remaining habitat. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service must evaluate todays petition and publish a finding on whether protection for the snail may be warranted. If the initial finding is positive, then the snail will receive a status review that will result in either a proposal for listing or a finding that listing is not warranted. Globally mollusks are the most at-risk group of animals because they are particularly vulnerable to human-caused changes in the environment. Scientists estimate that more than half of the mollusk species that have been evaluated are threatened with extinction. Protecting the environment for future generations includes safeguarding the underappreciated little species that keep natural processes working, said Curry. Snails eat decaying vegetation, recycle nutrients, and disperse seeds and fungal spores. They also build soils and provide food and calcium for birds, amphibians, reptiles, small mammals and other invertebrates. Snail shells are the primary calcium source for some bird species. Declines in snail abundance have been linked to population declines in songbirds. The San Gabriel chestnut snail was discovered in 1938. It is now being studied by the Los Angeles County Natural History Museum, which runs a citizen-science project called SLIME, or Snails and slugs Living in Metropolitan Environments, that aims to catalogue the diversity of terrestrial gastropods in Southern California. This snail is of great significance from a natural history standpoint because it is one of only two species in its taxonomic group, the other being the San Diego chestnut snail.
#MeettheMarketer: Are business consultancies the ad agencies of the future?

Anatoly Roytman, managing director of Accenture Interactive and Global lead for EALA (Europe, Africa, Middle East and Latin America), believes that Accenture Interactive is building the "agency of the future". We asked him to elaborate as our #MeettheMarketer this month on Bizcommunity.africa.

Anatoly Roytman. Roytman is the brains behind the recent acquisition of Fjord and Karmarama and believes consultants and ad agency groups are facing a seismic change as their two worlds collide resulting in a restructuring across the consulting and marketing landscape. And Roytman believes Accenture Interactive is building the agency of the future. The vision is for Accenture Interactive to become the first "experience agency of record" for global clients. "We want to partner our clients and become the custodian of the brand experience," explained Roytman. He said that Accenture Interactive can be this new breed of shop  the experience agency of record  because it has built up a range of capabilities across design, user experience, data, analytics, customer relationship management, ecommerce, content, advertising and programmatic. Please unpack your statement: Consultants and ad agency groups are facing a seismic change as their two worlds collide" Please unpack your statement: Consultants and ad agency groups are facing a seismic change as their two worlds collide" We believe brands are built less by advertising these days. Ask any millennial what their favourite TV commercial is today and you will likely get a blank stare. Consumers perceptions of a brand are increasingly the result of an amalgamation of touchpoints and interactions that consumers have with your brand across, increasingly, digital channels. Now brands need a partner to manage the whole customer experience and every touchpoint along the way  from the inception of an idea to developing and designing a product, building awareness and then selling and distributing it. Agencies have to adapt to better help brands manage the entire customer experience. In order to do that, they have to be able to link technology, creative, media, marketing, sales and service. Can you tell us what the agency of the future will look like? Can you tell us what the agency of the future will look like? We are absolutely at a stage where a new breed of agency is required: an experience agency. Just doing ideation and acting as creative vendors is not enough. Clicks and open rates will only get you so far. If you want to have an impact you need business strategy chops too, you need to be good at technology, to get analytics.

In todays interconnected world, clients need partners who can scale campaigns with speed and agility through strong technology platforms and global reach. Then, they need to link it all together to create the best possible customer experience. Customers have high expectations and frustration at the lack of control they have over their experience. Because consumers are faced with too much choice, too much content and not enough time, brands need to insert themselves into the places where customers need them the most - and do so in a natural, human way. The human must be at the centre of the experience - not the brand or the technology. It takes an experience agency to make this a success.

The final element of the agency of the future is the way that it operates for clients. Not only do they focus on customer strategy and experience delivery over pure creative and media planning as an end goal, but they also focus on business outcomes, not activity metrics. As more clients desire outcome-based billing, it takes an agency of the future  with enough visibility across the whole experience  to be able to drive and show positive outcomes for the business. With one particular automotive client were working with, we only get paid on net-new cars sold.

With one particular automotive client were working with, we only get paid on net-new cars sold.

What makes Accenture Interactive the agency of the future? What makes consultants better brand custodians than advertising and brand agencies? What makes Accenture Interactive the agency of the future? What makes consultants better brand custodians than advertising and brand agencies?

Accenture Interactive can be this new breed of agency because it has end-to-end digital customer capabilities that span all the areas needed to be successful at acquiring and retaining customers today: design, user experience, data, analytics, customer relationship management, ecommerce, content, advertising and programmatic. We can tie marketing to bigger transformation projects due to our technology and strategic consulting heritage. We want to be the provider that clients hire to do complex, global things. Were shifting the definition of digital from banner ads to digital transformation.

I asked an ad agency CEO recently, the same question about whether consultancies will buy agencies and he said no, but that agencies need to add business consultancy skills to their mix to make their model more marketable. Do you think the advertising industry knows what is coming? I asked an ad agency CEO recently, the same question about whether consultancies will buy agencies and he said no, but that agencies need to add business consultancy skills to their mix to make their model more marketable. Do you think the advertising industry knows what is coming?

The ad industry is shaking by itself right now, as more and more disruptive forces are affecting it. We want to partner with our clients to become the custodians of the brand experience, which takes an agency that can manage every aspect of that experience. Starting from the inception of an idea and working through the design and development of a functioning product and then creating a campaign to drive awareness and sales.

Even looking at the distribution of the product to match the experience with the expectations around the brands.

Getting all of these talents together is a large strategic mission, but consultancies buying agencies is already happening. We have made a number of acquisitions to complement our double-digit organic growth in order to build a range of capabilities across creative, design, user experience, data, analytics, customer relationship management, ecommerce, content and advertising.

The whole industry needs to change. Holding companies need to break down their organisational siloes in order to move towards the new model for operating, which will be very difficult for them to achieve.

Will consultants, who are not known as creative people, be able to bring the depth of brand experience and creative strategy to marketers? Why will marketers buy your strategy over that of a traditional creative agency or brand shop? Will consultants, who are not known as creative people, be able to bring the depth of brand experience and creative strategy to marketers? Why will marketers buy your strategy over that of a traditional creative agency or brand shop?

Accenture Interactive is the experience agency arm of Accenture, so we have a different target buyer, skill sets and culture than our parent company. Accenture Interactive is a culture of cultures. We blend business consulting with a technology powerhouse and creative agency expertise. We are a multi-disciplinary bunch of business strategists, designers, content marketers, user experience professionals, developers, SEO specialists, and more.

Through Karmarama and The Monkeys, we have bolstered our creative expertise. Through Fjord, we have global innovation through the worlds biggest design firm.

We are attracting more and more people from the agency world, who want to become part of something new. Tammy Soares, former CEO of Rosetta, has recently joined us in the US, as well as Eduardo Bicudo, former CEO of Wunderman Brazil, to name a few.

Should advertising agencies be worried? Should advertising agencies be worried?

Both the consultants and ad agencies recognise their challenges and that they need to change, but it wont happen overnight. There are some well-run ad holding companies out there, which have been successful and resilient over the years. We are not trying to be an ad holding company, but we are offering a new model that we believe will be more relevant.

CMOs today are looking for a new type of partner: according to a recent Forrester report, a higher percentage than ever  73% - of CMOs say that they would be open to hiring consultants. At a time when consumers are less attached to brands, finding new ways to deliver great customer experiences is paramount to CMOs, and anyone who doesnt bring that proposition to the table will find themselves a smaller and smaller piece of the overall picture.
Subscribe to daily business and company news across 19 industries

SUBSCRIBE
ACCRA, Ghana - The third annual African Business Media Innovators Summit is gathering in Ghana to discuss the changing face of media and new hybrid models.

More than 100 senior executives, entrepreneurs and thought-leaders from media, tech, business and civil society will gather in Accra from 12-14 November, for the annual Africa Business Media Innovators summit (ABMI).

Convened by Bloomberg Philanthropies in partnership with the Ford Foundation, Africa Business Media Innovators is a part of the Bloomberg Media Initiative Africa, a pan-Africa program launched by Michael R. Bloomberg to advance business journalism on the continent.

ABMI 2017 will be hosted by Matthew Winker, co-founder of Bloomberg News and editor emeritus, and Justin B. Smith, CEO of Bloomberg Media, and will examine the many new trends and approaches in the wider communications sector, from revenue models to content creation and distribution.

The forum is designed so that media companies can share their strategies for navigating these changes, and their efforts to impact inclusive and sustainable economic growth on the continent.

President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana will welcome the delegates from across Africa, the United Kingdom and United States, and open the convening.

"Media, in whatever shape or form, will strengthen in Africa. There is a desire for better content, for better journalism, for original African content. We will reach a critical mass where commercially we will have the resources to produce this. Right now, things are too fragmented, too few resources are invested in local content, and governments in general are not interested in developing a vibrant media environment.

"That said, I continue to see an unwavering commitment from entrepreneurs and media practitioners to invest money and time to develop the media industry as a whole, so there is no reason why we shouldn't be able to achieve this. But like all businesses right now, media houses will have to be nimble and know how to adapt to create a sustainable business model, which is easier said than done," explained Omar Ben Yedder, group publisher and managing director, IC Publications.

The program will include moderated discussions, interactive sessions, extended Q&As, and interviews with, among others: Strive Masiyiwa, Econet; Khanyi Dhlomo, Ndalo Media; Samuel Attah Mensah, OMNI Media Group; Kadija Patel, Mail & Guardian; Amrote Abdella, Microsoft 4Afrika; Omar Ben Yedder, IC Publications; Adama Wade, Financial Afrik; Erik Charas, Verdade; Caroline Southey, The Conversation; Turi Munthe, North Based Media; and Herbert Wigwe, Access Bank.

African media capacity

The event appeals to a global audience with a focus on the media industry in Africa. The topics which will be covered include:

The changing face of media in Africa and other emerging markets.

Strengthening African media capacity by innovating with new hybrid models.

Leveraging the changes in media practices to enable Africans to tell stories about Africa.

The role of business journalism and African media as a driver of inclusive growth.

The upcoming forum will also consider: how business leaders across the continent and globally can continue to contribute to a vibrant media sector; what the primary source of revenue will be; what medium consumers will rely on for news in the next five to 10 years; and what enabling factors will enhance media and business journalism.

Commenting, Winkler said: "As the geopolitical landscape changes with African economies showing the most dynamic demographic opportunity for growth, the continent must continue to build media capacity that will serve Africans' increasing need for accurate and relevant business information. This annual gathering of global industry peers is testament to the power and determination of the communications industry to drive and maintain growth."

The ABMI summit was previously hosted in Kenya and South Africa, where stakeholders and influencers of the media and business landscape in Africa addressed the importance of a robust financial journalism sector; and the value of data and data-related technologies to drive international investment and economic growth.

Media professionals hold a very powerful role. They have the power to change mindsets, provide fresh perspectives and influence behaviour. This applies to financial markets as well as to geopolitical dynamics, perceptions about gender, and inter-regional dialogue. It is important that media engages in this role responsibly. With modern platforms and technology, ethical reporting is increasingly vital," said Graca Machel, executive director and founder, Graca Machel Trust.

Source: African Media Agency.
Ever since the introduction of digital marketing there has been a debate on what the future holds for traditional media, and direct mail in particular. However, what if the answer isn't one or the other but rather how digital marketing and direct mail complement each other? American research 2017 Media Usage Survey by targetmarketingmag.com proves that it does. They have done in-depth research into media usage in the USA.

Using the premise that South Africa has a lagging media landscape that will (in time) follow similar trends that the US are currently experiencing, which certainly highlights the possible opportunities for South Africa to grow both the digital marketing and direct mail industries concurrently.

60 Second Marketers Jamie Turner is a digital marketer who has worked with some of the worlds largest brands such as Coca-Cola, AT&T, CNN and Cartoon Network to name a few. Jamie has used information generated by a Media Usage Survey in his article to support how direct mail and digital marketing, when executed together, make a significant impact difference to any campaign's ROI.

According to Jamies article, Modernizing Your Direct Mail Spend With Technology, direct mail enjoys a higher response rate than any other channel, and states that a direct mail postcard will net about a 4.25%  5.0% response rate. The reason why direct mail secures such a high response rate is due to the following four factors, viz. the ability to utilise data smarter than ever before; better advances in data-gathering methods; greater accuracy in market segmentation; and, the ability to model data more precisely.

As per the Media Usage Survey results, direct mail hasnt plateaued but in fact is growing. 31% of the marketers who participated were increasing their direct mail usage this year, with another 33% maintaining spend year-on-year, and based on spend and volume analysis, major brands such as Nordstrom, Starbucks, and General Motors are among the top direct mailers in the USA.

Multi-channel campaigns have become the standard for most businesses and brands seeking to penetrate the market, and when direct mail is a part of the marketing mix, it not only gains the hard yards in its own right, it also adds exponentially to every other point of contact. Marketers are continuing to experiment with combinations of mediums such as direct mail, email, social media and television, and what they are finding is that each time direct mail is used in the mix, it enables all channels to be more efficient and effective.

The collaboration of direct mail and the digital world crafts an environment in which direct mail is poised to be more influential and cost-effective than ever. This bodes well for the South African landscape which has its challenges both in the geographical spread of the population as well as the sluggish interaction with the online world. A combined direct mail and digital marketing campaign is the solution for a more comprehensive reach.

On the Dot provides access to demographically targeted consumer markets offering a reliable, accurate, efficient, and cost-effective direct marketing communication platform.

Extensive industry knowledge ensuring increased reach with precision target marketing to minimise wastage



ensuring increased reach with precision target marketing to minimise wastage Utilising demographic data distributing to 15.3 million homes throughout South Africa



distributing to 15.3 million homes throughout South Africa Extensive infrastructure of 35 depots and six over-border depots in Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho and Swaziland



of 35 depots and six over-border depots in Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho and Swaziland Utilising 337 contract drivers, 2,822 runners and 104 quality controllers

Distribute over one billion pamphlets and 85 million community newspapers per annum.

On the Dots Multi-Channel Marketing Division offers clients a variety of advertising platforms including Taxi Rank Activations, Roadshows, In-store Activations, Moving Billboards, Vehicle Branding and Loud Halo to name but a few.

Visit our website www.onthedot.co.za or contact us for more information.

Tel: 087 741 3137
BEIJING - Chinese online shoppers spent a record $25bn on this year's Singles' Day promotion run by e-commerce giant Alibaba, up nearly 40% from last year, figures showed on Sunday.

Alibaba founder Jack Ma | AFP Photo/STR

At the peak, 256,000 payments were being processed per second on Saturday, the firm said, more than 90% of them placed via mobile.

The company's gross merchandise volume for its annual sales extravaganza known as "Double 11" representing November 11, came in at 168.3 billion ($25.3bn), Alibaba said in a statement on its website.

The figure represents sales processed through Alibaba's online payment system Alipay.

The total sales were up 39% from last year's 120.7 billion yuan ($17.8bn) - a milestone this year eclipsed in under 14 hours, according to Alibaba.

Rivals such as JD.com also reported brisk business.

Analysts expect Chinese e-commerce retailers to take Singles' Day -- which originally celebrated the idea of being unattached -- abroad as growth rates slow in the years ahead.

Chinese state news agency Xinhua reported that more than 140,000 overseas brands participated in this year's promotion.

"Alibaba looked to elevate this year's 11.11 from a shopping day to a virtual holiday," the company said in its statement, "complete with a motto - 'Wishing you a Happy 11.11' - that closely resembles the sort of greetings Chinese all over the world exchange at the Lunar New Year."
ZAGREB - Debt-wracked Balkan food and retail giant Agrokor is in a dispute with creditors over two billion euros in claims, half of which is demanded by the Russian state-controlled Sberbank, the firm's crisis manager said Thursday.

Ante Ramljak, crisis manager at Agrokor |  AFP

While Agrokor recognises a total of 41.23 billion kunas (5.4 billion euros, $6.3 billion) of claims against it, some 16.5 billion kunas remain disputed, the crisis manager Ante Ramljak told reporters.

The 1.1-billion-euro claim by Sberbank, Agrokor's main creditor, has led to several legal actions against the company in Croatia, Britain and around the Balkans, he said.

Sberbank also took the group to the London Court of International Arbitration.

Agrokor, the largest employer in a region with high unemployment, has run up debts through aggressive expansion and expensive borrowing.

The Zagreb-based company has about 60,000 employees, two-thirds of whom are in Croatia.

The Croatian government in April named a crisis manager to lead a restructuring process at the firm, whose revenues account for 15 percent of the European Union member state's gross domestic product (GDP).

Agrokor will face bankruptcy proceedings if the restructuring process is not successful by next July.

However, Ramljak said the disputed claims, including that of Sberbank, could be eventually worked out.

"We are in constant contact with Sberbank ... There is still a possibility that we sit together at the table and reach an agreement," he said.

Agrokor's fugitive owner Ivica Todoric, for whom Zagreb issued a European arrest warrant, was arrested and released on bail in London on Tuesday.

He is the prime suspect in an ongoing probe into alleged abuse of trust, forging of official documents and failure to keep proper business records at the company.

Todoric, 66, has repeatedly claimed to be a victim of "political persecution," vowing to fight extradition.

Fourteen other people, including Todoric's two sons and other former top executives at Agrokor, are suspected in the scandal.
The failure of wealthy nations to deliver on short-term climate commitments could hinder the rollout of a landmark treaty, a bloc of 134 developing countries, including India and China, warned at UN negotiations in Bonn.

The diplomatic spat has underscored the difficulty of reaching a consensus at the 196-nation talks.

"If we do not respect decisions that we have made, then how can we build trust among the parties?" said Chen Zhihua, China's senior negotiator, referring to long-standing pledges by rich nations to enhance financial support and "revisit" targets for curbing greenhouse gas emissions before 2020.

"And how can we lay a good foundation for the implementation of the Paris Agreement?" he added at a press conference Thursday, 9 November, flanked by diplomats from India, Iran, Nicaragua and Ecuador.

The treaty, inked outside the French capital in 2015, calls on the world to cap global warming at "well below" 2C, and even 1.5C if possible.

With one degree of warming so far, the planet has already seen an increase in drought, deadly heatwaves and superstorms engorged by rising seas.

The pact rests on voluntary carbon-cutting pledges from virtually every country in the world.

But those pledges are not enough to keep Earth in the safe zone, and would still see global temperatures rise a devastating 3C by century's end.

Moreover, they don't kick in until 2020, and developing nations say that's too long to wait to ramp up action.

"The science is clear: if we don't get our act together before 2020, you can forget about the 2C and 1.5C targets," said Paul Oquist, Nicaragua's chief negotiator at the talks.

"There has been a failure to comply with existing commitments," he added.

Under the terms of the UN's core climate convention, the burden for action before 2020 falls mainly on wealthy countries historically responsible for the rapid rise of greenhouse gases.

China is the world's top carbon polluter, followed by the United States, the European Union, India and Russia.

Developing countries sought to have a "pre-2020 agenda" formally added to the negotiating process, but the move was shelved at the start of the 12-day talks. Efforts to resolve the issue have so far been fruitless.

"It would be a bad thing if this hangs over into the second week and becomes a political issue for ministers," said Alden Meyer, director of strategy and policy for the Union of Concerned Scientists in Washington DC.

"It has been a pretty sterile debate that has degenerated into a finger-pointing exercise," he told AFP.

Some 20 heads of state, including French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, are scheduled to appear at the UN climate forum next week.

The European Union, Australia and the United States - which continues to participate in the talks despite President Donald Trump's decision to pull out of the Paris pact - have balked at training a spotlight on the issue, but are looking for a middle ground.

"There is no disagreement about the pre-2020 urgency," Elina Bardram, head of the EU's delegation for COP23, told AFP.

"But we must find solutions that ... do not compromise progress on the agreed negotiations programme" for the Paris Agreement.

For Teresa Ribera, director of the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations in Paris, the stand-off also reflects the negotiating process.

"It is in part tactical positioning to deflect mounting pressure" on some emerging economies - China and India, in particular - to deepen their own carbon-cutting pledges, she said.

Both countries are projected to easily meet their Paris targets.

But the poor nation-rich nation split that bedevilled these talks for many years has not entirely disappeared.

"This is creating a trust deficit," said Mohamed Adow, international climate lead for Christian Aid. "How can developing countries trust these very same countries that haven't taken seriously their previous commitments?"

Source: AFP
Rapid advances in artificial intelligence and the rapid adoption of robots across diverse industries are stalking the fear of jobless growth . Responses to these developments have focused on what to do to ensure that robots don't steal jobs.

Bill Gates, for example, has called for the taxing of robots that take away jobs. This has elicited responses from leading economists, such as Larry Summers (former vice president of Development Economics, chief economist of the World Bank, and US Treasury Department official) who argue against the idea saying that robots are job creators and that the idea of taxing them is profoundly flawed.

An equally questionable idea is to use universal basic income  the idea that everyone receives a minimum income regardless of circumstance  to redress the impact of technological unemployment.

The focus in these debates is misplaced. Jobs are not created or lost because of a single technology, but because of the business models designed to leverage the power of the technology. Uber, for example, may be called a taxi-hailing app service but the business is a constellation of applications including algorithms, the automobile and GPS  all of which are organised around a single business model.

Weve seen a similar example in history, with recorded music in the last century. It wasnt the 1930s recording technology itself that threatened the jobs of live musicians. It was its combination with radio broadcasting, jukeboxes and the way businesses operated that led to job losses. Hotels, restaurants and bars replaced live musicians with jukeboxes. The coin-operated machines were cheaper and did not involve dealing with the demands of unionised musicians. A single recording could be played over and over without requiring the appearance of musicians.

As I argue, in Innovation and Its Enemies: Why People Resist New Technologies, the early recording of music destroyed the jobs of some live musicians and undermined their claim to property rights. The social objections became largely about monopoly power and less about the technology itself.

The technology did make huge gains for the music industry because of its ability to access a wider section of society. Small bands and minority musicians who could not have access to large markets were able to use the technology to reach niche audiences. More importantly, the spread of the technology made it possible for new genres, such as bebop, of music to emerge and eventually enter mainstream markets.

However, while history helps us to learn from the past, it has become a poor guide for emerging trends. This is because of the qualitative differences between discrete technologies that defined the Industrial Revolution of the early 1800s and todays machines and platforms.

Different rules

These fundamental differences  between past automation activities and todays artificial intelligence  suggest the emergence of new economies operating under different rules whose contours are still sketchy.

The impacts will be strongly felt, given the integrated nature of the global economy, the rapid rate of technological change and the uncertainty created by technological abundance  which makes it difficult to predict where new ideas might come from.

Job creation  or loss  has to be considered in the context of the overall business.

This is best illustrated by looking at the difference between recorded music then and robots now. I have identified four big ones.

First, robots are being adopted at a much faster rate than recorded music was. Competitive pressures in industry are forcing entrepreneurs to look into deploying technological systems that enable them to stay ahead of the curve. Chinese manufacturers, for example, are responding to wage increases with one of the fastest rates of industrial robot adoption in the world.

Second, the consequences of robots are likely to be felt across global value networks triggering large-scale technological anxieties as workers fear that their jobs will be taken. This is partly because many of the leading industries rely on supply chains that are located in different regions and countries. Boeing, for example, sources parts from various parts of the US, Europe and many other parts of the world. Changes in its manufacturing practices involve coordination across those regions. This also applies to less complex products such as consumer goods.

Third, robots are advancing exponentially while human learning occurs at a much slower linear pace. Their rate of learning doubles in a short period while human learning is incremental and slow. This is partly a result of technological abundance and the growing ability for machines to teach each other how to improve the functioning of their algorithms. 3D printing, for example, is a combination of pre-existing mechanical technologies which now benefits from advances in digital technologies. It can now be diversely applied  from engineering to medicine. The more new technologies that are created, the greater the prospects of creating new applications. In many cases innovators start off with searching and using what already exists in novel ways before they invest in new research.

Finally, the effects of automation are likely to be felt over very short periods, compounding public concerns and leaving little room for adaptation. This is mainly because machines are reaching a point where they are learning to perform new tasks faster than workers can be retrained.

What next

What we need are inclusive social policies that take into account faster access to emerging technologies, greater support to new businesses and more open dialogue about how poverty and inequity amplify the negative effects of new technologies.

This requires a much deeper look at how social systems and technologies shape each other to create more just and resilient economies.
14 young female scientists were recognised at the 2017 edition of the L'Oreal-UNESCO For Women in Science Sub-Saharan Africa ceremony. Their fields of research vary across different disciplines and address key global issues.

2017 LOreal-UNESCO For Women in Science Sub-Saharan Africa regional fellowship recipients

Since 1998, the LOreal Corporate Foundation and UNESCO have been committed to women in science and to increasing the number of women working in scientific research. 150 years after Marie Curies birth, still only 28%* of researchers are women and only 3% of Scientific Nobel Prizes are awarded to them. That is why, for the past 19 years, the LOreal-UNESCO For Women in Science programme has worked to honour and accompany women researchers at key moments in their careers. Since the programme began, it has supported more than 2,700 young women from 115 countries and celebrated 97 laureates, at the peak of their careers, including professors Elizabeth H. Blackburn and Ada Yonath, who went on to win a Nobel Prize.

Sandeep Rai, MD, LOreal South Africa highlighted the power of these women scientists and the women scientists who have been celebrated this year. The world continues to face unprecedented challenges such as climate change, water scarcity, illnesses and food security among other issues. Only a shared, controlled science, at the service of the worlds population, is able to meet the major challenges of the twenty-first century, and our researchers are the proof.

The recipients of the postdoctoral regional fellowships of 10,000 each are:

1. Charlette Tiloke, South Africa - Durban University of Technology

Title of project: Anticancer and antimicrobial activity of Moringa oleifera, and Sutherlandia frutescens and their nanoparticles

2. Kenda Knowles, South Africa - University of Kwazulu-Natal

Title of project: Statistical study of diffuse radio emission in ACT galaxy clusters with MeerKAT

The recipients of the doctoral fellowships of 5,000 each are:

1. Oluwademilade Fayemiwo, Nigeria - University of Johannesburg

Title of project: Novel tannin-based adsorbents from green tea for the removal of organic pollutants in oilfield produced water

2. Priscah Omoke, Kenya - Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science And Technology

Title of project: Characterisation of similarity orbits of invariant subspaces of norm-attainable operators

3. Olawumi Sadare, Nigeria - University of the Witwatersrand

Title of project: Development and evaluation of adsorption coupling bio-desulphurisation (AD/BDS) process for the desulphurisation of South African petroleum distillates

4. Juliana Mandha, Uganda - Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology

Title of project: Value addition in the fruit processing chain to increase the nutritional value and to enhance the small holder farmers income in Uganda

5. Carol Mahachi, Zimbabwe - Stellenbosch University

Title of project: Inflammation markers associated with kidney disease in HIV positive patients

6. Godiraone Nkoni, Botswana - University of Botswana

Title of project: variability in lower stratospheric ozone concentration over the Kalahari transect as a precursor for climate change assessment

7. Verena Gounden, South Africa - University of Kwa-Zulu Natal

Title of project: Effect of environmental endocrine disruptor Bisphenol A BPA on epigenetic regulation of steroid hormone metabolism and influence on associated levels of hormones among mother and child pairs

8. Cynthia Tamandjou, Cameroon - Stellenbosch University

Title of project: Hepatitis B virus mother-to-Child-transmission in Namibia: transmission dynamics and possibilities for elimination

9. Therina Du Toit, South Africa - Stellenbosch University

Title of project: The profiling of C11-oxy steroids by UPC2-MS/MS quantification in clinical conditions characterised by androgen excess and in steroid abuse

10. Lethiwe Mthembu, South Africa - Durban University of Technology

Title of project: Ionic liquid optimisation and synthesis of levulinic acid and levulinic acid derivatives from sugarcane bagasse

11. Maleki Assih, Togo - Universite Ouaga I Pr Joseph Ki-Zerbo

Title of project: Immunity in viral hepatitis B: Evaluation of the cytokine profile and immunoglobulins in vaccinated individuals and carriers of HBsAg in Burkina Faso

12. Augustina Frimpong, Ghana - University of Ghana

Title of project: Analysis of T cell receptor diversity in paediatric malaria patients

The LOreal-UNESCO For Women in Science Sub-Saharan Africa programme has reached many women across Africa. The prestigious awards ceremony where the scientists were presented with the fellowship took place on the evening of 8 November at The Venue Greenpark, Johannesburg.

For more information on the For Women in Science programme, go to www.ForWomenInScience.com.

*UNESCO Science Report Toward 2030, 2015
FAO has produced a new sourcebook on how to implement climate-smart approaches to agriculture, to help steer food systems in a sustainable direction. The sourcebook was launched at the Agriculture Action Day on the sidelines of the COP23 climate summit in Bonn.

Kate HoltAusAID via Wikimedia Commons

"Hunger, poverty, and climate can be tackled together through approaches such as climate-smart agriculture that recognise the critical linkages between sustainable agriculture and strategies that promote resource-use efficiency, conserve and restore biodiversity and natural resources, and combat the impacts of climate change," said Rene Castro, assistant director-general of the Climate, Biodiversity, Land and Water Department of FAO.

Ultimately, the world needs to produce 50% more food to feed nearly 10 billion people in 2050, and to find a way to do so with only a quarter of current per capita carbon emissions, Castro noted.

Increased attention on climate-smart agriculture

The online Climate-Smart Agriculture Sourcebook - Second Edition 2017 is the result of one of FAO's major areas of work that comes on the heels of the recently launched FAO's Climate Change Strategy.

It comprises a wide range of knowledge and expertise to help guide policymakers, programme managers, academics, extension services and other practitioners to make agricultural sectors more sustainable and productive while also contributing to food security and lower carbon intensity.

The second edition of the sourcebook adds new modules addressing climate change adaptation and mitigation, integrated production systems, knowledge-support systems for rural producers, the role of gender and how to improve implementation.

Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) has garnered increasing attention. Some 32 countries, half of them least-developed countries, and three-fourths of them in sub-Saharan Africa, specifically refer to CSA in their Nationally Determined Contributions to achieving pledges made under the Paris Agreement.

Climate-smart agriculture is one of the approaches to steer the needed transformation in the world's agriculture and food systems in ways that are both productive and sustainable and contribute to adaptation to and mitigation of climate change.

Many contexts, many factors

The sourcebook offers a deeper understanding of the CSA approach and the related five-step process geared to identifying and analysing suitable outcomes. This involves building the evidence base, strengthening national and local institutions, supporting enabling policy frameworks, enhancing financing options - available at the local, international and multilateral levels - and implementing practices at the field level.

It focuses on production issues related to crops, livestock, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture and integrated systems, as well as on the use of resources such as water, soils and land, genetic resources and energy.

Food systems and value chains - bringing in factors ranging from fertilisers to refrigeration - are also incorporated as potential areas for optimisation, while factors such as gender and social protection are also considered.

A key element for CSA is the landscape approach, which allows for a wider range of land use and conservation options to be pursued as flexible solutions.
Acumen was created in 2001 with the bold idea of revolutionising philanthropy. "For too long, we had witnessed unbridled markets overlook or exploit low-income communities and government and top-down philanthropy distort the dynamism and efficiency of markets, creating a hopeless cycle of dependency. We believed there had to be a better way - a third way - to tackle the problems of poverty," the organisation explains.

EthioChicken produces highly fertile, disease-resistant chickens and sells them to farmers at affordable prices. (Image: WikiCommons)

It set out to create a new kind of institution, one that would bridge the gap between the social impact of pure philanthropy and the efficiency and scale of market-based approaches. It would turn philanthropic dollars into patient capital and invest it in intrepid entrepreneurs building businesses to serve the poor.

We would create long-term solutions that would strengthen and support societies and give each and every individual the agency to change their lives.

Investments with impact

At the time, few had heard of the terms patient capital and impact investing. By investing in innovative business models that offer sustainable solutions to the problems facing the poor, Acumen established a model where the long-term social impact was combined with financial gains. Over the years, its investments have not only transformed millions of lives around the world but have also helped establish the commercial viability of previously untested sectors. Today, the sector of impact investing is growing fast and we are seeing how crucial patient capital and social enterprise has become in changing the way the world tackles poverty and, ultimately, does business.

To date, Acumen has invested more than $111m in social businesses across South Asia, East and West Africa, Latin America and the US. Of the sectors in which it invests, agriculture has been a core focus across all its regions. Since 2007, it has invested $38m in businesses and innovations designed to meet the needs of the smallholder farmers.

The organisations first agricultural investments were focused on solutions that improved yields by providing quality inputs to the farmers. In the light of new challenges facing small farmers, particularly climate change, it has evolved its strategy over the years. Today, Acumen focuses its investments across three areas:

 Financial services

 Aggregators

 Digital platforms that integrate farmers into local and global supply chains

Enhancing resilience

We believe these businesses not only improve farmers incomes but also enhance their climate resilience by enabling direct access to appropriate inputs, information, finance and buyers, as well as provide supply chain visibility.

For instance, in Africa Acumen invested in Esoko, a mobile platform that provides farmers with agronomic tips and market information. By leveraging the rapidity of text messaging, Esoko can deliver automated and personalised price alerts, buy and sell offers, and extension support messages to keep farmers well informed when making decisions in an increasingly volatile, climate-sensitive environment.

In Ethiopia, it invested in a company, EthioChicken, which produces highly fertile, disease-resistant chickens and sells them to farmers at affordable prices, helping them increase their productivity and incomes. These chickens also help address the countrys long-time issues with malnutrition and food insecurity.

In South Asia, it has invested in NRSP, a microfinance bank that offers microcredit, savings and other financial services to rural Pakistan with a focus on low-income farmers. The company currently has more than 170,000 active clients and offers financing rates up to three times cheaper than those available in the informal sector.

We continue to make high-impact investments across continents and evolve our strategy to effectively meet the needs of low-income communities. We believe our patient capital model of impact investing offers a viable solution to tackling poverty and can catalyse private capital to invest in unproven sectors, so we ultimately provide impoverished communities the choice and opportunity to live a life of dignity.
Speaking at the Inyathelo Philanthropy Forum in Cape Town on Thursday, 9 November, Professor William Gumede, noted that we need to focus on resilience in order to survive and prosper in the current context of state failure and lack of trust in democratic institutions. Gumede is an associate professor at the School of Government, University of the Witwatersrand and executive chairperson of the Democracy Works Foundation.

L-R: Professor William Gumede of the Democracy Works Foundation, Inyathelo programme director Nazli Abrahams and Noel Daniels, CEO of the Cornerstone Institute and Inyathelo board member.

Practically, resilience means making do with the resources that people have, to the maximum, with imagination. Even in an under-resourced community, people could be good mediators in addressing gang warfare, or they may have valuable skills from previous employment.

The real challenge is to get someone who grows up vulnerable, is rightfully angry and feels like giving up, the agency to persevere.

Gumede divided philanthropy into two types: Traditional big philanthropy, mostly implemented locally or globally through major corporations or foundations. The second pillar is citizen philanthropy  ordinary individuals giving money or volunteering their time and skills.

A challenge is for big philanthropists to support what the community identifies and prioritises  there has to be a mind-set change in how philanthropists look at giving.

More focus on social justice issues

He urged greater corporate engagement in social justice issues. People struggle to see the importance of social justice  it cant easily be marketed like other projects  but it is at the heart of society. They should also not shy away from the kind of issues that would strengthen democracy, such as access to information.

Getting involved in undoing inequality often seems to be where people step aside and dont want to engage.

He said that citizen philanthropy is an exciting opportunity that we often miss  when ordinary individuals give their money, time or services to civil society organisations and engage publicly with issues.

The problem is that people feel that, as individuals, they cant make an impact and withdraw from public engagement. The problems seem so big and they feel there is little that they can do.

While the black middle class has more income and time, people are vulnerable  change only started after 1994. Due to poor public education and health services, such costs take up a large proportion of middle class income. People are also supporting extended family and do not think they can get involved in philanthropy.

Members of the white middle class are also concerned they could be seen as patronising black people if they become involved, or fear there is no longer space for them.

Boosting citizen philanthropy

It is however important to boost citizen philanthropy, said Gumede. This can be done by encouraging people to get involved in civic engagement, for example fighting for consumer rights, teaching sport or getting involved on a school board.

He said that government could possibly improve the tax environment for giving  through a dedicated philanthropy tax for example, or tax payers could sign off a percentage of their annual income for giving. A proportion of municipal rates could also go to civil society or charity.

In an emerging democracy, philanthropys role is to reduce inequality; boost social solidarity so that those who are wealthy want to help those with limited means; to promote social justice as many of our current problems have to do with issues of the past; and promote active citizenship.
New customer preferences threaten the traditional business models of financial services companies and large banks, where growth and success has typically relied on fixed-cost infrastructure and manual processes. The greenfield, customer-centric innovations of fintechs are hot topics in every boardroom in the industry.

Nearly 30 new banking licenses were granted to start-up banks in the UK just in the last decade, many of these with fully digitised processes and ambitions of exponential growth through disruption of high street banking. In the USA, Google has banking licenses in over 30 states; and in South Africa, bank customer digitisation and process innovation is already well advanced, in some cases even more so than in developed countries. However, if digitisation is just an early stage in achieving outlying performance in a largely undisrupted industry, then the race for exponential growth is wide open.

Collaboration

The broader financial services landscape in South Africa has seen a groundswell of fintech-related initiatives, most of which indicate a preference for collaboration between large banks and start-ups. Established banks in South Africa are creating these ecosystems for entrepreneurs and harnessing next-generation thinking so they can stay ahead of the curve in the race for digital disruption and exponential growth. These leading institutions are aggressively partnering and purchasing start-ups or white-label capabilities to increase the innovative offerings in their value chain.

Last year Standard Bank announced a range of physical and virtual incubators, aimed at helping early stage entrepreneurs with facilities, mentoring and an expanded network. Standard Bank benefits from access to disruptive technologies in these incubators, plus it is investing in social entrepreneurs whose disruptive ideas can benefit society. Barclays has a global accelerator programme called TechStars, which includes a physical presence in Cape Town and offers a 13-week programme for start ups that includes access to senior executives, industry experts and mentors.

RMI Holdings CEO Herman Bosman says its tech incubator, Alpha Code, is an enabler for start-ups and offers investment opportunities for the company, which has a good track record of picking industry winners - Outsurance, Discovery, MMI and FirstRand. Nedbanks Business Accelerator focuses more on established entrepreneurs and provides a media platform through 702 and Cape Talk for young companies to gain exposure and achieve continued growth.

Some conditions for disruption are already in place: Traditional banks have huge infrastructures, operate under extremely restrictive regulation and have cost to income (CTI) ratios above 50%.

Start-up banks, in comparison, are lean and can achieve below 10% CTI, easily achieving the very thin margins needed to entice and switch ever more price-sensitive banking consumers. On the other hand, much of the main banks infrastructure can be considered its strength - robust IT platforms that offer very high-volume transacting; cross-border trade and settlements through a multi-national presence; and very strong and trusted brands linked to vast networks of bricks and mortar points of presence that support a 70%-banked mass market population.



The nature of disruption is likely to exploit the cost and regulatory burden, while successfully attacking the infrastructure benefits. The problem for start ups is that the incumbents understand this and are already doing it.

Arguably there is also a long, slow burn of customer growth to the left of the exponential curve as the huge unbanked population in South Africa trickle into the slowing economy. This is a dual challenge for local banks: To the left  bank the unbanked; to the right  achieve outlying performance with digitised, profitable customers. Innovation investment in South African banking is indeed driven by technology and improved customer-centricity, but first-mover advantage will depend on sorting the hype from genuine long-term value.

Regulation still favours big banks

Technology start-ups within the fintech arena are swiftly building trust with these digital narratives through the convenience and simplicity of their offerings, but so far they seem unlikely to convert this to the life-partner trust levels that big brand banks still enjoy. Here the burdensome regulation works in favour of the established banks; they have simply worked a lot harder and a lot longer to achieve compliance and credibility in the industry. The successful banks of the future will build on this by moving the disruptive business models from incubation to transformation so they diversify their trust equity into the digital convenience that fintech offers.

Some would argue that partnerships and incubators are still mainly peripheral activities for established banks and that disruptive thinking and innovation needs to extend right through an enterprise to truly harness its full potential. The counter argument is that many of these fintech solutions are still in the hype cycle phase and the banks periphery is the correct place for them until they are proven for mainstream.

In his latest book, Zone to Win, Geoffrey Moore argues for four different zones within an organisation that enable prioritisation and planning of resources to take advantage of disruptive innovation, while also actually running a successful business on established, currently profitable business models.

The performance and productivity zones rely on a model of sustaining innovation to make profit and manage costs respectively. These are the areas of hard numbers and established technologies. For a bank, core business revolves around large volume lending and deposit taking that requires robust transactional banking platforms. The Incubation zone is more than a think tank for playing with cool stuff, it has an executive level mandate to position the organisation to catch the next wave  arguably the partnerships and ecosystems that banks in South Africa have created in the last 10 years.

The difficult part, Moore predicts, is scaling the profitable, disruptive innovations into the transformation zone, where the enterprise has decided and announced that it will run a new line of business that is mission-critical to the evolution of their industry. Companies who fail to do this successfully are overtaken. Examples Moore cites in the tech world include Blackberry, Netscape, Lotus and Nokia.

Banks do not want to be on this list but they cannot rely on their traditional shock absorbers of regulation, size, infrastructure and brand value to keep themselves off the list.
Construction has begun on Asrin Property Developers' 98-unit Cedar Place development in Grassy Park in Cape Town. Handovers are expected to begin on 31 October 2018.

Since the release of the development to the market in May, 80% of the units have been sold and Asrin anticipates that the remainder will be sold soon, says project manager Ali Mohamed. The quick take-up could be due to a huge demand for reasonably priced homes in the southern suburbs and the fact that this development is very centrally located, he said.

Accessibility

Cedar Place is sited on Fifth Avenue, Grassy Park, which benefits from being on a public transport route and has numerous retail stores within walking distance. It is also within close proximity to schools and a medical centre, and is a five-minute drive from major retail chain stores.

All the units in Cedar Place have granite countertops, ceramic tiles and laminated wood flooring, stainless steel ovens, hobs and extractor hoods, and anodised aluminium windows and sliding doors. Units will have solar panel water heating, and all apartments are Wi-Fi and DStv-enabled. The complex will have a refuse room, laundry drying yards, perimeter electric fencing and paved and landscaped open areas. There will be a guardhouse and the development will have full access control at the entrance and exit.
Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini has welcomed the Constitutional Court's directives to the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) to deliver a comprehensive plan to the court by 8 December 2017, detailing how it will pay more than 17 million grant recipients.

According to the Social Development Department, the Minister has directed Sassa to comply with the directives and instructed the agencys Acting CEO, Pearl Bengu to avail all resources that may be needed by other government departments or state agencies to carry out these orders.

The Constitutional Courts order, issued this week, said the information must "specify matters such as definite roles and responsibilities, precise timelines, dependencies, desired outcomes and risk-mitigation measures". Following delivery of the plan, monthly progress reports must be given to the Court on implementation of the plan.

In addition to the December 8 deadline, the Constitutional Court directed Sassa to:

Fully comply with any present or future request by the Panel of Experts (panel) for access to information held by Sassa by providing the panel soft copies, clearly indexed, of documents containing the information requested within the timeframes stipulated by the Panel and, if unable to do so, to inform the Panel of the reasons for this within three working days of the request:

Provide the panel with appropriate and sufficient details on the process or processes undertaken by Sassa to obtain the services of service providers including the communications with the Office of the Chief Procurement Officer and any legal advice provided by Sassas legal unit or outside lawyers by 12 noon on Friday 17 November 2017;

Combine statistics and information of all entities involved in the payment of social grants into one document to be provided for the Panel on a monthly basis;

Request that the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) develop and implement a plan to inform all grant beneficiaries of the implications of the transition and benefits of receiving their social grants via bank accounts by a financial institution of their choice and report to the Court each month on progress made with regards to this plan.

Sassa has also been told to raise the alarm if needs arises to alert the court of its contingency plan if a seamless transition on the 1 April 2018 deadline is not feasible.

The social security agency has been locked in talks with the South African Post Office on how the two parastatals can work together to deliver grants to South Africans.

Background to the case

In March this year, the Constitutional Court extended Sassas contract with Cash Paymaster Services (CPS) for a year, in order to fulfil the constitutional obligation of paying social grants to beneficiaries.

CPS is responsible for the distribution of social grants to more than 17 million beneficiaries. Its contract, which was declared invalid by the Constitutional Court in 2014, would have come to an end on 31 March 2017. The court, however, suspended the invalidity so grants could continue to be paid while Sassa made another plan for 1 April 2018.
Not only is data essential for the smooth operation of any business, but perhaps more so is the protection and backing up thereof. Most organisations have - or should have - a data protection and business continuity policy in place. However, this needs to be underpinned by using a data protection and recovery partner you can trust.

Iniel Dreyer

There are many options to choose from, from large multinationals to smaller local providers. While big brands such as Amazon are attractive, highly publicised outages like they recently experienced are causing consumers to lose faith in their capabilities.

The local advantage

Local partners can offer equal, if not better, service and are perfectly positioned to understand the nuances of South Africas industry and data protection and privacy laws.

Many South African businesses compete at a global level yet, they still need to adhere to South African data security legislations such as the emerging PoPI Act. Local backup and data recovery providers understand these regulations and are geared to cater to the needs of South African business.

I have seen a gradual uptake of online support globally, and people are starting to grow more comfortable with the idea of remote assistance. Yet, have found that South African businesses still prefer one-on-one communication with their partners. Telephone assistance with real people or on-site engineers who can personally resolve issues in record time is still highly valued here.

Local providers are also far more flexible in terms of complying with customer requirements. Larger brands tend to offer set, pre-packaged services which organisations then need to comply with. There is little scope for movement or adaptation. A smaller, medium-sized provider, however, is likely to offer a more personal service, tailoring their solutions around their customers own data policies to create service alignment which addresses those needs.

Locals keep up with the bigger picture

One of the key considerations that organisations are taking into account when selecting a service provider is the global shift towards the cloud. Businesses need to ensure they select a service provider who can adapt to changing business needs and shift with their customers as they grow. International brands are primed for trends like the shift to the cloud, however, don't discount local service providers.

Most local backup providers are partnered with international IT brands. Therefore, they are able to offer their products along with value-added services such as on-site support that are aligned with global trends.

Red flags

There are many considerations to take into account when selecting a service provider, however, there are also a number of red flags that businesses should keep an eye out for in their elimination process.

One of the biggest oversights that organisations make when choosing their backup provider is the potential hidden costs. Data storage is relatively inexpensive; however, data retrieval can be very expensive, especially in South Africa where bandwidth costs are so high. Organisations need to bear this in mind and ensure they are completely aware of data restoration costs upfront.

Some service providers amortise data retrieval costs into their monthly fee, which can prove less expensive in the long run, particularly when data needs to be accessed regularly. Others do not, and can charge exorbitant sums for data recovery. Organisations may wish to use these providers purely for long-term storage, retaining frequently accessed data on site.

Organisations should also be concerned if there is no easily available contact, especially from the initial beginning of the sales cycle. If you are unable to receive quick and informative service at the point of enquiry, chances are your service will be even less available when the time comes to retrieve your data. Having a touch point or contactable person at your provider is key to ensuring peace of mind that you and your business is a priority.

When disaster strikes and you need to ensure business continuity, the smaller players tend to shine. Not only do they typically have access to the expertise of their international partners quicker than direct customers would, simply due to partnership agreements and accompanying SLAs, but they often have smaller customer bases and can provide personalised care.

This is why, when it comes down to crunch time, businesses need to the assurance of a trusted partner who is very much present, who understands their business personally. A partner who, quite simply, cares.
African countries have a long road to travel to advance to the level of technological capacity common in the developed world. However, some African countries are making strides to boost their communications infrastructure, establish 'technology parks' and increase spending on research and development.

Most of this government-sponsored activity is done in conjunction with efforts to diversify economies away from dependency on commodities and towards more industrialisation. Once the groundwork has been established and the private sector accepts that a country is serious about becoming more technologically savvy, then private investment can enter to further boosts technology advancement.

The Ebene Cyber Tower located in Ebene Cybercity in Port Louis, Mauritius. Construction began in 2001, with the suburb being promoted as a new information technology hub for Mauritius and as a link between African and Asian markets. Image courtesy of Jean Francois Koenig, Wikimedia Commons.

The Africa Country Benchmark Report (ACBR) for 2017 amalgamates business and economic indexes to create an inclusive and holistic view of each African countrys performance. Within these sectors, performance in individual fields is also gauged. For achievement in technology, ACBR assessed performances on indexes such as the World Banks Ease of Doing Business, the WEFs Global Competitiveness Report, Cornell Universitys Global Innovation Index, the WWWFs Web Index and others.

Here are Africas Top 10 technological advanced countries, according to ACBR:

Technological advancement in Africa favours small, relatively affluent countries, where political stability has been achieved, and larger countries that have a long history of industrialisation and established foreign markets for their industrial exports.

Cape Verde, Mauritius and Seychelles have established thriving economies on their islands, safeguarded from mainland warfare, refugees, terrorists and insurgencies by oceans. Under democratic governments, policies have been established to promote the information and communications technology sector, giving tax breaks and other incentives to foreign investors. Although small in population, Botswana, Namibia and Swaziland enjoy the peace of the Southern Africa region and have established industrial parks and other incentives to increase their countries technological capacities.

The Botswana Innovation Hub (BIH) was incorporated to develop and operate a science and technology park to aid in diversifying the economy and help transform Botswana into a knowledge economy. Image courtesy: http://www.bih.co.bw.

Egypt, Morocco, South Africa and Tunisia have been exporting industrial goods to the Americas, Asia, Europe and the Middle East for decades and have succeeded in staying competitive by embracing technological advances. Their relatively affluent populations have spawned sophisticated consumers who demand the best of the latest gadgets, much of which is assembled locally. Such manufacturing requires skills training and an expanded, technologically empowered workforce.

Morocco and South Africa excel in auto manufacturing, which is particularly demanding in terms of technology. Egypt and Tunisias widespread communications technologies were put to use during the Arab Spring revolutions that toppled dictators using social media. Sub-Saharan Africas dictators have sought to suppress social media ever since but are unable to stem the tide of the continents rising technological capabilities.

The following map illustrates the Top 10 and Bottom 10 tech performers in the Africa Country Benchmark Report (ACBR):
Bongani Maseko, Airports Company South Africa chief executive, has been appointed to a two-year term as chair of the world governing board of Airports Council International (ACI), the trade representative of the world's airports.

Maseko took up the position after being formally voted in by members at the recent ACI Africa / World General Assembly held in Mauritius.

Maseko says he is honoured to take on the role of chair for ACI World. The confidence that the ACI Assembly has placed in me speaks to the role of African airports in ensuring that they are competing with the best in the world in terms of best practice on airport development, management and operations.

Aviation in Africa is slowly becoming a strong contributor to global economic growth as the tourism industry grows. The next 20 years will see the most growth in passenger numbers coming from Africa, says Maseko.

Maseko, 49, has 24 years of experience in airport management having first joined the industry at San Francisco Airport. He has a degree in Aviation Business Administration from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and Airport Systems Planning and Design and Airport Ground Transportation Planning from the University of California.

I am honoured to work in collaboration with leading airport professionals on the World Governing Board so that that the voices of airports globally continue to contribute meaningfully, he says.

Established in 1991, ACI represents airports interests with governments and international organizations such as the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), develops standards, policies and practices for airports, and provides information and training opportunities to raise standards around the world.
DUBAI, UAE - Emirates Airlines on Sunday agreed to purchase 40 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners for $15.1bn at list price, its chief Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum said. Emirates is already the world's largest client for Boeing's 777, with 165 jets and another 164 on firm order.

Image Source: Boeing - Boeing 787 Dreamliner

Sheikh Ahmed said the deal raises total outstanding orders from US aerospace giant Boeing, the global competitor of Europe's Airbus Industries, to as high as $90bn.

Delivery scheduled for 2022

Delivery of the Dreamliners is scheduled to start in 2022, he said on the first day of the Dubai Airshow.

Emirates, the largest carrier in the Middle East, is also the world's biggest client for Airbus 380 superjumbo jets with 100 planes. It has firm orders for another 46 jets.

"We have reached a conclusion that the Boeing 787-10 jets are the best choice for us," Sheikh Ahmed said.

"Emirates' orders today will be delivered from 2022, taking the airline well into the 2030s," he said in a statement. "Some of these will be replacements so that we maintain a young and efficient fleet, and others will power our future network growth.

"We see the 787 as a great complement to our 777 and A380 fleet, providing us with more flexibility to serve a range of destinations as we develop our global route network."

Powering Emirates' fleet expansion and future growth

Boeing welcomed the deal.

"We are excited that Emirates has selected the Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner to power its fleet expansion and future growth," said Kevin McAllister, head of the company's commercial aviation division. "Emirates' endorsement of the 787 Dreamliner extends our long-standing partnership and will sustain many jobs in the United States."

Later, McAllister signed an agreement to sell Azerbaijan Airlines five Boeing 787-8 for a list price of around $1bn. The carrier already has two 787-8 jets.

The announcement of the Boeing deal with Emirates came amid speculations the Dubai national carrier was also planning to announce another to buy more Airbus 380 superjumbo jets. That deal may still go ahead after the hammering out of final details, a source within the industry said.

Capacity optimisation and efficiency initiatives see strong rebound in net profit

On Thursday, Emirates said its half-year net profit rebounded strongly from a slump last year due to cost saving measures and favourable exchange rates.

The airline posted a net profit of $452 million in the period from April to September, up 111% on the same period last year. That was more than the $340m net income for the whole of the last fiscal year to March 31.

The rise in earnings was driven by "capacity optimisation and efficiency initiatives across the company, steady business growth, and a more favourable foreign exchange situation compared to the same period last year," the airline said.

Source: AFP
Finalising the code of conduct for the motor industry is not going to be an easy process, given the strong opposition from the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to the draft.

Les Mc Master, director of R2RSA

The current status quo suits them just fine, says Les Mc Master, director of Right to Repair South Africa.

We agree that the code needs to be realistic and practical. In fact, we welcome a very practical implementation of change as soon as possible. The true reality in South Africa is that consumers can no longer be denied the right to have their vehicle serviced at a workshop of their choice and at an acceptable fee. For too long, the OEMs have been restricting access and charging exorbitant fees. Things have to change, he says.

Mc Master adds that the threat of disinvestment should not be used as a scare tactic to hinder change. Far greater reasons for disinvestment would more likely be the current volatile political climate and depressed economy. Of more concern should be the potential job loss factor in the SME aftermarket automotive sector if a code enforcing access to information is not implemented. Independent workshops will not be able to sustain their businesses over the next few years if the current restrictions continue.

Service plans

When it comes to service plans, he emphasises that the aim is not to do away with service plans but rather to give consumers the choice of whether or not they want a service plan. Consumers need to understand that they are paying a premium for a built-in service plan.

He highlights that the European guidelines for competition in the automotive aftermarket have been tried and tested for 15 years. The principles of competition in Europe do not just apply to the automotive industry, but to other industries too. The United States too has a long history of addressing competition issues in the automotive industry.

These are the biggest automotive markets in the world, with the strongest intellectual property rights. All OEMs in those countries are complying with the rules. Property rights are adequately protected and the size and strength of the automotive industry in those markets clearly shows that the concerns raised have no basis.

He adds that R2RSA strongly believes the European guidelines should be used as a good example of best practice. The Russian code has hardly any experience in the local automotive market and appears to not fully be aligned with international best practice. In our engagements with the Competition Commission we have made mention of this, he says.

Good for the economy

A spokesperson for a replacement parts supplier and supporter of the R2R campaign, who wishes to remain anonymous, says he has been following the Right to Repair campaigns promulgated in Europe and elsewhere and believes the SA code of conduct would bode well for an economy beset with challenges. Exclusivity over the years has had an adverse effect on consumers, restricting fair choice and resulting in economic imbalances, he says. We have been taking cognisance of the consumers needs and these include the need for an alternative to the OEMs. There has to be a solution that assists customers maintain and repair their vehicles within their budgetary constraints.

He adds that the anti-competitive environment is in itself a latent and structural economic defect, the consequence of which prevents progress, hinders consumers rights and avails the benefits to the few instead of the broader economy.

Mc Master agrees. OEM representatives are claiming that anybody can currently participate in the industry on the same terms and conditions. Our stance is that it should not be up to the OEMS to lay down these terms and conditions, which is currently the case. They should be based on internationally acceptable competition law.

They also claim that 75% of the vehicles in the SA market are out of warranty, service or maintenance plans and conclude that there is ample opportunity for interested parties to compete in this market. Besides the fact that they are admitting that 25% of the market is currently being held captive by the OEMs, even in the remaining out-of-warranty portion of the market, competition is not fair because the technical specifications, tools, software access etc needed to service and repair these vehicles are not available.

There can be no compromise on customer safety and quality of service. Access to information will ensure just that and will make servicing a more affordable option for South Africans, in turn making our roads safer, says Mc Master.

We look forward to further engagements with stakeholders on the code and will continue to pursue a solution that has consumers best interests at heart and gives aftermarket small medium enterprises a chance to stay in business, he concludes.
Alternative rock band, Incubus has announced its first South African tour in Pretoria on 24 February at the Voortrekker Monument, and in Cape Town on 28 February 2018 at the Green Point A Track. The Californian rockers released their eighth album this year, 8 and are celebrating the 20th anniversary of their first major label album, S.C.I.E.N.C.E with a world tour.

The tour will have fans taken on a musical journey of their vast career, spanning over 20 years of hits and crowd favourites, and will include support by South Africas biggest rock legacy acts.

Click through for Facebook events info for Cape Town and Pretoria.

Pretoria

Date: Saturday, 24 February 2018

Venue: Voortrekker Monument

Time: Noon until midnight

Cape Town

Date: Wednesday, 28 February 2018

Venue: Green Point A Track

Time: 16h00 (Gates open)

Tickets on sale at www.incubussatour.co.za
PR Newswire

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 13, 2017

- China's exclusive national carrier continues expansion in North America with additional service from Los Angeles International Airport

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Star Alliance member Air China is adding to its three daily Los Angeles-Beijing flights with a new route that connects Southern California's Silicon Beach to China's own Silicon Valley starting Dec. 7, 2017. The three times weekly nonstop service between Los Angeles (LAX) and Shenzhen (SZX) will be operated by the airline's newest Dreamliner, the Boeing 787-9. It will be the first direct service from Los Angeles to China's City of the Future.

"With China as Los Angeles' top trading partner, we are committed to growing and strengthening the economic and cultural ties between the two. The new nonstop Los Angeles-Shenzhen service brings together two of the world's leading technology and innovation hubs," Dr. Zhihang Chi, Vice President and General Manager of Air China North America stated.

According to the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC), majority of Chinese investment into the United States originates from Guangdong Province which covers Shenzhen and Guangzhou.

Dr. Chi added, "At no time is the connectivity between these two cities more needed than it is now when China's homegrown tech companies with headquarters in Shenzhen are expanding their presence and direct investments in the United States. This new service offers more options for business and leisure travelers to Shenzhen and Hong Kong which is only 19 miles away.

"As this will be operated with our newest Dreamliner which includes a premium economy class cabin, we are confident our competitive fares and affordable, easy upgrade programs will be very attractive for travelers to Shenzhen, Hong Kong and beyond. In addition to extra legroom, our premium economy passengers also enjoy priority boarding and more Phoenix miles, among other amenities."

Air China's B787-9 three-cabin Dreamliner features 30 seats in Capital Pavilion (business class), 34 premium economy and 229 economy class seats for a total of 293.

Schedule and other details for the new service:

Flight #

Origin-Destination

Departure*

Arrival*

Frequency

Aircraft

CA 769

Shenzhen-Los Angeles

23:30

20:00

Mon, Thu, Sat

B787-9

CA 770

Los Angeles-Shenzhen

22:50

5:40+2**

Mon, Thu, Sat

B787-9

Note: * All times are local. ** +2 = Two days. Days of operation and times are subject to seasonal changes.

This announcement, Air China's latest in a series of unprecedented expansions in North America, brings the average of its seasonally adjusted flights to 150 per week between cities throughout the region and China. Since 2013, China's national carrier has been launching a new route every year.

In September 2016, Air China launched its nonstop service between Shanghai (PVG) and San Jose (SJC), its first direct service between Shanghai and North America. The international carrier's other U.S. and Canada gateways offer nonstop services to Beijing from Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Newark, Washington Dulles, Houston, Honolulu, Vancouver and Montreal.

About Air China

A Star Alliance member and China's exclusive national carrier, Air China is the only airline granted the privilege of having the flag of China painted on the fuselage of its fleet. In addition to its commercial operations, it also provides exclusive special flight services for China's senior government officials on state visits to other countries. It is the top Asian airline in brand value, according to Brand Finance 2016. As well, it is the only airline in the top 20 of Millward Brown's Most Valuable Chinese Brands 2016.

With a fleet of 590 passenger aircraft and freighters, Air China serves 174 cities in 40 countries and regions. It offers access to 1330 destinations in 193 countries through its Star Alliance affiliation. It holds the controlling shares in Air Macau, Shenzhen Airlines, Shandong Airlines, Dalian Airlines, Tibet Airlines, Beijing Airlines and Air China Inner Mongolia Limited. Next to the Swire Group, Air China is the second largest stakeholder of Cathay Pacific Airways.

Visit www.airchina.us or call 800-882-8122 for sales and reservations.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/596661/Air_China_Logo.jpg
Reciba en su email: noticias de ultima hora, analisis tecnicos o el cierre de mercado

Email no valido Nombre requerido Recibira las informaciones mas relevantes del dia en tiempo real Que informacion desea recibir? Noticias de Ultima hora Boletin Cierre de Mercado Boletin analisis tecnico Boletin Fundsnews Debe seleccionar un tipo de boletin Acepto la Politica de privacidad Debe aceptar la politica de privacidad Responsable EMPRESAS DEL GRUPO WEB FINANCIAL GROUP Finalidad La remision de informacion, novedades y promociones Establecimiento o mantenimiento de Relaciones Comerciales. Legitimacion Consentimiento del interesado. Interes legitimo en el desarrollo de la relacion comercial Destinatario Empresas del Grupo WEB FINANCIAL GROUP Derechos Acceso, rectificacion, supresion, limitacion, oposicion y portabilidad Informacion adicional Politica de Privacidad de nuestra pagina Web + INFORMACION
Scott Olson/Getty Images(NEW YORK) -- This months slaughter inside a small Texas church has compelled the churchs pastor to carry a gun, but some fellow clergy are already armed with the goal of protecting their congregants.

Churches are more vulnerable than ever before, pastor Joe Worley of First Baptist Church in Groves, Texas, said.

His congregation is about three hours east of Sutherland Springs, where Devin Kelley allegedly blasted his way into a church Nov. 5 with a high-powered rifle, killing 26 people and wounding 20.

While Worley, 56, puts his "trust in the lord," he's shaken by such mass shootings, the clergyman said.

You think that it will never happen but we need to be careful, as Christians, not to be naive, he said.

There have been other recent attack on churches.

A gunman shot and killed one person and injured seven others with gunfire at the Burnette Chapel of Christ in Antioch, Tennessee, on Sept. 24.

Two years ago, Dylann Roof apparently spurred by white nationalist views, killed nine people who were meeting for a bible study at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina.

And an usher was slain inside the Reformation Lutheran Church in Wichita, Kansas, in 2009. In Arvada, Colorado, at the Youth With a Mission Center, Matthew Murray shot two people in 2007 before heading to Colorado Springs to kill five other people gathered at the New Life Church, where a volunteer security guard shot him with a gun of her own.

The First Baptist Church in southeast Texas is like any other, meant to be a place of reverence; a safe haven for anyone to pray and express spiritual beliefs.

You allow people to come in regardless of where they are in life, pastor Worley said. But being gracious creates an exposure.

A couple years ago, he said, a member who worked as a policeman asked him about the churchs emergency plan. We dont have anything, Worley said he replied.

Then, he said, the church went from novices to understanding how to become the tip of the spear for church safety.

The church founded the Hedge Ministry, which is inspired by the bible to create a defense, Worley said.

The ministry now boasts 40 trained staffers who staff doors and monitor closed-circuit cameras, while several members have concealed-carry permits.

Worley also oversaw the installation of a lockdown room in the churchs nursery.

If theres something happening in our building, a magnetic door shuts and a shooter would not be able to get into that room, he said.

The rooms phone, the pastor said, dials one number only: to police.

Worshippers who come to his church are permitted to carry concealed weapons. Although Texas is an open-carry state, anybody coming with weapons in the open are asked to cover, he said.

But Worley himself, who is licensed to carry a concealed weapon, refuses to wear his weapon while preaching.

Ive told my safety team, Listen, I cant be up there teaching and preaching and also carrying. So Im going to trust in the Lord and trust you guys that if something happens, you will act, he said.

Arming other churches

At the Marengo Christian Church, 45 minutes north of Columbus, Ohio, pastor Jeff Copley remembered what he said a law enforcement member told a religious leaders' conference a decade ago: These mass shootings are going to be a problem for your churches.

He remains convinced that churches are vulnerable.

We have largely become soft targets, Copley said.

He started concealed-carry training courses in 2004 as a way to increase attendance and posted a sign on the building that grants members the right to bring arms into the Morrow County church.

Since then, he has seen his 50-member evangelical congregation, including farmers, machinists and highway workers, turn to firearms.

We say its their right if they want to exercise it, and others have been mugged or disabled by vicious attacks, he said. Theres also women who are abused by a spouse or victims of rape.

He declined to say whether he carries a gun in the pulpit.

At the kickoff of each training seminar, Copley said, he recites the same directive.

I say, I pray for them, I pray for myself that, whenever I put my gun on, my prayer is I will never have to use it, he said. So far, thats been an answered prayer.

Despite a Maryland congregation filled with some of the finest law enforcement and intelligence members in the federal government, pastor Lincoln Burruss scheduled a concealed-carry course for him and his wife.

My wife and I have been talking about getting a gun in the house, the pastor, 52, and father of three children said.

Burruss said he preaches to 1,200 members at the Central Baptist Church of Camp Springs in Temple Hills, Maryland. Im fine without a gun, but it [sets] my wife at ease.

He and his wife will join several members of his congregation in a concealed-carry course so they can legally be armed.

The church, he said, has surveillance cameras, and an armed security detail for many members of the CIA and FBI sitting in the pews.

He doesn't think he needs a gun on his person while delivering a sermon because many things are out of his hands.

The bible says as time goes on folks are going to become more wicked, he said. So theres no more fear.

Still, Burruss wants to help his congregation feel safe, he said, which means turning to bolder measures like firearms.

I have a lot of folks here that are worried, he said. I say, Were in Gods hands and I will continue to put measures in place to keep my people safe.

Guns as a 'minimizer'

John Brenner, president and chief instructor at the Tactical Defense Institute, which has trained some Ohio school administrators and some of pastor Copleys church security ministers at Marengo Christian Church.

More clergy are seeking ways to be ready if someone comes to the churches to kill, Brenner said.

Its dawned on everyone that bad things happen to good people, Brenner, whose West Union, Ohio, company provides firearms and physical-defense training, added.

But hes not saying that guns are a panacea. Rather they are a minimizer, he said, and certainly stand a good chance of reducing the death toll in the hands of someone trained to use them.

That means having a staff of properly trained people who are willing to put in the extra time, he said, and do more than just the concealed-carry permit seminars. They need rigorous training, he added.

The risks of arming churches

Larry Johnsons phone hasnt stopped ringing at the Rhema Bible Training College in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, since the Nov. 5 church shooting in Texas.

Were living in a torn society right now, the schools director of security said. Twenty years ago, we would never dream of these things happening.

A former bodyguard for the late televangelist Oral Roberts, Johnson said the urgency to protect churches is reaching a fever pitch, but cautions that congregants carrying guns could deliver more bloodshed.

Im not against people being armed in the church, but Im saying they need to be trained so if there is an emergency, they can respond and react professionally, he said.

The concealed-carry permit requirements give people a false sense of security and dont do nearly enough to protect others, Johnson, a retired Tulsa policeman who has worked in law enforcement for 42 years, said.

Gun choice, ammunition and experience all factor into whether a mass shooter can be stopped, and without collateral victims, Johnson said.

If youre going to have people in the audience who are not law-enforcement trained carrying weapons in case of an emergency occurs," he added, "you cant be confident those people are good marksman."

They need to be trained by professional people.

He believes the risks are too great for his 14,000 members, many of them college students, who attend services on the 500-acre campus.

Rather than arming everyone, he said, training the ushers to become the backbone of your security can be a strong first line of defense.

If you greet people at the door and you say My name is, and whats yours? that throws them off, he said. "That puts them in a state of paranoia. Ushers can perceive problems before they even start.

The family of church

Pastor Copley, who likens himself to a shepherd protecting his flock, said members of his Ohio church are just like his own kin.

These are my family, he said. Its the same heart connection.

If hes ever confronted by a mass shooter, Copley said, he would fight to protect anybody from harm.

This church is where my children were born, where my loved ones passed away," he added. "If someone breaks down my door and attacks my family, I will protect them by any means."

Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.




WASHINGTON (PTI): The Pentagon has been asked by US Congressional leaders to develop a "forward-looking" strategy to form an enduring defence relationship with India.



Congressional leaders reconciling the differences between the House and Senate versions of the National Defense Authorisation Act (NDAA-2018) also asked the US and India to work closely in Afghanistan.



The new version of the NDAA-2018 require the Secretary of Defence to "develop a forward-looking strategy that would build upon current objectives and goals, underlining a mutual desire to develop an enduring defence relationship with India".



According to it, the US and India "should work closely with Afghanistan" to promote stability in the region to include targeted infrastructure development and economic investment, means to address capability gaps in country, and improved humanitarian and disaster relief assistance.



The US Congress in its last NDAA-2017 had designated India as a 'Major Defence Partner'.



In its latest conference report, the Congressional leaders on Thursday said that the designation of 'Major Defence Partner' is unique to India, and institutionalises the progress made to facilitate defence trade and technology cooperation between the United States and India to a level commensurate with the closest allies and partners of America.



"The designation promotes joint exercises, defence strategy and policy coordination, military exchanges, and port calls in support of defence cooperation between the United States and India," it said.



Reconciled version of the NDAA-2018 now heads to the House and Senate floor for formal approval, before it is sent to the White House for US President Donald Trump to sign it into a law.



Among other things, it asked Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and the Defence Secretary Jim Mattis to develop a strategy for advancing defence cooperation between the United States and India.






VARANASI (PTI): Chief of Army Staff General Bipin Rawat has said there was no shortage of arms and ammunition to the forces and they are fully prepared to give befitting reply to enemies.



The Indian army chief, who was here to attend the bicentenary celebrations of the 9 Gorkha Rifles at 39 Gorkha Training Centre, also assured the nation that the borders are fully secured.



"The Army is fully prepared to deal with our enemies and give them befitting reply," he told mediapersons on Friday.



"There is no shortage of arms and ammunition with the army and the need of the hour was to continuously upgrade to latest technology. And the Army was getting itself equipped with the modern weapons," he added.



Gen Rawat arrived here with his family on Thursday to attend the two-day bicentenary celebrations from November 9 to 11.



An official press statement said that the Gen Rawat took part in the event also in the capacity of the president of the Gorkha Brigade.



A galaxy of senior officers, both serving and retired, and 500 veterans, many of whom came from far-flung areas in Nepal, attended the event along with their families.



Gen Rawat also laid wreath at the war memorial to pay homage to the martyrs of the regiment and released the First Day Cover to mark the occasion, the statement added.


By Ann O'Loughlin

Ireland's EU quota for Dublin Bay prawn fishing will be cut by 45% next year if a decision to change how landings are assessed is not overturned, it has been claimed in the High Court.

Inishmore-based Pat Fitzpatrick, a member of the Killybegs Fishermen's Organisation, was granted permission by the court today to challenge a decision by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, to close a section of the Porcupine Bank, off the west and south coasts, to nephrops fishing also known as Dublin Bay prawn fishing.

Mr Fitzpatrick says his livelihood is at risk if the Minister's decision is allowed to stand over what is a 15m per year industry.

The court heard the Minister closed an area to nephrop fishing in September after receiving advice from the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) that it was being over-fished and the country was already close to reaching its national quota under EU rules.

It has remained closed since then and it appears it will continue to be closed next month, Mr Fitzpatrick's counsel David Conlan Smyth told the court.

The reason the Minister issued the closure order was because the SFPA had said that, despite returns from fishermen that the catch for the January to July period this year was 773 tonnes, the actual catch was 1991 tonnes.

This was because the SFPA had decided to unilaterally change the system for assessing catches, counsel said. Up until this year, the catch estimate was based on vessel logs which were sent to the SFPA.

This was changed when the SFPA decided it would be based on time out at sea.

While this had been flagged from July, there had been no opportunity for Mr Fitzpatrick to make representations before the closure order was made and this was a breach of the right to be heard, counsel said.

Asked by Mr Justice Seamus Noonan if his client was saying that fishermen were being accused of "fiddling the figures", counsel said that was so.

Counsel added it was being done in circumstances where the figures will be reported to the European Commission which will impose a 45% cut on Ireland's nephrops quota next year, apart from any levies that may be imposed.

His client was saying the Minister should not abandon his power to the SFPA and should have considered all the evidence before making the closure order.

Mr Justice Noonan said he would grant leave to bring judicial review proceedings against the Minister and the SFPA, but would not grant any orders prohibiting the closure until he had heard from the other side. He adjourned the matter for two weeks.
Four men charged with conspiracy to murder a Dublin man have been remanded in custody.

Alan Wilson, Luke Wilson, Liam Brannigan and Joseph Kelly are accused of plotting to murder Gary Hanley, 28, from Dublins north inner city.

In an operation targeting organised crime gangs, gardai from Special Crime Operations assisted by the Emergency Response Unit and the Armed Support Unit arrested the four men last Monday evening in the city centre's north-side.

The probe was in connection with the ongoing feud between rival Hutch-Kinahan gangs which has resulted in the deaths of 12 people.

Gardai also seized a firearm.

The four who were arrested for conspiracy to murder were detained for the past week under the provisions of section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007.

They were charged over the weekend and held pending their appearance before Judge Michael Walsh at Dublin District Court on Monday morning.

Alan Wilson, 38, from New Street Gardens, Dublin 8 and Liam Brannigan, 37, from Bride Street, Dublin 8 are charged with conspiracy to murder Gary Hanley at a location within the State between September 15 and November 6.

Co-defendants Joseph Kelly, 35, from Kilworth Road, Drimnagh, Dublin 12 and Luke Wilson, 23, from Cremona Road in Ballyfermot, Dublin 10 are also accused of conspiracy to murder Mr Hanley along with two other firearms charges for unlawful possession of Beretta handgun and 15 rounds of ammunition with intent to endanger life at Philipsburgh Avenue, Fairview, Dublin 3 on November 6, the date of their arrest.

The district court cannot grant bail in a murder conspiracy case.

They were remanded in custody by request of gardai to appear via video-link at Cloverhill District Court on Thursday.

Detective Garda John Rourke told Judge Michael Walsh that Mr Kelly replied no comment when he was charged on Saturday at a Dublin garda station.

Defence solicitor Cahir OHiggins said the accused was on social welfare and the judge acceded to his request to grant legal aid to his client.

Det Garda Declan Maloney said Luke Wilson made no reply when he was charged.

His solicitor John ODoherty said Luke Wilson was on social welfare and legal aid was granted after the court was provided with a statement of means.

Liam Brannigan answered no comment when he was charged at just after 8pm on Saturday at Store Street Station, Det Garda Anthony Kennedy told the court.

Defence solicitor Edward Bradbury consented the garda application for his client to be remanded in custody to appear again on Thursday.

He applied for legal aid, however, the court was told there would be a Garda objection.

Mr Bradbury said his client had been on social welfare until eight weeks ago.

He lived at Bride Street with his mother, the solicitor said.

Judge Walsh deferred ruling on this legal aid application and said the defendants details had to be verified by the Department of Social Protection and passed on to the prosecuting garda.

Alan Wilson made no reply after each charge, Det Garda Brian Johnston told the court.

He was granted legal aid and remanded in custody.

None of the defendants addressed the court, however, Alan Wilson could be seen acknowledging the presences of a supporter in the public gallery.

They have not yet indicated how they will plead to the charges.
Update 11.54am: Bob Geldof has officially handed back his Freedom of the City of Dublin award.

Earlier:Bob Geldof has arrived at City Hall in Dublin to return his Freedom of the City of Dublin.

The campaigner said it is in protest against Aung San Suu Kyi holding the same honour.

Myanmar's leader has been widely condemned for failing to tackle the ethnic cleansing of Rohingya Muslims.

He admitted the move is a PR stunt.

"It is a PR stunt to try and dissociate this city from a murder. I don't want to give this up, I'm really proud of it. I get handed things by states and cities around the world but I'm a Dub and this meant very much to me," he said.

"It doesn't mean much to anybody else but to me, I don't want to do but it's the most I can do - and the least," he added.

The Lord Mayor of Dublin has suggested it is hypocritical of Bob Geldof to hand back his Freedom of the City.

Lord Mayor Micheal MacDonncha believes she should be stripped of the Freedom of Dublin, but is not impressed with Bob Geldof.

"Bob Geldof is entitled to return his award if he wishes to do so. It should be pointed out that as Ardmheara I have condemned the persecution of the Rohingya people and their expulsion from their homes by the military in Myanmar and the failure of Aung San Suu Kyi to even acknowledge, let alone condemn, what the UN has described as ethnic cleansing.

"I have met Rohingya representatives in Ireland and I am pledged to assist them. When I raised the issue of removing the Freedom of the City from the Myanmar leader, consensus was not reached among the groups on the City Council, though all have condemned the persecution of the Rohingya people, and the matter is not closed.

"Regarding Mr Geldof himself, I find it ironic that he makes this gesture while proudly retaining his title as Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire, given the shameful record of British imperialism across the globe.

"Mr Geldof last year grossly insulted the men and women of the 1916 Rising in the centenary year when he compared them to so-called 'Islamic State' (IS), causing offence to Dubliners and Irish people generally."

Earlier, Geldof told RTE Radio One about his intention to hand back his 'Freedom of the City of Dublin' this morning.

"I don't want to be on it with a killer, someone who is at best a handmaiden to genocide and an accomplice to murder. I know that sounds grandstanding but forgive me if that's the case," he said.

He told Sean O'Rourke he does not want to be associated with the award while it is also held by Myanmars leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

'If they take her off then I'd like to have it back because I'm very proud of having it and it pains me to give it up'.
John Halligan will be briefed on international political tensions by the Department of Foreign Affairs today.

The move comes after the Junior Minister said he wanted to travel to North Korea on a peace mission.
The HSE has put in place a private air ambulance service to bring seriously ill children to British hospitals for transplants after difficulties arose with the night-time service provided by the Air Corps and Irish Coast Guard, writes Catherine Shanahan.

Due to staffing constraints within the Air Corps and regulatory requirements of the Coast Guard, neither has been able to operate a service for priority 1 transfer patients between the hours of 7pm and 7.30am since November 6.

Priority 1 transfer means the transport by air from Ireland to another country within eight hours of a patient requiring emergent medical or surgical treatment, without which their life or health is significantly endangered.

To date, the majority of patients fulfilling these criteria have been children who require transfer to the UK to undergo heart or liver transplant surgery.

Health Minister Simon Harris last night welcomed the publication of the Health Information and Quality Authoritys health technology assessment (HTA) which evaluates treatment and transfer options for patients who require a priority 1 transfer to the UK.

We need to ensure that, as far as possible, we are able to transfer paediatric transplant patients to the UK quickly, in the event that a suitable organ becomes available, said Mr Harris.

The HTA advises that the optimal immediate option is to secure a dedicated night-time service from a private provider.

I am pleased to confirm that the HSE has put a private provider in place from November 6, thus ensuring that a 24-hour service continues to be available.

Mr Harris said his department would work with the HSE to consider the best option to address the service need in the short to medium term. In the longer term, we will have discussions across a number of Government departments in order to come to a considered position as to how air ambulance services are best provided in to the future, he said.

Hiqa suggested the Department of Health should seek changes in aviation rules to allow crews operate as an air ambulance again while on 24-hour shifts.

The cost of this option should be compared to the cost associated with the on-going use of a commercial provider or of having a dedicated [Coast Guard] crew on standby at the Dublin base, said Mairin Ryan, Hiqas director of health technology assessment and deputy chief executive.

Hiqa said additional short-term recommendations are that the Department of Health explores the use of an air ambulance service supported by philanthropy and examines whether the Coast Guard can fly patients to the UK under a 24-hour shift following changes to the regulatory framework.

This story originally appeared in the Irish Examiner.
An inspection of Nenagh Hospital in Co. Tipperary has found that infection prevention at the hospital is significantly under-resourced.

The Health Watchdog found that while the hospital was generally clean, there needed to be better supervision arrangements at the hospital - a point HIQA had made previously.
Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire has said he does not intend to appoint ministers to take political control at Stormont as he moved budget measures with the "utmost reluctance".

Mr Brokenshire said parties must resolve the issues to end the powersharing deadlock, as a budget for Northern Ireland was put to the British House of Commons in lieu of an agreement between the DUP and Sinn Fein to return to government.

He told MPs he was taking the measure with "the utmost reluctance and only because there is no other choice available", emphasising that his "strong preference" would be for a restored executive to bring forward its own budget.

But Mr Brokenshire was urged to appoint ministers to take control in Northern Ireland.

DUP MP Ian Paisley (North Antrim) said there would now be "no political accountability in Northern Ireland either to the non-functioning executive and importantly tonight to him and his ministerial team in Northern Ireland either".

"That is not sustainable for any period of time whatsoever: there must be political accountability and he must move there urgently to appoint ministers to take political control."

Mr Brokenshire replied: "That it is not a step that I do intend to take, as he will know, while there is an opportunity for an executive to be formed, and there have been discussions that have been ongoing - even last week between his party and Sinn Fein to find resolution around the outstanding issues between the respective parties that can form that executive.

"I think it is right that we continue to pursue that but he is right in saying that this cannot just simply continue, that this is not sustainable into the long term, but I think that it is absolutely in the best interests of Northern Ireland and more generally that we continue to do all that we can to see that an executive is restored and that the parties are able to resolve the outstanding issues and get devolved government back up and running at the earliest opportunity."

Mr Brokenshire reiterated the Northern Ireland Budget Bill, which will complete all stages in the Commons today, is needed as there are "manifest risks" the civil service would "simply begin to run out of resources" by the end of the month.

He said: "That would mean no funding available for public services, with all of the negative impacts that would accompany such a cliff edge."

Mr Brokenshire said the Bill will keep public services running in Northern Ireland but insisted it is not a UK Government budget.

He explained: "It does not reflect the priorities or spending priorities of me or any other minister."

Mr Brokenshire said it is the budget a returning executive would have been presented with had it been formed.

He added: "Passing this budget in Westminster does not mean a move to direct rule any more than did this Parliament legislating to set a regional rate in April."

Labour former minister Vernon Coaker, along with DUP MPs, questioned if there would be a "600 million reduction in spending ability" for the departments in Northern Ireland as a result of the budget.

He added: "And whose decision will it be as to which departments face the reductions to make that 600 million reduction?"

Mr Brokenshire replied: "What we're actually dealing with here is effectively the full utilisation of the resources that were set out by this House through the block grant in essence."

The DUP's Gavin Robinson (Belfast East) raised concerns as he asked Mr Brokenshire to confirm there is nothing in the Bill which allows the accounting officers to advance already agreed national pay awards, including for the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

Mr Brokenshire, in his reply, said: "I will have further discussion with (interim Head of the Civil Service) David Sterling as to whether there is any way that issue can be resolved in the absence of an executive.

"But I know this has been and continues to be a particular concern, a particular issue among a number of public sector employees and it is this gap we currently are within and why we need to get this resolved quickly."
By Ann O'Loughlin

A woman is seeking a High Court order challenging a refusal by the Registrar of Births, Marriages and Deaths, to allow her to register her child's surname under the name of his father.

He opposes his name being put on the birth certificate.

The woman, who came here from Africa and sought asylum, had a relationship with an Irishman and they had a child together, but they later broke up.

She wanted the father's surname put on the birth certificate but he would not consent to this, Feichin McDonagh SC, for the woman, told the court.

Under the law, she is entitled to apply to have his name on the document, providing she got a court order, which she did, counsel said.

The matter is governed by the Status of Children Act 1987 which makes provision for maintenance orders where the man did not offer any defence to the allegation of parentage or was not a party to proceedings where parentage was being adjudged.

When the woman got the order, she applied to register the child in his name with the Registrar General, but was refused on the basis there was no power to include the Irish father's name, counsel said.

Mr McDonagh said the Registrar does have the power. His client was seeking an order that the Registrar cannot refuse to do so.

Mr Justice Seamus Noonan granted leave to bring judicial review proceedings against the Registrar General and adjourned the matter to January. He also ordered the father be notified of the proceedings.
The husband of a British woman jailed in Iran has said Boris Johnson did not apologise to him for wrongly stating that his wife was "training journalists" in the country.

Richard Ratcliffe spoke to the UK Foreign Secretary about the plight of his wife, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, after Mr Johnson's comments led to calls for him to resign from cabinet.

Asked if the minister had apologised for the remarks, Mr Ratcliffe told ITV's Good Morning Britain: "He was sorry for what Nazanin was going through, and for her suffering, and he said all of the country was behind her."

Pressed on whether Mr Johnson said sorry for his comments, Mr Ratcliffe said: "He didn't make the connection. He didn't mention it."

Mr Ratcliffe said he did not bring the comments up with the Foreign Secretary as they discussed ways to help his wife.

He said Mr Johnson is now "personally engaged" in the case following controversy over his remarks.

Mr Ratcliffe told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "It feels now we do have the Foreign Secretary's personal engagement. He did promise to consider whether she would be eligible for diplomatic protection. Which again gives a different aspect and a different push to what they will do for her."

Mr Ratcliffe said UK Environment Secretary Michael Gove had provoked anger by saying he did not know why Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe had been in Iran.

"Certainly there was all sorts of anger in our house. The government's position is that the government is clear, and has no doubt, that she was there on holiday.

"I asked the Foreign Office to remind all of the cabinet members that that's the government's position," he told Good Morning Britain.

Mr Ratcliffe said it would not be helpful for Mr Johnson to resign over his handling of the case.

"I don't think it's helpful for Nazanin at this point. I don't think it's helpful also in terms of how that looks in Iran for me to be looking like I'm playing politics.

"It's very important that the Iranians can see that this is just a family who are battling to bring Nazanin home, and not get the sort of sense that we are some sort of great Machiavellian power, we are not," he told the BBC.

The mother-of-one was jailed for five years in September on allegations of spying and attempting to topple the Iranian regime.

Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe had been visiting her parents to introduce them to her daughter, Gabriella.

Earlier this month, she was summoned back to court and threatened with further charges after Mr Johnson mistakenly told a Commons committee that she had been training journalists at the time of her arrest.

Mr Ratcliffe says his wife is now on the edge of a nervous breakdown.

Attending a summit in Brussels, Mr Johnson said: "On Iran, and consular cases generally, they are all very sensitive. And I think the key thing to understand is that we are working very, very hard, and intensively, and impartially on all those cases."
The Greek government will again distribute one-off Christmas payments to low-earners, drawing from a budgetary surplus built on severe spending cuts and high taxes, the country's prime minister said.

Alexis Tsipras said 1.4bn would be given to at least 3.4 million Greeks this winter, compared with the 617m issued to pensioners last year.
Update 11.40pm: At least 61 people have died in Iran after a magnitude 7.2 earthquake hit near the Iran-Iraq border region, officials said.

Deputy governor Mojtaba Nikkerdar of Iran's Kermanshah province also said more than 300 people were injured.

Iranian TV said Iraqi officials have reported at least six people dead on Iraq's side of the border after Sunday's quake.

It said the officials also reported more than 50 people were injured in Iraq's Sulaymaniyah province and about 150 were hurt in Khanaquin city.

There has been no official report from Iraq's government.

The US Geological Survey said the quake was centred about 19 miles outside the eastern Iraqi city of Halabja.

Iran's semi-official Iranian ILNA news agency said at least 14 Iranian provinces were affected.

Earlier: A 7.2-magnitude earthquake has jolted the region near the border between Iran and Iraq, Iranian state TV said.

The US Geological Survey confirmed the quake on its website, placing its epicentre at about 19 miles outside the Iraqi city of Halabja, and issuing an "orange" alert for "shaking-related fatalities and economic losses".

Iranian provinces in the north-western, western and central areas of the country were affected.

Iranian social media was abuzz with posts of people evacuating their homes, especially from the cities of Ghasr-e Shirin near the Iraqi border, and Kermanshah.

Faramarz Akbari, Ghasr-e Shirin's governor, said that six people had died and scores more were injured, according to the state-run IRNA news agency.

Esmail Najar, head of Iran's National Disaster Management Organisation, said "some injured people might be buried under the rubble in Ghasr-e Shirin".

Iran is prone to quakes as it sits on many major fault lines.

In 2003, a 6.6 magnitude flattened the historic city of Bam, killing 26,000 people.

AP
A shooting at a concert in Atlanta has left two people dead and two others wounded, authorities said.

Atlanta Police spokesman Sergeant John Chafee told news outlets that officers responding to a report at the Masquerade at Underground Atlanta found four people shot on Sunday night.
Hundreds of women, men and children took part in a protest against sexual harassment in Hollywood on Sunday armed with signs, catchy phrases and a motivation to take #MeToo beyond the internet and into real life.

The Take Back the Workplace March and the #MeToo Survivors March joined forces in the heart of Hollywood, near the entrance to the Dolby Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard where the Academy Awards takes place.

They walked side by side past the tourists, costume shops, strip clubs and a man wearing a "Whiskey Made Me Do It" T-shirt to gather for a rally of rousing speeches from the likes of Harvey Weinstein accuser Lauren Sivan and Oscar-winning producer Cathy Schulman.

"Not in pots, not in plants, keep your junk inside your pants," the crowd chanted for a few minutes, before shifting gears to: "Harvey Weinstein is a joke, women workers just got woke."

Other chants included, "Survivors united, we'll never be divided" and "Whatever we wear, wherever we go, 'yes' means 'yes' and 'no' means 'no'."

Nancy Allen, 52, from Los Angeles, attended the march, and said: "We've been silent too long. A lot of people have kept this inside us for years and years."

Howard Kim, a 68-year-old Los Angeles resident, came out to support the march.

"I'm just a little sorry there aren't more people out here," he said. "I was hoping there would be."

Event organisers estimated there were about 200 to 300 attendees. But they also acknowledged that it was "difficult to tell" with the normal Hollywood Boulevard crowds.

Lauren Sivan organizing as crowd chants "Harvey Weinstein is a joke" sends chills #TakeBackTheWorkplace #Hollywood pic.twitter.com/hei2SnA6yH  Steven Zeitchik (@zeitchikWaPo) November 12, 2017

The protesters walked about a mile to the corner of Sunset Boulevard and Cole Place, the site of the CNN headquarters, where a podium was set up for the Take Back the Workplace rally.

Sivan, a TV journalist who alleged sexual harassment from Weinstein and served as the "celebrity chair" of the Take Back the Workplace event, said that the time was ripe for a re-ordering of power.

"We want our daughters and sons to be able to go to a workplace and never have to take a meeting with a dude in a bathrobe," she said. "They will never have to choose to put out or keep their job."

Schulman said: "I've seen it all. I've seen every bit of harassment.

"However, I've produced 20 movies, I've supervised over 150 movies, I've won an Academy Award. I've even raised a 17-year-old daughter.

"Do not let them destroy us. We can win this war. It's a game. It's a game of power that we can win."

Although there were not many celebrities at the march, some supported the protest from afar.

"To all my sisters and brothers out there marching today in L.A Sending you love and support from thousands of miles away!" said Patricia Arquette on Twitter.


Notice board at Ericsson, Stockholm (pic by DeirdreS)

Many of us have worked with them: the engineering jerk who is brilliant at what they do, but treats others like trash. Some companies have a policy not to hire them (e.g., Netflix's "No Brilliant Jerks", which was one of the many reasons I joined the company). There's also the "No Asshole Rule", popularized by a bestselling book of this title, which provides the following test:

1. After encountering the person, do people feel oppressed, humiliated or otherwise worse about themselves?

2. Does the person target people who are less powerful than him/her?

Here's a test for you or your company: Would you tolerate a brilliant engineer who is also an asshole? (Or the more company-polite version: Would you tolerate a brilliant jerk?)

There are numerous articles and opinions on the topic, including Brilliant Jerks Cost More Than They Are Worth, and It's Better to Avoid a Toxic Employee than Hire a Superstar. My colleague Justin Becker is also giving a talk at QConSF 2017 on the topic: Am I a Brilliant Jerk?.

It may help to clarify that "brilliant jerk" can mean different things to different people. To illustrate, I'll describe two types of brilliant jerks: the selfless and the selfish, and their behavior in detail. I'll then describe the damage caused by these jerks, and ways to deal with them.

The following are fictional characters. These are not two actual engineers, but are collections of related traits to help examine this behavior beyond the simple "no asshole rule." These are engineers who by default act like jerks, not engineers who sometimes act that way.

Fictional Alice, the selfless brilliant jerk

Alice is a brilliant engineer. Alice cares about the company.

She is direct and honest. If she believes that an unpopular position is right for the company, Alice does not hesitate to voice it. She will even browbeat others to make her point, often coming across as mean-spirited. Alice would point out that she wasn't being mean, she was just stating what is right, and that being mean shouldn't hurt the company anyway. She has little empathy for the feelings of others, and sees little business value in having it.

Alice is great at working individually on hard engineering problems. She gets along fine with her immediate team and manager, who understand her personality. She doesn't get on well with others whom she only meets occasionally. Outside of her team, Alice is known as a jerk, and people try to avoid working with her.

Alice is great at fixing hard bugs, writing test suites, doing code merges, and other unglamorous work. If the company needs it done, she's happy to do it, and doesn't care much whether it furthers her own career.

While selfless jerks can be a net positive for the company, they can become more effective if they learn that being kind results in greater productivity. This topic was covered in the Be Kind post by boz. Different companies may have different attitudes towards Alice, whether to tolerate her behavior or not (most reviewers of this post said "no," one said "it's a grey area"). Startups may tolerate Alice, for example, since the company is so small that everyone knows Alice and understands her personality.

But I've described selfless jerks primarily for contrast with selfish jerks.

Fictional Bob, the selfish brilliant jerk

Bob is a brilliant engineer. Bob cares about Bob.

He is selfish, lacks empathy, and has delusions of grandeur. He believes that any behavior is justified that benefits himself, including abusing and exploiting others, for which he shows no guilt or remorse. He can be charming and charismatic to get his way, causing people to ignore or excuse his bad behavior.

Below is a list of attributes that describe Bob, an extreme example of a brilliant engineering jerk. Not every brilliant jerk exhibits all of these behaviors, but I've seen each and every one of them firsthand.

Bob interrupts others, and ignores their opinions. He believes that he is the most important person in the room, and has no interest in what others have to say, frequently interrupting them. He can monopolize conversations with long, exaggerated stories that flatter himself. Less-assertive engineers are effectively silenced, even if their opinions on the topic are the most valuable.

Bob only does work that benefits himself. He can work well on hard engineering problems, but only works on those he enjoys, or that help his career or promote his own earlier work. He creates new projects and immediately claims credit, but leaves the dirty work of finishing them to others, and avoids responsibility if they fail. He is brilliant at convincing the company to let him do what he wants, even when that ignores market demand or his own past performance. He never seriously mentors or trains other staff  he does not see that as useful to his own career.

Bob bullies, humiliates, and oppresses individuals. With non-technical people, he wins arguments by bamboozling them with irrelevant technical detail, making them feel dumb. With junior technical people, Bob likes to ridicule their ideas, letting everyone know how stupid they are, and how much smarter he is. When his technical specialties are needed, he makes people beg and grovel for his help, as another way to humiliate them. When others make mistakes, he enjoys shaming and mocking them with biting sarcasm and witty insults. He uses similar rhetoric in arguments, where he must always win, no matter the cost.

Bob engages in displays of dominance in front of groups. Bob likes to show everyone how important he is by how much he can get away with, including sheer rudeness. He is late to meetings (on purpose), puts his feet up on the table, then looks at his phone or laptop while ignoring everyone around him. He sometimes makes obscene remarks in the office, bragging: "If anyone else said that, they'd be fired!". He also insists on having a better laptop/desktop/monitor than everyone else, to display his status.

Bob tries to assert authority over all areas of the company, including those where he has no expertise at all. Areas he cannot control, he denigrates: E.g., as an engineer, he will claim that marketing is stupid, useless, unnecessary, and that "anyone could do it."

Bob is negative. He trash-talks other technologies, companies, and people behind their backs, always finding something negative to say. He elevates his own status by slamming other people. He also attacks technologies that either don't leverage his own prior work, or don't conform to his own beliefs. Other engineers avoid new technologies, for fear of damaging ridicule from Bob.

Bob manipulates and misleads. Sometimes he misleads subtly, by presenting facts that are literally true in a way that is intentionally misleading. At other times he will simply lie, and do it with such confidence and assertiveness that he is almost always believed. He states his own preferences and opinions as facts.

Bob uses physical intimidation. Bob glares at those he doesn't like, and may invade people's personal space. He may also use violent gestures such as slamming fists on desks.

A string of good employees have quit because of Bob. Some engineers become fed up with Bob and quit. Talented engineers are driven out by Bob on purpose, to eliminate threats to his own status. Bob demonizes those who left, attributing past failures to them, and their successes to others who stayed, especially himself. In this way, he convinces management that losing those staff was good for the company, and stops them from realizing that the real problem is Bob. Some who have left, if asked, will cite other reasons for quitting, hoping to avoid becoming victims of Bob's smear campaigns.

Bob gives great talks  about himself. Because he is a brilliant engineer and a great public orator, he is a popular speaker at technical events. In talks, he narrates self-enhancing stories and rewrites history to flatter himself, taking credit for other people's work  if not blatantly, then tacitly or by implication. He has a group of spellbound followers outside of the company who hero-worship and idolize him, and would love to work with him. He is well liked from afar.

Bob exploits junior engineers: Bob finds junior engineers who admire his brilliance, and encourages them to do work that elevates Bob's ideas and projects, reflecting glory back onto Bob. They become so invested in helping Bob's career growth that they have none of their own.

Bob is a negative role model. Bob can drag down the workplace or community by becoming a negative role model and having others imitate his behavior. Those who admire Bob become negative, bully others, and engage in similar personal attacks, hoping for his approval and to become Bob themselves. Others simply use Bob to excuse their own pre-existing bad behavior: If Bob can do it, so can I.

Some of Bob's coworkers become accomplices, and gaslight his abuse. They were there when he attacked and humiliated others, and they did nothing  or laughed along, encouraging Bob to continue. Bob likes to surround himself with such enablers. They may be otherwise reasonable people who have yet to understand that what they are witnessing is abuse. They may publicly defend Bob and deny that abuse happened, or minimize it, gaslighting Bob's victims ("everyone's a jerk sometimes").

Bob refuses to change. Bob knows that his behavior hurts people, but "that's their problem."

It bears repeating: I have seen each of these behaviors firsthand, from multiple brilliant jerks. Bob is an extreme fictional case who exhibits all of these behaviors. One particular person may exhibit only some, without necessarily being a jerk. But, if you recognize many of these traits in a colleague  or in yourself  then, yes, you're probably dealing with a major-league jerk.

Some reviewers of this post have said that Bob seems unbelievable: No one could be anywhere near that bad! They are fortunate not to have experienced a Bob, which is the lesson here. Your understanding of a "brilliant jerk" may differ from that of someone who has actually worked with a Bob, or another severe type of jerk.

The problems caused by brilliant jerks

Problems caused by Alice, the selfless jerk, may include:

Alice hurts or offends some employees with her attitude.

Alice causes her team and manager to spend energy mending fences with others.

Alice's projects may be less successful, as others avoid working with her.

Alice discourages others from asking her questions, so her technical expertise is often wasted.

But Bob, the selfish jerk, can cause these additional problems:

Bob silences many technical opinions, lowering the company's technical IQ.

Bob creates extra work for others who must fix his abandoned projects.

Bob demoralizes many staff, which hurts productivity.

Bob causes stress-related psychological and physical illness in his victims.

Bob causes some staff to occasionally skip work: increasing absenteeism.

Bob drives staff to quit, who will never come back.

Bob may strengthen the company's competition, who hire those who quit.

Bob makes it difficult to hire other good staff (word gets around).

Bob discourages customers and investors (word gets around).

Other staff devise processes to work around Bob, reducing the company's efficiency.

Other staff may sabotage Bob's work, which sabotages the company.

Bob inspires other staff to imitate his behavior, multiplying the problem.

Bob creates a hostile workplace environment: an invitation to lawsuits.

Chapter 2 in "The No Asshole Rule" covers more details (although for general staff, not just engineers), and has instructions for calculating your TCA: the Total Cost of Assholes for your organization.

Dealing with brilliant jerks

There are two parts to this: helping the victims and staff who witness the behavior, and dealing with the jerks themselves. Both are big topics that I'll discuss here only briefly.

At some companies, no one is telling Alice or Bob that their behavior is inappropriate. Everyone sees the bad behavior, but thinks it must be tolerated because Alice and Bob are so brilliant and valuable. Wrong! One important step a company can take is to explicitly adopt a "no brilliant jerks" policy. Netflix has such a policy as part of the culture slide deck, now a memo, which reads:

On a dream team, there are no brilliant jerks. The cost to teamwork is just too high. Our view is that brilliant people are also capable of decent human interactions, and we insist upon that. When highly capable people work together in a collaborative context, they inspire each other to be more creative, more productive and ultimately more successful as a team than they could be as a collection of individuals.

 Netflix culture memo

This policy isn't some useless feel-good text from a nameless source: it was originally published on CEO Reed Hastings' slideshare account. To be effective, such a policy for your company may also need to come from your CEO. All Netflix candidates are told to read the culture deck (memo) when interviewing, and are told that, yes, we take it seriously. While this helps people realize that jerks should not be tolerated, it doesn't necessarily stop jerks from being hired in the first place: Bob is brilliant and charismatic and would probably pass the interview. However, he would then find himself at a company where his colleagues recognize his bad behavior as unacceptable, and are empowered to speak up about it.

In over three years at Netflix, I've worked with zero brilliant jerks. The "no brilliant jerks" policy works, and it's been great. If we hired any in that time, they either changed their ways or left the company before I could interact with them.

Some brilliant jerks can mend their ways: Alice might be motivated to change if she can be made to understand that her behavior is hurting the company, which she cares about. She should be encouraged to exercise empathy, and to leave others feeling positive and motivated to work harder, rather than demotivated. My colleague, Justin Becker, explores this in detail in his QCon talk, including the topic of emotional intelligence (EQ). In the next section I'll share an example.

As for Bob: he should be told that his behavior hurts people and the company, and given the opportunity to change  but the reality is that he probably doesn't care. He firmly believes that "nice guys finish last," and, so far, being a jerk has worked well for him. His managers have the power to change that equation, because they control things that Bob wants: they allow him to work on his pet projects and to speak at events, they give him promotions and bonuses, and ultimately they let him keep his job.

"I'd rather have a hole in my organization than an asshole."

 Fred Wilson, Velocity NY 2013 keynote.

As a colleague/victim/witness, you should report Bob's behavior to management, but you probably shouldn't ask them outright to fire Bob (among other reasons, what if someday you were thought to be a Bob?). Give management information, but let them decide how to act. Actually firing a brilliant jerk is a complicated topic for a separate post, ideally written by a manager who has dealt with this. There's usually a process to follow, which unfortunately Bob may exploit to his advantage, showing improvement when needed to keep his job, but then reverting back to his bad old ways. He may also have convinced management that his technical skills and fame are so important that the company would fail without him. This isn't true, but fear may cause management to hesitate.

For management to deal effectively with Bob, they must themselves be convinced that his behavior should not be tolerated, regardless of his brilliance. For some companies, that will require truly understanding the damage that Bob causes (listed above), to justify taking action. For companies like Netflix with an explicit "no brilliant jerks" policy, it's much easier for management to take action, as they don't need to convince anyone that jerks are a problem: that's already covered in company policy.

Regular one-on-one meetings with staff, and scheduled skip-level meetings, should also help inform management about the damage jerks are causing. Netflix does this well: I have scheduled one-on-one meetings with my manager once every two weeks, their manager once a month, and their manager at least once a year. That's three levels of management I talk directly and in private with, without even having to ask for a meeting. We're also encouraged to give other employees direct and honest feedback, intervene if we see harassment, and escalate up to and including the CEO.

As for public speaking: Bob draws power from being a public face of the company. Speaking events should be shared among staff who want to speak, and training can be made available to improve their skills (various companies offer this), so that Bob isn't the only good speaker. Conference organizers can also adopt a "no brilliant jerks" policy (some already do), and attendees can avoid conferences that host known jerks. If Alice needs to learn empathy, Bob needs to learn both empathy and to stop being selfish, and sharing public speaking or other rewarding projects is an example of the latter.

When I acted like a jerk

Many people sometimes act like Alice, and it can be easy to talk them out of it (Alice herself is harder, since it's her by-default behavior). I'll explain this with a story, this time of a moment when I acted like a jerk.

Early in my career, an engineer at my company made a big mistake in my area of expertise, and sent an email that dodged responsibility and showed no path to fix it. I was furious and phoned the engineer: my intent was to make him realize that he'd made a big mistake, and put him on the right path. I was blunt, and told him off. I didn't enjoying doing so, but I felt I was doing a Good Thing for the company, and fixing a problem.

A week later, his manager phoned me unexpectedly. He told me that he was aware of my phone call, and didn't think I was technically wrong, but did I know that the engineer has been demotivated and unproductive since I talked to him, and was it my intent to make his staff unproductive? No, of course not. The manager continued: do you think you could have told my engineer what you needed to, in a way that left them feeling positive and motivated to fix it? Sure, I probably can. Good. Always do that in the future, please. I did.

The phone call lasted less than two minutes, and was immediately effective. I suspect the manager had done this before. Notice that he did not accuse me of being a jerk, rather, he posed two questions, which were basically: 1) are you intending to hurt the company?, and 2) are you able to act decently? There's only really one right answer to those questions. If he had just said "you are a jerk" I may have just replied "no, I'm not", but by asking questions instead, it put the onus on me to think about the answer, and triggered a moment of self reflection.

Additional topics

There are some additional topics I have not covered in detail here, but should mention:

What about jerks in open source communities? A good reference for this is the no more rock stars post, where the rock star described is pretty much Bob. See that post for the section: How do we as a community prevent rock stars?. Also see the talk Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Rock Star Developers.

A good reference for this is the no more rock stars post, where the rock star described is pretty much Bob. See that post for the section: How do we as a community prevent rock stars?. Also see the talk Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Rock Star Developers. What about Bob as a manager? Bob may seek and be offered promotions into management, and become even more damaging to the company. Bob the manager exploits and threatens his subordinates. That's a topic for another post.

Bob may seek and be offered promotions into management, and become even more damaging to the company. Bob the manager exploits and threatens his subordinates. That's a topic for another post. Does Bob sexually assault others? Is Bob more likely to be a harasser due to delusions of grandeur and a sense of entitlement (Al Capone theory), or is he smart enough not to go that far, or, is he simply not that kind of jerk? I don't know. That's outside of my firsthand experience, so I didn't include it.

Is Bob more likely to be a harasser due to delusions of grandeur and a sense of entitlement (Al Capone theory), or is he smart enough not to go that far, or, is he simply not that kind of jerk? I don't know. That's outside of my firsthand experience, so I didn't include it. What about those junior engineers? The ones Bob exploits for his own gain. That's another big topic. Some related reading here, here, and here (from which I borrowed the words "reflecting glory").

The ones Bob exploits for his own gain. That's another big topic. Some related reading here, here, and here (from which I borrowed the words "reflecting glory"). Is Bob actually brilliant? It's a little hard to tell, since Bob takes credit for the work of others. Bob also creates enemies in the industry, and some staff even sabotage Bob's work. In the long run, it hurts Bob's career. Not a brilliant result, really.

It's a little hard to tell, since Bob takes credit for the work of others. Bob also creates enemies in the industry, and some staff even sabotage Bob's work. In the long run, it hurts Bob's career. Not a brilliant result, really. What if Bob is pretending to be brilliant? (Updated) The consequences for the company can be worse. I didn't explore this topic here, but it would be a character similar to Bob who isn't actually brilliant, but pretends to be, and has most people believing him. To quote from a HN comment: "The myth of "brilliant jerks" is harmful because it lets any jerk pretend he's doing it because he's brilliant, when chances are he's just afraid of being unmasked as mediocre.".

(Updated) The consequences for the company can be worse. I didn't explore this topic here, but it would be a character similar to Bob who isn't actually brilliant, but pretends to be, and has most people believing him. To quote from a HN comment: "The myth of "brilliant jerks" is harmful because it lets any jerk pretend he's doing it because he's brilliant, when chances are he's just afraid of being unmasked as mediocre.". Does anyone exist who is really as bad as fictional Bob? Yes. Fortunately they are rare. One reviewer thinks that my post will not be effective unless I name such a real-life Bob as a concrete example. Maybe they are right, but I've avoided that here. This isn't about one Bob, it's about all selfish brilliant jerks.

Yes. Fortunately they are rare. One reviewer thinks that my post will not be effective unless I name such a real-life Bob as a concrete example. Maybe they are right, but I've avoided that here. This isn't about one Bob, it's about all selfish brilliant jerks. Should we publicly call out brilliant jerks in tech? It's a complex topic. The book Is Shame Necessary does make the point that shame and humiliation have a legitimate place in society when they are natural consequences to abusive behavior, which is also discussed in this post. Calling out abusers may save future victims of abuse, so long as the calling out is proportional and not abusive itself. For victims of abuse, I could not make a blanket recommendation: I don't know your specific situation and how safe it is for you to speak up. I've been in this situation myself, and was facing an extreme threat to myself and my family, and I understand how risky it can be.

It's a complex topic. The book Is Shame Necessary does make the point that shame and humiliation have a legitimate place in society when they are natural consequences to abusive behavior, which is also discussed in this post. Calling out abusers may save future victims of abuse, so long as the calling out is proportional and not abusive itself. For victims of abuse, I could not make a blanket recommendation: I don't know your specific situation and how safe it is for you to speak up. I've been in this situation myself, and was facing an extreme threat to myself and my family, and I understand how risky it can be. How do I know if I'm the jerk? If you always think that being right is all that matters, and don't consider your impact on teamwork or relationships, you might be an Alice or a Bob. If you think that hurting other people is simply doing what it takes to get ahead, then you might be a Bob. See the earlier sections for more characteristics, and my colleague's QCon presentation: Am I a Brilliant Jerk?

Conclusion

Should brilliant jerks be tolerated? To explore this, I described two fictional brilliant jerks: Alice, who is selfless, and Bob, who is selfish. This makes it clear that the behavior of selfish jerks, like Bob, should definitely not be tolerated. Bob can kill companies. When CEOs and VCs sometimes say that brilliant jerks may be worth it, I imagine they are thinking of Alice, a selfless jerk, and not Bob. (Alice is debatable.)

Early on in my career, I supported brilliant jerks of any type and thought they were worth it. I was wrong. People had warned me about them, that their behavior was "not ok," but they never went into much detail as to why. I've shared many details here. I didn't figure this all out until seeing the behavior and damage firsthand. (I've not only experienced it, but I may have reached my lifetime dosage of asshole-rads.)

Companies can adopt a "no asshole rule," or more politely, a "no brilliant jerks" policy. Colleagues may be genuinely conflicted about how to deal with Bob. On the one hand, he is a real jerk, but on the other he is a "high performer," so isn't it in the company's best interest to tolerate his behavior? A policy helps you decide, and it can be as simple as three words: no brilliant jerks.

Acknowledgements

Picture and editing by Deirdre Straughan. Thanks to review feedback and suggestions from Alice Goldfuss, Baron Schwartz, Ed Hunter, Justin Becker, David Blank-Edelman, Valerie Aurora, and others. References and related reading:
Latest News On-time property sale settlements hit new heights Almost 90% finalised on first scheduled date, says PEXA

Regional hotspots record sharp falls in value, new data shows Value declines have become more geographically broad-based over the three months to October

With almost one in three brokers in New South Wales settling less than $2m in loans per year, industry support from associations, lenders and aggregators is now more important than ever.These figures come from the Mortgage & Finance Association of Australias ( MFAA s) Industry Intelligence Report (IIS) published last week which showed that 14% of brokers in NSW did not settle a single loan while 22% settled less than $2m.With these brokers falling under the full support of their aggregators and industry associations, Zarko Jokic, MFAA business development manager for NSW/ACT, asked how these numbers were possible.I ponder this question on a daily basis. A lot of what we do at the MFAA is try and reduce that number, he said at a New Member Welcome Session in Sydney yesterday (13 November)MFAA CEO Mike Felton told Australian Broker that the association had invested heavily into minimising the number of new brokers who fail to bring in any loans and who exit the industry in the first year. However, there are challenges, he admitted.Its a tough industry. It takes time to build a book and it takes time to develop an income stream. Not everybody manages to do it.A key factor behind the high number of poorly performing brokers is that a lot of new entrants lack direction when resigning from a fulltime role and commencing their broking career, Jokic said.When you leave an environment that has structure, you also often lose accountability.He suggested new brokers work with people who can replace this rigid work structure and help keep them on track to meet their targets and benchmarks.Everything you do is a choice. What I will ask you to do is make a choice of surrounding yourself with people who can make you realise what you set out to do.Talking to Australian Broker after the session, Jokic said the MFAA hosts 15 to 20 new-to-industry brokers at these sessions in Sydney alone.Some of the areas where new brokers have the most difficulty are in generating leads and converting one-off conversations into referral partnerships, he said.If you can get the front end right, the great thing is the resources that the aggregator has can take them a long, long way. Because as soon as youve got a lender involved, theres another set of resources thats going to help you make the deal happen.However, focus on purely how to write a loan skips how brokers can lay the foundations and bring in clients in the first place, he noted.Despite the challenges, Felton was confident that the broker market share could still increase in the future.Im confident that our share of the industry will continue to grow. I think the broker value proposition is so strong, particularly with a number of things now being taken care of which will drive trust, confidence and sustainability going forward.The MFAA sees the broker market share growing towards 60%, he added.
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...
In this episode of Outlander, titled The Doldrums, Claire and Jamie set sail for Jamaica in search of Ian, a series of events on board the Artemis leads the crew to believe the ship is cursed and Claire finds herself separated from Jamie once again.

Jamie learns that the ship Ian is on is a Portuguese vessel, the Bruja, and her home port is in Jamaica. Jamie figures the ship is headed home since it was sitting low in the water, meaning it is filled with cargo.

Would Jamie Have Been Worse Off Without Claires Return on Outlander?>>>





The Newlywed Game

Jamie gets a job on board a merchant ship, overseeing the cargo and its sale, working under a captain named Raines. Jamie feels guilty that Ian was taken while trying to retrieve the treasure that Jamie needs to free himself from Laoghaire. He thinks hes being punished. Claire tries to comfort him, saying no God would take his nephew away just because he wanted to be happy.

Jaime questions if he and Claire will be happy. They hadnt resolved their issues prior to Ians kidnapping, and even though Jamie wants her to stay, he offers to take her back to the stones if thats what Claire really wants. Claire changes the subject, reinforcing that their primary concern right now is getting Ian back before hes sold into indentured servitude or slavery.

Coming along to help out are Mr. Willoughby, Fergus, Hayes and Lesley. Jenny and her husband think Claire, young Ian and Jamie are still headed to France, and Jamie tells Claire that hes written them a letter explaining everything.

Jamie is shocked to learn that Fergus has brought his wife along, Marsali (Lauren Lyle), who also happens to be Laoghaires eldest daughter. Apparently, the two have been courting for a while and were handfest before heading out to sea. Claire learns that handfast is a custom that allows two people to be married if they clasp hands in front of witnesses. But its only binding if the marriage is consummated, and Jamie learns from Fergus that it hasnt been yet.

Jamie decides that Marsali will disembark at the next port, declaring the journey too dangerous for his step-daughter. Marsali has no intention of returning to Lallybroch and threatens to tell everyone that Fergus bedded her, even if it isnt true. Marsali hates Claire almost as much as her mother does, so this journey just got a whole lot more awkward, especially since Jamie refuses to let Fergus lay a hand on Marsali and insists that his step-daughter bunk with Claire. Claires also not thrilled at the prospect of no sex with Jamie for the duration of the journey. She didnt wait 20 years and go back in time 200 years to remain celibate.

Superstition Supersedes Mutiny

Claire has other problems. The ships crew is incredibly superstitious, and having women and a redhead on board makes them nervous. After a minor accident involving a member of the crew, a man named Manzetti (Cameron Robertson), the first mate, Mr. Warren (Karl Thaning), declares that the mishap is a bad omen for the rest of the trip. So does Captain Raines (Richard Dillane), who thinks someone forgot to touch the ships horseshoe  to not do so prior to setting sail is inviting disaster. Claire finds the whole thing ridiculous, stating that there are such things as accidents.

Raines asks Claire to dine with him to educate her about life at sea. If the men are to trust her as the ships surgeon, she needs to put herself in their shoes. Raines believes that anything that provides the men with a sense of assurance should be encouraged. (Its strange that someone who traveled through time should be so skeptical.)

Days pass, and Claire spends her time tending to minor injuries and making medicines. Jamie is able to overcome his seasickness, thanks to Mr. Willoughbys knowledge of acupuncture. But the smooth sailing literally grinds to a halt when the winds cease. Again, the crew begins to worry about bad luck and obsesses about someone not touching the damn horseshoe.

The wind doesnt return, and the ship is stranded hundreds of miles from shore. All but five barrels of drinking water get contaminated, causing more anxiety among the crew. They want to find the Jonah (the person who cursed them) and throw him overboard. The crew eventually marks Hayes (Gustav Gerdener) as the Jonah, and the poor Scot cant remember if he touched the shoe or not.

Fearing for his life, Hayes gets drunk and climbs to the top of a mast to escape the mob. But Lesley tells Jamie that Hayes is considering jumping, convinced the crew that theyre right about him being a curse. Claire insists that the Captain do something, but hes only concerned with preventing a mutiny. And if that means somebody goes overboard, so be it.

Jamie convinces Hayes that no harm will befall him, despite all the heckling and taunting coming from the sailors below. Jamie eventually talks Hayes down, only to have the crew eager to throw his ass over the side.

Mr. Willoughby (otherwise known as Ye Tien Cho) tries to squash the chaos by reciting his lifes story, something he told Claire hed been working on but couldnt speak aloud because once he did, hed have to let it go. Initially, the men stop their fighting out of confusion, but soon they become engrossed in Willoughbys tale, which seems mainly about poetry and heartache. As soon as hes finished, the wind returns. Willoughby was just trying to stall because he spotted a bird flying low, which means rain is coming.

Quiz: Which TV Sidekick Are You?>>>

The British are Coming

The good fortune puts everyone in a better mood, including Claire and Jamie, who sneak away for some long-overdue sexy time. Claire confesses that when she thought about returning to Jamie, she knew theyd have to get to know each other again. Jamie reassures her that no matter what trouble surrounds them, the love between them will never change.

No sooner does Claire get her panties pulled up than she and Jamie learn that theres a British war ship behind them. The British fire a signal, indicating that they want to come aboard. The Captain worries that they may need men and, by law, can press any Englishmen into service. That could mean half the crew, including Jamie. He instructs Claire that if hes taken, shes to continue to Jamaica to find Ian.

Captain Leonard (Charlie Hiett) is very young, and Raines learns that the boy is the acting captain. A plague struck the British ship. Out of 400 men, 100 have fallen ill and 80 have died, including the surgeon. After asking Leonard about the symptoms, Claire thinks she knows what might be wrong but needs to examine some of the men. Jamie doesnt want Claire to go, but shes pretty certain its typhoid fever and assures him she cant catch it.

Claire boards the British ship and is able to confirm the diagnosis. She gives Captain Leonard instructions on how to contain the fever and treat the sick. She admits that most of the sick will die, so the Captains best hope is to prevent it from spreading. Claire offers to stay and help them get organized, but Leonard will have to head to shore quickly.

What Claire doesnt count on is Leonard deciding to leave immediately with her still on board. Leonard is heading to Jamaica as well and sends word to Raines that Claire will be staying with him until the situation is under control. So its kidnapping but more like kidnapping-lite.

How will Claire and Jamie deal with being separated again? Will Captain Leonard wind up being friend or foe? Will Jamie ever give his blessing for Fergus to marry? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.





Outlander season 3 airs Sundays at 8/7c on Starz. Want more news? Like BuddyTVs Facebook page.

(Image courtesy of Starz)
UB again ranks among the nations top universities in hosting international students

As our numbers grow, we are more mindful of our efforts to facilitate the inclusion and engagement of international students to ensure their retention and long-term success at UB.

BUFFALO, N.Y.  For the 15th straight year, the University at Buffalo is among the top 25 U.S. institutions hosting international students.

UB is ranked No. 21 by the Institute of International Education (IIE) in the institutes 2017 Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange, released today in Washington, D.C.

The census of international students at UB in fall, 2016, totaled 7,252, according to the Open Doors report. The total includes 2,188 students who go on to post-graduate Optional Practical Training.

The number places UB third in New York State, behind only New York University and Columbia and ahead of all other SUNY institutions. UB has a total enrollment of 30,648 students.

UBs international students hail from 112 different countries. The largest numbers come to the university from China, India, South Korea, Canada, Iran and Turkey.

The fact that UB has retained its ranking in this highly competitive space reflects the extraordinary efforts of our International Enrollment Management staff, led by Joseph Hindrawan, says Stephen Dunnett, vice provost for international education at UB.

Joe and his colleagues now recruit around the world, year-round, to find excellent students for UB, Dunnett says. As our numbers grow, we are more mindful of our efforts to facilitate the inclusion and engagement of international students to ensure their retention and long-term success at UB.

New York State, with a total international enrollment of 114,316 students, is second among the 50 states for international student enrollment, according to the report. The figure represents an increase of 7.1 percent over last year.

According to the Association of International Educators (NAFSA), economic benefits gained from international students attending UB bring an economic impact of $184.7 million dollars to Western New York, which supports 2,230 jobs.

With the implementation of our comprehensive inclusion and engagement strategy, says Dunnett, UB will become even more attractive for international students, whose institutional choices still depend very much on the recommendations of fellow students.

Hwan Lee, a third-year student from Busan, South Korea, chose UB for the opportunities presented by the universitys biomedical research programs.

I am a biotechnology major, and plan to work in the field after I graduate, says Lee, ideally, in biomedical research near a hospital. I would recommend UB to anyone interested in the medical or biological fields.

Lee adds: UB is very diverse, and I have met many different people from around the world, which I have greatly enjoyed.

The diversity of the campus community is also a favorite point about UB mentioned by Gordon Tan, a fifth-year student from Singapore who is pursuing a PhD in geography.

One of the things I have enjoyed most about UB is interaction with the faculty, and meeting so many people from around the world, Tan says.

Tan, who holds a Bachelors degree in accounting from Singapore Management University and an MBA from the UB School of Management, plans to pursue a career in academia.

While I was working on my MBA, my advisor, Dr. Jessie Poon, who is also from Singapore, suggested I focus on international trade. A PhD in geography is a good fit for me, says Tan.

Ran Wang, a 7th-year student from Beijing, China, is working on a PhD in linguistics. Ran, who came to UB with a Bachelor of Arts from Capital Normal University in Beijing, is also planning a career in academia.

I would say my best experience during my time at UB is meeting so many people from around the world, says Wang.

Doeun Park is a fourth-year student from Seoul, South Korea, majoring in accounting.

I am planning to work here in the U.S. for the first five or six years after I graduate, Park says. I havent thought too much beyond that right now.

Park, a sergeant on active reserve in the South Korean military, took advantage of a study abroad program. He is enrolled in the School of Management Undergraduate Honors Program, and hopes to work for one of the Big Four accounting firms.

I met many more people once I became involved in more of the programs at the School of Management, he says. UB offers many opportunities for students outside of the classroom, as well as inside.

According to NAFSA, additional contributions of international education include:

Increasing global experience at U.S. colleges and universities, something now increasingly crucial to success in all fields;

Advancing learning and scholarship;

Building understanding and respect among different peoples;

Enhancing constructive leadership in the global community.

In the fall of 2016, the number of international students enrolled in U.S higher education decreased to 903,127  up 3.4 percent versus 7.1 percent last year. International students represent just over 5 percent of the more than 20,000,000 students enrolled in U.S. colleges and universities.

According to the 2017 Open Doors report, 60.3 percent of international students at institutions across the U.S. rely on personal and family resources as their primary source of funding. Slightly over 16 percent of students rely on current employment.

The Open Doors Report is published annually by the IIE in partnership with the U.S. State Departments Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. For more data, infographics and resources on the 2017 report, visit http://www.iie.org/Open-Doors.

The 2017 Open Doors report was released on the occasion of the 18th annual celebration of International Education Week, a joint initiative of the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Department of Education.
A quirky toilet seat art exhibition in Lewes raised an impressive 620 for charity.

The novel art sale, organised by Chandlers Bathroom Store, Lewes, involved twenty artists and MP Maria Caulfield each completing a piece of art using a wooden toilet seat as their canvas. The toilet seat art was displayed at the bathroom showroom on Daveys Lane, Lewes and then auctioned in aid of the brain injury charity.

Simon Hind of Chandlers Bathroom Showroom, said: Thank you to all the artists and who gave their talent and time so willingly to this slightly crazy initiative that achieved everything we set out to achieve for Headway East Sussex.

Wendy Pengelly of Headway East Sussex said: The profile and money raised really helps us to continue our extensive free support services. We are very grateful to Chandlers Bathroom Showroom for coming up with and running this innovative event  which as well as raising cash, also generated a lot of media exposure for our charity. A big thank you must go to all the artists involved, as well as MP Maria Caulfield and, of course, to everyone who bought one of these fantastic pieces of art. Its been marvellous.

Finished creations included a Game of Thrones-style seat, a Lewes Bonfire-inspired seat, as well as, pretty woodland and deep-sea creature scenes. One toilet seat, featuring a Caribbean beach scene was sold for 100.

Artist Philomena Harmsworth said: This exhibition was like nothing Ive contributed to before. It really tickled my sense of humour and attracted a lot of attention on social media too which was great for raising awareness for the charity!

The exhibition and auction is now closed but the artwork can still be viewed on Facebook/Chandlers Building Supplies.
The Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) has launched its latest Regional Centre of Excellence with the support of Worcester, Bosch Group.

The growing network of BMF Regional Centres of Excellence is making training courses and regional meetings more accessible to BMF members around the country.

The latest centre, at Worcester, Bosch Groups flagship training academy, will serve BMF members in the West Midlands. Twenty-five people attended the first BMF regional meeting held at the venue, in October.

The 2,000m2 academy, which has just reopened following a 3.5 million redevelopment, offers extensive practical training facilities for Worcesters installers, in addition to the excellent meeting accommodation, which has been made available to the BMF.

John Newcomb, Chief Executive Officer of the BMF, said: This is a fantastic centre that is well used by Worcesters customers and we are extremely grateful that they are opening it to our members too. We look forward to holding further meetings here, along with our own training courses for members in the region.

Nick Fothergill, National Training Manager at Worcester, Bosch Group, said: Worcester, Bosch Group is proud to be recognised as a Regional Centre of Excellence by the BMF. This status will strengthen our relationship with BMF members and enable Worcester, Bosch Group to further promote excellence and best practice throughout the industry.

Picture caption: Left to right: Paul Soper, Director of Sales, Worcester, Bosch Group, John Newcomb, BMF Chief Executive Officer, Neil Lawrence, Managing Director of the Local Merchant Group (Saint-Gobain), and BMF Director, Nick Fothergill, National Training Manager, Worcester, Bosch Group.
Unlock 30+ premium stories daily hand-picked by our editors, across devices on browser and app.

Full access to our intuitive epaper - clip, save, share articles from any device; newspaper archives from 2006.

Curated newsletters on markets, personal finance, policy & politics, start-ups, technology, and more.

Pick your 5 favourite companies, get a daily email with all news updates on them.

26 years of website archives.
Budget carrier on late Sunday night apologised to a passenger who fell off her wheelchair while being assisted by the airline's staff at Lucknow airport.

The incident happened on Saturday.



The development also comes days after the airline had apologised to a passenger who was manhandled at Delhi airport in October.

"We apologise to Ms. Urvashi Parikh Viren for the mishap which occurred at the Lucknow Airport yesterday at 8 p.m.," the airline said in a statement.

"Our representative was pushing her wheelchair towards the arrival hall. As he was guiding her wheelchair through a vehicular lane, which was dimly lit at that time of the night, her wheelchair got stuck in a deep crack on the tarmac and lost balance and she fell off her wheelchair."



We sincerely regret the experience, Aseem. We would like to speak to you in this regard. Kindly share your contact details and a convenient time via DM, so we may speak to you.  (@IndiGo6E) November 11, 2017

"Parikh was injured and immediately rushed to the doctor of the Airports Authority of India. He administered first aid to her."

According to the airline, the passenger was kind enough to say that it was not a human error and "we should deal with the staff with empathy, when we de-brief our loader. We promised to do so."
A subsidiary of American Tower Corporation (ATC) on Monday signed an agreement to buy 20,000 mobile towers owned by Vodafone India and Idea Cellular for $1.2 billion (Rs 7,850 crore at the current exchange rate), kicking off a phase of consolidation.
The Idea stock fell 3.6 per cent in trade on disappointing September quarter (Q2) results and the sale of standalone towers at lower-than-estimated valuations. The company announced on Monday it had sold its portfolio of about 10,000 towers housed in fully owned subsidiary Idea Cellular Infrastructure Services to ATC Telecom Infrastructure for an enterprise value of Rs 4,000 crore or $611 million. While this is in line with the companys strategy of monetising its tower assets and will help bring down its net debt as of September at Rs 54,000 crore, the valuations of the deal are lower than the $1 billion that analysts had earlier estimated.
(IOCL) aims to commission the polypropylene facility, the first unit of its proposed petrochemical complex at Paradip, by June 2018. The unit to have a capacity of 700,000 tonnes per annum would offer feedstock for polymer units in the region.
State-controlled mineral producer has decided to pause on an earlier decision to cut prices. In the current financial year so far, it has cut by 5.15 per cent. The decision follows a fall in iron ore prices over recent weeks and rising production at .
In the past few weeks, although there have been many useful conversations about sexual harassment, we cant help but notice that some men still dont seem to get what all the fuss is about. Others seem to be making attempts to engage, but cant seem to do it in a productive way.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump today held bilateral talks on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit here during which they discussed a range of key issues including defence and security.

The meeting in the Philippines capital came a day after officials of India, the US, Japan and Australia held talks to give shape to the much talked about quadrilateral alliance to keep the strategically important Indo-Pacific region free, open and inclusive.

The two leaders are understood to have discussed the security scenario in the region besides several other issues of mutual interests, including ways to further boost bilateral trade.

The move to set up the quadrilateral alliance comes in the backdrop of growing Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea. The US has been favouring a larger role for India in the strategically important Indo-Pacific region.

The use of the term "Indo-Pacific" by President Trump has led to speculation that it may have something to do with Washington preparing the ground for a revival of the so called quadrilateral strategic alliance between the US, Japan, Australia and India to counter China's rise.

Trump on Saturday praised India's "astounding" growth after it opened up its economy and also lauded Modi, saying he has been working successfully to bring the vast country and its people together.

Speaking at a gathering of CEOs on the sidelines of the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in the Vietnamese city of Danang, President Trump had cited India as one of the countries in the Indo-Pacific region making strides.

He praised India as a sovereign democracy with a population of over 1 billion as well as the largest democracy in the world.
The relationship between India and the US goes beyond mutual interest and can be beneficial for Asia and the humanity at large, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today told President Donald Trump who described him as a "friend" who is "doing a great job".

Modi's comments came ahead of his bilateral talks with Trump on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit during which the two leaders discussed a range of key issues including defence and security.

"The relations between India and the US are growing... and I also feel that the relationship between India and the US is not only for mutual interest. It goes beyond that. We are working together for the interest, for the future of Asia and for the humanity as a whole in the world," Modi said.

Modi also thanked Trump for praising India whenever he got an opportunity to speak about the country during his Asia tour.

"...in the few days wherever president Trump has travelled and whenever opportunity arose to talk about India, he has expressed very high opinion about India," Modi said.

"I would like to assure you whatever the expectations are of the world, of the US from India, India has always made efforts to fulfil those expectations and we will continue to do so in the future too," Modi said.

Trump on his part described Modi as a friend and a great gentleman.

"PM Narendra Modi is here we had met at the White House before. He has become a friend of ours. He's doing a great job. A lot of things were solved and we will continue to work together," Trump said.

He said Modi was doing a "fantastic job by bringing lots of factions in India together that is what I hear and is a good news and lot of good reports are coming out of India."



The two leaders are understood to have discussed the security scenario in the region besides several other issues of mutual interests, including ways to further boost bilateral trade.

The move to set up the quadrilateral alliance comes in the backdrop of growing Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea. The US has been favouring a larger role for India in the strategically important Indo-Pacific region.

The use of the term "Indo-Pacific" by President Trump has led to speculation that it may have something to do with Washington preparing the ground for a revival of the so called quadrilateral strategic alliance between the US, Japan, Australia and India to counter China's rise.

Trump on Saturday praised India's "astounding" growth after it opened up its economy and also lauded Modi, saying he has been working successfully to bring the vast country and its people together.

Speaking at a gathering of CEOs on the sidelines of the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in the Vietnamese city of Danang, President Trump had cited India as one of the countries in the Indo-Pacific region making strides.

He praised India as a sovereign democracy with a population of over 1 billion as well as the largest democracy in the world.
The decline of the dinosaurs, the rise of mammals and, ultimately, the origins of humans were even more unlikely than previously thought, according to new research. The huge asteroid collision that sparked this change in the Earths diversity was already a highly improbable roll of the celestial dice. But a new study suggests the mass extinction that followed it was only so severe because of where the asteroid struck.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to have bilateral meetings with US President Donald Trump and President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines on Monday. PM Modi arrived in Manila on Sunday on a three-day visit to attend the ASEAN-India and East Asia summits.
The will today hear the review petition filed by one of the convicts, Mukesh, in the Nirbhaya gangrape and murder case.

Earlier, the apex court had upheld the Delhi High Court order which had sentenced Mukesh and other three convicts to the gallows.

The review petition was moved through Advocate M L Sharma by Mukesh, who is one of the four convicts sentenced to death.

In May, a bench, headed by Justice Dipak Misra and consisting of Justices R. Banumathi and Ashok Bhushan, had upheld the High Court's order of death sentence to the four convicts - Akshay, Pawan, Vinay Sharma and Mukesh.

On December 16, 2012, six people gangraped a 23-year-old physiotherapy intern in a moving bus.

The woman succumbed to her injuries in a Singapore hospital on December 29, 2012.

One of the accused, Ram Singh hanged himself in the prison, while another person, who was a juvenile at the time of the crime, was convicted in August last year and will serve the maximum sentence of three years in a reform home.
The US is quietly nudging Pakistan and India to re-engage as the Trump administration seeks to defuse tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours, according to a media report today.

America's objective to normalise ties between the two South Asian rivals is part of its efforts to have a more focused approach on the Afghan endgame.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson took up the issue with the leadership of both Pakistan and India during his recent visit to the two countries, the Express Tribune quoting government officials and diplomatic sources as saying.

"Behind the scenes, efforts appear to have started paying dividends since Tillerson's visit, as there has been a noticeable reduction in violence along the Line of Control (LoC) in the disputed Kashmir region," the paper said.

The border between the two nations has been the scene of bloody clashes between the armies of Pakistan and India for the last couple of years. The current year has been the worst in terms of ceasefire violations as well as civilian casualties.

Officials with the knowledge of the backdoor manoeuvres confirmed to the paper that the Trump administration wanted to see a lowering of tensions between the two neighbours.

A senior official, who requested not to be identified because he was not authorised to speak to the media, said Tillerson had informed Pakistan that the Trump administration was willing to encourage a rapprochement between Islamabad and New Delhi.

The surprise decision by Pakistan to allow a meeting between convicted Indian Kulbhushan Jadhav and his wife was also being linked to the quiet efforts by the US. Pakistan, however, publically insisted that the offer was made purely on the humanitarian grounds.

The former Indian Navy officer was sentenced to death after a Field Court Martial on charges of espionage and involvement in terrorist activities.

Officials are reluctant to link Pakistans decision on Jadhav as well as the brief lull in LoC clashes to the US intervention.

They said it was too early to draw any such conclusions as the Trump Administration was still struggling to come up with a workable roadmap for Afghanistan and South Asia.

The official, nevertheless, made it clear that continued tensions between Pakistan and India would certainly undermine US efforts to bring some semblance of peace in Afghanistan.

Historically, Islamabad has not been averse to third- party intervention, but India has publically opposed such approaches.

The official said the Pakistani side had urged the US to use its influence over India for the resumption of dialogue after a number of terror attacks in India.

It is, however, not clear if the two sides would resume the full spectrum of talks, considering the timing.

Since Pakistan is also just a few months away from parliamentary elections, it is highly unlikely that structured dialogue would be restored. However, political leaders and officials may interact with each other as a result of US efforts in order to arrest any further slide in ties between Pakistan and India, the report said.
The wife of an Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) professor on Sunday accused her husband of seeking to divorce her through instant messaging platform WhatsApp. The woman, who had a week earlier approached the police alleging the professor was torturing her and that he had locked their house to prevent her from entering it, has also written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath alleging her husbands actions went against the Supreme Court's recent judgment on Triple Talaq. Sanjay Hegde and Pranjal Kishore take a deep look at the Supreme Courts recent judgment and explain why it falls short in several respects.

Disclaimer: Views expressed are personal. They do not reflect the view/s of Business Standard.
India is yet to sort out crucial chunks of the agreement as

Prime minister Narendra Modi is set to attend a summit with heads of government from the nations negotiating the proposed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
The panic over the coal stock situation at the country's power utilities is likely to abate as the demand would reduce due to season change. The ministries of coal, power and railways plan to beef up coal supply this month to gear up for high demand later next month when cold in the northern region will start peaking. However, the rake allotment is still a sore point among power and non-power customers of the Railways.
The Delhi government on Saturday put on hold the odd-even traffic rationing system from Monday saying it would approach the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and request that women drivers and two-wheelers be exempted, hours after the green court okayed the scheme but with only emergency vehicles exempted, in a major move to curb rising pollution.

According to Safar (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research), Delhi's air quality stood at "severe" on Monday, with PM10 readings at 645 microgrammes per cubic metre and PM2.5 at 416 microgrammes per cubic metre. Tuesday's forecast for the city also remains severe, although with a dip in PM10 and PM2.5 particle readings. Three days from now, Safar forecasts the air quality in the capital to be "very poor". (click here to check air quality in your city)



Delhi meanwhile continued to wrestle with toxic air on Saturday as the level of pollutants were in the severe category for the fifth successive day. The US-based passenger carrier United Airlines temporarily suspended its Newark-IGI airport flights due to concerns over poor air quality in New Delhi.

Earlier in the day, the NGT gave the go-ahead to the odd-even scheme from November 13-17 and said there will be no exemptions for women, two-wheelers, and government vehicles.

After the NGT order, the Delhi government said it will approach the top green court again on Monday and request that exemptions be given for women drivers and two-wheelers, and subject to its decision, the government will "consider implementing it again".

Delhi government had decided to implement the odd-even scheme for five days from November 13 to 17.

The NGT, in its order, also said that in future the odd-even scheme should automatically come into force if the PM2.5 and PM10, particles in the air with a diameter less than 2.5 and 10mm respectively, go above the 300 and 500 units for 48 hours.

The tribunal directed that odd-even should be implemented "right away" without waiting for 48 hours, in case PM2.5 and PM10 go beyond 400 and 700 units respectively.

The NGT also asked the city government to reconsider the four-times hike in the parking fee.

"The odd-even will go on. No exemption of any kind to anyone, including two-wheelers, women, public officers or politicians, except essential services," NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar said on Saturday.

He said only CNG vehicles, emergency services such as ambulance and fire, and vehicles carrying waste shall be exempted.

The Tribunal disapproved all the exemptions that were given by the city government during the previous two phases of odd-even in January and April 2016. The exemptions were given to women, two-wheelers, vehicles carrying children in school uniforms and VVIPs.

The odd-even traffic plan is among the remedies that have to come into force in accordance with the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to deal with air pollution.

After NGT's order, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal held a meeting and decided not to go ahead with the third phase without exemptions, pointing to concerns over "women security" and "insufficient public transport".

"At the moment we are calling it off. We will again approach the NGT and will ask them to allow exemptions to women and two-wheelers," Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot said here.

"This government gives highest priority to the safety and security of women."

"Further, this government feels that considering the large number of two-wheelers in Delhi, unless adequate number of buses are available, implementation of odd-even will cause great hardship to such persons. This is not feasible to arrange such a large number of buses at this stage," a Delhi government statement said.

The NGT's order came a day after it questioned the efficacy of the odd-even scheme and sought details about the earlier implementation.

On Saturday, the air quality in Delhi-NCR region showed slight improvement towards the afternoon but the pollution levels shot up again later.

Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recorded that Delhi's average AQI at 7 p.m. was 445 (on a scale of 0 to 500) while the PM2.5 hovered around 442 units, considered "severe".

Ghaziabad was the most polluted region in NCR region AQI of 497 at 7 p.m. while PM2.5 reached a dangerous 945 units -- 37 times the safe limit.

The average AQI in Delhi-NCR combined was 442 with PM2.5 recorded at 440 units.

"There has been some improvement. We are hoping it would get better tomorrow (Sunday)," Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) chairperson Bhure Lal told IANS.

According to System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR), Delhi's air is set to improve from 'severe' to 'very poor' on Sunday.

India Meteorological Department (IMD) has also predicted rains in Delhi on November 13 and 14. This, say experts, will help in markedly improving the air quality of Delhi-NCR.

Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan asked residents of the national capital not to panic and said air quality has been improving over the last two days.

(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 Northeast will soon get a helicopter-based air dispensary, the first of its kind, to serve the people in remote areas in the region, Union minister Jitendra Singh has said.

The Northeast is all set to get India's first-ever air dispensary in a helicopter. The Union Ministry of Development of Northeast (DONER) has already contributed Rs 25 crore as part of the initial funding for this initiative, he said at a meeting here on Sunday.

Representatives of the aviation sector and helicopter service Pawan Hans were among those who attended the meeting.

For a few months, the DoNER Ministry explored the idea of introducing a helicopter-based dispensary/OPD service in far flung areas, where no doctor or medical facility is available and the patient does not have access to medical care, the minister said.

The proposal put forward by the Ministry of DoNER has been accepted and is in the final stages of the process in the ministry of civil aviation, a statement said.

Singh said his ministry was keenly pursuing the proposal so that it could be the central government's gift to the people of the Northeast by the beginning of 2018.

The service being introduced in the Northeast can also be emulated in other hill states having difficult topography, such as Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, he said.

According to the plan, helicopters will be based at two locations - Imphal and Shillong, which have premier post- graduate medical institutes from where doctors, along with equipment and paramedical staff, would be able to fly over eight states in the region.

On its way back, the same helicopter can also carry a sick patient to a city hospital, he said.

The minister said three twin-engine helicopters are proposed to be stationed for the initial operation on six routes in the region around Imphal, Guwahati and Dibrugarh.
The Madhya Pradesh government will re-open registration for farmers wanting to opt for the Mukyamantri Bhavanthar Bhugthan Yojana (Chief Ministers Price Deficit Financing Scheme) for a week, nearly a month after it was closed.
After Rajasthan, investors from Japan can look at Odisha to set up shop as the government has identified 600 acres of land near Bhubaneswar to woo Japanese firms.
In Manila on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extolled the benefits of demonetisation to ASEAN business leaders. He also spoke at length about initiatives taken by his government, particularly its efforts at curbing corruption.
Stubble burning in North and North-west India has been cited as a major reason for dense smog and heavy air pollution in Delhi. A report in The Indian Express says that the burning of crop residue by farmers could have been averted if the Centre and states concerned had reached an agreement to share a proposed financial incentive package for farmers.



The unabated stubble burning, especially in Punjab and Haryana, estimated to be around 35 million tonnes, was banned by the National Green Tribunal in November 2015.





ALSO READ: Stubble burning effect: Haryana govt changes school timings due to smog


On November 10, 2017, Friday, the Union cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cleared a proposal for the creation of a National Testing Agency (NTA). An exclusive body, NTA will initially conduct entrance examinations currently being managed by the Central Board of Secondary (CBSE).
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is inviting applications for the post of Nautical Surveyor-cum-Deputy Director General (Technical) to be hired by Directorate General of Shipping under Ministry of Shipping. Candidates willing to take up the post can apply for the same till November 16, 2017 (Thursday). The number of vacancy is 5 reserved for UR (2), OBC (1), SC (1) and ST (1). The qualified candidate would be given pre-revised pay scale- PB-3 Rs.15600-39100/- plus Grade Pay Rs.7600/- Revised Pay Scale- Level-12, Cell No.1 as per 7th CPC. (Total Emoluments excluding T.A. and HRA at the time of initial appointment will be Rs.78800/-p.m. approximately). The job location is Directorate General of Shipping, Mumbai but the selected candidate will be required to serve anywhere in India. The post carries probation of one year.
Various representations have been received from Foreign Diplomatic Missions / UN Organizations regarding unwillingness of the vendors / suppliers to record the UIN (Unique Identify Number) while making sales to such Missions / Consulates or UN organizations. It may be noted that sale or supply to Foreign Diplomatic Missions / UN Organizations is like any other Business to Consumer (B2C) sale and will not have any additional effect on the suppliers tax liability. Recording of UIN while making such sales will enable Foreign Diplomatic Missions / UN Organizations to claim refund of the taxes paid by them in India. Therefore, it is advised that under no circumstance any supplier should decline to record the UIN of the diplomat / official on the tax invoice. .

.

Further, it may also be noted that the diplomats / consulate staff may quote the same UIN as allotted to their Missions / Consulates or UN organizations while making any purchases. .

.

Unique Identification Number (UIN) is a 15-digit unique number allotted to any specialised agency of the United Nations Organisation or any Multilateral Financial Institution and Organisation notified under the United Nations (Privileges and Immunities) Act, 1947, Consulate or Embassy of foreign countries. First two digits of the UIN denotes State code where the Diplomatic Mission/Consulate/ Embassy is located. .

.

Search functionality for UIN is available on the GST Common Portal in Search Taxpayer" option. On entering UIN and captcha, details of the Diplomatic Mission/Consulate/ Embassy will be available. .

.
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh has emphasized that the message in the years to come for the World, especially for India should be prevention of diabetes in youth. He said this on the eve of World Diabetes Day, while addressing a function organized here today. He emphasised that youth energy of the country should be channelized in healthy and constructive activities.

Dr. Jitendra Singh mentioned that India is the diabetes capital of the World because of its incidence in terms of sheer numbers affected by diabetes. He explained that diabetes affects the youth in multiple ways in the form of their effective healthy life span and economic ramification of their future health. He said that there should be a national cause of building nation of healthy youth, free of communicable and non-communicable diseases with optimal utilization of their potential.

The Minister exhorted the youth for becoming inspired by the clarion call of the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and explained that Prime Ministers vision of New India will be a reality with healthy youth resource utilization considering that 70 percent of the population is less than 40 years of age. He underlined the need for creating a mass awareness campaign for diabetes prevention and control with proper monitoring mechanism among people of the country. He said that the need of the hour is to elevate the diabetes awareness campaign as a mass movement. He further elaborated that the quintessential requirement of forging partnership at stakeholders level to develop infrastructure to address the after-effects of diabetes with proper control and prevention mechanism.

Dr. Jitendra Singh said diabetes is also affecting neighboring countries like China, Srilanka and Bangaladesh. He said a joint integrated approach should be essential for addressing diabetes, particularly for the youth. He urged diabetes affected youth to go for regular blood level testing for its control. He said that diabetes also has an economic ramification for the country as it affects the man-days of work and even, has a possible effect on lifespan of youth and apt utilization of energy of youth. Dr. Jitendra Singh said as a professional and activist in this sphere, he said that every 3 or 4 people of the countrys population are affected by diabetes. He mentioned that on the eve of the World Diabetes Day, there should be a unified resolve to encourage healthy life style among youth by ensuring proper social, cultural, medical and physical activities. He exhorted the participation of all sections of society to address the root cause of diabetes, where the genesis of diabetes and factors for its cause emanate. He said that youth should be sensitized about the healthy eating habits and to avoid junk processed food.
Both Yoga and Pilates look similar to a newbie or a layman. In fact they are but only up to a certain degree; there are some major differences between the two. Before we look at the differences, lets understand the similarity between the two, the basic ones being that both Yoga and Pilates aim to provide the similar benefits to the human body which are strength, flexibility and endurance and unification of mind, body and soul for a healthy, holistic living. Yoga is about exercising, breathing and meditation for a healthy body and mind. Whereas Pilates is more about challenging your body to strength the abdominal muscles control.
Skirting any direct response to the first quadrilateral meeting of India, US, Japan and Australia, China today questioned its exclusion from the group and expressed hope that the new concept of 'Indo-Pacific' is not directed against it.

"The relevant proposals should be open and inclusive and should be conducive to win-win cooperation and avoid politicising or excluding the relevant parties," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said at a media briefing here.

He was answering a spate of questions on the Indo-Pacific concept and the quadrilateral meeting held yesterday at Manila.

Asked whether he meant "exclusion of the relevant parties" referred to omission of China, Geng said China welcomes the development of friendly cooperation between relevant countries.

"We hope this kind of relations will not be directed at a third party and conducive to the regional peace and stability. This is the general concept and I think this kind of position applies to any proposal," he said.

Giving shape and substance to the Indo-Pacific concept by virtually replacing the previous Asia-Pacific, the US, India, Japan and Australia yesterday held their first official-level talks in Manila ahead of the with a focus on keeping the region "free and open", amid China's growing military presence in the strategic area.

The move is seen as counter to China's aggressive behaviour in the area. They agreed that a free, open, prosperous and inclusive Indo-Pacific region serves the long-term interests of all countries in the region and of the world at large.

The officials also exchanged views on addressing common challenges of terrorism and proliferation linkages impacting the region as well as on enhancing connectivity.

American officials earlier said the new term "Indo- Pacific" replacing Asia Pacific captures the importance of the rise of India with which the US has strong and growing ties.

A senior White House official had said that "we have strong and growing ties with India. We talk about 'Indo- Pacific' in part because that phrase captures the importance of India's rise".

And the strategy is "certainly not" to contain China, he said.

Indo-Pacific broadly refers to the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean regions, which also includes the disputed South China Sea where Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Brunei question China's claims over almost the entire waterway.

The Indo-Pacific concept has figured prominently during the recent visit by President Donald Trump to the region including to Japan and China.

Responding to a question about persistent references of Indo-Pacific by the US and Japan saying that they want to establish leaders' dialogue mechanism between India, US, Japan and Australia and Tokyo's willingness to conduct cooperation with China under the new concept, Geng said China has noted the Japanese statement in this regard.

"Promoting the stability and the development of the Asia Pacific region is the common responsibility of the regional countries. We hope the policies made and the action taken by the relevant parties can correspond with the trend of times featuring, peace, cooperation, friendship and development and can be conducive to upholding peace, prosperity and stability," he said.

Asked how China viewed the Indo-Pacific concept, Geng said peace and win-win cooperation is the trend of the times.

"It is also the trend of the world. The development of Any country, any region should correspond with the trend of the times and trend of the world," he said.

"All relevant parties can put forward their vision and proposal on how to develop cooperation between countries and regions. I hope this kind proposals and vision can correspond with the trends of the world and should be inclusive," he said.

To another question whether China sees any difference and contradiction between the Asia-Pacific and Indo-Pacific, Geng said "I think you are quite interested in the concept. The concept is Asia-Pacific or Indo-Pacific, or whether the region is Indo-Pacific or Asia-Pacific, it should correspond with the trend of the times and trend of the world," he said.
SoftBank is expected to buy shares from Uber at the companys current valuation of nearly $70 billion but the price of the secondary stock sale, in which existing investors sell, is expected to be lower
More than 400 people were killed in Iran when a magnitude 7.3 earthquake jolted the country, state media said on Monday, and rescuers were searching for dozens trapped under rubble in the mountainous area. At least six have died in Iraq as well.
The 'Bharat 22' Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) is all set to open for anchor investors on November 14, while subscription for retail investors would begin from November 15 and continue till November 17.
hit a fresh 52-week high of Rs 565, up 4% on the BSE in early morning trade, after the private lender's board of directors on Friday agreed raising of Rs 11,625 crore through the issue of preferential equity shares and convertible warrants to Bain Capital, Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) and others. The bank made announcement on Friday after market hours.
Months after it silently withdrew a circular mandating corporates to disclose their loan defaults, just a day after it was issued, the watchdog Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) on Monday explained that it was pulled back as banks sought more time to implement it.
The centre is looking to raise at least Rs 8,000 crore this week by divesting holdings in 22 companies through the Bharat-22 exchange-traded fund (ETF). Nimesh Shah, managing director & chief executive of ICICI Prudential AMC, which is managing the ETF, tells Samie Modak that diversification across sectors poised to benefit from government policies and relative attractiveness to the benchmark indices will draw investors towards the new fund offer (NFO). Edited excerpts:

The Bharat-22 index is a basket of companies from diversified sectors. What will be the selling point for the Bharat-22 ETF?

The stocks on the index can be equated to the jewels of corporate India, as 16 of the 22 companies in the ETF are Maharatna, Miniratna-I and Navratna companies. They are a mix of leaders from six different sectors, including industrials, energy, utilities, finance and FMCG  representing a balance between stability and growth. Besides, the constituents of the index capture the various key reforms and initiatives by the Government of India, such as financial inclusion, digital and cashless economy, Make in India, GST and infrastructure reforms.





ALSO READ: All you need to know about Bharat 22 ETF



The ETF is an attractive investment opportunity, with its lower price-to-earnings and price-to-book value than the BSE benchmark Sensex and the National Stock Exchanges Nifty 50. Also, the index composition has historically yielded higher dividend yield than the benchmark indices. To sum up, an individual investor gets the opportunity to access all of these benefits at a discounted rate (three per cent) during the NFO period. The index is highly liquid, as more than 99 per cent of its constituents are traded in the derivatives segment.

What according to you makes an index diversified?

For an index to be adequately diversified, there need to be a set of defensive, cyclical and structural stocks. Bharat-22 ETF meets this requirement. Investors can partake of a variety of stocks spanning across six sectors and the index blends sectors with secular growth prospects (FMCG and utilities), and cyclicals (energy, metals, industrials). This can help reduce volatility and improve long-term investor returns.

How different is Bharat-22 from the existing ETFs?

Compared to other existing ETFs, Bharat-22 has a well-diversified portfolio. To keep away from sector or stock concentration, a sector level cap of 20 per cent and stock level cap of 15 per cent have been introduced. This makes it more diversified than several other indices. More importantly, most of the constituents of the index stand to gain from the various developmental initiatives of the government.

Is there a correlation between the Bharat-22 ETF and the benchmark Sensex or Nifty indices?

Over the past year, the correlation with Sensex and Nifty is 0.9120 and 0.9095, respectively.

Whats the core issue size and green shoe? Will there be more tranches of Bharat-22?

The core issue size is Rs 8,000 crore. There is a provision for additional amount which the fund house, on the instruction of the government, shall notify to investors after the closure of non-anchor investor period. With regard to future tranches, it shall be the discretion of the government.

A lot of equity mobilisation has taken place over the past few months. Do you think fatigue is building among investors? Will this impact the Bharat-22 NFO?

Given the lacklustre performance of physical assets like gold and real estate, retail investors are increasingly opting for financial assets. The encouraging aspect in this trend is that such investors are opting for balanced categories of funds. As a fund house, we are positive on large-caps and we believe Bharat-22 ETF is a good long-term investment opportunity.

Are there any perks being offered to small investors applying in the NFO?

Investors across all categories, including small investors, will get a three per cent upfront discount on the reference market price during the NFO.

Do you expect the EFPO to participate in a big way?

We expect large institutions across the board to participate in this NFO.

Equity ETFs havent done as well in India as active investments. Whats the reason?

Active investing has been popular in India, as there is a sizeable opportunity to generate alpha. We believe, as the evolve over time, the demand for passive investing will also pick up. This has been a trend even in developed globally.

How will the NFO benefit the fund house?

Given that investor centricity has been at the core of ICICI Prudential AMC, we hope to continue delivering a good investment experience with the addition of this ETF to our existing product basket.
slumped as the cancellation of a technology upgrade prompted some users to switch out of the cryptocurrency, spooking speculators who had profited from a more than 500 per cent surge this year.
Want to buy shares in Asias most-expensive stock market? Stay with high-quality companies that better weather downturns and perform respectably on the way up.


Shares of shed 6% on Monday after the telecom major reported a poor set of numbers for the September quarter, and announced sale of tower business to ATC Telecom along with Vodafone India.
While crude oil prices for both major benchmarks, Brent and WTI, have been rising, analysts say that the price difference in both is also widening, leading to a situation of increased demand for shale oil from US. At present, Brent oil is higher by 12 per cent. However, increased shale oil production is also likely cap Brent oil prices, according to analysts.
An earthquake of magnitude 5.8 on the Richter scale struck the east coast of Japan on Monday morning.

The epicenter was recorded at 218 miles (351 km) east of the Japan's Sendai, Honshu coast at the depth of nearly 5.9 miles (9.5), reported Sputnik, quoting the US Geological Service.

However, the Japanese Meteorological Agency said that the quake rocked at a depth of about 10 km.

No loss of life and property has been reported so far.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu on Monday visited the site of the Krishna boat capsise incident.

Meanwhile, the death toll in the incident has risen to 20, following the recovery of four more bodies this morning.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid condolence to families who lost their loved ones in the incident.

The Prime Minister's Office posted on the micro-blogging site: "Capsizing of a boat in the Krishna River is anguishing. My thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives in this tragedy. Andhra Pradesh Government and @NDRFHQ have been working on rescue operations: PM @narendramodi"

The Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Deputy Commandant, Santosh Kumar, said, "A rescue operation has been continuing since yesterday with four of our teams, while divers are also making efforts to trace the missing people."

The injured were brought to Andhra hospital in Vijayawada yesterday.

The state government announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 5 lakh to the families of the deceased.

As many as 41 people, including the boat driver, were in the boat at the time of the incident.

32 of the victims belonging to the Ongole town were on a picnic tour.

The boat that capsised at Krishna River in Ibrahimpatnam mandal, Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh, was reportedly a private one.

The boat turned turtle when it was about to reach the shore. The bodies were handed over to the victims' families after postmortem.

A survivour in the incident had alleged that the boat operator was trying to let in more passengers, which made the boat overloaded.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and his wife Honeylet Avancena on Monday welcomed the leaders at the opening ceremony of 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Manila.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also arrived here and shook hands with President Duterte here.

Prime Minister Modi is on a three-day visit to Manila to attend the ASEAN India summit and East Asia Summit on November 14.

Terror and Trade related issues will be on top of Modi's agenda during his visit.

Meanwhile, Philippines is the last leg of Trump's five-nation tour of Asia that also took him to Japan, China and South Korea.

During his visit, Prime Minister Modi will participate in special celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of ASEAN.

The Prime Minister will also attend the ASEAN business and investment summit on November 13 and regional comprehensive economic partnership meeting on November 14 in Manila.

He will also meet the members of the Indian community at a reception to be hosted by the Indian envoy in Philippines.

He will also visit the International Rice Research Institute and the Mahavir Philippines Foundation.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Monday snubbed Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar for mediating the Ayodhya dispute and said he should not indulge in any kite flying.

Speaking to the media, Owaisi said, "All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has clearly stated that they will not accept any such offer. He( Sri Sri Ravishankar) should not indulge in any kite flying."

Asserting that the spiritual leader is no authority to intervene in the matter, Owaisi said, "people who do not even know how to spell the word "Mughal" are today portraying themselves as their (Mughal) close associates."

As per reports, Ravi Shankar had earlier met representatives of Nirmohi Akhara and AIMPLB to help find an out-of-court settlement to the dispute.

Reacting to Ravi Shankar's initiative, the AIMPLB had said they do not want favour arbitration and the dispute can only be settled through adjudication.

AIMPLB member and Convenor of Babri Masjid Action Committee Zafaryab Jilani denied that any of their authorised representatives met the Art of Living founder.

Speaking to ANI, Jilani said, "Regarding Ayodhya dispute, no one has come and spoken on this issue to us. We have not even received any proposal on it yet. Rather than making it a big issue, the country should sit and decide on this matter peacefully. This is a very sensitive topic which needs long and valid discussion. Ravi Shankar mediating in it will make it controversial."

Various attempts have been made by all the stakeholders till now to resolve the matter amicably but all went in vain.

Earlier, the Supreme Court had also suggested that an out-of-court settlement was the best recourse to the dispute.

The apex court will commence the final hearing of the long-standing matter from December 5, a day before the 25th anniversary of the demolition of the medieval-era structure.

The Babri Masjid was built by Mughal emperor Babar in 1528. The Hindus, however, claim that a Ram temple that originally stood there was demolished to construct the mosque.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Bengaluru Mayor Sampath Raj has said that the city will soon have helipads to help common people during medical emergencies.

Raj told ANI on Sunday, "We are considering to make helipads across the eight zones of the city for medical emergencies of common people. It's in a primary stage and we will take opinion of all then decide."

The proposal is expected to be presented in the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) soon.

"So much of precious time is lost when ambulances are stuck in traffic. We will look at providing such services at nominal prices. Also, when you can pay lakhs of rupees for treatment, I am sure people won't mind spending a few thousands to save lives using helicopters to fly to the nearest hospital," the mayor said.

The plan is to name the helipads after former mayors of the city.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Jabalpur High Court on Monday ordered Madhya Pradesh government to file a report in the Bhopal gang-rape case citing actions taken in the regard.

The court has sought a report within two weeks.

The High Court also raised questions over the role of police and doctors.

On November 11, two doctors of Madhya Pradesh's Sultania Women Hospital were suspended over an erroneous medical report that said the gangrape victim, a 19-year-old civil services aspirant, indulged in consensual sex with the culprits.

Bhopal Public Health and Family Welfare Commissioner Ajatshatru Srivastav had earlier in the week issued a notice to the doctors over 'a serious lapse in the medical report'.

Earlier this month, the 19-year-old was abducted by four men and was allegedly gangraped near the Habibganj Railway Station in Bhopal.

All the four accused have been arrested.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Monday tore into Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) while saying that the party is trying to suppress the voices of the people of Gujarat.

Speaking at the public rally in Mehsana, Rahul also backed Patidar leader Hardik Patel for pitching his voice against the saffron party.

"They think that they would suppress the voice of Patidar community by doing dirty politics. Everyone is infuriated with the BJP. Hardik Patel is raising voice and representing all the youth of Gujarat. Earlier, British people tried to suppress our voice but two sons of Gujarat threw them out from India. Mahatma Gandhi ji and Sardar Patel ji. Nobody can suppress the voice of people of Gujarat," Rahul said.

The Congress scion further hits out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over demonetisation and Goods and Services Tax (GST)

"Modi Ji talks about corruption. I went to Surat and met the traders there who told that corruption is on its verge here. Note ban and Gabbar Singh Tax has shut down all the business leading to unemployment," he added.

Rahul has been campaigning vigorously and launching a scathing attack at the BJP in the light of upcoming assembly election in the state.

Following the public address, Rahul paid tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in Mehsana.

He travelled from Patan to Mahesana on the final day of Navsarjan Yatra in Gujarat.

On the final day of his three-day visit to the state, Rahul interacted with leaders of Scheduled Caste communities, and Students' Union of India workers and visited temples.

The political parties have been campaigning vigorously and not leaving a single opportunity to attack each other verbally in the light of the forthcoming assembly elections in Gujarat.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Delhi Development Minister, Gopal Rai on Monday said the state government would be re-filing the proposal before the Green Tribunal (NGT) in connection with exemption of two wheelers and women from the odd-even rule.

"The government had taken a decision regarding odd-even, but the NGT observation had come after that. We are re-filing before NGT that two wheelers and women be exempted from Odd Even," Rai said while addressing a press conference here.

The odd-even rule was slated to be rolled out from November 13 to November 17 in an attempt to reduce pollution in Delhi.

However, the court looking into the environmental issues added the condition that only emergency vehicles like ambulances or fire fighting engines will be exempted during the scheme, and not women and two -wheelers.

The minister also informed that Supreme Court is hearing the matter as well, and hence hence the government is waiting for decision of both the courts'.

Regarding the current status of population, Rai said that in the report from the last 48 hours, a decline has been recorded in the pollution level for the last six hours.

Besides, Delhi Chief Minister and Union Cabinet are in touch with environment scientists and continuously monitoring the situation, he informed, and added that the government would be meeting with the State-owned helicopter service company, Pawan Hans to discuss future step and add more strategies in combating pollution.

At present, water sprinkling in the whole region is being done by PWD and Jal board.

Rai also responded to Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar's remark about Delhi government not looking to its own farmers indulging in stubble burning.

'Haryana is more severe than Delhi. We are doing more than we can, and there is no visual of any farmer burning stubble in Delhi. This whole talk is about running away from responsibility," Rai said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
In an endeavor to protect the cultural heritage of the country, the Directorate of Revenue intelligence (DRI) on Monday seized an export consignment of the antique smugglers in Delhi.

The DRI seized the consignment at Inland Container Depot (ICD) in Patparganj and suspect sculpture in the export consignment has been referred to Archeological Survey of India (ASI) expert committee for determining its antiquity.

Earlier on November 9, the department nabbed one Nityanand Ompal from Sarai Kale Khan Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT) after he arrived from Rajasthan.

One antique Ganesh sculpture and two antique head sculptures were recovered from his possession, said the DRI.

Nityanand Ompal, a Delhi resident, involved in smuggling of antiques was on DRI radar for quite some time.

Intelligence was diligently gathered about the syndicate spanning multiple states and about key associates who assisted in stealing antique sculptures from the ruins of temples located in Gwalior, Shivpuri and Ashok Nagar districts of Madhya Pradesh.

While Ompal was nabbed by DRI in Delhi while he dis-embarked in Delhi from MP, searches were also conducted at the premises of some of his associates in Gwalior and Shivpuri districts of Madhya Pradesh for recovery of some more antique sculptures stolen by the syndicate. These searches resulted in recovery of one antique Brahma sculpture, sculpture of one panel and few more antique head sculptures.

When contacted, it was informed by the ASI that the sculptures belong to 8th century AD and appear to have been stolen from Archaeological sites of Central India. These stone sculptures are the ancient heritage of the country and are worth crores of rupees in the illegal international market. All of these sculptures were procured by Nityanand Ompal for smuggling them out of the country through his contacts, who had foreign clients for such sculptures. Investigations are still underway.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Both the factions of AIADMK, E K Palaniswami-O Panneerselvam and TTV Dhinakaran, on Monday filed a written submission in Election Commission in "two leaves" symbol case.

The faction, led by party leader TTV Dhinakaran, filed 111 page written submission and while the group led by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E K Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam filed 82 page written submission.

Dhinakaran faction also asked for additional three-day time to submit some other document and submitted a request letter.

The Election Commission had earlier on Wednesday reserved order in the case and asked all parties to file written submissions by November 13.

Earlier, the Supreme Court had asked the Election Commission to decide on which of the two factions of the AIADMK should be allowed to use the symbol by November 10.

Following the demise of former Tamil Nadu chief minister J. Jayalalithaa in December last year, a tug of war had broken out between the two factions.

Both the factions approached the Commission and asked that the official party symbol be given to it.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A new research suggests that global carbon dioxide emissions are on the rise again after three years of diminutive growth.

The research reveals that global emissions from all human activities will reach 41 billion tonnes in 2017, following a projected 2% rise in burning fossil fuels.

Director of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research at University Of East Anglia Professor Corinne Le Quere said, "Global CO2 emissions appear to be going up strongly once again after a three year stable period. This is very disappointing".

"With global CO2 emissions from human activities estimated at 41 billion tonnes for 2017, time is running out on our ability to keep warming well below 2C let alone 1.5C", Le Quere added.

The research also says that coal use in China and the US are expected to increase this year.

In addition to that, China's and India's emissions are projected to grow by 3.5% and 2% respectively.

The United States' and European Union's emissions are projected to decline only by 0.4% and 0.2% respectively.

Continuing the streak of sad news, atmospheric CO2 concentration reached 403 parts per million in 2016, and is expected to increase by 2.5 parts per million in 2017.

However, there is one good news and that is renewable energy has increased rapidly at 14% per year over the last five years.

Dr Glen Peters of the Centre for International Climate Research in Oslo said, "The growth in 2017 emissions is unwelcome news, but it is too early to say whether it is a one-off event on a way to a global peak in emissions, or the start of a new period with upward pressure on global emissions growth."

All of this might be an unwelcome message for policy makers and delegates at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 23) in Bonn this week.

"Policy makers in Bonn are preparing for the Global Stocktake under the Paris Agreement, that will start in 2018 and occur every five years, and this puts immense pressure on the scientific community to develop methods and perform measurements that can truly verify changes in emissions within this five-yearly cycle," Prof Le Quere added.

Commenting on the sad state of global climate and hoping for a better future, Le Quere said, "This year we have seen how climate change can amplify the impacts of hurricanes with more intense rainfall, higher sea levels and warmer ocean conditions favouring more powerful storms. This is a window into the future".

"We need to reach a peak in global emissions in the next few years and drive emissions down rapidly afterwards to address climate change and limit its impacts," he concluded.

The research was conducted by University of East Anglia and the Global Carbon Project and the findings were published today simultaneously in the journals Nature Climate Change, Earth System Data Discussions and Environmental Research Letters.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar may meet Delhi state chief, on Monday to discuss the issue of pollution that has beset the northern part of India.

Responding in the affirmative to a written request by Kejriwal, the Chief Minister wrote back on Friday, saying that he would be in the capital from afternoon of November 13 till forenoon of November 14, and in Chandigarh thereafter. Further, he asked Kejriwal to "call [him] to fine tune a mutually convenient date, time, and venue for the meeting."

In response to Delhi Chief Minister's allegation that the main reason for in the capital is the in Punjab and Haryana, Khattar said that a collective action was needed, and further commented that Kejriwal's letter betrayed his "inability to rise above short term electoral interests."

"Your assertion 'the Governments have failed to provide them economically viable solution' gives away your subconscious awareness of your government's inaction in this regard," he added.

Khattar further questioned Kejriwal over the steps taken against by farmers in Delhi, and conveyed the Union Agriculture Minister's information that has allocated Rs 39 Crore towards crop residue management, out of Rs 45 crore funds.

"Punjab has not spent even a paisa out of its allocation of Rs 97.58 crore," he added.

On November 8, Kejriwal had sent a letter to chief ministers of neighbouring Punjab and Haryana states, urging them to work jointly to resolve the issue.

Thereafter, Punjab Chief Minister Captain wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking compensation for farmers for crop resident.

Singh also refuted any possibility of a meeting with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, saying the issue of pollution crisis was a much bigger issue involving all states contributing to pollution.
India and Philippines on Monday signed four Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) across various fields to further strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries.

The two sides exchanged MoUs on defense, agriculture and related fields, foreign services and cooperation in the field of micro small and medium enterprises after the bilateral meeting between Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"Four agreements were signed between India and Philippines, including ones on defense cooperation and logistics, agriculture and on micro small and medium enterprises," said Preeti Saran, Secretary (East) in India's Ministry of External Affairs.

Emphasising that this was the first Prime Ministerial visit from India to Philippines in 36 years, Saran said that President Duterte and Prime Minister Modi had an excellent meeting.

She added that the Philippines President said that he would like to have very good ties with India.

The Prime Minister is on a three-day visit to the Philippines, also met Donald Trump earlier in the day.

"The relations between India and the US are growing. Our relations go beyond and are in the interests of Asia and humanity," Prime Minister Modi told media after the meeting.

Prime Minister Modi is in Philippines to attend the 31st summit of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and 15th East Asia Summit.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
India and the United States have pledged to enhance their cooperation as major defense partners, resolving that two of the world's great democracies should also have the world's greatest militaries.

United States President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks on the sidelines of the 31st ASEAN Summit in Manila on Monday.

The two leaders discussed the comprehensive strategic partnership between the United States and India and their shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

President Trump expressed appreciation that Indian purchases of oil from the United States have surpassed 10 million barrels in recent months, and expressed confidence that stronger energy cooperation will be a geopolitical and economic game changer for both countries.

Prime Minister Modi noted that he looks forward to hosting the United States delegation to the upcoming Global Entrepreneurship Summit, showcasing innovation and collaboration between India and the United States.

"The meeting lasted for about 45 minutes. Starting with President Trump saying that there is a lot of good report coming from India, he was talking mainly in economic terms," Indian Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar said in a press briefing in Manila on Monday.

He added that the bilateral mainly focused on economic issues with the crux of the discussion was really how to grow trade and investments and how to improve market access in each other's countries.

"Two issues which came up were obviously the non-proliferation and proliferation linkages, and also terrorism came up particularly in the context of the region west of India all the way till the Middle East," he said.

This is the fourth meeting of the two leaders in this year.

Prime Minister Modi and Trump met briefly at a gala dinner on Sunday, and held discussions on counter-terrorism, trade and the security situation in the Indo-Pacific region.

They earlier met when PM Modi visited the U.S. and next, at the G20 Economic Summit.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Two terrorists were killed and a policeman was injured after terrorists attacked a police party in Handwara in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday.

As per reports, search operation is ongoing in the area.

Earlier on November 10, terrorists opened fire on a police vehicle in Kulgam's Qazigund of Jammu and Kashmir. However, no casualities were reported in the case.

Further details are awaited.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Doctors of Private Hospitals Association and Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Monday staged a protest against the proposed Karnataka Private Medical Establishments (KPME) Act here.

More than 25,000 doctors from various private medical hospitals and health care assembled in front of the Suvarna Vidhana Soundha at Belagavi.

When IMA Karnataka President, Dr Ravindra, was asked what would he do if the government passes KPME Act, he told ANI, "I will go for fast unto death from tomorrow itself".

The protest was staged on the first day of the 10-day winter session of Karnataka Legislature, which began this morning.

Meanwhile, the doctors are also planning to go on hunger strike to protest against KPME Act to restrict prices for various kinds of services and to form a new patient grievance redressal forum at the district-level.

After the city and state doctors going on strike, the services at the Out Patients' Department (OPD) in private hospitals and clinics have also been affected.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday paid condolences to the families of bereaved in Andhra Pradesh boat capsize incident.

The Chief Minsiter took to Twitter and said, "Deeply anguished by the tragic boat incident in Andhra. My condolences to the families of those affected. Pray to god to give them the courage to tide over this grave situation."

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu earlier in the day visited the site of the Krishna river boat capsize incident.

Meanwhile, the death toll in the incident has risen to 20, following the recovery of four more bodies this morning.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid condolence to families who lost their loved ones in the incident.

The Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Deputy Commandant, Santosh Kumar, said, "A rescue operation has been continuing since yesterday with four of our teams, while divers are also making efforts to trace the missing people."

The injured were brought to Andhra hospital in Vijayawada yesterday.

The state government announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 5 lakh to the families of the deceased.

As many as 41 people, including the boat driver, were in the boat at the time of the incident.

32 of the victims belonging to the Ongole town were on a picnic tour.

The boat that capsized at Krishna River in Ibrahimpatnam mandal, Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh, was reportedly a private one.

The boat turned turtle when it was about to reach the shore. The bodies were handed over to the victims' families after postmortem.

A survivour in the incident had alleged that the boat operator was trying to let in more passengers, which made the boat overloaded.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Monday cornered Prime Minister Narendra Modi over development in Gujarat, claiming that the whole of Gujarat was agitating for one reason or another, except five to ten businessmen, thus hinting that the developmental work was only concentrated towards one lot.

Addressing a rally in the Varana village of Gujarat's Patan district, Rahul said that it was the first time he saw a state where all communities were agitating for one or the other reason, and questioned, "Then who became happy in the last 22 years in Gujarat?"

He later added, "This is the truth of Gujarat - seize the land of farmers and tribals, seize water from public and give it to five-ten businessmen, who are the only group not agitating in Gujarat."

Rahul continued reiterating his many attacks on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government and their alleged favour to the business class.

"The UPA Government had put Rs 35,000 in MNREGA, which gave employment, families prospered, and the nation progressed. Now, Modi ji gave Rs 33,000 crore to only one factory - Tata Nano. The amount we used for progress of the nation is the same amount Modi ji gave to a company in Gujarat," Gandhi said, and reiterated his previous assertion that he never saw one Nano car in all of his visits to the state.

Gandhi further spoke out for the farmers' cause stating that the government waivered Rs 1,13,000 crore for ten businessmen in the last one year, but "could not waiver even a paisa of loan for the farmers."

In the run up to the Gujarat assembly elections, the Gandhi scion has been agressively targetting the BJP.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
At least six people have been killed after a powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck Iraq, near the Iraq-Iran border.

Local media reports said that dozens of people were injured on Sunday's quake in the border town of Qasr-e Shirin.

However, Governor of Qasr-e Shirin Faramarz Akbari has confirmed the death of only two people and said that 25 others were injured, reported the Independent.

The epicenter of the earthquake was near the Iraq-Iran border, 20 miles southwest of the city of Halabjah.

The tremor was felt in Baghdad and other parts of Iraq, reported the Independent, quoting Iraqi Meteorology department.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Union Minister for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi announced the process of Haj 2018 here in the press conference today.

While making the announcement of Haj 2018 at Haj House, Naqvi said that this time, the Central Government has announced Haj process one month before in comparison to the last year.

This will provide enough opportunities for all the concerned agencies to make preparations well in advance so that world class facilities to the Haj pilgrims are ensured. Haj 2018 related process started today. People can apply for Haj from 15th November.

Naqvi said that Haj 2018 will be performed according to the new Haj Policy. The high-level committee, constituted to frame the new policy, has already submitted its report and Minority Affairs Ministry has been looking into its recommendations.

The new Haj policy aims to make Haj pilgrimage more comfortable, smooth and transparent. Pilgrims' safety and their facilities are our priority.

Naqvi also launched a new Haj Mobile App, based on modern facilities and technology. This app will make Haj application process easier and comfortable. Applying for Haj, enquiry and information, news and updates and e-payment are main features of Haj Committee of India Mobile App. Application for Haj can be made directly from the app. Registration fees can also be made through this app.

Naqvi said that the Central Government has been working to make the entire Haj process online so that people can get an opportunity for the pilgrimage with complete transparency and comfort.

Chairman of Haj Committee of India Mehboob Ali Kaiser said, "The online application should be done in huge numbers, this will benefit Pilgrims on one hand and on the other hand Haj Committee staff will also get a chance to work very smoothly. The Central Haj Committee will request all State Haj Committee to promote the online application. Haj Committee of India will request the Saudi Arabian government to make Indian immigration online for Haj, so that after landing on Saudi Arabian airport, Indian hajis do not have to wait too long and face problems. The chairman further said that online immigration has also been reviewed by the Haj Review Committee. The Central Government has also been pressurized that they will talk to the Saudi Arabian Government in this matter.

Dr. Maqsood Ahmed Khan, CEO of Central Haj Committee said that Before this time, Indian hajis were kept in the darkness, but this time Haj Committee gave complete information about the Haj expenditure in the Haj application. Hajis who use embarkation points of small towns did not know that there is a huge reduction in air fares if they use the embarkation points of big cities. Keeping these things in mind, the Haj Committee has adopted a transparent system.

Shri Naqvi said that the new Haj policy includes maintaining the reservation for people above 70 years age wish to go for Haj and allowing women over 45 years of age in a group of four or more for Haj without a male relative or "Mahram". Shri Naqvi said that the report on new Haj policy is under consideration of Minority Affairs Ministry and positive discussion is going on, on keeping the number of embarkation points as it is at 21 at present.

For the first time, for Haj 2018, details of total expenditure to be incurred by the pilgrims is given in the Haj application form. This is a step towards transparency. Haj application form for 2018 also contains the embarkation points-wise detailed air fare comparison which will be beneficial for the pilgrims as for the first time they will get option for embarkation points of their own choice.

For example, Haj airfare per pilgrim from Sri Nagar is Rs 1,09,692 while from Delhi it is Rs 73,697. So the pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir can opt for Delhi embarkation point. Similarly, the Haj airfare from Guwahati is Rs 1,15,646 per pilgrim while it is Rs 83,027 from Kolkata. So, the pilgrims from states of Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh & Sikkim can opt for Kolkata. Pilgrims from Gaya, where the airfare is Rs 1,13,680 can also opt for Kolkata. This will ensure that the pilgrims don't face problems even after abolition of Haj subsidy.

Shri Naqvi said that Haj 2017 was very successful and smooth as the Central Government had completed all the necessary preparations well before time in cooperation and coordination with concerned agencies. A total of 1,24,940 Haj pilgrims performed Haj 2017 by 454 flights between 24th July to 28th August through Haj Committee of India. About 45,000 pilgrims went through private tour operators. India's Haj quota for 2017 had been increased significantly by Saudi Arabia Government to 1,70,025.

Haj pilgrims from India went to Saudi Arabia from 21 embarkation points- Delhi, Mumbai, Goa, Guwahati, Lucknow, Mangalore, Varanasi, Srinagar, Kolkata, Gaya, Ranchi, Bhopal, Bangalore, Nagpur, Ahmedabad, Aurangabad, Chennai, Cochin, Jaipur, Indore, Hyderabad.

From Ahmedabad, a total of 11073 Haj pilgrims went to Haj this year. Besides Ahmedabad, Haj pilgrims went through Aurangabad (2764); Bangalore (4734); Bhopal (1758); Chennai (3440); Cochin (11805); Delhi (16627); Gaya (6484); Goa (656); Gauhati (4472); Hyderabad (6347); Indore (1794); Jaipur (4767); Kolkata (10263); Lucknow (12314); Mangalore (768); Mumbai (6297); Nagpur (2181); Ranchi (3133); Srinagar (8103) and Varanasi (5072).

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A North Korean soldier defected to South Korea through the Joint Security Area in the demilitarised zone on Monday.

According to the Yonhap news agency, the South Korean military said the soldier suffered a gunshot from North Korean forces while defecting.

Soon after his arrival in South Korea, the soldier was taken to the hospital for treatment.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Supreme Court on Monday deferred the hearing of the review petition of one of the convicts in Nirbhaya gang-rape and murder case to December 12.

Mukesh, who has been sentenced to death along with three other convicts in the case, had filed the petition.

The apex court, in May, upheld the order of Delhi High Court, which had sentenced the four convicts - Akshay, Pawan, Vinay Sharma and Mukesh - to death.

On December 16, 2012, six people gang raped a 23-year-old physiotherapy intern in a moving bus.

The woman succumbed to her injuries in a Singapore hospital on December 29, 2012.

One of the accused, Ram Singh, had hanged himself in the prison, while another person, who was a juvenile at the time of the crime, was convicted in August last year and will serve the maximum sentence of three years in a reform home.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday paid condolence to families who lost their loved ones in the Andhra Pradesh boat capsise incident.

The Prime Minister's Office posted on the micro-blogging incident: "Capsizing of a boat in the Krishna River is anguishing. My thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives in this tragedy. Andhra Pradesh Government and @NDRFHQ have been working on rescue operations: PM @narendramodi"

Meanwhile, the district collector confirmed to ANI that 17 bodies were recovered and that an effort to trace the remaining missing persons was underway.

"At least 17 bodies have been recovered so far. We are trying to trace the remaining missing persons. The government has appointed a senior committee to inquire. The police has also registered a case against four to five persons out of which one has been arrested," Krishna District Collector B. Lakshmi Kantam told ANI.

The Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Deputy Commandant, Santosh Kumar, said, "A rescue operation has been continuing since yesterday with four of our teams, while divers are also making efforts to trace the missing people."

The injured were brought to Andhra hospital in Vijayawada earlier in the day.

The state government yesterday announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the families of the deceased.

As many as 41 people, including the boat driver, were in the boat at the time of the incident.

32 of the victims belonging to the Ongole town were on a picnic tour.

The boat that capsised at Krishna River in Ibrahimpatnam mandal, Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh, was reportedly a private one.

The boat turned turtle when it was about to reach the shore. The bodies were handed over to the victims' families after postmortem.

A survivour in the incident had alleged that the boat operator was trying to let in more passengers, which made the boat overloaded.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and United States President Donald Trump held bilateral talks on the sidelines of the 31st ASEAN Summit in Manila, Philippines, on Monday.

"The relations between India and the United States are growing. Our relations go beyond. We are working for future interests of Asia and humanity," Prime Minister Modi said, while addressing the media after the talks.

"It's an honour to meet you again," Trump told PM Modi.

The prime minister arrived in the Philippines capital on Sunday for a three-day visit during which he will also attend the 12th East Asia meet on Tuesday.

This is the fourth meeting of the two leaders in this year.

Prime Minister Modi and Trump met briefly at a gala dinner on Sunday, and held discussions on counter-terrorism, trade and the security situation in the Indo-Pacific region.

They earlier met when PM Modi visited the US and next, at the G20 Economic Summit.

Reportedly, the two leaders didn't share a hug this time, unlike their earlier meetings.

Earlier in the day, President Duterte and his wife Honeylet Avancena welcomed the leaders at the opening ceremony of 31st ASEAN Summit in Manila.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also arrived there and shook hands with President Duterte here.

Among the highlights of the opening ceremony was a music and dance excerpt from the musical Rama Hari, based on the characters of the Ramayana, an epic narrative that is a shared heritage among the ASEAN member states.

The performers were Arman Ferrer and Lara Maigue, vocal soloists, Ballet Philippines, choreographed by Alice Reyes, with the Philharmonic orchestra conducted by Herminegildo Ranera.

Prime Minister Modi later visited the International Rice Research Institute in Los Banos, Philippines, earlier in the day, and inaugurated the Resilient Rice Field Laboratory, named after him.

He will also meet the members of the Indian community at a reception to be hosted by the Indian envoy in Philippines.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A case of rape has been filed against Baba Virender Dev Dixit, allegedly associated with the Adhyatmik Vishwavidyalya of Rohini in Delhi, by one of his woman student.

The incident pertains to the year 2000.

An investigation has been entrusted to the DIU, Rohini.

According to reports, the spiritual institute has been in existence for almost 30 years where meditation, yoga and other religious functions take place.

According to police on Sunday, some of the victim girls have complained of molestation by Baba.

Police added that there are many cases filed against him in other states as well.

He was once arrested in the past in a similar case in Uttar Pradesh.

The police is on the lookout to nab him.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi underscored the growing and deepening relations between India and the United States, as he addressed the media after holding bilateral talks with United States President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the 31st ASEAN Summit in Manila, Philippines, on Monday.

"The relations between India and the US are growing. Our relations go beyond. We are working for future interests of Asia and humanity." PM Modi said.

"I would like to assure you that we will come good on the expectations that the and the US have with India," he added.

"It's an honour to meet you again," Trump told PM Modi.

"He's become a friend of ours. He's doing a great job. A lot of things were solved and we will continue to work together," Trump further said about Prime Minister Modi.

The prime minister arrived in the Philippines capital on Sunday for a three-day visit during which he will also attend the 12th East Asia meet on Tuesday.

This is the fourth meeting of the two leaders in this year.

Prime Minister Modi and Trump met briefly at a gala dinner on Sunday, and held discussions on counter-terrorism, trade and the security situation in the Indo-Pacific region.

They earlier met when PM Modi visited the US and next, at the G20 Economic Summit.

Reportedly, the two leaders didn't share a hug this time, unlike their earlier meetings.

Earlier in the day, President Duterte and his wife Honeylet Avancena welcomed the leaders at the opening ceremony of 31st ASEAN Summit in Manila.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also arrived there and shook hands with President Duterte here.

Among the highlights of the opening ceremony was a music and dance excerpt from the musical Rama Hari, based on the characters of the Ramayana, an epic narrative that is a shared heritage among the ASEAN member states.

The performers were Arman Ferrer and Lara Maigue, vocal soloists, Ballet Philippines, choreographed by Alice Reyes, with the Philharmonic orchestra conducted by Herminegildo Ranera.

Prime Minister Modi later visited the International Rice Research Institute in Los Banos, Philippines, earlier in the day, and inaugurated the Resilient Rice Field Laboratory, named after him.

He also took time out from his engagements to meet with a nine-year-old boy from the Bulacan province of the Philippines.

The boy, Carlo Migel Silvano, is one of thousands of Filipinos fitted with a rubber-based prosthetic leg for people with below-knee amputations, famously known as the 'Jaipur Foot'.

"My young friend told me that he wanted to be a policeman. I am glad to see the Jaipur Foot giving wings to the aspirations of many youngsters like him," the prime minister said, after the meeting.

Prime Minister Modi is also scheduled to meet the members of the Indian community at a reception to be hosted by the Indian envoy in Philippines.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Mortal remains of two Indian soldiers who fought War I in France on Monday were laid to rest at the Laventie Military Cemetery in France.

The two soldiers belonged to 39 Garhwal Rifles.

A delegation comprising of Commandant and Subedar Major of the Garhwal Rifles regimental centre, two bagpipers from the regimental pipe band and Colonel Nitin Negi, grandson of late Naik Darwan Singh Negi, Victoria Cross, attended the ceremony.

On the occasion, homage was also paid to the soldiers of Indian Meerut Division at Nueve Chapelle War Memorial by laying wreaths.

The Commandant expressed his gratitude to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWWGC) for the excellent care and maintenance of the War Memorial dedicated to Indian soldiers in France and Flanders.

He also thanked the Government of France for the conduct of the solemn ceremony.

In a symbolic gesture, the soil from the graves of these soldiers will be brought back to their homeland.

According to the reports, their remains were found on September 20, 2016 during an excavation on the southern side of the village of Richebourg near the cemetery, approximately 230 km from Paris.

The CWWGC office in consultation with the French Government and Indian Embassy in France decided to hold ceremony to rest them along with their comrades at Laventie Military Cemetery, with full military honours during the annual memorial service that is held to commemorate the Indian soldiers who were martyred in action in France and Belgium.

During War-I, the Garhwal Brigade comprising of 1st/39th and 2nd/39th Royal Garhwal fought France and Flanders.

The Garhwal Brigade earned six Battle Honours and two Victoria Crosses.

.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in Los Banos, Philippines and inaugurated 'Shri Narendra Modi Resilient Rice Field Laboratory' on Monday.

He undertook a symbolic ground breaking for a new plot for submergence tolerant rice varieties and unveiled a plaque to mark the inauguration of the 'Shri Narendra Modi Resilient Rice Field Laboratory'. He also presented two Indian rice seed varieties to the IRRI gene bank.

"A contribution from India to IRRI.presented two Indian rice seed varieties to the IRRI gene bank," he later tweeted.

IRRI is a premier research organisation dedicated to reducing poverty and hunger through rice science; improving the health and welfare of rice farmers and consumers; and protecting the rice growing environment for future generations.

Prime Minister Modi later took to Twitter and shared his experience at the laboratory.

"My visit to International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) was a great learning experience. Saw the exceptional work IRRI is doing towards mitigating poverty and hunger by improving rice cultivation. Their work benefits many farmers and consumers, particularly in Asia and Africa. Saw a detailed exhibition on rice varieties and the impressive work done by IRRI with women farming cooperatives. Interacted with Indian scientists, students, researchers working at IRRI. India's ICAR and IRRI have been cooperating for four decades. India is also involved in helping IRRI in strategic planning, helping decide key goals and working to overcome hunger as well as poverty," the prime minister said, in a series of tweets.

During the course of the visit, the prime minister interacted with several Indian scientists working at IRRI. He also reviewed a photo exhibit showcasing flood tolerant rice varieties; drought tolerant rice varieties; salinity tolerant rice varieties; and IRRI's work with women farming cooperatives.

Earlier in the day, President Duterte and his wife Honeylet Avancena welcomed the leaders at the opening ceremony of 31st ASEAN Summit in Manila.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also arrived there and shook hands with President Duterte here.

Among the highlights of the opening ceremony was a music and dance excerpt from the musical Rama Hari, based on the characters of the Ramayana, an epic narrative that is a shared heritage among the ASEAN member states.

The performers were Arman Ferrer and Lara Maigue, vocal soloists, Ballet Philippines, choreographed by Alice Reyes, with the Philharmonic orchestra conducted by Herminegildo Ranera.

The prime minister is on a three-day visit to Manila to attend the ASEAN India summit and East Asia Summit on November 14.

Terror and Trade related issues will be on top of Modi's agenda during his visit.

The prime minister will also attend the ASEAN business and investment summit on November 13 and regional comprehensive economic partnership meeting on November 14 in Manila.

He will also meet the members of the Indian community at a reception to be hosted by the Indian envoy in Philippines.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Real Madrid star striker Cristiano Ronaldo has become a proud father for the fourth time after her girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez gave birth to a baby girl.

Confirming the birth of her first child with girlfriend, Ronaldo took to his Instagram account and posted a picture of a happy couple with the star striker's eldest son and new-born baby girl called Alana Martina.

He captioned the picture, "Alana Martina is just born! Both Geo and Alana are doing great! We are all very happy!"

Alana, who cannot be seen in the picture, arrived nine days earlier than anticipated at a Hospital Quiron Universal near Ronaldo's home.

Prior to the birth, Georgina and Ronaldo had decided to reveal the baby's name, the Mirror reported.

The Portuguese star had said that he selected the first name while Georgina decided the second.

"The name of my daughter will be Alana Martina. I just wanted to share this with you. I think it is a beautiful name," Ronaldo had earlier said.

In June, Ronaldo welcomed birth of his twins, Eva Maria and Mateo, from a surrogate mother in the United States.

Ronaldo also has a son, Cristiano Jr., who was born in 2010.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A strict action would be taken against the culprit, even if he is a Hindu, Rajasthan Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria said on Monday, while responding to the recent Alwar lynching incident.

"The body has been sent for the post-mortem. A case has been registered. One suspect has been taken into the person. According to the preliminary report, the involvement of four or five person can also be possible. We will take strict action against the culprit, be it Hindu or Muslim," Kataria told ANI.

The minister also informed that one person has been arrested, adding five others could also be involved in the incident.

On Sunday, three Muslim youth were allegedly beaten up and one of them was shot dead by suspected cow vigilantes in Rajasthan's Alwar district while they were transporting cows from Haryana's Mewat district to Bharatpur in Rajasthan.

This is second such incident in Alwar in past seven months.

In April, a 55-year-old dairy farmer, Pehlu Khan, from Haryana was beaten to death allegedly by cow vigilantes.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
At least four terrorists belonging to the Islamic State (IS), including Pakistani nationals, were killed in a drone strike in eastern Nangarhar province of Afghanistan.

According to Tolo News, the provincial government media office in a statement said the airstrike was carried out in Mamand Dara area of Achin district.

The airstrike was targetted at the ISIS hideout, in which some weapons, ammunition, and explosives were also destroyed.

ISIS has not commented on the incident so far.

Earlier in October, at least 22 terrorists of the IS were killed or wounded in an airstrike carried out by the US forces in the province.

Anti-ISIS as well as anti-Taliban operations are underway to eliminate the presence of ISIS affiliates in Nangarhar province and the US forces are providing airstrike support to the Afghan forces during the operations.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The United States and the Philippines condemned the unlawful development of nuclear weapons and missiles by North Korea and called on Pyongyang to immediately comply with the UN Security Council resolutions and agree to complete verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte discussed a broad range of shared interests and priorities during their meeting in Manila on Monday.

President Trump commended the Philippines for its compliance with the relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions on North Korea.

The leaders also urged all countries, including those in ASEAN, to voice their opposition to these threatening programs and to take steps to downgrade their diplomatic and economic engagement with North Korea.

Both leaders praised the enduring United States-Philippines Alliance, built on a strong foundation of shared values, sacrifices, and history, and bolstered by common interests, people-to-people ties, and full respect for legal and diplomatic processes.

They pledged to expand cooperation and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the bilateral alliance-a 70-year partnership that has stood the test of time and ensures both countries' mutual security and contributes to regional peace, stability, and economic prosperity.

During the 50th anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the 40th anniversary of United States relations with ASEAN, the United States and the Philippines commended ASEAN for its important role in promoting regional peace, stability and socio-economic development.

They pledged to continue to work within the ASEAN framework to pursue these goals throughout the Asia-Pacific.

President Trump applauded the Philippines for its leadership as ASEAN chair during the past year.

The two sides underscored that human rights and the dignity of human life are essential, and agreed to continue mainstreaming the human rights agenda in their national programmes to promote the welfare of all sectors, including the most vulnerable groups.

President Trump expressed his condolences for the tragic loss of life in Marawi City at the hands of ISIS-affiliated terrorists, and congratulated the Armed Forces of the Philippines for its success in liberating Marawi. He vowed that the United States would continue its support and assistance for the fight against terrorism and the rehabilitation of Marawi. Both sides committed to enhance their counter-terrorism cooperation through conducting additional exercises, increasing information sharing, and addressing the drivers of conflict and extremism. Both sides discussed the rehabilitation and reconstruction needs of Marawi and pledged to continue discussions for the rebuilding of Marawi.

The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to the Mutual Defense Treaty of 1951, as reinforced by the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement. The two sides discussed proposals to support the United States' efforts to help modernize the Armed Forces of the Philippines, develop capacity and capability for maritime security and domain awareness, and provide rapid humanitarian assistance. They also reaffirmed their commitment to continue defense cooperation, including by reinforcing respective national defense capabilities and interoperability and enhancing joint activities, disaster response, and cybersecurity.

Both sides reiterated their commitment to uphold their principles, including the freedom of navigation and overflight, and the exercise of self-restraint.

They stressed the importance of peacefully resolving disputes in the South China Sea, in accordance with international law, as reflected in the Law of the Sea Convention.

They further underscored the need to continue pursuing confidence-building measures to increase mutual trust and confidence, and to refrain from actions that would escalate tensions, including militarization.

They discussed the ongoing humanitarian and security crisis in Rakhine State, Myanmar.

Both leaders called for the expeditious delivery of humanitarian assistance to affected communities, and welcomed the Myanmar government's commitment to end the violence, restore media access, ensure the safe return of displaced persons, and implement all of the recommendations of the Advisory Commission on Rakhine State, and urged all parties to support these government commitments.

They expressed their support for ASEAN's role in working with the government of Myanmar to provide humanitarian assistance.

The two sides decided to further deepen the extensive United States-Philippine economic relationship. They discussed ways to expand on their mutual commitment to free, fair, and balanced trade that increases economic opportunity for all. The two leaders pledged to nurture economic ties, including private sector cooperation, to create jobs and opportunities for people in both countries. To this end, both sides will explore strengthening dialogues for innovation and sharing of best practices in technology to optimize the position of the Philippines as a preferred destination for American investments in the Asia-Pacific region.

The two countries recognized the importance of regular discussions under the United States-Philippines Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) to strengthen the trade relationship, including by continuing to make progress in the areas of market access related to agricultural products, intellectual property, customs and labor, among others. The United States welcomed the Philippines' interest in a bilateral free trade agreement and both sides agreed to discuss the matter further through the United States- Philippines TIFA.

The two sides discussed the ongoing campaign in the Philippines against criminality including illegal drugs. Both sides acknowledged that illegal drug use is a problem afflicting both countries and committed to share best practices in the areas of prevention; enforcement, including capacity-building and transparency in investigations; and rehabilitation.

Both leaders stressed the strong people-to-people connections between the Philippines and the United States. They acknowledged the many long-standing institutions that connect people of the two countries, including the longest continuing Fulbright program in the world-a program that has sent more than 3,000 Filipino scholars to the United States and nearly 1,000 American scholars to the Philippines-and the dynamic Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative that held its annual summit in Manila recently, in October.

Both leaders recognized the two countries' successful cooperation in promoting inclusive development, fueled by good governance, partnerships with the private sector and civil society, and investments in health, education, infrastructure, agribusiness, technology, and democratic institutions. The two sides committed themselves to institutionalizing development capacity, which is the foundation of sustainable stability, growth, and prosperity.

President Trump and President Duterte pledged to continue cooperating to promote the mutual goals of peace, stability, and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region and around the .

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that his government wants to make India a manufacturing hub.

Addressing the ASEAN Business and Investment summit here, Prime Minister Modi said, "We want to make India a global manufacturing hub and we want to make our youngsters job creators."

Exhorting the businessmen to invest in India, the Prime Minister said that most sectors of the Indian economy are open for foreign investment.

Prime Minister Modi also apprised the audience about his government's initiatives in the direction of transforming India.

"Task of transforming India is proceeding at an unprecedented scale. We are working day and night towards easy, effective and transparent governance. Digital transactions have increased significantly. We are using technology to reach out to people," Prime Minister Modi said.

Talking about Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojna, the Prime Minister said that his government is working in the direction of bringing the last person in the society into the mainstream.

"Large sections of India's population did not have access to banking services. The Jan Dhan Yojana changed that in a matter of months and transformed the lives of millions," he said.

The Prime Minister further said that his government is brining reforms for better and transparent governance.

"Keeping emphasis on 'minimum government, maximum governance', about 1200 outdated laws have been repealed in the last three years," Prime Minister Modi said.

The Prime Minister arrived in the Philippines capital on Sunday for a three-day visit.

Earlier in the day, Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte and his wife Honeylet Avancena welcomed the leaders at the opening ceremony of 31st ASEAN Summit in Manila.

Among the highlights of the opening ceremony was a music and dance excerpt from the musical Rama Hari, based on the characters of the Ramayana, an epic narrative that is a shared heritage among the ASEAN member states.

The performers were Arman Ferrer and Lara Maigue, vocal soloists, Ballet Philippines, choreographed by Alice Reyes, with the Philharmonic orchestra conducted by Herminegildo Ranera.

Before addressing the summit, Prime Minister Modi also met United States President Donald Trump.

After meeting Trump, he told media, "The relations between India and the US are growing. Our relations go further for future interests of Asia and humanity."

He further added the US and India would come up to the expectations of the and the US.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Axis Bank rose 1.54% at Rs 552.90 at 10:37 IST on BSE after the bank said that it proposes to raise funds worth Rs 11626 crore through issue of equity shares and convertible warrants on a preferential basis.

The announcement was made after market hours on Friday, 10 November 2017.

Meanwhile, the S&P BSE Sensex was down 87.61 points or 0.26% at 33,226.95.

On the BSE, 5.2 lakh shares were traded on the counter so far as against the average daily volumes of 6.58 lakh shares in the past one quarter. The stock had hit a high of Rs 564.50 in intraday trade, which is also a 52-week high for the stock. The stock had hit a low of Rs 549.20 so far during the day. The stock had hit a 52-week low of Rs 424.60 on 10 January 2017.

The stock had outperformed the market over the past one month till 10 November 2017, gaining 5.94% compared with 4.35% gains in the Sensex. The scrip had also outperformed the market in past one quarter, rising 11.83% as against Sensex's 5.66% rise. The scrip had, however, underperformed the market in past one year, gaining 7.49% as against Sensex's 21.07% rise.

The large-cap bank has equity capital of Rs 479.62 crore. Face value per share is Rs 2.

Axis Bank announced that it proposes to raise funds worth Rs 11626 crore through issue of equity shares and convertible warrants on a preferential basis to marquee investors including entities affiliated with Bain Capital Private Equity and the bank's promoter, Life Insurance Corporation of India. The bank received board's approval in this regard on 10 November 2017.

Entities affiliated with Bain Capital proposes to invest Rs 6854 crore and LIC proposes to invest Rs 1583 crore. The bank proposes to raise Rs 9063 crore through issuance of equity and the remaining Rs 2563 crore through issue of warrants. The issue price for offer of 17.26 crore equity shares is Rs 525 per share while the issue price for 4.53 crore convertible warrants is Rs 565 per warrant. This would entail dilution of 8.23% for existing shareholders.

The capital raised will bolster the capital adequacy of the bank, thereby providing growth capital for the core business of the bank and its subsidiaries.

LIC held 13.77% stake in the bank as per the shareholding pattern as on 30 September 2017.

This bank had said on 7 November 2017, that its board meets on 10 November 2017, to consider raising of funds by issue of equity/equity linked securities through permissible mode at an appropriate time.

The recent reports had suggested that private equity firm, Bain Capital was in advanced talks with the bank to invest between $750 million and $1 billion. The company had at that time clarified that it will make appropriate disclosures if any decision is taken with regards to capital raising exercise.

Axis Bank's net profit rose 35.5% to Rs 432.38 crore on 0.9% increase in total income to Rs 13820.62 crore in Q2 September 2017 over Q2 September 2016.

Axis Bank is one of the biggest private sector banks in India.

Powered by Capital Market - Live News

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The ongoing tourism season which is yet to pick up, could see a maximum hit with the Delhi and NCR pollution likely to economic impact in sectors like tourism, transport, automobile and real estate, an ASSOCHAM paper has said.

According to a survey done by Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), the toxic smog in National Capital Region encompassing not only Noida, Gurgaon and Faridabad but also right up to Ludhiana, Meerut, Panipat, Bhiwadi and Rohtak is likely to affect the economy in sectors like tourism, transport, automobile and real estate.

November and December are the peak months for foreign travellers to visit India, as majority of them opt for the Golden Triangle tourist circuit -- Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. The ASSOCHAM feedback from tour operators and hoteliers clearly point out a deep concern over the negative impact the pollution can cause to the economy, reveals the ASSOCHAM paper.

ASSOCHAM interacted with 350 tour operators reveals international tourists are quite particular about their health and safety and with such negative developments Delhi is bound to drop off from the map of international tourists who will pick 'cleaner' South Asian destination. Even domestic tourists are avoiding Delhi. In comparison, international tourists are more sensitive about green tourism.

The air pollution in Delhi-NCR is not just devastating the environment but harmful amount of gases, dust, fumes and odour are causing breathing problems to people. Companies should offer employees flexible working hours to cope with this problem, adds its paper.

Along with the tourism, the transportation linked to the tourism, would also take a hit if investment and tourists traffic gets a setback.

The transportation is one of the key contributors to the national economy in the services sector. Both transportation and tourism are highly employment-oriented and jobs may be a casualty of the pollution, the ASSOCHAM paper noted.

The chamber suggested a holistic set of measures for short-term and long -term to tackle pollution in the NCR. Besides, measures like ban on construction activities are sustainable as it affects the daily wage earning construction workers because causing delays in national projects like Delhi Metro, adds the chamber.

The rising pollution levels will keep foreigners away, as they are too particular about weather and climate, including their safety. Currently no major cancellation has been recorded as money is paid in advance. But during the peak tourist season, foreigners who are still in the planning stage will become sceptical about visiting Delhi.

Powered by Capital Market - Live News

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Union Minister of Communications Shri Manoj Sinha said that government will provide all the necessary and requisite support for fulfilling the dream of a fully connected and truly empowered India very soon.

He said that this is our mission and your vision for the nation. It is equally a call to action for the entire nation, Connect India, and then watch India- Create, Collaborate and Conquer. The Minister exhorted that every one of us-the states governments, private sector players, TSPs, Internet, Technology and Digital Services Companies, Media, Academia, Civil Society, Do-gooders, change makers to work together for making this a success. He expressed satisfaction that the Hon'ble Prime Minister's vision of Digital India is on the right track and Bharat Net is an integral part of that dream.

He said, with BharatNet and the Digital India programme, we hope to touch lives, connect people, inform, educate, spread awareness, create jobs, save lives, build relationships, nurture bonds, make significant investments, contribute to the exchequer and the economy and above all bridge the digital divide and amplify financial inclusion. He said that the National Optical Fiber Network (NoFN) (now renamed as BharatNet) project was launched in 2012 with the approval of Union Cabinet provided in Oct, 2011. When it was launched previously it was actually, no fun for any one. Little or no progress had been made. Progress had been rather slow and the actual work on the project commenced only in the second half of 2014. The project involves connecting all the 2,50,000 GPs in the country to the block headquarters for provision of both bandwidth and dark fiber on a universal and non-discriminatory basis. The network is capable of providing scalable bandwidth of up to 1 GBPS. The provision of broadband & internet penetration and e-services has a positive impact on GDP growth besides quicker, transparent and cost effective governance.

Shri Sinha said that for the purpose of implementation, the Bharatnet project covering all 2,50,000 Gram Panchayats was divided in to Phase-1 and Phase-2. In the last one year the progress of phase-1 has picked up, tremendously. He informed that for 1,25,000 GPs in Phase-I, the duct/pipe has already been laid in 1,10,368 GPs, OFC laid in 1,03,275 GPs, equipment installed in 85,506 GPs, service ready in 75,082 GPs and service opened in 47,836 GPs. The progress of service readiness has picked up to such an extent that in October, 2017 around 25,000 GPs have already been made service ready.

To achieve this the process of equipment procurement was smoothened by decentralising it. Moreover, multi-layered monitoring has been instrumental in achieving this success in the last few months. He said that the Cabinet in July 2017 approved a Modified Implementation Strategy for BharatNet and in the modified, new and improved strategy, the most important change is the Involvement of states along with CPSUs and private sector in implementation of the project to make a win-win situation. The states being the most important stakeholder in provision of bandwidth also stand to gain the most, once this block to GP link is established for citizen centric services such as e-health, e-education, e-governance, etc. The implementation is expected to be much faster and smoother with the participation of states.

He said, based on positive response from various states the proposals of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Chattisgarh, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana & Tamil Nadu were approved by Telecom Commission in September 2017. He complimented the states which provided a detailed project report (DPR) on time and extended their full support in resolving the technical, commercial and financial issues, which are common in projects of this nature, size, scale, scope and magnitude.

Shri Sinha said, the major users of this network are the Telecom Service Providers, ISPs, MSOs, LCOs etc which will use the Bharatnet for provision of broadband and extending the mobile network in the rural & remote areas. He said, as the world and India too moves from voice to data, Bharat Net will herald a new era in connectivity and empowerment, reaching the poorest of the poor and every corner of the nation.

The Minister said that an important and critical stakeholder and end user of this network are the Government Ministries, Departments & State Governments and expressed hope that the network will be used for various citizen centric services such as e-health, e-education, e-medicine, etc. He urged all the States - whether present here or otherwise to come forward and include BharatNet in their plans in spreading digital literacy, building digital capacity &, proficiency and proliferation of e-gov services.

Secretary, Department of Telecom Ms Aruna Sundararajan said that BharatNet phase-1 is nearing its completion by December 2017, where one lakh Gram Panchayats covering 3 lakh villages will see the roll-out of broadband services. Referring to BharatNet as the world's largest rural optic fibre network, she said that Phase-2 of the project is 100 percent Made in India as from fibre to design to software everything has been spearheaded by C-DoT. The Secretary said that by 2020 about 25 lakh government institutions and 50 lakh households will be linked to BharatNet.

Memorandum of Understanding for implementation of Phase II of BharatNet has been signed with States. Keeping in view the Government's aim to provide affordable digital services in rural areas, the tariffs for utilising BharatNet infrastructure have also been reduced by up to 75% of earlier notified tariffs. Owing to this, the Telecom companies including Airtel, Reliance Jio, Idea and Vodafone have come forward for providing connectivity services utilising BharatNet infrastructure. The Telecom companies like Airtel, Vodafone and Reliance Jio, handed over advance cheques to the Government during the Conference against leasing of BharatNet infrastructure. The service delivery models, which were showcased during the Conference, are set up in collaboration with the Telecom companies. States have also been encouraged to work on such utilization models.

Powered by Capital Market - Live News

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Jul- Oct 31st Dec 2017Nov 10th Jan 2018Dec 10th Feb 2018 Jan 10th Mar 2018Feb 10th Apr 2018Mar 10th May 2018

iii. The time period for filing GSTR-2 and GSTR-3 for the months of July, 2017 to March 2018 would be worked out by a Committee of Officers. However, filing of GSTR-1 will continue for the entireperiod without requiring filing of GSTR-2 & GSTR-3 for the previous month / period.

b) A large number of taxpayers were unable to file their return in FORM GSTR-3B within due date for the months of July, August and September, 2017. Late fee was waived in all such cases.

It has been decided that where such late fee was paid, it will be re-credited to their Electronic Cash Ledger under "Tax" head instead of "Fee" head so as to enable them to use that amount for discharge of their future tax liabilities. The software changes for this would be made and thereafter this decision will be implemented.

c) For subsequent months, i.e. October 2017 onwards, the amount of late fee payable by a taxpayerwhose tax liability for that month was 'NIL'will be Rs. 20/- per day (Rs. 10/- per day eachunder CGST & SGST Acts) instead of Rs. 200/- per day (Rs. 100/- per day eachunder CGST & SGST Acts).

Manual Filing

d) A facility for manual filing of application for advance ruling is being introduced for the time being.

Further benefits for service providers

e) Exports of services to Nepal and Bhutan have already been exempted from GST. It has now been decided that such exporters will also be eligible for claiming Input Tax Creditin respect of goods or servicesused for effecting such exempt supply of servicesto Nepal and Bhutan.

f) In an earlier meeting of the GST Council, it was decided to exempt those service providers whose annual aggregate turnover is less than Rs. 20 lakhs (Rs. 10 lakhs in special category states except J & K) from obtaining registration even if they are making inter-State taxable supplies of services. As a further measure towards taxpayer facilitation, it has been decided to exempt such suppliers providing services through an e-commerce platform from obtaining compulsory registration provided their aggregate turnover does not exceed twenty lakh rupees. As a result, all service providers, whether supplying intra-State, inter-State or through e-commerce operator, will be exempt from obtaining GST registration, provided their aggregate turnover does not exceed Rs. 20 lakhs (Rs. 10 lakhs in special category States except J & K).

Extension of dates

g) Taking cognizance of the late availability or unavailability of some forms on the common portal, it has been decided that the due dates for furnishing the following forms shall be extended as under:

1 GST ITC-04 for the quarter July-September, 2017 25.10.2017 31.12.20172 GSTR-4 for the quarter July-September, 2017 18.10.2017 24.12.20173 GSTR-5 for July, 2017 20.08.2017 or 7 days from the last date of registration whichever is earlier 11.12.20174 GSTR-5A for July, 2017 20.08.2017 15.12.20175 GSTR-6 for July, 2017 13.08.2017 31.12.20176 TRAN-1 30.09.2017 31.12.2017 (One-time option of revision also to be given till this date)

Revised due dates for subsequent tax periods will be announced in due course.

Benefits for Diplomatic Missions/UN organizations

h) In order to lessen the compliance burden on Foreign Diplomatic Missions / UN Organizations, a centralized UIN will be issued to every Foreign Diplomatic Mission / UN Organization by the Central Government and all compliance for such agencies will be done by the Central Government in coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs.

2. Relevant notifications for all of the above decisions will be issued shorty, so as to be effective from 15.11.2017.

Powered by Capital Market - Live News

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
An earthquake measuring 7.2 on the Richter scale hit has Iraq's Sulaimaniyah province, killing four persons and injuring 50 others, the media reported.

The epicentre of the earthquake on Sunday was 32 km southwest of the Halabja area near the Iranian border at the depth of 33.9 km, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS), Xinhua news agency reported.

The earthquake was felt in many Iraqi provinces in the north and central regions, including the Iraqi capital Baghdad, witnesses said.

Most casualties occurred in the town of Darbandikhan, around 35 km from the city of Sulaimaniyah.

The casualties in Darbandikhan could rise as some houses have collapsed and it is not clear yet whether there were people buried under the debris, Nasih Mala Hassan, Mayor of Darbandikhan, was quoted as saying.

Iraqi Minister of Water Resources warned the people down the Darbandikhan Dam to be in highest alert as the condition of the dam is not clear.

In Erbil, the capital of the semi-autonomous Kurdish region, dozens of people were taken to hospitals. Some were treated from injuries and others fainted or shocked, said the online newsite.

Many of the injured in Erbil were students who live in dormitories, the health department was quoted as saying.

Saad Maan, spokesman of the Iraqi Interior Ministry, told reporters that cracks appeared in some buildings in central Baghdad, while an old house was seriously damaged.

In Iraq's eastern province of Diyala, five people were wounded in the city of Khanaqin, some 165 km from Baghdad, due to the collapse of their houses and shops, Head of the City Hall Samir Mohammed Noor told Xinhua.

Faris al-Azzawi, head of Diyala's provincial health department, told Xinhua that at least 140 people fainted due to the earthquake and were sent to hospital, but no casualties were reported so far from the collapse of some houses and buildings.

--IANS

pgh/

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A local court on Monday rejected -- for the fourth time -- the bail plea of Vikas Barala, son of Haryana BJP President Subhash Barala, and his friend Ashish Kumar, arrested in a case of stalking and attempted abduction of an IAS officer's daughter.

Additional District and Sessions Judge Rajnish Kumar Sharma rejected the latest bail plea of the two accused who were arrested on August 9 after DJ Varnika Kundu accused them of stalking and attempted abduction.

They have been in judicial custody for over a month.

Both were booked under non-bailable offences, including Section 365 (kidnapping or abduction with intent to confine person) and Section 511 (attempt to commit offence punishable with life imprisonment) of the Indian Penal Code.

Varnika Kundu, 29, daughter of Haryana Additional Chief Secretary V.S. Kundu, had complained to police that the two accused, who were drunk, had stalked and intimidated her and tried to abduct her on August 4-5 night.

Vikas and Ashish, who have both studied law, have denied the charges.

--IANS

js/tsb/dg

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Underlining the importance of building physical connectivity with the Asean region to further strengthen its economic ties with India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday announced that the largest so far Asean-India business and investment summit is slated to be held in New Delhi in January next year.

Addressing the Asean Business and Investment Summit here, Modi also said that a conference to discuss increasing connectivity between both regions is also due to take place next month in New Delhi.

"India's Look East policy puts this region at the centre of our engagement. So, connectivity with Asean by land, sea and air remains our priority," Modi said pointing to the ongoing Trilateral Highway Project involving Myanmar and Thailand, which India is seeking to extend to three other countries.

"An Asean-India Connectivity Summit will take place next month with all the countries participating," he said.

"To coincide with the Asean-India Commemorative Summit in January, an Asean-India Business and Investment meet and expo will be held, which will be the biggest Asean focused event that India has ever organised," he added.

The Prime Minister also said that work is in progress to conclude a maritime transport agreement with the Asean.

Modi arrived here on Sunday on a three-day visit to the Philippines during which he will attend the 15th India-Asean Summit and the 12th East Asia Summit on Tuesday.

Describing both India and Philippines as service sector powerhouses, Modi noted how India had risen 30 places to enter the top 100 countries on the World Bank rankings on ease of doing business as a result of various reforms undertaken.

He said demonetisation coupled with measures like linking of the Aadhaar number with bank accounts has led to formalisation of a big part of the Indian economy.

"We are using our unique ID system in financial transactions and taxation for this purpose and the results are already visible," he said.

"These steps, coupled with demonetisation of high value notes, has resulted in fomalising a large part of our economy. The number of new tax payers filing income tax returns has more than doubled. Digital transactions have increased by 34 per cent as we march together to a less-cash economy," he added.

--IANS

bc-ao/dg

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Joining the fight against Alzheimer's, Microsoft founder Bill Gates on Monday announced a $50 million Dementia Discovery Investment Fund from his personal wealth to find a cure for the brain-wasting disease.

"Of all the disorders that plague us late in life, one stands out as a particularly big threat to society: Alzheimer's disease," said Gates in his blog titled "Why I'm Digging Deep Into Alzheimer's".

"It's a terrible disease that devastates both those who have it and their loved ones," the philanthropist-businessman added.

Alzheimer's is a progressive disease that destroys memory and other important mental functions. Older adults especially are at nearly 50 per cent risk of developing the disease.

In 2015, an estimated 46.8 million people worldwide lived with dementia, a number set to double every 20 years reaching 74.7 million in 2030 and 131.5 million in 2050, according to World Alzheimer's Report 2015.

Although Alzheimer's currently has no cure, Gates expressed hope that the course of Alzheimer's can be substantially altered if progress is made in five key areas.

This includes better understanding about how Alzheimer's unfolds, need to detect and diagnose Alzheimer's earlier, more approaches to stopping the disease, need to make it easier to get people enrolled in clinical trials and need to use data better.

"We've seen scientific innovation turn once-guaranteed killers like HIV into chronic illnesses that can be held in check with medication. I believe we can do the same (or better) with Alzheimer's," Gates said.

"I want to support the brilliant minds doing this work. As a first step, I've invested $50 million in the Dementia Discovery Fund -- a private fund working to diversify the clinical pipeline and identify new targets for treatment," wrote the founder of The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation while stating that the investment is his own and not through the foundation.

While most of the major pharmaceutical companies continue to pursue the amyloid and tau pathways, Dementia Discovery Fund will complement their work by supporting start-ups as they explore less mainstream approaches to treating dementia.

"I'm excited to join the fight and can't wait to see what happens next," Gates said.

--IANS

rt/amit/rn

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Monday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of "spreading hatred and dividing the society" for petty gains.

"The BJP has no agenda, neither development or anything else, all that they know is to spread rumours, speak lies and prop up one false issue after another," he told reporters in Unnao enroute to Kanpur for a personal engagement.

"This is a party which pulls out one trick after another from their bag and try to fool the people, but sadly for them the people have understood things now and they will reject them," he added in reference to the urban bodies elections slated for later this month.

He said the BJP's defeat in the Chitrakoot Assembly seat in Madhya Pradesh on Sunday was a reflection of the people's rejection.

Targeting the BJP's "Sankalp Patra" (election manifesto), the former Chief Minister said the party has been promising so many things but is yet to give a report card of the past seven months since they have been in power in Uttar Pradesh.

The BJP, he added, must before making new promises throw light on whether the promises made during the 2014 Lok Sabha polls and 2017 Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls have been fulfilled.

"How many roads have been made, how many bridges have been made, how many smart cities have been made?" he asked.

The Samajwadi Party President also took on the BJP on demonetisation and said that this move has created a class conflict.

--IANS

md/amit/bg

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Contrary to popular belief, the Kyoto Protocol is not dead.

The 2012 Doha Amendment to the Kyoto Protocol extends its life as it includes the second commitment period (2012-2020) for 37 industrialised countries which took similar legally-binding commitments during the first commitment period (2008-2012).

The legally binding obligations of the 37 industrialised countries under the second commitment period are mainly related to their emission reductions and financing for the developing countries for technology transfer. Many consider the Doha Amendment as the second chance for the developed countries to demonstrate their moral and legal commitments as well as climate justice which they were unable to do in the first commitment period.

And here starts the near collapse of climate-trust between developed and developing countries that the Paris Climate agreement was able to generate with finesse in 2015.

It is sparsely known outside the climate community that the Doha Amendment has not entered into force because only 84 countries have ratified it against the 144 required. Most of the industrialised countries which are required to take binding commitment have not ratified it. Significantly, countries like Japan, New Zealand and Russia have participated in Kyoto's first commitment period but have not taken on new targets in the second commitment period.

Developing countries at the Conference of the Parties-23 (COP-23) in Bonn, as the first week's talks are nearing an end, want the issue of commitment under the second period of the Kyoto Protocol to be on the agenda, mainly to discuss the pre-2020 commitment.

Industrialised countries are refusing to discuss it as there is not enough time in Bonn for this and there is an urgent need to finalise the rules to operationalise the Paris Agreement, which entered into force in November 2016.

The urgency of discussing pre-2020 commitments by 37 developed countries and finalising the rule book for the Paris Agreement by 2020, as per agreed time table, are both equally urgent, the developing countries argue.

"You cannot run away from the agreement that you signed two decades back in Kyoto, just because there is a new agreement in Paris" is the strong and harsh message that developing countries are sending to the industrialised countries in Bonn, an African delegate said.

"Developed countries need to be reminded that the Kyoto Protocol is alive. Unfortunately, the developed countries have dispatched it to ICU in Bonn, mainly because they are refusing to meet their commitments of technology and finance of $100 billion per year under the extended period of Kyoto agreement," said a representative of Like Minded Developing Countries (LMDCs) that include, interestingly, India, China and Iran.

While the Antarctica ice continues to melt and the continental crevices there keep widening, the drama is unfolding in Bonn with a story-line of melting commitments and widening the fault lines in negotiations. As storms and hurricanes devastate life on small island countries, the Bonn talks are entering the eye of the negotiating storm.

The US, which never ratified the Kyoto Protocol and which has declared its intention to exit the Paris Agreement, is joining this storm by taking active part in the Bonn negotiations and building a firewall to prevent any discussion on pre-2020 action. In this, it is joined by the European Union and many others.

"The US tactic seems to be entry into deal-maker President (Donald) Trump's wish to renegotiate the Paris Agreement," one negotiating diplomat confided.

Developing countries have huddled together and have said the world needs urgent action and pre-2020 commitments are critical to meeting the aim of the Paris Agreement to "hold the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2 deg C above pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 deg C above pre-industrial levels, recognising that this would significantly reduce the risks and impacts of climate change".

The UN Environment emission gap report of 2017 says that the present Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), including that of the US, would take the world rise in temperature to 3 deg C by 2100. That would be the dark and unknown zone of disaster.

More than the emission gap, there is a trust gap between developed and developing countries that would decide the level of temperature rise.

(Rajendra Shende is Chairman, TERRE Policy Centre, a former Director UNEP and and IIT alumnus. The views expressed are personal. He can be contacted at shende.rajendra@gail.com)

--IANS

rajendra/vm/ky/sac

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has said regional elections next month in Catalonia will help end "separatist havoc" in the northeastern region.

He addressed a campaign event on Sunday on his first visit there since imposing direct rule on the region a fortnight ago, BBC reported.

Defending his decision in Barcelona, he said he had "exhausted all roads" after the Catalan government's unilateral declaration of independence last month.

Several key Catalan leaders are currently being detained over the move.

The crisis was sparked by a disputed referendum held in Catalonia in October, which had been declared illegal by the Spanish courts.

Catalan officials said the independence campaign won 92 per cent of the vote, from a turnout of 43 per cent.

Many of those who were against independence did not cast votes, refusing to recognise the legitimacy of the referendum.

The Catalan government subsequently declared independence. In response, the Spanish government dissolved the region's parliament, imposed direct rule and called a snap regional election on December 21.

Speaking at a campaign event in Barcelona for his Popular Party (PP) on Sunday, Rajoy called on the participation of the "silent majority" to "convert their voice into a vote".

"We must reclaim Catalonia from the havoc of separatism," he added, saying: "With democracy, we want to reclaim Catalonia for everyone."

He told PP supporters that the right result would boost Spain's economic growth next year to above 3 per cent.

He called on companies not to leave the region, after hundreds of firms moved their headquarters away amid uncertainty over the region - which accounts for a fifth of Spain's economy.

He also urged people in Spain to continue buying Catalan products.

For a short while, the man who ultimately runs Catalonia was in Catalonia. But Mariano Rajoy's advisors made sure he would not run into vocal pro-independence opponents.

Instead, he spoke to the party faithful. Rajoy's main campaign event was held inside a hotel ballroom, in front of mostly older supporters.

Spain's prime minister came here in order to win the regional Catalan election he's called for December 21. His People's Party doesn't command widespread support in this region.

But the pro-Spain movement as a whole makes up about half the population of Catalonia. An election victory for this sector would make it much harder for pro-independence forces to make another attempt to break away from Spain.

After speaking for 25 minutes, Rajoy posed for pictures and made his way out of the hotel amid a crush of supporters.

"Will you meet your opponents?" I asked him. "Yes," he said. But he didn't say where or when.

Since the crackdown by Madrid, Catalonia's sacked President Carles Puigdemont has gone into self-imposed exile in Belgium, and many of his top allies have been remanded in custody.

--IANS

pgh/

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Schools in Delhi reopened on Monday after a four-day closure forced by severe pollution levels that, however, continued unabated and many schools recorded low attendance.

Teachers suggested that schools be shut for a few more days till pollution decreased in the National Capital Region, including Delhi.

Ranju Sehrawat, a schoolteacher at Amar Shaheed Major Sehrawat School in Mahipalpur, said the attendance was around 50 per cent in her class on Monday.

"The government should keep schools closed for a few more days. No point in asking children to attend classes in this weather," she told IANS.

A Principal of another government school said she observed around 60 per cent attendance in a number of classes she inspected during her daily round.

"Only about half of the students were present in the classes I visited. In one class, 29 of the 40 students were present," said Seema Anand, Principal of Ghitorni Government School that functions under the Municipal Corporation.

She also pointed to ill-affects of pollution on children and said schools should remain shut for a few more days.

A student of a senior class in a private school said older students were present in her institution, but children from pre-primary classes were present in numbers lower than usual.

On November 8, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia announced that all schools and colleges in Delhi will remain shut till Sunday due to alarming pollution levels.

On Monday, pollution in Delhi and neighbouring areas remained at severe level. Delhi recorded an air quality index (AQI) of 463 till 4 p.m., with PM2.5 particles recorded at "severe" 460 microgrammes per cubic metres, about 19 times more than the permissible level globally. The AQI in National Capital Region was 463.

The permissible level for PM2.5 is 60 as per Indian standards and 25 globally.

The situation in neighbouring Ghaziabad was worse, with PM2.5 concentration of 846 microgrammes per cubic metres.

--IANS

vn/tsb/dg

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Amid the controversy surrounding celebrated filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali's upcoming 'Padmavati', the Indian Films and TV Directors Association (IFTDA) along with four other bodies on Monday expressed support for him with #WeSupportPadmavati campaign and sought protection of freedom of expression of artistes.

Well-known filmmaker Sudhir Mishra told the media: "This matter is absurd. No one has seen the film. The movie director is a responsible, brilliant filmmaker. He has said that he has been accused of something he has not done."

He said he believed that the attack on Bhansali is an assault on freedom of expression.

Actor Sushant Singh, General Secretary of the Cine and Television Artists Association (CINTAA), said the government should step in.

"Bhansali didn't ask us to hold this press conference... we all are frustrated, angry, and upset. Till when will our fraternity keep asking for freedom of expression to make films? Why do we need to fight for such basic right all the time?" Singh said.

"My question to the state and central governments is: Why are you silent? People from your parties are openly giving threats, abusing our families, threatening to burn theatres. I have the right to ask for an assurance from the government," he added.

Ashoke Pandit, President of IFTDA said: "We are hurt because we have been abused and accused. We are filmmakers, creative people. We don't deserve this kind of treatment. Every now and then, we see our makers being heckled. We work hard, we make films. Bhansali is a symbol and attack on him is like abusing the film fraternity as a whole," he said.

IFTDA, CINTAA along with the Western India Cinematographers Association, Screenwriters Association and Association of Cine and TV Art Directors and Costume Designers have decided to extend support to Bhansali on November 16 at the Film City, where their members will stand in silence for 15 minutes from 11 a.m.

On that day, all units and workers associations will stop shooting for 15 minutes from 4 p.m. as a mark of their support for freedom of speech and expression, which is the basic right of a citizen, Pandit said.

He said: "In the current situation, Bhansali is not just a filmmaker who represents our fraternity but also a symbol, which has been targeted by some unconstitutional bodies. We urge our government to protect our right to freedom."

--IANS

aru/tsb/bg

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Around 60 farmers under the banner of Swaraj India party on Monday protested outside the residence of Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh here to remind him of the promises made before the 2014 parliamentary elections.

The protesting farmers raised slogan "Agriculture Minister don't lie, it's time to deliver not deny!" before they were "brutally" evicted and detained at the Mandir Marg Police Station, said Anupam, Swaraj India leader.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised 50 per cent margin on cost of production during his campaign before the Lok Sabha election, while Singh denied any such promise in Parliament, he said.

"At around 1.00 p.m., farmers gathered outside the minister's place, where they displayed on a large screen videos of Modi's and Singh's speeches that were contradicting each other.

"The farmers then started the protest and asked Singh to stop lying and tender an apology. Although the protest was peaceful, police used force and evicted them brutally," Anupam told IANS.

The protestors were later released.

According to Swaraj India, Monday's protest was a trailer of the mega protest to be held near Parliament on November 20 and such small protests will continue through this week.

"We want the government to apologise for its failure to fulfil its election promises. Its wrong polices have put farmers under financial burden. We also want to know the government's plan to provide relief to farmers," Anupam said.

On November 20, farmers from 184 organisations from across the country under the banner of All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC) will hold "Kisan Mukti Sansad" outside Parliament.

Their primary demands are loan waiver and remunerative prices for all agricultural produce.

--IANS

spk/nir/dg

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Indian Film and Television Directors' Association (IFTDA) will on Monday lead an appeal to Information and Broadcasting Minister Smriti Irani and Home Minister Rajnath Singh, on behalf of four other associations, to allow freedom for filmmakers in the wake of the ongoing controversy over "Padmavati".

Members of IFTDA, Cine and TV Artists Association (CINTAA), Western India Cinematographers Association (WICA), Screenwriters Association (SWA) and Association of Cine and Television Art Directors & Costume Designers, will hold a press meet here later on Monday.

"Five bodies are coming together to make an appeal for freedom of expression for filmmakers. The industry is shocked and we are hurt that a filmmaker like Sanjay Leela Bhansali is being heckled and abused. Bhansali symbolises success of our film industry in many ways, and if he can be treated like this and harassed, things are not right," Ashoke Pandit, IFTDA President, told IANS.

He said their appeal is to the ministers to take note of the controversy and uphold the freedom of filmmakers.

"Nobody has seen the film, yet people are making assumptions and attacking and abusing Bhansali. Similar controversy happened around 'Indu Sarkar'. What will we do? We can't make films to suit everyone's ego. If someone doesn't want to watch the film, don't watch it. If someone doesn't want it to release, go to court," Pandit said.

"Padmavati", slated to release on December 1, is embroiled in a controversy as some Hindu groups and political parties, including the Congress and the BJP, claim that the film distorts history and wrongly portrays Rajput queen Padmavati, a contention Bhansali has repeatedly rebuffed.

--IANS

rb/vm

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
With Prime Minister Narendra Modi declaring that relations between India and the US were growing with "great deal of speed", the two countries pledged to enhance their strategic cooperation as Major Defence Partners during a meeting here on Monday between him and US President Donald Trump, according to the White House.

"They pledged to enhance their cooperation as Major Defence Partners, resolving that two of the world's great democracies should also have the world's greatest militaries," the President's press office said.

"The two leaders discussed the comprehensive strategic partnership between the United States and India and their shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region," it added.

The Indian side characterised their encounter as a "warm and productive meeting." They "discussed bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said.

The two leaders met on the sidelines of the Asean summit a day after India, US, Japan and Australia held talks to begin the quadrilateral process for greater cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.

It followed Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's declaration that India would have an important strategic role as one of the democratic anchors of security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region that would also embrace Japan and Australia.

Separately, Trump had a joint meeting with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull of Australia and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan to discuss "a free and open Indo-Pacific region".

While unveiling his new Afghanistan strategy in August, Trump had said that with India "we are committed to pursuing our shared objectives for peace and security in South Asia and the broader Indo-Pacific region".

The Manila meeting was their second extended round of talks after Modi's White House visit in June. On Sunday they had a brief interaction at a dinner hosted by Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte.

With Trump's transactional business approach to international relations, the statement said that the US leader "expressed appreciation that Indian purchases of oil from the United States have surpassed 10 million barrels in recent months, and expressed confidence that stronger energy cooperation will be a geopolitical and economic game changer for both countries."

Modi asserted that he was looking forward to hosting the US delegation that includes Trump's daughter Ivanka to the upcoming Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Hyderabad "showcasing innovation and collaboration between India and the United States," the statement said.

Before their meeting at the hotel Trump and Modi gushed with mutual admiration, both for their countries and themselves.

"The relations between India and the United States are growing very rapidly, with a great deal of speed, and they're getting deeper and more comprehensive," Modi said.

"I also feel that these relations between India and the US, they are not just for our mutual interests, but they go much beyond that," he said in Hindi speaking through an interpreter. "And we are working together for the interest of the future of Asia and for humanity as a whole in the world. And there are many areas where we are working together and we can work together in the future, too."

Trump, who is having the second bilateral encounter with Modi, said, "He's become a friend of ours."

He said that Modi was "a great gentleman doing a fantastic job in bringing around lots of factions in India -- bringing them all together. That's what I hear, and that's good news. And it really is".

"It's a lot of good reports coming out of India," Trump added. "So I want to congratulate you."

Acknowledging the praise from Trump, Modi said, "In the past few days, wherever President Trump has travelled and whenever an opportunity arose to talk about India, he has expressed very high opinion about India and also things which are full of hope whenever he has spoken about India."

Addressing Trump, he added, "I would like to assure you that whatever the expectations are of the world, of the United States, from India, India has always worked and made efforts to do our bit and to fulfill those expectations. And we will continue to do so in the future, too."

Earlier while addressing the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation CEO Summit in Da Nang, Vietnam on Friday, Trump had said, "Modi has been working to bring that vast country, and all of its people, together as one. And he is working at it very, very successfully, indeed."

Hailing India as "the largest democracy in the world", Trump said, "Since India opened its economy, it has achieved astounding growth and a new world of opportunity for its expanding middle class."

--IANS

al/rn

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said India and the US were working together "for the future interests of Asia".

"Relations between India and the US are growing," Modi told the media ahead of a bilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump here.

"Our relations go beyond bilateral ties and we are working for the future interests of Asia and humanity," he said.

This was the second Modi-Trump meeting after the Indian leader's visit to Washington in June.

On Sunday, the two leaders interacted at a gala dinner hosted by Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte ahead of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit.

Modi arrived here on Sunday on a three-day visit to the Philippines during which he will attend the 15th India-Asean Summit and the 12th East Asia Summit on Tuesday.

--IANS

ab/mr

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Income Tax (IT) department's search operations for unaccounted wealth at the premises of jailed AIADMK leader V.K. Sasikala's kin and their business associates continued for the fifth day on Monday, said a senior tax official.

The search operations resumed on Monday after it was temporarily concluded on Sunday.

The senior IT official declined to reveal any number with regard to the value of cash, gold and property documents seized during the search operations while unconfirmed reports peg them over Rs 1,000 crore.

"We will not be surprised at the value of seized documents, assets. We are experienced officials and know approximately what we could expect during such search operations," the official told IANS preferring anonymity.

He said the department waited for the individuals and companies associated with Sasikala to file their tax returns for the year, adding that searches were carried out to detect tax evasion based on the filing and the data with the IT department.

The official also said that tax demand would be raised after analysing the documents and obtaining clarifications.

The IT department also summoned Karnataka AIADMK leader V. Pugazhendi whose premises were searched last week.

Pugazhendi told reporters that he has been asked to come again a couple of days later, adding that necessary cooperation is being given to the IT officials.

Sasikala, currently serving her jail sentence for corruption, was a confidante of late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa and lived with her for decades.

The searches were conducted in connection with unexplained routing of cash post-demonetisation through shell companies allegedly connected to Sasikala and her nephew T.T.V. Dinakaran, who heads one of the wings of the ruling AIADMK.

The IT department will look at the routing of funds within India whereas other agencies will look into the routing of money outside India, the official said.

"We have information about shell companies and the search is in connection with their operations," he had said earlier.

A decision on freezing the bank accounts of the searched persons and companies would be taken only after collating the data from the seized papers.

On Thursday, a team of around 1,800 IT officials knocked at the doors of 187 premises -- residences and offices and farmhouses -- to carry out one of the biggest income tax searches on Sasikala's kin and associates.

The places raided included the residence of Sasikala's husband M. Natarajan in Thanjavur, Kodanad Tea Estate belonging to Jayalalithaa, Jazz Cinemas, Midas Distilleries, Sharada Paper and Boards, Senthil Group of Companies, Nilgiri Furniture in Coimbatore, Jaya TV, Namadhu MGR and several other premises in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Hyderabad and Bengaluru.

--IANS

vj/amit/dg

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Actor Vidyut Jammwal starrer "Junglee", about elephant poaching and ivory smuggling, has been locked for release on Dussehra on October 19 next year.

Backed by Junglee Pictures and directed by Chuck Russel, the film is set to be an action-adventure thriller, in which the protagonist takes down the elephant poaching racket in the country, read a statement.

The film is about Ashwath -- born and brought up in the jungles of Kerala -- who goes on to become a big shot veterinarian in the big city of Mumbai -- much to his animal-activist father's disappointment.

Upon his grandmother's insistence, Ashwath visits the jungle for the tenth death anniversary of his mother. His homecoming is met with some thaw with his father and it gets warmer as he reunites with his childhood elephant sister, whom he refers to as 'Didi', and her calf, 'Apu'.

But little does he know about the danger of poaching looming over the jungle, until it actually strikes and takes the lives of 'Apu' as well as his father.

--IANS

rb/bg

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has accepted Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's appeal for a meeting to discuss the issue of stubble burning, while also slamming him for "inability to rise above short term electoral gains" on the issue.

In a letter to Kejriwal, released to media on Monday, Khattar said that a constructive mindset was required to deal with the issue of stubble burning by farmers and everyone had a role to play in this regard.

While accepting Kejriwal's appeal for a meeting on the issue, Khattar stated that he was available in New Delhi on November 13 and 14 for a meeting and thereafter in Chandigarh to discuss the issue.

Khattar had written back to Kejriwal on November 10, in response to a letter from the latter on November 8.

"Unfortunately, your letter contains no hint of such a mind set. In fact, your reference to the helplessness of farmers in Punjab and Haryana in stubble burning betrays an inability to rise above short term electoral interests. Your assertion that the governments (Punjab and Haryana) have failed to provide them economically viable solution gives away your subconscious awareness of your government's inaction in this regard," Khattar said.

He pointed out that the Delhi government had failed to take any steps with regard to stubble burning being stopped in Delhi's territory where 40,000 families cultivate their land.

Khattar pointed out, quoting the Union Agriculture Minister, that Haryana had used Rs 39 crore out of the Rs 45 crore sanctioned by the Centre for crop residue management.

He said that satellite imagery data clearly showed substantial reduction in number of stubble burning cases in Haryana from 2014 onwards.

The Delhi government is blaming stubble burning by farmers in Punjab and Haryana for the smog and air pollution in the national capital and surrounding areas which have led to environment and health concerns for people.

--IANS

js/umer/rn

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said it is the duty of Indians to work to make the 21st century India's century.

"If the 21st century is considered to be Asia's century, then it becomes our duty to make it India's century and I say it is possible," Modi said at an Indian community reception organised by Indian Ambassador to the Philippines Jaideep Mazumdar.

"Our efforts are aimed at transforming India and ensuring everything in out nation matches global standards," he said.

The Prime Minister said India had always contributed to world peace.

"Our contingent in the UN Peacekeeping Forces is among the biggest," he said. "India is the land of Mahatma Gandhi, peace is integral to our culture."

Stating that he had come to a country and a region that was very important to India, he said that his government had stressed on the Act East Policy from the very beginning.

Modi arrived here on Sunday on a three-day visit to the Philippines during the course of which he will attend the 15th India-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit and the 12th East Asia Summit on Tuesday.

Talking about some major initiatives of his government, he said he started the Pradhan Manatri Jan Dhan Yojana which allowed poor people who did not have bank accounts to open zero balance accounts.

"Today, the poor have learnt how to save and Rs 67,000 crore have been deposited in these accounts."

Referring to the cleanliness campaign launched in India, he said: "Which citizen does not want cleanliness? We have started from where Mahatma Gandhi left and till now more than two lakh villages in India have become open defecation-free."

He said that after his government promised free gas connections to five crore needy families, three crore families had benefitted.

"This has become possible because 1.25 crore families gave up gas cylinder subsidy that they have been availing," Modi said.

The Indian community in the Philippines is around 120,000-strong.

--IANS

ab/mr

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Trinamool Congress MP and party's youth wing chief Abhishek Banerjee on Monday served legal notice on BJP's new entrant Mukul Roy for making "malicious and defamatory" statements against him and demanded an unconditional apology within 48 hours.

Roy had on Friday alleged that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's "Biswa Bangla" was nothing but a company owned by her nephew Abhishek Banerjee.

"We on behalf of our clients ... do hereby call upon you to: a) Forthwith cease and desist from making or circulating any defamatory comments, statement and/or causing publication of the same in any media against our client; b) Issue an unconditional apology within 48 hours in a press conference retracting the false, virulent and mala-fide statements made against our client," Banerjee's lawyer said in the notice.

The legal notice also mentioned that Roy had "deliberately levied (sic) various allegations against Banerjee" and the statements were "misleading and false".

Refuting Roy's comments relating to Biswa Bangla Marketing Corporation, two senior West Bengal government officials had on Saturday said the company was wholly owned by the state government.

State's Additional Chief Secretary Rajiva Sinha had said: "The Biswa Bangla Marketing Corporation was incorporated in December 31, 2014 and its share holders are three government officials. It is not a private entity. Its paid-up capital was paid by the state MSME (Micro, Small, medium Enterprise) and Textiles Department."

He also mentioned that the Biswa Bangla logo was created by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and, in 2014, she transferred the logo to the government with an agreement.

With regard to multiple applications for trademark registration of the Biswa Bangla logo, the official said an applicant -- CJ Associates, on behalf of Abhishek Banerjee -- had withdrawn its application and the withdrawal was accepted by the Registrar of Trade Marks.

Reiterating the government position, state Home Secretary Atri Bhattacharya had also said that the Chief Minister, in a private capacity, had created the logo and handed it over to the government.

However, Roy, who was one of the founding members of Trinamool Congress, on Sunday claimed that the documents suggested the Biswa Bangla mark was wholly owned by Abhishek Banerjee.

"In a trade mark journal published by the Trade Marks authority of the Government of India, on May 8, 2017, the Biswa Bangla mark is shown as wholly owned by Abhishek Banerjee, the nephew of Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal," he said.

Roy, who sent a letter to two senior officers of the state government for making "incorrect statements", said he was ready to face the legal battle on the subject.

--IANS

bdc/nir/dg

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A man facing trial for cheating was shot dead in a court complex here on Monday, police said. The accused was quickly overpowered and arrested.

This is the fourth such shooting in three years in the Rohini court in west Delhi, according to the Rohini Bar Association.

Vinod, 31, was shot dead while being taken back to the Tihar Jail. The killer, Abdul Khan, was overpowered and arrested by the police.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Rishi Pal said Vinod, a resident of Mangolpuri who was in jail for a seven-year-old cheating case, was shot on a corridor near the court canteen at around 11.20 a.m.

Though Vinod was rushed to a hospital, he was declared dead by doctors. A country-made gun used by Khan, a resident of Nangloi, was recovered, police said.

Pal told IANS that only one shot was fired and added that the accused doesn't have any criminal history. He said police had not ascertained the reason behind the murder.

He said police were also looking into security lapses in the incident. The Rohini Bar Association criticised the lack of adequate security arrangements in the court premises.

--IANS

akk-nkh/mr

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
British Prime Minister Theresa May will meet business leaders from the European Union (EU) to voice concerns about the future of UK-EU trade.

Experts from groups including the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and BusinessEurope will stress the need for a transitional deal that preserves the status quo after Brexit, reports the BBC.

According to sources, the experts will urge the British government to clarify the future relationship between the UK and the rest of the EU.

The next round of Brexit talks is due to start in mid-December.

Apart from May, Business Secretary Greg Clark, Brexit Secretary David Davis and Economic Secretary to the Treasury Stephen Barclay will also attend the meeting.

The CBI and the Institute of Directors will be represented, as will business organisations from France, Germany, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Ireland, Sweden, Poland, the Czech Republic and Belgium.

CBI Director General Carolyn Fairbairn told the BBC that it was an important meeting.

"The urgency that's shared by business across Europe is growing by the day."

She said a CBI survey showed that 10 per cent of firms had "already pressed the button on their contingency plans" in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

--IANS

ksk/vm

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday requested Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to get state lands, which are no longer required by the army, vacated.

The Defence Minister arrived in Srinagar on Sunday afternoon and proceeded directly to south Kashmir's Pahalgam tourist resort to attend the executive council meeting of Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering and Winter Sports.

Mufti met Sitharaman in Pahalgam and discussed several issues with her, officials said here.

Mufti sought intervention of the defence minister for the return of state lands no longer required for operational purposes by the army.

The Chief Minister brought several issues pertaining to defence to the union minister's notice.

"The Chief Minister also pressed for speeding up of cases of revision and payment of rent in respect of the landowners of Anantnag, whose land is being used by the army. The defence minister assured the Chief Minister to look into the issue of revision and payment of rent to the landowners of Anantnag," an official said.

Sitharaman regretted the delay and inconvenience caused all these years to the landowners who had not been paid rent so far, he said.

"She said that it was only during her first meeting with the chief minister recently that her attention was drawn towards this issue.

"A delegation of landowners also met the defence minister and she assured the delegation that she would try to fast-track their cases of rent payment and revision,", the official added.
The Mexico City government has released 117.6 million pesos (over $6 million) for immediate use toward reconstruction after the September 19 earthquake, Mayor Miguel Angel Mancera has said.

He added the city government had also received $750,000 for reconstruction from the US-based Rockefeller Foundation, Xinhua reported

Providing a roundup on actions to help the city, Mancera said that health personnel had visited 382,260 homes to check for damage and had delivered 362,044 vaccines.

Four people also remain in hospital, according to Mancera on Twitter.

The 7.1-magnitude earthquake killed 369 people nationwide, including 228 in the Mexican capital, where it brought down 38 buildings. Besides, 5,765 homes were affected including 2,273 which were totally destroyed.

While the capital was the worst-hit part of Mexico, the earthquake also took lives and damaged infrastructure in the state of Mexico, Morelos, Puebla, Guerrero and Oaxaca.

--IANS

pgh/

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Congress Vice-President on Monday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is like a "jadugar", or magician, who has been "performing tricks" on the people of Gujarat and the country, as he visited Patidar strongholds in north Gujarat that saw huge crowds greet and listen to him.

The All India Congress Committee (AICC) Vice-President was on the last and fourth leg of his three-day visit to poll-bound Gujarat. He concluded his Gujarat tour by visiting the BJP bastion and the home of Patidar agitations of Mehsana and Visnagar later on Monday.

Earlier, talking to the media he said just like magicians perform tricks which are mere tricks and not real, similarly Prime Minister Modi has been perfoming tricks in Gujarat on the people.

On Monday, he began his tour of north Gujarat by visiting the Veer Meghmaya temple and had 'darshan' there. After that, he interacted with Dalit leaders of Patan. The Gandhi scion continued his attacks on Prime Minister Modi and lambasted the central government on various fronts like demonetisation, the Goods and Services Tax (GST), unemployment and corruption.



He was warmly greeted by villagers on his visit to Kungher village in Patan district. He even mingled with the local children and offered them sweets. Later, he visited the native village of a BJP Cabinet Minister in Gujarat, Dilip Thakore, in Harij. People turned up in huge numbers to greet the Congress leader, who broke the security barricades to meet them.

In Harij, he also became part of a magician's performance. Gandhi remarked, "Jadugars (magicians) have been earning money through tricks and Modiji too has been doing the same in 22 years."

While interacting with the denotified tribes and their leaders, Gandhi said that the Congress will prepare their poll manifesto after consulting the Gujarati people. "Unlike others who just make people listen to their 'Mann ki Baat', the Congress will listen to other's 'Mann ki Baat'," reiterated Gandhi.



At a public meeting in Varana in Patan, Gandhi said, "In Gujarat, there are five to 10 industrialists who are not agitating, whereas all others are doing 'andolan' (agitations)." Before his public address, he visited the temple of Goddess Khodiyar in Varana. He also offered a 'Chundadi' and 'Prasad' to the deity.

In the evening, he addressed a large gathering in Mehsana, the hometown of Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat, Nitin Patel, and also the district of the hometown Vadnagar of Modi. Mansa, the hometown of the BJP national president Amit Shah, is also located in north Gujarat.



The meeting is much-awaited as it is the epicentre of the Patidar agitation. Another significant place of Patidar agitation is Visnagar, where Gandhi will be concluding his Gujarat visit. Political pundits are waiting to see the turnout at the Mehsana meeting, as Patidar groups are going to finalise their support to the Congress after their consultation meetings, which are currently in progress.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday attended the opening ceremony of the 31st Asean Summit here in which a musical version of the Indian epic, the Ramayana, was performed.

Modi was received by Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte at the ceremony here.

Ballet company Rama Hari presented the Filipino version of the Ramayana which is known as 'Maharadia Lawana', meaning King Ravana.

It is the Maranao version, which refers to the people living around Lake Lanao in the Philippines.

"You would be happy to know that the @ASEAN opening ceremony included excerpts from the musical Rama Hari, based on the Ramayana," Modi tweeted.

"Various parts of the Ramayana were beautifully highlighted in the Rama Hari. This shows our deep historical bonds and shared heritage."

Modi also said that the Ramayana is widely popular among the southeast Asian nations and complimented the cast and crew of Rama Hari for their "stupendous performance".

Modi arrived here on Sunday on a three-day visit to the Philippines during the course of which he will attend the 15th India-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit and the 12th East Asia Summit on Tuesday.

This year marks the 25th year of the India-Asean dialogue partnership and the golden jubilee of the formation of the Asean regional bloc.

Later on Monday, Modi is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with US President Donald Trump and Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte.

More such meetings with visiting leaders are being arranged on the sidelines of the summits.

--IANS

ab/vm

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday attended the opening ceremony of the 31st Asean Summit here.

"Photo session & Handshake by leaders during the Opening Ceremony of the #ASEANSummit in #Manila, #Philippines," Indian public broadcaster Doordarshan posted on Twitter along with a video in which Modi was seen sharing the stage with world leaders and shaking hands with them.

Earlier on Sunday, Modi interacted with world leaders, including US President Donald Trump, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, at a gala dinner reception hosted by Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte ahead of this year's India-Asean and East Asia Summits.

Ahead of the summits, Modi will hold a bilateral meeting with Duterte, and the Prime Minister is also scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Trump.

Modi would also speak at the Asean Business and Investment Summit and attend an Indian community reception to be hosted by the Ambassador of India to the Philippines

This year marks the 25th year of the India-Asean dialogue partnership and the golden jubilee of the formation of the Asean regional bloc.

The Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

--IANS

pgh/

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday held a bilateral meeting with Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte following which four agreements were signed between the two countries.

"President Duterte and PM Modi had an excellent meeting," Preeti Saran, Secretary (East) in the External Affairs Ministry, said while briefing the media here.

"The President said he would like to have very good relations with India."

Saran said four agreements, including on defence cooperation and logistics, agriculture, and on micro, small and medium enterprises, were signed between the two sides.

Modi arrived here on Sunday on a three-day visit to the Philippines during the course of which he will attend the 15th India-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit and the 12th East Asia Summit on Tuesday.

This is the first prime ministerial visit from India to this southeast Asian nation in 36 years after the visit of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1981.

Earlier on Monday, Modi attended the opening ceremony of the 31st Asean Summit here.

On the margins of the summit, he also held a meeting with US President Donald Trump.

--IANS

ab/amit/dg

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump held a "warm and productive meeting" on the sidelines of the Asean Summit here on Monday and discussed issues of mutual interest.

A day after they held a brief interaction at a dinner hosted by Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte, the two leaders "discussed bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest in a warm and productive meeting", External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said.

The meeting comes a day after India, US, Japan, and Australia held talks to begin the quadrilateral process for greater cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.

Ahead of his meeting with Trump, Modi said: "Relations between India and the US are growing."

"I also feel that these relations between India and the US are not just for our mutual interests but go much beyond that, and we are working together for the future of Asia and of the humanity as a whole."

Modi said that in the past few days, wherever President Trump has travelled and whenever an opportunity arose to talk about India, he has expressed very high opinion about India and said things full of hope.

At the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Vietnam last week, Trump commended India for achieving "astounding" growth since opening its economy and heaped praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he has been working to bring the country and its people together.

"I would like to assure you that whatever are the expectations of the world, of the United States from India, India has always worked and made efforts to do its bit and fulfil those expectations. We will continue to do so in the future too," Modi said.

Briefing the media later here, Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar said the meeting between the two leaders lasted about 45 minutes.

He said the meeting started with Trump saying that there were a lot of good reports coming from India.

"He was talking mainly in economic terms," Jaishankar said.

"The bilateral was mainly on economic issues. Trade and investment was discussed. Thrust of the discussion was on how to grow trade and investment," he added.

This was the second Modi-Trump meeting after the Indian leader's visit to Washington in June.

Modi arrived here on Sunday on a three-day visit to the Philippines during the course of which he will attend the 15th India-Asean Summit and the 12th East Asia Summit on Tuesday.

--IANS

ab/tsb/dg

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday visited the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), a premier research organisation dedicated to reducing poverty and hunger through rice science at Los Banos in the Philippines.

The institute works on improving the health and welfare of rice farmers and consumers and protecting the rice growing environment for future generations.

"My visit to International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) was a great learning experience," Modi tweeted.

"Saw the exceptional work IRRI is doing towards mitigating poverty and hunger by improving rice cultivation. Their work benefits many farmers and consumers, particularly in Asia and Africa."

The Prime Minister said that he interacted with Indian scientists, students and researchers working at IRRI.

"India's ICAR (Indian Council for Agricultural Research) and IRRI have been cooperating for four decades," he said.

"India is also involved in helping IRRI in strategic planning, helping decide key goals and working to overcome hunger as well as poverty."

Modi reviewed a photo exhibit showcasing flood tolerant, drought tolerant and salinity tolerant rice varieties and IRRI's work with women farming cooperatives.

He also undertook a symbolic ground breaking for a new plot for submergence tolerant rice varieties and unveiled a plaque to mark the inauguration of the Narendra Modi Resilient Rice Field Laboratory.

IRRI will set up a South Asia Regional Centre at Varanasi, which will be the first such centre outside its headquarters in the Philippines.

"The Varanasi centre would help increase farmers' income by enhancing and supporting rice productivity, reducing cost of production, value addition, diversification and enhancement of farmers' skills," Modi said in a statement in New Delhi on Saturday.

Modi arrived here on Sunday on a three-day visit to the Philippines during the course of which he will attend the 15th India-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit and the 12th East Asia Summit.

Later on Monday, he is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with US President Donald Trump and Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte.

More such meetings with visiting leaders are being arranged on the sidelines of the summits.

Earlier on Monday, Modi attended the opening ceremony of the 31st Asean Summit.

--IANS

ab/bg

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Negative global cues, coupled with heavy selling in index heavyweights like Adani Ports, ONGC, Coal India, HDFC and Larsen and Toubro (L&T) among others, subdued key Indian equity indices on Monday.

According to market observers, domestic macro-industrial output data point released on Friday eroded investors' risk taking appetite.

The wider Nifty50 of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) fell by 96.80 points, or 0.94 per cent, to provisionally close (at 3.30 p.m.) at 10,224.95 points.

The 30-scrip S&P BSE Sensex, which opened at 33,397.41 points, closed at 33,033.56 points -- down 281 points or 0.84 per cent -- from Thursday's close.

The Sensex touched a high of 33,417.30 points and a low of 32,999.98 points during intra-day trade.

The BSE market breadth was bearish -- 1,629 declines and 1,082 advances.

On Friday, the benchmark indices closed in the green on the back of last-hour buying though they traded on a volatile note for most of the day on the back of negative global cues and outflow of foreign funds.

The NSE Nifty50 rose by 12.80 points, or 0.12 per cent, to close at 10,321.75 points, while the BSE Sensex closed at 33,314.56 points -- up 63.63 points or 0.19 per cent.

--IANS

ppg/mr

(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.)
With a bumper paddy crop this season, agrarian states Punjab and Haryana have procured over 230 lakh tonnes of paddy so far, Food and Supplies Department officials said here on Monday.

Punjab has procured over 166 lakh tonnes of paddy, while in Haryana over 65.37 lakh tonne has been procured.

Punjab is expecting a record procurement of over 182 lakh tonnes of paddy this season. It had procured over 168 lakh tonne in a bumper crop season last year.

The paddy arrival in Haryana is much higher than the 59.32 lakh tonne paddy that arrived in the grain markets in the corresponding period last year.

Government agencies have procured 98.5 per cent of the paddy arriving in the grain markets in Punjab. In Haryana, the agencies have procured nearly 95 per cent of the paddy arrivals. The rest of the paddy has been procured by rice millers and traders.

The procurement of paddy began in both states on October 1. Paddy arrival and procurement will continue till the end of November.

The Reserve Bank of India has sanctioned an amount of over Rs 33,800 crore for paddy procurement in Punjab this Kharif season.

--IANS

js/nir/dg

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Morocco and Qatar vowed to enhance bilateral cooperation, while hailing the "excellent relations" between the two countries.

The two sides made the pledge on Sunday during a meeting between visiting Moroccan King Mohammed VI and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani in Doha, Xinhua reported citing MAP news agency.

After a broad meeting that included top officials from both countries, the two leaders held a private meeting.

The meetings "touched on the excellent relations between the two brotherly countries and the firm will by the two leaders to further reinforce cooperation in the different areas," the report said.

The two heads of state also discussed regional and international topics of shared interest, it added, without disclosing details.

The Moroccan King arrived in Qatar after paying a five-day visit since Tuesday to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which is part of the Saudi Arabia-led coalition that has cut ties with Qatar and imposed a full blockade on Doha.

--IANS

pgh/

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Monday took a poetic dig at Delhi's smog situation, quoting lines from a Hindi film song, and questioned why everyone is indifferent to the issue.

"Seene me jalan, ankhon me tufan sa kyon hai, is sheher me har shaks pareshan sa kyon hai (What is the cause of this burning sensation in the heart and storm in the eyes? Why is everyone in this city troubled?)" Gandhi tweeted quoting the well-known ghazal from the 1978 Hindi movie 'Gaman', written by lyricist Shaharyar.

Gandhi, however, added one more line to the poem, and said: "Kya batayenge saheb, sab jankar anjan kyo hai (Could you tell, why everyone is pretending ignorance despite knowing all)."

He did not name any political party or leader in his comment.

He also shared the link to a news report on the Delhi smog crisis.

Delhi has been facing smog and "severe" pollution for days now, with doctors warning people against going outdoors.

--IANS

ao/in/rn

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Union Home Ministry on Monday sought within three days a report from the Kerala government on the killing of an RSS activist in the state, informed sources said.

The sources said the Ministry had asked the Pinarayi Vijayan state government to submit the detailed report on Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh activist Anand's killing on Sunday and police action thereafter.

Anand was hacked to death allegedly by Communist Party of India-Marxist workers in Thrissur district. He was an accused in the murder of a CPI-M worker in 2014 and was out on bail.

Earlier in the day, the Bharatiya Janata Party condemned the killing and hit out at Kerala's ruling CPI-M dubbing its government as "Maoist".

--IANS

bns-rak/tsb/dg

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The 10-day winter session of the Karnataka legislature began here on a stormy note on Monday, with the opposition BJP demanding resignation of Urban Development Minister K.J. George against whom the CBI has filed an FIR for allegedly abetting the suicide of a police officer.

Ruckus prevailed in the Legislative Council after opposition leader and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lawmaker K.S. Eshwarappa sought to move an adjournment motion against the continuation of George in the ministry and the ruling Congress vehemently opposed it.

Council Chairman D.H. Shankaramurthy adjourned the House till 3 p.m as noisy scenes continued after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah rejected the BJP demand for the resignation of George or discussion on his role in the death of Mangaluru Deputy Superintendent of Police M.K. Ganapathy in July last year.

"Let the CBI probe the case and submit report, as the state CID (Crime Investigation Department) had already investigated and found that George had no role in Ganapathy's suicide as the then when state Home Minister," asserted Siddaramaiah.

The FIR against George was filed on October 14 in Chennai on the September 5 order of the Supreme Court, which is hearing a special review petition filed by the father and son of Ganapathy against the minister and two senior police officers of the state.

Ganapathy, 51, was found hanging on July 7, 2016 in a lodge at Madikeri in Kodagu district, about 250 km to the west of the state capital.

"As continuation of George in the cabinet has become untenable, he should resign or be sacked till the CBI investigation is completed and he is acquitted. He has no moral right to be minister till then," thundered Eshwarappa in Kannada.

George resigned once (July 18, 2016) after the Madikeri court ordered the local police station to register the case against him but was re-inducted into the cabinet (September 26, 2016) after the CID gave him a clean chit in the case.

When the session resumed post-lunch, the ruling party members urged the Chairman to expunge the derogatory word (murderer) Eshwarappa used for George while making submission for a special discussion on the case before the question hour.

"How can the opposition leader (Eshwarappa) call George a murderer when no court had held him guilty of the charge," retorted Siddaramaiah, rejecting the BJP demand.

George, who was present in the House, also said let the CBI investigate the case and submit the report.

The Chairman rejected the BJP demand for an adjournment motion as "there was no precedence for it in the history of the House".

In a related development, legislative Assembly Speaker K.B. Koliwad was forced to adjourn the lower House soon after it met at 11.00 a.m on the first day of the session for want of quorum, much to the embarrassment of the ruling party.

"It is unfortunate that I have to adjourn the House on the opening day as sufficient members are not present for quorum," lamented Koliwad.

The 225-member assembly should have at least one-tenth (23) of its strength for quorum, as per the legislative rules and procedures.

The proceedings resumed 20 minutes later after members of the ruling and opposition parties trooped into the House belatedly to meet the quorum criterion.

The winter session of the state legislature is held at Suvarna Soudha in this border town, about 500 km from the state capital (Bengaluru), since a decade to address the various issues of the people in the state's northern region.

--IANS

fb/nir/dg

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Supreme Court on Monday deferred hearing on the plea by Mukesh Singh - one of the accused in the December 16, 2012 Delhi gang rape case - for recall of a May 5 verdict upholding his death sentence.

The top court by its May 5 verdict had upheld the death sentences of all four convicts in the fatal 2012 gang rape of a paramedical student in a moving bus. Upholding the death sentence, the court had described the crime as "rarest of rare".

The next hearing will take place on December 12.

The bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justice R. Banumathi and Justice Ashok Bhushan deferred the hearing and the bench was told that the other three accused too were moving the court for review of the May 5 verdict.

The top court by its May 5 verdict had upheld the death sentence of Mukesh Singh, Pawan Gupta, Vinay Sharma and Akshay Thakur.

The four were convicted for raping and assaulting the 23-year-old paramedical student inside a moving bus on December 16, 2012 which led to her death due to internal injuries 13 days later in a Singapore hospital.

The rapists, six in all, pounced on the young woman who had boarded the bus with her boyfriend to go home after seeing a movie.

After committing the crime, they dumped both on the side of a road. Some onlookers alerted the police. The sheer brutality of the crime led to nationwide revulsion -- and street protests.

A fifth accused, Ram Singh, committed suicide in the Tihar Central Jail here. The sixth, a juvenile, who was accused of ripping apart the woman's intestines, was sent to a correction home and has been released after serving his probation period.

Taking note of the serious injuries and the severe nature of the offence, the judges said they were upholding the death sentence first pronounced by a lower court and upheld by the Delhi High Court.

--IANS

pk/rn

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Security forces on Monday began search operations in Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara and Bandipora districts, police said.

The forces surrounded Mir Mohalla village in Bandipora and Rangwar in Kupwara after receiving information about the presence of militants.

"At both these places, searches are going on. So far, there has been no confirmation about the presence of militants," the police added.

--IANS

sq/ksk/vm

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Tata Chemicals on Monday reported a 52 per cent increase in its consolidated net profit to Rs 273 crore in the quarter ended September 30, 2017 as compared to Rs 180 crore in the year-ago period.

The company reported income from operations for the quarter under review on consolidated basis at Rs 3,462 crore, lower 0.7 per cent.

"Consequent to implementation of Goods and Service Tax (GST) from July 1, net income from operations is net off GST. On a like to like basis, the revenue from operations for Q2 FY18 (second quarter of 2017-18) is at Rs 1,598 crore, up by 2.6 per cent, as compared to Q2 FY17 (second quarter of 2016-17) Rs 1,557 crore (net off excise duty)," it said in a statement.

Commenting on the performance, company's Managing Director R. Mukundan said: "The quarter under review saw a steady performance from the Indian as well as global chemicals business, registering improved profitability owing to cost and operational efficiencies. We continue to direct our efforts towards growing market shares across product categories and furthering customer excellence in the farm business."

He said: "Our strategy remains to focus on the specialty chemicals and consumer food business as our key areas of growth, while maintaining leadership in the Inorganic chemicals business."

The group had entered into an agreement with Yara Fertilisers to transfer its urea business by way of a slump sale for a consideration of Rs 2,670 crore. "Final approval of the scheme of arrangement from the National Company Law Tribunal is awaited," it said.

The group also entered into a business transfer agreement on November 6, 2017 with IRC Agrochemicals Private Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Indorama Holdings BV, Netherlands, to transfer its phosphatic fertiliser business located at Haldia, by way of a slump sale for a consideration of Rs 375 crore.

--IANS

bdc/nir/dg

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Thailand's Ambassador to India Chutintorn Gongsakdi called on Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday to discuss business ties between his country and the state, an official said.

The envoy lauded the state government's initiatives and expressed his country's desire to invest in food processing, tourism and infrastructure development, textile industry, and renewable energy.

Inviting Thai businessmen to invest in his state, Adityanath assured of full cooperation.

A delegation from Thailand made presentations before the Chief Minister on the possibilities in the food processing industry and showed interest in road construction.

Additional Chief Secretary (Infrastructure and Industrial Development) Anoop Chandra Pandey told the visiting delegates that Uttar Pradesh was leading state in livestock, and production of potato, sugar cane, food grain, potato, milk, fruits, and wheat and offered lucrative options for foreign and domestic investors.

The state government extended an invitation to Thai businessmen and officials to participate in the Global Investment Summit in Uttar Pradesh in February 2018.

Principal Secretary (Tourism) Avaneesh Kumar Awasthi told the delegation that the two sides could come together to provide world-class hotels for domestic and global tourists.

Establishing a Ramayana museum in Ayodhya also came up as a possible converging point of understanding between the two sides.

Cultural exchanges between Thailand and Uttar Pradesh were also discussed, an official told IANS.

--IANS

md/tsb

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
US President Donald Trump said on Monday that he had a "great relationship" with his Philippines counterpart Rodrigo Duterte, making little mention of human rights at his first face-to-face meeting with the leader accused of carrying out a campaign of extrajudicial killings in his nation's war on drugs.

In a stark break from past practice by US Presidents who have pressed foreign leaders publicly and privately about allegations of human rights abuses, Trump pursued his own style of diplomacy, focussing mostly on areas of common ground during his meeting with Duterte, the New York Times reported.

On the sideline of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit meeting, Trump dwelled on combating the Islamic State and illegal drugs as well as on trade issues, the White House said.

"Human rights briefly came up in the context of the Philippines' fight against illegal drugs," said White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders.

But Duterte's spokesman denied that the subject of rights was ever broached, even as the Philippines President spoke about the "drug menace" in his country.

Trump "appeared sympathetic and did not have any official position on the matter and was merely nodding his head, indicating that he understood the domestic problem that we faced on drugs", said Harry Roque, Duterte's spokesman.

"The issue of human rights did not arise; it was not brought up," Roque said.

Both the leaders declined to answer questions during brief remarks to reporters on the sidelines of the Asean Summit meeting in Manila on Monday.

Sitting side by side, Trump and Duterte projected a friendly dynamic, ribbing the news media as they prepared to speak privately.

"We've had a great relationship," Trump said, heaping praise on Duterte's stewardship of the summit, including an elaborate gala dinner on Sunday where they were seen chatting animatedly and a set of cultural performances on Monday. "This has been very successful."

When asked whether Trump would press Duterte on human rights, the Philippines President quickly silenced them. "Whoa, whoa -- this is not the press statement," Duterte said. "We are in a bilateral meeting."

The Philippines leader at one point called reporters "spies", prompting Trump to chuckle.

On the streets of Manila, meanwhile, about a hundred anti-riot police officers with shields and truncheons clashed with about 300 protesters as they marched near the American Embassy.

The protesters carried anti-American placards and a likeness of Trump with a Hitler-like moustache. They were later pushed back with water cannons, the Times reported.

White House officials have said that Trump has a "warm rapport" with Duterte, with whom he has spoken and exchanged letters since taking office, and that he wants to mend the US-Philippines alliance after strains during the Obama administration.

Trump raised eyebrows in April by inviting Duterte to the White House. The Philippines leader has been accused of ordering thousands of extrajudicial killings of drug suspects in what human rights groups condemn as a bloody campaign.

On Sunday evening, Duterte made a public show of his affection for Trump, grabbing a microphone during the gala dinner to sing the Philippines love ballad "Ikaw", a serenade he said he had performed "upon the orders of the Commander in Chief of the US."

A Philippines official later tweeted about the song, reportedly a favourite of Duterte's, which includes the lyric, "You are the love I've been waiting for."

Trump also promised to reduce his country's trade deficit with Asia and pitched for reciprocal trade relations at the summit. He said the US seeks "economic partnerships on the basis of fairness and reciprocity" with members of the Asean comprising Myanmar, Brunei, Cambodia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Trump will end his Asian tour on Tuesday after visiting Japan, South Korea, China and Vietnam over the last 12 days.

--IANS

soni/bg

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
US President Donald Trump, known for his awkward and at times aggressive handshakes with fellow world leaders, struggled during a traditional group handshake at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit here on Monday.

Trump was befuddled during a group photo when the world leaders were instructed to take part in the "traditional" Asean handshake. During the handshake, the leaders cross their right arm over their left and grasp the hands of the fellow participants on both sides.

However, the US President seemed briefly confused by the announcer's instructions and proceeded to cross his hands in front of him, the New York Daily News reported.

Then, he turned to the leaders flanking him -- Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc to his right and Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte to his left -- and extended his arms outwards. But that wasn't right either.

Finally, Trump crossed his arms correctly and vigorously shook the arms of the two leaders beside him, while laughing.

Photos showed Trump alternatively grimacing and chuckling as he jockeyed for position with Duterte, the event's host.

The US President has long struggled to shake hands with world leaders without making it an international incident. The photos of the Manila event made it soon to Twitter where Trump was mocked.

"President Trump positioned next to President Duterte for class photo including @ASEAN2017 handshake, which took some twisting," one user tweeted.

"Trump's face in this photo is priceless. He struggled a bit with the cross body handshake. He eventually got it and laughed off the awkwardness," said another tweet.

"Guess he never played twister? In Asia, Trump briefly baffled by group handshake," another Twitter user said.

In February, Trump greeted Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe with a handshake that lasted 19 seconds, included two firm pats from Trump on the back of Abe's hand, and ended with the President declaring, approvingly, "strong hands".

He also fumbled handshakes with France's Emmanuel Macron and the First Lady Brigitte Macron earlier this year.

--IANS

soni/mr

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
US President Donald Trump said on Monday that he had a "great relationship" with his Philippines counterpart Rodrigo Duterte, who is accused of carrying out a brutal campaign of extrajudicial killings in his nations war on drugs.

The two leaders met for the first time briefly on Friday at an economic summit in Danang, Vietnam, and were photographed raising wine glasses together in a toast at the opening dinner of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) forum here on Sunday.

They declined to answer questions during brief remarks to reporters on the sidelines of the Asean Summit meeting in Manila on Monday. Sitting side by side, Trump and Duterte projected a friendly dynamic, ribbing the news media as they prepared to speak privately, the New York Times reported.

"We've had a great relationship," the US President told reporters. "This has been very successful." He praised Duterte's handling of the summit and said, "I've really enjoyed being here."

When asked whether Trump would press Duterte on human rights, the Philippines President quickly silenced them. "Whoa, whoa -- this is not the press statement," Duterte said. "We are in a bilateral meeting."

The Philippines leader at one point called reporters "spies", prompting Trump to chuckle.

Later, Duterte's spokesperson Harry Roque said: "The issue of human rights did not arise. It was not brought up."

On the streets of Manila, meanwhile, about a hundred anti-riot police officers with shields and truncheons clashed with about 300 protesters as they marched near the American Embassy.

The protesters carried anti-American placards and a likeness of Trump with a Hitler-like moustache. They were later pushed back with water cannons, the Times reported.

White House officials have said that Trump has a "warm rapport" with Duterte, with whom he has spoken and exchanged letters since taking office, and that he wants to mend the US-Philippines alliance after strains during the Obama administration.

Trump raised eyebrows in April by inviting Duterte to the White House. The Philippines leader has been accused of ordering thousands of extrajudicial killings of drug suspects in what human rights groups condemn as a bloody campaign that has targeted many who may have nothing to do with narcotics.

Trump and other leaders attending the Asean event had already met on Sunday evening at a gala dinner hosted by Duterte. During the event, the Philippines leader took to the stage to sing a Filipino hit love song, afterwards saying it had been "on the orders of the commander-in-chief of the United States".

--IANS

soni/bg

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
People in England and Wales have been given two weeks to surrender guns, other weapons and ammunition to police stations without being punished for possession, the media reported on Monday.

The National Ballistics Intelligence Service (Nabis), which is coordinating the surrender programme, said that many firearms were held in ignorance of their illegality, reports the BBC.

Anyone handing in weapons will not automatically be charged, but will be if they were later connected to a crime.

The police said the programme was aimed at the "full spectrum" of society.

Helen McMillan, National Police Chiefs' Council firearms lead, said: "You don't have to give your name or address, we just want more guns out of harm's way."

BB-guns, air weapons, rifles, shotguns or pistols are among the weapons police say should be handed in by the November 26 deadline

McMillan said: "It could be a trophy of war, it could be a starting pistol - please contact us on 101 and arrange to hand it in to your nearest police station."

After the last gun surrender programme in England and Wales in 2014, more than 6,000 weapons were handed in, reports the BBC.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics showed that crime involving firearms in England and Wales has increased by 27 per cent.

--IANS

ksk/bg

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The police on Monday used water cannons against demonstrators at a protest against US President Donald Trump, who is here to attend the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit.

Police officers and demonstrators were injured in the clashes that erupted when officers blocked the protesters from marching towards the convention centre where Trump is attending the Summit, reports Efe news.

The demonstrators, many of whom came from left-wing groups, carried an effigy of Trump with four arms in the shape of a Nazi swastika, each of them carrying a missile, a bulldozer symbolising the exploitation of natural resources, a gun and a bag of money.

In addition to chanting slogans against the US President, some protesters also carried placards describing Asean as "neoliberal" and "privatising".

The Asean summit opened on Monday, with the member countries - Myanmar, Brunei, Cambodia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam - participating in the meetings.

The bloc will also hold bilateral meetings with the US, China, South Korea and Japan, among others.

The meetings will culminate on Tuesday with the East Asia Summit, which will include Australia, the US, India and Russia, in addition to the Asean countries.

--IANS

ksk/vm

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Holding a massive unplanned road show in the Patidar-dominated and BJP bastion of Mehsana, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Monday evening targetted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asking why is the 'chowkidar' or gatekeeper of the country silent on "immense and unbelievable profit" in Jay Shah's company.

During the last leg of the fourth and last of his three-day visit to the poll-bound state, Rahul Gandhi was welcomed by huge crowds in the region that is said to be the bastion of the ruling BJP party.

The All India Congress Committee (AICC) Vice President, who was visiting the north part of Gujarat, was welcomed by massive crowds, mostly dominated by the Patidar community, when his unplanned mega road show reached the Modhera cross

roads in Mehsana town. People were not letting his bus move forward as they wanted to shake hands with the Gandhi scion.

Mehsana is the hometown and the constituency of Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel. Mehsana is also the district of Vadnagar, the hometown of Prime Minister Modi. People flooded the streets during Rahul Gandhi's visit to the town amidst slogans of 'Jay Sardar'.

During his roadshow, when Gandhi was shaking hands with the Mehsana youth, he asked for the Gandhi cap with the inscription of 'Jay Sardar', which has been worn by the Patidar youth since the Patidar agitation. When he was handed one, he wore it till the end of his road show.

Gandhi began his speech with 'Jay Sardar', 'Jay Bhima', greetings used by the Patidar and the Scheduled Caste (SC) communities respectively.

He said: "Hardik Patel, Jignesh Mewani and Alpesh Thakore are just symbols. They are symbols of your voice. Nobody can shut your voice. Earlier, the British tried to curb your voice, but just two sons of Gujarat sent them away, Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel."

Gandhi said: "The BJP is snatching away your money, your power, your land and giving it to handful of industrialists, around 10. Everybody other than these 10 is agitating in Gujarat. When I visited Surat, hundreds of people came up to me and said, 'We dont know which part of the country our Prime Minister Narendra Modi was talking about when he

was saying all over the country that he had wiped out corruption from Gujarat. Every morning the police turn up at our doorsteps asking for bribe."

Taking a jibe at the Prime Minister, Gandhi asked, "Why is the 'chowkidar' (gatekeeper) of the country, who said 'I won't indulge in corruption and won't allow anybody else to indulge in it', silent on the unbelievable growth of Jay Shah's company profit. Any good Gujarati businessman knows that nobody can turnaround a Rs 50,000 company into an Rs 80 crore profit-making company within a couple of months. Why is the 'chowkidar' silent on the SEBI notice issued to the Gujarat Chief Minister? The country wants to know Pradhan Mantriji, are you the chowkidar or bhagidar? (The country want to know Mr Prime Minister, are you the gatekeeper or a participant in the corruption)."

Rahul Gandhi continued his attack on Modi. He said, "And when anybody wants to voice their issues, he says that I will beat them up while going into their homes. But your voice cannot be curbed. No power in the world can curb the voice of Gujarat. When some leaders in our party said that we will avenge, I tell them 'no'. Revenge is not our thinking, it maybe the thinking of the BJP and the RSS. We won't ever take to revenge."

Continuing he said, "We won't tolerate if anybody will insults the position of the Prime Minister, because that position is given by the people and we respect that position. But the present government has failed on many fronts. China is a huge employment generator, when I asked the cabinet Minister how much employment the Indian government

is providing, sheepishly he answered only 450 per day."

"But I want to change that, I want to see huge employment in the country. I want to see Mehsana youth seeing products having labels of 'Made in Mehsana, Made in Gujarat'. But that cannot happen through this Goods and Services Tax (GST). Since 22 years, you have developed a habit of listening to another's 'Mann Ki Baat' (Referring to Modi). We will change that. I determinedly say that we are forming the next government and we will change your habit. The next government, your government will listen to your 'Mann Ki Baat'" Gandhi concluded.

Earlier, in Becharaji, Rahul Gandhi told a large gathering that just as demonetisation and the Goods and Services Tax (GST) were launched by the NDA government at midnight, Gabbar Singh, the notorious villain of popular film "Sholay", too attacked people at midnight.

Interestingly, one of the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) members, Narendra Patel, was seen on the dais with him in Becharaji village.

Gandhi continued, "During my visit to the state people have been pleading to me, with folded hands, saying please save us from Modiji. GST has crushed people. The present GST still needs to be restructured. The common man's day-to-day commodities should be exempted from GST. There should be one single GST."

The Gandhi scion, on the last day of his visit to north Gujarat, visited the World Heritage site of the step-well in Patan, Ran-ki-Vaav. On his way from Patan to Becharaji, he met farmers, farm labourers in Mela village, and also took some selfies with them.

Earlier in Patan, he was warmly greeted by villagers on his visit to Kungher village. He even mingled with the local children and offered them sweets. Later, he visited the native village of a BJP cabinet Minister in Gujarat, Dilip Thakore, in Harij. People turned up in huge numbers to greet the Congress leader, who broke the security barricades to meet them.

In Harij, he also became part of a magician's performance. Gandhi remarked, "Jadugars (magicians) have been earning money through tricks and Modiji too has been doing the same in 22 years."

--IANS

amc/rn

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived here on Monday on a state visit to Laos after attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Vietnam.

This marks the first visit in 11 years by a Chinese head of state to Laos, Xinhua news agency reported.

Xi is scheduled to meet Laos President Bounnhang Vorachit, Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith and National Assembly President Pany Yathotu.

Vientiane is the final leg of Xi's first overseas trip after he was re-elected the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China last month.

--IANS

umer/soni/mr

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
With reference to Demonetisation: Evaluating the critics (November 13), Arvind Panagariya has beautifully dissected the claims and counterclaims of the effects of on the economy. In fact a few of the claims are a misnomer created by groups with vested interests. One such misnomer was that since most of the cash has been deposited in the banks, there was no black money left. Panagariya has very lucidly explained the process, the true after-effects of which may take a couple of years to reveal, and the remedial action by the then government. By de-registering 224,000 companies and disqualifying 309,000 directors the government has simultaneously cleansed the offices of the Registrar of Companies. This will, in the long run, increase the efficiency in the offices of the ministry of corporate affairs and stop the practice of fictitious transactions that are resulting in thousands of shell companies.
Parliament is set to have one of its shortest Winter Sessions since 1952, and the Congress on Monday accused the Narendra Modi government of dodging questions.

The Congress party demanded to know from the Centre the dates for the Winter Session. Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari said there is a time-honoured tradition that the Winter Session is usually convened in the third week of November, but the Modi government was delaying it under the excuse that the Gujarat assembly elections were round the corner.
Modi's trade talks: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in Philippines to attend the India-Asean and East Asia summits on Monday and Tuesday. Bilateral trade and investments, among others, will be key discussion topics. Bilateral meetings between the prime minister and other leaders on the sidelines of these summits are being finalised.

Event management

Monday is the last day of the Blockchain summit and hackathon at IIT Delhi. The event started on Saturday and continued over the weekend. It was planned as a chain of events in the run-up to the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Hyderabad at the end of the month. Sponsored by NITI Aayog, along with Proffer, a blockchain start-up founded by graduates of MIT and Harvard, the objective was to explore how blockchain architectures can enable a new digital infrastructure for India, improve efficiency, transparency, privacy, and cost across all sectors. About 1,500 students from the IITs, MIT, Harvard, Berkeley, and the top engineering institutions from across the world are participating, with 500 attending in person at the IIT Delhi campus. Microsoft, IBM, Accel, Coinbase, and Amazon AWS have sponsored $17,000 in prizes to reward the top five blockchain-based applications addressing problems in government/enterprise infrastructure, finance, energy markets, supply chain, decentralised Aadhaar identities, information exchange, etc.

Delhi's disaster management

The odd-even car rationing scheme will be enforced in the capital for five days from Monday, Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot said. The decision comes on the backdrop of a spike in air pollution level. Under the policy, private vehicles are allowed to ply based on the last number on their licence plates.Odd-numbered cars would run on odd dates, while the even-numbered ones on even dates. In 2016, the scheme was enforced twice  January 1-15 and April 15-30. While traffic is expected to be smoother, public transportation and app cabs will see a surge.
Two security personnel, including a captain, and 10 terrorists were killed today in exchange of fire during an attack on a security check post in Pakistan's restive northwest Bajaur Agency, bordering Afghanistan.

Two security personnel were killed and four others were injured when suspected terrorists from across the border in Kunar province of Afghanistan attacked a security check post in Mamond tehisl, along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border area, officials said.

The two security officials identified as captain Junaid Hafeez and Sepoy Raham were killed while four soldiers were also wounded in the attack.

According to the officials, the security forces successfully responded to the attack, killing at least 10 terrorists while they were trying to escape after carrying out the attack.

Pakistan military has also confirmed the attack on security check post in Bajaur Agency.

According to the statement issued today, a group of terrorists from the Afghanistan side attacked Pakistani posts along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border region in Bajaur Agency.

However, the statement stated that the forces effectively responded to the attack and killed 10 fleeing terrorist and wounded several others.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Air Intelligence Unit of Mumbai customs apprehended three persons, including two foreigners, for allegedly smuggling gold and seized around 10 kg of the yellow metal worth Rs 2.84 crore from them, officials said today.

The three people were apprehended since yesterday, they said.

Seven gold bars, each weighing 1 kg, were seized from Domoslawski Pawel, a Polish national, upon his arrival from Singapore. The gold bars were cleverly concealed in pockets of a belt, made of cloth, which was wrapped around his waist, a customs official said.

Iranian national Manoucher Safei was apprehended after upon searching him, two gold bars, each weighing 1 kg, concealed on his right hand using adhesive tapes, were seized, the official said.

The Air Intelligence Unit sleuths also apprehended Pappu Singh, who had arrived from Riyadh, and on searching him, over 1.6 kg gold was seized, the official said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Thirty-three people riding on a fuel train in southeastern Democratic Republic of Congo were killed and 26 were injured when the train plunged down a ravine and caught fire, officials said.

The UN's radio Okapi said there had been 33 fatalities in the accident yesterday.

It occurred in the mining region of Katana, close to the border with Zambia and Angola, in the DRC province of Lualaba.

"Thirty-three" people were killed, Richard Muyej Mangez Mans, the governor of Lualaba province, told AFP, confirming Okapi's toll.

"Twenty-six people who were seriously injured have been admitted to hospital. Doctors have been sent from Kolwezi to help those who are lightly injured."



"Work is continuing to search for any survivors in the wreckage," he said.

Access to the site is difficult because of the poor state of the roads during the rainy season, he said.

The Red Cross said it was unable to give a toll.

The train, in which the victims were travelling illegally, was running between the country's second city of Lubumbashi and Luena.

The train, transporting 13 oil tankers, derailed while climbing a slope at Buyofwe, a station 30 kilometres (18 miles) from Lubudi.

It fell into a ravine and the tankers caught fire, radio Okapi said.

"It's a freight train that derailed and it wasn't supposed to be carrying passengers. If there were people on board, we consider them to be illegal travellers," said Sylvestre Ilunga Ilukamba, a senior official from the national railway company SNCC.

Katanga -- a vast mineral-rich region the size of Spain -- has witnessed several deadly train accidents.

In April 2014, a freight train derailed killing 74 people and injured 163, according to officials but the Red Cross said up to 200 corpses had been buried.

The national agency a month later reported 136 deaths.

Another train accident in July 1987 near the Zambian border killed 150 people after crashing into a truck.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Over 50 residents of Pakistan- occupied Kashmir (PoK) travelled by a cross-LoC bus to reach Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district today, officials said.

The bus service had on November 6 resumed operations after remaining suspended for nearly four months owing to heavy shelling by Pakistani troops along the Line of Control in Poonch district.

"As many as 54 PoK residents travelled to this side through Chakan-Da-Bagh. The bus plied empty from this side," the officials said.

After resumption of the service last week, only 20 PoK residents had travelled by the bus.

The bus service was suspended on July 10 after heavy shelling by Pakistan which also forced suspension of the trade which usually takes place for four days a week beginning Tuesday.

The trade also resumed between the two sides last week following a meeting between senior civil officials from Poonch and PoK near on November 3.

The bus service was started along the Srinagar- Muzaffarabad road in April 2005 and the Poonch-Rawalakot route on June 20, 2006 to facilitate trade and travel between Jammu and Kashmir and PoK.

The trade between the two parts of Kashmir started in October 2008 on the barter system.

(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 blamed the 55-year-long rule of the Congress for the ills plaguing the country and accused the opposition party of "dividing" people and playing appeasement politics.

He said the Sonia Gandhi-led party is responsible for "mismanagement" in the country and that the BJP-led NDA government is making efforts to tackle problems and take the country on the path of development.

Addressing a convention of BJP workers at the Balbir Singh Juneja Indoor Stadium, Adityanath accused the Congress of playing with the sentiments of the people and dividing them on the basis of caste, region and language for its vested interest.

"It practised politics of appeasement for political gains and gave birth to scourge of terrorism, Naxalism and separatism. The country is still paying the price (for its policies)," the BJP leader said.

Adityanath said if the grand old party had acted responsibly, the country would not been facing so many problems.

"If the Congress leadership had discharged its duties, the country would not have been grappling with starvation and lack of health facilities. If anyone is responsible for the country's mismanagement, it is the 55-year rule of the Congress," the UP chief minister said.

He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP government in states are making efforts to tackle such problems and take the country on the path of development.

"Our party works without discrimination on the basis of religion, caste and creed. We consider the entire country a family," he added.

Adityanath said construction of a temple devoted to Lord Rama has been completed here in Chhattisgarh, which was his 'nanhial' (his mother Kaushlya's maternal home).

"Chhattisgarh was Lord Ram's 'nanihal'. I was here in February after the construction of a Ram temple. According to 'manyata' (belief), Lord Ram first settles in his 'nanihal' and then goes to his birthplace (in Ayodhya)."



Adityanath said India's identity is closely associated with Ayodhya.

"I visited Ayodhya on Diwali. (Members of the) previous governments in UP were scared of visiting Ayodhya. They did not even want to take the name of Ayodhya.

"People felt that if we came to power (in UP) we will also not go there. I do not have any fear," he said.

He said 'Ram Rajya' is considered the best model of good governance in the entire worldwhere there is no fear, discrimination, pain and starvation.

Adityanathpraised the prime minister for launching a slew of welfare schemes and said their benefits are reaching the people of the country.

"The people ask what Prime Minister Modi has done in three years and when 'achhe din' will come. We should tell them that we gave electricity to the poor who did not have a power connection even after 70 years of Independence.

"The poor who had never seen bank now has a bank account. It's achhe din for them."



The prime minister has assured houses to every family in the country by 2022, he added.

Adityanath also lauded the paddy procurement system and public distribution system in BJP-ruled Chhattisgarh.

Chief Minister Raman Singh and state BJP president Dharamlal Kaushik, among others, were present on the occasion.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Government of India today told the Calcutta High Court that the Aadhaar card of a 27-year-old man suffering from cerebral palsy, who could not get the document made since April 2016, had been despatched.

Joydeep Sen, the Centre's counsel, informed the court that the card would reach the youth's residence at Behala in the city within a few days.

The counsel also informed Justice Debangshu Basak that Aadhaar officials had gone to the youth's residence on Saturday and completed the formalities related to his retina scan and fingerprinting.

The officials had gone to the youth's residence after the judge had, on Friday, sought to know what steps the Centre was taking to ensure that the differently-abled man got his unique identification card made.

Sen submitted that the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) authority had a dedicated grievance cell to deal with such cases and that any complaint received by it was redressed within four working days.

The counsel claimed that the mother of the youth, who had filed the petition before the court, had never written to the UIDAI authorities after having failed to get his son's Aadhaar card made and instead, approached the Kolkata Municipal Corporation authorities.

The court's direction had come on a petition by Nupur Moitra, mother of Sanat (27) who is suffering from acute cerebral palsy.

Moitra's counsel Jayanta Narayan Chatterjee had told the court that Sanat had an 83-per cent disability and that he could neither sit or look straight nor stretch his fingers.

Chatterjee had told the court that in April 2016, Sanat was taken to an Aadhaar enrolment camp, but the retina scan and fingerprinting could not be done owing to his physical disabilities.

Since then, he was taken to several other Aadhaar camps, but every attempt to get the document made had failed, the lawyer had told the court.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Manipur Governor Najma Heptulla today asked former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah to apologise to the country for his "irresponsible" statement that PoK belongs to Pakistan.

Abdullah, who is the president of National conference, on Saturday had claimed that Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) belongs to Pakistan and "this won't change" no matter how many wars India and Pakistan fight against each other.

His statement comes days after Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi had rejected the idea of an "independent Kashmir", saying it was not based on "reality".

Heptulla told PTI that "Pakistan had occupied PoK illegally in 1948. Kashmir belongs to India both legally, constitutionally and morally. The agenda of our country is to liberate the PoK."



Union Minorities Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi had yesterday criticised Abdullah, saying that the National Conference president "talks irrationally sometimes".

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Adani Enterprises, the flagship firm of Adani group, today said its profit after tax fell by 6.34 per cent to Rs 59 crore in the July-September quarter of 2017-18 compared to Rs 63 crore in the same quarter a year ago.

"The EBIDTA for the (second) quarter is Rs 773 crore vs Rs 580 crore in Q2 FY17," the company said in a statement.

Consolidated income from operations for the September quarter was at Rs 9,083 crore against Rs 7,594 crore for the corresponding period in the previous year.

"Adani Enterprises continues to consolidate its position as energy and infrastructure player. With favourable policy measures, we remains committed to create assets of national importance. We are confident that our businesses will bring significant benefits to the Indian economy and the stakeholders," Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani said in the statement.

The Group CFO, Rajiv Nayar, said, "Our renewable, coal, city gas and agro businesses have delivered broad based, durable and profitable growth through improved operational performance. The structural strength of our business model and economic environment augurs well for the new capacities which are coming on stream."



In Coal Mine Development and Operations (MDO) at Parsa Kente coal mines in Chhattisgarh, the company said it has supplied washed coal of 1.7 million tonne to Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam in the second quarter compared to 1 million tonne in the second quarter of FY2016-17, showing an increase of 68 per cent.

In renewable energy sector, the company has operationalised renewable projects of 1,088 MW with a further pipeline of 1,060 MW of projects under various stages of implementation across the country.

The company provides piped natural gas to households, industrial and commercial consumers and compressed natural gas for automobiles in Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Faridabad and Khurja.

The company envisages future growth through a 50:50 joint venture with Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) which has been awarded the city gas project in cities of Allahabad, Chandigarh, Ernakulum, Panipat, Udham Singh Nagar and Dharwad.

Operations have started in Chandigarh, Allahabad and Daman and the projects are at various stages of implementation in other cities.

Shares of the company today ended 2.08 per cent down at Rs 152.70 apiece on BSE.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami today said that providing adequate training for students to face competitive exams was the need of the hour.

Palaniswami also said that the syllabus followed by schools in the state was "no less" compared to others in the country, and sought to assure that students from the state board can indeed do well in central competitive exams.

His remarks come in the backdrop of the opposition to the Centre's NEET (National Entrance cum Eligibility Test) in the state from various quarters including political parties.

One of the criticisms against NEET by those opposed to it is how can a student from a state board background clear the central entrance exam, apparently referring to those students of state syllabus.

"There are a lot of questions as to whether students from state board can succeed at all-India level competitive exams. Let me assure you one thing. Our state board syllabus is no less to that of any other state in India."



"The need of the hour is to impart proper training to our students to face such competitive exams," he said.

Palaniswami was speaking at an event organised by the Tamil Nadu School Education Department where he launched a scheme to impart training to students to prepare for such exams.

He said that the School Education Department and the Speed Trust have partnered to provide this kind of training.

A total of 412 training centres would be set up across Tamil Nadu as part of this initiative, Palaniswami said, adding, 100 such centres were being inaugurated today.

The rest would come up very soon, he added.

Palaniswami said that the free-of-cost initiative was being launched to benefit students of class XII this year, especially those aspiring for professional courses.

The classes would be held on Saturdays and Sundays and experts would be used to train students, he said. Course material in Tamil and English will be provided.

Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology and Mathematics would be covered as part of this initiative, the Chief Minister added.

"Since the training is to be imparted free of cost by very good experts, there is no need (for students) to opt for any other training to face competitive exams," he said.

Palaniswami underlined his government's commitment to bolster education, and recalled the late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa's assurance in this regard, especially in her Vision 2023 document.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
As part of their ongoing merger process, Vodafone India and Idea Cellular today announced sale of their independent telecom tower businesses to ATC Telecom Infrastructure for Rs 7,850 crore in an all-cash deal.

Post-merger, which is expected next year, the combined entity will have over 35 per cent market share in the world's second largest telecom market with a valuation of over USD 23 billion. The merger was announced this March.

"This is an all-cash deal and the proceeds, which is Rs 4,000 crore for our 9,900 towers, will be parked in a separate account till the merger with Vodafone is complete," Idea managing director Himanshu Kapania told PTI in a concall.

Whether Idea, which is highly leveraged with over Rs 54,000 crore of debt as of the September quarter, will use the process to pare debt, Kapania answered in the negative, saying this sale is part of the merger agreement under which both the parties had agreed to divest non-core assets/towers before or along with the merger.

Earlier in the day, the Vodafone and Idea in a joint statement said they will sell their entire holding in Idea Cellular Infrastructure Services, which has 9,900 telecom masts, and Vodafone holding the rest will divest their tower business with 20,000 units, to American Tower.

With this deal, American Tower will become the second largest operator in the country with 70,000 towers, after Indus Towers--a joint venture between Vodafone, Idea (11.15 per cent) and Tata Tele--with over 1.25 lakh towers, he said.

"On completion of the sale of the tower businesses precedes the completion of the proposed merger of Vodafone India and Idea. Vodafone will receive Rs 3,850 crore and Idea will receive Rs 4,000 crore from the deal,"the statement said.

The standalone tower businesses of Vodafone and Idea comprise a combined portfolio of nearly 20,000 towers.

The deal is expected to be completed by the first half of 2018 and is subject to regulatory and other approvals.

While DSP Merrill Lynch was the sole advisor to Idea for the deal, Morgan Stanley was the deal-maker for Vodafone.

Explaining the rationale for the sale, Kapania said, "of the 20,000 towers, as many as 6,300 between Vodafone and Idea are co-located. So, divesting these would help us save anything between Rs 50,000 and Rs 55,000 per tower per tenant per month. And that is a huge savings to be made."



Over the weekend Vodafone India managing director Sunil Sood had told PTI that the merger was on track for completion in 2018 as they had got all the approvals expect those from the NCLT, which will begin hearing from the first week of December, and the Registrar of Companies and the DoT.

The merger was sort of a forced one as the incumbents Airtel, Vodafone and Idea, which are currently No 1,2&3, respectively were battered by the almost free offers from the new entrant Reliance Jio last September which led to a bruising price war among them. Post-merger, Bharti Airtel will become the No 2 player.

And the deep scars that this competition left in its wake is clear when earlier in the day Idea reported a massive Rs 1,107 crore net loss for the three months to September, as its business was hit by pricing pressure and GST introduction in a "challenging" operating environment.

"The operating environment remains challenging with unrelenting pressure on pricing, an 18 per cent GST and need for large investments to support the exploding data demand," Idea said.

Its revenue fell 19.72 per cent to Rs 7,465.5 crore from Rs 9,300.3 crore a year ago.

The company said while its data usage nearly doubled, the rate realisation "continued its free fall" and voice realisation rate too fell by 9.9 per cent over the June quarter, and mobile data realisation fell more sharply by 49.2 per cent, pulling down revenue per subscriber by 6.6 per cent to Rs 132.

Similarly, last month the market leader Airtel had reported a whopping 76.5 per cent plunge in net at Rs 343 crore for the quarter while RCom reported a net loss of Rs 2,709 crore.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Scientists in the environment department are "constantly monitoring" the pollution level in the national capital where the air quality index has been "fluctuating" in the last 48 hours, Delhi Minister Gopal Rai said today.

The urban development minister said at a press conference here that there is a meeting with Pawan Hans officials this evening to discuss the plan of aerial sprinkling of water.

The chief minister and the Cabinet are in "constant touch" with environment scientists, who are continuously monitoring the pollution level.

"The report for the last 48 hours given by the scientists is that the air quality is fluctuating. The report has been submitted to the chief minister and the Cabinet," Rai said.

Meanwhile, the Delhi government moved the National Green Tribunal (NGT) today, seeking amendment to its November 11 order on odd-even car rationing scheme.

The government on Saturday scrapped its plan to implement the odd-even scheme after the NGT had said that there would be no exemption for women, two-wheelers and government servants.

"Movement of trucks and construction works are under scrutiny, water is being sprinkled, we are continuously monitoring the situation," he said.

Rai also hit out at the Haryana government for "playing blame game on stubble burning instead of taking action in his own state".

The national capital has been experiencing dense smog for about a week, forcing authorities to enforce emergency measures such as banning construction activities and brick kilns in the National Capital Region.

Rai, during the press conference, also hit out at the Centre, over the issue, referring to a media report that the Union government allegedly "did not release funds" to states in north India, meant for farmers to dissuade them from stubble burning.

Asked about the allegation made by the Haryana government as to what the AAP government was doing for Delhi farmers, he said, "We have been doing more than we can."



"In Haryana and other states, the crop is cut from the top using technology, so it leaves a long stubble which need burning for removal. In Delhi, our farmers cut crops close to the roots. And, have you seen any visual on TV or photos in newspapers of Delhi farmers resorting to stubble burning," he said.

"I was in Rohtak yesterday and the air in Haryana right now is more noxious. What is Haryana government doing?" he asked.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad today hammered out an ageement with the UP Shia Waqf board on the Ram temple- land issue which will "very soon" submit to the Supreme Court, leaders of both the organisations said.

The Supreme Court had on August 11 said it would commence the final hearing in the dispute from December 5.

The UP Shia Waqf Board is drafting the terms and conditions of the agreement, its chief Waseem Rizvi said.

"It has been amicably decided that no new mosque will be built in Ayodhya or Faizabad. The Shia Waqf board will identify a piece of land in a Muslim-dominated area and inform the government," he said.

The Parishad had objected to the construction of a mosque in Ayodhya or Faizabad. This issue was resolved by UP Shia Waqf Board chief Rizvi during discussions, Parishad President Narendra Giri told mediapersons after a meeting here.

Ram Janambhoomi Trust president Mahant Nritya Gopal Das was also present in the meeting.

"We had a discussion with main party Dharma Das and others also. After signing of the agreement, it will be very soon submitted in the apex court," Giri said.

Mediation is not required in the case now, he said.

"Those in favour of temple construction and the Shia Waqf Board have completely agreed on this. We had discussed it with almost all the parties in the case," he said.

The decision will be conveyed to the Supreme Court by December 5, a day before the 25th anniversary of the demolition of the medieval-era structure.

Rizvi claimed as the Sunni Waqf Board has lost the case of its registration in several courts, only the Shia Waqf board has a right to the mosque.

Since it is for an amicable solution of the temple-mosque issue, people from any community, including Sunni organisations, can participate in the talks but those with "negative approach" will not be allowed, the Shia Waqf board chief said.

"We do not want to complicate this issue any more," Rizvi said.

The Sunni Waqf board was registered in 1944, he said.

The Supreme Court, a High Court and a civil court had declared its registration as invalid, he added.

"Since their registration has been declared invalid, they (Sunni board) have no right over the mosque," Rizvi said.

The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court had in 2010 ruled a three-way division of the disputed 2.77-acre area at the Ram Janambhoomi- site in Ayodhya.

The three-judge bench of the high court, by a 2:1 majority, had said the land be partitioned equally among three parties -- the Sunni Waqf Board, the Nirmohi Akhara and Ram Lalla.

The Supreme Court on March 21 suggested an out-of-court settlement of the land dispute at Ayodhya, observing that issues of "religion and sentiments" can be best resolved through talks.

The Shia Central Waqf Board has impleaded itself as a party in the Ayodhya case by submitting a 30-page affidavit to the Supreme Court on August 8. It has staked claim to the Babri mosque, maintaining that it was a Shia mosque.

On August 11, the Supreme Court had said it will commence the final hearing in the long-standing Ram Janmabhoomi- title dispute from December 5.
Police have detained one person in connection with the killing of 35-year-old Umar Khan by alleged cow vigilantes in Rajasthan's Alwar district.

Reacting to the incident, Rajasthan Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria said today that the state did not have enough manpower everywhere to "control" every situation well in time.

Umar Khan's body was found near railway tracks in Ramgarh on November 11, with his family members and activists alleging that he was shot dead by cow vigilantes when he was ferrying cattle in a vehicle the day before.

The incident, which came months after the lynching of dairy farmer Pehlu Khan by suspected cow vigilantes in Alwar, has triggered an outrage.

"The incident took place at night and police are acting on the case. One person has been detained," Kataria said and expressed hope that the case would be cracked soon.

He said strict action would be taken against the culprits irrespective of their religion.

"We don't have so much manpower to enable us to control every situation at all places, even before an incident is reported (hamare pass itni manpower nahin hai, ki har jagah, har sthiti ko samay se pehle control kar saken)," he said.

Deputy Superintendent of Police, Alwar (South), Anil Beniwal said the detained person was being interrogated.

An FIR has been registered at Govindgarh police station under IPC sections 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder) and 201 (causing disappearance of evidence) against unidentified people, based on a complaint lodged by Umar Khan's family members.

Umar Khan's family members have demanded immediate arrest of the accused and compensation.

A post-mortem on Umar Khan's body was yet to be conducted at the SMS Hospital in Jaipur where the body was referred from Alwar yesterday.

Hospital superintendent D S Meena said that post-mortem would be conducted by a medical board constituted in the case.

Social worker Maulana Haneef claimed yesterday that Khan, along with two others, was ferrying cattle in a vehicle when unidentified men opened fire at them. Khan died on the spot, while another suffered bullet injuries.

In April this year, 55-year-old Pehlu Khan was lynched by suspected cow vigilantes in Alwar while he was transporting cattle.

The incident comes ahead of Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje's scheduled visit to Alwar. Raje has been visiting various areas under the Alwar Lok Sabha constituency which is gearing up for a bypoll, necessitated following the death of sitting BJP MP Mahant Chandnath.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Police have detained two men in connection with the killing of 35-year-old Umar Khan by alleged cow vigilantes in Rajasthan's Alwar district.

According to Alwar Superintendent of Police (SP) Rahul Prakash, two people have been detained and are being interrogated.

Reacting to the incident, Rajasthan Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria said today that the state did not have enough manpower everywhere to "control" every situation well in time.

Khan's body was found near railway tracks in Ramgarh on November 11, with his family members and activists alleging that he was shot dead by cow vigilantes when he was ferrying cattle in a vehicle the day before.

The incident, which came months after the lynching of dairy farmer Pehlu Khan by suspected cow vigilantes in Alwar, has triggered an outrage.

Kataria said that strict action would be taken against the culprits irrespective of their religion.

"We don't have so much manpower to enable us to control every situation at all places, even before an incident is reported," he said.

An FIR has been registered at the Govindgarh police station under IPC sections 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder) and 201 (causing disappearance of evidence) against unidentified people, based on a complaint lodged by Khan's family members.

Khan's family members have demanded immediate arrest of the accused and compensation.

They met Director General of Police Ajit Singh with their demands.

They refused consent to autopsy of the body till the culprits were arrested.

The was brought to the SMS Hospital in Jaipur from Alwar yesterday.

Hospital superintendent D S Meena said that a medical board was constituted for the post-mortem, but it could not be conducted as the family members did not turn up.

Social worker Maulana Haneef claimed yesterday that Khan, along with two others, was ferrying cattle in a vehicle when unidentified men opened fire at them. Khan died on the spot, while another suffered bullet injuries.

In April this year, 55-year-old Pehlu Khan was lynched by suspected cow vigilantes in Alwar while he was transporting cattle.

The incident comes ahead of Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje's scheduled visit to Alwar. Raje has been visiting various areas under the Alwar Lok Sabha constituency which is gearing up for a bypoll, necessitated following the death of sitting BJP MP Mahant Chandnath.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Police have detained two men in connection with the killing of 35-year-old Umar Khan by alleged cow vigilantes in Rajasthan's Alwar district.

Reacting to the incident, Rajasthan Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria said today that the state did not have enough manpower everywhere to "control" every situation well in time.

Khan's body was found near railway tracks in Ramgarh on November 11, with his family members and activists alleging that he was shot dead by cow vigilantes when he was ferrying cattle in a vehicle the day before.

The incident, which came months after the lynching of dairy farmer Pehlu Khan by suspected cow vigilantes in Alwar, has triggered an outrage.

Kataria said that strict action would be taken against the culprits irrespective of their religion.

"We don't have so much manpower to enable us to control every situation at all places, even before an incident is reported," he said.

According to Alwar Superintendent of Police (SP) Rahul Prakash, two people have been detained and are being interrogated.

An FIR has been registered at the Govindgarh police station under IPC sections 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder) and 201 (causing disappearance of evidence) against unidentified people, based on a complaint lodged by Khan's family members.

Khan's family members have demanded immediate arrest of the accused, and compensation.

They met Director General of Police Ajit Singh with their demands.

They refused consent to autopsy of the body till the culprits were arrested.

The was brought to the SMS Hospital in Jaipur from Alwar yesterday.

Hospital superintendent D S Meena said that a medical board was constituted for the post-mortem, but it could not be conducted as the family members did not turn up.

Social worker Maulana Haneef claimed yesterday that Khan, along with two others, was ferrying cattle in a vehicle when unidentified men opened fire at them. Khan died on the spot, while another suffered bullet injuries.

In April this year, 55-year-old Pehlu Khan was lynched by suspected cow vigilantes in Alwar while he was transporting cattle.

The incident comes ahead of Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje's scheduled visit to Alwar. Raje has been visiting various areas under the Alwar Lok Sabha constituency which is gearing up for a bypoll, necessitated following the death of sitting BJP MP Mahant Chandnath.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A US appeals court has allowed President Donald Trump's newest version of the travel ban to partially take effect.

The 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals ruling will bar people from six Muslim-majority countries included in the travel ban who do not have a "bona fide" relationship with a person or entity in the US from entering the country. The ban can't be enforced against people who have those relationships.

Hawaii sued to stop the latest ban, which was announced in September. Hours before it was set to take full effect last month, US District Judge Derrick Watson in Hawaii issued a ruling blocking the ban. Watson found that the new ban, like the version before it, failed to show that nationality alone makes a person a greater security risk to the US.

The policy applied to travelers from Chad, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Syria and Yemen plus some Venezuelan government officials and their families.

Rulings against the ban in Hawaii and later in Maryland apply only to the six Muslim-majority countries. They did not affect the restrictions against North Korea or Venezuela, because the plaintiffs did not ask for that. The Maryland ruling was narrower than the Hawaii one in that it allowed enforcement against those with no US ties.

The US government appealed, saying the rulings thwarted Trump's efforts to keep the American people safe.

The 9th Circuit in San Francisco had blocked previous versions of the ban.

"We are reviewing the court's order and the government will begin enforcing the travel proclamation consistent with the partial stay," U.S. Department of Justice spokeswoman Lauren Ehrsam said in a statement. "We believe that the proclamation should be allowed to take effect in its entirety."



The appellate judges adopted language that the Supreme Court itself either wrote or blessed when it considered legal challenges to the previous version of the travel ban.

In June, the justices said the travel ban could not keep out of the country people who could claim a bona fide relationship with someone or a group in the US.

The justices did not list precisely what kinds of relationships were covered, but they left in place a subsequent 9th circuit ruling that protected grandparents, cousins and other relatives.

Monday's ruling spells out the "close family relationship" includes grandparents, grandchildren, brothers- in-law, sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

The decision "closely tracks guidance previously issued by the Supreme Court," Hawaii Attorney General Doug Chin said in a statement. "I'm pleased that family ties to the U. S., including grandparents, will be respected. We continue to prepare for substantive arguments before the Ninth Circuit on December 6 in Seattle.
Leaders of the 10-member ASEAN bloc today began a two-day summit on key challenges even as concerns over terrorism, North Korea's nuclear programme and China's expansionist military posturing in the region returned as a major focus area of deliberations.

In his inaugural speech at the highly fortified Cultural Centre here, Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte talked about various challenges facing the region and identified terrorism and violent extremism as threats that "know no boundaries".

The inaugural session of the summit was attended by leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations' (ASEAN) dialogue partner countries which included Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Donald Trump, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Several parts of the city also witnessed demonstrations by civil rights activists who opposed Trump's visit here.

Diplomats said the thorny issue of China's aggressive military manoeuvres in the disputed South China Sea, North Korea's nuclear missile tests and the overall security architecture in the region will be the focus areas of the summit.

North Korea's recent missile and nuclear tests demonstrating its ability to launch long-range ballistic missiles have sparked fears that the reclusive Communist state is developing nuclear weapons faster than previously estimated by the US.

Regular joint USSouth Korea military drills as well as US warnings to North Korea have raised tensions recently in the region and beyond.

China claims sovereignty over almost all of the South China Sea, a huge source of hydrocarbons. However, several ASEAN members including Vietnam, the Philippines and Brunei have counter claims.

In the backdrop of rising tensions over Chinese assertiveness in the disputed region, Trump, during a meeting with Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang in Vietnam yesterday, offered to mediate in the lingering dispute.

Diplomats said the ASEAN declaration may come out with policy guidelines on the issue.

India has been pressing for ensuring freedom of navigation and overflight in the region, a view which finds consonance with positions of major global players in the region including the US, Australia and Japan.

Modi will address the ASEAN-India and East Asia summits tomorrow and it is to be seen whether he touches upon the sensitive issue.

Trade ties between India and ASEAN are on an upswing and both sides want to further boost trade and investment cooperation.

The ASEAN region along with India together comprises combined population of 1.85 billion people, which is one fourth of the global population and their combined GDP has been estimated at over USD 3.8 trillion.

Investment from ASEAN to India has been over USD 70 billion in the last 17 years, accounting for more than 17 per cent of India's total foreign direct investment.

India's investment in ASEAN during the same period has been more than USD 40 billion.

In an address at the ASEAN business forum, Modi showcased India's economic reform initiatives and invited the countries of the bloc to ramp up their investment in India.

He said the task of transforming the country is proceeding at an "unprecedented scale".

"The task of transforming India is proceeding at an unprecedented scale. We are working day and night towards easy, effective and transparent governance," the prime minister said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Premium custom motorcycle maker, Avantura Choppers today launched its first two models -- Rudra and Pravega -- priced at Rs 23.90 lakh and Rs 21.40 lakh respectively (ex-showroom, Mumbai).

The two chopper-style motorcycle models are powered by a 2,000 cc engine and pre-bookings for the made-to-order bikes will start from the upcoming India Bike Week 2017, the company said in a statement.

India Bike Week is being held on November 24-25, 2017 in Goa.

Avantura Choppers Founder and CEO Gaurav A Aggarwal said the first two models of the company have been developed from ground-up targeting the evolving riding community in India.

They have been created to provide the original chopper experience for Indian riders and suit local riding conditions, the statement said.

Avantura Choppers has roped in Kevin Alsop, founder of Big Bear Choppers, USA) as the Chief Design Engineer of the brand, it added.

Avantura Choppers has set-up strategic partnerships with global manufacturers including S&S Engines, Beringer Braking Systems, Primo Suspensions, Mustang Seats, Kellermann lights and Avon tires to be OEMs for their product line.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Bajaj Hindusthan Sugar today said its standalone net loss narrowed to Rs 91.57 crore for the quarter ended September 30, mainly driven by higher income.

Its net loss stood at Rs 137.71 crore in the same quarter last fiscal, the company said in a regulatory filing.

Total revenue increased to Rs 1,543.84 crore in the July-September quarter of the 2017-18 from Rs 946.42 crore in the year-ago period.

However, expenses remained higher at Rs 1,635.41 crore during the second quarter this fiscal when compared to Rs 1,084.13 crore in the same quarter last year.

In the filing, Bajaj Hindusthan explained that its Q2 net loss was lower because the company has deferred the off-season expenses of sugar units for inclusion in the cost of production of sugar to be produced in the remaining part of the year.

This has been done in accordance with industry practice and to present better and meaningful interim results.

"Due to this change, the loss is lower for the current quarter by Rs 45.20 crore and current six months by Rs 75.63 crore. This change does not have any impact on the annual results," it said.

The company also mentioned that its joint lender forum has agreed to proceed with the scheme of sustainable structuring of stressed assets. The resolution plan has been prepared and under the process of finalisation with the bankers and concerned authorities.

Bajaj Hindusthan has 14 sugar mills with cane crushing capacity of 1.36 lakh tonnes per day and alcohol distillation capacity of 800 kilo litres per day.

Besides sugar, the Shishir Bajaj-led Bajaj Group has interests in power, ethanol, real estate, personal care products and infrastructure.

Its shares closed at Rs 14.89 a piece on BSE today.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The West Bengal Fisheries department has decided to initiate farming of fishes in cages across the state to meet the burgeoning local demand and also to cut down dependence on neighbouring states for supplies, a senior official has said.

"We have decided to initiate the fish cage culture system or cage aquaculture across West Bengal," the official of the state Fisheries department told PTI.

For the purpose, brackish water bodies owned by the State Fisheries Development Corporation (SFDC) as well as by fishery cooperatives and private owners would be used, the official said.

"Similar fish cage culture has been done by private organisations, but on much smaller scales. We are planning to come up with this on a much bigger scale," he said,



Cage aquaculture is a fish farming procedure on a floating frame. It involves growing of fishes in existing water resources while being enclosed in a net cage which allows free flow of water. They can be installed in reservoirs, rivers, lakes or sea. A catwalk and handrail is also built around the floating cages.

Circular cages of different diameter, ranging from 2m to 15m, designed for cage culture would be engaged for the purpose where varieties like milkfish, mullet, pearl spot, shellfishes such as shrimps, crabs and lobsters are on the list, he added.

"These days cage culture is receiving attention from both researchers and commercial producers. Several small and limited resource farmers are looking forward to it as alternatives to traditional agricultural crops because aquaculture appears to be a rapidly expanding industry. We are hopeful that this will be a hit among small farmers," he said.

The official added that cage aquaculture can play a significant role in increasing the overall fish production in West Bengal. Since, the investment is low, this farming method is ideal for small scale fishermen and farmers as an alternative source of income.

As per the initial plans of the Fisheries department, 80 cages would be employed for the cultivation.

"Initially there will be 80 cages used for the cultivation of fishes. Out of these, 18 cages will be used by the SFDC and the rest will be distributed among those in the districts of East Midnapore, both North and South 24 Parganas who will be employed for the cage culture of fishes," the official said.

Depending on the success of the venture in commercial terms, the Fisheries department has plans to start similar activities in freshwater bodies and in marine areas.

With 2.10 lakh hectares, West Bengal is considered to have one of the country's largest impounded brackish water area after Odisha, Gujarat and Kerala.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The BJP today accused senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot's brother of being involved in a scam during the UPA rule, saying that his company allegedly exported subsidised fertiliser that was meant for domestic consumption.

Attacking the Congress over the issue, senior BJP leader and Union minister Prakash Javadekar said that the opposition party is "synonymous with corruption".

He alleged that the Congress violated all laws and regulations during its ten-year rule.

Citing a media report, Javadekar said that muriate of potash, a fertiliser imported by the country for farmers, was exported by the firm of Gehlot's brother Agrasain Gehlot during the UPA rule after claiming subsidy from the Centre on it.

"This is a clear case of theft of subsidy and all this happened between 2007 to 2009, when Congress-led UPA was in power at the Centre and during the period Gehlot had also assumed charge as the Rajasthan chief minister," Javadekar told reporters here.

He alleged that the cheaper rate at which the fertiliser was exported, raises doubts that it could be a case of "money laundering".

Javadekar said that this "fertiliser scam" case came into limelight after custom officials caught its consignment, as the potash is meant for domestic consumption and its export is restricted.

"On one side Congress and its leaders talk about farmers and their issues, but the relatives of their party's Gujarat incharge is stealing the farmer's subsidy," he said and asked whether the Congress's top leadership will take action against those who had "stolen the farmer's rights".

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Hundreds of BJP workers today converged infront of the Secretariat here and staged a protest demanding immediate resignation of Transport Minister Thomas Chandy, who is facing allegations of land encroachment for a luxury lake resort owned by him in Alappuzha district.

The protesters began assembling in front of three gates of the secretariat since 6 AM and raised slogans against the minister.

The Secretariat houses offices of ministers and bureaucrats.

Only the Cantonment gate was spared by the protesters to enable ministers and staff to enter the premises.

The agitators drawn from four districts of Kollam, Alappuzha, Pathnamthitta and Thiruvananthapuram, also wanted action against the Congress leaders named in the judicial commission report on the Solar scam.

Inaugurating the protest, BJP state President, Kummanam Rajasekharan said there was no question of any compromise on the demand for chandy's resignation.

General Secretary, A N Radhakrishnan said the party would launch a series of agitations on the chandy issue.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan should seek chandy's resignation, he said.

A crucial meeting of the LDF held here yesterday had decided to entrust Vijayan with taking an appropriate decision on the matter.

NCP nominee, Chandy, a businessman-turned-politician, was inducted in the state cabinet 8 months ago following the resignation of A K Saseendran after a sleaze audio clip with a woman went viral.

There have been demands from the Opposition Congress-led UDF and BJP after Alappuzha district collector T V Anupama confirmed that paddy field had been reclaimed for laying the road to his resort, besides there was encroachment of backwaters constructed by the resort for its parking space.

The State Advocate General C P Sudhakara Prasad had recently told the state government that the collector's report had legal binding and cannot be ignored.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The state human rights commission of Jammu and Kashmir today directed the public works department to clear within two weeks the arrears of 22 employees, who had not been paid their wages, terming it a case of "bonded labour".

Disposing of a complaint filed by the workers in the stores procurement department alleging they had not been paid any wages for the past eight to nine months, chairman of SHRC, Justice Bilal Nazki (retd), took serious note of the issue and directed the PWD commissioner-secretary to make the payments and submit a compliance report by November 29.

"In case of failure, the commission will be constrained to take steps in terms of provisions of J&K Protection of Human Rights Act, 1997," Justice Nazki said.

Commenting on the admission of the stores procurement department about non-payment of wages, the chairman observed that it appears to be a case of "bonded labour", where people are made to perform jobs without payment of wages.

"These persons are getting meagre wages of Rs 4,000 per month and that amount is also not paid for the last eight to nine months," Justice Nakri said in his judgement.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
South Delhi Mayor Kamaljeet Sehrawat today set up a panel to look into the incident of tilting of a multi-storeyed building in Jasola, which had to be demolished.

The mayor constituted the committee that will be headed by Leader of the House in SDMC, Shika Rai. It was constituted after a discussion between the mayor and Municipal Commissioner Puneet Kumar Goel, the civic body said.

The four-storeyed residential building in southeast Delhi's Jasola was demolished by civic authorities recently after it had "tilted dangerously", authorities said.

The families were evacuated after which it was brought down yesterday, South Delhi Mayor Kamaljeet Sehrawat said.

"The committee has been asked to submit its report within five days and also to assess the responsibility in this case. In case someone is found to be involved in this case or is found to be lenient, strict action will be taken against that person," the SDMC said in a statement.

Police authorities said that the SDMC was informed about the building after it had tilted dangerously.

The mayor had earlier said the structure was brought down on the side of a nullah. Efforts were on to clear the drain of debris and restore normal flow.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
CL Educate, a education and knowledge services provider, T-Hub, a start-up incubator and TiE Hyderabad have signed MoUs with premier institutions like IIT-BHU, IIT-ISM Dhanbad, IIIT Bangalore, corporates from both private and public sectors, start-ups and early investment funds.

These MoUs are aimed at capacity building in Institutions of India, providing research fellowships and scholarships, raising funds from corporates or angels, investors, and start-ups, patent and intellectual property management, mentoring and go-to-market and commercialisation.

The announcements in this regard were made on the eve of second edition of the two-day 'MeltingPot 2020 Innovation Summit 2017' which will get underway here from tomorrow.

CL Educate Chairman Satya Narayanan R said CL Educate and T-Hub have also signed a MoU with a leading public enterprise to work with 30 science and engineering colleges in Hyderabad and Telangana region to enable research and innovation.

"An investment to the tune of Rs 2.5 crore will be made by the PSU as part of its corporate social responsibility," he told reporters here.

The second edition of MeltingPot2020 will be focusing on "Israel The Start-Up Nation", the organisers said.

"MeltingPot 2020 will witness the signing of more such MoUs connecting eminent institutions, corporates, government bodies and investors and angel networks to impact the innovation and entrepreneurship landscape on a national and regional level," they said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will kick off the campaign for urban local body polls from the temple town of Ayodhya tomorrow.

The civic polls, to be held in three phases from November 22, are seen as a litmus test for the Yogi Adityanath government's popularity. The BJP came to the power in March after a landslide victory.

"UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will address a rally each in all the 16 poll-bound municipal corporations. The chief minister will start his campaign from Ayodhya on November 14. On the same day, he is likely to visit districts of Gonda and Bahraich," a senior UP BJP leader told PTI.

As many as 652 urban local bodies across the state are going to polls, the highest number so far.

Adityanath yesterday expressed happiness that Ayodhya and Mathura-Vrindavan municipal corporations, constituted by his government, were going to polls for the first time.

On May 9, the Uttar Pradesh Cabinet had given its approval for constitution of two new municipal corporations for Ayodhya and Mathura-Vrindavan. The idea behind the decision was to provide better amenities to pilgrims.

The Ayodhya Municipal Corporation will cover the twin cities of Faizabad and Ayodhya, while Mathura-Vrindavan Municipal Corporation will look after the civic needs in the two pilgrim towns.

Adityanath had visited the disputed Ram Janmabhoomi site after the mega pre-Diwali celebrations organised by his government in Ayodhya last month leading to criticism from rivals who accused him of playing the communal card.

During his visit, Adityanath had said that Ayodhya represented his personal beliefs and opposition parties had no right to question him on this matter.

Facing criticism on the grand Diwali celebrations, the UP chief minister had said, "By celebrating grand Diwali in Ayodhya, I have not started a new practice but it is an age-old tradition here to celebrate the homecoming of Lord Rama."



Besides the Ram Janmabhumi site, Adityanath had also visited Hanumangharhi, Digambar Akhara and Sugreev Qila temple during that visit.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The farmers coordination committees being set up by the Telangana government are aimed at organising cultivators towards their welfare, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao told the assembly today.

The government would provide financial assistance to agriculturists towards farming investment, he said.

The opposition parties should give constructive suggestions and not oppose when something good is done, he said.

"Has anyone in this country thought of giving Rs 8,000 investment for farmers?... Has anyone proposed?... Why cannot they appreciate when something is good is initiated," he said in the legislative assembly during a debate.

"(Through) Rythu Samanvaya Samithi (farmers coordination committees), first time we are bringing them into an organised format. Let them come into that. We said we will give investment from next year. Let's give. You say something constructive. We will take (further action)," Rao said.

TRS activists would be part of these committees, he said.

Those who sincerely fulfil the government's objectives would be appointed to the committees, the CM said.

He alleged that the petitions filed in courts against irrigation projects being implemented by the state government are motivated.

During the debate, the opposition members talked about alleged shortcomings in the various agriculture policies of the TRS government.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
After the recent arrest of five persons who allegedly procured licenses of scores of firearms through fake documents, the police have begun a hunt for the gang leader who turned out to be a local resident, a senior official said here today.

"We are searching for the gang leader Pradeep Sangwan. It is suspected that his gang has got hundreds of arm licenses from Nagaland on the basis of fake identity cards of people," Additional Superintendent of Police Amrendra Singh told PTI.

He said the police came to know about Sangwan's alleged involvement during the investigation of the accused.

"Sangwan, a resident of Lasudiya area of Indore, had duped some people while posing as a police officer," Singh said, adding that they suspect that he received Rs 4-5 lakh in the illegal trade.

He said a police team was also sent to Nagaland for the detailed investigation into this matter.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The CPI(M) today demanded that the Centre and the Rajasthan government "abide by the Supreme Court direction" and book the culprits involved in a recent incident of cow vigilantism in Alwar district of the state.

Condemning the "gruesome" killing of Ummar Khan, a farmer, in Rajasthan by "so-called gao rakshaks", the politburo of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) expressed shock and alleged that the "Rajasthan police registered a case against the victims but allowed the vigilantes go scot free".

"The politburo demands that the Centre and the Rajasthan government abide by the directions of the Supreme Court, ensure the culprits are brought to book, and the families of the victims are compensated adequately and assured of justice," the CPI(M) said in a statement.

The body of Khan, 35, was found near railway tracks on Saturday. Activists allege Khan was killed by cow vigilantes, but Deputy Superintendent of Police of Ramgarh Circle, Anil Beniwal, yesterday said that a preliminary inquiry revealed he was involved in cow smuggling.

The police said Khan and two others were transporting cattle in a vehicle on November 10, when unidentified men opened fire at them. Khan died on the spot.

The CPI(M) pointed out that according to an apex court order instructions had been given to the central and the state governments to take strict action in such cases to discourage a repeat in other areas.

"(The SC) has said that in every district a senior police officer should be designated to (deal with these incidents)," the party said.

It also demanded that the central government ban all groups indulging in cow vigilantism and moral policing.

The Alwar incident happened months after Pehlu Khan, a dairy farmer from Haryana, was lynched by suspected cow vigilantes in the same district when he was transporting cattle. The April incident had triggered a nationwide outrage.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
In a dramatic incident, a murder accused surrendered in a court in Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar district wearing a lawyer's robe, apparently to ensure he enters the court without being arrested.

The chief judicial magistrate, Gopal Tiwari, sent Ruchin Kat to jail and directed him to appear in a sessions court on November 25 for further hearing.

Kat had been charge-sheeted in a 2013 murder case in Datyana village of the district.

Notably, in gangster Vicky Tyagi murder case of 2015, the shooter, Sagar Malik, had come to a court room in a lawyer's dress and shot him dead here.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Maharashtra government today announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh to kin of a robbery accused, who allegedly died in police custody in Sangli district.

The victim, Aniket Kothale, was arrested by the Sangli city police on November 6 along with another man in a robbery case.

"I met the Kothale family and tried to understand their feelings. I have discussed the issue with the chief minister and he has agreed to provide a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the kin of the victim," Maharashtra Minister of State for Home (Rural), Deepak Kesarkar said.

Kesarkar said the government was considering to appoint senior advocate Ujjwal Nikam as the public prosecutor in the case.

Seven police personnel were suspended in connection with the case. The police had allegedly tried to burn his body twice to destroy evidence. Six persons, including five personnel of the Sangli city police station, were arrested in this regard.

"As per the demand of the family, the government is considering to appoint Ujjwal Nikam as the public prosecutor in the case," Kesarkar told reporters here.

The minister said the CID has started investigation and that if the agency failed to make a headway, the government would consider recommending a CBI probe into the incident.

"For now, the CID is doing good work. Its preliminary investigation has been completed within 24 hours," he said.

Kothale and another accused were allegedly taken from the lock-up to a detection branch room, where one of them was hung upside down from a ceiling fan with his head in a bucket of water.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to the Maharashtra DGP, seeking a detailed report within four weeks in connection with the custodial death.

Kesarkar also said that a meeting of senior officials of the home department has been called to ensure certain guidelines were made and implemented to prevent such incidents.

He added that police officers will be sensitised so that people can consider them their friends.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The on Monday said it would hear next month the pleas of the four death row convicts of the December 16, 2012 gangrape and murder case, seeking review of its verdict upholding the death sentence awarded to them.

One of the convicts has filed a review petition so far, though the counsel for the other three convicts told a bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra that he would file the application seeking review of the apex court's judgement within three weeks.

The court said it would hear the pleas on December 12.

The apex court had on May 5 upheld the death penalty to the four convicts - Mukesh (29), Pawan (22), Vinay Sharma (23) and Akshay Kumar Singh (31), saying the "brutal, barbaric and diabolic nature" of the crime could create a "tsunami of shock" to destroy a civilised society.

A 23-year-old paramedic student was gangraped on the intervening night of December 16-17, 2012 inside a moving bus in South Delhi by a gang of six persons and severely assaulted before being thrown out naked. She succumbed to her injuries on December 29, 2012 at Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore.

During the hearing, advocate M L Sharma, representing convict Mukesh, told the bench that there were certain issues which were not considered by the apex court while upholding the capital punishment awarded to him.

He claimed before the bench, also comprising Justices R Banumathi and Ashok Bhushan, that there were discrepencies in the prosecution's version about Mukesh's presence in the bus on that night and one of the key witness had improved his statement in the court in this regard.

He also alleged that the convict was tortured by the police and he had filed application on this issue before the trial court as well as the Delhi High Court.

The bench asked advocate A P Singh, who represents the other three convicts, whether he had filed an application seeking review of the verdict on behalf of Pawan, Vinay and Akshay.

Singh told the court that he was in touch with the jail authorities to get the documents signed from the convicts and would file the review petition on their behalf later.

When Sharma urged the bench to seek a reply from the Delhi Police on the review petition, the court referred to a constitution bench judgement and said a review plea has to be heard within 30 minutes and there was no need of issuing notice on the plea. Sharma then sought some time to argue the matter.

"Advocate M L Sharma, appearing for Mukesh, prays for some time to argue the matter. Advocate A P Singh, appearing for Akshay, Pawan and Vinay says that review applications on their behalf will be filed within three weeks from hence. Let all the review petitions be listed for hearing on December 12," the bench said.

Another accused in the case, Ram Singh, had allegedly committed suicide in Tihar Jail, while a convicted juvenile has come out of the reformation home after serving a three- year term.
A ministerial conference of southern states held here today requested the central government to declare 'Lord Ayyappa Temple' at Sabarimala as a national pilgrim centre.

The meeting presided by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan passed a resolution in this regard, considering the fact that declaring 'Sabarimala' as a pilgrim centre would help provide more facilities for those visiting the temple during the November-January festival season.

In a Facebook post, Vijayan said the state would ask the Centre to declare the hill shrine as a national pilgrim centre.

The temple situated in the Western Ghats in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala attracts a large number of devotees from various corners of the country during the 'Mandala-Makaravillaku' festival season from November to January.

Vijayan wanted all the southern states to open control rooms in their respective capitals for smooth coordination of festival arrangements.

For the benefit of devotees, the darshan timing at the temple has been increased, he said.

Various projects to improve the pilgrim amenities worth Rs 300 crore are on different stages, Vijayan said.

Kerala Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran said all arrangements were in place for this year's festival.

Kerala DGP Loknath Behra informed that pilgrims from 59 countries had registered for the virtual queue.

TDB president Prayar Gopalakrishnan and top officials from southern states attended the meeting.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Leading chemicals firm Deepak Nitrite today reported 53 per cent jump in net profit to Rs 22.69 crore in Q2 FY 18 from Rs 14.8 crore in the same period last year.

Revenues stood at Rs 356.31 crore compared to Rs 307.11 crore in Q2 FY17, representing a growth of 16 per cent.

Revenue growth was driven by the fine & speciality chemicals segment and supported by healthy traction in the performance products segment, which reported topline expansion of 25 per cent and 23 per cent respectively, said a company statement.

Improved demand trend, especially in exports, has enabled the company to report double digit revenue growth, it said.

The company's domestic revenues stood at Rs 208.84 crore in Q2 FY18 from Rs 191.36 crore in the same period last year, representing growth of 9 per cent YoY.

Higher realisation in products in the basic chemicals segment, combined with increase in volumes for products catering to agrochemicals and colourants end user industries, contributed to topline growth in the domestic market. Revenues from exports increased by 27 per cent to Rs 141.6 crore in Q2 FY18 compared to Rs 111.07 crore in Q2 FY17.

"We reported improved profitability in Q2. This has been enabled by healthy demand, especially in export markets in the fine & specialty chemicals segment, improved realisations in the basic chemicals segment and results of steps implemented in the performance products segment.

"The resumption of all units at Roha (Maharashtra) enabled us to deliver balanced growth with contribution from all our segments," Deepak Nitrite chairman and managing director Deepak C Mehta said.

"There was significant volatility in global prices of major chemicals during the quarter. While the prices of inputs have also increased, we have been able to successfully transmit the same," he said.

For a number of products, it has become more difficult to source from China opening up opportunities for our customer base in India which depend upon us to supply basic building blocks. The performance of the basic chemicals segment reflects these trends, he said.

Meanwhile, Deepak Phenolics, the 100 per cent subsidiary of the company, is setting up Rs 1,400 crore project to manufacture 200,000 MTPA of phenol and 120,000 MTPA of the co-product acetone, which is expected to commissioned in the last quarter of the current financial year.

The phenol mega-project is progressing on schedule and remains on track to be commissioned in the last quarter of the current fiscal.

Till date, the company has invested Rs 865 crore. Overall, more than Rs 1,075 crore has been committed for implementation of this project, the release said.

The proposed phenol plant will be located at Dahej in Gujarat with a capital expenditure of Rs 1,400 crore, being funded by debt and equity in the ratio 60: 40, it said.

"Once commissioned, this project will allow us to scale up operations while opening up new avenues for growth and diversification," Mehta said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Mumbai unit of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has arrested a Delhi-based smuggler and recovered some antique sculptures from him, an official said here today.

"We intercepted Nityanand Ompal in Delhi and recovered an antique Lord Ganesh sculpture and two other antique head sculptures from him," the official said.

Ompal has on the DRI radar for quite some time for his involvement in smuggling of antiques, he said.

"Intelligence was diligently gathered about the syndicate spanning multiple states and about key associates who assisted in stealing antique sculptures from the ruins of temples located in Gwalior, Shivpuri and Ashok Nagar districts of Madhya Pradesh," the official said.

He said the searches were conducted at the premises of some of Ompal's associates in Gwalior and Shivpuri districts for recovery of some more antique sculptures stolen by the syndicate.

The sleuths had recovered one antique Brahma sculpture, a sculpture of one panel and few more antique head sculptures during the searches, the official said.

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had informed the DRI that the sculptures dated 8th century AD seemed to have been stolen from various archaeological sites in Central India.

The stone sculptures are the ancient heritage of the country and worth crores in the illegal international market.

All of these sculptures were procured by Ompal for the purpose of smuggling them out of the country through his contacts, the official said, adding the accused has foreign clients for the antique artifacts.

He said the DRI had detained an export consignment of this syndicate and the sculpture it has recovered has been referred to the ASI Expert Committee for determining its antiquity.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Senior Congress leader Gulam Nabi Azad said today that the Election Commission (EC) should ensure free and fair Assembly polls in Gujarat "without any fear".

"I would request the Election Commission that they should ensure free and fair election, without any fear... That is our apprehension," Azad told reporters here.

Assembly election in Gujarat will be held in two phases on December 9 and 14.

Replying to a question about militants targeting and killing political activists in Kashmir, he said, "It is very unfortunate that political workers are being targeted by militants and they are being killed by workers of other political parties too...

"It is happening in Kashmir. It is happening in Kerala and in Rajasthan. So the atmosphere across the country is very bad. It is most unfortunate. I condemn it," he said.

Asked about the recent torture of Congress workers by militants in Shopian area, the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha said, "It should not be tolerated. I hope that security forces will be able to apprehend them sooner or later and take them to task."



On Art of Living Foundation head Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's announcement on meeting leaders of the Hurriyat Conference, Azad said, "I don't know who has authorised him. There are a number of self-styled men and leaders who are trying to fish in troubled waters."



On Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's initiative to resolve the Ram Janambhoomi dispute in Ayodhya, Azad said, "Since the case has been before the Supreme Court, let the Supreme Court decide. Whatever the court decides that will be binding on each and every society."



"I don't think that any other organisation or individual can try to decide and how far that decision will be acceptable to various people of different religions," he added.

Asked about National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah's statement that PoK is part of Pakistan, he said that each political party, even the BJP-RSS, has its own stand on the matter.

"So far as I and my party are concerned, PoK is part of Jammu and Kashmir and it should remain as part of Jammu and Kashmir as Kashmir is part of India," he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Tejashwi Yadav, son of RJD leader Lalu Prasad, was today grilled forover nine hours for the second time by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a money laundering probe in the railway hotels allotment corruption case, official sources said.

They said the statement of the former Bihar deputy chief minister was recorded by the investigating officer of the case at the ED office after he arrived there around 11 AM. Tejashwi Yadav left the ED office around 8:45 PM.

This is the second time Tejashwi was questioned by the central probe agency in this case.

Sources said Tejashwi Yadav was asked about three dozen questions in connection with the case.

He was last questioned by the agency on October 10 and was grilled for over nine hours.

Since then, Tejashwi has skipped four appearances and appeared today on a fresh summon, they said.

The agency has registered a case against Lalu Prasad, his family members and others under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Tejashwi's mother and former Bihar chief minister Rabri has skipped the ED summonses at least six times till now.

In July, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had registered an FIR and conducted multiple searches on the properties of Lalu Prasad, who is also a former Bihar chief minister, and others.

The CBI FIR has alleged that Lalu Prasad, during his tenure as the railway minister, handed over the maintenance of two Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) hotels to a company in 2004 after receiving a bribe in the form of a prime land in Patna through a 'benami' company owned by Sarla Gupta, wife of Prem Chand Gupta, a former Union minister.

The ED had registered a criminal case against his family members and others under the PMLA, based on the CBI FIR.

The CBI recently recorded the statements of Tejashwi and Lalu Prasad in this case.

The ED is investigating the alleged "proceeds of crime" generated by the accused, purportedly through shell companies, according to officials.

Others named in the CBI FIR include Vijay Kochhar, Vinay Kochhar (both directors of Sujata Hotels), Delight Marketing company, now known as Lara Projects, and the then IRCTC managing director P K Goel.

The CBI FIR was registered on July 5 in connection with favours allegedly extended to Sujata Hotels in awarding a contract for the upkeep of the hotels in Ranchi and Puri and receiving premium land as 'quid pro quo'.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
If panchayat-issued residency certificates are not considered a valid document for claiming citizenship, "lakhs" of Assam's woman residents will be deprived of their nationality, "turning India into second Myanmar", the head of a Muslim organisation has said.

Jamiat Ulama-E-Hind president Maulana Syed Arshad Madani alleged that efforts were being made to bar lakhs of women from enlisting their names in the National Register of Citizens (NRC), which is being updated in the northeastern state.

At a press briefing here today, Madani pegged the number of women likely to be affected in Assam at 48 lakhs.

The panchayat-issued certificate is a supporting document which indicates residential status of a married woman, who after marriage has left her parental place and is now living at the place of her husband, according to a statement issued by the Delhi Action Committee for Assam (DACA).

The DACA organised the press briefing.

A delegation of intellectuals from Assam, accompanying Madani during the briefing, however, said the number of women to be affected is 27 lakhs.

The Gauhati High Court earlier this year ruled that the certificate issued by panchayat secretary had no statutory sanctity and could at best be a private document. The Jamiat and some other organisations have challenged the order in the Supreme Court.

Madani, however, stressed that the problem of certificate arose after the BJP-led governments came to power at the Centre and in the state.

"An effort is being made to prepare a ground to remove the women from the NRC. These are 48 lakh women...They will be deprived of their nationality," Madani said.

Without naming anyone, he added, "...these people will be pushed out of India. The situation that prevails in Myanmar, they now want to make India a second Myanmar."



He was referring to the mass exodus of Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar to other countries including India.

"We want the world to know what is happening in Assam now," he said.

Madani also insisted that the state government strictly adheres to the Assam Accord, framed in 1985, while the issue of citizenship is being decided. As per the accord, anyone who entered Assam on or before March 24, 1971 is deemed as an Indian citizen.

"The NRC should be updated based on humanity and not religion...or else, the country will get destroyed. We don't want to see that situation," he said.

"They say Hindu women, being Hindus, will be allowed to stay even if they come by 2014. But the Muslim women, whose families have been staying for 400 years, they won't be given rights," he further alleged, without naming anyone.

A political analyst from Assam, Hiren Gohain, differed with Madani on the number of women who will be affected in case the exclusion happens.

"We agree with Madaniji on what he said about the situation. But it is a question of 27 lakh, not 48 lakh women... Why allow 27 lakh people to go into a kind of limbo," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Embattled industrial giant General Electric today announced a restructuring plan that includes thousands of job cuts and sales of some units to focus on aviation, healthcare and energy.

The company has not yet specified the exact numbers of the layoffs, or the countries or units that will be impacted, referring broadly to "workforce reductions" through cost cuts, cessation and consolidation.

But GE Power, which includes Alstom, will undergo a major overhaul to cope with the changes in the energy market.

The company also plans to reduce the number of staff working in research, digital and at headquarters currently about 24,000 employees, according to the plan unveiled to investors.

"We have not performed well for our owners," CEO John Flannery told shareholders at a meeting in New York. "That is unacceptable and the management team is completely devoted to doing what it takes to correct that."



Flannery, who took over as chief executive August 1, also said the turnaround plan would deliver a "simpler, more- focused GE."



"Complexity has hurt us," he said.

GE was due to pay out USD 8 billion in dividends but by September had cash flow of only USD 7 billion. Flannery said the payout no longer made sense.

With its market capitalization down by more than USD 100 billion since January, the maker of jet engines and power turbines also will slash quarterly dividends in half to 12 cents while selling off parts of its transportation and electricity businesses.

It also will shed its majority stake in the oilfield services company Baker Hughes.

"We understand this is an extremely painful action for our shareholders," Flannery said, adding that the decision was made "after extreme deliberation and consideration of what the alternatives were"



Flannery said he recognized the dividend cut would hurt those shareholders most who relied on dividends for current income, acknowledging "the gravity of this decision and the effect it has on many people."



The company also announced it was shrinking its board from 12 members to 18, and executive compensation will be tied to performance amid increased accountability following accusations of corporate waste at the 125-year-old company.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
on Monday asked police officers to encourage and create an "ideal" system where citizens were able to file their complaints without having to go to a police station.

He was addressing the 69th batch trainee officers of the Indian Police Service (IPS) who met him at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

He also spoke about technology and described it both as a challenge and a helping tool for the police.

"While it expands avenues for crimes, technology also allows the police to do its duties with greater efficiency. It allows the citizen to interact with the police force-and even to lodge a complaint-from the comfort of his or her home and computer or mobile phone," he said.

The president urged the officer trainees to "encourage" this process.

He added that the "ideal police system" was one where the citizen got due service from the police without needing to visit the police station.

Kovind said the IPS was one of the pillars of the administrative system.

As members of an all-India service, he said, they would serve in individual states but represent a idea.

Their mandate was to uphold a common concept of the rule of law and the democratic polity and in that sense, they were guardians of not just the public order and honest conduct but of the majesty of the law, he said.

The president called upon the officers to discharge their duties without fear or favour, and without time delay.

As professional civil servants, the president said, they should be unafraid to give the political executive honest and unbiased advice.

He said their holy book and constant guide must be the Constitution.

The officers who met the president today were training at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Police Academy (SVPNPA) in Hyderabad.
The EU will move towards closer defence ties today with more than 20 states signing a landmark pact that aims to boost cooperation after Brexit and counteract Russian pressure.

Similar efforts to deepen military links have been frustrated for decades, partly by Britain's fierce opposition to anything that might lead to a European army.

But Brexit and Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 has once again brought the need for a strong European security stance back into focus.

The permanent structured cooperation on defence agreement (PESCO), seeks to tighten defence between EU members and improve coordination in the development of new military hardware.

The agreement is part of efforts led by Germany and France to reboot the after Britain's decision to leave, and follows the announcement in June of a 5.5-billion euro European Defence Fund.

The pact's backers say it will complement NATO, which will keep its primary role in defending Europe.

Spanish Defence Minister Maria Dolores de Cospedal hailed PESCO last week as "possibly the EU's most ambitious current project".

The notice of intent to be signed by defence ministers in Brussels pledges that countries will provide "substantial support" in areas including personnel, equipment, training and infrastructure" for EU military missions.

It also commits countries to "regularly increasing defence budgets in real terms" as well as devoting 20 percent of defence spending to procurement and two percent on research and technology.

"We've never come close to this before," an EU official said.

"We have more than 20 member states ... not just signing paper -- undertaking commitments in terms of spending on defence and joint projects."



PESCO could lead to the creation of a European military hospital or logistics hub, but will first focus on projects to develop new military equipment such as tanks or drones with the aim of harmonising weapons systems and eliminating gaps in capabilities.

France, Germany, Spain and Italy are among the nations signing up.

Britain and Denmark -- which have long had opt-outs on EU defence matters -- will not, along with Ireland, which is still considering the issue.

Participation in PESCO is voluntary and those who choose to sit out now can join later -- subject to approval by the early adopters.

Countries that are not in the EU can also take part in specific missions -- opening the way to possible participation by nuclear power Britain after it leaves the bloc in 2019 -- though they will have no role in decision-making.

In March ministers approved plans to create an embryonic military headquarters to coordinate EU overseas security operations.

Countries that sign up to PESCO will be subject to an annual review to make sure they stick to their commitments -- and could be thrown out if they do not.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today asserted that entire Kashmir, including the areas occupied by Pakistan, was an integral part of India.

"We have always held that Kashmir is an integral part of India. This has been our unequivocal stand on the issue. We hold that the whole of Kashmir, including the areas occupied by Pakistan, is an integral part of the country," he told reporters on the sidelines of his weekly "Lok Samvad" (public interaction) programme.

Kumar was responding to a query on a statement of National Conference leader and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah that Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) belonged to Pakistan.

Kumar is also the national president of the JD(U), which is a coalition partner of the BJP in the Bihar government.

Abdullah had, on Saturday, said talks of an independent Kashmir were "wrong" as the landlocked valley was surrounded by three nuclear powers -- China, Pakistan and India.

He had also claimed that PoK belonged to Pakistan and that "this will not change", no matter how many wars India and Pakistan fought against each other.

The remarks had kicked up storm with the BJP and its NDA allies reacting sharply against it.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Three persons, allegedly part of an exam paper solving gang, were arrested by the Special Task Force (STF) of the Uttar Pradesh police here.

On a tip off, the STF team nabbed three persons from Kanpur road in Krishna Nagar police station area.

"They were helping candidates appearing in the group "C' and group "D" examination conducted by the Allahabad High Court yesterday," a STF release said.

The gang was helping the candidates appearing in the exam through unfair means and electronic devices in solving the paper for money, it said, adding that mobile phones, bluetooth devices and bluetooth batteries were among the things recovered from their possession.

"Those arrested said that they had been involved in this work since the past three years and were getting upto Rs two to Rs three lakh for it per candidate, the release added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Supreme Court today said its order exempting from ban the liquor shops within 500 metres of state and national highways running through municipal areas would be applicable across the country.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud, said it would pass a classificatory order on the plea of Tamil Nadu government, which was asked the Madras High Court to approach the top court for clarification on the issue.

The apex court, which had banned the sale of liquor within 500 meters of highways across the country, had on July 11 this year, relaxed the scope of its verdict and allowed liquor shops alongside highways in municipal areas on a petition filed with regard to Union Territory of Chandigarh.

The Madras High Court, taking note of the Tamil Nadu government's recent decision to allow liquor shops on highways in municipal areas, said the apex court's relaxation might be confined to Chandigarh alone and asked the state government to seek clarification from the top court.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Tamil Nadu, said the July 11 order was clear. However, a clarification was needed.

"The High Court says municipal areas in the Supreme Court order means only areas in Punjab and not in Chennai. The Chief Justice Bench of the High Court wants a clarification whether the exemption applies only to Chandigarh," Rohatgi said.

"Well, why should the High Court think that? If our order applies for municipal areas in Chandigarh, it will apply equally for municipal areas across the country," the bench said and posted the matter after two weeks for hearing and passing a requisite classificatory order.

The apex court had earlier clarified that its order banning sale of liquor within a distance of 500 metres along national and state highways would not extend to municipal areas.

The top court, on December 15, 2016, had banned sale of liquor within 500 metres of state and national highways across the country.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Several film bodies today came out in support of director Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Padmavati" and questioned the government's silence on threats by Rajput groups against the release of the film.

The Indian Film and Television Directors' Association (IFTDA) along with Cine and TV Artists Association (CINTAA), Western India Cinematographers Association (WICA), Screenwriters Association (SWA), Association of Cine and Television Art Directors and Costume Designers (ACTADCD), backed Bhansali at a press conference here.

Filmmaker Sudhir Mishra, who was present there, said an attack on Bhansali was an assault on creative freedom.

"Attack on Bhansali is an attack on freedom. This is very stifling. When it comes to the interpretation of history, you can disagree with him, but at least allow the film to release. By asking for a ban, you are creating an atmosphere where nobody will attempt films on Indian history," Mishra said.

Bhansali has been facing trouble since he started shooting for the movie. The set of the movie was vandalised twice -- in Jaipur and Kolhapur -- and the director was roughed up by members of Karni Sena during the Jaipur schedule of the film earlier this year.

Rajput groups and some BJP members have accused Bhansali of distorting facts in the movie, starring Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh. The film is scheduled to be released on December 1.

At the press conference, actor Sushant Singh, general secretary of CINTAA, said the government should intervene at this point.

"Sanjay Leela Bhansali didn't ask us to hold this conference... We all are frustrated, angry and upset. For how long will our fraternity members keep asking for freedom of expression to make films? Why do we need to fight for such a basic right all the time?," Singh asked.

"My question is for the state and the Central government- why are you silent? People from your parties are openly threatening to burn theatres. I have the right to ask for an assurance from the government," he added.

Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit, convenor of IFTDA, said the industry has been pushed to a point where they feel abused.

"We are hurt because we have been abused and accused. We are filmmakers, creative people and we don't deserve this kind of treatment. Every now and then we see our makers being heckled. We work hard, we make films. Bhansali is a symbol and attack on him is like abusing the film fraternity," he said.

Pandit said on November 16 there will be a silent protest outside the Film City gates here to support Bhansali.

"The entire film fraternity will come out at 11 AM. No shoot will be done from 4-4:15 PM as a symbolic support to Bhansali," Pandit added.

He also said that the bodies will write letters to I&B minister Smriti Irani tomorrow and Union home minister Rajnath Singh.

Veteran actor and CINTAA President Vikram Gokhale, who worked with Bhansali in "Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam", said the filmmaker is a responsible man and his vision should be trusted.

"I am against private censorship. I have worked with Bhansali, he is a responsible man. Even if he has made a mistake, you have a pen and media platforms to express your opinion. But vandalising sets, indulging in physical violence is extremely foolish," Gokhale said.

Bhansali has already issued an appeal to clarify that there is no dream sequence between Deepika's Padmavati and Ranveer's Khilji as claimed by Rajput groups.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Concerned over NPAs crossing Rs 7 lakh crore, the ministry has asked public sector (PSBs) to take swift and firm action to deal with the bad loan problem, a banker said.

The issue came up for deliberation during the two-day PSB Manthan ended yesterday during which the ministry expressed urgency to deal with the mounting non-performing assets.

One of the focus areas of the meeting was effective monitoring to ensure better recoveries from the stressed assets, a senior public sector banker said.

During the two-day meeting, the banker said it was also discussed as to how a better value can be realised from the resolution process of NPAs.

were also advised to look at cases where settlement can be done as part of lowering the burden.

Besides, the ministry also asked to look at a differentiated approach so as to create niche for them, another banker said.

The differentiated approach would also help them strengthen their financials.

It is to be noted that NPAs of PSBs have increased to Rs 7.33 lakh crore as of June 2017, from Rs 2.78 lakh crore in March 2015.

As a result, the provisioning for expected losses grew substantially. From 2014-15 to first quarter if 2017-18, Rs 3.79 lakh crore provisioning was made, whereas during the preceding ten years total provisioning was Rs 1.96 lakh crore.

To deal with the rising NPAs, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) earlier this year asked banks to refer 12 big cases for insolvency proceedings under the the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC).

These accounts together owe debt of about Rs 1.75 lakh crore to various banks. These are accounts with fund and non- fund based outstanding amount greater than Rs 5,000 crore, with 60 per cent or more classified as non-performing by banks as of March 31, 2016.
A health department sting operation unearthed an illegal pre-natal sex determination test racket here leading to the arrest of five persons, including a doctor, officials said today.

Health officials raided the test centre operating from a house here last evening, apprehended Dr Rupesh Kumar and four others and sealed the building, Additional Chief Medical Officer S K Aggarwal said.

During interrogation, it was revealed that the centre had been charging Rs 10,000-15,000 per client, Aggarwal added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Five people, four of them women and the fifth a doctor, were arrested for conducting illegal pre-natal sex determination tests in Muzaffarnagar, a health department official said today.

The arrests were made following a raid by health department officials at a house in the city last evening, Additional Chief Medical Officer S K Aggarwal told reporters.

He said a case has been filed with the police and the centre has been sealed.

Investigation revealed that the centre charged between Rs 10,000-15,000 per case.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Five militia members of the banned CPI (Maoist) today surrendered before the district police here, citing disillusionment with Maoist ideology, an official said.

They turned themselves in before Superintendent of Police Rahul Dev Sharma.

All five were members of the Galikonda and Korukonda area committees of the CPI (Maoist), he said.

They were identified as Gemeli Ramesh (18), Musiri Appalanaidu (20), Musiri Ramakrishna (20), Killo Bangru (28) and Gemeli Venkateswara Rao (29), the officer said.

They were involved in a range of different offences such as the killing of a Home Guard jawan, extending logistics support to ultras and pasting their posters, among others, he said.

Sharma said the militia members were fed up with Maoist ideology and missing their family members, and so they gave themselves up to the police.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Handset maker Motorola today said it will continue to focus on expanding its retail presence and introducing more premium devices into the hyper-competitive Indian smartphone market.

Motorola, which competes with brands like Samsung, Xiaomi, Oppo, vivo and others in India, today launched 'moto x4' for Rs 20,999 onwards.

"We continue to focus on expanding our offline retail presence through Moto Hubs. Also, we want to bring in premium devices and bring great customer experience," Motorola Mobility India MD Sudhin Mathur told PTI.

He cited IDC data saying the company ranked as the third largest smartphone player in the country with nine per cent market share of the total shipments in the July-September 2017 quarter.

He, however, did not name the top two players. IDC is yet to make the data public.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The security forces are ready to deal with any militant attack, including suicide strikes, in the Kashmir valley, a top CRPF officer said today while appealing to the local militants to surrender and join the mainstream.

"Militant attack, 'fidayeen' (suicide) attack can take place anytime and we are completely ready for that. If they (militants) carry out 'fidayeen' attacks, they would be dealt with accordingly," Inspector General of CRPF, Zulfiquar Hassan, told reporters in south Kashmirs Pulwama district.

He said some militants belonging to the Jaish-e-Mohammad outfit have infiltrated into the Valley and expressed hope that they would soon be neutralised.

"Some people of Jaish-e-Mohammad had infiltrated and many of them have been killed and I hope that rest of them, who have survived (so far), would soon fall in the dragnet of the police, CRPF and (Armys) RR (Rashtriya Rifles)," Hassan said.

He said the security forces are taking measures to tackle the recruitment of local youth into militancy.

"There has been some recruitment about which we have information. Many things are being done to tackle it (recruitment). You have seen Jammu and Kashmir Police, and we also have appealed to those youth, who have joined militancy or gone with militants, to not join them and instead join the mainstream and surrender," he said.

We will do whatever we can for them after they surrender, he added.

He said the militants were carrying out attacks on political activists because they were threatened by the increase in political activities in Kashmir.

"As we all have seen that political activity is picking up and many political leaders are visiting. Feeling threatened (by political activities), a few political leaders have been attacked and killed (by militants)," he said.

We are alert in this regard and are trying that more and more security remains in place, so that political activity keeps going and common man remains safe, Hassan said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Assam Police today arrested former Congress minister Nilamani Sen Deka's son in a cash-for-job scam, the 22nd civil service official to be nabbed in six days, a top police official said.

Assam Director General of Police Mukesh Sahay told PTI that Rajarshi Sen Deka had allegedly got a job in the state civil services through "unfair means".

With this, the number of serving civil service officials arrested in the last six days in connection with the scam has gone up to 22, he said.

The officers are accused of paying money for getting jobs in the elite services.

"After evading arrest for some days, Rajarshi today surrendered (to the police) and we arrested him," he added.

Without sharing details, Sahay said more arrests were expected in the next few days.

"It appears that one official is evading arrest and is out of the state," he said.

Nilamani Sen Deka was the Agriculture Minister in the erstwhile Congress government of Tarun Gogoi and was defeated in the 2016 state assembly poll.

The police had identified 25 civil service officials of the 2015 batch appointed by the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) in the scam and had their answer scripts checked by forensic experts, which confirmed anomalies.

Of them, 13 are from the Assam Civil Services, seven from the Assam Police Services and the rest from the allied civil services.

On November 8, in a surprise operation, the police arrested 16 civil service officials allegedly involved in the scam.

Former chairman APSC Rakesh Kumar Paul was arrested on November 4 last year and Rs 50 lakh seized from him. Some 'benami' properties belonging to him were also identified.

Two APSC members Samedur Rahman and Basanta Kumar Doley were arrested later.

It was followed by the arrest of APSC Assistant Controller of Examinations Pabitra Kaibarta. Some more officials and others were later arrested in connection with the scam.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Fortum India today said it has signed an MoU with Nagpur municipal corporation to develop charging infrastructure for e-vehicles.

The MoU covers planning, designing, investment, operation and maintenance, and management of the charging infrastructure using cloud based system, the company said in a statement.

Fortum and Nagpur Municipal Corporation will undertake the project in collaboration. The working arrangement for execution of the activities will soon be decided between the two parties, it said.

Fortum India Private Ltd is a subsidiary of Finnish clean energy company Fortum Oyj.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
In its bid to make Hyderabad a begging free city, the Telangana Prisons department will start rewarding anybody who identifies beggars with Rs 500 from December 25.

The Hyderabad Police has already prohibited begging till January 7, 2018 on the city's roads, saying it causes nuisance and danger to vehicular traffic and pedestrians.

"Citizens can report on any person begging to Prison Control Room. From December 25, the Prisons Department will offer Rs 500 to anyone who identifies beggars in Hyderabad and informs to the officials," State Institute of Correctional Administration (SICA) Vice Principal M Sampat said here today.

The Prisons department, in coordination with the police and municipal authorities, has shifted as many as 235 male beggars and 125 female beggars, picked up from different parts of the city, to the 'Anand Ashrams' or special homes located in Chanchalguda and Cherlapalli in the city as part of a drive launched on October 20.

The officials had clarified that the drive has nothing to do with the upcoming three-day Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) 2017, slated to begin here on November 28, which will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump's daughter and advisor Ivanka Trump.

Sampat said the Prisons and Correctional Services Director General V K Singh had written to the Telangana government stating they will take up rehabilitation of beggars on the lines of several initiatives taken up by the Prisons department to rehabilitate prisoners, and accordingly government set up special homes for beggars.

Sampat told PTI that beggars have been given counselling in the first phase and around 250 of them were handed over to their relatives after an undertaking that they would not beg in future.

He said they have taken photos and finger prints of beggars and also recorded their Aadhaar card numbers so that they would be identified if they resort to begging again.

"We are maintaining data base and have shared the same with police and civic authorities. In the second phase, if anyone of them is caught again begging, they will be sent to jail under the Prevention of Begging Act 1977," said Sampat, who is also the in-charge of the Chanchalaguda Anand Ashram.

He said beggars are being segregated in different categories and various NGOs are being roped in to admit beggars who are elderly, mentally ill, and physically challenged.

"Plans are also afoot to provide employment to these people at petrol bunks run by the Prisons Department," he said.

Citing a municipal survey conducted two years ago, he said a chunk of around 6,000 beggars in the city do so willingly.

Prisons and Correctional Services Director General V K Singh said the announcement of declaring award of Rs 500 for information about beggars will be made on December 25 and it will come into force from that day itself.

He said the Prisons Department's drive against beggars will be deferred till December 1 until the departure of foreign dignitaries as media reports have "confused" public by linking this initiative of the state government in general and Prisons Department in particular to the visit of a foreign dignitary (Ivanka Trump).

"At the Ashrams, the inmates are provided with food, shelter, medical treatment, counselling, skill upgradation and subsequent employment in Prisons industries," Singh said, adding those who are crippled physically, infirm and quite old will be accommodated in the Ashrams," Singh said.

He said it is a fact that certain mafia works behind the begging network.

"We will also report for criminal action against those beggars who are able to earn but (prefer to) indulge in professional begging," he said.
A 13-year-old girl has moved the Delhi High Court seeking directions to the civic bodies here to remove garbage and prevent sewer water from collecting in a pond near her government school in south Delhi.

Highlighting the suffering of the students, the school staff and the residents of Aya Nagar in south Delhi, the girl in her plea sought immediate directions from a bench headed by Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal.

Expressing concern over the health of the children and other individuals of the area, the bench also comprising Justice C Hari Shankar ordered immediate inspection of the area and sought a status report from the Delhi government, the South Delhi Municipal Corporation and the Delhi Jal Board.

It asked the authorities concerned and the counsel for the petitioner to meet the principal of Sarvodaya School at Aya Nagar and inspect the water body, adjacent to the school.

The bench asked the girl to point out the area to the authorities, who should file a status report about the garbage and sewer water collecting in the pond, which was a serious issue.

"If the government and the agencies find that the issue raised before them is correct, they should immediately take a step to rectify the same," the bench said, adding that the court should also be informed about the complaints made in this regard to the agencies concerned.

The court has now fixed the matter for hearing on February 7, 2018 by when the authorities have to give a status report.

The class IX student alleged that due to the negligence and non-performance of duty by the authorities, the pond in the vicinity of the school and the village was in a bad condition.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The second phase of BharatNet project with an outlay of Rs 31,000 crore and a mandate to provide high-speed broadband to all panchayats by March 2019 got off the block today.

Additionally, the Department of Telecom requested all states to provide a list of unconnected villages so that all of them can be connected with telecom services by 2020.

Telecom Minister Manoj Sinha, along with Law and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar and Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi were present at the launch of the second phase of the project.

"Under the project, we will provide 1 gbps (gigabuit per second) bandwidth capacity at panchayat level. The Cabinet in July 2017 approved a modified implementation strategy for BharatNet which include...project completion for all 2.5 lakh panchayats by March 2019," Sinha said at the launch.

The telecom ministry expects to complete the first phase of the project covering over 1 lakh panchayats by the end of December. As per official data, broadband services have already been started in more than 48,000 panchayats and over 75,000 panchayats are ready for the services.

"The progress of service readiness has picked up to such an extent that in October 2017 around 25,000 gram panchayats have already been made service ready. All 1 lakh panchayats under first phase will be ready for broadband by the end of December," Sinha said.

Javadekar said that broadband connectivity in all panchayats will be key growth enabler specially in the field of education.

"We want to bring revolution in schools, like there was operation blackboard in 1970s. We are now dreaming of digital board and the connectivity (through BharatNet) will transform entire nation," he said.

Prasad suggested that all government offices should be connected with BharatNet.

The project, then called the National Optical Fibre Network, was approved by the previous UPA government in October 2011. However, only about three hundred kilometres out of 3 lakh kilometres of optical fibre were laid across the country, Sinha said.

"When it was launched previously it was actually no fun for any one. Little or no progress had been made...Ever since I have taken charge, I have personally been invested in this project and have made sure that all the updated timelines are met," he added.

The total project cost is around Rs 42,000 crore of which around Rs 11,000 crore have been invested in the first phase.

Under the phase 2, the government aims to connect 1.5 lakh panchayats through 10 lakh kilometres of additional optical fibre and give bandwidth to telecom players at nearly 75 per cent cheaper price for broadband and wifi services in rural areas.

Reliance Jio paid the highest advance subscription fee of Rs 13 crore to provide broadband services at 30,000 gram panchayats, with a commitment to buy bandwidth in every panchayat from the government as it expands the project.

Bharti Airtel shelled out Rs 5 crore for bandwidth buy to cover 30,500 village panchayats, Vodafone Rs 11 lakh and Idea Cellular Rs 5 lakh.

The government signed agreement with seven states -- Maharashtra, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Jharkhand -- which will roll out the project on their own with partial funding from the central government. The Centre will provide total fund support of around Rs 10,000 crore to the state governments.

Telecom Secretary Aruna Sundararajan further asked state government to send list of unconnected villages in their jurisdiction so that all of them can be connected by 2020.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today made it clear that the guilty will not be spared in the recently unearthed multi-crore scam in construction of toilets in the state.

"The guilty will not be spared. Strict action will be taken against all those who are found guilty of having embezzled public money. This has been our policy", Kumar told reporters here on the sidelines of his weekly "Lok Samvad" programme.

Kumar was responding to queries about the scam, wherein crores of rupees were fraudulently transferred into the accounts of NGOs. A number of persons have been arrested in connection with the alleged irregularities so far.

The Chief Minister also said "we have always been very cautious about claims made with regard to sanitation. Recently, a proposal had come from Sasaram to declare the district ODF (open defecation free). But we decided to first verify the claim through a third-party, independent agency".

Replying to another query, the Chief Minister, who was speaking in the presence of state's DGP P K Thakur, said "no complainant should be asked to bring along stationery at a police station for lodging of a complaint. We have allocated separate funds to the police stations for the purpose. If any police official is found to be violating this rule, he must face strictest possible action".

On a question related to Jammu and Kashmir, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar asserted "the whole of Kashmir,including those areas which are occupied by Pakistan" was an integral part of India.

"We have always held that Kashmir is an integral part of India. This has been our unequivocal stand on the issue. We hold that the whole of Kashmir, including those areas which are occupied by Pakistan, are an integral part of the country", he told reporters here.

Kumar was responding to a query on the statement by National Conference leader and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah that Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) belonged to Pakistan.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Kerala Police has initiated proceedings over issuing lookout notices against three persons for their alleged involvement in the killing of an RSS worker at Nenmeni in the temple town of Guruvayur yesterday.

"We have initiated proceedings. The accused have been identified," a top police official here said.

Another police official in Guruvayur said the car in which the killers had travelled belonged to a CPI(M) worker, whose elder brother Fazil was killed four years ago.Anandan was an accused in that case.

The 23-year-old RSS worker was riding a motorcycle when he was attacked with swords and knives, allegedly by CPI(M) workers, who came in a car.

The RSS worker was cremated this evening.

While the BJP blamed CPI(M) for the murder, the Marxist party in a statement yesterday denied its role in the incident.

The BJP called for a 'hartal' (strike) today at the temple town of Guruvayur and Manaloor in protest. Shops and businesses downed shutters. Vehicles remained off roads.

The BJP leadership alleged that this was the third murder of BJP/RSS workers in the district since the Pinarayi Vijayan government came to power in May last year.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Hollywood has not been shy in turning its award shows into a politically-charged spectacle to address the issues at hand.

But at the ninth Governors Awards this year, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences steered clear of discussing the sexual harassment scandal that continues to rock the industry, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

After multiple allegations of sexual misconduct levelled against media mogul Harvey Weinstein a month ago, newer and more significant names such as James Toback, Kevin Spacey, Dustin Hoffman, Brett Ratner an Louis C K have joined the list and still counting.

Unlike the explosive Golden Globes, Emmys and Tonys, the awards saw the fraternity bestow honorary Oscars on five legends - Donald Sutherland, Agnes Varda, Charles Burnett, Owen Roizman and Alejandro G Inarritu.

Filmmaker Steven Spielberg echoed the sentiment, "Tonight, we all aspire to reach higher. We all aspire to dream bigger tonight - to be greater."



If at all, actor-director Angelina Jolie hinted at the current controversy as she introduced Varda on the stage.

"We need to draw strength from artists like Agnes. Those women who went first, who took that first step, showed the way for all of us," she said.

Hoffman, who was accused of sexual harassment by two women, presented the award Roizman, with whom the veteran actor has worked in "Tootsie".

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Hollywood star Halle Berry's next stop on her India trip was the beautiful state of Kerala.

The 51-year-old Oscar winner shared a picture of a wine glass on her Instagram with backwaters in the backdrop.

"Time to WINE down," she captioned the photo.

Berry started her journey across India with Mumbai being her first destination.

She had posted a picture of herself walking in the Colaba suburbs.

Berry said she was grateful to be in India.

"Sometimes the universe puts us in places where our souls most need to be in order to see more clearly. So grateful to be here!," she had posted during her time in Mumbai.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Delhi High Court has asked the Centre to examine the objections of several physiotherapists who are seeking implementation of the government's decision on establishing an independent council for them.

A bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar said it would be appropriate to consider the objections of the physiotherapists before finalisation of the the Draft Allied and Healthcare Professions Bill 2017.

The court was hearing a petition by a number of physiotherapists, who said they belonged to a different category and cannot be clubbed with technicians or x-ray technicians.

One of the petitioners and physiotherapists Haider Khalid submitted that they not only rehabilitated but also diagnosed and treated patients and their functions were much wider than those performed with other functionaries as technicians and radiologists.

The plea sought implementation of a decision taken by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to create an independent council under the central government with separate cells for physiotherapists and occupational therapists.

The court was informed by central government Standing Counsel Monika Arora and advocate Harsh Ahuja that they had received a communication on September 7 that the Draft Allied and Healthcare Professions Bill, 2017 was pending consideration before the authorities.

The bench said "it would be appropriate if the objections of the petitioner are considered before finalisation of the bill. We may note that in case, the bill is finalised and notified without consideration of the several aspects pointed out by the physiotherapists as well as their associations, the same may lead to unavoidable challenges by way of writ petitions after the enactment take force."



It has listed the matter for hearing on November 17.

Advocate Tanya Agarwal, appearing for the petitioners, sought a direction to the government to recognise physiotherapy as a distinct and independent profession and to consider the demand of physiotherapists for a separate regulatory body akin to the various other councils.

It said the decision should be taken within a specified time frame.

The plea also sought to declare section 2(h) of the Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010 to be unconstitutional to the extent to which it excludes 'physiotherapy' from the recognised systems of medicine.

As per Section 2 (h) of the Act, the recognised system of medicine means Allopathy, Yoga, Naturopathy, Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Siddha and Unani systems of medicine or any other systems of medicine as may be recognised by the Central Government.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Delhi High Court today asked the Centre, AAP government and other agencies about the number of hospitals, health centres including Mohalla Clinics they have for the people of the national capital.

A bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar also sought to know from the authorities about the geographical location of the health check-up centres in the city.

It asked the authorities to place the details before the next date of hearing on February 26 next year.

The court issued the direction while hearing a plea by Arunima Gupta and Manish Gupta, who have sought its intervention for upgradation of health check-up facility and Mohalla Clinics, set up in all parts of the city to provide adequate health facility to the people.

The plea also sought to upgrade the operation facilities and the various tests including blood tests at these centres.

It sought direction to provided immunisation facilities to pregnant women, lactating mothers and newborn infants in the health care services provided by Mohalla Clinics in Delhi.

The plea sought to "avoid duplication of human resources as staff of primary health centres are allegedly deployed at Mohalla Clinics hampering the work at primary health centres.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Observing that the Maharashtra government had discriminated against the Christian community by cancelling the allotment of a plot of land meant for a cemetery, the Bombay High Court today directed the state to identify an alternate plot for the same by Friday.

A bench of Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice M S Sonak reminded the state government that it was bound to implement the constitutional principle of secularism and that it could not discriminate against any citizen on the ground of his faith or religious beliefs.

The bench was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) petition filed by a Christian charitable institution.

The petitioners had alleged that while a 7,500-sq.mtr plot of land was supposed to be allotted for a Christian cemetery in suburban Goregaon, the authorities had cancelled the allotment without putting forward a valid reason.

As per the plea, the plot was part of a composite land parcel in Goregaon that was to be used as a cemetery (for Christians), burial ground (for Muslims) and crematorium (for Hindus).

The petitioners had contended that while the Hindus and Muslims were given their shares of the plot, the Christians were being discriminated against.

They had also stated that the Christians living on the eastern side of the Western Railway line between Dahisar and Khar did not have any public cemetery in the area.

The petitioners had said the state Urban Development Department (UDD) told them that the said land was reserved for the use of the Dairy Development Board and hence, an alternate plot would be given to them in suburban Andheri.

This Andheri plot, measuring 2,500 sq.mtr, was yet to be handed over to them, the petitioners had said. They had also contended that the plot was not big enough for a public cemetery.

The officers of the Dairy Development Board and UDD, who were present in the court today, agreed to identify and allot an alternate plot for the Christian cemetery.

While the bench agreed that the actual handing over of the new plot might take some time, it directed the authorities to identify it and inform the court of the same by Friday.

It also asked the state government to explain as to why the allotment of the Goregaon plot for the Christian cemetery was cancelled and why did it subsequently reduce the size of the plot from 7,500 sq.mtr to 2,500 sq.mtr.

The bench was also irked at the fact that while the allotment for the Christian community was cancelled in Goregaon, adjacent plots were allotted to the Hindus and Muslims.

"Why was the allotment of a plot for a Christian cemetery cancelled just like that, for no apparent reason? This (the petitioners' demand) is a genuine demand. We don't think any authority should be adverse to this," the bench observed.

"We want the administration to show to the public that it believes in and will implement the principle of secularism. One community cannot be given the upper hand over any other religious community. We believe in the principle of unity in diversity," Chief Justice Chellur said.

"There cannot be a greater equalising factor than death. Do not discriminate even in death," the bench said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Madras High Court today dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) petition, seeking a direction to the Union of India, refraining it from using the word 'Mahatma' in the Indian currency.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice M Sundar dismissed the PIL with a cost of Rs 10,000, to be paid to the registrar general of the high court.

The petitioner, S Muruganantham of Paramakudia, a PhD and research scholar in the faculty of engineering and technology at Jadavpur University, Kolkata, raised the issue of the constitutional validity of prefixing the title 'Mahatma' to the name of M K Gandhi in all types of currency in India.

Stating that the currency is printed and circulated by the Reserve Bank of India and guaranteed by the central government, the petitioner questioned as to how the government allowed the title 'Mahatma' in the currency notes which, he claimed, violated Articles 14 and 18 of the Constitution.

Besides raising several other questions, the petitioner sought for a direction to the government to put an end to the use of the word 'Mahatma' in currency notes, coins and postal stamps.

The bench, while dismissing the petition, observed, "No public interest involved. These types of PILs only clog the business of the court and consume its valuable time."



It also imposed a cost of Rs 10,000 on the petitioner, to be paid to the registrar general of the court within a fortnight.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Punjab and Haryana High Court today issued notice to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the apex religious body of Sikhs, on a plea by a Sikh historian challenging his ex-communication by five 'Jathedars' or clergy leaders.

"Notice has been issued by the high court to the SGPC for November 29," the petitioner's counsel Navkiran Singh said here.

70-year-old Sikh historian Harjinder Singh Dilgeer had moved the high court last week against the directive issued by the five Jathedars on July 27 this year to ban his book and socially boycott him.

"The decision of the five Jathedars to socially boycott the petitioner and ban his books was arbitrary and without any authority," the counsel contended.

The directive was issued by the five Jathedars against the petitioner on the ground that "objections" had been raised by members of the Sikh community in India and abroad on his writings and using "low level language" on Sikh issues.

The counsel claimed the petitioner was not informed about the alleged objectionable material on the basis of which the directives were issued.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Madras High Court today issued a notice to the Tamil Nadu government on a PIL seeking relocation of the memorials of former chief ministers from Marina beach here.

When a PIL by social activist Traffic Ramaswamy came up, the first bench comprising Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice M Sundar issued the notice to the state government, returnable by two weeks.

Ramaswamy submitted that there were already two memorials of former chief ministers C N Annadurai and M G Ramachandran at the beach and the present government proposed to build another memorial for late chief minister J Jayalalithaa at a cost of Rs 15 crore.

He referred to a direction from the Centre that all areas along the coastal zones in India, particularly those susceptible to erosion and degradation, must be protected from any sort of construction and said the 'samadhis' (burial sites) of the chief ministers should be relocated to a vast area available at Gandhi Mandapam in Kotturpuram.

The petitioner submitted that he had already made representations to the authorities concerned in this regard and also requested the state government to scrap the current proposal to build a memorial for Jayalalithaa.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Delhi High Court today reserved its order on a plea by controversial businessman Moin Akhtar Qureshi challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case.

The Centre opposed the plea saying questioning of his arrest was an "abuse" of the legal process, claiming there were serious charges of hawala transactions against him.

A bench of justices Vipin Sanghi and P S Teji heard the arguments of the counsel for Qureshi, the Centre and the ED and said it would pass an order on the habeas corpus plea.

A habeas corpus plea is a petition which is filed to ensure that a person under arrest is brought before a court which will determine whether the detention is legal.

Qureshi's counsel has said the meat exporter should be released from "illegal custody" and his liberty be restored forthwith.

The government has also refuted Qureshi's allegations that he was unauthorisedly detained by the ED in the money laundering case, saying he was arrested under statutory provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act and remanded to ED custody by a competent trial court.

Qureshi was arrested on August 25 and sent to ED custody by the trial court the next day for thorough probe in the case against him and others. He is presently in judicial custody.

The agency had claimed that "the witnesses have confirmed in their statements that they have delivered crores of rupees for Qureshi and his associates through his employees and one of the witnesses has stated that nearly Rs 1.75 crore have been exported by the accused from him and his friend in lieu of the help provided to him in a CBI case."



Qureshi has been questioned several times in the past by ED which is probing his role following the registration of two FIRs under the PMLA, it has said, adding that he was arrested in connection with offence alleged in the last FIR in which former CBI chief Singh has also been named.

The earlier PMLA case against Qureshi was lodged by the ED in 2015, based on an I-T prosecution complaint, it said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Hitting out at hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani for criticising Farooq Abdullah over his recent comment on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, National Conference working president Omar Abdullah today said, "Hypocrisy is a Geelani trait."



Farooq Abdullah had on Saturday said that PoK belongs to Pakistan and "this won't change" no matter how many wars India and Pakistan fight. His statement came a few days after Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi rejected the idea of an "independent Kashmir", saying it was not based on "reality".

Reacting to it, Geelani had yesterday said, "These power-hungry politicians always played deceit. These irresponsible and short-sighted people have always served the interests of their masters. They are barefaced, follow their treacherous politics and are never ashamed of their absurd statements."



In a sharp reaction to the separatist leader's comments, Omar Abdullah, in a series of tweets, said, "Can Geelani show me his reaction to the Pak PM who has repeated many times recently that Azadi is not an option for Kashmir. Hypocrisy is a Geelani trait."



"It's not surprising that the Separatist camp has chosen to react to what the @JKNC_President (Farooq Abdullah) has said & not to what the Pak PM said," he tweeted.

"Yes, while Farooq Abdullah's ancestors were engaged in a struggle this man was fighting elections & cosying up to Janata Party," the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister wrote on Twitter.

Meanwhile, National Conference General Secretary A M Sagar, in a statement, said Geelani's "double standards" stood exposed in his silence over the Pakistan prime minister's statement as compared to his "selective and uninformed outrage" over party president Farooq Abdullah's remarks.

"Geelani should introspect and stop leasing his voice out to a mainstream political party over a purely personal political agenda that was based on distortion and prejudice," he said.

Sagar claimed that the National Conference is the only political institution that has consistently and bravely fought to safeguard the state's political identity and honour in all circumstances.

"Even today, it is the National Conference alone which is standing between various intrigues against the state's special status and the rights of the people.

"This role will be noted in history and no amount of selective press statements and distortion of truth will change it," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Battling allegations of playing the soft Hindutva card by visiting temples during his election campaign in Gujarat, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi today said he is a devotee of Lord Shiva.

Gandhi, who has visited a number of temples since he kicked off his campaign by offering prayer at Dwarkadhish temple Dwarka in September, today had darshan of Veer Meghmaya in Patan, Khodiyar Maa in Varana and Maa Bahuchar at Becharaji in Mehsana district.

"I am a devotee of Lord Shiva. Let them say whatever they want to say. My truth is with me," Gandhi told reporters here when asked about the BJP's criticism of his visits to various temples.

The BJP, which has often accused the Congress of Muslim appeasement, termed Gandhi's frequent temple visits an attempt to attract Hindu voters. However, the Congress countered the charge, saying the saffron party does not have the "patent on devotion".

Gandhi started his campaign today with a visit to the Veer Meghmaya temple, sacred to the members of the Dalit vankar community. Later, he visited Khodiyar Maa temple and Maa Bahuchar temple.

Gandhi had kicked off his tour of north Gujarat last Saturday after offering prayers at the Akshardham temple. He also offered prayer at the famous Ambaji temple. He visited two temples yesterday as well.

The Congress leader had climbed around 1,000 steps to seeks the blessings of Maa Chamunda in Chotila a few weeks ago.

"We are not against his temple visits. We wish that everybody goes to temples and follows our tradition. But I want to ask....he (Gandhi) lives in Delhi and there are many temples there. Has he ever gone to any temple in Delhi? Has he visited Delhi Akshardham (Delhi) temple?" state BJP in-charge Bhupender Yadav said.

Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Nitin Patel had earlier said people can see through Gandhi's visits to temples, which he termed a "gimmick" for votes.

Patel had also asked the Congress to shed its "pseudo secularism" and respect mainstream Hindutva.

The Congress had countered the charge, saying the BJP does not have the sole patent on devotion and visiting temples.

"Rahul Gandhiji visited Jain temple and Gurudwaras apart from Hindu temples. We believe in secularism," Congress leader Shaktisinh Gohil said.

The Congress is trying to form a bloc comprising Patidars, Dalits and OBCs to thwart the BJP's attempts to retain power in the state which it has ruled for close to two decades without a break.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Shares of Idea Cellular today fell nearly 4 per cent after the company posted a loss of Rs 1,106.80 crore for the second quarter this fiscal.

The scrip ended at Rs 93.55, down 3.61 per cent on BSE. During the day, it tanked 5.92 per cent to Rs 91.30.

At NSE, the stock closed 3.76 per cent lower at Rs 93.35.

In terms of equity volume, 29.40 lakh shares of the company were traded on BSE and over 2 crore shares changed hands at NSE during the day.

Idea Cellular today posted a loss of Rs 1,106.80 crore for the second quarter of the current fiscal, saying that the business was hit by pricing pressure and GST introduction in a "challenging" operating environment.

The company -- which is headed for a merger with Vodafone India -- had reported a net profit of Rs 91.5 crore in the July-September quarter of the last fiscal.

"The operating environment for Indian mobile operators remained challenging with unrelenting pressure on pricing, introduction of Goods and Services Tax at 18 per cent (compared to service tax at 15 per cent) and need for large investments to support the exploding data demand," Idea said in a statement.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Trade ministers of India and Canada have directed their chief negotiators to find ways for early conclusion of the proposed free trade agreement, the commerce ministry said today.

The proposed agreement, officially dubbed as the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), came in for discussion during a meeting between Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu and Canadian Minister for International Trade Francois-Philippe Champagne here.

Champagne is here for the 4th India-Canada Ministerial Dialogue on Trade and Investment.

Both the ministers expressed their strong commitment for taking forward negotiations for early conclusion, the ministry said in a statement.

"The ministers directed the chief negotiators to discuss and explore ways for early conclusion of the agreement," it added.

India emphasised on the importance of the services sector as a key component of the proposed pact and asked for resolution of issues related the segment.

"The Canadian side assured that they would look into the issues concerned, including movement of natural persons and what kind of provisions could be built into the CEPA," it said.

The negotiations for the agreement were launched in November 2010 to boost bilateral trade and investments.

The CEPA is a comprehensive free trade agreement under which two trade partners significantly reduce or eliminate customs duties, besides liberalising trade in services and investment norms.

The commerce ministry also said that India and Canada discussed about the progress made under the Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA).

Both the ministers expressed hope for an early conclusion of FIPA, it added.

Further the ministers stated that the bilateral trade is "much below" the potential despite existence of huge untapped potential.

The two-way trade stood at USD 6.13 billion in 2016-17, down 1.87 per cent from the previous year.

Further, it said it was agreed during the deliberations to explore collaboration in the area of export credit insurance through India's Export Credit Guarantee Corporation Ltd. and Canada's Export Development Canada (EDC).

Canada also proposed for possible cooperation with their Canadian Commercial Corporation.

Besides, both the ministers discussed issues such as early institutionalisation of the CEO Forum mechanism and extension of derogation of pulses.

On pulses, Prabhu noted that Canada has done lot of work on geo-spatial planning and Geographical Information System and both these expertise should be utilised in areas like analysing crop production systems in India, trend forecast for next 10 years.

"...and accordingly work towards a predictable environment for potential pulses which could be supplied from Canada," it added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Over 300 people attended the remembrance day service organised by India in the Netherlands to honour the sacrifices made by commonwealth forces during the two world wars.

The event was organised by the Embassy of India at the Westduin Cemetery in the Hague yesterday, an official release issued today said.

"The ceremony was attended by over 300 people despite inclement weather," it said.

Ambassador of India to the Netherlands Venu Rajamony laid a wreath on the memorial on behalf of the commonwealth countries.

Rajamony also read a poem 'The Gift of India' by Indian poet Sarojini Naidu and spoke about the contribution of Indian soldiers in the first and second world war.

He said that the forces of undivided India played a significant part in both world wars and her 163,000 dead are buried and commemorated in war cemeteries spread across 60 countries.

"Despite the harsh weather and myriad of obstacles, Indian soldiers fought bravely with a sense of duty towards their regiment and for izzat (honour)," Rajamony said.

He was joined by Roelof van Ees Director of Protocol, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of the Netherlands, Ambassadors of Belgium, Ireland, Australia, Russia, New Zealand, Ghana and Venezuela and representatives of South Africa, Cyprus, Kenya, Canada and Saudi Arabia, the release said.

The ceremony was organised on behalf of Commonwealth- Netherlands Joint Committee of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

The committee organises the remembrance day ceremony annually and different embassies host the event in turns. This year it was the turn of the Embassy of India.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
India today signed four agreements, including one to step up cooperation in the defence sector, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte here to boost bilateral ties.

Modi, the first Indian prime minister to visit the Philippines in 36 years, had a very warm and cordial meeting with president Duterte, Secretary East, Ministry of External Affairs, Preeti Saran said.

She said the two countries signed an agreement to boost bilateral cooperation in defence and logistics.

The two sides also signed an agreement on enhancing cooperation in agriculture, small and medium enterprises and Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) and the Philippines Foreign Service Institute, Saran said.

Duterte expressed interest in acquiring fast offshore patrol vessels and welcomed Indian pharmaceutical companies to invest in his country to make good quality and cheaper drugs.

He also said Indian infrastructure companies could explore opportunities in his country.

Prime Minister Modi expressed interest in expanding cooperation with the Philippines in the renewable energy sector and welcomed the country to join the Solar Alliance.

He also invited Duterte to visit India to take part in the 25th anniversary of India-ASEAN relations which will be celebrated next year.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A wave-powered navigational buoy, developed by the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), to guide ships in and out of ports, was launched here today.

The buoy, deployed at Ennore Kamarajar Port here, will help ships, moving in and out of the harbour, navigate through a designated channel.

According to the NIOT, the buoy's beacon, for guiding ships, is powered by wave energy while conventional ones use solar power. The buoy stores energy generated by waves in a battery.

Also, the buoy would be able to record data on wind speed and direction an various other aspects, which would be relayed to port authorities, it said.

The buoy was launched by Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences M Rajeevan on the eve of the 33rd executive committee meet of International Energy Agency-Ocean Energy Systems Collaboration Programme (IEA-OES) and as part of a workshop 'Harnessing Energy from the Oceans - A global Scenario'.

The meeting, on November 14 and 15 at NIOT premises here, will be held for the first time in India.

Rajeevan, along with Chairman of OES Henry Jeffrey and its Member-Secretary Ana e Brito Melo, also inaugurated an Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) desalination test facility at the NIOT premises.

Head of Energy and Fresh Water, NIOT, Purnima Jalihal told reporters that the buoy, designed for a life span of about 15-20 years, is fully indigenous and it costs less than imported buoys.

About how many wave-powered navigational buoys could be produced annually, Rajeevan said, "We have to team up with industry."



He said commercialisation was a focus area.

Asked if there was any time frame for commercialisation, Rajeevan said it depended on several factors including approvals.

Ocean Energy Systems Technology Collaboration Programme is an intergovernmental collaboration between countries. It operates under the framework established by the International Energy Agency, an NIOT release said, adding India became a member of the forum in April this year.

With the membership, India would have access to advanced research and development teams, technologies and data in the area of ocean energy across the world, it said.

India would join working groups to partner with other countries in developing ocean energy technologies and this would help in testing indigenous prototypes in accordance to international requirements and norms, the release said.

OES brings together countries in advancing research and development of conversion technologies to harness energy from renewable resources such as tides, waves, currents, and temperature gradient for electricity generation and other uses such as desalination.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
India is likely to achieve strong growth over the next decade and will overtake Japan in nominal GDP by 2028, to emerge as the world's third largest economy, says a foreign brokerage report.

The country has already overtaken Brazil and Russia to emerge as the second largest BRIC economy after China and is well on track to cross France and Britain to emerge as the world's fifth largest economy after Germany by 2019.

"We see India crossing Germany and Japan in nominal GDP in dollar term by 2028. This assumes that the Indian economy grows at 10 per cent (in nominal US GDP) in the next decade, well ahead of Japan's 1.6 per cent," a Bank of America Merrill Lynch a report said today.

The American brokerage has conservatively projected the country's real GDP growth at 7 per cent potential.

Last year the economy closed at USD 2.26 trillion. But the report did not quantify the size of the economy by 2028 when it would be the third largest after China and the US.

The report titled, 'India 2028: The last BRICK in the Wall', said falling dependency ratios, financial maturity and increasing incomes and affordability are the three key drivers for the country to stand among the large emerging economies.

"First, falling dependency ratios should raise savings and investment rates. Second, financial maturity, due to financial liberalisation and inclusion, should continue to lower lending rates structurally.

"Finally, increasing incomes and affordability will likely underpin the emergence of mass markets, supporting an expected 7 per cent real GDP growth," the report said.

It said the dependency ratio (unproductive population in the o-14 and over-65 age group) is slated to fall to 46.2 per cent in 2028 from 52.2 per cent now and 71.7 per cent in 1990. This should sustain the savings rate at 32 per cent of GDP, at the least, in 2028, comparable to 31.4 per cent during



2000-17, up from 20.5 per cent in the 1980s and the 1990s.

A rising savings rate should push the investment rate up to 35 per cent of GDP in 2028 from 32.4 per cent in 2017 and 22.1 per cent in the 1980s and the 1990s. This assumes a sustainable current account deficit of 2-2.5 per cent of GDP.

"This, in turn, should lift growth to 10 per cent from 7.1 per cent last fiscal holding the incremental capital output ratio at current 4.8 levels," the report said.

The credit to GDP ratio, a proxy for financial maturity, will likely climb to 83 per cent of GDP from 44 per cent (2001-17) and 25 per cent during the 1980s and the 1990s driven by financial extension and inclusion, emergence of financial products and financial market development.

The report expects the country's growth to be driven by services.

It further said RBI will recoup forex reserves compared to falling import cover. "We continue to expect RBI to recoup forex reserves to guard against contagion in contrast to import cover almost halving since 2008. This should contain depreciation to 3 per cent a year over the next 10 years," the report said.

The brokerage said the country is witnessing the emergence of mass markets powered by rising incomes, on the demand side, as well as economies of scale, on the supply side.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Tata Group hospitality arm Company (IHC) on Monday reported widening of its consolidated net loss to Rs 59.95 crore for the second quarter ended September 30, 2017-18.

It had posted a net loss of Rs 24.60 crore for the July- September quarter of 2016-17.

IHC said in a filing to BSE that its consolidated revenue from operations was down to Rs 851.67 crore for the quarter under review. It was Rs 887.27 crore in the year-ago period.

"The company has consolidated gross debt of Rs 3,658 crore, taking into account liquidity of Rs 224 crore, the net debt was Rs 3,434 crore as at September 30, 2017," said.

During 2017-18, the company has opened five hotels under the Ginger brand (371 keys) in Mumbai, Gurgaon, Lucknow and Ahmedabad. It exited one hotel under Ginger brand in Tirupati, it added.

IHC said that product up-gradation programme is underway at Taj Mahal Palace and Taj Land's End in Mumbai, Taj Exotica Resort and SPA and Taj Fort Aguada Resort and SPA in Goa, Taj Bengal in Kolkata.

Other key hotels where the programme is underway are Vivanta by Taj in Connemara at Chennai, Vivanta by Taj - President in Mumbai, Vivanta by Taj at MG Rd Bangalore, Vivanta by Taj at Gomti Nagar in Lucknow and The Gateway Hotel Ganges in Varanasi, it added.

The IHC Ltd stock closed 0.85 per cent up at Rs 112.50 per scrip on BSE.
Spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar today said was involved as a mediator in the Ram Temple dispute of his own will and he would visit Ayodhya on November 16 to meet all the stakeholders.

The Congress had last month dubbed Shankar a "government agent" who was representing its interests in the Ram Temple dispute in Ayodhya.

Congress spokesperson Tom Vadakkan had said the Supreme Court made it very clear that a settlement was possible, but he asked as to who had appointed people like the Art of Living Foundation chief to take charge.

The spiritual leader told reporters that he would pay a courtesy visit to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

"It was out of my own will that he was involved as a mediator in Ram Temple issue," he said.

Shankar confirmed that he would be visiting Ayodhya and said, "I do not have an agenda in this issue and will listen to everybody during the visit."



He had offered to mediate in the Ram Temple row for an out-of-court settlement.

The spiritual leader took part in the 13th Nehru Memorial Lecture at JNU and answered a wide variety of questions from the audience.

To a question on the killing of a Ryan school student, he advised parents to not let their children play violent video games and watch television for long durations.

"Children cannot make out the difference between the virtual and real world. They carry the same attitude even in the real world. I advise parents to not let their kids do this," he said.

On the alarming pollution levels in Delhi, Shankar said mulching technique was a better option and farmers needed to be taught to stop stubble burning.

"We have done this in Karnataka's Warangal. The farmers need to be educated on this," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Indian Oil Corporation Ltd will organise a conclave here on Thursday, with an aim to provide a platform for young investors to interact with business leaders of the petrochemical industry, government functionaries and financial institutions.

Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers Ananth Kumar and Union Minister of PNG Dharmendra Pradhan are scheduled to address the conclave titled 'Purvodaya- The Dawn of New Investment Opportunities in Eastern India'.

"The conclave aims to highlight the emerging investment opportunities in the petrochemicals sector in Eastern India and help catalyse investment in downstream plastic parks and textile parks proposed to be developed in this part of the country," Pritish Bharat, CGM, IOCL Odisha State Office, said.

Meanwhile, a new polypropylene unit of 700 KTA (kilo tonne per annum) capacity is under construction at Paradip Refinery to support the plastic industry, said Sujoy Choudhury, CGM, Petrochemical Marketing.

He said the proposed polypropylene unit will be set up at an estimated investment of Rs 3,500 crore, and is likely to be commissioned by June, 2018.

Senior IOCL officials said the upcoming polypropylene unit is also part of the petrochemical complex being developed by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.

Replying a question, G S Singh, ED of Paradip Refinery said Odisha government has already identified 100 acres of land for the proposed plastic parks, and plans are on the anvil to set up a textile park at Paradip.

These units will use polymer and other required raw materials produced by the Paradip Refinery.

Paradip is the most strategically located region for investment in petroleum, chemicals and petrochemicals, Singh added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Israel's army said today it had arrested a senior Islamic Jihad militant as tensions with the group rose after the army blew up one of its tunnels from Gaza.

The army arrested overnight the "senior operative" in Arraba near Jenin in the north of the occupied West Bank, Israel's military said.

A source with Islamic Jihad confirmed that one of its leaders, Tareq Qadaan, was detained as part of an "arrest campaign".

There were no immediate details on whether others were arrested.

Tensions have risen between Israel and Islamic Jihad after the army blew up a tunnel that stretched from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory on October 30.

Such tunnels have been used in the past to carry out attacks.

The operation resulted in the deaths of at least 12 Palestinian militants from Hamas and Islamic Jihad.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday warned Palestinian militants in Gaza against carrying out attacks in revenge for the operation.

Islamic Jihad meanwhile threatened to hit back at Israel over the destruction of the tunnel it says it dug.

The heated rhetoric comes at a sensitive time for the Palestinians, who are seeking to follow through on a landmark reconciliation deal between rivals Fatah and Hamas, the Islamist moved which runs Gaza.

The deal was signed last month and aims at ending a 10- year split between Fatah and Hamas.

Israel and militants in Gaza have fought three wars since 2008.

The UN special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, Nickolay Mladenov, expressed concern, saying "the reckless actions and statements of militants in Gaza risk a dangerous escalation".

Hamas is allied with Islamic Jihad, which maintains a strong presence in the Gaza Strip. It is also present in the West Bank.

Hamas's statements following the tunnel operation have been less forceful as it seeks to follow through on the Palestinian reconciliation accord.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he has made it clear to the US and Russia that Israel will continue with its operations in Syria.

Netanyahu said he told Washington and Moscow today that Israel will act according to its "security needs."



Israel has largely stayed out of the war but has struck suspected weapon convoys to Hezbollah.

His remarks came on the heels of an international agreement laying out principles for post-war Syria.

A US-Russian statement Saturday affirmed an understanding calling for "the reduction and ultimate elimination" of foreign fighters.

Israel has long complained about the involvement of archenemy Iran, and its proxy Hezbollah, in Syria.

It has expressed concerns of a "Shiite corridor" with land links from Iran to Lebanon, providing movement of militants and weapons across the region.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Five persons associated with portal 'The Wire', who were made accused in a defamation case by BJP chief Amit Shah's son Jay over a report about his company's soaring fortunes after the saffron party came to power at the Centre, today appeared before a city court.

Those who appeared before Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate S K Gadhvi were author of the article, Rohini Singh, founding editors Siddarth Varadarajan, Sidharth Bhatia and M K Venu, and managing editor Monobina Gupta.

Two others - public editor Pamela Philipose and a representative of the Foundation for Independent Journalism, the non-profit company that publishes 'The Wire', could not appear citing different reasons.

They were subsequently served summonses by the court and asked to appear before it on December 16, the next date of hearing.

During today's hearing, the first after the court issued summonses to all the seven accused last month, they were given various documents related to the case to prepare their defence.

The court had exempted Jay Shah from appearing in person today owning to some social obligations.

Jay Shah had filed a criminal defamation case against 'The Wire' last month over a report that claimed the turnover of his firm grew exponentially after the BJP came to power at the Centre in 2014.

Jay Shah prayed for criminal action against the respondents for "defaming and tarnishing" his reputation by publishing the article, which was "scandalous, frivolous, misleading, derogatory, libelous and consisting of several defamatory statements".

The case was filed under IPC sections 500 (defamation), 109 (abetment), 39 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt) and 120 B (criminal conspiracy).

A person guilty of criminal defamation faces simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or both.

His lawyer S V Raju had earlier submitted before the court that the purpose of the article was not to give a bonafide account of the company or his client but to defame him keeping in mind the upcoming Gujarat assembly elections.

He said there was "something fishy about the article" as it was "published hurriedly to make it an issue for the elections".

The Wire had claimed in its report that the turnover of Temple Enterprise Pvt Ltd, the company owned by Jay Shah, grew from a measly Rs 50,000 to over Rs 80 crore in a single year.

A political storm erupted after the article titled 'Golden touch of Jay Amit Shah' was published.

The Congress demanded sacking of Amit Shah as BJP chief and institution of a judicial inquiry into the entire episode, while the BJP called the article "defamatory".

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Punjab Health Minister Brahm Mohindra today exhorted the political leadership of the state to join hands with the government in resolving the looming pollution problem.

Mohindra also warned Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to desist from playing politics on the issue of stubble burning.

"It is the need of the hour that politicians, cutting across the party lines, come on a joint platform to devise a policy to check the pollution menace," he said here.

The health minister reiterated the resolve of the government to provide quality healthcare services to the citizens of the state.

He quoted data from the Punjab Pollution Control Board which indicated that pollution level in the state has decreased by 44 per cent.

Mohindra said a permanent solution for this raging problem can be reached if political parties set aside their differences in pursuit of a remedy.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A meeting of the Nationalist Congress Party's (NCP) state executive will be held here tomorrow amid a mounting pressure on the party nominee in the LDF government, Transport Minister Thomas Chandy, to quit over allegations of land encroachments in Alappuzha district.

Upping the ante against Chandy, hundreds of BJP workers gathered in front of the secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram today and staged a protest, demanding his immediate resignation from the state cabinet.

Though the Kerala NCP leadership sought to downplay the significance of tomorrow's meeting, saying it was planned a month ago to discuss organisational matters, party insiders said the Chandy issue would be discussed by the 100-member executive committee, particularly in view of the NCP's souring relations with LDF partner CPI over the issue.

Following reports that CPI state secretary Kanam Rajendran had strongly pressed for Chandy's resignation at an LDF meeting held in Thiruvananthapuram yesterday, the NCP today hit out at the Left party, saying its stand on many issues had put the CPI(M)-led LDF government in trouble.

"The CPI airs a different view on every issue...We cannot say that the party is anti-government, but the enemies (of the government) are the beneficiaries of the stand taken by it on many issues," NCP state president T P Peethambaran Master told reporters here.

The NCP, which has only two members in the Kerala Assembly, is making an all-out effort to protect its nominee in the LDF government.

Master said the authority to take decisions on any matter, including nominating or quitting of its nominee from a government, was vested with the party's central parliamentary board.

The party was of the view that a final decision on the issue should be based on the high court's decision on Chandy's petition, seeking to quash the Alappuzha collector's report on the alleged encroachment of paddy fields for a lake resort owned by the minister, he added.

Launching the protest at Thiruvananthapuram, BJP state president Kummanam Rajasekharan said there was no question of any compromise on the demand for Chandy's resignation.

"Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan should explain why is he protecting Chandy, even though all the legal advices related to the issue are against the minister," he said.

Later, a BJP delegation led by Rajasekharan met Governor P Sathasivam and submitted a memorandum demanding Chandy's resignation.

The LDF had yesterday decided to entrust Vijayan with taking an appropriate decision on whether Chandy should continue as a minister.

Kerala Advocate General C P Sudhakara Prasad had recently informed the state government that the Alappuzha collector's report on the alleged encroachment was legally binding and that its findings could not be ignored.

The government had sought the AG's legal opinion on the matter after getting the report from Collector T V Anupama, wherein she confirmedthat a paddy field was reclaimed for laying a road to the lake resort.

Chandy had also allegedly encroached on the backwaters to construct a parking space for the resort, according to the collector's report.

Chandy became a minister only eight months ago, following the resignation of his party colleague, A K Saseendran, from the state cabinet over the issue of an alleged sleaze talk with a woman.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A Kuwait-bound passenger has been apprehended at the Delhi airport for allegedly carrying four live bullets in his bag without authorisation, official sources said today.

The man, identified as S Siddiqui, was going through security checks at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport yesterday when a Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel detected bullet-like objects in his hand baggage, they said.

Four live bullets were recovered from his bag, they said, adding Siddqui was travelling to Kuwait.

He was handed over to the police as he could not produce valid documents for carrying the bullets, they said.

Carrying arms and ammunition on board an aircraft without authorisation is banned.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Civil society groups in Sri Lanka have expressed concern over the government's decision to block a website and called for its immediate unblocking, saying the move mirrors the tactics adopted by the previous Rajapaksa regime to quell "dissent".

The Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) and Transparency International of Sri Lanka (TISL) noted with concern the inaccessibility of online website Lanka E from within Sri Lanka since November 8.

The website was reportedly blocked a day after it published an "expose" alleging corruption within the office of President Maithripala Sirisena in the procurement of state vehicles.

The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) had ordered internet service providers "to block Lanka E News", the two organisations alleged.

"The recent action and statements by government officials and ministers constitute a direct and real threat to the open questioning of political leadership and official policies, the very foundation of good governance.

"The renewed extra-judicial blocking of websites sadly mirrors the awful tactics adopted by the Rajapaksa regime to quell dissent and suppress inconvenient truths," the CPA said in a statement.

"Domestic and international media watchdogs at the time regularly flagged online censorship as a means through which the Rajapaksa regime controlled the flow of and information, in addition to other more violent means," the not-for-profit policy, research and advocacy organisation said.

The TISL, the national chapter of Transparency International (TI), a global movement against corruption, said it was "deeply concerned" by the blocking of the website purportedly by TRCSL.

"The TISL calls on the TRCSL and the government to immediately provide clarity on the arbitrary blocking of the Lanka E News website and the legal provisions under which such a step has been taken," it said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A Sri Lankan boat was found abandoned at Othathalai coastal hamlet near this island town today, police said.

The 16-feet long boat from Thalaimannar in Sri Lanka was found without an engine, they said.

The incident comes two days after the Marine Police ADGP Vanniyaperumal inspected the security arrangements here.

Police suspect that four to five persons could have arrived by the ferry.

The boat had managed to reach the Indian coast despite round-the-clock vigil by the marine police, they said.

Further investigation is on, police said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) here has awarded Rs 27 lakh compensation to the family of a jeweller who died in an accident in 2015.

The applicants' counsel told the tribunal that the deceased, Kisanlal Nerulal Sevak (then aged 28), used to run a jewellery shop at Wadala in Mumbai and earn around Rs 15,000 per month.

On February 8, 2015 Sevak was on his motorcycle when a speeding dumper allegedly hit his vehicle from behind on ThaneBelapur road. The victim fell from the motorcycle and was allegedly run over the the dumper.

He was admitted to a hospital at Vashi in Navi Mumbai where he succumbed to his injuries, said the counsel.

The applicants - Sevak's widow (28), parents (aged around 70) and two minor children (aged 2 and 3) - then approached the tribunal for compensation while alleging that the accident occurred due to the sole negligence on part of dumper driver.

An offence was also registered against the dumper driver at Turbhe MIDC police station in Navi Mumbai, they informed the MACT.

The offending vehicle's owner did not appear before the tribunal and hence, the matter was decided ex-parte against him.

However, the counsel for the insurance company argued that the applicants did not file on record Sevak's licence granted under The Bombay Shops and Establishments Act, to prove that he was doing business.

He further submitted that the income tax returns of Sevak for the assessment years 2014-15 and 2015-16 were submitted after his death, therefore they cannot be taken into consideration.

The insurer's counsel also said that the applicants did not file on record any reliable evidence in respect of the business and income of the deceased. Therefore, a notional income of Rs 5,000 be considered and a compensation of Rs 6,19,940 be granted.

After hearing both the sides, MACT member and district judge K D Vadane observed that the opponents did not examine any eyewitness of the accident, including the driver of the dumper.

Therefore, in the absence of any rebuttal evidence, the applicants' contention is corroborated by the police papers on record.

"Therefore, I have no hesitation in coming to the conclusion that the impugned accident occurred due to rash and negligent driving on part of the driver of dumper," he said in a recent order.

The judge then ordered the dumper owner and the insurance company to jointly and severally pay Rs 27.47 lakh to the applicants along with an interest at eight per cent per annum from the date of filing of the claim.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Senior Congress leader and former Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh has demanded that the Centre make public the peace accord it signed with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (IM).

Singh demanded this while participating at a sit-in protest organised by the Congress at Thangmeiband area yesterday.

He said any solution to end to the Naga insurgency should be confined to Nagaland state only and not Manipur.

The Centre and NSCN (IM) had signed a peace accord on August 3, 2015.

Singh cautioned the Centre that offering any sort of autonomy related with administration, culture and finance, as per the demands of a particular rebel group, will "lead to chaos and disintegration" of a sensitive state like Manipur.

Singh said the Centre should not try to "appease" a particular community as the border state (Manipur) is inhabited by more than 30 different ethnic groups and is not a domain of one community.

The NSCN (IM) has been demanding integration of Naga inhabited areas of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh with Nagaland.

A Congress leader today said the party would organise a series of protest meetings at all 60 assembly constituencies of the state to demand that the Centre make public the peace accord it signed with the (NSCN-IM).

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A man accused of committing theft dodged the policemen escorting him and escaped from a district hospital where he was taken for medical examination yesterday, following which two constables were suspended, police said.

Noida SSP and PRO Manish Saxena said that on November 11 an alleged thief, Robin, was nabbed by villagers at Chhalera and handed over to the sector 39 police.

The accused was taken to the district hospital for medical examination. Robin told the policemen that he had pain in his stomach and wanted to go to the wash room, Saxena said.

The accused then escaped from the washroom window, he said.

In this regard, constable Jaikendra lodged an FIR at sector 20 police station.

The SSP said that a departmental inquiry was ordered into the incident and two constables suspended.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A man was today taken into custody after he was overheard talking about a "happy bomb" by a worker of Jet Airways at the Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) here, an airport official said.

A Jet Airways worker overheard Clince Varghese from Thrissur district saying he had a "happy bomb". The ground staff told the supervisory officers who in turn informed the CISF and the domestic terminal manager, he said.

He was to take flight 9W 825 Cochin-Mumbai of Jet Airways.

Subsequently, Varghese was offloaded and his baggage was checked throughly.

He was later handed over to the police. During questioning, he told officials he was expressing happiness to his friend in Mumbai on Facebook chat, the official said.

Another person accompanying him was also detained and questioned, he said.

An airport spokesperson said that after the incident, all passengers were offloaded for completing security procedures.

The flight was scheduled to leave at 12.05 pm, he said.

Jet Airways spokesperson in a statement said the flight was rescheduled to take off at 1402 hours, "with a delay of two hours on account of a security-related matter".

"The airline has informed the authority concerned of the same for further necessary action and has offered full cooperation as required," the spokeperson said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A music channel anchor today set off a hijack and bomb scare on board a Mumbai-bound Jet Airways flight from here carrying 170 passengers and crew after which he was taken into custody along with his male friend, police said.

A spokesman of Cochin International Airport Limited(CIAL) said the man was detained for allegedly shooting a video of the Jet aircraft using a mobile phone and writing a message to say he was going to hijack the plane using a 'happy bomb'.

Police said the Mumbai-based man identified as Clince Varghese, 26, and hailing from Thrissur district was an anchor of a popular music channel and he was detained for questioning along with his 27-year-old male friend. The two men were booked on the flight(9W 825) that was delayed by two hours following the incident, an airport official said.

Varghese shot the video and typed out the hijack threat message when he reached near the aircraft ladder for boarding the flight which was scheduled to leave at 12.05 PM today, the spokesman said.

"Varghese shot the video and wrote the message that he will hijack the plane using 'happy bomb' when he was about to board the flight," he said.

He also informed his friend, who had already boarded the flight, about the message, the spokesman said.

"Suspicious over his activities, Varghese was apprehended by the security staff at the airport," he said. Subsequently, Varghese was offloaded and his baggage was checked throughly.

Varghese was later handed over to the police and he is in police custody, he said.

An airport official said a Jet Airways worker overheard Varghese saying he had a 'happy bomb'. The ground staff then told the supervisory officers who in turn informed a personnel of the Central Industrial Security Force(CISF) and the domestic terminal manager, he said.

During preliminary questioning, Varghese told officials he was expressing his happiness to his friend in Mumbai on Facebook chat, the official said.

Varghese's friend was not allowed to travel in the aircraft, the official said, adding that he was also taken into custody for questioning.

A police officer, who did not want to be named, said that during questioning Varghese claimed that he had said, "Let us hijack the plane with 'happy vibes' but did not elaborate. He said the two men had come to Alappuzha to attend a wedding.

According to the police, Varghese was an "update maniac" who regularly shared pictures on Facebook.

Jet Airways spokesperson in a statement said the flight took off 2.05 PM "with a delay of two hours on account of a security-related matter".

"The airline has informed the authority concerned of the same for further necessary action and has offered full cooperation as required," the spokeperson said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Meghalaya governor Ganga Prasad was today urged to disqualify the 17 MLAs who were parliamentary secretaries before the high court quashed the Act that appointed them.

Madal Sumer, on whose petition the high court had quashed the Act last week, requested the governor to disqualify even the two MLAs who were now ministers but had been parliamentary secretaries earlier.

In a representation, Sumre appealed to the governor to exercise the power vested on him by Article 192 of the Constitution and "set things right by taking a decision on the issue of disqualification of the 17 MLAs".

Article 192 deals with disqualification of a member of a state legislature.

Quashing the Meghalaya Parliamentary Secretaries (Appointment, Salaries, Allowances and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2005, the high court had allowed the governor to take a decision on the disqualification of parliamentary secretaries as members of the Assembly.

"The decision of the governor in this regard, on the basis of the opinion of the Election Commission, is final," the judgement of November 9 read.

Although all of them had resigned en mass the same day as parliamentary secretaries, Sumer said the order does not allow them to continue as MLAs.

Of the 17 MLAs, Comingone Ymbon and Celestine Lyngdoh were inducted in the cabinet by Chief Minister Mukul Sangma earlier this year.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Hundreds of BJP workers today converged in front of the Secretariat here and staged a protest demanding immediate resignation of Transport Minister Thomas Chandy, who is facing allegations of land encroachment for a luxury lake resort owned by him in Alappuzha district.

The protesters began assembling in front of three gates of the secretariat since 6 AM and raised slogans against the minister.

The Secretariat houses offices of ministers and bureaucrats.

Only the cantonment gate was spared by the protesters to enable ministers and staff to enter the premises.

The protesters drawn from four districts of Kollam, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta and Thiruvananthapuram, also wanted action against the Congress leaders named in the judicial commission report on the Solar scam.

Inaugurating the protest, BJP state president, Kummanam Rajasekharan said there was no question of any compromise on the demand for Chandy's resignation.

"Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan should explain why he is protecting Chandy even though all legal advices connected with the issue are against the minister," he said.

Party general secretary, A N Radhakrishnan said the party would launch a series of agitations on the Chandy issue.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan should seek Chandy's resignation, he said.

Later, a BJP delegation led by Rajasekharan met Governor P Sathasivam and submitted a memorandum demanding his resignation.

They also appraised the governor of the recent incidents of political violence against BJP cadres in the state.

The saffron party leaders also raised objections to the government move to cut short the tenure of Travancore Devaswom Board members from three to two years through an ordinance, party sources said.

A crucial meeting of the LDF held here yesterday had decided to entrust Vijayan with taking an appropriate decision on the Chandy issue.

NCP nominee, Chandy, a businessman-turned-politician, was inducted into the state cabinet eight months ago following the resignation of A K Saseendran after a purported sleaze audio clip with a woman went viral.

Congress-led UDF and BJP demanded Chandy's resignation after Alappuzha district collector T V Anupama confirmed that a paddy field had been reclaimed for laying the road to his resort. Besides the backwaters were also allegedly encroached to construct a parking space for the resort, according to the collector's report.

The State Advocate General C P Sudhakara Prasad had recently told the state government that the collector's report had legal binding and cannot be ignored.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
State Congress chief Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today claimed that "Modi magic" did not work in Himachal Pradesh and his party would win in the recently- concluded Assembly polls.

He also said the BJP's target of getting over 50 seats in the 68-member Assembly "would remain a dream".

"Modi magic did not work in Himachal Pradesh and the BJP declaring P K Dhumal as its chief ministerial candidate had no impact. Hamirpur, the home district of Dhumal, recorded the lowest polling," Sukhu told reporters here.

He said Congress leaders and workers worked dedicatedly in the polls and those who acted against the party candidates, "howsoever tall they might be, would face action".

"In spite of acute shortage of resources, Congress' campaign was effective and the people rejected the money power of the BJP," the state Congress chief said.

He also said that Assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat should have been held simultaneously.

Polling for Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections was held on November 9 and counting of votes would take place on December 18.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Motilal Oswal Real Estate today said its second realty fund has exited investments in two projects in Bengaluru for an undisclosed amount.

With this, the company's second realty fund India Realty Excellence Fund II (IREF II) of Rs 500 crore has now completed six full exits out of the total 14 investments at an average return of 25.7 per cent, it said in a statement issued here.

IREF II achieved its final close in April 2015 at Rs 500 crore and has till date made 14 investments amounting to Rs 670 crore (including re-investments).

Within 2.5 years of its final close, the fund has divested 108 per cent of the fund size and returned 64 per cent of the money back to the investors, the company said.

The two recent exits have been from investments with Skylark Mansions and Mahaveer Developers in Bengaluru.

"The last three-four years have been tough for the realty sector with developers battling low sales velocity and low consumer confidence," company's director and head of real estate funds, Sharad Mittal, said.

"However, our strategy of partnering with dominant players in each micro-market and focusing on mid-income housing projects has played out well for us," he said.

India Realty Excellence Fund III (IREF III), the third real estate fund by the firm which achieved its final close in August this year at Rs 1,031 crore, is currently in investment phase and has committed more than 80 per cent of the capital.

Structural changes in the form of Real Estate Regulation Authority (RERA) and Goods and Services Tax (GST) have been introduced in the sector in the past year leading to an increased compliance on the part of developers, Mittal said.

"Consolidation is already being witnessed in the industry post these changes and the industry shall gradually progress towards broader institutional ownership and we believe that our kind of capital shall become much more suited to developers going forward," he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The BJP's Mukul Roy today said he would move court on Friday against the West Bengal government for allegedly tapping his phones.

The former Trinamool Congress MP, who left his old party to join the BJP earlier this month, said he would file the case in the Delhi High Court.

"I am not being able to speak to anyone on the phone. All my phones are being tapped. This is illegal and I will go to the court with my complaint and also make the central Home Ministry party to this," he told reporters here.

Roy said the TMC government was "suppressing and pressuring every constitutional body" and that was a reason why he had opted to become a voter from Delhi because it would allow him to voice his opposition to the West Bengal regime.

After being on the voters' list in Bengal for long, Roy has now applied for a voter card from Delhi.

"Since most of the time I am in Delhi, I felt I must change my voter I-card and become a voter from Delhi," Roy said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
When Aung San Suu Kyi led the fight for democracy against Myanmar's despotic military rulers two decades ago, she bristled at the collective reluctance of Southeast Asian governments to intervene in her nation's plight.

In a newspaper editorial published in 1999, the former opposition leader slammed the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, saying its "policy of non- interference is just an excuse for not helping."



"In this day and age," she wrote in an editorial in Thailand's The Nation newspaper on July 13 of that year, "you cannot avoid interference in the matters of other countries."



Today, Suu Kyi leads Myanmar. And when she attends the ASEAN summit in Manila on Monday, she's likely to be counting on the bloc to keep silent while her government engages in a crackdown on Rohingya Muslims using tactics the UN has described as ethnic cleansing to force them to leave the Buddhist-majority country.

It's unclear whether the crisis will be on ASEAN's official agenda, although Malaysia and Indonesia are likely to bring it up in talks on the meeting's sidelines. Bangladesh, where more than 600,000 Rohingya have arrived since late August, is not part of ASEAN.

But little is expected to be done.

"ASEAN summits are not designed to actually construct policy responses to major human rights issues that affect the whole region," said David Mathieson, a former human rights researcher who is now an independent analyst based in Myanmar.

"Right now, Suu Kyi's government is benefiting from ASEAN's culture of inaction."



The refugee crisis began Aug. 25 after Rohingya insurgents attacked several Myanmar police posts in northern Rakhine state. Security forces responded with brutal "clearance operations" that human rights groups say killed hundreds of people and left hundreds of Rohingya villages burned to the ground.

Survivors have described arson, rape and shootings by Myanmar soldiers and Buddhist mobs for the purpose of forcing Rohinya to leave.

Myanmar has long denied them citizenship and most people insist the Rohingya are illegal immigrants though they've lived in Myanmar for generations. Suu Kyi was awarded the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize for her "non- violent struggle for democracy and human rights," in the words of the Nobel committee, but has been reluctant to defend the Rohingya. In a September speech, Suu Kyi asked for patience from the international community and suggested the refugees were partly responsible for the crisis.

She also tried to play down the gravity of the exodus, saying more than half of the Rohingya villages in Myanmar had not been destroyed.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) Tura campus, has issued suspension orders against a professor for allegedly sending a series of lewd messages to at least four students, the institute said.

The professor has been placed under suspension. The orders in this regard have been issued on Thursday," Pro V-C G S Singhaih said.

Of the four students, one came forward and lodged a complaint with the authorities, he added.

The series of messages to the victim had caused her grievous mental agony leading to her submitting a complaint to the Pro V-C for action against the guilty professor. The matter was later escalated to the V-C of NEHU in Shillong who directed the Womens Cell for action.

The case against the professor, according to university officials, bolstered further after more female students of the university came forward to give their statements against him for sending similar messages late in the night.

The investigating team took statements of the victim and other complainants while also collecting relevant evidence into the case.

A report is expected soon.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Only 50,000 pilgrims will be allowed to visit the Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu to avoid any untoward incident, the National Green Tribunal directed today.

The green panel also said that a new path to the shrine exclusively for pedestrians and battery-operated cars will be opened from November 24.

The NGT directed that no horses or mules shall be allowed on the new route to the shrine and these anmimals shall be removed slowly from the old path as well.

It also directed the authorities to impose a fine (environment compensation) of Rs 2,000 on anyone found littering the roads as well as the bus stop at the nearby Katra town.

The NGT bench headed by chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar made it clear that if the number of pilgrims exceeds the prescribed 50,000 cap, they will be stopped at Ardhkuwari or Katra town, considering that the Vaishno Devi Bhawan structure cannot accomodate more than 50,000 persons.

The green panel's directions came during the hearing of a plea filed by an activist seeking directions to stop the use of horses and ponies in Vaishno Devi shrine premises in Jammu, prompting the green panel to seek response from the government on the issue.

The petitioner had expressed concern over the "pollution and danger to public health" caused by indiscriminate use of horses, ponies, mules and donkeys, to carry pilgrims and goods from Katra to the Vaishno Devi temple.

The directions came while NGT was hearing a plea filed by activist Gauri Maulekhi seeking to remove horses and mules from the path to the shrine, saying it was dangerous for the pedestrians, especially the senior citizens.

"The new path which was constructed for Rs 40 crore should be positevely opened to public by November 24. No further time will be granted and, in default, appropriate action will be taken against the concerned authorities.," it said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat today made a strong pitch for the Niti Ayaog structuring its schemes as per the states' circumstances and asked it to include a provision for building ropeways to boost connectivity in hill villages under the PMGSY.

Making his point at a meeting with Niti Ayog vice chairman Rajiv Kumar at his residence here, he said schemes should be conceived as per the unique circumstances of states.

Rawat expressed the state government's intentions to give a boost to tourism, organic farming and horticulture based- activities and added that building of ropeways should be brought under the scope of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) to strengthen connectivity in hill villages, an official release said.

It would help save the hills from the damaging effects of road building, he said.

Kumar said there should be a direct communication between the Aayog and the state government and his visit to the chief minister was meant to know the priorities of his government.

Niti Aayog would also takes steps if the state government needed any assistance from the central government in the implementation of a scheme, he said.

Secretary (Planning) Amit Negi gave a brief presentation on behalf of the state government which sought expert advisory services from the Aayog for the unification of departments, solid waste management, developing new tourist spots, creation of homestay facilities for visitors, industrial policy for the hills and construction of ropeways.

The state government also demanded a green bonus for Uttarakhand.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today expressed displeasure over the cancellation of a power ministers' conference, scheduled in Rajgir last week, saying the decision to call off the event at the eleventh hour was "impractical" and had led to "embarrassment".

The chief minister said, many of the delegates had already arrived by then in Rajgir and Patna and some of the delegates coming from Delhi were at the airport when they got the of the conference being called off.

"I think making the announcement of cancellation at the last moment was impractical. It caused embarrassment," Kumar told reporters on the sidelines of his weekly "Janta Durbar" programme here.

The chief minister was responding to queries about the two-day conference, which was to be held on November 10-11 but was cancelled on November 9 due to "unavoidable circumstances".

"As far as we were concerned, the Bihar government was just a facilitator for what was essentially a biennial event held by the Government of India. I too had just received an invitation to attend the inaugural function", he added.

Kumar rubbished allegations of crores of rupees having been splurged by the state government on prepartions for the event, levelled by RJD supremo Lalu Prasad last week, and asked Principal Secretary, Power, Pratyay Amrit to share the details of the money spent.

"Total expenditure on preparations for the event stood at Rs 1.90 crore. Much of this was borne, as is the norm, by public sector undertakings coming under the Centre. The state government's share in the expenditure did not exceed Rs 15 lakh", Amrit said.

Bulk of the expenditure by the state government related to providing boarding, lodging and conveyance facilities to power ministers, principal secretaries and secretaries of different states, who had been declared state guests, he added.

To a query about speculations that by cancelling the conference, the Narendra Modi government had deprived the Bihar government of an opportunity to host a grand event, state Power Minister Bijendra Yadav interjected saying, "we do not think the cancellation was caused by any ill-will.

"But, of course, had the conference gone ahead, we would have got the credit. That opportunity, of course, we did not get".

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Maharashtra Industries minister Subhash Desai today said there has been no progress in the investments from Taiwan-based IT major Foxconn.

"There has been no progress in investments from Foxconn in the state," Desai told reporters here.

When asked to cite the reasons behind the delay in investments, Desai said, "Unhealthy relations prevailing between India and China may be one of the reasons the company is delaying its plan."



The Taiwan-based tech giant had inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the state government in August 2015, offering an investment of about 5 billion dollars.

It had planned setting up multiple manufacturing facilities for products including iPhones and tablets, spread over a period of five years.

Regarding its Navi Mumbai plant, the minister said it was not a part of the MoU, but it may be possible that the company owned a private plot.

"They wanted a plot for the plant near the airport area, so we had suggested few plots near Talegaon, Khopoli and at Khalapur but so far no progress has been made in this regard," Desai said.

He said there are few other companies from electronic sector, which are ready to invest in Maharashtra.

"Presently, 44 new industries from electronics sector are investing here, with expectations of over Rs 30,400 crore investment, and to generate an approximate 1 lakh employment opportunities. However, it takes at least 3-5 years for any industry to settle down," Desai said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Norway would extend its full cooperation to India in improving maternal and newborn child healthcare as inequitable mortality across states in this area here remains a challenge, its envoy said.

Observing that India's success in achieving sustainable development goals (SDG) has a huge impact on global goal achievement, Norwegian Ambsassador to India Nils Ragnar Kamsvag said that his country's cooperation will continue to focus on global health issues of common interest.

"The main challenge in the field of maternal, newborn and child health is that mortality continues to be inequitable across states and districts.

"The data from the 2015-2016 national family health survey demonstrates this clearly," he told PTI.

He also commended the Indian government's decision to focus efforts on the 102 high priority districts that account for 86 per cent of total maternal and 70 per cent of total child deaths in the country.

Norway, he said, is a partner of the Indian government, and take the objectives, as outlined in the National Health Policy 2017 for achievement of sustainable development goals, as the common point of departure.

"More concretely, our future cooperation will focus on supporting the government in the implementation of the District Implementation Plan for Improving Maternal and Child Health Outcomes in India from September 2017," he said.

A letter of Intent was signed on the September 28 between the Indian MInistry of Health and Family Welfare and Norway's foreign affairs ministry through which both the nations affirmed to work together to improve reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health in India.

Also, Norway India partnership Initiative (NIPI) designs and tests innovations, that, if found successful, are taken over and scaled up by the Indian government.

It also provides strategic and catalytic support to the state and national health mission.

Kamsvag said he has visited Bihar, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Jammu and Kashmir, the five states where NIPI is working, in the last 12 months and these visits have given him a variety of insights and experiences.

"The main success factor of NIPI is the fact that we have provided innovative, catalytic and strategic techno-managerial support to the government, based on the latter's own priority areas.

"The future cooperation in health will continue to run on this key strength, whilst also extending our cooperation to other global health areas of common interest," he said.

The envoy said both the countries are already working together on health research projects, and are partners in the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI).

"I believe that there is scope for even stronger collaboration," he said.

The Norwaygian Ambassador said he has been overwhelmed by the sheer complexity of India, and the strides it is making towards improving its healthcare quotient.

"For a country 200 times more populated than Norway, and having distinctly different lifestyle cultures in each of its states, challenges are natural and inevitable," he said.

He however said that he was optimistic that the Indian leadership will continue to invest in better information management systems and effective cross sectoral working between various departments to enhance the existing usefulness of healthcare delivery provisions.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Odisha government today pitched for bigger participation from the Centre and hike in unit cost of Mid Day Meals being provided free of cost to about 46 lakh students across the state.

"There is a need for enhancing the unit cost of Mid Day Meal and cookcum-helpers' honorarium," School and Mass Education Minister Sri Badri Narayan Patra said while inaugurating a national workshop here attended by directors and delegates of 18 states.

Patra said the cost of Mid Day Meal is shared between the Centre and the state on a 60:40 ratio. At present, the cost of a meal given to the school children is just Rs 4.58 which, according to him, is grossly inadequate in terms of nutritional quality.

Patra said the Centre's share in the ratio should go beyond 60.

He said the cost should be enhanced in order to provide nutritional food to the children in 53,000 government-run schools.

The minister also said the Mid Day Meal facility should be extended to other privately run schools like Saraswati Sishu Mandir and Vivekananda School where many children from impoverished families also study.

While seeking enhanced honorarium for the cook-cum helpers who prepare the meals, the minister said the poor children studying in classes 9 and 10 in government schools should also get the facility.

Presnetly, the children in classes 1 to 8 get the meals while others in class 9 and 10 are deprived of it.

Director (Mid-Day Meal), Government of India, HRD Ministry, Vijaya Bhaskar Guralla with six associates also participated in the workshop.

The delegates from Andaman and Nicobar, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Telengana, Tripura, Sikkim, Lakshadweep, Odisha, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, working in the field of nutrition and mid-day meal implementation, also attended the workshop.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
After long years of punishingly low oil prices, there is "increasing evidence" that the oil market is moving closer to reaching a healthy balance between supply and demand, OPEC said today.

"Both futures contracts continue to be supported by increasing evidence that the oil market is heading smoothly toward rebalancing, lower crude oil stocks, healthy demand and geopolitical tensions," the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries said in its regular monthly oil market report.

Oil prices have risen in recent months, after both OPEC and non-OPEC countries struck a landmark deal at the end of last year to cut back production to combat a global oil glut.

After hitting a 10-year low of less than USD 30 in January, down from a peak of more than USD 100 in mid-2014, oil prices have recently been hovering around the USD 55 mark.

In Abu Dhabi today, the UAE energy minister Suheil al- Mazrouei said that oil producers were expected to unanimously extend a production cut accord later this month, but its duration was still under discussion.

"I think this group of committed and responsible producers came together... and I think they will continue to do what it takes to take us to the next level," he told the ADIPEC international oil conference.

In its report, OPEC upgraded its forecast for global oil demand growth for 2017 and 2018, while saying oil output growth was projected to slow.

The cartel said that it is forecasting an increase in world oil demand of 1.53 million barrels per day (bpd) to an average 96.94 million bpd this year.

Previously, OPEC had been projecting an increase in global oil demand in 2017 of 1.45 million bpd.

The upward revision was primarily to "reflect better- than-expected data from China" in the third quarter, OPEC said.

For 2018, "global oil demand growth is expected at around 1.51 million bpd," an upward revision of 130,000 bpd from the previous forecast.

This reflected "improved expectations" for countries in Europe, Asia Pacific, China, India and Africa, the report said.

At the same time, OPEC downgraded its forecasts for growth in world oil supply.

This year, non-OPEC countries were projected to pump 650,000 additional barrels per day bringing daily average output to 57.67 million bpd.

But that was 20,000 barrels per day less than OPEC had been pencilling in previously.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Over a thousand people have approached the government hospital in Aurangabad in Maharashtra since November 11 complaining of abdominal pains.

Amid reports of an outbreak of gastroenteritis, the district collector today said not all people are affected by gstro.

"Over 1,000 patients have approached the government hospital in Aurangabad city since Saturday. The common complaint is of stomach ache and it is caused due to water contamination in Cantonment area in Aurangabad city," District Collector Navalkishor Ram told PTI today.

He said not all patients are suffering from gastro.

"The repair works of a pipeline is going on in Cantonment area of the city. There was some contamination in drinking water in the region, which led to people complaining of stomach ache," Ram said.

He said a team of doctors has been sent to assist the existing medical staff at the hospital.

"Doctors have examined the patients and provided medicine. None of them is serious. Most of them have been discharged from time to time," the collector added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
More than eight lakh foreign tourists visited India in October 2017, 18 per cent higher than the same period last year, the tourism ministry said in a statement today.

The number of foreign tourist arrivals (FTA) in India last month was 8.76 lakh as compared to FTAs of 7.42 lakh in October 2016 and 6.83 lakh in October 2015.

"The growth rate in FTAs in October 2017 over October 2016 has increased to 18.1 per cent, compared to 8.6 per cent in October 2016 over October 2015," the ministry statement said.

Most tourists came from Bangladesh (21.66 per cent) followed by the US (11.57 per cent), the UK (10.23 per cent), Sri Lanka (3.79 per cent), Canada (3.36 per cent), Germany (3.17 per cent), Australia (3.07 per cent), France (2.81 per cent) and Russian Federation (2.81 per cent) among others.

With almost 33 per cent share of FTAs, Delhi airport remained the busiest followed by Mumbai (14.02 per cent), Haridaspur Land Check Post (between Bangladesh and India, (11.29 per cent) and Chennai airport (6.10 per cent).

The ministry compiles monthly estimates of FTAs, including those with e-tourist visas, on the basis of their nationality and port. The estimates are based on data received from the Bureau of Immigration (BOI).

October 2017 also saw a substantial rise in the number of tourists arriving on e-visas.

During October 2017, 1.76 lakh foreign tourists arrived on e-tourist visas as compared to 1.05 lakh during October 2016, registering a growth of 67.3 per cent, the statement said.

During January-October 2017, 12.43 lakh foreign tourists arrived on e-tourist visas against 7.81 lakh during January- October 2016, registering a growth of 59.2 per cent.

Most tourists with e-visas used the Delhi airport (53 per cent) as their port of arrival, followed by Mumbai airport. Tourists from UK (18.2 per cent) availed the e-visa facility the most.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Over 400 cases of measles have been reported among the newly-arrived Rohingya refugees in southern Bangladesh, prompting the government and the UN partners to step up their immunisation effort, the WHO has said.

As on November 4, one death and 412 suspected cases of measles have been reported among the refugees living in the overcrowded camps and makeshift shelters in Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said in a statement.

Of the total cases, 352 are from Ukhia, 46 from Teknaf sub-districts and 11 have been reported from the district hospital.

Majority of the cases 398 are among the new arrivals and 14 among the host communities, the statement said, adding that as many as 82 per cent of the cases are among children under five years of age.

"Children are especially at risk from outbreaks of measles and other communicable diseases that result from the crowded living conditions, malnutrition and severe lack of water and sanitation in the camps and other sites," said Edouard Beigbeder, UNICEF Bangladesh Representative.

"To halt any wider outbreak, it's essential that coordinated efforts begin immediately to protect as many children as possible," Beigbeder said.

"These efforts are aimed at protecting and preventing the spread of measles among the vulnerable population," said N Paranietharan, WHO Representative to Bangladesh.

More than 600,000 Rohingyas have fled to Bangladesh from Myanmar after the outbreak of violence in the country's Rakhine State.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
More than 65.37 lakh tonnes of paddy has arrived in Haryana so far as compared to over 59.32 lakh tonnes (LT) of paddy in the year-ago period, the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department said.

Of the total arrival, government agencies procured over 57.88 LT of paddy whereas the remaining quantity of over 7.49 LT was procured by the millers.

A spokesman said that more than 26.81 LT of paddy has been purchased by the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department.

Over 19.07 LT purchased by Hafed, over 6.33 LT by the Haryana Warehousing Corporation, over 5.49 LT by the Haryana Agro-industries Corporation and 18,073 tonnes have been bought by the Food Corporation of India.

More than 14.44 LT paddy arrived in mandis of Karnal, 11.86 LT in Kurukshetra, 8.27 LT in Kaithal and over 7.81 LT in Ambala.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Rajasthan government must conduct an "impartial" inquiry into the killing of a man allegedly by cow vigilantes in Alwar district of the state, AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi said here today.

"What is required by the BJP-led Rajasthan government is that an impartial inquiry should be done immediately; and if these 'Gaurakshaks' are involved, it is high time the government take stern action against them," he told reporters.

Owaisi said prime minister's statements on incidents involving cow vigilantes were not having the desired impact.

"...I have been stating from day one that whatever the prime minister says, it is not having the desired impact...," he said.

Talking about Rajasthan minister Gulab Chand Kataria's comments that the state government did not have enough manpower everywhere to control every situation well in time, Owaisi said it was the government's responsibility to stop such incidents.

"It is their constitutional duty to stop every incident...Unless and until the BJP leaves its ideology wherein a cow is placed above human life, these incidents will continue to happen," the Lok Sabha member from Hyderabad said.

Police have detained a person in connection with the killing of 35-year-old Umar Khan by alleged cow vigilantes in Rajasthan's Alwar district.

Reacting to the incident, home minister Gulab Chand Kataria today said the state did not have enough manpower everywhere to "control" every situation well in time.

Asked about the effort of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's efforts vis-a-vis Ayodhya issue, Owaisi said All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) General Secretary, Maulana Wali Rehmani, had stated in a letter that it did not make an offer on the issue.

"...Muslim Personal Law Board has clearly stated that it will not accept him, whatever his offer is there. The letter is there on record which the general secretary has sent to each and every member of the personal law board. So he should not indulge in such kite-flying," he said.

Owaisi also claimed that the demonetisation move did not have the desired effect on checking terror incidents in Jammu and Kashmir.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The city mayor has mooted an idea of having a 'sister city relationship' between Panaji and Lisbon, in a bid to ease the process of issuing visas, specially for students who want to study in Portugal.

Surendra Furtado, the mayor of the Corporation of City of Panaji (CCP), hosted Consul General of Portugal, Francisco Durate Azavedo, at his office here this morning where he put forth the proposal.

"I have been discussing with most of the Portuguese counsel generals that we should have sister city relations between Panaji and Lisbon," Furtado told reporters after meeting the Consul General.

"A lot of our students want to go abroad for studies. They are facing difficulties in getting visas and admission in those universities. If the CCP could be of any help or assistance, let our young boys and girls get the facility," he said.

A sister city relationship is a long-term, cooperative relationship between two cities in different countries through which cultural, educational, business and technical exchanges take place.

Goa was a Portuguese colony for around 450 years before it was liberated in 1961.

Furtado said both the countries should look forward to a brighter future and cooperate with each other.

"We have to forget the past and move on. The world is changing. We must forget about the past and start something new if we have to improve quality of life," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
As the South China Sea dispute dominated deliberations on the first day of the ASEAN summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today called for maintaining peace in the region and said India never harmed anyone and always believed in "giving".

Addressing a gathering of Indian community here, Modi said India had never taken anything from anyone in its history and rather sacrificed a lot, seen as a veiled message to China which has been ramping up its assertiveness in the resource-rich South China Sea.

In a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit, Modi told US President Donald Trump that both nations can rise beyond bilateral ties and work jointly for the future of Asia, signalling a convergence of strategic interest.

"If you go to our history, you will see we have never taken anything from anyone. We sacrificed 1.5 lakh soldiers in the first and second World Wars but never believed in snatching," he said on a day the leaders of 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations began a two-day long summit talks which primarily focused China's expansionist military posturing in the South China Sea.

Diplomats attending ASEAN meetings said the thorny South China Sea issue, North Koreas nuclear missile tests and overall security architecture in the region were focus areas of the summit.

In his inaugural speech, Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte talked about various challenges facing the region and identified terrorism and violent extremism as threats that "know no boundaries".

About Modi's meeting with Trump, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar said the two leaders held "very expansive" talks and carried out a "broad review" of the strategic landscape in Asia.

Their talks came a day after officials of India, the US, Japan and Australia held their first meeting to give shape to the much talked about quadrilateral alliance to keep the Indo-Pacific region "free and open".

It is learnt that the broader security architecture in the Indo-Pacific region in the backdrop of Chinas rising military presence in South China Sea figured in their talks.

In the 45-minute-long meeting, Modi also told Trump that India will try to "live up to the expectations" of the US and the world.

"The cooperation between India and US can rise beyond bilateral cooperation and both countries can work for the future of Asia and the world...We are moving ahead together on many issues," Modi told Trump in his opening remarks.

The US has been pitching for greater Indo-US cooperation in the strategically key Indo-Pacific region where China has been ramping up its military presence.

"Wherever President Trump has gone and wherever he got an opportunity to talk about India, he spoke very highly about India. He expressed optimism about India and I am assuring that the expectation the world has, the expectation the US has, India has been trying to live up to that expectation and will continue to do it," said Modi.

After their talks at the Sofitel hotel where Trump is staying, Modi tweeted "Held productive talks with @POTUS on further strengthening India-USA relations. @realDonaldTrump".

Trump had on Friday praised India's "astounding" growth after it opened up its economy and also lauded Modi, saying he has been working successfully to bring the vast country and its people together.

Speaking at a gathering of CEOs on the sidelines of the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in the Vietnamese city of Danang last week, Trump cited India as one of the countries in the Indo-Pacific region making strides.

The use of the term "Indo-Pacific" by President Trump has led to speculation that it may have something to do with Washington preparing the ground for a revival of the so called Quadrilateral strategic alliance between US, Japan, Australia and India to counter China's rise.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Bangladesh police today rescued two pairs of lion and tiger cubs from the country's western Jessore district, as they were allegedly being smuggled to India, officials said.

The poachers were carrying the cubs to West Bengal in two cartons in a jeep, Anisur Rahman, district police chief said.

Two people were arrested in this connection and the initial police investigations revealed that the wild animals were brought from Dhaka and the jeep was supposed to reach a house in a bordering village for the planned smuggling.

Police said they were investigating whether the tiger cubs were poached from the Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest, which has a significant population of the endangered Bengal tigers.

The cubs were handed over to the forest department.

Forest officials said they had planned to release them at Bangabandhu Safari Park on the outskirts of the capital.

Bangladesh brought in new laws in 2010 to protect wildlife, but poaching remains rampant.

A 2015 census found the number of Bengal tigers in the 10,000 sq-km Sunderbans to be just over 100 while the figure was estimated at 440 a decade ago.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake near the Iraq-Iran border killed over 350 people across both countries, sent residents fleeing their homes into the night and was felt as far away as the Mediterranean coast, authorities said today.

Iran's western Kermanshah province bore the brunt of the temblor Sunday night, with authorities saying the quake killed 348 people in the country and injured 6,603. Kermanshah is a rural, mountainous region where residents rely mainly on farming.

In Iraq, the earthquake killed at least seven people and injured 535, all in the country's northern Kurdish region, according to Iraq's Interior Ministry.

The quake was centered 31 kilometers outside the eastern Iraqi city of Halabja, according to the most recent measurements from the U.S. Geological Survey. It struck at 9:48 p.m. Iran time, just as people began retiring for the night.

The earthquake struck 23.2 kilometers below the surface, a shallow depth that can amplify damage. Magnitude 7 earthquakes can be highly destructive.

Iranian social media and agencies showed images and videos of people fleeing their homes. More than 100 aftershocks followed.

The quake's worst damage appeared to be in the town of Sarpol-e-Zahab in Kermanshah province, which sits in the Zagros Mountains that divide Iran and Iraq.

Kokab Fard, a 49-year-old housewife in Sarpol-e-Zahab, said she fled empty-handed when her apartment complex collapsed. "Immediately after I managed to get out, the building collapsed," Fard said. "I have no access to my belongings."



Reza Mohammadi, 51, said he and his family ran out into the alley after the first shock. "I tried to get back to pick up some stuff but it totally collapsed in the second wave," Mohammadi said.

Sarpol-e-Zahab residents said the power and water were out and telephone and cellphone lines were spotty.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei offered his condolences on Monday morning and urged rescuers and government agencies to do all they could to help those affected, state media reported. President Hassan Rouhani is scheduled to tour earthquake-damaged areas Tuesday.

The semi-official ILNA agency said at least 14 provinces in Iran had been affected by the earthquake. Behnam Saeedi, a spokesman for the country's crisis management headquarters, told state TV that casualty figures stood at 348 killed and 6,603 injured.

In Iraq, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi issued a directive for the country's civil defense teams and "related institutions" to respond to the natural disaster. Brig. Gen. Saad Maan, an Interior Ministry spokesman, gave the casualty figures for Iraq.

The quake could be felt across Iraq, shaking buildings and homes from Irbil to Baghdad, where people fled into the streets of the capital.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake near the Iraq-Iran border killed over 400 people across both countries, sent residents fleeing their homes into the night and was felt as far away as the Mediterranean coast, authorities said on Monday.

Iran's western Kermanshah province bore the brunt of the temblor Sunday night, with authorities saying the quake killed 407 people in the country and injured 6,700. Kermanshah is a rural, mountainous region where residents rely mainly on farming.

In Iraq, the earthquake killed at least seven people and injured 535, all in the country's northern Kurdish region, according to Iraq's Interior Ministry.

The quake was centred 31 kilometres outside the eastern Iraqi city of Halabja, according to the most recent measurements from the US Geological Survey. It struck at 9:48 pm Iran time, just as people began retiring for the night. It could be felt on the Mediterranean coast, some 1,000 kilometres away.

The earthquake struck 23.2 kilometres below the surface, a shallow depth that can amplify damage. Magnitude 7 earthquakes can be highly destructive.

Iranian social media and news agencies showed images and videos of people fleeing their homes. More than 100 aftershocks followed.

The quake's worst damage appeared to be in the town of Sarpol-e-Zahab in Kermanshah province, which sits in the Zagros Mountains that divide Iran and Iraq.

Kokab Fard, a 49-year-old housewife in Sarpol-e-Zahab, said she fled empty-handed when her apartment complex collapsed. "Immediately after I managed to get out, the building collapsed," Fard said. "I have no access to my belongings."



Reza Mohammadi, 51, said he and his family ran out into the alley after the first shock. "I tried to get back to pick up some stuff but it totally collapsed in the second wave," Mohammadi said.

Sarpol-e-Zahab residents said the power and water were out and telephone and cellphone lines were spotty.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei offered his condolences on Monday morning and urged rescuers and government agencies to do all they could to help those affected, state media reported. President Hassan Rouhani is scheduled to tour earthquake-damaged areas tomorrow.

The semi-official ILNA news agency said at least 14 provinces in Iran had been affected by the earthquake. Behnam Saeedi, a spokesman for the country's crisis management headquarters, told two semi-official news agencies that casualty figures stood at 407 killed and 6,700 injured.

In Iraq, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi issued a directive for the country's civil defence teams and "related institutions" to respond to the natural disaster. Brig. Gen. Saad Maan, an Interior Ministry spokesman, gave the casualty figures for Iraq.

The quake could be felt across Iraq, shaking buildings and homes from Irbil to Baghdad, where people fled into the streets of the capital.
Former Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa's chief of staff Gamini Senarath was today remanded till Wednesday by a court here after he surrendered before it following corruption allegations.

Gamini Senarath was remanded till November 15 by the Colombo Fort magistrate's court.

Senarath and two others had surrendered to the court to face accusations of misappropriation of public funds in the contract to build the Hyatt Regency Hotel here.

In September, Rajapaksa's top civil servant Lalith Weeratunga was sentenced to three years in jail for misappropriation of public funds.

Since Rajapaksa's defeat in 2015 elections, members of his family and top aides have faced graft charges. Some of them have been arrested and released on bail pending court proceedings.

Rajapaksa's supporters deny wrongdoings and describe all charges as politically motivated.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A member of the former royal family and Independent MLA, Randhir Singh Bhindar, today threatened a massive protest at the Udaipur secretariat collectorate, if the film 'Padmavati' was not banned.

Joining the 'ban Padmavati' bandwagon, he claimed, in a memorandum to the prime minister, that the representatives of Bhansali Productions had said the film would be shot after reading the script to the descendants of Rana Ratan Singh, but to no avail.

The legislator from Vallabhnagar, said it was not a simple law and order issue but a matter related to the community's pride.

"If someone is making a film on our ancestors and presenting objectionable scenes, then we will strongly oppose it," he said in Udaipur.

He said they were law abiding citizens and supported Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria's call for maintaining law and order, but could not "tolerate someone who tried to play with our pride".

Bhindar warned of a massive protest on November 24 at the Udaipur collectorate, if the film was not banned.

Meanwhile, in Sikar, 114 km from Jaipur, Shri Rajput Karni Sena, a fringe outfit, along with leaders of other communities, carried out a rally to the district collectorate, raising slogans against the movie and demanding a ban.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
An extremely rare limited edition of the White House guidebook that former US President John F Kennedy gifted on his last Christmas to his father was sold for USD 34,912 at an auction in the US.

The red Moroccan leather bound hardcover book is inscribed by the then First Family to their patriarch - Joseph P Kennedy Sr - for Christmas 1962.

Boldly signed and inscribed on the colophon in fountain pen by the president, it reads "To Dad - With love, Jack, Christmas 1962," and the first lady, "For Grandpa - with adoration, Jackie," as well as in blue ballpoint by their five-year-old daughter, "Caroline."



"This is an absolutely stunning example of this extremely rare book, as it is embossed in gilt on the cover, "J.P.K" and inscribed to the Kennedy family patriarch, Joseph P Kennedy, Sr, intended as a gift to him for Christmas 1962 - which would be President Kennedys last," according to RR auctions in the US.

The book is accompanied by a detailed letter of provenance on a White House letterhead signed by Evelyn Lincoln, who served as JFKs only personal secretary for 12 years.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today took a swipe at his arch rival, Lalu Prasad, terming the latter's Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) as a "private political party" and a "family political asset" which he said would be "back to the pavillion" in the next state Assembly polls.

"It (RJD) is not an ordinary political outfit. It is a private political party," he said in response to a query on Prasad filing nomination for the post of RJD president for the 10th consecutive time. He is the sole candidate to have filed papers for election to the post.

"Although it is an internal matter of that party, I wonder whether there is a provision in the RJD constitution for electing a new president every year. After all, the party had elected its national president only last year. But, what to say of a party which has become a family political asset," the JD(U) chief said sarcastically.

"Perhaps, this entire exercise of electing a new party president is simply a trick to remain in the . I have known him (Prasad) since our student days. He knows well how to hog the limelight," Kumar, who had quit the Grand Alliance comprising the RJD and the Congress in July, said.

On the vitriolic attacks by RJD leaders against him and his party in the recent past, the JD(U) national president said, "Hurling abuses is in their culture. But that has never been my nature. I have, therefore, asked my spokesmen not to respond to personal attacks against me."



"They are excited over the fact that they had won so many seats in the last (Bihar) Assembly polls. Let the next polls (in 2020) come. It will be back to the pavillion for them," Kumar said.

The RJD had won 80 seats in the 2015 Bihar Assembly polls to emerge as the single largest party in the state.

In the wake of the disintegration of the Grand Alliance, Kumar, while returning the barbs of the RJD, had on several occasions reminded the latter of its stock going down to only 22 MLAs in the 243-member Bihar Assembly after the 2010 state polls, which the JD(U)-BJP combination had won convincingly.

About the repeated attacks from Prasad's younger son Tejaswhi Yadav, who was his deputy in the erstwhile Grand Alliance government in the state, the chief minister said, "He is just a kid. But, maybe he has inherited certain traits of his father.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
With South Africa tightening rules for governing religious bodies, the country's Hindu organisations have started workshops to ensure compliance with the new laws.

South Africa's statutory Commission for Cultural, Religious and Language Rights has in recent months pointed out how many religious bodies in the country were run by individuals or groups who were not conversant with laws regulating its finances and human rights obligations to its members.

In many instances, there are no proper records of donations received or membership contributions, with one prominent church leader even being arrested for fraudulent financial activities and engaging in other criminal actions.

South African Hindu Maha Sabha (SAHMS) President Ashwin Trikamjee said the step was taken after requests poured in from religious bodies from across the country for compliance and governance workshops.

"The majority of organisations seem to have problems with compliance of the laws," he said.

"Now with the stringent Financial Intelligence Centre requirements, where banks will not open accounts without proper constitutions for religious bodies, who must have proper financial controls in place as well, this has placed huge responsibilities on the community-run organisations," Trikamjee said.

He said besides the financial and legal requirements, they also explain the moral and ethical obligations of those running Hindu religious organisations.

"The moral values and ethical principles are prescribed in the teachings of all religions, not just Hinduism, and we impress on those attending the workshops that these also need to be adhered to, alongside the legal obligations and requirements," Trikamjee added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Supreme Court today sent Delhi-based businessman to two-day custody of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a Rs 5,000 crore money laundering case.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud allowed the ED to quiz Gagan Dhawan till November 15 after the agency said the investigation was not complete.

Advocate Nitesh Rana, appearing for ED, told the court that the agency had recently received certain documents from banks and the accused was required to be confronted with them.

A Delhi court had on November 9 sent Dhawan to the 14-day judicial custody while rejecting the ED's plea seeking his custody for five more days to interrogate him.

A petition was filed before Delhi High Court against the trial court order which had on November 10 dismissed the ED's plea seeking further custody.

The accused, however, had opposed the application saying that the ED had already got enough time to interrogate him.

The agency had alleged that Dhawan had facilitated the directors of a private firm, Sterling Biotech Ltd (SBL), for purchase of several properties and helped in misusing and diverting the credit facilities of several bank loans totalling Rs 5,000 crore.

"Rs 1.5 crore was received by the accused (Dhawan) from SBL group. Prior to that, the amount of bank loans was rotated in various group companies of SBL group," he had said.

ED had informed the court that the proceedings to issue non-bailable warrants against two other co-accused persons, SBL directors Nitin and Chetan Sandesara, was in the process.

It had also told the court that Chetan was likely to have left the country.

Dhawan was arrested in an alleged bank fraud case involving the Gujarat-based pharma firm SBL under sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The CBI had recently booked Sterling Biotech, its Directors Chetan Jayantilal Sandesara, Dipti Chetan Sandesara, Rajbhushan Omprakash Dixit, Nitin Jayantilal Sandesara and Vilas Joshi, Chartered Accountant Hemant Hathi, former Director Andhra Bank Anup Garg and other unidentified persons in connection with the alleged bank fraud case.

The CBI has alleged that the company had taken loans of over Rs 5,000 crore from a consortium led by Andhra Bank which have turned into non-performing assets.

The FIR has alleged that the total pending dues of the group companies were Rs 5,383 crore as on December 31, 2016. The ED had taken a cognisance of this FIR to file a money laundering case against them.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Church of England today issued updated anti-bullying guidance which calls upon schools in the UK to allow its pupils to explore their gender identity freely.

Children should not be restricted by their gender when dressing up and boys should be allowed to experiment with heels and tiaras and girls with more male outfits such as a fireman's helmet if they want, says the 'Valuing All God's Children' report.

"Pupils need to be able to play with the many cloaks of identity (sometimes quite literally with the dressing-up box). Children should be at liberty to explore the possibilities of who they might be without judgement or derision," it reads.

"For example, a child may choose the tutu, princess' tiara and heels and/or the fireman's helmet, toolbelt and superhero cloak without expectation or comment," it notes.

The report, which covers nearly 4,700 schools under its remit, said that the aim of the guidance was to prevent pupils in Church of England schools and academies from having their self-worth diminished or their ability to achieve impeded by being bullied because of their "perceived or actual sexual orientation or gender identity".

The Church of England had first introduced such anti- homophobic guidance in 2014, which has now been updated to cover other forms of discrimination against bisexuals and transsexuals.

The head of the church, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, warns that homophobic, bi-phobic and transphobic bullying causes profound damage, leading to higher levels of mental health disorders, self-harm, depression and suicide.

"Central to Christian theology is the truth that every single one of us is made in the image of God," he says in his foreword to the guidance.

The document acknowledges that members of Anglican churches hold a wide range of views on sexuality and gender issues, and agrees that the topic is "sensitive".

But it adds: "Children should be afforded freedom from the expectation of permanence. They are in a 'trying on' stage of life, and not yet adult and so no labels need to be fixed.

This should inform the language teachers use when they comment, praise or give instructions.

"It may be best to avoid labels and assumptions which deem children's behaviour irregular, abnormal or problematic just because it does not conform to gender stereotypes or today's play preferences."



Charities and gay rights groups welcomed the document, saying it would go a long way in combating bullying on the school playground.

"Our research shows that nearly half of lesbian, gay, bi and trans pupils are bullied for being LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans) at school: a situation that desperately needs to change," said a spokesperson for LGBT rights group Stonewall.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The South Delhi Municipal Corporation has granted toll tax exemption to the trucks entering the national capital with food items such as vegetables and fruits, the civic body today said.

"South Delhi Mayor Kamaljeet Sehrawat has decided to grant exemption of toll tax for three days starting midnight today (November 13) up till midnight of November 15," the civic body said.

The exemption is for those trucks entering into the city from nearby states, carrying food articles, including vegetables and fruits.

"It is understood that such trucks and other commercial vehicles, not destined to Delhi, are waiting for entry in to Delhi. As per the information from the Delhi Police, more than 70,000 commercial vehicles have gathered at the border, awaiting entry into Delhi," the SDMC said in a statement.

Apart from these vehicles, there are other heavy and medium-sized trucks loaded with food articles.

"If toll tax is collected from all the vehicles, the borders will face unprecedented traffic jam, resulting in problems on arrival of food articles in Delhi.

"Keeping in view the apprehension of scarcity of food items in Delhi, it is essential to have free flow of trucks carrying food items into the capital," the statement said.

"As per the direction of the Lt Governor, the mayor has granted the exemption. In view of suffocating pollution, the entry of heavy and medium trucks to Delhi was prohibited, with an exception of trucks carrying food items," it said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Paris and Brussels attacks, a botched shooting on a high-speed train and a foiled plot in Belgium may have all been part of one big Islamic State group operation, Belgium's federal prosecutor said today.

Speaking on the second anniversary of the November 13 Paris attacks, chief prosecutor Frederic Van Leeuw confirmed for the first time what investigators have been saying privately about the possible links.

"We indeed realise that Verviers, Thalys, November 13 and the March 22 attacks may have been one big operation by Daesh," the Arabic acronym for the Islamic State, Van Leeuw told Belgian radio.

Verviers is a city in French-speaking Belgium where an armed police raid on January 15, 2015 -- shortly after an attack on the Charlie Hebdo magazine in Paris -- led to the dismantling of a cell suspected of plotting to attack the police.

The investigation found that the Verviers cell was directed from abroad by Abdelhamid Abaaoud, a Moroccan Belgian who fought for IS in Syria and played a key role in the November 13 Paris attacks before he was killed by a French police raid days later.

Abaaoud is also believed to have ordered the botched attack by Moroccan gunman Ayoub El Khazzani on the high-speed Thalys train from Amsterdam to Paris on August 21, 2015.

Three men linked to Abaaoud were charged in the last few weeks in France and Belgium in connection with the Thalys attack.

"We have to dig," Van Leeuw said, adding the investigations were getting harder as detectives no longer had access to some telephone data.

Investigators said the November 13 gun and bomb attacks in Paris showed that they were largely organised from Belgium by Abaaoud's network who were acting on orders from the IS high command in Syria and Iraq.

The attacks cost the lives of 130 people.

Investigators said other members believed to have been from the same Belgian-French cell carried out the March 22, 2016 suicide bombings in Belgium that killed 32 people.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Nearly 60 domestic and international flights are being affected daily for the last one week in Pakistan's Punjab province due to smog and heavy fog which affected the visibility level that touched zero, officials said today.

Social media users yesterday termed Lahore the dirtiest in the world.

The Punjab Environment Protection Department (EPD) has also confirmed the presence of alarmingly high level of smog- causing pollutants in the air in Lahore, the second-most populous city in Pakistan after Karachi.

"At least 60 international and domestic flights have been affected in Lahore and some other cities of Punjab since the last week. Despite rescheduling of the flights the dense smog or fog is hampering the flight operation of both Pakistan International Airlines and foreign airlines," PIA Lahore spokesman Athar Awan told PTI today.

He said the foreign airlines have rescheduled their operation in the morning but still the flights are delayed or cancelled because of smog in the morning as well.

Hundreds of cases of burning of eyes and throat irritation are being reported at hospitals in the city daily.

Smog is creating additional problems for children, the elderly and those suffering from pulmonary diseases.

According to the EPD's readings, the average particulate matter 2.5 in Lahore was 330 milligram per meter cubic as against the yearly average of 35.

The level of particulate matter -10 was 370 as against the tolerable 150. Similarly, the oxygen nitrogen (vehicular pollution) was 120 as against the desired 40.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya today alleged the previous governments of the SP and the BSP "looted" the people for 14 years and said the Yogi Adityanath dispensation was "working relentlessly" to put everything back on track.

"The governments of bua (Mayawati) and bhatija (Akhilesh Yadav) looted the people of the state for 14 years... Those governments were 'vivadwadi' (one which gets involved in disputes), our government is 'vikasvadi' (development- oriented)," he said in an address to BJP workers here.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath are working relentlessly to put everything back on track," he said.

Those who are part of the government machinery and are not working properly will be removed from their posts, Maurya said.

"We inherited empty coffers, hooliganism was at its peak, land mafia was ruling the roost... Our government has controlled the situation to a large extent in a short time," he claimed.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
SpiceJet today posted a 79 per cent rise in net profit at Rs 105.28 crore for the three months ended September, primarily on the back of higher passenger revenues as the airline stayed profitable for the eleventh straight quarter.

The no-frills airline recorded a higher total income of Rs 1,838.49 crore in the second quarter of the current fiscal.

The airline's net profit climbed to Rs 105.28 crore in the latest September quarter from Rs 58.91 crore in the year- ago period, according to a filing to the stock exchange.

This is also the carrier's highest ever second quarter profit.

It had a total income of Rs 1,415.83 crore in the same period a year ago.

"The company witnessed a 7 per cent increase in its passenger yields (Revenue per Available Seat Kilometre) while its average load factor across the network was 93.1 per cent," the filing said.

The airline has registered more than 90 per cent load factor for 30 successive months, it added.

"This has been yet another great quarter for us... Every quarter SpiceJet has a story which further underscores our extraordinary turnaround," SpiceJet CMD Ajay Singh said.

"Even with eleven successive profitable quarters, path- breaking initiatives, record aircraft orders and exploring new growth avenues through UDAN, I can say that we have just begun," he noted.

The government's ambitious regional connectivity scheme UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) seeks to connect unserved and under-served airports as well as make flying more affordable.

In the 2017 September quarter, the carrier launched its fourth daily flight under UDAN on the Jaisalmer-Jaipur route.

SpiceJet has also confirmed the latest order for up to 50 Bombardier Q400 planes.

"Upon delivery, the airline may become the first in the world to operate a 90-seat turboprop, after certification by regulatory authorities," the airline said.

SpiceJet said it has paid Rs 17.85 crore representing Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST) "under protest" on overseas repairs and replacement of various aircraft equipment, which in the opinion of management and legal advise obtained, is not subject to such levy.

About the litigation with erstwhile promoters Kalanithi Maran and KAL Airways, the filing said arbitration proceedings are going before a three-member arbitral panel.

The matter pertains to the airline, in earlier years, receiving Rs 579.09 crore from the two as advance money towards proposed allotment of certain securities to be adjusted at the time of issuance.

The erstwhile promoters have made various claims against the company and Singh "citing various purported breaches/ non-compliances with the terms of the share sale and purchase agreement dated January 29, 2015", the filing said.

"The company and the current promoter have disputed all such claims... The arbitration is currently in progress and the final outcome of the matter is currently not ascertainable," it added.

According to the company, management is of the view that any possible consequential effects, including penal consequences and any compounding thereof, would not have a material impact on the financial results.

"As at September 30, 2017,the company has total equity of (Rs 3,326.8 million), including accumulated losses of Rs 19,250.1 million. As of that date, the company's total liabilities... exceed its total assets by Rs 3,326.8 million," the filing said.

Shares of the company rose over 4 per cent to close at Rs 149.10 apiece on the BSE today.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
SpiceJet today reported a 79 per cent increase in net profit at Rs 105.28 crore for the three months ended September as higher passenger revenues and fall in expenses bolstered the bottom line.

Staying in the black for the 11th straight quarter, the no-frills airline recorded a higher total income of Rs 1,838.49 crore in the second quarter of the current fiscal.

The airline's net profit climbed to Rs 105.28 crore in the latest September quarter from Rs 58.91 crore in the year- ago period, according to a filing to the stock exchange.

This is also the carrier's highest ever second quarter profit.

It had a total income of Rs 1,415.83 crore in the same period a year ago.

"The company witnessed a 7 per cent increase in its passenger yields (Revenue per Available Seat Kilometre) while its average load factor across the network was 93.1 per cent," the filing said.

The airline has registered more than 90 per cent load factor for 30 successive months, it added.

"This has been yet another great quarter for us... Every quarter SpiceJet has a story which further underscores our extraordinary turnaround," SpiceJet CMD Ajay Singh said.

"Even with eleven successive profitable quarters, path- breaking initiatives, record aircraft orders and exploring new growth avenues through UDAN, I can say that we have just begun," he noted.

The government's ambitious regional connectivity scheme UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) seeks to connect unserved and under-served airports as well as make flying more affordable.

In the 2017 September quarter, the carrier launched its fourth daily flight under UDAN on the Jaisalmer-Jaipur route.

As part of its expansion plans, SpiceJet has also confirmed the latest order for up to 50 Bombardier Q400 planes.

"Upon delivery, the airline may become the first in the world to operate a 90-seat turboprop, after certification by regulatory authorities," the airline said.

Shares of the company went up more than 4 per cent to close at Rs 149.10 apiece on the BSE.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Mizoram government would not be able to implement the Centre's proposal of repatriating over 3,500 Bru families from Tripura in the first week of December for want of funds, a senior state home department official said today.

Additional Secretary for Home Lalbiakzama told PTI that the state government had sent a plan to the ministry of home affairs in September, seeking sanction and release of funds for the programme, and was waiting for an approval.

"The Ministry of Home Affairs has to sanction the state government's proposal and release funds to the tune of more than Rs 120 crore. Only then the state government will be able to go ahead with the repatriation process," Lalbiakzama said.

Even after the Centre approved the proposal, it would take the state government at least a month to procure rice from the Food Corporation of India (FCI) for distribution among these families, he said.

Thousands of Bru families had migrated to neighbouring Tripura owing to a communal tension triggered by the murder of a game watcher by suspected militants on October 21, 1997.

Though a number of them have returned to Mizoram over the years, a sizeable population continued to live in the relief camps of the neighbouring state.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Telangana government has proposed to inaugurate the first phase of Hyderabad metro rail project on November 28 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, state Municipal Administration Minister K T Rama Rao told the Legislative Assembly today.

The state government wants the Prime Minister to inaugurate the project when he visits the city for the the opening of Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) on November 28, he said in reply to a query by BJP MLAs.

The government is keen on the Prime Minister inaugurating the project as Hyderabad Metro is the biggest metro rail project in the world in Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode, he said.

Official communication on Prime Minister's participation is awaited, he said, hoping that it would come soon.

The state government has sanctioned Rs 3,000 crore to the Hyderabad Metro rail project of which Rs 2,240 crore has been spent so far.

The Centre is providing Viability Gap Funding of Rs 1,458 crore and has so far released an amount of Rs 958 crore, he said.

The project's concessionaire L&T has written to the state government on cost overruns, but the state government has not made any commitment on the matter, he said.

Noting that the agreement for the project was signed in July, 2012 for completion in five years, he said there has been no "unusual delay".

The metro could have been started in eight kms one year ago, but the state government wanted an "end to end solution" in the interest of project's success, he said, adding the metro is proposed to be started on 30-kms this month-end.

On the second phase of metro, he said the state government is examining the matter.

The Union Urban Development Ministry officials recently suggested a model of taking a loan for 60 per cent as externally aided project with the Centre and state bearing 20 per cent each, he said.

The government is taking steps for initiating the project in old city of Hyderabad also, he said.

Alleging that the minister did not reply satisfactorily on issues concerning the old city and additional financial burden and others, the BJP legislators walked out in protest.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Sri Lanka's main Tamil party the TNA appears to be headed for a split ahead of the local elections in the Northern Province, which is considered a stronghold of the ethnic community.

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) comprises the Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front, Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi, People's Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam and Tamil Eelam Liberation Organisation. It controls the provincial government in the Northern Province.

The moderate and the nationalist factions of the TNA held separate meetings over the weekend in Vanuviya and Jaffna to discuss their course of action, political sources said.

Veteran Tamil politician Suresh Premachandran said his Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front (EPRLF) has decided not to work with the TNA.

"It (TNA) is running a one man show, taking arbitrary decisions," he remarked.

Premachandran said it was wrong for the TNA to support the interim report of the constitutional assembly, which is expected to lead to the new Constitution.

The interim report is expected to lead to a new draft Constitution offering a solution acceptable to the minority Tamils.

He said the EPRLF would team up with the Tamil People's Council (TPC) to contest the local election, which is likely to be held by January end.

A meeting of the TNA in Vavuniya was meant to discuss apparent discontent among its constituent parties and on the need to resolve internal disagreement through dialogue.

"We did not discuss any differences. There aren't many differences. We discussed the stance to be taken on the government budget, we are yet to make a decision on whether to support the government in the budget," M A Sumanthiran, a leading TNA legislator from the moderate group, said.

The other faction of the TNA, which is led by the northern chief minister C V Wigneswaran, met in Jaffna.

Wigneswaran, the nationalist hardliner, does not see eye to eye with the moderate TNA faction headed by the main opposition leader R Sampanthan.

Wigneswaran has been promoting the TPC as an alternative to the TNA. At the Jaffna parley, he appealed for capable, qualified young Tamil men to come forward to contest the election.

"If they don't give a reasonable solution to ethnic issue it would lead to a more complained situation," Wigneswaran reportedly said.

Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mannar, Mullaitivu and Vavuniya are the five districts that constitute the Northern Province, which was the main theatre of the Sri Lankan civil war.

Sri Lanka has a population of 18.5 million of whom the majority are Sinhalese (74 per cent). Other ethnic groups are made up of Sri Lankan Tamils (12.6 per cent), Indian Tamils (5.5 per cent).

According to the government figures, around 20,000 people are missing due to various conflicts including the civil war with Lankan Tamils in the north and east which claimed at least 100,000 lives.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
After days of multi-city searches, Income Tax sleuths have detected undisclosed income of Rs 1,430 crore in respect of ten assessee groups which included those linked to jailed AIADMK leader V K Sasikala, her kin and their associates, a top official said on Monday.

Income Tax (I-T) department sleuths last Thursday carried out simultaneous multi-city raids on 187 premises including those linked to Sasikala and her nephew and deposed AIADMK general secretary T T V Dhinakaran and Tamil television channel Jaya TV over suspected tax evasion. The searches at some premises continued for days.

A top tax investigation official in Chennai said that more than Rs 7 crore in cash and jewellery worth over Rs 5 crore were seized during the searches.

As many as 15 bank lockers and diamond jewellery were kept under "prohibitory orders" under which access to them is denied, he added.

"A lot of incriminating documents were found and prima facie we have detected undisclosed income of Rs 1,430 crore," the official, who did not want to be named, told PTI. In Delhi, a senior I-T official said undisclosed income of around Rs 1,500 crore was detected during the multi-city searches that were carried out mostly in Tamil Nadu.

Stating that Rs 30 crore of undisclosed income was "detected already", the Chennai-based official said a "lot more materials" are being looked into.

To a question on the nature of undisclosed income, he said this relates to unexplained cash and unexplained cash introduced for acquiring several businesses. The issue of shell companies was a separate matter, he said, but did not elaborate.

The official said the undisclosed income was in respect of the ten assessee groups, which includes Jaya TV and Midas Distilleries that are reportedly linked to Sasikala.

About possible freezing of some bank accounts, primarily related to shell companies, he said that process is also being done.

The official said once it is ascertained that the proceeds are not accounted for then the bank accounts will be looked into.

Tax authorities, meanwhile, summoned Vivek Jayaraman, head of Jaya TV (Mavis Satcom Limited) for questioning following conclusion of searches in the premises of the channel.

A report from Udhagamandalam said Income Tax officials are continuing their searches for the fifth day in the Green Tea Estate in Nilgiris District.

A team, consisting of three members, are reportedly verifying the documents with regard to the Kodanadu Estate and also the 670 acre Green Teas estate in Curzon, said to be purchased by late chief minister Jayalalithaa and her aide V K Sasikala some five years ago.

Jayalalithaa used to stay and look after official duties twice a year in the Kodanadu Bungalow, documents of which were allegedly in the custody of Dhinakaran or some of his relatives after her death.
Three bikers, including two women, were killed and two toddlers injured when their bike collided with a milk tanker coming from the opposite direction in Bihar's Begusarai district today.

The incident occurred on NH 31 at Zero Mile police outpost near Bathauli village under the jurisdiction of Barauni police station, a police officer said.

The deceased were identified as Ram Uday Tanti (42), his wife Sunita Devi (35) and his sister-in-law Rupmani Devi (38), Zero Mile police outpost officer in-charge, Sunil Kumar Suman said.

All three died on the spot, he said.

The injured children have been admitted to sadar hospital where their condition is stated to be critical, the police officer said.

The deceased were residents of Mahmadpur village under the jurisdiction Nayagaon police station of district and they were going to a relative's house, he said.

Traffic movement on NH 31 had come to a standstill for two hours after locals blocked the road in protest against the incident, the officer said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
In the face of widespread "atrocities" against ethnic Rohingya people in Myanmar, the United States has been cautiously stepping up pressure on that country's army, while taking care to avoid endangering the civilian government of Aung San Suu Kyi.

As the US takes a more active role in the region -- several American delegations have passed through in recent weeks -- Secretary of State Rex Tillerson plans to travel to Myanmar on Wednesday to meet Suu Kyi, the nation's leader, as well as army chief General Min Aung Hlaing.

Myanmar is the country formerly known as Burma.

Tillerson is expected to adopt a firm tone with military leaders there, whom he has deemed "responsible" for the crisis facing the Rohingya, an embattled Muslim minority that has seen more than 600,000 of its members flee to neighboring Bangladesh in two and a half months.

In the name of putting down a supposed Rohingya rebellion, the army has since late August waged a sweeping military campaign in the western state of Rakhine, burning villages and sending thousands into what has become the largest exodus in today's world.

The United Nations has denounced the campaign, including allegations of killings and mass rape, as "ethnic cleansing."



Recently returned from Myanmar and the overflowing refugee camps in Bangladesh, Simon Henshaw, the State Department official responsible for refugee and migration issues, said the scene in the camps was "shocking."



"The scale of the refugee crisis is immense," he said, adding: "The conditions are tough. People are suffering."



"Many refugees told us, through tears, accounts of seeing their villages burned, their relatives killed in front of them," Henshaw said.

"The world can't just stand by and be witness to the atrocities that are being reported in that area," Tillerson said last month.

But it is unclear what steps the United States might take. Up to now, the State Department has merely strengthened a few punitive measures aimed at Myanmar's army.

The initial condemnations were "important," Sarah Margon of the organization Human Rights Watch told AFP, "but they stopped and there has been very little concrete action since then."



She called for targeted economic sanctions meant to bring an end to "some of the most brutal and horrific atrocities that have been seen in years."



In the absence of more determined action from the White House or State Department, several members of the US Congress are calling for sanctions to limit military cooperation with Myanmar and ban its army members from US soil. A draft bill would also ban the importation of rubies or jade from the country.

"The bill is an important, although belated, first step in pushing the Myanmar military to end the violence in Rakhine state," said Joshua Kurlantzick of the New York-based Council on Foreign Relations. Now, he said, other parts of the government "should take action as well."



The State Department has not ruled out supporting further sanctions.

But the United States has been careful not to place blame on Aung San Suu Kyi, drawing a line between the military and the civilian government led by the Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A top Lebanese Christian religious figure is to head to Saudi Arabia where he is expected to meet with Lebanon's prime minister who resigned earlier this month in a surprise televised address from the kingdom.

Cardinal Bechara el-Rai had planned his visit before Saad Hariri announced his resignation in Riyadh on November 4, throwing Lebanon into crisis.

El-Ra heads the Maronite sect, Lebanon's largest Christian community and the Middle East's largest Catholic church.

He is to depart from Beirut today.

Hariri said yesterday he will return to Lebanon "within days" to resolve issues with the militant group Hezbollah, his rivals in the coalition government.

The comments came in Hariri's first TV interview since announcing his resignation. He denied he was being held against his will in the kingdom.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has sanctioned a bloody drug war that features extra-judicial killing. He called Barack Obama a "son of a whore." This week, he boasted that he murdered a man with his own hands.

All that went unmentioned in public by President Donald Trump when the leaders held talks today in the Philippines.

Reporters saw the beginning of the leaders' bilateral meeting during which Trump praised Duterte's hospitality, the organisation of the summit he was hosting and even Manila's weather.

Trump said nothing about human rights and both leaders ignored shouted questions about the violent drug crackdown. The two men also shared a laugh in the meeting when Duterte called reporters "spies."



Later, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said that the 40-minute meeting focused on ISIS, illegal drugs, and trade.

Human rights, she added, briefly came up in the context of the Philippines' fight against illegal drugs. She did not say if Trump was critical of the violence.

That appeared to conflict with the Philippines' version of the meeting. Harry Roque, a spokesman for Duterte, said "there was no mention of human rights.

There was no mention of extralegal killings. There was only a rather lengthy discussion of the Philippine war on drugs with President Duterte doing most of the explaining."



Breaking with his presidential predecessors, Trump has largely abandoned publicly pressing foreign leaders on human rights, instead showing a willingness to embrace international strongmen for strategic gain.

He has cozied up to autocrats such as Saudi Arabia's King Salman, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi and Russian President Vladimir Putin. And earlier in this trip to Asia he made no mention of human rights during multiple appearances in Beijing with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

"Trump seems very comfortable with strongmen. It's not just that he won't criticise Duterte. I wouldn't be surprised if he patted him on the back," said Mike Chinoy, senior fellow at US-China Institute at the University of Southern California, before the meeting.

Duterte's war on drugs has alarmed human rights advocates around the world who say it has allowed police officers and vigilantes to ignore due process and to take justice into their own hands.

Government officials estimate that well over 3,000 people, mostly drug users and dealers, have died in the ongoing crackdown. Human rights groups believe the victim total is far higher, perhaps closer to 9,000.

"Human rights groups, I think, will be quite disappointed by the visit," said Amy Searight, director of the Southeast Asia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "It's unlikely that human rights or rule of law or due process are going to be topics that President Trump will raise."



Duterte has strenuously defended the violence and boasted of participating himself.

Late last year, he bragged that he personally pulled the trigger and killed three people years ago while serving as mayor of Davao City. And last week, while in Vietnam for an international summit, he said he took his first life years earlier.

"When I was a teenager, I had been in and out of jail, rumble here and there," Duterte said during a speech in Danang, where he briefly crossed paths with Trump on the sidelines of an international summit. "At the age of 16, I already killed someone."



He claimed he fatally stabbed the person "just over a look." His spokesman later tried to downplay the comment, saying, "I think it was in jest."



Trump has shown little interest in pressuring Duterte to rein in the violence, instead saluting him during a May phone call.

"I just wanted to congratulate you because I am hearing of the unbelievable job on the drug problem," Trump told Duterte, according to a transcript of the conversation that later leaked.

"Many countries have the problem, we have a problem, but what a great job you are doing and I just wanted to call and tell you that."



Trump also criticised Obama during the call, noting that his predecessor "did not understand" the drug problem the Philippines faces. Meanwhile, Duterte was openly critical of Obama in the final year of his presidency, including cursing his name.

White House officials have suggested there is a strategy behind Trump's flattery of Duterte.

Advisers have said that while Trump was always unlikely to publicly chastise the Philippine president, he may offer criticisms behind closed doors.

Trump would plan to hold his tongue in public in order not to embarrass Duterte, whom he is urging to help pressure North Korea and fight terrorism, and to avoid pushing him into the arms of China.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Donald Trump declared today he had a "great relationship" with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, a self-proclaimed killer who is waging a drugs war that rights groups say involves mass murder, as the leaders joked with each other in Manila.

The US president is in the Philippines with leaders of 18 other nations for two days of summits, the final leg of a headline-grabbing Asian tour dominated by the North Korean nuclear crisis.

Allegations of Russian meddling in last year's US presidential elections have dogged the second half of his 12- day trip, which has taken him from Japan to South Korea, China and Vietnam.

Rights groups had called on Trump to end his Asian journey with a strong statement against Duterte's drugs war, which has seen police and suspected vigilantes kill thousands of people.

But Trump and Duterte had a series of encounters last night and this morning in which they appeared to enjoy each others' company, leading to warm praise from the US president during official talks at lunchtime.

"We've had a great relationship. This has been very successful," Trump told Duterte in brief opening remarks at their meeting.

Trump praised Duterte for his organisation of the summits, saying he handled them "beautifully".

"I've really enjoyed being here," he said.

As the reporters were being escorted out of the room, one asked if Trump would raise the issue of human rights, to which Duterte jokingly called the media "spies", and neither answered.

Duterte's spokesman later said the meeting lasted for more than 40 minutes, and that Trump did not raise any human rights concerns.

Duterte won elections last year after promising to eradicate illegal drugs with an unprecedented campaign that would see up to 100,000 people killed.

Since he took office, police have reported killing 3,967 people in the crackdown.

Another 2,290 people have been murdered in drug-related crimes, while thousands of other deaths remain unsolved, according to government data.

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in Manila today to protest against the two men. They were met by riot police and water cannon.

Many Filipinos back Duterte, believing he is taking necessary measures to fight crime, but rights groups warn he may be orchestrating a crime against humanity.

Amnesty International accuses police of shooting dead defenceless people and paying assassins to murder addicts.

When pressured over allegations of extra-judicial killings carried out by police, Duterte insists he has never told them to break the law.

But rights groups say police are following Duterte's incitements to kill, including comments made last year when he said he would be "happy to slaughter" three million addicts.

He has also repeatedly boasted about killing people himself, most recently last week while in Vietnam for the Asia-Pacific economic summit.

"At the age of 16, I already killed someone. A real person, a rumble, a stabbing. I was just 16 years old. It was just over a look," Duterte said.

Former US president Barack Obama was one of many prominent critics of Duterte's handling of the drugs war.

Relations between the Philippines and the United States, longtime allies bound by a mutual defence treaty, deteriorated sharply as Duterte turned towards China and Russia.

Duterte last year declared the Philippines' "separation" from the United States.

But Trump told Duterte in a telephone call in April that he was doing a "great job", which helped to begin a diplomatic thaw.

"We are your ally. We are an important ally," Duterte said today, appearing to confirm relations were back on track, although he has also continued to court China and Russia.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Two Assam Rifles jawans were killed and six others injured when a powerful bomb exploded early this morning in Manipur's Chandel district, police said.

The improvised explosive device (IED) exploded when an Assam Rifles team was patrolling Maha Mani of Chandel Town in the district, about 64 km from the state capital.

In a statement emailed to the local media, the banned insurgent outfit Revolutionary Peoples Front (RPF) claimed responsibility for the attack.

One jawan died on the spot, while another succumbed to injuries on the way to hospital, the police said.

The deceased were identified as riflemen Indra Singh and Sohan Lan.

The injured were N Shyam Kumar, S Sarkar, Tirendra Nath Das, Ram Govind Singh, Nirmal Roy and Lalnunpuia, they said.

Manipur Governor Najma Heptulla condemned the incident and appealed to those responsible to lay down their arms and join the mainstream.

The outfit had carried out an IED blast on June 15 this year in Ukhrul district that killed an Assam Rifles jawan and injured three others.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Two Assam Rifles jawans were killed and four injured in a blast at Chandel town of Manipur today, police said.

The jawans were patrolling when an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded near their camp this morning, the police said.

The injured jawans have been rushed to hospital, they added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Sleuths of the Ahmedabad Zonal Unit of Narcotics Control Bureau(NCB) apprehended two persons with 10 Kg hashish from Ahmedabad airport on Saturday, a senior official said today.

Acting on a tip off, the sleuths apprehended one Farooq Ahmed Reshi, who was carrying a box, upon his arrival at the domestic terminal on Saturday night, he said.

"Upon checking the box, we found 10 kg of charas (hashish) rolled into balls and concealed in the box. Along with Reshi, a resident of Jammu and Kashmir, we have also apprehended one Shakeel Qureshi, who came at the airport to receive the contraband, said zonal director of Ahmedabad-NCB Hari Om Gandhi.

He said the approximate market value of the seized contraband is Rs one crore.

"We have also seized Rs two lakh cash from Qureshi, a native of Nagpada in Mumbai and currently resides here. They were arrested under various sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985," said Gandhi.

As per primary investigation Reshi's brother was recently arrested in Mumbai in a narcotics case while Qureshi is a "wanted" by Mumbai NCB in another case, said Gandhi.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Uttarakhand government will set up two centres one each in Kumaon and Garhwal regions to train youths aspiring to join the armed forces.

The two centres will be set up in school and college buildings where there is enough infrastructure, Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat said today.

The decision was taken at a meeting between the chief minister and Commandant of the Indian Army's Bangalore selection centre Major General VPS Bhakuni here today.

Giving a presentation at the meeting, Maj. Gen. Bhakuni noted that the success rate at National Defence Academy (NDA) and Combined Defence Services (CDS) exams is lower than civil services examination due to rigorous comprehensive personality tests.

Such training centres are needed to tailor the skills of armed forces aspirants accordingly. They will help prepare the aspirants in clearing the comprehensive personality test, Maj. Gen. Bhakuni said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
British police today launched a two- week window for people to surrender any illegal weapons and ammunition in their possession without the fear of punishment.

The UK's National Ballistics Intelligence Service (NABIS), which is coordinating the surrender, says many firearms are held by individuals in ignorance of their illegality.

"Surrendering unwanted or illegal firearms avoids the risk of them becoming involved in crime," said Detective Chief Superintendent Jo Chilton, head of NABIS.

Under the new amnesty period, anyone handing in weapons will not automatically be charged but could face action if those weapons are later connected to a crime.

"You don't have to give your name or address, we just want more guns out of harm's way," said Helen McMillan, the firearms lead for the National Police Chiefs' Council.

"It could be a trophy of war, it could be a starting pistol please contact us on 101 and arrange to hand it in to your nearest police station.

Each firearm we retrieve has the potential to save a life so do the right thing and surrender your weapon," she said.

BB or air guns, rifles, shotguns or pistols are among the weapons police in England and Wales say should be handed in by the November 26 cut-off date.

The amnesty is aimed at people who may accidentally come across weapons when clearing the homes of relatives and may not know what to do with them.

After the last such gun surrender amnesty in England and Wales in 2014, more than 6,000 weapons were handed in.

Scotland Yard has launched a social media drive to coincide with the gun surrender campaign in partnership with City of London Police.

"Each firearm we retrieve helps to reduce the threat of gun crime in London,"saidCommander Jim Stokley, of the Metropolitan Police's Trident and Area Crime Command.

"Illegal possession of a firearm can mean five years behind bars, and if you are found guilty of possession with intent to supply, that can lead to an even longer prison sentence," he warned.

Commander Jane Gyford, of City of London Police, said the two-week drive could helpkeep "dangerous weapons out of the wrong hands".

Figures from the UK's Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that crime involving firearms in England and Wales increased by 27 per cent in the year to June 2017.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat today met the family members of Brunda Sahu, a farmer who committed suicide owing to crop loss on Novmber 1.

Sahu, a resident of Kalapani village in Bargarh district, committed suicide by consuming poison a day after setting his pest-affected paddy crops on fire.

Accompanied by BJP state president Basant Panda and BJP's legislature party leader K V Singhdeo, Shekhawat, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, spent some time with the deceased farmer's family.

Hundreds of leaders from different political parties have been coming to our home after my father committed suicide. However, we are yet to receive any help from the government or others. Please help my family in this time of crisis, Rajesh, the deceased farmer's son, told Shekhawat.

Rajesh later told a private channel that he has been assured of four decimal homestead land and a house under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.

Later, Shekhawat told reporters at Bargargh that farmers in Odisha have used wrong pesticide which aggravated pest attack on the paddy crop.

"About 99.9 per cent farmers I met told me that no one from the state govenrment has made then aware about the evil impact of the pesticide they used to save paddy crop from pest attack," Shekhawat told reporters.

He said both the Centre and the state goevrnment should join hands to help farmers.

Meanwhile, Odisha agriculture minister Damodor Rout said he would not visit the family of the Bargarh farmer Sahu, who committed suicide. "He (union minister) met Sahu's family members as they belonged to BJP. Sahu's family do not belong to my party," Rout said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
UP minister Mohsin Raza today slammed an Aligarh Muslim University professor for allegedly seeking to divorce his wife through WhatsApp, saying action will be taken against those violating law.

The minister, speaking on the sidelines of an event here, also said that the discussion on the issue of Ram Temple is moving in a direction where most people are in favour of building the temple in Ayodhya soon.

"It has been proved that triple talaq is not part of Shariat. When the Supreme Court has quashed triple talaq how can someone act against the law. Appropriate action will be taken those violating law. I doubt, how has he become professor," Raza said here in response to query on his view over allegation that an AMU professor was allegedly seeking to divorce his wife through WhatsApp.

Raza made the remarks on the sidelines of a telecom ministry event here to launch second phase of BharatNet -- broadband project for rural area.

The wife of an Aligarh Muslim University professor has accused her husband of seeking to divorce her through WhatsApp. The AMU academic, however, has said that the case was sub-judice since October first week.

The professor had said that according to the law, he had served two notices on his wife after the stipulated period and was preparing for the last one.

The professor claimed he had documentary evidence to prove his wife misled him about her past.

Raza said justice will be imparted to women as both central and state governments under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Yogi Adityanath were committed to women empowerment.

"Modi government and Yogi government has come for justice. She will definitely get justice. We have Ram Rajya in our state...BJP government has come forward for women empowerment. Today women in the state, specially Muslim women feel safe," Raza said.

On the Ram Temple issue, he said that the Supreme Court has given an option to discuss and find a solution to it.

"Government has said that they are ready for talks. I believe that the kind of atmosphere that is getting created, everyone is in favour that Ram Temple should be built soon," Raza said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday told US President Donald Trump that both countries can rise beyond bilateral ties and work jointly for the future of Asia, reflecting their growing convergence on strategic issues in the Indo-Pacific region.

During their wide-ranging talks, which took place on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit in the Philippines, Modi assured Trump that India will try to live up to the expectations of the US and the world and also thanked the US President for speaking highly about India during his trips.



The meeting came a day after officials of India, the US, Japan and Australia held their talks to give shape to the much talked about quadrilateral alliance to keep the strategically important Indo-Pacific region free, open and inclusive.

The cooperation between India and US can rise beyond bilateral cooperation and both countries can work for the future of Asia and the world... We are moving ahead together on many issues, Modi told Trump in his opening remarks.

The US has been pitching for greater Indo-US cooperation in the strategically key Indo-Pacific region where China has been ramping up its military presence.

Wherever President Trump has gone and wherever he got an opportunity to talk about India, he spoke very highly about India. He expressed optimism about India and I am assuring that the expectation the world has, the expectation the US has, India has been trying to live up to that expectation and will continue to do it, said Modi.

Manila: President Donald Trump, right, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shake hands during a bilateral meeting at the ASEAN Summit at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza, Monday, Nov. 13, 2017

After the 45-minute meeting at the Sofitel hotel where Trump is staying, Modi tweeted Held productive talks with @POTUS on further strengthening India-USA relations. @realDonaldTrump.

Briefing reporters later, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar described the meeting as co-ordial, constructive and very comfortable conversation on bilateral, regional and global issues. He said the meeting was mainly focused on economic issues including trade and investment.

The two sides discussed how to grow the economic ties and improve market access to each other. He said the two leaders also discussed matters relating to defence cooperation, counter-terrorism, proliferation, the Korean crisis and situation in the West Asia, and the Gulf.

A fair amount of time went into the discussions on Afghanistan, Jaishankar said, adding that Prime Minister Modi briefed Trump on the recent supply of wheat through sea route.

They also discussed the situation in Myanmars Rakhine State where violence against the Rohingyas have forced more than 600,000 people to flee the country to Bangladesh.

In the meeting, Trump described Modi as a friend.

Its great to have Prime Minister Modi here. Weve had him at the White House, and hes become a friend of ours and a great gentleman doing a fantastic job in bringing around lots of factions in India - bringing them all together, Trump said according to the transcript released by the White House.

A lot of good reports are coming out of India. So I want to congratulate you, he told Modi.

Trump had on Friday praised Indias astounding growth after it opened up its economy and also lauded Modi, saying he has been working successfully to bring the vast country and its people together.

Speaking at a gathering of CEOs on the sidelines of the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in the Vietnamese city of Danang last week, Trump cited India as one of the countries in the Indo-Pacific region making strides.

The use of the term Indo-Pacific by President Trump has led to speculation that it may have something to do with Washington preparing the ground for a revival of the so called Quadrilateral strategic alliance between US, Japan, Australia and India to counter Chinas rise.

The move to set up the quadrilateral alliance comes in the backdrop of growing Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea. The US has been favouring a larger role for India in the strategically key Indo-Pacific region.
Actor Vidyut Jamwal's upcoming film "Junglee", directed by Hollywood filmmaker Chuck Russell, will hit the screens on October 19, 2018.

The film revolves around Ashwath, born and brought up in the jungles of Kerala. Much to his animal-activist father's disappointment, Ashwath goes on to become a big-shot veterinarian in the big city of Mumbai.

When Ashwath returns to Kerala after years he decides to expose and fight against the elephant poaching racket in the country.

The project is produced by Junglee Pictures.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Scientist Vijay Prasad Dimri has been appointed as the president of the 36th International Geological Congress (IGC), a global platform for advancement of earth science, to be held here in 2020, an official order issued today said.

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved Dimri's appointment in place of Shailesh Nayak, the order issued by Department of Personnel and Training said, without citing any reasons.

Nayak had been the secretary of ministry of earth sciences and also the chairman of earth commission in India.

India, along with its co-host neighbouring countries -- Bangladesh, Nepal, Srilanka and Pakistan -- won the bid to host the 36th IGC in the National Capital Region from March 2 -8, 2020, according to the website of 36th IGC.

India had organised the 22nd session of IGC at New Delhi in 1964. "This was the first IGC in Asia. Thus, the IGC is returning to Indian subcontinent after a gap of 56 years," the website said.

The first session of IGC assembled in 1878 in France with an aim of providing the global geological community with an opportunity to create an organisational framework for meeting at regular intervals.

It envisaged a spirit of fraternal cooperation that transcends boundaries, languages and has the ability to bring together the geoscientific community across the continents and oceans.

Founded as a non-profit scientific and educational organisation in 1878, the IGC came under the aegis of International Union of Geological Sciences in 1961.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A resident of West Bengal was today arrested from Rajouri in Jammu and Kashmir after banned drug was seized from his possession, a police official said.

Anek-ul-Islam, a resident of Hijantla-Rattanpur, was arrested by a police team, the official said.

He said 960 spasmo proxyvon plus capsules were recovered from his possession. The police suspect Islam to be a drug peddler.

Islam was being questioned about his contacts in the area and more arrests were likely to be made soon, the official said.

He said a case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act has been registered against Islam.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Police in hazmat suits entered the US Consulate General in Hong Kong today after an envelope containing white powder sparked a security alert at the complex.

Visa appointments were cancelled and members of the public queuing to enter were ordered to leave as the consulate scrambled to react to the incident.

Four police vans and a bomb disposal truck were seen deployed at the sealed-off main entrance, while uniformed police officers were seen donning gas masks outside the building in the busy Central district of the southern Chinese financial hub.

However, the consulate later said the powder was not found to be hazardous.

"We can confirm that an envelope containing white powder was opened inside the Consulate General today," a spokesperson for the US consulate said.

"The incident has now been resolved. Visa appointments for the rest of the day remain cancelled," they added.

Police called the incident a "misunderstanding" in a statement today.

No dangerous ingredients were found in the powder after an initial investigation and the substance has been collected for further examination, the statement said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A 50-year-old woman was killed and a man injured when their motorcycle was hit by another vehicle near Phagwara in Punjab's Kapurthala district, police said today.

Jaspreet Kaur was riding pillion on her relative Surjit Kumar's bike when it was hit by the vehicle on Phagwara- Hoshiarpur road near Rawalpindi village yesterday, they said.

Kumar has been hospitalised and Kaur's body was handed over to her family after a post-mortem examination, they said.

A case against the yet-to-be-identified driver has been registered.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A Rajput outfit today warned that it would not allow upcoming Hindi film "Padmavati" to be screened in Karnataka, claiming that the film distorted historical facts and portrayed royal characters of yore in a poor light.

The Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena (RRKS) would take out a 'Swabhimaan Padyatra', a protest rally, on November 15 here, condemning the attempt to distort history, the outfit's Bengaluru president Bhanwar Singh said at a pressconference today.

The rally would start from the Town Hall here and culminate at the Freedom Park, where the leaders of the Rajput community would address the gathering, he added.

Uday Singh, a member of the outfit, demanded that the censor board not clear the film as it "distorts history and hurts the sentiments of people".

He also raised an objection over releasing the trailer of the film.

"Sanjay Leela Bhansali produced this film with asingle- point agenda of making money. Such films are an assault on Hinduism. We will go to every corner of the country to protest against it," Singh said.

To a question, he said, "Let there be a screening of the film for a select members of the community. Whatever the elders decide, will be accepted by all."



The film starring Deepika Padukone as Padmavati, Shahid Kapoor as Maharawal Ratan Singh and Ranveer Singh as Alauddin Khalji, is based on the legend of Rajput queen Padmavati.

Bhansali, also the director of "Padmavati", had been assaulted by the activists of the Karni Sena, another Rajput outfit, during the shooting of the film in Jaipur in January.

The Karni Sena has been seeking a ban on the film, claiming that it "distorts" history.

"Padmavati" is set to hit the screens on December 1.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
(Corrects headline to say "smaller-than-expected", not "bigger")

By Arnab Paul

- Idea Cellular reported a fourth straight quarterly loss on Monday as intense competition in the telecom sector continued to hurt, and said it would sell its tower business to reduce debt.

The tower business will be sold at an enterprise value of 40 billion rupees ($613 million) to ATC Telecom Infrastructure Pvt Ltd, a unit of American Tower Corp, Idea Cellular said in a statement. (http://bit.ly/2Azc5CR)

"In the long term, we have a positive view on Idea and the deal could be viewed as a positive move with the 40 billion rupee-transaction value aiding Idea in cutting down its balance sheet debt," said Gaurang Shah, Head Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services.

Idea and Vodafone Group's India unit are on track to merge operations in a deal valued at $23 billion, possibly creating the country's biggest telecom player. The deal is expected to close in 2018.

Vodafone India has also agreed to sell its standalone tower business to ATC Telecom for an enterprise value of 38.50 billion rupees.

India, the world's No.2 mobile phone market, has been rattled by the aggressive pricing of Jio, the telecoms arm of billionaire Mukesh Ambani-controlled Reliance Industries. Jio's pricing strategy has hurt rivals' profits as they try to match low tariffs and also pushed some carriers to consolidate operations.

QUARTERLY LOSS

Idea, India's No. 3 wireless carrier posted a loss of 11.07 billion rupees ($169.45 million) in the quarter ended Sept. 30, compared with a profit of 915 million rupees a year earlier. (http://bit.ly/2i9WwuO)

Analysts on average expected the company to post a loss of 11.25 billion rupees, according to Thomson data.

Shares in Idea fell 3.1 percent on Monday morning following the quarterly results.

"The stock decline this morning is only sort of a knee-jerk reaction to the quarterly loss," Geojit analyst Shah said.

($1 = 65.2825 Indian rupees)

(Reporting by Tanvi Mehta and Arnab Paul in Bengaluru; Editing by Amrutha Gayathri)

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
By Jessica Resnick-Ault

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices held steady in a tight range Monday after briefly testing lower, with support from Middle East tensions and record long bets by fund managers balanced by rising U.S. production.

Brent crude futures settled down 36 cents, or 0.6 percent, at $63.16 a barrel while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures settled up 2 cents a barrel at $56.76.

Last week, Brent rose to $64.65, its highest since June 2015, and WTI hit $57.92, its highest since July 2015.

Middle East tensions have supported the market, despite concerns that output could rise further.

"The rise by Saudi Arabia to produce more than 10 million barrels per day would have registered more," said John Kilduff Partner at Again Capital. "This is a new level of geopolitical risk," he said. Additionally, the market has less supply overhang than it did a year ago, he said.

On the supply side, tensions in the Middle East raised the prospect of disruptions, traders said. A purge this month of Saudi Arabia's leadership by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is one of the key factors raising concerns about political stability of the region's largest oil producer.

Other regional concerns include war in Yemen and growing tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran is a concern to investors too.

Additionally, traders said it was unclear whether a strong earthquake that hit Iran and Iraq on Sunday had affected the region's oil production.

Bahrain said at the weekend that an explosion that caused a fire at its main oil pipeline on Friday was caused by sabotage, linking the attack to Iran, which denied any role.

Traders said crude prices were well supported as output cuts led by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and Russia have contributed to a reduction in excess supply that had dogged markets since 2014.

OPEC forecast higher demand for its oil in 2018 and said its production-cutting deal with rival producers was reducing excess oil in storage, pointing to an even tighter global market next year. However, it also pointed out that Saudi output had risen above 10 million barrels per day.

The level of inventories held by industrialised above the five-year average "has fallen by more than 50 percent in 2017, with inventories currently at around 160 million barrels," consultancy Timera Energy said.

"If current trends continue, inventories are likely to return to the five-year average at some stage in 2018," it said, adding that strong demand had also helped reduce the glut.

OPEC has sought to push stocks to the five-year average.

Hedge funds and other money managers raised their bullish wagers on U.S. crude futures and options positions in the week to Nov. 7, data showed on Monday. The speculator group raised its combined futures and options position in New York and London by 37,960 contracts to 381,666 during the period, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) said. That maintained the highest level since mid-April. [L1N1NJ1OQ]

Hedge funds also increased holdings of Brent futures and options in the latest week, extending their bet on a rally to the highest on record. Managers now hold net long positions equivalent to nearly 544 million barrels of oil.

"Overall, there are a few reasons for confidence - compliance from OPEC - and it seems likely they'll extend the cut," said Jasper Lawler, a market strategist at London Capital Group, referring to the output deal due to expire in March.

U.S. producers added nine oil rigs last week, the biggest jump since June, raising the count to 738, energy services firm Baker Hughes said on Friday.

The rig count fell in August, September and October, but last week's rise was the second in three weeks, indicating that the U.S. oil industry was comfortable operating at current prices.

(Additional reporting by Amanda Cooper in London; Editing by Marguerita Choy and Edmund Blair)

(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.)
Mobile chipmaker Qualcomm Inc on Monday rejected rival Broadcom Ltd's $103-billion takeover bid, saying the offer "dramatically" undervalued the US company.

Shares of Qualcomm were up 1 per cent at $65.25 in premarket trading, while those of Broadcom fell 0.7 per cent to $263.

"After a comprehensive review, conducted in consultation with our financial and legal advisors, the Board has concluded that Broadcom's proposal dramatically undervalues Qualcomm and comes with significant regulatory uncertainty," Qualcomm's Presiding Director Tom Horton said in a statement.

Broadcom made an unsolicited bid last week in its efforts to become the dominant supplier of chips used in the 1.5 billion or so smartphones expected to be sold around the world this year.

Reuters reported on Sunday that Qualcomm would rebuff the $70 per share offer, citing people familiar with the matter.

Broadcom could not immediately be reached for comment.

The offer also comes at a time when Qualcomm is trying to close its pending $38-billion acquisition of automotive chipmaker NXP Semiconductors NV.

Broadcom has indicated it is willing to buy Qualcomm irrespective of whether it closes the NXP deal.

A sale to Broadcom would also need a nod from the antitrust officials, who are still considering Qualcomm's purchase of NXP.

Qualcomm, an early pioneer in mobile phone chips, supplies so-called modem chips to phone makers such as Apple, Samsung and LG that help the phones connect to wireless data networks.

"No company is better positioned in mobile, IoT, automotive, edge computing and networking within the semiconductor industry," Qualcomm's Chief Executive Steve Mollenkopf said.

"We are confident in our ability to create significant additional value for our stockholders."

(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 Supreme Court on Monday directed the non-institutional directors of infrastructure firm Jaiprakash Associate Limited (JAL) to appear in person before it next week and furnish details of their personal assets.

The apex court's direction came in the wake of its September 11 directive to the Jaypee Associates to deposit Rs 2,000 crore by October 27 to protect the interests of homebuyers and creditors. The court had on November 6 refused to allow the company to deposit to Rs 400 crore with its registry as against Rs 2,000 crore as directed earlier.

On Monday, a bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud asked the directors to appear on November 22. It also appointed advocate Pawan Shree Agrawal, as amicus curiae and ordered setting up a web portal in order to enable the homebuyers of the Jaypee Infratech register their grievances.

The counsel for JAL informed the court that it was willing to deposit Rs 700 crore. The counsel for ICICI bank, with whom the company has its account, opposed the statement of the group saying the process of debt reconstruction of the company was going on and it would not be feasible to release the amount.

The bench had asked the firm to consider depositing at least Rs 1,000 crore by Monday with its registry.

It had also restrained the managing director and the directors of Jaypee Infratech Ltd from travelling abroad without its permission and asked the parent company, Jaypee Associates, to deposit the money.

The top court had asked Jaypee Infratech to hand over the records to the IRP for drafting of a resolution plan indicating protection of interests of over 32,000 hassled home buyers and creditors.

It also stayed any proceedings instituted against Jaypee Infratech for any purpose in any forum like the consumer commission, as IRP has been given control of the company's management.

The court had allowed Jaypee Associates to raise Rs 2000 crore by selling land or properties and deposit them in the apex court registry by October 27.

The court had also appointed senior advocate Shekhar Naphade as amicus curiae to assist the proceedings of the IRP, which will submit a resolution plan indicating how to safeguard the interest of home buyers and secured creditors.

Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board, had said that 627 units have been delivered to home buyers since the proceedings against the company began.

Homebuyers including one Chitra Sharma had moved the apex court saying that around 32,000 people had booked their flats and they are now dying and paying the installments.

The top court had on September 4 stayed the insolvency proceedings against the real estate firm at National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT).

Flat buyers, under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code of 2016, do not fall in the category of secured creditors like banks and hence they can get back their money only if something is left after repaying the secured and operational creditors, Sharma, in her plea, said.

Hundreds of home buyers have been left in the lurch after the NCLT, on August 10, admitted the IDBI Bank's plea to initiate insolvency proceedings against the debt-ridden realty company for defaulting on a Rs 526 crore loan, the plea said.
Mobile chipmaker Qualcomm Inc on Monday rejected rival Broadcom Ltd's $103-billion takeover bid, saying the offer "dramatically" undervalued the U.S. company.

Shares of Qualcomm were up 1 percent at $65.25 in premarket trading, while those of Broadcom fell 0.7 percent to $263.

"After a comprehensive review, conducted in consultation with our financial and legal advisors, the Board has concluded that Broadcom's proposal dramatically undervalues Qualcomm and comes with significant regulatory uncertainty," Qualcomm's Presiding Director Tom Horton said in a statement.

Broadcom made an unsolicited bid last week in its efforts to become the dominant supplier of chips used in the 1.5 billion or so smartphones expected to be sold around the world this year.

Reuters reported on Sunday that Qualcomm would rebuff the $70 per share offer, citing people familiar with the matter.

Broadcom could not immediately be reached for comment.

The offer also comes at a time when Qualcomm is trying to close its pending $38-billion acquisition of automotive chipmaker NXP Semiconductors NV.

Broadcom has indicated it is willing to buy Qualcomm irrespective of whether it closes the NXP deal.

A sale to Broadcom would also need a nod from the antitrust officials, who are still considering Qualcomm's purchase of NXP.

Qualcomm, an early pioneer in mobile phone chips, supplies so-called modem chips to phone makers such as Apple, Samsung and LG that help the phones connect to wireless data networks.

"No company is better positioned in mobile, IoT, automotive, edge computing and networking within the semiconductor industry," Qualcomm's Chief Executive Steve Mollenkopf said.

"We are confident in our ability to create significant additional value for our stockholders."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday told the ASEAN(Association of Southeast Asian Nations) grouping that most sectors of the Indian economy were open for foreign direct investment and that India was now a "globally integrated economy". "We are working day and night to ensure easy effective and transparent governance," said PM Modi.

Addressing the ASEAN Business Forum in Manila, the Philippines, Prime Minister Modi said: "The task of transforming India is proceeding on an unprecedented scale. More than 90% sectors of the Indian economy are on an automatic approval route when it comes to foreign investment."

Talking about his government's big initiatives such as rolling out of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and new laws and institutions for bankruptcy and insolvency proceedings, PM Modi said as many as 1,200 outdated laws had been repealed in the past three years as part of reform measures.

"India has climbed 30 places in the World Bank Ease of Doing Business Index this year. It is the biggest jump by any country this year and a recognition of India's long term reform trajectory. And, the world is taking notice. We have moved up 32 places in the last two years in the Global Competitiveness Index of the World Economic Forum," the Prime Minister said, adding that these reforms coupled with demonetisation of high value notes had resulted in formalising of the Indian economy.

On connectivity with the ASEAN nations, Modi said India wanted to build land, sea and air connectivity to "this dynamic region" and that work was already on in the construction of the trilateral highway through Myanmar and Thailand to connect to other countries in South East Asia.

"We are working on the early conclusion of the Agreement on Maritime Transport between India and ASEAN and are exploring coastal shipping services with countries that are our immediate maritime neighbours," he added.

He also hoped to further boost the trade and investment cooperation between India and other ASEAN nations."The 'Act East' policy of my government puts this region at the centre of our engagement. We have exceptionally good political and people-to-people relations with each and every country in the ASEAN region," he said.

The ASEAN region along with India together comprises combined population of 1.85 billion people, which is one fourth of the global population and their combined GDP has been estimated at over $3.8 trillion.

Earlier in the day, Modi met US President Donald Trump and said the relations between the two countries were growing, and that both the nations were working for the future interests of Asia and humanity. The two leaders discussed the security scenario in the region besides several other issues of mutual interests, including ways to further boost bilateral trade. Modi also thanked Trump for praising India whenever he got an opportunity to speak about the country during his Asia tour. "...in the few days wherever president Trump has travelled and whenever opportunity arose to talk about India, he has expressed very high opinion about India," Modi said.
United Airlines has temporary suspended flights from Newark, New Jersey to New Delhi, India, on poor air quality concerns in the Indian capital, according to a company spokesman on Sunday.

The third-largest U.S. airline added that it currently has waiver policies in place for customers who are traveling to, from or through Delhi.

"We are monitoring advisories as the region remains under a public health emergency, and are coordinating with respective government agencies," the spokesman said in an email.

Delta Air Lines said it does not operate flights to India, according to a spokeswoman.

Last week, New Delhi declared a pollution emergency as toxic smog hung over the city for a third day.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday held separate pull-aside meetings with US President Donald Trump and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on the sidelines of a gala dinner to mark the 50th anniversary of the ASEAN.

Modi was also seen chit-chatting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak at the reception for the leaders who have arrived here for the 31st ASEAN summit and related meetings.

He also held brief interactions with several other leaders who attended the reception hosted by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte at the mega SMX Convention Centre in Pasay City here.

The prime minister as well as all other leaders wore Barong Tagalong, an embroidered shirt which is the national dress of the Philippines. Renowned Filipino designer Albert Andrada has designed the shirts.

Modi also tweeted pictures of his interaction with several leaders.

The menu of the gala dinner featured various Filipino cuisines including Filipino steak sushi.

The brief interaction between Modi and Trump came ahead of their scheduled bilateral meeting today. The two leaders are expected to deliberate on a number of key issues of mutual interest including the evolving security situation in the Indo-Pacific region where Washington favours a greater role by India.

There have been concerns over China's growing military presence in the Indo-Pacific and the issue was understood to have figured in a meeting of officials from India, the US, Japan and Australia today under the proposed Quadrilateral coalition of the four countries.

"The discussions focused on cooperation based on their converging vision and values for promotion of peace, stability and prosperity in an increasingly inter-connected region that they share with each other and with other partners," the ministry of external affairs said in a statement.

"They agreed that a free, open, prosperous and inclusive Indo-Pacific region serves the long-term interests of all countries in the region and of the world at large," it said.

On Tuesday, Modi will attend the ASEAN-India and East Asia summits where he is likely to reassert India's push for crafting a global approach to deal with growing challenge of terrorism and radicalisation besides pitching for steps to boost regional trade.

Modi will hold bilateral meetings with Duterte today.

He also had a conversation with Li at the dinner.

"PM @narendramodi had a warm and cordial conversation with the Chinese Premier Li Keqiang at the Gala Dinner," MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted.
In his recent meeting with country's agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh, Punjab's chief minister Amarinder Singh demanded additional allocation of roughly 2,000 Cr to pick up 20 million tonnes of paddy straw. Punjab's Remote Sensing Centre alone has witnessed more than 20,000 instances of paddy straw burning between October 15 & mid-November. Same is the scenario in other neighboring states Haryana, Rajasthan and UP. This is one of the biggest reasons for the smog cover over the national capital Delhi and regions around.

Like Amarinder, the other chief ministers from these states are working with the policy makers at Krishi Bhawan - offiice of agriculture minister - are burning midnight oil to save the interests of the farmers and balance it out environment needs. But at the adjoining building - Udayog Bhawan - country's commerce minister Suresh Prabhu is battling another pressure. This would be one of the first big negotiation for Prabhu after he assumed this office in September this year. He has to present a permanent solution to replace the peace clause achieved at 11th inter-ministerial conference of World Trade Organization, or WTO at Buenos Aires, Argentina in second week of December.

At present, India has two big issues. A) revisit Agreement on Agriculture, or AoA & B) exclude purchases from resource poor farmers for computing product-specific subsidies. Most of the straw burning or debt is taken by the small and marginal farmers. The calculations of Aggregate Measurement Support, or AMS exclude resource poor farmers-only if support is not 'trade-distorting'-which is too difficult to determine. Among other things, the provisions of AoA, restricts member countries, including India, to not to give agricultural subsidies in excess of 10 per cent of its agricultural GDP. This means, if India led by Prabhu agrees to this, the MSP will have to be drastically cut, and the future will be grim. For calculations purpose, the external reference point or ERP is from the base year 1986-88. For example, in 2016/17 for wheat MSP was at $226 per tonne (Rs 1550 a quintal), where as in 1986-88 based ERP it had to be $130 for the same quantity. Comparing the current MSP with the ERP of three decades before, results in 'artificially' inflated subsidy. This inevitably results in the AMS exceeding the 10 per cent ceiling fixed under the agreement. It is almost impossible for India to safeguard the interests of small famers, especially with the diverse demography of farmers, & they largely are not so well to do. The states like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan are at various stage of helping the smaller famers in their respective states to waive off debt, along with this, most of the states subsidies farm inputs including cheap electricity, seeds, fertilizers et al.

Agreeing to these dotted lines from the developed world would mean, India might not be able to 'help' farmers. Prabhu's negotiators argue, the subsidies are given under green box and elimination of hunger, and should not be categories under the subsidies. Incidentally, India ranks at 100 among 119 on hunger index. But the negotiators from the developed countries disagree and consider these doles as trade distorters.

In December 2013, at Bali round of ministerial, India under the then commerce minister Anand Sharma agreed to WTO for peace clause. Under this settlement, the developing countries were given four years time to find the final solution, and to ask WTO to address the issue of food security. This means, the peace clause would go in 2017. If we trust the bureaucrats working on Indian strategy, there is no guarantee of permanent solution. & continuation of peace clause is good enough permanent solution, till the real one is not achieved. The Bali round was considered as disaster for India, as the peace clause restrict developing countries, including India, to not to export along with maintaining and sharing of the data on food procurement, stockholding, distribution and subsidies. If a better permanent solution is not achieved, Buenos Aires would be considered bigger disaster.

To push the envelope, India is asking the developed countries to eliminate AMS. This stance of India has already given India support of nearly 100 other member countries, including China. & this association can help India to achieve better permanent solution. His predecessor, Nirmala Sitharaman, first year in her office, made it clear to the WTO negotiators that India will not compromise on two must haves. At Nairobi edition of the ministerial in 2015, it was considered a takeoff from India's stance at Bali. & now inter-ministerial group of WTO member countries is all set to gather again, the line for Prabhu is clear, ie, go aggressive and disagree. The dissent should mean extension of peace, if not permanent solution.
Three days after US President Donald Trump praised India's "astounding" growth during the APEC summit here in Vietnam, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a bilateral meeting with Trump on the sidelines of the 31st ASEAN Summit in Manila, today said India was now a favourable choice when it came to foreign investment. "We are now a globally integrated economy," Modi said.

The Prime Minister said he wanted to make India's youth job creators, besides establishing the country as a major global manufacturing hub. During the 45-minute meeting with Trump, Modi said as the relations between the two countries were growing, both were working for the future interests of Asia and humanity. The two leaders are understood to have discussed the security scenario in the region besides several other issues of mutual interests, including ways to further boost bilateral trade.

PM Modi also visited the International Rice Research Institute and Mahaveer Philippines Foundation before addressing the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Business and Investment Summit. "I interacted with Indian scientists, students, researchers working at IRRI. India is also involved in helping IRRI in strategic planning, helping decide key goals and working to overcome hunger as well as poverty," tweeted the Prime Minister Office (PMO). Modi said the Mahaveer Philippines Foundation had been instrumental in the fitment of the Jaipur Foot to needy Filipino amputees. "About 757 amputees benefited from the programme in 2017.

Before the talk, the Prime Minister had said, "I feel the relationship between India and the US is not only for mutual interest. It goes beyond that. We are working together for the interest, for the future of Asia and for the humanity as a whole in the world."

Modi had also thanked Trump for praising India whenever he got an opportunity to speak about the country during his Asia tour. "...in the few days wherever president Trump has travelled and whenever opportunity arose to talk about India, he has expressed very high opinion about India," Modi said.

"I would like to assure you whatever the expectations are of the world, of the US from India, India has always made efforts to fulfil those expectations and we will continue to do so in the future too," Modi said.

Trump on his part described Modi as a "friend" and a "great gentleman". "PM Narendra Modi is here we had met at the White House before. He has become a friend of ours. He's doing a great job. A lot of things were solved and we will continue to work together," Trump said, adding that Modi was doing a "fantastic job by bringing lots of factions in India together that is what I hear and is a good news and lot of good reports are coming out of India."

The move to set up the quadrilateral alliance comes in the backdrop of growing Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea. The US has been favouring a larger role for India in the strategically important Indo-Pacific region.

The use of the term "Indo-Pacific" by President Trump has led to speculation that it may have something to do with Washington preparing the ground for a revival of the so called quadrilateral strategic alliance between the US, Japan, Australia and India to counter China's rise.
A man was today taken into custody after he was overheard talking about a "happy bomb" by a worker of Jet Airways at the Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) here, an airport official said.

A Jet Airways worker overheard Clince Varghese from Thrissur district saying he had a "happy bomb". The ground staff told the supervisory officers who in turn informed the CISF and the domestic terminal manager, he said.

He was to take flight 9W 825 Cochin-Mumbai of Jet Airways.

Subsequently, Varghese was offloaded and his baggage was checked throughly.

He was later handed over to the police. During questioning, he told officials he was expressing happiness to his friend in Mumbai on Facebook chat, the official said.

Another person accompanying him was also detained and questioned, he said.

An airport spokesperson said that after the incident, all passengers were offloaded for completing security procedures.

The flight was scheduled to leave at 12.05 pm, he said.

Jet Airways spokesperson in a statement said the flight was rescheduled to take off at 1402 hours, "with a delay of two hours on account of a security-related matter".

"The airline has informed the authority concerned of the same for further necessary action and has offered full cooperation as required," the spokeperson said.
The automotive industry is on the throes of a major disruption over the next decade through electrification of vehicles, connected cars and intensification of the use of artificial intelligence. While that opens up opportunities for some, it would also mean existing players would need to adapt and adjust. The challenge for Bosch, world's largest supplier of automotive components, is as big as any. Jan-Oliver Rohrl, Chief Technology Officer and Additional Director at the German firm discusses with Business Today's Sumant Banerji the shape of things to come and what it means to India.

How fast does Bosch believe the electric vehicle (EV) market in India for two-wheelers, cars and commercial vehicles will evolve in the next 10-15 years?

The EV market in India is at a nascent but promising stage. India's technology requirements for electric vehicles is different from that of the West due to the unique environmental condition and driving pattern. Hence, investments to make electric vehicle technology affordable is immense. Realisation requires a consistent government policy. Considering the government's proactiveness lately, we see electric vehicles evolving starting with 3 wheelers and 2 wheelers, followed by city bus and passenger car - starting with fleets. Bosch has plans to move into first series production in the Indian market in 2018.

To scale this new powertrain it will be important to bring down battery costs and provide an infrastructure for charging, which currently doesn't exist in India. Beyond focus on BEV (battery electric vehicle), India should not lose the benefit that hybrid vehicles can bring to a car owner and the environment.

It is expected the shift will see major disruptions across OEMs and suppliers. How is Bosch gearing up to this challenge?

The Indian manufacturing supplier base is highly fragmented, and even more so when it comes to electromobility solutions. For Bosch though, thanks to its years of experience and expertise across the world, this could grant an unequivocal advantage. At Bosch, we have developed an integrated electrification system including motor, control unit, battery, charger, display and an app that can power two, three and four-wheel electric vehicles. Bosch operates on a highly strategic localisation strategy in its markets and in India it has been working to develop a comprehensive electrification system tailored to local needs. Thanks to this technology, Bosch components can be integrated with any light vehicle.

Even now, OEMs have ambitious targets of producing more ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicles in the country and suppliers also have their own plans in consonance with that. Do you think these would need to be re-looked at now, or are we still some time away from that?

ICE is not at its end with respect to CO2 and emissions enhancement. BSVI is meant to meet global standards and will have a tremendous positive impact on emissions caused by the traffic. There is still some 3 to 8 per cent improvements possible based on thermal efficiency not considering transmission or light weight. When it comes to electromobility, it is a long-term objective not just for the government but for companies and manufacturers as well. ICEs will continue to play a major role in the supply chain for automobiles in near future while electromobility picks up steam. The ideal powertrain of the future will be a mix of electromobility and ICEs combined with renewable electric power for optimum value delivery.

Do you expect a lot of companies to go out of business considering an electric vehicle has lesser number of complex components? For example, the replacement of a BS-VI gasoline or diesel engine itself with an electric motor will greatly reduce the complexity in engineering.

Change is inevitable. Companies that strategise and re-strategise fast enough remain in the race



With the thrust towards EVs, the government has at the same time also advanced the date for BS-VI emission norms, which I believe is highly capital intensive. How do you think suppliers and OEMs need to tackle this issue considering BS-VI ICE vehicles may have a much shorter and uncertain lifespan?

Certain segments such as long haulage trucks, buses but also some passenger car segments do not have a sustainable solution suited to the Indian requirements for a full replacement to electric mobility. Thus, ICE, hybrids and electric vehicles would continue to co-exist into the foreseeable future. At Bosch for example, we are investing over Rs 1,000 Cr per year to gear up for BSVI technologies. Most suppliers are coping by formulating a judicious mix of locally manufactured and traded products.

How do you think the problem of charging stations can be solved in India and what role can the component industry play in this?

In order to resolve the issue of charging stations and lack of charging infrastructure in the country, public private partnerships need to be explored and strengthened based on stabilized grids and clear revenue models. While the government can issue recommendations and advisories for this purpose, it cannot build the entire infrastructure. That will require everyone to be on the same page and working towards the same goal. One potential source of charging stations can be petrol pumps or metro stations. However, they will need to be equipped and powered by renewable energy sources or bio-fuels. Else, the entire purpose of clean energy is lost. Finally we shall not forget that an EV is not propelled emission free as long as the power is not coming from renewable energies.

Give us a sense of what your plans are towards making components to be supplied for a BEV in India? Do you intend or are you open to getting into lithium ion battery manufacturing as well?



In the Bosch facility in India, we already have state of art facilities that can manufacture automotive electronic components. We are developing local expertise to engineer electric vehicle components. Depending on market growth, we would set up technologies accordingly.

Lastly, while most markets are graduating from ICE to hybrids and then on to EVs, India has taken a stand to bypass hybrids entirely. Does that pose a big challenge for domestic suppliers for whom supplying parts to a hybrid vehicle may have been a good first step before supplying to a full-fledged BEV?



As mentioned earlier, for a considerable amount of time, ICE, hybrids and electric vehicles would co-exist. The fuel efficiency norms coming up in the next five years would warrant high end technologies that include hybrids to be able to meet the target legislations. Within Bosch, experience of both hybrid and battery electric vehicles is available from its products in various markets. Tailoring to lessons learnt in the Indian conditions would be one jump that most would be attempting - one way to minimize the risk is with rapid prototyping and extensive fleet validation.
AirAsia is offering heavy discounts on its flight tickets on both domestic and international routes, for base fare as low as Rs 99 starting today. Under the Big Sale offer by AirAsia, domestic flights can be booked for a base fare of Rs 99 and international flights can be booked for base fare of Rs 444. The offer is valid till November 19.

The tickets booked under the Big Sale offer will be meant for travel only from May 7, 2018 till January 31, 2019. Taxes and other charges will be charged over and above the base price though. Only one-way flights can be booked under the Big Sale offer from AirAsia. The offer is available only for online booking of tickets from AirAsia's website - airasia.com, or the mobile app of the airline service.

Also, AirAsia is offering base fare of Rs 0 on flights from Kolkata to Johor Bahru. The tickets can be booked till November 19 for travelling between February 7, 2018 and January 31, 2018. Although the air carrier is promising free seats on the flights Kolkata to Johor Bahru, the effective prices will begin from Rs 1,936 after adding taxes, airport fees and other charges.

The domestic routes covered under the Big Sale offer include Bengaluru, Kochi, Hyderabad, Ranchi, Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, New Delhi, Goa, and others. Discounted tickets for international flights under the offer will travel to Bangkok from Jaipur, Kolkata, Kochi, Chennai and Bengaluru, to Kuala Lumpur from Tiruchirappalli, Kochi, Delhi, Bhubaneswar, Jaipur, and to Bali from Mumbai and Kolkata.
An IndiGo flight en route to Bengaluru from Thiruvananthapuram was caught in a state of panic after a laptop bag started to smoke and spark, reportedly from catching fire, while the plane was still mid-air. The fire was brought under control and plane landed safely at Bengaluru airport later.

Passengers aboard the Bengaluru-bound IndiGo flight called the on-board flight crew after noticing a burning smell coming out of a laptop bag among the hand baggage. Later the crew members noticed smoke coming out of it and informed the pilot-in-command.

"IndiGo crew operating flight 6E-445 from Thiruvananthapuram to Bengaluru noticed the smoke smell in the cabin on November 11, 2017. The crew quickly identified minor sparks coming from the hat-rack of seat 24RH and immediately informed the pilot-in-command. Taking precautionary measures, the cabin crew on priority relocated all passengers from adjacent seats. Smoke from a black laptop placed in the hand baggage was discharged with a fire extinguisher, as per the standard operating procedures prescribed by the aircraft manufacturer," the airline carrier said in a statement later, confirming the incident.

"The laptop was then transferred into a container filled with water in lavatory. The aircraft made a normal landing at Bengaluru airport, all passengers were deplaned as per normal procedure and the DGCA was voluntarily informed. We are thankful to passengers for their cooperation extended to the crew on board. At IndiGo, safety is of the utmost priority and at no time it can be compromised," the statement further added.

Earlier today, the low-cost airline service issued an apology after an apology to one of their passengers after she suffered a fall and minor injuries while being escorted on a wheelchair by an IndiGo staff. Urvashi Parikh Viren was being taken to the arrival hall at Lucknow airport on a wheelchair yesterday, when it got caught in a big crack in the tarmac, causing her to fall.

IndiGo has been at the receiving end of a barrage of criticism after a video surfaced showing one of its staff members manhandling a passenger at Delhi airport.
In an incident that could ring alarm bells for customers who think their jewellery and valuables are safe inside bank lockers, robbers in Navi Mumbai dug a 25-feet tunnel to enter a Bank of Baroda Juinagar branch. Robbers escaped after stealing gold and cash from nearly 27 lockers. They apparently entered the bank by tunneling a hole through the shop next door. The bank officials and customers at the Navi Mumbai branch were in for a shock when they discovered their empty lockers on Monday morning.

While it is not clear when the incident took place as the bank was closed on Saturday and Sunday, the matter came to light only when a customer of Bank of Baroda had to go to his locker to deposit some valuables. When the customer and a bank officer entered the locker room, they found that 27 lockers had been looted. They also spotted a tunnel in the room, which led to the adjacent shop.

"The culprits made a tunnel from the adjacent gaala [shop] and entered the locker room. They stole cash and jewellery, and made their escape through the tunnel," said a police officer from Sanpada police station, on condition of anonymity to the Hindustan Times.

The robbers ran away with Rs 40 lakh worth of valuables, reports mention. The police is conducting the investigation.

In June this year, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and other public sector banks, in a reply to a RTI said that banks have no liability for loss of valuables in locker, the reason being "the relationship they have with customers with regard to lockers is that of lessee (landlord) and lessor (tenant)".

Do not expect any compensation for theft or burglary of valuables in safe deposit boxes of public sector banks as the locker hiring agreement absolves them of all liability. This bitter truth was disclosed in an RTI response by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and 19 PSU banks.

The banks have contended that in such a relationship, the lessor is responsible for his or her valuables kept in the locker which is owned by the bank.

Some banks, in their locker hiring agreements, have made it clear that any item stored in the locker is at the customer's own risk and he or she may, in their own interest, insure the valuables.

The common feature of all locker hiring agreements states, "As per safe deposit memorandum of hiring locker, the bank will not be responsible for any loss or damage of the contents kept in the safe deposit vault as a result of any act of war or civil disorder or theft or burglary and the contents will be kept by the hirer at his or her sole risk and responsibility.

With PTI inputs
On November 28, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to launch the first passenger run of the much awaited Hyderabad Metro rail project. Billed as one of the largest such public -private -partnerships in the world and arguably one-of-its-kind project -- in terms of scale and size -- to be executed anywhere in the country, it is expected to transform the public transport infrastructure in the city. While the official confirmation is yet to be received by the metro rail authorities of the Prime Minister's programme, who is scheduled to be in the city on the 28th, the plan is to launch the train operations covering a 30 km distance in the 72 km network spread across the city. The project, originally estimated at around Rs 16,000 crore has been running into delays, largely on account of the time taken in property acquisition. It was originally expected to be ready in July this year but is now expected to be completed by end of next year (November 2018). While no official numbers are available at the moment, those tracking the Hyderabad Metro Rail project closely feel the cost estimated may eventually end up a couple of thousand crores, if not more, over the figure originally envisaged.

While it is billed as one of the largest PPPs in the world, it is not the only PPP in the metro rail space in India. For instance, there is one in Mumbai too between the state and Reliance but it is a much smaller project of around 10 km. The line that is to be inaugurated in Hyderabad is between Miyapur and Nagole, via Ameerpet, a total distance of around 30 km. The project is by Larsen &Toubro (L&T) though the viability gap funding has been provided by the state government. The metro rail authorities are yet to announce the fare chart but those in the know say the fares would be in tune with the charges levied elsewhere in the country in metro rail projects.

Larsen and Toubro was awarded the Hyderabad Metro Rail Project by the government of Andhra Pradesh. L&T incorporated a Special Purpose Vehicle - L&T Metro Rail (Hyderabad) Limited to implement the Project on Design, Built, Finance Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) basis. The company signed the concession agreement with the state government (then the united Andhra Pradesh) on September 4, 2010 and completed the financial closure for the project on March 1, 2011. A consortium of 10 banks led by the State Bank of India sanctioned the entire debt requirement of the project. This is the largest fund tie-up in India for a non-power infrastructure Public Private Partnership (PPP) project. The company - Metro Rail (Hyderabad) - is a subsidiary of L&T Infrastructure Development Projects Ltd., an infrastructure development arm of Larsen of Toubro Ltd. The project has huge ripple effect in terms of driving demand from suppliers. For instance, in May last year J. Michael McQuade, Senior Vice President for Science & Technology at United Technologies Corporation (UTC), the global major with business interests spanning from OTIS elevators to climate control and security to aerospace systems, told Business Today during his India visit that Hyderabad as a growing city was very important to UTC. "Some of the business wins we have had here are really quite important. The Hyderabad metro (rail) system for example. That is the largest elevator win we have had at the time it happened. The Hyderabad metro system for us is 670 escalators and elevators making it the largest single installation for a single project in India and the largest single order for us. It is worth around Rs 400 crore."
News INDUSTRY Telecom This link is no longer available Feedback

This link is no longer available

This link is no longer available.
Following is the statement of the Minister of Communication, Issa Tchiroma Bakary during a press conference in Yaounde on November 10, 2017 on the aftermath of the attack and killing of Gendarmes in the North West and South West Regions.

ADS



Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am highly delighted to wish you a warm welcome to this press conference, to which I have invited you, that will dwell on three topical issues of major importance.

Meanwhile, before getting further, allow me to first of all honour the presence here with me of His Excellency Joseph DION NGUTE, Minister Delegate to the Minister of External Relations, in charge of relations with the Commonwealth.

I am also delighted to welcome two experts, Mrs BEKOLO, Regional Integration Director at MINEPAT, and Mr TAZOH, Sub-Director in charge of Central Africa at the Directorate of African Affairs at MINREX.

I am no longer presenting Colonel Didier BADJECK, Head of the Communication Division at MINDEF, who is already used to such meetings with the press whenever necessary.

If you dont mind, we will first talk about the terrorist escalation notably in the North West and South West Regions.

In this regard, as earlier announced in my press statement of Tuesday, November 7, 2017, the day before, that is to say, on November 6, 2017, where, around 8 a.m., a group of assailants made up of a dozen individuals armed with slingshots and machetes attempted to storm the Jakiri Technical High School in the Bui Division of the North West Region.

The objective of this assault was to expel teachers and students from the school campus where classes were held, and to set the various school buildings ablaze.

Cognizance of the situation, the Principal of the Technical High School immediately alerted the Defense and Security Forces posted nearby. The vigorous intervention of our forces allowed to defeat the criminal action of the assailants, who were forced to retreat into the nearby bush.

It was during the fight to get hold of these criminals that Gendarme-major DJONLAY Bienvenu was ambushed and then cold-bloodedly executed by these criminals. His body was found a few minutes later, riddled with bullets, not far from the scene of events. The service weapon of the victim, AK 47 type, commonly called Kalashnikov, was nowhere to be found, and apparently carried away by the group of terrorists.

Gendarme-major Djonlay Bienvenu was on duty at the 51st Squadron in Bafoussam. He had just been transfered to reinforce the Jakiri Gendarmerie Brigade.

In less than 48 hours later, precisely on the 7th of November 2017, at about 11 p.m., a second terrorist attack was perpetrated against a joint police and gendarmerie check-point along the road to Bafut, on the outskirt of the town of Bamenda. This time, it was a hooded individual, operating in gang, who opened fire on the check-point, hitting the Marechal de Logis-Chef (Chief Warrant Officer), HINMA Dieudonne on the back, before disappearing in thin air.

The Gendarmerie Non-commissioned Officer gave up the ghost a few minutes later while he was being rushed to the hospital of the vicinity.

A federal brand 45 auto socket from a war ammunition was found at the crime scene. According to information from a reliable source, our Forces do not have this type of ammunition. The identification procedure is currently underway.

The Marechal de Logis-Chef (Chief Warrant Officer), HINMA Dieudonne was on duty at the Kiki Gendarmerie Brigade in the Mbam and Inoubou Division of the Centre Region.

Like his other comrades who died in Jakiri, he was also transferred to Bamenda on a reinforcement mission.

A few hours later, on November 8, 2017, at around 2 a.m., the  eleve gendarme  SALI David, commissioned to ensure the security of College Saint-Michel in the Bayele neighborhood of Bamenda, was found dead and his Kalashnikov service weapon was carried away, including all the ammunition he had on him.

The bullet that killed the  eleve gendarme  SALI David is of the same type as that found at the crime scene of the Marechal de Logis-Chef HINMA at the outskirt of the town of Bamenda.

The  eleve gendarme  SALI David was a trainee of the High Command of National Gendarmerie Schools and Training Centres, on normal assignment in Bamenda.

In the early hours of November 8, 2017, at approximately 4:00 a.m., the check-point of Takedja, located on the Kumbo-Nkambe axis, also subjected to an armed attack.

Here, the heavy-handed response of the Forces on duty routed the assailants who had to turn back.

On the night of the 9th-10th of November, the soldier YAYA Emmanuel serving with the 22nd motorized Infantry Battalion attached to the 21st Motorized Infantry Brigade Battalion was brutally murdered by another gang of terrorists.

The soldier and many of his fellow comrades were on guard on the bridge linking Cameroon to Nigeria around the locality of AKWEM just a stone throw from Mamfe town, in Manyu Division in the South West Region. His assailants took him unaware as he was attaining to natures call in a nearby bush.

In all, and as I speak, four members of the Defence and Security Forces on special assignment have been killed, fallen under the bullets of terrorists, who claim to belong to the secessionist movement known as the  Southern Cameroons Ambazonia Consortium United Front , abbreviated as SCACUF.

These attacks have been duly claimed in a statement signed by this organization and made public.

Allow me to present the heartfelt condolences of the Head of State, His Excellency Paul BIYA, to the bereaved families of the valiant soldiers of the Republic, who fought with their heads high in commissioned service, to defend the fundamental values ??of the entire nation.

Allow me, on his distinguished behalf, to assure them that their sacrifice will not be in vain.

In this regard, allow me to point out that during the security sweeps organized to find the terrorist killers, the Defense and Security Forces had to face the resistance of visibly suspicious individuals, who refused to succumb to the arrests. This gave way to scuffles that resulted in the death of two terrorists and five wounded among them.

To date, investigations conducted by the Defense and Security Forces have resulted in the arrest of six dangerous suspects, who, at the time of their arrest, were holders of 12 ammunitions of 7.62 millimeters in the Misaje locality, of the Donga Mantung Division of the North West Region, just as they were about to cross the border into a neighboring country.

These individuals are: WIRNGO Flavian BONKIKEH 32-year-old; NDZELAMONYUY Livinus WIRASHY alias Livi, 26-year old; NJODZEKA Leonard SUILIY, alias ALIOU OUSSAM SYSTEM, 26-year old; WALA Ernest, 21-year old; NGORAN Livinus, alias Livi, 31-year old; and MDZEYUF Raoul alias AGUERO, 23-year old.

During their questioning at the North West Gendarmerie Legion in Bamenda, the suspects I just mentioned all admitted that they were the perpetrators of the Jakiri Technical High School attack on November 6, 2017.

They also emphasized that it was Mr. NDZELAMONYUY Livinus WIRASHY alias Livi who assassinated the Gendarme-major DJONLAY Bienvenu.



Distinguished Journalists,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

This is therefore the prevailing situation in the North West and South West Regions.

Given this situation, we are now all in agreement as we have always said and supported since the beginning of the violence in these two regions of our country, that we are indeed in faced with a terrorist enterprise, a relentless enemy of the Republic, driven by unlimited blind violence and murderous madness.

I can clearly state without fear of contradiction, that very often, we have very been subjected to attacks by some probably naive persons, who at one time, may have thought that the Government was mixing things up around a crisis which concerned mere corporatist or republican concerns raised by passive and peaceful protesters. The Government was then accused of demonizing the interlocutors in good faith, who only wanted to be listened to and invited on the table for dialogue

As it is, the whole truth is now revealed. It is hence imposed on everyone. The secessionists have just declared war on the Republic, from the moment when attacks are perpetrated against the institutions responsible to ensure the protection of the population. It becomes even more disturbing when those positioned to ensure security, guarantee the smooth running and peaceful life of the nation, and protect the fundamentals values of this nation, are deliberately put to death.

This has nothing to do whatsoever with the necessary expression of a view or an opinion, even if it is contrary to that of other citizens. This view or opinion should rather help to promote the indispensable dialogue for the consolidation of a common future and to our key principle of togetherness.

May these crooks of the Republic who have chosen the path to blood and gratuitous violence know that they will always find a united Cameroon, from North to South, and from East to West.

Let them understand that, well-intentioned Cameroonians, wherever they may come from and whoever they are, be it English or French, Christians, Muslims, animists or even atheists are all firmly and strongly standing behind their Chief, His Excellency Paul BIYA, President of the Republic, and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

That notwithstanding, the Government is astonished by the silence showcased by NGOs defending human rights and freedoms, while repeated and blatant cases of armed subversion and violence of unmeasurable cruelty are being meted on our Defense and Security Forces. These abuses, however, continue to occur in the open and in the knowledge of everyone, without any reaction from these NGOs. This pregnant silence, is a clear indication of the complicity, and even the complacency of whistle-blowers, incapable of expressing the slightest compassion to the bereaved families of the slaughtered soldiers, who, without attacking anyone, died on duty, thus, victims of loyalty and patriotism.

In any case, the Government is once again taking the national and international community as a witness, in the twist of event taking place in these two regions perpetrated by this terrorist and clearly anti-republican group.

Let it be clear to everyone that the Government has already taken its full responsibility to restore law and order in these areas. This is a prerequisite and a non-negotiable imperative, on which no transaction will be authorized, when it comes to the sovereign duty incumbent upon any State, for the safety and protection of persons and property as well as the preservation of our territorial integrity.



Distinguished Journalists,

Ladies and Gentlemen

Allow me to now turn to a less dramatic but rather comforting issue, which concerns the promotion of our compatriots to a dignity of global greatness.

In fact, Honorable Emilia MONJOWA LIFAKA, Member of Cameroons National Assembly and Vice-President of the said Assembly, was elected on November 7, 2017, at the head of the prestigious Commonwealth Parliamentarians Association, abbreviated as CPA.

In fact, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, which brings together Parliamentarians from all Commonwealth Member countries around the world, is a powerful tool for cooperation and the promotion of the values ??of democracy and governance among nations.

Founded in 1911, this powerful inter-governmental organization recently held its General Assembly here in Yaounde.

Honorable Emilia MONJOWA LIFAKA was elected to her new responsibilities during the last CPA session held in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, with 107 votes, far ahead of her other two competitors who scored 70 votes and 15 votes respectively.

In addition to the personal qualities and solid parliamentary experience of the honorable laureate, this election of a worthy daughter of our country is concrete translation of the strength and dynamism of Cameroonian diplomacy, and the strength of its democratically inclined institutions.

The confidence that the parliamentary family of the Commonwealth has thus placed in our compatriot, also testifies of all the appreciation that this august organization brings to Cameroon in the respect of its values.

I would like to point out that the candidacy of Honorable MONJOWA LIFAKA was presented and backed by the President of the Republic, His Excellency Paul BIYA himself. The resolve expressed by the Head of State also aims to assert the biculturalism of our country through its membership of the Commonwealth and the Francophonie in the eyes of the world.

Over the next three years, Cameroon will certainly, through the newly CPA President position, play a remarkable role both as Commonwealth spokesperson and flag bearer throughout the world.

The other Cameroonian parliamentarian to be distinguished on the international scene is the Honorable Joseph OWONA KONO, also a member of Cameroons National Assembly.

During the 47th Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States and the Parliamentary recess of the ACP-European Union, held from 10 to 12 October 2017 in Brussels, Honorable Joseph OWONA KONO was twice elected for a two-year term as President of the ACP Parliamentary Assembly and Co-Chair of the ACP-European Union Parliamentary Assembly.

On each occasion, the Cameroonian parliamentarian was elected unanimously.

The importance of the functions that our compatriot will occupy over the next two years, both politically and economically, should be noted in view of the increased role of the European Parliament, the main interlocutor of the ACP Parliament.

Here again, the Cameroonian Presidency will certainly be a major asset in the political dialogue with the European authorities.

Moreso, and beyond the personal strengths of the new President who happens to be one of our compatriots, it is the influence and the interpersonal skills of Cameroonian diplomacy that must be commended, not only in Africa, but also in its action towards the entire European Union.

Added to these diplomatic victories, there is the election of Mr. SHEY Jones as CEMAC Commissioner for Infrastructure, and that of Mr. EVANE Evariste, appointed Deputy-Director General of the Sub-Regional Multi Institute of Applied Technologies, Planning, and Evaluation of Projects.

I would like to present the wholehearted congratulations of the Government to our compatriots, including our best wishes for the prestigious mission just entrusted to them.

One news item that has been in the headlines for a couple of weeks now is the complete implementation of free movement of people and good within the CEMAC Community by its member states. As you all know, the population of these states have been impatiently waiting for this gesture.

This decision was unanimously arrived at during the Extraordinary Summit of October 31st 2017 in Ndjamena during which the CEMAC Head of States decided to fully implement the free movement of persons and goods within the CEMAC Sub-region.

Already, during the 13th Ordinary Conference of Head of States and Governments that took place in Djibloho in Equatorial Guinea, the Head of States, while prescribing the full implementation of this measure, ordered for a circular Mission in all the Countries of the Sub-region to ensure the implementation of this measure. As the main provision for the follow-up of this decision, the Head of States, were also called upon to recover 1.7 billion Franc CFA from the Community Development Fund resources known in its French acronym as FODEC for the payment of INTERPOL for their mission to secure the borders of the community. This measure leads to the effective implementation of the free circulation of people and goods and a major step in the move to the integration of our Sub-region which is currently undergoing a major economic crisis.

In the meantime, the movement of economic stakeholders is the main beneficiary of this dynamic integration and competitiveness which we so dearly need.



Thank you for your kind attention.

ISSA TCHIROMA BAKARY

ADS
| BY Ricki Green |

Brother & Co has announced that Construction Skills Queensland (CSQ) has joined its client family after an extensive agency review. The industry-funded body supports employers, workers, apprentices and career-seekers in the building and construction industries throughout Queensland.

Says Kurt Viertel, co-founder of Brother & Co: In the rapidly changing world, skills and training are more important than ever. We really believe in the positive difference CSQ makes in Queensland and are delighted to be selected as their agency partner.

Says Brett Schimming, CEO of CSQ: Its exciting to be working with an independent, local agency that truly understands the challenges of our sector and were looking forward to creating outstanding campaigns together.

Im confident that together, well continue to attract, develop and retain new and existing workers in the building and construction industry.
| BY Ricki Green |

AdFest has announced that Joyce King Thomas, chairman and chief creative officer of McCann XBC in New York, is joining next years festival as grand jury president. She will also lead the Branded Content Lotus and Integrated Lotus panel as jury president.

Thomas is the mastermind behind Mastercards infamous Priceless campaign, which has been spoofed by everyone from Ralph Nader to Bart Simpson and has launched in more than 100 markets around the world. She was also involved in the creation of Fearless Girl for State Street Global Advisors  a defiant statue symbolizing the power of women in leadership, which took a herculean effort to create, before winning hearts all over the world.

Thomas now leads XBC (which stands for ExtraBoldCondensed), a unit of McCann that leads all of MasterCards global marketing efforts, from advertising to digital and events.

Says Thomas, who first joined McCann Erickson New York in 1995, rising to the role of chief creative officer: Im excited to be joining AdFest as so much meaningful work is being done in Asia. Last years Lotus winners were truly inspiring so I am sure the standard of entries will be very high. I am also looking forward to spending time in Asia  always an enlightening experience.

Under her leadership, the agency won over a billion dollars in new business from brands like the U.S. Army, Verizon, Nikon and Weight Watchers. In 2010, she took a two-year hiatus to become a partner at Longreads, also joining the board of the Nurse Family Partnership, a group that teaches parenting skills to young mothers living in poverty, returning to McCann in 2012.

Says Jimmy Lam, president of AdFest: It is a true honour to welcome Joyce to AdFest  an accomplished leader and visionary creative, who has helped to create some of the worlds most talked about and loved campaigns. Her experience and talent will be invaluable in guiding next years judges of the AdFest Lotus Awards.

Thomas has won numerous awards, judged countless award shows, and spoken at numerous industry events. In 2012, Advertising Age named her one of the 100 most influential women in advertising. Most importantly, along the way, she has raised two lovely sons.
| BY Lynchy |

Weve seen a lot of success this year and every part of it was because our people had risen to the occasion in a big way. The pace we set wasnt easy but these individuals went above and beyond every time, setting a brilliant example for the entire agency. said Shaun Tay, CEO of the FCB Kuala Lumpur. Tay further elaborates Having a dynamic and diverse team of senior leaders was always a key priority for us. Together with Natasha Aziz, Head of Account Management and LiLian Hor, Head of Digital we now have a solid core of young, talented individuals who I hope will be the future of our agency in the years to come.
| BY Lynchy |

Joyce King Thomas, Chairman and Chief Creative Officer of McCann XBC in New York, will act as Grand Jury President at AdFest next year. She will also lead the Branded Content Lotus and Integrated Lotus panel as Jury President.

Thomas (left) is the mastermind behind Mastercards infamous Priceless campaign, which has been spoofed by everyone from Ralph Nader to Bart Simpson and has launched in more than 100 markets around the world. She was also involved in the creation of the hugely awarded Fearless Girl for State Street Global Advisors.

Thomas now leads XBC (which stands for ExtraBoldCondensed), a unit of McCann that leads all of MasterCards global marketing efforts, from advertising to digital and events.

Im excited to be joining AdFest as so much meaningful work is being done in Asia. Last years Lotus winners were truly inspiring so I am sure the standard of entries will be very high. I am also looking forward to spending time in Asia  always an enlightening experience, says Thomas, who first joined McCann Erickson New York in 1995, rising to the role of Chief Creative Officer.

Under her leadership, the agency won over a billion dollars in new business from brands like the U.S. Army, Verizon, Nikon and Weight Watchers. In 2010, she took a two-year hiatus to become a partner at Longreads, also joining the board of the Nurse Family Partnership, a group that teaches parenting skills to young mothers living in poverty, returning to McCann in 2012.

Jimmy Lam, President of AdFest says: It is a true honour to welcome Joyce to AdFest  an accomplished leader and visionary creative, who has helped to create some of the worlds most talked about and loved campaigns. Her experience and talent will be invaluable in guiding next years judges of the AdFest Lotus Awards.

Thomas has won numerous awards, judged countless award shows, and spoken at numerous industry events. In 2012, Advertising Age named her one of the 100 most influential women in advertising. Most importantly, along the way, she has raised two lovely sons.
"The title of the event is 'no matter what we will party" ... at the end of the day, this campaign has had in Canberra alone hundreds of people involved in it and they've been through a lot in the past few months and we want them to get together and have a fun time regardless," he said.
Still at Mt Kaputar, locals have long claimed that from the lookout atop the 1489 metre high 360-degree scenic lookout that you can see 1/10th of the entire state of NSW. A bold claim indeed and one I've always questioned. I wonder what would be our region's most expansive readily accessible vantage spot? Is it one of the peaks in the Snowies? Or is the terrain too mountainous? Perhaps one of the lookouts on the coastal escarpment like Jerrawangala Lookout near Nerriga? There must be some surveyors or bushwalkers who could put forward some worthy nominations.
"At Arthritis, there are so many more things we could be doing but there's really strict contracts from both the ACT and Commonwealth that say you will do A, B and C, and often you don't even get funded well enough to do [that] so you're constantly fundraising just to deliver your contract," she said.
Stay clear of creeks and storm drains;

Don't walk, ride your bike or drive through flood water;

If you are trapped by flash flooding, seek refuge in the highest available place and ring 000 if you need rescue;

Unplug computers and appliances;

Avoid using the phone during the storm;

Stay indoors away from windows, and keep children and pets indoors as well;
"Every decision we make now will be about whether it will get stolen or destroyed, or whether we need more security, and it's yes, to all those questions, so it's really frustrating."
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.
When the Toyota Raize came into the picture early this year , it commanded the kind of attention that made you think of it as possibly just ...
The British have made some achingly beautiful (and supremely fast) cars over the years, but few could hold a candle to the Jaguar C-Type.



The competition version of the XK120 roadster, the C-Type is the machine that propelled Jaguar to its first two Le Mans wins.

Jaguar would go on to build 53 C-Types, with the majority going to privateer racers in the United States. This is believed to have been the first of them, and racked up racing credentials all its own.

Chassis number XKC 007 was delivered in 1952 to Charles Hornburg, Jaguars West Coast distributor. But rather than sell it, Hornburg kept the car to showcase what the British automaker was capable of.

In September of that year, Phil Hill drove it from California to Wisconsin, entered it in the SCCA National race at Road America in Elkhart Lake, and took first place. The car went on to compete in various other events across America, and scored more podium finishes before being consigned to a string of private collectors.

Beautifully restored and highly sought-after, this C-Type is going up for auction less than a month from now in New York, where its expected to sell for $5.5-7 million. Thatll put it well out of reach for most of us, but we can at least admire it from afar in these photos taken by Ryan Merrill for RM Sothebys.

Photo Gallery
Holden, in case you havent noticed, doesnt manufacture automobiles anymore. It just brings in other GM products from elsewhere and sells them in Australia with lion badges on the nose. And the latest is the Equinox.



Sold as a Chevrolet in America, the Equinox has now arrived Down Under as a Holden, offered in an array of trims and specifications ranging from $27,990 all the way up to $46,290 (in Australian dollars).

Thats a big range, spread across a staggering escalation of six trim levels, separated by equipment levels and powertrain options. The base model comes with a 1.5-liter turbo four mated to a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. The larger 2.0-liter turbo engine pairs with a nine-speed automatic, and therell be a 1.6-liter diesel arriving next year (following the gasoline models that roll out next month).

Adaptive all-wheel drive is available on the penultimate LTZ model, and comes standard on the top LTZ-V. US pricing, in case youre wondering, similarly starts at $26,505 (USD), but tops out at $38,225 for the top-of-the-line Premier model in America  where the Chevrolet division has to be careful not to encroach on upscale Buick and Cadillac territory.

Though classified as a compact SUV in the US, Holden terms the Equinox as a mid-size in Australia. Either way, youre looking at essentially the same vehicle, with as much as 1798 liters (63.5 cubic feet) of cargo space inside (with the rear seats folded flat).

Photo Gallery
Mitsubishis lineup in the United States is limited to the Mirage, Outlander, and Outlander Sport. Help is coming in the form of the Eclipse Cross and Outlander PHEV but sedans have largely been neglected.



In a recent interview with Automotive News, Mitsubishi CEO Osamu Masuko suggested that could change in the future as he still sees room for a sedan. However, the executive noted the companys strength comes from SUVs and 4x4s so thats where they are going to spend their resources.

Despite admitting a sedan isnt a huge priority, Masuko said becoming part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance has changed things and opened up new possibilities. The companies will begin using common platforms and powertrains after 2020 and the executive said In that situation, I think there will be opportunities to introduce a Mitsubishi sedan in the U.S.

Masuko said there are no concrete plans for a sedan at the moment but he hinted any such vehicle wouldnt be just a rebadge as it would have a unique design and characteristics associated with Mitsubishi.

Given the popularity of pickups in the United States, Masuko was naturally asked about the possibility of offering one stateside. He said the company is focused on building smaller trucks for Asian and Middle Eastern countries but he would consider opportunities from within the Alliance. That could mean the company might eventually offer a version of the Nissan Frontier or Titan.

Photo Gallery
Nissan found a winner with its Midnight Editions. In fact, the manufacturer says that out of those models offered with the package, about a third sell with it specified  and about 80 percent of Maxima SRs.



With that kind of demand, it should come as no surprise that the Japanese automaker is extending the Midnight Edition, not only for another model year, but to new models as well.

For 2018, Nissan is offering all its pickups with the murdered-out treatment, including the Frontier, Titan, and Titan XD.

The Frontier Midnight Edition is offered in Crew Cab form with the automatic transmission and either two- or four-wheel drive. It comes with 18-inch alloys, grille, step rails, mirror caps, door handles, and badging all blacked out, along with body-colored bumpers.

The Midnight Titan and Titan XD also get black mirror caps, door handles, step rails, and badges, along with black fog light surrounds, fender louvers (on the XD), and 20-inch wheels. The bumpers are similarly body colored, as is the grille with a dark insert. The package is available on the SV and SL trim levels of either the Titan or Titan XD, with the Crew Cab and either two- or four-wheel drive.

If pickups arent your thing, Nissans still offering the Midnight Edition treatment on the Sentra SR ($495), Altima SR ($1,095), Maxima SR ($1,195), Rogue SV ($1,095), Murano Platinum (pricing TBA), and Pathfinder SL ($1,395).

Pricing has yet to be announced for the Titans, but the new Frontier Midnight Edition commands a $995 premium. Equipment levels vary as well from one model to the other, but the manufacturer asserts that the packages represent an average 45-percent savings over specifying the same equipment separately.

You dont have to order yours in black, either: while the trim is all murdered out, the bodywork can be ordered in white or gunmetal grey, too.

Photo Gallery
Rolls-Royce has been very clear that its forthcoming crossover wont be an SUV. Elegant, sure. Sporty er, maybe. But certainly not utilitarian.



An all-terrain, high-sided vehicle is what theyre calling it over in Goodwood. But what if it were a real utility vehicle?

Then it might look something a little like this. A lot like this, if we were so fortunate. Its called the Rolls-Royce Haunt, in keeping with the marques ghostly naming scheme. Only it doesnt actually exist. Its a rendering from Brazilian designer Kleber Silva.

As you can see, the design calls for a four-door, short-bed pickup truck  not unlike, say, the Lamborghini LM002 or a Hummer H2 SUT only not quite that utilitarian, and with distinctly Rolls-Royce design traits.

It has a pantheon grille, Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament, suicide rear doors, two-tone paintjob just how wed expect a Rolls-Royce truck to look, if ever the ultra-lux automaker were to make one. And looking at it, we cant help but wonder if it should.

Maybe then youd see owners taking their Rollses hunting (or hawking) like they used to, instead of having to slum it in a Range Rover or Bentley Bentayga.

Photo Gallery
Photo: The Canadian Press. All rights reserved. In this aerial image provided by KDKA-TV, emergency personal head to the scene near Brashear High School in Pittsburgh, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2013. Pittsburgh police reported Wednesday that three people were shot near the school. The condition of the person in the stretcher was unknown Wednesday. (AP Photo/KDKA-TV)

Three high school students heading to their vehicle after classes ended were shot Wednesday afternoon, and police sought as many as three people and were investigating whether the shooting was drug-related, school and police officials said.

All three teenagers were shot outside Brashear High School in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as they walked to a vehicle they'd all taken to school earlier in the day, school district spokeswoman Ebony Pugh said. Nearby residents said they heard seven or eight shots.

The victims' wounds appeared to be non-life-threatening, both Pugh and police spokeswoman Diane Richard said, though their descriptions of the wounds differed slightly. Pugh said two students were grazed in the head and one was shot in both the foot and arm. Richard said one was grazed in the neck and shoulder, but not the head. Two are 17 and one is 16.

School officials say the police have brought in six people for questioning.

Police believe the shooting might stem from a drug-related fight between some students last month, Richard said. She didn't immediately provide more details.

The victims are all boys, and none immediately spoke or co-operated with police, Richard said. All were listed in good to stable condition at city hospitals, she said.

The student who was shot in the head was found inside the school, though that's because he "made his way back to the school, and was pulled back inside by one of the administrators," Richard said.

She stressed, "There was no shooting at Brashear school. ... The shooting did not happen in the school."

Brashear is a high school with about 1,400 students and 100 faculty. The school was locked down briefly, though students were released to their parents about 90 minutes after the shooting.
I read where some in Canada battered PM Trudeau for not being in Canada for the ceremonies honouring our war dead, veterans and those who are still serving. Thank you all.

I don't think Trudeau went to all the trouble to not be in Canada and if the latest agreements with the other countries comes to fruition, many jobs in Canada will be saved and bring a great deal of needed economy here. Yes he remembered of that i am sure.



How quickly those who criticize Trudeau for not appearing yet not much was said about PM Harper for not attending one ceremony in CFB Trenton when over 150 Canadian war dead came back to be buried. So I guess we have to choose our battles regardless of which side of the coin you might be on.



11 Nov 2017 am, I went to Apple Orchard Mall, prior to 11am, walked around past all the stores and counted 52 persons wearing a poppy. There were hundreds in the mall. So when Trudeau is criticized for not being at the ceremony in Ottawa, perhaps more should be taken to task for not wearing a poppy since the poppy is by donation.



I applaud the Mall for what they did to remember the fallen this day, it brought tears to my eyes. Thank You.

Dale Dirks
Photo: Contributed A drone search team has been formed to find missing women in the North Okanagan and Shuswap regions.

The beginnings of a drone search team have been put together with a mission to look for four women who have gone missing in the North Okanagan and Shuswap regions over the last 20 months.

Jody Leon, an activist and member of the Splatsin First Nation, said the civilian operation would cover ground that may not have been during RCMP searches for the missing, including Caitlynn Potts, Ashley Simpson, Deanna Mildred Wertz and Nicole Bell.

We're doing something because something needs to be done, said Leon. There are missing women, they could potentially be dead. Their families need help.

The first meeting of the team was held on Friday, with some people coming out who have expertise which could help in searches, including a drone operator and people with experience in map reading and search and rescue.

There are others who have come out because they want to take a stand against violence against women, said Leon. We're going to apply our skills to help.

The two drones currently available are entry level, according to Leon, who added the team plans to fundraise in order to purchase a more powerful drone and equipment, including walkie-talkies, iPads to hook up to the drone, a canopy, lawn chairs and a white board.

Leon said drone searches can be effective in locating ground disturbances, while computer software can enhance the pictures taken.

While winter is now upon the region, she believes the team can work along logging roads or above tree lines to start out.

As well, as the team gets some experience, Leon is hoping residents in the area will allow them to search some private property.

We could canvas people, tell them we're with the drone operating team and ask them if we can come onto their property....The RCMP have to get a warrant but we're civilians, we don't need warrants, we can knock on someone's door and ask for permission.

The new team will be holding another meeting soon although a date has yet to be set and Leon said those interested in helping out can attend. For more information, they can email [email protected] or [email protected].

On Nov. 1, the RCMP identified the remains of one missing Vernon woman, 18-year-old Traci Genereaux, which had been found on a Shuswap farm. Genereaux had been missing since last May.

Police said her death was being treated as suspicious but no charges have been laid in the case.
Photo: The Canadian Press Kwakwaka'wakw nations and supporters protest fish farms in their traditional territories.

First Nations protesters at a salmon farm off the northern coast of Vancouver Island are vowing to stay, despite court action aimed at removing them.

Molina Dawson with the Musgamagw Dzawada'enuxw says she began occupying the Midsummer Island farm with several other protesters more than two months ago because of concerns about the effect the facility is having on wild salmon in the region.

Marine Harvest Canada, which runs the farm, has filed an application for a court injunction to remove the protesters from the facility, located about 50 kilometres east of Port Hardy in the Broughton Archipelago.

Spokesman Ian Roberts says the company has delayed operations as long as possible in hopes of having discussions with the protesters.

However he says the company can no longer wait to continue work at the farm, citing concerns about the safety of the staff and the fish at the facility.

He says Marine Harvest has tried to speak with the protesters about their concerns, but have not yet been granted a meeting.

Dawson says no one from the company has come to talk to the protesters personally.

She says she would be open to a meeting, but what she really wants to see is the company remove its fish from the area.
People leaving wallets, loose change and electronic devices in their vehicles led to a spike in property crime in the North Okanagan between July and September.

A third quarter report from the Vernon/North Okanagan detachment noted a 6.79 per cent hike.

Where we saw the big spike was in theft from vehicles...so we saw quite a few people leaving personal belongings in their vehicle, said Rachael Zubick, City of Vernon community safety coordinator. Wallets, purses, we're seeing laptops, iPods, iPhones, all those things that are quick, easy cash are being left in the vehicle.

Zubick said the result of the thefts also led to an increase in fraud cases.

As a direct result, we'll see fraud files go up as people start to use 'tap' technology because, of course, they leave of their credit cards and their debit cards in their vehicles as well.

People often don't realize their vehicle has been broken into until the next morning and, by that time, the thief will have used the tap, sometimes more than once.

The problem we have is forgetting your belongings in the vehicle. That would be the first place that you would be able to thwart the problem.

Zubick said those summertime numbers are not just due to break-ins at recreational areas, such as beaches and parks, but also in neighbourhoods and elsewhere.

It's random, all over the place, she stressed.

Her tip: Do not leave any personal belongings in your vehicle. Make sure you check. Take a moment to think about whether you've taken everything with you and make sure your vehicle is locked.
Chantelle Deacon

A home in Vernon transformed into a Christmas market Sunday evening, while many locals shopped for handcrafted items.

The first annual BX Christmas Market took place Nov. 12, created by a young woman who felt it was a unique idea.

Its a Christmas market all homemade stuff made by family and some friends of ours, said Elizabeth Molnar, organizer. Its in our house, which is unusual and different.

I thought we would try it for a year and see how it worked.

About 10 vendors were at the market, which was decorated festively in the Christmas spirit.

Im just crocheting scarves and I make big-little matching sets for moms, dads and their little babies, said Abbie Wilson, market vendor.

The three-hour event took place from 6 to 9 p.m.
Photo: The Canadian Press

Officials at the University of British Columbia says pro-Nazi posters have been found on the school's Vancouver campus.

Philip Steenkamp, UBC's vice-president of external relations, says in a statement that the "disturbing" posters were discovered on War Memorial Gym on Saturday.

The university was hosting Remembrance Day ceremonies in the gym that morning.

Photos of the posters obtained by the Ubyssey student newspaper show what appears to be images of Nazis with the words "the true heroes of WW2."

Steenkamp says campus security took down the posters as soon as they were made aware of them.

He says the university takes incidents of hate and racism very seriously.

B'nai Brith Canada issued a statement on Sunday condemning those who put the posters up.

Once again, we see anti-Semitism and neo-Nazism raising their ugly heads at a B.C. university, said Michael Mostyn, Chief Executive Officer of Bnai Brith Canada.

These disturbing incidents constitute a threat to Jewish students and other minorities on campus, as well as an unforgivable insult to Canadian veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice to defeat Nazi tyranny."

The B'nai Brith statement and Ubyssey reported that the RCMP were investigating, but the Mounties did not immediately respond to phone calls and emails requesting confirmation.
Photo: Contributed Ashley Simpson went missing in the Shuswap region in April, 2016.

The birthday this week of a woman who's been missing in the Shuswap since last year has prompted a call to action.

A local group committed to remembering missing and murdered indigenous women is urging people to come out to a rural event on Thursday evening in the hopes that Ashley Simpson, and other missing women, will not be forgotten.

Simpson is a white woman who went missing from the Salmon Arm area in April 2016. Nov. 15 would have marked her 33rd birthday.

This is another birthday where she is not with us and her family is missing her terribly, said Meagan Louis, one of the organizers of the event.

Simpson is one of four women missing in the North Okanagan and Shuswap regions. The others include Caitlin Potts, Deanna Wertz and Nicole Bell. The remains of another missing female, 18-year-old Traci Genereaux, were recently identified after being dug up at a Silver Creek farm.

The event is being held on Nov. 16, the day after Simpson's birthday, at 5:30 p.m. at Salmon River bridge on Heywood-Armstrong Road, outside the Spalllumcheen boundary.

The bridge was damaged by spring flooding but is still accessible to pedestrians, said Louis.

A banner reading 'No More Stolen Sisters' will be strung along the bridge.

Following that, a caravan will be formed which will pass by each area where the women were last seen.

Two other public events are planned in the coming weeks.

Traci Genereaux's family is holding a celebration of life at the Upper Room Mission on Nov. 21 at 1 p.m.

This is a flower and candle vigil so anybody at all who would like to come is invited to lay flowers, light a candle, put down artwork. Her family, her friends, even people who have heard about her on the news and have been touched by it.

On Nov. 23, at 9:30 a.m., a rally protesting violence against women will be held on the steps of the Vernon courthouse.

That date also marks the next court appearance of Curtis Wayne Sagmoen, 36, who has six counts against him in connection with an Aug. 28 incident near Falkland where a sex worker alleges she was threatened with a gun before escaping.
Outcome Health President Shradha Agarwal, left, and CEO Rishi Shah. Founded as ContextMedia in 2006, the medical advertising firm exploded in growth. Now investors are accusing it of lying about its performance to secure nearly $500 million in funding. (Blue Sky photos)

A New York state judge has denied a request from big-name investors in Outcome Health to freeze $225 million set to be distributed to two founders of the Chicago-based startup under fire for allegedly misleading advertisers and investors.

The investors  including units of Goldman Sachs and Google and a fund co-founded by Illinois gubernatorial candidate J.B. Pritzker  last week sued Outcome Health, CEO Rishi Shah and President Shradha Agarwal, alleging fraud as the company secured $487.5 million in funding and rose to a valuation of $5.5 billion.

Advertisement

The company places screens in doctors offices that run educational content about health topics for patients along with advertisements from drug companies. The screens and educational content are free to doctors. Outcome Health makes money off the ads.

Of the $487.5 million the company received earlier this year, $225 million was to be distributed to Shah and Agarwal, according to the lawsuit. That money was to be held in a subsidiary of Outcome Holdings. A court document Outcome Health filed last week says Shah and Agarwal have considered using a portion of that $225 million to pay down the company debt and otherwise stabilize the business.

Advertisement

The suit asked the court to order that those funds remain available, but on Monday a judge denied the request.

Rishi and Shradha remain hopeful they will be able to use the funds for investing back into the business they built, which continues to meet the important needs of patients and doctors alike, Michael Carlinsky, an attorney representing Shah and Agarwal, said in a statement after the ruling.

Representatives for Goldman Sachs, which is leading the investors legal effort, did not respond to requests for comment on the outcome of the hearing.

On Sunday, the investors filed an amended complaint with the court, one noting that at least 22 senior vice presidents, directors and other executives have left or been placed on leave by the company this year.

Since the lawsuit was filed last week, hospitals have backed away from the fast-growing company, and investors have filed court documents indicating they are receiving subpoenas from the Justice Department. Investors also anticipate inquiries from the Securities and Exchange Commission, according to a memorandum investors filed Thursday.

The investors allege in the amended complaint that Shah and Agarwal either knew of or recklessly disregarded misconduct in part because of dramatic turnover among the companys highest ranks. Of 10 executives listed on a document provided to a Goldman Sachs fund before it invested in Outcome Health, five are gone or have been placed on paid leave, according to the amended complaint.

At least 17 other high-level executives, some of whom reported directly to Shah and Agarwal, left the company this year, according to the amended complaint.

David Goldin, a spokesman for Outcome Health, said the list of departed executives in the amended complaint includes junior employees and some who were fired. Additionally, he said the company has hired 250 people this year.

Advertisement

After The Wall Street Journal reported in October that Outcome Health employees were misleading pharmaceutical advertising clients on performance numbers, the Goldman Sachs fund started to investigate whether it and other investors were misled.

Outcome Health was using a third-party company to gather performance data, then allegedly misreporting that data to advertisers and investors, according to the amended complaint. As part of its investigation, Goldman Sachs requested that raw data and on Nov. 2 had a meeting with Outcome Health executives to discuss it, the lawsuit says.

One of the Outcome Health employees at the meeting indicated he had concerns over some of the data from 2015, according to the amended complaint. The Goldman fund had relied on studies based on that data to determine whether it would invest in the company. The raw data showed the information in the studies was false, the amended complaint says.

Michael Getty Atienza, who was head of growth strategy, insight and analytics, was at that meeting with representatives from the Goldman fund, and he resigned from the company the next day, according to the amended complaint.

His lawyer sent a letter to Shah, dated Nov. 3 and filed as an exhibit to the amended complaint Sunday, accusing Shah of making false promises to Atienza about his position and the company during a six-month recruiting process.

Advertisement

Since the Journal story in October, Outcome Health has denied routinely misreporting information to customers and has placed three employees on leave. It hired former U.S. Attorney Dan Webb to conduct an internal review of the allegations. It also said it is reviewing more than 250 ad campaigns that ran on its network this year and plans to turn files over to a third-party auditor for independent verification.

Meanwhile, major advertisers have pulled tens of millions of dollars in ads from the companys screens.

In a Nov. 6 conference call regarding the investigation, Webb said that although the probe is ongoing, he had not found any evidence connecting senior management to any improper conduct, according to a transcript of the call Shah and Agarwals attorney filed with the court Monday.

At the same time, Im not going to draw any final conclusions, Webb said, according to the transcript.

Webb also said he has expanded his inquiry into whether any false information was provided to investors, according to the transcript.

Additionally, Outcome Healths board members have not been receiving substantive updates on Webbs investigation, according to a letter obtained by the Tribune that Kenneth Eberts, an executive at Goldman Sachs who sits on the Outcome Health board, sent to Shah on Sunday.

Advertisement

Webb stressed in the Nov. 6 call that he could not provide details because it wasnt covered by attorney-client privilege, Eberts wrote in the letter. He asked Shah to schedule a board meeting to discuss the findings.

In order for the board to fulfill its function  the board needs to understand what Mr. Webb is finding, unconstrained by the invocation of privilege, Eberts wrote.

amarotti@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @AllyMarotti
Chilean sauvignon blanc has a lot to offer, and it usually doesnt ask for much in return.

Its a big country down there, or at least a long one, and the sauvignon blanc styles cover quite a bit of ground themselves. For the most part, they are also inexpensive, which is good for two reasons. Reason No. 1 is, like chocolate-caramel desserts, inexpensive wines dont require a lot of hemming, or even hawing for that matter; you have little to lose. Reason No. 2 is those low price points allow you to explore with abandon.

Advertisement

As you know, drinking wine is the best way to learn about it. You could also say that learning about wine is the best way to drink it. The affordability of Chilean sauvignon blanc allows you to make learning about it a minor quest (surely you have more major quests occurring in your life at any given moment) to find out exactly which style you like best.

Maybe you dont want to pick a certain style as your favorite. Maybe you want to leave yourself open to sometimes turning to the light, refreshing style that is appropriate for situations that call for an aperitif  no food needed, just a zippy wine to awaken your palate before dinner  or when you need a wine to accompany raw oysters, ceviche, salads or light seafood appetizers. This style is fresh and citrusy, with some combination of tangy lime, pear, green apple, grapefruit, rocky or chalky minerality, and zesty acidity.

Advertisement

On another occasion, if you did not want to choose a side and stick to it, you might want your Chilean sauvignon blanc to be softer and rounder, with more ripeness of fruit. These riper notes could arrive as expressions of stone or tropical fruits, from peach and pineapple to mango and melon. With its riper, more formidable fruit and fuller body, this style would likely have little trouble standing up to grilled shrimp, roasted chicken, creamy pastas or pork dishes.

In between those two styles, and perhaps sometimes bridging them in Venn-diagram ways, are what could be considered Chilean sauvignon blancs most intriguing aromas and flavors: green-pepper spice and asparagus. The latter might sound like a bad thing, but its not. I mean, I guess it is if you dont like asparagus. But even then, its not as if these aromas and flavors completely overwhelm the wine  theyre just part of its overall expression.

You might even get grassy notes in your Chilean sauvignon blanc. And while most people over the age of 4 dont like the taste of grass, again, its not liquid grass. Some other aromas (in completely different wine styles) are described by things you would never want to put in your mouth, at any age. Horse blanket? And that, to some wine people, is a great smell. Maybe asparagus and grass are sounding pretty tame by comparison all of a sudden. Maybe even intriguing. If so, go out and collect some Chilean sauvignon blanc and taste through it. You wont have to spend a lot, and the wines will offer you all kinds of rewards for your investment of time and money.

Sauvignon blanc does well in Chiles cooler-climate growing areas closer to the countrys western coast. Some notable regions to look for on bottles are Casablanca Valley and San Antonio Valley, which includes the also-noteworthy Leyda Valley. But dont restrict yourself to these areas alone, and dont be intimidated by the notion of taking on a whole country, rather than a single region. These sauvignon blancs from Chile are friendly, accessible and  the magic word when it comes to experimentation and discovery  inexpensive. Chardonnay was the wine style that first turned the worlds attention toward Chile as a white-wine producer, but Chilean sauvignon blanc has built a reputation all its own since then. Make sure to give yours a nice chill before you unscrew those caps and pour.

Recommended

Below are notes from a recent tasting of Chilean sauvignon blanc. They are listed in ascending order, according to price.

2015 Hacienda Araucano Reserva Sauvignon Blanc. This wine from Lolol Valley was full of tropical fruit, melon and a tiny whiff of honey joined by lemony citrus, wet-stone minerality, vibrant acidity and 13 percent alcohol. $11

2015 Santa Carolina Reserva Estate Sauvignon Blanc. Some of those greener expressions came out in this Leyda Valley wine, including a hint of freshly cut grass and asparagus followed by floral notes, stone fruits and a clean, refreshing finish. $11

Eat. Watch. Do. Weekly What to eat. What to watch. What you need to live your best life ... now. >

2016 Root: 1 Sauvignon Blanc. From Casablanca Valley, this one offered fresh lime and some tartness that was tempered by minerality, herbs, crushed rock and lively acidity, all leading to a clean finish, plus a moderate 12 percent alcohol. $11

Advertisement

2016 Matetic Vineyards Corralillo Sauvignon Blanc. Gooseberry, grapefruit, citrus and just a little suggestion of asparagus gave way in this San Antonio Valley wine to bright mango and other tropical fruit flavors, with tongue-zapping spice and acidity. $15

2014 William Cole Vineyards Albamar Estate Bottled Sauvignon Blanc. From Casablanca Valley, this one was full of lime and other citrus tang, plus peach and crushed-rock minerality, all of it fresh and exuberant, leading to a lip-smacking conclusion. $16

2015 Concha y Toro Serie Riberas Gran Reserva Sauvignon Blanc. This Colchagua Valley bottling started with fresh, tart lime, chalky minerality and spicy green pepper before moving into even more tangy citrus notes that led to a clean finish. $17

Check back here in the coming weeks for more coverage of Chilean wines, including bottle recommendations of reds.

food@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @pour_man

[ What you need to know about Chilean wine ]

[ Target's new wines signal a casual wine-drinking seachange ]

[ In the mood for wine: Where and how you enjoy it affects what you think ]
It's a miracle actor John Mulaney survived childhood. On Fridays episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Mulaney recalled fainting multiple times while watching "The Miracle of Life" as a kid growing up in Chicago.

I fainted at that not one year, not two years, but three years in a row, said Mulaney, who voices characters on the animated puberty comedy Big Mouth. The first year I went, Huh? and then I was on the floor. The second year, I know it's coming, I go, No way am I going to flinch this time.' So I stared longer and I watched more of the opening number. Hit the floor. The third year, people were rooting for me to faint.

Advertisement

In a 2014 blog post, Mulaney said he was a sixth-grader at St. Clement School in Lincoln Park when he first fainted as the documentary about the human reproductive process played in sex-education class. He said he also fainted at Robert Crown Center for Health Education and in sex-ed as a sophomore at St. Ignatius College Prep on the Near West Side. Mulaney, 35, said these experiences inspired The Doula episode of his short-lived sitcom Mulaney.

Mulaney is in the middle of his Kid Gorgeous comedy tour, which is scheduled to stop at the Chicago Theatre in January and February. The Late Show airs at 10:35 p.m. weeknights on CBS.

Advertisement

tswartz@tribpub.com

Twitter @tracyswartz

[ Stephen Colbert recalls meeting Conan O'Brien at the Old Town Ale House ]

[ Vanessa Bayer reveals advice Stephen Colbert gave her about Chicago ]

[ Chicago native John Mulaney reveals he was asked to audition for 'Home Alone' ]
The Chicago Humanities Festival has wrapped up its fall festival, a series of events that embraced the theme of belief. The weekends events, which culminated in the awarding of the Heartland Prize to Matthew Desmond and Colson Whitehead, included conversations with luminaries such as Tony Kushner, Jill Soloway and Reza Aslan.

Reza Aslan

Lets talk about God, shall we? What can go wrong? Award-winning religious scholar, author and professor, Reza Aslan asked his audience during Friday nights presentation. As part of Chicago Humanities Festivals Fallfest programming, Aslan treated the crowd to one riveting slideshow and Q&A session, which included a defense of atheism and the enormous importance of drug use to human spirituality, at Francis W. Parker School. Speaking about his new book, God: A Human History, Aslan explored various histories of belief and how he differentiates between belief, or faith, and religion, the language believers use to express faith. While Aslan said he didnt want to get into the history of religion too much or material artifacts which predate even Homo erectus (eliciting some surprised Ohs! from attendees), he did provide folks with plenty of new ideas to chew on. At the crux of his lecture (and new release) is the idea of faith as a cognitive impulse and the consequences of that impulse; that belief and religion, like love, are neurological phenomena in the way everything in the universe is. Human beings, Aslan argues, are compelled to project themselves onto their vision of the divine. Thats not always a good thing, he said, adding that humans  full of faults  are divinizing themselves. Its we who have created God in our image, not the other way around, he observed, claiming this leads people to dehumanize each other. He calls for more pantheism, in which all is one and one is all. It will lead to a more peaceful world, Aslan said in closing. Heres hoping.

Advertisement

 Jessi Roti

Tony Kushner and Jeremy McCarter

Maybe the idealism of todays young progressives isnt as radical as people think. At least thats what Pulitzer Prize-winning play and screenwriter Tony Kushner and author (and owner/founder of a new, Chicago-based theater company) Jeremy McCarter discussed Saturday morning at the Art Institutes Rubloff Auditorium. Partnering with the Art Institute, the Chicago Humanities Festival brought the two critical figures together for Radical Stories  a discussion that, very quickly, was derailed by talk of the Trump administration. Luckily, McCarter was able to talk Kushner down from a total Team Blue political defensive filibuster (not that his stories and anecdotes werent, in true Tony Kushner fashion, wonderful) to get back to the point: idealism and how it relates to historical lineage and shared experiences. Simplified? That progressivism is nothing new. It is what the nations greatest politicians (Abraham Lincoln and Barack Obama) and revolutionaries (suffragist Alice Paul) knew, and what they knew would only work in the strategic long game. McCarter and Kushner agreed that, to truly make change, to leave a meaningful mark on the world, you have to be OK with knowing you wont get to realize the ultimate ideal. People worked on it before you, and hopefully there will be people to pick it up after you, McCarter said of the relay race-like politics of change. Hope is the conviction that your work is not in vain. That it will yield a slightly better world than if you did nothing.

Advertisement

 J.R.

Jill Soloway

For "Transparent" showrunner Jill Soloway, belief is about toppling: toppling the patriarchy, toppling racism, toppling transphobia  so much so that they named their company Topple Productions. On Saturday afternoon, Soloway, a Chicago native who uses they/them pronouns, spoke with CHF's Alison Cuddy about the ways they use TV and film to shake up the industry's masculine traditions. They said they come to their sets with "an activist's intention;" theirs is a practice opposite of the all-knowing auteur. Instead, Soloway described a "circle-based," semi-autobiographical style of creating TV, removing the pressure to "get it right for the people that have the money." For them, it's about "sitting there and feeling my family's story." Soloway believes they disrupt filmmaking's "male gaze" by giving women, queer folks and people of color a space to storify their lives and act as protagonists  practices that children come into when they play dolls. And now with the tsunami of sexual misconduct allegations roiling Hollywood, Soloway feels that they aren't alone in their sensibilities. "Patriarchy must come down," they said. "I don't know if capitalism is next."

 K.T. Hawbaker

Yale professor and religious scholar, Kathryn Lofton acutely defined parallels between the collective culture of Wall Street and religion in a Sunday afternoon lecture at the Newberry Library. Yes, the overall argument was: Wall Street, bad  though the 63 employees she interviewed would beg to differ. Reading the chapter on the subject from her new book Consuming Religion, which puts religious context into everything from nonprofit universities to the Kardashians, Lofton began with a story about when she met with a former student of hers who had taken a job at Goldman Sachs. She, a self-described nerdy humanist, was fascinated by the way those who worked at the financial giant seemed to give up their individual I for the collective culture of We  all seemingly willing to equate their economics work with that of the golden rule, one that also lies at the core of what many people see in their religious beliefs, and how this conflation should give us pause to reassess our role in it. Goldman, like religion, finds its true success in selling us things we cant see, and its our belief in these systems  that there will be some ultimate payout thats good for the whole  that keeps them in power, for better or worse. Lofton argues that these systems need each other or they would cease to exist, for materialism has always been the expression of our beliefs. Lofton quoted her student from the story, If you knew what the economy was really like, youd think we were mobsters. The line between a mobster and a rabbi is how you understand the law  and both really know how to read the law. She paused, then picked back up in her former students voice, I thought the Old Testament God was a mobster, thats why I stopped going to synagogue.

 J.R.

Contributing: Jessi Roti, K.T. Hawbaker

jroti@chicagotribune.com

khawbaker@tronc.com

Advertisement

Twitter: @jessitaylorro

Twitter: @roaringgilmore

[ RELATED: Colson Whitehead had to wait to write 'Underground Railroad' ]

[ Tribune's Heartland Prize: An appreciation of 'The Underground Railroad' by Colson Whitehead ]

[ Kevin Young goes deep on the art of the hoax at Chicago Humanities Festival ]

[ Marilynne Robinson, Al Gore highlight Humanities Fest ]
Americans are obsessed with Islam as an idea, as a mystery and as an existential threat to the West. As a result, our debates over Islam and Muslims aren't really about "them" as much as they are about "us" - and the supposed battle between the two. In his new book, "What the Qur'an Meant: And Why It Matters," historian Garry Wills shows how some Americans use Muslims as a way to define who they themselves are and what they stand for, and to sharpen their definition of Western civilization.

The 2016 presidential race was a case in point. As Wills writes, "The crowded field of Republican candidates sounded, at times, as if they were running against Islam, not against Democrats." Wills, the author of "Why I Am a Catholic" and "Why Priests?," comes at Islam as a sympathetic outsider or, more precisely, an outsider who wants to be as sympathetic as he's able to be.

Advertisement

Like many well-meaning observers, Wills hopes to educate readers about Islam in an effort to defuse Islamophobia. His book is directed at those who know little about the religion beyond what they glean from unsavory headlines. His premise is noble enough: that ignorance can be fought with knowledge. If only more people became more informed about the Koran, they might not believe those who insist that Islam is a dangerous religion. So it's hard to fault Wills for some cliched reassurances. For example, he writes of al-Qaeda and the soldiers of the Islamic State: "The minority fanatics seem to be unaware of their own traditions."

Here, Wills shows that his knowledge of the Islamic State's theology is sometimes limited. The problem isn't that Islamic State chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is unaware of more broad-minded interpretations of the Koran; it's that he thinks they're wrong. As Yale University's Mara Revkin has shown, the Islamic State was built on a complex legal structure and could have been worked out only by people intimately familiar with Islamic legal precepts (however extreme and idiosyncratic their understanding of them).

Advertisement

The Islamic State's Salafi-jihadist rendering of Islam - a kind of originalist approach to the canonical texts - is appealing to its followers precisely because it distrusts accumulated tradition that has helped Muslims adapt Islamic law for changing times. For the Islamic State's ideologues, modernity has bent Islam to its will, and their job is to reverse that process. If there were slaves and concubines in the prophet's time, for instance, then there must be in all times.

Wills sometimes seeks to present Islam as something it never was. For instance, he claims that a "mountain of evidence" demonstrates that "Islam favors peace over violence." But Islam is not a pacifist religion. For centuries, Muslim jurists developed a body of law on the waging of war, including how to treat prisoners and civilians caught in conflict and the definition of what properly qualifies as jihad. Wills leaves an intriguing question unanswered: Why should Islam be pacifist in the first place? Since religions are more than just private belief systems, they inevitably must account not only for the ideal of peace but for the reality of war. The Koran was revealed to a prophet and a people engaged in battle, so Islam would necessarily have to address questions of violence and the conquest of territory by force. Before modern norms challenged the violent acquisition and annexation of territory, groups had to capture, hold and govern areas by force; no one voluntarily lets you take their land.

Wills makes other claims that are simply misleading, as when he asserts that "there are no 'portions' of the Qur'an that discuss Shari'ah."In support of his argument, he says that only about 500 of the Koran's 6,235 verses deal with legal matters. The Koran is not a legal manual, but 8 percent of a book isn't exactly nothing, either. The holy book is one of the major sources for interpreting sharia. Wills' presumption appears to be that a religion having something to say about law is a negative thing and must therefore be played down.

In a modern liberal context, the law explicitly belongs to the realm of politics and governance, while religion is seen as something separate, sacred and personal. This is not only a modern conception of law - a product of the nation-state system and the Enlightenment's preoccupation with the rational - but a distinctly Christian one as well. Wills appears to be reading this Christian understanding of religion into Islam. A "good" Islam - the one he introduces to readers - is basically peaceful and, like Christianity, bereft of a serious legal code.

Sharia, which encompasses Islamic law but also private rituals such as praying and fasting, cannot be found in any one place, evolving as it did through precedent and practice. Islam has quite a bit to say about public and political behavior, apparently making it, in Wills' eyes, difficult for Christian and nonreligious readers to comprehend. This probably plays some part in his tendency to offer awkward asides, at once patronizing and over-earnest, such as: "Some people might be surprised to hear there is such a thing as a Muslim feminist. In fact, there are many of them." Yes, there are many of them. Why wouldn't there be, is the more useful question to pose.

I have mixed feelings about emphasizing these faults. This is not a book by a scholar of Islam, so it shouldn't be judged for its lack of originality. It is a book for people who know little about the religion. But if the millions of Americans who found themselves suspicious of Muslims weren't already reassured by George W. Bush's pronouncements of Islam as a religion of peace, it's unclear why Wills would do much better. I also worry about the unintended effects of trying to soften Islam's image or dilute its content. Trying to make Islam digestible to non-Muslims by making it peaceful and legally ambivalent may only inspire more confusion. What happens when, after reading about this palatable, peaceful and unthreatening religion, Americans are confronted by a version of it that is unapologetically assertive and uncompromising?

Hamid, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, is the author of "Islamic Exceptionalism: How the Struggle Over Islam Is Reshaping the World" and the co-editor of "Rethinking Political Islam."

What the Qur'an Meant: And Why It Matters

Advertisement

By Garry Wills | Viking. 226 pp. $25






Most people probably know that the word bunk is short for bunkum, meaning insincere talk, claptrap or humbug. Fewer people are likely familiar with the words etymology, coined out of racial unrest in 1820 in relation to the Missouri Compromise, which admitted Missouri as a slave state. That year, on the floor of the 16th Congress, even though an immediate vote had been called, North Carolina Rep. Felix Walker insisted on filibustering in favor of Missouris slave state status in the name of Buncombe, his home county.

If theres bunk around, then it probably needs debunking, and Kevin Young does the job admirably in Bunk: The Rise of Hoaxes, Humbug, Plagiarists, Phonies, Post-Facts, and Fake News. Drawing on incidents and etymologies such as the one above, he anatomizes the lengthy American and international history of entertaining deceptions  from P.T. Barnum to Rachel Dolezal, from Edgar Allan Poe to Nasdijj, from the Hitler Diaries to Jerzy Kosinski  and does so in a way that reveals and critiques the racist underpinnings of many such notorious fabrications.

Advertisement

Young acknowledges various European hoaxes while raising the central question: Is there something especially American about the hoax? Exploring the answers, he continually returns to the multifarious ways in which an eighteenth-century Counter-Enlightenment, with its mistrust of science and history of hoaxes, could actually join with the Enlightenment and its love of systems to spawn the pseudosciences of the nineteenth century  particularly those that sought to create not just taxonomies but hierarchies between the races.

Young  the author of 11 collections of poetry, as well as the nonfiction book The Grey Album: On the Blackness of Blackness  serves as the poetry editor of The New Yorker and the director of the New York Public Librarys Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. His copious research, his talents in literary analysis and his associative skills as a poet are on acrobatic display as he argues convincingly that the hoax is all too often an underrecognized mechanism for maintaining white  and to a concurrent extent, male  supremacy.

Advertisement

He writes, for instance, about Joice Heth, the black woman that P.T. Barnum exploited for an act in 1835 in which she pretended to be George Washingtons nursemaid, which would have made her 161 years old, and points out later how, Simultaneously celebrated and denigrated, often through the very body she supposedly nurtured and wet-nursed with, Heth stands as one of a long line of black women forced to prove their womanity.

Throughout, Young makes elucidating comparisons across the ages, such as how the penny press, which fanned the flames of hucksterism in the 1800s, finds its parallel in the internet today insofar as it too implements chaos as a going concern. Or how the fraudulent girl wonder Opal Whiteley  who self-published The Fairyland Around Us at 22 and dressed as an obligatory Indian  in the 1920s  has her parallel in the plagiarism case of novelist Kaavya Viswanathan in the early 2000s.

Admittedly, hoaxes are a shaggy subject, yet one wishes that Youngs book were a bit more trim, as he turns and returns to subjects across chapters in a nonlinear and at times perplexing and repetitive fashion. As a result, brilliant as its parts are, Youngs book as a whole comes off as less of a spotlight illuminating its dim-by-design subject in a cohesive glow and more of a sparser set of Christmas lights  bright spots placed along a strand with perhaps a bit too much murkiness in between for the pattern to come through as clearly as might be desirable.

Nevertheless, his profound assertion that the hoax changes history and also the future shines through; he writes: Its the worst kind of twofer: the hoax is ultimately a matter of life and death.

Youngs groundbreaking study of spectacles and spectacular falsehoods reaches its audience roughly one year after the election of Donald Trump. Obviously, Young was hard at work on this book well before it became clear that a man who routinely denigrates minorities and women and blithely dismisses inconvenient aspects of reality would hold the highest office in the United States.

Although the book doesnt center on the Trump presidency, Young does analyze how significant portions of Melania Trumps 2016 Republican National Convention speech were stolen from Michelle Obamas 2008 speech at the Democratic National Convention, and how Mrs. Trumps status as an immigrant from Slovenia was championed in a way the candidate would explicitly deny Muslims and Mexicans.

As we enter the second year of the Trump administration  with its railing against fake news, its failure to unilaterally condemn white supremacists in Charlottesville and its assertion that climate change is itself a hoax perpetrated by the Chinese  this book could scarcely be more timely or useful.

Advertisement

Kathleen Rooney is the author, most recently, of the novel Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk.

Bunk: The Rise of Hoaxes, Humbug, Plagiarists, Phonies, Post-Facts, and Fake News

Kevin Young, Graywolf, 480 pages, $30
Author Ruth Goring considers herself a third-culture kid  a child who spent most of her formative years living abroad. A native of Kansas City, Kan., Goring considered Colombia her home for most of her upbringing, thanks to being a part of a missionary family.

My family took us to Colombia when I was 6 years old, Goring said in a phone interview. My parents were Plymouth Brethren; they lived on this model of living by faith, a model based on George Mueller, a British man who opened orphanages. They worked mostly in education, as well as serving the church, and we just grew up among Colombian friends.

Advertisement

The earlier years were spent in the more remote south of the country, in Pasto and Puerto Asis, but when Goring was 12, the family moved to Medellin. Goring, a University of Chicago Press editor, recalls that time of her life as a precious, priceless experience, when she was able to grow up between two cultures.

Goring has brought that experience to the page before in books of poetry, but now she is telling Colombian stories through her first childrens book, Adrianas Angels. (The Spanish version of the book recently took silver in the Spanish book category of the Moonbeam Childrens Book Awards.)

Advertisement

The book tells the story of a child who flees her Colombian home with her family to start a new life in Chicago. The book depicts the transition of the young refugee amid ordinary moments of youth and a new world of unknowns, with angels Milagros and Alegria surreptitiously watching over her. Goring wrote it with hopes of helping American children empathize with and accept the increasing immigrant population.

Are we teaching our children to fear those who look and sound different from them? she asks. Or will we encourage their innate empathy? I hope Adriana's story fosters friendly curiosity and identification with refugees.

Goring recalls having the story idea over 20 years ago  the impetus from a friendship with a family whose little girl had a narrow escape  but it wasnt until she became involved with the Colombian community in Chicago, meeting several families and individuals who had to seek political asylum here that Adrianas Angels came together.

It comes from experience of real families and my experience of just getting to know these families and what theyve been through in the past, she said. I now live in Rogers Park, which is a traditional place for refugee folks to be resettled. Its part of my daily life to be around people who have had to leave their homes.

Goring took copies of Adrianas Angels when she visited Colombia this summer, giving the Spanish version of the book to people who work with families that have been displaced, people who have had to leave their homes because of threats of violence or actual violence within the country (internally displaced). That number continues to grow in Colombia, she said. So those problems are still ongoing.

The folks that are sharing the books with these families are telling me that the children are very responsive and it means so much to the parents because they feel like theyre not invisible  that theyre being seen internationally, Goring said.

The story also adds to the diversity of the lexicon that is childrens literature  which is lacking, according to Goring. As a member of the Society of Childrens Book Writers and Illustrators, Illinois chapter, she is on board with helping to make the childrens book world more inclusive.

Here, in the United States, theres still a huge need for stories where children of color can see themselves represented, Goring said, adding that the same holds true for young people in Colombia. Theres a lot of racism there too. The children really love seeing themselves represented, and for the parents, that means a lot to them. Children are not going to get that diverse experience unless we help them to get it. Its something of a mission of mine in being involved with childrens books to encourage that diversity for the sake of all of our children. I really do think that it will diminish some of the unconscious white racism, if children are growing up within diversity and just find it normal.

Advertisement

Goring mentioned she already has another story brewing about Adriana. But, in the meantime, shes hoping to encourage refugees and immigrants to tell and write their stories based on their own experiences.

Thats the kind of thing we need. ... There is so much healing in it for them, and theres so much learning for the rest of us.

drockett@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @DarcelTribune

[ Yes, America. People of color are still sitting together in the cafeteria. Here's why. ]

[ 'I tried to be what white people valued'  a searing memoir of growing up biracial ]

[ Dr. Seuss museum to replace mural after complaints it depicted 'jarring racial stereotype' ]
He didnt call the women liars, which makes him notable in the long lineup of prominent men accused of sexual misconduct or assault in the last six weeks.

Beyond that, Louis C.K.s response to Thursdays New York Times story, in which multiple women accuse the actor of masturbating in front of them, isnt worth the ticker-tape parade some folks appear to be organizing.

Advertisement

These stories are true, he wrote. At the time, I said to myself that what I did was OK because I never showed a woman my d--- without asking first, which is also true.

But what I learned later in life, too late, is that when you have power over another person, asking them to look at your d--- isnt a question. Its a predicament for them.

Advertisement

A predicament is when your baby-sitter cancels at the last minute. Watching a man you hardly know pleasure himself  with no idea what he plans to do next  is more like a nightmare.

Semantics, sure. But when you couple it with the next part of his statement, he sounds more like an actor playing the role of Remorseful Guy.

Hes still onstage. The women are his extras or, even further removed, his audience.

The power I had over these women is that they admired me, he wrote. And I wielded that power irresponsibly. I have been remorseful of my actions. And Ive tried to learn from them. And run from them. Now Im aware of the extent of the impact of my actions. I learned yesterday the extent to which I left these women who admired me feeling badly about themselves and cautious around other men who would never have put them in that position.

I left these women who admired me feeling badly about themselves?

This is where I want to pull ol Louis aside backstage and whisper:

Youre the diminished one here.

Youre the one who has now joined the disgraced ranks of Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein and producer Brett Ratner and filmmaker James Toback and Senate candidate Roy Moore and the rest of the coterie of men accused of allowing their toxic hunger for dominance and pleasure cloud their ability to see women as fully human.

Advertisement

Youre pretending that a New York Times story made you see the light. (I learned yesterday ...) You could have looked in the eyes of those women you cornered and learned  actually learned  years ago.

Instead, I might point out, you waited for public rebuke and a hit to your bottom line, which makes you even less believable in the role of Remorseful Guy.

But Im not directing this show. I'm simply watching it play out over and over, in industry after industry. We all are. And the women, of course, are neither extras nor audience members. Theyre humans who have grown distressingly accustomed to navigating the Louies and Harveys and Bretts of the world to pursue their careers.

Speaking of which ...

I have spent my long and lucky career talking and saying anything I want, C.K. wrote in closing. I will now step back and take a long time to listen.

I hope he does. Thats the best bit in his entire 494 words  none of which, its worth noting, is sorry.

Advertisement

hstevens@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @heidistevens13

[ Review: 'I Love You, Daddy': Louis C.K.'s SOS ]

[ Related: Diana Nyad's essay on high school swim coach's sexual assaults is a gut-wrenching wakeup call ]

[ Why do women get all attractive if they don't want to be harassed? Glad you asked ]
President Donald Trump greets performers following a Chinese opera performance at the Forbidden City, on Nov. 8, 2017, in Beijing, China. (Andrew Harnik / AP)

Have you ever been around bullies?

They like to talk big around their friends, boasting about how they are going to crush their victim once they are face to face. But when they get the opportunity, they cower in fear and run away.

Advertisement

Thats because bullies are nothing more than egomaniacs who love to mouth off. Deep inside, they are scared, insecure little rabbits that like to pick on others because it makes them feel better about themselves.

But most of all, they just want to be admired.

Advertisement

Last week, during his first presidential visit to Beijing, Donald Trump showed the world just how much he craves the admiration of Chinese President Xi Jinping. And Xi played him like a fool.

All it took to woo Trump was a photo op with performers of the Peking Opera and dinner at the Forbidden City.

The meek and humble Donald Trump who showed up in Beijing was not the angry, loudmouthed Donald Trump who vowed during his presidential campaign to stand up to China on issues such as trade and North Korea.

Over the years, Trump has called China everything but a friend to America. He has accused the Chinese of taking our jobs, stealing our technology, manipulating currency and allowing their factories to become the biggest environmental polluters in the world.

Here are a few of the things Trump said about China on the campaign trail while trying to convince American voters that he that he had the guts to confront Xi over what he considered to be unfair trade practices.

We cant continue to allow China to rape our country and thats what theyre doing. Its the greatest theft in the history of the world.

Chinas upset because of the way Donald Trump is talking about trade with China. Theyre ripping us off, folks. Its time. Im so happy theyre upset.

We give state dinners to the heads of China. I said why are you doing state dinners for them? They're ripping us left and right. Just take them to McDonald's and go back to the negotiating table.

Advertisement

Earlier this year, when North Korea announced that it was moving forward with its nuclear missile program, Trump again blamed China for failing to step up and reel in the rogue country. He tweeted:

China has been taking out massive amounts of money & wealth from the U.S. in totally one-sided trade, but won't help with North Korea. Nice!

Trump would have had us believe that he hated everything China stood for. But by the time he left Beijing, Xi had him thinking they were BFFs.

Instead of standing up to the Chinese, Trump went over there and blamed Americans.

During a joint news conference with Xi, Trump did say that China "must immediately address the unfair trade practices that drive" the large trade deficit. Then he added this qualifier.

"But I don't blame China," he said. "After all, who can blame a country for being able to take advantage of another country for the benefit of its citizens?"

Advertisement

"I give China great credit," he added, as the Chinese audience broke out in applause.

As if it wasnt clear to Xi that he really, really likes him, Trump provided this tweet later:

I dont blame China, I blame the incompetence of past Admins for allowing China to take advantage of the U.S. on trade leading up to a point where the U.S. is losing $100's of billions. How can you blame China for taking advantage of people that had no clue? I would've done same!

Apparently, its much easier to attack the Chinese on social media than it is to criticize them face to face.

So Trump cowered, which is exactly what bullies do.

You have to give Xi credit, though, for figuring out how to manipulate the leader of the free world so easily.

Advertisement

Xi rolled out the red carpet for Trump and first lady Melania Trump, something he didnt do during President Barack Obamas last visit during the G-20 Summit in 2016. When Obama landed, there werent even any steps in place for him to deplane Air Force One.

Trump was greeted with an elaborate welcoming ceremony on the plaza outside the Great Hall of the People. An honor guard played the U.S. and Chinese national anthems, and perfectly choreographed children waved U.S. and Chinese flags along the street as Trumps motorcade went by.

Xi also gave Trump a treat that no other American president has ever received. After a private tour of the Forbidden City and a performance by the Peking Opera, the Trumps were honored with an official dinner inside Beijings ancient royal palace.

Thus, Trump became the first foreign leader to have an official dinner in the palace since the People's Republic of China was founded in 1949.

Take that, Obama!

There are no indications that Trump was able to wrangle any promises from Xi regarding North Korea or trade. But Xi might have succeeded in getting Trump to actually think he did.

Advertisement

Trump described his welcome to China as "truly memorable and impressive and something I will never forget."

Thats good for a bullys ego. But it does nothing to help the American people.

dglanton@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @dahleeng

RELATED

[ Trump's agenda at stake as misconduct allegations against Roy Moore turn Alabama race into toss-up ]

[ His Asia trip winding down, Trump meets with allies in Philippines ]
Weekend violence in Chicago included two men killed by rifle fire as they left a party in Brighton Park, a 14-year-old boy shot in the leg on the Far South Side and two men wounded on Lake Shore Drive within 15 minutes of each other.



In all, 20 people were shot in the city from Friday afternoon through early Monday, bringing the number of people shot this year to at least 3,228. That's more than 600 people this time last year, but still substantially higher than other recent years, according to data kept by the Tribune.



There have been at least 598 homicides this year, 88 fewer that last year but, again, notably higher than other recent years. Chicago is close to recording 600 homicides for only the second time since 2003, when 601 homicides were recorded for the entire year.



The two men killed by rifle fire were shot by a masked gunman as they left a party in the 2400 block of West 47th Street early Sunday, police said. The victims were identified by family as Alejandro Arellano and Angel Rosario, both 29.



The 14-year-old was shot late Sunday while he stood on a sidewalk in the 10700 block of South Langley Avenue in the Roseland neighborhood, police said. He was one of three teenagers wounded over the weekend.



Earlier Sunday, a 40-year-old man was shot around 3:30 a.m. in the 3200 block of North Lake Shore Drive in the Lakeview East neighborhood. Then around 3:45 a.m., a 34-year-old man was shot in the 3900 block of North Lake Shore Drive.
A woman who was injured during a fire at her home on the West Side Sunday afternoon has died, authorities said.

The woman, Dorsey L. Calhoun, 82, was found by firefighters during a primary search of the burning home in the 1500 block of South Central Park Avenue around 2:35 p.m., according to the Cook County medical examiner's office and the Chicago Fire Department.

Advertisement

She was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital after being rescued from the second-floor, but was pronounced dead at 2:59 p.m., authorities said.

Check back for details.
Surveillance cameras recorded two individuals suspected of burglarizing the Bridgeport Art Center on Nov. 4, 2017. (Chicago Police Department) (Chicago Police Department)

Chicago police detectives are questioning two people of interest in a burglary at the Bridgeport Art Center on the South Side, authorities said Monday afternoon.

The news comes a day after police released surveillance video that captured two suspects inside the center.

Advertisement

The theft happened between 3:25 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. Nov. 4 at the center, located in the 1200 block of West 35th Street in the Bridgeport neighborhood, police said. Surveillance video released by police shows two people walking around the center for nearly two hours.

The pair is first seen carrying backpacks inside an elevator. Then, the video shows them walking around a room filled with plants. Finally, the video shows them leaving the building through the basement, and one of the individuals is seen exiting with two additional bags.

Advertisement

One of the suspects, who had shoulder-length blonde hair, was wearing all black, while the second suspect wore gray sweatpants and sweatshirt and a black leather jacket. The second suspect was wearing black and pink Nike shoes.

The burglary was later reported through the citys 311 system. Police declined to say what type of electronics were stolen or how much the equipment was worth.

Officials from the Bridgeport Art Center declined to comment on the burglary.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Area Central detectives at 312-747-8227.

emalagon@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @ElviaMalagon
Sankul Rawat, 25, is a native of New Delhi, India, and moved to Chicago in August to study for a master's degree in computer science at UIC. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)

More international students attended Illinois colleges and universities last year, but that growth is becoming more modest locally and nationally, according to newly released data.

Advertisement

Illinois schools enrolled 52,225 international students in 2016-17, the fifth-most in the country and about 1,900 more than the year before, according to the Institute of International Educations annual Open Doors study, released Monday.

That 3.8 percent change is the smallest recent increase, following growth of 8.1 percent, 9.5 percent and 8.7 percent in the previous three school years. That amounts to over 13,000 more international students over the past five years, the majority of whom hail from China and India, according to the study.

Advertisement

American universities have long courted international students to diversify campuses and bolster their enrollment and tuition revenue. U.S. schools hosted about 1.08 million international students in 2016-17, the second straight year that total hit seven figures. Still it is one of the smallest percent increases recorded in the past decade.

The study does not include complete data since President Donald Trump was elected. Multiple attempts by the Trump administration to institute a travel ban stirred confusion for universities and prospective students over the direction of immigration law.

Current and recent international students in Chicago said American universities offer some of the best research opportunities in the world, particularly in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Students and IIE leaders agreed political changes in the U.S. and stiffer competition from other countries are influencing the market for recruiting international students, though the full effects may not be known for a few years.

Boxuan Zhao, who earned a Ph.D. in chemistry at the University of Chicago earlier this year, said American schools are not necessarily the default option for Chinese students seeking advanced degrees.

There are definitely more programs being created in Europe, and I do know a lot of students are starting to turn toward Europe for study abroad, said Zhao, 27, now a postdoctoral research fellow in genetics at Stanford University. I personally have a few friends in the U.K., in Germany, so I think theyre really enjoying their time there.

Sankul Rawat, a University of Illinois at Chicago graduate student in computer science, said many of his peers in India are choosing Canada over the U.S.

Actually the main reason (for) this shift is because of the politics, said Rawat, 25. Because right now students are thinking about how these immigration policies are going to change. Everyone is skeptical (about the) travel ban  (or) if there is any kind of ban.

So far, this fall, schools are seeing wildly different dynamics with international student enrollment. Of nearly 500 schools IIE surveyed, 45 percent showed drops while the majority of schools reported increases or no change.

Advertisement

Illinois schools popular among international students added hundreds to their rosters in 2016-17 and are seeing even more growth this fall.

International enrollment at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign grew 4.1 percent in 2017 to 11,198 students, according to university data. Three-fourths are from China, India and South Korea.

More than 1,100 new undergraduate and graduate international students enrolled at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign this fall, spokeswoman Robin Kaler said.

With all of the changes and conversations about international students and immigration this year, I think everybody was wondering what these numbers would look like and what prospective students would decide to do, Kaler said. It was nice to see that students still had confidence in us and still wanted to be here.

UIC added 372 international students to its enrollment this fall, totaling 3,517, according to school data. Almost all the growth on the Near West Side campus came from undergraduates: from 566 last fall to 936.

Advertisement

Targeted recruiting of undergraduate international students is a new initiative for UIC, according to Neal McCrillis, vice provost for global engagement. Undergraduates now comprise 26.6 percent of UICs international student body, compared to 16 percent in 2014.

The situation is reversed at Northwestern. New undergraduates increased from 115 in 2006 to 277 last fall, school data show. New graduates during the same period increased from 424 to a high of 1,625 in 2014, dropping to 1,511 last year.

The Evanston-based school increased its international student body from 5,062 in 2015 to 5,363 last year, according to IIE data. Northwestern officials did not have finalized data available for fall 2017.

Our numbers have grown steadily over the last 10 years or so, said Ravi Shankar, director of Northwesterns International Office. We dont fluctuate a whole lot only because we dont do a whole lot of recruitment that we dont need to. If the growth in the masters programs continues, we should be OK.

The Illinois Institute of Technology and University of Chicago also added hundreds to their international student enrollment in 2016, according to the IIE report. School officials were not available for comment and did not provide data for fall 2017.

International student enrollment nationwide grew 3.4 percent, though IIE officials say that is primarily due to an increase in already-enrolled students staying in the country longer to complete Optional Practical Training in their academic fields. The number of new international students enrolling at U.S. schools fell 3 percent in 2016, the first time in six years this figure declined, according to the IIE.

Advertisement

IIE President Allan E. Goodman called the findings a wake-up call that should spur colleges and universities to reassess recruitment strategies.

Theres continuing concern about cost, theres continuing concern about campus safety, concerns about the complexity of our application process, Goodman said. That has been evident over the past couple of years. Well know a lot more next year.

Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. >

For the Chicago students, U.S. schools offered clear advantages.

You get access to a lot of really cutting-edge technologies and, generally speaking, the funding is not a real issue when compared to China, said Zhao, who has studied chemistry in China and the U.S. Sometimes there will be some limits when it comes to certain types of research. In the States, it will be much more free.

IIT was the ideal match for Ola Odukoya, a third-year student from Nigeria pursuing a career in urban planning.

Im in the architecture field, so this is the perfect place for me, said Odukoya, 21. You have people like Frank Lloyd Wright. There are so many amazing firms here. Chicago is one of the biggest cities in America, so there is always so much to do other than school.

Advertisement

drhodes@chicagotribune.com

wlee@chicagotribune.com

RELATED

[ Ken Griffin gives $125 million to U. of C., the latest in a rash of mega donations to Illinois universities ]

[ UIC pursues $100M residence hall and academic complex ]
More than five years after he ruled that Marci Webber was insane when she killed her child, a DuPage County judge Monday said she is not ready to be released from a state mental health center.

Judge George Bakalis rejected Webbers bid to be discharged from custody of the Illinois Department of Human Services, which has kept her confined in mental health facilities since she was found not guilty by reason of insanity for the 2010 murder of her 4-year-old daughter, Maggie, in Bloomingdale.

Advertisement

Its a travesty of justice, Webber said afterward.

Webber, 50, had petitioned for release, testifying at a hearing last month that her mental illness was in remission and she posed no threat to herself or others. But the judge said the evidence was not conclusive.

Advertisement

Proof in this case is upon the petitioner (Webber), the court has not been convinced by clear convincing evidence that petitioner is ready for discharge, the judge wrote.

But Bakalis said he would revisit Webbers case in about six months. The judge ordered Chicago Read Mental Health Center, where Webber is being held, to grant her greater privileges, such as unsupervised passes on the facilitys grounds, to see how she responds. He also ordered Webber to adhere to counseling and other requirements at Read.

What is appropriate is for DHS to do what should have been done some time ago  establish a plan for petitioners eventual transition into society, Bakalis wrote. Petitioner and DHS are to be faulted for not working in tandem to achieve this goal.

Webber, a New York resident, had been charged with the murder of her daughter in 2010 after she cut Maggies throat with a knife in the Bloomingdale townhouse where Webbers mother lived. After hearing evidence in 2012 that Webber had suffered a psychotic break at the time of the crime, Bakalis found her not guilty by reason of insanity.

She was committed to the Elgin Mental Health Center, and later transferred to Read.

Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. >

Webber had petitioned the court for discharge, and she contends that psychotropic medication prescribed for her caused her mental breakdown. After the hearing, Webber asked for public understanding, although she said she understood the negative reaction to her daughters death.

I realize peoples viewpoint. Im horrified by what I did, said Webber, who wants to move to Arizona to help her father.

Webber has not taken any psychotropic medicines since then. The judge, in his ruling, said he wouldnt order Webber to take medication but suggested she consider any that might help her deal with the irritability and a verbally aggressive nature described at the hearing by members of her treatment team.

Advertisement

Bakalis also expressed some frustration with the DHS reporting system. The judge said he gets regular DHS reports saying Webber needs inpatient treatment. Those reports are signed by two members of Webbers treatment team who testified in court in September that Webber doesnt need inpatient treatment and should be released.

Even after this hearing concluded, the October 2017 report from DHS signed by both of these team members concluded that (Webber) continued to need treatment in a secured environment, Bakalis wrote.

Clifford Ward is a freelance reporter.

RELATED

[ After 4-year-old's 2010 killing, mother says she's sane, ready for release ]

[ Woman who killed daughter well enough to leave mental hospital: psychologist ]
Former Ald. Bob Fioretti portrayed himself as an anti-tax reformer Monday in announcing a Democratic primary challenge to Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, with his campaign theme aimed at the backlash over the soda pop tax she backed.

Fioretti stood in a hangar at Lansing Municipal Airport to announce his candidacy close to the Indiana border for symbolic reasons. He criticized tax increases enacted during Preckwinkles first seven years in office, contending that people were moving their homes and businesses across Illinois borders as a result.

Advertisement

Eight years ago, voters in Cook County, including me, voted for one thing. We got another, Fioretti said of Preckwinkle. He then invoked a key 2010 Preckwinkle campaign commercial featuring a Ben Franklin impersonator. Sadly, we learned that in Cook County, a penny earned is not a penny saved. It is a penny taxed.

Asked, though, if he would not increase taxes if he is elected, Fioretti hedged.

Advertisement

I think were going to have to look at everything, but I think Cook County government has to live within its means, Fioretti said.

At his announcement, he stood behind a lectern with businessman Willie Wilson, who like Fioretti ran for mayor in 2015 and lost. Also backing Fioretti was Ebony Lucas, who lost a special election for 4th Ward alderman earlier this year.

The lack of established political backers illustrated some of the difficulties Fioretti will face, even though many believe Preckwinkle is vulnerable because of her support for the penny-an-ounce tax on sugar- and artificially sweetened beverages and a 1 percentage point sales tax increase first repealed and later reinstated during her tenure. The beverage tax will expire Dec. 1 after commissioners voted to repeal it.

In response to Fiorettis announcement, Preckwinkles campaign issued a statement saying she was focused on leading the county in tough economic circumstances, a reference to the $200 million hole the repeal of the pop tax blew in her proposed 2018 budget.

President Preckwinkle has broad support across the county and is in a strong position to win re-election in March, Scott Kastrup, her political director, said in a statement.

Preckwinkle is the endorsed candidate of the Cook County Democratic Party, for which she serves as vice chairman. And shes an African-American candidate in a county with demographics that tend to favor black candidates in Democratic primaries.

Fioretti also dramatically lags Preckwinkle in campaign fundraising. Preckwinkle had nearly $361,000 in her campaign fund at the end of September and has received nearly $74,000 since then.

Advertisement

By contrast, the recently established Bob for Cook County campaign fund has yet to report any major contributions, and funds for previous failed bids for mayor and state senator show total debt of more than $176,000.

It remains to be seen whether Fioretti will get campaign funding from the anti-pop tax forces, who have set up the Citizens for a More Affordable Cook County political action committee, which to date has reported contributions of more than $170,000.

Before his runs for Chicago mayor and state senator, Fioretti was a two-term aldermen in the 2nd Ward, which during his tenure included portions of the Loop, Near South Side and Near West Side.

After being zoned out of that ward during the once-a-decade council redistricting, Fioretti was among four challengers to Mayor Rahm Emanuel in 2015. He placed fourth with 7.4 percent of the vote, then endorsed Emanuel in the runoff contest over County Commissioner Jesus Chuy Garcia.

hdardick@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @ReporterHal

Advertisement

RELATED

[ Preckwinkle backs putting marijuana legalization question to voters ]

[ Preckwinkle, Dart tensions resurface at budget hearing ]

[ In defense of pop tax, Preckwinkle sounds like predecessor Stroger ]
U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill., shown in May 2017, says Roy Moore, the Republican U.S. Senate candidate from Alabama, "needs to step aside now." (Olivier Douliery / Abaca Press)

Washington  Two Republican lawmakers from Illinois have called on U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore of Alabama to end his campaign in the wake of allegations of decades-old sexual misconduct with a 14-year-old girl.

If true, the allegations leveled against Roy Moore are disturbing, U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam of Wheaton said in a statement Monday.

Advertisement

In the statement, Roskam said his office took allegations of sexual assault and harassment very seriously.

I call on Moore to step aside and remove himself as a distraction to Senate and House members so that they may continue focusing on serving the people in their states, he added.

Advertisement

Moore is accused of pursuing teenage girls when he was in his 30s, according to four women who spoke in a report last week in The Washington Post. One woman said Moore initiated sexual contact with her in 1979 when she was 14 years old and he was a 32-year-old assistant district attorney.

On Friday, Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Channahon told CNN the allegations against Moore were disgusting and urged him to abandon his campaign.

Roy Moore needs to step aside now, he told CNNs Jake Tapper. These allegations are disgusting and I believe them against him. And there is no way to defend this.

This is a bridge too far and the Republican Party ought to disown every aspect of him, Kinzinger said, warning that more allegations could be made.

He spoke before a fifth woman came forward on Monday, saying Moore attacked her years ago when she was a 16-year-old waitress.

If Moore wins the Dec. 12 election, the Senate should either refuse to seat him or expel him once seated, Kinzinger said.

Look, Alabama has a right to pick their senators, but this is beyond the pale to have this kind of contact with somebody when they were 14 years old, he added. I don't care how long ago it was. He was an adult.

A third GOP Republican also weighed in. Rep. Rodney Davis, of Taylorville in south central Illinois, said in a statement: Unless Roy Moore can prove he is innocent, he should step down because actions like this have no place in the U.S. Senate.

Advertisement

Other Republicans in Illinois congressional delegation did not respond to requests for comment.

kskiba@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @KatherineSkiba

RELATED

[ New accuser says Roy Moore sexually assaulted her in car when she was a teen ]

[ Moore allegations prompt reflections on fundamentalist culture in which some Christian men date teens ]

[ McConnell addresses sexual misconduct allegations against Roy Moore: 'I believe the women' ]
South Side Ald. Willie Cochran said Monday that wont run for a fourth term, but he said his decision to step away from the Chicago City Council isnt tied either to his federal indictment on bribery charges or his recent collapse in the council chambers.

Ive been saying for years that I wouldnt run again, because I believe in term limits, Cochran said after a hearing on Mayor Rahm Emanuels budget Monday, his first meeting since passing out during one earlier this month.

Advertisement

When a reporter mentioned never having heard Cochran discuss a commitment to a term limit, the alderman said he has been upfront about it.

Ive said it many times. Perhaps you just werent at the occasion where I said it, said Cochran, 65. I actually considered stopping after two terms, but seeing what needed to be done in the ward and the strides we had made, I decided to give it one more term.

Advertisement

Cochran said he believes he passed out because of complications from a new blood pressure medication hes taking.

Thats the first time Ive fainted, not to mean that I havent felt like fainting before in my life or from big hits that I may have taken once or twice in my life, he said.

Doctors continue running tests to try to figure out exactly what happened, said Cochran, 20th. He was taken away by paramedics after fellow aldermen performed CPR on him in the council chambers.

Cochran pleaded not guilty in December to federal charges he shook down a liquor store manager in exchange for his support and stole tens of thousands of dollars from a charitable ward fund intended to help seniors and children in his impoverished community. The indictment says he used the money to gamble and pay for part of his daughter's college tuition.

A former Chicago police sergeant, Cochran is in his third term representing a South Side ward that includes parts of Englewood, Back of the Yards, Washington Park and Woodlawn.

He said he hasnt decided whether to endorse someone to succeed him.

jebyrne@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @_johnbyrne

Advertisement

RELATED

[ Ald. Cochran collapses at City Hall hearing ]

[ Ald. Willie Cochran's attorney says his actions 'stupid,' not illegal ]

[ Ald. Willie Cochran indicted on thefts from ward charity ]
Bob Fioretti, former 2nd Ward Alderman, announces his candidacy for Cook County Board President at Lansing Municipal Airport on Nov. 13, 2017. Fioretti's wife Nicki is at the left. (Zbigniew Bzdak / Chicago Tribune)

Welcome to Clout Street: Morning Spin, our weekday feature to catch you up with what's going on in government and politics from Chicago to Springfield. Subscribe here.

Topspin

Advertisement

The soda pop tax backlash has spawned at least one challenger to Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, as former 2nd Ward Ald. Bob Fioretti plans to announce a Democratic primary challenge Monday.

Fioretti has called a morning news conference to say hes in the race, sources in his campaign said Sunday.

Advertisement

The location for his announcement  far south suburban Lansing  is hardly coincidental. The village is a short drive from Indiana, where the absence of a pop tax has attracted lovers of sweetened beverages from across the border.

As recently as a few months ago, Preckwinkle was expected to skate into a third term without opposition, but she's now viewed in some quarters as vulnerable because of the public outcry over the pop tax.

During the pop tax debate, Fioretti weighed in by setting up a website calling for repeal of the penny-an-ounce tax on sugar- and artificially sweetened beverages. His was just one of many voices pushing for repeal amid a multimillion-dollar Can the Tax campaign funded by the beverage industry.

The County Board last month voted 15-2 to end the tax, effective Dec. 1, and is now looking for ways to plug a $200 million hole in Preckwinkles proposed 2018 budget.

Fioretti is an attorney and cancer survivor who served two terms representing a ward that included portions of the Loop, the Near South Side and the Near West Side.

After being zoned out of his ward during the once-a-decade council redistricting, Fioretti was among four challengers to Mayor Rahm Emanuel in 2011. He placed fourth with 7.4 percent of the vote, then endorsed Emanuel in the runoff contest over county Commissioner Jesus Chuy Garcia.

Late last month, Fioretti filed the paperwork to establish the Bob for Cook County campaign fund. To date, hes reported no major contributions, and his most recent quarterly report for his mayoral campaign fund shows debts exceeding cash in the bank by $86,000.

Preckwinkle, by contrast, had nearly $361,000 in her campaign fund at the end of September and has received more than $27,000 in large contributions since then.

Advertisement

It remains to be seen if Fioretti will get campaign funding from the anti-pop-tax forces, who have set up the Citizens for a More Affordable Cook County committee, which to date has received contributions of more than $170,000.

What's on tap

*Mayor Emanuel will give a speech to a public lands group and speak at a Columbia College groundbreaking.

*Gov. Bruce Rauner has no government events but he might be out campaigning in central Illinois.

*The City Council Finance Committee will consider Emanuel's proposed 911 and ride-share fee increases, as well as his proposed amusement tax changes. Later, the Budget Committee will consider the mayor's big taxicab changes and proposed spending plan.

Advertisement

*U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin will have a news conference at Roosevelt University about the Republican tax plans.

*The week ahead: On Tuesday, the City Council Zoning Committee meets, as does the Cook County technology and pension committees. Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Randy Blankenhorn will speak to the City Club of Chicago. On Wednesday, the City Council meets briefly to move some budget paperwork, and the Cook County Board meets. The Illinois House and Senate will have a joint hearing on the State Board of Elections' participation in the Interstate Crosscheck Program. On Thursday, the City Council Finance Committee meets again, and Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson will speak to the City Club.

From the notebook

*Pritzker sets Democratic self-funding record: Democratic governor candidate J.B. Pritzker has reported putting another $7 million into his campaign, setting a new record for self-funding by a Democrat in an Illinois political race.

With the latest contribution, Pritzker has given his campaign $35.2 million. The previous record was the $28.6 million that Blair Hull put into his failed 2004 primary bid for the U.S. Senate. That race was won by eventual President Barack Obama.

Advertisement

The self-funding by Pritzker, a billionaire investor and entrepreneur, tops what Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner put into his 2014 race for governor. Rauner, a former private equity investor, put $27.6 million of his wealth into his successful campaign over Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn, part of more than $65 million the Rauner campaign spent.

Rauner in December gave his re-election bid $50 million and also got $20 million from ally and hedge-fund founder Ken Griffin. Griffins contribution was the largest outside donation in state history.

Rauner, his family and his campaign also spent $48 million in the 2016 election cycle to assist Republicans in legislative races.

Pritzker, an heir to the Hyatt Hotel fortune, has vowed to help rebuild the states Democratic infrastructure in much the same way that Rauner has used his wealth to rebuild a once moribund state GOP.

But the campaign of one Pritzker rival, state Sen. Daniel Biss of Evanston, criticized the latest big check and used an email to solicit contributions.

How is writing $7 million checks to your own campaign becoming the new normal? asked Abby Witt, the Biss campaign manager. These ultra-wealthy candidates in this race think they can win by writing themselves big checks. Theyre pulling out the stops to turn this race into  you guessed it  an auction, not an election.

Advertisement

Pritzker reported making campaign $7 million contributions in April, June, August, October and November. The Biss campaign asked for donations in multiples of $7. (Rick Pearson)

*LaHood questions likelihood of GOP tax bill: Ray LaHood, the former Republican congressman and Obama administration transportation secretary, is questioning whether the GOP-led Congress could pass a bill to change the nations tax code by years end.

House Republicans are poised to act on their tax bill this week, while Senate Republicans have just unveiled their version of the legislation.

I think its going to be very difficult for the Congress to pass and have on the presidents desk the kind of tax bill that theyre talking about by the end of the year, Lahood said Sunday on WGN 720-AM.

These are complicated, complicated legislative issues, and I just think its impractical to think that they can reconcile the differences between the U.S. House and U.S. Senate by the end of the year, he said. This is going to spill over into next year, which obviously leaders dont want.

LaHood also said big Democratic wins in Virginia last week should be cause for concern among Republicans running nationally next year.

Advertisement

If Trump continues with some of his tirades against people and the way that he treats people and the way that he talks, that will energize people a year from now, LaHood said. I think now Republican leaders and Republicans generally are worried that this could carry over.

He said Republicans are concerned that theres going to be some payback here from people who just think the president has kind of gone off the charts in terms of what he says, how he says it, how he treats people and, truthfully, the fact that his administration has really only one significant win this year after being in office, and thats the nomination and approval of Supreme Court Justice (Neil) Gorsuch. (Rick Pearson)

*The "Sunday Spin": On this week's show, Chicago Tribune political reporter Rick Pearson's guests were Riverside police Chief Tom Weitzel on sanctuary city funding, Consul General of Israel to the Midwest Aviv Ezra on Rauner's recent trip and former U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. The "Sunday Spin" airs from 7 to 9 a.m. on WGN-AM 720. Listen to the full show here.

What we're writing

*Rauner suffers more veto losses than usual after fellow Republicans vote for more overrides.

Advertisement

*Metra board OKs fare hikes, service cuts for next year  and warns there could be more.

*Female jail guards join public defenders in suing over sexual harassment by detainees.

*Citizen devices tracking Chicago's pollution hot spots.

What we're reading

*Despite hard times in rural Illinois, neighbors step in to help when farmer dies right before harvest time.

Advertisement

*Why veggie burgers are a hot new menu item.

*Warring Indiana alcohol lobbyists reach deal to allow Sunday sales.

Follow the money

*Gov. Rauner reported $47,500 in contributions.

*Track Illinois campaign contributions in real time here and here.

Advertisement

Beyond Chicago

*How leaks have shaken the NSA.

*Trump criticized for believing Putin.

*Moore's backers don't abandon him.

*Eyes on Puerto Rican voters in Florida after storm.
The jury in the bribery trial of Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez and a wealthy donor and friend told the judge it couldn't reach a verdict on Monday on any of the 18 counts against them, prompting the judge to order it to return on Tuesday to continue deliberating.



The development capped a tumultuous day that began with defense attorneys arguing with U.S. District Judge William Walls over a different issue: public comments made last week by a juror who had been excused for a previously scheduled vacation.



The juror told reporters she and others were in favor of acquittal but she anticipated a hung jury. Defense attorneys pressed the judge to question jurors, who have been told repeatedly not to read reports about the case, on whether any had heard the excused juror's comments.



Four jurors and three alternates had, but after questioning them in private the judge directed the jury to restart deliberations with an alternate replacing the excused juror.



Three hours later, the jurors sent a note saying they couldn't "reach a unanimous verdict on any of the charges." The judge instructed them to "have a good meal and good sleep" and return Tuesday.



Menendez seemed buoyed by the jurors' note.



"As I said two and a half years ago when I first faced these charges, I was innocent," he said. "And clearly there are jurors who believe in my innocence."



A mistrial would be a major setback for the government, which spent more than two years investigating the New Jersey senator's ties with Florida eye doctor Salomon Melgen before indicting them in the spring of 2015. For another 2 1/2 years prosecutors filed voluminous legal briefs in response to defense efforts to have the case dismissed. The trial is in its 11th week.



A mistrial also would represent a mixed bag for Menendez. With the case pending, he wouldn't face pressure to step down as he might in the event of a conviction; but, conversely, the charges likely would be hanging over him as he seeks re-election next year, assuming the government seeks a retrial.



Defense attorneys argued on Monday that excused juror Evelyn Arroyo-Maultsby's comments that she was told she couldn't send the judge a note last week could represent a breach of protocol. The judge downplayed any notion that the jury had been compromised and accused defense attorney Abbe Lowell of making an issue of it because "she was on your side."



Prosecutors allege Menendez and Melgen between 2006 and 2013 engaged in a bribery scheme in which Menendez traded his political influence for luxury vacations and flights on the doctor's private plane.



The men each face about a dozen counts including bribery, fraud and conspiracy. Menendez also is charged with making false statements for failing to report Melgen's gifts on Senate disclosure forms.



Both men deny the allegations. Defense attorneys have sought to show jurors that the two men are longtime friends who exchanged gifts out of friendship. They also contend Menendez's meetings with government officials were focused on broad policy issues.



Arroyo-Maultsby's comments appeared to indicate at least some, and possibly a majority, of the jurors may believe the defense's theory.



A mistrial could partly reinforce the view that official bribery cases have become more difficult to prosecute, a trend traced to last year's U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturned the bribery conviction of former Republican Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell. That ruling played a significant role in how the jury was instructed in the Menendez trial.
When Roy Moore, then 34 years old, asked 17-year-old Debbie Wesson Gibson whether she would date him, Gibson asked her mother what she would think.

According to The Washington Post's investigation into Moore's alleged pursuit of teenage girls, which was published Thursday, Gibson's mother replied, "I'd say you were the luckiest girl in the world."

That attitude of encouraging teenage girls to date older men, rather than shielding girls from men's advances, sounded familiar to some people who read the Post story that has shaken Moore's bid for the U.S. Senate.

"It's not so uncommon that people would necessarily look at it askance," said Nicholas Syrett, a University of Kansas professor who recently published a book on child marriage in America. "The South has a much longer history of allowing minors to marry, and obviously there's some courtship or dating  whatever you want to call it  leading up to that."

That courtship of underage girls is especially common in conservative religious communities.

"We should probably talk about how there is a segment of evangelicalism and homeschool culture where the only thing Roy Moore did wrong was initiating sexual contact outside of marriage. 14-year-old girls courting adult men isn't entirely uncommon," Kathryn Brightbill, who works for the Coalition for Responsible Home Education, tweeted Friday, prompting a flurry of responses from other people who also had watched teenagers date much older Christian men.

Ashley Easter, who grew up in a fundamentalist Baptist church where courting was the norm for teenagers, said, "That was the first thing I thought of with Roy Moore." In her church community in Lynchburg, Va., Easter said, fathers had complete control over whom their daughters were allowed to date, and she could see how a father might set his teen daughter up with a much older man.

"A woman's role is to be a wife, a homemaker and someone who births children. The man's role is generally to be established and someone who provides the full income," said Easter, who runs the Courage Conference for survivors of church sexual abuse. "It may take longer for a man to reach stability. While a woman of 15 or 16, if she's been trained for a long time looking after her younger siblings, in their eyes she might be ready for marriage."

The culture of courting that Easter and Brightbill described is one limited mostly to fundamentalist religious communities, including certain Christian groups and those of other religions, such as some Orthodox Jewish or Mormon communities. For most evangelical Christians, relationships between older men and teenage girls are viewed as wholly inappropriate.

Moore, who was reported in the Post story to have initiated a sexual encounter with a 14-year-old when he was 32 and to have dated three other teenagers when he was in his 30s, has long established himself as a staunch defender of conservative Christian beliefs. Evangelical leaders' responses to the allegations that came out this week ranged widely, from Ed Stetzer, who wrote in Christianity Today, "If Roy Moore did what he is accused of, he should be out of this race and face the consequences," to Jerry Falwell Jr., who said to Religion News Service, "It comes down to a question who is more credible in the eyes of the voters  the candidate or the accuser," and added, "I believe the judge is telling the truth."

Most prominent evangelical pastors did not immediately reflect publicly on whether the evangelical culture Moore embraced in Alabama contributed to his pursuit of teenage girls.

Every state allows youths under 18 to marry in certain circumstances, such as with parental consent or judicial approval. More than 167,000 children, of numerous religions, were married in the first decade of this century in the United States, including girls as young as 12. At least 31 percent of those children married a spouse who was older than 21 years old, according to a Washington Post article from February.

In the 1970s, when Moore was in his 30s and reportedly dating teenagers, the laws on child marriage were changing, Syrett said. That's when all states changed their laws so the minimum marital ages were the same for men and women. Previously, women were allowed to marry younger than men; in some states, men as old as 21 needed parental permission to marry.

"You didn't want to lose your strapping 19-year-old son if he was working for you on your farm," Syrett said. "Generally speaking, daughters' labor was not as valuable as sons' labor. Girls were destined for marriage, and doing it at a young age was appropriate. A parent was interested in having her marry and move on."

Even as farm economics became less relevant to most families, Syrett said, the conservative religious emphasis on preventing girls from engaging in sexual activity outside marriage caused the cultural preference for girls' marrying at a young age to continue.

Brad Wilcox, a sociologist at the University of Virginia who studies marriage and families in the United States, said that while people tended to date and marry younger in the 1970s and 1980s, when Moore allegedly was dating teenagers, an age gap such as that between Moore and the girls would still have been highly unusual.

"In the South, in general, younger marriages would have been more common. But we're talking here about ... teenagers going steady in high school  maybe a year or two or three between him and her," Wilcox said. "You don't have 30-year-old guys dating a 14-year-old. It may have happened in some occasional context, but it would not have been a cultural norm."

He said the reaction of most Southern evangelical communities would be "extraordinarily negative. ... I would imagine a shotgun involved."

Randy Brinson, an influential evangelical pastor who ran against Moore in his primary race in this election, said that the evangelical Christians he knows in Alabama would generally not approve of such a relationship.

"People kid about some of this in rural areas. There are very conservative communities where some of that is condoned, where you have these teen brides and all that sort of thing. But for the vast majority of evangelicals, that's not accepted behavior," he said.

He said he's not sure what to make of the report about Moore, and he's not sure whether he'll vote for him. "It's been so many, so many years. People's recollections are different. You don't know if somebody's embellishing," Brinson said. "I like to give people the benefit of the doubt and say let's see what the truth is."

He said he wants to talk to Moore and his Democratic opponent, Doug Jones, and then send his personal conclusion to his email list of 3 million evangelical Alabama voters.

For most of them, a relationship such as the ones Moore is reported to have pursued with teens is far beyond the norm. But the idea recurs frequently. Even "Duck Dynasty" star Phil Robertson, a conservative Christian who married his wife when he was 20 and she was 16, caused a firestorm years ago for advising men, "You got to marry these girls when they are about 15 or 16."

Easter said she experienced this courtship culture herself. As a woman in a fundamentalist Christian church who was expected to remain under her father's roof until he handed her over to her husband, Easter became a "stay-at-home daughter" after high school. She said she understood the pressure a teenager might feel to marry an older man as a way to gain some measure of independence.

Easter left her fundamentalist community four years ago, at age 21, after breaking off a relationship with a man her father selected for her. Now, she helps run Courage Conference, a gathering of people who have left abusive religious communities, and listens to the struggles of the women who attend.

"Their lives are very difficult now that they've gotten free. When you have never learned to make your own choices, you haven't learned how to be in charge of your life. Working through that can be very scary," she said.

She said she's also heard from many women that the purity culture  the strong emphasis placed on female virginity  harms survivors of childhood sexual abuse in these Christian communities.

"When you're taught that if you don't dress modestly enough, that a man could lust after you and fall into sexual sin, then if a man has an abusive sexual relationship toward you, you could believe that it was what you were wearing or what you said or how you walked that caused him. Of course that's untrue, but surely somebody could internalize that shame," she said.

"Unfortunately, there's a lot of abuse in those patriarchal communities. It's crazy how many child marriages happen in America."
Poland's Foreign Ministry said Monday that it strongly condemns racist, anti-Semitic and xenophobic ideas, but insisted that a large weekend march by nationalists in Warsaw was largely an expression of patriotic feeling.

The ministry said that the march Saturday on the Independence Day holiday was "a great celebration of Poles, differing in their views, but united around the common values of freedom and loyalty to an independent homeland."

The event was organized by groups that trace their roots to radical nationalist pre-World War II anti-Semitic groups. About 60,000 people took part, including families.

But there were also young men carrying banners with messages including "White Europe of brotherly nations."

Some carried the Celtic Cross, a white supremacist symbol, and there were reports that people chanted slogans against Jews and had anti-Islam banners.

Police detained 45 counter-protesters who blocked the march's path, but didn't act against any of those expressing extremist views.

On Monday, a small group of civic rights activists protested what they saw as the authorities' failure to respond properly to the behavior of the nationalists. In a really in front of city hall they chanted "Warsaw free from fascism!" One man held a banner saying, "Poland, wake up. Fascism is coming." They then proceeded to a police station to protest there too.

Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon called the event "a dangerous march of extreme and racist elements."

"We hope that Polish authorities will act against the organizers," Nahshon said in a statement to The Associated Press. "History teaches us that expressions of racist hate must be dealt with swiftly and decisively."

The Polish Foreign Ministry said it wasn't justifiable to define the march based on some "incidental" elements. Underlining its opposition to extremism, the ministry recalled that it had opposed a visit to Poland by Richard Spencer, the leading American white nationalist.

Spencer was originally to have attended a conference in Warsaw a day before the march, but he was taken off the schedule after the ministry said it didn't want him in the country.

The American Jewish Committee, a global Jewish advocacy organization, also urged the government to act. It cited reports that masked participants had chanted "Sieg Heil" and "Ku Klux Klan" as well as "Pure Poland, white Poland" and "Clean blood, lucid mind."

Agnieszka Markiewicz, director of AJC's Warsaw Central Europe office in Warsaw, said the holiday "was seriously marred by hateful, far-right throngs that threaten the core values of Poland and its standing abroad."

"The apparent tolerance shown for these purveyors of hate  and, let's be clear, that's exactly what they are  by some Polish government officials is particularly troubling," Markiewicz said.

Jonny Daniels, the head of a Jewish organization, From the Depths, who has worked closely with the right-wing government in Poland and is seen as sympathetic to it, expressed his shock at events and asked prosecutors in Warsaw to investigate whether criminal acts of racism had been committed.

"Each one of these individuals would have been filmed by media and city monitoring," Daniels said. "There is no excuse for these people not to be easily found and prosecuted to the full extent of the law."

He said that acts and words expressed Saturday "can easily lead to violence, unrest and have already placed a feeling of unease with minorities in Poland and all decent peace-loving Poles."

Aron Heller in Jerusalem contributed to this report.
Reporting from Manila  Hours after President Trump taunted North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Twitter, suggesting he is "short and fat," the White House chief of staff insisted he doesnt carefully follow Trump's comments on social media and tells other aides not to react to them.

"Someone, I read the other day, said we all just react to the tweets," said Chief of Staff John F. Kelly, speaking with a group of reporters after a presidential news conference Sunday in Vietnam. "We dont. I dont. I dont allow the staff to. We know what were doing.

Advertisement

"Believe it or not, I do not follow the tweets, Kelly said.

I find out about them," he continued. "But for our purposes, my purpose, is we make sure the president is briefed up on what hes about to do."

Advertisement

Kellys comments came as Trump prepared for another controversial moment in his five-nation Asia tour  a scheduled meeting with Rodrigo Duterte, the Philippines president, who has a history of human rights abuses. Trump had an initial encounter with Duterte in Manila on Sunday, exchanging handshakes and toasts with him at a gala dinner opening an international conference.

Trumps Twitter habits, and how to treat them, have been an enduring subject of debate starting during his campaign and continuing throughout his presidency. In office, although far more provocative and conversational than traditional presidential statements, the White House has conceded that they can be treated as such. They have the potential to affect stock markets and the behavior of politicians and world leaders.

Yet some Trump advisors, supporters and detractors argue against assigning them too much import  given that many are off the cuff or possibly intended to distract.

The tweets dont run my life  good staff work runs it, Kelly said.

Trump has been less active than usual for him on Twitter during his 12-day trip to five Asian nations. But that changed in Vietnam with a short burst of tweets that hit the internet Saturday night in the U.S., commenting on Russia, all the haters and fools, the Fake News Media and Crooked Hillary Clinton.

His third tweet of the series was the type that had the potential to ramp up tensions with a dangerous nuclear foe, North Korea. Rallying Asian nations to the cause of ending North Koreas nuclear program is the central focus of Trumps trip.

He has exchanged personal insults for months with Kim, a leader about whom U.S. intelligence agencies know relatively little. The Kim regime recently called Trump a lunatic old man, according to state media.

Trump retaliated in kind: Why would Kim Jong-un insult me by calling me old, when I would NEVER call him short and fat? he tweeted. Oh well, I try so hard to be his friend -- and maybe someday that will happen!

Advertisement

Referring to Trump's tweets, Kelly said, "They are what they are." And, in response to a question about whether he needs to take them into account to develop policy, Kelly insisted he does not.

We develop policy in the normal traditional staff way, he said.

Asked about the meeting with Duterte, Kelly said human rights would be a "hot topic" in the Philippines but declined to make definitive statements about Dutertes possible role in abuses  or whether reports of abuses were indeed true.

"I mean theres an awful lot of reported extra-judicial heavy-handedness, Kelly said.

Reporters asked Kelly whether he believed those reports. "Well, we'll have to see," Kelly replied.

A reporter pressed him again: "You're not sure?"

Advertisement

Im not sure, Kelly responded.

Philippine police, at Duterte's direction, have killed thousands of people accused of drug crimes without trials, incurring condemnations from human rights groups, the United Nations, Congress and the European Union. The White House has said Trump shares a warm rapport with Duterte.

Kelly downplayed the meeting, saying the president's primary purpose for traveling to the Philippines is to attend two conferences that will attract leaders from around the world.

I would say the conference is the most important thing in the Philippines," Kelly said. "And, obviously, since the presidents there, hell meet with [Duterte] but nothing formal.

Trump, who has also spoken warmly of Russian leader Vladimir Putin and Chinas Xi Jinping, was asked by reporters on Air Force One on Saturday about having close relationships with strongmen.

"I'll be honest with you, I think I have a great relationship with every single one -- every person in that room today, Trump said, referring to leaders from around the world who joined him at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Vietnam, including leaders from many democratic nations.

Advertisement

Asked whether he considers it important to raise human rights issues with foreign leaders, Trump said, I do.

But I also raise issues on many other things, he added, saying he has an obligation to push for changes in trade policy and save lives in places such as Syria.
U.S. President Donald Trump, right, and Russia's President Vladimir Putin talk during the family photo session at the APEC Summit in Danang, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Mikhail Klimentyev / AP)

President Donald Trump's authoritarianism, narcissism and racism threaten our democracy, but his gullibility threatens our national security. A man so uneducated and incurious about the world is willing, like his followers, to buy any crackpot conspiracy theory that makes its way to him via the Infowars-"Fox & Friends" pipeline. On the world stage, that makes him a sitting duck for slick manipulators and experienced flatterers.

All that was much in evidence on Saturday. CNN reports:

Advertisement

"'He said he didn't meddle. He said he didn't meddle. I asked him again. You can only ask so many times,' Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One as he flew from Da Nang to Hanoi in Vietnam. Trump spoke to Putin three times on the sidelines of summit here, where the Russia meddling issue arose.

"'Every time he sees me, he says, "I didn't do that,"' Trump said. 'And I believe, I really believe, that when he tells me that, he means it.'

Advertisement

"'I think he is very insulted by it,' Trump added."

Could Trump actually believe that the ex-KGB operative is insulted by the accusation he pulled off a masterful plot, at very little cost, to tip the scales in an American presidential election and get the candidate of his choice?

Certainly, Trump is not only gullible but also running scared as special counsel Robert Mueller III breathes down his neck. The strands connecting Russia and the Trump campaign  via Michael Flynn, Carter Page, Paul Manafort, George Papadopoulos, Jared Kushner and Donald Trump Jr.  are numerous and robust. The evidence of a sophisticated social media plan to sway American voters has come to light.

What do Trump allies do about the mountain of evidence of Russian meddling in favor of the presidential candidate who invited Russian hacking and who fixated on the WikiLeaks email dump in the final days of the campaign? What to do about the unanimous verdict of the intelligence community? Just wish it away, I suppose. And Trump shows how.

"There was no collusion. Everybody knows there was no collusion," Trump declared. "I think it's a shame that something like that could destroy a very important potential relationship between two countries that are really important countries."

Trump is very much like the devoted Fox viewer who sits mesmerized in front of the screen, searching for evidence to support his prejudices, baseless suspicions and grievances against elites. See, there's another crime by an immigrant. See, they're all murderers. See, Sean Hannity found someone to say the Democrats hacked themselves! See, the Russia investigation is a hoax. Soaking up the brew of innuendo, hoaxes, lies and paranoia, Trump and his followers come to believe it all  and disbelieve the facts under their noses.

Trump and his followers are willing to believe anything because they want to believe anything that confirms their counterfactual world. Anyone who sides with their alternative universe (Sebastian Gorka, Vladimir Putin, Bill O'Reilly, Roy Moore) is a hero and a victim of those pro-immigrant, globalist, anti-Christian elites. Anyone who presents cold, hard facts (the mainstream media, scientists, allied governments, Democrats, #NeverTrumpers) that explode their dearly held myths is an enemy of the people.

Yes, that's the mental universe in which Trump and his ilk reside. It renders Trump susceptible  eager, even  to believe our enemies, even  especially!  at the expense of American values, security and interests. He's putty in the hands of wily autocrats.

Advertisement

He's therefore the type of target that counterintelligence operatives dream of  an arrogant fool. Clinton Watts, a former FBI special agent on the Joint Terrorism Task Force, earlier this year explained:

"Russian influence of Trump most likely falls into the category of what Madeleine Albright called a 'Useful Idiot'  a 'useful fool'  an enthusiast for Putin supportive of any issue or stance that feeds his ego and brings victory. Russian intelligence for decades identified and promoted key individuals around the world ripe for manipulation and serving their interests. Trump, similar to emerging alternative right European politicians, spouts populist themes of xenophobia, anti-immigration, and white nationalist pride that naturally bring about a retrenchment of U.S. global influence. By spotting this early, Russia could encourage Trump's ascension and shape his views via three parallel tracks. First, Russia led a never before seen hacking and influence campaign to degrade support for Hillary Clinton and promote Trump among a disenfranchised American populace. As a 'useful idiot,' Trump not only benefited from this influence effort, but he urged Russia to find Hillary Clinton's missing emails  a public call a 'Manchurian Candidate' would not likely make. Trump even fell for false Russian news stories citing a bogus Sputnik news story at a presidential rally  a glaring and open mistake that would reveal a true 'Manchurian Candidate.'"

What's more, the Kremlin now has useful idiots in the persons of Fox News hosts, right-wing American bloggers, talk show hosts and Steve Bannon (who is out recruiting like-minded Senate candidates) to buck up their pet U.S. president. Most of all, the Kremlin can count on the Republican tribalists in Congress who will explain away evidence and savage the president's accusers to protect the GOP tribe and its leader  who just so happens to be an easy mark for our most formidable international foe.

Washington Post

Jennifer Rubin writes the Right Turn blog for The Post, offering reported opinion from a conservative.
In the days after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, America pursued two wars. One was a major military campaign to rout al-Qaida from Afghanistan and kill terrorists everywhere. The other was covert: a dramatically ramped-up electronic surveillance program to ferret out extremists and thwart their plots.

Congress approved key laws for both. Now Congress is again debating whether, and how, those laws should be renewed.

Advertisement

The first, and most crucial, has a mouthful of a name: Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Amendments Act. It expires at years end if Congress doesnt act.

Under 702, U.S. authorities work with telecom companies to secretly gather phone and electronic communications of foreigners outside the United States. In doing so, some emails, phone calls and texts of American citizens may also be incidentally swept into the net.

Advertisement

Privacy advocates want Congress to require government officials to obtain warrants in order to search for and access the content of Americans phone calls and emails obtained under the law. Those who favor privacy reforms say they will help shield the communications of American citizens from federal prying.

Those who favor leaving the law largely as is, including the FBI and President Donald Trump, counter that these reforms would create more hurdles for authorities and hamper terror investigations. They say that current safeguards to prevent abuses are sufficient.

In the past, weve argued against anything that threatens to slow or derail terror investigations. Well stand by that. We like the outlines of a bipartisan bill that would renew 702; its called the USA Liberty Act, which recently advanced from the U.S. House Judiciary Committee, because it preserves the governments maximum latitude to pursue conspirators.

Theres widespread agreement that this program has been vital in protecting America. In one instance, intelligence collected under Section 702 helped prevent al-Qaida's Najibullah Zazi from launching a suicide bombing on the New York City subway, according to Thomas Bossert, White House homeland security adviser. Section 702 is too important to be crippled by politics or fear of potential abuses. We urge Congress to renew the law and ensure that these investigations are not impeded.

The other national security law Congress should renew: Just after 9/11, Congress authorized the president to use military force against nations, groups or individuals in response to the attacks. This is known as the AUMF  Authorization for Use of Military Force. Even though lawmakers may have thought they were greenlighting a limited use of force against specific enemies, three presidents have invoked its authority to justify battling terrorists around the globe.

In 2015, President Obama asked Congress to approve a new resolution authorizing the use of force against Islamic State. Lawmakers failed to act, but the earlier AUMF remains in force.

Earlier this year, lawmakers objected when President Trump carried out an act of war  a U.S. missile strike on a Syrian military airfield  without congressional consent. Congressional action in response: None. A move to repeal the AUMF stalled quickly.

Now the Senate Foreign Relations Committee begins a debate over a renewal of the law. The latest flashpoint: four American troops killed in Niger in a fight against Islamic terrorists.

Advertisement

Weve watched Congress duck a vote on this issue for years. Lawmakers know that military actions can be messy and unpopular. They figure if things go well, they can always cheer. If things go poorly, well, the president gets the blame for recklessness and poor planning, dont you see?

We dont think Congress should restrict the presidents powers, but we do believe lawmakers should weigh in on vital matters of national defense. A more limited AUMF also could restrain a president who has a tweet-first, think-later approach to foreign policy.

Sen. Bob Corker, the Tennessee Republican who heads the committee, recently said he feared that Trump's reckless threats against other nations could set the U.S. "on the path to World War III." What better reason for Congress to act now?
The National Security Service (NSS) of Armenia has informed that it has filed a criminal case into the attempt to smuggle a large amount of heroin into the country from Iran, and a respective investigation is underway, News.am reported.

November 13, 2017, 13:23 Armenia National Security Service: 105kg heroin was hidden in truck driven by Turkey citizen

STEPANAKERT, NOVEMBER 13, ARTSAKHPRESS:According to the NSS statement, the said heroinwith a gross weight of 105.1 kg and net weight of 101. 830,160 kgwas packed in 204 packages in Iran, and hidden in a secret compartment of a truck driven by a Turkish citizen, who was ordered to transport this heroin to Georgia via Armenia for a corresponding payment.

But the attempted smuggling of this drug was prevented on July 9, at Armenias Meghri checkpoint on the border with Iran.

According to preliminary information, this heroin was intended to be transported to Europe by sea.

Criminal charges have been filed against the said truck driver, he is arrested, and Turkish authorities have been informed of this development.

The defendant pleaded guilty and gave relevant testimony.

An investigation is in progress to verify the information obtained during the examination and to find out all others who are involved in this drug smuggling attempt.

Law enforcement agencies of the countries involved in this smuggling case have been asked to provide legal assistance.

The investigation into the criminal case continues.
Nearly 80 investigators and attorneys are sworn in before Mayor Rahm Emanuel officially announces the creation of Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA), Chicago's new civilian oversight agency, at the South Shore Cultural Center, on Sept. 15, 2017. (Abel Uribe / Chicago Tribune)

When Chicago's new police oversight agency opened in September, city officials pledged a different way of doing business: Misconduct investigations would be transparent and the public would learn the outcomes quickly.

But even as the fledgling agency, the Civilian Office of Police Accountability, or COPA, makes more information available to the public, it also has taken a big step backward in one critical area.

Advertisement

Instead of making its reports public as soon as investigations are completed, as its predecessor did, COPA withholds the ones in which it found an officer at fault until the findings have been vetted by police officials and officers have been notified.

As a result, in its first two months of operation, COPA has yet to publish the results of a single case in which it has ruled against an officer. It could be months, or even longer, before those "summary reports"  which detail the allegations, investigative process, evidence and conclusions  are made public.

Advertisement

The reason? The agency is hamstrung by the ordinance that created it. The law, pushed by Mayor Rahm Emanuel, includes specific language preventing the agency from immediately sharing its reports with the public.

Sharon Fairley, who recently resigned as COPA's chief administrator to run for Illinois attorney general, said she objected to that provision in the ordinance, passed by the City Council last year.

But, she said, she was overruled by the city's Law Department.

"I felt for transparency purposes we wanted our reports to go out as soon as they were available," Fairley said in a recent interview. "That process (will) be delayed by however much time it takes for the process to play out."

That process can be lengthy. After COPA recommends discipline, police Superintendent Eddie Johnson has up to 90 days to respond. If he disagrees with COPA's findings, he can ask the agency to conduct additional investigation. If the two parties ultimately can't agree, one member of the Chicago Police Board makes the decision.

That, too, is a departure from the past, when three police board members made the call.

Under the new ordinance, COPA is barred from posting its investigative reports  and any disagreement or pushback from the Police Department  until the review process has been completed and the officer is notified of the discipline. There is no deadline for that last step.

University of Chicago law professor Craig Futterman, a frequent critic of the disciplinary process who has called for more transparency in misconduct investigations, said he sees no reason to wait to post COPA's findings.

Advertisement

"The longer the delays, that diminishes trust and it diminishes transparency by not providing a prompt window into how the agency charged with investigating police misconduct is conducting its investigations," he said.

City Law Department spokesman Bill McCaffrey defended the process.

"This change maintains the transparency of COPA's reports while ensuring fairness to police officers, and also allows disciplinary decisions to be carefully considered without outside influences," McCaffrey said in a statement.

Lori Lightfoot, the Chicago Police Board chair who also oversaw Emanuel's police reform task force, said it makes sense to allow the Police Department to weigh in before COPA posts its investigative reports.

But she added that "clearly it is something we need to pay close attention to."

COPA began operations Sept. 15 with a larger budget and broader authority to investigate misconduct complaints than its predecessor, the Independent Police Review Authority. IPRA was widely criticized for slow investigations that rarely concluded that officers had engaged in misconduct.

Advertisement

As part of its vow to be more transparent, the new agency released general information last month on thousands of complaints received since 2007, including the findings in closed cases and the status of open cases. That information is in the city's data portal, which is accessible to the public online.

The agency posted its first summary reports of closed investigations on its website in late October, when it shared findings for 12 cases closed the prior month.

But it only shared complete reports for the 10 investigations in which it cleared officers of misconduct. Information about the two cases in which officers were found responsible for wrongdoing  both involving firearm discharges, records show  won't be posted until the cases have been reviewed by Police Department officials.

For those two cases, the site says only that COPA upheld the allegations against the officers.

By comparison, IPRA posted summaries of 125 cases from January until it closed Sept. 14, including findings of misconduct prior to the department's review. Cases closed by IPRA as far back as January are still in the CPD review process, records show, a sign the process is taking longer than it should.

Emanuel's police reform task force blamed the department's drawn-out review process for adding "considerable time" to the disciplinary system. And a U.S. Justice Department investigation earlier this year found that significant delays contributed to an ineffective disciplinary system.

Advertisement

A police spokesman said the department has hastened the review process in the last year by giving supervisors a maximum of 15 days to review cases before they move to the next reviewer and ultimately to the superintendent.

Kevin Graham, president of the Chicago Fraternal Order of Police, said the new ordinance doesn't go far enough. He said reports still will be posted too soon since officers can challenge punishments after investigations are concluded and the final outcome can be different from what initially is recommended by COPA and approved by the Police Department. It can take years for officers' appeals to be exhausted.

"I don't think that COPA should be posting anything until everything is in and until the officer has exhausted all of his rights because, then, this is a final determination," said Graham. "Looking at it halfway through does not give you a full picture of what has occurred."

ProPublica Illinois reporter Sandhya Kambhampati contributed.

This article is a collaboration between the Chicago Tribune and ProPublica Illinois, an independent, nonprofit journalism organization.

jrichards@chicagotribune.com

Advertisement

jodi.cohen@propublica.org

Twitter @jsmithrichards

Twitter @jodiscohen
Im not really sure where he came from or when he actually arrived in my head.

We tend to agree on many matters but also argue about others.

Hes not quite an alter ego and certainly has nothing to do with my conscience because he tends to be rash and uninhibited in his pronouncements.

When he talks to me I reply in the same style, sometimes out loud if there is no one else about. We have some interesting conversations in this manner. These mostly occur when Im out walking.

TUMBY BAY - Ive had this voice floating around in my head for several years now. Its the voice of a small dog of indeterminate breed whose use of the English language is strange but quite endearing.

Hes also quite different to the various secret friends that I had when I was a small boy. Those friends used to do what they were told, my little dog tends to be more rebellious.

I dont appear to be alone in this respect. On my walks Ive noticed other people who appear to be talking to thin air. Most of them are about my age but a few are younger.

Writers of my acquaintance freely admit to their own little invisible companions. Thats part of the quirky nature of writers I guess.

On my walks when people notice me watching them they tend to go quiet and cover their embarrassment by putting their hands to their mouth. A few, however, just cruise past nattering away quite oblivious to me.

Of late Ive been caught out in this respect. Someone approaching me apparently nattering to thin air can turn out to be talking on a mobile phone. Its only when they get closer that I notice leads sticking out of their ears or an iPhone in their pocket.

At least I presume thats what they are doing. It could be that theyre using the leads and phones as cover for a conversation with someone or something much less temporal. You never know with people these days.

Sometimes, when I take my daughters dog for a walk we have three way conversations. Strangely enough the two dogs seem to be able to communicate with each other.

Im not a great fan of psychology. Sigmund Freud and his ilk leave me cold. I dont want to know that my doggy friends existence has something to do with my toilet training as a toddler.

Besides, I know from my exposure to indigenous people in both Australia and Papua New Guinea that these sorts of extra-body entities exist, even if it is only in the minds of their hosts.

Talking to ancestors and spirits is a quite normal thing for indigenous people. Many people take advice from these creatures. Just like I take advice from my little dog.

The Biami people in Western Province can conjure them up during seances and are so convincing that a team of scientists once unsuccessfully filmed a seance with infrared film to see if they could spot these elusive spirits.

My little dog is different however. He turns up when he feels like it and Im sure he would ignore any mumbo-jumbo designed to flush him out.

Over the years Ive become quite fond of him and the prospect of him ever going away would leave me bereft.

I think, that when I die, Id like to become a little dog in someones imagination. It would at least be consolation for the inevitable nothingness that death will bring.

But thats too morbid to contemplate. And besides, Ive got to go.

My little dog wants to go for a walk.
All votes in the CO-3 election won't be counted until the end of this week
Knut Srlie, country director of Innovation Norway in China, the trade and investment agency of the Norwegian government.

For the longest time, Silicon Valley was the destination of choice for tech startups. In recent years, however, the fastest growing startup scenes no longer belong to the American West Coast, but to other sides of the globe in China and Scandinavia.

Now, these two emerging tech communities are coming together in Shanghai with the debut of nHack, an accelerator program designed exclusively for Nordic startups interested in China's enormous market.

The Shanghai-based accelerator is partnered with Innovation Norway, Danske Bank, and WeWork, while collaborating with the Shanghai Foreign Investment Development Board.

"China has very attractive market for Norwegian companies, and we are looking forward to further enhancing our cooperation, especially between the small and medium sized ones," said Knut Srlie, country director of Innovation Norway in China, the trade and investment agency of the Norwegian government.

"China is one of our key markets in Asia and our third largest importer," Srlie said. "We have put it very high on the agenda."

The accelerator program was a part of five contracts signed during Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg's visit to Shanghai in April, which also included contracts on trade and investment and medical care technology.

The goal of nHack is to help Norwegian companies to rapidly launch products and establish sales while also accessing Chinese capital, investors, business partners, customers, and the country's hardware supply chain. The program welcomes startups from all sectors, but will mostly focus on smart cities, bio-economy, new energy, financial technology, ocean space, and health and welfare.

"The accelerator, which officially launched this September, will invest into qualified and accepted startups in exchange for 5 to 10 percent equity," Srlie said. "Follow-on funding after the program is also an option, depending on the startup's performance."

So far, nHack is working with six startups in Shanghai: Moviemask.io, Wiralcam, Playpulse.no, Blueye Robotics, BreachVR, and Orkel.

"There is a plan for expanding the Norwegian accelerator from Shanghai to other cities in China, such as Beijing, Shenzhen and Hangzhou," he says. "With China's growing e-commerce and technology development, it is a very good market for Norwegian startup companies."

He added that Shanghai is also a financial hub, so we see increasingly Norwegian fin-tech companies attracted by the business environment choosing to build up here, which can challenge the existing traditional banking companies.

Green shift

The bilateral relationship between China and Norway could be traced to 1888, when the world's largest ship classification society DNV established a presence in Xiamen, and later set up its Chinese headquarters in Shanghai.

Today, Norway owns many shipbuilding companies in Shanghai and other coastal cities in China, while contributing a lot of its technologies to China's shipbuilding industry.

However, although the country leads the world in maritime industries including shipbuilding, offshore oil and gas drilling, and maritime aquaculture, Srlie said the harsh climate and cold winter in Norway is pushing it to develop new technologies.

Meanwhile, Norway is also striving for a shift towards green development as its major export -- oil, was hit by slumping prices.

Srlie said that nearly 62 percent of the energy consumption in Norway now comes from renewable energy or resources. At the same time, the country is developing new ship types which are more environmentally friendly and more sustainable, going into that green direction. He said he looks forward to continued bilateral trade and cooperation in technology between Norway and Shanghai on greener, smarter, and cleaner development.

Outlook for innovation

Srlie said that compared in general to Chinese companies, the Norwegian companies are relatively small and flexible. This meant they could rapidly adapt to shifts in technologies and markets, and this ability bred innovation, he said.

"The innovation is not only about the technology, but also about the talents who treat technology," Srlie said. "Many of the competitiveness and advantages of Norwegian companies are the interaction between machines and man."

Norwegian companies are quite flat in organizational structure, where people can get information to flow freely, leading to a more transparent and efficiency system for enterprise innovation, Srlie said.

With an eye on the future, Srlie said that Shanghai is competing with Beijing and Shenzhen to be the most innovative city in China. To be successful, he said Shanghai could learn from Norway's experience in financially supporting the systematic establishment of business clusters.

So far, Shanghai and Innovation Norway have collaborated on ocean economy, bio economy, green smart cities, clean technology, creative industry, healthcare technology, and welfare service industry.

Srlie said he believes that there will be more Norwegian companies coming to China interested in building businesses in these fields.
Researchers at the Harbin Academy of Social Sciences in Heilongjiang Province say they uncovered fresh evidence of germ warfare atrocities committed by Japan's Unit 731 in documents they found in the United States.

Four members of the International Center for Unit 731 Research found more than 2,300 pages of files about the notorious Japanese chemical warfare unit at the US National Archives, the Library of Congress and the Hoover Institution at Stanford University in September.

"The files, including medical theses, laboratory reports and Japanese soldiers' accounts, have great significance in filling in the blanks in the germ war archives," Liu Rujia, one of the team members, said on Friday. "They have both historical and academic value."

Unit 731 was a top-secret biological and chemical warfare research base set up in 1935 in Harbin by the Japanese military. It was the nerve center of Japan's biological warfare in China and Southeast Asia during World War II.

Among the files, a key part of a research report on epidemic prevention by Japan's military medical academy was discovered by the Chinese researchers.

The report comprises eight volumes, with 700 articles numbered 101 to 800. Some of its authors were core members of Unit 731.

"The report includes a great amount of research on Unit 731 in the field of germ warfare and is direct evidence proving that Unit 731 had an intimate relationship with the military medical academy," Liu said.

The pages include many handwritten notes in English, "but we have no idea who wrote them or what the notes were for", Liu said, adding that the notes will be explored further.

The group also had a parallel information-gathering operation looking at reports detailing experiments on live humans using biological organisms - anthrax, plague and glanders (an infectious disease that occurs mostly in horses but can affect humans and other animals).

In addition, they found magazines recording Japanese soldiers' activities in the Pingfang district of Harbin shortly before and during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45).

"The vivid words and photos in the magazines also provide powerful evidence," Liu said.

Liu said she and her colleagues spent seven years going through archives in the US to collect scattered wartime files left by Japanese forces.

"There are a large number of complex historical documents in the US about the germ warfare that await further research," Liu said. "In recent years, more experts on the subject have emerged and provided valuable academic insight."

The researchers photographed the documents they found and brought the pictures to China. After translating the documents, they will continue their research and raise public awareness, Liu said.

During the war, Unit 731 is known to have conducted experiments on living people to test the effectiveness of chemical and germ-releasing bombs.

Many civilians and prisoners of war from China, the Soviet Union, the Korean Peninsula and Mongolia perished at the hands of Japanese scientists. Some of the victims were children.

At least 3,000 people were used as human guinea pigs by Unit 731, and more than 300,000 people across China were killed by Japan's biological weapons, according to the Museum of Evidence of War Crimes by Japanese Army Unit 731 in Harbin.
A flight attendant who fractured a bone in her chest after falling from a stationary aircraft in Henan province is expected to be discharged from the hospital within a week, her employer, Xiamen Airlines, said on Saturday.

The accident occurred as workers were restocking a Boeing 737 during a stop at Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport on Friday afternoon. A video clip shared widely on Sina Weibo shows the flight attendant falling through a gap between the aircraft's tail door and a movable platform.

The flight made the stop in Zhengzhou en route from Fuzhou, Fujian province, to Lanzhou, Gansu province.

The injured woman was sent to the hospital and underwent surgery on Friday night. According to the airline, she is in stable condition and did not sustain any permanent damage.

The airline and airport are cooperating with civil aviation authorities to investigate the accident, the company said.

A similar incident occurred in late October involving a flight from Shenzhen, Guangdong province, to Tengchong, Yunnan province. A flight attendant fell from the tail door of an airliner as it was being prepared for takeoff at the Shenzhen airport. She suffered broken bones and bruises.
The Irtysh River flows from Hou Zhili's hometown and leads to the Arctic Ocean - a journey Huo plans to make alone in a kayak.

The Irtysh River in the northen Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region is the only river in China that leads to the Arctic Ocean.[Photo by Hu Huhu/Xinhua]

From where he lives in Fuyun county, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, the 41-year-old has completed what many see as epic feats - kayaking unpowered for 2,020 kilometers on the China and Kazakhstan sections of the Irtysh in 2014 and 2016.

The paddler is preparing for the final and most challenging stage of the 2,200-km Russia section, plus the last 1,160-km of the Ob River, which the Irtysh flows into before its waters reach the northern sea.

From its source in the Altay Mountains in Fuyun, the 4,248-km Irtysh River flows northwest through Kazakhstan before merging with the Ob River in Russia. It is the only river in China that leads to the Arctic Ocean.

Huo's love for kayaking began when he was a teenager. In the 1980s, several white-water adventurers on China's two largest rivers, the Yangtze and the Yellow River, had become famous and started a craze among bold Chinese who took to rafting on streams across the country.

Some youngsters from Hou's hometown even drifted for hundreds of kilometers along the Irtysh on rafts made of old tires.

In 2012, he decided to close his graphic design company and turned his hobby into a full-time occupation.

After arduous training, on Aug 28, 2014, Hou set out alone in his yellow and orange boat from Koktokay, a town near the source of the Irtysh.

He paddled for 50 km a day, and took 23 days to arrive at Kaba county, where the 520-km China section of the river ends.

The river begins to freeze in November and does not thaw until April, so Huo planned to complete the Kazakhstan section the following year. When the time came, however, he was refused a visa.

His chance finally arrived as tourism cooperation between China and Kazakhstan improved with the Belt and Road Initiative.

Kazakhstan relaxed its visa procedures for Chinese tourists last year.

In August 2016, with the help of travel agencies from both sides of the border, Hou set out from Jeminay, a Chinese county bordering Kazakhstan. It took him 33 days to paddle the 1,500-km section.

The journey was longer and tougher than he expected.

The river width and current varied constantly. He fought hard to meet his target of 50 km a day. Camping on the riverbank when dusk fell was risky.

"I was lucky to return from the dangerous journey unharmed," he said.

Along the way, Hou was deeply moved by the friendly Kazakh people who gave him fresh produce and invited him to stay at their homes.

It has not been cheap. The challenge has cost a good portion of his savings.

To finish the task, he has to kayak further than the total of his two previous trips.

He also has to cross the vast and frigid Siberian landscape. The adventure in Russia will be much more demanding - physically and financially.

Hou went to Russia in September to assess his travel route and to coordinate with local tourism authorities.

He said the preparation is going well. The prospect of navigating a watercourse that is frozen solid for much of the year has not dampened his ambition.

Hou plans to start from the Russian city of Omsk next summer and to paddle all the way to Labytnangi, the last town on the Irtysh. From there he will approach the great northern ocean.

"I want to be a true hero in the eyes of my daughter," said Huo, who has a 12-year-old girl. Hou's wife, who at first did not understand his drive to complete such a dangerous journey now accepts his ambition and backs him.

"That support inspires me to hold on to my dream, no matter how many challenges I encounter," he said.
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP)  New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is heading west for two fundraisers in California.

The Democrat is considered a possible contender for the White House in the 2020 election but says he's focused on winning a third term next year in New York.

Cuomo's official schedule for Monday shows he'll travel to San Francisco. His office says Cuomo has two fundraising events planned for Tuesday, one in San Francisco and the second in Beverly Hills.

Cuomo is expected to return to New York late Tuesday.

The governor rarely leaves New York state, though high-profile trips to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands following recent hurricanes have fueled speculation about his political future.
 Flash

China's tourism authorities said Friday that the 2018 China-U.S. dialogue on tourism will be held in Hangzhou next year.

The event will take place in the eastern China city in the latter half of 2018, according to China National Tourism Administration.

China and the United States have been taking turns to host the annual dialogue since the platform was launched in 2007, and it has become an important way for tourism regulators, associations and businesses to deepen communications.

In recent years, the two countries have stepped up tourism cooperation, supporting economic growth and facilitating exchanges between the countries.

In November 2014, the two countries extended visa validity for tourists from one to 10 years, and launched the China-U.S. Tourism Year in 2016.
 Flash

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R, front) arrives in Manila, the Philippines, Nov. 12, 2017, for an official visit to the Philippines and a series of leaders' meetings on East Asian cooperation. [Photo/Xinhua]

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrived in Manila on Sunday for an official visit to the Philippines and a series of leaders' meetings on East Asian cooperation.

During his five-day stay, Li is scheduled to attend the 20th China-ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) (10+1) leaders' meeting, the 20th ASEAN-China, Japan and Republic of Korea (10+3) leaders' meeting and the 12th East Asia Summit.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of ASEAN and the 20th anniversary of 10+3 cooperation.

As the world economy is going through weak recovery, East Asia has maintained the momentum of regional cooperation and development, and has become a stabilizing force in the complex and ever-changing global landscape, Li said upon his arrival.

Noting that ASEAN stands at a new starting point of development, the premier said China would work with all parties to plan for the future and build a closer community of a shared future.

China and ASEAN will mark the 15th anniversary of their strategic partnership in 2018.

This is Li's first overseas trip since the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in October. The visit is expected to deepen China's friendly cooperation with the Philippines, promote China-ASEAN ties and enhance regional cooperation in East Asia, Chinese authorities said ahead of the visit.

In Manila, Li will brief the other leaders on the spirit of the 19th CPC National Congress as well as China's stance and policy on cooperation in East Asia, said Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong in a press briefing earlier this week.

The Chinese premier will propose nearly 30 new initiatives under various mechanisms to deepen practical cooperation on interconnectivity, food security, poverty reduction, tourism and anti-corruption, Chen added.

In addition, Li will attend the leaders' meeting on Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, a free trade pact involving the 10 ASEAN members and six other countries -- China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.

During the visit, the Chinese premier will also hold talks with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on bilateral ties and issues of common concern.

It is the first visit to the Philippines made by a Chinese premier in 10 years.

Currently, the China-Philippines relations are making steady and healthy progress, which accords with the common interests and aspiration of the peoples of the two countries and of the region as a whole, Li noted.

The premier said he would like to exchange views with the Philippine leaders on further strengthening friendship between the two nations and deepening cooperation in areas that suit the development needs of both sides.

In a signed article published by major Philippine newspapers prior to his trip, Li said he hoped the visit would help enhance friendship between the two peoples, deepen bilateral cooperation and open new prospects for China-Philippines relations.
 Flash

Lebanon's Prime Minister Saad Hariri makes his first live appearance since his sudden resignation on Nov. 4 in an interview with Future TV from the Saudi capital Riyadh on Nov. 12. [Photo/VCG]

Lebanon's Prime Minister Saad Hariri confirmed on Sunday that he would return to Beirut "within the coming few days," Saudi Future TV reported.

Hariri made his first live appearance since his sudden resignation on Nov. 4 in an interview with Future TV from the Saudi capital Riyadh.

"I resigned to make a positive shock in Lebanon," he said, revealing that prior to his resignation he had discussed the threats that Lebanon was facing including the "U.S. and Arab sanctions against Lebanon."

"I was proud of the political settlement I made, but for it to succeed we need to disassociate ourselves from the regional issues," he said.

Hariri also said that Lebanese should not bear the consequences of Hezbollah's involvement in the region.

The prime minister was referring to the engagement of Hezbollah in the Syrian crisis to defend the regime of President Bashar Assad, and Saudi's accusations against the group of involvement in Yemen, Bahrain and Iraq.

However, Hariri asserted that "my security was threatened and Lebanon was threatened as well, but all I care for is the stability and safety of Lebanon".

"I personally wrote my resignation statement and my aim was to create a positive shock so we can all realize the dangers we were facing," he added.

Hariri's resignation was seen as being forced by Saudi Arabia. Lebanon's President Michel Aoun said that "any declaration that would be made by Hariri from Riyadh is subject to suspicion." But Hariri asserted that he is "free in Saudi Arabia," pointing out that the Syrian regime and the Islamic State are serious threats against his safety.

"I will return to Lebanon very soon," the prime minister confirmed.

As for his relation with Aoun, Hariri emphasized he had "excellent relations" with Aoun and that he would have a "long discussion" with the president after his return.

"Our relation was built on sincerity and frankness and we will continue to protect Lebanon together," the prime minister added.

"I will not allow any party to launch a regional war on Lebanon's soil," he went on saying, pointing that "in the war of 2006, Saudi Arabia stood next to Lebanon and helped in the reconstruction."

"Hezbollah must realize where our national interest is," he said. Hariri said that he didnot "approve Hezbollah's involvement in the domestic affairs of other Arab countries, but we can reach a solution regarding the party's weapons today more than ever."

He said that the Lebanese government had agreed with Hezbollah to put differences aside for the sake of the country, but the disassociation issue was not respected and the positive shock that his resignation created should be "for the best of the Lebanese."

"If they want me to remain in post and take away my resignation, I am ready to do so as long as they respect the disassociation policy," he added.
 Flash

Any double interpretation of the latest joint statement on Syria by Russian President Vladimir Putin and his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump would be inappropriate, the Kremlin said Sunday.

According to the statement, the two heads of state agreed to maintain open channels of communication between the two militaries to help ensure the safety of U.S. and Russian forces engaged in the fight against Islamic States until its final defeat.

The statement was at first agreed at the level of experts and then agreed between Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, before finally being approved by the two presidents, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted by Russian news agencies as saying.

"There is no need to comment on anything. There is the text of the statement, which is available for reading. That is why double interpretation is inappropriate," Peskov said.

On Saturday, Putin and Trump issued a joint statement about Russia-U.S. cooperation on Syria after their short meeting on the margins of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Meeting in Da Nang, Vietnam.

Russia and the U.S.-led coalition are backing separate offensives against IS in Syria, with both advancing in oil-rich Deir al-Zour province in the east of the war-torn country.
 Flash

J-10 aerobatic fighter jets of the Chinese Air Force's August 1st Air Demonstration Team perform on the opening day of the Dubai Airshow 2017 in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, on Nov. 12, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

Six J-10 aerobatic fighter jets of the Chinese Air Force's August 1st Air Demonstration Team demonstrated their acrobatic skills for the first time in the history of the Dubai Airshow which started on Sunday in its 15th edition.

The six jets showed formations like barrel rolls, vertical stunts and parallel flights in the shape of triangle.

Shen Jinke, spokesman of the PLA Air Force, said earlier in the month, the air force is ready for pragmatic exchange and cooperation in more fields and many levels with air forces of other countries and to make new contributions to peace and development.

Several visitors of the airshow expressed their excitement about the Chinese aerial show.

"I think it is very good that China shows aerial stunts here at the Dubai Airshow," Mansour Janbi, COO of Arab Express Aviation said.

Florian Descargues, an IT support specialist of Airbus, was not aware that the fighter jets he filmed were Chinese, saying that it is just "extraordinary. I filmed everything with my smartphone."

Omar Alhoshan, founder of Alhoshan Aviation, a Saudi-based consulting-firm, said the display shows "a very nice formation. we saw some very good stunts," adding that "it is important that China shows up in the Gulf region. China is the biggest consumer in aviation, so they must be here at the airshow."

The five-day Dubai Airshow runs through Thursday.
 Flash

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, in a signed article published in Manila on Sunday, lauded the China-Philippines relationship as "seeing a rainbow after the storm and showing a good momentum across the board".

In the article titled "Opening a new chapter of China-Philippines relations," Li said that since the complete turnaround in bilateral ties during Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's successful visit to China in October 2016, the two sides have developed closer high-level exchanges and have advanced practical cooperation on all fronts with fruitful results.

The article could be seen on major Philippine newspapers including the Manila Times and the Philippine Star.

The two sides have signed over 20 cooperation documents at the governmental or departmental levels and identified a number of priority infrastructure projects, which are making important progress, the article wrote.

The first 10 months of this year also saw China become the Philippines' biggest trading partner, on the back of a surge in Philippine exports to China, it added.

The article also noted that the Chinese people and the Philippine people share a close bond and a long history of friendly association, which could be traced back to the periods of China's Tang (618 A.D.-907 A.D.) and Song (960 A.D.-1279 A.D.) dynasties.

"In the context of our thousand-year friendly interactions, our differences are but brief interludes that will neither weaken our commitment to good neighborliness and friendship nor shake the solid foundation of our relations as good neighbors, good friends and good brothers," it wrote.

To take bilateral relations forward, Li stressed three aspects, namely good faith and sincerity, results-oriented cooperation, as well as affinity between the two peoples.

"China will work with the Philippines to continue to properly handle the maritime issues through friendly bilateral consultation by giving full play to such mechanisms as the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea and the Joint Coast Guard Committee on Maritime Cooperation," the article wrote.

Li arrived here Sunday for an official visit to the Philippines and for a series of leaders' meetings on East Asian cooperation.

It is the first visit to the Philippines made by a Chinese premier in 10 years.
 Flash

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy on Sunday arrived in Barcelona for the first time after the central government applied the article 155 of Spanish constitution to sack Catalan government and take control over Catalonia.

Rajoy's arrival was welcomed by thousands of his supporters. He then made a speech to the public, calling for the Catalan people to support the unity of Spain by encouraging "the silent or silenced majority to convert their voice into a vote".

Rajoy also expressed his worries about Catalan economy that has suffered due to the chaos caused by the unilateral declaration of independence, as more than 2,000 companies have left the region due to the continuous tensions. Meanwhile, he made a commitment on the recovery of Spanish economy and job creation.

Talking about the application of Article 155 of Spanish Constitution, Rajoy emphasized that he "has tried every way" before taking this step, saying that every other country that is responsible would do the same.

He described separatism as "toxic that destroys Catalonia", while expressing his expectation that the new general selection of Catalonia slated for Dec. 21 will be "clean and legal elections that restore democracy."

Xavier Garcia Albiol, president of the People's Party of Catalonia, thanked Rajoy for applying article 155 of constitution and restoring the normalcy of Catalonia.

With the approval of Spanish Parliament, Rajoy applied Article 155 of the Constitution to suspend Catalan autonomy and to sack the former regional government hours after the Catalan Parliament made an unilateral declaration of independence on Oct. 27. Several former Catalan separatist leaders have already been sent to prison by court on charges of rebellion, sedition, and misuse of public funds.
 Flash

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, arrived in Laos Monday for a state visit as the two socialist countries are seeking to consolidate their traditional friendship.

It marks the first visit in 11 years by a Chinese head of state and top CPC leader to this neighboring country in Southeast Asia.

Xi is scheduled to meet with Bounnhang Vorachit, general secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and president of Laos, Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith, and President of the Lao National Assembly Pany Yathotu.

In a written speech delivered upon arrival at the airport, Xi extended sincere regards and best wishes to the brotherly LPRP, the Lao government and the Lao people on behalf of the CPC, the Chinese government and the Chinese people.

Both as Communist-led socialist countries, China and Laos are truly "good neighbors, friends, comrades and partners," Xi said.

Since the two countries established diplomatic ties 56 years ago, the traditional good neighborly and friendly relations have stood the test of international vicissitudes and have become even stronger, Xi said.

The in-depth development of bilateral comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership has not only brought tangible benefits to the two countries and peoples, but also contributed to the peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world at large, he said.

"I believe with concerted efforts of both sides, my visit will achieve our desired results, lift our relationship to a new high and bring greater benefits to our two peoples," he added.

Xi was greeted by senior party and state leaders of Laos at the airport.

Huge portraits of Xi and Bounnhang, as well as banners bearing welcome slogans in the Chinese and Lao languages "Warmly welcome the state visit by Comrade Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and Chinese president, to Laos," were seen hanging on the main streets of the Lao capital Vientiane.

Thousands of local residents, including young students, lined up along the streets, waving national flags of the two countries and cheering as Xi's motorcade passed by.

Vientiane is the final leg of Xi's first overseas trip after the 19th CPC National Congress, which was held last month. Prior to the Laos visit, he attended the 25th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Meeting in Vietnam's central city of Da Nang and paid a state visit to the country in Hanoi.
 Flash

China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will start consultations on the text of the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said on Monday.

Li made the remarks when attending the 20th China-ASEAN (10+1) leaders' meeting in the Philippine capital of Manila.

China, which has most of its freight of foreign trade passing through the South China Sea, wants peace and stability for that area more than any other country, Li noted.

The Chinese premier said China is committed to maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea and resolving territorial and maritime rights disputes with parties directly involved through negotiations and in a peaceful manner.

Such a stance would never change, he added.

China, he said, expects to work with ASEAN countries on the basis of friendly negotiations to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and to push for consultations on the COC.

At the ASEAN foreign ministers' meetings in August, China and ASEAN countries drew up and approved the framework of the COC, saying they would initiate substantive consultations on the code's text within the year.

The framework, Li said, epitomizes the consensus on the COC key elements reached by all parties and is an important outcome of their consultations already carried out.

"Through consultations on the COC, we hope that all parties could enhance their mutual understanding and trust, and strive to adopt the COC at an early date on the basis of consensus and make it a stabilizer of peace in the South China Sea," said the Chinese premier.

Li arrived in the Philippines on Sunday for an official visit to the country and for a series of leaders' meetings on East Asian cooperation.

In Manila, he will also attend the 20th ASEAN-China, Japan and South Korea (10+3) leaders' meeting, as well as the 12th East Asia Summit.
A question on the election ballot in New York will determine whether public officials can keep their pensions after being convicted of corruption.
Developments over the past few days reveal the broadening consensus among the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and China that they, and they alone, are ones who should get their maritime house in order, and they are fully capable of doing so.

Just hours after US President Donald Trump recommended himself to his Vietnamese host as "a very good mediator and arbitrator" for the South China Sea disputes, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, and his Vietnamese counterpart reached a consensus on appropriately managing the two neighbors maritime disputes.

And Premier Li Keqiang announced on Monday that China and the members of ASEAN will officially start negotiations on their planned Code of Conduct in the South China Sea. Agreement on this would provide a means of securing a peaceful external environment for the development of all countries in the neighborhood.

As Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte stated in his characteristic forthright manner on Sunday, the members of ASEAN and China "have to be friends" despite the attempts of "other hotheads" that want to provoke trouble.

The South China Sea disputes, which involve China and some ASEAN members, have existed for decades, but approached boiling point last year because of the instigations by some countries outside the region, particularly the United States and Japan, to create divisions within the bloc and with China.

Their scaremongering about an expansionist, aggressive China flexing its military muscles and seeking to "control" the vital waterway provoked unfounded fears that this was indeed the case.

The calm that has prevailed is the result of Beijing's painstaking endeavors to explain its intentions and reassure its neighbors that it does not seek to restrict free passage in the busy waterway or pursue development at their expense, but rather seeks to expand the convergence of interests with them and promote greater cooperation for the benefit of all.

That Xi, as president of China, is paying state visits to Vietnam and Laos besides attending the APEC forum, and Premier Li Keqiang is paying a formal visit to the Philippines after attending the ASEAN summit, are unmistakable signs of the importance China places on good neighborly relations, and the commitment the country is making to its established principles of amity and sincerity in its relations with its neighbors.

As Duterte said, no one in the region wants war and can ill-afford any violent confrontation. To ensure such a disastrous scenario does not materialize, the improvement in the situation should not be taken for granted, and all parties should work together to avoid any miscalculation that might resurrect tensions.
Ascott, which operates serviced residences internationally, will expand faster in China. It will manage 20,000 serviced apartments this year, three years ahead of schedule, the company's top management said.

"China is ahead of the rest of the world in various fieldsincluding artificial intelligence, unmanned aerial vehicles, electronic payments and so on. Thanks to this rapidly developing environment, we were able to achieve our goal ahead of schedule and now we're ready to set the next one," said Tan Tze Shang, managing director of Ascott China.

A 100-percent Capita-Land subsidiary, the company owns brands like Ascott, Citadines, Somerset, Quest The, Crest Collection and Lyf. It operates over 18,000 serviced residences in China, a market it entered from Tianjin in 1998.

Since then, it has spread to 23 properties in six cities in northern China: Beijing, Tianjin, Dalian, Shenyang, Harbin and Handan.

Ascott's first cooperation project with Riverside Group went into full operation recently in the national capital, making Beijing the first city in the world to have three Ascott properties.

"As China's political, economic and cultural center as well as an important transportation hub, Beijing is a city with large business and travel demand," said Alex Wang, area general manager, North China, Ascott.

The company, he said, will enhance use of the internet and technological innovations to improve its operational efficiency and customer experience.

Xiao Ya, an upcoming online customer-service robot, is expected to provide several services in the near future, including leading the guests to their rooms or other areas, refilling room supplies, delivering packages, conducting voice-based online dialogue and patrolling.

"Many young talents are flooding to first-tier cities for jobs. However, due to the ever-growing housing prices, they can only afford to rent a house in the short term, thus providing us a good opportunity to develop our business in China," said Tan.

Outlining Ascott's future plans in China, Tan said: "We will accelerate our business development and continue to expand in first- and second-tier cities such as Wuhan and Hangzhou, to increase our product lines.

"We'll also accelerate our process of increasing the product lines. Our new brand Lyf is designed specially for the millennials. Its first property in the world would be opened in Shenzhen next year."

Li Jiayue contributed to this story.
HANGZHOU - The record sales at major Chinese e-commerce sites Saturday offer an insight into the robust domestic demand in the world's second-largest economy.

Nov 11 has become an online shopping spree since 2009 when Alibaba's Tmall made its first online sales promotion. And now it is on par with "Black Friday," when most US retailers online or offline offer promotions.

Nov 11 is known in China as Singles Day because the date, 11-11, resembles four "bare sticks," a term used in China to refer to single people.

The world's biggest online shopping spree is a barometer of consumer behavior. It has attracted shoppers from around the world looking for bargains and multinational corporations seeking sales.

Trade at Alibaba, China's largest e-commerce platform, reached 168.3 billion yuan ($25.4 billion) on Saturday's shopping promotion.

Alipay, Alibaba's mobile payment platform, handled 1.48 billion payments from around the world, 41 percent more than last year.

A total of 812 million orders were generated in the 24 hours, up 23 percent.

More than 140,000 overseas brands participated, with 206 countries and regions involved in. Customers came from 225 countries.

JD.com, who started promotions at the beginning of this month, reported 127.1 billion yuan of orders. Kaola.com posted a 300 percent annual growth in sales on Saturday.

"From 52 million yuan in 2009 to 168.3 billion yuan this year, we have witnessed a rapidly growing domestic demand in the nine years," said Zhang Yong, CEO of Alibaba.

Zhang said the shopping spree on Nov 11 is just an epitome of the potential of China's consumption power.

China's strong domestic demand has brought opportunities for global sellers.

Nick Mann, sales director of the Australian health products brand Swisse, said Swisse sales doubled in each of the past four years.

With rising living standards, more Chinese consumers are buying quality non-daily necessities and the consumption habit is also driving the Chinese manufacturers to upgrade their products, said Zhang.

"The Nov 11 shopping spree is a commercial miracle even for the world," said Chen Qin, a programmer at Alibaba.

Many e-commerce sites have used AI and big data to predict consumers' shopping habits, prepare inventories of goods and help cope with the surge in orders. This could help reduce logistics costs and deliver goods to consumers earlier than usual, Chen said.
VIPkid's ad appears prominently on a Beijing subway train. ZHU FENG/CHINA DAILY

VIPkid (pronounced V.I.P.-kid), a four-year-old Beijing-based Chinese startup that provides online English-language courses for children globally, said it will increase investments, introduce more teachers from North America and use artificial intelligence or AI to exploit the huge potential for growth.

"We hope to change the way Chinese children learn English and offer them opportunities to experience native English teaching styles," said Mi Wenjuan, founder and CEO of VIPkid.

"We will continue to introduce teachers from North America, promote Lingo Bus, a new platform for children to learn Mandarin online, as well as apply artificial intelligence and big data to high-quality, personalized education."

The firm has been innovating English-language education by focusing on one-on-one video courses, connecting teachers in North America with Chinese children aged between 4 and 12.

The company offers a progressive pedagogy based on the United States Common Core State Standards. It serves a community of over 200,000 paying students from 32 countries and over 20,000 teachers in the US and Canada.

A fresh round of financing in August brought in $200 million, the largest such fund ever invested at one go in a firm in the K12 online education sector.

Brought into being by angels in 2013, VIPkid has since received financial backing of noted investors such as Sinovation Ventures, Matrix Partners China, Sequoia Capital, Tencent, Yunfeng Capital and Bryant Stibel.

Its monthly revenue reached 400 million yuan ($60 million) in July 2017, prompting VIPkid to raise its forecast for full-year revenue to 5 billion yuan this year from 1 billion yuan last year.

According to consultancy iResearch, by 2018, online education in China is expected to generate annual sales revenue of 200 billion yuan ($30 billion), with an annual growth of nearly 20 percent.

Mi is even more optimistic. "There is a huge growth potential for the online education market. The penetration rate was only 2 percent in the past two years. Its annual growth rate will come up to over 20 percent in the next few years," he said.

China is expected to become a key online education market in the wake of the second-child policymarried couples can now have two kids instead of one. Also, third- and fourth-tier cities in China are expected to see a consumption boom.

"At present, over 50 percent of our students are from first-tier cities. We'll put more resources in the third- and fourth-tier cities, letting children there enjoy high-quality English teaching resources."

VIPkid and the Jack Ma Foundation have launched an English-language education initiative for schools in rural China with the goal of reaching 200 schools in rural China in two years, Mi said.

The firm makes efforts to teach Chinese to non-Chinese kids as well.

"As China's presence on the global stage continues to grow, Lingo Bus has designed an immersive online Chinese learning program for students aged 5 to 12. This is expected to be a pioneer in bringing China to the world and bringing the world to China. It aims to attract 50,000 paid users and 10,000 professionally trained Mandarin teachers over the next three years," said Mi.

However, Neil Wang, president of consulting firm Frost & Sullivan in China, struck a note of caution. "The online education sector faces some challenges. It's hard to supervise and guarantee teaching quality as the quality of online teachers varies. Besides, students may not focus their attention during the learning process."

Moreover, there are no comprehensive evaluation standards in place yet to assess the effectiveness of both teaching and learning, he said.

"The key to growth is to expand the course resources. Online platforms should provide tailor-made services and recommend textbooks depending on the age, occupation, interest of students," he said.
SHANGHAIRising demand for wealth management tools from individual and institutional investors alike, and expanding financing channels for enterprises, will make China's asset management segment one of the fastest-growing sectors in the global capital market.

China's asset management segment is set to expand fivefold to $17 trillion by 2030, beating growth in other markets and benefitting local money managers, according to a report last week by Casey Quirk, a global consultancy services provider on asset management from the Deloitte stable.

Assets managed by Chinese managers may overtake the $3.8 trillion in the United Kingdom as early as 2019, with domestic firms being the biggest winners, according to the report.

"China is the only large, multi-trillion dollar market that has seen net new flows in excess of 30 percent per year," the report said.

Growing personal wealth and low returns on bank deposits will encourage Chinese investors to allocate more to asset managers, according to the report.

Casey Quirk expects the Chinese industry to attract $8.5 trillion of new assets between now and 2030, accounting for almost half of net inflows to the global industry.

The industry's share of national wealth in the world's second-largest economy will rise to 10 percent by 2030, from 4 percent now, putting it on a par with where the United States was in 1990, the report said.

Much of the growth will be driven by individuals in the "mass affluent" and high net-worth categories, alongside pension and insurance money, Casey Quirk said.

"Perhaps to make up for a late start, China's asset managers have blossomed and evolved in a manic and seemingly haphazard fashion," it said.

"A cacophonous universe of mutual funds, trusts, pension funds, private funds, vaguely defined 'wealth management products' and mobile-only money market funds try to out-do each other, or at least copy the latest hot sellers."

Investors will become more discriminating as the market matures, the report said.

Dominant domestic firms, top-10 global managers, pan-Asia managers expert in illiquid assets, those with an edge in serving retail and wealthy individual clients, and technology-driven firms may win out, it said.

A research note from Sun Life Everbright Asset Management Co Ltd said that wealth management service providers at financial institutions and mainstream banks are going to strengthen collaboration with asset management companies.

Such collaborations would help deepen interactions between asset managers and affluent investors, and meet needs of both parties, in terms of risk tolerance and investment preferences.

A report from Ping An Asset Management Co Ltd said that China's asset management institutions will also deepen collaborations with international players to leverage global resources for their domestic clients.

"It is a trend that as the financial market opens up, more clients will have demand for asset management products in other countries in the future," said the report.

China Daily-Bloomberg
China's online education market is forecast to reach 194 billion yuan ($29 billion) this year, with the number of active users set to surpass 110 million, according to a report released on Sunday.

More than 90 million people accessed online courses via Chinese platforms last year, and the scale is expected to rise at an annual rate of at least 20 percent, the report suggests.

The survey was conducted by Xuetangx - a website run by Tsinghua University that provides online courses (mostly free) - and iResearch, a consulting firm focusing on internet data. Participants were aged 18 to 30, with 58 percent male and more than 70 percent undergraduates.

The report was based on a survey of 1,440 students who have used Xuetangx services or those of similar platforms during the past year.

It said half the people who access online courses are in large metropolitan areas - mostly Beijing, Shanghai and Guangdong province - although it added that the market is expected to expand to smaller cities.

Courses in languages and vocational skills, such as IT training, management and businesses, are in the greatest demand. The most common reasons for choosing online courses are flexibility, diversity of subject matter and access to well-known teachers, according to the report.

Li Chao, CEO of Xuetangx, said despite the rapid development of online education, traditional education will not be replaced completely because both online and offline learning have their advantages.

"Traditional education triumphs in its face-to-face communication, which makes it easy for teachers to track a student's learning outcome, whereas online education triumphs in its flexibility and convenience," Li said.

He noted a growing acceptance of online education among both users and colleges.

"When online open courses first became available on the internet, no students received credit for attending in their bedrooms. But now some colleges have incorporated online courses into their teaching," Li said.

"Now we are turning individual credit online courses into a degree program."
A screenshot of Ziroom.com's website. Users can download its mobile app for long-term residential leasing in China. It said it will ensure the rooms are equipped with smart furniture.CHINA DAILY

Ziroom, a Chinese app similar to Airbnb but for long-term rentals, is planning to use individual credit ratings of users, rather than cash deposits, to authenticate leasing transactions.

The company, which is China's fourth-largest online residential leasing app, will also use smart technologies and built-in smart furniture in the rooms they are hiring out.

"We will make use of our alliances with other financial technology companies such as Zhima Credit, a unit of Alibaba subsidiary Ant Financial, to gauge the creditworthiness of our future tenants," said Xiong Lin, chief executive officer of Ziroom. "Clients with good credit records can rent places without paying any deposit."

Most of the Chinese house rental firms usually charge five months' rents at one goone month rent as deposit, three months rent payable in advance and an extra one as agent fee, posing a heavy burden for new tenants. According to Ziroom's data, around 30 percent of the app users can benefit from the new policies.

Xiong also said Ziroom is in talks with other fintech companies to create a bigger data sharing network.

Ziroom is not the first app-based platform that is challenging traditional industrial norms. Ant Financial launched a similar system in eight pilot cities including Beijing and Shanghai, allowing qualified tenants to skip the deposit fee. Over 1 million houses will be listed on its platform.

Yan Yuejin, an analyst at a property information provider E-house China R&D Institute said credit management has so far been a grey area in the Chinese market.

"Companies like Ant Financial and Ziroom are introducing personal credit scores in the house-leasing business. This will create a new mechanism and a regulation system in the market," Yan said.

"Such innovation within the fintech sector may rock the traditional market," said Chen Sheng, president of the China Real Estate Data Academy. "House rentals are an over a trillion yuan market in China and the financial data of consumers is very vital to the business."

But some industry players are doubtful whether the credit rating system would impose sufficient safeguards as a good credit score from fintech players like Zhima Credit does not necessarily translate into sufficient bank credit.

"It does not cost too much for tenants to violate contracts," said Liu Xiang, CEO of Uoko.com, a Chengdu-based online leasing website. "The penalty system is yet to be further explored.

"Internet-plus house-leasing" agencies have been on a bumpy road especially when it comes to competing with brick-and-mortar agencies in residential areas. The traditional leasing agencies have easy access to housing resources and the ability to make quick deals."

Dingding, an online-to-offline app that was launched in 2015, made a market splash by claiming no agent fees. It lost 200 million yuan ($30 million) and did not make much headway in securing real estate resources. Its parent, Lianjia, China's largest real estate broker, pulled the plug on the venture in 2016.

Some internet-based leasing firms are using innovation to secure resources and attract users. One solution Ziroom has utilized has been to take over the flat from the landlord and furnish it in an appealing way.

In the future, the company plans to introduce smart furniture, such as fitness equipment and television programs that charge by the minute. Tenants can also use the laundry on a pay-as-you-go basis. Xiong said such upgrades will suit youngsters and reduce the trouble for interior decoration.

However, Andy Xu, a 27-year old postgraduate who is currently looking for a place in Beijing via Ziroom, said while such changes will ease the living burden, it would make the room less of a home.
SHANGHAI - Shanghai-based Juneyao Airlines has reached agreement with General Electric (GE) to supply GEnx engines for its Boeing 787-9 aircraft.

Juneyao ordered engines for its 10 Boeing 787-9 aircraft, purchased in 2016 for delivery from 2018.

The order is valued at $1.4 billion and includes a 15-year agreement with GE Aviation for maintenance and repair of the engines.

The deal is one of many contracts and two-way investment agreements signed by China and the US during President Donald Trump's visit, worth more than $250 billion.
MANILA - Members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are the prior and primary partners of China in promoting the Belt and Road Initiative, Chinese Ambassador to ASEAN Xu Bu told Xinhua in an interview ahead of the 31st ASEAN summit and related meetings from Nov 10 to Nov 14.

ASEAN's development plans, including ASEAN Community Vision 2025, AEC Blueprint 2025 and Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity 2025, are highly compatible with the objectives of China's Belt and Road Initiative, China and ASEAN have both agreed to integrate and mutually promote the development strategies of both sides, Xu said.

According to him, the Belt and Road Initiative has made remarkable progress and achievements in ASEAN countries in five aspects.

Firstly, with effective policy communication, the Belt and Road Initiative and ASEAN countries are forming a multi-level inter-governmental communication mechanism.

Secondly, the construction of infrastructure interconnectivity has been speeding up along with China's high-speed rail "going out" and a series of flagship projects being implemented.

Thirdly, with the China-ASEAN deal to upgrade their free trade agreement (FTA) formally going into force, the two sides have been closely pushing forward production capacity cooperation with industrial parks as key projects, and rapidly enhancing trade and investment.

Furthermore, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank has attracted participation and support of all ASEAN countries, providing a firm guarantee for financial integration.

Besides, with cultural exchanges and tourism as a link, non-governmental contact between the two sides is becoming increasingly active, laying the social foundation for people-to-people bonds.

The Belt and Road Initiative, put forward in 2013, is aimed at building the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road by promoting trade, financial integration, infrastructure inter-connectivity and people-to-people exchanges among continents.

A recent report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development showed that ASEAN would need infrastructure investment of $60 billion to $146 billion per year up until 2025.

China has been providing assistance in railway infrastructure projects to ASEAN countries, including Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, the Philippines and Laos. These include Indonesia's Jakarta-Bandung High Speed Rail link, Malaysia's East Coast Rail, China-Thai high speed railway, and China-Laos railway, according to China's National Development and Reform Commission.

Established on Aug 8, 1967, ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Leaders from the 10 ASEAN member countries and ASEAN dialogue partners gather in Manila from Nov 10 to Nov 14 for the 31st ASEAN summit, the 12th East Asia summit and related meetings. Strengthening Regional integration and global free trade, security issues, among others, will be the major topics.
Nick Lisi, executive vice-president and chief sales officer of the world's leading analytics software company SAS. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Global leading analytics software company SAS said on Friday that it has seen double-digit annual growth in China for the past five years and will continue to expand investment and further pursue opportunities in the country.

Having been in China for more than 20 years, the US-headquartered company finds itself fitting well into the country's national strategies, such as Made in China 2025 and supply-side structural reform, and is seeing more opportunities from them, according to Nick Lisi, executive vice-president and chief sales officer of SAS.

Lisi, who was part of US President Donald Trump's business delegation to China last week, said in an exclusive interview with chinadaily.com.cn in Beijing that the visit was positive and he expects China and US would expand cooperation in the tech sector.

Strong momentum of cooperation

On Thursday, Chinese and US companies signed 15 commercial documents worth $253.5 billion at the Great Hall of the People.

"When they said it was the biggest deal ever signed, I thought it underlines how important the relationship between China and the United States is," Lisi, who witnessed the signing ceremony, said.

He mentioned SAS also signed a deal but it was modest.

"It is more of a strategic indication for us and it really enables us to continue the good work. I am more excited about the opportunities that we are going to see from this."

Lisi believes it is important that the world's two largest economies, which control more than one third of the world's GDP together, can get along and figure out how to create a win-win situation.

"We have been here for a long time in China as a US-based company and clearly it sets a very good momentum for us to continue to invest in and pursue our business here in China," Lisi added.

While most of the 29 US companies accompanying Trump during his state visit to China last week were from the energy, environmental protection and commodity sectors, SAS was one of the few tech companies.

At the signing ceremony, saying that the Chinese and US economies are highly complementary, President Xi called on the US to increase exports of civil technologies to China.

In addition, many experts said the two sides should further collaborate in high-tech industries.

Cliff Wu, president of SAS Greater China region, told chinadaily.com.cn SAS, as the key global US software company in the business delegation, was selected because of the strategic value it will bring to the Chinese market.

In Lisi's opinion, both China and US are very eager to engage in cooperation in tech sector and both of them have a lot of value to bring.

"I think it absolutely is a good opportunity for us. And I feel the environment is very good for that," Lisi said.

Thriving market and innovation

Founded in 1976, SAS now has businesses in 148 countries.

Among them, the Chinese market is different and important for the company because the country has a strong domestic economy and is focused on the fields in which SAS has been putting a lot of investments, such as artificial intelligence, internet of things, and big data, Lisi said.

In addition, he said what differentiates Chinese customers with others are the scale of the data they have and the volumes and the size of the problems they face.

"When you look at the Chinese environment, you have significantly more data than some of our other customers globally," Lisi said.

The scalability is important, as an example, SAS is providing the latest transitional fraud management system to the big banks, while globally the maximum of capacity only requires 3,000 transactions per seconds (tps), it is 10,000 tps in China, Wu added.

SAS has already got a dominant presence in the financial sector that more than a hundred leading financial institutes, such as the top four banks, have been using its software and services to expand business, carry out risk management, deal with fraud or manage customers, Lisi said.

Not only that, he is positive that more companies in different sectors, especially the fintech and intelligent manufacturing companies as well as municipal governments, will make its client list in the future.

"Take the manufacturing industry for instance. In the past a lot of large manufacturers were busy with their enterprise resource planning, supply channels and infrastructure projects. As they started to accumulate more and more data, they also want to leverage the big data analytics," Wu said.

So in that area, Wu said, SAS is helping large manufacturers to build sales forecasting, organize inventory, and even leverage the social media they have to hear the voice of customer and improve product qualities.

In addition, the company has made progress in establishing strategic partnership with municipal governments.

It signed an investment cooperation agreement with Invest Shenzhen, an organization assigned by the Shenzhen municipal government, this April to use big data analytics to boost the smart city construction and improve urban management level there.

China is moving from a quantity-based economy to a quality-based economy, Lisi said. "I think we are really just beginning to see the role you are going to play from an innovation perspective."
BEIJING - Saturday's 24-hour online shopping binge is the day-to-day online shopping market in microcosm, and benefits manufacturers, traders and consumers far beyond China's borders.

Nov 11, China's Singles Day, became an online shopping spree in 2009 when Alibaba's Tmall began to make it so through extensive promotions.

The world's biggest online shopping spree is a barometer of consumer behavior.

Set in both "the world's factory" and second largest economy, the event draws shoppers from around the world looking for bargains and multinational corporations seeking sales.

"It is a worldwide social synergy event," said Zhang Yong, chief executive officer of Alibaba. "The synergy means joint efforts by global businesses and driven by technology and big data. It is a Chinese phenomenon with world influence."

This year, sales hit 100 billion yuan ($15 billion) by 9:04 am. Sales on Tmall broke the 10 billion yuan mark just three minutes after midnight. Last year, it took almost seven minutes.

"Singles Day brings us many nice surprises each year, with the new commercial phenomenon and business forces. I think this year will be no exception," said Zhang.

Alibaba has created Haitao to help people in China buy foreign products, and TMall Global as a marketplace for foreign businesses to sell directly to Chinese consumers.

Japanese brands Onward Crosset and Laox, for example, have Singles Day promotions at their shops on Tmall Global.

Stadium Goods, a New York City-based marketplace that sells footwear and other apparel, said it began preparations for the promotion one month in advance.

Its Singles Day sales target is $2 million, said John McPheters, founder of the company.

But it's not just sellers, many foreigners are also buying, according to Cyol.com.

According to data by AliExpress, Russia, Brazil, the United States, Spain, France, Ukraine, Israel, Belarus, Canada and the Netherlands have become the top 10 buyers in terms of purchasing power.

Females and people from 25 to 34 years old are the main source of the 100 million foreign online shoppers, the data showed.

"It is a Chinese phenomenon, but resonates across the world," Zhang said.

Alibaba's net income rose 146 percent to more than 17.4 billion yuan year-on-year for the fiscal quarter ending September.

Revenue from international businesses reached 2.9 billion yuan, 115-percent growth year on year, thanks to strong growth in its Southeast Asian platform Lazada and China outbound platform AliExpress.

"Singles Day is adding more and more overseas businesses, and it has become a huge opportunity for goods, capital and culture to be exchanged around the world," said Jin Xuejun, professor of economics at Zhejiang University.

In 2016, Alibaba's Singles Day sales totalled 120 billion yuan thanks to its internationalization tendency, but the record was surpassed in just 13 hours this year.

The Singles Day shopping is becoming bigger in scale given JD.com Inc., Kaola.com and other cross-border e-commerce platforms have came to share the big on-line shopping cake. It takes JD.com as long as 11 days to top 100 billion yuan of sales by Nov 11, in contrast with Alibaba's nine hours.

These cross-border e-commerce platforms have made increased efforts to expand businesses abroad. Taking Alibaba as an example, its online payment app Alipay can now support 27 clearing currencies and serve users in over 200 countries.

Cainiao Network, the logistics arm of Alibaba, has established 266 cross-border warehouses in 224 countries and regions.

Despite convenience and jobs brought by booming e-commerce business worldwide, experts warned of nuisances and risks looming over the whole sector, such as junk information, credit default and internet fraud.
The International Seminar on Sustainable Urban Development and Healthy Cities was held in Beijing Friday, urging city regulators and planners to attach added importance to the construction of a healthier city, with its development driven by more sustainable forces.

Co-organized by the China Center for Urban Development (CCUD), a public institution directly under the National Development and Reform Commission, and the World Health Organization, the seminar was attended by urban planning professionals from all over the world, as well as some local governors from China.

The two signed a memorandum of understanding previously May 14 at the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. Both parties agreed to promote the concept of conducting urban construction in healthier and more sustainable ways in the world through the China International Cities Development Alliance, a platform they coestablished.

"Construction of healthy cities leads directly to better lives for urban citizens in the short term, and in the long run, it serves to better the overall development of the country," said Xu Lin, director of the CCUD. "Regulators should consider the elements and characteristics of their cities, and build up a truly healthy city for their people, instead of a city with real estate agents peddling their houses."

China is facing a fast urbanization pace. Currently 57.4 percent of the total population lives in urban areas, and that proportion is expected to soar to 75 percent by 2030, according to data from the WHO, which calls for more attention to healthy construction for cities.

"City regulators should bear the healthy city concept in mind at the very beginning of urban construction," Xu added. "An integrated healthy and sustainable plan at the first place will pave the way for urban development in the future."

According to Xu, the government is testing a multiple planning integration scheme, where officials from the counties and cities within a province can better collaborate and communicate with each other to put forward better integrated plans and policies in Ningxia province and Hainan province.

Xiongan New Area, a new economic zone planned directly by the central government, is also going to be a healthy zone with a multiple planning integration scheme applied to the area.

"Xiongan New Area is a new economic zone with strategic significance." Xu said. "Building a big city that is healthy and sustainable is also listed in the construction plan. In addition, Xiongan is also considered to be an applicable zone for the multiple planning integration scheme."
Report predicts both countries will see huge investment in the next two years

China and the United Kingdom are both forecast to be strong markets for merger and acquisition activities during the coming two years, according to a report released on Monday by law company Baker McKenzie and the think tank Oxford Economics.

The report predicts global M&A activities will exceed $3 trillion in 2018.

In the UK, M&A activities, both domestic and inbound, are expected to reach $162 billion in 2018, despite uncertainty surrounding the UK's decision to leave the European Union. If the prediction about the level of the UK's M&A activity for 2018 is correct, it will be 60 percent up on the $101.6 billion forecast for 2017.

China's M&A activities are forecast to reach an aggregated volume of $278 billion in 2018 and $297.1 billion in 2019, considerably more than the 2017 total of $240.2 billion.

Cross-border inbound M&A activities into China show particularly strong growth, with China inbound M&A projected to be $47.9 billion for 2018 and $56 billion for 2019, significantly more than the $28.1 billion spent on cross-border inbound M&A activities into China expected for 2017.

Tim Gee, corporate partner at Baker McKenzie, said the forecast shows dealmaking in the UK is on the rise again after Brexit-related uncertainties.

"The widely predicted fl ight of investment from the UK simply hasn't happened," he said.

Commenting on the China stats, Tracy Wut, Baker McKenzie's M&A partner in Hong Kong, said she believes most China-related domestic and cross-border M&A activities will be in the healthcare, pharmaceutical, and consumer goods sectors, which are increasingly key drivers of China's domestic growth.

Yu Zongwen, CEO of the London-based advisory Shanghai London Connect Limited, said many overseas investors and sovereign wealth funds have been eyeing China investment opportunities in recent years, but market activities are confined by regulatory restrictions.

He said he believes the restrictions were put in place mainly because the Chinese authorities wanted to focus on not opening up the market too quickly, and"to protect foreign investors at a time when many Chinese companies' corporate governance standards were still lagging behind international standards".

He said such restrictions are likely to be eased over time as China's economy becomes more mature.

Monica Lin, UK chairwoman of the wealth management company Hywin Wealth, said China's outbound activities are also growing, with investments flowing, especially into projects related to the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative.

Meanwhile, Lin said a new trend of "parallel fund" M&A activities has picked up pace, which involves Chinese and overseas funds simultaneously acquiring targets in China and overseas with clear complementarities, and merging them into one entity to realize these synergies, again contributing to inbound UK and China M&A activity.

Globally, key factors driving forward burgeoning M&A activities include positive world trade and economic growth, improving equity valuations, and the prospect of cheaper financing in emerging markets, according to the report.
Zhongwang USA LLC announced on Monday that the merger agreement between Zhongwang USA and Aleris Corporation was terminated by mutual agreement on Sunday.

The decision was driven by uncertainty around approval from the US government's Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States.

The companies had entered into the $2.3 billion merger agreement in August 2016.

Zhongwang USA expressed disappointment that the acquisition would not proceed and issued a statement.

It said: "Through the proposed acquisition, the company was committed to preserving American jobs and investing substantial funds into Aleris, beyond the purchase price. The Aleris acquisition was a win-win opportunity for American workers and Zhongwang USA, particularly in Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan, and Iowa, where Zhongwang's substantial additional capital investment would increase productivity and American competitiveness while supporting in excess of 1,000 new jobs across four states."

Zhongwang USA said it was deeply disappointed by the outcome.

"This has been a constructive process for Zhongwang USA, and our executives have tremendous respect for the management and workers at Aleris, they are a world-class team," it added.

The company said it and its investors will continue to pursue expansion opportunities, including positive, job-creating opportunities in the United States and other parts of the world.
TuSimple Inc demonstrates minds-off automated driving using two modified trucks in Shanghai International Automobile City.[Photo provided to China Daily]

Intelligent and connected vehicles are becoming the Chinese industry's forte in the new automotive era, with the country setting the scene for autonomous driving tests.

China is set to issue its first public road automated driving test license by June 2018, according to Zhu Xichan, professor at the School of Automotive Studies at Tongji University. He made the comments at the 2017 World Autonomous Vehicle Ecosystem Conference held on Nov 6 in Shanghai.

"The development of intelligent and connected vehicles can improve transport efficiency and safety, while meeting energy-saving and emission-reduction targets. China has the foundation and advantages to succeed in this sector," Xin Guobin, vice-minister of industry and information technology, said at the conference.

"We will create an environment suitable for the development of intelligent and connected vehicles, " he said, "and accelerate the integration of the automobile, intelligent transportation and information technology sectors.

"We will work on co-ordination and deepen international cooperation, continuously improving policies and regulation, as well as taking active measures."

Rong Wenwei, president of Shanghai International Automobile City Group, said he foresees the Shanghai government investing billions of yuan to build the top autonomous driving environment in the world.

"The government will become further involved and participate more in the sector. Its next move will be tackling issues such as data security that require strict control, as it could relate to the nation's security," Rong said.

"The government used to push and drive development by pouring in investment and creating favorable policies, when intelligent and connected vehicles development was in its initial stages."

The Shanghai government has put more than 50 million yuan ($7.53 million) into controlled test zones in Shanghai International Automobile City.

That amount does not cover infrastructure investment.

"We will strive to build an innovation center for intelligent and connected vehicles with global influence by 2020," Rong said.

Shanghai said it will build a world-level facility for research and development, and testing and evaluating intelligent and connected vehicles.

It has also committed to establishing a more standardized legal and regulatory system. These aims are outlined in the Shanghai Declaration inked on Nov 6 by seven parties.

The declaration was made by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Shanghai government, the United Kingdom Embassy in China, the UK's Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles, the International Transportation Innovation Center, Nomura Research Institute, and the Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research.

Together they will promote pilot demonstrations of intelligent and connected vehicles.

Research into the collection of big data will be conducted to promote its application in developing a low-carbon, intelligent and shared public transport system.

The declaration also aims to gather experts from globally renowned automotive companies, institutes and organizations, build an open and diversified platform for international exchanges and cross-sector cooperation, and share technological innovation and industrial development results.

Matt Tsien, president of General Motors China, said, "Shanghai is in a great position to become a leader to embed connectivity technology into a comprehensive traffic management system, which will help increase transportation capacity within dense urban settings."

The United States-headquartered company and other automakers have been testing their intelligent and connected vehicles in Shanghai International Automobile City over the past 400 days, after the controlled test zone was put into operation in June 2016.

On a closed testing track in the controlled zone, technology startup TuSimple Inc demonstrated its autonomous driving solutions with two automated running modified trucks. The demonstration attracted the attention of Miao Wei, minister of industry and information technology.

The San Diego-based company said their technologies are capable of level-4 autonomous driving, which is called "mind off" as drivers do not have to supervise the vehicle.

Rong said, "Now Shanghai International Automobile City's controlled testing zone is leading the world in this sector, with its 2-square-kilometer area and 5G telecommunications."

Some carmakers have imported their vehicles to the automobile city to make use of its world-leading environment that facilitates the two 5G standards in many testing scenarios. The next step for Shanghai International Automobile City is to enable intelligent and connected vehicle tests on the open streets, as a 25 sq km region will be ready for tests by the end of 2018, according to Rong.

"We will probably remain ahead of the world in the future in terms of intelligent and connected vehicles testing," Rong added.
Educator says input required from various sectors to ensure child safety

Child abuse that allegedly took place at the in-house day care center of online travel agency Ctrip has continued to ignite public discussion after prosecutors specializing in crimes against children in Shanghai's Changning district took up the case last week.

Cai Jianguo, a professor at Tongji University, said day care services for children under 3 years old are already far too few to meet demand nationwide, and as China relaxes its family planning policy, allowing all couples to have a second child, the problem will only get worse.

In Shanghai, for example, a survey by the All-China Federation of Trade Unions found in 2015 that the city had just 35 day care centers, down from 56 in 2011, and that only 5,222 children attended day care, compared with more than 8,000 in 2011. Shanghai has a total of about 800,000 children under 3 years old.

In the most recent incident, three suspects were detained after video footage showed staff members at the center treating children roughly.

While many netizens expressed shock and anger, they also raised questions about the shortage of day care facilities and how to ensure that the centers are safe.

There are no clear regulations on the establishment of day care centers, which are usually set up by local women's federations, family planning authorities or trade union federations. Likewise, supervision is not highly regulated.

Zhou Qi, vice-president of Ctrip, admitted during an interview with Beijing News on Thursday that problems at the center are common. He said the situation contradicts the company's desire to relieve its employees from worries about their young children.

Xiong Bingqi, deputy director of the 21st Century Education Research Institute, said that clear, unified supervision of day care centers requires input from different sectors of society. An accountable authority is necessary to prevent conflict of interest or misconduct that might put the children's wellbeing at risk, Xiong added.

Tang Xiaotian, deputy secretary-general of the Shanghai Law Society, suggested creating a blacklist for offenders, including individuals and organizations, to prevent corruption or dereliction of duty.

Xinhua contributed to this story.
China's 'gift to the Vietnamese people' to be a venue for reinforcing relations between neighbors

President Xi Jinping attended the grand opening ceremony of the Vietnam-China Friendship Palace, which was built with Chinese assistance, in the middle of a new district of the Vietnamese capital Hanoi on Sunday.

The ceremony was jointly attended by Xi and Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, chairwoman of National Assembly of Vietnam. Xi gave a "golden key "to the project to the chairwoman as a symbol of finishing the construction and transferring the project to the Vietnam.

The palace, on which construction began in October 2013, will be the venue to hold exchange activities between China and Vietnam. It is of great political and cultural significance and symbolizes the friendship between the two countries in the new era.

Xi and Ngan also unveiled the China Culture Center at the Vietnam-China Friendship Palace.

Officials in charge of culture from both sides delivered speeches at the ceremony, vowing to enhance cultural exchanges and boost people-to-people communication.

After the ceremony, the two leaders toured notable features of the palace, including a sculpture symbolizing China-Vietnam friendship and a theater, both of which were Chinese-made.

They also spoke briefly with people who have dedicated themselves to Sino-Vietnamese friendship.

The Vietnam-China Friendship Palace has been built on a 3.3-hectare site chosen during a visit to Vietnam in October 2004 by former premier Wen Jiabao.

In November 2016, Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, visited the construction site of the palace accompanied by Don Tuan Phong, vice-chair of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations.

In July 2015, Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli surveyed the status of the construction work during an official visit to Vietnam.

"The project is the Chinese government's gift to the Vietnamese people so the two nations have facilities to perform friendship and cultural exchange activities and host other international events," Zhang said during the tour.

Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations Chairman Vu Xuan Hong said in July 2015 that the palace is a significant political and cultural project and a vivid symbol of the friendship between Vietnam and China in the new era.

Hong said "the palace project aims to promote mutual understanding and cooperation and to deepen the friendship between the two neighboring nations", according to a Voice of Vietnam report.
Researchers at the Harbin Academy of Social Sciences in Heilongjiang province say they uncovered fresh evidence of germ warfare atrocities committed by Japan's Unit 731 in documents they found in the United States.

Four members of the International Center for Unit 731 Research found more than 2,300 pages of files about the notorious Japanese chemical warfare unit at the US National Archives, the Library of Congress and the Hoover Institution at Stanford University in September.

"The files, including medical theses, laboratory reports and Japanese soldiers' accounts, have great significance in filling in the blanks in the germ war archives," Liu Rujia, one of the team members, said on Friday. "They have both historical and academic value."

Unit 731 was a top-secret biological and chemical warfare research base set up in 1935 in Harbin by the Japanese military. It was the nerve center of Japan's biological warfare in China and Southeast Asia during World War II.

Among the files, a key part of a research report on epidemic prevention by Japan's military medical academy was discovered by the Chinese researchers.

The report comprises eight volumes, with 700 articles numbered 101 to 800. Some of its authors were core members of Unit 731.

"The report includes a great amount of research on Unit 731 in the field of germ warfare and is direct evidence proving that Unit 731 had an intimate relationship with the military medical academy," Liu said.

The pages include many handwritten notes in English, "but we have no idea who wrote them or what the notes were for", Liu said, adding that the notes will be explored further.

The group also had a parallel information-gathering operation looking at reports detailing experiments on live humans using biological organisms - anthrax, plague and glanders (an infectious disease that occurs mostly in horses but can affect humans and other animals).

In addition, they found magazines recording Japanese soldiers' activities in the Pingfang district of Harbin shortly before and during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45).

"The vivid words and photos in the magazines also provide powerful evidence," Liu said.

Liu said she and her colleagues spent seven years going through archives in the US to collect scattered wartime files left by Japanese forces.

"There are a large number of complex historical documents in the US about the germ warfare that await further research," Liu said. "In recent years, more experts on the subject have emerged and provided valuable academic insight."

The researchers photographed the documents they found and brought the pictures to China. After translating the documents, they will continue their research and raise public awareness, Liu said.

During the war, Unit 731 is known to have conducted experiments on living people to test the effectiveness of chemical and germ-releasing bombs.

Many civilians and prisoners of war from China, the Soviet Union, the Korean Peninsula and Mongolia perished at the hands of Japanese scientists. Some of the victims were children.

At least 3,000 people were used as human guinea pigs by Unit 731, and more than 300,000 people across China were killed by Japan's biological weapons, according to the Museum of Evidence of War Crimes by Japanese Army Unit 731 in Harbin.
From left: Yue Liang, Chen Qiqing, Wang Xuebin and Li Shaowen at the campus of the Party School in Beijing on Friday.[Photo by Zou Hong/ China Daily]

A mixture of academic success and hands-on experience provide lecturers with a stimulating environment.

In 2015, shortly before delivering his first lecture at the Party School of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China in Beijing, Zheng Huan began to panic. He felt he wasn't ready for the challenge of delivering the class lecture, even though he had spent three years employed as a teaching assistant and was familiar with the school's methods and ethos.

"Despite learning a lot of theory during my 10-year study of political science, I failed to answer many of the students' questions when I worked as an assistant. My knowledge and the training I had received weren't enough to meet the demands of the job," the 32-year-old lecturer said.

"Many of the students have doctorates, and many have an international perspective because they have traveled overseas frequently. They know what I know, but I don't necessarily know what they know."

The school, which is the nation's top training establishment for Party officials, offers a wide range of courses. Each lecture lasts two hours, and irrespective of the topic, a few students are always experts in the field. For example, a recent lecture about the new normal of China's economic development was actually introduced by one of the students.

In addition to learning about theory, the officials also need to understand how to apply that knowledge, which presents many challenges, according to Zheng.

"Freed temporarily from the burdens of work, the students make full use of their time at the Party School to find answers to the questions they have been asking themselves and discovering solutions to problems that have been troubling them," he said.

Changing times

When Yue Liang began working as a full-time teacher in 2012, he had already taught part time at another school for 10 years, while studying history at Beijing Normal University. The 35-year-old still finds his work challenging.

"As a Party School teacher, you can never stop learning. The Party always keeps pace with the times. The world is changing and the Party is also changing to respond to new problems," he said.

"Many people say it's a tiring job because our students are officials with deep experience and different backgrounds, so the teachers have to know about different subjects. It's not enough to just read books about your own major."

He added that last year he read about 40 books on history, economics, political science and sociology.

Reading is one of the main activities on campus, and in addition to regular discussions at a bookstore on the school grounds, the different departments and teachers organize regular dialogues. Moreover, to gain even more experience, many teachers conduct extensive research in the field.

Yue spends more than 40 days a year on field research. "When I return, I contact my colleagues and students to discuss the problems I have discovered, and consult documents to identify the causes and solutions," he said.

Chen Qiqing, a professor of economics who joined the school in 2006, said that when problems are identified, it is easy to carry out in-depth studies because one can always find students with relevant experience.

One of the topics under current scrutiny is the hukou, or household registration, system. In many areas, people cannot benefit from social services if they live in places where they are not registered. During his research, Chen discovered that many people from the countryside are unable to obtain hukou in urban areas and are therefore excluded from the benefits system, even though they have moved to towns to meet the demand for workers.

In his search for a solution, Chen has consulted some of his students who are officials at the Ministry of Public Security and therefore well-qualified to explain reform of the hukou system and the challenges that will produce.

"Party School students are all officials at different levels in different regions and industries. If they share their insights based on their practical experience, it helps us teachers to understand the country better," he said.
The Irtysh River in the northen Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region is the only river in China that leads to the Arctic Ocean.[Photo by Hu Huhu/Xinhua]

Intrepid adventurer dreams of completing epic journey through China, Kazakhstan and Russia

The Irtysh River flows from Hou Zhili's hometown and leads to the Arctic Ocean - a journey Huo plans to make alone in a kayak.

From where he lives in Fuyun county, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, the 41-year-old has completed what many see as epic feats - kayaking unpowered for 2,020 kilometers on the China and Kazakhstan sections of the Irtysh in 2014 and 2016.

The paddler is preparing for the final and most challenging stage of the 2,200-km Russia section, plus the last 1,160-km of the Ob River, which the Irtysh flows into before its waters reach the northern sea.

From its source in the Altay Mountains in Fuyun, the 4,248-km Irtysh River flows northwest through Kazakhstan before merging with the Ob River in Russia. It is the only river in China that leads to the Arctic Ocean.

Huo's love for kayaking began when he was a teenager. In the 1980s, several white-water adventurers on China's two largest rivers, the Yangtze and the Yellow River, had become famous and started a craze among bold Chinese who took to rafting on streams across the country.

Some youngsters from Hou's hometown even drifted for hundreds of kilometers along the Irtysh on rafts made of old tires.

In 2012, he decided to close his graphic design company and turned his hobby into a full-time occupation.

After arduous training, on Aug 28, 2014, Hou set out alone in his yellow and orange boat from Koktokay, a town near the source of the Irtysh.

He paddled for 50 km a day, and took 23 days to arrive at Kaba county, where the 520-km China section of the river ends.

The river begins to freeze in November and does not thaw until April, so Huo planned to complete the Kazakhstan section the following year. When the time came, however, he was refused a visa.

His chance finally arrived as tourism cooperation between China and Kazakhstan improved with the Belt and Road Initiative.

Kazakhstan relaxed its visa procedures for Chinese tourists last year.
Xiong Wenyi displays one of the wooden locks he has collected over the past 30 years in his storeroom in Jiangxi province.[Photo by Zou Xiaohua/China Daily]

There is almost no space to stand in Xiong Wenyi's storeroom in Jiangxi province. It is filled with every kind of lock you could imagine, made from wood, brass and iron.

Xiong has been obsessed with collecting locks for more than 30 years. "I have over 10,000 items in more than 100 different styles, with the oldest one dating back to the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD)," he said.

The collector, in his 50s, showed one of his prized possessions: a pull lock, which has a small hook with which to pull the key. Xiong held up another device that requires an extra step to unlock. "You have to turn the key and press the button on the bottom to unlock it," he said.

His collection also includes a large wooden lock once used on a city gate in Shandong province that can be traced back to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). "This wooden lock is difficult to preserve," Xiong said.

One of the locks he is most proud of finding is a so-called maze lock from Nyingchi prefecture, the Tibet autonomous region. "It's called maze lock because the inner structure is a zigzag," he said. "It's easy to unlock but very difficult to copy the key, as it needs to fit the exact angle and length at each turn."

The lock was made during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Xiong paid a Nyingchi resident a daily stipend of hundreds of yuan to search for the rare lock in rural areas of the prefecture during the winter of 2015.

The vast lock collection began to take shape in Xiong's childhood, when he saved money to buy stamps, candy wrappers and small locks from his peers. "I see folk wisdom in ancient locks. It's easy to see how smart our ancestors were when looking at their locks," he said.

The design and craftsmanship of the locks has amazed visitors at various exhibitions Xiong has attended.

But the value of the collection far exceeds the locks themselves, according to Hong Jun, a historian from Wuhan University. He said the collection allows the public to observe the development of Chinese lockmaking over thousands of years.

"They are important in the study of China's national storage and guard systems, public security and aesthetic standards," Hong said.

Yet Xiong said the larger his collection of locks became, the more pressure he felt.

"Ancient locks, especially wooden ones, are easily damaged or broken. I must work quickly to preserve these artifacts for future generations," he said.

In 2012, he decided to set up a lock museum, but his plan was put on hold when he was diagnosed with cancer. Facing death, Xiong said his lock collection gave him the strength to fight the disease: "I told myself to hold on because more people need to see my locks."

After making a recovery, Xiong increased his efforts to collect more locks. He hired more than 20 seniors nationwide to help search for specific devices. He bought them smartphones so that they could send him pictures of new discoveries.

"I want to fulfill my dream of setting up a lock museum to unlock the folk wisdom of our ancestors," Xiong said.
LANZHOU -- While Chinese urbanites stride toward a "cashless society" using mobile payments, many rural residents still face difficulty withdrawing money due to a lack of ATMs.

Wang Wenzheng is from the village of Daping, located deep in a mountain more than 2,500 meters high in Hezheng county, northwest China's Gansu Province. It is one of the poorest areas in China and is sparsely populated, making it difficult for banks to install ATMs here.

"We are not used to mobile payments here," Wang said. "For years, we had to climb over mountains just to deposit, withdraw or transfer money."

Soon, more people like Wang will bid farewell to the ordeal of accessing financial services, as Chinese financial supervisors are piloting "inclusive finance" services in the countryside, allowing rural residents to enjoy financial services at low cost.

In Gansu, for example, Chinese banks have teamed up with shop owners in towns and villages by giving them point of sale (POS) machines. Locals can deposit, withdraw or transfer money via the machines, solving the problem of having to install ATMs at high cost.

According to the Lanzhou branch of the People's Bank of China, more than 21,300 such "service sites" have already been established in the province, providing basic financial services for more than 22 million rural residents.

The financial site in Wang's village opened in 2013 in a small shop. The shop owner, Li Xiulan, installed a phone-like POS device with the bank's help. With the POS machine, villagers no longer have to travel over countless mountain roads to handle transactions under 5,000 yuan (752 U.S. dollars).

"Villagers usually come to withdraw money, and then buy some daily commodities in my shop," Li said. "This also increased my business."

The process is quite simple: if a villager comes to withdraw money, he or she deposits a certain amount of money into Li's account, and then Li gives cash to the villager. For a deposit, the villager gives cash to Li, who then transfers the amount of money to the villager's bank account.

Just a few months ago, Wang went down the mountains with his truck, but when he reached the nearby town his vehicle ran out of oil.

"I did not have enough cash, and I do not know how to use mobile payments," he said. "So I just called home, and my family transferred 500 yuan to me via the POS machine in our village."

Many towns and villages in Gansu did not have such inclusive services until 2012. Now, six banks in Gansu have jumped on the bandwagon, and their services have extended from money withdrawal and balance inquiry to remittance, money transfer, paying for daily services and repaying loans.

The State Council issued a circular at the end of 2015, promising support for POS machines in rural areas.

From January to September this year, about 120,000 withdrawals totaling 66.5 million yuan had been conducted via the inclusive service sites in Gansu.
WUHAN -- Genome sequencer BGI has reached agreement with Wuhan city to build an agriculture research and training center there.

Mei Yonghong, director of the China National GeneBank (CNGB) and chair of BGI Agriculture Group, said as part of the BGI health town project, Wuhan would host a branch of CNGB and the agriculture center.

Run by BGI, a national gene bank went into operation in September 2016.

In addition to the gene bank in Shenzhen, BGI has a 20,000-square-meter standard laboratory and more than 20 life sciences research platforms in Wuhan, with cooperation arrangements with 120 hospitals in central China.

"After seven years, our research base in Wuhan is now the largest multi-omics data center in our group," said Mei.
A micro blog post published by Jiang Qiulian calls for death sentence given to the murder suspect who allegedly killed her daughter, Jiang Ge.

The murder case of a Chinese student killed in Japan last year has attracted wide attention online as the case is set to be heard in Japan next month.

On Sina Weibo, a popular social media platform in China, the hashtag #Murder case of Chinese student in Tokyo# has garnered more than 1.8 billion views.

Jiang Ge, a 24-year-old Chinese student from Qingdao, Shandong province, was killed at her apartment in Tokyo on Nov 3, 2016. Jiang was a postgraduate student at Hosei University.

In the early hours of Nov 3, 2016 (local time), Jiang was stabbed to death in the corridor of her apartment by the ex-boyfriend of her roommate, according to thepaper.cn.

According to media reports, Liu Xin, the victim's roommate and her close friend, moved in with Jiang after breaking up with her boyfriend two months before the tragedy happened.

Liu's boyfriend, Chen Shifeng, went to Jiang's apartment to look for Liu that afternoon. The three had a quarrel and left the house afterwards. That same night, Liu and Jiang went back to the apartment, with Liu arriving first.

Liu said when she was changing her pants in the house, she heard screaming outside the door. She tried to open the door, but found it was blocked. Then she called the police.

The victim's mother, Jiang Qiulian, blamed Liu for her daughter's death by claiming Liu had locked Jiang out when she was attacked. She also criticized Liu for avoiding her and refusing to explain to her the details of the incident face-to-face after the tragedy happened.

According to a report from thepaper.cn, Jiang said Liu and her families refused to answer her request of explaining the incident to her and did not send any condolence to her.

On May 21, 2017, Jiang posted an article on Sina Weibo, exposing the personal information and photos of Liu and her parents, asking web users to offer information about Liu's address and whereabouts.

In response to criticisms, Liu told thepaper.cn that she did not see Jiang's mother after Jiang was killed because she was under the supervision and protection of the police, banned from seeing anyone related to Jiang to protect the validity and confidentiality of the evidence, and said she did not lock the door before Jiang was attacked.

Liu, who is also from Qingdao, was Jiang's classmate during their middle school years, and the two became close friends after meeting each other in Japan, said the report.

The case, which is to be held in Tokyo on Dec 10, has become a hot topic online.

One of the most upvoted comments below a post on Sina Weibo said: "I can understand that she (Liu Xin) felt too scared to open the door But the way she responded to the incident makes me feel a chill. After her roommate's death, she did not even say sorry to the (victim's mother)."

Another comment said: "The murder will be punished by the law, and Liu is probably guiltless from a legal perspective. But her behavior and attitude (towards the tragedy) is disgusting."

The murder case will be judged in Japan in accordance with to the principle of territorial jurisdiction in law, said an article published on the Procuratorate Daily website.

The article said, according to the criminal laws of China, judicial authorities have the right to prosecute a Chinese citizen that commits a crime in another country and has been punished according to the country's laws as long as he or she returns to China.

The victim's mother, who is in Tokyo to attend the hearing next month, is collecting signatures from local residents in a call for a death sentence for the murderer suspect.
Thirty-nine technicians from member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization received prizes for their skills at the closing ceremony of an international competition on Monday in Beijing.

Over 60 technicians from 11 member countries, observers and dialogue partners of the organization competed in the first SCO Worker Skills Contest, which started on Friday in Langfang, Hebei province.

The countries represented were China, Afghanistan, Armenia, Belarus, Cambodia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan and Uzbekistan.

Competitors had to show ability in the fields of energy, chemistry, power, military technology, mechanical engineering and metallurgy.

The All-China Federation of Trade Unions hosted the event to improve technical skills and communication in the organizations countries.

The event is the first of its kind among SCO countries and the first international event held by the federation.
Police in Anqiu, Shandong province, have made dozens of arrests in action against a company illegally producing guns, China Central TV reported on Sunday.

Officers were alerted by a package sent by a man, surnamed Zheng, that was found to contain gun parts in October last year.

"After investigation, we found Zheng would disassemble the guns and send the parts in separate packages mixed with hardware and metals," Yang Guoxiu, a police officer from Anqiu, told CCTV news.

Since 2016, police said Zheng's factory had been producing a kind of toy called a "match gun", which could be modified into a real gun, and selling them online.

Zheng admitted to hiring workers to design and produce match guns from a drawing he downloaded from the internet. He sold more than 1,000 online for 688 to 1,397 yuan ($100 to $210) each, netting a profit of over 1 million yuan.

Yang said holding more than 30 gun parts constitutes a crime under Chinese law.

Police officer Cao Guoping told CCTV news the investigation had found some of Zheng's customers were buying used gun shells online before filling them with fresh gunpowder for second use.

So far, police on the case said they have detained 57 people and seized 43 guns, along with some 4 metric tons of ammunition.
Scientists, politicians and officials gathered in Bonn for the UN's annual climate change conference, with attention focused on whether China is poised to take a more important role in global warming.

It is the first such gathering since US President Donald Trump announced the US was pulling out of the 2015 Paris climate agreement in which governments pledged to limit global temperature rises.

Trump's abandonment of one of the keynote policies of his predecessor, Barack Obama, has created a leadership vacuum on climate change that only China can fill, according to analysts and observers.

The US will still have a place at the table in Bonn. Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris deal does not come into force until 2020. But with Washington having effectively written itself out of the script, China is the logical successor as the key promoter of global warming mitigation.

Cooperation between the US and China had been a central driver of the negotiations that led to the Paris accord. Since Trump's decision to withdraw, Chinese officials have restated Beijing's commitment to the Paris deal and encouraged others to do likewise.

President Xi Jinping, hosting Trump on an state visit to China earlier this month, said in his speech to the 19th CPC National Congress last month that China was ready to assume the role of "torchbearer in the global endeavor for ecological civilization".

Officials have stressed that the issue is too important to be seen in terms of a narrow competition for political leadership. At the end of the day, China would prefer to see the US inside the climate tent rather than outside it.

Speaking ahead of the Bonn conference, Xie Zhenhua, China's special representative on climate, acknowledged that the US withdrawal announcement had dented global confidence on the issue.

However, he encouraged Washington to remain involved and said: "We hope the US can come back to the big family of the Paris pact again."

China is taking its own practical measures to fulfill the Paris agenda, including preparations for a national carbon trading scheme. It is also likely to beat its own goal of achieving a peak in carbon emissions by 2030.

Elsewhere, there are signs that the United States' threatened departure has spurred the determination of environmentalists, not only in the rest of the world but also within the US, to push forward with the Paris climate agenda.

The UN's top climate negotiator has even ended up thanking the US president. "Trump's announcement provoked an unparalleled wave of support for the treaty," according to Christiana Figueres. "He shored up the world's resolve on climate action, and for that we can all be grateful."

California's Governor Jerry Brown appears to agree. The leading climate activist was in China earlier this year for a meeting with President Xi that came just after Trump's announcement on quitting the Paris accord.

Ahead of his China visit, Brown told an interviewer: "As Trump does his climate denial, that paradoxically is a catalytic force that mobilizes those who don't agree with him and those who see climate change as the threat I think it is."

With Trump administration officials promoting the continuing role of fossil fuels, Brown is helping to fund a US pavilion in Bonn that will push the benefits of alternative climate change policy.

He predicted the US would soon rejoin the rest of the world in the face of continued scientific evidence of the negative impact of global warming.

The latest such evidence came just this week. As delegates assembled in Bonn, the UN's World Meteorological Organization informed them that 2017 was set to be among the three hottest since records began in the 19th century.
President Xi Jinping and his Laotian counterpart Bounnhang Vorachith shake hands in Vientiane, Laos, on Monday at the signing ceremony for documents to boost cooperation between the countries. WANG YE / XINHUA

Neighbors to jointly build Belt, Road, boost cooperation in multiple areas

China and Laos agreed to jointly build the Belt and Road and enhance cooperation on multiple issues including agriculture during President Xi Jinping's state visit on Monday.

Xi and his Laotian counterpart Bounnhang Vorachith witnessed the signing of 16 documents to enhance collaboration in areas such as finance, trade, infrastructure and people-to-people exchanges.

Xi, who was given an enthusiastic reception in the Laotian capital of Vientiane, is on his first state visit to Laos since becoming president in March 2013, as well as his first visit since becoming general secretary of the 18th Communist Party of China Central Committee in late 2012. Xi was re-elected general secretary of the 19th CPC Central Committee last month.

Bounnhang is also general secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party.

Large portraits of Xi and Bounnhang were hung at the entrance to the airport, the national flags of China and Laos were placed along roads from the airport to the hotel, and local youngsters waved flags of both countries to greet Xi and the delegation.

Before holding talks, Bounnhang hosted a grand welcoming ceremony for Xi at Laos' Presidential Palace.

In his opening remarks at the talks, Xi expressed gratitude for the warm welcome from Laos, saying that he was deeply moved by the enthusiasm of the Laotian people from the moment he got off the plane.

Xi also thanked the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and Bounnhang for a congratulatory message on the success of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and Xi's re-election as general secretary of the CPC Central Committee.

During their talks, the two leaders agreed to jointly build a community of a shared future for China and Laos on the basis of mutual trust, which is in line with the core interests and common wishes of the two parties and countries.

The sides agreed to maintain the tradition of high-level exchanges, boost party-to-party exchanges and enhance cooperation in diplomacy, national defense and law enforcement.

The two countries agreed to connect the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative with the Laotian strategy of making a landlocked country into a country with many connections.

They also agreed to make joint efforts to build major projects including the China-Laos economic corridor and China-Laos rail project.

Both China and Laos are socialist countries led by communist parties, and they are very good neighbors, friends, comrades and partners, Xi said in a written statement on his arrival at Vientiane's airport.

Their friendly relations have stood the test of changes in the international situation since the two countries established diplomatic ties 56 years ago, Xi said.

Their comprehensive strategic partnership has not only brought practical benefits for the people of both countries, but also contributed to global and regional peace and stability, Xi added.

Bounnhang highlighted the importance of Xi's visit, saying that the Chinese president's historic visit has great significance for the economic and social development of Laos.

Bounnhang congratulated Xi on his re-election as general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee. Noting that it is Xi's first state visit to Laos, Bounnhang said it demonstrates that China considers the development of the Laos-China comprehensive strategic partnership to be of great importance.

Xi's visit will bring opportunities for the development of Laos-China relations, Bounnhang said.

In May 2016, shortly after being elected president of Laos in April of that year, Bounnhang made a state visit to China, during which Xi met with him, and the two leaders agreed on a number of cooperative projects.

anbaijie@chinadaily.com.cn
A news conference on the 2017 Hainan International Tourist Destination Shopping Festival is held in Haikou, South China's Hainan province, Nov 13, 2017.[Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

More than 25,600 companies, restaurants and shops will take part in the 2017 Hainan International Tourist Destination Shopping Festival in December, an official of the island province of Hainan said on Monday.

The province expects the total retail sales of consumer goods to increase 12 percent during the festival, Li Longsheng, deputy head of Hainan Provincial Department of Commerce, said at a news conference in Haikou, capital city of the province.

He said that the Hainan government started preparing for the shopping festival, whose theme is "Charming Hainan, New Shopping Paradise", in October, hoping to make consumption an important economic driver in the province.

Fu Jun, a director of the department, said that participants in the festival will cover 11 industries, including shopping malls, supermarkets, restaurants and online platforms, such as Taobao and JD.com.

Compared with the first shopping festival last year, which mainly covered Haikou and Sanya, the festival this year will cover all 18 cities and counties across the province, Fu said.

An opening ceremony of the shopping festival will be held in Haikou on Dec 1, and Sanya, Danzhou and Qionghai will also hold ceremonies, Fu said.

More promotion activities will be held during the event, such as a food festival will be launched in Haikou and other three cities on Dec 12, and auto promotions will be on agenda of the last week of Dec, Fu said.

A closing ceremony will be held in Sanya on Dec 31, he said.
President Xi Jinping's visit to Laos will be a historic and significant milestone for the relations between the two countries and two parties, Laos' top envoy to China said.

Vandy Bouthasavong, Lao ambassador to China, said she is delighted and positive about the traditional bilateral relations between the two countries, which have grown to a new level.

Xi is making his first overseas trip after the conclusion of the 19th National Congress of the CPC last month, and Laos will be the second leg of his trip.
Li Yanjie, a pyrography inheritor of post-90s generation, is dedicated to improving and promoting the traditional handicraft. [Photo/IC]

Pyrography, which means writing or painting with fire, is the art of decorating wood or other materials with burn marks resulting from the controlled application of a heated object such as a poker.

The post-90s generation in China was born between 1990 and 1999 in China. As the post-90s people are entering their prime, they have become the backbone to inherit traditional handicrafts.

Li Yanjie, a post-90s man, has loved pyrography for a long time. He is dedicated to improving and promoting pyrography, opening the only pyrography art shop in Zhengzhou, Central China's Henan province.

Li works with home decoration companies to challenge the idea that pyrography is only for small objects such as chopsticks. He also lends a more modern aesthetic to his pyrography works and uses different colors to replace the traditional hues of black, white and gray.

Li believes that through his efforts, pyrography will transform from a marginal handicraft into a popular one.
A model presents creations from Honrn 2018 spring/summer collection in Beijing. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Chinese fashion company Honrn released its 2018 spring/summer collection at a runway show during China Fashion Week in Beijing last week.

Inspired by French impressionist painter Claude Monet's famous piece, Woman with a Parasol, brand founder Tang Guanyi's designs are a ready-to-wear collection featuring a light air of spring and summer. Most pieces are silk and chiffon skirts with simple cutting.

Founded in 1993 in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei province, Honrn is one of the leading local brands of women's fashion.
Kimchi, a Korean food staple, has become an export business for China. [Photo/CGTN]

Even if you don't know much about Korean food, you're still likely to have heard of kimchi. The fermented and pickled cabbage is a staple in Korean cuisine and is gaining popularity among food lovers worldwide. Despite its origins, the kimchi on restaurant dinner tables in South Korea in recent years has largely been imported from China.

In Yanji city in Northeast China's Jilin province, restaurant owner Piao Lina makes kimchi for her patrons every day, a skill carried over from her mom.

"Almost every woman of Chaoxian ethnicity knows how to make kimchi," she said. "It's a family tradition. Around this time of the year, the whole family gathers and makes kimchi together."

However, with large-scale manufacturing taking over, this tradition has faded over the years. Jingangshan, one of the largest kimchi manufacturers in Yanji, produces around 20 tons daily. The steps aren't that different from Piao's but everything is done by machines.

Washed cabbages are cut in half and coated with salt for 16 hours, before they are rinsed and drained. One of the most important steps in making kimchi is to mix the cabbage with sauce. The secret sauce, which contains more than a dozen Chinese spices, should first be rubbed on to the cabbage with bare hands. After that, the cabbage is fermented for 10 days.
Expo focuses on cross-Straits machinery cooperation By Xiang Wenjian ( chinadaily.com.cn ) Updated: 2017-11-10

Various kinds of forklifts and excavators of different sizes are on display at the 8th Cross-Straits Machinery Industry Exposition, which kicked off in Longyan city in Southeast China's Fujian province on Wednesday. [Photo/Xinhua]

Cross-Straits machinery companies ought to strengthen in-depth cooperation and continuously improve the industry's competitiveness, according to Zhang Kelin, executive vice-president of the China Machinery Industry Federation.

Zhang made the remarks at the Cross-Straits Machinery Industry Exposition, which kicked off in Longyan city in Southeast China's Fujian province on Wednesday.

The expo, which is being held for the eighth time this year, has attracted more than 300 companies in the machinery sector from the mainland and Taiwan.

Over 20 Taiwan companies are participating in the annual event, and ECOM Precision Machinery is among them.

Founded in Taiwan in 1976, ECOM set up a manufacturing plant in Zhangzhou, Fujian province in 2006 to address the massive demand for machine tools on the mainland.

At this year's expo, ECOM displayed its latest product, a four-axis Vertical Machining Center, which is used to process auto engine parts but doubles the speed of ordinary machines of its kind.

Chen Junhong, marketing manager of ECOM, expressed his vision for strengthening cooperation with his mainland counterparts.

"ECOM is planning to introduce more intelligent facilities and expects to establish partnerships with more mainland companies in machinery research and development," Chen said.

He also mentioned that he looks forward to joining hands with them in exploring the mainland and global markets.
File photo shows Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte supporters gather during a vigil backing the anti-drugs crackdown at the Luneta park in metro Manila, Philippines February 25, 2017. [Photo/Agencies]

At the 43rd Philippine Business Conference in October, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said the bullet that killed Isnilon Hapilon, Islamic State's "emir" in Southeast Asia, in Marawi was fired from a sniper rifle made in China. "It was only China who gave it on time and plenty, plenty," he said. Among those attending the conference was Zhao Jianhua, China's ambassador to the Philippines.

Duterte was referring to Chinese military assistance to the Philippines in two shipments in June and October, which included high-precision rifles, sniper rifles, automatic rifles and ammunition. Beijing's assistance was aimed at strengthening Manila's campaign against the IS group-inspired terrorists.

Radical Islamic and jihadi groups in Southeast Asia such as Jemaah Islamiyah, Abu Sayyaf, al-Qaida and the offshoots of terrorist outfits are almost as diversified as the fauna in its tropical forests, but what is most alarming is the speed of their rise and their affiliation to the IS group. No wonder Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has called Southeast Asia a "key recruitment area" for the IS group.

Besides, ever-worsening humanitarian situation and violence in Myanmar's Rakhine Province add to the fear that extreme Islamists from elsewhere in Southeast Asia and beyond might try to exploit the plight of the Rohingya refugees for their gain. Plus, the Sulu Sea around southwestern Philippines has become a new haven for pirates and armed robbers. According to the International Maritime Bureau, they were responsible for 71 percent of global incidents in 2015, and the number of maritime kidnappings last year hit a 10-year high.

China has huge stakes in the peace and stability of Southeast Asia, as it is ASEAN's largest trading partner while the Association of Southeast Asian Nations is its third-largest trading partner. Southeast Asia is also a vital link in the China-proposed 21st Century Maritime Silk Road and one of the most popular tourist destinations among Chinese nationals.

Also, it is vital to cut off the Southeast Asia route between the IS group and Xinjiang separatists who use the region as a gateway to join the terrorist outfit in Iraq and Syria. And a bomb explosion in Bangkok in August 2015 that killed 27 people and left 120 injured was confirmed to be a "revenge" attack against the Thai government for its help to China in nabbing Xinjiang separatists smuggled into Thai territory.

That most of the ASEAN member states have purchased or received through donation some kind of Chinese weapons to combat terrorists shows China can help Southeast Asia fight terrorism through military assistance. And the fact that the largest quantity of the Chinese assistance requested by Duterte comprised 6,000 rifles (along with bullets for them) indicates that some countries' under-equipped militaries might still need such basic help from China.

It is no less important for China to help in capacity building, through mechanisms such as joint training, joint patrol, and when necessary, joint operation. China and Thailand have held quite a few counter-terrorism drills at the tactical level, which could be extended to include other countries, and the Chinese and Vietnamese navies regularly patrol the Beibu Gulf. Moreover, in response to the brutal killing of 13 Chinese sailors on the Mekong River in October 2011, law enforcers from China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand conducted 63 joint patrols along the river to prevent attacks on cargo vessels.

Can China help combat maritime terrorism in the Sulu Sea? If the Chinese navy can combat piracy in the Gulf of Aden, why it can't do so in a region closer to China? Duterte has invited the Chinese navy to conduct joint exercises with the Filipino navy around Mindanao and in the Sulu Sea. This is a progress from his earlier remark that he would invite only the Chinese coast guard to patrol there. But since joint exercises, however useful, cannot end piracy, the ongoing joint patrol by Malaysian, Indonesian and the Philippine navies is not enough to cover an area that is much larger than the Strait of Malacca currently patrolled by four littoral states.

Therefore, Duterte should invite other ASEAN countries and international navies, including the Chinese navy, to conduct joint patrols there. Remember, it took the navies of more than 20 countries almost five years to keep the pirates at bay in the Gulf of Aden and Somali Basin.

The author is an honorary fellow at the Center of China-American Defense Relations, PLA Academy of Military Science.
LI MIN/CHINA DAILY

While President Xi Jinping is on a state visit to Laos after attending the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting and visiting Vietnam, Premier Li Keqiang is in the Philippines to take part in a series of high-level meetings across five days starting Sunday, including the 20th China-ASEAN (10+1) leaders' meeting and the 20th ASEAN-China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (10+3) leaders' meeting, and the 12th East Asia Summit. The senior leaders' diplomatic moves, the first after the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, highlight the great importance China attaches to its Southeast Asian neighbors.

As the first Chinese premier to visit Manila in a decade, Li will hold talks with Rodrigo Duterte, president of the Philippines, which holds the APEC chair this year.

That China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations are expected to formulate a China-ASEAN 2030 vision and upgrade the existing free trade agreement will be watched closely. The protocol on upgrading the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area, which was agreed last July, has further boosted economic and trade development, and optimized the distribution of resources within the FTA framework.

China has been ASEAN's biggest trade partner for eight consecutive years, while ASEAN has been China's third-largest for six years. From January to July, two-way trade increased 14.5 percent year-on-year thanks to the tariff-free policies covering more than 90 percent of the goods traded and streamlined customs procedures.

While expediting service trade exchanges, tearing down investment barriers and funding cooperative projects, both sides also have to improve the policy environment and tap into cross-border e-commerce. A China-ASEAN e-commerce platform, established late last year, has attracted 135 ASEAN companies that received 646,000 orders in just three months.

Over the past four years, the Belt and Road Initiative, which now serves as an engine of China-ASEAN cooperation, has greatly improved infrastructure connectivity and boosted the construction of industrial clusters. But for deeper interaction with the ASEAN economies, Beijing should map out more detailed, targeted plans under the Belt and Road framework.

Trade remains high on the agenda, so does infrastructure. Given the differences in the economic development levels of ASEAN member states, China should accord priority to infrastructure and exploitation of agricultural resources in its cooperation programs, and deepen cooperation with countries such as Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar. And the focus of cooperation should be industrial capacity, service trade and cross-border investment.

Besides, to allay concerns over the China-proposed multinational economic arrangements, more attention should be paid to cultural exchanges, promotion of China's expertise in targeted poverty-reduction measures, and maritime cooperation pivoting on the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.

Also at the center of China-ASEAN cooperation is infrastructure, through which China managed to export its quality products and labor resources, and Southeast Asian countries can have better public facilities and more stable electricity supply.

By the end of May, Chinese enterprises had signed infrastructure contracts worth more than $296.2 billion with ASEAN economies, and about $204 billion of the total amount has been put into business. China and ASEAN are also deliberating the possibility of a southward sea route connecting western China, Central and West Asia, and Southeast Asia. Also, in the long run, China and ASEAN should elevate their infrastructure cooperation, so that it centers on the engineering-procurement-construction mode, and widens financing channels by promoting public-private partnership.

Thirteen years into its permanent location in Nanning, capital of the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, China-ASEAN Expo, too, has great potential to rise above trade and investment. Now a key platform for upgrading the China-ASEAN FTA, it will play a bigger part in economic integration, internet-driven service trade and the transfer of technology in the region.

The author is a researcher at the Policy Research Office of Chengdu Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China, and a researcher at the China-ASEAN Collaborative Innovation Center for Regional Development, Guangxi University.
President Xi Jinping(R) meets with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in Da Nang, Vietnam, Nov 11, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

There are signs that the Philippines-China relationship is among the priorities for both countries. This signifies not just the assistance (China is offering the Philippines), but also the trust it is gaining in doing so, the establishment of comfortable relations between China and the Philippines.

In the past, this was not the case because of "beggar-thy-neighbor" policies. What we need, as China is showing, is "prosper-thy-neighbor" policies. If that were to happen, we will definitely see Asia rising, which will strengthen globalization and help ensure a peaceful world.

The Asian financial crisis taught us a number of lessons which we must continue to learn from to move forward. Among these is the fact that the Asian economies have to strive to be much more interdependent, in order to move forward.

Prior to the crisis, the economic strategy of most Asian economies was built on an export-driven economy, the model being Japan, and the exports made their way mainly to the United States and Europe.

Asian economies are once again rising, with China leading this trend. The China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative will improve infrastructure connectivity from China through Asia and all the way up to Europe and Africa, by building or strengthening interstate highways, railways and ports.

A lot will depend, of course, on the agreements with the Central Asian countries such as Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan. But if they reach such agreements, and the initiative is implemented smoothly, we will see Asia rise to prominence the way it has not done in recent history.

The Belt and Road Initiative is going to be particularly important for Asia, including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, for to approximate what has been achieved by the Western economies, particularly the US and Western Europe, there have to be three important elements in placea universally recognized and stable financial banking system; modern infrastructure; and peace, order and security. And in order to establish a good financial structure, Asia has to mobilize its savings, which are the largest in the world.

When I was the chairman of the APEC Finance Ministers' Process in the mid-to-late 1990s, I tried, together with the other Asian financial ministers, to suggest such use of Asia's savings to the other side of the table, which was at that time led by International Monetary Fund managing director Michel Camdessus, US Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan, and the US treasury secretary. The lesson everyone in Asia has learned is that Asians have to figure out a way of not being totally dependent on the decision-making process of the West if they want to get themselves mobilized properly.

Fortunately, an offshoot of that discussion was the beginning of the Asian Bond Fund, which is now going to be a platform for an internationally accepted funding mechanism in Asia, which includes the recognition of the renminbi as an international reserve currency. So the idea of putting a financial plan and structure in place has happened before.

The Belt and Road Initiative, plus the assistance that China has given to the economies such as the Philippines to build or improve their infrastructure will play a big role in generating domestic economic activities, and the kind of international activities that will allow Asia to grow and maintain peace and order.

The author, former Philippine secretary of finance, is chairman of the RFO Center for Public Finance and Regional Economic Cooperation and a founding member of the Boao Forum for Asia.
A woman walks past a Louis Vuitton advertisement in Fuzhou, capital of East China's Fujian province. [Photo by Chen Hao/For China Daily]

Premier Li Keqiang commented on the important role consumption plays in driving China's economic growth at a recent meeting with economic experts and entrepreneurs.

In the context of the country's continuous efforts to advance economic structural adjustments, the growth in per capita income and the government's measures to boost domestic consumption have played a key role in promoting national economic development.

The ever-improving social security, pension and healthcare networks provided by the government have increased people's consumption capabilities and boosted their willingness to buy. That can to some extent explain why in the first three quarters of this year, consumption contributed as much as 64.5 percent to China's economic growth, and services replaced the first and secondary sectors to become the leading engine for the country's economic growth.

China's economy managed to maintain fast growth in the first decade of the 21st century under its export-led growth model. However, China's major export markets, the United States and European countries, have suffered lingering economic sluggishness since the 2008 global financial crisis, which has meant China has not been able to depend on its past export-driven development model and it has had to turn to new drivers for its economic growth.

Investment, especially in infrastructure and real estate, proved effective in boosting its economic growth any time it decelerated in the past, but the colossal debt entailed by such investment and the attendant financial risks have made decision-makers wary of going down that path again.

With its huge population, China is the world's largest market. It can release huge potential for its economic growth by tapping its immense consumption demand.

-IFENG.COM
By Cai Meng

E-commerce and e-payment, two of the "four new inventions of China", reached a new peak this year as the Singles Day sales on Nov 11 reached 253.97 billion yuan ($38.2 billion). China's "new inventions" can be more accurately described as "innovations", because there have been similar inventions in foreign countries before.

E-commerce emerged in the United States in the 1990s, but Amazon and other e-companies didn't develop as fast as their Chinese counterparts such as Alibaba and jd.com. And e-payment, for example, through PayPal was founded in the US in 1998, five years before its Chinese imitator Alipay.

In his report to the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, General Secretary Xi Jinping mentioned "innovation" 59 times, which highlights how important innovation-driven growth will be for every aspect of China's development. Innovations or inventions aside, China's prominence in these areas and their profound impact on the lives of ordinary Chinese people, business community and society as a whole have been universally acknowledged.

However, there is much less consensus on why China has leapfrogged the rest of the world in these new areas. Business leaders' answers would most likely be entrepreneurship, which is indeed vibrant in China. Tech companies will confidently and rightly assert the power and progress of China's technology sector as the enabler. Policymakers can claim that they have provided the right policy environment, by taking a remarkably tolerant, if not encouraging, approach toward some of the inventions. And ordinary citizens can proudly say that it is their collective enthusiasm of embracing new products and services, and in some cases their sacrifice of privacy, that has made the business models commercially viable.

Besides, many foreign competitors have attributed China's success to its ability as a great "imitator" to innovator.

In the academia, the views are no less diverse, with some observers questioning the very fact of China's inventions and new ideas while others have not been able to properly analyze the inventions as they have grown so fast that many of them defy conventional theories.

Even without rigorous scholarly analysis, it is probably still safe to say that each and every one of the above factors has contributed, in one way or another, to China's prominence in the age of "new economy". But it is also equally safe to say that each or a combination of them is not sufficient to explain what China has witnessed  the unfathomable magnitude and breathtaking pace of China's rise in these sectors  nor does it explain the timing of all these changes.

In fact, it is the combination of the sweeping changes in political, economic, social, cultural, and technological areas that has created a politically stable environment and powerful innovation ecosystem with Chinese characteristics, which paves way for the fast development in "new economy".
* Quake epicentre in Sulaimaniyah province in Kurdistanregion

* Also causes casualties, damage across border in Iran

* Magnitude 7.3 quake, according to US Geological Survey

* Felt in Turkey and Israel as well(Adds detail)

BAGHDAD/ERBIL, Iraq, Nov 12 (Reuters) - At least four people died in Iraq and several were killed across the border in Iran on Sunday when a strong earthquake hit the region, officials and state media in the two countries said. According to BBC report, 61 people have died in the earthquake.

The US Geological Survey said the quake measured a magnitude of 7.3, while an Iraqi meteorology official put its magnitude at 6.5 with the epicentre in Penjwin in Sulaimaniyah province in the Kurdistan region close to the main border crossing with Iran.

Kurdish health officials said as well as at least four people being killed there were 50 injured.

Across the border in Iran, state TV said several people were killed and many others injured when at least eight border villages were damaged. Electricity had been cut in the area and rescue teams had been dispatched to the area.

On the Iraqi side, the most extensive damage was in the town of Darbandikhan, 75 kms (47 miles) east of the city of Sulaimaniyah in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region. More than 30 people were injured in the town, according to the Kurdish Health Minister Rekawt Hama Rasheed.

"The situation there is very critical," Rasheed told Reuters.

The district's main hospital was severely damaged and had nopower, Rasheed said, so the injured were being taken to Sulaimaniyah for treatment. There was extensive structural damage to buildings and homes.

There were reports of injuries in a stretch of cities, towns and rural villages near the Iranian border, including Halabja, Khanaqin and Panjwin.

Residents were keeping away from their homes and sleeping on the streets, several hours after the quake hit.

In Halabja, local officials said that a 12-year-old boy died from an electric shock when an electric cable fell during the earthquake.

Iraq's interior minister ordered civil defence and firefighting crews to be on high alert after the quake.

In Iran, the earthquake was felt in the capital Tehran.

Media gave contradictory casualty figures. Semi-official Farsnews agency and state news agency IRNA said at least six people had been killed and many others injured in the border town of Qasr-e Shirin.

But the governor of Qasr-e Shirin, Faramarz Akbari, said only two people had died in the town and 25 others were injured.

"The quake was felt in several Iranian provinces bordering Iraq ... Eight villages were damaged ... Electricity has been cut in some villages and rescue teams have been dispatched to those areas," TV reported.

Semi-official Tasnim news agency quoted an emergency services official as saying there were fears that casualties invillages and small towns could be high.

People were staying out on the streets in towns in the western Kermanshah province because of the threat from aftershocks, a local Red Crescent official told TV.

'DANCING IN THE AIR'

Many residents in the Iraqi capital Baghdad rushed out of houses and tall buildings in panic.

"I was sitting with my kids having dinner and suddenly the building was just dancing in the air," said Majida Ameer, who ran out of her building in the capital's Salihiya district with her three children. "I thought at first that it was a huge bomb.

But then I heard everyone around me screaming 'Earthquake!'"

There were similar scenes in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region, and across other cities in northern Iraq, close to the quake's epicentre.

Iraq's meteorology centre advised people to stay away from buildings and not to use elevators, in case of aftershocks.

Residents of Turkey's southeastern city of Diyarbakir also reported feeling a strong tremor, but there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties in the city.

Turkish Red Crescent Chairman Kerem Kinik told broadcaster NTV that Red Crescent teams in Erbil were preparing to go to the site of the earthquake, and that Turkey's national disaster management agency AFAD and National Medical Rescue Teams (UMKE) were also preparing to head into Iraq. AFAD's chairman said the organisation was waiting for a reply to its offer for help.

In a tweet, Kinik said the Turkish Red Crescent was gathering 3,000 tents and heaters, 10,000 beds and blankets and moving them towards the Iraqi border.

"We are coordinating with Iranian and Iraqi Red Crescent groups. We are also getting prepared to make deliveries from our northern Iraq Erbil depot," he said.

Israeli media said the quake was felt in many parts of Israel too.

- Reuters
President Xi Jinping once again highlighted the importance of open economies and inclusive development for a new round of global prosperity on Saturday, the second day of his attendance at APEC events.

Xi made the remark while speaking at the 25th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Meeting in the coastal Vietnamese city of Da Nang.

The 21 APEC members should promote innovation as a strong growth driver and open up their economies to create more space for development, Xi said.

"History has taught us that closed-door development will get nowhere, while open development is the only right choice," he told APEC leaders.

While addressing the APEC CEO Summit on Friday, Xi had also called on APEC members to build open economies and pursue inclusive development.

On Saturday, the president said APEC members should remain true to the group's founding purpose: to advance trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, build an open economy, uphold and strengthen the multilateral trading regime and help rebalance economic globalization.

"We need to take determined steps toward a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific in line with the agreed road map, and herald a new round of development in the Asia-Pacific in the course of opening-up," he said.

Zhang Jun, director-general of the Foreign Ministry's international economics department, said at a news conference in Da Nang on Saturday that this year's APEC Economic Leaders' Week has achieved proactive results that consolidate Asia-Pacific regional cooperation among member economies.

"Clear messages have been delivered by President Xi that China's development is entering into a new stage," said Zhang. "Many leaders speak highly of the proposition raised by President Xi, having great prospects for China's future development and expecting to participate in international cooperation based on the Belt and Road Initiative to facilitate regional prosperity and development."

Chen Xiangyang, director of the Crisis Management Research Center of the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, said that Xi's speech has expressed China's strong confidence and responsibility as the world's second-largest economy.

"Leading by the new Thought in a new era after the 19th CPC National Congress, China will become the anchor of peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, and the experience of China's development will continue to drive the world's growth," said Chen.

Founded in 1989, APEC, with 21 members, now accounts for about 40 percent of the global population, 60 percent of global economic output and 48 percent of global trade.

Noting that next year will mark the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening-up, Xi said that in nearly four decades China has opened its arms to embrace the world and achieved "leapfrog development" in the process.

"Looking ahead, China will open still wider and its development will deliver even greater benefits to the rest of the world," he said.

He told the other APEC economic leaders that starting next year, China will hold an international import expo.

"I am sure this new platform of mutually beneficial cooperation will help all parties better share the opportunities of China's development," he said.

The leader of the world's second-largest economy also underlined the role of innovation in driving China's economic development in recent years.

He said online retail sales in China, which now has 750 million internet users, are growing by 30 percent a year, with the "sharing economy "volume having reached 3.5 trillion yuan ($527 billion) and mobile payment transactions having exceeded 158 trillion yuan.

Xi called for greater efforts to address the lack of inclusiveness in development, which is a problem facing many economies, in a bid to enable more people to share the benefits of development.

He asked APEC members to develop a stronger sense of community, harmonize their policies and create synergy.

"As we have agreed on the direction and framework of an Asia-Pacific partnership, it is time to take solid steps toward this goal," he said.

In addition, Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, briefed the other leaders on last month's 19th CPC National Congress, which drew a blueprint for China's development in the next five years and beyond.

China will bring more opportunities and make greater contributions to the Asia-Pacific and the world at large, Xi said.

During the second phase of the meeting on Saturday afternoon, the APEC economic leaders discussed the new driving forces for trade and investment.

They agreed that the FTAAP process should be advanced and that inclusive development must be boosted to enable all parties to benefit from economic globalization.

A declaration was issued following the conclusion of the 25th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, which was held on Friday and Saturday using the theme of "Creating New Dynamism, Fostering a Shared Future".

On Saturday morning, Xi and the other leaders also held a dialogue with Christine Lagarde, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, on the global economic situation. Xi gave a briefing about China's economy.
CANBERRA - Australian voters appear to be turning away from Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's coalition government in the wake of the citizenship crisis embroiling parliament.

Turnbull's conservative Liberal-National Party coalition has lost ground to the opposition Labor Party, according to the latest Newspoll conducted for The Australian newspaper.

Labor leads the coalition 55 to 45 in two-party terms, while the coalition's primary vote has fallen from 35 to 34 percent since the citizenship scandal erupted.

The poll also found Turnbull's own personal rating had slumped. He now leads Labor leader Bill Shorten as preferred prime minister by just 2 percentage points, with his approval rating dipping five to 36 percent in the past two weeks. That compares with a lead of eight points just two weeks ago and 17 points at the end of August.

The latest results place Labor in its strongest overall position since Turnbull replaced Tony Abbott as prime minister in September 2015.

The poll was released as controversy over the country's parliamentary eligibility rules continued to rumble on.

Liberal backbencher John Alexander resigned at the weekend conceding he may also be a British citizen. He was the eighth MP to have been caught up so far in the citizenship crisis.

Australia's constitution bars from parliamentary office those who are eligible to be citizens of another country.

Last month Barnaby Joyce, who was the National Party leader and deputy prime minister, was forced to stand down and recontest his seat of New England in a by-election on Dec 2 after he was ruled ineligible by the High Court. Though born in Australia, he was conferred New Zealand citizenship by descent from his father.

Labor is in danger of also being drawn into the eligibility mire. Several of its MPs are facing pressure to clarify their status, with Turnbull saying at the weekend they, like any other MP, regardless of their party affiliation, may need to go to the High Court to do so.

Alexander's resignation means the coalition no longer has a majority in its own right in the House of Representatives but Turnbull said his government retained the support of the crossbench on matters of confidence and supply, and an election was not necessary.
Britain's Prince Charles lays a wreath at the foot of the Cenotaph on behalf of his mother Queen Elizabeth II during the Remembrance Sunday Cenotaph service in London, Britain, Nov 12, 2017. [Photo/Agencies]

LONDON - Prince Charles led the annual ceremony to honour Britain's war dead on Sunday, laying a wreath on behalf of 91-year-old Queen Elizabeth to mark Remembrance Sunday as she watched the service from a balcony.

Breaking with her usual custom of placing the wreath at the Cenotaph on Whitehall in central London, the queen asked her eldest son to take on the role, in part because of the demands of the ceremony for someone in their 90s.

A two-minute silence was held at 1100 GMT and wreaths were laid at the foot of Britain's main war memorial by senior royals and political leaders including Prime Minister Theresa May and the leader of the main opposition Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn.

The queen and her 96-year-old husband, Prince Philip, watched from the balcony of the nearby Foreign Office.

Royal historian Hugo Vickers said the queen had slightly stumbled during last year's service.

"One of the most important things with the queen as she gets older is not to put her in any situation where she might be uncomfortable or things might be difficult," he told Reuters.

"It requires a certain amount of standing around and then it involves the queen carrying something quite heavy and walking backwards."

Reuters
MANILA - Leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) kicked off here their 31st summit on Monday, with peace, stability and cooperation high on their agenda.

At the summit, the leaders from the 10 member states will also discuss ways to strengthen the ASEAN Community and assert its position in global economy.

The Philippines holds the rotating chair of ASEAN this year.
NEW DELHI - The death toll in boat capsizal in India's southern state of Andhra Pradesh has risen to 19 as rescues are searching the missing, officials said Monday.

The boat capsized in River Krishna in Krishna district, 55 km east of Amravati, the main city of Andhra Pradesh.

"The death toll in the Krishna boat capsizal has gone up to 19," a senior official at Krishna collectorate said.

"The bodies have been fished out and we are trying to trace the remaining missing ones," he added.

According to the officials, the boat was carrying around 40 people when it capsized into the river on Sunday evening.

Following the incident, the official said they rushed police and disaster management officials to the spot to carry out rescue work.

"Rescue operation has been continuing since yesterday with four of our teams including divers making efforts to trace missing people," a national disaster response force (NDRF) official on the spot told media.

Eyewitnesses said 20 people were rescued by local fishermen after the boat overturned.

The local tourists on the boat were heading to witness the grand maha haarathi, a local ritual.

"The victims were identified as members of the Ongole Walkers Club in Prakasam district while some were from Nellore," a local resident Arun Kumar told Xinhua.

The banks of the river were crowded with holiday visitors when the tragedy struck.

Police officials said the boat was operating without a license besides there were no life jackets or floatation devices on it.

Authorities said they have ordered an investigation into the boat capsizal though apparently overcrowding is said to be the cause.

Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed pain over the loss of lives due to capsizal of boat in the Krishna River.

"Capsizing of a boat in the Krishna River is anguishing. My thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives in this tragedy. The Andhra Pradesh government and NDRF headquarters have been working on rescue operation," a government spokesman quoted Modi as having said.

In April this year, 13 people drowned after boat carrying them capsized in the state.
Chinese President Xi Jinping (L), also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, holds talks with Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang in Hanoi, Vietnam, Nov 13, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

HANOI -- Visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday called on China and Vietnam to enhance high-level strategic communication to move forward the bilateral ties in the right direction.

The remarks were made when Xi held talks with Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang in Hanoi during a state visit to the Southeast Asian country.

It's Xi's second visit to Vietnam as head of state and top leader of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

Xi stressed that as the international and regional circumstances are undergoing profound and complicated changes and the two countries are facing challenges of reform and development, the two parties and two countries should enhance high-level strategic communication.

The two sides should consolidate the momentum of the steady growth of the bilateral trade, and speed up the alignment of their development initiatives -- the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative and Vietnam's "Two Corridors and One Economic Circle" plan, Xi said.

He said that the two sides should promote cooperation in key areas such as infrastructure, production capacity and cross-border economic cooperation zone.

The two sides should increase input in people-to-people exchanges, and broadly carry out such exchanges, so as to enhance mutual understanding between the two peoples, particularly between the youths.

Xi said that the two countries should properly manage differences, protect maritime peace and stability, and promote joint exploitation.

China and Vietnam are socialist neighboring countries and important cooperative partners, and the fate of the two parties, two countries and two peoples are closely bound up together with the same political systems and development goals, Xi said.

The CPC and the Chinese government attach great importance to the bilateral ties with Vietnam, and will adhere to the fundamental policy of developing friendly relationship with Vietnam and will commit itself to strengthening comprehensive strategic cooperation between the two countries, so as to benefit the two peoples, he said.

For his part, Quang extended congratulations on the elevation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era into the party's guiding principles during the 19th CPC National Congress and on Xi's re-election as general secretary of the CPC Central Committee.

He said Vietnam highly values the great achievements of China's economic and social development and its contribution to peace and prosperity in the region and the world at large.

Consolidating and strengthening the China-Vietnam comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership is in the fundamental interest of the two countries and two peoples, and is conducive to regional and global peace and stability, Quang said.

Vietnam is willing to work with China to maintain the traditional friendship forged by previous generations of the two countries' leaders, implement the outcomes of Xi's visit, keep high-level exchanges between the two parties and two countries, push forward exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and promote in-depth development of the bilateral ties, he added.

Before flying to Hanoi, Xi concluded a busy two-day stay in Vietnam's central city of Da Nang, where he attended the 25th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting.
The Chelyabinsk Tractor Plant, also known as ChTZ-Uraltrak, is one of the largest industrial vehicle manufacturers in Russia. During the Soviet period the plant exported its products, including bulldozers, tracked tractors, cranes and excavators to countries in Eastern Europe, Africa and Asia.

After the fall of the Soviet Union the company suffered a number of setbacks in export sales as it lost much of its presence in foreign markets, but now it appears that this trend is about to be reversed.

In an exclusive interview with Sputnik, ChTZ-Uraltrak head of foreign sales Vladimir Klein said that the company is working towards regaining its standing abroad.

He added that exports to Europe are complicated by a number of issues, including the problems related to vehicles certification in accordance with European standards.

He also said that the company has two official dealers in Vietnam who help the country satisfy its need for bulldozers.

He pointed out that the bulldozers are being shipped to Vietnam in a disassembled state (which is cheaper than shipping already assembled vehicles), where the dealers quickly assemble the vehicles and prep them for operation, while their significant technological expertise and abundance of spare parts allows for swift repairs if the machinery breaks down.
The China-Kazakhstan Tourism Year will have witnessed a surge in leisure travel between the two nations when it closes in Astana, the Kazakh capital, on Friday.

Statistics from China National Tourism Administration show Kazakhs made 109,600 trips to China in the first half of 2017, up by 12.7 percent on the same period last year.

Industry experts say China was late in starting leisure travel cooperation with Kazakhstan compared with other destinations.

The big Central Asian neighbor only announced it would start accepting Chinese tour groups in July last year

Since the start of the tourism year campaign in Almaty in April, a slew of tourism cooperation agreements have been signed between Kazakhstan and Chinese provincial areas, including Heilongjiang, Yunnan, Shaanxi, Shanghai and the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.

Among Central Asian countries, Kazakhstan is China's largest source of tourists.

The China National Tourism Administration has announced it will set up an office in Kazakhstan, with operations expected to start soon.
President Xi Jinping arrives in Laos on Monday at the start of a state visit to the country. [Photo/Xinhua ]

VIENTIANE -- Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, arrived in Laos Monday for a state visit as the two socialist countries are seeking to consolidate their traditional friendship.

It marks the first visit in 11 years by a Chinese head of state and top CPC leader to this neighboring country in Southeast Asia.

Xi is scheduled to meet with Bounnhang Vorachit, general secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee and president of Laos, Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith, and President of the Lao National Assembly Pany Yathotu.

In a written speech delivered upon arrival at the airport, Xi extended sincere regards and best wishes to the brotherly LPRP, the Lao government and the Lao people on behalf of the CPC, the Chinese government and the Chinese people.

Both as Communist-led socialist countries, China and Laos are truly "good neighbors, friends, comrades and partners," Xi said.

Since the two countries established diplomatic ties 56 years ago, the traditional good neighborly and friendly relations have stood the test of international vicissitudes and have become even stronger, Xi said.

The in-depth development of bilateral comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership has not only brought tangible benefits to the two countries and peoples, but also contributed to the peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world at large, he said.

"I believe with concerted efforts of both sides, my visit will achieve our desired results, lift our relationship to a new high and bring greater benefits to our two peoples," he added.

Xi was greeted by senior party and state leaders of Laos at the airport.

Huge portraits of Xi and Bounnhang, as well as banners bearing welcome slogans in the Chinese and Lao languages "Warmly welcome the state visit by Comrade Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and Chinese president, to Laos," were seen hanging on the main streets of the Lao capital Vientiane.

Thousands of local residents, including young students, lined up along the streets, waving national flags of the two countries and cheering as Xi's motorcade passed by.

Vientiane is the final leg of Xi's first overseas trip after the 19th CPC National Congress, which was held last month. Prior to the Laos visit, he attended the 25th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Meeting in Vietnam's central city of Da Nang and paid a state visit to the country in Hanoi.
HANOI - Visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping said here on Monday that the party-to-party and state-to-state relations between China and Vietnam are solid.

Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks when he met with General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong again here on Monday.

Xi said the consensus reached by leaders of the two countries is being translated into tangible cooperation achievements.

Noting that his visit to Vietnam was very smooth, Xi said he had friendly and in-depth exchanges with Trong on Sunday, with the two sides agreeing to further deepen bilateral cooperation and advance the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

As the international and regional situations in the new period are undergoing profound changes, the significance of China-Vietnam relationship is becoming more prominent, Xi said.

To guide the development of the bilateral ties, the two sides should hold the general direction of China-Vietnam relationship, enhance people-to-people exchanges, cement popular support of the bilateral ties, and firmly safeguard friendly cooperation between the two countries, so as to ensure that the relations between the two parties and two countries will always advance on the right track, Xi said.

Trong, for his part, said it is of great significance that Vietnam becomes Xi's first overseas destination after the 19th CPC National Congress, adding that the Vietnamese people sincerely welcome Xi's visit.

The friendly talks on Sunday fully reflected the bond of camaraderie and brotherhood, Trong said.

Vietnam is willing to work with China to strengthen exchanges on party and state governance, carry forward traditional friendship, and strive to lift relations between the two parties and two countries to a new stage, he said.

The two leaders, after the meeting, went for a stroll at the former residence of late Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh, reviewing the friendly exchanges by previous generations of the two countries' leaders.

Xi also attended a wreath laying ceremony at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum on Monday.
LONDON -- A leading British academic on Monday defended the award-winning Confucius Institute at the University of Sheffield, saying it is key to helping business in northern England create trade with China.

Professor Sir Keith Burnett, vice-chancellor of the University of Sheffield, responded to criticism of Confucius Institutes that are established at universities across the world.

In late October, leading British business newspaper the Financial Times (FT) published an article. While acknowledging the mission of Confucius Institutes is to satisfy overseas demand for learning Chinese, it quoted an unnamed US professor suggesting the centers amount to one country interfering with the education process of another.

Burnett, who is also head of the science and innovation board for the Sheffield City Region, a large industrial area in the heart of Britain, hit back at the criticisms in a letter to the FT.

Burnett said his response letter to the FT was submitted "to correct a misunderstanding that seems to have arisen about the role of Confucius Institutes, as I know them."

In the letter, Burnett called for effective work with partners around the world, including China, "arguably the present leader in global free trade."

The University of Sheffield, said Burnett, works with Chinese universities and companies in various research fields that in turn bring opportunities and investment back to the Sheffield City Region.

Burnett said that the Confucius Institute at Sheffield, besides providing language teaching to individuals and companies wishing to learn Mandarin, plays a key role in this work.

"Our award-winning Confucius Institute ... has put a great deal of our effort to helping local industry and commerce to work with Chinese partners and prospective investors and customers," he wrote.

"This is warmly welcomed by our local Chamber of Commerce, Sheffield City Council and local enterprise partnership," he added.

The cooperation between the university and the Chinese side listed in the letter include innovative technologies for low-carbon electric cars, quantum computing and the high-performance metals used on the Chinese space station.

Established in 2007, the Confucius Institute at Sheffield celebrated its 10th anniversary this year.

Burnett, who chairs the board of the Confucius Institute at Sheffield, has twice been awarded the prestigious Individual Performance Excellence award by China in recognition of his contribution to the greater understanding of Chinese language and culture.

The University of Sheffield is rated among the Top 100 in the world, and is a member of the Russell Group of leading British research universities.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, attends a grand welcome ceremony hosted by Nguyen Phu Trong, general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, ahead of their talks in Hanoi, Vietnam, Nov 12, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

HANOI - China and Vietnam cemented their special bond of "camaraderie + brotherhood" and agreed to explore new prospects for interconnected interests during a state visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

This is Xi's first overseas trip on the heels of the landmark 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) held in October, which reflects the irreplaceable importance of the Sino-Vietnamese relations.

"The visit is an important diplomatic activity for implementing Xi's proposition of building a community of shared future for mankind in the new era," said Zhang Yunling, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

CEMENTING BOND OF FRIENDSHIP

Xi, who is also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, has been accorded with friendly and high-level reception during his trip to the Southeast Asian nation.

Upon his arrival at Hanoi, Xi was welcomed by a cheerful crowd wearing traditional clothes and waving the flags of the two countries.

At the Presidential Palace, he attended a grand welcome ceremony hosted by Nguyen Phu Trong, general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee, with full military honors and a 21-gun salute.

"While stepping on this beautiful and fertile land once again after two years, I feel strongly the friendly feeling of the Vietnamese people towards the Chinese people," Xi told a welcoming banquet jointly hosted by Trong and Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang.

During his meetings with the Vietnamese leaders, Xi repeatedly recalled the China-Vietnam traditional friendship nurtured by previous generations of the two countries' leaders.

He said China and Vietnam are close neighbors connected by mountains and rivers, good friends sharing weal and woe, good comrades with similar ideals and beliefs, and good partners for win-win cooperation.

During their talks, Xi and Trong agreed to carry forward, preserve and promote the traditional friendship between China and Vietnam.

As a special arrangement, Xi chose the Vietnam-China Friendship Palace as the first stop of his Hanoi visit.

The Palace, a landmark project built with Chinese assistance, is a reflection of the consolidated friendship between the two peoples in the new era.

With Xi's visit this time, the top leaders of the two parties and the two countries have had mutual visits within a single year twice in just three years.

Xi's visit is of great importance to the Vietnam-China relationship in the new period, said Do Tien Sam, the former director of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (VASS) Institute of Chinese Studies.

Sam said the visit has consolidated mutual political trust between the two countries and created favorable conditions for all types of cooperation between China and Vietnam in the future.
Initiative is expanding technological, economic cooperation in APEC region

China's Belt and Road Initiative is expected to tighten connections between Asia-Pacific economies and explore new growth engines in supporting a more open regional market, according to officials and experts at the 25th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Meeting in Da Nang, Vietnam.

Unprecedented opportunities for regional cooperation will emerge as the Belt and Road Initiative takes shape, and this is expected to stimulate cooperative partnerships among the APEC member economies, Zhang Jun, head of the Chinese Foreign Ministry's International Economics Department, said on Saturday at a news conference in Da Nang.

The Belt and Road Initiative has been praised by many senior government officials and business executives of APEC member economies at the Vietnamese coastal city, who say it is an innovative, significant contribution to global economic development.

Jin Liqun, president of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, said at the APEC CEO Summit that the bank, as a fundraiser for Belt and Road projects, will proactively support infrastructure construction in Asia-Pacific economies, aiding regional connection and advancing inclusive economic growth.

The region's infrastructure needs have never been satisfied, and these needs are growing rapidly, especially for airports, harbors and roads in the second-and third-tier cities, Jin said.

An Asia Development Bank report forecasts capital demand for infrastructure construction work in the Asia-Pacific at $1.7 trillion annually up to 2030.

"The region's development could be constrained by a bottleneck if the gap in infrastructure investment cannot be resolved," though APEC economies have quickly developed in the past four decades, Jin said.

The AIIB has run projects with coordination provided by APEC members, including the Philippines and Indonesia.

China APEC Development Council Chairman Zhang Lijun told China Daily that the Belt and Road Initiative has extended APEC's experience of members' cooperating on free trade and investment into broader regions.

"The initiative is also expanding economic and technological cooperation in the APEC region, especially in the planning of infrastructure construction, technology standards and the connection of transportation, energy and telecommunication networks. This will reduce the development gap between member economies while achieving sustainable development," Zhang said.

He suggested that the Belt and Road Initiative be taken as a part of the APEC framework, based on a "mutual benefit and win-win" cooperation model to advance regional economic integrity.

The Chinese delegation at this year's APEC meeting reiterated that promoting more inclusive free trade cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region remains a top priority, and the notion of the "Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific", first brought to the table by China, has been increasingly accepted as an ideal model for boosting trade and regional integration.

In order to advance the FTAAP process, a road map was sketched out by APEC member economies at their 2014 meeting in Beijing.

As experts said, the Belt and Road Initiative can provide strong support on the FTAAP in building infrastructure and policy and fundraising cooperation as well as boost an inclusive, integral development.

chenjia@chinadaily.com.cn
By An Baijie in Da Nang, Vietnam and Zhang Yunbi in BeijingI | China Daily | Updated: 2017-11-13 07:14

President Xi Jinping urged Japan on Saturday to take more tangible action - including the creation of policies - honoring the two countries' shared belief that they are cooperative partners rather than threats to each other.

In a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Xi advocated further bilateral cooperation in light of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Olympics - the 2020 Summer Games in Japan and the 2022 Winter Games in China.

Abe said Tokyo is ready to cooperate on these, adding that Japan also wants to deepen exchanges in tourism, culture and youth development.

The discussion took place on the sidelines of the 25th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Meeting in Da Nang, Vietnam. Both leaders pledged to improve ties.

Tokyo should always act in accord with the four political documents and the consensus reached by the two sides with regard to history, Taiwan and other principles at the heart of China-Japan relations, Xi said.

Mutual trust is key, and a constructive approach should be employed in managing and controlling differences between the two countries, he said, adding that the two sides should push for lasting improvements.

Next year will mark the 40th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship, and Abe said Japan is hoping to push bilateral ties forward and increase high-level exchanges with China.

Lyu Yaodong, a researcher of Japanese foreign policy at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said a major improvement of the relationship requires detailed preparation.

"Only by effectively managing - not worsening - the major problems between the two countries can the relationship get back on track," Lyu said, adding that Japan should play a more proactive role in boosting regional cooperation.

Speaking of bilateral relations, Xi said mutually beneficial cooperation is a driving force. The two countries should promote regional economic integration and push for early implementation within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, he said.

Abe said Japan hopes to discuss connectivity cooperation along with the Belt and Road Initiative.

Liang Yunxiang, a professor of Japan studies at Peking University, said Tokyo should not cling to the idea that China and Japan are competing for a leading role in shaping the regional or global order.

Rather, they should promote multilateral cooperation in East Asia, make cooperation a standard feature of the bilateral relationship and increase their shared interest and responsibilities within the framework of multilateral cooperation, Liang said.

As Japan will host the Summer Olympic Games in 2020, and China will host the Winter Games in 2022, Xi said both countries should cooperate on those events and reinforce bonds between their people.

Contact the writers at anbaijie@chinadaily.com.cn
By An Baijie in Da Nang, Vietnam and Zhang Yunbi in Beijing | China Daily | Updated: 2017-11-13 07:14

Ties between China and the Philippines are at a new starting point, and Beijing is ready to work with Manila to bring more benefits to its people, President Xi Jinping told his Philippine counterpart Rodrigo Duterte on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Meeting in Da Nang, Vietnam, on Saturday.

Friendliness and neighborliness are the right direction, Xi said.

Speaking of the South China Sea, Xi said China will continue to cooperate with ASEAN countries to maintain peace and stability and promote development and prosperity in the region.

Duterte said the Philippines is willing to handle maritime issues through bilateral channels in accordance with the consensus reached by the two sides.

The leaders met at a time when China has become the Philippines' largest trading partner, largest source of imports and second-largest source of foreign tourists.

Noting Duterte's state visit to China in October last year, Xi said a new page has been turned, and ties have seen healthy and stable development. Tangible benefits have been brought to both peoples and have contributed to the region's peace and stability, he said.

Duterte said ties with China are extremely important, and the Philippines regards China as a sincere friend.

Xi said China is willing to continue to view the bilateral relationship from a strategic, long-term perspective, and to enhance mutual political trust and deepen cooperation. The two countries should enhance high-level exchanges to ensure that development stays on the right track, Xi added.

Both countries should deepen their practical cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, agriculture and investment, and should focus on synergies between the Belt and Road Initiative and the Philippines' development strategy, Xi said.

Duterte said the Philippines is committed to pressing ahead with cooperation in various fields.

Chen Fengying, a senior world economy researcher at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, said Manila's development goal - "Ambisyon Natin 2040" - harmonizes with the Belt and Road Initiative. Building on synergies will result in more Chinese companies tapping markets overseas and the Philippines benefiting from more investment and construction, Chen said.

Duterte said Manila is grateful for China's assistance with its economy, anti-terrorism efforts and maintenance of stability. Xi said China is willing to help the Philippines with poverty relief, and continues to support the Philippine government's efforts to safeguard national security.

A recent article by Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua, issued on the embassy's website earlier this month, said that bilateral cooperation in fighting drug abuse has been productive. It noted that the two countries stay in close contact with regard to global affairs and ensuring regional peace, stability and development.

Contact the writers at zhangyunbi@chinadaily.com.cn
By Zhang Li in Guangxi and Mo Jingxi in Beijing | China Daily | Updated: 2017-11-13 07:14

Cross-border economic cooperation between China and Vietnam has seen major progress this year, with further implementation of the two countries' strategic integration plan.

This year, a flagship project launched by the two countries in 2013 to boost mutual economic and trade cooperation - the Dongxing-Mong Cai Cross Border Economic Cooperation Zone - completed construction on several key infrastructure projects, while attracting 10 projects whose investment totaled 1.3 billion yuan ($196 million).

The construction of the Vietnam-China Bac Luan (Beilun) Bridge, the first pontoon bridge connecting Mong Cai, Vietnam, with Dongxing in China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, has been completed. The Bac Luan II bridge opened in Vietnam's northern Quang Ninh province in September.

According to Nguyen Duc Long, chairman of the Quang Ninh provincial People's Committee, the Bac Luan II bridge - which is 618 meters long and 27.7 meters wide - will help boost bilateral cooperation in various fields, including trade, investment and tourism, between Quang Ninh and Guangxi.

Located in the core section of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area, the economic cooperation zone offers the shortest, fastest and most cost-efficient route for goods exported from ASEAN members to China.

He Chaojian, director of the Dongxing National Experimental Zone, who leads the program in China, said: "The zone is only 39 kilometers from Fangchenggang, the largest harbor in Guangxi autonomous region, from which the goods can be delivered to more than 200 ports around the world."

"Cross-border cooperation is a promising area of bilateral cooperation," He said. "The zone will be backed up with a dynamic economic hinterland covering 600 million ASEAN people, among whom people-to-people exchanges and trade are frequent."

Accumulated investment in the zone has reached 670 million yuan, with more than 80 million yuan of that being invested this year.

More than 7 million people passed through Dongxing port in 2016, the most of any Chinese border port.

Contact the writers at mojingxi@chinadaily.com.cn
President Xi Jinping's visit to Laos will be a historic and significant milestone for the relations between the two countries and two parties, Laos' top envoy to China said.

Vandy Bouthasavong, Lao ambassador to China, said she is delighted and positive about the traditional bilateral relations between the two countries, which have grown to a new level.

Xi is making his first overseas trip after the conclusion of the 19th National Congress of the CPC last month, and Laos will be the second leg of his trip.

This visit will be the first by China's top leader to Laos in 11 years.

"I do believe that President Xi's visit will be crowned by success, and it will be regarded as a remarkable moment and occasion for supporting and strengthening our long tradition of good friendship and cooperation," she told China Daily.

During the visit, she said, the two sides will reach agreements on cooperation in trade and economy, investment, technical and industrial production, education, culture and tourism. The leaders of the two countries will attend and witness the signing ceremonies of different cooperative agreements.

China ranks first among countries that make investments in Laos, devoting $6.9 billion to 771 projects, including the China-Laos railway project, the ambassador said.

The China-Laos railway will be the first overseas route connecting with China's railway system. Construction on the route, which uses Chinese technology, equipment and investment, began in December.

The project is scheduled to take five years to build with investment of some 40 billion yuan ($5.8 billion), 70 percent of which comes from Chinese investment and the rest from Lao sources, according to Xinhua News Agency.

Bouthasavong also said that there are many potential areas for cooperation between the two countries, such as the integration of the Belt and Road Initiative and Laos' "Land-Linked" strategy, which will promote the quality and quantity of bilateral cooperation in areas including trade and economy, industry and agricultural modernization.

The ambassador said China and Laos are not only neighboring countries, but also have similarities in ideology and social-economic development.

"The relationship between our two countries is not a simple relation, but it is regarded as a strategic relationship of building the community of common destiny between two nations by sharing interests," she added.

mojingxi@chinadaily.com.cn
Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, and Vietnamese National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, inaugurate the China culture center in Hanoi, Vietnam, Nov 12, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

HANOI - Visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the inauguration and handover ceremony of Vietnam-China Friendship Palace here on Sunday.

The palace, occupying an area of 13,800 square meters, is a signature China-sponsored project in Vietnam.

When Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, arrived at the palace, he was greeted by Vietnamese National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, at the entrance and welcomed by representatives of Chinese enterprises and Vietnamese young people.

Xi presented a "golden key" to Ngan after they watched a video introducing the palace.

Xi and Ngan also inaugurated the Hanoi China culture center which will operate in the Palace.
Pro-life pregnancy centers that oppose a California law requiring them to promote abortion resources will get to take their First Amendment claim to the US Supreme Court.

The high court announced Monday that it will hear the case of National Institute of Family and Life Advocates v. Becerra, one of four lawsuits filed against the states Reproductive Freedom, Accountability, Comprehensive Care, and Transparency (FACT) Act.

The 2015 law requires centers to post notices including contact information for local providers of free or low-cost abortions and contraception, which pro-life groups argue forces them to communicate a message that violates their beliefs.

The state should protect freedom of speech and freedom from coerced speech, said Kevin Theriot, senior counsel for Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), who is representing National Institute of Family and Life Advocates (NIFLA). Information about abortion is just about everywhere, so the government doesnt need to punish pro-life centers for declining to advertise for the very act they cant promote.

The NIFLA network represents 137 of Californias roughly 200 pregnancy centers, and works to convert them into licensed medical clinics. The FACT Act also requires unlicensed clinics to indicate their unlicensed status in their marketing and advertising.

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the law last October, saying that informing clients of family-planning services does not constitute an endorsement. However, a recent challenge to the law led a Southern California judge to issue a permanent injunction against it, Baptist Press reported.

The FACT Act compels speech, and regulates content, Riverside County Superior Court Judge Gloria Trask said, ruling in another case last month that the law violated free speech protections. Californias ability to impress free citizens into state services in this political dispute cannot be absolute; it must be limited.

The Supreme Court said it will limit its consideration of the California case to the question of free speech, and is therefore not expected to address claims of religious freedom violations. NIFLA had initially petitioned the court for both First Amendment claims. (The biggest religious freedom case in Washington next year is expected to be Masterpiece Cakeshop Ltd. v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission, the Christian baker fighting for the right to decline to bake for gay weddings.)

Evangelical groups, including the National Association of Evangelicals and pro-life ministry Care Net, have filed amicus briefs siding with NIFLA. Care Nets brief said the FACT Act targeted pregnancy crisis centers, given the states lack of regulations on abortion; California is one of about a dozen states that dont require parental consent for a minor to get an abortion, for example.

For years, pro-choice advocates and some government entities have characterized pregnancy centers as deceptive and coercive, given that many have an explicit goal to help women choose to keep their babies.

A new law passed this year in Hawaii, requiring pregnancy centers to display notice of publicly available family planning services, has led Christians to raise similar concerns as in California.

When challenged in court, many laws similar to Californias have been reversed:

Local ordinances in Maryland required pregnancy centers to post signs and make referrals to abortion providers. Both were struck down, in 2014 and 2016, as free speech violations.

A 2011 New York City law requiring centers to disclose whether they offer abortion and emergency contraception and to make referrals if they dont was barred for being overly broad.

A 2010 Austin, Texas, law requiring centers to display that they do not provide abortions, as well as a subsequent 2012 law requiring them to display that they do not offer medical care, were thrown out by a district judge.

Hartford, Connecticut, announced last week that it was considering a regulation like Californias, including a $100-a-day fine for pregnancy centers that do not meet the disclosure requirements.

A few years ago, NARAL Pro-Choice America lobbied Google and Yahoo to take down deceptive pregnancy center ads that appeared at the top of search results for abortion. France has also penalized pro-life sites that pose as official or neutral.

CT previously covered how Care Net aims to let potential clients know that it wont provide abortions or abortion referralswithout any law requiring it to do so.

Critics of pregnancy centers claim that this is not enough, a 2016 Care Net report stated. They claim that in order to meet some arbitrary standard of non-deception (a standard that only those critics themselves have created), pregnancy centers should have large, publicly visible signs on their buildings stating that they do not perform or refer for abortions.

The 2018 ruling on NIFLA v. Becerra will apply to the other three suits challenging Californias FACT Act.

This unbelievable government mandate forces pregnancy help centers and staff to be puppets of the government and channel the states abortion message, said Mat Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel, which represents a case brought against California by Mountain Right to Life. We are hopeful this forced speech law will be overturned by the Supreme Court.

The California government defends the law by saying regulating professional speech in a medical context upholds its valid state interest in safeguarding public health.

Illinois had similar concerns in mind when it modified a law to require doctors and nurses to notify pregnant patients of all of their available options, including abortion. Christian pregnancy centers that employ doctors have filed lawsuits against the state over the new law.
Youth Unlimited Announces 2018 SERVE Mission Trip Sites

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Nov. 13, 2017 / Christian Newswire / -- This summer, Youth Unlimited mobilized over 1500 students and volunteers in communities across North America through SERVE, a week-long service-oriented mission trip experience.

Jeff Kruithof, Executive Director of Youth Unlimited, shared his excitement about the impact SERVE made in 2017. "God is good. Through SERVE 2017, 50+ students gave their lives to Jesus Christ and 500+ rededicated their lives to Him. In addition, 39,000 hours of service were given to local communities in the name of Christ, on behalf of local churches across North America! We are praising God for allowing Youth Unlimited to be part of his work."

Youth Unlimited provides these mission opportunities to help teens connect with Christ, the church and communities and to learn life lessons they can take with them into adulthood. What makes SERVE unique, however, is that each service trip is hosted and conducted by a local church, allowing congregations in each community to better meet the needs of people in their own backyards.

2018 SERVE locations have just been announced with over 25 communities across the United States and Canada set to host teams of students and volunteers. The locations include:

Cadillac, MI

Byron Center, MI

Ann Arbor, MI

Gallatin Valley, MT

Grand Rapids, MI

Lynden, WA

Platte, SD

Ripon, CA

Douglas, MA

Holland, MI

Palos Heights, IL

Prairie, IA

Mechanicsburg, PA

Sioux Falls, SD

Whitinsville, MA

Muskegon, MI

Burlington, Ontario

Guelph, Ontario

London, Ontario

Niagara, Ontario

Fruitland, Ontario

Winnipeg, Manitoba

Hamilton, Ontario

Fort McMurray, Alberta

Vancouver, British Columbia

In addition to announcing the 2018 SERVE site locations, Youth Unlimited has unveiled a brand new website with an enhanced trip locator. "Each of our SERVE trips is unique, and we wanted to easily present each experience to our customer based on their own unique needs," noted Kruithof. Visit youthunlimited.org to learn more.
Office Max Maintains Pro-LGBT Stance in Wake of Anti-Christian Discrimination 'Mistake'

Contact: Rob Pue, Publisher, Wisconsin Christian News, 715-486-8066

MARSHFIELD, Wis., Nov. 13, 2017 /Christian Newswire/ -- Folks, add this story to your "Intolerant Gay Activists" file. An Office Max in Marshfield, Wisconsin has refused to print a poster submitted by Wisconsin Christian News (WCN) advertising an upcoming speech on November 16 by Peter LaBarbera, president of Americans For Truth About Homosexuality on the topic of "The Homosexual Agenda."

WCN publisher Rob Pue created a poster for the event with a (LGBTQ activist) "rainbow flag" covered by the words, "The Homosexual Agenda EXPOSED!" and submitted it Oct. 25 to his local Office Max, which had printed many promotional posters for him in the past, for various conservative cultural events. He also submitted a Veterans Day poster for printing.

Initially "Eric" from Office Max sent Pue an email saying that they could "definitely" print both posters and that they would be ready by 10:00 AM the next day. But that morning (Oct. 26), Pue instead received another email from Store Manager Jeff Schweiger informing him that while the store COULD print the veterans poster, "we are unable to print the first print" advertising LaBarbera's speech.

When Pue inquired as to why the poster could not be printed, he received another email, this time from Print Supervisor Jeffry Costigan, which read:

Good morning Rob,

Unfortunately we will not be able to print the contents of the poster for Peter Labarbera.

The contents of the poster falls under the prohibited guidelines of our company's Duplication procedures.

We will be able to print the second request for the Veterans poster.

Pue then requested the Office Max (owned by Office Depot) "Prohibited Guidelines" policy but instead of sending him the "Prohibited Guidelines" he had previously cited, Costigan simply replied:

Dear Mr. Pue,

I stand by the decision not to duplicate your material. If you have any more questions, I request that you contact OfficeMax at 1-800-GoDepot.

Jeffry A. Costigan

Print Supervisor, Office Depot, Inc.

1629 N. Central Ave, Marshfield, WI. 54449

Tel: (715) 389-8820

ods06637cpc@officedepot.com

Office Max (Office Depot), has previously been in the news for refusing to print a pro-life flyer. In 2015, a Chicago-area Office Max refused "to make 500 copies of a flyer featuring a pro-life prayer -- which called for the conversion of Planned Parenthood -- that was written by a Catholic priest," CNS News reported.

The company relented but stood by its right to refuse print jobs based on its "hate" policy prohibiting "the copying of 'hate material' that advocates for the persecution of groups of people, regardless of the reason."

Pue told AFTAH, "By refusing to do the job, Office Max simply proved my point, that there IS a homosexual agenda. There is no 'hate' in that poster, and our speaker is not about 'hate' but Christian love and truth."

On November 1, Pue and LaBarbera appeared as guests on the VCY America network program "Crosstalk," which reaches nationwide, to discuss the Office Max rejection of the Wisconsin Christian News poster. Following the radio interview, numerous other media outlets and internet blogs picked up on the story as well

As the media exposed the hypocrisy, the local Office Max in Marshfield, Wisconsin -- AND Office Max/Depot Corporate Offices were inundated with phone calls and emails from outraged Christians regarding the double standard of refusing to print the poster which promoted a Christian perspective of the "LGBT Agenda," while actively SUPPORTING the "LGBT Agenda" at a corporate level.

Office Max/Depot has maintained a 100% "score" with the Human Rights Campaign, (HRC). According to the HRC website, "The Human Rights Campaign represents a force of more than 1.5 million members and supporters nationwide. As the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer civil rights organization, HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ people are ensured of their basic equal rights, and can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community."

Office Max recently announced that for the sixth year in a row, they have earned a prestigious 100% rating with HRC in 2017. In a press release, they boasted, "We continue to recruit a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities that we serve, recognizing that our organization only flourishes when we hire, promote and create paths to leadership for people of every background."

As Christians would call or email the company to voice their opinion of the anti-Christian discrimination and silencing of the Christian voice, each was told that the situation had been "addressed and resolved to the customer's satisfaction." But that was not true.

Pue noted in a recent commentary, "According to HRC's own website, Office Max is only one of '887 of the nation's largest businesses that have demonstrated their commitment to LGBT equality and inclusion.' This...to the Exclusion of God-fearing Christians, because in order to earn that 100% rating from the HRC, a company cannot do ANYTHING that endorses or assists ANYTHING 'Christian' in any way."

In reality, the corporate headquarters was willing to make a personal, private phone call to Pue to apologize for the situation and "quickly sweep the media coverage under the rug," but not willing to put anything in writing. Pue had simply demanded a WRITTEN apology, and a WRITTEN statement, indicating that the company would NOT discriminate against CHRISTIANS in the future.

It took 12 days (and multiple phone calls from Pue's legal team and Pue himself) before Office Max/Depot finally relented, and the promised statement finally arrived, in writing, from Casey Ahlbum, Senior Manager of Customer Relations in Boca Raton, FL.

In the written statement, Ahlbum said, "Office Depot sincerely regrets the misunderstanding that led to your print job being denied. As we explained to you on November 2, our associate misinterpreted the policy regarding the types of items that we will and will not print. When your request was reviewed at the corporate level, we quickly determined that it did not violate our policy and that it should have been printed.

"Our company has established print guidelines and we make these guidelines available to our customers in all of our stores. From time to time, an associate may receive a print request and not be certain whether it falls within our print guidelines. To ensure we are following our guidelines and not disappointing a customer by denying a job that should be printed under these guidelines, we have established an escalation policy for prompt review and guidance at the corporate level. In this instance, our associate did not follow our established policy.

"Additionally, immediately following this incident, we re-trained all of the associates who work in the Copy and Print center at the location."

But Ahlbum's statement fell short of Pue's request of a written confirmation indicating the company will not discriminate against Christians or their right to free speech in the future. In lieu of that, Ahlbum simply responded: "Office Depot does not discriminate on the basis of religious beliefs."

Pue believes the company will never issue such a statement specifically protecting the free speech rights of Christians, because "to do so would cost them precious points on their HRC ratings" and put their 100% score with the LGBT activists in jeopardy.

Last summer, Fortune.com reported that Office Depot is planning to close more than 300 stores over the next three years. Regarding this, Pue commented, "when a corporation bends over backwards to cater to 0.7% of the population, while alienating 99.3% of the population, their sales are bound to reflect that when people begin to learn of the agenda."

Bottom line: While Office Max/Depot has admitted they made a mistake in this case, they are still 100% on board with the activist "LGBT agenda," and still refuse to specifically state they will not discriminate against the free speech rights of Christians in the future, and so they join other large corporations (i.e. Target, JC Penny, Sears, etc), reaping the "rewards" of their corporate social activism.
home US New Mexico Ten Commandments display to be moved from city hall to church grounds

A New Mexico group that erected a Ten Commandments monument on the lawn of Bloomfield City Hall has decided to move the display to a local church after a court declared it "unconstitutional."

Last month, the U.S. Supreme Court had declined to hear a case on whether the monument could be displayed on public property, allowing lower court rulings to stand.

Lower courts had ordered its removal from the lawn of the city hall after concluding that it had violated the U.S. Constitution's ban on government endorsing a religion.

The six-foot-tall monument will now be relocated to First Baptist Church of Bloomfield, in part because of its central location in the community.

"It's something that the whole community can enjoy and appreciate," Kevin Mauzy, the founder of the Four Corners Historical Monument Project, told Associated Press.

Mauzy explained that no city money will be spent on relocating the approximately 3,000-pound monument.

The display was erected in 2011 following approval by city council, but its presence at the city hall was challenged by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in 2012 when two women complained that the monument made them feel "alienated" because they were not Christians.

The city had argued before the court that the monument was historical in nature, while the ACLU contended that the content of the Commandments themselves is blatantly religious.

In 2014, U.S. District Court Judge James Parker ruled that the city should remove the display, arguing that it is "government speech regulated by the Establishment Clause because the Ten Commandments monument is a permanent object located on government property and it is not part of a designated public forum open to all on equal terms."

The Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the lower court decision in 2016, and last month the U.S. Supreme Court had declined to intervene in the matter.

Attorneys for the city had contended that the Tenth Circuit had ignored previous rulings that simply being offended by such displays did not give someone a legal basis to challenge it.

"Just because we disagree with what something says, does not mean we can ban it from the public square," read a statement from Alliance Defending Freedom, which was helping to represent Bloomfield.

"But by allowing the Tenth Circuit decision to stand, the Supreme Court has given anti-religion advocates a license to challenge any monument that they see and offends them," it continued.

Bloomfield City Manager Eric Strahl stated that First Baptist Church "would be a nice place" to put the Decalogue display.

"It will be positioned so it faces Route 550 so everybody going through that intersection, either going north or south on 550, should be able to see it," he explained.
Studio visit: Pablo Atchugarry

Covered in marble dust, the Uruguayan sculptor breaks off from his labours in his adopted home of Lecco on the shores of Lake Como to talk Carrara marble and Michelangelo. Works by Atchugarry are offered in New York, 21-22 November

Encouraged to pursue an artistic career from a young age, Uruguayan artist Pablo Atchugarry executed his first sculptures in cement and iron in the 1970s. The Montevideo-born sculptor began working in marble in 1979, following his first solo show in Lecco, Italy, a year earlier, and exhibitions in several European cities. In 1982, he carved his first monumental sculpture in Carrara marble. When I started to work as an artist, I realised very quickly that I had no other choice but to become a sculptor, Atchugarry says. The first time I visited Carrara, it was like finding true love. I felt that Michelangelo had been there and left something there for other sculptors to follow in his footsteps. Every time I go to Carrara, I have the same feeling: that the mountain is somehow entrusting its children to me.

Open a larger version of this image Pablo Atchugarry (b. 1954), Untitled. 81 x 15 x 9 in (208 x 39 x 25 cm). Estimate: $180,000-220,000. This lot is offered in Latin American Art on 21-22 November 2017 at Christies in New York

Exactly 20 years after Atchugarry executed his first sculpture in Carrara marble, the city of Carrara would bestow on him the Michelangelo Award, honouring his artistic achievements over the previous two decades. The following year, he represented Uruguay at the 50th Venice Biennale with the sculpture Sonando la paz, an eight-piece work in Carrara and Bardiglio della Garfagnana marble. When youre working directly with stone, especially marble, Atchugarry explains, its very dramatic, because theres no way back. Every part that is taken out of the block will never be part of it again. That means you must know where the limit is, where it is you want to stop, because [marble] is fragile. As Michelangelo said, its about finding the image that is already in the rock.

Open a larger version of this image Pablo Atchugarry (b. 1954), Untitled. 29 x 8 x 8 in (74.3 x 20.3 x 20.3 cm) including base. Estimate: $30,000-40,000. This lot is offered in Latin American Art on 21-22 November 2017 at Christies in New York
Changing the way we look at art  Fernand Legers Contraste de formes (1913)

Offered for the first time at auction, a groundbreaking painting of the early 20th century that marks a departure from the purely figurative and the advance towards abstract art

Painted by Fernand Leger in 1913, Contraste de formes belongs to a series of paintings that changed for ever the way we look at art. Across the course of just a few months, in a sequence of some 14 canvases, Leger advanced beyond Cubism into a visual language that abandoned the representational concerns of his contemporaries, Picasso and Braque. Instead, his only subject was pure, abstract shapes and colours, hinged on a network of forceful lines. It's like a punch to the solar plexus, says Conor Jordan, Deputy Chairman, Impressionist and Modern Art at Christies in New York. The rhythm that bursts out of it is palpable and exciting to be in the presence of. To stand just inches away is a great thrill  it gives you a sense of the beautiful rawness of the surface. The Contrastes de formes have long been considered cornerstones of important collections of modern art, and thus nearly all examples from the series are today housed in major institutions. This exquisite picture, offered in New York on 13 November, comes from the property of the Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Foundation, and proceeds from its sale will go towards the foundations philanthropic mission.

This is pure painting seen in its most exciting form, bursting with visual and intellectual ideas, adds Jordan. Contraste de formes, among the greatest Leger paintings still in private hands, has a startling intensity. The work of Leger during 1912-1914 is the story of the push towards pure or non-representational painting in France. The artist authored two lectures on his ideas, which were delivered at the Academie Marie Wassilieff, an art school in Paris. The first was given in May 1913 and the second in June 1914. Together they provide fascinating insights into the mind of a groundbreaking painter, struggling to give verbal expression to the visual problems that he faced in the studio.

Leger felt that the accelerating pulse of modern living required a more radical approach in order to reflect its new sensations

Leger wished to replace the illusory dynamism of Italian Futurism, with its use of modern, cosmopolitan subjects treated in motion, with a true pictorial dynamism. He also sought to move beyond the influence of Cezanne, whose work had made an overwhelming impression on him when he saw the masters memorial retrospective at the 1907 Salon dAutomne. Leger felt that the accelerating pulse of modern living required a more radical approach in order to reflect its new sensations. La femme en bleu, painted in mid-1912 and shown at the Salon dAutomne that year, was his answer to these issues. Leger took a stable subject  as in a Cezanne portrait  and invested it with extreme formal contrasts: flatly coloured planes opposing modelled tubular, conical and cylindrical forms. He was by now on the verge of pure painting  only vestiges of the subject remained  and in early 1913 he took the plunge with his Contrastes de formes, the series that occupied him for the remainder of the year and into 1914. Leger fabricated a tumbling surface in which shapes simultaneously appear to project out of the picture plane or recede into it, thereby suggesting volume. All the component lines, forms and colours are actively engaged as they play off each other to create a jolting, rhythmic composition.

To obtain their maximum expressiveness lines, forms, and colours must be employed with the utmost logic  Fernand Leger

In his second Academie Wassilieff lecture  prepared as he was bringing this series of paintings to a close  Leger declared, Composition takes precedence over all else; to obtain their maximum expressiveness lines, forms, and colours must be employed with the utmost logic. It is the logical spirit that will achieve the greatest result. His technique is simple, without room for vacillation, and much of the force of these paintings is the result of its simplicity, writes Christopher Green, an authority on the artist. It leads invariably to the clear separation of line from colour patch so that, not only is the entire picture surface animated by the movement of volumes, but every surface contains its own arsenal of contrasts out of which it is built. Conor Jordan states that the Contraste de formes series show Leger synthesising a lot of influences, including Analytical Cubism and Italian Futurism, whose artists had exhibited just a year earlier in Paris. [Leger] went at these paintings as though he was a sculptor, says the specialist.



Its an unlined canvas that also hasnt been varnished, so its physical condition is as close as is possible to the state it was when it left Legers easel
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

"This bud's for you" has taken on a whole new meaning for Chris Burggraeve.

The former chief marketing officer for Anheuser-Busch InBev NV, the brewer of Budweiser beer, is moving from barley and hops to cannabis as the alcohol industry casts its sights on the burgeoning market for state-sanctioned marijuana.

Burggraeve, 52, has made two investments in the space. Most recently, he joined the advisory board of GreenRush Group. The San Francisco-based startup, which says it aims to be the Amazon of weed, closed its $3.6 million Series A fundraising round last week. Burggraeve, a native of Belgium with a master's degree in economics, also co-founded Toast, which makes pre-rolled joints.

The former beer executive is one of many entrepreneurs and investors increasingly flocking to the cannabis industry from the traditional business world. Big Beer took its first step last month when Constellation Brands Inc., which sells Corona in the U.S., announced its investment in Canopy Growth Corp., a Canadian seller of medicinal-marijuana products. In Burggraeve's view, that's just the beginning.

"This is one of the fastest-growing categories globally," he said. "Why? Because people want it. When consumers want something, you ignore it at your peril."

Sixty-four percent of the U.S. population now wants to lift the federal ban on marijuana, according to a Gallup poll released last month. That's the largest rating since the firm started asking about the topic in 1969, the year of the Woodstock music festival, when only 12 percent approved.

After leaving the corporate marketing world about five years ago, Burggraeve said he's focused on teaching, consulting and investing in what he considers disruptive categories. Cannabis, he said, could shake up the large beer companies in the same manner that smaller, independent brewers did over the past 20 years.

"The same way that craft beer started and, for the longest time, was ignored and then exploded, there's no reason why the same thing wouldn't happen in this space," he said. "There will be part supplementing and part complementing. The jury is out on how and where that will happen."

GreenRush is a technology platform that connects consumers, dispensaries and delivery people to bring pot to people's doors. The company, which is live in California and Nevada, plans to expand to other states, including New York and Massachusetts.

The idea is to build up the business before marijuana is one day legal under federal law. Big companies like Amazon shy away from the industry now because of the federal ban.

Cannabis is legal for recreational use in eight states and the District of Columbia, including California. That means one in five American adults can ingest the drug however they please. Twenty-one additional states allow for medicinal use of the plant. The industry hit $6 billion in sales in 2016, a figure that is expected to reach $50 billion by 2026, according to Cowen & Co.

Still, investing in marijuana isn't without risk. The Trump administration has sent mixed signals, though Attorney General Jeff Sessions is an ardent opponent of legalizing pot. And traditional banking institutions have largely stayed away, forcing most transactions to be conducted in cash.

Constellation may have broken the taboo. Companies may now find the risk worth it, according to Burggraeve. Otherwise, alcoholic beverage companies could find themselves falling behind.

"It will all merge and cross-fertilize and fuse -- not because the companies want it, but because the consumers want it," Burggraeve said.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

Taylor Swift will bring her Reputation Tour to Houston on September 29, in the spacious confines of NRG Stadium.

Swift released "Reputation" last week.

The tour begins May 8 in Glendale, Arizona. The first round of dates wrap Oct. 6 in Arlington, Texas.

Swift played Minute Maid Park on her 1989 Tour in Sept. 2015. Earlier this year she returned for a gig tied to the Super Bowl.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

On November 13, 1982, a 2-acre black granite wall was dedicated to the thousands of American soldiers who died or went missing during the Vietnam war.

Unlike other memorials that make use of statues or plaques, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial's relatively simple design conveys a powerful statement about the extreme loss of life during the Vietnam War.

With 58,318 names printed on each of the two 10-foot walls, the size and scale of the Vietnam War is brought into focus.

Interestingly enough, at the time of its creation, many veterans, politicians and civic leaders debated whether the wall's simple design was the right choice to honor the fallen.

VETERANS DAY: Remembering the men and women who came home alive

Now Playing: On Friday, one of those names, Gumesindo De La Rosa, was read aloud by a man who had never been in D.C. before but shared the exact same name: the fallen soldier's nephew. Video: Fox5DC

In the autobiography of Maya Lin, the wall's designer, the architect said her reasoning for the design was because she "felt that the politics had eclipsed the veterans, their service, and their lives."

Lin said she "wanted to create a memorial that everyone would be able to respond to, regardless of whether one thought our country should or should not have participated in the war."

Thirty-five years later, it's easy to see how Lin's gamble paid off. Today, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is visited by more than 3 million people each year.

See 40 of the most iconic Vietnam War era photos above.

Fernando Ramirez is a reporter for Chron.com and the Houston Chronicle. You can read more of his stories here and follow him on Twitter at @fernramirez93.
Three shopping malls across the Houston area are offering free family portraits this weekend for families affected by Hurricane Harvey to replace a small part of what they lost.

The portrait sessions will take place this Sunday, Nov. 19, from noon to 6 p.m. at Deerbrook Mall in Humble, Baybrook Mall near Friendswood and First Colony Mall in Sugar Land.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

Unified voices chanted "undocumented, unafraid" outside the Moody Community Center on Tuesday morning as polls opened for the Nov. 7 elections to protest Senate Bill 4.

SB 4 was heard in the Court of Appeals the same day, while anti-SB4 groups and undocumented immigrants called upon all voters to remember the importance of elections.

SB 4 is a state immigration-enforcement law that would allow an officer to ask about a person's immigration status during lawful detention or during an arrest, which many critics of the law have called an imitation of stop and frisk.

Elsa Caballero, president of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) in Texas, made the opening remarks at the community center about the lawsuit against SB 4 and urged people to go out and vote.

"Voters like myself, are fed up with the outdated politicians passing racist laws that don't belong in our day and age," Caballero said.

Caballero said that SB 4 means that people will now be targeted for harassment by law enforcement officers on their way to work, when they pick up their kids from school and constant racial profiling.

"It's immoral, and it's bad for working families," Caballero said.

With Texas economy relaying heavily on immigrant labor, Caballero said immigrants throughout the state contribute $100 billion to the local economy.

"In Houston, the majority of us are immigrants, including me, and we are proud of our city and our communities," Caballero said.

Damaris Gonzalez came to Houston when she was 9 years old to unite her family since her father left three years prior to her arrival in search for work.

"My family didn't have the resources to keep providing for us in Mexico," Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez said that this law directly buts her family in danger as well as her community.

"It's a xenophobic law that was created in Texas to criminalize a community," Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez said she had hoped her family's relocation to Houston would be most rewarding but instead has only seen distress as her family struggle to make ends meet each day.

She decided that when she turned 15 years old that she would search for a job to help her family, and so she did. She worked until she could no longer work due to an unexpected illness her father faced putting her schooling hold.

After Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) was implemented in 2012 Gonzalez said she that was her chance to grant her a life of opportunity and the ability to find a stable job while opening many doors of opportunity.

"Right now at the end of DACA, it puts 800,000 people across the country in danger and their families as well," Gonzalez said.

She added, "It's about time congress makes a resolution that would benefit us because we deserve it."

Similarly, Victor Esquivel, mirrors the concerns Gonzalez shares for her community and family.

Esquivel is a DACA recipient who spent over 20 years in Texas after leaving Mexico in search for a better opportunity.

"People continue with this ugly narrative that we are trying to take away their jobs and their livelihood," Esquivel said.

Esquivel said that it's become dangerous just driving down the street and recalled a moment when he was stopped because of a broke tail light.

"The simple things can put us in danger, especially the LGBT community as Queer myself it's very scary," Esquivel said.

Mary Moreno was also at the rally on Tuesday as part of the Texas Organizing project that works on making sure each registered voter hits the polls during election season or looks for unregistered voters that are eligible to vote in order to get them register.

"Our goal is to turn out 1 million voters and have a representative democracy, which we don't have right now."
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 3 1 of 3 One Real Estate Investment Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Show More Show Less 3 of 3





Miami-based One Real Estate Investment has sold two large apartment complexes totaling 882 units in the Houston area to S2 Capital for more than $60 million, the company reported.

The properties consist of Avalon at Royal Oaks, a 436-unit complex at 2310 Crescent Park Drive near Westheimer and Kirkwood in west Houston, and the Village at Uvalde, a 446-unit complex at 250 Uvalde Road in east Houston. Each complex contains 41 buildings.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

Rafael Arias doesn't often tell his math students at Mayde Creek High School about the four years he spent in the U.S. Marine Corps - including multiple combat tours in Iraq.

If some of the students press him for a story about military life, Arias might tell a funny tale about life as a young Marine. He doesn't want to give them too many details of what it was like to fight in combat.

"They'll ask, 'Did you almost die there?' and I'll tell them, 'Yeah, a whole bunch of times,'" Arias said.

On Thursday, Arias was asked to help lay a wreath commemorating Veterans Day in front of the high school building at 19202 Groeschke Road. About a hundred students from the school's Naval Junior ROTC program stood at attention as Arias and Mayde Creek principal Ronnie Edwards solemnly placed the wreath in front of the flagpole.

"I thought this was going to be smaller," Arias said afterwards of the ceremony. "I didn't think it was going to be this big."

Arias, a math teacher there for about five years, said he was kind of surprised to see a sizeable student turnout for the school's Veterans Day ceremony.

"A lot of civilians, they don't understand," he said. "But they (the Naval ROTC students) still value it. They still care."

Kenneth Minnard spent 25 years in the Navy, going up the ranks from enlisted sailor to lieutenant commander. Although retired from the military, Minnard continues to wear his uniform every day as the head of the school's Naval ROTC program.

"Moments like this kind of get back to me because you think of everyone who is not here today," he said. "But I'm not going to prolong this because cadets are not allowed to see the commander shed a tear."

He noted that Arias did not stop serving the community when he hung up his Marine Corps uniform. That continues on in his vocation as a teacher.

"He's helping these young men and young women become citizens," Minnard said.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

Horn Elementary is one of many schools in Houston ISD that accepted the opportunity to use a STEM program, known as GameSalad, in their classrooms for the first year for free.

In a tweet sent out during Hurricane Harvey, Alex Jones jumped on the chance to use the program the first year for free and contacted GameSalad.

Jones said the school principal has requested the focus be on coding and anything STEM related to help motivate children to follow an engineering or computer science career path.

"We have many things that are ready to use, technology wise, to show kids that yea, you're in elementary but you will have a job waiting for you if you chose STEM," Jones said.

Jones believes that children should have a voice so he asked his students to choose between Lego Robotics or to use GameSalad and create a video game.

The class will first follow a Monster Maze template already offered by GameSalad and if they catch on quickly then he would move to allow the students to create their own game from scratch.

In addition to encouraging STEM, Jones said he specifically wants girls to feel motivated and believe they too can become engineers and computer scientists.

"When you think of STEM you don't normally think of girls or they are pushed to the back, I want to inspire girls and let them know that they are just as valid as boys," Jones said.

He added that he wanted girls to understand that they can become whatever they want so long as they set their mind to it.

GameSalad is described by CEO Brent Dusing, as a program that districts all over the country could use to teach computer science.

In a recent study conducted by Pew Research Center, data from international math and science scores show that the U.S. rank 38 out of 71 countries in math and place 24 in science.

Dusing said that each year in America about a million coding jobs are created more than there are students who graduate with computer science degrees.

"We owe it to our nation's children to offer them opportunities to participate in 21st century economy," Dusing said.

Dusing said the goal of the program is to enable students from all walks of life to learn computer science in a way that is fun and engaging, while teaching real skills and aligning to state standers.

Offering the program for districts at no cost for one year was a duty Dusing said, because the company didn't want to let the disaster that affected so many homes to have an impact on the student's education.

"This kind of natural disaster is a massive blow to Houston families and their children," Dusing said. "We want to make sure those children's computer science education has no setback."

Jones mentioned that knowing the founder Tan Tran, is a Houston native was encouraging because this is a person who understood the community the program will serve.
Voters took to the polls on Nov. 7 resulting in an overwhelming support for Spring Branch Independent School District's $898.4 million bond referendum.

The bond approval would allow the district to move forward with plans of replacing nine elementary schools and Landrum Middle School.

The bond will also go toward the construction of new classroom buildings at Memorial and Northbrook high schools, a classroom wing at Cedar Brook Elementary, replacement of Stratford High auditorium and renovation of Spring Woods High cafeteria and library.

"We will now proceed thoughtfully and with great sensitivity as we move forward with our long-range facilities plan," said Scott Muri, district superintendent.

In a press release issued by the district, other 2017 bond initiatives will be used to upgrade security and safety at district facilities as well as building systems and technology at all campuses.

"We're grateful. It's a significant win for kids and for our community," Muri said.

Bond funds will also replace the district's older buses, install four high school synthetic turf fields, replace aged musical instruments and uniforms and replace classroom equipment for Career and Technical Education.

"Our community has voted for the future of Spring Branch schools despite Hurricane Harvey's impact on families," Muri said.

Board of trustees first called for a bond election on Aug. 21, which resulted in a unanimous vote of approval just before Hurricane Harvey hit the Houston area.

Board of Trustees president Karen Peck thanked all those who participated in the two-year assessment and study that identified the system's needs.

"The bond package approved by voters reflects our community's priorities and core values, and addresses the needs of our students and teachers," Peck said.

Peck added that the board believes that much of the votes for the bond showed that the community is prepared to continue to work on transforming Spring Branch ISD schools.

The Board of Trustees and district leaders are now gearing toward appointing a Bond Oversight Committee to secure bond projects and ensure the priorities identified in 2017 are fulfilled.
Company officials from power-retailer Best Buy recently announced plans to build a new $20 million distribution warehouse in Missouri City scheduled to open ahead of the 2018 holiday shopping season.

To be located on a 36.39 acres site at Cravens Road and U.S. 90 near Beltway 8, the new 500,000 square-foot distribution center will create at least 40 full-time jobs according to an economic development agreement approved by the city council of Missouri City on Monday, Nov. 6.

"This is a big win, and I am excited at the possibilities that will be open to our community with these good jobs and revenue," Missouri City Mayor Allen Owen said in a release.

As part of agreement, Best Buy will receive a discount on city property taxes for 10 years via a 65 percent tax abatement. Fort Bend County Commissioners approved an identical 65 percent tax abatement agreement which allows a discount of county property taxes. In addition, city officials agreed to refund half of any sales tax paid for construction materials purchased in Missouri City.

"The Best Buy project represents a significant next step forward in the emergence of a new major regional industrial center growing around the 2/2 interchange of US 90A and the Sam Houston Tollway," said Jack Belt, executive vice president of the Greater Fort Bend Economic Development Council.

The availability of economic development incentives and the site's proximity to major interstates were key factors in choosing the location, company officials said.

"We picked Missouri City based on a combination of factors including its proximity to major interstate freeways and access to workers from the local community," said Jeff Shelman, Best Buy spokesman. "We're happy with our decision to locate our distribution facility in Missouri City."

The new facility will be used to house and distribute major appliances and large televisions, Shelman said.

"We're pleased to bring this distribution center to Missouri City," Shelman said. "Not only will it provide local jobs and tax revenue, but it will allow us to better serve our customers throughout much of southern Texas."

The distribution center will serve online sales and approximately 60 Best Buys stores in Texas and Louisiana. Construction is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2018.

"This distribution center will have a tremendous economic impact on Missouri City, not only through primary jobs but also as a long-term property tax generator," said Joe Esch, Missouri City Economic Development Director. "We appreciate the investment that Best Buy is making in our community and look forward to a long-lasting relationship with the company."

Seefried Industrial Properties, Inc. and 4M Investments, LLC will develop the property for Best Buy.
Patricia and Misty Spann were married on March 26, 2016.

Court records say Patricia Spann had convinced Misty Spann that their marriage was legal - even though they're biologically related. Patricia, 44, is Misty's mother.

Both women were arrested and charged with incest in September 2016, six months after they got married. On Tuesday, Misty Spann, 26, pleaded guilty to incest.

Patricia Spann's complicated relationship with her children drew scrutiny in August 2016, after a child welfare investigator found that she and Misty Spann, who were living in Duncan, Oklahoma, may have been having an incestuous relationship.

Patricia Spann told the child welfare investigator with the state's Department of Human Services that she had three children from a previous marriage: daughter Misty and two sons, according to an affidavit. Spann had long since lost custody of her children, who were adopted by their paternal grandmother. She had no contact with any of her children until about two years ago, when she and Misty Spann reunited and "hit it off," she told the investigator, the affidavit said.

This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 3 1 of 3 Stephens County Jail Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Oklahoma Department of Corrections Show More Show Less 3 of 3





Patricia Spann also said she "had looked into" the laws and concluded that marrying her daughter is not illegal because her name is no longer listed on the birth certificate. A police investigator found that Misty Spann's birth record with the state's Office of the Inspector General lists her paternal grandmother as her birth mother. Police believe the record was changed after Spann's children were adopted.

However, Misty Spann's original birth certificate from the hospital where she was born lists Patricia Spann as her birth mother, according to the affidavit.

Patricia Spann also was not using the same last name as her daughter. She was identified as Patricia Ann Clayton on the marriage license, which the two obtained from a neighboring county.

It's unclear why Spann lost custody of her children or when they were adopted by their grandmother. But police found that Misty Spann is not the only biological child Patricia Spann has married.

In December 2008, she married one of her sons, who was 18 at that time. Court records show that he filed for an annulment in March 2010. He listed "incest" as the reason, the affidavit said. It does not appear that incest charges were filed at that time.

Misty Spann filed for an annulment in September, citing fraud and incest as the reasons. The petition says Patricia Spann told her daughter that she had consulted with three lawyers who each advised her that there would be no problems with their marriage. In a ruling that voided the marriage last month, a district court judge found that Patricia Spann "induced" her daughter "by fraud to enter the marriage."

Incest is punishable by up to 10 years in prison in Oklahoma. Misty Spann received a 10-year deferred sentence in a plea deal, the Tulsa World reported. This means a judge has postponed imposing a sentence for 10 years, after which Misty Spann will have to go back to court and the case against her will be dismissed.

She also will be placed under supervision for two years.

The charge against Patricia Spann remains pending. She is scheduled back in court in January.

The Washington Post was unable to reach the women's attorneys on Saturday.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

Americans carried out more hate crimes in 2016 than in 2015, according to new data from the FBI, which shows an uptick against Jewish people, Muslims and the LGBT community.

Last year, law-enforcement departments across the country reported 6,121 criminal incidents, according to FBI statistics. That compares to 5,818 such crimes reported in 2015.

More than 70 per2cent of the incidents stemmed from bias based on race or religion, the FBI said.

Criminals committed a total of 7,615 overall hate crimes overall, according to the data, with 4,720 against people and 2,813 against property. An additional 82 victims of the crimes were categorized as "crimes against society," according to the report.

Now Playing: Recent attacks have started a conversation about the definitions of hate crime vs. terrorism. Elizabeth Keatinge (@elizkeatinge) has more. Video: Veuer

"It's deeply disturbing to see hate crimes increase for the second year in a row," said Jonathan A. Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, a civil-rights group that monitors hate groups. "Hate crimes demand priority attention because of their special impact. They not only hurt one victim, but they also intimidate and isolate a victim's whole community and weaken the bonds of our society."

Greenblatt and leaders of other hate-watch groups said the FBI data - released Monday - likely under-reports hate- or bias-related crimes because it relies on voluntary submissions from law enforcement departments across the country - and law enforcement departments generally classify hate crimes. For instance, more than 90 cities with more than 100,000 residents appear to have reported zero hate crimes or ignored the FBI request for their 2016 hate crime data.

"There's a dangerous disconnect between the rising problem of hate crimes and the lack of credible data being reported," Greenblatt said. "Police departments that do not report credible data to the FBI risk sending the message that this is not a priority issue for them, which may threaten community trust in their ability and readiness to address hate violence."

A report released earlier this year from the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Statistics estimated that from 2004 to 2015, approximately 250,000 hate crime victimizations occurred annually and the majority of these were not reported to police.

Texas law-enforcement agencies reported a total of 178 hate or bias-related incidents, compared to 191 last year. Massachusetts, by contrast, reported 391 such incidents for 2016.

"We believe Texas is one of those states that has a significant issue of under-reporting," Levin said, pointing to the eight hate crimes that the Houston Police Department reported last year. "It's highly unlikely the major cities in Texas are reporting the bulk of hate crimes that actually occur."

From 2010 to 2017, the Harris County Sheriff's Office reported four hate- or bias-related crimes.

The Houston Police Department reported 113 hate crimes in the Bayou City between 2010-2016, according to HPD, with the most such crimes - 25 - occurring in 2015.

Officials from the sheriff's office and the police department were not immediately available for comment Monday afternoon.

The increase shown by the FBI data Monday was the first back-to-back rise in reported hate crimes since 2004, experts said, but the 2016 number remains approximately 20 percent lower than the highest number of reported crimes, in 2006.

Professor Brian Levin, of the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University, San Bernardino, attributed the increase in hate crimes over the last year to a spike in such incidents after President Donald Trump's election; am uptick in hate crimes in large cities; and a rise in hate crimes against Jews, Latinos, Arabs, transgender people, whites, and Muslims.

The report shows a 25 percent rise in incidents during the final three months of 2016. Southern Poverty Law Center President Richard Cohen said the report showed the nation's most vulnerable residents were paying the price of the toxic rhetoric of the 2016 election.

"The words of our political leaders have consequences," Cohen said Monday. "President Trump has energized the radical right with his xenophobic rhetoric and has given bigots a license to act on their worst instincts."

DOCUMENTING HATE: Help us document and verify hate crimes

The report comes as hate-fueled incidents have surged in the United States and abroad over the past year, with white supremacists and hate groups becoming increasingly emboldened after last year's presidential election.

Rallies by those groups have, at times, grown violent. At a pro-Confederacy rally in Charlottesville, Va., a white supremacist drove through a crowd of counter-protesters, killing one woman.

In the wake of that rally, Trump decried violence on both sides, saying some of the white supremacists were "very fine people." He was widely criticized for failing to condemn the white supremacists' actions more forcefully.

Most recently, 60,000 people took to the streets Saturday in Warsaw, Poland, carrying signs with slogans like "Europe Will Be White" and "Clean Blood."

Hate-watch have likewise tracked a rise in hate groups.

According to the SPLC, 917 hate groups were operating in the U.S. in 2016, up from 892 the year before.

During the same period, the number of anti-Muslim groups nearly tripled, rising from 34 groups to 101.

"The numbers undoubtedly understate the real level of organized hatred in America," the SPLC noted in a report released earlier this year. "In recent years, growing numbers of right-wing extremists operate mainly in cyberspace until, in some cases, they take action in the real world."

Hate watch groups say the numbers of hate incidents continue to rise. Earlier this year, the ADL identified 1,299 instances of anti-Semitism across the U.S. including physical assaults, vandalism, and attacks on Jewish institutions - two-thirds more than occurred than in 2016.

Its the Southwest Region -- which includes Houston and southern Texas from El Paso to Orange -- the numbers nearly tripled, from 12 instances of anti-Semitism in 2016 to 35 in 2017, according to the ADL.

Levin, the professor with the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism, said that since the hate crime report only tracked actual reported crimes, it likely failed to capture the scope of the problem.

"We're looking at manifestations of bigotry that are occurring that don't rise to the level of a crime that are still out there -- whether they're out there, in public places, schools, or social media," he said. "I think there's a substantial amount of bigotry being expressed that way, and not necessarily criminally. While we saw a moderate increase nationally in hate crime, I think if we were able somehow to gauge hate incidents, we would probably see a greater increase."

This story was reported as part of "Documenting Hate," a collaboration with Pro Publica tracking hate crimes across the U.S.

If you've been a victim crime, tell us your story in the form below.

St. John Barned-Smith covers public safety and major breaking news for the Houston Chronicle. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook. Send tips to st.john.smith@chron.com.

Documenting Hate: Tell us your story The Houston Chronicle is partnering with the nonprofit news organization ProPublica to help document and verify hate crimes. Please fill out this form or contact reporters Susan Carroll at susan.carroll@chron.com or St. John Barned-Smith at st.john.smith@chron.com.

***




This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

The Houston patrol officer accused of trying to steal a duffel bag with 8 kilos of cocaine during a traffic stop in an elaborate internal affairs sting could face more charges, prosecutors said Monday.

Officer Julissa Guzman Diaz, 37, was arrested Thursday for the third-degree felony of tampering and fabricating evidence. She also could be charged with intent to deliver a controlled substance, prosecutor Jennifer Stabe told state District Judge Denise Collins in court.

"She's also under investigation for delivery of cocaine," Stabe said as Diaz was being arraigned

If convicted of the third-degree felony, she faces a maximum of 10 years in prison. If convicted of a more serious charge, she could face more time.

Now Playing: Fox 26 Reporter Stephen Morgan Video: Fox 26 Houston

An attorney for Diaz said she is innocent and would be vindicated.

"These are very serious charges and my client is completely innocent and we look forward to proving that in court," said lawyer Scott Siscoe. "I took this case because I talked to her and I believe she's innocent of these charges."

Diaz was arrested after pulling over a motorist, who was actually an undercover officer, swerving near Interstate 45.

The undercover officer allegedly told Diaz that the car was not his, then he volunteered that there was cocaine in the car, but it was not his.

As she detained him for suspicion of drunk driving, Diaz allegedly repeatedly told the undercover officer that she did not want to know about any cocaine. After she put him in the back of her patrol car, she asked where his phone was, then retrieved it from his car.

While she looked for the phone, prosecutors said, Diaz rummaged through the car and would have seen an open black duffel bag with one kilo of cocaine and 7 kilos of staged cocaine.

Diaz told the undercover officer that she was not going to inventory the car and instead called a wrecker driver. Police said Diaz and the wrecker driver agreed to meet up to split the cocaine after she took the undercover officer to the city's sobering center.

Police followed the wrecker driver and he was pulled over for failing to signal a turn. Police found the cocaine and some marijuana and charged him with possession of marijuana.

Diaz is free on $100,000 bail.

After hearing that Diaz went to high school and college in Houston, and was a dutiful employee of a grocery store for a decade followed by 12 years as a Houston police officer, the judge declined to make her wear a GPS ankle monitor as a condition of bond.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

A delegation from Hadano, Japan, recently traveled around the globe to Pasadena bringing sympathy and a donation to local schools and city employees affected by Hurricane Harvey.

Resdents of Hadano, located 45 minutes southeast of Tokyo, took up a collection for $5,000 donation, which will go to a city of Pasadena assistance fund.

A delegation that included Hadano's vice mayor, Yichi Yagi, and deputy superintendent of education, Kunio Mochizuki, on Nov. 9 visited Pasadena City Hall, where they presented the donation to Mayor Jeff Wagner, Mayor Pro-Tem Bruce Leamon and several city employees who are being aided through the City of Pasadena Assistance fund.

COPA, which also is the Spanish word for "cup," referring to abundance offered through charity, was started after Pasadena residents inundated City Hall with calls asking how they could help first-responders recover from personal losses after the hurricane, City spokeswoman Laura Branch Mireles said.

That led Wagner to approve a plan to set up the fund to benefit the approximately 100 municipal employees who were victims of the storm.

"Our friends from Japan have been visiting us for years through the Sister City program, but this time was extra-special," Wagner said. "The city employees of Hadano literally passed the plate to help our employees here in Pasadena.

"We had over 100 city workers affected by Harvey, and several were able to make it to the presentation," he said. "It was truly heart-warming to see the friendship and compassion between them and the Hadano delegates. Even through the language barrier, everyone knew that this wonderfully kind gesture needed no words ... it was universal."

The Hadano group viewed storm damage and toured local schools during a four-day stay in Houston.

The visitors made additional donations of an undisclosed amount to Pasadena ISD schools including Thompson Intermediate School and Sparks and Teague elementary schools, Mireles said. The children of Hadona raised their own money to donate to schools in Pasadena, she said.

With about 166,000 residents, Hadona is similar in size to Pasadena, which has a population of 153,000.

The two communities were paired through Sister Cities International, a nonprofit organization established by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956. The former president wanted to create citizen bonds around the world to foster greater cross-cultural understanding. Since its founding, 500 communities with over 2,000 partnerships have been created in 145 countries, according to the group's website.

Hadano and Pasadena became sister cities in 1964, Mireles said.
Bunker Hill

11/8/17 at 2230 Hours. Plantation and Memorial. Outstanding Warrants. Officer observed a vehicle traffic violation and initiated a traffic stop. Upon approaching and identifying the driver, the subject was found to have multiple outstanding warrants for his arrest. The 33 year-old male was arrested and transferred to the Sugarland PD.

11/6/17 at 1200 Hours. 12000 Block of Tall Oaks. Attempted Fraud. Victim reported that he received information from a Bank wanting to verify his information for 2 new accounts that were being requested. The victim has not attempted to open any new accounts and learned that someone had used his name, birthdate and SSN. Information was obtained and provided to detectives for follow-up.

Piney Point

11/07/17 at 2015 Hours. Claymore and Lanecrest Lane. Disorderly Conduct/Display of a Firearm. Victim was driving home at which time he observed a suspicious vehicle pull out from a side-street. The vehicle was traveling at high speed and ran a stop sign. As the victim attempted to get a license plate, a passenger in the suspect vehicle displayed a handgun, before the vehicle sped off. Officers searched for the vehicle and checked for video surveillance cameras. Investigation is on-going.

11/4/17 at 0215 Hours. 8400 San Felipe Road. Recovered Stolen Vehicle. Officer while patrol, located a vehicle parked in the driveway of Kinkaid School. A check of the vehicle found it to be hot to the touch. A check of the license plate showed the vehicle was stolen out of Houston. Officers checked the school and surrounding area and all were found to be secure. The vehicle was recovered and returned to the owner.

Hunters Creek

11/7/17 at 0930 Hours. 10600 Block of Tarleton. Industrial Accidental Death. A roofer was reported to have fallen from the roof of a home under construction. The victim was transported to an area hospital where approximately 24 hours later he died as the result of the injuries. Detectives had processed the scene and notified OSHA officials of the event. The investigation is on-going.

Accidents

11/9/17 11600 Memorial Drive

11/6/17 10700 Memorial Drive

11/6/17 Voss and Katy Freeway Feeder Road

11/3/17 8501 Katy Freeway
ROBERT MACPHERSON/AFP / Getty Images

An unidentified man in an Astros hoodie is the primary suspect in a Friday evening gas station shooting, police said Monday.

Gunfire broke out around 6 p.m. after two men in a Chevy Cobalt pulled into the Valero at 3770 South Gessner and started arguing with man in the parking lot.
A Houston hero is continuing to give to his fellow Houstonians for the upcoming holiday.

Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale is inviting the public to visit his 6006 North Freeway Gallery Furniture store in north Houston on Nov. 23 for a Thanksgiving meal.
A Transportation Security Administration worker's quick action to save passengers from a potentially dangerous piece of luggage is drawing praise from the agency.

TSA released security footage of agent Ricardo Perez running for a smoking piece of luggage that caused people in line to run away. Thinking there was a bomb inside of the bag, Perez grabbed the bag and took it to an area away from everyone else.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

An effort to improve access to parks in Harris County Precinct 1 will begin by asking residents what kind of green spaces they want and need.

"This project is going to yield many benefits for our residents, particularly our most vulnerable and under-served populations," said Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis said during the Monday kickoff of the Park-Smart Precinct One project, an effort to eliminate some of the park deserts in that portion of Harris County.

Park-Smart Precinct One is a joint effort with the Trust for Public Land and the Houston Parks Board, and it is funded, in part, with a $500,000 grant from the Houston Endowment. Over the next 18 months, the precinct will identify the spots where residents need better access, then work with the community to put parks, trails and other green spaces within reach.

Precinct 1 sprawls from southern Harris County up through the county's central core and into some northern and eastern sections. It covers 375 square miles and has nearly 290 parks for its 1.1 million residents.

Not everyone can get to those parks easily - especially on foot. The Trust for Public Land issues an annual ParkScore survey, which analyzes the biggest 100 cities in the nation. Houston, which ranks 81st this year, has large pockets where residents are cut off from parks and playgrounds, either by distance or by barriers such as railroads and highways.

"Everybody, every single person, should have close-to-home access to a high-quality park," said Amy Morris, associate director of planning for the Trust for Public Land. That's the core of the organization's beliefs, she said, and it's why the Precinct 1 program is important.

The first step is underway already; town hall meetings and community workshops are scheduled to give residents a chance to learn about the project and speak out.

"We're going to do at least one telephonic town hall meeting," Ellis said. "We're going to do door-knocking. We're going to do a series of community engagement events wherever people are, to get a sense of what they think is important."

Parks help keep the community healthy, Ellis pointed out. They give people access to nature, and they're good for the environment.

"As far as I'm concerned, parks and trails are necessary," he said. "They're not negotiable amenities."
We attempted to send a notification to your email address but we were unable to verify that you provided a valid email address. Please click here to update your email address if you wish to receive notifications. Otherwise, you may click here to disable notifications and hide this message.
Press issues delay delivery of todays Chronicle Times Due to press issues, print subscribers will not receive the Nov. 16 issue of the Cherokee Chronicle Times in the...

Galva man charged with his brothers murder A Galva man with an extensive criminal history in Storm Lake was arrested on Sunday night for allegedly killing his...

Cherokee enrollment up 10% over 7 years Enrollment at most of Buena Vista and Cherokee Countys school districts increased across-the-board, according to estimates submitted to the Iowa...

Book Basket Project underway at library The 23rd-annual Book Basket Project is up and running at Cherokee Public Library. This silent auction launched on Monday and...
AKRON, Ohio - Despite dire shortages of fire-protection gear, rusted-out police cruisers and Akron roads that mimic driving on the moon, Mayor Dan Horrigan didn't want to assume voters would approve an income-tax increase last week.

"I get superstitious. I didn't what to jinx myself and start spending money we didn't have," he said. "We've been quietly looking around at things, like what a new fire station looks like, what it would need."

The increase was approved Nov. 7, bumping city income tax from 2.25 to 2.5 percent, bringing the city an additional $16 million annually. About 70 percent of Akron voters agreed the money was needed.

"It is a validation of things we want to use it for," Horrigan said. "We're extremely grateful for their confidence; now we need to get to work."

Since an increase was first floated, city officials have promised voters the money would be used to repair and repave roads, and for fire and police services. Now, city leaders are sitting down to make decisions about what in a long list of needs will come first.

Roads

In 2015, the city engineering department graded all of Akron's 2,300 lane miles and found 643 of those lane miles ranked toward the bottom of the grading scale, Horrigan said.

The city has looked at ways to make road resurfacing last longer, such as taking road surfaces down 2 inches as opposed to 1.5 inches, which can double their life. But the cost of the equipment is millions of dollars.

The city is now deciding which roads will be improved first. The following roads were to be repaired this year, but the funds were not available, so they will carry over to 2018, according to city spokeswoman Ellen Lander-Nischt:

Ayers Avenue from Lownsdale Avenue to Pershing Avenue

Burnham Road from Revere Road to Mowbray Road

Clifford Avenue from Inman Street to S. Arlington Street

Dresden Avenue from Glenmount Avenue to Firestone Boulevard

DeValera Avenue from Home Avenue to the dead end

Euclid Avenue from Fern Street to Rhodes Avenue.

Hartford Avenue from the dead end to Courtland Avenue

Jewett Stree. from Buchtel Avenue to Hazel Street

Newton Street from Canton Road to the city line

Yellowstone Avenue from Longstone Avenue to Tallmadge Avenue.

Akron Fire Department

Akron Fire Chief Clarence Tucker's list is ready, but he is cautious. "It's about how we can be frugal with this money," he said. "We want to have an open book so we can be accountable and people can see where their money is going."

Fire stations

The Akron Fire Department is in dire need of two new fire stations to replace century-old stations #2 and #12 in the Middlebury and Wallhaven neighborhoods respectively. The stations are so old, they weren't built to bear the weight of today's fire trucks and rely on supports in the basement to hold up the floors. On any given day, chunks of concrete falling from above can be found on the basement floor, Tucker said.

Next in line is Station #9 in Highland Square, which was built in 1919 and still has the poles firefighters slid down when calls came in. As recently as the 1980s, the station still had baskets that held feed for horse-drawn fire trucks.

Protective gear and extractors

The department needs 310 sets of protective gear, which run $1,300 per set. Unlike most cities, Akron hasn't been able to afford two sets of protective gear. That means if firefighters go out on a second call, they are often wearing protective gear over their uniforms that has absorbed chemicals and carcinogens.

To properly remove toxins from fire gear, and uniforms, fire stations typically have machines called extractors that look like super-sized clothes dryers. Akron Fire Department needs four extractors at $7,500 each, for stations that do not have one.

Fire trucks



The National Fire Protection Association recommends fire vehicles be used on the front line for 15 years, and then used as back-up vehicles for another five years.

Averaging 50,000 runs per year, a number that's escalating as the opiate crisis persists, Akron has many trucks that are far past the 20-year mark, Tucker said. But the trick is to phase in new vehicles in stages, so they can be phased out the same way.

"We really are running the wheels off of them," Tucker said. "We want to be able to catch up with our needs and then maintain what we have going forward."

Ideally, Akron needs to phase in a new engine truck every year, which run $565,000, and a new ladder truck every five to six years, which ranges $825,000 $950,000, depending on the height they can reach.

Akron Police Department

Like the fire department, the city will need to phase in new cruisers to replace old vehicles. Once new vehicles are purchased, the city will create a fleet management system to ensure the oldest vehicles are taken out of rotation in stages, Horrigan said.

Cruisers

Currently, about 150 vehicles - many of which are rusted out and have holes in the floorboards - have more than 150,000 miles on them. Each new cruiser costs about $40,000.

Body worn cameras data storage

In 2015, Akron was awarded a matching $367,476 U.S. Department of Justice grant, to buy 245 cameras. This year, city officials approved a five-year, $944,000 contract with manufacturer Axon for the body-worn cameras, technical support and training.

The city now must come up with the funding to pay for data storage for the cameras, which runs about $300,00 and thousands more to maintain each year.

Both Tucker and Horrigan said city officials are overwhelmed at voters' confidence and plan to be as frugal as possible with the new funds.

"It's exciting and humbling," Tucker said. "The citizens have placed a lot of trust with us and we're going to make sure we honor that trust."

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.

Save

Save
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A federal appeals court on Monday revived a lawsuit filed by a national advocacy group for the visually impaired against Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted that says the state's voting regulations violate the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The National Federation of the Blind's 2015 lawsuit alleges that the state's system of only allowing absentee voters to cast their ballots on paper infringes on the right of blind people to vote privately and independently.

Senior U.S. District Judge George Smith had dismissed the lawsuit, which also included three blind Ohio voters as plaintiffs, before either the advocacy group or Husted had conducted any discovery.

A three-judge panel from the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati said the dismissal was premature.

(You can read the full ruling here or at the bottom of this story.)

The 6th Circuit's decision means the case will be sent back to Smith to be litigated.

As it stands, the visually impaired need help from someone who can see to properly fill out the paper ballot. The advocacy group says the ADA requires an accommodation that would allow disabled persons to cast their ballots on their own and that if visually impaired voters were emailed absentee ballots, as are military and overseas voters, they could complete the ballot using screen access software and print it out.

The state of Maryland uses software to allow blind voters to cast their ballots online. Alaska, New Hampshire, Oregon and Wisconsin use similar programs, the 6th Circuit wrote in its opinion.

Smith dismissed the case and, citing Husted's defense, said allowing the blind to use a special website to cast their ballots would require a change in state law. Such a change does not meet the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements that an accommodation be reasonable and not drastically alter a state's voting laws, the judge ruled.

The 6th Circuit panel noted that it only focused on whether Smith made a procedural error in dismissing the lawsuit. It did not wade into whether the facts of the case led him to the right decision.

It wrote that Smith "erred in merely accepting defendant's affirmative defense without requiring facts and evidence to support it."

Husted spokesman Sam Rossi said in a statement that Husted and election officials have worked to ensure all Ohioans are able to vote "in an accessible and secure way" and want to make accommodations for voters with disabilities.

"However, previous rulings have made clear that one group of voters cannot receive special accommodations to cast a ballot that aren't available to others," Rossi continued. "The court must provide clarity on how we accommodate voters who need additional services without jeopardizing the current process for all other voters."

The lawsuit also alleged the Secretary of State's website was inaccessible to the blind. Husted's office has acknowledged the issues and the judge ordered the required fixes. The Secretary of State's Office notified the court on Sept. 29 that it had finished updating its website.

Updated with a statement from a Husted spokesman.
CLEVELAND, Ohio - For nearly four decades Carney's has sat near the top of a hill on Washington Avenue close to the loosely-defined neighborhood border separating the Flats from Ohio City and offered a homely alternative to the ritzy lounges and fancy restaurants that populate the other side of the Cuyahoga River.

While the East Bank of the Flats has modernized, welcoming swanky bars and upscale eateries, certain taverns on the West Bank have defiantly maintained their neighborhood vibe, providing a refuge for Clevelanders who prefer a laid-back watering hole in which to enjoy a few draft beers.

Carney's is one of those bars.

How does it cope as Cleveland's bar scene changes and young people increasingly prefer craft breweries and gastropubs?

Co-owner Dave Flowers and some customers and employees recently spoke with Cleveland.com about the tavern's appeal. They said the reliable cadre of regulars and the welcoming atmosphere are a big part of the bar's continued success.

A quaint, two-story brick building flanked by apartments and a church houses Carney's. The interior almost looks like a hallway, albeit one with a rectangular bar and line of tables.

An attached patio is filled with tables and a fire pit that finds heavy use in Cleveland's frigid winter months. A stack of wooden blocks piled up against the fence that separates the patio from Washington Avenue provides fuel for the fires that keep the customers warm when the temperature drops.

The venerable blue-collar bar opened in the 1970s as more of a social club that catered to regulars, according to current owner Dave Flowers, nephew of original owner Mike Carney.

Carney - who still lives next door - sold his bar to Flowers and business partner Andy Lowery in 2010.

Flowers is the general manager of Johnny's Little Bar in Cleveland's Warehouse District and Lowery owns Downtown 140, an upscale restaurant in Hudson, meaning the pair boasted experience in the service industry before they delved into bar ownership.

The duo renovated Carney's, replacing the tile floors with wood floors and adding a jukebox and a back bar filled with liquor bottles.

Much of the bar's ambiance survived the renovations, said long-time customer John Podrzaj. And the bar's appeal has also remained the same, he said.

"I have a good time when I come here because I know everybody," he said. "The customers and the staff."

Bartender Lisa Mittermiller said her patronage landed her a job at the bar roughly two decades ago.

"Mike Carney said, 'Lisa do you want a job?'" she recalled.

Mittermiller has worked at Carney's ever since and is the only holdover from the ownership change.

"The first 13 years I worked here it was shots and beers," she said.. "Now we get a little creative."

The bar's countertop has switched sides in the time she's worked at Carney's. A backroom and new bathrooms came in and the patio emerged as a place for patrons to drink, she said.

While the bar is still filled with regulars during its happy hour and on Friday and Saturday nights, Flowers said it also tends to draw concertgoers leaving shows at the nearby Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica.

When a Cleveland.com reporter visited on Friday afternoon, the crowd was older and decidedly blue collar.

"We have a lot of longshoremen and a lot of steelworkers," Flowers said. "Those guys come in here at 5 o'clock religiously. You'll see nothing but them (during happy hour)."

Millennials and thirtysomethings populate Carney's on Saturday night, joking with the bartender and ordering the "Carney Bomb," a variation of the Irish Car Bomb and one of the bar's most popular drinks.

Flowers said roughly 75 percent of the bar's patrons are regulars, and new customers tend to be brought in by people who are already familiar with Carney's.

Sporting events also tend to draw customers. Patrons planning on attending downtown sporting events often park in the Flats to avoid the paid parking spots and garages that populate downtown Cleveland. They'll drink at Carney's and then take the bus to their ultimate destination, Flowers said.

"We rely on what's happening in Cleveland," he said. "Indians games, Browns games, Cavs games. And when there are concerts at Nautica (which sits just a few blocks away) we do great."

Those nights are sometimes so busy that it's hard to keep up, Mittermiller said.

"We're stepping over each other," she said of herself and the other bartenders. "It's like we're playing Twister behind the bar."

Employees also host special events that draw a raft of customers.

"Last Saturday was our Halloween Party," Flowers said Friday. "You couldn't move inside the bar."

Flowers said he envisions expanding into the space above the bar and possibly adding a kitchen, but those upgrades are not set in stone.

In the meantime, Carney's will remain Washington Avenue's charming, blue-collar refuge.
CLEVELAND, Ohio - It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Okay, so it was really just the worst of times.

Even King Ezekiel's Victorian Era language couldn't save him and his squires from the Kingdom during Sunday night's episode of "The Walking Dead" Season 8.

The entry, titled "Some Guy," finally saw The Kingdom lose some (a whole lot) of its ranks, including our beloved Shiva. In fact, let's have a moment for Shiva...

Sunday night's episode was a series of fantastic moments, beginning with a fantastic opening.

Not only did we get that mesmerizing speech and performance from Khary Payton as Ezekiel. But it transitions into an old-school zombie-horror scene.

Nearly everyone from The Kingdom has been gunned down at the Saviors' compound, except for Ezekiel. But, with a bullet in his leg, Ezekiel's problems are just beginning. He now has to face his former soldiers who have turned into walkers.

Ezekiel eventually finds himself being held hostage by a Savior who kind of looks like he doesn't realize the 1980s are over. But I digress.

The foot solider taunts Ezekiel about the story he fed the people at the Kingdom and his "delusions of grandeur." We get a nice tease of Ezekiel's head potentially getting chopped off (a nod to the comic book).

Thankfully, Jerry arrives and spares us all from having to hear another word. Ezekiel begins to doubt his shtick. But Jerry isn't budging, referring to Ezekiel as "Your majesty," as the two take on a heard of walkers.

Meanwhile, Carol is maneuvering around the compound, trying to take out as many Saviors as she can when she finds the weapons Rick, Daryl and everyone else has been looking for.

Carol tries to fight off the remaining Saviors, but gives up her shot at the weapons to help Jerry and Ezekiel.

The Saviors and their weapons don't make it far, however. Daryl and Rick show up like Starsky and Hutch. After a cool chase scene, they run the Saviors' vehicle off the road and take the weapons.

Carol, Jerry and Ezekiel are having a much harder time. The three of them find themselves surrounded by walkers. Ezekiel tries to convince Carol and Jerry to leave him behind. But Carol informs him, "No, you don't get to do that."

But it's Shiva who saves the day. Your neighborhood friendly tiger shows up and sacrifices herself to save a struggling Ezekiel who is now calling himself "Just some guy." It's a glorious and sad end for the beast, and an inevitable one.

Upon their return to The Kingdom (It's literally just Ezekiel, Carol and Jerry left), Ezekiel is a broken man. All the loved ones we saw at the beginning of the episode must face reality now, whatever that may be. As for Shiva, we shall miss you. Heroes get remembered, but legends never die.
CLEVELAND, Ohio - North America's first freshwater offshore wind farm scheduled to be constructed in Lake Erie next year is receiving a strong boost from electrical and steel union workers, entrepreneurs and business owners who support the project's job-creation and clean energy potential.

The supporters turned out in large numbers for a public hearing Wednesday night at Cleveland City Hall. By the end of the 3-1/2-hour hearing, a rough count of the 40-plus speakers showed supporters outnumbered opponents of the project by 7 to 1.

Certification by the Ohio Power Siting Board is required before construction can begin on the $126 million, six-turbine wind farm planned for a site about eight to 10 miles northwest of Cleveland in Lake Erie.

In the meantime, the Lake Erie Energy Development Corp., the nonprofit development group that is guiding the project, will be monitoring and analyzing the potential impact of the turbines on birds, bats and fish. The testing will be done at the lake site prior to the start of construction, during construction, and after the wind farm is built and operational.

LEEDCo's Beth Nagusky said the company expects the environmental surveys will confirm their risk assessments showing that Icebreaker will have minimal adverse impact on fish and wildlife.

But birding groups who oppose the plan aren't ready to surrender so easily.

Kimberly Kaufman, executive director of the Black Swamp Bird Observatory, spoke in opposition to the wind project. She said the group fears the potential for high mortality rates due to collisions by birds and bats into the spinning fan blades.

"We see no evidence to support the claim that the project poses little to no risk to birds and bats," Kaufman said. "We believe the six-turbine Icebreaker project would pose a significant threat to wildlife."

Those dangers would be increased exponentially with the expected expansion of the Icebreaker pilot project to more than 1,000 turbines in Lake Erie, Kaufman said.

A representative of the National Audubon Society took a less oppositional stance, choosing to reserve his judgment until the wildlife surveys are completed.

Garry George, renewable energy director for Audubon, flew in from California to testify that fossil fuels and climate change pose greater threats to birds and wildlife than wind turbines. But, he maintained that more onsite data collection is necessary to determine the risk to birds and bats before the project moves forward.

George based his opinion on evidence that Icebreaker would be in an Audubon-designated Important Bird Area where nearly half of the world's population of red-breasted mergansers have been documented at one time, and where hundreds of millions of birds migrate each year.

Pre-construction mortality data will be "critical in order to avoid, minimize or mitigate effectively for the impacts on these birds," George said. "We urge the Board and other permitting agencies of the U.S. and Canada to form a working group to develop standards for wind energy development and protection of natural resources in the Great Lakes region."

David Beach, who addressed the siting board, said he is a birder and so are many of his friends. But he fears climate change more than he fears Icebreaker's potential danger to birds.

"If you really care about birds you should be supporting well-designed projects like this," said Beach, director of the GreenCity BlueLake Institute at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. "We should do everything we can to reduce our consumption of fossil fuels."

Dozens of business representatives and politicians spoke or filed written comments with the board, promoting the project's potential to create more than 500 jobs, add $168 million to the region's economy, and generate cheap green electricity for decades.

"One way or another, offshore wind is coming to the U.S., and we believe much of this industry should be based in Ohio," Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson said in a letter sent to the board.

Other supporters included U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown, Congresswoman Marcia Fudge, Congressman Matt Ryan, Port of Cleveland President and CEO Will Friedman, and Mike Foley, director of Cuyahoga County's Department of Sustainability.

"Fresh water, off-shore wind is a great, creative and practical way to put clean power into our local electricity grid and begin a new wave of environmentally friendly energy production," Foley said.

The power siting board is responsible for reviewing applications for the construction of major utility facilities such as power plants, transmission lines and wind farms. The board will hold a second public hearing at a later date after its staff publishes an investigation report.
This site is not available in your country
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

The legendary Louis' Lunch in New Haven and the "world famous" Ted's Restaurant in Meriden have earned their fair share of accolades over the years for their popular burgers.

Food site Spoon University last year recognized Louis' Lunch as the creators of the best sandwich in Connecticut. It earned a "Best of" designation in the 2017 Connecticut Magazine's annual awards (and has done so for years). And in early 2016, the Library of Congress finally put an end to the debate and declared Louis' Lunch the official birthplace of the hamburger.

Ted's, which has a second location in Cromwell, Conn., is another repeat contender in Connecticut Magazine's "Best of" awards and has been featured on Phantom Gourmet. Earlier this year, Thrillist highlighted Ted's Restaurant in its list of top 100 burgers in the U.S.

Now Food & Wine Magazine has weighed in on these popular, longstanding Connecticut institutions, ranking the original burger from Louis' Lunch and the steamed cheeseburger with Vermont cheddar cheese from Ted's among the best in the United States.

See Food & Wine's complete list of the best burgers in the U.S. here.

Food & Wine sought to share its take on the best in "America's quintessential comfort food." Louis' Lunch and Ted's made the cut among 28 burger joints across the country, including Shake Shack, In-N-Out Burger and the famous Peter Luger's in New York City.

At Louis' Lunch, the burgers are grilled over an open flame on antique cast-iron broilers and is served on toast. According to the Louis' Lunch website, they want their customer to experience "the meat's true flavor," so it's served on white toast and they only offer cheese, onion, and tomato as garnishes  no ketchup or other condiments.

At Ted's, the burgers are steamed. The cheese is steamed too, and then "scooped on top of the burger enveloping the sandwich to create a unique look and taste," as described on the Ted's Restaurant website.

Hungry? These two unique Connecticut offerings are sure to whet your appetite, but take a look at the gallery above for burger joints in the area with high ratings on Yelp.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

Republicans cringing at a social media post by one of their own, but cant wrest away the keyboard  sound familiar?

No, not Donald Trump.

For the second time in three months, Republican State Central Committee member Patricia Fers, of Ansonia, has sparked controversy with a Facebook post, this time about alleged sexual misconduct by Roy Moore, the GOPs embattled U.S. Senate nominee in Alabama.

Five women have accused Moore of making sexual advances toward them when they were teenagers, prompting Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. R-Ky., to call for Moore to be expelled if he is elected and other top Republicans to withdraw their support for him.

But in Alabama, some GOP leaders and many of Moores would-be constituents are standing by the embattled candidate, which was the subject of a NBC News story posted on the Facebook page of Connecticuts criminal justice czar, Michael Lawlor.

Several commenters on the post criticized Trumps and Moores supporters for their disdain for the alleged victims, saying They dont want any interference with their age of consent.

Thats when Fers responded, I agree no major loss. She could marry again.

A request for comment was left Monday for Fers, who apologized in August for calling immigrants who commit crimes as junk people who deserve what they get in a post on Lawlors Facebook page in response to the deadly melee in Charlottesville, Va.

Lawlor, a Democrat who is the states undersecretary for criminal justice policy and planning, publicly shamed Fers.

I think its an eye-opener for those who thought that only GOP officials in Alabama were taking that point of view, Lawlor told Hearst Connecticut Media.

State GOP Chairman J.R. Romano declined to comment specifically about Fers, but said, I think the problem with social media is everyone thinks their opinion matters.

Another Republican, who asked not to be identified because theyre not authorized to speak for the party, said they would like to put Fers and Trumps social media passwords in a vault.

Candidate forum canceled

It's probably better to have him inside the tent pissing out, than outside the tent pissing in.

Sage and enduring words from Lyndon B. Johnson that apply to Dan Drew after the Democratic gubernatorial hopeful was snubbed by the organizers of candidate forum that was scheduled for this Friday in Hartford.

Four Republicans (Tim Herbst, Mark Boughton, Prasad Srinivasan and Toni Boucher) and three Democrats (Chris Mattei, Jonathan Harris and Dita Bhargava) were listed on the program of the Second Annual New England Maker Summit, a daylong symposium at the University of Hartford sponsored by the business and entrepreneurial nonprofit known as MakerspaceCT.

But Drew, who is in his third term as Middletowns mayor and was the first major Democrat to declare his candidacy for governor, griped over the weekend that he did not get an invite from the group.

The organizers ultimately pulled the plug on the candidate forum, but not before Drew tried to use the snub to his advantage in a fundraising appeal with the subject line, The fix is in.

We knew that running a campaign on progressive ideas would not be easy, but now things are getting dirty, read the email from Drew, who told his supporters he was blackballed.

The episode highlights what could be a dilemma for others seeking to organize gubernatorial debates going forward  equal time. With a record number of Democrats and Republicans vying for their partys nomination, the proceedings could resemble last years GOP race for president, when 17 Republicans competed for the nomination.

I was getting questions from people why I wasnt participating in the debate, Drew told Hearst Monday.

No ordinary Joe

What is it about redemption-minded politicians named Joe in Connecticut?

Bridgeport has Joe Ganim and Waterbury has Joe Santopietro.

One is hoping to use his improbable comeback as mayor of the states largest city as a springboard for a 2018 run for governor. The other fell short in his bid for a seat on the Board of Alderman in last weeks election. Ones a Democrat and the other is a Republican. Both served time for public corruption.

The two crossed paths under somewhat awkward circumstances Nov. 4 during a NAACP luncheon in Waterbury, where Santopietro effectively warned incumbent Democrat Neil OLeary to watch his back in the next mayoral election in 2019.

Ganim found himself awkwardly in between the two rivals, Hearst has learned. OLeary could be helpful to Ganim in a statewide Democratic primary, delivering critical urban votes.

Dress code

Hope Hicks issued a statement last week  the fashion kind.

On the first night of Donald Trumps visit to Japan, the White House communications director and former model from Greenwich turned heads in a tuxedo with an oversized bow-tie at a state banquet hosted by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

It was not a black-tie occasion, with Trump opting for his standard dark suit and blue tie.

From Vanity Fair to the Daily Mail, which wrote that Hicks stole the show and upstaged first lady Melania Trump at the dinner, Hicks sartorial sense has created a buzz. Some observers even wondered if there was a hidden meaning to the 29-year-olds ensemble.

http://twitter.com/gettinviggy; nvigdor@hearstmediact.com; 203-625-4436
I cant say I saw it coming, but I cant say it was totally unfair, either. I was sitting in a meeting at my previous job as a beauty publicist, and after some exchange, a supervisor turned to me and declared, Well, maybe this environment is just too entrepreneurial for you.

Related: A Look at the Demanding Schedule of Elon Musk, Who Works in 5-Minute Slots, Skips Breakfast and Avoids Emails

I have found myself on the receiving end of comments like that a lot over the years. When I first came to this country from the Soviet Union, at age 7, the school I entered wanted to hold me back because I didnt speak English. I ended up being one of their best students. My guidance counselor in high school told me he thought NYU was a reach. I got in early decision.

All of which is to say: I know what it is to be underestimated.

But the criticism stung. Because even though I liked to move fast and be scrappy and creative and push boundaries -- in other words, be entrepreneurial -- I also had a tendency to be a little shy, because I didnt want to ruffle any feathers.

Related: How 5 Entrepreneurs With Household Names Turned Failing Businesses Into Successes

I got fired from that job not long after. But heres the ironic thing: At that time, I was also quietly developing a company with my husband. It was called Brooklinen, and it would offer beautiful bedding at a decent price, direct to consumer. Losing my job lit a fire under my butt and put a chip on my shoulder. I could have just gotten a safe, stable job, but I decided to go all in on Brooklinen and prove that supervisor wrong.

I doubled down on every creative instinct I had and every PR thing I knew, and I came up with a launch strategy for a Kickstarter campaign. It included everything from delivering packages of newly made sheets to bloggers (with handwritten notes asking them to share our story if they liked the sheets), to simply emailing and Facebooking our friends and family and asking them to share our story as well. I also worked on designing packaging, pulling together favors from friends in creative fields to help us with our Kickstarter video and product photo shoot and generally did whatever I could to get the word out.

In 2014, a month after I lost my job, we launched the campaign. It was a runaway success. Our goal was $50,000; we brought in more than $236,000. Growth since has been explosive. Sales were more than $20 million in 2016. For 2017, we are projecting more than double that.

Related: Do These 50 Things Regularly and You'll Become a Better Entrepreneur

All the while, that supervisors judgment has stayed with me, tattooed on my brain. It represents all the nos, the donts and the you cants Ive heard along the way. Its a reminder that people wont take you seriously if you dont speak up, and you wont grow as a person or an entrepreneur. And it serves as inspiration to never be deterred or lose my focus, determination, hunger, vision or voice just because someone doubts me. As the inimitable actress Taraji P. Henson put it, If youallow people to project their fears onto you, you wont live. Youve got to use it all as fuel for pursuing your passions.

Related:

#3 Exercises to Combat Fear and Anxiety In The War Of Business

Steps to Ensure Employees' Safety at Workplace

Reasons for an Unsuccessful Print Commerce Business



Copyright 2017 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved



This article originally appeared on entrepreneur.com


When it comes to making their first hire, leaders often feel like making the safe choice: Choose the one with the degree and credentials. But this isn't always the right way to go. Take, for instance, New York City-based Peggy Yu, COO of the entrepreneurial training program Startup Institute.

Related: This New York Bakery Thrives by Hiring Anyone Who Wants to Work, No Questions Asked.

Years ago, having just joined a new company, Yu had to hire the first member on her team. She sought creative, persistent and smart candidates who would bring innovative ideas. But then HR started forwarding her candidates' resumes.

"I wasn't looking for words like 'strategy,' 'partnerships' or 'business development,'" Yu said via email. Instead, she said, she looked for candidates who showed their personality and interest.

Eventually, she found people to interview. Most were from a traditional background. But there was one non-traditional contender who lacked a degree. "When I interviewed my non-traditional candidate, I knew my hunch had been correct," Yu went on to say. "She was scrappy and had hustle."

Yu decided to bet on that candidate and it paid off. The woman she chose became a key member of the team and helped the company develop a new line of business. As a result, Yu continues to look for employees from less conventional backgrounds.

And she's not alone in discovering that hiring the "wrong" candidate is beneficial. However, to truly open the hiring doors for these job-seekers, it's important to dispel the myths and unveil the facts surrounding them:

Ex-Cons

The myth: They'll return to crime.

Many employers are hesitant to hire someone with a criminal record. They're worried that the person will make the same mistakes, and that will hurt their organization.

This sentiment is so prevalent that company review site Glassdoor recently changed its policy. As of October 4, Glassdoor announced, it will no longer post job advertisements for companies that discriminate against people with criminal backgrounds.

Leaders at Glassdoor and its partner on this initiative, the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, believe that denying these people employment increases their odds of returning to crime. Thus, employers are creating a self-fulfilling prophecy, inadvertently contributing to the country's mass-incarceration problem.

Related: Why Veterans and Civilian Employers Have So Much Trouble Communicating

The reality: They increase diversity.

Unfortunately, people of color are more likely to be incarcerated. So, organizations unwilling to hire ex-cons will hurt their overall diversity opportunities.

"Employers who do not embrace fair-chance hiring practices are excluding nearly 70 million Americans from their applicant pool, many of whom have the requisite skills to be successful employees," Washington, D.C.-based Dariely Rodriguez, director of the Economic Justice Project at the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, said in an email.

People without degrees

The myth: They require too much training.

Many people believe that job-seekers without degrees need more training than it's worth. While this might have been true 20 years ago, that excuse no longer holds up. Now, many organizations struggle to find the skills they need.

"The days of an unlimited stream of perfect candidates have ended and the companies that will win in the future will get very good at collecting talent, training and retaining," Indianapolis-based Mike Seidle, co-founder of the location-based job board WorkHere, said via email.

In other words, all employees -- with and without degrees -- need constant training. It might even be better to hire and train someone from scratch than assume he or she learned the right skills in college.

The reality: They're self-taught.

Some of the most in-demand skills are often self-taught. With coding, for instance, many of the young people who grew up with technology became interested in how it all works. They learned about coding by reading on the internet and doing. Often, this puts them at the forefront of new tech trends, ahead of those with degrees.

For example, Ted Kramer, chief of staff at San Francisco-based cyber-security company HackerOne, pointed out that self-taught employees are particularly valuable in his industry.

"Given the high demand and low availability of cybersecurity professionals at a time when attacks are increasing and causing more and more damage," Kramer said in an email, "we can't afford to overlook some of the most talented people out there."

The reality: They're just as talented.

Some people have to work years to develop a certain skill. For others, that skill may come naturally. So, if someone has already mastered a skill set, it may make little sense for him or her to invest in a college degree. What's more, without the diploma, this person may still be a great employee.

Over the years, Carisa Miklusak, CEO of Cincinnati-based recruiting platform tilr, has hired many nontraditional employees. She said she personally decided on her company's position against the normal college route, so she knows what these people can bring to the table.

Related: Mark Zuckerberg: I Would Only Hire Someone to Work For Me If I Would Work For Them

"From the early 2000s until today, some of my best sales reps have had little-to-no college education," she said in an email. "However, their skill sets and business acumen have been [similar to that] of those that attend Ivy league schools."

Related:

Glassdoor Has Changed Its Policy on Ex-Cons. Why You Should, Too.

The Key to Hiring the Best Candidate Is Deciding What's Most Important

It's Time to Bust These 3 Myths About Hiring Veterans



Copyright 2017 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved



This article originally appeared on entrepreneur.com


Despite the partisan bickering in Washington, D.C. over the future of health care, millions of Americans will soon be making decisions regarding their health insurance plans and coverage during the upcoming open enrollment season. This year, the open enrollment period at healthcare.gov is shorter than usual and only runs from November 1 through December 15, 2017. While politicians debate the Affordable Care Act (ACA), self-employed Americans and entrepreneurs should be focused on what the current law means for them and their family. Now is an important time to review current health care needs and insurance plans and evaluate any changes to prescription drug coverage or other necessary benefits unique to a particular situation.

With all the news about health care, it may be difficult for the American public and the small business community, including the growing 27 million self-employed entrepreneurs and micro-businesses, to decipher exactly what is happening with health care and available options. The most important thing to know right now is that you can still access health care plans on the individual marketplace. The bottom-line: now is the time to start thinking about your current plan and the potential health care options as open enrollment in the Health Insurance Marketplaces is just around the corner.

Related: Single-Payer Health Insurance Could Help Would-be Entrepreneurs Quit Their Jobs to Pursue Their Dreams

Before the ACA, the self-employed had limited options when it came to health insurance, but under the ACA, these entrepreneurs have better options for coverage, often at a more affordable price. A 2017 U.S. Treasury Department report showed one in five customers benefitting from the marketplace was a small business owner or a self-employed individual. As a self-employed small business or similar entity considering purchasing your health coverage this year through the Health Insurance Marketplace, it is important to have the necessary information.

Here are some of top things you need to know.

The Health Insurance Marketplace is now in full swing -- and closes on December 15. Because the enrollment period is much shorter, you must decide on a health care plan before the deadline. You cannot count on automatic enrollment of your current plan this year because automatic enrollment does not occur until after December 15 and could potentially lock you into an unwanted plan. Small business owners and entrepreneurs can go to healthcare.gov and shop for coverage or choose to work with a registered agent or broker. If you need in-person assistance in enrolling, free expert help is available by calling 1-800-318-2596 or online at http://localhelp.healthcare.gov.

Many of the current consumer protections will continue to apply as part of the coverage found on the Marketplace. For example, you can't be turned away because of a pre-existing condition or charged more because you are a women, and many plans will include provisions known as Essential Health Benefits, which cover things such as maternity care and other benefits that may be important for a particular circumstance.

Related: Tax Cuts Are Not the Help Entrepreneurs Need to Grow the Economy

For entrepreneurs who already have health insurance on the Marketplace, this may be your chance to shop for a better, more cost-effective plan. The options in your area may have changed this year, so don't assume the available plans are the same as last year. By just doing a little research, you may find a plan that is better fit for you and your family. You may even qualify for a tax credit to help afford coverage.

Through the implementation of the ACA, over 20 million Americans have been able to access health care insurance. America continues to be stronger today because of everyone has obtained critical coverage from the law. While it does need work to strengthen it, over a million self-employed individuals have now benefited from the freedom to choose the plan that is most convenient and inexpensive for them. The ACA provides access, flexibility and high-quality care that the American public and small business community deserve to have -- and the peace of mind that comes with having health insurance to allow you to focus on what matters -- growing your business.

Related:

Open Enrollment: An Important Moment for America's Self-Employed

Empowering Entrepreneurship Begins With Affordable Health Coverage

This Startup Aims to be the Slack of Healthcare



Copyright 2017 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved



This article originally appeared on entrepreneur.com


North Korea, an impoverished country in a "time warp" that feeds paranoia at home with propaganda about a hostile world, should secure its future by laying the groundwork for talks on its nuclear weapons program, according to South Korea's foreign minister.

While Kang Kyung-wha welcomed a two month hiatus in North Korean provocations after a rapid-fire series of missile tests from the middle of this year, she said the isolated state needs to do more to defuse tensions that have escalated not only between Seoul and Pyongyang but between the regime and the U.S. under the presidency of Donald Trump.

"We very much hope there will come a point when we have North Korea at the table discussing denuclearization," Kang said on Saturday in an interview on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Danang, Vietnam. "But before we can do that they need to continue to not provoke and we have seen that for the past two months," she said. "We need a clear sign of a change of course from North Korea."

Kang, 62, added that South Korean officials are discussing what that sign would be among themselves and with U.S. counterparts.

In her role since June, Kang couched talks as being very much in North Korea's own interest. The country is impoverished as leader Kim Jong Un pushes ahead with a massive weapons program designed to give him the ability to hit the U.S. mainland with a nuclear warhead.

"It is a country caught up in its own time warp if I could put it that way, a very insular closed society that does not understand what is going on in the outside world," she said. "And it constantly feeds this propaganda of a hostile world out there that they need to protect themselves from and this gives them strength, which is completely misguided."

"Missiles and nuclear capability will not secure their future," Kang said. "Their future will be better secured when they see they need to join the rest of the world."

Her comments echoed Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who said Friday he can envision the U.S. and North Korea agreeing to hold talks at some point as a precursor to formal negotiations. The U.S.'s top diplomat said he'd look for a "relative period of quiet and an indication from Kim Jong Un himself that they would like to have some type of a meeting."

Trump, who has called Kim "little rocket man" and threatened to annihilate North Korea -- he wrote on Twitter on Sunday "why would Kim Jong-un insult me by calling me 'old,' when I would NEVER call him 'short and fat'?'' -- also said on Sunday he could see himself becoming friends with Kim.

"Certainly, it is something that could happen," Trump said in Hanoi, Vietnam. "I don't know that it will, but it would be very, very nice if it did."

North Korea's last provocation was on Sept. 15, when the isolated state fired its second missile over Japan in as many months -- a rocket that flew far enough to put the U.S. territory of Guam in range. It has repeatedly threatened to fire a missile near the American territory in the Pacific.

Kang, the country's first female foreign minister and a former special adviser to United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said the western world was not out to destroy North Korea. "We have repeatedly said that we do not hold the hostile policy, we don't seek to change regime, we don't seek to march beyond the DMZ," she said. "All we seek really is peace."

South Korea under President Moon Jae-in has differed from the U.S. in approach to the North Korea question. While Trump has threatened military action against Pyongyang if it continues its march toward the ability to strike the U.S., Moon has called for both sanctions and a push for talks.

"Our goal through these sanctions and pressure is to draw them out, to force the point of them that they need to change course," Kang said.

Her comments come as South Korea joins the U.S. in drills near the Korean peninsula.

The U.S. Navy on Saturday started exercises in the Western Pacific using three aircraft carriers -- the first such exercise in a decade. North Korea routinely complains about such drills and says they are a prelude to an attack.

While the U.S. and South Korea include Japan in missile-warning and anti-submarine drills, Kang said any further military collaboration with Tokyo would be a very sensitive issue. Cooperation between the neighbors is regularly hindered by historical grievances stemming from Japan's colonial occupation of the Korean peninsula from 1910 to 1945.

A state banquet in Seoul for Trump last week featured shrimp caught in waters near islands claimed by both Japan and South Korea. And one attendee was a woman forced to work as a sex slave for the Japanese military during World War II. Japan's foreign ministry made a formal complaint to South Korea.

"Trilateral collaboration with Japan and the United States is very important," Kang said. "We need to move on so many tracks with Japan but also finding a way to deal with the issues of the past, not to paper over them, but to deal with those issues as genuine issues with the collective wisdom of the two sides and the leaders on both sides."

Defense Minister Song Young-moo told lawmakers in July that South Korea is "ready to review" the possibility of building its own nuclear-powered submarine. Kang said nuclear submarines were part of the discussion about beefing up the military.

"Because of North Korea's nuclear and missiles threat and growing threat, we need to be sure we have a robust military preparedness for whatever contingency might arise," she said. "We need to constantly upgrade and update our military capabilities."

Kang said President Moon's trip to Southeast Asia was part of his push to enlist the region to nudge North Korea to the table. He is also seeking closer economic ties with the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

"ASEAN in particular, the soil is already so rich, millions of South Koreans visit this region, we have half a million Asean nationalities working and having married into Korea," she said. "The president wants to build upon that to really build our relations with Asean."
A new documentary offers chilling insight into the mind of the murderer who became known as the 'gay slayer' after he tortured five men to death in a killing spree that terrorised London's gay community.

Jobless at 37 and contemplating his next career move, Colin Ireland made a New Year's resolution to become a serial killer, and went on to murder five victims in a crime spree that lasted from March to June 1993.

Ireland met all of his victims at the Coleherne Pub, a popular gay venue in London's Earl's Court, and convinced them to invite him back to their flats under the promise of sadomasochistic sex. Once inside, he bound and tortured them to death.

In a new episode of Voice of a Serial Killer, experts reveal how Ireland, who had an avid interest in true crime books and idolised infamous murderers like the Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe, had started killing because he 'wanted to be somebody' - so much so that he called the press anonymously after taking the life of his first victim to brag about what he had done.

Meticulous in his planning, Ireland - who was foiled in '93 after being caught on CCTV with his fifth and final victim - used the information he had gained from the true crime books as a 'how-to' guide.

The documentary features taped recordings from Ireland's police interviews in which he confessed and described his crimes in horrifying detail.

Serial killer: Colin Ireland, then 37, murdered five gay men he'd picked up at a gay club in Earl's Court, London, in 1993. He had chosen murdering as a 'career', experts says

Chilling: Voice of a Serial Killer stages recreations of Ireland's crimes using actors. Here the man playing Ireland visits a gay club where he would pick up victims

Peter Walker, 49, left, was Ireland's first victim and was whipped with a dog lead before being suffocated with a plastic bag. Right, victim Christopher Dunn, who was strangled

Colin Ireland was 37 when he murdered Peter Walker, 49, Christopher Dunn, 37, Perry Bradley III, 35, Andrew Collier, 33, and Emmanuel Spiteri, 41, after meeting them in the Coleherne.

He would go back to their homes under the promise of sadomasochistic sex and tie them up and gag them, but then tortured and strangled them to death when they couldn't break free.

Ireland was sentenced to life imprisonment in December 1993, after making a full confession to the police in which he gave graphic descriptions of how he killed his victims. He died in prison in 2012 from natural causes.

Experts explained how becoming a serial killer was a premeditated decision for Ireland, who at the time was jobless and looking for a new career.

Perry Bradley III , 35, left, was the son of a Texas Democratic Party fundraiser, who Ireland also strangled after meeting at the pub. Ireland killed both Andrew Collier, right, and his cat

The final victim Emanuel Spiteri , 41, who he strangled to death. It was CCTV footage from the night that he died that would lead to Ireland's capture

Speaking in the documentary, clinical forensic psychologist Mike Berry explained that Ireland wanted notoriety and saw committing murder as the perfect way to bring him infamy.

The victims of the so-called 'gay slayer' Peter Walker, 49, was whipped with a dog lead before he was suffocated with a plastic bag. Christopher Dunn, 37, who he tortured to get his pin number before strangling him. Perry Bradley III, 35, was the son of a Texas Democratic Party fundraiser that was also strangled. Police initially believed the mafia was behind his death because of his father. Just days later he would murder Andrew Collier, 33. Ireland was angry when he found out that the victim was HIV positive and wanted to get revenge so killed his cat. His final victim was Emanuel Spiteri, 41, who he strangled to death. After the murder he set fire to the flat and told the police in anonymous call what he'd done, saying he wouldn't kill again. Advertisement

Berry said: 'Having decided he was a nobody he then wanted to be somebody, and one of the best ways to be famous is to be a killer. We all know about Ian Brady, we all know about Peter Sutcliffe, Robert Black, he wanted to be in that league.'

After taking the life of his first victim, Ireland even phoned a national newspaper himself to say he had killed someone but was worried because he had left his victim's dogs trapped in the flat.

When the phone call earned him the moniker the 'animal lover killer', Ireland was so angry at the coverage he tortured his fourth victim's cat to death and once again informed the press.

He is said to have been furious at the lack of coverage the murders were garnering.

Experts believe the pride he felt over his crimes was also evident when he offered a full confession to police in clinical and graphic detail.

In his chilling confession tape he explains: 'I wasn't forced to do this, in fact when I was last interviewed by the police for five days I said nothing on tape. I spent a month in prison considering my mental state, my outlook on what happened.

Ireland added: 'I think I should be placed in a position where I can no longer inflict harm upon others.'

Calculated: Ireland would bound and gag his victims before torturing and strangling them while they had no chance to escape

Proud: After initially denying any involvement, Ireland confessed to his crimes and described them in clinical detail to police officers. Pictured, an actor in a reenactment

Evidence: Ireland was caught on CCTV with his final victim Emanuel Spiteri, pictured, but initially told police he'd just gone back to his flat for sex

A conversation with a killer: Colin Ireland's chilling confession tape Colin Ireland confessed to the murders in autumn 1993 after initially denying any involvement. His descriptions of the murders were chilling and very clinical. Speaking of his first victim, he said: 'While he was asleep I put a noose around his neck, he barely came to. It was quite quick, I throttled him with the noose and he hardly struggled.' Describing another murder, he said: 'I tied him up I went got a plastic bag from the kitchen, carrier bag, put it over his head and I think in a way he wanted to die. He probably didn't realise I detected him in this lack of desire to carry on. 'I think he knew he was going to die, he was quite controlled about it. It was almost like a thing that was going to happen. Almost like a fate thing.' Going into graphic detail, Ireland also described spending the night with a victim's corpse, saying: 'I think that affected me mentally to quite a degree sitting with his body for five to six hours, watching him gradually get blotches, go cold, it wasn't something that I don't I could cope with to be honest. 'Didn't deal with it too well.' In explaining how he chose his victims, Ireland was said to have essentially blamed his victims by pointing out that they approached him for sex. He said: 'I think it's been something that's been triggered in me sometime before, I felt if I was approached it was likely that I would kill. I thought to myself, if I wasn't approached something wouldn't have happened. I would have gone on my way and nothing would have happened.' Advertisement

While it is widely accepted that Ireland was inspired by the true crime books he so enjoyed reading, experts argue that he might also have targeted gay men because of his own repressed sexuality.

Forensic psychologist Professor Michael Brookes argued: 'Just because you read books about serial killers doesn't mean you have any interest in becoming a serial killer yourself, but if that is your motive then actually reading books can give you an awareness of the ways in which serial killers have acted in the past.

Just because you read books about serial killers doesn't mean you have any interest in becoming a serial killer yourself... [but it] can give you an awareness of the ways in which serial killers have acted in the past Professor Michael Brookes

'But there has to be other motives as well so why did he want to become a killer, why target homosexuals?'

In the Coleherne men would wear different colour handkerchiefs to signal what kind of sex they wanted, so Ireland had a visual clue to help him target victims who wanted to be the passive party in S&M sex.

In his tapes Ireland attempted to justify his crimes by saying he only killed the men who approached him.

He said: 'I felt if I was approached I felt there was a likelihood that I would kill. I thought to myself if I was approached something would happened. I would have gone on my way and nothing would have happened.'

But Professor Brookes said he chose easy targets, using the handkerchief system to choose victims who would work suit his method of killing.

After two of his murders Ireland had called the press and the police to brag about his crimes

Brookes explained: 'What he does is he reduces the chance of choosing an inappropriate victim or somebody who wasn't going to respond by not selecting those who didn't approach him.

'So he selected those that approach him because he became aware that these are the individuals that wanted to have sadomasochistic sex with him, so they were selecting themselves by approaching him.'

Ireland was finally caught when police discovered CCTV footage of him and his final victim Emmanuel Spiteri walking through Charing Cross station.

Police put out wanted posters before Ireland and his lawyer told them it was him in the footage, but he did nothing more than sex with Spiteri, but made a full confession five days later.

Voice of a Serial Killer airs Wednesday 15 November at 10pm on CBS Reality
She already has an Oscar under her belt and she's in training to become a Marvel superhero - but now an old project of Hollywood star Brie Larson's is causing controversy.

The romantic comedy musical Basmati Blues was filmed in 2013 - well before the actress picked up her Academy Award for her role as a sex abuse victim in Room in 2016 - but has only just secured funding for distribution.

An international trailer, which has now been deleted, has come under fire for stereotyping Indian culture, with some labelling the movie, in which Brie plays an American scientist sent to India to sell genetically modified rice to farmers, 'white nonsense'.

Critics were quick to point out its portrayal of Indian food as being too spicy, a white person 'saving' an Indian village, and 'fish out of water' jokes about a foreigner discovering local traditions.

One viewer fumed on social media: 'I cannot believe Brie Larson is gonna be in a movie called... wait for it... Basmati Blues, where she plays a white savior helping out the local Indian population. Smh [shaking my head].

And another added: 'This is just embarrassing.'

Scroll down for video

Brie Larson - who won a Best Actress Academy Award for her 2015 role in Room - is playing the role of Linda the scientist in Basmati Blues

Oscar winner Brie filmed the movie in 2012 and it has only just secured distribution funding, set for release at the end of November

After the release of the international trailer it caused a stir as people rushed to criticise it for stereotyping Indian culture

The film has caused confusion for some who have questioned why the actress, who swept the board during awards season in 2016, would choose the project.

She plays a scientist sent to India to sell a genetically modified rice to local farmers, only to turn against the company she works for when she realises it is doing more bad than good.

'How does Brie Larson go from bagging a Bafta and an Academy Award for Room to this Basmati Blues hallmark-movie-looking nonsense? How sway?' asked one.

'I really admire and respect Brie Larson, but dont go "India is an exciting journey" on us yaa,' added another.

The film, as reported by Buzzfeed, features stereotypes like Indian food being too spicy, a colourful song and dance number, a white person saving an Indian village, and jokes about a foreigner discovering local traditions.

Brie's representatives have been contacted for comment, but she is yet to speak out about her choice of role.

Some thought the film was an odd choice for Brie, who is set to star as Captain Marvel in her next big budget film

People mocked the film for being 'cringe' and said that the trailer made them want to 'hurl'

A spokesperson for the North American distributor Shout Factory for the film, however, made a statement to Refinery29 saying it 'deeply regrets' any offence caused.

'Unfortunately, the international trailer has given the wrong impression of the film's message and heart.

'This movie is not about an American going abroad to solve India's problems. At its heart, this film is about two people who reach across cultures, fight against corporate greed, and find love.

Adding: 'We are confident that the film, when seen in its entirety, will bear out the our appreciation and respect for India and its people.'

Brie - who beat Kate Hudson to the role in Basmati Blues - broke through as a leading actress in the 2015 drama Room and earned the Oscar for Best Actress as well as the BAFTA Award, Critic's Choice Award, Golden Globe Award and Screen Actors Guild Award for her work in the film.
She may have caused a media firestorm, but Paris Jackson's Australia visit is also making waves in the fashion world.

The $600 Morrison dress Paris wore to the Melbourne Cup last week has already sold out - before even being offered in stores.

Founder Kylie Radford revealed that she has received pre-orders from all over the world for the rusty red bohemian dress beloved by the model.

Scroll down for video

The $600 Morrison dress Paris Jackson wore to the Melbourne Cup last week has already sold out - before even being offered in stores

Radford found new customers from the likes of Spain, UAE, the US, and Iceland after a highly publicised appearance by the 19-year-old daughter of Michael Jackson.

It is rumoured that Paris was paid a whopping $100,000 by Myer as the retail giant's international VIP guest for the Melbourne Cup last Tuesday.

But the outspoken activist was not one for tight fancy dresses and sky high fascinators, instead choosing Morrison's flowing dress and wearing her own boots.

'It was the most like me out of the options I was given,' Paris told ELLE after the race.

Founder Kylie Radford (left) revealed that she has received pre-orders from all over the world for the rusty red bohemian dress beloved by the model

Paris revealed that the dress was in one of her favourite colours and that she loved how comfortable and soft it felt

'It's one of my favourite colours, it's comfortable, it's soft and I don't feel like I want to die in it.'

And clearly the rest of the world agrees. Radford revealed that social media has gone mad for the dress and she is doing all she can to keep up with the demand.

'We are running around like crazy at the moment trying to secure more velvet so that we can make more,' she told Perth Now.

The Western Australian brand only found out Paris was wearing the soft velvet and lace dress the very day of the Cup.

Radford revealed that social media has gone mad for the dress and she is doing all she can to keep up with the demand

The Western Australian brand only found out Paris (pictured here with Rachael Finch) was wearing the soft velvet and lace dress the very day of the Cup

'Stylist Trevor Stones said she was a dream, with the fitting only taking a few minutes. She looked incredible and the dress fit her like a glove,' Radford said.

But the dress did kick up a media firestorm after rumour spread the model was due to wear a custom dress made by fellow Australian designer Alex Perry.

Sources had reported that Paris wasn't a fan of the dress and opted for the Morrison creation instead.

The dress kicked up a media firestorm after rumour spread the model was due to wear a custom dress made by fellow Australian designer Alex Perry

Paris's representative has since vehemently denied the claims to Daily Mail Australia, saying no such dress was ever made for the teen.

'This isn't true. Paris couldn't have refused to wear a custom-made Alex Perry design to the Melbourne Cup, as no such dress was ever made. Paris did wear a piece from Alex's collection on the cover of Stellar Magazine,' they said in a statement.

It was also reported that Paris had wanted to pair her bohemian dress with cowboy boots, but was told she needed to dress up more.

So Paris sported her own heeled ankle boots as well as a quartz headpiece created by Anne Shoebridge.
Moving in with a partner, for some is viewed as a trial run to marriage, for others it's a a complete commitment itself.

These days living arrangements with a significant other are many and varied, and now there's another option to add to the mix: LAT - living apart together.

It's becoming an increasingly popular choice for couples who want to share their lives, but without the added pressure of domesticity, said couples therapist Isiah McKimmie for Body and Soul.

'LAT enables people to avoid these relationship pressures and expectations while still experiencing intimacy.'

These days living arrangements with a significant other are many and varied, and now there's another option to add to the mix: LAT - living apart together

Ms McKimmie outlines that one of the keys to making a relationship work over the long haul is to recognise each person's need for space away from the relationship.

She said taking time out can help a relationship become more healthy because it allows the other person to focus on their needs separately.

'Without any independence, we can become codependent and resentful of the relationship. Having our own downtime allows us to maintain our own sense of self. It also nourishes us and allows us to give more to the relationship.'

Taking time out can help a relationship become more healthy because it allows the other person to focus on their needs separately

Another benefit to this modern arrangement, Ms McKimmie states, is that by side-stepping the daily grind of domesticity, couples can connect more freely.

Not only are endless negotiations over household chores avoided, structure and routine is dispatched with, allowing for more spontaneity.

The relationship expert believes women especially can benefit from LAT, as time apart can help reduce familiarity.

'Living apart can boost sexual desire which means that, even though youre not living together, you experience as a couple,' said Ms McKimmie.

LAT dispenses with endless negotiations over household chores which can at times lead to arguments and resentment

Though LAT has some appeal, Married at First Sight psychologist Melanie Schilling advocates for moving in before marriage, as a way to test the waters.

In an interview with 9Honey, Ms Schilling said couples who live together first can get a better perspective on whether the person they intend to settle down with is actually really right for them.

Psychologist Melanie Schilling advocates for moving in before marriage

'My perspective on this is that "try before you buy" is perhaps the smartest thing you can do in a relationship.

'Until youve done this, I dont believe you can really start to make a smart, informed, objective decision about whether this person is right for you.'

While moving together might feel like a 'trial marriage', Ms Schilling believes it's as important to view the arrangement as a considered commitment, not merely one that leads to a proposal down the line.

'I would be weary to put a timeline on this because I really do believe its about the quality of the relationship and not the quantity of time.'

According to figures by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, four out of five couples live together before marriage.

However, research suggests that those who do cohabit and then do marry are slightly more likely to separate and divorce than those who don't cohabit, said Janeen Baxter from the Australian Research Councils Life Course Centre speaking to the ABC.

While moving together might feel like a 'trial marriage', Ms Schilling believes it's as important to view the arrangement as a considered commitment

Though both experts share different opinions, they agree relationships need focused attention in order to thrive.

Ms Kimmie said a daily domestic situation can often result in taking the other person for granted and forgetting to do the 'special things' for that might have been done at the start of a relationship.

Ms Schilling stands by the tried and true date night as a regular way to keep romance alive and to lend a little sparkle to any situation.

'Having one night a week or an afternoon or a breakfast, whatever it is that works for you, is a great way to signal to each other this relationship is important and were investing in the relationship here.'
Since antiquity  in other words, for at least 2,500 years, but probably much longer  people have been asking themselves what it means to live a good life.

How should I live? Whats the role of fate? Is it better to actively seek happiness or to avoid unhappiness?

As an entrepreneur and bestselling author, Ive spent years researching what makes us happy and come up with some surprisingly counter-intuitive results.

According to author and entrepreneur Rolf Dobelli, everything we know about happiness is wrong (Stock image)

But its precisely these techniques that have helped me cope with challenges, big and small. So, trust me; they may not guarantee you the good life overnight, but theyll give you a fighting chance ...

Remember, youve already won the lottery

Even if youve had your fair share of tussles with fate, youve got to admit youre enormously lucky.

Six per cent of all the people who have ever lived on Earth over the last 300,000 years, since Homo sapiens first populated the world, are alive at this moment.

They could just as easily have been born into another era; indeed, the probability of that is 94 per cent. Imagine yourself as a slave in the Roman Empire, a geisha during the Ming Dynasty or a water-carrier in ancient Egypt.

How many of your inborn talents would have been worth much in those times? Remind yourself daily that everything you are, everything you have and can do, is the result of blind chance.

For those of us blessed with good luck, gratitude is the only appropriate response. One nice side-effect is that grateful people are demonstrably happier.

Ignore your feelings and DO dwell on the past

Trust your emotions! Listen to your inner voice! Thats the fashionable life advice nowadays, but my suggestion? Dont bother.

Dont make your emotions your compass. You wont find the good life through introspection. Psychologists call it the introspection illusion; the mistaken belief we can learn what we truly desire through sheer intellectual contemplation.

What you should be exploring is your past. What are the recurring themes in your life? Examine solid evidence, not transitory emotion.

Rather than letting them be your lifes guide, let feelings flit through you instead  theyll come and go anyway, just as they please.

I treat my feelings as though they dont belong to me. If youd like it in metaphorical terms, I see myself as an airy covered market, in which birds of all varieties flit from spot to spot.

Rolf encourages his readers to ignore feelings. He explains that he treats them as though they don't belong to him (Stock image)

Sometimes they simply flutter through, sometimes they dawdle a little longer, and sometimes they even let something fall. But, sooner or later, they all move on.

The metaphor can be taken further still: if you assign species of birds to your emotions, you can treat them even more playfully. Jealousy, in my imagination, is a small green chirruping sparrow, anxiety a flapping thrush, and so on.

Dont let your life be hostage to fluttering, transient emotion.

Dont be authentic: its just ridiculous

Dont buy into the authenticity hype. There are several reasons.

One: theres the simple fact that we dont really know who we are. As we saw with emotions, our inner voice is far from a reliable compass. Its more like a hodgepodge of constantly conflicting impulses.

Two: youre making yourself look ridiculous. Name one famous figure who regularly blurts out their innermost feelings. You wont find one. People are respected because they deliver on their promises.

Despite often being asked to be authentic, on a psychological level, you are inviting people to exploit you (stock image)

Three: Animals have skin, trees have bark  an organism with no outer layer would die immediately. On a psychological level, authenticity just means youve given up on this barrier. Youre practically inviting people to exploit you.

Youre making yourself not just silly but vulnerable. So even if other people  your colleagues or friends  occasionally demand you show more authenticity, dont fall into the trap. A dog is authentic. Youre a human being.

Being boring makes you happy

Many people are convinced that for a life to be good it must be one long highlight reel of adventures, travels and relocations.

But I believe the opposite is the case. The more peaceful the life, the more productive.

Our brains love short-term, spasmodic developments. We react exaggeratedly to highs and lows, to rapid changes and jarring news, but continuous small changes we barely notice.

Perseverance, tenacity and long-term thinking are highly valuable, yet underrated, virtues.

This makes us underemphasise the value of a slower-paced, everyday sort of satisfaction that eventually adds up to long-term happiness.

Whats the worlds most successful car of all time?

The Toyota Corolla, continuously available since 1966 and now in its 11th generation.

It wasnt the first years turnover that made the Corolla a superstar, but the span of time over which it has been sold. The same goes for long-selling books, West End musicals, tourist attractions, songs and many other products.

Likewise, if you find a good spouse, a suitable place to live or a rewarding hobby, stick with it.

Perseverance, tenacity and long-term thinking are highly valuable, yet underrated, virtues. We should start fostering them again.

Your reputation doesnt matter

The globally famous investor Warren Buffett puts it like this: Would you rather be the worlds greatest lover, but have everyone think youre the worlds worst lover?

Or would you rather be the worlds worst lover, but have everyone think youre the worlds greatest lover?

In doing so, Buffett outlines one of the ideas most vital to leading a good life: which matters more to you: how you evaluate yourself, or how the outside world evaluates you?

According to the book, The Art Of The Good Life, the opinions of others are not important and people will still gossip behind your back (stock image)

The opinions of others are far less significant than you think.

Whether theyre praising you to the skies or dragging your name through the mud, the actual impact on your life is considerably smaller than your pride or sense of shame would have you believe.

So liberate yourself. Youll be spared the emotional roller coaster and youll have a clearer idea of what makes you truly happy. People will always Tweet, gossip and tittle-tattle behind your back.

You cant control it, and thankfully you dont have to. If youre not a politician or a celebrity and you dont earn your money via advertising, stop worrying about your reputation. Let go of liking and being liked.

Its ok to wallow in your anxieties

Leading a good life has a lot to do with how we cope with worries and anxiety. First, fetch a notebook and title it My Big Book of Worries. Set aside a fixed time to dedicate to your anxieties.

In practical terms, this means reserving just ten minutes a day to jot down everything thats worrying you, no matter how justified, idiotic or vague.

Once youve done so, the rest of the day will be relatively worry free. Your brain knows its concerns have been recorded and not simply ignored.

Do this every day, turning to a fresh page each time. Youll realise, incidentally, that its always the same dozen or so worries tormenting you.

Fetch a notebook and title it My Big Book of Worries. Set aside a fixed time to dedicate to your anxieties.

Second, take out insurance. Insurance policies are a marvellous invention and among the most elegant worry-killers.

Their true value is not in the monetary payout when theres a problem but the reduced anxiety beforehand.

Third, and last, focused work is the best therapy against brooding. Fulfilling work is better than meditation. Its a better distraction than anything else.

If you use these three strategies, youll have a real chance of living a carefree life. And then, perhaps even in middle age, youll be able to chuckle over Mark Twains late-in-life insight: I am an old man and have known a great many troubles, but most of them have never happened.

Honestly, no ones listening to you

Should the minimum wage be increased? Should shops be allowed to sell genetically modified foods? Is it a fact that global warming is caused by human activity?

Im sure you have an answer at the ready for all these questions. As politically interested people, you dont need more than a second to decide.

In reality, however, these questions are far too complicated to be settled in the blink of an eye. Each of them demands at least an hours concentrated deliberation for a sensible resolution to be reached.

The human brain is a volcano of opinions. It spews out viewpoints and ideas non-stop. No matter whether the questions are relevant or irrelevant, answerable or unanswerable, complex or simple, the brain tosses out its suggestions like so much confetti.

In today's society, everyone is expected to have an opinion. Rolf argues that being opinionless is an asset, and not a sign of intellectual weakness (stock image)

But not always feeling like you need to have an opinion calms the mind and makes you more relaxed  an ingredient vital to a good and happy life.

And theres no need to worry that opinionlessness is a sign of intellectual weakness. It isnt. Its a sign of intelligence.

Opinionlessness is an asset. Its not information overload besetting our era, but rather opinion overload.

Embrace your insignificance!

Boulevard Haussmann, Avenue Foch, Rue du Dr. Lancereaux, Avenue Paul Doumer, Rue Theodule Ribot, Avenue Kleber, Boulevard Raspail  all the names of large Parisian streets.

But who these days knows who they were named after?

Try to guess who those people were.

All major figures of their era, no doubt  city planners, generals, scientists . . . If the expiry date of such important figures as Haussmann, Foch or Raspail extends only four generations or so, then even the colossal names of the present will have faded in a few more.

In a hundred or two hundred years at the most, hardly anybody will know who Bill Gates, Donald Trump or Angela Merkel were.

And as for you and me, a few decades after were gone, nobody will spare us a second thought.

Adapted by Alison Roberts from The Art Of The Good Life by Rolf Dobelli (12.99, Sceptre).
Dinny Hall, 57, founded her jewellery label more than three decades ago  a hit with celebrities from Liz Hurley to Kristin Scott Thomas. She lives in London with her partner Piers, a literary agent

Growing up, I was a magpie, drawn to anything that twinkled. At seven, I bought a brooch at a jumble sale for 20p: it was vintage Cartier, studded with diamonds and rubies. My mother made me return it, but it inspired a love for beautiful jewellery; I sketched fantasy creations.

I studied a jewellery design degree at Central Saint Martins. In my final year, aged 21, I created a collection inspired by a holiday to Turkey. A buyer from Liberty bought the lot.

Dinny Hall (pictured), 57, started her self-titled jewellery brand using a government loan and a Soho workshop

That was my light-bulb moment. I realised it was more than a passion project  it could be a career. It was the catalyst I needed. Id been waitressing, but I was now determined to make a name for myself.

It took two years to launch my business, securing a government loan and a workshop in Soho. I made experimental jewellery for designer friends to use on the catwalk. In 1986 supermodel Christy Turlington wore my earrings on the cover of Elle. Business exploded.

Four years after launching, the British Fashion Council awarded me Accessory Designer of the Year. In 1992 I sold half the business to fund my first store in London. Lots of celebrities came  Madonna was one of my first customers.

But by 1995 Id fallen out with my business partner and spent the next five years in a legal battle to buy them out. In 2000, I regained control, but it was a wake-up call. I had to make sensible decisions.

I have five stores, with two opening soon. It takes energy to keep up with the pace of fashion. And Im still grateful to the Liberty buyer who took a risk and changed my life.

dinnyhall.com
Sass & bide co-founder Sarah-Jane Clarke is one month away from going through the whole year without a single sip of alcohol.

And she's not sure when - or if - she'll ever drink again.

The fashion designer, who is now based in Sydney, opened up to Harper's Bazaar about why she decided to give up drinking for an entire 12 months.

Sass & bide co-founder Sarah-Jane Clarke is one month away from completing a year without a single sip of alcohol

The fashion designer, who is now based in Sydney, decided to go 12 months without alcohol after realising she had a 'binge drinking problem', she revealed

It was on Instagram that Clarke first revealed her New Year's Resolution.

'Happy birthday to me...looking forward to 365 days alcohol free! #nomorehangovers #banthebinge #takecontrol #fresheveryday,' she wrote on December 5, 2016.

Clarke revealed to the magazine that her decision was a long time coming after decades of excessive drinking.

'I had a binge drinking problem, definitely. If I have one or two drinks, it is fine. If I have three or four, I lose all judgment,' she said.

Clarke began drinking when she was in Year 10 while growing up in Brisbane during the swing of the eighties.

'I learned from a very early age to think it was acceptable to drink irresponsibly, and then used that as stress relief with three young kids, all under four, and through my working years at Sass & bide,' she said.

Clarke began drinking when she was in Year 10 while growing up in Brisbane. She posted her new goal on Instagram last year to hold herself accountable (pictured)

Clarke (pictured here at a sass & bide Christmas party) said she found that alcohol helped transform her into an extrovert, masking her insecurities and banishing any social anxiety.

Clarke, who launched Sass & bide with Heidi Middleton in the late 90s, said she took it upon herself to make sure she was everyone's favourite party girl.

The shy designer said she found that alcohol helped transform her into an extrovert, masking her insecurities and banishing any social anxiety.

The label took off after it found a fan in Sarah Jessica Parker, and Clarke soon learned that fashion was intrinsically tied to alcohol.

Clarke (pictured with sass & bide co-founder Heidi Middleton) found that fashion and drinking 'went hand in hand' after their label took off

'Fashion and drinking go hand in hand. It was very hard to escape. Everywhere you went, there was champagne,' she said.

There were dinner parties and fashion week parties and nights that raged past 3AM.

And Clarke, who said she genuinely loves the taste and ritual that comes with drinking alcohol, enjoyed having a chance to be 'reckless' and 'carefree'.

It got to the point where she wondered if people liked her better when she was intoxicated.

But as the years went by the blackouts were getting bad, and the hangovers were even worse.

Clarke found herself plagued with 'hangover-anxiety', racked with guilt over the things she said and the decisions she made while drunk.

Doctors advised Clarke to cut out alcohol after she was diagnosed with adrenal fatigue, but it was the 'mother of all hangovers' that finally convinced the designer to kick her habit.

Clarke was blacked out for four hours after she had four martinis at an intimate dinner party at her house.

Nothing embarrassing had happened and none of her friends had noticed, but the mother-of-three was completely overcome with shame.

Since ditching alcohol Clarke found that her energy is different and said her husband Dan Baffsky (pictured together) 'really likes the fact' she is drinking less as well

Clarke could barely eat or sleep for four days as she wrapped herself up in anxiety over the incident.

It was then that Clarke realised the fun she had while drinking was far outweighed by the days she wasted afterward feeling emotionally and physically terrible.

The designer knew she needed to make a major change, and decided to post about it on Instagram to hold herself accountable.

In these last 10 months, Clarke lost some friends but said her life has entered an unaltered state that has completely changed it for the better.

'It is a much clearer way, a clearer life, and you can see things you didn't see before and you can deal with things so much better without alcohol,' she said.

Clarke found that her energy is different and said her husband Dan Baffsky, an architect, 'really likes the fact' she is drinking less and has cut back himself as well.

The designer is not exactly sure what she will do when her year is up, but knows that if she does drink again she wants it to be a beautiful experience.
A Perth baby was born with rare condition that meant she couldn't breathe, so a surgeon turned to 3D printing to solve the problem.

Although Sophia was born safely and the delivery went well, her mother Brooke Seidel, didn't hear her cry.

'It's not an easy sight when you see a minute old baby and they're doing compressions on her chest,' Brooke told Today Tonight.

'We didn't know if she was going to make it'.

Scroll down for video

A Perth baby (pictured) was born with rare condition that meant she couldn't breathe, so a surgeon turned to 3D printing to solve the problem

Sophia couldn't breathe and she was placed on a ventilator so doctors could figure out what was wrong.

Scans soon revealed she was born with complete blockage of the nose due to bone fusing over Sophia's naval cavity.

Dr Jenn Han, a surgeon for the Princess Mary Hospital, asked biomedical engineers to make a custom skull from plastic as she was worried about operating on someone so small so wanted to practice the surgery first.

'She was born fairly small for her age as well and whether the instruments were going to fit in her nose was one of the most important considerations - whether I could do the surgery on such a small baby,' she said.

Dr Jenn Han, a surgeon for the Princess Mary Hospital, asked biomedical engineers to make a custom skull from plastic as she was worried about operating on someone so small

The 3D skull allowed Dr Hann to test whether certain instruments would fit inside the skull and it revealed that normal surgical instruments would be too big.

This meant that she had to use tools that are typically used in surgeries involving small canals of the ear.

'I was able to explain to Sophia's parents exactly what condition it is because its so hard to draw for them to visualise what's going on.

'We could see exactly the scope of what needed to be done and to make sure that the surgeon had the right tools that would fit properly in her nose.'

This isn't the first procedure baby Sophia had to go through but the parents live in hope that it was the last, although there could be more to come

Knowing all of this before the surgery meant that more time was saved and Sophia was able to spend less time under anaesthetic.

This isn't the first procedure baby Sophia had to go through but the parents live in hope that it was the last, although there could be more to come.

Normally parents plaster their newborn's feet and hands but Sophia has walked away with a one of a kind souvenir.
In the anticipation of Christmas, nothing could celebrate the countdown quite like a chocolate Advent calendar.

But the festive season is often already brimming with unhealthy food choices and extra alcoholic beverages.

Instead up marking the lead up until Christmas with chocolate, beauty lovers are now opening up a fresh cosmetic product every day with a Beauty Advent Calendar.

Here, FEMAIL rounds up the best beauty calendars on the market in Australia as the countdown to the silly season begins.

Instead up marking the lead up until Christmas with chocolate, beauty lovers are now opening up a fresh cosmetic product every day with a Beauty Advent Calendar (Mecca Cosmetica calendar pictured)

MECCA COSMETICA - $165

The 12 days of Christmas will be teeming with thick eyelashes, glossy lips and glowing skin if Mecca Cosmetica is involved.

The Australian-based cosmetic store is selling a mini 12-day advent calendar complete with little cubby-style holes hiding luxe make up products inside.

Retailing at $165 the calendar includes a bevy of Mecca-branded goods such as an eyelash curler, sunscreen, lip tint, hand cream and face primer.

DAVID JONES - $39.95

The David Jones 12-day beauty advent calendar is perfect for cosmetic fanatics on a budget this Christmas.

It is filled with a dozen sweet beauty surprises including mascara, lipstick, false lashes, highlighter and eye-shadow.

While the items aren't hidden inside festive little boxes, the affordable $39.99 price is an easy addition to any beauty lover's Christmas stocking.

The David Jones 12-day beauty advent calendar (pictured) is perfect for cosmetic fanatics on a budget this Christmas

THE BEAUTY ADVENT CALENDAR - $199

If only a dozen days of Christmas celebration doesn't tickle your fancy, this Australian-made advent calendar indulges in 25 days of beauty products.

A coveted festive give for the cosmetic connoisseur in your life, the Beauty Advent Calendar reveals within its 25 silky white drawers 25 different beauty items , including 14 full sized products.

Cult brands such as O&M Original & Mineral, Rohr Remedy, Edible Beauty, Aspar and Simple as That can be found within the keepsake box and has a combined retail value of over $450.

The Beauty Advent Calendar has every beauty treat covered from serums to soaks, face masks to eye shadow and many serums and lotions for $199.

The Beauty Advent Calendar (pictured) has every beauty treat covered from serums to soaks, face masks to eye shadow and many serums and lotions for $199

L'OCCITANE - $89

Proper skincare shouldn't be forgotten even during the holidays, and L'Occitane's 24-day beauty advent calendar has you covered for the lead up until Christmas Day.

The calendar set includes, lotions, soaps, hand cream, shampoo, lip balm and milk soap.

L'Occitane's branded advent calendar has $123.50 worth of products for $89 which are wrapped inside a gorgeous painted picture with every day of December up until Christmas Day marked.

L'Occitane's branded advent calendar (pictured) has $123.50 worth of products for $89 which are wrapped inside a gorgeous painted picture with every day of December up until Christmas Day marked

THE BODY SHOP - $100

With Christmas fast approaching nearly every cosmetic brand has jumped on the advent calendar bandwagon too - including The Body Shop.

Their 24-day gift is a highlight reel of the best Body Shop products on offer, such as lip butter, shower gel and hand-cream.

Each daily beauty treat is in a mini size, and the store also sells a deluxe versions at $140, $170 and $200.
Three decades ago, South Australian mother and now grandmother Eve Kibblewhite had an idea to help those in need.

Little did she know that the idea would turn into Australia's largest and longest running Christmas gift appeal - the Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal.

'The reason I started the Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal back in 1987 was because at the time I saw a charity collecting food items which tugged at my heart,' she tells FEMAIL.

The Kmart Wishing Tree provides hundreds of thousands of gifts to those in need each year

'I thought that Kmart had a really good outlet to do something similar and help those in need.

'I then chatted to my manager about my idea. They were really supportive and helped put the steps in place to make it happen.'

Since the appeal was founded, more than eight million gifts have been donated across the country.

Last year, the Appeal collected more than 380,000 gifts.

'It's an amazing Appeal and it's done so much to help those who don't have much at Christmas time and during times after,' says Ms Kibblewhite.

'It's now part of many Australians Christmas tradition to give to the Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal and I couldn't be more proud.'

Back in 1987, Ms Kibblewhite saw a charity collecting food items and thought Kmart could do a similar appeal

Donations can be made in store at Kmart or online. Last year 380,000 gifts were received

Ms Kibblewhite says she would like to see more people donate gifts this year.

'We do struggle to receive gifts for teenagers and the elderly, so I would love to see this change so more teenagers and elderly citizens are considered when giving to others,' she explains.

On November 15, Kmart will officially kick off its 30th year of the Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal together with The Salvation Army to support members of the community in need.

It runs up until Christmas Eve.
When a bride who married a man she met when he was four times her age promised to honour him 'til death us do part,' she was granting his dying wish.

Tommy Harris, 51, Newtonards, County Down, Northern Ireland, was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer and given as little as four months to live.

Strangers who heard about the situation between senior care worker, Michelle Sloan, 29, and medically retired spray painter, Tommy, who first met when she was just six and he was 27, were so moved that they paid towards the nuptials.

Tommy Harris, 51, was given as little as four months to live so popped the question to Michelle Sloan, 29, who he first met when he was four times her age

Speaking about their February wedding, Michelle said: 'It was wonderful.

'Realistically, we wouldn't have married at that point had Tommy not been so ill, but I am so glad we did and he got his wish to be my groom.

'Luckily, he's already exceeded his life expectancy and every extra day we get to spend together feels like a gift.'

Michelle first met Tommy in the town's square with her grandmother when she was a child.

She recalled: 'When I was about six-years-old, I was in the square with my grandma and I'd been given a balloon that I was playing with.

'I accidentally let it go and a man caught it for me and brought it over. I remember his kind eyes.

'We were chatting about it recently and Tommy told me that he remembered it, too, and that the man was him. He was 27-years-old and walking across the square with his ex-partner. It was such a long time ago, but now it makes me feel like it was fate that we would be together.'

Michelle first met Tommy in the town's square with her grandmother when she was a child and they reconnected later in life and fell in love

Strangers who heard about the situation were so moved that they paid towards the nuptials

After a couple of amazing years together, in May 2016, Tommy started feeling ill and was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, which is one of the deadliest

They met again a decade ago, when she was 19, in a bar in Bangor.

But, both in relationships at the time, they only became a couple in 2014, when she was 26 and he was in his late 40s.

Despite Tommy being just a year younger than Michelle's mother, Isabelle Sloan, 52, and three years younger than her dad, Michael Sloan, 54, just a few months after their first date, in a Weatherspoon's pub in Newtonards, they set up home together.

'When they saw how happy we were, my family welcomed Tommy with open arms  despite our age gap and him being a divorcee,' said Michelle.

Tommy first met Michelle when she was just six and he was 27

'We'd got on famously the first time we met, but we were both in relationships then, so it wasn't the right time.

'When we met-up properly again, we were both single, so the timing was perfect.'

After a couple of amazing years together, in May 2016, Tommy started feeling ill.

'He suddenly lost a lot of weight and was fatigued,' said Michelle. 'He was vomiting a lot.'

She urged him to go to his GP, who referred him to Belfast City Hospital for blood tests.

Diagnosed with diabetes  which is occasionally a symptom of pancreatic cancer, according to the NHS, although the link between the two illnesses remains unclear - markers also showed up in his blood for cancer.

A subsequent MRI scan detected suspected cancerous spots in his liver  later revealed to be non-malignant, blister-like blemishes - and in his pancreas.

And in July 2016, he was diagnosed with a 5cm malignant tumour in his pancreas.

One of the deadliest cancers, around 20 per cent of pancreatic cancer sufferers survive for one year. Around five per cent survive five years or more and just one per cent live for 10 years or longer.

Told he had stage four cancer, which had spread to his stomach, Tommy was informed it was incurable.

Around 20 per cent of pancreatic cancer sufferers survive for one year but Tommy has exceeded that

Michelle says she had the time of her life at her wedding, enjoying a romantic first dance to Keith Urban's 'Making Memories of Us'

Speaking more than 15 months since he was warned he may only have four months to live, Michelle continued: 'Unfortunately, the tumour can't be removed, as it's connected to his blood vessels.

'In July 2016 doctors told us Tommy probably had between four months and a year to live.

'It was devastating news, but Tommy, being Tommy, he was incredibly brave and accepting and took it in his stride.'

Frightened that time was running out, Tommy was determined to make an honest women of Michelle  dropping to one knee two weeks later, on the beach at Bangor, and pulling out a bottle of Prosecco, two plastic Champagne flutes and a diamond ring.

'He told me his dying wish was to make me Mrs Harris,' smiled Michelle. 'Of course, I said yes. I knew I was getting married only to become a widow soon after, but I wanted to make him happy.'

Frightened that time was running out, Tommy was determined to make an honest women of Michelle so popped the question

He proposed by dropping to one knee on the beach at Bangor and pulling out a bottle of Prosecco, two plastic Champagne flutes and a diamond ring

Before their wedding, Tommy had 12 cycles of palliative chemotherapy, over a six month period, in hospital in Belfast, followed by a month of radiotherapy in January 2017.

Then, on February 21, he married Michelle at Bangor's Marine Court Hotel, followed by a three day honeymoon in Dublin.

'It was so wonderful,' she said. 'I got a free dress, the groom and groomsmen had free suits provided and we also had three tier traditional wedding cake complete with figurines of me and Tommy and our dog. We also had a photographer and videographer, hair and make-up, land even a limousine to take him to the wedding after strangers heard about our story and dug deep to help us. It was so kind.'

Michelle, whose bridesmaids included her sisters Emma Sheer, 31, and Sarah Aneet, 25, and Tommy's sister, Angela McNiece, 44, had the time of her life  enjoying a romantic first dance to Keith Urban's 'Making Memories of Us.'

Speaking about their relationship, she said: 'I know it will be only for a short time, and then I will be a widow. But I will have fulfilled his final wish. And that's all I need  for the man I love'

She said: 'The lyrics include, 'And I'm gonna make you a promise, if there's life after this I'm gonna be there to meet you with a warm, wet kiss.'

'In the circumstances, they were very poignant.'

Now extremely sick, Tommy will always be the love of Michelle's life and she will never regret marrying him.

She said: 'I know it will be only for a short time, and then I will be a widow.

'But I will have fulfilled his final wish. And that's all I need  for the man I love.'

Knowing that he is living on borrowed time, Tommy treasures every moment he spends with the woman of his dreams.

He said: 'I didn't think Michelle would like me, when we met up for again a few years ago, but she did, and I was delighted.

'It was my dying wish to make her my wife.'
A gay couple have praised the 'selfless' stranger who agreed to be their surrogate so they could realise their dream of having children.

Stephen Glover, 36, and Andrew Murray, 53, who live in Brisbane, Australia, welcomed twins Reilly and Phoenix in September this year with the help of their American surrogate, Katy, who they met through an online agency.

Katy, who has two children with husband Nathan, first fell pregnant in early 2016 but miscarried at nine weeks. She later agreed to try again to give Stephen and Andrew the children they longed for.

Stephen and Andrew described how they share a 'special bond' with Katy and that her children now consider their twins their 'cousins'.

Special bond: British fathers Stephen Glover, 36, and Andrew Murray, 53, with their American surrogate, Katy, while she was pregnant with their twins, Reilly and Phoenix, in August

Forever grateful: Stephen and Andrew, pictured with their twins, said they could never tell Katy and her husband how grateful they are for the sacrifices they made

'Family': Surrogate Katy with her husband Nathan, who have two daughters together

Stephen said: 'In two years, circumstantially, we formed a personal bond that normally comes from friendships of over twice that time.

'I shared fears and insecurities with Katy that I have shared with only my husband before. We adore her and she is family now.'

Stephen and Andrew on a night out in their hometown of Manchester 16 years ago. In 2005 they had a civil partnership, which they converted into a marriage in 2015.

However the couple did not believe that children were in their future.

Stephen said: 'As far as children go, to be honest, I don't think we ever really thought it was an option. At that point I certainly did not know what surrogacy was and adoption was something that never had crossed my mind.'

Magical memories: The couple travelled to Fort Worth, Texas, for the twins' birth in September

They were introduced to the idea seven years ago after Stephen, a former coffee shop worker, spoke to a gay couple who had just become fathers with the help of an American surrogate.

After five years of meticulous research and planning, Stephen and Andrew signed up to US-based agency, Simple Surrogacy, in April 2015.

Heartache: Katy suffered a miscarriage before falling pregnant with the twins

After reviewing several profiles, the couple were matched with Katy, who has two daughters with her husband, Nathan.

The couple had to write a letter to introduce themselves to their future surrogate, including photos and details of the type of relationship they wanted to have with their surrogate.

'The profile is then sent to surrogates who then decide if they like us or not,' Stephen said. 'Katy chose us as much as we chose her.'

After their first 40-minute Skype call Stephen and Andrew felt like they had known Katy forever. Katy was a gestational surrogate, meaning the couple used an egg donor and their baby would have no genetic connection to her.

Andrew said: 'We were overjoyed, nervous, anxious and terrified in equal measure when we found out we were going to become parents.'

But at nine weeks a sonogram revealed there was no longer a heartbeat.

Andrew continued: 'We had heard our little girl's heartbeat at seven weeks so the thought anything could go wrong just didn't cross our minds. The possibility was never on our radar. The loss was due to a genetic abnormality, Turners Syndrome.'

The couple revaled how Katy and Nathan took the loss 'hard if not harder than they did'. After taking time to mourn and heal, the trio decided to try again.

Welcome to the world: Andrew and Stephen said it was an 'honour' to be at the birth

Important role: Katy and Nathan with the twins shortly after the birth in September this year

With their second pregnancy, Stephen and Andrew celebrated each weekly milestone and felt that they could start to relax after 24 weeks.

The twins were delivered in Fort Worth, Texas, in September this year.

Stephen said: 'To share something like that with Katy and her family was such an honour and privilege for us. That day all the sacrifices Katy and her family had made for us were rewarded.'

Stephen and Andrew keep in contact with Katy on a daily basis and Katy's children call their twins their cousins.

Family life: Stephen and Andrew, who live in Brisbane, Australia, with their son and daughter

Next chapter: Stephen and Andrew with Reilly and Phoenix, the children they so longed for

Stephen said: 'I hand on heart do not know anybody else who would have done that for us.

'From being matched in July 2015 to the twins being born on September 7, 2017, Katy and her husband have made so many sacrifices for us, sometimes at the detriment of their own children.

'I don't think there is a superlative that can describe how appreciative we are.'

Katy said: 'Seeing their faces when their twins were born was the most amazing thing, they are wonderful guys and amazing parents.

'Their twins are so loved by them, we have become so close throughout our journey and I'm proud to call them our family now.

'Part of what made our journey so special was the close relationship we developed with our dads to be and the privilege to call them family. My husband adores that Stephen and Andrew refer to him as 'uncle Nathan'.'
Pippa Middleton displayed her natural beauty as she ditched the makeup when she stepped out with a friend in London.

The Duchess of Cambridge's little sister looked radiant as she embraced the natural look at the exclusive South Kensington Club in Chelsea with her friend.

Pippa, 34, who recently married James Matthews, arrived on her trusty bike and donned an oversized 286 woolly jumper from Intropia.

Pippa Middleton, 34, let her natural beauty shine as she went makeup-free on a day out with a friend in Chelsea

Pippa arrived on her trusty bike and donned an oversized 286 woolly jumper from Intropia

The thick grey jumper featured contrasting burgundy seams which matched with the fashionable rucksack sitting upright in her basket.

She appeared to be wearing the jumper over a pale blue blouse - with just a glimpse of the tailored collar visible beneath the pullover.

The rest of the look was similarly laid-back, with Pippa wearing black fitted jeans and buckled black Stuart Weitzman boots for the outing.

The author and party planner accessorised her casual look with silver drop earrings and a burgundy backpack as she greeted her friend with a warm hug.

The pair met for lunch at the exclusive South Kensington Club - a members only venue in the swanky Chelsea area - last Wednesday.

Pippa waited on her bike and chatted on the phone as she patiently waited for her friend to arrive for lunch

The author and party planner greeted her friend with a warm hug as the pair met for a bite to eat in Chelsea

The Duchess of Cambridge's sister accessorised her casual look with silver drop earrings

The party planner was in high spirits as she chatted to her friend in the road as she stepped out near her Chelsea home

Pippa wore her hair in a low maintenance ponytail and pinned back her locks with a few bobby pins for her outing

The 34-year-old met her friend after running errands near the 17 million Chelsea townhouse she shares with her hedge fund-manager husband James Matthews.

After marrying financier James Matthews in a lavish countryside ceremony attended by Prince Harry, Roger Federer, and - naturally - the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, she jetted to French Polynesia to enjoy a luxury honeymoon.

This was followed by a stint in Sweden to attend a society wedding in Stockholm in a floor-length Erdem.

Pippa has since been keeping a relatively low profile as she settles into married life back home with husband James Matthews.

Her sister, meanwhile, who is pregnant with her third child, joined the royal family at the Remembrance Sunday parade in London over the weekend.

Pippa waited for her friend outside her favourite members' club in Chelsea

The author and party planner accessorised her casual look with silver drop earrings and a burgundy backpack

While we are more accustomed to seeing Pippa looking polished, she opted for a more casual look when she stepped out on Wednesday

The 34-year-old met her friend near the 17 million Chelsea townhouse she shares with her hedge fund-manager husband James Matthews

Kate's little sister, who recently tied the knot, looked casually chic in her jeans and boots for her outing last week

Pippa appeared to be in good spirits as she chatted away on the phone outside the club
The John Lewis festive advert is one of the most eagerly anticipated Christmas campaigns in Britain - but for one man it is a less welcome tradition.

A 54-year-old who shares his name with the British department store is inundated with tweets regarding the advert due to his Twitter handle @johnlewis being mistaken for the retailer's official account.

John Lewis, of Blacksburg, Virginia  who once had just 500 followers on Twitter now has 35,000 thanks to the British high street giant.

John Lewis, 54, regularly receives messages intended for his namesake retailer due to his Twitter handle being @johnlewis

The US academic regularly receives messages from British customers who assume his account to be the retailer's and in an effort to appease him this year John Lewis sent him a very special message.

After the launch of its advert on November Mr Lewis took to Twitter to congratulate his namesake store.

He wrote: 'I say this is one of your best! It brightened my day (which I needed, ironically, thanks to you).'

After seeing this year's Christmas campaign Mr Lewis reached out to the store on Twitter to congratulate them

As a thank you John Lewis sent Mr Lewis a bespoke thank you video with a message from the star of this year's campaign Moz the monster

And rather than simply retweet or like his post the store created a bespoke video featuring the star of this year's campaign Moz the monster.

In the clip Moz can be seen writing a personalised message to Mr Lewis which reads: 'That means so much coming from the other John Lewis'.

But while the gesture was certainly appreciated by Mr Lewis he has not been able to avoid the deluge of feedback following the adverts release from viewers intending to contact the store.

Mr Lewis has amassed more than 35,000 followers due to his Twitter handle

Mr Lewis says that he attempts to reply to all the messages he receives from customers attempting to contact the store

His Twitter bio says: 'Computer science educator, father of four, social liberal, atheist, and not a retail store'.

But instead of blowing a fuse, he has been unfailingly polite to the thousands who have mistakenly contacted him via the social networking site, earning him praise online as the most patient and polite man on the internet.

Mr Lewis, 50, who writes university and school text books on computer science, had heard of his namesake store following visits to the UK.

He admits he has lost count of the number of tweets he has received about the hugely popular animated promotion.

Previously he has said he tries to reply to almost all of them  often with an injection of wit  but his family find it amusing that he spends so much time responding.

I dont know how they will feel if I keep it up until Christmas, said Mr Lewis. We shall have to see, but I know I will always be polite.
She's known for her eclectic fashion sense and Sarah Ferguson pushed the sartorial boundaries once again as she stepped out on Monday.

The mother-of-two donned a colourful blue and green figure-hugging dress teamed with a black cardigan and tights as she stepped out in London.

The socialite and charity ambassador offset her look with trendy blue velvet slippers emblazoned with unicorns as she did a spot of shopping at upmarket Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge.

Sarah Ferguson looked chic in a blue and green figure-hugging dress teamed with trendy unicorn slippers as she stepped out in London

Fergie scraped her hair into a half-up style and ditched the makeup for her outing. She completed her look with a pair of silver chandelier earrings and avidly text on her phone.

Fergie recently flew back from a charity trip to Rwanda where she helped villagers to build a school.

And Sarah wasted no time in catching up with her loved ones after returning to the London social circuit, enjoying two nights out on the trot last week.

The Duchess, 58, stepped out with rumoured former flame Manuel Fernandez for the second evening in a row, this time joined by her eldest daughter Princess Beatrice.

Fergie looked deep in thought as she went makeup-free as she did a spot of shopping at upmarket Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge

Fergie and Fernandez, who reportedly split in March last year, looked delighted to be in each other's company as they left celebrity haunt Claridge's.

The pair left the Mayfair self-described 'It-hotel', a favourite of Kate Moss, Jade Jagger and Lulu Guinness, arm-in-arm.

The mother-of-two offset her look with trendy blue velvet slippers emblazoned with unicorns

It comes amid speculation that the couple are rekindling their romance following two joint appearances in September.

Last night, Fergie looked smart in head-to-toe black, pairing a pussybow blouse with a pencil skirt and ballet pumps.

Beatrice, 29, wore a colourful floral print skirt with a plunging v-neck blouse, finish off her evening look with a pair of pointed stilettos.

The Duchess is said to have been left 'devastated' following her reported breakup from businessman Manuel in 2016, but it's clear the pair are still on good terms.

In September they both attended the 2017 Celebrity Fight Night in Rome and were also seen out together the following night.

According to Fernandez's LinkedIn profile, he is CEO and co-founder of the vVoosh Charity Foundation.

The Londoner describes himself as 'an experienced high energy entrepreneur with exceptional vision, communication and leadership skills'.

Fergie was most likely relishing the opportunity to catch up with Beatrice, who is currently based in New York and earlier this week enjoyed a rare visit from sister Eugenie, 27.

Beatrice is currently Vice President of Partnerships and Strategy at Afiniti.com, a Washington DC-based computer software company.
A mother has blasted YouTube stars the Dolan Twins after her 12-year-old daughter was left in floods of tears when they cancelled their London event.

Holly Poore, from Staines, said thousands of youngsters had gathered at Hyde Park on Sunday to catch a glimpse of the pair - only to find out the meet-up was cancelled minutes before it was due to start.

Taking the Twitter Grayson Dolan, 17, explained how he and his brother Ethan had 'no idea' that a Remembrance Day service was due to take place there that day.

However, Holly slammed the lack of organisation over the planned event and says she is angered that no one has taken responsibility for the 'chaotic' scenes that ensued.

Scroll down for video

Holly Poore, from Staines, (pictured with daughter Stephanie) said her 12-year-old had been left in floods of tears after the Dolan Twins' London meet-up was cancelled at the last minute

Describing how events unfolded at Hyde Park on Sunday, she told FEMAIL: 'Everyone was speculating where these guys would be.

'All it took was one girl who said "That way" and everyone just pegged it and were screaming.'

'When we got there, there was nothing; no one there. It was merely meet up somewhere in the park.'

She said her daughter Stephanie had been left 'hysterical' and in 'floods of tears' after the meet-up was cancelled, and the pair became separated.

The YouTube star, from New Jersey, said they hadn't realised a Remembrance Day memorial was taking place

Holly, who has a disability, ended up being taken to hospital when she fainted in the aftermath of the event.

Speaking about her daughter's reaction to the cancelled meet-up, she said: 'As a mum to watch your daughter in tears because of something that has not been organised properly is heartbreaking.'

Holly, who says fans had flown in from Europe to see the twins, added: 'What's upsetting is the fact no one is taking responsibility.

'The Dolan twins are admired by many and are young gentleman inspiring the next generation.

However, scores of fans had already arrived at Hyde Park, with one person describing how she had been 'knocked over'

'I feel the matters surrounding the event should be dealt with instead of feeling like fans have been left in lurch.'

The brothers, both from New Jersey, had announced the mass meet and greet on Saturday, with Grayson tweeting: 'LONDON! MEET UP AT HYDE PARK TOMORROW AT 12:30 PM! I wanna see you there!!'

The meet-up was still due to get ahead at 10.30am on Sunday, when he posted: 'If you are going to the meet up today PLEASE stay calm. I want this to work so we can all have a good time!

'If Ethan and I cant take a picture with every person individually we at least want to see you all. But stay calm! No pushing others please. Spread the word'.

Taking to Twitter just before the planned event was due to start, Grayson, 17, said he had 'no idea' that the memorial was taking place

He said that he and his brother Ethan would not be going ahead with the event, explaining that they didn't want to be 'disrespectful'

About 15 minutes before the event was due to take place, Grayson announced that they would not be able to go to Hyde Park for the meet-up, writing on Twitter 'I dont think the meet up is going to work today guys.'

He explained: 'Guys I had no idea there was a memorial in Hyde park today for remembrance day. Its more important to pay respect than anything right now. I feel horrible.'

Grayson is believed to have been referring to the service that takes part at the Royal Artillery memorial at Hyde Corner, which is situated just outside the park.

Announcing the event was cancelled, he added: 'Ethan and I are really sorry. We cant go to Hyde park but were trying to figure something out.

However, hundreds of young fans had already turned out at Hyde Park ahead of the meet-up

'We want to see you guys but we dont want to be disrespectful and most of all we want everyone to be safe.'

'We want to see you guys but we dont want to be disrespectful and most of all we want everyone to be safe.'

However, photographs and video footage posted on Twitter showed that floods of youngsters had already turned up in Hyde Park in anticipation of the event.

One fan said she had been 'knocked over' due to fans running around the park in a bid to get a glimpse of the Dolan Twins.

The Dolan Twins, who are from New Jersey, were in London for the MTV Europe Music Awards (pictured)

Some people took to Twitter to criticise fans who failed to leave Hyde Park after the event was called off

Another fan tweeted 'THERE'S SO MANY PEOPLE', while one added: 'OH MY GOD.this is mad'.

Other social media users criticised the fans for remaining in Hyde Park despite the event being cancelled.

One wrote: 'Can't fans leave Hyde park already? This is what the twins were worrying about: safety of others, the chanting, the flood of fans'.

Another added: 'Please go home everyone #Dolandtwinshydepark we let as soon as they cancelled.'

MailOnline has contacted the Dolan Twins for comment.
A mother-of-four who wanted 'one last baby' has given birth to identical triplets.

Mary McCandlish, 34, from Barrhead, East Renfrewshire, already had four children, aged six to 16, but longed to welcome another baby to the family.

She fell pregnant naturally and was shocked when she was told she was expecting triplet sons. The odds of having identical, non-IVF triplets are 160,000 to one.

Ms McCandlish gave birth to sons Thai, Tyler and Tomas at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital maternity unit in Glasgow two weeks ago.

Delighted: Mother Mary McCandlish, 34, pictured at a check-up while pregnant has welcomed identical triplets. She wanted to have 'one more baby' but was told she was expecting three

She said: 'I just wanted one more baby but didn't bank on three. The delivery was the most amazing moment of my life. The operating theatre was crammed with doctors.

'I guess they don't often get the chance to witness the arrival of three identical babies.

'As they lifted each baby out of my womb I felt lighter each time. They all started crying immediately and I knew they had arrived safely.'

Ms McCandlish, who is 5ft 1in, said it was difficult to carry triplets because of her small frame.'It was not easy but I was monitored every step of the way,' she said.

At her 12-week scan she was told she was having identical triplets. The babies were delivered 10 weeks early as doctors feared they wouldn't grow in the womb for much longer.

Defying the odds: Ms McCandlish gave birth to sons Thai, Tyler, pictured, and Tomas at he Queen Elizabeth University Hospital maternity unit in Glasgow two weeks ago

Precious gift: Mary hopes to have Thai, left, Tomas, right, and Tyler home for Christmas

Ms McCandlish said she had been given steroids beforehand which were in turn absorbed by her babies and strengthened their lungs.

Premature babies' lungs are not fully developed enough to breathe on their own and it is vital for them to work well enough to get oxygenated blood to their brains and the rest of their bodies.

Moments after they were born the boys, who weighed between 1lb and 3lbs, were rushed to intensive care. They are still in hospital but Ms McCandlish hopes to have all of her children home for Christmas.

Ms McCandlish continued: 'My triplets are all doing well and doctors are pleased with their progress. I just want them to continue to thrive and leave hospital as healthy babies.

Expecting: Mary during a check-up while pregnant with her identical triplet sons

'It would be my dearest wish to get them home for Christmas but I realise that is maybe a bit optimistic.

'They will come home at different times depending on how well they thrive. I will do everything possible to make them grow in to healthy strapping boys.'

Ms McCandlish said her other children, Peter, 16, Emily, 15, Katrina, 13, and James, six are delighted to have three new brothers.

Sonographer Gayle McTaggart said: 'Identical triplets are incredibly rare. They come about after a fertilised egg divides into two and one of them splits again to create a total of three babies. All the boys share the same DNA because they started from one fertilised egg.

'We are absolutely delighted that Mary managed to carry her triplets for 30 weeks. It's a miracle considering she is only 5ft 1in and the babies shared the same placenta.'
Chelsea Clinton opted for classic black to take the stage at Glamour magazine's Women of the Year Live Summit, and when it came to choosing heels to match her outfit, she turned to her favorite pair of damaged nude pumps.

The 37-year-old, who was named Glamour Woman of the Year in 2014, donned a simple, yet elegant A-line dress featuring scallop detailing on the bodice and hem for the event that was held at the Brooklyn Museum on Monday.

Chelsea accessorized her look with a delicate gold necklace and her favorite patent leather pumps, which looked incredibly torn up after numerous wears over the last few months.

All smiles: Chelsea Clinton posed for photos in a ladylike black dress ahead of Glamour's Women of the Year Live Summit on Monday

Main attraction: The 37-year-old took the stage for a session on 'How to Persist and Repeat'

Oh dear: Chelsea accessorized her look with her favorite patent leather pumps, which have developed tears and scuffs from being worn so often, on both the heels and soles, the back of the heels are shreddd

Old faithful: The shoes also appeared to have several dirty marks around the sole, and were very worn on the bottoms

The rather shredded heels appear to be the Vice Chair of the Clinton Foundation's go-to shoe, as she has been photographed wearing them to numerous events over the past year.

Each shoe has several tears on the heel, which were all the more visible later on in the day when Chelsea wore them for another appearance, this time while visiting the set of Extra in Manhattan.

The second event was much closer to home for Chelsea who lives on Madison Avenue, where she and her husband, investment banker Marc Mezvinsky, are raising their children Charlotte, three, and Aidan, one, in a luxury four-bedroom apartment that they purchased for $10.5 million back in 2013.

However, she is far more frugal when it comes to fashion.

Chelsea has been wearing her beloved nude heels for over a year, and she stood in those very shoes when she brought her father, Bill, to tears as she praised her mother, Hillary, at the 2016 Democratic National Convention where she accepted the party's nomination for president.

She wore them a few months later on November 9, a day after her mother lost the election to President Donald Trump, as she returned home following her mother's concession speech.

Broken then: Chelsea stepped out wearing the shoes in New York back in June, seen herem and the damage, which was clear to see in images, appears to have remained

Any woman recognizes the hazard of getting the stiletto caught in a crack, shredding the heel

Inspiring women: Transgender actress Laverne Cox and journalist Alex Wagner joined Chelea on stage for the talk

Looking back: Chelsea recalled what it was like growing up with two politically-minded parents during the chat

Forming her own opinions: The former first daughter said she was 'expected to have opinions and views' about what she thought was right and wrong

On to the next: Chelsea also wore the same ensemble while visiting the set of Extra later on in the day

In April, Chelsea was spotted again wearing those same shoes while attending the City Harvest: Evening of Practical Magic Gala in New York.

And the pumps looked particularly destroyed when she wore them to attend the Gordon Parks Foundation Awards dinner in June.

Although her heels threw off her otherwise polished look, Chelsea was all smiles as she posed for photos ahead of the Live Summit.

Chelsea later took the stage with transgender actress Laverne Cox and journalist Alex Wagner at 9:30 a.m. for a session on 'How to Persist and Repeat.'

During the chat, Chelsea recalled what it was like growing up with two politically-minded parents.

Favorites: Chelsea has been wearing the pumps for over a year, and they looked particularly destroyed when she wore them to attend the Gordon Parks Foundation Awards dinner in June

Making changes: When Chelsea was pictured wearing the heels at the event, they had several scuffs and tears on the soles and heels which she doesn't seem to have had the chance to fix

On the go: The former first daughter was all smiles as she wore the shoes in May

Go-to: Chelsea sported the pumps while on the campaign trail with her mother, Hillary Clinton, in 2016. They are pictured at a town hall in Haverford, Pennsylvania, in October 2016

'I was expected to have opinions and views about what I thought was right and what I thought was wrong,' she said.

After school, she would have mock debates with her parents over dinner.

'I had strong feelings about school lunches, unsurprisingly,' she joked, but she noted that experience helped her understand what politics should be like compared to how it 'actually is.'

'So much of our political discourse is not about solutions,' she explained.

Chelsea went on to say that she wants to see the country move to a place where racism and sexism are no longer considered opinions.

'When you're denying someone their equal humanity and dignity, that's not an opinion,' she said.

Busy as can be: While Chelsea was at the Glamour summit, her mother attended the The Child Mind Institute Summit on Monday. She's seen with Dean of the USC Anneberg School for Communication and Journalism Willow Bay and Institute President Harold S. Koplewicz, MD

Not stopping her: Hillary, who suffered a broken toe after a fall in London last month, kept her foot protected in a medical walking boot

Feeling spring: The former Secretary of State donned an eye-catching pink patterned coat and black trousers to take the stage at the event

Glamour's Live Summit also featured sessions with Jenna Lyons, the former president and executive creative director of the J.Crew group, and models Ashley Graham and Cameron Russell.

Later this evening, the publication will hold its 27th annual Glamour Women of the Year Awards, which honors female trailblazers.

This year's nominees include Nicole Kidman, Solange Knowles and Gigi Hadid.

It is already shaping up to be a busy week for Chelsea and her mother, Hillary, who spoke at the The Child Mind Institute Summit on Monday while she was at the Glamour event.

Hillary, who suffered a broken toe after a fall in London last month, kept her foot protected in a medical walking boot.
Her brother is a former plumber who went from drawing dole cheques for of 188-a-week in 2013 to earning 77M for fighting Floyd Mayweather earlier this year.

While mixed martial artist Conor McGregor may be the sporting success story of 2017, his sister Aoife, 30, is now eyeing success of her own as she prepares to launch her own make-up brand and admits her brother is the driving force behind her desire to succeed.

'He's just got this amazing self-belief. I'm learning to have that. It is making me think, if he can do it, I can do it,' Dublin-born Aoife told the Irish Independent.

'He is so inspiring to be around. I think his drive has given me drive to do what I want to do. So watching him conduct his businesses, and watching his dreams manifest in front of all of us, and in front of the world, has made me want to chase my dreams.'

Aoife, whose fashion and beauty brand will be launched in Ireland and around the world next year, started off as a sales rep for a make-up brand in her early 20s and they trained as a make-up artist after being made redundant.

Dublin-born Aoife McGregor, 30 is ready to step out of her brother Conor's shadow and launch her own career as a fashion and beauty mogul

Conor McGregor's sister Aoife, 30, at the christening of her brother's son earlier this year. The aspiring fashion and beauty mogul says her brother's drive has inspired her

The entrepreneur and make-up artist is very close to her brother and travels to his fights to support him

She also works for a mini digger hire company alongside her husband Mark Elliot who she married earlier this year.

The blonde beauty flew to Las Vegas on a private jet to Las Vegas earlier this year to support her brother in his bout against Mayweather.

Kanye West came backstage to congratulate her father afterwards, and when she attends her brother's fights she ends up rubbing shoulders with the likes of Leonardo Di Caprio.

However, she is determined to keep her feet firmly on the ground and insists she doesn't even notice famous people around her when she attends her brother's fights as she's focused on supporting him.

The fashionista has hit back at trolls on social media who have criticised her for apparently spending her brother's money

Aoife is launching a fashion and beauty centred brand in Ireland and worldwide next year

Aoife (right) and her sister Erin are incredibly close to their younger brother

Conor's other sister Erin is also a regular fixture at her brother's fights and is even credited with introducing him to Rhonda Byrne's book, The Secret, which inspired him to embrace the power of positive thinking.

Aoife admits the self-help manual has given her brother 'amazing self belief', and she is beginning to embrace the same quality.

However, she's faced a backlash on social media from trolls who have criticised her for designer shopping sprees and receiving generous gifts from her brother, including a Rolex watch.

Aoife told one critic who accused her of burning through her brother's money: 'Having too much fun spending it. My brother's gonna be a #billionaire.'

And she shut down another, saying: 'Myself and my husband have our own business and my sister and her partner work extremely hard. Thanks.'

Aoife said that the self-help manual The Secret has given her brother amazing self-belief, and she's learning to embrace the same quality

The glamorous McGregor girl is hoping to be just as successful as her brother in the world of fashion and beauty

The fashionista is trained make-up artist and also runs a mini digger hire business with her husband




Celebrities bring their fashion A-game to red carpet events. Some even swipe their looks straight off of the runways.

Gigi Hadid and Alessandra Ambrosio are just a couple of stars that have stepped out recently in garments we saw during Fashion Week.

Check out other runway to real life examples plus helpful style tips to incorporate into your own repertoire.

Elegant vs. edgy: Alessandra Ambrosio attended the 2017 Baby2Baby Gala in Los Angeles this past weekend, wearing a whimsical gown by Ermanno Scervino. The dress was first scene on the runway during Milan Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2018

Model Alessandra Ambrosio attended the 2017 Baby2Baby Gala in Los Angeles this past weekend, wearing a whimsical gown by Ermanno Scervino.

The dress was first scene on the runway during Milan Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2018.

For the catwalk presentation, the Italian designer added edge to the formal gown with a black belt, sheer gloves and lace-up booties. Alessandra opted to carry out it's elegance by accessorizing with simple sandals and dainty jewels.

Tip: Accessories can steer an outfit one way or another.

Black vs. blue: Margot Robbie arrived at the Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences' 9th Annual Governors Awards in a black Altuzarra gown. The floral-embroidered design is from the bran's fall 2017 collection. A knee-length version came down the runway last February in royal blue

Over the weekend, Margot Robbie arrived at the Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences' 9th Annual Governors Awards in Hollywood, California, in a black Altuzarra gown.

The floral-embroidered design is from the luxury brand's fall 2017 collection. A knee-length version came down the runway last February in royal blue.

The 27-year-old actress gave the gown a touch of Old Hollywood glamour with a pink Prada boa.

Tip: Color and length play a part in how dressy a garment appears. Margot's black, floor-length dress looks much more formal than the original version that came down the runway.

Heels vs. flats: Poppy Delevingne attended Bottega Veneta's 'The Hand of the Artisan Cocktail Dinner' wearing a Bottega Veneta mini. The lilac number featuring fringe and sequins is from the Italian label's spring/summer 2018 collection

Poppy Delevingne attended Bottega Veneta's 'The Hand of the Artisan Cocktail Dinner' wearing a Bottega Veneta mini.

The lilac number featuring fringe and sequins is from the Italian label's spring/summer 2018 collection.

While Poppy accessorized her look with chunky black platform shoes, on the runway, the dress was shown with neutral flats.

Tip: Black shoes can weigh a look down. When sporting pastel colors, flesh-tone footwear will elongate the legs and lighten the overall feel of the ensemble.

Gloves vs. bare arms: Actress Melissa George attended the Vogue Foundation Dinner during Paris Fashion Week wearing a Schiaparelli Haute Couture mini featuring sequin sleeves. The kitschy dress was a part of the designer's Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2017-2018 show

Actress Melissa George attended the Vogue Foundation Dinner during Paris Fashion Week wearing a Schiaparelli Haute Couture mini featuring sequin sleeves.

The kitschy dress was a part of the designer's Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2017-2018 show.

While Melissa donned the same heart-accented stilettos as the runway model, she added sheer shoulder-length gloves to the look.

Tip: A dress with built-in embellishment doesn't need any more drama.

Jeans vs. trousers: In celebration of her Gigi x Maybelline VIP Party on in London, England, last week, Gigi Hadid was spotted leaving a London hotel in a top by Lanvin. The strapless number is part of the French brand's fall/winter 2017 collection

In celebration of her Gigi x Maybelline VIP Party in last week, Gigi Hadid was spotted leaving a London hotel in a top by Lanvin.

The strapless number is part of the French brand's fall/winter 2017 collection. It made it's debut on the catwalk back in March, paired with black wide-leg pants.

The 22-year-old dressed down the corset-inspired top by teaming it with light wash denim and a grey duster coat.

Tip: Formal attire can be worn during the day when paired with laid-back separates.

Modest vs. sexy: Carey Mulligan attended the screening of Netflix's 'Mudbound' at the Opening Night Gala of AFI FEST 2017 in Preen. The actress plucked the dress right off the designer's Ready to Wear Spring/Summer 2018 runway

Carey Mulligan attended the screening of Netflix's 'Mudbound' at the Opening Night Gala of AFI FEST 2017 in a Preen tea-length dress.

The Collateral actress plucked the dress right off the designer's ready to wear Spring/Summer 2018 runway show that took place in September.

While Carey layered the sheer frock with a black underpinning, the dress came down the catwalk sans underlayers.

Tip: Even a sheer garment can look modest when worn with a slip in a matching shade .
Tess Holliday has defended Rebel Wilson after a man body-shamed the actress, in response to a series of tweets in which she revealed she was the victim of sexual harassment.

The model, 32, took to social media on Sunday to share a screen shot of the man's comment. Rebel, 37, previously explained in a series of tweets that a 'male star' once asked her to 'stick her finger up his a**', and later had a 'hotel room encounter' with a 'top director'.

In response to Rebel's testimony, which joins revelations by hundreds of women about the harassment they are subjected to throughout their lives, a man identified as Matt decided to attack her on her weight.

Message: Tess Holliday has defended Rebel Wilson after a man body-shamed the actress, in response to a series of tweets in which she revealed she was the victim of sexual harassment

Exchange: After Tess spoke out against the man's comments, he replied with another fat-shaming remark, which Tess retweeted for her followers to see

Response: The model, 32, took to social media to share a screen shot of the man's comments, which came after Rebel revealed a 'male start' once asked her to 'stick her finger up his a**'

'I'm guessing he didn't ask her to sit on his face,' Matt wrote about Rebel and the male star who once harassed her.

Tess, a rape survivor herself who has been a vocal advocate for survivors of sexual violence, found the comment shocking.

She started by stating how grateful she is to live with a respectful partner, her husband Nick Holliday, and listed all the ways in which his attitude differs from the one displayed by Matt on Twitter.

'I'm so grateful to have a husband that adores my body, supports my career/our path together, that has listened to me cry about my own sexual assaults when I was writing my book & never once judged me,' Tess, who details her rape in her memoir The Not So Subtle Art Of Being A Fat Girl, wrote.

'Why? Because he isn't an a*****e like Matt. Men like Matt are why the patriarchy is coming crashing down. Men like Matt are why women like me are angry, & tired, so tired. Men deal with things like this too, & I get that. But I'm frustrated that when women like Rebel share their truths, it's met with ridicule because of the size of her body.'

Opening up: Tess, a rape survivor herself, has been a vocal advocate for survivors of sexual violence and details her assault in her memoir, The Not so Subtle Art Of Being A Fat Girl

Speaking out: The day before Tess posted her message, Rebel took to Twitter to detail her story of sexual harassment, revealing a 'male star' once asked her to 'stick her finger up his a**'

Tess a body positive advocate who regularly speaks out against size discrimination, added: 'I don't understand why people think it's okay to make jokes about plus size bodies/bodies in general. We aren't a punchline.'

She then pledged to '[stay] mad until things change', and to continue to speak out while being 'damn glad that my life doesn't have to be spent next to a man like Matt'.

The model also replied to Matt, telling him: 'Just FYI, when a woman accuses someone of sexual misconduct, maybe you shouldn't fat-shame her too. Also plenty of people are into fat women sitting on their faces. Grow up.'

Matt replied with another fat-shaming comment, this time aimed at Tess, and told her: 'Have another tub of ice cream and learn to take a joke.' Tess in turn retweeted his message, adding: 'Hi internet, this is Matt. He thinks its okay to make fat jokes towards women who speak out about their sexual assaults. Class act of a "man"!'

Coming forward: Rebel recounted how the star's friends tried to film the incident on their phones and laughed while she said no repeatedly

There's more: The actress also recounted having a 'hotel room encounter' with a top director earlier in her career

The day before Tess posted her original message, Rebel took to Twitter to detail her story of sexual harassment.

'A male star, in a position of power asked me to go into a room with him and then asked me repeatedly to stick my finger up his a**. All whilst his male 'friends' tried to film the incident on their iPhones and laughed. I repeatedly said no and eventually got out of the room,' she wrote.

'I called my agent immediately and my lawyer made a complaint with the studio - basically to protect myself that in the event something similar ever occurred I'd be able to walk out of the job and not obliged to return.

'Later I was threatened by one of the star's representatives to be nice and support the male star. I refused. The whole thing was disgusting. I've told hundreds of people in the industry the story in more graphic detail basically to warn them off this individual.'

The actress also recounted having a 'hotel room encounter' with a top director earlier in her career, writing: 'I thought we were there to talk comedy. Nothing physical happened because the guy's wife called and started abusing him over the phone for sleeping with actresses and luckily she was yelling so loud that I could hear her and I bolted out of there immediately. I was so naive the thought of anything happening apart from "work talk" didn't even cross my mind.'

Owning it: Earlier this month, Tess took to Instagram to share racy photos of herself in response to some of her critics telling her to 'cover up' because she has children

Prime example: The 32-year-old model also posted a sample of some of the comments she receives on a daily basis

Not having it: Tess hit back at one person who told her 'some things should be left for just your husband'

Take that: Along with the photos, which range from images of Tess modeling lingerie to snapshots of her naked, Tess penned a scathing message to her critics

Just wondering: 'So because I'm a mom, I have to hide my body? Y'all know how babies are made right?' she asked

Earlier this month, Tess once again took to Instagram to take a stance against body-shamers, this time by revealing the hateful comments she has received.

Tess, who has an 11-year-old son named Rylee and a one-year-old named Bowie, shared a series of racy photos of herself along with some of the remarks she has gotten from her critics.

'Ew no one wants to see that,' and 'Have respect for yourself and children and put clothes on,' are examples of just a few of the messages Tess receives daily from people who think she looks 'classier covered up'.

'Wait... what? So because I'm a mom, I have to hide my body? Y'all know how babies are made right?' she wrote.

'All of a sudden I have kids & my sexuality is stripped from me, at a time when most moms desperately need to feel good about themselves?! Nah, I don't think so.'

Tess not only penned a scathing response, but she also posted plenty of sexy snapshots of herself to remind her 1.5 million Instagram followers that she is never going to stop being herself.

Spreading the word: Tess noted that 'fat women deserve to feel sexy' and 'moms deserve to feel desired and wanted'

Feeling confident: One particularly racy photo in the series sees Tess striking a sultry pose while baring her bottom

Look of love: Tess added that her husband Nick Holliday is proud of who she is

Brothers: Tess, who is mom to sons Rylee, 11, and Bowie, one, said they know 'that their mom is a strong, resilient woman that lives life by my rules'

One image, which was first shared in January, sees the size 22 model striking a pose in a purple lingerie. Her long auburn hair his curled in glamorous waves, and her make-up is professionally done.

In other snapshots shared in the post, Tess is completely nude and proudly showing off her figure for the camera. The most recent picture is a topless selfie that she took the morning after Halloween.

'I've said this before & talk about it in depth in my book- fat women deserve to feel sexy, moms deserve to feel desired & wanted, & if we want to dress 'slutty' then y'all can deal with it or keep scrolling,' she explained.

Tess added: 'I'm not ashamed of my sexuality & my boys understand now at a young age that their mom is a strong, resilient woman that lives life by my rules.

'My husband is proud of who I am & doesn't try to silence me because that's what a good partner does.'




Queen Letizia of Spain returned to Mexico today for a visit to a country that holds many fond memories.

Prior to meeting King Felipe Letizia, 45, studied for a masters in journalism at the University of Guadalajara in the mid 90s, before working at the newspaper Siglo 21.

She's back in the country for the World Cancer Leaders Summit and today paid a visit to the national headquarters of the Mexican Red Cross.

The monarch looked chic in a black, white and grey checked jacket teamed with slim-fitting trousers as she met staff and volunteers.

Her appearance was a good deal more glamorous than her past life in Mexico, where she worked as a hostess promoting a tobacco brand to tourists.

Queen Letizia, 45, looked elegant in a black and white checked jacket as she visited the national headquarters of the Mexican Red Cross today

The Queen chats with a volunteer during a visit to the national headquarters of the Mexican Red Cross in Mexico City

Known as just Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano at the time, the wife of King Felipe VI was tasked with offering information about the brand and giving out 'Boots' cigarettes to congress visitors to earn some extra cash.

Before moving to Mexico, Letizia worked for Asturian daily paper, La Nueva Espana and ABC, a popular national newspaper that enjoys the third largest circulation in Spain.

Meanwhile Queen Letizia's inlaws were also doing the royal rounds as they attended the Spanish Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando for a honor medal ceremony.

Ex-King Juan Carlos I, 79, and Queen Sofia, 79, attended the event in Madrid, Spain. Despite his well-known history of allegations of infidelity during his 55-year marriage, the pair looked at ease with one another.

Former queen Sofia wore a navy blue pencil skirt with a tailored jacket for the event. Juan was succeeded by his son, and Letizia's husband King Felipe after he abdicated as King in 2014.

King Felipe's parents Ex-king Juan Carlos, 79, with former Queen Sofia, 79 (both pictured middle)

They were pictured at the Spanish Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando for a ceremony

Juan has been making headlines recently after allegations of hundreds of affairs came to light in a new book about the ex-king

The latest controversy to rock the family and undo all of Felipe and Letizia's good work after Juan Carlos was pictured in public with Marta Gaya, a wealthy divorcee who he is said to have had an affair with in the 1990s.

It was also reported Greek-born Sofia caught Juan Carlos in a clinch with an actress, shortly after he was crowned in 1976.

To make matters worse for Juan, a book came out recently that brands him as a sex addict and says he has had hundreds of affairs since his marriage to Sofia.

Former Queen Sofia wore a navy tailored jacket with a pencil skirt for the occasion and added a broach to the lapel

Despite needing the aid of a walking stick, Juan met with members of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts

Juan gave up his title in 2014 and his son, King Felipe who was orginally a helicopter pilot stepped up to the role

Next came a stint at Spanish news agency EFE before she moved to Guadalajara.

Back in Spain a year later, she took on a role with the Spanish version of Bloomberg, a news channel and agency specialising in economics, before moving to CNN+.

Spain's Queen Letizia stood among the team of rescue workers and Red Cross volunteers at the national headquarters (pictured above)

The mother-of-two was in Mexico to attend the World Cancer Leaders Summit. During this visit she met with the team at the Red Cross (pictured above)

The Queen arrived with Mexican Minister of Healt, Jose Narro (left) and Fernando Suinaga, President of Mexican Red Cross (right)

The mother-of-two previously completed her masters at the University of Guadalajara

By the time she met her husband-to-be, Letizia was working for popular TV channel 24 Horas, where along with anchoring the popular Telediario 2 evening news bulletin.

She reported on a wide range of breaking news events, among them the 2000 US presidential elections and the 9/11 attacks.

Letizia married King Felipe in 2004 and the couple share two daughters Princess Leonor, 12, and Princess Sofia, 10.

The visit was worlds away from when she worked in Mexico as a hostess promoting a tobacco brand

Spain's Queen Letizia talks with a volunteer during a visit to the national headquarters of the Mexican Red Cross
Prince Harry was welcomed with cheers and applause as he made his red carpet arrival in London's Leicester Square for this year's Mind Media Awards.

Harry braved the cold as he met the charity's president Stephen Fry and ceremony host and Mind ambassador Fearne Cotton and the royal was all smiles as he caught up with the presenter who is hosting tonight's awards.

Fearne, 36, interviewed Harry and his brother in 2007 ahead of their tribute concert to mark the tenth anniversary of their mother Princess Diana's death.

And she's rubbed shoulders with Harry many times at charity events they've both attended such as The Royal British Legion's Friends of the Forces Awards

Mother-of-two Fearne was radiant in a glittering blue gown and matching sparkilng heels, while Harry looked dapper in a dark suit.

This year's ceremony opened with an introduction from the charity's President Stephen Fry who told those gathered at the Odeon cinema ceremony, including singers Harry Judd and Frankie Bridge and television presenter Lorraine Kelly, that 2017 had been a 'remarkable, perhaps breakthrough year for mental health awareness'.

Mental health is an area close to Harry's heart, with the prince having launched Heads Together, a campaign to tackle stigma around the issue, alongside the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Fry said the focus that Harry, along with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, has put on mental health awareness has had an 'astonishing' impact in 'getting the nation talking'.

Prince Harry, 33, looked delighted to see Fearne Cotton, 36, as he arrived at the Mind Media Awards at the Odeon Leicester Square in London this evening

Prince Harry looked dapper in a dark suit and blue tie as he arrived on the red carpet

In a speech, Stephen Fry praised Harry, William and Kate for their work towards changing the national conversation on mental health

Prince Harry congratulates one of the Speaking Out awards winners with a hug

Harry looked thrilled to present the award for Best Documentary to the Mind Over Marathon runners

He added: 'I think we can all agree that their so clearly passionate advocacy, energy and commitment has made the most extraordinary and welcome difference in the entire field of mental health in this country.'

The Prince gave a short speech at the event before presenting the the Speaking Out award to the runners who took part in the BBC One Mind Over Marathon documentary.

'After decades of hard work from dedicated campaigners, people seemed ready for a different kind of conversation on mental health,' she said.

'Everyone was tired of stigma and scare stories around mental illness. We were all beginning to grasp that mental fitness was an issue worth talking about, for every one of us.

The Prince attended tonight's ceremony to present the Speaking Out award

Harry shared a joke with Mind ambassador Fearne Cotton as he arrived at the ceremony

Prince Harry and Mind abassador Fearne Cotton present the award for Best Documentary to the Mind Over Marathon runners

In a short speech, the royal praised the British public for working towards breaking the taboo surrounding mental health

Fearne Cotton stunned in a glittering blue dress and matching shoes as she hosted the awards

Harry said the nation had come to a point where it was ready to change the conversation on mental health

'And while just talking doesn't cure all ills, we are now shattering the silence that was a real barrier to progress.

'The biggest thanks has to go to the British public. You embraced it, you engaged with it and you normalised it.'

The annual Mind awards, now in their 24th year, celebrate the best portrayals and reporting of mental health challenges across broadcast, print, digital media and film.

By recognising examples of good practice and working closely with programme makers and journalists, Mind hopes to improve media representations of mental health and challenge stigma.

Mental health is a subject close to Harry's heart and he regularly speaks out about the importance of sharing problems and admitting when you're not coping.

Nice to see you! Prince Harry, Fearne Cotton and Stephen Fry are attending the Virgin Money Giving Mind Media Awards

In recent years, the prince has become an outspoken advocate for improving the nation's mental health

Fearne, who is an ambassador for Mind, greeted the prince ahead of hosting tonight's awards ceremony

Harry took to the stage with presenter Fearne Cotton to hand out an award

In an interview earlier this year, he revealed he had been 'very close' to a complete mental breakdown on numerous occasions as he'd never dealt with the grief of losing his mother at such a young age.

He went through what he described as 'total chaos' in his late 20s before seeking professional counselling on the advice of Prince William.

He disclosed that he had only begun to address this grief when, at the age of 28, he had felt himself to be 'on the verge of punching someone' while also facing anxiety when carrying out official engagements.

Harry is currently dating US TV star Meghan Markle and the pair are rumoured to be planning to walk down the aisle in 2018.
Dessert bars are the trendiest new addition to high streets up and down the country, and they're growing faster in the UK than coffee shops.

But a nutritionist has revealed that some of the indulgent sweet treats these pudding havens sell are shockingly calorific.

One waffle topped with banana, caramel sauce and Nutella contains more than 1,000 calories.

With one in five 10 and 11 year olds now classified as obese in the UK, experts are asking: are these bars partly responsible?

This Banoffee and Nutella waffle sold at dessert bar chain Kaspa's contains a whopping 1,040 calories, according to nutritionist Amanda Ursell

Sunday Brunch presenter Simon Rimmer discovers how unhealthy the desserts on offer at these parlours can be when he asks nutritionist Amanda Ursell to count up the calories in some of them on tonight's Tricks of the Restaurant Trade on Channel 4.

She reveals that a Banoffee and Nutella waffle sold at dessert bar chain Kaspa's contains a whopping 1,040 calories.

A similar Nutty Banoffle waffle sold at Creams, which also has branches all over the UK, contains 948 calories and a whopping 63g of sugar.

The NHS recommends adults and children over the age of 11 only eat a maximum of 30g of added sugars a day.

A Banutella waffle at Treatz bars contains 727 calories, according to Amanda Ursell

Another dessert parlour chain, Treatz, also sells a similar Banutella waffle, which contains 727 calories, according to Amanda Ursell.

None of the chains display their nutritional information on websites and don't reveal how many calories are in all their desserts, unlike most chain restaurants, the show claims.

Amanda tells Simon: 'They surprised me to be honest.'

She adds: 'You can have a good old, slap up roast dinner for those kind of calories, and that's with a pudding.

Simon Rimmer asks nutritionist Amanda Ursell to reveal how many calories are in some indulgent treats at three popular dessert bars on Tricks of the Restaurant Trade

'When you put it in that kind of context, it's just unnecessary, and I feel those people, their business is built on the image of excess.'

To burn off a 1,000-calorie waffle, Simon reveals you would have to dance non-stop for three hours, or run for 12 miles.

He asks teenagers if knowing how many calories the treats contain beforehand would put them off ordering one.

One girl said it wouldn't put her off if she wasn't eating at a dessert bar frequently, but if she did, then she would pay attention to the calories and sugar in each treat.

Simon tells the audience: 'I'm torn about how I feel. If kids are using dessert bars two or three times a week, it's really bad news for their health.

'But everybody deserves an occasional treat. Let's not blame the dessert bars. Let's focus on educating our youth about moderation and balance.'

Handley Amos, the CEO of Creams, said: 'At Creams, weve always positioned ourselves as a place for special celebrations.

'Our core product is gelato: a healthier alternative to industrially produced ice cream. Desserts eaten occasionally as part of an overall healthy diet are a fantastic way to socialise, and Creams provides a much needed alternative venue to bars for young people to congregate and socialise.

'Our recently revised menu consists of fresh fruit toppings options, fruit smoothies and also an entirely new and separate kids menu, which has halved the portion sizes of our desserts, giving parents and guardians choice when choosing desserts for children that are in keeping with a balanced diet.

'We are also currently exploring savoury options and a gluten free waffle mix for 2018, as well as the use of Stevia and even lower fat versions of gelato using dairy free methods.'

Treatz and Kaspa's have been asked for comment.
Pepsi's newest soda flavor has customers  and the internet  divided.

Last week, the brand released a new Salted Caramel Pepsi, a limited-time flavor that they say 'blends the refreshing taste of cola with a delicious caramel finish'.

But while cola and caramel are certainly two widely-loved tastes, many people are questioning the wisdom of pairing the two together.

New on shelves: Pepsi has released a Salted Caramel soda that mixes the caramel taste with cola

The new drink isn't simply a caramel-flavored soda, which might have been a bit less divisive. Instead, it mixes that salted caramel taste with Pepsi signature cola flavor.

'Salted Caramel is a popular flavor that consumers are looking for  and delighted to find  especially during the holidays,' Chad Stubbs, Pepsi's vice president of marketing told Today. 'We see it across food and beverages, from yogurt, to bagels, to tea!'

Though it's certainly true that that salted caramel is a popular flavor, many social media users are arguing that no one asked for  or wanted  this particular product.

'Why is Salted Caramel Pepsi a thing? What does it taste like? Who thought it would be a good idea?' wrote one.

'Why would anyone want to drink Salted Caramel Pepsi?' said another, while a third wrote: 'Pepsi Clear was good but Salted Caramel Pepsi is too far.'

'The fact they took Crystal Pepsi off the shelves and replaced it with this Salted Caramel Pepsi is just appalling to me,' another tweeted.

'I can't go to sleep knowing that Salted Caramel Pepsi is out there,' wrote a particularly dramatic Twitter user.

But while the majority of the reactions are from those who have no plan to try the drink, quite a few customers have already picked up a bottle  and among them, the reviews are more evenly split.

Not impressed: Reactions to news of the new drink were mostly confused and disgusted

There's a customer! However, reviews from those who have actually tried it are much more split, with some taste-testers loving the drink

Loving it: Early customer shave said the drink is very sweet and better than it sounds

Never again: A few, though, have not liked the limited edition flavor

'I love salted caramel and don't mind Pepsi, but this combo just made me retch a bit,' wrote one who wasn't fan.

'This tastes like watery Pepsi that someone threw a single dirty caramel into,' added another disapprovingly.

But one enthusiast fan said: 'PSA!!! The salted caramel Pepsi is BOMB af. I ain't playin y'all.'

'OMG You guys!!!' said another. 'Salted Caramel Pepsi! Why is this so delicious????This is by far better than Pepsi Fire they had before. I recommend you guys trying this one.'

The Instagram account Candy Hunting rated it a 7/10 and said it 'doesn't really taste like salted caramel. I get more of a coconut note.'

The Impulsive Buy said it is 'not gross' and has a 'pleasant seasonal flavor' but admits it 'might be too unusual for some'.

Those who are still curious have a limited time to try the soda, which won't be on shelves forever. But if this particular flavor doesn't spark curiosity, there may be something even more intriguing on the way.

Speaking to Today, Pepsi's Chad Stubbs added that the company came up with 'some really great other flavors' during development, which may hit stores down the line.
Patients who take statins after suffering a heart attack or stroke are almost 25 per cent less likely to have another one or to die early, a study found.

And those on the strongest dose are a fifth less likely to have a heart attack or stroke than those on weakest.

American scientists said yesterday that their findings provide compelling evidence that statins work and should be offered to many more patients.

But they said many patients were not being offered the pills by their doctors even after suffering a heart attack or stroke.

The US study carried out by researchers at the Intermountain Medical Centre Heart Institute in Salt Lake City found patients taking statins reduced their risk of death by 25 per cent

Around six million adults in the UK are currently taking statins although experts say another six million high risk patients should be on them.

They cost 3p a day and lower the levels of bad cholesterol, preventing the build-up of fatty deposits in the blood vessels.

But both doctors and patients are worried about their long-term harms and they have been linked to diabetes, severe muscle pain and memory problems.

The US study was carried out by researchers at the Intermountain Medical Centre Heart Institute in Salt Lake City, in Utah.

They examined the records of 62,000 patients who had suffered a heart attack or stroke between 1999 and 2013.

Researchers noted whether they were taking statins and the dose and then monitored them for a period of three years or until their death.

The research was presented yesterday at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions, in Anaheim, California.

Lead researcher Dr Jeffrey Anderson said: Patients who were prescribed a statin following an initial heart attack or stroke reduced their risk of a future heart attack, stroke, revascularization [heart bypass surgery or putting in a stent], or death, by almost 25 per cent  the rate dropped from 34 per cent to 26 per cent. The patients who were discharged on a high-intensity dose of a statin saw a 21 per cent reduction in their risk than those discharged on a low-intensity statin dose.

'We noted that patients whod just experienced a major cardiovascular event werent always prescribed a statin, and others didnt have doses that were high enough to provide optimal outcomes.

Statins work, and routinely prescribing a statin and the optimal dose for the patient will help improve outcomes by lowering risk of a repeat heart attack, stroke or revascularization procedure.

Simon Williams, of the British cholesterol charity Heart UK, said statins were a no-brainer  but that they were not offered to many heart attack patients.

Cardiologists tend to  not all the time  fix the heart attack, put a stent in and send the patient home, he said. The patient is under the impression that its all fixed, and thats far from true.

People who suffer a heart attack during sex have a very low survival rate because their partner does not know how to revive them using chest compressions, the conference heard.

Researchers who studied cases of cardiac arrests  where the heart stops beating  during sex found that 80 per cent of these patients died in hospital.

In only one in three cases studied at a hospital in Portland, Oregon, was the victims partner able to perform CPR.
Nurses who care for the terminally ill have revealed the heart-wrenching last words of patients before they die, including their biggest regrets, fears and witnessing glimpses of heaven.

Macmillan palliative care nurses at Royal Stoke University Hospital in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, say patients often wish to see their beloved pet one last time, while others simply request a cup of tea.

One nurse described how an unwell couple asked for their beds to be pushed together before dying within 10 days of each other.

Many patients' last words include them complaining life is too short and regretting they spent their hard-earned retirement in ill health.

Previous research from the University of North Carolina found the terminally ill and those on death row are more positive than might be expected, with many calling on family and religion to ease the anxiety of their passing.

In an online BBC clip 'What do people say before they die?', the nurses add it is possible to have a 'good death' and explain why people should not be afraid of passing on.

Terminally ill patients often request to have one final cup of tea before they pass away

Some patients wish to be visited by their beloved pets one last time as death approaches

WHEN YOU DIE YOU KNOW YOU'RE DEAD: THE MIND STILL WORKS AFTER THE BODY PASSES, SCIENTISTS DISCOVER A person's consciousness continues to work after the body has stopped showing signs of life  making them aware of their own death, scientists from the New York University Langone School of Medicine discovered last month. There is even evidence to suggest someone who has died may hear their own death being announced by doctors, according to the researchers. Although death is defined as the heart stopping beating, brain cells can continue to function for up to several hours, they add. Performing CPR in a bid to revive the patient can increase their awareness after passing as it boosts the brain's blood supply, allowing cells to survive for longer, the researchers said. Advertisement

'Life is too short, do the things that make you happy'

As well as some requesting a cup of tea, nurse Dani Jervis said: 'We do get people that would like their favourite tipple,' the BBC reported.

Nurse Angela Beeson described how an unwell couple simply wanted their beds pushed together so they could lay side-by-side, holding hands, singing 'Slow Boat to China' together.

In terms of feeling regret, Ms Jervis said: One person said life is too short, do the things that you want, do the things that make you happy.'

Ms Beeson added: People will have worked really hard and found their retirement was spent in ill health, not doing the things theyd hoped to.

Past research from the University of North Carolina reveals the blog posts of terminally ill patients are surprisingly uplifting, with the number of positive words increasing as they approach death.

Many also mention family and religion, suggesting these ease their anxiety.

Lead author Kurt Gray said: 'When we imagine our emotions as we approach death, we think mostly of sadness and terror.

'But it turns out, dying is less sad and terrifying - and happier - than you think.

'In our imagination, dying is lonely and meaningless, but the final blog posts of terminally ill patients and the last words of death row inmates are filled with love, social connection and meaning.'

The nurses urge people not to be afraid of death but instead discuss it openly and plan ahead

A semi-conscious patient claimed to see a glimpse of heaven and call it 'wonderful'

One nurse said her dying aunt was 'talking' to her deceased grandmother as she lay dying

A 'good death' involves communication and the patient being pain-free and with their family

Glimpses of heaven

The Macmillan nurses urge people not to be afraid of death, with some patients reporting they see glimpses of heaven and describe it as 'wonderful

Ms Beeson even said her aunt was 'talking' to her deceased grandmother moments before she died.

The team add it is possible to have a 'good death', saying communication is key, as well as being pain-free and surrounded by family.

People should openly discuss death and prepare in advance for the end of their lives, they add.
A grandmother's face has been ravaged by a large tumour that has caused the front of her skull to shatter after it was mistaken for the common condition sinusitis.

Editha Dadores, 71, started getting pains in her nostrils four years ago and visited doctors near her home in Puerto Princesa, a remote island in the Philippines.

The mother-of-six was given medication but after several more trips to the doctors her sinus symptoms flared up.

She underwent an operation in 2015 but, despite another course of tablets, the growth ballooned and caused the front of her skull to shatter.

The grandmother-of-16 has now been diagnosed with an inverted papilloma  also known as a nasal tumour.

Doctors have recommended facial reconstruction but have warned the procedure would be risky.

Scroll down for video

Editha Dadores, 71, began getting symptoms similar to sinusitis four years ago

Scans show how the growth has expanded to break the bones of her skull and shatter

Sinusitis is when the lining of the sinuses becomes inflamed. It's usually caused by a viral infection and often improves within two or three weeks.

Editha's daughter-in-law Renalyn, 33, said: 'My mother-in-law started having pain four years and this was diagnosed as sinusitis. The doctors warned that this could become cancerous.

This picture shows what the mother-of-six looked like before she developed the tumour

This CT image shows the force of the growth on Editha's face from a frontal view

The woman's nasal tumours caused extensive damage and medics are not sure what to do

'She has had a lot of treatment since then but nothing has stopped the tumour. It has been like watching a car crash in very slow motion and there's nothing you can do to help.

'The tumour has grown so much it has destroyed her looks. It's like a snout, like an ant-eater, and it's not nice for her.

'She is not in pain now because she has medication. But talking, sleeping and eating are difficult for her. Her face has been badly damaged and the bones in her face are broken.'

Doctors say facial reconstruction would bring risks and are seeking further specialist advice

WHAT IS INVERTED PAPILLOMA? Inverted papillomas are noncancerous tumors that form in the posterior aspect of the nasal cavities. As they grow, they can sometimes extend into the paranasal sinuses or orbits. Occasionally, inverted papillomas can undergo a malignant transformation into an aggressive form of cancer called squamous cell carcinoma. Inverted papilloma symptoms may include: Blocked nasal passages, usually just on one side

Runny nose/nasal discharge

Sinus infections

Nosebleeds Advertisement

Facial reconstruction risky

A picture taken in 2012 from when Editha was still healthy shows how her face appeared healthy.

But CT scans taken this month reveal the severe damage that the inverted papilloma has done to her facial structure.

She is currently in hospital in Palawan city while medics decide which specialist she should be referred to. They are now unsure of the next move.

Medics are now waiting for further test results before deciding where the elderly woman should be referred to next for treatment.

Renalyn added: 'We have been supported by a charity which has helped with some of the medical costs for my mother-in-law.

'The doctors are waiting to choose a hospital for her to be sent to for treatment from specialists. We hope that she will go to Manilla soon.

'She has four sons and two daughters and 16 grandchildren who all love her very much. She was still very beautiful before this.'
The plague death toll shows no sign of slowing as official figures reveal 165 have now lost their lives in Madagascar's 'worst outbreak in 50 years'.

Data shows a 15 per cent jump in fatalities over three days, with scientists concerned it has reached 'crisis' point and 10 countries now placed on high alert.

At least 2,034 people have been struck down by a more lethal form of the 'medieval disease' so far in the country off the coast of Africa, according to WHO statistics.

Some experts fear the disease could mutate and become untreatable during this year's outbreak - which is expected to blight Madagascar until April.

Others worry the plague will go beyond mainland Africa and eventually reach the US, Europe and Britain, leaving millions more vulnerable due to how quick it can spread.

Experts warn the outbreak of plague in Madagascar this year is being fueled by a strain more lethal than the one which usually strikes the country.

Two thirds of cases have been caused by the airborne pneumonic plague, which can be spread through coughing, sneezing or spitting and kill within 24 hours.

It is strikingly different to the bubonic form, responsible for the 'Black Death' in the 14th century, which strikes the country each year and infects around 600 people.

More than 2,000 cases have now been reported in Madagascar, health chiefs have revealed, as 10 nearby nations have been placed on high alert

Data shows a 15 per cent jump in fatalities over three days, with scientists concerned it has reached 'crisis' point

Malawi was added to the growing list of nations placed urged to brace for a potential outbreak over the weekend, becoming the tenth.

South Africa, Seychelles, La Reunion, Tanzania, Mauritius, Comoros, Mozambique, Kenya and Ethiopia have already been told to prepare.

HOW THE PLAGUE HAS ESCALATED DATE OF REPORT October 4 October 9 October 12 October 17 October 20 October 26 October 31 November 6 November 9 INFECTED/DEAD 194/30 387/45 684/57 849/67 1,297/102 1,309/93 1,801/127 1,947/143 2,034/165 Advertisement

Paul Hunter, professor of health protection at the world-renowned University of East Anglia, was the first expert to predict the plague could travel across the sea.

He previously told MailOnline: 'The big anxiety is it could spread to mainland Africa, it's not probable, but certainly possible, that might then be difficult to control.

'If we don't carry on doing stuff here, at one point something will happen and it will get out of our control and cause huge devastation all around the world.'

Adding to the fears, he told the Daily Star: 'There is always a risk with travel that the disease will spread globally.

'We dont want a situation where the disease spreads so fast it gets out of control. We are talking about it spreading in days rather than weeks.'

However, he was adamant that it would be easy for an economically developed country to contain the treatable disease in its current form.

Officials in Madagascar have warned residents not to exhume bodies of dead loved ones and dance with them because the bizarre ritual can cause outbreaks of plague

International agencies have so far sent more than one million doses of antibiotics to Madagascar. Nearly 20,000 respiratory masks have also been donated

Professor Hunter's concerns echoed that of dozens of leading scientists, many of whom have predicted the 'truly unprecedented' outbreak will continue to spiral.

Professor Jimmy Whitworth, an international health scientist at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, described it as the worst outbreak in 50 years.

And Professor Johnjoe McFadden, a molecular geneticist at Surrey University, said that the plague is 'scary' and is predominantly a 'disease of the poor'.

Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, he also said: 'It's a crisis at the moment and we don't know how bad it's going to get.'

Professor McFadden added: 'It's a terrible disease. It's broadly caused more deaths of humans than anything else, it's a very deadly pathogen.

'It is a disease of poverty where humans are being forced to live very close to rats and usually means poor sewage and poor living conditions.

'That's the root cause of why it's still a problem in the world. If we got rid of rats living close enough to mankind then we wouldn't have the disease.'

Schools and universities have been shut in a desperate attempt to contain the respiratory disease, with children known to come into contact with each other more than adults, and the buildings have been sprayed to eradicate any fleas that may carry the plague

HOW DID THIS YEAR'S OUTBREAK BEGIN? Health officials are unsure how this year's outbreak began. However, some believe it could be caused by the bubonic plague, which is endemic in the remote highlands of Madagascar. If left untreated, it can lead to the pneumonic form, which is responsible for two thirds of the cases recorded so far in this year's outbreak. Rats carry the Yersinia pestis bacteria that causes the plague, which is then passed onto their fleas. Forest fires drive rats towards rural communities, which means residents are at risk of being bitten and infected. Local media reports suggest there has been an increase in the number of blazes in the woodlands. Without antibiotics, the bubonic strain can spread to the lungs - where it becomes the more virulent pneumonic form. Pneumonic, which can kill within 24 hours, can then be passed on through coughing, sneezing or spitting. However, it can also be treated with antibiotics if caught in time. Madagascar sees regular outbreaks of plague, which tend to start in September, with around 600 cases being reported each year on the island. However, this year's outbreak has seen it reach the Indian Ocean island's two biggest cities, Antananarivo and Toamasina. Experts warn the disease spreads quicker in heavily populated areas. Advertisement

In Madagascar, a sacred ritual sees families exhume the remains of dead relatives, rewrap them in fresh cloth and dance with the corpses

'A TICKING TIME BOMB WAITING TO DECIMATE THE WORLD' Credible experts have warned that there is no threat to the UK, however, some have warned the plague outbreak will reach the UK. Richard Conroy, founder of Sick Holiday, has sent a chilling warning to UK authorities - saying it's 'only a matter of time' before the disease arrives on British soil. Mr Conroy warned it is inevitable due to the vast movement of people across the globe its inevitable that plague will continue its march. He told MailOnline: 'I believe that it's 100 per cent likely that plague will arrive in the UK once more - it's just a question of 'when', not 'if'. 'And it's not an exaggeration to say that this is a real threat - a ticking time bomb that's waiting to decimate the world. 'With the current outbreak still remaining treatable with antibiotics, however, the current risk is low.' Advertisement

Professor McFadden warned in countries such as Madagascar 'people often need to walk more than a day to receive proper medical treatment'.

Commenting on previous figures, Professor Robin May, an infectious diseases expert at Birmingham University, told MailOnline the outbreak was 'concerning definitely'.

Amid concerns the plague had reached crisis point, the World Bank decided to release an extra $5 million (3.8m) to control the rocketing amount of cases.

The money will allow for the deployment of personnel to battle the outbreak in the affected regions, the disinfection of buildings and fuel for ambulances.

The latest World Health Organization figures come days after aid workers on the ground revealed that police are having to seize the corpses of plague victims.

Charlotte Ndiaye, of the WHO, described the situation as being 'terrible', with many traditional families unwilling to part with their loved ones.

Hundreds of families are confused about what they should do with the dead bodies, Ms Ndiaye told South African's Mail & Guardian newspaper.

People carry a body wrapped in a sheet after taking it out from a crypt, as they take part in a funerary tradition called the Famadihana

WILL IT TRAVEL ON PLANES AND BOATS? Fears have been raised that the plague epidemic which has quickly blighted Madagascar could spread through air travel and sea trade. However, experts stress the risk of this is low because of the screening protocols that have been implemented to curb the outbreak. But, some are concerned frequent flights and ferries between the island and the mainland of Africa could cause the disease to spread. Dr Ashok Chopra, a professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Texas, said the crisis in Madagascar had yet to peak. He told The Sun: If they are travelling shorter distances and they're still in the incubation period, and they have the pneumonic (form) then they could spread it to other places. 'We don't want to have a situation where the disease spreads so fast it sort of gets out of control.' Advertisement

If officials suspect someone to have died from pneumonic plague, an officer armed with chemicals will be disposed to kill any bacteria on the corpse.

They are then placed in a sealed body bag and placed in a common grave - but the practice goes against the traditions of the Malagasy culture.

In the culture, there is an annual celebration to honour the dead - and aid workers previously warned this would fuel an increase in cases.

All Saints Day, otherwise known as the 'Day of the Dead', is a public holiday which takes place on November 1 each year. Crowds often gather at local cemeteries.

'In that type of situation, it may be easy to forget about respiratory etiquettes,' Panu Saaristo, the International Federation of Red Cross' team leader for health in Madagascar, previously told MailOnline.

Concerned health officials have also warned an ancient ritual, called Famadihana, where relatives dig up the corpses of their loved ones, may be fueling the spread.

To limit the danger of Famadihana, rules enforced at the beginning of the outbreak dictate plague victims cannot be buried in a tomb that can be reopened.

WHY DID THE 'GODZILA' EL NINO TRIGGER THE WORST PLAGUE IN 50 YEARS? Experts also believe last year's natural phenomenon El Nino - dubbed 'Godzilla', triggered an increase in rat populations in rural areas, sparking the beginning of the epidemic which has so far infected at least 1,300 people. Forest fires have also driven the rats and their plague-carrying fleas towards areas inhabited by humans, local reports state as a reason behind the surge in cases recorded this year. But Professor Matthew Bayliss, from Liverpool University's Institute of Infection and Global Health, suggested floods and heavy rains  triggered by Cyclone Enawo, may also be to blame. Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, he warned the particularly aggressive El Nino of 2016 may be behind the aggressive start of this year's outbreak, which has seen it hit two heavily populated cities for the first time, including the capital Antananarivo. '2016 was the strongest El Nino on record, and was nicknamed by some 'Godzilla',' he said. Some have suggested the growing burden of climate change was to blame. 'It is a change to the movements of water in the Pacific Ocean which then has an effect on climate in many parts of the world, including east and southern Africa. 'Our own research suggests that El Nino played a role of the Zika outbreak, but it is also possible that the conditions have facilitated this large scale plague outbreak.' Experts believe the natural phenomenon dubbed 'Godzilla' triggered an increase in rat populations in rural areas of Madagascar, sparking the beginning of the epidemic Professor Bayliss, alongside colleagues including climatologist Dr Cyril Caminade, were behind a 2014 study that found outbreaks of plague in Madagascar are linked to the naturally occurring climate event in the tropical Pacific Ocean. Published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, they found large outbreaks tend to coincide with the fluctuation of air pressure and sea surface temperature, partly driven by El Nino. It was based on 48 years worth of data. They were also behind another study, released in the same journal in December last year, which found El Nino fuelled the Zika outbreak in South America. It went on to strike more than 70 countries and caused a surge in the number of babies born with abnormally small heads. What is El Nino? El Nino, along with its little sister La Nina, are part of a recurring shift in climate that occurs as warm water shifts from one side of the Pacific to the other. It is caused by a shift in the distribution of warm water in the Pacific Ocean around the equator. Usually the wind blows strongly from east to west, due to the rotation of the Earth, causing water to pile up in the western part of the Pacific. This pulls up colder water from the deep ocean in the eastern Pacific. However, in an El Nino, the winds pushing the water get weaker and cause the warmer water to shift back towards the east. This causes the eastern Pacific to get warmer. But as the ocean temperature is linked to the wind currents, this causes the winds to grow weaker still and so the ocean grows warmer, meaning the El Nino grows. This change in air and ocean currents around the equator can have a major impact on the weather patterns around the globe by creating pressure anomalies in the atmosphere. Advertisement

People in Madagascar believe the ritual honours their dead relatives, who can be 'turned' every five, seven or nine years

Municipal officers clear the ground which blocks the entrance of a family vault during the funerary tradition

Instead, their remains must be held in an anonymous mausoleum. But the local media has reported several cases of bodies being exhumed covertly.

Despite the serious risks publicised by the authorities, few in Madagascar question the turning ceremonies and dismiss the advice.

Willy Randriamarotia, the Madagascan health ministry's chief of staff, said: 'If a person dies of pneumonic plague and is then interred in a tomb that is subsequently opened for a Famadihana, the bacteria can still be transmitted and contaminate whoever handles the body.'

Experts have long observed that plague season coincides with the period when Famadihana ceremonies are held from July to October.

Last week MailOnline revealed the 'Godzilla' El Nino of 2016 has also been blamed for the severity of this year's outbreak by causing freak weather conditions.

Plague season hits Madagascar each year, and experts warn there is still six months to run  despite already seeing more than triple the amount of cases than expected.

Usually the country sees cases of bubonic plague, which is transmitted by rat flea bites and was responsible for the 100 million fatalities from the 'Black Death' in the 14th century.

'It's one of Madagascar's most widespread rituals,' historian Mahery Andrianahag told AFP at a festival in Ambohijafy, a village outside the capital Antananarivo

AID WORKER ON THE GROUND REVEALS SCALE OF THE PROBLEM A senior aid worker on the ground in Madagascar has provided MailOnline with an exclusive snapshot of what is happening on the island. Panu Saaristo, the International Federation of Red Cross' team leader, has revealed thousands of infected adults are unwilling to seek help because they are scared of hospitals. Mr Saaristo said the cultural stigma associated with seeking medical help was masking the true scale of the problem as it means many of those who are infected are failing to be diagnosed. At the same time there is also a growing shortage of life-saving tests which can provide a rapid diagnosis. Speaking about the decline in plague cases reported today by Madagascan health officials, Mr Saaristo said he feared this is not really the case and that the true scale of the problem growing. He told MailOnline: 'No-one is happier than us, if that is indeed the case'. 'Fear of the fact if they get diagnosed with the infection and the long time they would have to spend in hospital' could be a factor in many not seeking treatment because they connect 'hospitals to death', he added. 'People start avoiding healthcare that may lead to a situation where people start dying.' He warned this year's outbreak has been 'truly unprecedented', and is 'not the plague as usual'. Figures show that at least 1,300 cases of the plague have been reported so far in this year's outbreak, with 93 official deaths recorded. However, UN estimates state the toll could be in excess of 120. Mr Saaristo warned more deaths are expected unless the urgent shortage of rapid diagnostic tests is immediately addressed, as the majority of plague cases spreading through Madagascar can prove fatal in just 24 hours. Advertisement

The unique custom, originating among communities that live in Madagascar's high plateaux, draws crowds every winter to honour the dead and to honour their mortal wishes

If left untreated, the Yersinia pestis bacteria can reach the lungs. This is where it turns pneumonic  described as the 'deadliest and most rapid form of plague'

Health officials are unsure how this year's outbreak began, but local media report that forest fires have driven rats towards rural communities.

This year's worrying outbreak has seen it reach the Indian Ocean island's two biggest cities, Antananarivo and Toamasina.

Experts warn the disease spreads quicker in heavily populated areas. It is estimated that around 1.6 million people live in either city.

The first death this year occurred on August 28 when a passenger died in a public taxi en route to a town on the east coast. Two others who came into contact with the passenger also died.

THE OPENING OF THE RED CROSS' FIRST MAKESHIFT PLAGUE CLINIC Concerned humanitarians have opened a clinic attached to a major hospital in the country's capital in a desperate attempt to contain the plague outbreak. The International Federation of Red Cross has set-up a makeshift treatment clinic at the Andouhatapenaka Hospital in Antananarivo. Twenty beds are available to be used in the clinic, but it is unsure how many patients are currently being treated at the makeshift centre. Aid workers stress it will be able to offer 24/7 treatment to those infected, as officials continue their attempts to clamp down on cases. An international team of doctors are also providing supervision and training on plague treatment Advertisement

This year's outbreak is expected to dwarf previous ones as it has struck early, and British aid workers believe it will continue on its rampage.

Olivier Le Guillou, of Action Against Hunger, previously said: 'The epidemic is ahead of us, we have not yet reached the peak.'

The most recent WHO figures dispute claims by Dr Manitra Rakotoarivony, Madagascar's director of health promotion, that the epidemic is on a downward spiral.

He previously told local radio: 'There is an improvement in the fight against the spread of the plague, which means that there are fewer patients in hospitals.'

The WHO, which issues a new report into the outbreak every few days, also remains adamant that cases are on the 'decline in all active areas' across the country.

The plague outbreak in Madagascar tends to begin in September and ends in April. Tarik Jasarevic of the World Health Organization confirmed it would be no different this year.

The ceremony sees the wrapped remains carried out into the open and carefully placed on a mat where they are rewrapped, or 'turned' in the new shrouds

WHAT IS THE FAMADIHANA RITUAL? The unique custom, originating among communities that live in Madagascar's high plateaux, draws crowds every winter to honour the dead and to honour their mortal wishes. 'It's one of Madagascar's most widespread rituals,' historian Mahery Andrianahag told AFP at a festival in Ambohijafy, a village outside the capital Antananarivo. Relatives invite all their fellow villagers to attend the ceremony and to take part in the procession as well as musical and food festivities, but the wrapping of the body is a purely family affair. The dead may be 'turned' more than once but only every five, seven or nine years, and can be wrapped in several shrouds if different parts of the family or loved ones want to honour them. The customary ritual, rather than a religious rite, is a celebration accompanied by music, dancing and singing, fuelled by alcoholic drinks. As soon as it is over, the mats on which the bodies are laid are pulled up. Many participants store them under their mattresses in the belief it will bring them good luck, harboring bacteria. Advertisement

He said two weeks ago: 'After concerted efforts of the Ministry of Health and partners, we are beginning to see a decline in reported cases but there are still people being admitted to hospital.

'At this time we cannot say with certainty that the epidemic has subsided. We are about three months into the epidemic season, which goes on until April 2018.

'Even if the recent declining trend is confirmed, we cannot rule out the possibility of further spikes in transmission between now and April 2018.'

A WHO official added: 'The risk of the disease spreading is high at national level because it is present in several towns and this is just the start of the outbreak.'

International agencies have so far sent more than one million doses of antibiotics to Madagascar. Nearly 20,000 respiratory masks have also been donated.

However, the WHO advises against travel or trade restrictions. It previously asked for $5.5 million (4.2m) to support the plague response, which has now been issued.

Despite its guidance, Air Seychelles, one of Madagascar's biggest airlines, stopped flying temporarily earlier in the month to try and curb the spread.

Schools and universities were shut in a desperate attempt to contain the respiratory disease, with children known to come into contact with each other more than adults. The buildings have been sprayed to eradicate any fleas that may carry the plague.

For Madagascans, the famadihana ceremony is an intense celebration accompanied by music, dancing and singing, fuelled by alcoholic drinks
Breathing in New Delhi's deadly smog crisis is equivalent to smoking 44 cigarettes a day as the city remains under a 'pollution siege' for a fourth consecutive day.

Yet despite the national emergency, which has caused eerie, martian-like conditions, previously closed schools have reopened amid exam concerns, sparking outrage as vulnerable children battle breathlessness, chest pain and burning eyes.

Caused by a combination of low winds, exhaust fumes and farm fires, the city's inhabitants are breathing in air reaching 1,000 on the US embassy air quality index, with anything more than just 25 being considered dangerous.

Particles circulating in the polluted air are small enough to lodge deep into people's lungs where they can be passed to other organs and cause serious health problems, with children being most at risk.

Youngsters have been seen struggling to breathe on the way to school as the Indian Government is accused of 'playing with children's health'.

Breathing in New Delhi's deadly smog crisis is equivalent to smoking 44 cigarettes a day

Previously closed schools have reopened amid exam concerns, sparking resident outrage

Vulnerable children battle breathlessness, chest pain and burning eyes en route to school

POLLUTION LINKED TO KIDNEY, BLADDER AND BOWEL CANCER Air pollution has been linked to kidney and bladder cancer. A groundbreaking study led by the Barcelona Institute of Global Health revealed microscopic PM 2.5 particles from car exhausts can raise someones risk of dying from kidney or bladder cancer by almost 15 per cent. People living near busy roads, particularly those exposed to nitrogen dioxide from diesel cars, see their risk of death from bowel cancer rise by six per cent. Pollution in British towns and cities are linked to around 40,000 premature deaths a year, with heart disease and stroke being the biggest causes. Advertisement

'They are playing with children's health'

As well as banning construction and trucks from entering the capital, schools in New Delhi were also closed last week but reopened today amid exam concerns.

Ashok Agrawal, president of the All India Parents Association, said: 'On one hand the government is saying there is a health emergency and on the other they are playing with children's health.

'It is so disturbing to see children coughing and struggling to breathe all the way to the school.

'It is a fact that children are particularly vulnerable and more affected by pollution than adults.'

Children are considered more vulnerable as they breathe in more air in proportion to their body weight.

'I feel suffocated'

Many of the city's residents are unable to afford protective masks or air purifiers and are instead relying on handkerchiefs to lessen the smog's effect.

As well as causing health concerns, reduced visibility has also resulted in canceled trains, delayed planes and multiple traffic accidents, including cars being piled into each other.

Writing on Twitter, Delhi's chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, described the city as 'a gas chamber'.

Swati Kashyap, a student, said: 'My eyes are tearing up from the smoke and I feel suffocated,' CNN reported.

Particles circulating in the polluted air are small enough to lodge deep into people's lungs

The Indian Government has been accused of 'playing with children's health'

Why is the pollution so severe?

Delhi, which was declared the world's most polluted capital in 2014, often experiences worse pollution in winter as farmers burn crop leftovers after harvest.

Cooler temperatures also trap particles closer to the ground, preventing them from dispersing.

This is expected to improve as winds pick up this week.
Exercise could reduce your risk of glaucoma, new research suggests.

While we have known for years that the crippling eye disease is connected to blood flow, scientists have struggled to explain how and how to prevent it.

But now a study by the University of California, Los Angeles, has found evidence of a correlation between physical activity and lower glaucoma rates.

In fact, those who exercised more often and more vigorously reported a 73 percent lower risk of developing the condition than people who never exercised.

Experts say that although the new study is merely a hypothesis based on self-reported symptoms it opens a door to exploring concrete measures for preventing vision loss.

A study by the University of California, Los Angeles, has found evidence of a correlation between physical activity and lower rates of the eye disease, particularly among people who work out intensely (file image)

Glaucoma, the second leading cause of blindness according to the World Health Organization, is one of the perilous disease that will affect around 61 millions Americans in their lifetime.

It can affect peripheral sight, usually due to build up of pressure damaging the optic nerve, the vital link between the eye and brain.

The eyeball contains a fluid called aqueous humor which is constantly produced by the eye, with any excess drained though tubes.

Glaucoma develops when the fluid cannot drain properly and pressure builds up, known as the intraocular pressure. While it often affects both eyes, one eye may develop glaucoma quicker than the other.

Currently, glaucoma is treated with eye drops, laser treatment or surgery - but this is only effective if spotted early since any damage to the eyes cannot be reversed and could cause visual impairment or even blindness.

But beyond early detection, Dr Victoria Tseng, of UCLA's ophthalmology department, wanted to investigate whether we could find lifestyle habits that curb the risk of developing the disease, primarily focusing on exercise.

Her team looked at data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a large study that has tracked the health and nutritional status of adults in the United States since the 1960s.

They broke the data down into various groups, based on levels of physical activity (minimal, moderate and vigorous).

They did this based on walking speed and the number of steps taken per minute as measured by a pedometer.

The baseline as recommended by the American Heart Association is 30 minutes a day of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity at least five days a week, which equates to taking 7,000 steps a day, every day of the week.

By the end, they found a clear correlation between lower glaucoma risk and higher rates of physical activity.

The researchers found that for each 10-unit increase in walking speed and number of steps taken per minute, glaucoma risk decreased by six percent.

For each 10-minute increase in moderate-to-vigorous activity per week, glaucoma risk decreased 25 percent.

Lead author Dr Tseng told Daily Mail Online the study connects the dots of various studies which have looked at blood flow and eye disease but not found how lifestyle factors exacerbate that connection.

'This is just a hypothesis, we need to take this into a lab. But it was something that we hadn't seen before,' she said.

It makes sense: when you exercise your blood flow changes, and medics of all fields recommend exercise in general to improve longevity and decrease risk of all diseases.

The surprising aspect of Dr Tseng's research was the correlation between increased activity and lower disease risk.

'Our research suggests that it is not only the act of exercising that may be associated with decreased glaucoma risk, but that people who exercise with higher speed and more steps of walking or running may even further decrease their glaucoma risk compared to people who exercise at lower speeds with less steps,' she explained.

However, Dr Tseng cautioned that she will not be advising her patients to sign up to CrossFit or an intensive month of yoga just yet.

'We don't know exactly what kind of exercise decreases glaucoma risk and how. And there are studies that show some things like doing a yoga headstand can put damaging pressure on the eye. But I would recommend general day to day exercise to everyone.'
A two-year-old double amputee spent his birthday walking with his new prosthetic legs on Sunday.

Jaylen Escalera was born with six fingers, two toes and missing bones in his legs that caused knee and ankle deformities as a result of two very rare genetic abnormalities.

Doctors told the family his only hope at ever being able to walk would be amputation because the limbs were not functional.

Now Jaylen has been getting accustomed to his new prosthetics as he took baby steps with the help of his family and friends yesterday during his birthday party in his New York home.

Jaylen Escalera celebrated his second birthday Sunday with family and friends and walking with his new prosthetic legs

Jaylen was born with FATCO, a cluster of conditions that cause deformations. In this case he was born with missing bones in his leg, two toes and six fingers

Jalen's mom Jessica Gooding, his big brother and father Israel, all celebrated Jaylen's Sesame Street-themed birthday at their home in The Bronx, New York

Jaylen was diagnosed with FATCO, a cluster of conditions that stand for Fibular Aplasia, Tibial Campomelia, Oligosyndactyly with Talar Aplasiatibial hemmimelia.

Doctors have said he has tibial hemmimelia and proximal femoral focal deficiency, which left him born without a tibia bone and with deformed legs.

But Jaylen's case is especially rare as he was also born with just six fingers between both hands and just one toe on each foot.

Limb malformations take place in about one in every 1,000 infants, according to the National Institutes of Health. However, the specific conditions Jaylen has are even more rare and affect one in a million and one in 200,000 births.

WHAT IS FATCO? FATCO, a cluster of conditions that stand for Fibular Aplasia, Tibial Campomelia, Oligosyndactyly with Talar Aplasiatibial hemmimelia. The word aplasia/hypoplasia is used for partial or total absence of a bone. Fibula, a leg limb bone, is one of the most common to be involved with this and its incidence is among the highest in long bone deficiencies. Due to the rarity of the syndrome, it is important that each case is handled differently. Limb malformations take place in about one of every 1,000 infants, according to the National Institutes of Health. Advertisement

Doctors at Shriner's Hospital for Children in Philadelphia amputated both legs below the knee in July.

'We didn't want to take the ability to walk away from him,' Jaylen's mother, Jessica Gooding, 28, said.

In October, he received his prosthetic limbs and has been taking baby steps toward walking independently with the help of an occupational therapist.

Jessica said around one year old he would crawl and stand up on his knees. 'We knew we had to get this done because he was ready to stand and ready to walk,' she said.

If not amputation, Jaylen would have been in a wheelchair his whole life.

It is believed Jaylen's condition is due to a spontaneous genetic mutation that developed in the womb between four and eight weeks.

The mom-of-two said she began bleeding during her pregnancy with Jaylen and doctors told her she was soon to miscarry.

But he continued to grow and at 22 weeks, doctors spotted Jaylen's abnormalities.

Though they urged her to terminate the pregnancy, Jessica and Jaylen's father Israel refused and found new doctors at The Children's Hospital at Montefiore near their home in The Bronx, New York.

'They've been hopeful since I've been with them. They never say never and always examined him more in depth,' said Jessica.

But Jaylen still has a long road to go.

He has already had surgeries to separate his two fuzed fingers on his right hand and the family is scheduling a surgery for his left hand for early next year.

The prosthetic legs Jaylen is currently using are just to get him balanced, promote posture and get him comfortable up on his feet but don't have knees.

Within a year, he will be fitted for new prosthetics which he will have to get as he continues to grows.

The now two-year-old had his amputation in July and just got his new set of legs in October

Jessica said they knew he had to get the amputation because he was itching to walk and would stand on his knees. He now goes to physical and occupational therapy to learn how to walk for the first time

Jaylen will have to get fitted for new prosthetics within the next year as he continues to grow

He also has a heart murmur, which keeps him in and out of cardiology visits as to monitor the heart beat.

Eric Fornari, director of pediatric orthopedic education at The Children's Hospital at Montefiore, told NBC News: 'Jaylen's mentality and temperament is strong and his motivation is very strong for a child that's only two-years-old.'

Friends have created a GoFundMe to help the family with medical and travel expenses as they go back and forth from New York to Philadelphia for surgeries and followup.

Jessica describes her son as a very sweet and happy baby who has a positive attitude and likes to play with his big brother, four.

She said: 'We let him roam and do everything his brother can do, obviously except the running part.'

Jaylen spent his Sesame Street-themed birthday with friends and family, and used his prosthetic for a little while until he wanted them off so he could speed crawl.

Next in store for the family is finding a good pre-school that will accommodate Jaylen with ramps and on-site physical therapy.

Jessica said, 'We've always wanted him to feel like a normal child. We say he has difficulties, he's not disabled.'

He was also born with six fingers between both hands and celebrated his first birthday in a cast after surgery to separate two of the fuzed fingers
This is an image to make anyone whos had joint replacement surgery wince: the picture shows a new knee that has slipped out of place.

Up to 80,000 total knee replacements are performed each year in the UK. The good news is the surgery has a very high success rate, with 98 per cent of patients returning to their original level of activity, says Haroon Mann, a specialist orthopaedic surgeon at the Royal Free Hospital in London and the Twenty-five Harley Street clinic.

While a new knee will last about 15 to 20 years, as this picture shows, things can go horribly wrong if theres an accident.

This is an image to make anyone whos had joint replacement surgery wince: the picture shows a new knee that has slipped out of place

Its likely that the patient had a fall, says Mr Mann. It would have been quite a tumble for the joint to slip out like this.

You would definitely know if this happened to you. It would be extremely painful and/or the knee would be locked and you would be unable to walk. The patient would have needed surgery to repair or even replace the joint, he says.

This image was posted on Figure 1, a website where doctors around the world share medical images and canvass their colleagues opinions.

In a standard knee replacement, the new joint is comprised of metal and plastic parts, which come in an array of sizes and shapes and may even be bespoke to fit a certain patient.

Up to 80,000 total knee replacements are performed each year in the UK

The replacement joint has stems that are inserted into the thigh and shin bones, with a piece of plastic sandwiched between two metal components for smooth movement.

The device here is a more complex prosthesis than the one used in standard knee replacement surgery, says Mr Mann.

Known as a hinged prosthesis, it is connected by a hinge held in place with a bolt connecting the two components. Its the kind of replacement given to someone whose original knee replacement has worn out, or whose bone in the area has been destroyed due to an infection or tumour.

This more complex operation is performed in less than 10 per cent of knee replacement cases and only at specialist centres, explains Mr Mann.

As with a regular knee replacement, there is a small risk of dislocation if the patient falls over, or because of infection or the loosening of the components, he adds.

However, this is rare and you can reduce the risk with exercises to keep the muscles strong and the joint supple.
The Daily Mails Health Hero Awards honour the unsung champions of the NHS, those who go the extra mile with no thought of thanks or reward. And we need YOU to help identify them. Five finalists will receive their awards from The Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street and the winner will also receive a 5,000 holiday. As Theresa May explains why these awards matter, we tell the story of one truly inspiring nominee

Sabah Amin woke up on her 12th birthday alone in a bleak hospital isolation room. A nurse came in and wished me happy birthday but I just wanted to cry and turned to face the wall.

I felt so lonely. I thought of my family and friends at home while I was imprisoned in hospital, she says.

Dr Larissa Kerecuk organised a surprise 12th birthday party for patient Sabah Amin and sends her a card or present every birthday as well as Christmas and New Year cards

It was one of Sabahs lowest points. In and out of hospital since having kidney cancer diagnosed when she was a year old, she had survived surgery to remove part of her lung when she was two and a half, and endured two years of chemotherapy followed by a kidney transplant at the age of six.

After all shed been through, she was looking forward to her 12th birthday celebrations, which she had been painstakingly planning for months, determined to fight back and have a normal life.

Yet now she was back in hospital after her weakened immune system led to an emergency admission for pneumonia.

But if all seemed hopeless, Sabah had reckoned without consultant paediatric nephrologist Dr Larissa Kerecuk  a human dynamo known to her patients and their families as Wonder Woman.

Recalling the surprise party, Sabahs mother Naheeda said: There wasnt a dry eye in the room. I burst into tears and realised the nurses were all weeping'

Seeing Sabahs dismay, Larissa organised a surprise party: despite her punishing schedule as a kidney specialist at Birmingham Childrens Hospital, she baked a cake, raced out in her break to buy gifts and decorations, blew up balloons and invited a large gathering of Sabahs family and friends.

That evening Larissa led the wide-eyed girl into the wards reception area  where a sea of familiar faces awaited her.

Sabahs mother Naheeda recalls: There wasnt a dry eye in the room. I burst into tears and realised the nurses were all weeping. I hugged Larissa and she had tears in her eyes, too. I said, How can I ever thank you for this?

Six years on, Sabah herself has a struggle not to cry at the memory.

There were bowls of picknmix, birthday banners hanging from the ceiling and a cake and my family and friends  and standing in the middle was this amazing doctor who had brought my party to me.

At that moment I worshipped her  and I have never stopped. And that day something just clicked in my head.

It was a turning point, says Naheeda. Sabah had been so low it was as if all hope had gone. But at the end of the party she stood up and made a speech and I saw the old, fighting Sabah was back.

Sabah first met Larissa when she needed a kidney transplant. The operation was scheduled for 6pm but, at the last minute, the theatre was one doctor short so the operation was going to be cancelled.

Sabah first met Larissa when she needed a kidney transplant. Larissa had just arrived at Birmingham Childrens that week as a junior doctor and missed a date with her partner Bill to take care of Sabah. Pictured left to right: Dr Larissa Kerecuk, Naheeda Amin and Sabah Amin

Naheeda, 39, from Oldbury, West Midlands, recalls: Larissa had just arrived at Birmingham Childrens that week as a junior doctor. She had her coat and hat on ready to leave at the end of her last shift that week, and looked exhausted.

She was almost out of the door when she heard the chief surgeon say he was a doctor down. She immediately volunteered to assist.

I only discovered later that she had a date who had driven up to Birmingham and spent three hours lost before he was forced to eat in a restaurant alone.

When my daughter was wheeled out of theatre, Larissa squeezed my arm and said, Shes not just Sabah any more. Shes my Sabah. Since then, that is what she has always called her.

Larissa laughs at the memory of her disastrous date. That was my partner Bill. He realised he had been stood up  but hes still with me all these years later and he knows all too well that my young patients come before anyone else!

Instead of relaxing, he spends his weekends fundraising with me  rattling cans or running fundraising dinners and events.

Every year we organise a pumpkin run, growing pumpkins in our greenhouse and allotment, and organising a pumpkin club with other allotment owners so 30 or more pumpkins are delivered to hospital for the children to carve while waiting for dialysis.

And at the end of each 12-hour day, Larissa arrives home to spend further hours at her computer applying for charity funding and organising fundraising events.

Her work doesnt stop there, either. Realising that many families who have children with rare and undiagnosed conditions were struggling in isolation, Larissa launched the Superstar Club as a support group.

Twenty families turned up for the first meeting two years ago  and this summer 400 gathered for Larissas latest event.

She has organised a Christmas party this year, and says with a twinkle in her eye: Ive managed to find real reindeer for the children. Theyll love it!

Its the little acts of compassion that make Larissa so special, say the Amin family. She has sent Sabah a card or present every birthday, as well as Christmas and New Year cards. If I sit an exam, Ill get a text from her telling me shes thinking of me, says Sabah, who is now studying health and social care. Inspired by Larissa, she hopes to work in a hospital helping other young people.

Sabah says Larissa buys toys and activity books for young patients  and looks out for their parents, too: When its Mums wedding anniversary, Larissa always sends her a card and a gift.

Naheeda, a mother of six, says: I try to be brave and not cry in front of my children but Larissas kindness means so much.

When I first met her, I couldnt speak English well and I was struggling to cope with four-week-old twins. Larissa would visit us to make me a cup of tea, and offer to do my shopping when I couldnt leave Sabahs side.

Four years ago a blood vessel ruptured in Sabahs transplanted kidney. She lost a lot of blood and the kidney had to be removed.

My mother had just died and I was terrified as well as grief-stricken. I was sitting alone when Larissa happened to see me  she put her arms around me, then went to the canteen and bought me a drink and a sandwich, realising I hadnt eaten for hours.

Sabah, who lives at home, now needs dialysis three times a week  Larissa gave me confidence to operate a dialysis machine at home for Sabah, says her mother. I can ring Larissa night or day and I know shell be there for us.

Natasha Hawleys family is another of the many to have benefited from Larissas all-encompassing care and devotion.

Her son Aidan was born prematurely 15 years ago. He has cerebral palsy and epilepsy, as well as a genetic condition not yet identified.

Larissa has saved Aidans life with her skill as a doctor, but she has given me my life back too, says Natasha, 39, from Medway, Kent.

Aidan needed 22 operations in his early years. I nearly had a breakdown through stress, and I could only sleep for two hours at a time because his airway continually needed checking.

Larissa was a junior doctor but she was the one doctor who listened to me. She seemed to know instinctively if I was having a bad day, and was there with a hug or a cup of tea or a cake. And she was so loving towards Aidan, unlike some other doctors who were brisk and businesslike.

Her other son Rhys, 11, is autistic and has ADHD. When Rhys needed a blood test recently, she sat with him in the waiting room, even though shes not his doctor, so he didnt panic.

We came to see her in Birmingham last month and expected to have a quick coffee together but Larissa whisked us to Marco Pierre Whites restaurant and insisted on paying the entire bill

We came to see her in Birmingham last month and expected to have a quick coffee together but Larissa whisked us to Marco Pierre Whites restaurant and insisted on paying the entire bill.

Her kindness leaves me lost for words. The children adore her, the parents rely on her and when she walks into the room and smiles, the whole place lights up.

There is no doubting Larissas extraordinary empathy for patients and their families. And behind it lies a huge personal sacrifice. For she and Bill have chosen to remain childless so Larissa can concentrate on the young patients in her care.

She says: I decided early in my career that I couldnt have children and be the sort of totally dedicated doctor I am. So I decided to concentrate on being a doctor.

My mum and grandmother say that my patients are like my children, though! I feel so proud of them when they utter their first words or take their first steps, start school or pass their driving tests and get their first boyfriends and girlfriends.

Larissa wanted to be a doctor for as long as she can remember  I used to immunise my dolls  but she had to learn English from scratch at the age of 13 when her parents moved to the UK from Brazil. She trained at Guys and St Thomas Medical School in London, qualifying as best student in 1998.

As a young doctor, seeing a mother care for a dying toddler was a formative experience. I saw senior doctors being arrogant and assuming they knew best, but this mother had read everything she could about her daughters condition, Larissa recalls. I realised then that parents really can know best. I vowed to always listen and to learn.

NHS boss backing our awards The Daily Mails Health Hero Awards are themselves an act of public service, honouring the skill and dedication of brilliant NHS staff, says Simon Stevens, chief executive of NHS England. It has been a year where selfless commitment to the care of others has been magnified through the terrible events we have seen in London and Manchester. But we also take pride in the individuals who go the extra mile day in, day out, to look after the one and a half million patients whom the National Health Service helps every day. As the NHS approaches its 70th birthday next year, there has never been a better time to recognise and pay tribute to these extraordinary people. Advertisement

During a stint at Great Ormond Street on a cancer ward, the death of a two-year-old boy affected her particularly deeply and the loss was so hard that I decided to leave oncology.

She became a renal specialist and joined Birmingham Childrens Hospital in 2005, becoming a consultant four years later.

Noticing how many patients lost kidneys after moving from child to adult care, Larissa developed transition programmes across the North-East to educate and support teenage kidney patients as they moved into adult services. On top of her normal NHS workload, she continues to run transition clinics at Birmingham.

Larissa, now rare disease lead at Birmingham Childrens Hospital, will soon head the UKs first rare disease centre for children, based at the hospital and due to open in January. Children from around the country will be treated there.

As Larissa explains, the number of children affected is rising: These rare genetic diseases used to be a forgotten area of medicine and even now just 5 per cent of patients receive any treatment. About 75 per cent of rare diseases affect children, and 30 per cent die before their fifth birthday.

She is determined to improve genetic diagnosis as the first step towards new treatments, and oversees the 100,000 Genomes Project at Birmingham  a UK-wide programme to sequence 100,000 genomes from 70,000 patients with a rare disease or cancer, and their families. And she is also researching the impact a child with a rare disease has on siblings.

But all this isnt the only reason she is known as Wonder Woman. That came about because she has abseiled 180 ft down a ten-storey building  twice  to raise money for the new centre.

Im terrified of heights, then I remembered how brave my young patients are and that gave me the courage to continue, she says. They are the ones who inspire me.

I know from my own experience what a difference our doctors and nurses make

BY THE PRIME MINISTER

My visit to the Royal Manchester Childrens Hospital in the aftermath of the sickening terrorist attack in May was something I will never forget.

To see the pain those children were in and witness the traumatic impact on their families was absolutely heartbreaking.

But something else has stayed with me from that visit, too. For there, in response to the worst that humanity could do, I saw the very best.

Theresa May visited Royal Manchester Childrens Hospital in the aftermath of the Manchester bombing earlier this year

I met paramedics who had raced to the scene, thinking nothing of their own safety but only of the safety of others. I met inspirational doctors and nurses who had been working 24-hour shifts to treat the injured and save many lives. And I spoke to the families of those being treated, who told me about the extraordinary care their loved ones were receiving.

So alongside the horror and anger over what had happened in Manchester, I felt once again that deep and overwhelming sense of pride we all share in our National Health Service  and a humbling gratitude for the incredible people who work within it.

I felt the same on the visits I made to hospitals in London in the aftermath of the Westminster and London Bridge terrorist attacks, and after the devastating tragedy at Grenfell Tower.

In every instance, what struck me was not only the medical expertise of the staff, but the compassion with which people were treated and the way the NHS, in an emergency, clicks into action.

People who werent on shift came in, others stayed long after their shift was over, not because anyone had asked them to, but because they knew something serious was happening and they wanted to help.

I know that the feelings of admiration and gratitude we have for all those working in our NHS are felt by thousands of families in hospitals and surgeries up and down the country, 24 hours a day and seven days a week.

For time and again, the NHS gives true meaning to our belief that access to healthcare should be based on need, not on the ability to pay.

And time and again, it is those in our health service who embody that spirit, going above and beyond the call of duty in caring for our loved ones and comforting us in some of lifes most difficult moments.

So I am delighted that the Daily Mail is once again honouring our national Health Heroes with a nationwide search for the most inspirational acts of kindness and compassion from people in all parts of our NHS.

From the surgeon in the operating theatre to the nurse visiting first-time parents in their home; from the GP receptionist to the volunteer at a community mental health cafe, the Health Hero Awards will honour all those whose work and selfless dedication make such a difference to our lives, yet all too often goes unrecognised.

I know from my own experience what a difference our doctors and nurses can make. After being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, I was referred to clinical nurse specialists.

Nurse specialists work closely with doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals to help improve the understanding of a range of conditions and their treatments, from diabetes to Parkinsons to arthritis.

These nurses were attached to the local hospital and in the early days, as I was adjusting to the new treatment regimen, having the comfort of knowing there was someone I could pick up the phone to, and who could give me advice, was really reassuring.

Im a great believer, with these long-term conditions, in as much self-management as possible, and to have someone who can give you that expertise is really helpful.

It is the reassurance that nurse specialists provide which is key. And it is this reassurance, this care, this compassion that is in the DNA of our NHS.

That is why, over the past 70 years, it has become one of our most loved institutions, indelibly written into the identity of our nation.

As we saw in the unforgettable opening ceremony of the London Olympics in 2012, it is part of our statement to the world about who we are and what we believe in.

So let us celebrate our NHS with pride and recognise it for the extraoardinary institution it is.

Day in, day out, we know that if we are in an emergency situation and need that care from the NHS, it will be there  and that the people who work within it will do their very best for us.

I hope you will continue to show your appreciation and share your stories by nominating your Health Heroes in the coming weeks.

And I look forward to welcoming the winners to Downing Street in December.
Exposure to high levels of opioids in anesthesia may have lasting effects on the brains of critically ill infants, a new study found.

Relatively long term or repeated exposure has been linked to abnormalities in their brain developments.

Researchers from Bostons Childrens Hospital examined MRI scans of the brains of children who had undergone one or more critical surgeries before their first birthdays.

The study revealed that those underwent surgery had abnormalities in the structures of their brains that could indicate eventual developmental impairments.

Babies that have to have life-saving surgeries are exposed to higher levels of opioids while under anesthesia. A new study linked infants who had been through these surgeries to brain development issues, including two associated with autism

This research did not attempt to define the cause of these anomalies, but found that greater irregularities in the brains of babies that had been exposed to more anesthesia.

General anesthesia is considered safe for infants, though the FDA has warned previously that prolonged or frequent exposure to its sedative effects may be linked to brain development issues.

The FDAs warning was based primarily on animal studies. Though this research used scans of human brains, study author Dusica Bajic, a doctoral candidate at Harvard cautions that her study did not analyze other factors that commonly coincide with neonatal surgeries.

Other studies should be done to see if antibiotic use, absence of normal environmental stimuli during sedation, absence of normal feeding etccan play a role instead, she says.

The changes the researchers saw to gray and white matter in these babies brains, however, could have important effects on development.

Previous research has found that the growth of concentrations of gray and white brain matter in the cerebellum and hippocampus predicts how quickly and well a childs language skills will develop.

The infants that had had surgeries involving prolonged or repeated sedation tended to have more fluid than other babies on their brains, putting them at greater risk for a variety of cognitive and sensory problems.

The brain's system of ventricles and cerebrospinal fluid feed the mind's neurons critical nutrients, but excess fluid can build up too much pressure in the brain, a condition called hydrocephalus.

Exposure to anesthesia - which commonly uses morphine and midazolam (a kind of benzodiazepine) - was also linked to smaller brain volumes. Taken together with hydrocephalus, smaller brain volume can be predictive of autism, according to the study.

The researchers said the study's outcome was a 'surprise.'

'The constellation of MRI irregularities suggests prolonged sedation may potentially contribute to delayed brain growth,' says Bajic.

The study comes as the US battles an opioid epidemic and struggles to determine how to treat and who to hold accountable for the birth of babies born with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) due to opioid exposure in the womb.

But the infants studied by Bajic and her team were not born to mothers addicted to drugs. These babies were exposed to opioids by their doctors, in controlled settings necessary to save their lives or treat medical problems they were born with.

Babies born with NAS, however, are also at greater risk of seizures and neurological issues, lower birth rates and conditions that could land them in the NICU for observation and even surgery.

The sorts of surgeries that involve the duration of anesthesia studied by Bajic's team are crucial the the survival of the children involved in the first place.

'We do not want to raise unnecessary concern with parents at this early stage of research - specially since these babies undergo life saving surgeries,' says Bajic.
When Indian actress Divya Unny flew into the southern state of Kerala in 2015, she thought it was for a business meeting with an award-winning director about a role in his upcoming film.

Instead, she was called to the directors hotel room at 9pm, where the man propositioned her for sex and told her she would have to make compromises if she wanted to succeed in the film industry.

'You always hear of actresses getting called by directors to hotel rooms at night, but I didnt think twice because I was going in with a reference,' she told Reuters.

Indian actress Divya Unny was called to the directors hotel room at 9pm

Unny was told she would have to make compromises if she wanted to succeed in film

Unny rejected his advances and did not get a role in the movie

Unny said she rejected the advances of the director, whom she declined to name, and left without a role in the movie. Reuters was unable to confirm her accusations.

Three other women involved in India's film industry, the world's largest, told Reuters that Unnys experience isn't unique. But even after allegations of sexual assault and harassment levelled at Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein prompted a wave of similar complaints, Bollywood has been reluctant to name and shame perpetrators.

'The way men are being called out in Hollywood right now, I dont know if it can happen in India,' said Alankrita Shrivastava, a director whose last film, 'Lipstick Under my Burkha' was acclaimed for its examination of women and sexuality.

Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein

'In terms of how our psychology is, how patriarchy functions, it is much more entrenched,' she said.

The vast majority of Bollywood's biggest producers and film-makers are men, many from prominent film families who until recently controlled most of the industry.

Mukesh Bhatt, who co-heads production house Vishesh Films, said India's film industry should not be singled out and was limited in what more it could do to prevent harassment.

'What can we do? We cannot do any moral policing,' Bhatt, told Reuters in a telephone interview. 'We cannot keep moral cops outside every film office to see that no girl is being exploited.'

The industry also had to be cautious about false allegations, said Bhatt, who was previously the chairman of apex industry body, the Film and Television Producers Guild of India.

'I am not saying men have not been exploitative. They have been for centuries. But today's woman is also not as simple as she pretends to be,' he said.

Director Alankrita Shrivastava

'But just as there are good men and bad men, so also there are women who are exploitative and very cunning. Also blatantly shameless to offer themselves.' He declined to provide any examples.

Few complaints

Despite laws requiring Indian companies to form internal committees to investigate sexual harassment at the workplace, very few of cases are reported to the police, said women's rights activist and lawyer, Flavia Agnes.

'They (companies) may have a committee or they may not have one. They may do an investigation or they may not do one. And they may or may not file a complaint. It could go wrong at every stage,' she said.

Reports of sexual assault, while rare, are not unheard of in India's film industry.

Earlier this year, Gopalakrishnan Padmanabhan Pillai, a popular actor in the Malayalam film industry best known by his stage name Dileep, was arrested by police who accused him and several others of kidnapping and molesting an actress. Dileep denies the accusations.

'He says it is a completely false case. He was framed by the police and some enemies,' B Raman Pillai, a lawyer for Dileep, told Reuters.

Fans cheered and distributed sweets as he walked out on bail last month after more than 80 days in prison. The police haven't filed formal charges in court, after which a date for the trial would be set.

'We will file a charge sheet in the next two weeks. Maybe next week,' Biju Paulose, an inspector of police in charge of the case, told Reuters by phone.

Harassment depicted as 'love'

Kangana Ranaut is one of the few Bollywood actresses who has publicly spoken out about the sexual assault and harassment. Ranaut, who has appeared in 30 films in the past decade, told Reuters she had faced 'severe sexual exploitation and harassment at the work place', without elaborating.

'I've read some stories (about harassment) shared by few prominent people, but most people find it hard to open up about such experiences,' she said. 'Victim shaming is very common in our society, its done brutally and openly.'

According to a survey conducted by The Indian National Bar Association this year, around 70 percent of Indian women said they would not report sexual harassment at the workplace because they werent confident about the complaint mechanism and because of the stigma attached to victims.

Kangana Ranaut is one of the few Bollywood actresses who has publicly spoken out about the sexual assault and harassment

Shrivastava, the director, said the kind of cinema Bollywood often produces demonstrates its attitude towards sexual harassment and assault.

For example, two of this year's hit movies - 'Toilet - Ek Prem Katha' and 'Badrinath Ki Dulhaniya' - showed the hero stalking the leading lady, taking pictures of her without her knowledge.

'For decades, we have created cinema where harassment is depicted as love,' Shrivastava said. 'And that reflects the mentality of the creators - that they keep portraying it, and excusing it in the name of commerce.'
India, the US, Japan and Australia held their first official-level talks on Sunday to keep the Indo-Pacific region free, open and inclusive. The talks come against a backdrop of China's growing military presence in the strategically important area.

On Tuesday leaders convene for the ASEAN summit to discuss the security challenges facing the Indo-Pacific region and China's military expansion in the South China Sea.

In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the consultations were held on issues of common interest in the Indo-Pacific region with a focus on cooperation based on converging vision and values for promotion of peace, stability and prosperity in the area.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with US President Donald Trump, Japanese Prime Shinzo Abe and other world leaders at an ASEAN Summit dinner in Manila

During the meeting leaders also discussed the common challenges of terrorism and proliferation linkages impacting the region.

The MEA said the Indian side highlighted India's 'Act East Policy' as the cornerstone of its engagement in the Indo-Pacific region.

The meeting also deliberated on enhancing cooperation in dealing with challenges of terrorism and talked about tackling proliferation threats, including North Korea.

Modi is scheduled to have a bilateral meeting with Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Monday and the security scenario in the Indo-Pacific region may figure in the meetings.

Modi will also be hosted by President Duterte of Philippines for a bilateral meeting on November 13.

Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen speaks with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi as President of the Philippines

'My participation in them symbolises India's commitment to continue deepening relationship with ASEAN member states, in particular, and with the Indo-Pacific region, in general, within the framework of my government's Act East Policy,' the PM said.

Modi will be accompanied by national security adviser Ajit Doval, foreign secretary S Jaishankar among other officials who handle specific divisions and countries related to ASEAN and East Asia Summit.

Modi will also participate in the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit which 'will boost the close cooperation to enhance trade ties with ASEAN member states, which constitutes a significant 10.85 per cent of our overall trade', said the PM in his statement.

He then added that he was looking towards connecting with the Indian community in the Philippines.

On Monday, he will participate in the opening ceremony of the 31st ASEAN Summit.

He will also visit the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and Mahavir Philippines Foundation Inc. (MPFI).

'A large number of Indian scientists are working in IRRI and contributing to R&D in this field. My Cabinet approved on July 12, 2017, a proposal for IRRI to set up its South Asia Regional Centre at Varanasi.

'This will be the first Research Centre by IRRI outside its headquarters in the Philippines,' Modi said.

Secretary East in the ministry of external affairs, Preeti Saran, said, 'The Mahavir Philippines Foundation on the other hand is an associate centre of Bhagwan Mahavir Viklang Sahayata Samiti based in Jaipur.'

No hug this time? Modi and Trump chat before the meeting

It is a non-profit philanthropic organisation, which has been set up by eminent Filipinos and Indian expat community and has distributed free 'Jaipur Foot' to needy amputees.

'PM will visit this to demonstrate India's support to this very important charitable activity.'

While there are going to be significant bilateral on the sidelines of the summit, the Modi-Trump meeting is also crucial because it comes right after Trump's visit to China and the support that the US has extended to China's Belt and Road Initiative  a move that India considers counter productive to the transparency and equality in growth of the region.
Dr Raman Singh of Chhattisgarh faces the formidable task of overcoming the state's anti-incumbency pangs to fight and win the biggest political battle of his life. Singh hopes to claim the Chhattisgarh chief minister's chair for a record fourth time.

However, for Singh, 'it is business as usual'.

He is confident that 'the development path for the state he has laid out will make voters decide in his favour in the 2018 Assembly elections'.

The 49 men of the Special Task Force (STF) were pitted against 150 Maoists recently in Sukma district of Chhattisgarh

Controversies and political opponents don't matter much to him  be it ex-chief minister Ajit Jogi or occasional tremors like PDS scam or CD controversy.

'These are mere political conspiracies and I dare anyone to prove a single one,' he told Mail Today in an exclusive interview at his residence in Raipur.

Vajpayee vs Modi

Singh, who worked with both Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Narendra Modi in his 18-year political career, has held key positions at central and state level. He calls Prime Minister Modi 'an unusual leader, who dares to take political risks like demonetisation and GST.'

'PM Vajpayee was clearly father of coalition, having handled 27 political parties. But PM Modi is someone, who has got a clear cut majority out of his sheer popularity. Modi is one who takes political risks and challenges, including the ones like demonetisation to curb black money and corruption, and GST  an experiment which will deliver long-term results.'

For any leader of his popular stature, who has administered the state at the top for nearly 75 per cent of the period since it was founded, development is something locals link him with. He has the state growth indicators on his fingertips.

Singh has worked with both Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Narendra Modi in his 18-year career

'When I took over in 2003, the growth parameters were very bad and we were known as a state in 'migration mode'. Where to start was the first task.

'Today, I know that the state budget has moved from Rs 8,000 crore to Rs 80,000 crore, per capita power consumption has moved from 650 units 1700 units.

'Per capita income has soared from Rs 10,000 to Rs 92,000. We have crossed all growth indicators in health, rail, road, education, skills generation and infrastructure.'

Singh proudly claimed: 'Chhattisgarh today has 15% of the country's total investment and is the second state in India with both national and international investors lining up to lap their 'smart incentives' in Smart City New Raipur.'

He started reconstructing his state when he was 50. Today at 65, when many decide to hang their boots, he is not done yet.

'I am not satisfied yet with what we have achieved so far. We need more resources and must work hard if we want to be among the top three in India.'

Note to Maoists

But doesn't Maoist-hit tag on Chhattisgarh and terror attacks in the Red corridor deter investors and dent his development bogey?

The soft-spoken CM, replying with determination, said he dared Maoists to either join his Green Corridor of development or he would 'finish the Red Corridor for ever.'

He added: 'I believe in Green Corridor of development, agriculture, economic growth and jobs for even rural youth. Naxals have been keeping villagers as hostage and shield against state administration's scheme and development goals.'

Chief Minister of Gujarat Narendra Modi (right) gestures as he discusses the situation in the restive city of Ahmedabad with then Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee (left)

The Maoists are believed to be present in at least 20 states in India but are most active in Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Bihar, Jharkhand and Maharashtra

Looking forward 'Now even in Bastar, people approach us for roads, schools and electricity. Youths are positive. I have asked all Maoists from Andhra, Telangana and Maharashtra to either surrender or move out of the state.

'Join our Green development corridor, else you will be killed by our forces. We are now fighting in their dens now.'

'There are a new set of demands. No one talks about just roads now. Now there are demands for super highways, high-speed internet connectivity, cable connectivity, high rail density and more air links to and from Raipur, 24/7 rural electrification and high-quality educational infrastructure and job opportunities.

We need to shift gears and I look to my bureaucracy and political team to start finding means to meet these,' Singh signs off, hinting these would be his future agenda during his fourth term as the CM.
During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Manila for the ASEAN Summit, India focused on the Indo-Pacific region, counter terrorism and the aggressive posturing of China in the region.

The tone was set ahead of Modi's visit when India, US, Japan and Australia got together to revive an alliance called the Quadrilateral.

The four countries had met 'for consultations on the issues of common interest in the Indo- Pacific region', the Indian ministry of external affairs said in a statement.

President Donald Trump (right) and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shake hands during a bilateral meeting at the ASEAN Summit

Foreign secretary S Jaishankar in a media briefing on Monday downplayed the Quad meeting, saying there was just a passing reference to it during the Modi-Trump bilateral as it was just a meet of junior officials.

Modi addressed the Indian community in Manila reminding them of India's non-expansionist ideology, having highlighted the achievements of his government by also invoking Mahatma Gandhi.

Claiming that India in 5,000 years has not hurt anybody, Modi said: 'India has always contributed to world peace. Our contingent in the UN Peacekeeping Forces is among the biggest. India is the land of Mahatma Gandhi, peace is integral to our culture,' he said.

Modi said that relations between India and the US are growing

With the visit to Philippines, India draws a complete circle in its 'Act East Policy' by having visited all 10 ASEAN nations in the first three years of Modi administration.

The focus of the Indian establishment was to find ways and alternatives on land as also in sea to counter the growing aggressiveness of China in the region.

The meeting between Modi and Trump in Manila on Monday was one of the significant bilateral meetings  on the sidelines of the 31st ASEAN Summit.

While Modi emphasised the need to converge interests and said, 'Relations between India and US are growing. Our relations go beyond, we are working for future interests of Asia and humanity', Trump described Modi as a 'great gentleman', adding that the two would continue to work together.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with US President Donald Trump, Japanese Prime Shinzo Abe and other world leaders at an ASEAN Summit dinner in Manila

'PM Narendra Modi is here. We had met at the White House before. He has become a friend of ours. He is doing a great job. A lot of things were solved and we will continue to work together,' the President said.

Mail Today has learnt that China came up during discussions between Trump and Modi, where the US president 'shared his impressions' of his recent visit to Beijing.

As per Jaishankar, 'both sides discussed the concerns regarding North Korth's nuclear programme, state of affairs in the Middle East.'

India made it a point to refer to Pakistan through the issue of terrorism and proliferation linkages.

Prime Minister's focus has also been to make India one of the top investing destinations.

Modi advocated that investors should look at India as their future business destination as his government would continue to work on issue of 'ease of doing business'.
Donald Trump's extensive East Asian visit has not produced any striking results, which is not surprising as US policy towards this region is marked by contradictions.

China's policies in the region have become increasingly disruptive, but an effective US response is absent because the huge American trade and financial links to China rob Washington of the kind of tools deployed against Russia where American economic stakes are very limited.

Russia is being punished over sovereignty issues involving Ukraine and perceived threats to US allies in Europe, but China is not being penalised for asserting arbitrary sovereignty claims in East and South China Seas, bullying US allies in the region and threatening the freedom of navigation and overflights there.

President Donald Trump boards Air Force One at Beijing Airport

Issues

Trump can neither visit Russia nor engage Vladimir Putin meaningfully elsewhere, but he has received Xi Jinping in his private Florida estate and has now made a 'state visit plus' to China.

While such visits do not necessarily produce long-lasting results if differences are deep and structural  Barack Obama's meetings with Putin failed to mend US-Russia ties  their immediate objective is to manage and stabilise ties.

In that sense, there is a vested interest on both sides and to project success even if it is meagre in reality.

The US President had two principal issues to flog with China  reducing America's massive trade deficit and countering the North Korean nuclear threat.

By seeking China's crucial support for defanging Pyongyang of its nuclear teeth, Trump has weakened his hand on pummelling Beijing on trade issues.

He cannot solicit Chinese cooperation on one vital issue and threaten China on another.

US President Donald Trump (right) and Chinese President Xi Jinping (left) shake hands during dinner

In fact China has neither the means nor the resolve to denuclearise North Korea, and Trump too, despite his bluster, cannot use military means to achieve that objective without exposing Seoul to horrendous consequences.

China will not abandon North Korea so long as the US is militarily present in South Korea, and the US cannot withdraw from the Korean peninsula without unravelling its long-standing security arrangements in the region and eroding the political foundation of its presence there.

Trump will not get satisfaction from China on both issues. China has played the shrewder card so far, building its economic power on the back of America and its allies and using the strength acquired (including military) to challenge American power in the region.

US President Donald Trump meets business leaders in China

If the US has huge economic stakes in China, so has China in the US, and in a sense even more as China has flourished through its US connection and the process of globalisation promoted by America.

Yet, China is willing to strategically defy the US and the latter is unable to effectively counter it. Trump has created a lot of uncertainty about the thrust of US policies in East Asia.

The intensely parochial 'America First' philosophy sends a signal even to its allies in the region that US interests will override theirs.

Such a message cannot remain limited to the economic domain as it will create doubts about US security commitments to the region if their excessive burden is seen by the US as weakening it economically.

This explains why Trump wants US allies to buy more American arms as a price for providing them security.

In Japan, Trump stated, with Abe alongside, the importance of Japan purchasing 'massive amounts of military equipment', whether F-35s or missiles because it 'is a lot of jobs for us and a lot of safety for Japan and other countries that are purchasing a lot of military equipment from us'.

Relationship

On the same podium, however, Trump called his relationship with Xi 'excellent' and declared that he 'liked him a lot'.

He continued his flattery of Xi during his China visit calling him 'a very special man', a 'highly respected and powerful representative of his people', and congratulating him for consolidating his power at the recent 'very successful' Communist party congress.

Why he should want to bolster Xi Jinping's stature internally in China and externally too by such lavish praise of a leader who has emerged as a dictatorial, powerdriven figure, contemptuous of Western democracy and determined to challenge the US in Asia is baffling, all the more so as Xi reserved no such effusions for Trump as a person and leader in return.

Response

Oddly, Trump's visits produced no joint statements, which points to the difficulties in agreeing to balanced formulations on divisive issues with the White House.

The release of the White House on the Trump- Xi talks is not substantial. Xi used the opportunity of the joint press conference with Trump to elaborate on China's positions on issues on the agenda with the US.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump attend a welcoming ceremony

He sought practical cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative, called for respecting each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity (subjects on which China's unilateralism under Xi is becoming more objectionable), underlined China's role in the Asia-Pacific, claiming that 'the Pacific Ocean is big enough to accommodate both China and the United States', which is an indirect way of affirming that China will pursue its assertive policies in this region and the US should yield it the space it wants.

This implies absence of any recognition that its muscle flexing is causing unwanted tensions in the region. In sum, it remains unclear at the international level how forcefully Trump wants to respond to China's challenge to US power.

India has to keep watching.

The writer is former foreign secretary
Uber looks set to take a big step on the path towards becoming a public company after a consortium of investors led by Japanese tech firm SoftBank agreed to invest billions in the transportation app.

The taxi hailing app confirmed today it had signed a deal with Japan's SoftBank and other investors although it did not comment on the size of the deal.

The consortium would initially invest $1billion (764million) and then build a stake over time to reach a holding of around 14 per cent, according to reports.

Investment: Uber has sealed a multi-billion dollar deal with a consortium of investors led by Japanese tech firm SoftBank

The deal, which also includes changes to Uber's corporate governance, comes just a week after boss Dara Khosrowshahi confirmed the taxi app firm was planning a stock market flotation in 2019.

It also follows a year marked by a series of problems and scandals, including a raft of court cases about its drivers' employment rights, allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination within the company and executives departures.

'We've entered into an agreement with a consortium led by SoftBank and Dragoneer on a potential investment,' Uber said in a statement.

'We believe this agreement is a strong vote of confidence in Uber's long-term potential.

'Upon closing, it will help fuel our investments in technology and our continued expansion at home and abroad, while strengthening our corporate governance.'

Uber is currently valued at around $68.5billion (52.4billion), but reports suggest that the stock offers would be based on a lower valuation, making the total value of the multibillion-dollar deal unclear.

Richard Windsor, an analyst at Edison Investment Research, said: 'The deal also goes hand in hand with agreements to restructure Uber's corporate governance in a bid to draw a line under the disastrous 2017 that Uber has had.

'This is badly needed as management turnover, bad press, unhappy drivers and a series of scandals has led to the company focusing on anything but its core business in 2017.

'This has resulted in a meaningful deterioration of its market position and outlook in our opinion.'

It comes as Uber last week lost an appeal against a ruling that its drivers should be treated as workers rather than self-employed, hence receiving the minimum wage, wick pay and paid leave.

Uber also did not get its licence to operate in London renewed in September after TfL said it had issues with the firm's conduct, including how the firm was reporting criminal offences and how it conducted criminal and medical checks on its drivers.

In the US, it is facing increased competition by rival Lyft, which has recently won backing from Google.
A polite, but unlucky, drugs suspect has found himself in more trouble after he doffed his hat to the female judge - only for cocaine to fall out in the middle of the courthouse.

Juan Jose Vidrio Bibriesca, originally of Mexico who was in the country illegally, was at Eagle County District Court on November 8 for a bond violation on felony drug charge.

The 43-year-old had just taken a stand on the podium in front of Judge Katharine Sullivan, when he decided to do the gentlemanly thing and removed his hat.

Juan Jose Vidrio Bibriesca, (pictured) originally of Mexico who was in the country illegally, was at Eagle County District Court on November 8 for a bond violation on felony drug charge

Unfortunately for him, as he swung his hat behind his back, an eagle-eyed police officer noticed a small square of folded paper fall from it to the ground.

That paper was later found to contain cocaine. Court room surveillance cameras confirmed the tiny package had come from Bibriesca's hat.

Bibriesca was almost immediately taken next door to the county jail where he received two new charges; narcotics possession and another bond violation.

Booking documents don't indicate if he has hired an attorney.

It is not clear whether he has been approached by Immigration and Customs Enforcement yet.

The 43-year-old had just taken a stand on the podium at Eagle County District Court (pictured) when he decided to do the gentlemanly thing and removed his hat
The former Prime Minster of Lebanon, whose resignation last week sent shockwaves across the region, has shot down rumours that he is being held against his will in Saudi Arabia.

Saad Hariri said that he is free to leave Saudi Arabia whenever he likes, and is set to return to Lebanon later this week to make a formal resignation to the government.

Lebanese President Michel Aoun has yet to formally accept Harari's resignation and insisted the premier has been 'restricted' in his movements.

Hitting back: Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri said that he is free to leave Saudi Arabia whenever he likes, and is set to return to Lebanon 'in two or three days'

Hariri resigned as prime minister on Saturday in a shock declaration read from Saudi Arabia, pitching Lebanon into deep political crisis and pushing the country back to the forefront of a regional struggle between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

At the time, Hariri accused Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah of taking over his country and destabilising the broader region.

It led to speculation that he had been coerced to leave his post by Riyad and that he was under de-facto house arrest.

Harari refuted this in an interview Sunday, saying 'I am free here. If I want to travel tomorrow, I will,' Hariri said.

'I will return to Lebanon very soon,' Hariri said, adding later that he would land in Beirut 'in two or three days'.

In the interview with his party's own TV channel, Hariri, 47, repeated accusations that that Iran and Hezbollah are interfering in Lebanon.

Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri shakes hands with Saudi Arabia's King Salman in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on November 11

'We cannot continue in Lebanon in a situation where Iran interferes in all Arab countries, and that there's a political faction that interferes alongside it.

'Maybe there's a regional conflict between Arab countries and Iran. We're a small country. Why put ourselves in the middle?'

Wearing a suit and tie and with a Lebanese flag in the background, the former premier looked tired on Sunday and spoke softly but firmly throughout the interview.

Hariri, who also holds Saudi citizenship, said that he wrote his resignation himself and wanted to submit it in Lebanon, 'but there was danger'.

He also appeared to lay down an exit strategy, saying he would be willing to 'rescind the resignation' if intervention in regional conflicts stopped.

'We need to respect the disassociation policy,' Hariri said, referring to an agreement among Lebanese political factions that they would not interfere in Syria's six-year war.

He appeared to be alluding to Hezbollah's military intervention on behalf of the Syrian government, to which Hariri is opposed.

Harari, a two-time premier, cited fears for his life when he resigned from his post last week, less than a year after his unity government was formed with Hezbollah.

Lebanese have expressed concern that the move could thrust the country into a political and economic tailspin, as it remains unclear who could replace Hariri.

Western countries moved quickly to express their support for the premier, with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson calling him a 'strong partner'.

Explaining himself: Lebanese watch an interview with resigned prime minister Saad Hariri at a coffee shop in Beirut

A poster of Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri, hangs beside a roundabout in the northern Lebanese port city of Tripoli

Tillerson warned against any party 'using Lebanon as a venue for proxy conflicts or in any manner contributing to instability in that country'.

The Arab League said it would hold an extraordinary meeting next Sunday at the request of Saudi Arabia to discuss 'violations' by Iran in the region, according to a document shown to AFP by diplomats on Sunday.

Meanwhile, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves le Dria called for 'non-interference' in Lebanon,as he arrived for a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels today.

'For there to be a political solution in Lebanon, it is necessary that all of the political leaders have total freedom of movement and that non-interference is a fundamental principle.'

Hariri has spent the past week in a string of meetings with diplomats and Saudi officials in Riyadh, including an encounter with Saudi King Salman.

He left the kingdom once for a trip to Abu Dhabi.

In his interview on Sunday, Hariri said he has 'excellent' ties with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in an apparent effort to put to rest rumours that the Saudi crown prince had pressured him to step down.

'Really, I consider him a brother and he considers me a brother. It's an excellent and special relationship,' he said.

But he refused to comment on the internal political turmoil in Saudi Arabia, where dozens of high-profile politicians and businessmen have been arrested in what authorities say is an anti-graft drive.

Harari's father Rafik made his fortune in Saudi Arabia and also served as premier for years before he was assassinated in 2005.
Subaru urgently recalling four of its popular models over faulty Takata airbags

Subaru is recalling more than 150,000 of its most popular vehicles over defective and potentially fatal Takata airbags.

The fault affects four of the most popular models from Subaru including: Impreza 2004-2007 and 2008-2013, Forester 2009-2012, Liberty 2010-2014 and Outback 2010-2014.

The airbags can explode with too much force when they fill up and spew out shrapnel, and have been linked to at least 16 deaths and 180 injuries worldwide.

Subaru Liberty 2010 model (pictured) is one of the vehicles that is being urgently recalled

Subaru Impreza 2008 (pictured) could potentially contain a potentially defective Takata airbag

In a recall statement on their website, Subaru urges anyone that owns one of the listed cars to immediately visit a retailer for a replacement airbag inflator at no charge.

'The vehicle's passenger-side front airbag inflator is potentially defective and could pose a risk of serious injury or death to you and other people in your vehicle.

'Over time, moisture can affect the propellant in the passenger side front airbag inflator, so that it deploys with much greater force than intended, causing sharp fragments to fly at high speed toward people in the vehicle.

'This could cause serious injury or death. Even in a minor incident, the airbag inflator in your vehicle could be triggered, rip apart and propel sharp metal fragments at high speed toward you and your passengers.

'People have been killed and seriously injured by this defect.'

The defect in the inflators stems from use of the explosive chemical ammonium nitrate in the inflators to deploy air bags in a crash.

The chemical can deteriorate when exposed to hot and humid air and burn too fast, blowing apart a metal canister.

It's not the first time Subaru have recalled vehicles because of the inflator issue.

The Japanese car maker recalled more than 30,000 vehicles in May 2015, and Toyota, Mazda, BMW, and Lexus have also all recalled vehicles because of the airbags.

The faulty airbags can explode with too much force and spew out shrapnel (stock image)

Four popular models have been recalled over airbag scandal (pictured Subaru Outback 2010)

A faulty Takata airbag is believed to have caused the death of a 58-year-old man killed in Sydney in July.

Police investigations revealed that his death was 'likely due to a fault in the airbag, causing the man to be struck in the neck by a small fragment'.

Police said that the Honda which the deceased man was driving, is included in a worldwide recall for cars believed to have non-satisfactory safety devices.

In July the makers Takata Corp. filed for bankruptcy protection in Tokyo and the US, saying it was the only way to ensure it could carry on supplying replacements for faulty air bag inflators.

So far 100 million inflators made by the Japanese company have been recalled worldwide, affecting 42 million vehicles.

Subaru owners can use Subaru's VIN look-up tool to see if their vehicle is affected by this recall: https://www.subaru.com.au/recall
Britain's most married man has been left heartbroken after the woman who was due to be wife number nine left him and ran off with another man before she walked down the aisle.

Ron Sheppard, 69, has already tied the knot eight times and was certain he had found his 'forever wife' when he met 28-year-old Cristel Lalec.

His previous eight marriages had all failed but he had high hopes for his future because he 'loved her with all his heart'.

But Mr Sheppard, from Yeovil, Somerset, was devastated when he walked into her room and realised she had packed all of her things and had left.

Ron Sheppard was set to get married for the ninth time, to 28-year-old Cristel Lalec (pictured), but she ran off

He proposed to the call centre worker on New Year's Eve in 2015 after spending Christmas with her family in the Philippines

Mr Sheppard, 69, was spotted enjoying the outing at Fleet Air Arm Museum in Somerset with Cristel Lalec, his ninth wife

He had previously been told by the Home Office that Filipino Cristel could not remain in the UK and she would have to go home.

The great-grandfather now thinks she was in another relationship and he has called the Border Agency to tip them off because she could be in the UK illegally.

RON SHEPPARD'S WIVES Wife No 1: Margaret in 1966. Had three children and divorced after two years. Wife No 2: Jeanette, married in 1973 and divorced after just one year together. Mr Sheppard later described the union as a 'business transaction'. Wife No 3: Lesley, wed in 1976. He left five years later following a string of arguments. The couple have two sons. Wife No 4: Kathy, met in a holiday camp and they married in 1982. They had a daughter and lasted four years. Wife No 5: Sue, whom he met in a bingo hall and married in 1986. They had two sons but she threw him out in 1997. Wife No 6: Usha, wed in 1999. They split after four years when Mr Sheppard cheated on her while in Thailand. Wife No 7: Wan. The couple met in Bangkok in 2003 and married that year. The pair were in the UK together for just eight months when Wan left him and returned to her home country. Wife No 8: Weng, married in 2004. The pair met online and Sheppard flew out to the Philippines. The couple were together for 11 years and split in 2015. Wife-to-be No 9: Cristel. Sheppard proposed on December 31, 2015, weeks after leaving Weng. Advertisement

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, he said: 'I'm devastated by this, I did everything for that girl and she does a runner, I feel like such a mug.

'We had no love life, nothing whatsoever because she insisted she was a committed Christian and did not believe in sex before marriage.

'I respected that and hoped at least she would become my carer but she just became more distant.

'She hated my Norman Wisdom impressions, she had no idea who he was. She'd just sit there with her earphones in taking selfies and I'd have to shout her name just to get her to look at me.'

But he became suspicious when she lost her engagement ring and started making friends and going out more.

Mr Sheppard, who married his first wife in 1966, then went into her room and noticed she had taken all of her luggage with her.

He said: 'A friend has told me she met another man since she has been here and is now with him. I am devastated beyond words.

'I loved that woman with all my heart. But I thought it was for the best I phoned the police and the Border Agency just in case she was trying to stay illegally.'

The couple met in Thailand in 2015 and he said at the time: 'This one is real love. This is the last one. I promise.'

Cristel said that she 'knows what it looks like' but insisted she was not using Mr Sheppard to get a visa and remain in Britain.

Despite his bad fortune, Mr Sheppard is still convinced he will get married for the ninth time and believes his true love is 'still out there'.

Mr Sheppard was just 19 when he married first wife Margaret in 1966 (left). Bride number three, Lesley (right), wed Mr Sheppard in 1976

Ron with his fourth wife Kathy, who met in a holiday camp before they married in 1982. They had a daughter and lasted four years

Ron's fifth wife, Sue, whom he met in a bingo hall and married in 1986. They had two sons but she threw him out in 1997

Sheppard was just 19 when he tied the knot with first wife Margaret in 1966 and the pair had two children together before divorcing two years later.

He then met second wife Jeanette in a Kingston bingo hall and they wed in 1973, but it lasted one year. He has since described the marriage as a 'business transaction' which enabled them to receive a bigger house from the council.

Shortly after their divorce, Mr Sheppard met third wife Lesley and in 1976 they tied the knot. They went on to have two children together and he said he thought she 'was for keeps', but he left five years later following a string of arguments.

He went on to meet 18-year-old blonde Kathy at Pontins holiday camp in Somerset and the pair married in 1982. They had a daughter together and lasted four years, despite Mr Sheppard claiming it was a 'rebound relationship' following his split from Lesley.

Mr Sheppard and Miss Lalec first met more than ten years ago, while Mr Sheppard was married to Wan (pictured), wife number seven

Wife number eight: Weng Platino (pictured left, on their wedding day and right, on their 10th anniversary) married Mr Sheppard in 2004

He then met his fifth wife Sue at a bingo hall. Despite admitting he was not 'swept off his feet by her', he moved in to her two-bedroom home and they married in 1986. They had two sons together but she threw him out when he was offered a job in Bournemouth.

He then went on to marry Usha in 1999, after the pair met while he was on a stop-off trip to Singapore.

They lasted four years but split after Mr Sheppard cheated on her during a holiday alone to Thailand.

With divorce number six behind him, he met seventh wife Wan in Bangkok in 2003 during a trip to visit an old friend.

However, after returning to the UK, the pair stayed together for just eight months before the bride announced she was returning to her native country in 2003.

It was then Mr Sheppard met Weng after meeting her online. He flew out to meet her in the Philippines.

The couple instantly clicked and married on the Isle of Wight in November, 2004.
Just days before she was killed in a horror drag racing crash, a delighted Anita Board unwrapped a brand new racing helmet - it was the morning of her eighth birthday.

Jumping for joy as she pulled paper from her gift, the heartwarming video came just three days before her drag racing car crashed into a barrier at a speedway in Perth.

The young girl was trying to become the latest member of her family to get her drag racing licence on Sunday afternoon, when she lost control of the vehicle at speed.

In Australia, drag racers can begin driving at speeds of up to 96km/h once they turn eight.

But shocked parents have slammed the national rules, questioning why you have to be older than 16 to drive a car but can begin racing drag vehicles while still a child.

Scroll down for video

Anita Board (pictured) died when she lost control of the drag racing car she was driving and crashed into a concrete wall at a speedway in Perth on Sunday afternoon

Shocked parents have slammed the national rules, questioning why you have to be older than 16 to drive a car but can begin racing drag vehicles while still a child

'A normal car doing 100k/hm is sometimes a little concerning. A child of eight doing 96 km/h I can't get my head around,' one social media user said.

'An eight-year-old is never going to have the maturity to handle a car doing speed and burnouts. RIP little darling,' another said.

'Who in their right mind would think a child of 8 is OK to drive at 95km/h,' one wrote.

It's understood the Board family were regulars on the Western Australia drag racing circuit.

Under national rules, racers aged between eight and 10 can not exceed 96km/h, but it is understood the top speeds of vehicles driven by beginners are much lower.

Competitors in junior drag racing can range in age from eight to 17 and are placed in three classes depending on experience.

The beginners drive what are known as 'tin pots', reaching top speeds of 40-50km/h.

Other social media users defended the circumstances surrounding her death, saying it was simply an accident and that she was 'doing something she loved'.

The crumpled wreckage of the car is taken away from the scene on the back of a tow truck

Just days earlier a delighted Anita unwrapped her first ever drag racing helmet on her eighth birthday (pictured)

She was later taken to Princess Margaret Hospital in a critical condition to undergo emergency surgery

'It is extremely sad, but it is also a sport and she was doing what she loved... is very sad but you can't stop this sport,' one user wrote.

'People say it's too young. How young do you think Brock, Lowndes, Winterbottom, Whincup, and Daniel Riccardo were when they started racing?' another commented.

Mike Sprylan of West Coast Junior Dragsters said it wasn't unusual to see eight-year-olds competing in the sport.

'They get into all sport at that age,' he said.

Taking to Facebook to pay tribute to his youngest daughter, Anita's father Ian said his heart had broken 'into a million pieces', urging parents to 'hug their little ones tight'.

'Not much to say but hug your little ones tight. Remind them that you love them,' his post began.

Ian J Board lost his youngest daughter Anita on Sunday afternoon after she lost control of her vehicle

While there was outrage at her death, many commenters also supported her 'doing something she loved'

He earlier shared a photo of his two daughters, writing: 'Our angel setting (out) on what was meant to be a day to remember for all the right reasons. My heart in a million pieces atm.'

Days earlier the family celebrated Anita's birthday by go karting in preparation for her 'hitting the dragstrip' on Saturday for her licence.

'Happy Birthday to our big little girl. Wishing you life long memories and fun. Mum, Dad & Zara xxx,' the post read.

Anita passed away at Princess Margaret Hospital having suffered 'severe injuries' in the crash.

Pictures of the young girl on her father's social media account show her standing in front of a 210CC purple dragster called 'Pony Power'.

Anita is believed to have lost control of her 210cc engine dragster (pictured) before slamming into a wall at the Perth Motorplex at Kwinana Beach

Anita's car lines up at the start line just moments before she died in the horrific crash (pictured)

Emblazoned with My Little Pony character Rainbow Dash, she stood alongside older sister Zara whose drives a blue-streaked dragster named 'Night Fury'.

Members of the tight-knit dragster community have changed their Facebook profile pictures to the Rainbow Dash character in honour of the little girl.

The siblings were among 26 entrants for the Goldenstates Junior Dragster event.

Racing was temporarily suspended while police investigated.

Police are preparing a report for the coroner and want to speak with anyone who saw or took video of the crash.
The Liberal Party have been left red-faced after one of their Facebook pages mocked Labor MP Sam Dastyari and his 's*** eating grin'.

The Ryde Liberals social media account posted an image of Dastyari on Sunday, mocking his video opposing a Queensland union between the Coalition and One Nation.

The post, which has since been edited, referred to the senator as 'pesty' and apologised to residents for his appearance in the nearby suburb of Eastwood.

'Look at these s*** eating grin,' the post read.

'Apologies to all Bennelong residents who had to endure the pesty Senator Sam Dastyari and his amateur Labor sidekicks down at Eastwood this weekend.'

Scroll down for video

The Liberal Party have been left red-faced after one of their Facebook pages mocked Labor MP Sam Dastyari and his 's*** eating grin'

The post, which has since been edited, referred to the senator as 'pesty' and apologised to residents for his appearance in the nearby suburb of Eastwood

The Ryde Liberals quickly edited the post, removing the obscenity and reference to Dastyari's face.

'I wonder if his local crony Mayor Jerome Laxale had to draw a detailed map for the Senator so that he didn't get too lost on his way out west from his Five Dock mansion?' the post now reads.

'Here's a tip for these Labor kids: Bennelong doesn't like senators who get kicked off the front bench for taking shifty illegal donations linked with the communist party.'

Dastyari has had the Liberal party in his cross hairs recently as Labor attempt to stop a preference deal in Queensland that would see them lose their majority.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Ryde Liberals for comment.

The Ryde Liberals quickly edited the post, removing the obscenity and reference to Dastyari's face

Last week Dastyari hit the headlines after he appeared in a video being ambushed by a group of men

A far-right group called Patriot Blue approached the Iranian-born Senator at Footscray bar VU on Wednesday night, where he was promoting his new book

Last week Dastyari hit the headlines after he appeared in a video being ambushed by a group of men.

A far-right group called Patriot Blue approached the Iranian-born Senator at Footscray bar VU on Wednesday night, where he was promoting his new book.

The men hurled racist insults as the Labor powerbroker, labelling him a 'monkey' and 'terrorist' in a disgusting verbal assault.
A cosmetic surgeon is being investigated after a patient accused him of operating on her without consent and botching her breast procedure.

Rhonda Joy Ewin, 67, from Elanora, has sued Dr Mark Doyle, who works at the Gold Coast Plastic Surgery in Tugun, Queensland.

Ms Ewin claims Dr Doyle excised a scar underneath her right breast in March 2015 without her permission and without providing any warning at John Flynn Private Hospital in Tugun, the Courier Mail reports.

A cosmetic surgeon is being investigated after a patient accused him of operating on her without consent and botching her breast procedure. File photo

The scar was from an earlier breast procedure that was not performed by Dr Doyle.

But she claims that his excision of it led to a 'serious infection and inflammation' and meant she needed urgent surgery to remove her breast implants.

Ms Ewin also claims that her breasts were left disfigured as a result of Dr Doyle's actions and has caused her psychological suffering.

She complained to the Health Ombudsman in June 2015  and her complaint was referred to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.

Rhonda Joy Ewin, 67, from Elanora, has sued Dr Mark Doyle, claiming his excision of a scar below her breast led to her needing urgent surgery to remove her breast implants. File photo

Ms Ewin's lawyer told the District Court in Brisbane last month that he had spoken to the AHPRA, who told him their investigation into Dr Doyle is ongoing.

Solicitor Kaine Shanahan, of Gouldson Legal, asked the court for an extension to ensure Ms Ewin's claims do not expire because of the three-year limitation period.

Ms Ewin's lawyers also filed a report by a plastic surgeon, Phil Richardson, in court that states Dr Doyle's surgery was 'not reasonable' and a 'high-risk manoeuvre.'

Daily Mail Australia have contacted Mr Shanahan and the AHPRA for comment. A spokesman for Dr Doyle declined to comment.
Disgraced former deputy mayor Salim Mehajer has teased a new love interest to his 192,000 followers on social media.

Mr Mehajer, 31, took to Instagram on Sunday to post a photo of a woman with long brunette hair sitting across from him at a table.

The embattled property developer proudly captioned the photo with four red love heart emojis.

But in an apparent attempt to hide the woman's identity, he covered her face with a monkey emoji and also blurred the woman's left wrist.

In an apparent attempt to hide the woman's identity, he also covered her face with a monkey emoji and blurred the woman's left wrist

The photo comes amid business uncertainty for the Sydney identity.

The Australian Securities and Investment Commission announced it was 'making inquiries' into whether Mr Mehajer's new wedding planning business was in breach of an order made against him.

Mr Mehajer was banned from managing companies for three years in November 2015 after two of his property-development firms collapsed.

The two failed business ventures put Mr Mehajer in more than $1 million debt with the Australian Taxation Office.

Mr Mehajer could continue to operate the business because there is no law preventing a banned director from owning a company,The Australian reported.

The disgraced property developer announced his new wedding business on Instagram in September but is banned from managing companies due to a $1 million tax debt

Despite the backlash and the public breakdown of his marriage, Mr Mehajer has defiantly promoted his new wedding planning business (pictured) on social media

The embattled property developer created Mehajer Wedding and Event Planning in September together with Ahmed Jaghbir, 28, who, in a matter unrelated to Mr Mehajer, was last week charged with the murder of a gangland figure.

The Sydney identity announced his new wedding business on Instagram in September but was banned from managing companies due to his $1 million tax debt.

The business comes two years after he tied the knot with his now estranged wife Aysha Learmonth in August 2015, in a so-called 'wedding of the century'.

The business comes two years after he tied the knot with his now estranged wife Aysha Learmonth (together) in August 2015, in a so-called 'wedding of the century'

Mr Mehajer (bottom centre) created Mehajer Wedding and Event Planning in September together with Ahmed Jaghbir, 28, (top left) who was charged with the murder of a gangland figure in March - the pair have been friends for years, with Mr Jaghbir even attending Mr Mehajer's 2015 wedding

The elaborate ceremony boasted helicopters, dozens of luxury cars and illegally shut down an entire street in Sydney's west, prompting public outrage.

Despite the backlash and the public breakdown of his marriage, Mr Mehajer has defiantly promoted his new wedding planning business on social media.

'Exciting news  it's been over a year in the making, we the Mehajer family have decided to release our very own product line and services,' he said on Instagram.

'Whilst we are all very occupied with our day to day jobs, with our skill of creative, we make use of our education and passion to dream as we aim to take our hobby to the next level.'

Mr Mehajer was banned from managing companies for three years in November 2015 after two of his property-development firms collapsed (pictured outside court on October 24, 2017)

Mr Mehajer's business associate Ahmed Jaghbir (pictured together) is also well-known to the authorities

Mr Jaghbir (pictured) , sole director of Mr Mehajer's wedding planning business, was arrested last week over the murder of an outlaw motorcycle gang member

Mr Mehajer's business associate Ahmed Jaghbir is also well-known to the authorities.

Mr Jaghbir, sole director of Mr Mehajer's wedding planning business, was arrested last week over the murder of an outlaw motorcycle gang member.

Mr Jaghbir was charged with the execution-style shooting of Sydney underworld figure Kemel Barakat.

Barakat, 29, was shot multiple times as he slept in his bed at his Mortlake home at about 2.30am on March 10.

There will be no law preventing Mr Jaghbir from staying on as director of Mehajer Wedding and Event Planning even if he is convicted of the murder.

There is no suggestion Mr Mehajer was involved in the murder of Barakat.

Mr Jaghbir (pictured centre) was charged with the execution-style shooting of Sydney underworld figure Kemel Barakat

Mr Jaghbir was charged with the execution-style shooting of Sydney underworld figure Kemel Barakat
Amazon has been slammed by customers for introducing a sneaky fee of 3.99 for its same day delivery service.

Under the new arrangement, customers are expected to pay 3.99 plus a 2 tip for the driver on orders under 40.

Amazon customers pay an annual fee of 79 to become a member of its Prime service on the basis this covers free delivery of unlimited purchases through the year.

Under the new arrangement, customers are expected to pay 3.99 plus a 2 tip for the driver on orders under 40

However, shoppers with the US giant who want same day delivery under its Prime Now service are being hit with fees on top of the subscription.

Before the change, Amazon had a minimum order of 20 to get free same day delivery through Prime Now.

Now, the minimum order has come down to 15, however any order below 40 comes with the 3.99 fee.

The 3.99 fee covers same day delivery within a specified two hour period.

Before the change, Amazon had a minimum order of 20 to get free same day delivery through Prime Now

Prime Now, which specialises in delivering food, groceries, health, beauty, and home products, launched in 2015.

It operates in London, Birmingham, Newcastle, Manchester and Liverpool with more areas to come.

The US web giants decision risks alienating customers with people giving up on using Prime Now and switching back to conventional supermarkets.

The news has not gone down well with customers according to the angry reaction on Amazons Twitter feed.

One customer wrote: 3.99 for delivery when we already pay 80 a year for prime membership? Will be cancelling.

Scott Bevan wrote: Adding a 3.99 delivery charge to orders under 40 without notice is very sneaky and not cool. Shame.

Another complained: So slyly you start charging 3.99 delivery unless I spend 40 instead of 20 even though I pay for Prime? #Byebye #PrimeNow.

Someone called Jon D wrote: What total s**** that @AmazonUK now try to charge 3.99 plus add 2 tip automatically to @amazonprimenow orders. Lost a customer. #ripoff

Carl Bowler said: Bunch of conmen doubling the order price for free delivery or charging 3.99 after we have already paid for prime #robbery.

Ben Miller wrote: Disgusted that we pay a subscription fee to use prime now and we now have to pay 3.99 every time we order under 40!

And Alisha x said: Was about to get my food delivered through amazon prime now but seen its 3.99 delivery charge?!? Nah ur alright Ill go myself.

Davey said he would be switching away from Amazon. He wrote: Well, thats a shame. Amazon Prime Now has started charging for delivery unless you spend over 40. Im out.

He added: Its now the same price as the big supermarkets, so the only benefit is 2-hour delivery. The supermarkets offer much more of a selection.

Amazon staff did not respond to most of the Tweets, failing to offer any explanation for the change.

It seems likely that the company is trying to protect its profits from what are the high costs of running the delivery service.

Asked to explain the change, Amazon simply provided a link to its help pages which set out the charges.

Sources at the firm indicated the new charging structure is necessary to fund the service and expand the number of products available.

The company recorded huge sales worth 1.4billion in 2016, grabbing business from traditional UK retailers, however it paid just 7.4million in corporation tax, which is a tax on profits.

Amazon said: We pay all taxes required in the UK and every country where we operate. Corporation tax is based on profits, not revenues, and our profits have remained low given retail is a highly-competitive, low margin business and our continued heavy investment.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has blasted North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un, accusing the rogue state of trafficking drugs to fund their nuclear programme.

Mr Turnbull, in Hong Kong for a brief official visit after the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Vietnam, likened North Korea to a criminal syndicate.

Calling the regime the single biggest threat to regional stability, Mr Turnbull said the city's regulators need to deal harshly with North Korean financial interests.

Scroll down for video

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull (pictured) has blasted North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un, accusing the rogue state of trafficking drugs to fund their nuclear programme

Mr Turnbull, in Hong Kong for a brief official visit after the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Vietnam, likened North Korea to a criminal syndicate (pictured is Kim Jong-un)

Mr Turnbull slammed North Korea, saying they are among the most 'cunning, sophisticated criminals' in the world, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.

'Whether it is arms, whether, whether it is cyber-crime, whether it is drugs they are constantly raising money to finance their nuclear program,' Mr Turnbull said.

'North Korea seeks to exploit busy trading hubs like Hong Kong in order to raise revenue for its illegal weapons programs,' Mr Turnbull said, The Australian reported.

'Australia will work with Hong Kong, and all our partners in Asia, to effectively implement UN Security Council sanctions against the North Korean regime.'

Calling the regime the single biggest threat to regional stability, Mr Turnbull (pictured, right, with US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping) said the city's regulators need to deal harshly with North Korean financial interests

While in the Vietnamese city of Danang on the weekend for the APEC summit, Mr Turnbull urged member countries to crack down on the Kim regime.

He stressed the importance of China's role, and said the relationship between US president Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping was 'quite good'.

'Just being with them together  I believe they have a personal chemistry and understanding ... They do see eye to eye,' he told reporters.

Mr Turnbull will travel to Manila this week for the East Asia Summit, where the prime minister will have a formal meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines.

The official visit to Hong Kong is the first by an Australian leader since 1984 and Mr Turnbull (pictured, left) met with Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam (pictured, right) on Sunday

Terrorism and the fight against ISIS in the southern Philippines city of Marawi is expected to be on the agenda.

Mr Turnbull said he would be working closely with Indonesian president Joko Widodo, President Trump and President Xi to combat extremism in the region.

The official visit to Hong Kong is the first by an Australian leader since 1984 and Mr Turnbull met with Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam ton Sunday.

The port city is home to the second largest community of Australian expatriates after London, with more than 100,000 residents.

'With a by-election underway in New England and one pending in Bennelong, I actually am well aware that Hong Kong is the second largest polling booth in the Australian electoral system,' Mr Turnbull said in a speech on Sunday.
Once a month, Michael Gove and Boris Johnson clear an hour or two in their diaries for a private appointment.

To the irritation of their civil servants, they leave their respective ministries with clear instructions not to be disturbed unless its an emergency.

The two meet clandestinely at a discreet Westminster venue  and Brexit is always on the agenda.

Although both were on the winning side in the EU referendum, they famously fell out rancorously during the subsequent Tory leadership election. But since then, they have buried the hatchet. Britains future is more important than petty personal grievances.

Michael Gove and Boris Johnson pull pints of beer at the Old Chapel pub in Darwen, Lancashire in 2016

At one of these meetings between the two biggest pro-Leave beasts in the Cabinet, they agreed it was vital that they produce a blueprint for Brexit.

And so, back in September, over a bottle of Merlot, they put together a strategy document amid increasing concerns about the Government dragging its heels over leaving the EU.

In particular, they were deeply worried by comments by Chancellor Philip Hammond and Home Secretary Amber Rudd, who were prominent Remainers.

In short, they feared Cabinet colleagues were colluding to try to sabotage Brexit.

Significantly, a week before their September meeting, Rudd had accused Johnson of backseat driving after he published his own 4,000-word vision of how Britain should depart the EU.

Much to Brexiteers annoyance, Rudd had also described the prospect of Britain walking away from the negotiating table with no deal with EU negotiators as unthinkable.

The pair were deeply worried by comments by Chancellor Philip Hammond and Home Secretary Amber Rudd, who were prominent Remainers

For his part, Hammond had caused intense irritation over his negative tone about both Brexit and the economy, and by saying he had not put aside extra Treasury money to prepare for the likelihood of no deal.

In the memo, which they saw as a helpful Brexit primer for Theresa May, Gove and Johnson wrote: We are profoundly worried that in some parts of Government the current preparations are not proceeding with anything like sufficient energy.

This was a direct rebuke to Hammond  and to a lesser extent Rudd  over the lack of progress on preparing new systems for border checks, tariff collection, the provision of extra lorry parks near ports and more customs staff in the event of no deal.

The 1,500-word memo was compiled over several days when Parliament was in recess, and it was completed shortly before the Tory conference.

It was sent to the PM soon after her catastrophic party conference and, considering its strident anti-EU tone, they were worried it might be made public.

A key intermediary was Johnsons Press adviser, Lee Cain, a former Fleet Street journalist, who has worked for Gove and Mrs May.

It was agreed that the document should be handed personally to the PMs chief of staff, Gavin Barwell (left), and was only seen by him and the Mrs May

It was agreed that the document should be handed personally to the PMs chief of staff, Gavin Barwell.

Such was its secrecy that even David Davis, the Brexit Secretary, knew nothing about the memo until it leaked yesterday.

While relaxed about the memos message, Mr Davis and his negotiating team fear it will be exploited by their Brussels counterparts who will claim the Government is divided.

Inevitably, after the leak, fingers are being pointed at Barwell, a passionate Remainer.

He is bitter about Brexit which he blames for the loss of his Croydon seat to Labour at the General Election in June. He is also close to Cabinet Secretary Sir Jeremy Heywood who, like most civil servants, has never wanted Britain to leave the EU.

Of course, both Hammond and Rudd would have been furious if they had known about the Johnson/Gove memo.

David Davis, the Brexit Secretary, knew nothing about the memo until it leaked yesterday

I was told by an aide: They will feel threatened by Gove and Johnson going behind their backs.

Also incensed by Johnson and Gove will have been the Whitehall establishment, which hates the idea of politicians holding private meetings.

The fact is that Boris Johnson and Michael Gove are an impressive double-act.

True, their relationship went through a very acrimonious period in the aftermath of the referendum when, as chief Leave cheerleader, Johnson expected to be favourite to succeed David Cameron, only to have his incipient campaign torpedoed by Goves decision to stand himself.

Witheringly, Gove said hed concluded that Boris cannot provide the leadership or build the team for the task ahead.

In the event, Goves candidacy failed humiliatingly and he was dropped from the Cabinet.

But as Foreign Secretary with few Brexiteer allies in Cabinet, Johnson rebuilt bridges with Gove, whom he has known since they were at Oxford University together. Mutual friends such as the Tory MP Conor Burns (Johnsons parliamentary private secretary) helped broker the peace.

The rapprochement was aided by the recall of Gove to the Cabinet as Environment Secretary, despite having been told by Mrs May when she originally dismissed him that hed have to serve at least two years on the backbenches.

It was Johnson who lobbied an initially reluctant Mrs May to bring Gove back sooner.

He also suggested the environment post as it has one of the most complex Brexit in-trays, with issues such as farming, fisheries, food imports and environ- mental protection.

Johnson knew that Andrea Leadsom, who was Environment Secretary, was way out of her depth. The PM knew it, too, I was told.

As a result, there is now much more steel to the Cabinets Brexit plans.

At the last Cabinet meeting devoted to Brexit, David Davis updated ministers on the progress being made across Whitehall. He awarded Gove a gold star for the most dramatic improvement in preparedness for leaving the EU.

The fact is that Boris Johnson and Michael Gove are an impressive double-act

A source says: Gove and Johnson are back on side again. Gove is the intellectual ballast of Brexit  Johnson the charismatic campaigner. They are going to do more together to make the strong and positive case for Brexit.

And that, in a nutshell, is what their joint memo to Mrs May was  a common-sense outline for a two-year transition deal, with extra time to offer more flexibility if needed.

The resurgence of Boris Johnson and Michael Gove  the two titans of the Leave campaign team  will do much to galvanise the Government as it goes into crunch talks with Brussels.

But, of course, it will also trigger talk that in any future Tory leadership contest, they might form an invincible double-act.
An unfortunate brown tree snake has had a close brush with death, leaving her with a wound so severe that her heart was beating outside her body for several hours.

A reptile carer and vet nurse found the wounded creature in Marlow's Lagoon in the Northern Territory and brought her into the Wildlife Rescue Darwin centre on Sunday afternoon.

Dr Stephen Cutter was able to close the wound during a tricky surgery that took about half an hour, and the three-year-old reptile - who they have nicknamed Night Tiger - is expected to make a full recovery.

'She is now back to her normal cranky self,' Dr Cutter told Daily Mail Australia on Monday morning, adding that aggression after surgery is a good sign.

Scroll down for video

A brown snake was found with a wound so severe that her heart was beating outside her body

She's 'back to her normal cranky self' after Dr Stephen Cutter closed the wound during surgery

'It was a fiddly surgery, but most of my work with wildlife is like that. Lots of my patients have been even smaller.'

He explained that the actual surgery was very unusual, because the tear in the snake's skin was directly over the heart.

'She is doing really well now. The actual heart wasn't punctured, which was incredibly lucky. It's the only wound of its type that I've ever seen.'

The surgery was very unusual because the tear in the snake's skin was directly over the heart

Veteran surgeon Dr Stephen Cutter operated on the injured brown snake on Sunday afternoon

Wildlife Rescue Darwin's Vice President Andrea Ruske said that it was the first time either she or Dr Cutter had seen a heart actively beating outside a snake's body.

'We are not sure how the injuries happened, but we know that she was hit by a car,' Ms Ruske told Daily Mail Australia.

'My guess is that she would only have survived one or two more hours maximum.'

She explained that exposed organs die off as soon as they dry, and it was incredibly fortunate that the vet nurse who found her knew what to do.

'This was a more than lucky snake...Our vet nurse knew she had to keep everything moist until she arrived in the clinic.'

Night Tiger will recover at The Ark Animal Hospital in Palmerston before being released back into the wild where she was found.

'Snakes do everything slowly, including healing, so she will be with us for probably another three months,' Dr Cutter added. 'She is in good hands.'

Dr Cutter is the the head veterinary surgeon and founding member of The Ark Animal Hospital

The Ark Aid Animal Hospital in Yarrawonga sees on more than 3000 animal surgeries per year

Dr Cutter is the head veterinary surgeon and founding member of The Ark Animal Hospital and Chairperson of the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee in the Northern Territory.

A dedicated animal welfare activist and veterinary surgeon since 1995, he opened the centre in 2007 and was Award winner in 2010 for the Pride of Australia in the environment category.

The mission of Wildlife Rescue Darwin is to aid sick, injured and orphaned native Australian wildlife and migratory birds, and operates out of Ark Animal Hospital in Yarrawonga.

The hospital sees more than 3000 animals per year, and have a dedicated wildlife room for emergency treatment and care for sick and injured native Australian wildlife.
Ministers have ruled out banning buy one get one free alcohol deals in supermarkets which have been blamed for violent crime and ill health.

In a blow to police chiefs and health campaigners, the Government rejected calls to outlaw multi-buy offers on beer, wine, cider and spirits in a bid to reduce excessive drinking.

A damning House of Lords committee had demanded action after warning that alcohol bought from off-licences and then consumed at home was fuelling domestic abuse and crime and disorder in towns and cities.

A report, published earlier this year, said ministers should mirror laws in Scotland that banned so-called BOGOF promotions to reduce the harm caused binge drinking.

Ministers have ruled out banning buy one get one free alcohol deals in supermarkets which have been blamed for violent crime and ill health

The aim would be to cut any incentive for customers to save money by buying excessive amounts of alcohol.

But in a response slipped out last week the Government said it does not intend to change legislation in an attempt to tackle booze-fuelled mayhem.

The decision dismayed peers and health experts who warned cheap booze offers were adding to disorder.

Richard Piper, chief executive at the charity Alcohol Research UK, said: Whether we like it or not, the UK has a problem with alcohol. Alcohol is the biggest cause of death, ill health and disability for people aged 15-49, and the fifth biggest for all ages.

We know that people are sensitive to price when it comes to how much they drink; this ban on BOGOF deals might have gone some way towards encouraging people to drink less.

Former Tory minister Baroness McIntosh, chairman of the Lords Licensing Act committee, said: Im disappointed that the Government has not taken the step of banning in-your-face, off-the-shelf drink promotions.

In a blow to police chiefs and health campaigners, the Government rejected calls to outlaw multi-buy offers on beer, wine, cider and spirits

We heard evidence that promotions such as buy one get one free alcohol deals were encouraging irresponsible drinking.

People are buying cheap alcohol at supermarkets and off-licences, tanking up at home and then going out which is adding to anti-social behaviour, crime and the resultant burden on public services.

The committee published a report in April after looking into the extent of the misery inflicted by Tony Blairs 24-hour drinking laws.

The cross-party panel said it strongly believed the Government should replicate laws introduced in Scotland in 2011 that barred retailers from BOGOF promotions. Measures should be brought in at the first available opportunity, they said.

The 186-page report by the Lords Licensing Act committee, published in April, said: Lower overheads, and the volumes that they sell, mean that supermarkets can sell high strength alcohol at very low prices, and this is seen as one of the causes of the worst anti-social behaviour and disorder.

Scotland has introduced a range of more sophisticated measures aimed at how the off-trade sells alcohol, and we believe these should be followed in England and Wales.

But the Home Office said the changes had only a limited impact on the amount of alcohol sold by supermarkets and other off-licences.

The aim would be to cut any incentive for customers to save money by buying excessive amounts of alcohol

It said: Research showed that following the ban on multi-buy promotions, households bought alcohol on more occasions but bought fewer products per shopping trip.

Ministers added that a review by Public Health England also concluded that bans on price promotions are not as effective and are easily circumvented.

Labour talked of bringing in a Continental-style cafe culture when it introduced round-the-clock opening in 2005 despite opposition from police, judges, ambulance staff and GPs, as well as a Daily Mail campaign.

In the past 20 years, the amount of alcohol sold through off-licences and supermarkets  what is known as the off-trade  has soared from 42 per cent to 70 per cent.

Police have warned alcohol bought in shops was falling into the hands of the young, who used it to preload, before going drunk to town centres  also putting extra demand on officers.

But opponents warned that a crackdown would lead to sharp increases in the weekly shopping bill of hard-working families who drink in an entirely responsible manner.

The committee published a report in April after looking into the extent of the misery inflicted by Tony Blairs 24-hour drinking laws

Ministers pledged to keep under review the possibility of introducing minimum pricing regime. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon wants to fix a minimum price per unit of alcohol of 50pm but she waiting for a Supreme Court ruling on Wednesday (Nov15).

David Cameron wanted to bring in the system as Prime Minister but he dumped the proposal after strong opposition from within the Cabinet, as ministers warned it could unfairly hit responsible drinkers on lower incomes, and a lobbying campaign by drinks companies.

Instead, the Government introduced a new system in 2014 which works by banning shops and pubs from selling alcohol at less than the total cost of the duty payable to the Treasury, plus VAT.

A Home Office spokesman said: There is no conclusive evidence that banning multi-buy promotions in off-licences would reduce harmful consumption.
Donald Trump Jr lashed out at Star Trek icon George Takei on Sunday just days after the actor was accused of sexually assaulting a former male model while the young man was passed out in his Los Angeles condo in 1981.

'This didn't age well. Maybe George shouldn't opine about victims ever again,' Trump Jr tweeted, referring to Takei's June tweet that accused Ivanka Trump of playing the victim after an interview she did with Fox and Friends.

Takei tweeted in June: 'Yes, Ivanka, by all means, you're the victim here. Persecution complex clearly runs in the family.'

The actor's tweet at the time was in response to Ivanka's interview where she talked about her surprise over the 'viciousness' and 'ferocity' that greeted her father's presidency.

Donald Trump Jr (left) lashed out at Star Trek icon George Takei (right) on Sunday just days after the actor was accused of sexually assaulting a former male model while the young man was passed out in his Los Angeles condo in 1981

'This didn't age well. Maybe George shouldn't opine about victims ever again,' Trump Jr tweeted (pictured), refering to Takei's June tweet that accused Ivanka Trump of playing the victim

Scott Brunton came forward on Friday to say that he was groped by Takei when he was just 24, claiming the actor - then aged 43 or 44-years-old - took advantage of him just after a breakup.

'This happened a long time ago, but I have never forgotten it,' Brunton told the The Hollywood Reporter.

'It is one of those stories you tell with a group of people when people are recounting bizarre instances in their lives, this always comes up. I have been telling it for years, but I am suddenly very nervous telling it.'

The former model said he encountered Takei when he was living in Hollywood and working as a waiter at the beginning of his career at Greg's Blue Dot Bar.

He said he exchanged numbers with the actor, and on occasion the pair called each other or ran into each other at different clubs.

Takei tweeted in June: 'Yes, Ivanka, by all means, you're the victim here. Persecution complex clearly runs in the family.' The actor's tweet at the time was in reponse to an interview in which Ivanka talked about her surprise over the 'viciousness' that greeted her father's presidency

Scott Brunton said he met Takei in 1981 when he was living in Hollywood and had just broken up with his boyfriend. Takei is pictured (above) as his character Hikaru Sulu on the hit television show Star Trek in 1969

When Brunton broke up with the man he was dating at the time, he told Takei, who took the opportunity to invite the model to dinner and the theater.

'He was very good at consoling me and understanding that I was upset and still in love with my boyfriend,' Brunton told THR.

After dinner that night the two men went back to Takei's home for a drink.

Just a few sips into his second drink, which Takei made for him, he said he started feeling unwell.

'I have the second one, and then all of a sudden I begin feeling very disoriented and dizzy, and I thought I was going to pass out,' he explained.

'I said I need to sit down and he said sit over here and he had the giant yellow beanbag chair. So I sat down in that and leaned my head back and I must have passed out.'

Brunton told The Oregonian that he believes he was drugged.

'I know unequivocally he spiked my drink,' said Brunton. 'It takes a lot more than two drinks to put me out.'

He said that after a while he woke up with his pants around his ankles and Takei groping his crotch and trying to get his underwear off.

'I came to and said, 'What are you doing?' I said, 'I don't want to do this,' Brunton told THR.

'He goes, 'You need to relax. I am just trying to make you comfortable. Get comfortable.''

Brunton said he he managed to gather enough strength to push Takei off of him and then went to his car and waited until he felt well enough to drive himself home.

'That was that,' he said of the encounter.

But Takei has denied the allegations saying that the event 'simply did not occur' and he added that he does not know why the model has made these claims now, 36 years later.

But Takei has denied the allegations saying that the event 'simply did not occur' and he added that he does not know why the model has made these claims now, 36 years later

He also said he cannot even 'remember Mr Brunton'.

George began his Twitter chain with: 'I'm writing to respond to the accusations made by Scott R. Bruton.

'I want to assure you all that I am as shocked and bewildered at these claims as you must feel reading them.'

His next tweet read: 'The events he describes back in the 1980s simply did not occur, and I do not know why he has claimed them now. I have wracked my brain to ask if I remember Mr. Brunton, and I cannot say I do.'

The star's third tweet added: 'But I do take these claims very seriously, and I wanted to provide my response thoughtfully and not out of the moment.'

He continued: 'Right now it is a he said / he said situation, over alleged events nearly 40 years ago.

'But those that know me understand that non-consensual acts are so antithetical to my values and my practices, the very idea that someone would accuse me of this is quite personally painful..'

Brunton said that all he wants his for Takei to apologize.

'I would hope that he could bring himself to just apologize. I don't want anything other than that,' he said.

Four of Brunton's close friends told THR that he had confided in them about the alleged assault years ago.

Brunton alleged Takei invited him back to his condo and made him a drink that caused him to pass out. Takei is pictured on the set of Star Trek VI - The Undiscovered Country in 1991

Now, years after the incident, he said he is coming out with his story after seeing Takei's statement about Kevin Spacey to THR on October 30.

After Anthony Rapp alleged that Spacey took advantage of him, the actor used the opportunity to come out as gay.

Takei apparently took offense to that, and aid: 'Men who improperly harass or assault do not do so because they are gay or straight - that is a deflection,' in a statement to THR.

'They do so because they have the power, and they chose to abuse it.'

Brunton said the response infuriated him.

Takei's representative, Julia Buchwald, didn't outright deny the allegations to THR, but said they cannot give his comment at the present time.

'George is traveling in Japan and Australia and not reachable for comment,' she said in a statement.

The 80-year-old rose to fame in his role as Hikaru Sulu in the original Star Trek television series. Since then he has become an outspoken activist advocate for LGBTQ rights.
The owners of an escaped lynx last night said they were considering legal action against a local council that ordered a marksman to shoot it dead.

Lilleth, an 18-month-old Eurasian lynx, had been missing from Borth Wild Animal Kingdom, near Aberystwyth, for almost two weeks after it leapt over an electric fence and out of its enclosure.

Baited traps, heat-seeking drones and even a police helicopter were employed in the hunt to try and catch the elusive animal.

But after she was spotted asleep under a caravan in a holiday park, which was closed for the winter season, on Friday, Ceredigion County Council decided drastic action was needed.

In happier times: The big cat called Lillith was killed in Borth for the 'safety of the public'

Mrs Tweedy said she would be consulting her solicitor today after the council brought in marksman Andrew Venables (pictured) who runs a local firearms training school to kill Lillith

Although zoo owner Tracy Tweedy, 47, insisted the animal was no more a threat to humans or other wildlife than a fox, the authority disagreed.

They said that, following veterinary advice that the risk to the public had increased, they had no choice but to act decisively and humanely destroy the animal.

The lynx was shot dead by a professional marksman, using a specialist night scope, on Friday evening.

Mrs Tweedy said she would be consulting her solicitor today to make sure the zoo and its animals were properly protected and to see if there was any action they could take against the council.

Mr Venables, pictured, told MailOnline that his company had previously trained staff at the wildlife park in the humane use of firearms

It should never have happened and we will fight them on it every step of the way, she added.

It is understood the authority refused to consider tranquilising the lynx because the sedative takes around 15 minutes to take effect, meaning the cat may have run away and been difficult to find in the wooded terrain.

But last night Mrs Tweedy, a former foster carer who took over the zoo with her husband, Dean, six months ago, said: They (the council) wanted to shoot her from day one.

The lynx was spotted sleeping in a closed caravan park a mile from Wild Animal Kingdom, pictured, where it escaped by leaping over an electrified fence

I was informed by the Government vet that it wasnt possible to dart her because of the terrain she was in.

Darting takes time - she could have run off and got lost in the undergrowth and they wouldnt have been able to find her in time to reverse the medication, which can kill if its not reversed in time.

They claimed shooting her outright meant she wouldnt have the trauma of running through bushes. But I didnt agree with it.

Mrs Tweedy received a late-night call on Friday informing them that the lynx, worth around 5,000, had been killed.

The news prompted outrage on social media, with hundreds of locals incensed that the wildcat had been shot and not caught.

We feel devastated that a perfectly healthy animal, that was no more danger to anyone than a fox, has been killed in this way, Mrs Tweedy added.

The caravan park where she was spotted was closed for the winter, there were no humans there except the owners who were happy for us to continue trying to catch her.

This cage is where the lynx was kept along with four others before it escaped

Zoo staff member Kirsten Arnold is pictured searching for the lynx in the days before it was killed

Co-owner of the zoo Dean Tweedy, pictured right, was pictured looking for Lillith when she escaped from the attraction two weeks ago

It would have been the perfect place to dart her but by that time they had made up their mind to put this shoot to kill order in place. I told them they must do what they had to do but I wouldnt sanction it, it was wrong and totally unnecessary.

Mrs Tweedy also suggested the shooting could easily have been avoided had the council not insisted on following unnecessary protocol.

The caravan was boarded in on three sides with decking and all we had to do was sling a net across the back and we would have had her trapped, she said.

Unfortunately, one of the officials insisted that he needed to photograph her and make a positive ID before we were allowed close.

A Ceredigion Council spokesman said with 'deep regret' that the animal had been humanely destroyed

He slipped and fell going up the bank which startled her causing her to run past him and off across the fields.

Mrs Tweedy said she and her husband had requested to see the body of the lynx, or at least a photograph, but the council appeared to be with-holding it.

She claimed the council had been under pressure from the Welsh government and farmers to kill the lynx amid unfounded fears it was worrying livestock.

The zoo voluntarily closed following the lynxs escape and underwent an emergency inspection.

Mrs Tweedy said they were awaiting the councils report and had been told they would have 28 days to comply with any recommendations before they can re-open.

Andrew Venables, the professional marksman who shot the lynx, said attempts to catch the animal were farcical and shooting it was the only option.

Lillith was dubbed the 'Beast of Borth' after escaping from her cage by making a 'giant leap' over an electrified fence

He said using a tranquiliser dart would have involved having to get much closer to the lynx, which could run away before it took effect.

The very sad truth is the fact an animal was allowed to escape in the first place and that the owners were unable to catch it, he said.

The animal was found in a caravan park, where tourism is vital, and the possibility of a darting response was never explored.

It was further complicated by the dark, since it was a night-time operation.

In a statement shared on Facebook, Ceredigion County Council said: Despite exhaustive multi agency efforts to recapture the class A animal, the multi-agency group responding to the incident received additional advice late on Friday afternoon, 10 November, from a specialist veterinary surgeon that the risk to public well-being had increased from moderate to severe due to the continued failure of the Wild Animal Kingdom to recapture the lynx.

The safety of the public was paramount and therefore once the lynx had strayed over to a populated area of the community it was necessary to act decisively.

Aberystwyth councillor Ceredig Davies said he would be seeking a full investigation into how this unfortunate animal met its end in this way.
Jeremy Corbyn was last night accused of hypocrisy over his stance on Iran as the full extent of his links with the repressive regime were revealed.

The Labour leader yesterday called for Boris Johnson to be sacked as Foreign Secretary over his handling of the case of a British mother in jail in Iran, accusing him of embarrassing and undermining our country over remarks that could lead to her spending longer in prison.

Mr Corbyn said the future liberty of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe is under threat because of Mr Johnsons serial bungling.

Jeremy Corbyn called for the sacking of foreign secretary Boris Johnson over his handling of the Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe despite appearing on Iran's Press TV

But he failed to condemn Tehran for locking her up or acknowledge his own connections to the regime, which include defending it against sanctions and taking tens of thousands of pounds from its state-run television channel.

Press TV paid the Labour leader 20,000 for just a handful of appearances on the station, which is now banned from broadcasting in the UK.

Tory MP Andrew Bridgen said: Comrade Corbyn is a hypocrite who should declare how he has taken tens of thousands of pounds from the Iranian regime.

Mr Corbyn says he used his role with Press TV to address human rights issues and challenge the regime, but no evidence of this has been found. Instead, most of his appearances focused on his anti-West, anti-Israel views.

In 2011, Mr Corbyn took part in a roundtable discussion in which he lamented the killing of Osama bin Laden as a tragedy. He attacked the lack of a trial for the 9/11 mastermind and said Barack Obama had become another Pentagon president like the rest of them.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, pictured here with her daughter, Gabriella, is being held in Iran

He told the programme: This was an assassination attempt and is yet another tragedy upon a tragedy.

A year earlier, Mr Corbyn did not raise any objection when a contributor called the BBC Zionist liars and described Israel as a disease.

Mr Corbyn has repeatedly criticised the Wests isolation of Iran and blamed the US for turning it into a nuclear weapons threat.

In an interview in January 2011, he dismissed UK-backed sanctions, saying: I think we should be upping engagement with Iran rather than the sanctions policy and the isolation of Iran.

Mr Corbyn claimed the motivation behind American criticism of the regime was its desire for oil.

In an article published in November 2004, he wrote: It doesnt take a late-night conspiracy theorist to look at the map of the region and see where the oil lies, where the pipelines go, where the US bases are and which countries it does not have any influence over.

That alone should make anyone very wary of the current verbal attacks on Iran.

He added that the US was to blame for Iran becoming a threat, writing: Iran has a civil nuclear power programme, which in law it is entitled to. This has been transformed into a nuclear weapon threat by the very power that has its own massive capacity to destroy, the USA.

In 2011, Mr Corbyn took part in a roundtable discussion in which he lamented the killing of Osama bin Laden as a tragedy

When Mr Corbyn was running to become Labour leader in 2015, he was hailed for his different approach by a senior ally of the Iranian supreme leader Syed Salman Safavi, who served as an aide to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, lavished praise on Mr Corbyn for his stance towards the country, including his belief that the West has ignored the capability of Iran to bring peace in the region.

When asked yesterday if Mr Corbyn was a bit rich calling for Mr Johnson to be sacked after taking tens of thousands of pounds from Iran himself, Labours shadow chief secretary to the Treasury, Peter Dowd, said: Look, two wrongs dont make a right, if you want to put it in those sorts of terms.

Appearing on Sky News, he added: At the end of the day it is not just Jeremy Corbyn effectively making these calls  Im making the call because at the end of the day the Foreign Secretary is not doing his job.

He is the Foreign Secretary, Im not the Foreign Secretary and Jeremy Corbyn is not the Foreign Secretary. He has got the responsibility to act on behalf of the United Kingdom government and, more importantly, UK citizens, and he isnt doing the job. Its as simple as that.

Press TV was taken off air in the UK in 2012 and restricted to the internet after broadcasting an interview with Maziar Bahari, an imprisoned journalist, which was conducted under duress.

Mr Corbyn last year said his 20,000 fee for four appearances between 2009 and 2012 wasnt an enormous amount, actually.
A mother-of-nine who ditched her children and partner of 23 years for a new life with her African toyboy has been slammed as 'nasty' and 'delusional'.

Heidi Hepworth, 44, from East Boldon in South Tyneside, left husband Andy, also 44, for 30-year-old Mamadou Jallow from Gambia after she started talking to strangers online.

After getting tattoos, booking sunbeds and giving herself a makeover, she flew to Gambia last month - her first ever trip out of the UK.

Heidi has been criticised for her actions on Facebook, with many accusing her of being a bad mother.

One poster wrote: 'You really are crazy leaving your family for fantasy island.

'That's exactly what it's like. Nothing is real. But your children are. So sad'

Heidi Hepworth, 44, pictured with 30-year-old Mamadou Jallow, who she met on Facebook

Heidi Hepworth ditched husband Andy (pictured together), for Mamadou Jallow from Gambia after she started talking to strangers online

Mother-of-nine Heidi Hepworth (pictured) ditched her partner of 23 years and their children for a life with an African toyboy she met on Facebook

After getting tattoos (left), booking sunbeds and giving herself a makeover, Heidi (right) flew to Gambia last month - her first ever trip out of the UK - abandoning her nine children and starting a new life with Mamadou

Another said: 'Whatever you are going through has made you delusional.

'It's like a female mid life crisis, but you'll end up like all the other women who have done the same, taken for a ride, humiliated, used and dumped. '

One poster fumed: 'Oh my god, I can't believe what I have just read. What kind of person would abandon all her children?

'I feel sick for them, poor little things having you do this to them. They will be damaged for life.

'Well done, hope you are happy with yourself.

Another woman said: 'I understand it is your life... but leaving your babies?'

One woman said: 'Your poor husband and kids! Fancy leaving them! You ain't [sic] nothing special and no doubt he'll be after a passport! Good luck when it all goes t*** up.'

One man wrote: 'Leaving her husband, I have no issue with. But leaving nine kids? She deserves to be happy of course, but can't the kids be considered. Best of luck to her and the kids.

On October 20, Heidi changed her profile picture on Facebook to this cryptic picture of an interracial couple kissing

One poster said: 'You are mental... have you not read all the stories. See sense please lady. For you and your kids sake.'

Devastated Andy told The Sun: 'The person she has become is horrible. She was a loving, caring mum. Now it's like an alien has possessed her body.

'He has brainwashed her. It's one big fantasy for her and she is following it through step by step.'

The couple have six children together and Andy has raised three children Heidi had from a previous marriage as his own.

They were left in the North East while their mother started life with her new partner.

She told the paper her new squeeze was not after her to get a British passport, and insisted he was a nice man.

Heidi (pictured) said: 'I've met a young gentleman but it's not an affair. The marriage had problems. We drifted apart. Can a woman not have a new relationship?'

Heidi said: 'I've met a young gentleman but it's not an affair. The marriage had problems. We drifted apart. Can a woman not have a new relationship?'

Andy and his wife had been together 18 years when they eventually decided to tie the knot five years ago.

Now, the Navy veteran is convinced their marriage is over having noticed a change in Heidi in March after 'Asian and African men' started adding her on social media sites.

'She was wearing more make up and dresses which she'd never done before. It just wasn't her,' he told The Sun.

'She was going out all the time with friends and was always on her phone.

'A caring mum wouldn't go off gallivanting around Africa with her new boyfriend.'

Heidi said she saw her future with Mamadou and her children, despite being almost 3,000 miles away from them.

She claims to be talking to them via video chat every day and insisted she was missing them.

Andy and Heidi met in the 1990s, and although he described their relationship as 'rock solid', he said this was a betrayal too big for them to recover from.
A mother-of-two was shot dead by her husband in front of her children at one of their birthday parties.

Cheryl L Pilarowski, 32, was celebrating one of her children's birthdays at Jump N Jam, a business with games for children in Marysville, Michigan, when the shooting took place.

Police said that her 34-year-old husband, who hasn't been named, later shot and killed himself at the family's home in Kimball Township, according to MLive.

Deputy Police Chief Ron Buckmaster told the outlet that the shooting took place around 5.30pm on Saturday, and said it caused chaos because there were a few dozen children and adults all celebrating at the venue.

Cheryl L Pilarowski, 32, was celebrating one of her children's birthdays at Jump N Jam (pictured), a business with games for children in Marysville, Michigan, when her husband shot her dead, police have said

The incident happened at Jump N Jam in front of the couple's four-year-old child, and Pilarowski's nine-year-old who she had from a different relationship (pictured is the Jump N Jam logo)

'As you can probably imagine, there was just mass chaos there,' Buckmaster said.

He explained that at first there was some confusion and thought that the incident might be a robbery because there was money scattered around Pilarowski's body.

But, he said that a witness told them it was her husband.

'We found out it was her husband and that he came in and shot her at point-blank range,' he said.

The incident happened in front of the couple's four-year-old child, and Pilarowski's nine-year-old who she had from a different relationship.

As Pilarowski was rushed to Lake Huron Medical Center in Port Huron responders performed life-saving measures, but were unsuccessful. She was pronounced dead from her injuries at the hospital.

Witnesses at the birthday party told police that the couple was married in April, and had been in a fight in the parking lot of the Jump N Jam earlier in the day.

They said Pilarowski was planning on moving out of their family home and leaving her husband in the near future.

As soon as police found out where the couple lived police surrounded the home.

'The suspect's vehicle was parked in font of the residence, lights were on,' Buckmaster said.

A search warrant for the property was quickly granted and the special response team entered the home to find the suspect dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

This is the first homicide in St Clair County since 1995, Buckmaster told MLive.

He said that the thing that upsets him the most about the murder is that it was done in front of young children.
The allotted period for Australians to vote on same-sex marriage has ended, meaning the 12.6 million votes cast now need to be counted before parliament can look to pass it into law.

The returned ballots amounted for 78.5 per cent of the population, a strong response from the public to the controversial $122 million postal vote.

More people by percentage voted on the issue than Britons voted onBrexit and Americans voted in the Donald Trump versus Hillary Clinton Presidential election in the United States.

Australian Bureau of Statistics boss David Kalisch is now tasked with counting the ballots, and will address parliament in Canberra at 10am local time on Wednesday to reveal the result.

The allotted period for Australians to vote on same-sex marriage has ended, meaning the 12.6 million votes cast now need to be counted before parliament can look to pass it into law

Australian Bureau of Statistics boss David Kalisch (pictured) is now tasked with counting the ballots, and will address parliament in Canberra at 10am on Wednesday to reveal the result

Numerous events will be held around the nation for Wednesday's eagerly anticipated but widely-accepted majority 'Yes' result.

The pro-same-sex marriage campaign led the 'No' vote two-to-one through early opinion polls, with the latter needing an overwhelming majority to narrow the gap.

'We're chasing down a big lead,' 'No' campaign spokesman Lyle Shelton admitted.

Former Prime Minister and staunch anti-same-sex marriage opponent Tony Abbott said a 40 per cent figure would be a 'moral victory'.

Should the vote come back majority 'Yes', as expected, Coalition MPs will be granted a free vote to decide whether the result is passed into law. That would likely occur before the end of the year.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said it was essential it was passed into law before 2018.

'If we were not to implement a decision on marriage equality, the nation would throw up its hands and give up on the parliament,' he told a meeting of opposition senators in Canberra.

If the 'No' campaign unexpectedly win, it is highly unlikely the government will introduce the bill and it will largely be dead as far as the Coalition are concerned.

Labor have promised to legalise same-sex marriage within 100 days should they win the next federal election.

Timeline of the controversial same-sex marriage plebiscite THE HIGH COURT CHALLENGES Two groups of marriage equality advocates lodged papers with the High Court on August 10 challenging the postal survey, arguing the ABS did not have the power to run what is effectively a ballot, and the government couldn't spend the $122 million needed to fund it, without parliamentary approval. The court dismissed both bids on September 7 and more than 16 million forms were sent out from September 12. THE ELECTORAL ROLL CHANGES After both sides of the debate urged Australians to have their say, almost one million changes were made to the electoral roll ahead of the survey. The ABS also revealed on August 25 there were 90,000 new names on the roll. THE EXTREME POSTERS Opposition Leader Bill Shorten, on August 21, blasted a poster spotted in a Melbourne laneway carrying the slogan 'stop the fags', which appeared to trace back to the message board of a neo-Nazi website. He posted on Facebook that Labor had opposed the survey 'because we feared exactly this kind of hurtful filth would emerge'. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull told 2Day FM he was offended by such posters while defending the vast majority of people who do not agree with same-sex marriage, as not homophobic. THE TELEVISION ADS Groups on both sides of the debate produced television ads, including the Coalition for Marriage, whose piece, launch on August 30, featured three mothers concerned about how same-sex marriage would affect what was taught and promoted in schools.The Equality Campaign rebutted some claims in the Coalition's ad with their own piece, featuring prominent doctor Kerryn Phelps. THE CELEBRITY OPINIONS Olympic swimming champion Ian Thorpe joined the 'Yes' campaign on August 12, saying it was important for 'the message it sends to a young me'. Singer Kylie Minogue and Hollywood stars Chris Hemsworth and Russell Crowe are among others to have backed same-sex marriage on social media, while Wallabies star Israel Folau tweeted he would not support same-sex marriage. THE SKYWRITING A 'Vote NO' message was written in the sky over Sydney on September 17, while a simple 'NO' was written above Melbourne on October 10. The skywriting appeared to be crowdfunded through a Go Fund Me page. THE MACKLEMORE PERFORMANCE American rapper Macklemore became immersed in the debate ahead of singing his 2012 chart-topper Same Love at the NRL grand final on October 1. Former prime minister Tony Abbott and right-wing independent MP Bob Katter slammed the NRL for inviting the rapper to perform, saying footy fans should not be subjected to a politicised grand final. Meanwhile Prime Minister Turnbull said he looked forward to the performance and Attorney-General George Brandis labelled Mr Abbott's comments 'bizarre'. THE ABBOTT HEADBUTT Mr Abbott revealed on September 21 he had been headbutted by a same-sex marriage supporter in Hobart. The 38-year-old attacker, who was charged with common assault, was later revealed as DJ Astro Labe who said while he had been wearing a 'yes' sticker, the attack was inspired by a personal hatred for Mr Abbott and had nothing to do with same-sex marriage. THE RALLIES People across Australia attended rallies, with 'Yes' events held in Melbourne on August 26 and Sydney and Brisbane on September 10 attracting thousands of people, while an eight-strong counter-protest took place in Brisbane. About 20 same-sex marriage opponents turned out for a Straight Lives Matter rally in Sydney on September 23, while two women who locked lips during an anti-same-sex marriage event in Melbourne on the same day were dragged from a stage by security. THE NO CAMPAIGNERS Australian Conservatives senator Cory Bernardi said on August 22 that people involved in the 'Yes' campaign had been 'militant and intolerant' of those who favour a 'No' vote. Later in September reports emerged a contractor for a Canberra kids parties business was sacked for adding the message 'it's OK to vote no' to her Facebook profile photo. Advertisement

Senator James Paterson has proposed an alternative bill to legalise same-sex marriage to 'preserve' the freedoms of Australians.

Paterson, a conservative Liberal, on Monday released draft legislation, which he argues will preserve the freedoms of all Australians.

The bill ensures exemptions for ministers of religion and celebrants with genuine belief and allows a limited form of conscientious objection.

It also seeks to protect freedom of speech and enacts a narrow anti-detriment clause, which would prevent governments and agencies taking adverse action against someone with a traditional view of marriage.

The bill would also guarantee the right of parents to opt their children out of school classes that conflicted with their values.

Fellow Liberal Dean Smith also has a private bill ready for parliament.

Senator James Paterson has proposed an alternative bill to legalise same-sex marriage to 'preserve' the freedoms of Australians

It also includes exemptions so religious organisations can refuse to conduct same-sex marriages.

Cabinet minister Mathias Cormann said his personal instinct was the Smith bill was 'probably a good starting position' because it had been subject to a cross-party Senate committee process.

'But I suspect it will need improvement in terms of strengthening religious protections,' he told ABC radio.

Ultimately it was up to parliament to decide which bill was the 'vehicle to facilitate' the parliamentary debate.

'There won't be a government position, there won't be a party position,' Senator Cormann said.

Senator Paterson, who voted yes in the marriage postal survey, says any ensuing law changes shouldn't have negative consequences for opponents of same-sex marriage.

'If the parliament opts for a narrower bill with fewer protections, I fear we will see some Australians seek to impose their values on others, with court cases and other legal mechanisms,' he said in a statement announcing the draft bill.

'I've never believed that allowing same-sex couples to marry needs to come at the expense of the freedoms of other Australians.'

Senator Paterson believes state and federal anti-discrimination laws aren't strong enough.
Watching television can nearly double the chance of getting a blood clot even in people who exercise, a study has found.

Even among people who get recommended levels of physical activity the risk of getting a blood clot was 1.8 times higher in people who say they watch TV very often compared to those who watch TV never or seldom.

The researchers looked at 15,158 middle aged participants aged 45 to 64 in the US.

Dr Mary Cushman, co-author of the study said: Watching TV itself isnt likely bad, but we tend to snack and sit still for prolonged periods while watching.

Sitting in front of the TV increases the chance of getting a blood clot due to a lack of movement in the legs

The study looked at blood clots in veins of the legs, arms, pelvis and lungs known as venous thromboembolism or VTE.

The study, presented at a meeting of the American Heart Association, found that while obesity was more common in people who watched more TV, only about 25 percent of the increased risk could be explained by the presence of obesity.

Dr Cushman said: Think about how you can make the best use of your time to live a fuller and healthier life.

You could put a treadmill or stationary bike in front of your TV and move while watching.

Dr Cushman recommends using a treadmill or a static bike while watching television in order to decrease the risk of a clot

Or you can delay watching TV by 30 minutes while you take a walk. If you must see your favourite show, tape it while you are out walking so you can watch it later, skipping the ads.

Dr Cushman, of the University of Vermont Medical Centre added: Health professionals should take the time to ask patients about their fitness and sedentary time, such as prolonged sitting watching TV or at a computer.

If you are at heightened risk of venous thromboembolism due to a recent operation, pregnancy or recent delivery, cancer or a previous clot, your doctor may prescribe blood-thinning medication or advise you to wear compression stockings.
Cambodia's leader is destroying a political opposition movement that threatens his three-decade grip on power and he's accusing America of plotting his downfall.

Prime Minister Hun Sen has claimed the US is in the works to unseat him, but the US rejects that claim as baseless and experts, saying Hun Sen's attacks are driven by a fear of losing elections next year.

Opposition leader Kem Sokha is imprisoned and his party seems likely to be dissolved this week by Cambodia's highest court.

Sokha's daughter, a spokeswoman for the Cambodia National Rescue Party, is urging President Donald Trump's administration to act quickly and try to salvage democracy in the Southeast Asian nation.

'Hun Sen thinks the world is not paying attention and that nobody is prepared to do anything about it,' said Monovithya Kem, who wants the US to impose sanctions on Cambodian officials complicit in the crackdown.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen (pictured) is destroying a political opposition movement that threatens his three-decade grip on power and he's accusing America of plotting his downfall

PM Hun Sen has claimed the US is in the works to unseat him, but the US rejects that claim as baseless and experts, saying Sen's attacks are driven by a fear of losing elections next year. President Trump is pictured during his meeting with Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte

Monovithya said about 20 lawmakers, out of the party's 55 in the 123-member National Assembly, have fled Cambodia since Kem Sokha was arrested September 3 and charged with treason, which carries a sentence of up to 30 years in prison. Monovithya and her sister also fled, fearing arrest. The government accuses them of conspiring with the CIA.

It's not unusual for Cambodian politicians to demonize the US.

US secret bombing during the Vietnam War is often blamed for the rise of the Khmer Rouge, whose late 1970s genocidal rule killed one-quarter of the Cambodian population.

After a Vietnamese invasion toppled the Khmer Rouge, the US voted for a coalition including the former rulers to retain Cambodia's UN seat instead of giving it to the Vietnam-backed government.

Since Cambodia emerged from civil war in the 1990s, however, the US has been a more benign presence. Since 1991, it has provided $1.8 billion in aid for development and democracy promotion and $60 million in military assistance, US government data show. Hun Sen's eldest son was even educated at West Point.

But in recent years, the Cambodian leader's relationship with Washington has become increasingly acrimonious. In that time, Cambodia's reliance on nearby China, which avoids criticizing others' human rights records, has intensified.

'US influence in Cambodia is at an all-time low,' said John Sifton, Asia advocacy director for Human Rights Watch in Washington.

He said the US retains some power and leverage, particularly through voting rights at the World Bank and Asian Development Bank that provide aid for the impoverished country. America also is a big market for Cambodian textiles. Still, US officials aren't sure they can change Hun Sen's calculus.

'Hun Sen (pictured on Saturday) thinks the world is not paying attention and that nobody is prepared to do anything about it,' said Monovithya Kem, who wants the US to impose sanctions on Cambodian officials complicit in the crackdown

'Authoritarians don't give up power easily,' Sifton said. 'He still has China. He still has Vietnam. He still has ASEAN members who will stand beside him.' There are 10 members in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, whose leaders Trump will meet at a summit in the Philippines on Sunday.

Through 32 years in power, Hun Sen has mastered how to sideline political opponents. In 1997, he ousted a co-prime minister in a bloody coup. In recent years, he's used Cambodia's pliant judicial system.

To avoid international reprisals, he's often struck last-minute political compromises. He allowed former opposition leader Sam Rainsy to contest the last national elections in 2013 when Hun Sen narrowly retained power in a flawed vote. Rainsy now lives in exile.

As Hun Sen now looks ahead to a July vote, he's mounting perhaps his biggest assault on Cambodian democracy since the coup. The government filed a lawsuit with the Supreme Court for the opposition party to be dissolved, alleging it conspired to topple his administration. The court is due to rule on Thursday.

Hun Sen said last week he was willing to wager 100-to-1 that the party will be dissolved.

Speaking to The Associated Press, government spokesman Phay Siphan claimed to have evidence proving American agents have conspired with the opposition. The government has previously publicized a video clip showing Kem Sokha giving a speech in which he describes a grass-roots political strategy to challenge Hun Sen with US support.

As Hun Sen (pictured on Saturday in the Philippines) now looks ahead to a July vote, he's mounting perhaps his biggest assault on Cambodian democracy since the coup

US Ambassador William Heidt has dismissed the allegation as 'intentionally inaccurate, misleading and baseless.'

Heidt was summoned to Washington this past week for consultations amid calls from US lawmakers for visa bans and possible financial sanctions on Cambodian officials involved in the crackdown. It's a course supported by Human Rights Watch and other activists.

Cambodia's government also has targeted civil society and media, shuttering radio stations with programming from U.S.-funded Radio Free Asia and Voice of America. The National Democratic Institute, which helped train political parties and election monitors, was kicked out of the country.

Convicting Kem Sokha and dissolving his party would set back the relationship between Washington and Phnom Penh further. But it's unclear whether that would be the step leading to American sanctions.

The fence-sitting frustrates Monovithya Kem as she lobbies for US action now, not after a court ruling that dismantles the opposition.

If the party is dissolved, she said, 'there is absolutely no way the elections next year will be free and fair.'
An 'audacious' Melbourne car thief who stole a mother's Mercedes-Benz while her baby was asleep inside has been jailed for more than three years.

Gurkan Yildrim, 25, was on bail and in the grip of an ice addiction when he stole the SUV at Coburg, in Melbourne's north, in November 2016, unaware a six-month-old girl was in the back seat.

The mother, who had left the engine running and was chatting to parents at a school pick-up area, watched in horror as Yildrim sped off with her baby.

Scroll down for video

Gurkan Yildirim, 25, (pictured) got into the car in a street near the Australian International Academy in Coburg North on November 8, 2016

'At the scene was the distressed mother ... wailing as the car left,' Victorian County Court Judge Michael Tinney said in his sentence on Monday.

'But it was the cargo that prompted her distress. Her baby was gone.'

Judge Tinney sentenced Yildrim to three years and five months in prison for the 'audacious' theft, conduct endangering life and other offences, to which he has previously pleaded guilty.

A friend of the mother hurled herself on to the bonnet of the car in an attempt to stop Yildrim getting away, but he crashed into another car, throwing the woman off.

'The brave friend threw herself up on the bonnet, so desperate was the situation in her eyes,' Judge Tinney said.

'This was absolute pandemonium.

The six-month-old girl (pictured) was asleep in the backseat of the car when it was stolen in November

The woman is seen desperately banging on the car which was stolen during a school pick up in Melbourne in November last year

'What a horrific event for the mother and the woman on the bonnet. They had no idea what would become of the child.'

But once Yildrim realised there was a baby in the car, he abandoned it.

He stopped the car in a nearby alleyway and told a passer-by there was a baby inside.

He also went to a phone booth and called emergency services, giving the location of the stolen car.

Yildrim was ordered to serve at least two years in prison before being eligible for parole.
A disabled man born with cerebral palsy has been cruelly mocked by a troll for doing his job.

Nigel Cleary, 27, works with regional auctions company Burns & Co and is proudly described as a key member of staff and the business's front man.

But a foul comment during an auction live-stream - 'What's holding the sign?' - has devastated Mr Cleary, his family and his employer.

Nigel Cleary (with sister Belinda) was born with cerebral palsy. The 27-year-old works for the auction company Burns & Co

Mr Cleary (left, on own) was working at an auction recently (right) when a cruel commenter singled him out and asked 'what's holding the sign'

The troll repeatedly posted this message - 'what's holding the sign' - to Facebook

The message - posted twice in an apparent jokey aside to a friend - not only targeted a disabled person but comes as Nigel's mother battles terminal cancer.

A Burns & Co spokesman singled out the comment on its Facebook page this week: 'I was gutted this evening to read this.

'When are we going to accept people as people...

'With a heart of gold and a work ethic second to none Nigel is our hero.'

Mr Cleary said he was so upset by the post he nearly quit his job.

It's a grown man who should know better - no one has any right to tell him he is broken

'I was down, I was nearly going to quit and put all my stuff into Salvos,' he said.

'I was upset 'til this morning 'til about 10am.'

Scores of people have since condemned the comment online and Nigel has been buoyed by their support.

'I thought - bugger him. He's only one person,' he said.

Mr Cleary's sister Belinda said: 'This isn't a kid pointing at Nige in the street - it is a grown man who should have known better.

'People just have to teach their kids acceptance or compassion or the heartache is just going to continue.

'This... is a grown man who should have known better,' Nigel's sister Belinda (left) said

Mr Cleary (centre) has been buoyed by the support of people online - who rallied to his defence

Nigel is smart, funny, kind and resilient', family said

'Nigel is smart, funny, kind and resilient but sometimes it doesn't matter how strong you are - and it can take one bully to break someone.

'(Nigel) has had a tough enough time working out how to live in a world made for fully-abled people.

'No one has any right to tell him he is broken.

'I have held him crying too many times.

'I'll never forget one night when I hugged him on a park bench and he told me he always thought he might wake up one day and not have to be disabled. '

The man responsible for the foul remark later issued a public apology.

'I am posting in regards to the inappropriate comment I made yesterday I understand it was disrespectful selfish and hurtful,' he said.

'I apologies (sic) for any pain and upset I have caused I take full responsibility for my actions.

'In future I will not make inappropriate comments.'

Mr Cleary was unforgiving: 'He was scared. Everybody was on my side. On the right side.'

He thanked his employer for the support and friendship.
A seven-year-old boy died Monday morning after his mother's car crashed into a tree.

Police believe the family was on their way home from a beach holiday when the car crashed in South Australia, injuring two of the boy's siblings when they were thrown from the car.

The boy died at the scene while his mother, 34, was trapped in the car for about an hour, according to The Advertiser.

A boy, seven, died earlier this morning after his mother's car crashed into a tree (pictured)

Police believe the family was on their way home from a beach holiday when the car crashed in South Australia, about 40km southeast from Adelaide

Two of the boy's siblings aged two and seven were both injured when thrown from the car

Helicopters were flown to the scene where the silver Holden station wagon crashed about 40 kilometres southeast of Adelaide at about 6.30 Monday morning.

A girl, two, sustained head injuries and a boy, seven, sustained chest injuries where they were both flown to the Women's and Children's Hospital while the mother was flown to Flinders Medical Centre, according to the publication.

'We think they've been returning from perhaps a weekend down at the beach by the look [of] the contents in the back of the car ... there was just holiday things like kids' flotation devices [and] surfboards,' SA Police sergeant Eddie McLean told The Advertiser.

Major Crash investigators are looking at the possibility of the car swerving to miss a kangaroo.

The boy died at the scene while his mother, 34, was trapped in the car for about an hour

South Australia Police believe the survivors injuries are not life-threatening

South Australia Police believe the survivors injuries are not life-threatening.

The seven-year-old boy's death is the 87th death on South Australian roads this year compared to the same time last year it was 72.
Riot police shut down a teenager's party in Perth after it got out of control with more than 200 people in attendance.

WA Police said fights broke out and bottles were thrown at officers who arrived to break up the party on Saturday night.

Officers were called to the home in Meadowview Drive, Ballajura, at about 9pm to reports of a number of people drinking in the street.

Riot police shut down a teenager's party in Perth after it got out of control with more than 200 people in attendance

They found around 200 people there, with a large number of adults and juveniles drinking.

Shortly after 10pm, officers told the hosts that an 'out of control gathering' was being declared and party-goers began to disperse.

But police say that as people began to leave, a number of fights broke out and bottles and cans were thrown at police.

Some people also kicked street signs and bins.

WA Police said fights broke out and bottles were thrown at officers who arrived to break it up

Officers were called to the home in Meadowview Drive, Ballajura, at about 9pm on Saturday

Two 17-year-old were issues infringement notices for disorderly conduct.

Rachel Dweh said her son was the party's host but had only invited 30 or 40 children.

She said he began to shut it down when police arrived, and she doesn't believe 200 people had made it inside the house since it's still clean.

'The group were on the street, I didn't know them,' she told 7News.

Rachel Dweh said her son was the party's host but had only invited 30 or 40 children

Her son won't be throwing any more parties, she added.

It's thought the party was promoted through a Facebook event, with around 400 people originally invited to attend, WA Today reports.

It comes just weeks after police were forced to break up another party in Ballajura where residents said windows were smashed and cars were damaged.
The teen beauty is now determined to continue her career in front of the camera

She was forced to reject lucrative three-year contract to undergo chemotherapy

The Queensland beauty was 12 when she won an international modelling contest

She posed for a Sass and Bide on Sunday in her first professional modelling job

Aspiring model, 15, booked her first photoshoot since her 2015 cancer diagnosis

An aspiring Indigenous model who was diagnosed with cancer the just one month after she won a three-year-modelling contract is back in front of the camera for the first time since completing chemotherapy.



Venessa Harris, now 15, was on top of her game on Sunday as she modelled for Sass and Bide in a photoshoot where she featured her Make-A-Wish necklace.

'There were times where I didn't think I could walk again or look pretty in front of a camera,' said the brave teenage beauty, who was just 12 when she diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer called Ewings Sarcoma in 2015.

Venessa Harris, 15, booked her first photoshoot since finishing chemotherapy two years ago

She won a modelling contest in 2014 (left) and is back in front of the camera aged 15 (right)

The aspiring model was just 12 years old when she was diagnosed a rare form of bone cancer

'My whole life was taken away,' she said of her time spent in treatment. 'I had no hair for 12 months, but now everything is getting back on track, and looking at those photos makes me feel like I'm normal again.'

Venessa admitted to ABC that she was nervous to be back in her dream profession, saying that being 'stuck in a hospital bed for hours and hours on end' gave her plenty of time to think about her first professional modelling shoot.

Even so, she never dreamed that it would be for Sass and Bide, one of the biggest names in fashion - founded Heidi Middleton, who is also a cancer survivor.

'Looking at those photos makes me feel like I'm normal again,' said Venessa of her photoshoot

Then 12 years old, Venessa (centre) with her mother Karen (left) and grandmother Lyn (right) was all smiles after winning an international modelling contest and a three-year contract

Sass and Bide founder Heidi Middleton (pictured with her children Elka and India in May 2017)

The big-name brand has been worn by the likes of Rihanna, Kate Moss, Mila Kunis and Beyonce

Venessa's brother, who she says is a source of constant support, went with her to the shoot

She was accompanied on the Brisbane set by her mother and little brother, who she said isn't interested in modelling but is a source of constant support.

Venessa's mother Karen Monoghan said that it was 'surreal' seeing her daughter finally able to start her dream career.

'Our whole family was so excited to see Venessa happy,' Ms Monoghan told ABC, admitting that the past three years had made her feel like the rug had been pulled out from under her family.

'When they utter the words 'cancer' to you, you have so many different thoughts, but never in any of our thoughts did we think that she was going to be able to get to model.'

Venessa's mother said that the whole family was 'so excited' to see the young girl happy again

Venessa was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma one month after she won a modelling contest

Venessa was just 12 years old when she won an international modelling competition that landed her a three-year contract including a trip to Paris, but had to reject the offer after being diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma.

The disease, which affects soft tissue and weakens bones, saw her spend most of 2015 in Brisbane's Lady Cilento Children's Hospital receiving treatment.

The cancer was located in the neck of Venessa's right femur and she was told it had eaten away so much of her bone that it had the thickness of an egg shell.

Venessa spent most of 2015 receiving treatment in Brisbane's Lady Cilento Children's Hospital

'I had no hair for 12 months, but now everything is getting back on track,' she said on Sunday

'The first few weeks were really chaotic and extremely stressful,' Ms Ms Monaghan said in April 2015, three months after the diagnosis was made.

'[Vanessa's other mother] Kelly and I went through that uncontrollable fear stage. It was a very scary at that time. We were given clear instructions for her not to use her leg.'

Ms Monaghan said she did not know what she would have done without the help of Tamblyn Models founder Pam Tamblyn, who assisted the family by finding them a place to stay near the hospital in conjunction with Childhood Cancer Support.

During that time, her tiny home town of Windorah in rural Queensland raised over $25,000 to help pay her medical bills.

'We can't say thank you enough to the Windorah community, that's our home and what they did for us literally saved our lives,' Ms Monaghan said.

Venessa was surrounded by her family during her year-long treatment in a Brisbane hospital

The family's home town of Windorah helped raised over $25,000 for Venessa's medical bills

In May of 2017, Venessa had the opportunity to make another one of her dreams come true - she was flown to Sydney for the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week by the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Along with her mother and sister, Venessa was taken to Australian fashion icon Alex Perry's workshop where she was given a tour and her own dress, which only drove her ambition to get back into modelling as soon as she could.

The family were also given front row seats to the exclusive Sass and Bide show, and she was able to rub shoulders with fellow Indigenous model Samantha Harris.

Venessa Harris (right) with her namesake and fellow Indigenous model Samantha Harris (left)

Venessa is determined to keep modelling and is planning to pursue a career on the catwalk

While Venessa will have to have scans and blood tests twice a year for at least the next five years, she said that she wouldn't change her experience.

The teen met some of her best friends while having treatment, proving that great things can emerge from horrible situations.

'I had a bad time, but I'm grateful for the people I've met and the things I've experienced, and I really believe they have made me a better person,' she said.

And now that she is back and feeling great, Venessa is determined to be in front of the camera for a long time to come.
Shooting allegedly stemmed from a fight between her mum and another woman

The 11-year-old suffered injuries when bullet fragments lodged into her head

An 11-year-old girl left with horror facial injuries after a shooting outside Woolworths has been released from hospital and returned home two months later.

Phoenix Newitt was sitting in a car with her mother Sarah, uncle and four-year-old cousin in Deloraine northern Tasmania on August 29, when she was hit in the face by bullet fragments.

She was flown to The Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne but has now been discharged, with her mother telling the ABC her daughter is doing well.

Phoenix Newitt, 11, (pictured) after two months is out of hospital and has returned home

Phoenix (pictured) was sitting in her mum's car when bullet fragments hit her in the face

'It's overwhelming that Phoenix is still Phoenix because that is the main thing that I was scared of  that she wasn't going to be the same little girl, but I believe that she is,' Sarah Newitt told ABC.

The 11-year-old spent five days in an induced coma and underwent a number of surgeries to remove bullet fragments that had lodged in her brain, heart and lungs.

Police allege the shooting stemmed from a fight between Ms Newitt and another woman, Brianna Mansell, about an hour beforehand.

Ms Newitt claimed the fight at a local Woolworths, which gave her two black eyes and her opponent a bite mark, started when she smiled at a third woman Ms Mansell didn't like.

'She hit me over 10 times to the face, she just would not stop. She hit me and pushed me to the ground, I hit my head. Phoenix, the little darling, said 'don't worry mum i'm videotaping it',' she claimed.

Police were reviewing the footage allegedly showing the fight as they investigate what happened next.

Phoenix Newitt, 11, (pictured) suffered injuries after bullet fragments lodged in her face as she sat in a car in Deloraine, Tasmania

Police allege shooting stemmed from a fight between Ms Newitt and another woman at a local Woolworths, which gave her two black eyes

Ms Newitt told police the fight started when she smiled at a third woman that Brianna Mansell (pictured with her boyfriend Nathan Richard Campbell) didn't like

Police alleged Campbell, 25, fired at their car from about 50 metres away with a small-calibre rifle, hitting Phoenix

Ms Newitt and her brother Zack drove to Ms Mansell's house on Stagg Court to confront her, with Phoenix and Mr Newitt's four-year-old boy in the back seats.

Police alleged Ms Mansell's boyfriend Nathan Richard Campbell, 25, fired on their car from about 50 metres away with a small-calibre rifle, with bullet fragments hitting Phoenix.

Nathan Richard Campbell of Deloraine pleaded not guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm and recklessly discharging a firearm and will appear in court later this month.
The former model, who has accused George Takei of drugging him and sexually assaulting him, claims that he just wants an apology from the Star Trek icon.

Scott Brunton came forward on Friday to say that he was groped by Takei when he was just 24, claiming the actor - then aged 43 or 44-years-old - took advantage of him just after a breakup.

Brunton told The Oregonian that he believes he was drugged during his alleged encounter with Takei at the actor's home, adding that he hopes Takei 'could bring himself to just apologize'.

'I know unequivocally he spiked my drink,' said Brunton. 'It takes a lot more than two drinks to put me out.'

Brunton said he left Hollywood shortly after the attack and returned to Portland where he had a successful modeling career. He later moved to London, where he modeled before moving back to Portland, where owned a hair salon and a business that sold bath mats.

Former model, Scott Brunton (left), who has accused George Takei of drugging him and sexually assaulting him, claims that all he wants is an apology from the Star Trek icon (right)

The former model said he encountered Takei, who has denied the allegations, when he was living in Hollywood and working as a waiter at the beginning of his career at Greg's Blue Dot Bar.

He said he exchanged numbers with the actor, and on occasion the pair called each other or ran into each other at different clubs.

'This happened a long time ago, but I have never forgotten it,' Brunton told the The Hollywood Reporter.

'It is one of those stories you tell with a group of people when people are recounting bizarre instances in their lives, this always comes up. I have been telling it for years, but I am suddenly very nervous telling it.'

When Brunton broke up with the man he was dating at the time, he told Takei, who took the opportunity to invite the model to dinner and the theater.

Brunton (pictured) said that all he wants is for Takei to apologize. 'I would hope that he could bring himself to just apologize. I don't want anything other than that,' he said

'He was very good at consoling me and understanding that I was upset and still in love with my boyfriend,' Brunton told THR.

After dinner that night the two men went back to Takei's home for a drink.

Just a few sips into his second drink, which Takei made for him, he said he started feeling unwell.

'I have the second one, and then all of a sudden I begin feeling very disoriented and dizzy, and I thought I was going to pass out,' he explained.

'I said I need to sit down and he said sit over here and he had the giant yellow beanbag chair. So I sat down in that and leaned my head back and I must have passed out.'

He said that after a while he woke up with his pants around his ankles and Takei groping his crotch and trying to get his underwear off.

'I came to and said, 'What are you doing?' I said, 'I don't want to do this,' Brunton told THR.

'He goes, 'You need to relax. I am just trying to make you comfortable. Get comfortable.''

Brunton said he he managed to gather enough strength to push Takei off of him and then went to his car and waited until he felt well enough to drive himself home.

'That was that,' he said of the encounter. Brunton said that all he wants is for Takei to apologize.

'I would hope that he could bring himself to just apologize. I don't want anything other than that,' he said.

But Takei has denied the allegations saying that the event 'simply did not occur' and he added that he does not know why the model has made these claims now, 36 years later.

He also said he cannot even 'remember Mr Brunton'.

Takei began his Twitter chain with: 'I'm writing to respond to the accusations made by Scott R. Bruton.

But Takei has denied the allegations saying that the event 'simply did not occur' and he added that he does not know why the model has made these claims now, 36 years later

'I want to assure you all that I am as shocked and bewildered at these claims as you must feel reading them.'

His next tweet read: 'The events he describes back in the 1980s simply did not occur, and I do not know why he has claimed them now. I have wracked my brain to ask if I remember Mr. Brunton, and I cannot say I do.'

The star's third tweet added: 'But I do take these claims very seriously, and I wanted to provide my response thoughtfully and not out of the moment.'

He continued: 'Right now it is a he said / he said situation, over alleged events nearly 40 years ago.

'But those that know me understand that non-consensual acts are so antithetical to my values and my practices, the very idea that someone would accuse me of this is quite personally painful..'

Donald Trump Jr (left) lashed out at Star Trek icon George Takei (right) on Sunday just days after the actor was accused of sexually assaulting a former male model while the young man was passed out in his Los Angeles condo in 1981

'This didn't age well. Maybe George shouldn't opine about victims ever again,' Trump Jr tweeted (pictured), refering to Takei's June tweet that accused Ivanka Trump of playing the victim

Takei tweeted in June: 'Yes, Ivanka, by all means, you're the victim here. Persecution complex clearly runs in the family.' The actor's tweet at the time was in reponse to an interview in which Ivanka talked about her surprise over the 'viciousness' that greeted her father's presidency

Donald Trump Jr lashed out at Star Trek icon George Takei on Sunday just days after Brunton accused the actor of sexually assaulting him.

'This didn't age well. Maybe George shouldn't opine about victims ever again,' Trump Jr tweeted, referring to Takei's June tweet that accused Ivanka Trump of playing the victim after an interview she did with Fox and Friends.

Takei tweeted in June: 'Yes, Ivanka, by all means, you're the victim here. Persecution complex clearly runs in the family.'

The actor's tweet at the time was in response to Ivanka's interview where she talked about her surprise over the 'viciousness' and 'ferocity' that greeted her father's presidency.

Brunton said he met Takei in 1981 when he was living in Hollywood and had just broken up with his boyfriend. Takei is pictured (above) as his character Hikaru Sulu on the hit television show Star Trek in 1969

Brunton alleged Takei invited him back to his condo and made him a drink that caused him to pass out. Takei is pictured on the set of Star Trek VI - The Undiscovered Country in 1991

Four of Brunton's close friends told THR that he had confided in them about the alleged assault years ago.

Now, years after the incident, he said he is coming out with his story after seeing Takei's statement about Kevin Spacey to THR on October 30.

After Anthony Rapp alleged that Spacey took advantage of him, the actor used the opportunity to come out as gay.

Takei apparently took offense to that, and aid: 'Men who improperly harass or assault do not do so because they are gay or straight - that is a deflection,' in a statement to THR.

'They do so because they have the power, and they chose to abuse it.'

Brunton said the response infuriated him.

Takei's representative, Julia Buchwald, didn't outright deny the allegations to THR, but said they cannot give his comment at the present time.

'George is traveling in Japan and Australia and not reachable for comment,' she said in a statement.

The 80-year-old rose to fame in his role as Hikaru Sulu in the original Star Trek television series. Since then he has become an outspoken activist advocate for LGBTQ rights.
Australian politics' citizenship scandal is set to claim another big scalp with Jacqui Lambie confirming she will resign within 24 hours should she be proven a dual-national.

The Tasmanian Independent Senator has been seeking urgent advice from authorities as to her status as a British citizen.

Lambie has growing fears she is a dual-national despite both her parents holding Australian passports, and confirmed to Fairfax she would quiet immediately should that be proven true.

She would join Barnaby Joyce, Malcolm Roberts, Larissa Waters and and Scott Ludlam as members of parliament who have lost their jobs as a result of the scandal.

Australian politics' citizenship scandal is set to claim another big scalp with Jacqui Lambie confirming she will resign within 24 hours should she be proven a dual-national

She would join Barnaby Joyce, Malcolm Roberts, Larissa Waters and and Scott Ludlam as members of parliament who have lost their jobs as a result of the scandal

Lambie addressed the growing concern in a meeting on Monday, saying her home state of Tasmania would be 'the first to know' should she resign.

Cory Bernardi revealed he knew of another senator who was aware of their dual-citizenship and had not disclosed it to parliament, fuelling speculation it was Lambie.

She vehemently denied those rumours on Monday afternoon.

Lambie revealed to the Tasmania Examiner last week her father was born in Scotland and she was 'proud' of her roots.

'I found out more about his family background in recent weeks as I wrote my autobiography ahead of its publication next year,' she said.

'I'm happy to put on record that I'm satisfied that my parents are both Australian citizens and I have no concerns about me being a dual citizen because of where they were born or came from.'

Lambie addressed the growing concern in a meeting on Monday, saying her home state of Tasmania would be 'the first to know' should she resign

Cory Bernardi revealed he knew of another senator who was aware of their dual-citizenship and had not disclosed it to parliament, fuelling speculation it was Lambie. She vehemently denied those rumours on Monday afternoon

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is attempting to recall parliament days before Christmas to bring a resolution to the saga.

He and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten met last week to discuss the PM's proposal, but failed to reach an agreement on the new rules, demanding MPs disclosed all family history and citizenship documents.

'We want to sharpen up the Prime Minister's resolution and make sure it is foolproof,' Mr Shorten said after the meeting.

Turnbull described their conversation as 'constructive discussion' and hopes to revisit the issue.
Advertisement

President Donald Trump participated Monday in the opening ceremonies of a 10-nation gathering in the Philippines, the final stop in his five-country Asia tour.

The Association for Southeast Asian Nations conference in Manila opened with a bass-thumping, pageantry-rich ceremony that included an unusual group photo of world leaders.

Instead of standing on risers, heads of state lined up for a traditional cross-body handshake, which appeared to baffle Trump until he figured out what to do with his arms.

'Give us your brightest smile,' a master of ceremonies intoned as camera flashes popped. 'It's the ASEAN handshake: right hand over left.'

Trump gamely played along and laughed at the silliness of the situation, but ultimately he got it right  unlike Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, who grinned broadly and opened his arms wide while everyone else crossed theirs.

Scroll down for video

HOW DOES THIS WORK? U.S. President Donald Trump quizzically looked at his peers from Asian nations on Monday in the Philippines as they tried to execute the Association of South East Asian Nations traditional cross-armed handshake

I GOT IT! Trump grimaced as he swapped hands with Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (left) while Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (right) waited for his other arm to connect

AMERICA! NUMBER ONE! Ultimately Trump figured out that he had to cross his arms and connect with the group  but Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev (2nd left) decided not to participate and kept his arms wide open

UNCOMFORTABLE: The president did his best to play along but it was clearly something his staff hadn't prepared him for

THAT'S THE TICKET: Trump broke into an uneasy smile after mastering the confusing cross-ways handshake

THE FINAL PICTURE (left to right): South Korea's President Moon Jae-In, Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak, New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Myanmar's State Councellor and Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi, Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Thailand's Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, U.S. President Donald Trump, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, Australia Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, Laos Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith, Indonesia's President Joko Widodo, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen and United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres

Photos showed Trump alternatively grimacing and chuckling as he jockeyed for position with Filipino president Rodrigo Duterte, the event's host.

Trump is winding down his lengthy Asia trip by meeting with Pacific Rim allies, including Duterte who is overseeing a bloody drug war.

Trump's attendance at the ASEAN event will include bilateral sit-downs with Duterte, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Asked Sunday if he believed reports that Duterte's government is conducting extrajudicial narcotics squad executions, White House Chief of Staff John Kelly would only say: 'We'll check it out.'

The ASEAN opening ceremonies included cultural dance performances and a pop ballet

Trump shook hands with President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte after he delivered opening remarks in Manila

On Monday Duterte told the ASEAN opening event's audience that 'the menace of the illegal drug trade continues to threaten the fabric of our societies.'

He also thanked the other nations' leaders for helping with a protracted war against the ISIS terror army.

'I apologize for setting the tone of [my] statement in such a manner,' he said, but 'these threats know no boundaries.'

TRADITION: President Barack Obama participated in the cross-armed handshake during the ASEAN meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2015

STILL NOT SURE: A year later in Ventiane, Laos, Obama was still not quite sure how it worked

NOT JUST FOR PRESIDENTS: Then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton represented the U.S. at the East Asia Summit meetings in Cambodia in 2012, the last year she served in the Obama cabinet, and the leaders did the same handshake photo-op

The rest of the ceremony was a musical pageant, including Moana-like Pacific Island dances with loud percussion and shouting, a children's choir and orchestra, and a pop ballet based on a traditional Indian epic about a prince who rescues his wife from a demon king.

Afterward, a hip-hop dance troupe paid tribute one by one to the urban cultures of nearly all the nations represented at the summit  all but the United States.

ASEAN organizers did not respond to a request for information about why the U.S. was left out.

Outside of the summit, protesters burned an effigy of Trump with arms fashioned into the shape of a swastika
Two of Logan Melgar's special-ops partners are now under investigation for his murder after lying to investigators about him being drunk at the time of his death, officials said

A Green Beret was strangled by two members of the legendary SEAL Team Six after he uncovered they had gone rogue and were pocketing slush fund money from a special forces operation in Mali, sources close to the investigation claim.

Staff Sgt Logan Melgar died June 4 from asphyxiation when he stopped breathing around 5am and was rushed to a French clinic in the Western African nation.

The 34-year-old was already dead when he arrived at the hospital, and the SEALs told investigators that he'd been involved in a drunken accident during combat training.

But holes in the SEALs story started to appear when Melgar's autopsy came back to show he had no drugs or alcohol in his system at the time of his death.

And now, sources close to the investigation have told The Daily Beast that shortly before his death Melgar told his wife, Michelle, that he had a bad feeling about the two SEAL team six members on the operation with him.

SEAL Team Six is the special operations force famed for killing Osama Bin Laden in 2011. Melgar didn't give Michelle any other details over email, instead telling her that he'd give her the full story once he was home.

Melgar, who was a staff sergeant in the Army's Third Special Forces Group, had been living in Bamako, Mali, for a few months at the time of his death. Part of the intelligence gathering operation included a fund used to pay informants, which Melgar allegedly discovered two SEALs were stealing from

Officials told the Daily Beast that the two SEALs got into an altercation with Melgar on June 4 that resulted in his death by asphyxiation. His superiors suspected foul play and dispatched an investigating officer to the scene within 24 hours, and in a panic, the SEALs told investigators that Melgar was drunk while he was doing fighting exercises with him, causing his death

Part of the intelligence gathering operation in Mali involved a fund used to pay informants.

Two Special Operation sources told the Daily Beast that Melgar discovered the pair of SEALs were skimming off of the top of the dirty military money to keep for themselves.

When he confronted them about it, sources say the pair told Melgar they could get him a cut of the money in return for his silence. He allegedly refused.

It isn't clear what happened that sparked an altercation between Melgar and the two SEALs at around 5am on June 4. But the sources allege that things escalated to the point that Melgar ended up losing consciousness and eventually stopped breathing, suggesting that he was suffocated.

In a panic the SEALs attempted to open an airway in Melgar's throat, officials claimed.

But it was a bad excuse because the autopsy report eventually came back, proving that there were no traces of drugs or alcohol in the Green Beret's system. Now the pair have been put on administrative leave and shipped back to the United States. To aid in the investigation Meglar's wife Michelle (right) sent investigators the emails her husband had sent her about his suspicions about the SEALs

When that failed to revive him, the two SEALs told another Green Beret on the operation that Melgar was unconscious, and the three of them took him to a French clinic for help.

But Melgar was dead on arrival. It's not clear exactly when he died, but he died of asphyxiation.

His body was found in a US Embassy Housing Room, the New York Times reported.

His superiors suspected foul play and dispatched an investigating officer to the scene within 24 hours.

The SEAL pair then tried to cover their involvement by telling superiors that Melgar was drunk during combatives - or hand-to-hand fighting exercises - and that is how he got himself knocked out and killed.

But it was a bad excuse because the autopsy report eventually came back, proving that there were no traces of drugs or alcohol in the Green Beret's system. One source even claims he didn't drink in the first place.

Brig. Gen Donald Bolduc, who is the Commander of the Special Ops Command-Africa, was allegedly skeptical of the SEALs stories and the initial reports about Melgar's death, and told commanders in Mali to preserve any evidence.

Michelle was apparently also suspicious, three sources told the Daily Beast.

She approached commanders about her concerns regarding his cause of death and allegation that he had been drinking. She also gave investigators the emails her husband sent her about the problems he was having with the two SEALs.

Now, those two SEALs have been placed on administrative leave and shipped to the United States from Mali, and are under investigation for killing Melgar. NCIS has also become involved in the investigation.

The investigation was fist reported by the New York Times and has sent shock-waves through the special-op community.

Melgar, who was from Lubbock, Texas, was just 34 years old when he died, and served two tours in Afghanistan.

He graduated from Texas Tech in 2006, and enlisted in the Army in 2012 as an off-the-street Special Forces recruit. He graduated from Special Forces Qualification in 2016.
A 20-year-old suspect is in custody after two men were stabbed at the Mall of America in Minnesota during what police called an 'interrupted theft'.

Bloomington police said the incident happened Sunday evening in the first-floor dressing room area of the Macy's department store.

Police said the first victim was stabbed after he returned to the dressing room and confronted Mahad Abdiaziz Abdirahaman, of Minneapolis, who was allegedly attempting to steal his belongings.

A 20-year-old suspect is in custody after two men were stabbed at the Mall of America in Minnesota during what police called an 'interrupted theft'. The incident occurred inside the Macy's store (pictured)

Bloomington police said the incident happened Sunday evening in the first-floor dressing room area of the Macy's department store. Police said the first victim was stabbed after he returned to the dressing room and confronted a man attempting to steal his belongings

Police said they have one suspect in custody after the stabbings

The second victim was stabbed after intervening. According to witnesses, the incident took place near Santa's grotto inside the mall.

Police said the second victim was believed to be a family member or close friend trying to help the first victim.

Authorities said both men suffered non-life-threatening injuries. They were transported to the Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis for treatment.

Police said they don't believe the suspect knew the victims. Abdirahaman is being held on two counts of probable cause first-degree assault. An investigation is ongoing.

The Mall of America said in a statement to KTSP that their 'thoughts are with the families involved'.

While the Macy's store closed early, the Mall of America stayed open and was not placed on lockdown.

Deputy Chief Mike Hartley says the rest of the patrons were not in any danger.

The Mall of America has more than 520 stores and attractions that include an amusement park and an indoor zip line.

The second victim was stabbed after intervening. Authorities said both men suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Pictured is the scene of the incident
A Melbourne man has been charged with the murder of his American wife who he became engaged to just two weeks after meeting on Facebook.

Steven Samaras, 49, was charged with the murder of Tamara Turner, 49, after she was found dead outside the Mildura Base Hospital in Victoria's far north in June last year.

Police say Ms Turner was already dead when she was found dumped on a bench outside the hospital after suffering injuries consistent with violent assault, The Age reported.

Steven Samaras, 49, (pictured) was charged with the murder of Tamara Turner, 49, after she was found dead outside the Mildura Base Hospital in Victoria's far north in June last year

Mother-of-two and grandmother-of-six Tamara Turner (pictured) met her alleged murderer on Facebook before she moved to Australia to be with him at the end of 2015

The mother-of-two and grandmother-of-six met her alleged murderer on Facebook before she moved to Australia to be with him at the end of 2015.

Ms Turner's son Chuck Smith said the pair became engaged to each other in February 2016, two weeks after they met online.

He said they quickly became 'obsessed' with each other.

'We were all concerned about it,' Mr Smith told The Age.

'But me and my sister wanted her to be happy. I mean, she was a 48-year-old woman, you got to do what makes you happy.'

Mr Samaras and Ms Turner (pictured together) reportedly became engaged to each other two weeks after they met online

Mr Samaras was arrested by the police the day after his wife was found dead outside the hospital, but he was only charged with murder later on.

In the hours after Ms Turner's death, Mr Samaras, also known as Steven Kallouf, posted a string of messages on Facebook grieving his wife.

'Fly high with the angels, you're taken from me in this life gorgeous, but I will be with you in the next life,' he said.

In another emotional post Mr Samaras said his wife died in his arms.

'U didn't want to lose me and I lost you ... Passing away in my arms hurt me, I don't know what to say to the kids either,' he said.

'R.I.P my love' Mr Samaras posted to his Facebook page after his wife Ms Turner was found dead

In the hours after Ms Turner's (pictured) death, Mr Samaras, also known as Steven Kallouf, posted a string of messages on Facebook grieving his wife

'RIP my beautiful girl Tamara, thank you for all we shared, you will never be forgotten by me in this life and the next,' Mr Samaras posted online

Six months before Ms Turner's death, she was accused of importing guns into Australia.

She was charged with smuggling a firearm and electric device into Melbourne, The Age reported.

Mr Samaras is expected to face court in February charged with Ms Turner's murder.
A man has been charged with murder after a mother-of-three was found dead in the middle of a quiet suburban street on the Gold Coast.

Police arrested a 55-year-old from Ashmore who they say was known to the woman and charged him with murder.

The man will face Southport Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

Scroll down for video

A man has been charged with murder after a mother-of-three was found dead in the middle of a quiet suburban street on the Gold Coast

The 51-year-old woman's body was found in Arthur Payne Court, Worongary by a neighbour at 11.15pm on Sunday.

The neighbour tried to save the woman, but she was declared dead at the scene by paramedics.

A 55-year-old man - said to be the woman's ex-husband - was later found badly injured in a nearby street.

The 51-year-old woman's body was found in Arthur Payne Court, Worongary by a neighbour

A 55-year-old man, said to be the woman's ex-husband, was found injured in a nearby street

He was taken to hospital, where he is under police guard, Sunrise reported.

Police are treating her death as suspicious.

Officers have established a number of crime scenes, including at the home of the woman on Arthur Payne Court.
Don Lemon angrily shut down Roy Moore's attorney live on air after he tried to dub the respected CNN anchor 'Don Lemon Squeezy Keep it Easy'.

Trenton Garmon, who represents Moore, the Republican Senate nominee for Alabama, had appeared on Lemon's show on Friday to discuss allegations his client made unwanted sexual advances towards a 14-year-old.

The lawyer began by thanking Lemon for having him on the segment before telling him he hoped the CNN Tonight host would take it easy on him so he could give him the moniker: 'Don Easy Peasy Lemon Squeeze-e.'

Don Lemon (left) angrily shut down Roy Moore's attorney Trenton Garmon (right) live on air after he tried to dub the respected CNN anchor 'Don Lemon Squeezy Keep it Easy'

Lemon didn't react to the overly-familiar nickname, and continued with the interview.

But when Garmon tried to drop the name for a second time, Lemon immediately shut it down.

The pair had been discussing the fact that the sexual misconduct allegations had been made after the statute of limitations, meaning they won't be heard in a court of law, when Garmon interrupted.

'But, hey, Don Lemon Squeeze-e, keep it easy, here's the thing,' said the attorney in what appears to have been an embarrassing attempt to ingratiate himself with Lemon.

'It's just Lemon,' the host interjected. 'My mom didn't name me Don Lemon 'keep it easy squeeze-e.' It's just Don Lemon. Go on.'

'I got you, man,' Garmon replied

Trenton Garmon appeared on Lemon's show on Friday to discuss allegations his client made unwanted sexual advances towards a 14-year-old

But when he repeatedly attempted to dub the CNN host 'Don Lemon Squeezy Keep it Easy', the anchor shut him down

Moore has been mired in scandal since the Washington Post reported on Thursday that he had inappropriately touched a 14-year-old girl when he was in his early 30s.

The Post also alleges that he pursued sexual relationships with a 16-year-old girl and two 18-year-old females during a stretch in the 1970s.

The age of consent in Alabama is 16 years of age.

A former colleague of the embattled Alabama Republican Senate Nominee said on Saturday that it was open secret the former judge dated high school girls during the 1980s.

Teresa Jones, who worked with Moore as a deputy district attorney for Etowah County, Ala., from 1982 until 1985, said that it was 'common knowledge' the politician allegedly preferred younger women.

Mitch McConnell (pictured) says if the allegations are true, Moore should withdraw from the race

'It was common knowledge that Roy Moore dated high school girls, everyone we knew thought it was weird,' Jones told CNN.

Moore, 70, vehemently denies the allegations, saying that he believes the timing of the accusations is aimed at undermining his candidacy.

'In the next few days there will be revelations about the motivation and the content of this article,' Moore said during a Birmingham campaign rally on Saturday.

'I do not expect the Washington Post to stop. I think they have a political agenda,' he said.

Moore went on to accuse the paper, whose editorial board endorsed his Democratic opponent Doug Jones, of 'yet another attack on my character and reputation in a desperate attempt to stop my political campaign for United States Senate.'

Moore told the audience at a Christian Citizen Task Force forum in Huntsville on Sunday he plans on suing the Post over its report.
Asthma sufferers are being warned to brace themselves for a wild week of thunderstorms in almost every Australian state.

A moderate thunderstorm asthma warning was issued for Melbourne and parts of Victoria after the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) warned of severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall which could lead to flash flooding in Kyneton, Corryong, Bright, Falls Creek, Mt Hotham and Omeo.

The BoM also warn a more detailed severe thunderstorm warning would be issued to people in Melbourne if thunderstorms develop heavily.

Scroll down for video

Asthma sufferers are being warned to brace themselves for a wild week of thunderstorms in almost every Australian state

A moderate thunderstorm asthma warning was issued for Melbourne and parts of Victoria after the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) warned of severe thunderstorms

The BoM also warn a more detailed severe thunderstorm warning would be issued to people in Melbourne if thunderstorms develop heavily

BoM senior forecaster Richard Carlyon told The Herald Sun the mixture of 'heat and the high humidity' increases the chance of thunderstorm asthma.

Melbourne has been given a sweet taste of summer with temperatures expected to hit 32C Tuesday, followed by 30C Wednesday with thunderstorms predicted for both days.

The wild series of thunderstorms will start moving across the Northern Territory, west South Australia and Western Australia on Monday, according to 9 News.

Perth also has a high chance of thunderstorms from Monday afternoon which will spread to Victoria, New South Wales and southeast Queensland and Tasmania by Friday.

The wild series of thunderstorms will start moving across the Northern Territory, west South Australia and Western Australia on Monday, according to 9 News

Parts of NSW (pictured) and ACT has been issued with severe thunderstorm warnings

BoM senior forecaster Richard Carlyon told The Herald Sun the mixture of 'heat and the high humidity' increases the chance of thunderstorm asthma

Parts of NSW and ACT has been issued with severe thunderstorm warnings which could include Orange, Bathurst, Canberra, Yass, Bredbo, Adaminaby, Tumut and Khancoban.

Severe thunderstorm warnings with damaging winds and heavy rainfall are likely to batter parts of South Australia with winds of up to 90km/h and flash flooding in areas that could include Ernabella, Amata, Oak Valley, Cook and Nullarbor.

Hobart and Launceston are also expecting to be hit with lashings of lightning on Thursday, according to 9 News.
Australians consume more of the drug ice per capita than anywhere else in the world, and most of the imported drug is brought over from China.

AFP Commander Bruce Hill told a Victorian parliamentary inquiry during his time in China, which lasted until early this year, that '70-80 per cent of the ice coming into Australia was from China'.

'That's why it's so dangerous to the community; it's a very addictive drug and a very destructive drug to the body,' he said.

The chemicals used to create the drug can be legally sourced in China, and the final product coming into Australia was at about 80 to 90 per cent pure.

About 80 per cent of the drug ice used in Australia is imported from China, a parliamentary inquiry has heard (stock image)

The inquiry also heard Australians consume more of the drug ice per capita than anywhere else in the world (stock image)

Australian Federal Police Detective Superintendent Matt Warren told the inquiry the decision by traffickers to import the drug rather than make it in Australia may have been a financial one.

Since about 2010, Australian police have been seizing the finished drug, which is usually quite pure, instead of finding the precursor chemicals used for domestic manufacture.

'Simply because it's economically sensible for the criminal groups involved,' Supt Warren said.

Monday was the final public hearing for the drug law reform inquiry in Victoria.

The Law Reform, Road and Community Safety Committee is examining how effectively laws, procedures and regulations minimise drug-related harms.

More than 200 submissions have been made to the ongoing inquiry.
A 44-year-old father who saved his family after their home was firebombed believes it was a 'targeted attack'.

Andrew Gould and his family were asleep in their Mackenzie, south Brisbane, home on November 1 when three thugs smashed a downstairs window around 10.30pm.

Mr Gould's 67-year-old mother was asleep upstairs, as was his niece and nephew, aged 14 and 11, and his pregnant sister, Kylie Jean Gould.

Ms Gould, who is 35 weeks pregnant, is currently facing drug trafficking and weapons charges.

Andrew Gould, 44, helped get his family out of their home after it was firebombed by thugs on November 1

Mr Gould and his family were asleep in their Mackenzie, south Brisbane, home when petrol cans came through a window (pictured, the home after the fire)

Mr Gould said the home 'erupted into a fireball' before the flames caught his head and hands, leaving him with burns

'Someone was trying to kill us, someone was trying to kill my family,' Mr Gould told 9 News.

'Honestly has anyone done anything that bad that you've got to kill their whole family?'

The thugs first threw a pot plant through the window, before sending in two cans of petrol and a blow torch, setting the home alight.

Kylie Jean Gould, who is 35 weeks pregnant, is currently facing drug trafficking and weapons charges

Ms Gould was in the home with her family when it was set alight by thugs in what her family believe was a targeted attack

The 44-year-old smashed a back window and helped his family escape the blaze, before rushing back in with a kitchen pot full of water to try and stem the fire.

A neighbour told 9 News: 'There were people out here trying to stretch their hoses across the road, there were people trying to fill up buckets.'

Mr Gould said the home 'erupted into a fireball' before the flames caught his head and hands, leaving him with burns.

He was initially taken to Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries.

The thugs first threw a pot plant through the window, before sending in two cans of petrol and a blow torch, setting the home alight

Acting Inspector Tim Clark said fire services attended and extinguished the fire, which was contained to the front room of the house.

'Our crews have gone into action and rescued one occupant with burns from within the premise,' Acting Inspector Tim Clark said.

'All other occupants were lucky that working smoke alarms were working and notified the occupants and woke them up and they were able to exit the house.'

Police have yet to apprehend the thugs who firebombed the home.
A Denver oil tycoon is fighting allegations of sexual harassment and assault from four former female employees.

Three women have come forward to accuse 85-year-old Jack Grynberg, a holocaust survivor, of groping and harassing them, with one even claiming he forced her to have intercourse on multiple occasions.

The women, Candice Dee Smith, Maxine Yzaguirre and Roxanne Alvarez, filed a lawsuit in Douglas County, which was acquired by the Denver Post.

After the charges became public a fourth woman, Suzanne Greene, came forward to claim that she experienced the same sort of harassment at the hands of Grynberg when she worked for him 40 years ago.

Three women have come forward to accuse 85-year-old Jack Grynberg, a holocaust survivor, of groping and harassing them, with one even claiming he forced her to have intercourse on multiple occasions

Grynberg is head of Grynberg Petroleum Co, which is run out of Denver, Colorado. The headquarters are pictures

Video courtesy KCNC

Smith was the first to file harassment charges, and a judge later said that Yzaguirre and Alvarez could join on as plaintiffs.

She worked as Grynberg's personal assistant, and alleges she was forced to have sex with him multiple times or risk losing her job at Grynberg Petrolum Co.

Smith claims he bought a $600,000 home in Parker and furnished it for her to live in for free with her then-husband and her five children in April 2015.

She says the encounters began after that when Grynberg one day 'ushered (her) into his office bathroom for sex, telling her it was "time for you to stat repaying me" for the house,' according to the lawsuit.

The first woman to file accusations against him was Candice Smith, and since then three other women have come forward to say that they experienced similar treatment at his hands

The suit claims sexual contact occurred 35 times that year over a span of several months, until she started coming up with excuses to prevent being alone with him.

But he touched her inappropriately and forced her to touch him on 18 additional occasions, the lawsuit says, between December 2015 and July 2016, until she decided to leave the company.

When she left Grynberg used her for $45,000 in unpaid rent and her eviction. He also accused her of wrongly using credit cards to buy $35,000 in personal vacations and personal luxuries.

Smith moved out in April after Douglas County District Judge Paul King ruled the lease agreement wasn't valid, the house wasn't a gift and Grynberg was still the owner.

However, due to the sexual harassment and assault allegations, the claims about misused credit cards remain unsolved. In the ruling about unpaid rent, the judge said Grynberg unfairly used his authority over Smith.

King also allowed the other two women to join Smith as plaintiffs in the case - Maxine Yzaguirre and her sister Roxanne Alvarez.

Both worked for Grynberg and said he repeatedly groped and harassed them.

Yzaguirre said she worked at Grynberg Petroleum as a receptionist for five months in 2016. During the time, she claims he gave her tasks that required she bend over while he stared at her.

Additionally, she claims she went into his office and found him wearing only underwear on at least three separate occasions.

Once, she says he trust at her and asked if she was interested, and another time she pulled away from an attempted kiss only to have him remind her that he'd just given her a bonus.

Alvarez said she worked as a temporary assistant for Grynberg for a brief time.

She said he took her to his home to do tasks while he would stare at her and look down her shirt.

On a separate occasion she claims he ushered her into the men's locker room at the company's Denver offices and kissed her and put her hands in her bra. She claims she pulled away and ran upstairs.

And a short while after she says Grynberg told he to come back to his home or she would be fired.

Alvarez said she told Grynberg Petroleum's vice president Terence Burns of the locker room incident ,and that he told her to stay quiet and not put their jobs at risk.

She claims he told her Grynberg has done things like this before.

Burns has been named a defendant in the lawsuit, along with the company's attorney Roger Jatco for allegedly knowing about the tycoon's conduct and not taking action to protect the employees.

Alvarez also reported the locker room incident to police in December 2015. He was arrested and charged with sexual assault, but the charge was eventually dropped because lawyers didn't think they could prove it to a jury.

One of the women who joined the suit as a plaintiff, Roxanne Alvarez, filed a sexual assault charge against Grynberg in December 2016 that saw him arrested. She claims that he forced her into a locker room and then started kissing her and putting his hands down her shirt. The charges were eventually dropped because lawyers didn't think they could prove it to a jury

The fourth woman in the case, Suzanne Greene, isn't a plaintiff. She worked for the company nearly 40 years ago, and wrote about her experiences in a sealed affidavit to add to the lawsuit.

Greene said that she was harassed in 1976 just a few weeks into being hired as Grynberg's executive secretary.

She said he asked if she would be willing to show an associate coming to town 'a good time.'

When she said no, she claims he asked if any of her friends would be willing to do it.

Another time she claims Grynberg came to her home to pick up mail, but ended up pinning her to a wall and forcibly kissing her. She claims when she pushed him off of her he said, 'But you invited me over.'

Greene resigned in 1977, and said she didn't go to authorities at the time because she didn't think they would believe her.
Two men have watched in horror as their friend's body went through a woodchipper.

The farming accident occurred at a residence in Goomboorian, near Gympie in Queensland, as a group of men were clearing a driveway at about 7.40 pm on Sunday night.

Queensland police said the 54-year-old's body went through the machine after he fell in. He died instantly.

Queensland police said the 54-year-old's body went through the machine after he fell in (scene pictured)

The horrific farming accident occurred at a residence in Goomboorian, near Gympie in Queensland

Acting Inspector Paul Algie said police had spoken to the two friends the man was working with.

'They're understandably extremely distressed over what's occurred,' he told ABC News.

'They're very traumatised as a result of what's happened and police are assisting them obviously in any way we can in terms of ongoing welfare needs.'

None of the men were contracted to do the job, but were helping the person who owns the property.

'They are all friends and they were doing a favour for the lady that owns the property sadly,' Maryborough Forensics Inspector Steve Webb told 9 News.

Paramedics confirmed they attended the scene at about 8pm but were unable to revive the man.

Police and workplace health and safety officials are investigating exactly how the shocking accident occurred.
QLD cafe Elixiba is now selling hemp burgers

After the use of hemp in cooking was finally legalised in Australia on Sunday, a Queensland cafe has become the first eatery to start selling hemp burgers and other food items containing the seed.

Elixiba manager Mollie Olsson said the novel menu item was already 'a big success'.

'It's really been taking off,' she enthused noting that the cafe already noticeably more packed than usual.

The Maroochydore restaurant, which already features a plant-based menu and caters to the vegetarian and vegan crowd, is expecting the hemp burger to take off in a big way.

Scroll down for video

Elixiba owner Kittea Asdis said hemp is 'an all-round amazing superfood' that's high in protein

Elixiba manager Mollie Olsson (pictured) said the novel menu item was already 'a big success'

Ms Olson told 7NEWS on Monday that there have already been 'a lot of people coming in for it and a lot of people that are really excited' over the new menu item

It has been a long process introducing the item onto the menu, and something the cafe has been working on for months.

Owner Kittea Asdis told 9NEWS that hemp is just 'an all-round amazing superfood' that was high in omegas and protein.

'Finally, we've got it on board and we're ready to go,' enthused Ms Asdis, adding that the restaurant was already packed with curious diners.

One eager diner described it as 'absolutely delicious - the best burger I've ever had' while another said that it was 'really, really good' and 'actually tastes almost like pulled pork'.

And the plant-based protein is not just in burgers - Elixiba now offers hemp pancakes, hemp-seed cocktails and hemp lattes.

Elixiba now offers hemp pancakes, hemp-seed cocktails and hemp lattes as well as burgers

The QLD eatery features a plant-based menu and caters to the vegetarian and vegan crowd

Australia and New Zealand were two of the last Western countries to legalise the use of hemp in food.

But much to the disappointment of some Facebook commenters, there is no traceable amount of THC in hemp, meaning that it won't get you high.

Hemp is very quick and easy to grow and doesn't require much water, so it's an environmentally-friendly food option as well as being incredibly versatile.

'You can build with hemp, you can make concrete, clothes, plastic and you can eat it,' Ms Asdis said. 'I'm really excited about hemp all-round!'
An outraged mother has pulled her son out of secondary school after teachers started displaying pupils' exam progress on a wall illustrated with emojis.

St John Fisher Catholic School in Chatham, Kent puts Year 11 pupils' photos and GCSEs scores alongside happy or sad emojis to show how well they are doing or if they need to improve.

But the headteacher has now apologised for the colour-coded boards following a furious backlash from parents, who claim the school failed to ask permission before displaying student's photographs.

St John Fisher Catholic School in Chatham, Kent puts Year 11 pupils' GCSEs scores alongside happy or sad emojis and a printed photo of the student

The red and green boards reveal the quality of pupils' work in a bid to push them to get better exam results - but some students feel they are being publicly shamed.

The school announced the controversial move at an assembly last month after OFSTED criticised the teaching quality and said it 'requires improvement'.

Since receiving the complaint head teacher Dympna Lennon has apologised

The parent who did not want to be named, said: 'St John Fisher think that it's okay to put children's photos up on a display board rating them from red to green, red meaning the kids who aren't doing too well, green meaning students that are doing well, in the school corridor for the whole school to see along with sad and happy emojis.

'The photos used are ones taken by the school photographer back in year 9, my son is now in year 11.

'These photos by law are only to be kept for a maximum of two years and are only to be used for registration purposes.

'The school haven't had permission from parents or the pupils to use their photos. So I have removed my child from school.'

Since receiving the complaint head teacher Dympna Lennon has apologised for any upset the board has caused parents and pupils.

The mother added: 'I have written a letter to the head teacher to make a formal complaint and my son will only attend school for exams until the photos are removed and the school has admitted full liability to being in the wrong.

'If this doesn't work then I will be taking my case to the local authority.'

The red and green boards reveal the quality of pupils' work in a bid to push them to get better exam results - but some students feel they are being publicly shamed

Ms Lennon has since apologised for any upset caused to pupils and parents.

She added: 'An assembly was held four weeks ago with the Year 11 pupils to advise them that their overall GCSE progress score would be displayed on the wall to help encourage and motivate them.

'Pupils were offered the opportunity to speak with teachers if they had any concerns around this.'

An OFSTED report from May said teaching and learning had been 'inconsistent in the past'.

The report adds: 'As a result, too many pupils have not made the progress that they are capable of.

'When teachers' subject knowledge is strong, teaching meets pupils' needs, pupils are engaged in their learning and make good progress.

'In 2016 outcomes for Year 11 pupils were well below those of other pupils nationally at the end of key stage 4.

'They are likely to remain low for the current Year 11 as a result of previous weak teaching and a narrow curriculum.'
Donald Trump did not press Philippines leader Rodrigo Duterte about his history of human rights abuses when the two met on Monday.

'The issue of human rights did not arise. It was not brought up,' Duterte's spokesman Harry Roque told reporters after the 40-minute meeting.

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said afterward that the conversation 'focused on ISIS, illegal drugs, and trade.'

She said that 'human rights briefly came up in the context of the Philippines' fight against illegal drugs,' but Roque insisted Duterte had broached the subject of the 'drug menace' in the Philippines himself.

'It was President Duterte who brought up with President Trump the drug menace in the Philippines, and the US president appeared sympathetic and did not have any official position on the matter but was merely nodding his head,' Roque said.

'There was no mention of human rights. There was no mention of extralegal killings,' he added in a separate statement to DailyMail.com. 'There was only a rather lengthy discussion of the Philippine war on drugs with President Duterte doing most of the explaining. Trump seemed to be appreciative of his efforts.'

Before the meeting, which took place during an Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit, the U.S. president allowed his Filipino counterpart to shut down reporters as they asked Trump whether the topic would come up at all.

Scroll down for videos

U.S. President Donald Trump did not press Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte about his human rights record when the two met Monday in Manila, according to Duterte's spokesman

Trump and Duterte chatted informally before the opening ceremony of the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit

A few reporters and photographers were allowed in the room for about 2 minutes during the Trump-Duterte meeting, but the Philippines leader said they were 'spies' and dismissed them

'Whoa! Whoa! We're not answering any  this is not the press statement. We are in a bilateral meeting,' Duterte said, dismissing the questions.

And Trump laughed along as Duterte mocked the reporters as 'spies.'

'We will be talking on matters of interest to both the Philippines and  with you around, guys? You're the spies,' the Filipino leader said. 'Yes, you are.'

Trump let out a trio of chuckles.

Later, as Duterte told a larger room full of ASEAN leaders that they were about to begin a 'closed' session, he barked at reporters to scram.

'I would like to request media to leave us alone,' he said. 'You may leave the room.'

In prepared remarks, Trump had just praised him for his work leading the multinational group, which is chaired by each of its member countries on a rotating basis.

'Rodrigo, I would like to commend you on your success as ASEAN chair at this very critical moment in time,' he said. Trump also thanked Duterte for his 'incredible hospitality' and declared that his impromptu singing during Sunday night's opening gala was 'fantastic.'

Trump also spoke Monday of the 'great relationship' he has with Duterte, as the two met on the sidelines of the Association for Southeast Asian Nations conference in Manila.

Their meeting was one of the most anticipated of the summit, with human rights groups pressing Trump to take a tough line on Duterte's bloody drug war that has claimed thousands of lives.

Duterte, who has spoken highly of Trump, last week said he would tell him to 'lay off' if the topic of extrajudicial killings came up.

Trump was criticised in May for praising Duterte during a phone call for the 'great job' he was doing to counter illegal narcotics.

Before last year's ASEAN gathering in Laos, Duterte warned then-president Barack Obama not to criticize how he's handling his nation's drug crisis.

'You must be respectful. Do not just throw away questions and statements. You son of a whore, I will curse you at that forum,' Duterte said then.

The Philippines leader famously told a crowd of businessmen before he was elected that he would gladly pardon himself for 'multiple murder' if need be.

And he shares Trump's broad disdain for reporters, although he has taken his views further than the U.S. president.

Trump's day in Manila began with a tradition opening the Association of South East Asian Nations summit  a cross-armed group handshake that the president had a little trouble mastering

While Trump calls published stories he doesn't like 'fake news,' Duterte said last year that 'just because you're a journalist, you are not exempted from assassination if you are a son of a bitch.'

Duterte won his nation's highest office largely on a pledge to rid the Philippines of drugs and crime by killing as many as 100,000 people.

'If they are there in your neighborhood, feel free to call us, the police or do it yourself if you have the gun. You have my support,' he said at one 2016 rally, describing how to handle drug dealers.

'If he fights and fights to the death, you can kill him. I will give you a medal,' he said.

Since he took office, police have reported killing 3,967 people in the crackdown.

Trump toasted with Duterte during Sunday night's gala dinner marking ASEAN's 50th anniversary; Duterte wound up singing to the crowd by night's end, and Trump said on Monday that he was 'fantastic'

Another 2,290 have been murdered in drug-related crimes, while thousands of other deaths remain unsolved, according to government data.

Many Filipinos back Duterte, believing he is taking necessary measures to fight crime, but human rights groups warn he may be orchestrating a crime against humanity.

Amnesty International accuses police of executing defenseless people and paying assassins to kill drug addicts.

When pressured over allegations of extra-judicial killings carried out by police, Duterte insists he has never told them to break the law.

But rights groups say police are following Duterte's incitements to kill, including comments made last year when he said he would be 'happy to slaughter' three million addicts.

He has also repeatedly boasted about killing people himself, most recently on Thursday while in Da Nang, Vietnam for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.

'When I was a teenager, I would go in and out of jail. I'd have rumbles here, rumbles there,' said Duterte.

'At the age of 16, I already killed someone. A real person, a rumble, a stabbing. I was just 16 years old. It was just over a look. How much more now that I am president?'

Duterte said in December 2016 that he had personally shot dead criminal suspects when he was an elected mayor  to set an example for police.

His spokesman at the time later clarified that the killings took place during a 'legitimate police action.'

Duterte's current spokesman has spent the last two days trying to persuade reporters that the colorful president's new claim of stabbing someone to death shouldn't be taken literally.

'I think it was in jest. The Pres[ident] uses colorful language when w Pinoys (Filipinos) overseas,' Roque said in a text message to one journalist.
A man has admitted to mowing down his neighbour with his 4WD as many as four times after a long-running dispute turned violent.

Daniel Horvath, pleaded guilty to one count of causing grievous bodily harm while appearing in Penrith District Court on Monday.

The 26-year-old was accused of striking father-of-five and grandfather Michael Kimmorley on Australia Day in 2016, Nine News reports.

New South Wales man Daniel Horvath, 26, (pictured) has admitted to mowing down a father-of-five with his 4WD on Australia Day 2016

Mr Kimmorley was reportedly standing in the middle of Noakes Parade when Horvath came around the corner in a black vehicle.

Dashcam footage from inside the car recorded his intentions, with the voice heard saying they were going to 'run him over'.

'I don't care, I'm going to kill him... I'm going to jail, I'm happy,' Horvath said.

The 26-year-old then reportedly reversed over him after striking him, with witnesses trying to run to Mr Kimmorley's aid.

Horvath plead guilty to one count of causing grievous bodily harm against Michael Kimmorley while appearing in Penrith District Court on Monday

Mr Kimmorley's left leg was left badly injured in the attack, with the granfather requiring crutches to walk after undergoing 26 surgeries

Mr Kimmorley was left badly injured in the attack, requiring crutches to walk after undergoing 26 surgeries.

'I haven't really lived the last two years. My life's been put on hold,' Mr Kimmorley said.

'I've asked a thousand times, you know, what sort of person does that.'

Horvath had originally claimed Mr Kimmorley had wielded a gun and jumped in front of the car when being interviewed.

Horvath faces a maximum of 25 years behind bars when he is sentenced in February next year.
Carl Walton (pictured) is facing contraband charges months after he released a video of himself and other inmates at Parklea Prison showing them with knives, razors and drugs

The convict who filmed inmates holding ice, knives and a 'slasher' razor has been charged with new offences in NSW's largest prison contraband sweep.

Carl Walton, 32, is one of 105 inmates across the state facing charges of possessing contraband, The Daily Telegraph reported.

He has three weapons charges against him, as well as a charge of using a mobile phone as an inmate.

A video the inmate filmed inside the privately owned Parklea Prison was uncovered by Daily Mail Australia in June, and Walton said he had shared the video to highlight what he claimed to be rampant drug use in prison.

Scroll down for video

In the biggest contraband sweep NSW prisons have ever seen, 44 makeshift weapons were found (pictured)

8,377 inmates, 5,079 cells, and 576 common areas were searched over 11 weeks

Pictured: Tobacco seized at John Morony Complex during the massive operation

Pictured: A 'white rock substance' seized from John Morony during the contraband sweep

Walton released the video a few weeks after he was released from prison, leading his mother to fear for the man's life.

Just weeks later, he found himself back behind bars for entering a vehicle without consent, destroying or damaging property and larceny.

The contraband sweep, which took place via targeted searches in the state's 36 prisons over 11 weeks, was a complete success, said Minister for Corrections David Elliott.

'The unprecedented operation has produced great results, with searches of 8,377 inmates, 5,079 cells, and 576 common areas,' he said.

'A total of 105 inmates are now facing charges of possessing contraband.'

Tobacco and papers were seized in large quantities as Corrective Services officers searched each prison in the state

Officers also seized tablets and a white crystal substance from one prison (pictured)

Carl Walton (pictured) was back in jail just weeks after he was released on parole, and is now facing three weapons charges, as well as a charge of using a mobile as an inmate

Drug dogs were also used to search prison cells and common areas in correctional centres around NSW (pictured)

The operation uncovered mobile phones, tobacco, 44 prison-made weapons, steroid tablets, marijuana, crystal meth, alcohol made inside prison, syringes and strips of Buprenorphine - used in treating methadone and heroin dependence.

As well as fresh criminal charges, inmates will face consequences in their day-to-day life behind bars.

CSNSW Assistant Commissioner Mark Wilson, who directed the operation from a command centre in Silverwater, said inmates would continue to be caught and punished.

'These inmates now face prosecution and other punishments such as segregation, withdrawal of privileges and no contact visits for up to 56 days,' he said.

NSW JAILS CONTRABAND SWEEP: WHAT WAS HIDDEN WHERE? Cessnock Correctional Centre - a minimum and maximum security facility for male offenders  5 x prison-made weapons  2 x smoking implements Cooma Correctional Centre - a minimum and medium security facility for male offenders  123g of tobacco  1 x prison-made weapon  Cigarette papers  Lighters  Tools John Morony Correctional Complex - a medium security facility for male offenders, minimum and medium security facility for female offenders and a minimum security facility for male offenders  2 x mobile phones  51.7g of tobacco  1.9g of green vegetable matter  0.7g of clear crystal substance  3 x white tablets  3 x tools  1 x syringe  1 x USB charger  Qty of non-prescribed medication Mid North Coast Correctional Centre - which is a medium and minimum security facility for male and female offenders  6 x prison-made weapons  5 x smoking implements  3 x needs  2 x tattoo guns  1 x USB phone charger Junee Correctional Centre - a medium and minimum security facility for male offenders  3 x prison-made weapons  1L of prison-made brew  1 x needle Wellington Correctional Centre - a maximum security facility for male and female offenders  60.4g of tobacco  23 x suboxone strips South Coast Correctional Centre - a minimum and maximum security facility for male offenders  1 x prison-made weapon  1 x syringe  3 x buprenorphine strips  29 x avanza tablets Parklea Correctional Centre - a maximum and minimum security facility for male offenders  6 x prison-made weapons  1 x smoking implement  1 x syringe Goulburn Correctional Complex - a minimum security facility for male offenders, and maximum security facility for male offenders  6 x prison-made weapon  52g of tobacco  1 x syringe  2 x suboxone wafers  3 x Seroquel  Qty of non-prescribed tablets Silverwater Correctional Complex, which includes Metropolitan Remand and Reception Centre, Silverwater Womens Correctional Centre and Dawn De Loas Correctional Centre  1 x orange coloured wafer  10 x steroids tablets  1 x lighter  1 x syringe/needle  4 x prison-made weapon  3 x mobile phone chargers  3lt of prison-made brew  1 x smoking implement  15.3g of tobacco  1 x mobile phone Officers pat down inmates and search cells in the biggest contraband sweep the state has ever seen (pictured) Advertisement
Former prime minister Tony Abbott has slammed violent protesters who shredded his sister Christine Forster's jacket and allegedly spat on police outside a Liberal Party event.

Ms Forster, a City of Sydney Liberal councillor, was physically confronted by left-wing demonstrators as she arrived at the fundraiser in Sydney on Friday afternoon with her female partner.

Mr Abbott's elderly parents Dickie, 93 and his wife Fay, 84, were also jostled by protesters making a point about the closure of the Manus Island detention centre in Papua New Guinea.

The former prime minister said his family should have been treated with respect, a day after his 53-year-old sister made a statement to police reporting an alleged assault that left her with bruising and a ripped jacket.

'Christine, as you know, is pretty psychologically tough,' he told Sydney radio station 2GB on Monday.

Scroll down for video

Protesters ripped the left-side of Christine Forster's jacket outside a Liberal Party fundraiser

Just as police stepped in to move the pair away, a few protesters allegedly grabbed onto Ms Forster's jacket

'But again, I think she was pretty shaken by it all, very shaken by it all.

'Look, I think Mum and Dad were shaken. They certainly shouldn't have been exposed to the kind of jostling and abuse that they were exposed to.'

Mr Abbott, an opponent of gay marriage who has clashed with his lesbian sister on the issue, said it was a tragedy Ms Forster, a progressive member of the Liberal Party, was subjected to such behaviour.

'Now, Chris to her great credit persisted and look, I think it's just a real tragedy that people have become so incredibly intolerant as to treat someone like Chris, who is herself a bit of a human rights campaigner, by her own lights, to treat her this way was just outrageous,' he said.

Christine Forster (pictured) can be seen trying to escape the stampede of protesters

Tony Abbott (pictured with his retired orthodontist father Dickie, 93) slammed protesters for confronting his elderly parents and his sister Christine Forster

Thousands of activists demonstrated assembled outside Australian Technology Park at Eveleigh, near Redfern, on Friday afternoon ahead of Immigration Minister Peter Dutton's speech at the event.

Police arrested four people, including a 24-year-old man who was charged with assaulting police in execution of their duty, after he allegedly spat on an officer.

He was granted conditional bail to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Monday 11 December 2017.

A 31-year-old man and two women, aged 43 and 51 were arrested but released without charge.

Ms Forster and her partner Virginia Edwards said it took 30 to 40 police officers to prevent the growing crowd from completely overpowering them

Ms Forster and her partner Virginia Edwards, 60, visited Surry Hills Police Station on Sunday to report an assault, with a police spokeswoman telling Daily Mail Australia the Redfern Local Area Command would now be investigating.

The protesters were upset asylum seekers remain at the Manus Island detention centre, following a Papua Guinea Supreme Court ruling earlier this year to close the compound.

While they are being moved to a new, low-security centre at nearby Longerau, left-wing activist group GetUp! has circulated images of the old Manus Island centre, showing a lack of running water and food supplies.

Previously, GetUp! has called for the closure of the high-security detention centre at Manus Island.

Ms Forster and her partner Virginia Edwards said it took 30 to 40 police officers to prevent the growing crowd from completely overpowering them.

'They were spitting, they were snarling,' she told the Sydney Morning Herald.

'I support peaceful political protests, that's fine. But don't assault people.'

Ms Forster can be seen trying to move away from the growing crowds

Christine Forster was subjected to protesters spitting and snarling at her in Sydney last week

'I had about about three or four people grabbing onto me to try and stop me from getting in and in the course of that my jacket got shredded,' she said

City of Sydney councillor Christine Forster had a police escort to enter the Liberal fundraiser

A protester comes face to face with City of Sydney councillor Christine Forster on Friday

Others had fruit thrown at them as they exited the building (pictured) near Redfern in Sydney

'I had about about three or four people grabbing onto me to try and stop me from getting in and in the course of that my jacket got shredded,' she said.

Earlier, disturbing footage from inside the Manus Island detention centre revealed the filthy conditions faced by the men who have refused to leave the camp.

Video obtained by activist group GetUp! shows men sleeping outside on tables in an attempt to escape sweltering conditions inside cramped shipping containers.

It also shows how washing facilities aren't working, toilets are blocked due to a lack of running water, and the fact the men have dug for water and built wells using wheelie bins to stay hydrated.

Disturbing footage from inside the Manus Island detention centre has revealed the filthy conditions faced by the men who remain at the camp

Men have dug for water and built wells using wheelie bins to stay hydrated

Men have been forced to make wells out of wheelie bins to collect drinking water

It's been nine days since the Australian government cut off food, water, medical assistance and electricity to the refugees at the centre.

There are still 580 men living at the detention centre who are protesting against the Australian and Papua New Guinea governments who want to move them.

Even after running out of food, medication and clean water, the men believe it is safer to stay at the old compound rather than risk being attacked by locals at the new facility.

GetUp!'s human rights co-director Shen Narayanasamy spent eight hours in the camp filming the video.

'Death or serious illness is inevitable in coming days. These men are sick, thirsty and hungry. The conditions are appalling and it's obvious you wouldn't choose to stay here if you thought you could be safer elsewhere,' Ms Narayanasamy said.

'There is a great threat of violence from the PNG army and the Manus Island community has made it very clear it doesn't want the men to move into accommodation closer to town.'

It's been nine days since the Australian government cut off the food, water, medical assistance and electricity to the refugees at the centre

Squalid conditions: footage from inside Manus Island show mould covered bathrooms

GetUp's human rights co-director Shen Narayanasamy spent eight hours in the camp filming the video (pictured)

Manus Island shame: Toilets are blocked due to a lack of running water

PNG authorities posted a warning notice on Thursday instructing the asylum seekers to leave immediately.

'If necessary, force may be used to relocate those who refuse to move voluntarily for your own sake,' the memo says.

The UN's refugee agency says substantial parts of the alternative accommodation are not yet ready.

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton insists those claims are wrong.

'The only difference in the new centre is that where we serve three meals a day at the (detention centre), we're asking people to prepare their own meals with food supplied and some think that that's not good enough for them,' he told 2GB.
Labour's Welsh leader faces fresh pressure to step down today after a former aide said the atmosphere in his office was 'pure poison' and his ex-boss was 'unwilling or unable to address' its bullying culture.

Carwyn Jones has refused to quit over his sacking of minister Carl Sargeant, who took his own life at home in Connah's Quay days after being accused of sexual misconduct.

An inquest into his heath is due to open in Ruthin, North Wales, this afternoon.

Yesterday the Welsh First Minister was accused of allowing a 'toxic environment' to take hold in his office.

Steve Jones, who served as a special adviser to Mr Jones from 2009 to 2014, said: 'The mind games being employed against ministers  such as Carl  were at times an utter distraction from the serious business of governing Wales'.

The Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones has defied calls to quit over Carl Sargeant's death and today a former aide heaped more pressure on after describing the atmosphere in his office as 'pure poison'

Carwyn Jones has police after his house in South Wales (pictured last Tuesday) was sprayed with graffiti hours after he refused to resign over Carl Sargeant's death

He went on: 'Soon after I arrived to work for Carwyn after his election as First Minister in 2009, it was clear that I was entering a toxic environment.

'The atmosphere that existed on the fifth floor and in particular the First Minister's Office was one of fear and loathing.

'I'm no shrinking violet when it comes to politics. Prior to moving to Cardiff Bay, I worked as a special adviser to the Government Chief Whip at Westminster. I was fully accustomed to the rough and tumble of politics at the very highest level.

'But the behaviour of some at the top of the Welsh Government was like nothing I'd ever seen before. It was pure poison.'

Mr Jones said that other aides working for Mr Jones used smear campaigns against ministers, such as Mr Sargeant. 'Ministers were undermined by senior advisers playing power games and seeking to exert unreasonable control over government and the First Minister himself,' he wrote in a statement.

'Certain ministers who were seen as a threat to these advisers, were frequently the subject of malicious rumours and concerted smear campaigns. Those ministers, including Carl, would have their diaries unreasonably monitored and questioned, their policy proposals shelved and direct access to the First Minister blocked.

It went way beyond any 'office politics' or personality clashes.'

He added: 'The mind games being employed against ministers  such as Carl  were at times an utter distraction from the serious business of governing Wales.

'After recognising the effect this behaviour was having on my own wellbeing, I informed the First Minister of my intention to resign.'

Last night Welsh Labour declined to comment, but a Welsh Government spokesman said: 'We do not recognise these comments. All complaints regarding staff and special adviser conduct are taken seriously and dealt with accordingly.

On Friday Carl Sargeant's family criticised the Welsh First Minister's decision to ask a top official to begin setting up an independent inquiry to examine his handling of the case.

Carwyn Jones believes a senior QC should carry out work to examine his 'actions and decisions' in relation to the former assembly member, who was found dead on Tuesday.

Mr Sargeant's wife Bernie (pictured together) and his children have been left 'devastated' and have been critical of Labour's handling of allegations he faced

But Mr Sargeant's family said the decision to ask the Permanent Secretary to begin preparatory work means the probe will not be truly independent.

In a statement they said: 'In response to the statement made by the First Minister and to reiterate the family's original request, the inquiry must be established by a body that is fully independent of Welsh Government.

'The Permanent Secretary reports directly to the First Minister and is therefore not independent.

'We believe that a truly independent body must also be responsible for agreeing the terms of reference and appointing the chair and secretariat for the inquiry.'

Mr Sargeant, 49, is understood to have taken his own life four days after being removed from his role as cabinet secretary for communities and children and suspended from the Labour party over allegations of 'unwanted attention, inappropriate touching or groping'.

THE QUESTIONS JONES MUST ANSWER Why was Carl Sargeant not told the details of the claims against him?

Why were the family's concerns about the impact of the investigation on his mental health not responded to properly?

Why was he suspended before the allegations against him were investigated and proved?

Was there a toxic atmosphere in the Welsh Assembly government?

Was there a concerted campaign to undermine Mr Sargeant in the administration?

Did he receive a complaint in 2014 about a campaign to undermine Mr Sargeant? and if he did, what was done? Advertisement

A spokesman for Mr Jones said: 'Further to the First Minister's comments yesterday about the need for independent scrutiny of his actions and decisions in relation to Carl Sargeant, he agrees that there should be an independent inquiry and it would be proper to ask a senior QC to lead that work.

'To ensure this happens separately from his office, the First Minister has asked the Permanent Secretary to begin preparatory work for this inquiry, and to make contact with the family to discuss the terms of reference and the identity of the QC.

'It is our understanding that such an inquiry should not take place before the outcome of a coroner's inquest but we will take further advice on this matter.'

Mr Jones had been under mounting pressure to launch an independent inquiry, with Mr Sargeant's family adding to the criticism shortly before the First Minister's announcement.

Mr Sargeant's family said there had been 'serious failings' in the way the situation was handled.
A North Korean soldier has been shot by his own side while fleeing across the border to defect to the South.

The victim managed to escape the totalitarian dictatorship and is now being treated in hospital.

He crossed to the South side of the Joint Security Area at Panmunjom, the only portion of the Demilitarised Zone where forces from the two sides come face-to-face, the Joint Chiefs of Staff of South Korea's military said in a statement.

Details of his condition were not immediately available, but Yonhap news agency in South Korea said he was shot in the shoulder and elbow. Pictured: What is believed to be the North Korean soldier is treated in a South Korean hospital after being shot

The soldier was reportedly unarmed and wearing a low-rank uniform when he was found bleeding on the southern side of the border. Pictured: What is believed to be the defector being treated

South Korean army soldiers talks with a medical doctor as he prepares to treat an unidentified injured person, unseen, believed to be a North Korean soldier, at a hospital in Suwon, South Korea today

'Our military has taken in a North Korean soldier after he crossed from a North Korea post towards our Freedom House,' the statement said, referring to a building on the South side of the village which is bisected by the border.

Details of his condition were not immediately available, but Yonhap news agency in South Korea said he was shot in the shoulder and elbow.

They also reported that the soldier was unarmed and wearing a low-rank uniform when he was found bleeding on the southern side of the border.

He was taken to hospital in a UN helicopter, Yonhap added, after defecting at about 3.30pm.

Military defections across the heavily fortified DMZ dividing the two Koreas are not uncommon, but they are rare at Panmunjom - a major tourist attraction.

The victim managed to escape the totalitarian dictatorship and is now being treated in hospital. Pictured: South Korean troops at the border village of Panmunjom

Over the decades since the peninsula was divided, dozens of North Korean soldiers have fled to the South through the DMZ, which extends for two kilometers either side of the actual borderline. Pictured: File photos of North Korean troops at Panmunjom

He crossed to the South side of the Joint Security Area at Panmunjom (pictured), the only portion of the Demilitarised Zone where forces from the two sides come face-to-face, the Joint Chiefs of Staff of South Korea's military said in a statement

Military defections across the heavily fortified DMZ dividing the two Koreas are not uncommon, but they are rare at Panmunjom (pictured), which is a major tourist attraction

Two North Korean soldiers defected to the South in June after crossing the frontier at another location.

Over the decades since the peninsula was divided, dozens of North Korean soldiers have fled to the South through the DMZ, which extends for two kilometers either side of the actual borderline.

Relations between the two sides have been tense for months, as the North stepped up its missile tests. In September the North carried out its sixth and largest nuclear test, of what it described as a hydrogen bomb.
Russians have been warned of a sickening market for real-life 'kidnap and rape' films involving children after a 12-year-old girl was held and sexually abused on her way home from a music lesson.

Sources in the adult film business have claimed that vile and illegal movies can be commissioned for between 12,000 and 20,000.

Police are embarking on the sixth day of a massive operation in Ekaterinburg, involving hundreds of officers, hunting the two men who allegedly kidnapped the girl in a city suburb and live-streamed themselves raping her for hours.

Chasing monsters: Hundreds of police officers in Ekaterinburg are still hunting the two men who allegedly kidnapped the 12-year-old and live-streamed themselves raping her for hours

The girl was then driven to a flat and carried into a flat inside a zip-up bag like the one in the picture.

Here she was savagely raped by the pair as every moment of the violent attack was filmed, reported 66.ru news website in Ekaterinburg citing law enforcement sources.

After the revolting ordeal, the traumatised child was made to hold a sign advertising a child porn website or channel for the camera, it was reported.

She was zipped in the bag and dumped beside a snowy highway - but it took her hours to free herself and flag down a passing motorist.

The story of the attack was broken by the news site despite initial attempts by police to gag the media.

Horrifying: The 12-year-old says she was kidnapped and is believed to have been taken to a flat in the Chkalovsky district of Ekaterinburg where she was raped for hours

Abandoned: After the two men had subjected her to horrific abuse, she was dumped by this highway in Ekaterinburg

It was vital that parents were aware of the crime, and a police move to hide the details 'potentially puts other children in danger', warned 66.ru

'There is child pornography niche on this market, and there is a demand of real life rapes,' said a man named as Oleg N who is involved in making and distributing 'adult content'.

Hunted: Police have released an identikit of one of the men who allegedly kidnapped and raped a 12-year-old in Ekaterinburg

'In this particular case, the girl could be the victim of such operators.

'The price list for this kind of content is absolutely mad,' he said, citing prices between 12,000 and 20,000 for one video.

There are also fears that the attack could have been broadcast live on the 'deep web'.

'Money invested in paying for such videos is returned back in less than a week.'

He said: 'People that order and produce such content operate solely on the dark web, or else communicate via relevant channels of (secure) messengers.

'They treat issues of their security and the secrecy of their communications more thoroughly than drug dealers.

'Perhaps police will be able to catch people that actually fulfilled the order (to make the films) but never those who paid them for doing so.'

People with knowledge of the identities of those ordering such films 'could be shot dead', he warned.

Police have released an identikit image of one of the men, aged around 50 and wearing leather trousers.

Police spokesman Valery Gorelykh said: 'About 200 policemen were sent to visit residential blocks in the area in a non-stop search.

Still going: The incident took place nearly a week ago, but police have yet to catch the kidnappers

'Some 50 detectives from the city police office were sent to the district police where the crime took place to provide all possible help.

'We are using all our forces to uncover this horrendous crime.'

The case has been put under the 'personal control' of the city police chief and head of the Russian FBI - the Investigative Committee.

'For several hours the girl was being raped by two men and everything was filmed,' reported local news website 66.ru.

'It is not clear yet if it was a live broadcast online or not.

'After the rape ordeal, the girl was told to hold a sheet of paper in her hands with the address of a website and she was photographed like this.

Police say the girl was seized in the Chkalovsky district of Russia's fourth largest city.

They believe the flat she was taken to was in Shinny district, and she was later dumped on a Polevsky Trakt highway some 10 miles from where she was originally kidnapped.

Police have issued an urgent appeal for motorists to handover dashcam footage which might show the paedophile rapists or their silver coloured car.

Detectives are believed to have obtained DNA material from the girl's attackers.

A mother at a local school gate in Ekaterinburg said: 'There is fear and panic in this district.

'I am not allowing my 13 year old daughter to walk to school and back alone.'
Chris Farrow (pictured) used to work at Strangeways and Forest Bank prisons in Manchester

A crooked ex-prison officer who stole 118,000 from cashpoints was allowed to walk free from court after claiming prisoners would recognise him inside and call him 'Mr Screw'.

Chris Farrow, 29, was arrested after his cashpoint theft racket was discovered, whereby he and his colleague Jason Nixon, 30, stole thousands from ATMs while working as delivery drivers across the north of England.

But when it came to his trial, Farrow, who used to work at Strangeways and Forest Bank prisons in Manchester, told the judge he would find being locked up 'extremely hard'.

Pleading with the judge to let him off at Minshull Street Crown Court, his defence lawyer Peter Warne said: 'If he was sent to prison then he would be sent to Forest Bank or Strangeways.

'He would be recognised if he went to either of these, as he worked there and inmates would know him.

'He would be referred to as "Mr Farrow the screw".

A police investigation found that Farrow stole 40,170 between 1 November 2016 and 19 December 2016, while Nixon stole 78,070 between 9 December and 30 December that year.

Farrow carried out 63 thefts and Nixon 26 while they were employed by finance technology firm NoteMachine to deliver bank notes to ATMs.

Farrow and his cash delivery driver colleague Jason Nixon (pictured) stole 118,000 in late 2016 while working across northern England. They were both found guilty but spared jail

Farrow resigned in December 2016 before his crimes came to light, but Nixon held out and was eventually fired a month later when confronted about the missing cash.

In a bid to justify his actions, he insisted he carried out the thefts to fund a cocaine habit - although police discovered he had book a flight to Australia and made numerous deposits into his back account.

Farrow, of Bacup, Lancashire, admitted theft but escaped with a year in jail suspended for 18 months.

Jason Nixon, 30, of Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, also admitted theft and was given the same sentence despite police discovering he had used the stolen money to buy himself a Range Rover car.

Prosecutor Juliette Berry said the two men did not work together but carried out scores of thefts whilst operating independently from each other.

She added: 'The cash was packed in cassettes which are designed to be put into the ATM and dispense the cash.

'But by the end of November 2016 it became apparent that there were discrepancies and the head of security was tasked with investigating.

Farrow, 29, claimed he used the money to fund a cocaine habit but he had spent some on a flight to Australia

'There were discrepancies between the money returned in the cassettes and what originally went out and what was in the ATM.

'It became apparent that the monies were going missing when these two defendants were transporting them.

Miss Berry added: 'Police searched Nixon's home and found he had bought a Range Rover for 14,000 and 20,000 worth of cash was discovered in a safe in his grandfathers attic.

'There was evidence that Farrow had booked a flight to Australia and numerous deposits were paid into his account.'

Mitigating, Mr Warne said: 'His offending was borne out of him being addicted to cocaine. The sums that he was spending on cocaine are eyewatering.

'His fall to being a cocaine addict to appearing before this court is a long one.

'He spent many years as a public servant, many years as a firefighter in Lancashire and he is someone who carried himself with discipline and bearing.

'This must be a shock to those he knows for him to be at this court facing what he does.

'Sending him to custody with this background would be extremely hard time for him.

'He has separated from his partner but he still supports his young daughter and provides for her.

'His partner has been drug testing him since February and every one has come back clean.'

Defending father-of-two Nixon, who is expecting a third child with his partner, Mark Fireman said: 'At his previous employer he fell in with the wrong group of people and was using drugs and he got himself into a position where he owed money and used the money to pay of those debts and purchased a range rover which he would not have been able to afford usually.

'This is not a man who comes from a criminal background.'

Sentencing them, judge Mr Recorder Andrew Jeffries QC said: 'I have heard about extravagant spending and in essence the cash was frittered away on drugs and other high price items.

'This was not a sophisticated theft.

'I accept that there was some naivety that the theft would go unnoticed. It is a shame that all too frequently there are people of previous good character that cannot resist the temptation to steal money.

'Particularly with reference to you Mr Farrow, particularly with your years of public service.

'This was a serious breach of trust, but I have taken into account all of the factors and I feel able to suspend this sentence.'
EU business leaders delivered a direct warning to Theresa May today that must make new concessions to secure a Brexit transition deal.

The Prime Minister invited European business groups to Downing Street at the urging of Britain's Confederation of British Industry.

Firms on both sides of the Channel want immediate clarity on how trading rules will work from the day Brexit happens on March 2019.

Instead the talks in Brussels are at a dangerous stalemate that could see trade talks delayed again next month - with the divorce bill the key sticking point.

The UK has so far offered to contribute around 20billion euros during a transition period - but the EU says the total figure must be more like 60billion euros.

If Mrs May hoped the presence of European businesses in No 10 would heap pressure on Brussels to give ground, she is set to be disappointed.

EU business leaders, pictured with CBI chief Carolyn Fairbairn (second left) today, told Theresa May she had to make new concessions to secure a Brexit transition deal at No 10 talks

The Prime Minister invited European business groups (pictured arriving this morning) to Downing Street at the urging of Britain's Confederation of British Industry

But if Mrs May hoped the presence of European businesses in No 10 would heap pressure on Brussels to give ground, she is set to be disappointed.

Business Europe President Emma Marcegaglia (pictured centre leaving the talks today) said it was up to the UK to make a 'concrete' proposal to end the deadlock.

EU negotiator Michel Barnier last week gave Britain just two weeks to put more cash on the table to secure a divorce deal in time for future trade talks to start next month.

The two sides are engaged in a bitter stand-off over the size of the divorce bill - with the UK offering around 20billion euros during a transition phase, but the bloc insisting the figure must be triple that figure.

Following the meeting, Business Europe President Emma Marcegaglia told the BBC World at One programme: 'The conversation was very good. We understand that they want to go on, they want to make progress, they also expect the EU to make progress from their side.

'I see and hope that this two weeks will be used to achieve agreement on the three important points.'

Asked if Brussels was part of the problem, Ms Marcegaglia said: 'My view is that they both have to work more and honestly I think seeing as it's the UK that decided to leave, it's the UK who has to put the real concrete proposal on the table otherwise this won't work.

'The Florence speech was very good. They have to translate good words into concrete action.'

The Prime Minister (pictured at No10 today) held talks with senior figures from European industry in Downing Street today

Chancellor Philip Hammond arrived at 10 Downing Street today - but did not attend the talks with EU businesses

There are fears that failure to reach an agreement before Christmas could lead to a 'no deal' Brexit and cause severe harm to economies.

Business on both side of the channel has become increasingly anxious about the prospect of political deadlock disrupting trade.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel is coming under pressure to protect her country's car exports - with Britain a key market.

During the event at No10 today, which the Confederation of British Industry has helped organise, Mrs May will set out her vision of a 'bold and deep economic partnership' between the UK and EU after the country leaves the bloc.

Groups represented include the BDI and BDA from Germany, Medef from France and the EU-wide BusinessEurope.

According to Downing Street, the PM 'expressed her commitment to giving businesses the certainty they need by agreeing a time-limited implementation period as soon as possible'.

The Brexit Secretary David Davis, Chancellor Philip Hammond, and Business Secretary Greg Clark also attended the Downing Street event.

CBI director general Carolyn Fairbairn told BBC Radio Four's Today programme: 'This is an important meeting because the urgency that is shared by businesses across Europe is growing by the day.

'The big message today is around mutual interest.'

Ms Fairbairn said 10 per cent of firms had enacted their contingency plans to deal with Brexit and another 25 per cent would do so by the end of the year.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, pictured in the German parliament, is coming under pressure to protect her country's car exports - with Britain a key market
This is the shocking moment an air hostess fell onto the tarmac from a parked plane after accidentally stepping through the gap between loading stairs and a cabin door.

Online footage shows the flight attendant dangerously hanging below the rear cabin door before hitting the ground at an airport in central China.

Doctors said the woman, who works for Xiamen Air, suffered spine compression fractures as a result of the incident.

CCTV footage captures the moment an air hostess walking back to the flight after sending food trays out (left) However, she did not see gap between the stairs and the door (right)

According to iFeng.com, the flight attendant fell out of flight no. MF8253 of Xiamen Air on November 10 after the plane had arrived at the Zhengzhou Xinzhou International Airport in the afternoon.

CCTV footage captured how the air hostess grabbed onto the cabin door before plunging down 2.7 metres (8.9 ft) onto the tarmac.

Xiaman Air's initial investigation confirmed that the crew member fell down when she walked back into the plane after restocking food with a tray.

She was thought to have stepped into the gap between the loading stairs and the rear cabin door.

Other crew members and airport security workers came to rescue the injured flight attendant while she remained conscious.

The Boeing 737-800 plane had apparently flown in from south-east China's Fuzhou Changle Airport. It was having a stopover at Zhengzhou for an hour before heading to north-west China's Lanzhou.

She slips through the gap and falls down immediately (left). She manages to hold onto the cabin door for a few seconds (right)

The air hostess plunges down from 8.9 ft tall and suffered spine compression fractures

Xiamen Air flight no. MF 8253 is scheduled for an one-hour stopover in Zhengzhou

Xiamen Air released a statement on their official Weibo account, a Chinese Twitter -like social media sites, on November 11.

The company said the injured crew member was sent to hospital as soon as possible.

She was found to have spine compression fractures after a CT scan and had undergone emergency surgery.

Doctors expected her to recover in a week's time but it's not clear if she would be fit to work in the field afterwards.

Similar incident happened last month when an air hostess fell onto the tarmac from the rear cabin door of a China Eastern Airlines flight.

Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport confirmed the event happened when the flight was ready to take-off on October 23.

The flight attendant suffered scratches and bone fractures.
The Islamic State's dream of a Middle East caliphate may be over, but Sunni-ruled Saudi Arabia and Shiite powerhouse Iran continue to worsen conflicts across the region as they battle to reign supreme.

Here MailOnline looks at some of the key countries where their hands are wreaking havoc because of different political and religious opinions

LEBANON

The resignation of Lebanon's Saudi-backed Prime Minister Saad Hariri has thrust Lebanon back onto the front line of the Middle East's most biting rivalry, pitting a mostly Sunni bloc led by Saudi Arabia and including the UAE against Shiite Iran and its allies.

Hariri, a Sunni Muslim leader, had faced the seemingly impossible task of presiding over a government under the control of Iran-backed Hezbollah. The Shiite militant party is accused of killing his father, Rafik, in 2005 and in his resignation speech on Saturday he suggested he now fears for his own life.

Hezbollah supporters carry a poster of Hezbollah leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah during a Hezbollah 'victory over Israel' rally, in Beirut's suburbs, Friday, 22 September 2006

But he was known to tow the Saudi line and his shock resignation suggests Saudi Arabia may have a new plan of action for the country.

The kingdom had long backed the Sunnis in Lebanon's multi-sectarian political system - and during the civil war - but on Monday it accused the tiny Arab country of declaring war against it because of aggression by Hezbollah.

The statement comes as the civil war in neighbouring Syria, where Hezbollah had been ensuring President Bashar Assad's regime was not toppled by a pro-democracy movement, winds down.

Joseph Bahout, a visiting scholar in Carnegie's Middle East Program, warned just last month that Saudi Arabia was seeking ways to compensate for the loss of Syria as a place where it could defy and bleed Iran. 'A renewed desire to reverse their regional fortunes could lead them to try regaining a foothold in Lebanon,' he wrote.

Hezbollah is returning its energy to Lebanon and Saudi Arabia only wants a leader in the country if it can withstand Hezbollah's pressure.

It's believed they did not see Hariri as the man for that job.

SYRIA

In Syria the civil war is not completely over but Iran and its allies are seen to have won the proxy war against Saudi-backed rebels.

Hezbollah and other fighters allied with Assad's forces have recaptured large areas and are working to secure a much-prized land corridor stretching from Tehran to the Mediterranean through Iraq, Syria and Lebanon.

Pro-government demonstrators hold posters depicting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and placards, during a rally in Damascus, in 2012

A Syrian man carries a baby after removing him from the rubble of a destroyed building following a reported air strike in the then rebel-held part of Aleppo in 2016

By contrast, Saudi Arabia has been stuck in a fruitless war in Yemen against Iranian-backed Shiite rebels, and a Saudi bid to isolate Qatar has failed to achieve its goals.

YEMEN

Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, and his son Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), have this week made clear their intention to continue to fight against Iran in Yemen.

Riyadh and Tehran have been trading fierce accusations over their involvement in the country, where they back opposing sides.

In the latest flare-up Saudi Arabia said an intercepted missile attack on the country, allegedly by Tehran-backed rebels in Yemen, 'may amount to an act of war'.

People walk at the site of an air strike in the northwestern city of Saada, Yemen, on November 1

MBS said on Tuesday that Iran's decision to supply rockets to militias in Yemen constitutes a 'direct military aggression' against the kingdom.

Tehran in turn accused Riyadh of committing war crimes in Yemen, raising tensions further.

And Hezbollah and the Houthis, as Yemen's Shiite rebels are known, have denied any role by the Lebanese group in the war in the Arabian Peninsula country.

ISRAEL

The resignation of Lebanon's Hariri also has significant implications for Israel, Daniel Shapiro, President Obama's Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel, said in a column for Haaretz newspaper this week.

'It is plausible that the Saudis are trying to create the context for a different means of contesting Iran in Lebanon: an Israeli-Hezbollah war,' he wrote.

Shapiro suggests Saudi may have pulled Hariri out of his office to leave Hezbollah 'with the blame and responsibility for... caring for Syrian refugees to mopping up Al Qaeda and ISIS affiliates'.

British Prime Minister Theresa May speaks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a meeting in 10 Downing St, London, Thursday, November 2

This could lead Hezbollah to confront Israel as means of securing support from its people in Lebanon.

Saudi Arabia and Israel have become unlikely allies. Their common ground? Stopping nuclear Iran reigning supreme in the region.

For Israel, partnering with Saudi-Arabia to quash Hezbollah would be considered key to helping them deal with an old enemy.

QATAR

Saudi Arabia's bid to isolate Qatar appears to have been fruitless.

Instead of bringing the world's wealthiest nation back into its folds by forcing it into a diplomatic corner, Doha has forcefully rejected all Saudi demands.

Most importantly, Qatar has refused to curtail relations with Iran, with whom it shares the world's largest reservoir of natural gas.

Iran and Turkey have helped Qatar survive amid Saudi and its Gulf allies suffocating sanctions and thus Tehran has scored another goal in the cold war dominating the political landscape in the Middle East.

NEW PROXY WARS ON THE HORIZON?

With all the above perceived losses against Iran that Saudi Arabia has felt in Syria and Qatar, it is no wonder that Riyadh's patience over Hezbollah is running thin and Lebanon is in its sights.
A British doctor has revealed how he punched a shark in the face after it mauled him while he was out surfing in Australia.

Charlie Fry, 25, was bitten on his right shoulder by the shark on Monday while cooling off at Avoca Beach, on the New South Wales Central Coast.

Mr Fry told The Daily Telegraph he felt something hit his right shoulder, and turned to look just moments before the predator sunk its teeth into him.

The British man reacted immediately, throwing a punch that may have saved his life.

'I just punched it with my left hand and shouted out to my mates and paddled so hard back to shore,' he said.

Charlie Fry (pictured), 25, was bitten by a shark on Monday as he surfed at Avoca Beach

The British doctor has only been living in Australia for two months, and says he doesn't know how he will tell his mother

Mr Fry's attack has prompted a 24 hour closure of Avoca and North Avoca beaches

He was assessed by friends when they all reached the safety of dry land, who determined the bite was not bad enough to warrant an ambulance.

Mr Fry was driven to a nearby hospital by his companions instead.

The young doctor said while his shark bites weren't bad, he was concerned about his mother's reaction.

'Geez I don't know if I can tell mum, she might kill me,' he said.

'I've just got here and I've already been attacked.'

Soon after the 25-year-old sprinted out of the water, a three-metre great white shark was spotted in nearby waters.

Straight after the shark bit into him, Mr Fry punched the predator and paddled swiftly to shore, possibly saving his arm

Avoca beach (pictured) will remain closed for most of tomorrow as a result of the attack

Lifeguards in the area told the Daily Telegraph the warm water and excess fish would have pulled the shark in closer to shore than it would usually go.

Mr Fry says he has 'no idea' what kind of shark it is, but said it was 'big and scary'.

Avoca beach will remain closed for most of tomorrow as a result of the attack.

It is not immediately clear what type of shark attacked the doctor. A great white shark and a bronze whaler shark have both been 'spotted' by lifeguards.
While she was driving to her sister's in Preston Chamberlain told his wife (pictured): 'You are my life. I'm going to kill myself if you don't come back'

A businessman hired a private investigator and stuck a tracking device on his wife's car when he found she had been exchanging flirty text messages with her boss in an extraordinary stalking campaign.

Keith Chamberlain, 61, also decorated the couple's 750,000 home in Cheltenham with pictures of his wife Judith's boss David Sargentson from his LinkedIn profile.

He even stuck pictures of Mr Sargentson's face over his own head on the couple's wedding photographs.

After bombarding his wife with text messages he arranged a face-to-face meeting with Mr Sargentson at a Costa coffee, where he secretly taped the conversation and sent it to senior executives at Travis Perkins, where Mr Sargentson was a regional director.

As Chamberlain's behaviour grew more erratic his wife decided to call time on their 21 year marriage.

Gloucester Crown Court heard Mrs Chamberlain and Mr Sargentson had not even had an affair.

They only started a relationship weeks after she had left her husband because of his harassing behaviour.

Earlier this year magistrates in Cheltenham convicted Chamberlain of stalking his wife and harassing Mr Sargentson between March and May 2016.

He appealed against the convictions but they were upheld at Gloucester Crown Court on Friday.

However the court quashed the 12-week suspended term imposed in the magistrates' court.

Nick Fridd, for the prosecution, said the case resulted from 'a number of flirtatious texts' between Mrs Chamberlain and her boss.

He said: 'Mr Chamberlain accessed her phone and went through the contents of it. He accused her of having an affair and insisted she sleep in another bedroom.

'He then began to bombard her with texts. He recorded conversations with her and entitled them 'Judith Chamberlain's Confessions.'

His wife insisted it was not true and fought to save the marriage but soon realised it was futile.

Chamberlain then arranged a meeting with Mr Sargentson where he recorded the conversation and sent the transcript to other directors at his place of work.

He accused Mr Sargentson of 'predatory' behaviour which breached the firm's 'family value' ethos.

Keith Chamberlain, 61, festooned the couple's 750,000 home in Cheltenham with pictures of his wife Judith's boss David Sargentson from his LinkedIn profile

Following this Mrs Chamberlain decided to leave and drove 150 miles with the couple's two daughters to stay with her sister in Preston.

Chamberlain arrived at 6am the next morning and was 'banging at the door, pressing his face to the glass.'

Police were called and he was escorted back home.

In evidence Mrs Chamberlain said: 'When I came back to Cheltenham I lived with friends and whenever I went anywhere he was sending me texts showing he knew where I was.

'He would say 'Tesco's - enjoy your pasta tonight.' I went to the police for advice. Within five minutes he texted saying 'Why are you going to the police station? Don't do anything you'll regret.''

He then went to Hong Kong on business for a fortnight but was still tracking her movements, she said.

'He knew what was coming out of my bank account and even when I changed my password he still seemed to know wherever I was using my bank card. He would text and tell me.

'Then he told me he had hired a private investigator and he was recording everything. He had put a tracker on my car. He just knew everything about where I had been.

'When I went to the doctor's for a 7.50am appointment he walked in...wherever I was he just seemed to be there too.'

She then rented an apartment in Cheltenham which Chamberlain claimed in his dossier to Travis Perkins was a 'love nest' for her and her boss.

Police then arrested Chamberlain for harassment and he was bailed on condition he did not contact her.

He had not broken that order, she said.

Gloucester Crown Court quashed Chamberlain's 12 week jail term suspended for two years that had been imposed in the magistrates court

Mr Sargentson, in evidence, said he accepted the texts between him and Mrs Chamberlain which triggered the offences were 'becoming more personal.'

But he said the company had a formal investigation and found he had no case to answer.

He said: 'I was not in a relationship with her until several weeks after she had left her husband. It started just after the company working trip to Windsor for a weekend.'

Chamberlain's sentence from the magistrates was a 12 week jail term suspended for two years, as well as 200 hours of unpaid work, 20 days activity requirement, an indefinite restraining order and an order to pay costs of 1,150 and compensation of 500.

Mark Smith, defending, said Chamberlain had completed the unpaid work order in a charity shop and had also done the 20 days activity requirement.

Judge Jamie Tabor said that as the court's findings had placed Chamberlain's offending in a 'much lower category' than the magistrates had done, they would quash the suspended jail sentence.

He also reduced the costs imposed in the magistrates court to 300.
Pictured: Gable Tostee, or Eric Thomas, as he fought murder charges in court last year

He was cleared of murder more than a year ago after his Tinder date tragically died falling from the balcony of his Gold Coast apartment.

But Gable Tostee, or Eric Thomas as he is now known, is still copping heat over the death of Warriena Wright.

The 31-year-old took to Facebook on Sunday to slam the social media service for allowing people to send him abuse and threats.

'I have never harmed anybody and am sick of being abused and threatened by ignorant morons,' he said.

Tostee said he had just returned from a 24-hour ban after he 'warned' people about a person he referred to as a 'stalker'.

He then went on to claim his reports of users writing posts saying he should 'be beaten within an inch of his life daily', and others with similar messages were ignored by the social media giant.

Tostee was charged with murder after his Tinder date, Warriena Wright, died in 2014 after falling from his 14th floor Gold Coast balcony following a night of drinking where the pair had fought. He was later cleared

Tostee, who changed his name to Eric Thomas after the trial, has complained about abusive and threatening messages he has received since being cleared by a court of his murder charge

'Incredibly, Facebook deemed that they didn't violate their "standards" despite [their threats] being criminal offences,' he wrote.

'I wonder if Facebook will comply with law enforcement when I lodge complaints with police against these individuals.'

Tostee's murder trial was widely reported on, by traditional media outlets and by keen observers online.

Opinion remained staunchly divided throughout, as people used social media to analyse the Queenslander's responses, evidence presented at the trial, and the case as a whole.

Tostee's murder trial was widely reported on, by traditional media outlets and by keen observers online

The outspoken 31-year-old felt no need to keep his silence, and has appeared on 60 Minutes and the Kyle and Jackie O show to speak out the case after he was found innocent.

Despite the clearly welcome media attention, Tostee says he is not impressed with negative comments he has received from those who do not agree with the court's decision.

He finished off his lengthy Facebook post on Sunday with an ominous warning for his detractors.

'People think they are tough behind a keyboard, but they need a stern reminder that they are accountable for their words and actions,' he said.

Tostee finished off his lengthy Facebook post on Sunday with an ominous warning for his detractors

The 31-year-old has spoken about his case on social media, as well as in a paid interview with 60 Minutes and on Kyle and Jackie O since he was found not to have murdered Warriena Wright (pictured)

Tostee has also continued to engage with his thousands of online followers regularly since his murder trial wrapped up.

Last month, he asked his followers whether convicted drug smuggler Schapelle Corby would be using dating app Tinder.

'So, like... will Schappelle Corby be on Tinder?' Mr Tostee asked.

His other posts vary greatly, from philosophical questions to pop culture references to support for US President Donald Trump.

Earlier this year, Tostee made a similar complaint regarding his reports of threatening behaviour being ignored by Facebook.

Tostee has complained about Facebook's reluctance to punish those who send him threatening messages before, but the social media giant said: 'We do allow colourful language when people engage in wishful thinking'

Facebook told Daily Mail Australia at the time it wanted to create a space where people can express diverse views.

'Credible threats of harm to public and personal safety aren't allowed. We carefully review reports of threats and consider many things when determining whether a threat is credible,' a spokesperson said.

'We do allow colourful language when people engage in wishful thinking.

'We do generally allow more passionate conversation around people who are featured in the news or have a large public audience due to their profession or chosen activities.'
A Pulp Fiction obsessed schoolboy who murdered school teacher Ann Maguire boasted how he would kill her 'for 10' to friends on Facebook and that he would be 'depressed, sad and angry as long as she's alive', an inquest into her death has heard.

Will Cornick, now 19, is serving a minimum 20-year sentence for stabbing Mrs Maguire during a Spanish lesson at Corpus Christi Catholic College in Leeds, West Yorkshire in 2014.

Her family hope a full inquest into her death will reveal details about the lead-up to her death with a view to preventing similar school attacks in the future.

Wakefield Coroner's Court heard today that 'petite' Mrs Maguire 'had no chance' of survival against the 'strapping' 6ft 2ins student, then aged 15, who had posted messages about his plans online as long as four months before.

Don and Emma Maguire, the husband and daughter of murdered teacher Ann Maguire, arrive at Wakefield Coroner's Court to hear the inquest into her death today

Mrs Maguire was stabbed to death by 15-year-old Will Cornick during a Spanish lesson in 2014

He boasted: 'I would kill Maguire for a tenner [10]... if I do it [kill her] on Tuesday will you bail me out?

'Let's break into school, smash everything in Spanish, then get drunk, do it again and punch some walls.'

Cornick had even changed his profile picture to an image of a Grim Reaper during the message exchanges in December 2013.

A number of Cornick's Facebook messages exchanged with others were read to the jury, including some he sent on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 2013.

In one message he said: 'As long as she's alive. I'll be depressed, sad and angry... so there's only one thing to do.

In another he said about Mrs Maguire: 'The one absolute f*****g bitch that deserves more than death, more than pain torture and more than anything that we can understand.'

On Christmas Eve, Cornick said: 'If imbgonna (corr mispelling) be your assassin then i'm gonna need enough pay to bail me out if I get caught. Btw no bullshit I am full on honest about being your assassin.'

In a message sent in January, he said: 'Break into school and murder everyone inside at the current time then... smash everything Spanish, Maguire, Kellett and art to shit then get drunk and do it again steal everything of value an punch some walls... just a suggestion.'

And he said: 'I want power I want the capability or choice in a sense to be able to get told off by Maguire and for me to turn around with the skill pride and power and axe her f*****g cockles with a long and shiny blade'.

He also sent a message which said: 'I'm not looking forward to tomorrow... we have Maguire and I want her to perish.'

Denise Courtney, Mrs Maguire's sister, is also attending the inquest. In a TV interview this weekend she said she had lost her 'best friend and confidante' when her sister was killed

The inquest heard he held a grudge against Mrs Maguire and was prepared to got to jail 'so as not to have to worry about life or money', the inquest heard.

Cornick had taken the blade from his parents' kitchen on the morning of the murder.

The coroner heard he calmly got up from his seat in his 4th floor languages classroom, stabbed Mrs Maguire eight times, then returned to his seat 'like nothing had happened'.

Detective Superintendent of West Yorkshire Police Nick Wallen told the hearing: 'Ann ran from the room and Cornick stabbed the knife into her back.

'She was sat in the front of the class engaged with another pupil at the time and had pupils around her.

'The attack was completely out of the blue and she never saw this coming.

'I would say that she stood absolutely no chance - it was an ambush.'

The inquest heard Cornick 'was a very capable student' but he wanted to drop his GCSE Spanish class. Mrs Maguire had said he could secure the qualification if he applied himself.

Friends had said they thought his threats to kill the teacher was just 'joking around'.

The family have campaigned for more information about the killing so lessons can be learned

Asked if that was the same evidence he found, Det Sup Wallen added: 'We had students saying 'that's just Will, that's what he does' - but like I said students said he was described as 'a bit weird'.'

Det Sup Wallen ended his evidence by saying: 'There is only one person responsible for her death and that was William Cornick.

'He has pleaded guilty to Ann's murder in a court of law. In the days and weeks leading up to this murder no one, not the school, police, his family, would have any idea whatsoever that any event of this sheer horror was about to take place.

'It was an absolute tragedy with what has occurred - William Cornick is the one person who knows why he did what we did.'

Mrs Maguire's daughter Emma arrived at the hearing with her father this morning

Nick Armstrong, representing Mrs Maguire's husband, Don, and their four children, asked the detective if he was aware that Cornick listened to the track Jungle Boogie in lessons.

Mr Armstrong said this was the theme to the 1994 Quentin Tarantino film Pulp Fiction, which Mr Armstrong described as a 'killing spree movie'.

Mr Wallen said he was not aware of this.

Mr Armstrong also asked the detective if he was aware that Cornick played violent video games such as Assassin's Creed.

Mr Wallen said playing Assassin's Creed was not unusual and thousands of children around Britain played the game.

Mr Armstrong asked the officer about how Cornick told other children what he was going to do on the day of the murder and even showed some at least part of the knife, which Mr Wallen called a 'vicious looking thing'.

He asked the officer if he was surprised that one of the boys did not report what he had heard to teachers.

Mr Wallen said he specifically instructed his officers investigating the murder not to ask the children why they did not report what Cornick had said.

He told the jury: 'It would be wholly wrong to sit here and raise that perhaps all this could have been avoided if a 15-year-old boy had told the teacher. I think that would be wholly wrong.'

Mr Armstrong told the court: 'There is no question of the family apportioning blame.' Mr Armstrong said he was asking these questions in order that the right lessons are learned.

Mr Wallen said: 'Today, there will be children who are expressing appalling things on Facebook, they will be listening to music with explicit, violent lyrics, they will be playing violent video games, they will talk to one another in pretty derogatory and unpleasant terms but they won't kill their teacher at school and they won't kill anyone else.'

He said that 'with hindsight' the police, the school and Cornick's parents would have stopped him.

He said: 'We cannot, from what happened, have foreseen this enormous crescendo of rage and violence that took place on that day.'

The detective said Cornick has never shown any remorse to police for what he did.

The inquest, expected to last two weeks, continues.
A mother-of-two is suing a fertility clinic after doctors told her she wasn't carrying the 'Fragile X' gene, despite both her sons being born with the disability.

Leighee Eastbury visited Sydney-based clinic Genea for testing when she was 20 years old fearing that she carried the mutated gene.

Her fears stemmed from the fact an uncle in her family suffers from the autism-like condition, Nine News reports.

Scroll down for video

Leighee Eastbury visited Sydney-based clinic Genea for testing when she was 20 years old fearing that she carried the mutated gene (pictured with her whole family)

The clinic told Ms Eastbury she was not a carrier of the gene but this turned out to be incorrect, as she started to notice developmental delays in her eldest son Hayden a few years ago.

The family had Hayden and younger son Jake tested for Fragile X and their suspicions were confirmed.

While Ms Eastbury and her husband Philip love their children, that doesn't change how difficult some days can be.

The Sydney mother said she 'probably' wouldn't have had children if she'd known about the gene earlier.

The Sydney mother said she 'probably' wouldn't have had children if she'd known about the gene earlier (Hayden and Jake pictured)

While Ms Eastbury and her husband Philip love their children, that doesn't change how difficult some days can be

'The joys of having a typically developing kid versus one with a disability, you can't put a figure to that,' Mr Eastbury said outside the Supreme Court.

'All I know is we love our boys, and we're missing out on a lot of things a typical family would.'

Their sons are both under the age of 10 but will require specialised care for the rest of their lives.

'The joys of having a typically developing kid versus one with a disability, you can't put a figure to that,' Mr Eastbury said outside the Supreme Court

Late on Monday, Genea settled with the couple for an undisclosed amount they are reportedly 'very happy with'

'They will never be able to ride a bike or drive a car,' Ms Eastbury said.

'They will never be able to live on their own and will always need someone to care for them.'

Late on Monday, Genea settled with the couple for an undisclosed amount they are reportedly 'very happy with.'
American troops would find themselves badly outnumbered and at risk of defeat if war suddenly broke out with North Korea.

That is the stark warning issued by Lieutenant General Jan-Marc Jouas, the former deputy commander of U.S. Forces in Korea, in a letter to Democrats this month.

Jouas cautioned that it would take days or months for reinforcements to reach the region, leaving 28,000 American troops and 490,000 South Korean soldiers to fend off 1.2million North Korean fighters.

American and South Korean forces would be badly outnumbered in the event of sudden war on the Korean peninsula, and it could take months to reinforce them the former deputy commander of US forces in the region has warned

As well as fending off a numerically superior enemy, American and South Korean troops would have to deal with artillery and rocket bombardments and should 'expect' chemical and nuclear attacks as well, Lieutenant General Jan-Marc Jouas said (file image)

While America possesses far superior air power, it would still take days to eliminate North Korea's artillery and rocket batteries, leading to thousands of people being killed (pictured, three American aircraft carriers complete drills in the region)

The soldiers would have to contend with artillery and rocket bombardments and should 'expect' attacks with chemical and nuclear weapons as well, he wrote in a letter seen by Newsweek.

One distinct advantage held by American forces is a vastly superior air force which could be used to take out artillery and rocket batteries - but this task would likely take 'days', Jouas said, during which 'a lot of people will die'.

And if North Korean troops advance quickly into major cities in the South much America's air power would be negated for fear of killing civilians with strikes, he said.

Seoul, home to almost 10million, is located just 35 miles south of the Demilitarized Zone which forms the current border between North and South Korea.

In a letter sent to Democrats on November 7, Jouas wrote: 'The 28,500 U.S. Armed Forces personnel in South Korea are vastly outnumbered by North Korean forces, as well as [South Korean] forces that will conduct the overwhelming majority of the fighting.

'Unlike every conflict since the last Korean War, we will not be able to build up our forces prior to the start of hostilities' because Kim will preempt any attempt to do so with an attack of his own, Jouas wrote.

Jouas, who was heavily involved in two years of planning for a North Korean attack on the South, issued the stark warning in a letter to Democrats. It comes amid heightened regional tensions (pictured, Japanese and American ships drill in the Pacific)

If North Korean troops advanced quickly south and entered major cities, it would negate much of America's air power for fear of bombing civilians, Jouas warned

President Trump has threatened to 'totally destroy' North Korea if America or any of its regional allies are threatened by Kim Jong Un

On top of dealing with a vastly larger North Korean army, chemical and possible nuclear attacks, American and South Korean forces will also have a humanitarian crisis to manage.

'This will include over a hundred thousand non-combatant Americans, many of who will turn to US forces to get them off the peninsula,' Jouas wrote.

From January 2012 to December 2014, Jouas was deeply involved in drawing up plans to counter a North Korean attack on South Korea, calling it the biggest challenge he had dealt with in his 35-year career.

While the Pentagon has not released official estimates of how costly a war with the North would be, retired general Rob Givens said current calculations suggest 20,000 people could die per day at the start of the conflict.

Meanwhile the Congressional Research Service estimated 300,000 dead within the first few days, with 25million affected on either side of the border.

'Old' versus 'short and fat': Trump also engaged in a war of words with Kim over the weekend in a series of tweets that were derided as childish by his critics

Those scenarios do not account for the use of nuclear weapons, or the risk of other regional powers such as China getting involved and spreading the conflict.

The letter emerged as three US aircraft carriers performed drills in the Pacific, marking the first time in a decade that three of them have been seen together.

The USS Ronald Reagan, USS Theodore Roosevelt and USS Nimitz conducted operations alongside their carrier groups and ships from the Japanese navy.

Four days of exercises are planned and are due to last until Tuesday.

Meanwhile Donald Trump has been visiting the region, including a stopover in South Korea to meet with newly-elected President Moon Jae-in.

During a speech in Seoul, Trump warned Kim Jong Un 'do not try us' and reiterated his previous statement that the US will not hesitate to protect itself or its allies.
A 30-year-old Chinese man has stopped growing since the age of two and is still the size of a toddler.

Born in 1987 in rural eastern China, Wang Tianfang suffers from an unknown condition, has never been able to talk and needs around-the-clock care.

Wang's mother, 52-year-old Chu Xiaoping, said her biggest wish was to hear her son calling her 'mother', but sadly she had not been able to.

Wang Tianfang (pictured), from eastern China, is 30 years old but looks like a toddler

His mother, 52-year-old Chu Xiaoping (pictured holding Tianfang) said her son stopped growing between two and three years old and his intelligence stopped developing too

Ms Chu is the sole carer of Wang Tianfang. The part-time cleaning lady has to give him around-the-clock care, from dressing him up in the morning to feeding him food at meal times

The family live at the Wangfan Village of Yuexi County in China's Anhui Province, according to state-run CCTV.com.

Ms Chu said Wang Tianfang stopped growing when he was between two and three years old. He has stayed 80cm (2ft 7in) tall since then and his intelligence has not developed.

Ms Chu said when Tianfang was three years old, people suggested she abandon him by the road or in front of a temple and give birth to another child.

The mother firmly refused and said she would look after Tianfang no matter what.

In order to take care of her son, Ms Chu, Tianfang's sole carer, makes a living by picking tea leaves in the mountains and working as an hourly cleaning lady in town.

Tianfang's skin starts cracking when the weather gets cold. He and her mother live at the Wangfan Village of Yuexi County in eastern China's Anhui Province

Ms Chu said when Tianfang was three years old, people suggested she abandon him, but she firmly refused adding she would look after Tianfang no matter what

The emotional mother said: 'All I wish is for his life to extend. I do not wish to see him die'

Ms Chu provides around-the-clock care to Tianfang. Her daily tasks include dressing him up in the morning and feeding him food at meal times.

Although Tianfang cannot talk, she appears to be able to stand on his own.

Ms Chu would ask her neighbours to look after Tianfang when she has to leave home to work.

She has never been able to find out what has caused her son to stop growing and cries whenever she talks about Tianfang.

In an interview with Pear Video, a tearing Ms Chu said she had previously been told by a doctor that it was a miracle for her son to live this long.

The woman then broke down in tears and said: 'All I wish is for his life to extend. I do not wish to see him die.'
Plymouth MP Johnny Mercer claimed Mrs May's premiership had reached a 'critical point' and now 'smells of decline'

A backbench Tory MP has launched a savage attack on Theresa May, warning that a state of 'anarchy' is engulfing the party.

Plymouth MP Johnny Mercer claimed Mrs May's premiership had reached a 'critical point' and now 'smells of decline'.

The PM is jeopardising the 'integrity and credibility' of the party, he added.

The former Army captain also criticised the decision to appoint Gavin Williamson, the former chief whip as Defence Secretary, saying it sent the wrong message to the 'military community'.

Mr Mercer moved to try and play down his intervention today but said on Twitter he would not apologise for saying the Tories must 'retain our credibility, integrity and vision'.

In his original interview with the Daily Telegraph, he said Mrs May needed to respond quickly to the 'depressing' series of events in recent days.

If she doesn't, the nation will be wrecked by the 'existential threat' posed by Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell.

He said: 'It smells of decline, and the people won't have it,' he said adding that the Government was now 'in danger of losing credibility'.

'A Corbyn/McDonnell Government would fundamentally change Britain and what it means to be British.

'We would not be forgiven as a party for 20 years. We must remain, if nothing else at the moment, credible.'

Mr Mercer moved to try and play down his intervention today but said on Twitter he would not apologise for saying the Tories must 'retain our credibility, integrity and vision'

He called for Mrs May to bring in fresh blood into the Cabinet and accused her of appointing ministers on the basis of what would appease the party.

But he denied he was making a leadership bid.

'We have a duty to the Nation to ensure the Cabinet is comprised of the best people in parliament, not the most famous names.'

'Theresa May had to make a decision where she formed her cabinet: whether to select members to manage the fall-out from Brexit or select the best modernisers to bring about social change.

'She chose the former - I understand that, but now is the time for bold, outward facing leadership in my view.'

He added: 'There becomes a cross-over point in seats like mine, it becomes about your personal integrity, about your credibility.

'You have to step back and question what your party is doing - of course. Yes we are beginning to get there I fear.'

In his original interview with the Daily Telegraph , Mr Mercer said Theresa May (pictured today in Downing Street) needed to respond quickly to the 'depressing' series of events in recent days

'The past ten days have been depressing but not surprising,' he said.

He criticised former International Development Secretary Priti Patel who resigned last week over her secret meetings with Israeli politicians, and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson.

'When I see my colleagues going on television or radio trying to defend Boris or Priti, I have to switch the thing off. People want moral leadership, not that.'

He also suggested the behaviour of some of his colleagues exposed by the Westminster sex scandal was 'weird and creepy'.

He said: 'I don't really understand the attempts to normalise some of the behaviour of my colleagues. That in itself has led to this crisis.

'Normalising frankly weird and creepy behaviour towards others is the beginning of buying into this myth that we are 'more special', entitled if you like, that normal rules don't apply to us because we have power. It's b******s.

'It's why people don't vote or engage with politics  because a minority in Westminster seem to think it's a game or entitlement, unthreatened in safe seats.'

Of Mr Williamson's appointment, Mr Mercer, who served in Afghanistan before retiring from the military in 2013 said: 'I will be honest and say that it seems to have sent a message to the military community - and more broadly the country - about how my party thinks about Defence, that I am not 100% comfortable with.

He added: 'Politics is a team game. We work as a team, and currently the team leader is Theresa and I support her to the hilt.

'However I am fundamentally a patriot  that's why I'm here. I have actually fought for this Country before, and I am prepared to do so again.'
The millionaire co-founder of Gaydar, the world's biggest online gay dating site, has plunged 23 floors to his death from a balcony a decade after his partner died the same way.

South African Henry Badenhorst crashed through a glass canopy and landed on a waiting limousine after falling from an exclusive serviced apartment in Michelangelo Towers hotel, Johannesburg.

It comes ten years after the 51-year-old business and life partner Gary Frisch died in a fall from the balcony of a building in south London.

Henry Badenhorst (pictured), the co-founder of the Gaydar dating website, has fallen to his death from a hotel tower block in South Africa - a decade after his partner died the same way

Henry Badenhorst was found dead outside the luxury Michelangelo Towers hotel in the Sandton district of northern Johannesburg. Gaydar, which he co-founded with his late partner in 1999, said he had 'revolutionised gay dating'

Eyewitness Khuthali Zondo was walking past the luxury Michelangelo Towers (pictured) when she saw the 'horrific image' of the 51 year old's body smashing onto the back window of a car as the chauffeur sat at the wheel

Police said they are not treating the fall as suspicious, and friends have told BuzzFeed that Mr Badenorst was suffering from depression.

Captain Kay Makhubele told MailOnline: 'Police searched the apartment rented by the deceased and no suicide note was found. The motive behind the incident is unknown and the police are investigating.

Eyewitness Khuthali Zondo was walking past the luxury Michelangelo Towers when she saw the 'horrific image' of the 51 year old's body smashing onto the back window of a car as the chauffeur sat at the wheel.

She told MailOnline: 'I heard this loud crashing sound, it was his body hitting the glass shade above the area where the cars were waiting and then the body hit the car, smashing the back window.

'It was an horrific image, there was broken glass, blood, and the body was smashed. The emergency services and police came and taped off the area, but there was nothing they could do for the guy.'

Gary Frisch (pictured) died in a fall from the balcony of a building in south London in 2007

The entrepreneur was thought to be still mourning the loss of Mr Frisch, who was killed in 2007 after falling from an eighth-floor balcony following a night of taking party drug ketamine.

Police have searched the apartment he had rented for just one night for any clues to the fall, on Saturday morning.

The pair, who split up shortly before 38-year-old Mr Frisch's death at his flat in Battersea, London, had made millions by creating the Gaydar dating website in 1999.

Mr Frisch left an estate worth 6.5million to Mr Badenhorst who described the death of his lover and business partner as 'the worst day of my life'.

Mr Badenhorst checked into the exclusive tower block on Friday 'for one night only', according to a source at the Michelangelo, which is known for its discretion and discerning clientele, including Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey and Lady Gaga.

He grew up in a conservative Afrikaans-speaking family in Johannesburg, and sold his shares in the ground-breaking site four years ago for an undisclosed sum.

He and Mr Frisch were together for 15 years and had set up Gaydar in 1999 after a friend complained he was too busy to look for love.

It now has six million members in 140 countries and is now expanding with a female dating site, Gaydar Girls, a radio station and Profile, a bar and club in London's gay district of Soho.

The couple had moved to the UK from South Africa in 1997 before founding IT consultancy firm QSoft and launching Gaydar (pictured) from their house in Twickenham in 1999

Gauteng police spokesman Captain Kay Makhubele confirmed 'a man died after falling from the building shortly after 11am on Saturday'.

Following news of Mr Badenhorst's death on November 11, Rob Curtis, the current managing director of Gaydar, told BuzzFeed News: 'Eighteen years ago, Henry and his partner Gary revolutionised the way that gay men meet, and in doing so created a safer environment for LGBT people everywhere.

'The Gaydar team is shocked and saddened to hear of Henry's passing and send our sincerest sympathies to Henry's friends and family.'

Gaydar later tweeted a picture of Mr Badenhorst along with the words: 'To Henry. The man who revolutionised gay dating. Our founder and our friend. Thank you for dreaming. You will be forever in our hearts. Gaydar xxx'.

For confidential support in the UK, call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch, see www.samaritans.org for details.

For confidential support in the US call the National Suicide Prevention Line on 1-800-273-8255. And for confidential support in Australia, contact the Lifeline 24-hour crisis support on 13 11 14.
An Islamic imam who campaigns against Sharia law has revealed he is so fearful for his safety he has already written a will and had metal detectors installed at his home.

Adelaide-based Shia leader Sheikh Mohammad Tawhidi has endured death threats and was forced into hiding last month after having 'ISIS' keyed on his car.

The 34-year-old Iranian-born imam, who has also been spat on visiting Sydney's Muslim heartland of Lakemba, has even had metal detectors installed on his office and at home.

Scroll down for video

Iranian-born Shia imam Sheikh Mohammad Tawhidi says he is so fearful he has written a will

'You ask me if I fear for my safety. I answer you saying I've written my will already,' he told A Current Affair.

'After the recent attacks that happened on myself, in Sydney and in Adelaide, I've upgraded security on my office and on my house as well.'

Dr Jamal Rifi, a Muslim community leader who has previously clashed with Sheikh Tawhidi on Sunrise, regards the imam as a polarising influence on Australian society and has offered to buy him a one-way ticket to leave Australia.

'I am very happy to even offer Tawhidi a one-way ticket to leave and never return here,' he told the Nine Network program.

Adelaide-based moderate Muslim imam Sheikh Mohammad Tawhidi shows A Current Affair reporter Steve Marshall the metal detactors on his office

The Islamic imam who condemns Sharia law had 'ISIS' scratched on his car in Adelaide

The imam who speaks out about radicalisation was spat on during a visit to Lakemba in May

Sheikh Tawhidi, who moved to Australia from Iraq in 1995, said he was happy to take up Dr Rifi's offer.

'Dear Dr Jamal Rifi You offered to buy me a ticket,' he tweeted on Monday night.

'You and I are both originally Arab.

'In Arab culture, its rude to reject or turn down a generous offer, because I want God to reward you.'

Dr Jamal Rifi, a Lebanese Muslim doctor from western Sydney, has offered to buy Sheikh Mohammad Tawhidi a one-way ticket out of Australia

Sheikh Mohammad Tawhidi has taken up Dr Jamal Rifi's offer of a one-way ticket from Australia

Sheikh Tawhidi even asked the Lebanese-born GP to get in touch with him or the Nine Network.

'After having second thoughts, I seriously and honestly accept your offer on A Current Affair to buy me a ticket to fly outside of Australia,' he tweeted.

'Get in touch with me ASAP.'

It is not know where Sheikh Tawhidi would be flying to.
An entrepreneur has insisted he's 'no racist' after an online rant complaining how 'ethnic minority drivers' hog the outside lanes on motorways.

Writing on LinkedIn Louis Stead, 28, from London, said he was 'fuming' at ethnic minority drivers and claimed there was an 'innate sense of Britishness' preventing people from posting such things.

After a facing an online backlash Mr Stead said he had been 'trolled' over the post and was the victim of 'bullying'.

The property developer eventually removed the post yet was adamant his comments were '100 per cent based upon fact'.

Louis Stead, 28, from London, said he was 'fuming' at ethnic minority drivers hogging the outside lanes

Mr Stead wrote on LinkedIn: 'I am fuming! I am sick to the back teeth of drivers, mostly van drivers or ethnic minority drivers in the UK hogging lane two and lane three or motorways or dual carriageways.

'If you are a van driver or you employ them, or if you are ethnic minority or know van drivers or ethnic minority drivers, please speak with them.

'There seems to be this innate sense of Britishness that is causing everybody to be politically correct and think that it may be racist to post such things.

'Well LinkedIn folk, I'm telling you. I am no racist.

'Nor am I against van drivers but I have seen this morning, driving from Bristol to Brighton far too many vans and far too many ethnic minority drivers hogging lane 2 and lane 3 and this is dangerous.

'It causes other drivers who cannot get past to undertake.

'Lane hogging is a criminal offence and can land you in prison if its causes a collision whereby people are injured. At the very least, it is classed as careless driving - three points and a fine minimum.

'Remember keep left and only use lane two and three to overtake in.

'I'm texting my ethnic minority friends after this post to tell them to tell their family members who are maybe not so British to remind them of the law of the UK.'

The property developer said he as 'sick to the back teeth' of ethnic minority drivers

After a furious backlash from his 7,715 followers on LinkedIn, Mr Stead said he was 'deeply upset' to have been 'trolled' over the post.

He claimed 'ethnic minority friends' of his had found the post amusing and agreed with him.

He added: '[The drivers] were ethnic minority and I have video footage of the front view of my car as well as the side view from a second camera.

'The other group, if you like, are white European so my posts are 100% based upon fact, hence why I posted it. I wouldn't just go and post something so specific if it wasn't a specific range of individuals.

'I contacted a number of [ethnic minority friends] and actually, their responses were rather funny. [Friend's name removed], for example, replied 'I know, I keep telling my grandmother but she's a proper Indian and refuses to listen'. Things to this effect.

'I certainly am not racist, I was deeply upset with the fact that I was trolled by other professionals. I couldn't believe how the fact of my post had been taken well out of context.

'These so-called intelligent professionals entirely bullied and trolled me. Very wrong.'
David Davis made a major concession to Brexit rebels today as he declared any final deal will be enshrined in a separate Act of Parliament.

The Brexit Secretary acted to head off an impending clash with Tory Remainers as he updated MPs on progress with negotiations.

It fulfils one of the key demands made by Conservative politicians calling for a 'softer' departure from the EU.

But ministers are still facing a titanic battle to push the EU Withdrawal Bill through parliament.

Former ministers Dominic Grieve, Nicky Morgan and Anna Soubry are among those threatening to side with Labour in votes on the legislation, which is coming back to the House of Commons this week.

More than 400 amendments have been tabled, with the first major clashes due to be over whether to include a fixed Brexit date on the front page of the law.

Delivering a statement to MPs, Brexit Secretary acted to head off an impending clash with Tory Remainers by committing to separate legislation on any deal with the EU

The Prime Minister (pictured in Downing Street today) is braced for a struggle over the EU Withdrawl Bill, which is being stewarded through parliament by Brexit Secretary David Davis (pictured right today)

Shadow Brexit Secretary Sir Keir Starmer (pictured in the Commons today) is insisting that there must not be a 'red line' against keeping the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice during a transition period

Mr Grieve set the tone for the argument this morning, branding the idea 'incoherent and a thoroughly stupid' - adding that it 'won't have my support'.

Mrs Morgan said Theresa May's support for fixing a date in legislation showed she had a political 'tin ear' and would only deepen divisions in her party.

Ms Soubry said the proposal was 'foolish', and said she had already made concessions to the EU referendum result by voting in favour of triggering Article 50.

'I am not going to vote against my conscience again,' she told the BBC.

Addressing the Commons this afternoon, Mr Davis sought to clear out one of the potential flashpoints by committing to a separate Bill on any deal.

'It is clear that that we need to take further steps to provide clarity and certainty - both in the negotiations and at home - regarding the implementation of any agreement into UK law,' Mr Davis said.

'I can now confirm that, once we have reached an agreement, we will bring forward a specific piece of primary legislation to implement that agreement. This will be known as the Withdrawal Agreement and Implementation Bill.

Mr Davis said the move would ensure 'major policies set out in the Withdrawal Agreement will be directly implemented into UK law by primary legislation  not by secondary legislation under the Withdrawal Bill'.

He added: 'This also means that Parliament will be given time to debate, scrutinise and vote on the final agreement we strike with the EU. This agreement will only hold if Parliament approves it.'

But Mr Davis also reiterated that the UK would still leave the EU in March 2019, even if MPs and peers blocked the legislation.

'It's a meaningful vote but it's not meaningful in the sense that you can reverse the whole decision,' he said.

WHAT NEXT? EU TALKS TIMELINE: November 22: Chancellor Philip Hammond unveils the UK Budget. It is understood the Government is not expected to budge on the divorce bill until this is done. November 24: Michel Barnier's two-week deadline for Britain to cough up more money for the divorce bill to move on to the next stage of talks, is up. December 14 & 15: The European Council Summit takes place. The heads of state from the 28 member states will all be there and it is at this summit that the UK must get their agreement if trade talks are to start by the New Year. March 27 2018: The next EU summit is held. If Britain fails to get the agreement of the EU to move on to trade talks, then this will be our next opportunity to secure agreement. But this would be a full year after Article 50 was triggered, and many fear this would not leave enough time to get on with the rest of negotiations. Advertisement

Shadow Brexit Secretary Sir Keir Starmer said it was a 'significant climbdown from a weak government on the verge of defeat'.

'For months, Labour has been calling on ministers to guarantee Parliament a final say on the withdrawal agreement. With less than 24 hours before they had to defend their flawed Bill to Parliament they have finally backed down. However, like everything with this government the devil will be in the detail,' he said.

'Ministers must now go further. They need to accept Labour's amendments that would ensure transitional arrangements, and protect jobs and the economy from a cliff edge.'

Earlier, Sir Keir insisted that there must not be a 'red line' against keeping the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice during a transition period.

He said there were 'very many Conservatives who are concerned about this'.

However, Sir Keir admitted that the long-term relationship with the ECJ was 'a matter for negotiation' and the relationship 'would have to change'.

Sir Keir told BBC Radio 4's Today programme it was 'blatantly obvious' that the final agreement would not be in place by March 2019 - when the UK is due to leave.

Brexit Secretary David Davis update MPs on the progress of talks with the EU after a bad-tempered press conference with counterpart Michel Barnier in Brussels on Friday.

The apparent deadlock over the size of the divorce bill has raised fears that trade talks might not start until March - increasing the chances of no final deal being reached.

Sir Keir claimed today that such an outcome from the negotiations would almost certainly lead to the fall of the government.

He said: 'No deal is a very, very bad outcome.

'Taken literally, it means we have not agreed anything, and that means we haven't agreed anything about EU citizens, we haven't agreed anything about the border in Northern Ireland, we haven't agreed anything on security.

'I think that sort of no deal is unthinkable. 'In those circumstances I think the Government would have to seriously consider whether it could continue.

'There will be a real crisis of confidence. A constitutional, sort of, disturbance. And probably all sorts of emergency legislation. And that's why we shouldn't casualise no deal.'

Tory Remainer Dominic Grieve today branded the idea of putting the Brexit date on the EU Withdrawal Bill 'incoherent and a thoroughly stupid', while Nicky Morgan said it showed the PM had a political 'tin ear'

Mr Davis's intervention came as he gave a statement in the House of Commons tonight

EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier (pictured right with Brexit Secretary David Davis in Brussels last week) has said Britain must make a fresh offer on money within a fortnight

Prominent Tory Remainers signalled they are ready to rebel over key elements of the Bill.

Former Cabinet minister Nicky Morgan told the Daily Politics that Mrs May's commitment to put the Brexit date into the legislation was 'tone deaf'.

'I'm afraid to say the prime minister's tone-deaf, tin-eared article in the Telegraph was guaranteed to continue to deepen divisions in the Conservative party, rather than trying to heal them, which is what she should be doing,' she said.

Mr Grieve told Sky News: 'I think it is an incoherent and thoroughly stupid amendment and it won't have my support.'

But Tory former leader Iain Duncan Smith said Labour was shifting its position on Brexit.

THE STICKING POINTS IN THE BREXIT TALKS Divorce Bill: Theresa May has said Britain will pay 20 billion euros for a two-year transition deal and honour the commitments we have made. But the EU are demanding Britain goes further in spelling out exactly what we will pay - squeezing out more cash before we move on to trade talks. Irish border: Probably the most complicated issue in the negotiations, both sides want to keep a soft Irish border, fearing a return to border guards and check points could reignite the violence of The Troubles. But it is unclear how this will be achieved when the UK leaves the customs union. The EU has suggested Northern Ireland will have to stay in the EU customs union post Brexit to avoid a hard border with the republic - effectively pushing the hard border to the sea. But the Government and the DUP - who are propping Mrs May up in No10 - say they will not accept a deal which involves a border between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. Citizens Rights Theresa May has laid out an offer to guarantee the rights of the 3.2million EU citizens in the UK. They will be given a two-year grace period to apply for settled status, which they will be granted as long as they pass criminal and security checks. But this was rejected by the EU Parliament who say the status should be automatic and not involve criminal records checks. Advertisement

He told the BBC: 'Staying inside the Court of Justice would actually be tantamount to staying within the European Union.'

Fellow Tory MP Chris Philp added: 'Labour are so confused on Brexit, they've set out 10 different policies on it since the EU referendum.

'Only the Conservatives have a plan that will ensure that a smooth and orderly Brexit sees our legal system functioning on day one - the only thing Labour policy would ensure is legal chaos.'

The Prime Minister is holding talks with senior figures from European industry in Downing Street, as negotiations enter a crucial phase.

EU leaders are due to decide at a summit next month whether enough progress has been made for trade discussions to begin.

But the two sides are engaged in a bitter stand-off over the size of the divorce bill - with the UK offering around 20billion euros during a transition phase, but the bloc insisting the figure must be triple that figure.

EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier has said Britain must make a fresh offer on money within a fortnight.

There are fears that failure to reach an agreement before Christmas could lead to a 'no deal' Brexit and cause severe harm to economies.

Business on both side of the channel has become increasingly anxious about the prospect of political deadlock disrupting trade.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel is coming under pressure to protect her country's car exports - with Britain a key market.
Kiplin Gayle outside Central London County Court, where he sued for compensation

A cleaner has been awarded 10,000 after slipping over in a puddle of fatty liquid in the kitchen of the House of Commons.

Kiplin Gayle injured his back and elbow after skidding on 'brown, slippery, fatty effluent' dripping out of several leaky ovens in the House of Commons' Terrace Cafeteria.

Central London county court heard the kitchens five ovens are used each Wednesday to make roast dinners for MPs after Prime Ministers question time.

Mr Gayle was injured when he fell on April 27 last year.

Judge Shanti Mauger ruled catering managers failed to address the 'emission of filthy, slippery fluid, onto the tiled floor' from leaky doors on the five ovens in the terrace kitchen, despite it having been a problem since at least 2012.

She ordered the Corporate Officer of the House of Commons to pay out some 10,000 in costs and damages to the injured cleaner.

The court heard that Mr Gayle, who lives in Angel, Islington, was employed by outsourced contractors to clean the Terrace Restaurant kitchen for several years before he suffered his injuries.

The roasting meat leads to particularly dirty ovens, which on the night of the accident were being put through a three-hour chemical self-clean.

Due to ageing door seals, brown fatty liquid - a combination of roasting juices and cleaning chemicals - spilled onto the kitchen floor.

Mr Gayle slipped as he tried to get on with clean while negotiating the slippy puddles.

Kiplin Gayle injured his back and elbow after skidding on 'brown, slippery, fatty effluent' dripping out of several leaky ovens in the House of Commons' Terrace Cafeteria

Mark Hill, the executive chef in charge of the 12 kitchens serving the House of Commons restaurants, gave evidence at the hearing

Giving evidence Mark Hill, the executive chef in charge of the 12 kitchens serving the House of Commons restaurants, said: 'Because Wednesdays are Prime Minister's questions, on that day we have a roast and the roast changes weekly. It could be beef, it could be lamb.

'We know we are heading into Brexit and so there will be some late nights for the kitchens, when the House could be working until four in the morning.'

Victoria Webb, for the Corporate Officer of the House of Commons, argued that the kitchen cleaners could not expect the kitchens to be clean when they arrived as it was their job to clean them.

She asserted that Mr Gayle ought to have cleaned the floor and made it safe himself before commencing to clean the kitchen surfaces.

She also argued that Mr Gayle's safety at work was the responsibility of his employers, the cleaning contractors.

But Mr Gayle said it was impractical for him to clean up the puddles, which were worsened by self-cleaning cycle.

He said he had been told by his manager at the cleaning contractors not to touch the greasy puddles, but to report them to him.

Because of ageing door seals, brown fatty liquid - a combination of roasting juices and cleaning chemicals - spilled onto the kitchen floor

Judge Mauger found that numerous House of Commons employees, including chefs, 'knew about the problem, but didn't pass it on to the management,' who 'ought to have known about the defects' in the ovens.

She said: 'I entirely agree that a cleaner's job is to clean and they cannot expect to come into a clean kitchen.

'But they can expect that machinery in the kitchen will be maintained so as not to regularly cause a hazard.

'The Corporate Officer for the House of Commons is not the employer in this case. However Mr Gayle has sued the House of Commons as the occupier, for breach of the common law duty of care to see that visitors will be reasonably safe.

'The House of Commons did not do all that could be reasonably expected of it to see that visitors were safe.

'It seems to me that it has failed to take such care as is reasonable in all the circumstances and the duty has been breached.'

Mr Gayle was awarded 3,400 in damages for his injuries, plus 6,940.80 for his legal costs

Refusing to find that Mr Gayle contributed to his own downfall by not cleaning the floor himself, the judge added: 'It would be harsh to say somebody is negligent in an accident when he is following the instructions of his line manager.'

Mr Gayle was awarded 3,400 in damages for his injuries, plus 6,940.80 for his legal costs.

He said outside court: 'They have a roast on Wednesday because the MPs are very hungry after PM's questions and need a good feed. It's true, it's true.

He added: 'I hurt my back and my arm badly. But I'm back at work now. I still work at the House of Commons; I'm going to work tonight.'
A schoolboy with autism has been inundated with party invites after his father's furious rant about him never being invited to birthdays went viral.

Thousands were heartbroken when they read Shane Stephenson's Facebook post about his six-year-old son Reilly constantly being excluded from parties.

Claiming he was treated 'like a leper' because of his condition, Mr Stephenson, of Newcastle, hit out at his friends for not inviting him to their children's celebrations.

Christine Stephenson (pictured left) left thousands heartbroken online when she shared her husband Shane's furious Facebook rant about their autistic six-year-old son Reilly (pictured right) being excluded from birthday parties because of his condition

Shane Stephenson is pictured on holiday with a younger Reilly, who has autism

Christine Stephenson's post - which she tagged 'my husband's message to his mates breaks my heart' - has already received well over 12,000 likes and 4,500 retweets

But less than a week later little Reilly has received hundreds of party invites from people around the world and went to his very first one last week.

Six-year-old Jaycee Smith was devastated when only one of her friends turned up to her birthday party in Nottingham last week.

She is originally from Blyth, Northumberland, but recently moved to the East Midlands with her family.

But when only one school friend came to the party in Nottingham, they decided to throw her another one in her home town - and invite Reilly along too.

Having seen Mr Stephenson's message shared by his partner Christine on Facebook, Jaycee's mother Tanya asked if he would like to come.

Reilly (pictured) is 'not quite aware' he doesn't go to birthday parties, but his furious parents said it was 'no excuse' for friends not to invite him

Christine Stephenson, who lives in Newcastle, is pictured with her six-year-old son Reilly

Christine said: 'Tanya had seen what Shane wrote and she got in touch.

'She told us what happened at her daughter's birthday party in Nottingham last week but she was holding another one in Blyth this week, as that is where they're originally from.

'She invited Reilly and, of course, we would never not turn up for that! He's had a great time and there were quite a few people there!

'It's great that Tanya got in touch and that what Shane wrote has had a positive affect - it's so not like him, he's usually very reserved.

'Since it went up on Twitter, we've literally had thousands of invites from all over the world. I can't actually think of a country we have not been contacted from.

'People are writing to us and telling us to get in touch if we're ever visiting the country where they live. It's been great.'

The message about Reilly (shown) became an online hit after it was shared by hundreds of other parents of autistic children who revealed similar struggles

Ms Smith said: 'It was heartbreaking at Jaycee's party last week she was asking where her friends were.

'We were coming up to Blyth this weekend, so my mum decided to organise another party.

'She saw Reilly's story on Facebook and tagged me in it and we agreed that Reilly definitely had to be invited.

'It was a really good day, Reilly was lovely. Jaycee had a great time as well and we put on a magician who did magic tricks, some food and some games.'

Reilly's mother's post, which she tagged 'my husband's message to his mates breaks my heart', received well over 12,000 likes and 4,500 retweets when she shared it on Twitter.

The Newcastle couple appeared on ITV's This Morning to discuss their experiences

It read: 'Right this has been brewing for some time so here it goes and you can like it or f***ing well lump it.

'My son Reilly has autism not f***ing leprosy; he is 6 years old and my so-called friends who have kids also have kids parties.

'Not ONE invite not f***ing one. Think about that whilst you go and f*** yourselves; you have any idea how hurtful that is?

'Just for the record in future don't bother he's not an after thought he's my every f***ing thought.'

WHAT IS AUTISM? Autism refers to a range of related developmental disorders that start in childhood and affect the person for their whole life. Symptoms can be split into three broad groups: 1) Problems with social interaction 2) Impaired language and communication skills 3) Unusual patterns of thought and behaviour People with autism may also be over or under-sensitive to sounds, touch, taste, smells, light or colour. Symptoms can range from mild to severe but all can cause anxiety. While some people with autism can live relatively independent lives, others may need a lifetime of specialist support. There is no cure but there are a number of treatments to help autistic people better cope with the world around them. Around one in 100 children in the UK have autism spectrum disorder. It is three times more common among boys than girls. For more information visit: www.autism.org.uk Advertisement

It became an online hit after being shared by hundreds of other parents of autistic children who revealed similar struggles.

Mrs Stephenson, from Newcastle, told the Huffington Post: 'Our friends aren't horrible people, I know they feel our struggles.

'They are mortified that Shane feels this way.'

She said: 'There's some building bridges to be done now that Shane has spoken about how he truly feels and I think only positivity can come from his outburst.

'The simple advice I give is: Just ask.'

Ms Stephenson blogs her experiences as a mother of a child with autism and has used them to write a play - The Life of Reilly - which will be in theatres in March.

The couple appeared on ITV's This Morning last week to talk about Reilly and his condition.

Speaking on the show, Mr Stephenson said: 'It was the straw that broke the camel's back at the weekend. It was everybody.

'On a daily basis we face judgement. If it's a day out or an everyday chore. Reilly wants to go left when we want to go right.

'We can see people judging and thinking you're a bad parent. It has a really negative affect on our oldest son, who's 11.

'The response has been positive. Hopefully by doing that the message has got out there.'

He admitted that Reilly was 'not quite aware' of what is happening, but that was no excuse to leave him out.
Staff at Cherie Blair's old chambers have complained of sexual harassment as a review into a serious misconduct investigation found 'institutional failings' in the way bosses handled the probe.

The independent review of how law firm Matrix Chambers, in London, handled a serious sexual misconduct allegation noted a lack of support for the woman in the case, who was distressed and unwell.

Retired judge Dame Laura Cox stated in the report that some of the actions of bosses at the company were 'wholly inappropriate'.

The independent review of how law firm Matrix Chambers, in London, handled a serious sexual misconduct allegation noted a lack of support for the woman in the case, who was distressed and not well

According to The Times, the Matrix case stems from an incident in September 2016 when founder member, Ben Emmerson QC, was accused of sexually assaulting a woman in a lift.

The 54-year-old denied any misconduct and retired High Court judge Sir David Calvert-Smith cleared him 'without hesitation'.

However, the report has never been published and female barristers raised concerns about the way it was handled.

In an email to senior management, a number of female barristers said: 'During our time as members, we have had sexualised remarks and insinuations made towards us by senior men at Matrix.

'We need to know that if something happened that required us to make a complaint, Matrix is equipped to handle it.'

Dame Laura was then commissioned to review the investigation and Matrix's procedures for dealing with harassment.

Her report noted that there was no suggestion Sir David had 'expertise and experience in cases involving sexual harassment or in conducting sexual harassment investigations which require a particular sensitivity, understanding and approach'.

Matrix Chambers was set up in 2000 by lawyers, including Cherie Blair QC (pictured), who has since left

Dame Laura said that Sir David had taken the wrong legal approach by not considering the Equality Act's protections for people in the workplace.

The report also stated that there had been a failure to support the woman who made the allegations against Mr Emmerson despite evidence that her health was suffering.

A spokesman for the chambers told The Times: 'Matrix does not intend to make any public comment on what are plainly confidential internal matters.'

Matrix Chambers was set up in 2000 by lawyers, including Cherie Blair QC, who has since left.
Advertisement

Armed police flooded a British shopping centre last night as they trained for a potential terror attack on a Christmas market.

Anti-terror officers carried out a live drill in Birmingham's Bullring arcade as they prepared for a similar attack to that carried out in Berlin last year.

Twelve people people died and 56 were injured when Islamic extremist Anis Amri ploughed a truck into a Christmas market outside the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in Berlin.

The attack led to the construction of crash barriers around many Christmas markets in Britain amid fears of a copycat attack.

Paramedics in bullet-proof vests and helmets treat an actor pretending to be a victim in a shopping centre terror attack

Armed anti-terror officers in full tactical gear moved through the huge shopping centre as part of a live practice exercise

An officer aims his rifle over a shield as specialist policemen worked on how they would handle an attack on shopping centre

Last night, police in full tactical gear swarmed the Bullring and Birmingham's Grand Central train station as they trained alongside paramedics and firefighters.

West Midlands Police Force described it as a 'live play training exercise' and state it was planned and not in response to any specific threats or intelligence.

Hammerson, who run the Bullring and Grand Central Station, approached the emergency services with the offer to help them test out their security plans.

Assistant Chief Constable Gareth Cann said: 'This is the latest in a series of exercises that we have carried out to test our ability to deal with large scale incidents.

'Recent national and international events highlight the importance of public organisations testing their emergency response procedures to reassure the safety of the communities we serve.'

Blue lights of police, ambulance and fire and rescue vehicles flashed outside Birmingham's Bullring centre during the drill

The owners of the shopping centre offered to emergency services to use the popular centre for the practice

It comes after a terrorist used to lorry to kill 12 at at Christmas market in Berlin's Breitscheidplatz last December

He added: 'The UK threat level remains at severe which means that an attack is highly likely, although there is no specific threat to our region it is imperative that we are ready to deal with such an attack if required.

'I would like to thank everyone who took part in the exercise, particularly the Bullring and Grand Central.'

Concrete barriers have been placed all around Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas Market this year and police have been carrying out stop and searches on vehicles.

Graham Williams, Hammerson's Portfolio Security Manager, commented: 'As the owner and manager of a number of leading retail destinations, we have robust security procedures in place, which are constantly reviewed.

'We already have a close working relationship with West Midlands Police and we welcome the opportunity to work together on major training exercises such as this, to test and measure our responses to major incidents alongside other emergency service partners.'

Huge metal and concrete security barriers in Birmingham city centre as police try to cope with the high threat level
A moped gang armed with hammers smashed their way into Apple's flagship store in London and made off with iPhones, iPads and watches.

A security guard was threatened as 10 thieves broke into the Regent Street shop in the middle of the night, stealing thousands of pounds worth of hardware.

Metropolitan Police were called at 12.45am on Monday to reports of an aggravated burglary at the tech giants store.

Around three minutes earlier ten suspects on five mopeds were reported to have smashed their way into the store and taken Apple products.

Forensic experts are seen collecting evidence and inspecting one of the mopeds in the early hours of Monday morning

A security guard was threatened as 10 thieves broke into the Regent Street shop in the middle of the night, stealing thousands of pounds worth of hardware

Metropolitan Police were called at 12.45am on Monday to reports of an aggravated burglary at the tech giants store

The suspects are described as wearing dark clothing. The man who threatened the guard was described as a black man

Two iPhone Xs were later recovered by officers near King's Cross but many other items are still missing.

Customer Hajra Ali, 37, from Ilford, told the Evening Standard: 'Moped attacks have got really, really bad and Im not surprised this happened.

'There have been loads of moped attacks in my area, they even use them for house break ins.

'They break into the front door, one goes inside to grab what they want and then they get out. There are always two of them on each moped.'

The suspects are described as wearing dark clothing. The man who threatened the guard was described as a black man.

The raid comes one month after a gang of thieves riding mopeds attacked a high-end jewellers in the same street.

Staff at the Apple store when seen clearing up the mess this morning as customers packed out the shop

The raid comes one month after a gang of thieves riding mopeds attacked a high-end jewellers in the same street

Three suspects are believed to have smashed display cabinets to escape with a high-value haul, after a hammer, axe and bats were used to break in to the store.

Officers believe six culprits were involved in the raid at Mappin & Webb in Regent Street at around 7.20pm on Monday October 9.

There has been a surge in thefts of mopeds or scooters, as well as in crimes carried out by individuals riding them.

Figures suggest that in the year to September, there were more than 19,385 "moped enabled" crimes in the capital - an average of 53 a day - including thefts and robberies.

Police say there are a number of factors behind the trend, including a rise in the number of people using scooters to commute and a growing market for second-hand mobile phone parts.

Scooter criminals normally travel in pairs with a passenger sitting behind the driver, targeting busy areas where they can snatch high-value smartphones.
Fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld has sparked outrage by evoking the Holocaust as he attacked German Chancellor Angela Merkel for opening the country's borders to migrants.

The 84-year-old German said his country 'cannot - even if there are decades between them - kill millions of Jews so you can bring millions of their worst enemies in their place'.

He added while speaking on a French television show: 'I know someone in Germany who took a young Syrian and after four days said, "The greatest thing Germany invented was the Holocaust"'.

Fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld (pictured) has sparked outrage by evoking the Holocaust as he attacked German Chancellor Angela Merkel for opening the country's borders to migrants

Several hundred people lodged official complaints about Lagerfeld's comments, the French media regulator said Monday after he appeared on the 'Salut les terriens!' (Hello Earthlings!) talkshow on the C8 channel on Saturday.

The veteran Chanel designer, who was born in Hamburg just as Adolf Hitler came to power, had earlier lambasted Merkel for taking more than one million asylum seekers since the migrant crisis of 2015.

'Merkel had already millions and millions (of immigrants) who are well integrated and who work and all is well... she had no need to take another million to improve her image as the wicked stepmother after the Greek crisis,' said Lagerfeld.

Several hundred people lodged official complaints about Lagerfeld's comments

'Suddenly we see the pastor's daughter,' he said in reference to Merkel's father, who was a Protestant minister in the former East Germany.

Lagerfeld, who is rarely afraid of controversy, said he was going to 'say something horrific' before criticising the chancellor for the 'huge error' of accepting so many refugees from war-torn Syria and elsewhere.

'Look at France, the land of human rights, which has taken, I don't know, 10,000 or 20,000,' he added.

The French TV regulator, the CSA, said it had received several hundred complaints over the weekend about Lagerfeld's comment, and was looking at the programme.

The designer was roasted for the outburst on social media, although some users also came to his defence.
Advertisement

Poland's Foreign Ministry is insisting that a large weekend march by thousands of nationalists and far-right groups in Warsaw carrying placards calling for a 'White Europe' was largely an 'expression of patriotic values'.

The ministry strongly condemns racist, anti-Semitic and xenophobic ideas, saying that Saturday's Independence Day march was 'a great celebration of Poles united around the common values of freedom and loyalty to an independent homeland', saying it was not justifiable to define the march based on some 'incidental' elements.

The event, organised by far-right groups, was attended by some 60,000 people with some carrying banners with messages such as 'White Europe of brotherly nations' and 'Pray for an Islamic Holocaust'.

March of hate: Nationalist demonstrators burn flares and wave Polish flags during the annual march to commemorate Poland's National Independence Day in Warsaw

Despite several; demonstrators carrying placards calling for a 'White Europe', Poland's Foreign Ministry insists that the Independence Day march was largely an 'expression of patriotic values'.

'Expressing patriotism: Polish nationalists take part in the March of Independence 2017 under the slogan 'We want God' as part of Polish Independence Day celebrations in Warsaw

The march organised by far-right groups was one of a number of marches organised in the Polish capital, which was celebrating Poland's rebirth as an independent nation 99 years ago.

The far-rights presence at the event was visible for all to see, with some holding up xenophobic banners and chanting racist slogans. A demonstrator interviewed by state television TVP said he was on the march to 'remove Jewry from power.'

Some marched under a banner which read 'We Want God', words from an old Polish song which Donald Trump quoted during his visit to the country earlier this year. Others spoke about standing up to liberals and defending Christianity.

Vast swathes of the crowd marched with the red-and-white flag while others let off red flares and firecrackers during their march. A banner depicting a falanga, a far-right symbol dating back to the 1930s, was also unfurled by a section of the crowd.

Authorities also had to ensure that anti-fascist protesters were kept away from far-right demonstrators over fears their could be violent outbreaks.

Protesters light flares and carry Polish flags during a rally, organised by far-right nationalist groups, to mark 99th anniversary of Polish independence in Warsaw, Poland

Polish nationalists walk through the Poniatowski Bridge as they take part in the March of Independence 2017 under the slogan 'We want God' as part of Polish Independence Day celebrations in Warsaw

Participants of the March of Independence 2017 gathered in the city centre in Warsaw, Poland

Protesters stand with banner 'All-Polish Youth' during a rally, organised by far-right nationalist groups

The vast swathes of flares light up the sky in the Polish capital as fascist groups march in Warsaw on the 99th anniversary of Poland regaining its sovereignty

Polish nationalists light flairs as they take part in the March of Independence where several racist messages were heard

Independence Day in Poland marks November 11, 1918, when the country regained its sovereignty at the end of World War I after it had been partitioned and ruled over by Russia, Prussia and the Austro-Hungarian empire.

Ruling party leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski noted that Poland had not always been fully independent since 1918, a reference to Germany's occupation during World War II and the decades spent under Moscow's direction during the Cold War.

Still, he said: 'The Polish state was internationally recognized the whole time and that is a great achievement.'

The march carried on throughout the evening and when the sun went down across Warsaw, the capital of Poland. Thousands of people are said to have attended today's march, making it one of the biggest in recent history

Donald Tusk, President of European Council (second left) attends the official celebrations of the 99th Anniversay of Independence of Poland at the Tomb of Unknown Soldiers, Warsaw, Poland

The President of Poland, Andrzej Duda (centre) attends the official celebrations of the 99th Anniversary of Independence of Poland at the Tomb of Unknown Soldier

Soldiers march during the official celebrations of the 99th Anniversay of Independence of Poland at the Tomb of Unknown Soldiers
A cage fighter accused of helping the ex-boyfriend of reality TV star Ferne McCann carry out an acid attack in a packed nightclub has been cleared of all charges against him.

Andre Phoenix was on trial alongside Arthur Collins, the father of Towie star's newborn child, for allegedly hurling the substance over a crowd at Mangle E8 in Dalston, east London.

Phoenix, of Tottenham, north London, was caught on CCTV apparently holding Collins' arms as he sprayed the liquid at revellers on April 17.

Cage fighter Andre Phoenix has been cleared of aiding an alleged acid attack by Arthur Collins

But the 21-year-old, a semi-professional cage fighter, was acquitted at Wood Green Crown Court on Monday of four counts of grievous bodily harm and two of actual bodily harm after insisting he had no idea anybody was carrying acid.

In his evidence, he told the jury that he had only stepped in to separate Collins and another male when they started squaring up to one another.

Phoenix said he would just 'knock them out' if someone angered him, adding 'I don't roll with acid.'

Phoenix said he couldn't hear what the row was about by tried to calm the situation down

He was also burned by the substance and was captured on CCTV asking Collins to examine his face and washing himself with a bottle of water.

Phoenix attended the Whittington Hospital in Archway, north London, the following day for treatment.

He wept in the dock as the jury's verdict was read out and turned to look at his mother, who was present throughout the trial.

Originally from Montserrat, Phoenix moved to the UK when he was a child with his family. They first lived in Walthamstow, then moved to Tottenham.

Phoenix was introduced to mixed martial arts by a PE teacher who invited him to train at a club in Hertfordshire. There he met Collins through his younger brother Tommy.

Jurors are still considering the charges against Collins, 25, of Broxbourne, Hertfordshire.

He faces five counts of grievous bodily harm with intent, and nine counts of actual bodily harm against 14 people.

Phoenix was on trial alongside Arthur Collins, the ex-boyfriend of Towie star Ferne McCann
The former spokesperson for New York City's mayor is speaking out about the near fatal accident she suffered when she fell off a treadmill.

Karen Hinton, 58, stepped onto a treadmill at the Saw Mill Club in Westchester, New York, in April but can't remember what happened afterwards.

What is known is Hinton was propelled backwards and hit her head on the floor so hard that she to be put in a medically induced coma, which she was in for 10 days.

Doctors also had to remove part of her skull to reduce the swelling in her brain.

Former spokesperson for New York City mayor, Karen Hinton (left and right), has spoken out about the near fatal accident she suffered when she fell off a treadmill. Hinton can't remember what happened after she stepped onto the machine at a gym in Westchester in April

Hinton had to be put in a medically induced coma, which she was in for 10 days. Doctors also had to remove part of her skull to reduce the swelling in her brain (pictured)

Hinton underwent three brain surgeries and had to relearn to walk and talk. She can't remember anything from the 60 days after her fall (pictured with her husband, Howard)

'Was I tired? Did I faint? Did I have a seizure or did I just trip on my shoes? We don't know, we just don't know,' she told CBS News.

'When I see photographs of my brain dipped down like this because the skull's out, I think: "Oh my goodness, that looks horrific, this is terrible, how did I survive?"'

Hinton underwent three brain surgeries and had to relearn to walk and talk. She can't remember anything from the 60 days after her fall.

In September, after slow and steady progress, she returned to her job at Fenton Communications, a social-change PR agency.

Before that, Hinton served as the press secretary for Mayor Bill de Blasio and as acting assistant secretary for public affairs under New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, when he was former President Bill Clinton's federal housing secretary.

Hinton said she wants to warn others about treadmill safety, especially due to the 65,000 injuries reported last year on treadmills from minor mishaps to major trauma.

Hinton served as the press secretary for Mayor Bill de Blasio (pictured together, February 2016) for one year before resigning in June

She also served as acting assistant secretary for public affairs under New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, when he was former President Bill Clinton's federal housing secretary (pictured, as Bill de Blasio's press secretary)

After months of physical therapy (left and right) Hinton returned to her job at Fenton Communications, a social-change PR agency

Now Hinton (right) and her husband (left) are hoping to warn others about treadmill safety

'If I knew then what I know now about treadmills, I would never have gotten on that treadmill,' she said.

Her husband, Howard Glaser, said gyms can do a better job of making the area surrounding treadmills is safer.

In Hinton's case, the treadmill she was on was placed on a hard floor with no mat around it.

A one-inch soft mat around the machine could have reduced the severity of her injury, he explained.
Cheyenne O'Connor, 24, from Jersey, posed as a schoolboy on a gay adult dating site to trap predator Jason Sutton

A mother-of-two has vowed to clean up her entire community after single-handedly bringing two suspected perverts to justice as a paedophile hunter.

Cheyenne O'Connor, 24, from Jersey, posed as a schoolboy on a gay adult dating site to trap predator Jason Sutton.

Married Sutton thought he was grooming a 15-year-old and arranged to meet him in public toilets for sex, telling him to wear 'trackie bottoms'.

Ms O'Connor lay in wait and photographed Sutton as he arrived and passed all her evidence to police.

Sutton, 48, was arrested days later and is now behind bars awaiting sentencing after admitting grooming offences.

He was put on the Sex Offenders Register as he was remanded in custody by a court on Jersey.

Earlier this year Ms O'Connor posed online as a teenage girl to catch another sex offender on the island.

A 19-year-old youth was sentenced to 180 hours' community service in September after admitting attempting to groom a teenage 'girl'.

Ms O'Connor has now vowed to continue her mission to rid the Channel Island of paedophiles and has the backing of a major UK group.

She said: 'Child abuse is a massive issue in Jersey and there is no-one else doing this but me.

'I decided to carry on based on how rubbish our justice system was and how many victims were being let down.

'The justice system is shocking when it comes to this.

'Hundreds of people walk into the police station with historic cases but if there is no physical evidence it never even makes to it to trial.'

Ms O'Connor started her quest in fury at the number of allegations of child abuse that were being ignored and what she perceived as the lack of justice for victims in Jersey.

When she was 16 she was jailed for three-and-a-half years for attacking a notorious local paedophile after her claims were ignored only to be vindicated later when he raped a five year old girl.

She said: 'I took the law into my own hands and attacked him and left him blind, not something I'm proud of but my temper was different to what it is now.

'I was in prison for quite some time and the year I got out he moved to Leeds and abused a five year old girl.

'He killed himself last year after receiving a 10 year sentence but it just shows how bad the system was.

'Despite seven allegations against him, it wasn't looked into properly and these kids will never get their justice.

'I deserved to go to prison taking the law into my hands but he got away with it only to go and on abuse further victims.'

Ms O'Connor, mother to children aged three and one, decided to become a full time paedophile hunter after seeing a pervert chatting online to a friend's daughter.

She added: 'The first case I took on there was a real child involved. That was a friend's child and the messages just got sexual so I took over the phone and carried on.

'I pretended to be the young girl and carried on.

'I met him and passed all my details to the police but he only got community service and has been allowed back to Romania.'

She said the reaction she has had from people has been mixed.

She added: 'Most people are happy with someone doing it over here but some think I should not take it into my own hands.

Sutton, 48, was arrested days later and is now behind bars awaiting sentencing after admitting grooming offences

'I object to being called a vigilante. i don't beat anyone up - I meet them by myself and then take my evidence to the police.

'In the recent case, the man tried to take my phone off me in my car. The worst anyone is going to do is punch me but they are still going to be exposed as a paedophile.

'I feel so strongly as I am a mother myself and I know people who have been through the system and been let down.

'My end goal is to try and make passport ID a requirement to enter every chat sites.

'There are about seven sites I am on and every spare minute I am on them.

'There are four paedophiles I am speaking to at the moment - three in Jersey and one I will have to pass on to groups in the mainland.'

She added: 'I am going to carry this on on every app I can think of.

'If someone is reading this and they think they can go on the internet and groom children they should know that I will make it my mission to catch you.

'Victims of abuse may be silenced for a while but every dog has its day.'

Paedophile hunters Silent Justice, a team that aims to expose predators and teach children the dangers of the internet, have offered their support to Ms O'Connor.
Donald Trump cancelled a dinner with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, but found time to meet a ruthless leader who only days ago boasted about killing someone as a teenager.

President Trump is setting aside time to mingle with his 72-year-old Filipino counterpart Rodrigo Duterte, who is behind a brutal campaign that has killed more than 7000 suspected drug users and dealers.

The two leaders, who are both in their seventies, met on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Manila.

But unfortunately for Malcolm Turnbull, his plans to chat at length with leader of the free world were scuppered after President Trump cancelled a dinner the pair had scheduled in.

Scroll down for video

Donald Trump has found time to have dinner with ruthless Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte

Malcolm Turnbull (fourth from the left) joins hands with Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte, who links hands with Donald Trump in the presence of Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Canada's Justin Trudeau and Vietnam's Nguyen Xuan Phuc (far left)

'When I was a teenager, I had been in and out of jail, rumble here and there,' Mr Duterte said last week at Da Nang in Vietnam.

'At the age of 16, I already killed someone.'

President Trump didn't even schedule a dinner with Mr Turnbull in Vietnam, where they were both present last week for the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation summit.

However, he did promise to have dinner with the Australian prime minister in Manila, only to pull out.

Donald Trump was oblivious to Malcolm Turnbull's offer of a handshake in New York in May

It is reminiscent of Mr Turnbull's awkward visit to Mr Trump's home city of New York in May, when the American president was photographed being oblivious to his Australian counterpart's offer of a handshake.

Mr Turnbull was allocated just 30 minutes with President Trump, after earlier being promised something a little more substantial.

It was also the first time they had met in person, following a terse January phone call where President Trump reportedly shouted at Mr Turnbull as the two leaders clashed over a refugee agreement Australia had struck with the previous Obama administration.

Senior U.S. officials had told the Washington Post that President Trump abruptly hung up on Mr Turnbull after just 25 minutes - when the pair were meant to speak for an hour.

Donald Trump didn't press Rodrigo Duterte on human rights abuses during their meeting

U.S. President Donald Trump smiles with other leaders, including Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte

The American president had reportedly told Mr Turnbull the conversation was 'the worst call by far' he had taken that day, after 'boasting' about pleasant exchanges with Russian President Vladimir Putin and three other world leaders.

President Trump reportedly ranted about the deal the Obama administration struck with Canberra to take 1250 genuine refugees from Nauru and Manus Island, telling Mr Turnbull: 'I don't want these people.'

It was the 'worst deal ever', he told the prime minister, complaining he was 'going to get killed' politically for following through on the resettlement agreement.

The leader of the free world, it appears, was much gentler with Mr Duterte in Manila, failing to mention reports that 7000 suspected drug users and dealers were killed in his first year in office.

Malcolm Turnbull was possibly wondering why Rodrigo Duterte was given more time with Donald Trump during their meeting at the 31st ASEAN forum in Manila

'The issue of human rights did not arise. It was not brought up,' Duterte's spokesman Harry Roque told reporters after the 40-minute meeting.

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said afterward that the conversation 'focused on ISIS, illegal drugs, and trade'.

She said that 'human rights briefly came up in the context of the Philippines' fight against illegal drugs,' but Roque insisted Duterte had broached the subject of the 'drug menace' in the Philippines himself.

'It was President Duterte who brought up with President Trump the drug menace in the Philippines, and the US president appeared sympathetic and did not have any official position on the matter but was merely nodding his head,' Roque said.

Duterte also shocked the international community earlier this year when he said he would allow his own son to be killed if he was found to be dealing drugs.
A man allegedly murdered in an acid attack by his girlfriend had planned to leave her just two weeks before.

Mark van Dongen, 29, told friend Violet Farquharson that his 'controlling' partner Berlinah Wallace, 48, had hacked his emails and that he was moving into a hotel.

Wallace is accused of throwing sulphuric acid in Mr van Dongen's face, leaving him with horrific scarring and paralysed from the neck down.

Mark van Dongen (left), 29, told Violet Farquharson that his 'controlling' partner Berlinah Wallace (right), 48, had hacked his emails and that he was moving into a hotel

He took his own life at a suicide clinic in his native Belgium after suffering 15 months of pain following the alleged attack in Bristol during September 2015.

The engineer had told his father that he had nothing left to live for and was in near-constant agony.

South African-born Wallace denies charges of murder and throwing a corrosive fluid with the intention to burn, maim, disfigure, disable or do GBH.

Prosecutors claim she carried out the attack out of jealousy after Mr van Dongen began seeing, Miss Farquharson.

Miss Farquharson told Bristol Crown Court today she 'wasn't best pleased' on finding out he was already in a relationship when they met.

She met Mr van Dongen on a dating website around the end of July 2015 - less than two months before the attack.

Miss Farquharson said she and Mr van Dongen exchanged messages on the dating site and later swapped numbers and texted each other.

But during that time he never mentioned his relationship, she told the court.

Wallace (depicted in a court illustration) is accused of throwing sulphuric acid in Mr van Dongen's face, a charge she denies

It was not until the pair met up for coffee in August 2015 that Mr van Dongen came clean about his relationship - and told her Miss Wallace was 'controlling', it was said.

Giving evidence from behind a curtain Miss Farquharson said: 'I wasn't best pleased to find out he was in a relationship.

'We had spoken about the importance of integrity as a human being. I made it very clear I wasn't prepared to have a relationship with him if he was still with his girlfriend.'

But she added: 'He said that he would like to have some hobbies, but that she was very controlling over him.

'He mentioned some work colleagues, but none that he would see outside of work.'

Mr van Dongen told love interest Miss Farquharson that Wallace had hacked his email

She said at their first face-to-face meeting for coffee the pair seemed to have a few things in common and he suggested going to the cinema later in the week.

But in text messages exchanged between the pair later that week, Mr van Dongen appeared to change his mind after having an argument with the defendant.

On August 15 he had texted Miss Farquharson saying Wallace had moved out of their shared home to stay in a hotel, and that he had a week to find a new flat.

But the following day he said that Wallace has returned home and they had 'talked all night' - and he seemed to call things off with Miss Farquharson.

He wrote: 'Hi Vi, I'm really sorry. I think you're an amazing person, you've really opened my eyes.

South African-born Wallace denies charges of murder and throwing a corrosive fluid with the intention to burn, maim, disfigure, disable or do GBH

'She came back last night and we talked all night. I'm not a person who cheats or has affairs. I'm really sorry for dragging you into my problems. You don't deserve that.'

He added that Miss Farquharson would always have 'a special place in my heart'.

But later that same day, he texted her again saying he 'couldn't stop thinking about her' - and admitting that he was HIV positive.

He wrote: 'I didn't know how to tell you, so I took the easy way out. I'm too weak and afraid to be alone.'

Four days later, on August 20, he warned her that Wallace had hacked his email, and not to send anything to that email anymore.

He wrote: 'She hacked my email last night. Please don't send anything to that email anymore. Going to stay in a hotel from now on.'

Mark was attacked weeks later on September 3, 2015.

The case continues.
Organisers of a 'sex holiday' offering unlimited romps with prostitutes in a Caribbean getaway say they are planning a New Year party - despite warnings guests will be deported.

An erotic video from the Good Girls Company has already advertised an X-rated trip from November 24 to 27 as a 'sex island experience' on a mystery island, originally thought to be off Cartegena, Colombia.

Outraged authorities have warned that tourists attempting to attend the party will be kicked out of the country. But the firm has claimed it has changed the location of the party and has started planning for a second explicit event - a special New Year's orgy.

Organisers of a 'sex holiday' offering unlimited romps with prostitutes in a Caribbean getaway say they are planning a New Year party - despite warnings guests will be deported. A video advertising a party in November shows a man surrounded by near-naked women

An erotic video from the Good Girls Company has already advertised an x-rated trip from November 24 to 27 as a 'sex island experience' on a mystery island off Cartegena, Colombia

Outraged authorities have warned that tourists attempting to attend the party will be kicked out of the country

According to the Mirror, a spokesman said: 'For our New Year's event we will have a similar concept - all inclusive, 60 girls and 30 tickets, more sexual surprises and fireworks.

'To say the least, it will be the most exciting New Year's party in the world.'

A video advertising the November party starts by advertising the holidays more prosaic benefits such as airport transfers being included.

The advert for a party in November also claims the adult holiday is very 'drug friendly'

A man pours a bottle of champagne into a woman's mouth in a promotional video for the controversial holiday

A video advertising the November party starts by advertising the holidays more prosaic benefits such as airport transfers being included. It then shows women in bikinis partying on a boat

Then, its young male star boards a luxury yacht, on the deck of which dozens of young beauties are gyrating in bikinis.

A screen caption states boldly: 'Unlimited sex included.'

The holiday is also labelled as 'drug friendly' over images of the young man being caressed in a bedroom by several girls amid a cloud of smoke.

'Sexual surprises' are also advertised, over a scene showing the man coming into his bedroom to find four naked women posing coquettishly face-down on his bed.

Indulgent: An actor is fed chocolate sauce from a bottle, before removing his shirt

Messy: The action then cranks-up a notch when his fellow party-goers get hands-on

Tourists with other appetites may like to know that all meals are included, a fact mentioned over a scene of the man eating his pudding off the naked body of one of the videos female stars, served by another in a fetish version of a French maids outfit.

Free booze is also thrown in.

The Good Girls Company explained more via social media, writing: 'We will have 60 hot women serving 30 clients; there will be two women for each of them (available) 24 hours a day. The price includes all meals these days.'

A naked woman reclines on a table where she has food strategically placed on her

Secluded for privacy: The location of the island was said to be off the coast of Cartagena on Colombia's north coast. However, organisers have since said the location has changed

It has previously been reported that the location of the 'sex island' was to be off the coast of Cartagena on the north coast of Colombia.

However, organisers have since said the location is being moved to a Caribbean island, according to the Mirror.

A spokesman added: 'The event is not on Colombia. The location has changed, all our clients are aware of the location change.

'The location for the event is in a private island off the coast of a Caribbean country. My boss is the owner of many islands.'

An itinerary for the holiday tells prospective guests that there will be a sex session on the first day in which any customer can participate.

Day Two offers each client half an hour with 16 girls at once.

The third and fourth days feature parties on a luxury yacht for 100 people, complete with DJ.


Click Frenzy's iconic 24-hour sale begins on Tuesday with more than 4,000 bargains on offer.

Chiefly among them are Fitbits selling for just $2 a pop, $259 Tiffany & Co pendants worth $350 from catch.com.au and 55-inch LG TVs for just $10.

But the so-called 'sale that stops the nation' won't last long, with limited stock available on selected items.

Scroll down for video

Chiefly among them are Fitbits selling for just $2 a pop (pictured)

To ensure you don't miss out shoppers are being urged to write down a list of what they need and stick to their budget.

Signing up to the website before 7pm on Tuesday will also prevent delays when purchasing a product.

There will also be $200 Myer gift cards for $2, a nine-day China tour with flights from just $777 a person and a 78 per cent discount on a luxury villa in Bali.

There will also be $259 Tiffany & Co pendants worth $350 (pictured)

Not to mention 55-inch LG TVs for just $10 - an incredible 99 per cent saving

If you travel to Plantation Island, Fiji with TravelOnline and you can stay for seven nights while paying for just four.

Alternatively shoppers can score eight nights at the Le Meridien Bali Jimbaran for $1023, including flights.

THE BEST CLICK FRENZY DEALS A 55-inch HD LG LED TV for just $10 A $200 Myer gift card for just $2 $2 for a Fitbit A nine-day China tour with flights from just $777 per person Travel to Plantation Island, Fiji and stay seven nights while paying for four A luxury villa in Bali is available at a 78 per cent discount Save $71 on a classic Tiffany & Co necklace 70 per cent off Sheridan sheets and towels 80 per cent off a variety of homewares from House 69 per cent at Black Mango Advertisement

If it's homewares you're after, you can get up to 70 per cent off Sheridan sheets and towels, 80 per cent off a variety of homewares from House, and save up to 69 per cent at Black Mango.

In the style stakes you can get 70 per cent off selected 2XU active wear as well.

It's estimated that more than one million shoppers will be online tomorrow to visit the Click Frenzy store.
Vice President Joe Biden says that he doesn't believe Russian President Vladimir Putin's denials of meddling in the U.S. election  days after President Donald Trump said Putin believed what he was telling him one-on-one.

'I don't believe Putin at all. They did meddle he was responsible for it,' Biden said in an appearance on NBC's 'Today' show.

Asked about the president's comments, Biden said: 'I'm reluctant to criticize the president when he's abroad but I don't believe Putin and there's no good reason to believe Putin in my view. I don't think any objective person should believe Putin on this score.'

Trump is in the Philippines, but while in Vietnam, he spoke with Putin on the sidelines of a meeting, and got reassurances from the former KGB officer that Russia didn't interfere in the elections.

'I don't bel Putin at all. They did meddle he was responsible for it,' Biden said, adding he was reluctant to criticize President Trump while he was overseas

'He said he didn't meddle. He said he didn't meddle. I asked him again. You can only ask so many times,' Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One.

'Every time he sees me, he says, 'I didn't do that,' ' Trump said. 'And I believe, I really believe, that when he tells me that, he means it.' He then added: 'I think he is very insulted by it,' Trump added.

Trump was forced to walk back the comment on Sunday, saying: 'I believe that he feels that he and Russia did not meddle in the election. As to whether I believe it or not, I am with our agencies, especially as currently constituted with the leadership.'

Biden also revisited the 2016 campaign, as he refused to rule out being a 2020 candidate.

He repeated his claim that Hillary Clinton was unable to get her message out in the race.

'No one can tell me what her position was on the things that affect middle class,' he said.

'Its not on her as a candidate. Its not on the nature of the nature of the way the campaign was run,' Biden said.

Then he brought up the 2nd presidential debate, when Clinton got asked about the infamous 'p****' tape, after it emerged Trump was caught on tape boasting about grabbing women by their genitals.

Biden was promoting his book in an appearance on NBC's 'Today' show

Biden said Hillary Clinton failed to get her message out in 2016

'You knew Martha Raddatz, shes a tough reporter smart as a the devil you knew she was going to ask the question of Trump about the tape about groping and you knew she was going to turn and say to Hillary what do you think?' Biden said, mentioning the moderator who asked about it.

Former Vice President Joe Biden delivers the annual Harvard College Class Day address on the campus of Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass. in May 2017

'Well, you know my argument was you shoulda said everybody knows Donald Trump. Let me tell you about how Im going to change your life. But the nature of the coverage was so intense about everything from his dalliances as well as the alleged impropriety of her emails that it never got to the issues,' Biden said.

Instead, Clinton responded with a lengthy denunciation of Trump and his treatment of women and minorities.

'I spent a lot of time thinking, over the last 48 hours, about what we heard and saw [on the Access Hollywood tape]. You know, with prior Republican nominees for president, I disagreed with them on politics, policies, principals. But I never questioned their fitness to serve,' Clinton said then.

'Donald Trump is different. I said starting back in June that he was not fit to be president and commander in chief. Many Republicans and independents said the same thing. What we all saw and heard on Friday was Donald talking about women, what he thinks about women, what he does to women,' Clinton responded.

'And he has said that the video didn't represent who he is. But I think it's clear to anyone who heard it that it represents exactly who he is. Because we've seen this throughout the campaign.'

'We have seen him insult women,' she continued. 'We've seen him rate women on their appearance, ranking them from one to ten. We've seen him embarrass women on TV and on Twitter. We saw him after the first debate spend nearly a week denigrating a former Miss Universe in the harshest, most personal terms. So yes, this is who Donald Trump is,' she said.

Biden also commented on former interim Democratic National Committee chair Donna Brazile's claim in her new book that after a Clinton fainting episode she considered trying to replace her with Biden.

'I give you my word the first time I or any of my staff heard of that was in the book. Number one and no two I would never have taken - I was for Hillary,' Biden said.

'I had made the judgment well before that that I was not prepared to run for president  I was not ready in terms of my family,' a reference to the death of his son, Beau.

Biden wouldn't rule out a 2020, but shared misgivings with interviewer Matt Lauer.

'I can tell you honestly, If the Lord almighty came down sat in the middle of the table and said joe the nomination is yours, but you have to take it now, I would say no,' he said.

'I am just - were working through a whole lot were getting there and I want to focus on my boy.'

Then Lauer recalled how Biden had a different answer Sunday night in an Irish pub, when the two were together and Biden responded by asking the crowd 'what do you think?'

'I was joking,' said Biden, downplaying the moment.

'I honest to god havent made up my mind about that.'

'No, Im not closing the door. Look Ive been around too long. Im a great respecter of fate. Who knows what the situation is going to be a year and a half from now,' Biden said.
Ann Leuser, 56, frauduently claimed to have a close connection with the former US secretary of state and the judge said he could see how her 'quietly spoken Scottish lilt' duped the film maker Alison Birley and her production team

A fraudster who claimed she was Hillary Clinton's friend and could get film makers access to the presidential hopeful for 120,000 has been jailed for nearly four years.

Ann Leuser, 56, frauduently claimed to have a close connection with the former US secretary of state and the judge said he could see how her 'quietly spoken Scottish lilt' duped the film maker Alison Birley and her production team.

Leuser boasted how she could gain behind the scenes access to her presidential campaign for the purpose of filming.

Leuser, from Fraserburgh, in Aberdeenshire, even paid an actress 5,000 to impersonate Clinton's director of communications Jennifer Palmieri over the phone.

During a period of 10 months, the court heard how Leuser sent fraudulent emails to a producer claiming to be from members of the Clinton campaign team.

She received several all-expenses-paid trips to London and was flown to New York under the premise of getting an access letter signed.

It had been agreed that if Leuser presented an access letter from the presidential candidate to the UK-based production team, she would be paid 30,000 immediately and would receive three further payments of 30,000 during the filming process.

In October 2015, Leuser claimed she had travelled to the Democratic party convention in Las Vegas, but actually remained in New York for the entire trip and forged an access letter in an attempt to fulfil the contract.

Someone from the production company then visited the Brooklyn headquarters of the Clinton campaign for a meeting in late 2015. It was found there was no legitimate access letter, there had never been any negotiations with the Clinton campaign team and Leuser was not known to anyone there.

The company reported her to the City of London police in February 2016.

Accompanied by a Police Scotland officer, Leuser's property was searched in April 2016 when phone and receipts were seized detailing her contact with the documentary producer and team.

No evidence was found of a friendship between Leuser and Clinton.

During questioning, Leuser maintained she had a close connection with the presidential candidate and her campaign team.

Although she admitted fabricating her relationship with Mrs Clinton she insisted she did 'meet her briefly' in 2002.

She said: 'She did give me her card...she was a Senator at the time.

'I thought she was nice and I thought she was very approachable.'

Ann Leuser fraudulently claimed to have a close connection with the former US secretary of state (left) and tried to enter into a contract for a fly-on-the-wall documentary

Leuser admitted two counts of fraud by false representation at Southwark Crown Court.

In relation to the agreement for 120,000, she claimed she received no money from the ruse and the first 30,000 would only have been paid once filming began.

Rebecca Nieto, defending, said: 'The defendant says she was under the impression that it was only after filming started that she would receive the first tranche of money.

'So, effectively, there would have been no fraud there because she would have gained access by this point.'

Jailing her for 44 months, Judge Stephen Dawson told Leuser: 'You have a quietly spoken, Scottish lilt and it's very plausible and I can quite easily see how a hard bitten production company can be taken in.

'I have absolutely no doubt at all that in your mind you probably still believe that you could arrange to meet Hillary Clinton.'

Leuser will serve 22 months in custody and the rest on licence.

Detective Sergeant Barry Murray said: 'Hillary Clinton's campaign for US president was at the centre of extensive media scrutiny.

'Leuser used her personality to capitalise on this opportunity, deceiving industry professionals and gaining a trip to New York along the way.

'She continually perpetuated the myth of her friendship with Clinton without thinking of the consequences when the truth was exposed.

'Today's result reflects not only the extent of deception orchestrated by Leuser, but also the distress that this caused to the television producer over a number of months.'

Democrat Mrs Clinton lost out in the 2016 US presidential race to Republican candidate Donald Trump.
A woman wearing a headscarf was caught on video stealing a Poppy Appeal tin on Remembrance Sunday in Wiltshire - before a second tin was stolen by a similarly dressed woman from another shop a few miles away.

Police are investigating the first theft at a newsagent, which has been branded 'disgusting' and condemned by the British Legion, but it is not known if the two thefts are linked.

In CCTV video footage obtained by MailOnline of the second theft which occurred in Wiltshire, one woman pounces and takes the Royal British Legion fundraising jar while another woman distracts staff at the Spar store in Ludgershall.

In the first theft that occurred one hour beforehand and only five miles away, at McColls convenience store in Andover, Hampshire, an unidentified thief also in a headscarf calmly waits for her moment and then grabs the charity tin and escapes with it.

The women are still at large and a police investigation is underway to apprehend the offenders.

There may have been more thefts in the area that day, according to local reports.

The footage was posted on Facebook by members of staff and instantly went viral with thousands of people sharing video of the crimes.

The first theft occurred at 11.45am in McColls in Andover, Hampshire and the second theft was recorded just more than one hour later at 1pm in the Spar in Ludgershall, Wiltshire.

Spar manager Susan Connolly said: 'It's absolutely shocking that someone could do this.

'It's just completely disgusting to steal the Poppy Appeal tin on Remembrance Sunday.

'One distracted the girl behind the counter while the other just swept it under her dress. 'After I posted the video, it went mad, its had over 100,000 views.'

A spokesman for the Royal British Legion, Tristan Nichols, said: 'We are greatly disturbed to hear of the theft of poppy collecting tins.

'This loss will deprive those in the Service and ex-Service community and their families of much needed assistance and support from the Legion.'

Angry: Susan Connolly, manager at Spar in Ludgershall, Wiltshire said: 'it's disgusting to steal the Poppy Appeal tin on Remembrance Sunday'

Stealing from charity: The women in this video stole a poppy tin while staff were distracted in a Spar store in Wiltshire

Working as a team: One woman distracted staff, while her accomplice swiped the charity tin

Speaking after the incident at McColls store in Andover, Inspector Paul Markham, of Hampshire Police said: 'This is a disgraceful incident where, on Remembrance Sunday, a Poppy Appeal collection box has been stolen.

'This is extremely disrespectful to those who have given so much for our country. I would urge anyone with information to contact us as soon as possible to help us identify those responsible.'

The matter is currently under investigation. Anyone with information is urged to call Hampshire Constabulary on 101 quoting 44170440589.

A spokesperson for Wiltshire Police said the force had not received a report in relation to the theft but they have tasked officers from the Community Policing Team to investigate the matter further.

They said that anyone with information on the theft at Spar in Ludgershall should call police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Scene of the crime: The McColls convenience store in Andover, Wiltshire

CCTV caught a woman stealthily steal a poppy appeal appeal tin from this shop in Wiltshire on Remembrance Sunday too as the images below illustrate

Caught on camera: A woman, whose identity is not currently known, was filmed on CCTV as she picked up a poppy appeal jar in the Mccolls in Andover, Hampshire, and put it under her clothes before walking out

Inspector Paul Markham, of Hampshire Police said: 'This is a disgraceful incident where, on Remembrance Sunday, a Poppy Appeal collection box has been stolen

The thefts came on the day that Britain remembers her fallen soldiers.

And the stolen Poppy Appeal jars were collecting funds for those soldiers killed and injured in conflict and for their families left behind.

While the thefts were taking place in Hampshire, the Prince of Wales was leading the nation in honouring the country's war dead, taking over the duty for the first time from his mother Queen Elizabeth who has performed the public role for more than 60 years.

The Queen, 91, observed the service from a nearby balcony with her 96-year-old husband Prince Philip.

Buckingham Palace announced the change last month, which is seen as an example of the shift of head of state duties from the Queen to her heir after 65 years on the throne.

The Prince of Wales was leading the nation in honouring the country's war dead on Remembrance Sunday, taking over the duty for the first time from his mother Queen Elizabeth

Queen Elizabeth has performed the duty for more than 60 years but she asked Charles to help her this year and she sat on a balcony watching the proceedings with her husband

(L-R) Britain's Prince Harry and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge as they lay wreaths during the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in London, Britain

A two-minute silence began at 11am, signalled by Big Ben, which chimed for the first time in months as the clock tower undergoes restoration work. The silence was broken only by a bugler playing 'The Last Post.'

Wreaths were then laid at the foot of the Whitehall memorial by senior royals and political leaders including Prime Minister Theresa May and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

People expressed outrage on Facebook at the thefts.

Jen Berrisford wrote: 'Of all the days to not show respect....Pure disgust.'

Daz Walker Smiley wrote: 'There's too many of these being robbed when the money goes to charity. It's a disgrace to the fallen heroes who gave us our freedom.'

Elizabeth Rowson New wrote: 'Disgusting how can anyone steal from a charity?'

Lindsay Laura Jenkins wrote: 'I really can't believe that.... hope she is found.'

And Joanne Targett wrote: 'That is absolutely terrible. Shameful.'
Guy Burgess was recruited as a Soviet spy

A buried Foreign Office paper into the Cambridge spy ring, which called for a ban on gay intelligence officers because they are unstable psychologically, has been uncovered.

An upcoming BBC documentary into traitor Guy Burgess, who defected to Russia in 1951, discovered the top secret report, which had been kept under lock and key since it was written in the 1950s.

The eye-opening paper, written by the Foreign Offices then Head of Personnel Robin Hooper and included in the Cadogan Report, analysed the risk posed by homosexual members of the security services.

Nicknamed Hooper on Buggery, it explored the problem of homosexuality in relation to employment in the foreign service', exploring medical, legal, policy and security-related considerations.

A BBC4 documentary on tonight reveals its shocking contents, including that: '[Homosexuals] are unstable psychologically, and liable to mental stresses and strains to which normal persons are not subjectBy reason of this instability, and also because they are liable to blackmail and other forms of pressure, they are potential security risksTheir conduct is liable at the least to create prejudice and at the worst to cause grave scandal and bring discredit on the service.

'If this is accepted, it follows that it is desirable: to ensure, if we can, that homosexuals do not enter the service and to arrange, if we can, that such homosexuals as may already be in it are eliminated from it.

Toffs, Queers and Traitors: Guy Burgess - 'The Charming Spy' who defected to Russia in 1951

Filmmaker George Carey (pictured) said that there was no trace of the papers' existence by the Foreign Office, and Hoopers family thought it had been destroyed or was still being kept under lock and key

Although the contents are likely to shock a modern audience, the findings of the report were considered quite 'liberal', given that homosexuality was illegal at the time.

Indeed, Hooper concluded that homosexuality was 'in the genes and so therefore it is natural and is not something that can be treated or ought to be treated'.

Nevertheless, filmmaker George Carey said that there was no trace of its existence by the Foreign Office, and Hoopers family thought it had been destroyed or was still being kept under lock and key.

Carey, who only discovered it with the help of historian Jeff Hulbert, told the Daily Mail that he thinks it was not intended to be included in the Cadogan Report.

He said: It is clear that the Cadogan Committee considered his paper, but did they mean it to be included with the Report that was finally submitted to the incoming Conservative Government? Hard to say. The fact that it is clearly marked personal copy, return to Mr Hooper suggests the answer is no.

Toffs, Queers and Traitors: The Extraordinary Life of Guy Burgess, which airs on BBC4 at 9pm, explores how Burgess was first recruited as a Soviet spy.

Cambridge educated Russian Spy Guy Burgess was associated with a group of Cambridge Univerty spies including Donald MacLean, Kim Philby, John Cairncross and Anthony Blunt. He is pictured here smoking a cigarette on the beach of the Black Sea

Toffs, Queers and Traitors: The Extraordinary Life of Guy Burgess, which airs on BBC4 at 9pm, explores how Burgess was first recruited as a Soviet spy

Stewart Purvis, co-author of The Spy Who Knew Everyone, said that fellow spy Kim Philby had drawn up a list of people he thought would make good spies and that Burgess was seventh on the list.

Purvis said: 'He kind of forced them to bring him inside because he was more dangerous to them outside', and Carey added: 'In fact Burgess was almost an afterthought'.

Meanwhile, Alexander Vassiliev, a former KGB officer, said 'from the point of view of an average Soviet operative, recruiting Burgess was a huge mistake. I would never have recruited someone like Burgess, never. He was difficult to control, he talked too much and he was homosexual'.
Shopkeepers are being armed with breathalysers by police for the first time in Britain due to major problems with street drinking.

The shop workers have been given handheld breath-test devices by police to turn away anyone too drunk to serve.

The drinking crackdown comes after police in Cardiff received an increase in complaints from shocked tourists about drunken behaviour on the streets of the Welsh capital.

Now two Spar stores in the city centre are using the breathalysers to help combat the rise in street boozing - and make it easier to refuse to serve suspected drunks.

Assad Shah asks someone to blow in a hand-held breathalyser used to stop serving booze to people who are too drunk in Cardiff

Shopkeepers have said the device has helped mitigate a growing problem in the Welsh capital

Rohat Hamed, 40, who has been a shop manager for eight years, told how breathalyser has helped curb the problem.

She said: 'We've used it hundreds of times already - we just grab it and if anybody who tries to buy alcohol looks drunk we tell them to blow into it.

'Some people have given us abuse when we use it because they must think that they're above the law.'

The breathalysers were given to shopkeepers for a trial - and then allowed to buy them from the South Wales force.

She said: 'We ended up buying it from the police for 200 because we have got a lot of problems here when people are buying alcohol from elsewhere and congregating around this area.'

She insists that her store is not to blame for any drunken troublemakers in the streets.

She added: 'We're getting blamed when it's got nothing to do with us.

'We're actually doing the police's job - it's not our job, we never serve anybody in here who's drunk.

'Some people buy cases of alcohol from other shops then sit outside our shop - but it's not us who's sold them that alcohol.

'The set of benches right outside because it's a good chill out area, but we don't serve them. We've banned a lot of them.

'People don't like them sitting there and it does affect the tourists - Cardiff is a booming city at the moment and there are always people visiting.'

Two Spar stores in the city centre (pictured in Queen Street) are using the breathalysers to help combat the rise in street boozing - and make it easier to refuse to serve suspected drunks

Divisional Commander for Cardiff, Chief Superintendent Belinda Davies said: 'Such behaviour can prove intimidating, unpleasant and unwelcoming to those visiting or working in the area.'

Operation Purple Ash aims to help vulnerable people on the street while taking action against troublemakers.

South Wales Police have revealed that 40 alcoholic drinks have been seized and 18 people have been arrested since the operation began just under two weeks ago.
JACKSON HOLE, Wyo.  The U.S. Court of Appeals decided that the National Park Service does not need to substantively assess the elk hunt every year to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act.

The Jackson Hole News and Guide reports the court found last week that a decade-old plan, a 2007 environmental impact statement, was adequate.

Jackson Hole residents Tim Mayo, a realtor, and Kent Nelson, a wildlife advocate, sued the park service in 2014 for how Grand Teton National Park assesses its annual elk hunt. Mayo dropped out after a district court ruled in the agency's favor in 2016, but Nelson appealed.

The federal appeals court did not issue a ruling on another of Mayo and Nelson's arguments: That the National Elk Refuge's failure to reduce supplemental elk feeding was unlawful.
Television presenter Zoe Marshall has opened up about escaping a violent attack

The 33-year-old, who is married to NRL star Benji Marshall, revealed how she 'feared for her life' during the isolating period.

She said she had her head was smashed against a wall and she contemplated suicide. according to reports.

Television presenter Zoe Marshall (pictured) has opened up about escaping a violent attack

Now awaiting the arrival of her and Benji's first child, the soon-to-be mum said during that dark time she wasn't just scared for herself.

'I had moments where I thought "Im going to die",' she said.

Mrs Marshall said she was dragged across the floor by her hair and even had her head split open.

Despite thinking about ending her life she clawed her way back, but ended up crashing her car while trying to escape.

The 33-year-old, who is married to NRL star Benji Marshall (both pictured), revealed how she 'feared for her life' during the isolating period

She said she was dragged across the floor, had her head smashed against a wall and she contemplated suicide

Mrs Marshall said that the abuse was 'calculated', with the physical marks occurring 'where it could be covered'.

But she also credited her West Tigers husband as helping her recover emotionally, despite the 'baggage' she brought to their relationship.

'Thank God I had someone like Benji who went "this is really full-on but Im going to be patient with it",' she said.

The pair are set to become first-time parents next year, with the House of Wellness star telling Confidential she is eager to embrace motherhood but also get back to work.

Mrs Marshall said at the time she was full of rage and thought 'Im going to die'

The expectant mum also credited her West Tigers husband (pictured together) as helping her recover emotionally, despite the 'baggage' she brought to their relationship

'People are probably rolling their eyes right now going ''she has no idea what's coming'' and maybe I'll have a nervous breakdown,' the brunette said.

'All of these things are options and I have a goal. If I can achieve it, great, if I can't, I won't do it.'

In the meantime Mrs Marshall has been keeping busy trying to help other women through her fashion line Ruled By None.

The range, which includes t-shirts with slogans such as 'Don't Touch Me', was launched to 'empower women'.

Part of the proceeds from its sales go towards the charity 'Share The Dignity', which supports women who are victims of domestic violence and homelessness.
North Korea sent a letter to Russia explaining that the totalitarian dictatorship was 'prepared to conduct a nuclear strike against the United States', according to a report.

A delegation from the Stalinist state is said to have got a letter to Russian president Vladimir Putin last month during the Inter-Parliamentary Union talks in St Petersburg.

According to Kremlin propaganda tool Sputnik News, the Americans changed their stance towards North Korea after being told about the letter by Russia.

Sputnik said the document was given to upper house speaker Valentina Matviyenko by the North Korea delegation, who then passed it on to President Putin.

A delegation from the Stalinist state is said to have got a letter to Russian president Vladimir Putin last month during the Inter-Parliamentary Union talks in St Petersburg. Pictured: North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un during a test launch of a ground-to-ground medium long-range strategic ballistic rocket Hwasong-12

According to Kremlin propaganda tool Sputnik News , the Americans changed their stance towards North Korea after being told about the letter by Russia. Pictured: Trump and Putin shake hands in Vietnam on Friday

This July 28 picture released from North Korea's state news agency shows a Hwasong-14 intercontinental ballistic missile being test-lauched at an undisclosed site in North Korea

President Donald Trump on Saturday said he was offended by North Korean ruler Kim Jong-un after official state media in Pyongyang referred to him as a 'lunatic old man'

But Putin press secretary Dmitry Peskov said on Saturday that he was unaware of the letter.

It comes after three US aircraft carriers teamed up with Japanese ships for joint naval exercises designed to send a clear warning to North Korea.

The four-day drills that began in waters off South Korea's eastern coast came as President Donald Trump traded insults with North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un.

The battle groups of the USS Ronald Reagan, the Theodore Roosevelt and the Nimitz will successively enter the exercise area during the drills that run until tomorrow, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

Sputnik said the document was given to upper house speaker Valentina Matviyenko by the North Korea delegation, who then passed it on to President Putin. Pictured: The dictator inspecting technology

The United States has been sending its strategic assets, also including long-range bombers, to the region more frequently for patrols or drills amid accelerating North Korean efforts to expand its nuclear weapons program.

In recent months, North Korea has tested intercontinental ballistic missiles that could reach the U.S. mainland with further development and has conducted its most powerful nuclear test. It also flew two new midrange missiles over Japan and threatened to launch them toward Guam, a U.S. Pacific territory and military hub.

Trump has been working to rally global pressure against North Korea's nuclear weapons program on a trip to Asia. That includes a stern speech delivered in South Korea's National Assembly on Tuesday, in which he said: 'Do not underestimate us. And do not try us...The weapons you're acquiring are not making you safer, they are putting your regime in grave danger. Every step you take down this dark path increases the peril you face.'

The aircraft carriers USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) and USS Nimitz (CVN 68) are underway, conducting operations, in international waters as part of a three-carrier strike force exercise in the western Pacific

Three F/A-18E Super Hornets fly in formation over the aircraft carriers USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), USS Nimitz (CVN 68) and their strike groups, along with ships from the Republic of Korea Navy as they transit the Western Pacific

On Saturday, Kim's government responded by accusing Trump of trying to demonize North Korea, keep it apart from the international community and undermine its government.

'Reckless remarks by an old lunatic like Trump will never scare us or stop our advance,' the North's Foreign Ministry said in a statement. 'On the contrary, all this makes us more sure that our choice to promote economic construction at the same time as building up our nuclear force is all the more righteous, and it pushes us to speed up the effort to complete our nuclear force.'

In response to that Trump tweeted from Hanoi on Sunday morning: 'Why would Kim Jong-un insult me by calling me 'old,' when I would NEVER call him 'short and fat?''

Trump went on to say: 'Oh well, I try so hard to be his friend - and maybe someday that will happen!'
A family has been united across three continents after a pendant found in a Nazi death camp revealed the fate of a Jewish girl who may have known Anne Frank.

Little was known about Karolina Cohn, until a silver pendant, engraved with her name and birthplace, was unearthed by archaeologists excavating the Sobibor site in Poland.

It was almost identical to one belonging to the famous Jewish diarist Anne Frank who was born within three weeks of Cohn in 1929 and in the same city - Frankfurt, in Germany - prompting speculation that the pair new each other.

Today, more than two dozen relatives from around the world met for the first time at a memorial ceremony to remember a girl whose life and death had, until now, been all but erased by the Nazis.

A family has been united across three continents after a pendant found in a Nazi death camp revealed the fate of Jewish Holocaust victim Karolina Cohn. Pictured is Mandy Eisemann from Dickerson, Maryland - one of more than 30 of Cohn's relatives who came to Frankfurt in Germany for a special memorial service today

Little was known about Karolina Cohn, until a silver pendant (pictured), engraved with her name and birthplace, was unearthed by archaeologists excavating the Sobibor site in Poland

Today, more than two dozen relatives from around the world met for the first time at a memorial ceremony to remember a girl whose life and death had, until now, been all but erased by the Nazis

Nothing more was known of Karolina's fate until an Israeli-Polish archeologists' team found the triangle-shaped pendant under the ruins of a hut where the women's hair was shaved before they were led to the gas chambers at Sobibor

At the age of 12 in 1941, Cohn was deported to the Minsk ghetto along with her parents and sister.

Four little brass plaques for Karolina, her sister and parents were laid in front of the Frankfurt location where the family lived before they were deported on November 11.

Nothing more was known of her fate until an Israeli-Polish archeologists' team found the triangle-shaped pendant under the ruins of a hut where the women's hair was shaved before they were led to the gas chambers.

It was inscribed with her date and place of birth and the words 'good luck' in Hebrew.

After the discovery, researchers used the database of the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem to contact Cohn's family members around the world.

A genealogist started tracking down family members and found about 40 relatives in Israel, the U.S. and South America.

Many of them had never heard about Karolina and her family, but more than two dozen accepted an invitation from the Jewish Claims Conference to meet in Germany for the ceremony and a reunion.

Four little brass plaques for Karolina, her sister and parents were laid in front of the Frankfurt location where the family lived before they were deported on November 11

Today, 34 of Cohn's relatives came together to witness the placing of a brass 'Stolperstein' - literally 'stumbling stone' - in the pavement outside Cohn's former family home

Many of the relatives had not known of her existence or that they were related to one another

On Monday 34 of them came together to witness the placing of a brass 'Stolperstein' - literally 'stumbling stone' - in the pavement outside Cohn's former family home.

Many had not known of her existence or that they were related to one another.

'I never had any family on my mom's side. As of last night, these guys who are shaking my hand are my cousins,' said Shawn Ruby, a 41-year-old schoolteacher from Houston, Texas, who made the trip to Germany after learning that his grandmother was Cohn's first cousin.

Ruby had for many years not even known that he had Jewish roots, as his grandmother suppressed her history when she emigrated to New York, converted to Catholicism and married a Marine, he said.

'It's pretty remarkable, that this little girl brought together this broken-up, fragmented family,' said Mandy Eisemann, another relative from the United States, who took part in the ceremony and afterward laid pink roses on the shiny plaques.

'It's a heart-warming emotion to meet family who were strangers to us before today,' said Barry Eisemann, the father of Mandy.

'But it's a heart-wrenching emotion ... to know that Karolina and the entire family perished in the Holocaust.'

Members of the scattered Cohn family watch as German artist Gunter Demnig lays four 'stumbling stones' to commemorate Jewish schoolgirl and Holocaust victim Karolina Cohn and her family outside the building where they once lived in Frankfurt, Germany

The 'stumbling stone' plaques are part of a project begun by German artist Gunter Demnig to place small memorials across Europe where victims of the Nazis lived or worked, to call attention to the individual victims and the Nazi war crime

All traces of Karolina disappear after she and her family were deported to the Minsk Ghetto in late 1941. Pictures show a replica of her pendant

It's not clear if Karolina was ever taken to Sobibor or if she gave the amulet to somebody else who brought it there.

All traces of Karolina disappear after she and her family were deported to the Minsk Ghetto in late 1941.

The 'stumbling stone' plaques are part of a project begun by German artist Gunter Demnig to place small memorials across Europe where victims of the Nazis lived or worked, to call attention to the individual victims and the Nazi war crimes.

ANNE FRANK'S DIARY Anne Frank wrote her diary while in hiding from Nazi persecution during World War II. By 1940 the Nazis had occupied the Netherlands, leaving the family trapped. In 1942 the family went into hiding in secret rooms of Otto Frank's office building. But after two years the group were anonymously betrayed and were sent to their deaths at the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, where Anne died of typhus in 1945. Otto Frank, Anne's father, returned to Amsterdam after the war and discovered her diary had been saved. It was published in 1947, leading to her posthumous fame. Advertisement

More than 60,000 of the brass plaques have been set into pavements across Europe. They are traditionally cleaned on the anniversary of the Kristallnacht pogrom that was carried out against Jews across Germany on Nov. 9, 1938.

Much still remains unknown about Cohn's story, including whether she knew Anne Frank. Did she bring her pendant to the death camp herself? Or was it dropped through the floorboards by someone else, perhaps a family member on the way to the gas chambers?

'We know that Anne Frank wore a similar pendant, but people know her story because of her words,' Greg Schneider, executive vice president of the Claims Conference, which represents the interests of Jewish Holocaust victims in Germany and helped track down Cohn's relatives, said at the plaque-laying ceremony.

'We don't have Karolina's words but doesn't she deserve the same - to be known, to be remembered?'

'It's almost too painful to think about what was done to this girl,' he added. 'But we don't have the moral right to forget Karolina.'
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has started shipping the first of its controversial 018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demons to dealers, the automaker announced.

The limited edition, 840-horsepower mega-muscle car is being marketed as the industry's first street-legal production drag car.

It can do 0-30mph in one second, 0-60mph in 2.3 seconds and cover the quarter mile in 9.65 seconds while doing 140mph.

Pricing for the vehicle starts at $84,995, which includes a $1,700 gas guzzler tax but excludes a $1,095 destination shipping fee.

The limited edition, 840-horsepower Dodge Challenger SRT Demons is being sent out to dealers, Fiat Chrysler announced. Itbeing marketed as the auto industry's first street-legal production drag car

Fiat Chrysler plans to make only 3,000 Demons, all at its Brampton, Ontario plant. Three hundred of the vehicles will be reserved for Canadian buyers.

The Demon comes standard with a mere 808 horsepower. But for $1, you get a crate of parts that set it up for the drag strip.

Another dollar gets buyers a front passenger seat for the normally one-seater car. A rear seat costs another dollar.

Automotive News, the leading trade publication covering the auto industry, called for the Demon to be banned in an editorial earlier this year, calling it 'dangerous' and citing its 'barely legal' tires.

The car 'is so inherently dangerous to the common safety of motorists that its registration as a road-worthy automobile should be banned', the trade publication wrote.

The vehicle can do 0-30mph in one second, 0-60mph in 2.3 seconds and cover the quarter mile in 9.65 seconds while doing 140mph

Pricing for the vehicle starts at $84,995, which includes a $1,700 gas guzzler tax but excludes a $1,095 destination shipping fee

Fiat Chrysler said earlier this year the the new car would be the most powerful production car ever.

Its incredible power has helped the Dodge enter the Guinness World Records by being the first production car to pull a wheelie off the line under full acceleration.

When the Demon set its quarter-mile time, the National Hot Rod Association gave Dodge the badge of honour of banning it from drag strips.

The stunning performance is thanks to a 6.2-litre supercharged V8 engine which develops a staggering 840bhp.

The force from a full-throttle acceleration puts so much weight on the back wheels, that it forces the front off the ground, travelling almost three-feet.

Fiat Chrysler said earlier this year the the new car would be the most powerful production car ever. Pictured above, Tim Kuniskis, Dodge head of passenger car brands, spoke about the vehicle at the New York International Auto Show in April

Due to the car's extreme performance, all customers who buy a Demon will receive a day's training where they get to grips with its ability

G-force is an unprecedented 1.8g.

Tim Kuniskis, head of passenger cars at Dodge, said: 'With Demon, our goal was to build a car that would tattoo the Dodge logo into the subconscious of the general market, beyond even our loyal enthusiasts.

'To do so, we had to set records that have never been set before, do more than has ever been done before, go beyond even the legendary Hellcat.

'The result: an 840-horsepower, 9-second muscle car unlike anything that has ever come before it.'

Dodge unveiled the Demon at the New York International Auto Show in April.

Due to the car's extreme performance, all customers who buy a Demon will receive a day's training where they get to grips with its ability.
A farmer was left stunned after one of his cows gave birth to triplets - the second time the one-in-100,000 chance event has happened to his herd.

Joe Collingborn, 67, from Brinkworth in Wiltshire, discovered his cow Nell was pregnant and feeling around inside he was astonished to find not one but three heads.

Cows have a one-in-100,000 chance of giving birth to triplets - but now it's happened to Mr Collingborn twice, 30 years apart.

The first pair were born in 1983 when his daughter Ceri Cryer was just four years old.

Farmers Ceri Cryer and her father Joe Collingborn from Brinkworth with their triplet calves born in last week

The first pair were born in 1983 when his daughter Ceri Cryer was just four years old (pictured)

Last week Mr Collingborn then delivered the first two calves with ease but the third, a bull calf, became stuck.

The father-of-one was forced to call out vet Nick Britten from George Veterinary Surgery in Malmesbury, Wiltshire, who raced to Hill End Farm.

Mr Britten, who specialises in dairy cattle, saved the bull calf - and the three newborns and mother Nell were declared healthy on Sunday, October 29.

The bull calf who almost didn't make it was named Novet and will become a breeding bull.

The two calves will join Collingborn's 100-strong herd after being given a name beginning with the letter 'N' by Mr Collingborn's wife Ro.

Mr Collingborn, whose family has owned Hill End Farm since 1910, still raises cows descended from the Holstein Friesian bloodline started by his father William.

'This sort of thing only happens to farmers once in their lifetime,' he said.

'Having done the morning milking, I thought I'd better check a cow that had been waiting a week to calve.

'On doing an internal (check), I discovered a head and two front legs.

'A bit small, I thought, so I checked for twins and discovered two front legs and a head and soon a second heifer calf was on the floor. I went in again and discovered two more front legs with a head.'

Last week Mr Collingborn then delivered the first two calves with ease but the third, a bull calf, became stuck

Daughter Ceri was just a four-year-old when the first set of triplets were born at Hill End Farm.

While she doesn't remember the birth, Mr Collingborn has shown her photos of the new-born calves taken just after their birth.

Ms Cryer, 38, said: 'The triplets aren't identical so must have come from three eggs.

'Dad has mentioned the first set of triplets from time to time and it's great to be around to see another set,' said the cheesemaker whose Wiltshire Loaf won Best Territorial Cheese at the British Cheese Awards in 2013.

Vet Tom Oxtoby, who works with Nick Britten at the Malmesbury-based George practice, said triplet calves are a rarity.

He said: 'One occurs in around 100,000 calvings. For all three calves to survive is rarer still. I have been in practice 18 years and have possibly calved three sets of triplets.'
This is the outrageous moment a teenager attempts to re-enact a scene from a film by mounting an elephant trunk-first.

But the silly stunt ended disastrously when the giant mammal's patience ran out - and flung the fool several feet.

He was knocked unconscious after landing on his neck when the elephant called time on his imbecilic pestering.

The boy - who was holidaying in Kerala, India with a group of friends - is believed to have been rushed to hospital.

This is the outrageous moment a teenager attempts to re-enact a scene from a film by mounting an elephant trunk-first. But the silly stunt ended disastrously when the giant mammal's patience ran out - and flung the fool several feet

The boy - who was holidaying in Kerala, India with a group of friends - is believed to have been rushed to hospital. First they brought some fruit from a nearby shop and attempted to befriend the animal. But when he tried to climb up the its trunk, the clearly disgruntled animal flung him up in the air

He was trying to imitate a scene from the Indian film Baahubali: The Beginning', in which the protagonist mounts an elephant by climbing up its trunk.

After spotting an elephant tethered on a plot and with no mahout around, the boys decided to do something they considered funny.

First they brought some fruit from a nearby shop and attempted to befriend the animal.

The elephant, naturally, was more than happy to munch on some fresh bananas.

After offering the grub, however, the idiotic teenager thought he had won the elephant's trust.

But when he tried to climb up the its trunk, the clearly disgruntled animal flung him up in the air.

He was knocked unconscious after landing on his neck when the elephant called time on his imbecilic pestering. But according to wildlife experts, the situation might have become worse were the elephant not tethered

When his friends - who recorded the scene on mobile phones - investigated, their chum was lying awkwardly after being knocked out.

But according to wildlife experts, the situation might have become worse were the elephant not tethered.

It might have gored him to death in anger if it were at liberty.
Australians are pretty creative when it comes to naming things.

So when NSW Transport officials asked the public to name the last of Sydney's new harbour ferries, they expected the 15,000 punters sending in submissions to come up with something pretty unique.

They certainly weren't expecting that they would have to name the new vessel something ludicrous like Ferry McFerryface.

Presenting Ferry McFerryface: The latest vessel to join our squadron of harbour boats

But it seems that is exactly what has happened.

Fortunately Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance sees the Name Your Ferry competition as a hilarious success.

'We asked Sydney to name their new ferries and we have listened. Ferry McFerryface will be the harbour's newest icon, and I hope it brings a smile to the faces of visitors and locals alike,' Mr Constance said.

The other ferries were given sentimental names like Victor Chang, Fred Hollows and Catherine Hamlin, which are already transporting passengers across the harbour.

But 'this one is for the kids' Mr Constance reiterated on Monday.

Almost unbelievably, the most popular name was actually Boaty McBoatface.

Almost unbelievably, the most popular name was actually Boaty McBoatface

'Given Boaty was already taken by another vessel, we've gone with the next most popular name nominated by Sydneysiders,' Mr Constance said.

The name 'Boaty McBoatface' comes from a public poll the Natural Environment Research Council put to the people of Britain in 2016 to name a $342 million research vessel.

While Boaty won the overwhelming majority with 124,000 votes, Science Minister Jo Johnson was not so keen on the title and decided to name it after Sir David Attenborough instead.

But Boaty lived on in the form of a yellow submarine on the Attenborough research ship - mainly because people were extremely disappointed with the decision.

The name 'Boaty McBoatface' comes from a public poll the Natural Environment Research Council put to the people of Britain in 2016 to name a $342 million research vessel

While Boaty won the overwhelming majority with 124,000 votes, Science Minister Jo Johnson was not so keen on the title and decided to name it after Sir David Attenborough instead

The new inner harbour ferries are being delivered as part of the NSW Government's plan to modernise and expand Sydney's ferry network.

They can hold 400 customers, have improved accessibility for people with disabilities, WiFi access, luggage and bicycle storage areas and charging stations for electronic devices.

And yes, it's likely you'll be able to check into 'Ferry McFerryface' on Facebook, so that everyone knows you're on board the ocean boat.
Mark Fitt, 43, (outside Kingston Crown Court, in July this year) has been jailed for a 110,000 swindle

A fake SAS love rat who scammed two girlfriends and a retired police chief in a 110,000 swindle has been jailed for four years.

Mark Fitt, 43, from Richmond, south west London, told his victims he needed the money to set up a counter-kidnap and ransom operation in the Middle East.

However, in fact he was spending their hard-earned savings on luxurious trips to the Caribbean and business class flights to France.

Fitt, who stole 117,137 in total from his four victims, claimed to come from a military family and serve six years in the Queen's Dragoon Guards .

He would regale them with tall tales of serving in the special forces and French Foreign Legion, but it was all part of an elaborate lie.

Fitt was dating a policewoman while stealing from another girlfriend, who he convinced his company - N49 Intelligence - was going to make a fortune in the Middle-East and Africa.

He was found guilty of stealing 33,690 from business analyst Hilary Davies, 57, and 45,874 from interior designer Tracey Saunders, 45.

He was also convicted of defrauding retired police chief superintendent Mark Veljovic, 59, of 30,000 and stealing 1600 from investor Oliver Tonkin.

Nicknamed 'Colonel Blimp' by an ex-partner Fitt dated Davies and Saunders simultaneously while they financed his lifestyle of drinking and holding court in the pubs of leafy Barnes.

Ms Saunders (pictured, outside court in July), said she gave Fitt 2,500 for a business trip to Nigeria; 5,000 for a trip to Somalia and also paid his utility bills

'The four offences all involved taking money from people you met socially, who were told you were setting-up a counter-kidnap and ransom business in the Middle-East,' Recorder John Kingston told Fitt.

'You persuaded them to give you money to tide you over while you got the business off the ground and you were in a relationship with the two women and these relationships overlapped.

'You exaggerated your military experience and contacts and the business had little chance of success and you knew it.

'These were particularly nasty offences and the two women were susceptible to being taken in by a man who had entered into a romantic relationship with them.

'Their vulnerability was based on their romantic attachment to you and these offences have had a major impact on both of them

'You got them to finance your lifestyle. In the case of Tracey Saunders it was her entire savings and you knew it.'

Ms Davies (pictured outside court in July), said she met Fitt in a pub and found him 'charming', claiming his voice was 'hypnotic'

Fitt claimed to be an expert in kidnapping and extortion with large companies and insurers willing to pay 200,000-300,000 per quarter for his skills in trouble-spots such as Libya and Somalia.

'I thought he was very charming, his voice was quite hypnotic and I trusted him as a nice character,' said Ms Davies.

'I was hoping it would be a relationship at one point.'

Ms Saunders told the jury: 'I was very worried about him, his stress levels and financial situation. I cared about him and wanted to help.'

While dating Ms Saunders Fitt was seeing policewoman Zoe Richardson and defrauded her housemate, Mr. Veljovic.

One witness told the court Fitt sported a regimental tie in the pub one Remembrance Sunday and proudly displayed nine service medals, some SAS, for service in Iraq and Afghanistan.

However, Fitt denied this, explaining: 'They were fake, they were not real and I had them when I dressed up as Colonel Gadaffi at a fancy dress party.'

Chief Superintendent Mark Veljovic (pictured, outside court in July), was defrauded out of 30,000 by Fitt

Ms Davis explained: 'He said he was a specialist with UK special forces and the UK security services.

'He was very persuasive and I felt empathy towards him. I still had funds in my limited company and felt I wanted to help him and felt that he was building up his future.'

Ms Davies told the court their relationship revolved around meetings and conversations. When asked if it was a sexual relationship she replied: 'Not very actively.'

Within weeks Fitt was asking her for cash to tide his business over. 'He was a confident person and gave me the impression he had money in the past.

'I wanted to help him and he was very charismatic,' explained Ms Davies, who also paid Fitt's rent and what she believed were flights to overseas business meetings.

She funded his non-existent speaking engagement at a London Expo after being impressed by his 'Project Phoebe' business plan.

'The revenue forecasts ran into several millions of pounds. This was dishonest and to persuade her and other people to give money,' said prosecutor Mr. Tim Starkey.

She bumped into Fitt at a local cafe in March, 2013. 'He was with another woman and wanted to blank me.

'I was so angry I just spluttered out: ''Where's my money? I want my money back.''

'He said I was hassling him and that I was a stalker and he was going to call the police.'

Witnesses mentioned three other women Fitt was seeing at different times during the period and he is now engaged to another woman he runs a company with.

He told Ms Saunders - who knew him as 'Charlie' - he had PTSD and began asking her for money after claiming the Foreign Office cancelled one of his contracts.

She gave him 2,500 for a business trip to Nigeria; 5,000 for a trip to Somalia and also paid his utility bills and financed a three-week Thailand holiday for the couple.

He also signed-on for Jobseekers Allowance and enjoyed holidays to Tenerife and Majorca as well as a trip to the Bahamas and business class flights to Marseilles.

Throughout the trial he insisted he only told people he was merely trained by ex-SAS and French Foreign Legion soldiers in relation to his bodyguard work in Beirut.

He produced false business plans to convince Mr Veljovic his company would received a lucrative retainer from insurance underwriters.

He even falsely claimed his company was endorsed by the former head of the Metropolitan Police's kidnap and hostage unit.

'He spent Mr. Veljovic's investment on a year's rent,' added Mr. Starkey.

Fitt introduced himself in a local pub as a Colonel to the retired police officer.

'He said he was working on government contracts in the Middle East with other senior military leaders.

'He said he won a contract for kidnap response services and I had no reason to doubt his capabilities, given his links to senior military figures,' said Mr Veljovic.

Fitt claimed he never passed himself off as a high-ranking officer.

'The closest was my girlfriend Zoe's nickname for me, she called me Colonel Blimp.'

He will now be subject to a Proceeds of Crime Act investigation after revealing he is a 16 per cent shareholder in an internet company with his fiancee.
Ivanka Trump said Monday on Fox & Friends that she was optimistic about a Republican tax reform bill getting passed.

'Well, this is why I'm so optimistic, because when I was in Maine with Sen. Colllins, she couldn't have been more hospitable, more warm, and more excited about the opportunity to reform our tax code, create simplification,' Ivanka Trump went on.

Collins name came up because she twice blocked Obamacare repeal efforts in the Senate, which robbed the Trump administration of a legislative victory in the first nine months of the administration.

First daughter and senior White House adviser Ivanka Trump spoke to Fox & Friends Monday morning about tax reform and her father's Asia trip

Ivanka Trump said she was 'so optimistic' about getting tax reform passed because Sen. Susan Collins (left, in red), who she appeared with in Maine on Friday, seemed to be on board

Ivanka Trump discussed some of the differences between the two GOP plans, the one in the House and the one in the Senate, though suggested they could figure things out

Now, nearly 11 months in, and President Trump is still without a big win with Capitol Hill.

One of the big stumbling blocks is over SALT, the state and local taxes that Americans have been able to deduct from their federal tax bill.

In the Senate there's a proposal to scrap the deduction entirely.

On Sunday House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady, a Republican from Texas, said he would not accept total elimination.

Ivanka Trump commended the House Ways and Means for its ideas on how to handle those taxes.

'Well, I think that House Ways and Means really solved that problem in a collaborative way in allowing property taxes to be deducted,' the first daughter and senior White House adviser said on Fox.

The House plan would preserve the deduction on property taxes up to $10,000 a year.

Collins has also expressed reservations about the GOP's plan to repeal the estate tax, which hits inheritance.

'So I think in talking to Sen. Collins, I know the Senate is still not there and they're working on the details of the SALT issue together, but in talking with Sen. Collins about this, she has the same objections that the president does,' the first daughter said. 'So that is a good start.'

Ivanka Trump noted that Collins was on board slicing the corporate tax rate, a cornerstone of the plan, which Republicans argue will increase employees' wages.

The eldest Trump daughter visited Japan right before her father's arrival on his 12 day Asia trip, which will conclude tomorrow in the Philippines.

'I actually left before my father arrived,' Ivanka Trump said. 'He wanted me to focus on tax reform, which was definitely time well spent.'

The senior White House adviser appeared at an event in Biddefort, Maine, on Friday, alongside Collins.

Today she'll participate in a New Jersey town hall event with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.

Pivoting back briefly to the Asia trip, Ivanka Trump noted, 'The enthusiasm, the energy and the excitement about this presidency and this president in Asia was unbelievable.'

'The reception I received just in anticipation of his arrival was truly remarkable everywhere we went and it was very supportive and very encouraging,' she said. 'And I think we're continuing to see that wherever the president travels, a tremendous respect for the office of the presidency and real, palpable excitement.'
Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Roy Miller, 30 (pictured), was arrested early Saturday after being accused by his wife, Nicole Miller, 39, of grabbing her hair and shoving her Friday night

Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Roy Miller has been accused of grabbing his wife's hair and shoving her.

Roy was arrested early Saturday in Florida by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office on a domestic battery charge.

Officers were dispatched to his home after midnight Saturday. A responding officer found a cut on Nicole Millers face, a scratch on the back of her neck and a braid torn from her head.

Five children, four under the age of 10, were in the house at the time.

Nicole, 39, told police that her husband had left her behind at the Jacksonville Zoo, where the couple had gone on a date on Friday night.

She took an Uber home, but her husband hadn't arrived yet. When he did, they began to argue and their fight turned physical, according to an arrest report.

An officer dispatched to the home on Saturday night, found a cut on Nicole Millers face, a scratch on the back of her neck and a braid torn out from the back of her head (Pictured, the couple in March 2015)

Nicole told authorities she was grabbed by the hair and pushed around, and that her shirt was almost torn off.

Additionally she said Roy threw her cellphone in the toilet and physically restrained her from retrieving it.

She was able to contact police 'after a brief struggle', at which point she said Roy barricaded himself in a bedroom with one of her sons.

Nicole, 39, told police that her husband had left her behind at the Jacksonville Zoo, where the couple had gone on a date on Friday night. She took an Uber home, but her husband hadn't arrived yet (Pictured, left, with Kevin Pierre-Louis, in October 2017)

Nicole (pictured) told authorities she was grabbed by the hair and pushed around, and that her shirt was almost torn off. Additionally she said Roy threw her cellphone in the toilet and physically restrained her from retrieving it

Video courtesy WPLG

Police found Roy asleep in the master bedroom. Nicole, who told police that the couple has been married for six-and-a-half years, declined to provide a written statement.

He was held in jail without bond until he appeared in court Saturday afternoon. He was released under his own recognizance and is due back in court on November 28.

The 30-year-old Roy Miller, who was drafted out of Texas by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, spent the past four seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

He signed a $1.4million deal with Kansas City this past off-season but has only appeared in seven games, making two tackles.

The Chiefs released a statement on Saturday that read: 'This morning we were informed about an incident involving one of our players, Roy Miller. We are still in the process of gathering details on the situation. We will have no further comment at this time.'

He was held in jail without bond until he appeared in court Saturday afternoon (pictured). He was released under his own recognizance and is due back in court on November 28
Former first lady Laura Bush is a grandmother, a former librarian and a fierce fighter for women's rights. Nearly 10 years since she and her husband, former President George W. Bush, left the White House, Bush remains committed to the mission she began after 9/11: empowering women in Afghanistan. She and Afghan first lady Rula Ghani agreed to sit down with me in a rare interview in the Afghan Embassy in Washington.

After our conversation of nearly an hour, part of which included three young Afghans, the two women traveled to Capitol Hill to urge lawmakers to continue their support for Afghanistan and its women. But it was clear their bond extends beyond that shared cause.

Friends since 2015, the two women laughed and chatted warmly, traded ideas about Afghanistan, and finished sentences in unison. Beneath their poised and approachable exteriors, it was also clear that the former and current first ladies share a steely determination to make headway in the fight to improve the lives of Afghan women.

For Bush, the work started 16 years ago this month, when she took over her husband's weekly radio address -- the first solo appearance by a first lady -- to call attention to the oppression of women and children under the Taliban in the wake of the attacks of September 11, 2001. All these years later, Bush is still fighting for change.

"After September 11th, when the spotlight turned on Afghanistan, American women were shocked, really, at the plight of the life of women" there, Bush told me. Women couldn't walk on the street alone and weren't allowed to be educated.

"And what you see when half of a population is left out, like it was then in Afghanistan, is a failed country," she said.

Now, Ghani added, "you start seeing women in government organizations, you start seeing them in the private sector ... many more girls studying, so women are a little bit everywhere." There are more women in positions of power than at any other time in history, and more than 2.5 million girls in school, according to the UN.

But "what's really important," Ghani said, "is that they're not just being visible, they're also starting to speak up." Since the dark days of 2001, "women have progressed tremendously."

Bush's work could be one factor in that progress. After making Afghan women a focus during her White House years, she and former President Bush established the Dallas-based Bush Institute, which includes the Afghan Women's Project. Mrs. Bush has used the Project to advocate for sustained US support for Afghan women and to spotlight their successes.

She has a fellow fighter in the Lebanese-born Ghani, who holds three university degrees, speaks five languages and is breaking barriers on her own terms.

When President Ashraf Ghani gave his 2014 inaugural speech at the presidential palace, he choked up thanking his wife for her support and announced that she would take on a public role. That a male leader in Afghanistan would thank his spouse -- let alone go on to promote her work and appear with her publicly -- made news around the world.

"He opened the door for me and I went through that door and this is what I'm doing in return," Ghani said. "I'm opening the door for all these women."

But when she returned to Kabul in 2001, Ghani encountered a starkly different Afghanistan than the country she knew in the '70s.

"Disposable beings"

"It was very disturbing," she said. "I was used to seeing very strong women. Some of them stayed home, some of them worked outside the home, but they were very respected. And what really annoyed me the most is the lack of respect towards women. It's as if they had become disposable beings."

Both Bush and Ghani repeatedly returned to one theme. "You'd be surprised at how strong Afghans are, how strong Afghan women and men are," Bush said, comparing them to Texans: "Strong, with a big, sort of unforgiving ... terrain, country, that builds strong people."

The former first lady's first exposure to Afghanistan came in sixth grade. "We each made a country report and my country report was Afghanistan," she said, as she and Ghani laughed. "I just picked a country that seemed the most remote and interesting country. I never expected to visit Afghanistan or really hear about it again."

Along the way, she learned that Afghanistan has a rich, long and "fascinating" heritage.

Ghani leaned in. "I think what Mrs. Bush pointed out is that it's not a country without a history, it's a country with ..." And here the two women seamlessly finished the sentence together: "a very long history."

Perhaps with that in mind, Bush told Ghani that, "it would be great if Afghanistan could become a tourism place, once its more secure." For now, it remains the site of the United States' longest running war.

Their obvious camaraderie can only help the work Bush and Ghani do as honorary co-chairs of the US-Afghan Women's Council, which works to support "Afghan women and girl's education, healthcare, economic empowerment and leadership."

On her own, Bush has made four trips to Afghanistan, helped produce the George W. Bush Institute book, "We are Afghan Women: Voices of Hope," and helped launch the American University of Afghanistan, which opened its doors in 2006.

Onaba Payab was the first female valedictorian to graduate from that university.

As she and two other young Afghan women joined our conversation, Bush and Ghani greeted them warmly, with Bush calling out, "how are you, darlin'?"

Payab, Manizha Wafeq and Manizha Naderi -- a Fulbright scholar, the head of the Afghanistan Women Chamber of Commerce, and the executive director of a non-profit serving women -- are three examples of what Afghan women can achieve today. But it's not just about women helping women. Men are just as important in this fight, the young women said.

"Change is coming"

"In the context of a society like Afghanistan, it's very important to have the support of a male [family] member," Wafeq said. "We really need their support in order to move forward and progress, and I'm very happy that that attitudinal change is coming and we have witnessed it."

Wafeq credits her father with making sure she got an education and supporting her when she got her first job at age 16, surrounded by men. "It was very tough, the harassment," she said. "My father was the one who kept telling me that, 'you can do it.'"

Payab, the valedictorian, says the stigma once attached to educating girls "is going away, but the thing is that it takes time."

There are still huge hurdles, to be sure. About 14,000 US troops remain in Afghanistan, alongside 6,000 foreign troops. Despite efforts by the NATO-led coalition, the Taliban remains a threat. This year it has been steadily gaining territory, fueled by cash earned from opium and heroin production. The UN Office on Drugs and Crime estimates that opium trade doubled in 2016 from the year before, to about $3 billion -- about 16% of Afghanistan's GDP.

Women and girls in Afghanistan continue to face persistent discrimination, violence, street harassment, forced and child marriage, severe restrictions on working and studying outside the home, and limited access to justice, the UN says. And according to a Global Rights study, 87% of women in Afghanistan experience physical, sexual or psychological violence during their lifetime, with 62% experiencing multiple forms.

Manizha Naderi came to the US as a refugee when she was young -- but as she got older, she wanted to go home and help women deal with those stresses. She now serves as the executive director of Women for Afghan Women, where the majority of women seeking shelter come.

"Afghanistan was reborn in 2002," Naderi said. But she cautions that, "you can't build a country in 15 or 16 years. We need a generation, if not more."

I was so overwhelmed by the strength of these young women -- I've never been to Afghanistan, but maybe one day, in the not-too-distant future, I'll have a chance to see more examples of this resilience at work.

As we wrapped up, I turned to Mrs. Bush with a question that I just had to ask. "You've been listening to all of this and you've talked about the resilience of Afghan women," I said. "Where do you think this resilience comes from?"

"I think it's just a basic strength that women and men have," she said. "And fortunately, they've been able to use that, now that things have changed in Afghanistan."

CNN's Nicole Gaouette contributed to this report.
A man's body has been found on the balcony of Melbourne nightclub owner Darren 'Razzle' Thornburgh's home in a tiny Victorian town

A man's body has been found on the verandah of Melbourne nightclub entrepreneur Darren 'Razzle' Thornburgh's home.

Homicide Squad detectives have been sent to Barmah in northern Victoria after the body was found at a home on Evans St about 4.30pm on Monday.

A spokeswoman for Victoria Police told Daily Mail Australia officers were not able to confirm if the man found on the balcony was the owner of the house, but said the death was suspicious.

Property records show the house belongs to Mr Thornburgh, who is the owner of the high-profile Boutique nightclub, which is closed for renovations, the Herald Sun reports.

The nightclub in Prahran was shot at a year ago, while a week later the home of his ex-wife in Port Melbourne was peppered with bullets.

Police told Daily Mail Australia officers could not confirm if the man found was Mr Thornburn, but have called in the Homicide Squad to investigate (Pictured: Mr Thornburgh with Nikki (left) and Paris (right) Hilton)

Detective Inspector David Griffin said at the time he believed the offender or offenders were trying to send a message.

'It would appear that certainly someone is not happy with something that's going on and is clearly trying to send a message,' he told reporters in October last year.

As well as Boutique, Mr Thornburgh owns the local pub, the Barmah Hotel, in the tiny country Victorian town, according to the Herald Sun.

Staff were reportedly questioned by police on Monday afternoon, appearing shaken and upset.

Officers are treating the death in Barmah, a town on the Victoria/New South Wales border with a population of less than 200, as suspicious

Mr Thornburgh (left) owns nightclunb Boutique in Prahran, and local watering hole, the Barmah Hotel

'We're a little community ... we all knew Darren,' one staff member told the newspaper.

'It's very sad and I'm sorry, but we're all just really shocked right now. We can't say any more.'

Barmah, on the border of Victoria and New South Wales, has a population of less than 200.

Last year, the home of Mr Thornburgh's ex-wife (above)in Port Melbourne was peppered with bullets.

In October last year, Mr Thornburgh's ex-wife's home in affluent Port Melbourne was shot at in the early hours of the morning.

Denise Foster and the 13-year-old daughter she shares with Mr Thornburgh, Mia, were inside at the time, but not injured.

The shooting came just a week after Boutique was shot at - though he at the time Mr Thornburgh denied the damage was caused by gunfire, and blamed kids throwing rocks.

Investigations into the body found on Monday afternoon are ongoing, and police urge anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Four bullets were fired at the home before 5am, as Denise and Mia, the 13-year-old daughter she shares with Mr Thornburgh, were sleeping
A Twitter account that wrongly accused a Muslim woman of ignoring the victims of the Westminster terror attack was run from Russia, it has been revealed.

The account @SouthLoneStar shared a photograph of a Muslim woman and accused her of walking past the injured while checking her mobile phone.

It read: 'Muslim woman pays no mind to the terror attack, casually walks by a dying man while checking phone #PrayForLondon #Westminster #BanIslam'

The tweet sparked a backlash against the woman until the photographer revealed that the image had been taken out of context and that she was calling for help.

This is the Tweet which sparked a huge online debate after trolls targeted the innocent woman - with a Russian bot claiming she ignored the victims of the terror attack

However a later frame of the incident shows the Muslim woman to be visibly upset and distressed following the incident

@SouthLoneStar, who described himself as a 'Proud TEXAN and AMERICAN patriot', was then accused of trying to whip-up racial tension in Britain.

It has now been revealed as a Russian bot in a list published by American Democrats, prompting Twitter to shut the account down, according to Wired.

The Muslim woman, who has not been named, was forced to defend herself after the tweet, and said that she had helped victims in the aftermath of the attack.

She said: 'I'm shocked and totally dismayed at how a picture of me is being circulated on social media.

The Muslim woman, who has not been named, was forced to defend herself after the tweet, and said that she had helped victims in the aftermath of the attack

'To those individuals who have interpreted and commented on what my thoughts were in that horrific and distressful moment, I would like to say not only have I been devastated by witnessing the aftermath of a shocking and numbing terror attack, I've also had to deal with the shock of finding my picture plastered all over social media by those who could not look beyond my attire, who draw conclusions based on hate and xenophobia.

'My thoughts at that moment were one of sadness, fear, and concern.

'What the image does not show is that I had talked to other witnesses to try and find out what was happening, to see if I could be of any help, even though enough people were at the scene tending to the victims.

'I then decided to call my family to say that I was fine and was making my way home from work, assisting a lady along the way by helping her get to Waterloo station.

'My thoughts go out to all the victims and their families. I would like to thank Jamie Lorriman, the photographer who took the picture, for speaking to the media in my defence.'

The woman gave her heartfelt account to Tell MAMA, which supports victims of anti-Muslim hate, and they released her statement this afternoon.

It comes after photographer, Mr Lorriman, 28, defended her and said that he thought she looked 'horrified' and 'distressed'.

Months after the terror attack, the account also tweeted: 'I hope UK after #BrexitVote will start to clean their land from Muslim invasion!'
Explosive case: Christopher Langer, 31, has been arrested on a charge of making and possessing a destructive device

Sheriffs deputies investigating a domestic disturbance in Florida on Sunday uncovered a cache of potential explosives, as well as some 200 containers filled with unknown powders, acids and urine.

Detectives with the Volusia County Sheriffs Office, Hazmat units, firefighters and officers with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms were still in the scene in DeBary as of 5.30 am on Monday, more than 13 hours after receiving the initial disturbance call.

According to the sheriffs office, deputies arrived at a home in the 100 block of Bradwick Circle in DeBary at 4.11pm on Sunday after getting a report about an argument between Christopher Langer, 31, and his parents.

During the domestic dispute, a drunk Langer allegedly told his parents that he had placed an explosive substance inside a grenade.

Deputies responded to this home on Bradwick Circle in DeBary, Florida, Sunday after getting a call about a domestic dispute between Langer and his parents

Cache: A search of the property yielded some 200 containers filled with powders, acids and unknown substances (pictured)

Odd collection: Many of the bottles pictured above turned out to contain urine

Unstable: The sheriff's office tweeted that Langer 'had all the ingredients to make bombs

Langer allegedly told deputies he wanted to target first responders. Pictured: a plastic bag filled with aluminium sulfate

Evidence: Plastic bags containing what looks like powder were seized from the DeBary home

When a responding deputy asked the suspect about the grenade, Langer at first denied its existence, but he later admitted that he had thrown the explosive device outside the house, and he offered to show the deputy its location.

A subsequent search of the property turned up a metal pineapple-style grenade with a paperclip in place to hold the lever and keep it from exploding.

Deputies evacuated the house and executed a search warrant, which led to the discovery of some 200 containers inside the residence holding unknown powders, acids and other materials.

Many of them have been determined not to be bomb-making materials but bodily fluids, according to the sheriffs office.

A bomb-detecting robot used to examine a hole in the back yard discovered a small explosive device, and a second possible explosive device was found in a lunchbox.

Sinister: An X-ray image of what the sheriff's office said was an explosive device rigged inside a SpongeBob SquarePants lunchbox

Light reading: Among the suspect's reading materials seized during the search were 1960s-era tactical manuals from the US Department of the Army

Pictured: A box containing wire, tools and a manual on guerrilla warfare

Deputies seized a respirator from Langer's home during Sunday's search

Some neighboring houses were evacuated in the initial stages of the investigation, but those residents were allowed back in their homes Sunday evening.

Langer has been charged with making and possessing a destructive device and was transported to the Volusia County Branch Jail, where he was ordered held on $5,000 bail. Additional charges are possible pending the outcome of the investigation.

Past sins: Langer was arrested in October on charges of dealing in stolen property and grand theft

At a press conference Monday morning, Volusia County Sheriff Michael Chitwood said Langer told deputies he wanted to target first responders.

The Chitwood also revealed that the 31-year-old was a drug addict and had marijuana and hallucinogenic mushrooms growing in his home.

The sheriff's office tweeted that Langer 'had all the ingredients to make bombs.

According to photos shared by the office, among the suspect's reading materials seized during the search were 1960s-era manuals from the US Department of the Army on subjects like 'Guerilla Warfare and Special Forces Operations; 'Unconventional Warefare Devices and Techniques: Incendiaries'; 'Silences: Principles and Evaluations', and 'Boobytraps.'

A series of photos showed some of the plastic containers removed from the DeBary home with labels identifying their contents, including sulfur'; 'sulfaric acid'; 'nitric acid' and 'aluminium sulfate.'

A photo from Langer's Facebook page shows the man wearing the same respirator seized on Sunday and holding a glass container with a dark liquid

Specialists working at the scene seized at least four potentially explosive devices, one of which, according to the sheriffs office, was rigged inside a SpongeBob SquarePants lunchbox.

Online records show that Langer was arrested in October on charges of dealing in stolen property and grand theft.
A convicted sex predator has been arrested after California cold case detectives found DNA evidence linking him to the murder of a 19-year-old woman more than 40 years ago.

Leon Melvin Seymour, 71, was charged with murder on Wednesday in the April 1976 stabbing death of Denise Lampe, 19, in Daly City, California.

Prosecutors said that Seymour was formally charged with the murder after new DNA analysis of a blood stain on Lampe's jacket showed a match with Seymour's DNA.

Leon Melvin Seymour, 71, (left) was charged with the April 1976 murder of Denise Lampe, 19, after cold case detectives found his DNA in a blood stain on Lampe's jacket

'Were grateful to have the clarity that DNA evidence brings us,' said San Mateo County Chief Deputy District Attorney Karen Guidotti , according to The Mercury News.

'Mr. Seymour can finally be brought to justice. Something he has avoided for many, many years.'

At the time of his arrest, Seymour was already an 'inmate-patient' at Coalinga State Hospital. He had been civilly committed to the state mental hospital as a sexually violent predator following a 33-year prison sentence for the assault of six women. The charges, which date back to the 1970s, included kidnapping, rape and attempted sodomy.

Lampe was killed on April 1, 1976 following her shift at Macy's at the Serramonte Mall in Daly City. She was supposed to meet a friend after work, but never made it to the appointment.

Local police said that her body was found in her car  a 1964- Mustang  which was in the shopping mall's parking lot between the Macy's and Denny's restaurant.

In 1976, Lampe was found fatally stabbed in her car in the parking lot of the Serramonte Mall in Daly City, California, following her shift at Macy's

Lampe's death was one of five unsolved, suspected serial killer murders of young women that occurred over a five month period in 1976 in San Mateo County, which were dubbed the 'Gypsy Hill murders.' A sixth woman was found dead in Reno, Nevada, that year, bearing striking similarities to the Gypsy Hill victims.

In 2013, the FBI said there was a possibility that the six murders were connected to each other as the victims were all stabbed multiple times and likely raped before they died.

Two years later, authorities arrested Rodney Halbower after DNA evidence tied him to two of the five Gypsy Hill murders, as well as the Reno slaying. Halbower was 66 when he was arrested and already in prison in Oregon on a different attempted murder conviction.

Halbower was charged with two counts of murder and special circumstance of murder during the course of a rape in the deaths of two Gypsy Hill victims who were ages 17 and 18.

He is expected to go to trial over the new murder charges on January 8.

After tying Halbower to the Gypsy Hill murders, cold case detectives realized that Lampe's death must have been committed by another person, since Halbower was already in jail at the time of her death, the San Mateo Daily Journal reported.

Prosecutors said that there was no evidence indicating that Halbower and Seymour knew each other.

Seymour is held on $10million bail in Lampe's death.
A Vietnam veteran broke down and began crying on President Donald Trump's shoulder after speaking about his fallen comrades.

Max Morgan stood beside Trump in Danang, Vietnam on Friday as the President marked his first Veterans Day in office.

Trump had traveled to Danang, the site of an American air base during the war, and met with seven vets who had returned to the country where they lost comrades.

Scroll down for video

President Trump hugged crying veteran Max Morgan in Danang, Vietnam on Friday after he broke down speaking of his fallen comrades

Saluting the American veterans, Trump said: 'I got to know them for a few minutes upfront, and they are definitely tough, smart cookies. We like them. I think they like me too.'

He then encouraged the veterans, organized by a group called The Greatest Generation Foundation, to speak.

Several praised Trump, including Morgan, who began to cry as he talked about fallen veterans.

'Mr President, from my heart, thank you for your support of the military, and it's an honor to be here as one of seven Vietnam veterans representing the 58,000 heroes who never made it home,' said Morgan, of Santa Clarita, California.

Morgan, of Santa Clarita, California, had praised Trump before he began to cry when he mentioned the 58,000 fallen veterans who never returned from Vietnam

Morgan's voice cracked and he began to cry as he talked about fallen veterans

Trump reached out to hug Morgan and they embraced for several moments in front of fellow veterans and US soldiers

Trump, who at times appears to struggle with displaying empathy, reached out to hug a crying Morgan.

They embraced for a few moments as Trump clapped the vet on the back.

Trump signed a proclamation as Morgan and his fellow vets watched on that honored Vietnam War veterans, calling them 'the heroes who fulfill your duty to our nation.'

He was in Danang as part of his lengthy trip through Asia to attend an international summit.
A sleeping shopkeeper suffered a rude awakening at the hands of a bungling thief - before chasing him off with a sword.

Footage taken in Bukittinggi, West Sumatra, shows a motorcycle helmet-wearing crook tentatively step into the shop shortly before 4.30am on November 1.

He spots the shopkeeper fast asleep behind the counter before leaning over and helping himself to some money.

The opportunist thief walked into the shop just before 4.30am and spotted his chance when he saw the shopkeeper had nodded off

He leans over and grabs some money from the counter but goes back for more and decides to try for the cash tray

He rolls up his sleeve and, after checking the shopkeeper is still asleep, carefully pulls the cash draw out

The greedy thief then rolls up his sleeve and tries to remove the cash draw full of the shop's takings - but it slips from his grasp and falls to the floor.

The startled shopkeeper jolts awake and the thief makes a run for it before being chased out by the worker who has pulled a huge sword from behind the counter.

The thief escapes on his bike, getting away with 100,000 rupiahs, or less than 6.

The shopkeeper, who had ran out onto the forecourt, trundles back to his seat and places the sword on the counter in front of him.

But at the crucial moment the cash draw slips from the thief's hand - making a racket loud enough to wake up the slumbering shopkeeper

The thief wastes no time and sprints out of the shop, while the shocked shopkeeper takes several seconds to realise what is happening

The shopkeeper grabs a huge sword from underneath the counter and after looking around, shuffles to the door
A pair of former lovers shared eerily similar fates after being lured to their deaths using electronic dating services.

Brian Betts and O'Neil McGean met in the 1990s and dated for more than a decade before splitting up, Betts going to Maryland and McGean to Mexico.

But in 2010 Betts was killed in his home by a gang of teens who set him up using a gay chat line before robbing and shooting him.

McGean, who had attended his funeral, was then killed in Sinaloa state last year after going to meet a man he was introduced to on a dating app.

Brian Betts and O'Neil McGean met in the 1990s (pictured) and dated for more than a decade before splitting up. They shared grisly an eerily similar ends after they were both lured to their deaths using electronic dating

Betts, a middle-school principal, was shot dead in his Maryland home by a group of teens who set him up using a chat line, prompting warnings that the LGBT community was being targeted

That is despite the fact that he had vowed to be careful with online dating after Betts' tragic death, reports the Washington Post.

Betts was shot dead at his home in Silver Spring by Alante Saunders after the 19-year-old had trawled a chat line claiming to be looking for dates, reports from the time state.

The middle-school principal had agreed to meet Saunders at his home, leaving the door unlocked so he could enter.

But Saunders and his accomplices burst in an robbed Betts before shooting him and leaving him to die.

Saunders was eventually sentenced to 40 years in jail after admitting setting up the robbery for drug money and shooting Betts, though said the gun went off by accident and he hadn't meant to kill anyone.

The case caused concern among the LGBT community in Maryland and even led to warnings being issued that gay people were being targeted, the Daily Beast reports.

In October last year McGean suffered a similar fate after he began using a gay dating app and agreed to meet another man at a hotel in the town of Mazatlan, Mexico, where he had been living.

He subsequently vanished, along with $16,000 of his money, before his former lover turned business partner Jorge Guillen Gonzalez began getting ransom demands via text message.

Six years later McGean was killed after going to meet a men he was introduced to on a dating app. Police believe he was actually set up by his former lover turned business partner Jorge Guillen Gonzalez, who denies the charges

Police believe McGean was kidnapped as part of a ransom plot but his kidnappers beat him so badly they killed him - before burying his body in a yard under concrete

The texts continued for several days before the kidnappers went quiet, and McGean's body was later found buried under fresh concrete.

Police now believe Gonzalez was lured into a kidnap plot by Gonzalez and three other men - Luis David Soto, Carlos Ramon Anguiano and Joel Carrillo Anguiano.

But investigators say the gang messed up - beating McGean so badly both of his lungs were punctured and he died.

They say Gonzalez and his accomplices then rolled McGean's body up in a hotel curtain, stuffed him in a suitcase and then buried him in a yard across town.

Gonzalez, Soto and Carlos Augiano have since been arrested and charged over the murder, while Joel Anguiano - a relative of Carlos - is on the run.

Gonzales, who founded a cafe with McGean in Mazatlan in 2014, has denied the charges, saying Carlos was tortured into naming him.

Relatives now fear that the case will come to nothing amid accusations the police rushed their initial investigation, couple with the previous governor of Sinaloa being voted out of office.

The new governor owns the hotel where O'Neil was last seen, brother Donnie said.
This is the shocking moment a worker plummeted down a lift shaft after stepping into a faulty elevator during work in Shenzhen, southeast China.

His colleague was shocked and called emergency service immediately.

The 37-year-old man suffered serious brain injuries and had to rely on life support machines to breathe.

Mr Cai, pictured, was waiting the lift to be open to send the goods up in an industrial building

According to Southern Metropolis Daily, the delivery men, Mr Cai and Mr Liu, were trying to transport goods from the ground floor to the fifth floor in an industrial building in Lo Wu, Shenzhen, on November 7.

Surveillance camera footage shows Mr Cai waiting in the front of the lift doors and pushing it open.

Seconds after, he stepped in and fell into the bottom of the shaft.

It's reported that the lift was stopping at the fifth floor, rather than the ground floor.

Mr Liu, who was next to Mr Cai, held the door open and called emergency services.

As soon as the doors open, Mr Cai steps in and falls into the shaft as the platform was not there

He plunged to the bottom of the shaft (left) and his colleague (right) called paramedics

Mr Liu explained to the reporter: 'The lift shaft is about five metres deep (16.4 feet) and he fell into it within two seconds.

'This is not the first time the goods lift has malfunctioned. The indicator lights are broken, and the doors are not closing properly.'

The security guard was said to be not on duty when the incident happened.

Dr Liu from Shenzhen People's Hospital told the reporter that Mr Cai had had a traumatic brain injury and triggered a degeneration in his brain cells.

The patient was also found to have cuts and wounds all over his body that he would have to rely on a ventilator to breathe.

Mr Cai was remained unconscious after the surgery and stayed in the intensive care units.

Southern Metropolis Daily reporter visited the industrial building on November 10 and found the lift was put on a notice issued by Market and Quality Supervision Commission of Shenzhen Municipality and Lo Wu Market Management Bureau.

The incident is due for further investigation.
Zana Yusif, 32, killed vulnerable Bangladeshi grandfather Tarek Chowdhury in a cell at Colnbrook Immigration Removal Centre

A violent Iraqi illegal immigrant, who beat a fellow inmate to death in a detention centre after taking Spice for the first time, has been jailed for 15 years.

Zana Yusif, 32, killed vulnerable Bangladeshi grandfather Tarek Chowdhury in a cell at Colnbrook Immigration Removal Centre in London on December 1 last year, after taking the zombie drug.

The defendant, who had only arrived at the centre two days before, stopped taking his medication and ingested Spice before attacking 'soft, gentle and polite' Mr Chowdhury, 64.

Yusif had gone to his cell wearing no trousers and asked for a light then punched 5ft 2ins tall Mr Chowdhury with severe force up to 12 times when he failed to respond.

The victim, who did not understand much English, died in hospital following the 'vicious' assault at the centre in Harmondsworth, West Drayton, Greater London.

After being charged with murder, Yusif was violent towards inmates and staff while on remand at Wormwood Scrubs.

He pleaded guilty to manslaughter by diminished responsibility and was jailed at the Old Bailey to 15 years with a further five years on extended licence.

Judge Richard Marks QC said Spice was a drug which was associated with 'auditory hallucinations' and led to 'aggressive behaviour'.

He told Yusif: 'It is clearly the case your ingestion of Spice the day before these events must have played a significant part in your actions in carrying out this killing.

'Even if it was the first time you have taken Spice it was in my judgment a gravely irresponsible thing for you to have done.'

The judge said it was a 'vicious and sustained attack' on a defenceless man, adding: 'I have absolutely no doubt at the conclusion of this sentence the defendant should be deported.'

The court heard how the victim had come to Britain around 2003 because of his political beliefs and had been separated from his wife and two daughters.

When authorities found him working illegally in a fish and chip shop in the West Midlands, where he has extended family, he was told to leave the country.

His sister-in-law, Forida Habib, who had attended court hearings, said the family had been caught in a 'vice of horror and pain'.

Before his 'brutal and avoidable' death, his family in Bangladesh had been looking forward to being reunited with him, but when he was returned in a coffin, he was 'unrecognisable'.

She said: 'He was a quiet man and we never thought anything like this would happen to him as he would never hurt anyone.'

'The fact his death was so brutal and avoidable has made his death harder to deal with.'

Since finding more about Yusif's mental and criminal history, they were 'struggling' to come to terms with the fact he died 'somewhere where he was supposed to be safe', she said.

The victim, who did not understand much English, died in hospital following the 'vicious' assault at the centre in Harmondsworth, West Drayton, Greater London

The court heard how Yusif had been smuggled into the country in the back of a lorry at the age of 17 to avoid being conscripted into the Iraqi army.

He lived in London mainly on state benefits or working at a supermarket and racked up convictions for 33 offences of dishonesty, violence and harassment.

He had mental health problems and smoked skunk cannabis which made his condition worse, the court heard.

Prosecutor Jake Hallam QC said he failed to tell the Home Office about his convictions and was issued with a deportation notice in 2014.

He was held at Colnbrook as his disruptive behaviour repeatedly thwarted efforts to deport him on flights.

Other inhabitants of the facility run by Premier Detention Services were wary of the defendant and had nicknamed him 'bad man', the court heard.

Detective Inspector James Stevenson, of Scotland Yard, said: 'Mr Chowdhury was viciously set upon by another detainee, and the ferocity of the attack ultimately led to his death.

'Yusif admitted to his role in the attack and has today been jailed and cannot pose a danger to others.'
Fed and feeder cattle cash prices have been strong this fall, much to the surprise of many in the industry. At the same time, live and feeder cattle futures also pushed into new contract highs to start November, with prices in the deferred contracts looking very positive into 2018.

Some analysts have attributed the strength to the extremely long position held by the hedge and index funds, while others are pointing to the rally in the stock market. However, according to industry participants there are many other factors.

The good news is after a tough couple of years, the strong calf prices are leaving many cattle producers optimistic about the future. In fact, many say prices for calves are substantially higher than last fall.

Curt Meidinger, a cattle producer from Zeeland, was very pleased with the prices he received when he recently sold his calves at Herreid Livestock Auction.

You have calf prices now that are probably $20 to $40, even $50 a hundredweight higher than last year in some of them light cattle, so its a significant jump, he says.

Myron Williams, a Wall, S.D., cattle producer had the same experience.

Surprising these calves are bringing $200 to $300 more a head this year than they did last year, he says. Williams says this is especially positive for producers who sold calves early due to drought in the state.

In addition, there have been some good profits for the feedlots the first part of 2017 after a considerable amount of red ink in parts of 2015 and 2016.

Cody Vollmer, who owns Presho Livestock Auction in Presho, S.D., says some of the margins are the best he has seen in his lifetime.

There were some instances of $500 to $600 head profits and some of your strict hedgers were maybe down in that $200 to $250, he says.

Those strong feedlot closeouts are driving the demand for calves this fall, as well as low corn prices.

The only way to really try to get $3, $3.25 or a half for this corn is going to feed it, and that in turn has created quite a bit of demand for these calves, especially the heavy ones, says Steve Hellwig, co-owner of Hub City Livestock Auction in Aberdeen, S.D.

Strong packer margins have also been driving the strong demand for calves and yearlings.

Packers are making about $175 to $185 a head, and thats sure a plus and as long as theyre making some money, says Joe Vetter, with Herreid Livestock Auction in Herreid, S.D. I think we can see pretty good support in the feeder end of it.

The surprise has been the strength of the cattle market in the face of increasing herd numbers. Keith Eichler, an Aberdeen cattle producers, says feedlots have been moving cattle at lower weights rather than hold onto them, which is helping.

"Placements have been a lot highers, and I understand that, but if you look at numbers for numbers, the marketings have been very close and that's very encouraging," he says.

The other big factor is the strong consumer demand. Mike Maher is a cow-calf producer from Isabel, S.D., and is on South Dakota Stock Growers Association board.

Our numbers, according to the reports, are higher than they were a year ago, and tonnage is up, but the demand they seem to be able to sell the product, he says.

Meidinger agrees that domestic and international demand has played a large role.

I think demand has held up, our export market has definitely helped us a lot, he says.

Vetter says the retail beef prices have also remained steady, which has stimulated consumer buying interest in beef.

You see the prices in the store hanging in there, and theyre moving it real good, he says.

All of these factors leave many in the industry optimistic about the cattle market ahead.

I think were probably going to be looking at a pretty steady market on these feeders, fat cattle down the road. I think are going to get somewhat stronger, says Vetter.

Hellwig is also upbeat about the outlook for the cattle market. Hopefully things stay the course. ... Im very optimistic that the end of 2017 moving into 18 could be pretty profitable here, he says.

As a cattle producer, Maher is hopeful for steady prices so everyone in the business can stay profitable:

We had a high in 14, and that was maybe unrealistic, but weve seen the low last year. Maybe it will bounce back somewhere in between where everyone can make a few dollars.
Medieval art professor Jaime Lara was asked to resign from his post at Arizona State University after the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn revealed last week that he had been defrocked more than 25 years ago for sexually abusing children

A well-respected research professor at Arizona State University has resigned after the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn revealed last week that he had been defrocked more than 25 years ago for sexually abusing children.

University officials requested that Jaime Lara step down from his post after they learned of his history as a priest. His resignation was tendered Thursday, The Arizona Republic first reported.

Lara was ordained in 1973 and was in active ministry until 1992 when he was removed from the priesthood by the Vatican. The information was posted Wednesday on the diocese website along with the names of seven other former clerics who had been removed from priesthood.

It was between 1979 and 1981 that Lara is accused of sexually abusing three children ranging in age from 9 to 11 years old at St. Francis Xavier Church in Brooklyn, according to the victims attorney, Mitchell Garabedian.

Kept in the dark: Administrators at Arizona State University apparently did not know about Lara's past when he joined the faculty in 2013 as a professor of medieval art studies

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn listed Lara among eight priests who were defrocked by the Vatican

'My clients are trying to gain a degree of closure and move on with their lives,' he said, adding that the university failed to fully vet Laras history. 'Unfortunately, his stature in the community, however false, was not a surprise to me.'

Garabedian, who was portrayed in the Academy Award-winning film Spotlight about Boston Globe's investigation into clergy sexual abuse and cover-up, said the alleged victims in the case against Lara are involved in settlement discussions.

Among Garabedian's clients in this case is 48-year-old Richard Gonzalez, who told The New York Times last week that he was 11 years old and attending a summer program in Park Slope, Brooklyn, when a man he knew as Father Lara began molesting him.

'He wanted me to kiss him, he would get on top of me, he would say you can do better than that,' Gonzalez told the paper. 'He would make me touch him in his private parts.'

As the abuse continued into his teenage years, Gonzalez said he dropped out of high school, and he later attempted to commit suicide.

While serving as a priest between 1973 and 1992, Lara (pictured left) was head of the altar boys at St Francis Xavier in Brooklyn

Educator: After being barred from the church, Lara started teaching in Colombia, and in 1995, he began working as an adjunct professor at Yale

Another alleged victim said Father Lara molested him from the time he was 11 years old until he entered college. Now aged 52, the man recalled that the priest, who served as chaplain of the Boy Scouts and head of the altar boys at St Francis Xavier in Brooklyn, favored Hispanic boys.

Advocate: Attorney Mitchell Garabedian (pictured) represents several victims in the case agaisnt Jaime Lara

After being barred from the church, Lara started teaching in Colombia. In 1995, he began working as an adjunct professor at Yale, where he gained recognition and was published extensively before his departure in 2009

During his tenure at the Ivy League college, Lara published five books and won awards and fellowships in his field of research.

Administrators at Arizona State University apparently did not know about his cleric past when he joined the faculty in 2013 as a professor of medieval and Renaissance studies.

An extensive listing of his experience and qualifications posted on a university webpage does not mention his time in active ministry. That page was no longer available Monday morning.

The Republic reported that it was unclear whether the university would conduct any follow-up investigations into Lara or the process through which he was hired.

There are no reports of abuse during his time at ASU, the university said.

Lara taught four courses focusing on art and religion up until the spring semester of 2016, the State Press reported.
Advertisement

Stunning new photographs which show how British families coped at home during World War II have been revealed in a new book.

Black-and-white images taken at the time of the conflict shows the brutal reality endured by British civilians during and in the run up to the war, with one of the most striking pictures showing how people hid in trenches in the the village of Burnham Norton, Norfolk.

Some of the other images in the book show the moment the German airship Graf Zeppelin flew dangerously over the British coast in 1931 - eight years before World War II had started - and a group of Norwich City Engineers wear gas masks for decontamination in 1939.

More shocking images shows a desperate family making their way to a newly dug-in Anderson Shelter in Newcastle. The picture is in stark contrast to a loving portrait of a wartime couple on their wedding day.

A London taxi cab being used in an anti-aircraft role by the Home Guards. Three men aim their rifles up towards the sky in an affect to bring down or damage a German plane

A group of men from the Norwich City Engineers Decontamination Squad with their gas masks on posing with signs which read 'Danger gas'

A group of men dressed in suits wear and test out their World War II issue gas masks during a demonstration

The images are found in a new book called 'The Home Front in World War Two' by Neil R. Storey and Fiona Kay.

Mr Storey is an award winning social historian who has studied the affects of war on British society in the first 50 years of the 20th century.

He said: 'It's now over eighty years since the storm clouds of the Second World War began to gather over Europe and those who lived through those times and endured the war on the Home Front are sadly beginning to fade away.

'I have encountered people who query why we need to remember or even pose the question, "why dig that all up again?" I argue sometimes victory is taken for granted. Britain was not invaded but it was a close-run thing.

'The people of countries that were occupied, like France, Belgium and Holland, who experienced life under the heel of the Nazi jackboot and knew what it was to be liberated, teach their children to remember the sacrifices of the past and respect the cost of freedom.'

A little boy sits among the rubble of his blitzed London home holding his teddy bear. People in the background behind him can be seen examining the devastation caused by the bombing

Air Raid Warden pose for a picture in early 1940s. Air Raid Wardens' Service that was to report on bombing incidents. Every local council was responsible for organising ARP wardens, messengers, ambulance drivers, rescue parties and liaison with police and fire brigades.

A YMCA mobile canteen dishes out teas to workers. Between 50 and 85 million people perished during the war- making it the most deadly conflict in human history

Ready for the off! Evacuees with their gas masks, clothes and personal objects packed into their named pillowcases

A wartime wedding of an American serviceman and his British bride arm in arm during the height of the conflict in 1944

Despite World War Two starting on September 1, 1939, and finishing on September 2, 1945, some related conflicts were rumbling on long before the official start date.

Between 50 and 85 million people perished during the war- making it the most deadly conflict in human history.

Some of the most notable conflicts of the campaign included the Battle of Britain and the Blitz bombings. The former was a valiant military campaign by the RAF, who defended the UK against the onslaught from the German air force between July 10 to October 31, 1940.

The Blitz was the bombing campaign on British shores by German forces between 1940 and 1941, with the aim of severely damaging Britain's production and wartime capabilities.

'I consider it a privilege to have grown up knowing some of the last of those who served or lived through both world wars and as a historian I have specialised in the study of the impact of twentieth-century warfare on British society for over twenty-five years,' Neil said.

'This book does not set out to be an encyclopaedic tome, but I hope it will provide a timely and useful volume for anyone approaching the subject for the first time, those researching local or family history or wishing to obtain a concise overview of the topic filled with the handy facts, statistics and stories about the British Home Front.'

The Home Front in World War Two will be published by Amberley Publishing on November 15, 2017, and is available here.

A newly dug-in Anderson Shelter at The Ball Lonnen, Fenham, Newcastle, 1939. People would be warned about an imminent attacks and seek shelter in the bunkers

This narrow public shelter trench for the village of Burnham Norton, Norfolk, 1938 was dug out as a precaution ahead of the war

Men of the 8th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers (TA), in 1939. Despite World War Two starting on September 1, 1939, and finishing on September 2, 1945, some related conflicted were rumbling on long the official start date

This is the errie moment the huge German airship Graf Zepplin flew dangerous and ominosly close to the British coast in 1931 - eight years before the official start of the Second World War

A group of evacuees arrive in East Anglia from London on September 1, 1939 - the same day that World War II was declared

One of the many street party's which took place up and down Britain during VE Day in May 1945, which marked the official surrender of the German
Madrid claims Russia interfered in Catalonia's 'illegal' referendum by promoting independence on social media using fake accounts.

Spanish ministers said they had evidence that Russian groups used social media to massively publicise the separatist cause and swing public opinion in the run-up to the referendum last month.

Spain's defence and foreign ministers claims this was a calculated attempt to destabilise Spain, adding that the Russian groups were both private and state-run.

Fuelled by trolls? Madrid says they have found proof Russian fake accounts were used ahead of the referendum to stoke the separatist cause

Catalonia's separatist leaders have denied that Russian interference helped them in the vote.

'What we know today is that much of this came from Russian territory,' Spanish Defence Minister Maria Dolores de Cospedal said of Russian-based internet support.

'These are groups that, public and private, are trying to influence the situation and create instability in Europe,' she told reporters at a meeting of EU foreign and defence ministers in Brussels.

Asked if Madrid was certain of the accusations, Spanish Foreign Minister Alfonso Dastis, also at the meeting, said: 'Yes, we have proof.'

Dastis said Spain had detected false accounts on social media, half of which were traced back to Russian so-called 'troll factories', and another 30 percent to Venezuela, created to amplify the benefits of the separatist cause by re-publishing messages and posts.

Spain's defence and foreign ministers said Russia and Venezuela had both tried to meddle in the swing public opinion towards an independent Catalonia

Ramon Tremosa, the EU lawmaker for the PDeCat party of Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont, repeated on Monday that Russian interference had played no part in the referendum.

'Those that say Russia is helping Catalonia are those that have helped the Russian fleet in recent years, despite the EU's boycott,' Tremosa tweeted, referring to Spanish media reports that Spain was allowing Russian warships to refuell at its ports.

Those who voted in the referendum opted overwhelmingly for independence. But turnout was only about 43 percent as Catalans who favour remaining part of Spain mainly boycotted the ballot.

The separatist vote has plunged Spain, the euro zone's fourth-biggest economy, into its worst constitutional crisis since its return to democracy in the 1970s.

Dastis said he had raised the issue with the Kremlin.

Moscow has repeatedly denied any such interference and accuses the West of a campaign to discredit Russia.

NATO believes Moscow is involved in a deliberately ambiguous strategy of information warfare and disinformation to try to divide the West and break its unity over economic sanctions imposed on Russia following its 2014 annexation of Crimea.

U.S. intelligence agencies concluded in January that Russia interfered in the U.S. election to try to help President Donald Trump defeat rival Hillary Clinton by hacking and releasing emails and spreading propaganda via social media.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, who attended the EU meeting in Brussels, declined to comment on Spain's accusations, but the alliance's top commander said last week that Russian interference was a concern.

NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Gen. Curtis Scaparotti said 'Russian malign influence' was trying to sway elections and other decisions in the West, describing it as a 'destabilisation campaign,' although he did not directly address the Catalonia referendum. (Additional reporting by Angus Berwick in Spain; Editing by Richard Balmforth)
Mahad Abdiaziz Abdirahaman, 20, was arrested on Sunday evening accused of stabbing two men in a Macy's dressing room at the Mall of America in Minnesota

The 20-year-old suspect accused of stabbing two men at the Mall of America in Minnesota has been identified.

Mahad Abdiaziz Abdirahaman, of Minneapolis, was arrested on Sunday evening after the stabbing in the dressing room area of the Mall of America's Macy's.

Police say one victim was stabbed after confronting Abdirahaman who was allegedly trying to steal his belongings from the dressing room.

The second victim, who was believed to be a family member or friend of the other victim, was stabbed after intervening.

Abdirahaman, who is currently being held on two counts of probable cause first-degree assault, was pictured in his mugshot bruised and bloodied.

The incident took place near where shocked shoppers were lining up to see Santa Claus.

Abdirahaman, of Minneapolis, was arrested on Sunday evening after the stabbing in the dressing room area of the Mall of America's Macy's (pictured above)

Police said the first victim was stabbed after he returned to the dressing room and confronted a man attempting to steal his belongings

Police described it as an 'interrupted theft'.

Authorities said both stabbing victims suffered non-life-threatening injuries. They were transported to the Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis for treatment.

Police said they don't believe the suspect knew the victims.

The Mall of America said in a statement that their 'thoughts are with the families involved'.

While the Macy's store closed early, the Mall of America stayed open and was not placed on lockdown.

Deputy Chief Mike Hartley says the rest of the patrons were not in any danger.

The Mall of America has more than 520 stores and attractions that include an amusement park and an indoor zip line.
A couple who first welcomed one child, and then twins, are now expecting triplets.

Nia and Robert Tolbert of Waldorf, Maryland, were in shock to discover they were expecting three girls during a routine prenatal doctor's visit back in August.

The nurse asked Nia if twins ran in her family, leading the 28-year-old mom to believe she was having twins again.

She got up to use the bathroom and when she returned, the nurse told her that she was in fact carrying three babies.

Nia and Robert Tolbert of Waldorf, Maryland, were in shock to find that they were expecting three girls during a routine prenatal doctor's visit back in August (Pictured, left to right: Nia, six-year-old Shai, twins Riley and Alexander, and Robert)

The Tolberts currently have a six-year-old son named Shai (left) and two-year-old twin boys, Riley and Alexander (right)

While twins occur in about one in 30 births, less than one in 1,000 births are triplets from a natural pregnancy (Pictured, Nia, left at 21 weeks pregnant with triplets and right, at 30 weeks pregnant with twins)

Niia shared the news with her husband by giving him a gift bag containing the triplets' songograms (pictured) and three onesies numbered one, two, and three

Mrs Tolbert, a yoga instructor, said she had never expected to see three babies in the sonogram - but they are all now excited to meet the new arrivals.

She said: 'We have a six-year-old boy, Shai and twins Riley & Alexander, both aged two.

'Robert and I have always joked about having a large family, but we did not plan to have any more pregnancies after the twins. But we were in for a surprise.

'Shai was born in 2011, Robert and I were married in 2014, and our honeymoon babies arrived in 2015.

In August of this year we discovered we were expecting again, and shortly thereafter discovered we were expecting multiples - again.

'I told the technician I never thought I'd see 'baby C' on sonogram Not ever in my life.

'I shared the news with Robert via a love note, the sonogram pictures and 3 onesies labelled 1, 2, 3.

'Once I arrived in Tampa later that day for girls trip, I was finally able to get in touch with him and he shared that he was happy, but he'd 'fainted!'

'Since then, we've just been making adjustments and space for our three little blessings arriving soon!'

While twins occur in about one in 30 births, less than one in 1,000 births are triplets from a natural pregnancy.

Dr Rami Tabbarah, an OBGYN at Inova Women's Hospital, told WUSA9 that several factors play a role in producing multiples - a woman's height, heredity, ethnicity and age.

Both Nia and Rob have multiples in their families, and Nia also learned she hyperovulates, which means more than one egg is released at the same time.

'Hyperovulation is very rare,' Dr Tabbarah said. 'Eight people out of 1,000 [in the US] might be hyperovulators and those will be the people that get the twins.'

Mrs Tolbert, a yoga instructor, said she had never expected to see three babies in the sonogram - but they are all now excited to meet the new arrivals

Both Nia and Robert have multiples in their families, and Nia also learned she hyperovulates which means more than one egg is releasedat the same time (Pictured, Nia and Robert at the baby shower for their oldest son, Shai)

Nia decided to share the big news with her husband of three years, Robert, 31, with a gift bag containing a handwritten note (Pictured, Nia and Robert at the birth of their twins)

Robert told ABC News that at first he thought the gift bag contained a Fitbit, since he'd been hinting at getting one for weeks (Pictured, twins Riley and Alexander)

Nia decided to share the big news with her husband of three years, Robert, 31 with a gift bag containing a handwritten note.

Robert told ABC News that at first he thought the gift bag contained a Fitbit, since he'd been hinting at getting one for weeks.

On a handwritten card, Nia had written: 'Please accept this gift from me and God.'

On a handwritten card, Nia (pictured, pregnant with triplets) had written: 'Please accept this gift from me and God'

'Oh I passed out. I hit the bed. I blinked twice, when I woke up I saw that some time had elapsed on the clock,' Robert joked (Pictured, twins Riley and Alexander, and Shai)

Despite the initial confusion and panic, the parents say they're looking forward to their growing family. The triplets are due in March (Pictured left to right: Shai and twins Riley and Alexander)

Robert opened the bag and found a sonogram and three onesies numbered one, two, and three.

'Oh I passed out. I hit the bed. I blinked twice, when I woke up I saw that some time had elapsed on the clock,' he joked.

Despite the initial confusion and panic, the parents say they're looking forward to their growing family. The triplets are due in March.

'We're already planning for our new household. It's going to be equally balanced now - with three little girls and three little boys,' Nia said.

'But we're not too concerned. I know we're not going to sleep for a couple years, our grocery bill is going to go up, and our house is not going to be quiet and that's OK.'

Nia decided to share the big news with her husband of three years, Robert, 31 with a gift bag containing a handwritten note
An EU army moved a major step closer today as 23 member states signed up to an historic pledge to join forces despite warnings it could undermine Nato.

Britain - which is leaving the EU anyway - and Denmark have refused to take part on defence grounds.

Poland, currently home to Nato forces guarding Europe's eastern frontier against Russian aggression, signed up at the last moment to 'permanent structured co-operation', or Pesco.

Poland demanded the new organisation not be 'competitive' with Nato before signing up to the plan. The agreement is set to be finalised at next month's meeting of EU leaders.

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini (pictured today at the Foreign Affairs Council) described it as a 'historic moment in European defence' as 23 EU nations signed up to joint defence

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini described it as a 'historic moment in European defence', and added that '23 member states engaging both on capabilities and on operational steps is something big'.

Those who did not sign up can join later. Ireland, Portugal and Malta have also not signed up.

Ms Mogherini said countries have already submitted more than 50 joint projects in the fields of defence capabilities and military operations.

Britain can take part in some if they are of benefit to the entire EU.

Ms Mogherini said Pesco, backed by the EU defence fund, 'will enable member states to use the economy of scale of Europe and in this manner to fulfil the gap of output that we have'.

Their signatures are a sign of political will but the programme will only enter force once it has been legally endorsed, probably in December.

German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel lauded the agreement as 'a great step towards self-sufficiency and strengthening the European Union's security and defence policy - really a milestone in European development'.

Under the co-operation, member countries will submit an action plan outlining their defence aims.

Ukip leader Henry Bolton said: 'The military intentions of Jean-Claude Juncker are clear: centralised authority and political control over the armed forces and defence expenditure of EU member states. Under no circumstances must the UK to enter such a scheme.

'The UK must preserve its own, full spectrum and sovereign military capabilities free from external control.

'Whilst we will cooperate with and support our friends and allies to ensure collective security, we must protect the integrity of the NATO alliance and our own ability to defend ourselves.'

Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg attended today's meeting of EU foreign ministers (pictured)

Ms Mogherini, EU military chiefs and the European Defence Agency will then evaluate whether the plans are being respected.

Those not living up to their commitments could be kicked out of the group.

EU officials insist this is not just bureaucratic co-operation, but real investment that will help develop Europe's defence industry and spur research and development in military capabilities that the bloc needs most.

Ms Mogherini said the move would complement Nato's security aims.

The EU, she said, has tools to fight hybrid warfare - the use of conventional weapons mixed with things such as propaganda and cyber-attacks - that the military alliance does not have at its disposal.

Poland, currently home to Nato forces (pictured) guarding Europe's eastern frontier against Russian aggression, signed up at the last moment to 'permanent structured co-operation'

The EU can also bring its political and financial weight to bear on security challenges, such as the use of development aid in Africa, where Nato has no real foothold.

Under Pesco, EU countries will commit to increase military spending, but not to specifically adhere to Nato's bottom line of moving towards 2 per cent of gross domestic product for defence budgets by 2020.

By working together on joint projects, nations will be able to use their combined spending weight to purchase much-needed capabilities like air transport or drones.

'The real problem is not how much we spend, it is the fact that we spend in a fragmented manner,' Ms Mogherini said.

Mr Gabriel said working together is 'more economical than if everyone does the same. I think that European co-operation on defence questions will rather contribute to saving money - we have about 50 per cent of the United States' defence spending in Europe, but only 15 per cent of the efficiency.'
A US Marine made his dog's day when he surprised his beloved German Shepherd with his homecoming after a long deployment.

The heartwarming video capturing man and dog being reunited was said to have been filmed when a Marine, who had been separated from his dog during his seven-month deployment, returned to his home on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina.

Long before the desert camo-wearing Marine is even visible from the front door, the female German Shepherd called Duchess rushes out of the house to greet her returning owner.

A US Marine surprised his pet pooch when returning home after a long deployment. The German Shepherd couldn't contain her excitement when seeing her beloved owner

The dog, called Duchess, ran happy circles around the Marine's legs and licked his face

Amidst a flurry of excited barks, Duchess  wearing a festive red, white and blue neck ruff  hurries to the picket fence, followed by a second, more sedately delighted dog.

Duchess is so excited to see the Marine at long last, that she inadvertently blocks him from coming through the front gate because she's too busy jumping for joy.

After many hugs and enthusiastic licks from Duchess, the Marine is forced to say, 'You gotta back up so I can come in!'

Once Duchess gets the message, she makes just enough space for the Marine to quickly open and slide through the gate before bum-rushing him once again. Without the fence between them, she's able to lie at his feet while being petted, thrash him with her wagging tail and run in circles through his legs.

In between back rubs, the dog ran to get a rope dog toy and dropped it at the Marine's feet

After being thoroughly petted, Duchess runs out of the frame, only to return seconds later with a knotted rope dog toy, which she drops at the Marine's feet in a show of eagerness to play after their long separation.

Crouched down at dog level, the Marine says, 'I love you' and 'Are you happy?' as he scratches and rubs the back of the circling German Shepherd.

'Duchess, are you excited daddy's home?' the camerawoman says at one point.

In response, Duchess looks towards the camera and pants positively, before returning her attention to the Marine for more petting.

It takes about a minute before Duchess wanders away from the Marine long enough for him to finally smile at the camera and stand up.
George Takei has blamed Russian bots for spreading an actor's claim that he was drugged and sexually assaulted by the Star Trek icon.

Takei, who has denied the sexual assault allegations, tweeted out a chart that reportedly showed Russian bot activity over 48 hours. The Tweet has since been deleted.

The chart he shared, which was published by SecuringDemocracy.org, showed 'Takei' and 'George Takei' high on the trending list.

'A friend send me this. It is a chart of what Russian bots have been doing to amplify stories containing the allegations against me,' Takai, who says the alleged assault 'simply did not occur', wrote.

Takei added: 'It's clear they want to cow me into silence, but do not fear, friends. I won't succumb to that.'

George Takei (left) has accused Russian bots on social media for spreading sexual assault claims made against him. Former model Scott Brunton (right), who has accused George Takei of drugging him and sexually assaulting him, claims that all he wants is an apology from the Star Trek icon

Takei, who has denied the sexual assault allegations, tweeted out a chart that reportedly showed Russian bot activity over 48 hours. The Tweet has since been deleted

In a follow up Tweet, Takei said he was 'accustomed' to the practices of Russian bots on social media

In a follow up tweet, Takei wrote: 'By way of background, when I criticized Putin's anti-LGBT policies publicly, Russian bots attacked my FB page relentlessly, and we had to develop special security measures and ban all traffic from within the Russian federation and Ukraine.'

'I am accustomed to their practices,' the actor and LGBT advocate said.

Many were quick to criticize Takei on Twitter for the claims - taking screenshots of the now-deleted tweets.

'It's incredible that the Star Trek fandom is surprisingly quiet about this,' one Twitter user wrote.

'Did George Takei actuall try to blame Russia for his sexual assault allegations, or is this #FakeNews?' another wrote.

Meanwhile, the former model who accused Takei of sexual assault said that he simply wants an apology.

Scott Brunton came forward on Friday to say that he was groped by Takei when he was just 24, claiming the actor - then aged 43 or 44-years-old - took advantage of him just after a breakup.

Brunton told The Oregonian that he believes he was drugged during his alleged encounter with Takei at the actor's home, adding that he hopes Takei 'could bring himself to just apologize'.

'I know unequivocally he spiked my drink,' said Brunton. 'It takes a lot more than two drinks to put me out.'

Many were quick to criticize Takei on Twitter for the claims - taking screenshots of the now-deleted tweets

Brunton said he left Hollywood shortly after the attack and returned to Portland where he had a successful modeling career.

He later moved to London, where he modeled before moving back to Portland, where owned a hair salon and a business that sold bath mats.

The former model said he encountered Takei, who has denied the allegations, when he was living in Hollywood and working as a waiter at the beginning of his career at Greg's Blue Dot Bar.

He said he exchanged numbers with the actor, and on occasion the pair called each other or ran into each other at different clubs.

'This happened a long time ago, but I have never forgotten it,' Brunton told the The Hollywood Reporter.

'It is one of those stories you tell with a group of people when people are recounting bizarre instances in their lives, this always comes up. I have been telling it for years, but I am suddenly very nervous telling it.'

When Brunton broke up with the man he was dating at the time, he told Takei, who took the opportunity to invite the model to dinner and the theater.

Brunton (pictured) said that all he wants is for Takei to apologize. 'I would hope that he could bring himself to just apologize. I don't want anything other than that,' he said

'He was very good at consoling me and understanding that I was upset and still in love with my boyfriend,' Brunton told THR.

After dinner that night the two men went back to Takei's home for a drink.

Just a few sips into his second drink, which Takei made for him, he said he started feeling unwell.

'I have the second one, and then all of a sudden I begin feeling very disoriented and dizzy, and I thought I was going to pass out,' he explained.

'I said I need to sit down and he said sit over here and he had the giant yellow beanbag chair. So I sat down in that and leaned my head back and I must have passed out.'

He said that after a while he woke up with his pants around his ankles and Takei groping his crotch and trying to get his underwear off.

'I came to and said, 'What are you doing?' I said, 'I don't want to do this,' Brunton told THR.

'He goes, 'You need to relax. I am just trying to make you comfortable. Get comfortable.''

Brunton said he he managed to gather enough strength to push Takei off of him and then went to his car and waited until he felt well enough to drive himself home.

'That was that,' he said of the encounter. Brunton said that all he wants is for Takei to apologize.

'I would hope that he could bring himself to just apologize. I don't want anything other than that,' he said.

But Takei has denied the allegations saying that the event 'simply did not occur' and he added that he does not know why the model has made these claims now, 36 years later.

He also said he cannot even 'remember Mr Brunton'.

Takei began his Twitter chain with: 'I'm writing to respond to the accusations made by Scott R. Bruton.

But Takei has denied the allegations saying that the event 'simply did not occur' and he added that he does not know why the model has made these claims now, 36 years later

'I want to assure you all that I am as shocked and bewildered at these claims as you must feel reading them.'

His next tweet read: 'The events he describes back in the 1980s simply did not occur, and I do not know why he has claimed them now. I have wracked my brain to ask if I remember Mr. Brunton, and I cannot say I do.'

The star's third tweet added: 'But I do take these claims very seriously, and I wanted to provide my response thoughtfully and not out of the moment.'

He continued: 'Right now it is a he said / he said situation, over alleged events nearly 40 years ago.

'But those that know me understand that non-consensual acts are so antithetical to my values and my practices, the very idea that someone would accuse me of this is quite personally painful..'

Donald Trump Jr (left) lashed out at Star Trek icon George Takei (right) on Sunday just days after the actor was accused of sexually assaulting a former male model while the young man was passed out in his Los Angeles condo in 1981

'This didn't age well. Maybe George shouldn't opine about victims ever again,' Trump Jr tweeted (pictured), refering to Takei's June tweet that accused Ivanka Trump of playing the victim

Takei tweeted in June: 'Yes, Ivanka, by all means, you're the victim here. Persecution complex clearly runs in the family.' The actor's tweet at the time was in reponse to an interview in which Ivanka talked about her surprise over the 'viciousness' that greeted her father's presidency

Donald Trump Jr lashed out at Star Trek icon George Takei on Sunday just days after Brunton accused the actor of sexually assaulting him.

'This didn't age well. Maybe George shouldn't opine about victims ever again,' Trump Jr tweeted, referring to Takei's June tweet that accused Ivanka Trump of playing the victim after an interview she did with Fox and Friends.

Takei tweeted in June: 'Yes, Ivanka, by all means, you're the victim here. Persecution complex clearly runs in the family.'

The actor's tweet at the time was in response to Ivanka's interview where she talked about her surprise over the 'viciousness' and 'ferocity' that greeted her father's presidency.

Brunton said he met Takei in 1981 when he was living in Hollywood and had just broken up with his boyfriend. Takei is pictured (above) as his character Hikaru Sulu on the hit television show Star Trek in 1969

Brunton alleged Takei invited him back to his condo and made him a drink that caused him to pass out. Takei is pictured on the set of Star Trek VI - The Undiscovered Country in 1991

Four of Brunton's close friends told THR that he had confided in them about the alleged assault years ago.

Now, years after the incident, he said he is coming out with his story after seeing Takei's statement about Kevin Spacey to THR on October 30.

After Anthony Rapp alleged that Spacey took advantage of him, the actor used the opportunity to come out as gay.

Takei apparently took offense to that, and aid: 'Men who improperly harass or assault do not do so because they are gay or straight - that is a deflection,' in a statement to THR.

'They do so because they have the power, and they chose to abuse it.'

Brunton said the response infuriated him.

Takei's representative, Julia Buchwald, didn't outright deny the allegations to THR, but said they cannot give his comment at the present time.

'George is traveling in Japan and Australia and not reachable for comment,' she said in a statement.

The 80-year-old rose to fame in his role as Hikaru Sulu in the original Star Trek television series. Since then he has become an outspoken activist advocate for LGBTQ rights.
A former employee has been arrested over the murder of an 83-year-old New York socialite who was found bludgeoned to death inside her mansion two years ago.

Lois Colley, the wife of a millionaire McDonald's franchisee Eugene Colley, was found dead inside her home on a 300-acre estate in North Salem, Westchester County back in November 2015.

Esdras Marroquin Gomez, also known as Victor, was arraigned in Westchester County Court on Monday on a second-degree murder charge.

Lois Colley, the wife of a millionaire McDonald's franchisee Eugene Colley, was found bludgeoned to death inside their Westchester home in November 2015

The 32-year-old suspect had worked part-time as a day laborer on Colley's horse farm around the time she was murdered.

Esdras Marroquin Gomez, also known as Victor, was arraigned in Westchester County Court on Monday on a second-degree murder charge

Mystery has surrounded the mother-of-four's death for the last two years, but sources now say Gomez was identified as a possible suspect just several days after the murder.

Police had previously questioned employees, former staff and her relatives after she was found dead in the laundry room by a caretaker.

But it took authorities a few days to identify him because he was not a full-time member of staff with long ties to the family, The Journal News reports.

Authorities believed Gomez had already fled the country by the time they realized he was a suspect.

They suspected Gomez was in his native Guatemala, but investigations uncovered he was in Mexico.

Authorities had been planning to get him extradited back to the US when he was deported.

Authorities said Monday that a male former employee had been taken into custody in relation to Colley's murder after she was found dead in the laundry room of her mansion two years ago

The 83-year-old died from a blunt trauma wound to her head, which police believe may have been caused by a fire extinguisher

Gomez was tracked down in Miami, Florida last week and was taken into custody.

Colley died from a blunt trauma wound to the head, which police believe may have been caused by a fire extinguisher.

Authorities said at the time there was no signs of forced entry and no valuables were taken from the home.

The only thing missing was the fire extinguisher.

Authorities revealed on Monday that the extinguisher was found dumped in a nearby pond a week after Colley's death and that it had been linked to the murder.

Colley's family were present at the arraignment on Monday but made no comment as they left.

Colley is the mother of Bruce Colley, the wealthy playboy whose 2003 affair with Kerry Kennedy resulted in the end of her marriage to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.

Colley is the mother of Bruce Colley, (above with Teresa Colley) the wealthy playboy whose 2003 affair with Kerry Kennedy resulted in the end of her marriage to Andrew Cuomo
The EU's budget should double to 280billion a year, the European parliament president said today.

Antonio Tajani make the extraordinary call as he urged a financial transaction tax across the bloc to raise billions of euros - a measure the UK has previously vetoed.

He also reiterated his demand for Britain to pay a divorce bill totalling an eye-watering 60billion euros.

Mr Tajani's comments will be seized on by Brexiteers as evidence of why the UK needs to cut ties with Brussels.

Antonio Tajani (pictured right meeting Theresa May in Downing Street in April) says the EU's budget should double to 280billion a year

In an interview with Politico, Mr Tajani dismissed suggestions that the EU was trying to blackmail Britain by refusing to start trade talks.

The two sides are engaged in a bitter stand-off over the size of the divorce bill - with the UK so far refusing to offer more than around 20billion euros during a transition phase.

There are fears that failure to reach an agreement before Christmas could lead to a 'no deal' Brexit and cause severe harm to economies.

Mr Tajani said the 'problem is not us', adding that 'London has to fight many difficulties'.

'The British have to tell us which kind of relationship with the EU they want  if they desire the Norwegian model or the Swiss one. No one really knows this up to today,' he said.

'I think the majority of [British] citizens now see Brexit as a mistake.'

Turning to the EU budget, Mr Tajani said the current level of 140billion a year was not enough and after Brexit it would have to increase.

'We will need twice as much as today,' he said.

German government spokesman Steffen Seibert responded that doubling the bill was 'currently in no form on our daily agenda'.
U.S. Sen. John Thune set South Dakota history by winning his fourth Senate term. He became the second South Dakota senator to win four terms, defying what is known in local political circles as the Curse of Karl" because Sen. Karl Mundt was the only politician to accomplish the feat. But it's not clear whether Thune's party will hold the majority after a midterm election in which the GOP failed to meet expectations of a sweeping victory. Thune says he wants to stay focused on solutions, especially on inflation, rather than bombastic politics. He is also pressing for his party to look beyond former President Donald Trump's influence.
Thousands of geese moving across a lake in Canada creates a deafening sound in this memorizing video that's like nature's version of Swan Lake.

Footage taken at Lake Massawippi in Ayer's Cliff in Quebec shows ten thousand snow geese taking off in simultaneous flight.

The snow goose is a rare find in Europe but the species is heavily populated in colder areas like northern Canada or Greenland, where they migrate south in the winter into warmer parts of North America.

In this captured moment some of the geese are seen resting on the crisp blue water, while others can be viewed flying above in a wave of fluttering wings gradually moving forward.

As the flying geese pass over the ones sitting on the water, the lake suddenly explodes with white as they all launch into the air.

The result of their wings beating together paired with the birds' call is an enormous sound with a shape sometimes referred to as a 'snowstorm'.

Some of the geese are seen resting on the crisp blue water, while others, pictured in the background, begin their flight

As the flying geese pass over the ones sitting on the water, the lake suddenly explodes with white as they all launch into the air, pictured

Snow geese, pictured, migrate to warmer spots during the winter months and often flock in large numbers that are referred to as a 'snowstorm'

Ten thousand snow geese take off in flight off of a lake in Quebec, Canada, pictured, heading to a warmer spot for winter time

The snow geese leave the lake in Quebec, Canada, pictured, completely empty as they fly towards a more heated area

Snow geese can weight up to seven pounds and have a wingspan of 4.5 feet.

They are known to migrate in large numbers and, while their population was once in decline, the birds now pose a threat to their own environment by destroying grasslands and crops.

According to a CBC report in 2015, the 15 million recorded snow geese in Canada had the potential to significantly alter the Arctic ecosystem.


A property tycoon who said his estranged wife was not entitled to a share of his fortune because their marriage certificate was fake has settled a High Court dispute, a judge has been told.

Asif Aziz, dubbed 'Mr West End' due his string of properties in central London, revealed he was never legally married to Tagilde Aziz as the couple obtained the 'fake' document so their adopted child could get a passport.

Mrs Aziz disputed the claim made by the wealthy businessman, who was born in Malawi and whose portfolio includes the London Trocadero.

Tagilde Aziz, left, claimed she and Asif Aziz, right, were married at a Muslim ceremony in Malawi. He denied this and said their marriage certificate was fake

Mr Aziz, who is in his 40s, last month told Mr Justice Moor that he wanted the judge to rescind a divorce pronouncement.

Mrs Aziz, who is in her 50s, maintained they were married, claiming they were together for 20 years and that she was entitled to a 'fair share' of the marital pot she put at 1.1 billion.

She said a Muslim marriage ceremony took place in Malawi in 2002, but Mr Aziz claimed no ceremony took place.

Lawyers for both sides on Monday told Mr Justice Moor, at a public hearing in the Family Division of the High Court in London, that an agreement had been reached.

A judge at the High Court in London heard the estranged couple had come to a settlement

They gave no detail of the terms of the settlement.

Mr Aziz, who founded London-based property business Criterion Capital, and Mrs Aziz were in court to hear lawyers announce the agreement.
A Missouri couple have been arrested on child abuse charges after police say their 11-month-old son was hospitalized with bite marks, a broken nose, ruptured ear drums and other injuries.

Lincoln County prosecutors charged Brandon Johnson, of Troy, with three counts of child abuse causing serious physical injury.

The baby's mother, Kristen Hopper, is charged with one count of the same crime. Johnson is held on $250,000 cash-only bond and Hopper on $100,000 cash-only bond.

Brandon Johnson has been charged with three counts of child abuse causing serious physical injury after his infant son was found covered in blood and suffering from injuries and bite marks. The baby's mother, Kristen Hopper has charged with one count of child abuse

According to a press release from the Troy Police Department, Johnson told authorities he went to lay down on the living room couch in his apartment at around 11pm Thursday night with the infant beside him, and estimated that the two of them dozed off at around 2.30am.

At that time, other than maybe having a few slight scratches on the backs of his hands from the family cat, the infant had no apparent injuries, Johnson told police.

He said he awoke around 5am to find his son sitting up in the corner of the couch and noticed that both he and the child were covered in blood.

Johnson said the infant had blood all over his face and hands, and appeared to have a cut along the right side of his head. The dad used baby-wipes to clean the blood off his son and then changed him out of the blood soaked onesie.'

Officers who responded to the family's home in the 700 Block of West Wood Street in Troy found the baby with bruising, cuts to the head and face, human bite marks on his body

According to the press release, when asked why he didnt immediately call for medical help as soon as he saw his son was injured and bleeding, Johnson replied that he freaked out and did not know what to do.

Hopper arrived home around 7am, and at 8.30am Johnson asked his mother to come over, detective Tony Stuart said. She contacted police.

Stuart said officers who responded to the family's home in the 700 Block of West Wood Street found the baby with substantial bruising, cuts to the head and face, human bite marks on his body, blood from inside both ears and the nose, and significant injuries inside his mouth.

'In my 16 years, this is the worst physical child abuse case I've ever worked,' Stuart said.

The infant was airlifted to a St. Louis hospital to undergo emergency surgery and was placed in protective custody. Stuart said a brain scan showed no signs of brain damage.
A mugger who has spent 11 years behind bars after stealing just 1.50 is trapped in the prison system, a court has heard.

Daniel Joseph Sayce was still a teenager when he was locked up indefinitely for public protection in 2006.

His IQ is so low that he can't manage rehabilitation courses in jail - and that means he can't persuade the authorities it is safe to release him.

Daniel Joseph Sayce remains in jail today, and London's Criminal Appeal Court heard the level of 'risk' he is believed to pose has not changed

Lawyers for the now 29-year-old, of Heath Lane, West Bromwich, said more than a decade in prison had 'extinguished hope' for him.

Sayce was locked up at Wolverhampton Crown Court in May 2006 after admitting robbery and attempted robbery.

His sentence, which is very similar to a life term, means he will only ever be freed if he can convince the Parole Board he is safe to live in the community.

He committed his crimes in February 2006, threatening one victim with a broken bottle and taking 1.50 from another after demanding cash to buy drugs.

Judge Adele Williams, summarising a prison report, said: 'His IQ is too low for him to be suitable for courses, which means his risk level is unchanged.'

The judge who jailed him had no choice at the time but to impose an indefinite sentence.

That was because he had previous convictions for robbery and was therefore automatically considered a 'dangerous offender'.

His minimum term was set at just 14-and-a-half months, and that expired in 2007.

But he remains in jail today, and London's Criminal Appeal Court heard the level of 'risk' he is believed to pose has not changed.

Judge Adele Williams, summarising a prison report, said: 'His IQ is too low for him to be suitable for courses, which means his risk level is unchanged.'

But the judge, sitting with Lady Justice Hallett and Mrs Justice Whipple, ruled there was nothing legally wrong with Sayce's sentence.

Dismissing his appeal, she added: 'There are no grounds for concluding that the judge was wrong to make the statutory assumption that Sayce was dangerous.

'Once he was found to be dangerous, the court was required to pass an indefinite sentence.'

The controversial 'IPP' sentence was introduced in 2005 by then Home Secretary David Blunkett, and resulted in nearly 8,500 prisoners being jailed indefinitely.

They were abolished in 2012 amidst concerns they were causing severe prison over-crowding.

But there are currently about 3,300 prisoners still serving sentences of IPP, most of whom remain in jail long after their minimum terms have expired.
A suitcase containing more than 1million worth of precious gems was stolen from a train after a jeweller left it on the communal luggage rack.

British Transport Police are investigating the theft from the 35-year-old, which happened on Wednesday at around 6.30pm.

The dealer told officers he had boarded the 7.03pm service at Euston to travel to Birmingham New Street with a bag containing more than 40 gems including rubies, emeralds, and sapphires - together worth more than 1million.

Police are keen to speak to a dark haired man shown on CCTV images who appears to be talking on his mobile phone

He said he put his suitcase on a luggage rack, but when the train arrived at Rugby he realised the bag was missing.

Detectives believe the suitcase was likely stolen from the train before it left Euston Station.

Police are keen to speak to a dark haired man shown on CCTV images who appears to be talking on his mobile phone.

Detectives believe the suitcase was likely stolen from the train before it left Euston Station (file image)

Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Nick Thompson said: Id also like to hear from anyone who was on board the train or at Euston station on Wednesday evening, who may have seen a man acting suspiciously.

The suitcase was a large black suitcase and contained more than 40 gems such as rubies, emeralds and sapphires.

If anyone has any information about the incident or recognises the man shown in the CCTV images, they should call the British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40 or text 61016, quoting reference number 529 8/11/17.
Just one week after being told that she wasn't a good candidate for a double-lung transplant, Caleigh Haber decided to push up her wedding to Bryan Takayama to make the most of the time that they have together.

It was a dream-come-true wedding for the 27-year-old from San Francisco who is suffering from cystic fibrosis.

Haber received a double-lung transplant two years ago, but her body began to reject the new organs. Then doctors told her she wouldn't be a good candidate for a double-lung transplant.

Instead of a planned engagement party scheduled for October 28, she and Takayama decided to forego the affair and get married instead.

Just one week after being told that she wasn't a good candidate for a double-lung transplant, Caleigh Haber (right) decided to push up her wedding to Bryan Takayama (left)

It was a dream-come-true wedding for the 27-year-old from San Francisco (left, with Takayama) who suffering from cystic fibrosis. Haber received a double-lung transplant two years ago, but her body began to reject the new organs

The wedding (pictured) was held exactly one year after the couple first met at their friends' wedding, where Haber coincidentally caught the bride's bouquet

'Neither of us wanted to waste a day alive not being all in with one another,' Haber told KTVU.

Donations covered all aspects including the wedding venue, food, make-up and hair, music, and even Haber's wedding dress - pulling the event together in just six days.

The wedding was held exactly one year after the couple first met at their friends' wedding, where Haber coincidentally caught the bride's bouquet.

On her Instagram page @fight2breathe, which reaches almost 73,000 followers, Haber shared a photo of her and her now-husband reciting their vows under an arch of white roses and shared her own vows as the caption.

'I'm sorry, my love, that you won't always have me in your life, but I promise you every minute I'm alive I will dedicate myself to you. I will never stop fighting to stay alive,' she wrote.

On social media, the Bay Area woman has shared her journey living with cystic fibrosis, a progressive, genetic disease that causes chronic lung infections and over time limits the ability to breathe.

The disease clogs the lungs with mucus and also damages the digestive system. According to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the current median predicted survival age is close to 40.

On social media, Haber (pictured) has shared her journey living with cystic fibrosis, a progressive, genetic disease that causes chronic lung infections and over time limits the ability to breathe

The disease clogs the lungs with mucus and also damages the digestive system. According to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the current median predicted survival age is close to 40 (Pictured, Haber, left, with Takayama)

Donations covered all aspects including the wedding venue, food, make-up and hair, music, and even Haber's wedding dress - pulling the event together in just six days (Pictured, Haber and Takayama)

A GoFundMe page was set up to send the newlyweds on a honeymoon to Hawaii, which was approved by Haber's doctor as long as a medical team is on-call for the duration of the trip.

So far, $27,953 has been raised out of a $35,000 goal.

Extra money raised will be used to pay for medical bills for Haber and others, as part of her ongoing efforts to bring awareness of cystic fibrosis.

'We are working to get in the doors at other transplant centers in the US that accept higher risk patients,' she said.

'If I am not eligible at any hospital I will have to look further into other forms of therapies to extend quality of life. Right now I cannot choose to accept the possibly a second transplant won't happen.'

On her Instagram page @fight2breathe, which reaches almost 73,000 followers, Haber shared a photo of her and her now-husband reciting their vows under an arch of white roses and shared her own vows as the caption (pictured)

'Neither of us wanted to waste a day alive not being all in with one another,' Haber (pictured, left, with Takayama) told KTVU

A GoFundMe page was set up to send the newlyweds on a honeymoon to Hawaii, which was approved by Haber's doctor as long as a medical team is on-call for the duration of the trip (Pictured, Takayama and Haber)
Advertisement

David Wexler will never forget the moment when, as a five-year-old walking with his family on Manhattans gritty Lower East Side, his father pointed out a man wearing a red beret. It was the late 1980s, and New York City was still battling violent crime and a crack epidemic.

These are superheroes, his father told him, nodding to the beret. If you ever get nervous in the city, theyre like superheroes.

It was the first time the comics-obsessed child became aware of the existence of the Guardian Angels, which had been formed roughly a decade earlier by Brooklyn native Curtis Sliwa  a McDonalds manager in the Bronx. It fascinated Wexler, and both he and his father have spent the intervening decades admiring Sliwa, the organization and the work it accomplished.

Wexler, now 34, admired Sliwa so much, in fact, that now hes made an entire documentary about him. After courting the controversial Sliwa over about 20 dinners, he finally got the Guardian Angels founder and radio personality to agree to a film  after guaranteeing that it would be told in Sliwas own voice.

And what a voice it is, from the first scene of the documentary, titled Vigilante: The Incredible True Story of Curtis Sliwa and the Guardian Angels.

There sits Sliwa in his trademark red beret, his excitable face and distinctive manner showcased in a close-frame shot. Hes animatedly describing the 1992 mob hit on his life, and soon he leaps up to yank up his shirt and show off his scars. Its not long before hes talking about thugettes and Uzi-toting criminals; if theres one thing that Sliwa loves, its a catch-phrase or a soundbite.

Scroll down for video

Brooklyn native Curtis Sliwa, center, became a well-known and controversial figure after starting the Guardian Angels; he says he was motivated by the spiraling crime and violence of New York City in the 1970s

Curtis Sliwa, second from left, says he had seen a '180 degree' change in New York City since his childhood in Brooklyn - and someone needed to act as the boroughs 'fell into the abyss'

The Guardian Angels began as a group of 13 workers from a Bronx McDonald's that was managed by Sliwa, who encouraged them to patrol the subways, and widened to include other civilian volunteers

The Guardian Angels were known for their distinctive uniform featuring a red beret; when director David Wexler first saw them as a child, his father called them 'superheroes'

Sliwa, now 63, hosts a conservative radio show and continues to be outspoken in his views

I have a particular vernacular, a phraseology that is pretty unique, Sliwa tells DailyMail.com. Hes a bit more reserved when hes not on camera or on the radio, but hes certainly never at a loss for words. He maintains his trademark presence throughout the documentary, which begins by listing the horrifying crime statistics from the 1970s - murders was up 325 percent by the end of the decade, the film proclaims - and then traces the path of the Guardian Angels from its inception to its current incarnation.

Its an incredible story and, though Sliwa is a polarizing figure who has weathered more than a few personal and professional scandals over the years, its a great look back at the Angels and the city itself.

Its like you love him or you hate him; thats who he is, Wexler says. Hes one of the greatest personalities I know. I think thats fun.

Sliwa, born in Brooklyn to parents of Italian and Polish descent, was working in a McDonalds on Fordham Road in the Bronx in 1977, when commuters feared the muggers express subway train and the rampant crime across the city.

The Bronx was slipping into the abyss in the-mid 70s, he tells DailyMail.com. It was burning down block by block. Gangs controlled whole neighborhoods. I had to take the subways, because I was living in Brooklyn at the time, which was also earning the nickname Crooklyn. And so from riding the trains to walking the streets to managing a McDonalds in the Bronx, it was chaos  anarchy.

He says the situation really struck him one night in McDonalds, when he was listening to a broadcast of the Yankees playing in the World Series. Burning buildings in the Bronx could be seen from the stadium, and  on foot of a Yankees win  the announcer mentioned that the team was considering moving the stadium to the Meadowlands.

That was sort of like the trigger, after witnessing the collapse of the Bronx and New York City at that time  to just scrape the barnacles off my backside, get my rear in gear and then start thinking about a subway safety patrol.

The first 13, who were all employees of mine on the night shift, they werent the most idealistic  so I had to brainwash them every night when they came in for their shift. So Id have to pump them up; at times, I would tell them, hey, Ill give you a few extra hours on the time card at the end of your shift. Once we close the restaurant, I want you to join me in patrolling the Number 4 train.

Opposition was high, he says; not only were the other men afraid, but their friends and relatives urged them not to join the unarmed patrols, considering it a suicide mission.

Crime rates were spiraling in the 1970s and 1980s in New York City, with subways especially dangerous; New York City was in dire financial straits and the police presence was cut back

Lisa Evers, left, was a driving force in the Guardian Angels; she and Sliwa eventually got married, though the relationship did not last

Sliwa and Evers were vocal and visible as the Angels grew in size and spread across the US and the globe; the group now has a presence in 13 countries, Sliwa says

Unlike Ms Evers, pictured, Sliwa says many people were initially afraid to join the group or go on patrols because they considered it a 'suicide mission'

Sliwa says he hoped the Guardian Angels would help obliterate racial stereotypes, describing volunteer members 'just average citizens dressed like poppin-fresh Pillsbury dough boys and dough girls'

It created a lot of tension, because people knew I was putting the arm on them, and they didnt feel that was right  and technically it wasnt right, but I was on a mission, he tells DailyMail.com. And the mission was to save the Bronx and save the city.

He says: At least I was at an age  I was in my early 20s, where I could compare it to what it was like when I was a young teenager growing up. And it had changed 180 degrees.

The Bronx was the quickest to slide into the abyss, and then just the subways themselves  scarred with graffiti, the smell of urine, defecation, homeless people, emotionally disturbed people and gangs. Gangs would come onto the subway, theyd jump right over the turnstile and they would just start beating up on people, like locusts to a cornfield. And I said, nobodys doing anything.

He adds: The city was in such dire fiscal shape; we were on the verge of going Chapter 11, bankruptcy. They had laid off a lot of cops. So now at night from 7pm at night, the off-peak hours, to 5am in the morning, there were no uniformed police officers assigned to the subway system. So the thugs and thugettes, that was a license to go on a rampage and steal.

In 1980, for example, there were 1,814 murders in New York City; by contrast, there were 335 last year.

Citizen patrols, Sliwa thought, would act as a deterrent to much of that crime; the identifiable berets and uniforms, too, he believed would make a difference. He didnt expect a backlash from everyone from law enforcement to normal citizens.

I was shocked, he says. I thought we wouldve earned the Congressional Medal of Honor. Remember, were riding the trains, nobody wanted to be on the subways back then if you didnt have to be. Were not getting paid for this; this is all volunteer. Were risking our life, we have no weapons, no powers or privileges. Were just average citizens dressed like poppin-fresh Pillsbury dough boys and dough girls. So Im saying to myself, wow, this is America, this is what Americans love  that individual pursuit of freedom, self-help, not asking the government for any help, whatever, just go out and do it.

Well, I couldnt have been more hopelessly wrong  because the group was predominantly black and Hispanic in the Bronx, which was stigmatized as being  drug-laden and just a place where the uzi-toting, dope-sucking, psychopathic killing machines reigned. Everybody looked at the makeup of the membership and they were like, this is just a gang.

He adds: Its very difficult to lobby people and explain, most black teenagers, most Hispanic teenagers are not criminals. Theyre going to school, theyre working, theyre looking to improve themselves. The stereotype needs to be obliterated. And thats what the Guardian Angels helped to do. The same person youre afraid of dressed normally, you put a red beret and a t-shirt on them, all of a sudden people were engaging them in conversation, embracing them, trusting them  whereas without that red beret and t-shirt, they might have been running away from them.

Despite opposition from authorities and various corners, the Guardian Angels began to grow and diversify, incorporating more and more women  under the leadership of Lisa Evers, Sliwas future wife. The profile of the Angels and the couple rose, and chapters of the Angels spread across the United States; Sliwa and Lisa eventually began a radio show.

Sliwa says the Guardian Angels organization 'proves the old adage that one woman or one man can make a difference; he has trademark words and catchphrases such as 'thugette' and 'Uzi-toting criminals'

The Guardian Angels - who were all volunteers - were not armed and had no special powers or privileges, Sliwa points out, and they faced opposition from authorities and law enforcement

Sliwa and Evers co-hosted a radio show that ended before their divorce; she now works as a journalist for Fox 5 News

Director David Wexler says he believes the Guardian Angels movement 'was so progressive, in terms of racial equality and womens rights, and it was really advanced in doing a lot of things I think are hot topics today'

The Angels were not without obstacles, however; over the years, six members have been killed and three dozen seriously injured, he says. Sliwa himself  after publicly speaking out against the mafia  survived an assassination attempt in 1992, when he was picked up in a stolen taxi and shot multiple times before he escaped from the vehicle.

The same year, he admitted that he had exaggerated or manufactured some of the Angels heroics, and he has weathered criticism for years from disgruntled members and other naysayers. His marriage to Lisa disintegrated; hes been married three times and now lives with in Manhattan with his girlfriend.

Ive had many setbacks both personally and professionally, and Ive acknowledged them publicly, he tells DailyMail.com. I couldve handled things a lot more professionally and in a much more mature fashion, but at the time, I made bad decisions and there were consequences for that. And this is what you learn in life. I think eventually Ill probably best be known as a person who tooka licking and came back ticking. Ive been knocked on my ass many, many times and just had to dust it off and start all over again.

Through it all, however, the Angels have persisted; now, he says, they are active in 13 countries and 130 cities. Theyve expanded to include Junior Angels and animal protection units, and Curtis still manages the day-to-day of the international organization. He emphasizes that, particularly during the current social and political upheaval in the US, individuals and local communities have the power to effect change.

Our problems can be resolved from self-help, he tells DailyMail.com. We dont need the government, you dont need to look to others; if you have a problem in your community, most times the community can resolve the problem. Its just a lot of hard work involved in it. If you use the Guardian Angels as an example, it proves the old adage that one woman or one man can make a difference.

The films director  though Sliwa is one of his personal heroes  says: It will be too much for some people, but I think most people will just get a kick out of it. Thats the point of him being there [onscreen]. I didnt want to interview other people; I could have very easily. I wanted you to make your own opinions  and the whole thing is controversial. But even the ones that he turns off or who dont enjoy him or agree with him completely who I know have seen the film wind up enjoying him in the film. And theres no doubt what this man has done in this world  and I think if you dont agree with him, you cant take anything away from it.

Summing up his own views on the Angels, Mr Wexler says: I thought it was so progressive, in terms of racial equality and womens rights, and it was really advanced in doing a lot of things I think are hot topics today  and this was happening 30 years ago. I think it was a really healthy group, I think it was a group that didnt see religion or race  just fighting for the greater good.
Kenneth Alleshouse, 56, was arrested after police spotted him driving a lawnmower on a public access road carrying a case of beer

A Florida man has been charged with a DUI after he allegedly drove a red Snapper lawnmower drunk on a public access road.

Port St. Lucie police spotted Kenneth Alleshouse, 56, driving erratically while carrying a case of Budweiser.

Kenneth Alleshouse, 56, has been charged with a DUI for allegedly driving a red Snapper lawnmower drunk on a public access road while carrying a case of Budweiser

When police stopped him, they said they could smell a strong odor of alcohol.

They performed a DUI test and found that Alleshouse's blood alcohol level was three times the legal limit.

Allehouse was arrested at around 6.15pm on November 3.

He was taken to St. Lucie County Jail and charged with a DUI.
The last document President John F. Kennedy signed in the White House is up for sale in Philadelphia.

A rare documents dealer is selling a photograph Kennedy autographed for an ambassador for $80,000.

Raab Collection President Nathan Raab says it's 'one of the finest and most powerful mementos' of the administration to reach the market.

Scroll down for video

A rare document dealer is selling the last document signed by President John F. Kennedy for $80,000 before he was assassinated

Kennedy (left) met with Thomas Estes (center), ambassador to Burkina Faso, and Charles Darlington (right), ambassador to Gabon the day before he was assassinated

On the morning of November 21, 1963, Kennedy had breakfast with his children and arrived at his office under an hour before his flight to Texas.

He met with Thomas Estes, ambassador to Burkina Faso, and Charles Darlington, ambassador to Gabon. It would be his last meeting in the White House.

Estes has recounted Kennedy tha handed him the photo and asked him to remain in Washington until he returned from Texas so they could continue their conversation.

Kennedy then rushed out to depart for San Antonio.

On the morning of November 21, 1963, Kennedy had breakfast with his children and arrived at his office under an hour before his flight to Texas

Kennedy was then assassinated the next day at 12.30pm in Dallas.

The National Archives released more than 13,200 records related to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963 on Thursday.

The latest documents are being released according to a law that President George H.W. Bush signed October 26, 1992.

Estes has recounted Kennedy handed him the photo and asked him to remain Washington until he returned from Texas so they could continue their conversation

That law required all records related to the assassination be released within 25 years, unless the president says doing so would harm intelligence, law enforcement, military operations or foreign relations.

Last month, on the 25-year deadline, President Donald Trump wrote in a memorandum that he had 'no choice' but to agree to requests from some government agencies to continue withholding certain information.

'I am doing this for reasons of full disclosure, transparency and in order to put any and all conspiracy theories to rest,' the president said in a statement he posted on Twitter.
An Uber tycoon has admitted he was arrested over an alleged sexual assault in London - and now claims 'fabricated' details that were 'spoon-fed to the media' formed part of a smear campaign against him.

Shervin Pishevar, who has also invested in Airbnb, and is a business partner of Sir Richard Branson, said he was arrested in May of this year, but swiftly released without charge.

But Pishevar, 43, stated in legal papers filed in California that his arrest was followed by a smear campaign, which falsely claimed he paid off the victim to settle the issue.

An injunction had been granted preventing him being identified in the UK in reports of his arrest, but this has now been lifted.

Upon the gagging order being lifted his legal team, Schillings, released a statement stressing that a subsequent police report was a 'lie' that was then 'spoonfed to the media in order to defame him.

Arrest: Shervin Pishevar, 43, says he was arrested on an allegation of sex assault in London. He is a former Uber director and friend of its founder Travis Kalanick

Doing business: Pishavar co-founded Hyperloop One, and has recently teamed up with Virgin's Sir Richard Branson to brand it as Virgin-Hyperloop One

In a statement, Schillings said: 'Mr. Pishevar vehemently denied the truth of both the report and its claimed content.

'It has now been officially revealed that the entirety of the police report and its details were fake and fabricated, created and thereafter spoon-fed to the media by those clearly seeking to defame Mr. Pishevar.

'Law enforcement officials from the City of London Police (CoLP) have now officially confirmed that the police report is a lie.

'Mr. Pishevar has consistently maintained that this conduct has been undertaken against him as part of a coordinated smear campaign. Mr. Pishevars civil lawsuit in the United States is designed to reveal who is behind these actions.'

Hillary Clinton supporter Mr Pishevar is fighting a civil case back in the US, and accuses a Republican 'opposition research' firm, Definers Public Affairs, of spreading a series of smears about him, including that he is a friend of Vladimir Putin and a Russian agent.

Partying: Pishevar and his friend Travis Kalanick were photographed in 2012 with Snoop Dogg and Marion 'Suge' Knight

And he says in legal papers that they hired an investigator who used a fake name and burner phones to 'dig dirt' - in an echo of the revelations about how Harvey Weinstein hired ex-Israeli spies to target his accusers.

He says he has also been falsely accused of 'an incident with a prostitute in Europe', and of having no money and 'that he was in essence a house of cards'.

Pishevar's high-powered attorney Mark Fabiani, a one time White House spokesman, said in a statement to DailyMail.com: 'In May 2017, Mr Pishevar was detained briefly in London in connection with a alleged sexual assault, an allegation he categorically denied.

'He fully cooperated with the police investigation which was exhaustive and detailed. In July he was informed that no further action would be taken against him and he was "de-arrested" (a British legal term).

'Mr Pishevar is grateful for the highly professional and expeditious manner in which the inquiry was conducted.

'Mr Pishevar is informed that several false rumors have been spread about him, including that he purportedly paid money to settle the claim.

FULL STATEMENT FROM MR PISHEVAR'S LEGAL TEAM 'In May this year, Mr Pishevar was briefly detained and swiftly exonerated after an untrue allegation of wrongdoing was made. 'Following such exoneration, by consent, the interim injunction prohibiting reporting of the incident has been lifted. Hence reporting restrictions in relation to the arrest no longer apply. 'Indeed, Mr Pishevar has himself spoken about the global smear campaign against him, which is the subject of proceedings issued in the United States last week. 'Last week major media outlets trumpeted that they had obtained a police report from the City of London Police, and then repeated the horrific details from this purported criminal investigation report involving Mr Pishevar. 'Mr. Pishevar vehemently denied the truth of both the report and its claimed content. 'It has now been officially revealed that the entirety of the police report and its details were fake and fabricated, created and thereafter spoon-fed to the media by those clearly seeking to defame Mr. Pishevar. 'Law enforcement officials from the City of London Police (CoLP) have now officially confirmed that the police report is a lie. 'Mr. Pishevar has consistently maintained that this conduct has been undertaken against him as part of a coordinated smear campaign. Mr. Pishevars civil lawsuit in the United States is designed to reveal who is behind these actions. 'Law enforcement authorities in both the United States and Great Britain are at this time investigating this and other wrongdoing which may have been committed by the perpetrators of this forged document. 'Mr. Pishevar has instructed us and our American colleagues to pursue all available legal remedies against those media outlets that have defamed and harmed him by publishing stories in which the forged report was quoted without making any effort to verify its authenticity or provenance. 'Finally Mr. Pishevar asks that those media outlets who published any aspect of this fraudulent document immediately set the record straight with equal prominence and commit themselves to helping unearth the real culprits.' Advertisement

'That is categorically false. It is because of false rumors like this that Mr Pishevar was compelled to bring his legal action against Definers to ensure that his reputation is not destroyed and that the truth will always prevail.'

Definers, however, called his claim 'delusional' and its spokesman, Tim Miller, said on Twitter: 'Definers has never engaged in any of the actions in his complaint nor done any work with regards to him.'

Pishevar is one of Silicon Valley's key power brokers. He has been on the board of Uber and is a close personal friend of Travis Kalanick, the firm's founder who stepped down as CEO in June under pressure from investors over allegations of a corporate culture which tolerated harassment.

Pishevar is now the executive chairman of Hyperloop One, a firm hoping to commercialise Elon Musk's radical transport plans - although Musk himself is not involved in the firm.

He recently went into business with Virgin boss Branson to move the Hyperloop forward and possibly build one in the UK.

Pishevar, 43, is a prominent Democrat supporter who co-hosted a glittering fundraisers at his Silicon Valley home for Clinton with George and Amal Clooney.

But his explosive law suit against Definers will propel him further into the global spotlight amid a series of powerful Hollywood men being accused of sexual misconduct.

High-powered: Pishevar's attorney is Mark Fabiani (left) who is leading the legal effort against Definers, the public affairs firm founded by ex-Mitt Romney campaign manager Matt Rhoades (right)

Response: This was how Definers Public Affairs hit back at Pishevar

Complaint: How Pishevar has gone to court in California

In the legal papers, Pishevar claims that Definers told 'a third party': 'Hey, we hear Shervin is the next to go down.'

He claims Definers was hired by one or more of his competitors to 'dig dirt' but that the firm, founded by Matt Rhoades, a Republican adviser who ran Mitt Romney's losing 2012 bid for the White House, failed to find any and instead spread lie.

The legal papers allege they told one or more of his employees that working for him would tarnish their reputation, and that as rumors spread as many as 25 reporters contacted employees, investors, associates and clients 'attempting to dig up dirt about his personal or professional life'.

Pishevar, a single father of two young children, was born in Iran but left when his father became a target of the 1979 revolution's regime.

He studied medicine but instead of practicing went to work in Silicon Valley as an entrepreneur.

Since then his roles have included being general manager at Mozilla, managing director of Menlo Ventures, a venture capital fund with stakes in Tumblr and Warby Parker.

He co-founded his own Sherpa Capital in 2013 with an ex-Goldman Sachs banker and has invested through it in Uber - where he was on the board from 2011 to 2015 - Airbnb and Munchery.

Pishevar has also been an angel investor in Dollar Shave Club, Taskrabbit and Cherry, which was sold to Lyft.

When Clinton lost the election last year he advocated California secession from the United States, which he says as turned into a smear as it was claimed that friendship with Putin - which he denies - was behind his call for the state to leave the union.
After President Trump had his first-ever meeting Monday with Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte the United States and the Filipino government put out a joint statement that mentioned human rights.

'The two sides underscored that human rights and the dignity of human life are essential, and agreed to continue mainstreaming the human rights agenda in their national programs to promote the welfare of all sectors, including the most vulnerable groups,' the statement said.

This came after Trump huddled in Manila with Duterte, known for his history of human rights abuses, with Duterte's spokesman suggesting the American president didn't bring those up.

'The issue of human rights did not arise. It was not brought up,' Duterte's spokesman Harry Roque told reporters after the 40-minute meeting.

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said afterward that the conversation 'focused on ISIS, illegal drugs, and trade.'

She said that 'human rights briefly came up in the context of the Philippines' fight against illegal drugs,' but Roque insisted Duterte had broached the subject of the 'drug menace' in the Philippines himself.

'It was President Duterte who brought up with President Trump the drug menace in the Philippines, and the US president appeared sympathetic and did not have any official position on the matter but was merely nodding his head,' Roque said.

'There was no mention of human rights. There was no mention of extralegal killings,' he added in a separate statement to DailyMail.com. 'There was only a rather lengthy discussion of the Philippine war on drugs with President Duterte doing most of the explaining. Trump seemed to be appreciative of his efforts.'

U.S. President Donald Trump did not press Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte about his human rights record when the two met Monday in Manila, according to Duterte's spokesman. Though the two countries later put out a statement on 'mainstreaming' human rights in the Philippines

Trump and Duterte chatted informally before the opening ceremony of the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit

A few reporters and photographers were allowed in the room for about 2 minutes during the Trump-Duterte meeting, but the Philippines leader said they were 'spies' and dismissed them

Before the meeting, which took place during an Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit, the U.S. president allowed his Filipino counterpart to shut down reporters as they asked Trump whether the topic would come up at all.

'Whoa! Whoa! We're not answering any  this is not the press statement. We are in a bilateral meeting,' Duterte said, dismissing the questions.

And Trump laughed along as Duterte mocked the reporters as 'spies.'

'We will be talking on matters of interest to both the Philippines and  with you around, guys? You're the spies,' the Filipino leader said. 'Yes, you are.'

Trump let out a trio of chuckles.

Later, as Duterte told a larger room full of ASEAN leaders that they were about to begin a 'closed' session, he barked at reporters to scram.

'I would like to request media to leave us alone,' he said. 'You may leave the room.'

In prepared remarks, Trump had just praised him for his work leading the multinational group, which is chaired by each of its member countries on a rotating basis.

'Rodrigo, I would like to commend you on your success as ASEAN chair at this very critical moment in time,' he said. Trump also thanked Duterte for his 'incredible hospitality' and declared that his impromptu singing during Sunday night's opening gala was 'fantastic.'

Trump also spoke Monday of the 'great relationship' he has with Duterte, as the two met on the sidelines of the Association for Southeast Asian Nations conference in Manila.

Their meeting was one of the most anticipated of the summit, with human rights groups pressing Trump to take a tough line on Duterte's bloody drug war that has claimed thousands of lives.

Duterte, who has spoken highly of Trump, last week said he would tell him to 'lay off' if the topic of extrajudicial killings came up.

Trump was criticised in May for praising Duterte during a phone call for the 'great job' he was doing to counter illegal narcotics.

Before last year's ASEAN gathering in Laos, Duterte warned then-president Barack Obama not to criticize how he's handling his nation's drug crisis.

'You must be respectful. Do not just throw away questions and statements. You son of a whore, I will curse you at that forum,' Duterte said then.

The Philippines leader famously told a crowd of businessmen before he was elected that he would gladly pardon himself for 'multiple murder' if need be.

And he shares Trump's broad disdain for reporters, although he has taken his views further than the U.S. president.

Trump's day in Manila began with a tradition opening the Association of South East Asian Nations summit  a cross-armed group handshake that the president had a little trouble mastering

While Trump calls published stories he doesn't like 'fake news,' Duterte said last year that 'just because you're a journalist, you are not exempted from assassination if you are a son of a bitch.'

Duterte won his nation's highest office largely on a pledge to rid the Philippines of drugs and crime by killing as many as 100,000 people.

'If they are there in your neighborhood, feel free to call us, the police or do it yourself if you have the gun. You have my support,' he said at one 2016 rally, describing how to handle drug dealers.

'If he fights and fights to the death, you can kill him. I will give you a medal,' he said.

Since he took office, police have reported killing 3,967 people in the crackdown.

Trump toasted with Duterte during Sunday night's gala dinner marking ASEAN's 50th anniversary; Duterte wound up singing to the crowd by night's end, and Trump said on Monday that he was 'fantastic'

Another 2,290 have been murdered in drug-related crimes, while thousands of other deaths remain unsolved, according to government data.

Many Filipinos back Duterte, believing he is taking necessary measures to fight crime, but human rights groups warn he may be orchestrating a crime against humanity.

Amnesty International accuses police of executing defenseless people and paying assassins to kill drug addicts.

When pressured over allegations of extra-judicial killings carried out by police, Duterte insists he has never told them to break the law.

But rights groups say police are following Duterte's incitements to kill, including comments made last year when he said he would be 'happy to slaughter' three million addicts.

He has also repeatedly boasted about killing people himself, most recently on Thursday while in Da Nang, Vietnam for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.

'When I was a teenager, I would go in and out of jail. I'd have rumbles here, rumbles there,' said Duterte.

'At the age of 16, I already killed someone. A real person, a rumble, a stabbing. I was just 16 years old. It was just over a look. How much more now that I am president?'

Duterte said in December 2016 that he had personally shot dead criminal suspects when he was an elected mayor  to set an example for police.

His spokesman at the time later clarified that the killings took place during a 'legitimate police action.'

Duterte's current spokesman has spent the last two days trying to persuade reporters that the colorful president's new claim of stabbing someone to death shouldn't be taken literally.

'I think it was in jest. The Pres[ident] uses colorful language when w Pinoys (Filipinos) overseas,' Roque said in a text message to one journalist
Two men were killed in a Florida airboat accident in alligator-infested waters on Sunday night.

Four boaters were in the newly-purchased airboat when it overturned on St John's River near the Lone Cabbage Fish Camp in Cocoa.

Two of the four managed to escape after the crash, but the others were trapped in the water.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation (FWC) recovered the bodies of two elderly men around 8.30pm, nearly four hours after the search began. None of the boaters' names have been released.

Scroll down for audio

Two men were killed in a Florida airboat accident in alligator-infested waters on Sunday night. Four boaters were in the newly-purchased airboat when it overturned on St John's River near the Lone Cabbage Fish Camp in Cocoa (pictured, rescuers search for two men who fell overboard in an airboat accident)

Two of the four people managed to escape after the crash, but the others were trapped in the water. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation recovered the bodies of two elderly men around 8.30pm (pictured, rescuers search for two men who fell overboard in an airboat accident)

It is unclear what caused the boat to overturn, but one witness said the airboat was traveling at a high speed when it hit a turn and flipped over. According to eyewitnesses, the man (left) is one of the men that was in the airboat

It unclear what caused the boat to overturn, but one witness told WTSP that the airboat was traveling at a high speed when it hit a turn and flipped over.

'I knew from the get-go that something was wrong,' Timothy Young said. 'I'm an experienced airboater. The back half of the boat was sitting kind of low before everything happened.'

Young said people fishing nearby hopped in a boat to help the men, but could only find two of them.

Officials have not confirmed whether or not the men had on life jackets when they were found. The boaters who were rescued are expected to be OK.

Airboat accidents are rare, according to FWC statistics. In 2016, 31 of the state's 714 accidents involved an airboat.

In May, a recent University of Miami graduate was killed while riding in an airboat in the Everglades with her sister and parents, according to the Miami Herald.

Elizabeth Goldenberg, 22, was pinned under the engine and killed when the airboat was forced off the trail after it came upon a broken down boat. The other passengers and captain were thrown from the airboat but escaped with little to no injuries.

Officials have not confirmed whether or not the men had on life jackets when they were found (pictured, divers search for two men who fell overboard in an airboat accident)

Airboat accidents are rare, according to FWC statistics. In 2016, 31 of the state's 714 accidents involved an airboat (pictured, rescuers search for two men who fell overboard in an airboat accident)

The other two boaters, who were rescued by people fishing in the area, are expected to be OK (pictured, rescuers search for two men who fell overboard in an airboat accident)

And in May 2016, Tyler Johns, a swamp buggy racer, had part of his left arm severed in airboat accident according to WINK News.

'It's definitely not the turnout we like or expect,' Chad Weber, with the FWC, told WKMG-TV.

'Boating, even though it's a recreation activity, can be dangerous,' he said. 'Just take precautions. You can't plan for every accident, but life jackets save lives, so wear a life jacket.'
British jihadis are feared to be among hundreds of foreign fighters allowed to escape Islamic States former stronghold Raqqa under the noses of coalition forces.

Almost 4,000 IS militants and their families were reportedly allowed to leave in a four-mile convoy as the group were defeated in the city in Syria last month.

Witnesses said it included huge numbers of foreign fighters  including some English speakers  who are said to have since spread out across Syria and into Turkey, potentially en route to Europe.

This was despite the coalition being assured that no foreign fighters would be allowed to leave and previous US pledges that they would all be killed rather than allowed to return home.

Footage obtained by the BBC shows ISIS fighters crammed into the back of trucks and lorries as the jihadis flee the Syrian city of Raqqa

The clips shows heavily-armed men in masks and combat gear huddled into the back of vehicles that formed a huge convoy

More truckloads of Islamist extremists were filmed leaving the war-torn city. The convoy was organised by local officials the jihadis could now be spreading elsewhere throughout the region

The exodus is understood to have been agreed to spare Kurdish forces, the BBC reported. They were leading the fight against IS on the ground and it would have required a fight to the death to clear the last surviving jihadis from the capital of their self-declared caliphate.

A truce was negotiated with local leaders to allow the remaining fighters and their families to leave. A Western coalition officer was present but not actively involved.

The convoy, also said to have been carrying tons of weapons and ammunition, left on October 12 bound for a camp further north in territory still held by IS.

Members of Islamic State managed to escape the city after four months of fighting left the Syrian city war-torn and ravaged. File photo shows Islamic State fighters in Iraq's Anbar Province in 2014

The coalition monitored the convoy from the air, dropping flares to help drivers in the 163 vehicles, including lorries and buses, navigate the road, witnesses told the BBC.

IS fighters carrying AK47s sat on top of some of the trucks and squeezed into trailers.

The coalition forces said they did not condone the convoy but had been assured no foreign fighters would be on it and had believed only four had sneaked on, all of whom were in custody.

In May, US Defence Secretary James Mattis described the fight against IS as a war of 'annihilation'.

The coalition confirmed that it monitored the convoy from the air but that it did not have boots on the ground. ISIS were dug deep into Raqqa before the convoy left, including hospitals

We didnt want anyone to leave, said Colonel Ryan Dillon, a spokesman for the coalition.

But this goes to the heart of our strategy  by, with and through local leaders on the ground.

However, one driver hired to take part in the convoy said there was a huge number of foreign fighters among the thousands involved, including many from Europe.

Another mentioned a number of foreigners  including female fighters.

Many of those who escaped have now moved on from Syria, with human traffickers on the Syria-Turkey border reporting a boom in business with the influx. One who has helped smuggle 20 families into Turkey in the past week said most were foreign. Some were talking in French, others in English, others in some foreign language, he told the BBC.

Others went to the city of Idlib, to the west of Raqqa, where many Britons have also escaped from the country, usually paying 3,000 per fighter, it was reported.
A new woman has come forward to accuse Roy Moore of having an inappropriate relationship with her when she was a teenager.

Beverly Young Nelson said in an emotional press conference on Monday that she first met Moore when he was district attorney and she was a high school student who was waiting tables at the Olde Hickory House.

She was just 15 at the time, and soon after she turned 16 Moore, then 31, offered Beverly a ride home one cold winter night she said, which was the night of the alleged incident.

Beverly said that after getting in the car, Moore drove her to the back of the parking lot and pulled up next to a dumpster, where he parked and then began to grope Beverly's breasts.

She said that she asked him to stop and that when she tried to get out of the vehicle he locked the door and grabbed her neck in an attempt to pull her head down towards his crotch.

Moore abruptly called a news conference in Gallant, Alabama, after a tearful Beverly Young Nelson's detailed the new allegations to reporters in New York.

'I can tell you without hesitation this is absolutely false. I never did what she said I did. I don't even know the woman,' Moore said - even though he allegedly signed her yearbook.

Emotional: Beverly Young Nelson (above) claims that in 1977 she was groped by Roy Moore, who then tried to force her into performing oral sex

Patterns emerge: She met the then-district attorney when she was 15 and working as a waitress at the Olde Hickory House after school (Moore above on Saturday)

Noted: Moore signed Beverly's yearbook one day at work, writing at the end: 'Love, Roy Moore DA' (above)

'I got into his car in the passenger seat. He began driving. I thought he would get on the highway, but instead he drove to the back of the restaurant,' said Beverly of the night she was allegedly assaulted by Moore.

'I was not immediately alarmed as there was an exit from the back of the restaurant to the street and he could drive from there to my house without getting on the highway. However, instead of driving to the street he stopped the car and parked his car in between the dumpster and the back of the restaurant where there were no lights.

'The area was dark and deserted. I was alarmed and I immediately asked him what he was doing.'

Moore at that point said nothing and began to grope Beverly she claimed, a story she previously shared with her mother and then man who is now her husband.

'Instead of answering my question, Mr. Moore reached over and began groping me, putting his hands on my breasts,' said Beverly

'I tried to open my car door to leave, but he reached over and locked it so I could not get out. I tried fighting him off, while yelling at him to stop, but instead of stopping he began squeezing my neck attempting to force my head onto his crotch.

'I continued to struggle. I was determined that I was not allow him to force me to have sex with him. I was terrified. He was also trying to pull my shirt off. I thought that he was going to rape me. I was twisting and struggling and begging him to stop. I had tears running down my face.'

Beverly was able to get out of the car soon after, claiming Moore told her to keep quiet because no one would believe her if she did share her story.

'He said, 'You're just a child.' And he said, 'I am the District Attorney of Etowah County. And if you tell anyone about this, no one will ever believe you'.'

Fighting back: I was determined that I was not allow him to force me to have sex with him. I was terrified. He was also trying to pull my shirt off,' said Beverly

Child: 'Instead of answering my question, Mr. Moore reached over and began groping me, putting his hands on my breasts,' said Beverly (above at 16 in her yearbook)

Rise up: 'I was frightened by his position and his power. I am coming forward to let Mr. Moore know that he no longer has any power over me and I no longer live in fear of him,' said Beverly on Monday (above with Allred)

Her boyfriend, who was initially supposed to pick her up but had been running late, pulled up to the restaurant soon after Beverly made her way out of the vehicle.

'I did not say anything to him as to what had occurred as he had a violent temper and I was afraid that he would do something that would get him into trouble. When I got home I went to my room,' explained Beverly.

'The following morning my neck was black and blue and purple. In the days following I covered the bruising on my neck with makeup. I did not tell anyone about what had happened. I was scared.'

She then added: 'I felt that if I told anyone Mr. Moore would do something to me or my family. I decided to keep what happened to myself.'

And she also found a way to avoid Moore.

'The day after Mr. Moore assaulted me I called the restaurant and quit my job. I never went there again,' said Beverly.

Then, shortly after, she began sharing her story.

'About two years later I told my younger sister what Mr. Moore did to me,' said Beverly.

'About four years ago I told my mother what happened. Before I married my husband, John, I told him what Mr. Moore had done to me.'

Her attorney Gloria Allred said at the top of the press conference that Beverly would be willing to testify under oath in front of the US Senate ahead of Moore possibly joining their ranks.

'We urge the United States Senate Judiciary Committee to hold a public hearing as soon as possible,' said Allred.

'Beverly is willing to voluntarily appear at such a hearing to testify under oath. She is willing to answer any questions that the Senators might ask her relevant to her allegations against Mr. Moore.'

And after a number of accusers were shredded apart because of their political affiliations, Beverly very plainly stated that both she and her husband were supporters of President Donald Trump in the last election.

Allred also dismissed claims that she might be politically motivated in her decision to represent Beverly.

'I would point out that I did not contact Beverly. She contacted me. Further, I have a public record of attacking Democrats who are or have been elected officials when they have been accused of injustices against women,' said Allred before Beverly shared her story.

'For example, I filed a lawsuit against Democratic Mayor Bob Filner of San Diego and publicly accused him of sexually harassing the City's Communications Director. As a result of the mediation of our lawsuit. Mayor Filner resigned as Mayor.'

She also pointed out that she publicly criticized both Anthony Weiner and Bill Clinton in the past.

Hocus pocus: Kayla then suggested that this was an attack on her husband over his views on transgender rights (Kayla's Facebook post of a smiling Allred)

Southern charm: Majority leader Mitch McConnell was blunt and to the point with his assessment even before the press conference on Monday, stating: 'I believe the women' (Moore's response to that statement above)

Northern exposure: Maine Senator Susan Collins also weighed in, and once again proved she had no issue bucking her party's trend (Collins' tweet above)

Which witch is which: 'Going on two months now they've been on a witchhunt here in Etowah County and our state advertising people to step forward with accusations,' said Moore's wife Kayla (above) on Monday

Moore responded to this latest accuser before Beverly even spoke a single word on Monday.

'Gloria Allred is a sensationalist leading a witch hunt, and she is only around to create a spectacle,' said a statement earlier in the day from Moore campaign chair Bill Armistead.

'Allred was the attorney who claims credit for giving us Roe v. Wade which has resulted in the murder of tens of millions of unborn babies.'

Also getting in on the attack was Moore's wife Kayla, who posted a statement of her own on Facebook.

'We knew something was coming, just did not know what next. This is the same Gloria Allred that did the very exact same thing to Trump during his campaign,' wrote Kayla.

'Going on two months now they've been on a witchhunt here in Etowah County and our state advertising people to step forward with accusations and we are gathering evidence of money being paid to people who would come forward. Which is part of why we are filing suit!'

Kayla then said: 'Washington establishment and Democrat Party will stop at nothing to stop our campaign.'

She closed out by telling her followers: 'Prayers appreciated....'

This latest accuser proved to be the most damaging yet however, and soon after her press conference Senator John Cornyn of Texas withdrew his support of Moore, calling the allegations 'damaging' and 'disqualifying' if in fact true.

This came after a devastating statement from the highest-ranking Republican in the Senate.

Majority leader Mitch McConnell was blunt and to the point with his assessment even before the press conference on Monday, stating: 'I believe the women.'

He went on to tell reporters that Moore should 'step aside,' which led to Moore responding with a vitriolic post on social media.

'The person who should step aside is Mitch McConnell. He has failed conservatives and must be replaced! #DrainTheSwamp,' said Moore.

Maine Senator Susan Collins also weighed in, and once again proved she had no issue bucking her party's trend.

'I have now read Mr. Moore's statement and listened to his radio interview in which he denies the charges,' she wrote on Twitter.

'I did not find his denials to be convincing and believe that he should withdraw from the Senate race in Alabama.'

It remains to be seen if Beverly will be called to testify, but she thanked those four women who came before her during her press conference on Monday, revealing that they gave her the greatest gift.

'I thought that I was Mr. Moore's only victim. I would probably have taken what Mr. Moore did to me to my grave, had it not been for the courage of four other women that were willing to speak out about their experiences with Mr. Moore,' explained Beverly while drying her eyes with a tissue.

'Their courage has inspired me to overcome my fear.'

One woman told The Washington Post that Moore initiated a sexual encounter with her in 1979, when she was 14 years old and he was 32. Three others said Moore pursued them when they were 18 or younger.

An emotionally exhausted Beverly managed to summarize the entire incident in a few lines to close out the conference.

'Mr. Moore attacked me when I was a child. I did nothing to deserve his sexual attack,' said Beverly.

'I was frightened by his position and his power. I am coming forward to let Mr. Moore know that he no longer has any power over me and I no longer live in fear of him.'
A panda cub tries to stuff itself into a plastic bucket with help from its sibling in an adorable video from a breeding facility in China.

The giant panda cub is only a few months old, but according to staff at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, it is already learning to explore its surroundings.

Video shot by the staff shows the baby trying to climb into a big blue bucket, which it manages to do successfully, even for just a few seconds.

Its sibling, a much larger panda by comparison, is seen trying to stuff the baby inside the bucket and roll it down the grassy hill that they're playing on.

The footage, having received over 3 million views, was posted by the staff of the research base paired with a joke that the cubs were being packed up for 'Singles' Day'.

'Singles' Day' is a one-day shopping extravaganza in China that's celebrated on 11 November.

The baby giant panda tries to stuff itself into a blue bucket with help from its much larger sibling, pictured

The bigger sibling tries to roll the baby panda down the hill, pictured, after it manages to get into the blue bucket

The pandas are caught playing at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in China, pictured

Staff at the Chengdu Panda Base joked that the siblings were packing themselves up to celebrate 'Singles' Day'

Two giant panda siblings play with each other at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in China, pictured

This year Jack Ma's online retail giants Alibaba, which pioneered discount sales on the day, reported a record 25.3 billion USD (19.3 billion GBP) in revenue during the 24-hour shopping spree, smashing last year's record of 17.8 billion USD (13.6 billion GBP).

Staff put up the panda video, writing: 'The postman is far too busy. Time to pack ourselves up'

The Chengdu Panda Base was founded in 1987 and leads in research and conservation efforts of the species.
A British doctor says he owes Mick Fanning a beer after escaping death by punching a huge shark in the face as it mauled him while he was out surfing in Australia.

Charlie Fry, 25, was bitten on his right shoulder by a suspected three-metre great white shark on Monday while cooling off at Avoca Beach, on the NSW Central Coast.

Mr Fry told the Today show he was out surfing with three friends when he felt a 'massive thud'.

'I turned and I saw this shark come out of the water and breach its head. I punched it in the face with my left hand and managed to scramble back on my board.'

'We saw the YouTube clip of Mick Fanning saying that he punched it in the nose. So when it happened, I was like, "Just do what Mick did, just punch it in the nose."

'If you are watching or listening, Mick, I owe you a beer, thank you very much.

Charlie Fry (pictured), 25, was bitten by a shark on Monday as he surfed at Avoca Beach

He said he was inspired by Mick Fanning, who famously punched a great white shark while surfing in South Africa in 2015 (above)

'Just do what Mick did, just punch it in the nose': Mr Fry revealed what was running through his mind when he punched the suspected three-metre great white in the face

Fanning, a three-time world surfing champion, famously hit a great white shark after it became entangled in his leg rope during the J-Bay Open in South Africa.

The 36-year-old was temporarily pulled underwater as the thrashing apex predator turned on him in the notoriously sharky waters of Eastern Cape.

'I instantly just jumped away. It kept coming at my board and I was kicking and screaming,' Fanning said in the aftermath of the attack in 2015.

'I just saw fins. I punched it in the back.'

Mr Fry said he thought he was going to die as he frantically made his way back to the shore.

'It was a nervous swim in... I was just surfing in going "get in as fast as possible, ride the wave as long as you can and then paddle for your life essentially",' he said.

'It was very hectic, very very hectic.'

The British doctor said he thought he was going to die as he frantically paddled in to shore

Fanning, a three-time world surfing champion, escaped death during the J-Bay Open

'If you are watching or listening, Mick, I owe you a beer': Mr Fry thanked Fanning in a light-hearted interview on the Today show

Mr Fry was assessed by friends when they all reached the safety of dry land, who determined the bite was not bad enough to warrant an ambulance.

He was driven to a nearby hospital by his companions instead.

Soon after the 25-year-old sprinted out of the water, a three-metre great white shark was spotted in nearby waters.

Lifeguards in the area told the Daily Telegraph the warm water and excess fish would have pulled the shark in closer to shore than it would usually go.

Mr Fry said he had 'no idea' what kind of shark it was, but said it was 'big and scary'.

Avoca beach will remain closed for most of Tuesday as a result of the attack.

It is not immediately clear what type of shark attacked the doctor. A great white shark and a bronze whaler shark were both been 'spotted' by lifeguards.

Mr Fry's attack prompted a 24 hour closure of Avoca and North Avoca beaches
An Uber driver was driving a Dallas prosecutor home from a bar when he claims the woman got angry at him for getting lost, physically and verbally attacked him, and then accused him of kidnapping her.

Shaun Platt, 26, recorded a portion of his interaction with Dallas County Assistant District Attorney Jody Warner, who can be hurling expletives at the driver, repeatedly calling him 'an idiot,' and demanding that he take her home, despite his pleas that she get out of the car.

The District Attorneys Office sent a statement to DailyMail.com Monday evening announcing Warner's termination.

'After careful consideration and a thorough investigation, I have decided to terminate Ms. Warner,' District Attorney Faith Johnson stated. 'Although criminal charges have not been filed, her behavior is contrary to this offices core principle of integrity, and it will not be tolerated.

'As public servants, we represent the people of Dallas County and are examples of justice, professionalism, and ethical behavior both inside and outside of the courtroom. I will not waiver on my expectation of the highest integrity for myself or my staff.'

Scroll down for audio

Dallas Uber driver Shaun Platt, 26 (left) says Dallas prosecutors Jody Warner, 32 (right) got angry at him for getting lost and went on an expletive-filled rant on Friday

Speaking to the Dallas Morning News, Platt said it all started when he picked up Warner, 32, at Capitol Pub in Old East Dallas on Friday night.

The Uber driver said Warner appeared inebriated and angry, and things only got worse after the passenger told him to follow a route that was different from the GPS directions, which caused him to get lost.

I said, Should I make a left up here? and she refused to answer me, Platt said. She said, You can follow the [expletive] GPS and she became increasingly angry, even though I was just trying to get her home.

According to Platt, Warner continued name-calling and berating him. She also slapped him on the shoulder, which prompted the driver to pull over on the side of the road and ask the passenger to exit the vehicle.

Platt said he wanted to call police right away but decided to give Warner a chance to leave on her own, as she continued saying she was a DA.

Fed up with his customer's antics, Platt ended the ride on the Uber app. He says Warner threatened him that he was 'never going to work again and told him she 'knows people.

'"Who are they going to believe? I'm a district attorney,"' the ride-sharing driver quoted Warner as warning him.

Platt eventually called 911 to summon police and turned on the recording device.

Platt picked up Warner at Capitol Pub in Old East Dallas on Friday night and was supposed to drive her home, but the passenger allegedly told him to follow a route different from his GPS directions, which caused him to get lost

Oh, my God, you're going to regret this so much,' Warner says in the audio recording obtained by the Morning News.

She later calls the driver 'a f***ing idiot,' 'a legitimate retard' and 'stupid.'

I want to go home so badly but youre so stupid I want the cops to come so that they can f*** you up, thats what I want, Warner tells Platt.

Ignoring Platt's repeated demands that she exit his car, Warner is heard in the audio telling him: 'I'm an assistant district attorney so shut the f*** up.'

The situation then takes an unexpected turn when the 32-year-old prosecutor accuses Platt of kidnapping her by refusing to take her to her destination, even though the driver points out that she is free to leave.

'Under the law, its recklessly keeping me from when i was going, and you have done that, ' she tells the man. 'You're kidnapping me. You're committing a third- to first-degree felony.'

Platt again asks the woman to get out, but she remains inside his vehicle until the arrival of police.

Platt says Warner began belittling and name-calling him, and slapped him on his shoulder

In an audio recording made by Platt, a woman believed to be Warner can be heard warning Platt that he is going to regret calling police and calling him 'an idiot'

The Uber driver said he was afraid Warner would get him arrested because she introduced herself to the officers as 'the DA' and pulled them aside for a chat.

In the end, one of the cops asked him,'you good?' to which Platt replied, 'I guess so.' In retrospect, he says he felt intimated.

Warner left the scene in the police cruiser and Platt went on to pick up and drop off two more passengers that night.

According to her LinkedIn page, Warner earned her law degree from Texas Tech University School of Law and joined the Dallas County District Attorneys Office in February 2011, working in the crimes against children division.

Before Warner's firing was announced Monday, Platt said he wanted an apology from Warner for her conduct, but he did not wish Warner to lose her job.

Pete Schulte, a former Dallas County prosecutor, came to his colleagues defense on Twitter, urging people to reserve judgement.

There's two sides to every event, Schulte tweeted. Jody is an honorable prosecutor and the Dallas Co DA's office is lucky to have her.
Theresa May tonight night accused Russia of spreading fake news and interfering in European elections.

She said President Vladimir Putins regime was trying to sow discord in the West.

In a direct message to the Kremlin, the Prime Minister warned: We know what you are doing. And you will not succeed.

She said Russia was waging a campaign of cyber espionage and disruption, including hacking the German parliament and the Danish defence ministry.

Mrs May launched a scathing attack on Russia and its use of fake news to 'sow discourse in the West'

The prime minister said Britain would continue to provide assistance to states that were victims of aggression

Mrs May said: 'The UK will remain unconditionally committed to maintaining Europe's security'

And she revealed that Britain was tightening cyber-security in the financial sector to ensure the profits of corruption cannot flow from Russia into the UK.

The broadside  the strongest from the UK Government in years  underlines how strained relations are. Mrs Mays tone is in sharp contrast to that of Donald Trump.

He said at the weekend it was insulting to suggest the Kremlin had meddled in the American presidential election.

The US President even suggested the two countries could work together in Syria.

The Prime Minister unwinds with a glass of red wine after her speech in which she accused Russia of trying to undermine the West

Mrs May said that Russia, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, has the reach and the responsibility to play a vital role in promoting international stability

She added: 'Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea was the first time since the Second World War that one sovereign nation has forcibly taken territory from another in Europe'

UK-Russia relations have been in the doldrums since 2006, when former KGB officer Alexander Litvinenko was poisoned in London with polonium-210.

Britain blamed politician Andrei Lugovoy for the murder, but Mr Putin refused to extradite him to face charges in UK courts. The row caused a tit-for-tat expulsion of diplomats.

Russian jets have repeatedly invaded British airspace in recent years, forcing the RAF to scramble fighter jets to intercept them.

Relations hit rock bottom in 2014 when Russia annexed the Crimea region of Ukraine, causing Britain and the US to impose punitive sanctions on the Putin regime.

The embattled Prime Minister wore a long dark-green silk gown with black floral detail as she made her way into the Guildhall with her husband, Philip

The banquet comes as Mrs May faces a possible rebellion within her party, with 40 backbenchers ready to sign a letter of no confidence in her leadership

Russia also supported insurgents in the Donbas area of eastern Ukraine who tried to declare independence from the country.

Britain has deployed troops to Ukraine and the Baltic states to protect them against Russian aggression.

Earlier this year it was reported that most UK councils have suffered cyber attacks, with Russia believed to be one of the major culprits.

In her speech at the Lord Mayors banquet in the City of London, Mrs May specifically accused Russia of interfering in elections and spreading photo-shopped images designed to go viral online.

She said the Brexit deal she was seeking to seal with Brussels would underpin our shared commitment to open economies and free societies in the face of those who seek to undermine them.

Guests awaiting the arrival of the Prime Minister tonight at the Guildhall in the City of London

Mrs May is desperately trying to keep Brexit and Remain wings of her party unified. The Prime Minister is pictured with the new Lord Mayor Charles Bowman

It is Russias actions which threaten the international order on which we all depend, she added.

I want to be clear about the scale and nature of these actions.

'Russias illegal annexation of Crimea was the first time since the Second World War that one sovereign nation has forcibly taken territory from another in Europe.

Since then, Russia has fomented conflict in the Donbas, repeatedly violated the national airspace of several European countries, and mounted a sustained campaign of cyber espionage and disruption.

'This has included meddling in elections, and hacking the Danish ministry of defence and the Bundestag, among many others.

It is seeking to weaponise information. Deploying its state-run media organisations to plant fake stories and photo-shopped images in an attempt to sow discord in the West and undermine our institutions.

Theresa May poses for a photograph with her husband Philip, the Lord Mayor of London Charles Bowman and wife Samantha

Mrs May said Boris Johnson would visit Moscow in an attempt at engagement.

And in an upbeat message about Brexit, she spoke of the defining British spirit that would see the country use its post-EU position.

She said: The task of a Global Britain is clear  to defend the rules based international order against irresponsible states.

'And the comprehensive new economic partnership we seek will underpin our shared commitment to open economies and free societies in the face of those who seek to undermine them.

'Chief among those today, of course, is Russia.'

She added: 'Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea was the first time since the Second World War that one sovereign nation has forcibly taken territory from another in Europe.

'Since then, Russia has fomented conflict in the Donbas, repeatedly violated the national airspace of several European countries, and mounted a sustained campaign of cyber espionage and disruption.

'This has included meddling in elections, and hacking the Danish Ministry of Defence and the Bundestag, among many others.

'It is seeking to weaponise information. Deploying its state-run media organisations to plant fake stories and photo-shopped images in an attempt to sow discord in the West and undermine our institutions.

However, both Brexiteers and Remainers are lacking confidence in whether she is the best person to do the job

'So I have a very simple message for Russia.

'We know what you are doing. And you will not succeed. Because you underestimate the resilience of our democracies, the enduring attraction of free and open societies, and the commitment of Western nations to the alliances that bind us.

'The UK will do what is necessary to protect ourselves, and work with our allies to do likewise.'

Mrs May also stressed the need to engage with Russia to avoid a return to the Cold War.

She evoked the hope that greeted the fall of the Soviet Union, saying Britain and Russia should not be 'in a state of perpetual confrontation', and that Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson will visit Moscow in the coming months for talks.

'We will take the necessary actions to counter Russian activity,' she added.

'But this is not where we want to be - and not the relationship with Russia we want.

'We do not want to return to the Cold War, or to be in a state of perpetual confrontation.

'So whilst we must beware, we also want to engage - which is why in the coming months the Foreign Secretary will be visiting Moscow.

'For there is another way.

'Many of us here looked at a post-Soviet Russia with hope.

'Because we know that a strong and prosperous Russia which plays by the rules would be in the interests of the United Kingdom, Europe and the world.

'As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, Russia has the reach and the responsibility to play a vital role in promoting international stability.

'Russia can, and I hope one day will, choose this different path.'

'But for as long as Russia does not, we will act together to protect our interests and the international order on which they depend.'

The embattled Prime Minister wore a long dark-green silk gown with black floral detail as she made her way into the Guildhall with her husband, Philip.

Earlier, Mrs May invited European business groups to Downing Street at the urging of Britain's Confederation of British Industry.

Business leaders had delivered a direct warning to the Prime Minister that the UK must made concessions to secure a Brexit transition deal.

And as well as facing a backbench revolt - with 40 jittery Tory Mps willing to sign a letter of no-confidence - Mrs May is desperately trying to keep Brexit and Remain wings of her party unified.

However, both elements are lacking confidence in whether she is the best person to do the job.

According to The Sunday Times, only eight more signatures are required to launch a Tory rebellion against her leadership.

The Prime Minister, who this week announced legislation confirming the date of Britain's departure from the European Union, has also been rocked by the forced departure of two cabinet ministers, Priti Patel and Sir Michael Fallon.

And hardline Brexiteers Boris Johnson and Michael Gove have been seeking to limit any transition arrangements claiming they should end by June 30, 2021 according to a leaked letter seen by the Mail On Sunday.

They also urged the Prime Minister to ensure members of her top team fall behind their Brexit plans by 'clarifying their minds' and called for them to 'internalise the logic', the newspaper said.
Scientists are still recovering the 125 bodies of those murdered by a brutal gang of rebels hell bent on becoming pirates after their ship crashed into an uninhabited island 400 years ago.

Beacon Island, later named Batavia's Graveyard and nicknamed Murder Island for the atrocity that would occur, was the site of Australia's first and biggest massacre.

Centuries after the shipwreck of the Dutch sailing ship on a tiny Western Australian island, the story of what happened to those who swam ashore remains largely untold.

Scroll down for video

Beacon Island, later named Batavia's Graveyard for the atrocity that would occur, was the sight of Australia's first and biggest massacre

Scientists are still uncovering the bodies of 125 men, women and children who were slaughtered on the island nearly 400 years ago

Batavia was a ship of the Dutch East Company (VOC).It was built in Amsterdam in 1628

On October 28, 1628, the Dutch East India Company gave the green light for a ship to set said from Texel in the Netherlands to Batavia, which we now know as Jakarta in Indonesia.

There were 316 people on board, including regular families and children, and soldiers guarded the spices and silver being transported.

Tensions were heightened on board the Batavia, which was named after its intended destination, with a mutiny planned to turn the vessel into a pirate ship.

In order to hatch a take-over plan, rebels sexually assaulted the daughter of a wealthy merchant to provoke a reaction from the hierarchy.

With the mood on both sides of the dispute reaching boiling point on June 4, 1629, the Batavia hit Morning Reef, some 60km off the coast of Western Australia.

There was a desperate scramble as survivors attempted to reach land.

Around 40 people drowned in the chaos, but worse was to come on the small islands surrounding the shipwreck.

After one of the rebels assumed control of the remaining survivors, he and a loyal gang of killers rounded up anyone deemed to be a threat to their power.

They were raped and murdered by the gang in scenes described by experts as the real Lord of the Flies - a brutal novel which focuses on a group of British boys stranded on an uninhabited island and their disastrous and brutal attempt to govern themselves.

A replica of the Batavia ship which crashed into a reef off the Western Australia coast

The killings took place on a place we now know as Beacon Island and it became clear barbaric rebels were not reserving their executions for those who threatened them.

Journals from chiefs revealed the mutineers killed more than a hundred people in the month of July.

Among the brutal deaths registered was a baby murdered to stop it crying, a boy decapitated to test the blade of a sword and a family of six butchered for no reason whatsoever.

Those murdered were dumped in mass graves.

On a separate island, a member of the Batavia's hierarchy had established a much more civilised living arrangement, with fresh drinking water and ample food supply.

As the murderous clan and the merchants waited for a rescue ship - one group wanted to be rescued to continue their lives, the other wanted to commandeer the vessel to live a life of piracy on the seas.

Once again, with a raging battle about to erupt, violence was cut short as the Sardam rescue ship appeared.

The commodore took the side of the hierarchy and the mutineers were arrested.

Rebels were rounded up, questioned and tried in a formal court on a nearby island.

To get truth from some of the mutineers, water torture was used, and the sentences were carried out.

Some were hanged, some had limbs cut off and some were taken to Batavia to be executed there.

Dr Al Patterson (pictured right with journalist Liam Bartlett) is working with a team of scientists from Australia and the Netherlands

Dr Patterson told the program the stranded passengers would have had 'no where to go'

As they waited to be rescued for over three months, men, women and children were massacred on the island in what archaeologists have since dubbed 'a real life Lord of the Flies'.

Many of the women were raped repeatedly as the mutineers slaughtered all across the island.

Scientists are still uncovering the bodies of 125 men, women and children who made it to the tiny stretch of land, part of the Abrolhos Islands in the Indian Ocean.

In a 60 Minutes segment on Sunday night, the story of the Batavia and her slaughtered crew was detailed.

Dr Al Patterson told the program the stranded passengers would have had 'no where to go'.

'Once the story got out, it would have been an intense experience to be here as those events were going on,' Dr Patterson said.

Scientists from both Australia and the Netherlands don't know just how many bodies are buried under the sand on the island.

As the 60 Minutes crew filmed the segment, another skeleton was unearthed, making it the fifteenth body to be found.

Those responsible for the bloody massacre were eventually discovered and hanged.
Louis C.K.'s longtime manager has apologized for not taking complaints about his client's sexual misconduct more seriously.

Chicago comedy duo, Dana Min Goodman and Julia Wolov, said they'd been horrified when Louis C.K. had suddenly stripped and began masturbating in front of them, after inviting them to hang out in hotel room in 2002, following a comedy festival.

The pair had reported the incident to the disgraced comic's manager Dave Becky.

But Becky has since admitted he didn't take their allegations seriously enough, and had been more focused on seeking their discretion.

'What I did was wrong, and again, I am extremely sorry,' he said on Monday, adding that he'd considered the issue one of infidelity for his married client at the time.

Louis C.K.'s longtime manager Dave Becky (pictured right, with his client, left) is apologizing for not taking complaints about his client's sexual misconduct more seriously

Louis C.K.'s (pictured) has been accused of sexual misconduct by five women

Comedians Dana Min Goodman (right) and Julia Wolov (left) claims Louis C.K got naked and masturbated in front of them in a hotel room in Aspen, Colorado back in 2002

The allegations against Louis C.K. were first published by the New York Times on Thursday afternoon.

A day after the expose was published, CK copped to the allegations in a public apology.

But it was too little too late for the star, whose upcoming movie - I Love You, Daddy - was cancelled less than a week before it was due to be released in theaters.

FX, HBO and Netflix have also cut ties with the auteur.

Abby Schachner (right) claims she could hear the comedian masturbating while they were on the phone in 2003, while Rebecca Corry (left) said he allegedly asked to masturbate in front of her in 2005

The victims - including comedians Dana Min Goodman, Abby Schachner, Julia Wolov, Rebecca Corry - allege the Emmy-winning star of FX's 'Louie' either pleasured himself in front of them, asked to do it or did so over the phone.

Goodman and Wolov said they were invited up to Louis C.K's hotel room in Aspen, Colorado back in 2002 after they had performed at the US Comedy Arts Festival.

They claim he asked them if he could take his penis out as soon as they got into the room. The women both say they thought he was joking until he 'really did it.'

'He proceeded to take all of his clothes off, and get completely naked, and started masturbating,' they told the Times, as they recalled screaming and laughing in shock.

He proceeded to take all of his clothes off, and get completely naked, and started masturbating Dana Min Goodman & Julia Wolov

'We were paralyzed,' Goodman added.

The women said they quickly fled after he allegedly ejaculated on his stomach and that he yelled out: 'Which one is Dana and which one is Julia?'

They say they immediately told a few people what had happened, but could sense people distancing themselves.

'We could already feel the backlash,' Wolov said, adding they then started worrying about the repercussions on their careers.

In 2003, Abby Schachner said she was on the phone to Louis C.K and claims she could hear him masturbating while they spoke for several minutes.

Schachner said she called him to invite him to her show when she heard him pull down the blinds. She claims he then started revealing his sexual fantasies while breathing heavily.

The writer and performer said she 'definitely' wasn't encouraging his alleged behavior but also didn't know how to end it, and that in the years that followed said she felt ashamed.

In a second-season episode of her series One Mississippi, Tig Notaro (above) had addressed the long-rumored allegations against C.K, who is listed as an exeuctive producer on the show

Comedy actress Rebecca Corry also claims that he asked if he could masturbate in front of her in 2005 when they were preparing to feature on a television pilot together.

'He leaned close to my face and said, 'Can I ask you something?' I said, 'Yes,' she said. 'He asked if we could go to my dressing room so he could masturbate in front of me.'

Outraged, Corry said she reminded Louis C.K that he had a daughter and a pregnant wife. 'His face got red... and he told me he had issues,' Corry said.

Courteney Cox and David Arquette were the executive producers on the unnamed show at the time and confirmed the alleged C.K incident to the Times. They had talked about halting production but Corry said she wanted to press ahead.

The public allegations of C.K's sexual misconduct follow years of rumors about him masturbating in front of various women. The Defamer website, which is now defunct, had published some of these rumors in 2015.

In the months before they surfaced, Corry says Louis emailed her to offer a 'very very very late apology'. She says he then called her and apologized for shoving her in the bathroom.

She then had to inform him that hadn't occurred but he had masturbated in front of her. Corry says Louis told her he used to 'misread people back then'.

The episode (above) finds one of the show's female characters pitching an idea to her boss only to look over and discover that he is masturbating behind his desk

Another woman, who wished to remain anonymous to protect her family, claims Louis C.K also asked to masturbate in front of her in the late 90s and she went along with it.

'It was something that I knew was wrong,' the woman, who worked with him on The Chris Rock Show, said.

The woman said she sat in his office while he masturbated during the workday.

In a second-season episode of her series One Mississippi, Tig Notaro had addressed the long-rumored allegations against C.K, who is listed as an exeuctive producer on the show.

The episode finds one of the show's female characters, who works at a radio station, pitching an idea to her boss only to look over and discover that he is masturbating behind his desk.

The character then expresses a desire to leave but he urges her to stay, eventually ejaculating while sitting at his desk.

The female character then gets up and leaves and later discusses what happened with Notaro's character, who points out that she was assaulted.

In anticipation of the report, the New York premiere of C.K's controversial new film 'I Love You, Daddy' was canceled on Thursday night and his scheduled Friday appearance on 'The Late Show With Stephen Colbert' was also scrapped.

Rebecca Corry sat down for an interview with Good Morning America to describe how Louis CK sexually harassed her

The 50-year-old actor is the father of two teenage daughters with his ex-wife of 13 years, painter Alix Bailey who he divorced in 2008.

He is among the latest Hollywood figures to be accused of misconduct in a wave that began when dozens of sexual harassment allegations were reported last month against film mogul Harvey Weinstein.

His new film is incredibly similar to Woody Allen's 'Manhattan,' with both movies featuring a relationship between a teenage high school student and older man. He has previously cited Allen and Bill Cosby as two of his comedy idols.

John Malkovich, 63, plays a legendary film director who is rumored to have molested a young girl decades earlier. C.K plays a successful TV producer whose 17-year-old daughter, played by Chloe Grace Moretz, begins a relationship with Malkovich.

Allegations of questionable sexual behavior have long dogged C.K.

Roseanne Barr said in a 2016 interview with The Daily Beast that she was 'speaking up' about claims and stories she has heard from people over the years about incidents of abuse before naming one person in a bombshell of an allegation.

'It's Louis C.K., locking the door and masturbating in front of women comics and writers. I can't tell you - I've heard so many stories. Not just him, but a lot of them,' alleged Barr.

Corry says CK cornered her on a television set and asked if he could masturbate in front of her in 2005, when they were working on a pilot together

'And it's just par for the course. It's just sh** women have to put up with.'

Barr later said that she believed Louis C.K. is 'about to get busted.'

Louis C.K. addressed those allegations in an interview with New York after he landed the cover of the magazine's special issue on comedy back in 2016, with the interviewer asking how he responded to a Gawker story that detailed the same claims that Barr made in her interview.

The comedian managed to quickly change the subject after saying the story had no impact on him at the time.

'I don't care about that. That's nothing to me. That's not real.'

When pressed a bit later in the interview about his reluctance to comment on the story, he responded by saying: 'Well, you can't touch stuff like that. There's one more thing I want to say about this, and it's important: If you need your public profile to be all positive, you're sick in the head.

Trouble: That director, played by 63-year-old John Malkovich, then begins dating C.K's 17-year-old daughter in the film, played by Chloe Grace Moretz (C.K. and Byrne above)

Known for his candid, warts-and-all personal humor, which often includes bodily fluids and sex, C.K grew up outside Boston. He performed stand-up sets in New York and eventually landed writing gig on Conan O'Brien's 'Late Night' and David Letterman's 'Late Show.'

He went on to become the head writer of 'The Dana Carvey Show' from 1995-96 and contributed to the animated 'TV Funhouse' vignettes on 'Saturday Night Live.'

He was a writer on The Chris Rock Show and voiced patients on the Comedy Central's Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist. He also wrote and directed the film Pootie Tang with Rock, an infamous bomb. His recent TV series are Baskets, Horace and Pete and Better Things.

Kevin Spacey, Louis C.K. and Mark Halperin are among the numerous other men whose careers have taken a downward spiral amid allegations of sexual harassment and assault since The New York Times published reports detailing multiple sexual harassment and assault allegations against producer Harvey Weinstein last month.
Searchers looking for Olivia Lone Bear have scoured the Fort Berthold Reservation while updated details on her disappearance continue to be uncovered.

Three Affiliated Tribes Police Detective Sam Lincoln said most of the reservation has been searched by aircraft, motor vehicles and people on foot.

Now the search is set to expand to Lake Sakakawea with air boats from nearby sheriff's departments, pending approval.

"I think we'll get the bays checked as best we can," Lincoln said Monday. "We're going over some points of interest, redoing some points and still following up on tips that come in."

No foul play is suspected in Lone Bear's disappearance, he said, adding FBI agents have helped with some sensitive interviews but the missing person case hasn't become a crime.

Matthew Lone Bear was in Bismarck Monday to purchase a drone to help look for his sister. He said search efforts scaled down to only family members last weekend as the deer gun season opener brought hunters out.

A scuba team was also en route Monday, with air support to be available, he said.

"We're trying to do a bigger search and get word out about more areas we'll be searching," he said.

Texx Lone Bear said a dozen searchers and three K-9s were out Monday searching for his daughter.

He said he hasn't formed a theory to her disappearance.

"I'm still at a loss. Hoping for the best," he said.

Law enforcement has updated details related to Olivia Lone Bear's last sighting. She was last seen the evening of Oct. 24 at Sportsman's Bar in New Town wearing a white camouflage jacket with black sleeve stripes and light-colored blue jeans. She left driving a teal 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 with an extended cab and silver toolbox with North Dakota license plate 839 BRC.

Multiple agencies have been searching for the missing mother of five, including sheriff's departments in North Dakota and Montana and fire departments from Belcourt, Beulah and New Town.

From here, Lincoln said investigators and Lone Bear's family will determine where search efforts may go next.

"We're still looking for her," Texx Lone Bear said.

Olivia Keri Lone Bear, 32, of New Town, is Native American, 5 feet, 6 inches, 130 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. She has several tattoos and pierced ears.

Anyone with information related to her disappearance may call 701-627-3617 or 701-627-6141.
A Democratic mega-donor who is campaigning to impeach Donald Trump was linked to early efforts in a class action legal campaign against the oil industry, according to documents obtained by DailyMail.com.

Tom Steyer, a California billionaire hedge fund manager and environmental activist who is also rumored as a primary challenger to Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein, has denied involvement in state-level efforts to bring class action lawsuits against oil companies.

But records obtained by DailyMail.com show that two principals in Steyer's non-profit group NextGen were briefed in 2015 on the secret strategy behind the legal campaign, which has launched lawsuits against the oil industry in multiple states and cities.

NextGen Chief Operation Officer Dan Lashof and the group's attorney David Weiskopf received a confidential March 9, 2015 memo outlining the legal strategy.

The memo, obtained exclusively by DailyMail.com, was sent by the organizer behind the legal campaign, activist attorney Matt Pawa.

Billionaire Tom Steyer has denied involvement in state-level efforts to bring class action lawsuits against oil companies, despite his links to early efforts in the campaign

Steyer, 60, is actively campaigning for President Donald Trump's impeachment, pledging to fund $10m in advertisements calling for his removal from office

The memo is marked 'privileged and confidential,' and indicates that Steyer's organization NextGen was closely involved in early strategy discussions.

Since 2016, Oakland, San Francisco and New York have all pursued lawsuits against major oil companies related to greenhouse gas production.

In September, San Francisco announced it would sue oil giants BP, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Exxon and Shell.

The announcement came several months after Steyer, a major political donor, contributed $30,000 to the mayor of San Francisco Ed Lee late last year.

The San Francisco lawsuit  which is modeled on prior class action campaigns against the Tobacco and asbestos industries  would require the oil companies to pay for infrastructure projects that San Francisco claims it needs to ease the impacts of climate change.

That lawsuit tracks closely with a legal strategy sent from Pawa to the attorneys working for Steyer in 2015.

The memo 'summarizes a potential legal case against major fossil fuel corporations for their contributions to California's injuries from global warming.'

It proposes class action suits against oil companies based on California's 'public nuisance' laws. The proposal said it would seek to hold oil companies responsible for rising sea levels resulting from greenhouse gas emissions.

Steyer's environmental non-profit group NextGen is linked to early efforts. Chief Operation Officer Dan Lashof (left) and the group's attorney David Weiskopf (right) received a confidential March 9, 2015 memo outlining the legal strategy

The memo proposes class action suits against oil companies based on California's 'public nuisance' laws. The proposal said it would seek to hold oil companies responsible for rising sea levels resulting from greenhouse gas emissions

It says the corporations should be asked to pay for 'massive infrastructure changes' that California would need to deal with the water level changes.

This is the same strategy used in San Francisco's lawsuit filed in September. The city attorney was also joined by Pawa during the press conference announcing the lawsuit.

The San Francisco suit claims BP, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Exxon and Shell have 'contributed to the creation of a public nuisance in San Francisco, and the San Francisco City Attorney has the right and authority to seek an abatement of that nuisance on behalf of the People of the State of California.'

It demands that the companies set up an 'abatement fund' that would 'provide for infrastructure in San Francisco necessary for the People to adapt to global warming impacts such as sea level rise.'

The 2015 strategy memo acknowledges that judges would be reluctant to impose joint liability on oil companies for greenhouse gas emissions.

It notes that even the 'largest contributor to Global Warming'  which it claims is Chevron  'is responsible for just 5 percent of the global greenhouse gas emissions.'

'Judges naturally will shy away from imposing joint and several liability for large monetary damages on defendants that are responsible for single digit percentages of the harm,' said the memo.

But the memo argues that climate change activists would not have to actually win the lawsuit in order to damage the oil industry.

Steyer, who is worth $1.61 billion, was the single largest political donor in America during the 2016 election. He contributed a total of $66.3 million, making him the largest donor to the Democratic Party

It claimed that 'simply proceeding to the discovery phase of a global warming case'  during which the oil corporations would be required to turn over internal documents  'would be significant' for activists.

'Industry has withheld for years documents regarding their involvement in a campaign of deception and denial,' said the memo.

'Just obtaining such documents gave the Tobacco litigation an unstoppable momentum, here to obtaining industry documents would be a remarkable achievement that would advance the case and the cause.'

NextGen declined to comment on the memo or say whether Steyer has discussed the lawsuit with officials in San Francisco. But the group seemed to distance itself from the San Francisco campaign even as it said it hopes the effort is successful.

'Corporate polluters have put their profits ahead of Americans' health and safety, causing long-term damage to the Bay Area and its residents,' said a NextGen spokesperson.

'While NextGen America has not been involved in the current lawsuit, we were proud to help hold corporate polluters accountable for their destructive actions.'

Steyer also did not respond to request for comment. Steyer faced questions last year about whether he was connected to a similar legal challenge against the oil industry filed by New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.

In September 2016, the New York Post obtained an email showing that New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman was trying to set up a phone call with Steyer to discuss political contributions to a 'governor' race in the context of the state's oil industry lawsuit.

'Eric Schneiderman would like to have a call with Tom regarding support for his race for governor . . . regarding Exxon case,' said the email, which was sent by Steyer's lawyer to his scheduler.

In September, San Francisco announced it would sue oil giants BP, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Exxon, and Shell. The announcement came several months after Steyer, a major political donor, contributed $30,000 to the mayor of San Francisco Ed Lee (pictured) late last year

The email raised questions about whether Schneiderman had plans to run for New York governor in 2018  and whether his decision to take on Big Oil was connected to political donations.

After the email was published, Steyer denied any involvement in the oil industry lawsuit, telling Politico he was 'definitely not pushing this thing' and was 'not a part of this effort.'

Schneiderman denied that the email indicated that he was interested in running for governor.

After the Post story, a watchdog group submitted a public information request for emails between Steyer's office and Schneiderman's office.

Although public records logs indicate there were multiple conversations between the two camps in 2015, Schneiderman's office has not released the emails, citing 'law enforcement' exemptions to public records laws.

Steyer, who is worth $1.61 billion and founded the hedge fund Farallon Capital, was the single largest political donor in America during the 2016 election.

He contributed a total of $66.3 million during the cycle, making him the largest donor to the Democratic Party. He is also behind a public campaign to impeach President Trump, pouring $10 million into ads for the effort last week.

The 'Need to Impeach' campaign has been collecting signatures on a petition calling for the president's impeachment.

Steyer claimed it has been signed by 1.9 million people so far. The campaign has stoked a public feud between Steyer and Trump, with the president calling the environmental activist 'wacky' and 'unhinged.'

Trump has claimed that Steyer 'never wins elections.' But a 2010 campaign to defeat Prop. 23, an initiative to suspend landmark global warming legislation in California, that Steyer put $5 million of his own money toward defeating went down by a more than 20-point margin

The California billionaire has said he will dump at least $10 million into a national television advertising campaign against the Republican president, causing this response from Trump

'Wacky & totally unhinged Tom Steyer, who has been fighting me and my Make America Great Again agenda from beginning, never wins elections!' wrote Trump on Twitter on October 27.

The billionaire hedge fund manager has a long history of environmental philanthropy. He was one of the main backers behind the campaign to stop the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline in 2014, and funds an array of environmental causes through his advocacy group NextGen America.

Steyer recently sparked rumors that he might run for the senate seat currently held by Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein of California.

He took a swipe at Feinstein in October, a few months after the 84-year-old said people should have 'patience' with Trump and give him a chance.

Feinstein announced that she would run for a fifth senate term last month. The next day, Steyer sent a letter to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee declaring that 'this is not a time for "patience" and demanding steps to impeach Trump.

'Donald Trump is not fit for office,' wrote Steyer. 'It is clear for all to see that there is zero reason to believe he can be a good president.'

An unnamed associate of Steyer's also told the Sacramento Bee that the billionaire is 'seriously' considering a run for the senate seat.
Former Trump campaign advisor George Papadopoulos touted an 'interesting' message from Russia to a top policy advisor who remains high up in the president's orbit just a day after learning about 'dirt' on Hillary Clinton.

Papadopoulos, who in October pled guilty to lying to the FBI, has admitted to not initially being truthful about his meeting with a London-based professor who met with government officials in Moscow and was told the Russians had 'thousands of emails' on Trump rival Hillary Clinton.

The day after learning about the dirt, in April of 2016, Papadopoulos wrote a 'senior policy advisor' to the campaign who the New York Times identified over the weekend as being key White House aide Stephen Miller.

Papadopoulos wrote Miller April 25 stating that 'the Russian government has an open invitation by Putin for Mr. Trump to meet him when he is ready,' according to a timeline reconstructed by AOL news.

'The advantage of being in London is that these governments tend to speak a bit more openly in 'neutral' cities,' he wrote.

Former Trump campaign advisor George Papadopoulos contacted policy advisor Stephen Miller after learning of potential Russian dirt on Hillary Clinton

The Washington Post identified the academic as Joseph Mifsud, though a government information only identifies him as an 'overseas professor.'

Mifsud is a Maltese academic who teaches at a private university in Rome but has few academic papers to his name, CNN reported.

On a trip to Moscow he spoke at the Valdai Club think tank. 'We have to open up trade to the Russian Federation,' he said at the April 19 speech. 'Imposing sanctions for example is suicidal in our case -- and because of the pressure... from the United States.'

After he learned of the dirt, Papadopoulos emailed Miller, who has written some of Trump's most important speeches. 'Have some interesting messages coming in from Moscow about a trip when the time is write," he wrote.

Miller is among the current White House officials to have been interviewed by special counsel Robert Mueller's team.

White House policy advisor Stephen Miller attends an official dinner thrown by Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in honor of U.S. President Donald Trump at Akasaka Palace in Tokyo, Japan November 6, 2017

U.S. President Donald Trump, along with (R-L) White House Senior Advisor Jared Kushner, White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, and White House Senior Advisor Stephen Miller, walk through the colonnade as they depart the White House in Washington, U.S., March 15, 2017

White House policy advisor Stephen Miller departs after attending meetings between U.S. President Donald Trump and China's President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China November 9, 2017

Papadopoulos also wrote a 'high-ranking campaign official,' according to the special counsel, who has since been identified as former Trump campaign chair Paul Manafort, who has been charged with reporting and financial crimes.

Papadopoulos Manafort onApril 27, too, asking "to discuss Russias interest in hosting Mr. Trump,' according to AOL.

"Have been receiving a lot of calls over the last month about Putin wanting to host him and the team when the time is right," Papadopoulos wrote.

That meeting never happened.

Manafort wrote his deputy, Rick Gates, who has also been charged, 'We need someone to communicate that DT is not doing these trips. It should be someone low level in the campaign so as not to send any signal.'
Melbourne nightclub entrepreneur Darren 'Razzle' Thornburgh has been found dead in his home.

Mr Thornburgh was discovered on a mattress on the front porch of his property on Evans St in the town of Barmah, on the Victorian-NSW border, the Age reports.

He had sustained a gunshot wound to the head, according to 7News.

Homicide Squad detectives were sent to Barmah in northern Victoria after the body was found at around 4.40pm on Monday, a Victoria Police spokesman told Daily Mail Australia.

Scroll down for video

Melbourne nightclub entrepreneur Darren 'Razzle' Thornburgh was found dead in his home

Mr Thornburgh (above with Nicky and Paris Hilton) was discovered at his property on Evans St in the town of Barmah, on the Victorian-NSW border

Authorities are treating the death as suspicious and a post-mortem examination is expected to be completed by Tuesday afternoon, the spokesman added.

Property records show the house belongs to Mr Thornburgh, who is the owner of the high-profile Boutique nightclub, which is closed for renovations.

The nightclub in Prahran was shot at a year ago, while a week later the home of his ex-wife in Port Melbourne was peppered with bullets.

Neighbours have said Mr Thornburgh had been in Barmah in the days before his death and had acted out of character.

Officers are treating the death in Barmah, a town on the Victoria/New South Wales border with a population of less than 200, as suspicious

Usually, he would visit the property only a couple of times a month before returning to Melbourne, one told the Herald Sun.

'He normally comes up here, blasts his music and has a couple of drinks at the pub then goes,' the neighbour said.

But Mr Thornburgh had been at the property for more than a week before he was found dead, the neighbour said.

As well as Boutique, Mr Thornburgh owns the local pub, the Barmah Hotel, in the tiny country Victorian town.

Mr Thornburgh owned the high-profile Boutique nightclub (above), which is closed for renovations

As well as nightclub Boutique in Prahran, Mr Thornburgh (left) owned local watering hole, the Barmah Hotel

Staff were reportedly questioned by police on Monday afternoon, appearing shaken and upset.

'We're a little community ... we all knew Darren,' one staff member told the newspaper.

'It's very sad and I'm sorry, but we're all just really shocked right now. We can't say any more.'

Barmah, on the border of Victoria and New South Wales, has a population of less than 200.

Last year, the home of Mr Thornburgh's ex-wife (above) in Port Melbourne was peppered with bullets

Last year, detectives were investigating whether an organised crime gang chasing the repayment of debts was responsible for a drive-by shooting at Mr Thornburgh's ex-wife's home.

The property in affluent Port Melbourne was shot at in the early hours of the morning in October 2016.

Denise Foster and the 13-year-old daughter she shares with Mr Thornburgh, Mia, were inside at the time, but not injured.

Four bullets were fired at the home before 5am, as Denise and Mia, the 13-year-old daughter she shares with Mr Thornburgh, were sleeping

Just a week before the Port Melbourne shooting, Mr Thornburgh's nightclub, Boutique, was shot at

Detective Inspector David Griffin said at the time he believed the offender or offenders were trying to send a message.

'It would appear that certainly someone is not happy with something that's going on and is clearly trying to send a message,' he told reporters in October last year.

The shooting came just a week after Boutique was shot at - but at the time Mr Thornburgh denied the damage was caused by gunfire, and blamed kids throwing rocks.

Police urge anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
A man has been charged with murdering his estranged wife after she was allegedly bashed to death in the middle of a quiet street.

Andrew Cobby was expressionless as he was led away from the family's Gold Coast home on Monday evening charged with murdering his 51-year-old partner and mother of three.

A neighbour discovered the bloodied body of Kym Cobby late on Sunday night in the middle of a Worongary street. Mr Cobby was found nearby, suffering minor injuries.

Scroll down for video

Andrew Cobby was expressionless as he was led away from the family's Gold Coast home on Monday evening charged with murdering his 51-year-old partner and mother of three

A neighbour discovered the bloodied body of Kym Cobby late on Sunday night in the middle of a Worongary street. Mr Cobby was found nearby, suffering minor injuries

Police will allege 55-year-old Cobby used an undisclosed weapon to murder his wife, who died of head injuries.

They say the two had been separated for 'some time' but there was no prior reports of issues between Mr Cobby and his estranged wife.

He was noticeably limping as police led him into the station on Tuesday morning.

The neighbour who found Ms Cobby in the middle of Arthur Payne Court tried to save her, but she was declared dead at the scene by paramedics.

'I just saw some blood on the kerb ... heard the choppers,' a neighbour told Nine.

'I've been here 11 years, 12 years and nothing like that before.'

A memorial has been planned for her on Friday.

Mr Cobby will face Southport Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

A 55-year-old man, said to be the woman's ex-husband, was found injured in a nearby street
A crime scene has been established and a critical investigation was launched

Police were following the car on Wakehurst Parkway at 11pm on Monday night

The car crashed into a tree and caught fire, killing the driver at the crash scene

A man was killed when his car burst into flames after he veered off the main road

Dramatic scenes unfolded as man was killed in a fiery crash after police attempted to stop his vehicle.

The driver veered off the road crashed into a tree while attempting to evade a police car on the Wakehurst Parkway just before 11pm on Monday night.

The car burst into flames upon impact, and the driver was pronounced dead at the scene on Sydney's northern beaches.

A man was killed in a fiery crash after police attempted to stop his vehicle in North Narrabeen

He was the sole occupant of the car at the time, and has not yet been identified.

Police established a crime scene and have called a critical incident team to investigate the circumstances surrounding the man's death.

There has been speculation that his death was the result of a police chase gone wrong on a dangerous road.

The driver of a the vehicle veered off the road crashed into a tree just before 11pm on Monday

Police established a crime scene and called a critical incident team to investigate the crash
Donald Trump Jr has attempted to dismiss claims he secretly liaised with WikiLeaks during the 2016 election by tweeting out a series of messages he had with the organization.

Trump Jr revealed what he said was the 'entire' chain of Twitter direct messages with WikiLeaks between September 2016 and July this year, in which the anti-secrecy group sought to feed information to the Trump campaign and enhance the impact of its Clinton releases.

Following one message in which Don Jr and WikiLeaks discussed the release of documents hacked from Clinton campaign chair John Podesta, then-presidential candidate Trump tweeted about the leak.

Throughout his correspondences with WikiLeaks, the eldest Trump never rebuffed the transparency group, led by Julian Assange with connections to the Kremlin, but would instead answer messages courteously or not reply to them at all.

Trump Jr's lawyer has suggested that his client's conversations with WikiLeaks had been sent to The Atlantic by a member of Congress who had access to the messages by way of the Russia probe.

A source familiar with the congressional investigations on Russia said Trump Jr emailed a number of senior campaign officials, including Jared Kushner, Kellyanne Conway, Steve Bannon and Digital Director Brad Parscale, to inform them Wikileaks had made contact in September 2016.

Donald Trump Jr (left) was corresponding with Wikileaks, whose founder is Julian Assange (right) for several weeks leading up to last year's presidential election, the Atlantic has found

Kushner, President Trump's son-in-law, forwarded the email about it to campaign Press Secretary Hope Hicks, who is now the White House communications director  meaning that a large swath of Trump's inner circle knew of the conversations.

President Trump's own CIA Director Mike Pompeo has warned the country about the Assange-fronted group.

'It's time to call out Wikileaks for what it really is, a non-state hostile intelligence service often abetted by state actors like Russia,' he said at a speech in April.

But until Monday, Trump Jr did not disclose these conversations publicly, even though Assange had openly spoke of making contact with the first son.

In the first message given to the Atlantic, dated September 20, 2016, Wikileaks tried giving the Trump son a heads up about an anti-Trump political action committee that was launching.

'A PAC run anti-Trump site putintrump.org is about to launch,' Wikileaks wrote. 'The PAC is a recycled pro-Iraq war PAC. We have guessed the password. It is 'putintrump.' See 'About' for who is behind it. Any comments?'

The site, started by tech entrepreneur Rob Glaser, exists today as a reporting project in conjunction with liberal website Mother Jones and explores the Trump-Russia connection.

Wikileaks suggested to Donald Trump Jr that he use his Twitter account to link to the group's work - which he did several days later

Then-presidential candidate Donald Trump tweeted about WikiLeaks just minutes after Trump Jr corresponded with the organization

For his part, Julian Assange took credit for Donald Trump Jr's actions and said publicly that his organization had reached out to the eldest Trump son amid the New York Times outing his meeting with a Russian lawyer in Trump Tower in July 2016

Then, Trump Jr didn't know much about it, as he informed the Wikileaks' Twitter handle through his first known direct message to the controversial group.

'Off the record I don't know who that is, but I'll ask around,' the Trump son wrote, adding 'thanks' to his message.

Donald Trump Jr's conversations with Wikileaks would continue for the next several weeks, with him sometimes responding and other times, seemingly, taking the group's advice.

On October 3, 2016, Trump Jr was a step ahead of Wikileaks.

The group wrote to Trump, 'Hiya, it'd be great if you guys could comment on/push this story,' Wikileaks wrote, pointing out that Hillary Clinton had said she wanted to 'just drone' Wikileaks' founder Julian Assange.

'Already did that earlier today,' Trump Jr replied. 'It's amazing what she can get away with,' he added.

Two minutes later, he wanted more.

'What's behind this Wednesday leak I keep reading about?' Trump Jr asked, though was ignored.

The Atlantic figured out that the day before Trump's longtime political adviser Roger Stone, who held no official role for the campaign, wrote, 'Wednesday @HillaryClinton is done. #Wikileaks.'

Then-presidential candidate Donald Trump had proclaimed to a Pennsylvania crowd, 'I love Wikileaks' on October 10, after the organization had published some of Clinton Campaign Chairman John Podesta's stolen emails.

Two days later, WikiLeaks responded to Trump Jr's Twitter message.

'Hey Donald, great to see you and your dad talking about our publications,' Wikileaks wrote back instead, messaging back Donald Trump Jr on October 12. 'Strongly suggest your dad tweets this link if he mentions us.'

The message included a link to the Podesta emails leak.

Trump Jr did not respond to the message, but 15 minutes later, then-presidential candidate Trump tweeted: 'Very little pick-up by the dishonest media of incredible information provided by WikiLeaks. So dishonest! Rigged system!'

Wikileaks also suggested that Donald Trump Jr tweet out a link that would allow his father's followers to dig through the trove of stolen Clinton documents.

'There's many great stories the press are missing and we're sure some of your [followers] will find it,' Wikileaks said. 'Btw we just released Podesta Emails Part 4.'

Two days later, Trump Jr tweeted the link to the Podesta emails, writing: 'For those who have the time to read about all the corruption and hypocrisy all the @wikileaks emails are right here: http://wlsearch.tk/.'

After this, Donald Trump Jr stopped responding to Wikileaks messages.

The group wanted him, on October 21, to leak one of his father's tax returns in order to make it look like Wikileaks was an impartial operator.

Wikileaks argued that its site would be a better arbiter to release them than a more liberal news publication like the New York Times or MSNBC.

The New York Times had previously released part of Trump's returns.

'If we publish them it will dramatically improve the perception of our impartiality,' Wikileaks noted. 'That means that the vast amount of stuff that we are publishing on Clinton will have much higher impact, because it won't be perceived as coming from a 'pro-Trump,' 'pro-Russia' source.'

'The same for any other negative stuff (documents, recordings) that you think has a decent chance of coming out,' Wikileaks continued. 'Let us put it out.'

Trump Jr didn't do anything with the offer.

Wikileaks had an idea for how the Trumps could play election day too.

'Hi Don if your father 'loses' we think it is much more interesting if he DOES NOT [concede] and spends time CHALLENGING the media and other types of rigging that occurredas he has implied that he might do,' Wikileaks wrote on election night, hours before the final results would come in. 'The discussion can be transformative as it exposes media corruption, primary corruption, PAC corruption, etc.'

Trump Jr didn't bite on that suggestion as well  because he didn't need to.

With his father elected, Wikileaks later just wrote back, 'Wow.'

In December 16, 2016, several weeks into the presidential transition, Wikileaks tried again, asking Trump Jr for a favor.

'Hi Don. Hope you're doing well! In relation to Mr. Assange: Obama/Clinton placed pressure on Sweden, UK and Australia (his home country) to illicitly go after Mr. Assange,' Wikileaks wrote. 'It would be real easy and helpful for your dad to suggest that Australia appoint Assange ambassador to [Washington,] D.C..'

President-elect Trump, Wikileaks thought, could say something to the affect of, 'That's a real smart tough guy and the most famous australian [sic] you have!'

'They won't do it but it will send the right signals to Australia, UK + Sweden to start following the law and stop bending it to ingratiate themselves with the Clintons,' Wikileaks said.

Trump Jr didn't answer the group's request.

The Atlantic found that through the winter and spring Wikileaks didn't have much contact with the eldest Trump son, who forgoed going to Washington like his sister Ivanka, to instead take the reins of the Trump businesses in New York.

But on July 11, 2017, three days after the New York Times broke the story about a Trump Tower meeting Donald Trump Jr had a year before with a Russian lawyer, who was promised to have dirt on Hillary Clinton, Wikileaks contacted the Trump son and had a thought.

'Hi Don. Sorry to hear about your problems,' Wikileaks wrote. 'We have an idea that may help a little. We are VERY interested in confidentially obtaining and publishing a copy of the email(s) cited in the New York Times today.'

The emails contained a promise from music publicist Rob Goldstone, who was setting up the meeting between Trump campaign officials and Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya, that there was Russian dirt on Clinton.

'We think this is strongly in your interest,' Wikileaks advised Trump Jr of leaking his emails on the site, as it would prevent journalists from casting the meeting in a negative light. 'Us publishing not only deprives them of this ability but is beautifully confounding.'

Again, Trump Jr didn't respond, though later published the emails himself using Twitter.

Several hours later, Assange took credit for the idea.

Earlier this year, Donald Trump Jr also published emails about his meeting a Russian lawyer, who was promised to have dirt on Hillary Clinton. Wikileaks had previously contacted the Trump son and had suggested he do so

'Contacted Trump Jr this morning on why he should publish his emails (i.e. with us),' Assange wrote. 'Two hours later, does it himself.'

Response on social media has been divided, mainly down the political divide.

Some have heralded the correspondence as proof of the Trump administration's ties to Russia, and called for Special Counsel Robert Mueller to investigate as part of his probe.

Others pointed to the lack of response from Trump Jr in the messages, as evidence of his lack of collusion.

Donald Trump Jr's lawyer Alan Futerfas made reference to the fact that his client's conversations had been leaked to the Atlantic when responding to the publication's inquiry.

'Over the last several months, we have worked cooperatively with each of the committees and have voluntarily turned over thousands of documents in response to their requests,' Futerfas said.

'Putting aside the question as to why or by whom such documents, provided to Congress under promises of confidentiality, have been selectively leaked, we can say with confidence that we have no concerns about these documents and any questions raised about them have been easily answered in the appropriate forum,' Futerfas added.

The House and Senate Intelligence Committee, along with the Senate Judiciary Committee have been looking into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election  along with looking for evidence of collusion with the Trump campaign.

Special Counsel Robert Mueller is also looking into the issue, having taken over the FBI's probe.

In September, Donald Trump Jr spoke with Congressional investigators, however he's not testified about Russian influence in an open, public session.
Jason Aldean is breaking his silence about the mass Las Vegas shooting that left 58 people dead and hundreds more wounded.

The country music star sat down with the NBC's Today show for his first television interview where he discussed the horrific shooting at the Route 91 Harvest Festival on October 1. The full interview is set to air Thursday morning.

Aldean explained in vivid detail what he thought was happening when the first shots were fired into the crowd at the concert.

'We wear in-ear monitors when we're on stage and really all you can hear is the music and maybe your guys can talk to you on microphones that are on the side of the stage or whatever,' Aldean said.

Scroll down for video

Jason Aldean is breaking his silence about the mass Las Vegas shooting that left 58 people dead and hundreds more wounded. The country music star sat down with Today show for his first television interview about the shooting

The country music star discussed the horrific shooting at the Route 91 Harvest Festival on October 1 (above). The full interview is set to air Thursday morning

Aldean explained in vivid detail what he thought was happening when the first shots were fired into the crowd at the concert. He said he thought a speaker had blown on stage, when in reality gunman Stephen Paddock had just opened fire on the crowd

Aldean said the 'crackling noise' stopped and he kept performing on stage unaware that a shooting was unfolding in front of him. (aftermath scene pictured)

'So when it first happened, I thought a speaker had blown. I had thought, it just sounded like a crackling something.

'And so, I'm kind of looking around like "what is that?" I'm trying to figure out what that is. Then it stopped.

'So I was like they must have got it fixed and so I just kept doing my thing.'

Aldean said he kept performing on stage unaware that gunman Stephen Paddock had opened fire from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay casino-hotel tower, unleashing more than 1,000 bullets into the crowd.

'It happened again and it lasted longer the second time,' he said.

He said when the gunman started shooting more, his security got him off the stage and to safety

The country music star performed on Sunday in Nashville, Tennessee for the Country Rising Benefit concert to aide victims of the shooting and hurricanes. He is pictured above with Brittany Kerr

'So then I was actually kind of getting aggravated so I looked over at my monitor guy that's on the side of the stage as if to say "what is that? and fix it".

'When I turned to look, guitar player had run behind me and was telling me to move, to let's go.

'And my security guy was running on stage telling me to run.'

Aldean made it off stage and was not injured in the deadly shooting, which resulted in 58 deaths and 489 injured, the worst mass shooting in US history.

The country music star performed on Sunday in Nashville, Tennessee for the Country Rising Benefit concert.

The star-studded show featured performances from Chris Stapleton and Keith Urban.

The all-star Nashville concert was hosted to aide victims of the Las Vegas shooting and recent hurricanes.
One of Australia's most colourful politicians Jacqui Lambie has announced she will resign from parliament today after she was revealed to be a dual-citizen of the UK.

Senator Lambie received news from British authorities on Tuesday confirming she was a UK citizen by descent through her Scottish-born father.

The Tasmanian independent Senator said she would not refer her case to the High Court if she was found to have breached section 44 of the constitution by holding dual citizenship.

Addressing the news on Tuesday, Senator Lambie said 'it's going to be an absolute cluster'.

Australian politics' citizenship scandal is set to claim another big scalp with Jacqui Lambie confirming she will resign within 24 hours should she be proven a dual-national

Senator Lambie said the citizenship saga was in 'shambles' when she spoke to Tasmanian radio station LAFM on Tuesday.

The emotional senator's voice broke as she recalled the moment she realised she might be a dual-citizen.

'I'm on the phone to dad, I'm going "please, what's going on". All this unravelled in about two or three days,' she said.

'By Thursday last week I just rang dad and said "I'm gone aren't I". He said "you know what sweetheart, I think we're gone".'

While Senator Lambie confirmed she would resign, she said it was not the end of her career in politics.

'You can't keep a Lambie down,' she said.

Senator Lambie planned to renounce her UK citizenship soon after her resignation.

Senator Lambie is the eighth MP forced out of politics since the citizenship saga engulfed the parliament in July.

She joins Barnaby Joyce, Malcolm Roberts, Larissa Waters and and Scott Ludlam as members of parliament who have lost their jobs as a result of the scandal.

She would join Barnaby Joyce, Malcolm Roberts, Larissa Waters and and Scott Ludlam as members of parliament who have lost their jobs as a result of the scandal

Lambie addressed the growing concern in a meeting on Monday, saying her home state of Tasmania would be 'the first to know' should she find out she was a dual citizen.

Cory Bernardi revealed he knew of another senator who was aware of their dual-citizenship and had not disclosed it to parliament, fuelling speculation it was Lambie.

She vehemently denied those rumours on Monday afternoon.

Lambie revealed to the Tasmania Examiner last week her father was born in Scotland and she was 'proud' of her roots.

'I found out more about his family background in recent weeks as I wrote my autobiography ahead of its publication next year,' she said.

'I'm happy to put on record that I'm satisfied that my parents are both Australian citizens and I have no concerns about me being a dual citizen because of where they were born or came from.'

Lambie addressed the growing concern in a meeting on Monday, saying her home state of Tasmania would be 'the first to know' should she resign

Cory Bernardi revealed he knew of another senator who was aware of their dual-citizenship and had not disclosed it to parliament, fuelling speculation it was Lambie. She vehemently denied those rumours on Monday afternoon

Senator Lambie will make a statement to parliament about 12.40pm (AEDT) on Tuesday.

She took to Twitter on Tuesday morning to announce she would 'table her resignation documents'.

The document said Senator Lambie received assurances from Labor that all standing pairing arrangements would be honoured after she left.

Her replacement in the upper house will be determined by the High Court.

She took to Twitter on Tuesday morning to announce she would 'table her resignation documents' (pictured)

Steve Martin was next on the Jacqui Lambie Network Senate ticket at the 2016 election, but there are doubts about his eligibility to sit in parliament.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is attempting to recall parliament days before Christmas to bring a resolution to the saga.

He and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten met last week to discuss the PM's proposal, but failed to reach an agreement on the new rules, demanding MPs disclosed all family history and citizenship documents.

'We want to sharpen up the Prime Minister's resolution and make sure it is foolproof,' Mr Shorten said after the meeting.

Turnbull described their conversation as 'constructive discussion' and hopes to revisit the issue.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is attempting to recall parliament days before Christmas to bring a resolution to the saga

Senator Lambie's announcement came as the Turnbull government ramped up pressure on Labor Leader Bill Shorten over the citizenship credentials of opposition MPs.

'Bill Shorten has been playing a very dodgy game in this business from start to finish,' Attorney-General George Brandis told the Nine Network.

The onus was on the opposition leader to live by the same standard he has demanded of the government, he said.

A resolution passed in the Senate on Monday requires senators to make declarations about all relevant particulars of their citizenship in a special registry by December 1.

A similar motion is expected to be passed in the House of Representatives when it meets in a fortnight.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, speaking from Manila where he's attending the East Asia summit, said the registry plan would get all the facts on the table.

'Then the House can consider them and then, if they wish, refer people to the High Court,' he said.

The government is keen to refer at least two Labor MPs - Justine Keay (Tasmania) and Susan Lamb (Queensland) - who were still British citizens when nominations for the 2016 election closed.

Labor insists they are safe because they took all reasonable measures to renounce UK citizenship.
Conservative ice cream fans want Ben & Jerry's to 'stick to selling ice cream,' following a bizarre tweet and blog post which suggested customers might be racist for choosing certain flavors.

The Vermont-based ice cream company posted a tweet asking its followers, 'What is implicit bias, and how does it shape our actions? The answer might surprise you.'

The tweet linked to a company blog post titled, 'Scoop Shop Sociology,' discussing the idea of implicit bias  the theory that people make unconscious associations with or stereotype groups.

In October, Ben & Jerry's tweeted out a link to a post that used ice cream flavor preferences to highlight the controversial topic of implicit bias

Ice cream fans resented the fact that Ben & Jerry's was selling politics with their ice cream

The blog post started by positing that the reason why people are condition to think that certain flavors taste good when combined - such as their 'Half Baked' brownie and cookie dough confection - is due to conditioning, not unlike implicit bias.

The post then goes on to discuss cultural stereotypes and systemic racism, before urging people to take an implicit bias test and engage in a 'bias cleanse,' among other things.

The tweet, which was originally posted on October 24 and subsequently reposted several times, prompted one Twitter user to respond, 'Did Ben and Jerry's just call everyone racist?' while another tweeter wrote, 'Just stick to making mediocre over priced ice cream.'

In response to a tweeter's statement at the time that 'this kind of BS' was why she hadn't been a customer for six months, Ben & Jerry's responded by saying, 'You do realize that we've been a values-led business from the very beginning, right?'

Interest in the tweet appeared to have died down until it was revived on Sunday night, turning into a full-blown, social media tempest in a teapot overnight when a writer at a conservative news and opinion site retweeted it.

On Sunday, a conservative news writer retweeted the Ben & Jerry's implicit bias tweet, touching off a new flurry of negative reactions from ice cream fans

Within hours of Daily Wire writer Elliott Hamilton tweeting, 'Worst ice cream advertisement ever,' Twitter users went on the offensive, attacking the American ice cream company for injecting politics into their dessert and proclaiming personal boycotts.

'Well, looks like I'm never spending a dime on @benandjerrys ever again. Can't even keep your f****** politics out of my ice cream,' tweeted @haderlein_jerry.

'My bias against your ice cream is now explicit,' wrote @keypointist, adding the hashtag 'ItsOkayToBeWhite' to his statement.

'You should just stick to selling ice cream instead of calling your largest customer base racist,' noted @Drake5894.

Not long after Hamilton's tweet, a writer at FoxNews.com noted that 'The Vermont-based creamery is on a mission to root out systemic racism from its customers  especially white ones.'

Not all of the controversy was related to politics though, as actors Actor Travis Wester, of 'Supernatural' and 'Eurotrip' fame, pointed out.

He took issue with the notion that implicit bias was being discussed, considering the theory's own controversial status.

Wester tweeted that implicit bias is 'pseudoscience that tastes like day-old vomit.'

Ben & Jerry's has a long history of supporting political and climate change activism

Some Ben & Jerry's fans pointed out that the ice cream company has always been politically-minded. Other Twitter users specifically objected to the topic of implicit bias

Some Ben & Jerry's fans defended the ice cream company, noting that its ice cream has always come with a sprinkling of politics.

'People should probably look at the b&j history before buying if they're THIS surprised by a sociopolitical tweet from b&j,' noted @SJCage.

Meanwhile, @wetsprocket said, 'This has been a political ice cream for like 30 years man.'

Between announcements of new flavors of ice cream, many Ben & Jerry's tweets have highlighted voting and climate change activism, among other political and social topics.

In January 2016, Ben & Jerry's co-founder Ben Cohen announced that he had created an unofficial special flavor of ice cream commemorating Vermont senator Bernie Sanders' presidential run, calling the plain mint ice cream beneath a solid layer of chocolate, 'Bernie's Yearning.'

The solid chocolate topping was meant to represent the one per cent, while the mint ice cream was everybody else.

Instructions for eating the ice cream were to break the chocolate into 'lots of pieces' which could then be mixed and redistributed with the ice cream, The Hill reported.
Hosam Eisa (pictured) was stabbed to death after coming out of a cinema in Romford

A young man was stabbed to death after he confronted a teenager who stared at him while he sat with his girlfriend in a shopping centre, a court heard.

Hosam Eisa, a 20-year-old Egyptian, had just come out of the cinema in Romford, east London, with partner Salma Begum when they saw a group wearing hoodies, jurors were told.

Miss Begum later told police that one of the youths looked at Mr Eisa but she grabbed his hand and stopped him from going towards them, it is claimed.

Minutes later Mr Eisa was seen 'squaring up' to one of them in the car park outside the Brewery Shopping Centre, the Old Bailey heard.

A 17-year-old boy, who cannot be identified, punched the victim before Che Pullen, 20, rushed in and stabbed him four times in the chest, face and skull, the court heard.

Mr Eisa died in hospital an hour later from a fatal wound to his heart.

Pullen now claims he was defending the 17-year-old from attack because the victim was armed with a yellow craft knife.

CCTV cameras captured most of the fight at around 4.30pm on May 18 earlier this year.

John McGuinness, prosecuting, told jurors the two suspects did not know Mr Eisa and only 'clapped eyes on him' for the first time just 15 minutes before the killing.

Pullen, the 17 year-old and two other friends aged 14 and 15 had met up outside McDonalds before heading into the shopping centre and taking the escalator to the first floor.

CCTV footage shows them walking past Mr Eisa, nicknamed Waseem, and his girlfriend sitting on a window ledge.

Mr McGuinness said: 'Something is said or a look is given because Mr Eisa appears to be annoyed about something.

'He gets up and appears to want to go after them but Salma Begum grabs his hand and holds him back.

'Her recollection is that as the group walked past, the [17 year-old] stared at Waseem.

'When Waseem stood up she took his hand and tried to restrain him, she didn't want him getting angry and aggressive.'

Minutes later Mr Eisa was seen 'squaring up' to one of them in the car park outside the Brewery Shopping Centre, the Old Bailey heard

After a further confrontation in a games arcade, the group followed Mr Eisa out into the car park area where the fight started.

Mr McGuinness said: 'It was two onto one and though Eisa may have had a knife he did not get the opportunity to use it.

'Pullen stabbed Eisa no fewer than four times and did so with some force.

'In addition to the fatal wound to the heart, Pullen stabbed Eisa twice in the face and once in the his skull.

'When he inflicted these stab wounds he intended - at the very least - to cause Eisa really serious harm.'

Pullen, of Romford, and the 17-year-old, also from Romford, both deny murder.

The trial continues.
A Chinese restaurant has been fined $25,000 after a customer received acid burns after toxic chemicals were put in a salt shaker by mistake.

Xiaxue 'Sophia' Sun pleaded guilty in Southport Magistrates Court on Monday to selling unsafe food at Top One Chinese Restaurant at Australia Fair on the Gold Coast, according to the Gold Coast Bulletin.

Sun's company Huxia International Pty Ltd was found guilty of failing to ensure a company complies with food safety laws.

A customer was treated by ambulance workers at the restaurant on September 18, 2016 when his mouth began bleeding.

Xiaxue 'Sophia' Sun pleaded guilty in Southport Magistrates Court on Monday to selling unsafe food at Top One Chinese Restaurant (pictured) at Australia Fair on the Gold Coast

According to court documents the man visited Top One for lunch with his family and asked for salt after discovering the shaker was empty (different meal at Top One restaurant pictured)

According to court documents the man visited Top One for lunch with his family and asked for salt after discovering the shaker was empty.

A new shaker was brought to the table by a waitress and he put its contents on his meal, before experiencing severe pain.

He said the pain was 'really bad' while his daughter described smelling something 'toxic' on his food.

Environmental Health officers inspected the restaurant and found unmarked containers of white substances including a 10kg tub of sodium hydroxide, more commonly known as caustic soda.

The poisonous substance was found in the container brought over to the man's table.

A new shaker was brought to the table by a waitress and he put its contents on his meal, before experiencing severe pain

According to court documents the man visited Top One for lunch with his family and asked for salt after discovering the shaker was empty (stock image)

The company was fined $20,000 for selling unsafe food and order to pay $15,515.90 in court and legal costs.

Ms Sun was fined a further $5000 for failing to comply with food safety rules.

Ms Sun refused to comment when contacted by Daily Mail Australia.
The troubling history of a scandal-hit chain of care homes where 12 people have died can be revealed today.

Sussex Health Care is under police investigation over the deaths, which include disabled men in their 20s.

A major crime team is looking into incidents dating back two years at nine of the firms homes, in one of the biggest investigations Sussex Police has undertaken.

Detectives arrested a woman on suspicion of neglect and fraud last Thursday before releasing her under investigation.

A major crime team is looking into incidents dating back two years at nine of the firms homes, including this one at Longfield Manor, in one of the biggest investigations Sussex Police has undertaken

The nine homes, most of them in the Horsham and Crawley area, are Orchard Lodge, Longfield Manor, The Laurels, Kingsmead Lodge (pictured), Beech Lodge, Beechcroft Care Centre, Rapkyns Care Centre, Rapkyns Nursing Home and Woodhurst Lodge

West Sussex County Council has stopped sending residents to the company  and two weeks ago started withdrawing disabled young adults from one home over clinical care and safety concerns.

It has also offered to move anyone who wants to be placed elsewhere, even if they had privately funded their care.

Inspection reports and coroners records reveal allegations of dangerous care, appalling treatment and abuse stretch back nearly a decade.

Safeguarding concerns involve 43 residents, including patients not given enough to drink, problems with feeding tubes, poor hygiene and bad management of pressure sores.

Understaffing at the homes, poor management of medicines, and the way residents are handled and moved are also under investigation.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) last night said it was concerned about the ability of Sussex Health Care to provide reliable care, adding that the company allowed problems to escalate until they were pointed out by inspectors.

Campaigners said the companys past problems may not have been apparent to families after the firm re-registered with the CQC three years ago under a different name.

MPs and campaigners have called for a full investigation.

The Mail can reveal:

The 12 deaths under investigation include two women  Christine Sonko, 54 and Valerie Tilley, 79  who both died of head injuries. Mrs Tilleys son Adrian said: The public have the right to know;

Police are also looking into the deaths of three severely disabled young men in their 20s;

The investigation includes the deaths of seven other people between April 2015 and June 2017, who remain unidentified;

A severely disabled 56-year-old man was left to die with pneumonia in 2008, which the coroner said had involved a gross failure of basic nursing care;

A carer was found at 1am engaging in sexual activity with a severely disabled woman.

Sussex Health Care charges up to 100,000 a year for a place in its homes, which offer nursing care for elderly people, young adults with learning difficulties, and people with severe neurological disabilities.

The firm is owned by joint chairmen Shiraz Boghani and Shafik Sachedina.

Andrea Sutcliffe, the CQCs chief inspector of adult social care, said the company was the subject of continuous review, adding: On numerous occasions we identified breaches of the regulations and have taken enforcement action including warning notices and requirement actions to drive improvement in these services.

Lib Dem former care minister Norman Lamb said: This is a deeply disturbing catalogue of failures, and I will be writing to the Health Secretary urging him to investigate why a number of warnings appear not to have been acted on'

Overall we are concerned about the ability of Sussex Health Care to provide a reliable quality of care for people.

'While we have seen some examples of good practice, it is clear that this is not shared across all their services.

The care of many residents is funded by the council, which is understood to have paid the firm millions of pounds over its 30-year history.

But questions have also been raised about the close links between the local authority and the firm, after it emerged Peter Catchpole, who serves as policy adviser on the Sussex Health Care board, was also cabinet member for adult social care at West Sussex County Council. The council and company have said measures had been taken to ensure Mr Catchpole was not conflicted.

Lib Dem former care minister Norman Lamb said: This is a deeply disturbing catalogue of failures, and I will be writing to the Health Secretary urging him to investigate why a number of warnings appear not to have been acted on.

'We owe it to loved ones, who have been left bereaved, to establish whether earlier, robust safeguarding action might have saved lives.

Five years ago the CQC, the police, and social services were all warned by a coroner of a case of gross failure of basic nursing at one home, after staff failed to notice brain-damaged Christopher Allen had developed pneumonia before he died in 2008.

Mid Sussex MP Sir Nicholas Soames said: It certainly looks to me as though the warning signals to the council were not acted on as quickly as they should have been.

Victims and their families' despair WE WANT ANSWERS Huntingtons disease sufferer Christine Sonko died unexpectedly in the spring from a bleed on the brain. The mother-of-fours husband Ebrima, said his wife, 54, had been assigned one-on-one nursing at Rapkyns Nursing Home near Horsham and had to wear a safety helmet. The supermarket attendant, 47, said: Ive had no real explanation as to what happened to my wife. 'It is very disappointing as you put your trust in the home to take care of her and I feel let down. 'I have faith in the coroner and the police to get to the bottom of what has happened in that home. 'We do need answers, the family is unhappy but we will wait for the process to conclude. TWO FALLS, THEN SHE DIED Grandmother Valerie Tilley had two falls in three days before she died in November last year after suffering a fractured skull. The retired insurance agent, 79, had dementia and had been at the Longfield Manor home in Billingshurst near Horsham for five months. Her son Adrian Tilley, 56, said he still did not know how she had fallen and died. The plumber added: We need answers. The public have the right to know. THREE YOUNG VICTIMS The deaths of three severely disabled young men are part of the police investigation into Sussex Health Care. A 22-year-old is understood to have died at Rapkyns Care Centre near Horsham on a weekend stay arranged every three months to give his mother a break from caring for him full-time. A 21-year-old man  also on a respite care stay  died of pneumonia before Christmas last year. A 20-year-old mans death late last year is also being looked at. BROKEN LEGS AGONY Two severely disabled men suffered broken legs at one home within a few days. Matthew Bates, 33, had his right thigh bone broken two years ago at Beech Lodge, while Gary Lewis, 65, had his left leg broken. Both were taken to hospital within 24 hours in April 2015. The injuries are not part of the current investigation, and there is no evidence of wrongdoing. Mark Bates said his son  who has cerebral palsy  suffered in silence for 15 hours before paramedics were called. He said: I can only imagine it would have been horrendous for him. Martyn Lewis said the injury nearly killed his brother, adding: It was a very close call. Advertisement

It is understood 17 police officers are working on the case. An officer told one family member it could change the way a lot of agencies go about their business.

The nine homes, most of them in the Horsham and Crawley area, are Orchard Lodge, Longfield Manor, The Laurels, Kingsmead Lodge, Beech Lodge, Beechcroft Care Centre, Rapkyns Care Centre, Rapkyns Nursing Home and Woodhurst Lodge.

The CQC has inspected the nine homes 55 times since 2010, but only reports published since November 2014 are on the companys profile page on the CQC website, because Sussex Care Homes at that point re-registered under a new off-shore company.

Older reports are available in an archive site  but are not immediately obvious to families searching for details of the care homes, because they were registered under a different holding firm, despite the fact the managers, owners and homes themselves were identical.

Mid Sussex MP Sir Nicholas Soames said: It certainly looks to me as though the warning signals to the council were not acted on as quickly as they should have been

Eileen Chubb, founder of campaign group Compassion in Care, said: Why is the system justifying and excusing poor care?

'It is not just the failing of the care homes it is the failing of the whole system that is there to protect people when things go wrong.

A council spokesman said: Where appropriate we are offering [council-funded] residents the opportunity to move if they wish to do so and we have advised other funding authorities of this approach.

We are also offering to assess and help self-funders who may wish to move. We are currently not placing people at the homes involved.

Sussex Police said: The investigation remains ongoing and aims to identify whether any criminal offences have been committed, or not.

It is understood Sussex Health Care believe the councils decision to withdraw residents from its Orchard Lodge site was unwarranted and unlawful.

A spokesman added: As an organisation that has prided itself on providing the highest standards of care for over 30 years, to over 30,000 people, we are deeply shocked by the allegations that have been made by the Daily Mail and rigorously dispute them.

Where it has been possible to do so without potentially prejudicing the current police investigation we have provided detailed evidence to challenge these allegations.

We are absolutely committed to working with the police to assist their investigation. We are equally committed to working with the Care Quality Commission to maintain good care provision, and address areas for improvement where they are identified. We call on West Sussex County Council to work openly with us to achieve both of these objectives.
The draining of a massive aquifer that underlies portions of eight states in the central U.S. is drying up steams, causing fish to disappear and threatening the livelihood of farmers who rely on it for their crops.

Water levels in the Ogallala aquifer have been dropping for decades as irrigators pump water faster than rainfall can recharge it.

An analysis of federal data found the Ogallala aquifer shrank twice as fast over the past six years compared with the previous 60, The Denver Post reports.

Water levels in the Ogallala aquifer have been dropping for decades as irrigators pump water faster than rainfall can recharge it. Also known as the High Plains Aquifer, the Ogallala underlies 175,000 square miles (453,000 square kilometers), including parts of Colorado, Wyoming Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Texas.

THE OGALLALA The aquifer lost 10.7 million acre-feet of storage between 2013 and 2015, the U.S. Geological Survey said in a June report. Also known as the High Plains Aquifer, the Ogallala underlies 175,000 square miles (453,000 square kilometers), including parts of Colorado, Wyoming Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Texas. Advertisement

The drawdown has become so severe that streams are drying at a rate of 6 miles per year and some highly resilient fish are disappearing. In rural areas, farmers and ranchers worry they will no longer have enough water for their livestock and crops as the aquifer is depleted.

The aquifer lost 10.7 million acre-feet of storage between 2013 and 2015, the U.S. Geological Survey said in a June report.

'Now I never know, from one minute to the next, when I turn on a faucet or hydrant, whether there will be water or not,' said Lois Scott, 75, who lives west of Cope, Colorado, north of the frequently bone-dry bed of the Arikaree River.

A 40-foot well her grandfather dug by hand in 1914 gave water until recently, she said, lamenting the loss of lawns where children once frolicked and green pastures for cows.

Scott's now considering a move to Brush, Colorado, and leaving her family's historic homestead farm.

'This will truly become the Great American Desert,' she said.

Also known as the High Plains Aquifer, the Ogallala underlies 175,000 square miles (453,000 square kilometers), including parts of Colorado, Wyoming Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Texas.

NASA ASTER image of a roughly 557 mi2 area of fields (1443 km2) in Kansas watered from the Ogallala Aquifer with center pivot irrigation systems

That's one of the primary agricultural regions of the U.S., producing $35 billion in crops annually.

Farmers and ranchers have been tapping into the aquifer since the 1930s to boost production and help them get by in times of drought.

This will truly become the Great American Desert

However, overpumping has dried up 358 miles of surface rivers and streams across a 200-square-mile area covering eastern Colorado, western Kansas and Nebraska, according to researchers from Colorado State University and Kansas State University.

If farmers keep pumping water at the current pace, another 177 miles of rivers and streams will be lost before 2060, the researchers determined.

'We have almost completely changed the species of fish that can survive in those streams, compared with what was there historically.

'This is really a catastrophic change,' said Kansas State University conservation biologist Keith Gido, one of the authors of a report on the aquifer published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

If all pumping stopped immediately, it would still take hundreds of years for rain-fed streams and rivers to recharge the aquifer, Gido said.
The two brightest planets in the solar system put on a dazzling display today for early-morning stargazers.

Venus and Jupiter were visible to the naked eye as they rose just above the horizon at around 6:00am GMT (01:00am ET) in a rare 'conjunction'.

Neither planet has risen for observers in the US yet, with the display scheduled for 10:30am GMT (5:30am ET) for East coast skygazers.

Pictures of the two planets, which will visibly pass this close again only once during the next 100 years, have been shared online as Brits woke up to the amazing sight.

Scroll down for video

The two brightest planets in the solar system put on a dazzling display today for early-morning stargazers in the UK

CONJUNCTIONS Conjunctions occur when two celestial bodies apparently meet or pass, as observable from Earth. The conjunction is made possible when Venus and Jupiter share the same east to west longitude in the sky. They are around 416 million miles apart, but for a brief period it will appear as if the two planets are orbiting the sun side by side. Images show the two planets 16 arcminutes - or half the width of the full moon - apart during the rare conjunction. Nasa has said this pairing makes the two planets look 'like a brilliant double star'. Advertisement

Twitter user @SamChester wrote: 'Clear sky just before dawn, Venus and Jupiter look amazing on the horizon.'

User @jakehewkin tweeted: 'Wow! The view over London of Jupiter and Venus rising is incredible! They will be in alignment soon. Stick your head outside! (wherever you are)'.

Images show the two planets 16 arcminutes - or half the width of the full moon - apart during the rare conjunction.

Nasa has said this pairing makes the two planets look 'like a brilliant double star'.

Conjunctions between Venus and Jupiter take place around once every 13 months.

But today's meeting was rare because the two planets approached unusually close to one another.

Joe Rao, a skygazing expert and lecturer at New York's Hayden Planetarium, told Space.com: 'Using a computer program, I've found that over the next 100 years, up until the year 2117, Venus and Jupiter will come within 21 arc minutes or less of each other just 24 times.

'In fact, most of these events will occur during the daytime; only two will occur during twilight or in a dark sky.

Pictures of the two planets, which will visibly pass this close again only once during the next 100 years, have been shared online as Brits woke up to the amazing sight

Most Venus and Jupiter conjunction events occur during the daytime, meaning we can't see them as the sky is too bright

Venus and Jupiter were visible to the naked eye as they rose just above the horizon at around 6:00am GMT (01:00am ET) in a rare 'conjunction'

Here are some pictures of Venus and Jupiter this morning. 1st one just after both appeared from behind clouds. 2nd one in clearer skies. Last one with 300mm lens. pic.twitter.com/vuOyLbxLRr  Brad Timerson (@btimerson) November 12, 2017

Neither planet has risen for observers in the US yet, with the display scheduled for 10:30am GMT (5:30am ET) for East coast skygazers. Pictured is the two planets as they were visible in the UK this morning

Experts had predicted the planets would be so close together before sunrise at 7:15am GMT (2:15am ET) they would appear to be on top of one another

'Monday's event is one of them, and the other is 22 years from now, on Nov. 2, 2039.'

Conjunctions occur when two celestial bodies apparently meet or pass, as observable from Earth.

Conjunctions of planets with one another are considered of great importance in astrology.

Experts had predicted the planets would be so close together before sunrise at 7:15am GMT (2:15am ET) they would appear to be on top of one another.

But the rare sight faded quickly as the sky got brighter this morning.

The planets passed so close to one another in the dawn sky that they appeared to be on top of one another from some angles

Twitter user Ian Burley was one of many Brits to snap a picture of the phenomenon early this morning

Conjunctions occur when two celestial bodies apparently meet or pass, as observable from Earth

venus and jupiter even closer this morning. #astronomyinyourpyjamas pic.twitter.com/MtaKnWEJNy  s webber (@coedybrenin) November 13, 2017

Images show the two planets 16 arcminutes - or half the width of the full moon - apart during the rare conjunction

As well as the two planets being visible without any specialist equipment, Jupiter's four Galilean moons were visible with a telescope.

Experts warned the sun would rise quickly after the planets became visible, meaning skygazers needed to be careful to avoid damaging their eyes.

Ahead of the rare sight, Ade Ashford from Astronomy Now said: 'If you do manage to catch Venus and Jupiter together at the start of UK civil twilight, the pair will be just 6 above the east-southeast horizon.

'Seeing conditions are therefore likely to be poor, but telescope users may just catch sight of Jupiter's four Galilean moons Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto in the configuration depicted at the top of the page.'

Ahead of the rare sight, Ade Ashford from Astronomy Now said: 'If you do manage to catch Venus and Jupiter together at the start of UK civil twilight, the pair will be just 6 above the east-southeast horizon'

'Seeing conditions are therefore likely to be poor, but telescope users may just catch sight of Jupiter's four Galilean moons Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto in the configuration depicted at the top of the page,' Mr Ashford said

Conjunctions between Venus and Jupiter take place around once every 13 months. But today's meeting was rare because the two planets approached unusually close to one another

Over the next 100 years, up until the year 2117, Venus and Jupiter will come within 21 arc minutes or less of each other just 24 times. Most of these will not be visible as they will occur during the day

Experts had predicted the planets would be so close together before sunrise at 7:15am GMT (2:15am ET) they would appear to be on top of one another

For skygazers on the US East coast, the display is scheduled for 10:30am GMT (5:30am ET) this morning

Pictured is Jupiter (right) and Venus (left) in the skies over East Berkshire during a planetary conjunction

The rare sight (pictured) faded quickly as the sky got brighter this morning, with only early-morning skygazers managing to catch a glimpse

Experts warned the sun would rise quickly after the planets became visible, meaning skygazers needed to be careful to avoid damaging their eyes

Pictured is a stunning image of the two planets during sunrise over Brighton pier this morning

Conjunctions occur when two celestial bodies apparent meet or pass, as observable from Earth. Nasa has said this pairing makes the two planets look 'like a brilliant double star'
AI experts have put together a seven-minute film that depicts a terrifying future where tiny killer drones are programmed to carry out mass killings.

Made by an advocacy group called Campaign to Stop Killer Robots, the footage shows palm-sized drones, armed with explosives, finding and attacking people without human supervision.

These tiny drones can kill with ruthless efficiency and campaigners warn a preemptive ban on the technology is needed to stop a new era of horrific mass destruction.

Scroll down for video

AI experts have put together a seven-minute film that depicts a terrifying future where killer drones are programmed to carry out mass killings

SLAUGHTERBOTS In the film, machines can can spot activists in lecture halls and kill them by propelling an explosive into their head. The video starts with a developer introducing the new technology, saying these drones can react 100 times faster than a human. He says these drones have wide field cameras, face recognition, special sensors and shaped explosives. The video then cuts out of the developer's presentation and goes to mock news stories about horrific destruction in the aftermath of an attack. A leading AI scientists from the University of California in Berkeley, Stuart Russell, will be part of the team that show the film at the International Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons. 'Pursuing the development of lethal autonomous weapons would drastically reduce international, national, local, and personal security,' Dr Russell said. 'The technology illustrated in the film is simply an integration of existing capabilities', he said. Advertisement

More than 100 nations are part of the International Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons that will debate a ban on so called 'killer robots' in Geneva today.

In the film, which will be shown at the convention, machines can spot activists in lecture halls and kill them by propelling an explosive into their head, writes the Guardian.

The film called 'Slaughterbots' starts with a developer introducing the new technology, saying these drones can react 100 times faster than a human.

He says these drones have wide field cameras, face recognition, special sensors and shaped explosives.

'Let's watch the weapons make decisions', he says, claiming they can penetrate people, cars trains and evade bullets.

The video then cuts out of the developer's presentation and goes to mock news stories about horrific destruction in the aftermath of an attack.

Experts warn this futuristic scenario could happen unless we halt the development of such drones which could be devastating for human security.

A leading AI scientist from the University of California in Berkeley, Stuart Russell, will be part of the team that show the film.

'Pursuing the development of lethal autonomous weapons would drastically reduce international, national, local, and personal security,' Dr Russell said.

'The technology illustrated in the film is simply an integration of existing capabilities', he said.

KILLER ROBOTS In June the Pentagon awarded an $11 million (8.4 million) contract to build a 'combined-arms squad' of human and robotic capabilities. From unmanned trucks and aircraft, to 'ghost fleets' of underwater drones, the military has in many ways turned its sights on autonomous technology to improve capabilities. And, a similar shift can be seen all around the world. Russia, for example, has also been working on ways to integrate combat robots into battle, including armed sentry drones. 'Intelligent robotic weapons  they're a reality, and they will be much more of a reality by 2030,' said John Bassett, a former British intelligence officer. 'At some point around 2025 or thereabouts, the US Army will actually have more combat robots than it will have human soldiers.' Advertisement

'It is not science fiction. In fact, it is easier to achieve than self-driving cars, which require far higher standards of performance.'

At their five-year review conference, the 123 nations are meant to agree to formalise their efforts to deal with the challenges raised by weapons systems that would select and attack targets without meaningful human control.

The military has been one of the biggest funders of AI technology and have created robots that can scan video footage for a target with more precision than the human eye.

Now experts warn the technology is so sophisticated drones could be armed with explosives to kill people without needing the human controller to have the final say.

'The governments meeting in Geneva took an important step toward stemming the development of killer robots, but there is no time to lose' said Steve Goose, arms director of Human Rights Watch last year, a co-founder of the Campaign to Stop Killer Robots.

'Once these weapons exist, there will be no stopping them.

Made by advocacy group Campaign to Stop Killer Robots, the footage shows palm-sized drones armed with explosives finding and attacking people (pictured)

In the film, which will be shown at the convention, machines can can spot activists in lecture halls and kill them by propelling an explosive into their head

WILL ROBOTS GET AWAY WITH WAR CRIMES? If a robot unlawfully kills someone in the heat of battle, who is liable for the death? In a report by the Human Rights Watch in 2016, they highlighted the rather disturbing answer: no one. The organisation says that something must be done about this lack of accountability - and it is calling for a ban on the development and use of 'killer robots'. Called 'Mind the Gap: The Lack of Accountability for Killer Robots,' their report details the hurdles of allowing robots to kill without being controlled by humans. 'No accountability means no deterrence of future crimes, no retribution for victims, no social condemnation of the responsible party,' said Bonnie Docherty, senior Arms Division researcher at the HRW and the report's lead author. Advertisement

'The time to act on a pre-emptive ban is now.'

In August, robotics and artificial intelligence experts signed an open letter demanding the UN prohibit the use of such weapons internationally.

Among the 116 signatories are Tesla founder Elon Musk and Mustafa Suleyman, head of applied AI at Google's Deep Mind.

The weapons, including lethal microdrone swarms, are on the edge of development with the potential to create global instability, they warn.

'Once developed, they will permit armed conflict to be fought at a scale greater than ever, and at timescales faster than humans can comprehend,' the letter reads.

'These can be weapons of terror, weapons that despots and terrorists use against innocent populations, and weapons hacked to behave in undesirable ways.

'We do not have long to act. Once this Pandora's box is opened, it will be hard to close.'

Technology allowing a pre-programmed robot to shoot to kill, or a tank to fire at a target with no human involvement, are only years away experts say.

The Conference on Disarmament will open five days of talks on the weaponry, but those calling for a ban will not be satisfied, said Indian ambassador Amandeep Gill, who is chairing the meeting.

'It would be very easy to just legislate a ban but I think... rushing ahead in a very complex subject is not wise,' he told reporters.

'We are just at the starting line.'

He said the discussion, which will also include civil society and technology companies, will be partly focused on understanding the types of weapons in the pipeline.

Experts warn the technology is so sophisticated military drones could be armed with explosives to strike people without needing the human controller to have the final say

Mr Gill said there was agreement among nations that 'human beings have to remain responsible for decisions that involve life and death'.

But, he said, there are varying opinions on the mechanics through which 'human control' must govern deadly weapons.

The International Committee of the Red Cross, which is mandated to safeguard the laws of conflict, has also not called for a ban, but has underscored the need to place limits on autonomous weapons.

'Our bottom line is that machines can't apply the law and you can't transfer responsibility for legal decisions to machines', Neil Davison of the ICRC's arms unit told AFP.

He highlighted the problematic nature of weapons systems, where there are major variables in terms of the timing or location of an attack - for example something that is deployed for multiple hours and programmed to strike whenever it detects an enemy target.

'Where you have a degree of unpredictability or uncertainty in what's going to happen when you activate this weapons system then you are going to start to have problems for legal compliance', he said.
A group of security researchers has remotely hacked a Boeing 757 aircraft without the knowledge of the pilots, a US government official has claimed.

Robert Hickey, a Homeland Security cyber investigator, managed to take over the passenger jet on the runway at Atlantic City airport, New Jersey.

A Boeing official has said the test is unlikely to indicate a major threat to airliners, adding: 'I'm not afraid to fly'.

Scroll down for video

A group of security experts have remotely hacked a Boeing 757 aircraft (file photo) while it sat on the runway, a US government official has revealed. Robert Hickey, a Homeland Security cyber investigator, managed to take over the passenger jet at Atlantic City airport, New Jersey

THE BOEING HACK Robert Hickey, a Homeland Security cyber investigator, said his team used a combination of radio frequency communication to hack into the craft, but that details of the breach remain classified. Switching the code in avionics equipment could take up to a year to fix and cost up to 1 million ($1.3 million), he added. During the 2016 hacking of the aircraft, a Boeing official was present. 'We firmly believe that the test did not identify any cyber vulnerabilities in the 757, or any other Boeing aircraft,' the firm said in a statement. A Boeing official said the test is unlikely to indicate a major threat to airliners. This is because the hacking involved using specific attack methods on older aircraft with older systems, they said. Advertisement

Mr Hickey revealed the details during a speech at the CyberSat Summit in Virginia , after the plane was hacked in 2016.

He said: 'We got the aeroplane on September 19, 2016.

'Two days later, I was successful in accomplishing a remote, non-cooperative, penetration.'

'[Which] means I didn't have anybody touching the aeroplane, I didn't have an insider threat.

'I stood off using typical stuff that could get through security and we were able to establish a presence on the systems of the aircraft.'

Mr Hickey said his team used a combination of radio frequency communication to hack into the craft, but that details of the breach remain classified.

Switching the code in avionics equipment could take up to a year to fix and cost up to 1 million ($1.3 million), he added.

Mr Hickey said his team used a combination of radio frequency communication to hack into the craft, but that details of the breach remain classified. Switching the code in avionics equipment could take up to a year to fix and cost up to 1 million ($1.3 million) (stock image)

During the 2016 hacking of the aircraft, a Boeing official was present.

'We firmly believe that the test did not identify any cyber vulnerabilities in the 757, or any other Boeing aircraft,' the firm said in a statement, CBS reported.

In July 2017, a total of 738 Boeing 757 aircraft of all variants were in commercial service, mostly with US airlines.

But a Boeing official told CBS the test is unlikely to indicate a major threat to airliners.

This is because the hacking involved using specific attack methods on older aircraft with older systems, they said.

The official said that while the information from the test was valuable, 'I'm not afraid to fly'.
It's embarrassing enough to lose out to a rival, but male crabs go to the extra effort of rubbing it in their contender's face.

A new study has found that male mangrove crabs perform a victory mating dance after beating out rivals.

The dance serves as a way to discourage the rival from coming back for more, according to the study.

Scroll down for video

THE STUDY The team set up a combat arena, where randomly paired crabs were put head-to-head in battles. In total, the researchers analysed 77 battles, scoring the aggression oft eh crabs on a scale of 0 to 3. Results showed that around 55 per cent of the skirmishes ended with the winner performing a 'dance'  in which the male turned one of its claws downwards, before rubbing the other claw up and down quickly. The losing crabs were less likely to return if the winner had performed the dance, with only 35 per cent choosing to try their luck in a second round. As well as dissuading rivals, the dance was also found to invigorate the winners, and encourage them to become even more aggressive. The researchers note that performing a victory dance comes at some energy costs to the crab, but that this is a risk worth taking. Advertisement

Previous studies have shown that male mangrove crabs perform the dance after fighting, but the reason for this has remained unknown.

Now, scientists from the National University of Singapore have suggested that the dance is a way to dissuade competitors from returning.

The researchers tested this theory by observing Perisesarma eumolpe  a colourful species of mangrove crab native to southeast Asia.

The team set up a combat arena, where randomly paired crabs were put head-to-head in battles.

In total, the researchers analysed 77 battles, scoring the aggression of the crabs on a scale of 0 to 3.

Results showed that around 55 per cent of the skirmishes ended with the winner performing a 'dance'  in which the male turned one of its claws downwards, before rubbing the other claw up and down quickly.

The losing crabs were less likely to return if the winner had performed the dance, with only 35 per cent choosing to try their luck in a second round.

The team set up a combat arena, where randomly paired crabs were put head-to-head in battles. Around 55 per cent of the skirmishes ended with the winner performing a 'dance'  in which the male turned one of its claws downwards, before rubbing the other claw up and down quickly (pictured)

In their study, published in Ethology, the researchers, led by Dr Paul Chen, wrote: 'We found losers that experienced victory display performed by winners, presented a decreased instantaneous hazard rate of re-initiating a new fight than losers that did not.'

As well as dissuading rivals, the dance was also found to invigorate the winners, and encourage them to become even more aggressive.

The researchers note that performing a victory dance comes at some energy costs to the crab, but that this is a risk worth taking.

As well as dissuading rivals, the dance was also found to invigorate the winners, and encourage them to become even more aggressive

If a crab has already won the battle, using energy up on the dance could ensure a rival gives up.

It could also prevent other crabs nearby from trying their luck.

The researchers added: 'In discouraging losers from restarting a fight, winners reduce the potential costs of a future contest.'
The Google Doodle for November 13th celebrates Helene Stocker, the 20th century German feminist and social reformer, on what would have been her 148th birthday.

Who is Helene Stocker?

Born on 13th November in 1869, Helene Stocker defied societal conventions throughout her life. She was one of the first German women to obtain a doctorate and for nearly 30 years she promoted the New Ethic philosophy, which sought to protect the rights of illegitimate children, improve sex education and access to contraceptives.

In many ways, Stocker was ahead of her time. Noting in her 1893 essay, The Modern Woman, the modern woman does not as yet belong in this century, Stocker goes on to define a woman who has the freedom to pursue intellectual and cultural endeavours and who wants to do more than listen in silence when clever men speak.

Helene Stocker was one of the first women in Germany to receive her doctoral degree

In 1905, Stocker co-founded The League for the Protection of Mothers and Sexual Reform and edited the Leagues magazine. In 1909, she and German Jewish sexologist Magnus Hirschfeld successfully prevented the German parliament from including lesbian women in a law criminalising homosexuality.

When the Nazis came to power, Stocker fled to Switzerland and, after the Nazis invaded Austria, to England. Later, she took the Trans-Siberian railroad to Japan and finally ended up in the US in 1942. She died of cancer in New York in 1943.

Cynthia Kittler's Google Doodle celebrates Helene Stocker, the 20th century social reformer

What is a Google Doodle?

Started in 1998 by Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin when they were at Burning Man Festival, the Google Doodles soon started celebrating cultural events on a daily basis after it became clear users enjoyed the regular changes to the Google homepage.

Today, there is a team of Doodler illustrators, graphic designers, animators and artists who create Google Doodles and the logos are hyperlinked to provide readers with more information. The latest Google Doodle, remembering Helene Stocker, was created by artist Cynthia Kittler.
Ride-hailing firm Lyft Inc said on Monday it would launch its service in Toronto, marking the first international expansion for the U.S.-based rival of Uber Technologies Inc.

'Before you know it, Lyft will be coming to you live in Toronto,' the company said in a blogpost, without giving a launch date.

Lyft is crossing into Canada at a time when rival Uber has opted out of operating in Quebec, Canada's second-most populous province, to avoid following tough new regulations for drivers.

Ride-hailing firm Lyft Inc said on Monday it would launch its service in Toronto, marking the first international expansion for the U.S.-based rival of Uber Technologies Inc. A stock image is pictured

LYFT AND GOOGLE US ridesharing giant Lyft revealed in October it has received a $1 billion investment from Google's parent company, Alphabet. Lyft and Alphabet already have a relationship through a partnership Lyft struck with Waymo, Alphabet's self-driving car unit, in May. The two companies are collaborating on bringing autonomous vehicle technology to market, but have not provided many details. Spokespeople for Lyft and Alphabet have said the latest investment will not have any bearing on the Waymo partnership. Alphabet also has ties to Uber through its second investment arm, GV. GV invested in Uber in 2013, but then Uber began to develop autonomous cars and compete directly with Alphabet. Advertisement

While the firm hasn't revealed exactly when the service will hit the streets of Toronto, the blog post says 'Lyft will be around to help ring in the holidays.'

Lyft raised $1 billion in October, in a financing round led by CapitalG, the growth investment fund of Alphabet Inc and had in September hired an initial public offering advisory firm.

Last week, Lyft's rival Uber revealed competition between the two firms is driving losses in the US.

According to Chief Executive Dara Khosrowshahi, the ride-sharing firm will continue to lose money in its home market for at least the next six months.

The claims came during Khosrowshahi's first public comments since taking the top job at Uber two months ago.

'The U.S. is very, very competitive right now between us and Lyft, so I don't see the U.S. as being a particularly profitable market for the next six months,' said Khosrowshahi, who made the comments at the New York Times DealBook conference in New York, which was also streamed online.

A spokesman confirmed that Uber will be unprofitable overall, although some cities may break even.

Khosrowshahi was tapped to run Uber in August after leading travel-booking site Expedia Inc for 12 years and is expected to bring a less abrasive approach than his predecessor, Travis Kalanick.

On Thursday, he described progress in talks with regulators in London, who in September refused to renew Uber's operating license.Last week, Lyft's rival Uber revealed competition between the two firms is driving losses in the US.

Lyft is crossing into Canada at a time when rival Uber has opted out of operating in Quebec, Canada's second-most populous province, to avoid following tough new regulations for drivers. Stock image

Uber has often said its heavy losses were necessary to establish itself in new markets.

But the lack of profits in its home market, where it has been operating for eight years, and others such as Southeast Asia, raise questions about the company's business model, which relies on heavily subsidizing both riders and drivers to keep prices low using the billions of dollars in venture capital the company has raised.

Khosrowshahi's comments are also a testament to Lyft's growth.

The smaller ride service, which started in 2012 and only operates in the United States, has expanded to more than 350 cities across 41 states this year and last month raised $1 billion in a financing round led by Alphabet Inc.

Last week, Lyft's rival Uber revealed competition between the two firms is driving losses in the US. Dara Khosrowshahi made the comments at the New York Times DealBook conference in New York

For a brief period last year, Uber was profitable in the United States and Canada, the company said.

Khosrowshahi outlined the challenges in Southeast Asia, where Uber has had to spend heavily to compete with local ride services Ola and Grab.

'The economics of that market are not what we want them to be,' Khosrowshahi said. 'I think it's over-capitalized at this point.

'We're going in, and we're leaning forward.

'But I'm not optimistic that that market is going to be profitable any time soon.'

But he dismissed the prospect of further consolidation similar to the merger deals Uber struck with competitors in China and Russia. In Britain and Brazil, prospects are brightening.
A prophetic 'warning to humanity' giving notice of perils facing the Earth has been issued by more than 15,000 scientists from around the world.

Climate change, deforestation, loss of access to fresh water, species extinctions and uncontrolled human population growth are all threatening mankind's and the Earth's future.

The letter, originally written in 1992 and signed by 1,500 scientists, argued human impacts on the natural world were likely to lead to 'vast human misery' and a planet that was 'irretrievably mutilated'.

But a quarter of a century since a majority of the world's living Nobel Laureates united to sign a warning letter about the Earth, the global scientific community's view of the future is even more bleak.

Scroll down for video

In the second warning letter to the globe, more than 15,000 scientists from 184 countries said humans had 'unleashed a mass extinction event, the sixth in roughly 540 million years'

WARNING LETTER The letter, originally written in 1992 argued human impacts on the natural world were likely to lead to 'vast human misery' and a planet that was 'irretrievably mutilated'. But a quarter of a century since a majority of the world's living Nobel Laureates united to sign a warning letter about the Earth, scientists argued too little was being done. They pointed out that in the past 25 years: - The amount of fresh water available per head of population worldwide has reduced by 26 per cent. - The number of ocean 'dead zones' - places where little can live because of pollution and oxygen starvation - has increased by 75 per cent. - Nearly 300 million acres of forest have been lost, mostly to make way for agricultural land. - Global carbon emissions and average temperatures have shown continued significant increases. - Human population has risen by 35 per cent. - Collectively the number of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds and fish in the world has fallen by 29 per cent. Advertisement

The message, posted online, updates an original Warning from the Union of Concerned Scientists and around 1,700 signatories delivered in 1992.

Apart from the hole in the ozone layer, which has now been stabilised, every one of the major threats identified in 1992 has worsened.

Runaway consumption of precious resources by an exploding population remains the biggest danger facing humankind, say the scientists.

In the second warning letter to the globe, more than 15,000 scientists from 184 countries said humans had 'unleashed a mass extinction event, the sixth in roughly 540 million years, wherein many current life forms could be annihilated or at least committed to extinction by the end of this century'.

People should eat less meat, have fewer kids, consume less and use green energy to save the planet, the world's leading scientists urged.

'We are jeopardising our future by not reining in our intense but geographically and demographically uneven material consumption and by not perceiving continued rapid population growth as a primary driver behind many ecological and even societal threats', it said.

'By failing to adequately limit population growth, reassess the role of an economy rooted in growth, reduce greenhouse gases, incentivise renewable energy, protect habitat, restore ecosystems, curb pollution, halt defaunation, and constrain invasive alien species, humanity is not taking the urgent steps needed to safeguard our imperilled biosphere.'

It used data from governments, charities and individual researchers to warn of a 'substantial and irreversible harm' to the Earth.

They said the the reduction in ozone-depleting chemicals and an increase in energy generated from renewable sources were a positive step.

A prophetic 'Warning to Humanity' giving notice of perils facing the Earth has been issued by more than 15,000 scientists from around the world. Apart from the hole in the ozone layer, which has now been stabilised, every one of the major threats identified in 1992 has worsened

At 8,776 square miles (14,000 square kilometres), this dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico is the largest ever measured, according to a study released in August. The darkest red areas represent the lowest levels of dissolved water oxygen levels (milligrams per litre)

There has also been a rapid decline in the number of children women are having as education levels increase and the rate of deforestation in some regions has also slowed.

But now it required the public to pressure their political leaders to take more decisive action.

This could include more nature and marine reserves, tougher laws to stamp out poaching and trade in wildlife, better family planning and educational programmes, more vegetarianism and less food waste, and massively adopting renewable energy and other 'green' technologies.

Professor William Ripple at Oregon State University said: 'Some people might be tempted to dismiss this evidence and think we are just being alarmist.

'Scientists are in the business of analysing data and looking at the long-term consequences.

In 2015 the Eco Experts has created maps plotting which countries have the most threatened mammals. The firm used the World Bank's World Development Indicator for Deforestation and biodiversity figures

Data from 2015 shows the UK has five endangered mammals. These are almost exclusively marine mammals such as seals and whales that have come under threat from over fishing, including the blue whale, the fin whale, the sei whale and the North Atlantic right whale

In the US there are 35 endangered species, compared to Canada's 11, including breeds of rats, bats and wolves. These include the giant kangaroo rat, the Indiana myosis bat, the black-footed ferret and the hog deer

He said that those who signed this second warning aren't just raising a false alarm.

'They are acknowledging the obvious signs that we are heading down an unsustainable path', Dr Ripple said.

'We are hoping that our paper will ignite a wide-spread public debate about the global environment and climate.'

The article 'World Scientists' Warning to Humanity: A Second Notice' notes 25 negative global trends.

Pictured is the threatened Western black rhinoceros. Runaway consumption of precious resources by an exploding population remains the biggest danger facing humans, say experts

These include a 26 per cent reduction in the amount of fresh water available per capita, a drop in the harvest of wild-caught fish, despite an increase in fishing effort and a 75 per cent increase in the number of ocean dead zones.

There has also been a loss of 300 million acres of forestland, much of it converted for agricultural uses and a collective 29 per cent reduction in the numbers of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds and fish.

There are continuing significant increases in global carbon emissions and average temperatures, a 35 per cent rise in human population.

But if there is the will, mankind can move the Earth's systems toward sustainability.

The authors said: 'To prevent widespread misery and catastrophic biodiversity loss, humanity must practice a more environmentally sustainable alternative to business as usual.

By 2030, up to 170 million hectares (420 million acres) of forest (pictured) - equivalent to the combined size of Germany, France, Spain and Portugal - may be lost, experts from WWF have previously warned

'This prescription was well articulated by the world's leading scientists 25 years ago, but in most respects, we have not heeded their warning.

'Soon it will be too late to shift course away from our failing trajectory, and time is running out.

'We must recognise, in our day-to-day lives and in our governing institutions, that Earth with all its life is our only home.

'We can make great progress for the sake of humanity and the planet on which we depend.'
Advertisement

A test version of a 'mini space shuttle' has soared over the Mojave Desert in a major step forward for the mini shuttle.

Sierra Nevada Corp.'s Dream Chaser was carried to an altitude of 10,000 feet by the civilian version of the Army's CH-47 Chinook, and then dropped to glide to the ground and land on a runway at Edwards Air Force Base in a test of its autonomous landing systems.

The uncrewed Dream Chaser made a smooth landing at Edwards Air Force Base during the free-flight test at NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, NASA officials said in a statement

Scroll down for video

Spot the shuttle: Sierra Nevada Corp.'s Dream Chaser was carried to an altitude of 10,000 feet by the civilian version of the Army's CH-47 Chinook, and then dropped to glide to the ground and land on a runway at Edwards Air Force Base in a test of its autonomous landing systems.

The mini shuttle made a perfect lading at NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California.

The Dream Chaser is preparing to deliver cargo to the International Space Station beginning in 2019.

The data that SNC gathered from this test campaign will help influence and inform the final design of the cargo Dream Chaser, which will fly at least six cargo delivery missions to and from the space station by 2024.

The testing is designed to validate the aerodynamic properties, flight software and control system performance of the Dream Chaser.

'The Dream Chaser had a beautiful flight and landing!" Sierra Nevada representatives said.

Earlier this year it was lifted by a helicopter in a precursor to a free flight in which it will be released to autonomously land on a runway as it would in a return from orbit.

Sierra Nevada Corp.'s Dream Chaser craft was lifted off the ground at 7:21 a.m., at NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center on Edwards Air Force Base, California, and was carried to the same altitude and flight conditions it will experience before release in a free flight.

A control team sent commands to the wingless vehicle and collected data before the helicopter brought it down at 9:02 a.m., the company said.

Sierra Nevada Corp.'s Dream Chaser craft was lifted off the ground at 7:21 a.m., at NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center on Edwards Air Force Base, California

'Everything we have seen points to a successful test with useful data for the next round of testing,' director of flight operations Lee 'Bru' Archambault said in a statement.

A second captive-carry test is scheduled this year and if it is successful, a free flight test will follow.

The Dream Chaser is being developed to carry cargo to and from the International Space Station without a crew aboard.

The version flown Wednesday is for tests in the atmosphere.

The version that will be launched into space is still in development.

The Dream Chaser is being developed to carry cargo to and from the International Space Station without a crew aboard.

A control team sent commands to the wingless vehicle and collected data before the helicopter brought it down at 9:02 a.m., the company said.

With the addition of life-support equipment, a Dream Chaser could transport a crew of seven.

Last month, Sierra Nevada selected United Launch Alliance's Atlas 5 rocket to launch the first two Dream Chaser cargo missions, which are scheduled to blast off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, in 2020 and 2021.

Those missions will land at Kennedy Space Center.

'Fans disconsolate after retirement of NASA's shuttle fleet can take heart: The next generation in reusable space vehicles is set to debut,' NASA has said.

A second captive-carry test is scheduled this year and if it is successful, a free flight test will follow

The craft has been undergoing extensive tests at NASA's Langley

NASA says the 'guiding principles' for the craft are 'Fly frequently, travel safely, land on (most) runways, and operate economically'.

It plans to use the craft, called Dream Catcher, as a cargo-carrying aerospace workhorses routinely launching to low-Earth orbit for space station resupply and crew transfers.

In January 2016 SNC was one of three companies awarded contracts to ferry cargo from 2019 through 2024 to the International Space Station (ISS).

The Dream Chaser photographed at dawn on the NASA Armstrong Research Center runway. The craft has been undergoing a series of tests at the base's runways.

Under the terms of NASA's Commercial Crew Program, and as part of a Space Act Agreement, SNC is able to use agency wind tunnels for Dream Chaser studies and experiments.

That's where Langley came in, mounting a Dream Chaser scale model in its Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel for extensive aerodynamic data gathering, which was subsequently added to the spacecraft's performance database.

Although a quarter of the size of any of the now-retired space shuttles, Dream Chaser can carry as many as seven crew members.

Although there is but one basic spacecraft airframe, there are two system variants optimized for either manned or unmanned missions.

SNC says the Dream Chaser can be reused 15 or more times, more than any other current operational space vehicle.

A 28-foot model of the HL-10 lifting-body reentry vehicle is shown being mounted in NASA Langley Research Center's Full Scale Wind Tunnel to determine its low-speed static stability and control

Shown alongside the shuttle Atlanta in this artist's impression, the Dream Chaser will return

The company also touts the spacecraft's flexibility in remote sensing, satellite servicing, and even 'active debris removal,' otherwise known as space-trash cleanup.

A second round of Dream Chaser flight tests at NASA's Armstrong Research Center is slated to continue through the end of the 2017 calendar year.

The test campaign will help SNC validate the aerodynamic properties, flight software and control system performance of the Dream Chaser.

It is being prepared to deliver cargo to the International Space Station under NASA's Commercial Resupply Services 2 (CRS2) contract beginning in 2019.

The data that SNC gathers from this test campaign will help influence and inform the final design of the cargo Dream Chaser, which will fly at least six cargo delivery missions to and from the space station by 2024.

How the Dreamchaser Will work: Each craft can be reused 15 times.

Last year NASA announced Sierra Nevada Corp. will join SpaceX and Orbital ATK in launching cargo to the International Space Station.

These flights, yet to be finalized, will run through 2024, and marks a second chance for the Nevada-based company, which is developing a mini shuttle called Dream Chaser.

Sierra Nevada competed for NASA's commercial crew contract, but lost out in 2014 to SpaceX and Boeing.

ThisThe other companies use standard-shaped capsules.

Like SpaceX, Sierra Nevada plans to launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Artist's concept of an HL-20 at a space station.

The spacecraft will be able to land back on Earth, like the shuttle, and bring back science experiments and other items from the station.

Now, only SpaceX can return goods.

Other cargo ships are filled with trash and burn up on re-entry.

THE HISTORY OF LIFTING BODY 'FAT SHUTTLES' A 28-foot model of the HL-10 lifting-body reentry vehicle is shown being mounted in NASA Langley Research Center's Full Scale Wind Tunnel to determine its low-speed static stability and control The new spaceplane stage has been set by decades of NASA work done at Langley Research Center on horizontal-landing, or HL, lifting bodies. Sporting a design reminiscent of the upward-flexing pectoral fins on breaching manta rays, HL vehicles feature rudimentary wings. As the craft settles through Earth's atmosphere from orbit the chubby, cigar-like fuselage generates lift from more air pressure on the bottom than on the top. Flying Wingless First championed for flight testing by NASA engineer H. Dale Reed in the early 1960s, the HL concept went through a number of design changes and improvements, eventually resulting in a series of experimental piloted aircraft. The Northrop HL-10  referring to the tenth design evaluated by Langley engineers  was built to assess specific structural refinements. Langley laboratories and wind tunnels hosted a variety of early studies on scale models before any full-scale craft were constructed. The HL-10 would be one of five 'heavyweight' lifting body designs flown at NASA's Flight Research Center (now known as Armstrong Research Center) from July 1966 to November 1975 to demonstrate a pilot's ability to maneuver and safely land a wingless vehicle. The information the lifting-body program generated contributed to a database crucial to the genesis of the space shuttle program. A New Kid Spurred by the Soviet Union's development of its subscale, unmanned BOR-4  a testbed for the country's would-be Buran space shuttle  by the 1980s Langley had set to work on a HL-10 successor, known as the HL-20, or 'Personal Launch System (PSL).' By 1990s, a 29-foot full-size, non-flying HL-20 model was built by the students and faculty of North Carolina State University and North Carolina A & T University to study crew-seating arrangements, habitability, equipment layout and how best to enter and exit. Although never flight-tested, the PSL did ultimately deliver: its design would be the basis for development of Sierra Nevada's Corporation's (SNC) Dream Chaser. Advertisement

Sierra Nevada Corporation has delivered its Dream Chaser spacecraft to Edwards Air Force Base ahead of its 2019 missions to supply cargo to the International Space Station.

It is being prepared to deliver cargo to the International Space Station under NASA's Commercial Resupply Services 2 (CRS2) contract beginning in 2019.

Recent launch accidents by SpaceX and Orbital prompted Nasa to pick a third vendor, for increased flexibility.

Orbital launched from Wallops Island, Virginia, until a launch explosion in 2014.

SpaceX experienced its own launch failure last summer

Sierra Nevada's Dream Chaser 'shuttle' will join SpaceX and Orbital ATK in launching cargo to the International Space Station.

The spacecraft will be able to land back on Earth, like the shuttle, and bring back science experiments and other items from the station.

NASA awarded its first commercial resupply contracts in 2008.

The first flight was in 2012.

The latest contract calls for a minimum of three flights by each of the three companies.
Airbuss electric vertical-takeoff and landing aircraft has arrived to the site where its first full-scale test flights will soon take place, bringing dreams of self-flying taxis closer to reality.

The Vahana craft recently completed its move to the 9,600 square foot Pendleton Hangar at the Eastern Oregon Regional Airport, in what the firm is calling a monumental step toward the first flight.

The company previously revealed its plan to test the single-person prototype by the end of 2017, targeting 2020 for a production-ready version of the craft.

Airbuss electric vertical-takeoff and landing aircraft has arrived to the site where its first full-scale test flights will take place, bringing dreams of self-flying taxis closer to reality. The company previously revealed its plan to test the single-person prototype by the end of 2017

The new Pendleton Hangar opened back in June, and has since awaited the arrival of its first occupant, according to a new blog post.

Now, after robust planning, long hours, and graceful execution, the firm says Vahana has finally reached its destination.

The team put the final touches on the craft ahead of its journey, and then sent it in a caravan to Oregon.

Once it arrived the team unloaded the fuselage and tested the landing gear handling and towing provisions for the first time.

The new Pendleton Hangar opened back in June, and has since awaited the arrival of its first occupant, according to a new blog post

To do this, they towed the craft for the last quarter mile of the journey, from the ranges main loading dock to the hangar.

In less than a day, the team reassembled the craft, allowing them to then install the high voltage power system and motors that will power the first test flights.

The team also carried out the first end-to-end flight test simulation, combining real and simulated data.

These types of simulations help the team verify certain aspects of the avionics, software, and communications, while allowing them refine displays for the operators, the Vahana team explained in the blog post.

The team put the final touches on the craft ahead of its journey, and then sent it in a caravan to Oregon. It's now preparing for upcoming flight tests. An artist's impression is pictured

MEET VAHANA Project Vahana began earlier this year and is one of the first projects at A, the advanced projects and partnerships outpost of Airbus Group in Silicon Valley. The first conceptual renders have been revealed showing a sleek self-flying aircraft with room for one passenger who sits under a canopy that retracts similar to a motorcycle helmet visor. Its also believed that the air taxis will take off and land vertically, as there are helicopter-like struts, and tilting wings each with four electric motors. The team at Vahana aims to have a full-sized prototype in the air by the end of 2017 and a model on the market for sale by 2020. Airbus has revealed its airborne vehicles will cost the equivalent of a normal taxi - $1.50 to $2.00 per mile. The first conceptual renders have been revealed showing a sleek self-flying aircraft with room for one passenger who sits under a canopy that retracts similar to a motorcycle helmet visor Advertisement

Project Vahana is one of the first projects at A, the advanced projects and partnerships outpost of Airbus Group in Silicon Valley.

In May, the firm claimed that traveling from point A to point B in the radical craft could eventually cost the equivalent of a normal taxi.

Zach Lovering, the project leader at Airbus, told Business Insider that passengers should expect to pay $1.50 to $2.50 per mile.

Once it arrived the team unloaded the fuselage and tested the landing gear handling and towing provisions for the first time. To do this, they towed the craft for the last quarter mile of the journey, from the ranges main loading dock to the hangar

The Vahana craft recently completed its move to the 9,600 square foot Pendleton Hangar at the Eastern Oregon Regional Airport, in what the firm is calling a monumental step toward the first flight. In less than a day, the team reassembled the craft

Project Vahana is one of the first projects at A, the advanced projects and partnerships outpost of Airbus Group in Silicon Valley

The low cost is possible because the craft does not need the same maintenance as ground cabs, according to the firm.

The aim would be for people to book the vehicle using an app, similar to car-sharing schemes, as it will pick up passengers at their requested location.

Airbus says the final design could take to the skies in 2020, achieving flights of up to 62 miles (100 kilometers) on a single charge.

The firm also has plans to equip each aircraft with spare batteries, allowing it to stay operational longer.
Elon Musk has never been shy about touting Tesla's numerous technical achievements.

However, its electric truck, set to finally be unveiled on November 16th, really does have a lot to live up to.

Musk took to Twitter to promise his followers 'this will blow your mind clear out of your skull and into an alternate dimension.'

He added 'Just need to find my portal gun ... '

Scroll down for video

It has been hailed by Elon Musk as 'unreal', and Tesla's electric truck is set to finally be unveiled on November 16th, the electric vehicle firm has revealed.

THE ALL-ELECTRIC SEMI-TRUCK The entrepreneur has teased the trucking industry with the prospect of a battery-powered heavy-duty vehicle. Tesla hopes that such a vehicle could compete with conventional diesels, which can travel up to 1,000 miles on a single tank of fuel. Tesla's electric big-rig truck could have a working range of 200 to 300 miles to compete with more conventional diesels. Advertisement

It was originally due to have been launched was pushed back to help with restoring power to Puerto Rico and to iron out 'production hell' with the firm's Model 3 car.

Now, invites for the launch have finally been sent out - and reveal a new silhouette of the vehicle.

Some users claim the vehicle was accidentally been revealed on the back of a trailer last month - although Elon Musk disputes this.

Last month, Musk boasted that the truck has 'better specs than anything that was suggested in the media to date'.

The entrepreneur has repeatedly teased the trucking industry with the prospect of a battery-powered heavy-duty vehicle.

Last month, Musk boasted that the truck has 'better specs than anything that was suggested in the media to date'.

The firm hopes that such a vehicle could compete with conventional diesels, which can travel up to 1,000 miles on a single tank of fuel.

Tesla's electric big-rig truck could have a working range of 200 to 300 miles to compete with more conventional diesels.

The image was posted to Reddit by someone who claimed it shows the truck being delivered to 'an undisclosed place in California where they test Tesla vehicles' - although they later deleted the image.

The truck's shape resembles the shadowy rendering Tesla previously teased.

The truck is expected to be a battery-powered heavy-duty vehicle that can travel up to 300 miles on a single charge.

The image was posted to Reddit by someone who claimed it shows the truck being delivered to 'an undisclosed place in California where they test Tesla vehicles.'

Tesla hopes that such a vehicle could compete with conventional diesels, which can travel up to 1,000 miles on a single tank of fuel.

Tesla's plans for new electric vehicles including a commercial truck called the Tesla Semi were announced last year.

Tesla hopes that such its vehicle could compete with conventional diesels, which can travel up to 1,000 miles on a single tank of fuel

And in April, Musk said the release of the semi-truck was set for September.

Tesla has been making strides in self-driving technology and implementing it in an electric truck could potentially move it forward in a highly competitive area of commercial transport, also being pursued by Uber and Waymo.

In August, it was discovered that Tesla was developing a long-haul, electric semi-truck that could drive itself and move in 'platoons' that followed a lead vehicle, according to an email discussion of potential road tests between the car company and the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles.

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, has revealed that the firm will unveil its all-electric semi truck on October 26

Tesla's electric big-rig truck could have a working range of 200 to 300 miles to compete with more conventional diesels.
Advertisement

From deep gorges to the elusive northern lights, new drone footage shows the mesmerising beauty of Iceland.

A team of filmmakers trekked across the volcano-ridden country to capture a range of unique landscapes from the air, earlier this year.

Now, in a five-minute long video titled The North Awakens, viewers are taken on a breathtaking flight, soaring above icy glaciers and rugged cliffsides.

Scroll down for video

A team of filmmakers trekked across Iceland to capture a range of unique landscapes from the air. This shot shows a fast-slowing river from above with the icy waters shining a vivid blue

Iceland boasts a dramatic black landscape with huge fields of black lava rocks

Soundtracked with music by Peter Nanasi, the project was a joint collaboration by film-maker Jonathan Besler, Kevin May and Florian Gampert.

The stunning scenes open with craggy, ice-capped mountains before human life makes an appearance in a vehicle, which can be seen navigating the rough terrain.

Shortly after, a herd of reindeer are seen galloping below, while three sheep frantically trot over the undulating ground, navigating tufts of grass as they go.

Besler, one of the filmmakers, told MailOnline Travel that the footage was shot during summer 2017 with production spanning late August and early September.

This, he says, is when most travellers visit the country, with light nights and an average temperature of 13 degrees celsius offering comfortable conditions.

This beautiful shot captures the Northern Lights dancing over a mountain range, with a mix of colours shining through

Iceland boasts hundreds of waterfalls, with millions of tourists flocking to snap photos of them flowing over the rocky land

Rivers are seen flowing across the scorched landscape, carving undulating valleys as they go

The drone was able to capture some little-seen areas, including hidden glacial lakes and snowy peaks

Besler said the best thing he saw was the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, putting on a dazzling display above a sea of fog. He explained: 'It was just breathtaking to see this scenery all night.'

The avid traveller also said he started photography six years ago as a hobby. Now, thanks to the popularity of his images, he works as a full-time photographer, capturing scenery from around the world.

He says that he calls Iceland a 'special country' because you can 'see awesome landscapes even if you just do a trip in a close range'.

Switzerland and the Faroe Islands are among Besler's other top destinations. Fans can keep track of his intrepid travels via Facebook and Instagram.

Jonathan Besler, one of the filmmakers behind the project, told MailOnline Travel that the footage was shot during late summer towards the end of August and running into September

The summer is when most visitors visit the country, with bright nights and an average temperature of 13 degrees Celsius

In one scene, three sheep are seen frantically trotting over the undulating ground navigating tufts of grass as they go

Besler said the best thing he saw was the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, putting on a dazzling display above a sea of fog
Advertisement

They are already one of the world's leading airlines.

But now Emirates, the Middle East's largest air carrier, has just upped its game after unveiling its brand new, state-of-the-art first class suites - which are estimated to cost from 7,000 per flight.

Set to be introduced into commercial service on their Boeing 777 fleet, next month, the fully-enclosed cabins measure 40 square-foot (3.7-square-meters) and are billed as 'game-changers' with their privacy, gourmet dining, mood lighting and 32" TV screens.

Luxury: Emirates Airline recvently unveiled impressive cabins with totally private suites which boast a mini-bar and 32" TV

Revealed at the start of the biennial Dubai Airshow, on Sunday, the suites are certainly designed to impress.

Featuring floor-to-ceiling sliding doors for maximum solitude, most of the suites also provide a window view which can be enjoyed with a personal pair of binoculars.

Those positioned in the middle aisle are instead given 'virtual windows', which live stream views from the plane via fiber optic external cameras, ensuring they don't miss out.

As if that wasn't enough, the cabins also come with remote-control wireless, a personal wardrobe and private stowage space for carry-on bags; soft lighting and temperature settings that can be customised at a touch of a button.

Customers can video-call the crew for service requests without leaving the comfort of their suite, and crew can serve drinks and canapes through a special service window without disturbing passengers.

Meanwhile, the leather seats recline fully flat, can be placed in a 'zero-gravity' position, or adjusted into dozens of other custom positions for optimal comfort.

A spokesperson for the airline says the cabins are inspired by the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, while the 'zero-gravity' seats are designed with the influence of NASA technology.

Privacy: Featuring floor-to-ceiling sliding doors for maximum solitude, the suites provide complete privacy for passengers

First class act: The suites also feature zero-gravity seats positions, binoculars and wireless, plus light and temperature control

Impressive: Revealed at the start of the biennial Dubai Airshow, on Sunday, the suites are certainly designed to impress

To announce the new service, Emirates have used ex-Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson to offer a 'grand tour' of the facilities.

Officially launched on Monday, the ad spot begins with close up shots of a leather seat, luxury detailing, soft lighting, a sophisticated flat screen, and control buttons.

Meanwhile, dressed uncharacteristically in a smart black tuxedo, Clarkson narrates the features in a way that leads the viewer to assume he is referring to a new car.

He then delivers the punchline, as an Emirates aircraft zooms overhead, revealing that the vehicle he is talking about travels at a top speed of 700 miles per hour, and 'it even comes with pyjamas'.

Starring role: Ex-Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson presents a virtual tour of the new, first-class cabins

Insight: The exclusive spaces are billed as a 'game-changer' for passengers who want their own space on flights

Sumptuous: The leather seats recline fully flat, can be placed in a 'zero-gravity' position, or adjusted into dozens of other custom positions for optimal comfort

Commenting on Emirates new fully enclosed First Class private suites, Jeremy Clarkson said: 'Seriously, these new seats on Emirates are better than half the hotels I ever stay in.'

Boutros Boutros, Emirates Divisional Senior Vice President for Corporate Communications, Marketing and Brand added: 'Jeremy Clarkson is one of the most recognisable faces in the motoring world. In addition to his credentials as a motoring journalist and presenter, Clarkson is also passionate about engineering, especially pioneering and innovative work.

'We felt that he would be a wonderful fit for our campaign, especially as our new fully enclosed First Class private suites were inspired by the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, and the product itself is an innovative game-changer that once again raises the bar for inflight customer experience.'
A young man's drunken escapade has turned him into an internet sensation.

William George Armstrong, 26, from Cheltenham, was horrified when he received a bill for a first class trip to the Maldives totalling 5,289.87, earlier this month.

But, before his panic reached stratospheric levels, he turned to the back page of the letter to discover it was all just a prank by his local travel agent.

William George Armstrong from Cheltenham was horrified when he received a bill from travel retailer Flight Center for a first class pre-Christmas trip, with the total coming in at 5,289.87

The note, from company Flight Centre, was actually informing him that his driving license had been found and returned to him alongside the mischievous missive.

It read: 'We're just kidding. Weve found you're [sic] driving license (enclosed) outside our shop and thought you might need it.'

Expressing his relief, William posted images of the prank letter to his Twitter account,@willarmstrong__.

The photos quickly garnered thousands of 'likes' with many giving the hoax a thumbs up.

Indeed, the @the_sofa_surfer wrote: 'What an excellent way to return your license and fantastic PR for a company.'

While @StevenBoyd9 added: 'That is brilliant, just my sense of humour. Great for him to find and return the licence to you - good customer service and publicity. Well done all.'

The letter informed William that a balance was due for his travel booking

William had no recollection of booking first class flights to the Maldives and was worried he'd made the error in his drunken state

Commenting on the chain of events, a Flight Centre spokesperson told MailOnline Travel: 'Were delighted that the dedicated Flight Centre team in Cheltenham were able to reunite William with his lost driving licence and we hope hell visit the store again soon.'

In a bid to thank Steve - the Good Samaritan who found his license - William visited his local Flight Centre store.

He later posted a photo alongside Steve with a big grin on his face.

But before the reveller's panic levels sky-rocketed, he turned to the back page of the letter to discover that it was all just a prank. Expressing his relief, William posted images of the prank letter to his Twitter account, @willarmstrong__

In a bid to thank Steve - the Good Samaritan who found his license - William visited his local Flight Centre store. The two are seen together above

Some have suggested that Steve should be awarded a holiday for his prank.

Commending his efforts @the_sofa_surfer said: 'May I suggest that perhaps Steve gets a weekend away due to his innovative use of the printer, his wit and evident enjoyment of his role; not to mention the excellent social media PR #AwayBreakForSteve.'

However, some pointed out Steve's poor grammar, with him writing 'weve found you're license' instead of 'your'.

But William didn't seem to care about the error, he was just happy to have his bank balance in check.
A bikini model, who was once linked to Justin Bieber after she claimed he spiked her drink at a party, is pregnant.

Bailey Scarlett was pictured outside of the Amazing Scan clinic in Melbourne's Prahran on Friday, with an ultrasound image in hand.

The 20-year-old's sighting comes shortly after a friend close to the brunette told Daily Mail Australia that the father of her unborn baby is Olympia Valance's ex, Greg Cannell.

Scroll down for video

Baby bombshell! Bikini model linked to Justin Bieber, Bailey Scarlett, is PREGNANT as it's claimed Olympia Valance's ex Greg Cannell is the father of her unborn child

It is also claimed Cannell has since split with the brunette after the pair date for several months.

New Zealand-born Bailey, who is based in Melbourne, was pictured heading back to her car after a routine ultrasound.

She showed off her burgeoning baby bump in a black singlet-top, tucked into a pair of high-waisted skinny leg jeans, accessorised further with black ankle boots.

Bailey's locks were styled straight, framing a makeup palette consisting of a bronzed complexion, defined brows, kohl-rimmed eyes, lashings of mascara and a matte lip.

Attire: The personality showed off her burgeoning baby bump in a black singlet-top, tucked into a pair of high-waisted skinny leg jeans

Primped: Bailey's locks were styled straight, framing a makeup palette consisting of a bronzed complexion, defined brows, kohl-rimmed eyes, lashings of mascara and a matte lip

Company: Bailey was joined by female pals, the group seen engaging in conversation

Bailey was accompanied by a group of friends for the outing, seen warmly embracing a brunette in a floral knee-length frock.

The social media star then looked to have a lot to discuss, chatting eagerly on her iPhone.

Bailey and Greg are said to be no longer involved with one another following the pregnancy news.

An insider told Daily Mail Australia that Greg was being 'careless' with contraception. The couple have now split.

Support: The social media star was pictured in a warm embrace outside of the ultrasound clinic

Reports: Bailey's sighting comes shortly after a source close the beauty claimed Olympia Valance's ex Greg was being 'careless' with contraception. The couple have now split

Hugs: Bailey appears to be getting a lot of support from her family and friends

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Bailey and Greg for comment.

Greg, who works as a state manager for budget fashion brand Cotton On, previously dated Neighbours star Olympia Valance, 24.

The couple split in February last year after 15 months together.

Taking to Instagram at the time, the soap star told her followers: 'Just a quick note from me - Sadly Greg & I have separated.

'To the most incredible man ever, I wish him so much happiness and success,' Olympia continued, alongside a love heart emoticon.

Not together anymore: Greg and Bailey have since split

A lot to discuss: Bailey was pictured chatting on her iPhone outside the clinic

High-profile flame: Greg, a retail manager, previously dated Neighbours star Olympia Valance, 24

Shock split: Olympia announced the couple had split in February last year, after 15 months together

Meanwhile, Bailey made headlines in September 2015, when she claimed her drink was spiked at a party in Melbourne, hosted by Justin Bieber.

The socialite recalled to Channel Nine's A Current Affair at the time that she felt light-headed and suffered 'blurred vision' after she took 'sips' from a vodka and lemonade, and 'did a shot with Justin.'

Bailey went on to say that she had 'a really scary, scary feeling' during the party at Ginger Recording Studios where she met Bieber and his entourage, along with a group of other models and girls.

It is not suggested that Justin Bieber had anything to do with the her allegations of drink spiking.

Headlines: Meanwhile, Bailey came to headlines in September 2015, when she claimed her drink was spiked at a party in Melbourne, hosted by Justin Bieber
He's the hunky Myer ambassador and former I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! star, who has always been a hit with the ladies.

But it seems Kris Smith is ready to settle down, with reports emerging on Monday that he's looking for love as the 2018 Bachelor Australia.

Following Sophie Monk's ratings success, NW magazine claims the 39-year-old has been headhunted with a lucrative salary of over $300,000, and is keeping his new role a secret.

Scroll down for video

Get ready ladies! On Monday, NW reported Kris Smith was set to star on the 2018 season of The Bachelor

'Ratings were huge when a famous Bachelorette (Sophie Monk) signed on, so to keep that momentum with Kris would be huge!' revealed their source.

'They've obviously spoken about it - he's already done I'm A Celebrity, he's dated one of the network's staffers and he's best mates with Sasha Mielczarek [former Bachelorette winner].'

'He's just not allowed to discuss anything publicly,' they continued adding he's just 'playing it Coy like Matty J did'.

His contacts: 'They've obviously spoken about it - he's already done I'm A Celebrity, he's dated one of the network's staffers and he's best mates with Sasha Mielczarek [former Bachelorette winner]'

So is it true? 'We are currently casting for the highly anticipated 2018 season of The Bachelor Australia but no decision has yet been made,' they told Daily Mail Australia on Monday

And the speculation may not be far off, with Network Ten neither confirming nor denying the publication's reports.

'We are currently casting for the highly anticipated 2018 season of The Bachelor Australia but no decision has yet been made,' they told Daily Mail Australia on Monday.

However, according to Kris' social media activity, he's seemed to have found his own love.

Has he already found love? Making their first red carpet appearance together on Saturday at Stakes Day, the father to Ethan, 7, couldn't wipe the smile off his face as he posed alongside personal trainer Sarah Boulazeris

Making their first red carpet appearance together on Saturday at Stakes Day, the father to Ethan, 7, couldn't wipe the smile off his face as he posed alongside personal trainer Sarah Boulazeris.

Also posting selfies together on social media, friends of the couple were quick to congratulate them on 'finally' making their love public.

The news comes after the genetically-blessed pair sparked romance rumours earlier in the year after enjoying a Balinese holiday together.

And last night, Kris and Sarah enjoyed a romantic dinner date at Sydney's Otto Bar where they enjoyed some red wine and a tray of oysters.

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Kris and Sarah for further comment.
Natalie Portman let her natural beauty shine through while bringing baby daughter Amalia to the Broad Museum in downtown Los Angeles on Friday.

The 36-year-old Oscar winner's nine-month-old princess rested in a marsupial carrier as she and a gal pal checked out exhibits by artists Jeff Koons and Yayoi Kusama.

The Star Wars alum was dressed down in a long-sleeved colorful top and blue jeans for her intellectual outing.

Scroll down for video

Make-up free: Natalie Portman let her natural beauty shine through while bringing baby daughter Amalia to the Broad Museum in downtown Los Angeles on Friday

Culture: The 36-year-old Oscar winner's nine-month-old princess rested in a marsupial carrier as she and a gal pal checked out exhibits by artists Jeff Koons and Yayoi Kusama

Missing from Natalie's side were her six-year-old son Aleph and her French husband Benjamin Millepied, who stays busy overseeing his LA Dance Project company.

The Song to Song star's sighting came after she was announced the first woman to win Israel's $1M Genesis Prize, which she'll donate to programs advancing women's equality.

'I am deeply touched and humbled by this honor. I am proud of my Israeli roots and Jewish heritage,' Portman (born Neta-Lee Hershlag) said in the press release.

'They are crucial parts of who I am. It is such a privilege to be counted among the outstanding Laureates whom I admire so much...[I] look forward to using the global platform it provides to make a difference in the lives of women in Israel and beyond.'

Choreographer: Missing from Natalie's side were her six-year-old son Aleph and her French husband Benjamin Millepied (L), who stays busy overseeing his LA Dance Project company

'I am deeply touched!' The Song to Song star is the first woman to win Israel's $1M Genesis Prize, which she'll receive during a ceremony next June in her native Jerusalem

The Women's Marcher will officially accept her honor at the Genesis Prize Ceremony, which will be held next June in her native Jerusalem.

'We need, like, boss school for girls,' Natalie said at the recent Salesforce equality summit.

'We do, because it's important. It's important to know what it is to ask someone in a direct way, in an unapologetic way to do something because you are their superior, and to be comfortable with that position. Its absolutely an issue of opportunity for women, but also of them having enough practice and confidence.'

The Harvard grad was relieved to ghave been able to have a 'real college experience' while in Boston thanks to the lack of cell phone culture.

'We need, like, boss school for girls': Portman spoke about women's rights at the recent Salesforce equality summit

'Facebook was created while I was a senior': The Harvard grad was relieved to ghave been able to have a 'real college experience' while in Boston thanks to the lack of cell phone culture

The Women's Marcher said: 'It was a big deal as an actress to get to have a real college experience without people taking pictures of me in class, or like writing about stupid things I said or whatever'

'Facebook was created while I was a senior,' Portman smiled.

'So I got to to school basically without social media and I think that was a big deal as an actress to get to have a real college experience without people taking pictures of me in class, or like writing about stupid things I said or whatever.'

The Dior muse will next play an unnamed biologist in Alex Garland's sci-fi flick Annihilation, which hits US/UK theaters February 23.
They're one of Australia's most well-known and much-loved families.

But according to New Idea, tensions have apparently been running high in the Irwin household lately, with Bindi reportedly devastated that mother Terri, 53, left her boyfriend Chandler Powell out of a new TV deal with Animal Planet.

A 'source' close to the family reportedly told the publication on Monday, that Bindi is allegedly shocked that Chandler wasn't even considered for a starring role alongside the family.

'We're a package deal': Bindi Irwin 'left reeling after mother Terri leaves her boyfriend Chandler Powell out of new TV deal with Animal Planet'

'Bindi was shocked to learn Terri had signed a contract for herself, Bindi and Robert only,' a 'source' close to the family claimed.

'As far as Bindi's concerned, she and Chandler are a package deal.'

The insider went on to claim that because of his commitment to Australia Zoo and the pair's mutual love of animals, Bindi considers Chandler part of the family, and has even suggested that he should have a bigger role in the family's affairs.

'Chandler has worked so hard to become a working member of the family, and Bindi adores him,' the source revealed.

'Bindi adores him' The insider also claimed that Bindi considers Chandler part of the family, and has even suggested that he should have a bigger role in the family's affairs

Back to basics! The Irwin Family will return to Animal Planet in 2018

Chandler, 20, has been Bindi's longtime boyfriend since 2014, even moving in with her and her family earlier this year.

He is an American national, who only communicated with Bindi through letters after a family trip to Australia Zoo in 2014.

Smitten: Chandler, 20, has been Bindi's longtime boyfriend since 2014

Being a huge fan of her legendary father Steve and his tireless animal conservation efforts, he naturally had a keen interest in Bindi and the pair began a long distance relationship while Chandler finished up his studies back in Florida.

Swiftly moving to Australia upon graduating, Chandler was quickly given a job at Australia Zoo where it's alleged he is being groomed to take over the conservation end of the zoo after Terri retires.

Following Steve's death in 2006, the Irwin family has maintained a high-profile in Australia and around the world, attempting to keep the legacy of their husband and father alive.
She has sparked rumours she's set to enter I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! alongside beau Ryan Thomas.

And Lucy Mecklenburgh added fuel to the fire as she posed up a storm in a striking red ensemble at the Lexus Design pavilion at Oaks Day in Melbourne on Saturday.

The 26-year-old former TOWIE star flaunted her enviably toned figure in the eye-catching jumpsuit as she flashed a cheerful smile - proving she was happy to be reunited with her beau who has moved Down Under to appear on Neighbours.

Scroll down for video

Teasing: Lucy Mecklenburgh, who is rumoured to be entering I'm A Celeb, added fuel to the fire as she posed up a storm in a striking red ensemble at the Lexus Design pavilion at Oaks Day in Melbourne on Saturday

Hot couple: Lucy has been reunited with her beau Ryan Thomas who has moved Down Under to appear on Neighbours and is also said to be joining the I'm A Celeb line-up this year

A keen gym bunny, Lucy flashed the fruits of labour in the strapless scarlet one-piece.

Clinging onto her sensational figure, the garment drew emphasis on her impossibly flat stomach before flaring out over her endless legs.

Soaking up the sun in Australia since arriving a few days prior, Lucy flaunted her bronzed glow as she posed up a storm.

The reality star proved to be a vision as her naturally striking features were enhanced with a glamorous coat of make-up.

Red hot: The former TOWIE star, 26, flaunted her enviably toned figure in the eye-catching jumpsuit as she flashed a cheerful smile

Fitness fanatic: A keen gym bunny, Lucy flashed the fruits of labour in the strapless scarlet one-piece

Sensational: Clinging onto her sensational figure, the garment drew emphasis on her impossibly flat stomach before flaring out over her endless legs

Her brunette dip-dyed locks were styled in tousled waves and rested effortlessly upon her shoulders.

Taking in theme the event that she was at, an eye-catching black and white fascinator completed the look.

Clearly content on being away from the chiller climes of Britain, Lucy looked delighted as she worked her angles at the event.

Lucy has been reunited with her flame Ryan, who has been hotly tipped for the new series of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here which is set to return to ITV on November 19.

However, the lineup for the new series is yet to be confirmed.

Topped up tan: Soaking up the sun in Australia since arriving a few days prior, Lucy flaunted her bronzed glow as she posed up a storm

Stunning: The reality star proved to be a vision as her naturally striking features were enhanced with a glamorous coat of make-up

Lucy has flown out to visit Ryan, while he settles into his new role on the Australian soap, and has been documenting her stay in Melbourne on her own social media channels - but has noticeably chosen to keep her reunion with Ryan private.

While she never addressed the recent break up claims, Lucy appears to have since put the rumours to bed by tagging her beau in her social media activity since.

Known for wanting to keep their relationship private, she has made sure not to discuss the swirling claims, but did admit it can be 'confusing' when her social media posts are taken out of context in an interview with MailOnline.

'I am used to it, you can never please anyone no matter what you post. It's very, very odd. I've learnt to deal with it,' she claimed.

Mane attraction: Her brunette dip-dyed locks were styled in tousled waves and rested effortlessly upon her shoulders

Chic: Taking in theme the event that she was at, an eye-catching black and white fascinator completed the look

Pulling out all the stops: Lucy posed with her pal Olympia Valance, who looked undeniably chic in a yellow dress

'I've been in the public eye since I was 19, I'm 26 now. It's confusing sometimes, but you have to let it go ahead over your head.'

Meanwhile the couple were rocked by claims that Lauren Goodger planned to enter the I'm A Celebrity jungle to flirt with Ryan.

Sources claimed she wanted to seek revenge on Lucy Mecklenburgh, who dated her ex-fiance Mark Wright six years ago.

However, Lauren has furiously denied reports she is planning to 'get her own back' on Lucy by 'flirting' with the online fitness guru's boyfriend Ryan on the new series of I'm A Celebrity, branding the claims 'absolute rubbish'.

Lucy had dated Mark back in 2011, following the breakdown of his relationship with Lauren, but their romance had been brief, as Mark later reunited with childhood sweetheart Lauren and popped the question.

Together: Lucy has been reunited with her flame Ryan, who has been hotly tipped for the new series of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here which is set to return to ITV on November 19

Sources had claimed to Closer magazine that Lauren is still 'furious' over the short-lived romance, telling the publication: 'Lauren's never got over Lucy's 'affair', as she called it, with Mark and has held a grudge ever since.

'As soon as she saw Ryan was rumoured to join her in the jungle, she saw it as an opportunity to give Lucy a taste of her own medicine.'

They added: 'She's got no serious plans to steal Ryan, but she would like Lucy to realise how humiliating it felt for her when she was linked to Mark.'

However, when contacted by MailOnline, a representative for Lauren denied this is the case. They said: 'This is absolute rubbish and no truth in any of it!'

MailOnline have also contacted a representative for Lucy for comment.
Salma Hayek showcased her 5ft2in hourglass figure while attending an AFI Fest awards season event at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel on Sunday night.

The 51-year-old Oscar nominee looked sensational in a sleeveless navy midi-dress and black patent leather pumps selected by her stylist Annabelle Harron.

The Mexican-American beauty - sporting hoop earrings - kept her make-up minimal and wore her brunette locks down for the festivities.

Scroll down for video

Petite: Salma Hayek showcased her 5ft2in hourglass figure while attending an AFI Fest awards season event at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel on Sunday night

Hayek (born Jimenez) discussed her critically-acclaimed turn as a holistic medicine practitioner-turned-outspoken dinner guest in Miguel Arteta's Beatriz at Dinner.

'It came together so easily,' the How to Be a Latin Lover stunner explained onstage.

'The script was written in two weeks and the film was shot in 15 days.'

In the hot seat: The 51-year-old Oscar nominee looked sensational in a sleeveless navy midi-dress and black patent leather pumps selected by her stylist Annabelle Harron

Fierce after 50! The Mexican-American beauty - sporting hoop earrings - kept her make-up minimal and wore her brunette locks down for the festivitie

Outcast: The Mexican-American beauty discussed her critically-acclaimed turn as a holistic medicine practitioner-turned-outspoken dinner guest in Miguel Arteta's Beatriz at Dinner

Hayek (born Jimenez) explained onstage: 'It came together so easily. The script was written in two weeks and the film was shot in 15 days'

The politically-charged, surreal flick - also starring John Lithgow, Chloe Sevigny, and Connie Britton - centered on a culture clash at a posh dinner party.

Joining Salma on THR's Indie Contenders panel were Lois Smith, Robert Pattinson, Diane Kruger, Kumail Nanjiani, Margot Robbie, Sean Baker, and Richard Gere.

The talented group of actors were all there to promote Oscar buzz for their respective roles in smaller movies, which generally reach a limited audience.

Crowded: Joining Salma on THR's Indie Contenders panel were (from L-R) Lois Smith, Robert Pattinson, Diane Kruger, Kumail Nanjiani, Margot Robbie, Sean Baker, and Richard Gere

Academy hopefuls: The talented group of actors were all there to promote Oscar buzz for their respective roles in smaller movies, which generally reach a limited audience

Her other half: Missing from the Cooler Cleanse co-founder's side was her billionaire husband, Kering CEO Francois-Henri Pinault, whom she wed twice in 2009 (pictured November 4)

'#HappyHalloween!' The Hitman's Bodyguard actress and the 55-year-old Frenchman are the proud parents of 10-year-old daughter Valentina

Missing from the Cooler Cleanse co-founder's side was her beloved billionaire husband, Kering CEO Francois-Henri Pinault, whom she wed twice in 2009.

The Hitman's Bodyguard actress and the 55-year-old Frenchman are the proud parents of 10-year-old daughter Valentina.

Salma will next reunite with 30 Rock's Alec Baldwin to play the Teagartens, a scheming impoverished couple in Fred Wolf's suburban comedy Drunk Parents due out next year.
She has been dealing with heartbreak after a messy split from Stephen Bear last month, accusing the star of cheating on her on a night out.

But Charlotte Crosby seemed more confident than ever as continued her wild night out at the MTV European Music Awards 2017 after show party, after wowing in a glamorous ensemble on the red carpet.

The 27-year-old former Geordie Shore star switched into a more relaxed black minidress for the bash, posing with popstar twins Jedward, who were also in attendance for the event in London's Fountain Studios.

Scroll down for video

Loving it: Charlotte Crosby, 27, continued her wild night out on Sunday as she was spotted at the MTV European Music Awards 2017 after-party with pop star duo Jedward

Charlotte appeared to remove some of her makeup for the after-party, looking more fresh-faced as she posed with The X Factor stars, putting on a leggy display in a more relaxed ensemble.

Jedward rocked equally outlandish ensembles in gold sequinned blazers as they kept their blonde locks in signature matching quiffs.

Also seen at the after-awards bash was Scot songstress Tallia Storm, who looked sensational in a sequinned slip dress with mesh overlay, which the star teamed with a teal thick fur coat.

Glam squad: Charlotte changed into a more relaxed black minidress, looking more fresh-faced as she posed with the eccentric twin duo

Posing with blogger Tessie Hartmann, the two blondes looked like they were having a sensation night as strutted their stuff at the party.

Rita Ora, who hosted the awards show earlier in the evening, was also spotted at the party, posing with her pal and Radio 1 DJ Nick Grimshaw.

After wearing thirteen outfits during the show, she switched into a leather-style minidress for the evening, keeping her blonde tresses in relaxed waves.

Peace out: The energetic twins rocked gold sequinned blazers and their blonde hair in signature quiffs

Scot songstress: Singer Tallia Storm put on a leggy display in a black sequin minidress and teal fur coat as she posed with blogger Tessie Hartmann

Pop princess: Tallia looked sensational at the bash in London's Fountain Studios

Music squad: AC Tracey and Konan and Naughty Boy were also in attendance at the bash

Host with the most: After thirteen costume changes, host Rita Ora switched into a leather-style minidress as she posed with Radio 1 DJ Nick Grimshaw

Teen Idols: James Bay and Rita also posed with Tristan Evans and Bradley Simpson from pop band The Vamps

Charlotte appeared to be oozing confidence at the bash, after revealing she is back on the market in light of her split from beau Bear in October.

The star previously wowed in a stunning baby pink gown on the red carpet at London's SSE Arena, telling MailOnline she was 'strong and single'.

Charlotte was every inch the glamour goddess ahead of the awards show as she made her arrival with Geordie Shore star Sophie Kasaei, who looked equally stylish in a black and purple lace jumpsuit.

The Celebrity Big Brother champion had her brunette tresses styled into gorgeous half-up half-down waved style, keeping her makeup dewy with simple smoky eye makeup.

The brunette beauty seemed more than happy to reveal that she was back on the market, and was feeling better than ever in the light of her difficult split.

Bouncing back: Charlotte put on a fabulous display on Sunday night as she posed on the red carpet ahead of the awards show in London

Charlotte oozed confidence ahead of the awards show as she made her arrival with Geordie Shore star Sophie, who looked equally stylish in a black and purple lace jumpsuit.

Charlotte had her brunette tresses styled into gorgeous half-up half-down waved style, keeping her makeup dewy with simple smoky eye makeup.

The brunette beauty seemed more than happy to reveal that she was back on the market, and was feeling better than ever in the light of her difficult split.

Pals: Charlotte also posed with her Geordie Shore pal Sophie Kasaei, after the pair enjoyed the pre-EMA's dinner on Friday night

Speaking on the carpet Charlotte told MailOnline: 'I'm very strong and very single.'

The star split from her former beau Bear after a tumultuous relationship, with Charlotte tweeting that the Celebrity Big Brother star cheated on her.

Taking to Twitter, she penned: 'Being single is strange... But I think I'll get the hang', before writing the cryptic message: 'Erase it all. Like it didn't exist. And start again'.

Stunning: The former Geordie Shore star looked stunning in a skin-tight baby pink dress as she put on a confident display in light of her split from former beau Stephen Bear

Slinky: Charlotte also showed off the results of her latest surgery, after having an operation on her 'uniboob'

Charlotte was joined at the event by her Geordie Shore co-star Sophie, who showed off her ample cleavage in her lace-inspired all-in-one.

The Newcastle beauty had her incredible curves on full display in the form-fitting ensemble, which tied together black and purple lace in a circular cut-out design.

Sophie rocked the deep v-neck with full confidence, keeping her chocolate brown tresses loose with a simple curl.

The star finished her look with sharp white and silver nails and a couple of simple silver rings.

Sophie put on a friendly display with pal Charlotte on the red carpet, after the duo were spotted enjoying a night out together at the pre-EMA's dinner on Friday.

Fierce: Sophie rocked a black and purple lace all-in-one jumpsuit, with her ample cleavage on full display

Incredible: Sophie had her brunette tresses in relaxed curls for the look with had a circular lace effect

Looking fine: Sophie teamed her look with sharp claw-like silver and white nails as well as a dynamic smoky eye

Charlotte also showcased the results of her latest surgery, after being body-shamed by online trolls for her 'uniboob.'

Charlotte told Heat Magazine: 'My uni-boob made me feel under-confident. It (congenital symmastia) really limited what I could wear without people saying, 'What the f***'s wrong with her boobs?

'Because I'm famous, if a picture of me is online, people say things like 'What is wrong with her boobs? They're deformed! They're stuck together!'



Moving on: Charlotte revealed that she is well and truly single in light of her split from Bear

Confident: The pair attended the music awards event in London's SSE Arena

Taking the plunge: Sophie showed off a liberal amount of cleavage in the ensemble
Her sense of style is far from shy and retiring.

And Katie Salmon once again dared to bare as she joined a flurry of celebrities to celebrate the launch of The Couture Club's ladies wear range at Menagerie Bar and Restaurant in Manchester on Sunday evening.

The Love Island star flashed her seriously ample cleavage as she entered the bash, which also celebrated Kady McDermott's collaboration with the brand, in a scoop neck red top.

Scroll down for video

Sizzling: Katie Salmon once again dared to bare as she joined a flurry of celebrities to celebrate the launch of The Couture Club's ladies wear range at Menagerie Bar and Restaurant in Manchester on Sunday evening

Katie, 21, opted to go braless in the number, which clung to her svelte physique.

The reality star paired the saucy design with scarlet, flared trousers, and sat a black beret atop of her pin-straight brunette tresses.

True to form, the glamour model sported a dramatic make-up look as she joined Kady to celebrate her special night alongside Ex on the Beach star Helen Briggs.

Chic: Kady McDermott hosted the event ahead of her collaboration with the line, with the beauty wowing in a fringe black jumpsuit

Gorgeous: Kady tied her brunette tresses up into a slick high ponytail and injected a pop of colour into the look with a purple lipstick

Stepping out: Kady's other half Scott Thomas stepped out in all black for the occasion

Awkwardly, the blue-haired beauty chose to rock the same ensemble as host Kady, sashaying into the bash in the Love Island star's fringed black jumpsuit.

The flapper inspired design is clearly one of Kady's favourites from her collection, as the 22-year-old also sported the number, though she paired her one-piece with barely-there stilettos and a deep purple lipstick.

Seemingly excited about tonight's launch, Kady tweeted earlier today: 'Ready for the @TheCouture_Club womenswear launch! My collection drops on 23rd this month watch this space.'

Taking the plunge! Katie flashed her seriously ample cleavage as she entered the bash in a scoop neck red top

Dare to bare: Katie, 21, opted to go braless in the number, which clung to her svelte physique

Setting pulses racing: The reality star paired the saucy design with scarlet, flared trousers, and sat a black beret atop of her pin-straight brunette tresses

Pulling out the stops: True to form, the glamour model sported a dramatic make-up look as she joined Kady to celebrate her special night alongside Ex on the Beach star Helen Briggs

Ex on the Beach star Laura Alicia Summers also turned out to support the reality star, who is in an on/off relationship with Scott Thomas, the younger brother of actor Ryan Thomas.

Laura chose to put her generous cleavage on full display in a skintight bodycon dress, which boasted a daring cut-out between the bust.

Sisters and Real Housewives of Cheshire stars Darby and Taylor made a seriously striking entrance as they sported coordinating faux leather skirts and sheer blouses.

Red hot! Ex on the Beach star Laura Alicia Summers also turned out to support the reality star

Busty: Laura chose to put her generous cleavage on full display in a skintight bodycon dress, which boasted a daring cut-out between the bust

Walking arm-in-arm: Laura attended the bash in the company of close friend J Sky

Classic: Flying the flag for the boys were TOWIE favourites Pete Wicks and James 'Lockie' Locke, with the latter smouldering in an all-black ensemble

Smouldering: Meanwhile Pete, who recently split from girlfriend Megan McKenna, looked super stylish in a double denim outfit, offset with a simple white T-shirt

Flying the flag for the boys were TOWIE favourites Pete Wicks and James 'Lockie' Locke, with the latter smouldering in an all-black ensemble.

Meanwhile Pete, who recently split from girlfriend Megan McKenna, looked super stylish in a double denim outfit, offset with a simple white T-shirt.

Ex on the Beach star Chet Johnson, who is in a relationship with Helen, made a solo entrance into the bash, leaving his girlfriend to arrive with gal pal Katie.

Who wore it best? Awkwardly, blue-haired beauty Helen chose to rock the same ensemble as host Kady, sashaying into the bash in the Love Island star's fringed black jumpsuit

Flying solo: Ex on the Beach star Chet Johnson, who is in a relationship with Helen, made a solo entrance into the bash, leaving his girlfriend to arrive with gal pal Katie

Sister sister! Siblings and Real Housewives of Cheshire stars Darby and Taylor made a seriously striking entrance as they sported coordinating faux leather skirts and sheer blouses




Angelina Jolie dripped chic when she was glimpsed in Los Angeles on Sunday, having a chat with a couple of male pals.

The 42-year-old superstar wrapped a charcoal blazer over a sleek black cocktail dress, adding a splash of contrast via nude stilettos.

A polka-dotted purse hung from her left shoulder, and she wore her elegantly wavy hair down, resting her right hand in her jacket pocket.

Scroll down for video

Hello, gorgeous: Angelina Jolie dripped chic when she was glimpsed in Los Angeles on Sunday, having a chat with a couple of male pals.

Angelina - the scion of Jon Voight and Marcheline Bertrand - spent Saturday night at the Governors Awards, which the Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences threw at The Ray Dolby Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland Center.

She danced onstage with Ixelles-born director Agnes Varda, whose work formed part of the French New Wave and whom Angie presented with an Honorary Oscar.

Agnes had said during her acceptance speech: 'And so, the Governors gave me this award. It just  I took it as recognition of my body of work, over the more than 60 years, and it, how you say, enlight- it gives light on me, as well as French cinema.'

The 89-year-old icon closed: 'And I feel Im dancing the dance of cinema,' before actually breaking into movement and being joined by Angelina as the band played.

Glam: The 42-year-old superstar wrapped a charcoal blazer over a sleek black cocktail dress, adding a splash of contrast via nude stilettos

After 11 years as half of Brangelina, one of Hollywood's premier power couples, Angelina filed for divorce from Brad Pitt last September.

Though they had publicly been a couple since 2005 - when Brad infamously left his first wife Jennifer Aniston for Angelina - Brangie had waited to marry until 2014, holding the ceremony at their Chateau Miraval in the South Of France.

They are the parents of six children, three of whom are adopted and three of whom Brad and Angelina conceived together.

When she split from Brad last year, Angelina enlisted the services of divorce-lawyer-to-the-stars Laura Wasser, as TMZ had reported at the time.

Swank: Angelina spent Saturday night at the Governors Awards, which the Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences threw at The Ray Dolby Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland Center

Last month saw the stateside release of First They Killed My Father, the fifth and latest movie Angelina has directed.

Set in Cambodia under the brutal Khmer Rouge, the movie is based on a memoir by Loung Ung, who co-wrote the script with Angelina.

The country concerned - where the film was shot on location - has a family significance to Angelina, whose 16-year-old son Maddox was born in Cambodia.
His issues with addiction and mental health have been well-documented.

And 360, born Matthew James Colwell, opened up about the overdose that finally lead him to sobriety, on The Kyle & Jackie O Show on Monday.

The 31-year-old detailed how he took over 100 Nurofen Plus tablets daily while on tour almost three years ago, and the rehab stint that finally made him go clean.

Scroll down for video

Brighter days: 360, born Matthew James Colwell, opened up about the overdose that finally lead him to sobriety on The Kyle & Jackie O Show on Monday

Having initially described the experience on his 2016 track 'I'm Sorry', the rapper divulged more information on his experience to the KIIS FM breakfast team.

'I was going on tour and I was addicted to really hectic Oxycontin and heroin and s*** like that,' he told the hosts.

'Because I didn't want to take heroin on the plane and I couldn't get enough Oxycontin to last me on tour, I had to just take Nurofen Plus,' he continued.

'Because I didn't want to take heroin on the plane and I couldn't get enough Oxycontin to last me on tour, I had to just take Nurofen Plus,' he told the KIIS FM hosts from Melbourne

'It wouldn't get me high, it would just make me feel normal. I had four packets, so I had 120 [tablets], then I overdosed and landed myself in hospital,' he recalled.

Co-host Jackie 'O' Henderson asked the Melbourne-based lyricist about the kind of reaction you have with an overdose of Nurofen.

'Apparently I was convulsing on the floor and no one knew what was going on 'cause no one knew what was actually happening with my addiction,' he explained.

'Apparently I was convulsing on the floor and no one knew what was going on 'cause no one knew what was actually happening with my addiction,' he explained

'So I just woke up in hospital. I was at the show and right before I was meant to go on stage, I just fell over and started convulsing,' he added.

The hip-hop artist, whose new album Vintage Modern sits at number six on the ARIA Australian Artist Album Chart, said the overdose made him give up drugs for good.

'I had to cancel my entire tour and I went straight to rehab and got off everything, which was an absolute nightmare,' he reflected.
Susan Sarandon was a showstopper when she walked the red carpet Sunday for the New York premiere of the documentary Soufra.

The 71-year-old modeled thigh-high scarlet stiletto boots, clashing her footwear stylishly against her otherwise black ensemble.

Soufra - on which Susan is an executive producer, per IMDb - recounts the story of women in a refugee camp near Beirut who began a flourishing catering enterprise.

Scroll down for video

Looking fabulous: Susan Sarandon was a showstopper when she walked the red carpet Sunday for the New York premiere of the documentary Soufra

While at the premiere, Susan matched her tight black miniskirt with her hose, as well as with the flowing sweater she draped over her enviably trim figure.

Accenting her age-defying features with makeup, Susan accessorized with bracelets and let her trademark auburn hair fall free over her shoulders.

On the carpet, she got in a bit of posing alongside Padma Lakshmi, who clashed a green and white print dress with a black coat, hat and pair of boots.

The film: Soufra - on which Susan is an executive producer, per IMDb - recounts the story of women in a refugee camp near Beirut who began a flourishing catering enterprise

The look: The 71-year-old modeled thigh-high scarlet boots

Susan also stood for photos with Mary-Louise Parker, with whom she had co-starred in the 1994 crime drama The Client.

Mary-Louise teamed black tuxedo trousers with a button-up black blouse, folding her her sleeves to the elbow and adding contrast with nude and white shoes.

As its IMDb page attests, Soufra centers on a lifelong resident of the 1948-founded Burl El-Barajneh refugee camp named Mariam Shaar.

Mariam gathered several other women in the camp - which houses Iraqi, Syrian, Lebanese and Palestinian refugees - to form their food business.

Duo: Whilst on the carpet, she got in a bit of posing alongside Padma Lakshmi, who clashed a green and white print dress with a black coat, hat and pair of boots

Helmed by India's Daughter executive producer Thomas Morgan, the documentary will be released in American movie theaters on December 15.

Earlier this year, British Vogue prodded Susan on aging as impressively as she has, and she said: 'The secret - I mean, honestly, I think staying engaged and staying curious and having a good time is really a lot of it.'

She added: 'And not smoking is really important. I think that staying hydrated and not doing anything too extreme, too Also Im not really a drinker.

'I think a little bit of wine in moderation is probably good, but I think really if you drink heavily its not great. But I guess good genes. I thank my mother.'

Reuinited: Susan also stood for photos with Mary-Louise Parker, with whom she had co-starred in the 1994 crime drama The Client
Allison Williams chose a boldly striped frock for her appearance at a BAFTA New York film screening on Sunday night.

The actress, 29, looked stylish in the black and white number that had wide horizontal stripes on the bodice and wide vertical ones on the full skirt that fell to her ankles.

The dress had short sleeves and accentuated her slim waist.

On trend: Allison Williams, 29, looked stylish in a boldly striped black and white number that fell to her ankles and towering black heels at a BAFTA New York screening Sunday

The former Girls star added a pair of very high black heels with pointed toes.

She wore her dark blonde hair up in a sophisticated do and styled high and away from her forehead.

Allison added penciled in brows, black mascara a touch of rosy blush and eye-catching scarlet red lipstick.

Stylish star: The actress's dress had short sleeves and accentuated her slim waist with wide horizontal stripes on the bodice and wide vertical ones on the full skirt

Striking: She wore her dark blonde hair up in a sophisticated do and styled high and away from her forehead and added scarlet red lip color

Reunited: Allison was joined at the event by her Get Out co-star, British actor Daniel Kaluuya, 28. The pair were there to do a Q&A about their horror hit following the screening

Allison was at the event for a screening and Q&A for her movie Get Out as part of the campaign to get awards recognition for the Jordan Peele-directed horror film.

She was joined by her co-star British actor Daniel Kaluuya, 28.

London-born Daniel was more casually attired opting for jeans and a black sweater with white stripe detailing on the sleeve and a pair of white lace-up shoes.

PR campaign: Allison and Dabiel are talking up their film in the hopes of getting some attention this awards season

Found her genre: The former Girls star is set to star in another horror film The Perfection for her HBO director Richard Shephard

Next up for Allison is another horror film The Perfection that she's set to make with her Girls director Richard Shepard, who also co-wrote the script.

In the meantime, she's filming the Showtime series Patrick Melrose with Benedict Cumberbatch.

Daniel, meanwhile, will next be seen on the big screen in Marvel's Black Panther with Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan and Lupita Nyong'o, slated for release in February.

In demand: Daniel, who stars in Marvel's upcoming Black Panthers, was casually attired in jeans and black sweater with white stripe detailing on the sleeve and white lace-up shoes
Jamie Fraser and his time-traveling lover Claire reconnected with some steamy sex scenes during a long ship voyage to Jamaica.

The 18th century Highland warrior, played by Sam Heughan, secured positions aboard the Artemis in hot pursuit of Young Ian who was abducted by pirates.

Claire, played by played by Caitriona Balfe, with her secret 20th century medical knowledge was brought aboard as surgeon and Jamie the supercargo overseeing the ship's cargo.

Romantic voyage: Jamie Fraser and Claire rekindled their love during a ship voyage on Sunday's episode of Outlander

Jamie also brought along Fergus, Yi Tien Cho and his Ardsmuir associates Hayes and Lesley.

Jared while helping secure their passage assured Jamie that Young Ian would be fine as healthy males sell for 30 pounds in the West Indies.

Claire earlier had expressed some doubts about returning to the 18th century, but Jamie assured her of his love.

'I meant what I said. You belong w' me,' Jamie told her while also offering to take her to the stones himself if she wanted to go back.

Romantic: The duo seemed delighted to be back together again

Steamy: The duo shared a clinch while they had the chance

Meant it: The 18th century Highland warrior assured Claire of his love for her

Jamie also was dealing with Fergus claiming a 'handfast' marriage with Marsali who he brought along.

The couple had not yet consummated their marriage so Jamie kept them apart with Fergus sharing his cabin and Claire bunking with Marsali.

'We've been apart for 20 years and you want me to room with her,' Claire protested.

Sleeping arrangements: Claire protested about the new sleeping arrangements

'I'm obliged to protect her virtue,' Jamie replied.

'Mine as well, it seems,' Claire retorted.

'Now I am gonna be sick,' said Jamie who was already feeling woozy.

Jamie then got fully sea sick prompting Claire to treat him with ginger tea.

Getting sick: Jamie suffered from a major bout of seasickness

While looking for supplies that Fergus brought she found her dresses from Paris that Jamie saved.

'Sell them? Memories of you? Never,' he told Claire.

Jamie warned Claire about the superstitious crew that made everyone touch a lucky horseshoe before boarding.

All aboard: Claire was told about the superstitious sailing crew

A sailor's injury on the first day made the crew believe someone skipped the tradition.

Claire dined with the captain alone as Jamie was too sea sick to join her.

She tried to challenge the ship's superstitions, but the captain said the men believe it.

Alone time: Jamie and Claire enjoyed some alone time below deck

'Believing something doesn't make it real,' Claire argued.

'On this ship, it does,' the captain replied.

Cho helped Jamie with his vomiting with acupuncture but Claire thought it was her ginger tea.

She later stumbled upon Jamie getting acupuncture and he admitted that he didn't want to hurt her feelings.

'We aren't on the most stable ground I didn't want you to see it as more proof you didn't belong here,' he told her.

Burning up: Jamie was aided by acupuncture

Claire then made Jamie feel better about his standing.

'My return has been confusing and frustrating, but it's never been a question of whether I love you,' she told him.

Cho later revealed to Claire that he's been writing his life story but said he wasn't ready to share it.

'Once I tell it, I have to let it go,' he said.

His story: Yi Tien Cho wasn't ready to tell his story

The episode titled The Doldrums continued with the wind stopping in the middle of the sea.

Weeks passed as the water spoiled and the crew started looking for a 'Jonah' scapegoat to toss overboard.

The sailors pick Lesley as their scapegoat and he drunkenly climbed the ship's mast intent on jumping.

Dead calm: The Artemis lost its wind and sailors looked for a scapegoat

Jamie climbed after him and talked him down, but a brawl broke out with the sailors.

Cho after spotting a low-flying bird rang the ship's bell and then told his life story.

The gripping story about refuting privilege only to endure prejudice ended with Cho throwing his papers into the water.

Jamie and Claire then sneaked off to have sex in the cargo hold.

Dramatic rescue: Jamie tried to save Lesley after he was named the 'Jonah' scapegoat

Celebratory sex: Jamie and Claire celebrated after the wind resumed

Claire's graying hair was complimented by Jamie who said he likes 'the way the light hits it, like a piece of silver at midnight'.

'How could I not love a man who says such things? If you were to say that in the 20th century, you would be the king of all men,' Claire told him.

She admitted that she knew there would be a transition period getting used to each other again after being apart for so long.

Tender moment: The lovers enjoyed some pillow talk in the cargo hold

'No matter what troubles happen around us, Sassenach, this, what it is between us, never changes,' Jamie told her.

Their bliss was ruined by a British warship following them.

The Porpoise captain Leonard said his ship was stricken by plague and Claire agreed to help.

Ship surgeon: Claire was brought aboard as the ship's surgeon

She diagnosed the outbreak as typhoid fever and urged the captain to make for land quickly.

Leonard then introduced her to an assistant named Pound who would help her and much to Claire's surprise the ship started moving.

Claire looked on in horror as the Porpoise also bound for Jamaica moved away from the Artemis and her love Jamie.

Outlander returns next week on Starz.
Drew Angerer/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) -- Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., who sustained multiple rib fractures and lung injuries as a result of an attack by his neighbor, is returning to Washington D.C. Monday for the first votes of the week, a source close to Paul told ABC.

The assailant, 59-year-old Rene Boucher, was arrested by Kentucky State Police after the November 3rd attack and was charged with fourth-degree assault, authorities said.

"Senator Paul was blindsided and the victim of an assault, a spokeswoman said last week.

Paul has been recuperating at home since the attack.

It is possible that federal charges will be filed against Boucher. Attacking a member of Congress is a federal crime.

Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
This is Up and Down, where we give a brief thumbs up and thumbs down on the issues from the past week.

Up

The decision by two insurance companies to provide coverage for intensive therapy for children with autism is a good step. Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota and the Sanford Health Plan will offer coverage under some of their insurance plans starting Jan. 1. The Legislature rejected a bill earlier this year to mandate coverage. Sandy Smith, president of the North Dakota Autism Center in West Fargo, called it a huge and a positive development. The therapy can be very expensive so this could be very helpful for families. Its good the insurance companies are stepping forward with this coverage.

Down

The potential loss of paratransit service to Lincoln at the end of the year is disappointing. Lincoln needs to raise about $20,000 so Bis-Man Transit can continue the service. Voters in a special election earlier this year rejected a measure that would have set aside 2 mills to pay for the service. There are Lincoln residents who count on the service to get them to work, medical appointments and to do other business. Some have homes in Lincoln and it isnt practical to move. Hopefully, a solution can be found.

Up

Hazen dedicated the new Sakakawea Medical Center on Wednesday, a facility that will provide state-of-the-art care. Hazen has had a medical facility for years because of the dedication of residents. They have raised money over the years through a variety of activities, some as simple as bake sales. The new facility was funded in part by donations and fundraisers. Its truly a community facility because the residents have worked hard to fund it and maintain it.

Down

Bismarck Police and Metro Area Ambulance responded to another overdose last week. A 36-year-old man apparently overdosed on heroin and was given a half-dose of Narcan. He was revived and taken to a hospital. The overdose follows four cases the previous week. The overdoses are becoming regular, pointing to the areas drug problem and the potential for drug deaths. These overdoses should serve as a warning to users, but most dont believe it will happen to them. Its a tough situation for first responders to face, trying to save someone from self-inflicted damage. Its going to take a community effort to solve the drug problem.

Up

North Dakotans got to bask in the glory of having a Miss America on Nov. 3 and 4. Cara Mund, who won the crown in September, visited Williston and Bismarck that weekend. There was a celebration at the Bismarck Event Center and Mund took time to visit children at Sanford Health. Mund demonstrated what a good ambassador she has become for North Dakota. Her year as Miss America should help spread the word about North Dakota and what makes it special. She no doubt will boost the interest in the states pageant.
It was revealed on Monday she's expecting her first child, allegedly with Olympia Valance's ex Greg Cannell.

And Bailey Scarlett showed off her baby bump on the beach on Monday afternoon following the news.

The bikini model, who was once linked to Justin Bieber after she claimed he spiked her drink at a party, tenderly placed a hand over her tummy as she posed on the beach.

Scroll down for video

She's blossoming! Bikini model Bailey Scarlett , 20, shows off her baby bump in a bikini after it's claimed she is expecting her first child with Olympia Valance's ex Greg Cannell

Baby bombshell! Meanwhile, Bailey was pictured outside of the Amazing Scan clinic in Melbourne 's Prahran on Friday, with an ultrasound image in hand

She also revealed that her baby was due in May next year.

News of her pregnancy emerged after Bailey was pictured outside of the Amazing Scan clinic in Melbourne's Prahran on Friday, with an ultrasound image in hand.

It is also claimed Valance's ex Greg has since split with the brunette after the pair dated for a few months.

New Zealand-born Bailey, who is based in Melbourne, was pictured heading back to her car after a routine ultrasound.

She showed off her burgeoning baby bump in a black singlet-top, tucked into a pair of high-waisted skinny leg jeans, accessorised further with black ankle boots.

Bailey's locks were styled straight, framing a makeup palette consisting of a bronzed complexion, defined brows, kohl-rimmed eyes, lashings of mascara and a matte lip.

Attire: The personality showed off her burgeoning baby bump in a black singlet-top, tucked into a pair of high-waisted skinny leg jeans

Primped: Bailey's locks were styled straight, framing a makeup palette consisting of a bronzed complexion, defined brows, kohl-rimmed eyes, lashings of mascara and a matte lip

Company: Bailey was joined by female pals, the group seen engaging in conversation

Bailey was accompanied by a group of friends for the outing, seen warmly embracing a brunette in a floral knee-length frock.

The social media star then looked to have a lot to discuss, chatting eagerly on her iPhone.

Bailey and Greg are said to be no longer involved with one another following the pregnancy news.

An insider told Daily Mail Australia that Greg was being 'careless' with contraception. The couple has now split.

Support: The social media star was pictured in a warm embrace outside of the ultrasound clinic

Reports: Bailey's sighting comes shortly after a source close the beauty claimed Olympia Valance's ex, Greg Cannell has split with Bailey

Hugs: Bailey appears to be getting a lot of support from her family and friends

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Bailey and Greg for comment.

Greg, who works as a state manager for budget fashion brand Cotton On, previously dated Neighbours star Olympia Valance, 24.

The couple split in February last year after 15 months together.

Taking to Instagram at the time, the soap star told her followers: 'Just a quick note from me - Sadly Greg & I have separated.

'To the most incredible man ever, I wish him so much happiness and success,' Olympia continued, alongside a love heart emoticon.

Not together anymore: Greg and Bailey have since split

High-profile flame: Greg, a retail manager, previously dated Neighbours star Olympia Valance, 24

Shock split: Olympia announced the couple had split in February last year, after 15 months together

Meanwhile, Bailey made headlines in September 2015, when she claimed her drink was spiked at a party in Melbourne, hosted by Justin Bieber.

The socialite recalled to Channel Nine's A Current Affair at the time that she felt light-headed and suffered 'blurred vision' after she took 'sips' from a vodka and lemonade, and 'did a shot with Justin.'

Bailey went on to say that she had 'a really scary, scary feeling' during the party at Ginger Recording Studios where she met Bieber and his entourage, along with a group of other models and girls.

It is not suggested that Justin Bieber had anything to do with the her allegations of drink spiking.

Headlines: Meanwhile, Bailey came to headlines in September 2015, when she claimed her drink was spiked at a party in Melbourne, hosted by Justin Bieber
He's spoken frequently about his one-off sexual encounter with a transgender woman 17 years ago.

But Kyle Sandilands has for the first time not only admitted his one-night-stand was with a prostitute, but that she gave him one of his best oral sex experiences.

The radio shock jock was discussing rapper 360's openness about his past drug addiction on his KIIS 1065 show, and asked whether there was anything he'd never talk about.

'It was one of the better ones I've had!' Kyle Sandilands candidly praises the oral sex skills of transgender woman he famously slept with - and confirms to rapper 360 he was 'paying for it'

Frank discussion: The radio shock jock was discussing rapper 360's openness about his past drug addiction on his KIIS 1065 show, and asked whether there was anything he'd never talk about

Kyle then said the time he slept with the transsexual used to fall into that category, until he opened up about it two years ago and now often brought it up.

His guest then said he never heard the well-told story from 2000, so Kyle took the opportunity to enlighten him.

'I didn't know she was transsexual until after she went down on me and I didn't want to upset her so I just went right through with it,' he said.

'I was paying for it, it wasn't just a couple of bourbon and cokes,' he added, confirming the woman was a sex worker.

360 responded nonchalantly with 'yeah, nah, that's all right, nothing wrong with that,' before Jackie O commented that he'd be a good friend because he didn't judge.

Non-judgemental: In response to 360's nonchalant response to the revelations, co-host Jackie O commented that he'd be a good friend because he didn't judge

Story time: The rapper said he never heard the well-told story from 2000, so Kyle took the opportunity to enlighten him

'I've never had it but there's definitely nothing wrong with that, I don't think it's something to be ashamed of,' the rapper replied.

And Kyle definitely had no shame, confidently stating twice that the the sex act was 'one of the better ones I've had'.

His admission was unlikely to be appreciated by his model girlfriend Imogen Anthony, who he met many years later in 2012.

Kyle has stuck to the same story of not knowing the woman was transgender when he slept with her since he first told it on air.

'I'm not attracted to blokes, just the one transsexual. I'm open-minded,' he said in March 2015.

'I wasn't even attracted to it I just wanted it.... There wasn't any love in my situation.'

What does she think? Kyle's admission about the quality of the transsexual's oral sex skills was unlikely to be appreciated by his model girlfriend Imogen Anthony, who he met many years later in 2012

Later in March 2017 he grilled an uncomfortable Waleed Aly, co-host of The Project, on whether he'd had a similar experience.

'Let me tell you, man to man. By the time you're halfway through it and realise hang on, this is a bloke, you don't want to hurt her feelings, you just go for it,' he said.

Months later he added: 'Don't forget... it was the year 2000 and all bets were off. The Olympics were on!'

'(I was) enjoying the fruits of Kings Cross. Plus I had a ponytail and I was dressed head-to-toe in Colorado clothing.'
She's the age-defying Oscar winner who's been married to cinematographer Danny Moder for 15 years.

And, although she generally keeps quiet about her private life, Julia Roberts has given a rare candid interview in which she raves about her husband.

Speaking to Harper's Bazaar on Monday, the 50-year-old confessed she used to be 'selfish' but that changed when she met Danny.

Scroll down for video

Loved up: Although generally keeping her private life out of the spotlight, on Monday, Julia Roberts couldn't help but gush over her husband of 15 years Danny Moder

'I was my priority, a selfish little brat running around making films,' she confessed.

Julia said 'finding her person' in 2000 changed everything for her.

'When I think about what makes my life my life, and make sense and just shine inside of me, it's him. Everything has come from that,' she told the magazine.

'I was my priority, a selfish little brat running around making films' Julia says meeting Danny changed everything for her

The pair first met when she was making The Mexican, in which she starred opposite Brad Pitt and Danny was working as a cinematographer.

After dating for two years, they wed in July 2002 on her 50-acre ranch at Taos, New Mexico.

And since then, the pair have frequently found themselves working on films together with Julia in front of the camera and Danny behind it.

I do: After dating for two years, they wed in July 2002 on Julia's 50-acre ranch in New Mexico

'There's comfort there, but also terror...because the person I want to impress most is looking right at me,' she told Bazaar.

And it's not the first time the Pretty Little Woman actress has gushed over her husband, recently calling him 'the safest place in the world' to Allure.

Together, the strong Hollywood couple have three children: twins Hazel Patricia and Phinnaeus 'Finn' Walter, 12, and Henry Daniel, 10.

'There's comfort there, but also terror...because the person I want to impress most is looking right at me,' she told Bazaar
Fans revolted when The Doctor Blake Mysteries was controversially cancelled earlier this year for supposedly being 'too expensive'.

But the show continued to be a ratings winner with its final episode, helping the ABC win its first Sunday night of the year in resounding fashion.

The period detective drama was the third most watched show of the night with 1.3 million viewers, behind only Aunty stablemate Doc Martin, and Seven News.

The Doctor Blake Mysteries, starring Craig McLachlan (pictured) was the third most watched show on Australian TV on Sunday night, helping ABC to ratings win

The award-winning show pushed ABC to a 20.6 per cent audience share, just ahead of Seven on 19.5 per cent, Nine on 17.9, and Ten lagging behind on 7.4.

Its strong showing prompted more questions about ABC's shock cancelling of the show earlier this year, before it was subsequently picked up by Seven for 2018.

ABC denied the axing was because the show lacked diversity, instead citing the high cost of production and stars like Gold Logie-winner Craig McLachlan.

'Dr Blake has had a sensational run... and we feel that the time is right to go out while we are still on top,' it said in March.

'When funding is tight, difficult decisions have to be made to make sure the ABC continues to deliver outstanding new Australian content.'

ABC denied the axing was because the show lacked diversity, instead citing the high cost of production and stars like Gold Logie-winner Craig McLachlan

But the decision was slammed both by McLachlan, who plays the titular character, and creator George Adams.

'Like "Poirot" or "Midsomer Murders", I always believed The Doctor Blake Mysteries could run and run. Certainly, one might think the viewing figures at home in Australia alone would support that notion,' McLachlan said at the time.

He later said axing the show, which is syndicated to 130 countries, while it was still a ratings winner was 'exceedingly disrespectful' to its 'extraordinarily loyal' audience.

'Take away the peoples show, when you are supposed to be the people's network? I find it very, very disappointing,' he told the Daily Telegraph.

The period detective drama was the third most watched show of Sunday night with 1.3 million viewers, behind only Aunty stablemate Doc Martin, and Seven News

Adams expressed similar sentiment, angrily declaring he didn't know what the real reasons for the show's demise were and 'I don't really care'.

'I've been doing this for 30 years and I've never been in a situation where a top rating show doesn't carry on until it's not a top rating show,' he told ABC Radio Ballarat.

TV critic Colin Vickery had a different theory, claiming: 'The Doctor Blake Mysteries' crime is that it is too popular.'

'There are a group of influential ABC insiders who are slightly embarrassed when one of its shows connects with an audience on a mass scale,' he wrote in the Herald Sun.

Seven will continue the show, with its whole cast and crew attached, as a series of Telemovies next year

The decision the cancel the show was slammed both by McLachlan, who plays the titular character, and creator George Adams.

'These snooty ABC executives... have the warped belief that if something gets too popular then somehow they have "sold out" or "gone commercial".

'To me, the message is clear. Get too popular on the ABC and you will inevitably face the chop. The ABC is suspicious of success.'

Vickery cited the example of Kath and Kim, which left for Ten after a contract dispute and hit new ratings highs.

This could be exactly what happens when Seven continues the show, with its whole cast and crew attached, as a series of Telemovies next year.
Jennifer Garner looked to be having a splendid Sunday.

The 45-year-old Alias actress was snapped in Los Angeles walking with two of her her children after going to church.

She wore a black short-sleeved sweater top and grey slacks with black clogs, looking amazing and refreshed after she attended the Baby2Baby Gala Saturday evening.

Scroll below for video

Happy and healthy: Jennifer Garner, 45, smiled as she walked with her two daughters and other kids from church in Los Angeles on Sunday

The Golden Globe-winning star wore her long, lustrous brown mane down and carried a beige purse as she emerged from the religious service, accessorizing with a brown watch and black-light brown sunglasses.

She was with her kids with ex Ben Affleck - daughters Violet, 11, and Seraphina, eight - and a few of their friends. Her son Sam, five, did not appear to be on hand.

The Dallas Buyers Club actress looked amazing at the swanky soiree on Saturday, which was held at 3Labs in the Culver City neighborhood of Los Angeles.

The mother-of-three shined in a white Roland Mouret gown on a night focused on Gwyneth Paltrow, who was honored by the organization with the Giving Tree Award for her work as a mom who puts her time and name to help the organization, which provides children in low-income families with necessities such as diapers and clothes.

On the move: The busy mom didn't seem to miss a beat after attending the Baby2Baby Gala Saturday

Gorgeous: The stunning actress definitely looked her Sunday Best on the church outing

Jen took to Instagram on Sunday congratulating the nonprofit's co-presidents Kelly Sawyer Patricof and Norah Weinstein 'on a HUGE night for' their organization, adding, 'Mothers and kids are lucky to have you in their corner,' with the hashtags '#4milliondollars' and '#Baby2BabyGala.'

Jen, one of Hollywood's most philanthropic performers, received the honors last year, with Weinstein and Sawyer calling the actress 'quite possibly the biggest advocate for these issues we have ever come across.

Dear ol' dad: Jen's daughter Violet wore a Justice League shirt, something of an homage to her father Ben Affleck, who's reprising his role as Batman in the film that hits theaters this month

Good vibrations: Jen is a regular at her church and children's school, blending motherhood with her life as a Hollywood star with seemingly-incredible ease

Skip to my Lou: Jen's daughter Seraphina hopped out of the facility with her mom

The duo hailed Garner for her efforts 'to help combat childrens poverty through education and leadership,' adding that she had aided the group in obtaining more than '2 million diapers to distribute to the families in our program across the country.'

Garner told Access Hollywood at the November 2016 gala that it was 'incredibly special' to receive the award, which has past been given to Tinseltown moms including Jessica Alba, Kerry Washington and Kate Hudson.

'Helping kids is just at the core of who these people are, and something I tried my very best to do,' said Garner, who has continued her charitable efforts in 2017, visiting Houston in September to help with recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Harvey.

Beauties: Jen posed with Gwyneth Paltrow at Saturday's Baby2Baby Gala in LA
He was dumped by Sophie Monk on the finale episode of The Bachelorette.

But it looks as though Jarrod Woodgate may be giving love another chance as he was pictured at the airport on Friday, ahead of a flight to Fiji, where Bachelor in Paradise will be filmed.

The 31-year-old was dressed in a plaid suit jacket and jeans as he attempted to keep a low profile and avoid paparazzi.

Scroll down for video

Giving love another chance! Jarrod Woodgate, 31, attempted to go under the radar, as he flew to Fiji, for Bachelor in Paradise, on Friday

Jarrod cut a cool and casual figure in a round-neck white T-shirt and black slim-fitting jeans.

The vineyard manager teamed the look with a blue plaid suit jacket and leather boots.

Carrying his passport and a water bottle in his left hand, Jarrod wheeled a medium-sized suitcase through the airport terminal.

In a bid to avoid paparazzi, the Channel Ten personality flew from Melbourne to Brisbane, before boarding a flight to Nadi in Fiji.

Attire: Jarrod cut a cool and casual figure in a round-neck white T-shirt and black slim-fitting jeans. The vineyard manager teamed the look with a blue plaid suit jacket and leather boots

Equipped: Carrying his passport and a water bottle in his left hand, Jarrod wheeled a medium-sized suitcase through the airport terminal

The sighting comes as an insider spoke exclusively to Daily Mail Australia and said that Jarrod is 'going away for a few weeks.'

He doesn't know where he's going, (the Bachelor producers) just said to get to the airport.'

Channel Ten confirmed the first six cast members for the new series last Thursday, and are believed to be preparing for a second announcement.

En route: In a bid to avoid paparazzi, the Channel Ten personality flew from Melbourne to Brisbane, before boarding a flight to Nadi in Fiji

Not officially confirmed: The sighting comes as an insider told Daily Mail Australia exclusively, that Jarrod told his family he is 'going away for a few weeks'

Another batch to come? Channel Ten confirmed the first six cast members for the new series last Thursday, and are believed to be preparing for a second announcement

Jarrod's likely inclusion in the series comes with a heartbreaking twist.

Fiji, which is believed to be the filming destination for Bachelor in Paradise, is where Jarrod had his heart broken on The Bachelorette.

Confirmed cast member Keira Maguire may have already flown out, as she has been mysteriously absent from Instagram since Wednesday.

Other stars include The Bachelor 2017's Tara Pavlovic, The Bachelor 2014's Laurina Fleure, as well as Davey Lloyd and Michael Turnbull from The Bachelorette 2015.

Bachelor in Paradise will broadcast next year on Network Ten

Turn of events: Jarrod's likely inclusion in the series comes with a heartbreaking twist. Fiji, which is believed to be the filming destination for Bachelor in Paradise, is where Jarrod had his heart broken on The Bachelorette
He's the former Neighbours star whose image underwent a drastic change when he took on the role of Dr. Frank N Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

And now Craig McLachlan has revealed one woman's closed-mindedness, after she labelled him a 'disgrace' for playing the role of the 'sweet transvestite.'

Speaking to The Project on Monday night, the 52-year-old explained that some people had grown so accustomed to seeing him play Henry Ramsay on the popular Australian soap that they couldn't accept him as any other character.

Scroll down for video

'What a disgrace!': Former Neighbours star Craig McLachlan (pictured) reveals feedback he received after taking on the role of a transvestite character in The Rocky Horror Show

It came as a shock to some when he donned fishnet stockings for a new role, he explained.

'For those of us of a certain age, coming out of Neighbours during the golden Kylie [Minogue] Jason [Donovan] period, you know, lovable, mulleted, shirtless Henry suddenly being seen in fishnets, knickers and lipstick...' Craig told the program's hosts.

'I remember a woman wrote to The Age and said "What a disgrace!"

'"We would sit down as a family and watch Henry... the whole world has gone to hell."'

But at the end of the interview, Craig showed he wasn't in the slightest bit affected by the criticism.

New look: Speaking to The Project on Monday night, the 52-year-old (left) explained that some people grew accustomed to seeing him playing Henry Ramsay on the popular Australian soap

'The whole world has gone to hell': It came as a shock to some when he donned fishnet stockings for a new role, he explained

He picked up his guitar, began playing a tune, and walked to the front of the desk to reveal he was wearing stockings and a pair of heels.

Craig will reprise the role of Dr. Frank N Furter when The Rocky Horror Show returns to Melbourne's Her Majestys Theatre next year, the Herald Sun reported.

The show's creator Richard OBrien praised Craig's rendition of the character he created more than 40 years ago, telling the publication that he exceeds what most other performers are capable of.

'He pushes the boundaries of both good and bad taste to the extremes, and wins,' he said.

'If most people went to the lengths Craig does, it would be offensive, but it never is with him. Of course, we have to rein him in occasionally.'

Do I look bothered? At the end of the interview, Craig showed he wasn't affected by the criticism in the slightest by picking up a guitar for a tune

Flaunting it! He walked to the front of the desk to reveal he was wearing the stockings in question and a pair of heels
He's the Australian A-lister who was recently called out by Jack Black for pilfering a pivotal moment from the funnyman's film School of Rock.

And Chris Hemsworth has agreed to take on the Tenacious D comedian in a 'battle of the jams' in an effort to protect his Thor's character's honour.

Chris took to Instagram on Sunday in response to an earlier claim Jack that Thor: Ragnarok copied School Of Rock by using the Led Zeppelin track Immigrant Song in a fight scene.

Scroll down for video

Challenge accepted: Chris Hemsworth has agreed to take on Jack Black in a 'battle of the jams' in an effort to protect his Thor's character's honour after the School of rock star called out Thor for plagiarism

In a long-winded and humourous rebuttal, Chris picked up the gauntlet thrown down by Jack.

The actor proposed that the pair compete in a 'battle of the jams' despite not knowing what it was.

'You're right, you got me, guilty as charged,' Chris said in the video.

'We stole Immigrant Song from you, but guess what? You stole it, too and as Oscar Wilde once said: 'talent borrows and genius steals,' so we're both guilty of the same crime.'

Continuing, Chris happily accepted Jack's challenge and said: 'You challenged me to a battle of the jams - I don't know what that means.

'I don't know what a battle of the jams is - I know what jam is. Jam on toast - I love a bit of that. A little Pearl Jam - awesome - and just general jamming.

Chris took to Instagram on Sunday in response to an earlier claim Jack that Thor: Ragnarok copied School Of Rock by using the Led Zeppelin track Immigrant Song in a fight scene

'So, yeah let's do it,whatever. My place or yours, baby.'

Chris' rebuttal came after the Kung Fu Panda star called him out via Instagram on Saturday.

'You know in School of Rock when i sing a part of that monstrous Led Zeppelin jam Immigrant Song and it's super b**chin'' and like the raddest part of the movie?' Jack began.

Strong words: Chris' rebuttal came after the Kung Fu Panda star called him out via Instagram on Saturday

'Well it's come to my attention that someone stole that chunk of our movie and put it in their movie.

'That's right, I'm talking about Thor: Ragnarok. Totally bit our style, totally poached our jam and now they're parading around town like they thought of it.'

Finishing his tirade, Jack called Chris out with: 'I'm calling you out, Thor. This is a challenge. I challenge you to a battle - a battle of the jams.'

Continuing the joke, Jack shared a second video to the social media platform that showed him with his A House With The Clock In The Walls co-stars, including Cate Blanchett, re-enacting the slow-motion fight scene in question.

'Daddy's School Of Ragnaroth from the set of 'The House With A Clock In It's Walls,'' Jack captioned the video.

Hamming it up: Continuing the joke, Jack shared a second video to the social media platform that showed him with his A House With The Clock In The Walls co-stars, including Cate Blanchett, re-enacting the slow-motion fight scene in question
A glamorous night out at the MTV Europe Music Awards ended in significantly less glamorous surroundings as Vicky Pattison picked up a late night snack on Sunday evening.

The former Geordie Shore star, 29, had her hands full as she left a local McDonalds following an appearance at the annual awards show in London, where she was joined by a host of ex castmates from the long running show.

Clutching a milkshake in one hand while juggling her silver heels and McFlurry in the other, Vicky inadvertently displayed her side-boob as she made her way through the fast-food restaurant in her distinctive cutaway dress.

Scroll down for video and full list of winners

Here she comes: A glamorous night out at the MTV Europe Awards ended in significantly less glamorous surroundings as Vicky Pattison picked up a late night snack on Sunday evening

Having spent much of the night in attendance at the event, Vicky pulled a series of animated expressions as she left with a large takeaway bag cradled in her arms.

The reality star later shared a snap of herself reclining in a white bathrobe alongside the remnants of her Sunday night feast.

Captioning the shot, she wrote: 'I'm all thick thighs and extra fries my friends... And I am not changing for anyone!'

Steady on: Clutching a milkshake in one hand while juggling her silver heels and McFlurry in the other, Vicky, 29, inadvertently displayed her side-boob as she made her way through a local McDonald's in her distinctive cutaway dress

Working up an appetite: The former Geordie Shore star had her hands full as she left the fast food restaurant following an appearance at the annual awards show in London

Vicky previously displayed her fabulous figure with envy-inducing confidence at The SSE Arena Wembley.

Making 'no apologies' for her size 10 figure, the reality TV star paraded her curves in a cutaway mirrored-inspired dress.

The reality star went braless to best show off a cheeky flash of sideboob in the slinky backless garment.

Famed for her 'Transformation Tuesdays' Instagram posts, the television sensation promotes her healthy living and gym-honed physique.

So it is no surprise, the Ex On The Beach beauty was championing her curves in her skimpy sparkling ensemble at the star-studded event.

Hungry girl: Vicky later shared a snap of herself with the remnants of her McDonald's takeaway

She made the cut! Braless Vicky Pattison showed off her sideboob and curvy figure in slinky dress as she made 'no apologies' for her figure at MTV EMA awards in London on Sunday

Racy ensemble: The reality star went braless to best show off a cheeky flash of sideboob in the slinky backless garment

From the red carpet, Vicky told MailOnline: 'Here I am, size 10, all boobs and bum and no apologies.'

Forever glamorous, the stunner boosted her height in dazzling metallic sky-scraper heels which featured elegant straps that wrapped around her ankles.

Vicky also wore her brunette tresses in poker straight fashion and tucked behind her ears to show off her pretty face, accentuated by smoky eye make-up.

Incredible: So it is no surprise, the Ex On The Beach beauty was championing her curves in her skimpy sparkling ensemble at the star-studded event

While she is a gym-bunny, the Newcastle born beauty also admitted she loves to treat herself to a few cheeky G&Ts on the weekend.

Accepting who she is, Vicky added: 'I've always been a curvy girl, I always preach strong not skinny. I will never be a size six and I like to live my life and have fun.

'I like to go to the gym, train hard but I also like a few G&Ts at the weekend.'

Vicky's outing came as she recently celebrated moving into her new home with her long-term lover John Noble.

The lovebirds go way back as they used to date when they were 20 years old before they rekindled the flames of their romance years later.

Next stage! The television sensation recently celebrated moving into her new home with her long-term lover John Noble (pictured together)

Of John, she divulged: 'John has done a lot of growing up in the last eight or nine years. It is meant to be.

'When we first started going out we were very wrapped up in ourselves and what we wanted to do. We're very lucky to have had a chance to find each other again.'

Although the couple are very loved-up, the I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! winner revealed she is not ready for children yet.

She explained: 'Most of my friends are thinking of having children, but we're not quite at that stage.'

True love lasts forever: The lovebirds (pictured together) go way back as they used to date when they were 20 years old before they rekindled the flames of their romance years later

Nominations for the 2017 MTV EMAs were announced last month, some five weeks ahead of the highly-anticipated awards ceremony.

Leading the way with a jaw-dropping five nominations was Taylor Swift, followed by Dua Lipa with three, and Ariana Grande, Miley Cyrus and Shawn Mendez, who each earned two nominations each.

A whole host of stars, including Drake, Eminem, Ed Sheeran and Kendrick Lemar also made the list, with Rihanna's Wild Thoughts, and Daddy Yankee & Luis Fonsi's record-breaking Despacito battling it out for Best Song.

The ceremony, presented by RIP hitmaker Rita Ora at London's SSE Arena, also saw Taylor competing with former girlband member turned solo artist Camila Cabello, Demi Lovato, Miley Cyrus and Shawn Mendes the for Best Pop Award.

Not content with those nominations, 27-year-old Shake it Off hitmaker Taylor was also in the running for Best Video for Look What You Made Me Do, alongside Foo Fighters for Run, Katy Perry for Bon Appetit ft. Migos, Kendrick Lamar for HUMBLE and KYLE for iSpy featuring Lil Yachty.

Taylor Swift went head- to-head with Ariana Grande, Ed Sheeran, Kendrick Lamar, Miley Cyrus and Shawn Mendes for Best Artist.

And battling it out for Best Look, Taylor once again went up against Dua Lipa, Harry Styles, Rita Ora and surprise newcomer ZAYN.

Marking her fifth and final nominated category, Taylor battled it out again with Ariana Grande, as well as Justin Bieber, Katy Perry and once again Shawn Mendes for Biggest Fans.
She's the Australian model who's just celebrated her first wedding anniversary with AFL legend Lance 'Buddy' Franklin.

And Jesinta Franklin has now claimed that 'only a generation ago' her nuptials 'could have been opposed or prevented' due to racial discrimination.

The David Jones ambassador made the assertion in a powerful essay she penned for Vogue Australia, in which she wrote of her support for same-sex marriage.

Scroll down for video

Speaking out: Jesinta Franklin has penned a powerful essay in support of same-sex marriage, stating that her marriage to Buddy wouldnt have happened if not for previous changes in law

Jesinta stated that she wanted to publish the piece in the hopes that 'someone from the LGBTIQ community reads this and feels somewhat less alone.'

The model opened her essay by detailing a laundry list of her own achievements, including her November 2016 nuptials to Buddy.

In case readers were confused as to why she was discussing her own life in a piece of prose about same-sex marriage, Jesinta clarified that her husband's Indigenous heritage would once have meant their marriage would have been subject to similar discrimination.

Loved up: Jesinta opened her essay by detailing a laundry list of her own achievements, including her November 2016 nuptials to Buddy

'You see, there have been lots of changes around marriage in Australia throughout history,' Jesinta explained, showing off her ability to compose a persuasive piece of prose.

She added: 'If some of these changes hadnt occurred and if Lance and I had met only one generation ago, our marriage could have been opposed or prevented. My husband is an Indigenous man and I am a Caucasian woman.'

The beauty went on to explain she was thankful for people in history 'who stood up for what was right' so that laws were changed.

Heritage: Buddy is of Indigenous descent meaning that he and Jesinta would have faced discrimination for their relationship in previous generations

It's not the first time Jesinta has lent her considerable influence to a political cause, as she previously entered into a debate around Australian history.

'We were invaded' Jesinta bluntly stated about British colonisation during a 2016 interview with the Today Show.

'You see, there have been lots of changes around marriage in Australia throughout history': Jesinta offered readers a history lesson in her powerful piece of prose

'I don't think a white person can determine what's racism and what's not, what affects someone and what doesn't affect someone, 'cause it's not our experience,' she told the show's hosts.

Given her powerful piece for Vogue, it's unclear whether Jesinta will pursue a future career as a writer.

The brunette is reportedly a former A-Grade student who turned down a university scholarship to pursue modelling.
by Karen Laurie





MUMBAI, NOV 13, 2017:  comprising of over 100 priests  on November 12, and reminded them that they are part of a "great congregation", which is forging ahead and "opening new horizons" in countries like Malaysia and Gambia. Rector Major Father Angel Fernandez Artime, the 10th successor of Don Bosco, met his Salesian fraternity of the Mumbai province comprising of over 100 priests  on November 12, and reminded them that they are part of a "great congregation", which is forging ahead and "opening new horizons" in countries like Malaysia and Gambia.





The Rector Major was in the city for a day-long visit to preside over jubilee celebrations of three institutions in the city, Diamond Jubilee of the Shrine of Don Bosco's Madonna, the Platinum Jubilee of Don Bosco High School and the Centenary of St. Joseph's High School. He also visited Don Bosco Shelter, where he met with several youth  who form the crux of the charism of the Salesians of Don Bosco world-over.





He set aside an hour to also meet with the Salesians just before presiding over the Festive Jubilee Eucharist. During his meeting with his confreres he highlighted a road-map for taking the congregation forward and also summed up the over-all affairs of the congregation with relation to the possibility of deploying young Don Bosco's to places where there's little hope for the hopeless, like Siberia and Mongolia.



"The congregation is moving  because permanently there are things developing. We open new houses, we open more than what we close. The congregation has opened up new horizons in some countries. We are going to start a community in Malaysia, in Gambia, that is a small country in West Africa," he said.





"Around the Feast of Don Bosco, we are going to start a presence in a big refugee camp in Uganda, where there are 40,000 refugees and among all these 40,000, half are minors. I can tell you that having gone around the world, I've never returned back to Rome with the sensation that things aren't going well."





"If you look at India, for example it's a marvel, look at Asia East, it's the same. Look at Europe, I can say the same thing about that. The technical schools that we have for poor in Europe are wonderful institutions."



The Salesians are at times the only hope for youth in war-torn famine-ridden countries like Sierra Leone, Peru and Colombia. "We found many girls and boys around 15 years of age who are caught up in the drug war of FAARC in Colombia. A year ago their job was to be in the Army to kill other people, when we found them we could see hope and life in them," he said.





"We went to Ghana and found two small girls of eight years, those girls were left to die somewhere else. They had all been trafficked to take away their vital organs. Two adolescents, I remember were looking at us from far. They had suffered so much, after knowing how fraternal and loving we are, they are permanently with us, because they needed a father."





The Rector Major also addressed a range of administrative issues that have been dealt with in recent times. "Meeting the confreres personally is sufficient reason enough for me to be travelling around the world. It is beautiful to see the numbers of the Salesian family, lay collaborators, meeting young people and poor is very beautiful."



In the course of the meeting, a band from the Don Bosco Youth Centre performed a piece "Tijuana Taxi", followed by which Father Orville Coutinho, Golden Jubilarian of Profession- presented the Rector Major with a shawl, while a novice garlanded him.





The Rector Major also released a special coffee-table book entitled "100 Years and Counting  St. Joseph's Wadala", printed to mark the centenary of the Salesian institution only a kilometer away from the sprawling Don Bosco campus in Matunga. Father Godfrey D'Sa, the Principal of St. Joseph's addressed the gathering. A band of brothers from Divyadaan in Nashik then performed "Scipio".




They confirmed their romance last month, after meeting during filming for Geordie Shore.

And Chloe Ferry and Sam Gowland looked more loved-up than ever on Monday night, as they packed on the PDA at the MTV European Music Awards.

The busty blonde, 22, put on a very eye-popping display in her plunging red gown as she posed for cameras - before she drew Sam in for a passionate smooch on the carpet.

Scroll down for video

Geordie Score! Chloe Ferry and Sam Gowland looked more loved-up than ever on Monday night, as they packed on the PDA at the MTV European Music Awards

Keeping a-breast of the situation! The busty blonde, 22, put on an eye-popping display in her plunging red gown as she posed for cameras - before drawing Sam in for a passionate smooch

The reality star certainly turned heads on the carpet in her dazzling dress, which tightly clung to her svelte figure and tiny waist, before expanding into a striking fishtail skirt.

The frock gave a sexy flash of her assets with its plunging sweetheart neckline - but Chloe appeared to struggle with the low-cut style, and was seen grappling with her chest in front of cameras.

Hugging each and every one of her womanly curves however, the gown was also adorned with lines of glittering red sequins, to up the glamour of the look.

Eye-catching: The reality star certainly turned heads on the carpet in her dazzling dress, which tightly clung to her svelte figure and tiny waist, before expanding into a striking fishtail skirt

She left her blonde locks sleek and straight and opted for a minimal make-up look and pale pink lip, to keep all eyes on her show-stopping ensemble.

Sam meanwhile co-ordinated his girlfriend in a burgundy blazer, waistcoat and bow tie combo - paired with his trademark skin-tight trousers.

First beaming for cameras and posing with co-star Nathan Henry, the duo later indulged in a lip-lock to prove their romance was still going strong.

Couples who dress together, stay together? Sam meanwhile co-ordinated his girlfriend in a burgundy blazer, waistcoat and bow tie combo - paired with his trademark skin-tight trousers

Who's this guy? The couple first beamed for cameras before they joined co-star Nathan Henry for a number of more playful shots (above)

Chloe and Sam confirmed their romance last month, after the hunk joined the Geordie Shore cast following his failed stint on ITV2's Love Island.

The lovebirds, both 22, appeared to be in highs spirits as they were spotted heading for dinner in Newcastle, hand-in-hand.

They also announced their romance with a number of sweet Instagram posts - with Chloe sharing a snap of the duo captioned: 'Chicken to my nugget', whilst Sam wrote: 'When half a brain meets another half a brain'.

Reality romance: Chloe and Sam confirmed their romance last month, after the hunk joined the Geordie Shore cast following his failed stint on ITV2's Love Island

Chloe previously revealed to OK! Online that she would quit the show if she found her Mr Right.

She said: 'If I found someone that I loved to be with for the rest of my life and I was sure about that, I would leave Geordie Shore.

'But thats only if I knew deep down that I wanted to be with him for the rest of my life.'

Say cheese! Chloe also shared a snap of the pair in their hotel room ahead of the awards

Strength to strength: The lovebirds were spotted heading for dinner hand-in-hand in Newcastle, and Chloe referred to Sam as 'the chicken to my nugget' on Instagram

Pop star Shawn Mendes had reigned supreme at the 2017 Europe Music Awards 2017, held inside London's SSE Arena - winning the Biggest Fans gong, as well as the coveted Best Song and Best Artist.

Despite being the most heavily nominated stars of the evening, Taylor Swift - who did not attend the event - failed to collect any of her five nominations.

Former Fifth Harmony star Camila Cabello proved her solo career is getting off to a flying start as she picked up the Best Pop award for her debut single, Havana.

In contrast, celebrated American rapper Eminem then proved to be the comeback king as he picked up the Best Hip Hop gong.
She made her name as the beautiful but ultimately doomed Bond girl Strawberry Fields in 2008 blockbuster Quantum of Solace.

But an openly expressed desire to enhance her artistic integrity by signing up for smaller, independent film roles recently led to Gemma Arterton featuring in steamy French language drama Orpheline.

Playing Tara, a convicted bank robber who is adjusting to life on the outside world after seven years behind bars, the British actress, 32, strips off for an intimate lesbian sex-scene with co-star Adele Exarchopoulos, who plays screen-lover Sandra.

Scroll down for video

Racy: Gemma Arterton strips off for an intimate lesbian sex-scene with co-star Adele Exarchopoulos in 2016 French drama Orpheline

Screen lover: Tara attempts to seduce feisty Sandra, played by Adele, into assisting her latest money-making scheme

The protracted scene closes in on Tara as she peels off her shirt and engages in a passionate kiss with feisty Sandra after gifting her with an extravagant necklace - part of her bid to seduce the young cashier into assisting her latest money-making scheme.

Removing her underwear, she reclines next to her French lover on the bed, where they discuss Tara's plan to rig the betting system at a local racetrack.

'I need you,' she urges after asking an incredulous Sandra how much cash the racetrack money shuttles carry.

I've got your back: Tara sits on the bed after taking off her clothes in the recent film, directed by Arnaud des Pallieres

Stripping off: Removing her underwear, she reclines next to her French lover on the bed, where they discuss Tara's plan to rig the betting system at the local racetrack

Intimate: Tara engages in a passionate kiss with screen lover Sandra

Directed Arnaud des Pallieres, Orpeheline won a positive response after debuting in the Special Presentations section at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2016.

Gemma, who accepted the role after winning wider acclaim for roles in Quantum of Solace and St. Trinian's, previously expressed her regret at not being more discriminating in her choice of film roles in the past.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, she admitted to appearing in some projects that, deep down, werent really to her taste - prompting her to consider independent film over mainstream blockbusters.

Popular: Directed Arnaud des Pallieres, Orpeheline won a positive response after debuting in the Special Presentations section at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2016

Sometimes Ive not put my foot down, she said. Ive been like: Oh, thank you so much for the work! Id better do it. Rather than: No, I dont want to do that.

She added: No one makes films about women who want to run away.'

The actress described her taste in films as quite subversive, and said her agents had started to understand, now, she would rather star in something smaller, but glorious.
He was once voted the fourth most important male model of all time by US Vogue.

But Jon Kortajarena has revealed that his parents weren't always comfortable with his career choice.

The 32-year-old said on Monday that they feared he would develop an unhealthy obsession with his own image.

'In this industry there are a lot of dark sides': The 'fourth most important male model of all time' Jon Kortajarena reveals his family struggled with his career choice

Speaking to The Daily Telegraph while he was in Sydney, the Spaniard admitted that being in an industry where everything is based on looks can be hazardous to models.

'In this industry there are a lot of dark sides,' Jon told the publication.

'My parents were scared that I would become a narcissist.'

The genetically-blessed model said he had learnt the importance of staying true to his own 'morals and values' over his glittering career.

'My parents were scared': The 32-year-old said on Monday that his parents feared he would develop an unhealthy obsession with his own image

'It doesnt matter how successful you are': The genetically-blessed model (pictured with Bella Hadid) said he had learnt the importance of staying true to his own 'morals and values' over his glittering career

He added: 'It doesnt matter how successful you are if youre a mineral person who is awful to people.'

Jon is in Sydney to attend GQs Men of the Year Awards, which will be held on Wednesday at The Star.

And he appears to be enjoying his time Down Under, taking to Instagram to share his stroll along Sydney Harbour during the early hours of Monday morning.

'Singing at the Opera House,' he captioned a picture of him swinging from a lamp post.
She's the former Miss World Australia who is no stranger to flaunting her well-toned figure.

And Erin Holland looked radiant again on Monday when she joined a bevy of celebrities for an 'ultimate summer day out' in Sydney, courtesy of Heineken 3.

The 28-year-old beauty came dressed for a day of sun soaked activities including a boot camp session, volleyball and a ride in a luxury super yacht around Sydney's Double Bay.

Scroll down for video

Sun's out: Erin Holland looked radiant on Monday when she joined a bevy of celebrities for an 'ultimate summer day out' in Sydney, courtesy of Heineken

Erin looked summery in a flowing white playsuit with lace embellishments.

The outfit, which finished at the thigh, flaunted her well-toned pins to full effect while she finished her look with a pair of reflective sunglasses.

Augmenting the outfit with some gold bling on her wrist, erin kept her brunette locks down for the casual affair.

Erin looked summery in a flowing white playsuit with lace embellishments

Erin was joined by a bevy of Australian celebrities for the event including former Home And Away star Tai Hara.

Tai, who played Andy Barrett on the popular soap, looked chuffed to be put through his paces with some pushups during the boot camp portion of the day.

He was joined, at one point by fellow Home And Away castmate Benedict Wall with the New Zealand-born actor barely breaking a sweat as he worked out with Tai.

Tai looked even more relieved, however, when it was time to board the yacht and enjoy a few relaxing ales with fellow Home And Away alum Lincoln Younes and Tim Ross.

Guest list: Erin was joined by a bevy of Australian celebrities for the event including former Home And Away star Tai Hara.

Work out: Tai, who played Andy Barrett on the popular soap, looked chuffed to be put through his paces with some push-ups during the boot camp portion of the day along with Home And Away castmate Benedict Wall

All at sea: Tai looked even more relieved, however, when it was time to board the yacht and enjoy a few relaxing ales with fellow Home And Away alum Lincoln Younes (r) and Tim Ross (c)

2015 X-factor hopeful Jess Dunbar, also looked summery in a floral patterned shirt that was tied at the midriff and a pair of jean shorts.

Before the group boarded the yacht, Jess found time for a quick wardrobe change, chosing to wear a white and grey-striped blouse for her sea voyage.

The songstress looked chuffed to be out and about, smiling broadly as she posed with an inviting cocktail.

Sing star: 2015 X-factor hopeful Jess Dunbar, also looked summery in a floral patterned shirt that was tied at the midriff and a pair of jean shorts

Sea change: Before the group boarded the yacht, Jess found time for a quick wardrobe change, chosing to wear a white and grey-striped blouse for her sea voyage

Yet another former Home And Away cast member, Nic Westaway, took advantage of the great day out.

Nic, who played Kyle Braxton on the hit soap looked casual in a simple blue v-necked T-shirt and white shorts and was seen taking social media influencer and blogger Ali Capelli through her vollyball paces.

It appeared that Nic got well and truly into the spirit of things, later removing his shirt and donning a white headband

Eyes on the ball: Yet another former Home And Away cast member, Nic Westaway, took advantage of the great day out and was seen taking social media influencer and blogger Ali Capelli through her vollyball paces
She gave birth to her second child, daughter Rosie May Dee, seven weeks ago.

And on Saturday, Megan Gale enjoyed a 'date night' with her AFL star fiance and babydaddy Shaun Hampson, at Neil Perry's Rockpool Bar and Dining in Melbourne.

The 42-year-old was pictured nestling up to her partner in a sweet Instagram snap.

'Date night': Megan Gale, 42, cosied up to fiance Shaun Hampson, 29, as the couple's loved ones minded their seven-week-old daughter Rosie May Dee, on Saturday

'DATE NIGHT So lucky to have our Mama Bears aka doting Nonna & Nanna mind our munchkins so we could steal away for a few hours to @rockpooldininggroup at @crownresorts,' Megan captioned the photo.

The image saw Megan in a plunging striped frock, cosy up to Shaun, 29, who cut a smart figure in a dress shirt with both sleeves rolled up.

Since the birth of the couple's daughter Rosie May Dee, seven weeks ago, Megan has often taken to Instagram, sharing sentimental posts.

Bundle of joy: The high-profile couple welcomed their second child, Rosie, seven weeks ago

Just last week, the model and television presenter paid a heartfelt tribute to her newborn daughter.

Megan wrote: 'Baby girl you are such a special little soul already teaching us so much and providing so much joy. We're getting our first smiles from you too and they are just SO precious!

'It's been an action packed 6 weeks and boy life has become a helluva lot busier but life has also become so much better and fulfilling since you arrived.

'Loving you more and more with every passing day my girl,' Megan went on to say.

Precious: Since her birth, Megan has often taken to Instagram, sharing sentimental posts

Megan and fiance Shaun also share a three-year-old son River Alan Thomas.

Together since 2011, the high-profile pair have certainly been through challenges, prior to the birth of Rosie.

In January this year, Megan showed her vulnerability in a candid interview with InStyle magazine, revealing she'd had a miscarriage.

The personality conceived her second child with Shaun, only for the couple to receive the heartbreaking news two months later.

Sentimental: Just last week, the model and television presenter paid a heartfelt tribute to her newborn daughter: 'It's been an action packed 6 weeks and boy life has become a helluva lot busier but life has also become so much better and fulfilling since you arrived. Loving you more and more with every passing day my girl'

Family unit: Megan and Shaun are also proud parents to three-year-old son River Alan Thomas

She said: 'Immediately you go into a bit of blame; "what have I done?" Because you're charged with the responsibility for growing this life and carrying it through.

'So I think it's very natural with miscarriage to have this feeling you've dropped the ball.'

Megan said she wanted to speak out to help other mums deal with miscarriage and breach what is a very private topic.

She said: 'You don't want to be reminded about it a lot. And I think that's why a lot of women don't talk about it because it's a heartbreaking thing to go through.'
Her rollercoaster romance with Stephen Bear seemingly came to a screeching halt last month, with the star claiming she was 'very single' at the MTV EMAs on Sunday.

But it has since been reported that Charlotte Crosby, 27, is back together with the tattooed hunk, also 27, with the pair reportedly spending a secret night together on Saturday, before being spotted 'kissing' at the awards after-party, reports The Sun.

However, the pair's reunion reportedly got off to quite the bumpy start, as they are said to have been seen getting into two 'screaming matches' as they joined revellers at the EMA's after-party, held at London's Wembley park Theatre.

Scroll down for video

The vex factor: Charlotte Crosby and Stephen Bear are reported to have got into two blazing rows at the MTV EMAs after-party in London on Sunday night

An onlooker told The Sun: 'Charlotte and Bear were all over the place. One second they were kissing, cuddling and laughing, and the next they were having screaming matches.

'Not long after arriving, Charlotte stormed off and Bear was rushing after her saying, "Babe, babe," but she wasnt having any of it and walked away. She was clearly angry. But ten minutes later they were kissing again.

'But later on they really went for each other and had a massive screaming match outside the toilets. They seemed oblivious to everyone else around them and were really angry. She stormed off and he looked very frustrated by it all.'

Back on: It has been claimed that Charlotte Crosby is back together with Stephen Bear with the pair reportedly spending a secret night together on Saturday, before being spotted 'kissing' at the awards after-party, reports The Sun

Reunited? Charlotte then reportedly ditched the It Girls and MTV EMA Correspondents Dinner on Saturday with meet up with her hunky ex

The report comes after it was claimed that Stephen turned up at Sophie Kasaei's birthday party in Chigwel, Essex, to 'beg' to speak with former Geordie Shore star Charlotte in a bid to rekindle their romance.

Charlotte then reportedly ditched the It Girls and MTV EMA Correspondents Dinner on Saturday with meet up with her hunky ex.

A source told the website: 'Sophie was miffed because Charlotte left her party to go off with Bear. They spent a night together in a hotel and then met up again at the EMAs.'

MailOnline has contacted Charlotte and Stephen's representatives for comment.

Evidence? On Monday evening, Stephen sparked further speculation that things were, indeed, back on between him and Charlotte, when he shared a shot of himself on a hotel balcony

Speculation: Instagram users quickly speculated that Charlotte had taken the sunset snap

Smooching rumours: OK! Magazine also claimed the exes were kissing and 'laughing at each other's jokes' at the after-party

On Monday evening, Stephen sparked further speculation that things were, indeed, back on between him and Charlotte, when he shared a shot of himself looking out over the London skyline from a hotel balcony while he wore a white bathrobe.

'The hotel balcony of the room him and @charlottegshore stayed in last night after the ema's [sic],' asserted one of his Insstagram users.

'That looks like the place you and char used to be in together,' stated another underneath the shot, which was snapped as the sun set over the English capital.

OK! Magazine also claimed the exes were kissing and 'laughing at each other's jokes' at the after-party.

A guest told the magazine: 'Charlotte and Bear full-on snogged on the dance-floor.' They couldn't keep their hands off each other. They were laughing and joking around, and looked as though they were having a lot of fun together.'

Bouncing back:Charlotte was giving nothing away as she oozed confidence on the MTV European Music Awards 2017 red carpet, joined by close friend Sophie

Charlotte also liked a hunky Instagram shot of Stephen posing in a red silk suit at the awards.

Charlotte was giving nothing away as she oozed confidence on the MTV European Music Awards 2017 red carpet, joined by close friend Sophie.

The star showed off her incredible figure in a skintight baby pink gown as she posed on the red carpet in London's SSE Arena, telling MailOnline she was 'strong and single'.

Charlotte oozed confidence ahead of the awards show as she made her arrival with Geordie Shore star Sophie, who looked equally stylish in a black and purple lace jumpsuit.

Charlotte had her brunette tresses styled into gorgeous half-up half-down waved style, keeping her makeup dewy with simple smoky eye makeup.

Pals: Charlotte also posed with her Geordie Shore pal Sophie Kasaei, after the pair enjoyed the pre-EMA's dinner on Friday night

The brunette beauty seemed more than happy to reveal that she was back on the market, and was feeling better than ever in the light of her difficult split.

Speaking on the carpet Charlotte told MailOnline: 'I'm very strong and very single.'

The star split from her former beau Bear after a tumultuous relationship, with Charlotte tweeting that the Celebrity Big Brother star cheated on her.

Taking to Twitter, she penned: 'Being single is strange... But I think I'll get the hang', before writing the cryptic message: 'Erase it all. Like it didn't exist. And start again'.

Charlotte was joined at the event by her Geordie Shore co-star Sophie, who showed off her ample cleavage in her lace-inspired all-in-one.

Stunning: The former Geordie Shore star looked stunning in a skin-tight baby pink dress as she put on a confident display in light of her split from former beau Stephen Bear

Slinky: Charlotte also showed off the results of her latest surgery, after having an operation on her 'uniboob'

The Newcastle beauty had her incredible curves on full display in the form-fitting ensemble, which tied together black and purple lace in a circular cut-out design.

Sophie rocked the deep v-neck with full confidence, keeping her chocolate brown tresses loose with a simple curl.

The star finished her look with sharp white and silver nails and a couple of simple silver rings.

Sophie put on a friendly display with pal Charlotte on the red carpet, after the duo were spotted enjoying a night out together at the pre-EMA's dinner on Friday.

Fierce: Sophie rocked a black and purple lace all-in-one jumpsuit, with her ample cleavage on full display

Incredible: Sophie had her brunette tresses in relaxed curls for the look with had a circular lace effect

Looking fine: Sophie teamed her look with sharp claw-like silver and white nails as well as a dynamic smoky eye

Charlotte also showcased the results of her latest surgery, after being body-shamed by online trolls for her 'uniboob.'

Charlotte told Heat Magazine: 'My uni-boob made me feel under-confident. It (congenital symmastia) really limited what I could wear without people saying, 'What the f***'s wrong with her boobs?

'Because I'm famous, if a picture of me is online, people say things like 'What is wrong with her boobs? They're deformed! They're stuck together!'



Moving on: Charlotte revealed that she is well and truly single in light of her split from Bear

Confident: The pair attended the music awards event in London's SSE Arena

Taking the plunge: Sophie showed off a liberal amount of cleavage in the ensemble
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in California.

And on Sunday, Jaime King and her family headed out to The Grove mall in LA for it's annual tree lighting ceremony.

The Hart Of Dixie star looked festive in a navy blue and red Related Apparel coat worn over a solid cream turtleneck.

Christmas event! On Sunday, Jaime King, 38, and her family headed out to the Grove mall in LA for it's annual tree lighting ceremony

The 38-year-old beauty paired her outwear with a set of wife leg jeans.

Jaime wore her medium-length, blonde hair down and straight.

For make-up, the beauty chose to highlight her lips with a bright red shade.

Great idea: The mother-of-two paired her Related Apparel outwear with a set of wife leg jeans

Their style: Husband Kyle Newman, 41, looked handsome in black, while sons James, four, and Leo, two, wore tiny, trendy ensembles

Husband Kyle Newman, 41, looked handsome in black.

Jaime and her director hubby have been married since November 23, 2007, and are coming up on their 10-year wedding anniversary.

In October 2013, the couple welcomed son James, four, while youngest son Leo, two, arrived in July 2015.

Simple and pretty: Jaime wore her medium-length, blonde hair down and straight

Festive feel: For make-up, the beauty chose to highlight her lips with a bright red shade as Santa said hello to James

Despite being a busy mom of pre-school and toddler-age children, the actress manages to balance both work and family.

Jaime has three projects set for release. Ice Cream In The Cupboard, will premiere later this year.

Meanwhile, How to Cook Your Daughter and Escape Plan 2: Hades, will debut in 2018.

Hanging with St. Nick: Jaime made time to cuddle up to Santa proving she's naughty and nice

The family and the crowd at The Grove were treated to a special performance by American Idol alums Jordin Sparks, 27, and Ruben Studdard, 39.

They were joined by Band Of Merrymakers and In Real Life.

And children and adults alike probably delighted in the traditional snow fall as the magnificent tree was lit.

Seasonal songs: The family and the crowd at The Grove were treated to a special performance by American Idol alums Jordin Sparks, 27, and Ruben Studdard, 39

The man with the bag: The singer got a special visit from Santa before she took to the stage
She recently wrapped filming on superhero blockbuster Aquaman in Australia.

And Amber Heard was spotted enjoying some time off as she indulged in a little retail therapy with friends on Sunday.

But instead of hitting the high end shops in Beverly Hills she opted for the more funky Rosebowl flea market in Pasadena, Los Angeles County, just 20 miles east of the city.

Sunday style: Amber Heard flashed her tummy in a lace crop top as she enjoying some retail therapy with friends at the funky Rosebowl flea market in Pasadena, Los Angeles County

The 31-year-old willowy blonde showed off her trim tummy in a pretty white cropped top with lace panels.

She added skinny leg jeans, cropped at the ankle, and white lace-up shoes with black toe caps.

Amber completed her look with a wide brimmed hat and a black leather purse that she wore across her body.

Johnny Depp's ex-wife spent some time checking out the turquoise jewelry and belts at one stall and it looked like she bought an item.

So much to choose from: The 31-year-old ex-wife of Johnny Depp stopped to check out the jewelry and belts at a stall specializing in Native American wares

Sold! The actress. who recently returned from Australia where she's been filming Aquaman, walked away from the stall after buying an item

Amber is presently single after splitting with her beau of a year, Tesla billionaire Elon Musk, 46, in August.

But she certainly seems to be adjusting the single life.

The actress was linked to two handsome Aquaman stuntmen, Kelly McNaught and Mana Hira Davis. in the space of just one week in September during her stint in Australia.

Out with her ex: Amber is single after breaking up with Tesla billionaire Elon Musk, 46, in August but she was spotted in the arms of two Aquamen stuntmen and has been hanging out with gal pals since returning to LA including her ex-partner artist Tasya van Ree, 41

It didn't last: Amber was married to Johnny Depp for 15 months before filing for divorce in May 2016. Here they are seen at the LA premiere of her film The Danish Girl in November 2015

Since returning to California she has been hanging out with gal pals, including her former partner, artist Tasya van Ree, 41.

Amber and Tasya were pictured walking to enjoy a late lunch in West Hollywood last week, with the actress donning a pair of cropped Mother jeans, and a black sweater, while her artist ex donned baggy blue jeans, a matching sweater, and a woolen beanie.

The pair dated for four years and at one point were 'married' with court documents showing they entered into a legally binding domestic partnership in California in March 2008.

Meanwhile, Amber plays Mera, the wife of Aquaman, played by Jason Momoa with Nicole Kidman as Queen Atlanna, in the new DC Comics superhero movie due out on December 21, 2018.
He recently found himself in hospital, after partying too hard over the Halloween weekend.

And Rodrigo Alves, better known as the Human Ken Doll, confessed he was healthier and happier than ever on Monday, after jetting to India for a relaxing detox retreat.

Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, the 34-year-old revealed he is back to his confident best after dropping a stone in weight, during the 'life-changing' cultural trip.

Scroll down for video

Relaxed: Rodrigo Alves, better known as the Human Ken Doll, confessed he was healthier than ever on Monday, after jetting to India for a relaxing detox - which has seen him drop one stone

The TV personality was supposed to be staying in New Delhi for four days, to film his part in a brand new Hollywood movie.

Yet, the Brazilian admitted to MailOnline that he has extended his trip to soak up the sights and culture of the country, including the Sikh Temple in Delhi.

Posing confidently in front of the landmark in a tight-fitting shirt and shorts however, Rodrigo also displayed his newly-slim figure - having shed a stone in weight thanks to his intense 'detox' while abroad.

Seeing the sights: The Brazilian admitted to MailOnline that he has extended his trip to soak up the sights and culture of the country - after a busy days filming his new Bollywood flick

He explained to MailOnline: 'I needed this break in order to align my thoughts and plans for the future, and to detox.

'I have lost a stone just by fasting on tea, and I signed onto a retreat with a tour guide, who takes me to the main tourist sights.'

Rodrigo explained that instead of driving over to Agra to see the Taj Mahal, he decided to take the train with the locals instead - opening his eyes to the poverty in the country.

Confident: He admitted he had lost the weight gained in LA during the trip, admitting: 'I needed this break to detox. I have lost a stone just by fasting on tea!'

After realising how fortunate he really is, the plastic surgery veteran proceeded to visit an orphanage in Delhi, and donated some of his riches to a local school in order to improve the IT system for students.

Admitting the experience had been 'life-changing', he said: 'I have been seen a lot of cultural sights and have met some amazing people.

'However I have also seen a lot of poverty, which has made me realise that I live in a bubble, and that I never knew what reality is for some people.'

Yet, Rodrigo confirmed he is still keen to relax while away and recover from his exhausting few weeks in the States, ahead of his upcoming TV appearances.

Life-changing: He also revealed the trip had opened his eyes to poverty in the country - leading him to visit an orphanage and donate money to a local school in Delhi

Sensational: The plastic surgery addict has become every inch the tourist in India and also documented his voyage to the iconic Taj Mahal

He added: 'Right now I am on my way to Japuir to carry on with my detox at a stunning spa, before I return to London.

'Then I am back on Domenica Live in Italy to show off my newly slim figure and to talk about my experiences here in India.'

Rodrigo was no doubt grateful for his relaxing trip - after revealing he had piled on the pounds during a wild week celebrating Halloween in Los Angeles.

Falling ill on the plane home after all the indulgence, he told MailOnline last month: 'Too much drinking and a lack of sleep followed by an 11 hour flight, and my body just gave in.'

Loving life: Rodrigo has been making like the locals and using the train system to make his way from city to city

Detox needed: Rodrigo was no doubt grateful for his relaxing trip - after revealing he had piled on the pounds, during a wild week celebrating Halloween in Los Angeles (pictured at LAX)

However, he admitted he planned to go under the knife in 2018 to have six ribs removed, in order to achieve his ideal figure.

He said: 'I have the surgery booked to give me a smaller waist in order, so my blazers will fit me properly.'

Explaining the procedure will move him one step closer to his body goal, he added: 'God made us perfectly with spare parts in case we need them, and the floating ribs only make me look square.

'I would like to achieve a classic figure while wearing my suits, and the only way to achieve that is to remove my ribs.'

Rodrigo has shot to fame in recent years after spending a whopping 400,000 on over sixty cosmetic procedures, earning himself the nickname 'The Human Ken Doll'.
He was one of the hottest punk superstars of the late 1970s, performing as part of the short-lived but iconic band The Sex Pistols.

And despite taking a step back from the spotlight in recent years, John Lydon still keeps a bit of his old punk image going strong, as his signature orange tresses were on full display while running errands in California.

The 61-year-old music legend was spotted picking up essentials in Malibu's Trancas Country Market on Sunday, rocking a relaxed ensemble for the outing with his family.

Scroll down for video

Relaxed: Punk legend John Lydon, aka Johnny Rotten, kept it casual in a relaxed ensemble as he purchased groceries at the Trancas Country Market in Malibu on Sunday

The Public Image Limited (Pil) frontman donned a simple white shirt and shorts combo as he loaded his purchases into a waiting car, finishing off the ensemble with black and white trainers.

John was spotted with his family on the outing, including his wife Nora Forster

The duo appeared to share an intimate moment before jumping in the car, with the German beauty rocking a red dress and undershirt combo.

John recently proved that he could still live the rock 'n' roll lifestyle, as he was reportedly refused entry into his party in October.

Adorbs: John put on a cosy display with wife Nora Forster as they loaded their purchases into a waiting car

Rebels: John became a punk icon as a member of band The Sex Pistols in the late 1970s

Icons: John later formed his own band Public Image Limited (Pil)

According to The Sun, John was refused entry from a nearby bar three times, despite the party being hosted for him.

An insider told the paper: 'Only Johnny Rotten could be banned from his own party, but he was barely able to stand. He played the perfect hell-raiser.'

John is said to have got into a war of words with the security guards on the door, who refused to let him inside.

Despite his valiant efforts to get in, John reportedly admitted defeat, heading off with wife Nora and his entourage.

A representative for John was contacted at the time for comment.

Superstar: In recent years John has kept a low profile, though he can still live the rock n'roll lifestyle as he was refused entry into his own party in October
He is one of the Britain's most popular small screen presenters.

And Phillip Schofield, 55, juggled his high-flying career with being a doting dad as he was seen with his glamorous daughter Molly Lowe outside the ITV studios on Monday.

Following his staple This Morning presenting slot alongside Holly Wiloughby, the broadcaster looked delighted to be back on dad duty as he joined his youngest, 24, in the British capital.

Scroll down for video

Family comes firt! Phillip Schofield juggled his high-flying career with being a doting dad as he was seen with his glamorous daughter Molly, 24, outside the ITV studios on Monday

Keeping off the frosty bite to the air, the television sensation wrapped up snug in a navy puffer jacket and form-fitting jumper.

The presenter cut a casual figure in dark jeans and a pair of Converses, not needing to add to his height, for the ultimate comfort.

Phillip's daughter courted attention when she put on a fashionable parade and showed off her slender legs in her tiny leather skirt.

Ever the natural beauty, the blonde looked youthful as she opted for minimal make-up and letting her golden locks cascade down her shoulders in soft curls.

Casual style: Keeping off the frosty bite to the air, the television sensation wrapped up snug in a navy puffer jacket and form-fitting jumper

Molly toted a chic handbag which proved a perfect match for her cosy grey sweater, worn under her thigh-skimming Zara jacket with billowing sleeves.

Family man at heart, Phillip lives in Henley-on-Thames with his wife Stephanie Lowe, who he wed in March 1993, and two stunning daughters

He told Christine Lampard on Lorraine: 'She worked in television years ago, that was how we met, so she can do it [television], she just doesn't want to these days.

Family man at heart, Phillip lives in Henley-on-Thames with his wife Stephanie Lowe, who he wed in March 1993, and two stunning daughter Molly and Ruby

Love story: Stephanie met Phil when she worked as a BBC production Assistant and he was working for the BBC Childrens television

Stephanie met Phil when she worked as a BBC production Assistant and he was working for the BBC Childrens television.

He said at the time: 'You'd have thought someone wouldn't be attracted to a man with a puppet and dodgy jumpers!'

Earlier this year, the pair filmed Schofields South African Adventure, and the presenter said he was so pleased she joined him for filming.
Kaia Gerber seems to be missing summer already.

On Monday the 16-year-old model shared a photo in a white bikini that looks to be taken from her lake vacation in Canada with her mother Cindy Crawford, dad Rande Gerber and brother Presley.

This comes after the catwalk teen was handpicked by BBC's Children In Need to model the charity's designer collection of its iconic Pudsey Bear ears.

Two piece: Kaia Gerber seems to be missing summer already. On Monday the 16-year-old model shared a photo in a white bikini that looks to be taken from her lake vacation in Canada with her mother Cindy Crawford, dad Rande Gerber and brother Presley

The in-demand fashion star stunned in the new campaign which sees her don just one of the many revamped designs of the headpiece and join forces with her fellow models including Suki Waterhouse, Amber Le Bon and Vogue's latest cover star Adwoa Aboah.

She wore cute ears and showed off a megawatt smile in her portrait.

Kaia recently returned from her first month walking for designers at Fashion Weeks in New York, Paris, London and Milan.

For a good cause: This comes after the catwalk teen was handpicked by BBC's Children In Need to model the charity's designer collection of its iconic Pudsey Bear ears

She did it too: Selena Gomez also wearing ears for the cause

So she was more than ready to relax and have a good time at a Halloween Party thrown by her famous parents, Cindy and Rande Gerber, in Los Angeles on Friday night.

She was a throwback sensation in a sparkly silver spaghetti-string top, a white mini-skirt with hoops around the hemline and silver high heeled platform shoes.

To complete the 1970s Studio 54 vibe, she wore a blonde wig with blunt-cut bangs.

She juggles school and work: Here Kaia said she was enjoying a break as she posed for a selfie

Kaia's elder brother, Presley, 18, is also following on the family trade and working as a male model.

In July she talked to Vogue.

She had just landed a big perfume campaign.

'When I found out that I was going to be the face of Daisy, I was so excited because I always looked up to the girls who represented Daisy as these feminine, powerful women. So, to think that I could embody that too was really amazing to me.'

Attractive family: Kaia with Cindy, Rande and Presley in April

She also revealed how she got the good news.

'I had just got home from school, but when I first found out I didnt really want to think about it too much so as not to jinx it.

'Then I was like "OK, Im actually going to do this! I think I was the most excited Ive ever been about a job!"

The shoot took over four days.

'It was really cool to me because they wanted to have my sense of style in it too. If you look at the video and everything you can really see how much fun we were really having. Thats why I love shooting things like this, I really dont think it depends on what Im shooting, just with who its with.'
She was announced as a Mind ambassador back in February, after previously revealing her struggles with depression and mental health.

And Fearne Cotton continued to show her love and support for the charity on Monday night, as she geared up to host the Mind Media Awards in London.

The 36-year-old Radio DJ and TV presented showed off her sensational figure in a stylish blue sequinned jumpsuit as she arrived at the red carpet in the Odeon Cinema Leicester Square.

Scroll down for video

Mum about town: TV presenter Fearne Cotton rocked a sensational blue sequinned ensemble on Monday night as she attended the Mind Media Awards in London

Fearne put on a glamorous display at the event in her amazing jumpsuit and stiletto heel combo, making her truly stand out ahead of the event.

Keeping accessories to a minimum, Fearne allowed the garment to truly stand out, with her powder blue nail polish matching perfectly.

The Celebrity Juice star had her blonde tresses poker straight with a simple nude smoky eye and pink glossed lips.

Larking: Fearne, who hosted the awards ceremony, was seen posing on the red carpet with Mind President Stephen Fry

Funny: Ever the comic, Stephen appeared to crack a joke on the red carpet for the awards show, which celebrates the honest and sensitive portrayal of mental health in media

Stunning: The mother-of-two showed off her slim physique in the stand-out ensemble

Legend: Stephen was his typical outlandish self ahead of the event in London's Leicester Square

As the host of tonight's proceedings, Fearne will be revealing the prestigious recipients of the awards, which celebrate honest and sensitive portrayals of mental health in all forms of media, from TV to journalism to social media.

The mother-of-two did struggle to maintain her composure on the red carpet, as she posed with charity President Stephen Fry.

Stephen was the total joker on the red carpet, pulling a slew of faces and expressions upon arrival that left Fearne laughing as they entered the venue. =

Guest of honour: Fearne was also seen meeting His Royal Highness Prince Harry, who was in attendance to give a special award

Dapper: The Prince looked smart in a classic suit as he arrived for the ceremony, which was streamed for fans on Facebook

The duo were also seen speaking to guest of honour Prince Harry, who was in attendance to present a special award.

His Royal Highness has been a strong campaigner for mental health, forming the Heads Together campaign with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge earlier this year.

Prince was seen shaking hands and conversing with Fearne, who looked delighted to be meeting the royal.

Star guest: Fearne looked delighted to be meeting the royal, as she and Stephen conversed with Harry outside the venue

A dazzling speaker: Fearne sparkled in her lilac floor-length gown when she took to the stage at the Mind Media Awards event

Standing out: The television sensation added to her height in sky-scraper high sparkling stilettos for the maximum drama

Fit for a princess: Beaming Fearne cut a regal figure in her lilac attire as she greeted Prince Harry outside the event
She has scooped a BAFTA, a Golden Globe, an International Emmy and an Olivier Award for her acting triumphs over the years.

And Julie Walters proved her beauty stood the test of time when she graced the preview screening of her latest movie Film Stars Don't Die In Liverpool on Monday.

The 67-year-old actress exuded confidence on the red carpet as she showed off her smooth complexion  soon after admitting she 'doesn't care' about her age.

Scroll down for video

Age-defying: Julie Walters, 67, showed off her smooth complexion at Film Stars Don't Die In Liverpool preview screening in Liverpool on Monday

The Harry Potter star accentuated her features with heavy eye make-up and a slick of light pink lipstick for a dramatic effect.

Going for a striking effect, the Educating Rita beauty caught the eye with her bold jacket which featured silver buttons.

Julie looked sleek head-to-toe in a black ensemble as she joined her glamorous co-star Leanne Best and the director Paul McGuigan.

Good company: Julie looked sleek head-to-toe in a black ensemble as she joined her co-star Leanne Best and the director Paul McGuigan

Film Stars Don't Die In Liverpool tells the story of Hollywood actress Gloria Grahame finding love and the consequences when she is diagnosed with breast cancer.

Gloria, who died in October 1981 aged 57, featured roles in the British nation's Xmas classic It's a Wonderful Life (1946), The Big Heat (1953) and Oklahoma! (1955).

In her hey day, the Hollywood movie star scooped an Oscar for the Best Supporting Actress in Crossfire (1947).

Glamorous as ever: Leanne Best flaunted her fabulous figure in a floral frock, featuring a cinched waistline and a series of pleats

Annette Bening, who didn't appear to make an appearance at the screening, plays the award-winning actress in the upcoming flick.

Film Stars Don't Die In Liverpool will arrive in cinemas on November 16.

Of Gloria, Julie told The Guardian: 'She was always this great sort of wild girl. When she went up and got her Oscar in the 1950s she just took it and said thank you and walked off.'

Her appearance in the movie came months after the actress celebrated her 67th birthday in February.

Devil in the details: Film Stars Don't Die In Liverpool tells the story of Hollywood actress Gloria Grahame finding love and the consequences when she is diagnosed with breast cancer

Blast from past! Gloria, who died in October 1981 aged 57, featured roles in the British nation's Xmas classic It's a Wonderful Life (1946, pictured), The Big Heat (1953) and Oklahoma! (1955)

However, the Billy Elliot beauty declared she was ageing gracefully as she divulged she 'doesn't care' about her age.

She added: 'I tend to think, "Oh frig it! Who cares?" I remember reading in a magazine, you know, "You should never wear silver after 50".

'That makes me want to wear only silver until I am bloody 90, if I live that long.'

Revealed: In her hey day, the Hollywood movie star scooped an Oscar for the Best Supporting Actress in Crossfire (1947)

Relaxed: Jamie Bell donned a relaxed blue sweater as visited SiriusXM studios to talk about the film in which he plays Gloria's lover Peter Turner

Leading man: Jamie is married to his Fantastic Four co-star Kate Mara, and the pair announced their matriomony in July
This week it was reported he was in the running to be the next Bachelor.

But Kris Smith may not need any love seeking help after all, as it appears things are heating up with his speculated girlfriend Sarah Boulazeris.

Taking to social media, the 39-year-old Myer hunk posted a selfie with the personal trainer whilst the pair enjoyed a romantic sunset picnic by the water at Sydney's Cremorne.

Scroll down for video

Still the next Bachelor? Kris Smith enjoys a romantic sunset picnic with rumoured girlfriend Sarah Boulazeris.... after claims hunky male model will star on reality love series

'She's got the lot. #picnic #sunset,' he captioned the romantic image.

Kris sported a white patterened shirt and left a few buttons open for the casual outdoor dinner.

It wasn't long before fans and even celebrities took to the social media to send their congratulations to the pair.

A lovely afternoon: Taking to social media, the 39-year-old Myer hunk posted a selfie with the personal trainer whilst the pair enjoyed a romantic sunset picnic by the water at Sydney 's Cremorne

'Love how happy you look xx @krissmith,' commented his former colleague Sally Obermeder.

Over on Sarah's account, the pretty PT also couldn't help but gush over the star.

Taking to Instagram Stories, she posted a video of her rumoured boyfriend that she captioned: 'Just what we do on a Monday' before adding a photo reading 'Yeah we Cute AF'.

Showing their support: It wasn't long before fans and even celebrities took to the social media to send their congratulations to the pair

Food fest! Taking to Instagram Stories, she posted a video of her rumoured boyfriend that captioned: 'Just what we do on a Monday' before adding a photo reading 'Yeah we Cute AF'

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Kris and Sarah for further comment.

The pair first sparked romance rumours in August after they enjoyed a Balinese holiday together.

But it was only on Saturday at Melbourne's Stakes Day that Kris and Sarah made their red carpet debut.

On Saturday, Kris and Sarah made their first public debut at Stake's Day

The next Bachelor? 'They've obviously spoken about it - he's already done I'm A Celebrity, he's dated one of the network's staffers and he's best mates with Sasha Mielczarek [former Bachelorette winner]'

But while the pair continue to fuel speculation, on Monday, NW magazine claimed the former partner of Dannii Minogue was 2018 Bachelor Australia.

'They've obviously spoken about it - he's already done I'm A Celebrity, he's dated one of the network's staffers and he's best mates with Sasha Mielczarek [former Bachelorette winner],' revealed their source.

'He's just not allowed to discuss anything publicly,' they continued adding he's just 'playing it Coy like Matty J did'.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, Kris' management neither confirmed nor denied his alleged appearance saying that they had 'no comment to make'.
She's John Ibrahim's glamorous model girlfriend, currently facing court over firearm charges.

But Sarah Budge appeared to be put it all behind her as she partied the night away with gal pals including Imogen Anthony on Friday.

The 27-year-old brunette put her troubles aside as she enjoyed a night of champagne, fine foods and exquisite diamond jewellery.

Diamonds are a girls' best friend: Model of girlfriend of King of the Cross John Ibrahim sips champagne as she attends jewellery party with Imogen Anthony after facing court over firearm charges

The small party sat around a large table with a white table cloth and a centrepiece of diamond jewellery.

Sitting at the head of the table, in a gold encrusted chair was former escort agency boss and convicted drug dealer Simon Main.

Simon cut a comfortable figure as he watched the guests, including Sarah, laugh with each other over cartoons etched by illustrator Aaron Favaloro in their likeness.

Sarah appeared to be partying with friends Kyle Sandilands, left, and Imogen Anthony

Sarah, left, was charged with firearms offences following a police raid on her boyfriend's home in August. Pictured right is a platter of caviar and oysters and some of Imogen's impressive diamond rings

The King of the Cross, John Ibrahim was also at the lavish get together

The heavily-jeweled centerpiece of the table, left and Imogen at the party, right

These images etched by illustrator Aaron Favaloro, of the party-goers appeared to be a hit with the couples squealing in delight at the sight of them

The brunette beauty smiled as Imogen clutched to a pair of diamond earrings, her long-term partner Kyle Sandilands gave the camera a concerned look as she hugged the jewels close to her face.

Packets of cigarettes, discarded rings and golden spoons were scattered messily across the table.

Just last week the brunette beauty looked downcast as she attended court over the gun charges - Mr Ibrahim made a rare public appearance to support her

Sarah Budge and John Ibrahim pictured on a swing together before the police raids

Just last week Sarah appeared in court over the offences.

She appeared stressed-out and downcast as she walked toward the courts with John - who is rarely seen in public but stepped out in support of her.

Sarah wore a $1000 Scanlan Theodore outfit to the well-publicised appearance.

Convicted drug dealer Simon Main was also at the event - sitting comfortably at the head of the table in his gold encrusted chair

Budge appeared content at the party just a week after her court appearance




She's the lovable veteran actress who's played the role of Irene Roberts on the Home And Away for nearly two decades.

And on Tuesday, Lynne McGranger proved she hadn't aged a bit.

Taking a selfie alongside her daughter Clancy McWaters, 26, the 64-year-old showed off her age-defying looks.

Twinning! Home And Away's Lynne McGranger, 64, proves she's age-defying in flawless selfie with lookalike daughter Clancy... after revealing she's leaving Summer Bay

'My favourite pic. My favourite human. #motherslove #daughter #babygirl,' Lynne captioned the picture.

The photo that was taken during a weekend seaside adventure.

Although admitting in the comments that she was 'still drunk' from the day, it wasn't long before fans of the star were asking her what her beauty secret was.

Family: Lynne is pictured here with here with her husband Paul McWaters and their daughter

Extra: Lynne's daughter once played an extra on Home And Away

'Gorgeous pic! your skin looks amazing @lynnemcgrnager what's your secret?' commented a follower.

It's not the first time Lynne and Clancy have showcased their similarities.

Playing an extra on Home And Away, the pair stopped to document the momentous occasion.

Moving on: And with a good family bond, it is assumed Clancy will be supporting her mum as she moves on to her next role out of Summer Bay

Family: And it's not the first time Lynne and Clancy have showcased their genetically blessed similarities

'Mother and daughter in the diner #familybusiness,' captioned Lynne.

With a strong family bond, it is assumed Clancy will be supporting her mum as she moves on to her next role out of Summer Bay.

Trading the sand for the snow, Lynne told TV Week she was heading to York in England to play the wicked fairy in Beauty And The Beast over the holiday season, for her annual pantomime pilgrimage.
She's the Los Angeles icon famous simply for being famous.

No, not Kim Kardashian - Angelyne. The blonde bombshell made her name by posting huge billboards around Los Angeles featuring her picture and name in the 1980s.

Now a longform investigative feature about the billboard icon by The Hollywood Reporter's senior writer Gary Baum is being turned into a limited series, starring Emmy Rossum.

Famous for being famous: Angelyne is seen out in Los Angeles last year

New role: Shameless star Emmy, left, said she had long been fascinated by the story of Angelyne, seen in 2002, right

Iconic: Los Angeles Icon Angelyne in front of her famous pink corvette outside El Coyote

The Shameless actress is teaming up with her husband, Mr Robot creator Sam Esmail, on the show.

Emmy, 31, will star as Angelyne and also act as executive producer alongside Esmail. Journalist Baum will serve as a consultant on the drama.

In a statement via THR Emmy said: 'I have always been fascinated by the enigma that is Angelyne. At a young age, I can vividly remember staring up at her on a billboard above me and wondering, "Who is that woman?"'

Photographer Robert Lang interviewed the Angeleno Icon for Australian fashion magazine Oyster in which she showed an alternative side to herself as a mystical enigma who is on a spiritual journey.

She shows she is not all Hollywood but very in touch with her highest self and connected to nature.

The original Kim Kardashian: Angelyne in 1983

Icon: The blonde bombshell is seen on a billboard in Los Angeles in August

She said of the story: 'It's a poignant and bizarre tale about the hunger for fame, the sexualization of women and the erasing of past traumas.'

Baum's original article revealed that Angelyne, 67, was the Polish born, Los Angeles raised daughter of Jewish Holocaust survivors.

'We are very excited to bring THR to the next level with this new push into television,' said John Amato, president of The Hollywood Reporter-Billboard Media Group.
The newest cast member of Real Housewives Of Orange County had a secret nose job when she was just 17, as seen in pictures obtained by MailOnline.

Peggy Sulahian  who became Bravos 100th housewife after joining the O.C. franchises current season  went under the knife in her late teens because she felt insecure about her 'pronounced Armenian nose' according to a source close to the reality star.

The source revealed: 'The official reason was a deviated septum, but Peggy was desperate to get her nose fixed for cosmetic reasons too.'

Reality star: 44-year-old Peggy Sulahian  who became Bravos 100th housewife after joining the O.C. franchises current season  went under the knife in her late teens

Self-conscious: The newest cast member of Real Housewives Of Orange County had a nose job when she was just 17, as seen in pictures obtained by MailOnline

Before [L] and after: The insider revealed the nose job was performed at Glendale Memorial Hospital by Peggys plastic surgeon cousin Dr Vatche Bardakjian, very early into his career

The source revealed that the Kuwait-born reality TV star had the procedure done over a long holiday weekend because her strict Armenian parents Ani and Vartkes would not allow her to take any days off school.

The insider revealed the nose job was performed at Glendale Memorial Hospital by Peggys plastic surgeon cousin Dr Vatche Bardakjian, very early into his career.

The mother of three, now 44, had her nose job at the same time as her older celebrity fashion designer brother, Pol' Atteu, 51, who starred in Bravo show Interior Therapy With Jeff Lewis.

Insecurities: Peggy had the procedure done because she felt insecure about her 'pronounced Armenian nose' according to a source close to the reality star. Pictured here in 1990

Cosmetics: The source revealed: 'The official reason was a deviated septum, but Peggy was desperate to get her nose fixed for cosmetic reasons too'

School's out: The Kuwait-born reality TV star had the procedure done over a long holiday weekend because her strict Armenian parents would not allow her to take any days off school

The insider said: 'She hated [her nose] and thought it made her look ugly. She was often teased about her nose and "monobrow" at school and as she got into her later teens she got more and more obsessed about the way she looked.'

'The only reason her parents agreed to it was on medical grounds. They paid for half of the cost and health insurance paid out the other half.'

The source added: 'Peggy and Pol were some of Dr Bardakjians very first patients too, but he did a great job and Peggy was delighted with the results.'

Bullied: The insider said: 'She hated [her nose] and thought it made her look ugly. She was often teased about her nose and "monobrow" at school. Seen here in 1990

Skin deep: 'As Peggy got into her later teens she got more and more obsessed about the way she looked,' said the source

Now and then: Peggy is pictured here with husband Diko in October 2017; and with brother Pol' before her 5th grade graduation circa 1984

Peggy was married in her early twenties to Diko Sulahian, who runs a successful custom car wheels business for luxury cars. Tragically, Peggys mother Ani died from breast cancer aged just 51 in January 1995, just six month before the wedding.

Following her mothers death and with her marriage to Diko, Peggy drifted from her family and had less contact with her brothers Abraham, 56, and Pol, 51, who owns a couture boutique in Beverly Hills and was formerly a personal designer to the late Anna Nicole Smith, making regular appearances on her E! reality show.

The insider revealed: 'Pol used to design clothes for his sister for special occasions. He did dresses for her school prom, high school graduation and special family events.'

'He groomed her into a trophy wife for Diko and was with her each step of the way - from getting a nose job with her, to dressing her up to look a million dollars.'

Peggy was married in her early twenties to Diko Sulahian, who runs a successful custom car wheels business for luxury cars. She's pictured here in 1980 at 7 years old

Estranged: Following her mothers death and with her marriage to Diko, Peggy drifted from her family and had less contact with her brothers Abraham, 56, and Pol, 51 (pictured above)

Famous family: Pol, pictured above, now owns a couture boutique in Beverly Hills and was formerly a personal designer to the late Anna Nicole Smith

Supportive brother: '[Pol'] groomed her into a trophy wife for Diko and was with her each step of the way - from getting a nose job with her, to dressing her,' said the insider

Another insider close to the family revealed that the surgery didnt stop with the nose job. Peggy  who has two daughters, Giovanna, 19, and Gianelle, 17, and a son, Koko, nine  also had a boob job a few years after the birth of Gianelle.

'Shed had two kids and just hit her 30s and felt self conscious,' the source revealed.

Recently Peggy made the difficult decision to have a double mastectomy after doctors found a lump in her breast.

On RHOC, Peggy left her fellow housewives cast members perplexed as to whether the procedure was a preventative measure or whether she was actually diagnosed with breast cancer.

Peggy initially suggested to co-star Shannon Beador that the lump was not cancerous, but later told cast members that doctors found '3 millimeters of cancer' in her breast.

More surgery: Another insider close to the family revealed that Peggy (pictured above in 1990 and 2017) also had a boob job a few years after the birth of daughter Gianelle

Close family: Peggy is pictured here circa 1984 with brother Abraham [R] and Pol' [L]

Proud parents: The reality TV star is pictured here in 1991 with mother Ani and father Vartkes

The newest addition to The Real Housewives Of Orange County might not be long for the show, according to RadarOnline.

According to a source, the other castmates have decided to band together to get Sulahian kicked off the show.

'The other women cannot stand Peggy. She has started so many fights that were just outrageous and unnecessary,' an insider close to the production told the site.

Not that Peggy is enjoying the experience any more than they are. She recently told ET of her time on the show so far: 'One percent of the time I enjoyed it. The other 99, I was trying to figure it out.'

Image conscious: 'Shed had two kids and just hit her 30s and felt self conscious,' the source revealed of Peggy's later breast enhancement. Pictured her with Mom Ani in 1991

Future beauty: Peggy is pictured here in 1994 at age 21

Before and after: Peggy is pictured here before the nose job [L] and after with brother Abraham [R]

Sibling shenanigans: Pictured here with oldest brother Abraham before her prom in 1991

Big brother: The now mother of three had her nose job at the same time as her older celebrity fashion designer brother, Pol' Atteu, 51, pictured here in 1991 before her prom

Isn't she lovely: Peggy in 1991

Sweet 16: Peggy, Ani and Pol' in July 1989
Boat accidents are common in India, mainly because of overcrowding, poor maintenance and lax safety on ferries

At least 16 people, including women and children, died Sunday after a boat packed with 38 passengers capsized in a river in southern India, police said.

Police in the city of Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh state said they recovered at least 16 bodies from Krishna River where the accident took place.

"Rescue operations are on and they will continue until all have been traced," a local police officer told AFP on condition of anonymity.

Local fishermen swung into action and rescued 15 passengers, the Press Trust of India reported.

The state's tourism minister ordered an inquiry into the incident while Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu expressed his condolences on Twitter.

Boat accidents are common in India, mainly because of overcrowding, poor maintenance and lax safety on ferries.

Twenty people died in September when a boat packed with labourers capsized on the Yamuna river in northern India.
Syrian pro-government forces overlook Aleppo in the Bustan al-Basha neighbourhood November 28, 2016; In eastern Aleppo, Amnesty documented 10 attacks in 2016, during which the regime allegedly targeted neighbourhoods "far away from the front lines"

The Syrian regime's sieges of its population ahead of reaching "reconciliation" agreements with the opposition amount to crimes and against humanity and war crimes, Amnesty International said Monday.

In a report titled "We leave or we die", Amnesty analysed four local accords which the rights body said were preceded by unlawful sieges and bombardment aimed at forcing civilians to leave their homes.

"The sieges, unlawful killings and forced displacement by government forces are part of a systematic as well as widespread attack on the civilian population, therefore constituting crimes against humanity," the report said.

Brokered between August 2016 and March 2017, the agreements came after prolonged sieges during which both the Syrian government and opposition forces indiscriminately attacked civilians.

"The Syrian government and, to a lesser degree, armed opposition groups have enforced sieges on densely populated areas, depriving civilians of food, medicine and other basic necessities in violation of international humanitarian law," Amnesty said.

Such actions by the Syrian regime in Daraya, Madaya, eastern Aleppo city, and the al-Waer neighbourhood in Homs city amounted to war crimes.

The same tactics were also found to have been used by opposition groups which besieged Kefraya and Foua, also carrying out war crimes through their indiscriminate attacks on civilians.

In eastern Aleppo city, Amnesty documented 10 attacks between July and December, 2016, during which the regime allegedly targeted neighbourhoods "far away from the front lines and with no apparent military objectives in the vicinity".

The report also documented a total of eight attacks carried out by opposition forces in western and northern Aleppo city, between August and November last year, during which weapons described as "hell cannons" were used against civilians.

The human rights organisation said it conducted the research using videos and satellite imagery alongside interviews with 134 people, including residents and UN officials, between April and September this year.

Amnesty appealed to the international community to refer the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court and demand unhindered access to the country for those investigating rights abuses.

More than 330,000 people have been killed in Syria and millions displaced since the conflict began in March 2011.
No caption

When it comes to the herbicide dicamba, farmers in the southern state of Arkansas are not lacking for strong opinions.

"Farmers need it desperately," said Perry Galloway.

"If I get dicamba on (my products), I can't sell anything," responded Shawn Peebles.

The two men know each other well, living just miles apart in the towns of Gregory and Augusta, in a corner of the state where cotton and soybean fields reach to the horizon and homes are often miles from the nearest neighbor.

But they disagree profoundly on the use of dicamba.

Last year the agro-chemical giant Monsanto began selling soy and cotton seeds genetically modified to tolerate the herbicide.

The chemical product has been used to great effect against a weed that plagues the region, Palmer amaranth, or pigweed -- especially since it became resistant to another herbicide, glyphosate, which has become highly controversial in Europe over its effects on human health.

The problem with dicamba is that it vaporizes easily and is carried by the wind, often spreading to nearby farm fields -- with varying effects.

Facing a surge in complaints, authorities in Arkansas early this summer imposed an urgent ban on the product's sale. The state is now poised to ban its use between April 16 and October 31, covering the period after plants have emerged from the soil and when climatic conditions favor dicamba's dispersal.

- A bitter dispute -

"Dicamba has affected my whole family," said Kerin Hawkins, her voice trembling. Her brother, Mike Wallace, died last year during an altercation with a worker from a neighboring farm whom he had met to discuss his concerns over the herbicide.

A jury is set to rule on whether Wallace's fatal shooting constituted homicide or self-defense.

This year, the family says, drifting dicamba has affected some 75 acres (30 hectares) of peanuts and 10 acres of new varieties of vegetables planted on their farm, sharply reducing profits.

To protect themselves against the product's impact, the family has decided to plant cotton seeds genetically modified to resist dicamba.

No caption

"This is not just a dicamba issue, this is not just a Monsanto issue, this is about how we as human beings treat other people," Kerin Hawkins said.

She was testifying Wednesday at a public hearing in Little Rock, the state capitol, organized by the agency that regulates pesticide and herbicide use in Arkansas.

Immediately afterward the agency called for curbs on the use of dicamba, a decision subject to legislative approval.

So large was the turnout for the hearing that the agency had to move it from its own offices to a meeting room in a hotel. In all, 37 people stepped up to the microphone to explain -- often in voices shaking with emotion -- why they favored or strongly opposed the product.

- Dealing with diversity -

"I'm here to tell you we used dicamba and we had a wonderful year," said Harry Stephens, who with his son grows soybeans in Phillips County.

At a time when some younger farmers are struggling to make ends meet, he said, banning dicamba could "put them out of business."

Richard Coy, who raises bees, said dicamba has had a devastating impact on hives located near farm fields where dicamba is in use.

"I lost $500,000 in honey production and $200,000 worth of pollination contracts to California farms due to the poor health of my beehives," he said.

On the edge of his farm field, Perry Galloway points out some of the weeds -- dead but still standing, many of them head-high -- that ruined several of his past crops.

He has since sprayed dicamba twice over an area of 4,000 acres, and says that "we had the cleanest fields we had in a long time."

He favors a compromise, allowing the herbicide to be applied only once, after plants have sprouted.

Beekeeper Richard Coy, whose hives are affected by the weed-killer, speaks at a public hearing of the Arkansas Plant Board in Little Rock, Arkansas

But Shawn Peebles, who grows organic vegetables, was able to deal with pigweed by hiring workers to pull them up by hand.

"It is known for a fact dicamba will move," he said. If he gets any in his fields -- which has not happened this year -- "I have to destroy the crop."

"Diversity is what made agriculture what it is today," he said.

"It is not just dicamba (and) soybeans; there is organic farms such as myself, there is vineyards in Arkansas, and we all need to work together."
Duterte, who has a reputation for unpredictability, has recently said the nations are "best of friends" again after receiving praise from Trump about the drug war

A meeting between US President Donald Trump and Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte in Manila on Monday follows a stormy 16 months in their nations' decades-long alliance.

Here are five things to know about relations between the United States and one of its oldest allies in Asia.

- Former colony -

The Philippines went from centuries of Spanish rule to becoming a US colony in 1898 under the Treaty of Paris that was signed to end the Spanish-American war.

The colonial period began with a three-year resistance, which claimed the lives of more than 20,000 Filipino nationalists and 4,200 American troops, according to US government historical records.

In 1941, Japanese forces invaded the Philippines and began more than three years of brutal occupation. The Americans later returned to liberate the nation and it gained independence in 1946, marking the start of a 71-year alliance.

- Treaty allies -

The Philippines and the United States signed a mutual defence treaty in 1951 pledging to help each other if they were attacked by an external enemy.

The nation is one of only two American defence treaty allies in Southeast Asia, along with Thailand.

- US-backed dictator -

Ferdinand Marcos ruled the Philippines for 20 years with US backing despite overseeing widespread rights abuses and embezzling up to $10 billion from state coffers.

The United States backed Marcos, who went from democratic hopeful to dictator, as he guaranteed strategic US bases in the Philippines and was seen as a bulwark against communism.

In 1986, a famous "People Power" uprising toppled Marcos, sending him and his family into exile in Hawaii.

- Shutting bases -

Nearly a century of major US military presence ended in 1992 when the Philippines closed two of America's biggest Asian bases. The Filipino Senate rejected a treaty extension following rising popular sentiment against the United States.

However the Philippines' maritime dispute with China over the South China Sea, and US concerns over Islamic militancy in the restive south, brought the nation back into an American embrace.

The allies signed a Visiting Forces Agreement in 1998 and a 2014 accord that led to increased defence cooperation, including more annual joint military exercises.

- Duterte tirades -

Duterte's election last year brought a sudden reversal of the policy of his pro-American predecessor, Benigno Aquino.

The outspoken leader launched a brutal war on drugs that was condemned by the administration of then-US President Barack Obama.

Duterte responded by announcing his "separation" from the United States, calling Obama a "son of a whore" and pursuing closer ties with China and Russia.

But Duterte, who has a reputation for unpredictability, has recently said the nations are "best of friends" again after receiving praise from Trump about the drug war.
As other people clutched the person to their left and their right, US President Donald Trump (C) used both of his hands to clasp the extended fingers of Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (L)

Donald Trump was all fingers and thumbs during a carefully choreographed photo op Monday at a summit of world leaders, failing to grasp whose hands he was supposed to be holding and breaking a lineup intended to showcase unity.

Trump, whose insurgent election victory was built on his willingness to disrupt political convention, was supposed to cross his arms and join hands with the men on either side of him.

But as others clutched the hands of the person to their left and their right, Trump used both of his hands to clasp the extended fingers of Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

The doubling up left summit host Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte with a spare hand and broke the line into two parts

The doubling up left summit host Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte with a spare hand -- and broke the line into two parts.

The handshake chain is a set piece of gatherings of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), who are meeting with leaders from China, the US, Russia, New Zealand, Australia, India, Canada, Japan and South Korea.

After an awkward few seconds, Trump appeared to recognise his error and made the link between Nguyen and Duterte.

Trump is on the final leg of a tour of Asia that has taken in Japan, South Korea, China and Vietnam

Trump is on the final leg of a tour of Asia that has taken in Japan, South Korea, China and Vietnam.

The famously bullish former businessman has largely avoided the kind of protocol pitfalls that can ensnare even the most careful traveller in this often formal part of the world.
Donald Trump declared Monday he had a "great relationship" with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte as the leaders joked with each other in Manila

Donald Trump declared Monday he had a "great relationship" with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, a self-proclaimed killer who is waging a drugs war that rights groups say involves mass murder, as the leaders joked with each other in Manila.

The US president is in the Philippines with leaders of 18 other nations for two days of summits, the final leg of a headline-grabbing Asian tour dominated by the North Korean nuclear crisis.

Allegations of Russian meddling in last year's US presidential elections have dogged the second half of his 12-day trip, which has taken him from Japan to South Korea, China and Vietnam.

Rights groups had called on Trump to end his Asian journey with a strong statement against Duterte's drugs war, which has seen police and suspected vigilantes kill thousands of people.

Donald Trump and Rodrigo Duterte had a series of encounters on Sunday night and Monday morning in which they appeared to enjoy each others' company, leading to warm praise from the US president during official talks at lunchtime

But in a series of encounters over Sunday and Monday, Trump and Duterte appeared to enjoy each others' company, leading to warm praise from the US president during official talks at lunchtime.

"We've had a great relationship. This has been very successful," Trump told Duterte in brief opening remarks at their meeting.

Trump praised Duterte for his organisation of the summits, saying he handled them "beautifully".

"I've really enjoyed being here," he said.

As the reporters were being escorted out of the room, one asked if Trump would raise the issue of human rights, to which Duterte jokingly called the media "spies". Both laughed but neither answered.

Hundreds of people staged an anti-Trump rally near the conference venue, which led riot police to use water cannon

Duterte's spokesman later said repeatedly that Trump did not bring up any human rights concerns in the meeting, which lasted about 40 minutes.

He said the US leader nodded as he listened to Duterte speaking about his drugs war.

However Trump spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said human rights were raised, although "briefly".

Duterte won elections last year after promising to eradicate illegal drugs with an unprecedented campaign that would see up to 100,000 people killed.

Since he took office, police have reported killing 3,967 people in the crackdown.

Another 2,290 people have been murdered in drug-related crimes, while thousands of other deaths remain unsolved, according to government data.

- 'I already killed someone' -

Many Filipinos back Duterte, believing he is taking necessary measures to fight crime, but rights groups warn he may be orchestrating a crime against humanity.

Amnesty International accuses police of shooting dead defenceless people and paying assassins to murder addicts.

When pressured over allegations of extra-judicial killings carried out by police, Duterte insists he has never told them to break the law.

War on drugs in the Philippines

But rights groups say police are following Duterte's incitements to kill, including comments made last year when he said he would be "happy to slaughter" three million addicts.

He has also repeatedly boasted about killing people himself, most recently last week while in Vietnam for the Asia-Pacific economic summit.

"At the age of 16, I already killed someone. A real person, a rumble, a stabbing. I was just 16 years old. It was just over a look," Duterte said.

Former US president Barack Obama was one of many prominent critics of Duterte's handling of the drugs war. The Philippine leader responded last year by calling him a "son of a whore".

Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (left), US President Donald Trump (centre) and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte try to join hands for the family photo during the ASEAN summit

Ties between the Philippines and the United States, longtime allies bound by a mutual defence treaty, deteriorated sharply as Duterte turned towards China and Russia.

Duterte last year declared the Philippines' "separation" from the United States.

But Trump told Duterte in a telephone call in April that he was doing a "great job", which helped to begin a diplomatic thaw.

"We are your ally. We are an important ally," Duterte said on Monday, appearing to confirm relations were back on track, although he has also continued to court China and Russia.

Some Filipinos were not happy though, with hundreds of people staging an anti-Trump rally near the conference venue which led riot police to use water cannon.

- Champagne, love song -

Duterte and Trump sat next to each other at a pre-summit banquet on Sunday, during which they smiled, chatted and clinked champagne glasses.

Duterte, 72, also sang a Filipino love song, saying light-heartedly that he did so on the orders of the US president.

Duterte is hosting the world leaders because the Philippines holds the rotating chair of the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) bloc.

The events on Monday and Tuesday in Manila are two separate ASEAN-hosted summits, which also include China, Japan, Russia, South Korea, India, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

The rising threat of the Islamic State group across Southeast Asia, and further efforts to pressure North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un to abandon his nuclear ambitions, were top agenda items in Manila.

"Terrorism and violent extremism endanger the peace, stability and security of our region because these threats know no boundaries," Duterte said in an opening ceremony speech on Monday.
Somaliland broke away from Somalia in 1991

Residents of the self-proclaimed state of Somaliland voted Monday in its third presidential poll, hoping to prove its democratic credentials and strengthen the case for independence from troubled Somalia.

The northern territory, which is more tribally homogenous and stable than the rest of Somalia, broke away in 1991 and has been striving to attain international recognition ever since.

Three candidates are running for the state's top office, seasoned politicians Muse Bihi of the ruling Kulmiye party and opposition candidates Abdirahman Iro and Faysal Ali Warabe, who was defeated in previous elections in 2010.

"The procedure started peacefully this morning and we are confident that this election is going to be a milestone for the entire region," said Iro as he voted.

Elections are meant to be held every five years, however the poll was delayed for two years due to drought and other technical issues.

Incumbent Ahmed Mohamud Silaanyo is not seeking re-election.

Somaliland's history of peaceful, credible elections and democratic transition sets it apart from anarchic southern Somalia, and indeed much of east Africa.

Somalia's election earlier this year saw a president chosen via a limited electoral process that saw handpicked clan elders choosing delegates who were allowed to vote.

- Debates and eye scanners -

Ahead of the Somaliland election, the three main candidates held a televised debate to present their political agendas, focusing on the economy, jobs and international recognition.

"This is a very critical election ... for the youth, they need a leader who can develop the economy and bring jobs so that everybody can stay their country to enjoy their lives," said university student Ismail Mohamed.

The vote is set to be the most sophisticated yet with some 700,000 voters registered using biometric eye scanners which will identify them before they cast their ballots.

A decision by authorities to shut all social media when polling stations close at 6:00 pm (1500 GMT) was criticised by Human Rights Watch last week.

Said Ali Muse, spokesman for the national electoral commission, said the move was necessary to prevent interference from outside the borders of the semi-autonomous state and speculation over results.

Somaliland, a former British protectorate, won independence in 1960 but days later joined with Somalia. In 1991, after years of bitter war with the government in Mogadishu, it declared independence from the rest of the country.
A South Korean soldier (R) watches North Korean soldiers walking towards the military demarcation line separating North and South Korea at the truce village of Panmunjom

A North Korean soldier was shot and injured by his own side Monday while defecting to South Korea at the border truce village of Panmunjom, the South's military said.

The soldier, thought to be low ranking, was shot in the shoulder and elbow and was picked up bleeding on the South side of a portion of the border known as the Joint Security Area (JSA).

It is rare for the North's troops to defect at the truce village, a major tourist attraction bisected by the borderline and the only part of the frontier where forces from the two sides come face-to-face.

"Our military has taken in a North Korean soldier after he crossed from a North Korea post towards our Freedom House," Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said in a statement, referring to a building on the South side of the village.

A JCS official quoted by Yonhap news agency said the South's soldiers heard a gunshot and then retrieved the unarmed soldier in the mid-afternoon.

He was evacuated to a private hospital by a UN helicopter, the official added, saying the solider had regained consciousness but declining to comment on whether his injuries were life-threatening.

No personal details have been released but the soldier's uniform suggested he was low-ranking, Yonhap said.

No tourists were in the Joint Security Area at the time because tours do not run on Mondays, a spokesman for United States Forces Korea, which approves the visits, said.

There was no exchange of gunfire between the two sides, but the South's military said it has raised its level of alertness against any North Korean provocations.

Also on Monday, South Korean police arrested an American for entering a restricted zone -- in a separate border area -- with the apparent intention of crossing to the North, Yonhap reported.

The man, identified only as a 58-year-old from Louisiana, had arrived in South Korea last week and wanted to enter the North for "political purposes", but was reported by a local villager, Yonhap said.

He is currently under questioning by the South's police, army and spy agency.

- Tense relations -

Relations on the peninsula have been tense for months as the North has stepped up its missile tests. In September, it carried out its sixth and largest nuclear test -- of what it described as "a hydrogen bomb".

Military officials from the North and South have used Panmunjom frequently in the past for talks. Unlike the rest of the frontier, Panmunjom is not fortified with minefields and barbed wire and the border is marked only by a low concrete divider.

Dozens of North Korean soldiers have fled to the South through the DMZ over the decades since the peninsula was divided, including two soldiers who crossed the frontier in June.

More than 30,000 North Korean civilians have also fled their homeland since the two nations came into being in 1948, but it is rare for civilians to cross the closely guarded border.

Most flee across the North's porous frontier with China and then move on to a third country to seek passage to South Korea.
Among the ecosystems most threatened by global warming are coral reefs which bleach as oceans heat up

Climate change imperils one in four natural World Heritage sites, including coral reefs, glaciers, and wetlands -- nearly double the number from just three years ago, a report said Monday.

The number of sites at risk has grown to 62 from 35 in 2014, when one in seven were listed, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which released the report at UN climate talks in Bonn, Germany.

Among the ecosystems most threatened by global warming are coral reefs which bleach as oceans heat up, and glaciers which melt.

"Climate change acts fast and is not sparing the finest treasures of our planet," said IUCN director general Inger Andersen.

"Climate change now threatens the very fabric of our society, threatens our identity, an identity that is grounded in the rich and yet delicate patchwork of natural heritage," she told journalists in Bonn.

The report found that 29 percent of World Heritage sites faced "significant" threats, and seven percent -- including the Everglades National Park in the United States and Lake Turkana in Kenya -- had a "critical" outlook.

Demonstrators dressed as human skeletons stand on a ship-designed float swimming on symbolical nuclear waste during a protest of the action group 'No Climate Change', in Bonn, Germany, on November 11, 2017

"The scale and pace at which it (climate change) is damaging our natural heritage underline the need for urgent and ambitious national commitments and actions to implement the Paris Agreement," said Andersen.

Negotiators are gathered in Bonn to work out a nuts-and-bolts rulebook for executing the pact adopted by nearly 200 countries in the French capital in 2015.

The agreement seeks to limit average global warming caused by greenhouse gases from fossil-fuel burning to under two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) over pre-industrial levels, and to 1.5 C if possible.

The 1 C mark has already been passed, and scientists say that on current country pledges to cut emissions, the world is headed for a 3 C future.

- 'Devastating' -

The IUCN monitors more than 200 natural Heritage Sites listed by the UN Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Retreating glaciers, resulting from rising temperatures, threaten sites such as Kilimanjaro National Park

Three World Heritage-listed coral reefs -- the Aldabra Atoll in the Indian Ocean, the Belize Barrier Reef in the Atlantic, and Australia's Great Barrier Reef, the biggest on Earth -- have been affected by "devastating" bleaching events over the last three years, said the IUCN report.

Corals "bleach" when they are stressed by environmental changes -- due to ocean warming or pollution.

The corals expel the colourful algae that live in them, and turn bone white.

"Retreating glaciers, also resulting from rising temperatures, threaten sites such as Kilimanjaro National Park, which boasts Africa's highest peak, and the Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch, home to the largest Alpine glacier," said the union.

Wetlands, low-lying deltas, permafrost and fire-sensitive ecosystems are also affected by changes to Earth's climate, it added.

- Insufficient funding -

Harm to natural sites endangers local economies and livelihoods, the IUCN said.

"In Peru's Huascaran National Park, for example, melting glaciers affect water supplies and contaminate water and soil due to the release of heavy metals previously trapped under ice."

Only invasive plant and animal species surpassed climate change as a risk to natural heritage sites, said the union. And climate change boosts their spread.

Sites on the World Heritage list are earmarked for protection for future generations.

Countries assume responsibility under the World Heritage Convention to protect listed sites within their borders.

The report said the management of heritage sites has declined since 2014, "notably due to insufficient funding."

The Bonn meeting is the first of UN climate envoys since US President Donald Trump said he would pull America out of the hard-fought Paris Agreement, a move many fear will make the 2 C goal that much harder to reach.
Audrey Azoulay says the US pulling out of UNESCO is "not the beginning and end" of the agency

UNESCO's new chief on Monday brushed aside the United States' decision to walk out of the UN cultural body, saying the organisation had survived long periods without Washington before.

Former French culture minister Audrey Azoulay, elected on Friday to head UNESCO, said the US was "not the beginning and end" of the agency.

The US and Israel both announced their pullout last month, accusing UNESCO of "anti-Israel bias".

Azoulay said Washington's decision was not "a complete surprise, bearing in mind the United States' current position on multilateralism".

"It's a sovereign decision by a state that I respect, but which at the same time is not the beginning and end of UNESCO," she told France Inter radio.

"There have been long periods at UNESCO -- more than 15 years -- without the United States, which ultimately came back."

She added she did not think quitting was in the US' interest and said UNESCO would continue "working with American civil society, American universities and American scientists".

The US walked out of the 195-member organisation once before in 1984 over alleged financial mismanagement and claims of anti-US bias.

It returned in 2002, but in 2011 then president Barack Obama cut off funding after UNESCO's members voted to admit Palestine as a full member.

US ally Israel similarly pulled the funding plug, leaving UNESCO short of more than 20 percent of its budget.

Both countries announced on October 12 that they were leaving the organisation outright after a series of resolutions condemning Israel.

US President Donald Trump has already dismayed European partners by pulling out of the Paris climate change agreement and leaving the fate of the hard-fought Iran nuclear deal in the hands of Congress.

Azoulay, due to be sworn in Monday, has inherited an embattled agency accused of bloated bureaucracy and political bias, as well as struggling with a cash shortage.

Best known for its World Heritage sites including the Grand Canyon and the Great Wall of China, UNESCO also promotes education and pushes for improvements on social issues such as gender equality.
Bengal tiger cubs at a wildlife shelter in El Salvador

Bangladesh police on Monday rescued four tiger and lion cubs that they said were being smuggled to India and arrested two suspects.

Police said they were investigating whether the tiger cubs were poached from the Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest, which has a significant population of endangered Bengal tigers.

But they had no idea where the lion cubs could have come from.

Police acting on a tip-off found the animals in wooden boxes in a car in the western city of Jessore, district police chief Anisur Rahman told AFP.

"We detained two people in this connection. They are animal smugglers who were delivering the cubs to a man at Sharsha," Rahman said, referring to a town on the Indian border.

"We suspect they were being brought here to be smuggled to India," he said.

Bangladesh brought in new laws in 2010 to protect wildlife, but poaching remains rampant.

In 2012, the country's elite police rescued three Bengal tiger cubs after a raid in the capital.

The tiger population in the 10,000 square-kilometre (3,861 square-mile) Sunderbans forest dropped to just over 100 in 2015 from an estimated 440 a decade earlier.

The rescue comes just months after Bangladesh police declared victory over crime in the Sundarbans, crediting a gun buyback scheme.
UAE Energy Minister Suhail al-Mazrouei: "There is a potential for extension" of the oil production cut deal

Oil producers are expected to unanimously extend a production cut accord later this month but its duration is being discussed, the UAE energy minister said on Monday.

"I think this group of committed and responsible producers came together... and I think they will continue to do what it takes to take us to the next level," United Arab Emirates Energy Minister Suheil al-Mazrouei told an international oil conference in Abu Dhabi.

He said 158 million barrels of surplus crude oil remain on the market and "we need to reduce that -- which means there is a potential for extension".

Mazrouei said there was near-unanimity among the 24 OPEC and non-OPEC producers which agreed a year ago to cut output by 1.8 million barrels per day.

He added that he had "not heard anyone" speak of allowing the extension to expire, although the duration of the new extension would be "subject to discussion".

"I am hopeful that we will reach an agreement that will lead to more stabilisation in the market and more investments coming to the market," he said.

As a result of the cuts, oil prices have rebounded to more than $64 a barrel from $40 a year ago, and huge stocks of crude built up over the past three years have reduced.

Mazrouei, whose government is OPEC's fourth largest oil producer, said he was not happy with the sharp fluctuations in prices, saying they need to be more stable.

OPEC ministers are holding a crucial meeting in Vienna at the end of November to discuss extending the cuts deal as well as imposing the quota system on countries that have so far been exempted: Libya, Iran and Nigeria.

Cartel kingpin Saudi Arabia and the world's top producer Russia have voiced support for a rollover to the deal, the duration of which remains up for debate.
No longer anywhere to hide for IS: Iraqi forces and members of the Hashed al-Shaabi advance on Al-Qaim in Anbar province on November 3, 2017

In the unforgiving deserts of Iraq, there is just one way to deal with defeated members of the Islamic State group who try to come home -- tribal justice.

No pardons are possible among tribes which have agreed among themselves to treat with the utmost severity those members who became jihadists.

As for the families of IS members, many have already fled, fearing reprisals.

The former army commander for operations in the western province of Anbar, where IS once held sway after a sweeping offensive across Syria and Iraq in 2014, told AFP returning jihadists face short shrift.

"The Bumahal and the other tribes have agreed to adopt a common stance" on the issue, said General Ismail Mehlawi, himself a Bumahal.

In the vast Sunni region where tribal law prevails, the tribes have addressed the thorny question of what to do about any relatives who pledged allegiance to the self-proclaimed IS "caliphate".

"They've all fled to neighbouring Syria," say residents of Al-Obeidi village in the heart of what was the last jihadist bastion in Iraq, which has just been retaken by Iraqi forces.

But if any return or are discovered in the area, they "will be treated with severity", Mehlawi said.

"No pardon will be possible," said the moustachioed Iraqi whose home was dynamited by members of his own tribe who had joined IS.

"We will punish them as prescribed by God so justice is done to the tribesmen who have been wronged" during the jihadist occupation.

The cycle of revenge has already begun in Al-Obeidi, said a security official in the Al-Qaim region whose 150,000 inhabitants belong to around half a dozen tribes.

- Acts of vengeance -

"A week ago, Busharji fighters blew up the house of a member of their tribe who had joined IS" and who was himself accused of blowing up homes in Al-Obeidi, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Iraqi forces flash the victory sign in front of the Islamic State group symbol after taking the city of Al-Qaim

Before destroying his home, the tribe shunned him, leaving the former IS man unprotected in a country where tribal law often takes precedence over the law and the courts.

Mohammed al-Mohammedi heads the municipal council in Hit near the Anbar provincial capital of Ramadi.

He told AFP that several months ago, he was approached by families demanding "the expulsion of relatives of jihadists".

Despite the authorities being aware of what was happening, this has not prevented acts of vengeance from taking place.

"One jihadist's house was destroyed by explosives, another was burned down and stun grenades have been thrown at the homes of other families whose relatives joined IS," Mohammedi said.

The perpetrators of the attacks were never identified.

But afterwards, several families moved out in a scenario mirrored in other places including Iraq's second city Mosul which IS also occupied before it was retaken.

"The families of jihadists can't live here because it creates tensions," said Mohammedi.

Another senior tribal official in the Ramadi region, Sheikh Awad al-Dalma of the Budalma, has drawn up a list of more than 250 names.

These are of "267 terrorists from the Budalma, Bushaaban, Budhiab and Janabin tribes" he said were guilty of "murders or destruction of houses".

- History of anti-extremism -

As for the Bumahal tribe, Sheikh Mohammed Sattam said "just two members joined IS in 2014. One was killed and the other fled and is now being sought."

Iraqi forces celebrate after recapturing Al-Qaim from Islamic State group jihadists early this month

"We will keep fighting whoever joined IS," he added, wearing the military uniform of a tribal combattant.

Several Anbar province tribes boast of having a long history of battling jihadists.

When another extremist Sunni group, Al-Qaeda, staged bloody attacks in Iraq in the aftermath of the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, tribal fighters took up arms.

A number of their members also hold senior positions within the Iraqi armed forces.

When IS proclaimed its "caliphate" across Syria and Iraq in 2014, several Iraqi Sunnis -- in a country that is two thirds Shiite -- decided to pledge allegiance to the jihadist group.

But Bumahal fighters, along with members of other tribes, formed Sunni units within the Hashed al-Shaabi, a motley coalition of Shiite militias and local fighters determined to drive IS out of Iraq.

Such was the case with Faisal Rafie, Kalashnikov assault rifle in hand.

Behind him in a swirling sandstorm are piles of rubble -- what is left of houses the jihadists blew up in Al-Obeidi.

Today, those who lost their homes are demanding justice.

"The IS terrorists destroyed our houses and stole everything from us because we were fighting against injustice and terrorism," Rafie said.

"Everything we owned, we sacrificed everything for the people of Iraq."
The bombings come after demonstrators in English-speaking parts of Cameroon have protested against perceived discrimination in favour of the country's francophone majority

Four makeshift bombs exploded overnight in the main city in Cameroon's restive English-speaking region, but no one was injured, officials said Monday.

"Four home-made bombs exploded in Bamenda, one at 9:00 pm and the three others at 3:00 am," said a source close to the security services.

"The blasts did not cause any casualties. They caused minor damage in various places," the source said, in an account confirmed by a security source in the capital Yaounde.

One of the explosions detonated close to a police unit from the Mobile Intervention Squad (GMI) and another near a well-known supermarket, the sources said.

The other two occurred at a crossroads and at a street near Commercial Avenue, Bamenda's business area.

The blasts come a week after four soldiers were killed in the two administrative areas where most of Cameroon's anglophone minority live.

Their deaths have been blamed by the authorities on "terrorists" -- anglophones campaigning for the two English-speaking areas, the Northwest and Southwest Regions, to secede from Cameroon.

The majority French-speaking country has a large anglophone community that comprises about a fifth of its 22 million population.

Many English speakers say they suffer economic inequality and discrimination at the hands of the francophone majority, particularly in education and justice.

Demands for greater autonomy in a federal structure, rejected by President Paul Biya, have led to mounting agitation, followed by a crackdown.

- 'Murderous repression' -

At least 14 people have died in clashes, as well as five prisoners who were killed while trying to escape jail, according to a toll compiled by AFP.

International monitors, in contrast, say at least 20 and possibly 40 people have been killed in clashes since late September.

On October 1, a breakaway movement issued a symbolic declaration of independence for their putative state of "Ambazonia," led by Sisiku Ayuk Tabe. On his Twitter account last week, he condemned the killing of the soldiers.

The International Crisis Group (ICG) think tank last month accused Cameroon of embracing a policy of "murderous repression" that, it warned, could lead to an "armed uprising".

The Biya government disputes the claimed death toll and has accused the ICG of being "an agency of destabilisation, in the pay of the secessionist movements".

On October 31, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said thousands of people had fled from the anglophone regions into neighbouring Nigeria, and the agency was bracing for an influx of up to 40,000.

The anglophone minority in Cameroon is a legacy of the colonial period in Africa.

France and Britain divided up the former German colony under League of Nations mandates after World War I.

A year after the French-ruled territory became independent in 1961, the southern part of British Cameroons was integrated into a federal system. That structure was scrapped 11 years later in favour of a "united republic".
Pakistani soldiers patrol a newly fenced section of border in North Waziristan tribal agency

At least eight militants were shot dead and two Pakistani soldiers died in a skirmish along the restive border with Afghanistan Monday, the military said, as Islamabad tries to tightens its grip on the frontier.

"Terrorists from Afghanistan side attempted attack on Pakistani posts" along the border in Bajaur in the tribal districts of northwest Pakistan, the military said in a statement, adding that 8-10 of the attackers were killed.

"Captain Junaid Hafeez and Sepoy Raham embraced shahdat (martyrdom) while four soldiers sustained injuries," it added.

The statement did not specify when the incident happened but a security official told AFP it was on Monday.

Afghanistan's failure to control its side of the border made it easy for "terrorists" to launch such raids, the statement added.

Islamabad and Kabul regularly accuse each other of supporting or failing to curb militants who cross the largely open border to carry out attacks.

Over recent decades members of the Afghan Taliban, Al-Qaeda, and other groups have operated with impunity in the region, crossing the colonial-era frontier at will.

In March Pakistan began fencing much of its border. But the fencing threatens to disrupt the daily lives of communities who have traditionally paid the frontier little heed.

Villages straddle the frontier and mosques and houses have one door in Pakistan and another in Afghanistan.

They now face stricter controls and must use official crossing points, which are subject to delays and frequent closures. One closure was only lifted last week after a full month.
Lalith Weeratunga (3L) is escorted from the Colombo High Court in September after being convicted on corruption charges

Sri Lanka Monday detained a senior aide to former strongman president Mahinda Rajapakse on allegations of fraud, the second official close to the ex-leader swept up in a blitz on corruption.

Gamini Senarath turned himself in to authorities on Monday and will face court over allegations of fraud involving the construction of the Hyatt Hotel in Colombo.

Police told a court last month that Senarath was wanted in connection with the disappearance of $27 million in state funds earmarked for the hotel building.

"He surrendered to the Colombo Fort magistrate's court and was remanded till Wednesday when another hearing will take place," a court official said.

In September another close aide of Rajapakse was jailed for three years for redirecting $4 million of government money toward Rajapakse's unsuccessful 2015 re-election bid.

The former top civil servant, Lalith Weeratunga, has since appealed the conviction.

Current President Maithripala Sirisena has vowed to investigate allegations that Rajapakse's family and friends siphoned billions from Sri Lanka's coffers during his nearly 10-year rule.

Two of Rajapakse's three sons, including legislator Namal, have been charged with money-laundering. Those cases are still pending.

Other family members face allegations of corruption. The former president himself is not under investigation.

Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera recently announced the freezing of $33 million in bank deposits belonging to members of the former regime, pending money-laundering investigations.
A handout picture provided by the Lebanese photo agency Dalati and Nohra on November 10, 2017 shows Lebanese President Michel Aoun (L) meeting with Saudi charge d'affaires Walid Bukhari in Beirut

Lebanese President Michel Aoun said on Monday he was happy to hear resigned prime minister Saad Hariri would be returning to Beirut from Saudi Arabia "soon."

Hariri stepped down from his post during a televised address more than a week ago from Riyadh and has remained there, sparking rumours he was under de facto house arrest.

But he pledged during a television interview on Sunday night that he would be home within days, a development welcomed by Aoun.

"I was happy with Prime Minister Hariri's announcement that he would return to Lebanon soon," Aoun said on Twitter.

"I am awaiting this return to discuss with the prime minister the issue of the resignation, the reasons for it and the circumstances, issues, and concerns that need to be resolved," he added in an emailed statement.

Aoun had said on Sunday that Hariri appeared to be "restricted" in his movements and demanded Riyadh clarify why he had not returned to Beirut.

In Sunday's interview with his party's Future TV, Hariri, 47, said he was free to travel and would return to Lebanon in "two or three days".

"I will return to Lebanon very soon to initiate the necessary constitutional procedures," he said with reference to his resignation.

Lebanese fear that a new power vacuum in their country could put it in the crosshairs of rising regional tensions between Riyadh and Tehran.

And France's Foreign Minister on Monday said his country was "worried by the situation in Lebanon" and wanted to see the government there "stabilise as quickly as possible".

- Iran denies meddling claims -

A fragile balance has ruled over Lebanon since a complex political deal a year ago brought Aoun to the presidency and Hariri to the premiership.

"It will still be possible to save this political settlement if the government truly and practically commits to the disassociation policy," said Samir Geagea, a Christian ally of Hariri, on Monday.

"Especially when it comes to Hezbollah's withdrawal from Syria and the crises of the region," Geagea wrote on Twitter.

The "disassociation policy" refers to an agreement among political factions that Lebanon would not get involved in regional conflicts.

Hariri has blasted Iran and its Shiite ally Hezbollah -- an ally of Aoun and a member of the Lebanese government -- for intervening militarily in Syria and Yemen.

He said he could walk back from his resignation if Lebanese factions seriously committed to keeping out of these conflicts.

Aoun -- who has yet to formally accept the premier's resignation -- said on Monday he "acknowledged" Hariri's comments on reversing the decision.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for Iran's foreign ministry categorically denied interfering in Lebanon's politics.

"Lebanon's internal affairs concern Lebanon, and we never intervene in the internal affairs of other countries," Bahram Ghassemi said.

"Hariri's resignation was sudden and suspect, but we hope that with his interview last night, he will return to Lebanon as soon as possible so that the legal process of his resignation can be applied," he added, in quotes reported by state media.

Hariri was still in Riyadh on Monday, where he met with the German and British ambassadors to the kingdom.
Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah speaks on the group's Al-Manar television channel on November 10, 2017

Lebanon's Hezbollah, blamed by Saad Hariri for his shock resignation as premier, has grown over the three decades since its founding into a mighty army used by Iran to project regional influence.

Hariri criticised the powerful Shiite movement for its meddling across the Middle East during a televised interview from Saudi Arabia on Sunday, his first media appearance since he stepped down on November 4.

Hezbollah has participated in Hariri's government for almost a year.

From Lebanon to Syria, Yemen, and Iraq, Hezbollah has matured into Iran's most useful "tool" -- drawing the ire of Tehran's regional rival Riyadh, analysts say.

Hariri's surprise resignation sparked worries that Lebanon would be caught in the crossfire of the bloody, decades-long power struggle between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

"This resignation indicates Saudi's will to put a stop to Iran's expansion," said international relations expert Karim Bitar.

Hezbollah had become Iran's "trump card" in the Middle East, added Bitar, of the Paris-based Institute of International and Strategic Affairs.

Since its founding in the 1980s during Lebanon's grinding war, Hezbollah has relied heavily on Iran for financial, political and military support.

It is the only faction to have retained its arsenal of weapons after the end of Lebanon's 15-year civil conflict in 1990.

Despite being branded a "terrorist" organisation by the United States and Gulf countries and targeted with economic sanctions, Hezbollah has risen to play a decisive role in regional conflicts.

- 'Most important tool' -

A grab from the Hariri family-owned Lebanese channel Future TV on November 12, 2017, shows the resigned premier Saad Hariri being interviewed from Riyadh

"The most important Iranian tool in the region is Hezbollah," said Hilal Khashan, political science professor at the American University of Beirut.

Hezbollah has trained Iraq's powerful Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary forces, Khashan said, and even has "operatives" in Yemen's war to back Shiite Huthi rebels targeted by Riyadh.

Closer to home, Hezbollah has fought ferociously in Syria to defend the government of President Bashar al-Assad, also an ally of Iran.

The group's intervention in Syria's six-year conflict was a major turning point that helped Assad's troops retake swathes of territory.

It also helped hone Hezbollah's own combat experience, transforming it from a guerrilla movement to a powerful fighting force with offensive capabilities.

Combining its military expertise and political savvy, Hezbollah has matured into Iran's "crown jewel" in the Middle East, said Joseph Bahout at the Carnegie Foundation think tank.

A picture from an August 2, 2017 tour by Hezbollah shows one its fighters in Syria near the border with Lebanon

It now serves as a "model" for all Iran-allied groups in the region, from Syria's pro-regime militias to Iraq's Hashed al-Shaabi and the Iran-backed Huthi fighters, Bahout said.

These military ventures formed the crux of Hariri's criticism of Hezbollah during his landmark interview on Sunday from Riyadh.

Breaking his silence more than a week after his resignation, Hariri called on Hezbollah to commit to Lebanon's policy to "disassociate" from regional conflicts.

"I tell Hezbollah: it is in your interest, if we want to protect Lebanon... to leave some of the areas that you have entered," Hariri said.

He zoned in on Yemen, saying Hezbollah's involvement in the protracted conflict there had drawn Saudi's rage: "Did the kingdom have any position towards Hezbollah before the war in Yemen?"

- Conflict 'flare up' -

Hariri, 47, accused Iran and Hezbollah of taking over his country and destabilising the broader region when he stepped down on November 4.

That announcement sparked worries that Lebanon would be sent careening back into political and economic turmoil as Riyadh and Tehran vie for influence.

There were even fears of a new war with Israel, after Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah accused Saudi Arabia last week of asking Tel Aviv to bomb Lebanon.

Israel and Hezbollah have clashed several times, including in a month-long war in 2006 that killed 1,200 Lebanese -- mostly civilians -- and 160 Israelis, mostly soldiers.

But any new conflict between Lebanon and its southern neighbour risked spilling over into the broader region, experts have said.

"This time," said Bahout, "because of the extension in Syria and Iraq, it won't be a war on Hezbollah only. It will very quickly flare up."

Nasrallah's forces could respond to Israeli pressure by striking elsewhere, including the United Arab Emirates or even Saudi Arabia.

For Bitar, a convergence of factors, including "an impulsive Saudi Arabia, backed by an equally, extremely impulsive American president, and rising rhetoric in Israel", could indicate a war was near.

"But at this stage, we are still in a system where there is mutual deterrence, a balance of terror," he said.

"The two parties know that an eventual war would be devastating for both sides."
Saudi oil giant Aramco said it had resumed operations at its Bahrain pipeline, days after it was shut down over a fire which Manama called a "terrorist" act

Saudi oil giant Aramco on Monday said it had resumed operations at its Bahrain pipeline, days after it was shut down over a fire which Manama called a "terrorist" act.

"Operations in the pipeline between the Dhahran pumping station and the Bapco refinery, in the Kingdom of Bahrain, have resumed," the official Saudi SPA news agency quoted the oil giant as saying.

Saudi Aramco linked the fire to "vandalism".

Bahrain blamed a "terrorist" act for Saturday's fire near the capital Manama, and Foreign Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed al-Khalifa accused Iran of responsibility.-

A spokesman for the Iranian foreign ministry rejected the accusation.

Bahrain, a Shiite-majority kingdom ruled by a Sunni dynasty, has seen sporadic violence since the repression in 2011 of a protest movement demanding a constitutional monarchy and an elected prime minister.

Authorities have increasingly tightened their grip on dissent, jailing hundreds of protesters and stripping a string of high-profile activists and clerics of citizenship.

The government denies it discriminates against Shiites and accuses neighbouring Iran, the predominant Shiite power and main rival of regional powerbroker Saudi Arabia, of stirring up tensions.

Tehran refutes the accusation.

Bahrain relies on its Abu Safa field, which it shares with neighbouring Saudi Arabia, for much of its oil, pumped in via a 230,000-barrel-per-day pipeline.

The kingdom is a key ally of the United States and home to Washington's Fifth Fleet.
A merger of Qualcomm and Singapore-based Broadcom would consolidate two major players in the booming sector fueled by growth in smartphones and other connected devices

Semiconductor giant Qualcomm on Monday rejected a $130 billion bid from fellow chip maker Broadcom which could represent the biggest-ever takeover in the tech sector.

Singapore-based Broadcom made the offer last week in a deal that would consolidate two major players in the booming sector fueled by growth in smartphones and other connected devices.

The proposal "significantly undervalues Qualcomm relative to the company's leadership position in mobile technology and our future growth prospects," Paul Jacobs, Qualcomm's executive chairman, said in a statement.

Steve Mollenkopf, Qualcomm's chief executive, said the California company remains confident about its future.

"No company is better positioned in mobile, IoT (internet of things), automotive, edge computing and networking within the semiconductor industry," he said.

"We are confident in our ability to create significant additional value for our stockholders as we continue our growth in these attractive segments and lead the transition to 5G," he said, referring to the fifth generation wireless networks in the works.

Broadcom responded to the announcement by saying it "remains fully committed" to the planned tie-up.

- 'Engage cooperatively' -

Broadcom CEO Hock Tan this month visited the White House, where he met President Donald Trump and announced that the chip giant would be moving back to the US

Broadcom CEO Hock Tan said the deal would create "a strong, global company with an impressive portfolio of industry-leading technologies and products."

Tan noted that "we have received positive feedback from key customers about this combination" and added that "we continue to believe our proposal represents the most attractive, value-enhancing alternative available to Qualcomm stockholders."

While Tan did not specifically address whether Broadcom would make a hostile bid, he said, "It remains our strong preference to engage cooperatively with Qualcomm's board of directors and management team."

Broadcom could sweeten its bid in an effort to win over management or launch a hostile takeover effort to persuade shareholders to sell or install new board or management members.

Any merger deal would need to pass muster with Qualcomm shareholders and could face regulatory scrutiny in the United States and other markets.

Qualcomm shares rose one percent to $65.35 while Broadcom fell nearly one percent to $262.84 on the news.

Qualcomm has been facing a series of investigations around the world linked to its dominance in the smartphone chip segment.

Broadcom's proposal followed Tan's visit to the White House this month, where he met President Donald Trump and announced plans to move the tech company back to the United States from Singapore.

It comes as Qualcomm seeks a $47 billion acquisition of Dutch rival NXP, a deal that is the subject of a European Union anti-trust probe.

A merger with Broadcom would create a behemoth with about $51 billion in revenues, including those from NXP.

Broadcom, meanwhile, is seeking to buy US rival Brocade Communications in a deal being reviewed by Washington.

Broadcom and Qualcomm are both major makers of semiconductors used in the latest tech gadgetry.

The US firm is the leader in processors for smartphones and is expanding into new sectors, while Broadcom makes an array of chips for wireless communications, set-top boxes and electronic displays.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan shake hands during a previous meeting in Ankara in September

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed Monday on the need to boost efforts to achieve a lasting political settlement in Syria.

Despite being on opposing sides of the Syrian conflict, Russia and Turkey have been working together since a 2016 reconciliation deal ended a crisis caused by the shooting down of a Russian warplane.

During four hours of talks at the Black Sea resort of Sochi, in southwest Russia. the two sides agreed on the need to do more to stabilise Syria, Putin said.

"We are united in the need to increase efforts to ensure the long-term stabilisation (of Syria), above all to advance the process of a political settlement," the Russian leader told reporters after the meeting.

"We agreed that there is now a base which allows us to focus on the political process," said Erdogan.

The pair last met in Ankara in September, when they agreed to push for the creation of a "de-escalation" zone in Syria's key northern province of Idlib, in addition to others already proposed.

Russia, along with Iran, is the key backer of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Moscow's military intervention in Syria is widely seen as tipping the balance in the conflict.

Turkey, however, has backed the rebels seeking Assad's ouster

"Our relationship has been restored almost to its full capacity," Putin said ahead of the talks, adding that he was glad to see the Turkish leader.

- 'Mutual need' -

Their efforts have helped bring about a de-escalation of violence in parts of Syria, though fighting continues.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told journalists earlier that Ankara was seeking a political solution to the crisis.

"Without a ceasefire we cannot talk about a political solution. Now we have made a lot of achievements and we can pay more attention to the political process," he said.

Moscow and Ankara have supported negotiations in Kazakhstan's capital Astana from the start of the year, which have run parallel to talks taking place in Geneva with the backing of the United Nations.

Alexei Malashenko, director of research at the Dialogue of Civilizations institute, said Putin and Erdogan had a "mutual need".

"Russia, which is in a very difficult position (in Syria), simply cannot lose allies there -- they can't even lose partners, let alone allies," he told AFP.

- 'High opinions of themselves' -

Meanwhile Erdogan is dissatisfied with the West's attitude towards him, Malashenko said, pointing to a deal Ankara has signed to buy S-400 air defence systems from Russia.

The deal, reportedly worth $2 billion (1.7 billion euros), has shocked Turkey's NATO allies.

"It's a meeting of two charismatic people, two people with a very high opinion of themselves, two leaders," Malashenko added,

An apparent agreement at the last talks between Putin and Erdogan saw the release of two leading Crimean Tatar activists who had been sentenced by Russian authorities for their political activities in the peninsula annexed from Ukraine.

Erdogan has pledged to support Crimea's Turkish-speaking Tatar minority.

Russia and Turkey have a record of struggling to overcome a regional rivalry that goes back to the Ottoman Empire and the Romanov dynasty.

Ties between the two countries went through their worst crisis since the end of the Cold War when the Turkish air force shot down a Russian warplane over Syria in November 2015.

More than 330,000 people have been killed in Syria since the conflict began in March 2011 with anti-government protests.
Rwanda's Paul Kagame, Senegal's Macky Sall, Mali's Ibrahima Boubacar Keita and the president of the Commission of African Union Moussa Faki Mahamat are urging Africa to be more proactive in shaping the continent's peace and security framework

African leaders on Monday used a regional forum to underline the need for the continent to assure its own security after years of Western interventions, while also calling for international funding to support the anti-terror fight..

The annual Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security this year brings together the presidents of Mali, Rwanda and host Senegal along with military officials and experts to discuss Africa's serious challenges in the sector.

In an opening address, Senegal's President Macky Sall said a "military response must be comprehensive, and one of solidarity, to leave terrorist groups no place to hide.

"The risk today is seeing terrorists defeated elsewhere seeking fallback zones in Africa," Sall added.

The vast Sahel region, stretching from Senegal to Sudan, has turned into a hotbed of lawlessness since chaos engulfed Libya in 2011, Islamists overran northern Mali in 2012 and Boko Haram rose up in northern Nigeria.

Beyond the Sahel, the Shabaab, a militant group aligned with Al-Qaeda, regularly carries out suicide bombings in its bid to overthrow Somalia's internationally-backed government, while civil conflicts in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic and South Sudan blight the continent.

Sall pointed to the Western intervention in Libya as an example of why African populations had to be involved in decisions on rooting out terror groups, as the north African nation's instability has fuelled conflict elsewhere.

"We must beware of preconceived solutions formulated without Africans," Sall said. "The consequences of these interventions, which we are living in the Sahel, are often worse than what they were supposed to rectify."

- Sahal force funding -

The forum follows the recent launch of the G5 Sahel force, an anti-jihadist military initiative working across Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger to counter the significant threat Al-Qaeda-linked groups pose in the region and to stop the Islamic State group from gaining a foothold.

The world's newest joint international force, the five-nation G5 Sahel plans to number up to 5,000 military, police and civilian troops by March 2018.

French Defence Minister Florence Parly described the G5 force as "a success", though Moussa Faki Mahamat, head of the African Union Commission, said United Nations support was of "the greatest importance" for that initiative, and for another regional deployment in the Lake Chad region against Boko Haram.

France wanted the force to have full UN logistical and financial backing, but the United States argued against the idea, partly on cost grounds.

The Dakar Forum is a French-backed initiative, and the European nation retains a heavy military presence across the Sahel.

Mahamat, Sall and Mali's President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita all emphasised that the G5 Sahel force required significant funding from the international community, as current pledges stand at 108 million euros ($126 million) while up to 423 million euros may be required in the first year of its existence.

Paul Kagame, the Rwandan President who will chair the African Union from 2018, said African nations "have only ourselves to blame" if the international community alone decided on the continent's security needs.
The quarterly International Atomic Energy Agency update confirmed that key parameters of Iran's nuclear programme remained within the limits of the accord with major powers

Iran remains in compliance with the landmark 2015 nuclear deal, a UN watchdog report showed Monday, four weeks after US President Donald Trump refused to certify the agreement.

The quarterly International Atomic Energy Agency update confirmed that key parameters of Iran's nuclear programme remained within the limits of the accord with major powers.

The restricted report, seen by AFP, said Iran "has not enriched" uranium above low levels and that its stockpile of enriched uranium was under the agreed limit of 300 kilogrammes (660 pounds).

Uranium when "enriched" to high purities can be used in a nuclear weapon. At low purities it can be used for peaceful applications such as power generation, Iran's stated aim.

The new IAEA report said that the number of enrichment centrifuges installed at Iran's Natanz site remained below the upper limit of 5,060 during the reporting period.

The volume of heavy water -- a reactor coolant -- remained below the agreed maximum of 130 tonnes throughout the past three months and on November 6 was 114.4 tonnes.

Iran has gone above that ceiling twice since the deal came into force in January 2016.

Iran removed and rendered inoperable the core of the Arak reactor -- which could in theory have given Iran weapons-grade plutonium, before the accord entered into force

The IAEA assessment showed that, aside from on heavy water, a relatively minor breach, Tehran has complied with the deal since its entry into force in January 2016.

However, on October 13 US President Donald Trump refused to certify the deal, saying it was not in the US national interest and leaving the accord's fate up to Congress.

The decision gave the Republican-controlled Congress 60 days -- which run out in mid-December -- to decide whether to reimpose sanctions on the Islamic republic.

Trump warned that the agreement would be "terminated" at any time if US lawmakers and the other signatories fail to address its "many serious flaws".

According to Trump, these include "sunset clauses" that see key provisions expire in 10-15 years, "insufficient enforcement" and a "near total silence" on Iran's ballistic missile programme.
A Yemeni takes part in a November 13, 2017 demonstration in Sanaa calling for the Saudi-led coalition's blockade to be lifted

Young and old, desk clerks and activists, Yemenis from all walks of life took to the streets Monday to protest a Saudi-led blockade that has left thousands struggling to survive.

"This siege is oppressive, and the whole world is sleeping!" people chanted as thousands gathered outside the UN offices in the rebel-held capital Sanaa.

Their faces painted the colours of the Yemeni flag or in traditional dress, protesters marched to demand the end of a blockade on the country's ports, airports and border crossings, imposed last week by a Saudi-led military coalition battling the country's Huthi rebels.

A young girl had her face painted half black, half white -- her red flowered veil completing the colours of Yemen's national flag.

An elderly man had tucked a portrait of Shiite rebel leader Abdulmalik al-Huthi into his head wrap.

Yemeni protesters against the Saudi-led coalition's blockade in rebel-held Sanaa on November 13, 2017

Saudi Arabia and its allies have said the tightening of restrictions on Yemen is a direct response to a missile attack against Riyadh earlier this month, claimed by the Iran-backed Huthis.

The United Nations last month blacklisted the Saudi-led coalition for the killing and maiming of children in Yemen.

The Yemen war has killed thousands and brought the impoverished country to the brink of famine, as the coalition continues to fight alongside the government against the Huthis and their ally, strongman Ali Abdullah Saleh.

Saleh al-Samad, the head of the Huthi political council, demanded that the coalition end its blockade on Yemen -- where both parties in the conflict stand accused of neglecting civilian safety.

"The right choice for the Saudi regime and its allies is to stop the war, end the blockade and engage in direct dialogue," Samad said at the rally.

"Continuing the aggression and the blockade will force us to... harm those nations in defence of our people".

Yemenis, some in traditonal dress and some in uniform, demonstrate in Sanaa on November 13, 2017 against the Saudi-led coalition's blockade

The coalition has said it has reopened the port of Aden and a land border, both controlled by its allies in the government of President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi.

But the rebel-held Red Sea port of Hodeida remains closed. The port is crucial to UN aid efforts, as it is a central valve for a significant portion of Yemenis in need.

Saudi Arabia and its allies joined the Yemen war in March 2015 with the stated aim of rolling back the rebels' territorial gains and restoring the government to power.

The United Nations now lists Yemen as the world's number one humanitarian crisis, with 17 million people in need of food, seven million of whom are at risk of famine.

UN aid chief Mark Lowcock last week warned that unless the blockade is lifted, Yemen will face "the largest famine the world has seen for many decades, with millions of victims".
The EU has unveiled plans to take at least 50,000 refugees directly from Africa, the Middle East and Turkey to discourage migrant boats from making the risky Mediterranean crossing

Ministers from 13 European and African countries on Monday pledged steps to ease the migrant crisis around the Mediterranean, vowing especially to improve conditions for migrants held in Libya.

Interior ministers and other representatives from countries impacted by the ongoing wave of migration up through Africa towards Europe, including Libya, voiced deep concern over the "ongoing human tragedy" along the so-called Central Mediterranean route.

"The participants intend to address the challenges posed by the alarming situation along the migration route to North Africa," Switzerland, which hosted the third meeting of the so-called contact group on the crisis, said in a statement.

Thousands of migrants and refugees who attempt to travel along this route "find themselves in catastrophic situations," it said, pointing to widespread abuse and extortion along the way, and to the many who perish in the desert or trying to cross the Mediterranean.

So far this year, nearly 3,000 people have died trying to make the dangerous sea voyage to Europe, according to UN figures.

A main focus for the participants at Monday's meeting was "strengthening the prevention of migrant smuggling, combating human trafficking and supporting the voluntary return of migrants to their countries of origin," Bern said.

In a joint declaration, the ministers voiced particular concern for the refugees and migrants who attempt to transit through war-ravaged Libya, often falling prey to serious abuse there at the hands of human traffickers and others.

A top priority, they said, was to "improve the conditions in detention centres and promote alternatives to detention."

They vowed to support authorities and organisations providing humanitarian assistance to migrants and refugees and push for the release from detention of especially vulnerable people, including children and the elderly.

The announcement came after the UN at the weekend evacuated 25 "extremely vulnerable refugees" of Eritrean, Ethiopian and Sudanese nationals from Libya to Niger.

UN refugee chief Filippo Grandi told Monday's meeting that his agency hoped to evacuate another 400 vulnerable refugees from Libya by the end of the year.

The ministers also said they would work with Libyan authorities to create a system for monitoring the situation of detained migrants to ensure "the respect of international human rights and humanitarian standards."

The declaration also stressed the need to step up investigations and prosecutions of human traffickers and to improve resettlement options for refugees along the migration route.

A few months ago, the UN refugee agency urgently called or 40,000 resettlement places for refugees stranded in Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Sudan and Tunisia.

But Grandi on Monday lamented that so far only 10,500 places had been offered worldwide.
Syrians dig through the debris of a building as they search for survivors following a reported air strike on the rebel-held town of Atareb in northern Aleppo province on November 13, 2017

Air strikes on a market killed at least 53 people, including children, in a town in northern Syria on Monday despite a "de-escalation zone" in place there, a monitor said.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said it was not immediately clear whether the strikes on rebel-held Atareb had been carried out by Syrian warplanes, or those of Damascus's ally Russia.

The monitor said three strikes hit the town's market, adding that five children were among the dead, as well as three policemen.

A photographer contributing to AFP saw massive destruction at the scene, with rubble from damaged buildings covering the street and panicked civilians carrying away the injured.

Rescuers search for survivors following a reported air strike on rebel-held Atareb in Syria's Aleppo province on November 13, 2017

Three men helped one of those hit in the attack, his face drenched in blood and his features almost completely obscured.

Nearby, the body of a man in a blue shirt and dark trousers lay where he had died.

Civil defence workers rushed alongside civilians to evacuate the injured, with one man in a thick beanie hat carrying a wailing child in a pink sweater away from the scene.

Elsewhere, the bodies of at least three children were laid out on the ground, partly covered by thick bolts of fabric.

Atareb is in the west of Aleppo province, in an area that is part of a "de-escalation zone" agreed under a deal earlier this year between Syria's allies Russia and Iran, and rebel backer Turkey.

Debris in Atareb market following the reported air strike on the rebel-held town in Syria's Aleppo province on November 13, 2017

The zone mostly covers neighbouring Idlib province, which is largely held by opposition forces and a jihadist group formerly affiliated with Al-Qaeda.

Despite the government's recapture of Aleppo city late last year, rebel groups maintain a presence in the west of the province.

Russia, a key ally of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad, began a bombing campaign in support of his government in 2015.

Since then, with Moscow's support the government has recaptured large swathes of territory from opposition forces.

Moscow has steered the so-called Astana process that in May led to a deal to create four so-called "de-escalation zones" across Syria.

The zones have produced a drop in violence, but sporadic fighting and bombardment has continued, and promised humanitarian access has not materialised.

More than 330,000 people have been killed in Syria since the conflict began in March 2011 with anti-government protests.
Sacked Zimbabwe vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa said the ruling ZANU-PF party is "controlled by undisciplined, egotistical and self-serving minnows"

Zimbabwe's army chief on Monday demanded a "stop" to the purge in the ruling ZANU-PF party after the sacking of vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa, and warned the military could intervene.

"The current purging which is clearly targeting members of the party with a liberation background must stop forthwith," General Constantino Chiwenga told a media conference attended by about 90 senior army officers at army HQ.

"We must remind those behind the current treacherous shenanigans that when it comes to matters of protecting our revolution, the military will not hesitate to step in," he warned in a statement.

Mnangagwa was dismissed and humiliated a week earlier after clashing with veteran President Robert Mugabe's wife Grace, who is now in prime position to succeed her 93-year-old husband.

The former vice president has powerful military connections, having served as defence and state security minister.

Chiwenga charged the ruling ZANU-PF party had been infiltrated by people who are seeking to destroy it from within.

The purging had plunged the country into a crisis, he said.

Chiwenga, making a rare statement by the country's military, called on the ruling party officials to "stop reckless utterance... denigrating the military, which is causing alarm and despondency within the rank and file".

The army boss said the infighting in the party had trickled down and impacted negatively on the country which is reeling under an economic crisis.

"There is distress, trepidation and despondence within the nation," he said.

"As a result of the squabbling, there has been no meaningful development in the country for the past five years," he said.

The crisis had resulted in "cash shortages and rising commodity prices," he said.
Iraqi Oil Minister Jabbar al-Luaybi (C) attends a meeting with Kirkuk governor Rakan Said (2nd L) during a visit to the northern disputed city of Kirkuk

Iraq aims to double the output of oilfields in the northern province of Kirkuk retaken from the Kurds to one million barrels per day (bpd), Oil Minister Jabbar al-Luaybi said Monday.

"The priority is to resume oil exports from Kirkuk through the Iraqi-Turkish pipeline once it has been rehabilitated or replaced by a new one," he said on a visit to the fields claimed by both Baghdad and the Iraqi Kurds.

Almost a month after federal forces recaptured Kirkuk from the Kurds, production is still at a standstill at two of the province's oilfields and all exports have halted.

For now, 30,000 bpd will be shipped to Iran on tanker trucks, Luaybi said.

The aim is for "the fields and wells to be renovated, and our goal is to reach output of one million barrels per day", possibly with the help of British energy giant BP, he said.

Luaybi, making the first visit to the zone by an Iraqi oil minister since the US-led invasion of 2003, said Kirkuk's current production capacity was 420,000 bpd.

The Kurds had taken over the fields in 2014 and exported to Turkey through their own pipeline. Work to renovate a parallel Iraqi pipeline could take two years, according to experts.
Lyft says it should be up and running in Toronto in time for the holidays

US ride-sharing startup Lyft said Monday it is launching next month in Toronto, the first city in what is expected to be an international expansion for the Uber rival.

"Our passports are packed and we're crossing the border. Before you know it, Lyft will be coming to you live in Toronto," a blog from the California company said announcing its plans for the Canadian city.

"We've been looking forward to taking our brand of ride-sharing international for some time, and we're super pumped to share this with our close friends up north."

No specific launch date was announced but Lyft said it "will be around to help ring in the holidays," presumably before Christmas.

Lyft announced last month a $1 billion investment led by the venture arm of Google parent Alphabet, to help ramp up its challenge to market leader Uber.

Lyft said the new funding gives it a valuation of $11 billion as it steps up competition against Uber, which is reeling from a series of missteps and scandals which have forced out its founder and chief executive.

Lyft has been expanding in the US market as Uber's image has taken a hit in recent months. It has also been expanding its partnerships including with General Motors and the former Google Car unit now called Waymo.

Uber meanwhile on Sunday announced a $1 billion investment from SoftBank as part of a deal that could eventually give the Japanese tech giant a 14 percent stake through purchases from existing shareholders.
Lebanese watched a TV interview with Lebanon's resigned prime minister Saad Hariri at a coffee shop in Beirut on Sunday

France, Germany and the EU on Monday called for an end to external interference in Lebanon, after the country's prime minister resigned unexpectedly, triggering rumours he was being held against his will in Saudi Arabia.

Saad Hariri sent shock waves through Lebanon when he unexpectedly quit as prime minister a week ago, though on Sunday he rejected rumours he was under de facto house arrest in Riyadh, insisting he was "free" and would return home soon.

His resignation came as tensions rise between Riyadh and Tehran, which back opposing sides in power struggles from Lebanon and Syria to Yemen.

The EU's diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini said that a meeting of the bloc's foreign ministers in Brussels on Monday had voiced unanimous support for Lebanon's "unity and stability".

"We expect no external interference in this national agenda and we believe it is essential to avoid importing into Lebanon regional conflicts, regional dynamics, regional tensions that have to stay out of the country," Mogherini said, adding that she would meet Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil in Brussels on Tuesday.

She said outside interference in Lebanon -- buffeted for decades by conflicts between bigger players in the region such as Iran and Syria -- was a "current and always existing threat".

- 'Worried' -

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said France was "worried by the situation in Lebanon" and wanted to see the government there "stabilise as quickly as possible".

On Thursday he will visit the Saudi capital Riyadh.

"For there to be a political solution in Lebanon, it is necessary that all of the political leaders have total freedom of movement and that non-interference is a fundamental principle," Le Drian said as he arrived for the EU foreign ministers' gathering in Brussels.

Meanwhile the French presidency welcomed Hariri's comment that he would soon be returning to Lebanon.

Paris sees "a certain easing" in the situation, the Elysee Palace said in a statement, while adding that it remains to be seen "what is really going to happen in the coming days".

French President Emmanuel Macron spoke by phone on Sunday with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the two leaders agreed to take stock on Wednesday on the sidelines of the COP23 climate conference in Bonn.

German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said there was a danger of Lebanon falling back into "political and sometimes military confrontations".

"In order to prevent this we need especially the return of the current prime minister, reconciliation in the country and the prevention of influence from outside," he said.

"Lebanon has earned the right to decide on its fate by itself and not become a pinball of Syria or Saudi Arabia or other national interests," Gabriel said in Brussels.

Other Western countries have moved to express their support for Hariri, with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson calling him a "strong partner".

Tillerson warned against "any party, within or outside Lebanon, using Lebanon as a venue for proxy conflicts or in any manner contributing to instability in that country".
A woman casts her ballot in the presidential election in the self-proclaimed state of Somaliland.

Officials began counting votes in the self-proclaimed state of Somaliland after residents on Monday took part in its third presidential poll, hoping to bolster its democratic credentials and strengthen the case for independence from troubled Somalia.

The northern territory, which is more tribally homogenous and stable than the rest of Somalia, broke away in 1991 and has been striving to attain international recognition ever since, without success.

As vote tallying began shortly after 6:00 pm (1500 GMT), a social media blackout was imposed. The national electoral commission said the move was necessary to prevent interference from outside the borders of the semi-autonomous state and speculation over the outcome.

"Most polling stations are closed now and the internet connection is interrupted as per the instruction of the electoral commission. You cannot use social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter in all the regions of Somaliland," said security official Mohamed Dahir.

No incidents of violence, unrest or disruption were reported during the day's voting.

Three candidates are vying for the state's top office: seasoned politicians Muse Bihi of the ruling Kulmiye party and opposition leaders Abdirahman Iro and Faysal Ali Warabe, who was defeated in a previous election in 2010.

Incumbent Ahmed Mohamud Silaanyo is not seeking re-election.

Elections are meant to be held every five years, however the poll was delayed for two years due to drought and technical issues.

Somaliland's history of peaceful, credible elections and democratic transition sets it apart from anarchic southern Somalia, and indeed much of east Africa.

Somalia's election earlier this year saw a president chosen via a limited electoral process in which handpicked clan elders selected delegates who were allowed to vote.

- Debates and eye scanners -

Voters wait in a line to cast their ballots in Somaliland's presidential election with biometric eye scanners used to identify them before voting.

Ahead of the Somaliland election, the three main candidates held a televised debate to present their political agendas, focusing on the economy, jobs and international recognition.

"This is a very critical election... for the youth, they need a leader who can develop the economy and bring jobs so that everybody can stay in their country to enjoy their lives," said university student Ismail Mohamed.

Candidate Iro hailed the election as "a milestone for the entire region" as he cast his ballot earlier in the day.

The poll is set to be the most sophisticated yet with some 700,000 voters registered using biometric eye scanners to identify them before voting.

Somaliland, a former British protectorate, won independence in 1960 but days later joined with Somalia. In 1991, after years of bitter war with the government in Mogadishu, it declared independence from the rest of the country.

Despite its lack of recognition, the state has managed to draw significant investment from abroad, notably Gulf nations.

Kuwait financed the renovation of the airport in the capital Hargeisa, and a Dubai-based company has been contracted to expand the Berbera port in a bid to compete with Djibouti for container traffic from Ethiopia.
Following its 100th anniversary, Communism is experiencing a public relations boon, and it has just recruited its most significant Spokesman: Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Jesus (Who, one must assume, was not consulted on the sponsorship) is said to have been the first and most vociferous Scourge of free enterprise and Advocate of socialist economics.

This is precisely the argument made in France by Falk Van Gaver in his new book Christianity vs. Capitalism: The Economy According to Jesus Christ. Perhaps Van Gavers atheism has removed any need for accuracy, or released him from the restraints of the commandment, Thou shalt not bear false witness. Christophe Foltzenlogel, a jurist at the European Centre for Law and Justice (ECLJ) who is based in France, first allows Van Gaver to make his argument before critiquing it in a new essay published today at Religion & Liberty Transatlantic.

In a recent interview with a French publication, Foltzenlogel writes, Van Gaver said:

Since having lost faith, I am today, in the strict sense, atheist, a-thee, without god. Nonetheless, he accused all churches  but especially the Roman Catholic Church  of having perverted Christianity by participating in the free market. [A]uthentic Christianity, he said, demands the radical rejection of money: authentic Christianity is absolutely incompatible with capitalism. Instead, Communism, that is to say, the division of goods, in the sense of the pooling of goods, is for the authentic Christian, at least in original Christianity, an obligation  Communism is the increase of the search for the Kingdom of God and His righteousness!

How does one come to this conclusion about a political and economic system that disregarded all ethics, mercilessly persecuted the Christian faith and other religious traditions, and killed an estimated 100 million people in a century? Reading his comments, I was instantly reminded of the wiser judgment of Pope Pius XI in one of the foundational documents of Catholic social teaching, Quadragesimo Anno. Religious socialism, Christian socialism, are contradictory terms, he wrote. No one can be at the same time a good Catholic and a true socialist.

Foltzenlogel explains Van Gavers argument, which is proving all-too-persuasive in Europe. Then using reason, history, and sound Biblical exegesis (the Christian socialists have a yen for twisting Acts 5:1-11), Foltzenlogel demonstrates the incompatibility of socialism and Christianity in both a philosophical and practical level. He writes:

Capitalism is a very broad term in its use today. But from its etymology, it derives from head (caput) and simply means an amount you have amassed, a capital. Seeking to acquire goods and increase this capital through private enterprise is the essence of capitalism. God commanded mankind to respect each persons private property. Reason shows by necessity and nature that each man  who comes into and leaves this world naked  must be entitled to gain and possess the building blocks of life. Furthermore, God gave adults the responsibility of raising and caring for their children. How could man not be entitled to run a business, to make money by selling his products, and to accrue money for his children and his retirement?

Read his full essay here.

(Photo credit: James Shepard. This photo has been cropped. CC BY 2.0.)
This file picture shows Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attending a weekly cabinet meeting at his office in Jerusalem on November 12, 2017

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signalled Monday that Israel would take military action in Syria when it sees fit as it seeks to ensure Iran-backed forces stay away from its territory.

Israel has long accused Iran, its main enemy, of taking advantage of Syria's civil war to send its Revolutionary Guard and its Lebanese Shiite ally Hezbollah into southern Syria, close to the border with the Jewish state.

It has sought to avoid being dragged into the fighting but has carried out dozens of air strikes to prevent arms deliveries to Hezbollah, which fights alongside Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces.

Israel was reportedly seeking a buffer zone in southern Syria near Israeli territory of some 50 kilometres (30 miles), but an agreement reached last week between the United States, Russia and Jordan fell short of that demand, Israeli media said.

"I have made it clear to our friends, first of all in Washington and also to our friends in Moscow, that Israel will act in Syria -- including in southern Syria -- according to our understanding and according to our security needs," Netanyahu told senior members of his Likud party, according to a party statement.

"This is what is happening and this is what will continue to happen."

The November 8 agreement between Jordan, the United States and Russia seeks to build on a ceasefire already in place in southwestern Syria.

On Saturday the Israeli military said it shot down a Syrian drone carrying out a reconnaissance mission over the Golan Heights.

"We will not allow the consolidation of a Shiite axis in Syria" as a base for operations against Israel, Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman said in a statement after the incident.

- 'Shoulder to shoulder' -

Speaking later Monday in parliament, Netanyahu said some of Israel's Arab neighbours shared its concerns.

"We stand shoulder to shoulder with countries of the moderate camp in the Arab world, in the face of radical Islam, no matter where it comes from, be it Iran, the Islamic State group or elsewhere," he said, without naming the countries.

"I think that this growing closeness and consultation is first and foremost good for security and ultimately for peace," he added.

Sunni Muslim powerhouse Saudi Arabia has long been at loggerheads with Shiite, non-Arab Iran but friction has been growing lately as Tehran has backed Shiite Huthi rebels in Yemen.

Saudi Arabia's powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman accused Iran of "direct military aggression" against the kingdom by supplying the rebels with ballistic missiles.

The kingdom says one was fired toward Riyadh from Yemen on November 4 but brought down by its air defences.

Iran denied any involvement.

"Iran knows very well, and everyone else should be aware, that we shall not agree to nor accept its military deployment in Syria," Netanyahu told parliament.

In September, Israel's military shot down what it said was an Iranian-made drone operated by arch-foe Hezbollah on a similar mission.

Israel seized 1,200 square kilometres (460 square miles) of the Golan Heights from Syria in the Six-Day War of 1967 and later annexed it in a move never recognised by the international community.
Solar park in the Zaatari camp for Syrian refugees in northern Jordan, the world's largest for a refugee facility

Jordan on Monday inaugurated the largest solar park to operate in a refugee facility, aiming to improve the lives of tens of thousands of Syrian refugees at the Zaatari desert camp.

The 4,000 solar panels with a total capacity of 12.9 megawatts are designed to provide 14 hours of electricity a day to Zaatari's 80,000 inhabitants, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

The project was financed by Germany at a cost of 15 million euros ($17.5 million).

The UNHCR has previously been providing eight hours of electricity a day, costing $500,000 a month, said Stefano Severe, the agency's representative in Jordan.

"With this solar panel plant and this grant from Germany, UNHCR will be able to provide 14 hours with zero cost," he said at a ceremony at the camp attended by Jordan's Energy Minister Salah al-Kharabsheh and German ambassador Birgitta Siefker-Eberle.

He said the savings would be used to improve other services in the camp.

The additional hours of electricity would improve the refugees' lives "by giving more opportunities for the kids to study in the nighttime, for people to store food in their fridges, to communicate with the outside world", said Severe.

In May, Jordan scored a world first for a refugee camp powered by renewable energy, according to the UNHCR, when it opened a two-megawatt solar plant in Azraq which is home to 35,000 refugees from the war across the border in Syria.
No caption

The Pentagon said Monday that US forces had killed 40 Shabaab and Islamic State fighters in a series of strikes on Somalia that began late last week.

The US military has launched five strikes since Thursday on jihadist positions in the Horn of Africa country, killing 36 members of the Al-Qaeda affiliated Shabaab group and four from the Islamic State group, said Colonel Rob Manning, a spokesman.

"In coordination with the federal government of Somalia, US forces conducted five airstrikes in Somalia against Al-Shabaab and ISIS, from November 9 to the 12th, removing more than 40 terrorists from the battlefield," Manning said.

The strikes were carried out by the US Africa Command, and followed two devastating attacks attributed to Islamic militants in Mogadishu that left about 385 people dead last month.

The surge in US operations came after President Donald Trump in March loosened the constraints on the US military to take actions against alleged terrorists when they judge it is needed, without seeking specific White House approval.

A pair of US drone strikes that killed several militants on November 3 marked the first time American forces hit Islamic State group fighters in Somalia.
Yemen's rebel-held Red Sea port of Hodeida is a key entry point for United Nations aid to the war-torn country

The Saudi-led coalition will take steps in the coming 24 hours to ease the blockade on Yemen -- but will not reopen a key rebel-held port to aid shipments unless tighter inspections are put in place, Saudi Arabia's UN ambassador said Monday.

The coalition fighting rebels in Yemen shut down the country's land, sea and air borders a week ago in response to a missile attack by the Iran-backed Huthis that was intercepted near Riyadh.

UN aid chief Mark Lowcock last week warned that unless the blockade is lifted, Yemen will face "the largest famine the world has seen for many decades, with millions of victims."

Saudi Ambassador Abdallah al-Mouallimi told reporters that ports in government-controlled areas such as Aden, Mukalla and Mocha will be reopened, but demanded tighter restrictions on the key port of Hodeida.

"If the sea port of Hodeida is to be reopened, it will have to be under safe conditions that would ensure that there will be no supply of weapons and ammunitions coming through that port," Mouallimi said.

The coalition has invited the United Nations to send experts to Riyadh for talks on tightening inspections. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said it is "taking a look" at that request.

The United Nations insisted its aid operations need access to the Hodeida and Saleef ports, saying that more than two-thirds of the people in need and 80 percent of all cholera cases are closest to the two ports.

"The port at Aden does not have the capacity for commercial and humanitarian cargo, and unless the Red Sea ports in Hodeida and Saleef are opened immediately, the UN will not be able to feed 7 million people every month," said Dujarric.

"Those are the ones that we need."

The United Nations has listed Yemen as the world's number one humanitarian crisis, with 17 million people in need of food, seven million of whom are at risk of famine.

More than 2,000 Yemenis have died in a cholera outbreak now affecting nearly one million people.

The UN's World Food Programme warned that current stocks of rice will run out in 111 days and wheat in 97 unless the blockade is lifted.

Saudi Arabia and its allies intervened in Yemen in March 2015 to push back the Iran-backed Huthi rebels who control the capital Sanaa, and restore the government of President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi to power.
Jordanians peacekeepers meet Muslim refugees at an internally displaced persons camp in Bangassou on October 25, 2017

The United Nations on Monday opened an independent investigation to determine whether UN peacekeepers responded appropriately to an outbreak of recent violence in the Central African Republic.

A team led by retired Brigadier-General Fernand Marcel Amoussou of Benin will arrive in the country on Tuesday and carry out the investigation until November 28.

"The investigation will look into attacks against civilians by armed groups that occurred in close proximity to a presence of the UN Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) in Haute-Kotto, Basse-Kotto, Mbomou and Haut-Mbomou prefectures, as well as the mission's response to these incidents," said a UN statement.

It will focus on violence that occurred between May and August of this year.

In July, three Moroccan peacekeepers were killed in two separate attacks by suspected anti-Balaka fighters in Bangassou, a predominantly Christian town that has been among the worst hit by violence.

Six UN troops and 66 civilians were killed in a separate attack by the anti-Balaka in May in which Muslim civilians sought refuge in a mosque that was initially protected by MINUSCA but the UN force later withdrew.

The mosque's imam was shot dead when he tried to leave.

UN troops later escorted the Muslims to a small seminary owned by the Catholic Church. Around 2,000 are still there, but living in permanent fear of attack by the anti-Balaka.

The team will prepare a report with a view to determining whether the peacekeepers could have prevented the violence and better protected civilians.

The Central African Republic has been struggling to return to stability since the country exploded into bloodshed after the 2013 overthrow of longtime leader Francois Bozize by the mainly Muslim Seleka rebel alliance.

France intervened militarily to push out the Seleka alliance, but the country remains plagued with violence pitting groups competing for control of resources and areas of influence.

MINUSCA deployed in 2014 with a strong mandate to protect civilians.

On Wednesday, the Security Council is expected to bolster the mission with 900 extra peacekeepers, bringing MINUSCA's force level to about 13,750.
Women have flooded Twitter with images of their youthful selves under the hashtag #MeAt14, as Alabama Senate hopeful Roy Moore faces calls to stand down over allegations he sought sex with a 14-year-old girl

As Alabama Senate hopeful Roy Moore defies calls to stand down over allegations he sought sex with a 14-year-old girl, women are taking to social media to share photos of themselves at that age, and raise the alarm over the issue of consent.

Four women have told The Washington Post the politician pursued them when they were 18 or younger, while he was an assistant district attorney in his thirties, and a fifth accuser came forward Monday alleging Moore assaulted her at age 16.

The US Senate's top Republican Mitch McConnell has urged the Christian evangelical to end his campaign, but many in Moore's home state have stood by him and some appeared to brush off the seriousness of the allegations.

That prompted Catherine Lawson, a North Carolina-based lawyer, to tweet out in anger Friday night -- apparently launching what has become a viral social media movement.

"Can't consent at 14. Not in Alabama. Not anywhere," posted Lawson, coining the hashtag #MeAt14 in an echo of the #MeToo movement encouraging victims of abuse to speak out following the allegations of misconduct targeting Hollywood's Harvey Weinstein.

The Daily Show co-creator Lizz Winstead picked up the rallying cry, urging women to post pictures of their teenaged selves, asking: "Who were you at 14?"

Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate in Alabama, Roy Moore, has denied explosive sex abuse allegations from four women

"This is me at 14. I was on the gymnastics team and sang in the choir. I was not dating a 32 year old man," she tweeted.

The response was overwhelming, as women flooded Twitter with images of their youthful selves in a kaleidoscope of 1980s hair, braces and schoolgirl innocence.

Actress Alyssa Milano, who sparked the original #MeToo phenomenon, was among the first to respond.

"#MeAt14 I worshipped my brother. I loved my dog, Pucci. I loved OMD. I had Big hair. I was happy. I was innocent," she wrote. "Please share your #MeAt14."

Other high-profile figures to embrace the hashtag included journalist Katie Couric who said that at 14 she was "eating a lot of chocolate chip cookie dough" and "not worrying about a 32 year old man trying to hustle me."

Moore has denied the allegations, and vowed to sue the Post for reporting on them.
Attorney General Josh Hawley of the state of Missouri issued an investigative subpoena to determine whether Google's actions violated state antitrust and consumer protection laws

Google was facing a broad investigation into its business practices Monday, with American officials planning to examine how the internet giant handles user data and offers up search results.

Attorney General Josh Hawley of the state of Missouri issued an investigative subpoena to determine whether the company's actions violated state antitrust and consumer protection laws.

The subpoena seeks information about Google's use of the vast trove of data it collects, including information harvested from devices, online queries and credit card transactions.

The investigation is the latest probe of the search giant, with European regulators pursuing multiple investigations.

The European Union in June issued a $2.7 billion (2.4 billion euro) antitrust fine, which Google has appealed, for unfairly highlighting its own shopping service in search results.

"There is strong reason to believe that Google has not been acting with the best interest of Missourians in mind," said Hawley, a Republican running for a US Senate seat in 2018.

National regulators last probed Google in 2013, when the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reached a settlement with the internet company. Google agreed to change some business practices the FTC said were stifling competition in certain markets.

A Google spokesman said that the company had not yet received Missouri's subpoena, but that it has "strong privacy protections in place for our users."

The company operates "in a highly competitive and dynamic environment," Patrick Lenihan said in an emailed statement.
US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said the informal Security Council meeting was to draw international attention to the political and economic crisis in Venezuela, which is teetering on the brink of default

US Ambassador Nikki Haley on Monday slammed Venezuela as an "increasingly violent narco-state" that poses a threat to world security at a UN meeting boycotted by Russia and China.

Haley said the informal Security Council meeting was to draw international attention to the political and economic crisis in Venezuela, which is teetering on the brink of default.

But key Security Council members Russia and China refused to attend as did Bolivia, a non-permanent council member close to President Nicolas Maduro's government, and Egypt.

Addressing the meeting, Haley said "the situation in Venezuela is more than a human tragedy," adding that the crisis "poses a direct threat to international peace and security."

"Venezuela is an increasingly violent narco-state that threatens the region, the hemisphere and the world," she said.

Addressing reporters outside of the meeting hall, the ambassadors of Russia, China and Bolivia joined Venezuela's UN envoy, who declared the meeting "illegal" and a violation of the UN charter.

"This is a hostile act by the United States and clearly an act of interference," said Venezuela's Ambassador Rafael Ramirez.

Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said the US-led talks amounted to "meddling in the domestic affairs of Venezuela" and declared that the Security Council should not become involved.

The refusal by Russia and China to attend the meeting meant that the United States would face strong opposition in pushing for council action to address the crisis in Venezuela.

Venezuela has been in turmoil since anti-government protests in April left more than 100 dead as the country reels from shortages of food and medicine.

On Monday, the Caracas government was meeting with credits in a bid to stave off a default from $150 billion in debt.

Over 600,000 Venezuelans have moved across borders in the region this year alone, citing fears of crime, repression and food insecurity, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein told the meeting.

"If no steps are taken to confront the serious human rights violations in Venezuela, I am very much concerned about the negative destabilizing effect it could have on the region as a whole," he said.

Haley said the fact that Venezuela had exerted pressure on council members not to attend the meeting was "proof" of "guilt."
The patriarch is expected to meet resigned Lebanese prime minister Saad Hariri

Lebanon's Christian Maronite patriarch arrived in Riyadh Monday on a historic visit amid tensions between the two countries after the shock resignation of Lebanese prime minister Saad Hariri.

Bechara al-Rahi is expected to meet Hariri, who stepped down during a televised address on November 4 from Riyadh, where he is rumoured to be under de facto house arrest, despite his insistence that he was "free".

He is also set to meet King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in a trip that symbolises a rare inter-religious exchange in the ultra-conservative kingdom, which is home to the holiest sights in Islam.

"Patriarch Bechara al-Rahi's... visit stresses the kingdom's approach for peaceful coexistence, closeness and openness for all sections of Arabic people," Saudi Gulf affairs minister Thamer al-Sabhan said on Twitter.

Upon his arrival, the patriarch met with members of the Lebanese community.

"We will maintain a strong friendship between Saudi Arabia and Lebanon," he said.

"This is our history even if we have had stormy relations sometimes. (There) is a history of friendship with this dear kingdom."

Hariri's resignation, which has thrown Lebanon into crisis, came against the backdrop of mounting tensions between Sunni Saudi Arabia and Shiite Iran, which back opposing sides in power struggles in hotspots such as Syria and Yemen.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian has said France was "worried by the situation in Lebanon" and wanted to see the government there "stabilise as quickly as possible".

He is set to visit the Saudi capital on Thursday.

France joined Germany and the European Union on Monday in calling for an end to external interference in Lebanon -- buffeted for decades by conflicts between bigger players in the region such as Iran and Syria.
The four-day exercise in the western Pacific involving the USS Ronald Reagan, USS Nimitz and USS Theodore Roosevelt also included seven South Korean vessels

North Korea warned at the United Nations Monday that the deployment of three US aircraft carriers in joint navy drills with South Korea was fueling tensions that could lead to nuclear war.

North Korea's Ambassador Ja Song Nam said in a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that this was "the worst ever situation prevailing in and around the Korean peninsula."

The first such deployment of three US carriers since 2007 "is making it impossible to predict when nuclear war breaks out due to the US nuclear war equipment" taking up a "strike posture," wrote the ambassador.

The four-day exercise in the western Pacific involving the USS Ronald Reagan, USS Nimitz and USS Theodore Roosevelt began on Saturday and included seven South Korean vessels including three destroyers.

The ambassador said the United States had reactivated round-the-clock sorties by B-52 strategic bombers and was making frequent flights of B-1B and B-2 bombers in the air space of South Korea.

"The large scale nuclear war exercises and blackmails... make one conclude that the option we have taken was the right one and we should go along the way to the last," wrote Ja.

North Korea conducted its sixth nuclear test this year and test-fired a series of advanced missiles, including intercontinental ballistic missiles.

In response, the United States led a push at the Security Council to impose tougher sanctions, such as export bans, to deny Pyongyang of hard currency revenue to build up its military programs.

The North Korean ambassador accused the council of "turning a blind eye to the nuclear war exercises of the United States who is hell bent on bringing a catastrophic disaster to humanity."

The exercises come on the heels of President Donald Trump's visits to Tokyo, Seoul and Beijing this week, which were dominated by the question of how to counter Pyongyang's nuclear weapons threat.
 NY Times Public Editor Tackles Israeli-Palestinian Coverage | Main | World Vision Issues Vague Statement About Violence in Jerusalem 

November 24, 2014

'Tiny Tunisia' Joined by U.A.E. -- Israel Still Big

Tiny? Tunisia returned to the pages of The Washington Post, this time joined by the tiny? United Arab Emirates. As for Israel, much smaller than either Tunisia or the U.A.E., its size apparently still lacks newsworthiness.

As CAMERA pointed out two years ago this month, The Post found it important to tell readers that at least eight countries geographically larger than Israel, including Tunisia, were tiny,? without reminding them of the Jewish states comparativeand stragetically vulnerablesmallness of. Make that nine.

In a front-page article headlined A Quiet, Potent Ally to U.S.; American generals call the UAE Little Sparta for its ability and willingness to fight? (November 9), Post correspondent Rajiv Chandrasekaran writes as a tiny nation on the Arabian Peninsula comprising seven sometimes-fractious emirates led by different royal families, the UAE could have opted to go the way of other small [emphases added] countries in its neighborhood by building a modest military focused on domestic security and instead turning to the regional powerhouseSaudi Arabiafor protection from Iran and other external threats.?

Instead, its leaders have bought the most advanced weapons the Emirates can obtain? and chosen to use what it has acquired.?

The UAEs land mass is 32,000 square miles, approximately four times bigger than Israels. Its population, estimated at close to five million (less than half are citizens) is smaller than Israels eight million plus.

As for Tunisia, in The Washington Post, its still tiny. In an Op-Ed headlned Tunisia, a democratic anomaly? (October 27), the newspapers deputy editorial page editor, Jackson Diehl, wrote that nowhere did the voting matter more, however, than in tiny [emphasis added] Tunisiathe North African state where the Arab revolutions began nearly four years ago, and the only place where civil war or a renewed dictatorship has not been the result.?

Two days later in The Post, Tunisia grew from tiny to small.? Correspondent Kevin Sullivans news feature, How Tunisias Arab Spring has fueled the Islamic State; New religious freedoms, then a crackdown, have stirred radicalism? (October 29) informed readers that Tunisia, a small North African country of 11 million people, has become the largest source of foreign fighters joining the Islamic State and other extremist groups in Syria and Iraq?

As we noted previously, Tunisias 63,170 square miles makes it eight times larger than Israel, with at least three million more people. Israel has the land area of New Jersey but is just four miles wide west of Jerusalem in the 1949 armistices lines and barely nine just north of Tel Aviv. Regardless, news media run the newsworthiness of Israels geographic tinyness? and vulnerability in the Middle East through the distorting filter of big Israel oppressing tiny Palestinians.? So long as they do, readers, viewers and listeners will lack the context necessary to understand the conflict.





Posted by ER at November 24, 2014 02:12 PM

Guidelines for posting

This is a moderated blog. We will not post comments that include racism, bigotry, threats, or factually inaccurate material.

Post a comment
SUTHERLAND SPRINGS, Texas (AP) - Two silver hearses carrying the bodies of a couple killed in last weekend's shooting at a Texas church were followed by a long procession of vehicles Saturday that avoided passing the small church where more than two dozen people died.

Mourners instead drove around the tiny community of Sutherland Springs before reaching a cemetery on the edge of town, where dozens more vehicles waited along a rural road for the private burial of Therese and Richard Rodriguez. Sheriff's SUVs shielded mourners at the cemetery's three entrances.

The services for the recently retired couple followed a ceremony earlier in the day where about 100 people gathered to commemorate Veterans Day and to honor the shooting victims, nearly half of whom had ties to the Air Force.

Two hearses arrive with the caskets of Richard and Therese Rodriguez at the Sutherland Springs Cemetery, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017, in Sutherland Springs, Texas. The two were killed when a man opened fire inside the Sutherland Springs First Baptist church on Sunday. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

"Maybe this will start the healing process that will get Sutherland Springs and Wilson County to put this horrific tragedy behind us and look to the future," county Judge Richard Jackson, his voice breaking, told the crowd, which included first responders and law enforcement officers.

Jackson, the county's top administrator, thanked the first responders and others who rushed to First Baptist Church in the aftermath of Sunday's shooting. What they saw there will affect them the rest of their lives, Jackson said during the ceremony outside the town's community center, where a wreath was placed near flags to remember those killed.

The gunman killed 25 people - authorities put the number at 26 because one was pregnant - and wounded about 20 others. The gunman died of what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound after being shot and chased by two men who heard gunfire from the church.

Investigators have said the shooting appeared to stem from a domestic dispute involving the attacker, Devin Patrick Kelley, and his mother-in-law, who sometimes attended services at the church but wasn't there the day of the shooting.

Kelley had a history of violence. He was given a bad conduct discharge from the Air Force after pleading guilty to assaulting his first wife and stepson. The ex-wife, Tessa Brennaman, told "Inside Edition" that Kelley once put a gun to her head because she'd received a speeding ticket and threatened to kill her and her family. A former Air Force colleague told The New York Times that Kelley, after leaving the military, contacted her about his obsession with Dylann Roof, who killed nine people at a church in Charleston, South Carolina, in 2015.

Sutherland Springs is about 30 miles (48 kilometers) southeast of San Antonio and not far from several military posts, including Lackland Air Force Base. The Air Force's chief of staff, Gen. David Goldfein, said 12 of those killed were either members of the Air Force or had family ties to it.

Among them were Scott and Karen Marshall, both 56, who had decided to retire in nearby La Vernia after meeting when they were in the service together more than 30 years ago. On Thursday, a military funeral was held for them at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph.

Retired Chief Warrant Officer Mike Gonzales, who led Saturday's Veterans Day ceremony, moved to Sutherland Springs with his wife to raise their children in 2009. He said many veterans choose to live in the San Antonio area because of its deep military ties, and families tend to migrate to the city's surrounding rural areas.

"We come here to enjoy life, to get quiet and to raise our children," he said. "We've been to war zones and seen that tragedy firsthand. Never did we think that tragedy would strike here."

U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar told the gathering to lean on one another for support. The Texas congressman said $10 million in federal assistance has been secured to help cover overtime costs for law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation.

Some in the crowd Saturday wore shirts that said "Sutherland Springs Strong" and included an outline of Texas with a heart of the town's location. The shirts were donated by Brenda Bierd, who lives on the Gulf Coast and whose home was damaged by Hurricane Harvey in late August.

"I hadn't even heard of Sutherland Springs before the shooting, but this is what you do," she said. "I just had this feeling I needed to be here."

A steady stream of people also visited a makeshift memorial of crosses adorned with flowers, photographs, red hearts and white, purple and pink balloons.

Among the visitors was Jackie Lee, who said she asked her friends on Facebook if anyone would come with her from San Antonio this weekend. She said about two dozen people quickly said they would.

"It was on my heart since it happened," she said. "I needed to come to show the community some support, to show these people some support."

___

Associated Press writer Emily Schmall contributed to this report.

___

Sign up for the AP's weekly newsletter showcasing our best reporting from the Midwest and Texas: http://apne.ws/2u1RMfv

Miguel Zamora stands a cross for the victims of the Sutherland Springs First Baptist Church shooting at a makeshift memorial, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017, in Sutherland Springs, Texas. A man opened fire inside the church in the small South Texas community on Sunday, killing more than two dozen. Zamora carried the cross for three days to reach the site. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Donna King stands for the national anthem during a Veterans Day event, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017, in Sutherland Springs, Texas. The event was held in the community, just a block away from the Sutherland Springs First Baptist Church where a man opened killing more than two dozen. Veteran Robert Corrigan, who was killed in the church, was honored during the service. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

A family arrives for a grave side service for Richard and Therese Rodriguez at the Sutherland Springs Cemetery, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017, in Sutherland Springs, Texas. The Rodriguez couple were killed when a man opened fire inside the Sutherland Springs First Baptist church on Sunday. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Two hearses arrive with the caskets of Richard and Therese Rodriguez at the Sutherland Springs Cemetery, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017, in Sutherland Springs, Texas. The two were killed when a man opened fire inside the Sutherland Springs First Baptist church on Sunday. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

First responders join in prayer following a Veterans Day event, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017, near the Sutherland Springs First Baptist Church, in Sutherland Springs, Texas. A man opened fire inside the church in the small South Texas community on Sunday, killing more than two dozen. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

First responders join in prayer following a Veterans Day event, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017, near the Sutherland Springs First Baptist Church, in Sutherland Springs, Texas. A man opened fire inside the church in the small South Texas community on Sunday, killing more than two dozen. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

St. Mary's ROTC color guard take part in a Veterans Day event, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017, in Sutherland Springs, Texas. The event was held at the community, just a block away from the Sutherland Springs First Baptist Church where a man opened killing more than two dozen. Veteran Robert Corrigan, who was killed in the church, was honored during the service. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
SPINDALE, North Carolina (AP) - As a court-appointed advocate for two foster boys, it was Nancy Burnette's job to ensure they were in good hands. So as part of her casework, she visited Word of Faith Fellowship, the evangelical church they attended with the couple seeking to adopt them.

What happened next haunts her: In the middle of the service, the chanting and singing suddenly stopped, Burnette said, and the fiery pastor pointed at Burnette, accusing her of being "wicked." ''You are here to cause strife!" she recalled Jane Whaley shouting. "You don't think these kids are supposed to be here!"

Terrified, Burnette left, but not before promising the boys, ages 4 and almost 2, that she would return - a promise she ultimately could not keep.

ADVANCE FOR USE MONDAY, NOV. 13, 2017 AND THEREAFTER-Nancy Burnette talks about her experience as a child advocate during an interview in Spindale, N.C., on Sept. 27, 2017. As a court-appointed advocate for two foster boys, she visited the Word of Faith Fellowship, the evangelical church they attended with the couple seeking to adopt them. Arriving in the middle of a service, the chanting and singing suddenly stopped, Burnette said, and the fiery pastor pointed at Burnette, accusing her of being "wicked." "You are here to cause strife!" she recalled Jane Whaley shouting. "You don't think these kids are supposed to be here!" (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

"What I didn't know was how hard Word of Faith would fight - and the tactics they would use - to keep the kids," Burnette told The Associated Press.

That was not the only time Word of Faith Fellowship has used positions of authority and intimidation to bring children into the church's folds or keep them from leaving - often at Whaley's behest, according to dozens of interviews and hundreds of pages of court records, police reports and social services documents obtained by the AP.

As a result, children have been introduced to sometimes violent church practices that run counter to the North Carolina laws designed to protect them, the AP found.

The state promotes "family preservation," designed to prevent the "unnecessary placement of children away from their families." But the AP found that some young congregants have been separated from their parents for up to a decade - bounced from family to family - as leaders strive to keep them in the church.

A lawyer for Whaley, Noell Tin, disputed the accounts. "The notion that church members separate children from their parents at Ms. Whaley's urging is preposterous," he said.

Three single mothers told the AP that a longtime church member who was a Rutherford County court clerk bypassed the foster system and eventually won custody of their children, even though a judge called her conduct inappropriate. Two of the mothers said the clerk approached them and offered to temporarily keep the children while they served their jail time.

The AP interviewed a dozen former congregants who said they had witnessed the three children living with the clerk being subjected to intense screaming sessions called "blasting" aimed at casting out demons, or being shaken or beaten.

Even as she desperately battled for her young son, one of the three women had told a judge that, if she could not have him, the boy would be better off in foster care due to the church's abusive nature.

The clerk denied using her position to obtain the children.

Under Whaley's leadership, Word of Faith Fellowship has grown to about 750 congregants in North Carolina and a total of nearly 2,000 members in its churches in Brazil and Ghana and through affiliations in other countries.

As part of an ongoing investigation into the church, the AP already has cited dozens of former members as saying congregants were regularly punched and choked in an effort to "purify" sinners. Victims of the violence included pre-teens and toddlers - even crying babies, they said.

Now, the AP has uncovered numerous instances in which Word of Faith leaders steadily turned children against their parents, with the children then taken in or adopted by other church families. Ex-members cited at least two dozen such cases.

"If you're thinking about leaving, be prepared," said Shana Muse, who unsuccessfully battled sect leaders for custody when she tried to exit in 2002 with her four kids. "They will do everything to personally discredit you and show judges and the public the kids are better off with a church family."

Burnette said she knew nothing about the church when she was appointed the two boys' guardian ad litem. But she recalled red flags, including the couple assigned to them not yet being officially certified as foster parents when the boys moved in.

After her frightening experience at the church service, Burnette said she and her supervisor decided to remove the boys from the home. Instead, Burnette said, she was taken off the case.

In a conversation surreptitiously recorded by a former church member and obtained by the AP, Whaley said she had called Burnette's supervisor to complain, noting that the supervisor "threw her totally off the case."

The supervisor declined comment, citing confidentiality laws, and the social services department said state law prohibited the agency from discussing individual cases.

Every child who belongs to Word of Faith is under the total control of Whaley and the leaders enforcing her rules. They are educated in the church school and largely isolated from the outside world, prohibited from watching television or celebrating birthdays or Christmas.

The church has a song: "Happy, happy, happy, happy are the children whose God is the Lord." It serves as a cue to put on a happy face, no matter how young congregants are feeling.

"One thing that is confusing for people in the community is how these children can be so well-behaved and so well-dressed if things are so bad," said John Huddle, whose lost contact with his kids when he broke with the church. "But the clothing can cover the bruises and the smiles can hide the hurt."

____

AP researcher Rhonda Shafner and AP reporter Allen Breed contributed to this report.

___

The AP National Investigative Team can be reached at investigate@ap.org

___

Follow Weiss on Twitter at https://twitter.com/mitchsweiss

Follow Mohr on Twitter at http://twitter.com/holbrookmohr

ADVANCE FOR USE MONDAY, NOV. 13, 2017 AND THEREAFTER-Nancy Burnette talks about her experience as a child advocate during an interview in Spindale, N.C., on Sept. 27, 2017. As a court-appointed advocate for two foster boys, she visited the Word of Faith Fellowship, the evangelical church they attended with the couple seeking to adopt them. Arriving in the middle of a service, the chanting and singing suddenly stopped, Burnette said, and the fiery pastor pointed at Burnette, accusing her of being "wicked." "You are here to cause strife!" she recalled Jane Whaley shouting. "You don't think these kids are supposed to be here!" (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

ADVANCE FOR USE MONDAY, NOV. 13, 2017 AND THEREAFTER-FILE - In this Jan. 23, 2015 photo provided by Rachael Bryant, Word of Faith Fellowship leader Jane Whaley holds the newborn infant of one of her congregants in a hospital in Shelby, N.C. The Associated Press has uncovered numerous instances in which Word of Faith leaders turned children against their parents, with the children then taken in or adopted by other church families. Ex-members told the AP of at least two dozen such cases, which they attributed to the church trying to keep minors from leaving the congregation. (Rachael Bryant via AP)

ADVANCE FOR USE MONDAY, NOV. 13, 2017 AND THEREAFTER-Shana Muse looks at a framed picture of her youngest son as she talks about the custody battle for her children against Word of Faith Fellowship church leaders, during an interview in Charlotte, N.C. on Sept. 26, 2017. Muse was persuaded to join Word of Faith Fellowship by her two sisters, who said their church could help her: She had a drug problem and was facing legal problems in Florida for writing bad checks. After moving to Spindale, N.C., she said she reached a breaking point when she saw her children and others being screamed at and beaten in the name of God. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

ADVANCE FOR USE MONDAY, NOV. 13, 2017 AND THEREAFTER-Shana Muse, left, kisses her daughter, Rachael Bryant, during an interview in Charlotte, N.C., on Sept. 26, 2017. Muse's children said they were coerced by Word of Faith Fellowship leader Jane Whaley into lying about their mother. "We were told to tell social workers that she beat us," Rachael said. "What we did was wrong." (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

ADVANCE FOR USE MONDAY, NOV. 13, 2017 AND THEREAFTER-This 1999 photo provided by Sonya Stewart shows her sister, Shana Muse, and Shana's four children at Daytona Beach, Fla. Muse learned the price of trying to extract children from the church. She became mired in a nasty custody battle with sect leaders when she tried to exit in 2002 with her four children, ranging in age from 8 to 15. (Sonya Stewart via AP)

ADVANCE FOR USE MONDAY, NOV. 13, 2017 AND THEREAFTER-Shana Muse, center, poses with three of her children in the backyard of her Charlotte, N.C., home on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017. Rachel, left, Sarah and Patrick said they were coerced by Word of Faith Fellowship leader Jane Whaley into lying about their mother. "We were told to tell social workers that she beat us," Rachael said. Rachel holds a photograph of their youngest brother, who is still with the controversial church. (AP Photo/Allen G. Breed)

ADVANCE FOR USE MONDAY, NOV. 13, 2017 AND THEREAFTER-Shana Muse, left, walks with her daughter, Rachael Bryant, right, and granddaughter, Tiffany Bryant, in Charlotte, N.C., on Sept. 26, 2017. Shana Muse learned the price of trying to extract children from the Word of Faith Fellowship church. She became mired in a nasty custody battle with sect leaders when she tried to exit in 2002 with her four children, ranging in age from 8 to 15. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

ADVANCE FOR USE MONDAY, NOV. 13, 2017 AND THEREAFTER-Shana Muse, left, hugs her sister, Suzanne Cooper, as they pose for a photo outside Muse's home in Charlotte, N.C., on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017. Cooper acknowledges that she lied about Muse in order to help fellow members of the Word of Faith Fellowship in a custody battle for Muse's four children. Cooper, who left the church in 2014, told the AP that she was pressured by leader Jane Whaley and other ministers to lie, adding tearfully, "I live with that guilt every day." (AP Photo/Allen G. Breed)

ADVANCE FOR USE MONDAY, NOV. 13, 2017 AND THEREAFTER-In this July 2017 photo, Kent Covington, his wife, Brooke, left, and a fellow member of the Word of Faith Fellowship church, Jayne Caulder, walk from the Rutherford County Courthouse in Rutherfordton, N.C., after a pretrial hearing for Brooke. In December 2002 former Word of Faith Fellowship member Shana Muse said she returned to Spindale, N.C., after a stint at a clinic specializing in "cult-deprogramming," but that the Covingtons refused to hand over her children who were staying with the couple. (Jean Gordon/Daily Courier via AP)
Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about Monday:

1. HOW TRUMP SPLITS HAIRS ON RUSSIAN INTERFERENCE

The president claims he trusts U.S. intelligence agencies that say Russia interfered in the U.S. election - but says he also believes Russian President Putin's sincerity that there was no meddling.

U.S. President Donald Trump toasts with Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte during the gala dinner marking ASEAN's 50th anniversary in Manila, Philippines, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017. (Athit Perawongmetha/Pool photo via AP)

2. SCORES DIE IN QUAKE ALONG IRAN-IRAQ BORDER

The magnitude 7.2 earthquake kills at least 61 people and injures 300, an Iranian official says.

3. CHURCHGOERS RETURN TO SITE OF TRAGEDY

Mourners crowd into the tiny town of Sutherland Springs, Texas, for the first Sunday service since a gunman killed more than two dozen people at the First Baptist Church.

4. TRUMP SET TO MEET PHILIPPINE STRONGMAN

The U.S. leader has congratulated President Rodrigo Duterte - who's sanctioned a drug war that's led to thousands of extrajudicial killings.

5. WHO SAYS HE WILL RETURN TO LEBANON 'WITHIN DAYS'

Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri, who announced his surprise resignation, denies he's being held against his will in the kingdom.

6. ROY MOORE ACCUSATIONS IRK EVANGELICALS

The fiery Alabama politician's Republican U.S. Senate campaign is imperiled by allegations of sexual overtures to a 14-year-old girl years ago.

7. WHERE DUAL MARCHES PROTEST SEX HARASSMENT

The "Take Back the Workplace March" and "#MeToo Survivors March" join on Sunset Boulevard, chanting "Not in pots, not in plants, keep your junk inside your pants."

8. 'THEY MADE A BUNCH OF PROMISES AND THEY DELIVERED NOTHING'

Tina Carr, who along with another former student is suing the Education Department and a private loan servicer, claims fraud by a for-profit college.

9. 'DAME OF DISH' DIES AT 94

Liz Smith's gossip column was one of the most widely read in the world, due in part to her own celebrity status.

10. SHAWN MENDES NAMED BEST ARTIST AT MTV EMAS

The 19-year-old Canadian star beats out Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran.

People stand in the street after feeling aftershocks from an earthquake in Baghdad, Iraq, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017. The deadly earthquake hit the region along the border between Iran and Iraq on Sunday. The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake was centered 19 miles (31 kilometers) outside the eastern Iraqi city of Halabja. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - The California Senate announced Sunday it will hire an outside legal team to investigate all complaints of sexual misconduct and recommend discipline following new allegations against Democratic Sen. Tony Mendoza.

The Senate has long handled harassment complaints internally by human resources employees that report to a committee of five lawmakers and has not made details of complaints or discipline public. Women who work in and around the Capitol have argued that process stops them from coming forward over fears of political and professional retaliation. The outside legal team will make public any complaints and discipline at the discretion of victims and whistleblowers, the Senate Rules Committee members said in a joint statement. The Rules Committee and the Senate Democratic Women's Caucus will work "expeditiously" to hire an outside legal team, the statement said.

"This process will be designed to protect the privacy of victims and whistleblowers, transparency for the public, and adequate due process for all parties involved," the statement said.

FILE - In this Aug. 26, 2016, file photo, state Sen. Tony Mendoza, D-Artesia, listens at the Capitol in Sacramento, Calif. The California Senate announced Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017, that it is changing its process for investigating sexual misconduct complaints following new allegations against a sitting Democratic senator. The changes come after allegations that Mendoza sexually harassed at least a few women who formerly worked in his office. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)

The Legislature has faced steady criticism over its handling of sexual misconduct allegations since nearly 150 women signed a letter in mid-October outlining a pervasive culture of sexual harassment and a system that does little to stop perpetrators.

The allegations that emerged last week against Mendoza, the first sitting senator named in connection with harassment, prompted the change in investigative procedures. The Los Angeles-area Democrat is accused of sexually harassing at least two young women who previously worked for him. The allegations are that Mendoza repeatedly invited a young female employee back to his house this year and that in 2008, when he was in the Assembly, Mendoza offered a 19-year-old intern alcohol at a hotel during an event in San Jose. Mendoza has denied behaving inappropriately.

The Senate said it began investigating Mendoza's recent behavior in September. The allegations against him will now be investigated by the outside lawyers when they are hired, the Rules Committee said.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon said the Senate leader moved out of a house he shared with Mendoza in Sacramento this weekend.

Many lawmakers have rooms or houses in Sacramento they stay in during session, and de Leon had been renting a room in Mendoza's home, his spokesman said.

De Leon, who heads the Rules Committee, said through his spokesmen that he didn't know about the allegations that Mendoza had invited a young woman to the home and was unaware of the investigation into it.

De Leon recently launched a bid for U.S. Senate against Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a fellow Democrat and one of California's most prominent women in politics.

The Assembly, meanwhile, has not announced any changes in its processes for handling harassment allegations. It plans to hold a public hearing on Nov. 28 for people to offer suggestions for improving its processes.

The group of women who launched the open letter about harassment at the Capitol applauded the Senate's change.

"We are pleased to see that Senate leadership is taking seriously the many accounts of harassment, abuse and discrimination that have been brought forward in the past few weeks," the group said in a statement.
MANILA, Philippines (AP) - Wrapping up his extensive tour of Asia, President Donald Trump on Tuesday hailed "tremendous amounts of work" on trade and said nations around the globe have been put on notice that the U.S. will demand improved trading conditions.

Trump told reporters in Manila that the "fruits of our labor are going to be incredible." He was closing a nearly two-week trip through Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam and the Philippines that included one-on-one meetings with the leaders of those nations during which he stressed trade.

The president, who campaigned on shredding multilateral trade agreements he has deemed unfair, insisted during his travels that multibillion-dollar deficits that favor U.S. trading partners will be reduced to zero, and that trade overall must be fair and mutually beneficial.

Flanked by U.S. National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster, left, and U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, right, U.S. President Donald Trump offers a departing statement after participating in an East Asia Summit, Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2017, in Manila, Philippines. Trump is on a five country trip through Asia traveling to Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam and the Philippines. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

"The United States has to be treated fairly and in a reciprocal fashion," Trump tweeted before heading back to Washington, where he is scheduled to arrive later Tuesday. "The massive TRADE deficits must go down quickly!"

Trump told reporters before departing an international summit, "We've had a tremendously successful trip. Tremendous amounts of work was done on trade."

The president spoke along the sidelines of the annual East Asia Summit of leaders from throughout the Asia-Pacific region, his final summit after attending a gathering of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on Monday. Trump said he planned to make a "major statement" about his trip from the White House later this week, and spoke of the "many good friends" he made during the trip.

Among Trump's newest friends in the region is Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, whom Trump repeatedly praised and joked around with on Monday. Duterte has overseen a bloody crackdown on domestic drug dealing that has featured extrajudicial killings, earning him scorn from human rights advocates.

Trump did not publicly take Duterte to task for the crackdown. Instead, Trump said he and Duterte have "had a great relationship" and avoided questions about whether he'd raise human rights concerns with the Filipino leader during a private meeting.

The White House later said they discussed the Islamic State group, illegal drugs and trade during the 40-minute meeting. Press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said human rights came up "briefly" in the context of the Philippines' fight against illegal drugs. She did not say if Trump was critical of Duterte's program.

Her readout appeared to conflict with the Filipino version of the meeting. Harry Roque, a spokesman for Duterte, said: "There was no mention of human rights. There was no mention of extralegal killings. There was only a rather lengthy discussion of the Philippine war on drugs with President Duterte doing most of the explaining."

Despite all that, they later issued a joint statement saying they "underscored that human rights and the dignity of human life are essential, and agreed to continue mainstreaming the human rights agenda in their national programs."

Duterte's war on drugs has alarmed human rights advocates around the world who say it has allowed police officers and vigilantes to ignore due process and to take justice into their own hands. Government officials estimate that well over 3,000 people, mostly drug users and dealers, have died in the ongoing crackdown. Human rights groups believe the victim total is far higher, perhaps closer to 9,000.

In Manila for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations conference, and the subsequent East Asia Summit, Trump looked to strengthen ties with Pacific Rim allies, aiming to strike one-on-one trade deals rather than multinational trade agreements, and increase pressure on North Korea to abandon its nuclear program.

He met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and highlighted their two nations' "deeper and more comprehensive" ties, looking to strengthen a relationship that is vital to the U.S. vision of an Indo-Pacific region that attempts to de-emphasize China's influence.

He jointly met with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, with whom he had a contentious phone call last winter, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who hosted the president in Tokyo earlier in the trip. Trump raved about his accomplishments on his five-nation journey, particularly on trade and on North Korea, which the White House has suggested may be designated a state sponsor of terror.

Trump said he would wait until he was back in Washington to elaborate with a "major statement" on those two topics, but hinted at progress while in Manila.

"We've made some very big steps with regard to trade - far bigger than anything you know," Trump told reporters, pointing to business deals forged between U.S. and foreign companies.

Trump also said the trip had been "very fruitful" for the United States and pointed to the warm welcomes he had received in capitals like Tokyo, Seoul and Beijing.

"It was red carpet like nobody, I think, has probably ever received," Trump said. "And that really is a sign of respect, perhaps for me a little, but really for our country. And I'm really proud of that."

___

Associated Press writers Ken Thomas, Laurie Kellman and Darlene Superville in Washington contributed to this report.

___

Follow Lemire on Twitter at http://twitter.com/@JonLemire and Colvin at http://twitter.com/@Colvinj

U.S. President Donald Trump arrive for a family photo during the ASEAN-U.S. 40th Anniversary commemorative Summit in Manila, Philippines, Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. (Manan Vatsyayana/Pool Photo via AP)

U.S. President Donald Trump, left, walks past Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte as they arrive for a family photo during the ASEAN-U.S. 40th Anniversary commemorative Summit in Manila, Philippines, Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. (Manan Vatsyayana/Pool Photo via AP)

Leaders from left to right, Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, U.S. President Donald Trump, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong pose for a family photo during the ASEAN-U.S. Summit in Manila, Philippines on Monday Nov. 13, 2017. (Manan Vatsyayana/Pool Photo via AP)

President Donald Trump, right, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shake hands during a bilateral meeting at the ASEAN Summit at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza, Monday, Nov. 13, 2017, in Manila, Philippines. Trump is on a five country trip through Asia traveling to Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam and the Philippines. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

U.S. President Donald Trump, left, and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte hold a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Meetings at the Philippine International Convention Center in Manila, Philippines Monday Nov. 13, 2017. (Rolex dela Pena/Pool Photo via AP)

Demonstrators display a mock U.S. flag to protest the visit of U.S. President Donald Trump and the 31st ASEAN Summit and Related Summits Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2017, in Manila, Philippines. Twenty one leaders from the ASEAN and their Dialogue Partners, which included Trump, are on a two-day summit which ends today. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
MANILA, Philippines (AP) - The Latest on President Donald Trump's visit to Asia (all times local):

3:30 p.m.

President Donald Trump says he's hopeful that three American college basketball players detained in China will get to come home soon.

Flanked by U.S. National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster, left, and U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, right, U.S. President Donald Trump offers a departing statement after participating in an East Asia Summit, Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2017, in Manila, Philippines. Trump is on a five country trip through Asia traveling to Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam and the Philippines. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Trump says he had a long conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping (shee jihn-peeng) about the case. Trump says "they're working on it right now."

Chinese authorities detained the UCLA freshmen after they were arrested on charges of shoplifting before a recent game against Georgia Tech in Shanghai.

The Los Angeles Times has identified the players as Cody Riley, Jalen Hill and LiAngelo Ball - the brother of Los Angeles Lakers rookie Lonzo Ball.

Trump commented about the case Tuesday as he prepared to return to Washington after a nearly two-week visit to Asia.

__

2:55 p.m.

President Donald Trump says his trip to Asia has been "tremendously successful."

Trade was a major theme and Trump is reiterating Tuesday before heading back to the U.S. that he wants trade that is "fair" and "reciprocal."

Trump says he made a lot of friends during the nearly two-week trip to five countries. He's also taking credit for improving relations with the Philippines. Trump said Monday that he and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte have a great relationship.

Trump says he'll have more to say about trade at the White House later this week.

__

1:30 p.m.

President Donald Trump is tweeting that after his lengthy trip to Asia "all Countries dealing with us on TRADE know that the rules have changed."

Trump says the U.S. needs to be "treated fairly and in a reciprocal fashion. The massive TRADE deficits must go down quickly!"

The president says on the final day of his trip to Asia that it "Will lead to FAIR TRADE DEALS, unlike the horror shows from past Administrations." He says during the tour, he also "Made many good friends!"

During the trip, Trump has noted his opposition to multilateral trade agreements, including the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Trump will head for the U.S. later Tuesday.

__

1 p.m.

President Donald Trump is spending the final day of his Asia trip attending the East Asia Summit in the Philippines.

Trump joined fellow heads of state in Manila on Tuesday for a luncheon, where they are to discuss regional issues.

He'll also pose for a traditional group photo and participate in another group discussion.

Trump's original schedule had him skipping the summit. But he extended the trip after he was criticized for planning to miss the events.

Trump heads for the U.S. later Tuesday. He'll stop in Hawaii so Air Force One can refuel before continuing to Washington.

___

5 a.m.

The U.S. and Philippine governments say President Donald Trump and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte agreed to "continue mainstreaming the human rights agenda" in their respective countries during their meeting Monday in Manila.

A joint statement says the two leaders "underscored that human rights and the dignity of human life are essential."

The White House said earlier that human rights had come up "briefly" in the context of the Philippines' fight against illegal drugs. Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders didn't say if Trump had been critical of Duterte's violent war on the illegal drug trade.

A spokesman for Duterte, however, said "there was no mention of human rights" and "no mention of extralegal killings." He said there had been a "rather lengthy discussion of the Philippine war on drugs."

___

6:50 p.m.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is adding entertainer to his role as host of the ASEAN summit, singing a duet on behalf of President Donald Trump.

Duterte sang a duet of the song "Ikaw" with singer Pilita Corrales during Sunday night's gala dinner at the summit in Manila.

The Philippine leader told the audience he had done so "upon the orders of the Commander-in-Chief of the United States," drawing laughter from the crowd and a smile from Trump.

Trump was among 20 foreign leaders in the Philippines for the summit, his first visit to the country as president.

__

5 p.m.

President Donald Trump is holding friendly talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India as he nears the end of his lengthy Asia trip.

Trump says Modi has "become a friend of ours" and praising the Indian leader during their one-on-one meeting. Modi says relations between the U.S. and India are "growing very rapidly" and "getting deeper and more comprehensive."

Modi says Trump "has expressed a very high opinion of India" in his travels.

Trump was expected to attend a dinner with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull at the end of the day.

__

4 p.m.

President Donald Trump is wrapping up his extensive trip to Asia with an international summit and one-on-one meetings with international partners, including his Philippine host who is overseeing a bloody drug war.

Trump was meeting Monday with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and dining with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull ahead of the East Asia summit in Manila.

The president met with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (doo-TEHR'-tay), who has been condemned by human rights groups for his crackdown on drug dealers and users. The White House says Trump briefly raised human rights issues with Duterte.

Trump is teasing a "major statement" on trade and North Korea in Washington on Wednesday when he returns. The White House has suggested the president may designate North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism.

U.S. President Donald Trump arrive for a family photo during the ASEAN-U.S. 40th Anniversary commemorative Summit in Manila, Philippines, Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. (Manan Vatsyayana/Pool Photo via AP)

U.S. President Donald Trump, left, gestures beside Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte as they hold a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Meetings at the Philippine International Convention Center in Manila, Philippines Monday Nov. 13, 2017. (Rolex dela Pena/Pool Photo via AP)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves to members of the media as he and President Donald Trump and hold a bilateral meeting at the ASEAN Summit during the Sofitel Philippine Plaza, Monday, Nov. 13, 2017, in Manila, Philippines. Trump is on a five country trip through Asia traveling to Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam and the Philippines. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

U.S. President Donald Trump, left, walks past Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte as they arrive for a family photo during the ASEAN-U.S. 40th Anniversary commemorative Summit in Manila, Philippines, Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. (Manan Vatsyayana/Pool Photo via AP)

Leaders from left to right, Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, U.S. President Donald Trump, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong pose for a family photo during the ASEAN-U.S. Summit in Manila, Philippines on Monday Nov. 13, 2017. (Manan Vatsyayana/Pool Photo via AP)

U.S. President Donald Trump, left, and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte hold a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Meetings at the Philippine International Convention Center in Manila, Philippines Monday Nov. 13, 2017. (Rolex dela Pena/Pool Photo via AP)

Protesters are dispersed with water cannon as they protest the visit of U.S. President Donald Trump as well as the 31st ASEAN Summit and Related Summits Monday, Nov. 13, 2017 in Manila, Philippines. Twenty one leaders from the ASEAN and their Dialogue Partners, which included U.S. President Donald Trump, are on a two-day summit which is expected to discuss North Korea, South China Sea and other issues facing the region. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)
ISTANBUL (AP) - The trial against dozens of suspects accused of involvement in last year's deadly attack on Istanbul's main international airport has begun Monday.

Forty-six defendants, with alleged links to the Islamic State group, are on trial for murder, attempting to overthrow constitutional order and membership in a terror group, among other charges. The prosecutor has demanded life sentences.

On June 28, 2016, three suspected IS militants armed with automatic weapons stormed Ataturk International Airport in Istanbul and detonated their suicide vests, killing 45 people and injuring 163 others.

The defendants include Russian nationals, among them Chechens, along with Algerian, Tunisian, Egyptian, Syrian and Turkish citizens, according to details of the indictment reported by the official Anadolu Agency.

The indictment identified the deceased attackers as Vadim Osmanav and Rakhim Bulgarov, while the third man's name remains unknown. Anadolu said the perpetrators made reconnaissance trips to Ataturk airport on at least three occasions before the attack.

The trial is taking place in Silivri, on the outskirts of Istanbul by a large prison complex. Four of the suspects haven't yet been found, while the rest are behind bars.

Turkey has suffered a string of attacks blamed on IS militants that have killed more than 300 people since 2015.
LONDON (AP) - The Latest on the Brexit negotiations (all times local):

6:20 p.m.

British officials say Parliament will be given a chance to vote on the final withdrawal agreement between Britain and the European Union.

Members of protocol walk out from backstage as they prepare to put up the British and EU flags prior to a media conference of European Union chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier and British Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union David Davis at EU headquarters in Brussels on Friday, Nov. 10, 2017. The EU and Britain conducted a sixth round of Brexit negotiations on Friday. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

Brexit Secretary David Davis told Parliament on Monday the promised vote on an implementation bill means lawmakers will be able to scrutinize and oversee the Brexit process.

A key plank in the government's plans for leaving the EU is returning to the House of Commons on Tuesday, so Davis' announcement was seen as a concession of sorts.

But Davis says that if lawmakers reject the final deal, Britain still will leave the 28-nation EU bloc March 2019 - so the promise falls short of pro-EU legislators' demands.

The agreement will cover areas such as the rights of EU citizens living inside Britain, the cost to Britain of leaving the EU, and any transition period for the withdrawal.

___

11:40 a.m.

The German government says it's "understandable" that the European Union's chief negotiator is pressing Britain for imminent progress in its divorce talks.

EU leaders are due to assess at a Dec. 14-15 summit whether "sufficient progress" has been made to progress to talks on future trade relations. Negotiator Michel Barnier said Friday there must be real progress in the next two weeks if Britain wants that.

Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesman, Steffen Seibert, said Monday that "time is very short" ahead of the summit - so "it is understandable that chief negotiator Barnier is underlining how necessary immediate action and immediate proposals by Britain are."

Seibert stressed Germany's position that "it is in our interest for these negotiations between the European Commission and the British to continue as constructively as possible."

___

10:35 a.m.

A senior German official is indicating that he is concerned about Britain crashing out of the European Union without a deal.

News agency dpa reported that Thomas Steffen, a deputy finance minister, told an economic conference in Frankfurt on Monday that "we should all be prepared for the worst case actually happening in March 2019."

He added: "And then we will see whether anyone in London or anywhere else can produce a different scenario. Today, I don't see it."

EU leaders are due to assess at a Dec. 14-15 summit whether "sufficient progress" has been made on divorce terms to move to talks on future trade relations. The EU's chief negotiator said Friday there must be real progress in the next two weeks if Britain wants that to happen.

___

10:10 a.m.

Prime Minister Theresa May will meet with European business leaders to discuss trade links between Britain and the European Union after the country leaves bloc.

May's office says the prime minister will outline plans for a "bold and deep economic partnership" Monday when she meets with representatives of companies in Germany, France and other parts of the EU.

Businesses on both sides of the English Channel are clamoring for information about future relations as they try to ensure Brexit doesn't restrict the 554 billion pounds ($724 billion) of trade that flows between the U.K. and EU countries.

The EU refuses to discuss future trade links before there is agreement on the terms of the U.K.'s withdrawal, including how much Britain will pay to meet its financial commitments to the bloc.

___

7:50 a.m.

The European Parliament's president says he believes Britain should pay at least 60 billion euros ($70 billion) as it leaves the European Union, to meet its financial commitments.

The divorce bill is the biggest stumbling block in negotiations on the U.K.'s withdrawal from the bloc, due in March 2019. The EU is demanding that Britain turn promises to pay its financial dues into concrete commitments.

Asked in an interview with Germany's Funke newspaper group published Monday how much Britain should pay, European Parliament President Antonio Tajani was quoted as saying: "In my opinion, it should be at least 60 billion euros."

He added: "If the EU accepted less, European citizens would have to make up the difference. But why should the Germans, Italians, Spanish or Dutch pay the Britons' bill?"
BEIJING (AP) - A look at recent developments in the South China Sea, where China is pitted against smaller neighbors in multiple disputes over islands, coral reefs and lagoons in waters crucial for global commerce and rich in fish and potential oil and gas reserves:

___

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is a weekly look at the latest developments in the South China Sea, the location of several territorial conflicts that have raised tensions in the region.

FILE - In this Nov. 12, 2017 file photo, President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference at the Presidential Palace, in Hanoi, Vietnam. President Trump is offering to mediate in the South China Sea disputes, while his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping is playing down China's military buildup in the disputed waters. It's not clear how serious Trump's offer is and China is likely to reject any expanded U.S. role. Philippine President Duterte said Xi, during a meeting in Vietnam, where they attended the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, assured him of China's peaceful intentions in the strategic waterway. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)

___

TRUMP OFFERS TO ARBITRATE IN SEA DISPUTES

President Donald Trump offered to mediate in the South China Sea disputes, although it's not clear how serious the offer was. China is likely to reject any expanded U.S. involvement in the quarrels over sovereignty.

"I'm a very good mediator and arbitrator," Trump said Sunday at a news conference with Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang in Vietnam's capital, Hanoi, before flying to Manila for the summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The grouping, known as ASEAN, includes four of the six governments claiming waters and islands in the South China Sea.

Trump's offer faces major obstacles. For one, China has steadfastly opposed what it calls U.S. meddling in the disputes and has balked at the U.S. Navy's incursions into what Beijing considers its territorial waters in the South China Sea.

Asked about Trump's offer, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said Monday that China remained committed to "solving the relevant disputes through dialogue and consultation with the countries directly concerned and maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea."

"We believe that regional countries have the will, wisdom and capability to deal with the South China Sea issue in a proper way," Geng said, without directly mentioning Trump's offer.

"Meanwhile, we hope the countries outside the region will respect regional countries' efforts in safeguarding peace and stability in the South China Sea and constructively contribute to that," Geng said.

The Philippines, the head of ASEAN's rotational chairmanship, said member states of the 10-nation regional bloc have to consult each other but thanked Trump for the offer.

"He is the master of the art of the deal but, of course, the claimant countries have to answer as a group or individually ... mediation involves all the claimants and nonclaimants," Philippine Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano told reporters.

The U.S. is not a claimant to the potentially oil-rich and busy waters, but it has declared that it has a national interest in ensuring freedom of navigation and overflight and the peaceful resolution of the disputes. Several nations back an active American military presence in the region to serve as a counterweight to China's increasingly assertive actions, including the construction of seven man-made islands equipped with military installations.

___

XI PLAYS DOWN CONCERNS OVER CHINA'S MILITARY PRESENCE

Chinese President Xi Jinping sought to allay concerns over Beijing's military buildup and the prospects of war in the South China Sea's contested waters.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said Xi, during a meeting in Danang, Vietnam, where they attended the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum last week, assured him of China's peaceful intentions in the strategic waterway, where Beijing, the Philippines, Vietnam and three other governments have overlapping claims.

Duterte said that when he raised concerns over China's increasing military capability in the South China Sea, Xi replied: "No, it's nothing."

"He acknowledged that war cannot be promoted by anybody, (that) it would only mean destruction for all of us," Duterte told reporters after flying back to Manila. "He knows that if he goes to war, everything will blow up."

Xi spoke about the territorial rifts ahead of the ASEAN summit in the Philippines, which also includes the U.S., China and other global players.

Duterte, however, said the Chinese leader would not back down on Beijing's territorial claim and justified his decision not to immediately demand Chinese compliance with a ruling by a U.N.-linked tribunal that invalidated China's sweeping claims in the South China Sea on historical grounds.

China has dismissed that ruling as a "sham" and did not participate in the arbitration case that the Philippines filed during the administration of Duterte's predecessor. Duterte took steps to thaw frosty relations with China after he won the presidency last year.

"If you go to the negotiating table and you start with the statement that I am here to claim validity of our ownership, you're wasting your time. They will not talk about it," Duterte said of China.

___

PHILIPPINES HALTS CONSTRUCITON WORK ON SANDBAR

The Philippines said President Rodrigo Duterte stopped construction work on a newly formed sandbar in the disputed South China Sea after China protested.

Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said last week that the dispute over a string of sandbars called Sandy Cay emerged in August and prompted China and the Philippines to consider negotiating some sort of protocol or arrangement to allow both sides to prevent such incidents from spiraling out of control.

Lorenzana said the rift over the tiny sandbar near the Philippine-occupied Thitu island in the Spratlys archipelago remains unresolved but both sides pledged not to occupy any new territory.

"We tried to put some structures in one of the sandbars near our island and the Chinese reacted," Lorenzana told a diplomatic forum in Manila, adding that Duterte later ordered, "Let's pull out."

Duterte has courted Chinese trade and assistance and taken a non-confrontational approach to their territorial disputes. He has refused to immediately take up with China a ruling by a U.N.-linked tribunal that invalidated Beijing's sprawling claims in the South China Sea, sparking criticism from nationalists and left-wing groups that wanted him to demand Chinese compliance with the landmark decision immediately.

___

Associated Press writer Teresa Cerojano in Manila, Philippines, contributed to this report.

FILE - In this Nov. 9, 2017 file photo, U.S. President Donald Trump, right, chats with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. President Trump is offering to mediate in the South China Sea disputes, while his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping is playing down China's military buildup in the disputed waters. It's not clear how serious Trump's offer is and China is likely to reject any expanded U.S. role. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said Xi, during a meeting in Vietnam, where they attended the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, assured him of China's peaceful intentions in the strategic waterway. (AP Photo/Andy Wong, File)
BONN, Germany (AP) - The Latest on climate talks taking place in Germany (all times local):

7 p.m.

About 200 protesters have disrupted a U.S. government-hosted event on coal and nuclear energy at the U.N. climate talks in Germany.

FILE - In this Feb. 28, 2017 file photo, a passenger airplane flies behind steam and white smoke emitted from a coal-fired power plant in Beijing. On Monday, Nov. 13, 2017, scientists projected that global carbon pollution has risen in 2017 after three straight years when the heat-trapping gas didn't go up at all. (AP Photo/Andy Wong, File)

The mostly young protesters stood up 10 minutes into the event in Bonn and began singing an anti-coal song to demonstrate against the use of fossil fuels.

The event late Monday was the only one organized by the U.S. delegation at the talks.

The American delegation is being closely watched by representatives of the other 194 nations present attending the negotiations because of President Donald Trump's announcement that he wants to quit the 2015 Paris climate accord.

Before the panel, which featured U.S. government advisers and energy industry representatives, the governors of Oregon and Washington told reporters that Trump's rejection of climate change was "a dead end."

___

11:30 a.m.

Environmental campaigners say new figures showing global carbon emissions hitting a record high this year mean tougher measures are needed to curb climate change.

A report released Monday indicates that carbon pollution rose in 2017 after three straight years when emissions levels didn't go up at all.

Mohamed Adow, a climate campaigner at Christian Aid, said learning that "we're actually pumping more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than ever is shocking and shows the coming cuts needs to be even steeper and deeper."

He called for the use of carbon-heavy use of coal to be replaced by renewable sources quickly.

Lauri Myllyvirta, an energy analyst at Greenpeace, noted that along with increased coal consumption in China, Europe and the United States also failed to reduce emissions fast enough this year.

___

10:40 a.m.

Talks aimed at agreeing the rules countries have to play by in global efforts to curb climate change are going into their second week, with observers hoping that a meeting of ministers Wednesday will provide a political boost.

Diplomats, environmentalists and businesses from 195 countries are thrashing out details to implement the 2015 Paris climate accord during the Nov. 6-17 talks in Bonn, Germany.

While big decisions won't be taken until next year's meeting in Poland, negotiators need to make progress on HYPERLINK "https://apnews.com/c18fded397824d5a92afd2eb2ae38dba" including transparency and setting new emissions targets to meet the goal of keeping global warming significantly below 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 Fahrenheit).

Green campaigners cited a new report released Monday showing as evidence that greater efforts are needed to achieve the Paris target.
 Tablet Fails to Clarify Alleged Knife Incident at Soccer Game | Main | The Washington Posts Selective Language on Israel 

November 13, 2017

New York Times Whitewashes Convicted Bomber as 'Controversial Activist'

Cross posted with updates here

Days after a New York Times arts piece about the Louvre Abu Dhabi covered up an official Emirati ban on Israeli symbols at the international Grand Slam judo tournament last month, the paper of record this week published a travel article which whitewashes convicted bomber Rasmeah Odeh as a "controversial Palestinian activist."

The Nov. 11 "Bites" New York Times food review is all about love, community organizing and social justice ("An Arab Bakery in Oalkland Full of California Love"). Rebecca Flint Marx writes:

Reems is one of a handful of Arab bakeries in the Bay Area  but it is likely the only one where youll find the childrens book A Is for Activist? on the shelves and an enormous mural of the controversial Palestinian activist Rasmeah Odeh on the wall.

But there is not a word about the source of Odeh's "controversy," as The Times delicately puts it. As The New York Times itself reported May 27, 2017, Odeh "was convicted in Israel of playing a role in the bombing of a supermarket that killed two civilians in 1969."

Odeh was convicted of perpetrating the bombing in which Hebrew University students Leon "Arie" Kanner, 21, and Edward Joffe, 22, were murdered. That makes her a convicted terrorist, not an "activist."



The Associated Press reported that this past September, Odeh

was deported from the United States for concealing a decades-old bombing conviction arrived in Jordan on Wednesday. . . . Odeh didn't disclose her criminal record when applying for a U.S. visa and later for U.S. citizenship.

The depiction of a convicted bomber responsible for the killing of two civilians who was deported from the U.S. after she concealed her criminal records from authorities as a "controversial Palestinian activist" is a complete whitewash of her crime.

At the end of the article, Flint Marx dances around Odeh's conviction, still withholding the key information from readers:

While Ms. Assil's food has drawn plenty of praise, the bakery's mural has invited criticism: in late June, an online op-ed charged that Mrs. Odeh's portrayal glorified terrorism, and the bakery's Yelp page was besieged by a slew of one-star reviews. "It was really scary," Ms. Assil said of the experience, but added that it won her new allies.

By concealing Odeh's crimes and her victims, readers would have no way of knowing the reason why some might accuse restaurant owner Reem Assil of glorifying terrorism. Uninformed readers might conclude that Assil's accusers were motivated by nothing more than bigotry at worst or differing politics at best. Ignoring the real victims in this story -- Kanner and Joffe -- Flint Marx casts the purportedly social minded, loving Assil as the victim who was really scared.

In September National Geographic removed a similarly misleading mischaracterization, identifying notorious hijacker Leila Khaled as a "Palestinian activist." Khaled, like Odeh, was affiliated with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine  a group designated as a terror organization by the European Union and the United States, as well as Israel and Canada.

CAMERA has contacted The Times to ask for a clarification noting that Odeh was convicted in Israel of two bombings, including one that took the life of two university students, and that she was deported from the United States for concealing her criminal record.

Posted by TS at November 13, 2017 03:09 AM

Murderer, activist. Tomato, tomahto.

Posted by: Yujin at November 13, 2017 09:29 AM

Guidelines for posting

This is a moderated blog. We will not post comments that include racism, bigotry, threats, or factually inaccurate material.

Post a comment
Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today:

1. POWERFUL EARTHQUAKE ON IRAN-IRAQ BORDER KILLS HUNDREDS

Iran bore the brunt of the 7.3 magnitude temblor, which sent people fleeing their homes in the middle of the night and was felt as far west as the Mediterranean coast, authorities say.

In this photo provided by the Iranian Students News Agency, ISNA, a rescue worker searches debris for survivors with his sniffing dog after an earthquake at the city of Sarpol-e-Zahab in western Iran, Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. A powerful earthquake shook the Iran-Iraq border late Sunday, killing more than two hundreds people, Iranian state media said. (Pouria Pakizeh/ISNA via AP)

2. TRUMP, DUTERTE MEET IN PHILIPPINES

Trump says nothing about human rights and both leaders ignored shouted questions from reporters about the Filipino leader's violent drug crackdown.

3. WHAT STATEMENT TRUMP IS TEASING AS 'MAJOR'

The White House suggests the president may designate North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism when he returns to Washington later this week.

4. SAUDI ARABIA SAYS IT WILL REOPEN YEMEN AIRPORTS, SEAPORTS

The Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen's Houthi rebels were criticized for the closure by the U.N. and aid groups who say it could bring millions of people closer to "starvation and death." The rebels vow retaliation against the kingdom.

5. ISLAMIC STATE GROUP IN SOMALIA COULD BE 'SIGNIFICANT THREAT'

Experts say its nascent presence in the country could grow if it attracts fighters fleeing collapsing strongholds in Syria and Iraq. The U.S. military this month carried out its first drone strikes against IS there.

6. EX-MEMBERS SAY CHURCH USES POWER, LIES TO KEEP GRIP ON KIDS

An AP investigation finds that a secretive evangelical church in North Carolina used positions of authority, deception and intimidation to bring children into the sect or keep them from leaving.

7. ROHINGYA BOY FLOATS ACROSS RIVER TO FLEE MYANMAR VIOLENCE

Nabi Hussain, 13, used a yellow plastic oil drum to cross the 2 -mile waterway to Bangladesh, a symbol of the desperation the persecuted Muslim minority is feeling.

8. MOORE THREATENS SUIT OVER STORY THAT COULD SINK CAMPAIGN

The Alabama Republican Senate candidate says he'll sue the Washington Post for publishing allegations that he had sexual contact with a 14-year-old girl some four decades ago.

9. GLOBAL CARBON POLLUTION RISES AFTER 3 STRAIGHT FLAT YEARS

The report by the Global Carbon Project team dashes hopes that emissions from the burning of coal, oil and gas had peaked.

10. WHO'S UNBEATABLE ON THE ROAD

Tom Brady threw three TD passes and the New England Patriots matched their own AFC record with their 12th consecutive road victory, pummeling Denver 41-16.

U.S. President Donald Trump, second from right, reacts as he does the "ASEAN-way handshake" with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, left, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, second from left, and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on stage during the opening ceremony at the ASEAN Summit at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Monday, Nov. 13, 2017, in Manila, Philippines. Trump initially did the handshake incorrectly. Trump is on a five-country trip through Asia traveling to Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam and the Philippines. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
PARIS (AP) - As empires fall, brands rise.

No longer buoyed by Napoleonic empire-making and the power the French language once commanded, the French have honed new ways to exert cultural influence in a rapidly-changing, globalized world: brand diplomacy.

The opening of the Louvre Abu Dhabi over the weekend is the latest example of how traditional French cultural diplomacy is being supplanted by brand politics: Abu Dhabi bought the rights to use the Paris museum's famous name at a price tag of over $500 million over three decades.

Emirati traditional dancers perform at the entrance of the Louvre Museum, during the public opening day, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. The Louvre Abu Dhabi has opened to the public after a decade-long wait and questions over laborers' conditions working on the project. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)

This example of "soft power" goes beyond museum names such as the future Shanghai Pompidou Center - and can be seen in the exporting of Sorbonne's academic reputation, the proliferation of Christian Dior boutiques in Asia, the increasingly popular fizz of Moet & Chandon champagne, the cuisine of master chef Alain Ducasse and Louis Vuitton's status handbags.

"It used to be by the military, like for Napoleon. Today, there are other means of influence abroad," Laurent Stefanini, France's ambassador to UNESCO, the UN's cultural body, told The Associated Press.

"The fact is that the big known institutions are exporting themselves - exporting their products, exporting their collections, exporting their savoir-faire," he added, saying that the French Foreign Ministry has ramped up efforts to promote France via its luxury and gastronomy in a concerted strategy in recent years.

While there was some grumbling about the commercialization of French cultural heritage when the Louvre Abu Dhabi project was launched, today it's hard to find anyone critical of France's effort to capitalize on the unique reputation of its museums and luxury traditions to draw people into French culture.

"Private institutions ... are playing a more important role as of the last few years," Jack Lang, an influential former French culture minister who now heads the Arab World Institute in Paris, said in an interview.

Kering and LVMH - the huge parent companies for brands such as Saint Laurent, Dior and Vuitton as well as many Champagnes and spirits - have a near stranglehold on the luxury markets in every global region and jointly had sales of $58 billion in 2016.

"Foreign citizens might recognize France now by its brands and names... that's a good thing. It's an opening. This path will lead them to writers; to the technology that's advancing in many domains," added Lang.

Lang said that over the last decade the French state has cut funding to the traditional means of promoting French language and culture abroad, such as the Lycee Francais schools, amid the dominance of the English language.

The chefs, designers and curators are very much aware that they are modern day cultural ambassadors.

"The Louvre Abu Dhabi is... recognition of French expertise and the renown of the Louvre museum. So, yes, we are both very proud that the Louvre name bears these values (as) a new way for France to speak to the world," Louvre President Jean-Luc Martinez told The AP.

Fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier said that the role of luxury clothes has changed and they increasingly represent the countries from which they're made.

"Clothes are ... a kind of ambassador that speaks visually, and effectively represents the French savoir-faire," Gaultier said.

Michelin-starred Alain Ducasse said: "You have to accept it. Eating well is part of the image of France."

A symphony of popping Champagne corks echoed across the Versailles Palace in the presence of dozens of country ambassadors in 2015, as the French Foreign Ministry used chef Ducasse and his name to launch an annual global French food event called "Good France."

From Beijing to Rio de Janeiro and in France itself, over a thousand chefs across five continents minced their steak tartares, salted their foie gras and flamed their creme brulees simultaneously.

Despite the merriment, the moment reflected a serious shift in strategy under former Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius in how France would now promote itself abroad through its brands in the gastronomic, cultural and luxury industries.

The French strategy has impressed some across the English channel that think the U.K. must do the same in order for British culture to continue to wield global power.

The Director of London's Victoria and Albert Museum, Tristram Hunt, recently wrote in British media that the Louvre Abu Dhabi opening marked a shift in the European balance of cultural influence, and that post-Brexit Britain needs to be thinking along the same lines or risk losing influence.

"I'm sure that big British institutions like the British Museum, like the Victoria and Albert and others, will also find this path and catch us up," Stefanini said.

More broadly, Stefanini said that it takes more than a famous name to be successful in this strategy of brand diplomacy.

He pointed out that the French gastronomic meal was declared a part of World Heritage for UNESCO in 2010.

"Soft power has influence... But we are successful because the products are good," he said.

Visitors to the French capital recognize this, too.

"Paris itself is a brand and it's marketed as a brand," said Marylee Adler, 28, from Ohio, as she walked outside the Louis Vuitton store on the Champs-Elysees avenue. "No other city in the world has that same immediate associations of luxury and gastronomy and culture... They're playing to their strengths."

___

Thomas Adamson can be followed at Twitter.com/ThomasAdamson_K
BEIRUT (AP) - At least 53 people were killed in a ferocious attack on a market in north Syria on Monday that left rescuers and survivors digging late into the evening to search for residents still buried under the rubble.

There were at least three airstrikes on the market at Atareb, a town in the Aleppo countryside swollen by arrival of refugees from nearby battles, in the latest breach of a "de-escalation" agreement that has proven largely unenforceable. Aleppo, Syria's largest city, is controlled by the government.

The attack tore market-goers apart, according to media published by the activist-run Thiqa news agency. Survivors found limbs in the rubble and corpses with heads ripped apart by the force of the blasts.

This image released by Thiqa News Agency shows people inspecting damage from airstrikes on a market in Atareb, in the opposition-held countryside outside Aleppo Syria, Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. Syrian activists say at least 16 people have been killed in an airstrike on a market in a town in the north of the country. (Thiqa News via AP)

A police station by the market was also struck, killing an officer, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group.

At least 53 people were killed according to the Observatory, which said the market was hit by three separate strikes. There were at least 5 children and 3 women among the dead. The Observatory said it could not determine whether the Syrian government or its chief backer, Russia, was behind the attack.

Thiqa said at least 47 people were killed and more than 90 wounded.

Atareb and the countryside around it remain outside the control of the Damascus-based government which says it wants to retake all of Syria following six years of civil war that has killed at least 400,000 people and displaced 11 million others - half the country's population. The war began after a violent crackdown against demonstrations calling for reforms in 2011. It has drawn in fighters from across the world.

President Bashar Assad says he is fighting a war on terror.

Russia's intervention on the side of Assad in 2015 turned the tide in his favor.

Atareb and the opposition-held countryside in northwest Syria are meant to be protected by a "de-escalation agreement" brokered earlier this year by Russia, Iran, and Turkey, the main backers to the Syrian government and the opposition.

The U.S. and Russia have lately renewed efforts to find a settlement for post-war Syria.

With their common enemy, the Islamic State group, nearing defeat, the two superpowers find themselves again on opposite sides of the conflict, with Moscow backing Assad and the U.S. offering rhetorical support to armed opposition groups fighting the government.

In a joint statement Saturday, the two countries said "de-escalation areas" were an "interim step" toward restoring peace in Syria and that there could be "no military solution" to the war.

It drew a sarcastic response from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who said the two superpowers could start by withdrawing their own troops from the war and instead support holding elections in Syria.

He said there were five Russian and thirteen U.S. bases in Syria, plus a fourteenth under construction in the northern city of Raqqa, now administered by a U.S.-backed Kurdish party that Turkey says is an extension of a separatist group operating within its own borders. Turkey considers the group a terrorist organization.

Erdogan ordered Turkey's military into north Syria in 2016 to battle Kurdish militias and the Islamic State group. It maintains a presence along opposition-held areas near the Turkish border.

Also Monday, London-based Amnesty International released a report saying that under so-called "reconciliation" agreements, government sieges and intense bombardments of some rebel-held areas in Syria have given no choice for residents but to leave or die.

The report said that the Syrian government and, to a lesser extent, armed opposition groups "have unlawfully besieged civilians, depriving them of food, medicine and other basic necessities, and carried out unlawful attacks on densely populated areas."

Tens of thousands of people have been displaced over the past years as a result of such sieges including areas near the capital Damascus and the northern city of Aleppo, as well as in the central city of Homs.

"While the Syrian government's stated aim has been to vanquish opposition fighters, its cynical use of surrender or starve tactics... have been part of a systematic, as well as widespread, attack on civilians that amounts to crimes against humanity," said Philip Luther, research and advocacy director for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty International.

Hours before the report was released, Syria's state news agency SANA said an aid convoy had crossed into the besieged Damascus suburb of Douma under the supervision of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent. It said it consisted of 24 trucks and entered the besieged area late Sunday with the cooperation of the United Nations.

Separately, Syrian Transport Minister Ali Hamoud says the civil war in Syria has cost least $4.6 billion in damage to transportation networks and infrastructure.

Hamoud, in comments to Al-Watan newspaper published Monday, said 1,800 kilometers of the country's 2,450-kilometer railway network have been destroyed.

At least 50 bridges have been destroyed including several vital ones leading to the country's coastal provinces, its largest city Aleppo, and across the Euphrates River to Raqqa and Deir el-Zour, once key strongholds of the Islamic State group.

Traffic to Syria's Mediterranean ports has also plummeted. The ports are receiving around 1,500 ships annually, down from 4,500 before the war, trading 9 million tons of goods, down from 24 million.

___

Associated Press writers Bassem Mroue in Beirut and Zeynep Bilginsoy in Istanbul contributed to this report.

This image released by Thiqa News Agency shows people inspecting damage from airstrikes on Atareb, in the opposition-held countryside outside Aleppo Syria, Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. Syrian activists say at least 16 people have been killed in an airstrike on the market in a town in the north of the country. (Thiqa News via AP)
FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) - More than two dozen relatives from around the world met for the first time on Monday at a memorial ceremony for Karolina Cohn, a Jewish girl from Frankfurt who perished in the Holocaust more than 70 years ago.

Four little brass plaques for Karolina, her sister and parents were laid in front of the Frankfurt location where the family lived before they were deported on Nov. 11, 1941, when Karolina was 12.

"It's pretty remarkable, that this little girl brought together this broken-up, fragmented family," said Mandy Eisemann, a relative from the United States, who took part in the ceremony and afterward laid pink roses on the shiny plaques known as "Stolpersteine," or stumbling stones.

Roses are laid on four "Stolpersteine" (stumbling blocks) for Karolina Cohn and her family in Frankfurt, Germany, Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. Relatives participated in a memorial ceremony for Karolina Cohn, a Jewish girl from Frankfurt who perished in the Holocaust more than 70 years ago. The story of her life and death had been all but erased by the Nazis, until archeologists last year unearthed a silver pendant engraved with her birthdate and birthplace at the grounds of the former Sobibor death camp. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)

The story of Karolina's life and death had been all but erased by the Nazis, until archeologists last year unearthed a silver pendant engraved with her birthdate and birthplace at the grounds of the former Sobibor death camp in eastern Poland.

With the help of Nazi deportation lists, researchers identified Karolina as the owner of the amulet. It's almost identical to one belonging to famous Jewish diarist Anne Frank, though it's not clear if the two girls knew each other. Both were born in Frankfurt in 1929.

The triangle-shaped pendant was found by an Israeli-Polish archeologists' team under the ruins of a hut where the women's hair was shaved before they were led to the gas chambers.

It's not clear if Karolina was ever taken to Sobibor or if she gave the amulet to somebody else who brought it there. All traces of Karolina disappear after she and her family were deported to the Minsk Ghetto in late 1941.

After the pendant was linked to the German girl last year, a genealogist started tracking down family members and found about 40 relatives in Israel, the U.S., Italy and Japan. Many of them had never heard about Karolina and her family, but more than two dozen accepted an invitation from the Jewish Claims Conference to meet in Germany for the ceremony and a reunion.

"It's a heart-warming emotion to meet family who were strangers to us before today," said Barry Eisemann, the father of Mandy and a first cousin of Karolina. "But it's a heart-wrenching emotion ... to know that Karolina and the entire family perished in the Holocaust."

Holding a replica of the pendant, Greg Schneider, the vice president of the Jewish Claims Conference reminded the more than 100 participants of the ceremony than Karolina was one of 1.5 million children who were murdered in the Holocaust.

"It's almost too painful to think about what was done to this girl," he told The Associated Press in a phone interview Sunday. "But we don't have the moral right to forget Karolina."

___

Kirsten Grieshaber reported from Berlin.

"Stolpersteine" (stumbling blocks) have been laid for Karolina Cohn and her family at a place where they once lived in Frankfurt, Germany, Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. Relatives participated in a memorial ceremony for Karolina Cohn, a Jewish girl from Frankfurt who perished in the Holocaust more than 70 years ago. The story of her life and death had been all but erased by the Nazis, until archeologists last year unearthed a silver pendant engraved with her birth date and birthplace at the grounds of the former Sobibor death camp. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)

Greg Schneider, Executive Vice President of the Jewish Claims Conference, presenting a replica of Karolina Cohn's pendant during the laying of four "Stolpersteine" (stumbling blocks) for Karolina Cohn and her family in Frankfurt, Germany, Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. Relatives participated in a memorial ceremony for Karolina Cohn, a Jewish girl from Frankfurt who perished in the Holocaust more than 70 years ago. The story of her life and death had been all but erased by the Nazis, until archeologists last year unearthed a silver pendant engraved with her birth date and birthplace at the grounds of the former Sobibor death camp. ( Arne Dedert/dpa via AP)

Mandy Eisemann from Dickerson, Maryland. with her son Levi (4), relatives of the Cohn family, places flowers at four "Stolpersteine" (stumbling blocks) for Karolina Cohn and her family in Frankfurt, Germany, Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. Relatives participated in a memorial ceremony for Karolina Cohn, a Jewish girl from Frankfurt who perished in the Holocaust more than 70 years ago. The story of her life and death had been all but erased by the Nazis, until archeologists last year unearthed a silver pendant engraved with her birthdate and birthplace at the grounds of the former Sobibor death camp. (Arne Dedert/dpa via AP)

Mandy Eisemann from Dickerson, Maryland. with her son Levi (4), relatives of the Cohn family, places flowers at four "Stolpersteine" (stumbling blocks) for Karolina Cohn and her family in Frankfurt, Germany, Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. Relatives participated in a memorial ceremony for Karolina Cohn, a Jewish girl from Frankfurt who perished in the Holocaust more than 70 years ago. The story of her life and death had been all but erased by the Nazis, until archeologists last year unearthed a silver pendant engraved with her birth date and birthplace at the grounds of the former Sobibor death camp. (Arne Dedert/dpa via AP)

Artist Gunter Demnig lays four "Stolpersteine" (stumbling blocks) for Karolina Cohn and her family in Frankfurt, Germany, Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. Relatives participated in a memorial ceremony for Karolina Cohn, a Jewish girl from Frankfurt who perished in the Holocaust more than 70 years ago. The story of her life and death had been all but erased by the Nazis, until archeologists last year unearthed a silver pendant engraved with her birth date and birthplace at the grounds of the former Sobibor death camp. (Arne Dedert/dpa via AP)

Israeli archaeologist Yoram Haimi attends a ceremony with the laying of four "Stolpersteine" (stumbling blocks) for Karolina Cohn and her family in Frankfurt, Germany, Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. Relatives participated in a memorial ceremony for Karolina Cohn, a Jewish girl from Frankfurt who perished in the Holocaust more than 70 years ago. The story of her life and death had been all but erased by the Nazis, until archeologists last year unearthed a silver pendant engraved with her birthdate and birthplace at the grounds of the former Sobibor death camp. (Arne Dedert/dpa via AP)

Greg Schneider, Executive Vice President of the Jewish Claims Conference, attends a ceremony with the laying of four "Stolpersteine" (stumbling blocks) for Karolina Cohn and her family in Frankfurt, Germany, Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. Relatives participated in a memorial ceremony for Karolina Cohn, a Jewish girl from Frankfurt who perished in the Holocaust more than 70 years ago. The story of her life and death had been all but erased by the Nazis, until archeologists last year unearthed a silver pendant engraved with her birth date and birthplace at the grounds of the former Sobibor death camp. (Arne Dedert/dpa via AP)
HOUSTON (AP) - Another woman has stepped forward to accuse former President George H.W. Bush of inappropriately touching her.

Roslyn Corrigan told Time magazine that she was 16 when Bush grabbed her buttocks as she posed for a photo with him in 2003 at a gathering of CIA officers north of Houston. She attended the event with her mother and father, who was an intelligence analyst.

"My initial action was absolute horror. I was really, really confused," she told the magazine. "The first thing I did was look at my mom and, while he was still standing there, I didn't say anything. What does a teenager say to the ex-president of the United States? Like, 'Hey dude, you shouldn't have touched me like that?'"

FILE - In a Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2008 file photo, former President George H. W. Bush leaves a news conference at the Houston hospital where his wife Barbara has spent a week after surgery for a perforated ulcer. Another woman has stepped forward to accuse former President George H.W. Bush of inappropriately touching her. Roslyn Corrigan told Time magazine that she was 16 when Bush grabbed her buttocks as she posed for a photo with him in 2003 at a gathering of CIA officers north of Houston. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan, File)

A spokesman for the 41st president, Jim McGrath, said in a statement Monday that Bush regrets any offensive actions.

"George Bush simply does not have it in his heart to knowingly cause anyone distress, and he again apologizes to anyone he offended during a photo op," he said.

Time spoke with seven people who said they had been told by Corrigan about the encounter in the years afterward.

Corrigan is at least the fifth woman to say Bush groped her. Time reports that a sixth woman, a retired journalist in Pennsylvania, posted to Facebook last month that Bush touched her from behind during a 2004 photo opportunity.

The stories came to light after television actress Heather Lind said last month that Bush, now 93, touched her from behind and told a dirty joke while they were posing for a 2014 photo. McGrath at the time explained that Bush has been in a wheelchair for about five years "so his arm falls on the lower waist of people with whom he takes pictures." Bush, who served as president from 1989 to 1993, has vascular parkinsonism, a rare syndrome that mimics Parkinson's disease, and he uses a wheelchair for mobility.

"To try to put people at ease, the president routinely tells the same joke - and on occasion, he has patted women's rears in what he intended to be a good-natured manner," McGrath said.

Bush was standing alongside Corrigan for the photo taken in 2003. McGrath's statement Monday did not elaborate.
WASHINGTON (AP) - Turning to an industry he's rebuked, President Donald Trump on Monday picked a former top pharmaceutical and government executive to be his health and human services secretary, overseeing a $1 trillion department responsible for major health insurance programs, medical research, food and drug safety, and public health.

The nomination of Alex Azar is unusual because HHS secretaries have tended to come from the ranks of elected officials such as governors, leaders in academia and medicine, or top executive branch managers - not industries regulated by the department.

"He will be a star for better healthcare and lower drug prices!" Trump tweeted in announcing the nomination Monday morning. Trump has a track record of making industry-friendly nominations, such as tapping former ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson as secretary of state and wealthy investor Wilbur Ross as secretary of commerce.

FILE - In this June 8, 2006 file photo, then Deputy Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar meets reporters at the HHS Department in Washington. Azar was a top HHS official during the George W. Bush administration. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

But Trump also has been a scathing critic of the pharmaceutical industry, both as a candidate and as president.

Azar, 50, a lawyer by training, has spent most of the last 10 years with pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly, rising to president of its key U.S. affiliate before leaving in January to start his own consulting firm. He's seen as an expert on government health care regulation.

As secretary, Azar would be returning to HHS after serving in senior department posts in the George W. Bush administration. Now he would have to scrupulously avoid conflicts with Lilly's far-reaching interests, from drug approval to Medicare reimbursement. The drugmaker has drawn criticism from patient advocacy groups for price increases to one of its biggest products: insulin.

Azar's nominations to HHS in the Bush era sailed through the Senate. This time, he'll face Democrats wary of the administration's unyielding quest to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

"The Trump administration's track record on health care to date is objectively abysmal," said Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon, senior Democrat on the Finance Committee, which would send Azar's nomination to the full Senate. "I will closely scrutinize Mr. Azar's record."

Sen. Patty Patty Murray, D-Wash., flagged a potential conflict of interest. "I am ... interested in how, given Mr. Azar's professional background, he believes he can fairly execute any significant effort to lower drug prices for patients," she said in a statement. Murray is the senior Democrat on the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, which will also hold hearings.

Americans consistently rank the high cost of prescription drugs as one of their top health care priorities, putting it ahead of divisive issues like repealing "Obamacare" in public opinion polls.

Trump has been a sharp critic of the industry. "The drug companies, frankly, are getting away with murder," he said at a Cabinet meeting this fall. Prices are "out of control" and "have gone through the roof," Trump said.

In the spring, a Trump tweet sent drug stocks tumbling after the president said he was working on a new system that would foster competition and lead to much lower prices. In meetings with industry executives, however, Trump has focused on speeding up drug approvals, a cost-reducing tactic they would back.

Professionally, Azar has another set of skills that may be valuable to the president. In his previous service at HHS, the Yale law graduate developed an insider's familiarity with the complex world of federal health care regulation, serving first as the department's chief lawyer and later as deputy secretary.

Frustrated by fruitless efforts to overturn the Obama-era health law in Congress, Trump might see the regulatory route as his best chance to make a mark on health care.

Congressional Democrats are likely to pounce on Azar's drug ties, reminding Trump of his promise to "drain the swamp" of Washington influence peddling.

If confirmed, Azar would join the club of Trump administration officials from big business. Ross was chairman of a private equity firm he founded and later sold. Last year Forbes estimated his net worth at about $2.9 billion, but Forbes' latest estimate is about $700 million, based on financial disclosure filings. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin was a former Goldman Sachs executive and hedge fund manager. Tillerson came from the oil industry, starting as an engineer and rising to CEO of ExxonMobil.

Admirers say Azar's drug industry experience should be considered an asset, not a liability.

"To the extent that the Trump administration has talked about lowering drug prices, here's a guy who understands how it works," said Tevi Troy, who served with Azar in the Bush administration and now leads the American Health Policy Institute, a think tank focused on employer health insurance.

"Would (Azar) have been better off if he had been meditating in an ashram after serving as deputy secretary?" asked Troy.

Azar spent his formative years in Maryland. He got his bachelor's degree in government and economics from another Ivy League institution, Dartmouth. He once clerked for the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, a revered figure for conservatives. During the Bill Clinton years, he served a stint with independent counsel Kenneth Starr.

If confirmed, Azar would be Trump's second HHS secretary, replacing former Georgia congressman Tom Price, who stepped down after just seven months, when his use of private charter planes for government travel created a public controversy that displeased the president.
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Latest on tax legislation (all times local):

7:10 p.m.

President Donald Trump plans to meet with House Republicans on Thursday ahead of an expected vote on tax overhaul legislation.

House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady, R-Texas, left, joined by Rep. Richard Neal, D-Mass., the ranking member, and Rep. Sander Levin, D-Mich., offers his manager's amendment as the GOP tax bill debate enters the final stage, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

That's the word from a White House official who wasn't authorized to discuss publicly the president's schedule and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Tax legislation is a top priority for Trump, who has no major legislative achievement after nearly a year in office. It's also a major agenda item for the GOP in their hopes of keeping their majorities in next year's elections.

The House Ways and Means Committee backed the bill last week that would slash the corporate tax rate and reduce taxes for some individuals.

-By Zeke Miller

___

5:25 p.m.

The chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee says he is "very confident" that Republicans "do and will have the votes to pass" a tax overhaul in the House this week.

Congressman Kevin Brady says he doesn't expect major changes to the bill as it moves to a final vote in the House. Still, he says that President Donald Trump's call for removing the requirement to have health insurance as part of the tax agreement "remains under consideration."

Brady disputes projections that millions of middle-class households would end up paying more in taxes if the House bill became law.

The Texas Republican told reporters on Monday that projections too often ignore an increase in paychecks. He says in the end "every American will be better off."

___

4 p.m.

The Senate's top tax writer says the new GOP Senate overhaul bill will bring "much-needed tax relief to American workers and families."

Sen. Orrin Hatch is the chair of the Senate Finance Committee. His panel is launching into work on the Senate version of Republican tax legislation that steeply cuts corporate taxes, doubles the standard deduction, and aims at the biggest revamp of the U.S. tax system in three decades.

Hatch is downplaying a new analysis by congressional tax experts showing that 13.8 million moderate-income households actually would see their taxes increase in 2019 under the Senate proposal.

The Utah Republican says "a relatively small minority of taxpayers could see a slight increase in their taxes."

The committee's senior Democrat, Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon, says the legislation has become "a massive handout to multinational corporations and a bonanza for tax cheats and powerful political donors."

___

11:30 a.m.

Congressional analysts are estimating that the Republican Senate tax bill would increase taxes in 2019 for some 13.8 million U.S. households earning less than $200,000 a year.

The nonpartisan Joint Committee on Taxation provided the analysis Monday as the Senate's tax-writing committee begins work on its version of the tax overhaul bill. The legislation, promoted as a boon to the middle class, would steeply cut corporate taxes, double the standard deduction, and limit or repeal completely the federal deduction for state and local property and income taxes.

The analysis of the Senate plan says 13.8 million households, or about 10 percent of all taxpayers, would face a tax increase of $100 to $500 in 2019. There also would be increases greater than $500 for a number of taxpayers, especially those with incomes between $75,000 and $200,000. By 2025, 21.4 million households would have tax increases.

___

10:15 a.m.

President Donald Trump is calling on Republican lawmakers to get more aggressive with their tax proposals.

In a tweet Monday, Trump says the GOP should repeal "the unfair & highly unpopular" individual mandate in the Affordable Care Act as part of the tax legislation, and to reduce taxes "even further."

Trump tweets: "Cut top rate to 35% w/all of the rest going to middle income cuts?"

Neither the House or Senate tax bills includes a repeal of the individual mandate, with lawmakers saying it would make their signature legislative promise all the more difficult to approve. Both versions of the tax plan cut the top individual rate, but the Senate version only lowers it to 38.5 percent.

___

3:50 a.m.

The chairman of the House's tax-writing committee is expressing confidence that his chamber won't go along with the Senate's proposal to eliminate the deduction for property taxes.

The GOP is moving urgently on the first rewrite of the U.S. tax code in three decades, but key differences promise to complicate the effort.

The House bill allows homeowners to deduct up to $10,000 in property taxes while the Senate proposal eliminates the entire deduction.

The deduction is particularly important to residents in states with high property values or tax rates.

Rep. Kevin Brady, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, says he worked with lawmakers in those states to ensure the House bill delivers relief.

The Senate's tax-writing committee will wade through its newly unveiled measure starting Monday.
Two Guinness World Records-holding cats are missing after a fire gutted their owners' suburban Detroit home.

Will and Lauren Powers escaped Sunday's blaze, but Arcturus and Cygnus haven't been seen since. Both cats are two years old.

Will Powers says the couple opened some doors when they fled their burning Farmington Hills' house in hopes that Arcturus, Cygnus and their third cat would escape.

Will and Lauren Powers escaped the fire that destroyed their Detroit-suburb home but record holding cats Arcturus and Cygnus haven't been seen since

'I was not able to find any of them before I was overcome with smoke. We are nearly sure all perished,' said Will Power in an Instagram post

The couple opened some doors as they fled their burning Farmington Hills' house in hopes the two and their third cat would escape

'I was not able to find any of them before I was overcome with smoke. We are nearly sure all perished,' said Will Power in an Instagram post.

'If you would like do anything to help, please donate to the Ferndale Cat Shelter in honor of Cygnus, Sirius and Arcturus.

'We cared more about helping others than worldly possessions and so did they.'

Cygnus is the domestic cat with the world's longest tail, measuring at more than 17 inches (43 centimeters)

Arcturus holds the Guinness World Record for being the tallest domestic cat, measuring at about 19 inches (48 centimeters)

Neighbors can't help but feel sorry for the couple who they say are just worried about the cats.

'I met Lauren yesterday and she's very concerned about the cats,' said neighbor Mariann Conti to Detroit Free Press.

'I'm so happy that everyone got out safe. I hope that the cats are found. There are a lot of neighbors that are really concerned about this. Everyone wants to help.'

Neighbors can't help but feel sorry for the couple who they say are just worried about the cats

'I'm so happy that everyone got out safe. I hope that the cats are found. There are a lot of neighbors that are really concerned about this. Everyone wants to help,' said neighbor Mariann Conti

The Associated Press left a message Monday seeking comment from fire officials.

Arcturus holds the Guinness World Record for being the tallest domestic cat, measuring at about 19 inches (48 centimeters).

Cygnus is the domestic cat with the world's longest tail, measuring at more than 17 inches (43 centimeters).

Guinness has said the Powers sought the records to raise awareness about a cat shelter.
CHESHIRE, Conn. (AP) - A federal court has delayed the scheduled deportation of a 15-year resident of Connecticut to her native Albania.

Denada Rondos was scheduled to be returned to Albania on Monday but U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal's office said that she has been granted a temporary stay which will allow her to pursue her case to remain in the U.S.

The 32-year-old Rondos came to the U.S. in 2002 using a fraudulent passport. She has since married a U.S. citizen and has three U.S.-born children.

She and her husband run a restaurant in Cheshire.

Rondos received a deportation order in 2007. She has been meeting with immigration officials regularly, but was told in September that she was being deported.

Blumenthal says Rondos faces persecution in Albania and deporting her is "cruel and inhumane."
"Debriefing: Collected Stories" (Farrar, Straus and Giroux), by Susan Sontag

Susan Sontag is best known for her essays, but she also wrote novels, a play and short stories. A new book out this fall, "Debriefing," brings together all of her shorter fiction in an uneven, intermittently engaging collection. Eight of the 11 stories previously appeared in the 1978 volume, "I, etcetera." The other three were first published in The New Yorker.

First, the highlights. The autobiographical "Pilgrimage" may be worth the price of the book alone for its earnest, nerdy account of Sontag's visit at age 14 - yes, 14 - to see her literary hero, Thomas Mann, who was then living in exile in Southern California.

This cover image released by Farrar, Straus and Giroux shows "Debriefing: Collected Stories" by Susan Sontag. (Farrar, Straus and Giroux via AP)

Another gem, "The Way We Live Now," first appeared in 1986, at the height of the AIDS crisis. Stitched together from snippets of conversation among friends of a man recently diagnosed with HIV, the story perfectly captures their vain, often self-serving concern for him, as well as the anxiety and ignorance that surrounded the disease in that era.

"Baby" is a chilling, funny transcript of a yearslong therapy session that borders on the surreal. We hear only the voices of the anxious parents, who desperately seek advice on how to raise their precious, precocious monster. It's a setup that gives Sontag plenty of room to lampoon the cliches of modern parenting.

"The Dummy" is another charmer, a prescient fable about an office worker whose humdrum existence has become so intolerable that he builds a robot to replace himself, only to have to build a second robot for the first robot when the first robot also finds his life intolerable.

The rest are a mixed bag. "Project for a Trip to China" is a sort of diary of everything Sontag has ever thought or felt about China, organized as a series of lists, anecdotes and aphorisms that, in the end, add up to nothing. "Unguided Tour," as the title suggests, is a free-form riff on travel assembled out of random memories, remembered conversations and the hackneyed language of tourist brochures.

These stories and others demonstrate an admirable willingness on Sontag's part to abandon conventional forms of narration in favor of a more fragmented, elliptical, experimental style. In doing so, she may well have anticipated trends in contemporary avant-garde fiction, but some readers may need more of a reason to grapple with this strange and often difficult work.
Man Repeller Leandra Medine is pregnant with twins

Leandra Medine, or as the fashion world know her, the Man Repeller is pregnant with twins.

Annoucing the news on her website in an article titled, A Different Kind of Pregnancy Announcement Medine, Medine acknowledges the road she has travelled to get here.

I got up, went to the bathroom to brush my teeth and when I came back, I sat down and cried, Medine began the article, detailing her struggles with conceiving and the anguish she felt within herself.

All I could think that day, that week, that month, was that I wasnt okay. I had not been okay in at least two years, but maybe longer. I blamed it on everything that could have possibly contributed to a newfangled malaise that seemingly encapsulated the sum of my parts: where I worked, who I worked with, what I did for work, the amount of stress that enveloped it all; where I lived, who I lived with, my mom, who could never understand what I was going through given the ease with which she birthed four children, Medine wrote in the post in which she also shares of learning she was pregnant with a nonviable fetus and the would-be birthday of the baby-that-never-was.

After trying a plethora of remedies, Medine is now 22-weeks pregnant with twins and wants others going through what she has to know they are not alone.

The real irony of joy is that you cant actually know it, I mean really know it, until youve hit rock bottom. My road was freckled with fangs that threw me off course so many times, but perspective wants me to tell you that I dont regret it, that I wasnt actually thrown off course. That was my course. This is my course. I wish I had known this. I wish I could have believed Abie when he said I would be happy again. I hope that you believe me when I say you will be, too.

Read more at:grey bridesmaid dresses uk | champagne bridesmaid dresses
The president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops decried what he said were "the forces of division" in the country, as he called Monday for immigration policies that keep families together and a "humane" approach to policing the border.

Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, Texas, affirmed the government's authority to protect national security. But he said recent policies and attitudes have often been rooted in unfounded anxiety about people who "look, talk and even think differently." That fear is present both within and outside the church, he said.

"The forces of division prey on our fear of the unfamiliar, the different. But fear is not of God," said DiNardo, in an address to the bishops' fall meeting in Baltimore. "They tempt us to see a threat in the stranger."

Los Angeles Archbishop Jose Gomez, from left, vice president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, conference president, and Rev. J. Brian Bransfield, conference general secretary, applaud after a speech by Archbishop Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, at the USCCB's annual fall meeting in Baltimore, Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

DiNardo never mentioned President Donald Trump by name, focusing instead on government policy. DiNardo said the country had a "moral responsibility" to protect the border "in a humane way." He said a "pro-life immigration policy is one that does not tear families apart." And he expressed support for young immigrants known by their advocates as Dreamers. For "those who have only known the United States as their home, we make Pope Francis' words our own: keep on dreaming," DiNardo said.

Trump has said an aggressive deportation policy and restrictions on refugee entry to the U.S. are critical for national security. His administration has decided to phase out temporary deportation protections enacted under former President Barack Obama for a number of those young people brought to the country illegally as children, giving Congress until March to come up with a new policy. The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program has protected about 800,000 people who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children or came with families that overstayed visas.

The bishops' assembly opened with a Sunday night Mass celebrated by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state, in honor of the 100th anniversary of the conference. In his sermon, Parolin urged the bishops to dispel "the shadows of polarization, divisiveness and societal breakdown by the pure light of the Gospel."

The Vatican provided no information about Parolin's trip in the U.S. On Monday, he met with Vice President Mike Pence, according to a White House news release, which said the men discussed issues including religious freedom, human trafficking and the plight of Christian and other religious minorities in Iraq and Syria. Parolin told the Catholic TV network EWTN that he and Pence also discussed the church's position on the need for a "compassionate approach to the issue of migration." The White House news release did not mention immigration.

The 68-million-member U.S. Catholic church, the country's largest denomination by far, runs a nationwide network of support programs for refugees and immigrants. Immigrants comprise a large share of church members, including a growing presence of Latinos, both newcomers and U.S.-born parishioners. Pope Francis has made aid for immigrants and refugees a priority of his pontificate.

DiNardo linked the church's advocacy for immigrants with the Roman Catholic teaching against abortion, saying respect for others begins in the womb. He also called for stronger religious liberty protections for health care workers and others who oppose abortion.

Several bishops said the precarious situation for immigrants was the result of inaction by several presidential administrations that did not enact comprehensive immigration reform. Still, church leaders noted that animosity toward immigrants has intensified over the past year or so.

Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich said "that poisoning rhetoric" is having an impact on parishioners. Miami Archbishop Thomas Wenski, referencing the Trump campaign slogan "Make America Great Again," said, "We can make America great, but you don't make America great by making America mean."

Along with advocating for immigrants, the bishops have started a new initiative against racism, which has had a "troubling resurgence," said Bishop George Murry, of Youngston, Ohio.

Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, delivers remarks at the USCCB's annual fall meeting in Baltimore, Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

Members of the the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops ride an escalator during a break in sessions at the USCCB's annual fall meeting in Baltimore, Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

Miami Auxiliary Bishop Peter Baldacchino sits with fellow members of the the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops during a session at the USCCB's annual fall meeting in Baltimore, Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

Archbishop Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, delivers remarks at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' annual fall meeting in Baltimore, Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

Los Angeles Archbishop Jose Gomez, from left, vice president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, conference president, and Rev. J. Brian Bransfield, conference general secretary, applaud after a speech by Archbishop Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, at the USCCB's annual fall meeting in Baltimore, Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

Archbishop Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, delivers remarks at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' annual fall meeting in Baltimore, Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, delivers remarks at the USCCB's annual fall meeting in Baltimore, Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
MIAMI (AP) - The U.S. Supreme Court agreed Monday to hear a First Amendment case brought by a Florida man who previously won a landmark ruling from the justices on whether his floating home was a house, not a boat subject to easier government seizure under laws that govern ships and boats.

This time, the justices agreed to hear a case in which Fane Lozman sued after being charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest at a public meeting.

Lozman, 56, was never brought to trial on the charges - prosecutors dropped them after concluding there was no possibility of a conviction. Lozman then sued Riviera Beach, claiming his arrest at a 2006 city council meeting violated the First Amendment's free speech guarantee because it was in retaliation for opposing a marina redevelopment plan and accusing council members of corruption.

A jury sided with the city after a trial and an appeals court upheld that verdict. Lozman, however, took the case to the Supreme Court, arguing in part that U.S. appeals courts across the country are split on the issue of retaliatory arrest versus free speech.

"What makes America beautiful is our personal freedoms," Lozman said in an interview Monday. "And I'll be damned if I'm going to let anybody take away my First Amendment rights to free speech."

The Supreme Court will likely schedule oral argument in Lozman's latest case for late this winter or early spring. The case comes at a time of more frequent protests across the U.S. against the administration of President Donald Trump, over police race relations and divisive issues such as Confederate monuments.

The First Amendment Foundation, a nonprofit organization that promotes government openness and transparency in Florida, said in a brief supporting Lozman that it's important for governments to have clear guidance from the Supreme Court on balancing probable cause for an arrest with free speech rights.

"The danger of being arrested in retaliation for engaging in protected speech threatens to chill the exercise of core First Amendment rights such as questioning or otherwise criticizing the government," the foundation's filing says. "The potential chilling effect is especially acute in smaller towns and cities across America."

In its court documents, Riviera Beach attorneys contend that the City Council did not order Lozman's arrest at the 2006 meeting and that city ordinances then in effect gave police officers sole power to make that decision. Therefore, they argued, the arrest was not retaliation for criticizing government.

"Police officers alone had discretion to decide whether to make an arrest, and could do so only upon independently determining that there was probable cause to do so," the city's attorneys said. "Lozman's arrest was caused not by the city's own policies, but rather by the independent decisions of a city employee."

The Supreme Court's 2013 ruling on Lozman's floating home, which was seized and destroyed by Rivera Beach, was seen by legal experts as an important precedent in maritime law for thousands of people who make their homes on the water as well as floating businesses such as casinos. Different laws apply to vessels and homes, with homeowners receiving more protection from seizure in Florida and other states.

Chief Justice John Roberts was quoted later as saying Lozman's floating home case was his favorite of that term.

Lozman, a former Marine Corps officer and wealthy financial trader, marveled Monday that he has managed to get the nation's highest court to consider two of his cases when the vast majority of appeals are turned away.

"It's a noble fight," he said. "It's an important time in our history. I'm proud to do my part to stand up for the First Amendment."

_____

Follow Curt Anderson on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Miamicurt
KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) - Rights groups on Monday urged Ugandan authorities to arrest the visiting president of Sudan, who has long been wanted by the International Criminal Court for serious crimes.

Sudan President Omar al-Bashir was welcomed to Uganda Monday by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni. Sudan's president is here for a two-day visit.

As a signatory to the ICC treaty, Uganda has an obligation to arrest Omar al-Bashir, who has been indicted by the ICC for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Sudan's Darfur region.

Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir, center, inspects the guard of honor after his arrival at State House in Entebbe, Uganda Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. Rights groups on Monday urged Ugandan authorities to arrest the visiting president of Sudan, who has long been wanted by the International Criminal Court for serious crimes. (AP Photo/Ronald Kabuubi)

"Inviting an international criminal suspect to Uganda not only undermines the fight against impunity which Uganda has for long championed but also betrays the concerns and interests of the victims of the most heinous crimes," six Ugandan rights watchdogs said in a joint statement. "We therefore call upon the government of Uganda to fulfill its obligations under international and domestic laws by arresting and surrendering President Omar al-Bashir."

Al-Bashir's presence in Uganda "is an affront to Darfur's victims," said the U.S.-based Human Rights Watch. Other African members of the ICC, including Kenya and Nigeria, "have avoided or curtailed such visits by al-Bashir," said Elise Keppler of Human Rights Watch.

South Africa, however, hosted al-Bashir in 2015 and did not arrest him. The ICC's finding that South Africa should have arrested al-Bashir prompted South Africa to announce that it would withdraw from the ICC. Some other African countries have called for a mass exit from the ICC treaty, saying the court unfairly targets Africans.

Ugandan authorities say the Sudanese leader is immune from arrest because he is a head of state visiting at the invitation of Uganda's government.

Uganda's Museveni has sharply criticized the ICC, calling it "useless" during his inauguration in May 2016, an event that al-Bashir attended.

During al-Bashir's visit "areas of cooperation will be discussed, including trade and investment, agriculture, regional peace and security as well as international matters of mutual interest," Uganda's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

Sudan imports 20 percent of Uganda's coffee, "the single biggest export market" for one of Uganda's top revenue earners, according to the statement.

Uganda's diplomatic ties with Sudan once were frosty, but relations improved after South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011. Uganda, which backed South Sudan's decades-long war of independence, accused Sudan of supporting rebels opposed to Uganda's government who operated in northern Uganda.
BRUSSELS (AP) - The European Union is voicing support for Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri amid concerns over his resignation from Saudi Arabia under unusual circumstances.

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said Monday that "it is important at this stage to ensure that all political parties in Lebanon maintain the focus on working together."

Mogherini said after hosting talks for EU foreign ministers: "We expect no external interference" in Lebanon's affairs.

She added: "It is essential to avoid importing into Lebanon regional conflicts, regional dynamics, regional tensions, that have to stay out of the country."

Mogherini declined to say if she thinks there was external interference in Lebanon.

In his first TV interview since he resigned Nov. 4, Hariri said he was compelled to resign to save Lebanon from unspecified imminent dangers.
Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, "Soul of a Woman" (Daptone Records)

Sharon Jones recorded "Soul of a Woman" with the extraordinarily able and reliable Dap-Kings while battling the cancer which took her life a year ago - but her energy and vocal prowess are undiminished here.

Nearly all band members wrote material for the album which offers a snug fit for Jones and continues the group's aesthetic of true soul sounds. The balance tilts slightly toward ballads, especially on the second half.

This cover image released by Daptone Records shows "Soul Of A Woman," by Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings. (Daptone Records via AP)

Jones was a real powerhouse onstage and the one-two combination of the hopeful "Matter of Time" with the forgiving "Sail On!" gets the record off to an urgent start. "Rumors" is a playful, Latin-flavored dance-floor filler with some exquisite harmonies from Jones herself.

Curtis Mayfield could have inspired "Searching for a New Day" and "Girl! (You Got to Forgive Him)" has the drama of a James Bond theme song sung by Shirley Bassey and written by Isaac Hayes.

Fittingly, the album closes with Jones' own gospel composition, "Call On God." The testimonial was written in the late 1970s, recorded in 2007 and features backing vocals added shortly after Jones' death by members of choir of the Universal Church of God, an ensemble she led for years.

Despite the spirituality of the last song and a couple of tunes about time, the band's seventh studio album doesn't convey a sense of finality. You can be sure there were tears in its making and you may shed some yourself knowing its conclusion, but Jones stayed true to herself and recorded only when she really felt up to it.

Recognition and success came late in life to Jones but her final performances are recurring proof that both were extremely well deserved.
BALTIMORE (AP) - The highest-ranking officer involved in the arrest of a black man who was fatally injured in a police van didn't give a reason for failing to buckle Freddie Gray into a seatbelt as required, telling internal police investigators he "just didn't do it," an investigator testified Monday at the start of the lieutenant's disciplinary proceeding.

Having been acquitted in a criminal trial last year, Lt. Brian Rice is now battling 10 administrative charges before a three-member police disciplinary board of three officers.

Rice's lawyer, Michael Davey, said in opening statements that the police department failed at "each and every" level to properly alert officers about a critical policy change - made just three days before Freddie Gray's arrest in April 2015. Gray died a week later from a spinal cord injury suffered during the van ride.

Detective Sgt. Thomas Curtis, an outside investigator from Montgomery County who interviewed Rice as a part of an internal police investigation, answered questions from Neil Duke, the attorney for the police department who is arguing Rice should face disciplinary actions up to losing his job.

"He didn't have an explanation," Curtis said, adding that Rice told investigators: "We just didn't."

But Davey argued that shift commanders like Rice still had discretion on whether to use a seatbelt. Under cross-examination by Davey, Curtis agreed the department failed to properly distribute the policy change. Under questioning by Duke, however, Curtis said Rice told investigators that "he may have" opened an email that contained the new policy.

But Curtis also criticized the department for failing to provide proper equipment or guidance for how to handle the transport of a combative detainee in a police van.

"I found nothing," Curtis said, when asked if there was any such guidance.

Officers who responded to the arrest have testified that Gray was not cooperative. He yelled as he was put into the van, attracting about a dozen people in a high-crime neighborhood during a period of stepped-up policing efforts. Officers have testified that they tried to get Gray in the van and drive away due to concerns about the crowd.

"That's a reasonable decision by these officers," Davey said.

The van stopped a short distance away from the first stop so officers could put Gray in flex cuffs and leg shackles. Duke argues that Rice could have put Gray in a seatbelt at the second stop, when Gray was described as passive.

In his opening statement, Duke said Rice failed in his leadership role. He wrote on a board: "With rank comes responsibility."

"He's effectively the quarterback," Duke said. "All plays run through him."

But Davey highlighted the dangers all officer face when putting an uncooperative detainee in the back of a van, which he described as "a small steel box."

"That risk is always there," Davey said.

Duke also contends Rice failed in his role as a supervisor by neglecting to secure the scene at the van's sixth and final stop with Gray at a police station, when he was discovered to be severely injured. Officers were able to talk collectively, and the van's driver was able to drive the vehicle away to a hospital, Duke said. But Davey noted that Gray didn't die until a week later, and the van remained in service for another 24 shifts.

"That's not a crime scene," Davey said.

The panel will decide whether to hold Rice responsible on any of the charges, and the police commissioner will decide whether to take action, including potential firing. If the panel does not find Rice guilty of any charges the disciplinary case ends. Last week, an administrative board found Officer Caesar Goodson not guilty of 21 charges. Goodson was the van driver.
DENVER (AP) - Lawyers for a Utah contractor with ties to a polygamous group appeared in court Monday to challenge a judge's finding that the company put nearly 200 children to work picking pecans for long hours in the cold, without pay.

Rick Sutherland, a lawyer for Paragon Contractors, argued in front of three federal judges at the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver that the children, some as young as six, were volunteering with their families to pick up fallen nuts for the needy.

He added that the children looked forward to the break from home-schooling and that this kind of work has been going on for decades in polygamous sects like this one.

"The children were not forced to work by Mr. Barlow. They were asked by the church," Sutherland said of one of the company's owners.

"So if the children were asked to work and were not paid, you get off scot-free?" Judge Carlos Lucero snapped back in the courtroom.

Paragon is challenging a ruling from U.S. District Judge Tena Campbell, who found the company forced kids to work in hazardous conditions during a 2012 pecan harvest in southern Utah. There's no timeframe on when the panel of judges may rule.

According to court documents, the children were also sometimes deprived of water breaks and bathroom breaks. During inspections, employees were told to lie about child labor, using strategies and signals to hide the children's whereabouts, the documents allege.

Judge Campbell ordered Paragon to pay the Department of Labor $200,000 in back wages, which would be then used as compensation to the children. The company was also required to report every work site location, as well as the identity and ages of all of their employees. Brian Jessop, the company's owner was also tasked with reporting any change of employment. The company called the sanctions overreaching and unfair.

In addition to those accusations, attorneys for The U.S. Department of Labor say in court documents that the company changed its name from Paragon Contractors to Par 2 and in 2015 and 2016 it again put children to work on construction jobs.

Prosecutors contend the company has deep ties to a polygamous sect led by Warren Jeffs, who was under pressure to make money for its leaders when it used 1,400 unpaid workers, including 175 children.

Jeffs is currently serving a life sentence in Texas after being convicted of sexually assaulting girls he considered brides. Now group leaders don't have a spokesman or contact where they can be reached.

Paragon worked closely with leaders of the secretive Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints along the Utah-Arizona border to funnel children to the harvest, U.S. Department of Labor attorney Karen Bobela has said.

The case was one of several aimed at reining in the group, which is tied to abuses ranging from underage marriage to discrimination against non-members. Labor lawyers also settled an underage labor case against another company linked to the group. And last year, an Arizona jury found that the twin towns of Hildale, Utah, and Colorado City, Arizona, violated the constitutional rights of nonbelievers by denying them basic services such as police protection.

Federal prosecutors in Utah also reached plea deals with several members accused in a multimillion-dollar food stamp fraud scheme.

___

Flowers reported from Denver; Whitehurst from Salt Lake City.
NEW YORK (AP) - Lin-Manuel Miranda's next project is far away from Broadway, in a 35-mile-long stage. The artist is focused in helping Puerto Rico recover from the devastation Hurricane Maria has left.

"Our next project is getting a sense of normalcy back to our island," he said more than a month after Maria hit hard. "Everything has kind of taken a back seat to that."

The creator of "Hamilton" has been doing all he can to help the devastated land of his ancestor and will be honored this Thursday for his efforts at the Latin Grammys.

FILE - In this Feb. 6, 2017 file photo, Lin-Manuel Miranda arrives at the 89th Academy Awards Nominees Luncheon in Beverly Hills, Calif. Miranda will be honored Thursday at the Latin Grammys with the Latin Recording Academy President's Merit Award for his outstanding and numerous contributions to the Latin community. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)

Miranda will receive the Latin Recording Academy President's Merit Award for his "outstanding and numerous contributions to the Latin community," including his all-star song "Almost Like Praying." The ceremony will be aired live on Univision from Las Vegas.

In a recent interview with The Associated Press, Miranda expressed his faith in the American people after seeing the country come together in the face of natural tragedy, despite what he has said was a slow response from the US government.

"Honestly I think we are still making up for the slowness of the initial response," he said. "That was the moment to put down a maximum effort, maximum troops, maximum everything, and it's happened. My hat goes off to every single member of FEMA, every troop on the ground, every member of the Puerto Rican National Guard that's working so hard there. But we're working at a deficit from the initial response and we still are."

Two weeks after the storm he released "Almost Like Praying," a song featuring Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, Camila Cabello, Gloria Estefan, Fat Joe, Luis Fonsi, John Leguizamo and Rita Moreno, among many others. All proceeds from downloads and streaming go to The Hispanic Federation's disaster relief fund.

"Everyone worked from a place of love," said Miranda of the song, which he calls "a love letter" to the island and its 78 towns, all mentioned in the lyrics. Miranda also hopes to raise the spirit of the island by bringing "Hamilton" to the University of Puerto Rico - and him in the starring role - in early 2019.

The composer, lyricist, playwright and actor lamented that after more than one month there are still many people with no water or electricity. More than 140,000 Puerto Ricans have left the island since the September 20 hurricane.

"This would be so unacceptable in any city in the mainland of the United States. It's crazy that this is still where we are a month after the hurricane with so much of the island - not a very big island! Thirty-five miles top to bottom - still without basic resources," said Miranda.

But in trying to "be the silver lining," he says he rather focus on the positive, like the $14 million the Hispanic Federation raised in 24 days through the Unidos Disaster Relief & Recovery Program.

"And that's not big corporations, that's over 100,000 donations and really small increments," he noted. "It is a glimpse of generosity of everyday people - it's kids taking their piggy banks, it's local productions of 'In The Heights' raising money after the show," Miranda said, referring to one of his earlier stage hits. "I really have more hope than ever in us as people and the way our hearts extend out in times of tragedy."

___

Sigal Ratner-Arias can be followed at https://twitter.com/sigalratner
WASHINGTON (AP) - A federal appeals court heard arguments Monday in a case that developed after an FBI agent pretended to be an Associated Press journalist as part of an investigation into bomb threats at a high school in Washington state.

When the ruse became public in 2014, the AP and a press freedom organization attempted to get government records about the case and any other times FBI agents have impersonated journalists. The lawsuit the appeals court heard Monday was related to whether the FBI looked hard enough for records requested by the organizations.

A lower court ruled in favor of the government, saying the FBI had "conducted a good faith, reasonable search." The organizations appealed.

This image provided by the Lacey Police Department shows a June 14, 2007, photo of a computer taken from the bedroom of the Timberline High School bomb hoaxer in Lacey, Wash. A federal appeals court heard arguments Nov. 13, 2017, in a case that developed after an FBI agent pretended to be an Associated Press journalist as part of an investigation into bomb threats at a high school in Washington state. The Associated Press obtained a copy of the photo, taken by investigators, via a public records request. (Lacey Police Department via AP)

A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit hearing argument in the case Monday, however, had tough questions for the lawyer representing the government. The judges wanted to know how the organizations bringing the case, the AP and the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, could be expected to challenge the adequacy of the FBI's search if they weren't provided with the search terms the FBI used to carry out the request in various parts of the organization.

"There's no description of how it was done," Judge David Tatel told a lawyer representing the government.

Judge Brett Kavanaugh also underscored that it wasn't clear how the search was conducted. And Judge Laurence Silberman wanted to know why the FBI hadn't searched for records located in the office of the FBI's director.

The lawsuit stems from a 2007 investigation into bomb threats emailed to Timberline High School in Lacey, Washington, which is near the state capital of Olympia. As part of the investigation, an FBI agent communicating with a suspect in the case portrayed himself as an AP reporter. The agent sent the suspect a link to a fabricated AP news article, a link that when clicked allowed the FBI to pinpoint the suspect's location.

After the FBI's actions came to light in 2014, resulting in an outcry by the AP and other news organizations, both the AP and the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press submitted records requests to the government under the Freedom of Information Act. The organizations asked for additional information about the Timberline High School incident, information about other instances where the FBI impersonated a member of the news media, and information about policies or guidelines governing the FBI's impersonation of members of the media.

After getting no records, the organizations sued in 2015. The government ultimately turned over about 190 pages of records, more than half of those pages with redactions.

___

Follow Jessica Gresko on Twitter at http://twitter.com/jessicagresko
Its fair to say that education is not the biggest issue in the Alabama special election for the U.S. Senate. But where do Republican Roy Moore and Democrat Doug Jones, the two candidates in the U.S. Senate special election on Dec. 12, stand on education issues? After all, in a closely divided Senate currently under GOP control, every vote concerning school choice, the federal budget, and other key Capitol Hill priorities for K-12 counts.

Lets take a look at Moore and Jones.

Republican Roy Moore

On Moores campaign website, the former chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court says that with respect to education, The federal government should not hamper the educational systems of the states as there is no authority for federal involvement under the Constitution.

Moore also says the Common Core State Standards should be eliminated and that the development of educational programs should be returned to states. (Groups representing state schools chiefs and governors developed the common core, although the Obama administration incentivized states to adopt it.)

And hes a big fan of choice, saying parents should have the freedom to access various educational structures.

In 2002, while Moore was serving as the state high courts chief justice, the court found that a previous 1993 ruling in a lower court that Alabamas constitution requires schools to be adequately and equitably funded could not be enforced . "[I]t is the legislature, not the courts, from which any further redress should be sought, the 7-1 ruling from the Alabama Supreme Court stated.



In 2004, a proposed Alabama ballot measure would have stripped out segregationist language from the state constitution, as well as a provision that stated that there was no guarantee of an education at the publics expense. Moore (who had recently lost his seat on the states highest court) opposed it, on the grounds that ultimately, removing that and other language from the constitution as the ballot measures sought to do could ultimately lead to higher taxes in the state to fund public schools.

When you are trying to remove language that is inoperable anyway, there has to be another agenda, Moore told Education Week at the time. Im disturbed by the deception around this bill.

The push to remove the constitutions segregationist language through the ballot measure failed . Subsequent attempts also fell short.

In 2015, Moore, who was once again serving as the Alabama Supreme Courts chief justice, likened the U.S. Supreme Courts Obergefell v. Hodges ruling that legalized same-sex marriage to the Plessy v. Ferguson ruling that also legalized separate-but-equal facilities by race . (Plessy stood until the courts Brown v. Board of Education ruling in 1954.) Moore argued that both were illegitimate mandates from the U.S. Supreme Court and could be subsequently ignored.

Moore has also reportedly refused to debate Jones because of the Jones campaigns very liberal stance on transgenderism. Learn more about transgender issues in schools here .

Democrat Doug Jones

Jones doesnt get into specifics as much as Moore has concerning education, at least on his website. But he does say this:

We must invest sufficient resources to ensure that our educational system provides the skills, knowledge and tools necessary for our children to succeed in a 21st century economy. Further, we must focus on lifelong training and education that meets the needs of employees and employers as the economy continues to grow and change. Providing a quality education to all children is the key to a long-term thriving economy.

His website also says it is unconscionable to talk about lowering taxes on the wealthy while cutting funding for education, nutrition, child care, housing and infrastructure.

Last month, PolitiFact said there was no evidence for the Jones campaigns claim that Moore wants to end Medicare and Medicaid . The latter federal program provides about $4 billion annually to the nations public schools.

In September, Jones told the Washington Post that he would have opposed Betsy DeVos nomination to be education secretary .

We reached out to Jones campaign to get a better sense of his approach to K-12 policy, but didnt hear backwell update this post if we do.

Photos: Former Alabama Chief Justice and Republican candidate for U.S. Senate Roy Moore speaks at a campaign rally last week in Vestavia Hills, Ala. (Hal Yeager/AP); Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate Doug Jones speaks at a campaign rally last month in Birmingham, Ala. (Brynn Anderson/AP).

Follow us on Twitter at @PoliticsK12 .
LONDON (AP) - The creator of the hit musical "Hamilton" plans to use the show's international debut in London next month to raise money to combat climate change.

Writer, composer and actor Lin-Manuel Miranda and his wife, Vanessa Nadal, said Monday that donors to two environmental charities will be eligible to win the chance to accompany the couple to "Hamilton's" London premiere.

Miranda told the Associated Press they chose the Natural Resources Defense Council and Britain-based charity 10:10 as the fundraiser's beneficiaries because of their commitment to combatting climate change.

FILE - In this Feb. 6, 2017 file photo, Lin-Manuel Miranda arrives at the 89th Academy Awards Nominees Luncheon in Beverly Hills, Calif. Miranda will be honored Thursday at the Latin Grammys with the Latin Recording Academy President's Merit Award for his outstanding and numerous contributions to the Latin community. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)

"With 'Hamilton's' first international production, we think it is appropriate to tackle an issue that affects the international community," Miranda said.

The decision to focus on climate change gives the production another chance to call out U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration. Trump has threatened to pull the United States out of the 2015 Paris climate accord to control global warming.

The New York cast of "Hamilton" had an early clash with the Trump team when actor Brandon Victor Dixon spoke directly to then-Vice President-elect Mike Pence during a curtain call when Pence attended the Broadway show a year ago.

"I thought what we said was very respectful," Miranda said. "What he said boiled down to, 'Please, represent all of us when you represent us.'"

Refurbishment work at the Victoria Palace Theatre has delayed the musical's debut in London. It now is set for early December.

Miranda said he was "frustrated" by the delays, but excited about the British cast assembled for the show.
The chances of a hurricane flooding parts of Texas, like Harvey did, have soared sixfold in just 25 years because of global warming and will likely triple once again before the end of the century, a new study says.

Study author Kerry Emanuel, a meteorology professor and hurricane expert at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, found that what was once an extremely rare event - 20 inches of rain over a large area of Texas - could soon be almost common.

From 1981 to 2000, the probability of 20 inches of rain happening somewhere over a large chunk of Texas was 1 in 100 or even less, Emanuel said.

Scroll down for video

In this Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2017 file photo, water from Addicks Reservoir flows into neighborhoods as floodwaters from Tropical Storm Harvey rise in Houston. The chances of a hurricane drenching Texas, like Harvey did, have soared six fold in just a quarter century with global warming and will likely triple once again before the end of the century, says a new study

Now it's 6 in 100 and by 2081, those odds will be 18 in 100, he said.

'The changes in probabilities are because of global warming,' Emanuel said.

The study was released Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Emanuel said he hurried the study to help Houston officials think about what conditions they should consider when they rebuild.

Texas state climatologist John Nielsen-Gammon said he was struck by the potential for much higher rainfall that Emanuel's simulations predict for the future and how important it is for the design of critical structures like dams and nuclear facilities.

'If the worst-case precipitation scenario is getting worse, as Kerry's study and other evidence implies, that safety margin is shrinking,' Nielsen-Gammon said in an email, highlighting Emanuel's results that also show the worst-case storms becoming wetter and more common.

WHY HURRICANE HARVEY WAS WORSE THAN OTHERS Hurricane Harvey's biggest effect is through its intense and prolonged rainfall. A low pressure system to the north is keeping Harvey over southern Texas, resulting in greater rainfall totals. We know that climate change is enhancing extreme rainfall. As the atmosphere is getting warmer, it can hold more moisture (roughly 7 per cent for every 1 rise in temperature). This means that when we get the right circumstances for very extreme rainfall to occur, climate change is likely to make these events even worse than they would have been otherwise. In this Sept. 1, 2017 photo, homes are submerged by water from the flooded Brazos River in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey near Freeport, Tex. It's not just this year. The monster hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria, Jose and now Lee that have raged across the Atlantic are contributing to what appears to be the most active period for major storms on record. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Without a full analysis it is hard to put exact numbers on this effect, but on a basic level, wetter skies mean more intense rain. But there are also other factors that are making this story worse than others in terms of its impact. Houston is the second-fastest growing city in the US, and the fourth most populous overall. As the region's population grows, more and more of southern Texas is being paved with impermeable surfaces . This means that when there is extreme rainfall, the water takes longer to drain away, prolonging and intensifying the floods. Advertisement

Gabriel Vecchi, a climate scientist at Princeton who wasn't part of the study, said the study confirms what scientists have already thought: 'that the most extreme rainfall events will become more likely as the planet warms.'

'These results highlight the importance of finding ways to incorporate our understanding of climate change in long-term urban planning, storm water management and in flood mapping,' Vecchi said in an email.

To do the study Emanuel had to use some innovative modeling techniques.

Global climate models used for future warming studies aren't detailed enough to simulate hurricanes. Hurricane models don't say anything about the larger climate.

So Emanuel combined the models and then created thousands and thousands of fictional storm 'seedlings' to see what would happen.

Emanuel's calculations used the 20-inch (half a meter) rainfall total because that was the initial figure discussed as the storm was dying down.

Later measurements showed that Harvey's rain was far heavier - and far rarer - than initially reported. After Emanuel had started his work, records showed Harvey's Houston-wide rainfall ended up closer to 33 inches (84 centimeters). And in individual areas pit peaked at 60 inches (1.5 meters).

Emanuel called those numbers 'biblical.'

'By the standards of the average climate during 1981-2000, Harvey's rainfall in Houston was 'biblical' in the sense that it likely occurred around once since the Old Testament was written,' Emanuel's study said.

While several scientists praised the study's technique, Christopher Landsea, science operations chief at the National Hurricane Center, had some reservations. He said Emanuel's results don't fit with other climate change model projections which do show higher rainfall totals but also show a decrease in the number of storms.
ATLANTA (AP) - Georgia's governor on Monday suspended a sheriff who faces charges including sexual battery after a drug search at a high school earlier this year.

In an executive order, Gov. Nathan Deal suspended Worth County Sheriff Jeff Hobby pending the final outcome of his case or the expiration of his term of office, whichever comes first.

A grand jury last month indicted Hobby and two deputies in connection with a search at Worth County High School in Sylvester, about 170 miles (274 kilometers) south of Atlanta. Hobby faces two counts of false imprisonment, one count of sexual battery and a charge of violating his oath of office.

Hobby did not immediately respond to a phone message left at the sheriff's office Monday. His lawyer Norman Crowe Jr. did not immediately respond to an email or phone message. Crowe has previously said that Hobby's position is that he did nothing criminal.

Hobby violated his oath of office by ordering his deputies to search students at the high school "without probable cause or any other legal basis and without due process" in violation of the U.S. Constitution and the Georgia Constitution, the indictment says.

Deal had appointed a review commission on Oct. 31 to determine whether the indictment adversely affected Hobby's "administration of the office of Sheriff of Worth County." In a report dated Nov. 9, the commission said they found that to be the case and unanimously recommended that Hobby be suspended, Deal's order says.

The review commission was made up of state Attorney General Chris Carr, Gordon County Sheriff Mitch Ralston and Peach County Sheriff Terry Deese.

In June, the Southern Center for Human Rights filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of nine students against Hobby and a number of deputies. The lawsuit said the searches that were conducted were invasive and violated the constitutional rights of hundreds of students.

According to the lawsuit, Hobby arrived at the school with a "target list" of 13 students that he suspected of having drugs. Only three of the listed students were at school that day, and Hobby had them brought to administrative offices and searched. The lawsuit says Hobby then put the entire school on lockdown; students were confined to classrooms, hallways and the gym. Their cellphones were confiscated so they couldn't call their parents.

Approximately 900 students were searched, but no illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia were found. Sheriff's deputies conducted intrusive body searches, touching students' private parts and lifting their clothing in view of others, the lawsuit says.

Lawyers representing the sheriff and deputies in the civil case argue say their clients are entitled to official immunity and have asked a judge to dismiss the lawsuit.
BEIRUT (AP) - The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah is at the center of the recent crisis that has gripped Lebanon and rattled a region already rife with conflict.

When Saudi-backed Prime Minister Saad Hariri declared his resignation in a surprise announcement from the Saudi capital, Riyadh, he blamed Hezbollah for imposing itself on the country and doing the bidding of its main backer, Iran, in Lebanon and elsewhere in the region.

The one-time local Shiite guerrilla army that rallied Lebanon's Shiites and battled Israel - even earning admiration from the region's Sunnis- has turned into a powerful, well-armed group caught up in the Iran-Saudi rivalry that is shaping the Middle East.

FILE - In this Sept. 17, 2012 file photo, Hezbollah leader Sheik Hassan Nasrallah, center, escorted by his bodyguards, waves to a crowd of tens of thousands of supporters during a rally denouncing an anti-Islam film that has provoked a week of unrest in Muslim countries worldwide, in a southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon. Nasrallah, who took over the militant group in 1992, has focused on integration into Lebanon's sectarian-based politics, fighting Israel and expanding the group's regional reach. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla, File)

Saudi Arabia singled Hezbollah out, accusing it of declaring war on the kingdom, just as the U.S. ratcheted up its pressure on Iran and imposed new sanctions on Hezbollah, which it considers a terrorist group.

Here is a look at the 35-year old militant group, its sources of power and regional role.

BEGINNINGS and LEADERS

Hezbollah was formed by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard in 1982 to fight Israel's invasion of Beirut. Under the leadership of Hassan Nasrallah, who took over in 1992 after his predecessor, Abbas Mussawi, was killed in an Israeli airstrike, the group moved from seeking to implement an Iranian-style Islamic republic in Lebanon to focusing on fighting Israel and integration into Lebanon's sectarian-based politics. Nasrallah, now 57, has played a key role in ending a feud among Shiites, focusing attention toward fighting Israel and later expanding the group's regional reach.

WARS WITH ISRAEL

Hezbollah became the main militant group opposing Israel and the buffer zone it established in southern Lebanon in 1985. In 1996, Israel launched an offensive to end the guerrilla attacks, striking Lebanese power stations and killing more than 100 Lebanese civilians sheltering in a U.N. base. A year later, 12 Israeli soldiers were killed in a commando raid in the south.

Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon in 2000 was hailed as a victory for Hezbollah. In the same year, Hezbollah captured three Israeli soldiers and a businessman in cross border raids, and later negotiated a swap in 2004, releasing hundreds of prisoners and fighters.

Then in 2006, Hezbollah captured two Israeli soldiers in a cross-border raid, sparking a 34-day war that killed 159 Israelis and more than 1,000 Lebanese.

A U.N.-brokered cease-fire brought thousands of international peacekeeping troops to police the Israeli-Lebanese border.

HEZBOLLAH AT HOME

Hezbollah's popularity at home didn't only stem from its opposition to Israel. With a weak Lebanese state, the Iranian-sponsored group, like most other sects, provided a vast array of social services for its supporters, through education, health and social networks. But as the militant group sought more executive and legislative powers following Israel's 2000 withdrawal, it worked to funnel some of its support through state institutions to reach the broader public.

Another turning point came in 2008, when heavily armed Hezbollah fighters seized control of vast parts of Beirut, flexing its power domestically for the first time. The show of force followed attempts by Lebanon's Western-backed government to curb the militants' influence by dismantling its telecommunication network.

Hezbollah has been the most powerful player in Lebanon's politics ever since. Saudi Arabia and Iran, which backed opposite sides inside Lebanon, ended a two-year deadlock over electing a president by tacitly approving a power-sharing deal that effectively enshrined Hezbollah's new powerful role. With that, Hariri, a Sunni, headed a unity government and Michel Aoun, a Hezbollah ally, became president.

REGIONAL FOOTPRINT

Hezbollah sent its gunmen to fight alongside the forces of Syrian President Bashar Assad in 2012, providing a significant boost to the overstretched military, and turning the tide of the war. It was also crucial to safeguarding the Shiite militant group's access to Syria, the land corridor through which it is believed to get its weapons from Iran.

Citing estimates based on diplomatic reports and open-source data, Thanassis Cambanis, a fellow at the Century Foundation, said some 20,000 to 30,000 armed men, including 4,000 core fighters as well as local militiamen and tribesmen are under Hezbollah's command in the fighting in Syria and Lebanon.

This war has allowed Hezbollah's fighters to improve their interoperability, working closely with the Russian military and other Iranian-backed militias from Iraq or Afghanistan.

Hezbollah is also believed to have increased its military facilities in Syria's Qalamoun mountains and in the Golan Heights, as well as throughout Lebanon. It is believed to have built munitions factories there and Israeli officials estimate it has an arsenal of 150,000 missiles.

"It has crossed a military threshold," Cambanis said. "Hezbollah today possesses a credible deterrent against pre-emptive war by its opponents."

Hezbollah backing for Yemen's Houthi rebels has been harder to prove, though the structure and rhetoric of the Shiite Yemeni group mirrors that of Hezbollah. Saudi Arabia accuses Hezbollah and Iran of providing the Houthis with training and financial support in the stalemated war that is causing a humanitarian disaster.

Saudi authorities said a recently intercepted missile near Riyadh airport, the longest-range yet used by the Houthis, had Iranian markings, confirmed by the Americans. In addition, small arms shipments allegedly from Iran were confiscated before reaching Yemen. And Saudi TV networks have aired what they say was evidence of Hezbollah fighters training the Houthis.

FILE - In this July 25, 2015 file photo, Lebanese Shiite women line up to receive their certificates during their graduation ceremony before a speech by Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in a southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon. Nasrallah, who took over the militant group in 1992, has focused on integration into Lebanon's sectarian-based politics, fighting Israel and expanding the group's regional reach. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar, File)

FILE - In this Sept. 30, 2016 file photo, Hezbollah supporters listen to the story of Imam Hussein during activities to mark the ninth of Ashura, a 10-day ritual commemorating the death of Imam Hussein, in a southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon. The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah has been at the center of the recent crisis that has gripped Lebanon and rattled a region already rife with conflict. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar, File)

FILE - In this May 13, 2016 file photo, Adnan Badreddine, left, brother of top Hezbollah commander Mustafa Badreddine, grieves at his brother's picture in a southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon. The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah has been at the center of the recent crisis that has gripped Lebanon and rattled a region already rife with conflict. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar, File)

FILE - In this Dec. 5, 1989 file photo, masked gunmen of the pro-Iranian Shiite Muslim Hezbollah party, clad in military uniforms, are seen in the village of Sohmor, Lebanon. The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah has been at the center of the recent crisis that has gripped Lebanon and rattled a region already rife with conflict. (AP Photo, File)

FILE - In this July 14, 2006 file photo, Lebanese youths gather on a hilltop overlooking the city of Beirut in Lebanon at sunset to watch smoke continuing to billow from a fuel dump at Beirut International Airport, which was hit by an Israeli airstrike. The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah captured two Israeli soldiers in a cross-border raid in 2006, sparking a 34-day war that killed 159 Israelis and more than 1,000 Lebanese. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis, File)

FILE - In this April 1996 file photo, two fighters from the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah stand near Katyusha rockets in the southern village of Ein Qana, Lebanon. Hezbollah, the one-time local Shiite guerrilla army that rallied Lebanon's Shiites and battled Israel _ even earning admiration from the region's Sunnis _ has turned into a powerful, well-armed group caught up in the Iran-Saudi rivalry that is shaping the Middle East. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari, File)

FILE - In this May 13, 2016 file photo, Hezbollah fighters carry the coffin of their slain commander Mustafa Badreddine, who was killed in Syria, during his funeral procession in a southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon. The one-time local Shiite guerrilla army that rallied Lebanon's Shiites and battled Israel has turned into a powerful, well-armed group caught up in the Iran-Saudi rivalry that is shaping the Middle East. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar, File)

FILE - In this March 9, 1985 file photo, black-turbaned Sheikh Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah, surrounded by his body guards, walks up to a mosque in a southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, for the funeral ceremony of the 75 victims of a car bomb explosion. The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, formed by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard in 1982 to fight Israel's invasion of Beirut, became the main militant group opposing Israel and the buffer zone it established in southern Lebanon in 1985. The group has been at the center of the recent crisis that has gripped Lebanon and rattled a region already rife with conflict. (AP Photo, File)
MASSILLON, Ohio (AP) - Police say a man shot a doctor in an Ohio hospital parking lot before killing himself.

The police chief in Massillon (MAS'-ih-luhn) says it appears the doctor was shot twice Monday afternoon while walking to his vehicle.

Police Chief Keith Moser says the doctor was in surgery at the hospital, but he didn't know the severity of his injuries.

He says the shooter had parked next to the doctor's vehicle and that he died from a gunshot wound to the head.

A man who lives near Affinity Medical Center tells The Independent newspaper he heard about six shots Monday afternoon.

The hospital and nearby schools went into lockdown after the shooting.
VATICAN CITY (AP) - Pope Francis' trip to Chile and Peru in January is likely to focus on the plight of indigenous peoples, with a day dedicated to the Amazon and a visit to a region wracked by tensions with Chile's Mapuche group.

The Vatican on Monday released the itinerary for the Jan. 15-22 trip, which will be the pope's 22nd foreign visit and his fifth to his home continent.

The trip also is expected to cover issues important to Francis - poverty, migration and the environment. And it will feature the protocol visits, speeches to bishops and meetings with local Jesuits that are part of any Francis foreign trip.

It also could create tension. Vandals recently burned a bus and scattered pamphlets to protest Francis' Jan. 17 visit to the southern Chilean region claimed by the Mapuche as ancestral territory.

The Mapuche are Chile's largest indigenous group and they resisted conquest for 300 years, until military defeats in the late 19th century forced them into Araucania, south of the Bio Bio river, about 500 miles (800 kilometers) south of the capital. The government then encouraged European immigrants to colonize the area.

Most of the 700,000 Mapuche are peaceful as they live in poverty on the fringes of timber companies or ranches owned by the Europeans' descendants. But their desire for autonomy remains strong.

Some Mapuche communities include radical factions that have occupied and burned farms and lumber trucks to demand the return of the land. Police have also been accused of violent abuses, including storming into Mapuche homes during raids and shooting rubber bullets and tear gas at women and children.

Francis will fly into Temuco on Jan. 17, celebrate Mass and have lunch with residents, for a total of six hours on the ground. He hasn't requested any special security, Chilean organizers said.

His itinerary in Temuco "reflects his concern for a region that has experienced significant tensions, where he wants to share a message of peace and try to bring words of hope that can bring about encounters among peoples," said Monsignor Fernando Ramos, auxiliary bishop of Santiago, who is in charge of organizing the trip.

Francis has long drawn attention to the plight of Latin America's indigenous peoples, who he says are disproportionately harmed by the effects of environmental degradation, the lingering effects of colonization and a modern global economy that exploits the natural resources of poor countries for the benefit of the rich.

Francis will focus on the Amazon during his first full day in Lima, lunching with indigenous in the Peruvian capital and delivering a speech Jan. 19.

Other highlights of the trip include a stop at a women's jail in Santiago - the first time he will visit a women's detention center. Francis has met with male inmates on many of his trips, part of his longstanding commitment to urging society's outcasts to not give up hope.

He will also likely address migration issues in Iquique, a city in northern Chile where migrants from across the region live in poverty-wracked slums.

As he has done on previous trips, Francis will pay special honor to a local Jesuit - in this case St. Alberto Hurtado, a 20th century Chilean priest who was born into poverty and spent his ministry tending to the poor and homeless. Hurtado, who built shelters, schools and retreats for society's most marginal, died in 1952 and was canonized in 2005.

___

Associated Press writer Nicole Winfield reported this story at the Vatican and AP writer Eva Vergara reported from Santiago, Chile. AP writer Luis Henao in Buenos Aires, Argentina, contributed to this report.

___

This story has been corrected to show the January visit to Chile and Peru will be Pope Francis' 22nd foreign trip.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Famously pro-cannabis San Francisco, where the 4/20 marijuana holiday is celebrated with a group smoke-out on Hippie Hill, is having a surprisingly difficult time establishing regulations for the broad legal pot market coming to California in January.

Writing local rules in the weed-friendly city has taken a contentious turn as critics, many of them older Chinese immigrants who oppose marijuana use, try to restrict where pot can be sold.

Divided San Francisco supervisors are scheduled to take up the issue at a board meeting Tuesday, where they may vote on a stop-gap measure to allow the sale of recreational cannabis through existing medical marijuana outlets on Jan. 1 as they continue to figure out where to allow new stores.

The possibility of overly strict regulations has businesses fretting over access and some San Franciscans wondering what happened to the counter-culture, anti-Prohibition city they know and love. The smell of people smoking cannabis is not uncommon in certain neighborhoods and parks.

"Let's be honest: Cannabis is effectively legal now and the sky hasn't fallen. A lot of the information people have been given is completely false," said Supervisor Jeff Sheehy, who uses medical marijuana to mitigate pain from older HIV medications.

He and others are calling for keeping recreational retail pot stores 600 feet (183 meters) away from schools, comparable to the radius required of stores that sell liquor or tobacco. Medical marijuana dispensaries are required to be at least 1,000 feet (305 meters) away from schools and recreation centers that primarily serve minors.

But some Chinese-American organizations have pushed back, calling for an outright prohibition on retail stores in San Francisco's Chinatown. They want future retail stores to be at least 1,500 feet (460 meters) away from schools, child-care centers and any other place minors gather. Supervisors are considering a 1,000-foot (305-meter) buffer that cannabis advocates say is too restrictive for a city as compact as San Francisco.

Ellen Lee, family social worker at the nonprofit San Francisco Community Empowerment Center, which has helped lead the protests, said most of the people opposed to recreational cannabis are elderly and speak little to no English. She said children are impressionable and must be protected from a drug that remains illegal under federal law, and she is frustrated by elected officials.

"We have been meeting with them and talking to them," she said, "but they are not listening."

Chinese-Americans are an integral part of San Francisco's history and they carry political clout in a city where one-third of its 850,000 residents are Asian and Chinese-Americans are the largest Asian sub-group. The mayor is Chinese-American, as are other elected officials from the city.

Supervisor Aaron Peskin said Monday he has a holdover measure that will allow 46 existing medical marijuana facilities to sell to adults while the board takes more time to hash out zoning regulations. He said that would allow people plenty of places to buy cannabis come Jan. 1.

Peskin, who represents the Chinatown district, said he expects the board will come up with a resolution that satisfies most people in the diverse city.

"We're not just legislators. We are group therapists for 850,000 people and understanding what their concerns are, whether we agree or disagree, and addressing them respectfully is very important in the legislative process," he said.
Advertisement

Police fired tear gas as thousands of women protested laws that will make all abortions illegal, even for rape victims, in Brazil.

Some demonstrators carried children in their arms or on their shoulders shouting: 'Our bodies are ours!' as they marched through the streets of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo.

It followed a recent congressional committee vote to make abortion illegal without exception in Brazil.

Some scuffles broke out between protesters and police when the march reached the Rio state legislature. Police fired tear gas, but calm soon returned.

Police fired tear gas as thousands of women protested laws that will make all abortions illegal, even for rape victims, in Brazil. A campaigner is pictured with a sign in Portuguese, saying: 'What is sin for some, can not be a crime for all'

Women embrace during a protest against a proposal for a total ban on abortions in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Abortion is currently allowed in cases of rape, a pregnancy that threatens a woman's life or a fetus with anencephaly, but a congressional committee adopted a measure that would remove those exceptions

Campaign: Hundreds of people took part in angry protests in both Sao Paulo (pictured) and Rio de Janeiro

Some scuffles broke out between protesters and police when the march reached the Rio state legislature. Police fired tear gas, but calm soon returned

Plans to make all abortions illegal in Brazil have sparked fury in Brazil. Protesters have taken to the streets to make their voices heard

Thousands of demonstrators have taken to the streets across Brazil to protest against the controversial abortion plans

Furious: Women held placards and marched through the streets of Rio de Janeiro as they protested against the abortion laws

Abortion is currently allowed in Brazil in cases of rape, a pregnancy that threatens a woman's life or a fetus with anencephaly, a birth defect involving the brain.

But the congressional committee last week adopted a measure that would remove those exceptions, provoking widespread outrage though many Brazilians hold conservative views on abortion.

Rodrigo Maia, speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, has said that any ban on abortion without an exception for rape won't pass his chamber.

The measure is part of a constitutional amendment, so it would need a super-majority in both Congress' lower house and the Senate to become law.

Demonstrators carried children in their arms or on their shoulders shouting: 'Our bodies are ours!' as they marched through the streets of Rio de Janeiro

A woman with the word 'Legalize' painted on her mouth marches against a recent congressional committee vote to make abortion illegal without exception nationwide, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

A protester holds up a sign that reads in Portuguese: 'Against clandestine abortion'. While Brazilian law severely restricts abortion, in practice wealthy women tend to have access to safe procedures in private clinics, while the poor often rely on risky ones

Abortion is currently allowed in Brazil in cases of rape, a pregnancy that threatens a woman's life or a fetus with anencephaly, a birth defect involving the brain

The demonstration in Rio was one of several organised in cities around Brazil on Monday. Women in Rio carried signs reading 'Secular uterus' and 'I don't deserve to bear the child of my rapist'

Some women went topless as they campaigned against the abortion law. This protester displayed a message saying: 'In my body the rules are mine'

Protesters demonstrate against Brazil's congressional move to criminalise all cases of abortion, including cases of rape and where the mother's life is in danger

The demonstration in Rio was one of several organised in cities around Brazil on Monday. Women in Rio carried signs reading 'Secular uterus' and 'I don't deserve to bear the child of my rapist.'

Others called for broader legalisation of abortion.

While Brazilian law severely restricts abortion, in practice wealthy women tend to have access to safe procedures in private clinics, while the poor often rely on risky ones.

An academic survey partially funded by the Ministry of Health estimated that more than 400,000 women had an abortion in Brazil in 2015.

Mothers carried their children on their shoulders as they demanded a u-turn in plans to make all abortions illegal

Anger: Hundreds of people take part in a protest against a bill that would completely ban abortion, in Sao Paulo, Brazil

A protester in Sao Paulo, Brazil, holds a sign that reads 'PEC181 NO!' - PEC181 being the name of a controversial bill aimed at completely banning abortion
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Latest on Sen. Rand Paul (all times local):

6 p.m.

Sen. Rand Paul has returned to Capitol Hill following an attack at his Kentucky home that left him with six broken ribs.

In this Sept. 25, 2017, file photo, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington. Paul says he ended up with six broken ribs after a bizarre attack by his neighbor last week while he was mowing his lawn. Paul writes on Twitter on Nov. 8: "I appreciate all of the support from everyone. A medical update: final report indicates six broken ribs & new X-ray shows a pleural effusion."(AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File)

Paul entered the chamber, hands by his sides, to cast a vote Monday night. He chatted briefly with other senators, including Democratic Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawaii.

Paul was attacked Nov. 3 while mowing his lawn, authorities said. Robert Porter, Paul's close friend of 20 years, said the senator had gotten off his riding lawn mower when he was tackled from behind. Porter said Paul was wearing ear protection, so he did not hear the attack coming.

Police charged Rene Boucher with misdemeanor assault. Boucher pleaded not guilty last week in Bowling Green.

__

12:25 a.m.

Republican U.S. Sen. Rand Paul said Monday he is returning to Washington following an attack in his yard that left him with six broken ribs.

"While I'm still in a good deal of pain, I will be returning to work in the Senate today, ready to fight for liberty and help move forward with tax cuts in the coming days and weeks," Paul posted on his Twitter account.

Paul was attacked Nov. 3 while mowing his lawn, authorities said. Robert Porter, Paul's close friend of 20 years, said the senator had gotten off his riding lawn mower to remove a limb when he was tackled from behind. Porter said Paul was wearing ear protection, so he did not hear the attack coming.

Rene Boucher, center, appears in court for an arraignment hearing with his attorney Matt Baker, left, on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017, at the Warren County Justice Center in Bowling Green, Ky. Boucher pleaded not guilty to charges that he assaulted his neighbor, U.S. Sen. Rand Paul. Boucher and Paul have been neighbors for 17 years in a gated community. (Austin Anthony/Daily News via AP)
Chancellor Philip Hammond has been warned he must tackle the crises in housing and social care in his forthcoming budget.

Councils have been forced to sell off enough properties to house a small city, such as Oxford, and are being prevented from building the replacements needed, local government leaders have warned.

Only a third of the money generated from homes being sold under the right-to-buy scheme (RTB) can be kept by authorities and they cannot borrow to make up the shortfall needed to fund replacements, according to the Local Government Association (LGA).

Councils have called for rules to changed to allow them to build new homes (PA/ Gareth Fuller)

It warned the scheme, which allows residents to buy their social housing, will grind to a halt if councils are not given the financial powers to replace sold homes.

Since 2012 about 54,500 homes have been sold off and some 12,400 replacement homes started, according to the LGA.

The shortfall of 42,100 properties is equivalent to the population of Reading, Canterbury or Oxford, it said.

It called on Mr Hammond to allow councils to keep all right-to-buy sales receipts and have more freedom to borrow to invest when he makes his financial statement on November 22.

LGA housing spokesman Martin Tett said: Current RTB arrangements are restricting councils from being able to replace homes being sold under the scheme.

RTB will quickly become a thing of the past in England if councils continue to be prevented from building new homes and replacing those sold.

If we are to stand a real chance of solving our housing shortage, councils need the funding and powers to replace any homes sold under RTB quickly and reinvest in building more of the genuine affordable homes our communities desperately need.

Conservative John Penrose has called for planning reforms (PA/ John Stillwell)

Tory former heritage minister John Penrose backed calls from housing firms for reforms to make it easier to build up not out.

Permission for urban property owners to build up to the height of the tallest building in the same block, or to the height of mature local trees, would be automatic under the proposals.

Mr Penrose said: Building up, not out, is greener, because we dont have to concrete over more green fields, will breathe fresh life into hard-pressed traditional town centres and create mansion blocks, Georgian terraces and mews houses rather than controversial sky-high tower blocks, so that our towns and cities will become prettier too.

More cash is needed to ease the social care crisis, campaigners say (PA/Joe Giddens)

Meanwhile, campaigners called for an extra 1% on National Insurance contributions to generate up to 5 billion extra to fund over-stretched social care.

The move would be the most progressive way of easing the pressure on the system, research by charity Independent Age and the IPPR think-tank found.

It would mean the poorest working families lost out by 20 a year compared with 1,220 a year for the wealthiest homes.

Harry Quilter-Pinner, research fellow at IPPR, said: Pressures on quality and safety on the frontline are now at a dangerous tipping point.

In their manifesto at the last election the Government promised to lead on social care where others had failed.

They must now deliver on this promise with a long-term sustainable funding settlement urgently needed.
Welcome to the very first installment of Answering Your ESSA Questions. We are asking readers to send us their questions about the Every Student Succeeds Act, which will be rolled out in states, districts, and schools this year . Well do our best to answer as many of your questions as possible.

Our first question is on a pretty key part of the law: A school-based administrator asked, Is testing the only way a student can achieve success under ESSA?

The short answer is: No.

The longer answer: The Every Student Succeeds Act kept in place the testing regimen from the law it replaced, the No Child Left Behind Act. That means that states still have to test students in grades three through eight and once in high school.

But ESSA allowedwell actually, toldstates they had to pick some other factor that got at school quality and student success. More than 30 states picked chronic absenteeism or attendance. And more than 35 states picked college- and career-readiness, defined as Advanced Placement participation or test scores, dual enrollment, career and technical certification, and more. Several states also included subjects other than reading and math into the mix, including science test scores. Others decided to measure school climate.

And there were some unique measures. Vermont picked physical education. Illinois is working on a fine arts indicator. And the District of Columbia, which has a robust school choice program, is looking at re-enrollment. Thats essentially whether a student decides to return to a particular school. More in this story .

Academics will still be more important than these other factors. States are supposed to make sure that graduation rates, English-language proficiency, test scores, and at least one other academic factor, counts for more in a states system than these factors that get at student success or school quality.

But the bottom line is that test scores wont be the whole story any longer.

Got an ESSA question for us? Email aklein@epe.org, aujifusa@epe.org, or tweet at us @PoliticsK12.

Follow us on Twitter at @PoliticsK12 .
Aung San Suu Kyi has let Ireland down, Bob Geldof has said.

The Irish singer and humanitarian campaigner returned his freedom of the city of Dublin award in protest against the Myanmar leader, who also holds the accolade.

Ms Suu Kyi has faced international criticism over her lack of action to prevent alleged ethnic cleansing of her countrys Rohingya Muslims.

More than half a million of the minority group have fled to Bangladesh after recent violence.

Mr Geldof delivered the scroll to Dublin City Council offices and held a short meeting with staff there.

Aung San Suu Kyi (Athit Perawongmetha/AP)

He said: Dublin should not have any truck with this war. She has let us Dubliners down, she has let Ireland down, because we thought she was one thing and we have been duped.

Ms Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, has been attacked by former supporters, including fellow Nobel laureates, for failing to speak out loudly enough against the violence being inflicted on thousands in her home country of Myanmar. For years she was a human rights symbol and lauded for her bravery.

She was given the award by the Dublin Council in 2000 and picked it up more than a decade later in 2012 after her release in Myanmar.

Bob Geldof receiving the Freedom of Dublin City

She became de facto leader of her country after winning an election in 2015.

Geldof performed with the Boomtown Rats, organised Live Aid to raise money to combat the Ethiopian famine in 1985 and is a committed campaigner against genocide.

Bob Geldof with councillor Mannix Flynn outside City Hall (Tom Hanon/PA)

He said he was not grandstanding in handing back his award, saying: It is a small personal gesture because Aung San Suu Kyi was extravagantly welcomed to this city and I participated in that, I sang to her and spoke of her and raised her up with hosannas.

It is personal, I would love them to remove her from the scroll, the problem for the Council is that there is no constitutional way of doing that.

There is no way of receiving back a freedom.

Give me a felt tip pen and I can do it, she does not deserve to be honoured by the city.
Boris Johnson is to meet the husband of jailed British mother Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe on Wednesday to discuss the possibility of her being offered diplomatic protection as part of Government efforts to secure her return from Iran.

Downing Street confirmed that the Foreign Office is looking into the possible use of the status after Richard Ratcliffe spoke with the Foreign Secretary by phone at the weekend.

It is thought that legal advice will have to be taken before determining whether the status  which would raise Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffes plight from a consular case to a formal dispute between the two countries  is the best method for speeding her release.

Mr Johnson returned from Brussels to answer an urgent question on the case in the House of Commons, amid continuing concern that his suggestion to a parliamentary committee that Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe was training journalists in Iran has exposed her to the threat of the doubling of her five-year jail sentence.

Richard Ratcliffe holding a portrait of his wife and daughter (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

Mr Johnson came under fire in the Commons over his suggestion that his comments may have been misinterpreted or taken out of context, with his Labour shadow Emily Thornberry telling him they were simply inaccurate.

It is not good enough, said Ms Thornberry. If it is a matter of pride that the Foreign Secretary is refusing to admit simply that he has made a mistake, I feel bound to say to him that his pride matters not one ounce compared to Nazanins freedom.

In response, the Foreign Secretary made his fullest apology yet, telling MPs: Of course I apologise for the distress and suffering that has been caused by the impression that I gave that the Government believe, and I believe, that she was there in a professional capacity. She was there on holiday.

I do apologise, and of course I retract any suggestion that she was there in a professional capacity.

Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe was arrested last year on a visit to her parents in Iran, and was handed a five-year sentence on spying allegations.

Her husband, who says his wife is on the verge of a nervous breakdown, has appealed to be allowed to join Mr Johnson on a trip to Iran planned by the end of the year, and to visit her in jail with the Foreign Secretary.

Discussing Iran deal, Middle East developments, and agreeing new sanctions regime on Venezuela, in Brussels with EU foreign ministers today pic.twitter.com/bo6yZ7IQCY  Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) November 13, 2017

Mr Johnson told MPs the case had cast a shadow over Britains relationship with Tehran and said he would use his visit to drive home the strength of public and parliamentary feeling about Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffes plight.

Mr Ratcliffe declined to join calls for Mr Johnson to resign over his gaffe, which was seized on by Iranian judicial authorities as an admission of Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffes guilt.

But he urged the Foreign Office to ensure that all ministers know that the Government position is that his wife was on holiday at the time of her arrest, after Environment Secretary Michael Gove said in a TV interview that he did not know what she was doing in Iran.

Astonishing that two of the leading Brexiteers, Boris and Gove, cant get the facts straight on my constituent Nazanins case. Not up to the job.  Tulip Siddiq (@TulipSiddiq) November 12, 2017

Diplomatic protection could save my constituent Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe's life. I just asked the Foreign Secretary to work to protect her - WATCH: https://t.co/ODE0PwE3Rp #FreeNazanin pic.twitter.com/xuiG21Ze2V  Tulip Siddiq (@TulipSiddiq) November 13, 2017

Mr Ratcliffe said it would not be helpful for the Foreign Secretary to resign over his handling of the case.

He told BBC Radio 4s Today. I dont think its helpful also in terms of how that looks in Iran for me to be looking like Im playing politics. Its very important that the Iranians can see that this is just a family who are battling to bring Nazanin home, and not get the sort of sense that we are some sort of great Machiavellian power. We are not.

Urging Iran once more to release Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe on humanitarian grounds, Mr Johnson told MPs: The House should bear in mind that Irans regime and no-one else has chosen to separate this mother from her infant daughter for reasons that even they find it difficult to explain or describe.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe (Gareth Fuller/PA)

I shall travel to Iran myself later this year to review the full state of our bilateral relations and to drive home the strength of feeling in this House and the country at large about the plight of Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe and other consular cases.

Despite the threat of a further jail term made by an Iranian court days after Mr Johnsons gaffe, the Foreign Secretary told MPs there was no evidence she had faced any additional charges or penalties since her initial sentencing in September last year.
Leaving the EU without a deal will cause a constitutional disturbance, Sir Keir Starmer has said.

The shadow Brexit secretary was speaking as Prime Minister Theresa May was meeting business leaders from across Europe on Monday to discuss the future of UK-EU trade post-Brexit.

CBI director-general Carolyn Fairbairn said the Government needed to clarify what the terms of trade would be with the EU as firms are starting to trigger contingency plans for withdrawal.

The European Union flag in front of the Elizabeth Tower,

NEW: @Keir_Starmer writes to Theresa May urging her to back Labours call for no Brexit cliff-edge.



It has become increasingly clear that you alone do not have the authority to deliver a transitional deal with Europe [that will] protect jobs and the economy. pic.twitter.com/BYPvvE16jP  Shadow Brexit Team (@ShadowBrexit) November 13, 2017

Sir Keir told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: No deal is a very, very bad outcome.

Taken literally, it means we have not agreed anything, and that means we havent agreed anything about EU citizens, we havent agreed anything about the border in Northern Ireland, we havent agreed anything on security. I think that sort of no deal is unthinkable.

In those circumstances I think the Government would have to seriously consider whether it could continue.

There will be a real crisis of confidence. A constitutional, sort of, disturbance. And probably all sorts of emergency legislation. And thats why we shouldnt casualise no deal.

Keir Starmer right to say no deal Brexit would be a disaster. PM cannot let the future of our country be held hostage by a few MPs on the fringes of her own party #r4today  David Lammy (@DavidLammy) November 13, 2017

With the battle over Brexit returning to the Commons this week as the landmark EU (Withdrawal) Bill goes into committee stage, Sir Keir said he hoped for support from Tory rebels for a Labour amendment allowing the European Court of Justice (ECJ) to maintain its role during a transition period.

Sir Keir said a future relationship with the ECJ after transition would be a matter for negotiation.

At the gathering of business leaders, Mrs May will attempt to win support from European businesses for her goal of moving the negotiations on to trade talks.

Ms Fairbairn told Today: The big message today is around mutual interest.

"Time is running out to avoid chaos of unplanned Brexit with no transitional arrangements" @BBCr4today  Barry Sheerman MP (@BarrySheerman) November 13, 2017

She said 10% of firms had enacted their contingency plans to deal with Brexit and another 25% would do so by the end of the year.

Groups represented include the BDI and BDA from Germany, Medef from France and the EU-wide BusinessEurope.

Brexit Secretary David Davis and Business Secretary Greg Clark will also attend the Downing Street event.

The #UK is leaving the EU. It is now high time to clarify essential principles of orderly withdrawal. #Brexit https://t.co/ouJYlBHPxM pic.twitter.com/agPpJjnrl2  Michel Barnier (@MichelBarnier) November 9, 2017

A leaders summit will take place next month and the European Unions chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, has insisted the UK has to be much clearer on issues such as citizens rights, the Irish border and the UKs financial settlement before trade talks can open.

Tory former leader Iain Duncan Smith said Labour was shifting its position on Brexit.

He told the BBC: Staying inside the Court of Justice would actually be tantamount to staying within the European Union.

A Government amendment to the Bill formally ending Britains membership of the EU at 11pm GMT on March 29 2019 was strongly condemned by Conservative former attorney general Dominic Grieve.

Mr Grieve, who was a prominent Remain campaigner in last years referendum, said it would simply reduce the Governments flexibility in the negotiations with Brussels.

I think it is an incoherent and thoroughly stupid amendment and it wont have my support, he told Sky News.
Donald Trump has pushed for equitable trade deals and opted to prioritise strategic interests over human rights during a meeting with Philippines leader Rodrigo Duterte in Manila.

The US president repeatedly praised Mr Duterte, pointedly calling him by his first name, sharing a joke about the media and even complimenting Manilas weather.

What he did not do was what many predecessors have done before: highlight human rights abuses while overseas.

Mr Trump reacts as he does the "Asean-way handshake" with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on his left (Andrew Harnik/AP)

Mr Duterte has overseen a bloody drug war that has featured extrajudicial killings, and has boasted about killing people with his own hands.

However, during brief remarks to reporters, Mr Trump said he and Mr Duterte have had a great relationship but avoided questions on whether he would raise human rights issues.

The White House later said the two leaders discussed Islamic State, illegal drugs and trade during the 40-minute meeting.

President Trump joined other nations leaders at the Special Gala Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of ASEAN. #POTUSinAsia pic.twitter.com/43azlNjy5a  U.S. Embassy in the Philippines (@USEmbassyPH) November 12, 2017

Spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said human rights came up briefly in the context of the Philippines fight against illegal drugs.

She did not say whether Mr Trump was critical of Mr Dutertes programme.

That appeared to conflict with the Philippines version of the meeting.

Harry Roque, a spokesman for Mr Duterte, said there was no mention of human rights. There was no mention of extralegal killings. There was only a rather lengthy discussion of the Philippine war on drugs with President Duterte doing most of the explaining.

On the sidelines of an international summit, Mr Trump looked to strengthen ties with Pacific Rim allies.

He met Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday and jointly met Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, with whom he had a contentious phone call last winter, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who hosted the president in Tokyo earlier in the trip.

Mr Trump raved about his accomplishments on his five-nation journey, including on trade and on North Korea, which the White House has suggested may be designated a state sponsor of terror.

He said he would wait until his return to Washington on Wednesday to elaborate with a major statement on those two topics but hinted at progress while in Manila.

Leaders of ASEAN and its Dialogue Partners do the #ASEAN way for their photo op at the opening of 31st #ASEANSummit in #Manila today. pic.twitter.com/Fj8TTxaYVP  ASEAN (@ASEAN) November 13, 2017

Weve made some very big steps with regard to trade  far bigger than anything you know, Mr Trump told reporters, touting business deals forged between US and foreign companies.

Weve made a lot of big progress on trade. We have deficits with almost everybody. Those deficits are going to be cut very quickly and very substantially, he said.

Except us, Mr Turnbull chimed in, to laughs.

Youre the only one, Mr Trump responded.

He also said the trip had been very fruitful for the United States and pointed to the warm welcomes he had received in capitals like Tokyo, Seoul and Beijing.

It was red carpet like nobody, I think, has probably ever received, Mr Trump said. And that really is a sigh of respect, perhaps for me a little, but really for our country. And Im really proud of that.
A zoo is facing calls to close after it emerged that a second lynx was accidentally asphyxiated within days of the shooting and killing of Lillith the lynx, who escaped from her enclosure at the seaside attraction.

Borth Wild Animal Kingdom near Aberyswyth, west Wales, has been criticised for having no understanding of wild animal behaviour or welfare needs by the Lynx UK Trust, who said a second cat had died after keepers at the zoo tried to move it to another enclosure using a dog noose.

SECOND LYNX KILLED BY BORTH WILD ANIMAL KINGDOM Over the weekend we have been investigating the circumstances... Posted by Lynx UK Trust on Sunday, November 12, 2017

In a statement on its Facebook page, the zoo confirmed that Nilly, an adult female who was unrelated to Lillith but shared an enclosure with her, had died after the decision was taken to move the animal to a more suitable enclosure when they were give 24 hours notice of an inspection.

Lilith, a young Eurasian lynx, escaped from the wildlife park in Wales (Borth Wild Animal Kingdom/PA)

Borth Wild Animal Kingdom said: Unfortunately, there seems to have been a terrible handling error where it seems she twisted in the catch-pole and became asphyxiated.

An internal investigation is under way, and a key member of staff has been unable to work since the ordeal as they are truly devastated by what has happened.

Lillith, an 18-month-old Eurasian lynx and twice the size of a domestic cat, was killed on Friday night after the local authority received advice from a specialist veterinary surgeon that the risk to public well-being had increased from moderate to severe.

Park staff said that the animal, which had been missing since since October 29, did not pose a threat to humans and were devastated and outraged by her death.

The trust, which campaigns for the re-introduction of lynx into the wild in the UK, said it had been investigating the circumstances surrounding the escape and shooting of Lillith when it was informed that the second lynx had died.

Chief scientific adviser to the trust Dr Paul ODonoghue said he visited the zoo and had the sequence of events explained to him.

He said: What if it had been Borths crocodile that escaped? Or their two lions? Their leopard almost escaped a few years ago when its cage door was left open; how long are we going to let these hobby zoos run by amateurs keep operating? Will it take the death of a human for someone to take action?

Dean and Tracy Tweedy took over Borth Wild Animal Kingdom less than six months ago.

In their statement they said they knew that there were serious issues with how some of the animals were housed and had been working hard to make vast improvements.

They said the zoo was now closed and would remain so until further notice, adding: There are many serious issues with this establishment that need to be addressed before we go forward. Hopefully we can work with the authorities to bring this place up to code and create a home for these animals that is safe and secure.

The revelation came after the Farmers Union of Wales (FUW) said the shooting and killing of Lillith was long overdue given the danger to people and livestock.

In an ideal world the #lynx would have been quickly recaptured, but this did not happen. Given the risk to people and livestock, action to remove such a danger was long overdue.  FUW_UAC (@FUW_UAC) November 13, 2017

Releasing a picture of seven sheep believed to have been killed by Lillith, the FUW defended Ceredigion Councils decision that she should be killed after she strayed over to a populated area of the community.

In an ideal world the lynx would have been quickly recaptured, but this did not happen, a spokesman for the FUW said. Given the risk to people and livestock, action to remove such a danger was long overdue.

Had the animal not been allowed to escape in the first place, this situation would not have arisen, and it seems a number of our members livestock would not have been attacked and killed.

Mrs Tweedy she thought it was highly unlikely that Lillith had killed the sheep.

She said she understood that a post-mortem examination had been carried out on one of the sheep and that the results were inconclusive, with the results of blood tests yet to come back, and that for Lillith to have killed the sheep, she would have had to have done so very shortly after her escape, having no experience hunting larger prey.
Police are hunting cowardly Remembrance Sunday vandals who smashed up a patrol car while officers were commemorating Britains fallen.

West Midlands Police said thugs took the chance to break the vehicles windows and shatter its windscreen while officers were at a nearby memorial parade in Birmingham.

#Appeal - We are appealing for info after one of our police cars had its windows smashed while officers were taking part in Remembrance parade's in #Erdington: https://t.co/NTzi0geSGr pic.twitter.com/CvVxK3VqLc  West Midlands Police (@WMPolice) November 13, 2017

The force appealed for information to trace two men acting suspiciously who then drove off on a moped, near Brookvale Park, Erdington.

The car was damaged in the Erdington area of Birmingham (West Midlands Police/PA)

Chief Superintendent Kenny Bell, from West Midlands Police, said: It is absolutely disgusting how these individuals took advantage of a time when my officers were marching shoulder to shoulder with members of the community during Remembrance parades.

I would urge anyone with information to get in touch so that we can bring those who committed this cowardly crime to justice.
Grigor Dimitrov overcame a bout of beginners nerves to mark his ATP Finals debut with a three-set win over Dominic Thiem.

Dimitrov surrendered a one-set lead at Londons O2 Arena and then needed two chances to serve for victory in the decider before edging past the talented Thiem 6-3 5-7 7-5.

With Andy Murray away injured, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are the stand-out attractions at this weeks tournament but there may be few contests as entertaining as this one, lasting two hours and 19 minutes.

Grigor Dimitrov started his ATP Finals campaign with a win (John Walton/PA)

Nadal opens his campaign against David Goffin later on Monday but if the Spaniards creaking knee proves a burden, Dimitrov could even be a dark horse to top the group.

To do so, he will have to calm his nerves. The 26-year-old is the first Bulgarian qualifier here in the competitions 48-year history and he admitted on court afterwards that he had struggled to handle the pressure.

Im not going to lie, I was pretty nervous in my first match out here, Dimitrov said.

Its not the same as practising on this court, you feel the weight on your shoulders, in a positive way of course. Im just very grateful to win in that manner. Its not easy playing here for the first time.

Ranked a career-high sixth in the world, Dimitrov took a break midway through the opening set and served out but Thiem levelled when his opponent wavered at the end of the second.

 in it!



Thiem pushes his match vs Dimitrov to a 3rd set after taking the 2nd 7-5  https://t.co/CI6GIuHJqW



: @lovelockphoto #NittoATPFinals pic.twitter.com/zOjlu7CkPn  ATP Tour (@atptour) November 13, 2017

A shanked forehand wide gave Thiem a set-clinching break at 6-5 but Dimitrov again pulled ahead in the third, when a sensational drop-volley put him a break and 4-3 up.

Serving for the match at 5-4, however, he wobbled again as a framed backhand beyond the baseline allowed Thiem a reprieve.

But the Austrian, perhaps also affected by the jitters, failed to consolidate as two consecutive double faults allowed Dimitrov a 6-5 advantage and a second chance to serve out. Even with two match points, Dimitrov threatened to choke again as he spurned both, one with a double fault of his own. He finally converted a third, however, when a Thiem backhand landed long.

A man in demand! @GrigorDimitrov celebrates a victorious #NittoATPFinals debut with his fans  pic.twitter.com/yAsxNgT5Zc  Tennis TV (@TennisTV) November 13, 2017

Its a special moment for me for me but also I hope for my country, Dimitrov added. For people just to realise that whatever you put your mind to, if you push those boundaries every day, if you work hard the sky is the limit.

Thiem remains a potent force on his favoured clay but is yet to replicate that form on faster surfaces. On hard courts, he has beaten a top-10 opponent only once in 15 matches.

It would have been better to win the match but there are still two more matches, two chances, he said. Its only over when I cannot reach the semi-final anymore.
By Elias Gebreselassie

ARGOBA, Ethiopia, Nov 13 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - A rmed with a spear and undeterred by the intense sunlight, Tarekegn Kareto meticulously plucks weeds in his maize field in Argoba village, in southern Ethiopia.

"With both dry weather and unusually heavy rains hitting us in the past year, I've lost over half of my harvest of maize and sorghum," he said, pausing to wipe sweat off his forehead.

"That means I've had to dip into my crop reserves - which I can no longer sell for extra income - or even rely on neighbours' charity for food," he added.

Prolonged drought and erratic rainfall across the country have hit harvests and livestock, eating into farmers' and herders' income and meals, experts say.

In the second half of 2017, at least 8.5 million Ethiopians needed urgent food aid, up from 5.6 million in January, according to an August report by the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization.

To remedy this, a project hopes to help Ethiopian herders and farmers access weather information to make more informed decisions and better absorb climate shocks.

It has set up 25 automatic weather stations across Ethiopia's Afar, Somali, and Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples' (SNNP) regions, which supply weather data to relevant government agencies and local communities.

The initiative, led by aid agencies Farm Africa and Mercy Corps, is part of the Building Resilience and Adaptation to Climate Extremes and Disasters (BRACED) programme, funded by the UK Department for International Development.

The data helps herders and farmers predict the availability of water and grass for grazing, and allows government agencies to predict and track extreme weather events.

"Although Ethiopia already has automated weather stations, populations in these remote regions have little to no access to climate information," explained Dereje Agize, programme coordinator at Mercy Corps.

Tsegaye Ketema, head of developmental meteorology at Ethiopia's National Meteorological Agency, said that "with millions of Ethiopians in need of food aid due to very dry weather, access to reliable climate information can literally be a life saver".

Setting up weather stations in rural areas is part of the government's Climate Resilient Green Economy strategy, which aims to achieve self-sufficiency in food by 2025.

RELIABLE CLIMATE INFORMATION

Ethiopia is particularly vulnerable to extreme weather, said Kareto, explaining that "in recent years I've witnessed several droughts during what was supposed to be rainy seasons and heavy rainfall at periods which are supposed to be dry".

That makes it difficult to know what to plant and when, he added.

Getu Guleya, chief administrator of Derashe woreda - an Ethiopian term for district - explained that "weather volatility in our area is a big challenge, even contributing to communal tensions and food insecurity".

Worsening drought has created increased competition for resources and land between ethnic groups, which can result in deadly conflict, he said.

The BRACED project aims to prevent this by providing communities with regular and reliable climate information. The Ethiopian met agency, which runs the weather stations, uses the weather data to share local information on air temperature, rainfall and wind direction - among other indicators - and produce regular climate reports.

The forecasts are then broadcast on community radios in local languages, which break down the technical terms into information that's easier to understand.

Guleya hopes that timely weather information will "reduce the need for pastoralists to migrate or raid neighbouring communities in search of food and pastures".

MANAGING LIVESTOCK BETTER

Through the radio broadcasts, the programme also encourages farmers and herders to diversify their sources of income and better manage their livestock.

Ketema believes "it is better to have a smaller flock of healthy livestock that you can rely on as a livelihood, rather than a large number of starving livestock that's hard to maintain".

"With timely climate information, you can prevent animals dying by stocking up on feed ahead of drought, for example," he said. (Reporting by Elias Gebreselassia, editing by Zoe Tabary and Laurie Goering. Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, women's rights, trafficking, property rights, climate change and resilience. Visit http://news.trust.org)
SOFIA, Nov 13 (Reuters) - These are some of the main stories in Bulgarian newspapers on Monday. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

CAPITAL DAILY - Bulgaria will seek to revoke the privatisation deal for the shipping company Navigation Maritime Bulgare in court, deputy Prime Minister Valeri Simeonov said a day after the country's Cassation Court ruled to revoke an arbitration decision that allowed the company not to pay 55 million levs ($33 million) in penalties to the state.

-- The average monthly salary rose 11.5 percent on an annual basis to 1064 levs ($633) in September, statistics office data showed. (Capital Daily, Standart)

-- Natural gas wholesale prices will increase by about 5 percent as of January, the state gas seller Bulgargaz estimated. The energy regulator will have to set the gas wholesale prices for the first quarter of next year. (Standart, 24 Chasa)

-- The Bulgarian state will carefully check the eventual buyer of the Bulgarian assets of Czech utility CEZ, Energy Minister Temenuzhka Petkova said. Petkova outlined that for a deal to go through it has to be approved by the country's antimonopoly watchdog as well as the financial and the energy regulators. (Monitor, Standart) ($1 = 1.6789 leva)
BELGRADE, Nov 13 (Reuters) - Lack of funding, a high level of bad loans and poor bankruptcy procedures have slowed the growth of lending at the banks in six Western Balkan states, an International Monetary Fund report said on Monday.

External bank funding rose by more than 500 percent before 2008, pushing economic growth in the six countries - Albania, Bosnia, Kosovo, Montenegro, Macedonia and Serbia - the IMF said in a chapter of its European outlook.

In that period, 70 to 95 percent of banking assets in the various countries were controlled by foreign banks, mostly based in the European Union.

But eight years after the world financial crisis broke, foreign banks still see limited prospects in the region, which has prompted the local banks to curb funding from abroad and rely on self-funding, the IMF report said.

Return on equity fell 10 to 35 percentage points during the crisis and still has not recovered to pre-crisis levels. In addition, a high percentage of non-performing loans (NPL) in most of the countries continues to hurt profitability.

To tackle weak credit growth and boost economic prospects for the region, states need to secure a legal framework for dealing with non-performing loans, accelerate judicial reforms and improve bankruptcy and insolvency laws.

"Weak judiciaries make banks weary of lending for fear that debts will not be recovered," the IMF said in its report.

They also need to sort out property rights, since uncertainty means a range of asserts cannot be easily collateralised.

In addition those constraints, most of countries have too many banks. For example, Serbia, the biggest of the six, has 30 separate banking chains.

To expand the funding base and help banks grow, the countries could develop local capital markets where banks could issue corporate bonds, the report said.

Setting up private-sector pension funds and insurance companies would help create demand for bank bonds and could more generally spur domestic saving, the IMF said in the report.

Despite healthy economic growth rates - exceeding 3 percent at the moment - the region is lagging behind its European peers. Incomes in the region are 30 percent of those in the euro area. (Reporting by Ivana Sekularac, editing by Larry King)
The Texas State Board of Education last week voted against a proposed Mexican-American textbook, but agreed to discuss in January the option of creating an elective course in Mexican-American studies instead.

School board member Lawrence A. Allen Jr., a Democrat, attempted to impress upon members that providing ethnic studies is not a passing whim that can be brushed aside. He pointed out that the Houston Independent School District, in addition to adding a Mexican-American studies course , is also working on an Asian-American studies course. We need to lead this because the sentiment is out there in the community and we need to address it, he said.

The board rejected author Tony Diazs textbook The Mexican American Studies Toolkit, after a state review panel uncovered errors and also argued that the book didnt encourage critical thinking, according to the Texas Tribune .

The book requires substantial revisions in terms of its structure, pedagogical components, lack of citations, interdisciplinary and social studies content, and multiple perspectives, the panel wrote.

The Fight Over Mexican-American Studies

Some school board members argued that Diaz didnt have enough time and direction to do a proper rewrite of the text. Opponents of the Mexican-American studies course like David Bradley, a Republican, maintained that an ethnic-studies course should encompass multiple ethnicities, not just one.

Of the 5.3 million students in Texas in the 2015-2016 school year, 52 percent are Hispanic, 29 percent are White, 13 percent are African American, and 4 percent are Asian, according to the Texas Education Agency.

Diaz expressed skepticism on Twitter following the rejection of his textbook, writing of the school board: They can adopt MAS [Mexican American Studies] if they want to. Its clear they dont want to.

This is the boards second rejection of a Mexican-American studies textbook for use in schools. Last year in November, the board rejected another proposed Mexican-American textbook that received widespread criticism for its portrayal of Mexicans as lazy and for its overall lack of accuracy and quality.

The board in 2014 had invited publishers to submit textbooks that high schools could use to develop their own Mexican-American studies courses, after Republican lawmakers nixed a plan to create a statewide Mexican-American studies course. Now the board has agreed to take another look at the course option that will likely be modeled after the new Mexican-American studies course offered in the Houston district.

Board member Patricia Hardy, a Republican, suggested that teachers and school districts were at fault if they want to offer an ethnic-studies course but havent developed one. The State Board of Education and staff 20 years ago came up with a process so that any ethnic group, any teacher, any school district can develop whatever they darn well please in regard to ethnic studies, she said.

But board member Marisa B. Perez-Diaz, a Democrat, objected to the idea, fearing that if development of a Mexican-American course is left entirely to schools, the quality of the curriculum would vary too much from district to district. She insisted that a set standard for what a quality Mexican-American studies course should look like is imperative.

We wouldnt allow a math standard to be willy nilly and every district decide whats important and whats not, she said. We need to set a standard for whats important to teach in Mexican-American studies and that allows the opportunity for [students] to learn something consistent, substantive, and fruitful. I think thats what were trying to accomplish in requesting a formal course.

The Start of a Movement

The rise in ethnic studies course offerings in K-12 schools came about, in part, as a response to the shuttering of a popular Mexican-American course offered in schools in Tucson, Ariz. The Tucson school board cancelled the course after the schools chief at the time threatened to withhold from the school district $15 million in state funding, arguing that state law prohibits public schools from offering courses that are designed for a particular ethnic group, advocating ethnic solidarity, or promoting resentment toward a race or group of people. This past August, a judge ruled the ban had discriminatory intent .

Since the ban was first enacted, more and more educators across the country have advocated for ethnic studies classes as one way to engage diverse student bodies by offering courses that present the history of communities of color. Studies show the courses provide students several benefits. A 2016 study out of Stanford University revealed that taking a course examining the roles of race, nationality and culture on identity and experience improved grades, attendance, and graduation rates. A study by the University of Arizona of Tucsons controversial Mexican-American studies program showed similar positive academic benefits for students.

Related stories:
By Robin Emmott

BRUSSELS, Nov 13 (Reuters) - European Union foreign ministers approved economic sanctions, including an arms embargo, on Venezuela on Monday, saying regional elections last month marred by reported irregularities had deepened the country's crisis.

Anxious not to push Caracas any closer to economic and political collapse as debt restructuring talks begin, EU governments held back from targeting any individuals.

The bloc instead left names for a later stage to try to persuade President Nicholas Maduro to calm the situation.

"Everything we do is aimed at seeking dialogue between the government and the opposition to find a democratic and peaceful solution," Spain's Foreign Minister Alfonso Dastis told reporters at a meeting with his counterparts where the sanctions decision was made.

Venezuelan opposition leaders said last week they would resume efforts to hold a dialogue with Maduro, even though they say he previously used such talks to stall for time instead of implementing serious reform.

Over the weekend, Maduro had termed imminent sanctions by the bloc as "stupid."

On Monday, his government said the "illegal" and "absurd" EU measures were a violation of international norms.

"The European institutions show their lamentable and shameful subordination to the U.S. government," it added.

Spain has long pushed for sanctions on those close to Maduro, whom Washington accuses of installing a dictatorship and slapped sanctions on in July. But the EU has been divided over whom to target.

The arms embargo adds Venezuela to an EU list that includes North Korea and Syria, where European defense companies can no longer do business and to which the sale of any goods deemed as being used for repression are also banned.

Britain sold 1.4 million pounds ($1.83 million) worth of arms to Venezuela between May 2010 and March 2017, according to The Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT), which lobbies to end arms sales to repressive governments.

"GRADUAL AND FLEXIBLE" SANCTIONS

In a joint statement, all 28 EU ministers said the legal basis for individual travel bans to the EU and the freezing of any Venezuelan assets in the bloc "will be used in a gradual and flexible manner and can be expanded."

Representatives of Maduro's government were due to meet investors in Caracas on Monday to discuss renegotiating $60 billion in foreign debt.

Some EU governments want to give former Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, the EU's main envoy for Venezuela, another chance to try negotiations despite unsuccessful efforts in 2016.

But in the statement, ministers said regional elections held in Venezuela on Oct. 15 were a turning point that had hardened the bloc's position, having taken place amid "reported numerous irregularities."

The results appeared to favor Maduro's ruling Socialists, while polls had suggested the opposition would easily win a majority. In the end it won only a handful of governorships, according to the pro-government electoral board.

EU ministers will decide whom to target with sanctions at a later stage, but said they would focus on security forces and government ministers and institutions accused of human rights violations and the non-respect of democratic principles or the rule of law.

Experts say individual U.S. sanctions spearheaded by U.S. President Donald Trump, while providing strong symbolism, have had little or no impact on Maduro's policies and that oil-sector and financial sanctions may be the only way to force the Venezuelan government to change. (Reporting by Robin Emmott additional reporting by Andrew Cawthorne and Andreina Aponte in Caracas editing by Rosalba O'Brien and Jonathan Oatis)
BEIJING, Nov 13 (Reuters) - China aims to prevent power generated by its renewable energy sector being wasted by 2020, the country's National Energy Administration (NEA) said on Monday.

Power from wind, solar and hydro plants is often wasted as there is not enough transmission capacity to absorb it, leading to high curtailment rates, especially in northwestern China.

The NEA said in a statement that the utilisation rate of hydro-power plants in the southwestern provinces of Yunnan and Sichuan should reach around 90 percent by 2017.

It expects the wind power curtailment rate to drop to about 30 percent in the northwestern provinces of Gansu and Xinjiang and to around 20 percent in the northeastern region of Jilin, Heilongjiang and Inner Mongolia in 2017.

Solar power waste in Gansu and Xinjiang provinces should be controlled below around 20 percent and in Shaanxi and Qinghai to below 10 percent this year, it added.

Power generated from wind and solar power plants in other regions across the country will have to meet the 2017 targets set by the NEA last year, it said in the statement.

China has vowed to raise the portion of its renewable and non-fossil fuel power consumption to 15 percent of total energy mix by 2020 and 20 percent by 2030.

It also said that it will promote the power trade market and improve its cross-region power transmission capacity to boost renewable energy consumption and cut its coal dependence.

Coal-fired power capacity across the country will be capped at 1,100 gigawatts by 2020, the NEA said. (Reporting by Muyu Xu and Beijing Newsroom; Editing by Tom Hogue)
ANKARA, Nov 13 (Reuters) - Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday that those who do not believe in a military solution in Syria should pull their troops out, after Russia and the United States said no military solution was possible in Syria.

"I am having trouble understanding these comments. If a military solution is out of the question, then those who say this should pull their troops out," Erdogan told reporters before flying to Russia.

He said he would discuss the issue with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as well as a political solution in Syria, joint steps with Russia in Syria's Afrin region, and details of an S-400 air defence missile system deal. (Reporting by Tuvan Gumrukcu and Ece Toksabay; Editing by Dominic Evans)
BUCHAREST, Nov 13 (Reuters) - Romanian anti-corruption prosecutors opened an investigation on Monday into the leader of the ruling Social Democrat Party, Liviu Dragnea, on suspicion of forming a "criminal group" to siphon off cash from state projects, some of them EU-funded.

Dragnea, currently on trial in a separate abuse-of-office case, told reporters he rejected the new charges. Opposition parties called on him to resign as parliament speaker pending the criminal inquiry.

Prosecutors said Dragnea was suspected of forming "an organised criminal group" that included public servants and businesspeople in 2001. They said there were suspicions the group was still active.

The investigation focused on road construction firm Tel Drum SA, formerly controlled by the county council of the southern Teleorman region, a body that Dragnea headed until 2012, prosecutors said.

Dragnea and eight other people conspired to privatise the company through intermediaries, so that it came under "the influence and control of the suspect Liviu Dragnea," the prosecutors added.

The company won many public contracts, at times without tenders or benefiting from confidential information that helped it beat other bidders, the prosecutors' statement said. Dragnea and people close to him received cash and other assets from it, the statement added.

Tel Drum director Petre Pitis, also under investigation, declined to comment as he left a closed-door hearing at the office of anti-corruption prosecuting agency DNA. A company representative told Reuters that an official reaction was not expected on Monday.

The group of nine people was suspected of seeking to "fraudulently obtain important sums from public works contracts funded with domestic and European funds, by committing abuse of office, EU funds fraud, tax evasion, money laundering and accessing confidential information," the DNA statement read.

The case was based on a notice sent by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) in 2016 regarding suspicions that Dragnea and other regional officials had used forged papers to secure EU funds for road rehabilitations, prosecutors said.

"I categorically do not feel guilty, I never formed a criminal group," Dragnea told reporters. The 55-year-old, who got a suspended prison sentence last year for illegally using his influence within the party to sway a 2012 referendum, has dismissed past investigations as politically motivated.

Opposition liberal Ioan Cupsa said Dragnea should resign. "Once more, he is making parliament and the image it has with public opinion vulnerable," he was quoted saying by state news agency Agerpres. Dragnea said he had no intention of stepping aside.

Transparency International ranks Romania among the European Union's most corrupt states. Brussels, which keeps Romania's justice system under special monitoring, has praised magistrates for their efforts to curb graft.

The ruling Social Democrats are currently preparing a judicial overhaul the European Commission, foreign diplomats and Romania's own president have all said could place the justice system under political control. Thousands of Romanians protested against the overhaul earlier this month.

At the start of 2017, attempts by the ruling coalition to weaken anti-corruption legislation triggered the countrys biggest protests in decades. (Reporting by Luiza Ilie; Editing by Andrew Heavens)
Dr. Hiran Hettiarachchi  Group Chairman of Blue Mountain with the Best Condo Architectural Design award at the Asia Property Awards

Blue Mountain Achillieon won the Best Condo Architectural Design at a gala event at the Asia Property Awards held on 8th November 2017 at Sands Expo & Convention Centre, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore. This will be the 24th accolade that Achillieon has won internationally. Blue Mountain Group Chairman Dr. Hiran Hettiarachchi also represented Sri Lankas property sector at the prestigious regional summit, where he delivered a speech at the summit and took part in a panel discussion on Digging deeper into the project of the century: One Belt One Road.

Achilleions iconic design and structure of the development is being supported by the global real estate titan, Palmer & Turner (P&T) Group Singapore, heralded as the No. 2 ranked residential developer in the world. P&T is reputed for only working in high value projects around the world, being extremely selective about the credentials of the property and its potential in becoming a landmark project. Enhancing the propertys value even further, the complexs plush interiors are being curated by Index Design, a leading interior design practise also based in Singapore, which reflects the ultra-modern and latest international style that the apartments will deflect.

Commenting on the win at the prestigious Asia Real Estate Summit, Dr. Hiran Hettiarachchi (MBBS-Colombo & MBA-Australia)  Group Chairman of Blue Mountain, said, I am truly honoured with our win and am pleased that our company was able to bring glory to Sri Lanka yet again. I am proud to showcase the strength and quality of our growing real estate industry. I was privileged to speak before leaders from Asias property markets and to be part of the distinguished panel of judges. Chinas One Belt One Road initiative has repercussions for the region and I am pleased to be able to share my views at the panel discussion, as it is important for Sri Lanka too, to realize how it will be impacted. This opportunity extended to me is a triumph for Sri Lankas property market and I am hopeful that it will help position the country as an attractive destination for real estate investments. The Blue Mountain Group has charted a bold and ambitious vision through its projects, especially Achilleion, which will herald Sri Lankas first seven-star luxury apartment.

Dr. Hiran Hettiarachchi  Group Chairman of Blue Mountain speaking at the Asia Real Estate Summit panel discussion along with Tom Miller  Author and senior analyst, Gavekal Research, Rafiq Jumabhoy  Managing principal, Orkney Investments, Evelyn Lim  Executive Director, Tax Advisory, BDO

Achilleion was recently recognized as one of the top three apartments in the Asia-Pacific region, at the Asia Pacific Property Awards 2017. The iconic real estate development received a record number of eight awards including two 5-Star awards and emerged as the only Sri Lankan real estate development to be honoured at the event. This recognition enabled Blue Mountains Achilleion to compete against global real estate titans for the title of Best Apartment in the World at the World Property Awards 2017, in November later this year.

The Asia Real Estate Summit is the premier gathering of top-level business leaders and industry experts to exchange ideas, build partnerships, gain industry insights and discover the most outstanding projects in Asia. The Summit covers the biggest issues driving real estate development, investment and growth in Asia and across the world. The format is fast-paced: keynote speeches and panel discussions are interspersed with shorter talks and presentations, as well as international networking lunch and coffee breaks, with early evening cocktails to end the day.

The Blue Mountain Group of Companies, in a relatively short period of time, has grown into a dynamic corporate that is rapidly revolutionizing Sri Lankas real estate industry. Today, Blue Mountain has become a full service real estate company in Sri Lanka which has diversified operations that extend across the areas of land sales, apartment developments and construction. The company is one of the most trusted and reliable real estate companies in the country.

Dr. Hiran Hettiarachchi  Group Chairman of Blue Mountain speaking at the Asia Real Estate Summit panel discussion

Dr. Hiran Hettiarachchi  Group Chairman of Blue Mountain speaking at the Asia Real Estate Summit panel discussion
Megapolis and western Development Minister Champika Ranawaka today made a request to President Maithripala Sirisena to establish a Sinhala and Tamil medium National School with all facilities at the heart of Colombo.

Attending a ceremony to publicize the Laksetha Sewana housing complex he said a population around 0.2 million resides in the Colombo Central and even though many schools are located in the Colombo city, these residents are unable to enroll their children to a school in the close vicinity.

He also said that he believe the President would fulfill his request on a priority basis.

We believe that the president will implement our request as the ministry of education is carrying out a programme to provide at least one National School per electorate these days. We have agreed to build knowledge based economy, as such we should create an environment to improve the quality of education in par with international standards. he said. (Thilanka Kanakarathna)
Saudi Princess Amira Bint Aidan Bin Nayef has revealed that children, especially the orphans, from countries like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Djibouti, Somalia, Nigeria, Romania and Bulgaria had been bought and rented as sex slaves in Saudi, Dhaka Tribune reported on Sunday.

Giving exclusive statements to the French Newspaper Le Monde, she has said slavery in Saudi Arabia had different forms, but it was done in secrecy and permitted only among the primary beneficiaries of the princes of the House of Saud.

Princes Aidan is the ex-wife of the Saudi Prince Al Waleed bin Talal, who was recently arrested in scope of the anti-corruption purges in the country.

She said those who accuse others of corruption and money laundering are in fact highly corrupted themselves.

Russian online news portal Fort Russ has reported quoting Aidans interview on Le Monde that the corrupted had turned the city of Jeddah into a slave market where underage girls are being exploited for sex parties involving drug and alcohol abuse.

Princes Aidan said that one of the main reasons why this keeps going on was that the members of the Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice (Saudi Sharia police) tend to keep away from the matter, fearing they might lose their jobs, should they intervene.

The newspaper quoted the princess as saying that a Hallowen event was recently held in Jeddah, and which was attended by 150 people, including employees of the consulates.

The scene had been like a typical nightclub anywhere outside the Kingdom, with available wines, dancing couples in fancy costumes and a DJ.

Bint Aidan said the children become the property of those who buy them and are not allowed to leave without permission.

Even the Asian maids who come to work often find themselves in a kind of slave-like position. Young girls are divided into smaller groups and exploited for immoral acts.

Trafficking of white women and exploiting them for sexual practices is also relatively common, the article said.
Statement issued by the Expert Committee on Tobacco, Alcohol, and Illicit drugs of the

Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA). SLMA is the national professional medical association which brings together medical practitioners of all grades and all branches of medicine. It is the oldest professional medical association in Asia and Australasia, The budget proposals 2017 include reducing the taxes on beer by 40% and allowing sale of beer without licences in tourist guest houses. The justification of these measure are listed as follows.

1) 49%, or 1 in 2 alcohol users in Sri Lanka use Kasippu

The issue of illicit alcohol or kasippu to mislead governments to stop this effective policy measure has been used for decades in Sri Lanka without any corroborating evidence. This is the same argument used when the tax of beer was reduced in the mid 1990s. It resulted in the consumption of beer increasing rapidly. Spirits consumption also increased increasing the overall alcohol consumption in Sri Lanka and its consequences.

The illicit trade should be dealt with by appropriate law enforcement and not by trying to compete by price. There have been no examples anywhere that kasippu types of alcohol have been reduced because of reduced prices.

Inquires made from the Police and Excise Officers and Divisional Secretaries as well as studies undertaken in different locations show that illicit alcohol production has reduced significantly during the last several years, and its use not common now. There are no national level studies on illicit alcohol use. But technically sound sub-national studies have shown that illicit alcohol is used by less than 10% of users, often giving a figure between 2.5%-6%.

The cultures of using Kasippu and beer are very different, and therefore if there is an overlap at all between these groups, it will be very small.

2) In other countries the majority of alcohol users use beer unlike Sri Lanka where the majority use spirits therefore beer prices should be reduced. The alcohol use pattern in Sri Lanka and most Asian countries is very different to that of Europe, where the vast majority of the population use alcohol. The majority of the adult population in Sri Lanka does not use alcohol. According to the STEPS Survey 2015 of the Ministry of Health and WHO, the current use of alcohol among males over 15 years was 35%, and less than 1% among females. Therefore, over 80% of the population over 15 years in Sri Lanka are not current users of alcohol. Other studies too show similar results. This is one of the main reasons why policies helping to increase alcohol use is not popular among Sri Lankans. Any policy measures taken on alcohol should ensure that this vast non-drinking population is not pushed towards use. In the Western Countries, a large majority of the population of both males and females use alcohol. Therefore, reducing the price of beer can shift some sprit users to beer. But in Sri Lanka, such a reduction in price will stimulate initiation of use among non-using groups, especially the young, and increase the use of beer among the current beer users. Small cans of beer will become available at very low prices. The overall consumption of alcohol will go up significantly. 3) Alcohol should be freely available to become a modern country, a country which is still not in the stone-age or [gal-yugaya] Making alcohol freely available with make alcohol use and the per-capita consumption increase. Therefore, it will actually help to keep Sri Lanka go backwards in to the stone-age.Increasing overall consumption will increase all harms of alcohol use: accidents, suicide, domestic and other forms of violence and illnesses (stroke, heart attacks, cancers, cirrhosis etc.)

It is well established that overall consumption or the per-capita consumption (consumption per person) comes down with price increases and will increase when the price decreases.

Therefore, if the beer price is reduced and the numbers of places of sale is increased, it will have a significantly negative effect on the health of all Sri Lankans. The recent NATA-SLMA-WHO Study showed that the conservative estimate of alcohol-related economic and social harm in Sri Lanka was around Rs.120 billion on 2015, way more than the tax collected. We have to ensure that this cost is reduced, NOT increased.

Matters will become worse if beer will be allowed to be sold in places where it is not allowed to be sold now. The scientific findings on this issue is also very clear. When the number of outlets in a given area is increased, there will be an immediate increase of domestic and other forms of violence, accidents and suicides, which will be followed by alcohol related diseases
In response to the relentless speed of change and the impending disruption that industry 4.0 will bring to business and global community, Hummingbird International, which was a representative of Consulus Global, has its consultancy division upgraded to a fully-fledged partner as Consulus Lanka.

The launch event was held with a CEO Breakfast Meeting at Jetwing Colombo Seven with Regional Director North America and Europe Dr. Paolo Frizzi addressing the audience on Industry 4.0 and its impact on organisations. CEOs and senior leaders of industry and officials of Consulus Global and Hummingbird International attended the event.



Hummingbird International has extensive experience supporting Sri Lankan organisations on critical organisational design and development areas. Whilst these initiatives continued to connect people with their organisational strategy, the next natural progression of reimagining and realizing the organisational existential purpose to prepare for the coming industrial revolution becomes increasingly essential.



For this urgent reason, Hummingbird has taken the bold step to become an accredited and fully-fledged member of Consulus who has extensive experience in helping companies transform their business models through innovation. The Consulus Lanka consultants will look forward to providing innovative solutions to Sri Lankan companies on their transformational journey to become more relevant in the future.



In partnership with other Consulites present in 11 countries from Brazil to Singapore, we will also look forward to adding our Sri Lankan perspective to the network. While international in outlook, Consulus practical and integrated approach of combining business, organisational development and design is a good fit for the business realities in Sri Lanka, said Consulus Lanka CEO Shiraz Latiff.



Leveraging on the Consulus experience (spanning over 20 cities and helping companies with an aggregated turnover of US $ 5.2 billion), Consulus Lanka will be able to bring to this country the tested innovation methodologies and expertise. Consulus Lanka will have consultants accredited by Consulus Global and would offer to Sri Lankan companies quality organisation transformation solutions by Sri Lankans and supported by global experts, said Consulus Lanka COO Lakshini Kurukulasooriya.



We are extremely happy to see Shiraz take this step to establish Consulus Lanka as a fully-fledged member of our global network. As an innovation consultancy inspired by the thinking of the economy of communion, our principal approach in transforming companies is to enable unity, which becomes the glue that unites different stakeholders, leaders, employees and the community for sustainable change.



In a similar way, now that Consulus Lanka is a full-fledged member and not a representative, we look forward to Sri Lankan Consulites making a contribution to our global network in terms of sharing their know-how and work on projects globally, said Consulus Group CEO Lawrence Chong.



The establishment of Consulus Lanka is a strong positive move for Consulus growth in South Asia as we can now tap on to Sri Lankas bright and talented young people to expand our work internationally. We also see that Consulus Lanka can serve as one of our global centres for excellence, said Consulus South Asia Regional Circle Regional Director Rita King.



Consulus is a global innovation consultancy with multidisciplinary business and design capabilities. Since 2004, its UNIFY methodology has helped companies gain new capabilities and competitive advantage by redesigning their business models, organisational cultures and brand experiences. This enables them to sharpen their capacity to innovate and meet the challenges of Industry 4.0.



Our custom-built solutions have allowed our clients to increase revenue by over 138 percent, expand to overseas markets, develop new products and intellectual property and prepare the next generation of leaders to drive and sustain high-growth. Today Consulus is present in Singapore (World Centre), Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, India, Italy, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam. Consulus is a member of the Economy of Communion.
An Etihad Airways Airbus A380 conducts a low-level fly-by of the new Louvre Abu Dhabi

Hundreds of visitors from around the world, attending yesterdays official public opening celebrations of the Louvre Abu Dhabi, were treated to a low-level fly-by of the Jean Nouvel designed museum by one of Etihad Airways flagship Airbus A380 aircraft.



Sporting the airlines Facets of Abu Dhabi livery, the aircraft chosen for the display now also features Louvre Abu Dhabis official logo on each of its four engines, to promote the opening of the institution.



Etihad Airways also took the opportunity to capture a series of spectacular images from the fly-by, and commissioned a short video directed by up-and-coming Emirati director, Ahmed Abdulqader, shot from the flight deck of the aircraft and from within Louvre Abu Dhabi, to celebrate the historic occasion. Two specially equipped helicopters were also positioned above the capital to capture air-to-air filming of the aircraft as it flew over the museum, located in the UAE capitals Saadiyat Cultural District.



Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways Chief Executive Officer, said: Echoing the sentiments from the signing of our landmark partnership agreement with Louvre Abu Dhabi last month, Etihad Airways is today honoured to play its part in the inauguration of this hugely important universal institution.



Abu Dhabi can now proudly take its place among the worlds foremost cultural destinations, and we, as the UAEs national airline, are poised to play our part in bringing millions of guests to our home to experience this modern wonder of art and humanity first-hand.



The Etihad Airways Airbus A380 and Boeing 787 fleets feature multi award-winning interiors influenced by Abu Dhabis architecture and landscape. These include ceiling designs and light projections in the boarding zones, Lobby Lounge, First Class and The Residence cabins of the A380s, and stylised sconce lighting in the Business Studios of both aircraft types - all inspired by Louvre Abu Dhabis spectacular dome and its Rain of Light effect, mimicking the way sunlight streams through the fronds of palm trees in a desert oasis.



Etihad Airways is the Louvre Abu Dhabis official airline partner, having signed the first exclusive platinum partnership in October.

As a Platinum partner, Etihad Airways will work closely with Louvre Abu Dhabi on areas of brand partnership, marketing, social media, public and media relations, events and exhibitions, cultural exchanges, cargo support, inflight programming, and travel trade support. Etihad Airways destination management company, Hala, will collaborate with the museum on bespoke tour packages in Abu Dhabi.

To coincide with the opening of Louvre Abu Dhabi, Etihad Holidays, the airlines holiday division, is launching a set of all-inclusive destination packages which showcase the many varied attractions of Abu Dhabi and which feature the museum prominently.
Having more girl classmates may help boys and girls alike boost their reading skills, according to a new study in the Journal of School Effectiveness and School Improvement .

Using data from the 2009 Program for International Student Assessment, a benchmarking test of 15-year-olds in 33 countries, the researchers looked at how school resources and social characteristics affected boys and girls reading performance. In each school, the researchers analyzed the concentration of poverty, the percentage of teachers with a college degree, and the proportion of girls to boys.

On average across countries, students had higher reading scores in low-poverty schools and schools where a majority of teachers had a college degree. But researchers also found girls scored nearly 30 points higher than boys on a 600-point scale, and all students scored better when girls made up at least 60 percent of students in the school:

Boys poorer reading performance really is a widespread but unfortunately also understudied problem, said Margriet van Hek, the lead study author and a sociologist at Utrecht University in the Netherlands, in a statement. Our study shows that the issue is reinforced when boys attend schools with a predominantly male student population. Yet schools can help improve this situation by ensuring a balanced gender distribution in their student population.

The findings are likely to add to the debate over single-sex education, as districts including Dallas and Washington, D.C. experiment with single-sex classes and schools .

Erin Pahlke, an assistant professor of psychology at Whitman College in Washington, was not part of the Netherlands study but said its results didnt surprise her; prior research has suggested boys are more likely to be focused and better behaved in classes where they are outnumbered by girls.

One argument is it changes the classroom behavior, and so impacts the amount of on-task time in the classroom, Pahlke said. Thats powerful and important, and a good argument for keeping boys and girls together in a classroom.

Yet she also noted that the findings might be less about gender and more about high achievement; if girls on average outperform boys in reading, than boys in a class of mostly girls are more likely to be surrounded by high-achieving students, which may also change the tenor of the classroom.

Pahlke has found in prior research that kindergarteners educated in coed classes also tend to have fewer gender-related stereotypes . Part of the answer could be around how we socialize kids in terms of gender stereotypes. We should be making sure that boys see models like male teachers and we are consistently giving the message that thinking critically and focusing is something for both boys and girls.

Chart: Students who attend schools with more than 60 percent girls have higher reading scores for boys and girls, according to a new study. Source: Journal of School Effectiveness and School Improvement.

Related:


Students from the University of Moratuwa

Hayleys Advantis Limited recently completed the second programme in their capacity building initiative under the theme Inspiring Logistics in Sri Lanka.The programme was launched earlier this year to uplift the local logistics sector by bridging the gap between academic qualifications and corporate requirements. The company is working towards developing a competent, productive and skilled workforce to uplift trade standards and improve the global competitiveness of Sri Lanka.

The latest programme involved a field visit to the Port of Colombo and gave the opportunity for 60 students from the University of Moratuwa and Kothalawala Defense University to observe and learn first-hand how the port operates. Participants were briefed on standard operations at the port, ROI, procedures, planned future developments and were also given an operational tour of the port by Upul Jayatissa, Chief Manager - Marketing & Business Development, and Chitral Jayawarna, Senior Manager - Marketing & Business Development, Sri Lanka Ports Authority.

Commenting on the programme, Upul Jayatissa said, We are delighted to be a part of this initiative that strives to shape the next generation of skilled logisticians and take this sector to the next level. Due to Sri Lankas strategic geographical positioning investment in this sector is imperative, if we are to take full advantage of every opportunity afforded to us and this should begin with talent development. This also fits in with the Governments plans to make Sri Lanka a key logistics hub in the region.

Students from the Kothalawala Defense University

Speaking about the event,Ruwan Waidyaratne,Managing Director of Hayleys Advantis, said, There is great potential for the logistics sector to contribute further towards the transformation of the country. This potential can be achieved through strategic investments in developing the skills necessary to navigate and capitalize on the future of the industry. We are thankful to the Sri Lanka Ports Authority for providing great insight into how the Port of Colombo functions and helping shape the minds of tomorrow. This programme looks to not only teach but to inspire the next generation of logisticians.

This was the second in a series of sessions planned to share knowledge and build capacity towards energizing the logistics industry in Sri Lanka, with many more workshops, internship programmes and discussions scheduled to take place throughout the rest of the year. These will be conducted free of charge for graduates, undergraduates and employees related to the industry in the hope of uplifting the logistics sphere in Sri Lanka.
The introduction of the new concept Enterprise Sri Lanka is praiseworthy and it would be a positive step to encourage the business development in the country.



With this concept the government is proposing the development of woman and youth entrepreneurship through the introduction of Enterprise Sri Lanka Credit Scheme and agri sector development as well. Furthermore, a SME guarantee fund is also to be established, that is expected to expand the borrowing capacity of SMEs.



Under the blue economy programme, the encouragement extended for deep sea fishing and infrastructure facilities development proposals for fisheries sector is also appreciated. The development projects proposed for Kandy, Galle, Anuradhapura and Jaffna would bring in economic benefits for regions. It would provide much needed equal development opportunities for the regions and would help establish national reconciliation in the country as well.



The proposals to develop the road infrastructure in the country will also have a positive impact on the economy and also the constructive proposals put forward by the government on managing the solid waste in the country, and reduction of taxes on all electric vehicles is commendable.



The National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka observes the policy inconsistency in revenue streams of the government. The expectation of the business community was to have a consistent midterm policy on government revenue streams rather than short term ad-hoc revenue policies such as the debt payment Levy imposed on the banking sector and levy on telecom towers. Furthermore, it would be challenging for the government to provide enabling environment to implement the said proposals.



Additionally, the government is proposing to setup a development bank to support the financial needs of the SME sector by allocating Rs. 10 billion. The support extended for education and the emphasis placed in setting up additional vocational training institutes is a positive step and it would be helpful in providing skilled labour in the market place with the view of addressing the prevailing shortage in the industry sector.



The government is suggesting trade liberalization measures by introducing approximately 1,200 para tariff lines to be removed, which would bring in both a positive and negative impact on the economy.

The efforts taken by the government for trade facilitation by implementing single window system and trade information portal is challenging, but is much needed by the business community without further delay.

Meanwhile the budget speech has confirmed that the government would introduce anti-dumping laws in the near future, which would be a positive measure in protecting domestic industries. As the National Chamber, we appreciate the measures taken through budget in these areas which has been consistent emphasis of ours during last couple of years.

The Information Technology sector, has been given greater attention with the intention of increasing foreign earnings reaching US$ 5 billion in the years to come. Under this programme, small to medium IT startup companies are to be supported by allocating Rs. 3 billion over the next 5 years through the Export Development Board. It is noteworthy that the government is proposing to have a Budget Proposals Monitoring Agency at the Ministry of Finance with the objective of effective implementation of the proposals.

We sincerely expect successful implementation of these efforts by the government, which is an important imperative measure towards achieving the objectives of the budget, moving forward.
next Sourcing, a fully-owned subsidiary of the retail clothing and accessory giant next PLC - UK, recognized and rewarded its supplier base at Suppliers Seminar 2017, held at Park Street Mews Colombo recently.



During the course of the event, the company presented awards to the top three suppliers for their outstanding performance despite the numerous challenges during the latest fiscal year. The Gold award was won by next Manufacturing (Pvt.) Limited for the fourth consecutive year; the Silver award was won by Nobleswear (Pvt.) Limited and the Bronze award went to Miami Exports (Pvt.) Ltd.



The company also recognized the noteworthy contributions of the entire supplier base for managing to achieve sales targets whilst continuing to keep to the high standards and stringent focus on production quality. The long-standing relationships built by next Sourcing with the entire supplier base, with some partnerships over 20 years, underscored the level of trust the company has built over the years with the supplier base when sourcing the finest, most exclusive fabrics and garments from

Sri Lanka.



The seminar also included a performance overview of next sales with an updated indication on the current performance in line with the key performance indicators set by next PLC - UK. The event was attended by the management of next Sourcing together with the representatives from the supplier base. next Sourcing is engaged in design, sourcing, buying, merchandising and quality control of the next PLC product. The company also coordinates with a global network of offices to negotiate market prices, manages the supply chain and ensures on-time delivery on behalf of next PLC. The biannual factory evaluations allow the next Sourcing management to make the selections of the top three factories out of a relatively large factory base of 42 factories.



next Sourcing Associate Director Wilhelm Elias expressing his views stated, The past 12-18 months have been tough on the industry as a whole. next owns and operates three factories in Sri Lanka and we are aware of how tough it has been on all of our suppliers and we appreciate the support extended to us during the most difficult of times. The effects of Brexit was felt globally due to the weakening of the British pound and as price pressure mounted and spending habits changed in Europe. The impact on the high street was felt across all retailers. We remain cautious but confident in the work we have done with design/product, which is reflected in our second quarter sales. The Sri Lankan office will plan double-digit growth in 2018 in light of GSP Plus.



next Sourcing Technical Director Hugh McConnell addressing the gathering stated, Through a complicated wash and embellished product, the Sri Lankan manufacturers are facing new challenges every season but have still managed to consistently ship stock that meets the customers standards and retained the Best Region for Quality category in 2016 and 2017 year-to-date. Sri Lanka has now built a reputation for managing the most difficult products, which is a credit to the improved skill level of our suppliers and their continuous improvement.



next Sourcing Senior Merchandise Manager Fiaz Ozeer stated, With Sri Lanka gaining GSP Plus, we are seeing a significant sales growth from the third quarter of our current financial year. As always, service excellence is a key driver for this upward trend. We need to maintain high standards that weve set and look at continuous improvements in the future to meet the challenges of a competitive market.



next Sourcing Sri Lanka produces next-branded childrens and womens garments, as well as womens lingerie and menswear. Over 20 years experience gives the company an edge over the global competition and an opportunity to create greater value for its stakeholders. Exclusive, coordinated collections of stylish, cost-effective garments are distributed through the next retail network, which consists of more than 500 stores in the UK alone and nearly 200 franchise stores in more than 40 countries. next Sourcing maintains 11 offices across 10 countries worldwide, including Leicester, London, Turkey, Egypt, Bangladesh, North India, South India, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Vietnam, Hong Kong and Shanghai.
A 57-year-old Pakistani national, who was attempting to smuggle heroin into the country, was arrested by the Police Narcotic Bureau at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake today.

The suspect who arrived from Doha, Qatar this morning had swallowed the heroin pills.

He was admitted to the Negombo Hospital and the officials had recovered 42 pills of heroin as of this afternoon.(T.K.G. Kapila)
The 14th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Sri Lanka  Russia Business Council (SLRBC) of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce was held recently, electing Priyantha Hapuarachchi as President for 2017/2018 who is the Chief Financial Officer at South Asia Textile Industries Lanka (Pvt) Ltd.

Buddhapriya Ramanayake, Director, Mos Lanka Investments (Pvt) Ltd and Buddhika Liyanage, Director, Avian Technology (Pvt) Ltd were elected as Vice Presidents.



Russian Ambassador Yuri Materiy graced the meeting as a Chief Guest while the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Russian Federation Dr. Saman Weerasinghe was the Guest of Honour at the AGM.

Nine other companies were selected to serve in the Executive Committee of the Council. Access International Projects (Pvt) Ltd, Freight Links International Pvt Ltd, Galle Face Hotel Management Company, HVA Lanka Exports Pvt Ltd, Imperial Teas (Pvt) Ltd, Maharaja Organisation projects (pvt) Ltd, Natures Beauty Creations Limited, Regency Teas (Pvt) Ltd and Rhino Roofing Products Limited are the companies selected.



While welcoming the guests Isuru Samarasinghe, the President for the last three years for the Council, shared about the activities of the Council to-date.



In his speech, Samarasinghe made special mentionabout the business delegation to Moscow which took place on March 2017. The 25-member delegation visited Moscow and the mission was organized in conjunction with the official visit of President Maithripala Sirisena to the Russian Federation which coincided with 60 years of diplomatic ties between Sri Lanka and Russia.



Yuri Materiy said about the establishment of the Sri Lanka- Russia Intergovernmental Commission on economic and technological cooperation in his peach and added it can serve as an example of the great cooperation between two countries.



The envoy also pointed out that the political background of both countries are in favour for the development of bilateral economic relations and it was ratified at the Second Session took place in Colombo.



In year 2016, exports from Sri Lanka to Russia amounted to US $ 181.98 million and the imports from Russia to Sri Lanka were recorded at US $ 199.73 million. The total number of tourist arrivals in 2016 was 2,050,832 compared to 1,798,380 in2015. The total arrivals from the Russian Federation decreased from 61,846 in 2015 to 58,176in 2016.
By Chandeepa Wettasinghe

Sri Lanka is hoping to have the final discussions on the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Singapore today and tomorrow, and the agreement will be ready by January, according to International Trade and Development Strategies Minister Malik Samarawickrama.



We hope to have the final overall discussion with Singapore on Monday and Tuesday, and hopefully, the agreement will be in place in January, Samarawickrama said at the E&Y post-budget forum, just hours before departing for Singapore.



Curiously, the International Enterprise Singapore web portal of the Singaporean government, which lists the countries with which Singapore has FTAs in operation, signed and yet to be implemented, and under negotiation, does not list Sri Lanka.In 2016, Sri Lanka exported US$ 114 million, or 1.1 percent of the countrys total exports, to Singapore, while US$ 1.18 billion in imports came from Singapore, worth 6.1 percent of Sri Lankas total imports, and the third largest import source for the country. Some of the top Sri Lankan exports to Singapore include petroleum oils (other than crude), tea, rubber tyres, previous/semi-precious stone, flour, and fish, while Sri Lanka imports mainly petroleum products, machinery, electronic equipment, chemicals, plastic, and food stuff from Singapore, according to the Institute of Policy Studies.



The Singapore FTA is aimed to be the first trade pact signed by Sri Lanka, ahead of a host of others.

As far as the agreements with India and China are concerned, we are hopeful that they will be completed by the mid to second half of next year, which will be followed by trade agreements with Bangladesh and Thailand, Samarawickrama said. Historically, Sri Lanka hasnt been able to meet the targets it has set to negotiate and sign FTAs.

The China FTA has been continuously delayed, while the Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) with India is now the second iteration of a deeper economic pact with the neighbour, after the initial Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement for which negotiations began in 2005 were scrapped after the agreement was finalized in 2008, by the previous regime.

In July 2016, Samarawickrama himself had said that the Singapore FTA and ETCA would be finalized by the end of 2016, while the China FTA would be finalized before March 2017.



At a recent seminar, Lakshman Kadiragamar Institute (LKI) Global Economy Programme Chair Dr. Ganeshan Wignaraja advised the government to first sign the politically-motivated FTA with China, which would quickly result in an agreement with India being signed as well.



Speaking at the same seminar, National University of Singapore Visiting Senior Research Fellow, James Crabtree questioned whether trade agreements (and especially regional trade agreements) were having the same impact now, as they had in the past.



Meanwhile, Samarawickrama said that the government was working to further liberalize and modernize the countrys international trade agenda with the complete removal of paratariffsexcept for revenue sensitive itemsin two to three years, development of competitiveness and quality of Sri Lankan exports, and improving the business climate to move potential local and foreign investors to action.



In terms of liberalization, we have to work on unilateral liberalization, he said, noting that Sri Lanka currently has a very protected economy.



Paratariffs and entrenched bureaucratic red tape have been identified as two of the biggest hindrances for Sri Lankas international trade development.



While paratariffs are now being phased outwith 1,200 proposed to be removed under the 2018 budgetDeputy Treasury Secretary S. R. Attygalle said that the bureaucracy, which gained strength from the nature of the archaic legislation, will also be eased, after Finance and Mass Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera said that most laws, including the Customs Ordinance will be reformed.

However, trade economists have noted that Sri Lanka might face challenges when entering into the Chinese and Indian markets under the new agreements, due to issues such as paratariffs, bureaucracy, federal laws, different quality standard measurements etc. in these markets.
A magnitude 7.3 earthquake hit the region around the border between Iran and Iraq on Sunday, killing at least 210 people, state media in the two countries said, as rescuers searched for dozens trapped under rubble.

At least 207 people were killed in Iran, Behnam Saeedi, a spokesman for Irans National Disaster Management Organization said on the state television. More than 850 were injured, he said.

The earthquake was felt in several provinces of Iran but the hardest hit province was Kermanshah, which announced three days of mourning.

More than 142 of the victims were in the town of Sarpol-e Zahab in Kermanshah, about 15 km (10 miles) from the Iraq border. The main hospital of the town was severely damaged and struggling to treat hundreds of injured people, state television reported.

Kurdish health officials also said at least four people were killed in Iraq and at least 50 injured.

The US Geological Survey said the quake measured magnitude of 7.3. An Iraqi meteorology official put its magnitude at 6.5 with the epicenter in Penjwin in Sulaimaniyah Province in the Kurdistan region close to the main border crossing with Iran.

Electricity was cut off in several Iranian and Iraqi cities, and fears of aftershocks sent thousands of people in both countries out onto the streets and parks in cold weather.

The night has made it difficult for helicopters to fly to the affected areas and some roads are also cut off... we are worried about remote villages, Iranian Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli said in an interview on state television.

Many houses in rural parts of the province are made of mud bricks and are known to crumble easily in quake-prone Iran.

The Iranian armed forces have been deployed to help emergency services.

A quake registering a magnitude between 7 and 7.9 can inflict widespread and heavy damage.

Iran sits astride major fault lines and is prone to frequent tremors. A magnitude 6.6 quake on Dec. 26, devastated the historic city of Bam, 1,000 km (600 miles) southeast of Tehran, killing about 31,000 people.

More than 30 people were injured in the town, according to Kurdish Health Minister Rekawt Hama Rasheed.

The situation there is very critical, Rasheed told Reuters.

The districts main hospital was severely damaged and had no power, Rasheed said, so the injured were taken to Sulaimaniyah for treatment. Homes and buildings had extensive structural damage, he said.

In Halabja, local officials said a 12-year-old boy died of an electric shock from a falling electric cable.

Many residents in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, rushed from their houses and tall buildings in panic.

I was sitting with my kids having dinner and suddenly the building was just dancing in the air, said Majida Ameer, who ran out of her building in the capitals Salihiya district with her three children. I thought at first that it was a huge bomb. But then I heard everyone around me screaming: Earthquake!'

Similar scenes unfolded in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region, and across other cities in northern Iraq, close to the quakes epicenter.

Iraqs meteorology center advised people to stay away from buildings and not to use elevators, in case of aftershocks.(Reuters)
Watchtower Tagged With $4K per Day Discovery Sanction

For most, a $4,000 discovery sanction is a stiff penalty.

As a daily sanction, however, it could get out of hand quickly. Tallied over a year, that's about $1.46 million for non-compliance with a court order.

For the Watchtower and Jehovah's Witnesses, a $4,000-a-day sanction might feel like religious persecution. But to a California appeals court, it was just about right for the defendant in a child molestation case.

Discovery Abuse

The Fourth District Court of Appeal affirmed the discovery sanction in Padron v. Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc. The appellate court said the Watchtower had refused to comply with valid discovery orders for records.

Watchtower, published for Jehovah's Witnesses, said it would not produce the documents because it would violate its members First Amendment rights. The Fourth District said the Watchtower had abused discovery.

The appeals panel noted the defendant had contradicted itself in a similar case. In Lopez v. Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc. the defendant agreed the court could impose monetary sanctions against it for not complying with discovery.

Child Abuse

The discovery sanction came after the plaintiff tried to get records from the defendant in a molestation action. Osbaldo Pardon alleged he had been molested by Gonzalo Campos, a Watchtower agent and leader of the Pacifica Congregation.

According to court records, Campos had molested boys between 1980 and 1995. The church was aware of the molestation, but did not report Campos to police or take action to prevent further abuse.

"In 1994 or 1995, Campos molested Pardon on multiple occasions when Pardon was seven or eight years old," the Fourth District said.

The appeals court said the trial judge showed "great patience and flexibility with a recalcitrant litigant" in ordering the monetary sanctions. The court noted evidence that the defendant owned real property valued at $1.3 billion.

Related Resources:
Liberal Politics from the Heart of Bluegrass Country
This blog is looking for wisdom, to have and to share. It is also looking for other rare character traits like good humor, courage, and honor. It is not an easy road, because all of us fall short. But God is love, forgiveness and grace. Those who believe in Him and repent of their sins have the promise of His Holy Spirit to guide us and show us the Way.
 Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection hosts the Monumental Meanings: Indigenous Perspectives on Monuments symposium with Karenne Wood, Julie Gough, Jeffrey Hantman and Benaiah Walters from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in the common area of Brooks Hall on UVa Grounds. kluge-ruhe.org. (434) 244-0234.

 Mark Doty, University of Virginia 2017 Kapnick Distinguished Writer-in-Residence, delivers three public lectures on the poetics of compassion. Compassion for Animals will be from 5 to 6 p.m. Tuesday and Compassion for Others will be from 5 to 6 p.m. Monday in the auditorium of the Special Collections Library. Compassion for the World will be from 5 to 6 p.m. Nov. 29 in the Newcomb Hall Ballroom on UVa Grounds. (434) 924-8864.

 University of Virginia Forum on Womens Global Leadership hosts former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton as its keynote speaker at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday. Tickets no longer are available, but a live video feed of the presentation will be available at the Newcomb Hall Theater on UVa Grounds and at Jefferson School City Center, and online at millercenter.org. (434) 924-6476.

 St. Annes-Belfield School hosts author Erika Christakis speaking about her book The Importance of Being Little: What Young Children Really Need From Grownups, the first installment of the schools Inspiration Speaks lecture series, at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in Brennan Hall. 799 Faulconer Drive. stab.org/inspirationspeaks. (434) 296-5106.

 Center for Biomedical Ethics and Humanities offers the Medical Center Hour with Mary Naylor presenting Stacking Stones: The Art and Science of Improving Care of Older Adults from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday at Pinn Hall at UVa Medical Center. med.virginia.edu/Biomedical-Ethics. (434) 924-5974.

 Charlottesville Aviation Luncheon Club hosts Christopher Goyne sharing highlights of the CubeSat project during its monthly meeting at noon Wednesday at Blue Ridge Cafe at 8315 Seminole Trail in Ruckersville. (434) 328-2323.

 Over the Moon Bookstore and Artisan Gallery in Crozet will present author Lynn Thorne at a launch party for her new book, Who Am I If Youre Not You? Loves Journey Beyond Gender, at 7 p.m. Tuesday. (434) 823-1144.

 Piedmont Virginia Community College hosts Christine Darden, retired NASA mathematician, data analyst and engineer featured in the book Hidden Figures: The Story of the African-American Women who helped Win the Space Race, from 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday. 501 College Drive. (434) 961-5339.

 Sierra Club hosts a screening of the film Ocean Frontiers, followed by a discussion of local water quality, at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Central Library. (434) 973-0373.

 Lodge at Old Trail holds its Third Thursday Lecture Series with An Evening with Social and Fashion Photographer Mary Hilliard at 5:30 p.m. Thursday. 330 Claremont Lane in Crozet. Reservations encouraged. lodgeatoldtrail.com. (434) 823-9100.

 Blue Ridge Virginia Chapter-United Nations Association hosts Charlene Green speaking about the Girl Up program and its focus on diversity and cultural issues affecting young girls and young women throughout the world from 3 to 5 Sunday at Thomas Jefferson Memorial Church  Unitarian Universalist at 717 Rugby Road. (434) 409-0264.

 Charlottesville Area League of Women Voters has a meet-and-greet reception with members of the Virginia General Assembly and Carol Noggle, LWV-VA legislative coordinator, at 2 p.m. Sunday at CitySpace at 100 Fifth St. NE. lwv.avenue.org. (434) 970-1707.

 Congregation Beth Israel continues its lecture series with Richard Bonnie presenting Unraveling the Opioid Problem: A Daunting Challenge at 4 p.m. Sunday. 301 E. Jefferson St. (434) 295-6382.

 Center for Safer Wireless hosts a screening of the documentary Generation Zapped, followed by a discussion, at 6 p.m. Monday in the downstairs meeting room at Gordon Avenue Library. generationzapped.com. (434) 295-8737.

 Trauma: How it Affects You and Every Member of Our Community is presented by Dr. Allison Sampson-Jackson and Theresa Caldwell from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Nov. 28 at the Paramount Theater on the Downtown Mall. pcasa.org. (4340 971-7515.
Gains in African-American acceptance rates at the University of Virginia may have been stalled by the Aug. 11 and 12 white nationalist rallies.

The amount of black high school students who applied for early action is slightly lower than last years, according to Greg Roberts, dean of admissions. Early action allows prospective students to get a rapid acceptance from UVa, and is a bellwether of interest in the university.

Its the only group thats lower, Roberts said. The events in August are certainly on peoples minds.

Overall, it was a record year for the number of early-action applications, Roberts said. The university received 21,400 early-action applications this fall, a 5 percent increase over last year.

The university also expects a higher number of in-state students in next falls class  the school has to verify that those applicants are actually Virginia residents, but if they all are, it would be a 10 percent increase over this years class.

More international, Hispanic and Asian students applied early this fall than last fall; if accepted, the amount of students who are underrepresented minorities in the Class of 2022 likely will grow.

UVa received the most applications and enrolled the most students in its history for the 2017-18 school year, according to data from the university.

Of the 3,788 first-time students enrolled in August, the majority were white and in-state.

The university enrolled 344 black first-year students in August, or about 9 percent of the class, roughly equivalent to the percentage of black first-years in 2016. While a fewer percentage of offers were made to African-American students in the spring of 2017 as compared with 2016, those students accepted their offers at a higher rate.

Admission decisions for early-action applicants are made in January and decisions on regular applications are made in March. All students have until May 1 to accept their offer, meaning that this falls incoming class of first-years committed to the university before the violent rallies in Charlottesville in August.

Increasing numbers of diverse and in-state applicants represent years of hard work by Roberts team, which has been trying to expand the universitys appeal to rural, low-income and minority students.

Well always have the big pockets of Richmond, Tidewater and Northern Virginia, and were trying to expand in rural areas, Roberts said.

It will take a while to learn if the next class of first-year students is more economically diverse  Roberts said the school doesnt typically learn students financial status until they are admitted and apply for aid.

UVas entire financial aid system falls under AccessUVa, which historically promised to cover all of a students financial need. The program was hugely popular, but expensive. In 2014, the school walked that promise back, now asking low-income students to borrow as much as $28,000 over four years.

Traditionally, a universitys economic diversity is measured by its number of students receiving Pell grants, a federal program for students who typically have family incomes of less than $20,000.

This year, the number of first-time students who are Pell recipients is 13 percent of the class, about the same percentage as the last two years.

UVa and the University of North Carolina are the only two public universities that meet students full need, which several students said was a factor in their decision to attend UVa.

Francesca Callicotte, a third-year student and a leader in student group United for Undergraduate Socioeconomic Diversity, said she receives financial aid, the Blue Ridge Scholarship and Pell money to meet her need for full assistance.

On the whole, Callicotte said, students, faculty and administration are supportive of the AccessUVa program, but advocating for low-income students has become harder, especially as the university lowers some of that aid.

The fact that they invested so much money into a squash court and their publicity, more than 20 million [dollars] combined, and then they decided to cut back a program that was assisting so many students so that they can save $10 million? she said. I feel that UVa serves low-income students moderately well, but I think a large part of that is due to the students who have carried the burden of advocating for themselves.
Entertainment / Music

by Staff reporter

Controversial South African socialite Zodwa Wabantu says she called off her three-city tour of Zimbabwe which was set for this weekend because of her fear of President Robert Mugabe.Zodwa was scheduled to make an appearance at Private Lounge Harare last night before heading to the recently-launched Club 263 in Mutare tonight.The socialite-cum-dancer, who has split public opinion over provocative signature looks - a short dress with no panties - was supposed to wind up the tour of Zimbabwe tomorrow at Club Connect."I am scared to come. (Mr) Mugabe said I should stay away from Zimbabwe," she told the Daily News yesterday from her South African base.Zodwa could not be drawn into revealing when and how Mugabe had barred her from coming to Zimbabwe.But at a presidential youth interface rally held in Bindura in September, Mugabe hit out at Zodwa for not wearing undergarments."I'm sorry we disappointed many menYou just come without covering your decency. What do you want? Men to see you? We don't want such," Mugabe said then.Interestingly, early this month the South African socialite once again expressed her desire to meet Mugabe despite his stance on her controversial signature look."I want to meet him because I have heard a lot of things about him. Like when I first went there, I was told he would chase me out, but he didn't."So I want to get to know him properly. If I do meet him I will ask him a lot of things," she claimed then in a South African newspaper, adding: "They (people who had supposedly promised to broker a meeting between Zodwa and Mugabe) called and asked to meet me and I said yes."They haven't called about the time but they want to talk about me potentially meeting him (Robert Mugabe)."Zodwa's abrupt decision not to come to Zimbabwe has left the organisers of the tour - Devine Assignments - counting their losses. In preparation for Zodwa's highly-anticipated tour, Private Lounge Harare, for example, had renovated the elite club.A spokesperson for Devine Assignments told the Daily News they had also been taken aback by the sudden cancellation."We have all her papers and clearances but she has chickened out. We are sorry to all our clients, but this is beyond us," he said.This is the second time this year that Zodwa has called off a tour of Zimbabwe at the eleventh hour.In early September she sensationally cancelled her trip barely two days after the Board of Censors headed by ex-Education minister Aneas Chigwedere had authorised her tour.At the time, she attributed her decision to abort the Zimbabwean tour on former Studio 263 actress Anne Nhira who had earlier successfully appealed to government to stop the South African socialite from participating in the Harare International Carnival which ran in the capital city from September 2 to 10."I am not going to Zimbabwe, I won though. I can't be in a country run by P**** @annenhira South Africa, It's home. We make friends with other nations" the Durban Socialite wrote on Instagram.Zodwa's cancellation of her Zimbabwean tour in September came like a bolt from the blue because Devine Assignments, just like this time around, had been given the necessary go-ahead by the Board of Censors.
News / International

by Zimvigil

A triumphant Grace Mugabe, having drawn the Crocodile's teeth, has promised great things for Zimbabwe. She told thousands of Zanu PF supporters in Harare: 'I love my president . . . he was annointed by God . . . I will help him make this country prosper'.Soon we may all have diamond rings the size of ostrich eggs like hers and be able to pour $250 bottles of champagne over $60,000 watches like son Chatunga Bellarmine Mugabe. 'My daddy run the whole country', he was quoted as saying. Soon it will be his mummy (see: President-Mugabe's son pours champagne 45k watch ).Vice-President Mnangagwa, who suddenly left Zimbabwe with a stomach ache, has reportedly promised to return and put an end to the Mugabe regime. The Vigil is not so sure. Mnangagwa may be the hope of the West, but he has shown himself to be toothless. The Vigil's bet is another electoral triumph next year for Zanu PF. The votes have already been counted.Having renamed Harare airport after the President, all that remains is to rename the country. Perhaps Mugabia - or more likely Graceland.Women at the Vigil wore Grace Mugabe masks at our protest outside the Embassy, displaying posters such as 'No rule by extension cord' and 'No to 'President' Grace.
Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited (APSEZ), on Monday reported a 7.88 per cent decline in consolidated net profit to Rs 992.37 crore for the second quarter of 2017.

New Delhi: Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited (APSEZ), the logistics arm of Adani Group, on Monday reported a 7.88 per cent decline in consolidated net profit to Rs 992.37 crore for the second quarter ended September 30.

The company had clocked a net profit of Rs 1,077.28 crore in the corresponding period of the last fiscal, it said in a BSE filing.

Its total income rose to Rs 2,962.12 crore during the quarter under review as against Rs 2,410.03 crore in the corresponding period a year ago.

The total expenses of the company increased to Rs 1,584.19 crore in the July-September quarter as against Rs 1,251.98 crore in the year-ago period.

The Adani Group is one of India's leading business houses with revenue of over USD 12 billion.

Adani owns and operates nine ports and terminals in India. These are at Mundra, Dahej, Kandla and Hazira in Gujarat, Dhamra in Odisha, Mormugao in Goa, Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh and Kattupalli and Ennore in Chennai.
San Francisco/New York: Uber Technologies Incs warring board members have struck a peace deal that allows a multibillion-dollar investment by SoftBank Group Corp to proceed, and which would resolve a legal battle between former Chief Executive Travis Kalanick and a prominent shareholder.

Venture capital firm Benchmark, an early investor with a board seat in the ride-services company, and Kalanick have reached an agreement over terms of the SoftBank investment, which could be worth up to $10 billion, according to two people familiar with the matter.

The Uber board first agreed more than a month ago to bring in SoftBank as an investor and board member, but negotiations have been slowed by ongoing fighting between Benchmark and Kalanick.

The agreement struck on Sunday removed the final obstacle to allowing SoftBank to proceed with an offer to buy to stock. Uber confirmed the deal was moving forward.

Weve entered into an agreement with a consortium led by SoftBank and Dragoneer on a potential investment, an Uber spokesman said. We believe this agreement is a strong vote of confidence in Ubers long-term potential.

SoftBank, a Japanese conglomerate that has become a heavyweight in Silicon Valley tech investing, is joined by Dragoneer Investment Group in leading a consortium of investors that plans to invest $1 billion to $1.25 billion in Uber, and in addition, will buy up to 17 per cent of existing shares from investors and employees in a secondary transaction. The terms were signed on Sunday, although the tender offer would likely take weeks to complete.

Uber is valued at $68 billion, the most highly valued venture-backed company in the world. SoftBanks roughly $1 billion investment of fresh funding is expected to be at the same valuation. The secondary transaction, or the purchases from employees and existing investors, would be at a lower valuation.

A spokeswoman for Benchmark did not immediately respond to a request for comment, and a spokesman for Kalanick declined to comment.

Completing the SoftBank deal would allow Uber to open a new chapter after a year of controversy, including the resignation of Kalanick, the ouster of several top executives, sexual harassment and discrimination allegations, and multiple federal criminal probes.

The deal is also tied to new governance rules that aim to distribute power more equally and bring more oversight to the company.

FULL RESET

Uber had a remarkable first six or seven years, a bumpy past two years, and now the SoftBank deal allows for a full reset, said Bradley Tusk, an Uber investor and political strategist who works with tech companies.

It would also be a major victory for Ubers new CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi, who often served as a mediator to help broker the agreement, according to a third person familiar with the matter.

To allow the deal to go forward, Benchmark has agreed to immediately suspend its lawsuit against Kalanick, which it filed in August in an effort to diminish the ex-CEOs power at the company and force him off the board, one of the sources said.

On the successful completion of the SoftBank investment, Benchmark would drop the lawsuit entirely, the person said.

In turn, Kalanick must receive majority board approval should he want to replace the board seats over which he has control, according to the source. In addition to his own seat, Kalanick controls two more, which are occupied by Ursula Brown, the former Xerox Corp CEO, and former Merrill Lynch & CO Inc CEO John Thain. Kalanick appointed them in September without first consulting with the board.

Ending the litigation is a big step forward if it finally ends the specter of Kalanick retaking control, said Erik Gordon, an entrepreneurship expert at the University of Michigans Ross School of Business.

Ubers board already approved a slate of governance reforms that are contingent on completion of the SoftBank deal. They include removing super-voting rights that gave Kalanick and his allies outsized power, adding new independent directors and increasing the size of the board to 17.

Uber plans to run newspaper ads informing investors about the share purchase, and SoftBank will propose a price at which it will buy stock. The company has threatened to invest in ride-hailing rival Lyft if it does not get the Uber deal done.

The deal gives early investors such as Benchmark, whose Uber stake is worth nearly $9 billion, the opportunity to cash out a very lucrative investment.
India is demanding millions of dollars in dividends from 12 reluctant state companies to make up for an expected tax revenue shortfall this fiscal year. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: India is demanding millions of dollars in dividends from 12 reluctant state companies to make up for an expected tax revenue shortfall this fiscal year, as a slump in economic growth risks New Delhi overshooting its fiscal deficit target.

The demand has been made following a finance ministry assessment on October 25 of the financial health of 14 state companies, including top miner NMDC Ltd and trading firm MMTC Ltd, according to a government document reviewed by Reuters.

The ministry asked 12 of the companies to payout between 30 per cent and as much as 100 percent of their 2016/17 or 2017/18 net profit in dividends, share buybacks or bonus shares. The other two companies were exempted.

All state companies evaluated by the government sought exemptions. The finance ministry, NMDC and MMTC did not reply to Reuters emails seeking comment.

Indias federal budget is under pressure this year following an unexpected slump in economic growth, which slipped to its lowest level in three years in the three-months ending June, the first quarter of the 2017/18 fiscal year.

As of September, the half-way mark for the fiscal year, the budget deficit had reached Rs 4.99 trillion or more than 91 per cent of its full-year target.

Surjit Bhalla, a member of the prime ministers economic advisory council, told Reuters in an interview in October that the government wanted to stick with a budget deficit target of 3.2 per cent.

The governments revenues have also been hit by a sharply lower dividend from the central bank.

DEMANDS

The assessment by the finance ministry did not specify the combined amount of payouts expected of the 12 companies.

But New Delhi has budgeted $21.86 billion in payouts from all state companies this fiscal year, slightly down on the previous fiscal year. Indian businesses have been disrupted by last years shock ban on high-value notes and the roll-out of a new national goods and services tax.

Indian state firms will only finalize their full dividend payouts for the current 2017/18 fiscal year in September next year.

NMDC has told the finance ministry it would only be able to pay less than half of the Rs 25 billion in dividend payouts that the government is demanding for the current fiscal year of 2017/18, a senior company executive said. He declined to be identified because of the sensitivity of the matter.

Three senior government officials said NMDC is reluctant to comply with the governments demands because it already has to pay a Rs 30 billion-penalty to the eastern state of Odisha for illegal mining and needs cash for capital investments.

The senior company executive said a payment of Rs 25 billion to the government would mean paying out a further Rs 35 billion to other shareholders in the company.

Where will the money come from? the source said.

That would compare with NMDCs projected 2017/18 net profit, based on Thomson Reuters SmartEstimate data, of Rs 37.7 billion.

NMDC has also been asked to issue bonus shares before September 30, 2018, the document showed.
The picture with Sofia Vergara that Priyanka Chopra shared on Instagram.

New Delhi: Priyanka Chopra and Sofia Vergara are the new BFFs in town.

PeeCee is now in Los Angeles where she attended a dinner gala for cancer research and was joined by none other than the highest-paid TV actress Sofia Vergara.

The 'Quantico' star took to social media to send a sweet message to her pal Vergara the same night.

She wrote, "You are always so much warmth and happiness @sofiavergara lovely to see you again #ladiaries."

Chopra and Vergara were joined by Elizabeth Hammer, Nazanin Boniadi and Mubina Rattonsey at the event.

She also shared a picture of the pretty ladies at the event on her official Instagram page.

"Happy girls r the prettiest. Congrats @thisisechambers. we adore u! @sofiavergara @mubinarattonsey @nazaninboniadi," she captioned the snap.

Vergara was radiant in a floral strapless maxi dress, which she paired with peep-toed black and gold heels.

Meanwhile, Priyanka looked gorgeous in a yellow cold shoulder cotton dress with black checkered prints which she paired with black strappy heels.

In addition, both Sofia and Priyanka accessorised with David Webb jewellery.

It should be noted that the actress will be next seen in two Hollywood projects - 'Isn't It Romantic?' and 'A Kid Like Jake'.
Mumbai: Around 25 people of a Rajput community outfit on Saturday protested outside filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali's office in suburban Juhu against his upcoming movie 'Padmavati', the police said.

The protesters demanded that the film should not be released, a senior police official said.

'Padmavati,' helmed by Bhansali, is slated to hit theatres shortly. The movie has been facing a lot of trouble since early this year.

Police said that they detained the protesters, but later released them.

The film, starring Deepika Padukone as Padmavati, Shahid Kapoor as Maharawal Ratan Singh and Ranveer Singh as Alauddin Khilji, is based on the legend of Rani Padmavati, a Hindu Rajput queen.

Bhansali had been assaulted by activists of a Rajput community group, the Karni Sena, during the shooting of the film in Jaipur in January. The outfit has been constantly seeking a ban on the movie, claiming it "distorts" history.

Meanwhile in Noida, several outfits protested against the film and appealed to people not to watch the Sanjay Leela Bhansali directed movie.

Two of the protesting organisations -- the Rajputana Vikas Sanghthan and the Veer Kunwar Singh Shodh Sanghthan -- also submitted a memorandum to the district magistrate, demanding a ban on the movie.

The Rajputana Vikas Sanghthan protested and tore posters of the film in front of a Sector 38 mall and a Sector 18 cinema hall, while at the Sector 25, its members raised slogans against the movie.

The outfit's president S P Chauhan said that his community will not tolerate any "misleading" views on Rani Padmavati.

The Veer Kunwar Singh Shodh Sangthan burnt the effigy of Bhansali and demanded the film be banned.

Its president Thakur Man Singh said that Maharani Padmavati was respected by Hindus and alleged that the film had distorted facts.

The Hindu Jan Jagriti Manch and the Akhil Bhartiya Kshatriya Maha Sangh also protested against the movie.

Moreover, an organisation of the Rajput community here demanded a ban on the upcoming Bollywood movie and said it would not allow its release in any of the theatres in and around Jamshedpur.

"We will not allow release of the movie in any of the theatres in and around Jamshedpur," said Samresh Singh, president of the youth wing of the Akhil Bharatiya Kshatriya Mahasabha (ABKM).

He said the organisation would also urge the state government to ban the movie scheduled to be released on December 1.

"The glorious history of the country has been distorted in the movie which will not be tolerated," Singh said after a meeting of the organisation.

Asking theatre owners not to screen the film, he said the ABKM might also move court to stop its release.
Mumbai: Richa Chadha has never held herself back from helping raise awareness for the right causes. She has always been vocal about her thoughts, either through her social media or interviews. After her blog on the #MeToo campaign went viral, she has now come forth to help with a peacemaking initiate of the Indian Army. This initiative called  Sadbhavana helps in creating an atmosphere of peace in the face of insurgency in Assam by stressing on the education of the girl child. Members of the NGO also help relocate people displaced due to insurgency and assist them with basic necessities in their daily lives.

As a part of the initiative, 20 school girls from Assam came to Mumbai to meet an inspirational figure in Bollywood and the first person they chose was Richa Chadha. The 'Masaan' actress agreed to help them without hesitation. The actress spent time with the girls at an Army Officers Institute in Mumbai to speak to them and share words of encouragement.

Richa with the girls.

When asked Richa she said, "I always love interacting with people, I love people and Im this case, the girls were so innocent and hopeful about the future that it was a pleasure to spend time with them"

On the work front, Richa Chadda will be be next seen in a comic caper, Fukrey Returns. The film is slated to release on December 15.
People with chronic inflammatory disorders like psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis may have an increased risk of developing serious liver damage. (Photo: Pixabay)

People with chronic inflammatory disorders like psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis may have an increased risk of developing serious liver damage, a recent study suggests.

These inflammatory disorders are often treated with methotrexate, a medication linked to an increased risk of liver disease. For the current study, researchers followed more than 1 million people for an average of six years to see how having conditions like psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis - and taking methotrexate - influenced the odds of developing serious liver disorders.

Compared to people without chronic inflammatory diseases, people with psoriasis were 37% more likely to develop liver disorders. When psoriasis patients took methotrexate, they had roughly twice the odds of liver damage.

With psoriatic arthritis, the increased risk of liver disease was 38% without drug therapy and 67% with methotrexate. For rheumatoid arthritis, there was no increased risk of liver disease when people took methotrexate, but when they didnt they had 49% higher odds of liver damage.

This study is the first, to our knowledge, to empirically support the long held belief that psoriasis patients are more prone to serious liver problems compared to patients without psoriasis and those with diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis which are treated with similar medications, said senior study author Dr. Joel Gelfand of the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine in Philadelphia.

Medications which are toxic to the liver, such as methotrexate, should be used cautiously in patients with psoriatic disease, especially those with additional risk factors such as obesity or regular alcohol use, Gelfand said by email.

The study suggests systemic inflammation - which is present in all three diseases - may play a significant role in development of liver disease, particularly in those with psoriasis, researchers note online November 2 in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.

For the study, researchers examined data on almost 1.3 million people without chronic inflammatory disorders as well as roughly 198,000 psoriasis patients, 12,000 people with psoriatic arthritis and 54,000 with rheumatoid arthritis.

Among people with inflammatory disorders who took systemic therapy - medications that reach the whole body - methotrexate was the most commonly prescribed option. Overall, 6% of psoriasis patients were prescribed systemic therapy, as were 53% of people with psoriatic arthritis and 61% of people with rheumatoid arthritis.

Independent of risk factors commonly seen in liver disease, such as alcohol use and diabetes, the study found that patients with psoriatic skin or joint disease, particularly patients with more severe skin psoriasis, had an elevated risk for serious liver disease.

Pfizer, which sells a version of methotrexate, has hired Gelfand and another study author as consultants and given them research grants, although the drugmaker wasnt involved in the design or analysis of the current study. The authors have other financial ties to several other drug companies.

One limitation of the study is that researchers didnt look at deaths from liver disease. Another drawback is that they lacked data on whether people at risk for liver disease might have been steered away from methotrexate to other therapies.

Even so, the findings add to evidence that patients need to consider the liver risks associated with these disorders, said Dr. Lawrence Eichenfield, a researcher at the University of California, San Diego, who wasnt involved in the study. Patients should be aware that psoriasis has health impacts beyond the skin alone, and its management should be considered as an important part of the health of an individual, Eichenfield said by email. Liver function tests should be tested in psoriasis patients and the results may influence choices for therapy.

An alternative treatment for joint pain, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), also carry a risk of liver disease, cautioned Dr. Alexander Egeberg, a researcher at the University of Copenhagen who wasnt involved in the study. Consequently, physicians should carefully weigh the risks and benefits of NSAIDs as well as methotrexate when treating patients with inflammatory diseases, Egeberg said by email.
Previous research has suggested that psychedelic drugs such as LSD and magic mushrooms can help alcoholics tackle their addiction. (Photo:Pixabay)

A traditional psychedelic brew used by people in South America can improve one's general sense of wellbeing, and may help treat for alcoholism and depression, a study suggests.

The drug called Ayahuasca - a blend of the Psychotria Viridis bush and the stems of the Banisteriopsis Caapi vine - is used by indigenous tribes and religious groups in the Amazon region, as well as many visitors.

However, it contains dimethyltryptamine (DMT) - an illegal drug in the UK.

Previous research has suggested that psychedelic drugs such as LSD and magic mushrooms can help alcoholics tackle their addiction.

Using data from more than 96,000 people worldwide, researchers from the University of Exeter and University College London in the UK found that ayahuasca users reported lower problematic alcohol use than people who took LSD or magic mushrooms.

Ayahuasca users also reported higher general wellbeing over the previous 12 months than other respondents in the survey.

"These findings lend some support to the notion that ayahuasca could be an important and powerful tool in treating depression and alcohol use disorders," said Will Lawn, from University College London.

"Recent research has demonstrated ayahuasca's potential as a psychiatric medicine, and our current study provides further evidence that it may be a safe and promising treatment," said Lawn, lead author of the study published in the journal Scientific Reports.

However, researchers warn that the data is purely observational and does not demonstrate causality.

"Ayahuasca users in this survey still had an average drinking level which would be considered hazardous," said Lawn.

Further research must be carried out to fully examine ayahuasca's ability to help treat mood and addiction disorders.

The online survey measured wellbeing using the Personal Wellbeing Index - a tool used by researchers around the world which asks about things such as personal relationships, connection with the community and a sense of achievement.

Of the respondents, 527 were ayahuasca users, 18,138 used LSD or magic mushrooms and 78,236 did not take psychedelic drugs.

"If ayahuasca is to represent an important treatment, it is critical that its short and long-term effects are investigated, and safety established," said Celia Morgan, of the University of Exeter.
Women, rejoice! There is website that encourages women to embrace their sexuality and learn how to have better orgasms. In fact, when someone like Emma Watson happily admits to subscribing to it, it must be something good.

Omgyes is dedicated to researching what makes sex sizzle for women and have subsequently launched an app with tips and tricks to help women achieve orgasm with or without a man.

The mobile app features a virtual vulva and teaches users 12 techniques to boost arousal based on their research.

The app has seen maximum interest from Australia and Australian site news.com spoke to singleton Kellie, 47 from Melbourne who went on to say that while she was a little uncomfortable in being faced with a vulva to play with on her iPhone, she thought that if men used this app for practice then her sex life would be fabulous.

The programme is based on extensive research and surveys conducted on American women. This has been turned into video guides and other tools to boost sexual satisfaction.

Speaking about it Omgyes program director Claire Kim said, When it comes to sex and pleasure, everyones trying to play it cool. No one honestly knows whats going on. She further added, For each topic, our PhD researchers do thousands of surveys and interviews via Skype  asking people what breakthroughs they figured out about pleasure that they wish theyd known sooner.

She goes on to say that the most prevalent ones are then chosen and more detailed research is done on those.

The site and app features techniques with names like 'edging', 'hinting' and 'orbiting' and it's very much science not smut.

While the images and videos featured on the site are not pornographic or airbrushed and aren't designed for men to look at, men are encouraged to know a thing or two about it as well. Furthermore, the site aims to provide frank discussions around pleasure and sex which feel more like conversations with (very close!) friends.

The site could be a good go-to place for youngsters who are finding it increasingly difficult to ask questions about. Also, the one of the biggest positives about the app is that women's sexual pleasure is being addressed in this easy to access way.
Calling it One Rupee Revolution, the 2014 batch of Deeksha College (which houses standard 11 and 12th students) came up with the idea of helping the financially burdened students by depositing one rupee every day in a drop box.

What really starts a revolution? A person? Or a group? Well clearly, in this case, it was a batch of students coming together to financially help the students from economically weaker sections complete their education.

Calling it One Rupee Revolution, the 2014 batch of Deeksha College (which houses standard 11 and 12th students) came up with the idea to help the financially burdened students by depositing one rupee every day in a drop box.

The idea was also to support the management to encourage the spirit of giving. The batch got so much involved that even after leaving college, they continued with the initiative at the respective degree colleges.

"The one rupee revolution was started on June 12, 2014 at Deeksha, Thyagarajanagar, on World Day Against child labour. It was the idea of one of the students and it looked doable, with no imposition and it was all free will," says Dr Sridhar G., the founder of the school and a former IITian. "Students contribute whatever they want. Every morning the box is kept in the classroom and cleared by evening. Students themselves handle the money clearing and keeping track of amount collected. It is good to note that it is a totally student-driven campaign and yet it teaches us all about the spirit of giving," he added.

The donations were not always just a rupee. Some students used voluntarily put Rs 365 for the whole year. Some put in one rupee some put in Rs 10. The launch year, which is the first year saw a collection of Rs 26,000 and the amount collected in the second year was also almost similar. The students maintain the register and every year at graduation they pass it on to the next batch. The money is closely supervised by the management.

Sindhu V., a science topper 2016/2017 batch with a score of 589/600, was a beneficiary of the One Rupee Revolution. She came from a financially weak background. However, in the second year she refused as the economic condition of her family improved, and she felt the grant should go to someone more deserving. She is currently studying engineering at BNM College.

Another student, Shivswamy, a commerce student with score of 87.5%, was shattered after his father died unexpectedly. As he was finding it difficult to pursue higher education, the One Rupee Revolution helped pay his fees and he is currently doing B Com in PES college. He got a total of Rs 20,000 to complete his education.

The One Rupee Revolution has so far helped some 50 students. "Such a thought process should always be supported by schools and I believe that these things should not be imposed on students. They should be moulded in such a way that sharing doesn't become an ordeal for them," Dr Sridhar summed up.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Several allies of former vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa have been fired by their respective provinces, with the decision now awaiting ratification by the Zanu PF politburo.There was a complete whitewash of Mnangagwa's acolytes in Manicaland, where a provincial coordinating committee (PCC) meeting held in the mountainous city of Mutare purged 38 of the former vice president's allies.Zanu PF heavyweights, among them Cyber Security minister Patrick Chinamasa; Water and Climate minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri; Scholarships minister Chris Mushowe; deputy minister of Health and Child Care Win Mlambo; former Cabinet minister Hubert Nyanhongo; deputy minister of Local Government Christopher Chingosho and Buhera West legislator Oliver Mandipaka, were expelled from the party."There was a resolution that vice president Mnangagwa should be recalled and that we should find his foot-soldiers and make resolutions for their expulsions," said Zanu PF Manicaland provincial secretary for administration Kenneth Saruchera in announcing the expulsions.This comes as the provinces also stampeded to recommend the elevation of First lady Grace Mugabe, as Mnangagwa's successor.Bulawayo and Mashonaland Central had been the first provinces to call for Mnangagwa's ouster and Grace's elevation at their respective PCC meetings on Sunday.Yesterday, Manicaland added its voice to the calls to have Mnangagwa replaced by Grace.In Mashonaland West, it was recommended that former Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare minister Prisca Mupfumira and former deputy minister of Home Affairs Ziyambi Ziyambi be dismissed from Zanu PF.It was also recommended that Grace succeeds Mnangagwa.In Masvingo, an emergency PCC meeting expelled former provincial chairperson Paradzai Chakona.Masvingo provincial political commissar Jappy Jaboon, had this to say: "The PCC today recommended the expulsion of vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa, Zaka central MP Paradzai Chakona and other several members. Chakona is accused of providing the bus which ferried people that went to Bulawayo to boo the first lady."A similar meeting was also held in Matabeleland South province but details of the indaba could not be immediately obtained.Provincial chair Rabelani Choeni declined to entertain the Daily News, saying; "I don't talk to the Daily News myself," before terminating the call.In Matabeleland North, provincial chairperson Richard Moyo said the PCC would be meeting on Saturday to discuss the business of the day."We failed to convene today because people were at their workplaces since it is a Monday, so we have rescheduled it to Saturday," he said.Yesterday, the Zanu PF youth league joined a chorus of voices calling for Grace's elevation.Secretary of the wing Kudzanai Chipanga said although they will wait for recommendations from the women's league on who will take over from Mnangagwa, they have since made their decision to settle for Grace."However, keeping in mind that the woman shall be vice president of the whole nation, the youth league included, it has ignited us to take an interest and position in the selection of the candidate."It has to be one acceptable (candidate) and with unquestionable loyalty to the party and its principal Mugabe and more importantly, one without ambitions to work against the president."The only person possessing such qualities is the leader of the women's league, none other than . . . Grace," he declared.Chipanga described those who heckled Grace as "a group of malcontents, reckless, uncouth and spineless minority seeking relevance"."We as the youth league are not blind to the identity of the parties behind this unpalatable behaviour and we are alive to their machinations and devices. We are therefore sending a strong message to these people and their handlers that this country was built on the ultimate sacrifices of our people whose blood watered the revolution."The person of the head of State, and more so the integrity and reputation of the first lady is untouchable. As the president clearly spelt out, these clowns, masquerading as genuine party members whilst promoting the hostile agenda of Mnangagwa, are free to take their circus to the political zoo by forming their own party," said Chipanga, while addressing a press conference in Harare yesterday.Meanwhile, allies of Mnangagwa have vowed to go down fighting, notwithstanding yesterday's dismissal of the Midlands godfather.The Midlands province yesterday said it had no issues with Mnangagwa."We are not going to have an emergency provincial coordinating committee meeting on that issue because there is nothing to talk about," said provincial chairperson Mackenzie Ncube.Provincial spokesperson Cornelius Mupereri weighed in, saying they have no intention of convening such a meeting.He said: "As a province, we have not sat down to deliberate on the calls for the vice president to leave and I am not sure whether we will convene a meeting".In Masvingo, a section of the party in support of Mnangagwa refused to throw in the towel.Mnangagwa's allies in Masvingo, among them Josiah Hungwe (politburo member) and Zanu PF parliamentary chief whip Lovemore Matuke have been recommended for expulsion by their rivals in the Generation 40 (G40) faction.Hungwe, the most senior politburo member in Masvingo, told the Daily News yesterday that as far as he was concerned, he was still a member of the ruling party and they are no changes in the province that he knows of."I have not heard anything about that and I am still in Zanu PF; there was no change at all," said Hungwe.Matuke, who is also a politburo member, described his expulsion as a "non-event".He said the meeting called for his dismissal was unconstitutional "and I think it's a group of few people who want to disturb the province".Another constituency that has been solidly behind the vice president, the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA), was bristling with anger at the way their preferred heir to Mugabe has been undressed by Grace, and her husband.ZNLWVA Mashonaland Central chairperson Sam Parirenyatwa said the G40 faction cannot expel Mnangagwa from Zanu PF, describing the "purported Mashonaland Central resolution on ED's expulsion is a non-event, which does not represent the position of Zanu PF in Mash Central province".Parirenyatwa said the proceedings were stage-managed by G40 and selected members present were threatened with expulsion and unspecified action should they resist the pre-prepared resolution."Mash Central is solidly and unshakably behind ED. ED remains a symbol of our struggle. As the real Zanu PF, we are now saying ED for president in 2018," said Parirenyatwa.The Team Lacoste faction appears determined to sabotage Zanu PF's election prospects next year if their man is removed from his post.Mnangagwa's allies are already mulling what they have termed Bhora Mudziva operation, a ploy to shipwreck Mugabe's chances of winning next year's elections if he does not catapult Mnangagwa to State House.The strategy takes a leaf from the Bhora Musango plot of 2008 whereby Zanu PF supporters disenchanted with Mugabe's rule voted for their Members of Parliament in Zanu PF but cast the presidential vote in favour of his rivals.In that election, MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai beat Mugabe and Zanu PF in the poll but could not achieve the threshold required to be declared the winner. A run-off poll then followed, which was won by Mugabe after Tsvangirai withdrew from the race, citing systematic violence against his supporters and officials.Expelled Zanu PF activist and businessman Energy Mutodi, has already hit the ground running, launching his campaign for the Bikita South constituency as a Zanu PF candidate."Bikita South toda mwana wedu Mutodi. Mwana akakurira muZanu PF, anofamba negwara remusangano. Amirira zvino kuti mumutume kuParliament (In Bikita South, we now want our own son to lead us, he has a strong Zanu PF background," reads a Mutodi campaign poster.Efforts to get further comment from Mutodi were fruitless as his mobile phone was not available.Insiders in the Team Lacoste faction say there are hundreds of other disgruntled ex-Zanu PF officials who were ready to stand as independent candidates to stymie Mugabe's chances of winning next year's elections.
After an awkward few seconds, Trump appeared to recognise his error and made the link between Nguyen and Duterte. (Photo: AFP)

Donald Trump was all fingers and thumbs during a carefully choreographed photo op today at a summit of world leaders, failing to grasp whose hands he was supposed to be holding and breaking a lineup intended to showcase unity.

Trump, whose insurgent election victory was built on his willingness to disrupt political convention, was supposed to cross his arms and join hands with the men on either side of him.

But as others clutched the hands of the person to their left and their right, Trump used both of his hands to clasp the extended fingers of Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

President Trump learns the traditional "ASEAN handshake" in Manila pic.twitter.com/Bii9oMfTdC  Jonathan Ernst (@j_ernst_DC) November 13, 2017

The doubling up left summit host Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte with a spare hand -- and broke the line into two parts.

The handshake chain is a set piece of gatherings of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), who are meeting with leaders from China, the US, Russia, New Zealand, Australia, India, Canada, Japan and South Korea.

After an awkward few seconds, Trump appeared to recognise his error and made the link between Nguyen and Duterte.

However Twitterati would have none of it, and had some hilarious and witty observations to make:

Trump does the ASEAN-way handshake (via AP). pic.twitter.com/AEWB96WTxj  Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) November 13, 2017

Trump always reminds me of That "one kid" in an elementary school production/ show.  elise pearlie (@elise_pearlie) November 13, 2017

Guessing two problems: 1) he admittedly hates to shakes hands because he's a germaphobe, and 2) he has to get his crossed arms around his massive 345 lbs rotundity. That's a stretch.#BLOTUS#ImpeachTrump  Jeffrey K. Walker (@JkwalkerAuthor) November 13, 2017

Donald Trump stumped by awkward handshake at ASEAN https://t.co/vCvQ5vSBfB pic.twitter.com/s0MzvnUkSc  news.com.au (@newscomauHQ) November 13, 2017

Duterte looks like he wants to stab him  Daniel B (@danielbCIC) November 13, 2017

We r in safe hands.... arent we?  Nauzet Sanchez (@naulondon) November 13, 2017

You'd figure the old pussy grabber would be better at the reach around?  Rolnd Karl Ostheim (@RolndKarl) November 13, 2017

This may be the most exercise Trump has had in the past 10 years.  Kremlin's Fiddle (@kremlinsfiddle) November 13, 2017

Trump is on the final leg of a tour of Asia that has taken in Japan, South Korea, China and Vietnam.

The famously bullish former businessman has largely avoided the kind of protocol pitfalls that can ensnare even the most careful traveller in this often formal part of the world.
Hyderabad: The mortal remains of businessman Vasudev Rajpurohit, 32, were brought to the city in the wee hours of Sunday and the final rites were performed by the family members. Hundreds of residents paid their last respects to Vasudev. The probe into Vasudevs murder has revealed the role of a Nigerian national, whom Vasudev met through a Pakistani national with whom he had financial dealings. The victims family came to know about his death three days ago.

It is still unbelievable that he has left us. He was just getting stable in the business. But fortunes had something worst for him in store, said a relative. His wife and two children are yet to come to terms with his untimely death. Hundreds of people from different localities of Kushaiguda also poured in to pay their last respects to Vasudev. His close relatives suspect that he was trapped by his killers during his visit to Malaysia.

During one of the visits, the Pakistan national, who is a cabbie-cum-guide, introduced Vasudev to the thermocol business. The Pakistan national also introduced Vas-udev to his other friends. Financial transactions also took place between them which Vasudev did not disclose to his family. The Rachakonda police is co-ordinating with their in Malaysian counterparts as part of the probe.
Pradyuman Thakur was found, with his throat slit, inside the toilet of the school premises on September 8. (Photo: PTI/File)

New Delhi: Investigation in Pradyuman murder case has revealed illegality and destruction of evidence by Gurgaon police, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) sources said on Sunday.

On Wednesday, the murder case of the seven-year-old Ryan International School student took a new turn after the CBI arrested a class 11 student of the same school and gave a clean chit to the bus conductor, who was arrested by the Gurgaon police for the murder and sexual assault of the child.

Pradyuman Thakur was found, with his throat slit, inside the toilet of the school premises on September 8.

The accused confessed to his crime in front of his father, the CBI had told a juvenile court last week.

The CBI said the accused committed the crime to postpone the parents-teachers meeting and the exams.

Meanwhile, the accused student has been sent to Faridabad observation home where he will be kept until the next hearing in the case on November 22.

Congress slams Haryana CM for influencing probe

Congress on Sunday slammed Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and BJP government in the state for party leaders allegedly trying to scuttle the police investigation into the murder of Class II student Pradhuman Thakur.

"Pradyuman Thakur Murder - CBI points fingers at BJP politicians and minister for scuttling police investigation as CM Khattar hurriedly gives clean chit," said Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala on Twitter attaching a news story with a headline CBI scans politicians' role in Ryan police probe.

"Will justice be made a scapegoat at the altar of political expediency?" he asked.
Chennai: Tamil Nadu municipal administration minister S.P. Velumani's official visit to Australia to study the latest flood mitigation techniques to import solutions for the flood-prone Tamil Nadu has come under severe criticism from the opposition.

The DMK on Saturday found fault with the minister and said that ministers should be leading from the front, particularly when the state is reeling under sheets of flood and question the rationale behind the minister's six-day visit when TN is experiencing the northeast monsoon.

According to secretariat sources, the minister is on a six-day visit to north Australia along with the municipal administration and water supply secretary Harmadher Singh to explore the stormwater techniques adopted by Australia and also look into the desalination process practised on the foreign continent.

Sources also said that the official team would visit the developed counties for the first two days and then interact with the mayors and council members of Australia seeking expertise. The visit was also already cancelled twice and now it has been rescheduled, sources confirmed, adding that the official delegation would also explore on foreign investments to execute the flood mitigation projects for TN.

However, chief minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami came to the rescue of his cabinet colleague Velumani stating that the programme was planned well in advance. The minister has gone on an official visit to participate in events related desalination and flood mitigation and denied that the allegation that Velumani was holidaying.

This is the second time that the minister is under flak as earlier he stated that the TN was better than UK and US in handling the floods and now he is gone to visit Australia, at a time when Chennai is suffering monsoon woes, said former Chennai Mayor M. Subramanian. He also recalled that former chief minister M. Karunanidhi refused such official permission for him when he was mayor of Chennai stating that no elected representatives would leave TN during monsoon.

The minister should have postponed the visit or he should have visited Australia prior to the monsoon, he added.
Mangaluru: State BJP president B.S. Yeddyurappa has assured that he will take all measures to open a branch office of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in Mangaluru within three months after the BJP comes to power in the state. During the ongoing Parivarthana Rally of the party, Yeddyurappa has been making various assurances which he said the party will fulfill if voted to power in the forthcoming election and the opening of the NIA branch in Mangaluru is the latest. The BJP state president and other leaders completed their Yatra in Dakshina Kannada district on Saturday and left for Udupi district on Sunday morning. "The Kerala model of violence has influenced Mangaluru too. It is a known fact that terror elements are using the coastal region for their activities. So we want a branch of NIA here," he told reporters in Mangaluru on Sunday.

"Within three months of us coming to power in the state, with the help of the Central government all necessary steps would be taken to open a new branch office of NIA in Mangaluru. All basic facilities needed for the office would be provided by us. The state government should have taken this step by now. But it has not made any attempt till date," he alleged. At present, the NIA has its branches only in five places- Hyderabad, Kochi, Mumbai, Guwahati and Lucknow.

Answering a query on finalising the list of candidates for the forthcoming MLC election, Yedyurappa said that the list would be sent to national leaders on November 13. The names would be finalised during the meeting to be held on November 15, he added. Expressing his unhappiness over the functioning of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Yedyurappa alleged that it did not conduct a proper inquiry when the CM faced several charges. "The ACBs functioning is limited to giving a clean chit. Instead, if an independent judge or the CBI had conducted the probe, the Chief Minister would have been exposed," he said.
The CBI, in its FIR, lodged on September 19, has named several persons, including former Orissa High Court judge Ishrat Masroor Quddusi, as accused in an alleged corruption case. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: A three-judge bench of the Supreme Court is likely to hear on Monday a plea claiming that alleged bribes were taken using the names of apex court judges promising to secure favourable settlement of a case.

A bench of justices J Chelameswar and S Abdul Nazeer had ordered on November 9 that the plea be heard by a five-judge Constitution bench of the senior-most judges of the apex court.

However, on November 10, in an unprecedented hearing, a five-judge constitution bench headed by CJI Dipak Misra had ruled that "no judge can take up a matter on his own, unless allocated by the chief justice of India, as he is the master of the roster".

It had over-ruled the order of Justice Chelameswar directing a Constitution bench hearing, saying, "If any such order has been passed by any bench that cannot hold the field as that will be running counter to the order passed by the Constitution bench."

The plea filed by advocate Kamini Jaiswal is now listed for hearing before a bench of justices RK Agrawal, Arun Mishra and AM Khanwilkar at 3.30 pm on Monday.

The hearing on November 10 had brought the tussle within top judiciary to the fore with the Constitution bench overturning the order of a two-judge bench to set up a larger bench to hear the graft case allegedly involving judges.

The showdown was over the issue of supremacy of constituting a bench in which the authority of CJI was allegedly undermined by a bench headed by Justice Chelameswar.

Justice Chelameswar, who is the senior-most judge after the CJI, had termed as "disturbing" the allegations levelled in a CBI FIR and had ordered setting up a bench of five top judges of the court as a petition by Jaiswal had claimed there were allegations against Justice Misra.

The CBI, in its FIR, lodged on September 19, has named several persons, including former Orissa High Court judge Ishrat Masroor Quddusi, as accused in an alleged corruption case.

Quddusi, who had also served as a judge in the Chhattisgarh High Court, was arrested along with Lucknow-based Prasad Institute of Medical Sciences' chairman B P Yadav, his son Palash Yadav and three others, for allegedly trying to settle a matter relating to a medical college barred from admitting new students.
Speaking at the Karnataka Legislative Assembly on the opening day of the winter session, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the government is 'honest' in its efforts to find those behind the killing and bring them to justice. (Photo: File)

Belagavi: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday termed the killing of senior journalist Gauri Lankesh "an onslaught on humanity" and said his government would ensure that the culprits were brought to justice.

The government is "honest" in its efforts to find those behind the killing and bring them to justice, he told the Legislative Assembly on the opening day of the winter session of the legislature in Karnataka, which was marked by thin attendance.

Gauri Lankesh, known to be an anti-establishment voice with strident anti-right wing views, was shot dead at close range by unknown assailants at her home in Bengaluru on the night of September 5.

"It is a cruel death..it is an onslaught on humanity," Siddaramaiah said during the obituary reference to Lankesh in the House.

"We have still not been able to nab those who killed her. An SIT has been formed to nab them," he said.

Informing the Assembly that killers of rationalist MM Kalburgi were also yet to be found, the chief minister said, "The government and investigating team are honest in their efforts to nab the culprits."

Kalburgi, 77, was gunned down by two unidentified men at his residence at Dharwad in north Karnataka on August 30, 2015.

JD(S) leader YSV Datta said Lankesh's killing was "intolerance shooting a bullet at freedom of expression."

Leader of Opposition Jagadish Shettar demanded that the culprits be nabbed at the earliest.

Asserting that the state home minister had earlier said that the investigation team had got clues about the killers, the BJP leader said, "Reveal it and clear the air. No attempt should be made to blame someone unnecessarily."

State Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy had on Saturday said that the killers of Lankesh would "100 per cent" be nabbed in a few weeks.

He had also said the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the killing had clues about the assailants, but those could not be disclosed at the moment.

The state government has announced Rs 10 lakh reward for anyone giving clues about perpetrators of the crime. The SIT had on October 14 released the sketches of two suspects and video footage from CCTV cameras in connection with the case, and had sought people's help in nabbing the accused.

Besides Lankesh, the House also paid tributes to former and sitting members of the legislature and eminent people, including ex-chief minister Dharam Singh, MLAs Qamarul Islam and Chikkamadu, and former ISRO chief UR Rao, who passed away during the inter-session period.

After the obituary reference, the House was adjourned till Tuesday.

When the House met at 11 am, Speaker KB Koliwad said he was adjourning the House with "pain", due to lack of quorum.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state's disaster management wing has decided to retrofit 'lifeline' buildings like schools, hospitals and public offices, which are frequented by the public, to make them earthquake-resistant. The exercise, which should begin with the identification of priority buildings, is long overdue. Seismic-retrofitting was made mandatory way back in 2007 when National Disaster Management Authority issued guidelines on management of earthquakes.

In 2009, the National Policy on Disaster Management had stated that retrofitting of selected 'lifeline' buildings, as given in the Earthquake Guidelines, was a critical step to be taken towards earthquake mitigation. (Lifeline buildings are those frequently used by public such as schools, hospitals, government offices, and courts.)

An expert technical committee on techno-legal regime constituted by the state government in 2011 had also recommended evaluation of existing lifeline structures for retrofitting. However, the fact is, the state government had not identified and prioritised critical lifeline structures and high priority buildings for structural safety audit and retrofitting so far. As a consequence, it cannot be ensured whether the existing lifeline buildings have adequate earthquake resistant features.

"As a first step, we need to identify the building to be retrofitted," a top disaster management official said. "Government schools and hospitals that function out of colonial structures or old buildings, and also public buildings like secretariat where the people congregate in large numbers, will be given priority," the official added.

A seismic retrofit provides existing structures with more resistance to seismic activity. In buildings, this process typically includes strengthening weak connections found in roof to wall connections, continuity ties, shear walls and the roof diaphragm. "In the past, building codes were less stringent compared to today's standards, thus it is a good idea to inspect buildings constructed prior to 1998, as they were built prior to current structural codes and requirements," the official said.

There is confusion as to which Department should carry out the identification. It is said that the PWD should do it as a routine activity. But the PWD has not done anything on the grounds that it had not received any government instruction related to the identification of lifeline buildings.
The 23-year-old RSS worker, Anandan, was hacked to death allegedly by CPI(M) workers on Sunday in broad day light. (Photo: ANI)

Thrissur: Shops and business establishments have downed shutters and vehicles are mostly off the roads in Guruvayur and Manaloor towns in Thrissur district following a hartal called by BJP to protest the killing of an RSS worker at Nenmeni.

The 23-year-old RSS worker, Anandan, was hacked to death allegedly by CPI(M) workers on Sunday in broad day light.

While the BJP has blamed CPI(M) for the murder, the marxist party in a statement on Sunday denied its role in the incident.

This is the third murder of BJP/RSS workers in the district since the Pinarayi Vijayan government came to power in May last year, a BJP leader had alleged.

Anandan, hailing from Brahmakulam, was an accused in a case relating to the murder of a CPI(M) worker in 2013.

The funeral is expected to be held this afternoon. The BJP is also observing a protest throughout the state against the gory incident.

BJP national president Amit Shah on Sunday lashed out at Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan following the attack and asked what his government was doing to "curb criminal elements" in the ranks of his CPI(M).

"The continuous violence by CPM workers and the protection to such political killings is now before the nation. CM Pinarayi must explain what his govt is doing to curb criminal elements in his rank(sic)," Shah tweeted.

The BJP has alleged that as many as 120 of its workers, 84 in Kannur alone, have been killed in Kerala since 2001. It has claimed that 14 of these killings have taken place since Pinarayi Vijayan took over the reins of the government last year.

Shah undertook a 15-day 'Jan Raksha Yatra' in Kerala last month to target the state's CPI(M) government over a "killing spree" against BJP and RSS workers.
Heavy rains have been predicted in the coastal areas due to a low-pressure area in the Bay of Bengal. (Photo: PTI/File)

Chennai: Schools in Chennai, Kanchipuram and Tiruvallur were closed on Monday as the Meteorological (Met) Department predicted heavy rains in the coastal areas due to a low-pressure area in the Bay of Bengal.

An inference of India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the low-pressure area with an associated cyclonic circulation persists in the southwest Bay of Bengal and it is likely to become more marked.

Area Cyclone Warning Centre Director S Balachandran also said The location of the low-pressure area in the southwest Bay of Bengal is unchanged. We expected heavy rain from Sunday. The wind pattern and its speed prevented the rainfall inland, as the rain poured into the sea. Due to this, dry weather prevailed over the state.

Tamil Nadu Municipal Administration Minister SP Velumani is on a six-day study tour to Australia even as rains continue to batter parts of the state. He went on the tour to study the latest flood mitigation techniques to import solutions for the flood-prone Tamil Nadu.

The opposition parties have criticised his trip amid the crisis in the state.

This is the second time that the minister is under flak as earlier he stated that the TN was better than UK and US in handling the floods and now he is gone to visit Australia, at a time when Chennai is suffering monsoon woes, said former Chennai mayor M Subramanian.

The minister should have postponed the visit or he should have visited Australia prior to the monsoon, he added.
News / National

by Staff reporter

The Gwanda solar project has been taken over by the Zimbabwe Power Company after Wicknell Chivayo's firm failed to deliver.Energy Minister, Samuel Undenge told parliamentarians in Vic Falls that Chivayo's Intratek Zimbabwe was paid over $5 million. Chivayo was awarded the tender for the $202 million 100MW Gwanda Solar project in October 2015. The project remains in limbo to date."The tender for the Gwanda Solar Power project was awarded to a company owned by Wicknell Chivayo (Intratek) and in the contract there was a provision for the payment of pre-commencement works, which was supposed to be paid to the company for topographical studies and feasibility studies."I don't know how much was paid for the pre-commencement services such as topographical and feasibility studies. The Zimbabwe Power Company has taken over management of the project."Undenge was grilled by legislators. "We need to know how the $5 million is going to be recovered from Intratek as there was no service done and the contract has been given to another company. Part of the $5 million was also paid to his (Dr Undenge's) personal account, let him account for the money," Norton MP, Mr Temba Mliswa (independent), said.
New Delhi: Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Monday highlighted the state of female literacy rate in Rajasthan amid raging protests against the release of the Sanjay Leela Bhansali's magnum opus 'Padmavati'.

The Member of Parliament from Kerala took to Twitter and said education for women in Rajasthan was more important than a "goonghat", as state's female literacy rate was among the lowest in the country.

"Agree totally. The #Padmavati controversy is an opportunity to focus on the conditions of Rajasthani women today and not just of queens six centuries ago. Rajasthan's female literacy among lowest. Education more important than goonghats." Tharoor posted on Twitter.

Tharoor had to put out at a one more tweet later to clarify a confusion after the auto correct feature in his device had autocorrected the word goonghats to 'thang Hoog hats'.

The Rajput Community, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, the Bajrang Dal and the Karni Sena held a joint protest against the release of the film in Surat on Sunday.

"The government must put a ban on the release of the film because it is portraying Rani Padmavati in an objectionable way. The history has been distorted in this film. The government has to listen to us otherwise everyone will have to face consequences for this. We will not tolerate disrespect to our community," a protestor said in Surat.

Meanwhile, in Maharashtra at least 15 members of the Akhand Rajputana Seva Sangh were detained while protesting on Sunday.

Earlier, the Supreme Court rejected a petition filed against the release of 'Padmavati', saying the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) was yet to issue a certificate to the movie.

The top court had added that the CBFC was an independent body and the court should not intervene in their jurisdiction.

The period drama, starring Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, and Shahid Kapoor, has been facing protests from various Hindu groups for allegedly tampering with historical facts.

The Karni Sena, which demolished the sets of the movie in Jaipur and also thrashed Bhansali, had again warned the director that he would face consequences if the movie distorted historical facts.

The movie is slated to hit the theatres on December 1.
Apart from physical assault, verbal abuse, threats and breaking objects can also be counted as domestic violence.

Hyderabad: Domestic disputes among couples are the common reason for suicide in the city. The city ranks second in the country with regard to domestic violence and third on dowry deaths.

Suicidal tendencies are either impulsive or thought over for a long time. According to a consulting psychiatrist, the root cause is the family. A boy growing up watching his father harassing his mother would probably do the same to his wife because the mother behaves normally the next day for the sake of her children. This leaves an impression on the childs mind that it is okay to do so.

This passes on for generations, said Dr Purnima Nagaraja, a mental health professional, adding that domestic violence is accepted as a norm in our cou-ntry. According to a survey, 84 per cent of women said that it was okay for the husband to beat them.

Apart from physical assault, verbal abuse, threats and breaking objects can also be counted as domestic violence. Even if a husband is at fault and leaves the family, the society blames the wife for it and it scars the psyche of the woman, said the doctor. The city police said that since the proactive policing, more cases are coming to the light.

Violence becomes order of the day

If financial troubles, health problems and domestic disputes were driving people to commit suicide, teenagers end their life after being scolded by their parents and teachers and due to sibling fights.

A six-year-old boy stabbed himself on the stomach to show his parents that he needs their love and affection. His parents were too busy in fighting, neglec-ting his basic needs. The boy assumed that if he killed himself, maybe they will love him, said a consulting psychiatrist.

Violence is present almost everywhere and nowhere is this eruption more intense than in our homes.

Behind closed doors, people are being tortured, beaten and killed. We come across a few videos where kids are being tortured or husbands harassing wives. It is crossing all social classes, genders, racial lines and age groups, said Dr Diana Monteiro, a psychologist.

Either one can be a victim and a victimiser and the outburst can be in various forms such as physical, sexual or emotional, said Dr Purnima Nagaraja.

A city-based counsellor said, Domestic violence has been an intrinsic part of the society we live in. The desire to gain control over another family member or the desire to exploit someone for personal benefits results in domestic violence.
Chennai: Chennai and neighbouring districts of Tiruvallur and Kanchipuram are likely to get another intense spell of northeast monsoon rains for the next couple of days due to a well-marked low pressure area in Bay of Bengal.

The second spell of NE monsoon rains began on Sunday night and a few areas in Chennai and the two districts experienced heavy rainfall through the night bringing with it usual problems of water logging in low-lying areas and power cuts in several areas.

A low-pressure area in southwest Bay of Bengal has strengthened into well-marked low-pressure area. This will bring heavy rains in Chennai, Kanchipuram and Tiruvallur districts and moderate rainfall in Cuddalore, Vilupuram, Puducherry, S Balachandran, director, Area Cyclonic Warning Centre, said on Monday.

A forecast issued by the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) said thunderstorm with lightning is likely to occur at isolated places over north coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. For the next 24 hours, the sky condition in Chennai is likely to be cloudy. A few spells of rain or thundershower are likely to occur, heavy at times, the forecast said.

Balachandran also said that the well-marked low-pressure area is moving northwards away from Tamil Nadu coast. With the cyclonic systems movement, the rainfall in Chennai and other districts will gradually decrease, he said.

In 24 hours that ended on Monday morning, Ennore near Chennai recorded 11cm rainfall. While Ponneri, Madhavaram received 7cm rain, Cholavaram, Red Hills, Taramani, Thiruvallur, Tambaram and Poondi recorded significant amount of rainfall.

550 complaints received in two days

The second spell of NE monsoon rains that began on Sunday night in Chennai and its suburbs brought with it usual problems of waterlogging in low-lying areas, stagnation in roads and power fluctuations in several parts of the city.

With more than 5cm rain poured in the metropolis in 24 hours, number of the residents raising their woes in monsoon control room, functioning in Greater Chennai Corporations Ripon buildings, is on a sharp rise. According to data released by Chennai corporation, 550 complaints have been received through emergency telephone numbers and WhatsApp in two days. Of the total complaints, 230 complaints were received on Monday, said a Chennai corporation official. On Sunday, the control room received 220 complaints.

Most of the complaints received were pertaining to waterlogging. Chennai corporation workers with equipment have been deployed in various lowlying areas to clear waterlogging, a Chennai corporation official said.

The first spell of NE monsoon rains, which began on October 30, lashed the metropolis for nearly a week and led to the rise in residents woes. That eventually resulted in Chennai corporation control room receiving more than 9,500 rain-related complaints.

From Sunday morning to Monday evening the city recorded 5.33cm rainfall. Of 204 waterlogged areas, 109 locations were cleared. Works are underway to remove inundation at 95 spots. Also, the corporation removed a fallen tree on Monday, a Chennai corporation press release said. To address rain-related issues, the civic body has deployed 790 workers, the press release added.

With the Regional Meteorological Department (RMC) warning Chennai and its neighbouring districts of heavy rainfall for a couple of days, the control room and other civic body officials are kept at high alert, a senior Chennai corporation official said.
New Delhi: Continuing his temple run in poll-bound Gujarat, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi revealed that he is a devout disciple of Lord Shiva. After offering prayers at Vir Meghmaya temple in Patan, Mr Gandhi said, Main Shiv ka bhakt hoon, sachaai mein believe karta hoon. BJP jo bhi bole, main apni sachaai mein believe karta hu, (I am a devotee of Shiva and I believe in truth. Whatever BJP says, I believe in my truth). Mr Gandhi is on his fourth visit to Gujarat to participate in Navsarjan Yatra organised by the Congress. All his trips to Gujarat have included visits to temples, starting with the Dwarkadhish temple. He also visited the Swaminarayan temple and Ambaji temple, among others.

The BJP has been criticising Mr Gandhi for his visits to temples in the state and has dubbed them as election stunt. On Monday, BJP national secretary Bhupender Yadav, attacking the Congress leaders recent temple visits, said, Star campaigner of Congress Rahul Gandhi is visiting temples and offering prayers which is good as it is a part of Indian culture. However, this must come naturally to a person and not only during elections.

In the current campaign the Congress is trying hard to shed the image of being a pro-minority party. Hence, in all the four phases of the Congress Navsarjan Yatra, Mr Gandhi has not just visited prominent temples of the region, but has also been seen taking an active part in aarti ritual. He also visited the popular garbha event in Rajkot during Navratara. Critics of the Congress have termed the current approach of the Congress as soft Hindutva.
Hyderabad: Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Monday strongly defen-ded appointing TRS activists to farmer coordination councils, saying they had fought for statehood. Speaking in the Assembly on Monday, Mr Rao said the TRS activists had spent their money and braved police cases during the agitation. Only such committed people can do justice to the councils and protect the interests of farmers, he said. Mr Rao asked Opposition parties whether farmers should not be picked for the councils just because they are TRS activists. He said the councils were aimed at organising farmers and ensuring MSP (minimum support price). They would have no powers, and would not be paid salaries.

The councils are meant for the service of farmers. They will act as a link between farmers and traders to ensure MSP. They will coordinate with officials of respective departments to ensure that Rs 8,000 per acre financial assistance reaches genuine farmers, he said. Opposition Congress, BJP and TD members asked where was the need to creating new councils when there were elected bodies like the gram panchayats, cooperative societies and market committees.

Mr Rao replied, These bodies were there even earlier. Why did the TD government appoint two lakh Rythu Mitra teams in 2003 and spend Rs 350 crore? Why did the Congress government appoint 50,000 Adarsha Rythulu in 2005 and spend Rs 60 crore, among whom autorickshaw drivers and mechanics were included? Mr Rao said there was criminal negligence on the part of previous governments due to which the farmers were facing several hardships now.

You failed to utilise the legitimate share of water in the Krishna and Godavari rivers. No projects were built and when we are trying to build projects, you are creating legal hurdles and filing cases in the name of farmers. Are there any farmers in Telangana state who can fight cases in Supreme Court by hiring advocates for `6 lakh per day? Everyone knows who are behind them, Mr Rao said.

He said the state-level farmer council would be registered as a corporation for which the government would provide bank guarantee and seed funds to purchase produce from farmers at MSP in case traders refuse to do so. Earlier, BJP legislator N.V.S.S. Prabhakar said the government had turned farmers' councils into TRS committees. I will show how effectively this can be executed from next year. If people think we are going wrong, they will punish us, Mr Rao replied.
The cumulative percentage of international students in the US has increased by three per cent, and over 50 per cent of the increase has been from India.(Photo: DC)

Hyderabad: Despite US President Donald Trumps attempts to tighten visa norms, there has been a 12 per cent increase in the number of Indian students who have migrated to the US in the current academic year, as compared to last year. According to the Open Doors Report released on Monday in Delhi by the Institute of International Education (IIE) and the US State Departments bureau of educational and cultural affairs, the cumulative percentage of international students in the US has increased by three per cent, and over 50 per cent of the increase has been from India.

The percentage of American students studying abroad has increased by four per cent. The number of Indian students in the United States has, once again, risen to a record level, over 1,86,000, to see a double-digit growth for the fourth year in a row. The increase by 21,000 students as compared to last year is one of the highest rates of growth in the world. In 2016-17. the report said.

For the second consecutive year, US colleges and universities hosted more than one million international students. This also marks the eleventh consecutive year of continued expansion of the total number of international students in the US for higher education, the report reads.

Mr Karl M. Adam, the deputy cultural affairs officer at the US Embassy, said that in the past decade, the number of Indian students in the US had doubled. He said that India was the second leading place of origin for students coming to the US. A majority of the Indian students in the USA, 56 per cent, are studying at the graduate level. US universities provide unparalleled access to instructors, and provide a wide variety of internship and research opportunities which is the main cause for the demand from Indian students and other international students. The American system of higher education introduces international students to networks and contacts that provide benefits and advantages over a lifetime, he said.

Besides India, the number of students from China migrating to the USA has increased over the years. Students from South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Canada, Vietnam, Taiwan, Japan, Mexico and Brazil also are migrating to the USA for higher studies.

The top host states in the US are California, New York, Texas, Massachusetts, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana. Each of these states witnessed an increase in the number of international students received in 2016/17. According to a study conducted by the Brookings Institution in 2012, the number of students migrating from Hyderabad to US was the highest among the states of India. There were 26,220 students from Hyderabad, 17,294 from Mumbai, 9,141 from Chennai, 8,835 from Bengaluru, 8,728 from Delhi, 5,551 from Pune and 3,881 from Kolkata migrating for studies in 2012.
Bengaluru: Noted actor Prakash Raj said on Sunday that he respects superstars Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth and Kannada actor Upendra as artistes but that does not mean he would accept them as political leaders due to their fame.

The 52-year-old actor told reporters at the Press Club that the political aspirants will have to prove their mettle before the people choose them as their representatives. I have respect for them as actors but that does not mean that I will vote for them. They have to demonstrate how much they understand our culture, the problems and how they will respond to it, Raj said.

Raj also alleged that his commercial advertisements were recently blocked from being aired. Without taking any names, he said the advertising firm told him his name has been mired in a controversy and so it could not be broadcast.

He said even Bollywood stars Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan have faced similar situations in the past. Werent they removed from being ambassadors to certain things? Werent some of their commercials stopped? They are stopping my commercials too. But I will not ask you why you are hitting me. I will not tell you the way you are hitting me is hurting me because that will make you stronger, Raj said.

The National Award-winning actor said the Internet trolls have been hitting at the thought process of the social media users since the last three years and dubbed it as a dangerous trend.

Raj also referred to BJP MP Pratap Simhas comments against him after he criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his silence on those celebrating the killing of journalist Gauri Lankesh here in September.

Later, Raj took to Twitter to slam a section of the press for misquoting him. This is what I said... Actors should not come into politics only because they are popular. Its a disaster. They should come with a clear perception of the issues facing the country and win the trust of the people. And we should not vote as fans, but as responsible citizens, he posted.
Hyderabad: Despite the failure of the Grand Alliance in Bihar, Sharad Yadav, the leader of the Janata Dal - United (JDU), said that he would continue in his efforts to unite all anti-BJP parties ahead of the 2019 elections to take on the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Speaking to this paper, Mr Yadav, who was in Hyderabad on Sunday, said Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had betrayed the Grand Alliance by joining hands with the BJP.

Those who are supposed to be in the Opposition are ruling the state, which is not witnessed anywhere else in the country.

Mr Yadav said they had got wind of Mr Kumars conspiracy to break the Grand Alliance before the announcement of demonetisation in November 2016. Nitish supported demonetisation unconditionally; he also extended unconditional support to the NDAs presidential candidate. These actions proved beyond doubt that Nitish was going to join hands with the BJP, he said.

Mr Yadav said that several economic experts had predicted that demonetization would drastically reduce the nations GDP, and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had also called the move a man-made disaster which would have severe consequences.

They have been proved right; the GDP is going down and unemployment is rising, he said. Mr Yadav expressed confidence that a new Grand Alliance would be possible if all like-minded parties came together before the 2019 general elections. We are already holding meetings in all major states to bring anti-BJP forces together. Our efforts will continue until a strong alternate force is formed, he said.
It is interesting that former J&K chief minister and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah should be criticised by the BJP as well as the Kashmiri separatists for his recent comment on the status of the Kashmir Valley and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The senior Abdullah has said the Valley will remain Indian and PoK a part of Pakistan, pointing to the near impossibility of changing this status quo.

Notwithstanding Islamabads professed commitment and 70-year-old effort to appropriate the Valley, including through failed military means, and Indias parliamentary resolution of 1995 that PoK is an inalienable part of India, being an integral part of the domains of the former Maharaja of Kashmir that acceded to India, the plain truth is that the political and cultural makeup of the Valley and PoK is such that these regions cant be anywhere else other than where they are.

The Valley being practically all Muslim doesnt change this, although diehard pro-Pakistan Islamist elements have tried ideologically and politically to have the Kashmir Valley incorporated with Pakistan, although this goes against the grain of the thinking and living practices of the people.

Dr Abdullah also ruled out independence for Kashmir, forthrightly saying the Valley cant be independent as it is ringed by nuclear-armed sovereign entities  India, Pakistan and China. Here the NC leaders argument is weak though hes right about not entertaining the notion of azaadi. What if there were no nukes about? Quite simply, the Valley is Indian because it has been so historically, politically and culturally from time immemorial, and the concept of azaadi is a wholly contrived one, cooked up by a few taking advantage of Partition, which was itself the product of colonial machination. The historical and cultural factors have enjoyed constitutional reinforcement since accession in 1947.

In spite of the parliamentary resolution and Pakistans efforts to detach the Valley from India on the grounds of religious affinity, those in government on both sides recognise the reality. This, in fact, was the basis of the conversations between the governments of President Pervez Musharraf and those of Prime Ministers Atal Behari Vajpayee and Manomhan Singh. The underlying premise was that since the borders cannot be changed, the effort should be to make them irrelevant.

Its quite clear that for now the NC leader has emphasised the issue of the Kashmir Valley being as firmly Indian as PoK is a part of Pakistan on account of the narrative being pushed by RSS-BJP elements on whittling down and eventually removing Article 370 of the Constitution, from which derives the autonomous status of all of J&K, not just the Valley, as a condition of accession. This is the dominant reality of today as the BJP is in power with a clear majority of its own.
On October 24, 1962, having wiping out the 7 Brigade commanded by Brig. John Dalvi at Thagla in what was then NEFA (North-East Frontier Agency), the Chinese issued a statement that after the predictable recriminations made three proposals. These were:

That both sides agree to respect the Line of Actual Control (LAC) as of November 1959, and withdraw their forces 20 km from that line.

If India agreed to do so, the Chinese agreed to withdraw to north of the McMahon Line in the eastern sector. (This was significant as the PLA was quite deep inside NEFA.)

That the two Prime Ministers meet, either in New Delhi or Peking, to seek a friendly settlement.

On the very same day a statement was issued by New Delhi rejecting these proposals. India took the position that China immediately vacate the aggression, which in effect meant going back in Aksai Chin, an area in its possession since the early 1950s. In the eastern sector they were signalling they would go well behind the McMahon Line. The Russians backed down over Cuba on October 28, 1962 and agreed to withdraw their missiles. On October 29, US ambassador to India John Kenneth Galbraith called on his friend Jawaharlal Nehru and offered any military equipment India might need in its fracas with China. These started arriving within five days and soon there were as many as eight USAF and RAF flights a day, each disgorging 20 tons of hardware.

Ironically only a few weeks before this, Jawaharlal Nehru, while rejecting a suggestion of India seeking Western arms aid, equated the acceptance of military aid with joining a military bloc and declared that India would never accept this even if disaster comes to us on the frontier. That disaster visited the 7 Brigade in October when it was decimated by the PLA at Thagla ridge. But it was a small one compared what was to visit the 4 Division in November. The lull that followed the quick Chinese advances to Tawang and Walong in the east and to the gates of Chushul, instead of causing national leaders to introspect and inject some realism in them, took them on new flights of fancy. The defeats gave rise to a wave of jingoism and euphoria since seen only once after that, during the Kargil conflict. The Lok Sabha praised the wonderful and spontaneous response of the people of India to the emergency Dr Ram Manohar Lohia, who always had a way with words, said: The blood of our martyred jawans is becoming the seed of a new, virile nation that is being born in our country. Little wonder then that Nehru remarked that we never had it so good.

Instead of taking stock of what went wrong in the run-up to the stinging defeat at Namka Chu, our leaders persuaded themselves that they could beat the Chinese back. The decision that was to send 7 Brigade into dubious battle was taken by people at the highest level, overlooking all the advice of commanders on the front line. The leaders were oblivious of the facts. The jawans, fighting at heights of 12,000-14,000 feet, had only cotton tunics and one blanket each to fight off the cold, and ancient .303 rifles with about 40 rounds each to fight off the Chinese. The massive airlift of Western small arms did little to change this reality. Instead of seeking a respite and allowing the military leaders the option of choosing the time and place for the next battle, the politicians, both in Parliament and in the Indian Army, pressed on for another round.

After the initial debacles in NEFA, Lt. Gen. B.M. Kaul, who was hastily appointed commander of the newly-created IV Corps, had returned to his familiar battlegrounds in New Delhi stricken with pulmonary edema. Lt. Gen. Harbaksh Singh took over from him. Harbaksh Singh, after studying the changed tactical position of his troops, decided the next point of defence would be Bomdila. But Lt. Gen. Kaul, now recovered, replaced him after hardly four days, and returned with the DMO, Brig. D.K. Palit, in tow. Brig. Palit, who later wrote a somewhat self-serving yet eminently readable book on the 1962 war, was a favorite of Kaul and a man quite well versed with the way the Delhi durbar worked. Palit had earlier commanded the now ill-fated 7 Brigade and could claim intimate knowledge of the terrain.

Military logic, given availability of troops and supplies, demanded that they be concentrated in Bomdila. Factoring this, the Indian Armys three-tiered defence plans for NEFA prepared in 1959 by Lt. Gen. Thorat called for at least four brigades. In 1961, Lt. Gen. L.P. Sen, who took over Eastern Command from Lt. Gen. Thorat, determined he would need two divisions or six brigades to do the job. After the debacle at Namka Chu, 4 Division had only two brigades to do the job! But Kaul and Palit, fresh out of New Delhi, put out the word that Se La, that was a good 60 miles ahead of Bomdila and nearer Tawang, must be held.

The politicians could not afford its loss.

November 14, 1962 was Prime Minister Nehrus 73rd birthday and Lt. Gen. Kaul, ever conscious of the import of such events, wished to give him a befitting present. He launched an attack in the Walong sector to push the Chinese back over to the other side of the McMahon Line. This was probably the stupidest order he was to ever give. The PLA had a full division lying in wait at Rima while the Armys new 2 Division just had three battalions designated 11 Brigade at Walong. The PLA retaliated massively. 11 Brigade fought bravely, but was all but wiped out by November 17, even as the New Delhi newspapers were hailing the attack!

The decision to confront the Chinese at Se La led to the thinning of forces at Bomdila, which was now defended by just six companies. Kaul and Palit did not envisage the possibility of the PLA bypassing Se La in any great strength. But this is just what they did. They took the path known as the Bailey Trail, named after the British officer who rediscovered the traditional Yak herders route to Tawang. 4 Division, with its main defence centered in Se La, was much too thinly spread and the PLA began hacking at its rear. By the time orders went out for 62 Brigade to evacuate Se La, it was too late. They were cut off and its commander,

Brig. Hoshiar Singh, fell fighting on November 17. The next day the divisional headquarters at Dirang Dzong, between Se La and Bomdila, fell. In November 20, Bomdila fell. The rout in NEFA was complete.

Jawaharlal Nehru made a broadcast to the nation that night. His broadcast had a special place for the people of Assam. He said: Huge Chinese armies have been marching in the northern part of NEFA. We have had reverses at Walong, Se La and today Bomdila, a small town in NEFA, has also fallen. We shall not rest till the invader goes out of India or is pushed out. I want to make that clear to all of you, and especially our countrymen in Assam, to whom our heart goes out at this moment. Later that night Nehru made an urgent appeal to the United States to intervene with airstrikes against the Chinese on Indian territory. Mercifully, China announced a unilateral ceasefire on November 21, and a bigger war was averted.
News / National

by Staff reporter

President Mugabe will on Saturday hold a Presidential Youth Interface Rally with students from the country's higher and tertiary institutions. The interface rally will be held at the Harare International Conference Centre. The students interface rally has been brought forward before the Harare Province Presidential Youth Interface Rally, whose date is still to be set.The Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development, Professor Jonathan Moyo, last Friday met representatives from higher and tertiary education institutions to map the way forward ahead of the historic rally. Representatives of the institutions included the vice chancellors of universities and principals of colleges, students' representative council leaders and Zanu-PF Youth League members.It will be the first time for students to host President Mugabe in an interactive session. In an interview, Zanu-PF Youth League Secretary for Youth Affairs Kudzanai Chipanga confirmed the students interface rally. He said students' constituency was very important to Zanu-PF and the Youth League."The President is meeting young people in this country. We have categories of young people, we have the party youths, but also have students who are the party's youth. As Zanu-PF's Youth League, we gave our students sector a priority to meet the President, who is their President as well. So it's important that the students meet the President so that they can present their concerns to the highest office. This will guide the President in as far as issues affecting the students," said Chipanga."It's important to the students. We know they have been crying for that opportunity which they have never had. As the youth leadership, we regard the students highly, hence we facilitated this opportunity that they meet President Mugabe," he said. President Mugabe has met youths across the country's nine provinces through the Presidential Youth Interface Rallies with the latest province being Bulawayo.
Samsung's been launching multiple Galaxy A smartphone models yearly, and it looks like this won't change in 2018. Photo: Galaxy A5(2017)

Back in 2014, Samsung launched the Galaxy Alpha as an upper midrange smartphone. From then, Samsung's been launching multiple Galaxy A smartphone models yearly, and it looks like this won't change in 2018.

Now, Samsung is silently confirming the existence of a new A5 via a support page that's accessible on its official South Korean website. More exactly, the support page mentions an unannounced Samsung SM-A530. But we know that this is the Galaxy A5 (2018) because the phone's previous generations have similar model numbers: SM-A520 (A5 2017), SM-A510 (A5 2016), and SM-A500 (original A5).

Unfortunately, the SM-A530 support page doesn't really reveal anything about the handset. Anyhow, according to previous rumours, the upcoming Galaxy A5 is expected to sport a 5.5-inch display with 1080 x 2160 pixels and pretty thin bezels. While we're not talking about a curved screen here (as these are reserved by Samsung for its high-end phones), the new A5 will still have a modern look, plus a fingerprint scanner on the back - since there's not enough room for that on the front.

The Galaxy A5 (2018) is expected to be powered by a mid-range Samsung Exynos 7885, further featuring 4 GB of RAM, and a water-resistant body. The new smartphone will probably run Android 8 Oreo out of the box.

The Galaxy A5 2017 series was announced in January, so we're not going to be surprised if the Galaxy A5 (2018) will be officially unveiled in the first month of next year, likely alongside the Galaxy A7 (2018), and maybe a new Galaxy A3, too.

Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump also discussed a range of key issues, including defence and security, in Manila, Philippines. (Photo: PIB)

Manila: The ties between India and the United States are growing, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi after holding a bilateral talk with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of ASEAN Summit in Philippines on Monday.

"Our (India-US) relations go beyond, we are working for future interests of Asia and humanity," Modi said in Manila.

"It's an honour to meet you again," Trump told Modi.

Both the leaders also discussed a range of key issues, including defence and security.

The meeting in the Philippines capital came a day after officials of India, the US, Japan and Australia held talks to give shape to the much talked-about quadrilateral alliance to keep the strategically important Indo-Pacific region free, open and inclusive.

Modi and Trump are understood to have discussed the security scenario in the Indo-Pacific region besides several other issues of mutual interests, including ways to further boost bilateral trade.

The move to set up the quadrilateral alliance comes in the backdrop of growing Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea. The US has been favouring a larger role for India in the strategically important Indo-Pacific region.

The use of the term "Indo-Pacific" by President Trump has led to speculation that it may have something to do with Washington preparing the ground for a revival of the so called quadrilateral strategic alliance between the US, Japan, Australia and India to counter China's rise.

Trump on Saturday praised India's "astounding" growth after it opened up its economy and also lauded Modi, saying he has been working successfully to bring the vast country and its people together.

Speaking at a gathering of CEOs on the sidelines of the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in the Vietnamese city of Danang, President Trump had cited India as one of the countries in the Indo-Pacific region making strides.

He praised India as a sovereign democracy with a population of over 1 billion as well as the largest democracy in the world.

It was the fourth meeting between Modi and Trump this year.

They earlier met when Modi visited the US and next, at the G20 Economic Summit.

Reportedly, the two leaders did not share a hug this time, unlike their earlier meetings.

Earlier on Monday, President Duterte and his wife Honeylet Avancena welcomed the world leaders at the opening ceremony of 31st ASEAN Summit in Manila.

Modi also arrived there and shook hands with President Duterte.

Among the highlights of the opening ceremony was a music and dance excerpt from the musical Rama Hari, based on the characters of the Ramayana, an epic narrative that is a shared heritage among the ASEAN member states.

The performers were Arman Ferrer and Lara Maigue, vocal soloists, Ballet Philippines, choreographed by Alice Reyes, with the Philharmonic orchestra conducted by Herminegildo Ranera.

Modi later visited the International Rice Research Institute in Los Banos, Philippines, earlier in the day, and inaugurated the Resilient Rice Field Laboratory, named after him.

He will also meet the members of the Indian community at a reception to be hosted by the Indian envoy in Philippines.
New Delhi/Manila: The relationship between India and the United States goes beyond mutual interest and can be beneficial for Asia and humanity at large, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday to US President Donald Trump, who described him as a friend who is doing a great job. The two leaders had a bilateral meeting in Manila on Monday  described by foreign secretary S. Jaishankar as a cordial, constructive and comfortable talk between the two  during which they discussed a range of key issues, including defence and security, the threats posed by terrorism to the region, trade ties and market access as well as a broad review of the strategic landscape in Asia.

The relations between India and the US are growing... and I also feel that the relationship between India and the US is not only for mutual interest. It goes beyond that. We are working together for the interest, for the future of Asia and for humanity as a whole in the world, Mr Modi said. The cooperation between India and US can rise beyond bilateral cooperation... We are moving ahead together on many issues, he added. Lavishing further praise, the US President said Mr Modi was doing "a fantastic job by bringing lots of factions in India together..."
Noting that 21st century is described as Asia's century, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told the cheering audience in Manila that it was the duty of every Indian to work hard to make it a century of India. (Photo: AP)

New Delhi/Manila: The relationship between India and the United States goes beyond mutual interest and can be beneficial for Asia and humanity at large, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday to US President Donald Trump, who described him as a friend who is doing a great job. Mr Modi also assured President Trump that India will try to live up to the expectations of the US and the world and thanked the US President for speaking highly about India during his trips. The comments came ahead of their bilateral talks and reflect the growing convergence of the two nations on strategic issues in the Indo-Pacific region.

Mr Modi later told the Asean leaders that the task of transforming India is proceeding at an unprecedented scale. The talks come a day after officials of four countries  India, the US, Japan and Australia  held a meeting amid signs of an emerging Quadrilateral that is being seen as a mechanism to check Chinese military and economic assertiveness in the Asia-Pacific region, which is now being referred to by President Trump as the Indo-Pacific region.
Saad Hariri, 47, announced he was stepping down from his post in a televised address on November 4 from Riyadh. (Photo: AFP)

Beirut: Saad Hariri, whose resignation as Lebanon's prime minister a week ago sent shock waves across the region, said Sunday he is "free" in Saudi Arabia and will return to Lebanon "very soon".

In an interview from Riyadh with his party's Future TV, Hariri brushed aside rumours that he was under de facto house arrest in the kingdom, from which he announced his surprise departure.

"I am free here. If I want to travel tomorrow, I will," Hariri said.

"I will return to Lebanon very soon," Hariri said, adding later that he would land in Beirut "in two or three days".

Hariri, 47, announced he was stepping down from his post in a televised address on November 4 from Riyadh, and has yet to return to his native Lebanon.

However, Lebanese President Michel Aoun has yet to formally accept his resignation and said the premier has been "restricted" in his movements.

Hariri's surprise resignation came as tensions rise between Riyadh and Tehran, which back opposing sides in power struggles from Lebanon and Syria to Yemen.

At the time, Hariri accused Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah of taking over his country and destabilising the broader region.

"We cannot continue in Lebanon in a situation where Iran interferes in all Arab countries, and that there's a political faction that interferes alongside it," he repeated on Sunday in apparent reference to rival movement Hezbollah.

"Maybe there's a regional conflict between Arab countries and Iran. We're a small country. Why put ourselves in the middle?"

'Rescind resignation'

Wearing a suit and tie and with a Lebanese flag in the background, the former premier looked tired on Sunday and spoke softly but firmly throughout the interview.

Hariri, who also holds Saudi citizenship, told journalist Paula Yaacoubian that he wrote his resignation himself and wanted to submit it in Lebanon, "but there was danger".

He also appeared to lay down an exit strategy, saying he would be willing to "rescind the resignation" if intervention in regional conflicts stopped.

"We need to respect the disassociation policy," Hariri said, referring to an agreement among Lebanese political factions that they would not interfere in Syria's six-year war.

He appeared to be alluding to Hezbollah's military intervention on behalf of the Syrian government, to which Hariri is opposed.

Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah said Friday that Hariri was "detained in Saudi Arabia, he is banned from returning to Lebanon".

'Excellent' ties with Saudi

Hariri has spent the past week in a string of meetings with diplomats and Saudi officials in Riyadh, including an encounter with Saudi King Salman.

He left the kingdom once for a trip to Abu Dhabi.

In his interview on Sunday, Hariri said he has "excellent" ties with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in an apparent effort to put to rest rumours that the Saudi crown prince had pressured him to step down.

"Really, I consider him a brother and he considers me a brother. It's an excellent and special relationship," he said.

But he refused to comment on the internal political turmoil in Saudi Arabia, where dozens of high-profile politicians and businessmen have been arrested in what authorities say is an anti-graft drive.

The two-time premier's father Rafik made his fortune in Saudi Arabia and also served as premier for years before he was assassinated in 2005.

Saad cited fears for his life when he resigned from his post last week, less than a year after his unity government was formed with Hezbollah.

Lebanese have expressed concern that the move could thrust the country into a political and economic tailspin, as it remains unclear who could replace Hariri.

Western countries moved quickly to express their support for the premier, with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson calling him a "strong partner".

Tillerson warned against "any party, within or outside Lebanon, using Lebanon as a venue for proxy conflicts or in any manner contributing to instability in that country".


Vijayawada Police Commissioner Gautam Sawang said the private boat operator did not have a valid license.



"There were no life jackets for passengers either.We have registered a criminal case against the operator and will take stern action," Sawang told reporters last night.



The police also launched a hunt for the missing driver of the boat. Two teams each comprising 30 NDRF personnel, a 45-member team of the State Disaster Rescue Force (SDRF) and 60 members of the Disaster Response and Fire Services Department have been roped into the rescue operation.



Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister (Home) N China Rajappa, Opposition leader Y S Jaganmohan Reddy, state BJP president K Hari Babu and others yesterday expressed grief over the incident.



China Rajappa had also announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 5 lakh each to the kin of the deceased.



The death toll in the boat capsize incident in Krishna River near Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh has climbed to 19 following the recovering of three more bodies this morning, an official said.State disaster response and fire services department's director general N Satyanarayana said while two bodies were recovered by teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), another was fished out by personnel of his department."There is suspicion that four more persons are missing. We are pressing scuba divers into service to trace the missing persons. Since there is lot of water movement because rescue teams are at work, the bodies, if any, could have floated away. We have intensified the operation," Satyanarayana said at the Ferry ghat.An overloaded boat carrying 38 people capsized yesterday close to the 'Pavitra Sangamam' (confluence point of rivers Krishna and Godavari) at Ferry village near Vijayawada.Till late last night, 16 bodies were fished out. Local fishermen rescued 15 people soon after the mishap.The boat hit a sand mound inside the river while swerving a curve. At the same time, the passengers in it moved to one side to take a closer look at the Pavitra Harati at the Sangamam and that led to the boat capsize, police said.
The Department of Technical Education (DTE) is likely to take action against principals and staff of 68 government, aided and unaided polytechnics across Karnataka for failing to ensure adequate student participation in its Online Interactive Sessions (OIS).



The DTE has already served show-cause notices on principals, asking them to reply within 10 days why they disobeyed its directions. The department had roped in experts to conduct the sessions between August 7 and 13, 2017, for the benefit of students, especially in rural and semi-urban areas where colleges are short of qualified teachers. It set up a studio in Bengaluru, where experts conducted the classes that were live-streamed on Youtube.

Despite a prior circular, the principals of 68 colleges failed to ensure the minimum student attendance of 50%. At 37 colleges, not a single student attended the session. The attendance in six colleges was just 14.29% while the remaining 25 polytechnics saw between 16% and 44% students attending the session.

"We wrote letters, sent e-mails and contacted the principals by phone. But many of them didn't bother to inform students about the OIS," H U Talawar, Director, DTE, told DH. He warned that principals who failed to implement the circular could be transferred or their increments and promotions could be withheld.

Talwar attributed the poor response from principals and teachers to their "negligence". "They didn't bother to check the DTE website and understand the new initiative," he said. The department had suggested that principals use smart classrooms to improve student participation. It also recommended the use of laptops and smartphones by students.
Japanese technology conglomerate SoftBank has reached a deal with Uber to invest billions in the ride-hailing giant.



Uber Technologies Inc. confirmed the investment in a statement yesterday without giving details.

But a person briefed on the deal told The Associated Press that SoftBank Group will buy about USD 1 billion worth of new Uber stock, then will offer to purchase shares from investors and Uber employees with the goal of reaching a 14 percent stake in the company.

Uber currently is valued at USD 68.5 billion, but stock offers will be based on a lower valuation, so it's unknown just how much the total deal multibillion-dollar deal will be worth, said the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because details were not released.

Uber's statement said it reached an agreement with a consortium led by SoftBank and Dragoneer Investment Group. The deal is a vote of confidence in the company's potential and "will help fuel our investments in technology and our continued expansion at home and abroad, while strengthening our corporate governance," the statement said.

The move also clears the way for Uber, among the most valuable tech firms in the world, to sell stock to the public. Under the deal, the initial public offering will take place before the end of 2019.

SoftBank in Tokyo declined to comment.

Such IPO deals generally take some time to be finalized, as they involve many people.

The long-awaited deal was made public in October but was delayed by a corporate governance and legal dispute between investor Benchmark Capital and ousted CEO Travis Kalanick. Both sides ended their feud yesterday, clearing the way for the SoftBank investment, the person said.

Kalanick, who controls three of 11 seats on the Uber board, agreed to allow a majority of board members to vote on any future appointments he makes, according to the person.

Benchmark agreed to suspend a lawsuit against Kalanick and drop it once Softbank gets through a one-month tender offer period that will start in about two weeks.

Benchmark, a major Silicon Valley venture capital firm that was among Uber's early backers, alleged in the lawsuit that Kalanick covered up turmoil and legal threats at Uber.

The deal allows early investors such as Benchmark to sell at least some of their shares at a handsome profit. But there will likely be some wrangling over how much shares are worth in the coming weeks.
Two Assam Rifles jawans were killed and four injured in a blast at Chandel town of Manipur today, police said.



The jawans were patrolling when an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded near their camp this morning, the police said.

The injured jawans have been rushed to hospital, they added. PTI COR RG DV
A BJP candidate for the Uttar Pradesh civic body polls was booked by the police for violating the model code of conduct in Muzaffarnagar district.



Ritu Jain, who is contesting on a BJP ticket for the municipal corporation in Khatauli, has been booked for putting up publicity signboards without the permission of authorities, Sub-Divisional Magistrate Ram Avtar Gupta said.

The civic body polls will be held in three phases in the state on November 22, 26, and 29.

The polls are being held eight months after the BJP came to power with a landslide victory in the assembly elections.
News / National

by Staff reporter

THE Zimbabwe Newspapers (Zimpapers) group has become a leader in information delivery, going beyond its founding mission despite other media parastatals being constrained by old technology platforms, the Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Simon Khaya Moyo has said.Minister Khaya Moyo made the remarks while responding to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Information, Media and Broadcasting Services on next year's budget proposal in Victoria Falls over the weekend.He said that although the country was far behind the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) broadcast digital migration deadline, which passed in June 2015, the country's broadcasting services is suffering from under-investment and ageing infrastructure."Zimbabwe thus faces a four-fold bane of colonial legacy, where communication infrastructure concentrated on zones of white settlements and or economic activities," said Minister Khaya Moyo."The broadcasting services are contracting from under-investment in the broadcasting sector, ageing infrastructure and technological obsolescence in the wake of new and efficient digital technologies. What may not be apparent at this stage is the fact that the recovery and performance of some of our parastatals hinge on the digitisation project." Minister Khaya Moyo added that after the digitisation programme is complete, there was need to develop synergies between and among key parastatals in the ministry.He also said key reforms had been completed at the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) and things are looking up, starting with financials following the corporate issues raised by the KPMG audit report."It is true that the report (KPMG audit report) raised quite a number of corporate issues which needed urgent attention at the national broadcaster, the ZBC. But it is also true that key reforms have since been completed at the corporation, which is why things are beginning to look up, starting with the financials. What needs emphasising is that the bulk of the recommendations of that report focused on the need to modernise the broadcast sector," said Minister Moyo."Operations at the news agency, New Ziana, have been constrained by old technological platforms of information delivery. What would be wrong is for Government to mindlessly dispose of these organisations merely acting on their present financial performance, without seeing bright prospects that lie ahead and come together with digitisation. Investment into spatially spread, well-integrated digital broadcast infrastructure is sure to meet the key goal of universal access to information and stimulate a diversity of services to cater for choices of service for people.""Our budget proposal includes a broad-based content production thrust, which cascades down to communities. This means investing in cameras, editing suites and other ancillary equipment in content production. Also to ensure decentralised, community-based approach to content production, a programme which will create millions of jobs among the youths who have been hit hardest by unemployment. Above all, we have an opportunity of turning Zimbabwe into a regional and continental content hub the way Nigeria is. "He said once the digitisation programme is complete, synergies between and among key parastatals falling under the Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Ministry were likely"Already Kingston's has broadened its portfolio by investing in the broadcast sector." Similarly, Zimpapers has become a leader in the same that is going beyond its founding mission of newspaper publishing. Of course, in saying this, I am not underestimating key reforms that are needed, especially at New Ziana and Kingston's," he said. He said once Government has completed the initial infrastructure investment, signal carrier Transmedia is expected to ensure that the infrastructure is managed well, transformed and expanded where necessary. Minister Khaya Moyo said the media sector is undergoing dramatic changes with clear policy and legal implications."It would have been tragic if the ministry had rushed into law-making on the basis of time-based priorities and not on the thorough grasp of the full import of the seismic changes which technology has wrought on the sector. Already, many nations which moved on rapid law making processes are realising the insistent inadequacies of their efforts, however well meant."
Hundreds of BJP workers on Monday converged in front of the Secretariat here and staged a protest demanding immediate resignation of Transport Minister Thomas Chandy, who is facing allegations of land encroachment for a luxury lake resort owned by him in Alappuzha district.



The protesters began assembling in front of three gates of the secretariat since 6 am and raised slogans against the minister.

The Secretariat houses offices of ministers and bureaucrats. Only the Cantonment gate was spared by the protesters to enable ministers and staff to enter the premises.

The agitators drawn from four districts of Kollam, Alappuzha, Pathnamthitta and Thiruvananthapuram, also wanted action against the Congress leaders named in the judicial commission report on the solar scam.

Inaugurating the protest, BJP state president, Kummanam Rajasekharan said there was no question of any compromise on the demand for Chandy's resignation.

General secretary, A N Radhakrishnan said the party would launch a series of agitations on the Chandy issue. "Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan should seek Chandy's resignation," he said.
Donald Trump declared on Monday he had a "great relationship" with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, a self-proclaimed killer who is waging a drugs war that rights groups say involves mass murder, as the leaders joked with each other in Manila.



The US president is in the Philippines with leaders of 18 other nations for two days of summits, the final leg of a headline-grabbing Asian tour dominated by the North Korean nuclear crisis.

Allegations of Russian meddling in last year's US presidential elections have dogged the second half of his 12-day trip, which has taken him from Japan to South Korea, China and Vietnam.

Rights groups had called on Trump to end his Asian journey with a strong statement against Duterte's drugs war, which has seen police and suspected vigilantes kill thousands of people.

But Trump and Duterte had a series of encounters on Sunday night and Monday morning in which they appeared to enjoy each others company, leading to warm praise from the US president during official talks at lunchtime.

"We've had a great relationship. This has been very successful," Trump told Duterte in brief opening remarks at their meeting.

Trump praised Duterte for his organisation of the summits, saying he handled them "beautifully". "I've really enjoyed being here," he said.

As the reporters were being escorted out of the room, one asked if Trump would raise the issue of human rights, to which Duterte jokingly called the media "spies", and neither answered.

Duterte's spokesman later said the meeting lasted for more than 40 minutes, and that Trump did not raise any human rights concerns.

Duterte won elections last year after promising to eradicate illegal drugs with an unprecedented campaign that would see up to 100,000 people killed.

Since he took office, police have reported killing 3,967 people in the crackdown.

Another 2,290 people have been murdered in drug-related crimes, while thousands of other deaths remain unsolved, according to government data.

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in Manila on Monday to protest against the two men. They were met by riot police and water cannon.
The Mumbai Police will examine all the possible videos and footages on last week's towing incident before coming to any conclusions on the pros and cons of what exactly happened.



While Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had taken a serious view and described the incident "absolutely insensitive and dangerous", Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Amitesh Kumar has suspended Constable Shashank Rane, who towed the car with a woman and an infant on board.

While on Saturday a video surfaced which showed the stressed woman and the seven-month-old child in the car being taken away by the town van, on Sunday another video suggested that the infant was in the lap of a man near the car.

"The events prior to the actual towing, as shown in these fresh videos, will also be a part of the enquiry besides the video in which the car is being seen towed away," a police officer said.

Meanwhile, the Maharashtra State Commission for Woman has also taken cognizance of the incident, and its chairperson Dr Vijaya Rahatkar has sought a report from the traffic wing of the Mumbai police.


Prime Minister Narendra Modi today held wide-ranging talks with US President Donald Trump and told him that both nations can rise beyond bilateral ties and work jointly for the future of Asia, reflecting their growing convergence on strategic issues in the Indo-Pacific region.



In the meeting which took place on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in the Philippines, Modi also assured Trump that India will try to "live up to the expectations" of the US and the world and thanked the US President for speaking "highly" about India during his trips.



The meeting came a day after officials of India, the US, Japan and Australia held their talks to give shape to the much talked about a quadrilateral alliance to keep the strategically important Indo-Pacific region free, open and inclusive.



"The cooperation between India and US can rise beyond bilateral cooperation and both countries can work for the future of Asia and the world...We are moving ahead together on many issues," Modi said.



The US has been pitching for greater Indo-US cooperation in the strategically key Indo-Pacific region where China has been ramping up its military presence.



"Wherever President Trump has gone and wherever he got an opportunity to talk about India, he spoke very highly about India. He expressed optimism about India and I am assuring that the expectation the world has, the expectation the US has, India has been trying to live up to that expectation and will continue to do it," said Modi.



Trump on his part described Modi as a friend.



"It's great to have Prime Minister Modi here. We've had him at the White House, and he's become a friend of ours and a great gentleman doing a fantastic job in bringing around lots of factions in India -- bringing them all together," Trump said according to the transcript released by the White House.



"It's a lot of good reports coming out of India. So I want to congratulate you," he told Modi.



The two leaders are understood to have discussed the security scenario in the region besides several other issues of mutual interests including ways to further boost bilateral trade.



The move to set up the quadrilateral alliance comes in the backdrop of growing Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea. The US has been favouring a larger role for India in the strategically key Indo-Pacific region.



The use of the term "Indo-Pacific" by President Trump has led to speculation that it may have something to do with Washington preparing the ground for a revival of the so-called Quadrilateral strategic alliance between US, Japan, Australia and India to counter China's rise.



Trump on Friday praised India's "astounding" growth after it opened up its economy and also lauded Modi, saying he has been working successfully to bring the vast country and its people together.



Speaking at a gathering of CEOs on the sidelines of the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in the Vietnamese city of Danang, President Trump cited India as one of the countries in the Indo-Pacific region making strides.



He praised India as a sovereign democracy with a population of over 1 billion as well as the largest democracy in the world.



Soon after the meeting of their officials yesterday, India, the US, Japan and Australia issued separate statements listing the Indo-Pacific region as the major area of their discussions and resolved to work towards upholding a rules-based order and ensuring respect for international law in the region, seen as a message to China.
Opposition BJP went ahead with its plan to corner the ruling Congress by demanding the resignation of Bengaluru City Development Minister K J George, resulting in pandemonium in Legislative Council on the opening day of the winter session on Monday.



Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council K S Eshwarappa sought to move an adjournment motion on the issue. The principal Opposition party has been demanding George's ouster in connection with the death of police officer M K Ganapathy. The CBI has registered an FIR against George recently.

The motion met with stiff resistance from the Congress, which put up a united defence for George.

Legislative Council chairman DH Shankaramurthy allowed Eshwarappa to make preliminary submission in this regard. Even as Eshwarappa was recounting Ganapathy's death and the subsequent CID probe in which George was given a clean chit, Health and Family Welfare Minister K R Ramesh Kumar took objection and accused Eshwarappa of deviating from the issue.

Congress members, including S R Patil and V S Ugrappa, opposed the motion, with the latter even getting into a verbal duel with Shankaramurthy.

"I resigned voluntarily when a magistrate court ordered registering an FIR against me," George, who was in the Council, said. Eshwarappa retorted by asking him why he had not resigned now that CBI has registered the FIR.

Finally, the BJP leaders, led by Eshwarappa, jumped to the well of the House in protest. Following which, the Council was adjourned till 3 pm.
The CPM on Monday renewed its call for banning cow vigilante groups after the killing of a farmer in Rajasthan who was transporting cows.



Condemning the killing of Ummar Khan, the party Polit Bureau said the central and state governments are not implementing the Supreme Court's directives to prevent cow vigilantism.

"The Centre should ban all such gangs indulging in cow vigilantism and moral policing," the party said.

Khan's family has claimed that cow vigilantes killed him while transporting cows from Alwar to Bharatpur. Khan's bullet-ridden body was found on a railway track.

The CPM said Khan, a farmer, who was attacked along with Tahir Khan and Javed Khan, with whom he had purchased cows in Alwar, were targeted.

"All three of them were beaten and also shot at by so-called gau rakshaks. It is more shocking that the Rajasthan Police registered a case against the victims and has allowed the vigilantes to go scot-free," a statement said.

Reminding the government of the Supreme Court's instructions, the CPM said in every district a senior police officer should be designated to be responsible for such incidents and that proper compensation should be given to victims.
StartupXseed Ventures LLP has on boarded Canbank Venture Capital Fund Limited (CVCFL) for an investment of 20% of the fund size.



This collaboration will help enhance StartupXseed's plan of reaching out to more entrepreneurs with newer inventions in the technological space which could disrupt the global market, much like their previous investments.

StartupXseed Ventures focuses on B2B businesses opportunities to invest in and they have invested in companies like ShieldSquare, Aarav Unmanned Systems, AIBono (formerly Airwood Aerostructures), DarwinBox and Siliconch Systems.

B V Naidu, Managing Partner, StartupXseed Ventures said, "We are very excited to receive the investment from CVCFL and it will accelerate our investment plans to invest in the areas of Deep Technologies like Nano Electronics, AI/ML, Cyber Security, Semiconductor and IoT."

Canbank Venture Capital Fund Limited (CVCFL) is Public Sector Bank sponsored venture fund in India and across industries.

According to Baskaran, MD, CVCFL, "The EDF Fund Manager, Canbank VC, (a wholly owned subsidiary of Canara Bank), is excited to be a part of the journey and we believe it will serve the purpose of EDF and Government of India to boost entrepreneurs and startup ecosystem overall."
The opening day of the winter session of the state legislature here witnessed the traditional obituary references being taken up on Monday, but the name of slain journalist- activist Gauri Lankesh went missing from the obituary list in the Upper House.



The name of Gauri figured in the obituary list of the Assembly with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stating that the killing of the activist was a blow on humanity. He said Gauri had done her best to usher in equality in society. He said her death was a loss to the entire society.

When Food and Civil Supplies Minister U T Khader pointed that Gauri's name did not figure in the obituary list of the Upper House, Legislative Council Chairman D H Shankaramurthy justified the omission saying many other names had been left out.

In the Assembly, Leader of the Opposition Jagadish Shettar did pay his homage to Gauri but at the same time said the government is yet to nab the culprits who killed rationalist Prof M M Kalburagi.

The Congress has been blaming the BJP for not giving Gauri the respect she deserved.

Both the Houses also paid rich tributes to former chief minister N Dharam Singh, sitting MLAs Qamar-ul-Islam and N Chikkamadu and space scientist U R Rao among others, who passed away recently.
News / National

by Staff reporter

An unconfirmed report has claimed former Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa has arrived in China to begin a new life in exile, barely a week after being unceremoniously kicked out of government.The report comes hot on the heels of a denial by the South African government that Mnangagwa had applied for state asylum in the country, neither was he in the country.Mnangagwa was reported to have fled Zimbabwe through Mozambique, although Khuluma was able to confirm firmly that the Vice President flew out of Harare instead.A statement attributed to Mnangagwa was flighted in independent media as an advert yesterday, while another version was distributed online, in which the axed VP promised to return and remove Mugabe.His exact whereabouts remain unknown at this point, although Khuluma Afrika understands he is neither in South Africa, nor China."The report that he is in China is meant to give an impression that the Commander of the Defense forces, General Chiwenga, who is also in China, is working with Mnangagwa to remove Mugabe. This would give reasons for Mugabe to fire Chiwenga, who is rumoured to be an ED ally," a source in the military told Khuluma Afrika.New Zimbabwe was told a different story however. In their report, a military source stated that Mnangagwa was now in China."He (Mnangagwa) is now in China. War veterans' chairman Christopher Mutsvangwa facilitated the journey,"Mutsvangwa, a former Zimbabwean ambassador to China, could neither deny nor confirm the development, referring questions to Mnangagwa's family, according to the report."Ask his family," retorted Mutsvangwa who addressed a press conference in South Africa Wednesday where indicated that war veterans had sacked Mugabe from Zanu PF in the aftermath of Mnangagwa y expulsion."He is not in China. Those claims are from enemies of progress," said the family member.Gen. Li Zuocheng, member of China's Central Military Commission (CMC) and chief of the Joint Staff Department under the CMC, met with Gen. Constantine Guveya Chiwenga, commander of the Zimbabwe Defense Forces in Beijing on Wednesday.Before their meeting, Li held a welcoming ceremony for Chiwenga and accompanied him to review the honor guard of the Chinese People's Liberation Army.Speaking at a groundbreaking ceremony for a hospital to be built in Sengwe in Chiredzi South last month, Chiwengwa reiterated statements made by Army Generals before that the country can never be taken over by someone without liberation war credentials.The function was attended by several senior Army officers including Army Chief of Staff, General Trust Mugoba who made Zanu-PF slogans at the end of the proceedings."We will never allow sellouts or whites to take over this country," declared Chiwengwa.Zanu-PF is divided through the middle with two factions namely G40 believed to be led by the First Lady Grace Mugabe and Lacoste which is loyal to Vice President Mnangagwa fighting to take over power from the ageing President. G40 has few members who participated in the liberation struggle.General Chiwenga was recently accused by the First Lady of supporting Mnangagwa in the succession politics. Mugabe himself warned the Army last month to stop dabbling in politics and said such action was tantamount to a coup. He also announced that he was going to retire top Army generals before the end of this year and generals had tended to observe Mugabe's warning since then."Many lives were lost during the liberation struggle and that should give us more resolve on where we are coming from and where we are going as a country. We are facing many challenges as a people but we should not lose focus. The blood lost should not be in vain. We should continue to jealously guard our country and its sovereignty. We will never allow it to go into the hands of puppets or the whites," declared Chiwenga.
The Madras High Court today dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) petition, seeking a direction to the Union of India, refraining it from using the word 'Mahatma' in the Indian currency.



A bench comprising Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice M Sundar dismissed the PIL with a cost of Rs 10,000, to be paid to the registrar general of the high court.

The petitioner, S Muruganantham of Paramakudia, a PhD and research scholar in the faculty of engineering and technology at Jadavpur University, Kolkata, raised the issue of the constitutional validity of prefixing the title 'Mahatma' to the name of M K Gandhi in all types of currency in India.

Stating that the currency is printed and circulated by the Reserve Bank of India and guaranteed by the central government, the petitioner questioned as to how the government allowed the title 'Mahatma' in the currency notes which, he claimed, violated Articles 14 and 18 of the Constitution.

Besides raising several other questions, the petitioner sought for a direction to the government to put an end to the use of the word 'Mahatma' in currency notes, coins and postal stamps.

The bench, while dismissing the petition, observed, "No public interest involved. These types of PILs only clog the business of the court and consume its valuable time."

It also imposed a cost of Rs 10,000 on the petitioner, to be paid to the registrar general of the court within a fortnight.
The winter session of the state legislature on Monday got off to an embarrassing start for the ruling party with Speaker K B Koliwad adjourning the Legislative Assembly briefly for want of quorum.



As soon as Koliwad entered the House on the opening day of the winter session, he adjourned the House saying, "It is unfortunate that there are no sufficient members. I adjourn the House till there is quorum."

As per rules and procedures of the Assembly, at least one tenth (23) of the 224 members should be present for proceeding with official business.

Koliwad's decision took the treasury benches by surprise, much to the amusement of the Opposition.

"The Speaker has a lot of anger against the government," BJP member S Suresh Kumar said, perhaps hinting at the state government cutting grants for the diamond jubilee celebrations of the Vidhana Soudha from the proposed Rs 27 crore submitted by the legislature secretariat to Rs 10 crore.

"He has a lot of anger against someone,"JD(S) member YSV Datta said.

Energy Minister D K Shivakumar wondered aloud why the Speaker had not checked that necessary number of MLAs were present before switching off the quorum bell.

The House, however, met a little later after the quorum requirement was met but the attendance continued to be poor.
Tech Mahindra and Toshiba Digital Solutions on Monday announced a strategic partnership to work in the area of a smart factory.



In a release issued, Toshiba Digital Solution said the partnership aims to leverage strengths of both sides and offer a one stop solution for manufacturer customers with the latest IoT technologies and system integration capabilities from both sides.

Both Tech Mahindra and Toshiba Digital Solution signed an agreement in this regard in Tokyo on Monday.

Toshiba Digital Solutions Corporation Vice President of Industrial Solutions Division Shunsuke Okada said Toshiba recognises the urgent need of manufacturers for advancing their digital transformation in the trend of Industry 4.0 and has developed a suite of smart factory solutions to answer that.

"Teaming up with Tech Mahindra will expand the availability of Toshiba's smart factory solutions to serve customers in different regions of the world more efficiently. We look forward to leveraging our technology with Tech Mahindra's expertise to further accelerate the market adoption of smart factory globally," he said.

Toshiba Digital Solutions developed Meister series, a suite of smart manufacturing solutions, by leveraging manufacturing expertise built up through long years of experience in manufacturing businesses ranging from semiconductors to social infrastructure.

Commenting on the development, Tech Mahindra Integrated Engineering Solutions Senior VP and Global Head Karthikeyan Natarajan said Toshiba Digital Solutions is known for their leadership across various industrial segments, domain expertise and special manufacturing processing knowledge.

"This coupled with Tech Mahindras system integration, consulting and expertise across IoT and Factory of the Future ensure that we are able to bring the best of breed solution for the customers," he said.

Tech Mahindra has been building capabilities in this space through a mix of organic and inorganic means.

Teaming up with Tech Mahindra will expand the availability of Toshiba's smart factory solutions to serve customers in different regions of the world more efficiently, and further accelerate the market adoption of smart factory globally, the statement said.
The police resorted to mild lathi charge to disperse two groups of BJP workers who clashed during the party's Nava Karnataka Nirmana Parivarthana Yatra at Nehru Maidan here on Monday.



During the convention, the party workers shouted slogans in favour of and against Kundapura MLA Haladi Srinivas Shetty (Independent), who is all set to join the BJP.

After the convention, when the party workers were engaged in a scuffle, the police intervened and resorted to mild lathi charge to disperse them.

During the programme, Udupi district BJP president Mattaru Rathnakar Hegde did not announce Shetty's name in his speech, enraging his supporters. The MLA's supporters started shouting slogans in his favour. Some BJP workers who are against his induction into party also raised slogans against Shetty. Some also displayed posters against the MLA, which led to chaos at the event.

BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa intervened and said that due technical problems, Shetty has not joined the BJP yet. He will officially join the BJP in January, he added.

Enraged over slogans against Shetty, Yeddyurappa lost his cool and shouted at party workers and said, "the BJP will not tolerate miscreants and goondas. Shetty will contest on the BJP ticket from Kundapura and win the forthcoming Assembly elections," he announced.

When the party workers continued to create a ruckus, Yeddyurappa rquested the police to send all trouble mongers out of the convention venue.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today asked Indians to work hard to ensure that the 21st Century belongs to India and said his government was making every effort to transform the country and take it to new heights.



Addressing the Indian diaspora in the Philippines capital, Modi said difficulties might be there but once it's crossed no one can stop India from achieving new heights.

"Our efforts are aimed at transforming India and ensuring everything in our nation matches global standards," Modi said in his nearly 35-minute speech.

Noting that 21st Century is described as Asia's Century, Modi told the cheering audience that it was duty of every Indian to work hard to make it a century of India.

"I say it is possible," Modi asserted.

The Prime Minister said India has always contributed to the world peace and more than 1.25 lakh Indian soldiers sacrificed their lives just for peace during the two world wars.

"Our contingent in the UN Peacekeeping Forces is among the biggest. India is the land of Mahatma Gandhi, peace is integral to our culture," he said, highlighting India's contribution to the world peace.

Modi also lauded his government's initiatives such as 'Swachh Bharat', 'Jan Dhan Yojna' and 'Ujjwala Yojana'.

"Which Indian doesn't want cleanliness? We have started from where Mahatma Gandhi left and till now over 2.25 lakh villages in India have become open defecation free," he said.

Stating that getting a LPG connection once used to be a big achievement, Modi said his government has provided free LPG connections to more than 3.5 crore families in over three years.

He also attacked the Opposition and said that before 2014 people used to ask how much money has gone to scams but now they ask how much has come.

Modi arrived here yesterday on a three-day visit to attend the ASEAN-India and the East Asia summits.
Late Nobel laureate and physicist C V Raman's house was targeted by a gang of six robbers who looted two sandalwood trees after threatening security guards, police said today.



The gang entered the premises early November 11, threatened the guards and forced them to sit in a corner while they chopped down the trees, they said.

The guards, in their complaint, said that the gang members were wearing monkey caps and conversing in Tamil. They whisked away the sandalwood logs in two vehicles, the police said.

Police rushed to the spot after being informed about the incident, they said.

There are no CCTV cameras at the house, but CCTV footage from neighbouring houses were being scrutinised to identify the culprits, they said.

The house where the renowned scientist had spent over three decades of his life is being managed by a trust.
Principal Opposition party, BJP, on Monday went ahead with its plan to corner the ruling Congress by demanding the resignation of Bengaluru Development Minister K J George, resulting in pandemonium in the Legislative Council on the opening day of the winter session.



Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council K S Eshwarappa sought to move an adjournment motion on the issue, leading to a showdown between him and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The saffron party has been demanding George's ouster in connection with the death of police officer M K Ganapathy. The CBI registered an FIR against George and two senior IPS officers recently in connection with the DySP's death.

While making his preliminary submission, Eshwarappa used the word "murderers" while referring to George. Irked Congress members urged Legislative Council chairman D H Shankaramurthy to expunge the word. The session was adjourned when the BJP jumped to the well of the House, accusing the Congress of not allowing them to make the submission.

"Should we listen to whatever you want to say? Can you call George a murderer when no court has proved it? Can I call you a murderer?" Siddaramaiah asked when the Council resumed post-lunch.

"There's no need for George to resign. Scores of people who have FIR against them are in power, both at the Centre and states. George resigned once although he should not have. This is not a new case, a new complaint or a fresh FIR," the chief minister said.

For his part, George quipped that the Opposition may have lost faith in the CBI. "Look what happened in the case of IAS officer D K Ravi's death? The CBI gave me a clean chit," he said. "Let's not sit here and pass judgments."

Ultimately, Shankaramurthy did not allow the motion on the grounds that "no adjournment motion has been accepted and debated upon in the history of the House." The Council was adjourned when the BJP did not relent. "Till George resigns, we will continue out protest," Eshwarappa said.

'Come to the field'

Siddaramaiah said the Congress would respond to the BJP's demand for George's resignation politically. "You are wrong if you think George's resignation will help you politically. You will face the worst defeat. Come to the field," Siddaramaiah told Eshwarappa amid the din.
Two unidentified militants were killed in a brief encounter with security forces in Rajwar area of north Kashmir's Kupwara district on Monday.



A police officer said the militants were killed after they fired upon a joint party of police and army near Galganzer, Zacheldara in Rajwar area of Handwara on Monday evening. The attack was repulsed by the forces, he said.

The identities and group affiliations of the slain militants were being ascertained.





Nearly 170 militants, including top commanders Sabzar Bhat, Junaid Matoo, Ayoub Lelhari, Bashir Lashkari, Abu Dujana, Mehmood Gaznavi, Umer Khalid and Qayoom Najar, have been killed by the security forces this year, which is the highest number in the last decade.



The security forces are going after militants as part of operation "hunt down" and on the basis of a hit list of militants. While most of the encounters this year have been happening in the southern districts of Kulgam, Shopian and Pulwama, north Kashmir has more battle-hardened militants active on ground than the south, a police officer said.



"Contrary to what is being projected in the media that south Kashmir is a hotbed of militancy, the figures reveal that north has more active militants. The militants in north are mostly foreigners," he told DH.
News / National

by Simbarashe Mwandipenda

The Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education professor Jonathan Moyo has criticised people for comparing former vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa skipping the border after being sacked to the late Joshua Nkomo who once fled the country to Botswana."Parallels being drawn by Lacoste between ED Mnangangwa and Father Zimbabwe, Joshua Nkomo, are sick, ludicrous and insulting."Nkomo crossed into Botswana more than a year after he was fired from government and after his home suffered an armed attack."ED fled within 15 hours of his dismissal," he tweeted.Meanwhile, Mnangwa vowed to come back and take over ZANU PF before he skipped the boarder to South Africa and latter on to China.
A 'welcome song' promo for the 83rd Akhila Bharatha Kannada Sahitya Sammelana, the literary meet scheduled to be held in the city from November 24 to 26, will be released in a couple of days. The Tourism department is producing the promo and will upload and circulate it.



"Efforts are on to publicise the literary meet among the people, especially Kannadigas across the globe, through social media platforms. The welcome song, a 4.5-minute video clipping, would be uploaded on Youtube, Facebook wall and Instagram. The clipping will also be circulated via WhatsApp in groups," said Dr Y D Rajanna, president of the district unit of the Kannada Sahitya Parishat (KSP).

Dr Rajanna himself has penned the welcome song, while the music and direction of the video are by Nagesh Kandegala. "As the literary meet is being held after a gap of 27 years in the city, the seat of the erstwhile Maharajas, a tribute is paid to Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar. Nalvadi is the founder of the KSP. Tributes have also been paid to poets, including Kuvempu," he said.

The video has been shot at Mysuru Palace, KR Circle, University of Mysore, Kuvempu Institute of Kannada Studies, Chamundi Hill, KRS dam and other attractions of the city and its surroundings. The promo will also have videos clippings of Dr Rajanna, his predecessor M Chandrasekhar, various writers and theatrepersons, expressing their opinion on the utility of the literary meet.

Documentary films

The KSP will screen documentary films from 7 pm to 9 pm on legendary writers in Kannada and those who have won the Jnanpith awards for Kannada at the Scouts and Guides Grounds, the venue for serving food to guests and delegates, during the three days of the literary meet.
The demonetisation of high-value currency notes along with a series of other reform measures have resulted in formalising a large part of the Indian economy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said here today.



In an address at an ASEAN business forum, Modi also highlighted rolling out of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) as well as measures for bankruptcy and insolvency proceedings, besides the linking of Aadhaar database with financial transactions as part of broader policy initiatives to bring transparency in the financial sector.

"We are using our Unique ID system in financial transactions and taxation for this purpose and the results are already visible. These steps, coupled with demonetisation of high-value notes, has resulted in formalising a large part of our economy," Modi said.

The prime minister's comments on demonetisation assume significance as all major opposition parties have attacked the move, alleging that it had severely damaged the Indian economy.

Modi also talked about repealing of 1,200 outdated laws in the last three years and simplification of procedure for investors to do business in India.

He said the 'Act East' policy of his government puts the ASEAN region at the centre of India's engagement.

"We have exceptionally good political and people-to-people relations with each and every country in the ASEAN region. We wish to bring our economic and business relations up to the same level," he said.

Last year, on November 8, the Government of India announced the demonetisation of Rs 500 and 1,000 currency notes.
After getting his office at the sprawling secretariat annexe building painted in saffron colour, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has turned his attention towards the text books.



According to sources in the government, the cover pages of the text books for classes up to 8th standard would be coloured saffron from next academic session.

The Basic Education Department has readied a proposal and it was likely to be approved shortly, the sources said.

The books would also have pictures of Adityanath and Minister for Education Dinesh Sharma, sources added. The school bags being carried by the children of the primary classes in the state have already been painted saffron.

Earlier, undeterred by Opposition criticism, the state government had painted all the signboards along the roads in the state in saffron along with the picture of the Minister for PWD Keshav Prasad Maurya.

Adityanath, who is always clad in saffron clothes, had recently got the secretariat building at annexe painted in saffron. The chief minister had been, since taking charge of the state, trying to give government schemes and projects a saffron tint. He also got the state transport corporation buses painted saffron.

Colour of Sun

UP minister Siddharth Nath Singh justified the move saying that saffron was the colour of the Sun also.

The BSP government under Mayawati, during its regime, had dyed government buildings and transport buses blue - the colour the party is associated with. Even the state information department diary was printed blue.
A Supreme Court judge on Monday recused from considering a plea by NGO 'Common Cause' against appointment of Gujarat-cadre IPS officer Rakesh Asthana as special director of the Central Bureau of Investigation.



As a bench of Justices Ranjan Gogoi and Navin Sinha took up the matter, Justice Sinha preferred to withdraw from hearing the PIL filed by advocate Prashant Bhushan.

The court posted the matter for hearing on Friday before another bench sans Justice Sinha.





The NGO claimed Asthana's appointment was made despite opposition by the CBI chief over his "integrity".

The NGO relied upon news reports allegedly stating that Asthana's name figured in a diary recovered in 2011 showing pay-offs to several officers in Surat. The diary was connected to a person related to senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel. The CBI had registered an FIR in this regard on August 30, it contended.

The appointment of Respondent No 2 (Asthana) on October 22 is in violation of the principles of "impeccable integrity" and "institutional integrity"," it claimed. The petitioner also sought transfer of Asthana out of CBI during the investigation, initiated following lodging of an FIR on the payouts to various public servants, allegedly by Sterling Biotech Group and Sandesara Group.
Joining the growing chorus of dissent against the release of upcoming movie Padmavati, Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij on Monday said that filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali has not only dented the image and honour of Rani Padmavati, but also violated Indian law against Sati Pratha.



Vij said although the film censor board, an independent agency, could form its opinion on the issue, it should stall the release of the movie, keeping in view the sentiments of people. Haryana, the minister said, has already apprised the Union information and broadcasting minister of people's sentiments in this regard.

Protesting the release of the movie, he said Rani Padmavati was the pride of the country. "She, along with 16,000 women, had committed self-immolation (jauhar) after Raja Rana Rattan Singh fell in the war," he said. "It is an insult to show the princess of such high character dancing in public. It is highly objectionable as it tampers with history," he said.

Vij also said that the practice of Sati had been completely banned in India and nobody could be allowed to make and release a movie "promoting Sati Pratha". It is a clear violation of the Indian Act, he said.

"Why do people like Bhansali get stories of the likes of Alauddin Khilji who hurt Indian masses? There are a lot of other heroes in our culture whose sagas could be showcased. But Bhansali would not do this, as he wants to work towards promoting a single ideology," he said.
Retired IAS officer Vinay Kumar has submitted a report to the state government on the alleged special treatment meted out to expelled AIADMK leader V K Sasikala and other "erroneous" practices at Bengaluru Central Prisons at Parappana Agrahara.



Kumar met chief secretary Subhash Chandra Khuntia on October 21 and submitted a 2000-page enquiry report.

"I collected information, questioned several people and finalised the report," he told DH.

However, he, refused to divulge details of the report and said that authorities concerned would act on the report.

Kumar was appointed by the sate government to conduct an enquiry after IPS officer D Roopa highlighted in a report the alleged special privileges given to Sasikala and others inside central jail.

He collected report submitted by Roopa, who had alleged irregularities and destruction of evidence. He was also been given the copies of the show-cause notices issued to the officials for the alleged lapses, sources said.





The government had transferred Roopa and asked DGP (Prisons) H N Sathyanarayana Rao to go on compulsory leave after they sparred in public over a report on the allegations.





The government also shifted Bengaluru Central jail chief superintendent Krishna Kumar, who has been blamed in the report by Roopa for alleged illegal activities in the prison.





In a report submitted on July 12, 2017 to Rao, Roopa had said there was "a talk" that Rs two crore had changed hands to give preferential treatment to Sasikala and there were allegations against him also. Rao had rubbished the charges as "absolutely false, baseless and wild."





Roopa had also said a special kitchen was functioning in the jail for Sasikala, in violation of the prison rules.

Sasikala has been lodged at Parappana Agrahara prison after her conviction in the disproportionate assets case in February, along with her two relatives V N Sudhakaran and Elavarasi, all serving a 4-year term.
Sonata Software Limited, a global IT services and technology solutions provider, on Monday reported 19% growth in the second quarter net profit at Rs 45.36 crore, compared with Rs 37.96 crore in the same quarter last year.



The company's total revenue stood at Rs 438 crore, compared with Rs 509 crore in the year-ago period. Sonata's International IT services revenues stood at Rs 235 crore, an increase of 12% compared with Rs 209 crore in the year-ago period. The company also declared interim dividend of Rs 3.75 per share.

Sonata also announced the appointment of Vikas Gurugunti as the Chief Operating Officer. Vikas joins Sonata from DXC Technologies and was heading the company's Retail and CPG business in the US. He will be based out of the US, the company release said.

Srikar Reddy, Managing Director and CEO of the Company said, "Strong growth in the International IT services business, based on our proprietary Platformation solutions approach which leverages our platform IP and capability to enable digital transformation for our customers, powered our first half performance."

Its consolidated revenuesin the second quarter stood at Rs 427 crore, a decline of 33% Q-o-Q, while its international IT services witness revenues at Rs 235 crore, growth of 11% q-Q
The Centre is demanding millions of dollars in dividends from 12 reluctant state companies to make up for an expected tax revenue shortfall this fiscal year, as a slump in economic growth risks New Delhi overshooting its fiscal deficit target.



The demand has been made following a finance ministry assessment on October 25 of the financial health of 14 state companies, including top miner NMDC Ltd and trading firm MMTC Ltd, according to a government document reviewed by Reuters.

The ministry asked 12 of the companies to payout between 30% and as much as 100% of their 2016/17 or 2017/18 net profit in dividends, share buybacks or bonus shares. The other two companies were exempted.

All state companies evaluated by the government sought exemptions. The finance ministry, NMDC and MMTC did not reply to Reuters emails seeking comment.

The country's federal budget is under pressure this year following an unexpected slump in economic growth, which slipped to its lowest level in three years in the three-months ending June, the first quarter of the 2017/18 fiscal year. As of September, the half-way mark for the fiscal year, the budget deficit had reached Rs 4.99 trillion or more than 91% of its full-year target.

Surjit Bhalla, a member of the prime minister's economic advisory council, told Reuters in an interview in October that the government wanted to stick with a budget deficit target of 3.2%. The government's revenues have also been hit by a sharply lower dividend from the central bank.

The assessment by the finance ministry did not specify the combined amount of payouts expected of the 12 companies. But New Delhi has budgeted $21.86 billion in payouts from all state companies this fiscal year, slightly down on the previous fiscal year.




The Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi issued a press-release after the diplomats of India, Japan, US and Australia met in Manila on Sunday. No joint statement was put out, but the US State Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japanese Government and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australian Government too issued press-releases separately after the meeting that marked the launch of the quadrilateral initiative.





Unlike the press-releases issued in Washington, Canberra and Tokyo; the one put out by the MEA in New Delhi carefully avoided certain phrases, which are often used in international diplomacy to needle China.





The US State Department stated that the officials had examined ways to achieve common goals and address common challenges in the region, such as: upholding the rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific, including freedom of navigation and overflight, respect for international law, and the peaceful resolution of disputes. The DFAT of Australia and MoFA of Japan too noted in their read-outs that the diplomats explored ways to uphold rules-based order in Indo-Pacific and respect for international law.





Beijing is been accused by US, Japan and other nations of undermining the rules-based order in Indo-Pacific. The communist country's territorial disputes with its maritime neighbours in East and South China Sea and its reluctance to resolve the disputes in accordance with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea (UNCLOS) often prompted the other nations, not only to criticize it for not adhering to the international laws, but also to call for rules-based order in Indo-Pacific.

New Delhi, however, dropped the call for rules-based order in Indo-Pacific and the respect for international law in its press-release issued after the first quad meeting on Sunday.





They agreed that a free, open, prosperous and inclusive Indo-Pacific region serves the long-term interests of all countries in the region and of the world at large, the MEA noted in the press-release.





The US made no bones about promoting the newly-launched quad as an initiative by the democratic nations to counter the hegemonic aspirations of communist China. The quadrilateral partners committed to deepening cooperation, which rests on a foundation of shared democratic values and principles, and to continue discussions to further strengthen the rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region, the US State Department noted. India, however, preferred to avoid even tacitly referring to the quad as an alliance of democracies agaist China.





Unlike US, Japan and Australia; New Delhi also did not directly refer to North Korea's controversial nuclear and missile programme, but noted that the officials of the four nations had exchanged views on addressing common challenges of terrorism and proliferation linkages impacting the region as well as on enhancing connectivity.





The US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Japansese Foreign Minister Taro Kono recently mooted the idea of launching a four-nation initiative. Though India joined it, it is keen to avert provoking China, particularly as it is currently trying to bring back its bilateral relations with its East Asian neighbour on tracks, after the recent 72-day-long military face-off between the soldiers of the two nations at Doklam in western Bhutan

India joined US, Japan and Australia to launch a quad, but cautiously averted sounding harsh on China, although the four-nation initiative is aimed at containing the communist country in Indo-Pacific.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Analysts have warned that President Robert Mugabe and Zanu-PF cannot afford to have wholesale purges to former vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa's allies saying doing so would be akin to scoring an own goal, especially when elections are looming large on the horizon.This comes as the Zanu-PF National Disciplinary Committee (NDC) is set to hear and determine cases of more than 100 senior officials said to have been backing Mnangagwa's bid to succeed Mugabe.Among those facing the chop are ministers - Patrick Chinamasa, Kembo Mohadi, Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, Josaya Hungwe, Christopher Mushohwe, Christopher Chingosho and Win Mlambo - whose hearing dates are yet to be announced.At the same time, some of these ministers may not be eligible to participate in the central committee elections which get underway this week as Zanu-PF has given a directive that those appearing before the NDC can only contest after they have been cleared.University of Zimbabwe politics lecturer Eldred Masunungure said Mugabe was unlikely to sanction wholesale purges of Mnangagwa's allies."It would be very unwise for Mugabe to undertake such comprehensive expulsions. He is likely to be more cautious. He knows he cannot be alienating himself from too many provinces."He may select a few of the most troublesome for expulsion but over 90 of them may survive."The day is not far when the party would turn into a one-man army, and the president would go to a mirror and say to himself: Comrade, I expel you," Masunungure told the Daily News.Another political analyst, Rashweat Mukundu, concurred with Masunungure saying Mugabe was likely to take a different approach as elections were nearing."Mugabe may employ the divide and rule tactic whereby he targets the most influential of Mnangagwa's allies and uses them as an example. The intention is to avoid the regrouping of Team Lacoste. We may not witness the expulsion of so many," Mukundu said.A Zanu-PF insider told the Daily News that he had already showed such signs during last week's politburo meeting."The clearest manifestation of that was at the politburo meeting on Wednesday when he stopped (Zanu-PF national political commissar, Saviour) Kasukuwere from reading a list of names of persons which had been submitted to his office by respective provinces for expulsion. This was soon after ED had been expelled."The president interjected Kasukuwere as he read the third name, saying the meeting was not meant for purging party members and he suggested that the issues raised should go through disciplinary procedures laid down by the party's constitution," a politburo member told the Daily News.However, political commentator Maxwell Saungweme said Mugabe was likely to sanction wholesale purges as he was determined to rid the party structures of Mnangagwa's trace."It seems such a decision won't make political sense. But the Mugabes are not worried about the future of Zanu-PF but security of the first family once Mugabe is gone."All decisions the old man is making are from his wife who is getting influenced by political opportunists who want to secure personal wealth and political interests post Mugabe."So nothing makes much sense in Zanu-PF but everything is calculated in such a way that once Mugabe dies Lacoste will have no control whatever of any Zanu-PF organs or government functionaries," said Saungweme.Another political analyst, Shakespeare Hamauswa, said basing on history, Mugabe was capable of dismissing all of them from the party."But in light of his political strategies, he might spare a few. This will be done to retain some semblance of stability in some other provinces."But this will not mean Zanu-PF factionalism will be coming to an end. The problems will end when Mugabe passes on the button," he said.Mnangagwa was fired by Mugabe on Monday, in a decision which surprised many Zimbabweans who had erroneously believed that the former VP would be dumped after Zanu-PF's December extra-ordinary congress.The longtime Mugabe aide was also booted out of Zanu-PF on Wednesday when the party held its politburo meeting where it recommended tens of officials accused of supporting Mnangagwa's bid to succeed the 93-year-old, to go for disciplinary hearings.Until last Monday when Mugabe fired Mnangagwa, the two men had shared a very close relationship dating back to the days of the liberation struggle.Mugabe first met Mnangagwa, 75, when he was working as a teacher in Mapanzure, a remote rural village in Zvishavane from where his deputy hails.It is believed that the two's relationship blossomed when Mugabe came back from Ghana where he was teaching to join the liberation struggle.Mnangagwa, until his dismissal on Monday, had been with Mugabe for almost 54 years.
MUMBAI: In a plot straight out of a Hollywood flick, a gang of robbers dug a tunnel to loot the lockers of Bank of Baroda's branch at Juinagar in Navi Mumbai.

The incident came to light on Monday morning when the bank staff returned to work after the weekend.

Initial investigations have revealed that the robbers may have sneaked into the bank either on Saturday or Sunday.

"The thieves rented out the adjoining shop in May. The culprits have dug a 25-feet-long tunnel to the locker room," Navi Mumbai Police Commissioner Hemant Nagrale said.

"The robbers have broken 30 of the 225 lockers. The value of the lost items is yet to be ascertained," Nagrale said.

The commissioner said there are some leads and several teams have been formed to crack the case.

The suspects are believed to have conducted a thorough recce of the bank building and its surroundings.
Residents in parts of north Bengaluru continue to suffer due to bad roads as the Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) after laying network for distribution of piped natural gas (PNG) has failed to restore them.



People in areas like Hebbal, Yelahanka, Sanjaynagar, Jalahalli, though excited on getting piped gas connection are unhappy with the way the pipelines are being laid.

On some of the stretches, the long pipes that the GAIL had laid have come out of the ground posing danger to pedestrians. On a few roads, crushed stones used to cover the dug up area have not been properly laid.

Residents complain over the GAIL's shoddy work. The pedestrians and motorists are facing inconvenience without proper road and footpath.

Pavithra V, a resident of Sanjayanagara said: "GAIL work has completely damaged the road. During rain, we cant walk on the stretch because of the mud dug An the road."

"There are a lot of problems already on this stretch like potholes and bad road, now the add-on is GAIL's work," said Sharath Kumar, a resident of Jalahalli.

Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) agrees with the issue since the GAIL has to take up the restoration work also.

Speaking to the DH, S Somasekhar, chief engineer, BBMP, Road Infrastructure said: "the Palike commissioner has written a strong letter to the GAIL recently urging to restore the roads in time. But there is not much improvement in the restoration work."

Meanwhile, GAIL chief blames the recent rain for the shoddy work.

"We have taken the issue seriously and working to restore the roads. The recent rain in the city has caused problems while laying the pipeline and restoring the road. The work is been done by authorised contractors and I have directed them to do their job properly," said Partha Jana, General Manager (Projects), GAIL.
The Supreme Court on Monday decried scandalous charges levelled against the Chief Justice of India and asked if it does not amount to contempt of court.



The top court questioned the attempt made last week to get a PIL alleging corruption in higher judiciary listed and heard before a bench presided over by the second senior-most judge, Justice J Chelameswar. "Does it not amount to forum shopping and contempt of court," it asked.

"By filing this petition, you have denigrated the institution and caused deep wound. Everybody is doubting our credibility," a three-judge bench of Justices R K Agrawal, Arun Mishra and A M Khanwilkar said as it took up the petition filed by advocate Kamini Jaiswal. The petitioner sought a SIT probe headed by a former CJI into a CBI FIR in the medical colleges scam.

The court reserved its judgement for Tuesday on maintainability of the plea, even as Attorney General K K Venugopal submitted, "Today this court is facing a crisis. Judges have become vulnerable. The petitioner created a wedge between the judiciary and members of Bar. It is a case of crisis of confidence; they want to drive investigation in a particular direction."

Withdraw PIL

He said the petitioner should withdraw her plea.

Maintaining that there was nothing against any judge of the apex court in the CBI FIR, lodged on September 19, the bench questioned senior advocate Shanti Bhushan and advocate Prashant Bhushan, the propriety of filing a second identically-worded petition (by Jaiswal on Nov 9) and insisting on it being heard by a bench presided over by Justice Chelameswar, when a similar petition filed by NGO 'Campaign for Judicial Accountability and Reforms' was to come up for hearing on November 10.

"We are on question of propriety. Does it not amount to forum hunting and forum shopping? Why did you insist on hearing by court no 2? We are all equal. Both CJI and court no 2 are equally important for us," the bench repeatedly questioned the counsels.

Senior advocate Bhushan said it was an important constitutional issue as money was collected for influencing the bench that passed an order in the matter concerning a medical college. He said the order passed by a five-judge bench presided over by CJI on Friday (Nov 10), annulling the order of Justice Chelameswar-led bench a day earlier for setting up a Constitution bench to examine the issue, was "totally illegal". The order of Chelameswar-led bench was "binding on the CJI" as all civil and judicial authorities have to act in aid of the Supreme Court in terms of Articles 144 and 147 of the Constitution.

Friday's order

Friday's order declared the CJI is master of the roster and no matter could be heard by a bench unless assigned to it.

Referring to Friday's judgement, the three-judge bench said, "It was not unprecedented. It would have become fait accompli if the judgement was not delivered."

Advocate Prashant, assisting his father, submitted the second petition by Jaiswal was filed as the CJI should not have exercised his jurisdiction to post the previous petition by NGO before a bench presided over by Justice A K Sikri.

Both the counsels urged Justice Khanwilkar to recuse from hearing the petition as he was also a part of the bench that passed an order in the medical college case.

The bench maintained that Justice Khanwilkar would not recuse from hearing Jaiswal's petition.




Naseeruddin Shaikh, a native of Andhra Pradesh, arrived at the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) by the Kuwait Airways flight KU353F on November 12. When taken aside for questioning, he told AIU officials that he was a fan of Khan and had bought the bracelet and buckle in West Asia. Sleuths later found that the items were made of gold and coated with silver.





In another case, the AIU apprehended a 24-year-old man from Kozhikode, Abdullahil Jabir, as he arrived from Muscat on the Oman Air flight WY-281 on November 10. He carried a gas stove in his check-in luggage. A thorough check revealed that the stoves gas-fitting connectors had gold rods concealed in them. The rods weighed 442 grams worth Rs 13.5 lakh.





In the third case, a 53-year-old man from Kozhikode was caught having concealed gold foil in the inner lining of his check-in trolley bag.

Wearing a gold bracelet and belt buckle, a la Salman Khan, proved costly for a 29-year-old man flying from Kuwait to Bengaluru. Officials of the customs Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) promptly seized the items that weighed a good 285 grams and are valued at Rs 8.68 lakh.
News / National

by Staff reporter

A 29-year-old woman dumped her husband of 12 years for being barren.Lizzie Chikoko is now cohabiting with a married man only identified as Tichaona in Glen View after her marriage to Shingi Taruvinga failed to give them children.(image) Lizzie is reported to have hooked up with Tichaona on a WhatsApp group 'Chakafukidza' after sharing her problem of failing to conceive blaming Shingi of 'firing blanks'.She was then enticed by Tichaona and she packed her belongings while Shingi was away and went to stay with the boyfriend."We have been living peacefully with my wife in Durban for the past 12 years although we were still to be blessed with kids," said Shingi."I discovered that Lizzie had collected her belongings and left for Zimbabwe while I was at work and phoned me saying she was no longer interested in living with me."Her friend told me that she fell in love with a married man popularly known as Es**ras in various WhatsApp groups known for giving women children."Lizzie started updating her WhatsApp profile picture with Tichaona and started asking me to give her all the property we acquired together."I am prepared to give her because I heard that Tichaona wants to give her kids and not buying property. I learnt this from Lizzie's WhatsApp conversation with her sister."I made the trip to Zimbabwe to surrender the property and I am returning to Durban where I work hazvina mhosva zvinowanikwa muhupenyu mukoma," said Shingi.Lizzie confirmed her separation with Shingi saying she had found a man who can give her kids."I am sure Shingi told you the reason I dumped him and I have found a man I believe will give me children," said Lizzie."I endured for 12 years with him but he never gave me children saka ndinogarirei zvangu."I am now in love with Tichaona and allegations that he is married are not true. It's only that Shingi was disappointed by my posting him on my profile picture."Kana munhu arambwa ngaabvume kurambwa handichadi nezvake property ndinotora."What will he gain from publishing my issue. I want to believe that your readers will read it for a day and the other day it will be other people's stories and nothing is gained by publishing me," said Lizzie.Efforts to get a comment from Tichaona were fruitless as his mobile went unanswered. He also did not reply questions delivered on his mobile number.
By Andrea Lannom

10 November 2017

(CNHI News West Virginia)  West Virginia and China Energy have signed a memorandum of understanding announcing a plan in which China Energy would invest $83.7 billion in shale gas development and chemical manufacturing projects in the Mountain State.

State Commerce Secretary H. Wood Thrasher and China Energy President Ling Wen signed the MOU Thursday afternoon in Beijing (just after midnight Thursday here), joined by President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, according to a news release from the state Department of Commerce.

The announcement of China Energy investment in West Virginia was the largest in a series of projects in U.S. corporations and other states which totaled about $250 billion, according to the release.

West Virginia has actively sought direct foreign investment to strengthen and diversify our economy, Thrasher said in the release. Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Hino Motors, Gestamp, Sogefi and other solid corporate citizens with international parent companies create jobs, generate incomes and support communities in West Virginia. In that same spirit, we welcome China Energy and the mutual benefits our energy collaboration will bring.

The release said China Energy chose West Virginia because of the states position as a key energy-producing state and home to one of the largest shale gas reserves along with a longstanding relationship between the two entities. []

Projects will take place in phases over the course of 20 years, the release said. These projects will focus on power generation, chemical manufacturing and underground storage of natural gas liquids and derivatives. []

This is a great day for the state of West Virginia, Gov. Jim Justice said in the release. Ive been saying for the last couple of months that the tides are turning in West Virginia and this is proof. Today is another sign as (West Virginia) joined with my good friend President Trump to announce the largest investment in our states history. []

Congressman Evan Jenkins also released a statement following the announcement.

Ive always said that an energy economy is a jobs economy, and we now have a president who is embracing West Virginias energy and jobs potential, Jenkins said in the release. [more]
By Claire Salisbury

9 November 2017

(Mongabay)  In 2012, Brazil celebrated a dramatic reduction in its deforestation rate. A sharp annual decline took forest loss to a record low, down 76 percent from 1990. Accomplishing this milestone  achieved alongside GDP growth and a major financial incentive scheme for reducing deforestation in collaboration with Norway  Brazil was hailed as an example for other nations to aspire to, especially during the landmark 2015 climate summit in Paris.Today, that situation is largely reversed. Deforestation in Brazil rose rapidly and alarmingly in 2015-16, while Brazils greenhouse gas emissions shot up by 8.9 percent in 2016. And though deforestation saw a measured decline in 2016-17, policymakers remain worried by an exceedingly dangerous suite of initiatives pushed forward over the last 12 months by President Michel Temer. They are so worried, in fact, that in June Norway threatened to withdraw financial support for Brazils deforestation effort if the nation didnt reverse its flood of anti-environmental measures.A major point of concern: will Donald Trumps U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement provide Temer with political cover to disregard Brazils voluntary carbon reduction and deforestation commitments? This is a question that will likely be on negotiators minds this week and next as the worlds Paris signatories gather for the COP23 summit in Bonn, Germany, from Nov. 6-17.Taken all together, Temers anti-environmental measures pose a serious threat to the Amazon biome, Brazils commitments to the Paris Agreement, and to the global climate, according to the scientists interviewed for this story.President Temer came to power in May 2016, having helped engineer the impeachment of President Dilma Rousseff. Since then, he has issued a rush of decrees aimed at facilitating large-scale agricultural and industrial development in the Amazon, something the agribusiness lobby that dominates Congress  and whose support Temer needs to sustain him as he comes under increasing scrutiny for corruption  is eager to promote.Temers administration includes the influential minister of agriculture, Blairo Maggi, once known as the Soy King and famed for his management of the family company, the Amaggi Group, the largest private producer of soybeans in the world. Maggi is part of the bancada ruralista (the ruralist lobby), whose supporters include 40 percent of the Brazilian Congress.Temers initiatives are a disaster in the making for the Amazon, said Christian Poirier, program director at Amazon Watch, an NGO. If Temers agenda moves forward it will change the face of this life-giving forest, with major repercussions for climate stability and our collective well-being.William Laurance, of James Cook University, Australia, agreed, and told Mongabay that the presidents measures are exceedingly dangerous and essentially an assault on the Amazon and its indigenous peoples. [more]
By Adam Voiland

8 November 2017(NASA)  Since mid-October 2017, smoke from crop fires in Punjab and Haryana has blown across northern India and Pakistan. With the arrival of cooler weather in November, the smoke mixed with fog, dust, and industrial pollution to form a particularly thick haze. A lack of wind, which usually helps disperse air pollution, worsened the problem for several days in November.On 7 November 2017, the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASAs Aqua satellite captured this natural-color image of haze and fog blanketing the region. The second image, a data map based on observations from the same sensor, depicts aerosol optical depth, a measure of how airborne particles affect the reflection and absorption of light by the atmosphere. Red-brown colors indicate skies thick with aerosol pollution. Several major citiesincluding Lahore, New Delhi, Lucknow, and Kanpurfaced elevated levels of pollution. As seen in the third image, which was captured by Terra, thick haze continued to linger over the region on 8 November 2017.In New Delhi, particulate pollution rose several times above the limit considered safe. On 8 November 2017, an air quality sensor at the U.S. embassy recorded a peak air quality index of 1,010an extremely hazardous level. Values of 0 to 100 are considered acceptable.In response, authorities in Delhi have closed schools, banned trucks from entering the city, halted construction projects, and increased parking fees to discourage driving. With hospitals recording a surge of people complaining of respiratory problems, the Indian Medical Association has declared the situation a public health emergency.
By Frances Robles

12 November 2017

SAN JUAN (The New York Times)  The small energy outfit from Montana that won a $300 million contract to help rebuild Puerto Ricos tattered power grid had few employees of its own, so it did what the Puerto Rican authorities could have done: It turned to Florida for workers.

For their trouble, the six electrical workers from Kissimmee are earning $42 an hour, plus overtime. The senior power linemen from Lakeland are earning $63 an hour working in Puerto Rico, the Florida utility said. Their 40 co-workers from Jacksonville, also linemen, are making up to $100 earning double time, public records show.

But the Montana company that hired the workers, Whitefish Energy Holdings, had a contract that allowed it to bill the Puerto Rican public power company, known as Prepa, $319 an hour for linemen, a rate that industry experts said was far above the norm even for emergency work  and almost 17 times the average salary of their counterparts in Puerto Rico.

A spokesman for Whitefish, Chris Chiames, defended the costs, saying that simply looking at the rate differential does not take into account Whitefishs overhead costs, which were built into the rate.

We have to pay a premium to entice the labor to come to Puerto Rico to work, Mr. Chiames said. Many workers are paid overtime for all the time they work. Overtime pay varies by type of worker, union membership, mainland utility company and many other factors.The markup is among the reasons that federal officials are scrutinizing all other contracts involving Puerto Rico. The control board that oversees Puerto Ricos finances is seeking more authority over the billions headed the islands way, including the power to review big contracts and randomly inspect smaller ones.

Two weeks after Prepa abruptly withdrew the contract from Whitefish following strong criticism by federal and congressional officials of the companys expected ability to perform the work needed, more questions are being raised about the deal, including how much it will actually cost. Whitefish will keep repairing power lines until 30 November 2017.

As the Trump administration prepares to spend billions of dollars on rebuilding Puerto Ricos infrastructure, the Whitefish deal  hatched in a dim powerless room six days after a storm packing winds of nearly 150 miles an hour knocked down thousands of power poles and lines  has served as a cautionary note about the potential for soaring costs that are common in the wake of disasters.Questions are already being raised about a second contract that Prepa signed, this one with an Oklahoma company, Cobra, which was the highest bidder, required a $15 million down payment and  like the doomed Whitefish agreement  included a clause that said the deal could not be audited. [more]
13 November 2017 (AP)  Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has sanctioned a bloody drug war that features extrajudicial killing. He called Barack Obama a son of a whore. This week, he boasted that he murdered a man with his own hands.

All that went unmentioned in public by President Donald Trump when the leaders held talks Monday in the Philippines.

Reporters saw the beginning of the leaders bilateral meeting in during which Trump praised Dutertes hospitality, the organization of the summit he was hosting and even Manilas weather. Trump said nothing about human rights and both leaders ignored shouted questions about the violent drug crackdown. The two men also shared a laugh in the meeting when Duterte called reporters spies.

Later, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said that the 40-minute meeting focused on ISIS, illegal drugs, and trade. Human rights, she added, briefly came up in the context of the Philippines fight against illegal drugs. She did not say if Trump was critical of the violence.That appeared to conflict with the Philippines version of the meeting. Harry Roque, a spokesman for Duterte, said there was no mention of human rights. There was no mention of extralegal killings. There was only a rather lengthy discussion of the Philippine war on drugs with President Duterte doing most of the explaining.Breaking with his presidential predecessors, Trump has largely abandoned publicly pressing foreign leaders on human rights, instead showing a willingness to embrace international strongmen for strategic gain. He has cozied up to autocrats such as Saudi Arabias King Salman, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi and Russian President Vladimir Putin. And earlier in this trip to Asia he made no mention of human rights during multiple appearances in Beijing with Chinese President Xi Jinping.Trump seems very comfortable with strongmen. Its not just that he wont criticize Duterte. I wouldnt be surprised if he patted him on the back, said Mike Chinoy, senior fellow at U.S.-China Institute at the University of Southern California, before the meeting.Dutertes war on drugs has alarmed human rights advocates around the world who say it has allowed police officers and vigilantes to ignore due process and to take justice into their own hands. Government officials estimate that well over 3,000 people, mostly drug users and dealers, have died in the ongoing crackdown. Human rights groups believe the victim total is far higher, perhaps closer to 9,000. [more]
Save my User ID and Password

Some subscribers prefer to save their log-in information so they do not have to enter their User ID and Password each time they visit the site. To activate this function, check the 'Save my User ID and Password' box in the log-in section. This will save the password on the computer you're using to access the site.

Note: If you choose to use the log-out feature, you will lose your saved information. This means you will be required to log-in the next time you visit our site.
Opinion / Columnist

How clear does it get? That statement in a country with a functional defense mechanism would have gotten the man court marshalled right away. He would not see the dawn of tomorrow or setting of the sun today except he just declared that he is now the man in charge. The man just challenged the President of the republic and we are all laughing about it? The army caused ZANU to continue ruling through supporting its rigging and oppressive system and now he dares open his mouth to talk about chaos and despondency, who is causing despondency and anxiety now if not him?The Army General in his statement laments the state of affairs in ZANU PF and how it has become a household name. General Chiwenga talks of Constitutionalism in the same document where he talks of usurping authority to fix things. What does the army fix except helping on civilian issues as he said in times of calamities? The army in a Constitutional state does not pronounce or get involved in mismanagement of the country or try to fix political issues. The army works with government of the day and does not talk about choices of the purging of war veterans as a cause for concern to interfere with political and civilian issues.The arm is meant to defend not instigate violence and social disorder. The army general is clearly out of line. If indeed he is a friend of Mnangagwa and the purging of his friends in ZANU is of concern to him, he can raise that at party level not using the national army. General Chiwenga stands advised, he is a national army General not a ZANU PF General or soldier. It is unheard of that people ululate and worry about minor useless things like pronunciation when a person of the army general is breaking his oath of office. The oath of office is to defend the country not ZANU PF and not War Veterans.The Army General just fired his warning shot to the whole country that he has taken over the reins and this in the face of what he calls Constitutionalism. The statement is exactly what is equivalent to subverting a 'constitutional' government. People elected Mr Mugabe and he can hire and fire whoever and that has to be dealt with through parliament and the masses not through the army. By the way the General needs to understand that all decisions taken in this world are normally influenced by one or two people or a small group. That does not invalidate the decisions.The fact that G40 has won or is the influencing factor is not unique in any way. Even if it is the President's wife. That's the nature of politics. We as Zimbabwean citizens have been outwitted by ZANU using state resources to rig and steal elections, but we had to bow down because we understand political processes and know there are political means to resolve such issues and the unacceptable one in this day and age is a military coup. It is not a political process to have the Army General standing against his Commander in Chief, that in army terms Sir is called a mutiny and we cannot allow a mutineer to address us on such bases.We have a peace-loving population that has endured torture and oppression at the hands of the army that ever intimidates, harasses and kills people for no good reason. We want to appeal to you Sir, Mr General, that, it is of no good consequence to take matters into your own hands because you are unhappy that a decision has not gone your way. The War Veterans and the Army at large belong to Zimbabwe. We honour the War Veterans for the job well done in the Chimurenga/Umvukela struggles and we will always cherish and honour that. On the same note we love the ZNA and all the wings of the defense mechanism of the country and therefore when we sleep we do so soundly knowing that a responsible army is protecting the integrity of our country not threatening to bring chaos into the country.Mr President may have done what does not please you, it is his job to manage the affairs of the country the best way he can, if you do not like it, you deal with it at the ballot box but not in the uniform of the Zimbabwean Army to pronounce such a statement Sir, it is indeed an insult to the integrity and standing of the people that have lived under oppressive conditions in a bid to respect the Constitution and a government seen to have been formed by people that won an election.We are indeed afraid of you, we are struck with terror at the sight of our protectors because you have not won our respect and instilled a sense of safety about your presence. We know you control the armory and have many men and women that are trained never to ask questions but to act at your command. Sir, Mr General, political rhetoric is for politicians and not the army. We know you can quash the whole nation as you are capable and because you have such power, but Sir we would like to appeal to your uniform, your rank, it speaks of sobriety, sensibility and responsibility. You have the responsibility to prevent the spilling and shading of innocent blood in our country, and please let it not begin at your behest.We have many political parties and ordinary Zimbabweans that are better placed to make pronouncements about the political state of affairs and act even but you Sir do not with due respect have the grounds to utter the words you just did. We have a new constitution that we need to try and implement, we have many lawyers watching closely to see how to deal with the affairs, that is what they studied to do Sir and allow them to operate in that space without the fair of the army interfere with civilian affairs. The purging is a ZANU PF culture and Mr Mnangagwa you are fighting for has celebrated many firings and there are many clips on social media just reminding people of what he used to say. We therefore implore you to spare us the victim stance now because before today you have not condemned these acts but today because the side you are on in ZANU has not won, you threaten pandemonium. It is disingenuous Sir.As the people of Zimbabwe for the starvation, lack of currency and unemployment many would celebrate the back side of ZANU contrary to what you believe that it is a household name unless if you mean in terms of terrorizing and instilling fear, there indeed it is. Mr General and the whole securocrats of Zimbabwe, the security cluster, whatever best describes you, we appeal to you to defend the integrity of the country and you all respond to your Commander in Chief who is at this stage Mr Robert Gabriel Mugabe, he is not incapacitated hence ZANU PF put him as the 2018 Presidential Candidate. Please we know that insurbodination and disobeying the command of a superior officer is a serious offence in the army, we might not be in the army but we understand the 'shenanigans' to borrow your word. Your Superior Officer is still in charge and anything you do will not get you popularity but you will go down in history with the worst record. This far we have tolerated army abuses and not apportioned blame to you because we believed you were taking instructions from your superior officer and therefore only he could answer for that.You are by these actions telling us that if Mr Mugabe would be tried for any misdeeds we must therefore consider the army because it acts outside his instructions. You are telling us by that Presser that you go against him and do your own thing. Sir you are plunging our beautiful country into further pandemonium. The reason why many do not join the army is because we know it to be a strict straight-jacketed discipline, we want to enjoy unfettered political and civil rights to say anything as we please, Sir if you desire that, resign and come join us, you cannot have your cake and eat it.Once again we as the Liberal Democrats say, we watch with great disdain the political happenings in our country, we are not amused at all but we are not shocked by what we have become accustomed to in ZANU PF, these 'purgings'. It is ZANU PF business and as long as those ZANU PF people are not armed or stealing armory from our national army storehouses, let them bash each other and the police will deal with them. The police will arrest them for affray and other related charges even for possession of arms if they ship in arms from outside. If there is civil unrest, they become War Lords, our beloved President will then unleash you on them, first, as an additional hand to support the police but once beyond contro,l as a country at war against terror.We therefore request with due respect our last line of defense, stay put, far from the national armory for now. We have been so aggrieved for many years but we never fancied a civil war which is what you are brewing for us now. Please we saw enough army effects during the liberation struggle, during Gukurahundi, during the break of the century from 2000 going on and we see countries like Angola, Rwanda, Burundi, Somalia, Euthopia, Sudan, Burma, Syria and many others. War is not good and as Zimbabweans we hate it, so please do not invite it upon us, we have many unemployed youths who see no reason for living but will easily be tempted to take advantage of the situation and we have diamonds which will invite the west and other hawks to sponsor such civil unrest so as to benefit from blood diamonds. Please be wise fellow countrymen and spare us the consequences of such an act.To all fellow Zimbabweans, let us all condemn in a non-equivocal but strong and a categorically clear language that war is not our portion as Zimbabweans. We are a peace-loving people. NOT IN OUR NAME AND THE NAME OF OUR STARVATION, WE CAN HANDLE THE LACK OF CURRENCY AND HUNGER WITHOUT WAR. If anyone wants to do it, it is clearly for their selfish ends and they must not make it a national issue.Let's harsh tag the bolded statement Zimbabwe and #NOTOCHIWENGASOLUTION !! #NOTOMUTINY From the Liberal Democrats Political DeskDr Vusumuzi Sibanda
Subscriber content preview

SEATTLE  A British Petroleum tank farm and fuel terminal at 1652 S. Lander St. has sold for $14.9 million, according to King County records.

The seller was BP West Coast Products LLC. BP, through its acquisition of companies including ARCO, has effectively owned the facility for several decades.





. . .
India, Australia, US and Japan today held their first meeting on the 'Quadrilateral' coalition ahead of the ASEAN summit beginning in Manila, Philippines, on Tuesday, moving a step closer to vision of an India-Pacific security cooperation nearer to realisation India, Australia and Japan also issued separate statements listing the Indo-Pacific as the major area of the deliberations and resolved to expand cooperation to uphold a rules-based order and respect for international law in the strategically important region. US President Donald Trump also separately met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as he pushed his vision of an Indo-Pacific region that attempts to de-emphasise China's influence. He also met with Australian Prime Minister Malcom Turnbull and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe ahead of Tuesday's meeting. The meeting comes ahead of the ASEAN summit on Tuesday, which is also likely to discuss the security challenges facing the Indo-Pacific region and China's military expansion in the South China Sea. The meeting, which focuses on keeping the Indo-Pacific region "free and open", is seen as the first official response to China's aggressive behaviour in the area. In a statement, the ministry of external affairs (MEA) said the consultations were held on issues of common interest in the Indo-Pacific region with a focus on cooperation based on converging vision and values for promotion of peace, stability and prosperity in the area. "They agreed that a free, open, prosperous and inclusive Indo-Pacific region serves the long-term interests of all countries in the region and of the world at large. The officials also exchanged views on addressing common challenges of terrorism and proliferation linkages impacting the region as well as on enhancing connectivity," the MEA said. In its statement, the Japanese foreign ministry said officials discussed measures to ensure a free and open international order based on the rule of law in the Indo- Pacific. "From this perspective, the participants discussed the direction for cooperation, including with countries in the region, in upholding the rules-based order and respect for international law in the Indo-Pacific," it said. The Australian foreign ministry said the four countries shared a vision for increased prosperity and security in the Indo-Pacific region and will work together to ensure that it "remains free and open". "The officials examined ways to achieve common goals and address shared challenges in the region. This includes upholding the rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific and respect for international law, freedom of navigation and overflight, increase connectivity," it said. The MEA said the Indian side highlighted India's 'Act East' policy as the cornerstone of its engagement in the Indo-Pacific region. The meeting also deliberated on enhancing cooperation in dealing with challenges of terrorism and talked about tackling proliferation threats, including North Korea's nuclear and missile programme. "Officials also agreed to work together to address threats to international peace and security posed by the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, including the DPRK's (North Korea) nuclear and missile programmes," the Australian foreign ministry said. It said the four countries committed to continuing the quadrilateral discussions and deepening cooperation on the basis of shared values and principles. The MEA said, "The discussions focused on cooperation based on their converging vision and values for promotion of peace, stability and prosperity in an increasingly inter-connected region that they share with each other and with other partners". The formation of a quadrilateral security dialogue comprising India, the US, Australia and Japan was first mooted around 10 years ago but it did not see the light of day. Japan's foreign minister Taro Kono last month had said that Tokyo favours the quadrilateral dialogue to further boost strategic partnership among the four countries. The US and Japan have been pushing for a deeper Indian role in the strategically key Indo-Pacific region. Joint Secretary (South division) in the MEA, Vinay Kumar and Joint Secretary (East Asia) Pranay Verma attended the meeting.








Opinion / National

The sensational expose Zimbabwe Journalists in their News Bulletin particularly about President Mugabe's Party sacking of the Deputy President Emmason Mnangagwa is a blistering indictment of our Democracy though we are not a Democratic Free Country.The News Bulletin brings to light the astonishing abuse of Political Power on a scale unprecedented in the annals of our Political History National and International. One has to only listen to President Robert Mugabe's cheerleaders in Parliament, yelling and screaming while their Leader puffs out his chest and scoffs at the Opposition Parliamentarians, to know where the Zanu-PF stands. Hopefully, The Nation Is Watching.Zanu-PF Members will sit at their Party's Elective Congress next month to crown a New Deputy President of Zanu-PF titanic and Zimbabwe Government.Zanu-PF Members will just change facilitators of corruption, political trapeze artists, political prostitutes, graduate of dodgy deals, master of sleaze, champions of slander, master of abduction, mastermind of political violence and kingpins of financial fraud are all getting ready for the gathering probably in December.Zanu-PF Congress Delegates will be basking in the glow of power, rubbing shoulders with their fellow immoral brothers and sisters, partying to the tunes of extravagance, truly speaking, this minority group has lost touch with reality. They gathered to put new mastermind of political and Socia-Economic Crisis in our Country. They have nothing to say to Zimbabwe Citizens but only to force Poor Zimbabwe Citizens to shout "Grace Mugabe Our VP" and some to say "Mugabe Chete Chete"Zimbabwe is in political free-fall. Zanu-PF Leaders have corrupted the future lives of our children through the abandonment of long-term foresight, short-term concern and historical hindsight. They are in for a rude awakening in 2018 just after the harmonized watershed General. I hope and believe that, The Nation Is Watching and Zimbabwe Electorates will decide their Future.
The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) says its only at the tip of the iceberg in terms of its efforts to ensure small businesses are not subject to unfair contract terms.

Since 12 November last year, when unfair contract terms laws were extended to small business contracts, the ACCC has taken successful court action against a major waste management company, JJ Richards & Sons Pty Ltd, for unfair contract terms including an automatic five-year rollover clause, a unilateral price variation term and a broad indemnity provision.

The ACCC has also commenced proceedings against serviced office space provider, Servcorp Ltd, alleging that 19 terms in its Service Agreement used with small business clients are unfair. The matter is currently before the court.

These cases show the ACCC is serious about enforcing the new laws, and we will continue to take action where appropriate to ensure that small businesses are protected, ACCC Deputy Chair Dr Michael Schaper said.

ACCC engagement has seen tens of thousands of new or existing contracts improved, but this is the tip of the iceberg as Australias two million small businesses sign an average of eight standard form contracts a year.

Earlier this year, a number of major traders such as Uber, Fairfax Media, Jetts Fitness, Lendlease Property Management and Sensis amended their standard small business contracts in response to unfair contract terms concerns raised by the ACCC. These changes have an effect upon thousands of small business contracts across Australia.

More recently, Australia Post proposed some amendments to its Licensed Post Office Agreement to address certain unfair contract terms concerns raised by the ACCC, and now plans to consult with its licensees on the proposed changes.

Were pleased with the level of engagement and cooperation we have seen from some traders over the past year, but we are also continuing to receive a steady flow of complaints from small businesses indicating theres still a good deal of work left to do, Dr Schaper said.

Where small businesses think they are being asked to sign a contract that puts them in a greatly disadvantaged position to the company offering the contract, they should ask that the contract be changed. If the company wont change the contract terms, they should make a report to the ACCC.

Dr Schaper said small businesses should look out for common types of terms which may be unfair:

automatic renewal terms binding customers to subsequent contracts unless they cancel the contract within a certain timeframe

terms allowing a trader to unilaterally increase its prices or alter the terms and conditions of the contract

terms that broadly limit a traders liability towards a small business, or which require a small business to indemnify a trader in an unreasonably broad range of circumstances

terms that allow traders to cancel or terminate an agreement without cause.

If small business thinks a contract term is unfair, it should ask the provider to amend or remove the unfair term, Dr Schaper said. If this is unsuccessful, a small business can contact the ACCC (or otherwise ASIC if it relates to a financial service or product) [or] seek the assistance of the States Small Business Commissioner or ASBFEO.

In November 2016, the ACCC published a report Unfair terms in small business contracts, examining 46 standard form contracts across seven industries. Some traders removed or amended their terms after being contacted by the ACCC.

The ACCC has also published a guide to help small business: Unfair terms in small business contracts
The Federal Court has found that accommodation provider Meriton engaged in misleading or deceptive conduct by implementing a strategy to minimise the number of negative reviews its guests posted on the TripAdvisor website.

In November 2016, the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) instituted proceedings against Meriton in the Federal Court, alleging that between November 2014 and October 2015, the accommodation provider took deliberate steps to prevent its guests from receiving TripAdvisors Review Express email if it suspected they would provide an unfavourable review. Specifically, the commission alleged Meriton failed to pass on guest email addresses to TripAdvisor or provided TripAdvisor with incorrect email addresses for guests.

The ACCCs allegations were made out in the Federal Court, which found that on several occasions Meriton engaged in this conduct in respect of the majority of guests staying at one of its hotels during periods when there were infrastructure or service problems, such as no hot water or a lift not working.

The Court also held that Meritons conduct was liable to mislead the public as to the nature, characteristics and suitability of purpose of its accommodation services.

ACCC Commissioner Sarah noted that the steps taken by Meriton to reduce the chances of a customer posting a negative review had the effect of creating a more positive or favourable impression of the quality or amenity of the companys properties on the TripAdvisor website.

Many consumers base their purchasing decisions on reviews they get through sites like TripAdvisor, she said. Its therefore vital the reviews on these review sites are not manipulated and accurately reflect all customers opinions  the good and the bad.

[The Federal Courts] decision sends a strong message that businesses must not undermine the integrity of third party review processes in order to mislead or deceive consumers, as this conduct risks breaching the Australian Consumer Law.

TripAdvisor states that accommodation providers that regularly use the Review Express service, which sends guests a prompt on behalf of accommodation providers, see an uplift of 28 to 33 percent in TripAdvisor reviews for their properties.

A hearing on relief against Meriton will be held on a date fixed by the Court. The ACCC has previously indicated that it would seek pecuniary penalties, declarations, injunctions, corrective publication orders, orders for the implementation of a consumer law compliance program and costs.
IVR and Speech Recognition Design Training Added to the ITEXPO Program in Florida

Trumbull, CTNovember 13, 2017  TMC, Enterprise Integration Group and GM Voices announced an IVR and Speech Recognition Training course as a part of ITEXPO being held February 13-16, 2018 at the Greater Ft. Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The hands-on training workshop will take pace Tuesday, February 13th through Wednesday, February 14th and will help attendees gain the skills and knowledge required to plan, design and implement effective tough-tone and speech recognition systems. ITEXPO is the leading communications and business transformation event where influential buyers gather to make their purchase decisions annually.

When it comes to learning about IVR and Speech Recognition, there is no better education than one provided by EIG and GM Voices who have been running training workshops for over 20 years, said Rich Tehrani, TMC CEO and conference chairman. We are excited to work with this team and offer a hands- on, highly interactive program that will give attendee practical skills they can bring back to the office and can quickly implement.

The IVR and Speech Recognition Training will teach attendees how to:

Design a customer-focused voice user interface that really works.

Effectively mix simple touch-tone menus with natural language and directed dialogue speech recognition for maximum coverage and minimum errors.

Evolve traditional IVR self-service to accommodate Smartphones, Chat, Siri, Alexa, and other Intelligent Assistants

Take advantage of artificial intelligence to design more predictive user experiences

For more information or to register contact [email protected] .

For the latest ITEXPO news, updates and information follow the event on Twitter at @ITEXPO.

About Enterprise Integration Group

Enterprise Integration Group is a leading independent consulting firm specializing in improvement of interactive voice response self-service solutions for both touch-tone and speech recognition. Design specialists at EIG address client needs from the customer's perspectiveensuring that processes and systems get the right information to the right person at the right time in a convenient and cost-effective manner. The company is headquartered in San Ramon, California, with offices in the United

Kingdom and Switzerland. Contact EIG by telephone at +1 888-344-4487 or outside the U.S. at +1 925-735-1700. The website is www.eiginc.com.

About GM Voices

Since 1985, GM Voices, Inc. has emerged as the global leader in professionally-recorded voice-overs and voice persona solutions for IVR, speech recognition, and other telephony and voice applications. Dozens of voice actors record in their studios each week, providing clients an engaging, brand-consistent sound for any technology or media. Voice recording, translation and localization services are offered in more than 100 languages and dialects. GM Voices invented the term and concept of Voice Branding, the development of a one-voice customer experience aligned with a companys brand image. For more information, visit www.gmvoices.com.

About TMC

Global buyers rely on TMCs content-driven marketplaces to make purchase decisions and navigate markets. This presents branding, thought leadership and lead generation opportunities for vendors/sellers.

TMCs Marketplaces:

Unique, turnkey Online Communities boost search results, establish market validation, elevate brands and thought leadership, while minimizing ad-blocking.

Custom Lead Programs uncover sales opportunities and build databases.

In-Person and Online Events boost brands, enhance thought leadership and generate leads.

Publications, Display Advertising and Newsletters bolster brand reputations.

Custom Content provides expertly ghost-crafted blogs, press releases, articles and marketing collateral to help with SEO, branding, and

overall marketing efforts.

overall marketing efforts. Comprehensive Event and Road Show Management Services help companies meet potential clients and generate leads face-to-face.

For more information about TMC and to learn how we can help you reach your marketing goals, please visit www.tmcnet.com.

Media and Analyst Contact:

Jessica Seabrook

Marketing Director

TMC

203-852-6800 x 170

[email protected]

Edited by Mandi Nowitz
Brenda Purcell, of Chattanooga, has been awarded the prestigious Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) Designation by the Council of Residential Specialists, the largest not-for-profit affiliate of the National Association of Realtors.

Realtors who receive the CRS Designation have completed advanced professional training and demonstrated outstanding professional achievement in residential real estate. Only 32,000 realtors nationwide have earned the credential. Out of more than 1 million realtors, less than 3% are Certified Residential Specialists.



Home buyers and sellers can be assured that CRS Designees subscribe to the strict Realtor code of ethics, have been trained to use the latest tactics and technologies, and are specialists in helping clients maximize profits and minimize costs when buying or selling a home.



Ms. Purcell is a broker with REMAX Renaissance Realtors. She is a member of the Greater Chattanooga Association of Realtors. She is also a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, a past UTC Alumni Board member and a former member of the UTNAA Board of Governors. She is a 1993 graduate of Leadership Chattanooga and a former member of the Junior League of Chattanooga. Presently, she is a member of the Judge David Campbell chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.



"It has been a goal of mine to obtain the coveted CRS designation since I entered the real estate profession over 17 years ago," said Ms. Purcell. "As realtors, we better serve our clients and the community by pursuing life-long learning and continuing education."


Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park will present a Christmas Open House at the Cravens House on Lookout Mountain on Friday, Dec. 1, and on Saturday, Dec. 2. The house will be decorated in a manner very similar to the Civil War era.

This special holiday event will take place from 6-8 p.m., with tours beginning every 30 minutes. Reservations are required.

Christmas, 1862  The holidays in 1862 were a time of hope.

For wealthy southern families like the Cravens, there was reason for optimism that the war would soon end in victory, and soldiers like Jesse Cravens were hopeful that this would be their last Christmas in the army. Just a few days later, the Emancipation Proclamation was scheduled to take effect, and for the first time, enslaved people throughout the South could finally begin to see the end of their generational nightmare. Join us for this special program as we explore how the residents of Robert Cravens home on Lookout Mountain pondered their past, present, and future during this holiday season 155 years ago.

To make a reservation, and for more information about this event, please contact the Lookout Mountain Battlefield Visitor Center at 423 821-7786.

For more information about upcoming programs at Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, contact the Lookout Mountain Visitor Center at 423 821-7786, the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center at 706-866-9241, or visit the parks website at www.nps.gov/chch.
To build the largest and most complete Amateur Radio community site on the Internet - a "portal" that hams think of as the first place to go for information, to exchange ideas, and be part of whats happening with ham radio on the Internet. eHam.net provides recognition and enjoyment to the people who use, contribute, and build the site. This project involves a management team of volunteers who each take a topic of interest and manage it with passion. The site will stand above all other ham radio sites by employing the latest technology and professional design/programming standards, developed by a team of community programmers who contribute their skills to the effort. The site will be something of which everyone involved can be proud to say they were a part. We welcome your comments. The eHam.net Team, Revision 07/2020.
FamilyWize reported to the United Way of Greater Chattanooga that Chattanooga residents have saved $1,709,757.13 on their prescription medications. This is a partnership with FamilyWize, an organization focused on improving the health and well-being of individuals, families and communities.

Through this partnership, the United Way has helped promote the free FamilyWize Prescription Discount Card, which has helped more than 10 million Americans save more than $1 billion on their prescriptions.

People should never have to choose between putting food on the table or taking their prescription medication, said Lesley Scearce, CEO and president of United Way of Greater Chattanooga. Thats why we partner with FamilyWize. Their free prescription discount card can reduce the costs of prescriptions for anyone who uses it. Its an extremely valuable resource that everyone, regardless of their financial situation, should use.

FamilyWize cards immediately lower the cost of medicine by an average of around 40 percent and potentially more for people without insurance or who take medications not covered by their plan. By presenting the FamilyWize card or mobile app at their local pharmacy, customers save on the cost of their prescription medicine, no strings attached.

"Were excited to see the people of Chattanooga realize the benefits of our discount card, said Susan Gilmore, executive director of Community Engagement at FamilyWize. We hope that they continue to use the card and share it with others, as it can provide a significant savings.

The FamilyWize prescription discount card can be used by anyone, including people with Medicaid or Medicare, and not just people without insurance. The use of the FamilyWize Prescription Discount Card is unlimited, does not require any personal information from the user and has no eligibility criteria.

To take advantage of the savings that FamilyWize offers, consumers can print a card from FamilyWize.org, can call 1-866-810-3784 and request a card to be sent to them, or download the free FamilyWize app.
Bill Norton, president of Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter # 203, and Jessica M. Dumitru, Regent of the Chief John Ross Chapter, NSDAR and their organizations have partnered to initiate a new Department of Defense Program designed to recognize the spouses of deceased veterans from the Vietnam Era.

The Deceased Vietnam Veterans Surviving Spouse certificate and lapel pin were designed for the surviving spouse at the time of death of a veteran who served on active duty in the U. S Armed Forces at any time during the period from Nov. 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975, regardless of location. As the nation began its commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War in 2015, the U. S. Department of Department of Defense heard from community partners that a significant number of Vietnam veterans had died without a true Welcome Home from their nation. The program design team immediately began work on a program that would honor each surviving spouse for her/his love and support of a special Vietnam vet. The lapel pin notes Service, Family and Sacrifice and may be worn on any occasion. If the spouse is also deceased, the pin is available to the children of the Vietnam veteran.



Pins will be available at each meeting of VVA, Chapter # 203 and recipients will be pinned by a member of the Chief John Ross Chapter, NSDAR. Meetings occur at 7:00 pm on the Third Monday of each month at the American Legion Post # 95, 3329 Ringgold Road, Chattanooga, Tn. 37412.

The next meeting will be on Monday, Nov. 20. Pins will also be available at all VVA, Chapter # 203 Tennessee Vietnam Wall displays. For individual or group presentations at local civic organizations, business/industrial sites or area churches and synagogues, contact Jessica M. Dumitru at jmdumitru@gmail.com


Atheism and the Texas church shooter By Selwyn Duke

If God does not exist, everything is permitted, wrote Fyodor Dostoevsky in The Brothers Karamazov. Mentioning this in association with Devin Patrick Kelley, the militant atheist who perpetrated the worst church shooting in U.S. history, is bound to raises hackles. Of course, few atheists will descend into committing murder; in fact, Ive known some Id call good people. Moreover, note that I myself once not only didnt believe in God, but like Kelley thought religious people were stupid. Yet is it possible a straight line can be drawn between atheism (the belief) and increasing crime and immorality? Ideas do have consequences, after all. George Washington once wrote, [L]et us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. [R]eason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle. Many great thinkers have expressed the same idea, yet, when its related today, the assumption is that whats being said is atheists cant be good people. This is both because theists generally dont explain their position well and atheists generally dont seek to understand it well; passions run high and the two sides talk past each other. But now Ill explain exactly what Dostoevsky and Washington meant  in a way making it apparent why its an insight that helped bring me, formerly a dismissive unbeliever, to faith. A very near relation of a close friend I had said to him once, Murder isnt wrong; its just that society says it is. Ive heard this sentiment expressed, in different words, many times. In fact, notorious serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, known as the Milwaukee Cannibal, said to his parents as a teen, If theres no God, why cant I just make up my own rules? But heres the question: What would you say to my friends relation? How could you refute him? We could warn, as a painfully legalistic ex-cop once said to me, that committing murder will land him in the pokey. But that doesnt really address the matters heart, does it? We want people doing the right thing not just because  and when  they fear consequences. (Atheists emphasize this when criticizing the fear of God; note, though, theres also the love of God.) In fact, weve staked our whole republic on peoples ability to, in a great measure, govern themselves from within. I know what I can say to the man. On the surface it sounds simplistic: Youre wrong, because God exists and has created eternal, unchanging moral law  its called Truth. Now, my friends relation could disagree with my proposition (God exists), but he cant dispute my logic. If God exists and has decreed the relevant moral law, the man is wrong. Yet what can an atheist tell him? For if the atheists proposition that there is no God is correct, the man is correct: Society is all thats left, so it could only be society saying Murder is wrong. To fully grasp this beliefs implications, we must delve into the nature of right and wrong. If society is all there is and Man is the measure of all things, as ancient Greek Protagoras put it, can we even speak of morality? Consider my standard explanation: If we learned that the vast majority of the world loved chocolate but hated vanilla, would we claim this made vanilla wrong or evil? Of course not. Its just a matter of taste, or human preference. Yet how is it any different asserting murder is wrong or evil if the only reason we do so is that we learn that the vast majority of the world hates the idea of killing others in a way the vast majority of the world considers unjust? If mans consensus is all it is, then it falls into the same category as flavors: human preference. Some may now say, But wait, were not talking about killing my taste buds but killing people! Its a totally different thing! I dont argue it doesnt feel different (to all but sociopaths), but remember that the idea this should put murder in a different category would, under atheism, also just be a function of mans preference. This is irrefutable. The only way we can say morality properly defined  not as something synonymous with mans preference, in other words  truly exists is if its a universal, eternal, unchanging moral law handed down by an omnipotent, omniscient Creator of the Universe; that is, if, just as God created Physical Reality (matter and the laws of physics), He also created Moral Reality. And if God doesnt exist? Then we should stop fooling ourselves and putting lipstick on the pig of mere preference. Stop using words such as values (prevalent now precisely because morality connotes something absolute), designed to obscure atheisms meaninglessness. Like my friends relation and Dahmer, just accept that right and wrong is illusion. This brings us to the true meaning of You cant be moral without God: If divine law isnt real, no one can be moral because you cannot conform to a non-existent standard. Moral is as incomprehensible a term in a universe without Truth as physical would be in one without matter. So if God doesnt exist, neither atheists nor theists can be moral  only in or out of fashion. So the reality, my atheist friends should note, is that embracing any moral is a matter of faith. We cannot see a moral under a microscope or a principle in a Petri dish. Science cannot prove murder (or anything else) is wrong  only possible. For science merely tells us what we can do, not what we should. People generally dont come to terms with these implications of atheism because most dont take their world view to its logical conclusion; many also wouldnt want to, for it means staring true meaninglessness in the face. It means that all the causes moderns fill their lives with are mere vanity. Tolerance cant be better than intolerance, love better than hate, or respect for life better than murder in a godless, Moral-Truth-bereft world. Then again, consistency cant be better than hypocrisy, pretense better than sincerity, or fairness better than imposing ones will, either. Thus, someone who has thought these things through and accepted atheisms correlative moral nihilism may push his agenda simply because he wants to. As with atheists atheist Friedrich Nietzsche, he may blithely accept his own contradictions, boiling his creed down to occultist Aleister Crowleys maxim, Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law. By the way, this may explain studies showing that sociopaths have above-average intelligence. Perhaps theyre people smart enough to think these matters through, but unwise enough to come to the wrong conclusion (God doesnt exist, thus Truth doesnt exist, therefore right and wrong doesnt exist). For certain is that if you accepted this parenthetical proposition intellectually  and incorporated it into yourself on an emotional level so that it permeated not just your head but your heart  you would be a sociopath. You wouldnt have a conscience because youd know, and feel, that there was nothing to be conscientious about. Of course, almost no atheist so thoroughly imbibes that proposition; most have strong feelings about various trespasses (real and imagined). So not every atheist becomes a reprobate any more than every Muslim becomes a terrorist or every Nazi a genocidal maniac. But ideas have consequences. Atheism, just like misguided theism (e.g., Islam), is destructive. This may take a dark form or just that of the atheistic but generally good-hearted young man I once knew who responded, when I mentioned that something he was contemplating was wrong, But its not wrong for me. The point, however, is that atheisms implied moral nihilism can justify anything. Rape? Kill? Steal? Why not? Whos to say its wrong? This brings us to one last matter. When someone points out that atheistic Marxist governments have killed 65 to 110 million people, atheists will often retort, But atheism doesnt prescribe that! Theyre correct. Atheism doesnt prescribe any behavior. It also doesnt proscribe any behavior. And thats the problem. Silence on moral matters would be fine if man by (fallen) nature were angelic. But by (fallen) nature hes barbaric  and he remains so unless some civilizing agency enters the equation. Atheisms mistake is one of omission. This is why Dostoevsky, Dahmer and Washington were right: If God does not exist, everything is permitted. Ideas have consequences. Be careful what you believe  and what you espouse. Contact Selwyn Duke, follow him on Twitter or log on to SelwynDuke.com. Home
Chattanooga Allergy Clinics downtown location, at 325 Market Street, has expanded its Wednesday hours and will now offer allergy shots from 8 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. to increase access and convenience for patients.

The downtown location recently expanded its square footage and increased the number of exam rooms.

As many of our patients find permanent relief from common allergies through allergy shots and tell others their success stories, the demand continues to grow, said Dr. Marc Cromie. Extending hours helps our patients have more access to care, and that means fewer missed appointments and faster overall results from the treatment.
Moving the American Embassy to Jerusalem: Challenges and opportunities By Amb. Dore Gold

I am not going to address the question of moving the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem directly. It is my view that President Donald Trump has made a commitment in that regard and I believe he will stand by what he has said. The United States will evaluate the timing and circumstances for executing that decision in accordance with its interests. The U.S. will of course have to consider many factors in making that decision. But what is often overlooked in the contentious debate about the location of the U.S. Embassy in Israel is why it matters. The embassy question is a subset of a much more important issue: the need for Western recognition of Jerusalem as Israels capital. That recognition is vital for several reasons. On a political level, the denial of recognition helps fuel the dangerous fantasy, popular in the Middle East, that Israel is impermanent and illegitimate. On a religious and cultural level, the denial of recognition helps fuel the dangerous fantasy that Jews have no connection to Jerusalem and Israel  that their presence is an imposition because the land is not their homeland. Those could be characterized as Israeli interests alone. But what Id like to discuss today is what could be called the international interest, or the interest in Jerusalem of concerned states. That interest often concerns the protection of the holy sites and assuring complete freedom of access to them. Religious freedom and pluralism is a core value which both our countries share. Protecting Jerusalems holy sites is a responsibility that the State of Israel assumed in law back in 1967, when Jerusalem was re-united after the Six-Day War. It is also a responsibility that the people of Israel, I believe, are prepared to assume in the future as well. For etched into the collective consciousness of all of us is what happened to Jerusalem when we were absent and when we were barred from the city, and what has happened to the holy sites since 1967  since Israel unified Jerusalem and protected access for all peoples and faiths. What is clear from a brief survey is that only a free and democratic Israel will protect the holy sites of all the great faiths in Jerusalem. Let me stress, to the extent that the U.S. reinforces Israels standing in Jerusalem, it is reinforcing core American and Western values of pluralism, peace, and mutual respect  and it is reinforcing the position of the only international actor that will protect Jerusalems holy sites. The Internationalization of Holy Sites The very fact that Jerusalem is viewed as a holy city by all three of the great monotheistic faiths  Judaism, Christianity, and Islam  has frequently led to ill-conceived proposals to internationalize Jerusalem or sections of it in any resolution of the Arab-Israel conflict. It is not widely remembered, but this idea was actually tried  and failed miserably. Nonetheless, it is sometimes surprisingly argued in certain diplomatic circles that the point of reference for any political solution on Jerusalem should be UN General Assembly Resolution 181 of November 29, 1947, which is also known as the Partition Plan. It should be recalled that Resolution 181 called for establishing an international entity around Jerusalem, which it called a Corpus Separatum. It would be governed by the United Nations itself. On May 15, 1948, when Israel declared its independence, invading Arab armies placed Jerusalem under siege. Its Jewish population was cut off from food and water. In addition to all this, Jerusalem faced intense artillery bombardment. The Egyptians took up positions on the outskirts of Bethlehem. An Iraqi Expeditionary Force reached the Jerusalem neighborhood of Talpiot. The Old City was invaded by the Arab Legion of Transjordan. Israels Foreign Minister, Moshe Sharett, reported to the UN that ancient Jewish synagogues are being destroyed one after the other as a result of Arab artillery fire. Those artillery shells hit churches and even the Dome of the Rock on the Temple Mount. The mounting attacks led to a mass exodus of the Jewish population of the Old City  what today would be called ethnic cleansing. The only question that arose was what the UN was going to do with this unfolding situation. Frankly, it did nothing. Its internationalization proposal was failing. Standing in the Knesset, Israels parliament, on December 5, 1949, after the end of the first Arab-Israeli War, Israels first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion, spoke about the Corpus Separatum and the UNs role. The UN, he reminded his listeners, did not lift a finger to protect Jerusalem. Only the newly created Israel Defense Forces, along with pre-state formations, protected Jewish Jerusalem from being wiped off the face of the earth. The recently formed Harel Brigade of the Palmach, which had been placed under the command of Yitzhak Rabin, was given the mission to break the siege, thereby permitting relief columns to enter the city. Ben-Gurion then went on in his Knesset speech to address the internationalization proposal contained in Resolution 181: We cannot today regard the decision of 29 November 1947 as being possessed of any further moral force, since the United Nations did not succeed in implementing its own decisions. In our view, the decision of 29 November about Jerusalem is null and void (emphasis added). In other words, Israel still adhered to the rest of the resolution, but it could not give up parts of Jerusalem to international control. Ben-Gurion reminded the UN that the people which faithfully honored for 2,500 years the oath sworn by the Rivers of Babylon not to forget Jerusalem  this people will never reconcile itself with separation from Jerusalem. Eight days later, Ben-Gurion declared that he was moving the Knesset from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem: For the State of Israel there has always been, and always will be, one capital only  Jerusalem the Eternal. Again, this is not just a history lesson. In March 1999, when I served as Israels ambassador to the UN, there was an initiative underway to revive Resolution 181 with respect to Jerusalem. This effort was supported by members of the European Union, several Arab states, and by the PLO. I doubted that the Palestinians really wanted internationalization, but it served as a convenient instrument for prying Jerusalem away from Israel. During a visit by PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, the internationalization idea contained in 181 re-surfaced and came up in a formal letter to the Secretary-General that was distributed to all member states. I asked for instructions from my prime minister, and I was told to go back to Ben-Gurions formulations in this regard from 1949 and use them, which I did. While internationalization and division of the city has no credibility today, given the experience of the past, the idea nonetheless still creeps up in prestigious research institutes and academic bodies that influence the policy-making community. Holy Sites in the Interim Period In 1993, with the signing of the Oslo Accords between Israel and the PLO, a second scenario for holy sites arose. Those agreements, which created interim arrangements, were implemented with respect to the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Jerusalem was designated as an issue for final status negotiations in the future. The Interim Agreement from 1995, which was the most important of the implementation instruments created under Oslo, made reference to religious sites in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip that were transferred to Palestinian jurisdiction (Annex III, Appendix 1, Article 32). While these agreements were signed by Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, or by his foreign minister, Shimon Peres, in his presence, it became clear that he never planned to relinquish Jerusalem. One month before his assassination in November 1995, Rabin stood in the Knesset and stated plainly that the borders of Israel during the permanent solution will include first and foremost united Jerusalemas the capital of Israel. In the meantime, during the interim period, guarantees were given to protect the holy sites, to assure free access to them, and to provide freedom of worship and practice. The Interim Agreement was signed by the parties here in Washington, in the White House, and witnessed by the U.S., Russia, Egypt, Jordan, Norway, and the EU, which added their signatures. How did this arrangement turn out? If the Interim Agreement was intended to provide a test run for the management of holy sites by the Palestinian leadership in a future final status agreement, it fell far short of what even the strongest advocates of the Oslo Accords had expected. In the aftermath of the failure of the Camp David summit in July 2000, the PLO launched what became known as the Second Intifada. Religious sites were specifically targeted. In Bethlehem, Fatah operatives and Palestinian security services assaulted Rachels Tomb in December 2000. Less than two years later, in April 2002, 13 armed Palestinians from Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and Fatah Tanzim forcibly entered the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem  the birthplace of Jesus and one of the holiest sites for Christianity. The gunmen seized the Christian clergy as hostages, looted church valuables, and desecrated Bibles. Another repeated target for attack was Josephs Tomb in Nablus, the protection of which was undertaken by the Palestinian side in the Oslo II Agreement. Gunmen from Fatah and Hamas took part in the ransacking of the site in October 2000. The site came under attack again as Palestinians torched Josephs Tomb in October 2015 and set it on fire. The Growing Assault by Jihadi Groups on Holy Sites across the Middle East The escalating aggression against holy sites in the West Bank cannot be examined in isolation. It was becoming a hallmark of many jihadi groups across the Middle East. There was the famous 2001 attack by the Taliban in the Bamiyan Valley of Afghanistan against the 2,000-year-old Buddhist statues there which were reduced to rubble. Ten years later in 2011, a suicide bomb exploded at the Coptic Orthodox Church in Alexandria, Egypt, killing 23 and wounding nearly 100. The Egyptian Interior Ministry placed responsibility for the attack on Jaish al-Islam, a Gaza-based organization that had conducted joint operations with Hamas in the past. These threats to Christian sites continued. In December 2016, a suicide bomber struck a chapel next to St. Marks Cathedral in Cairo. ISIS, which in the meantime had established itself in eastern Libya and in northern Sinai, took responsibility for the attack. But Egyptian security personnel also looked for a connection to the Muslim Brotherhood. And in 2017 on Palm Sunday, twin bombing attacks were perpetrated against churches in the Egyptian cities of Tanta and Alexandria, killing 41. ISIS declared its responsibility for the attacks, as well. The fact that ISIS participated in the assault should not have been surprising, since it came to Egypt after its involvement in a sectarian war in the Levant. In northern Syria, armed opposition groups had begun targeting religious sites, including Christian churches, not long after the Syrian civil war began. A Shia institution found in a number of villages, known as a husseiniya, was a repeated object of attack. In Iraq, ISIS broke off the cross from one of Mosuls main Syrian Orthodox churches and announced its conversion into a mosque. It was the second conversion of this sort to be conducted in Mosul. What is clear is that many of the organizations perpetrating attacks on holy sites were interconnected. Jaish al-Islam issued a communique in 2015 announcing its allegiance to ISIS. Sheikh Yusuf -al Qaradawi, who is viewed as the spiritual head of the Muslim Brotherhood and who resides in Qatar, issued his opinion on the 2001 Taliban attack on the Bamiyan Buddhas. His only reservation was based on his concern that such a move would elicit Buddhist retaliation against Muslims. Thus, the attack itself was not prohibited, but he was only concerned with its possible repercussions. Qaradawis religious opinions appear on the websites of Hamas, thus they can have an impact on other theaters of conflict. In Jerusalem, the key organization that represented radical Islam was the Northern Branch of the Islamic Movement in Israel  an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood. On the one hand, its leader, Sheikh Raed Salah, falsely charged Israel with threatening to undermine the foundations of the al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. He convened rallies under the banner of al-Aqsa is in Danger, and incited much of the Middle East with this lie. Yet while this movement claimed Israel was threatening the al-Aqsa Mosque, it had been instrumental in digging out the underground halls under the compound of the al-Aqsa Mosque, which ironically posed the greatest potential threat to its stability. At its own initiative, Israel worked with regional partners to protect the area from any instability. In 1947, Jerusalem was being showered with artillery fire and synagogues were being blown up. During the 1950s and 1960s, Jerusalem was divided by barbed wire, walls, and machine gun emplacements. Today, the unified city under Israeli control welcomes over three million tourists a year who visit its holy sites in peace and security. The State of Israel has acted responsibly in protecting this legacy of humanity. The question of the location of the U.S. Embassy is really a question of whether the United States recognizes Jerusalem as Israels permanent capital  sending a signal to the world that efforts to delegitimize Israel, to rewrite the history of other religions, and to pit Western countries against each other will fail. By recognizing Jerusalem and moving its embassy, the United States would help promote peace and security in the region. I wish to remind this committee that in the past there were states that fully respected Jerusalem as Israels capital. Indeed, 13 states had their embassies to Israel in Jerusalem until 1980. That year, however, the Soviet and Muslim blocs in the United Nations pushed through a resolution demanding that the 13 remove their embassies. They all did. The U.S. Secretary of State, Edmund Muskie, called the resolution fundamentally flawed, and that the U.S. considered the instruction that states remove their diplomatic missions from Jerusalem not binding and without force, stating, We reject it as a disruptive attempt to dictate to other nations. Whatever is finally decided on the embassy issue, states have a clear choice. They can support the State of Israel, which has acted responsibly in protecting this legacy of humanity, or they can undercut Israel, by preferring arrangements for the Holy City that plainly have not worked in the past and will undoubtedly fail in the future. There is a regional assault on holy sites underway across our region. Israel deserves your support as it defends Jerusalem. For only a free and democratic Israel will protect Jerusalem for all the great faiths. Ambassador Dore Gold has served as President of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs since 2000. From June 2015 until October 2016 he served as Director-General of the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Previously he served as Foreign Policy Advisor to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israels Ambassador to the UN (1997-1999), and as an advisor to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Home
My God, why have you forsaken me By Robert T. Smith

At the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, Texas, this exclamation from Jesus dying on the cross echoes through the centuries. There is nothing new under the sun. To Christians, the difficulties and sometimes tragedies of our lives here on earth are testament to our Gods desire to draw us into a relationship with him. Jesus did not come here on earth to have a good time, or to make bad people good, he came to make his people alive. To an unfortunate many in our country, this Texas mass murder is just another testament to Christians fairytale belief in a fictional character in the sky. Speaker of the House Paul Ryan called for prayers, and the Godless walked out and/or mocked this silly notion in many of the print and network news media. If there is a God, why did he allow this massacre to occur? If there is a God, why did he allow his Christians to be killed in his church while worshipping him? The Christian God either does not exist or does not care about us, nonexistent or a mean and vengeful entity in the minds of some. This mass murder is used as evidence to some that all there is to our lives is what we can get here on earth. Without God and his promise of a life beyond our time here on earth, any hardships in life are relegated to be addressed in full by each of us trying to get as much as we can, or to man and his government, the secular humanism of our time. To some, even if God does exist, he is not good and does not care about us as evidenced by this Texas tragedy. The God-less assign God a Santa Claus-like quality, limited to our short, mortal lives. Why worship or believe in some entity if not receiving good stuff. We can see that our human condition has not changed for a very long time, as indicated in a book written many thousands of years ago. The main character in this book has everything, riches, friends, family, well-to-do. He has a strong belief in a God that some believed was because he had been rewarded with his earthly riches and good times it is easy to believe in a God who just gives you goodies and an easy life. Without the good times it is inferred in the story, the main character would not have such a strong belief and possibly no belief in his God. In a catastrophic chain of events that befall the main character, all is lost, wealth, friends, family, and even his very health deteriorates to daily suffering. He is admonished by a friend that he must have done something very bad, or not have prayed hard enough to be punished by his God. To his friends, a God of wrath is extracting vengeance on him for not doing enough, even though the main character continues to believe in the goodness of his God, but questions why his God has subjected him to such suffering. Worst of all, the main characters wife admonishes him to curse his God and dieno strong belief warranted in his wifes mind, perhaps this God does not even exist if so many bad things have happened. This story of a man named Job is one that speaks to having strong belief in God regardless of fortunate or unfortunate life conditionsGods purpose in this thousands of years old story remains one for our times, God cares about our well-being, even when his means of achieving his goal are not clear to us. Even the rock of Christianity, Jesus, was unjustly tortured and murdered, subjected similarly to the bad side of the human condition of suffering, and feelings of hopelessness and helplessness of Job. Even though he fully knew his role and purpose here on earth, yet being fully involved in the human condition, in the end even Jesus cried out with the exclamation of my God why have you forsaken me. Jesus torture and execution is the clear example call to be followers of the way as we experience the difficulties and pain in our lives here on this earth, just as he did. In the end, the suffering and death of Jesus was for Gods good purpose, that as substitute debt payed for all of Gods deficient people. Jesus death would provide people a chance for an eternal life in the presence of their God. Being drawn to seek God through prayer especially in the face of hardship is the natural inclination of his people. The answer for Christians as to the question of why bad things can happen to good people is told in both of these cases of Job and Jesus, and many other text of the Holy Bible. Gods desire in the end is for the good. Some unbelievers mock Christians prayer to their God as useless, especially when bad things happen to them. They dont believe in God and cant see the long-term goal of a loving Goda forever relationship with his creation, his people. To Christians, it is the natural response to seek their creator, especially during tragic events like the Texas massacre. Gods promise is not that there will be no trials and tribulations in our time here on earth, it is that he wants to have a forever relationship with us, and works in ways not always clear to us and sometimes painfully so, to make that promise come true. To Christians, the answer to the exclamation of my God why have you forsaken me is the good newshe has not. Robert T. Smith is an environmental scientist who spends his days enjoying life and the pursuit of happiness with his family. He confesses to cling to his liberty, guns and religion, with antipathy toward the arrogant ruling elites throughout the country. Home
Where is the GOP refund window? By Michael R. Shannon

Scott Daugherty of the VirginianPilot has discovered a lawsuit that may make a conservative folk hero out of the lawyer/plaintiff. Bob Heghmann, a 70yearold retired lawyer who lives in Virginia Beach, VA, has filed a lawsuit in federal court charging the national and Virginia Republican parties with more than simple bad faith failure to repeal Obamacare, as Republicans had promised voters for over seven years. His lawsuit contends Republicans [have] been engaged in a pattern of Racketeering which involves massive fraud perpetrated on Republican voters and contributors as well as some Independents and Democrats. Heghmann believes the parties and national GOP leaders raised millions of dollars in campaign funds from trusting voters while knowing they werent going to be able to overturnObamacare. As far as Heghmann is concerned thats prima facie racketeering. Morton Blackwell, a Virginia GOP national committee member named in the lawsuit, issued a twoedged response to the filing. Blackwell began by denigrating Heghmanns call for legal accountability. He described the case as a frivolous, nuisance suit that should be thrown out of court by any judge. Then he followed up with a statement that sounds more like an amicus brief than a condemnation. [Blackwell] argued that progressives had taken over the Democratic Party and seemed to lament that conservatives had not yet taken over the Republican Party. Heghmann struck while the outrage was hot, filing just a week after Curator of the Senate Mitch McConnell failed to pass an Obamacare repealonly bill. Its Heghmanns belief Republican fundraising should be just as accountable to donors as any other commercial money raising effort. If Jim Bakker can go to jail for failing to honor pieinthesky promises, why shouldnt Republican committees be penalized for failing to honor pieinObamasface promises? Heghmann says, Republicans could have repealed and replaced Obamacare with twopage bill. But the leadership never intended to do it. They want government control of healthcare, because as far as Republicans and Democrats are concerned it's their way of balancing the books. Its Heghmanns belief he can strike a blow for an outraged conservative base because hes been a contributor, although not to the Virginia GOP or the RNC. The dangerous section of his suit is where he demands the political arms refund donors money if Obamacare isnt repealed. By his calculations the RNC raised more than $735 million and Virginia Republicans took more than $20 million to the bank between 2009 and 2016 using the repeal of Obamacare as leverage to open wallets around the country. If a promoter raised almost a billion dollars and promised to build a an energy plant and then didnt even break ground, he would be guilty of fraud in spite of the fact hes also probably a green energy advocate. So why shouldnt politicians who promise much and deliver nothing be held accountable, too? Thats easy, just like DC politicians exempted themselves from Obamacare, they also made sure theyre not legally actionable for lying to the public. However, that exemption doesnt apply to the state and national committees and thats where Heghmann gets his leverage. His first hurdle is surviving an expected motion to dismiss the lawsuit. If Heghmann makes it past that milestone, he has some interesting requests for the judge. He wants to limit the jury pool to Republicans who are both registered and voted and are aware of national issues. His contention is a jury of his peers in this instance is an informed and voting jury. His goal is not really to obtain refunds, I don't want to bankrupt GOP, I want GOP to do what it promised to do. Heghmann explains, Money is leverage to get them to do what they are supposed to do. Mostly Heghmann is a full supporter of Trump who is fed up. As far as hes concerned, Establishment Republicans have in effect repudiated the results of the last election. In their view the people made a mistake when they elected Donald Trump and the establishment is as interested in seeing Trump fail as Democrats are. Heghmann just wants the GOP to support Trumps agenda. He has a better chance of getting the money. You can follow Heghmanns lead without going to court. Simply attend the next town hall meeting of your GOP Senator or Congressman and demand a campaign contribution refund due to failure to perform. Should you know other contributors, stand up together and demand refunds in unison. If your politician is too gutless to wont hold a real town hall meeting, then hold a refund news conference outside his district office when hes back home. I doubt youll get your money back in either event, but the embarrassment and bad publicity generated for the Obamacare betrayers will be priceless. Michael R. Shannon is a public relations and advertising consultant with corporate, government and political experience around the globe. He is a dynamic and entertaining keynote speaker. He can be reached at mandate.mmpr (at) gmail.com. He is also the author of Conservative Christian's Guidebook for Living in Secular Times (Now with added humor!). Home
My Pilgrimage, Chapter Thirty-Six: The War between President Donald Trump and the American Leaders of the New World Order By Michael Moriarty

Actually no one knows exactly how many years, yea, decades, perhaps centuries of time on earth have contained these increasingly threatening concepts of and ambitions for A New World Order. One theory claims it all began with a Jesuit in the year 1776! The same Jesuit Order that trained me for four years of high school!! Was 1776 the first year of New World Order meddling in American affairs? The same year as the beginnings of the American Revolution. As Wikipedia describes A New World Orders most general meaning: global government only. The New World Order: an undeniably exclusive pet project within a certain and, over the decades and possible centuries, an increasingly influential and very privileged corner of the human race, most influential in the highest political positions of America. Whether direct or indirect, these mysteriously illuminated acolytes of A New World Order have succeeded in rather substantial ways. Sparsely put, both the League of Nations, founded just after World War I, and the United Nations, founded just after World War II, were both intended to be the safest anti-dotes to any form of further world war. The League of Nations, with the onset of World War II, obviously failed in its primary task. Now, with both America and North Korea on the brink of a nuclear exchange? And with both Red China and Neo-Soviet Russia, the undeniably Communist allies of North Korea, expressing a kind of mild disapproval of North Korea for openly threatening the United States with nuclear equipped missiles? The New World Order, as outlined by George H. W. Bush, would solve all of that. Its solution: Let the United Nations seem to be ruling the world, when, indeed, it is as it always has been, a negotiation between frequently conflicting forces such as International Communism or Islam, or both in an alliance, versus the individual freedom of the United States. If we end American sovereignty? Let the United Nations make all the final decisions?! PROBLEMS SOLVED!!! It is all, as even President Donald Trump suggests, a negotiation. Donald Trump, however,

wants nothing to do

with a New World Order

run by the United Nations. Neither do I. Because of such courageous resistance to the New World Order Establishment, the human race is quite obviously on the edge of a possible World War III. A full-blown, double-sided, nuclear and hydrogen-bomb-filled, potentially suicidal adventure. In short, and given the horrible prospects of such an event, what do we have? The fulfillment of Biblical prophecy: Armageddon. World War III, despite our wishful thinking, appears to be a Biblical inevitability! In addition to The New World Orders contempt for people such as President Trump and myself? Men and women like us who automatically fear any form of singular world sovereignty such as a New World Order? There are many, so-called enlightened yet despotic enemies of American individual freedom. And, like the Bush Family, they are American. Wikipedia claims that the concept of A New World Order was first made an official offering by President Woodrow Wilsons call for A League of Nations. The inevitable outcome of the League of Nations became, of course, the new but now-decades-old United Nations. Founded on October 24, 1945, the United Nations is now in its 72nd year. Im 76. Therefore, I feel justified in taking what my readers will note is a superior tone of voice toward the UN. Why? The founding documents of the United Nations are NOT the American Declaration of Independence, its Constitution and its Bill of Rights. The strength and resilient power of those sacred American, governing principles, created to maintain the maximum of individual freedom within the maximum resistance to any dictatorship?! I havent, in my 76 long and well-educated years, seen any set of documents anywhere to approach the proven indomitability of Americas singularly governing genius. However, these dreams of a New World Order, spoken by a former President of the United States, George H. W. Bush, from the moment I first heard them, have had me on my guard about the Bush Family. A still, rather recent apologist for A New World Order which he called A Thousand Year Reich, Adolf Hitler, is now and shall be inalterably known of as one of the greatest villains in all of human history. The Bush Familys George Prescott Bush and his alarming support for Hitler and Germanys Third Reich has me eternally on guard about the Bush Familys Long-term Goals.

Prescott Bush With Nazi Germany as one of the major sources for the Bush Familys great wealth?!

The Bush Family You dont completely bite the hand that fed your family first. You may pretend to nibble at it. Or ignore ones own, family history entirely. That can always work for a while. I have to deal with an albeit fictional ghost in the Moriarty family: Evil and Fiendish Dr. Moriarty of Sir Arthur Conan Doyles Sherlock Holmes series. And Im here to, as they say, clear the family name. The author of that libelous vision of Moriarty?! A man with names like Conan Doyle?! Born in Scotland of an Irish Catholic family?! And he makes himself more British than Queen Elizabeth?! An Irish traitor to everything Gaelic! Sold his soul to the Brits for a frequently cheapened title of British Lord. And makes a villain out of a divine Celtic family, The Moriartys?! Moriarty, in Gaelic, means architect! And with my oft used Hebrew first name of Michael or Mikha-el?! We have, altogether, a godlike architect. I take that all very seriously. And Im building both a literary and musical museum, so to speak, that will inevitably put the Irish traitor, Conan Doyle, to eternal shame. He and the spiritual father of Adolf Hitler, the composer Richard Wagner, virtually the founding father of German Anti-Semitism! One a treasonously offensive, ersatz British snob and the other, anti-Semitisms greatest genius. As for Irish sympathies with Nazi Germany? With divine geniuses like James Joyce?! He who has made a unique holy-man out of the unquestionably Hebrew Leopold Bloom and his goddess-like wife, Molly?!

An Inevitably Timeless Irish Saint The inner struggle of Ireland has never been with anti-Semitism but with the imperious presumptions of the British Empire. England now? Being, like Germany, over-run by Islam?! Reminds me of the Bush Family being haunted by Nazi bloodlines. Michael Moriarty is a Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning actor who starred in the landmark television series Law and Order from 1990 to 1994. His recent film and TV credits include The Yellow Wallpaper, 12 Hours to Live, Santa Baby and Deadly Skies. Contact Michael at rainbowfamily2008@yahoo.com. He can be found on Twitter at https://twitter.com/@MGMoriarty. Home
The European Commission and the head of European diplomacy, Federica Mogherini, are proposing increasing military mobility within the European Union as part of the drive to protect EU citizens and improve security environment. The Commission is about to take steps to address the obstacles, which complicate the movement of military equipment and staff across the bloc with the aim of facilitating and expediting their mobility to react in a fast and effective way to internal and external crises.

European citizens understand that only together, as a Union, can we tackle the security challenges of our times. Cooperation inside the European Union and with our partners has become a must. There is a growing demand for our Member States to coordinate and work together on defense. So while we are moving forward with the Permanent Structured Cooperation to make our defense more effective, we have also decided to further strengthen military mobility among EU Member States and in cooperation with NATO, said Federica Mogherini.

The EU is going to coordinate military mobility, including the strategic deployment of military forces and resources, not only between the EU and member states but also with all other relevant stakeholders, especially NATO. The key lines of action for stepping up mobility are to develop a shared understanding of the needs and requirements and a common understanding on the infrastructure as well as to address relevant regulatory and procedural issues, namely customs, dangerous goods, other legal barriers and national procedures.

The military of the European Union consists of a number of cooperative structures that have been established between the armed forces of the member states, both inter-governmentally and within the EUs institutional framework of the union. Defense has traditionally been the domain of individual member states but the EUs defense integration has intensified since the beginning of the 21st century including the establishment of a European Defense Agency and EU battlegroups.
The Saudi military last week closed air, sea and land entry points to Yemen, thus causing major disruptions in the delivery of humanitarian aid including life-saving supplies. The blockade caused a sharp rise in the price of basic commodities and thus further exacerbated the worst humanitarian crisis in the world. More than two thirds of Yemens population is in need of humanitarian assistance.

The European Union is concerned about the developments in the country with Brussels calling for a full and unrestrained access to humanitarian assistance immediately to avoid the Yemenis to suffer the largest famine in decades. This would risk further undermining the prospects of reaching a sustainable political agreement to the ongoing conflict.

The EU has been in touch with the Saudi authorities and the initial measures should be opening operations in Aden port and opening al Wadea border crossing. The EU also urges the Saudi-led coalition to immediately resume the United Nations flights and activities in the ports of Hodeida and Saleef as well as the opening of land borders for humanitarian aid and basic commodities. The delivery of life-saving supplies, which is critical for the Yemeni populations very survival, must be facilitated by all parties to the conflict.

In March 2015, an international coalition led by Saudi Arabia launched air strikes against the Huthi rebel group, triggering a protracted armed conflict. Over the following two years, the conflict has engulfed the entire country and became a battlefield between pro-Saudi and pro-Iranian forces. The war has claimed lives of more than 4,600 civilians, forced more than 3 million Yemenis out of their homes and forced about 2 million children out of school. Amnesty International has also confirmed that all parties to the conflict have committed human rights violations including war crimes.
Riverbend Festival has partnered with SoundCorps to reveal a new application process for local artists interested in performing at Chattanoogas largest music festival. "This development is designed to increase local artist engagement with Riverbend while showcasing the flourishing talent of Chattanooga musicians and steady growth of the local music scene," officials said.



Friends of the Festival Executive Director Chip Baker says, Riverbend is proud to have played a major role in the renaissance of Chattanoogas riverfront over the last three and a half decades. We are now experiencing a similar type of renaissance in Chattanoogas music scene and are excited to work alongside SoundCorps to keep the momentum going. Its important for Riverbend Festival to build even deeper relationships with local artists and provide a major platform to help our fans connect with excellent local music alongside the mainstay acts that our festival is known for.



SoundCorps Executive Director Stratton Tingle says, SoundCorps is thrilled to see major community players like Riverbend Festival utilizing our online music industry directory to book great homegrown talent. We built the directory to help the Chattanooga community more easily connect with excellent local music industry providers and this partnership greatly expands our reach throughout the region.



Bands with a physical address within 50 miles of Chattanooga may apply to perform at the 2018 Riverbend Festival by visiting www.SoundCorps.org/Riverbend. To complete the application, artists must have a band profile (free to build) on the SoundCorps directory at www.SoundCorps.org/Directory.



Applications are open until midnight on Dec. 31.
What DejW said - to which I'll add a couple of observations.



Salaries in France tend to be somewhat lower than those in the UK. So generally speaking you can't and won't be able to rely on any sort of direct "translation" of your UK salary to a French one.



And the whole "quality of life" comparison doesn't really hold up to any sort of direct translation, either. Lifestyles in France are also very different from those in the UK. Simple example is that of the whole area of health care. In the UK, health care is more or less "free" at the point of delivery, whereas in France, the national system covers only about 70% of most care, though your employer will probably offer a "mutuelle" to cover the remainder. The cost of the mutuelle is split between employer and employee, with the more expensive plans covering more of certain kinds of care and treatment.



Also, although it's changing, what a French person considers their "net" take-home pay is gross less social insurances, but not income tax. Income taxes are settled after the end of the year at present. This is supposed to be changing for 2019 or so, but the devil is in the details and just now no one is sure exactly how that's going to work.



It's probably more relevant in your case to try to understand what other folks in your prospective employer's company are making and/or to compare prices in the Orleans area for housing, food and general expenses.

Cheers,

Bev
Environmental protections for wildlife at the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge near the border in South Texas are also safeguarding one of the U.S. beef industrys worst enemies: the cattle fever tick.

Texas lawmakers appealed on behalf of the states ranchers to Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke for help containing the deadly pest in a Nov. 1 letter that sought assistance from the Trump administration, saying the Obama administration had not taken adequate steps against the spread of infestation. The fever tick carries bovine babesiosis, a blood disease that in the late 1800s nearly wiped out the U.S. cattle herd and caused other states to shun or restrict cattle from Texas. Once eradicated in all but a narrow zone along the U.S.-Mexico border, the tick has in recent years been found increasingly farther inland.

The fever tick is spreading unchecked on the 98,000-acre coastal preserve, which attracts bird-watchers from around the world and is home to some of the last of the nations wild ocelots. Its been problematic for tick control as it is a protected natural habitat that nearly touches Mexico, making it easy for tick-carrying wildlife such as nilgai, a nonnative antelope, to spread the tick from Mexico. It is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which falls under the U.S. Department of the Interior.

The Refuge is in the center of the tick infestations and (Fish and Wildlife Service) has not taken adequate steps to control its infestation of fever ticks on nilgai antelope and other wildlife, according to a news release accompanying the letter by U.S. Reps. Vicente Gonzalez, D-McAllen, and Jodey Arrington, R-Lubbock, and backed by Texas entire congressional delegation. The congressmen request that the FWS develop and execute a plan to combat the spread of the fever tick from Laguna Atascosa to bordering properties.

Whats now the Texas Animal Health Commission was established in 1893 to address the problem. In 1943, the ticks were declared eradicated from the U.S. save for the permanent quarantine zone along the Rio Grande. But in recent years, the ticks have increasingly been found outside that zone, prompting expanded quarantines in border counties and temporary quarantine zones in counties farther north.

While the U.S. has strict rules requiring infected animals to be quarantined and treated to keep the ticks from spreading, Mexico does not. And nilgai, cattle and other hosts for the tick sometimes roam across the border from Mexico, compromising ongoing eradication efforts such as systematic treatment or moving cattle out of infested pastures.

An outbreak of infected ticks could ultimately result in as much as 90 percent loss of susceptible cattle, the congressmen said in the letter. Therefore, the spread of the fever tick poses a major threat to the entire United States livestock industry and economy.

Since Texas is the nations leading state in cattle production, the ramifications of a babesiosis outbreak could be huge. Arrington said even a small outbreak outside the quarantine zone could cost about $120 million in the first year alone. According to the USDA, an extended tick outbreak could cost U.S. ranchers and the broader economy more than $1.2 billion in extermination expenses and lost revenue from diseased animals.

In late November of last year, Texas animal health inspectors found fever ticks on a bull on a Live Oak County farm  about 110 miles north from the Mexico border. By January, the ticks had been found on seven neighboring premises, prompting the TAHC to set up a temporary Control Purpose Quarantine Area. It was the fourth such quarantine zone, following ones set up in Willacy, Kleberg and Jim Wells counties.

As of this month, the TAHC was reporting more than 700,000 acres in Texas under various types of fever tick quarantines that have been set outside of the permanent quarantine zones. With the permanent zones, more than 1.3 million acres are under quarantine, the congressmen said, to include more than 200 infected premises and more than 2,000 ranches that have been exposed to infested cattle or are adjacent to infestations.

The discovery in Live Oak prompted suspicions that ticks are catching rides north on the backs of white-tailed deer and nilgai, which can wander long distances and leap over ranch fences.

Epidemiological investigations and genetic analysis of fever ticks in infested areas continue and have not identified the source of the fever ticks in Live Oak County, T.R. Lansford, TAHCs assistant executive director of animal health programs, said in an email. TAHC and USDA continue the investigations and analyses, but it is possible we will not find a definitive source.

Its estimated that 70 percent of white-tailed deer and nearly 70 percent of nilgai on Laguna Atascosa are infested, prompting officials to require animals killed by hunters be tested and skinned on site, freezing the heads that are kept for mounting for 24 hours to kill the ticks. In recent years, the USDA has contracted with helicopters and sharp shooters for aerial attacks that have so far killed hundreds of the nilgai. The refuge has also offered public hunting opportunities for nilgai and white-tailed deer, had controlled burns and allowed the use of corn treated with ivermectin, which targets parasites, in deer feeders on nearby private property.

The Obama administration disallowed the use of ivermectin on private properties near the refuge, and members of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association say the other measures havent been enough.

The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association believes this suspension and the current state of inaction are unacceptable given the seriousness of the issue, J.D. Cage, chairman of the TSCRA Fever Tick Subcommittee, said in a June 2016 Cattlemens Column.

Jeremy Fuchs, the groups spokesman, said the USDA has already conducted an environmental assessment that found no significant impact with using corn treated with ivermectin on the refuge. He said other requests included further reducing wildlife populations and introducing a small cattle herd that has been treated to attract and kill the ticks.

Laramie Adams, national legislative director for the Texas Farm Bureau, said stakeholders were hopeful the new administration would be willing to collaborate with state and other federal agencies on the methods.

Cattle are the number one preferred host for the fever tick. And then wildlife are secondary hosts, he said. Well, then you can gather and treat cattle. You cant do that with a bunch of nilgai antelope, thats pretty much a given.

Adams added that FWS had allowed ivermectin-treated corn on properties near the refuge for more than 20 years, but under the previous administration suspended it.

In general, its hard to completely eradicate the fever tick if you have a tract of land as big as the Laguna Atascosa, Adams said. So its good that we have a new administration, leaders of the Fish and Wildlife Service and the Department of the Interior that are working with agencies and all the stakeholders to finally get something done on the fever tick.

The service said it was allowing the use of ivermectin in deer feeders on private properties and was considering the other suggested methods.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has been working in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Texas Animal Health Commission to aggressively eradicate cattle fever ticks on Service lands, the agency said in a statement. We continue to work with our partners, local communities, and governmental agencies on eradication efforts.

That would be welcome to ranchers like Live Oak Countys Harriet Lamm, whos on the edge of one of the quarantine zones and must have any cattle she wants to move or sell inspected and dipped in a pesticide mixture.

Since her area escaped the wrath of Hurricane Harvey, shes hopeful the otherwise hot, dry summer and fall kept the tick population down so that the quarantine will be lifted as early as April.

The eggs are pretty good survivors, but it being dry and really hot that has helped during the summer  It keeps the eggs from surviving, she said. Thats the only way dry is good for the ranchers.

lbrezosky@express-news.net
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

More than 40 years after the death of an Alice police officer, authorities have arrested a man in Alabama they say bragged about the slaying.

Alice Police Chief Rex Ramon on Monday announced the arrest of Roberto Lopez, 70, in the killing of Matt Murphy, who was shot four times in his squad car during a traffic stop Dec. 1, 1974. The vehicle he stopped sped off, and police never found it or its occupants.

Authorities traveled to Alabama last week to serve the arrest warrant on Lopez, who is already serving a life sentence there for armed robbery, Ramon said.

Its a long time coming, Ramon said.

In January, Ramon, Laredo Cold Case Texas Ranger Nathaniel Mutz and Alice police Sgt. Aniceto Perez convened to re-examine the case files.

They found that a witness who had seen the shooter before the slaying had picked Lopez out of a lineup. In another file, the investigators found a statement by an inmate claiming that Lopez had confided in him about killing a cop in Alice.

In April, Mutz and others interviewed the 75-year-old inmate, who stood by his story that Lopez had bragged about the murder. The next day, at the end of a six-hour interview, an ailing Lopez said he would confess to the murder if he could get lethal injection, Ramon said.

The chief said Lopez had been suspected for years. Since day one, Ramon said.

One of the difficulties in the case was that one of the suspects in the car stopped by Murphy was thought to have been murdered in Dallas, said former Alice Police Chief Randy Weems. Weems had committed during his tenure to catching Murphys killer but could not nail down a warrant.

There was a lot of strange things that happened in this case, Weems said. Based upon my review of the case, there was obvious corruption in the community and the suspect may not have acted out on his own, and I wouldnt be surprised if he confessed that there wouldnt be other people indicted as well.

Murphy, 33, had been reassigned off the narcotics beat after a string of 30 drug arrests. He was placed on the patrol beat and stopped a car while searching for narcotics, according to Weems.

He had served with the Alice Police Department for 11 years and is survived by his wife and two children. Murphy was the first police officer to be killed in the line of duty in Alice, a town about 50 minutes west of Corpus Christi. On the wall in the police station is a placard with his name, and anyone who comes inside must pass by it, Ramon said.

Murphys then-partner, Albert Tito Bernal, told the Paris News in 1993 that he and Murphy were working a drug investigation that year and that a suspect told the officers that a contract was out for their lives.

(The suspect) said, I hope its not true, but they say youre a narc, you and your friend. I said, Do I look like one of those guys?, Bernal said.

Murphy also worked for about three years with the San Patricio County Sheriffs Office, said Sheriff Leroy Moody, a deputy at the time.

He was a hardworking individual, he did a good job and it was a shock to all of us when we found out hed been killed, Moody said.

A spokesman at the prison where Lopez is confined confirmed that he has been there since his sentencing in 1981. Because he is already serving a life sentence for armed robbery, the only way his classification would change would be if the new charges lead to the death penalty.

jlawrence@express-news.net
As a trio of 150-ton crawler cranes sashayed around the Interstate 410 and U.S. 90 construction site Saturday morning, lifting 130-foot-long, 220-ton steel beams into a dizzying aerial puzzle, a frustrated saleswoman at Clayton Homes on a frontage road just 50 yards away surveyed her customer-less parking lot.

This is not good, China Rowe said about the traffic closure apocalypse that the Texas Department of Transportation has announced at the interchange for the next few weekends.

Weve lost 20 to 25 percent of our Saturday customers, the former Austin resident said. Its our busiest day. Some drive a long way, say, from Leakey, see all the backed-up traffic and just cancel their appointment.

Its a frequent scene in one of the fastest-growing urban areas in America. Once-manageable major interchanges become over-loaded and then are targeted for TxDOTs flyover extravaganza, with new frontage roads, exit ramps and concrete galore.

This weekend, all lanes of Loop 410 at its interchange with U.S. 90 will be closed from 8 p.m. Friday to roughly 5 a.m. Monday, as welders suspend themselves over the highway to get beams properly situated.

Drivers can expect some closures on U.S. 90 every night from Monday through Nov. 22 and Nov. 27-30, and can expect the same activity on Loop 410 between Nov. 29 and Dec. 22, San Antonio-based TxDOT spokesman Josh Donat said.

The detours required to dodge the construction are so complicated that Donat made a video to explain them all at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3yMc8hKH4Q&feature=youtu.be. The first half of the video was about detours needed for last weekend, but the second half gives you directions for this weekend.

The all-growth-is-good crowd seems unperturbed. But many of the businesses in the shadow of the TxDOT cranes feel they have become collateral damage.

The construction crews have dug 8-foot trenches in front of both of our parking lot entrances, Rowe said. Theyve damaged our gates, and offered no repair, and back in June or July they left exposed rebar sticking up from the road. I see fender-benders continually on the frontage roads. It all seems like such a monumental hassle.

Having traveled throughout train-happy Europe, Rowe said wistfully: If Europe can figure out how to take a train under the English Channel to France, why cant Texas figure out how to give us basic urban rail instead of just more of this?

About a half-mile west of Rowes manufactured- homes outlet, the owner of the Step N Go convenience store on Hunt Lane, next to a reconfigured cloverleaf on U.S. 90, said a good Saturday morning might bring 400 customers to his modest two-gas-pump business.

But now I would guess were losing 60 to 70 customers a day, said the Pakistani man, who has lived in San Antonio 20 years and asked that his name not be used. Weve put up with this construction on Highway 90 for two years, and now they say the (work on the) interchange at 410 will go on until 2019. Because of all this Ive had to cut my employees from five down to three.

The owner was more annoyed than angry. He wishes TxDOT could spread out the misery somewhat for businesses. Maybe inconvenience us for months, not years, he said. Weve lost 25 to 30 percent of our business and it has not been for just a few weeks. Theres no compensation from the state, nor any concessions from the city for our business licenses.

Donat confirmed that there were no state funds he knew of that might be available to business owners who might see a lengthy financial hardship due to TxDOT highway construction.

I think that would be a Pandoras box, said Donat, suggesting an endless parade of perhaps questionable litigants. About the best we can do is maintain appropriate access to these businesses. We try to be as accommodating as possible, but thats very difficult on a weekend like this.

Donat is very familiar with the Step N Go and said it has unique access problems made worse by city and utility construction. I totally feel for them. The best we can do is offer our sympathy.

In the irony department, one of the workers involved with the cranes Saturday morning, Colby Bellew of Houston-based Ray Bellew and Sons, a flatbed and heavy-haul business, said he, too, gets stuck in the agonizing 410/90 traffic that his project is producing.

We just have to laugh, said Bellew, wearing a bright green safety vest and orange bandanna. But the people in the traffic give us everything from a middle finger to any bad word you can imagine.

All I can say, he offered with a grin, is that it could be much worse. It could be Austin traffic.

bselcraig@express-news.net
Cleveland Middle School hosts the Fall Scholastic Book Fair all week, 7:45 am - 3:30 pm. Students and families are invited to visit and shop in the library; all proceeds benefit CMS by helping to build the library collection and contribute to classroom libraries. Click here to order online. For more information contact Grace Dyrek, gdyrek@clevelandschools.org.



The Denning Center hosts Coffee with the Counselor on Tuesday, 7:30-8:30 am. Parents/guardians can drop in and discuss important topics related to their student and check on their progress. Coffee, tea, and donuts are provided. For more information contact Blair Deacon-Smith, 423-339-0902, bdeacon@clevelandschools.org.



The Denning Center hosts FAFSA Frenzy on Tuesday, 2:00-5:00 pm. Parents, guardians, and students can work with an expert on the Free Application for Federal Student Aide (FAFSA). We will have representatives from Cleveland State Community College and the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation to work one on one with families. For more information contact Blair Deacon-Smith, 423-339-0902, bdeacon@clevelandschools.org.



George R. Stuart Elementary hosts PTO Spirit Night at Stadium BBQ on Tuesday, 4:00-8:00 pm. The school will receive 20% of the profits, if you say you are from Stuart. For more information contact Richelle Shelton, 423-476-8246, rshelton@clevelandschools.org.



George R. Stuart Elementary School Character Ed Breakfast will be Wednesday. Student of the Month representatives will be honored at the breakfast. For more information contact Richelle Shelton, 423-476-8246, rshelton@clevelandschools.org.



Ross Elementary and Yates Primary hosts an ESL Night on Thursday, 5:30-7:30 pm at Ross. Students and families visit stations to learn about technology, community resources, and more. ESL students will perform and pizza will be provided. Click here for more information or contact Lisa Earby, 423-479-7274, learby@clevelandschools.org.



Cleveland High School Theater presents its annual Class Play Off Production. Class Plays Offs are a festival of grade-level one-act plays that are student-directed by Senior Thespian Members. Performances of all shows will be held at Cleveland High School's Betsy Vines Memorial Theater on November 16 and 17 at 7:00 pm and November 18 at 2:00 pm. Tickets are $5.00 and doors open 30 minutes prior to the show. Cleveland High School Theater, home of Thespian Troupe 505, is under the supervision of Don Markham, theater director. Click here for more information or contact Don Markham, dmarkham@clevelandschools.org.



Schools will host Thanksgiving Lunch this week:

Mayfield - Wednesday - Grades 1, 2, 5

Mayfield - Thursday - Grades K, 3, 4

E. L. Ross - Thursday - Grades 3 & 4

Parent Teacher Conferences:

Denning Center - Tuesday, 3:00-5:00 pm

Thanksgiving Break will be November 20-24. Students will return to school on Monday, November 27.


The Stable Fly Action Group, in partnership with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), held a stable fly symposium in Gingin recently to inform local cattle and vegetable, producers, as well as affected industry personnel, of the research conducted to date on the fly and measures that can be taken to minimise, and if possible, eradicate it before the situation gets worse.
I saw something on Facebook that said if Donald Trump can be president, you can do anything, so I just applied for the job, not thinking I would get it, Nick said.
The company expanded into Australia in 1989, with its first office in Perth, and it crossed into NZ in 2002 with its first office established in Christchurch due to the population of sheep numbers in the South Island.
Dalton State will break ground on a new building for the Wright School of Business this Thursday, at 2 p.m. The public is invited to attend.We are excited about this major milestone of growth at Dalton State, said Dalton State President Margaret Venable. The physical expansion of our business school facilities is long overdue, and the extraordinary gift that Lamar and Ann Wright made to enable this project was the catalyst for this wonderful event.The $5 million gift made by Dalton State alumnus Lamar Wright and his wife Ann Wright was matched with $5 million from the State of Georgia for a total project cost of $10 million.Our partners in the Northwest Georgia legislative delegation led the way to secure the state funding portion of this project, Dr.Venable said. We are proud of their support for the College and our students with projects like this.The project is intended to expand and renovate the Colleges Gignilliat Memorial Hall, a general classroom building that was completed in the early 1970s. The building currently houses classrooms, faculty offices, some campus support operations and Janet and Stan Goodroe Auditorium.The nearly 20,000-square-foot addition will incorporate new classrooms, a finance laboratory, student collaboration and study spaces, and additional gathering spaces for public events. The existing building will be renovated with upgraded classrooms and technology.This kind of facility is vital for our business programs on campus and for Dalton States support of the regional business community, said Dr. Marilyn Helms, dean of the Wright School of Business and sesquicentennial chair and professor of Logistics and Supply Chain Management.With the recent growth of our academic offerings and the quality of our pre-existing programs, the time is right for a physical expansion of what were already doing programmatically, Dr. Helms said. Well celebrate the 20th anniversary of our first business bachelors degrees in 2019, and this kind of facility will help sustain our momentum.The new finance lab with Bloomberg terminals, for example, will help prepare students for careers in banking and investments. New, modern computer labs will expand our ability to offer SAP, the enterprise management software employed by major manufacturers, to our logistics and supply chain management and management information system majors. Well see a myriad of benefits to our students thanks to what the Wright family has done here.Facility preparation for construction is currently underway, and the project will be completed in January 2019.Hendessi and Associates is program manager for the project. Clark Patterson Lee Architects of Atlanta designed the facility and Parrish Construction Group will complete construction.Parking for the groundbreaking ceremony will be available in the faculty/staff lot on the east side of Gignilliat Memorial Hall facing College Drive and in front of the Westcott Administration Buidling.
Overall I think its going to remain a very healthy situation, none of the processors have got stockpiles, weve got a stable dollar, I expect the offering to remain 40,000-45,000 (bales) nationally and no ones got wool they are suddenly going to drag out of the cupboard and dump on the market.
Yolanda Washington photo by Mitch Talley Alicia Hall photo by Mitch Talley Daniel Miller photo by Mitch Talley Retired Judge Jack Partain, who helped start Drug Court 15 years ago, holds an award presented by his successor, Judge Jim Wilbanks (far left) photo by Mitch Talley Drug Court Judge Jim Wilbanks (left) presents a token of appreciation to Don Hoffmeyer, coordinator of the program, during the 15th anniversary celebration photo by Mitch Talley Previous Next

Yolanda Washington says she was addicted to crack cocaine.Alicia Hall admits she was broken and just wanted to stop abusing drugs.Daniel Miller told himself for decades he would quit using some day but he could never figure out how.Then these three people heard about the Conasauga Circuit Drug Court, a program organized in 2002 by recently retired Judge Jack Partain, and like 253 other graduates over the past 15 years, their lives were changed for the better.Without this program, said Ms.Washington, a 2006 graduate of Drug Court, I wouldnt be able to be standing here today. In 2016, I lost a daughter and two grandkids to a drunk driver. I wouldnt be able to live through that today if it wasnt for this program. Yall taught me how to live without drugs  and Im so grateful for that.Ms. Hall, meanwhile, graduated from the program in 2010 but candidly admits she relapsed after that and wound up spending time in prison. She credits her time behind bars, when she developed a relationship with Jesus, with turning her life around and says shell be clean four years come Jan. 15, 2018.I have new goals today, Ms. Hall says. Im engaged to be married (to another Drug Court participant), I have a full-time job, I have my own car, my own place to live  and I paid for all those things myself.Mr. Miller, a 2016 Drug Court graduate, credits the program with helping him overcome years of addiction.Fresh out of high school, he says, I was addicted by drugs, controlled by drugs, getting and using and find ways and means to get more. My life was consumed with that. Thats how I lived. I always wanted to quit using drugs  I just didnt know how. Those days turned into years, and those years turned into decades, and next thing you know, Id been using drugs for nearly 30 years. I always kept saying Im gonna quit sometime. I just couldnt do it on my own.Finally, Mr. Miller got into some trouble with the law. Instead of trying to beat the rap this time, though, he decided to seek help for his addiction after his 12-year-old daughter told him, Dad, youve got a problem.I thought Id do this thing called Drug Court, Mr. Miller said. I decided whatever they said, I was gonna do it. That was the only way I knew  Id seen other people get in this thing and get off drugs, so I just kinda surrendered and did whatever the judge said to do. I learned how to be honest, which was something Id never done. Id always lied my way out of it.Washington, Hall, and Miller shared their stories during an inspirational program celebrating the 15th anniversary of Drug Court held at Rock Bridge Community Churchs Stage 123 in downtown Dalton on Oct. 17.Sixteen years ago, (Judge Partain) set off on a mission that would change this community and the people in it that were in addiction, Judge Jim Wilbanks said. He worked long and hard to design and implement Drug Court, all the time knowing that it was the right thing to do because he knew that reuniting families and improving our community was his goal.Mr. Wilbanks, who succeeded Partain as Drug Court judge after he retired last year, presented him with a plaque from Gov. Nathan Deal, who praised the local Drug Court for its motivation and commitment that inspires all who are striving to better themselves.I would also like to commend Judge Partain for his leadership and his hard work in implementing and starting this program, the governor said. I appreciate the many contributions youve made to our state, and I believe that we are stronger because of your dedicated efforts.Mr. Partain said he wasnt expecting any recognition for his efforts, instead giving credit for the Drug Court success to the staff and the participants themselves.Im deeply grateful for the honor that yall have bestowed upon me tonight - I am - but really Im not sure Im the one that deserves this honor, Mr. Partain said. Im just the guy that brought Drug Court to Dalton and Murray County; thats pretty much all that Ive done. The real honor goes to the staff and the folks that have helped me develop this program and make it into what it is over the years. Theyre the ones that have made the program work, number one, and number two, the participants themselves have made it work. Theres no way this program could be successful without hard-working participants who are successes in and of themselves.Mr. Partain says he expects the success stories to continue in the future under his successor.Judge Wilbanks has been with us from the very beginning, Mr. Partain said, noting that Wilbanks helped organize Drug Court during his time as a public defender. I was very fortunate he became a judge and I was able to turn it over to him and I did so with a tremendous amount of confidence that I knew the program was going to survive and do well  and thrive.Wilbanks also honored Don Hoffmeyer, coordinator of the Drug Court team, for his contributions, describing him as an indispensable part of the program.We wouldnt be where we are today with the program that we have today, maintaining the high bar that Judge Partain has passed to us, if it werent for you, Wilbanks said to Hoffmeyer.Hoffmeyer thanked his Drug Court staff, quipping that I just open the doors and cut the lights on in the morning  they do all the work. And its my honor and my privilege to be associated with these participants.Wilbanks thanked the hundreds of people who turned out for the anniversary celebration.Thank you for your participation in the program if you are a participant or a graduate, the judge said, or thank you for your support if you are just someone involved ancillary to the program. I see law enforcement, I see probation, I see community service, I see former treatment providers, I see current treatment providers, sheriffs deputies, police officers, just people of the community that have always been there when we needed something. They always step forward and help us. Thank you to all of you for that.Wilbanks looks forward to more successes for the Drug Court in the coming years.But this is a time to celebrate 15 years, to celebrate the people that have made it happen and the people who have supported it  and those who continue to support us, he said. We pledge to you to continue to pursue our purpose statement which is Saving Lives, Preventing Failures, Improving Our Community.Helping to set the mood for the night was the heartfelt performance of Soul Talk, a contemporary praise and worship band from Salem Baptist Church made up of Scott McAllister, John Buckner, Randy Parker, Sandy Hankins, Mickey Moose Hall, and Paxton Bennett. The band sang several inspiring songs before the celebration as well as between speakers. The words to one song Redeemed were particularly appropriate for Drug Court: I am redeemed. You set me free so I shake off these heavy chains, wipe away every stain, Im not who I used to be. But I am redeemed. All my life I have been called unworthy. I just dont have to be, the old man inside of me. Ive got a brand new name, my old life is not the same.The program also included the presentation of colors by the Murray County Sheriffs Office Color Guard, as well as the Pledge of Allegiance led by some of the children of Drug Court participants. Rev. Pat Gross also led an inspiring benediction.DRUG COURT TEAMJudge Jim Wilbanks, Presiding JudgeDon Hoffmeyer, CoordinatorSusan Beck, District Attorneys OfficeWalt Eddy, Public Defenders OfficeJimmy Davenport, Detective, Murray County Sheriffs OfficeScott McAllister, Whitfield County Sheriffs OfficeScott Murray, Detective, Dalton Police DepartmentCatherine Schueman, CCS, CACIIAnna Smith, Community SupervisionDRUG COURT STAFFMarshall Lynch, LPCRosafay Lawson, MSWPrudence Byers, CITCurtis Howery, M.EdMike Stein, LPC (contracted)
Martin Kenneys provocative post last week for the FCPA Blog suggests that the Paradise Papers, like the Panama Papers, is just a titillating non-story. He makes a number of interesting arguments. Here are the ones I disagree with.

Kenney rightly argues that many practices revealed by both of the large-scale data leaks are perfectly legal, and he says it is important not to confuse an ethical debate over tax policy and social responsibliity with an argument about legality. This is true, but I dont think transparency campaigners are particularly confused about this issue.

He goes on to argue that it is in everyones interest to have offshore tax-efficient systems available to Big Business, because if specific countries try to crack down on tax avoidance, Big Business will simply move elsewhere. This confuses a collective action (or tragedy of the commons) argument with a utilitarian one. The same arguments were made regarding climate change for many years: If countries enacted too many enviromental protections, companies that wanted to pollute freely would go elsewhere.

Kenneys contention is more an argument for a coordinated international response than a justification for inaction. It is hard to maintain that ordinary people in the vast majority of countries should have to pay their assessed taxes while Big Business is exempt. The job creation argument is also questionable in the context of automation and artificial intelligence, the growth of the gig economy, and a disrupted social contract.

Kenney contends that because some uses of offshore jurisdictions are perfectly legitimate, no action whatsoever should be taken on their use. This is a favorite argument of the NRA and others that lobby against gun control: Guns can be used for leisure and sport as well as mass murder, so it is unfair to try to regulate them at all. I think the pertinent question is the overall level of harm facilitated by these offshore vehicles in providing opportunities for politically exposed figures, money launderers, and criminals. It is surely an argument for nuanced, thoughtful policies, not inaction.

Kenney suggests that disclosure of beneficial ownership violates legitimate privacy rights, and says transparency campaigners would not wish to see their private banking records leaked into the public domain. He is falsely equating the confidentiality of financial information with disclosure of ownership. And though Kenney is right that criminals are going use proxies and give false information anyway, disclosure mandates surely make it much easier to separate the legitimate from the illegitimate through research and investigative work. If there is no ownership problem and nothing to hide, what is the issue with disclosure?

Perhaps the biggest problem with Kenneys argument is that the cat is already out of the bag. Attempts to maintain the current structures of corporate confidentiality and legal protection are under sustained attack from professional, well-funded activists who are driven by ethical-transparency goals. Trying to maintain the traditional legal structures that corporate groups have used to protect themselves is growing irrelevant when reputation has become an ethical issue, not a legal one.

As legal and ethical arguments become disaggregated, the wise choice for todays companies is to behave as if everything they say or do might become public. Failure to adapt to this new environment would suggest a lack of engagement with public sentiment that will serve business poorly in the long term.

_____

Alison Taylor, pictured above, is director of advisory services at BSR, a non-profit consultancy and company network focused on sustainability and CSR. Shes the author of the working paper, The Five Levels of an Ethical Culture. Her article, We Shouldnt Always Need a Business Case to Do the Right Thing, appeared in the September 19, 2017 edition of the Harvard Business Review. She can be contacted here.


Susan Hogan is the protagonist of my Oak Grove Mystery series. I meant her to be a bit different than the stereotypical cozy heroine. To some extent, I succeeded, because my main beta reader confessed he didnt like her as well as the women in my other series, and one reviewer called her prickly. With this list, I give readers a chance to judge for themselves, but I hope the list will make you want to read about Susans crime-solving adventures.

Judy Alter

Susan Hogan, associate professor of English at the fictional Oak Grove University, is thirty-five, single, and never married; she has, in fact, a bit of a fear of commitment that sometimes gets in the way of her relationship with Jake Phillips, chief of campus security.

Susan Hogans romance with Jake- a cop (pardon, law enforcement officer) falls into the cozy cliche trap of heroine and police officer but works well for plot purposes.

Susan is an energetic, stimulating classroom teacher; her field is American literature of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

Raised by a maiden aunt in Wichita Falls, Texas Susan would like to feel shes a free spirit, but she clings to many of Aunt Jennys preachings about life, morals, and manners.

She can cut up a salad and set a proper table, but dont ask Susan to cook. Jake is a master at the grill, and Aunt Jenny cooks everything from pots of soup to King Ranch chicken, but Susan cant figure out Hollandaise sauce.

Susan wears her hair in a spikey cut and runs her hands through it all the time. She cant be bothered with hair-styling and prefers jeans or, at the least, slacks, hasnt worn a skirt in years.

Susan is not status conscious. She drives a battered, old Honda but would really love to go back and forth to campus on Jakes moped. Since she once wrecked it, Jake fears for the safety of both Susan and his moped and has forbidden her to ride it.

Susan was at odds with the former chair of the English department, and she finds university rules and regulations cumbersome and restrictive. Professors whose field is Renaiisance literature seem to irritate her.

Susan is cautious about warming up to peoplethe city police lieutenant, the sheriffand she can get crosswise, as she does with Marge the waitress who thinks shes guilty of murder, but shes fiercely loyal to those she lovesJake, Aunt Jenny and her paramour Judge John Jackson, her fellow teacher Ellen Peck, and newcomer to the series, Gus Conroy.

Susan Hogan is, at best a free spirit, representing contemporary feminist thinking in moderation and without the extremes, but tempering her freedom with a bit of the traditional role of women.

In short, Susan Hogan is someone Id like to meet and hang out with.
Jared Leto was mistaken for Jay Leno at the MTV EMAs.

Jared Leto at the MTV EMAs

The 'Suicide Squad' star looked less than impressed when MC Grindah joked it was nice to meet the 67-year-old TV presenter, before Rita Ora - who hosted the ceremony - corrected him.

Rita and Grindah were chatting off stage when she noticed Jared was next to them and said: "We're stopping Jared Leto from coming across, come on in, come and join the party."

Grindah then grabbed Rita's microphone and said: "I love Jay Leno, man, he's sick."

Rita then revealed his name is Jared and the 'Some People Just Do Nothing' star fist bumped the 'Dallas Buyers Club' actor, who asked: "What's your name?"

The comedian replied: "Grindah."

Jared then said: "Ah, OK, I'll get to know him."

Following the awkward encounter, the Hollywood star praised host Rita.

He told the crowd: "By the way, I just have to say, Rita Ora is doing an incredible job on the show tonight. You are amazing, thank you."

It was a successful night for Jared, whose band 30 Seconds To Mars triumphed in the Best Alternative category, and he thanked Europe for changing the group's lives in his acceptance speech, branding America "a land of immigrants".

He said: "Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Europe, you have changed our lives. This is for you, this is about you and we stand here proudly on this stage tonight in celebration of you so thank you.

"We are Americans, a land of immigrants. We just want to say that we welcome you with open arms and with open hearts. We love you. God bless you. We hope to see you on tour. In March and April, we will be coming to the UK on tour."

It was a busy night for Jared as he also presented U2 with the Global Icon Award at the spectacle, and thanked the Irish rockers for changing his life.

He said: "U2 changed my life. I discovered their seminal album 'The Joshua Tree' and it became the soundtrack of my youth ... U2 isn't just a band, it's a way of life. Their songs, our prayers, their concerts, a church. They challenge us, they inspire us and they remind us that every moment in our lives is an opportunity to rise above and be part of the possibilities of life, rather than its problems.

"They teach us it's OK to mix art and politics, and sometimes - even better - to start a revolution and say f**k you. 157 million records sold, 22 Grammys and the highest-grossing concert tour in the history of the world. One love, one blood, one life."
Aaron Sorkin's 'Molly's Game' will replace Kevin Spacey's 'All the Money in the World' as the closing movie for the American Film Institute (AFI) Festival.

Kevin Spacey

The AFI has confirmed the Jessica Chastain-starred motion picture will take the place of the Ridley Scott-directed film for the conclusion of the event on November 16 at the TCL Chinese Theatre.

Jacqueline Lyanga, AFI Fest Director, said: "Aaron Sorkin is an American master, and we are proud to shine a proper spotlight on his directorial debut, 'Molly's Game', on AFI Fest's closing night.

"As Sorkin embarks on this next chapter of his career, his talents are timely for a tribute as he brings his gift of crafting compelling narratives and complex characters to the story of female impresario Molly Bloom."

Sorkin's directorial debut tells the true story of Molly Bloom - played by Chastain - who ran an underground poker ring.

TriStar Pictures recently revealed it was pulling 'All The Money in the World' from the AFI Fest in the wake of sexual harassment and assault allegations made against Spacey.

Spacey's part in the movie, in which he was due to star as J Paul Getty, is set to be re-shot ahead of the film's December 22 release.

Christopher Plummer has joined the movie as the 'American Beauty' star's replacement, and it is said Sony Pictures and the cast and crew of the movie, which includes Mark Wahlberg and Michelle Williams, unanimously agreed to re-shoot all of Spacey's scenes.

Following TriStar's decision to pull 'All the Money in the World' from AFI Fest, they said in a statement: "'All the Money in the World' is a superb film and more than worthy of its place of honour in the AFI Fest.

"But given the current allegations surrounding one of its actors and out of respect for those impacted, it would be inappropriate to celebrate at a gala at this difficult time. Accordingly, the film will be withdrawn.

"However, a film is not the work of one person. There are over 800 other actors, writers, artists, craftspeople and crew who worked tirelessly and ethically on this film, some for years, including one of cinema's master directors.

"It would be a gross injustice to punish all of them for the wrongdoings of one supporting actor in the film. Accordingly, the film will open wide as planned on December 22."

AFI Fest added: "AFI Fest celebrates film as a collaborative art form. We support Sony's decision to postpone the premiere in order to ensure the thousands of people who worked together on this film are honored at a proper time and in a proper light."

Spacey, 58, is receiving treatment at an Arizona rehab centre since his sexual conduct has been called into question by a number of men, including Richard Dreyfuss' son Harry and Star Trek: Discovery's Anthony Rapp, who claims 'The Usual Suspects' actor tried to seduce him at a party in his house in 1986 when he was just 14.
Sebastian Stan says it has been "really hard" shooting 'Avengers: Infinity War' and 'Avengers 4' because of the schedule.

Sebastian Stan

The 35-year-old actor stars as Bucky aka The Winter Soldier in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and will reprise his role in the upcoming two movies, but admitted the filming process has felt "a little bit out of sync".

Speaking at Rhode Island Comic Con, Stan said: "It's not something you always deal with. I feel like you always kind of have a script. But I guess, what I would say is, because we've done these characters for a bit now, there's a little bit of a telepathic kind of knowledge between us and the writers. And you kind of can sometimes guess where they're going to take it, a little bit. For example, this one was really hard, because we keep going in and out. I go back there for a week, and then I leave for a month. And then I go back there for a few more days. So it's a little bit out of sync. But it still hopefully adds up in the end. Almost every scene is epic."

'Avengers: Infinity War' will see the hero squad - Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Captain America (Chris Evans), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen), Vision (Paul Bettany), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) - join forces with the Guardians of the Galaxy to save the Earth.

The two teams will have to work together to fight intergalactic tyrant Thanos, with some help from newcomers Spider-Man (Tom Holland), Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman) and the screen debut of Captain Marvel (Brie Larson).

Stan isn't the only member of the cast who finds shooting the 'Avengers' movies tough, after Karen Gillan - who stars as Nebula in the 'Guardians of the Galaxy' franchise - admitted that her latest on-set experience of working with directors Joe and Anthony Russo has been an exhausting process.

She shared: "So this is the longest shoot in the world. It's been going since January, and it goes right up until December. And then it goes into re-shoots - like immediate, more additional photography - next year. So it's like an ongoing thing, which is really cool, because it feels like a whole family now."
Prince Harry broke military rules at the Remembrance Sunday service.

Prince Harry

The 33-year-old royal - who entered into the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 2005 and was swiftly promoted to lieutenant for the British Army a few years later, which saw him serve in two tours of Afghanistan during his 10 years in the forces - has been accused of going against the military procedure as he sported a beard while wearing the British Army uniform at the memorial ceremony at London's Cenotaph on Sunday (12.11.17).

And the red head's failure to be clean shaven and remove the facial hair has upset a serving member in the elite cavalry regiment, who feels "let down" by Harry's actions, even though he retired from active service two years ago.

The servicemen told the Mirror Online: "Prince Harry is letting us all down. There's no place for beards in the Queen's cavalry. He should have shaved it off for such an important day."

The British Army will only consent to a male keeping his beard in a few specific circumstances, such as if the soldier has a skin complaint, or for religious reasons, while the Special Forces allow men to grow facial hair if they are going behind enemy lines, but it is forbidden when on parade.

However, as Harry - who is currently dating Meghan Markle - is no longing a serving officer, the Ministry of Defence rules state he does not need to comply with all set rules.

Although Harry's royal duties often require him to sport military attire, there is precedent for a member of the royal family to also don a beard.

And the red head is not the first royal to keep his stubble, as his late great great grandfather, King George V, also had a beard.
Queen Elizabeth II passed over royal duties to Prince Charles on Remembrance Sunday (12.11.17).

Queen Elizabeth II

The 91-year-old monarch usually places the wreath on the Cenotaph at the memorial service, but Her Majesty handed over the duty to her son, the Prince of Wales, for the first time in her almost 70-year reign.

The 68-year-old royal led the tributes at the London service yesterday, which is a role the monarch has directed since 1920, to commemorate those from the British and Commonwealth military units, as well as other servicemen and women, who were involved in the two World Wars.

Charles also laid his own wreath, while the Duke of Edinburgh's equerry - a Royal officer who attends or assists the members of the royal family - placed an arrangement of poppies on his behalf.

And while Charles laid the wreaths, Queen Elizabeth and her 96-year-old husband observed from the balcony of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

A spokesperson for Buckingham Palace previously announced a change to the traditional ceremony would take place last month, although a reason was not provided for the shake-up.

The royal family, servicemen and other parties who joined the service held a two minutes silence to remember those who passed away in battle and to honour their contribution.

Charles was accompanied by the British Prime Minister Theresa May, as well as the Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, the Duke of Cambridge and his brother Prince Harry who also put down wreaths at the memorial site, the Telegraph Online has reported.
Charlotte Crosby is feeling "strong" following her split from Stephen Bear.

Charlotte Crosby

The 'Geordie Shore' star insists she is still single after there were rumours she had reunited with her former flame.

Speaking to the Mail Online on the red carpet at the MTV EMAs held at the SSE Arena in Wembley, London, she said: "I'm very strong and very single."

Charlotte and Stephen most recently split in late October and just a couple of days later, she accused him of kissing someone else "48 hours" after they broke up.

Taking to Twitter a couple of weeks ago, Charlotte alleged that the 27-year-old reality star "necked on" with another girl in a nightclub "in front of everyone" just two days after they decided to go their separate ways.

In a series of tweets which have now been deleted, she wrote: "I can't believe stuck by someone for so long...for it to take 48 hours for them to be necking on with someone in a club In front of everyone [applause emoji] ...

"When you try and tell every1 some1 is different and you have there back thru and thru. And they go and prove you wrong (sic)"

And fans had speculated about Charlotte's claims, with one writing: "Yeah he was going around telling people they hadn't been together for 2 weeks (sic)"

Whilst Charlotte replied: "A day and a half (sic)"

However, Stephen's representative said the former couple had called it quits and did so "on good terms".

They said: "I can confirm that sadly Stephen and Charlotte ended their relationship last week. The pair ended on good terms, and no one else was involved whatsoever."
South African firm The Foschini Group (TFG) recently acquired British affordable luxury womenswear brand Hobbs for an undisclosed sum. TFG announced the purchase while praising Hobbs successful turnaround strategy over the last two years led by chief executive Meg Lustman. TFG was reportedly eyeing a possible takeover of Hobbs since last July.Launched in 1981, Hobbs achieved a sales figure of 120 million for the fiscal year ending January 2017 and has over 140 outlets and stores in the United Kingdom. It also sells online in 49 countries. Hobbs will join two other British womenswear brands  Phase Eight and Whistles  in the TFG portfolio, according to media reports from South Africa and the United Kingdom.

South African firm The Foschini Group (TFG) recently acquired British affordable luxury womenswear brand Hobbs for an undisclosed sum. TFG announced the purchase while praising Hobbs' successful turnaround strategy over the last two years led by chief executive Meg Lustman. TFG was reportedly eyeing a possible takeover of Hobbs since last July.#

TFG recently announced a 9.2 per cent growth in turnover in its interim results, despite difficult economic and political conditions in its key South Africa and United Kingdom markets. (DS)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
The Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) has welcomed the recent decision of the GST Council to reduce the burden of tax compliance on manufacturing and service sectors. CITI chairman Sanjay K Jain applauded finance minister Arun Jaitley and the GST Council for bringing in number of reforms in GST law for promoting ease of doing business.

The decision would especially help small businesses who have been facing a number of compliance issues in e-filing post GST regime, Jain said in a press statement.

CITI chairman stated that increasing the threshold limit on Composition Scheme from Rs 1 crore to Rs 1.5 crore is a welcome move and it will help the government bring in more units within the scope of a special tax payment window for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). He also welcomed the decision of uniform tax rate of 1 per cent for both traders and manufacturers.

The Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) has welcomed the recent decision of the GST Council to reduce the burden of tax compliance on manufacturing and service sectors. CITI chairman Sanjay K Jain applauded finance minister Arun Jaitley and the GST Council for bringing in number of reforms in GST law for promoting ease of doing business.#

Jain also welcomed the decision of the GST Council to allow big and small companies to file their GST return by March 2018 thus, minimising the compliance burden on tax payers. According to new changes, all companies have to submit their GSTR 3B of every month by 20th of next month. However, under GSTR-1 two categories have been formed. Those companies having turnover up to Rs 1.5 crore are required to file return once in every three months. Whereas, companies having turnover above Rs 1.5 crore, will have to file GSTR-1 on a monthly basis.

For companies which have not been able to file their GSTR 3B for the month of July, August and September 2017, the government has exempted such companies from submitting late fee and the companies that have already submitted late fee will get reimbursement. In the cases where companies had to file NIL return from October 2017 onwards, government will only charge Rs 20 per day as penalty instead of Rs 200 per day, as decided earlier.

Giving tax relief on more than 200 items  across all sectors  under various tax slabs is a commendable move and will boost not only the manufacturing sector but also give immense relief to the end users of the products. This decision will create positive vibes in the economy and help fresh flow of FDIs in manufacturing sectors, improve employment opportunities in labour intensive units, and share of textiles and other products in the world market, said Jain.

He hoped that the GST Council will soon address the unresolved issues of the textile industry by reducing GST rate on man-made fibre (MMF) from 18 per cent to 12 per cent and by refunding accumulated input tax credit (ITC) at fabric stage. He also hoped that the Council will also reduce GST rate on 100% Cotton Dot Coated Interlining Fabric (and similar other low value-added fabric) from 12 per cent to 5 per cent which at present attracts 12 per cent GST rate merely because it is dot coated with 25-30 GSM of HDPE or LDPE powder, adding about Rs 6.00/metre (Incl. profit). Without dot coated the same fabric attracts only 5 per cent GST rate. (RKS)

Click here to read GST Councils decision to further simplify return filing process

Click here to read about GST rates cut and changes in Composition Scheme

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FCCI) president Shabbir H Chawla has stressed the need to shift from traditional to technical textiles to survive competition. The dwindling small and medium textile units of Faisalabad need to upgrade to cope with changing trends in international markets and technical textile is the best option for them, he said.Apart from raising profits, the move will also help Pakistan double its foreign exchange earnings, he told media persons at the first international conference on technical textile at the National Textile University (NTU) in Faisalabad last week.

Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FCCI) president Shabbir H Chawla has stressed the need to shift from traditional to technical textiles to survive competition. The dwindling small and medium textile units of Faisalabad need to upgrade to cope with changing trends in international markets and technical textile is the best option for them, he said.#

As Pakistan is currently importing items worth $3 billion for use by the textile industry, there is need to manufacture its substitutes locally to save that money, he added. (DS)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
HON PM BAINIMARAMA KEYNOTE ADDRESS AT COP23 SIDE EVENT ON RISK INFORMING DEVELOPMENT: A REVOLUTION IN ADAPTING TO CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE PACIFIC





Excellencies,Ladies and Gentlemen,Bula vinaka, guten morgen and a very good morning to you all.No one who has ever lived through an extreme weather event like the cyclone that struck Fiji last year  Cyclone Winston  will ever forget it. The fury. The terror. The sense of helplessness. And in the case of the families of the 44 people who died, a continuing sense of loss.As I toured the affected areas, I marveled at the resilience of our people, the welcoming smiles amid the devastation. And as the nation responded to their plight, their sense of helplessness eventually giving way to a determination to bounce back. To rebuild their shattered homes, their shattered schools and their shattered lives.Friends, our own experience in Fiji is not unique. Our near neighbours in Vanuatu suffered a similar blow with Cyclone Pam a year before. And, of course, we have recently witnessed the suffering of hurricane victims in the Caribbean and southern United States. Plus the astonishing spectacle of Hurricane Ophelia slamming into Ireland and Scotland soon afterwards.Friends, when a hurricane hits Scotland can we really be in any doubt about the gravity of climate change? Of any of the changes that are occurring all around us for that matter, whether they are extreme weather events like storms, floods and droughts; ice melting in both polar regions, wildfires in various parts of the world, acidity in our oceans and the bleaching of our reefs, or the changes in temperature that threaten our agriculture and food security.Friends, aside from galvanising my determination to help our people back on their feet, Winston also sharpened my determination to make Fiji more climate resilient. And to do whatever I can in the great forums of the world to highlight the plight of the climate-vulnerable. To secure the finance and access to affordable insurance we need to be able to adapt to the frightening new era that is upon us.It is certainly one of the reasons I took on the challenge of the Presidency of COP23. Because if I can do anything to assist the cause of the vulnerable nations - to draw attention to their challenges, let alone progress the climate action agenda, it will have been well worth it. And I am deeply honoured by the confidence the global community has placed in Fiji to help chart a way forward for us all.For all its devastation, Cyclone Winston spared our main tourism areas - our principal revenue earner as a nation - but it still caused damage equivalent to 30 per cent of our GDP. Imagine if a developed country was faced with a destruction bill of 30 per cent of its GDP in any disaster. But, Friends, it could have been much worse had Winston scored a direct hit on our major cities, towns and tourism properties.This is the level of risk we now face in Fiji along with every vulnerable nation. That an extreme weather event striking our entire nation could cause destruction on an epic scale. Catastrophic. Apocalyptic. A blow that in the space of a few terrifying hours, could wipe out decades of development. And make it impossible for us to meet our Sustainable Development Goals.Friends, it is how we deal with that level of risk that brings us together today and I want to warmly thank the members of the distinguished panel who are contributing to this important event.I fundamentally endorse the premise that has inspired this gathering. That climate change adaptation is a development issue, not simply a scientific or environmental issue. And every development decision from now on has to be made with building climate resilience at its core.It is what we are already doing in Fiji and must be done throughout the world. Transforming our economies to become more resilient to climate change and transforming the development agenda itself. And doing so across the full spectrum of our societies from governments to the smallest of our communities. With the needs and aspirations of our people at the heart of that transformation.Friends, just as we are bringing people together at COP in a Grand Coalition to tackle climate change, we need to build the same coalitions within our societies to address the climate threat. And before I hand over to our panel, let me briefly highlight some of the initiatives we have embraced in Fiji, some of which you can learn more about during this event.Among other things, the Fijian Government in partnership with the UNDP, the Australian Government, an international NGO and private sector agencies has been championing the concept of risk-informed development. With support from the UNDPs Pacific Risk Resilience Programme, we are bringing local communities into our national planning processes. We are insisting that any new development or capital project must take into account climate risk before being given the go-ahead. And after what we learnt from Cyclone Winston, the Fijian Government is partnering with the private sector to enhance our resilience through the Fiji Business Disaster Resilience Council, which was established with support from the Pacific Risk Resilience Programme.We have also integrated risk into our budget process, with special measures for vulnerable communities and vulnerable groups  including our women - and allocations for adaptation and infrastructure development. And just before I left for Bonn, we approved the framework for a National Adaptation Plan, which is designed to guide our climate change adaptation program in a holistic, comprehensive and cost effective method.Friends, I dont have time to go into it all here but we are certainly keen to share our own experiences with other nations and other communities. And I want to thank the UNDP and the Australian Government for assisting Fiji and other Pacific nations to enable us to develop our capacity and prepare us for an era that we all know is going to be very challenging for all of us.Thank you for providing me with the opportunity to speak to you today and I wish you well in your discussions.Vinaka vakalevu. Thank you.
FinanceAsia is pleased to welcome submissions for our end-of-year Achievement Awards for Australia and New Zealand.

This year our local awards include two new categories to recognise innovation in green and sustainable debt instruments. The new categories are for Best Green Bond House and Best Green Bond Deal.

For a detailed list of awards and tips on how to make a submission please download the PDF document here.

The period under consideration for our awards is January 1 to December 11, 2017. Submissions are due by Friday, December 1, 2017. Please email compressed PDF documents to [email protected].

If your submission is shortlisted we may be in touch to ask a few questions and seek more information. There will be no face-to-face pitch briefings conducted.

The winners of the awards will be announced on financeasia.com over two days on December 11 and 12.
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.
Regulatory News:

United Company RUSAL Plc (Paris:RUSAL) (Paris:RUAL):

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

(Incorporated under the laws of Jersey with limited liability)

(Stock Code: 486)

RESULTS ANNOUNCEMENT FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2017

Key highlights

Recovery in the London Metals Exchange (" LME ") aluminium price in the nine months of 2017 by 22.6% to an average of USD1,924 per tonne as compared to USD1,569 per tonne in the nine months of 2016 as well as an increase in volumes of primary aluminum and alloys sold by 2.0% between the same periods resulted in the growth of United Company RUSAL Plc (" UC RUSAL " or the " Company ", together with its subsidiaries, the " Group ") revenue in the nine months of 2017 by 21.3% to USD7,224 million as compared to USD5,956 million in the nine months of 2016.

") aluminium price in the nine months of 2017 by 22.6% to an average of USD1,924 per tonne as compared to USD1,569 per tonne in the nine months of 2016 as well as an increase in volumes of primary aluminum and alloys sold by 2.0% between the same periods resulted in the growth of United Company RUSAL Plc (" " or the " ", together with its subsidiaries, the " ") revenue in the nine months of 2017 by 21.3% to USD7,224 million as compared to USD5,956 million in the nine months of 2016. Revenue in the third quarter of 2017 increased by 19.4% to USD2,460 million, as compared to USD2,060 million for the third quarter of 2016, following the improvement in the LME aluminium price and increase in the share of value added products (" VAP ") in total aluminium sales to 50% in the third quarter of 2017 in comparison with 45% in the same quarter of 2016.

") in total aluminium sales to 50% in the third quarter of 2017 in comparison with 45% in the same quarter of 2016. UC RUSAL reported strong financial results thanks to the Company's commitment to operational efficiency and cost discipline, supported by robust LME prices. The Group's total Adjusted EBITDA in the third quarter of 2017 increased by 7.6% to USD549 million as compared to the second quarter of 2017 and increased by 42.4% to USD1,534 million in the nine months of 2017 compared to the same period of 2016. Aluminium segment cost per tonne increased by 1.5% to USD1,520 in the third quarter of 2017 in comparison with USD1,497 in the second quarter of 2017 as a result of the increase in key raw materials costs.

The Company achieved Adjusted Net Profit and Recurring Net Profit of USD727 million and USD1,122 million, respectively, for the nine months of 2017 as compared to USD248 million and USD752 million for same period of 2016.

In August 2017 the board of directors approved an interim dividend of USD299.3 million (USD 0.0197 per ordinary share) for 2017. The interim dividend was paid on 10 October 2017.

The Company reduced its Net Debt to USD7.6 billion as at 30 September 2017. As part of commitment to continuous deleveraging, UC RUSAL has directed part of its strong 3Q17 cash flow to repayment of debt facilities and accumulated significant cash balance for further debt reduction.

The Company's weighted average nominal interest rate on the credit portfolio reduced to 5% following series of successful refinancing.

Statement of the Chief Executive Officer

"3Q2017 was another successful period for UC RUSAL. On the back of robust aluminium demand and growing LME price, the Company reported strong financial results in the reporting quarter and in the first nine months of 2017.

Revenue growth for the first nine months of the year was 21.3%, reaching USD7.2 billion. In 3Q2017 UC RUSAL set another record in sales of value added products with the latter reaching 50% in total sales for the first time. The Company remains committed to its sales and marketing strategy and is on track to increase its share of VAP in the product mix to 60% by 2021.

3Q2017 EBITDA increased by 7.6% quarter-on-quarter ("QoQ"), demonstrating a very healthy margin of 22.3%. Recurring net profit for the third quarter impressively grew by 73.0% QoQ to USD436 million. Respective figures for the nine months of the year are also very strong with EBITDA growing by 42.4% year-on-year ("YoY") to USD1.5 billion and recurring net profit advancing to USD1.1 billion, up by 49.2%.

As consumers become more demanding about the provenance of the products they purchase and their associated carbon footprint, post reporting period end, UC RUSAL launched its new bespoke brand for low carbon aluminium ALLOW with a certified carbon footprint of lower than 4 tonnes of CO2 per tonne of aluminium, significantly lower than the industry average. ALLOW will provide consumers and manufacturers alike with confidence that the aluminium from RUSAL used in their products has one of the lowest carbon footprints in the industry.

Looking ahead towards the end of the year, we maintain our positive forecast for global aluminium industry with the demand to reach 63.1 million tonnes and deficit to widen to 1.1 million tonnes."

Vladislav Soloviev

Chief Executive Officer

13 November 2017

Financial and Operating Highlights

Three months ended 30 September Change quarter on quarter, % (3Q to 3Q) Three months ended 30 June Change quarter on quarter, % (3Q to 2Q) Nine months ended 30 September Change nine months on nine months, % 2017 2016 2017 2017 2016 unaudited unaudited unaudited unaudited unaudited Key operating data ('000 tonnes) Aluminium 931 920 1.2% 921 1.1% 2,762 2,755 0.3% Alumina 1,965 1,865 5.4% 1,928 1.9% 5,782 5,589 3.5% Bauxite 2,742 3,211 (14.6%) 3,090 (11.3%) 8,701 9,346 (6.9%) Key pricing and performance data ('000 tonnes) Sales of primary aluminium and alloys 968 981 (1.3%) 1,002 (3.4%) 2,955 2,896 2.0% (USD per tonne) Production cost per tonne in Aluminium segment1 1,520 1,330 14.3% 1,497 1.5% 1,477 1,330 11.1% Aluminium price per tonne quoted on the LME2 2,011 1,621 24.1% 1,911 5.2% 1,924 1,569 22.6% Average premiums over LME price3 162 150 8.0% 174 (6.9%) 163 161 1.2% Average sales price 2,124 1,754 21,1% 2,081 2.1% 2,051 1,711 19.9% Alumina price per tonne4 310 234 32.5% 296 4.7% 315 236 33.5%

1 For any period, "Production cost per tonne in Aluminium segment" is calculated as aluminium segment revenue (excluding sales of third parties' metal and other products sales) less aluminium segment results less amortisation and depreciation (excluding margin on sales of third parties' metal and intersegment margin) divided by sales volume of the aluminium segment (excluding volumes of third parties' aluminium sold).

2 Aluminium price per tonne quoted on the LME represents the average of the daily closing official London Metals Exchange ("LME") prices for each period.

3 Average premiums over LME realized by the Company based on management accounts.

4 The average alumina price per tonne provided in this table is based on the daily closing spot prices of alumina according to Non-ferrous Metal Alumina Index FOB Australia USD per tonne.

Three months ended 30 September Change quarter on quarter, (3Q to 3Q) Three months ended 30 June Change quarter on quarter, (3Q to 2Q) Nine months ended 30 September Change nine months on nine months, % 2017 2016 2017 2017 2016 unaudited unaudited unaudited unaudited unaudited Key selected data from the consolidated interim condensed statement of income (USD million) Revenue 2,460 2,060 19.4% 2,467 (0.3%) 7,224 5,956 21.3% Adjusted EBITDA 549 421 30.4% 510 7.6% 1,534 1,077 42.4% margin (% of revenue) 22.3% 20.4% NA 20.7% NA 21.2% 18.1% NA Net Profit for the period 312 273 14.3% 283 10.2% 782 534 46.4% margin (% of revenue) 12.7% 13.3% NA 11.5% NA 10.8% 9.0% NA Adjusted Net Profit for the period 262 181 44.8% 202 29.7% 727 248 193.1% margin (% of revenue) 10.7% 8.8% NA 11.5% NA 10.1% 4.2% NA Recurring Net Profit for the period 436 327 33.3% 252 73.0% 1,122 752 49.2% margin (% of revenue) 17.7% 15.9% NA 10.2% NA 15.5% 12.6% NA

Key selected data from consolidated interim condensed statement of financial position

As at Change nine months on year end, % 30 September 2017 31 December 2016 (unaudited) (USD million) Total assets 15,602 14,452 8.0% Total working capital5 1,748 1,691 3.4% Net Debt6 7,592 8,421 (9.8%)

Key selected data from consolidated interim condensed statement of cash flows

Nine months ended Change nine months on nine months, % 30 September 2017 30 September 2016 (unaudited) (unaudited) (USD million) Net cash flows generated from operating activities 1,181 966 22.3% Net cash flows (used in)/generated from investing activities 112 (49) NA of which dividends from Norilsk Nickel 622 320 94.4% of which CAPEX7 (547) (407) 34.4% Interest paid (385) (325) 18.5%

5 Total working capital is defined as inventories plus trade and other receivables minus trade and other payables.

6 Net Debt is calculated as Total Debt less cash and cash equivalents as at the end of any period. Total Debt refers to UC RUSAL's loans and borrowings and bonds outstanding at the end of any period.

7 CAPEX is defined as payment for the acquisition of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets.Global aluminium market trends for the first 9 months of 2017

UC RUSAL estimates that global aluminium demand grew by 5.9% YoY in the nine months of 2017 to 47.8 million tonnes as a result of strong demand in China, Europe, Asia ex-China, North America and India.

UC RUSAL forecasts that global aluminium demand will increase by 5.9% YoY to 63.1 million tonnes in 2017, driven by growth of 3.9% to 29.3 million tonnes ex-China and China growth of 7.7% to 33.8 million tonnes.

Based on CRU estimates, global aluminium demand ex-China rose to 22.1 million tonnes while production (estimated based on IAI data plus CRU's estimate for production of eight non-reporting countries) increased by 0.9% year-on-year to 20.3 million tonnes. This left the rest of the world (ROW) aluminium market with approximately 1.8 million tonnes in deficit in the nine months of 2017.

Announced smelting cuts by Chinese Regulators, driven by the necessity to stem industrial pollution, are expected to result in an annualized production loss of 1.1 million tonnes, according to UC Rusal's estimates. Deeper losses may take place in carbon materials supply including anodes, coking coal etc, including 100% closures in 26+2 cities during the winter season.

Chinese semis export are expected to drop in 4Q17- 1H18 due to a tight domestic market and negative export arbitrage. China's exports of aluminium semis fell by 7.6% M-M (adjusted by a number of days in the months) to 358 thousand tonnes in August 2017 and for a second month in a row, fake extrusions exports dropped by 31% YoY during the eight months of 2017.

UC RUSAL estimates global demand for primary aluminium of 47.8 million tonnes during the first three quarters of the year, representing growth of 5.9% compared to the same period of 2016. This has been led by developed economies maintaining their solid pace of growth from earlier in the year, while demand in developing economies has accelerated in many cases. ROW aluminium demand in the nine months 2017 grew by 3.9% YoY to 22.1 million tonnes. Demand for aluminium in China in the nine months 2017 grew by 7.7% to 25.7 million tonnes compared to the same period of last year.

North America's industrial recovery is advancing apace, reflected by September's manufacturing PMI in the US, hitting its highest level since 2004. This is driving demand for aluminium across a range of end use sectors, in particular the construction and the transport sectors, which are also enjoying the intensity of use gains, outweighing sluggish auto sales and production. Overall, North American demand is estimated at 5.1 million tonnes in the first nine months of this year, an increase of 3.4% on the same period a year ago.

In the Eurozone, manufacturing PMIs are at multiyear highs. Demand for aluminium has mirrored the underlying economic improvement as consumption accelerated through the year, with residential construction supporting strong growth in building sheet and extrusions. In other end use sectors, the consumption of aluminium is running ahead of underlying activities, with substitution boosting both the automotive and can stock sectors in Europe. The net result is that primary demand has risen by an estimated 3.6% in Europe to 7.2 million tonnes in the first nine months of the year.

In Asia, industrial activity in Japan began to re-accelerate in August, before extending gains in September, as evidenced by manufacturing PMI reaching its highest level in four months. It has been the automotive sector that has been the key driver of demand though, amid strength in automotive production and the intensity of use gains. In the rest of Asia region Ex China India, growth has followed a similar pattern, with light-weighting trends in automotive applications leading demand. As a consequence, demand in the region grew to 4.8 million tonnes, an increase of 3.6% on the first three quarters of last year. In the other regional major, India, demand has accelerated through the year, with the packaging sector particularly strong amid the increasing domestic production of foil. This has resulted in Indian demand growth of 6.7% in the January to September period to 1.7 million tonnes.

In the rest of the world, South America is enjoying a strong recovery, led by a sharp increase in vehicle production, which surged by 27% in the first three quarters of the year. This has lifted demand for castings, rolled products and extrusions from the sector and breathed new life into the region after a period of stagnation. This has led to growth in demand for aluminium of 3.6% in South America as a whole, amounting to 0.8 million tonnes.

The Chinese economy continued to show strong growth through the nine months of 2017. The official PMI reached 52.4 in September 2017, its highest since April 2012, and the Caixin Manufacturing PMI stood at a 51.0 level in September. GDP grew by 6.8% in 3Q17 YoY after 6.9% growth in 2Q17. Industrial profits grew 6.6% YoY, while retail sales jumped 10.3% YoY in September. Fixed-asset investment climbed 7.5% YoY in the nine months of 2017. Infrastructure investment surged 19.8% YoY in the nine months of 2017. Investment in property development expanded at a faster pace of 8.1% in the nine months 2017, up from 7.9% in the eight months of 2017. The fixed asset investment in urban in China totaled RMB 45,850 billion in the nine months of 2017, representing a 7.5% YoY growth. Investment in power grid was RMB 325 billion, up by 7.9% YoY.

Demand of the primary aluminium on the Russian market is growing +17.5% as the result for the nine months 2017 YoY due to: the recovery of industries after the recession, development of export and the growth on the cable market. The light vehicle production has grown by 18% in September and by 10.6% in total for the nine months of 2017.

The reported inventories of aluminium in the World ex-China declined further to 3.0 million tonnes at the end of September 2017, down 0.99 million tonnes from the inventories level at the end of 2016. The days of consumption continued to decline at a steady rate during the nine months of 2017 and at the end of September 2017 it fell to 36 days as compared to 58 days at the end of 2016.

On the contrary, during the eight months 2017 China's total reported stocks including social warehouses stocks rose by 1.0 million tonnes to 3.0 million tonnes, the highest since March 2015. The growth of stocks can be attributed to the expectation of capacity cuts with the result being a push to secure future materials supply. As expected most of accumulated stocks are to be consumed during the winter supply shortage.

Aluminium supply out of China continue to be very modest. According to IAI production figures and CRU's estimation of 8 countries production data, ROW primary aluminium annualized production fell by 0.11 million tonnes M-M to 27.02 million tonnes in August 2017. At the same time the possible restarts of closed smelting capacity is limited due to a lack of competitive power supply, the high restarting cost and the shortage of carbon raw materials supply.

The announcement by the Chinese regulator regarding winter capacity cuts which is now underway in several provinces was implemented due to the necessity to curb industrial pollution. As expected winter smelting cuts will result in an annualized production loss of around 1 million tonnes and alumina around 3.3 million tonnes, according to UC Rusal estimates. Deeper losses may take place in carbon materials supply including anodes, coking coal etc, including 100% closures in 26+2 cities during the winter season.

When considering the expected curtailments of the so-called "illegal capacities" on top of winter cuts, UC Rusal expects that during the winter season, the Chinese aluminium market balance may become very tight. As of the date of this announcement, according to SMM, around 4.2 million tonnes of illegal operating capacity have been closed.

As expected Chinese semis export are to drop in 4Q17- 1H18 due to the tight domestic market and negative export arbitrage. Thus China's exports of aluminium semis fell by 7.6% M-M (adjusted by a number of days in the months) to 0.36 million tonnes in August 2017 and for second month in a row, fake extrusions exports dropped 31% YoY during the eight months of 2017.

Forecast for 2017

Global aluminium demand is expected to grow by 5.9% from 5.7% in 2017 to 63.1 million tonnes as a result of strong growth in Russia and EU. Chinese demand to grow by 7.7% to 33.8 million tonnes and ex-China by 3.9% to 29.3 million tonnes driven by growth in EMEA, EU and Asian economies;

Global aluminium supply will grow by 5.3% to 62.4 million tonnes;

The global aluminium market deficit is expected to grow 1.1 million tonnes in 2017 as compared to 0.4 million tonnes in 2016.

Business review

Aluminium production

Aluminium production in 3Q17 totaled 931 thousand tonnes (+1.1% QoQ), with Siberian smelters representing 94% of total aluminium output. The total production dynamics remained largely stable with cap?city utilization rate standing at 95%;

In 3Q17 sales of value added products (VAP) stood at 479 thousand tonnes. The Company as per its strategy continued to grow the VAP's share in total sales, which now stands at 50% in comparison with 49% in 2Q17 sales;

Alumina production

In 3Q17, total alumina production increased by 1.9% QoQ, totaling 1,965 thousand tonnes.

The continuation of capacities ramp up at Russia-based refineries post completion of upgrades earlier in 2017 couple with growing production at Aughinish refinery on improved quality of purchased bauxites were largely behind the QoQ production increase for the Company overall, while Nikolaev refinery output was 3.5% down QoQ on the back of scheduled maintenance works.

Bauxite production

In 3Q17 nepheline output was stable marginally growing by 1.2% QoQ to 1,125 thousand tonnes, while consolidated bauxites output decreased by 11.3% totaling 2,742 thousand tonnes. The Company covered alumina refineries consumption needs in relevant feedstock using the available inventory at its operations at Achinsk, Bogoslovsk, Urals and Windalco operations and additional purchased bauxite elsewhere.

Production volumes at Timan decreased by 5.4% QoQ totaling 839 thousand tonnes and Kindia production volumes decreased by 11.0% QoQ to 717 thousand tonnes due to scheduled operational equipment care and maintenance works.

The abnormal weather conditions affected operational performance of Bauxite Company of Guyana production which decreased to 161 thousand tonnes (-41.7% QoQ) and Windalco production which decreased to 476 thousand tonnes (-5.6% QoQ).

North Urals bauxite production declined by 11.0% QoQ to 548 thousand tonnes to match the needs of Urals alumina refinery where as part of working capital management the feed from accumulated inventory was prioritized during the quarter.

Financial Overview

Revenue

Three months ended 30 September Change quarter on quarter, % (3Q to 3Q) Three months ended 30 June Change quarter on quarter, % (3Q to 2Q) Nine months ended 30 September Change nine months on nine months,% 2017 2016 2017 2017 2016 (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) Sales of primary aluminium and alloys USD million 2,056 1,721 19.5% 2,085 (1.4%) 6,061 4,955 22.3% Kt 968 981 (1.3%) 1,002 (3.4%) 2,955 2,896 2.0% Average sales price (USD/t) 2,124 1,754 21.1% 2,081 2.1% 2,051 1,711 19.9% Sales of alumina USD million 172 157 9.6% 175 (1.7%) 536 458 17.0% Kt 502 566 (11.3%) 515 (2.5%) 1,526 1,697 (10.1%) Average sales price (USD/t) 343 277 23.8% 340 0.9% 351 270 30.0% Sales of foil and other aluminium products (USD million) 91 62 46.8% 82 11.0% 232 175 32.6% Other revenue (USD million) 141 120 17.5% 125 12.8% 395 368 7.3% Total revenue (USD million) 2,460 2,060 19.4% 2,467 (0.3%) 7,224 5,956 21.3%

Total revenue increased by USD1,268 million, or 21.3% to USD7,224 million in the nine months ended 30 September of 2017, from USD5,956 million in the corresponding period of 2016. The increase in total revenue was mainly due to the growth of sales of primary aluminium and alloys, which accounted for 83.9% and 83.2% of UC RUSAL's revenue for the nine months ended 30 September of 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Revenue from sales of primary aluminium and alloys increased by USD1,106 million, or 22.3% to USD6,061 million in the nine months ended 30 September of 2017, from USD4,955 million for the corresponding period in 2016, primarily due to a 19.9% increase in the weighted-average realized aluminium price per tonne driven by an increase in the LME aluminium price (to an average of USD1,924 per tonne in the first nine months of 2017 from USD1,569 per tonne in the same period of 2016), as well as an increase in the sales volumes by 2.0% and slight improvement in premiums above the LME prices in the different geographical segments (to an average of USD163 per tonne from USD161 per tonne in the first nine months of 2017 and 2016, respectively).

Revenue from sales of alumina increased by 17.0% to USD536 million during the nine months of 2017 from USD458 million in the corresponding period of 2016 primarily due to an increase in the average sales price by 30.0%, which was partially offset by a decrease in the sales volumes by 10.1%.

Revenue from sales of foil and other aluminium products increased by USD57 million, or by 32.6%, to USD232 million in the nine months ended 30 September of 2017, as compared to USD175 million for the corresponding period in 2016, primarily due to a 20.2% increase in sales volumes of foil.

Revenue from other sales, including sales of bauxite and energy services increased by 7.3% to USD395 million for the nine months ended 30 September of 2017 from USD368 million in the same period of 2016, due to an increase in sales of other materials.

Cost of sales

The following table demonstrates the breakdown of UC RUSAL's cost of sales for the nine months ended 30 September 2017 and 2016:

Nine months ended 30 September Change, % Share of costs, % 2017 2016 (unaudited) (unaudited) (USD million) Cost of alumina 543 547 (0.7%) 10.3% Cost of bauxite 340 267 27.3% 6.5% Cost of other raw materials and other costs 1,878 1,579 18.9% 35.8% Purchases of primary aluminium from JV 202 170 18.8% 3.8% Energy costs 1,571 1,187 32.4% 29.9% Depreciation and amortisation 351 334 5.1% 6.7% Personnel expenses 430 358 20.1% 8.2% Repairs and maintenance 51 44 15.9% 1.0% Net change in provisions for inventories (3) 100% (0.1%) Change in finished goods (115) 69 NA (2.2%) Total cost of sales 5,248 4,555 15.2% 100.0%

Total cost of sales increased by USD693 million, or 15.2%, to USD5,248 million for the nine months of 2017, as compared to USD4,555 million for the corresponding period of 2016. The increase was driven by the increase in volumes of primary aluminium and alloys sold as well as significant increase in electricity prices, railway transportation tariffs and other raw material costs in Russian Ruble in the nine months of 2017.

Cost of alumina was almost flat during the nine months of 2017 compared to the same period of 2016.

Cost of bauxite increased by 27.3% in the nine months of 2017 compared to the same period of the previous year, primarily as a result of an increase in purchase volume and a slight increase in purchase prices.

Cost of raw materials (other than alumina and bauxite) and other costs increased by 18.9% in the nine months of 2017 compared to the same period of previous year, due to a rising raw materials purchase price (prices for raw pitch coke increased by 90.6%, raw petroleum coke by 13.0%, pitch by 38.0%, soda by 44.2%).

Energy costs increased by 32.4% in the nine months of 2017 compared to the same period of 2016, primarily due to 14.7% appreciation of Russian Ruble against US dollar between the comparable periods. Increase was also a result of change in terms of long-term electricity contracts and overall market price growth.

The finished goods mainly consist of primary aluminium and alloys (approximately 94%). The dynamic of change between the reporting periods was primarily driven by the fluctuations of primary aluminium and alloys physical inventory between the reporting dates: 16.4% increase for the nine months of 2017 as compared to 8.3% decrease for the same period of 2016.

Gross profit

As a result of the foregoing factors, UC RUSAL reports a gross profit of USD1,976 million for the nine months ended 30 September 2017 as compared with USD1,401 million for the same period of 2016, representing gross margins over the periods of 27.4% and 23.5%, respectively.

Adjusted EBITDA and Results from operating activities

Nine months ended 30 September Change nine months on nine months, % 2017 2016 (USD million) (unaudited) (unaudited) Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA Results from operating activities 1,023 624 63.9% Add: Amortisation and depreciation 364 349 4.3% Impairment of non-current assets 139 101 37.6% Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment 8 3 166.7% Adjusted EBITDA 1,534 1,077 42.4%

Adjusted EBITDA, defined as results from operating activities adjusted for amortization and depreciation, impairment charges and loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment, increased to USD1,534 million in the nine months ended 30 September of 2017, as compared to USD1,077 million for the corresponding period of 2016. The factors that contributed to the increase in Adjusted EBITDA margin were the same that influenced the operating results of the Company.

Results from operating activities increased in the nine months ended 30 September of 2017 by 63.9% to USD1,023 million, as compared to USD624 million for the corresponding period of 2016, representing operating margins of 14.2% and 10.5%, respectively.

Finance income and expenses

Nine months ended 30 September Change, year-on- year 2017 2016 (USD million) (unaudited) (unaudited) Finance income Interest income on third party loans and deposits 8 16 (50.0%) Interest income on loans to related party companies under common control 1 1 0.0% Foreign exchange gain 9 100.0% 18 17 5.9% Finance expenses Interest expense on bank loans and company loans, bonds and other bank charges, including (480) (440) 9.1% Interest expense (376) (392) (4.1%) Bank charges (104) (48) 116.7% Interest expense on company loans from related parties companies exerting significant influence (2) (6) (66.7%) Interest expense on provisions (4) (6) (33.3%) Net foreign exchange loss (130) (100.0%) Change in fair value of derivative financial instruments, including (214) (133) 60.9% Change in fair value of embedded derivatives (68) (79) (13.9%) Change in other derivatives instruments (146) (54) 170.4% (700) (715) (2.1%)

Finance income increased by USD1 million, or 5.9% to USD18 million in the nine months of 2017 compared to USD17 million for the same period of 2016 due to an increase in foreign exchange gain which was partially offset by a decrease in interest income on third party loans and deposits as a result to the lower interest income on time deposits at several subsidiaries of the Group.

Finance expenses decreased by USD15 million or 2.1% to USD700 million for the nine months of 2017 from USD715 million for the same period of 2016 primarily due to a decrease in the net foreign exchange result that was partially offset by an increase in the net loss from the change in fair value of derivative financial instruments and an increase in bank charges.

Interest expenses for the nine months of 2017 decreased by USD16 million to USD376 million from USD392 million for the nine months of 2016 following the successful restructuring of the Group's loan portfolio. The same factor caused an increase in bank charges as a result of amortization of previously capitalized arrangement fees.

The net loss from the change in fair value of derivative financial instruments increased to USD214 million for the nine months of 2017 from USD133 million for the same period of 2016 following significant LME and other commodities price improvement between the comparable periods that negatively affected the fair value of respective hedging instruments.

Share of profits of associates and joint ventures

Nine months ended 30 September Change, year-on- year 2017 2016 (USD million) (unaudited) (unaudited) Share of profits of Norilsk Nickel, with Effective shareholding of 427 27.82% 516 28.05% (17.2%) Share of profits/(losses) of other associates 1 (100.0%) Share of profits of associates 427 517 (17.4%) Share of profits of joint ventures 68 138 (50.7%)

Share of profits of associates was USD427 million in the nine months ended 30 September 2017 and USD517 million for the corresponding period in 2016. This was resulted primarily from the Company's investment in Norilsk Nickel, which amounted to profit of USD427 million and USD516 million for the nine months ended 30 September 2017 and 2016, respectively.

As stated in Note 10 to the consolidated interim condensed financial information for the three- and nine-month periods ended 30 September 2017, at the date of this consolidated interim condensed financial information, the Group was unable to obtain consolidated interim financial information of Norilsk Nickel as at and for the three- and nine-month periods ended 30 September 2017. Consequently, the Group estimated its share in the profits, other comprehensive income and foreign currency translation reserve of Norilsk Nickel for the three- and nine-month periods ended 30 September 2017 based on publicly available information reported by Norilsk Nickel. The information used as a basis for these estimates is incomplete in many aspects. Once the consolidated interim financial information for Norilsk Nickel becomes available, they will be compared to the management's estimates. If there are significant differences, adjustments may be required to restate the Group's share in profit, other comprehensive income, foreign currency translation reserve and the carrying value of the investment in Norilsk Nickel reported in the consolidated interim condensed financial information.

The market value of the investment in Norilsk Nickel at 30 September 2017 was USD7,529 million as compared to USD7,348 million as at 31 December 2016.

Share of profits of joint ventures was USD68 million in the nine months of 2017 compared to a profit of USD138 million for the same period in 2016. This represents the Company's share of profits in joint ventures, namely BEMO, LLP Bogatyr Komir and Mega Business and Alliance (transportation business in Kazakhstan).

Net Profit for the period

As a result of the above, the Company recorded a profit of USD782 million for the nine months ended 30 September of 2017, as compared to USD534 million for the same period of 2016.Adjusted and Recurring Net Profit

Three months ended 30 September Change quarter -on- quarter, % (3Q to 3Q) Three months ended 30 June Change quarter on quarter, % (3Q to 2Q) Nine months ended 30 September Change, year-on-year 2017 2016 2017 2017 2016 (USD million) unaudited unaudited unaudited unaudited unaudited Reconciliation of Adjusted Net Profit Net profit for the period 312 273 14.3% 283 10.2% 782 534 46.4% Adjusted for: Share of profits and other gains and losses attributable to Norilsk Nickel, net of tax effect (174) (146) 19.2% (50) 248.0% (395) (504) (21.6%) Change in the fair value of derivative financial liabilities, net of tax (20%) 66 8 725.0% (95) NA 201 117 71.8% Impairment of non-current assets, net of tax 58 46 26.1% 64 (9.4%) 139 101 37.6% Adjusted Net Profit 262 181 44.8% 202 29.7% 727 248 193.1% Add back: Share of profits of Norilsk Nickel, net of tax 174 146 19.2% 50 248.0% 395 504 (21.6%) Recurring Net Profit 436 327 33.3% 252 73.0% 1,122 752 49.2%

Adjusted Net Profit for any period is defined as the net profit adjusted for the net effect of the Company's investment in Norilsk Nickel, the net effect of derivative financial instruments and the net effect of non-current assets impairment. Recurring Net Profit for any period is defined as Adjusted Net Profit plus the Company's net effective share in Norilsk Nickel results.

Segment reporting

The Group has four reportable segments, as described in the Annual Report, which are the Group's strategic business units: Aluminium, Alumina, Energy and Mining and Metals. These business units are managed separately and results of their operations are reviewed by the CEO on a regular basis.

The core segments are Aluminium and Alumina.

Nine months ended 30 September 2017* 2016 Aluminium Alumina Aluminium Alumina (USD million) (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) Segment revenue kt 2,794 5,719 2,948 6,128 USD million 5,724 1,668 5,021 1,531 Segment result 1,331 67 815 3 Segment EBITDA8 1,598 140 1,099 65 Segment EBITDA margin 27.9% 8.3% 21.9% 4.2% Total capital expenditure 219 216 228 98

Starting 2017 the Company presents two metrics for Aluminium segment: (1) total segment information and (2) information on own aluminium production. The difference between two metrics relates to the intersegment margins, sales of third parties metal and related costs and other non-production costs and expenses. Segment information for the nine months ended 30 September 2017 presented above relates to the own aluminium production, that is different from relevant segment information presented in the Company's consolidated interim condensed financial information for the nine months ended 30 September 2017.

In the nine months ended 30 September 2017 and 2016, respectively, segment result margins (calculated as the percentage of segment result to total segment revenue) from continuing operations were positive 23.3% and 16.2% for the aluminium segment, and positive 4.0% and 0.2% for the alumina segment. Key drivers for the increase in margin in the aluminium segment are disclosed in "Cost of sales" and "Results from operations and Adjusted EBITDA" above. Detailed segment reporting can be found in the consolidated interim condensed financial information as at and for the three- and nine-month periods ended 30 September 2017.

8 Segment EBITDA for any period is defined as segment result adjusted for amortisation and depreciation for the segment.

Capital expenditure

UC RUSAL recorded total capital expenditures of USD547 million for the nine months ended 30 September 2017. UC RUSAL's capital expenditure for the nine months of 2017 was primarily due to maintaining existing production facilities.

Nine months ended 30 September 2017 2016 (USD million) (unaudited) (unaudited) Development capex 176 113 Maintenance Pot rebuilds costs 80 65 Re-equipment 291 229 Total capital expenditure 547 407

The BEMO project companies utilise the project financing proceeds to make necessary contributions to the ongoing construction projects and do not require contributions from the joint ventures partners at this time.

Auditors' conclusion on the review of consolidated interim condensed financial information

The Company notes that its auditor, JSC KPMG, has provided a qualified conclusion in its review of the unaudited consolidated interim condensed financial information of the Company for the three and nine months ended 30 September 2017 as it was unable to obtain and review the consolidated interim financial information of Norilsk Nickel. An extract from the review report provided by JSC KPMG on the consolidated interim condensed financial information of the Company dated 10 November 2017 is as follows:

Basis for Qualified Conclusion

We were unable to obtain and review consolidated interim financial information of the Group's equity investee, PJSC MMC Norilsk Nickel ("Norilsk Nickel"), supporting the Group's estimate of the share of profit of USD183 million and USD427 million for the three- and nine-month periods ended 30 September 2017 and USD146 million and USD516 million for the three- and nine-month periods ended 30 September 2016, respectively, other comprehensive income of USD nil million and USD28 million loss for the three- and nine-month periods ended 30 September 2017 and USD nil million for both the three- and nine-month periods ended 30 September 2016, respectively, the foreign currency translation gain in relation to that investee of USD78 million and gain of USD185 million for the three- and nine-month periods ended 30 September 2017 and foreign currency translation gain of USD16 million and USD444 million for the three- and nine-month periods ended 30 September 2016, respectively, and the carrying value of the Group's investment in the investee stated at USD3,664 million as at 30 September 2017 and USD3,580 million as at 30 September 2016. Had we been able to complete our review procedures in respect of interests in associates, matters might have come to our attention indicating that adjustments might be necessary to this consolidated interim condensed financial information.

Qualified Conclusion

Based on our review, except for the possible effects of the matter described in the Basis for Qualified Conclusion paragraph, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the consolidated interim condensed financial information as at 30 September 2017 and for the three- and nine-month periods then ended is not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standard IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting.

Consolidated interim condensed financial information

The unaudited consolidated interim condensed financial information of UC RUSAL for the three and nine months ended 30 September 2017 was approved by the Directors of UC RUSAL on 10 November 2017, and reviewed by the Audit Committee (the "Audit Committee"). It has also been filed with the French Autorite des marches financiers on the date hereof and is accessible on UC RUSAL's website at http://www.rusal.ru/en/investors/ financial_stat.aspx.

Audit Committee

The Board established an Audit Committee to assist it in providing an independent view of the effectiveness of the Company's financial reporting process, risk management and internal control systems, and internal audit function, to oversee the audit process and to perform other duties and responsibilities as are assigned to the Audit Committee by the Board. The Audit Committee is assisted by the Company's internal audit function which undertakes both regular and ad hoc reviews of risk management, internal controls and procedures, the results of which are reported to the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee consists of a majority of independent non-executive Directors. The members are as follows: Mr. Bernard Zonneveld (chairman of the committee, independent non-executive Director, with relevant professional qualifications and knowledge related to accounting and financial management), Mr. Philip Lader (independent non-executive Director); Dr. Elsie Leung Oi-sie (independent non-executive Director); Mr. Daniel Lesin Wolfe (non-executive Director), Ms. Olga Mashkovskaya (non-executive Director) and Mr. Dmitry Vasiliev (independent non-executive Director).

On 10 November 2017, the Audit Committee has reviewed the financial results of the Company for the nine months ended 30 September 2017.

Material events over the third quarter of 2017 and since the end of that period

The following is a summary of the key events that have taken place over the third quarter of 2017 and since the end of that period. All information regarding key events that has been made public by the Company for the three months ended 30 September 2017 and since the end of that period pursuant to legislative or regulatory requirements, including announcements and press releases, is available on the Company's website (www.rusal.com).

18 July 2017 UC RUSAL announced that the Company and Sberbank had agreed to cancel the agreement on the Russian Depository Receipts. 11 August 2017 UC RUSAL announced that it was notified by Zonoville Investments Ltd that it (as purchaser) has entered into a sale and purchase agreement with Dimosenco Holdings Co. Ltd (as seller), Mr. Mikhail Dmitrievich Prokhorov (as the Seller's guarantor) and Mr. Viktor Vekselberg (as the Purchaser's guarantor) for the sale and the purchase of approximately 7% of the issued share capital of the Company. 25 August 2017 UC RUSAL announced agreement to novate the Existing Agreements with Sberbank of Russia and enter into the new combined credit facility agreement with the final maturity extension for 3 years until 24 December 2024, quarterly repayments starting from March 2021. 25 August 2017 UC RUSAL announced the update to its dividend policy intending to provide shareholders with dividends on a quarterly basis. As before, the total amount of dividends in a year cannot exceed 15% of the Company's Covenant EBITDA. Interim dividend for the year of 2017 declared at USD 0.0197 per ordinary share. 01 September 2017 UC RUSAL announced completion of the closure of the Russian Depository Receipts ("RDR") Program which occurred on 31 August 2017. 01 September 2017 UC RUSAL announced pricing of the second tranche of the Panda Bonds at principal amount of RMB 500 million, with a tenor of 2+1 years and a coupon rate of 5.5 per cent per annum. 01 September 2017 UC RUSAL announced that the Combined Credit Facility Agreement with the Sberbank of Russia was executed by the parties and came into force on 31 August 2017. 18 September 2017 UC RUSAL announced agreements with the Republic of Guinea to extend the Dian-Dian Concession Agreement and to extend the Kindia Bauxite Agreement in the Republic. Both agreements provide for the new term of 25 years following the Expiration of the initial term. 29 September 2017 UC RUSAL announced an Extraordinary General Meeting on 02 November 2017 to adopt the Chinese name "??" as the Chinese version of the Company's name. 05 October 2017 UC RUSAL announced that on 5 October 2017 En+, a substantial shareholder of the Company, announced its intention to proceed with an IPO of global depositary receipts representing ordinary shares of En+ for trading on the main markets of the LSE and Moscow Exchange. 19 October 2017 UC RUSAL announced that on 18 October 2017, En+ announced that En+ and Amokenga entered into a non-binding term sheet in relation to a possible share transfer whereby Amokenga will subscribe for a certain number of GDRs in En+ and as consideration for the subscription, Amokenga will transfer approximately 8.75% of the total issued share capital of the Company to En+. If the Possible Share Transfer materializes, En+'s shareholding in UC RUSAL will increase from approximately 48.13% to approximately 56.88%.

Compliance

Pursuant to Article L.451-1-2 IV of the French Code monetaire et financier, the Company is required to publish quarterly financial information for the first and third quarters of the financial year.

The Directors confirm that the information contained in this announcement does not contain any false statements, misleading representations or material omissions, and all of them jointly and severally accept responsibility as to the truthfulness, accuracy and completeness of the content of this announcement.

Forward-looking statements

This announcement contains statements about future events, projections, forecasts and expectations that are forward-looking statements. Any statement in this announcement that is not a statement of historical fact is a forward-looking statement that involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risk and uncertainties include those discussed or identified in the prospectus for UC RUSAL. In addition, past performance of UC RUSAL cannot be relied on as a guide to future performance. UC RUSAL makes no representation on the accuracy and completeness of any of the forward-looking statements, and, except as may be required by applicable law, assumes no obligations to supplement, amend, update or revise any such statements or any opinion expressed to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or in UC RUSAL's expectations, or changes in factors affecting these statements. Accordingly, any reliance you place on such forward-looking statements will be at your sole risk.

By Order of the board of directors of

United Company RUSAL Plc

Vladislav Soloviev

Director

13 November 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. Bernard Zonneveld and Mr. Dmitry Vasiliev.

All announcements and press releases published by the Company are available on its website under the links http://www.rusal.ru/en/investors/info.aspxhttp://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/20171112005036/en/

Contacts:

United Company RUSAL Plc
BEIJING (dpa-AFX) - Alibaba Group Holding Limited (BABA) said that US$25.3 billion or RMB168.2 billion of gross merchandise volume or GMV was settled through Alipay on November 11, 2017, an increase of 39% compared to 2016. Total mobile GMV settled through Alipay was approximately 90% of total GMV, compared to 82% last year. 'More than US$25 billion of GMV in one day is not just a sales figure. It represents the aspiration for quality consumption of the Chinese consumer, and it reflects how merchants and consumers alike have now fully embraced the integration of online and offline retail,' said Daniel Zhang, Chief Executive Officer of Alibaba Group. The company noted that more than 140,000 brands and merchants participated in the global shopping event. Alipay processed 1.48 billion total payment transactions, up 41% from 2016, and processed 256,000 transactions per second at peak; Alibaba Cloud processed 325,000 orders per second at peak; Cainiao Network processed 812 million total delivery orders; The first delivery arrived 12 minutes and 18 seconds after midnight. The 11.11 shopping festival began in 2009 with participation from just 27 merchants as an event for merchants and consumers to raise awareness of the value in online shopping. Last year, nearly 100,000 brands and merchants participated in the global shopping event, with consumers spending US$17.8 billion or RMB120.7 billion during the 24-hour period. 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.
- China's exclusive national carrier continues expansion in North America with additional service from Los Angeles International Airport

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Star Alliance member Air China is adding to its three daily Los Angeles-Beijing flights with a new route that connects Southern California's Silicon Beach to China's own Silicon Valley starting Dec. 7, 2017.The three times weekly nonstop service between Los Angeles (LAX) and Shenzhen (SZX) will be operated by the airline's newest Dreamliner, the Boeing 787-9.It will be the first direct service from Los Angeles to China's City of the Future.

"With China as Los Angeles' top trading partner, we are committed to growing and strengthening the economic and cultural ties between the two. The new nonstop Los Angeles-Shenzhen service brings together two of the world's leading technology and innovation hubs," Dr. Zhihang Chi, Vice President and General Manager of Air China North America stated.

According to the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC), majority of Chinese investment into the United States originates from Guangdong Province which covers Shenzhen and Guangzhou.

Dr. Chi added, "At no time is the connectivity between these two cities more needed than it isnow when China's homegrown tech companies with headquarters in Shenzhen are expanding their presence and direct investments in the United States. This new service offers more options for business and leisure travelers to Shenzhen and Hong Kong which is only 19 miles away.

"As this will be operated with our newest Dreamliner which includes a premium economy class cabin, we are confident our competitive fares and affordable, easy upgrade programs will be very attractive for travelers to Shenzhen, Hong Kong and beyond.In addition to extra legroom, our premium economy passengers also enjoy priority boarding and more Phoenix miles, among other amenities."

Air China's B787-9 three-cabin Dreamliner features 30 seats in Capital Pavilion (business class), 34 premium economy and 229 economy class seats for a total of 293.

Schedule and other details for the new service:

Flight # Origin-Destination Departure* Arrival* Frequency Aircraft CA 769 Shenzhen-Los Angeles 23:30 20:00 Mon, Thu, Sat B787-9 CA 770 Los Angeles-Shenzhen 22:50 5:40+2** Mon, Thu, Sat B787-9 Note: * All times are local. ** +2 = Two days. Days of operation and times are subject to

seasonal changes.

This announcement, Air China's latest in a series of unprecedented expansions in North America, brings the average of its seasonally adjusted flights to 150 per week between cities throughout the region and China.Since 2013, China's national carrier has been launching a new route every year.

In September 2016, Air China launched its nonstop service between Shanghai (PVG) and San Jose (SJC), its first direct service between Shanghai and North America.The international carrier's other U.S. and Canada gateways offer nonstop services to Beijing from Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Newark, Washington Dulles, Houston, Honolulu, Vancouver and Montreal.

About Air China

A Star Alliance member and China's exclusive national carrier, Air China is the only airline granted the privilege of having the flag of China painted on the fuselage of its fleet. In addition to its commercial operations, it also provides exclusive special flight services for China's senior government officials on state visits to other countries.It is the top Asian airline in brand value, according to Brand Finance 2016. As well, it is the only airline in the top 20 of Millward Brown's Most Valuable Chinese Brands 2016.

With a fleet of 590 passenger aircraft and freighters, Air China serves 174 cities in 40 countries and regions. It offers access to 1330 destinations in 193 countries through its Star Alliance affiliation.It holds the controlling shares in Air Macau, Shenzhen Airlines, Shandong Airlines, Dalian Airlines, Tibet Airlines, Beijing Airlines and Air China Inner Mongolia Limited. Next to the Swire Group, Air China is the second largest stakeholder of Cathay Pacific Airways.

Visit www.airchina.us or call 800-882-8122 for sales and reservations.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/596661/Air_China_Logo.jpg
StaffConnect v2.0 Transforms The Employee Experience by Enabling Business, Nonprofit and Government Organizations to Better Connect, Communicate and Engage with Entire Workforce - Including Remote, Non-Desk Employees LONDON and SAN FRANCISCO, 2017-11-13 10:00 CET (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- StaffConnect, provider of the award winning enterprise mobile employee engagement platform, today announced it will showcase its recently launched StaffConnect Mobile App Platform version 2 (v2) at the upcoming smilelondon 2017, taking place next week on Monday, November 20, at etc.ventures St Paul's (London, UK). In addition, StaffConnect will be participating in the "Meet the Experts: Table Session #2" roundtable discussion focused on how to develop winning communications strategies that protect employee engagement during critical times of business transformation. One of the UK's leading conferences on social intranets and collaborative platforms, this year's smilelondon 2017 will focus on the technologies shaping your future digital workplace. StaffConnect is a Silver sponsor of smilelondon 2017, and will be available throughout in Stand #5 to: -- Offer practical advice on how to increase employee engagement across the entire workforce, including non-desk workers. -- Discuss key issues such as reducing attrition rates and the impact disengaged employees have on an organization. -- Provide customer use examples of how mobile technology has helped customers such as Yeo Valley, CHP and Vodaphone increase employee engagement and productivity. -- Give examples of how StaffConnect can help drive employee engagement during times of crisis and business transformation. -- Introduce Chat, the enterprise mobile chat feature within the StaffConnect app that has all the same ease of use and functionality as WhatsApp but is more suited for business use. -- Demonstrate StaffConnect, the Award Winning Mobile Employee Engagement Platform, on a giant iPhone providing the opportunity to interact with the App, in a big way. All visitors to the StaffConnect Stand #5 will be offered an opportunity to participate in an industry survey. Each participant will be offered full-access to the final results. And, each participant will be entered into a 50 Amazon gift voucher prize drawing. StaffConnect v2 features key bar-raising enhancements that transform the employee experience by enabling business, nonprofit and government organizations to better connect, communicate and engage with their entire workforce - including remote, non-desk employees. The result is employees are more loyal, passionate and productive - leading to improved customer/client experiences, and consequently superior business outcomes. To learn more, please visit: https://www.staffconnectapp.com/product/. For further information and to register for smilelondon 2017, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/smilelondon-2017-shape-your-future-digital-workpl ace-nov-20th-tickets-35011209470?discount=Sponsor Tweet this: .@StaffConnectApp to Showcase EmployeeEngagement Mobile App Solution at smilelondon 2017 https://www.staffconnectapp.com/latest/press-releases/ About StaffConnect StaffConnect delivers the award winning mobile employee engagement platform. The StaffConnect solution transforms the employee experience by enabling large enterprises to connect, communicate and engage their entire workforce, especially remote, non-desk employees. The customer-branded mobile app gives employees 'a voice' - with access to company and user-generated content to increase loyalty and productivity. The cloud-hosted platform empowers employers to target that content, with analytics, to deepen engagement with everyone. From offices in London and San Francisco, StaffConnect's platform and domain expertise are supporting large businesses around the world to inspire their workforces to deliver better performance, improved customer experiences and greater shareholder value. For further information, please visit: www.staffconnectapp.com. Media Resources (logos, screenshots, etc.): https://goo.gl/2CMbNz PR Contacts: Sabrina Sanchez The Ventana Group for StaffConnect (925) 785-3014 ssanchez@theventanagroup.com Nicole Gorman The Ventana Group for StaffConnect (508) 397-0131 ngorman@theventanagroup.com
ATLANTA, GA -- (Marketwired) -- 11/13/17 -- Speedemissions, Inc. (OTC PINK: SPMI) (the "Company"), a national brand offering our customers quick and efficient emissions testing and safety inspections and the developer of CARbonga-SRI app, today announced its financial results for its third quarter ended September 30, 2017.

"The results of the third quarter represent our seventh consecutive quarter with positive EBITDA, as we work towards our goal of returning to profitability. We continue to focus on the execution of our business plan, the pursuit of strategic growth opportunities, and the creation of equity value for our shareholders," stated Rich Parlontieri, CEO of Speedemissions.

Select Financial Data for Quarter End September 30, 2017

Revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 decreased 4.6%, or $121,646, to $2,506,342 as compared to revenue of $2,627,988 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The decline in revenue is directly attributed to the lease termination and permanent closing of our Utah emission testing station in March 2017.





Same store emission tests for the quarter ended September 30, 2017 decreased by 0.1% in Atlanta and increased by 1.6% in St. Louis compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2016.





The Company reported an improvement of $145,804 in its adjusted EBITDA (a non-GAAP financial measurement) to $276,955 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to adjusted EBITDA of $131,151 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.





Store operating expenses decreased $21,170, or 4.0%, for the quarter ended September 30, 2017 compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2016.





General and Administrative expenses decreased 12.8%, or $22,998, for the quarter ended September 30, 2017 compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2016.





The Company realized a net loss of ($20,317) for the quarter ended September 30, 2017, compared to a net loss of ($31,075) for the quarter ended September 30, 2016. This decrease in net loss for the quarter was due to decreases of $21,170, $22,998 and $34,935 in store operating expenses, general and administrative expenses and interest expense, respectively, negatively impacted by a decrease of $70,972 in revenue due to the Utah store closing.





Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $139,867 as compared to a net loss of ($85,364) for the same period in 2016.





Working capital deficit, as of September 30, 2017, decreased by 22% to $1,219,864 from $1,599,535 since December 31, 2016.





On October 4, 2017, the Company voluntarily filed a Form 15 with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission" or "SEC") and issued a press release announcing its decision to voluntarily deregister its common stock and suspend its reporting obligations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). The Board reviewed a number of factors in making this decision, including the substantial accounting and legal costs related to the filing of periodic reports with the SEC, and the limited liquidity for the Company's common stock.

As a result, in filing the Form 15 with the SEC, the Company will no longer be required to file certain reports under the Exchange Act. This would include quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, annual reports on Form 10-K and current reports on Form 8-K.

Shareholders and investors will be unable to access or review our Form 10-Q for the third quarter ended September 30, 2017, as it was not prepared and filed. However, previous public filings of the Company's Form 10-Q and Form 10-K through the quarter ended June 30, 2017, including current and present Risk Factors, are available on the Speedemission, Inc. website at www.speedemissions.com or through the Commission's Edgar database at www.sec.gov.

ABOUT SPEEDEMISSIONS, INC.

Speedemissions, Inc., based in Atlanta, Georgia, is a national brand offering our customers quick and efficient emissions testing and safety inspections as required by law. The Company is in the, Atlanta, GA. and St. Louis, MO. markets. Speedemissions intends to offer its customers quick and efficient vehicle emissions testing and repair services in convenient locations. For more information visit: www.speedemissions.com.

ABOUT CARBONGA-SRI

Speedemissions owns and developed the CARbonga-SRI app for iPhone users. CARbonga-SRI is an app which allows any consumer to detect automotive car problems for own vehicle or when buying a used car. CARbonga-SRI provides a quick and easy for consumers to stay on top of the safety of their vehicle. CARbonga-SRI contains vehicle information for Safety Recalls and/or Technical Service Bulletins (TSB'S) on nearly every make and model for the past 20 years. These reports are intended to keep the car owner informed about what's really happening under the hood of their vehicle. For more information, visit: www.CARbonga.com.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements contained in this news release regarding matters that are not historical facts may be forward-looking statements. Because such forward-looking statements include risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, uncertainties pertaining to continued market acceptance for Speedemissions' products and services, its ability to increase revenues in the near term to attain profitable operations and generate sufficient cash flow from operations, the effect of new competitors in its market, and the integration of acquired businesses. Other factors not currently anticipated may also materially and adversely affect Speedemissions results of operations, financial position and cash flows. There can be no assurance that future results will meet expectation. While Speedemissions believes that the forward-looking statements in this news release are reasonable, the reader should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement. In addition, these statements speak only as of the date made. Speedemissions does not undertake, and expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

For more information:



Speedemissions, Inc.

Investor Relations

Email: Email Contact




You are here: Home

The ongoing Tianjin opera festival features six productions, including Carmen and A Masked Ball. [Photo provided to China Daily]

In 1978, the China National Opera House staged Giuseppe Verdi's opera La Traviata, which was conducted by Zheng Xiaoying in Tianjin.

It did 40 performances in a row, and the opera attracted more than 80,000 people, which was a phenomenon for the northern Chinese city at the time.

However, no Western operas were staged there from then until 2013.

In 2012, the Tianjin Grand Theater was launched. And Tianjin's local chorus and symphony orchestras performed Giacomo Puccini's opera Tosca under the baton of Tang Muhai, as the opening performance for the theater.

Tosca was a joint production of the Tianjin Grand Theater and the Puccini Festival, an annual opera festival held in Italy every summer.

Over two nights, the opera attracted more than 2,000 people, and most importantly, it laid the foundation for more Western opera productions to visit Tianjin.

In 2014, the Tianjin Grand Theater launched the Tianjin International Opera and Dance Festival, an annual event which aims to promote opera in the city.

Now, in its fourth year, the festival is being held at the Tianjin Grand Theater over Nov 9-30, with six opera productions by three Italian opera companies doing 12 performances.

The Teatro dell'Opera di Roma, or Rome Opera House, kicked off the festival with French composer Georges Bizet's classic opera Carmen on Nov 9 and 11. It will perform La Traviata on Nov 23 and 25.

"These two operas are classics, and in our productions audiences see visual spectacles with new choreography and stage sets, especially the violent scene in Carmen," says director Giandomenico Vaccari.

As for the other performances, Italian opera house, the Teatro Regio di Parma, will perform Puccini's La boheme on Nov 18 and Verdi's A Masked Ball on Nov 19.

The ongoing Tianjin opera festival features six productions, including Carmen and A Masked Ball. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Teatro Comunale Luciano Pavarotti will perform Gioachino Rossini's The Barber of Seville on Nov 12 and Mozart's Don Giovanni on Nov 26.

"All these six opera productions have come to Tianjin for the first time," says Guo Rui, the publicity director of Tianjin Grand Theater.

Since the first Tianjin International Opera and Dance Festival, more people in Tianjin have learned to enjoy the art form, says Guo. In 2016, 20 opera productions were staged during the festival, and they attracted over 60,000 people.

The festival is also attracting other Western theater companies to Tianjin.

For example, in its first year, Russian opera War and Peace, based on Leo Tolstoy's acclaimed novel of the same title, made its China debut at the event.

Besides opera productions, dance performances are also featured during the festival.

This year, Polish Dance Theater will showcase two contemporary worksThe Harvest, choreographed by the theater's director Iwona Pasinska; and Bittersweet, by Polish dancer-choreographer Kaya Koodziejczon Nov 29 and 30.

The Poznan-based theater, founded in 1973, is one of the best-known avant-garde dance ensembles in Poland.
June 21-24, 2018 at Columbia University, NYC

PASADENA, Texas, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --The International Coenzyme Q 10 Association (ICQA; http://icqaproject.org/) is a non-profit organization that fosters basic and applied biomedical research on Coenzyme Q 10 (CoQ 10 ). Their mission is to advance knowledge on basic biochemistry and molecular genetics, as well as preventive and therapeutic effects of CoQ 10 . Kaneka Nutrients (www.kanekanutrients.com) is a founding member and proud to partner with ICQA for the Ninth Scientific Meeting to be held in at Columbia University in New York City June 21 - 24, 2018.

"We have not held our Scientific Meeting in the United States in over 10 years. As such, we are excited to bring this meeting back to the United States. Previous Scientific Meetings have been held in Japan and Europe," said Dr. Placido Navas, Chairman of The International Coenzyme Q10 Association.

Every two to three years, nearly 350+ researchers and other professionals choose to attend the ICQA International Scientific Meeting to learn about the latest advances of Conventional CoQ 10 and the Ubiquinol form of CoQ10, meet with colleagues from around the world and strike new collaborations.

The critical goals of the IQCA are to promote international collaborative research efforts to expand scientific knowledge and to optimize the use of CoQ 10 as preventative and therapeutic interventions in human health. To achieve these important goals, ICQA organizes an international scientific meeting to present cutting-edge CoQ 10 and Ubiquinol CoQ 10 research in major clinical topics including: mitochondrial and degenerative diseases, aging, cardiovascular disorders, and nutritional supplementation needs and mechanisms that can benefit people suffering these conditions.

Dr. Navas added, "As in the 2015 Bologna Scientific Meeting, exciting sessions on the areas of CoQ 10 and Ubiquinol CoQ 10 research that have advanced significantly in the last few years will be presented including: mitochondrial diseases (primarily CoQ 10 deficiency syndrome), cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and aging. There is evidence of efficacy of CoQ 10 supplementation in these conditions. Significantly, the European Medicines Agency has recently registered Ubiquinol as an orphan drug for CoQ 10 deficiency syndrome."

Mark your calendars for this important Scientific Meeting to learn about the advances of Conventional CoQ 10 and the Ubiquinol form of CoQ 10 . Visit icqaproject.org for more information and to register.

Contact Information:

Ron Martin

Kaneka Nutrients

+1-281-291-3185
HORSHAM, PA -- (Marketwired) -- 11/13/17 -- With less than three weeks to go, the upcoming Recruiting Trends & Talent Tech 2017 conference shared additional details from its robust agenda. At this year's event, key industry influencers, analysts and representatives from top brands including Comcast, Wells Fargo and NBCUniversal will take the stage, exploring trends, issues and challenges facing today's recruiting and talent teams.

Conference co-chair Elaine Orler shared, "By carefully curating the agenda for Recruiting Trends & Talent Tech 2017, we've aimed to put a spotlight on topics that play in role in the everyday work of recruiters. We're excited to welcome the input and experience of major players from the across the recruiting industry and many top employer brands to help attendees understand what will best support their hiring goals. From implementing predictive analytics, to overhauling the candidate experience, each session pays careful mind to the strategies, technologies and tactics that can help organizations elevate their relationship with top talent."

During "Predictive Analytics and the Future of Talent Acquisition," industry analyst Madeline Laurano, co-founder of Aptitude Research Partners, will consider why many of today's organizations look to predictive analytics to transform their recruitment strategy and yet so few understand its practical application. Taking on this Holy Grail, Laurano will clear up the confusion around the role of predictive modeling and analytics as it relates to data-driven recruiting, and address important factors including what insight predictive analytics can offer about job candidates, how it works with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning and what to consider in selecting a provider.

Other standout sessions on the agenda include "The Two Catalysts Changing Talent Acquisition That You Can't Afford to Ignore" presented by LaShonda Rahming, executive director, Talent Acquisition Infrastructure for Comcast; "Are You My Candidate?" led by Joanna Clark, recruiting manager at Wells Fargo; and "Helping Recruiters Transform into Talent Advisors" featuring Helen Lynch, director, Talent Acquisition Operations at NBCUniversal.

Building from the Comcast story, Rahming will explain how candidates' increasing expectations for a consumer-like experience and the emergence of vendors that offer more targeted and robust candidate-attractive strategies have talent acquisition teams re-evaluating their processes and systems. Clark of Wells Fargo will take attendees on a journey, exploring three critical areas of attraction and a five-step talent acquisition journey that leads to recruiting nirvana. Drawing on her efforts at NBCUniversal, Lynch will discuss the organization's goal for its recruiters to serve as talent advisors and how this supports long-term talent needs.

Created by LRP, the parent company of Human Resource Executive magazine and producers of the world-famous HR Technology Conference & Exposition, the Recruiting Trends & Talent Tech Conference will take place November 28-30, 2017 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Fla. Registration and the full agenda are available at www.recruitandtalenttech.com.

Recruiting professionals can also subscribe to the complimentary Recruiting Trends Bulletin by completing the form located here http://www.recruitingtrends.com/REC/Newsletter.jhtml.

About Recruiting Trends & Talent Tech

For decades, the Recruiting Trends Conference had attracted hundreds of recruiting professionals annually who were looking to re-energize their recruiting and sourcing practices. In 2016, LRP Conferences LLC acquired the event and co-located it with the brand-new Talent Acquisition Tech Conference. This year, the two formerly co-located events become one under a new name: Recruiting Trends & Talent Tech -- providing attendees with both the art and science of talent acquisition via pre-conference workshops, keynotes and panel discussions, and breakout sessions.


WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - The latest poll conducted after Roy Moore faced allegations of sexual misconduct shows that the race has become very tough for the GOP nominee in the Alabama Special election to the Senate.



According to the results of a poll from the Republican-leaning firm JMC Analytics and Polling Sunday, Moore was trailing Democrat Doug Jones by 4 percentage points.



Jones leads Moore 48 percent to 44 percent in the survey, which was conducted between November 9 and 11.



Last week, Washington Post had carried a report in which Moore was accused of abusing a 14-year-old girl nearly four decades ago. Three other women accused him of making romantic or sexual advances on them when they were teenagers.



A former state Supreme Court chief justice, Moore has previously come under fire for controversial remarks about gays and Muslims.



Moore has been leading until the latest sex scandal surfaced, and with barely a month for the election, it will be neck-to-neck if not a clear lead for Jones in what is typically considered a safe Republican seat, reports say.



A couple of other polls conducted after the allegations also suggests that the race is close.



President Donald Trump believes Roy Moore will drop out of the Alabama Senate race if the allegations are true. Several Republican lawmakers are of the same view.



Senator Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania was the latest to join them, urging 70 year-old Moore to drop out of the special election. He suggested that the Republican leadership should consider Senator Luther Strange, who lost the Republican primary to Moore, as a write-in candidate.



But a defiant Moore says he would file a lawsuit against the 'fake news'.



The election, to fill the seat previously held by Attorney General Jeff Sessions, is scheduled for December 12.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de
BEACHWOOD, OH / ACCESSWIRE / November 13, 2017 / Gold Lakes Corp. (the "Company") (OTC PINK: GLLK) (OTC PINK: GLLKD), an exploration stage Blue-Sky company that specializes in acquiring and developing mining assets, would like to update shareholders.

The company is excited about continuing our work plan for the "Big Monty" Property. Mr. Vallos, President of Gold Lakes Corp., states, "The recent gold discoveries in the Abitibi Region that Harte Gold and Bonterra Resources have made, proves that we are in a region of high gold deposits, and we are on the right track."

The reverse split will allow the company to go back to the higher tier QB market and will allow the stock to trade to a broader audience of brokers. We are also pursuing potential acquisitions and Joint Ventures and will keep the investor community informed as these events occur.

The company is currently working on the Fiscal Year-End Audit, which BF Borgers, CPA is the new auditor for Gold Lakes Corp.

Further updates will be announced in the upcoming weeks.

About Gold Lakes Corp. :

Gold Lakes Corp. is an exploration stage Blue Sky company that specializes in acquiring and developing mining assets. The Company primary asset is known as the "Big Monty" property, located in the prolific Abitibi Greenstone Belt region, in Ontario, Canada. The Big Monty property is bordered by producing gold mines and is situated within the Porcupine-Destor Fault Zone "PDFZ" and Larder Lake Cadillac Fault Zone. For more information, please visit: www.goldlakes.com

Forward-Looking Statements :

This news release includes "forward-looking statements," as that term is defined in Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the United States Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that are subject to assumptions, risks, and uncertainties. Statements in this news release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements, including without limitation any statements concerning the Company's intentions, plans, estimates, expectations or beliefs regarding the future. Although the Company believes that any forward-looking statements in this news release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that any such forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate. The Company cautions readers that all forward-looking statements, including without limitation those relating to the Company's future operations and business prospects, are based on assumptions none of which can be assured, and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such risks and uncertainties and should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Any forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or to update the reasons why actual events or results could or do differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

For more information, please visit: www.goldlakes.com, or for Investor Relations contact: 216-916-9303 or email: info@goldlakes.com

SOURCE: Gold Lakes Corp.
The Hydrogen Council reveals first-of-a kind study showing hydrogen's contribution as a key pillar of the energy transition

Regulatory News:

As global leaders gathered at COP 23 in Bonn, 18 key leaders in their industry verticals, united in the Hydrogen Council coalition, came together to launch first ever globally quantified vision of the role of hydrogen, developed with support from McKinsey. In addition to being a key pillar in of the energy transition, the study shows that hydrogen has the potential to develop US $2.5tn of business, creating more than 30 million jobs by 2050.

Taking the Hydrogen Council's vision for hydrogen to the next level, the study entitled Hydrogen, Scaling upoutlines a comprehensive and quantified roadmap to scale deployment and its enabling impact on the energy transition.

Deployed at scale, hydrogen could account for almost one-fifth of total final energy consumed by 2050. This would reduce annual CO 2 emissions by roughly 6 gigatons compared to today's levels, and contribute roughly 20% of the abatement required to limit global warming to two degrees Celsius.

On the demand side, the Hydrogen Council sees the potential for hydrogen to power about 10 to 15 million cars and 500,000 trucks by 2030, with many uses in other sectors as well, such as industry processes and feedstocks, building heating and power, power generation and storage. Overall, the study predicts that the annual demand for hydrogen could increase tenfold by 2050 to almost 80 EJ1 in 2050 meeting 18% of total final energy demand in the 2050 two-degree scenario. At a time when global populations are expected to grow by two billion people by 2050, hydrogen technologies have the potential to create opportunities for sustainable economic growth.

"The world in the 21st century must transition to widespread low carbon energy use," said Takeshi Uchiyamada, Chairman of Toyota Motor Corporation and co-chair of the Hydrogen Council. "Hydrogen is an indispensable resource to achieve this transition because it can be used to store and transport wind, solar and other renewable electricity to power transportation and many other things. The Hydrogen Council has identified seven roles for hydrogen, which is why we are encouraging governments and investors to give it a prominent role in their energy plans. The sooner we get the hydrogen economy going, the better, and we are all committed to making this a reality."

Achieving such scale would require substantial investments; approximately US$20 to 25 billion annually for a total of about US$280 billion until 2030. Within the right regulatory framework including long-term, stable coordination and incentive policies the report considers that attracting these investments to scale the technology is feasible. The world already invests more than US$1.7 trillion in energy each year, including US$650 billion in oil and gas, US$300 billion in renewable electricity, and more than US$300 billion in the automotive industry.

"This study confirms the place of hydrogen as a central pillar in the energy transition, and encourages us in our support of its large-scale deployment. Hydrogen will be an unavoidable enabler for the energy transition in certain sectors and geographies. The sooner we make this happen the sooner we will be able to enjoy the needed benefits of Hydrogen at the service of our economies and our societies," said Benoit Potier, Chairman and CEO, Air Liquide. "Solutions are technologically mature and industry players are committed. We need concerted stakeholder efforts to make this happen; leading this effort is the role of the Hydrogen Council."

1 Symbol for the exajoule, an SI unit of work or energy equal to 1018 joules.

The launch of the new roadmap came during the Sustainability Innovation Forum in the presence of 18 senior members of the Hydrogen led by co-chairs Takeshi Uchiyamada, Chairman of Toyota and Benoit Potier, Chairman and CEO, Air Liquide and accompanied by Prof. Aldo Belloni, CEO of The Linde Group, Woong-chul Yang, Vice Chairman of Hyundai Motor Company and Anne Stevens, Board Member of Anglo American. During the launch, the Hydrogen Council called upon investors, policymakers, and businesses to join them in accelerating deployment of hydrogen solutions for the energy transition. It was also announced that Woong-chul Yang of Hyundai Motor Company will succeed Takeshi Uchiyamada of Toyota in the rotating role of the Council's co-chair and preside the group together with Benoit Potier, Chairman and CEO Air Liquide, in 2018. Mr Uchiyamada is planning to return as Co-chairman in 2020, coinciding with the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, an important milestone for showcasing hydrogen society and mobility.

Hydrogen, scaling up Key takeaways2

18% of final energy demand 6 Gt annual CO 2 abatement $2.5tn annual sales (hydrogen and equipment) 30 million jobs created

About the Hydrogen Council:

Launched at the World Economic Forum in Davos in early 2017, the Hydrogen Council is a first-of-its-kind global CEO initiative to foster the role of hydrogen technologies in the global energy transition. Current members include 18 leading multinationals Air Liquide, Alstom, Anglo American, Audi, BMW GROUP, Daimler, ENGIE, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai Motor, Iwatani, Kawasaki, Plastic Omnium, Royal Dutch Shell, Statoil, The Linde Group, Total, and Toyota as well as 10 dynamic players from across the value chain Ballard, Faber Industries, Faurecia, First Element Fuel (True Zero), Gore, Hydrogenics, Mitsubishi Corporation, Mitsui Co, Plug Power, and Toyota Tsusho.The coalition collectively represents total revenues of over 1.5 trillion and more than 2 million jobs around the world.3 To find out more: www.hydrogencouncil.com.

About Hydrogen Council meetings at COP 23:

The Council will gather at COP 23 to conclude the first year of its activity. While in Bonn on 13-14 November 2017, CEOs and other senior representatives will participate in a range of high-level roundtables, interactions with policy-makers as well as the media and the broader stakeholder community.

The Hydrogen Council is led by two Co-Chairs from different geographies and sectors, elected by Steering Members for a two-year term, each year one of the two Co-chair mandates is renewed for continuity.

About Hydrogen

Hydrogen is a versatile, clean, and safe energy carrier that can be used as fuel for power or in industry as feedstock. Generating zero emissions at point of use, it can be produced from (renewable) electricity and from carbon-abated fossil fuels, thereby achieving completely zero-emission pathways. The uses for hydrogen continue to grow as it can be stored and transported at high energy density in liquid or gaseous form and can be combusted or used in fuel cells to generate heat and electricity. This versatility confers to hydrogen a key enabling role all together in the transport, the industry and the residential sectors, as well as for the large-scale storage of renewable energies, making it a promising solution to overcome the challenges of the energy transition.

2 SOURCE: Hydrogen Council; IEA ETP Hydrogen and Fuel Cells CBS; National Energy Outlook 2016

3 Company figures from financial years 2015 and 2016.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171113005999/en/

Contacts:

For further information about the event and related media opportunities:

Hydrogen Council Press Office:

Harriet Barham, +32 473 410 159

Harriet.barham@fticonsulting.com
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Saudi Aramco's is set to go forward with its IPO next year, Oman's oil minister told CNBC. At an energy industry conference in Abu Dhabi, Oman's Mohammed bin Hamad al-Rumhi was asked for an answer regarding his expectations over Saudi Aramco's potential IPO next year. He replied: 'If CNBC says yes, then I say yes.' The initial public offering of Saudi Aramco, the world's largest energy company, is expected to take place in the second half of 2018. However, recent reports have rumored that the company could delay its international listing into 2019 or even abandon it altogether in favor of selling private shares to sovereign wealth funds. Meanwhile, Reuters reported that although preparation for the IPO is proceeding, no decision has been taken yet on the venue for the international listing. Reuters cited Al Arabiya Television channel as its source. 'Preparations are proceeding to the fullest extent for listing in 2018,' Amin Nasser, President and CEO of Saudi Aramco, told the channel in an interview aired on Sunday. Nasser told Al Arabiya Aramco's shares will certainly be listed on the Saudi stock market, Tadawu. As for other markets, a complete study was made,' he said naming New York, London, Tokyo and Hong Kong. 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.
Regulatory News:

Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd. (LN:PSH) (NA:PSH) today announces that it has purchased, through PSH's agent, Jefferies International Limited ("Jefferies"), the following number of PSH's ordinary shares of no par value (ISIN Code: GG00BPFJTF46) (the "Shares"):

Trading Venue: London Stock Exchange Date of purchase: 13 November 2017 Number of Shares purchased: 15,976 Shares Highest price paid per Share: 1,037 pence 13.59 USD Lowest price paid per Share: 1,032 pence 13.52 USD Average price paid per Share: 1,032.88 pence 13.53 USD Trading Venue: Euronext Amsterdam Date of purchase: 13 November 2017 Number of Shares purchased: 40,003 Shares Highest price paid per Share: 13.58 USD Lowest price paid per Share: 13.51 USD Average price paid per Share: 13.55 USD

PSH intends to cancel these Shares. The net asset value per Share related to this Share buyback is USD 17.28 GBP 13.1 which was calculated as of 7 November 2017. After giving effect to the above Share buyback, PSH has outstanding 236,881,837 Shares. The prices per share in USD were calculated by Jefferies.

The number of PSH Management Shares and the 1 special voting share (held by PS Holdings Independent Voting Company Limited) has not been affected.

About Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd.:

Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd. (LN:PSH) (NA:PSH) is an investment holding company structured as a closed-ended fund that makes concentrated investments principally in North American companies.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171113006272/en/

Contacts:

Maitland

James Devas, +44 20 7379 5151

Media-pershingsquareholdings1@maitland.co.uk
Net Sales Increase 26% Year-over-Year

WESTMINSTER, MA / ACCESSWIRE / November 13, 2017 / TechPrecision Corporation (OTCQB: TPCS) ("TechPrecision" or "the Company"), an industry-leading manufacturer of precision, large-scale fabricated and machined metal components and tested systems with customers in the defense, energy and precision industrial sectors, today reported financial results for the second quarter and the six months ended September 30, 2017.

Second Quarter of Fiscal 2018 Financial Results

Net sales were $4.6 million, a 26% increase when compared to the same quarter a year ago.

Gross profit was $1.4 million compared to $1.5 million in the same quarter last year, a 3% decrease, primarily due to higher unabsorbed overhead costs.

Income before income taxes was $0.6 million, a 10% increase when compared to the same period a year ago.

Net income was $368,000, or $0.01 per share basic and fully diluted, down from net income of $546,000 or $0.02 per share basic and fully diluted, for the same quarter a year ago, due primarily to an increase of $234,000 in income tax expense. Cash paid for income taxes in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 was $20,000. Income tax expense was significantly lower in the quarter ended September 30, 2016, due to the utilization of net operating losses and the associated reduction in the valuation allowance which had been provided for deferred tax assets.

EBITDA was $894,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2017, compared to $918,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2016. Please refer to the reconciliation of EBITDA (a non-GAAP measure) to net income (a GAAP measure) in this release.

Six Months Year-to-Date Fiscal 2018 Financial Results

Net sales were $10.4 million, a 26% increase when compared to the same period a year ago.

Gross profit was $3.2 million, a 5% increase compared to $3.0 million in the same period a year ago.

Income before income taxes was $1.3 million, a 31% increase when compared to the same period a year ago.

Net income was $793,000, or $0.03 per share basic and fully diluted, down from net income of $991,000 or $0.04 per share basic and fully diluted, for the same period a year ago, primarily due to an increase of $512,000 in income tax expense. Cash paid for income taxes in the six months ended September 30, 2017 was $30,000. Income tax expense was significantly lower in the six months ended September 30, 2016, due to the utilization of net operating losses and the associated reduction in the valuation allowance which had been provided for deferred tax assets.

EBITDA was $1.9 million for the six months ended September 30, 2017, compared to $1.7 million for the six months ended September 30, 2016. Please refer to the reconciliation of EBITDA (a non-GAAP measure) to net income (a GAAP measure) in this release.

Second Quarter Recap

"This was another profitable operating quarter, continuing our recent trends and bolstering our confidence that we are on the right path," stated Alexander Shen, TechPrecision's Chief Executive Officer. "Our improved quality and consistent on-time delivery is resonating with key customers, helping us drive a 26% increase in net sales. Income before income taxes was $614,000, a 10% increase over the same quarter a year ago."

Mr. Shen added, "We have invested approximately $1.6 million in new machinery and equipment through fiscal years 2017 and 2018, and we will maintain our focus on the defense, nuclear and precision industrial markets as we endeavor to replenish our backlog."

Chairman of the Board, Richard McGowan, stated, "The board is very aware of the significant drag on earnings caused by the costs of being a public company at our revenue level. We have been and continue to actively investigate and pursue all ways to improve this."

The company has tentatively scheduled its annual meeting of stockholders in September 2018 to better align its meeting with the end of its fiscal year. The exact date will be forthcoming.

Balance Sheet Summary

At September 30, 2017, TechPrecision had working capital of $5.7 million, compared to working capital of $5.0 million at March 31, 2017. The Company had $2.5 million in cash at September 30, 2017.

Teleconference Information

The Company will hold a conference call at 4:30 p.m. Eastern (U.S.) time on November 13, 2017. To participate in the live conference call, please dial 1-888-567-1602 five to 10 minutes prior to the scheduled conference call time. International callers should dial 1-404-267-0373. When prompted, reference TechPrecision.

A replay will be available until December 13, 2017. To access the replay, dial 1-877-481-4010 or 1-919-882-2331. When prompted, enter Conference Passcode 22492.

The call will also be available live by webcast at TechPrecision Corporation's website, www.techprecision.com, and will also be available over the Internet and accessible at http://www.investorcalendar.com/event/22492.

About TechPrecision Corporation

TechPrecision Corporation, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Ranor, Inc. and Wuxi Critical Mechanical Components Co., Ltd., manufactures large-scale, metal fabricated and machined precision components and equipment. These products are used in a variety of markets including: defense, aerospace, nuclear, industrial, and medical. TechPrecision's goal is to be an end-to-end service provider to its customers by furnishing customized solutions for completed products requiring custom fabrication and machining, assembly, inspection, and testing. To learn more about the Company, please visit the corporate website at http://www.techprecision.com. Information on the Company's website or any other website does not constitute a part of this press release.

Safe Harbor Statement

This release contains certain "forward-looking statements" relating to the business of the Company and its subsidiary companies. All statements other than statements of current or historical fact contained in this press release, including statements that express our intentions, plans, objectives, beliefs, expectations, strategies, predictions or any other statements relating to our future activities or other future events or conditions are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are often identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believe," "continue," "expect," "will," or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to be materially different from those described herein as anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. 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 as a result of a variety of factors, including our ability to change the composition of our revenues and effectively reduce operating expenses, the availability of appropriate financing facilities impacting our operations, financial condition and/or liquidity, our ability to receive contract awards through competitive bidding processes, our ability to maintain standards to enable us to manufacture products to exacting specifications, our ability to enter new markets for our services, our reliance on a small number of customers for a significant percentage of our business, competitive pressures in the markets we serve, pricing and business development difficulties and other risks discussed in the Company's periodic reports that are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available on its website (www.sec.gov). All forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or to persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these factors. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this press release, except as required by applicable law.

TECHPRECISION CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

September 30, 2017 March 31, 2017 ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 2,489,626 $ 3,066,156 Accounts receivable, net 2,175,822 1,870,672 Costs incurred on uncompleted contracts, in excess of progress billings 3,213,329 2,097,221 Inventories - raw materials 200,787 141,792 Other current assets 546,633 422,096 Total current assets 8,626,197 7,597,937 Property, plant and equipment, net 5,369,167 4,912,202 Deferred income taxes 2,364,303 2,871,680 Other noncurrent assets, net 68,625 100,000 Total assets $ 16,428,292 $ 15,481,819 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 380,318 $ 365,308 Accrued expenses 1,008,717 893,415 Billings on uncompleted contracts, in excess of related costs 827,573 642,831 Current portion of long-term debt 742,292 717,481 Total current liabilities 2,958,900 2,619,035 Long-term debt, including capital leases 4,546,078 4,874,721 Noncurrent accrued expenses 8,064 17,742 Stockholders' Equity: Common stock - par value $.0001 per share, 90,000,000 shares authorized, 28,824,593 shares issued and outstanding at September 30 and March 31, 2017 2,882 2,882 Additional paid in capital 8,409,517 8,258,820 Accumulated other comprehensive income 20,872 19,328 Retained earnings (accumulated deficit) 481,979 (310,709 ) Total stockholders' equity 8,915,250 7,970,321 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 16,428,292 $ 15,481,819

TECHPRECISION CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended September 30, Six Months Ended September 30, 2017 2016 2017 2016 Net sales $ 4,588,894 $ 3,656,163 $ 10,419,280 $ 8,300,968 Cost of sales 3,155,893 2,182,547 7,245,692 5,291,959 Gross profit 1,433,001 1,473,616 3,173,588 3,009,009 Selling, general and administrative 720,341 739,585 1,640,100 1,627,763 Income from operations 712,660 734,031 1,533,488 1,381,246 Other income 1,456 6,824 1,547 7,575 Interest expense (100,414 ) (183,268 ) (209,196 ) (376,478 ) Total other expense, net (98,958 ) (176,444 ) (207,649 ) (368,903 ) Income before income taxes 613,702 557,587 1,325,839 1,012,343 Income tax expense 245,516 11,505 533,151 20,958 Net income $ 368,186 $ 546,082 $ 792,688 $ 991,385 Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax: Foreign currency translation adjustments $ 1,854 $ (281 ) $ 2,586 $ (1,223 ) Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax 1,854 (281 ) 2,586 (1,223 ) Income tax expense on other comprehensive income 746 - 1,042 - Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax $ 1,108 $ (281 ) $ 1,544 $ (1,223 ) Comprehensive income $ 369,294 $ 545,801 $ 794,232 $ 990,162 Net income per share (basic) $ 0.01 $ 0.02 $ 0.03 $ 0.04 Net income per share (diluted) $ 0.01 $ 0.02 $ 0.03 $ 0.04 Weighted average number of shares outstanding (basic) 28,824,593 27,324,593 28,824,593 27,324,593 Weighted average number of shares outstanding (diluted) 29,730,456 28,020,795 29,751,219 27,936,098

TECHPRECISION CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

Six Months Ended September 30, 2017 2016 CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net income $ 792,688 $ 991,385 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation 351,422 353,488 Amortization of debt issue costs 37,038 90,049 Stock based compensation expense 150,697 22,910 Change in contract losses 29,139 (40,532 ) Deferred income taxes 507,376 - Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable (305,150 ) 1,118,019 Costs on uncompleted contracts, in excess of progress billings (1,116,108 ) 240,431 Inventories - raw materials (58,995 ) 3,005 Other current assets (124,537 ) 152,051 Other noncurrent assets and liabilities (9,678 ) (819 ) Accounts payable 15,010 (406,463 ) Accrued expenses 88,319 (170,369 ) Accrued taxes - 20,958 Billings on uncompleted contracts, in excess of related costs 184,742 (945,358 ) Net cash provided by operating activities 541,963 1,428,755 CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES Proceeds from sale of equipment 80,000 - Deposit for fixed assets (36,987 ) - Purchases of property, plant and equipment (808,386 ) (114,856 ) Net cash used in investing activities (765,373 ) (114,856 ) CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES Deferred loan costs - (145,995 ) Borrowings of long-term debt - 3,011,648 Repayment of long-term debt (352,509 ) (2,673,432 ) Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (352,509 ) 192,221 Effect of exchange rate on cash and cash equivalents (611 ) 42 Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents (576,530 ) 1,506,162 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period $ 3,066,156 $ 1,332,166 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 2,489,626 $ 2,838,328

TECHPRECISION CORPORATION

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Reconciliation of EBITDA to Net Income

(Unaudited)

The following table provides a reconciliation of EBITDA to net income, the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure reported in our condensed consolidated financial statements:

Three months ended September 30, 2017 Three months ended September 30, 2016 Change Amount Net income $ 368,186 $ 546,082 $ (177,896 ) Income tax expense 245,516 11,505 234,011 Interest expense (1) 100,414 183,268 (82,854 ) Depreciation 179,809 177,438 2,371 EBITDA $ 893,925 $ 918,293 $ (24,368 ) Six months ended September 30, 2017 Six months ended September 30, 2016 Change Amount Net income $ 792,688 $ 991,385 $ (198,697 ) Income tax expense 533,151 20,958 512,193 Interest expense (1) 209,196 376,478 (167,282 ) Depreciation 351,422 353,488 (2,066 ) EBITDA $ 1,886,457 $ 1,742,309 $ 144,148

(1) Includes amortization of debt issue costs.

Company Contact:

Mr. Thomas Sammons

Chief Financial Officer

TechPrecision Corporation

Phone: 978-883-5109

Email: sammonst@ranor.com

Website: www.techprecision.com



Investor Relations Contact:

Hayden IR

Brett Maas

Phone: 646-536-7331

Email: brett@haydenir.com

Website: www.haydenir.com



SOURCE: TechPrecision Corporation
Although Xi'an is best known for the Terracotta Warriors and many traditional delicacies, the ancient city is now making firm and quick steps to become a major IT hub by creating a favorable environment for technology companies as well as professionals from all over the world.

Xi'an holds the Global Programers' Festival to promote its IT industry.

One such IT talent is 27-year-old Zhang Xiaodong from Xi'an's Northwestern Polytechnical University. He said he chose to stay in Xi'an after graduation to take a job as a software engineer, and that he is living his dream.

"I'm earning as much as 8,000 yuan (US$1,200) a month," he said."That is a desirable salary compared with the living cost here."

Modeling after famed global tech centers like Silicon Valley and Bangalore, Xi'an has taken advantage of its local resources in research and education to catapult itself as a prime destination for IT companies.

"The ancient city has the human resources it takes to contend with Silicon Valley and Bangalore to become a hub for technology and innovation," said Gong Min, founder of Beijing Linx-Tech Co., Ltd. "People are the first factor for the IT industry and it is the talent that makes things happen."

Xi'an is home to around 100 research institutes and more than 60 universities, including renowned science universities like Xi'an Jiaotong University and Xidian University. Drawing students from across the country, they help to form a large talent pool to feed the booming IT sector in the region.

"Keeping local talent and luring outside talent is key to the success of the IT industry for Xi'an," Gong said.

He suggested that there should be a synergy between colleges and startups to encourage innovative thinking and problem solving among college students.

In recent years, Xi'an has begun attracting major IT enterprises, including Huawei, Chinasoft International and ZTE, all of which have set up research and development operations in the city.

"One third of HSBC's global business has been bolstered by our center in Xi'an," said Cen Zhen, head of Chinasoft International's HSBC Business Line.

Chinasoft International, one of the leading software companies in China, opened a company in Xi'an in 2012. Cen said the reasons that led the company to Xi'an are the presence of educational and entrepreneurial institutions as well as the region's large talent pool.

Chen Yuhong, executive chairman of the board of Chinasoft International Ltd., said, "Chinasoft International is working with other companies to help build Xi'an into China's Silicon Valley' and China's Bangalore. "

Chinasoft International is joined by Huawei and 31 other Fortune 500 companies, such as IBM, Samsung, Fujitsu and Intel, to have set up offices in Xi'an.

The Xi'an Software Park, part of the city's High-Tech Industries Development Zone, is an active promoter of IT investment.

Established in 1998, the Xi'an Software Park is one of the nation's four parks that earn the titles of the "National Software Industrial Base" and the "National Software Export Base."

Lyu Dongguo, director of the Xi'an Software Park Development Center, said many IT companies chose the park to start their ventures as it ticked all the boxes in terms of support infrastructure for their growth, an enviable pool of tech talents and low-cost commercial real estate.

"The average home prices are round 9,000 yuan for each square meter in Xi'an, compared with sky-high prices in Beijing and Shanghai, which normally surpass 50,000 yuan," he said.

In 2016, more than 2,000 companies in the park generated a combined 199.4 billion yuan in revenue and employed a total of 165,100 professionals. The figures are expected to grow to 500 billion yuan and 250,000 professionals by 2021.

Going even further to attract talents, Xi'an eased its household registration rules since March 1 this year.

The new policy, considered the most loosened household registration policy in China's history, grants permanent residency to migrants aged 35 and under who are college graduates and willing to work, live or start a business in the city. The permanent residency status gives the IT professionals equal access to social welfare and other benefits.

"The policy will greatly fuel the IT industry in Xi'an," Lyu said. "More graduates will choose to stay and work in the city."

Xi'an Software Park is also an active participant in a recent initiative to promote the city's IT industry, the Global Programers' Festival.

"The festival is held not only to celebrate the programers, but also to present Xi'an to more IT engineers in the world and attract more IT companies to come here," Lyu said.

Sumavasee Slasuk, director of the Digital Economy Promotion Agency of Thailand, was invited to attend the festival, and she said she was quite impressed with the city.

After having spoken with some IT companies in the city, Slasuk said she found the younger generation there to be very interested in the software industry.

"They have very good professional skills and are keen on creating their startups," she said.
BOUCHERVILLE, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 11/13/17 -- Colabor Group Inc. (TSX: GCL) ("Colabor" or the "Corporation") announced today that Stephane Gonthier, member of the Board and Chairman of the Corporate Governance and Human Resources Committee, has informed the Corporation's Board of Directors of his plans to step down from the Board as of December 31, 2017. Mr. Gonthier has been a member of Colabor's Board of Directors since May 1, 2013.

"With the arrival of new shareholders and Board members in 2016, I felt it was necessary to remain on the Board of Directors to ensure a quick and successful transition. I also wanted to make sure there was an efficient selection process in place to find a successor for our current president and CEO, Claude Gariepy, who will be stepping down in 2018. I believe my work here is done, and it is now time for me to move on," said Mr. Gonthier.

The Chairman of the Board of Directors, Robert Cloutier, thanked Mr. Gonthier for his contribution to Colabor's development: "Although Mr. Gonthier now lives in the United States, he was consistently present at Board meetings, and demonstrated exemplary commitment in making himself available to Board members. Over the last year, Mr. Gonthier contributed greatly to the transition between the old and new Board. Stephane is a tireless worker, and we thank him sincerely for his contribution."

The Board of Directors immediately began the process to fill Mr. Gonthier's vacancy as soon as possible.

ABOUT COLABOR

Colabor is a distributor and wholesaler of food and non-food products serving the foodservice market (cafeterias, restaurants, hotels, restaurant chains) in Quebec, Ontario and the Atlantic provinces, as well as the retail market (grocery stores and convenience stores).

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release may contain forward-looking statements reflecting the opinions or current expectations of Colabor Group Inc. concerning its performance and business operations and future events. These statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Actual results and events may differ. The Corporation assumes no obligation beyond what is required under law to update forward-looking statements pursuant to changes in the beliefs, estimates and opinions of management or to other factors.

Contacts:

Investors: Colabor Group Inc.

Jean-Francois Neault, CPA, CMA, MBA

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

450-449-0026, ext. 1308

450-449-6180 (FAX)

jean-francois.neault@colabor.com



Media: Maison Brison Inc.

Martin Goulet, CFA

Senior Vice President, Investor Relations

514-731-0000, ext. 229

514-731-4525 (FAX)

martin@maisonbrison.com




MONTREAL, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 11/13/17 -- It is with great sadness that Orbite Technologies Inc. (NEX: ORT.H) ("Orbite", or the "Company") announces the passing of Lionel Leveille, distinguished and long-time member of its Board of directors.

Mr. Leveille joined Orbite's Board in 2006 and regretfully resigned for health reasons in June of 2017. He served on a number of the Company's Board committees as well as Chairman of the Board. His distinguished career included tenure as President and CEO of Adacel Inc., which operates in the field of aerial navigation control simulation. He also enjoyed an illustrious career in the military and aerospace industry, serving as President of Raytheon Canada, Vice-President of Heroux-Devtek, Vice-President of Bombardier, Vice-President of Oerlikon Aerospace, and Executive Vice-President of CMC Electronics (formerly Canadian Marconi Company). Mr. Leveille was also involved with the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada, serving as Chair of several committees as well as Vice-Chairman and Chairman.

"Lionel's expertise, and his belief, dedication and commitment to Orbite were fundamental to our development and growth. Working with Lionel was a privilege. He will be greatly missed and we extend our sincere condolences to his family," said Claude Lamoureux, Orbite's Chairman of the Board.

About Orbite

Orbite Technologies Inc. is a Canadian cleantech company whose innovative and proprietary processes are expected to produce alumina and other high-value products, such as rare earth and rare metal oxides, at one of the lowest costs in the industry, and in a sustainable fashion, using feedstocks that include aluminous clay, kaolin, nepheline, bauxite, red mud, fly ash as well as serpentine residues from chrysotile processing sites. Orbite is currently in the process of finalizing its first commercial high-purity alumina (HPA) production plant in Cap-Chat, Quebec and has completed the basic engineering for a proposed smelter-grade alumina (SGA) production plant, which would use clay mined from its Grande-Vallee deposit. The Company's portfolio contains 15 intellectual property families, including 44 patents and 38 pending patent applications in 11 different countries and regions. The first intellectual property family is patented in Canada, USA, Australia, Japan and Russia. The Company also operates a state of the art technology development center in Laval, Quebec, where its technologies are developed and validated.

Contacts:

Orbite Technologies Inc.

Yves Noel

VP Business Development

514 744-6264

info@orbitetech.com



Media enquiries:

TACT Intelligence-conseil

Mathieu Lavallee, External Media Relations Consultant

514 947-7628

mlavallee@tactconseil.ca




BRASILIA (dpa-AFX) - The Mercosur and the European Union (EU) will focus on the final stage of a trade agreement negotiation, according to the conclusion of a meeting in Brasilia between the foreign ministers of the South American bloc and the vice-president of the European Commission, Jyrki Katainen. 'While some want to build walls, we want to build bridges. The proposed partnership agreement and the prospects for trade negotiations are essential because they reaffirm our stance against protectionism,' Katainen said. After the meeting, Argentinean Foreign Minister Jorge Faurie said he was confident with the final result of the agreement with the EU. 'I am sure that, if we achieve this agreement, we will get from now on a gesture of greater confidence for investors,' he said. For its turn, the Brazilian Foreign Minister, Aloysio Nunes Ferreira, noted that Mercosur 'moves ahead and is in talks with several blocs and countries, but the negotiations with the EU are the parameter for all the others.' 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.
Quad-C Management, Inc., a middle market private equity firm, has completed the sale of its stake in portfolio company Vaco, a Nashville, Tennessee-based executive search, consulting, placement and strategic staffing firm.

Olympus Partners and management were the acquirers in the deal.

The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Founded in 2002 by CEO Jerry Bostelman, Vaco provides boutique-level service with a global reach in the areas of executive search, consulting, permanent placement and strategic staffing. Areas of focus include accounting, finance, technology, healthcare IT, operations, administration and international managed services. It operates more than 35 offices worldwide, with more than 780 employees and 4,300 consultants.

Quad-C invested in the company in 2014 in partnership with its management team. Since then, Vaco has experienced significant growth through extending core business lines and entering new markets. Vaco completed seven acquisitions during Quad-Cs ownership which expanded Vacos service offerings into healthcare IT and extended its geographic footprint domestically, as well as into Canada and India.

FinSMEs

13/11/2017
Private equity firm Tengram Capital Partners has signed a definitive agreement to acquire luxury skincare brand ReVive from Shiseido Americas Corporation.

The amount of the deal was not disclosed.

Under the terms of the agreement, Tengram will run the company as an independent and stand-alone entity based in New York City. Closing is expected to be completed by the end of November.

The new company will be led by Elana Drell Szyfer, who worked with Tengram as the CEO of Laura Geller New York, which Tengram sold in 2016. She is currently an Operating Advisor to the firm. Szyfers industry experience includes executive roles on the Lancome and Estee Lauder brands.

Drell Szyfer will be joined by John Elmer in the role of CFO and COO of ReVive and Mary Rodrigues as SVP of Marketing and Ecommerce.

Launched in 1997, ReVive is a luxury skincare line developed by Dr. Gregory Bays Brown, a Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, whose products has been scientifically formulated with Bio-Renewal Technology, which helps change the behavior of skin and restore its youthful glow. ReVive is distributed domestically at luxury retailers Neiman Marcus, Saks, Bergdorf Goodman, Barneys, Blue Mercury and Cos Bar and at select retailers in Canada, UK, Europe and Asia.

The company was acquired by Shiseido Americas as part of its 2016 acquisition of Gurwtich Products LLC from Alticor.

Tengram Capital is a private equity firm that invests in companies in the branded consumer products and retail space and acts as a catalyst to drive growth. Its current beauty portfolio includes Nest Fragrances, Algenist, specialty beauty retailer Cos Bar, and natural beauty brand This Works.

Current investments include Earth Treks, NEST Fragrances, Algenist, Active Ride Shop, Cos Bar, This Works, Differential Brands Group, Zanella, Luciano Barbera, Tommie Copper, and Sequential Brands Group. Prior investments include DevaCurl and Laura Geller Beauty.

FinSMEs

13/11/2017
Trouva (previously known as StreetHub), a London, UK-based curated marketplace for the homeware and lifestyle brick and mortar boutiques, raised $10m in Series A funding.

The round was led by BGF Ventures, alongside Index Ventures and Octopus Investments with participation from LocalGlobe, Playfair Capital, Downing Ventures, David Lindsay, Troy Collins, William Reeve, Carlos Morgado, and Wendy Becker.

The company, has raised $13.8m to date, intends to use the funds to further develop its platform at existing stores within the Trouva community, while funding expansion to new shops and boutiques across the UK.

Co-founded in September 2015 by CEO Mandeep Singh and CTO Alex Loizou, Trouva has built a technology platform which enables handpicked offline independent stores to compete with retail multiples and e-commerce giants, while enabling customers to find an array of over 80,000 design-led products. The platform also offers real time click and collect, one-hour delivery and worldwide shipping.

Trouva accepts only a minority of stores that apply to join their community. Having identified such stores, the company then provides its own cloud-based software enabling them to digitize their stock. It also handles all logistics, from click and collect to same day delivery and worldwide shipping.

It currently brings together more than 350 of the UKs independent shops and boutiques across 115 towns and cities. The marketplace will also establish a new base in Lisbon, alongside its existing London HQ.

FinSMEs

13/11/2017
Chinese President Xi Jinping (2nd R) and his wife Peng Liyuan (1st R) welcome U.S. President Donald Trump (2nd L) and his wife Melania Trump at the Palace Museum, or the Forbidden City, in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 8, 2017. They had an informal afternoon tea in the Baoyun Building, also known as the Hall of Embodied Treasures, in the southwestern corner of the Forbidden City. [Xinhua/Xie Huanchi]

Approximately one year after the 2016 U.S. presidential election, President Donald Trump visited China for the first time. This was his third face-to-face meeting with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping  after Mar-a-Lago and Hamburg  and perhaps the most productive one.

If we journey back to the same period last year, the possibility of a "trade war" was regularly dominating media headlines. But the situation is different now. The bilateral relationship has returned to normality after a period of uncertainty fueled by Trumps temperament when speaking in front of domestic audiences and using social media.

The U.S. president is more experienced, avoids diplomatic mistakes, realizes the political significance of China along with its global economic role and is determined to elaborate on a symbiosis model. Even on themes where his position remains adamant  such as the bilateral trade deficit  his style is gradually becoming milder. During a Beijing business dinner he used the expression "I dont blame China" and went further by giving it a credit for acting "for the benefit of its citizens."

Xi agrees with Trump's general approach. "China and the U.S. should be partners, not rivals," he stated in his remarks during the State Dinner. This good climate was practically confirmed in the Chinese capital. The two sides signed over $250 billion dollars of commercial deals and two-way investment agreements. Their content vacillates from making chips and manufacturing smartphones to the soybean and aviation industry.

New opportunities are naturally rising and they can possibly bring "win-win" results. According to the Department of State, Cheniere Energy Inc., owner of the first liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminal in the U.S., signed a memorandum of understanding with China National Petroleum Corp. for long-term LNG sales.

Future agreements of that type go hand-in-hand with Washingtons business interests and Beijing's will to diversify its import sources as well as to use environmentally friendly energy. On the same wavelength, Chinese companies are keen on investing in shale gas development in the U.S. China Energy Investment Corp., for instance, will be involved in relevant projects in West Virginia.

From another perspective, Trump's stay in Beijing coincided with an announcement by the Chinese authorities to ease or lift foreign investment restrictions in its financial markets  including banking, securities, funds and the insurance industry  and lower the tariff on cars.

However, this announcement should not be seen as a concession made to the U.S. by China because of Trumps call for fair trade. By contrast it should be rather connected to an ongoing trend of the Chinese administration to bring more openness into the economy and continue its reform policy to achieve market liberalization. The recent 19th National Congress of the CPC outlined this priority.

Some American critics argue that Beijing did not specify when it will open up its foreign investments limits and to expect new tensions over the next months. The New York Times, for example, reports on contentious relations "behind the scenes." It is very hard for differences to be bridged though, especially in the short-term. And China has its own complaints about restrictions for investments of Chinese companies in the U.S. Hence, what matters more is to create presuppositions for a relatively good trade collaboration over time, instead of using contradictory positions as an excuse for spats and disagreements.

The two presidents, Trump and Xi, are prepared to expand their common understanding to additional fronts. They agreed to make the most of the existing dialogue mechanisms concentrating on security, the economy, people-to-people exchanges, law enforcement and cyber security.

In addition, they reaffirmed that neither wants to become a safe haven for each others fugitives, and will instruct competent authorities to actively explore a long-term cooperation mechanism regarding fugitive assets recovery and repatriation of illegal immigrants.They also expressed their support for an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconstruction process by playing a constructive role through such schemes as the Quadrilateral Coordination Group. Afghanistan and Pakistan participate in this Group. The war on terror can only unite Beijing and Washington. It is a commonplace observation to mention this in connection to the need for denuclearization in the Korean Peninsula, another theme discussed between the two presidents in the last days.

In a nutshell, China and the U.S. are in the process of acting together despite existing problems and divergences. Responsibility shown by their leaders is the driving force behind this development. And the unquestionable personal chemistry of the two personalities is only helping.

George N. Tzogopoulos is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit:

http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/GeorgeNTzogopoulos.htm
Car manufacturers often chose generic locations or occasions to showcase their latest offerings. However, when an American car manufacturer travels all the way to Dubai, the showcase has to be special. The 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 has been showcased and it will be the most powerful iteration of the Corvette to go into production.

Previously, it was the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 that had the title of the most powerful Vette with its maximum power output of 650 PS. But the latest ZR1 comes with a supercharged, 6.2-liter LT5 V-8 engine. This unit generates a maximum of 755 PS/969 Nm and has a claimed top speed of 338 kmph. The motor comes mated with a seven-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Chevy has still not announced any 0 to 100 kmph acceleration timings for the 2019 ZR1 yet. The reason why the 2019 ZR1 makes additional power over the Z06 is because it employs a new, inter-cooled 2.65-litre Eaton supercharger with 52 percent more displacement. The supercar also comes equipped with Chevy's first dual fuel direct injection system with supplemental port injection.

In addition, the powertrain also gets an upgraded crankshaft, dry sump lubrication, and a new 4-inch throttle body. And if you are a fan of the Corvette's exhaust note, the ZR1 gets an all-new system which emits an, even more, louder note than the Z06.

And to look the part, the 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 gets a front splitter finished with carbon fibre end caps. Additionally, Chevy had developed a new a Sebring Orange paint scheme with orange callipers to cover the Brembo carbon ceramic brakes, Even the cabin gets orange and bronze accents that highlight the performance bit.

The 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 will go on sale from the June 2018 and the base price is expected to be around $1.30 lakh (Rs 84.93 lakh, excluding import duty).
New Delhi: The government will start its second and final phase of BharatNet project on Monday (13 November, 2017)-- with an outlay of around Rs 34,000 crore -- to provide high speed broadband in all panchayats by March 2019, Telecom Secretary Aruna Sundararajan said on Sunday.

Under the project, the government aims to connect 1.5 lakh panchayats through 10 lakh kilometres of additional optical fibre and give bandwidth to telecom players at nearly 75 percent cheaper price for broadband and wifi services in rural areas.

"We will tomorrow launch phase 2 of BharatNet to connect 1.5 lakh gram panchayats with high-speed broadband by March 2019. Phase 1 of the project, under which 1 lakh GPs were to

be connected, will be completed by the end of this year. We expect telecom operators to provide at least 2 megabit per second speed to rural households," Sundararajan said on Sunday.

Telecom Minister Manoj Sinha, Law and IT minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar will launch the project on Monday.

The telecom ministry will sign agreements with seven states -- Maharashtra, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Jharkhand -- which will roll out the project on their own with partial funding from the central government.

"The total project cost of BharatNet is around Rs 45,000 crore, of which Rs 11,200 crore have been used for the first phase. After rural exchange rollout in the country when telecom services started, this is the biggest project involving domestically manufactured products for the entire project," Sundararajan said. She said around Rs 4.5 lakh crore value can be added to the national gross domestic product on completion of BharatNet phase 2 as a study has suggested that every 10 percent usage of Internet in India drives up GDP by 3.3 percent.

BSNL will roll out optical fibre in yet to be covered locations of eight states -- Assam, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Jammu and Kashmir and Sikkim that were not covered under the first phase of BharatNet. Power Grid Corporation of India has been awarded contract for three states -- Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Odisha.

The government estimates that the second phase of BharatNet will double the existing optical fibre footprint in the country and generate employment of 10 crore mandays during the rollout of the project.

It is setting up connection point or exchange for optical fibre at each panchayat under the scheme. Thereafter, telecom operators can buy connection or bandwidth from the government to sell the same in rural areas.

Broadband services rates, Sundararajan said, are expected to be low because of intensive competition in the sector and the government is offering bandwidth under the project to telecom operators at 75 percent lower rate than they currently buy it. She added that telecom operators Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, Idea Cellular and Vodafone are interested in providing services under BharatNet.

The government will provide support of Rs 3,600 crore to telecom operators for rolling out wifi in villages.

"India at present has 38,000 wifi hotspots. Under BharatNet phase 2, around 6-7 lakh wifi hotspots will be added with 2-5 hotpsots in each panchayats. Some of the wifi hotspots may not be commercially viable initially. So (we) will provide viability gap funding of around Rs 3,600 crore to telecom operators," the secretary said.

The total wifi rollout cost is estimated to be around Rs 10,000 crore, she said.

Under BharatNet phase 1, the government has set up 15,000 wifi hotspots of which around 11,000 are in rural areas and the rest in semi-rural.
New Delhi: In a major move, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has decided not to pursue a proposal for introduction of Islamic banking in the country. Replying to a Right to Information (RTI) query, the central bank said the decision was taken after considering "the wider and equal opportunities" available to all citizens to access banking and financial services. Islamic or Sharia banking is a finance system based on the principles of not charging interest, which is prohibited under Islam.

The issue of introduction of Islamic banking in India was examined by the RBI and the government of India, it said. "Taking into account, the wider and equal opportunities available to all citizens to access banking and financial services, it has been decided not to pursue the proposal further," the central bank said in its reply to the RTI application filed by a Press Trust of India (PTI) correspondent.

The RBI was asked to provide details of steps being taken for the introduction of Islamic or 'interest-free' banking in India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on 28 August, 2014 launched Jan Dhan Yojana, a national mission to bring about comprehensive financial inclusion of all the households in the country. In late 2008, a committee on Financial Sector Reforms, headed by former RBI governor Raghuram Rajan, had stressed on the need for a closer look at the issue of interest-free banking in the country.

"Certain faiths prohibit the use of financial instruments that pay interest. The non-availability of interest-free banking products results in some Indians, including those in the economically disadvantaged strata of society, not being able to access banking products and services due to reasons of faith," the committee had said.

Later, on the instruction of the central government, an inter-departmental group (IDG) set up in the RBI examined the legal, technical and regulatory issues for introducing interest free banking in India and has submitted its report to the government.

The RBI had in February last year sent a copy of the IDG report to the finance ministry and recommended an "Islamic window" in conventional banks for gradual introduction of Sharia-compliant banking.

"In our considered opinion, given the complexities of Islamic finance and various regulatory and supervisory challenges involved in the matter and also due to the fact that Indian banks have no experience in this field, Islamic banking may be introduced in India in a gradual manner. Initially, a few simple products which are similar to conventional banking products may be considered for introduction through Islamic window of the conventional banks after necessary notification by the government," it had said in a letter to the ministry.

The letter further reads: "It is also our understanding that interest free banking for financial inclusion will require a proper process of the product being certified as Sharia complaint will be required both on the asset and liability side and the funds received under the interest free banking could not be mingled with other funds and therefore, this banking will have to be conducted under a separate window."
Arun Jaitley, Union finance minister, is optimistic of a revival in bank lending to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) once the promised Rs 2.11 lakh crore capital infusion reaches the public sector banks (PSBs). Ahead of crucial state elections, such a statement would have come as music to the ears of micro and small traders (Read Firstpost story here) who give employment to millions of workers. But, is the lack of capital the only reason why banks have not been lending to small companies? Not really. There has been a massive fall in demand for loans from this category of companies in the formal banking sector. Secondly, the small and medium company segment being one of the big sources of NPAs (non-performing assets) has been looked at with suspicion and perceived as high risk borrowers by banks.

In fact, if one looks at the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data for, say the last two years, overall scenario has been worsening. Bank credit outstanding to micro and small companies which stood at mere Rs 3.68 lakh crore in September 2015, declined to Rs 3.63 lakh crore in September 2016 and rose only marginally to Rs 3. 69 lakh crore in September 2017. As far as medium size companies are concerned, the credit outstanding stood at Rs 1.136 lakh crore in September 2015 and declined to Rs 1.10 lakh crore in September 2016 and further to Rs 1.01 lakh crore in the corresponding period of 2017. All these were years when the government infused capital, albeit inadequate amounts, to state-run banks (Rs 22,915 crore in '16-17 and about Rs 10,000 crore in each subsequent year) and at least part of it should have shown in the credit off-take to smaller companies. This never happened.

As mentioned above, the real problem here is that there is no big demand from smaller companies facing the heat of the economic slowdown. Most of the small units operate as vendors/suppliers to large companies. When the demand scenario was hit, the impact had a cascading effect on the bottom layer companies which opted for cost reduction measures, shrinking business operations or even shutting down companies.

According to this Indian Express report, which cites RBI figures submitted to Parliament in 2016, about 95,989 MSME units reported sick in Uttar Pradesh in 2016 alone, followed by 52,576 units in Maharashtra and 42,500 in Gujarat.

A company is termed sick when its loan turns NPA or net worth erodes sharply. MSMEs became big NPA sources to banks, specially state-run banks. According to State Bank of Indias analyst presentation, small and medium companies constitute about 11 percent of its total gross NPAs in September, 2017 only behind mid and large corporations in the bad loan list.

The scenario in the MSME sector has turned even worse in the aftermath of demonetisation and roll out of Goods and Services Tax (GST). Most of these companies operate in a cash intensive space and the sudden withdrawal of 86 percent currency from the system a year-ago caused damage to their businesses.

Most of the workers in the micro industries went back to the villages. The bicycle industries in Ludhiana, the brass industry in Moradabad, the diamond industry in Surat, were all devastatingly impacted by demonetisation. Many such businesses shut down because there was no cash to pay the workers. About 1,000 units in Jamshedpur that operated as a small scale ancillary unit to big industries were closed, an Economic Times report said quoting Professor Arun Kumar, author and expert on the economy .

The point here is that the demand for loans from MSMEs will improve only with sector specific policy actions and not just by merely filling the gaps in sarkari banks with growth capital. Jaitley will have to look deeper into the details of why the loan demand has fallen drastically from MSMEs and act accordingly. It is unwise to imagine that banks will start lending to MSMEs in a big way just because they are getting free money.
New Delhi: Plastics industry has welcomed the reduction in GST rates across the spectrum of products from 28 percent to 18 percent, saying it will benefit end-consumers and would keep manufacturers competitive in the domestic market.

The move would help in reduction of price on products such as plastics floorings, fabrics, furniture, vacuum flasks bath and sanitary fittings and many other miscellaneous plastics products, Plastindia Foundation, the apex body of the industry, said.

The industry is one of the biggest beneficiaries of the GST rationaliation of GST slabs announced last week by the government, it added.

"The removal of anomalies in GST rates on plastics items is a right step taken by the government. The pinch of 28 percent was felt across the industry and manufacturers were finding it difficult to stay competitive," said Plastindia Foundation President K K Seksaria.

Plastic industry in India is largely dominated by SME manufacturers. It has 40,000 manufacturers and contributes approximately 8 percent to GDP of India.
In the backdrop of an overwhelming series of accusations of sexual harassment against Hollywood figures in the past weeks, thousands of protesters marched in support of victims of sexual assault and harassment in Los Angeles, as reported by BBC.

The protests reflected the unprecedented outpouring of the social media campaign #MeToo, which was created by activist Tarana Burke in an effort to reach out to sexual assault victims and to expose the magnitude and prevalence of toxic culture in workplaces across industry and fields.

The hashtag became a viral phenomenon when it was popularised by actress Alyssa Milano, in the wake of the allegations against Harvey Weinstein. The #MeToo trend had gathered conversations among 4.7 million people within 24 hours of its launch with more than 12 million posts, comments and reactions on Facebook alone.

According to the BBC report, Burke who led the Sunday march from the heart of Hollywood, included a walk along the iconic Walk of Fame and ended at the CNN headquarters had said on Facebook, For every Harvey Weinstein, there's a hundred more men in the neighborhood who are doing the exact same thing. What we're seeing, at least for now, is a unity of survivors, a community of survivors that have grown out of this #MeToo viral moment, that I'm just hoping and praying that we can sustain."

As reported by Reuters, Tara McNamarra, a 21 year old marcher from Los Angeles said, Ive been sexually assaulted multiple times throughout my life. Its affected me in every aspect of my life.

The march, which included both men and women saw chants like, Not in pots, not in plants, keep your junk inside your pants, Harvey Weinstein is a joke, women workers just got woke, and Whatever we wear, wherever we go, yes means yes and no means no, as reported by The Guardian.

Since Harvey Weinstein was exposed by The New York Times to have agreed to settle with eight previous victims who had accused him of sexual harassment in October, many more women came forward to name and expose sexual offenders in Hollywood. These include the actor Kevin Spacey, the director Brett Ratner and comedian Louis CK.
The 62-year-old British star, celebrated for his iconic role in and as Mr Bean is expecting his third child, as reported by DNA. This will be Atkinsons first child with his partner Louise Ford. He has two children Ben, 23, and a daughter Lily, 21, from his first wife Sunetra Sastry, as reported by Mirror.

After a 24 year long marriage and divorce from Sunetra Sastry in 2014, Atkinson began dating the actress Louise Ford who is known for playing Kate Middleton in the Channel 4 hit comedy The Windsors. The 33-year-old Louise is expecting her first child with Atkinson in the coming weeks.

According to the Mirror report, a source said, Rowan and Louise are over the moon and cant wait for their new arrival. Its a very happy time for them both. The couple has met in 2012 when they acted together in the West End comedy Quartermaines Terms.

Rowan Atkinson is one of Britains most successful actors with an estimated fortune of 70 million pounds and famous roles like Blackadder in the BBC series of the same name, and the silent comic Mr Bean, a character first seen in 1990 and celebrated on its 25th anniversary at the Buckingham Palace in 2015.

Atkinson had met his first wife Sunetra, a make up artist on the sets of Blackadder and married her in 1990. Their famous divorce proceeding is known for lasting a mere 65 seconds when the judge granted Sunetra the divorce upon Atkinsons failure to show up for the hearing.
Mumbai: The Indian Film and TV Directors' Association (IFTDA) has called a meeting of like-minded directors, technicians and representatives of the film industry on Monday, said an IFTDA member on 12 November.

Speaking at a press conference, filmmaker Ashok Pandit said he felt very strongly about the protests against Padmavati.

"These hysterical protests are a symptom of a very dangerous trend in our country of politicising art. And we must stop this trend before it kills cinema and all other arts," he said.

"Sanjay Leela Bhansali's cinema has nothing to do with politics. Why then do we have goons posing as politicians baying for his blood? What wrong has he done? What harm has he done? He has given us a series of masterpieces and classics. And this is how we repay him?"

The meeting has been scheduled at 9 am at the Club Millennium Juhu, Mumbai.

The meeting is expected to be attended by concerned filmmakers and technicians to express solidarity towards the cause of Padmavati.

"Don't make the mistake of thinking this is only Bhansali's problem. Yesterday it was Karan Johar who was being hounded by political protests and he had to issue a clarification on video, just like Bhansali. Why are filmmakers being made to bend, bow and scrape to these extra-constitutional bullies? It must stop!" said Pandit.
You are here: Home

 Flash

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, and Vietnamese National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, inaugurate the China culture center in Hanoi, Vietnam, Nov. 12, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

Visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the inauguration and handover ceremony of Vietnam-China Friendship Palace in Hanoi on Sunday.

The palace, occupying an area of 13,800 square meters, is a signature China-sponsored project in Vietnam.

When Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, arrived at the palace, he was greeted by Vietnamese National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, at the entrance and welcomed by representatives of Chinese enterprises and Vietnamese young people.

Xi presented a "golden key" to Ngan after they watched a video introducing the palace.

Xi and Ngan also inaugurated the Hanoi China culture center which will operate in the Palace.
The troubles for Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film don't seem to end. Rajput community members belonging to the Karni Sena carried out massive protests in Gandhinagar and Surat on Sunday. They demanded a ban on Padmavatis release claiming that the film has distorted historical facts, according to a report from Times of India.

While nearly one lakh members of the Sena community were seen at a massive gathering at Gandhinagar, thousands came into the street in a protest march in Surat with the same demand of blocking the release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali-directed Bollywood epic Padmavati.

The movie is expected to hit the screens on December 1.

Mansinh Rathod, who is the leader of Gujarats Karni Sena, insists Bhansali has distorted the historical facts in the movie.

We have learnt that there is a dream sequence in the movie wherein Rani Padmavati has been shown romancing with Allaudin Khilji. We condemn such a heinous portrayal of our queen. Karni Sena will never allow such movie to hit the theatres, Rathod claimed, adding, "It is our clear warning that if this movie gets released on December 1, there will be violent protests and government will be responsible for the law and order situation."

It is not a film, it is history. You cannot just show anything in the name of a film: Lokendra Singh Kalvi, Rajput Karni Sena President in #Gujarat's Gandhinagar #Padmavati pic.twitter.com/EItmNH9PS5  ANI (@ANI) November 12, 2017

He demands not only Gujarat, the films release should be blocked anywhere in this country.

In Gandhinagar, the huge gathering of the Rajput community was even inspired by the presence of senior Karni Sena leaders, like its founder Lokendrasinh Kalvi and national president Mahipalsinh Makrana.

Padmavati's troubles continue to persist even though Bhansali released a video last week claiming there were no scenes between Padmavati and Allauddin Khilji. Bhansali was once assaulted by the violent activists of Karni Sena while shooting in Jaipur, and the sets were also destroyed in Kolhapur earlier this year.
(Corrects paragraph 10 to say Qualcomm board has 11 directors, not 10) A sign on the Qualcomm campus is seen, as chip maker Broadcom Ltd announced an unsolicited bid to buy peer Qualcomm Inc for $103 billion, in San Diego, California, U.S. November 6, 2017. REUTERS/Mike Blake/FilesBy Supantha Mukherjee and Munsif Vengattil (Reuters) - Mobile chipmaker Qualcomm Inc on Monday rejected rival Broadcom Ltds $103-billion takeover bid, saying the offer undervalued the company and would face regulatory hurdles. Shares of Qualcomm rose as much as 2.5 percent to $66.17, while those of Broadcom fell as much as 1.3 percent to $261.55. The Board has concluded that Broadcoms proposal dramatically undervalues Qualcomm and comes with significant regulatory uncertainty, Qualcomms Presiding Director Tom Horton said in a statement. Broadcom said it would seek to engage with Qualcomms board and management, adding that it had received positive feedback from key customers and stockholders. We continue to believe our proposal represents the most attractive, value-enhancing alternative available to Qualcomm stockholders and we are encouraged by their reaction, the company said. Both companies count Apple among their top customers. Analysts have said a deal between the two would help Qualcomm settle its legal battle with the iPhone maker as Broadcom has a closer relationship with Apple. Broadcom made an unsolicited bid last week to buy Qualcomm in an effort to become the dominant supplier of chips used in the 1.5 billion or so smartphones expected to be sold around the world this year. Broadcom's Asia operations headquarters office is seen at an industrial park in Singapore September 16, 2014. REUTERS/Edgar Su/FilesAnalysts said Broadcom can now raise its bid, go for a proxy fight or launch a hostile exchange offer. Qualcomms thanks, but no thanks response to the unsolicited bid by Broadcom isnt surprising and we would be surprised if at this point, Broadcom didnt move forward with a proxy fight, Loop Capital analyst Betsy Van Hees told Reuters. If Broadcom makes a hostile bid, Qualcomms governance rules would allow the rival to submit its own slate for the entire 11-member board by the Dec. 8 nomination deadline. The easiest option, however, would be to talk to Qualcomms board and agree on a higher price. We are well-advised and know what our options are, and we have not eliminated any of those options, Broadcom Chief Executive Hock Tan told Reuters last week. The right price for Qualcomm could be between $80 and $85 per share, and Broadcom could go up to $90, Susquehanna analyst Christopher Rolland told Reuters. Any deal would face scrutiny from the antitrust regulators as the combined company would own the high-end WiFi business globally, analysts said. Regulators are already scrutinizing Qualcomms $38-billion acquisition of automotive chipmaker NXP Semiconductors NV. Broadcom has indicated it is willing to buy Qualcomm irrespective of whether it closes the NXP deal. Qualcomm now needs to convince investors that they can create more shareholder value independently, Raymond James analyst Chris Caso said.

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
A court in Ahmedabad on Monday adjourned the hearing in the criminal defamation case filed by BJP chief Amit Shah's son Jay Shah against news portal 'The Wire' to 16 December, The Indian Express reported.

This came after Jay Shah sought an exemption from appearance in court for a day on grounds of a social engagement, the report added.

The defamation case is regarding a report in The Wire claiming that the turnover of Jay Shah's firm grew exponentially after BJP came to power in 2014.

The Wire team reached the Ahmedabad court on time and Siddharth Varadarajan, founding editor of the portal, tweeted a picture of the team outside the court.

Those who appeared before the court were author of the article, Rohini Singh, founding editors Varadarajan, Sidharth Bhatia and MK Venu, and managing editor Monobina Gupta, according to PTI.

Two others - public editor Pamela Philipose and a representative of the Foundation for Independent Journalism, the non-profit company that publishes The Wire, could not appear citing different reasons.

The Wire team outside the Ahmedabad courts today where Jay Shah did a no show, citing "social work", in his bogus criminal defamation case. First matter I've seen where the complainant is scared to show his face, while the "accused" are happy to smile for the cameras. pic.twitter.com/cx1kGAwsuP  Siddharth (@svaradarajan) November 13, 2017

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate SK Gadhvi had issued summonses to journalist Rohini Singh, five editors and the non-profit company that publishes The Wire.

The summons were issued after the Metropolitan Court prima facie found that a case of defamation punishable with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both under section 500 of IPC was made out against all the seven respondents, PTI reported.

The case has been filed under IPC sections 500 (defamation), 109 (abetment), 39 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt) and 120B (criminal conspiracy).

The hearing was earlier adjourned on 11 October after Jay Shah's lawyer failed to appear in court. The case was again adjourned on 17 October till 26 October because the court went on Diwali break.

An Ahmedabad court had last month barred The Wire from writing any more articles on Jay Shah's business after the BJP chief's son filed the case.

In his application, Shah had prayed for "criminal action against the respondents for defaming and tarnishing the reputation of the complainant through an article, which is scandalous, frivolous, misleading, derogatory, libelous and consisting of several defamatory statements".

With inputs from agencies
Jaipur: Police have detained two men in connection with the killing of 35-year-old Umar Khan by alleged cow vigilantes in Rajasthan's Alwar district.

According to Alwar Superintendent of Police (SP) Rahul Prakash, two people have been detained and are being interrogated.

Reacting to the incident, Rajasthan Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria said on Monday that the state did not have enough manpower everywhere to "control" every situation well in time.

Umar Khan's body was found near railway tracks in Ramgarh on 11 November, with his family members and activists alleging that he was shot dead by cow vigilantes when he was ferrying cattle in a vehicle the day before. The incident, which came months after the lynching of dairy farmer Pehlu Khan by suspected cow vigilantes in Alwar, has triggered an outrage.

"The incident took place at night and police are acting on the case. One person has been detained," Kataria said and expressed hope that the case would be cracked soon. He said strict action would be taken against the culprits irrespective of their religion. "We don't have so much manpower to enable us to control every situation at all places, even before an incident is reported (hamare pass itni manpower nahin hai, ki har jagah, har sthiti ko samay se pehle control kar saken)," he said.

Deputy Superintendent of Police, Alwar (South), Anil Beniwal said the detained person was being interrogated. An FIR has been registered at Govindgarh police station under IPC sections 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder) and 201 (causing disappearance of evidence) against unidentified people, based on a complaint lodged by Umar Khan's family members.

Umar Khan's family members have demanded immediate arrest of the accused and compensation. A post-mortem on Umar Khan's body was yet to be conducted at the SMS Hospital in Jaipur where the body was referred from Alwar on Sunday.

Hospital superintendent DS Meena said that post-mortem would be conducted by a medical board constituted in the case. Social worker Maulana Haneef claimed on Sunday that Khan, along with two others, was ferrying cattle in a vehicle when unidentified men opened fire at them. Khan died on the spot, while another suffered bullet injuries.

In April this year, 55-year-old Pehlu Khan was lynched by suspected cow vigilantes in Alwar while he was transporting cattle.

The incident comes ahead of Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje's scheduled visit to Alwar. Raje has been visiting various areas under the Alwar Lok Sabha constituency which is gearing up for a bypoll, necessitated following the death of sitting BJP MP Mahant Chandnath.
New Delhi: The CPM on Monday demanded that the Centre and the Rajasthan government "abide by the Supreme Court direction" and book the culprits involved in a recent incident of cow vigilantism in Alwar district of the state.

Condemning the "gruesome" killing of Ummar Khan, a farmer, in Rajasthan by "so-called gau rakshaks", the politburo of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) expressed shock and alleged that the "Rajasthan police registered a case against the victims but allowed the vigilantes go scot free".

"The politburo demands that the Centre and the Rajasthan government abide by the directions of the Supreme Court, ensure the culprits are brought to book, and the families of the victims are compensated adequately and assured of justice," the CPM said in a statement.

The body of Khan, 35, was found near railway tracks on Saturday. Activists allege Khan was killed by cow vigilantes, but Deputy Superintendent of Police of Ramgarh Circle, Anil Beniwal, on Sunday said that a preliminary inquiry revealed he was involved in cow smuggling.

The police said Khan and two others were transporting cattle in a vehicle on 10 November, when unidentified men opened fire at them. Khan died on the spot.

The CPM pointed out that according to an apex court order instructions had been given to the central and the state governments to take strict action in such cases to discourage a repeat in other areas.

"(The SC) has said that in every district a senior police officer should be designated to (deal with these incidents)," the party said.

It also demanded that the central government ban all groups indulging in cow vigilantism and moral policing.

The Alwar incident happened months after Pehlu Khan, a dairy farmer from Haryana, was lynched by suspected cow vigilantes in the same district when he was transporting cattle. The April incident had triggered a nationwide outrage.
A Chinese team has arrived in Nepal to discuss and initiate a technical survey of the Kyirong-Kathmandu railway that will connect Nepal with the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which is part of President Xi Jinpings China Dream. The land port at Kyirong in Shigatse Prefecture of TAR is the biggest land trade channel between TAR and South Asia. China plans to expand the rail network from Shigatse to Kyirong by 2020, which will be connected to Kathmandu reportedly at the behest of the Nepalese government. It goes without saying that the rail link has strategic connotations due to its proximity to the Siliguri corridor and existing north-south road links in Nepal. China has slowly increased its grip over Nepal, which may even cast a shadow over next years general elections in Nepal. The rail link needs to be viewed with other developments. For example, while India has been focusing primarily on hydropower projects in Nepal, China recently signed a deal with Nepal for gas exploration in the sensitive Terai Region bordering India.

The Maoist insurgency in Nepal was a long-term strategic move of China. Baburam Bhattarai alias Prachanda is a Chinese protege who before becoming prime minister had even made a statement to the Nepalese media that the ultimate fight will be with the Indian Army. PLA soldiers in uniform have been observed working in northern Nepal in areas adjoining the border with Tibet which are known to have uranium deposits. China has deployed PLA in these areas to grab uranium exploration and block Tibetan refugees. Such PLA deployment also leads to Chinese influence for taking tracts of Nepalese territory adjacent to TAR on lease in a future timeframe for 50-100 years, akin to Gilgit-Baltistan (50 years), Gwadar (49 years) and Hambantota (99 years). Additionally, the fact that the Chinese are influencing the political and bureaucratic hierarchy in Nepal through periodic special gift packages is hardly a secret. The distance between Kathmandu and Kyirong in TAR is 174 km. It can be expected that for numerous projects in China, including this rail link, China will use the loan-debt-equity trap (as in case of Hambantota-CPEC) to get Nepal into its gravitational pull for many decades, if not in perpetuity.

Have we taken note of the China-Nepal mechanism to share intelligence to contain anti-China activities in Nepal? There have been no extraditions of anti-India elements, but Tibetan refugees fleeing China have been handed back to Chinese authorities, where they may simply be put to death or imprisoned for life. It is significant to note that during the recent 19th Congress of the Communist Party of China, Xi Jinping focused on speeding up development of Xinjiang and TAR areas. At the conclusion of the Congress, he also responded to two Tibetan herders (from Village Yumeclose to the McMohan Line and the Indian village of Taksing) who had written to him, exhorting them to set down roots in the border area, safeguard Chinese territory and develop their hometown. Xi also called upon the PLA to be prepared for war. Not only does Chinas PLA have a presence in development projects globally, PLA along with herders undertakes forward reconnaissance. The border infrastructure of China has developed at incredible speedwith metal roads servicing forward posts. China recently inaugurated a new road linking TAR with Nepal. Chinas bold incursion into Doka La plateau in Bhutan also aimed at constructing a road link to Doka La.

Compare the above developments with the state of border infrastructure on the Indian side, where the 14 strategic railway lines approved in the past are still on paper, and may hardly make any headway before the Kyirong-Kathmandu railway gets operationalized. As on date, only 27 roads (963 kilometres) of the 73 strategic roads approved for construction (4,643 kilometres) along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) over 15 years ago have been completed, while the 14 strategic railway lines approved for the western and eastern fronts remain on paper. MoS (Home) Kiren Rijiju told Parliament in July 2016 that the projects would be completed only by 2020, owing to the difficult terrain, adding, The proposal was expected to be completed in the year 2012-13 but the executive agencies have not adhered to the time schedule due to very high altitude and mountainous, rugged and difficult terrain. In a severe indictment, the Comptroller & Auditor General (CAG) recently stated, User feedback indicated there were issues like improper gradient, undulating surface, improper turning radius, minimum passing places and unsatisfactory riding comfort in 17 out of the 24 roads selected for audit. Even the six roads which had been completed at a cost of Rs 164 crore were not fit for running specialised vehicles and equipment because of the above limitations. Importantly, the CAG only undertook a selective survey, not of all projects; otherwise the situation would have been far worse.

The focus on border infrastructure unfortunately comes up only during situations like the Doka La plateau confrontation. There is no way that the border roads can be completed by 2020 as claimed by the government. But even in whatever is being done, execution remains the key. Narendra Modi is inaugurating a new bridge on the Brahmaputra river linking Dibrugarh to the north. But the road going north from the bridge is caving in every 40-50 metres because it is running for several kilometres through paddy fields and no revetments on the edges of the road have been made. Beyond the paddy fields, it is ridden with potholes after just one rainy season. The road was completed over a time span of more than a year by the Border Road Organization (BRO) and handed over to the PWD, so the kind of repairs done can be guessed. But this region is very much in the rear. The roads to the forward posts are so narrow that for kilometres, two vehicles cannot cross, so there has to be a one-way convoy system. This is the situation when China is eyeing the entire Arunachal Pradesh, is flexing its muscles, and objecting to the Defence Minister visiting Itanagar, while we glibly talk of quick mobilisation.

The irony here is that the construction of border infrastructure is being looked after by the MHA, while the the BRO is directly under the MoD. The Parliaments Standing Committee on Defence recently visited Jaisalmer. They need to go to the northeast, and so should the defence minister to take actual stock of the border infrastructure on the ground. Roads made by the private sector are far better than the BRO; a view held not only by the Army in border areas but also by the ITBP officials. This needs to be encouraged more by providing incentives and avenues to private operators. However, in August 2017, the government approved a greater delegation of administrative and financial powers to the BRO for faster execution of construction projects. This is akin to ensuring the development of all weapons through DRDO, the consequences of which we have been suffering in the past decades. In the ultimate analysis, neglect of border infrastructure can cost us dearly.
New Delhi: Odd-even restrictions have to apply to two-wheelers and three-wheelers for the scheme to succeed, says a researcher at the New York-based Columbia University, doubting its efficacy in the long run.

According to V Faye McNeill, associate professor of Chemical Engineering in the institute, the impact of the odd-even scheme fizzles out eventually as drivers find ways around the restrictions.

This has been seen in megacities like Mexico City and Manila where the scheme was enforced in the past.

"Controlling emissions from transportation is very important, but in the long term I don't think that the odd-even scheme is going to be the answer," she told PTI in an email interview.

She said she had seen data indicating that the odd-even traffic rationing scheme reduced PM2.5 "somewhat" (around 20 percent) at peak traffic times during the January trials.

"However, as experiences in other megacities such as Manila and Mexico City have shown, traffic rationing is not a viable long-term pollution or traffic reduction measure, because drivers find ways around the restrictions," she said.

McNeill, an expert on atmospheric aerosols, said air doesn't obey city, state, or even national boundaries, so emissions need to be curbed at a regional level as well as locally, citing the examples of Los Angeles and Mexico City with similar tendencies towards stagnant air like Delhi.

Assessing the previous two rounds of the car rationing scheme in Delhi, the researcher observed that the pilot phase in January 2016 was more successful compared to the second round in April. The air is colder and more stagnant in winters, and the baseline pollution level is higher, which make any drop in pollution levels visible.

"Two-and-three wheelers, especially those with two-stroke engines that run on mixed fuel, are important sources of pollution and they shouldn't be missed in air quality policy. They should be included in the restrictions if there is any hope for the odd-even scheme to have an impact," McNeill said.

It's logical for people to use these forms of transportation if cars are restricted, she said, adding that they can be worse emitters than cars.

According to a landmark IIT-Kanpur study on Delhi's pollution, the share of trucks and two-wheelers in terms of total vehicular pollution in the city is around 46 percent and 33 percent respectively. The share of four-wheelers is 10 percent, it estimates.

McNeill said air pollution is "taking a toll on the health" of the citizens of Delhi and the rest of India, referring to spikes in hospital admissions and deaths from cardio-respiratory disorders during air pollution episodes in the national capital and other Indian cities.

The Centre-notified Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) is a "good start" in cleaning up the city's toxic air, she said, adding that without enforcement it will not be successful and more manpower is needed so that it is implemented successfully.

"The next level is to address the roots of the air quality problem and address them proactively and preventatively. This may require long-term investments in changing energy and transportation infrastructure," she said.

More investment in air pollution science, and partnership between policymakers and scientists, will be needed for this next step, the researcher added.

Click here to follow LIVE updates on Delhi air pollution
As bickering and political deflections riddled discussions around Delhi pollution and the odd-even rule, the air quality in Delhi-NCR was back to "severe-plus" or "emergency" category towards Monday evening.

Here are some of the day's key developments in the national capital's battle against pollution:

Delhi's air quality back to 'severe plus', weather may deteriorate

According to IANS, monitoring agencies predicted a further rise in toxicity across the Delhi-NCR on Monday evening.

The levels of PM2.5 and PM10 continued to rise even as both Centre and Delhi government claimed partial relief during the afternoon.

The average Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi on Monday at 4 pm was 463, with PM2.5 recorded at 460 units. For the entire Delhi-NCR, the average was 455 units, with PM2.5 at 452 units.

The international permissible limit for PM2.5  particles in the air with a diameter less than 2.5mm  is 25 units (microgram per cubic metre), while for India it is 60 units.

The System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR) initiative of the government said Delhi's air "may see an increase in pollution levels" due to meteorological factors and that a clearer picture would emerge after Tuesday. Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (MeT) has forecast rains in the area around 15 November.

The Supreme Court-appointed Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) said Delhi's air had "reversed" after some signs of improvement in the weekend.

However, an EPCA official claimed that the dispersal of pollutants had begun with the wind speed picking up again.

Delhi minister Gopal Rai said on Monday that there was some improvement in Delhi's air quality in the morning. "According to reports, there are fluctuations (in pollution levels). But in the past six hours, pollution levels are a little lower than before," Rai said in the afternoon.

Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan also echoed these statements, saying, "There is a declining trend in the levels of particulate matters at present, indicating improvement in air quality on account of efforts made by various agencies." He also said that there was no need to panic about the situation in Delhi.

SC sends notice to Centre, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab state governments

The Supreme Court sought a response from the Centre and Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab state governments on a plea seeking to curb rising pollution in Delhi and NCR.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud said that there won't be any stay on matters pertaining to pollution which are ongoing before any other court. The apex court observed that the Delhi pollution issue was an "emergency-like situation" and sought expeditious action.

The plea, filed by lawyer RK Kapoor, claimed that rise in dust particles on roads and stubble burning in Delhi's neighbouring states like Haryana and Punjab have led to an alarming rise in pollution levels in the NCR and its adjoining areas. The fresh plea sought directions to the Centre and the states concerned to take measures on curbing road dust and stubble burning.

It also sought effective implementation of the odd-even car rationing scheme.

AAP government plea on odd-even rule likely to be heard Tuesday

The Delhi government moved the National Green Tribunal (NGT) seeking modification of its 11 November order refusing to exempt women and two-wheelers from the odd-even car rationing scheme to tackle pollution.

The application, filed before a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar, sought exemption of women drivers from the scheme, saying it may affect the safety and security of women.

It sought that the exemptions be allowed for one year till the government procured 2,000 buses for public transport to accommodate lakhs of commuters.

This application by the Delhi government is likely to be heard by the NGT on Tuesday.

The NGT had on 11 November given a conditional nod to the AAP government's decision to implement the odd-even scheme for five days from 13 November, ordering that no exemption should be allowed to "any person or officer and two-wheelers".

In relation to efforts to improve public transport, Cabinet minister Kailash Gahlot tweeted that the Delhi government plans to increase the DTC fleet to 11,000 buses and requires 450 acres of land for parking the buses.

Manohar Lal Khattar and Arvind Kejriwal at loggerheads

Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Monday landed in Delhi and wanted to know the status of his meeting with Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal to discuss the smog situation and stubble burning.

Earlier, Khattar shared on his Twitter handle a letter he wrote to Kejriwal on 10 November in which he expressed his willingness to meet the Delhi chief minister, and also blamed Kejriwal for his "inability to rise above short-term electoral interests".

My letter to Delhi CM @ArvindKejriwal regarding stubble burning & pollution. pic.twitter.com/3rd9Qvi5RQ  Manohar Lal (@mlkhattar) November 13, 2017

Kejriwal responded:

Khattar ji called. He is in Del till tomo. Says he is v busy n can't meet me in Del. He has asked me to come to Chandigarh on Wed. I look forward to meeting him in Chandigarh on Wed  Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) November 13, 2017

Kejriwal has blamed stubble burning by farmers in Punjab and Haryana for causing the thick smog over Delhi. On 7 November, Kejriwal wrote to the chief ministers of Haryana and Punjab for a joint meeting to find a solution to the problem that has led to widespread health concerns.

Delhi govt wrote letters to adjoining states in Aug urging them to take steps to check crop burning https://t.co/L9AlbuGISm  Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) November 7, 2017

Khattar, in his letter, said he would be available in Delhi on Monday and until Tuesday noon. After arriving in Delhi, Khattar told reporters, "I am in Delhi, where is the meeting?"

To which Kejriwal tweeted, saying his office has been trying to contact him for a long time.

The Haryana chief minister also took a dig at his Punjab counterpart for not spending "even a paisa out of its central allocation of Rs 97.58 crore" and said that Haryana has spent Rs 39 crore of the allocation of Rs 45 crore released for crop residue management.

Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh declined the AAP leader's proposal for a meeting, saying the air pollution in NCR was not an inter-state matter and needed the Centre's intervention.

Parents accuse government of 'playing with children's health' as schools reopen after five days

Angry parents accused Delhi authorities on Monday of "playing with children's health" as schools reopened despite a fresh surge in pollution to emergency levels.

On Monday, authorities reopened schools amid concerns over upcoming exams, angering some parents.

"There has been no let-up in the pollution levels. So if the situation is the same, action should be the same. Why open the schools now?" said Ashok Agrawal, president of the All India Parents Association.

"On one hand the government is saying there is a health emergency and on the other, they are playing with children's health... It is so disturbing to see children coughing and struggling to breathe all the way to the school," he added.

Deepender Singh Hooda plans to move 'Right to Clean Air Bill' in Lok Sabha

Congress MP Deepender Singh Hooda wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting him to constitute a committee to tackle air pollution in the capital.

"I am planning to move a 'Right to Clean Air Bill' as a private member's bill in the Lok Sabha. I shall put together thoughts of the citizens and experts in the bill," Hooda told the media in New Delhi.

In his letter to the prime minister, Hooda said, "We need to rise above political blame games and find a lasting solution to this problem for the sake of our next generation."

With inputs from agencies
New Delhi: Congress MP Deepender Singh Hooda on Monday wrote to prime minister Narendra Modi requesting him to constitute a committee to tackle air pollution in the capital.

"I am planning to move a 'Right to Clean Air Bill' as a private member's bill in the Lok Sabha. I shall put together thoughts of the citizens and experts in the bill," Hooda told media in New Delhi.

"I have written to the prime minister requesting him to constitute a high-level committee, including the chief ministers of north Indian states. The committee will be headed by the prime minister himself. Everybody should rise above political lines, sit together and should present before the country a plan with budgetary provisions."

In his letter to the prime minister, Hooda said, "We need to rise above political blame games and find a lasting solution to this problem for the sake of our next generation."

"As reports suggest that National clean energy and environment fund is being used towards compensating the states' revenue loss due to GST, in this context, I request you to also use the funds towards tackling the issue of pollution in Delhi, NCR and North India," he added.

Click here for LIVE updates.
New Delhi continued to reel under smoggy conditions on Monday as a thick haze reduced visibility and air quality remained at "hazardous" levels. The concentration of particulate matter was recorded at over seven-times the norm even as primary schools were set to reopen.

The Aam Aadmi Party government had said that they will file a review petition in front of the National Green Tribunal over the odd-even policy, however, the NGT on Monday told media outlets that the Delhi government had not filed any review petition on the policy. The review plea was to be filed against the earlier order to implement odd and even without any exemption.

Refuting media reports, sources in the Delhi government say that a review petition is going to be filed later in the day. Naginder Sharma, media advisor to the Chief Minister of Delhi told Firstpost that a review petition will be filed in the NGT today. "It has already been decided to file a review petition and it will be done," he said.

There were speculations that the Delhi government may not file a review petition against the NGT order as a separate petition filed by a citizen is up for hearing in the Supreme Court on Monday afternoon. "The Supreme Court today agreed to hear a petition filed by advocate RK Kapoor which seeks immediate measures to check the rising pollution in Delhi and its surrounding areas, which has become an international headline for a week now," reports said.

Reports also said, "There was no lawyer from the Delhi governments side present at the hearing that the latter had itself requested. This forced the NGT to wonder if all the objections raised by the AAP are for grandstanding before the media." Sharma added that despite the case, which is to be heard in the Supreme Court, the review petition will be filed in NGT.

"We know that a petition has been filed in the Supreme Court by a citizen. We are still going to ask NGT to review the existing plea," he said. Advocate Gaurav Kumar Bansal, who was arguing against the Delhi government in the earlier case related to odd-even told Firstpost that the Delhi government still has time to file a review petition.

"The government can file a review petition anytime within 30 days after the order. They can also file it later in the day," he said. Ashok Agarwal, another advocate with the Supreme Court told Firstpost that there is no legal bar on the government in filing a review petition in the NGT even if a similar petition is being heard in the Supreme Court.

The original jurisdiction on environment related matters lies with the NGT, so there is no bar in government filing a review petition in the NGT, Agarwal said. The review petition co-incided with the re-opening of schools in the city amid hazardous levels of air pollution.

The Delhi government had decided to shut down schools for five days after the air quality index reached severe levels. But parents say that the move hardly bore any fruit as the government had to reopen them with the same levels of air pollution. The decision to shut schools was implemented partially as many private schools remained open. At the same time, the government reopened them when the air quality index is the same when it was at the time of shutting schools. It is difficult to say what the outcome of this exercise was, says Saransh Sharma who is a parent of a school-going child at a Delhi government school.

The question which everyone is now asking, is what the Arvind Kejriwal government is planning to do now that the government's odd-even plan is in limbo.

Earlier, sources in the Delhi government had told Firstpost that the main submission of the Delhi government in NGT on Monday will be about the problems the odd-even is going to cause if implemented without any exemption. Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodias media advisor Arunodoy Prakash said that Delhis present public transport system cannot bear the gargantuan load of additional commuters that lack of exemption to two-wheelers would cause.

"More than 32 lakh people travel by bikes everyday in Delhi. If they are not exempted from odd-even scheme, they may shift to public transportation. Delhis public transportation cannot take that load. We need to exempt them from odd-even scheme," Prakash added.

According to a report in The Times of India, more than 32 lakhs people commute by bus everyday. The report also says that the capital city needs more than 10,000 buses to meet its present demand. More than 26 lakh commuters use the metro rail. Adding another wave of commuters may result in collapse of public transportation system.

The AAP government also said that exemptions are also crucial for women's safety.

Speaking to Firstpost regarding the matter, AAP MLA Anil Bajpai said, "We cannot compromise on the issue of womens safety. If odd even is allowed without any exemption, than womens safety might be at risk."

The NGT has been criticising the Delhi government for poor preparedness as the city struggled to breathe. The smog situation in the National Capital has been deteriorating for almost past one week. The NGT on Saturday rapped the government for attempting to implement odd-even with large number of exemptions provided to various groups of people, including bikers. The Delhi High Court too ordered the government to implement the scheme without any exemption.

Soon after the order, the government rolled back its decision to implement the policy and said that the socio-economic costs of enforcing it without exemption will be too high for Delhi to bear.

Incidentally, implementing odd-even is probably the only option left with the Delhi's AAP government to control the severe air pollution. The other measures would mean involvement of neighbouring states and their respective governments.
You are here: Home

 Flash

At least 328 Iranians died in a huge 7.3 magnitude earthquake that hit the Iran-Iraq border area on Sunday, official IRNA news agency reported on Monday.

The quake also injured nearly 4,000 people, the report said.

The quake's epicenter was located approximately 32 km south of the city of Halabja in a remote mountainous region of eastern Iraq, some 200 km north-east of Baghdad and 400 km west of Tehran, according to the United States Geological Survey.

The quake hit the area at 9:18 p.m. local time (0018 GMT), when many people would have been at home, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

The tremor was felt in several Iranian provinces bordering Iraq including the capital, Tehran.

Over 20 Iranian villages in Iran's Kermanshah province have been damaged and power and water flows disrupted. The roads networks in the area have sustained damage.

However, the provincial police chief, General Manouchehr Amanollahi said Monday that all roads are open and the traffic flow is normal.

Also, officials said the access to rural areas is still limited.

Iranian emergency teams have been dispatched to the quake-hit region and helicopters are delivering basic needs. There are also strong aftershocks in the area.

Field hospitals have been set up in the quake-hit areas.

The earthquake and after-shakes magnitude varied from 4.5 to 6.1. The earthquake has also been felt in Turkey, Armenia, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.

In Iran's western Sanandaj and Qasr-e Shirin cities, people evacuated their houses following the strong earthquake.

Esmail Najar, the head of Iran's National Disaster Management Organization said more injured people might be buried under the rubble in Qasr-e Shirin and Sarpol-e Zahab counties in Kermanshah province.

Witnesses in Sarpol-e Zahab said that they were appalled to see the city skyline on Monday morning, saying half of the buildings seem to have been destroyed, Tasnim news agency reported.

Three mourning days has been announced in Kermanshah province.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has urged all Iranian officials and institutions to "rush to the aid of those affected in these early hours" after the incident.

Khamenei said the country's entire range of capabilities had to be used swiftly to prevent a further rise in the death toll, according to Press TV.

He called on Iran's Armed Forces to help with removing the rubble and transferring the injured to medical centers.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in a phone call with the interior ministry emphasized the need for maximum effort from officials.

On Monday, Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli left for quake-hit province of Kermanshah in western Iran, accompanied by Minister of Health Hassan Qazizadeh Hashemi, Head of Iran's Red Crescent Society Ali Asqar Peivandi and a delegation from Presidential Office, official IRNA news agency said.

The delegation has been assigned to evaluate the process of emergency aid to quake-stricken people and present a report about the implemented measures on the scene.

Iran is one of the most seismically active countries in the world, being crossed by several major fault lines that cover at least 90 percent of the country. As a result, destructive earthquakes in Iran occur constantly.

The deadliest quake in Iran's modern history happened in June 1990. It destroyed the northern cities of Rudbar, Manjil, and Lushan, along with hundreds of villages, killing about 37,000 people.

An earthquake in the southeastern city of Bam in December 2003 killed 26,000 people.
Kolkata: Seeking steps from the Centre to combat the "dengue epidemic" in West Bengal, BJP's state President Dilip Ghosh has written to union health minister JP Nadda, alleging that test kits were being smuggled out to private health centres due to "corruption of the ruling party".

"There is also huge shortage of dengue test kits in government hospitals. The kits are being smuggled out to private nursing homes and hospitals and the poor are advised to get tested in those private health centres at exorbitant costs. This practice is going on due to corruption of the ruling party," Ghosh said in the letter.

According to the letter, the estimated dengue cases so far have "crossed 50,000", although the government only "accepted a meagre number of 18,000 of those diagnosed as dengue virus infected" and declared that 34 persons have died to date, out of which only 18 were confirmed dengue cases.

Ghosh also alleged that the state health system had completely "broken down" and was unable to combat this manace and the danger from this epidemic had become more "acute" since the "state government is not ready to accept the enormity of the crisis".

Highlighting the "pathetic attitude" of the National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Disease (NICED) in Beliaghata, he said the institute was not taking any pro-active initiatives, instead it was "taking cue from the state health department and acting on their behalf to subvert the ground reality".

He also mentioned that the state government had created a huge fear psychosis among the doctors and they are "unwilling to even issue death certificates of dengue deaths".
Bhopal: A 12-year-old rape survivor rescued from the Bhopal railway station underwent an abortion at a hospital in the city, a senior medical officer said on Monday.

The surgery was performed on Sunday, Karan Peepre, in-charge superintendent, Sultania Lady Hospital, said. "A team of doctors terminated the 15-week pregnancy of the rape survivor. She is in good health now and would be under doctors' observation for three more days,' Peepre told PTI.

The Government Railway Police (GRP) has apprehended six people, three of them minors, for allegedly raping the girl, who was spotted by members of the Railway Childline at the train station on 3 November.

The childline service is an initiative that seeks to help minors who have run away from home, are unaccompanied or have been trafficked, and come in contact with the Railways. A medical examination later found that the victim, who fled her home in Jabalpur some months ago and started begging near the railway station, was pregnant.

The girl had told the police she was raped repeatedly during her stay in the station premises. Peepre said counsellors were helping the minor deal with the trauma. The decision to terminate the pregnancy was taken by the local child welfare committee, he said.

Meanwhile, Superintendent of Police, Bhopal Railway Division, Ruchi Vardhan Mishra, said six people had been taken into custody during the past couple of days in connection with the crime.

"The accused included three minors," she said, adding that the trio, aged 16 to 17 years, was sent to a shelter home. The three adults  Salman (20), Mangal Thakur (24) and Manish Yadav (24)  were placed under arrest and later sent to jail by a court here, the officer said.

The SP said the accused had been booked under IPC section 376 (rape) and relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

"The victim told us she used to stay with her parents in a shanty near the Jabalpur railway station. A few months ago, she sat in a train alone and reached Bhopal. After that, she started begging at the railway station," Mishra said. During this period, she was allegedly raped by the accused, Mishra said.

Madhya Pradesh Minister for Women and Child Development Archana Chitnis visited the hospital last evening and enquired about the girl's health.

The minister, who also met the survivor, had earlier announced that the government would bear all expenses incurred on her treatment and for her education.
In August 2015, the Maharashtra government's announcement on New Taipei-based electronics giant Foxconn agreeing to invest in the state had generated much enthusiasm. However, the much-touted proposed investment is unlikely to become a reality.

Speaking to Firstpost, state industries minister Subash Desai said, "There has been no progress on the issue of the investment by Foxconn in the state. There has been no communication from both sides on the matter."

When asked about the possible reason for the stalled communication between the Maharashtra state government and the corporate firm, Desai said, "One of the reasons why the company may be abandoning its plan could be unhealthy relations between India and China."

Foxconn had planned to set up several manufacturing facilities for a number of products, including iPhones and tablets. In May 2016, it was said to be scouting for land to set up its manufacturing plant.

Desai said that Foxconn wanted a plot for the plant near the airport and that the government had suggested a few plots near Talegaon, Khopoli and Khalapur. "However, no progress has been made in this regard. We are a waiting for a reply from Foxconn," he said.

The Taiwan-based company had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Devendra Fadnavis-led government in August 2015 and had offered an investment of $5 billion. Fadnavis had said earlier that Foxconn will create the direct employment of 50,000 people through the MoU.

A senior official told Firstpost that the MoU is on the verge of being cancelled. "We are planning to give the proposed site to another investor. Foxconn was a dream project under Make in Maharashtra. It is sad that after two years, it remains on paper."

Subhash Desai further said that some other companies in the electronic sector are ready to invest in the state. "Presently, investment from 44 new industries from the electronics sector is on the cards. We hope that these investments will generate Rs 30,400 crore, will create about 1 lakh employment opportunities. However, it is important to remember that it takes at least three to five years for any industry to settle down."

In October last year, Firstpost had reported that Foxconn was likely to back out of its investment in the state. At the time, the absence of customers was believed to be a reason for this. Apurva Chandra Principal secretary for Maharashtra's Department of Industry, Energy and Labour had then said, "We do not think this is disappointing as yet as we would like to give them some more time before coming to a decision."

The Maharashtra government has recently completed three years in power and a major focus for it was augmenting investment in the state. Devendra Fadnavis, in his address during the Make In India Week in Mumbai in February 2016, had said that a task force, headed by the state industry minister, would be set up to ensure that the MoUs signed during the programme get translated into actual investments. Desai said that while MoUs worth Rs 8 lakh crore were made in February, investments of about 4 lakh crore have had concrete progress. However, he did not give details about the investment of Rs 4 lakh crore.

The Opposition has also questioned the government over the status of the investment in the past. Congress leader and former chief minister Ashok Chavan had said in October 2016 that he had expressed apprehensions that the MoU would be controversial during the company's visit to Maharashtra, and that he was proven right.

"During the Congress rule, we secured more foreign investments without resorting to jumlas of this kind," Chavan had said.
It seems that forcing ones ideology and personal choices onto others under the garb of nationalism is the flavour of the day and no one does this better than politicians. Many such radical leaders have no qualms about undertaking actions, which they say, are in the best interests of the nation and are quick to brand anyone eating, critiquing, wearing, reading, writing anything not considered appropriate by them as anti-national. And anti-nationals, as per them, have a preferred destination: Pakistan.

VHP leader Pravin Togadia is the latest one to embark on this 'mission' when he said that those talking about an independent Kashmir should go to Pakistan. His jibe came a day after former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah said Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) belongs to Islamabad.

"Kashmir is an integral part of India. People talking about independent Kashmir should go to Pakistan or else our security forces are ready with AK47s at the border to deal with them," the VHP's working international president said on Sunday.

And this isnt the first time Togadia has played poster-boy for Team Intolerance either. He also said the Censor Board should take a firm stand over Bollywood movie Padmavati, and stop its release. "Padmavati was a great queen, why should people protest against the movie based on her life? It's the responsibility of the Censor Board. It should take a stand and not allow the movie to be released," he said.

While the controversial Togadia hardly defines the rule, he isnt the exception either. Here are some other leaders who have displayed their eagerness to grant one-way tickets to Indias neighbour.

Aamir Khan row

Speaking up against the growing intolerance in the country is one sure shot way to be subjected to that very intolerance. This is perhaps something Bollywood actor Aamir Khan had to learn the hard way after he found himself at the centre of the raging controversy. He was attacked by several right-wing outfits for stoking fear and was told to go to Pakistan if he felt insecure in the country.

According to The Hindu, at an event in New Delhi in November 2015, the actor had invited controversy by saying that he was alarmed at the rise in intolerance over the past six to eight months and that his wife and filmmaker, Kiran Rao, had wondered if they should relocate to another country.

Fawad do you need artistes from Pakistan?

In September last year, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) film wing  the Chitrapat Sena  had issued a 48-hour deadline to all Pakistani artistes to leave the country.

The MNS Chitrapat Sena's president Amey Khopkar had issued a statement saying: We gave a 48 hour deadline to Pakistani actors and artists to leave India or MNS will push them out."

The MSN's diktat came at a time when ties between India and Pakistan were particularly tense, after the attack by infiltrators in Uri, Kashmir, that left 18 Indian military personnel dead.

This wasnt the first such attack either. In January last year, the Raj Thackeray-headed political organisation had threatened to disrupt a proposed concert by ghazal maestro Ghulam Ali, if it was held in Mumbai. The MNS' political rival, the Shiv Sena, had also joined in the protest.

Criticise Modi, go to Pakistan

Bihar's BJP leader Giriraj Singh had stirred up a controversy in 2014 by saying that those opposing the party's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi would have to go to Pakistan after the Lok Sabha elections.

"Those opposing Narendra Modi are looking at Pakistan, and such people will have place in Pakistan and not in India," Singh had said.

I maintain"many Pakistani pro are constantly opposing namo.this nation belongs to Indian at heart else Pakistan always welcome anti India "  Giriraj Singh (@girirajsinghbjp) April 19, 2014



Dying without beef? Go to Pakistan

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi in 2015 had justified a ban on cow slaughter and asked all those who want to eat beef to go to Pakistan, IANS reported.

"It is not about loss or profit... it is an issue of faith and belief. It is a sensitive issue for the Hindus," Naqvi had said. "Those who are dying without eating beef, can go to Pakistan or Arab countries or any other part of world where it is available."

"Even Muslims are against it..." he had contended.

No place for Kamal in India

BJP leader AN Radhakrishnan in January this year had alleged that noted Malayalam film director Kamal had links with terrorist groups and that he should leave the country if he cannot respect the nation.

"It will be better for the filmmaker who has doubts whether one should stand up when the National Anthem is being sung to leave the country if he cannot respect the interest of the nation", he told a press conference here. "The filmmaker is associated with terrorist organisations," he had alleged, according to DNA.

Kamal had been under attack from Sangh Parivar outfits (his name lending ironic overtones to the situation) for his alleged remarks connected with playing of national anthem in cinemas during the screening of films at the IFFK in December last and also for allowing a film to be screened at the Film festival that allegedly defamed Hindu community.

RSS not far behind

In June 2015, the RSS had sought strict punishment for those raising pro-Pakistan slogans and waving flags of that country and suggested that all such people who "betray" the nation should be sent to Pakistan, PTI reported.

"There should be a law acting against those raising pro- Pakistan slogans with provisions for punishment. Such a person should be sent with his family and belongings to Pakistan," RSS leader Indresh Kumar told reporters on the sidelines of a function in New Delhi.

He was asked for his reaction to increasing incidents of waving of Pakistan flags and shouting of slogans at rallies by separatists in the Kashmir Valley.

Not just artists, other leaders often targetted as well

Accusing Rahul Gandhi of supporting the "anti-national" students in JNU and stooping to new lows to gain political mileage, Punjab BJP in February last year had said that he should be "sent to Pakistan", as per PTI.

"What Rahul Gandhi has done is anti-national. The country does not need such leaders. He should be sent to Pakistan," senior BJP leader Manoranjan Kalia had said.

BJP workers led by Punjab party president Kamal Sharma burnt an effigy of Rahul calling him "anti-national". "Since Congress is losing their nation-wide support base, Rahul Gandhi has started supporting anti-nationals. How far will he droop to gain political mileage?" Kamal Sharma said, adding that the country will not tolerate such a leader.

Similarly, in November 2015, Bharatiya Janata Party lawmaker Ashwani Kumar Choubey had said that Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar and RJD chief Lalu Prasad should "go to Pakistan",

"Lalu and Nitish Kumar should go to Pakistan after Bihar Assembly polls outcome on 8 November,"Choubey had said in Patna, according to PTI.

His comments followed a controversial statement by his party colleague Giriraj Singh who said: "Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad want to make Bihar a Pakistan."

Earlier, BJP president Amit Shah had said that if his party lost the Bihar Assembly elections, firecrackers will be burst in Pakistan.

"If by mistake BJP loses in Bihar, fire crackers will be burst in Pakistan," Mr Shah had said.
Chandigarh: Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar asked his Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal what steps he has taken to end stubble burning by farmers in areas near the national capital as air pollution peaked to alarming levels.

Kejriwal had sought a meeting with counterparts from Haryana and Punjab to discuss ways to manage the worsening air pollution in Delhi and neighbouring states.

While Khattar said he was open to meet Kejriwal "anytime anywhere" to find a solution to the issue, Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh said the situation warranted Centre's intervention as it has inter-state implications.

The practice of burning of crop residue by farmers of the two states have been blamed for the toxic smog enveloping the region during the winter season every year. In a letter to Kejriwal, Khattar said 40,000 families cultivate around 40,000 hectares in Delhi.

"What steps have been taken to keep them from stubble burning? I write this in response to your letter dated 8 November. I believe no single person, organisation or government can improve the quality of air. Such collective problems require everyone to do their bit. And more importantly, a strong mechanism to enhance the outcome of such constructive steps," Khattar told Kejriwal in the letter dated 10 November.

Quoting from Rabindranath Tagore's poem Where The Mind Is Without Fear, he said the bedrock of such a mechanism is a

mindset where words come out from the depth of truth. "Unfortunately, your letter contains no hint of such a mindset. In fact, your reference to the helplessness of farmers in Punjab and Haryana in stubble burning betrays an inability to rise above short-term electoral interests," he said.

He cited "publicly available satellite imagery data" and said they showed substantial reduction in stubble burning cases and fires from 2014 onwards in Haryana. Khattar said he was "likely" to be in Delhi on 13 and 14 November. "You may feel free to call me to fine tune a mutually convenient date, time and venue for the meeting," he said.

A thick blanket of smog, mainly caused by stubble burning, has enveloped parts of Punjab, Haryana and Delhi, severely affecting normal life and troubling people in breathing.

Haryana's outspoken minister Anil Vij has previously said said that if the Kejriwal-led AAP government wants to tackle the smog problem in Delhi, it should provide grants to farmers of Haryana to stop them from burning crop residue.

To follow live updates, follow our blog here
A day after former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah said Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) belongs to Islamabad, VHP leader Pravin Togadia said those talking about independent Kashmir should go to Pakistan.

"Kashmir is an integral part of India. People talking about independent Kashmir should go to Pakistan or else our security forces are ready with AK47s at the border to deal with them," the VHP's working international president said on Sunday.

Abdullah had said on Saturday that PoK belongs to Pakistan and "this won't change", no matter how many wars India and Pakistan fight.

Controversial Togadia

It wasn't the only contentious statement made by the VHP leader. He also said the Censor Board should take a firm stand over Bollywood movie Padmavati, and stop its release. "Padmawati was a great queen, why should people protest against the movie based on her life? It's the responsibility of the Censor Board. It should take a stand and not allow the movie to be released," he said.

And that wasn't all. Togadia also hailed said Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi's frequent visits to temples in poll-bound Gujarat as a "victory" for Hindus. "Rahul Gandhi frequents temples in Gujarat every now and then. I see this as a victory for Hindus," he said.

The VHP leader has been no stranger to controversy. In the past, Togadia had asked India to take Donald Trump's lead and bomb Pakistan in order to secure Kulbhushan Jadhav's release. Hindustan Times quoted Togadia as saying, "Trump showed how its America First for him by bombing IS hideouts in Afghanistan, which is more than 10,000 km from Washington. Our government should show similar resolve of India First by bombing Pakistan, which is barely 800 km from New Delhi and securing the Indian soldier's release,"

In May 2015, Togadia had proposed to make India a Hindu nation by removing the word "secular" from the Constitution. "This will ensure that only Hindus become prime ministers, chief ministers, judges and police chiefs," he had said.

His remarks had seemingly earned him rebuke even from Narendra Modi when he was a prime-ministerial candidate, who had tweeted, "Petty statements by those claiming to be BJP's well wishers are deviating the campaign from the issues of development & good governance."

Petty statements by those claiming to be BJP's well wishers are deviating the campaign from the issues of development & good governance.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 22, 2014

With inputs from PTI
Nagpur: Factors like the damage caused to various crops in Vidarbha and Marathwada regions due to pest attack, insufficient rains, and suspected pesticide poisoning have "worsened" the agrarian crisis in Maharashtra this year, according to the state-run task force.

Task force chairman Kishor Tiwari said the preliminary loss caused to the cotton economy due to a multitude of factors is around Rs 10,000 crore.

Tiwari heads the task force  Vasantrao Naik Shetkari Swavalamban Mission (VNSSM)  which is empowered to recommend and ensure implementation of a host of measures for the welfare of 60 lakh farmers including finance, food, health and education security to prevent more incidents of suicides in the parched farmlands in 14 districts in VNSSM's jurisdiction.

Tiwari said he has written to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and sought the immediate intervention of the state government.

"The agrarian crisis in Maharashtra is getting worse this year due to (factors like) bad rains, poisoning caused by pesticide spraying (which claimed lives of many farmers in Yavatmal district) besides a massive attack by pink bollworm and other pests on standing crops of cotton, soybean, paddy, and pulses in Vidarbha and Marathwada," Tiwari said in a press release on Monday.

Expressing apprehension that over half of the total standing cotton crops in Marathwada and Vidarbha may be lost due to pest infestation, Tiwari expressed surprise over the pink bollworms infecting the genetically-modified BT cotton crop.

"This year (cotton) crop has failed to rupture. Anxious farmers who manually opened the cotton bolls were aghast to see pink bollworms in abundance. The situation is unprecedented and it seems more than 50 percent of the crop would now be lost to worms," he said.

Tiwari said farmers at some places in Vidarbha and Marathwada regions had flattened their bollworm-infected cotton crop using tractors.

He said the extent of damage to the cotton crop is up to 90 percent in some areas.

"There is a little chance of saving the crop now as chemical pesticides are also not available in the market because of the recent scare and deaths caused by contact poisoning during spraying in fields," he said.

Tiwari alleged the "market intervention" on part of the state and Central governments are "too low" even as farmers are selling cotton, soybean and pulses at below Minimum Support Prices (MSPs).

He demanded a relaxation of procurement norms as an immediate measure to help farmers.
Adressing ASEAN Business and Investment Summit in Manila, Narendra Modi touted India's growth story and wooed investors, while hardselling his government's economic reform initiatives to boost trade and investment.

Reiterating the various economic reforms undertaken by his government, Modi pointed out that his administration completed the "very complex transition" to the Goods and Services Tax (GST), adding much still needed to be done.

Modi said that demonetisation coupled with measures like linking of the Aadhaar number with bank accounts has led to formalisation of a big part of the Indian economy.

"We are using our unique ID system in financial transactions and taxation for this purpose and the results are already visible."

"These steps, coupled with demonetisation of high value notes, has resulted in fomalising a large part of our economy. The number of new tax payers filing income tax returns has more than doubled. Digital transactions have increased by 34 percent as we march together to a less-cash economy," he said.

The prime minister is in Manila to attend the 31st ASEAN Summit.

Modi said that foreign direct investment for up to 90 percent industries is on automatic approval route, adding the country's economy is now "globally integrated".

"The task of transforming India is proceeding at an unprecedented scale. We are working day and night towards easy, effective and transparent governance," Modi said.

Modi listed all major economic reform measures taken by his government including rolling out of the GST and new laws and institutions for bankruptcy and insolvency proceedings. He said 1,200 out-dated laws have been repealed in the last three years as part of reform measures.

He said that his government believed in emphasising on 'minimum government, maximum governance', adding that about 1,200 outdated laws have been repealed in the last three years in the country to boost ease of doing business.

"India has climbed 30 places in the World Bank Ease of Doing Business Index this year. It is the biggest jump by any country this year and a recognition of India's long term reform trajectory. And, the world is taking notice. We have moved up 32 places in the last two years in the Global Competitiveness Index of the World Economic Forum," Modi said.

He said that while on one hand his government was focusing on churning out more entrepreneurs and establishing India as a global manufacturing hub, on other hand, schemes like the Jan Dhan Yojana transformed lives of millions of common people who did not have access to banking services.

Modi also pointed out how India has used the scheme to not only bring the rural populace into the banking system but has minimised the leakages in deliverance of government subsidies.

Modi said that under 59 schemes, subsidy payments (to the tune of $10 billion) are under direct benefit transfer. "Today, the government is using Direct Benefit Transfers for 59 different schemes. Subsidies worth nearly $10 billion are being directly transferred to the bank accounts of the intended beneficiaries," he added.

"For the first time in India, collateral-free loans have been disbursed to more than 90 million small entrepreneurs under the Mudra scheme. Very near to the population of Philippines," the prime minister said.

Modi said that he wanted Indians to be job creators and not job seekers.

The prime minister said 36 "white industries" have been taken out from the requirement of environmental clearance. Incorporating a company is now just a one day affair, he said. Modi also talked about the open auction policy for natural resources including telecom spectrum, coal mines and other minerals and even private radio channels, which he said has together contributed about $75 billion in revenue.

"Using technology, we are enhancing responsibility and reducing discretion and corruption. We are using our Unique ID system in financial transactions and taxation for this purpose and the results are already visible. These steps, coupled with demonetisation of high value notes has resulted in formalising a large part of our economy," he said.

Modi said the number of new tax payers filing income tax returns has more than doubled and that digital transactions have increased by 34 per cent in one year, as "we march towards a less-cash economy".

"We have used technology to reach out to people. An online citizen engagement platform, MyGov has harnessed ideas, suggestions and inputs on policies and programmes from 2 million pro-active citizens," he added.

Claiming that South and Southeast Asia will be the growth engine of the world, Modi claimed that India attaches topmost priority to boosting economic ties with ASEAN countries. Modi said India wants to build land, sea and air connectivity to this dynamic region and that work is already on in the construction of the tri-

lateral highway through Myanmar and Thailand to connect to other countries in South East Asia.

"We are working on the early conclusion of the Agreement on Maritime Transport between India and ASEAN and are exploring coastal shipping services with countries that are our immediate maritime neighbours," he added.

The trade ties between India and ASEAN are on an upswing and both sides want to further boost the trade and investment cooperation.

"The 'Act East' policy of my government puts this region at the centre of our engagement. We have exceptionally good political and people-to-people relations with each and every country in the ASEAN region," he said.

The ASEAN region along with India together comprises combined population of 1.85 billion people, which is one fourth of the global population and their combined GDP has been estimated at over $3.8 trillion.

Investment from ASEAN to India has been over $70 billion in the last 17 years accounting for more than 17 percent of Indias total FDI. He listed a host of infrastructural projects currently under consideration, while inviting investors from the ASEAN nations to boost regional cooperation for mutual growth.

He said India is organising an ASEANIndia Connectivity Summit in New Delhi next month with ministers, officials and business representatives from all ASEAN countries. India is also organising an ASEANIndia Commemorative Summit of ASEAN leaders in January next year.

With inputs from agencies
Manila: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday asked Indians to work hard to ensure that the 21st Century belongs to India and said his government was making every effort to transform the country and take it to new heights.

Addressing the Indian diaspora in the Philippines capital, Modi said difficulties might be there but once it's crossed no one can stop India from achieving new heights.

"Our efforts are aimed at transforming India and ensuring everything in our nation matches global standards," Modi said in his nearly 35-minute speech.

Noting that 21st Century is described as Asia's Century, Modi told the cheering audience that it was the duty of every Indian to work hard to make it a century of India.

"I say it is possible," Modi asserted.

The Prime Minister said India has always contributed to the world peace and more than 1.25 lakh Indian soldiers sacrificed their lives just for peace during the two world wars.

"Our contingent in the UN Peacekeeping Forces is among the biggest. India is the land of Mahatma Gandhi, peace is integral to our culture," he said, highlighting India's contribution to the world peace.

Modi also lauded his government's initiatives such as 'Swachh Bharat', 'Jan Dhan Yojna' and 'Ujjwala Yojana'.

"Which Indian doesn't want cleanliness? We have started from where Mahatma Gandhi left and till now over 2.25 lakh villages in India have become open defecation free," he said.

Stating that getting an LPG connection once used to be a big achievement, Modi said his government has provided free LPG connections to more than 3.5 crore families in over three years.

He also attacked the Opposition and said that before 2014 people used to ask how much money has gone to scams but now they ask how much has come.

Modi arrived in Manila on Sunday on a three-day visit to attend the ASEAN-India and the East Asia summits.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday condoled the death of 16 tourists, who were killed in a boat capsize in Andhra Pradesh's Krishna district.

"Capsizing of a boat in the Krishna River is anguishing. My thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives in this tragedy. Andhra Pradesh Government and @NDRFHQ (National Disaster Response Force) have been working on rescue operations," the Prime Minister's Office said in a tweet.

Capsizing of a boat in the Krishna River is anguishing. My thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives in this tragedy. Andhra Pradesh Government and @NDRFHQ have been working on rescue operations: PM @narendramodi  PMO India (@PMOIndia) November 13, 2017

At least 16 tourists, including nine women and two children, were killed and eight others were reported missing as the boat capsized in the Krishna river on Sunday.

The boat overturned at Ibrahimpatnam Ferry Ghat around 5.20 pm. There were 41 tourists on board belonging to a private operator and returning from Bhavani Isand to Pavitra Sangam, or holy confluence of Krishna and Godavari rivers.
 Flash

Visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday called on China and Vietnam to enhance high-level strategic communication to move forward the bilateral ties in the right direction.

The remarks were made when Xi held talks with Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang in Hanoi during a state visit to the Southeast Asian country.

It's Xi's second visit to Vietnam as head of state and top leader of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

Xi stressed that as the international and regional circumstances are undergoing profound and complicated changes and the two countries are facing challenges of reform and development, the two parties and two countries should enhance high-level strategic communication.

The two sides should consolidate the momentum of the steady growth of the bilateral trade, and speed up the alignment of their development initiatives -- the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative and Vietnam's "Two Corridors and One Economic Circle" plan, Xi said.

He said that the two sides should promote cooperation in key areas such as infrastructure, production capacity and cross-border economic cooperation zone.

The two sides should increase input in people-to-people exchanges, and broadly carry out such exchanges, so as to enhance mutual understanding between the two peoples, particularly between the youths.

Xi said that the two countries should properly manage differences, protect maritime peace and stability, and promote joint exploitation.

China and Vietnam are socialist neighboring countries and important cooperative partners, and the fate of the two parties, two countries and two peoples are closely bound up together with the same political systems and development goals, Xi said.

The CPC and the Chinese government attach great importance to the bilateral ties with Vietnam, and will adhere to the fundamental policy of developing friendly relationship with Vietnam and will commit itself to strengthening comprehensive strategic cooperation between the two countries, so as to benefit the two peoples, he said.

For his part, Quang extended congratulations on the elevation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era into the party's guiding principles during the 19th CPC National Congress and on Xi's re-election as general secretary of the CPC Central Committee.

He said Vietnam highly values the great achievements of China's economic and social development and its contribution to peace and prosperity in the region and the world at large.

Consolidating and strengthening the China-Vietnam comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership is in the fundamental interest of the two countries and two peoples, and is conducive to regional and global peace and stability, Quang said.

Vietnam is willing to work with China to maintain the traditional friendship forged by previous generations of the two countries' leaders, implement the outcomes of Xi's visit, keep high-level exchanges between the two parties and two countries, push forward exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and promote in-depth development of the bilateral ties, he added.

Before flying to Hanoi, Xi concluded a busy two-day stay in Vietnam's central city of Da Nang, where he attended the 25th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting.
Manila: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump on Monday held bilateral talks on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Manila during which they discussed a range of key issues including defence and security.

The meeting in the Philippines capital came a day after officials of India, the US, Japan and Australia held talks to give shape to the much talked about quadrilateral alliance to keep the strategically important Indo-Pacific region free, open and inclusive. The two leaders are understood to have discussed the security scenario in the region besides several other issues of mutual interests, including ways to further boost bilateral trade.

#WATCH: Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets US President Donald Trump in Manila, holds bilateral talks #Philippines pic.twitter.com/aW6dlkgfwe  ANI (@ANI) November 13, 2017

The move to set up the quadrilateral alliance comes in the backdrop of growing Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea. The US has been favouring a larger role for India in the strategically important Indo-Pacific region.

The use of the term "Indo-Pacific" by President Trump has led to speculation that it may have something to do with Washington preparing the ground for a revival of the so called quadrilateral strategic alliance between the US, Japan, Australia and India to counter China's rise.

Trump on Saturday praised India's "astounding" growth after it opened up its economy and also lauded Modi, saying he has been working successfully to bring the vast country and its people together.

Speaking at a gathering of CEOs on the sidelines of the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in the Vietnamese city of Danang, President Trump had cited India as one of the countries in the Indo-Pacific region making strides. He praised India as a sovereign democracy with a population of over one billion as well as the largest democracy in the world.
Patna: Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Monday said he favours reservation for the Jats and Marathas and voiced his support for the Women's Reservation Bill.

"I am a supporter of reservation for the Jats and Marathas," Nitish Kumar, who is also the Janata Dal-United president, told media persons.

Nitish Kumar said he strongly supports the Women's Reservation Bill passed by the Rajya Sabha and added that it should be tabled in the Lok Sabha as well.

"Our stand on the women's reservation issue is clear. We will stand by it. I am a supporter of women's empowerment."

The Chief Minister also said that there should be a national debate on the reservation issue.

Last week, Nitish Kumar stirred a controversy by demanding reservation in the private sector after his government approved reservation in contract appointments made by the state government through outsourcing.

Responding to a question, Nitish Kumar said the BJP will win the Gujarat Assembly polls.

"Why the people (of Gujarat) will not vote for a party which has the prime minister from Gujarat?"
New Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind's daughter Swati, who was an air hostess with national carrier Air India, has been assigned ground duties because of security reasons, according to the airline's spokesperson.

Swati, who doesn't use a surname, was a cabin crew on Air India's long-haul Boeing 787 and Boeing 777 flights, but for nearly a month now she has been deputed with Air India's integration department at the airline's headquarters in New Delhi, the official said.

The department oversees human resource integration of erstwhile Indian Airlines and Air India since their merger in 2007.

"As a President's daughter I don't think she can fly as a crew with security personnel around. It is not possible to block so many passenger seats," an airline source explained.
Becharaji: Battling allegations of playing the soft Hindutva card by visiting temples during his election campaign in Gujarat, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on Monday said he is a devotee of Lord Shiva.

Gandhi, who has visited a number of temples since he kicked off his campaign by offering prayer at Dwarkadhish temple Dwarka in September, on Monday had darshan of Veer Meghmaya in Patan, Khodiyar Maa in Varana and Maa Bahuchar at Becharaji in Mehsana district.

"I am a devotee of Lord Shiva. Let them say whatever they want to say. My truth is with me," Gandhi told reporters when asked about the BJP's criticism of his visits to various temples.

The BJP, which has often accused the Congress of Muslim appeasement, termed Gandhi's frequent temple visits an attempt to attract Hindu voters. However, the Congress countered the charge, saying the saffron party does not have the "patent on devotion".

Gandhi started his campaign on Monday with a visit to the Veer Meghmaya temple, sacred to the members of the Dalit vankar community. Later, he visited Khodiyar Maa temple and Maa Bahuchar temple.

Gandhi had kicked off his tour of north Gujarat last Saturday after offering prayers at the Akshardham temple. He also offered prayer at the famous Ambaji temple. He visited two temples on Sunday as well.

The Congress leader had climbed around 1,000 steps to seeks the blessings of Maa Chamunda in Chotila a few weeks ago.

"We are not against his temple visits. We wish that everybody goes to temples and follows our tradition. But I want to ask....he (Gandhi) lives in Delhi and there are many temples there. Has he ever gone to any temple in Delhi? Has he visited Delhi Akshardham (Delhi) temple?" state BJP in-charge Bhupender Yadav said.

Deputy chief minister and BJP leader Nitin Patel had earlier said people can see through Gandhi's visits to temples, which he termed a "gimmick" for votes.

Patel had also asked the Congress to shed its "pseudo secularism" and respect mainstream Hindutva.

The Congress had countered the charge, saying the BJP does not have the sole patent on devotion and visiting temples.

"Rahul Gandhiji visited Jain temple and Gurudwaras apart from Hindu temples. We believe in secularism," Congress leader Shaktisinh Gohil said.

The Congress is trying to form a bloc comprising Patidars, Dalits and OBCs to thwart the BJP's attempts to retain power in the state which it has ruled for close to two decades without a break.
Recently, scholars writing about newly-independent India have described Congress as a Hindu party.

Such narrative resonates in right-wing Muslim politics.

Scholars such as Perry Anderson, through their works, have asserted that the Congress has been engaging in pseudo-secularism and that secularism in Indian context is sham.

Jawaharlal Nehru, being the most recognisable face of the party, faced the brunt of the attack. Many blame Nehru for the Partition. Others hold him responsible for the socio-economic plight of Indian Muslims.

Since the government must take responsibility for the development and welfare of all its people, past Congress regimes must be held responsible for the backwardness of Indian Muslims.

However, to pass judgement now is also problematic. Thus, a more nuanced approach must be adopted to understand how Indian Muslims looked at our first prime minister.

Contrary to the belief among a few historians that Muslims held Nehru responsible for the Partition and the rioting that followed, there was an outpouring of anger and sorrow at his passing.

A large number of Muslim Urdu poets also expressed grief at his death, with almost all the prominent Urdu poets praising Nehru.

Let us now examine the works of these poets and Nehru through their eyes:

Sahir Ludhianvi:

In his poem titled Jawaharlal Nehru, Sahir likened him to an idea.

He wrote:

"Jism ki maut koi maut nahi hoti hai

Jism mit jaane se insaan nahi mit jaate

Physical death is not the real death

Humans dont perish with bodies.

Sahir asserted that we should not say that Nehru has died, since only his body has perished while his ideas will live on.

In another couplet he highlighted Nehrus secular nature:

Wo jo har diin se munkir tha, har ik dharm se duur

Phir bhi har diin, har ik dharm ka gham-khwaar raha

He denied every religion and faith

Yet he cared for followers of every belief.

He compared Nehru with the Christ, who was crucified for his people:

Umr bhar surat-e-Isa jo sar-e-dar raha

Like Christ, he was always in gallows.

Interestingly this comparison, of Nehru with Christ, is a recurring theme among many Urdu poets, including Kaifi Azmi.

Sahir was a Marxist Urdu poet. For him, struggle against capitalism was a decisive test for any political leader or ideology.

He praised Nehru on this front as well:

Jis ne zardar maishat ko gawara na kiya

Jis ko aain-e-masawat pe israr raha

He never tolerated the capitalist social order

He worked towards an equal and just society.

He reiterated that Nehru should be understood as idea and not a mortal being.

It is common knowledge that Nehru willed:

The major portion of my ashes should, however, be disposed of otherwise. I want these to be carried high up into the air in an aeroplane and scattered from that height over the fields where the peasants of India toil, so that they might mingle with the dust and soil of India and become an indistinguishable part of India

This wish was fulfilled on 12 June, 1964 as planes from Indian Air Force scattered his ashes on the hills, fields, rivers of the country.

Sahir used this scattering of ashes in poem to tell us:

Rakh taqsim ki, armaan bhi taqsim karo

Us ke khwabo ki khushi, ruh ka gham le ke chalo

We have divided his ashes; we should divide his dreams too

Move on with joys of his dreams and sorrows embodied in his soul.

In the poem, Sahir had no doubt that Nehru stood for socialism, secularism and equality.

Hum mita dalenge sarmaya-o-mehnat ka tazaad"

We will end the inconsistency between capital and proletariat.

Kaifi Azmi:

Another famous progressive Urdu poet, Kaifi Azmi, penned a poem entitled Nehru which asserted that Nehru was far above his peers.

Main ne tanha kabhi us ko dekha nahi

Phir bhi jab us ko dekha vo tanha mila

Never saw him alone

Yet, he was solitary whenever I looked at him.

He likened Nehru to

Samundar me minar-e-nuur

A lighthouse in the sea.

Just like a lighthouse, he was providing right direction to the Indian polity:

Khair-o-shar ki koi jang ho

Zindagi ka ho koi jihad

Vo humesha hua sab se pehle shahid

In any war between good and evil

In any battle of life

He was the first to be martyred.

Keep in mind that Kaifi was a Marxist who championed the cause of the marginalised sections of the society.

In his view, if Nehru was martyred for a good cause, it must be for the working class, Adivasis, women and other marginalised.

Bringing out Nehrus secular credentials, he wrote:

Khuun me ved gunje hue

Aur jabin par farozaan azaan

Aur siine pe raqsaan saliib

Ved echoed in his blood

Azaan illuminated forehead

A cross dancing on his chest.

He compares Nehru with Christ.

Hath me us ke kyat ha jo deta hume

Sirf ik kiil us kiil ka ik nishan

He had nothing in his hands to give us

But one nail and its mark.

The imagery of Christ's hands being nailed to the cross is evident.

Sab se pehle suuli pe chadta raha

First one to go to the gallows.

Suuli is a word commonly used by Urdu speakers for the cross on which Christ was crucified.

Us ne zindaan me piya tha jo zehar

Uth ke siine se baitha na iska dhuaan

The poison he drank in the prison

Its smoke never sat down back to his chest.

Kaifi praised Nehru for his realisation that slavery never ended even after the British left India.

Although Nehru attained freedom for his country, he continued to struggle for those that lived like slaves. Nehru kept fighting for social justice and a new social order and this zeal never died.

Ali Sardar Jafri:

Ali Sardar Jafri was one of the pioneers of Progressive Writers Movement and a very famous Urdu poet.

He wrote two poems on Nehrus death: Rahbar ki maut (Death of the leader) and Sandal-o-gulab ki rakh (Ashes of sandal and rose).

He also described Nehru as the "honour and glory" of the nation:

Wo watan ki abru, ahl-e-watan ka iftikhar

Mahfil-e-insaan me insaniyat ka taajdar

He was the honour of the nation and glory of its citizens

He was the king of humanity among humans.

Just like Sahir, Ali equated Nehru with ideas.

He thought that while Nehru's body perished, his ideas would continue to guide India:

Ab humari ankh me hai us ki band ankho ka nuur

Ab humare jism me hai us ki ruh-e-beqarar

Us ka parcham le ke maidaan me nikalna hai hume

Farsh-e-gul se dur angaro pe chalna hai hume

Now, we have in our eyes the dreams that his closed eyes have

His restless soul resides in our body now

We have to come to battlefields hoisting his flag

Instead of flowers, we have to walk on fire now.

Ali's 'Sandal-o-gulab ki rakh (Ashes of sandal and rose) depicts Nehrus ashes being scattered and its significance.

Suna hai jis ki chita se ye khaak aayi hai

Wo fasl-e-gul ka paymbar tha ahd-e-nau ka rasul

I have heard that this ash is from the pyre of

Messenger of springs and prophet of a new social order.

These poets believed that Nehru worked for socialism and a socially just Indian society.

New social order, in those times, meant nothing but throwing away capitalism.

Like Sahir and Kaifi, Ali also pointed towards Nehrus secular credentials:

Wo barhamin ke jise masjido ne pyar kiya

Wo but-shikan ke jo bazm-e-butaan me tha maqbul

That priest who was loved by the mosques

that anti-idolatry who was respected among idolaters.

Waqar Ambalvi:

A lesser-known poet, but an interesting one.

After Partition, Waqar lived in Lahore. After Nehru's death, he published a poem entitled:

Wo Raj dulara Bharat ka har bat me sab se badhkar tha

That beloved son of Bharat was the best in every trade.

This poem was published in a Delhi-based magazine edited by Sarvar Tonsvi.

It showed the reach of Nehru among Muslims who had to migrate in 1947.

Waqar, even though he lived in Lahore, considers Nehru the leader of the freedom movement:

Dar dar par us ne dastak di angrez ko badh kar lalkara

Ya rail me uski baithak thi ya jail me uska bistar tha

He knocked every door, and challenged the might of the British Empire

Either he met people on train or jailed by the British.

He pointed towards the massive programme Nehru carried out in pre-independence India to make aware people of the atrocities committed by the British and whip up public opinion in favour of freedom.

Kuch dur to hum bhi sath chale us banke tiikhe hero ke

Lekin jab hum sath se bichde tab bhi wo ek rahbar tha

We also walked a few steps with this charismatic hero

But after we left still he was a leader.

Interestingly Waqar claimed that he saw Nehru as the leader even after Partition.

While that sentiment may seem seditious today, it pointed to the immense love and respect for Nehru among the people who were forced to leave their homes during Partition.

Sawraj se barso pehle hi har dil par us ka raj raha

Swaraj bhi us ke bhag se tha

Years before the independence he ruled over the hearts of the people

Independence is because of his destiny.

Waqar believes that Nehru was the independence movement and its most prominent leader.

To have such a poem echo across the border gives us an idea of Nehrus popularity.

All four poets were in the political Opposition to Nehru and the Congress.

Jafri was jailed just after independence by Congress government in Mumbai for being active with Revolutionary Communist Movement. Kaifi was also with him.

Sahir was also a Leftist and member of Progressive Writers Association.

Communists were one of the largest groups opposing Nehru.

The 1962 war with China also strained relations between the Communists and the government.

Under such circumstances, praise coming from Leftist Urdu writers shows the way Nehru was admired even by political rivals.

A close reading of contemporary Urdu poetry helps paint a nuanced view of how Muslims and the other marginalised sections viewed Nehru.

Saquib Salim is an independent socio-political commentator and a history researcher
Srinagar: Hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani on Sunday slammed National Conference president Farooq Abdullah for dismissing talk of an independent Kashmir, saying "power-hungry" politicians have always "played deceit" with people.

Blaming mainstream politicians for the prevailing "political uncertainty and chaos" in Jammu and Kashmir, the Hurriyat Conference chairman asked Abdullah to revisit annals of history and claimed that the latter was speaking against the wishes and aspirations of the people.

"These power-hungry politicians always played deceit. These irresponsible and short-sighted people have always served the interests of their masters. They are barefaced, follow their treacherous politics and are never ashamed of their absurd statements," Geelani said in a statement in Srinagar.

Abdullah, who is a member of parliament (MP) from Srinagar, had said on Saturday that talk of an independent Kashmir was "wrong" as the Valley is landlocked and surrounded by three nuclear powers - China, Pakistan and India.
ANKARA/BAGHDAD (Reuters) - More than 400 people were killed in Iran when a magnitude 7.3 earthquake jolted the country, state media said on Monday, and rescuers were searching for dozens trapped under rubble in the mountainous area. At least six have died in Iraq as well. State television said more than 407 people were killed in Irans deadliest earthquake in more than a decade and at least 6,600 were injured. Local officials said the death toll would rise as search and rescue teams reached remote areas of Iran. The earthquake, which struck on Sunday, was felt in several western provinces of Iran but the hardest hit province was Kermanshah. More than 300 of the victims were in Sarpol-e Zahab county in Kermanshah province, about 15 km (10 miles) from the Iraq border. Iranian state television said the quake had caused heavy damage in some villages where houses were made of earthen bricks. Rescuers were labouring to find survivors trapped under collapsed buildings. Iranian media reported that a woman and her baby were pulled out alive from the rubble on Monday in Sarpol-e Zahab, the worst hit area with a population of 85,000. The quake also triggered landslides that hindered rescue efforts, officials told state television. At least 14 provinces in Iran had been affected, Iranian media reported. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei offered his condolences on Monday, urging all government agencies to do all they could to help those affected. State TV appealed for blood donations. ANGRY PEOPLE The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake measured magnitude 7.3. An Iraqi meteorology official put its magnitude at 6.5, with the epicentre in Penjwin in Sulaimaniyah province in the Kurdistan region, close to the main border crossing with Iran. Tempers frayed in the quake-hit area as the search went on for survivors amidst the twisted rubble of collapsed buildings. State TV aired footage of damaged buildings, vehicles under rubble and wounded people wrapped in blankets. We need a shelter, a middle-aged man in Sarpol-e Zahab told state TV. Where is the aid? Where is the help? His family could not spend another night outside in cold weather, he said. Kurdish health officials said at least six people were killed in Iraq and at least 68 injured, adding that in northern Iraq Kurdish districts seven were killed and 325 wounded. Iraqs health and local officials said the worst-hit area was Darbandikham district, near the border with Iran, where at least 10 houses had collapsed and the districts only hospital was severely damaged. The situation there is very critical, Kurdish Health Minister Rekawt Hama Rasheed told Reuters. The districts main hospital was damaged and had no power, Rasheed said, so the injured were taken to Sulaimaniyah for treatment. Homes and buildings had extensive structural damage, he said. The quake was felt as far south as Baghdad, where many residents rushed from their houses and tall buildings when tremors shook the Iraqi capital. I was sitting with my kids having dinner and suddenly the building was just dancing in the air, said Majida Ameer. who ran out of her building with her three children. A man rides a motorcycle past a damaged building following an earthquake in the town of Darbandikhan, near the city of Sulaimaniyah, in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, Iraq November 13, 2017. REUTERS/Ako RasheedI thought at first that it was a huge bomb. But then I heard everyone around me screaming: Earthquake!' Similar scenes unfolded in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region, and across other cities in northern Iraq, close to the quakes epicentre. NO SHELTER Iran sits astride major fault lines and is prone to frequent tremors. A magnitude 6.6 quake on Dec. 26, 2003, devastated the historic city of Bam, 1,000 km southeast of Tehran, killing about 31,000 people. Electricity and water was cut off in several Iranian and Iraqi cities, and fears of aftershocks sent thousands of people in both countries out onto the streets and parks in cold weather. Across the area, rescue workers and special teams using sniffer dogs and heat sensors searched wreckage. Blocked roads made it hard for rescue workers to reach some remote villages. Slideshow (11 Images)Iranian authorities acknowledged the relief effort was still slow and patchy. More than 70,000 people needed emergency shelter, the head of Iranian Red Crescent said. Hojjat Gharibian, one of hundreds of homeless Iranian survivors, was huddled against the cold with his family in Qasr-e Shirin. My two children were sleeping when the house started to collapse because of the quake. I took them and ran to the street. We spent hours in the street until aid workers moved us into a school building, Gharibian told Reuters by telephone. Irans police, Revolutionary Guards and Basij militia forces were sent to quake-hit areas overnight, state TV reported. Aid workers handed out water to people, while bulldozers worked to clear the streets in damaged areas. A local official said aftershocks slowed down erecting tents for homeless people but electricity had been restored in most of the quake-hit areas. The main problem is sheltering people at this cold weather. We need more tents, Qasr-e Shririn governor Faramarz Akbari told TV. Tasnim news agency said Irans gas exports to Iraq was not interrupted because of the quake. TURKEY AND ISRAEL Turkish Red Crescent Chairman Kerem Kinik told broadcaster NTV that Red Crescent teams in Erbil were preparing to go to the site of the earthquake and that Turkeys national disaster management agency, AFAD, and National Medical Rescue Teams were also preparing to head into Iraq. Kinik said the Turkish Red Crescent was gathering 3,000 tents and heaters, 10,000 beds and blankets and moving them towards the Iraqi border. We are coordinating with Iranian and Iraqi Red Crescent groups. We are also getting prepared to make deliveries from our northern Iraq Erbil depot, he said. Israeli media said the quake was felt in many parts of Israel as well.

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
An IED (Improvised Explosive Device) blast killed two Assam Rifles jawans and injured six others in Chandel district of Manipur near the India-Myanmar border on Monday morning.

The incident took place at 6 am near the District Collectorate, when suspected insurgents detonated a remote-controlled bomb on the roadside.

#FLASH Two Assam Rifles jawans killed in an IED explosion during patrolling near Manipur's Chandel, this morning. More details awaited.  ANI (@ANI) November 13, 2017

Rifleman Indra Singh was killed on the spot, while rifleman Sohalal succumbed to his injuries hours later, IANS reported. The troopers, along with armed guards, were on their morning jog.

The bomb exploded as they neared the office of the district collector. Additional forces from neighbouring areas rushed to launch a combing operation.

Incidents of IED blasts in Manipur have increased in the last few months.

On 30 June, one Assam Rifles jawan was killed and three others injured in an IED blast in Ukhrul district of Manipur.

The explosive was planted at 27 Assam Rifles check post at Ramva and exploded at 7.20 am.

A similar attack was carried out against Assam Rifles on 15 June, in which one jawan was killed and four others were injured. A banned terror outfit  the Revolutionary People's Front (RPF)  had claimed responsibility for the attack.

The outfit claimed to have carried out the IED blast at Kashung village of Ukhrul district, a statement issued by the outfit had claimed.

With inputs from agencies
New Delhi: An undertrial was on Monday shot dead inside the Rohini court complex, triggering chaos in the court premises and raising concerns over the security of lawyers and judges.

The victim, Vinod alias Balle, was produced by the staff of Third Battalion in Rohini Court, said Rishi Pal, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Rohini). While he was being taken back, he was shot at by an assailant at 11.20 a.m. The accused was arrested from the spot and the weapon of offence seized, he said.

The incident happened near the canteen area, triggering chaos in court premises. It has also raised concerns over the security of lawyers and judges inside the court premises.

It is suspected that the accused posed as a litigant.

Vinod was taken to Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hospital where he was declared brought dead, said Pal.

He was involved in a case of cheating that was lodged in South Rohini police station in 2010.

Vinod was in judicial custody for the last 14 days. He had no other criminal involvement apart from this case where he had forged someone's signature on a cheque, the police said.

Police are probing whether the incident was the fallout of a gang war since the accused claimed to be a member of gangster Neeraj Bawana's gang.

SN Sharma, former secretary of Rohini Court Bar Assocition, who was present in the corridor where Vinod was shot, said, "He was shot at point blank range. One of the accused was nabbed while the other managed to flee."

Sharma said that the incident has triggered fear among judges and lawyers about their safety inside the court premises. He claimed that the court, which has five entrance gates, has metal detectors and scanner machines but none of them are functional making it easy for people to bring in weapons.

He also said that the CCTV cameras are not functional.

Other lawyers at Rohini court also expressed concern over the firing incident and urged the court administration to enforce a pass system for entry of litigants in the premises to ensure safety.

The Rohini Court Bar Association (RCBA) said if the pass system is not implemented at the earliest, they would go on an indefinite strike from 15 November and will not participate in any judicial work.

Following the incident, the in-charge of the police post in Rohini Court, sub-inspector Narender was suspended while the Station House Officer of Prashant Vihar police station was sent to district lines.

The RCBA also convened meetings with senior judges of the Rohini court and police officials and have raised the issue of security as such incidents had also happened in the past.

Rohini Court has earlier also been a ground used by rival gangs to settle scores. This is the second such incident near the court complex. In April, a 38-year-old undertrial was shot dead outside the Rohini Court.

Rajesh Durmut, a member of Ashok Pradhan gang, was gunned down by people who had been hired by the Neeraj Bawana gang.

In 2004, the Delhi Police's Special Cell had arrested 10 men, suspected to be affiliated to Neeraj Bawana-Naveen Baali gang who had come as part of a plan to carry out a shootout at the Rohini Court.

The investigators had claimed that one of the accused was disguised as a lawyer and had come to the court to kill Pradeep Bhola, a member of their rival Neetu Dabodia gang.
Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh police are a rejuvenated lot since the coronation of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who has given them a free hand to target criminals and shoot them down, bypassing the process of law and courts. The cops are relishing this newfound freedom and are boasting on social media about the bullets they are pumping into criminals. Several tweets from Uttar Pradesh police officers elaborate the count of kills and captures over the last few months.

The equation was the other way around during the tenure of Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party government, as policemen in the state were attacked 622 times. Even former Uttar Pradesh parliamentary affairs minister Mohammad Azam Khan had admitted in the state Assembly that police stations were attacked and ransacked and men in khaki were being targeted in different districts like Etawah, Auraiya and Lucknow.

The Uttar Police police, so far, has killed 23 and arrested 1,315 "criminals" in 528 encounters since 20 March. With 245 encounters, Meerut has witnessed the maximum action, according to the information provided by the DGP office. The Western Uttar Pradesh division of Meerut is considered a safe zone among criminals. As many as 122 policemen have also been injured during these encounters.

Another side of these rampant encounters came forth after Uttar Pradesh police killed alleged gangster Sumit Gurjar in Greater Noida on 3 October. The very next day, his family staged a protest in Noida against Uttar Pradesh police, claiming he was not an absconding criminal as police were making him out to be. They said he "was killed in a fake encounter after being picked up from near his home on 30 September."

The police had earlier claimed that Gurjar and seven others were involved in a cash van robbery committed on 20 September. A reward of Rs 50,000 was announced on his arrest about a week before he was killed in "retaliatory fire". The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), taking suo moto cognisance of the matter, sought an explanation from the chief secretary and the DGP, Uttar Pradesh, on 5 October. The Commission made it clear that it would be a violation of human rights if the encounter is proved to be fake.

The NHRC, in a press release, stated: "Elimination of a criminal in such an unlawful manner can never send a good message to a civilised society. As has been emphasised time and again, the police do not have a right to take away the life of a human being. It is not the lawful way to deal with criminals."

Prior to this episode, the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) on 19 September, drew the attention of the Uttar Pradesh government to Supreme Court and NHRC guidelines, referring to the spate of "encounter deaths" of alleged criminals. "While we recognise the criminal elements the police are up against, the police and political leadership must insist that all policing functions within the law. Without this, we lose the difference between the law and the outlaw," said Devika Prasad, coordinator, Police Reforms Programme, CHRI.

In 2014, the Supreme Court in People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) versus the Government of Maharashtra, had issued a set of guidelines, which make it mandatory for a magistrate to investigate so-called encounter deaths to ensure that an independent and unbiased probe is conducted in such cases. The apex court also noted that the officers concerned must not be recommended for out-of-turn promotions or awards until their gallantry is established beyond doubt.

While the Uttar Pradesh police are religiously following their chief minister's edict, a recent RTI application filed with the NHRC reveals that 455 cases of alleged fake encounters by the police have been registered with the Commission from Uttar Pradesh alone between 2005 and 30 September, 2017. The countrywide count of alleged fake encounter cases registered with the NHRC for the same period is at 1,241.

Another query under this RTI filed by LK Khurana of Meerut reveals that as many as 2,62,625 cases have been registered by the Commission against Uttar Pradesh police personnel in the aforementioned period.

The Uttar Pradesh police, however, seem to be content with their trigger-happy approach towards dacoits and burglars, which steals from these criminals a chance to spend time behind bars and correct their ways.

"All these encounters have been done in the interest of the society as per the instruction of the state government. Encounters happen, they are not planned. Our first priority is always to arrest the criminals. It is an aggressive and proactive approach towards the criminals who are spreading fear in the society," says additional director general for law and order, Uttar Pradesh, Anand Kumar. "These encounters have jolted the criminals."

The method also seems to be finding a positive response from a large section of the public in the state. Parimal Dwivedi, a Lucknow-based human rights activist, says one must also consider the circumstances under which the police resort to killing.

"I do not promote the killings, but we should also consider the fact that the main reason behind these encounters is to establish fear among criminals in this state," he says.

The author is a Lucknow based freelance writer and a member of 101Reporters.com, a pan-India network of grassroots reporters.
Drawing flak for its handling of the dengue outbreak, the West Bengal government has been accused of trying to suppress data.

A government doctor alleged in a Facebook post that the state government has issued an unofficial diktat to suppress data on the number of dengue cases, The Hindu reported.

The doctor also claimed that the authorities forced him not to mention dengue as the cause of death in official documents.

The doctor, who was posted at the Barasat District Hospital in North 24 Parganas district, one of the worst affected districts according to government data, has been suspended for posting some unverified statistics as well as unfounded remarks in the social media which was derogatory to the states health administration, The Hindu report said.

The doctor also hinted at several infrastructural lapses as he claimed that 500 people were admitted at the hospital on 6 October and wrote about his struggle to diagnose the patients many of whom were lying on the floor, according to The Hindu report.

A section of pathological laboratories, private hospitals and medical practitioners, though reluctant to speak openly, have been complaining in private about mounting pressure to suppress the number of dengue infections or deaths related to the disease.

Such incidents, while raises questions about the administrative laxity amid a severe health crisis, also draw focus on the Mamata government's alleged mishandling of the situation. The state government has, however, denied such reports.

"Some people are saying that the details are being suppressed but it is not correct. Many diagnostic centres are conducting rapid tests to identify the disease which is not acceptable. If the tests are done in a non scientific way it is not possible for us to record that," Chief secretary Malay Kumar Dey clarified.

Major health crisis

According to a 24 October IANS report, dengue has claimed 34 lives in West Bengal and infected 18,238 persons. The state health department has not released any dengue data since 4 October, a report in Scroll quoted National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme joint director Kalpana Barua as saying.

However, the local reports claim the numbers are much higher. The Scroll article states that various outlets have collated numbers from government and private nursing homes, hospitals and municipalities which estimate that between 24 October and 8 November alone, 104 people have died due to dengue and unknown fever.

Politics over dengue deaths

Meanwhile, the Opposition parties have been alleging that the Mamata Banerjee government is trying to suppress the number of deaths due to dengue.

West Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh on Sunday wrote to Union Health Minister JP Nadda seeking the Centre's intervention. He alleged that test kits were being smuggled out to private health centres due to "corruption of the ruling party".

According to the letter, the estimated dengue cases so far have "crossed 50,000", although the government only "accepted a meagre number of 18,000 of those diagnosed as dengue virus infected" and declared that 34 persons have died to date, of which only 18 were confirmed dengue cases.

Ghosh also alleged that the state health system had completely "broken down" and was unable to combat this manace and the danger from this epidemic had become more "acute" since the "state government is not ready to accept the enormity of the crisis".

Highlighting the "pathetic attitude" of the National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Disease (NICED) in Beliaghata, he said the institute was not taking any pro-active initiatives, instead it was "taking cue from the state Health Department and acting on their behalf to subvert the ground reality".

He also mentioned that the state government had created a huge fear psychosis among the doctors and they are "unwilling to even issue death certificates of dengue deaths".

With inputs from agencies
Patna: Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Monday made it clear that the guilty will not be spared in the recently unearthed multi-crore scam in the construction of toilets in the state.

"The guilty will not be spared. Strict action will be taken against all those who are found guilty of having embezzled public money. This has been our policy", Kumar told reporters in Patna on the sidelines of his weekly "Lok Samvad" programme.

Kumar was responding to queries about the scam, wherein crores of rupees were fraudulently transferred into the accounts of NGOs. A number of persons have been arrested in connection with the alleged irregularities so far.

The chief minister also said "we have always been very cautious about claims made with regard to sanitation.

"Recently, a proposal had come from Sasaram to declare the district ODF (open defecation free). But we decided to first verify the claim through a third-party, independent agency," he added.

Replying to another query, Nitish, who was speaking in the presence of state's DGP P K Thakur, said "no complainant should be asked to bring along stationery at a police station for lodging of a complaint. We have allocated separate funds to the police stations for the purpose. If any police official is found to be violating this rule, he must face strictest possible action".

On a question related to Jammu and Kashmir, Nitish asserted "the whole of Kashmir, including those areas which are occupied by Pakistan" was an integral part of India.

"We have always held that Kashmir is an integral part of India. This has been our unequivocal stand on the issue. We hold that the whole of Kashmir, including those areas which are occupied by Pakistan, is an integral part of the country", Nitish told reporters.

He was responding to a query on the statement by National Conference leader and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah that Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) belonged to Pakistan.
Muzaffarnagar: A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate for the Uttar Pradesh civic body polls was booked by the police for violating the Election Commission's Model Code of Conduct in Muzaffarnagar district.

Ritu Jain, who is contesting on a BJP ticket for the municipal corporation in Khatauli, has been booked for putting up publicity signboards without the permission of authorities, Sub-Divisional Magistrate Ram Avtar Gupta said.

The civic body polls will be held in three phases in the state on 22, 26, and 29 November.

The polls are being held eight months after the BJP came to power with a landslide victory in the Assembly elections in the state.
Bhopal: The Congress on Sunday retained the Chitrakoot Assembly constituency in Madhya Pradesh with its candidate winning the seat in a bypoll with an improved margin of over 14,000 votes. In the 2013 Assembly polls, the party had won the seat with a margin of 10,970 votes.

Congress' Nilanshu Chaturvedi defeated his nearest rival, Shankar Dayal Tripathi of the BJP, by 14,133 votes in the bypoll which was held on 9 November, returning officer AP Dwivedi said.

Chaturvedi polled 66,810 votes, while Tripathi had to be content with 52,677 votes. As many as 2,455 votes were polled under the 'none of the above' (NOTA) category.

The counting of votes began at around 8 am amid a tight security in Satna district, around 400 kilometres from Bhopal.

Around 65 percent voting was recorded in the bypoll, which was necessitated in the Assembly segment following the death of its Congress MLA Prem Singh.

Singh had won from Chitrakoot, bordering Uttar Pradesh, in the 1998, 2003 and 2013 state Assembly polls. In 2008, he had lost the seat to BJP's Surendra Singh Gaharwar.

Though 12 candidates were in the fray, the main contest in the bypoll was between Chaturvedi and Tripathi.

Accepting the defeat, Madhya Pradesh chief minister and BJP leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan tweeted saying public mandate was supreme in democracy.

"I thank the people for their support. Nothing will come in the way of Chitrakoot's development. My aim is to develop entire Madhya Pradesh," the tweet further read.

Congress workers celebrated the victory by bursting crackers outside the party's state headquarters, Indira Bhawan in Bhopal, whereas the state BJP headquarters, Deendayal Parishad, wore a deserted look.

As per the Hindu mythology, during his exile, Lord Rama had spent almost 12 years in the forests of Chitrakoot with wife Sita and brother Laxman.

The BJP had invoked Lord Rama during its campaign for the bypoll.

After the bypoll victory on Sunday, the jubilant Congress workers raised slogans such as "BJP ke lag gaye kam, jai shri Ram, jai shri Ram (the BJP is defeated, hail Lord Rama)".

Asked about the saffron party invoking Lord Rama in the run-up to the bypoll, state Congress chief Arun Yadav told reporters that it was his partymen, who were the true worshippers of the Hindu god.

"Lord Rama helps the honest and upright, not the corrupt," he said.

Leader of Opposition in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly Ajay Singh said, "The exile of the Congress in the state has ended from the 'taposthali' of Lord Rama. The party has won from areas where Chouhan held public meetings. The BJP candidate has been defeated from his own village as well as the village of his in-laws."

In response to a query, Singh said the chief minister had made the Chitrakoot bypoll a prestige issue for himself.

"The poll results show that the people of the state want Chouhan's exit now," he added.

State BJP chief Nandkumar Singh Chauhan, however, played down the defeat in the bypoll saying the seat traditionally belonged to the Congress.

"This is one of the seats which traditionally belong to the Congress. However, in the 2008 election, BJP candidate Surendra Singh Gaharwar had won this seat.

"Chitrakoot does not reflect the mood of the entire state. We did expect to win. Now, we will review the poll outcome and find out the causes behind our defeat," he said.
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Monday sought the Election Commission's (EC) response on Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's plea against its order to lodge an FIR against him for his remarks on bribery during the Goa assembly polls in January this year.

Justice Indermeet Kaur asked the EC to indicate its stand on Kejriwal's petition, which alleged that the poll panel's 29 January order curtailed his right to free speech. The court listed the matter for further hearing on 2 February next year.

The judge, during the hearing, observed that Kejriwal has come to the court very late against the poll panel's decision and asked whether he was "being casual about it".

The poll panel's lawyer orally informed the court that an FIR was lodged on 30 January as per the EC's directions. The EC through its 29 January order had directed the Chief Electoral Officer of Goa to lodge an FIR against Kejriwal for his remarks about bribes made at poll rallies in the state on 7-8 January.

During his series of rallies in Goa between 7-8 January, Kejriwal had appealed to voters to "accept money from the Congress and BJP candidates, but vote for the AAP." BJP had filed two complaints against Kejriwal seeking his prosecution under various sections of Indian Penal Code for asking voters to accept money. Congress, too, had condemned his statement.

The poll panel had, thereafter, directed that a complaint be lodged against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader under the provisions of the Representation of People Act dealing with bribing voters and relevant sections of the IPC.

The AAP leader's lawyer contended in the High Court that the 29 January direction of the poll panel was like a gag order against him.

The Commission had earlier also censured Kejriwal for violating the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct, he said.
New Delhi: BJP president Amit Shah lashed out at Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan after an RSS worker was hacked to death in the temple town of Guruvayur on Sunday, and asked what his government was doing to "curb criminal elements" in the ranks of his CPM.

Twenty-three-year-old Anandan was attacked with swords and knives in broad daylight allegedly by CPM workers at Nenmeni in Guruvayur Sunday afternoon when he was riding a motorcycle. Anandan died soon after.

I condemn the brutal killing of a young RSS Swayamsevak K Anand in Guruvayur,Kerala. The continuous violence by CPM workers & the protection to such political killings is now before the nation. CM Pinarayi must explain what his govt is doing to curb criminal elements in his rank. https://t.co/n8Q72tvk2l  Amit Shah (@AmitShah) November 12, 2017

"The continuous violence by CPM workers & the protection to such political killings is now before the nation. CM Pinarayi must explain what his govt is doing to curb criminal elements in his rank(sic)," Shah tweeted.

Anandan, hailing from Brahmakulam, was an accused in a case relating to the murder of a CPM worker in 2013.

The BJP has alleged that as many as 120 of its workers, 84 in Kannur alone, have been killed in Kerala since 2001. It has claimed that 14 of these killings have taken place since Pinarayi Vijayan took over the reins of the government last year.

Shah undertook a 15-day 'Jan Raksha Yatra' in Kerala last month to target the state's CPM government over a "killing spree" against BJP and RSS workers.
Even as a non-fan of the Nehru-Gandhi Dynasty, I would be dishonest not to acknowledge the traction Rahul Gandhi seems to be drawing on his Gujarat campaign trail. Also not to be missed is the nascent euphoria in sections of the media and liberal circles that went into depression after the BJPs clean sweep in Uttar Pradesh. Though premature, their jubilation is understandable at the prospects of a credible challenge to the till now seemingly unstoppable Modi-Shah juggernaut.

It would also be disingenuous, on my part, to deny that the BJP is not displaying any signs of nervousness. Whether it is the Patidar angst or a revitalised Congress, it is apparent that BJP has shed its complacency. The stray bravado one still hears is more from their visiting central leaders and social media warriors. The Gujarat BJP stalwarts are more cautious in their utterances displaying signs of well-advised maturity and sobriety.

The opinion polls of various TV channels, while predicting a clear BJP majority, are indicating that it would most certainly not be a walkover for them. No matter whom they ultimately vote for, the ordinary Gujarati voter, from all accounts, is enjoying the thrill of contest and the discomfiture of the local leaders who, many feel, had started taking them for granted.

It is natural for the media and the Congress establishment to compliment Rahul Gandhi for the discernable headwind against BJP. Some are inclined to bill it as a revival of Rahul, which is a bit of a misnomer since he does not have any past record of consequence to rebuild. Nor has Rahul displayed any visible leadership prowess and has largely come across as a celebrity poster boy playing to a script written by others. However, it would be fair to call it the resurgence of the Congress or, more accurately, of the Gandhi-Nehru dynasty, of which Rahul Gandhi is the new mascot.

What is interesting though is to observe and analyse in some detail the ecosystem that is working to make Rahul tick. It is as if the constituents around Rahul have realised that their own survival depends on his success.

So, at one level we have Ashok Gehlot chaperoning him on the campaign trail with a smile permanently pasted on his face like the proud family retainer introducing the US returned scion to the subjects. Then there is the trusted Estate Manager, or the 10 Janpath equivalent of the Lord Chamberlain as it were, Ahmed Patel, who has been entrusted by the Queen Mother to install the crown Prince on the throne. Patel is clearly in charge of the war-room, presiding over strategy and planning each detail.

Operating from the wings is the benign and brainy uncle, Sam Pitroda, who has taken it upon himself to ensure the succession of his departed friends lineage. He was the architect of Rahuls US trip to establish his intellectual credentials among the American opinion leaders having realised that Modi has hugely built his stature as a leader to reckon with in the global community. Pitroda is also believed to be the brains behind Rahuls digital PR and social media strategy including appointment of the international electoral communication consultants, Cambridge Analytica.

On call are retainers like Kapil Sibal to conduct difficult negotiations that have a high legal or constitutional component, such as reservations for Patidars. Pitroda has reportedly flown down to Ahmedabad and is camping there to finalise the Congress election manifesto.

It is worth noting that throughout the campaign, Rahul himself is doing all the talking. Motor mouths like Digvijaya Singh have been packed off on their respective Narmada Yatras lest they queer the pitch by another irresponsible remark. Talking heads like Manmohan Singh and P Chidambaram are requisitioned purely on a need basis to speak on subjects of their expertise like the economy, demonetisation or GST and quietly withdraw to the side line.

What is less apparent to the public eye is the amount of investment that is going into this re-launch of Rahul Gandhi. So far it was the BJP that was seen being bankrolled by industrialists and political donors. Now, they seem to be hedging their bets with Congress. Their disenchantment with the BJP is palpable, if not wholly visible, as they have realised there are no free rides with Narendra Modi.

Similarly, forces that were earlier trying to prop up alternative formations, such as the AAP, have now decided to conserve their resources and go with Congress. They have been able to co-opt other constituencies who are embittered BJP detractors.

As per the Lutyens grapevine, Sonia Gandhi had confided to a media baroness in 2014 how donations to the party had dried up. Post the elections, Congress was reported to be almost on the verge of bankruptcy. It is common knowledge how one former chief minister fell from grace for refusing to contribute to one of Rahul Gandhis rallies in Maharashtra. Obviously, the partys balance sheet has improved considerably since then, which is for all to see in the scale of the campaign and crowd mobilisation for Rahuls rallies.

To Rahuls credit, it must be said that he has proved to be a willing learner. One cannot say for sure if it is Aikido or some other regime that has helped improve his discipline and mental stamina. Finally, he seems to be comfortable in his own skin. Though still prone to the occasional gaffes, he is showing a sense of purpose and determination. Above all, he is clearly enjoying himself, which is most important in any job.

Whether Rahul Gandhi has found his mojo or not, the team assigned to him has clearly got its act together. All this shows a very high order of strategic planning by a small group of family and very close friends, perhaps with help from a few trusted confidantes. One can only guess the composition of this core group.

It would be safe to assume that they are working as per a mandate of Sonia Gandhi, who has realised it is a now or never moment for her son to finally take over the reigns from her.
Thara: Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Sunday asserted that his party will sweep the Gujarat state polls in December, as a "tsunami is coming and the (ruling) BJP is scared of it", and exhorted his party not to speak ill of the office of prime minister even while criticising the government.

He said the electoral battle between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress was a "battle of truth versus lies", but asked his party to exercise restraint even while criticising the government's policies and not get personal.

"(Prime Minister Narendra) Modi may say anything about us, but we will not indulge in any loose talks about him and maintain the decorum of the office of prime minister."

Gandhi was referring to some party leaders who during the election campaign termed Modi as "feku (one who makes baseless claims)" or "gappabaaz (a big liar)".

In the fourth leg of his three-day pitched regionwise campaigns, Gandhi exhorted the people to demonstrate their anger through votes.

He spoke an entire sentence in Gujarati at a rally, going beyond the cliched Gujarati greeting "kem chho", and said: "Gujarat ma Modiji aave, Amit Shahji aave, UP na CM Yogiji aave, toye Bhajapa sarkar nahi aave (Narendra Modi, Amit Shah or UP CM Adityanath Yogi may come to Gujarat, but BJP government won't come)."

Speaking at a rally in Thara in north Gujarat's Banaskantha district, he said: "The Congress workers have tolerated the BJP rule for 22 years and now it is high time. Show it at the polling booths and to everyone what you feel about GST, note ban and the government taking everyone for a ride on the Narmada dam, and bring about a change."

Referring to the overall agriculture sector distress in Gujarat, Gandhi averred that the farmers had done everything for the nation: they gave their sweat and blood. "You can exempt the debts of big rich industries, but (why) you can't do this with the farmers?"

On a three-day visit to north Gujarat, the Congress Vice President has been campaigning in the region since Saturday, after completing similar sojourns in Saurashtra (west Gujarat), central Gujarat and south Gujarat.

Gandhi, who had said on Saturday that his party was still not happy with the new GST relief and wanted it to be capped at 18 per cent, asserted again that he would do his best as the Opposition against the "Gabbar Singh Tax" and that he would remind everyone how the note ban "helped thieves turn black money into white".
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi will conclude his three-day visit of Gujarat on Monday, and is scheduled to attend events in Patan and Mehsana districts in north Gujarat.

Rahul has been campaigning in the region since Saturday, after completing similar sojourns in Saurashtra (west Gujarat), central Gujarat and south Gujarat.

Day 3 schedule of Yuva Rojgaar Khedut Adhikaar Navsarjan Yatra with Shri Rahul Gandhiji. #GarvSeGujarati_GarvSeCongressi pic.twitter.com/zZAfBdtGlG  Gujarat Congress (@INCGujarat) November 13, 2017

On Monday, he interacted with leaders of Scheduled Caste communities, and National Students' Union of India workers. At one point, he even broke through security barricades to meet villagers in Patan district.

While talking to the Scheduled Caste leaders, he attacked the RSS and promised to work for the betterment of the backward castes.

Rahul is also scheduled to visit multiple temples on Monday, something that has already invited comments from the BJP.

'Political tsunami'

On Day 2 of his trip, Rahul had asserted that his party will sweep Assembly elections in Gujarat, scheduled for December, saying a "tsunami is coming and the (ruling) BJP is scared of it", and exhorted his party not to speak ill of the office of prime minister even while criticising the government.

He had said the electoral battle between BJP and Congress was a "battle of truth versus lies", but asked his party to exercise restraint even while criticising the government's policies and not get personal. "(Prime Minister Narendra) Modi may say anything about us, but we will not indulge in loose talk about him, and maintain the decorum of the office of prime minister."

Gandhi was referring to party leaders who, during the election campaign termed Modi as feku (who makes baseless claims) or gappabaaz (big liar).

In the fourth leg of his three-day pitched region-wise campaigns, Gandhi had exhorted the people to demonstrate their anger through votes.

Speaking at a rally in Thara in north Gujarat's Banaskantha district, he said, "The Congress workers have tolerated the BJP rule for 22 years and now it's high time. Show it at the polling booths and to everyone what you feel about GST, note ban and the government taking everyone for a ride on the Narmada dam, and bring about a change."

Gandhi, who had said on Saturday that his party was still not happy with the new GST relief and wanted it to be capped at 18 percent, asserted again that he would do his best to protest the "Gabbar Singh Tax" and that he would remind everyone how the note ban "helped thieves turn black money into white".

With inputs from IANS
Shahjahanpur: Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on Monday alleged that the previous governments of the SP and the BSP "looted" the people for 14 years and said the Yogi Adityanath dispensation was "working relentlessly" to put everything back on track.

"The governments of bua (Mayawati) and bhatija (Akhilesh Yadav) looted the people of the state for 14 years... Those governments were 'vivadwadi' (one which gets involved in disputes), our government is 'vikasvadi' (development-oriented)," he said in an address to BJP workers.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath are working relentlessly to put everything back on track," he said.

Those who are part of the government machinery and are not working properly will be removed from their posts, Maurya said.

"We inherited empty coffers, hooliganism was at its peak, and the land mafia was ruling the roost... Our government has controlled the situation to a large extent in a short time," he claimed.
New Delhi: Tejashwi Yadav, son of RJD leader Lalu Prasad, on Monday appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a money laundering probe in the railway hotels allotment corruption case, official sources said.

They said the statement of the former Bihar deputy chief minister is being recorded by the investigating officer of the case after he arrived at the ED office, slightly after 11 AM.

This is the second time Tejashwi is being questioned by the central probe agency in this case.

He was last questioned by the agency on 10 October and was grilled for over nine hours.

Since then, Tejashwi has skipped four appearances and has appeared Monday as part of a fresh summon, they said.

The agency had registered a case against Lalu Prasad, his family members and others under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) sometime back.

Tejashwi's mother and former Bihar chief minister Rabri has skipped the ED summonses at least six times till now.

In July, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had registered an FIR and conducted multiple searches on the properties of Lalu Prasad, who is also a former Bihar chief minister, and others.

The CBI FIR has alleged that Lalu Prasad during his tenure as the railway minister handed over the maintenance of two Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) hotels to a company in 2004 after receiving a bribe in the form of a prime land in Patna through a 'benami' company owned by Sarla Gupta, wife of Prem Chand Gupta, a former Union minister.

The ED had registered a criminal case against his family members and others under the PMLA, based on the CBI FIR.

The CBI also recently recorded the statements of Tejashwi and Lalu Prasad in this case.

The ED is investigating the alleged "proceeds of crime" generated by the accused, purportedly through shell companies, according to officials.

Others named in the CBI FIR include Vijay Kochhar, Vinay Kochhar (both directors of Sujata Hotels), Delight Marketing company, now known as Lara Projects, and the then IRCTC managing director PK Goel.

The CBI FIR was registered on 5 July in connection with favours allegedly extended to Sujata Hotels in awarding a contract for the upkeep of the hotels in Ranchi and Puri and receiving premium land as 'quid pro quo'.
Lucknow: Free WiFi at prominent public places, "pink toilets" for women and free water connections to all homes are among the key promises made in BJP's Sankalp Patra released in Lucknow on Sunday ahead of the Uttar Pradesh civic polls.

The polls are being seen as the first major electoral test for Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who unveiled the 'Sankalp Patra', a virtual poll manifesto, at the BJP headquarters in Lucknow along with deputy chief ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Dinesh Sharma, state urban development minister Suresh Khanna and state BJP chief Mahendra Nath Pandey.

At the event, Adityanath spoke about providing services transparently and without "partiality". He also spoke of 'gaushalas' and shelters for other animals.

However, opposition parties termed it as an eyewash, with the Samajwadi Party terming the Sankalp Patra as "Chhal Patra" (Document to befool the people). The Congress accused the BJP of not fulfilling past promises.

"As many as 652 urban local bodies across the state are going to polls, the highest number so far. This includes 16 municipal corporations. Earlier, there were 12 municipal corporations in the state," Adityanath said.

He expressed happiness that the Ayodhya and Mathura-Vrindavan municipal corporations, formed by his government, were going to polls for the first time.

The Sankalp Patra comprises 28 promises (sankalp) including better drinking water facilities, improved street lighting, free community toilets, pink toilets for women, grant of Rs 20,000 for the construction of personal toilets, provision of adarsh nagar panchayat, e-tendering and 'kanji' houses for stray animals.

It also seeks to protect the interests of small shopkeepers, promises free water connections to every house, time-bound disposal of public grievances, proper bus service, clean environment, effective implementation of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, beautification of parks, house tax exemptions to freedom fighters and their dependents.

Development of cities as 'smart cities', better parking arrangements, auditoriums and exhibition grounds and awarding the best performing workers were among the other promises.

Adityanath said the state government had "ended partiality in power supply".

"In the urban areas of the state we have begun providing electrification to all households with focus on saving energy. In the unauthorised colonies, we have started the electrification process, and provided more than 20 lakh connections in these seven months. This has helped in curbing power theft," he said.

Adityanath added that all street lights in the urban areas of the state will be changed to LED lights. "For this we have entered into an agreement with ESL and in the first phase the street lights in all the 16 municipal corporations will be changed," he said.

"Work in this regard has been completed in Varanasi and Allahabad, and is going on in Lucknow, Gorakhpur, Agra and Kanpur," he said.

Adityanath added that there will be no "corruption in the name of street lights", claiming it used to take place in the past.

"Rs 20,000 will be given for construction of personal toilets. Apart from this solid waste management will be strengthened. The door-to-door garbage collection system has started functioning in a few parts of the state. Our endeavour will be to increase its ambit, once the new urban local bodies under the leadership of the BJP begin functioning," Adityanath said.

On the issue of stray animals, the Uttar Pradesh chief minister said that in the first phase, in 16 municipal corporations, along with one big 'gaushala', and a kanji house will be revived.

"In the 653 urban local bodies of the state, which are associated with traditional craft etc, we have come up with the concept of 'one district, one product' to promote these crafts and products. This will generate employment, and help urban local bodies to become economically self-reliant," he said.

The polls are important as far as the development of urban areas of the state is concerned, Adityanath said.

"So, when there is a BJP government at the Centre, at the state, and the urban local bodies are under BJP, then there will be no delay in development reaching the lower levels. The last person of the society had been deprived of the fruits of development and other civic amenities during the previous governments," the chief minister said.

Asked whether the civic election results will be seen as a referendum on the state government, Adityanath said, "We consider every election as an examination. But, the question is that opposition has already left the field."

He said the speed of developmental works would depend upon the constitution of the new urban local bodies.

"If the new urban local bodies are of the BJP, then there will be no problems, as the ideology will be the same. Else, like in the past there was government of rival party in the state. The Centre wanted to give funds for development..," he said.

Uttar Pradesh BJP chief Pandey said the party was not contesting the polls merely to bag posts of mayors or corporators, but to ensure better quality of life to the people.

The BJP is aiming to repeat its steller performance after the Assembly polls and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will start his campaign for the upcoming local bodies' elections from the temple town of Ayodhya on 14 November.

Reacting to the BJP's Sankalp Patra, Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav in a statement said, "The BJP has come up with 'Chhal Patra' like the one, which it had brought in Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls. There is no credibility as far as the sankalp patra is concerned. The people of the state have not forgotten the fact that promises made by BJP in the assembly elections have not been fulfilled."

Uttar Pradesh Congress spokesperson Ashok Singh, said, "The BJP only believes in dramatics, and is not bothered to redress the problems of the public. As a result, you can see that the basic civic problems plaguing the people of the state are yet to be resolved. But, I am confident that the people of Uttar Pradesh will teach a lesson to the BJP."

The Aam Aadmi Party termed the BJP's Sankalp Patra as a "jumla" (rhetoric). AAP's district co-ordinator Kamalendra Singh Srinet said, "For 22 years Lucknow Municipal Corporation had a BJP mayor, but despite that there is garbage dumped in various areas across the city."

As many as 24 districts will go to polls on 22 November, while 25 districts will go to polls on 26 November, and 26 districts on 29 November.

Counting of votes for 16 nagar nigams, 198 nagar palika parishads and 438 nagar panchayats will be done on 1 December.

More than 3.32 crore voters will be eligible to cast their ballots at 36,269 polling booths and 11,389 polling stations.

The polls will be held eight months after the BJP came to power with a landslide victory in the state. Though, the BJP has traditionally been strong in urban constituencies, the acid test for Adityanath would be to match the performance of the Assembly elections.

In 2012, the BJP had swept mayoral polls, winning 10 of the 12 mayor posts. Lucknow mayor Dinesh Sharma is now a deputy chief minister of Uttar Pradesh.
Raipur: Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday blamed the 55-year-long rule of the Congress for the ills plaguing the country and accused the Opposition party of "dividing" people and playing appeasement politics.

He said the Sonia Gandhi-led party is responsible for "mismanagement" in the country and that the BJP-led NDA government is making efforts to tackle problems and take the country on the path of development.

Addressing a convention of BJP workers at the Balbir Singh Juneja Indoor Stadium, Adityanath accused the Congress of playing with the sentiments of the people and dividing them on the basis of caste, region and language for its vested interest.

"It practised politics of appeasement for political gains and gave birth to the scourge of terrorism, Naxalism and separatism. The country is still paying the price (for its policies)," the BJP leader said.

Adityanath said if the grand old party had acted responsibly, the country would not be facing so many problems.

"If the Congress leadership had discharged its duties, the country would not have been grappling with starvation and lack of health facilities. If anyone is responsible for the country's mismanagement, it is the 55-year rule of the Congress," the Uttar Pradesh chief minister said.

He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP government in states are making efforts to tackle such problems and take the country on the path of development.

"Our party works without discrimination on the basis of religion, caste and creed. We consider the entire country a family," he added.

Adityanath said construction of a temple devoted to Lord Rama has been completed here in Chhattisgarh, which was his 'nanhial' (his mother Kaushlya's maternal home).

"Chhattisgarh was Lord Ram's 'nanihal'. I was here in February after the construction of a Ram temple. According to 'manyata' (belief), Lord Ram first settles in his 'nanihal' and then goes to his birthplace (in Ayodhya)."

Adityanath said India's identity is closely associated with Ayodhya.

"I visited Ayodhya on Diwali. (Members of the) previous governments in UP were scared of visiting Ayodhya. They did not even want to take the name of Ayodhya.

"People felt that if we came to power (in Uttar Pradesh) we will also not go there. I do not have any fear," he said.

He said 'Ram Rajya' is considered the best model of good governance in the entire world where there is no fear, discrimination, pain and starvation.

Adityanath praised the prime minister for launching a slew of welfare schemes and said their benefits are reaching the people of the country.

"The people ask what Prime Minister Modi has done in three years and when 'achhe din' will come. We should tell them that we gave electricity to the poor who did not have a power connection even after 70 years of Independence.

"The poor who had never seen bank now has a bank account. It's achhe din for them."

The prime minister has assured houses to every family in the country by 2022, he added.

Adityanath also lauded the paddy procurement system and public distribution system in BJP-ruled Chhattisgarh.

Chief Minister Raman Singh and state BJP president Dharamlal Kaushik, among others, were present on the occasion.
Rajiv Menon and Rajeev Tiwary

Electric Vehicles has taken centre-stage post the recent announcement of the Government to make India an all-electric passenger vehicle market by 2030. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari recently made a bold statement to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers, citing Be under no illusion about the Indian government's determination to make the switch to alternative vehicle fuels, "I am going to do this, whether you like it or not. And I am not going to ask you. I will bulldoze it".

Electrical Vehicles: Mirage or Reality

The cornerstone of the government's plans is a commitment to make Indias electric vehicle mission 2030 a success. This is a very ambitious undertaking. Of the circa 200 million vehicles which currently ply India's roads, less than one percent is electric. And this internal combustion engine-powered fleet is growing rapidly, currently at a rate of nearly 50,000 new motor vehicle registrations per day  which includes commercial vehicles, the ubiquitous three-wheelers or auto rickshaws, buses and taxis, as well as private scooters and cars.

The level of growth means Indias plan to only sell electric cars by 2030, would require nearly eight times the global stock of such vehicles," according to blogger Elizabeth Mathew, writing on Plug-in India; an excellent and enthusiastic proponent of India's push for electric vehicles (EVs). By 2040 it is estimated that India could be home to 31 million EVs.

There is no plan for the government to develop nationwide charging infrastructure. Instead, the government hopes that by promoting the uptake of electric vehicles, it will create the ecosystem by which charging networks will become a necessity, and therefore present opportunities for commercial operators, including the power distribution companies (discoms).

Keeping India's Electric vehicle fleet moving will require a significant growth in the country's electric vehicle charging infrastructure. India has nearly 56,000 traditional fuel stations compared with 222 community EV charging stations. Developing India electric vehicle charging infrastructure is of utmost importance, to see a growth rate in electric vehicles.

Current Scenario in Indias EV Infrastructure

We are already seeing a divergence of business models for operators of charging infrastructure aimed at the users of private EVs.

Free EV charging points

To attract customers to some of its malls, property developer and real estate company DLF offers free EV charging at some locations. Similarly, EV manufacturer Mahindra Reva has an agreement with the Gopalan chain of malls to set-up free charging points at its retail centres.

Regulated rates for charging

In the summer of 2017, Tata Power launched Mumbai's first commercial EV charging station, with customers paying rates set by the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission. Reliance, another private power developer, is also reported to be looking at the EV charging market.

Reassess EV charging network

Discom Maharashtra Power Company is looking to use its substations in prime Mumbai and Pune locations as EV charging station sites. In a sign of the challenges, the commercial market presents high costs led discom Bangalore Electricity Supply Co to reassess plans to set-up a smart grid to provide an EV charging network in the city.

Community charging stations

An organic initiative intended to proliferate charging stations beyond city limits  thus contributing to the ecosystem that will allow EV use in India to flourish. Most businesses are connected to the grid and 15 Amp level 2 sockets are common in India. The idea is for businesses and organisations located between 40-70 km around cities to set-up 15 Amp charging stations. The intention is to allow urban EV owners to extend the range of their journeys by offering out-of-town charging. There are currently 222 community charging stations, some offering free charging as an incentive to attract visitors  at resorts and malls for instance  others operate on a commercial basis with customers paying to charge their vehicles. The 15 Amp stations offer slower charging times than the 3 - DC systems set-up by discoms, or offered at most city-centre charging stations.

Investments by Large Fleet Operators

Another area of growth in India's EV infrastructure is investment in charging stations by operators of large fleets, many of which are already switching to EVs. Typically, such stations are at main hubs such as bus depots or taxi companies' main offices or ranks. Taxi aggregator Ola, which operates an EV fleet in Nagpur has set-up 50 charging points across four strategic locations in the city.

Battery Swapping

The nascent concept of battery swapping is an area in which India's EV infrastructure trends differ from those of more affluent nations. The battery is among the most expensive elements of any electric vehicle, with the cost increasing significantly as storage capacity grows. Affordability means that two and three-wheeled vehicles account for 80 percent of India's domestic vehicle sales. To ensure electrification of this vital fleet does not make two and three-wheeled vehicles prohibitively expensive, the government is seeking to encourage the sale of vehicles with smaller, and cheaper, batteries; while ensuring users have sufficient range by allowing them to swap low batteries for fully charged ones en-route. The network of battery swapping stations, like those for EV charging stations, is anticipated to develop a number of business models.

Indias approach to the Alternate Vehicle Fuels market

The government is using its own, highly significant procurement power, apart from providing vision, policy framework and financial stimulus to advance India's use of electric vehicles. The centre has signaled the intention to buy 10,000 EVs for its fleet. The first phase will be 1,000 EVs for use of government departments in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR).

In tandem with this Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) is planning tenders for nearly 4,000 EV charging stations in the NCR. Established under the Ministry of Power, EESL is a joint venture of NTPC Limited, Power Finance Corporation, Rural Electrification Corporation, and POWERGRID.

Whether operating on a commercial business model, charging a bus fleet, or ministerial cars, EV charging stations and networks demand a reliable power supply. Without this, they will fail. Although Central Electricity Authority data from 2016 showed India to have a power surplus for the first time, load shedding and power outages remain common, with some parts of India having access to power for less than eight hours a day. As a result, it is anticipated that much EV charging infrastructure, especially that not operated by discoms, will require supplementary or alternative energy sources.

As the government is also keen to see an uptake in renewable energy sources it is widely expected that solar energy  especially roof-top solar will play a significant role in powering charging sites. As EV evangelist Professor Ashok Jhunjhunwala told delegates at the 2017 Connected Vehicles conference, "Solar panels covering 0.5 percent of Rajasthan can generate power for 330 million EVs  We don't have oil, sunlight we have." The ability to generate, manage and store power  from both renewable and grid sources  make microgrids a likely element of much EV charging infrastructure.

Five steps to a successful Electric Vehicles Programme

Those involved in developing India's EV charging infrastructure face some difficult, and sometimes opposing, considerations: business model  free or revenue generating? User  mass transit or private EV owner? Type  battery swap, community charger or high-speed super-charger? Power source  grid, solar or a microgrid managed hybrid.

Ensuring the right delivery partner is central to success, so here are five things to consider when planning your project:

 Business model: Choose a partner with experience of delivering EV charging programmes for all business models. They will be best placed to understand what is required to meet your specific goals.

 User: Virtually every aspect of mass transit charging infrastructure will differ from that for private EV owners. Be sure your partner has experience in creating both  so can draw upon best practice from a variety of sources.

 Type: Not only will the charging technology differ across types of stations. Planning, permitting, design and construction needs will also vary. You need a partner who can demonstrate experience in every aspect of the project.

 Power source: EV projects stand or fall on the reliability of the power supply. So you need to choose a partner with considerable expertise in both power generation and power supply projects  from both grid and renewable sources  and the proven ability to integrate them into an EV charging station.

 Finally, the best partner will be one with experience in every aspect of an EV charging programmes lifecycle: from concept through to asset management. This will be the partner best able to deliver maximum value from every aspect of your programme.

The authors are Managing Director, Black & Veatch India and Business Development Director, Smart Integrated Infrastructure, Black & Veatch India
IANS

HMD Global, keeping its promises of timely updates, has released a new software update for the international edition of Nokia 6. The new software update includes the November 2017 security patch launched by Google a few weeks ago. The update is 150 MB in size.

Google released the Android November security patch on 6 November. Google released the patch levels in a staggered manner on 1, 5 and 6 November respectively. The November update includes 31 fixes which were distributed as 9 fixes on 6 November and 11 fixes each on 1 and 5 November.

According to an update on Android Headlines, the update doesn't come with any improvement apart from the security fixes. Few fixes include WLAN, GPU and camera drivers. The security patch was meant for all the devices running on Android 4.4 KitKat to Android 8.0 Oreo.

The Nokia 6 comes with a 5.5-inch IPS LCD display with 1080x1920 pixel resolution. The smartphone is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 and comes with 1.4 GHz processor, Adreno 505 GPU paired with 3 GB RAM and 32 GB of internal storage. The memory of the device can be expanded up to 128 GB via an external microSD card. Nokia 6 features 16 MP f/2.0 rear camera with dual-LED flash and an 8 MP f/2.0 front camera.

Connectivity options offered on the Nokia 6 include 4G LTE with VoLTE support, dual-SIM card support, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, FM Radio, GPS/A-GPS/GLONASS, a 3.5 mm audio jack and microUSB 2.0 with OTG support.
IANS

Aiming to provide high-speed broadband connectivity in all panchayats by the end of March 2019, the government is all set to launch its second phase of the BharatNet project, with an outlay of Rs 34,000 crore, on Monday, Telecom Secretary Aruna Sundararajan said on Sunday.

"BharatNet Phase I is 90 percent completed. By December 2017 it will be fully completed. We will tomorrow launch Phase II of BharatNet to connect 1.5 lakh gram panchayats (GP) with high-speed broadband by March 2019," Sundararajan told reporters.

The project will be launched on Monday by Telecom Minister Manoj Sinha, along with Law and IT minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar.

Under the Phase I, 1 lakh GPs or 3 lakh villages were connected.

Under the Phase II, the government plans to connect 1.5 lakh panchayats through 10 lakh km of additional optical fibre.

The Telecom Ministry will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with seven states  Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Jharkhand.

These states will roll out the project on their own with partial funding from the Central government.

Sundararajan said the total project cost of BharatNet was around Rs 45,000 crore, of which Rs 11,200 crore have been used for the first phase.

State-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) will roll out optical fibre in eight states  Assam, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Jammu and Kashmir and Sikkim, and Power Grid Corporation of India in three states  Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Odisha, the Telecom Secretary said.

According to government estimation, the second or final phase of BharatNet will double the existing optical fibre footprint in the country. It will also generate employment of 10 crore man-days during the project rollout.

Telecom operators like Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, Idea Cellular and Vodafone have evinced interest in providing services under BharatNet, she said, adding that the government will give a support of Rs 3,600 crore to telecom service operators for rolling out Wi-Fi in villages.

Sundararajan said there are around 38,000 Wi-Fi hotspots in the country now.

"Under BharatNet Phase II, around 6-7 lakh Wi-Fi hotspots will be added with two-five hotpsots in each panchayat. Some of the Wi-Fi hotspots may not be commercially viable initially. So (we) will provide viability gap funding of around Rs 3,600 crore to telecom operators,"
Rehan Hooda

Lenovo, the parent company of Motorola has announced the launch of it's latest device, the Moto X4 for the Indian market. The company wants to ensure that they can compete with rivals like Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo, Samsung and others by offering a smartphone that stands apart in terms of design and the experience that it offers.The company has priced the device at Rs 20,999 for the 3 GB RAM and 32 GB internal storage variant and Rs 22,999 for the model with 4 GB RAM and 64 GB internal storage. But, competition like Xiaomi Mi A1 and its own Moto G5S Plus and Z2 Play will give it tough competition. The device will be available on Flipkart and the Moto Hub starting 11:59 pm on 13 November 2017.

We reviewed the Xiaomi Mi A1 and concluded that Android One and respectable mid-range specifications make for and great value proposition, especially in a price conscious market like India. We got our hands on the Moto X4 that was launched today. The smartphone looks stellar and packs a dual camera setup along with Android Nougat 7.1.1, which offers a near stock experience along with Moto Experiences. But does the resurgence of the Moto X series along with refreshed design and improved features improve on the strategy that Motorola has been following in its product portfolio? Lets have a quick look at how Moto X4 fares.

Build and Design

Motorola has opted for a new and refreshed design with glass screens on the front as well as the back of the X4. The company confirmed that both the front and the back glass panels come with Corning's Gorilla Glass 3. Motorola emphasised on how the X series is known for its differentiating design and style in addition to the entire experience to highlight the design of the device.

The smartphone looks great and feels sturdy in hand without any squeaking parts. As is visible from the photographs, the design has changed significantly. Lenovo has taken steps to ensure that it looks like a new streamlined design and that it cannot be confused with the Moto G or the Moto Z lineup of devices. The company has changed the shape of its fingerprint sensor on the front of the device to ensure that the experience is better for One-key navigation.

Little details with antenna bands neatly running along the borders to integrate with the design and polished metal finish make a huge difference.

Features

The Moto X4 features a 5.2-inch full-HD LTPS IPS LCD display panel with a Corning Gorilla Glass 3 screen for protection. Lenovo has packed an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 630 SoC clocked at 2.2 GHz along with Adreno 508 GPU to handle graphics intensive tasks. The phone will come in two variants, the first with 3 GB RAM and 32 GB internal storage and the second variant with 4 GB RAM and 64 GB internal storage. Both the variants will get the option to expand storage up to 2 TB using an external microSD card.

Moto X4 comes with a dual camera setup with a 12 MP sensor and an 8 MP camera sensor with phase detection autofocus on the back of the smartphone. There is a 16 MP camera module with f/2.0 aperture and an LED flash unit on the front of the device for good selfies. Moto has packed a 3,000 mAh battery with Turbo Charge.

The device will come with Android Nougat 7.1.1 out of the box along with Moto experiences that include the newly introduced Moto Key, existing Moto Actions, Moto Display and Moto Voice. Lenovo has added accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity, compass and fingerprint on the front as sensors to enhance the user experience of the smartphone.

Connectivity options include a Type-C USB port, GPS, NFC, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth v5 with A2DP, LE, aptX, and EDR support, a 3.5 mm headphone jack and Dual nano-SIM slots for connectivity. The company has also stated that the device comes with IP68-rating.

Display

The Moto X4 features a 5.2-inch full-HD (1080 x 1920 pixels) LTPS IPS LCD display panel with a protection of Corning Gorilla Glass. The LCD panel comes with a 424 ppi pixel density and a 68.4 percent screen-to-body ratio. These things seem to be improved when compared to previous Moto G devices or the Moto devices launched earlier this year. The display looks bright and vibrant with good viewing angles and good brightness levels. The screen did seem reflective but we will have to check the readability of content under direct sunlight at a later point in time.

Chipset, RAM and storage

X4 comes with an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 630 clocked at up to 2.2 GHz along with Adreno 508 GPU to handle graphics intensive tasks.

The company is offering two variants of the Moto X4 to ensure that customers have options to choose from. The first variant comes with 3 GB RAM and 32 GB internal storage and the second variant comes with 4 GB RAM and 64 GB internal storage. Both the variants will get the option to expand storage up to 2 TB using an external microSD card where the second SIM slot will work as a hybrid.

OS and Software

Moto X4 comes with Android Nougat 7.1.1 out of the box along with the 1 September 2017 Android security patch. Motorola stated that Android Oreo 8.0 update will come in early 2018.

The company has continued the Motorola philosophy of not adding any bloatware except the Moto, Device Help, File Manager apart from the standard Google apps. However, this is the first time that Motorola has added LinkedIn and Outlook apps with the software. Users can use the Moto app to access the Moto Key, Moto Actions, Moto Display, and Moto Voice. Each adds on additional functionality to the stock Android experience to improve overall usability.

Moto Key, the latest addition to the Moto Experience is probably one of the coolest additions where Motorola is aiming to bring multiple device authentications, down to your smartphone. The company mentioned that it will release a Windows app for Moto X4 soon so that you can use the fingerprint scanner on your smartphone to log in to your Windows device. The company mentioned that it did not feel the need to launch the Android One-powered Moto X4 because of the presence of near-stock Android experience on Moto devices in India.

The company pointed out that the reason Moto X4 launched with Android One in the United States is because it wanted to get on the Google Fi network. The US variant of the device also packs Amazon Alexa with it. Motorola stated that it is waiting for Amazon to roll out Amazon Alexa in India after which it can load the Mobile Alexa app in Moto X4 devices.

Similar to the Moto Z2 Play and the Moto G5S Plus, the company has supposedly added some Pixel-centric features in the software that include the support to circular icons along with support for App Shortcuts including the subtle Google Assistant animation when the user long presses on the home button to activate Google Pixel.

Camera

Moto has packed a dual camera setup with a 12 MP f/2.0 sensor and a wide-angle 8 MP f/2.2 camera sensor on the back of the smartphone. The dual camera setup packs in phase detection autofocus (PDAF) along with a dual-LED dual tone flash unit. The X4 comes with a 16 MP camera module with f/2.0 aperture and an LED flash unit on the front of the device for good selfies. The back camera can shoot 4K video at 30 fps and the front camera can shoot 1080p video.

One of the most interesting features that Motorola has introduced is the Adaptive low light mode for the front camera where the software combines the pixels of the camera to give a considerably smaller resolution image but with low noise and better quality. The company has packed a wide angle lens on the back of the device and switching between the normal mode and the wide angle mode felt sluggish. Nothing that cant be fixed with a simple software patch.They can also apply actions like Spot Color', 'Selective Focus', or even Replace background in the Depth Editor app. The rear camera has a tendency of over-exposing the images in my limited about of testing the device.

Connectivity and Battery

Moto X4 comes with Type-C USB port, GPS, NFC, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth v5 with A2DP, LE, aptX, and EDR support, a 3.5 mm headphone jack and Dual nano-SIM slots for connectivity. Bluetooth 5 can allow users to connect to multiple Bluetooth devices at the same time using the Moto X4. The second SIM slot will work as a hybrid SIM so the users can add the microSD card in the slot instead of a SIM when the slot is not is use.

The company has also stated that the device comes with IP68-rating which means that the device is water-resistant, protecting the internals from splashes, spills and puddles of water in addition to dust. The device will be available in two colour options, Super Black and Sterling Blue. Users will get 3,000 mAh non-removable Lithium-Ion battery along with a 15W Turbo-Charger inside the box.

Conclusion

Motorola has announced a compelling device in terms of the build quality with a great design that makes the use of glass finish on the back. The company has improved the design and added more interesting features on the software side of things. The dual camera implementation is better on the Moto X4 during my limited hands-on time with the device. It certainly felt better than the camera on the the Moto G5S Plus.

Motorola is sticking to the tried and tested formula that has worked for the company. Stock Android, solid build quality, impressive design quality and good hardware. The price point of Rs 20,999 and Rs 22,999 allows the device to be demarcated from Moto G5S Plus and the Moto Z2 Play in terms of pricing.

However, we still have to test the smartphone and put it to its paces to check if the latest device in the Motorola Moto X series is worth your hard-earned money or not. Watch out for our full review that should be out soon.
tech2 News Staff

Samsung Galaxy A5 (2018) has been spotted on the FCC listing. The Galaxy A5 is expected to be launched in 2018. The smartphone is an update of the existing Samsung Galaxy A5 launched in early 2017.

The smartphone listed on the FCC website bears a model number A530N. The Samsung Galaxy A5 is expected to come with a 5.5-inch 1080x2160 pixel and a 18:9 ratio display. According to a report on GSMArena it will come with Exynos 7885 chipset and 4 GB RAM.

The 2017 version of the Samsung Galaxy A5 comes with a 5.2-inch Super AMOLED display protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 4. It is powered by Samsung's Exynos 7880 Octa, Octa-core 1.9 GHz processor paired with 3 GB RAM and 32 GB of internal storage. The smartphone also includes IP68 certification that makes it dust/water proof over.

The 2017 Galaxy A5 features a 16 MP f/1.9 primary camera and 16 MP selfie camera on the front. Connectivity options including 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS, etc. While you do get a USB-C port, it's a USB 2.0 port, so transfer speeds are limited. A 3,000 mAh battery powers the smartphone.
AP

Spain on 13 November warned its European Union partners about a disinformation campaign aimed at destabilizing its volatile northeast region of Catalonia, which Madrid claims appears to be coming from Russia.

Spanish Defense Minister Maria Dolores de Cospedal told reporters that many of the actions come from Russian territory, but that its not yet possible to determine what their exact source is or if the Russian government is involved.

She said some of them are repeated from Venezuelan territory. The Spanish government took control of Catalonias powers and called a snap regional election for 21 December, after the Catalan government held a banned independence referendum on 1 October.

Several regional government ministers have been jailed, and the regions ousted leader, Carles Puigdemont, is in Brussels with four associates fighting extradition to Spain for trial. They could face up to 30 years in prison on charges of rebellion, sedition and extortion.

De Cospedal declined to guess what impact the disinformation might be having on the election campaign or how big the fake news campaign might be. She said the number is changing every day. The figure cannot be specified.

Earlier, referring to a recent London meeting between WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and a prominent Catalan pro-independence figure, Spanish Foreign Minister Alfonso Dastis said there were signs that Assange and others are trying to interfere and manipulate amid the Catalonia crisis.

Spain said last week that the signs dont necessarily mean the Russian government is involved, and it hasnt made public any evidence to back the interference claim.

The EUs strategic communications unit  the East StratCom Task Force  has recently reported several instances of disinformation coming from Russian news outlets linked to the Kremlin.

An analysis last month on the Russian talk show Vesti Nedeli said that the view from some Russian television stations is that Europe is falling apart and that Spain is being compared to Ukraine, whose Crimean Peninsula was annexed by Russian troops in 2014.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a packed schedule in Manila on Monday. Day after world leaders, including, Modi, US President Donald Trump, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and several other world leaders arrived in Manila on Sunday for the Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) summit which is set to extensively deliberate on evolving security challenges facing South East Asia. The annual summit of 10 influential countries, is taking place amid China's aggressive behaviour in the disputed South China Sea and North Korea's nuclear missile tests and both these issues are likely to figure prominently during discussions among the leaders, a senior diplomat said.

Russian PM Dmitry Medvedev, Japanese PM Shinzo Abe and POTUS Donald Trump with PM Narendra Modi #ASEANSummit #Manila pic.twitter.com/eMthX5nt70  ANI (@ANI) November 12, 2017

Modi is expected to hold bilateral meetings with Trump and Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte, reports have said. The ASEAN comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. According to prime minister's official statement before he left for Manila, Modi said, "This will be my first bilateral visit to the Philippines where I will also participate in the ASEAN-India and East Asia Summits. My participation in them symbolises Indias commitment to continue deepening relationship with ASEAN Member States, in particular, and with the Indo-Pacific region, in general, within the framework of my Governments Act East Policy. Besides these Summits, I would also participate in Special Celebrations of the 50th anniversary of ASEAN, Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Leaders Meeting and ASEAN Business and Investment Summit."

Modi will attend the 15th ASEAN-India summit and 12th East Asia summit on 14 November during which he is likely to reassert India's call for crafting a coordinated global initiative in dealing with traditional and non-traditional threats facing the region.

The ties between India and ASEAN have been on an upswing in the last few years with focus being on ramping up cooperation in the areas of trade and investment as well as security and defence. "Every single country in the ASEAN region wants India to be more engaged in the region in every possible way. That is the real synergy we have with ASEAN," Indian Ambassador to Philippines Jaideep Mazumdar told PTI.

The US, France and Japan have been pitching for a larger role by India in the strategically key Indo-Pacific region where China has been trying to increase its military presence. Majumdar said terrorism is going to be one of the issues that will be discussed not only during the ASEAN summit but also at the East Asia summit. He said several documents are going to be adopted with an aim to contain terrorism, including one on stopping money laundering for the purpose of terrorism.

On Sunday, Modi held separate pull-aside meetings with Trump and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on the sidelines of a gala dinner to mark the 50th anniversary of the ASEAN. Modi was also seen chit-chatting with Abe, Medvedev and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak at the reception for the leaders. He also held brief interactions with several other leaders who attended the reception hosted by Duterte at the mega SMX Convention Centre in Pasay City in Manila.

Modi as well as all other leaders wore Barong Tagalong, an embroidered shirt which is the national dress of the Philippines. Renowned Filipino designer Albert Andrada has designed the shirts. Modi also tweeted pictures of his interaction with several leaders.

Interacting with world leaders in Manila. pic.twitter.com/qh0pdcFyXP  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 12, 2017

The menu of the gala dinner featured various Filipino cuisines including Filipino steak sushi.

The brief interaction between Modi and Trump came ahead of their scheduled bilateral meeting tomorrow. The two leaders are expected to deliberate on a number of key issues of mutual interest including the evolving security situation in the Indo-Pacific region where Washington favours a greater role by India.

There have been concerns over China's growing military presence in the Indo-Pacific and the issue was understood to have figured in a meeting of officials from India, the US, Japan and Australia today under the proposed Quadrilateral coalition of the four countries.

"The discussions focused on cooperation based on their converging vision and values for promotion of peace, stability and prosperity in an increasingly inter-connected region that they share with each other and with other partners," the ministry of external affairs said in a statement.

"They agreed that a free, open, prosperous and inclusive Indo-Pacific region serves the long-term interests of all countries in the region and of the world at large," it said.

Not just trade and investment, ASEAN expected to discuss maritime security, terrorism, non-proliferation

While ASEAN summit is likely to focus more on trade and investment related issues, leaders at the East Asia Summit are expected to delve deep into issues relating to maritime security, terrorism, non-proliferation and migration.

Apart from the 10 ASEAN member states, East Asia Summit includes India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Russia and the US. In the ASEAN-India summit, both sides are expected to explore ways to further enhance trade and investment ties.

The ASEAN region along with India together comprises combined population of 1.85 billion people, which is one fourth of the global population and their combined GDP has been estimated to be over $3.8 trillion.

Investment from ASEAN to India has been over $70 billion in the last 17 years, accounting for more than 17 percent of India's total Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). India's investment in ASEAN during the same period has been more than $40 billion.

India's proposal to host an international conference on countering radicalisation may also be discussed during the deliberations at Manila as New Delhi is now looking at finalising the dates for the conclave.

Modi will also participate in the ASEAN business and investment summit as well as a meeting of leaders of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

The RCEP, comprising 10-member ASEAN bloc and six other countries  India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand  is engaged in negotiations for a free trade pact. On his maiden visit to the Philippines as the prime minister, Modi will also attend a reception by the Indian community and visit the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and Mahavir Philippines Foundation.

With inputs from agencies
Kabul: An Afghan official says a Taliban attack in western Farah province has killed eight police officers.

Mohammad Naser Mehri, spokesman for the provincial governor, says the Taliban attacked a police check point near the city of Farah, the provincial capital, early on Monday.

Mehri says the attack only lasted 10 to 15 minutes and when reinforcement arrived, they found the bodies at the checkpoint.

He added that one policeman was slightly wounded in the attack and was subsequently arrested on suspicion of links with the insurgents.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. Mehri is blaming the Taliban, who have stepped up their attacks against Afghan security forces across the country and have been more active in Farah province also.
Washington: Hindu leaders in the US have called for active political engagement of the community in the country after the election of various members among them in the state and local elections recently.

"Dozens (of Hindu Americans) are contesting elections and hundreds are following in their footsteps," said Kumar Bharve, the first Indian-American elected to any state legislature in the US, as he referred to the presence of four Hindus in the House of Representatives and the election of several people in states and local elections past week.

The US has granted incredible opportunities, said Aruna Miller, member of the Maryland State legislature. This provides incredible responsibility to serve the society towards peace, said Miller, who is running for US House of Representatives next year.

Both were speaking at the first anniversary celebrations of the American Hindu Coalition (AHC). Maryland State legislature in a citation recognised the first anniversary of American Hindu Coalition. "Wherever we are, we must pursue political power," said Shekhar Tiwari, chair of the American Hindu Coalition.

A political bipartisan organisation, the AHC's mission is to promote a shared commitment of American Hindus for a prosperous, safer and a stronger America, said Harsh Sethi, AHC president.

Gurinder Singh Khalsa, of the Indiana-based Sikhs Political Action Committee emphasised on the need to be engaged in politics.

According to some estimates, Hindus account for about 1 percent of the US population. "Hindus never thought that they are religious as such. But they are all humans," said Chinna Jeeyar Swami.

Diplomats from about a dozen countries participated in the event. Mahbub Hassan Saleh, deputy chief of mission, Embassy of

Bangladesh to the US, the ultimate objectives of the organisations lie AHC is to build bridges among the communities and across the countries. Bangladesh has the third largest Hindu community in the world.

Hindus and Buddhist communities are making significant contribution to the economic development of the US, said Mauritius ambassador Soorooj Phooker, adding that they would help further strengthen ties between US and Mauritius.

Trinidad and Tobago ambassador Brig Gen (rtd) Anthony WJ Philips Spencer, said 16 percent of the country's population are Hindus and the Caribbean nation boasts one of the diverse population in the region.

Diplomats from Myanmar, Guyana, India, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Indonesia were also present at the first anniversary celebration of AHC.
Beijing: China on Monday said the US, Japan, India and Australia should not target Beijing, a day after the four met on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Manila and decided to work for a "free, open, prosperous and inclusive Indo-Pacific region".

China also said the US-brokered proposal of these countries to ensure free and open "Indo-Pacific ... should avoid politicising or excluding some relevant parties".

"The relevant proposal should be open and inclusive and should be conducive to the win-win cooperation and avoid politicising or excluding some relevant parties," foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said.

"From China's persistent foreign policy, we welcome the development of friendly cooperation between the relevant countries and we hope these kind of relations is not directed against any third party and we hope these kind of relations will be conducive to the regional peace and stability." Geng added.

The region described by India and US as "Indo-Pacific" is called "Asia-Pacific" by China.

The representatives of the four countries met for the first time on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit on Sunday.

Later, India's external affairs ministry said: "The discussions focused on cooperation based on their converging vision and values for promotion of peace, stability and prosperity in an increasingly inter-connected region that they share with each other and with other partners."
Manila: US president Donald Trump is winding down his lengthy Asia trip with an international summit and a series of meetings with Pacific Rim allies, including his host in the Philippines who is overseeing a bloody drug war.

Trump jointly met on Monday with Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, with whom he had a contentious phone call last winter, and Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe, who hosted the president in Tokyo earlier in the trip. Trump raved about his accomplishments on his five-nation journey, including on trade and North Korea, but said he would wait until his return to Washington on Wednesday to elaborate with a "major statement."

"We've made some very big steps with regard to trade - far bigger than anything you know," Trump told reporters at the beginning of the meeting in Manila, touting business deals forged between US and foreign companies.

"We've made a lot of big progress on trade. We have deficits with almost everybody. Those deficits are going to be cut very quickly and very substantially," Trump said.

"Except us," Turnbull chimed in, to laughs.

"You're the only one," Trump responded. Trump also said the trip had been "very fruitful" for the United States and pointed to the warm welcomes he had received in capitals like Tokyo, Seoul and Beijing.

"It was red carpet like nobody, I think, has probably ever received," Trump said. "And that really is a sign of respect, perhaps for me a little, but really for our county. And I'm really proud of that."

The opening ceremonies of the Association for Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) conference began with pageantry, including a group photo of the leaders and the summit's traditional handshake. That cross-body handshake, during which each leader shakes the opposite hands of those next to him or her, briefly baffled Trump, who then laughed as he figured out where to place his arms.

One of the leaders on his flank: Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte, who has overseen a bloody drug war that has featured extrajudicial killings. The two men are also slated to hold longer, formal talks later on Monday and White House aides signalled that Trump is not expected to publicly bring up human rights in their discussions.

Trump will also meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which plays a key role in the US vision of an Indo-Pacific region that attempts to de-emphasize China's influence. And he is slated to have dinner with Turnbull.

But swirling questions about Russia followed Trump halfway across the globe.

He tried to have it both ways on the issue of Russian interference in last year's presidential race, saying he believes both the US intelligence agencies when they say Russia meddled and Putin's sincerity in claiming that his country did not.

"I believe that he feels that he and Russia did not meddle in the election," Trump said Sunday in Hanoi, Vietnam.

"As to whether I believe it, I'm with our agencies," Trump said. "As currently led by fine people, I believe very much in our intelligence agencies."

But just a day earlier, he had lashed out at the former heads of the US intelligence agencies, dismissing them as "political hacks" and claiming there were plenty of reasons to be suspicious of their findings that Russia meddled to help Trump defeat Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Former CIA director John Brennan, appearing Sunday on CNN's "State of the Union," said Trump was deriding them in an attempt to "delegitimise" the intelligence community's assessment.

"I think Mr Putin is very clever in terms of playing to Mr Trump's interest in being flattered. And also I think Mr Trump is, for whatever reason, either intimidated by Mr Putin, afraid of what he could do or what might come out as a result of these investigations," Brennan said.

Brennan said Trump's ambiguity on Russia's involvement was "very, very worrisome from a national security standpoint."

"I think he's giving Putin a pass and I think it demonstrates to Putin that Donald Trump can be played by foreign leaders who are going to appeal to his ego and play upon his insecurities," Brennan said.

Questions about whether Trump believes the assessment about Russian election-meddling have trailed him since January, when he said for the first time, shortly before taking office, that he accepted that Russia was behind the election-year hacking of Democrats that roiled the White House race.

A special counsel's examination of potential collusion between Moscow and Trump campaign aides so far has led to indictments against Trump's former campaign chairman and another top aide for crimes unrelated to the campaign, and a guilty plea from a Trump foreign policy adviser for lying to the FBI.

Multiple congressional committees are also investigating.

Trump told reporters traveling with him to Hanoi on Saturday that Putin had again vehemently denied the allegations. The two spoke during an economic conference in Danang, Vietnam. Trump danced around questions about whether he believed Putin but stressed Putin's denials.

"Every time he sees me, he says: 'I didn't do that.' And I believe  I really believe  that when he tells me that, he means it," Trump said, arguing that it makes no sense for him to belabour the issue when Russia could help the US on North Korea, Syria and other issues.
Leaders from US, India, Australia, Japan, Russia and members of the 10-bloc nation Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) are set to gather and discuss a host of issues in Manila, Philippines on Monday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian prime minister Dmitry Medvedev, US president Donald Trump, Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe and several other world leaders arrived in Manila on Sunday for the ASEAN summit which is set to extensively deliberate on evolving security challenges facing South East Asia. The ASEAN comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Leaders of the ASEAN marked the 10-nation bloc's 50th anniversary with handshakes, unity photo-ops and pageantry in a gala dinner on Sunday. They have gathered for two days of summitry under tight security in Manila starting Monday and meet world leaders led by Trump to tackle a slew of security worries.

Bilateral talks to be held

Modi is expected to hold bilateral meetings with Trump and Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte, reports have said. Modi is also scheduled to have a bilateral meeting with Abe on Monday which may feature the security scenario in the Indo-Pacific region.

According to Modi's official statement before he left for Manila, Modi said, "This will be my first bilateral visit to the Philippines where I will also participate in the ASEAN-India and East Asia Summits. My participation in them symbolises Indias commitment to continue deepening relationship with ASEAN Member States, in particular, and with the Indo-Pacific region, in general, within the framework of my Governments Act East Policy. Besides these Summits, I would also participate in Special Celebrations of the 50th anniversary of ASEAN, Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Leaders Meeting and ASEAN Business and Investment Summit."

The ties between India and ASEAN have been on an upswing in the last few years with focus being on ramping up cooperation in the areas of trade and investment as well as security and defence. "Every single country in the ASEAN region wants India to be more engaged in the region in every possible way. That is the real synergy we have with ASEAN," Indian Ambassador to Philippines Jaideep Mazumdar told PTI.

Apart from this, a slew of ASEAN leaders held bilateral talks during the ongoing summit. According to New Strait Times, Malaysian prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak met with Shinzo Abe and discussed trade and investment.

Rodrigo Duterte also met with Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull on Sunday on the sidelines of the summit, reported ABC-CBN News. I assure you that the relations between the two countries are strong, as always been, no problem for that. And we continue to cooperate in our alliances, Duterte told Turnbull as per the report.

Meanwhile, Trump jointly met with Turnbull and Shinzo Abe on Monday. "We've made some very big steps with regard to trade - far bigger than anything you know," Trump told reporters at the beginning of the meeting in Manila, touting business deals forged between US and foreign companies.

"We've made a lot of big progress on trade. We have deficits with almost everybody. Those deficits are going to be cut very quickly and very substantially," Trump said.

While Trump seems to be lambasting countries over trade and investment, he has largely abandoned publicly pressing foreign leaders on human rights, instead showing a willingness to embrace international strongmen for strategic gain. Trump is unlikely to criticise Duterte, who last week boasted that he murdered a man with his own hands, for the sanctioned a bloody drug war that features extrajudicial killing in Philippines.

Duterte's war on drugs has alarmed human rights advocates around the world who say it has allowed police officers and vigilantes to ignore due process and to take justice into their own hands. Government officials estimate that well over 3,000 people, mostly drug users and dealers, have died in the ongoing crackdown. Human rights groups believe the victim total is far higher, perhaps closer to 9,000.

Apart from holding dialogue with ASEAN leaders, Russian prime minister Dmitry Medvedev is expected sign agreements with the Philippine government relating to transport, energy, and education, according to Rappler. Medvedev will also hold talks on strengthening military and security cooperation between the two countries.

Top issues likely to be brought up during summit

A host of issues including poverty, conflicts, human rights crises and other problems is plaguing the 620 million-strong South East Asia region. Apart from the various meetings, numerous issues are expected to be discussed at the 31st ASEAN summit. Some of the pressing matters that are most likely to be discussed are listed below:

South China Sea

The leaders of China and ASEAN, which includes four member states directly involved in South China Sea territorial disputes, are expected to announce the start of negotiations on a so-called "code of conduct" in the contested waters based on a framework or outline that their foreign ministers endorsed in August.

Both sides would laud such progress, which China acquiesced to after the Philippines under Duterte backed down from being one of Beijing's most virulent US-backed critics. Duterte pursued a policy of rapprochement with Beijing and has not immediately pushed for Chinese compliance with an arbitration ruling by a UN-aligned tribunal that invalidated China's expansive claims in the strategic waterway.

ASEAN, however, has been dismissed as an ineffective broker largely because it tends to get paralyzed by indecision due to its consensual decision-making style when many of its member states are either aligned with China or the US. The two-page framework took 15 years to conclude and lacked key provisions, including a dispute-settlement mechanism, that China opposes.

North Korea

Manila is the last stop on Trump's Asian swing where he's expected to lobby for more punitive action, including diplomatic sanctions, against Pyongyang over its nuclear program. He'll generally find a receptive audience, with the summit's foul-mouthed host, President Rodrigo Duterte, having called North Korea's leader a "crazy son of a bitch" with a "chubby face that looks kind" but who could wipe the region off the map with his "dangerous toys."

China, which wields considerable influence on ASEAN, will, however, be a tempering presence. It has called for dialogue with North Korea and urged the United States to tone down its rhetoric, arguing that sanctions alone cannot solve the impasse.

ASEAN leaders will likely stick to their expression of alarm over Pyongyang's ballistic missile and nuclear tests and press their call for North Korea to return to long-stalled denuclearization talks.

Rohingya dilemma

It is unclear whether this will be on the bloc's official agenda this year, although Malaysia and Indonesia are likely to bring it up in talks on the meeting's sidelines.

Alarm over violence in Myanmar's western Rakhine state that has forced more than 600,000 Rohingya Muslims to flee to Bangladesh will likely stay off ASEAN's formal agenda and summit communique because its member states, which include Myanmar, uphold a bedrock policy of non-interference in each other's domestic affairs.

"ASEAN summits are not designed to actually construct policy responses to major human rights issues that affect the whole region," said David Mathieson, a former human rights researcher who is now an independent analyst based in Myanmar. "Right now, Suu Kyi's government is benefiting from ASEAN's culture of inaction."

While the policy has held back the regional group from taking a stronger and more relevant stance on such calamities in step with much of the international community, it has allowed ASEAN to endure as a club of nations with disparate backgrounds.

Individually, however, heads of state can raise concern and outrage over the Rohingya crisis during their so-called "retreat," a free-for-all but closed-door session. Malaysia, among others, is expected to push Myanmar to take stronger steps to address the humanitarian problem, which has caused many of the Rohingya to flee to its territory. Malaysia has also pushed the Philippine host to allow a stronger statement on the crisis, causing some tension.

"If it will be discussed, it will be up to Myanmar to raise the issue because this a domestic concern for them," Robespierre Bolivar, spokesman of Manila's Department of Foreign Affairs, told AP.

Muslim militants

The siege by pro-Islamic State group militants that left at least 1,172 combatants and civilians dead and left swaths of the southern Philippine city of Marawi in smoldering rubbles will be on every leader's mind in Manila.

Although Philippine troops have essentially crushed the five-month insurrection, the massive militant attack served as a reality check for governments of the new scale of havoc Islamic State-aligned militants could wreak on urban areas.

Consequently, the main summit venue in a theater complex by Manila Bay has been placed in a security lockdown and declared a no-fly and no-sail zone. Nearly 60,000 police and military personnel will keep watch in Manila and Clark Freeport to the north where some of the leaders will land and senior diplomats are meeting.

Duterte plans to brief leaders on how Filipino forces quelled the siege. ASEAN states and their Asian and Western counterparts find a common interest in addressing the resurgent threat of terrorism and radicalization without much friction.

With inputs from AP and PTI
Manila: Southeast Asian nations will not take a relative calm in the dispute over the South China Sea for granted, according to a draft of a statement to be issued during a summit meeting in Manila on Monday.

"While the situation is calmer now, we cannot take the current progress for granted," said the draft, a copy of which was seen by Reuters.

The statement will be issued after a meeting later between China and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the Philippines capital, a diplomatic source said.

"Important that we cooperate to maintain peace, stability, freedom of navigation in and over-flight above the SCS (South China Sea), in accordance with international law," it said.

"It is in our collective interest to avoid miscalculations that could lead to escalation of tensions."

Almost all of the South China Sea, one of the worlds busiest waterways, is claimed by China. Taiwan and four ASEAN nations  Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines and Brunei  have competing claims.

Leaders from China, the United States and seven other nations are joining ASEAN at their annual summit.

On Sunday, Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte suggested that, despite their differences, the leaders should not discuss the South China Sea.

"We have to be friends, the other hotheads would like us to confront China and the rest of the world on so many issues," Duterte said at a business conference.

"The South China Sea is better left untouched, nobody can afford to go to war. It can ill-afford a violent confrontation."

At the meetings formal opening on Monday, Duterte made no mention of the South China Sea and pointed to other triggers for a threat of violence in the region.

"Terrorism and violent extremism endanger the peace, stability, and security of our region because these threats know no boundary," he said.

"Piracy and armed robbery in the seas put a dent on our growth and disrupt the stability of both regional and global commerce. The menace of illegal drug trade continues to endanger the very fabric of our society.

"These and other issues are high on the agenda of our meeting."

Duterte has grown closer to China since he took office in 2016 and Vietnam has emerged as Beijings main challenger in the area. Chinas move to pressure Vietnam to stop oil drilling in a disputed area in July brought relations between the Communist neighbors to a low.

But on Sunday, Vietnams state television said Chinese president Xi Jinping had told Vietnams general secretary Nguyen Phu Trong he wanted to work with Southeast Asian nations on a code of conduct in the sea. Chinas Xinhua said China and Vietnam had agreed to properly handle maritime issues and strive to maintain peace and stability.
Manila: Donald Trump declared Monday he had a "great relationship" with Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte, a self-proclaimed killer who is waging a drugs war that rights groups say involves mass murder, as the leaders joked with each other in Manila.

The US president is in the Philippines with leaders of 18 other nations for two days of summits, the final leg of a headline-grabbing Asian tour dominated by the North Korean nuclear crisis.

Allegations of Russian meddling in last year's US presidential elections have dogged the second half of his 12-day trip, which has taken him from Japan to South Korea, China and Vietnam.

Rights groups had called on Trump to end his Asian journey with a strong statement against Duterte's drugs war, which has seen police and suspected vigilantes kill thousands of people.

But Trump and Duterte had a series of encounters on Sunday night and Monday morning in which they appeared to enjoy each others' company, leading to warm praise from the US president during official talks at lunchtime.

"We've had a great relationship. This has been very successful," Trump told Duterte in brief opening remarks at their meeting.

Trump praised Duterte for his organisation of the summits, saying he handled them "beautifully".

"I've really enjoyed being here," he said.

As the reporters were being escorted out of the room, one asked if Trump would raise the issue of human rights, to which Duterte jokingly called the media "spies". Both laughed but and neither answered.

Duterte's spokesman later said repeatedly that Trump did not raise any human rights concerns in the meeting, which lasted about 40 minutes.

However Trump spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said human rights was raised, although "briefly".

Duterte won elections last year after promising to eradicate illegal drugs with an unprecedented campaign that would see up to 100,000 people killed.

Since he took office, police have reported killing 3,967 people in the crackdown.

Another 2,290 people have been murdered in drug-related crimes, while thousands of other deaths remain unsolved, according to government data.

'I already killed someone'

Many Filipinos back Duterte, believing he is taking necessary measures to fight crime, but rights groups warn he may be orchestrating a crime against humanity.

Amnesty International accuses police of shooting dead defenceless people and paying assassins to murder addicts.

When pressured over allegations of extra-judicial killings carried out by police, Duterte insists he has never told them to break the law.

But rights groups say police are following Duterte's incitements to kill, including comments made last year when he said he would be "happy to slaughter" three million addicts.

He has also repeatedly boasted about killing people himself, most recently last week while in Vietnam for the Asia-Pacific economic summit.

"At the age of 16, I already killed someone. A real person, a rumble, a stabbing. I was just 16 years old. It was just over a look," Duterte said.

Former US president Barack Obama was one of many prominent critics of Duterte's handling of the drugs war. The Philippine leader responded last year by calling him a "son of a whore".

Relations between the Philippines and the United States, longtime allies bound by a mutual defence treaty, deteriorated sharply as Duterte turned towards China and Russia.

Duterte last year declared the Philippines' "separation" from the United States.

But Trump told Duterte in a telephone call in April that he was doing a "great job", which helped to begin a diplomatic thaw.

"We are your ally. We are an important ally," Duterte said on Monday, appearing to confirm relations were back on track, although he has also continued to court China and Russia.

Some Filipinos were not happy though, with hundreds of people staging an anti-Trump rally near the conference venue which led riot police to use water cannon.

Champagne, love song

Duterte and Trump sat next to each other at a pre-summit banquet on Sunday, during which they smiled, chatted and clinked champagne glasses.

Duterte, 72, also sang a Filipino love song, saying light-heartedly that he did so on the orders of the US president.

Duterte is hosting the world leaders because the Philippines holds the rotating chair of the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) bloc.

The events on Monday and Tuesday in Manila are two separate ASEAN-hosted summits, which also include China, Japan, Russia, South Korea, India, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

The rising threat of the Islamic State group across Southeast Asia, and further efforts to pressure North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un to abandon his nuclear ambitions, were top agenda items in Manila.

"Terrorism and violent extremism endanger the peace, stability and security of our region because these threats know no boundaries," Duterte said in an opening ceremony speech on Monday.
Islamabad: The US is quietly nudging Pakistan and India to re-engage as the Trump administration seeks to defuse tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours, according to a media report today.

America's objective to normalise ties between the two South Asian rivals is part of its efforts to have a more focused approach on the Afghan endgame.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson took up the issue with the leadership of both Pakistan and India during his recent visit to the two countries, the Express Tribune quoting government officials and diplomatic sources as saying.

"Behind the scenes, efforts appear to have started paying dividends since Tillerson's visit, as there has been a noticeable reduction in violence along the Line of Control (LoC) in the disputed Kashmir region," the paper said.

The border between the two nations has been the scene of bloody clashes between the armies of Pakistan and India for the last couple of years. The current year has been the worst in terms of ceasefire violations as well as civilian casualties.

Officials with the knowledge of the backdoor manoeuvres confirmed to the paper that the Trump administration wanted to see a lowering of tensions between the two neighbours.

A senior official, who requested not to be identified because he was not authorised to speak to the media, said Tillerson had informed Pakistan that the Trump administration was willing to encourage a rapprochement between Islamabad and New Delhi.

The surprise decision by Pakistan to allow a meeting between convicted Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav and his wife was also being linked to the quiet efforts by the US. Pakistan, however, publically insisted that the offer was made purely on the humanitarian grounds.

The former Indian Navy officer was sentenced to death after a Field Court Martial on charges of espionage and involvement in terrorist activities.

Officials are reluctant to link Pakistans decision on Jadhav as well as the brief lull in LoC clashes to the US intervention.

They said it was too early to draw any such conclusions as the Trump administration was still struggling to come up with a workable roadmap for Afghanistan and South Asia.

The official, nevertheless, made it clear that continued tensions between Pakistan and India would certainly undermine US efforts to bring some semblance of peace in Afghanistan.

Historically, Islamabad has not been averse to third-party intervention, but India has publically opposed such approaches.

The official said the Pakistani side had urged the US to use its influence over India for the resumption of dialogue after a number of terror attacks in India.

It is, however, not clear if the two sides would resume the full spectrum of talks, considering the timing.

Since Pakistan is also just a few months away from parliamentary elections, it is highly unlikely that structured dialogue would be restored. However, political leaders and officials may interact with each other as a result of US efforts in order to arrest any further slide in ties between Pakistan and India, the report said.
A meeting between US President Donald Trump and Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte in Manila on Monday follows a stormy 16 months in their nations' decades-long alliance.

Here are five things to know about relations between the United States and one of its oldest allies in Asia.

Former colony

The Philippines went from centuries of Spanish rule to becoming a US colony in 1898 under the Treaty of Paris that was signed to end the Spanish-American war.

The colonial period began with a three-year resistance, which claimed the lives of more than 20,000 Filipino nationalists and 4,200 American troops, according to US government historical records.

In 1941, Japanese forces invaded the Philippines and began more than three years of brutal occupation. The Americans later returned to liberate the nation and it gained independence in 1946, marking the start of a 71-year alliance.

Treaty allies

The Philippines and the United States signed a mutual defence treaty in 1951 pledging to help each other if they were attacked by an external enemy.

The nation is one of only two American defence treaty allies in Southeast Asia, along with Thailand.

US-backed dictator

Ferdinand Marcos ruled the Philippines for 20 years with US backing despite overseeing widespread rights abuses and embezzling up to $10 billion from state coffers.

The United States backed Marcos, who went from democratic hopeful to dictator, as he guaranteed strategic US bases in the Philippines and was seen as a bulwark against communism.

In 1986, a famous "People Power" uprising toppled Marcos, sending him and his family into exile in Hawaii.

Shutting bases

Nearly a century of major US military presence ended in 1992 when the Philippines closed two of America's biggest Asian bases. The Filipino Senate rejected a treaty extension following rising popular sentiment against the United States.

However the Philippines' maritime dispute with China over the South China Sea, and US concerns over Islamic militancy in the restive south, brought the nation back into an American embrace.

The allies signed a Visiting Forces Agreement in 1998 and a 2014 accord that led to increased defence cooperation, including more annual joint military exercises.

Duterte tirades

Duterte's election last year brought a sudden reversal of the policy of his pro-American predecessor, Benigno Aquino.

The outspoken leader launched a brutal war on drugs that was condemned by the administration of then-US President Barack Obama.

Duterte responded by announcing his "separation" from the United States, calling Obama a "son of a whore" and pursuing closer ties with China and Russia.

But Duterte, who has a reputation for unpredictability, has recently said the nations are "best of friends" again after receiving praise from Trump about the drug war.
Manila: Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte has sanctioned a bloody drug war that features extrajudicial killing. He called Barack Obama a "son of a whore." This week, he boasted that he murdered a man with his own hands.

All that may well go unmentioned in public by President Donald Trump when the leaders hold talks Monday.

Breaking with his presidential predecessors, Trump has largely abandoned publicly pressing foreign leaders on human rights, instead showing a willingness to embrace international strongmen for strategic gain. He has cozied up to autocrats such as Saudi Arabia's King Salman, Egyptian president Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi and Russian president Vladimir Putin. And earlier in this trip to Asia he made no mention of human rights during multiple appearances in Beijing with Chinese president Xi Jinping.

"Trump seems very comfortable with strongmen. It's not just that he won't criticize Duterte. I wouldn't be surprised if he patted him on the back," said Mike Chinoy, senior fellow at US-China Institute at the University of Southern California.

Duterte's war on drugs has alarmed human rights advocates around the world who say it has allowed police officers and vigilantes to ignore due process and to take justice into their own hands. Government officials estimate that well over 3,000 people, mostly drug users and dealers, have died in the ongoing crackdown. Human rights groups believe the victim total is far higher, perhaps closer to 9,000.

"Human rights groups, I think, will be quite disappointed by the visit," said Amy Searight, director of the Southeast Asia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "It's unlikely that human rights or rule of law or due process are going to be topics that President Trump will raise."

Duterte has strenuously defended the violence and boasted of participating himself.

Late last year, he bragged that he personally pulled the trigger and killed three people years ago while serving as mayor of Davao City. And last week, while in Vietnam for an international summit, he said he took his first life years earlier.

"When I was a teenager, I had been in and out of jail, rumble here and there," Duterte said during a speech in Danang, where he briefly crossed paths with Trump on the sidelines of an international summit. "At the age of 16, I already killed someone."

He claimed he fatally stabbed the person "just over a look." His spokesman later tried to downplay the comment, saying, "I think it was in jest."

Trump has shown little interest in pressuring Duterte to rein in the violence, instead saluting him during a May phone call.

"I just wanted to congratulate you because I am hearing of the unbelievable job on the drug problem," Trump told Duterte, according to a transcript of the conversation that later leaked. "Many countries have the problem, we have a problem, but what a great job you are doing and I just wanted to call and tell you that."

Trump also criticized Obama during the call, noting that his predecessor "did not understand" the drug problem the Philippines faces. Meanwhile, Duterte was openly critical of Obama in the final year of his presidency, including cursing his name.

White House officials have suggested there is a strategy behind Trump's flattery of Duterte.

Advisers have said that while Trump is unlikely to publicly chastise the Philippine president, he may offer criticisms during private meetings. Trump would plan to hold his tongue in public in order not to embarrass Duterte, whom he is urging to help pressure North Korea and fight terrorism, and to avoid pushing him into the arms of China.

"If the administration is not going to care about human rights in China, why would you care in the Philippines?" asked Gordon Chang, Asia expert and author of Nuclear Showdown: North Korea Takes On the World. He said the "logical thing to do is keep them close and not let Duterte flirt with China. In our struggle with China, we need all the friends when we can get."

Duterte has seemed less committed to the strategic partnership with the US Searight said a good relationship is "vital to the United States given its location on the South China Sea and the enhanced access that the American military has gotten in recent years with the Philippines."

White House aides have suggested that Trump's strategy has worked before, pointing to his interactions with el-Sissi. Trump refrained from chastising the Egyptian leader but worked with him behind closed doors to help engineer the release of American prisoner Aya Hijazi in April.

Trump dismissed the notion that he buddied up to dictators. He said Saturday he has great relationships with all sorts of leaders, "every person in that room today," after leaving a summit in Vietnam attended by Duterte and Putin, among others.

Human rights groups have expressed dismay at Trump's public silence, believing that the spotlight an American president can shine on human rights abuses overseas can rally pressure on an authoritarian regime to change its ways.

"In the old days, we used to call on the US government to raise human rights issues during these trips," said John Sifton, Asia advocacy director at Human Rights Watch. But given the administration's lack of credibility in raising human rights abuses, he said, they have pivoted to a different tack, focusing on international attention.

"We haven't given up," Sifton said.
Manila: President Donald Trump is winding down his lengthy Asia trip with an international summit and a series of meetings with Pacific Rim allies, including his host in the Philippines who is overseeing a bloody drug war.

Trump jointly met Monday with Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, with whom he had a contentious phone call last winter, and Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe, who hosted the president in Tokyo earlier in the trip. Trump raved about his accomplishments on his five-nation journey, including on trade and North Korea, but said he would wait until his return to Washington on Wednesday to elaborate with a "major statement."

"We've made some very big steps with regard to trade  far bigger than anything you know," Trump told reporters at the beginning of the meeting in Manila, touting business deals forged between US and foreign companies.

"We've made a lot of big progress on trade. We have deficits with almost everybody. Those deficits are going to be cut very quickly and very substantially," Trump said.

"Except us," Turnbull chimed in, to laughs.

"You're the only one," Trump responded. Trump also the trip had been "very fruitful" for the United States and pointed to the warm welcomes he had received in capitals like Tokyo, Seoul and Beijing.

"It was red carpet like nobody, I think, has probably ever received," Trump said. "And that really is a sigh of respect, perhaps for me a little, but really for our county. And I'm really proud of that."

The opening ceremonies of the Association for Southeast Asian Nations conference began with pageantry, including a group photo of the leaders and the summit's traditional handshake. That cross-body handshake, during which each leader shakes the opposite hands of those next to him or her, briefly baffled Trump, who then laughed as he figured out where to place his arms.

One of the leaders on his flank: Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte, who has overseen a bloody drug war that has featured extrajudicial killings. The two men held longer, formal talks on Monday and White House aides signaled that Trump was not expected to publicly bring up human rights in their discussions.

During brief remarks to reporters, Trump said he and Duterte have "had a great relationship" but avoided questions on whether he'd raise human rights issues. The White House said the two leaders discussed the Islamic State, illegal drugs and trade during the 40 minute meeting. Spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said human rights came up "briefly" in the context of the Philippines' fight against illegal drugs.

Trump will also meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, which plays a key role in the US vision of an Indo-Pacific region that attempts to de-emphasize China's influence. And he is slated to have dinner with Turnbull.

But swirling questions about Russia followed Trump halfway across the globe.

He tried to have it both ways on the issue of Russian interference in last year's presidential race, saying he believes both the U.S. intelligence agencies when they say Russia meddled and Putin's sincerity in claiming that his country did not.

"I believe that he feels that he and Russia did not meddle in the election," Trump said Sunday in Hanoi, Vietnam.

"As to whether I believe it, I'm with our agencies," Trump said. "As currently led by fine people, I believe very much in our intelligence agencies."

But just a day earlier, he had lashed out at the former heads of the US intelligence agencies, dismissing them as "political hacks" and claiming there were plenty of reasons to be suspicious of their findings that Russia meddled to help Trump defeat Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Former CIA director John Brennan, appearing Sunday on CNN's "State of the Union," said Trump was deriding them in an attempt to "delegitimize" the intelligence community's assessment.

"I think Mr Putin is very clever in terms of playing to Mr Trump's interest in being flattered. And also I think Mr Trump is, for whatever reason, either intimidated by Mr Putin, afraid of what he could do or what might come out as a result of these investigations," Brennan said.

Brennan said Trump's ambiguity on Russia's involvement was "very, very worrisome from a national security standpoint."

"I think he's giving Putin a pass and I think it demonstrates to Putin that Donald Trump can be played by foreign leaders who are going to appeal to his ego and play upon his insecurities," Brennan said.

Questions about whether Trump believes the assessment about Russian election-meddling have trailed him since January, when he said for the first time, shortly before taking office, that he accepted that Russia was behind the election-year hacking of Democrats that roiled the White House race.

A special counsel's examination of potential collusion between Moscow and Trump campaign aides so far has led to indictments against Trump's former campaign chairman and another top aide for crimes unrelated to the campaign, and a guilty plea from a Trump foreign policy adviser for lying to the FBI.

Multiple congressional committees are also investigating.

Trump told reporters traveling with him to Hanoi on Saturday that Putin had again vehemently denied the allegations. The two spoke during an economic conference in Danang, Vietnam. Trump danced around questions about whether he believed Putin but stressed Putin's denials.

"Every time he sees me, he says: 'I didn't do that.' And I believe  I really believe  that when he tells me that, he means it," Trump said, arguing that it makes no sense for him to belabor the issue when Russia could help the US on North Korea, Syria and other issues.
ANKARA/SOCHI (Reuters) - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan took swipes at U.S. and Russian interventions in Syria on Monday and said if countries truly believed a military solution was impossible, they should withdraw their troops. Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan attends a news conference after the talks with Russia's President Vladimir Putin in Sochi, Russia November 13, 2017. REUTERS/Pavel Golovkin/PoolRussian President Vladimir Putin and his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump said in a joint statement on Saturday they would continue to fight against Islamic State in Syria, while agreeing that there was no military solution to the countrys wider, six-year-old conflict. I am having trouble understanding these comments, Erdogan told reporters before flying to Russia for talks with Putin. If a military solution is out of the question, then those who say this should pull their troops out. Then a political method should be sought in Syria, ways to head into elections should be examined... We will discuss these with Putin, he said. After more than four hours of talks with Putin in the southern Russian resort of Sochi, Erdogan said the two leaders had agreed to focus on a political solution to the conflict. Putin said Russia would continue to work on Syria with Turkey and their efforts were yielding results: The level of violence has definitely been reduced, favourable conditions are being created for the progression of a inter-Syrian dialogue. Russia's President Vladimir Putin (2nd L) and Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan (L) enter a hall during a meeting in Sochi, Russia November 13, 2017. REUTERS/Pavel Golovkin/PoolNeither leader went into more specific detail. Asked if the two discussed Erdogans earlier comments, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the talks were about more complex issues which could not be made public, according to RIA news agency. Turkey has been annoyed by both Russian and U.S. missions in Syria. Before his trip to Russia, Erdogan said both Moscow, which backs President Bashar al-Assad, and Washington, which armed Syrian YPG Kurdish forces Ankara sees as allied to separatists fighting in southeastern Turkey, had set up bases. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin attend a news conference in Sochi, Russia, November 13, 2017. Yasin Bulbul/Presidential Palace/Handout via REUTERSThe United States said it would completely leave Iraq, but it didnt. The world is not stupid, some realities are being told differently and practised differently, he said. He said the United States had 13 bases in Syria and Russia had five. The YPG has said Washington has established seven military bases in areas of northern Syria. The U.S.-led coalition says it does not discuss the location of its forces. Russia has been a strong supporter of Assad, whose removal Erdogan has demanded, and Moscows military intervention two years ago helped turn the conflict in the Syrian presidents favour. Turkish troops have also fought in Syria to halt the advance of Kurdish YPG forces along its frontier.

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
ANKARA/SOCHI (Reuters) - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan took swipes at U.S. and Russian interventions in Syria on Monday and said if countries truly believed a military solution was impossible, they should withdraw their troops. Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan attends a news conference after the talks with Russia's President Vladimir Putin in Sochi, Russia November 13, 2017. REUTERS/Pavel Golovkin/PoolRussian President Vladimir Putin and his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump said in a joint statement on Saturday they would continue to fight against Islamic State in Syria, while agreeing that there was no military solution to the countrys wider, six-year-old conflict. I am having trouble understanding these comments, Erdogan told reporters before flying to Russia for talks with Putin. If a military solution is out of the question, then those who say this should pull their troops out. Then a political method should be sought in Syria, ways to head into elections should be examined... We will discuss these with Putin, he said. After more than four hours of talks with Putin in the southern Russian resort of Sochi, Erdogan said the two leaders had agreed to focus on a political solution to the conflict. We agreed that the grounds to focus on a political solution (in Syria) have been formed, he said. Putin said Russia would continue to work on Syria with Turkey and their efforts were yielding results: The level of violence has definitely been reduced, favourable conditions are being created for the progression of a inter-Syrian dialogue. Neither leader went into more specific detail. Asked if the two discussed Erdogans earlier comments, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the talks were about more complex issues which could not be made public, according to RIA news agency. Russia's President Vladimir Putin (2nd L) and Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan (L) enter a hall during a meeting in Sochi, Russia November 13, 2017. REUTERS/Pavel Golovkin/PoolTurkey has been annoyed by both Russian and U.S. missions in Syria. Before his trip to Russia, Erdogan said both Moscow, which backs President Bashar al-Assad, and Washington, which armed Syrian YPG Kurdish forces Ankara sees as allied to separatists fighting in southeastern Turkey, had set up bases. The United States said it would completely leave Iraq, but it didnt. The world is not stupid, some realities are being told differently and practised differently, he said. He said the United States had 13 bases in Syria and Russia had five. The YPG has said Washington has established seven military bases in areas of northern Syria. The U.S.-led coalition says it does not discuss the location of its forces. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin attend a news conference in Sochi, Russia, November 13, 2017. Yasin Bulbul/Presidential Palace/Handout via REUTERSRussia has been a strong supporter of Assad, whose removal Erdogan has demanded, and Moscows military intervention two years ago helped turn the conflict in the Syrian presidents favour. Turkish troops have also fought in Syria to halt the advance of Kurdish YPG forces along its frontier. We attach great importance to the joint steps Turkey and Russia will take on (the) defence industry, Erdogan said. His remarks follow Turkeys recently completed purchase of Russian S-400 surface-to-air missile systems, a defence deal that Turkeys Western allies see as a snub to the NATO alliance. The weapon cannot be integrated into NATO defences. Ankara says it is making agreements with the Franco-Italian EUROSAM consortium to develop, produce and use its own sources for air defence system.

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Beirut: Saad al-Hariri pledged on Monday he would return to Lebanon from Saudi Arabia "very soon," in his first television interview since his shock resignation as prime minister eight days ago.

In an exclusive interview from Riyadh with his party's Future TV, Hariri brushed aside rumours that he was under de facto house arrest in Saudi Arabia.

"I am free here. If I want to travel tomorrow, I will," Hariri told journalist Paula Yaacoubian.

"I will return to Lebanon very soon to initiate the necessary constitutional procedures," Hariri said.

Hariri, who also holds Saudi citizenship, stepped down in a televised broadcast from Riyadh on 4 November, a move that sent shockwaves throughout Lebanon and the region.

Lebanese president Michel Aoun has yet to formally accept Hariri's resignation and has said he wants to meet him in person to discuss the situation.

Just hours before Hariri's interview on Sunday, Aoun blasted the "obscure circumstances" around the resigned prime minister's stay in Riyadh.

In a statement from his office, Aoun said "Hariri's freedom has been restricted and conditions have been imposed regarding his residence and the contacts he may have, even with members of his family."

In his announcement last week, Hariri accused Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah of taking over his country and destabilising the broader region, saying he feared for his life.

Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah said on Friday that Hariri was "detained in Saudi Arabia" and "banned from returning to Lebanon".
World leaders including Narendra Modi, US president Donald Trump, Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe and several others arrived in Manila on Sunday for the Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) Summit which is extensively deliberating on evolving security challenges facing South East Asia. Speaking at the summit, Narendra Modi made a strong pitch for greater co-operation and stressed on India's 'Act East' policy.

This is the full text of the address by the Indian prime minister at ASEAN Business & Investment Summit, Manila (13 November 2017) as issued by the Ministry of External Affairs:

Mr. Joey Concepcion

Chairman, ASEAN Business Advisory Council;

Excellencies;

Ladies and Gentlemen!

At the onset, I apologise for the delay. In business, like in politics, both time and timing are very important. But sometimes despite our best efforts we cannot help it. I am delighted to be here in Manila, on my very first visit to the Philippines.

There is a lot that India and the Philippines share in common:

 We are both pluralistic societies and vibrant democracies.

 Our economies are among the fastest growing economies in the world.

 We have large, young and aspiring populations that are innovative and entreprsing.

 The Philippines is a services power house just as India is.

And, just as in India, here in Philippines also, the government wants to see change, bring about inclusive growth, Develop infrastructure, and fight corruption. No wonder so many of our top IT companies have invested here. They are creating thousands of jobs and promoting the Philippines services sector world-wide.

Friends,

This morning we witnessed a brilliant performance of the dance drama 'Rama Hari' based on the Ramayana at the Opening Ceremony of the ASEAN Summit. It depicts the way historically the people of India and ASEAN have been bound together. These are not only historical bonds. This is a living shared heritage. The Act East policy of my government puts this region at the centre of our engagement. We have exceptionally good political and people-to-people relations with each and every country in the ASEAN region. We wish to bring our economic and business relations up to the same level.

Friends,

The task of transforming India is proceeding on an unprcedented scale. We are working day and night to ensure Good Governance which includes easy, effective and transparent Governance.

To give you an example: we have started open auction for natural resources including telecom spectrum, coal mines and other minerals and even private radio channels. This has together contributed about 75 billion US dollars in revenue. Using technology, we are enhancing responsibility and reducing discretion and corruption. We are using our Unique ID system in financial transactions and taxation for this purpose and the results are already visible.

These steps, coupled with demonetization of high value notes has resulted in formalizing a large part of our economy. The number of new tax payers filing income tax returns has more than doubled. Digital transactions have increased by 34 percent in one year, as we march towards a less-cash economy. We have used technology to reach out to people. An online citizen engagement platform, MyGov has harnessed ideas, suggestions and inputs on policies and programmes from 2 million pro-active citizens.

We have also introduced a new frame-work called PRAGATI  Pro-active Governance and Timely Implemntation under which I am able to review project implemntation and redress public grievances through video conference with officials across the country. In keeping with our emphasis on minimum government and maximum governance, 1200 out-dated laws have been repealed in three years.

New laws and institutions for Bankruptcy and Insolvency as well as IPR and Arbitration are now in place. 36 white industries have been taken out from the requirement of environmental clearance. Incorporating a company is now just a one day affair. We have simplified industrial licensing, and introduced online application process for environmental and forest clearances. All these have made opening a new business very easy.The results are obvious .

India has climbed 30 places in the World Bank Ease of Doing Business Index this year. It is the biggest jump by any country this year and a recognition of India's long term reform trajectory.

And, the world is taking notice:

- We have moved up 32 places in the last two years in the Global Competi- -tiveness Index of the World Economic Forum;

- We have also moved up 21 places on the Global Innovation Index of WIPO in two years.

- We have moved 19 places on the Logistics Performance Index of 2016 of World Bank;

Friends,

Most of the sectors of our economy are now open for FDI. More than 90 per cent FDI sectors are on automatic approval route.India has emerged as a front-runner in attracting foreign direct investment. Compared to last three years, we have received 67 per cent more FDI in this year. Now, we are a globally integrated economy. Moreover, these mile-stones have been achieved even before some of the major recent reforms.

This year in July, we have implemented the highly complex task of migrating to a uniform Goods and Services Tax for the whole country. This has done away with a vast range of State level and central level taxes through-out India. This is no small achievement given the vastness and diversity of our country and the federal nature of our polity. At the same time, we strongly believe that this is not enough.

Friends, A very large part of Indias population had no access to banking services. This deprived them of the opportunities for savings as well as access to institutional credit. With the Jan Dhan Yojana, within a matter of months, the lives of millions of Indians were transformed. 197 million bank accounts were opened in one year.

Till August this year, 290 million such accounts have been opened in Indian banks. Nearly 200 million Ru-pay cards were issued for easy cash-less transactions. Access to banking services by the poor has also played a major role in tackling corruption in government. Now, subsidies meant for the poor get directly deposited into their accounts in the form of direct benefit transfers, eliminating leakages and possibility of any discrimination.

More than 146 million people are receiving direct cash subsidies through bank accounts on cooking gas alone. Today, the government is using Direct Benefit Transfers for 59 different schemes. Subsidies worth nearly 10 billion US dollars are being directly transferred to the bank accounts of the intended beneficiaries.

Friends,

One of the major themes of this summit is entrepreneur--ship We have launched a campaign called Make in India. Through this initiative, we are committed to transform India as a major player in the global value chain. We want to make India a global manufacturing hub. At the same time, we want our youth to be job creators; not just job seekers. For this purpose, we have launched drives called Start up India and Stand up India.A major constraint in freeing up the entreprsing energy of small entrepreneurs is lack of collateral for finance.

For the first time in India, collateral-free loans have been dis-bursed to more than 90 million small entrepreneurs under the Mudra scheme. Very near to the population of Philippines. This is a recognition of the contribution of small entrepreneurs in the economy and to empower a person who has a work-able business idea but no collateral. I see the importance being given to entrepreneur- -ship in the Philippines and in ASEAN region.

The ASEAN Mentor-ship for Entrepreneurs launched at this Summit is a commendable initiative that addresses another felt need of entrepreneurs. Indeed, for the near future, South and South East Asia will be the growth engine of the world.Hence, building connectivity with ASEAN is a key objective for India.

We wish to build land, sea and air connectivity to this dynamic region. Work is already on in the construction of the tri-lateral highway through Myanmar and Thailand to connect to other countries in South East Asia.

We are working on the early conclusion of the Agreement on Maritime Transport between India and ASEAN and are exploring coastal shipping services with countries that are our immediate maritime neighbours.In the area of air connectivity, ASEAN countries enjoy the facility to operate a daily service to the four metro cities in India and to eighteen other destinations.

We have taken steps such as electronic visa system to boost tourism to India. Out-bound tourism from India is growing at one of the fastest rates in the world. Given the primacy of connectivity, India is organising an ASEAN  India Connectivity Summit in New Delhi next month with Ministers, officials and business representativs from all ASEAN countries participating.

Just as India sees business opportunities in the region, I am sure that the ASEAN business community recognises the potential for business in India. While some of you are already deeply involved in India, others are just discovering the possibilities that remain to be tapped. To co-incide with the ASEAN India Comme--morative Summit of ASEAN leaders in January next year, we are also organising the ASEAN-India Business and Investment Meet and Expo.

I invite you all to attend it.It will be the biggest ASEAN focussed business event India has ever organised. India wishes to participate in your growth story and we invite all of ASEAN to participate in ours.

!

 !

Thank you!
Los Banos, Philippines: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday visited the global rice research centre in the Philippines and got a briefing from scientists at the world-famous institute which is working towards developing better quality of rice seeds to address issues relating to food scarcity.

A large number of Indian scientists are working in the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in Los Banos, an urban locality situated at a distance of around 65 kms from Manila, the capital of the Philippines.

A number of scientists at the IRRI briefed the prime minister on flood-tolerant rice varieties which they said can withstand 14-18 days of submergence and can provide 1-3 tonnes more yield per hectare in flood affected areas.

The Indian government is also setting up a regional centre of the IRRI in Varanasi, the prime ministers constituency, to develop high-yielding rice varieties.

The IRRI, which has offices in 17 countries, is known for its work in developing rice varieties that contributed to the Green Revolution in 1960s.

"The Varanasi Centre would help increase farmers' income by enhancing and supporting rice productivity, reducing cost of production, value addition, diversification and enhancement of farmers' skills," the Prime Minister's Office tweeted.

The Varanasi Centre would help increase farmers' income by enhancing and supporting rice productivity, reducing cost of production, value addition, diversification and enhancement of farmers' skills.  PMO India (@PMOIndia) November 13, 2017

Spokesperson in the external affairs ministry Raveesh Kumar said the IRRI has successfully collaborated with Indian Council for Agricultural Research to introduce drought-tolerant, flood-tolerant and salt-tolerant varieties of rice in India.

He said the IRRI and its partners have provided assistance to 2,00,000 women farmers in Odisha which included providing capacity building programmes, and improved agriculture technology.

The IRRI centre in Varanasi will help in utilising the rich biodiversity of India to develop special rice varieties.

Modi arrived in the Philippines on Sunday on a three-day visit to attend the ASEAN-India and the East Asia summits.
India on Monday signed four agreements, including one to step up cooperation in the defence sector, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte in Manila to boost bilateral ties.

The prime minister had a very warm and cordial meeting with president Duterte, Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs, Preeti Saran said. She said that the two nations signed an agreement to boost bilateral cooperation in defence and logistics. The countries also signed an agreement on enhancing cooperation in agriculture, small and medium enterprises and Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) and the Philippines Foreign Service Institute, Saran said.

Duterte expressed interest in acquiring fast offshore patrol vessels and welcomed Indian pharmaceutical companies to invest in his country to make good quality and cheaper drugs. He also said Indian infrastructure companies could explore opportunities in the Philippines.

Modi, on his part, expressed interest in expanding cooperation with the Philippines in the renewable energy sector and welcomed the country to join the Solar Alliance. He also invited Duterte to visit India to take part in the 25th anniversary of India-ASEAN relations which will be celebrated next year.

The meeting's relevance stems from the fact that Modi is the first Indian prime minister to visit the Philippines in over 36 years. This meeting between the two leaders comes in the backdrop of cordial relations between the two nations.

One of Modi's foreign policy priorities has been better relations with its Southeast Asian neighbours, with his assertion of turning the erstwhile "Look East" policy into an "Act East." This combined with strengthened ASEAN-India relations have had a positive impact on bilateral relations, with an impetus on trade and investment. This has especially been the case since the initiation of ASEAN-India Summit-level partnership and establishment of East Asia Summit, of which India is a founding member.

As Modi said in his speech at the ASEAN Summit, India and the Philippines have a lot in common; they are both pluralistic societies and a strong democratic polity. The two nations have witnessed strong service sector growth and have flourishing economies as well. Hence, trade and commerce come to the forefront of avenues that can be explored by the nations.

Trade between India and the Philippines currently stands at $1.981 billion in 2016-17. Indias exports to the Philippines amount to $1487 million and imports worth $494 million. The fact that India formally signed the Trade in Services & Trade in Investments Agreement with ASEAN in 2014 is anticipated to further boost these figures.

According to the Bureau of Immigration, the Indian community in the Philippines is estimated to be about 1,20,000. The Philippines is also beginning to emerge as a destination for Indian students.

Filipino culture also has strong Indian influences. People-to-people relations and culture, hence, are another area of exploration for the nations. As the Ministry of External Affairs has documented, significant efforts are being made in this direction by way of student exchange programs, interactions between parliamentarians, think tanks of the countries and other such ventures.

With rising tensions in the South China Sea, defence cooperation is another key sector that is crucial to this bilateral relationship. Foreign policy consultations and security dialogue meetings between the two countries have been taking place regularly to foster the same. The defence relations between India and the Philippines have chiefly centred around maritime security, ship-building and mutual training exchanges between their navies. Indian warships have also visited the Philippines every year since 2006.

With China asserting its dominance in the Indo-Pacific region, strategic engagements between India and Philippines have gained even more relevance. Even if Duterte says the South China Sea row is 'better left untouched,' he may not be left with much of a choice if matters escalate.

With inputs from agencies
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday he has put the United States and Russia on notice that Israel will continue to take military action across the frontier in Syria, even as the two powers try to build up a ceasefire there. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the weekly cabinet meeting at his office in Jerusalem November 12, 2017. REUTERS/Abir Sultan/Pool We are controlling our borders, we are protecting our country and we will continue to do so, Netanyahu said in public remarks to members of his right-wing Likud party in parliament. I have also informed our friends, firstly in Washington and also our friends in Moscow, that Israel will act in Syria, including in southern Syria, according to our understanding and according to our security needs. U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday affirmed joint efforts to stabilise Syria as its civil war wanes, including with the expansion of a July 7 truce in the southwestern triangle bordering Israel and Jordan. Israel has been lobbying both leaders to deny Iran, Lebanons Hezbollah and other Shiite militias any permanent bases in Syria, and to keep them away from the Golan Heights frontier, as they gain ground while helping Damascus beat back Sunni-led rebels. RED LINES Netanyahus remarks echoed those on Sunday by Israels regional cooperation minister, Tzachi Hanegbi, who sounded circumspect about the ceasefire deal and said Israel has set red lines and will stand firm on this. Israels military has said it has carried out around 100 strikes in Syria. Attacks have targeted suspected Hezbollah or Iranian arms depots or have come in retaliation for shelling from the Syrian-held Golan. A U.S. State Department official has said Russia had agreed to work with the Syrian regime to remove Iranian-backed forces a defined distance from the Golan Heights frontier with Israel, which captured the plateau in the 1967 Middle East war. The move, according to one Israeli official briefed on the arrangement, is meant to keep rival factions inside Syria away from each other, but it would effectively keep Iranian-linked forces at various distances from the Israel-held Golan as well. Those distances would range from as little as 5-7 kilometres (3-4 miles) and up to around 30 km (18 miles) depending on current rebel positions on the Syrian Golan, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue.

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
MADRID (Reuters) - Catalonias deposed president said he might consider a solution to Spains political crisis that did not involve the regions secession, appearing to soften the staunchly pro-independence stance that cost him his leadership last month. FILE PHOTO: Sacked Catalan President Carles Puigdemont gestures after leaving a restaurant the day after the Catalan regional parliament declared independence from Spain in Girona, Spain, October 28, 2017. REUTERS/Rafael Marchante/File PhotoIn an interview with Belgian daily Le Soir, Carles Puigdemont was asked if a non-secessionist option was on the table to resolve a crisis triggered when Spain took over control of the region after its parliament declared independence on Oct. 27. Im ready, and have always been ready, to accept the reality of another relationship with Spain ... It (another solution) is still possible, Puigdemont said. I have, being pro-independence all my life, worked for 30 years to have another way of Catalonia being anchored to Spain, he added, giving no details of what form such a relationship could take. He posted a link to the interview, which was published on Monday, on his Twitter feed. The former president is in self-imposed exile in Belgium after running an independence campaign that prompted authorities in Madrid to fire his cabinet, dissolve the regional parliament and call new elections for December. Puigdemont, who had previously insisted the independence declaration should form the basis of any political negotiations with Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, is under conditional release after an international arrest warrant was served against him. He and four other former members of the Catalan government with him in Belgium face charges of rebellion and sedition. THERE WAS NO ALTERNATIVE Rajoy has said he was open to talks with Catalan leaders on resolving Spains worst political crisis since its return to democracy four decades ago, but only within a legal framework and after the independence drive was dropped as a condition. In an interview with German newspaper Handelsblatt published on Monday, Rajoy said the position of the former Catalan leaders focused on the independence vote and gave little room beyond that for debate. Many blame me for not seeking political solutions. But Ive been in politics for a long time and ... there was no alternative, Rajoy said, adding that the Catalan crisis was the largest problem he had had to face as prime minister. He said had tried to reach a compromise with the regional government, but it was impossible. The government of Catalonia had only one goal - the independence referendum, he said. The Spanish government has called regional elections for Dec. 21, and Puigdemonts PDeCAT has failed to agree on a united ticket with other secessionist party, the ERC, denting the pro-independence camps hopes of uniting behind the secessionist cause. The head of the ERC and former deputy to Puigdemont, Oriol Junqueras, will campaign for his party from a prison cell after being detained with other cabinet members who remained in Spain and pending trial on sedition and rebellion charges. According to an opinion poll released last week, independence supporters would win the election if they ran on a joint ticket, though probably short of a parliamentary majority.

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Pyongyang: Pyongyang's ruling Workers' Party of Korea on Monday pushed for improved production in various sectors, including agriculture, livestock and fishery, in response to sanctions imposed by the UN.

In an article on the state-run Rodong Sinmun daily, the party said that unlike the US which banks on its military assets, North Korea depends on its natural resources, reports Efe news.

"The US imperialists say ICBMs (inter-continental ballistic missile), strategic bombers and nuclear submarines are their top three strategic assets. But ours are Gold Mountains, Gold Fields and Gold Seas," the article said.

It also criticised the latest international sanctions against the country saying they were designed to deprive the North Korean people of their joy, laughter, dreams and future.

After the latest nuclear test by the country on 3 September, the UN Security Council unanimously approved sanctions to cripple North Korea economically, including limits on its imports of petroleum products and banning the export of its textiles.

China, the main trading partner of the isolated Asian country, has apparently tightened the sanctions further, with restrictions on the sale of hydrocarbons and the gradual closing of North Korean businesses on Chinese territory.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson had said last week in Beijing that China has shared information with the US that indicates that the latest sanctions have further weakened the North Korean economy.
A 7.3 magnitude earthquake shook the mountainous Iran-Iraq border killing scores of people, injuring hundreds more and triggering landslides that were hindering the rescue effort, officials said.

However, media reports currently show conflicting death tolls, with AFP reporting that 135 people have been killed in the earthquake and IANS reporting a death toll of 90.

Footage posted on Twitter showed panicked people fleeing a building in Sulaimaniyah, northern Iraq, as windows shattered at the moment the quake struck late on Sunday, while images from the nearby town of Darbandikhan showed major walls and concrete structures had collapsed.

Iranian state broadcaster IRIB said 129 were dead in an updated toll posted on its website, while the official IRNA news agency said some 300 people had been injured, adding that the toll was expected to rise.

"We are in the process of setting up three emergency relief camps," said Mojtaba Nikkerdar, the deputy governor of Iran's Kermanshah province.

The quake hit 30 kilometres southwest of Halabja in Iraqi Kurdistan at around 9.20 pm, when many people would have been at home, the US Geological Survey said.

Iran's emergency services chief Pir Hossein Koolivand said it was "difficult to send rescue teams to the villages because the roads have been cut off... there have been landslides."

The worst-hit towns in Iran were Qasr-e Shirin in Kermanshah and Azgaleh, about 40 kilometres northwest, IRNA said.

It added that 30 Red Cross teams had been sent to the quake zone, parts of which had experienced power cuts.

In Iraq, officials said the quake had killed six people in Sulaimaniyah province and injured around 150.

In the Iraqi province of Sulaimaniyah, residents ran out onto the streets and some damage to property was reported, an AFP reporter there said.

"Four people were killed by the earthquake" in Darbandikhan, the town's mayor Nasseh Moulla Hassan told AFP.

A child and an elderly person were killed in Kalar, according to the director of the hospital in the town about 70 kilometres south of Darbandikhan, and 105 people injured.

The quake, which struck at a relatively shallow depth of 25 kilometres, was felt for about 20 seconds in Baghdad, and for longer in other provinces of Iraq, AFP journalists said.

On the Iranian side of the border, the tremor shook several cities in the west of the country including Tabriz.

It was also felt in southeastern Turkey, "from Malatya to Van", an AFP correspondent said. In the town of Diyarbakir, residents were reported to have fled their homes.

The quake struck along a 1,500 kilometre fault line between the Arabian and Eurasian tectonic plates, a belt extending through western Iran and into northeastern Iraq.

The area sees frequent seismic activity.

A catastrophic quake that struck Bam, in Iran, in 2003 killed at least 31,000 people and flattened the city.

Since then, Iran has experienced at least two major quake disasters, one in 2005 that killed more than 600 and another in 2012 that left some 300 dead.

More recently, a 5.7-magnitude earthquake near Iran's border with Turkmenistan in May killed two people, injured hundreds and caused widespread damage.

With inputs from agencies
When a great power rises, it creates ripples across the fabric of international relationships, disrupting the status quo and (sometimes) forcing drifters to converge. And so it is that senior officials from India, Japan, Australia and the US met on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit in Manila on Sunday as the quadrilateral security dialogue took shape, rising phoenix-like from 10-year-old embers to signal the first official pushback against a revanchist China.

'The quad' is still little more than a concept. It is not a military alliance like the NATO. Though China's coercive behaviour has forced "like-minded democracies" to converge, it's still an amorphous alliance with an inclusive agenda. And just as well, because a 10-year hiatus demands that the bar shouldn't be set too high.

The quad champions multilateralism  as against China's unilateralism  and offers a model that is quintessentially antithetical to the Chinese prototype. In that sense, the quad is not only a formulation of strategic deterrence but a mechanism to provide more and better options to regional powers.

The near-term aim of the quad, therefore, is not "containment" of any country (though it may certainly be perceived as such in Beijing), but to ensure that the Asia Pacific and Indian Ocean regions remain free and open for multilateral trade and commerce. Its stress remains on a rules-based order, connectivity ventures are not fuelled by "predatory" funding, and disputes are mitigated peacefully in accord with international jurisprudence.

The four-way dialogue sensibly resumed with a senior official-level interaction with a hint that it could witness a ministerial-level upgrade in the near future.

The Indian side, according to a report on The Times of India, was represented by Pranay Verma, joint secretary in charge of East Asia, and Vinay Kumar, joint secretary (south). Alice Wells was the US representative while Satoshi Suzuki, deputy minister for foreign policy, represented Japan. The newspaper quoted a member as saying that the dialogue was "constructive".

Though a start has been made, which is important, much will depend on interoperability, cooperation and convergence. Each of the sovereigns will face internal and external pressures and the challenge lies in finding areas of mutual interest amid inevitable roadblocks. The 2007 dialogue died a premature death when Kevin Rudd-led Australia buckled under Chinese pressure, as did the UPA government in India which strived to stay within the good books of China and subsequently kept Japan out of the annual naval exercise with the US.

If the expectation was that this will placate Chinese nerves and forestall an arms race in the region, that was belied. Collapse of the quad, say analysts, incentivised China's coercive behavior. Beijing quickly turned territorial ambition into a template in the absence of pushback mechanisms.

Professor Rory Medcalf, head of national security college at the Australian National University, argued in the Australia-based Financial Review that abandonment of the security dialogue in 2007 was to preempt Chinese paranoia and prevent its military modernisation, but "rather than placate Beijing, such acquiescence" ended up fuelling Beijing's ambition. "The region has seen increasingly unsettling Chinese strategic behaviour for most of the decade since. All the bad things the quad would supposedly provoke have occurred in its absence. The fact that China and those who seem to privilege its perspective are allergic to the idea of the quad confirms that it is an option worth keeping in mind for balancing Chinese influence."

Though this provides a useful convergence platform for "like-minded democracies" to share notes, a look at the press releases of the four nations reveals subtle differences in agenda that must be factored into future dialogue mechanisms. Interestingly, India has assumed a more reserved stance among the four, and its language is more circumspect and ambiguous compared to the rest.

Following the first 'quad' dialogue, while the American and Australian statements mentioned "freedom of navigation" and "overflight in Indo-Pacific" as operative principles, Japan stressed on "ensuring freedom of navigation and maritime security". The statement by India's Ministry of External Affairs had no mention of these words.

Similarly, while the US, Australia and Japan mentioned "respect for international law in the Indo-Pacific", these words were again missing from the Indian statement. India also lacked the inclination to highlight "maritime security in the Indo-Pacific", words that found specific mention in the other three statements.

What India had instead was stress on the word "inclusive". Agreement has been reached, said the MEA, that a "free, open, prosperous and inclusive Indo-Pacific region serves the long-term interests of all countries in the region and of the world at large". Australia, Japan or the US didn't stress on inclusiveness as a key 'quad' agenda, which raises some questions about the convergence of purpose.

To a certain extent, Indian scepticism is fuelled by both far history and near developments. The institutionalised memory of non-alignment (which has taken a more avant garde approach in "strategic autonomy" under Narendra Modi) still continues to guide the tenets of Indian foreign policy.

In the near-term, Donald Trump continues to inject lethal doses of unpredictability in US foreign policy  as witnessed during his maiden China trip where he seemed to be veering towards a G2 equation  and therefore India has thought it prudent to take a more cautious approach. Following Trump's meeting with Xi Jinping, for instance, the South China Morning Post had noted that "China's Silk Road Fund, a unit under the People's Bank of China to promote the Belt and Road international trade initiative, will set up a joint fund with the US". A pivot within a pivot serves no one's interest.

During a media briefing on 27 October, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar had been at pains to clarify that the 'quad' is little more than one more addition to several such trilateral or multilateral mechanisms that India follows, and any collective pivot will have to take on board India's self interest. This conflict is understandable.

Much as there is a need to contain China's assertiveness and restore the power balance in Asia, India won't gain by making an enemy out of China. It remains to be seen how the quad resolves these intractable differences.
Yangon, Myanmar: When Aung San Suu Kyi led the fight for democracy against Myanmar's despotic military rulers two decades ago, she bristled at the collective reluctance of Southeast Asian governments to intervene in her nation's plight.

In a newspaper editorial published in 1999, the former opposition leader slammed the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, saying its "policy of non-interference is just an excuse for not helping."

"In this day and age," she wrote in an editorial in Thailand's The Nation newspaper on July 13 of that year, "you cannot avoid interference in the matters of other countries."

Today, Suu Kyi leads Myanmar. And when she attends the ASEAN summit in Manila on Monday, she's likely to be counting on the bloc to keep silent while her government engages in a crackdown on Rohingya Muslims using tactics the UN has described as ethnic cleansing to force them to leave the Buddhist-majority country. It's unclear whether the crisis will be on ASEAN's official agenda, although Malaysia and Indonesia are likely to bring it up in talks on the meeting's sidelines. Bangladesh, where more than 6,00,000 Rohingya have arrived since late August, is not part of ASEAN.

But little is expected to be done.

"ASEAN summits are not designed to actually construct policy responses to major human rights issues that affect the whole region," said David Mathieson, a former human rights researcher who is now an independent analyst based in Myanmar. "Right now, Suu Kyi's government is benefiting from ASEAN's culture of inaction."

The refugee crisis began 25 August after Rohingya insurgents attacked several Myanmar police posts in northern Rakhine state. Security forces responded with brutal "clearance operations" that human rights groups say killed hundreds of people and left hundreds of Rohingya villages burned to the ground. Survivors have described arson, rape and shootings by Myanmar soldiers and Buddhist mobs for the purpose of forcing Rohinya to leave.

Myanmar has long denied them citizenship and most people insist the Rohingya are illegal immigrants though they've lived in Myanmar for generations.

Suu Kyi was awarded the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize for her "non-violent struggle for democracy and human rights," in the words of the Nobel committee, but has been reluctant to defend the Rohingya. In a September speech, Suu Kyi asked for patience from the international community and suggested the refugees were partly responsible for the crisis. She also tried to play down the gravity of the exodus, saying more than half of the Rohingya villages in Myanmar had not been destroyed.

Though Suu Kyi has been the de facto head of Myanmar's civilian government since her party swept elections in 2015, she is limited in her control of the country by a constitution written by the military junta that ruled Myanmar for decades. The military is in charge of the operations in northern Rakhine, and ending them is not up to Suu Kyi.

Still, her government has staunchly defended the army's actions. When the UN Security Council last week called for Myanmar to "end the excessive military force and inter-communal violence that had devastated the Rohingya community," Suu Kyi's office responded that it regretted the council's statement. In an apparent reference to China, which has backed Myanmar, the government praised Security Council members who "upheld the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of sovereign countries."

Non-interference has long been a bedrock of ASEAN, which celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2017.

Myanmar presidential spokesman Zaw Htay said he did not know what would be discussed at the summit this week, so "we can't say how we are going to respond to it."

Chandra Widya Yudha, director of the ASEAN Political and Security Cooperation at Indonesia's Foreign Ministry, told AP that his government would address the Rohingya crisis at the meeting. "We cannot keep silent because we have to help them," Yudha said.

Malaysia in particular has been critical of Myanmar's disproportionate use of force. Earlier in November, the predominantly Muslim country dissociated itself from an ASEAN statement expressing concern over the crisis because it said the statement misrepresented the reality of the situation, omitted reference to Rohingya Muslims as one of the affected communities and was not based on consensus.

Khin Zaw Win, a Yangon-based political analyst, said that both Myanmar's previous military junta and Suu Kyi's government have benefited from ASEAN's reticence, but that the bloc should "take a firmer position" on the Rohingya issue. "It has to be taken up if ASEAN is to remain credible," he said.

Writing in The Nation in 1999, Suu Kyi said that when ASEAN invokes the principle of non-interference, it does so "not with a clear conscience."

"They are afraid that there may be some aspects of their countries that might invite criticism," she said. "Our position is that if they have problems that invite legitimate criticism, let there be criticism. If not, they have nothing to fear."
Manila: Donald Trump was all fingers and thumbs during a carefully choreographed photo op on Monday at a summit of world leaders, failing to grasp whose hands he was supposed to be holding and breaking a lineup intended to showcase unity.

Trump, whose insurgent election victory was built on his willingness to disrupt political convention, was supposed to cross his arms and join hands with the men on either side of him.

But as others clutched the hands of the person to their left and their right, Trump used both of his hands to clasp the extended fingers of Vietnam prime minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

The doubling up left summit host Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte with a spare hand  and broke the line into two parts.

The handshake chain is a set piece of gatherings of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), who are meeting with leaders from China, the US, Russia, New Zealand, Australia, India, Canada, Japan and South Korea.

After an awkward few seconds, Trump appeared to recognise his error and made the link between Nguyen and Duterte.

Trump is on the final leg of a tour of Asia that has taken in Japan, South Korea, China and Vietnam.

The famously bullish former businessman has largely avoided the kind of protocol pitfalls that can ensnare even the most careful traveller in this often formal part of the world.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. appeals court in California on Monday let part of President Donald Trumps latest travel ban go into effect, ruling that the government can bar entry of people from six Muslim-majority countries if they have no connections to the United States. FILE PHOTO - President Trump attends a state dinner at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. REUTERS/Thomas PeterThe San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals partially granted a Trump administration request to block a lower court decision that had put the new ban on hold. The interim decision means the ban will apply to people from Iran, Libya, Syria, Yemen, Somalia and Chad who do not have connections to the United States. Those connections are defined as family relationships and formal, documented relationships with U.S.-based entities such as resettlement agencies and universities. The ruling does not affect people from the two other countries listed in Trumps ban, North Korea and Venezuela. The state of Hawaii sued to block the latest travel restrictions, arguing that federal immigration law did not give Trump the authority to impose them on six of those countries. U.S. District Judge Derrick Watson in Honolulu ruled last month that Hawaii was likely to succeed in proving that Trumps latest travel ban violated federal immigration law. Trumps latest ban, announced on Sept. 24, was the third version of a policy that targeted several Muslim-majority countries but had been restricted by the courts. The 9th Circuit is due to hear oral arguments in the case on Dec. 6. In a parallel case from Maryland, a judge also ruled against the Trump administration and partially blocked the ban from going into effect. An appeal in the Maryland case is being heard on Dec. 8 by the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia.

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. appeals court in California on Monday let part of President Donald Trumps latest travel ban go into effect, ruling that the government can bar entry of people from six Muslim-majority countries if they have no connections to the United States. FILE PHOTO - President Trump attends a state dinner at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. REUTERS/Thomas PeterA three-judge panel of the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals partially granted a Trump administration request to block at least temporarily a judges ruling that had put the new ban on hold. Trumps ban was announced on Sept. 24 and replaced two previous versions that had been impeded by federal courts. The action means the ban will apply to people from Iran, Libya, Syria, Yemen, Somalia and Chad who do not have connections to the United States. Those connections are defined as family relationships and formal, documented relationships with U.S.-based entities such as universities and resettlement agencies. Those with family relationships that would allow entry include grandparents, grandchildren, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins of people in the United States. The ruling does not affect people from the two other countries listed in Trumps ban, North Korea and Venezuela. The state of Hawaii, which sued to block the restrictions, argued that federal immigration law did not give Trump the authority to impose them on six of those countries. U.S. District Judge Derrick Watson in Honolulu ruled last month that Hawaii was likely to succeed with that argument. Trump issued his first travel ban targeting several Muslim-majority countries in January, just a week after he took office, and then issued a revised one after the first was blocked by the courts. The second one expired in September after a long court fight and was replaced with another revised version. Trump has said the travel ban is needed to protect the United States from terrorism by Muslim militants. As a candidate, Trump had promised a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States. Critics of the travel ban in its various iterations call it a Muslim ban that violates the U.S. Constitution by discriminating on the basis of religion. The 9th Circuit is due to hear oral arguments in the case on Dec. 6. In a parallel case from Maryland, a judge also ruled against the Trump administration and partially blocked the ban from going into effect. An appeal in the Maryland case is being heard on Dec. 8 by the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia. The Maryland case was brought by the American Civil Liberties Union, which represents several advocacy groups, including the International Refugee Assistance Project. In announcing the newest travel restrictions, the White House had portrayed them as necessary consequences for countries that did not meet new requirements for vetting of immigrants and issuing of visas. Those requirements were shared in July with foreign governments, which had 50 days to make improvements if needed, the White House said. A number of countries made improvements by enhancing the security of travel documents or the reporting of passports that were lost or stolen, the administration has said. Others did not, sparking the restrictions. The Justice Department and Hawaii state officials could not immediately be reached for comment.

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
LONDON (Reuters) - British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson issued a second, fuller apology on Monday for remarks about an Iranian-British aid worker jailed in Iran that critics said might have prompted Iran to extend her prison sentence. Britain's Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson arrives at a European Union foreign ministers' meeting in Brussels, Belgium, November 13, 2017. REUTERS/Yves HermanNazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a project manager with the Thomson Reuters Foundation, was sentenced to five years after being convicted by an Iranian court of plotting to overthrow the clerical establishment. She denies the charges. Johnson told a parliamentary committee on Nov. 1 that she had been teaching people journalism before her arrest in April 2016, contradicting her and her employer, who said she had been on holiday visiting her family. It was my mistake. I should have been clearer. I apologise for the distress and anguish that has been caused to Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe and her family, Johnson told lawmakers on Monday. Our priority now is to do everything we can to get her out of Iran on humanitarian grounds. On Nov. 7 Johnson said in the course of an exchange with an opposition MP in parliament that I am sorry if any words of mine have been so taken out of context and so misconstrued as to cause any kind of anxiety for the family. Opposition British lawmakers had said the remarks could land the aid worker a longer term in jail. Johnson, whose job has come under pressure over the case, said he would meet Zaghari-Ratcliffes husband this week, adding that the issue was casting a shadow over relations with Iran. I shall travel to Iran myself later this year to review the full state of our bilateral relations and to drive home the strength of feeling in this House and in the country at large, Johnson said. Earlier on Monday, the government said it was considering granting diplomatic protection to Zaghari-Ratcliffe as part of an effort to secure her release from jail. It is unclear how such protection could be offered retrospectively to a dual Iranian-British citizen, or whether such a move could help to secure her release, but a spokesman for Prime Minister Theresa May said it was one option being considered. The prime minister has been involved with this case from the outset, shes raised it with the Iranian president on at least two occasions, the entire government is working towards securing her release as quickly as possible, he said. A legal opinion prepared for the human rights charity Redress on Zaghari-Ratcliffes case said the British government could grant her diplomatic protection as she is predominantly a British citizen who has been denied a fair trial. It is unclear how Tehran would view such a step, which would explicitly make Zaghari-Ratcliffes fate an issue in state-to-state relations rather than a purely consular case. BARGAINING CHIP Zaghari-Ratcliffes fate become a major political issue in Britain after Johnson made remarks on Nov. 1 that appeared to cast doubt on statements from her employer. The Thomson Reuters Foundation, a charity organisation that is independent of Thomson Reuters and operates independently of Reuters News, said she had been on holiday and had not been teaching journalism in Iran. Iranian state television said Johnsons comments showed Zaghari-Ratcliffes guilt and that she was involved in spying. Her husband, Richard Ratcliffe, said the case had become a bargaining chip for Iran in its relations with Britain, and that it would not be helpful for Johnson to resign. He has asked to come with Johnson on a trip to Tehran planned for later this year and called for her to be given diplomatic protection. Nazanin is being held because she is British and is being used as a bargaining chip against the UK, now justified by your words, he said in an article in the Evening Standard newspaper. Nazanin is no longer simply a consular case as she has been endangered in a deeper way, he wrote. He added the uncertainty had affected his wifes health and she had gone to hospital for tests after finding lumps on her breasts, which the specialist thought were benign and stress-related. British ministers have rallied round Johnson but one of his allies, Environment Secretary Michael Gove, was accused of muddying the waters in a television interview on Sunday when he said he did not know what Zaghari-Ratcliffe was doing in Iran.

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Manila: A day after being criticised by President Donald Trump, a former CIA director questioned whether Russian president Vladimir Putin was manipulating Trump with flattery during the president's lengthy trip to Asia.

Trump's trip was meant to be centered on trade and North Korea, and on Monday, he will talk with Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte, who has overseen a bloody drug war that has featured extrajudicial killings. But Trump remains dogged by things he has said, and not said, about Russia.

He tried to have it both ways Sunday on the issue of Russian interference in last year's presidential race, saying he believes both the US intelligence agencies when they say Russia meddled and Putin's sincerity in claiming that his country did not.

"I believe that he feels that he and Russia did not meddle in the election," Trump said in Hanoi, Vietnam.

"As to whether I believe it, I'm with our agencies," Trump said. "As currently led by fine people, I believe very much in our intelligence agencies."

But just a day earlier, he had lashed out at the former heads of the US intelligence agencies, dismissing them as "political hacks" and claiming there were plenty of reasons to be suspicious of their findings that Russia meddled to help Trump defeat Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Former CIA director John Brennan, appearing Sunday on CNN's "State of the Union" with former national intelligence director James Clapper, said Trump was deriding them in an attempt to "delegitimize" the intelligence community's assessment.

"I think Putin is very clever in terms of playing to Trump's interest in being flattered. And also I think Trump is, for whatever reason, either intimidated by Mr. Putin, afraid of what he could do or what might come out as a result of these investigations," Brennan said.

Clapper called the threat from Russia "manifest and obvious."

"To try to paint it in any other way is, I think, astounding and, in fact, poses a peril to this country," he said on CNN.

Brennan said Trump's ambiguity on Russia's involvement was "very, very worrisome from a national security standpoint."

"I think he's giving Putin a pass and I think it demonstrates to Putin that Donald Trump can be played by foreign leaders who are going to appeal to his ego and play upon his securities," Brennan said.

Questions about whether Trump believes the assessment about Russian election-meddling have trailed him since January, when he said for the first time, shortly before taking office, that he accepted that Russia was behind the election-year hacking of Democrats that roiled the White House race.

A special counsel's examination of potential collusion between Moscow and Trump campaign aides so far has led to indictments against Trump's former campaign chairman and another top aide for crimes unrelated to the campaign, and a guilty plea from a Trump foreign policy adviser for lying to the FBI.

Multiple congressional committees are also investigating.

Trump told reporters traveling with him to Hanoi on Saturday that Putin had again vehemently denied the allegations. The two spoke during an economic conference in Danang, Vietnam. Trump danced around questions about whether he believed Putin but stressed Putin's denials.

"Every time he sees me, he says: 'I didn't do that.' And I believe  I really believe  that when he tells me that, he means it," Trump said, arguing that it makes no sense for him to belabor the issue when Russia could help the US on North Korea, Syria and other issues.

In Hanoi on Sunday, Trump also pointed to sanctions the US has imposed on Russia as punishment for election meddling. "They were sanctioned at a very high level, and that took place very recently," he said. "It's now time to get back to healing a world that is shattered and broken."

Trump was originally slated to depart Manila for Washington on Monday. He added a day to the schedule amid criticism that he would have missed the final summit.

In addition to meeting with Duterte, Trump is expected to attend the Association for Southeast Asian Nations conference on Monday to urge allies to pressure North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons program. And he is expected, in meetings with other leaders, to push his agenda for bilateral, rather than multinational, trade agreements.
Ultimate Ears, a brand of Logitech today has launched the MEGABOOM portable wireless speaker in India. It comes with 360-degree sound with deep; it also has a waterproof design and a companion Android and iOS app to unlock more controls like musical alarm, fully customizable sound and remote On/Off.

The Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM comes with Google Assistant and Siri Voice assistant support and be controlled via them, and it lets you connect speakers as well. The maximum sound levels can go up to 90dBA with a frequency range of 65Hz  20kHz and has a wireless range of FEET. The company claims that it can last up to 20 hours on a single charge. The MEGABOOM speaker is also waterproof and can be carried anywhere.

The Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM comes in Lava Red and Black Charcoal and is priced at Rs. 19,995. It will be available in the India from November 20, 2017.

Commenting on the launch, said Ashok Jangra, Cluster Category Head  Logitech India & SWA said:
DUBAI, Nov 12 (Reuters) - Bombardier Inc is in talks to reshuffle Delta Air Line CSeries delivery slots with other customers in case a trade dispute holds up the U.S. carrier's order, a senior executive said on Sunday.

A U.S. trade commission will decide in early 2018 on whether to impose duties of nearly 300 percent on the CSeries, after Boeing complained the planes had been subsidized and sold below cost in the United States.

Delta, which ordered 75 CSeries jets in 2016, and Bombardier have each said they are unwilling to swallow the duties.

"We are looking at alternative opportunities for aircraft to be delivered to other customers," Bombardier Commercial Aircraft President Fred Cromer told Reuters at the Dubai Airshow.

He declined to name who Bombardier was in talks with, but said the Canadian company intended to deliver the 40 to 45 CSeries jets it had said it would in 2018 even if the Delta order was held up.

Cromer did not say how many CSeries jets Delta was scheduled to take next year. A Bombardier spokeswoman was not immediately able to provide the number.

CSeries customers include Air Canada, Lufthansa and Latvia's AirBaltic.

Airbus agreed in October to take a majority stake in Bombardiers troubled CSeries jetliner program, and has said any CSeries jets intended for the U.S. market would be built at its production facility in Alabama, potentially allowing the planes to avoid punitive duties.

(Reporting by Alexander Cornwell; Editing by Susan Fenton)
Born Amish and raised in a conservative household, Regina Bauman, founder of the Tennessee-based Urban Southern, used her values as inspiration for the handcrafted leather bag startup.

The focus was on simplicity, on not having a lot of things, only having the things that were necessary, that were quality, Bauman tells Fox News. When I am designing a bag I am thinking about her, the everyday woman who is going to use the bag.

Bauman, who married a third-generation leather smith, decided to open Urban Southern in 2016.

Despite her work ethic and clear vision for the company, starting a business was all new to Bauman. The first year I really thought it might fail because I kind of had this idea that I would put up this website and put it out there and people would just find it and buy things. And that didnt happen," she says.

It wasn't until Bauman's cousin, Meg Delagrange, called her up one day with an idea to work together, that the business really began to make strides. To help tell Urban Southerns story, Delagrange suggested embracing their Amish upbringing. "We could tell this story of how we were born Amish and we can have a brand for women who have overcome some interesting things in life," says Delagrange.

Rolling up their sleeves, Bauman and Delagrange redesigned the website and focused on their new story. Their hard work paid off when they received an email inviting them to New York Fashion Week, changing Urban Sotherns trajectory once again.

"Before we knew it, we were at our one-year anniversary and we crossed our first six-figure goal in sales. And we looked and thought, this is unbelievable, we really have something here," says Delagrange.

A little more than a year from opening its doors, Urban Southerns business is booming and thanks to a mix old school craftsmanship, Amish values and entrepreneurial drive, the brand has carved a space for itself as a leader in the leather space.

"In our business we are sharing our stories and being personal... and leather just kind of grows on you, especially if you take a piece of leather and you and carry it with you every day, it kind of takes on a part of your story," says Bauman.

Be sure to watch Urban Southerns full story above.
As empires fall, brands rise.

No longer buoyed by Napoleonic empire-making and the power the French language once commanded, the French have honed new ways to exert cultural influence in a rapidly-changing, globalized world: brand diplomacy.

The opening of the Louvre Abu Dhabi over the weekend is the latest example of how traditional French cultural diplomacy is being supplanted by brand politics: Abu Dhabi bought the rights to use the Paris museum's famous name at a price tag of over $500 million over three decades.

This example of "soft power" goes beyond museum names such as the future Shanghai Pompidou Center  and can be seen in the exporting of Sorbonne's academic reputation, the proliferation of Christian Dior boutiques in Asia, the increasingly popular fizz of Moet & Chandon champagne, the cuisine of master chef Alain Ducasse and Louis Vuitton's status handbags.

"It used to be by the military, like for Napoleon. Today, there are other means of influence abroad," Laurent Stefanini, France's ambassador to UNESCO, the UN's cultural body, told The Associated Press.

"The fact is that the big known institutions are exporting themselves  exporting their products, exporting their collections, exporting their savoir-faire," he added, saying that the French Foreign Ministry has ramped up efforts to promote France via its luxury and gastronomy in a concerted strategy in recent years.

While there was some grumbling about the commercialization of French cultural heritage when the Louvre Abu Dhabi project was launched, today it's hard to find anyone critical of France's effort to capitalize on the unique reputation of its museums and luxury traditions to draw people into French culture.

"Private institutions ... are playing a more important role as of the last few years," Jack Lang, an influential former French culture minister who now heads the Arab World Institute in Paris, said in an interview.

Kering and LVMH  the huge parent companies for brands such as Saint Laurent, Dior and Vuitton as well as many Champagnes and spirits  have a near stranglehold on the luxury markets in every global region and jointly had sales of $58 billion in 2016.

"Foreign citizens might recognize France now by its brands and names... that's a good thing. It's an opening. This path will lead them to writers; to the technology that's advancing in many domains," added Lang.

Lang said that over the last decade the French state has cut funding to the traditional means of promoting French language and culture abroad, such as the Lycee Francais schools, amid the dominance of the English language.

The chefs, designers and curators are very much aware that they are modern day cultural ambassadors.

"The Louvre Abu Dhabi is... recognition of French expertise and the renown of the Louvre museum. So, yes, we are both very proud that the Louvre name bears these values (as) a new way for France to speak to the world," Louvre President Jean-Luc Martinez told The AP.

Fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier said that the role of luxury clothes has changed and they increasingly represent the countries from which they're made.

"Clothes are ... a kind of ambassador that speaks visually, and effectively represents the French savoir-faire," Gaultier said.

Michelin-starred Alain Ducasse said: "You have to accept it. Eating well is part of the image of France."

A symphony of popping Champagne corks echoed across the Versailles Palace in the presence of dozens of country ambassadors in 2015, as the French Foreign Ministry used chef Ducasse and his name to launch an annual global French food event called "Good France."

From Beijing to Rio de Janeiro and in France itself, over a thousand chefs across five continents minced their steak tartares, salted their foie gras and flamed their creme brulees simultaneously.

Despite the merriment, the moment reflected a serious shift in strategy under former Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius in how France would now promote itself abroad through its brands in the gastronomic, cultural and luxury industries.

The French strategy has impressed some across the English channel that think the U.K. must do the same in order for British culture to continue to wield global power.

The Director of London's Victoria and Albert Museum, Tristram Hunt, recently wrote in British media that the Louvre Abu Dhabi opening marked a shift in the European balance of cultural influence, and that post-Brexit Britain needs to be thinking along the same lines or risk losing influence.

"I'm sure that big British institutions like the British Museum, like the Victoria and Albert and others, will also find this path and catch us up," Stefanini said.

More broadly, Stefanini said that it takes more than a famous name to be successful in this strategy of brand diplomacy.

He pointed out that the French gastronomic meal was declared a part of World Heritage for UNESCO in 2010.

"Soft power has influence... But we are successful because the products are good," he said.

Visitors to the French capital recognize this, too.

"Paris itself is a brand and it's marketed as a brand," said Marylee Adler, 28, from Ohio, as she walked outside the Louis Vuitton store on the Champs-Elysees avenue. "No other city in the world has that same immediate associations of luxury and gastronomy and culture... They're playing to their strengths."

___

Thomas Adamson can be followed at Twitter.com/ThomasAdamson_K
Billionaire Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates is to invest $50 million in the Dementia Discovery Fund, a venture capital fund that brings together industry and government to seek treatments for the brain-wasting disease.

The investment is not part of Gates' philanthropic Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and will be followed with another $50 million in a number of start-up ventures working in Alzheimer's research, Gates said.

With rapidly rising numbers of people suffering from Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia, the disease is taking a growing emotional and financial toll as people live longer, Gates told Reuters in an interview.

"It's a huge problem, a growing problem, and the scale of the tragedy - even for the people who stay alive - is very high," he said.

Despite decades of scientific research, there is no treatment that can slow the progression of Alzheimer's. Current drugs can do no more than ease some of the symptoms.

Gates said, however, that with focused and well-funded innovation, he's "optimistic" treatments can be found, even if they might be more than a decade away.

"It'll take probably 10 years before new theories are tried enough times to give them a high chance of success. So it's very hard to hazard a guess (when an effective drug might be developed).

"I hope that in the next 10 years that we have some powerful drugs, but it's possible that won't be achieved."

Dementia, of which Alzheimer's is the most common form, affects close to 50 million people worldwide and is expected to affect more than 131 million by 2050, according to the non-profit campaign group Alzheimers Disease International.

The DDF, which was launched in 2015 and involves drugmakers GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson & Johnson, Eli Lilly, Pfizer and Biogen Idec as well as the UK government, has already invested in at least nine start-up companies investigating potential ways to stop or reverse the biological processes that lead to dementia.

Gates told Reuters the additional $50 million would be put into start-ups working on some "less mainstream" approaches to the disease, but said he had not yet identified these companies.

The philanthropist, whose usual focus is on infectious diseases in poorer countries, said Alzheimer's disease caught his interest partly for personal reasons, and partly because it has so far proved such a tough nut to crack.

"I know how awful it is to watch people you love struggle as the disease robs them of their mental capacity... It feels a lot like you're experiencing a gradual death of the person that you knew," he said in a blog post about the dementia investments.

He added: "Some of the men in my family have suffered from Alzheimer's, but I wouldn't say that's the sole reason" (for this investment).

Through talking to experts in the field over the past year, Gates said he had identified five areas of need: Understanding better how Alzheimer's unfolds, detecting and diagnosing it earlier, pursuing multiple approaches to trying to halt the disease, making it easier for people to take part in clinical trials of potential new medicines, and using data better.

"My background at Microsoft and my (Gates) Foundation background say to me that a data-driven contribution might be an area where I can help add some value," he said.

Alongside the $50 million investment in DDF and the additional $50 million planned for start-ups, Gates said he would like to award a grant to build a global dementia data platform. This would make it easier for researchers to look for patterns and identify new pathways for treatment, he said.

(Editing by Dan Grebler)
President Donald Trump announced his decision on Twitter Monday morning to nominate Alex Azar as U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary.

Happy to announce, I am nominating Alex Azar to be the next HHS Secretary. He will be a star for better healthcare and lower drug prices!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 13, 2017

Azar would fill the slot vacated by former Georgia Senator Tom Price, who resigned in September amid widespread public outcry over his use of taxpayer-funded private flights during his time with the White House.

Here are a few things to know about the new nominee.

Big pharma background

Azar comes with experience in the pharmaceutical industry, having served as the president of Eli Lillys (NYSE:LLY) U.S. division, Lilly USA, for five years.

When he stepped down from his executive position at Lilly USA in January, he founded a health care consulting firm called Seraphim Strategies. The firm provides consulting on the biopharmaceutical and health insurance industries.

Previous White House experience

Azar served as Health and Human Services general counsel and deputy secretary during George W. Bushs administration. He was general counsel between 2001 and 2005 and helped with the administrations response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Azar served two more years with the department as deputy secretary.

Other

Azar has a law degree from Yale University Law School and worked as a law clerk under Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, who passed away in February of 2016.

Azar served as a partner at one of the largest law firms in Washington, D.C., Wiley Rein, for five years.

A senior White House official told FOX Business on Monday that Azar is a twice-unopposed Senate nominee who knows the agency and can get things moving.
U.S. President Donald Trump urged lawmakers on Monday to slash the top tax rate paid by the wealthy and end the Obamacare individual healthcare mandate, even as he praised their work so far on tax reform in the Republican-controlled Congress.

Members of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate were debating their respective plans this week before heading home for the U.S. Thanksgiving Day holiday.

Republicans are aiming to achieve a significant overhaul of the U.S. tax code and hand Trump his first major legislative victory. The two chambers hope to resolve their differences in time to enact the legislation by the end of the year.

I am proud of the Rep. House & Senate for working so hard on cutting taxes {& reform.} Were getting close! Trump wrote in a Twitter post.

Trump has repeatedly pushed for the tax reform bill to include a repeal of the Affordable Care Act mandate that all Americans purchase health insurance or else pay a fine. Neither House nor Senate proposals include such a provision.

Now, how about ending the unfair & highly unpopular Indiv Mandate in OCare & reducing taxes even further? Cut top rate to 35% w/all of the rest going to middle income cuts? he added.

Republican tax plans in the House and Senate would each add about $1.5 trillion to the federal deficit over the next decade, but lawmakers will have to iron out differences including the treatment of the deduction for state and local taxes, when to start a cut in the corporate tax rate and whether to scrap the estate tax on inheritances.

The House is expected to pass its tax bill this week, while the Senate debates its proposal. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said the Senate hoped to have its version ready to be considered the week after Thanksgiving.

The two plans have some different details but are similar conceptually, McConnell said in his home state of Kentucky.

Senators began tweaking their proposal on Monday. An amendment introduced by Republican Senator Orrin Hatch would remove the provision that currently lets working Americans over 50 make tax-free catch-up contributions to their retirement plans.

The prospects for the provisions Trump pushed were uncertain.

The Senate proposal calls for keeping seven tax brackets but cutting rates, including the top tax rate for the highest earning taxpayers, to 38.5 percent from 39.6 percent. The House wants to reduce the number of brackets, but leave the 39.6 percent top rate alone.

The Congressional Budget Office said last week that repealing the Obamacare individual mandate would increase the number of uninsured Americans by 13 million by 2027 and reduce the federal budget deficit less than it originally forecasted.

Trump and some Republicans favor including a repeal of the mandate in tax overhaul legislation. But lawmakers, Republican aides and lobbyists have said it would be difficult to include a repeal in a tax effort complicated by intraparty differences and intense business lobbying.

The Trump administration is trying to drum up support for the tax reform effort in U.S. towns and cities as well as on Capitol Hill.

Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and Trumps daughter Ivanka, a presidential adviser, touted the Republican tax initiatives as good for economic growth and for families in an appearance at a Bayville, New Jersey, fire station.
Mean Girls actor Daniel Franzese went public with accusations of assault and bullying against actress Bijou Phillips  whose husband, Danny Masterson, faces rape accusations of his own.



Franzese took to Facebook and wrote in a long post that the mistreatment occurred on the set of their movie Bully.

She body shamed me and ridiculed me about my sexuality and physically assaulted me, Franzese wrote about being on set for the movie released in 2001. I was scared and closeted and feared for my job. It started with a lot of eye rolling whenever we spoke but escalated when we did a cast shoot for the poster. As we were shooting she kept loudly saying Are you gay?! and laughing while the producers and photographer did nothing to stop her.

[S]he continued to say Are You Gay?! Like 10 times making sure to be loud enough for everyone to hear I reluctantly told her i was bi, Franzese wrote. Which at the time was how I was choosing to identify as Q wasnt known to be an option yet and to be honest I dont know that I had many gay experiences at the time my life. I was an extremely late bloomer. She cackled and said HA! Hes bi! And then when I showed up to work the next day in front of the crew she was screaming Oh look! The Bi guy is here!

Phillips apologized to her co-star saying she doesn't "remember that time well, those years are a blur."

She told TMZ in a statement, "I was a teenager and reckless in my behavior...I know Daniel to be a trustworthy and honest person, and to find out through social media that I was not the friend I thought I was to him made me so sad."

She also said, "I am so mortified by this behavior and have contacted Daniel and apologized to him privately. I am not and never have been homophobic. I have nothing but love for the LGBTQ community and Daniel."

Franzese also said that Phillips, whose father was musician John Phillips, bullied him when he had a shirtless scene: an extremely vulnerable moment for me, he said, calling himself the chubby kid who wore his shirt in the pool.

Later she pulled me aside and said Im sorry if I offended you. You actually remind me of someone. She said Carnie Wilson who is in her sisters band Wilson Phillips at the time was well know for her weight issues in the media. It was meant to be a insult, Franzese added. She then grabbed my nipple and twisted it hard through my shirt and laughed and walked away. I stopped talking to her for the rest of filming.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Franzese said during a later scene, while she was sitting behind him, she kept rubbing her dirty feet on my neck. I kept swiveling the chair to move away from her and she kicked me as hard as she could in the back of the head. To this day Im not even sure if she gave me a concussion because I was light headed and dizzy for a while.

A representative for Phillips did not immediately respond to Fox News request for comment.

Phillips is the wife of Danny Masterson, the actor most known for his role as Steven Hyde in the popular series That 70s Show. Masterson was accused of rape by four women in the early 2000s, allegations which resurfaced last week, Fox News previously reported. Masterson has denied the accusations against him.
The powerful 7.3-magnitude earthquake which hit the border region between Iran and Iraq on Sunday has killed at least 395 Iranians, state TV reported on Monday.

An Iranian victim of the earthquake tries to ease his wife who lost her father in the earthquake around the wreckage of their home in the city of Pole-Zahab, in Kermanshah Province, Iran, 13 November 2017. A 7.3 magnitude earthquake which hit the border region between Iran and Iraq on Sunday has killed at least 395 Iranians. [Photo: IC]

The quake also injured over 6,600 people, the report said. The quake's epicenter was located approximately 32 km south of the city of Halabja in a remote mountainous region of eastern Iraq, some 200 km north-east of Baghdad and 400 km west of Tehran, according to the United States Geological Survey.

The quake hit the area at 9:18 p.m. local time (0018 GMT), when many people would have been at home, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

The tremor was felt in several Iranian provinces bordering Iraq including the capital, Tehran.

Over 20 Iranian villages in Iran's Kermanshah province have been damaged and power and water flows disrupted. The roads networks in the area have sustained damage. Officials said the access to rural areas is still limited.

A car trapped under wreckage after an earthquake in the city of Pole-Zahab, in Kermanshah Province, Iran, 13 November 2017. [Photo: IC]

Iranian emergency teams have been dispatched to the quake-hit region and helicopters are delivering basic needs. There are also strong aftershocks in the area.

Field hospitals have been set up in the quake-hit areas. Hospitals in Tehran have been put on alert to treat those of the wounded who are transferred to the capital, Press TV reported.

At least 43 ambulances, four ambulance buses, and 130 emergency technicians have been stationed in the Mehrabad Airport in Tehran for a quick transfer of the victims to hospitals.

Over 100 medics have also been dispatched to the affected areas. The Iranian Air Force, too, has deployed helicopters to accelerate the transfer of the wounded.

Iranian Red Crescent and rescue workers try to extract a body of a victim from under a wreckage of a collapsed building in the city of Pole-Zahab, in Kermanshah Province, Iran, 13 November 2017. [Photo: IC]

Iranians have been flocking to the branches of the Blood Transfusion Organization to donate blood.

President Rouhani is scheduled to travel to Kermanshah Province to oversee the rescue work on Tuesday.

On Monday, Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli left for quake-hit province of Kermanshah in western Iran, accompanied by Minister of Health Hassan Qazizadeh Hashemi, Head of Iran's Red Crescent Society Ali Asqar Peivandi and a delegation from Presidential Office, official IRNA news agency said.

Iran is one of the most seismically active countries in the world, being crossed by several major fault lines that cover at least 90 percent of the country. As a result, destructive earthquakes in Iran occur constantly.
A pair of ex-U.S. intel bosses is scoring major face time on CNN, but critics -including President Trump - suspect their exposure has more to do with their willingness to criticize the commander in chief than to spill trade secrets.

Former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper is an analyst for the increasingly liberal new network. His role appears to be simple, as Clapper attacks Trump on a regular basis in segments that can be replayed across CNN platforms throughout the day. Meanwhile, Obama-era CIA Director John Brennan appears to be angling for a job at the anti-Trump network, as he recently claimed to be proud when personally attacked by the president, who called him a political hack.

Clapper once said Trumps access to the nuclear codes is pretty damn scary and has question his fitness to be in this office. Clappers latest obsession is Trumps recent conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which the media turned into a microcosm of its obsession over all-things Russia.

Trump recently told reporters that Putin told him he absolutely did not meddle in our election and he did not do what they are saying he did."

It's a boom market on TV for anyone who wants to take a swing at the president.  Media Research Center Vice President Dan Gainor

Trump was simply repeating what Putin told him, but the mainstream media quickly criticized the president for appearing to accept Putin's assurances. Trump was forced to clarify his remarks, saying he believes that Putin feels that he and Russia did not meddle in the election, not that the White House actually believes him.

Media Research Center Vice President Dan Gainor said the easiest route to appearing on TV -- especially anti-Trump CNN is to bash the president.

It doesn't matter what you will say. All that matters is the target. Everything else you have done, everything that might discredit you will likely be downplayed or forgotten, Gainor told Fox News. It's a boom market on TV for anyone who wants to take a swing at the president.

Trump eventually blasted former intelligence officials who have attempted to dissect every syllable of his comments about Putin, calling them political hacks, but Brennan took it as a compliment.

"He was referring to us as political hacks because he was trying to delegitimize the intelligence community assessment," Brennan said. "Considering the source of the criticism, I consider that criticism a badge of honor.

Clapper and Brennan appeared together Sunday on CNN"s "State of the Union" for a 16-minute interview seemingly designed to fire up anyone who thinks Russias alleged election interference isnt in the news enough these days. Clapper and Brennan told host Jake Tapper that Russians dont have good intentions when it comes to the United States and essentially mocked Trump because he didnt publically call Putin a liar.

"The threat posed by Russia, as John just said, is manifest and obvious. To try to paint it in any other way is, I think, astounding, and in fact, poses a peril to this country, Brennan said.

Clapper claimed that the Chinese and Russians think they can play Trump, while Brennan complained that Trump would attack his critics on Veterans Day and even said the president is intimidated by Putin. Clips from the "State of the Union" interview were replayed throughout the day on CNN and are embedded in a variety of the networks digital content.

CNN is clearly proud of its ability to get former intelligence chiefs to criticize the president, as the networks website featured two headlines -- leading the homepage political section  with quotes from Clapper and Brennan nearly 24 hours after the joint interview.
Elizabeth Perkins called out James Woods on Sunday when she joined hundreds of people at the #MeToo march in Hollywood to protest sexual harassment.

The Weeds actress held up a white sign with, James Woods #MeToo, written on it as she stood among protesters, including Harvey Weinstein accuser Lauren Sivan. Men, women, and children walked down Hollywood Boulevard for the Take Back the Workplace March and the #MeToo Survivors March near the entrance to the Dolby Theater where the Academy Awards take place.

Click here for more celebrity photos from X17

"Not in pots, not in plants, keep your junk inside your pants," the crowd chanted for a few minutes, before shifting gears to: "Harvey Weinstein is a joke, women workers just got woke."

Perkins isnt the only actress who has called out Woods. Amber Tamblyn tweeted in September, claiming that Woods tried to pick her and her friend up at a restaurant when she was 16. When she told him her age, he allegedly responded, Even better. The actor replied to a tweet by a user questioning him about the accusation, saying Tamblyn was lying about the incident.

The actress fired back with a screenshot of her conversation with the alleged friend who was with her during the incident.

Sivan, a TV journalist, and Oscar-winning producer Cathy Schulman were among the few people who spoke at the march on Sunday.

"We want our daughters and sons to be able to go to a workplace and never have to take a meeting with a dude in a bathrobe," Sivan said. "They will never have to choose to put out or keep their job."

Schulman, who presides over the advocacy group Women in Film, told the crowd that the sexual harassment problem can't be fixed by just weeding out sex criminals. Women, she said, have to be protected from prejudice and abuse. Schulman called for diversifying workplaces and reforming human resources departments.

Event organizers estimated there were about 200 to 300 attendees. But they also acknowledged that it was "difficult to tell" with the normal Hollywood Boulevard crowds.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The most recent example of high-profile media bias against President Trump comes from New York Times top photographer Doug Mills, who apparently snapped an unflattering picture of the president as revenge.

Mills was upset when he wasnt allowed to follow Trump inside the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum meetings on Friday, which the White House press pool wasnt invited to. Mills tweeted an image of a black box with the caption, This what our APEC Summit photo coverage looks today blank.

Mills was apparently still unhappy with the president on Monday at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit and took out his frustration by tweeting an unflattering image of a grimacing President Trump that he snapped during the ASEAN leaders' annual family photo. The photo that quickly circulated online is an awkward image of Trump reaching across his body to shake the hands of other world leaders. Video shows that Trump quickly made the unflattering face before smiling and looking presidential for the remainder of the photo op.

The anti-Trump media predictably loved the unbecoming image, with CNNs Chris Cillizza tweeting, This should be banned, and NBCs Frank Thorp admiring the photographer, bragging, that Mills does it again.

The Washington Post noticed and published a story headlined, News photographer who protested White House restrictions on access gets revenge with revealing shot of Trump. The story noted, Surely there were many other frames Mills could have chosen that made Trump look more distinguished.

"Surely there were many other frames Mills could have chosen that made Trump look more distinguished."  David Nakamura

Yet Mills and other pool photographers published the awkward ones, the Posts David Nakamura wrote. What Mills's photo does is make a strong case in answer of how this post began  the question of why the access of the independent press matters even on staged photo-ops or seemingly trivial events.

Nakamura continued: In ways both subtle and stark, Trump's awkward grimace reveals the messy reality of high-stakes geopolitics that an airbrushed official portrait of the ASEAN family would gloss over.

The Pulitzer Prize-winning Mills has worked as a photographer in the Washington bureau of The New York Times since 2002. He had previously worked at The Associated Press, where he won a variety of awards for coverage of Bill Clinton.

While only Mills appeared to take pleasure in the awkward image by tweeting it out, it should be noted that The Associated Press, Reuters and AFP published similar photos.

The New York Times did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Chipotle has responded to Supergirl star Jeremy Jordan, who recently blamed a meal at the burrito chain for sending him to the hospital.

Jordan, 32, took to his Instagram story on Thursday to detail his near-death experience after a Chipotle meal landed him in the hospital. The fast-food chain said in a statement to Fox News that it couldnt confirm any link between Jordans claims and Chipotle.

"We were sorry to hear Jeremy was sick and we were able to get in touch with him directly regarding when and where he ate. The timing of his visit, coupled with the fact that we have not received any other reported claims of illness at the restaurant where he dined, suggests that our restaurant was not the cause of this illness.

"We take all claims seriously, but we cant confirm any link to Chipotle given the details he shared with us," the chain added.

MIRANDA LAMBERT, BOYFRIEND SLAM GARTH BROOKS FOR LIP-SYNCING

The chain's response comes after Jordan said he almost died after he ate a meal at Chipotle that didnt agree with his body.

I know Ive advocated for them in the past, but theyre terrible, Jordan said. I, as you can see, I am in the hospital and I have fluids in my arm because the food did not agree with me and I almost died.

I just want to thank my wife for being amazing and talking me off the ledge when I was on the phone about to die and Chris Wood for holding my hair back metaphorically, he added. I love all of you; thank you so much. Its been a night.

MCDONALDS MANAGER REPORTEDLY ATTACKED OVER NUGGETS ORDER

This is not the first time the fast-food Mexican grill has been accused of sickening customers. In July, more than 130 people reported becoming ill after eating at Chipotle restaurants in Virginia. In 2015, an E. coli outbreak affected Chipotle restaurants in several states.
If youre prone to grab Half Baked before considering any other flavors, Ben & Jerrys wants you to go on a bias cleanse.

The Vermont-based creamery is on a mission to root out systemic racism from its customers  especially white ones.

The left-wing company, in a post on Oct. 24, accused its flavor enthusiasts of implicit bias.

While some thought it was a new flavor announcement, it was just a chance to push their progressive social agenda.

Customers reacted on social media:

Did Ben and Jerrys just call everyone racist? Tom asked on Twitter.

Worst ice cream advertisement ever, Elliott Hamilton tweeted.

You can only sell so much ice cream, but the appetite for pseudoscience knows no bounds, Mark Hemingway wrote.

Whats one thing Ben & Jerrys and implicit bias research have in common? Theyre both Half Baked, Grant Addison tweeted.

The post is titled What is implicit bias and what can we do about it?

Ed Morrissey tweeted, The actual answer appears to have eluded the ice cream manufacturer.

They jump from cookie dough chunks mixed with brownie bites right to systemic racism:

In the US, where most positions of power are still held by white people, intergroup bias leads to racism, the post reads, citing studies that white-sounding names do better than black-sounding names on resumes and when professors are answering students emails.

Black drivers are pulled over more often by police, even though white drivers are more likely to have guns or drugs in the car, the ice cream company claims.

They give employers, professors, and police officers a pass because the evil racists doing evil racist things is grown by unexamined implicit biases.

The cure for racism isnt eating more Ben & Jerrys ice cream, either.

The company encourages its customers to take a discredited Harvards implicit bias test that Hillary Clinton mentioned during a 2016 presidential debate against Trump, consider a seven-day bias cleanse, and watch a video from Demos Action President, Heather McGhee, who encourages a white caller to get to know black families who are not involved in crime or gangs, stop watching the nightly news, and join a black church.

We are still a very, very segregated country, McGhee said, Millions of white Americans live in places where they rarely see anyone of a different race.

This isnt the first time Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfields Vermont-based company has weighed in on social or political issues  supporting Black Lives Matter and Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders with the limited-edition flavor called Bernies Yearning.

Ben & Jerrys did not immediately respond to request for comment.
A Mississippi doctor was hit last month with a 16-count indictment for allegedly defrauding a government health care program of more than $2.3 million by prescribing unnecessary and highly suspect compound pain creams to patients he never examined.

The details in Albert Diazs indictment highlight the growing scams carried out by medical professionals and pharmacists to hock phony pain ointments that only function to bilk taxpayers of millions of dollars and, in some cases, leave patients dead.

In numerous ploys reminiscent of 19th century snake oil salesmen, pharmacy owners and marketers are bribing or giving kickbacks to doctors for writing spurious prescriptions to Medicare, Medicaid and Tricare patients for costly, dangerous and unneeded pain and scar creams. These compounded ointments  many of which have been found to contain a powerful anesthetic and sedative known as ketamine  have led to at least two deaths and can cost the government up to $28,000 per cream container.

The snake oil for the 21st century is currently being peddled by compounding pharmacies with claims of miraculous pain creams, wrote Carol Crisci, an attorney at Chartwell Law Offices. If these creams worked, and actually reduced patient reliance on oral narcotics, the high price might be warranted. The problem is that there is little evidence that the creams or many of their expensive ingredients actually work when rubbed into the skin.

Once the predominant form of pharmacy in the U.S. before the advent of mass drug manufacturing in the 1950s, compounding pharmacies mix medications and ingredients based on a doctors prescription for strength and dosage. While this allows pharmacists to specifically tailor a medication for patients who may have an allergy to certain ingredients or need a higher or lower dosage than produced, it can also lead to scams and abuse like the fraudulent pain creams.

After more than 50 people died from fungal meningitis and another 680 were sickened after receiving injections in 2012 of a contaminated steroid made by the New England Compounding Center, the Food and Drug Administration investigated and found 30 compounding pharmacies across 18 states with numerous unsafe practices.

In the case of the pain cream schemes, which have been unearthed from New Jersey to California, all follow a similar pattern, with doctors and compound pharmacies working hand-in-hand to prescribe patients these bogus ointments and reaping the financial benefits when the government paid the tab. Pharmacists also have been known to change the ingredients and exploit the narrow legitimate medical uses of the creams to keep ahead of the law.

"The snake oil for the 21st century is currently being peddled by compounding pharmacies with claims of miraculous pain creams."  Carol Crisci, attorney at Chartwell Law Offices

In two active cases in Texas, pharmacies allegedly defrauded the government of more than $180 million. In one case, the Dallas Morning News reported that Fort Worths Ability Pharmacy spent $15 to make a container of cream and charged $28,000 to the government, with federal prosecutors claiming the pharmacy took in $1 million a day on these compound medications alone.

There was no difference in any of the creams given to different patients and many of the patients prescribed the ointments did not have any pain or scars to treat.

This is yet another shocking example of how unmitigated greed can spawn a fraud so brazen that it almost takes your breath away, John Parker, the U.S. attorney in Dallas, told the Dallas Morning News. I would suggest that the costs of playing these games far outweigh whatever short-term gains are realized, no matter their size.

More nefarious than the financial fraud behind the schemes is the sometimes deadly consequences of taking these creams and ointments.

A baby in California died in 2012 after accidently ingesting her mothers compound cream, which was ultimately linked to a shady kickback scheme.

Two years later, Desiree Ford, a 22-year-old Houston woman, died only hours after applying a pain cream to her skin. The Harris County medical examiner ruled that her death was caused by the toxic effects of two drugs in the pain cream.

Fords father, Richard, is suing the pharmacy that supplied his daughter with the cream, while the doctor who prescribed it  without having talked to or examined her  surrendered his medical license.

Theyre just terrible people, Ford said. They make so much money off this, it could be their full-time job.
Just one week after being told that she wasnt a good candidate for a double-lung transplant, 27-year-old Caleigh Haber scratched plans to celebrate her engagement to Bryan Takayama, and instead married him in a ceremony focused on making the most of the time that they have together.

Neither of us wanted to waste a day alive not being all in with one another, Haber, who has cystic fibrosis, told KTVU.

Harber has already undergone a double-lung transplant, but has spent the past several months fighting as her body rejects the donated organs. About a week ahead of the planned Oct. 28 engagement party, Haber had met with her transplant team to discuss her options and was told that she wasnt a good candidate for a second surgery. It was then that she and her fiance, Bryan Takayama, decided to forego the party and get married instead.

In an Instagram post honoring the day, Haber, who has over 72,000 followers, reposted part of their vows in which she promised to stick by Takayama even when the Ohio State Buckeyes lose, and apologized for not being able to be in his life forever.

WIDOW CLAIMS 9/11 TOXINS GAVE HER TEACHER HUSBAND CANCER

Im sorry, my love, that you wont always have me in your life, but I promise you every minute Im alive I will dedicate myself to you, Haber said. I will never stop fighting to stay alive. You inspire me to fight harder, to put myself through struggle, to look past chaos, to drink ensures and to take my medication.

As the pair, who met last year at a friends wedding, scrambled to make arrangements, others stepped forward to cover the cost of a venue, food, Habers dress, hair and make-up, KTVU reported. They shared their first dance as husband and wife while Jason Mrazs Im Yours played.

It was a chance for us to intimately share a few moments to a song that holds true importance to us and just for us to be us, Takayama told KTVU.

Haber said she was having trouble breathing near the end of the song, so Takayama picked her up and held her until the end.

A GoFundMe page was set up to send the newlyweds on a honeymoon to Hawaii, which was approved by Habers doctor as long as a medical team is on-call for the duration of the trip. She is also meeting with other high-risk transplant centers to discuss other therapies that will prolong her lifespan.

Right now I cannot accept that possibly a second transplant wont happen, Haber told KTVU.
If you suffer cardiac arrest in public, just being a woman means youre less likely to receive potentially life-saving CPR from a passerby, according to a new study.

One theory to explain the discrepancy: Strangers may be reluctant to undo a womans clothing and touch her breasts, even if it means they can save her life, says a lead researcher on the study.

This is not a time to be squeamish, said Dr. Benjamin Abella of the University of Pennsylvania, who urged strangers to get over their inhibitions and help in an emergency.

Because it's a life-and-death situation, he said.

"This is not a time to be squeamish. Because it's a life-and-death situation."  Dr. Benjamin Abella, University of Pennsylvania

Only 39 percent of women suffering cardiac arrest in a public place received CPR versus 45 percent of men, and men were 23 percent more likely to survive, the study found.

The study involved nearly 20,000 cases around the U.S. and was the first to examine gender differences in receiving heart help from the public versus professional responders.

It can be kind of daunting thinking about pushing hard and fast on the center of a woman's chest" and some people may fear they are hurting her, lead researcher Audrey Blewer, also of the University of Pennsylvania, said.

Abella said would-be Good Samaritans need not worry about touching the cardiac patient inappropriately.

You put your hands on the sternum, which is the middle of the chest. In theory, you're touching in between the breasts, he said.

The study was discussed Sunday at an American Heart Association conference in Anaheim, Calif.

Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops pumping, usually because of a rhythm problem. More than 350,000 Americans each year suffer one in settings other than a hospital.

About 90 percent of them die, but CPR can double or triple survival odds.

Researchers had no information on rescuers or why they may have been less likely to help women. But no gender difference was seen in CPR rates for people who were stricken at home, where a rescuer is more likely to know the person needing help.

The findings suggest that CPR training may need to be improved. Even that may be subtly biased toward males  practice mannequins are usually male torsos, Blewer said.

"All of us are going to have to take a closer look at this" gender issue, said the Mayo Clinic's Dr. Roger White, who co-directs the paramedic program for the city of Rochester, Minn. He said he has long worried that large breasts may impede proper placement of defibrillator pads if women need a shock to restore normal heart rhythm.

The Heart Association and the National Institutes of Health funded the study.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Can having sex cause your heart to suddenly stop beating? A new study suggests that, although this can happen, it's very rare.

In the study, researchers analyzed information from more than 4,500 people who experienced sudden cardiac arrest, a condition in which the heart abruptly stops beating due to problems with the heart's electrical activity.

Among these cases, less than 1 percent of cardiac arrests occurred during or immediately after sexual activity, the study found.

The study is the first to examine sexual activity as a potential trigger for sudden cardiac arrest among the general population, the researchers said. The findings were presented on Nov. 12 at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions meeting in Anaheim, California, and are published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

"While sudden cardiac arrest is a devastating condition with a high chance of death, the likelihood of this occurring during sexual activity  was extremely low," said Dr. Sumeet Chugh, medical director of the Heart Rhythm Center at the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute in Los Angeles and senior author of the study.

"This is a reassurance that can now be provided to heart disease patients, and will be based on actual data," Chugh told Live Science.

In the rare instances in which sex was linked with cardiac arrest, almost all of the cases  94 percent  were in men, the study found: Among men, about 1 in 100 cases of cardiac arrest were linked with sex, compared with just 1 in 1,000 cases among women.

People who experienced a sudden cardiac arrest during sex tended to be slightly younger, around 60 years old on average, than those who had a sudden cardiac arrest at other times, who were around 65 years old on average.

But those who had a sudden cardiac arrest during sex were just as likely to have a heart condition or be on heart medication as those who had a sudden cardiac arrest at other times.

The study also found that, even though sudden cardiac arrest linked with sexual activity was usually witnessed by the person's partner, bystander CPR was performed in only one-third of cases. (Bystander CPR is CPR that is performed by a witness until an ambulance shows up.) These findings highlight the need to educate the public about the importance of CPR for sudden-cardiac-arrest patients, the researchers said.

"Multiple research studies have shown that CPR performed by bystanders  can improve the chances of survival from cardiac arrest," Chugh said. "It stands to reason that if CPR is learned [and] performed by all sexual partners, there is a good possibility of improving survival."

This article originally appeared on Live Science.
The rule of law is the foundation of our system of government. In the vision of our Founders, we have a government of lawsand not of men.

Under President Trumps strong leadership, the Department of Justice has made restoring the rule of law our top priority. Everything we do is guided by this principle.

Under the previous administration, parties who had been sued by the government and then settled the lawsuit were sometimes required to pay community organizations that were not even involved in the case or harmed by the defendant. That was not only wrong, but contrary to longstanding legal principles, and we have put a stop to it. Lawsuit settlements with the government should not be used to bankroll third-party special interest groups or the friends of whomever is in power. They should help compensate victims or go to the taxpayer. Now that is what they will do.

We are also trusting our prosecutors again and letting them do their jobs. The previous administration forced them to leave out important facts in drug cases to achieve sentences lighter than were required by the law. Federal drug prosecutionsand sentenceswent down dramatically. Meanwhile drug deaths rose to unprecedented levels.

We have removed this restriction on our prosecutors and told them to target the most violent criminals. They have already achieved significant results, with charges for federal gun crimes up nearly a quarter.

Under this administration, the Department of Justice is serving the American people by following the laws they have duly enactedand we are just getting started.

The rule of law means abiding by all of our laws. Restoring the rule of law therefore requires enforcing our immigration laws.

We are rewarding those jurisdictions that assist federal law enforcementnot those who refuse to, like sanctuary jurisdictions. Our law enforcement grants now have conditions to encourage our state and local partners to help us remove criminal aliens from this country. Politicians have no right to protect criminals or promote lawlessness.

Neither do those entrusted with classified information. Leaks break the public trust and threaten public safety. That is why we tripled the number of active investigations into leaks. We have already charged four people with unlawfully disclosing classified material or concealing contacts with foreign intelligence officers.

When necessary, we go to court to keep the American people safe, such as when we defend the presidents right to protect this country from security threats. We are defending the presidents clear legal right to stop the entry of those who cannot be adequately vetted. Numerous judgesand two district courtshave upheld the presidents travel ban, and we are confident that it will stand.

The Department cannot, however, defend illegal actions. That is why we advised the administration to end the previous administrations unlawful Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy, or DACA. This policy was contrary to our immigration laws and did not have Congressional approvalindeed, Congress rejected similar legislative proposals numerous times.

For the same reason, the Department has agreed to settlement terms with 469 Tea Party and other conservative groups whose tax-exempt applications were delayed by the IRS based on inappropriate criteria including conservative names and policy positions, and civil cases with 90 plaintiffs regarding the previous administrations contraception mandate. These cases never should have been necessary.

Religious liberty is an inalienable right, and at the presidents direction, we issued legal guidance on how to properly interpret and apply legal protections for religious liberty. And it is not just freedom of worship: we do not give up our religious freedom when we are at work, when we interact with the federal government, or any other time we participate in society.

We do not give up our rights when we go to school, either. This Department is standing up for those whose rights have been violated on campus, including supporting a lawsuit by one young man who was punished for discussing his faith outside of his schools tiny free speech zone. And we are examining a case where Asian-American students allege racial discrimination in one universitys admissions.

In 1776, Thomas Paine wrote that in free countries, the law ought to be king. Under this administration, the Department of Justice is serving the American people by following the laws they have duly enactedand we are just getting started.
President Donald Trump's former chief strategist on Sunday called on American Jews to join his war on the Republican establishment.

Steve Bannon appealed to the Zionist Organization of America to "work as partners" in his crusade against GOP leaders he blames for blocking Trump's agenda. Bannon delivered the fiery address at the organization's annual awards dinner in New York, with several current and former Trump staffers in attendance.

"We're leading an insurgency movement against the Republican establishment," Bannon charged, blaming his adversaries in the establishment for playing games.

"That's how you get the Iran deal," he continued. "That's how we still allow the American government to finance people that have blood on their hands of innocent Jewish civilians."

The Zionist Organization of America has largely embraced Bannon, while other Jewish leaders have raised concerns about him and the news outlet he runs, Breitbart News, which is popular among some white supremacists, anti-Semites and others who identify with the so-called alt-right movement.

Bannon, who left the White House in August, is now trying to raise money to defeat several sitting Republican senators he says are blocking Trump's agenda in Washington.

"President Trump needs our back," he declared. "We're a nation at war. This war is only going to be won if we bind together and work as partners."
Former Trump campaign aides Michael Caputo and Roger Stone both say theyre at a loss as to why the testimony of fellow aide Carter Page was released by the House Intelligence Committee, but their testimonies continue to be withheld, even though both men have asked for their transcripts to be made public.

All three testified as part of the committee's probe into Russia's possible influence on the Trump campaign, and Caputo and Stone have specific reasons for wanting their testimony released. But so far, only Page's was given to the public.

My request stands, Caputo told the Washington Examiner, after saying he was surprised to see the release of Pages less than a week after Page testified.

We were told that the secret nature of the briefing was really important to the investigation, Caputo added. And now we see that its not. So why my request hasnt been granted  Im frankly flummoxed by it.

Stone said he and his lawyers tried to make every concession possible to have his transcript made public.

We even proposed, you know, as a compromise, that they just agree to publish them unedited the very next day, Stone told the Washington Examiner.

Click for more from the Washington Examiner.
President Donald Trump is set to meet Monday with the so-called Trump of the East, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, another controversial world leader known for his ultra-tough approach.

However, the first formal sit-down between the two leaders may not trigger substantial changes in the Philippines' human-rights record. In fact, Duterte said last week that he would tell Trump to lay off if he raised the issue of human rights, according to Reuters.

Breaking with his presidential predecessors, Trump largely has abandoned publicly pressing foreign leaders on human rights, instead showing a willingness to embrace international strongmen for strategic gain.

This week, Duterte boasted that he murdered a man with his own hands.

Duterte previously called former President Barack Obama a son of a wh---.

Above all, Duterte has sanctioned a bloody drug war that features extrajudicial killing.

Dutertes war on drugs has alarmed human rights advocates around the world who say it has allowed police officers and vigilantes to ignore due process and to take justice into their own hands. Government officials estimate that well over 3,000 people, mostly drug users and dealers, have died in the ongoing crackdown. Human rights groups believe the victim total is far higher, perhaps closer to 9,000.

Duterte has defended the violence strenuously and boasted of participating himself.

Late last year, he bragged that he personally pulled the trigger and killed three people years ago while serving as mayor of Davao City. And last week, while in Vietnam for an international summit, he said he took his first life years earlier.

When I was a teenager, I had been in and out of jail, rumble here and there, Duterte said during a speech in Danang. At the age of 16, I already killed someone.

He claimed he fatally stabbed the person just over a look.

His spokesman later tried to downplay the comment, saying, I think it was in jest.

Trump has shown little interest in pressuring Duterte to rein in the violence, instead saluting him during a May phone call.

I just wanted to congratulate you because I am hearing of the unbelievable job on the drug problem, Trump told Duterte, according to a transcript of the conversation that later leaked. Many countries have the problem, we have a problem, but what a great job you are doing and I just wanted to call and tell you that.

White House officials have suggested there is a strategy behind Trumps flattery of Duterte.

Advisers have said that while Trump is unlikely to publicly chastise the Philippine president, he may offer criticisms during private meetings. Trump would plan to hold his tongue in public in order not to embarrass Duterte, whom he is urging to help pressure North Korea and fight terrorism, and to avoid pushing him into the arms of China.

Trump met Duterte for the first time at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Vietnam on Saturday.

The meeting was short but was warm and cordial, Dutertes spokesman, Harry Roque, told Reuters.

The leaders were generally pleased to finally meet each other in person, Roque added.

Trump dismissed the notion that he buddied up to dictators.

He said Saturday he has great relationships with all sorts of leaders, every person in that room today, after leaving a summit in Vietnam attended by Duterte and Putin, among others.

In addition to meeting with Duterte, Trump is expected to attend the Association for Southeast Asian Nations conference on Monday to urge allies to pressure North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons program.

Trumps trip to Asia was meant to be centered on trade, as well, where he held meetings with other Asian leaders to push his agenda for bilateral, rather than multinational, trade agreements.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.
President Trumps eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., corresponded with WikiLeaks before the 2016 presidential election, a dialogue of which the presidents son confirmed Monday night on Twitter.

In a series of tweets, Trump Jr. produced the entire chain of messages with @wikileaks (with my whopping 3 responses) which one of the congressional committees has chosen to selectively leak. How ironic!

The Atlantic first reported on Monday that Trump Jr. received a private message from the WikiLeaks Twitter account on September 20, 2016  a message shown in the tweets produced by the presidents son.

A PAC run anti-Trump site putintrump.org is about to launch, WikiLeaks wrote. The PAC is a recycled pro-Iraq war PAC. We have guessed the password. It is putintrump. See About for who is behind it. Any comments?

Trump Jr. replied, Off the record I dont know who that is, but Ill ask around. Thanks.

In a separate October 2016 exchange, WikiLeaks urged Trump Jr. to comment on/push this story about then-Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton wanting to just drone Julian Assange, the Wikileaks founder.

Already did that earlier today, Trump Jr. later replied. Its amazing what she can get away with.

The messages obtained by The Atlantic were turned over to investigators by Trump Jr.s attorneys. The House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence had access to the documents, a source told Fox News.

Over the last several months, we have worked cooperatively with each of the committees and have voluntarily turned over thousands of documents in response to their requests, Alan Futerfas, an attorney for Trump Jr., said in a statement.

Putting aside the question as to why or by whom such documents, provided to Congress under promises of confidentiality, have been selectively leaked, we can say with confidence that we have no concerns about these documents and any questions raised about them have been easily answered in the appropriate forum.

According to the report, the messages are part of a long correspondence between WikiLeaks and Trump Jr., though Trump Jr. seemed to ignore many of the messages, including some which urged him to release one or more of your fathers tax returns.

President Trumps attorney Ty Cobb told Fox News on Monday that he was not aware that Donald Trump Jr.s attorneys provided these documents to congressional investigators, but said there is likely no legal issue, from what he knows of the documents.

Wikileaks publisher Julian Assange tweeted about the report on Monday, saying that the organization couldnt confirm the messages with Trump Jr.

Wikileaks does not keep such records and the Atlantics presentation is edited and clearly does not have the full context, Assange wrote.

WikiLeaks loves its pending publications and ignores those who ask for details, Assange continued. Trump Jr. was rebuffed just like Cambridge Analytica. In both cases WikiLeaks had publicly teased the publications. Thousands of people asked about them. WikiLeaks can be very effective at convincing even high profile people that it is their interest to promote links to its publications.

WikiLeaks has such chutzpah that it allegedly tried to convince Trump Jr to leak his fathers tax returns & his own Russian lawyer meeting emails (he did), Assange wrote. WikiLeaks appears to beguile some people into transparency by convincing them that it is in their interest.

Assange also claimed that the full text of alleged DMs with context provides a different reading, unsurprisingly.

This is not the first time that Trump Jr. has been in the spotlight, and has had his actions brought into question amid the larger probe into Russian meddling and potential collusion with Trump campaign associates in the 2016 presidential election.

In June 2016, Trump Jr. accepted a now-highly scrutinized meeting with Russian attorney Natalia Veselnitskaya, after he allegedly was promised dirt on Hillary Clinton. The meeting was brokered by music publicist Rob Goldstone who promised the campaign information. Jared Kushner and Paul Manafort, who was charged last month in Special Counsel Robert Muellers probe into Russian collusion, also attended the meeting.

Fox News Matt Richardson and John Roberts contributed to this report.
Embattled Senate hopeful Roy Moore answered demands he step aside in the Alabama election with more defiance Monday, threatening to sue the Washington Post for publishing "fake news" and calling for his fellow Republican and chief critic Mitch McConnell to leave his post as Senate majority leader.

I think he should step aside, McConnell told reporters in his home state of Kentucky.

McConnell said after the allegations were published last week that Moore should quit the race if the allegations are true. However, he also said Monday in Louisville: I believe the women.

This weekend, Moore, who on Dec. 12 will compete in a special general election for the seat, accused the paper of having a political agenda and vowed in the coming days to unmask those behind it.

Why now? he asked Saturday during an event in Alabama, his first public appearance since the allegations were reported last Thursday. The Democrats know the importance of this election. They see it as a prelude to the 2018 races.  They are desperate. This is a prime example of fake news.

The 70-year-old Moore has denied the allegations of sexual misconduct from roughly four decades ago. And he has threatened to bring a lawsuit against the liberal-leaning paper, which has endorsed his Democratic opponent, Doug Jones.

The Washington Post reported last week that Moore, who is former chief justice of Alabamas Supreme Court, allegedly had sexual contact with a 14-year-old girl when he was 32. The woman told the Post that Moore took her to his house, where he took off her clothes and his pants, touched her and moved her hand to touch his underwear. Three other women also told the paper he pursued relationships with them when they were between 16 and 18 years old. The age of consent in Alabama is 16.

McConnell endorsed Luther Strange in the GOP primary for the seat, left open when Republican Sen. Jeff Sessions earlier this year was appointed U.S. attorney general.

Strange has since occupied the seat and was considered by President Trump, McConnell and other Senate leaders as more supportive of their agenda than Moore, a Christian conservative.

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., has called for Moore to step aside, while others, including Texas GOP Sen. Ted Cruz, have suggested Moore quit the race if the allegations are proven to be true.

Still, Moore appears to be holding on to at least some of the support he had among Alabama voters, in his victory over Strange.

He also continues to get strong support from Steve Bannon, the former Trump White House political strategist, who recently returned to influential conservative news outlet Breitbart News.

Bannon said Friday night at an event in South Carolina, after The Post story, about Moore: I think youre going to find in the mainstream media, either tonight or tomorrow  some pretty interesting stories about how that information got dropped and who paid for it and who weaponized it.

Trump deflected questions Saturday, while on a 13-day Asian trip, about whether Moore should stay in the race.

I have not seen very much about him, about it," he told reporters. I havent been able to devote very much time to it.

The president also referred to a White statement that read the president believes Moore will "do the right thing and step aside" if the allegations are true.

McConnell on Monday was also questioned about the possibility of a write-in effort by another GOP candidate.

"That's an option we're looking at ... whether or not there is someone who can mount a write-in campaign successfully," he said. Asked specifically about Strange, he said, "We'll see."

On the Democratic side, one of the Senate's moderate members is helping Moore's challenger raise campaign funds, underscoring the party's wary approach in an Alabama race that until recently was viewed as a certain win for the GOP.

"Doug's opponent, Roy Moore, is an extremist with a record of putting political ideology above the rule of law," Sen. Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., wrote in a weekend email soliciting contributions for Jones.

Even if Moore were to step aside, his name would likely remain on the ballot. And any effort to add Strange as a write-in candidate would threaten to divide the GOP vote in a way that would give the Democratic candidate a greater chance of winning.

Congress has some constitutional clout to stop Moore from being seated, if he wins next month, but the chamber has not ousted a member since 1862.

While he has called the allegations "completely false and misleading," in an interview with conservative radio host Sean Hannity, he did not wholly rule out dating teenage girls when he was in his early 30s. Asked if that would have been usual for him, Moore said, "Not generally, no."

Fox News Joseph Weber, Chad Pergram and Alex Pappas and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Many national Republican leaders pulled their support for Roy Moore, the Alabama Senate candidate, in the wake of allegations claiming he had inappropriate sexual contact with teenage girls.

The Washington Post reported that four women accused Moore of initiating sexual contact with them in the late 1970s and early 1980s, when he was an assistant district attorney in his early 30s. One of the women, Leigh Corfman, told the newspaper that Moore had sexual contact with her when she was 14. The age of consent in Alabama is 16.

Several additional women have since come forward to accuse Moore of sexually inappropriate behavior.

Moore denied the allegations, saying in a statement obtained by Fox News that the allegations are "based on a lie supported by innuendo."

"It seems that in the political arena, to say that something is not true is simply not good enough. So let me be clear. I have never provided alcohol to minors, and I have never engaged in sexual misconduct," he said.

Multiple Republican lawmakers called on Moore to step aside from the Dec. 12 special election. However, President Trump offered his endorsement for the embattled politician, and the Republican National Committee began supporting Moore after having previously cut its fundraising ties to him.

The White House

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the president had no plans for an in-person appearance on Moore's behalf.

In addition, the president previously signed off on a decision by the Republican National Committee to cut off support for Moore's campaign.

But publicly, Trump unleashed his criticism on Democratic candidate Doug Jones instead of Moore.

The last thing we need in Alabama and the U.S. Senate is a Schumer/Pelosi puppet who is weak on crime, weak on the border, bad for our military and our great vets, bad for our 2nd Amendment, and wants to [raise] taxes to the sky. Jones would be a disaster, Trump tweeted on Nov. 26.

And just over one week before the election, Trump said he needed Moores vote in the Senate when it comes to certain issues, such as immigration, gun rights and judicial appointments.

Trump also encouraged his Twitter followers to vote for Moore on the morning of the election as he contended that Moore "will always vote with us."

Vice President Mike Pence found the allegations in the story disturbing and believes, if true, this would disqualify anyone from serving in office, his press secretary, Alyssa Farah, has told reporters.

Sen. Mitch McConnell

While speaking to reporters, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said he believes the women quoted in the Washington Post story. He urged Moore to step aside in light of the allegations.

Previously, McConnell said Moore should step aside if "these allegations are true."

Sen. Cory Gardner

Cory Gardner, the National Republican Senatorial Committee chairman, said he believes the women who have alleged Moore's misconduct. In a statement, he encouraged the Senate to "vote to expel" Moore should he win the election next month.

"He does not meet the ethical and moral requirements of the United States Senate," Gardner, R-Colo., said.

Sen. Mike Lee

A former backer of Moore, Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, pulled his endorsement from Moore after the allegations came to light.

"Having read the detailed description of the incidents, as well as the response from Judge Moore and his campaign, I can no longer endorse his candidacy for the US Senate," Lee said in a tweet.

He had also requested that Moore's campaign no longer use his image.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski

Im horrified and if its true, he should step down immediately, Murkowski told reporters.

She reportedly also urged Sen. Luther Strange, who was appointed to fill Jeff Sessions seat when he was tapped to become attorney general, to launch a write-in campaign. The deadline to take Moore off the ballot has passed.

Sen. Mike Rounds

If they are true, then he should seriously think about stepping aside," Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., said.

Sen. John Cornyn

I find it deeply distrusting and troubling. Its up to the governor and the folks of Alabama to make that decision as far as what the next steps are," Majority Whip John Cornyn, R-Texas, said. He later withdrew his endorsement of Moore.

Sen. Tim Scott

If theyre accurate, he absolutely should [step aside]," Tim Scott, of South Carolina, said.

Sen. Susan Collins

In a tweet, Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, called for Moore to "withdraw from the Senate race in Alabama."

Collins wrote that she listened to Moore deny the allegations in a recent radio interview, but "did not find his denials to be convincing."

Collins' most recent statement comes after she previously tweeted: "If there is any truth at all to these horrific allegations, Roy Moore should immediately step aside as Senate candidate."



Sen. Steve Daines

"I am pulling my endorsement and support for Roy Moore for U.S. Senate," said Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont.

Sen. John McCain

"The allegations against Roy Moore are deeply disturbing and disqualifying. He should immediately step aside and allow the people of Alabama to elect a candidate they can be proud of," Arizona Sen. John McCain said.

Sen. Richard Shelby

Its a devastating nasty story, Alabama Sen. Richard Shelby told reporters. If its true, I dont believe thered be a place for him in the U.S. Senate.

He said that he did not vote for Moore when he sent in his absentee ballot but voted instead for a "distinguished Republican write-in."

Sen. Jeff Flake

Like other Republicans, Flake called on Moore to step aside from the election.

"Just to be clear. If the choice is between Roy Moore and a Democrat, I would run to the polling place to vote for the Democrat," Flake tweeted.

Hes said that Republicans to support Roy Moore over Doug Jones is political tribalism at its worst.

Flake also tweeted a photo of a check made out to Jones for $100 with "Country over Party" written in the memo line.

Sen. Luther Strange

Alabama Sen. Luther Strange, who lost the special election primary to Roy Moore, called the allegations disturbing.

It is too late to take Moore off the ballot, but Strange has been encouraged to launch a write-in campaign.

Sen. Rob Portman

I think if what we read is true, and people are on the record so I assume it is, then he should step aside, Ohio Sen. Rob Portman said.

Sen. Ben Sasse

Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., called the Washington Posts story "heartbreaking."

Sasse also slammed the Republican National Committee for providing funds to Moores race.

This is a bad decision and very sad day. I believe the women  and the RNC previously did too. Whats changed? Or is the party just indifferent? Sasse said on Twitter. This sends a terrible message to victims its not that the party wont believe you if you come forward. It might. But just doesnt care.

The senator than warned that if the National Republican Senatorial Committee decided to contribute to Moore, he would no longer be a donor to or fund-raiser for it.

Sen. Ted Cruz

"These are serious and troubling allegations," Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who previously endorsed Moore, said in a statement. "If they are true, Judge Moore should immediately withdraw. However, we need to know the truth, and Judge Moore has the right to respond to these accusations."

Sen. Bill Cassidy

Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., officially withdrew his support from the candidate.

"Based on the allegations against Roy Moore, his response and what is known, I withdraw support," he said.

Sen. Orrin Hatch

"I stand with the Majority Leader on this. These are serious and disturbing accusations, and while the decision is now in the hands of the people of Alabama, I believe Luther Strange is an excellent alternative," Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, tweeted.

But a week before the election, Hatch said Trump didnt have another choice but to endorse Moore, Bloomberg reported. He also said that many of the things he allegedly did are decades ago. So its hard to  thats a decision that has to be made by the people in that state.

If they make that decision, who are we to question them? Hatch said.

Sen. Pat Toomey

We'll probably never know for sure exactly what happened," Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., said on NBC's "Meet the Press."

"But  I think the accusations have more credibility than the denial. I think it would be best if Roy would just step aside.

Sen. Lindsey Graham

South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham took to Twitter to say Moore should step aside in the Alabama Senate race.

"In light of the most recent allegations and the cumulative effect of others, I believe [Moore] would be doing himself, the state, the GOP, and the country a service by stepping aside," Graham said. "If he continues this will not end well for Mr. Moore."

He has also bemoaned Trumps attempt to throw a lifeline to Moore.

Rep. Paul Ryan

House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., said if the allegations are true, they would disqualify Moore from the special election.

These allegations are disqualifying if true. Anyone who would do this to a child has no place in public office, let alone the United States Senate, Ryan said in a statement.

Rep. Peter King

"I would say unless he can prove his innocence, the burden is now on him within the next day or so, I believe he has to step down. He owes it to himself, he owes it to the state and and he owes it to the U.S. Senate," New York Rep. Peter King said after the allegations came out.

Rep. Lee Zeldin

In a tweet, Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y., called for that "creepy Roy Moore dude" to step aside from the campaign.

"It's about that time for that creepy Roy Moore dude to exit stage left. He should step aside & let someone take his spot on the ballot who doesn't prey upon young teenage girls as a grown man," he said.

Gov. John Kasich

Ohio Gov. John Kasich said on Twitter that hes long opposed Moore and called on him to step aside from the race as well.

Ive long opposed Roy Moore [and] his divisive viewpoints. The actions described make him unfit for office. The GOP must not support him. He should step aside, Kasich said.

Former Gov. Mitt Romney

Mitt Romney, the 2012 Republican presidential nominee, slammed Moore on Twitter.

Innocent until proven guilty is for criminal convictions, not elections. I believe Leigh Corfman, the former governor said. Her account is too serous to ignore. Moore is unfit for office and should step aside.

"Roy Moore in the US Senate would be a stain on the GOP and on the nation. Leigh Corfman and other victims are courageous heroes. No vote, no majority is worth losing our honor, our integrity," Romney said in another tweet on Dec. 4.

Former Gov. Jeb Bush

Former Republican presidential candidate and Florida Gov. Jeb Bush said Moore should step down in light of the allegations.

"This is not a question of innocence or guilt like in a criminal proceeding; this is a question of whats right and whats wrong. Acknowledging that youre dating teenagers when youre 32 years old as assistant state attorney is wrong. Its just plain wrong," he told CNBC, adding that he agreed with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who said earlier Monday that Moore should "step aside."

"We need to stand for basic principles, and decency has to be one of those," Bush added. "In the really poisonous political environment we have right now, one of the rules I think has to apply is that when you attack somebody on the other party, and the other team for doing something wrong, when it happens on your team, you have an obligation I think to speak out as well."

Ivanka Trump

The president's daughter had some harsh words for Moore.



"There's a special place in hell for people who prey on children. I've yet to see a valid explanation, and I have no reason to doubt the victims' accounts," Ivanka Trump told the Associated Press.

Condoleezza Rice

While she didnt name Moore, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice  who is from Alabama  encouraged voters to take a stand for our core principles and for what is right.

These critical times require us to come together to reject bigotry, sexism and intolerance, Rice said in a statement to AL.com.

"It is imperative for Americans to remain focused on our priorities and not give way to side shows and antics. I know that Alabamans need an independent voice in Washington. But we must also insist that our representatives are dignified, decent, and respectful of the values we hold dear, she said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Sen. Rand Paul returned to Capitol Hill Monday for the first time after he was brutally attacked at his Kentucky home less than two weeks ago.

Paul entered the Senate chamber to cast a vote. He spoke with other senators, including Democratic Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawaii.

Paul was attacked while mowing his lawn on Nov. 3, according to authorities. The neighbor -- Rene Boucher -- attacked Paul from behind after he had gotten off of his lawn mower.

Paul's friend, Robert Porter, said that Paul was wearing protection over his ears and didn't hear Boucher coming.

An X-ray exam showed the Kentucky senator suffered six broken ribs and a build up of excess fluid in his lungs.

Boucher's attorney insisted the attack had "nothing to do" with politics, but rather was due to a "landscaping dispute." A senior adviser to Paul disputed that claim.

Boucher, 59, was charged with misdemeanor assault for the attack. He pleaded not guilty last week in Bowling Green.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
State lawmakers have made Wisconsin the 28th state to request an unprecedented national convention to amend the countrys founding document, the U.S. Constitution.

The state Senate voted 19-14 Tuesday to pass a resolution that completed Wisconsins application for a convention, which does not require the governors signature. The state Assembly passed the resolution in June.

The vote moves the nation one step closer to a process outlined under Article V of the U.S. Constitution, in which a national convention occurs if two-thirds, or 34, of state legislatures request it.

A resolution that passed the Senate Tuesday, as in the other 27 states, says the convention would be to propose amendments for the limited purpose of requiring the federal government to operate under a balanced budget.

But critics, which include Democrats but also some conservatives and Republicans, call that meaningless. They say theres no way to enforce limits on the conventions scope once its underway.

Sen. Kathleen Vinehout and others fear a runaway convention, what they describe as a free-for-all in which other far-reaching proposals could surface  even ones that undermine basic constitutional freedoms.

There is no safeguard for what gets dealt with when this constitutional convention gets started, said Vinehout, D-Alma.

Supporters say that any amendments emerging from the convention would need to be ratified by three-fourths, or 38, of the states. They say the greater threat to the nations future is a Congress that cant control federal spending.

Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Middleton, said the country is too sharply divided to undertake something as momentous as a constitutional convention.

It is not our time in history to think we have the right to do this, Erpenbach said.

Proponents of the convention said critics are ignoring the countrys mounting $20 trillion national debt. The sponsor of the convention resolutions, Sen. Chris Kapenga, R-Delafield, said he has little faith in lawmakers to address the problem.

Sen. David Craig, R-Town of Vernon, described the debt as the chief threat to national security.

Ive talked to Democrats in other states who recognize that we have a debt problem, Craig said.

Earlier this year, Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald initially resisted Assembly Speaker Robin Vos push to fast-track the convention resolution. Fitzgerald said in March that he had questions about the scope of such a convention.

Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, who voted for the resolution, acknowledged after Tuesdays vote that hes not convinced restrictions on the scope of a convention could be enforced once its underway.

It depends on who you talk to, Fitzgerald said. It always should be a concern when you have something that could be wide open.

Gov. Scott Walkers approval of the resolution applying for the convention is not required, but he has said he favors it.

Whether to put a time limit on Wisconsins call for the convention looked like a potential point of contention among Republicans who control the Senate.

Senate President Roger Roth, R-Appleton, proposed an amendment that would sunset the convention call in seven years.

Roth withdrew his amendment on the Senate floor during debate Tuesday evening. He later became the only Republican senator to vote against the measure.

A related bill passed Tuesday would require, if the convention were held, the Legislature and the governor to appoint seven delegates to attend and represent the state. The bill also allows a majority of the states convention delegates to vote to dismiss one of their fellow delegates if he or she voted to consider or approve an unauthorized amendment, or one outside the expected scope of the convention.
Not interested.

Thats how U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions feels about talk of him heading back to the Senate to replace embattled Alabama GOP candidate Roy Moore, a source told Fox News.

According to The New York Times, two White House officials floated the idea of replacing Moore with Sessions. Republican Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey would appoint Sessions to the vacant seat.

Mr. Sessions remains highly popular among Alabama Republicans, but his relationship with President Trump has waned since he recused himself from the investigation of the role that Russia played in last years campaign, according to The Times.

But a source close to Sessions told Fox News, The Attorney General has informed people in Alabama that he has no interest in returning to his old Senate seat.

Senior Republicans on Capitol Hill have called on Moore to drop out of the race and have gone so far as to threaten to kick him out of the Senate if he wins.

A fifth woman accused Moore, a former Alabama Supreme Court justice, on Monday of making unwanted sexual advances towards her when she was a teenager.

Moore, who has maintained his innocence, says he isnt dropping out.

Fox News' Jake Gibson contributed to this report.
When President Donald Trump met with his counterparts from Australia and Japan on Monday in Manila, two other countries were on the leaders' minds -- China and North Korea.

The meeting among the U.S. president, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe signaled their growing concerns about China's power in the Indo-Pacific region -- and the potential threat that North Korea poses to its neighbors.

Trump and Turnbull have used the five-day ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) summit in the Philippines to rally other countries to impose tougher sanctions against the rogue North Korean regime. Mondays meeting was supposed to be bilateral, but it was altered at the last minute to include the Japanese leader.

Weve got the same values and the same focus, Turnbull said about the meeting with Trump and Abe, adding that the North Korean missile crisis dominated the conversation, according to the Australian. The prime minister said the three countries were focused on stopping North Koreas reckless provocation.

Peace and stability have underpinned the prosperity of billions of people over many decades and we're going to work together to ensure we maintain it, he added.

Trump said progress has been made in trade talks -- a signature issue for the president, who campaigned heavily on his so-called America First agenda.

Weve made some very big steps in respect to trade as a result of meetings during his Asian trip, he told reporters.

Meanwhile, Trump promised that there will be a "major statement" from the White House on Wednesday, possibly about trade and North Korea.

We have deficits with almost everybody. Those deficits will be cut very quickly and very substantially, the president said.

Both Trump and Turnbull were expected to hold another meeting Tuesday after asking ASEAN officials to schedule a dinner between them.
President Trump announced that he will nominate Alex Azar as his Health and Human Services secretary, replacing Tom Price who was forced to resign in September amid a scandal over travel expenses.

Happy to announce, I am nominating Alex Azar to be the next HHS Secretary. He will be a star for better healthcare and lower drug prices! the president tweeted Monday from the Philippines.

Trump has reportedly been leaning toward an Azar nomination, as he is a veteran of the agency.

Azar, served at HHS throughout the Bush administration, beginning in 2001 as general counsel, and concluding as deputy HHS secretary until 2007. Until January, Azar worked as a senior executive at Eli Lilly. He also formed a health care strategic consulting firm called Seraphim Strategies.

According to a senior administration official, Azar is a twice unopposed, Senate-confirmed nomineeboth for his role as general counsel and deputy secretary under President George W. Bush. The official told Fox News that Azar knows the agency and can hit the ground running.

The official told Fox News Azar has been a public leader in efforts to reduce drug pricessomething Trump has been committed to accomplishing.

If confirmed, Azar would replace Trumps first HHS secretary, Tom Price, who was forced to resign after criticism mounted over his private plane trips.

HHS SECRETARY TOM PRICE RESIGNS OVER PRIVATE PLANE TRIPS

Price, a physician and former Republican congressman from Georgia, offered his resignation in late September, after reports revealed he flew on charters to visit community health centers in New Hampshire and Pennsylvania. Politico reported that he also took a government-funded jet in August to St. Simons Island, a Georgia resort where his family owns land. The outlet also reported that he took military aircraft for official trips to Africa, Europe and Asia, costing taxpayers more than $500,000.

Senior department sources told Fox News that Price would repay $51,887.31, though that repayment only represents a fraction of the total cost.

Fox News Blake Burman contributed to this report.
As House Republicans steadfastly promise a final vote on tax reform by the end of November, the Senate on Monday begins a critical step in the effort to pass its tax bill, the so-called mark-up session in the chambers Finance Committee -- where members will dissect the bill line by line to get a version that can pass by a simple, 51-vote majority.

Congressional Republicans want a final vote on their tax bill by Thanksgiving, with the Senate to follow in about a week, which would result in House and Senate negotiators agreeing to a compromise plan for a final vote before Christmas.

I think its going to pass this week, and Id support, Rep. Jim Jordan, an Ohio Republican and member of the House Freedom Caucus, told Fox News on Monday. Thats the goal. Thats what the [House] speaker has indicated. Who knows what happens in the United States Senate?

House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., recently said the GOP-controlled chambers have been working closely to ensure the separate bills are compatible enough to be combined and sent to President Trumps desk for approval before the end of the year.

However, a few major differences have emerged -- particularly whether the Senate version will delay a corporate tax cut for one year.

Otherwise, the chambers version will likely increase the federal deficit beyond 10 years, which would force Senate Republicans to get 60 votes for passage with just 52 members. Congressional Democrats have so far not supported either chambers bill.

The other major issue: The Senate bill appears to eliminate all state and local tax deductions. The House version keeps some of the deductions, essentially for voters in high-tax states like California, New Jersey and New York. All of the Congress members in those states face re-election next year.

While Ryan has at least tentative support from the fiscally conservative Freedom Caucus, holdouts from those states could create problems.

Right now, Im definitely voting no, New York GOP Rep. Peter King, told Fox News Sunday Morning Futures. This is going to have a devastating impact on areas like mine in Long Island.

The roughly 38-member Freedom Caucus has over the recent years opposed an ObamaCare repeal effort, a debt-ceiling increase and other House leadership initiatives.

However, Jordan suggested to Fox on Monday that bill will have Freedom Caucus support if the final version includes cut taxes, simplifying the tax code and sparking economic growth.

If the answer to all of them is yes, then Im for it, said Jordan, who nevertheless remains wary of the Senate, which this past summer failed to follow the House in passing an ObamaCare repeal-and-replace bill.

The Senates failure denied Trump his first legislative victory, which has made him even more ambitious toward getting a tax-reform bill on his desk for signature.

I am proud of the Rep. House & Senate for working so hard on cutting taxes {& reform.} Were getting close! he tweeted Monday from his five-nation Asian tour.

The tweet also included a nudge for Congress to repeal the so-called individual mandate in ObamaCare, a move that could save the federal government billions.

The House version did not include an appeal amendment, though it could be included in the Senate version to help it from breaking the deficit threshold.

Now, how about ending the unfair & highly unpopular Indiv Mandate in OCare & reducing taxes even further? Cut top rate to 35% w/all of the rest going to middle income cuts? Trump also said in the tweet Monday.
Researchers have finally located the wreck of the ship known as the Chilean Titanic that sank 95 years ago.

More than 400 people were on the steamer Itata when it sank in a ferocious storm off the coast of La Higuera in Chiles Coquimbo region. Some 374 people died in the disaster, according to news reports.

HUNLEY MYSTERY SOLVED: BLAST FROM OWN TORPEDO LIKELY KILLED CREW

The wrecks location has remained a mystery since the Itata sank on Aug. 28, 1922. A few weeks ago, experts from Chiles Catholic University of the North (UCN) and Matthias Gorny, director of science for ocean conservation group Oceana thought that they had found the spot where the ferry boat sank, but were unable to find the Itatas wreck using a robot sub. The breakthrough came a few days later when the wreckage was spotted at a depth of 200 metres (656 feet).

In a statement translated via Google Translate, Carlos Cortes, a filmmaker and marine biologist at the UCN and leader of the expedition, heralded the discovery as a great achievement, noting that the Itata is a crucial part of Chiles underwater heritage.

THIS SHIPWRECK DATES TO WHEN GENGHIS KHANS DESCENDANTS RULED CHINA

The University is planning to launch a documentary on the incredible find. Experts are also working on permits to conduct archaeological surveys of the site and seeking additional funding for their research.

Cortes launched the search for Itata seven years ago with audiovisual producer Ricardo Bordones. Oceana played a key role in finding the doomed vessel. Experts knew that Itata sank off the Chilean coast somewhere between Punta de Choros and Caleta Chungungo, an area that the ocean conservation group knows well.

GERMAN WORLD WAR I SUBMARINE DISCOVERED INTACT

WITH 23 BODIES INSIDE

We have made several scientific expeditions off the coast of La Higuera due to the environmental importance of this place, said Gorny, in the statement. Therefore, we wanted to collaborate in the search for Itata, taking advantage of the technology we have, and thanks to the images of our underwater robot, we were able to confirm that what was there was the ship's remains.

The Faculty of Marine Sciences at UCN will continue investigating the wreck using a robot sub. The Itata site on the Pacific seabed opens up a host of research opportunities in areas such as underwater archaeology, history and marine biology, according to Javier Sellanes, the Facultys research secretary. All this will continue to be done with the corresponding permits and due respect for those who lost their lives in this tragic event and their families, he said, in the statement.

The storied ship was used by rebels during the 1891 Chilean Civil War and was involved in a diplomatic incident between the U.S. and Chile over a shipment of arms.

Follow James Rogers on Twitter @jamesjrogers
Dinosaurs such as Tyrannosaurus rex and Triceratops became extinct about 66 million years ago, after an asteroid strike resulted in plunging temperatures. According to a new study, the frigid weather that ultimately led to their extinction was far worse than earlier models suggested.

At the end of the Cretaceous era, a massive asteroid  approximately 7 miles (12 kilometers) wide  crashed into a limestone- and gypsum-rich region, now known as the Yucatan Peninsula in the Gulf of Mexico. A new study estimates that the sun-absorbing sulfur  which vaporized into the atmosphere after the asteroid hit the gypsum  was three times more abundant than previous models estimated.

Of course, the asteroid impact itself was terrible for local animal inhabitants, which may have perished in the crash's immediate aftereffects such as tsunamis and landslides. But the asteroid's impact site was an extra stroke of bad luck for the rest of the planet, according to Natalia Artemieva, a senior scientist at the Planetary Science Institute in Tucson, Arizona, and co-author of the new study.

"The impact site in the current Gulf of Mexico had 3-km [of] thick sedimentary cover, a combination of limestone and sulfur-bearing evaporites," Artemieva told Space.com in an email. "It's kind of a joke that 66 million years ago the asteroid fell into the worst possible place on Earth .... "would impact [have] occur[ed] into the ocean or into silicate rocks (such as granite), dinosaurs would be still alive."

The so-called Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event wiped out many species, including all of the non-avian dinosaurs, according to a 2012 study by Paul Renne et al. According to a statement released by the American Geophysical Union, researchers often attribute that extinction event  to the asteroid collision that hit the Yucatan Peninsula, which combined with other forces of climate change - like the Deccan Plateau volcanic eruptions - to make for hostile global environments.

The space rock would have thrown enormous amounts of dust, sulfur and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, and it was the abundance of sulfur in these clouds that may have caused Earth's average surface air temperatures to drop by as much as 47 degrees Fahrenheit (26 degrees Celsius) in the long term. According to the new study, detailed Oct. 30 in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, the dramatically cooler temperatures lasted about three years after the asteroid impact.

Artemieva, co-author Joanna Morgan of Imperial College London and their team came across these findings by using a model that, according to the study, had "the capability to simulate the dynamics of different materials within the impact plume." The different materials displaced by the space rock each act differently when shock-waves hit them, so by fine-tuning the ejection models, the team could predict how much of each temperature-altering gas was ejected high enough to linger in the atmosphere upon impact.

The team calculated only the gases that flew with a minimum velocity of 1 kilometer per second (0.62 miles per second, or 2,200 mph) into the atmosphere, because gases thrown at slower speeds were likely unable to reach a high enough altitude to influence the climate, Artemieva said. Older models with less computing power are therefore less accurate, she added, because they didn't isolate for a material's chances of staying in the atmosphere. Instead, the older models calculated all of the material that turned into vapor upon impact. Researchers now know that if material is vaporized, it doesn't mean it reached the atmosphere and caused climatic change, since much of it actually stayed near the crater.

Recent geophysical studies, including more up-to-date information on how rocks behave under extreme conditions and various impact angle models, suggest the Chicxulub crater formed when hit at an approximately 60-degree angle. The revised data means more sulfur was ejected into the sky, the researchers said. According to Artemieva, volcanoes may offer insight into the effect this mineral has on Earth's climate when it gets pummeled into tiny solid particles known as aerosols.

"Sulfur aerosols  cause cooling as they block incoming sunlight. Currently, the amount of CO2 and SOx [sulfur oxide] in Earth's atmosphere are balanced somehow, and we have our current (quite comfortable) climate," Artemieva said. Volcanic eruptions, for example, release a lot of sulfur into the atmosphere, which can cause local cooling, and even global cooling for one to two years, she added.

Original article on Space.com.
Chaim Motzen was intrigued when he read about a pendant excavated at a Nazi death camp with a possible link to Anne Frank. Engraved with "mazel tov""good luck" in Hebrewthe little charm belonged to Karoline Cohn, a 14-year-old Jewish girl killed at Sobibor.

Motzen, an amateur genealogist, set out to find Karoline's family and discovered several branches, from the US and Israel to Nicaragua and Japan, the Times of Israel and Time report.

On Monday, more than 30 of those relatives will meet in Germany to dedicate a stolpersteine, or "stumbling stone," a brass memorial plaque at Karoline's last known address in Frankfurt.

Many of the girl's family members have never met, and some had no idea they lost relatives in the Holocaust. "We had this person who was completely forgotten," Motzen tells the Times.

"Through this pendant people are learning about each other and their history, and about Karoline," he says. Motzen's first clue about Karoline's roots came when he dug up testimony online that her mother's cousin had given to Yad Vashem in 1978, per Time. From there, he found the grandchildren of her uncle.

When he phoned Mandy Eisemann, 46, the daughter of Karoline's first cousin, in Maryland, she cried. Then she phoned her dad, Barry Eisemann, 72, whose own father escaped the Nazis but kept mum about the family history.

"He kept it from me to protect me," he tells Time. "The emotions he experienced then, I'm feeling now." Barry Eisemann is "excited, but a little nervous" about meeting newly found relatives at the reunion.

But he adds, "I think this is what Karoline would have wanted." (A letter buried at Auschwitz was finally published.)

This article originally appeared on Newser: How a Holocaust Pendant Reunited a Family
Sheep are social animals, and as such, it behooves them to recognize one another's faces. They have even shown they can recall the faces of people who regularly care for them. But sheep recently demonstrated an ability that is somewhat unusual: They can learn to recognize an unfamiliar human face even when they aren't seeing it in three dimensions.

The new study showed that sheep could be trained using photos to recognize people who were previously unknown to them  such as actress Emma Watson and former U.S. President Barack Obama. And the animals were able to repeatedly do so, even with images that showed the faces from different angles.

And the wooly creatures aren't half baa-aad at it. In fact, their performance demonstrated facial-recognition abilities on par with those of humans and other primates, the study authors reported. [The 12 Weirdest Animal Discoveries]

Facial recognition is an important human social skill, and scientists evaluate how well animals recognize faces in order to understand the beasts' cognition, and to analyze the implications of facial recognition for the animals' social behavior.

Previous studies showed that sheep can tell the difference between human and sheep faces in photos, and studies show sheep activate similar neural pathways during facial recognition tasks as humans and nonhuman primates do, the study authors reported.

Face-off

For the new study, eight sheep were trained to recognize four faces that are relatively famous (to humans, anyway): those of Watson, Obama, actor Jake Gyllenhaal and British television journalist Fiona Bruce, which were presented to the sheep as images on a computer screen.

The scientists selected these particular celebrities because there were plenty of images of them available online, and because they were fairly certain that the sheep had never seen any of them in person before, "though Barack Obama has been to Cambridge recently," study co-author Jennifer Morton, a professor of neurobiology at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom, told Live Science in an email.

First, the sheep learned to select a "celebrity" face image rather than an image of a black screen or an inanimate, vaguely head-shaped object. They then progressed to a choice between a celebrity face and a similar but unfamiliar face. Then, to make sure that the sheep weren't merely memorizing images but truly recognized a face by its distinct features, researchers offered the sheep a choice between two photos: one of an unfamiliar face and one of the celebrity face, but displayed at a different angle than seen in previous trials.

The sheep chose the celebrity faces  the ones that were familiar to them  about 79 percent of the time. Their rate of success dipped somewhat  to about 67 percent when the faces were angled to the left or right, or had a different hairstyle, but these results were still significantly higher than if the sheep were picking faces purely by chance, the study authors reported.

Interestingly, human success rates in facial recognition tests showed a similar drop when people looked at familiar faces that were presented a different angle, according to the study.

"We can't know that the sheep recognized the person, but the evidence suggests this is so," Morton told Live Science.

"A lot of work has been done on how humans recognize faces. We based our conclusions on what has been shown in humans," she said.

Further tests showed that sheep could also recognize the faces of their handlers from photographs, selecting them correctly in 72 percent of trials without any additional training.

Prior animal studies have shown that chimpanzees, our close relatives, can identify human faces, but so can other animals that aren't part of the primate family. Pigeons can remember the faces of people that shoo them away, avoiding those individuals even when they are wearing different clothes. In 2011, scientists reported that magpies on a university campus scolded and attacked researchers who had previously surveyed the animals' nests, even after the researchers had swapped clothes with other people.

And be careful about crossing a crow; not only do they remember the faces of people who threaten them , but they can also hold grudges that last for decades, researchers found. Crows also appear to share information with their friends and family about individuals that they recognize; scientists reported in 2011 that after they had captured and released individual crows, they would be scolded by dozens of angry corvids when they returned to the area.

But for Morton and her colleagues, learning about facial recognition in sheep was just one step in the researchers' goal of answering bigger questions about brain function. The study informs their ongoing work with sheep to investigate Huntington's disease (HD), a hereditary and degenerative disorder in people that affects motor regions of the brain. The disease is currently incurable and has limited options for treatment, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

"Cognitive decline is a major therapeutic target in HD," Morton explained on her research department's website.

"If we can test cognition in sheep, we can see if there is a decline in cognition in the HD sheep. If so, they will be very useful large-animal models of HD in which novel therapies can be tested," Morton said.

The findings were published online Nov. 7 in the journal Royal Society Open Science.

Original article on Live Science.
For eons, students have found ways to cheat on exams and tests  looking at someone else's test or paper, getting the answers beforehand or plagiarizing someone else's work.

Now, in an age where technology is pervasive in every facet of life, some have been accused of using an app to help them cheat.

The Ohio State University has accused 83 of its students of cheating by using the GroupMe app to work on classwork together.

SNAPCHAT IS GETTING A NEW LOOK BECAUSE IT'S 'TOO HARD TO USE'

Ohio State University said the students abused the code of conduct, citing unauthorized collaboration on graded assignments.

Students charged with academic misconduct violations may accept responsibility for the charges or request a hearing... Ohio State University spokesman Benjamin Johnson said in a statement obtained by news outlet WCHMH. If found in violation, students receive sanctions based on the nature and severity of the violation in accordance with university standards and protocols.

The app, which lets users send chats to large groups of people simultaneously, is permitted to be used by the school's rules, but is subject to the same scrutiny as any other form of communication. GroupMe is not among the top 50 apps in the App Store or Google Play, but it is ranked 14th among social networking apps in the App Store.

Fox News 8 in Cleveland noted that the investigation began after a professor in the university's business school reported the allegations this past April.

The names of the students have not been released. Potential penalties range from warnings to expulsion.

GroupMe has not yet responded to a request for comment for this story.

Follow Chris Ciaccia on Twitter @Chris_Ciaccia. The Associated Press contributed to this story.
This is a rush transcript from "Journal Editorial Report," November 11, 2017. This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: We'll not have lasting prosperity if we don't confront grave threats to security, sovereignty and stability facing our world today. Earlier this week, I addressed the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, and urged every responsible nation to stand united in declaring that every single step the North Korean regime takes towards more weapons, is a step it takes into greater and greater danger. The future of this region and its beautiful people must not be held hostage to a dictator's twisted fantasies of violent conquest and nuclear blackmail.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PAUL GIGOT, HOST: Welcome to the "Journal Editorial Report." I'm Paul Gigot.

That was President Trump on his 12-day trip to Asia, with stops in Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam and the Philippines. The White House has outlined many goals for the trip, which includes promoting the denuclearization of North Korea, a free and open Indo-Pacific region, and expanding American economic and trade interests in the Pacific.

Joining me now is Fox News contributor and former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, John Bolton.

Welcome, Ambassador Bolton.

JOHN BOLTON, FOX NEWS CONTRIBUTOR: Thank you.

So you have seen, followed the president's speech on this trip. What I was struck with, and particularly in China, was the kind of the grandeur of it, the mutual flattery, the bonhomie, what wonderful people, you are great man, no, you are a great man. And it's good feeling, all right, great. But what do we see substantively out of this U.S./ China deal?

BOLTON: I don't think that we have really seen anything. I think that Xi Jinping, at the height of his power, compared now to Mao Tse Tung at the height of his power, wanted to give what the media at least has dubbed Trump a state visit-plus, and I think he accomplished that. It doesn't necessarily surprise me that we haven't really heard anything public on the critical issue of the Xi/Trump meetings. I think --

(CROSSTALK)

BOLTON: -- the North Korea program. I think it's entirely possible that they have made some progress, but they don't want to state it publicly. It's also possible they did not make any progress at all. But the point Trump had to make to Xi was that we can either solve the problem together now or we, in the United States, will be faced with the difficult decision of solving it on our own, quite possibly militarily.

GIGOT: And you believe that's the message that the president sent?

BOLTON: I think it should have been. I think they're quite successful in keeping the substance of the talk silent. But there's not much time here. I think the president needed to impress that on the Chinese. We have had 25 years of on-again and off-again negotiations, North Korean commitments, North Korean violations of their commitments. Mike Pompeo, the director of the CIA, said a few weeks ago that North Korea might be within months of having the capability of dropping thermonuclear weapons on any target in the continental United States. We are at a point very close to a go/no-go decision on the use of military force. Otherwise, we'll face North Korea with nuclear weapons as far as the eye can see.

GIGOT: So Rex Tillerson, the secretary of state, gave a press briefing after the sessions in China, and what he said was there's no difference between the United States and China on North Korea in terms of goals. And yet, if you looked at South Korea before the visit, the new president of South Korea, the new government, which is left-leaning, basically agreed with China not to deploy new THAAD antimissile batteries in the peninsula in the future, which was a Chinese demand. So you see evidence that our core ally there, the ally we're protecting, has been moving towards China's position on what you can deploy militarily on the peninsula.

BOLTON: I think the best news about South Korea is that it's politically very divided. In fact, just before the trip, the leader of the South Korean opposition called on the United States to deploy tactical nuclear weapons for the first time in several decades. I thought --

(CROSSTALK)

GIGOT: On the South Korean peninsula, you mean?

BOLTON: On the peninsula, yes. I think President Trump really threaded the needle with his speech to the South Korea National Assembly. I thought it was a great speech. To make it clear, he was going to do what he needed to do to protect America, but he wanted the South Koreans to stand with us. I think it's very important going forward. He has strong support from Japanese Prime Minister Abe. But clearly, the main event regarding North Korea on this trip was the visit in Beijing.

GIGOT: On that speech on South Korea, what I liked about it was he spoke about the contrast between North and South in moral terms. He basically drew a line at the Demilitarized Zone and said that the depravity in the North, everyone, humanity needs to stand up and oppose that. And contrast that with the prosperity and progress in the South. Most of the presidents have shied away from that kind of distinction.

BOLTON: It was a very Reagan-esque speech in that regard. Absolutely, right. I think it was, I though, a subtle appeal to the South Korean people to disregard what they have been taught at their schools for many years, which is life in the North is pretty much what life in the South is like. And it's to draw the distinction that we are just not going to put up with this bizarre regime in Pyongyang with nuclear weapons. The president said in his U.N. un speech, denuclearization is the only way forward. He continued to maintain that. I'm sure that's what he said to China. We'll have to see now what happens.

GIGOT: So briefly, Ambassador, if China doesn't cooperate in the coming months on North Korea, what option does the president have to lean on China, to say that you're going to pay a price if they did not help us?

BOLTON: I'm afraid that's not a very good option because I think it would be very hard to convince American business people to take the kinds of steps to sanction China that would be necessary, because it would require us to feel some pain, too.

GIGOT: Right.

BOLTON: I think that either we persuade China to act together in our own respective national self-interest. Plan "A" is reuniting the peninsula. Plan "B" is overthrowing the Kim Jong-Un dictatorship. Or else we come to a point where the fundamental choices, as Susan Rice, Barack Obama's national security adviser, advocated, accept North Korea with nuclear weapons or use military force to stop it. Neither is a good option. I would go with using military force because I don't want to live under North Korean extortion.

GIGOT: All right, thank you, Ambassador.

When we return, the Senate and the House squaring off as both tax plans take center stage. Can lawmakers get on the same page and past tax reform? And what does it mean for taxpayers?

(COMMECIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. PAUL RYAN, R-WIS., SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE: Yes, the Senate bill will be different than the House bill, because that is the legislative process. But what is encouraging in all of this is, just as we discussed at the front end of the process, we have a framework that we established with the White House and the Senate and these bills are being written inside the framework. But the House will pass the bill, the Senate will pass this bill, and then we'll get together and reconcile the differences, which is legislative process. That is how this process will continue.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GIGOT: That was Speaker Paul Ryan addressing the differences between the House tax plan released last month and the new Senate tax bill released Thursday. The Senate bill calling for a total repeal of the state and local tax deduction, as opposed to the limited repeal offered by the House. This only scratches the surface on what could be a long process to pass and reconcile both bills. So how different is the Senate bill compared to the House plan and can lawmakers get on the same page?

Let's ask Wall Street Journal assistant editorial page editor, James Freeman, editorial board member, Mary Kissel, and columnists, Mary Anastasia O'Grady and Kim Strassel.

So, Brother Freeman?

JAMES FREEMAN, ASSISTANT EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR: Yes, sir?

GIGOT: Senate bill is out? What do you make of the bill?

FREEMAN: I think you're seeing both houses move forward with pro-growth changes, cutting about $1.5 trillion in taxes. It's kind of tastes great versus less filling.

(LAUGHTER)

I think both are very good for job creation. I would say I like the House a little better in that they go for the corporate tax rate cut immediately.

GIGOT: You don't like the one-year delay --

FREEMAN: That's right.

GIGOT: -- in the corporate tax cut?

FREEMAN: It's not because --

GIGOT: Why not?

FREEMAN: And it's not just because you want the incentives for growth and job creation to start immediately. I think also Republicans need to understand they have a political imperative to deliver growth in the first half of next year if they want to hold the House.

GIGOT: Here's what I hear from a lot of economists that I've consulted, James, which is that the expensing provision, which is 100 percent immediate expensing, that would take place right away. That actually is more important against a higher top tax rate, the 35 percent rate. So that will give incentive for immediate investment that will overwhelm the delay of one year.

FREEMAN: The expensing is great. It goes to a big problem of the Obama years, which is corporations did not want to invest. The concern there is unlike a rate cut, some businesses use more capital than others. You can think of services companies that don't do a lot of capital expenditure. So the provisional will be less valuable to them. That's why I would like to see that low rate for everyone right away.

GIGOT: Mary, if they know they're going to get it in 2019 and it will be permanent, the 20 percent rate, still pretty big incentive.

MARY KISSEL, EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBER: It's good, but I agree with James, I wish we had it immediately. I also wish that the Senate would get rid of the estate tax. So you get taxed just because you die. I mean, this --

(CROSSTALK)

GIGOT: The House bill gets rid of that, the Senate doesn't.

KISSEL: The Senate doesn't. That's right. That is something I hope they can agree on in reconciliation.

GIGOT: I think you will probably be disappointed because there are some Senators who think it's too much of a tax cut for the rich, Mary.

MARY ANASTASIA O'GRADY, COLUMNIST: I think the bottom line here is how you're going to pay for it. That is the continual question. And there's an election next year. There's an election for Congress. And most of those congressmen, the ones in blue states, are going to have to think about what piece of the pie they are taking away from constituents and their states. And I think the issue of state and local deductions will be a big problem in the House.

GIGOT: But you are in favor of the deduction, as a matter of -- removing the deduction as a matter of economic policy?

O'GRADY: Yes, but if you listen to some of these Republican congressman, who are complaining about it, they're saying, well, you're creating winners and losers. And of course, you are. You have -- they are talking about finding ways to pay for this big corporate tax cut. And I think that is the biggest problem with the way they have approached this. They keep talking about finding ways to pay for it, instead of talking about the growth effects of actually lessening the burden.

GIGOT: Kim, I think Mary has got her finger on the key political difference between the House and the Senate on that state and local tax deduction. The House includes a provision that gives a deduction for $10,000 maximum on property tax relief. Which in states of New Jersey and Illinois, for example, it's a very big deal for Republicans from those states. I think the Senate will probably have to give that back to the House in conference.

KIM STRASSEL, WASHINGTON COLUMNIST: The Senate had a giveaway here because the problem is for the House, they have all these members from those states. There's not a single SALT member state in the Republican caucus in the Senate.

GIGOT: In the Senate.

STRASSEL: So they didn't have to worry about that as a political issue. But it's a big concern for the House Republicans. And so probably what you see as a compromise, something along the lines of where the House was heading anyway.

GIGOT: OK. But is the big picture here, Kim, that this is the members of both Houses now really on board to pass something? That this is not the same kind of dysfunction we have seen, at least so far, in health care and then this has real momentum behind it?

STRASSEL: Yes. The stories that came out this week showing the differences between the two bills, they matter. But the big story was the remarkable progress that was made. The House Ways and Means Committee passed this bill out, the Senate released its details. There many more big-picture points that are in line with each other than differences. And moreover, there's a sense of momentum among the Republicans that this has to get done. And they maybe they will get done before Christmas as they promise.

GIGOT: With momentum, are any Democrats going to play? Chuck Schumer is lamenting the state and local tax deduction going away, but if you want to get rid of it, how about negotiating over some votes? You know --

(LAUGHTER)

KISSEL: You do have some Democrats in states that Donald Trump won. But I think that you would have to get the real unity among the Republican caucus in the Senate for Democrats to come over.

GIGOT: You think --

(CROSSTALK)

FREEMAN: Maybe a Heidi Heitkamp. But in terms of the blue state/Chuck Schumer types, they lost their opportunity. And I think with the state and local tax deduction, even House members are seeing, for most of the constituents, even in a blue state, it's a tax cut.

GIGOT: All right, Thank you all.

When we come back, a Democratic sweep in the New Jersey and Virginia governors' races. Karl Rove tells us what it means for the GOP and the president, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RALPH NORTHAM, D-VA. GOVERNOR-ELECT: We need to close the divide and bring unity to Virginia. Whether you voted for me or not, we are all Virginians. And I hope --

(CHEERING)

NORTHAM: I hope to earn your confidence and support as we move forward.

PHIL MURPHY, D-N.J. GOVERNOR-ELECT: Tonight, we declare the days of division are over. We'll move forward together. This is exactly what we are, New Jersey. We have each other's backs. To believe in each of us, is to believe in all of us.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GIGOT: Democrats Ralph Northam and Phil Murphy, the governors-elect of Virginia and New Jersey, preaching unity after their big win earlier this week. Some pundits say the GOP wipeout was a result of growing anti-Trump sentiment, and proves that Trumpism could be fatal for Republican candidates.

President Trump tweeted his thoughts on the Virginia race, "Ed Gillespie worked hard but did not embrace me or what I stand for. Don't forget Republicans won four of four House seats. And with the economy doing record numbers, we will continue to win even bigger than before," end quote.

So is the president right or were the voters taking a stand against Trumpism?

Let's asked FOX news contributor and "Wall Street Journal" columnist, Karl Rove.

So, Karl, welcome.

KARL ROVE, COLUMNIST & FOX NEWS CONTRIBUTOR: Thank you.

GIGOT: You heard the president say Ed Gillespie's problem was he was not for Trump enough. Do you agree?

ROVE: No, I don't. The president's popularity in the state was 40 percent. His disapproval was 57 percent. Those that strongly approved of the president's performance were one out of every five Virginians, 20 percent. And those who strongly disapproved of him were 47 percent. And among that 47 percent who strongly disapproved of the president's performance, 95 percent of them voted for Ralph Northam for governor. That is better than almost 2.5 to one ratio between those that strongly disapprove versus those who strongly approve.

GIGOT: The striking thing to me, Karl, about Virginia was that record turnout by Democrats. I mean, Ed Gillespie, just take Loudon County, Ed Gillespie won that narrowly. It's a northern Virginia county that is a kind of a bellwether county. He won that in his Senate race in 2014 narrowly, 400 and some votes. He lost it by 23,000 this time.

ROVE: Yes.

GIGOT: Democrats poured out there. They were motivated by something. And in your view, it was just sending a message to the president?

ROVE: Sure. Statewide, the turnout was up 16 percent over four years ago. Over the very highly contested gubernatorial contest in 2013. Loudon County was up 31 percent. Look at the rest of northern Virginia. Alexandria City, up 26 percent. Fairfax County, the biggest voting jurisdiction in the state, up 23 percent. Arlington, up 26 percent. But Loudon County, 31 percent. A third more voters voted in that county this year than four years ago. If you look at the Republican parts of the state, turnout compared to four years ago was either up a little bit or down.

GIGOT: All right. So there's a contention among some of the Steve Bannon types, Donald Trump supporters, that if Gillespie had somehow wrapped himself around the president's agenda, for example, if he came out strong for a wall on the Mexican border, if he hit hard on illegal immigration, somehow that would have driven up that Republican turnout. Does that sound plausible to you?

ROVE: No, it doesn't. Ed Gillespie ran almost six points ahead of the average of Donald Trump's favorability in the state. That says something about Gillespie's message, which was about big chunks of it, here's what I'm going to do grow the state, here's what I'm going to do to cut the taxes and make us more competitive, here's how I'm going to increase innovation, here's what I'm going to on education, public safety. He had a very substantive campaign and that allowed him to escape some of the gravitational pull of the president in the state, but not all of it. Look, Washington, D.C., suburbs, which cast over a third of the vote in the state, they pay a lot of attention to what goes across the river there in Potomac. A lot of government employees and they pay close attention to the president and what he's doing, and they sent a resounding "no" message this year.

GIGOT: The point about Washington, does that mean that, in fact, this is -- Virginia is a unique state. Obviously, Hillary Clinton won it by five points. I think Gillespie lost it by nine. So it's a bigger margin. But is this somehow a unique state, because this is what I saw. In other races around the country, Washington State, Manchester, New Jersey, it wasn't a lot of good news for Republicans anywhere.

ROVE: No. No. There's a short-term issue for Virginia and a long-term issue. The long-term issue is that Virginia is no longer the northernmost southern state. It is now the southernmost northeastern state. So there are changes inside the state that, over the long haul, which have been bad for Republicans. But in this election, this was all about President Trump. The Democrats made it about President Trump and then Ed Gillespie had to parry that. And he ran ahead of Trumps favorability rating in the state. But the rating was too low to allow him to escape the gravitational dark hole, if you will, black hole of the president's unpopularity.

GIGOT: So what's the signal? What's the signal for the Republicans running in 2018? I know from talking to them, most of them are saying, wow, I'm worried.

ROVE: Yes.

GIGOT: What do they have to do to bridge the wings of the party, the Gillespie wing and the Trump wing?

ROVE: There's one good piece of good news out of this, which is that most Democratic candidates next year are not going to be like Ralph Northam. Ralph Northam is a - voted for George W. Bush for president twice, contemplated running as a Republican candidate when he entered politics, represented a relatively conservative part of the state, a Republican part of the state, the Tidewater, Virginia Beach and Chesapeake. He was not the kind of left-wing lunatic that the Democrats seem to insist upon nominating for office.

But having said that, what this say is, if your state or district is like Virginia Hillary Clinton won it by five points, you better batten down the hatches and get prepared and be able to share with the people what it is that you need to achieve, what it is you want to do, who you are. And you want to cover that district in the state like the morning dew in order to make people know who you are and don't confuse you for being Donald Trump.

The second thing is the president had better work on getting his numbers up. Otherwise, on Election Day 2018, he is going to turn around and there will be a lot of people who got defeated, who should have won, and who have an "R" behind their name, and he will be blamed for it.

GIGOT: All right. Thank you, Karl Rove. Good counsel.

Still ahead, we're looking at 2018 and 2020. Were the New Jersey and Virginia results a preview of what is to come. And how the revelations from former DNC Chief Donna Brazile's book may affect the Democratic Party.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM, R-S.C.: I think the antidote to our programs is success legislatively. If we can cut taxes for people in the way that they feel, if we can repair a broken health care system that does a better job taking care of people, then we will get rewarded. My problem is our base is pretty unenthusiastic. We have done things with Neil Gorsuch and regulatory reform but, legislatively, we haven't cut taxes and we haven't reformed health care, and I think that showed up last night.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GIGOT: South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham the day after the Democrats swept the Virginia and New Jersey governor's races on what Republicans need to do to win back voters. But can the GOP get things done in time for the 2018 midterms? And will the wave of anti-Trump voting continue?

We are back with James Freeman, Mary Kissel, Mary O'Grady and Kim Strassel.

So, Mary Kissel, Mary K., what do you say to Karl Rove saying that this was a big anti-Trump vote? Any disagreement with that?

MARY KISSEL, EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBER: No, no disagreement with that. And I think Senator Lindsey Graham gave some very reasonable pragmatic advice. In other words, get off of your seats and let's get some legislative accomplishments on the board, sooner rather than later. Clearly, there was a big government vote in Virginia, Paul. I think one thing that Karl did not address was also the effect of Trump rhetoric in the Charlottesville event.

GIGOT: In Virginia.

KISSEL: -- in Virginia. You know, Trump has had achievements here, regulatory reform, nominating good judges. There are achievements to talk about. They need more of them. And I think they need to step away from the rhetoric of Trump.

GIGOT: Mary?

MARY ANASTASIA O'GRADY, COLUMNIST: I think it will be very tough. The reason is because regulatory reform is kind of a diffused factor. Donald Trump is a lightning rod. He is really polarizing. And --

(CROSSTALK)

GIGOT: Trump is the issue in American politics.

O'GRADY: Yes. And if you look at, for example, Westchester County, outside of New York City, where the country executive, Rob Astorino, lost to George Latimer, a Democrat, with a really not very impressive resume and a lot of personal baggage.

GIGOT: Right.

O'GRADY: But women in Westchester County -- and I know because I know some people there -- were really mobilized against Donald Trump. He really got a lot of enthusiasm around the idea of voting in a Democrat as a metaphor for how they felt about Donald Trump. I think that will continue into 2018.

GIGOT: James, do you have a more optimistic take on this --

(CROSSTALK)

GIGOT: -- for our reviewers?

JAMES FREEMAN, ASSISTANT EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR: I think it's related to what we've been talking about. If you look at the problems in Virginia the Republican Party had with single woman and moderate men, that may go to this issue of Donald Trump in his presentation. But I think Republicans have to understand that they're not popular either. There may be a temptation to blame everything on Donald Trump. In some polls, the Republican Party is actually less popular than he is. So --

(CROSSTALK)

GIGOT: -- outperformed in some places.

FREEMAN: Right. I think to get -- they can't necessarily make regulation a kitchen-table issue for everybody, but I think it's getting that good economic growth. And that goes to -- we talked about the urgency of passing tax reform earlier. This is a political necessity for them if they want to avoid a sweep in the House and Trump's impeachment.

O'GRADY: But I think there's another factor here. You think about Ronald Reagan. The secret to Ronald Reagan was he united conservatives and you might call Libertarians, a very pro-market people. Those two groups came together and that was the support of Ronald Reagan. Donald Trump has divided those two groups and that is another reason. It's not just that Democrats are energized against him, but also that the Republican Party is divided because Donald Trump sort of abandoned the free-market rhetoric.

GIGOT: Kim, I think it's Mary hits on a key point about the Republican coalition. It's divided, and in some way, respects, may be getting more so under Donald Trump. I wonder if -- you wrote a column about Ed Gillespie trying to manage this divide and you wrote -- you know, he was probably doing the best he could, as opposed to going full Never Trump, which had blown up, for example, Jeff Flake, in Arizona. He's not even running for reelection, the incumbent Senator. Is there a strategy, Gillespie-like strategy that other Republicans can pursue here?

KIM STRASSEL, WASHINGTON COLUMNIST: I think if there's one in the unifying theme between the party, it's economic growth. And "Real Clear Politics" had a fascinating piece where they dug into some of the Virginia results. They talked about Nelson County, which is actually one that Gillespie won, in the southern part of the state. And what defines Nelson County is it's one of those pivot counties. It had gone for Obama twice and then for Donald Trump. What also defines these counties is that they have been subject to great economic distress. They've lost more jobs than they've gained over the past eight or nine years. And these are the folks that wanted Trump. They were willing to overlook some of his problems because of his promise of free-market growth reviving the American economy. I think that is a message that Gillespie pushed, and it did help him with many types of voters in the state. And I think it's a way that, if Republicans are going to use it, they will have to do it by building on some legislative accomplishments, like tax reform. That is why it's so crucial what happens in Washington.

GIGOT: All right. Let's pivot quickly here to Donna Brazile, the former Democratic national chairwoman, with a book saying the nomination was rigged, Mary. What kind of a big smoke bomb has that dropped in the middle of Democratic joy?

KISSEL: A pretty big smoke bomb, Paul. For all the talk about the community and the Republican Party, there's equal unity on the Democratic side. There's evidence the DNC nomination was rigged and in flavor of Hillary Clinton. Now Democrats are discovering this as Donna Brazile pushes sales of her new book. I think it's deeply discomforting. And I think it's a boost to the far-left side of the campaign, Bernie Sanders.

GIGOT: And you know, in Virginia and New Jersey, they sense victory here. So maybe -- will they really have this type of a brawl in 2018 in the primary?

FREEMAN: You look at this week's results, and it looks like a pretty unified party. Even within establishment, moderate guy like Ralph Northam doing very well. This is maybe bad news for the Republican Party, good news for America, that this, especially in Virginia, this was a big setback for Bernie Sanders' effort to take over a party that he still doesn't belong to.

(LAUGHTER)

KISSEL: What about the New Jersey governor's race?

(CROSSTALK)

KISSEL: There's no moderates.

FREEMAN: I think this is Chris Christie. But you know, with Phil Murphy, given a Goldman Sachs transition, you get the impression he doesn't really mean it when he sounds like Bernie Sanders.

(CROSSTALK)

GIGOT: All right, thank you all.

Still ahead, more questions than answers when it comes to this Steele dossier and the Russia investigation. But some new developments may start to shed some light on this mystery, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

GIGOT: Congress and Fusion GPS cofounder, Glenn Simpson, striking a deal to allow him to testify behind closed doors on a document now known as this Steele dossier. The document has caused a swirl of speculation and questions on Capitol Hill about its contents, leading lawmakers to issue subpoenas in order to determine if the Russians did, in fact, meddle in the 2016 election, as some claim. Several allegations in the document have been proven false, while others continue to spark debate. Two executives from the company previously invoked the Fifth Amendment right to avoid incriminating themselves.

We're back with James Freeman, Mary Anastasia O'Grady, Mary Kissel and Kim Strassel.

Kim, you are the global expert on the Steele dossier, really digging into the story.

STRASSEL: I don't know if that is true!

GIGOT: But let's back up, big picture here. Why should we care about this document and how it came about?

STRASSEL: OK, we should care about this document because the narrative all along the last year has been, was there Trump collision with the Russians in the elections? It's not been proven yet. It's possible. We don't know, but there's no evidence so far.

But here what we have on the other side is some pretty tangible evidence that the Democratic National Committee, the Hillary Clinton campaign paid an opposition research firm to put together a dossier based on anonymous Russian sources that may have inspired the FBI to investigate the Trump campaign, that may be behind a lot of these arguments of collision that are out there, and that the Russians might have known about this project and, therefore, influenced its content.

GIGOT: So the Democrats paid Fusion, who hired Christopher Steele, the former British spy, who produced the dossier that then made its hands into the FBI, which then sought a FISA court warrant to investigate a member, someone, Carter Page, who was associated with the Trump campaign. All that is pretty solid evidence. We know those things are true.

STRASSEL: Well, we are not entirely sure yet, for instance, if it was the dossier that provoked the FISA warrant.

GIGOT: OK, that's a question.

STRASSEL: And that is the question that needs to be answered. Right.

GIGOT: It may have provoked it. And "The Washington Post" has reported that it actually did. I believe, that is correct.

STRASSEL: There has been a lot of allegations, yes. And what is important is the House Intelligence Committee has also come to an agreement with the FBI, finally, to get to see the FBI's dossier file, which should provide some more information about how big a role the document played.

GIGOT: OK.

This is really, I think -- granted, we want to investigate and find out if there was any Trump/Russia occlusion. But this is the other side of the story. Shouldn't we want to know the full story, particularly when it comes to a U.S. criminal and intelligence service like the FBI?

KISSEL: There something more, which Kim has covered in her column, which is that this opposition research was also being fed to major news organizations in the United States during the campaign. And it was being delivered to the public as if it was some kind of official information. And so that was also very misleading during the campaign. And now, Hillary Clinton continues to say, no, this did not matter at all, this is just things we did in the background. That is not true. They fed it to the press.

O'GRADY: There was another development this week. We found out through some good reporting that Glenn Simpson, one of the principals at Fusion GPS, met with the Russian lawyer, who then went on to meet with Don Jr, another meeting which has drawn scrutiny. It's unclear if they were discussing the upcoming meeting with Don Jr or and if they were --

GIGOT: Donald Trump Jr.

O'GRADY: Yes, Donald Trump Jr. Or if they were discussing other business that Fusion also had about the same Russian attorney. So more questions here, Paul.

GIGOT: Yes.

And is this being investigated, in your view, to your satisfaction, by Robert Mueller, the special counsel?

FREEMAN: We will see. I would say, certainly, there's a great lack of curiosity among the American media. We remember, during the Bush years, how controversial it was that the United States was looking at telephone metadata for non-Americans overseas. We now have, in the 2016 campaign, the government using its surveillance powers against the party out of power. And this is the question, to what extent did that Steele dossier, this opposition research, drive the use of surveillance powers against political opponents by the party in power?

GIGOT: Is the key here the Intelligence Committees on Capitol Hill, Kim, briefly? Will we get anything on this from Mueller?

STRASSEL: Everything that we've got, so far, has been from the committees, and everything we're going to get is from them. I do not have any confidence that Mueller has an interest in this.

GIGOT: All right. Thank you all very much.

When we come back, this week marks 100 years of Communism. We will look at what happened over the last century and lessons we have learned, hard lessons, after the break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

GIGOT: A century ago this week, the deadliest political system in human history took root in Russia, when the Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin, overthrew Russia's provincial government and established the world's first Socialist state. Communism was born. The promises made of equality and freedom from oppression were soon replaced with torture and murder. All told, the past 100 years have seen nearly 100 million deaths as a result of Communist regimes.

The White House issued a statement commemorating the national day for the victims of Communism, which read, in part, "The Bolshevik revolution gave rise to the Soviet Union and its dark decades of oppressive Communism, a political philosophy incompatible with liberty, prosperity, and the dignity of human life."

We are back with James Freeman, Mary Kissel, Mary O'Grady and Kim Strassel.

Mary, giving away our ages. We grew up with this Communism as a defining struggle in our lifetimes. It went away with the collapse - substantially, with the collapse of the Berlin Wall and the Soviet Union years later. But remind us of what it left.

O'GRADY: Paul, the centerpiece of Communism was that they had to destroy private property. Everything was going to be collective. And destroying private property is much easier said than done because human beings basically hold private property as a center of who they are. They strive to create, and the fruits of their labor become part of who they are. To destroy property, you actually have to break the human spirit, which is what they try to do.

GIGOT: They break human beings physically, as well.

O'GRADY: Through mass deportations, executions, and basically state terror, which is characterized with the Soviet Union and China.

The other thing I think that is worth really paying attention to in this day and age is that although Communism has these high numbers of murders and so forth in the 20th century, they have -- states have learned how to sort of repress people, but refine their tactics so they do not have to kill as many people in order to hold onto power. And you are seeing that in places like Cuba and Venezuela.

GIGOT: Cuba and North Korea are probably the last really pure forms of Communism.

O'GRADY: Right.

GIGOT: Mary, I have an idea, which is that every American college should have a Communist term abroad. Give them three months, a semester, a quarter, send them to Cuba, send them to North Korea and say, just feel what it's like, so you can learn what that kind of a system is like. I bet you the vote for Socialism goes down in the future.

OK, I am going to be serious. But, there's a serious point, which is the dream never dies. We still have people who think and look at Cuba and say, oh, that is a great system. Health care is wonderful.

KISSEL: Including the previous presidential administration.

But let's set that aside. Paul, I think you put your finger on the real problem here, which is that it's easy to forget history. And in our high schools and in our universities here in the United States, they're not teaching the history and the horror that Mary so artfully outlined.

There was a study done by the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation recently, a great organization. They found that 44 percent of Millennial's prefer to live under Socialism than under Capitalism. And 7 percent -- that sounds like a small number, it's single digits -- but it should be zero. But 7 percent say they would rather live in a --

(CROSSTALK)

GIGOT: Is that because they are living under Socialism, which means their parent help?

KISSEL: No, I think it's that they don't know history and they do not know any better.

GIGOT: All right, Kim, why does the dream -- why do you think the dream never dies, the Communist dream?

STRASSEL: Look, people -- it's probably because of the media that demonizes the rich and success and all of the things that come with private property and success. And this is a very idealistic idea, that we are all living in peace and harmony. And of course, and the problem, too, is history and that no one has taught it anymore. So, too many of these students and young Americans have no idea of some of the things that we are talking about here today and the legacy of Communism.

GIGOT: All right. Thank you very much.

We have to take one more break. When we come back, "Hits & Misses" of the week.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

GIGOT: Time now for "Hits & Misses" of the week -- James?

FREEMAN: Paul, this is another miss to America media for their coverage of Senator Rand Paul. As many viewers know, he was viciously attacked recently by a neighbor, ran up from behind him and tackled the Senator, resulting in no fewer than six broken ribs, bruised lungs, facial injuries.

GIGOT: Wow.

FREEMAN: But the story for many of our colleagues in the press has been, did the Senator do something with his leaf raking or perhaps composting or growing pumpkins in his yard to cause

GIGOT: To cause the assault.

FREEMAN: Right! So let's -- whatever kind of neighbor he was, he did not deserve this. By the way, we are now hearing from a lot of neighbors who said he does a great job taking care of his lawn, so.

GIGOT: All right.

Mary O.?

O'GRADY: Paul, this is a hit for Tiffany's which has found a way to capitalize on the Fed's easy money policy by offering a line of ordinary household items in sterling silver. So you can buy a $9000 ball of yarn in sterling silver.

GIGOT: Nice.

O'GRADY: A $1000 soup can in sterling silver.

GIGOT: Every house must have one.

O'GRADY: Should know they've come up with a $2000 boomerang. If you'd like to buy that.

(LAUGHTER)

If this isn't peak Q.E., I don't know what is.

GIGOT: All right.

Kim?

STRASSEL: Paul, a miss to Twitter, which has now official gone live with its new 280-character limit. For those of us that already hate the fact that so much of our civic discourse happens in a form where everything that comes into someone's head immediately goes online in 140 characters --

(LAUGHTER)

-- the idea that this can be expanded is just terrifying. But if Twitter is unconvinced by that, I just want it to close his eyes and imagine Donald Trump with 280 characters at his beck and call, and please, reconsider.

(LAUGHTER)

GIGOT: All right.

Mary?

KISSEL: I'm giving a miss to the Transportation Security Administration. Not the best agency in the U.S. government. Undercover Homeland Security investigators found TSA screeners at airports missed mock knives, guns and explosives more than 70 percent of the time. Granted, this an improvement over two years ago where they missed more than 90 percent of the time. Paul, maybe it's time that we rethink having big government have us take our shoes and our belts off and our jackets off if they're missing the big stuff.

GIGOT: All right.

James, why do you think people are so skeptical of Rand Paul on this front? I mean, it's not like he assaulted that guy.

FREEMAN: Could it possibly be that he is skeptical of big government?

(LAUGHTER)

No! I don't know. Maybe that has something to do with his treatment.

GIGOT: That's it for this week's show. Thanks to my panel. Thanks to you for watching. I'm Paul Gigot. We hope to see you right here next week.



Content and Programming Copyright 2017 Fox News Network, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Copyright 2017 CQ-Roll Call, Inc. All materials herein are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of CQ-Roll Call. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content.
The Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks hate groups nationwide, has identified nine such groups operating in Wisconsin. It defines these groups as having beliefs or practices that attack or malign an entire class of people, typically for their immutable characteristics. The center says it makes the designation based on the groups publications and websites, news reports and information from police and others.

Membership levels in and activities of these groups can be hard to track because some of them operate without centralized leadership, fall apart quickly and may function entirely online.

Here is the 2017 list:

Aryan Nations Sadistic Souls MC

This motorcycle club is part of the Aryan Nations, an anti-Semitic white supremacist group founded in the 1970s by Richard Butler, whom the Southern Poverty Law Center called the eye of the white supremacist storm.

In 2000, the group started to crumble after it was bankrupted by a civil lawsuit brought by the center. The death of Butler, in 2004, further weakened the Aryan Nations.

Traditionalist Youth Network

The Traditionalist Youth Network is an anti-Semitic group. Founded in 2013, the group advocates for racial purity and blames the Jews for the worlds problems, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center.

However, one of the founders, Matt Parrott, said it is not a hate group. Were a non-violent, non-supremacist, non-hateful identitarian nationalist project, he said

White Boy Society

White Boy Society is a biker brotherhood that aims to protect the heritage of white people. According to its website, which has not been updated since 2009, the White Boy Society claims it is not a hate group or a supremacy group. We do not want nor intend to rule supreme over any other race or culture. We know that if the white race is to survive we must separate and rule over our own destiny.

White Devil Social Club

White Devil Social Club is a neo-Nazi group, which the Southern Poverty Law Center says perceive(s) the Jew as their cardinal enemy.

Samanta Roy Institute of Science and Technology

The Shawano-based Samanta Roy Institute of Science and Technology, founded by Rama Chandra Behera, is a reclusive religious organization. According to a 2011 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel profile, Behera converted from Hinduism to Christianity and then an idiosyncratic version of Judaism and now goes by the name Avraham Cohen. The Southern Poverty Law Center categorizes the anti-Catholic group as a general hate organization.

Pilgrims Covenant Church

The Pilgrims Covenant Church in Monroe is a religious organization that demonizes LGBT people as threats to children, society and often public health, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center. Its website also warns against Catholic teachings. But the organization led by pastor Ralph Ovadal says its main goal is to preach the word of God and, Our convictions and beliefs are consistent with historic, evangelical Protestantism.

Nation of Islam

The Nation of Islam makes the list because of its theology of innate black superiority over whites and the deeply racist, anti-Semitic and anti-gay rhetoric of its leaders, the Southern Poverty Law Center said. In Wisconsin, it is based in Milwaukee. In a statement, the Nation of Islam pointed to a column that stated the hate designation is the habitual misnomer used to discredit, and isolate a religious group with an impeccable track record of good works and service, particularly to the black community and other oppressed and marginalized communities throughout the country.

New Order

New Order is a neo-Nazi group based in Milwaukee that calls members heirs of Adolf Hitler who support an all-white society. Martin Kerr, New Orders chief of staff, claimed it is not a hate group. We advocate in favor of our own people, not against other races or ethnicities, Kerr said in an email. We consider the White people of the world to be a gigantic family of racial brothers and sisters, united by ties of common ancestry and common heritage. Being for our own family does not mean that we hate other families.

Stahlhelm Records

Stahlhelm Records of Milwaukee claims to be Wisconsins only dangerous underground music distributor that is arming the elite of the elite with sounds of the eventual revolution. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, such music distributors traffic in white power music that is often used to recruit young people to the radical right.
A flight attendant in China is currently being treated for a broken bone after appearing to fall through a gap between a moveable platform and the cabin door.

According to the South China Morning Post, Xiamen Air Flight MF8253 was in the midst of a trip from Fuzhou to Lanzhou, although the incident occurred while the plane was making a brief stop in Zhengzhou to restock. The site added that she was in the process of preparing food when it happened.

WATCH: HEROIC SECURITY OFFICER RUSHES IN TO REMOVE SMOKING BAG FROM CROWD OF AIRLINE PASSENGERS

In footage uploaded to the social media platform Weibo, the woman, who has not been identified, can be seen slipping out of the cabin door, along with what the Post reports to be a food trolley. She also appears to be hanging by her hands for a moment before ultimately hitting the ground.

Xiamen Air later confirmed that the attendant had undergone surgery after being admitted to the hospital on Friday. Asia One reports that she suffered a broken bone in her chest, and would be in the care of the hospital for about a week.

The airline, along with aviation authorities, are said to be investigating the cause of the incident.

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX TRAVEL NEWS

Oddly enough, this is the second time in almost as many weeks that a flight attendant on a Chinese carrier has fallen out of a plane. On Oct. 24, a flight attendant from China Eastern Airlines fell out of a Boeing 737-800 and onto the tarmac at Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport in Guangdong, reportedly while trying to close the cabin door.

She, too, was rushed to the hospital after suffering several bone fractures and bruises.
A JetBlue passenger from Massachusetts says she isnt thrilled with how the airline is handling a recent incident that occurred at the Orlando International Airport.

Brittany Langlois told Fox 25 Boston that she was bit by a fellow passengers dog while waiting to check in for her flight. However, she says shes having no luck tracking down the animals owner after JetBlue employees scuttled the other passenger from the line  leaving Langlois uncertain of whether or not to seek treatment for rabies.

ORLANDO AIRPORT EVACUATED AFTER EXPLODING BATTERY MISTAKEN FOR SHOOTING

"[My doctor says] 'it's an extremely painful shot and it's a series of three, I wouldn't want you to go through that if you didn't have to,' Langlios told Fox 25. At the same time, I'm like, I don't wanna go through that either.

Langlois added that when the incident first occurred last Sunday, she was in such a state of shock that she didnt get the other passengers information, let alone any information on the dog or its vaccination history.

"I turn around and this owner is kinda reeling the dog back in, and I look at her and I'm like 'that dog just bit me!' and I think I was in like, an initial shock," Langlois said.

AIRPORT BRINGING IN THERAPY DOGS TO EASE ANXIOUS PASSENGERS

Fox 25 reports that Langlois wasnt able to track down any information on the dogs owners from JetBlue agents. Furthermore, her subsequent efforts with JetBlues customer service department have been futile.

"[JetBlue customer service is] like, 'There's nothing we can do, we can cover your medical bills but that's about it,' said Langlois. She also claims the airline offered her a $50 voucher for a future JetBlue flight, though she doubts shell use it.

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS

In a statement obtained by Fox News, however, JetBlue is claiming that they attempted to gather information from the dog's owner, but the "unknown individual refused to cooperate."

"The safety of our customers is our top priority," the airline said. "Regrettably, while in the pre-security area near the ticket counter, a JetBlue customer was bitten by a dog in the company of an unknown individual who was not a JetBlue customer. JetBlue crewmembers attempted to speak with and identify the handler of the animal responsible for the bite. However, the unknown individual refused to cooperate and immediately exited the terminal with the dog. The JetBlue customer received medical attention onsite."

The airline further apologized for the incident, and said they "continue to offer our support, and encourage the customer to pursue appropriate medical treatment."

In the meantime, Langlois doctor has reportedly put her on antibiotics and pain medication, but she only has a few days left before her deadline for a series of rabies shots expires.
Whether you always get to the airport hours before your flight or you waltz in minutes before cut-off time, you still spend more time waiting than you should.

The arrival and departure times airlines share with their customers often dont match how long an aircraft actually needs to spend in the air. Airlines exaggerate how long a trip will take so that even when theres a delay, the plane still arrives on time," a strategy known as schedule padding.

The Telegraph reported that between 1996 and 2015, the allotted time for a flight from Londons Heathrow airport to Scotlands Edinburgh has increased significantly, despite improvements in technology, almost entirely due to schedule padding. An AirTran Airways pilot confessed to Readers Digest that airlines really have adjusted their flight arrival times so they can have a better record of on-time arrivals, so they might say a flight takes two hours when it really takes an hour and 45 minutes.

To make matters worse, the definition of on-time arrival isnt all that its cut out to be. Flightstats.com, a site that issues awards for on-time performance (OTP), counts every flight that lands within 15 minutes of its stated arrival time. Even with that generous definition of on-time, airlines try to account for everything that could possibly go wrong.

We regularly review our flight plans and timings to ensure that we can meet our published departure and arrival times and customers can plan their journeys accordingly, a British Airways spokesperson told the Telegraph. The weather, type of aircraft, air traffic control restrictions, airport infrastructure and geopolitical considerations will all play a part in the decisions we take about whether to increase or decrease each routes published flight time in our schedule.

While theres still room for improvement when it comes to the way airlines manage their flight schedules, 15 minutes really isn't that big of a deal, all things considered  just dont be too impressed next time your flight arrives on schedule.

This article originally appeared on Travel + Leisure.
After a bombshell of sexual misconduct allegations late last week, those close to Alabama U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore are sticking by him.

Pastor Tom Brown of the First Baptist Church of Gallant says Moore has attended the church in Gallant, Ala. for most of his life. He added the community is close-knit and extremely proud of Moores run for the Senate, but noted the reported allegations of sexual misconduct have taken a toll on the former judge.

Hes hurt about whats been said about him, Brown told Fox News on Sunday. He says its untrue and I believe its untrue because Ive known him for 25 years.

As a staunch conservative, Moore has grown a following in the state with Christian conservatives. Brown says Moore attends church at least a few times a month when his schedule allows, but there was no sighting of the candidate on Sunday morning.

Several church members told Fox News that Moore and his family were well-liked in the community.

Daphney Gray attends Moores church and said he and his family have been very welcoming to her and her family.

I have heard things, but I dont let other peoples opinion sway my opinion, Gray, who lives in Gallant, said. I just deal with the man that I see on Sundays and how he has treated my family since weve been here.

Several prominent Republicans including President Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell have called on Moore to step down if the allegations are true. Others, including Arizona Senator John McCain and former presidential candidate Mitt Romney, have said Moore must drop out of the race completely.

Brown says Moore has a strong following within his community, and that the people who live there are sticking by him.

When hes here, we talk to him and tell him were praying for him and supporting him, Brown said.
Four people are dead in Kentucky after a small plane crashed in Barren County Sunday afternoon.

The plane  a single-engine Piper PA-32  crashed before 2:30 p.m. near Glasgow, Fox 17 Nashville reported, citing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The plane was headed to Lake Cumberland Regional Airport in Somerset, which is just under 80 miles east of Glasgow.

A Kentucky state trooper confirmed four people died after the plane hit tree tops before crash-landing in a nearby wooded area.

Part of the plane was lodged between large branches in a tree, and debris was scattered at least 200 feet, the state trooper said.

The names of the victims werent immediately released.

The FAA, according to Fox 17, is investigating the incident, and will be on site of the crash Monday morning. The National Transportation Safety Board also will investigate the crash.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Two men were stabbed during a thwarted theft at the Mall of America in Minnesota on Sunday night and the suspect is in custody, police said.

Bloomington Police were dispatched to the men's department of the mall's Macy's department store following reports of a stabbing, Chief Jeff Potts said during a news conference later Sunday night. It was soon realized the situation was an interrupted theft, according to the cop.

The stabbing suspect, identified as Mahad Abdirahaman, 20, went into someone else's dressing room in an attempt to steal that person's property, Potts said. The victim confronted Abdirahaman, who then pulled out a knife and stabbed him, according to investigators.

Police said the man began to yell, and his family rushed to his side. The second stabbing victim was believed to be a family member or close friend trying to help the first victim. Both men are expected to survive.

Kim Schwieters told the Star Tribune she and her children were visiting Santa Claus outside of the Macy's entrance when she saw two police officers run toward the department store, before more cops started running with their guns drawn.

"My daughter could see people lying on the ground who had been stabbed," Schwieters said, and added police told everyone to leave the area before they closed the store.

The two victims were transported to the Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, where Bloomington Police said they remain with non-life-threatening injuries.

The suspect is in custody with what looked to be minor, superficial wounds, the police chief said.
Twice in one week, U.S. Border Patrol agents on the Confined Space Entry Team, or CSET, were called to search storm drains in El Paso, Texas, for illegal immigrants trying to get away right under their feet.

Smugglers, unconcerned about the safety of those crossing into the U.S., put immigrants into the drains as a way to avoid detection and escape arrest.

To them theyre just money. So they just let them in and if they get out, good, if not, it doesnt really make a difference to them, said Supervisory Border Patrol Agent Nick Veliz. Weve had people go in and actually come all the way back out because they got lost and didnt know what to do.

Veliz said many times smugglers will get immigrants into the drain and then run back into Mexico, leaving the immigrants to fend for themselves. To get inside, smugglers have to open 600-pound flap gates covering the drains. Many of the drain openings in El Paso are right on the Rio Grande, so immigrants do not have to cross over the border fencing to get inside.

The conditions can make even the most seasoned agents nervous.

You kind of worry about, whats going to happen? How safe is it? You just have to trust your gear and trust your training and hope for the best, said Veliz.

Border Patrols CSET team was called twice recently to search drains near the U.S.Mexico border, close to downtown El Paso.

On Monday, October 30, agents rescued a woman who broke her ankle in the drain. The agent who made the rescue put the immigrant on his back and carried her out of the drain. The hours-long search and rescue was a joint operation between the Border Patrol and El Paso Fire Department.

Its good to work jointly with people, said Agent Eric Lerch who took part in the rescue. I always practice for the worst-case scenario.

On Wednesday November 2, CSET searched drains in west El Paso after an agent caught four immigrants climbing out. The agents went in to make sure no immigrants were left behind  they didnt find anyone.

When agents arrive to search a drain, they assess the situation, grab their equipment and crawl into the drain. They carry ropes, air monitors, first aid equipment, and gas masks if necessary. They do not carry a Taser and are careful to fire their guns, because there can be explosive gases in the drains that a spark from a gun or Taser can ignite. Drains can also be very humid and extremely hot.

Down in the drain, agents communicate constantly. They often yell for one another because radios dont always work. CSET agents do their best to spread the workload around to prevent anyone from getting exhausted underground.

Youre trying to get there but you cant really go too fast. At the same time you need to make sure that you can make it so youre going to be able to take him out, said Agent Jose Arvizu. Communication is very important. Helping each other out, giving each other breaks. Moving forward but in a tactical way.

The storm drains can be as small as two feet wide and in some cases big enough to walk hunched over. There are drains underground smaller than two feet but agents do not go in those for safety reasons, and because they often dont fit.

While the CSET team does make rescues for people in need, their main purpose is border security and apprehending people who have crossed into the United States illegally. The number of calls varies.

Its up and down. Weve seen times where we havent had many entries in a couple months. Weve seen times like recently where we have every other day, every day, said Veliz.
A deputy risked his life to save an 82-year-old woman who crashed her SUV into a Florida retention pond.

Leona Evans, who was seriously injured, wound up in the water after driving her Hyundai Santa Fe across four lanes of traffic and through a fence on Friday.

"When we arrived, there was just this red SUV floating, wasnt sitting, floating on the water in the middle of this retention pond, Hillsborough County deputy Benjamin Thompson told FOX 13 Tampa.

Thompson and deputy Trent Migues arrived on the scene as several people who had witnessed the crash were trying to pull Evans' car out of the water.

"They had actually gotten a rope, Thompson said. They were trying to attach the car, thinking they could pull it back while it was floating.

The station reported that Thompson dove into the pond and swam out to Evans. He then used his baton to smash the window of the SUV to get inside.

"I hit that window in the corner, and I hit it, and I hit it, and I hit it, and I hit it with all my life, then after about the 6th time it finally shattered, he said. And I knew the water was going to come in at that point, but I didn't realize how fast, it was like a waterfall, that car began to sink."

Migues told reporters that "the scariest moment was when her screaming stopped, and the roofline started going underneath the water, and my partner here disappeared in the car with her."

Eventually, Thompson cut his face, arms and hands on jagged pieces of glass as he pulled Evans out of the vehicle.

They were then helped out of the water by Migues and the Good Samaritans.

"She was injured pretty bad, but she stuck out like a champ," Migues said. "I told her she was a tough old lady. She enjoyed hearing that."

Evan's family told FOX 13 she was hospitalized at the ICU with broken bones, open wounds, head trauma and possible damage to her spinal cord.

The two deputies said they would like to find those who stopped to help to thank them for what they did.
A Florida man who told officials he was anti-government and wanted to hurt first responders had explosive devices and substances in his parents' house that could cause a significant destruction and loss of life, police said on Monday.

Christopher Langer, 31, was allegedly intoxicated and arguing with his parents just after 4 p.m. on Sunday when he said he placed explosive substances in a grenade, police said. His parents called police on the domestic disturbance, who responded to the call and contacted the bomb squad, prompting a more than 13-hour investigation.

It was a tale of two homes, Volusia Sheriff Michael Chitwood said at a news conference on Monday. When you first walk in, you say, I cant believe someone is in here making bombs. And then you go into his room, which is absolutely deplorable that if I was a roach I wouldnt want to live in that room.

He added, That was how despicable, feces and urine-filled, that room was.

Langer initially denied having a grenade, but then admitted he threw it outside and offered to lead investigators to it. A deputy found a pineapple-like grenade with a paperclip that prevented it from detonating, police said. Langer had allegedly purchased it at a supply store.

About 200 other containers were discovered inside the home. They contained unknown powders and acids  including nitric acid, sulfuric acid, sulfur  and other materials. Most of the bottles contained bodily fluids, not bomb-making materials that the bomb squad initially suspected.

Two other explosive devices were found and rendered safe. A fourth device also was being examined.

Chitwood told reporters he believed Langer was working on a delivery system and building a bomb. A SpongeBob SquarePants lunch box was found that appeared to be booby-trapped for an explosive device.

Langer was known to officials, who saved his life about two weeks ago when he overdosed on heroin. He was revived with Narcan, Chitwood said. Psychedelic mushrooms and marijuana were found growing in the home.

Langer told the bomb squad he is anti-government, against the system and was looking to get even by harming first responders, Chitwood said. He added Langer had a white mask associated with a group, though Chitwood did not name the specific organization.

Langers parents told police they didnt know their son was planning an attack or making explosive devices in their house.

Langer was arrested on charges of making and possessing a destructive device, but could face additional charges. He was held on $5,000 bail.
Two Navy SEALs being investigated in the strangulation death of Army Sgt. Logan Melgar in Mali in June allegedly offered the Green Beret a cut of the military money they pocketed, but he refused, according to a report.

Melgar confronted the two Navy SEALs after discovering their alleged scheme, where they reportedly took money for themselves from a fund used to pay informants, the Daily Beast reported.

The two men tried to get Melgar to join the racket, but he declined the offer, the report said. Melgar later ended up dead in what appeared to be a strangulation.

Whether the SEALs were involved in the death remained unclear as the investigation continued. The commandos were initially described as witnesses, but authorities later changed that to persons of interest. Officials said Melgars cause of death was homicide by asphyxiation.

Melgar, 34, was found dead June 4 at the U.S. Embassy housing he shared in Mali with several other special operations personnel working in West Africa on training and counterterrorism missions, the New York Times reported.

There have been no charges so far in connection with the homicide, but two members of SEAL Team 6  the famous counterterror unit that killed Usama Bin Laden in 2011  were placed on administrative leave, pending investigation, according to the Times.

The SEALs reportedly told their military leaders that they found Melgar and tried to save him, according to the Daily Beast. They also said Melgar was intoxicated that night as he was taking hand-to-hand fighting exercises.

The autopsy, however, showed no signs of drug or alcohol usage, according to the report.
Hate crimes rose for the second straight year in 2016, with increases in attacks motivated by bias against blacks, Jews, Muslims and LGBT people, according to FBI statistics released Monday.

There were more than 6,100 hate crimes last year, up about 5 percent over the previous year. In 2015 and 2016, that number was driven by crimes against people because of their race or ethnicity.

More than half the 4,229 racially motivated crimes were against black people, while 20 percent were against whites, the report shows. And Jews were targeted in more than half the 1,538 crimes that were motivated by religion. Crimes fueled by bias against LGBT people rose from 203 in 2015 to 234 last year.

The yearly report is the most comprehensive accounting of hate crimes in the U.S. But authorities have long warned it is incomplete, in part because it is based on voluntary reporting by police agencies across the country.

The numbers likely reflect an uptick recorded by civil rights groups in harassment and vandalism targeting Muslims, Jews, blacks and others amid the presidential campaign, which included sharp rhetoric from Republican Donald Trump and others against immigrants, especially Muslims. There were 307 crimes against Muslims in 2016, up from 257 in 2015, which at the time was the highest number since the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

In releasing the figures, the FBI said hate crimes remain the "number one investigative priority" of its civil rights unit and pledged to continue collecting data on the problem. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has said it would be a top focus of his Justice Department.

On Monday, Sessions said the Justice Department is awaiting a full report from a task force on steps it can take to improve training for prosecutors and investigators, boost data collection on hate crimes and partner with local officials and communities. In the meantime, Sessions said, the department can continue to aggressively prosecute people who violate the civil rights of others.

"The Department of Justice is committed to ensuring that individuals can live without fear of being a victim of violent crime based on who they are, what they believe, or how they worship," Sessions said in a statement.

Advocates said they can't adequately address the problem without a fuller understanding of its scope.

"There's a dangerous disconnect between the rising problem of hate crimes and the lack of credible data being reported," said Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan A. Greenblatt, who called for an "all-hands-on-deck approach" to address underreporting. "Police departments that do not report credible data to the FBI risk sending the message that this is not a priority issue for them, which may threaten community trust in their ability and readiness to address hate violence."
A raucous party in an over-crowded apartment near a Texas college came to a crashing end early Sunday when the floor collapsed into the apartment below.

The harrowing scene at The Ridge at North Texas, near the University of North Texas in Denton, was captured on video from multiple angles and posted to social media.

Many who were at the party could be seen crawling over beams and plywood after the collapse.

Only minor injuries were reported, Denton Police said.

I have nowhere to go. Everything I own is in there, Carley Carroll, who lived in the second-floor apartment below the party, told FOX 4 News. That's life threatening. If we were in our living room, we wouldn't have made it out because by what we've seen, it's just completely gone."

Carroll and her three roommates, all North Texas sophomores, were not home at the time. Instead, they were at the Denton Police Department making a noise complaint about the party.

Police told FOX 4 they believe there was 100 people at the party.

Carroll told the station she's called the cops on her upstairs neighbors parties before.

"We've called and said, 'It looks like the ceiling is going to cave in,' so I feel like with us saying that, there could've been more that was done," she said.

The floor collapse also caused water to spew from broken pipes into other apartments. The damage has affected 50 other residents at the complex.

The Ridge at North Texas lists itself online as "a student-only community located in Denton, Texas, which serves the students of the University of North Texas, Texas Woman's University, and North Central Texas College."

"A vast choice of amenities and its friendly staff create a worry-free environment that allows residents to focus on the most important thing - being a successful college student," according to the complex website.

Denton Police told FOX 4 they have received previous noise complaints, but people have mostly left the party by the time officers arrive.

Students affected by the collapse said the apartment management company and university have secured places for them to stay, mostly in hotels or dorms.
An MS-13 gang member wanted for murder was arrested in Colorado on Friday after he allegedly stabbed a woman with a screwdriver and ran over her leg, police said.

Angel Ramos, 36, an illegal immigrant who was previously deported from the U.S., was taken into custody without incident Friday morning, FOX31 Denver reported. Ramos and a Fort Morgan woman were in a car on Nov. 4 when Ramos allegedly stabbed her with a screwdriver. The woman jumped out of the moving vehicle to escape Ramos, and the car ran over her leg, police said.

Ramos then tried to put the woman in the vehicles trunk before fleeing the scene, FOX31 Denver reported. He was captured after a nearly weeklong manhunt. Morgan County Sheriffs Office officials believe the incident was a domestic violence case.

Investigators delved deeper into Ramos past and discovered he is a member of the notorious and vicious MS-13 gang and wanted for murder in El Salvador. Its unclear when Ramos entered the U.S. and when he was deported.

"Weve noticed a lot of people that have been fugitives that are hiding out here because they think they are not going to stick out," Morgan County Sheriff Jim Crone told FOX31 Denver. "Nobody is going to know them, which is just the opposite; that just brings more people to our attention.

Ramos was charged with attempted first-degree murder, kidnapping and other offenses. U.S. Marshals, ICE agents and Homeland Security were asked to help investigate the case.

Ramos remains in custody and is expected to be indicted Monday, according to the Denver Post.

The woman was released from the hospital on Sunday. Crone said investigators were very concerned for this woman.
A recovered surveillance video from a Penn State fraternity house where a pledge died after a hazing ritual revealed the 19-year-old had been given at least 18 drinks within 90 minutes, leading prosecutors to file new hazing and manslaughter charges, officials said Monday.

Centre County District Attorney Stacy Parks Miller charged 12 additional men in the case, bringing the total number of former Beta Theta Pi brothers and pledges being charged to 17 in total.

Timothy Piazza, 19, of Lebanon, N.J., fell down a set of stairs and suffered fatal injuries on Feb. 9 after prosecutors said pledges were forced to down a dangerous amount of alcohol and were then made to run a gauntlet of booze-drinking stations.

The charges come from surveillance video that allegedly showed various members of the fraternity giving Piazza 18 alcoholic beverages in the span of 1 hour and 22 minutes, Parks Miller said.

The video was deleted after fraternity members were made aware that an investigation into Piazzas death was under way, and police planned to obtain the footage.

The basement video captured the ongoing hazing that occurred on bid acceptance night, and the continued repeated furnishing of alcohol by Beta brothers to Piazza, as well as the other pledges, throughout the evening.

"In fact, on video, Tim Piazza does not obtain his own alcohol at any point-rather, every drink consumed was provided to him by a fraternity brother," her office said in a news release.

"Hazing needs to stop, there's just no place for it."  Jim Piazza, father of former Penn State Student Timothy Piazza

Parks Miller said FBI agents were able to restore the surveillance video from the deleted hard drive in the basement of the house.

"People had asked us before, why would somebody had delete that video if they did delete it? That's what we wanted to know," she said. "Well now we know, because it contained criminal conduct.

PROSECUTORS REFILE CHARGES AGAINST 11 IN PENN STATE FRAT HAZING DEATH

Last month, prosecutors announced they moved to reinstate most of the dismissed charges against 11 members of the now-defunct Penn State fraternity for actions related to the hazing death of the sophomore pledge earlier this year.

Parks Miller announced the refiling of criminal charges, including involuntary manslaughter and felony aggravated assault, after District Justice Allen Sinclair threw out the felony charges in September against eight Beta Thea Pi fraternity members, her office said in a press release.

The judge let stand lesser charges against them and six others, but dismissed other charges altogether against four of the members of the fraternity. As a result, those defendants again face the possibility of several years in prison, if convicted.

Security video of the incident recorded Piazza appearing intoxicated and being led to a couch after 11 p.m. A few minutes later, he fell head-first down a set of basement stairs and had to be carried back up in an unconscious state.

For several hours, members of the fraternity appeared to tend to their injured friend, pouring liquid on him and strapping on a loaded backpack to prevent him from rolling over and choking on vomit. He died two days later on Feb. 4 at a local hospital.



"Hazing needs to stop, there's just no place for it," Timothy Piazza's father Jim said at a news conference.

Penn State said last week it punished seven students in connection with Piazza's death who were found to be in violation of the university's student code of conduct.

Penalties ranged from probation to expulsion, the school said, but it did not give a breakdown, citing student privacy.

Violations included "hazing" and "creating a condition that endangers," the school said. It did not identify the students.

Another 19 students withdrew before completing the disciplinary process and must complete it before returning to Penn State, the school said. Six students participated in the process and were not charged with any violations.

Prosecutors on Monday charged with Ryan Liam Burke, Bo Han Sang, Joshua Robert Kurczewski, Aiden OBrien and Jonathan Kanzler with felony aggravated assault and misdemeanor involuntary manslaughter for their alleged roles in the events that led to Piazzas death in February. The five were also also charged with misdemeanor simple assault, misdemeanor recklessly endangering another person, misdemeanor hazing and misdemeanor furnishing liquor to a minor, according to the DA.

In addition to the five, Joseph Ems, Brian Gelb, Patrick Jackson, Reggie Goeke, Donald Prior and Mike Fernandez were charged with misdemeanor hazing and misdemeanor furnishing alcohol to minors.

Prosecutors also filed charges against Braxton Becker with tampering with evidence, obstructing administration of the law and hindering apprehension for allegedly trying to destroy the recording.

Fox News' Michelle Chavez and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
Syrian activists say an airstrike on a market in a rebel-held town has killed at least 16 people.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says there were three strikes on a market in Atareb in the opposition-held countryside outside Aleppo on Monday. Aleppo, Syria's largest city, is controlled by the government.

The local media agency Thiqa says at least 30 people were killed. The Observatory said 16 were killed and tens more severely wounded.

It was not immediately clear who was responsible for the strike.
One of Australia's major publishers has backtracked on releasing a book detailing Chinese influence in the country -- amid threats of retaliation from Beijing, the book's author says.

Clive Hamilton, a prominent Charles Sturt University professor, said Monday that publisher Allen & Unwin dropped his book Silent Invasion last week over fears of retaliation from Beijing through a number of possible avenues including legal threats, orchestrated by Beijing, Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported.

After extensive legal advice we decided to delay publication of Clives book Silent Invasion until certain matters currently before the courts have been decided, the publisher said in a statement.

Hamilton slammed the decision to stop the book from publishing just when it was about to hit the bookstores. What were seeing  is the first instance where a major Western publisher has decided to censor material of the Chinese Communist Party in its home country, Hamilton told the public broadcaster.

This really is a watershed in the debate over Chinas suppression of free speech, he said, adding that I think if we succumb to this in Australia then we have lost a big battle in trying to defend what we take to be fundamental rights and privileges and freedoms in this country.

The books focus was the Chinese Communist Partys activities in Australia and the claims made in the book have been vetted by the lawyers, according to the professor.

The Chinese governments campaign is far more extensive than ever previously understood. If youre going to analyze how Beijing is influencing Australian society and politics you have to analyze that activity of individuals and name names, and thats what Ive done, he told the Guardian Australia.

Its a factual book with 1,100 footnotes and it has been meticulously researched, but short of redacting 100 names from the book theres always the possibility someone might launch a vexatious legal act against the publisher, in this case Allen & Unwin.

The author remains convinced the book in its full form will still be released, but it remains unclear when or if another publisher will risk the possible legal threat from the communist regime.
next Image 1 of 2

prev Image 2 of 2

German investigators are stepping up their search for three former members of the disbanded leftist Red Army Faction militant group, who may be hiding outside the country.

Daniela Klette, Ernst-Volker Staub and Burkhard Garweg have been linked to at least nine robberies in northern Germany after years in hiding. Lower Saxony state's criminal police office said Monday that, despite a public search that began last year, it has yet to receive any "decisive tip."

The office released new photos and videos Monday, including a sequence from a robbery last year. Authorities suspect the robberies may have been attempts to continue financing the suspects' life underground.

Investigators said they may still be in Germany, but could be hiding in another European country  particularly the Netherlands, Italy, France or Spain.
More than 400 people were killed when a powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck near Iraq-Iran boarder on Sunday, sending residents fleeing as thousands of residents were left injured, officials said on Monday.

The quake was centered 19 miles outside the eastern Iraqi city of Halabja and struck around 9:48 p.m. Iran time. Residents were retiring for the night at the time. Iran's western Kermanshah province, a rural mountainous region, bore the brunt of the temblor, with Iran's state-run news agency reporting the quake killed 407 people in the country and injured another 6,700.

In Iraq, the earthquake killed at least seven people and injured 535 there, all in the country's northern, semiautonomous Kurdish region, according to Iraq's Interior Ministry. Iraqi seismologist Abdul-Karim Abdullah Taqi, who runs the earthquake monitoring group at the state-run Meteorological Department, said the main reason for the lower casualty figure in Iraq was the angle and the direction of the fault line in this particular quake, as well as the nature of the Iraqi geological formations that could better absorb the shocks.

More than 100 aftershocks were felt after the quake that could be felt on the Mediterranean coast  about 660 miles away. It struck at a depth of 14.4 miles, a shallow depth that can cause broad damage. Magnitude 7 earthquakes on their own are capable of widespread, heavy damage. Iranian social media and news agencies showed images and videos of people fleeing their homes. Kokab Fard, a 49-year-old housewife in Sarpol-e-Zahab, said she could only flee empty-handed when her apartment complex collapsed.

"Immediately after I managed to get out, the building collapsed," Fard said. "I have no access to my belongings."

Reza Mohammadi, 51, said he and his family ran out into the alley following the first shock he felt.

"I tried to get back to pick some stuff but it totally collapsed in the second wave," Mohammadi said.

The semi-official ILNA news agency said at least 14 provinces in Iran had been affected by the earthquake. Officials announced that schools in Kermanshah and Ilam provinces would be closed on Monday because of the temblor.

Provincial leaders in Kermanshah announced three days of mourning, Reuters reported. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei offered his condolences on Monday morning and urged rescuers and all government agencies to do all they could to help those affected, according to state media.

In Iraq, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi issued a directive for the country's civil defense teams and "related institutions" to respond to the natural disaster. Brig. Gen. Saad Maan, an Interior Ministry spokesman, gave the casualty figures for Iraq.

Meanwhile, neighboring countries have offered their condolences and support in the wake of the disaster. Turkey dispatched emergency aid to northern Iraq as officials expressed their "deep sadness" at the tragedy. Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said his country took immediate action to provide medical and food aid to northern Iraq. Kerem Kinik, Turkish Red Crescent's vice president, told the Associated Press from Habur border crossing that 33 aid trucks were en route to Iraq's city of Sulaimaniyah, carrying 3,000 tents and heaters, 10,000 beds and blankets as well as food.

A Turkish military cargo plane arrived in Iraq as the official Anadolu news agency reported multiple dispatches by Turkey's disaster agency. Ankara also said it would help Iran if Tehran requests assistance.

Relations between Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdish region and Turkey were strained following the Iraqi Kurds' controversial September independence referendum.

Pakistan's government also extended its deepest condolences for the loss of life and injuries suffered by "our Iranian and Iraqi brethren."Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said Pakistanis' "thoughts and prayers are with the Iranian and Iraqi brothers who lost their lives in this tragic calamity and we pray for the speedy recovery of the injured."

Iran sits on many major fault lines and is prone to near-daily quakes. In 2003, a magnitude 6.6 earthquake flattened the historic city of Bam, killing 26,000 people. The last major casualty earthquake in Iran struck in East Azerbaijan province in August 2012, killing over 300 people.

The Iraqi city of Halabja, closest to the epicenter, is notorious for the 1988 chemical attack in which Saddam Hussein's regime killed some 5,000 people with mustard gas -- the deadliest chemical weapons attack ever against civilians.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Puerto Rico's government has scored a big win in court after a federal judge rejected the appointment of a former military officer to oversee the U.S. territory's power company.

U.S. District Judge Laura Taylor Swain ruled Monday that the federal control board overseeing Puerto Rico's finances cannot unilaterally seize control of the island's government agencies. The board had sought to appoint retired U.S. Air Force Col. Noel Zamot to oversee the reconstruction and operations of Puerto Rico's Electric Power Authority.

The ruling comes as Puerto Rico struggles to recover from a Category 4 storm that caused an island-wide blackout on Sept. 20. The power company is generating only 48 percent of its normal output nearly two months after Hurricane Maria.

A board spokesman did not return a message for comment.
An Australian man died after accidentally falling through a woodchipper in a scene that police are calling absolutely shocking.

The 54-year-old man, who was not identified, was clearing the driveway of a home with two friends in Gympie, north of Brisbane, on Sunday.

Its a horrendous thing to have to attend as a police officer  any sudden death  but these circumstances were absolutely shocking, police acting inspector Paul Algie told ABC.

A police inspector said the three were doing a favor for the lady that owns the property, according to Channel Nine.

Theyre understandably extremely distressed over whats occurred, Algie said.

The scene was so gruesome, support services were offered to first responders and those investigating the incident, News.com.au reported.

Police are investigating the death as an accident and would not say whether the man was using the woodchipper properly. None of the men were contractors.


An elite North Korean soldier stationed at the heavily guarded Demilitarized Zone made a bold bolt for freedom Monday, defecting to South Korea despite getting shot twice, the Souths military said.

North Korean soldiers shot at the unidentified North Korean soldier when he ran from the guard post at the northern side of the village, South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement.

He suffered gunshot wounds to his elbow and shoulder and was taken to the hospital when South Korean soldiers found him about 25 minutes later on the southern side of the Joint Security Area, a strip of land where North and South Korean forces stand face-to-face, the military said, according to the Souths Yonhap News Agency.

"He crossed from a North Korea post towards our [South Korean] Freedom House, the South said in a statement.

Its unclear what the soldiers conditions are or why he decided to defect to the South. The South Korean military said he was unarmed and was wearing a combat uniform for a law ranking soldier.

South Korean military said there was no armed conflict after the incident, but they are increasing alertness for a possible provocation from North Korea.

"Currently, there are no unusual signs in the North Korean military, but we are increasing alertness against the possibility of North Korean provocations," officials told Yonhap News Agency.

About 30,000 North Koreans have defected to South Korea since the end of the Korean War, but most travel through China. An estimated 1,000 people flee Kim Jong Uns volatile regime each year, but going through the DMZ  fortified with land mines, barbed wires and machine guns  have been extremely rare because of the dangerous conditions. This year, North Korean defectors successfully escaping the regime fell by 12.7 percent, according to the Telegraph.

The soldiers successful escape makes only the fourth defection by a North Korean soldier through the DMZ in the last three years, the BBC reported. Yonhap News agency said Kims military officials reportedly cherry-pick loyal soldiers who are stationed at the DMZ.

At Panmunjom, once an obscure farming village inside the 2 1/2-mile-wide DMZ that separating the rivaling countries, North Korean soldiers wearing lapel pins with the images of late North Korean leaders often use binoculars to monitor visitors from the South. They stand only several yards away from tall South Korean soldiers wearing aviator sunglasses and standing motionless like statues.

Panmunjomis where an armistice was signed to pause the Korean War. Jointly controlled by the American-led U.N. Command and North Korea, the DMZ is guarded on both sides by hundreds of thousands of combat-ready troops, razor-wire fences and tank traps. More than a million mines are believed to be buried inside the zone.

The defection came during escalated tensions between the North and the South and nearly a week after President Trump visited Seoul for his five-country Asia tour. American presidents often visit Panmunjom and other DMZ areas during their trips to South Korea to reaffirm their security commitment to the South. Trump planned to visit the DMZ to underscore his stance against North Korea's nuclear program when he came to South Korea last week as part of an Asian tour, but his plans were thwarted by heavy fog that prevented his helicopter from landing at the border area.

Areas around Panmunjom were the site of bloodshed and defection attempts by North Koreans in the past, but there have been no such incidents in recent years.

The most famous incident was in 1976, when two American army officers were killed by ax-wielding North Korean soldiers. The attack prompted Washington to fly nuclear-capable B-52 bombers toward the DMZ in an attempt to intimidate North Korea.

In 1984, North Korean and U.N. Command soldiers traded gunfire after a Soviet citizen defected by sprinting to the South Korean sector of the truce village. The incident left three North Korean soldiers and one South Korean soldier dead. In 1998, a North Korean solider fled to South Korea via Panmunjom.

The Associated Press contribute to this report.
Pope Francis' weeklong visit to Chile and Peru in January is expected to include a focus on issues affecting indigenous people.

The Vatican on Monday released the itinerary for the pope's Jan. 15-22 trip, which will be Francis 21st foreign visit and his fifth to his home continent.

The schedule includes a day devoted to the Amazon and a visit to a southern Chilean region claimed by the indigenous Mapuche group.

The pope's trip is expected to cover issues important to Francis  poverty, migration and the environment and to feature protocol visits, speeches to bishops and meetings with local Jesuits.

It also could create tension. Vandals burned a bus and scattered pamphlets last week to protest Francis' Jan. 17 visit to the region the Mapuche claim as ancestral territory.
Romanian anti-corruption prosecutors on Monday opened a new criminal investigation into the chairman of the ruling party on suspicion that he misused European Union funds.

The prosecutors' office said in a statement that Liviu Dragnea is suspected of official misconduct for setting up an organized crime group and forging documents to illicitly obtain EU funds. Eight others are being investigated in the same case.

Although he leads the Social Democratic party, Dragnea cannot be premier due to a 2016 conviction for vote-rigging.

The latest allegations concern misuse of funds from 2001-2012 when he headed the Teleorman county council in southern Romania.

Dragnea, who says cases against him are politically motivated, appeared before anti-corruption prosecutors Monday. He later denied wrongdoing and said he would not resign.

The European Anti-Fraud Office, OLAF, said in a statement that it had uncovered evidence that 21 million euros ($24.4 million) was fraudulently paid to officials and others from the European Regional Development Fund for road construction in Romania. It completed an investigation into alleged wrongdoing last year and asked Romania to recover the funds.

Dragnea, also the speaker of parliament's lower house, is already on trial in a separate official misconduct case.

In January, his Social Democrats attempted to decriminalize some abuse-of-office offenses, sparking the biggest protests since the fall of communism.

In October, the party submitted a bill to parliament to revamp the judiciary.

___

Raf Casert in Brussels contributed to this report.
Sudan's president, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court, arrived in Uganda Monday on a two-day official visit.

As a signatory to the treaty that created the ICC, Uganda has an obligation to arrest Omar al-Bashir, who is wanted for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Sudan's Darfur region.

But Uganda's government says the Sudanese leader is immune from arrest as a head of state.

Uganda's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that during al-Bashir's visit "areas of cooperation will be discussed, including trade and investment, agriculture, regional peace and security as well as international matters of mutual interest."

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has led criticism of the ICC, calling it "useless" during his inauguration in May 2016, an event that al-Bashir attended.
A top Lebanese Christian religious figure is to head to Saudi Arabia where he is expected to meet with Lebanon's prime minister who resigned earlier this month in a surprise televised address from the kingdom.

Cardinal Bechara el-Rai had planned his visit before Saad Hariri announced his resignation in Riyadh on Nov. 4, throwing Lebanon into crisis.

El-Ra heads the Maronite sect, Lebanon's largest Christian community and the Middle East's largest Catholic church.

He is to depart from Beirut on Monday afternoon.

Hariri said on Sunday he'll return to Lebanon "within days" to resolve issues with the militant group Hezbollah, his rivals in the coalition government.

The comments came in Hariri's first TV interview since announcing his resignation. He denied he was being held against his will in the kingdom.
PARTIAL LIST OF RWANDANS WHO HAVE BEEN KIDNAPPED AND REPATRIATED BY KALE KAYIHURA ON BEHALF OF HIS BOSS PAUL KAGAME.

Partial List of victims to Kayihura - Nickson and Anguma, in the illegal repatriation of Refugees to Rwanda is released on this wall, please note that only two individuals are still alive and locked up for life in prison.

http://glpost.com/partial-list-of-rwandans-who-have-been-kidnapped-and-repatriated-by-kale-kayihura-on-behalf-of-his-boss-paul-kagame/
I spend a fair amount of time talking with young people, especially college students, about their futures. Ive found that many college seniors have not spent time thinking about what comes after they graduate.

In a course I teach for seniors, I have students create a resume. For many, especially non-business majors, it is the first one theyve done since high school. They seem to be a bit shocked when they realize that theres not much there. All that white space on the page is a great indicator. I realize that some students are working their way through college and have responsibilities such that they could not take the time to add other activities to their livesbut thats not who Im talking about.

Additionally, grades matter. As seniors, with three years of grades under their belts, its hard to radically change a GPA before graduation. There are organizations which will not consider hiring students unless they have at least a 3.0, and some firms have even higher expectations. So a senior with a 2.4 GPA, for example, has just eliminated himself from contention for many positions. And most graduate programs expect a 3.0 for admission to graduate work.

In my course, we discuss searching for jobs. One of my mantras is The first job is the first job  its not the dream job. Because many seniors have not considered what they really enjoy, they seem a bit paralyzed to apply for any job. Its almost as if they dont know what they want to do forever, so they struggle to take the first step. Refer to my above mantra for guidance.

We talk about organizational culture. Some students know that they need to be in a structured environment, such as sitting in a cubicle from 8 to 5 every day. Others believe that would stifle them, so they need a more flexible environment. As I tell them, theres no right or wrong answer in general, but company cultures can be right or wrong for individuals. Many have never thought about this.

So how can you help those high school or college students in your world prepare for their futures? Get them to start thinking about these things early.

Before my children left for college, we set some expectations for them. While they were told that we didnt expect a 4.0 GPA at graduation, we did expect them to do their very best. We expected an excellent return on our financial investment and their investment of their time and mental capacity. A strong GPA offers options beyond college.

At the end of each semester, I would look at their updated resume. While academics came first, college is also about exploring talents, interests and activities outside of the classroom. We urged them to try thingsto attend different club meetings, for example, to see if there was a fit. They would like some activities and would stay involved for years, while others might be for several weeks or a year. We wanted their college memories to include more than academics.

We also began talking about what they had a passion for. This, to some degree, helps students determine their major, but for many majors, theres not a direct path to a job from that major. Our youngest is an Accounting major, and there is a path for her. But what about an English or sociology major? Determining what they love will help them focus on their next steps.

Lastly, get them to think about the kind of organizational culture that will help them excel. Theyve probably not thought too much about that.

My goal for college graduates is that their first jobs are good jobs. Maybe not dream jobs, but ones they will enjoy.
A Stafford jury has recommended a 30-year prison sentence for a man convicted of making a single heroin sale in the county last year.

Elijah Lee Merriweather, 40, who has court-listed addresses in Stafford and Spotsylvania counties, was convicted in Stafford Circuit Court of distributing heroin. The jury convicted Merriweather Wednesday and suggested the large sentence the next day after learning about Merriweathers extensive drug-related history.

Prosecutor Lori DiGiosia said the Stafford charge stemmed from an Aug. 18, 2016, incident in which officers had a confidential informant make a controlled purchase in the restroom of a convenience store in southern Stafford.

The informant bought two grams of heroin for $400 and immediately turned the drugs over to narcotics officers. The investigation showed that Merriweather made weekly trips to Philadelphia to pick up heroin that was distributed in the Fredericksburg area.

Defense attorney Christopher Reyes tried to discredit the informant and said jurors couldnt be sure about what happened in the restroom.

After convicting Merriweather, jurors learned that Merriweather had been convicted in Spotsylvania earlier this year on charges of possessing illegal drugs with the intent to distribute and conspiracy. He was ordered to serve five years in prison on those convictions.

He also has prior drug-related convictions in Fairfax and in Pennsylvania, court records show, for which he has served prison time.

In addition, Merriweather is scheduled for trial on three drug offenses in Fredericksburg Circuit Court next month. The offenses that led to the city charges took place the day after the undercover buy in Stafford, court records show.

Merriweather will be formally sentenced in Stafford on Jan. 31 by Judge J. Howe Brown.
The ballot controversy in Stafford County will linger for at least another day.

During its noon meeting on Monday, Staffords electoral board voted, 2-1, to delay a decision about certifying absentee and provisional ballots until Tuesday. The board then went into closed session.

Doug Filler, the electoral board chairman, said the delay will give people with questions about their vote time to come forward. After the closed session, he said the board voted to get a judicial opinion on the votes in question.

The deadline to file votes with the Virginia Department of Elections is 5 p.m. Tuesday, Filler said.

After the meeting, Filler told a gaggle of television news reporters and other media that the problem likely could have been avoided if Stafford werent the only locality in Virginia that doesnt take part in a state-funded program that uses bar codes to track absentee ballots, which indicates when they are received.

He said the electoral board was unaware of the situation with the bar code program and that it was the county registrars duty to implement it.

Registrar Greg Riddlemoser could not be reached for comment on the bar code issue.

According to the electoral board, 55 absentee ballots were apparently received at the post office but not sent to the registrars office by the 7 p.m. deadline on Election Day.

Riddlemoser has said that because the deadline was Tuesday evening state law requires him to ignore the ballots delivered on Wednesday. Critics described the ballots as coming from military personnel, but Riddlemoser said in news release Saturday that those claims were wrong.

There also have been questions raised about provisional ballots, and at least two residents showed up at the courthouse to make sure their votes were counted. The two who checked discovered their votes were counted.

But the uncounted ballots in question could determine some close races.

Laura Sellers, the Democrat and incumbent Garrisonville District representative on the Stafford Board of Supervisors, unofficially lost to Republican Mark Dudenhefer by 15 votes. She said on Monday that she had lawyers preparing a legal challenge to have the absentee votes counted.

Sellers criticized Riddlemoser and said electoral board members have been intimidated.

Somethings not right in Stafford County, she said.

Several dozen Democrats chanted and waved signs outside the Stafford courthouse Monday morning in protest over the handling of the ballots.

The protesters chanted such things as Every vote counts and Do your job. Count the vote and waved signs criticizing Riddlemoser.

Joshua Cole, the Democratic candidate for the 28th District House seat, was at the courthouse as the electoral board began the process of certifying Tuesdays election results. Unofficial returns showed Republican Bob Thomas defeating Cole by 83 votes out of 23,000 cast in Stafford and Fredericksburg.

The 28th District race is drawing statewide attention because it is among three in which the official outcomes will determine whether Democrats or Republicans control the House of Delegates. Democrats won 49 seats in the 100-member House Tuesday, but trail in the unofficial results for the 28th, 40th (Fairfax) and 94th (Newport News) districts.

I just think this is a bizarre situation, Cole said outside the courthouse. He added that the issue wasnt about winning or losing but about fairness.

This just feels like an injustice, he added.

In Virginia, local electoral boards are three-member panels who serve staggered three-year terms. They are appointed by the local circuit court, with the political party of the governor, in this case Democrat Terry McAuliffe, getting to nominate two of the members. The bipartisan board, in turn, appoints the registrar to a four-year term.

Riddlemoser was first appointed in 2011 and reappointed in 2015.

The electoral board prepares ballots, oversees elections and certifies the vote count. The law requires board members and the registrar to act in a nonpartisan manner.

The electoral board will meet again over the issue at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the courthouse.

Somethings not right

in Stafford County. supervisor laura sellers, who is losing by 15 votes
Dominion Energy says it will seek a 20-year renewal of its license to operate its North Anna nuclear power plant in Louisa County, the company announced Monday. Dominion notified the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission of its intent to file the license renewal application in 2020.

The company expects to file a similar application for the Surry Power Station in 2019.

Together, the four nuclear reactors at Surry and North Anna provide about 41 percent of the all the electricity consumed by Dominion's electric customers in Virginia. Surry's two units began service in 1972 and 1973. North Anna's reactors began service in 1978 and 1980. They were initially licensed to operate for 40 years but were renewed for an additional 20 years in 2003.

If the latest license renewal is approved, the licenses for the four units will run until 2058, 2060, 2052 and 2053. Dominion expects to spend up to $4 billion on upgrades at the facilities as part of the relicensing process. Earlier this year, the General Assembly earlier this year authorized the company to recoup those expenses from its customers.

"The planned relicensing of North Anna and Surry ensures that the benefits of these clean energy sources will continue to provide affordable, reliable, carbon-free electricity to our customers through the middle of the century," said Daniel G. Stoddard, chief nuclear officer for Dominion's nuclear generation division. "Our nuclear power stations have proven to be among the most-efficient and most-reliable sources of electricity in our fleet."

The company has suspended plans to build a third nuclear reactor at North Anna. That decision to hit pause, after Dominion had spent hundreds of million dollars pursuing a license for the third reactor, was in response to uncertainty over federal and state carbon regulation, the company says. At the same time, high profile cost-overruns at other nuclear projects in Georgia and South Carolina have illustrated the challenge facing developers of new nuclear facilities.

CLARIFICATION: This article has been edited to clarify Dominions decision to suspend development of a third reactor at North Anna.
Janice Davies made her way to the podium Sunday afternoon while those around her clapped along to the tune When the Saints Go Marching In.

Like everything else in the two-hour program, scripted to honor the woman described as a model of grace and steely determination, the song was chosen for a reason.

Shes the closest thing I know to a saint, said Gaye Adegbalola, a Fredericksburg musician and longtime friend.

More than 200 people who probably would say the same crowded into the fellowship hall of Fredericksburg Baptist Church for an afternoon tea in honor of Janice Pryde Davies. Shes the wife of the Rev. Lawrence Davies, who served as Fredericksburg councilman for 10 years, mayor for 20 and led Shiloh Baptist Church (Old Site) for 50 years.

But Sunday was all about Mrs. Davies and the example she set, both as a ministers wife and mentor, mother and caregiver, quiet leader and intuitive listener.

About two months ago, Pamela Bridgewater, a Fredericksburg native who served in the church with the Davieses before becoming a foreign services diplomat, wondered if any recognition had ever been given specifically for Janice Davies. She asked her dear friend, Xavier Richardson, about it, and neither could remember such an event.

Then, the former ambassador talked to Davies family members, including her granddaughter, Alyssa Ward, who said Grammie loves tea.

They announced an afternoon tea in her honor and secretly put together an endowed scholarship in her name. Theres already $20,000 in the fund, and Richardson not-so-subtly pointed out that more could be added. Simply write a check to Shiloh Baptist Church (Old Site) with JPD Scholarship on the memo line, he said.

Bridgewater said it was easy to pull the event together because everyone wanted to help do something for Mrs. Davies, whos 89.

Everybody thanked me for asking them to work on the committee, Bridgewater said.

Likewise, people practically stood in line to purchase tickets, said committee member Tina Jones. We could have sold a lot more, but space was limited.

During the celebration, city and church leaders as well as family members shared stories of Mrs. Davies, who moved with her husband to Fredericksburg from Washington, D.C., 55 years ago, at the height of the civil rights movement. At first, she wasnt so sure the couple would would be welcomed there.

But Mrs. Davies embraced Fredericksburg, and the community, in turn, embraced her, according to her profile listed in the program.

Bridgewater and Richardson presented The Janice Show, setting up a makeshift TV studio on stage and interviewing guests. One after another cited her work in the community: as a volunteer with the American Cancer Society, an organizer of wellness programs in the church and as co-founder of the Fredericksburg Area Sickle Cell Association.

Two of her three daughters developed sickle cell anemia, a disorder that affects AfricanAmericans and those from the Mediterranean and Caribbean. Lauren Davies was 36 when she died from it in 1993.

At the same time as she cared for her daughters, Mrs. Davies also took care of her parents. When her duties kept her from getting out in the community, she wrote letters from home, sending thoughtful notes of encouragement or praise.

Shes a lesser-known Helen Steiner Rice, said the Rev. Aaron Dobynes Sr., referring to the American poet and inspirational writer.

Mark Olson, a longtime member of Shiloh (Old Site), said she listens and speaks the word of God as well as writes it.

I think the post office would go out of business if it werent for Mrs. Davies, Olson said.

Marva Moore has worked with Mrs. Davies for five years on Shilohs wellness programs, which the former first lady of the church helped organize 20 years ago.

She is a quiet, strong leader, Moore said. Shes the voice of reason, and we all look to her for advice and counsel.

Fredericksburg Mayor Mary Katherine Greenlaw talked about ethical leadership, of knowing your core values and displaying them at all times.

In other words, you walk the walk, Greenlaw said. If anybody ever walked the walk, it is Mrs. Davies.

Her daughter, Karen Ward, remembered the way people gravitated toward her, at church or in the grocery store. Shed listen to those with special needs or people whod fallen on hard times.

I shared my mother with an entire community, and I was happy to do it, Ward said.

Wards daughter, Alyssa, said her grandmother was the kind of woman who could slay dragons and empowered others to do the same.

She makes you feel like you can do anything you want, Alyssa Ward said. It is amazing to have someone like that in your corner.

When it was Mrs. Davies turn to address the crowd, she said that while she enjoys the gift of writing, she does like to speak in public. She said it wasnt her strength, so she came prepared with written remarks.

Mrs. Davies literally leaned on Richardson instead of her walker, as he flipped the pages of her speech in which she said she didnt know how she could thank all those assembled before her. She expressed gratitude to those whod made a path for her, as well as many who embraced me and my family with unconditional love and caring.

By the time she finished, many in the audience were noticeably moved. Jones and Adegbalola stood with their arms around each other and tears streaming down their faces.

Mrs. Davies ended with a quote from her husband, whos often said that you can either curse the darkness or light a candle.

I have chosen to light a candle of caring and sharing, she said. With the establishment of a scholarship in my name, a candle of hope will continue to bring a bright future to this community.
A Stafford woman has been charged with driving under the influence following a Friday crash in Colonial Beach that left a motorcyclist seriously injured, police said.

Virginia State Police spokeswoman Sgt. Keeli Hill said the accident occurred about 9:40 p.m., at the intersection of Washington Avenue and Hawthorne Street.

Hill said a Ford SUV driven by Anne T. Harris, 44, was going the wrong way on a one-way street (Hawthorne Street) when it collided with the motorcycle traveling on Washington Avenue. The motorcyclist, whose name was not released, was struck by the front drivers side wheel of the SUV.

The victim was taken to Inova Fairfax Hospital with life-threatening injuries, police said. Harris was not injured, police said.

Hill said the investigation is ongoing.

Keith Epps
Free Freightnet Membership

List your company in the Freightnet directory. It's Free, it's Easy and your company can be displayed in front of potential freight buyers within 24 hours.
This domain was recently registered at Namecheap.com. Please check back later!
Plenty of police activity on Saturday : Heres how Cologne and Bonn experienced the start of the Carnival season

Bonn Despite the wet and cold weather, several tens of thousands of Jecks dressed in colourful costumes took over squares and streets in the Rhineland. In Cologne, a drinks cart was broken into and 260 litres of Kolsch was stolen. Heres an overview.

Teilen

Teilen Weiterleiten

Weiterleiten Tweeten

Tweeten Weiterleiten

Weiterleiten Drucken

Thousands of Carnival lovers gathered from early Saturday morning in the centres of Cologne, Dusseldorf and, of course, Bonn for the start of Carnival at 11.11am and to properly celebrate the start of the fifth season, despite continuous drizzle.

The opening session is traditionally also a particularly busy day for the police. Crowds, high alcohol consumption and aggressive disturbances of the peace also led to a lot of police operations this year. In Cologne, around 1000 extra officers were on duty. In Dusseldorf there were also more officers on duty. In the cathedral city, many streets around the party area were secured with lorries, namely refuse trucks, and concrete blocks to protect against possible attacks. There was a ban on lorries over 7.5 tonnes driving in the city centre.

By 10.30am, the maximum visitor numbers had been reached at the Heumarkt in Cologne. At 11am the Alter Markt was also full, said police. The organisers were not letting any more people into the area. At around 3pm, officers from the Ordnungsamt and the police also closed the Zulpicher Strae area to further Carnival goers.

Multiple offences in Cologne

In the morning, a vehicle owned by a tradesman and parked in front of the waiting room at the cathedral was broken into and 26 Pittermanchen (ten litre Kolsch beer kegs) were stolen. Around 1.45pm, two young women (both 23) were hit in the head by a beer tankard in Am Domhof. The women, from Kerpen, were so badly injured that they had to be treated in hospital. According to initial enquiries, someone threw the tankard from a balustrade into the crowd. The perpetrator disappeared in the crowd before police could intervene. Investigations into grievous bodily harm are ongoing.

Carnival hustle and bustle in Bonn

The main celebration in Bonn on 11.11 took place, as is traditional, at the Marktplatz. More than 800 Jecks partied there from 10.30am under the motto: Lets party and study, including the Bonn royal couple, Prince Dirk II and his Bonna, Alexandra III. At their side were the Childrens Prince Luca I and the Childrens Bonna, Christina I.

So they could forget the horrible, drizzly weather and temperatures of 6 degrees, Willi Bellinghausen banged the keys of his piano loudly and ensured, along with the princes and princesses and host Steffen Eisel, there was a great Carnival atmosphere.

Beuel City Soldiers appear at the Climate Conference

There was a welcome break for delegates of the Climate Conference when Cop23 participants disappeared into the world of Carnival for almost an hour on Saturday afternoon. Enchanted by the Rhineland tradition, thrilled by the sounds of a marching band and enraptured by a young dance couple, the international guests celebrated the Beuel City Soldiers. 90 officers and cadets showcased a joyful Carnival in the tent in the Bonn-Zone. We are proud, that we are able to present our tradition in front of such an audience, said Thomas Theuerzeit, spokesman for the City Soldiers.
US counter-delegation at Climate Conference : We are still in!

Bonn Arnold Schwarzenegger, Al Gore and Michael Bloomberg are in Bonn as the American counter-movement to Donald Trumps climate politics raises its voice.

Teilen

Teilen Weiterleiten

Weiterleiten Tweeten

Tweeten Weiterleiten

Weiterleiten Drucken

It was not an entrance; it was an invasion. Accompanied by epic music, Arnold Schwarzenegger fought his way through the cameras towards the stage, smiling and pushing Bonns Lord Mayor, Ashok Sridharan, in front of him. Im a man of action, Scharzenegger would later say in his speech. A joke about his time as the Terminator is always well received.

However, Schwarzenegger did not come to Bonn on Sunday as an action hero, but as a campaigner against climate change and as the former governor of California, a poster region for renewable energy. He called on the assembled international local politicians: Act now! If I had listened to all the doubters and naysayers, I would still be sitting yodelling in the Austrian Alps.

Schwarzenegger is also here to reassure a world despairing of Donald Trump that America is still on board. Trumps decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement means nothing at all, according to Schwarzenegger. The federal states and cities continue to work in an even more motivated way.

The Hollywood star was one of several high profile US representatives at the Climate Conference at the weekend. On Friday, former vice president Al Gore roamed the corridors in a sea of flashbulbs. Then followed New Yorks former mayor, Michael Bloomberg, several senators and four governors, including Jerry Brown from California, a climate change pioneer. They all brought the message: We are still in!

This is not clear, as the Americans behaviour is contradictory. Two delegations are in competition over who speaks for the most powerful nation. There is the official delegation, which is bound by Washingtons decisions. The task of chief negotiator Tom Shannon and his team is unpopular. They have to carry on negotiating but now in the interests of the climate sceptic, Donald Trump, because a complete withdrawal is only possible in three years. Not much has been heard or seen so far from the official US delegation, which is at a climate conference for the first time without its own pavilion.

The unofficial delegation is much more visible and vocal. It is hard to miss their message We are still in at Cop23. It is on the outside of the US Climate Action Center, a spacecraft style tent outside the official conference area. It is on cloth bags, badges and flyers. This is where the other America wants to show itself and to say: We are ignoring what Trump wants and will simply carry on. Especially now.

It sounds subversive, but the movement is embedded in the establishment. 110 cities, 20 states and 1400 companies belong to Americas Pledge, an initiative started by US governors, mayors and business leaders. By its own account, the initiative represents more than half the population.

One of the most well known representatives, Al Gore, appeared on Friday evening in the German pavilion. The USA and Germany belong to a handful of nations who will decide whether or not we are successful, said the Nobel Peace Prize winner. Gore was met with enthusiasm when he said that, according to the Paris rules, America could withdraw at the earliest on 4 November 2020, a day after the next presidential elections. A newcomer to the White House will then reverse Trumps decision.

Michael Bloomberg also came to Bonn to give hope. His topic is killer coal, which he wants to ban as an energy source. Coals days are numbered, said the billionaire businessman. He appealed to the Germans: Call your members of parliament and tell them that Chancellor Merkel should stop using coal. After Bloomberg, five Democrat senators appeared on Saturday. The Trump government is isolated, said Ben Cardin from the state of Maryland. Ed Markey from Massachusetts let it be known: Donald Trump is nothing more than a temporary resident of the White House.

The official delegation is tight-lipped about the campaign. Their representatives are not part of the delegation, a representative of the US Foreign Ministry told the GA. However, the government supports the federal states and cities to make their own decisions within their jurisdictions.
abati666 at 13-11-2017 10:21 AM (5 years ago)

(m) My Fellow Nigerians



Please do not castigate the Nigerian Police......

the system is rigged.........

if the Government pays them well, they would not resort to such activities...

It is the system that forces them to act as such......

EVERY HUMAN BEING HAS A MORAL COMPASS....BUT WHEN IT HAS BEEN POLARIZED, IT TAKES A LIFE OF ITS OWN.........

THE NIGERIAN POLICE IS NOT TO BLAME, IT IS THE POLITICIANS AND THE HEAD OF THE SNAKE THAT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS.... THEY HAVE TO EAT TOO.....

THEY ALL HAVE FAMILIES.....

THEIR BLOOD IS AS RED AS YOURS....

BUT WHEN OGA SAYS......HUM YOU HAVE TO DONATE 5000 NAIRA EVERY DAY WITHOUT QUESTION, THEN YOU GOT TO TOW THE LINE......

THAT IS THE REALITY OF ALL PUBLIC SERVICE IN NIGERIA......ARMY, NAVY CUSTOMS...ETC

AND YOU KNOW WHAT, THE PRESIDENT IS AWARE OF SUCH ACTIVITIES, BUT CHOOSES TO TURN A BLIND EYE, WHICH MAKES MATTERS WORSE........HE WAS A MILITARY MAN...HE ROSE FROM THE RANKS

IF THE GOVERNMENT SEE FIT TO INVEST HEAVILY IN PUBLIC SERVICE WAGES......THINGS WOULD CHANGE........LIKE I SAID WE ALL HAVE A MORAL COMPASS, BUT BETWEEN THE POLITICIANS AND ALL THE HEAD OF SERVICES THEY ALL KEEP OF BLAMING THE OTHER FOR WHAT IS SO PLAIN FOR US ALL TO SEE........AND THE BEAT GOES ON......AND ON. Posted: at 13-11-2017 10:21 AM (5 years ago) | Gistmaniac My Fellow NigeriansPlease do not castigate the Nigerian Police......the system is rigged.........if the Government pays them well, they would not resort to such activities...It is the system that forces them to act as such......EVERY HUMAN BEING HAS A MORAL COMPASS....BUT WHEN IT HAS BEEN POLARIZED, IT TAKES A LIFE OF ITS OWN.........THE NIGERIAN POLICE IS NOT TO BLAME, IT IS THE POLITICIANS AND THE HEAD OF THE SNAKE THAT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS.... THEY HAVE TO EAT TOO.....THEY ALL HAVE FAMILIES.....THEIR BLOOD IS AS RED AS YOURS....BUT WHEN OGA SAYS......HUM YOU HAVE TO DONATE 5000 NAIRA EVERY DAY WITHOUT QUESTION, THEN YOU GOT TO TOW THE LINE......THAT IS THE REALITY OF ALL PUBLIC SERVICE IN NIGERIA......ARMY, NAVY CUSTOMS...ETCAND YOU KNOW WHAT, THE PRESIDENT IS AWARE OF SUCH ACTIVITIES, BUT CHOOSES TO TURN A BLIND EYE, WHICH MAKES MATTERS WORSE........HE WAS A MILITARY MAN...HE ROSE FROM THE RANKSIF THE GOVERNMENT SEE FIT TO INVEST HEAVILY IN PUBLIC SERVICE WAGES......THINGS WOULD CHANGE........LIKE I SAID WE ALL HAVE A MORAL COMPASS, BUT BETWEEN THE POLITICIANS AND ALL THE HEAD OF SERVICES THEY ALL KEEP OF BLAMING THE OTHER FOR WHAT IS SO PLAIN FOR US ALL TO SEE........AND THE BEAT GOES ON......AND ON. Reply
felicilin at 13-11-2017 12:52 PM (5 years ago) (f)

A devastated husband has told how his wife left him and their nine kids for a toyboy from Gambia.Andy Hepworth says he is nursing a broken heart while missus Heidi, 44, lives it up with her Facebook lover She wants a divorce, saying her future is with Mamadou Jallow, 30. Andy, 44, said: Its a midlife crisis. She started going to the gym, booking sunbeds, getting tattoos and wearing dresses.

A devastated husband has told how his wife left him and their nine kids for a toyboy from Gambia.Andy Hepworth says he is nursing a broken heart while missus Heidi, 44, lives it up with her Facebook lover She wants a divorce, saying her future is with Mamadou Jallow, 30. Andy, 44, said: Its a midlife crisis. She started going to the gym, booking sunbeds, getting tattoos and wearing dresses. Quote The person she has become is horrible. She was a loving, caring mum. Now its like an alien has possessed her body. He has brainwashed her. Its one big fantasy for her and she is following it through step by step. Heidi had never been abroad before she flew to be with Mamadou in West Africa last month.

A neighbour fearing for her three youngest, aged six, nine and 11, alerted their school. But police found them staying legally with their 29-year-old sister.

Heidi said last night: Ive met a young gentleman but its not an affair. The marriage had problems. We drifted apart. Can a woman not have a new relationship?

Andy and Heidi met in the 1990s and had been together 23 years. He said: She had three children from a previous relationship but I brought them up as mine. We then had six kids of our own. Five years ago I moved out but I realised I wanted to go home and she took me straight back. We decided to take the next step  and got married.

The family appeared settled in Hetton-le-Hole, Tyne and Wear. Heidi and Andy had been together for 23 years Ex-delivery driver Andy, who served in the Navy for four years, first noticed a change in Heidi in March.

He said: She was wearing more make up and dresses which shed never done before. It just wasnt her. She was going out all the time with friends and was always on her phone.

She has strange friends on Facebook, men from Africa and Asia. Andy says she blocked him being a Facebook friend. But when he asked if there was another man he was told no.

He added: I didnt think she was messing around with a bloke here, but I did wonder what she was up to.

Heidi moved out twice in a fortnight after rows. When she was home inbetween Andy claims he found messages from Mamadou on the family computer. He added: It felt like my heart had been ripped out. I loved her. Nearly half of Gambias two million population live in poverty. Heidi says Mamadou, who lives in the capital Banjul, is not using her to get a UK passport. She said: Andy went off but I still took him back. The marriage came to a natural end. Now Im very happy. You couldnt meet a nicer man.

Andy slammed Heidi for leaving their youngest kids, saying: A caring mum wouldnt go off gallivanting around Africa with her new boyfriend.

Heidi said: The children havent been left to fend for themselves. Im missing them and video chat every day. Its hard but they understand. I dont know if I will move here permanently but I see my future with Mamadou, and my children.Andy added: We were always a rock solid. But I think its over. Shes said and done too much.

Police said: There are no concerns for the children. They were left with an appropriate adult.





Post Reply Posted: at 13-11-2017 12:52 PM (5 years ago) | Hero
The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel is the largest daily newspaper in western Colorado, with distribution in three counties and broad readership in six. 2013 marked 120 years of publication since the newspaper's founding in 1893.

The Sentinel's companion website, GJSentinel.com, was founded May 17, 1998. Together, the news organization provides daily community, state, national and international news coverage.

The Daily Sentinel's offices and press are located at 734 S. Seventh Street, Grand Junction, Colorado.

Pennsylvania-born traveling salesman I.N. Bunting founded the newspaper in 1893 with partner Howard T. Lee. Walter Walker bought The Daily Sentinel in 1911 and ran it until his death in 1956. He left the newspaper to his son, Preston Walker, who served as publisher until his death in 1970. He left the newspaper to one of his employees, Ken Johnson, who sold the company to Cox Newspapers in 1979.

James Kennedy served as publisher until 1985 when he went on to become chairman and chief executive of parent company Cox Enterprises, naming George Orbanek publisher.

Orbanek served until his retirement in 2007, when Alex Taylor became publisher.

In July 2009, the newspaper was sold to Kansas-based Seaton Publishing Co., and a new Grand Junction Media Co. was formed.

Jay Seaton became publisher of The Daily Sentinel and executive vice president of Grand Junction Media. His brother, Ned Seaton, is president. Their father, Ed Seaton, is chairman.

The Seaton family can trace its roots in journalism back two centuries to the National Intelligencer in Washington, D.C., in 1812.

Seaton Publishing is a family business based in Manhattan, Kansas, that publishes the daily newspaper in that city. It's associated with family-owned newspaper companies in Arkansas City and Winfield, Kansas; Hastings, Nebraska; Spearfish, South Dakota; and Sheridan, Wyoming, in addition to radio stations in Manhattan, Kansas.

In 2018, The Daily Sentinel became the first U.S. newspaper to acquire radio stations after the Federal Communications Commissions lifted a cross-ownership prohibition between newspapers and broadcast. Today, four music radio signals are broadcast from The Daily Sentinel.
Washington, DC, Nov. 13, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Washington, DC, USA, Belgium, November 13, 2017: United Nations International Day of Happiness (UNIDOHappiness) Founder and Illien Global CEO Jayme Illien joins 2016 United States Presidential Candidate, and U..S. Senator Bernie Sanders at todays 10th annual symposium on Economics, Security, and American politics hosted by Economists for Peace and Security in Washington, DC, USA.





The 10th annual conference brings together senior specialists for a discussion on economics, security, and American politics, as well as, the economic dimensions of current critical and fundamental national and global security issues animating American political discourse.





Mr. Illien is looking forward to 2016 US Presidential candidate and US Senator Bernie Sanders comments on the state of American politics, as well as, national and global security. On the topic of American politics, Mr Illien would like to express his profound concern vis-a-vis the purity and sanctity of U.S. government institutions in the context of alleged foreign intervention in the 2016 US elections, alleged collusion with a candidate for the office of U.S. President, and alleged potentially unethical and/ or rigged influence over party nominations exercised by a candidate for U.S. President, said Sydney Kyle, a spokeswoman for Diplomatic Advisors International.





Mr. Illien would also like to express additionally acute concern over the escalating and developing security events, and risks to American and global security, including the threat of regional and nuclear war with North Korea, the tragic deaths of U.S. special operations forces conducting foreign internal defense operations in Niger, as well as, ongoing situations in Iran, Iraq, Ukraine, Somalia, Chad, Libya, Mexico, Yemen, Burkina Faso, Philippines, Sudan, Kashmir, Myanmar, the Kurdish region, among other hotspots across the globe added Ms Kyle.





Illien touches down in the US Capitol as 44th US President Donald Trump completes a 13 day trip to throughout Asia (Japan, China, South Korea, Vietnam, and the Philippines) encompassing high priority topics such as global growth, trade, and security, and meetings. U.S President Trump also meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, Japanese President Shinzo Abe, Chinese President Xi Jingping, South Korean President Moon Jae in, and Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang, before attending the U.S.-ASEAN Summit and East Asia Summit.





Mr. Illiens arrival follows recent visits to the Middle East where U.S. backed coalition forces recently defeated ISIS strongholds in Mosul, Iraq, and Raqqa Syria, as well as, to NATO / EPS 21st International Conference on Economics and Security at the Royal Military Academy in Brussels, Belgium.





Mr. Illien also recently met with Her Royal Highness Princess Kesang Choden Wangchuk of the Kingdom of Bhutan, which measures Gross National Happiness, instead of GDP, to discuss the internationalization of Gross National Happiness, part of a broader strategy to advance the UNs call for Gross Global Happiness and the Happiness for All initiative launched by Illien Global Public Benefit Corporation in 2006.





Jayme Illien is United Nations representative for Economists for Peace and Security. Founded in 1995, Economists for Peace and Security works to promote non-military solutions to world challenges, and more broadly to work towards freedom from fear and want for all.





EPS is a UN accredited organization of leading economists and security experts in special consultative with UN ECOSOC.



Economists for Peace and Securitys leadership and trustees is comprised of prominent figures and policy experts including 17 Nobel laureates (among them Joseph E. Stiglitz, Amartya Sen - both heads of the 2008 OECD Happiness Commission), former US Secretary of Labor Robert Reich, former US Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, and former Prime Minister of Greece Georges Pompandreou. The EPS current Chairwoman is former Chief Economist U.S Senate Ms. Stephanie Kelton, and its former Chairman is James K Galbraith, world renowned economist, and son of economist John Kenneth Galbraith who served as U.S. Ambassador to India and in the administrations of U.S. Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, John F. Kennedy, and Lyndon B. Johnson.





As United Nations adviser, Illien advocates for a range of issues, including solutions to climate change, human rights, and happiness as a new economic and political paradigm. In the security dimension, Illien has on counter terrorism, military expenditures and peacekeeping, and non proliferation of weapons of mass destruction - nuclear, chemical, biological, radiological, and, cyber.





Jayme Illien was previously covert operative in the CIA clandestine officer programme special activities division US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), U.S. Department of Defense. Illien was also Chief Executive Officer and Global Head of dbFX, an online global currency trading service of Deutsche Bank, which he founded to service high net worth clients, hedge funds, and emerging market financial institutions, and grew to over $768 billion in annual transactions across 180 countries. Deutsche Bank was voted #1 in Foreign Exchange by the Euromoney FX poll from 2005-2013.





Illien also served as CEO North America for Swiss Quote Banks Advanced Currency Markets, and Senior Managing Director at FXCM. FXCM, also known commonly as Global Brokerage Inc, is one of the worlds first fintech currency trading focused companies responsible for democratizing access for individuals to the global currency markets. Mr. Illien joined FXCM during its early start up years when it was just a handful of people, and led much of the firms early explosive growth, working closely alongside current FXCM CEO Brendan Callan, and reporting directly to former CEO Drew Niv and FXCMs Board of Directors. In 2014, the European Central Bank named FXCM the worlds 3rd largest currency broker. Last month FXCM completed approximately $200 billion in transactions. FXCM averages over $3.6 trillion in global currency transactions annually.




We're sorry, you encountered a page that doesn't exist.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 13, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MX Gold Corp. (TSX-V:MXL) (FSE:ODV) (OTCQX:MXLGF) (the Company or MX Gold) is pleased to announce it has purchased 360 crypto currency mining systems as part of the Companys pilot project in the cryptocurrency mining space. The Company has ordered 360 units of the Avalon Miner 741 cryptocurrency mining system, made by Canaan Creative Co., which units are expected to be delivered on or about November 20, 2017. Assuming timely delivery, management expects to commence cryptocurrency mining operations by mid-December. To house the cryptocurrency mining operations for this pilot project, MX Gold is currently negotiating a 15,680 sq.ft. lease (the Proposed Lease) with 3409377 Manitoba Ltd. for premises located at 900 Fisher Avenue, La Portage, Manitoba, and access to 2.5 MW of power. The Proposed Lease will enable the Company to take advantage of competitive power rates, which are 5.4 cents CDN per kWh.



Since 3409377 Manitoba Ltd. is a company wholly-owned by Dan Omeniuk, CEO of MX Gold, the Proposed Lease is considered a related party transaction under Multilateral Instrument 61-101  Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (MI 61-101). The Proposed Lease is exempt from the formal valuation requirement under Section 5.4 of MI 61-101, by virtue of the exemption contained in section 5.5(a) of MI 61-101, and from the minority shareholder approval requirement under MI 61-101, by virtue of the exemption contained in section 5.7(a) of MI 61-101, as the fair market value of the consideration under the Proposed Lease does not exceed 25% of the Companys market capitalization.



For additional information on the Avalon Miner 741, please see the following link: https://canaan.io/product/avalonminer-741/

Dan Omeniuk, CEO of MX Gold, stated, "Our company is looking forward to developing a pilot project involving a cryptocurrency mining operation to determine whether further investment in the growing cryptocurrency industry is warranted.

Additionally, MX Gold has decided not to proceed with the Letter of Intent for the acquisition of Symple Internet Financial Ltd., which terminated in accordance with its terms on November 6, 2017. The Company has instead determined to internally develop its own pilot cryptocurrency mining operations located in Manitoba, as disclosed above.

Dan Omeniuk also stated MXs decision to take on this project internally will result in reduced dilution to shareholders, as MX will no longer be required to issue shares in connection with the purchase of Symple.

For more information on cryptocurrency, please see the following link:

https://clients.haywood.com/uploadfiles/secured_reports/BCOct242017.pdf?inf_contact_key=579b43223c79ee11357ecfc6b62ebaae942374871c40ac756f37211bcc125ddb

About MX Gold

MX Gold is a junior mining company focused on the exploration and development of advanced projects located in Mexico and British Columbia, Canada. The companys primary focus, is the Magistral del Oro tailings project located 392 km SW of Chihuahua and includes a 500 tonnes-per-day dynamic cyanide countercurrent system plant constructed in 2013, which the Company plans to expand to 1,000 tonnes-per day. The Company also owns 50% of the IDS Project, which includes a smelter that was completed in 2014 for a throughput capacity of 50 tonnes per day. The smelter was built to receive and process material from small-scale miners across the state of Durango and beyond. MX Gold has acquired a substantial land package of approximately 22,881 acres in the heart of the Golden Triangle. The Companys primary focus in British Columbia is its Willa gold and copper project located 12 kilometers south of Silverton, B.C. In 2015, MX Gold Corp. completed the accretive acquisition of the Willa project and the Max Molybdenum Mine and Mill Complex. The Willa mine is located 135 kilometers south of the Max Mill. For updates on the Companys projects please visit our website. www.mxgoldcorp.com

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

Akash Patel

Akash Patel, Vice President and Director, MX Gold Corp.

For further information, please contact

Dan Omeniuk, CEO

Email: dano@mxgoldcorp.com

Or by email to:

info@mxgoldcorp.com

Statements in this news release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical, and consist primarily of projections - statements regarding future plans, expectations and developments. Words such as "expects", "intends", "plans", "may", "could", potential, "should", "anticipates", "likely", "believes" and words of similar import tend to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include the anticipated delivery dates of the mining units, the anticipated date that such units will be operational and the statement about developing a cryptocurrency mining pilot project. All of these forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ from those expressed or implied, including, without limitation: the Companys ability to successfully receive and install the mining units and operate the pilot plant; MX Golds ability to attract and retain qualified personnel and management; and the ability of the Company to fund its operations, as well as other risks and uncertainties identified under the heading Risk Factors in the Companys continuous disclosure documents filed on SEDAR. You are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive of all factors and assumptions which may have been used. MX Gold cannot assure you that actual events, performance or results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements, and managements assumptions may prove to be incorrect. These forward-looking statements reflect current expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date hereof and MX Gold does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or managements beliefs, expectations or opinions should change other than as required by applicable law. For the reasons set forth above, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange Inc. nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange Inc.) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.
VANCOUVER, Nov. 13, 2017 /CNW/ - NexGen Energy Ltd. ("NexGen" or the "Company") (TSX:NXE, NYSEMKT:NXE) is pleased to announce the appointment of Bruce Sprague as Chief Financial Officer and Shawn Harriman as Senior Manager, Permitting, Environment and Regulatory Affairs of the Company effective as of November 13, 2017.

Leigh Curyer, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, commented: "These two appointments reflect NexGen's rapid progression in size and scale of activities as the Company continues to develop Arrow and set elite standards in every aspect of our operations. On behalf of the Board and executive I would like to welcome Bruce and Shawn to the NexGen team. Both bring extensive experience from the top of their respective fields and I look forward to working with both of them on the delivery of NexGen's objectives."

Bruce Sprague:

Bruce Sprague was most recently Partner, Canadian Mining and Metals Sector for Ernst & Young and has over 25 years of experience advising multinational and emerging corporations on business issues in a broad range of countries. Mr. Sprague led key client teams for some the largest Canada-based mining companies on strategic business initiatives and growth platforms. He is also a frequent lecturer at numerous mining industry forums on a broad range of topics and an author for several publications on tax and mining issues.

Mr. Sprague is currently a member of the Board of Directors of the Association for Mineral Exploration of British Columbia (AMEBC), a member of the Industry Advisory Committee for the UBC Norman B. Keevil Institute of Mining Engineering, a member of the Advisory Council of the Canadian International Resources and Development Institute (CIRDI) and a former member of the Board of Directors for the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC).

Mr. Sprague is a Chartered Accountant, Certified Public Accountant (U.S.), Chartered Financial Planner and holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from Carleton University.

Shawn Harriman:

Shawn Harriman has over 10 years experience with Cameco Corp. located in the Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan where he has developed extensive experience in the areas of environmental management and regulatory affairs. Most recently, Mr. Harriman was Cameco Corp.'s Superintendent, Safety, Health, Radiation, Environment, Quality and Regulatory Affairs. His experience includes implementing and managing environmental monitoring and protection programs and ISO14001 certified environmental management systems at an operational level. As the regulatory point of contact, Mr. Harriman has worked extensively with Provincial and Federal regulatory authorities and has direct experience in the approvals and licensing processes, including management of effluent treatment operations and multiple tailings management facilities.

In addition to his experience in uranium operations, Mr. Harriman previously worked in environmental consulting where he was involved in a number of environmental monitoring and baseline programs for a variety of mining clients throughout Saskatchewan. He holds a degree in Environmental and Conservation Sciences from the University of Alberta. Mr. Harriman will continue to live and work in Saskatoon.

NexGen also announces that Grace Marosists, current Chief Financial Officer, has become Vice President, Finance and Information Technology at NexGen effective immediately. Grace has overseen the financial reporting function of NexGen from when the Company had a market capitalization of ~$50M to currently ~$1BN and has graduated from the TSX-V to the TSX and a dual NYSE listing. She now takes on an expanded role and responsibility encompassing advanced accounting systems implementation and management for NexGen as the Company advances through development.

About NexGen

NexGen is a British Columbia corporation with a focus on the acquisition, exploration and development of Canadian uranium projects. NexGen has a highly experienced team of uranium industry professionals with a successful track record in the discovery of uranium deposits and in developing projects through discovery to production.

NexGen owns a portfolio of prospective uranium exploration assets in the Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, Canada, including a 100% interest in Rook I, location of the Arrow Deposit in February 2014, the Bow discovery in March 2015, the Harpoon discovery in August 2016 and the South Arrow discovery in July 2017. The Arrow deposit's updated mineral resource estimate with an effective date of December 20, 2016 was released in March 2017, and comprised 179.5 M lbs U3O8 contained in 1.18 M tonnes grading 6.88% U3O8 in the Indicated Mineral Resource category and an additional 122.1 M lbs U3O8 contained in 4.25 M tonnes grading 1.30% U3O8 in the Inferred Mineral Resource category.

Technical Information

For details of the Rook I Project including the quality assurance program and quality control measures applied and key assumptions, parameters and methods used to estimate the mineral resource please refer to the technical report entitled "Technical Report on the Preliminary Economic Assessment of the Arrow Deposit, Rook 1 Property, Province of Saskatchewan, Canada" dated effective September 1, 2017 (the "Rook 1 Technical Report") prepared by Jason J. Cox, David M. Robson, Mark B. Mathisen, David A. Ross, Val Coetzee and Mark Wittrup, each of whom is a "qualified person" under NI 43-101. The Rook I Technical Report is available for review under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

U.S. investors are advised that while the terms "indicated resources" and "inferred resources" are recognized and required by Canadian regulations, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission does not recognize these terms. U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of the material in these categories will ever be converted into mineral reserves.

Forward-Looking Information

The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. "Forward-looking information" includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future. Generally, but not always, forward-looking information and statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or the negative connotation thereof 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" or the negative connotation thereof.

Forward-looking information and statements are based on the then current expectations, beliefs, assumptions, estimates and forecasts about NexGen's business and the industry and markets in which it operates. Forward-looking information and statements are made based upon numerous assumptions, including among others, that the proposed transaction will be completed, the results of planned exploration activities are as anticipated, the price of uranium, the cost of planned exploration activities, that financing will be available if and when needed and on reasonable terms, that third party contractors, equipment, supplies and governmental and other approvals required to conduct NexGen's planned exploration activities will be available on reasonable terms and in a timely manner and that general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner. Although the assumptions made by the Company in providing forward looking information or making forward looking statements are considered reasonable by management at the time, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will prove to be accurate.

Forward-looking information and statements also involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results, performances and achievements of NexGen to differ materially from any projections of results, performances and achievements of NexGen expressed or implied by such forward-looking information or statements, including, among others, negative operating cash flow and dependence on third party financing, uncertainty of the availability of additional financing, the risk that pending assay results will not confirm previously announced preliminary results, imprecision of mineral resource estimates, the appeal of alternate sources of energy and sustained low uranium prices, aboriginal title and consultation issues, exploration risks, reliance upon key management and other personnel, deficiencies in the Company's title to its properties, uninsurable risks, failure to manage conflicts of interest, failure to obtain or maintain required permits and licenses, changes in laws, regulations and policy, competition for resources and financing, and other factors discussed or referred to in the Company's Annual Information Form dated March 31, 2017 under "Risk Factors".

Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information or implied by 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 forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or reissue forward-looking information as a result of new information or events except as required by applicable securities laws.

SOURCE NexGen Energy Ltd.
High Grade Lithium Drilled Across 10,787 hectares of the Salar

Extensive lithium mineralization across the Salar peaking between 430 to 508 mg/l Li

Consistent with previous short term average pump test results between 545 to 602 mg/l Li

Excellent Relative Brine Release Capacity values peaking at 16.33%

Further pumping and hydrogeological studies have commenced

NI 43-101 Mineral Resource report planned for issue in Q4 2017

TORONTO, Nov. 13, 2017 /CNW/ - LSC Lithium Corp. ("LSC" or together with its subsidiaries, the "Company") (TSXV:LSC) is pleased to announce the completion of its Phase-1 15 hole drill program on its 99% controlled Salar de Pozuelos, Salta Province. The program was designed to evaluate the lithology and brine chemistry across the full extent of the salar to depths of up to 200m. The results of the program indicate the presence of extensive lithium mineralization across the entire salar which covers 10,787 hectares and is 99% controlled by the Company (See Map 1).

The assay results show that the salar has excellent brine chemistry, Relative Brine Release Capacity qualities and the brine values down-hole are consistent with the surface sampling results obtained previously1. These results are also consistent with high grade lithium results returned from previously announced short and long-term pumping well test results2. It is anticipated that LSC will release a NI-43 101 resource report in December based on work completed to date.

PUMP TEST RESULTS2

W1-35 Short-term stress test: consistent Li assays averaging 602 mg/l Li and Mg:Li ratio of 4:1

W2-90 Short-term stress test: consistent Li assays averaging 545 mg/I Li and Mg:Li ratio of 5:1

W1-35 30-day test: averaged 591 mg/l Li and a constant Mg:Li ratio of 4:1

W2-90 15-day test: averaged 548 mg/l Li and a Mg:Li ratio of 5:1

The Phase 1 exploration drilling program, which included 11 out of 15 planned holes on Salar de Pozuelos, has been completed and the balance of the assay results for brine packer sampling have been received (See Table 1). Three holes were cancelled due to ground conditions preventing access.

LSC's President & Chief Executive Officer, Ian Stalker, stated, "the Company has ramped up its efforts on the ground and is moving positively on the Pozuelos, Salinas Grande and Rio Grande Projects, as we push to complete three NI 43-101 compliant resource statements by late this year, early next year.

These latest results from Pozuelos have confirmed the Company's expectations in terms of the presence of wide spread, high grade mineralization across the Pozuelos salar. These results, which are supported by high grade well pump test results acquired earlier in the year, maintain the schedule for the delivery of the Pozuelos NI 43-101 Mineral Resource report, planned for the end of the year. We are pleased with these results as we drive towards planned pre-feasibility studies in 2018. We hope to be able to start preliminary testing of these brines using Enirgi Group Corporation's direct extraction technology in late 2017, early 2018."

This work demonstrates the widespread nature of lithium mineralization present throughout this large land holding measuring 10,787 hectares.

LSC has now mobilized contractors to conduct a five hole pumping well test program and hydrogeological studies to assess pumping conditions in various parts of the Salar de Pozuelos and assess boundary conditions around the salar. This work program is anticipated to be completed by the end of November. Drill hole locations are noted in Table 1.

Table 1: Diamond Drill Program Summary  Salar de Pozuelos (as of November 10, 2017)

Hole POSGAR 94 datum Depth

(m) Azimuth Dip Type Size Northing Easting SP-2017-01 7272418 3419735 cancelled 0 90 DDH HQ SP-2017-02* 7270779 3416480 128.0 0 90 DDH HQ SP-2017-03 7270944 3418684 cancelled 0 90 DDH HQ SP-2017-04 7270942 3419993 cancelled 0 90 DDH HQ SP-2017-05* 7268941 3415996 101.0 0 90 DDH HQ SP-2017-06* 7268948 3417304 200.0 0 90 DDH HQ SP-2017-07* 7268946 3418346 105.0 0 90 DDH HQ SP-2017-08 7268943 3419991 125.0 0 90 DDH HQ SP-2017-09 7267307 3419992 114.5 0 90 DDH HQ SP-2017-10* 7265938 3413194 141.5 0 90 DDH HQ SP-2017-11* 7265026 3411995 51.8 0 90 DDH HQ SP-2017-12 7264931 3414288 168.5 0 90 DDH HQ SP-2017-13 7264932 3415970 74.0 0 90 DDH HQ SP-2017-14 7264938 3417970 133.5 0 90 DDH HQ SP-2017-15* 7263361 3415966 81.5 0 90 DDH HQ

* Results previously reported in Company's press release dated September 6, 2017.

The final brine sample assay data (Table 2) and Relative Brine Release Capacity data (RBRC) (Table 3) have been received for several diamond drill holes at Pozuelos. Brine samples are recovered from the diamond holes using a packer system to isolate specific levels in the holes and assayed at Alex Stewart Assayers in Jujuy, Argentina. LSC previously released results for selected holes and sample intervals in a press release dated September 6, 2017. The new assay results are primarily for holes on the periphery of the salar. Assay results are consistent with the surface sample results from historical sampling3 and are summarized in Table 2.

Core samples for RBRC tests to determine Specific Yield, a measure of effective porosity, were taken from selected drill holes representing all lithologies and all depths of the holes drilled. Samples are shipped to Daniel B. Stephens & Associates Inc. ("DBSA") in Albuquerque, New Mexico for analysis. DBSA has developed a proprietary method to test effective porosity of core samples from salars that has been widely adopted by companies exploring for lithium brines. Details of the method are described in a paper by Stormont et. al. (2011)4. Results for RBRC samples are detailed in Table 3 with one hole  SP-2017-13 results pending. The results show high RBRC values in the upper halite zones and productive zones in the deeper lying clastic zones. Pumping tests to develop additional hydraulic data are planned to commence as soon as a planned series of 5 pumping wells is completed.

Table 2: Selected Brine Packer Sample Results  Salar de Pozuelos (as of November 10, 2017)

Hole No. Sample Interval Li (mg/L),

average Li Assay

Range (mg/L) Ratio Mg/Li Ratio SO4/Ca Ratio Mg/Ca Ratio K/Li From (m) To (m) SP-2017-02* 6.00 76.00 446 360-507 8 12.56 3.66 9.21 SP-2017-05* 12.00 101.00 245 169-290 9 4.84 1.71 11.97 SP-2017-06* 14.00 46.00 282 274-289 8 3.56 1.62 10.68 50.00 72.00 284 272-296 8 3.34 1.48 10.73 SP-2017-07* 14.00 34.00 285 279-291 7 3.36 1.39 11.15 40.00 78.00 277 259-265 7 3.70 1.41 11.43 SP-2017-08 15.00 63.00 261 259-265 5 6.39 1.20 11.69 63.00 87.00 326 253-426 7 14.53 2.94 10.24 SP-2017-09 7.10 19.10 223 218-228 7 4.54 1.38 9.85 34.10 58.10 237 219-255 7 5.32 1.53 9.93 64.10 73.00 255 241-268 7 4.79 1.35 9.36 SP-2017-10* 24.20 94.20 458 371-576 6 3.92 1.45 9.27 SP-2017-11* 13.20 42.20 466 402-557 6 1.45 1.20 8.86 SP-2017-12 24.00 35.00 387 378-397 6 0.70 0.84 8.75 54.00 70.50 397 397 6 0.69 0.83 8.55 75.00 89.00 404 397-411 6 1.10 0.89 8.72 95.00 101.00 449 447-450 6 2.10 1.15 8.27 SP-2017-13 27.00 74.00 452 430-508 6 1.77 1.02 8.19 SP-2017-14 18.00 53.00 395 272-444 5 0.97 0.83 7.99 SP-2017-15* 18.20 81.00 370 361-385 7 0.97 1.20 7.57

* Results previously reported in Company's press release dated September 6, 2017.

Table 3: Selected RBRC Sample Results 2017 Diamond Drill Program  Salar de Pozuelos

(as of November 10, 2017)



















Hole From (m) To (m) RBRC (%)

Hole From (m) To (m) RBRC (%)

SP-2017-02 12.7 12.93 5.0

SP-2017-09 6.80 6.93 9.28 10.87 11.00 4.0

15.83 15.94 7.30 16.03 16.26 1.7

35.00 35.10 14.02 34.73 34.93 4.7

40.42 40.57 4.60 37.83 38.05 4.7

51.74 51.86 6.31 56.54 56.75 1.1

56.71 56.86 16.33 71.66 71.85 2.1

65.00 65.17 5.45 95.11 95.24 5.3

71.10 71.34 3.16 SP-2017-05 12.06 12.34 3.7

SP-2017-11 4.60 4.72 4.4 16.17 16.37 9.6

10.75 11.00 2.9 19.80 19.91 2.5

17.24 17.45 2.6 27.20 27.35 4.8

21.90 22.04 3.4 34.63 34.82 6.7

23.90 24.12 5.8 41.76 41.90 4.7

29.76 29.97 2.8 49.70 49.90 5.0

SP-2017-10 6.54 6.69 4.7 65.80 66.00 3.7

15.99 16.20 5.5 78.00 78.12 6.4

25.49 25.64 2.9 SP-2017-06 11.44 11.58 5.29

50.85 51.04 2.2 12.01 12.21 4.67

64.72 64.86 0.6 15.11 15.31 3.24

SP-2017-12 7.08 7.21 10.30 18.17 19.16 2.99

10.20 10.38 1.70 28.70 28.84 3.82

35.21 35.32 2.50 77.30 77.84 0.36

47.30 47.47 0.80 SP-2017-07 13.40 13.59 7.98

45.35 45.50 7.40 17.55 17.70 5.88

48.66 48.94 2.50 19.13 19.32 7.53

51.63 51.83 2.60 27.80 27.98 7.55

60.66 60.85 4.20 50.10 50.28 6.60

SP-2017-14 8.22 8.33 1.50 62.25 62.45 6.93

24.76 24.92 4.70 66.97 67.18 1.19

34.09 34.23 5.80 SP-2017-08 15.06 15.14 3.92

41.62 41.78 3.70 25.28 25.44 2.40

45.16 45.31 8.00 30.07 30.22 4.25

50.39 50.50 5.20 37.65 37.85 4.76

SP-2017-15 4.80 4.92 13.4 47.19 47.36 4.33

9.71 9.87 3.3 66.50 66.65 6.19

16.34 16.45 11.8 90.56 90.73 1.69

26.79 26.98 4.8 115.68 115.86 1.27

31.72 31.83 4.3









38.42 38.61 1.4









45.35 45.46 4.0









60.20 60.32 0.8









75.67 75.85 3.8

Sampling and QA/QC

Brine sampling for packer tests involved collection of brine from the sample interval in a 20-litre container, which was flushed with fresh brine several times prior to collection of the sample. Brine was poured into 1-litre sample bottles which had been previously flushed with fresh brine from the 20-litre container several times. Sample bottles were filled to the top to eliminate the inclusion of air and sealed with a leak proof lid. Samples were labelled and labels covered in clear tape to prevent erasure of sample information. All samples remained in the possession of the site geologist until delivery to Alex Stewart Laboratory in Jujuy, Argentina by courier. Brine sampling for the pump stress test involved collection of samples from a valve attached to the pump outlet. Brine was allowed to flush and then fresh brine was used to wash the sample bottle several times before collecting the sample. Sample bottles were 1-litre in size and were filled to the top to prevent entrance of air. The samples were sealed with a leak proof lid, labelled and the label covered by clear tape. Samples remained in the possession of the site until delivery by courier to the assay laboratory.

RBRC samples were cut to length using a hack saw, bubble wrapped for protection and then placed in PVC tubes which were sealed with packaging tape. The samples were labelled and the labels wrapped in clear tape. Samples remained in the custody of the site geologist until shipped. Brine (20 L) from each of the holes from which the samples were collected was also shipped to DBSA as part of the sample test protocol. DBSA is independent of LSC.

LSC has a well-developed QA/QC program. Brine assays are undertaken at Alex Stewart Argentina ("ASA") S.A. in Jujuy, Argentina. ASA is independent of LSC and has significant experience in assaying lithium brines and is certified to ISO17025 standards. Brine assays are undertaken using ICP, gravimetric, potentiometric and volumetric methods as detailed in a press release from LSC dated April 10, 2017.

ASA runs internal duplicates at a rate of 1 in 20. LSC inserts blanks and standards in sample batches at a rate of 1 in 20. Standards are internal standards developed by LSC that have been independently certified by round robin testing. LSC uses distilled water as blanks.

Qualified Person/Data Verification

The scientific and technical information included in this press release is based upon information prepared and approved by Donald H. Hains, P.Geo. Mr. Hains is a qualified person, as defined in NI 43-101 and is independent of LSC. Mr. Hains has verified all sampling, analytical and test data underlying the information contained in this press release by on-site inspection during drilling, brine sampling, and selection of RBRC samples; review of drill core photographs to verify lithology; review of certified assay certificates against the assay data base; review of pump test data; and review of RBRC results received from DBSA. There are no drilling, sampling, recovery or other factors that could materially affect the accuracy and reliability of the data.

ABOUT LSC Lithium Corp.:

LSC Lithium has amassed a large portfolio of prospective lithium rich salars and is focused on developing its tenements located in five salars: Pozuelos, Pastos Grandes, Rio Grande, Salinas Grandes, and Jama. All LSC tenements are located in the "Lithium Triangle," an area at the intersection of Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile where the world's most abundant lithium brine deposits are found. LSC Lithium has a land package portfolio totaling approximately 300,000 hectares, which represents extensive lithium prospective salar holdings in Argentina.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this news release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance, including statements as to the ability and timing of completing pumping tests to develop additional hydraulic data, a planned series of five pumping wells, expected mineralization across the Pozuelos Salar, timing and ability to complete pre-feasibility studies, ability to test LSC's brine samples, continued positive assay results, the ability of LSC to confirm prior historical data and anticipated timing to complete a NI 43-101 report on the Pozuelos, Salinas Grandes and Rio Grande Projects. The use of any of the words "could", "anticipate", "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 LSC's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Whether actual results and developments will conform with LSC's expectations is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties including factors underlying management's assumptions, such as risks related to: title, permitting and regulatory risks; exploration and the establishment of any resources or reserves on the Salar de Pozuelos or other LSC properties; volatility in lithium prices and the market for lithium; exchange rate fluctuations; volatility in LSC's share price; the requirement for significant additional funds for development that may not be available; changes in national and local government legislation, including permitting and licensing regimes and taxation policies and the enforcement thereof; regulatory, political or economic developments in Argentina or elsewhere; litigation; title, permit or license disputes related to interests on any of the properties in which the Company holds an interest; excessive cost escalation as well as development, permitting, infrastructure, operating or technical difficulties on any of the Company's properties; risks and hazards associated with the business of development and mining on any of the Company's properties. Actual future results may differ materially. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof and LSC 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. For more information, see the Company's filing statement on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange Inc. 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 TSX Venture Exchange Inc. has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.

____________________________________________

1 See technical report titled "Technical Report on the Salar de Pozuelos Project, Salta Province, Argentina" prepared for LSC Lithium Corp., dated June 29, 2017 with an effective date of December 31, 2016 filed on LSC's SEDAR profile.

2 Previously reported in Company's Press Releases dated April 10, 2017 and September 6, 2017.

3 See technical report titled "Technical Report on the Salar de Pozuelos Project, Salta Province, Argentina" prepared for LSC Lithium Corp., dated June 29, 2017 with an effective date of December 31, 2016 filed on LSC's SEDAR profile.

4 Geotechnical Testing Journal, Vol. 34, No. 5. Paper available at www.astm.org.

SOURCE LSC Lithium Corp.
COQUITLAM, BC, Nov. 13, 2017 /CNW/ - Castle Silver Resources Inc. (TSX.V: CSR, OTC: TAKRF, FRANKFURT: 4T9B) (the "Company" or "CSR") is pleased to report that ahead of underground drilling, an exploratory surface drill program within 200 meters of the adit at the Castle Silver mine has intersected mineralization in each and every hole highlighted by 1.55% cobalt, 0.65% nickel, 0.61 g/t Au and 8.8 g/t Ag over 0.65 meters at a very shallow depth (3.85 meters to 4.50 meters) in CA-17-16.

"Once again we've demonstrated how historical operators overlooked the potential for cobalt, gold and base metals at the Castle mine as they focused exclusively on the extraction of high-grade silver," explained Frank Basa, CSR President and CEO.

"We will carry out trenching to follow up on an array of new near-surface targets generated by this drilling in the immediate vicinity of the Castle mine, but our priority now is to complete final preparations to carry out critical trenching and drilling of untested structures on the first level of the mine," Basa concluded.

CSR hired an independent firm specializing in XRF analysis to test for cobalt mineralization throughout the extensive first level workings. Results clearly demonstrated the potential for high-grade cobalt mineralization within unmined structures along the adit drifts and walls. Extensive sampling has supported the presence of cobalt as well as gold, though the controls on the gold mineralization are not yet fully understood.

In total, the Castle mine features 11 levels totaling about 18 kilometers of underground workings. This does not include an unknown extent of drilled vein structures which were never mined, typically due to silver grades below a certain high-grade threshold, for which CSR has records.

CSR is employing a century-old approach to resource development and mining whereby it drills for structure and mines for grade. The nature of the vein structures in the northern Ontario Cobalt Camp is that multiple high-grade zones can exist within a single structure. Historically, structures were identified by drilling which was followed by drifting along mineralized areas to develop ore zones.

Quality Assurance/Quality Control

CSR estimates that the mineralized intercepts true thicknesses are around 65% to 85% of the drill core intercepts. Grades were uncapped and CSR employs a rigorous, industry-standard, QA/QC program. The samples were assayed by fire-assay for gold and silver. Other metals are assayed by ICP after multi-acid digestion. Blanks and certified reference standards are inserted into the sample stream (after each batch of 20 samples) to monitor the laboratory performance. CSR relies on internal Swastika laboratory independent QA/QC.

Qualified Person

Claude Duplessis, P. Eng., of Goldminds Geoservices Inc., a geological, environmental and mining consultant, is an independent qualified person in accordance with National Instrument 43-101, and has reviewed and approved the contents of this news release.

About Castle Silver Resources

The Castle Silver mine, Beaver mine and Violet mine are three of the most advanced properties in the Cobalt Camp. While they comprise only 2,400 hectares they are sources of high-grade cobalt that can quickly be developed into a shovel-ready state. The company also has the Re-2OX process which has been pilot-plant-tested to separate the various metals that comprise the mineralization in the Cobalt Camp vein systems. The company has been to Japan and China to meet with buyers of cobalt-based salts that are used in the lithium battery market. Studies are underway to develop a milling processing facility and leach plant on one of the Castle Silver Resources' properties. Additional information on the Company's properties is available by visiting its website at www.CastleSilverResources.com

"Frank J. Basa"

Frank J. Basa P. Eng.

President and Chief Executive Officer

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may contain forward-looking statements including but not limited to comments regarding the timing and content of upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt of property titles, potential mineral recovery processes, etc. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore, involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements.

SOURCE Castle Silver Resources Inc.
Consolidation of city and county governments has long been in vogue with good-government advocates. But while the cost/benefit of these kinds of big box mergers is questionable, one kind of smaller-scale jurisdictional union makes a lot of sense: the merger of struggling inner-ring suburbs with adjacent central cities.The problems facing inner-ring suburbs, which contain as much as 20 percent of the American population, have been getting increasing attention. While many of these communities are doing well or even thriving, others have encountered serious challenges with population loss, increasing poverty, declining household incomes, retail vacancies and dead shopping malls. As their tax bases shrink, these communities run into serious financial challenges, leaving them struggling to provide basic services to their residents.Troubles in an inner-ring suburb can be more difficult, in a sense, than in a bigger city. These smaller communities are often off the publics radar, so problems there seldom get media or state-level attention until a crisis occurs, as with the turmoil following the police shooting in Ferguson, Mo., or the pay scandal in Bell, Calif.Compared to cities, inner-ring suburbs have a limited range of housing and retail building types. Some of these, such as small ranch homes or simple strip malls, are now out of favor in the market. If a more monolithic suburb has these off-trend buildings, attracting residents and businesses can be challenging. Whats more, many suburbs were built as bedroom communities. They lack the regional assets of big cities, such as powerful office-based central business districts, seats of government, cultural institutions, universities or hospitals. They have fewer assets to redevelop around.These challenges often overlap with racial ones. In many regions, black city residents, along with members of other minority or ethnic groups, have been moving to the suburbs in search of the American dream of home ownership. While this often goes well, some of these inner-ring suburbs have proven to be similar to the troubled city neighborhoods that people have fled. When public pension costs, bond debt and other bills from the past come due in such declining places, suburban residents are unable to draw on the tax base of a larger, asset-rich central city.A merger is not a panacea. Nobody should expect one to magically address poverty or segregation, for example. But when fiscal conditions make it impossible to fund basic public services, merging with an economically stronger municipality can help address that problem. The other options for struggling municipalities all come with their own sets of downsides. A financial control board or even a bankruptcy can potentially address debt or pension problems, but they wont help with a declining tax base. Neglect or simply providing life support through subsidies might be viable politically in the short term -- until a crisis strikes. But temporary subsidies ignore underlying problems and allow them to continue to fester. And finally, a state takeover comes with its own risks. Just ask Flint, Mich.I examined suburbs contiguous to several Midwestern and Northeastern post-industrial cities for my recent Manhattan Institute study, Mergers May Rescue Declining Suburbs. I found that a large number of these suburbs face negative indicators like falling populations and rising poverty. Many are potential candidates for a merger, and I highlight 10 of them as examples.We havent seen this type of merger in the recent era, but there have been a few proposals. One case is East Cleveland, Ohio. The Cleveland suburb has lost 37 percent of its population since 2000 and has a poverty rate of almost 43 percent. Fiscal problems forced it to cut its budget by 38 percent and lay off almost half of the municipal workforce. It had to borrow salt trucks from the state and an ambulance from a neighboring town. Merging with Cleveland could help to ensure that good-quality basic public services can be delivered there.But lets not kid ourselves: Mergers are extremely challenging politically. East Cleveland is again the example. After starting the process of exploring a merger, the mayor and city council president were recalled by narrow vote margins in a special election in December, killing the merger proposal for now.Nevertheless, local and state leaders should keep mergers in mind as a policy tool. Then they can look for opportunities where need and political reality align to use it. They can also start drawing lessons from annexation battles. Annexations typically require a carrot of some sort to sell the proposal, such as getting utility service or investments in other infrastructure. For mergers to happen, states will likely need to step up to fund transition costs, potentially absorb excessive suburban fiscal liabilities and put a capital improvement plan on the table as a sweetener. Ohios state auditor had suggested a $10 million state infrastructure investment in East Cleveland contingent on a merger.The challenges of helping economically declining and fiscally struggling inner-ring suburbs will not be easy ones to solve. There are no magic fixes, and the answers will vary by community. But merging with the adjacent central city is an option that needs to be on the table.
Opioid Lawsuits Filed by States and Localities

opioid-map.jpg

Tobacco Deja Vu?

What to Expect in 2018

A few years ago, Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood was worried about a friends son who served two tours in Iraq. After being injured overseas, he became dependent on prescription painkillers and eventually developed a heroin addiction.But then, his friend's son got into law school and showed signs of sobriety, so Hood offered him an internship in his office. A few days into the internship, he didnt show up.We called his wife, and she went home to check up on him," Hood says. "He was dead of an overdose."Shortly after that, in 2015, Hood became the first state attorney general to sue a prescription drugmaker for their role in the opioid epidemic. Since then, more than 100 states, cities and counties have filed similar lawsuits, with a new one popping up almost every week.Drug dependency isn't a new problem, but unlike most drug epidemics, the opioid one is largely driven by a legal industry.The National Institute on Drug Abuse estimates that 75 percent of people who enter treatment for a heroin addiction took their first opioid legally from a prescription.States have tried to crack down on the problem, primarily with prescription drug monitoring databases that track what patients have been prescribed by doctors within and acrossstates. But if addicts can't get prescription painkillers, they typically resort to illegal drugs, including heroin, fentanyl and carfentanil. The latter two are at least 50 times stronger than heroin and can kill users within seconds.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that each day, 91Americansdie from overdosing on opioids. And it's not just a human tragedy -- the opioid epidemic has a financial cost, too.Its devastated county and municipal budgets. Theres been a significant cost for law enforcement, first responders, for drug treatment, for lost productivity of government workers and for services like autopsies, says Mark Chalos, a Nashville-based partner at Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP a law firm counseling some of the counties in Tennessee exploring lawsuits.Some places in Tennessee, he says, can no longer afford to do autopsies for every suspected drug overdose, so its likely that the official count of deaths from the opioid epidemic is just the floor."In addition to the 100-plus lawsuits, 41 states have banded together to subpoena information from four drug manufacturers: Endo, Johnson & Johnson's Janssen unit, Teva Pharmaceutical and Allergan. Theyve also put in a request for more information to Purdue Pharma and drug distributors AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health and McKesson.If we get into those emails and executives are in the chain knowing what theyve unleashed on the American public, Im going to kick it over to a criminal lawsuit," says Hood. "Ive been to too many funerals."For now, all of the cases are civil. Most localities are seeking monetary damages to help them recoup the money lost to fighting the epidemic. Many of the lawsuits also hope to force drugmakers to change their marketing tactics, which they argue are deceptive, to make it more clear just how addictive the pills can be.GoverningThese cases have drawn comparisons to the lawsuits in the late 1990s against tobacco companies. As it happens, Mississippi led the way on that too. After Mike Moore, the state's then-attorney general, took tobacco to court, 40 states followed."The lawsuit is premised on a simple notion," Moore said at the time . "You caused the health crisis; you pay for it."It worked: The tobacco industry was court-ordered to pay more than $200 billion to states over 25 years. That cash is still rolling in and will be until 2025. Those lawsuits also resulted in significant policy changes, including a ban on most forms of outdoor advertising, including billboards and transit ads. Tobacco companies are also now banned from marketing to teenagers and were required to fund an anti-smoking advocacy group, which airs the Truth ad campaigns.It's too soon to say exactly how similarly the opioid cases will play out. But Chalos, the lawyer, says he's "optimistic that the industry will be held accountable in the end." He warns, however, that drugmakers have big resources and are expected to fight tooth and nail.For their part, the drugmakers say they have taken steps to curb addiction and help states fight overdoses. In a statement to NBC News, Purdue Pharma said: "We are an industry leader in the development of abuse-deterrent technology, advocating for the use of prescription drug monitoring programs and supporting access to Naloxone -- all important components for combating the opioid crisis."But most of the governments argue in their cases that drug companies violated consumer protection statutes by deceiving the medical community about the likelihood of addiction and inadvertently putting patients in danger. Many lawsuits are also claiming that drug companies committed Medicaid fraud by forcing taxpayers to pay for unnecessary prescriptions.If a judge rules that drug companies violated consumer protection statutes, Hood says states could receive up to $10,000 per occurrence, which a judge could interpret as each prescription or each doctors visit. Either way, that would result in trillions of dollars for the state and local governments, he says. The court could also order the companies to reimburse states for drug treatment and unnecessary prescriptions paid for by Medicaid programs, he says.For every dollar that these companies have profited from, I want there to be a dollar that gets set aside for drug treatment, says Hector Balderas, attorney general of New Mexico, who filed a lawsuit in September.One significant difference between the opioid cases and the tobacco cases is that counties and cities are filing suit this time -- not just the states.[The tobacco] litigation was successful, but states kept all that money. None of it flowed down to the counties, says Paul Hanly, a partner with Simmons Hanly Conroy, which is representing more than a dozen counties in opioid lawsuits and has already settled similar cases on behalf of patients.Because hes been here before, Hanly warns it may take longer than many might like.Litigation like this typically lasts three to seven years. Id be very surprised if we were resolved by this time next year, he says.In the meantime, while state and local governments fight these battles in court, drug overdose deaths are still climbing. A STAT investigation found that opioids could kill as many as 500,000 Americans in the next decade.Jan Rader, fire chief in Huntington, W.Va., one of the cities that filed suit, says that surrounding Cabell County is expected to hit 2,000 overdose deaths this year.This is going to be our new normal for a while, she says.President Donald Trump declared the opioid epidemic a public health emergency last month, but neither he nor Congress have madeextra money available for states and localities to deal with it.Hood wishes Trump would put his money where his mouth is and pledge more money to combat the crisis. But hes hopeful that drugmakers will eventually have to pay billions of dollars in damages for their role in the epidemic. He even predicts that some pharmaceutical companies will go bankrupt in the process.This needs to be a deterrent for the next 50 years," he says. "We have to disgorge them of their profits. They need to be made an example of."
As more cases of sexual harassment in the Capitol come to light -- intensifying concerns over how such allegations are handled -- the state Senate on Sunday night announced an extraordinary change in protocol: It will no longer police itself.The Senate Rules Committee will stop handling complaints of sexual harassment -- including pending cases -- effective immediately, its members said. Instead, the committee, together with the Senate Democratic Women's Caucus, will hire an outside legal team to conduct investigations and recommend discipline."This process will be designed to protect the privacy of victims and whistleblowers, transparency for the public, and adequate due process for all parties involved," said a statement released by the committee. "While -- at the discretion of victims and whistleblowers -- names and details might be redacted, the general findings will be made public."Over the weekend, Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon moved out of a Sacramento apartment he shared with Sen. Tony Mendoza on Saturday, the same day the Sacramento Bee story published a story in which a former female intern publicly accused Mendoza of inappropriate behavior toward her when she was 19.Mendoza had faced accusations last week that he repeatedly invited another young female intern home with him earlier this year -- allegations de Leon has said he knew nothing about, despite his position as the leader of the Senate and chairman of the Senate Rules Committee, which received the complaint.Jennifer Kwart, who once worked as an intern in Mendoza's Los Angeles-area office, told the Bee that Mendoza took her to his hotel room during a Democratic Party convention in San Jose in 2008 when she was 19. Mendoza, who was then 38 and a member of the Assembly, picked her up from the airport, drove her to his hotel and had drinks with her from the hotel mini-bar, she said.Kwart said Mendoza then asked her personal questions about her ex-boyfriends and her taste in men. She said that she believed Mendoza implied he wanted to have sex with her. She avoided him and left the convention as soon as possible, she said."Then and now, I feel like I was very trapped," she told the newspaper.A spokesperson for Mendoza, a Los Angeles-area Democrat, told the Bee that Kwart's recounting of events was "completely false."Kwart went public with her story after the Bee first reported other allegations against Mendoza. A lawyer for a fired Senate staffer told Capital Public Radio on Friday that her client and two other Mendoza aides were terminated after reporting to Senate officials that Mendoza over the summer had repeatedly invited a 23-year-old intern in his office to visit him at night at the Sacramento apartment he shared with de Leon. He also once invited her to spend the night at his Yolo County resort hotel room, the lawyer said.Senate officials have said an investigation is underway and have strongly denied that the staffers' reports had to do with their being fired."If I ever communicated or miscommunicated anything that made an employee feel uncomfortable, I apologize," Mendoza said in a statement to the Bay Area News Group on Thursday.The reports about Mendoza had some in Sacramento wondering how de Leon -- who chairs the Senate committee that investigates allegations of sexual harassment -- could have been unaware of the reports and investigation into his roommate.A de Leon spokesman confirmed Sunday that the Senate leader had moved out of the apartment that he shared with Mendoza during the week. He did not provide more information.Assemblyman David Chiu, D-San Francisco, who Kwart now works for, said in a Facebook post Saturday that "with recent allegations and continued denials, I have serious doubts about whether (Mendoza) should continue to serve in public office."The scrutiny on sexual harassment in Sacramento has exploded since more than 100 women wrote an open letter last month decrying a culture of harassment in the Capitol.De Leon said his office has asked the women's caucus for further recommendations on "new protections that will encourage those who have been victims or witnesses of harassment to come forward and report -- and provide counsel and assistance throughout the reporting process."In a statement issued by de Leon's office, the women's caucus said: "The culture of harassment and the code of silence surrounding it have plagued this Capitol for too long -- and it's time for us to acknowledge that a system can't protect victims and witnesses if victims and witnesses can't trust the system."Last month, de Leon responded to the "We Said Enough" letter by hiring the Law Offices of Amy Oppenheimer, which specialize in investigations into workplace harassment, to launch a probe into incidents that emerged in the media in recent weeks. At the same time, the Senate said it also hired CPS HR Consulting to review its harassment, discrimination and retaliation policies and practices.
A S.C. House representative under investigation for allegedly assaulting a female lawmaker has been arrested, the Richland County Solicitor's Office said Thursday.State Rep. Jerry Govan, D-Orangeburg, is charged with assault and battery in the third degree, according to county jail records.Govan turned himself into the the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center at about 8:30 a.m. Thursday, according to the Richland County Sheriff's Department. He will go before a judge for a bond hearing at 2 p.m.The May 11 incident between state Reps. Gilda Cobb-Hunter, 64, and Govan, 59 -- both Orangeburg Democrats -- originally was investigated by the office of House Speaker Jay Lucas, R-Darlington.Lucas took no action.Cobb-Hunter, 64, later hired an attorney to investigate the matter. She filed a formal complaint in September with the Richland County Sheriff's Department."I really appreciate Sheriff Lott's willingness to investigate my complaint since my efforts to get it done through State House channels were unsuccessful," she said in a statement last week.The alleged assault reportedly rook place just off the State House floor in a hallway used by lawmakers but not the public or media. The two previously had argued over a bill about consolidating Orangeburg County school districts.Several people saw part or all the incident take place, but there were no security cameras.Cobb-Hunter told reporters Govan grabbed her wrist, twisted her arm and pushed her. The lawmaker walked around with an ice pack for much of the day.Speaker Lucas hired a private law firm to investigate the matter. He later told reporters the investigation could not determine who initiated the incident.In a letter to both lawmakers, Lucas encouraged them to keep their disagreements civil and professional in the future."(N)either I nor the South Carolina House of Representatives has any tolerance for unwanted physical contact by or with members or staff," he said.
BONN, Germany  Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe said Sunday he does not support impeaching President Donald Trump, after Democratic billionaire Tom Steyer pressed the case for impeachment at the United Nations climate conference here.Let [special counsel Robert] Mueller, and let the people who are doing the process, go through and do what theyre doing, McAuliffe said after a breakfast speech by Steyer, a supporter of the Virginia Democrat. You dont prejudge investigations.Steyer, who is spending millions of dollars running television ads in the United States calling for Trumps impeachment, told a small crowd Sunday that lack of action is a choice.But Steyers message did not appear to resonate with top Democratic politicians in Germany for the climate talks. Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, who also attended the breakfast, said she has no position on impeachment, which she said is something that Congress is going to deal with. California Gov. Jerry Brown was also dismissive.
On Saturday, in the morning, at the Shrine of Remembrance, Ann Street, Brisbane, His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC and Mrs Kaye de Jersey attended and laid the first wreath at the 2017 Remembrance Day Ceremony.
Description

GIS - 13 November, 2017: The Honorary Fellowship of the Mauritius Academy of Science and Technology (MAST) was conferred to the Prime Minister, Minister of Home Affairs, External Communications and National Development Unit and Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, during the celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the MAST last week in Reduit, in presence of eminent personalities. The Honorary Fellowship of the Mauritius Academy of Science and Technology (MAST) was conferred to the Prime Minister, Minister of Home Affairs, External Communications and National Development Unit and Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, during the celebration of the 10Anniversary of the MAST last week in Reduit, in presence of eminent personalities.

On this occasion, the Prime Minister highlighted that the MAST has a crucial role to play in encouraging young Mauritians to actively engage in the fields of science, technology and innovation. Scientists and technologists are called upon to play a key role in the development strategy to allow the countrys economy to transform itself alongside the most advanced economies in the world, he pointed out.

He urged scientists and technologists to take a driving role in the development of Mauritius as the countrys progress is gauged through its ability to address the concerns and needs of the different strata of society and by its capacity to adapt to changes in the international environment. As the world is evolving at an impressive pace, investment in artificial intelligence, big data, internet of things and robotics now determine a countrys aptitude to overcome its challenges and remain competitive in the world market, he added.

The Prime Minister underscored Governments vision to transform Mauritius into a high income economy by 2023 and for it to happen, knowledge must be transferred to youth, who also need to be empowered. He pointed out that there is nothing like science and technology to give them the means to unleash their potential to deliver.

Mr Jugnauth stated that as proposed in Budget speech 2017-2018, research and development are the bedrock of innovation and Governments plan is to put an unprecedented focus on encouraging research. With a view to promoting academic research, he recalled, Government has injected Rs 50 million in a research fund and has given the private sector the necessary fiscal incentives to invest in research, development and innovation.

The MAST and the community of academics and scientists at large can play a major role in guiding policy makers on the areas of development in the fields of agriculture, manufacturing, biotechnology and food security, harnessing marine resources, improving the populations health, ensuring better water management, producing new and renewable sources of energy, added the Prime Minister.

He also encouraged the MAST to work with counterparts around the world to conduct joint research projects that will definitely provide wider views of the issues affecting the global society and local scientists and technologists to find appropriate solutions.
Description

GIS - 13 November, 2017: Government fully reckons the potentials of cooperatives as independent entities contributing to the economic and social activities of Mauritius. All necessary support is being provided to consolidate the cooperative sector by triggering competition and setting benchmarks as a means to achieve excellence.

The Minister of Business, Enterprise and Cooperatives, Mr Soomilduth Bholah, made this statement on 10 November 2017 at the National Awards Ceremony for Cooperatives 2017 (NAC) held at the Intercontinental Hotel in Balaclava.

In his address, Minister Bholah highlighted the increasing need for cooperatives to modernise and adopt new approaches to doing business in light of global competition and technological advancements. He underlined that despite the progress made by cooperatives over the years, some of them are still operating in a traditional way and have not modernised their operations to deal with upcoming challenges.

He pointed out that the NAC has been designed to set a benchmark for Mauritian cooperative societies and is geared towards sustaining excellence and quality production. He expressed satisfaction regarding the participation of cooperatives from Rodrigues and urged other societies to participate in the next Awards.

On this score, he recalled that cooperatives play a significant role in determining socio-economic development and contribute to poverty reduction, employment generation and social integration. Government, he emphasised, is determined to give a new impetus to this sector by urging competition and innovation. To this end, several incentives and support services have been put at the avail of cooperative societies and federations, he added.

The Minister emphasised that projects such as the National Cooperative College and the renovation of Maisons des Pecheurs will help empower cooperatives and revitalise the cooperative sector. He pointed out that the implementation of the Cooperatives Act 2016 will promote transparency and principles of good governance.

For his part, the Chairperson of the Panel of Jury, Dr K. Sukon underscored that the NAC helps to identify the weaknesses of cooperatives and reduce discrepancies which hinders the success of cooperatives. It also helps to increase dynamism among cooperative societies urging them to give better results as regards their management and performance.

National Awards for Cooperatives

Following the last edition of Mauritius Excellence Awards for cooperatives, the Awards has been reviewed to enable cooperatives to participate on an incremental basis over a period of three years. The NAC assesses cooperatives on three aspects, namely leadership, business results, and innovation and creativity

Some 195 cooperative societies including 19 cooperatives from Rodrigues submitted their participation for the NAC. The winners of the different sectors namely consumer, finance, food processing, food crop, livestock, sugar, transport and fisheries among others were awarded a shield, a certificate and different cash prizes.

The winners are: La Flora Cooperative Store Society Ltd; Long Mountain Cooperative Credit Union Ltd; Maurifresh Women Entrepreneurs Cooperative Society; Amarnath Credit and Tea Marketing Cooperative Society Ltd; Federation des Association des Eleveurs de Rodrigues Ltd; Camp Thorel Cooperative Credit Society; Alouette Bus Transport and Multipurpose Cooperative Society Ltd; Farm Pro Mixed Farming Cooperative Society Ltd; Rodrigues Agricultural and Marketing Cooperatives Federation Ltd and The Mauritius Cooperative Agricultural Federation. Three other cooperatives namely Lyons Fishermen Cooperative society Limited, Beemanique Credit Cooperative Society Ltd and Mauritius Duty Free Paradise Cooperative Credit Union Ltd received special mentions of the assessors.
Description

GIS - 13 November, 2017: The Ambassador of Switzerland to Mauritius, Mrs Helene Budliger Artieda, accompanied by a delegation of Swiss businessmen and entrepreneurs met the Prime Minister, Minister of Home Affairs, External Communications and National Development Unit and Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, today at the New Treasury Building in Port Louis. The Ambassador of Switzerland to Mauritius, Mrs Helene Budliger Artieda, accompanied by a delegation of Swiss businessmen and entrepreneurs met the Prime Minister, Minister of Home Affairs, External Communications and National Development Unit and Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, today at the New Treasury Building in Port Louis.

Mrs Helene Budliger Artieda highlighted that the meeting focussed on the various possible avenues of cooperation between the two countries and the different business possibilities and opportunities that would be beneficial to both parties. The collaboration so far has been very fruitful and this meeting was also an opportunity for the business delegation to give an overview of possible future partnerships, she further added.

For his part, Mr Benoit Araman, Country Manager of Oryx Energies, pointed out that his company has chosen to deal with Mauritius mostly due to the stability that the country offers in various fields such as social, political, economic, and financial. He underscored that Mauritius is an ideal platform of opportunities in itself as well as for Africa.

The Chief Executive of Novartis for Southern Africa Countries, Dr Thomas Kowallik, underscored that the ease of doing business with Mauritius as well as the vision that the country has for research and development is what encouraged his company to do business with the island. The culture of acquiring new know-how through innovation and the biodiversity that Mauritius has to offer makes it very attractive for Switzerland to collaborate with Mauritius in various fields, he concluded .
Description

GIS - 13 November, 2017: The Republic of Uganda aspires to adopt and replicate the best practices of Mauritius successful economic development and that of role model in Africa. The intent was expressed by Ugandan Ambassador Arapta Martinez Mangusho, Ministry of Foreign Affairs-Head of the International Law and Social Affairs, this morning during a meeting with heads of Regional Integration and International Trade directorate at the seat of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, in presence of the Secretary for Foreign Affairs (SFA), Ambassador Mrs Usha Dwarka-Canabady. The Republic of Uganda aspires to adopt and replicate the best practices of Mauritius successful economic development and that of role model in Africa. The intent was expressed by Ugandan Ambassador Arapta Martinez Mangusho, Ministry of Foreign Affairs-Head of the International Law and Social Affairs, this morning

Ambassador Arapta Martinez Mangusho is currently leading a 1 5-member Ugandan delegation on a four-day learning tour to Mauritius to acquire the Mauritian experience in areas of Rule of Law, Constitutional Democracy and Institutional Reform. The objectives of the meeting with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials are to have an overview of the national, regional and international governance positioning of Mauritius and acquire lessons in strengthening linkages among international treaty bodies and national processes to enhance the rule of law and deepen democracy. Measures to strengthening South-South Cooperation were also on the agenda at the meeting.

Addressing the delegation, Ambassador Dwarka-Canabady, spoke about the various means to connect Mauritius with the rest of Africa while highlighting the importance of collaboration among the several African countries through the Africa strategy devised by Mauritius to boost investment in Africa. She further dwelt on the Special Economic Zone projects to be initiated in Senegal, Ghana and Ivory Coast and encouraged other African countries especially Uganda to integrate the projects for further development in Africa.

The SFA also encouraged captains of the business industry and potential investors to participate in the 2nd edition of the African Economic Platform to be held in March 2018 in Mauritius. It will not only serve as an ideal platform to boost trade and investment in Africa but also trigger more economic development across the continent, she added.

The Ugandan Ambassador underlined the importance of the learning visit which will help Uganda to have a better understanding of the sustained economic development in Mauritius as the country is considered as a reference in Africa based on the various indices whereby Mauritius tops the chart. He also expressed to replicate the Mauritian transformational development approach and share the Mauritian experience in Uganda.

The Uganda learning visit to Mauritius conducted through the Rule of Law and Constitutional Democracy Programme is being supported by the United Nations Development Programme. The key objective is to have hands-on learning experience on constitutional democracy and rule of law from like mandated and strategic public institutions in Mauritius.

The visit will focus on developing capacities and tools for key actors with regard to human rights promotion and protection; equitable access to justice; implementation of electoral laws; and holding of free and credible elections. It is expected that the acquired lessons will eventually enable Uganda to initiate governance reform processes within key participating institutions towards fast realisation of the middle income status.


The risks



Animal disease response



Emergency management role

The crisis and legislation

The poultry farmers of Iowa could see it coming, almost like a storm on the horizon. Avian influenza struck Minnesota  the nations largest turkey producer  first, striking hardest where turkey production was the dominant industry. It then jumped to Missouri, then Arkansas, then north to Kansas and north again to South Dakota, defying the migration patterns of the wild birds suspected of carrying the virus, before striking Minnesota a second time. It sickened and killed both turkeys and chickens.Iowa is the nations leading egg producer, with 60 million birds laying 15 billion eggs per year, or one out of every five produced in the United States. The state ranks ninth in the nation in turkey production.In Iowa, avian influenza struck a turkey farm first, then a huge egg farm with more than 4 million layers. Before the outbreak subsided, 77 properties in Iowa were hit. Millions of birds were killed, either by the virus or in the attempt to keep it from spreading. Across the country, it had affected nearly 50 million birds in 21 states.Is this what agricultural terrorism would look like in the United States? It might.The United States is underprepared for biological threats, said the 2015 report from the Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense. Nation states and unaffiliated terrorists (via biological terrorism) and nature itself (via emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases) threaten us, it continued. While biological events may be inevitable, their level of impact on our country is not.Although the United States has not experienced an act of agroterrorism by foreign terrorists, this avian influenza event is not made up. Its what happened when an avian influenza that is particularly harmful to birds, known as a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), struck the heartland in spring 2015. There are several different strains of HPAI, including the H7N9 strain that, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), has killed dozens of people and sickened hundreds in China since 2013.The 2015 outbreak was not an act of terrorism, but an animal disease outbreak with natural causes. It was the worst animal disease event in U.S. history, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Veterinary Services. However, small outbreaks of animal diseases  killing a few dozen or a few hundred animals  are common.During the 2015 Iowa avian influenza outbreak, every day you would wake up and say, it cant get worse than this, says Robin Pruisner, agriculture security coordinator for the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the states incident commander for the outbreak. And day after day, week after week, it got worse.Diseases of plants and animals are a threat to national security, whether or not the outbreaks are caused by terrorists. Food safety policies that defend against accidental and natural disease outbreaks should also limit the harm done by a biological terrorist attack against agriculture.A heightened awareness of the threat of bioterrorism and agroterrorism has been part of Americas general increased alertness about terrorism after the 9/11 attacks, and the anthrax attack that followed a few weeks later. In that anthrax attack, five people died and 17 were sickened when weaponized anthrax was sent in envelopes through the U.S. Postal Service.In June 2017, President Trump signed the Securing our Agriculture and Food Act, which puts the Department of Homeland Securitys assistant secretary for health affairs in charge of coordinating efforts to prevent and respond to agroterrorism attacks. Its one of several laws enacted since September 2001 to address bioterrorism in general and a handful of laws to address agroterrorism specifically.In response to the signing of the act in June, Rep. David Young, R-Iowa, who introduced the bill to Congress, said, Agroterrorism is a real threat, and this legislation takes the necessary and critical steps to protect America from high-risk events which pose serious threats to our food, across Iowa and the United States.Though there is general acknowledgment that a biological agroterror attack could harm the nations economy and food supply, as well as possibly cause human illness, the likelihood of an attack is not clear.In 2002, U.S. Navy SEALs found a list of pathogens and a schematic in an Afghanistan cave that al-Qaida planned to use to produce bioweapons. In addition to six human pathogens, 10 pathogens targeted food, six targeted livestock and poultry, and four targeted crops, wrote former U.S. Sen. Tom Daschle and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Richard B. Myers in a 2016 U.S. News & World Report article.This story has been repeated many times, in articles and by experts in agroterrorism, although a source for the information is not given. The validity of this vivid and chilling terrorist threat to American agriculture rests on the credibility of Daschle and Myers.Another consideration is how easy it would be to attack that nations agriculture system with a disease organism.We tend to think of bioweapons in the human world, in warfare, said William Karesh, executive vice president for health and policy for the nonprofit EcoHealth Alliance and adviser to the Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense. Its a sophisticated process to take a naturally occurring organism and make it weaponizable. But some of these animal diseases are caused by viruses that can survive for months or years without having to do anything special to them.The consequences of an agroterror attack would be grave, Karesh said. It could be devastating to the economy, because agriculture makes up 5.5 percent of the countrys gross domestic product and employs 11 percent of Americans. It could cause food shortages and even starvation.It could also harm human health. Bioweapons have been created from diseases shared by animals and human beings, such as anthrax, brucellosis, histoplasmosis, plague, Q fever, rabies and tularemia. The direct threat to human health and the association with bioweapons increases the fear associated with agroterrorism.On the other hand, naturally occurring or accidentally caused animal disease outbreaks are so common that they are drained of some of their terror. Only the largest outbreaks make the national news. Some agroterrorism experts have said that this makes an attack less valuable to terrorists.The threat of even natural or accidental disease outbreaks is so serious that many diseases of animals and plants are mandatory to report at local, state, federal and international levels. The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), an intergovernmental organization with 180 member countries, collects animal disease data from around the globe.Veterinarians who work with farm animals in the U.S. are trained, and reminded, to contact the USDA assistant district director (ADD) for their state or their state veterinarians office when they encounter any one of a long list of diseases, including anthrax, foot-and-mouth disease, and rabies, as well as lesser-known diseases like vesicular stomatitis.USDA ADDs and state veterinarians are the people with top-of-mind knowledge of animal diseases, from how contagious they are among animals to how dangerous they are to humans to how to contain them. For emergency managers, they are people well worth getting to know before an outbreak.Foot-and-mouth disease is one of my biggest concerns, said Ron Snyder, a consultant based in Brooklyn, Iowa, and a trainer who developed the DHS-certified curriculum for the AgTerror Emergency Responder Training program. Foot-and-mouth disease is highly contagious. Symptoms in cattle, hogs or sheep dont show up until five to seven days after exposure, Snyder said, which is more than enough time for animals or equipment to be transported from coast to coast.A 2001 outbreak of foot-and-mouth in the United Kingdom showed just how devastating this disease could be. Millions of animals were slaughtered to stop a disease that does not affect people and doesnt kill adult animals, but destroys their economic value. The effort cost the equivalent of $10 billion, according to the BBC. The outbreak not only hurt farmers and stopped UK meat exports, but also caused a drop in tourism.What makes responding to an animal disease outbreak so tricky, Snyder says, is that it brings together so many groups that dont normally work together, including law enforcement, public health officials, medical personnel, veterinarians, agriculture officials, farmers and producers, and hazardous materials teams. We cant silo information, he said.Pruisner, the Iowa agriculture security coordinator, said she works closely with the states county emergency managers and the state Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department. The big difference between responding to a natural or unintended disease outbreak and a criminal or agroterrorism attack is that in the latter, you need to preserve evidence for law enforcement. In both cases you will likely be involved in setting up quarantines and helping dispose of many animal carcasses.Emergency managers tell me that all emergencies are local, and if they need help, they will reach out, she said.But a disease outbreak is a regulatory matter, she added. If the disease is on the federal reporting list, and conditions warrant it, the response is going to come from the federal government. I think this was hard for the locals to buy into because it is the opposite of how they handle things.Iowa had plans for dealing with a major animal disease outbreak, Pruisner said. It wasnt enough. The best-laid plans go awry. You can plan and exercise and you will still find yourself in uncharted territory.In Iowa, one place the plans went off course was in disposing of millions of poultry carcasses. The plan called for farmers to use one of several means of sanitary disposal: landfill, burial on site, composting or incineration.But some landfills refused the carcasses, Pruisner said, either because they were already full or were concerned about spreading the disease to nearby farms. Not all farmers could bury the carcasses because, with a shallow water table, it risked contaminating local drinking water supplies. Few farmers chose incineration. (News reports say that there simply werent incinerators in the area.) So many farmers were composting and the area ran out of the wood chips, cornstalks and other carbon sources that were needed to mix with the carcasses.Through the spring of that year, USDA teams were coming into the state for 28-day deployments. In animal health emergencies, the USDA depends on volunteer veterinarians who are trained ahead of time and become temporary federal employees when they are called into service.We had the red team, the indigo, Pruisner said. Each team had trained together and had their own way of doing things. Some farmers dealt with several teams during the crisis, each with different procedures and a different bedside manner. We needed a better transition and more consistency in the field.Farmers complained. The egg and turkey producer associations complained. They said that state and federal authorities did not take action soon enough, that the instructions to farmers were confusing, and that the cleanup took too long. In news reports, the USDA said it would change things, particularly providing more consistent points of contact between farmers and the agency.Pruisner said that in the future, the state will provide a liaison so that individual farmers can reach the same person throughout an emergency. It also put together a book describing procedures in the first few hours and days after avian influenza is detected on a farm.But for Rep. Young, enough was enough. In his press release announcing the presidents signing the bill he introduced into law, he hints that the shortcomings of the avian influenza response inspired him to introduce the legislation that would become the Securing Our Agriculture and Food Act, which mandates that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) coordinate responses to agroterrorism.The release said: First introduced in 2016, and then again in January of this year, Congressman Youngs legislation addresses concerns brought to light after Iowa suffered the largest animal disease outbreak in state history, when the 2015 avian influenza outbreak wiped out millions of layer hens, turkeys and backyard flocks. Response efforts revealed problematic preparedness concerns and breaks in the federal governments ability to communicate with stakeholders and react quickly to large-scale animal disease outbreaks. This disaster also raised concerns among farmers, producers and ag experts about whether our nation would be able to capably share information and respond to agroerrorism threats and attacks, ultimately an attack against our nations citizens.That may sound like Young set out to punish the USDA for its failure in the 2015 avian influenza outbreak by handing over the reins to DHS in the event of an agroterror attack, but, through a spokesman, Young said that isnt so. Previous laws put the DHS assistant secretary for health affairs in charge of the response to other forms of bioterrorism. This law makes sure that agroterrorism is included. Sen. Pat Roberts, R.-Kan., one of the bills Senate sponsors, agrees that this was the goal.Young said that DHS and the USDA must work together for the nations response to be effective.Because it brings together so many government agencies and so many different types of expertise, responding to agroterrorism takes an exceptional level of coordination and communication. In the end, it means meeting the challenges of human nature as much as it means defeating a disease.At times, Pruisner said. I dont have words for 2015.
(TNS)  Demand for electricity in New England is expected to decline over the next 10 years, even in peak summer demand periods, the regions power grid operator reports in a new study.Holyoke, Massachusetts-based ISO-New England released its 2017 Regional System Plan, which details needs of the grid through 2026. The energy forecast contained in the plan predicts total annual use of electricity will decline by 0.6 percent per year, with the summer peak needs declining 0.1 percent annually by 2026 under normal weather conditions.Gordon van Welie, president and chief executive officer of ISO-NE, said the regions energy system is in the midst of a major evolution toward a cleaner, hybrid grid.It will include renewable technologies such as wind and solar, and conservation measures such as energy-efficiency, as well as traditional resources, such as natural-gas-fired generation, van Welie said in a statement.But Joel Gordes, a West Hartford-based energy industry consultant, said basing energy demand forecasts on normal weather conditions is unwise.The weather were seeing now is anything but normal, Gordes said.The demand for electricity from the grid also is being driven down by energy efficiency resources such as from the increased deployment of photovoltaic solar panels at homes and businesses, according to the findings of the Regional Plan.But Connecticut lawmakers are using $177 million in energy efficiency funds to balance the states budget over the next two years, Gordes said. Further raids on energy efficiency funding in the future in Connecticut or other New England states could increase demand for electricity in the region beyond what ISO-NE predicts.New generation sources are needed because by 2020, power plants that collectively produced 4,800 megawatts of electricity will have shut down, either because they are no longer economical to operate or as a result of environmental concerns. Older power plants that either run on coal, oil or nuclear power are likely to be replaced by either natural gas-fired generation or renewable energy sources such as solar or wind.About 1,918 megawatts of solar power were available in the region at the end of last year, if the generation systems were operating at full capacity. By 2026, the level of soar resource available in New England is expected to more than doubled to 4,733 megawatts. according to the ISO-NE forecast.About 12,899 megawatts of new generation sources had applied to connect to the regional grid as of April 2017. But ISO-NE official say that, historically, the attrition rate of power producers that apply for interconnection to the grid, but never begin operating, is about 68 percent.The ISO-NE plans caution that the more use of renewable energy grows, the greater the likelihood there is that more transmission lines will need to be built.The most reliable and economic place for resource development remains in southern New England near load centers, the report states in part.The region has grown increasingly reliant on natural gas-fired power plants. On any given day in New England, natural gas-fired power plants account for 50 percent or more of the power produced.That level of reliance on power produced from one energy source is problematic, according to ISO-NE officials.The limited availability of the natural gas transportation infrastructure to supply gas to generating units can present fuel-security risks to the region, especially during winter operating conditions, the plan says in part. ISO-NE is conducting an analysis to quantify the regions risk and will release its findings next year.Gordes said more focus should be placed on expanding liquid natural gas storage facilities in the region, so the fuel source would be closer to power plants that use it.
Sao Paulo mayor Joao Doria has played down the violence that marred this year's Brazilian grand prix.

After robbery attacks on Mercedes, Williams and FIA staff earlier at Interlagos as team staff travelled to and from the circuit, the next victim late on Sunday were members of Sauber.

"As we came to the circuit today, there were so many police it looked as though civil war had broken out," said Mercedes boss Toto Wolff.

Local mayor Doria admitted he had ordered the security crackdown, but defended Sao Paulo.

"What has happened cannot be justified," he is quoted by DPA news agency, "but I've seen worse cases at other race tracks.

"It was the first time we had a case of such seriousness," the mayor added.

Sao Paulo native Felipe Massa had been critical of the situation this year, saying Brazil must evolve as a country.

"We are going through difficult times," said the F1 veteran.

Mayor Doria responded: "I like Felipe very much, but circumstances like these have occurred on other racetracks in the world. And no one ever said he was ashamed to be from that country or to have that circuit.

"These are regrettable circumstances, but they can occur in any country," he told Globo.

Some insiders fear that the incidents of 2017 could be the death knell for Interlagos, with the city selling the circuit and Massa's retirement meaning there are no more Brazilians on the grid.

"I hope formula one stays in Brazil," Massa said. "This country is too important, having had so many drivers, so many world champions."

Mayor Doria is confident Brazil's place is secure.

"We have a contract until 2020 and whoever purchases the circuit must respect it.

"After that, we hope we can renew for another ten years," he added.

And when asked if the violent incidents of the past weekend might hurt negotiations for a post-2020 future, Doria answered: "No, because while bad things happening are unfortunate, it also means you make things better in the future."

(GMM)
The NSF grant is part of US-Israel Binational Science Foundation (BSF) funding work. BSF projects bring a US scientist and Israeli scientist together to form a joint project. The US partner submits a grant on the joint project to the NSF, and the Israeli partner submits the same grant to the ISF (Israel Science Foundation). Both agencies must agree to fund the project in order to obtain the BSF funding. Prof. Iftach Yacoby of Tel Aviv University. Reddings partner on the BSF project, is a young scientist who first started at TAU about 5 years ago and has focused on different ways to increase algal biohydrogen production.

The National Science Foundation has awarded a $400,000 grant (N 1706960 ) to Arizona State University and Kevin Redding, professor in the School of Molecular Sciences and director of the Center for Bioenergy and Photosynthesis (CB&P) to obtain industrial-scale algal hydrogen productiona goal that requires an improvement over current technology by at least five-fold.

Two major challenges limit efficient biological H 2 production: inactivation of the hydrogenase enzyme by O 2 ; and limited electron flow from the photosynthetic apparatus to the hydrogenase.

To address the first challenge, the hypothesis is that the enzyme can be protected by local micro-oxic environments created by nearby O 2 uptake mechanisms. Several complementary ways to reduce O 2 at the vicinity of the hydrogenase will be pursued including use of chimeric proteins in which the hydrogenase is joined with a partner protein capable of reducing O 2 or reactive oxygen species (e.g. glucose oxidase, flavodiiron protein). These chimeras will first be tested in vitro and then the most promising ones will be expressed in vivo.

Rapid molecular and spectroscopic tests will be used to identify limitations to light-driven hydrogen production in the engineered strains. Several genetic modifications will be utilized to rectify identified limitations in electron flow or H 2 production activity.

The complementary sets of expertise in the two research groups in the US and Israel will be put to use in the creation, analysis, and optimization of the engineered algal cells. Together the two groups will determine the optimal way to arrange the various new components to make sustained high-level bio-hydrogen production a reality.

I do not view hydrogen so much as a fuel, but as an essential commodity that we consume at a rate of over 20 million metric tons per yearand which we now make by steam reformation of fossil fuels, a process that is energy intensive and produces carbon dioxide. If we could replace even a part of that with algal biohydrogen that is made via light and water, it would have a substantial impact. However, the state of the biohydrogen field is not even close to where it needs to be in order to be commercially viable.

We thought that some radically different approaches needed to be taken  thus, our crazy idea of hooking up the hydrogenase enzyme directly to Photosystem I in order to divert a large fraction of the electrons from water splitting (by Photosystem II) to make molecular hydrogen. Kevin Redding

Plants and algae, as well as cyanobacteria, use photosynthesis to produce oxygen and fuels, the latter being oxidizable substances like carbohydrates and hydrogen. There are two pigment-protein complexes that orchestrate the primary reactions of light in oxygenic photosynthesis: Photosystem I (PSI) and Photosystem II (PSII).

Algae (in this case the single-celled green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, or Chlamy for short) possess an enzyme called hydrogenase that uses electrons it gets from the protein ferredoxin, which is used to ferry electrons from PSI to various destinations. The algal hydrogenase is rapidly and irreversibly inactivated by oxygen that is constantly produced by PSII. It is hoped that linking the hydrogenase directly to PSI will mitigate the problems, including the fact that hydrogenase competes poorly for electrons and that it is inactivated by oxygen.

In a future commercial system, one will want to be able to grow the cells normally at first, and then switch them to a mode in which most of the electrons are diverted to make hydrogen  essentially crossing over from a cheap replicating system to a biofactory in which sunlight drives production of hydrogen using water. The proposed systems provide an obvious way to do that by turning on the genes encoding the linked PSI-hydrogenase proteins. Consequently, electrons will be diverted away from carbon dioxide fixation to hydrogen production.

Iftach is taking very different approaches to this problem, which I see nobody else out there doing. Some of his work is a little controversial, but I think his basic conclusions are sound. We have been talking to each other on and off for a few years, but recently we came to realize that our approaches and skills are very complementary. It is a natural partnership. We are already working on our first two joint manuscripts! Kevin Redding

Redding is also partnering with ASUs Global Institute of Sustainability to develop a module within their Wells Fargo Regional Sustainability Teachers Academy. They are working with Molly Cashion and Robert McGehee, the Academy Program Coordinators.

The team will develop a module on screening algae with an agar overlay method. They will train local middle and high school teachers how to do this in the Academy. They will need only a microwave oven and water bath to perform the assay, and their students will build their illuminators out of a cardboard box using LED strips and AA batteries. Undergraduate student volunteers will bring other materials to classrooms and assist the teachers as needed. Algae are grown on plates, covered with agar mixed with Rhodobacter, and allowed to develop overnight.

The students can image them the next day with their own phone cameras using a small green interference filter provided by the grant. They can then draw their own conclusions about the best hydrogen-producing strains. This plan draws upon concepts from the next-generation science teaching concepts, in which learning is driven by the students own curiosity. They will be given only a cursory explanation at first but, as the experiment progresses, the scientists will answer their questions about how things work. The students will be encouraged to experiment with different conditions so as to discover the best algal strains and how to coax them to make more hydrogen. In this way, they become partners in discovery.
Eight commercial airlines used Gevos alcohol-to-jet fuel (ATJ) derived from renewable isobutanol for Fly Green Day, sponsored last week by the OHare Fuel Committee, at Chicago OHare International Airport. This event is the first time renewable jet fuel has been supplied at Chicago OHare using the existing airport fueling infrastructure, such as pipelines, terminals and tankage.

To date, airlines and airports have generally relied on alternative means of supplying renewable jet fuel to the wing, usually trucking jet fuel on site for blending and fueling. For Fly Green Day, Air BP blended Gevos ATJ with regular fossil-based Jet A fuel, certified its quality and then supplied its customers through the airports main fuel hydrant system.

Commercial airlines participating in the event were:
MAN Diesel & Turbo reports that the dual-fuel conversion has enabled the Wes Amelie to reduce its SO x emissions by >99%, NO x by approximately 90%, and CO 2 by up to 20%. The vessel now meets both the Tier II and Tier III emission requirements set by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

Wessels Reederei signed a letter of intent with MAN Diesel & Turbo regarding the conversion of three of its fleet to dual-fuel gas operation. The three ships are sisters to the Wes Amelie, a 1,036-TEU feeder container ship with an MAN 8L48/60B main engine that was retrofitted to a multi-fuel, four-stroke MAN 51/60DF unit earlier in 2017. ( Earlier post .) The retrofit enables dual-fuel operation and is the first such conversion of its type.

The Wes Amelie project was really a pioneering moment in the European container-feeder market and shows clearly that existing MAN engines can be converted to LNG operation with a tremendous effect on exhaust emissions and the environment. Stefan Eefting  Senior Vice President, MAN Diesel & Turbo and Head of MAN PrimeServ Diesel in Augsburg

When selecting a suitable vessel for conversion, special attention is paid to the scalability of the engineering services as well as the development costs, reducing significantly the costs for follow-up projects. In this respect, the Wes Amelie has 23 sister ships, 16 of them structurally identical, which would allow follow-up projects to be easily implemented, facilitating a multiplier effect.

The term maritime Energiewende (Maritime Energy Transition) stems from the German expression Energiewende and encapsulates MAN Diesel & Turbos call to action to reduce emissions and establish natural gas as the fuel of choice in global shipping. It promotes a global turn to ga, driven by the IMO, and a common approach by the shipping industry and politics to invest in infrastructure development and retrofits.

Launched in 2016 after COP 21, the initiative has since found broad support within the shipping industry and German politics. Stemming from the success of the Wes Amelie project, and to encourage more shipowners to follow its example, MAN Diesel & Turbo pledged a total discount of 2 million (US$2.3 million) for 10 such LNG-retrofits at the international Our Ocean 2017 conference in Malta recently.

With a current fleet of 37 ships, Wessels Reederei is one of the largest managers of coastal vessels globally. It has a fleet of some 28 coasters, four container and five multipurpose vessels and is based in Haren/Ems, Germany.

TOTE ro-ro conversion in the US. Earlier this year, TOTE Maritime Alaska, a daughter company of TOTE Inc., the leading American marine-transportation group, contracted MAN PrimeServ to convert the North Star and Midnight Sun to dual-fuel operation on liquefied natural gas (LNG). The roll on/off ships (ro-ro) are currently both powered by 4  MAN 58/64 engines and will be retrofitted to MAN 58/64 retrofit units. The contract covers the design, development and testing of a first-of-its-kind dual-fuel kit, which will serve as foundation for the largest LNG conversion in North America.

TOTE Maritime Alaska handles approximately one-third of goods transportation between the continental US and Alaska. Both the North Star and Midnight Sun operate fast routes between Anchorage, Alaska and Tacoma, Washington.

The two Orca-class ships were originally constructed by NASSCO, part of the General Dynamics Corporation at its San Diego yard and were commissioned in 2003.

TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico, another TOTE company, is notable for ordering the world's first LNG-powered Marlin class container ships, the Isla Bella and Perla del Caribe, launched in 2015 and both featuring single MAN B&W 8L70ME-GI engines.
Way back in June, I knocked out a quick story on the 2018 QS World University Rankings mostly because things were slow on the higher ed beat but also because four N.C. schools made the list.

I ended the story with some data (international enrollment is showing signs of decline) and a cautionary word from the reports research director: Nations that are rising have adopted an open, global outlook and are increasingly poised to attack U.S. pre-eminence. If the United States fails to remain international and open and embraces isolationism, its higher education system will suffer.

Someone complained about it on Facebook: I don't care who you wanted for President the author of this N&R article states no evidence to support that comment by Ben Sowter (the research director), the commenter wrote. It is merely one man's opinion based on his ideology.

As it turns out, that one mans opinion was mostly on point.

The annual Open Doors report from the Institute of International Education dropped this morning, and the news isnt super for U.S. colleges and universities.

Overall international enrollment at U.S. colleges and universities was up 3.4 percent overall in fall 2016. Thats good, but it's the lowest increase since 2009.

Enrollment of new international students, however, was down in 2016 among undergrads (2.9 percent), grad students (1.1 percent) and across the board (3.3 percent). Thats the first time since 2006, when IIE started collecting these numbers, that new enrollment has declined.

The news for this fall might be worse. IIE surveyed nearly 500 U.S. colleges and found that 45 percent saw declines in international enrollments this fall while only 31 percent reported increases. IIEs back-of-the-envelope math suggests that new international enrollment for the 2017-18 academic year might have dropped somewhere around 7 percent.

This good U.S. News & World Report roundup dives into some of the reasons for the slow growth on one hand and the decline on the other: Brazil and Saudi Arabia have canceled scholarship programs; Canada and Germany are recruiting international students more aggressively; U.S. higher education is growing more expensive; some students have had trouble getting U.S. visas; and some students have concerns about the Trump administrations travel ban and their safety in the United States.

Add that all up, and the U.S. lock on being a global higher ed destination doesnt seem as iron-clad as it once was.

The number of U.S. students studying abroad, meanwhile, remains at an all-time high. Elon and Wake Forest universities still rank among the top schools in study abroad participation.

Still, only 10 percent of American college students study outside the U.S. before they graduate.

The fact that 90 percent of all American undergraduate students enrolled in U.S. higher education are graduating without an international experience, the IIE report states, means that there is still a long way to go.

This Inside Higher Ed story has a longer take on the whole Open Doors report.

Have something to say about something you just read? Email me at john.newsom@greensboro.com.
The window is open for filing reimbursement claims if youre a Wells Fargo & Co. customer affected by the consumer account fraud.

Keller Rohrback LLP and Munger, Tolles, & Olson LLP said the settlement period covers May 1, 2002, through April 20, 2017. Approval of the $142 million settlement was announced July 10.

Eligible customers have until Feb. 3 to submit a form online or by mail. Claim forms are available at https://wfsettlement.com or by calling 866-431-8549.

Wells Fargo confirmed Aug. 31 there were at least 3.53 million accounts affected by its phony customer accounts scandal, up from the 2.1 million announced in September 2016, when the fraudulent activities were acknowledged. Most of the victims were in Arizona and California.

The bank has said it cannot rule out that at least 38,722 unauthorized customer accounts were established in North Carolina and 23,327 in South Carolina

Customers will be notified whether they will receive a refund check or a credit to an account.

Cash benefits for eligible customers include:

A payment to compensate individuals for fees they may have paid in connection with unauthorized accounts.

Cash to compensate individuals for damages caused by harm to their credit.

The firms said that any money remaining in the fund, after paying benefits above and all costs and expenses, will be paid out as additional compensation on a per-account basis.

Customers who object to the settlement agreement or dont want to participate have until Feb. 18 to inform the law firms.

The federal court that agreed to the settlement will hold a hearing March 22 to consider whether to approve the settlement.

The law firms may request reimbursement of costs, as well as attorneys fees of up to 15 percent of the settlement fund, or $21.3 million.

The settlement is on top of the $185 million the bank agreed in September 2016 to pay to resolve regulatory complaints about the fraudulent accounts.

Wells Fargo has said it could experience overall losses reaching $3.3 billion in its attempt to resolve its scandals. That number has more than tripled since October 2016.

The bank hired a third-party group to review 165 million current and former retail-banking customer accounts opened from January 2009 through September 2016. The review analyzed data on consumer and small-business checking, savings, unsecured credit card, line of credit accounts and identity theft protection services from Wells Fargo.

Wells Fargo already has agreed to provide $2.8 million in additional refunds and credits on top of the $3.3 million initially committed to people affected.

Wells Fargo said in March it believes the court settlement is fair, reasonable and adequate.

This preliminary approval is a major milestone in our efforts to make things right for our customers, Tim Sloan, Wells Fargos chief executive and president, said in a statement in March.

Sloan became Wells Fargos top executive in a ripple effect from the scandal after John Stumpf resigned abruptly in October 2016 as chairman and chief executive.

It further ensures each customer impacted by an improper retail sales practice has every opportunity for remediation, Sloan said.
GREENSBORO Pity Silicon Valleys working Joe, who must struggle to buy a home at the average price of $1.1 million.

Congress proposal to reduce the cap on the mortgage-interest deduction from $1 million to $500,000 could put a cramp in the average Google executives tax bill. Such are the hazards of living among Americas industrial elite.

But around here, elite or not, youre not likely to be fretting much about losing any of your mortgage-interest tax deduction.

The median home price in Guilford County is $140,000, according to real estate website Zillow, and only 179 people out of 9,500  about 2 percent  have borrowed more than $500,000 this year, according to the real-estate research firm Attom Data Solutions.

Its going to affect a minority of people, all things considered, said Chris Young, certified mortgage planner with the Greensboro office of Benchmark Mortgage.

The deduction for home mortgage interest is believed widely to encourage home ownership and is considered by many to be an untouchable privilege in the American tax system. But the changes being proposed in Congress could affect people around the country in different ways.

Nationally 5.4 percent of this years 6 million loans processed this year were of more than $500,000, Attom reports, almost twice the rate in Guilford County.

In Santa Clara, Calif., by contrast  the heart of Silicon Valley and home of the San Francisco 49ers  more than 11,000 families this year have borrowed more than $500,000 in an area where the median home price is $1.1 million. Thats 28 percent of the market share that would be affected by the proposed change.

Young said many of the people in this market who can afford a house worth more than $500,000 dont even worry about a mortgage. They pay cash. That means Young isnt brokering many loans above $500,000.

I think Im doing three this month, he said.

Still, the proposal now making its way through Congress is a sore spot for wealthy homeowners. Bloomberg News calls the mortgage deduction a sacred cow in tax regulations.

The New York Times reports that the median national home price is $200,000, and fewer than 3 percent of homes cost more than $500,000.

But this sacred cow also could become a cash cow for legislators looking for ways to offset the corporate and individual tax cuts theyre hoping to enact in this tax bill.

The Repubican-leaning American Action Forum reported earlier this year that the mortgage-interest deduction costs $70 billion a year in federal revenue, and other think tanks report that the richest Americans benefit the most from that deduction.

Any cut in the deduction would affect other cities in North Carolina more acutely.

In Mecklenburg County, for example, 6.6 percent of home buyers borrowed more than $500,000 to live in the booming real estate economy.

Yet in Wake County, where the job market is booming, only 3.2 percent of buyers have borrowed more than a half-million dollars this year.

In the Triad, investors and upper-end homebuyers are just not as concerned, Young said. He is a heavy investor in rental homes, and he said he rarely finances those acquisitions because he would prefer to own outright.

Generally, he said, most people arent letting tax policy drive their home purchases.

Theres always going to be people that are not happy, Young said. But financial decisions, from a housing perspective, are not being made over tax planning.
GREENSBORO  UNC Health Care prevailed Monday with an 11th-hour bid for bankrupt Morehead Memorial Hospital, a bid that was a whopping $11 million higher than its previous cash offer of just $500,000.

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Benjamin Kahn picked the Chapel Hill-based health system as the best bidder at $11.5 million in cash and $22 million in other investments for the financially-troubled Eden hospital network. In doing so, he rejected a competing proposal by a for-profit Florida partnership that had trouble proving it had sufficient financial backing to make good on its promises.

The Eden provider instigated the bidding battle by filing for Chapter 11 reorganization in July, citing an unmanageable debt burden that was near $60 million and the need to find new owners or partners who could restore it to financial stability.

Morehead president and CEO Dana Weston said that is just what the 12-hospital, nonprofit UNC health system will provide.

We started this journey as a quest to find a reliable partner, Weston said in a courtroom filled throughout the day with several dozen anxious Morehead employees. We are coming out of this hearing with a partner who has an established record in health care, so I would consider this process for the board, the staff and the community to be a big success.

Chris Ellington, the president of UNC Health Care Network Hospitals, said the sale would take 30 to 60 days to finalize, but that his staff would begin work almost immediately to gather information and formulate plans to get Morehead back on its feet.

The day this sale becomes official nobody should expect something miraculous to immediately happen, Ellington cautioned. Were not going to shoot from the hip. We have to reach out to the community and find out what the people say.

The path toward the selection of UNC Health Care started last Friday when the board of trustees that governs the state-owned system called an emergency meeting to consider substantially improving its offer.

Two days before that, Kahn had left the door open to such an offer during the first part of the final sale hearing that concluded Monday.

UNC Health Cares board took advantage of that opening to return with an offer that went well beyond its first bid in the initial auction of Moreheads assets on Oct. 30. Assets being auctioned in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of North Carolina included the hospital with 108 acute-care beds, a skilled nursing center and several other medical buildings, such as the Smith McMichael Cancer Center and the Wright Diagnostic Center.

The new offer included $11.5 million in cash, a pledge to invest $20 million in improvements to the Rockingham County health systems buildings and equipment in the next three years, as well a total of $2 million to cover paid employee leave and unspecified administrative expenses.

The bid also includes a vow to operate the hospital for a period of no less than five years.

Friday afternoon, Moreheads board of trustees met to change its declaration of winning bidder from the Florida partnership that it had initially tapped as highest and best  Empower iHCC  to UNC Health Cares freshly upgraded offer, said Eugene Russell, chairman of the hospital board.

Were grateful for the opportunity to work with UNC. Theres a lot that we cant accomplish without a partner, and they are a tested, tried and true organization, Russell said.

UNC Health Cares win was a loss for Empower iHCC that initially bid just less than $10.8 million for all of Morehead assets and then upped its ante by another $200,000 to overcome objections from some of the Eden hospitals creditors.

Empower executive Jorge Perez and his chief financial officer, Santiago Pique, both testified in the hearing Monday. But they couldnt allay concerns expressed by Kahn and several lawyers for Moreheads creditors that Empower lacked the financial wherewithal to pull off the transaction.

Under questioning by skeptical lawyers representing the North Carolina Department of Justice, hospital lenders and others, it emerged that the Florida partnership only had partial ownership of several hospitals that some of the submitted paperwork suggested were fully-owned subsidiaries.

From the bench, Kahn said that he adjourned the first part of the hearing last week with concerns about Empowers ability to keep its promises and rescue a hospital system that is losing about $475,000 a week.

The hearing today did not ameliorate the courts concerns, Kahn said.

He placed some blame on the Morehead board for not going to greater lengths and using sound business judgment to carefully vet the Florida partnerships financial credentials.

He said that lapse caused the board to make an abrupt change in business judgment and take UNC Health Cares side at the last minute.

Only now, the court agrees with the debtors business judgment, Kahn said.
For many evangelicals, fiery Alabama politician and judge Roy Moore has been a longtime hero. Others have sometimes cringed at his heated rhetoric and bellicose style.

Now, as Moore's Republican U.S. Senate campaign is imperiled by allegations of sexual overtures to a 14-year-old girl when he was in his 30s, there's an outpouring of impassioned and soul-searching discussion in evangelical ranks.

"This is one of those excruciating decision moments for evangelicals," Albert Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, said in a telephone interview. "These allegations, if true, are devastating. If true, this is a very big deal."

Mohler said Alabama voters face a potentially wrenching task of trying to determine if the allegations  Moore has emphatically denied them  are credible.

According the Pew Research Center, 49 percent of Alabama adults are evangelical Protestants. For some of them, the Moore allegations echo the quandary they faced last year, wrestling over whether to support Donald Trump in the presidential race despite his crude sexual boasts.

The Rev. Robert Franklin, professor of moral leadership at Emory University's Candler School of Theology in Atlanta, said The Washington Post's report about the Moore allegations represents a test of "moral consistency" for evangelicals.

"Evangelicals are steadily losing their moral authority in the larger public square by intensifying their uncritical loyalty to Donald Trump," Franklin wrote in an email. "Since this is Roy Moore and not Donald Trump, I think there may be significant disaffection with him, and increased demands for his removal from the ballot."

As for Moore himself, Franklin suggested there were "classic evangelical remedies" such as confession, prayer and remorse and isolation.

"Election to higher office is not one of them," Franklin wrote.

Although Trump won 80 percent of the white evangelical vote in his presidential victory, his candidacy exposed and hardened rifts among conservative Christians about partisan politics, the personal character of government leaders and the Gospel. Surveys by the Public Religion Research Institute found that the percentage of white evangelicals who said they still trusted the leadership of a politician who commits an immoral act rose from 30 percent in 2011 to 72 percent last year.

Still, a solid minority of conservative Christians adopted the NeverTrump hashtag on social media and joined those outside evangelicalism who said "values voters" had lost their values. Women and black evangelicals especially emerged as critics of Trump's remarks about women, immigrants, African-Americans and Muslims. Many of these same critics of Trump's behavior and rhetoric condemned Moore in recent days and bemoaned the fact that some evangelicals were standing by him.

"Okay, seriously, we elected a man president who bragged about using his power and authority to sexually assault women," tweeted Kyle James Howard, an African-American student at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. "Why are we surprised that members of his party would now be defending a party member's sexual assault of a minor?"

One of the Southern Baptist Convention's leading public policy experts, the Rev. Russell Moore, expressed dismay after the allegations against Judge Moore  no relation  surfaced on Thursday.

"Whether in the hills of Hollywood or the halls of power, it doesn't matter," the Rev. Moore tweeted. "This is true: sexual assault and child molestation are evil, unjust, satanic."

Roy Moore embraced controversy as he built his evangelical following. He was twice removed from his post as Alabama's chief justice, once for disobeying a federal court order to remove a Ten Commandments monument from the lobby of the state judicial building, and later for urging probate judges to defy the U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing gay marriage.

Prayer and repentance were among the themes Sunday at Moore's home church in Gallant, Alabama. Moore himself wasn't present at First Baptist Church. The church's pastor, the Rev. Tom Brown, prayed during the service for "the entire Moore family" and urged congregants to trust in God and believe that adversity could lead to a positive outcome.

"He's always been a man of character, of integrity, of honor, and there's nothing in those 25 years that I've seen that would challenge that," Brown said. "That's all I can go by."

Also declining to break with Moore in the wake of the sex allegations was Jerry Falwell Jr., president of evangelical Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia.

"It comes down to a question of who is more credible in the eyes of the voters  the candidate or the accuser," Falwell told Religion News Service. "And I believe the judge is telling the truth."

Daphney Gray of Gallant, who attends church at First Baptist, said she thought Moore's Senate race was important "from a Biblical viewpoint."

"He's a very good man in my eyes," Gray said. "I just see a good man who loves the Lord."

There may be other influences pushing evangelical voters who might otherwise be uneasy about Moore to vote for him on Dec. 12, said Mohler.

"There's so much at stake," the seminary president said. "Those of us who are pro-life have got to be very concerned about losing even one seat in the U.S. Senate."

The Democratic candidate in the special election, Doug Jones, has said that a decision on whether to have an abortion should generally be left to the woman in question.

Abortion policy also was evoked by Ed Cyzewski, a Kentucky-based seminary graduate and author, in a series of Twitter posts Friday questioning why some of his fellow evangelicals would continue to stand by Moore.

"Right now there are evangelicals who feel trapped," Cyzewski wrote. "They think Moore did something reprehensible, but believe abortion is evil."

Katelyn Beaty, an editor at large with the evangelical magazine Christianity Today, suggested that among many of Moore's evangelical supporters, there's a "presumption of innocence" because of their mistrust of national media such as The Washington Post.

"Many Christian communities have trouble appropriately responding to sex abuse allegations," Beaty wrote in an email. "There is a default trust in powerful, charismatic male leaders, coupled with a discomfort with women who use their story or voice to challenge the status quo or power structures."

However, Beaty said more moderate evangelicals  notably those critical of Trump  were likely dismayed by the allegations against Moore.

"For them, the defense of Moore is another sign that both evangelicalism and the GOP have lost their credibility and their souls in the pursuit of power," she wrote.

Associated Press writers Rachel Zoll in New York and Jeff Amy in Gallant, Alabama, contributed to this report.
HANOI, Vietnam  The White House Correspondents' Association is voicing concerns about press access during President Donald Trump's trip to Asia.

Reporters and photographers traveling with the president were barred from covering any of the events at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in the coastal city of Danang, Vietnam, on Saturday.

And only one member of the traveling press corps  a video journalist  was allowed into a dinner the night before.

Doug Mills, a White House photographer for The New York Times, tweeted a picture of a black box in protest that read: "This what our APEC Summit photo coverage looks today in Da Nang Vietnam. Blank. No coverage by the White House Travel Pool photographers traveling with @realDonaldTrump."

This what our APEC Summit photo coverage looks today in Da Nang Vietnam. Blank. No coverage by the White House Travel Pool photographers traveling with @realDonaldTrump #APEC2017 #apec pic.twitter.com/jFgsJW5OcO  Doug Mills (@dougmillsnyt) November 11, 2017

Reporters have also expressed frustrations that Trump declined to take questions in China, where press freedoms are restricted  though he did hold press conferences in Japan and South Korea and spoke to reporters at length aboard Air Force One on Saturday. He'll also be taking questions Sunday in Hanoi.

WHCA President Margaret Talev said in a statement that the group had been in discussion with the White House for months about maximizing press coverage during the trip, which is Trump's first to Asia as president.

"While there has been a history of some host countries pushing back against the size of the US footprint and while APEC historically has limited some pool sizes," she said, "we are concerned that access on this trip has eroded more significantly and that notice about changes or new coverage restrictions has often come with too short of notice to be able to react effectively."

The group also said it was "disappointed in the decision not to hold a joint news conference in China" and encouraged the White House to schedule a solo news conference with Trump.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters aboard Air Force One on the way to Hanoi that she hadn't been aware of the issues at the dinner and said that she had alerted the advance team on the ground in Trump's next and final stop  Manila  to push for more access.

The president is always followed by a pool of 13 journalists, composed of writers, photographers and a video crew, who distribute reports to news outlets and serve as the public's eyes and ears.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

STAMFORD  An increasing number of beer makers from abroad have decided a firm in the citys South End has the right recipe to help them reach American customers.

Marking this year its 20th anniversary, U.S. Beverage has grown from a startup in a niche market into an industry powerhouse. With a network of some 400 distributors and partnerships with a range of breweries, the family-owned business led by the father-son duo Joseph and Justin Fisch now ranks as the countrys largest independent beer importer.

I was able to create what we today feel is one of the strongest distributor networks in the country, USB founder and CEO Joseph Fisch said in an interview last week at the firms offices at 700 Canal St. Over the last 20 years, theres been consolidation at the distributor end. Based on our position in the marketplace, weve introduced ourselves and our brand to distributors that quite frankly we didnt know 20 years ago. Its an evolutionary process.

Joseph Fisch started the company in 1997, after 25 years at alcoholic beverages giant Seagrams. He launched the business at a time when several sectors of the beer market, including imported brands, were developing an upscale cachet.

Having worked in New York City while at Seagrams, Joseph Fisch was keen to start his new business in his home area. The elder Fisch, 68, lives in New Canaan. Justin Fisch, 41  who was last week named president, after previously serving as a vice president  resides in Darien.

Now Playing: These are America's top 10 favorite beers, according to the recently released 2017 Customer Loyalty Engagement Index. 10- Pabst 9- Miller & Stella Artois (tied) 8- Heineken 7- Busch 6- Dos Equis 5- Budweiser 4- Michelob 3- Samuel Adams (tied) 3- Yeungling (tied) 2- Corona 1- Coors Video: Wibbitz

As an importer, USB plays a critical role in linking beer makers with distributors and retailers.

Most of these brewers are terrific brewers, but their competency may not be distribution management or marketing, Joseph Fisch said.

New Brunswick, Canada-based Moosehead Breweries started working with USB about three years ago. The firm had already sold in the U.S. market for about 40 years. But it teamed with USB because it wanted to boost sales of the four brands it sells in the states.

Weve always had open dialogue with the Fisches; we really like working with them and the rest of the USB team, said Moosehead Breweries President and CEO Andrew Oland. Were very encouraged with the results in the U.S. We look forward to working with USB for many more years.

As a result of partnerships with brewers like Moosehead, USB has grown its portfolio in the past few years from eight to more than two-dozen brands. The roster includes 20 international beers, as well as several U.S. craft beers and ciders and some non-alcoholic brands.

In the same span, the company has approximately tripled its revenues. The firm declined to give specific sales numbers.

In one of its most significant deals to date, USB announced in July that Heineken had chosen the company to be its exclusive U.S. importer of nine brands from European, Caribbean and Asian countries.

What we like about those brands is we can basically pick the markets we want to go to, Justin Fisch said. By doing that, we focus on areas where the brands can have recognition. In the case of many of the brands, we just go to where the expats are.

Last year, USB ranked as the No. 7 U.S. beer importer by dollar revenues, according to data from market-research firm IRI. It placed first among independent firms not owned by breweries.

Competitors include Constellation Brands, which was last years No. 1 importer, as well as Anheuser-Busch InBev, MillerCoors Brewing and Norwalk-based Diageo Beer Co. USA.

USB, which employs 46, expects to keep growing primarily through rising revenues within its existing portfolio.

Its key for the company to remain incredibly innovative, so that our brands can cut through the clutter of the beverage category within the U.S. market, Justin Fisch said. And by doing that, we need to be strategic with how we position the brands. I see great growth in the three-five-10-year view.

pschott@scni.com; 203-964-2236; twitter: @paulschott
Aside from incredible success, what do Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey and Mark Zuckerberg have in common? They read more than most.

Founders often claim they dont have time to read, but they do -- they just spend that time doing other things, such as tapping on smartphones, texting and instant messaging. According to recent research by Flurry Analytics, U.S consumers spend an average of five hours a day on their mobile devices. If that time was spent reading instead, they could knock out several books in a single month.

Entrepreneurs notoriously work long hours in the trenches. That grind makes it difficult to step back and think about your business holistically. By reading books authored by other founders, you can gain insights you might never have considered otherwise. The right books can help you develop new strategies and grow, both as a person and as a leader.

Related: Reading Books Makes You Smarter, Richer and Surprisingly Healthier

Must-read titles for every entrepreneur.

While its easy to get caught up on the startup treadmill, focused on scaling revenue and securing market share, I firmly believe that leading with purpose leads to higher revenue.

Roy Spence's Its Not What You Sell, Its What You Stand For only reinforced that belief for me. Spence shares stories of successful, purpose-driven cultures to show why chasing purpose over revenue is key to winning. His advice is applicable to both daily life and long-term strategy.

Of course, every founder faces different challenges, and no single book tells the whole story of running a company well. To get a fuller picture, I reached out to seven colleagues for their book recommendations.

Check out these titles to learn how these successful entrepreneurs made it happen.

1. Brendan Kane: Contagious: Why Things Catch On by Jonah Berger

Kane is a growth hacker and tech entrepreneur. He thrives on helping brands systemically find and engage new audiences who reward relevant content, products and services with their attention and spending. He said this about Berger's Contagious:

Everything about his writings helped me further understand how to crack virality around video content on Facebook, from messaging to analytics and beyond. I was able to leverage this knowledge for my business to help fuel over 150 million views on Facebook for Katie Couric and Yahoo! News and still use what I learned to this day.

Related: 8 Business Books Entrepreneurs Must Read to Dominate Their Industry

2. Ed Buckley, III, PhD: Creating Magic by Lee Cockerell

Buckley is CEO and co-founder of Peerfit, a digital platform for insurance carriers, brokers and employers to offer local fitness classes to clients and employees. He recommends that founders and their teams read Creating Magic for these reasons:

Creating Magic is all about being a great leader who serves his or her people, and it's filled with pragmatic management lessons. When you start out growing a new, gritty company, you sometimes forget how to turn off the 'attack' mode when you are in a sales mindset to then switch over to leading by listening. Cockerell details his personal failures -- from the times he would forget to empower his team to the great things he accomplished when he trusted his team. He does a fantastic job of giving hard lessons learned and what changed when he used these lessons at Disney. A must-read for any growing company.

3. Scott Peeples: The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg

Peeples, co-founder and Peerfit's president and COO, recommends The Power of Habit for its wisdom on routine:

"As we set out to build a product that would become a regular part of our customers' lives, we spent a lot of time thinking about building habits. Duhigg's book illustrates how to 'rewire' the brain by swapping out a routine but keeping the trigger and the reward. We've used the ideas in this book to help us shape a user experience that easily becomes a self-sustaining routine.

4. Kirill Evdakov: The Pixar Touch: The Making of a Company by David A. Price

Evdakov is the co-founder and CEO of Fasten, a fast-growing ride-sharing app. According to him, this book is a magnificent illustration of the fact that persistence is key.

The Pixar Touch details Ed Catmulls tenacity in developing the technology necessary to make 3D animation come to life. He faced the challenge of not only building everything from scratch to make 3D movies, but also of convincing others of its merits at a time when they were still using floppy disks.

Evdakov says this book showed him that as an entrepreneur, the size of obstacles in front of you doesn't matter. For him that obstacle happens to be Uber, but he believes that the bigger your dream, the bigger the obstacles will be. He has put Catmull's persistence to work, and Fasten now has 60 percent market share in Austin.

Related: 8 Crazy Stories From Richard Branson's New Book and What You Can Learn From Them

5. Jerry Hum: The PayPal Wars by Eric M. Jackson

Hum is the co-founder and CEO of Touch of Modern, the curated online shopping destination for men to discover unexpected products, fashion brands and accessories to elevate their lifestyles. He had this to say about The PayPal Wars:

A lot of entrepreneurial books are romanticized and designed to be motivational, but I felt 'PayPal Wars' painted a more realistic picture of what it's like to be an entrepreneur. It gave me new motivation to keep innovating with Touch of Modern.

6. Brian Saab: The Art of the Start by Guy Kawasaki

Saab is co-founder and CEO of Unearth Technologies, the first software platform that lets construction companies automatically document projects by place, as well as a serial entrepreneur and product strategist. He has 20 years of leadership experience in both startups and publicly traded companies. Two of those companies achieved impressive buyouts: buuteeq to Booking.com in 2014, and Red Safi to Objectiva Software Solutions in 2015.

Saab loves The Art of the Start for a few reasons:

It's the definitive text on how to create a high-value, fast-growing startup, including rapidly validating your concept for product market fit. I've used Art of the Start to guide every business I've ever been a part of. It's a must-read book, especially if you want to create an industry-disrupting tech company. I use it as a sanity check to determine whether or not I have a good plan, or if I've gotten over my ski tips. Ultimately, it helps keep me honest.

7. Elana Karp: Delivering Happiness by Tony Hsieh

As the head chef and culinary co-founder of Plated, Karp is an expert on company culture and employee morale. Entrepreneurs have to consider multiple factors in every decision, and Karp believes Delivering Happiness helps her prioritize whats most important. As she put it:

If you focus on your employees and invest in building a positive, supportive culture early on, everything else will fall into place.

Taking on all of these books sounds like a major investment, but with good time management, even the busiest entrepreneurs can read most of them in a month or two. Each one offers immediately applicable insights, so find a comfy chair, grab a drink and start reading.

Related:

7 Must-Read Books From Entrepreneurs in the Trenches

2 Problems and 3 Strategies Wall Street Just Isn't Talking About

Why This Entrepreneur Wrote a Children's Book Starring Elon Musk as a Superhero



Copyright 2017 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved



This article originally appeared on entrepreneur.com


Rosny Desroches for the Army - Mayor of PAP and Municipal Finance - 300,000 jobs over 8 years, according to ADIH - Minister of Education in Mexico - Towards the relaunch of the Tourist Office of Grand'Anse - Coordination of Actions in the South...




Haiti - FLASH : Conclusion of the PetroCaribe report, the Commission accuses !





At the end of the investigation into the use of the PetroCaribe fund, the 5 senators of the Special Senatorial Commission of Inquiry (CSSE), [Senator Evalliere Beauplan (PONT), Senator Nenel Cassy (Fanmi Lavalas), Senator Antonio Cheramy (VERITE), Senator Richard Lenine Herve Fourcand (PHTK) and Senator Onondieu Louis (KID)] on the basis of the inventoried and analyzed documents, on the data provided and examined by the audit firm it had engaged for the purposes of this investigation, concluded that the management of the PetroCaribe Fund was marked by serious anomalies, irregularities, acts of malfeasance and prevarication which suggest that those who were responsible for executing the programs and projects related to the Resolutions concerning the PetroCaribe Fund have not respected the norms and legal provisions in the awarding of contracts and have not been concerned either with protecting the interests of the Haitian State.



The report indicates that the facts revealed in the whole of the operations, prove that the majority of those who had the authority to order the disbursements, acted with a laxity, that the CSSE was able to deduce in almost all the cases: the negligence, inconsistencies and other anomalies were recurring. In such a case, the Commission states that it could no longer be mere material errors, but rather acts that could mislead and facilitate the operation of unlawful practices, collusion and trading in influence.



The Commissioners say that the review of the contracts showed that more than half of them were signed outside the public procurement procedures (lack of transparency, good governance, etc...) and in the disrespect of the contracts. standards of contract distribution (fairness, equal treatment, free competition, free access to public order, etc...) The emergency laws that were adopted by successive governments from 2008 to 2016 have allowed Public Authorizing Officers and Public Accountants to exercise their power with an excess that sometimes borders on indecency. Under cover of these laws, both irrational and unlawful acts were performed in violation of regulations and laws on accounting and public finances.



They assert that all the investigations carried out with the bodies concerned have demonstrated weaknesses of such a magnitude that it was necessary to consider all the cases in a specific way and place them in a more general context for the purpose of establishing individual and collective responsibilities. ; because it appeared during the investigation that PetroCaribe was the object of a large-scale fraud. The most telling example is that the current situation of the Fund and the disbursements made through the 13 Resolutions that concern it for the period from September 2008 to September 2016 are so tainted by irregular acts or fraudulent acts that it was necessary to carry out an analysis of the financial statements of the BMPAD, principal and first player in the management of the PetroCaribe fund. The finding is that it is difficult to comment on the accuracy and reliability of the fund balance, disbursements and contract management. Therefore, the management of the Fund according to what has been submitted by the BMPAD, does not reflect the financial situation of this fund.



To find out all the details, the companies involved, the politicians implicated and the accusations made by the members of the Commission access the full report (656 pages) on : https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bLsSASoob5lsRXy6BnsAN2ff-CQnG6Wd/view



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - News : Zapping...





Cable car project for La Citadelle

On Saturday during his visit to the North, President Jovenel Moise announced that engineers will be on site on 23 November to analyze the cable car project for La Citadelle of King Henri Christophe. https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20446-haiti-politics-major-projects-of-the-ministry-of-tourism.html



Monitoring of works of the HUEH

Jude Alix Patrick Salomon, the Minister of Economy and Finance and the staff of the Technical Unit for Studies and Supervision (UTE) met the representatives of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID - Haiti) and of the French Development Agency (AFD) on the state of progress of the reconstruction work of the Hospital of the State University of Haiti (HUEH) started in 2013 . This meeting made it possible to adopt new provisions to facilitate the execution of the works.



Moise announces a dam on the Barjon River

Saturday, President Jovenel Moise announced a dam on the Barjon River in the Northeast. This dam will serve as a water reservoir for irrigation of the land.



Launching of the States General in Les Cayes

This weekend took place the official launch of the Estates General of the commune of Les Cayes.



The Head of State discusses projects in the North

Saturday, President Jovenel Moise accompanied by Max Rudolph Saint-Albin, the Minister of the Interior, as well as Parliamentarians of the North Department, met in the city of Cap-Haitien with local officials, key players of the department and representatives of civil society Capoise around the main projects to be conducted in the region soon...



Haitian Piano Festival

For the second day in a row, the organizers of the Haitian Piano Festival met with the Mayor of Jacmel, Loudie Cesar, partner of this event, which provided the Festival with a set of support, including logistics. For the second evening, Mrs. Cesar was first Lodge to enjoy two hours of Scholarly Music.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Published on 2017/11/12 | Source

A new photo of Song Hye-kyo and Song Joong-ki wearing golden bracelets that seems to have been taken on their wedding day is circulating. Chinese media reported that these bracelets were a wedding gift from director John Woo and the picture went viral. However, there is another story behind the gifts.

Advertisement

Apparently, it was director Wong Kar Wai who gifted these golden gifts to the couple beause he couldn't attend the wedding. An unidentified person took a picture of them wearing their presents.

Song Hye-kyo met Wong Kar Wai in a movie in 2013.

Wong Kar Wai couldn't be at the wedding but Jackie Peng, one of the producers of Song Hye-kyo's Chinese movie and manager to a couple of Chinese stars, delivered the present himself. Another Chinese media source at the wedding said the couple were happy to receive their gift and took a picture on the spot to send their gratitude to Wong Kar Wai.

Zhang Zi Yi, who was in the same movie as Song Hye-kyo, attended Song Hye-kyo and Song Joong-ki's wedding, too.

Meanwhile, Song Hye-kyo and Song Joong-ki got married on the 31st of October and left for Spain on their honeymoon.
Dingle Distillery to upscale production

By Michelle Perrett

The Dingle Distillery, the craft spirits producer, is launching an investment drive to scale up its production.

It is using the Employment and Investment Incentive Scheme, which allows individual investors to obtain income tax relief to raise the capital.

The move comes as the Irish distillery expects to sell 250,000 bottles of their gin this year, up from 100,000 last year.

During 2018, the company plans to double the production of all its gin, whiskey and vodka as well as expand aggressively in the North American market. There are also plans to develop a state-of-the-art visitor centre at the distillery in Dingle.

A newly installed gin still is expected to go into production early next year, whilst plans to launch its next release, Batch No.3 Single Malt are scheduled for March 2018.

Co-founder and managing director of The Dingle Distillery, Liam LaHart, said: The only problem we have had is producing enough whiskey, gin and vodka to meet the demand thats out there. Gin has really taken off in the last two or three years and Irish whiskey is now the fastest selling spirit in the world.

In 2012, the independent company opened Irelands first purpose built distillery in over 100 years.

It was founded by Oliver Hughes, Liam LaHart and Peter Mosley following the success of their subsidiary brand, The Porterhouse Brewing Company.

This month (November) the distillery is releasing two new limited edition whiskies  Batch No.2 Single Malt and its first Pot Still Whiskey.

These new releases show an incredibly interesting opportunity for us. It is the first time we have been able to showcase multiple whiskies showing different flavours amongst each of the releases, said Elliot Hughes partner at The Dingle Distillery.

Its spirits have won numerous accolades. In October 2017 it picked up Double Gold at The Irish Whiskey Awards 2017, for Best Irish Gin and Best Irish Vodka.








Former Distell brand director takes over as chair of WOSA

By Jo Gilbert

Wines of South Africa has announced a new a new appointment to the role of non-executive chair.

Freelance business consultant and wine marketing specialist Carina Gous was appointed at the recent forth-term board meeting.

She replaces financial entrepreneur, Michael Jordaan who completed three years before resigning in September to pursue other interests.

The new chair of the export and promotions body is a former brand director at South African-based drinks giant Distell where she played a key role in developing new still and sparkling wine brands the company.

She also took on the role as chief executive of Distell Vineyards & Estates (DVE) and launched Heritage Heroes collection created by the Nederburg cellar team.

She will work in tandem with WOSA CEO Siobhan Thompson on plans and proposals.

Thompson said: I am very excited to work with Carina and draw from her extensive knowledge of the industry and marketing in international markets, in order to help guide the Wines of South Africa strategy.










Immigrants in Hawaii From American Immigration Council, October 13, 2017 Hawaii has a sizable community of immigrants, much of which emigrated from the Philippines. Nearly 18 percent of the states population was born in another country, while 16 percent are native-born Americans who have at least one immigrant parent. Foreign-born residents also represent a vital share of the states labor force in many sectors: more than 40 percent of workers in both the mining and agriculture industries are immigrants. As workers, business owners, taxpayers, and neighbors, immigrants are an integral part of Hawaiis diverse and thriving communities and make extensive contributions that benefit all. Nearly one in five Hawaii residents is an immigrant, while more than one in seven is a native-born U.S. citizen with at least one immigrant parent. In 2015, 253,414 immigrants (foreign-born individuals) comprised 17.7 percent of the states population.

Hawaii was home to 139,093 women, 101,199 men, and 13,122 children who were immigrants.

The top countries of origin for immigrants were the Philippines (46.1 percent of immigrants), China (8.5 percent), Korea (7.9 percent), Japan (7.7 percent), and Vietnam (3.8 percent).

In 2016, 220,561 people in Hawaii (16 percent of the states population) were native-born Americans who had at least one immigrant parent . Over half of all immigrants in Hawaii are naturalized U.S. citizens. 146,485 immigrants (57.8 percent) had naturalized as of 2015, and 52,525 immigrants were eligible to become naturalized U.S. citizens in 2015.

More than three in four immigrants (77.2 percent) reported speaking English well or very well. Immigrants in Hawaii are distributed across the educational spectrum. One in four adult immigrants had a college degree or more education in 2015, while one in five had less than a high school diploma. Nearly 30,000 U.S. citizens in Hawaii live with at least one family member who is undocumented. Approximately 45,000 undocumented immigrants comprised 18 percent of the immigrant population and 3.2 percent of the total state population in 2014.

An estimated 60,202 people in Hawaii, including 17,594 born in the United States, lived with at least one undocumented family member between 2010 and 2014.

During the same period, 4 percent of children in the state were U.S. citizens living with at least one undocumented family member (13,536 children in total). Approximately 300 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients live in Hawaii. Of the estimated 2,000 DACA-eligible immigrants in Hawaii, 821 had applied for deferred action as of 2017.

Up to 1,000 additional residents of the state satisfied all but the educational requirements for DACA, and up to 1,000 others would be additionally eligible as they grew older. One in five Hawaiian workers is an immigrant, making up a critical share of the states labor force across industries. More than 150,000 adult immigrant workers comprised 21.2 percent of the labor force in 2015.

Undocumented immigrants comprised 4.6 percent of the states workforce in 2014. Immigrants in Hawaii contribute over a billion dollars in yearly taxes. Immigrant-led households in the state paid $1.2 billion in federal taxes and $668.5 million in state and local taxes in 2014.

Undocumented immigrants in Hawaii paid an estimated $32.3 million in state and local taxes in 2014. Their contribution would rise to $42.8 million if they could receive legal status.

DACA recipients in Hawaii paid an estimated $3.2 million in state and local taxes in 2016. As consumers, immigrants add billions of dollars to Hawaiis economy. Hawaiians in immigrant-led households had $5 billion in spending power (after-tax income) in 2014. Immigrant entrepreneurs represent nearly one quarter of all Hawaiian business owners. 19,586 immigrant business owners accounted for 24.5 percent of all self-employed Hawaii residents in 2015 and generated $384.7 million in business revenue. Read  Full Report SA: Immigrants add billions to Hawaiis economy, report says
Ninth Circuit Partly Lifts Trump Travel Ban Blockade

by Matthew Renda, Court House News, November 13, 2017

SAN FRANCISCO (CN)  The Ninth Circuit on Monday partly granted an emergency motion by the Trump administration and lifted a preliminary stay on most aspects of President Donald Trumps ban on entry into the United States by travelers from eight nations  most of them predominantly Muslim.

But the three-judge panel left in place a stay of Trumps executive order as it applies to travelers with a bona fide relationship to the United States, including grandparents, grandchildren, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins of U.S. citizens or legal residents.

The preliminary injunction is stayed except as to foreign nationals who have a credible claim of a bona fide relationship with a person or entity in the United States, the panel wrote in a 2-page order.

U.S. District Judge Derrick Watson in Hawaii preliminarily blocked the travel ban in mid-October, finding it a thinly disguised version of the two previous iterations of Trumps executive order. All three have been challenged on claims of religious discrimination and violations of immigration laws which prohibit the refusal of visas on the basis of nationality.

In his third version of the travel ban, Trump sought to prohibit nationals from eight different countries: Somalia, Syria, Libya, Iran, Yemen, North Korea, Venezuela and Chad.

At the time the ban was issued, the administration cited a lengthy study of immigration protocols of other nations, saying the eight identified in the third travel ban do not sufficiently screen travelers to comply with U.S. standards.

Many legal experts also noted including North Korea and Venezuela may shield the Trump administration from legal arguments that held the travel ban was directed at Muslims, as the previous two bans applied exclusively to Muslim-majority nations.

However, the state of Hawaii argued the governments reliance on the study and the addition of two non-Muslim nations are simply after-the-fact efforts to disguise the discriminatory animus embedded in all three versions of the ban.

Watson ultimately ruled Hawaiis argument was sound enough to warrant a preliminary injunction. The Ninth Circuit agreed, as it applies to people with a bona fide relationship or family members already living in the United States, but cleared the ban to take effect for travelers who do have such relationships.

The Trump administration has repeatedly denied the travel ban is intended to hurt Muslims, but says it is about national security and preventing terrorists from entering the United States.

The governments lawyers have consistently argued the president has broad discretion to craft policy as it relates to the nexus between national security and immigration, and the repeated blocks of the ban represent judicial overreach.

The Ninth Circuit will hear oral arguments from both sides of the issue on Dec. 6. The Fourth Circuit will hear similar arguments on Dec. 9, and the matter will likely end up before the U.S. Supreme Court in the new year.
Bahrain blames Iran for oil pipeline blast

Bahrain said an explosion which caused a large fire on one of its main oil pipelines on November 10 was caused by terrorist sabotage, which it linked to Iran. The incident was an act of sabotage and a dangerous act of terrorism aimed at harming the higher interests of the nation and the safety of the people, the interior ministry said on its website.

Stock image

Terrorist acts witnessed by the country in the recent period are carried out through direct contacts and instructions from Iran, the statement quoted Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid bin Abdullah al-Khalifa as saying.

Sunni Muslim-ruled Bahrain has for years grappled with protests and sporadic violence from its Shiite majority, which it claims is supported by Shiite Iran.

In Tehran, Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi rejected the allegations as false talk and childish accusations, the ministry said on its website.

State-run Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco) closed the flow of oil to the stricken pipeline, the civil defence said in a statement earlier on November 11 and the pipeline fire was extinguished soon after.

Residents close to the incident near Buri village, some 15 kilometres (10 miles) from the capital Manama, were evacuated to a safe shelter, the statement added.

After authorities quashed Shiite-led Arab Spring protests in 2011, militants have launched deadly bombing and shooting attacks against security forces that Manama blames on Tehran.

Bahrain relies on the Abu Safa oilfield for the majority of its oil. It shares the field with Saudi Arabia. Oil to Bahrain is transported via the affected pipeline, the 55 km AB pipeline, which has a capacity of 230,000 barrels per day (bpd).



A new 350,000-bpd oil pipeline between the two countries will be completed next year and will serve the planned expansion of Bahrains refinery capacity.



Arabian Light crude oil will flow from Saudi Aramcos Abqaiq plant via the 115-km new pipeline, 73 km of which will run overland and the rest under the Gulf.


National Australia Bank (NAB) recently announced they would be cutting 6,000 positions over the next three years, representing 18% of the banks 33,400 workforce.However, NAB is also currently looking to hire 600 technology specialists in software engineering, data, architecture and security.The national and global recruitment drive is part of the banks plan to create up to 2,000 new jobs by 2020 to meet the changing needs of customers.NAB aims to move 60% of its business online over three years and will invest an extra $1.5bn focused on the technology transformation and simplifying internal processes.Chief Technology and Operations Officer Patrick Wright said NAB is looking for the best talent in Australia and the world to come and join its technology and digital teams.We want the top talent in the industry to come and join us, as we change dramatically to become the very best bank we can be and give our customers the products and services they demand and deserve, said Wright.We know this is an ambitious target and acknowledge the war for talent is intense, but these are the essential skills and roles we need in order to deliver our plan.This builds on three years of innovation at NAB, including the establishment of our innovation incubator, NAB Labs, and our innovation fund, NAB Ventures, the launch of Quickbiz which provides our business customers with lending decisions in seconds, and the continued roll-out of Customer Journeys, which is dramatically changing how we deliver improved products and services to our customers.The idea is to rebalance the shift from outsourced suppliers based in Australia and overseas, to bring talent back inside the bank in NABs Australian offices to increase competitive advantage.Were looking at the skills needed inside and outside our business to make sure that we can run our systems and service our customers as best as possible, said Wright.The major bank recently announced a record $4.5 billion investment into the bank over the next three years - with much of that funding directed to technology and digital priorities.This significant investment will help change the way we provision technology services, which is critical to delivering more effectively to balance innovation with resilience, and speed with security, said Wright.Our people are integral to the success of NAB, and this investment ensures they are enabled and backed to deliver their very best.We understand what the fintechs across the world are doing, and we think we can do better, but we need to move now, invest in the right systems and people, and change dramatically.Research in October by Robert Half found the overall majority (92%) of Australian CIOs are planning to increase their contract IT headcount by an average of 21% over the next 12 months, highlighting the possibilities for IT professionals on the Australian employment market.CIOs within large companies are leading the way as theyre planning to increase their temporary IT headcount by an average of 25%, followed by medium-sized (23%) and small companies (17%).
SW company has been fined $300,000 after a 45-year-old worker was killed in an excavator incident on November 26, 2015.Moreover, its director Harry Zizikas was fined a further $60,000.Sydney District Court was told the worker died after he was crushed by an excavator at the Harris Holdings NSW Pty Ltd waste management facility in Lidcombe.SafeWork took Harris Holdings and Zizikas, 47, to court for breaching the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW) by exposing the worker to a risk of death or serious injury.The incident occurred when an excavator used to sort waste moved backwards and caught the workers foot. The employee was knocked down, and he died at the scene.Both the company and director pleaded guilty.The Minister responsible for SafeWork NSW, Matt Kean, said the penalty was a warning to businesses and bosses.This awful death is a stark reminder of the responsibilities employers have to make sure they provide a safe workplace, he said.At this business, the risk of workers coming into contact with the excavator while sorting waste was significant, and the business should have had safe work systems to prevent it.Kean added that the investigation found there was no traffic management plan or exclusion zone to separate workers from the excavator and no means for sorters to communicate with the excavator operator.Workers had received no training on the need for an exclusion zone around the excavator and no supervisor had been appointed to enforce an exclusion zone, he said.The cost of addressing this risk would have been negligible as a communication procedure could have been quickly and easily developed, and implemented.Instead, a vulnerable worker has lost his life in a completely preventable incident.HRD also recently reported recently that work-related injury and disease costs the Australian community $61.8 billion a year.This means that poor work health and safety costs $5000 per worker each year and equates to 4.1% of Australias gross domestic product.Moreover, Clyde & Co recently outlined five mistakes employers in Australia make when it comes to workplace safety.
The historic and long-awaited announcement of the commencement of services on the 14-kilometre extension of Helsinki Metro was made on Friday by Suvi Rihtniemi, the chief executive of Helsinki Region Transport (HSL).

Its wonderful that well finally be able to provide rail services also in southern Espoo and Lauttasaari, she rejoiced in a press conference organised by HSL, Helsinki City Transport (HKL), the City of Espoo and Lansimetro Oy.

The first metro train will depart from Matinkyla towards Vuosaari, Helsinki, at 5.09am on Saturday.

HKL on Friday announced all of the issues detected in the metro system have either been repaired or scheduled for repair in the days to come.

Ville Lehmuskoski, the chief executive of HKL, revealed that electric transformers were still being installed at Matinkyla on Thursday and Friday. The final inspections, maintenance and tests, meanwhile, would be conducted at the eight stations added to the northernmost metro system in the world during the course of this week.

Jukka Makela (NCP), the Mayor of Espoo, said in the press conference he is confident that the extension will not only serve the local population but also promote sustainable growth across the entire capital region.

Helsinki and Espoo, he pointed out, are important drivers of the national economy.

From an economic viewpoint, its important that the growth and development corridor formed around the West Metro becomes an increasingly competitive environment also for businesses and jobs, he stressed. Well launch services on one of the worlds safest metros, where each station consolidates to the identity of its surroundings.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT

Photo: Roni Rekomaa  Lehtikuva

Source: Uusi Suomi
PLANS to build a 106-bed retirement community near Shiplake have been rejected.

Retirement Villages Group, of Surrey, applied for planning permission to develop a field off the A4155 Reading Road, opposite the entrance to the Haileywood Farm industrial estate.

The company was working with landowner Dr Harjot Bal, a GP from Woodley, on the application for the 2.65-hectare site.

South Oxfordshire District Council, the planning authority, refused consent, saying the development would urbanise the countryside and be in an unsustainable location.

The company proposed building a 40-bed care home and 66 extra care units comprising 24 dormer bungalows and 42 extra care apartments as well as communal care facilities, including a gym, shop, hairdresser, bar and clubhouse.

Shiplake Parish Council opposed the plans, as did 75 residents whose concerns included lack of infrastructure, the impact on wildlife and light pollution.

Adrian Duffield, head of planning at the district council, said: The development would not accord with the distribution strategy for housing within the district and would not be easily accessible to services and facilities by sustainable modes of transport.

It has not been demonstrated that the development could provide appropriate accessibility for pedestrians, to the detriment of highway safety and convenience.

The site forms part of the immediate countryside setting of Lower Shiplake and contributes to its separation from Shiplake.

The proposal would have an unacceptable urbanising impact on this predominantly rural, settlement edge location. It would significantly detract from the character and appearance of the site and surrounding area and potential additional tree loss as a result of the proposed footway could further detract from the rural and sylvan approach to Lower Shiplake.

Tudor Taylor, chairman of Shiplake Parish Council, said: This is a good result and one which we lobbied hard for. The quality of peoples objections was strong and Im pleased the district council took them into account.

It was nothing to do with Nimbyism  that site was utterly inappropriate for that kind of development.

David Bartholomew, the villages county councillor, said: Proposing a retirement village on a sloping site with no direct connection to the village centre made no sense.

It would have been ludicrous and totally inappropriate.
A NEW 230,000 library extension at Sonning Primary School has been officially opened.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was carried out on Friday by the Rev Jamie Taylor, rector of St Andrews Church in Sonning, with the help of pupils Olivia West and Jack Richards.

Headteacher Luke Henderson and parent teacher association member Sarah Baker were also present.

The rest of the school watched and then cheered and applauded as the blue and pink ribbon broke. The extension, which also accommodates staff rooms, took nine months to build.

The library, which pupils have been using since September includes bookshelves, tables, chairs, a computer suite, electronic whiteboards and a comfortable seating area.

The work also included a new school entrance and new fencing around the school grounds in Liguge Way.

The diocese of Oxford donated 189,000 towards the project and the parent teacher association gave 10,000 while the rest came from private donors and Sonning Scarecrows, the scarecrow trail held in the village every two years.

Headteacher Luke Henderson thanked everyone who had donated as well as the architect Martin Shaw and contractor Thames Ceilings.

He also paid paid tribute to the staff and his predecessor Lesley Green, who spent several years putting the plans in place.

Mr Henderson said: The work took a bit longer then we had hoped and it cost more than we had planned but it has been an extraordinary effort. Most of the money has come from the diocese and without them this project would not have got off the ground.

We now have a library and computer space which can be used for small group work and after-school clubs. We have a space to sit, read and develop a love of reading. The children have loved using it since it opened in September. They use it for all sorts of things.

Mrs Baker said: It gives the children a proper reading space and a dedicated space where teachers can run breakout groups.

Before, the library was in a hall and there were chairs all over the place. We did not have a quiet area where the children could go to hear someone read.

Were very proud with what we have managed to do.

Rev Taylor, who is a school governor, said: Its great to be here today and its an honour to be asked to cut the ribbon.

Nine years ago I remember getting a lovely welcome to the school but the entrance left a bit to be desired and needed a bit of work.

Its great to see the impression given by this wonderful new reception area.

The new library is beautiful. Children who have not been born yet will benefit from these projects.

After the ceremony members of the parent teacher association served tea and coffee and biscuits.
ALMOST 600 crews competed in last Saturdays Henley Sculls organised by Henley Open Events, a sub-Committee of Henley Rowing Club.

The event, which has been going now for more than 40 years, had 35 different medal events for singles, doubles and quads, and produced a fast and furious day of racing over the 3,000m upstream course.

This years event was so popular that entries were closed 10 days early as the organising committee had reached its self-imposed maximum entry number.

The mens J18 singles attracted 93 entries which the organisers split into three bands to give more opportunity to win one of the events coveted medals.

The banding was based on the individual scullers ranking index, a new competition structure being tested by British Rowing.

In addition to medals, pint pewter tankards were awarded to the fastest single scullers with Upper Thamess James Hanson taking the fastest man prize, Star and Arrows Tim Eilers the junior boys award and Henleys Georgina Robinson Ranger the junior girls accolade.

Henley Rowing Clubs junior squads came away with 10 wins. The junior boys squad continued their new seasons winning ways with three medals. In J18 double sculls, two of the clubs GB triallists, Balthasar Issa and Bruce Turnell won their event by 10 seconds from a strong field of 14 entrants. In J16 double sculls James Swinburne and Ed Roy sculled with power and good rhythm to win by 12 seconds from a field of 17 while in J15 single sculls Dan Crick sculled a well-paced race with a strong finish to come home six seconds ahead of his nearest rival from AB Severn BC and the rest of the large field of 20. The junior girls notched up an impressive seven wins including wins in senior events. Georgie Robinson Ranger put in one of the outstanding performances of the day not only easily winning the junior girls single sculls event but was also fastest of the 100 female scullers racing on the day.

Lottie Orr and Issy Jonsson were also the quickest womens double of the day with a convincing 45 second win over nearest rivals Poplar Blackwall and District RC. Orr and Jonsson also picked up a second medal in the afternoon division where they were joined by Daisy Butterworth and Mary Wright in the quad and also won the womens quads.

The J15 squad continued their recent success, Riley Butcher, Della Luke, Holly Tallent, Poppy Wilson, and cox Chloe Beeton winning their quads event, reversing the previous weeks loss at the Upper Thames Head by beating, amongst others, local rivals Reading RC and Marlow RC in the relatively large field of 19 crews.

Another quads win came from the J16 girls of Carla Russell, Georgia Brown, Amber Weller and Hannah Hills, beating local rivals Marlow.

Also picking up a second medal on the day was Robinson Ranger in WJ18 double sculls where she was partnered by Phoebe Fletcher. Showing continued improvement Johnson

won the womens singles (Band 2).
Something went wrong, please try again later.

Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.

Sign up to our daily email newsletter for all the latest news from across the country as well as breaking news delivered direct to your inbox

Firefighters were called to free two trapped casualties following an eight-vehicle crash on the M25 near Potters Bar this morning (October 27).

A spokesman for Herts Fire and Rescue said three fire engines, one from Potters Bar, one from Borehamwood and one from Hatfield attended the incident, along with a rescue support unit, after a call at 10.18am.

Eight cars were involved in the crash and two patients were trapped by their injuries.

Firefighters used cutting equipment to free them and left the scene at 11.11am.

A spokeswoman for the East of England Ambulance Service said that five ambulance and an ambulance officer at in attendance, while Hertfordshire Constabulary also confirmed they were still on the scene.

Highways England says one lane is still open past the scene, but delays are now at two hours, with queues stretching over ten miles from junction 22 to junction 26 near Waltham Abbey.
Something went wrong, please try again later.

Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.

Sign up to our daily email newsletter for all the latest news from across the country as well as breaking news delivered direct to your inbox

The former boyfriend of TOWIE star Ferne McCann has been found guilty of an acid attack at a crowded London nightclub earlier this year.

Arthur Collins, 25, of Broxbourne, had denied five counts of causing grievous bodily harm and nine counts of assault causing ABH in the incident on April 17 at the Mangle nightclub in Hackney.

Two people were left partially blinded while others suffered serious injuries in the attack.

Collins was the boyfriend of TOWIE star Ferne at the time of the incident but they have now separated- she gave birth to his child last week.

Collins went on the run after the attack, with police raiding his home in White Stubbs Lane in Broxbourne as they tried to track him down.

He was arrested and charged on April 23 in connection with the acid attack.

His co-defendant, Andre Phoenix, was cleared of all charges, including four counts of GBH and two counts of ABH.
WINSTON-SALEM  About 30 people got a peek into the world of craft chocolate and craft distilling last week at Black Mountain Chocolate and Broad Branch Distillery, who are neighbors in the Big Winston Warehouse on North Trade Street.

The occasion Oct. 30 was a talk by Megan Giller, the author of Bean to Bar Chocolate: Americas Craft Chocolate Revolution.

Giller, who lives in Brooklyn, N.Y., also is the author of the blog Chocolate Noise, which was a finalist for the 2016 Saveur Food Blog Awards.

All across this country, small artisans are making distinctive chocolates in small batches. Two such companies are in Winston-Salem: Black Mountain Chocolate on Trade Street and Brasstown Craft Chocolate, 1151 Canal Drive next to West End Millworks.

These artisan producers are making bigger, bolder chocolate that is light years away from the relatively sweet and bland mass-produced candy bars that most of us have enjoyed since childhood.

And though craft chocolate isnt cheap, it is somewhat addictive. Just like a Budweiser drinker who discovers craft beer, people who taste craft chocolate usually dont go back to the cheap stuff.

On her blog, Giller has profiled some of her favorite craft chocolate makers in this country. In doing so, she realized that no one had written a detailed guide to craft chocolate.

The book starts with such basic information as how chocolate is made from cacao beans. From there, it is split between recipes and brief essays on such topics as the meaning of single origin, the top cacao-producing countries, how to read a chocolate bar label, profiles of chocolate makers and food pairings.

The event last week included tours of Broad Branch Distillery and Black Mountain Chocolate, followed by a tasting of Broad Branch liquors and Black Mountain chocolates.

Chocolate is having this moment, just like craft beer and craft liquors, Giller said.

The craft chocolate movement involves such producers as Black Mountain who start with raw cacao beans, roast them themselves, then grind them to make specialty chocolates. Its a way that the producer can control the entire process, commonly known as bean to bar.

This craft movement leads to chocolates with distinctive tastes. Unlike a big company like Hershey that wants its chocolate to always taste the same, craft producers embrace the differences. I remember the first time I tried a single-origin Madagascar bar and it tasted like raspberries, Giller said. But it didnt have any raspberries in it.

The more she learned about craft chocolate, the more interested she became in the different personalities behind the chocolate, the different beans and the different equipment that all went into producing distinctive chocolates.

Giller includes a list of her Top 50 craft chocolate producers in the book. Four of those are in North Carolina: Escazu Artisan Chocolates and Videri Chocolate Factory in Raleigh, French Broad Chocolates in Asheville and Brasstown in Winston-Salem.

Giller said that just five years ago there was a small handful of craft chocolate producers in the United States. Now there are about 200, she said.

North Carolina has seen similar growth in N.C. distillers. Just in the past five years, Forsyth County has gone from zero to three: Broad Branch and Sutlers Spirit Co. in Winston-Salem and Old Nick Williams Distillery in Lewisville.

Joe Tappe, the distiller at Broad Branch, explained how Broad Branch is a grain to glass distiller, much like Black Mountain is a bean to bar chocolate maker.

The tasting featured Broad Branchs two releases: Nightlab, a clear liquor akin to moonshine; and Smashing Violet, a clear whiskey flavored with blueberries.

Those were paired with several chocolates. They included a couple bars and three truffles from Black Mountain, the Signature Dark, Texas Pete and Smashing Violet - with the latter incorporating some of Broad Branchs liquor in its filling.

The crowd got to mix and match the liquors and chocolates and see which combinations they liked. What youre really looking for is to create a third flavor, Giller said.

Some of the drinks went with some of the chocolates but not all, said Sharon Sharp.

I really liked the sea-salt bar with the Smashing Violet, Debra Hall said.

Brian Morrison said that the Signature Dark truffles creaminess blended really well with the Smashing Violet.

And David Hall noted how the chocolate tamed the alcoholic heat of the Nightlab liquor. It mellows it out, he said.

Brent Peters, the owner and chocolate maker of Black Mountain, explained that the cocoa butters fat coats the mouth and that tends to make spirits taste smoother.

Giller said that whiskey and chocolate pairings are becoming popular. Some people are even using bourbon barrels in making chocolate now, she said.

She added that chocolate and craft beer pairings are popular, too.

Gillers book includes advice on pairing chocolate with tea, cheese, coffee and more. But, she said, everyone should find their own favorite chocolate pairing.

At the end of the day, she said, chocolate should be fun.
HICKORY For the last 102 years, the Abernethy Home has played several different roles.

But for the last several decades, the Victorian home located in the Historic Oakwood Neighborhood in downtown Hickory has been known as the Vintage House Restaurant.

Executive Chef Matt Parker purchased the restaurant and property from Glenda Schenck 20 years ago after serving as executive chef for the Siena Hotel Palio Restaurant in Chapel Hill.

I loved this neighborhood instantly, and I love this town and I still do, more than ever, he said.

Prior to moving to North Carolina, Parker lived in New York City, where he attended the French Culinary Institute.

From there, he moved to London and then Paris, where he acquired an Advanced Certification from the world-renowned Le Cordon Bleu culinary and hospitality school.

Once he completed his education, he worked as a sous-chef at the Dallas, Texas, Four Seasons Hotel and New York Citys Four Seasons Pierre Hotel before finally moving to North Carolina.

Vintage House is known in the community for its fine, delectable and fresh cuisine.

We cook everything to order and we make everything that is possible in house, Parker said. We even bake the bread. We dont even cut meat until its ordered. All of our fish come in whole from local sources and from all over the world.

Their menu items have influences from all around the world, including France, Northern Italy and the Deep South, he said.

Other than the freshness, Parker takes pride in their wine selection.

I also feel very strongly about the fact that wine would be a very big part of our commitment to the overall experience, so it has transpired that way, he said. Wine is a very, very big part of what we do, with wines from all over the world.

While the Vintage House is open and busy year-round, Parker said the holidays have always been their busiest time.

The entire month of December is very exciting, but busy, he said. Hickory is very traditional when it comes to Christmas and that is really wonderful. You dont get that everywhere.

During the holidays, Parker loves to cook and serve osso bucco of pork with saffron risotto.

The pork is braised for four hours in red wine, pork stalk, fresh herbs and garlic and served in its own sauce, he said.

Other holiday hits include pasta with escargot with parmesan and lemon, Brevard trout with jumbo lump crab meat and capers, and pumpkin ginger cheesecake with brandied whipped cream.

With (the holidays) we do a lot more with red wine, Parker said. Most of our red wines are selected and composed for long term aging.

For Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and New Years Eve, Vintage House does a three-course meal special.

Tables for our holiday celebrations are booked up early and go quickly, Parker said.

Vintage House is closed on Christmas Day to give the employees the day to spend time with their families.

Were very fortunate to have committed long-term staff, he said. Most of them have been here for 25 years, and there are several others who have been here almost 20.

In the last few years, Vintage Houses business has doubled, which means their staff has increased too.

We have newer, younger employees too, Parker said. Theyve been very good at understanding what it is that were doing and our commitment to service.

As for his own family traditions, Parker said he spends the holidays with his wife and kids, cooking.

Each person has their own special dish they cook, but I am the only chef, he laughed. One chef is plenty.

Parkers wife, Cathy, also works at the restaurant and dedicates a lot of time decorating the restaurant for the holidays and different seasons.

During Christmas we have a large, live Christmas tree that arrives right after Thanksgiving, she said.

She also decorates the restaurant with holly, wreaths and other festive garb.

While the holidays come and go, one tradition at Vintage House occurs consistently.

Engagements, Parker said.

Booth B6, the private alcove behind the bar, is the hottest ticket in town.

It generally has to be booked months in advance, Parker said.

Those who desire to eat in booth B6 on Valentines Day, those reservations are typically made a year or more in advance, and theres usually only time for two couple to use the booth per night, Cathy Parker said.

More engagements happen in that spot than anywhere in this county you can count on it, Parker said. Thats where I got engaged (to Cathy).

Vintage House is located at 271 Third Ave. NW and is open Monday through Thursday from 6-9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 6-10 p.m.

For more information about their menu and how to book a reservation, visit vintagehouserestaurant.com or call 828-324-1210.

We love our guests, Parker said. We are very fortunate to have them; we treat them as if theyre guests in our home.
What is an afternoon of pride for a lifetime of shame and bias?

Thousands of people came together under a smoggy sky for the 10th annual Delhi Queer Pride on Sunday  a remarkable celebration for a community funded event that has thrived for a decade, attracting students, journalists, workers, professionals and academics.

The idea of pride germinated from a riotous protest in 1969 in New York against the law and police, led by transwomen of colour, but has slowly metamorphosed into a celebration of the community, of its existence, and progress.

The past two decades have witnessed tremendous strides by the community  from getting marriage equality in several countries to getting LGBT legislators and public officials elected and anti-queer laws repealed. This has also pushed queer folks front and centre in popular culture  in movies, songs and advertisements, albeit in low numbers, a search for LGBT characters isnt the nightmare it used to be.

This mainstreaming has come at a cost; in many countries, queers are increasingly represented by hitherto dominant communities  white, affluent, male, cis-gendered, urban and able-bodied. Prides in many cities such as London are now ticketed that ensure poor people stay out, and the spectacle of beautiful bodies decked in colour isnt ruined by less than affluent, disabled individuals. In many cities in the United States, black and indigenous people have boycotted pride celebrations, calling them exclusionist.

In India too, the community has stumbled in the courts but has made impressive strides in turning the tide in social opinion, especially with younger people who dont view queer people with a mix of suspicion of hatred like their parents did. Pride is now held in 15-plus cities, including smaller towns such as Chandannagar in West Bengal  the proliferation of the celebration itself held as proof of the communitys progress. For a people who fight bias and criminality everyday, celebrating the expanse of their gender and sexuality is a powerful moment.

But for many LGBT people, the afternoon of pride is a short gasp of breath in an otherwise choked environment. The ones who march in pride with rainbows painted on their necks return to homes of violence where they have to hide who they are, travel in buses and metros where people leer at and abuse them, or change urgently out of their colourful outfits to staid denims in public toilets because their genteel homes in south Delhi are bent on stifling their gender. To recognise this dissonance is key.

Prides have tried to address this. Delhis queer community, for example, have taken stands against anti-Dait atrocities, against violence inflicted on trans bodies and anti-minority bias. But a broader understanding of queer folks as occupying multiple axes of oppression remains to be built.

Queer people are also Dalits, who wake up the next morning to a lifetime of struggle of dignity. They are minorities who fear for their safety. They are people who own shabby clothes not enough to cover bodies unsuitable for cameras scanning the march for the next spectacle. They are women who find little space in even their own communities. They are transpeople who find every door of education and employment closed. They are disabled and cannot come to pride. They are poor and cannot afford pride.

For far too long, many of us in the queer community have been focused on the law and prides. Legal recognition is important, yes, and section 377 is a reprehensible law that must go, but our social and cultural spaces must become more inclusive.

Pride is a moment of celebration and protest that shows the world that a community is rejecting stigma and shame heaped on it. It is up to us to ensure the pride doesnt forget who it was built for. Let this space be for all.

@dhrubo127

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
In a major crackdown on the highway prostitution in the states north western part, Madhya Pradesh police raided the deras or settlements along the highway in Mandsaur district, and apprehended 29 girls for alleged prostitution. Eight girls were found to be minors.

Sunder Singh Kanesh, additional superintendent of police Mandsaur told HT that on Sunday late evening, a team of over 50 police personnel including women cops raided the deras or prostitution dens of the Banchhra community along the Neemuch-Mahu four-lane highway.

We were receiving lot of complaints about large scale prostitution going on along the Neemuch-Mahu four-lane highway falling under the jurisdiction of the Malhargarh and Pipaliya police stations in the district. So we decided to initiate a major crackdown on such settlements. In the raid we caught 29 girls, including 8 minors. We are now investigating how many of them are from outside the Banchra community, he said.

Kanesh said they have not filed any case yet against the girls. Our main aim is to bring them back into the mainstream of the society. They have been sent to the shelter home where they will be counseled by the officials concerned of the women and child development department. We are investigating their backgrounds one by one and accordingly we will decide in which matter we can file a case, he said.

According to rough estimates nearly 15,000-odd members of the Banchhra community are spread over 70 deras in Neemuch, Mandsaur and Ratlam districts. Along the highways in this area, girls of Banchhra community wait in groups or alone, soliciting customers, with their faces painted garishly and decked up in their colourful attires. According to locals, eldest daughter of the family in the Banchhra community usually becomes a prostitute and earns for the family till she becomes old. Then another younger girl takes over. The male members of the family act as the pimp.

In the last two decades, there have been two major interventions that have left their mark on the Banchhra community. In 1998 under Nirmal Abhiyan young girls of Banchhra community were educated in hostels in Indore and the other was in 2011 when Banchhra settlements were raided by police as it was found that many of the children who were being forced into prostitution had been kidnapped by the Banchhras.
A 22-year-old youth allegedly raped a mentally challenged woman in a public urinal in Dewas district, nearly 154 kms from Bhopal.

The incident occurred in Dulwa village under the jurisdiction of Nemawar police station in the district.

Prabhu Lal Pawar, head constable Nemawar police station told HT on phone that one 23-year -old mentally challenged woman was raped by one Govind Balai, who hails from Banjari village.

Govind Balai had come to visit his relative at Dulwa village. On Sunday one local shopkeeper Akhilesh Jat heard noises coming from a nearby urinal. When he went there, he saw Govind zipping his pants while the girl was lying on the floor in a very bad condition. He along with others caught the youth and informed police after which we arrested Govind Balai, he said

Pawar said a case under IPC section 376 was filed against the youth and he was sent to the jail.

After conducting the medical of the girl, the girl has been sent to Dewas for treatment. We are trying that she gets treated for her mental condition, he said.

The spate of rape incidents continues in MP, embarrassing the state government. On Sunday a 33-year-old police constable was arrested for allegedly raping a head constables wife in Bhopal. These rape incidents have once again exposed Madhya Pradeshs poor track record on womens safety.

According to the data submitted in the state legislative assembly in February this year shows 11 women were raped every day and six gang-raped took place almost every week in the state between February 1, 2016, and mid-February 2017.

(With input from Nitin Gupta from Dewas)
The Madhya Pradesh government has said it will remove the areas next to liquor shops that are meant for drinking from the next financial year after mounting complaints, mainly from women, about hooliganism and harassment poured in from across the state.

Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced the decision to close these ahatas during his monthly Dil Se radio address on Sunday evening.

Sources say the central state has 3,617 liquor shops, including 2,551 country made liquor shops and 1,066 Indian-Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) shops, and about 80% have the ahata facility.

These ahatas were opened near liquor shops to stop people from drinking in the open but there have been numerous complaints about hooliganism near them.

The Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled state witnessed several protests across the state by people, including women and children, demanding the closure of liquor shops in their respective localities in April and May.

The protests began after liquor shops started shifting to the residential areas a few months after the Supreme Court imposed a ban on the sale of liquor within 500 metres of national highways.

The state government is averse to a total prohibition in the state as of now. Chouhan has hinted that prohibition will come in a phased manner by creating awareness among people. Last year, he announced the closure of liquor shops within 500 metres of the banks of the Narmada when he was leading a Narmada Seva Yatra.

Congress spokesperson Deepti Singh, who is spearheading a campaign for a total prohibition in the state, told the Hindustan Times that instead of closing these ahatas the government should ban the sale of liquor.

The government didnt go for total prohibition because it couldnt resist from earning a good amount of revenue by auctioning liquor shops, Singh added.

The state government earned Rs 7,547 crore as revenue by auctioning liquor shops in 2016-17.

Senior BJP leader and ex-media in charge Dr Hitesh Bajpai said the governments decision was a welcome one.

Bajpai said it was obvious that the governments decision to provide the facility of ahata was aimed at checking nuisance in public but since the objective couldnt be achieved it was better to take such a decision.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
After Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, the protests against Sanjay Leela Bhansalis Padmavati have now started in Jharkhand as well. Members of the Rajput community and many political groups on Sunday demanded that the Deepika Padukone and Shahid Kapoor-starrer should be banned and vandalised posters and banners of the film in the state capital, Ranchi.

Various right-wing organisations, including Hindu Jagran Manch and Hindu Mahasabha, led by Akhil Bharatiya Kshatriya Mahasabha (ABKM), held a meeting to decide their strategy against the movies release.

After the meeting, they began their protest by tearing and burning the posters and banners of the movie in Ranchi. Over 50 agitators created a ruckus on the citys roads and threatened theatre owners that they would stage protests if the film is screened.

The history has been distorted in the movie. Padmavati was shown dancing in the movie that has never happened in a Rajput royal family. We have objections to the name of the movie. It should not have been named Padmavati as we respect her and call her ma (mother), ABKM state general secretarys Nandkishor Singh Chandel said.

Ranveer Singh as Sultan Alauddin Khilji in Padmavati.

We hope the movie will not be displayed in multiplexes or single screen theatres. If it happens, we will have no choice but to launch a protest, he said.

The movie has been facing trouble since January this year. The first attack took place at Jaipurs Jaigarh fort in January when scores of Karni Sena members barged on to the sets and assaulted the movie crew, including Bhansali. Later, a set of the film in Kolhapur was vandalised and set on fire.

Protestors alleged the film depicts an amorous relationship between Padukones Padmavati and Alauddin Khilji - played by Ranveer Singh. Bhansali and his team have, however, dismissed the claims.

Members of Akhil Bhartiya Chatriya Mahasabha and other Hindu groups tear the hoarding of Sanjay Leela Bhansalis Padmavati during their protest at Ratu road in Ranchi on November 12, 2017. (Diwakar Prasad/ HT Photo)

In February this year, representatives of Bhansali Productions Private Limited met members of Shree Rajput Sabha and clarified all misunderstandings. In a statement, Bhansali Productions said, Representatives of Bhansali Productions Private Limited, including Ms Shobha Sant (CEO) and Mr Chetan Deolekar (Associate Producer) met with the office bearers of all the social organisations under the Shree Rajput Sabha in Jaipur.

While the protests quietened then, Padmavatis promotion cycle revived them. With several political groups clamouring for a ban, Bhansali issued a video message to calm tempers on November 8 and reiterated that there were no intimate scenes between the two.

The rumours claim that the film has a dream sequence between Rani Padmavati and Alauddin Khilji -- something that I have already denied, even in written. Now through this video, I am reiterating that in our film, Rani Padmavati and Alauddin Khilji have no such scene together which hurts anyones sentiments, he added.

Deepika Padukone and Shahid Kapoor as Padmavati and Maharawal Ratan Singh.

Historians say Padmavati was a fictional character in Padmawat, an epic poem written by Malik Mohammad Jaisi in the 16th century, and it has no connection with history at all.

Jharkhand Cinema Exhibitors Association (JCEA) secretary Prashant Singh said they would seek police protection if the agitation against the film intensified.

It will be released on December 1. The agitation may settle down by then, he said.

Follow @htshowbiz for more

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
The Uttarakhand government will soon set up a training Centre each in Kumaon and Garhwal for recruitment tests to be conducted for the local youth keen on joining the armed forces.

The decision was taken here at a meeting between chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat and Major General VPS Bhakuni, the commandant of the armys selection centre at Banglore.

At a presentation made by him Maj Gen Bhakuni stressed on the need to impart proper training to the local youth.

Proper training is necessary to ensure that the percentage of the local youths selection for the army officer ranks goes up, an official note quoted him as saying. The selection rate of the youth in tests conducted for the National Defence Academy (NDA) and the Combined Defence Service (CDS) was low owing to the high standards of the comprehensive personality test organised by the army, Bhakuni said.

Their success rate is far lower than that of the youth who appear in tests conducted for the (premier) Indian Administrative Service (IAS), he further noted.

Bhakuni suggested that organising personality development programmes and mock interviews in keeping with the standards set by the army would be beneficial for the youth.

It was also decided at the meeting that a series of training workshops would soon be organsied in Kumaon and Garhwal for the local youth in keeping with the selection process required for the entrance tests conducted for the NDA and CDS, reads the official note.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
New Delhi

An undertrial was shot dead on the Rohini Court premises in northwest Delhi when he was returning after a hearing on Monday morning -- the second such case in the court in eight months.

The shooter, who managed to smuggle in a gun despite security, was arrested from the spot. He told the police that he was hired to execute the murder.

Till Monday evening, the police had not disclosed the name of the conspirator or the motive behind the murder of 31-year-old Vinod, a Mangolpuri resident, who was produced before the court in a cheating case registered in 2010. The police did not provide his last name.

Police said the shooter was later identified as 19-year-old Abdul Khan, a resident of Nangloi in outer Delhi.

Around 11.20am, Vinod and a policeman escorting him, ASI Balram, had just stepped out of the main building and were heading towards the court lock-up when Khan allegedly approached them. He stopped next to them, took out a pistol and allegedly shot Vinod, police said.

An eyewitness said Balram immediately rushed towards the shooter. Hearing the gunshot, policemen from the Rohini court police post also reached the spot and caught Khan who had already dropped his weapon by then. An eyewitness, a policeman himself, said Khan did not say anything nor did he resist.

The police seized the murder weapon and rushed an injured Vinod to the nearby Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hospital in Rohini where he was declared brought dead. His post-mortem will be conducted on Tuesday.

DCP (Rohini) Rishi Pal said Khan told them it was allegedly a contract killing, for which he was provided money and the gun. Khan, who is married, had told his family members that he was a driver. Pal said police are yet to find any criminal record of Khan.

The case for which Vinod was taken to the court pertains to an alleged fraud in the sale and purchase of a property in Rohini. He was arrested on September 30, after remaining untraceable for over seven years.

Police sources said they were looking into the role of a second suspect, who reportedly came to the court premises with the accused and identified the victim.

The incharge of security of Rohini court, sub-inspector Narender, has been suspended and the station house officer of the Prashant Vihar police station has been sent to district lines, which means he will not be given any responsibility pending further inquiry, Pal said.

Seven months ago, a similar case of shooting was reported from the Rohini court when a 38-year-old alleged member of Neeraj Bawana gang was gunned down by two people outside gate number 3 of the court. He, too, was an undertrial.

In December 2015, a head constable of Delhi Police was killed and three others injured after four assailants opened fire inside a courtroom at Karkardooma Court Complex in east Delhi.
Taking note of the toxic haze that has engulfed Delhi for more than a week, the Supreme Court on Monday sought response from the Centre, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Delhi and MCDs on steps taken to curb rising pollution, including stubble burning, in the Capital and the National Capital Region (NCR).

The top court, in another hearing, also asked the Environment Control Pollution Authority (ECPA) to suggest long-term measures to avoid an emergency-like situation in Delhi, saying its report was reactive in nature.

In the first case, while hearing a PIL filed by advocate RK Kapoor, a bench led by chief justice Dipak Misra did not stop any other court from hearing cases related to Delhi pollution. Any court seized of the matter should not stop hearing it, the bench said, making it clear that the National Green Tribunal and the Delhi High Court can continue to hear petitions before them.

In a related development, another bench headed by Justice MB Lokur refused to lift the ban it had ordered on industrial usage of pet coke and furnace oil in Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. It said its order was not just restricted to districts falling in the NCR but was applicable to the entire state.

The explanation came after the bench was informed that the court-appointed committee, ECPA, had issued an order claiming the ban order was meant for industries located in the NCR.

Its (the ban) is not the only measure to prevent pollution. We need a series of measures. Dont say that the ban has not been effective, the bench told the counsel for industries who wanted the court to lift the ban. The lawyer argued that despite the ban, pollution levels in Delhi had spiked.

The court asked the ECPA to suggest long-term measures to avoid an emergency-like situation in Delhi. Your report is reactive in nature. It carries suggestions to be implemented when the air quality is severe. Why dont you give steps to be taken to prevent the occurrence of such a situation, the bench said.

To this advocate, Aparjita Singh, assisting the bench, said the EPCA had been issuing directives, which authorities are refusing to follow.

Singh informed the bench that the EPCA had in August last released Rs 2 crore to enable the Delhi government issue tenders for installing RIFD tags on trucks so that they do not enter the Capital.

The total amount of the project was Rs 102 crore. But the authorities still have not called for the tenders, she complained.
United Airlines said it had resumed flights from Newark, New Jersey to New Delhi, India on Sunday, after suspending the service temporarily over concerns about poor air quality in the Indian capital.

UA Flight 82 had been cancelled on Friday and Saturday, data from flight tracking website FlightRadar24 showed, while the airlines website said it had waiver policies in place for passengers travelling to, from or through Delhi until Monday.

UA Flight 82 has resumed operations, but we will continue to monitor conditions over the next few days, a spokesman said.

The third-largest US carrier is monitoring advisories as the New Delhi region remains under a public health emergency, and is coordinating with respective government agencies, the United Airlines spokesman had earlier told Reuters.

Last week, New Delhi declared a pollution emergency as toxic smog hung over the city for days, with tourism operators reporting cancellation of bookings for the Christmas holidays.

US rivals Delta Air Lines Inc and American Airlines Group Inc said they do not operate flights to New Delhi, while several Asian airlines contacted by Reuters said they had not cancelled flights.

Verisk Maplecroft, a risk consultancy, says India has the worst air quality out of a list of 198 countries it measures, and that New Delhi ranks among the worlds top 10 most polluted cities with many urban areas around the capital also among those with the worst air quality.

At the national level, India tops the index rankings (i.e. the country with the worst air quality), followed by Bangladesh and Thailand, said Richard Hewston, Verisk Maplecrofts global head of environment and climate change.

The companys Air Quality Index assesses the atmospheric concentrations of fine particulate matter smaller than 2.5 micrometres, known as PM 2.5.

A US embassy measure of PM 2.5 showed a reading of 481 in New Delhi on Monday morning, local time. The outer limit of good air is 50.
Budgam (Jammu and Kashmir): The students of Industrial Training Institute (ITI) and polytechnics of Kashmirs Budgam district visited various industrial centres of Delhi, Noida and Gurugram. Stops included Pusa ITI, Aryabhatta Polytechnic Institute, Army Institute of Management and Technology, Global Institute of Technology, Maruti Udyog Limited and Hero Limited, as part of a capacity building tour organised by the Indian Army.

During the tour, counselling sessions on the various courses that were being offered by the institutions were also held, to make the students aware of the career prospects in their chosen vocations.

The tour was a part of the ongoing initiative that the Army has undertaken to improve awareness levels of the students of Jammu and Kashmir.

The initiative elicited a positive response from the locals.

Earlier in June this year, a similar capacity-building tour was organised for students of ITI Srinagar and ITI Bemina to Chandigarh, Mohali and Ludhiana. The students visited premier institutions such as ITI Ludhiana, ITI Chandigarh, Punjab University etc.

Such tours organised by the Indian Army under its flagship welfare initiative, Operation Sadbhavna, go a long way in enhancing awareness levels of students of Kashmir who do not get much opportunity to visit other parts of the country. It gives to them the confidence to venture out in pursuit of career enhancement, said Lt Gen PS Mehta, a native of Kashmir who has recently retired from the Indian Army.

The Army holds a large number of educational, awareness and capacity-building tours for people from various sections of the society in Jammu and Kashmir during the winter months, when institutions are closed for the winter break.

While students form a predominant part of this initiative, elders and religious leaders are also included to make them aware of the cultural diversity of the country. They also get to exchange views with political leaders, educationists, professionals in various fields etc.
After showing signs of improvement, the citys air took a turn for the worse again on Monday as the 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) value remained in the severe category with 466.

Despite the alarming pollution level, the district administration directed city schools to reopen on Tuesday. However, school managements have been advised to change the timings to 9am-3.30pm. They have also been told to suspend all outdoor activities for students till further notice.

In the wake of alarming pollution, city schools were asked to suspend classes on Thursday and students, though cooped up indoors, enjoyed an extended weekend break.

All outdoor activities and school events have been suspended to avoid exposure of children to pollution. Schools also need to take care of children suffering from respiratory ailments, deputy commissioner Vinay Pratap Singh said.

According to the data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the citys AQI on Monday evening was recorded at 466, against Sundays value of 460 at the same time.

Earlier, Gurgaons AQI value had dropped to 436 from 494 on Thursday and 485 on Friday.

The citys worsening air has worried authorities who enforced stringent measures as recommended under the graded response action plan (GRAP).

Deputy Commissioner confirmed that the suspension of construction activities is in place until the next hearing of the National Green Tribunal, which was scheduled for November 14.

To check rising pollution, the National Green Tribunal on November 9 had directed the state governments of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan and Haryana to ensure that no crop residue is burnt and incentives are provided to farmers.

This was among the slew of measures that the NGT had recommended the civic bodies of various regions in the NCR to observe so the deadly smog could be kept from becoming more toxic.

Under GRAP, brick kilns, hot mix plants and stone crushers were also shut down until further orders and eateries banned from using coal or firewood.

The district administration banned the plying of petrol vehicles manufactured before 2002 and diesel vehicles manufactured before 2007 and suspended all construction till Tuesday.

In addition to these measures, 57 manufacturing companies with high emissions were directed to halt production under the Air Act on Saturday.

The Haryana police has also been diverting heavy commercial vehicles and trucks at Bawal, located 65km from Gurgaon. The patch is experiencing long jams because of the diversion necessitated by a ban on heavy vehicles from entering Delhi.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
The Supreme Court on Monday refused to lift a ban on the use of petcoke  a highly polluting fuel  at industrial units across Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Haryana.

The apex court had prohibited the use of petcoke from November 1, following which industry groups petitioned for a review on the grounds that many factories would face closure in the absence of their main source of fuel.

Petcoke is used in power plants and blast furnaces, besides cement factories, dyeing units, paper mills and brick kilns, owing to its ability to generate high levels of heat. This advantage, however, is accompanied by a host of undesirable factors  including the generation of high levels of carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrous oxide, mercury, arsenic, chromium and nickel.

Petcoke was banned in Delhi as early as 1996, but its surrounding states continued to use it.

Source: US Energy Information Administration

The United States is a leading supplier of sulphur-rich petcoke to India. American exports of the dirty fuel to India increased by nine times between 2011 and 2016. A recent study reveals that the South Asian country may already have displaced China as the largest emitter of sulphur dioxide emissions, a byproduct of petcoke use.

Emissions of the toxic gas in India have increased by 50% since 2007, the report says.

The imposition of carbon cess on coal in 2010 resulted in many industries and thermal plants switching to the more polluting petcoke, fuelling domestic demand. The use of the fuel in India doubled between financial years 2013 and 2017, Mint reported this month.

In 2013, the United States cracked down on the use of petcoke by industries  resulting in more availability of the fuel for export. Though China initially emerged as the primary importer, it backed down over pollution concerns in the years that followed. Consequently, India became the biggest buyer of the fuel by 2016.

When India transitioned to Bharat Stage IV fuel earlier this year, one of the major initiatives taken for environmental protection was a significant lowering of the limit for sulphur in fuels to 50 ppm (parts per million). A Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) analysis of petcoke showed that some samples have sulphur content as high as 74,000 ppm.

According to the CSE, the new Goods and Services Tax (GST) has only incentivised the use of petcoke and furnace oil. Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director of the centre, said though the two fuels figured in the 18% GST bracket because industries showed that they were being used in manufacturing, the taxed amount was later reimbursed.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
There are villains and there are villains.

Jose Sandoval stood in a Norfolk bank on Sept. 26, 2002, orchestrating death; murdering three people himself, abetting the killing of two more and terrorizing three others. In 40 seconds, he turned a would-be robbery into a homicidal frenzy.

He certainly rises to the top of the list for many Nebraskans  especially in northeast Nebraska  of the most heinous of villains.

In 2003, Sandoval was found guilty of killing customer Evonne Tuttle, 37, of Stanton, and tellers Samuel Sun, 50, of Norfolk, and Jo Mausbach, 42, of Humphrey. He was also convicted of the murders of bank employees Lola Elwood, 43, and Lisa Bryant, 29, both of Norfolk.

For those crimes, he was condemned to die. He also has two first-degree murder convictions for the unrelated deaths of a onetime roommate, 19-year-old Travis Lundell, and Lundell's friend, Robert Pearson Jr., for which he has life sentences.

Former state Sen. Mike Flood of Norfolk on Friday called Sandoval a "supreme risk to human life," someone about whom you have doubts could be held safely in prison.

"There's not many people locked up in the prison system that have seven murders on their record. ... He kills for sport."

Many people say Sandoval's death sentence is the only just punishment for the cold-blooded, execution-style murders he committed. They remember him looking into a news camera and smiling, defiant, flashing a gang sign as he was led out of a courthouse after his capture.

They say it's about time the punishment is carried out, 15 years too late, in fact.

Nebraska Corrections Director Scott Frakes served notice to Sandoval on Thursday of the lethal injection drugs that would be administered to cause his death if an execution takes place. Sixty days following the notification, Attorney General Doug Peterson can request the state Supreme Court issue Sandoval's execution warrant.

Those who are against the death penalty in Nebraska say he won't be executed any time soon. There are too many legal questions.

For Dave Mausbach, whose wife was killed by Sandoval, an execution would be 15 years too long in coming. He thinks about the senselessness of the crime, the money it has cost Madison County and the state to put on trial and to house the Norfolk killers, when there is no question about their guilt.

"They took a lot of innocent lives and ruined them. For what?" he said.

He resents all that he, his family and others had to put up with during those trials.

Jo Mausbach was a caring person and lived for their kids, he said. Her life was all about family.

"She was easy to get along with. It was always about somebody else instead of her," he said. "She'd drop everything and help you with anything."

That day 15 years ago, he had to pull their two kids out of school and watch as they came out, excited, thinking it must mean they would be getting to do something special. And then the heartbreak of telling them their mother was dead, gunned down at work.

"That's something I'll never forget," he said.

He's fortunate though, he said, that in the ensuing years those two  Rebecca now 28 and Jacob, 24  continued to be excellent students, never got in trouble, graduated, got college degrees and then good jobs.

Sandoval's execution will bring him relief, he said.

"I'll feel a hell of a lot better, and I'm not a mean person," he said. "I hope I'm alive when this happens. It's what I'm waiting for."

Jo Mausbach's brother, Micheal Tichy, has a different take on the announcement that Sandoval has been served notice of his potential execution.

"To be honest with you I'm not a firm believer in the death penalty, even though what happened," he said in a phone call from his home in South Dakota. "If it does happen, well, he probably gets what he deserves."

He would rather have seen Sandoval's punishment be solitary confinement or hard labor for the rest of his life, he said.

With that said though, he does not appreciate hearing death penalty opponents talk about the inhumanity of Sandoval being a test subject for a never-used cocktail of lethal injection drugs.

"I'll tell you what. What was cruel and inhumane is my sister down on her hands and knees choking on her own blood," Tichy said. "That wasn't a very pretty picture. I saw it."

So did their mother, Ina Mae Tichy, who died this year.

"She was like a rock through the whole thing, and took care of us kids," he said. "She did not believe in the death penalty, either. But she would have accepted it."

Joe Smith is the Madison County Attorney who prosecuted Sandoval, Erick Vela, Jorge Galindo and Gabriel Rodriguez, an accomplice also convicted of the five murders but given life sentences.

In 2003, after a jury held Sandoval responsible for four aggravators in the deaths of all five victims at U.S. Bank, paving the way for the death sentence, Smith had said that people in Madison County won't ever get over what happened in that bank.

Smith looks at the notification Thursday of Sandoval's impending execution as potentially the first step in the last part of a long process.

"It's something that I'm sure nobody is excited about. On the other hand, it's about time the process got off stall," he said.

Flood, as speaker of the Legislature from 2007-2013, presided over multiple death penalty-related debates. Everytime he would rise to speak in support of the death penalty, he would talk about the Norfolk bank killings.

As a reporter for his radio station, he was also on the scene of the murders that September day.

"What happened on that day was pure evil. Unconscionable," he said.

And then, Sandoval, Vela and Galindo were cold and indifferent at their trials, he said. Those jury panels were made up of teachers, farmers and pastors that had to listen to weeks of testimony about what occurred inside the bank. They had to decide the mitigating and aggravating factors to recommend whether the death penalty was appropriate.

Flood's Norfolk radio station US92 posted a story Thursday about the death penalty notification. Most of the more than 40 comments went like Cindy Mathis Clyde's:

"It's about time. They all need to go."

Lincoln attorney Bob Evnen was a spokesman for death penalty proponents during a campaign to overturn the Nebraska Legislature's elimination of the death penalty, and is now a candidate for Nebraska secretary of state. He has studied capital punishment, researched death row cases and appeals, and pondered the arguments.

It's not something anyone should take pleasure in, Evnen said. The best thing would have been if the crime had never been committed in the first place.

"But the punishment that he is receiving is a just one. And it's in accordance with what the people of the state of Nebraska have voted to retain, and rightly so."

Rachel Pokora, a Lincoln college professor, remembers meeting Sandoval in 2008 on two visits to the prison as a member of Nebraskans Against the Death Penalty. He was one of the more interesting people on those visits, she said.

"Of all the other people I talked to, a lot of them were maybe not as bright, but it also then really scared me because I thought, 'He knows what he's doing.'"

Shortly after that visit, she had said it stuck in her mind what he had said to her.

I'm a very bad man, he told her. I'm the worst man you've ever met.
A 35-year-old man found dead on railway tracks in Rajasthans Alwar was killed by anti-social elements trying to stop cow smuggling, police said on Monday, possibly a rerun of the murder of Muslim trader Pehlu Khan earlier this year that triggered nationwide protests.

Until now, the police had denied any connection between the killing of Umar Mohammed, whose body was found on railway tracks in Alwars Ramgarh on early Friday, and the recovery of a badly-damaged pickup van with cows found about 15 km away the same day.

But after two days of investigations, Alwar SP Rahul Prakash made a volte-face, saying said the two incidents were linked and that the killers of Umar Mohammed were anti-social elements. But he refused to use the so-called term cow vigilantes, who have over the past year become synonymous with a string of attacks on cattle traders across India.

Prakash said an FIR for murder had been lodged on the basis of a statement by Ilyas Khan, Umars uncle. Police have taken in a suspect, who has allegedly named five other attackers. Umars autopsy is held up because of objections from the family.

The attackers were basically anti-social elements who attacked Umar and two other passengers of the pickup as they were smuggling cows. They later asked somebody else to dump Umars body on the railway track, said Prakash.

Umar Mohammeds pickup had three passengers, including him. Tahir Khan, one of the passengers, was found with a bullet wound and taken to a hospital in Ferozepur in Haryana. He was later allowed to go home. It wasnt clear how he was wounded.

The third occupant, Javed Khan alias Jabba, escaped unhurt and reached their native village Ghatmika in Rajasthan on Friday evening.

Umar Mohammeds killing is reminiscent of the murder of cattle trader Pehlu Khan who was waylaid and lynched by cow vigilantes near Alwar on April 1. Khan had documents to prove he wasnt smuggling cows.

Focus on cow protection, especially by vigilante groups, has risen since the BJP-led government took power three years ago, and several states ruled by the party made laws to punish cow slaughter.

So-called cow protectors have targeted cattle and meat traders, transporters and even farmers walking their animals  violence that has killed several people, mostly in BJP-ruled states. Critics accuse the vigilantes of using cows as a pretext to target Muslims and Dalits.

Cow vigilantes are known to patrol the roads in Alwar and neighbouring districts at night and waylay bovine transporters, mostly smugglers from Muslim-dominated Meo region. These mobs also reportedly extort money from cattle transporters. There have been instances of transporters firing at them, or even police, and fleeing.

Recounting Fridays incident, Tahir Khan told Hindustan Times at his home in Bharatpur that they had gone to Dausa to buy cows for dairy farming.

When we were returning, a group of 6-7 men opened fire on us near Govind Garh. One of them was wearing a belt of bullets around his shoulder, he said.

I sustained bullet injuries on my shoulder while Jabba (who was driving the van) managed to escape. I was lying in the field when one of the men hit me with the end of a gun while the other said, Rakesh, he is dead. Following that they left me, Khan said.

He added the men shot Umar Mohammed dead. However, Umar Mohammeds family is unwilling to buy this story.

We feel that Tahir Khan and (Javed Khan) Jabba are not telling us the complete truth as there are several discrepancies in their statements. When they returned to the village, they didnt give us any satisfactory answer about my brothers whereabouts, said Khurshid, a brother of Umar Mohammed, told Hindustan Times.

They only said he will return home soon. They are constantly changing their statements.

In Jaipur, Ilyas Khan, Umar Mohammeds uncle, refused to give permission for post-mortem. He, along with representatives of Rajasthan Muslim outfits, met the Rajasthan police chief to demand a fair investigation.
Showcasing economic reforms initiated by his government, Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited ASEAN countries on Monday to ramp up their investment in India, saying the task of transforming the country was proceeding at an unprecedented scale. (LIVE UPDATES)

Addressing the ASEAN Business Forum in Manila, the PM said Indias Act East policy put the 10-member bloc at the centre of his countrys engagement, adding that most sectors of the Indian economy were made open for foreign investment.

We are working day and night towards easy, effective and transparent governance, he said.

PM Modi, who is in the Philippines on a three-day visit, said demonetisation as well as measures like the linking of Aadhaar numbers with bank accounts led to the formalisation of a big part of the Indian economy.

We are using our unique ID system in financial transactions and taxation for this purpose and the results are already visible, Modi said.

These steps, coupled with demonetisation of high-value notes, has resulted in formalising a large part of our economy. The number of new tax payers filing income tax returns has more than doubled. Digital transactions have increased by 34% as we march together to a less-cash economy, he said.

The PM said the focus of his government was on making India a global manufacturing hub and that efforts were on to make the youngsters job creators.

Keeping our emphasis on Minimum Government, Maximum Governance, about 1,200 outdated laws have been repealed in the last three years. We have simplified processes to start companies and for other clearances, he said.

Talking about the initiatives to introduce technology, Modi said digital transactions had increased significantly and that technology was being used to reach out to people.

He said large sections of Indias population previously did not have access to banking services, adding that the Jan Dhan Yojana changed that in a matter of months and transformed the lives of millions.



Earlier in the day, PM modi met US President Donald Trump, who congratulated the Indian leader for a lot of good reports coming out of India.

The trade ties between India and ASEAN are on an upswing and both sides want to further boost the trade and investment cooperation.

The ASEAN region, along with India, together comprises a combined population of 1.85 billion people, which is one fourth of the global population and their combined GDP has been estimated at over $3.8 trillion.

Investment from ASEAN to India has been over $70 billion in the last 17 years accounting for more than 17 per cent of Indias total FDI. Indias investment in ASEAN during the same period has been more than $40 billion.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met US President Donald Trump on Monday on the sidelines of the 15th ASEANIndia summit in Philippines. ...we are working for future interests of Asia and humanity, Modi said, according to news agency ANI.

Modi and Trump, who met Trump briefly at a gala dinner on Sunday, were expected to discuss counter-terrorism, trade and the security situation in the Indo-Pacific region in Mondays meeting, sources said.

Modi, who arrived in Manila on Sunday for a three-day visit, will also attend the opening ceremony of the 15th ASEANIndia summit and hold another bilateral meeting with Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte. He will also attend the 12th East Asia meet on Tuesday.

Below are the live updates:

3.40pm: Modi says, The government of Indias Act East Policy puts ASEAN region at the centre of our engagement. Just as India sees business opportunity in the region, I am sure ASEAN recognises business potential in India .

The prime minister said he wanted to make India a global manufacturing hub with the youth of the country as job creators.

3.39pm: Keeping our emphasis on Minimum Government, Maximum Governance, about 1200 outdated laws have been repealed in the last three years... Most sectors of the Indian economy are open for foreign investment, the prime minister says.

3.38pm: Modi says, Digital transactions have increased significantly. We are using technology to reach out to people.

3.35pm: PM Modi speaks at the ASEAN Business and Investment summit in Manila.

Task of transforming India is proceeding at an unprecedented scale. We are working day and night towards easy, effective and transparent governance, he says.

2:32pm: PM Modi says he is happy to get another opportunity to meet President Donald Trump.

#WATCH: Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets US President Donald Trump in Manila, holds bilateral talks #Philippines pic.twitter.com/aW6dlkgfwe  ANI (@ANI) November 13, 2017

2:20pm: Relations between India and US are growing. Our relations go beyond, we are working for the future interests of Asia and humanity, says Modi during a meeting with Trump.

2:15pm: Modi holds bilateral talks with Trump in Manila, Philippines: ANI

12:05pm: PM Modi visits Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti, the worlds largest organisation rehabilitating disabled by providing free of cost artificial limbs, calipers and other aids.

PM Narendra Modi visits Mahaveer Philippine Foundation, in Manila #Philippines pic.twitter.com/QMq8duqL6p  ANI (@ANI) November 13, 2017

10:00am: The Prime Minister interacted with several Indian scientists working at IRRI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with IRRI Director General Matthew Morell at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), in Los Banos, Philippines on Monday. (PTI Photo)

9:45am: PM Modi visited International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in Los Banos in Philippines and inaugurated Resilient Rice Field Laboratory

7:30am: World leaders pose for a group photograph at the opening ceremony of 31st ASEAN Summit (ANI Photo)

The quad move

A day ahead of the key meeting between Trump and Modi, India, the US, Japan and Australia stressed on a free and inclusive Indo-Pacific region, signalling a broader alliance to counter China.

Seen as a first major move towards the quadrilateral security dialogue, or the quad, the first meeting between officials from the four countries stressed on cooperation for promoting peace and stability in an increasingly inter-connected region, a release issued after the meeting said. A free, prosperous and inclusive Indo-Pacific region would serve the long-term interests of all countries in the region and of the world at large, it said.

The term Indo-Pacific gained currency recently, with its usage growing across diplomatic and security circles in US, Australia, India and Japan. Beijing prefers Asia-Pacific but to many the term placed an authoritarian China too firmly at the centre.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will have a packed schedule in Manila on Monday as he attends the opening ceremony of the 15th ASEANIndia summit and holds bilateral meetings with US President Donald Trump and Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte.

Modi arrived in the Philippines capital on Sunday for a three-day visit during which he will also attend the 12th East Asia meet on Tuesday.

Modi and Trump, who met briefly at a gala dinner on Sunday, would discuss counter-terrorism, trade and the security situation in the Indo-Pacific region, where China has been expanding its military presence, sources said.

Issues related to South China Sea, North Koreas nuclear missile tests and the overall security architecture in the region will come up for discussion during the ASEAN summit on Tuesday, diplomats said.

On the sidelines of the main events, Modi is also likely to have a series of other bilateral meetings with his counterparts of Japan and Australia, Shinzo Abe and Malcolm Turnbull.

Officials are also working on a meeting between Modi and Chinese premier Li Keqiang.

Modi will address the ASEAN-India and East Asia summits on Tuesday and take part in the special celebrations of the ASEAN groupings 50th anniversary.

Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern are among the other prominent leaders who are in Manila.

The Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Every single country in the ASEAN region wants India to be more engaged in the region in every possible way. That is the real synergy we have with ASEAN, Indian Ambassador to the Philippines Jaideep Mazumdar told PTI.

Counter-terrorism measures and radicalisation are among the issues to be discussed at the meets apart from maritime security, non-proliferation and migration.

Monday rush 0900: Opening Ceremony of 31st ASEAN Summit; 1025-1130: Visit to the International Rice Research Institute 1200-1230: Visit to Mahaveer Philippines Foundation 1530: Bilateral meeting with President Trump 1630: Address at ASEAN Business and Investment Summit 1815: Bilateral with President Duterte of the Philippines 1905: Community Reception by Ambassador in honour of PM (All local times. Indian time is 2:30 hours behind)

Apart from the 10 ASEAN member nations, East Asia Summit includes India, China, Japan, Republic of Korea, Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Russia.

Modi will also participate in the ASEAN Business and investment summit as well as a meeting of leaders of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

The RCEP, comprising the ASEAN bloc and six other countries  India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand  is engaged in negotiations for a free trade pact.

The ASEAN countries and India together have a population of 1.85 billion people, and a combined GDP of over $3.8 trillion. The investment between them range between $4070 billion.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
The Madhya Pradesh high court on Monday asked the state government to submit an action taken report on a Bhopal gang-rape case, terming the polices action and subsequent goof-up in medical examination of the victim as tragedy of errors.

The high court bench comprising chief justice Justice Hemant Gupta and Justice Vijay Shukla pulled up the state government for delay in filing the FIR and carelessness in the medical examination of the 19-year-old victim.

The civil services aspirant was raped allegedly by four rag-pickers close to the government railway polices Habibganj station in the state capital on October 31.

Fighting over police jurisdiction delayed the filing of complaint.

The initial medical report, prepared after the woman was examined on November 1, at the Sultania Zanana Hospital said the sex was consensual as per the accused.

The matter came up for hearing as chief justice had taken a suo moto cognisance of a Hindustan Times report titled, Bhopal gang-rape: Junked medical report said sex was consensual, Congress alleges cover-up.

Advocate general Purushendra Kaurav informed the court that five police personnel and two doctors had been placed under suspension. A chargesheet in the rape case would be filed in the next 15 days.

A separate chargesheet against police personnel and the doctors concerned would also be filed within the time frame.

Placing the chain of events before the court, the advocate general said the government wouldnt spare anyone in the case and an awareness programme would be launched to sensitise police personnel about crimes against women.

The matter was placed for the next hearing on November 27, 2017.

Talking to the Hindustan Times, the advocate general said they apprised the court that the error in the medical examination report was inadvertent and was caused due to heavy workload on the doctor concerned.

There was no question of a consent in a rape case and since the accused were not in the scene during preparation of the medical examination report, the word accused crept in the report inadvertently instead of victim.

The delay and the goof-up caused widespread anger in the state.
A day before Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik addresses over 60 lakh school students across the state on Childrens Day, the opposition BJP launched a website for school children on Monday that poked fun at the governments claims.

Patnaik, who is scheduled to deliver his Mann ki Baat speech for kids from a government high school in Bhubaneswar, is using the opportunity to send a subtle message through school children about his governments achievements.

In the past week, schools across the state have conducted debates and essay competitions with topics extolling Patnaik and his governments successes. This is the first time Patnaik would address the constituency of children as questions are being raised about his 17-year legacy.

While the opposition BJP and Congress have flayed his move, the BJP on Monday launched a satirical website www.studenttips.in that pokes fun at the governments claims. Taking a swipe at essay topics like Naveen best administrator, the website said BJD utfullita, but Odia samasyare jarjarita (BJD delirious, but Odia people are torn apart by problems).

It hosts a 10-page booklet titled Abhyas Pustika (Revision book) that lists governments failures on various fronts, including education, health infrastructure, sanitation, drinking water supply, agriculture and irrigation -- suggesting the kids to look at the facts while debating and writing essays. But the website may have come a little late as the essay and debate competitions are already over. The school and mass education department had suggested debate topics like Proud Odisha - Our CM got best administrator award for students of Class 8-10.

In another section titled Ama kama kahe katha (works speaks louder) the site hosts several newsclips starting from teachers usurping mid day meal rice to pregnant women being carried on cots. Using cartoons, the site shows how a teacher in a village school doubles up as math and literature teacher.

The government is spending Rs 200 crore just for its publicity on Childrens Day. After destroying the education system over 17 years, the CM is now resorting to drama, alleged BJP spokesperson Sameer Mohanty. The site would be a factchecker for students and their teachers against the tall claims of the government.

BJD spokesman Sameer Dash said BJPs website has many untruths which people would not digest. The allegation that the State government is spending Rs 200 crore for the Childrens Day function is pure lie, he said.
The director general of civil aviation (DGCA) has rejected a proposal by airlines to increase the number of daily flight departures from Patna in the winter schedule, which became operational a fortnight back.

Airlines had suggested increasing the number of daily flights from 36 to 44, with IndiGo and GoAir pitching for more flights. However, given the infrastructure constraint, the DGCA decided not to entertain requests for new flights till the Jay Prakash Narayan International (JPNI) Airport, Patna, became operational round-the-clock. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has agreed in principal to make the airport operational 24x7 in the summer schedule from March 27 next year.

All airlines have to seek time slots from the DGCA before introducing new flights. The AAI, which the DGCA consulted before turning down airlines request, cited infrastructure constraint at the JPNI airport to accommodate new flights within the existing 7.50am to 8.40pm timeslot for flight operation.

Given several encumbrances in the approach funnel (landing path of an aircraft) and the instrument landing system (ILS) available in Patna, the DGCA mandates a minimum of 1200-metre visibility for flight operations. During peak winters, when visibility is poor due to fog, the effective flight operations is reduced from 12.30pm to 7.30pm or even less, leading to bunching of flights in afternoon. The airport has only four aircraft bays to cater to existing 36 flights.

Against an annual capacity of 0.5 million passengers, the Patna airport recorded two million passengers in 2016-17. With the number of flights increasing from 26 to 36 during this period, passenger footfall is expected to cross the 3-million mark in 2017-18.

Facilities at the airport touched a new low when on November 10, flight delays by up to five hours, led to passengers squabbling with airline staff, raising protests and even having to sit and sleep on floor inside airport terminal building.

To avoid such a situation, we have banned visitor entry from November 14. We will allow passengers inside terminal building only two hours before the departure of their flight, airport director Rajender Singh Lahauria said.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday it was the duty of Indians to work to make the 21st century Indias century.

If the 21st century is considered to be Asias century, then it becomes our duty to make it Indias century and I say it is possible, Modi said at an Indian community reception organised by Indian ambassador to the Philippines Jaideep Mazumdar.

Our efforts are aimed at transforming India and ensuring everything in our nation matches global standards, he said.

The Prime Minister said India had always contributed to world peace.

Our contingent in the UN Peacekeeping Forces is among the biggest, he said. India is the land of Mahatma Gandhi, peace is integral to our culture.

I thank the Indian community in the Philippines for the warmth. Interacted with the diaspora during the community programme in Manila. Sharing my speech on the occasion. https://t.co/vdbSQlJKss pic.twitter.com/CftYOHCRTX  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 13, 2017

Stating that he had come to a country and a region that was very important to India, he said that his government had stressed on the Act East Policy from the very beginning.

Modi arrived in Manila on Sunday on a three-day visit to the Philippines during the course of which he will attend the 15th India-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit and the 12th East Asia Summit on Tuesday.

Talking about some major initiatives of his government, he said he started the Pradhan Manatri Jan Dhan Yojana which allowed poor people who did not have bank accounts to open zero balance accounts.

Today, the poor have learnt how to save and Rs 67,000 crore have been deposited in these accounts.

Referring to the cleanliness campaign launched in India, he said: Which citizen does not want cleanliness? We have started from where Mahatma Gandhi left and till now more than two lakh villages in India have become open defecation-free.

He said that after his government promised free gas connections to five crore needy families, three crore families had benefitted.

This has become possible because 1.25 crore families gave up gas cylinder subsidy that they have been availing, Modi said.

The Indian community in the Philippines is around 120,000-strong.
Unidentified persons on Monday morning pumped 11 bullets into an ex-serviceman outside a temple at Sonepat districts Barona village.

The incident took place when the victim, Satbir Singh, 50, who retired from the Indian Army in 2007, was about to enter the village temple to offer his routine morning prayers at 7am. Police said some people, numbering at least two, were waiting for Satbir. He died on the spot. The police said bullets were fired on his face, chest and arms.

Satbir was now practising agriculture in the village. His family said he was accused of murdering the son of village resident Rajesh in 2010 after the victims bodys was found near Satbirs fields, but was acquitted by court of all charges for want of evidence.

They said he did not have any other enmity with anyone. They also did not demand a first information report (FIR) against Rajesh in Singhs murder, following which the police registered a case of murder against unidentified person(s).

Accused take advantage of smog

The eyewitnesses present at the spot told police the shooters fled on a motorcycle and no one could read their vehicle registration number due to poor visibility amid dense smog on Monday morning.

Kharkhoda police station in-charge Virender Sharma said they have formed teams to nab the shooters. He said the family was not linking the incident with the case registered against Singh, but they are investigating the case from all angles.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
The Congress demanded on Monday that the BJP-led NDA government immediately convene the winter session of Parliament, asking if it was scared of facing the opposition on issues such as note ban and the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

Why is the BJP government not convening the winter session of Parliament? We would like to ask Prime Minister Narendra Modi if the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs (CCPA) has met. What are its recommendations? And if it has not met, why so? asked Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari.

He said assembly elections should not become an excuse for the government in running away from facing Parliament.

The government had considered calling a short session after the second phase of polling in Gujarat ends on December 14.

Tewari further said, We would like to inform the government that there is a certain timetable to the Parliament. It is structured in a manner whereby the budget, monsoon and winter sessions can happen. What is it that the government is so scared of that it is running away from convening Parliament? he asked.

The Congress-led opposition plans to raise issues such as the anniversary of demonetisation, how it impacted the economy, the completely failed implementation of the GST, the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, and the Doklam standoff with China.
Page Content

The world's cities and regions should have both more rights and responsibilities in the fight against climate change, leaders of two large networks of cities and regions  the European Committee of the Regions and Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI)  have said, as they welcomed a Declaration that calls for local and regional authorities to be formally part of the global governance system to combat climate change.

The Declaration, adopted at a Climate Summit of Local and Regional Leaders on the seventh day of the international climate talks in Bonn (COP 23), combines unilateral commitments with a set of calls to action by the nations of the United Nations and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The pledges include promises by cities and regions to be more ambitious, pro-active, comprehensive, consistent, collaborative and transparent in their climate actions. At the same time, local and regional leaders urged the United Nations and world's governments to collaborate with all levels of government and support the introduction of carbon emissions-reduction targets for regions and cities. In Paris in 2015, the world's governments agreed to keep the increase in global average temperature to well below 2C above pre-industrial levels though recent figures suggest the world is on course for a 2.7C rise.

Karl-Heinz Lambertz , President of the European Committee of the Regions, the EU's assembly for local and regional politicians, said: "Paris will be remembered for uniting the world's national governments against climate change. This Declaration will ensure Bonn is remembered for uniting the world's regions and cities to deliver on those promises. The Declaration shows a huge number of mayors and governors are more united now and showing more ambition on climate action than ever before. The European Committee of the Regions wants the EU to reduce emissions by 50% by 2030, instead of 40%, and we want serious thought given to carbon tax. I am particularly glad that this Declaration supports two ideas that the Committee has argued for: for regions and cities contributions to cutting emissions to be taken into account, not just for countries, and, secondly, an end to subsidies to fossil-fuel industries."

Park Won Soon , mayor of Seoul and president of ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability, a network of more than 1,500 cities and regions committed to sustainable development, said: "Real changes come from the citizens. When the citizens recognize that energy sovereignty belongs to them, and they get involved in the policymaking process, they can bring about real change. The future of our children and grandchildren depends on what we do now. We know what we should do. All we need is the efforts of the citizens. I am certain that cities will be able to open up a better future if they set more challenging goals and then strive to achieve those goals together with the citizens."

The declaration was also welcomed by leading figures in the UN and EU systems.

Maros Sefcovic , Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for the Energy Union, said: "Cities and regions are leading the battle to curb climate change. I am convinced that we all have come to understand that by empowering them, we can be sure to see local players beating all the expectations. That's why the Covenant of Mayors was created, as a European initiative encouraging voluntary climate action. That's also why we established the Global Covenant of Mayors, a global powerful force of almost 7,500 cities. To multiply their impact on the climate front, including on a shift to clean mobility, local, regional and national governments should work together, in many sectors. Lets join forces for a climate-friendly future."

Patricia Espinosa , the Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC, said: "The commitments made by so many cities and regions shows that the vision forged in Paris 2015  of a low-emission, climate-resilient future, and a climate-neutral world in the second half of the century  has been embraced and is being implemented across the globe. UN Climate Change welcomes efforts by cities and regions to reduce their contribution to climate change and to prepare for the future. This declaration gives hope that cities and regions will serve as an inspiration in the years ahead."

Notes for editors:

The European Committee of the Regions is a champion of climate action in the European Union and is a founding partner of the Covenant of Mayors, a European initiative set up in 2008 in which local and regional authorities receive additional technical support from the European Commission when they pledge to exceed EU emissions-reduction targets. The initiative is now global and is called the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy. Among recommendations sent to the EU's decision-making bodies in October about ways to finance implementation of the Paris Agreement , the European Committee of the Regions calls for a "total end" to subsidies for economic activities with a high environmental impact by 2035 "at the latest", the reallocation of "a minimum percentage" of revenues from auctions in the EU's emissions-trading system to be managed directly by local and regional authorities "to invest in improving local resilience", and studies into the possibility of a carbon tax or a minimum carbon price.

ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability is a network of more than 1,500 cities, towns and regions committed to building a sustainable future. ICLEI envisions a world of sustainable cities that confront the realities of urbanization, adapt to economic and demographic trends and prepare for the impacts of climate change and other urban challenges.

The UNDP estimates that regional and local authorities are responsible for more than 70% of climate change reduction measures and up to 90% of climate-change adaptation measures.

In a report published in October and presented in the European Committee of the Regions, the European Environment Agency suggests that droughts are likely to become more frequent, longer and more severe. Fire will become a bigger risk to more regions, with floods more common in most parts of Europe, while the number of severe storms in northern Europe will increase in the autumn and winter and storm surges are expected to cause "significant ecological damage, economic loss and other societal problems along low-lying coastal areas across Europe, unless additional adaptation measures are implemented". The report found that economic losses caused by weather- and climate-related extremes reported by its 33 member countries amounted to over 433 billion between 1980 and 2015.

Contacts:

David Crous, European Committee of the Regions, david.crous@cor.europa.eu , +32 476 879 929

Andrew Gardner, European Committee of the Regions, andrew.gardner@cor.europa.eu , +32 473 843 981

Claudio Magliulo, ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability, claudio.magliulo@iclei.org , +49 (0) 228 976299 15
A 22-year-old man has been arrested for killing his lover, a minor girl studying in class 12, by setting her on fire in Tamil Nadus Coimbatore district.

According to police, S Selvakumar had eloped with the 17-year-old girl on Saturday.

On Sunday morning, the girl was found charred with burns at her grandmothers house in Negamam village in Pollachi taluka of Coimbatore district.

Selvakumar, who works in a power loom factory nearby, was missing. He had allegedly doused her with kerosene and set her on fire after not being able to convince her to get into a suicide pact due to the parents opposition to their relationship, and run away.

The girl was rushed to Coimbatore Medical College Hospital by her grandmother and neighbours. She suffered 90% burn injuries and succumbed on Sunday evening.

Police later arrested Selvakumar. A judicial magistrate has already recorded the dying declaration of the girl, police said.
KK Venugopal, attorney general of India, on Monday termed as hasty the allegations in two petitions demanding a probe by a special investigation team (SIT) in the arrest of a former Orissa high court judge.

He also added that it was aimed at dragging the investigation in a particular direction towards a particular result.

It should not have been filed, Venugopal told a special bench of justice RK Agrawal, justice Arun Misra and justice AM Khanwilkar.

Denying that any judge was named in the FIR, he asked, Why on earth must you say... it must be this judge and no one else when no judge is named?

Venugopal addressed the court in his personal capacity before an SC bench, which is hearing one of the petitions filed by advocate Kamini Jaiswal seeking an SIT probe into the medical admission scam wherein the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has accused retired judge IM Quddusi of assuring favourable orders to Lucknow-based Prasad Medical Trust.

After hearing the parties for over 90 minutes, the court fixed Tuesday to pronounce its order on whether filing of the two petitions, with identical facts, amounted to forum hunting and if the allegations levelled against the Chief Justice of India, Dipak Misra, are contemptuous.

CJI Misra had constituted the special bench to hear Jaiswals petition seeking an independent probe into the case.

Venugopal said that developments in the two petitions caused deep wounds in the judiciary and the Bar and will take a long time to heal.

Justice Misra responded, The damage has already been caused. The outcome doesnt matter. Everyone is doubting the integrity of this institution. Prima facie it amounts to a deliberate attempt to scandalise the institution and denigrate the system.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Two militants were killed in a gun battle with security forces after they attacked a police team in north Kashmirs Kupwara district on Monday, police said.

Officials said the gunfight broke out after the militants opened fire at a police party in Zachaldara area of Handwara.

The militants targeted a police checkpoint after dusk, according to the police control room in Handwara.

A police spokesman said the slain militants were identified as Toib of Sopore and Ashiq of Palhallan Pattan.

They were affiliated with the Hizbul Mujahideen outfit, the spokesperson said.

An army spokesman said the militants were killed in a joint operation with police and CRPF. A search was launched in the area after the encounter, the spokesman said.

On November 6, an army jawan and three militants were killed in an encounter in south Kashmirs Pulwama district.

The Pulwama gunfight took place on a day when the Centres interlocutor, Dineshwar Sharma, arrived in Jammu and Kashmir to initiate the dialogue process.

Sharma, a former chief of the Intelligence Bureau who was tasked by the Union government to initiate talks in Kashmir over the three-decade-old insurgency, met over 80 delegations during his three-day visit to the state Kashmir from November 6.
With a view to appeasing the states Sikh community, chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Sunday announced setting up of a trust named after Baba Banda Bahadur at Yamunanagar districts Lohgarh to develop the area as a tourist destination.

Khattar, who was addressing a gathering after paying tributes to Guru Gobind Singh at the state-level function organised to mark the closing ceremony of the 350th Prakash Utsav of the 10th Sikh Guru, also announced to set up a magnificent memorial gate on the Kapal Mochan-Lohgarh road and a yatri niwas at Badkhalsa and Pir Budh Shah memorial park at Sadhaura.

Chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar at the closing ceremony of 350th Parkash Utsav of Guru Gobind Singh at Jagadhari in Yamunanagar district on Sunday. (HT Photo)

He said Punjabi has already been accorded the status of second language in the state. To promote the language, the process to fill 397 posts of trained graduate teachers (TGTs) and 352 posts of trained postgraduate teachers (PGTs) in Punjabi has been initiated, he said.

Khattar announced that special trains will run from Ambala and Sirsa to Patna in Bihar from December 22 to 25 so a large number of people from the state could participate in the closing ceremony of Guru Gobind Singhs 350th Prakash Utsav (in Patna) in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate.

The state government has also prepared a plan to provide financial assistance to the pilgrims intending to visit religious places such as Hajoor Sahib, Nankana Sahib, Patna Sahib and Hemkund Sahib.

A similar scheme has also been prepared to facilitate the pilgrims going on Sindhu Darshan and Kailash Mansarowar Yatra, he said. As announced, a mega educational institution will be set up in the area after the name of a Sikh Guru, he added.

Until 1998, many colleges of the state were affiliated with Panjab University and now the university now again wants some more colleges affiliated with it. We are considering the proposal and if it materialises, some colleges of this area would also be affiliated with PU. One of the colleges will be named after the Sikh Guru, he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday pitched a vision of India and the US working together in Asia and the rest of the world during talks with President Donald Trump.

Modis remarks reflected the growing convergence on strategic issues between the two sides at a time when India, Australia, Japan and the US have stepped up efforts to formalise a quadrilateral alliance aimed at keeping the Indo-Pacific region free, open and inclusive.

The two leaders met on the margins of the Asean Summit in the Philippines a day after officials of the four countries held talks on the Quad, as the grouping is being referred to. The Quad is being seen a counter-balance to China, which responded on Monday by saying such cooperation should not be directed at a third party.

In brief remarks in Hindi before his formal talks with Trump, Modi said India-US relations were very rapidly becoming deeper and very comprehensive.

You must also feel that India-US relations, while rising above the interests of India and the US, we can work together for the future of Asia and (see) what we can do for mankindThere are many issues on which we are working together, Modi said.

I would like to assure you that whatever expectations the world has of India, and whatever expectation the US has, India has made all-out efforts to fulfil those expectations and it will continue to do so, he added.

Foreign secretary S Jaishankar described the 45-minute meeting, the third between Modi and Trump, as a cordial, constructive and very comfortable conversation on bilateral, regional and global issues.

A White House statement said the leaders had discussed their shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. It added, They pledged to enhance their cooperation as Major Defence Partners, resolving that two of the worlds great democracies should also have the worlds greatest militaries.

The two leaders mainly focused on economic issues, including trade and investment, expanding economic ties and improving market access for each other, he said.

Strengthening global strategic partnership. PM @narendramodi had a warm and productive meeting with President @realDonaldTrump on the margins of 31st ASEAN and related Summits. Discussed bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest. pic.twitter.com/2a2oeieneC  Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) November 13, 2017

A fair amount of time was devoted to Afghanistan, and Modi briefed Trump on the recent supply of wheat by India to the war-torn country via Chabahar. They also discussed defence cooperation, the situation in the Middle East, counter-terrorism, nuclear proliferation and the Korean crisis, he said.

Sources said the Indian side brought up the issue of holding to account those responsible for proliferation linkages a reference to the aid provided by Pakistan and China to North Koreas nuclear programme.

The leaders also discussed the situation in Myanmars Rakhine State, where violence against the Rohingyas has forced more than 600,000 people to flee to Bangladesh.

Energy cooperation, including the first shipment of US crude to India, and the upcoming Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) also figured in the talks. The White House statement said Trump had expressed appreciation that Indian oil purchases had surpassed 10 million barrels, describing stronger energy cooperation as a geopolitical and economic game changer for both countries.

Both sides stressed the warmth of the meeting. Modi thanked Trump for expressing a very high opinion of India in recent public speeches, while the US president described Modi as a friend of ours and a great gentleman doing a fantastic job in bringing around lots of factions in India all together Its a lot of good reports coming out of India.

The meeting is expected to give a boost to the quadrilateral, which is being widely perceived as a joint effort by the four countries to push back against Beijings aggressive polices and its ambitious One Belt, One Road connectivity project.

The move to revive the quadrilateral alliance, first mooted in 2007, has coincided with increased Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea and its aggressive implementation of the BRI.

Following the meeting of officials on Sunday, the members of the Quad issued statements underlining the importance of a rules-based order and freedom of navigation in regional waters  a clear nod to the position adopted by China in its disputes with several countries in the South China Sea.

The Trump administration, which has spoken of the importance of India in its new South Asia policy, has also repeatedly referred to the Indo-Pacific region in recent days to underline what it sees as New Delhis key role in the region to counter Beijings rise.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Monday put a limit to the number of devotees to the Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir and said only 50,000 people should be allowed in a day to one of the most visited pilgrimage centres in the country in order to avoid any untoward incident.

The green panels bench headed by chairperson justice Swatanter Kumar said that if the number of pilgrims exceeds the prescribed number, they will be stopped at Ardhkuwari or Katra town because the Vaishno Devi Bhawan structure cannot accommodate more than 50,000 people.

It also put a hold on new constructions inside the shrine complex.

It said that a new path to the Shrine which is located in the Trikuta Hills of Reasi district will be opened from November 24 exclusively for pedestrians and battery-operated cars. It said no horses or mules shall be allowed on the new route and these animals shall be removed slowly from the old path as well.

The new path, which was constructed for 40 crore, should be positively opened to the public by November 24. No further time will be granted and, if they default, appropriate action will be taken against the concerned authorities, it said.

The panel also directed authorities to impose a fine or an environment compensation of 2,000 for littering the roads as well as the bus stop at the nearby Katra town.

The directions came during the hearing of a plea filed by an activist seeking directions to stop the use of horses and ponies to ferry pilgrims on the path to the cave shrine and prompted it to seek a response from the government on the issue.

Gauri Maulekhi expressed concerns in her plea over the pollution and danger to public health caused by indiscriminate use of horses, ponies, mules and donkeys, to carry pilgrims and goods from Katra to the Vaishno Devi temple. She said it was dangerous for pedestrians, especially senior citizens, who visit the shrine.

The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Boards chief executive officer (CEO) JK Singh told the Hindustan Times that they have not received any official order as of now but the tribunals directions will be followed in letter and spirit.

The NGT has been taking a close look at the impact on areas adjoining the approach road to the shrine and at the religious site as well. Last year, it directed the boards CEO to furnish a report about the details of the municipal solid waste (MSW) and sewage treatment plants (STPs) installed at the shrine.

The board is headed by Jammu and Kashmir governor NN Vohra.

A board official, however, said that the number of devotees visiting the shrine has never crossed 40,000 till date.

We have got yatra registration counters at Katra, Ban Ganga, Darshani Deodi and Ardhkuwari. If there is a sudden rush of pilgrims like in the Navratras, summer vacation, weekends and on year ends, we slow down fresh registrations to cope up with the influx because the Bhawan (sanctum sanctorum) has a limited space. These yatra counters coordinate all the time, said a senior official of the board.

The official said that the number of pilgrims varies from 30,000 to 35,000 a day during the Navratras, the bi-annual festival held in honour of Durga, a Hindu goddess.

It is highly unlikely that the figures go beyond 50,000 a day. It may have happened rarely in the past, he added.

When asked about the panels NGTs stay on new constructions at the shrine, he said that the governor personally monitors each and every aspect of the pilgrimage.

Another official said the shrine board takes utmost care in regulating the pilgrimages and that was why it has by and large remained incident-free.

We are also very sensitive to the ecology of the Trikuta Hills where regular plantation drives are conducted, he said.

Our ultra-modern nursery inaugurated by the governor on March 30 this year at a cost of 4.27 crore at Kunia in Panthal to rear indigenous species of plants for greening the Trikuta Hills is a testimony to our seriousness towards the ecology, he added.

The shrine board was set up in 1986 to improve the facilities and streamline the pilgrimage.

The cave shrine attracted the highest number of pilgrims, a little over a crore, in 2012. Last year, more than 77 lakh pilgrims visited the holy shrine, as per the data of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.

(With PTI inputs)

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor waded into the Padmavati row on Monday, tweeting that the controversy around the film was an opportunity to focus on the conditions of women in Rajasthan.

The Member of Parliament from Kerala and active Twitter user retweeted some one elses post whoch said that Rajasthani women should be offended by their state being at the bottom when it came to womens conditions in education, health and child mortality.

Tharoor agreed with this assessment, saying the need was to focus on the conditions of Rajasthani women today, and not the queens of the past.

Agree totally. The #Padmavati controversy is an opportunity to focus on the conditions of Rajasthani women today  just of queens six centuries ago. Rajasthans female literacy among lowest. Education more important thang Hoog hats https://t.co/82rvGmkfwO  Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) November 13, 2017

Padmavati, director Sanjay Leela Bhansalis grand period drama, on the life of 14th-century Rajput queen has been the subject of an intense debate ever since the film was announced. Rajput groups have accused Bhansali of falsifying history in their portrayal of the events. Bhansali was roughed up on the films sets, posters of the movie have been torn and burnt and shooting disrupted. Two groups have asked for a ban on the film as well.

Tharoors tweet stirred the Padmavati debate further, and received both support and flak from other users. The Kerala MP also had to tweet out a correction, as his phones auto-correct feature changed ghoongats to thang hoong hats, which many users found confusing.

Just realised that dreaded autocorrect has changed "than goonghats" to " thang hoong hats". Apologies. When I hit "tweet" I was still seeing the correct words Id typed https://t.co/aQzEGfBuJq  Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) November 13, 2017

Padmavati stars Deepika Padukone as the eponymous queen, Shahid Kapoor as her husband Maharawal Ratan Singh and Ranveer Singh as Alauddin Khilji. The trailers and songs are already out and the movie is slated to release on the first of December.
Its a project stuck in the slow lane despite being crucial for a National Highway. Six years in the making, the widening of the National Highway 24 between Lucknow and Bareilly, which would have opened doors for development in the region, is unlikely to be completed before June.

At the heart of the delay are problems in acquiring land and reams of red tape in the several district administrations through which they highway cuts. In some cases, officials took decisions that made matters worse.

The situation is such that a Google Maps search for a journey between Bareilly and Lucknow suggests a route that is 30 kilometres longer, showing it to be 36 minutes faster than the NH24. In reality, the NH24 can get slower by over an hour at times.

Is sadak pe samay or paisa dono zyada lagta hai uske saath jaan ka khatra alag se hai (This road, NH24, takes more time and money. It is dangerous as well), said Hatinder Pal, a driver of one of the few buses that ply on the stretch.

Haphazard construction work poses a grave risk to drivers.

The project, under the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), was meant to turn the 150-kilometre stretch between Bareilly and Sitapur into a four-lane road. It began in March 2011, a year before the 2012 assembly elections in UP, after a push by the then Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) government. The BSP later included it in its list of achievements.

According to official papers seen by Hindustan Times, the work was supposed to have been completed within 910 days (30 months) on August 26, 2013. In reality, no actual construction started till August 2013.

Though the delay was overlooked by the new Samajwadi Party establishment that came to power in 2012, banks funding the project grew wary of it. Concerned about their return, they even froze the account in which funds were allocated, forcing the NHAI to do a revaluation in 2014.

The bank later released funds only after reassurance from NHAI and a major overhaul in the team managing the project of Bareilly Highway Project Limited (BHPL), the construction firm which was awarded the contract, said Mukesh Sharma, the project manager from NHAI.

The delay also led to an increase in the project cost, which almost tripled from an estimated Rs 1,046 crore in 2011 to Rs 2,800 crore. The cost will be recovered from the public through tolls.

The actual work started after revaluation of the project in 2014, said Sanjay Tomar, the project incharge of BHPL, adding the company didnt have enough place to work on.

Land required for construction was covered with forest or farms, which were to be made available by NHAI, but the availability of land was delayed, Tomar said.

The NHAI blamed local administration of the districts through which the highway passes. The administrations of Bareilly, Shahjahanpur, Hardoi, Lakhimpur and Sitapur quoted several issues.

The issues included delays in procuring land, providing compensation and resettlement.

The construction company claimed it was provided less than 40% of the cleared land till late 2014. The clearing of land was delayed partly because the time required to mutate (transfer) the land ownership for construction and partly because of excess involvement of local bureaucracy.

The Bareilly district administration, for instance, held three peace meetings to shift a temple from a private property despite having the approval from the owner.

In Shahjahanpur, the administration took two years to remove a mazar and a temple that were encroaching on an important section of the route.

Curse for local economy

The delay increased paperwork and led to a long period of inconvenience. In absence of a uniform stretch for construction, the BHPL deployed machinery at several places along the 150-km stretch and started work on smaller available sections. This resulted in long traffic jams. Over the years, traffic was diverted to other routes.

This meant lower footfalls for businesses along the stretch, many of which packed up.

According to BHPLs estimates, more than 200 eateries, 150 jaggery plants, 15 major markets and several small production units that lined the highway were uprooted in the last five years. Some were moved to clear encroachment. Others left due to lack of business.

The infrastructure boom, which was at its peak till 2015, disappeared.

I planned to open a school near Shahjahanpur but dropped the idea after there was no improvement in the road, said Jagtar Singh, a Sikh farmer in Uchaulia, Shahjahanpur, who has now invested his compensation money in Bareilly.

A year more

Once the land was cleared for construction, work on it accelerated from the end of 2014. At present, 77% work on the route has been done. The completed regions are in different sections which are being connected now, Tomar said.

Yet the pace of work on underpasses and rail over bridges (ROBs) is still a worry. The section has eight major bridges and four ROBs. Work on them is far behind the schedule.

Both NHAI and BHPL officials assert the project will be completed by June 2018, the revised deadline.

The company has expanded operations into six sections from four sections to ensure better management of the project to ensure timely completion, claimed Sharma.
Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar has asked his Delhi counterpart, Arvind Kejriwal, to rise above short-term electoral gains and focus on collective action to improve the air quality of the national capital region that has been engulfed in smog since last week due to rampant paddy stubble burning by farmers in neighbouring Haryana and Punjab.

In reply to Kejriwals letter on November 8, Khattar said, No single person, organisation or government can improve the quality of air. Such problems require collective action and everyone should do their bit.

Offering to meet Kejriwal to resolve the issue, he said he is in Delhi on November 13 and 14 after which he would be available in Chandigarh.

He sought a strong mechanism to enhance the outcome of constructive steps. The bedrock for such a mechanism is a mindset that unfortunately his (Kejriwals) letter contained no hint of. In fact, your reference to the helplessness of farmers in Punjab and Haryana in stubble burning betrays an inability to rise above short-term electoral interests, Khattar wrote in his letter dated November 10.

He took on the Delhi CM for not doing enough to check pollution in NCR. Your assertion that the (Punjab and Haryana) governments have failed to provide farmers economically viable solutions gives away your subconscious awareness of your governments inaction in this regard. There are 40,000 farmers families who cultivate as many hectares in Delhi. What steps have been taken to keep them from burning stubble?

The Haryana chief minister quoted Union agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singhs recent statement, while Punjab has not spent even a paisa out its allocation of Rs 97.58 crore, Haryana has used Rs 39 crore of the allocation of Rs 45 crore released for crop residue management.

He went on to add that satellite imagery data showed substantial reduction in the number of stubble burning fires in Haryana since 2014.
Twenty-four-year old Ganga Kumari is all set to be Rajasthans first and Indias third transgender to join a state police force. A two-year-long legal battle has finally borne fruit for Kumari, who couldve become the first transgender ever to don the police uniform in March 2015, when Rajasthan Police officials put her joining on hold owing to her gender and reported lack of clarity of rules.

The Rajasthan High Court on Monday directed the state government to appoint Kumari within six weeks and treat her appointment from 2015 for purpose of seniority.

I am very happy that my long struggle has finally come to an end, but I will always miss being the first transgender in a state police force, she told HT over telephone from her native Jakhari village in Jalore district.

While Kumaris batch mates joined duty in October last year, she was denied the chance after doctors discovered during the medical examination that she was a hermaphrodite (transgender) and, owing to lack of clarity on rules, her file was referred to the police headquarters in Jaipur, which, in turn, sent it to the home department.

As police officials delayed taking a decision, Kumari moved Rajasthan high court in December 2015.

The court said that the Constitution is gender neutral and no citizen can be discriminated against on the basis of gender. She will be first transgender to be appointed (as constable) in the state police in Rajasthan and third transgender in India, Kumaris lawyer R S Rathore told HT.

The state police had advertised for recruitment of 12,178 constables in 2013. More than 125,000 candidates appeared for the test. Kumari, then 22, had cleared the written and, later, physical exam in March 2015 before officials developed cold feet on her joining.

Kumari said she never faced any problems when she went to school and college in Raniwada town. I have lost two years and will be claiming the legal expenses from the government, she added.

The Supreme Court, in April 2015, had acknowledged transgenders as third gender that is neither male nor female. The apex court also had held that because transgender people were treated as socially and economically backward classes, they will be granted reservations in admissions to educational institutions and jobs.

However, in most states, the community is yet to get even identity cards.
The police have solved the murder of a man, who was found dead in Jaipurs Murlipura area on Sunday morning. The police said that the mans live-in partner had killed him on the suspicion that he was seeing other women.

Ashok Gupta, deputy commissioner of police (DCP), Jaipur West, sharing the details at a press conference here on Monday, said, A woman told us that her husband has been murdered by two men, whom he had brought as labourers from Bihar. We found the womans claim suspicious right from the beginning.

The body, as told by Saraswati Devi, was found in a sack covered with wooden sticks at a house in Shankar Vihar Vistar area. The plot owner said that he had given the plot on rent to two labourers  Devi and her partner.

The victim, Balgovind Rastogi, was from Bihar, and Devi alleged that he was her husband. When the police interrogated Devi she feigned innocence but later confessed to the crime. The woman had left her husband and two children and was in a live-in relationship with Rastogi for past three years.

Devi had started suspecting that Rastogi was in a relationship with other women and planned to kill him, the police said. She arranged an axe for the murder.

On Friday night, she called another man, Bhanwar Lal, to their house and got Rastogi drunk. Devi then hit a heavily drunk Rastogi with the axe and killed him. Later, the duo put the body in a sack and hid it.

Two days later, she informed the police and gave the fictitious story. The police added that Devi and Bhanwar have been arrested. They will be presented in court on Tuesday.
A week-long strike by in-service doctors in Rajasthan was called off late night on Sunday, after the state government reportedly agreed to most of their demands.

All Rajasthan In-Service Doctors Association (ARISDA) president Dr Ajay Choudhary said the talks were held in a positive atmosphere, although it took a while to iron out the issue. The doctors had put forth a 33-point charter of demands, but the two parties failed to achieve a breakthrough despite holding four rounds of talks. The matter was finally resolved on Sunday, during an extended meeting from 2 pm to 11 pm.

While a demand pertaining to the Dynamic Accelerated Career Promotion (DACP) was addressed, another grouse pertaining to grade pay and promotions will be resolved by March 31, 2018, following cabinet approval. The doctors also want the annual confidential report to be filled by department officials instead of the zilla parishad chief executive officer, a demand that will be addressed by December 31.

Government officials entrusted with handling the negotiations refused to consider a demand for instituting only single shifts (instead of double shifts) at hospitals. However, they agreed to refer the proposal for a one-month trial period to test such a routine to higher-ups, so they can take a call on the matter.

The talks were held in the presence of health minister Kali Charan Saraf, and attended by additional chief secretary (finance) DB Gupta, principal secretary (home) Deepak Upreti, principal secretary (medical and health) Veenu Gupta, secretary (medical education) Anand Kumar and secretary (finance) Manju Rajpal, among others. The medical professionals present on behalf of ARISDA included Dr Ajay Choudhary, Dr Jagdish Modi, Dr Lakshman Ola and Dr Nasreen Bharti.

Resident doctors and senior resident doctors had also gone on strike for the last three days in solidarity with in-service doctors. The Jaipur Association of Resident Doctors said most of the demands posed by its members were met, and they would resume work from Monday noon.

There are certain loopholes in the system that will be filled after our demands are met. Doctors will also become more interested in taking up government jobs, said Dr Choudhary.
Activists in the state on Monday wrote a letter to Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje urging that the government must put an end to attacks on Muslims by so-called cow vigilantes. The letter came in the wake of the killing of Ummar Mohammed, who was allegedly shot by cow protectors in Alwar on Friday morning while he was transporting cows to his village Ghatmika in Bharatpur.

The letter  signed by Kavita Srivastava of Peoples Union for Civil Liberties and Nikhil Dey of Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan among others  urged the Raje government to arrest the accused in the case and also withdraw the cases of cow smuggling against the deceased Ummar and his two fellow passengers.

In addition, the activists alleged complicity of the police and demanded action against the police officials. It is our belief that the police of Ramgarh was equally involved with the gau rakshaks (cow protectors) in killing Ummar and then the police and the gau goondas (cow thugs) tried to destroy evidence by throwing his body on the railway track, read the letter.

They demanded that the Alwar superintendent of police be suspended and Ramgarh station house officer be dismissed from duty. Furthermore, they demanded compensation of 25 lakh for the deceaseds family and a government job to his kin. For the other passenger Tahir Khan, who is recovering from a bullet injury sustained during the same attack, the activists demanded police protection and a compensation of 10 lakh.

The activists also demanded the immediate transfer of probe to an independent agency such the Special Investigation Team or a team under the inspector general.

It is our request that this be the last of such killing. The impunity and protection to these killers be withdrawn now, the letter said, adding that the state home minister give a plan for the protection of Meo Muslims in the Alwar and Bharatpur district.
Police have arrested 10 candidates in the south Bengal town of Midnapore for cheating with the help of electronic communication devices during a recruitment examination held on Sunday.

They have been booked under IPC section 420 (cheating and dishonesty) as well as provisions of the IT Act.

Read: Google drive, bluetooth, micro camera: How wife helped IPS officer cheat in exams

The examination that was conducted by the district and sessions court was to select candidates for the positions of stenographer, lower division clerk and group D employees.

The incident took place 12 days after the arrest of an IPS officer, Safeer Karim from Chennai, where he was taking the UPSC (Main) examination. He was allegedly carrying a bluetooth-enabled miniature camera in the button of his shirt and a wireless earpiece. His wife, who was dictating the answers to the questions, was nabbed from Hyderabad.

Of the 10 picked up in Bengal, eight are from Nadia district and two are from West Midnapore. One of the accused is a female.

Read: Cheating in exams up by 150%

The 10 were caught red handed with electronic communication devices. The applicants were clearly told that none should enter the examination halls with mobile phones or any electronic device, said Bharati Ghosh, district police chief of West Midnapore.

The ten accused are Abhijit Sarkar, Bidyut Thakur, Subrata Thakur, Lintu Biswas, Narottam Halder, Sagar Biswas, Sukanta Biswas, Barnali Mazumder (from Nadia district), Asit Kumar Maity and Manas Ghosh (from West Midnapore).

They were caught from different centres such as Midnapore College (two), Midnapore Collegiate School (six) and Smritikana High School and Paharipur High School (one each).

Read: Mobile phones, notes used for cheating in Pakistan school exam

Initially we could not understand that they were using wireless devices. But their behaviour appeared suspicious, and the invigilators found they were using wireless bluetooth-enabled headphones in their ears and mobile phones in their pockets, said Pintu Samanta, headmaster of Midnapore Collegiate High School, where six candidates were caught cheating.

The device was very small. At the other end was somebody, who was dictating answers, added Samanta.
The BJP has promised a gallery in each of the municipal corporations, Nagar Palika Parishads and Nagar Panchayats to identify and honour prominent personalities associated with the civic bodies.

To begin with, one gallery each could come up in each of the 16 municipal corporations of the state after the results of the three-phased month-end urban local body elections are known on December 1.

The party also plans to name parks after freedom fighters and martyrs besides preparing a light and sound show in places with historical value. Setting up of science parks in main cities is also part of the partys commitment to people in 652 urban local bodies.

Busy painting the state saffron  from secretariat to buses and school bags  the monk-turned-UP chief minister Yogi Adityanaths government has already decided to get the states public works department (PWD), under deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, to put up saffron signages in arout 18,000 roads in the state.

These saffron signages that would carry photographs of Adityanath and Maurya would also have details about the history of the places and famous personalities associated with them.

We will collect all the information about prominent personalities in each ward or urban local body and put them up with their work and contribution in galleries that are being planned in various parts of the state, a BJP leader said.

To ensure its association with the people, the party has also promised to strengthen weekly markets and regional or religious fairs.

The partys focus is on Hindu pilgrimage sites like Ayodhya, Mathura-Vrindavan, Varanasi, Naimisharanaya, Chitrakoot, Vindhyachal and Kushinagar.

The economy of various religious or pilgrimage sites like Ayodhya revolve around fairs. Naturally, we would like to strengthen this activity which we intend to scale up with tourist activity, a BJP insider said.

Baring BJPs plan for promoting religious tourism, UP BJP general secretary (organisation) Sunil Bansal, an RSS nominee in BJP, said that the temple town of Ayodhya would be completely transformed.

We would like each and every wall of Ayodhya to recount the great history of fascinating religious characters of Ramayana. We want this great town from where Yogi Adityanath would launch the civic poll campaign to be on the world tourist map, Bansal said.

The BJP has always done well in municipal corporations, but this time, the party has also fielded candidates for Nagar Panchayats and Nagar Palika Parishads (semi-urban bodies) on its ticket, indicating its desire to keep its cadre in battle-ready mode ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections that some feel could be advanced.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Eight people attending a Christian prayer meeting in a temporary enclosure in Uttar Pradeshs Kaushambi district on Sunday were booked following complaints of religious conversion, police said.

We took the action after receiving complaints from a group of people that religious conversion was under way, Kaushambi superintendent of police Pradeep Gupta told HT.

They were booked under Section 151 of the Indian Penal Code, under which joining or continuing in assembly of five or more persons, after it has been commanded to disperse, that may cause disturbance of public peace is punishable with a maximum jail term of six months, or fine, or both.

An eyewitness claimed nine activists of a right-wing organisation barged into the meeting at Ahladpur village under Sarai Akil police station and threatened the gathering. They later returned with a police team.

The organisation, however, could not be contacted for their version of the incident despite repeated attempts.

The SP did not disclose the identity of the complainants.

Sone Lal, a farmer who was leading the prayer meeting is among those booked.

Around 300 people assembled as usual on Sunday morning. Suddenly eight to nine people barged in and demanded that the prayer meeting be stopped. They also threatened us, he said.

After 20 minutes they returned with the police who took nine of us to the police station. One Kaushal Kumar, 16, was a minor. Hence the police let him go and booked the rest of us under section 151, he said.

Many of the people attending the prayer meeting were Hindus who said they had started attending such meetings after having witnessed miracles in the lives of their friends and acquaintances.

Similar disruptions took place at Kaushambis Birner village, eight kilometres from Ahladpur, on October 29 and November 5.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
If you are swiping your card to make payments, you are less likely to remember how much you spent. An Austrian study has found that cashless transactions make it easier for people to lose track of their expenditures.

Scientists at the University of Cologne in Germany and the Alpen-Adria-Universitat Klagenfurt in Austria have recently examined the effect these shifting payment methods are having on the customers. They carried out a field study to determine recall accuracy in relation to recently made payments.

Data was gathered at two separate time points in cafeterias at a German university; the first time point was during the summer of 2015, and then again during the summer of 2016 after a multifunctional card was introduced. Researchers were able to analyse guided interviews, which were conducted with a total of 496 students immediately after the act of paying.

We were able to show that individuals who pay by card have a less accurate recall of the amount paid than individuals who settle their bill with cash, they said.

The transparency of spending money depends on the mode of payment used  cash, single-function cards that offer only a payment function, or multifunctional cards which may also include bonus programmes, user identification or other functions.

Individuals who use the non-payment functions of the multifunctional card are less likely to remember the transaction details accurately. These results are relevant for the financial wellbeing of everyone.

A precise recollection of past spending has an effect on the willingness to spend money in the future, researchers said. According to current estimates, about three billion new so-called smart cards will be issued across the globe in 2017.
MLC Jayant Patil, who heckled actor Shah Rukh Khan for blocking access to the jetty at Gateway of India with his yacht, said Bollywood stars need to be disciplined.

The incident took place when Khan was returning to Mumbai from Alibaug, where he celebrated his birthday.

According to Patil, Khan parked his yacht at the jetty for more than 30 minutes, blocking the only way for public and private boats to enter Mumbai.

Despite several attempts, Khan was unavailable for comment.

Patil, who was waiting to board his own yacht, was apparently stuck around Gateway of India for half an hour.

Patil said, Khan refused to come out of his yacht and remained seated inside, as the crowd went into a frenzy to catch a glimpse of him. The police were pushing people around. I got caught in the rush. Much later, a policeman recognised me, and helped me out. Policemen were clicking selfies with him.

According to Patil, he had to go through Khans yacht to reach his own. On encountering Khan, he asked the actor if he had bought Alibaug. It is important that actors realise how to behave in public. They cant block public places to greet fans. Have you ever heard of a plane being blocked or delayed like this? Why is it okay to do that at Gateway of India? Why should the states resources [policemen] waste their time managing crowd for an actor?

Patil has now written to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis requesting him to discipline star-struck police personnel. He said he would raise the issue in the legislature.

Patil is a leader of the Peasants and Workers Party, which has three MLAs and significant influence in Raigad. He owns PNP Maritime Services, which runs ferry services to Alibaug.
The beautification process for Bandra Bandstand began in 2013, but residents of the area say the popular recreation spot is still in a shabby state.

According to residents, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has spent almost Rs4 crore on two phases of the project, but the promenade is far from becoming a tourist attraction, as planned. Residents said hawkers have encroached upon the walkway and made it unsanitary with sewage, open defecation and slums.

Even after the new tiles were put, sewage overflows on the south end of the promenade; to clean it when the sucking machine is brought, it breaks the tiles. When the BMC talks about keeping our surroundings clean, why arent they fulfilling their responsibilities first, said Robin Nath, trustee and secretary, Bandra Bandstand Residents Trust (BBRT).

The stretch along the sea has been notified as a non-hawking zone. An Right to Information query filed by BBRT in 2012, confirmed that no licences have been allotted for hawking on the promenade. The municipal ward officer of H/West ward, which includes Bandra (West), was unavailable for comment,but the corporator of ward 101 Asif Zakaria said the BMC has a drive every now and then to get rid of hawkers from the promenade, but they come back again. We have a proposed an action plan for Bandstand. In fact, there is another eviction drive planned next week. But, it is a perennial problem because when the municipal workers arrive, the hawkers run into (the mudflats along the sea) sea, which makes it difficult to chase them, said Zakaria.

Zakaria added that it was these hawkers who were staying in shanties on the stretch opposite Galaxy Apartments. He said that after the BMC destroyed the shanties, they were built again.

A toilet was made next to the slums, but it stands locked now. It is not like these toilet blocks can cater to the huge population staying there. Now, these people defecate in open, when the BMC claims that Bandra is free of open defecation, Nath said.

The toilet, made earlier this year, has been shut because residents, led by Salman Khans father Salim Khan, who stays at Galaxy Apartments, and Waheeda Rehman approached the mayor, asking him to relocate the facility saying it was constructed without following norms.
In the past few weeks, there has been crackdown on hawkers and certain encroachments in the city.

Following the tragic stampede at the Elphinstone Road stations foot overbridge (FOB), in which 23 people died, the Railways has started removing hawkers who disrupt the movement of commuters on the FOB and station premises. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), which was taking sporadic action at some places, too joined the drive and started removing hawkers from 150-meter zone from the railway stations.

This action should have been taken long ago but as it happens with several other decisions or initiatives, the authorities swung into action only after a tragic incident took place and innocent lives were lost. After a long time, entering and leaving the suburban railway stations has become slightly better (slightly because at many stations, autorickshaws are still partially blocking the entrance) and the FOBs dont look like exclusive hawking plazas sponsored by the Railways or the BMC.

Whether both these authorities will stick to their stand or the hawkers will return after some time remains to be seen. As of now, there seems to be some will to keep the hawkers away. On the other hand, following the Bombay high courts different orders, the civic body has been removing slums from around the pipelines supplying drinking water to the city and demolishing illegal shrines on footpaths.

The citizens will welcome this action to remove hawkers and encroachment. It however leads to another question: What about the officers who let the hawkers or encroachment come in the first place? Why no action is being taken against them? What about the politicians who protect such illegal activities by pressurizing the administration not to take action in such cases?

For the past few decades, the problem of encroachment and illegal slums has been troubling the city. While citizens rue the failure of the authorities to stop loss of various public spaces to the encroachment, several politicians see this as an opportunity to increase their vote banks.

Across Mumbai, there are barely any footpaths left where the citizens can walk freely, without the fear of being knocked down by a car or a two-wheeler. Civic chief Ajoy Mehta has asked his administration to clear footpaths, but at most places the local level staff seems to be unwilling to do so. But then, that rarely surprises Mumbaiites. We are used to this. In fact, it is the action taken in and around the railway station that surprised us.

Now, since various authorities have started crackdown on illegal hawkers and encroachment, it would make sense to find out the concerned officers who allowed the illegal activities. It is an open secret how it is a lucrative business for the corrupt politicians and bureaucrats to encourage illegal encroachments in the city.

There are legal provisions to punish the guilty officers for dereliction of duty if they have allowed encroachment in their jurisdiction.

Even the elected representatives can be disqualified for protecting illegal structures. If the political and administrative authorities are serious about tackling the problem of illegal hawkers, who occupy every possible public space and encroachments in the city, those guilty of encouraging such activities should be made to face music.

This will also act as a deterrent for others. And of course, similar crackdown is needed on the builders who add illegal floors and against the structures built by the privileged ones by grabbing public spaces. Till such action is taken, encroachers and hawkers will keep mushrooming in the city, only to be removed temporarily after an incident like a stampede.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Unhindered communication among children, their families, friends and teachers is key to students safety, said panellists at the Hindustan Times Top Schools Conclave on Monday, in the wake of several crimes against schoolchildren in Mumbai and Delhi.

The event marked the culmination of the ninth edition of Hindustan Times Top Schools Survey, an annual initiative that recognises the best schools in the city and suburbs.

Manoj Nair, associate editor at HT, who moderated the discussion on ways to make schools safer for children, asked the panellists whether the recent instances of violence against school students should be treated as isolated incidents of crime or symbolic of an unsafe environment in schools.

Rohan Bhat, principal of Childrens Academy Malad (E) and one of the panellists, said schools are not unsafe. On the contrary, said Bhat, campuses have become safer as schools secure their premises. Such incidents have been taking place for ages. But these days, people are more aware and ready to take on the system. With the advent of social media, everything goes viral, he said.

Panellists said schools alone should not be made responsible for keeping students safe. Lack of communication between family and friends makes students vulnerable. Distressed children are more prone to abuse, offline as well as online, they said.

Excessive use of technology -- mobile phones and social media  act as barriers in effective communication at home and in school, said experts. When we are distressed, we need to speak to someone without being judged or reprimanded. The schools should have a counsellor, preferably a human resources (HR) professional. As teachers are the first point of contact for students, they should develop their own strategies to deal with students. There should be caring and sharing at home, said Dr Vihang Vahia, professor emeritus of psychiatry, RN Cooper Hospital.

Experts said children often turn to social media to speak their mind. It is very easy to find vulnerable teenagers on social media websites, which ultimately gives a chance to perpetrators to communicate with them, said Vicky Shah, an advocate and cyber security expert.

Panellists suggested parents should enforce a no tech time - a designated stretch of the day when no one at home is allowed to use mobiles, computers and other such gadgets - at home to reduce the excessive use of technology and to encourage interaction. They also suggested adopting a buddy system - pairing two children together - in schools to make them safer. The perpetrators keep checking the threshold of children before attacking them, said Vahia.

However, Bhat felt buddy system will unnecessarily lead to a fear psychosis among children. Instead, he advocated conducting a risk assessment in schools. He also suggested that schools in the city should adopt the Gurgaon polices guidelines for safety of children in schools. The schools should ensure all their closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras work. They should conduct fire drills. Police clearance certificates should be a must before recruitments, said Bhat

The attendees found the discussion to be insightful. We all are grappling with these issues, said Sreejit Bhattacharya, managing director, New Horizon Education Society, Navi Mumbai.
The 157-year-old Byculla railway station is all set to regain its lost glory.

Central Railway (CR) authorities plan to revamp the ticket counter and entry and exit points of the station, with help from a corporate firm as part of their social responsibility.

This means, the CR authorities will not spend on the makeover, but will only maintain the premises. We are working with a corporate firm and looking at ways to restore its old glory, said SK Jain, divisional railway manager, CR.

The discussion has been on for the past two years.

Byculla was one of the first stations constructed during the British era in the early 1860s.

The structure, platforms and intricate designs, which stand testimony to the olden times, are in bad shape owing to lack of maintenance and handling commuters beyond its capacity. The stained glass windows, grills and exterior will be preserved in its original form, said a CR official.

The work will be carried out by a corporate firm. We are yet to get a detailed project report, the officer added.

Last year, the Mumbai Heritage Conservation Review Committee suggested a revamp of Byculla and Reay Road stations.

Meanwhile, the CR is also working on beautification of the tracks between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Byculla station. Along with cleaning and maintaining the tracks, the CR plans to get paintings alongside the walls. The next phase will include work on the stretch between CSMT and Kurla.
Instead of towing the car with a woman, Rakhi Mali, seated in it with her child, traffic constable Shashank Rane, should have just issued them a challan, said experts.

Former traffic officials said commuters safety should be a priority. A driver should be fined only if he is not ready to move his car from a no-parking area. In cases where the driver is absent and the car is blocking traffic, the constable can tow it. But if the driver is ready to move the vehicle, he should be let off with a fine, said YP Singh, former IPS officer-turned-lawyer.

Even if the woman was not inside, the constable had no right to order towing as her husband was ready to pay the fine. Towing is done by private contractors, not constables. In some cases, the constables commission it out of their vested interests, said Singh.

Vijay Kamble, who retired as the director general of the anti-corruption bureau, said, People often park haphazardly in the middle of roads or even double park. If a citizen feels the action is unfair, he can write to the superior of the traffic chowky. A departmental inquiry will be ordered and punishment will be decided based on its report.

Commenting on the new video, Kamble said, Even if the woman sat inside the car after the cop started towing, the constable should have stopped immediately. If she was already inside, the constable should never have towed it.
A week before the Bombay high court set deadline to raze illegal religious structures that block footpaths or roads, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) still had to demolish 88 such shrines in the city.

The deadline is November 17. According to the data, as of November 10, the BMC still had to demolish 108 unauthorised religious structures, of which 20 have obtained a stay order from the HC. A senior civic official from the removal of encroachments department said they are working in full gear to comply with the order and will meet the deadline.

Nidhi Choudhari, deputy municipal commissioner, said The BMC will demolish all religious encroachments from the B category before November 17, in compliance with the HC order, apart from those which have secured a stay order from the court.

In 2015, the Bombay high court had directed the state government to demolish all illegal religious structures built before September 2009. The HC directives had come while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL). The court order had said that no religion encourages illegal shrines, and none of the religious leaders oppose their demolition. However, BMCs actions have earned flak of several public representatives.

BJP group leader in BMC, Manoj Kotak, said, Presently, the civic body has misplaced priorities. It is not just religious structures dotting footpaths, but hawkers too. Why not focus on evicting them?

Following court orders, the BMC had identified 739 religious structures in the city, which have sprung up after September 2009. Of these 207 belonged to the A category, which could be regularised and 532 belonged to the B category, which could not be regularised and needed to be demolished. The civic body had then invited suggestions and objections on the demolition of the 532 structures and upon receiving feedback from citizens, finalised that 495 out of 532 structures needed to be demolished.

Till October 2017, the BMC had managed to demolish 326 out of 495 category B religious structures. Municipal commissioner Ajoy Mehta had recently directed the administration to fast forward the action against the remaining 169 shrines and finish it in a month.
In a plot straight out of a Hollywood heist film, thieves dug a tunnel under a Navi Mumbai bank, broke into 30 lockers and stole valuables worth Rs5-6 crore, police said.

Officials at Bank of Barodas Sanpada branch came in to work on Monday and found the broken lockers and a gaping hole under them, police said.

After examining the hole, they found it led to a 30-foot-long tunnel that opened into a shop a short distance away from the bank.

According to the police, the shop, a general store called Shri Balaji that was opened in May, was bought by one Gena Bachchan Prasad, a native of Jharkand, a few months ago.

The tenant has been missing ever since the incident came to light. We have procured the agreement and are now looking for him, a senior investigating officer said, on condition of anonymity. The police, however, said that in such cases, people give out fake names and identity proofs.

While the police are unsure of who the suspects are, they have made some initial observations about the way the crime was committed.

The tunnel, which was five-feet underground, started from the general store and reached the locker room, which was two shops away  in between was the banks ATM and the office of a security agency.

After digging one part of the tunnel, the culprits put plywood on the upper side, which was supported by small bamboo sticks. Then they went on to dig another part. They did this to ensure they were not buried underground while committing the crime, said the senior investigating officer.

The tunnels radius was around 1.5 feet and one person could hardly pass through it, police said.

Hemant Nagrale, police commissioner of Navi Mumbai, said The bank had 225 lockers in the room and the culprits broke into 30 of them.

Police sources said the culprits mostly stole gold and diamond jewellery deposited mostly by the residents of the area and their total value would be Rs6 to 7 crore.

The bank had CCTV cameras in the other rooms. However, there were none inside the locker room to respect the privacy of customers, said Kiran Patil, assistant commissioner of police (Nerul) division.

The police are examining the CCTV footage of the other buildings, but have not got a clear view of the people entering the general store in the past three to four months.

They suspect a professional gang executed the crime. It is not possible for anyone to dig such a long tunnel within a day or two. So, even if we dont have evidence, it is obvious the culprits started digging the tunnel at least three months earlier, said Suraj Padvi senior police inspector of Sanpada police station.

Tushar Doshi, deputy commissioner of police (crime), said, It is impossible to dig a tunnel that ends exactly under the locker room without having an idea about the banks structure. It seems the culprits had visited the bank, including the locker room, multiple times. Prima facie it does not appear to be an insider job. But nothing can be said unless the case is solved.

The police have formed 10 teams and have sent their officers to different places looking for the criminals. ACP Patil said, Earlier, two crimes had taken place wherein culprits broke the adjacent walls and robbed jewellery from stores at Nerul and Kamothe. Both the crimes were solved.

Nagrale said, We are following certain leads and are hopeful of solving the case soon.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Will the Shiv Sena come out in support of illegal hawkers who are being evicted from various spots across Mumbai and being targeted by Raj Thackerays Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS)?

The Mumbai Hawkers Sena (MHS), affiliated to the party, has voiced its support for hawkers, and demanded that vendors near railway stations, hospitals and educational institutions be rehabilitated. However, it said the Marathi manoos must be prioritised while this is being carried out. Maharashtrians should be given preference while allotting spaces in the new hawking zones, it said.

At a meeting held in Goregaon on Sunday, MHS members wanted the action against hawkers to be stopped and displaced vendors to be rehabilitated. The problem is, everyone wants hawkers, but not in their backyard, said Ashok Dhere, president, MHS. We have demanded that hawkers who were evicted following the court order be rehabilitated in hawking zones, said Dhere. The Bombay high court recently ruled that hawking will be permitted only in designated zones and not on foot overbridges and rail overbridges within 150m of stations.

Dhere said the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporations (BMC) 2014 survey should form the basis for hawkers eligibility.

The BMC had started surveying hawkers in 2014, which involved counting the number of hawkers in the city and demarcating hawking zones. The survey came after a 2013 Supreme Court order to implement the national hawking policy of 2009 and the Street Vendors (protection of livelihood and regulation of street vending) Act, 2014. However, the survey was a complete fiasco as many people set up illegal stalls across Mumbai to get themselves registered as hawkers.

Sena MP Sanjay Raut said the party supports legal hawkers, who have licenses.

The MNS accused the Sena of doublespeak. The Sena corporators raise their voice against the hawkers and demand their removal while the partys hawkers union supports them. This is a double standard, said Sachin More, secretary, MNS.

After the Elphinstone station stampede, since the past one month, the MNS has been attacking hawkers in the vicinity of railway stations in the hope of using peoples anger and frustration with the Railways to gain popularity. This comes after MNS chief Raj Thackerays protest march following the stampede on October 5, when he warned the railway administration that his workers would evict hawkers MNS-style if they did not clear access to stations in 15 days. The party has said that it plans to continue this agitation, with which it is clearing looking at regaining some of its popularity and relevance in state politics.
Following the murder of a political leader in Khoda in September, residents have raised concerns about their security and safety.

On September 2, when a Bharatiya Janata Party worker Gajendra Bhati was shot dead by two armed assailants. It was alleged that the attack was carried out at the behest of former MLA Amarpal Sharma, who later surrendered before a court and is now lodged in Dasna jail.

Touted as Asias largest migrant colony, Khoda will go to polls on November 26 with 1.62 lakh voters set to elect the first chairperson of the municipal body. Until 2016, Khoda had a panchayat system but as its population was found to be over 1 million people, the colony was turned into a municipality.

Ahead of the polls, the area is politically charged with candidates organising rallies in different mohallas of Khoda. However, the residents claim that safety is a topic that goes untouched by the parties.

Earlier, people used to avoid stepping out of their homes after 7pm. That situation has changed now but crimes still take place. Every other day, we hear cases of chain/mobile snatching and robberies, said Ram Dikshit, a resident of Matrika Nagar, Khoda.

A robbery victim told Hindustan Times that the police action on crimes is not satisfactory.

On November 2, I had gone with my family to the Ganga banks for a religious ceremony. After we returned, I found that my house was robbed. I lost Rs1 lakh and valuables worth Rs 5-6 lakh. The police registered my complaint but no further action has been taken. It has been more than 10 days now, said Devendra Kumar, a resident of Khoda.

However, not everyone agrees with the notion that police have been unable to keep Khoda safe. Among them is Kalu Bhai, a local politician. Khoda has a total of five police chowkis surrounding it and we also have a separate police station. I dont think security is an issue for Khoda residents, said Kalu.

Superintendent of police (city), Akash Tomar, said, Khoda remains a sensitive area for us ahead of the polls as the contest this time is between the wife of a slain leader and the wife of the accused. We will deploy extra force in Khoda during the polls. Also, we have begun patrolling the streets and keeping a watch on anti-social elements.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
In a major goof-up by the block level staff engaged in revision of the voters list for local body elections, the name of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from Modi Nagar was found struck off the voters list.

The officials said the MLA will not be able to vote in the upcoming local body elections on November 26.

According to officials, the revision of the voters list took place in 2016 and the name of MLA Dr Manju Shiwach was struck off the rolls.

The block level staff yet again made a revision of the list for local body polls in 2017 and did not add the name of the MLA. After checking the entire sequence, we found that it was the fault of two staff members and we have recommended action against them, said Pawan Agarwal, joint magistrate, Modi Nagar.

Since the electoral roll has been finalised, the MLA may not be able to vote in the local body election, he said.

Shiwach had lodged a complaint with the officials about the issue and had asked the officials to look into the issue. She said in 2012, she contested the local body polls for the post of chairperson of Modi Nagar Nagar Palika and her name was present in the list.

This is a callous attitude. If such is the case with a public representative, then what would be the situation with the common man? It is strange how my name got deleted and I had no information, Shiwach said.

A councillor candidate for the Ghaziabad municipal corporation also found his name struck off the revised voters list which was released in November.

My name was there in the voters list when I filed my nominations and it was verified. After the supplementary list arrived, I checked my name and found it missing. I suspect a conspiracy and believe that my name was deleted deliberately, the candidate said, requesting anonymity.

The residents also alleges that the deletion of names could be the handiwork of politicians.

In 2011 handbook, there was a provision that BLOs will compile the list of deleted names and provide it to the electoral officer. This was required so that voters whose names are deleted can be informed. However, no such action was taken. We have approached the chief election commissioner and district officials in the past but the issue remains unresolved, said colonel (retd) TP Tyagi, president of flat owners federation.

We will again approach the district officials and also write to the state election commissioner, he said.

The officials from the district election office said laxity on part of the block level officers (BLO) in the addition and deletion of names cannot be ruled out in a majority of cases.

As per the latest figures after the supplementary voters list was released on November 6, the officials said 1,07,727 voters were deleted and another 1,84,347 names were added in all the local bodies, including the Ghaziabad municipal corporation. The additions include first-time voters.

As per guidelines, the BLOs are supposed to fill up a form provided to them in triplicate. One form has to be given to the voters during the checking of names. This is done when revision starts. The names are deleted in case of migration, marriage or death, said Indu Prakash Singh, the additional district election officer.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
As Khoda goes to polls on November 26, residents of the migrant colony claim that they have been treated as battle fodder in polls. They allege that no political party is paying heed to their demands of water supply, infrastructure and sewage system.

Khoda, which houses more than a million people, is situated on the border of Noida, Ghaziabad and Delhi. A total of 1.62 lakh registered voters will decide the first chairman of the municipal body in the upcoming civic polls. The chairmans seat is reserved for a woman this time.

The area has been witnessing frequent rallies by candidates who are backed by political parties. This time for the chairpersons post, Khoda is slated for a two-way contest between the wife of a slain political leader and the wife of the accused and a former MLA.

However, residents say that their demands fall last on the list of priorities of political parties.

Seventy-seven-year-old Dhuri Singh, a veteran who has seen several elections, said, Khoda has been politically charged during every poll as there are Congress, BJP, BSP or SP factions among the people and they are used for all rallies. The politicians come to our area during campaigning but never return. This has been the case for decades.

Pankaj Kumar, another resident of Prakash Nagar, Khoda, says that the residents demands are not even heard by the leaders. After the murder of a prominent BJP leader in Khoda in September, the contest for the chairmans seat has now been reduced to a vendetta and settling of scores, for the parties. Demands of the people have been sidelined. Khoda has just one government school, that too only till class eight. There is no girls college in the locality either. Not much emphasis is given to the education of the younger generation. We dont even have a community centre here, said Kumar.

A resident of Matrika Vihar, who did not wish to be named, said residents are used only as a vote bank.

Many people dont have proper documents for their houses but many have procured voter ID cards after just staying here for one year. Different areas are strongholds of different political parties and the residents are protected by political parties in return for assured votes in the polls, she said.

However, Yasmins claims were refuted by Kalu Bhai, a local politician. He said, Khoda civic polls are being contested on developmental issues. We have many demands such as supply of drinking water, the numbering of houses, setting up of girls college and sewage system. 

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
A huge, rusted gate erected in the memory of Indias former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh welcomes one to the dusty and dilapidated lanes of Khoda, one of Asias largest migrant colonies.

Situated on the border of Noida and Ghaziabad, Khoda is home to more than one million people, according to unofficial figures. The colony was set up in 1982 and has been home to lakhs of migrants who have moved to Delhi-NCR from their hometowns in search of a livelihood.

On November 26, this region will go to polls with 1.62 lakh registered voters exercising their right to choose the chairman of the municipal body. The chairpersons post of Khoda is reserved for a woman candidate.

Khoda was referred to as a colony till 2016, when the gram panchayat system was abolished for the residential society and a municipality was constituted.

Over the last three decades, Khoda has seen multiple changes in governance, civic bodies and by-laws. However, residents of Khoda said that their conditions have not improved, as they are unable to avail of even basic facilities such as running water and sewage system.

Residents say the lack of a sewage system has turned the area into a slum. (Sunil Ghosh/HT Photo)

There has been only one longstanding demand of Khoda people for decades  supply and drainage of water. We want clean water supply and we want dirty water from our lanes to flow out, said Ram Prakash Singh, 54, a resident of Azad Vihar in Khoda.

Every household spends at least 3,000-4,000 every month to buy water from private tankers. The ones who have boring facilities in their houses get water but even that is saline and hard, said 48-year-old Ashok Kumar, a resident of Prakash Nagar in Khoda.

Residents said that they have, somewhat, come to terms with supply shortage and are making ends meet but the lack of a sewage system has made their lives miserable. They said the lack of a sewage system has turned the area into a slum.

Lanes in Khoda are always overflowing with dirty water as the drains are choked with excess plastic and garbage. Residents say they hardly see any municipal worker on the streets of Khoda.

Lanes in Khoda are always overflowing with dirty water as the drains are choked with excess plastic and garbage. (Sunil Ghosh/HT Photo)

The drain that passes in front of my house gets choked every day and we have to clean it to keep our lanes free of dirty water. At times, the stench is so strong that we prefer to stay indoors, said Birju Kumar of Azad Nagar in Khoda.

Sangeet Kumari, an attendant at a Noida-based hospital who stays in Khoda, said the problem worsens in the monsoon. We have so many patients of dengue and malaria along with cholera as water stagnates in our locality. I have not seen any health camp in Khoda, said Kumari.

Lack of a proper garbage disposal system is also a major problem, residents said.

Be it the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha polls or Nagar Palika polls, Khoda is always politically charged. However, after the election, things revert to as they were and there is no change. The empty plots serve as a dumping ground for the residents, said 77-year-old Dhuri Singh, a resident of Prakash Nagar in Khoda.

As one exits Khoda from the same rusted gate, adjacent to it is an old dilapidated building that once served as the office for Khoda Express, a local newspaper. The newspaper has now shut, resonating the situation in Khoda, as residents have stopped seeking accountability from their leaders.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Alok Tandon, the chief executive officer of the Noida authority, has ordered filing of an FIR against three persons who allegedly used a fake letter to get a land-related work done.

We issued orders for filing the FIR because the state government had decided to act against those who fabricated this letter. We will not tolerate anyone involved in illegal activities, Tandon said.

These three persons, all residents of Noidas Shahadra village, used a fake letter that was made to look like it was issued from the office of Mritunjay Kumar Narayan, who is secretary to Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath. Since the letter did not reach the Noida authority office in Sector 6 through the official channel, the staff doubted the authenticity of the same and flagged it to the CEO.

In October, the CEO wrote back to the CMs secretary seeking an inquiry into it. After an inquiry, the UP secretary replied that the letter is a fake one.

Read I For faster delivery of flats, Noida authority relaxes payment rules for builders

With the help of the fake letter, three farmers tried to get back their land from the Noida authority that had acquired the same for development. Three farmers had already got the compensation in lieu of acquisition. They were trying to fool the authority by laying claim to the land which belongs to the government (the Noida authority).

We have ordered filing of an FIR against the three persons who were tried to derive benefits from this fake letter. We will ask the police to file the FIR immediately and take action so that justice is done in the matter, RK Singh, officer on special duty, Noida authority, said.

We became suspicious of the authenticity of this letter because the language did not meet official parameters. As per procedure, the letter should have reached us through government channels, a Noida authority official said.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) came down heavily on the district administration and the Noida authority and accused them of not valuing human life while hearing a petition filed by a Noida resident claiming that despite numerous orders, construction material has been left in the open.

The petitioner provided pictures and videos of sectors 71, 74 and 78 wherein sand, bricks and debris were seen lying in the open.

You have no respect for human rights. This is disgusting. You have no respect for people. PM10 is over 900. You are equally bound by our order as you are a part of Delhi-NCR. You are making a mockery of the system, the bench told the Noida authority.

The NGT was upset with the UP government and the Noida authority for not following its order of banning construction in the national capital region, said Amit Gupta, the petitioner and a resident of Sector 77 of Noida.

A bench headed by NGT chairperson justice Swatanter Kumar made these remarks while hearing the matter. The NGT has asked the officials of Uttar Pradesh government and the authority to file a report on steps taken by them to reduce pollution. Otherwise the responsible officers will be fined 10 times the fine imposed on builders and others, Gupta said.

The Noida authority officials had informed the bench that they have imposed a fine of Rs 96 lakh on builders and people flouting the norms laid down by the NGT.

The NGT told the Noida authority officials that they are just making money from the fine imposed on builders and becoming rich. The bench clearly said that imposing a fine is not the solution to control or reduce the pollution level, Gupta said.

The Noida authority will file its reply on Tuesday. Yes, NGT bench was upset. We have been asked to submit a report on the steps taken by us to reduce pollution. We will submit our reply, said Rajesh Singh, officer on special duty, Noida authority.

Another issue for which the administration and the authority faced the wrath of the NGT was sprinkling of water through helicopters.

The bench asked us whether we have used helicopters for sprinkling water. Right now, we cant comment on that. Nobody has used helicopters yet for sprinkling water. The NGT was of the view that sprinkling of water through helicopters should be tried in one area to see if it gives better results in controlling dust pollution, the OSD said.

Gupta has sought directions to the departments concerned to immediately remove the construction material and to use water sprinklers to control the dust.

When the district magistrate of Gautam Budh Nagar was asked about the NGTs disappointment with the administration and authority, he said that he is yet to go through the order. I havent read the order yet, but we will comply with everything suggested by the NGT, said BN Singh, DM.

(with PTI inputs)
Pune A total of seven prominent educational institutions from Pune, out of the 123 national deemed universities, has been directed by the University Grants Commission (UGC) to not use the term, university in their official names.

The notice, issued on November 10, stated, An Institution deemed to be university shall not use the word university suffixed to its name but may mention the words deemed to be university within parenthesis suffixed thereto.

In Pune, seven deemed universities, including Bharati Vidyapeeth, Deccan College Post Graduate and Research Institute, Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Gokhale Institute of Politics & Economics, Institute of Armament Technology , Symbiosis International University and Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth have been listed among the 123 national institutions. While the heads of many of these institutes questioned the need for the directive, some others are preparing to file a review petition against it.

We have been using the term deemed university for all these years, so the directive does not make much of a difference to us, said professor Vasant Shinde, vice-chancellor, Deccan College Post Graduate and Research Institute. Harping on the same lines, Gokhale Institute of Politics & Economics vice-chancellor professor Rajas Parchure said, Maybe there has been some mistake, because the term deemed university has always been used by our institute, so it does not make sense why we would appear in the list.

Dr Vidya Yeravdekar, principal director of Symbiosis Society, Symbiosis International University rued that the directive has potential to harm their educational institutes reputation.

We have been using this nomenclature for years and have the ministrys permission. This sudden circular is bound to not only affect our image but also that of Indias status of higher education. The SIU has students from 85 different countries, and many will not realise what deemed means and might consider it inferior to university.

The contribution of private education to the Indian education system is significant. We have not only contributed to this field but also to the economy by producing skilled human resource. Similar is the case with many private institutes across the nation. Such a directive can be harmful to all and so many of them are planning to file a review petition. We might also try and reach out to the ministry, she said.

UGC secretary PK Thakur, in the circular, had cited a Supreme Court order of November 3, directing the heads of these institutes to restrain from using the word University with its name, and stated that necessary actions as per the UGC (lnstitutions Deemed to be Universities) Regulations, 2016 will be taken against those failing to comply.
The Mohali boy, who police claim was the last to meet Tanishq Bhasin the night before he was found dead, joined the investigations on Sunday, two days after his disappearance.

However, his questioning has not been of much help in solving the mystery surrounding 19-year-old Tanishqs death on Thursday, police said. The police are not revealing the identity of the Mohali boy on the pretext that he is not being treated as a suspect. However, they are convinced that he knows more.

Speaking to Hindustan Times, an official who questioned the Mohali boy said he has confessed that he was with Tanishq on Wednesday evening for two hours, between 7.30pm to 9.30 pm, in Sector 70, Mohali. However, he did not reveal anything beyond this, saying that Tanishq left without saying anything.

The boys version reportedly did not convince the cops who asked him why he disappeared for two days if he had nothing to hide. Police had summoned him for questioning on Friday after they found that the two friends had the same mobile phone tower location in Mohali, hours before Tanishqs death. Thereafter, his mobile phone was switched off.

A resident of Sector 4, Panchkula, Tanishq was a second-year commerce student at SD College, Sector 32. On Thursday, his body with a gunshot wound on the head was found in his car on Morni road. A revolver was also found lying on his lap.

To be questioned again today

Police sources said the Mohali boy will be questioned again on Monday in presence of senior officials. He will be confronted with inputs gathered by police from Tanishqs mobile and other sources.

No clue about revolver

On the other hand, police are yet to find headway about the owner of the German-made revolver that killed Tanishq. So far, they were expecting to collect clues in this regard from the Mohali boy, but it hasnt helped much. Tanishqs family has denied owning the weapon.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
In what can only be described a negligence and inability to plan for the development of the city, 22 of 25 elected councillors in the city have failed to use their ward development fund of Rs 40 lakh this year  from January 1 to November 12. Former mayor Arun Sood, councillor from ward number 8 (Sectors 37, 38 and 38 (W) has not spent a single penny. This is even as the condition of wards has deteriorated on all parameters, with some lacking the most basic of amenities, like dustbins.

Another former mayor Raj Bala Malik has spent a mere Rs 2 lakh out of total Rs 40 lakh. To spend the funds, councillors have to submit a proposal to the MC chief engineer. The amount of Rs 40 lakh is for a calendar year and whatever the councillors fail to spend is carried forward the next year.

As of now, there are no proposals from councillors who are laggards in spending, said an official with the MC engineering department.

Nine councillors have spent less than 50% of allocation

Nine councillors have spent less than Rs 20 lakh, while six has spent less than Rs 30 lakh, seven councillors have spent less than Rs 40 lakh. Against the trend, Mahesh Inder Singh from ward number 1, has spent Rs 42 lakh. City mayor Asha Kumari Jaswal has spent Rs 43 lakh and senior deputy mayor Rajesh Gupta has spent Rs 42 lakh.

The wards of most councillors, who spent less than Rs 10 lakh are crying for attention. The residents say, parks, roads are in bad shape, street lights are non-functional.

Arun Sood has completely ignored our ward (Sectors 37, 38 and 38 (west). Most parks are in bad shape, roads are broken and encroachments have increased manifold, but our councillor is least bothered. Sewerage system in colonies is worst and stray cattle menace continues on roads. In main market of Sector 37-C, there is no dustbin installed, claimed Rajesh Sharma, who contested elections against Sood in December 2016.

President of Resident Welfare Association, Sector 15, Surinder Sharma, said it was a mistake to elect Raj Bala Malik as their councillor.

After winning the elections, she has not visited our ward. On the other hand, parks in bad shape, sanitation condition has gone bad to worse and encroachment is everywhere, he said.

How has the mayor fared

Apart from the mandated ward development fund, functionaries like the mayor Asha Jaswal, senior deputy mayor Rajesh Gupta and deputy mayor Anil Kumar Dubey get additional resources. The mayor, who gets an additional Rs 2 cr has spent Rs 1.9 crore with she using the entire Rs 40 lakh. Senior deputy mayor Gupta has also spent more than his allocated Rs 40 lakh. Out of the additional Rs 20 lakh he got, he did not spend a penny. Deputy mayor Anil Dubey used Rs 29 lakh of Rs 40 lakh; of his additional Rs 10 lakh, he got due to his position, he has spent Rs 6 lakh.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Gangster Saraj Singh Sandhu, alias Mintoo, has confessed to killing Hindu Sangharsh Sena leader Vipan Sharma, 42, on October 30, in a Facebook post on Monday.

Sharma, the district president of the organisation in Amritsar, was shot dead in broad daylight in Bharat Nagar area near Batala Road.

On Thursday, police had booked gangsters Shubham Singh, Saraj Singh Sandhu, alias Mintoo, and Dharminder Singh for the murder. The fourth accused has been identified, but is yet to be named in the first-information report (FIR).

Murder meant to avenge killing of friends father

I killed Vipan Sharma. He got punished for his deeds as he conspired to the murder of the father of my close friend. This was unbearable.Vipan facilitated supply of weapons to the assailants of my uncle, the Facebook post of Saraj reads. It goes on to add, There is no religious angle to the murder and we avenged murder of my friends father, who was in Amritsar police. Saraj adds that the media reports and theories were wrong, baseless and false.

The post warns people not to comment on him or the case; claiming that his gang could tap phone calls. In the CCTV footage of the murder, Saraj is seen pumping bullets into Sharma. An accomplice, who also fired at Sharma, had his face covered.

After the post, a police official told HT on condition of anonymity, Saraj and his chief accomplice, Shubham, killed Sharma as he was close to Simranjit Singh, who had allegedly murdered Shubams father, Baljinder Singh, alias Kalu.

Police: Only arrests will clarify matter

Amritsar police commissioner SS Srivastva said, We are investigating, if it is indeed Saraj who has uploaded the post. It been forwarded to the intelligence wing. He added that the real reason behind the murder could not be established till the accused were arrested. We cannot believe a social media post or the statement of a gangster. Things will be clear after the arrests, he said.

Co-accused called an Amritsar jail inmate after the murder

During interrogation, an inmate in Amritsar jail, who was a member of Shubhams gang, had told the police that on October 30 (the day of the murder), he had received a WhatsApp call from Sarajs number about 9pm. Shubham was on the line and told the inmate that they had murdered Sharma, as he had conspired in the killing of his father. Shubham told me that Vipan had given Rs 3 lakh to Simranjit for killing his father. Of this, Rs 1.5 lakh were for purchase of weapons to kill Kalu (Shubhams father) and Rs 1.5 lakh for hiding after the crime, the gangster, who remains unidentified, had told the police. Jannat Sharma, son of Sharma, however, claimed that the family was unaware about any enmity of his father with anyone.

Last week, police had arrested Sukhraj Kaur, Sandhus mother, from her home in Sultanwind near Amritsar on the charges of harbouring her son and other criminals. A local court released her on bail on Monday.

(The story has been updated)

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Residents of Badrukhan village in Sangrur district have accused the government of ignoring the legacy of Maharaja Ranjit Singh by failing to organise a state-level event on his birth anniversary.

Born on November 13, 1780, the Maharaja is believed to have been born in Badrukhan. This was also the native village of his mother Raj Kaur. However, some historians contend that he was born in Gujranwala in Pakistan.

Despite nonchalance of repeated govts, residents have constructed a gurdwara in Maharaja Ranjit Singhs memory.

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) government had occasionally organised state-level events to mark the occasion. In 1997, the then chief minister Parkash Singh Badal had promised to install a statue of the Maharaja in Badrukhan. However, 20 years on, the promise remains unfulfilled. Besides this, the SAD-BJP government had also promised to construct a park in the village. This was materialised in 2014.

Taking a dig at the SAD, Aam Aadmi Party MLA from Sunam, Aman Arora, said, The Akalis had promised to provide a regime like Maharaja Ranjit Singh, but they have even failed to install a statue at his birth place. They have been using the name of our martyrs and kings to garner votes.

However, the SAD has asked the Captain Amarinder Singh-led government to complete the remaining projects.

The government should have organised a function on the Maharajas birth anniversary. It should also install his statue in Badrukhan, said SADs Rajya Sabha member Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa. He added that he will raise the issue during the meeting called by the CM on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, local Congress leader Daman Thind Bajwa, who contested the assembly polls from Sunam, said, Due to some unavoidable circumstances, the function could not be organised this time. However, in the future, we will organise events in memory of our warriors. Nevertheless, despite nonchalance of repeated governments, residents have constructed a gurdwara in the memory of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Every year on his birth anniversary they organise a function. This year wont be any different for them.
A stash of frozen treats and other supplies rocketed toward the International Space Station on Sunday, this time from Virginias cold eastern shore.

NASAs commercial shipper, Orbital ATK, launched the cargo ship just after sunrise from Wallops Island, aboard an unmanned Antares rocket.

The Cygnus capsule should reach the orbiting lab Tuesday. Its loaded with 3,350 kilograms of cargo, including sweet treats for the six station astronauts. There are frozen fruit bars, ice cream bars, ice cream sandwiches and cups of chocolate and vanilla ice cream  about 80 in all, according to NASA.

The crew expects pizza as well. Italian astronaut Paolo Nespoli has been craving pizza for months.

Pizza and ice cream on the way! NASA astronaut Joe Acaba tweeted following lift off. Eagerly awaiting the arrival.

Pizza and ice cream on the way! Eagerly awaiting the arrival of @OrbitalATK "SS Gene Cernan" #Cygnus cargo vehicle. Packed full with #science and supplies! pic.twitter.com/5zDXyFcFvx  Joseph M. Acaba (@AstroAcaba) November 12, 2017

This marked Orbital ATKs first launch from its home turf in more than a year. The last time it made a space station delivery, it used another companys rocket flying from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Crowds gathered at Wallops in freezing temperatures and cheered as the rocket soared toward the southeast. Sunrise made it hard to see the launch farther afield. The field of visibility stretched from New England to the Carolinas.

Among the experiments on board is also satellite that will test how bacteria, E. Coli, grows in microgravity, and determine the minimum amount of antibiotic needed to stop its growth.

Knowing how bugs will act during long-duration missions will help the US space agency, which hopes to send people to deep space in the coming decades, with a human mission to Mars sometime in the 2030s.

The cargo ship is also transporting 14 miniature satellites, known as CubeSats.

The Orbital ATK Antares rocket is seen on launch Pad-0A, at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. (NASA via Reuters Photo)

A launch attempt on Saturday was nixed after a plane strayed into the restricted airspace. Sundays try was almost foiled by a couple of boats that briefly wandered into the keep-out zone.

Orbital ATK named the capsule after the last man to walk on the moon, Apollo 17s Gene Cernan, who died in January. During the final minutes of the countdown, a launch controller paid tribute to Cernan as well as JR Thompson, a high-ranking NASA and Orbital ATK official who died last week.

The current crew of six astronauts on duty at the space station include three Americans, one Italian and two Russians.

The capsule will remain at the space station until the beginning of December, when its cut loose for a test of close proximity flying, a series of mini satellite deployments and, lastly, a fiery re-entry with a load of trash.

SpaceX is NASAs other prime supplier. Its next station delivery is next month.

Read: List of space groceries by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Men with a history of cardiovascular disease may be more at risk of facing sudden cardiac arrest during or soon after sex, a study has revealed.

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is when the heart suddenly stops beating. It usually occurs without warning. The findings showed that although the incidence of SCA is very rare, survival rates in such cases remain low. It is because, the partners failed to immediately perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), which could save more lives, the researchers said.

Patients who experienced sudden cardiac arrest related to sexual activity also had a higher rate of ventricular fibrillation/tachycardia than those

who did not.

Even though SCA during sexual activity was witnessed by a partner, bystander CPR was performed in only one-third of the cases, said Sumeet Chugh, associate director at the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute, LA, California.

For the study, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, the team examined records of more than 4,500 cardiac arrests over a period of 13 years in persons above 18 years. Out of these only 34 were during or within an hour of having sex, and 32 of those were men, who were already taking drugs for heart conditions.

Patients who experienced sudden cardiac arrest related to sexual activity also had a higher rate of ventricular fibrillation/tachycardia than those who did not. Only one-third of these SCA cases received bystander CPR. This low bystander CPR rate accounted for less than 20% of patients who survived to hospital discharge, the researchers noted.

Moreover, some cases of SCA after sexual activity may also involve medications, stimulants and alcohol use, the researchers said. These findings highlight the importance of continued efforts to educate the public on the importance of bystander CPR for SCA, irrespective of the circumstance, Chugh added.

Follow @htlifeandstyle for more
YORK  A man was killed Sunday in what police say started with a car crash, and the York County Coroners Office calls it a road rage shooting.

It happened shortly after 4 p.m. at the intersection of East Philadelphia and North Pine streets in York. Flashing police lights, evidence markers and police tape surrounded the intersection hours later. Police say 29-year-old Jaime Weimert of York is Yorks 15th homicide victim of the year.

Now (Sunday), we have another incident. The details are still coming in, but this violence is too much for us to be living in, Mayor-elect Michael Helfrich (D) said.

Helfrich and the community are in a state of disbelief.

A red car came up behind it and hit the back of it, said Christopher Horseman, who lives nearby.

Horseman says he saw what happened as children stood around and watched.

The guy in the gray car, he stopped and jumped out, turned around, ran across the street to the dude in the red car. He starts swinging on him, and the other dude pulled out a gun and shot him in the chest, Horseman said.

Police Captain Troy Bankert says Weimert was shot at least once and died on his way to York Hospital. Police questioned and released a 27-year-old man whos also from York.

Helfrich says he has a plan to tackle gun violence when he takes office in January.

Were going to take action, Helfrich said. Were going to build up the neighborhood block watches. Were going to have block captains. Were going to have the police working more in the neighborhoods.

They pretty much did this for no reason. Just over someone hitting a car, Horseman said.

Horseman stays in his house and tries to avoid going out on the streets, even during daylight hours, because of the recent gun violence plaguing the city.

This is the latest in a string of deadly shootings in the city. The last one happened just days ago.

We have to make sure that we aggressively reduce this violence so that our true nature can come out, and people can see what a beautiful vibrant city York is, Helfrich said.

The homicide remains under investigation by the York City Police Department and the York County District Attorneys Office. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the York City Police Department at 717-846-1234, text tips to 847-411, or download the York City PD App. Those who text tips can remain anonymous.
The fate of Netflix series House of Cards has been up in air since the allegations of sexual misconduct levied against Kevin Spacey which saw the streaming service cut its ties from the actor.

The ardent fans of the show were left to think, will they will ever get to see what was recently announced would be the sixth and final season.

But, now according to a report in CNN, the showrunners Melissa James Gibson and Frank Pugliese, who took over from Beau Willimon for season 5, are racing against the clock to rework the shows conclusion without Spacey.

Though, Gibson and Pugliese have not made any public statements about the future of the show.

The decision is expected to be made within a fortnight as many crew members will have contractual obligations to work on other shows.

The streaming giant announced that Season 6 would be the last for House of Cards when it stopped the production in the wake of Anthony Rapps accusations.

House of Cards season 5 ended with Claire, the First Lady, replacing her husband as the President of United States after a season of manipulation.

Follow @htshowbiz for more
The Punisher

Cast - Jon Bernthal, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Ben Barnes, Deborah Ann Woll, Amber Rose Revah

Rating - 4/5

Joss Whedon, godfather of the geeks, hates the Punisher. And his hate isnt just a cutesy oh-I-dont-believe-in-guns-and-murder hate; its a rather extreme if-I-were-in-charge-Id-kill-the-Punisher kind of hate.

Years ago, he called the Marvel antihero a coward  the Punisher, you see, has a controversial affinity for firearms (and using said firearms to lethal effect). And Whedon  who has since earned the unique distinction of having directed both Marvels Avengers and (partially) DCs Justice League  wasnt done there. If you felt that he was being a tad unreasonable  we are, after all, talking about a comic book character here  and questioned him, then you were nothing but a fascist.

Well, if youre the betting type, heres a safe one for you: Joss Whedon isnt going to like the new Netflix Punisher series.

Fortunately for all of us, our enjoyment of the Punisher does not depend on what Joss Whedon does or does not like, because not only does Frank Castle  thats the Punishers alter ego  make use of a disgustingly huge arsenal of guns (mostly to kill, and sometimes to maim), but he does it in what is  and I do not exaggerate when I say this  a jaw-droppingly violent television programme.

It begins with a couple of stylishly done gunfights  not nearly as good as anything in the John Wick movies, but effective nonetheless  and before long, Franks either being tortured with merciless brutality, or hes hacking limbs, pounding skulls and gouging the eyes out of enemies  drenched in buckets of blood as if poured by Quentin Tarantino himself.

Itll be interestingly to see how blindsided Marvel fans are going to react to this. It might even be funny, because if humours what youre looking for, youre not getting any out of this show.

Not many people would have expected it to have gone in the directions that it did, but boy did it go there. The Punisher is already a deliciously dark character, but the one we see here  remember, he was a supporting character in season two of Daredevil, so this isnt the first time our paths have crossed  has already avenged the death of his wife and kids, and yet, somehow, the fire in his soul rages on.

When we meet him again in episode 1, hes still at war  but with whom, perhaps even he does not know. He spends his days hammering out his caged anger on walls, and his nights trying his best to avoid trouble. But trouble has a way of finding Frank Castle  and he isnt the sort of guy whod turn his back on it. Hes the sort of guy whod stalk it from the shadows, chase it down alleys, and put a hole in its head.

And there lies the difference between this version of the Punisher and anything weve seen before, because I distinctly remember him turning his back on a woman being raped in Dirty Laundry, a short film based on the character, starring Thomas Jane.

But Jon Bernthal  by the way, what an absolute star he is  plays him more like Robert De Niro in Taxi Driver than Christian Bales Batman  who is, perhaps, the closest relative of this kind of comic book hero. But his biggest contribution to this character is that he has made him human; hounded by nightmares of his family being murdered before his eyes, wracked with plunging guilt, and filled with seething rage.

Traditionally, the Punisher has always had a Kierkegaardian black and white morality  but Bernthals version is greyer than Woody Allens love life.

And this is reflected in the shows visual language  most of the characters, like the sets, are dressed in varying shades of grey. Grey suits on dogged detectives, dirty grey walls of support group meeting rooms; steely elevators; fluorescent bunkers; grimy, Martin Scorsese-inspired New York City streets, the same ones Travis Bickle shuffled along on four decades ago I wouldnt be surprised if in a few weeks, dozens video essays attempting to dissect the sheer quality of filmmaking that has gone into this show pop up in my YouTube subscriptions.

But more than anything else, the Punisher has a way of sneaking up on you, unloading an armory-full of profundity, and reminding you, the geek, just how drastically the world of comic book movies and TV has changed since Joss Whedon made those comments all those years ago. We live in an era when superhero movies and shows are so much more than just men in masks punching other men in masks.

Id be willing to wager no one  not even the most ardent Punisher fan  would have expected this show to tackle themes like PTSD, homegrown terrorism, war veterans and gun control. But it does  and it does it with remarkable bravery and insight. Theres no way of knowing just how mass shootings, a uniquely American problem, will translate here  I remember seeing AK-47s being sold on J&K footpaths like wholesale vegetables  but at least we could try.

Like its fellow Netflix/Marvel heroes  Daredevil (legal system), Jessica Jones (sexual assault) and Luke Cage (racism)  the Punisher is a beacon of hope in hopeless times. Hes the middle finger in a scabbed, clenched fist, aching to lay some hurt on the corrupt and the powerful.

The world  our world  has been unkind to Frank Castle, but however hard it tries  and it has tried really hard  it hasnt managed to kill his humanity.

Marvels The Punisher begins streaming on Netflix on November 17

Watch that fantastic Metallica-injected Punisher trailer here

Follow @htshowbiz for more

The author tweets @RohanNaahar
Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musks Instagram post dedicated to Turkeys founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk racked up an unprecedented number of likes, but also touched a nerve in Turkey.

The image showed Musk standing at Ataturks mausoleum in the soft sunlight, with a caption that said, Ataturk Antkabir. Musks Instagram account has 141 entries, but this photo received the maximum likes  1,013,975 to be exact.

On Twitter, Musk quoted Ataturks words, posting , If one day, my words are against science, choose science. Many Turkish commentators interpreted Musks invocation of Ataturk as a criticism of current president Recep Tayyip Erdogans regime.

Ataturk is credited for much of Turkeys secular credentials that critics say have been eroded under Erdogan.

Musks posts were published after his meeting with Erdogan on Wednesday, where the two discussed cooperation between his companies and Turkish firms, including the launch of Turkish satellites, a senior official said.

Ataturk Antkabir A post shared by Elon Musk (@elonmusk) on Nov 8, 2017 at 9:45am PST

Presidential spokesperson Ibrahim Kalin told state-run Anadolu Agency that the two also talked about electric cars and sustainable energy at the presidential palace complex in Ankara.

The comments made by the SpaceX CEO, who foresees human colonisation of Mars in coming years, were seen by many as a subtle reminder of Turkeys past and its transformation under Erdogan. Only a visionary can understand a visionary..., wrote a user, among opposition from others.

Erdogans critics have long accused the President of eating away at the secular pillars of modern Turkey as set up by Ataturk when he established the republic in 1923.

Liberal Turks have alleged the Turkish President is crushing democratic freedoms and attempting to roll back the work of Ataturk, the Western-facing founder who believed education should be free of religious teachings.

"If one day, my words are against science, choose science."

Mustafa Kemal Ataturk  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 9, 2017

The attention Mr. Musks remarks praising Ataturk is getting from Turks is a reaction to the increased attacks against the republics founder, Bloomberg quoted Gonul Tol, director of the Center for Turkish Studies at the Middle East Institute, as saying. There has always been a fault line between defenders of Ataturk-style secularism and Islam.

A new school curriculum announced by Turkey in July excluded Charles Darwins theory of evolution, feeding opposition fears that Erdogan was subverting the republics secular foundations.

Erdogan has in the past spoken of raising a pious generation and after his AKP party came to power in 2002, the number of Imam Hatip religious schools has grown exponentially.

Since the failed coup on July 15, 2016, more than 50,000 people have been jailed in Turkey as they face trial. Some 150,000 have been sacked or suspended from jobs in the civil service and private sector.

Erdogan marked Ataturks 79th death anniversary on Friday by praising the leader as a national independence hero. But in his speech, he criticised interpretations of Ataturks legacy, saying: Theres a big difference between Ataturk and Ataturkism.

Earlier that week, Erdogan had announced plans to demolish a culture centre in Istanbul that was named after Ataturk.

(With agency inputs)
Amid pressure from within the Republican Party to step aside, GOP Senate nominee Roy Moore on Sunday night called a newspaper report carrying allegations he had sexual contact with a 14-year-old girl four decades ago fake news and said a lawsuit would be filed in response.

Moores condemnation of a Washington Post story during a campaign speech in Huntsville, Alabama, came hours after another fellow Republican, Sen. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, urged him to drop out of a special election for one of Alabamas Senate seats. Toomey said Moores explanations had been inadequate and that Republicans should consider Sen. Luther Strange as a write-in candidate to run against Moore. Strange lost the Republican primary to Moore.

Moore tried to raise money from the controversy, writing in a fundraising pitch sent about midafternoon that the vicious and sleazy attacks against me are growing more vicious by the minute. He told supporters, Im counting on you to stand with me at this critical moment by chipping in a donation to help me bust through the vicious lies and attacks and get the truth out to as many voters as possible before December 12.

The Post story quoted four women by name, including the woman who alleged the sexual contact at 14, and had two dozen other sources.

In a Huntsville gym, Moore assured supporters that the Post story was a desperate attempt to stop my political campaign and that the allegations that he was involved with a minor child are completely unfalse and untrue and for which they will be sued, drawing a round of applause. He also questioned why such allegations would be leveled for the first time just weeks before the special election in spite of his decades in public life.

Why would they come now? Because there are groups that dont want me in the United States Senate, he said, naming the Democratic Party and the Republican establishment and accusing them of working together. He added, We do not plan to let anybody deter us from this race.

Toomey did not rule out the possibility that Senate Republicans might work to unseat Moore if he wins the special election against Democrat Doug Jones.

You know, this is a terrible situation, nearly 40-year-old allegation, well probably never know for sure exactly what happened, Toomey said on Meet the Press on NBC. But from my point of view, I think the accusations have more credibility than the denial. I think it would be best if Roy would just step aside.

The White House, pointedly noting that President Donald Trump did not back Moore during the primary, said Trump will likely weigh in on the Senate race when he returns from Asia later this week. The White House has already made clear that Moore should step aside if the allegations are proven to be true.

I think theres a special place in hell for those who actually perpetrate these crimes, White House legislative aide Marc Short said Sunday.

But, having said that, he hasnt been proved guilty, Short added. We have to afford him the chance to defend himself.

Moore is an outspoken Christian conservative and former state Supreme Court judge. The Post reported last Thursday that he had sexual contact with a 14-year-old girl and pursued three other teenagers decades earlier.

While he called the allegations completely false and misleading, in an interview with conservative radio host Sean Hannity he did not wholly rule out dating teenage girls when he was in his early 30s. Asked if that would have been usual for him, Moore said, Not generally, no.

The story stirred concern among anxious GOP officials in Washington in a key race to fill the Senate seat once held by Jeff Sessions, now the US attorney general. Losing the special election to a Democrat would imperil Republicans already slim 52-48 majority in the Senate, which is hoping to pass a tax overhaul later this year.

But a Moore victory also would pose risks if he were to join the Senate GOP with a cloud of sexual misconduct allegations.

In the immediate aftermath of the Post report, a wave of national Republican leaders called for Moore to drop out of the race if the allegations are true. They included the head of the House Freedom Caucus, Rep. Mark Meadows of North Carolina, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz.

Over the weekend, more Republicans distanced themselves from Moore.

Look, Im sorry, but even before these reports surfaced, Roy Moores nomination was a bridge too far, tweeted Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., on Saturday.

Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., on Sunday said Moores denials seemed to raise more questions.

Certainly, the allegations are very, very strong. The denial was not as strong as the allegations, Scott said. If the allegations are true, there is no doubt he should step aside. And not for the party, but for the American people. We have to find a way to restore trust and confidence in our elected officials in our government, and this goes in the wrong direction.

Even if Moore were to step aside, his name would likely remain on the ballot. And any effort to add Strange as a write-in candidate would threaten to divide the GOP vote in a way that would give the Democratic candidate a greater chance of winning. Moore beat Strange in the Republican primary in September.

Mindful of the stakes, Democrats on Sunday appeared largely content to let Republicans debate whether Moore should be their standard bearer in the race.

Look, we all know that Alabama is a very tough state politically for Democrats, but this is a special situation where we have a great candidate, said Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, the chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

On the other hand, you have a very, very flawed candidate in Roy Moore, which is why many people are calling upon him to step down, but Im going to leave this to the people of Alabama. This is their decision, he said.

Toomey and Short appeared on NBCs Meet the Press, Scott spoke on CBS Face the Nation, and Van Hollen was on Fox News Sunday.
British Prime Minister Theresa May on Monday tried to overcome internal jolts of two cabinet ministers leaving last week by focusing on crunch issues of leaving the European Union, even as the pound took a beating by Brexit-related developments.

Britain is due to leave the EU on March 29, 2019, as laid out in the exit schedule in Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty. The deadline has added urgency to British and European business leaders, given the existing close arrangements and the need to plan ahead. Rupturing those ties has major implications, but despite several talks in Brussels, business is no wiser yet on life after Brexit.

The pound shed almost a cent to $1.309 on Monday, as top business leaders trooped into Downing Street to meet May and seek clarity on key issues facing them.

Over 900 Indian companies are based in Britain, many of whom use the base to access the European market. Indian business sources told HT that only a small number are major players, who have already put in place contingency plans, with offices in European capitals.

Brexit continued to take a toll on domestic politics and government, with most of Whitehalls energies focussed on preparing for it, even though politically, the May government is nowhere near the promise of a strong and stable government which the Tories campaigned for.

Hobbled by a lack of majority, the government faces uncertainty in the House of Commons on a crucial EU withdrawal bill, with opposition and ruling party MPs tabling a large number of amendments. It remains unclear if Parliament will have a final say on the deal or not.

Tensions between those favouring a hard Brexit and soft Brexit continue, with leading lights in the government backing both sides.

Foreign secretary Boris Johnson and environment secretary Michael Gove fell out during last years leadership tussle, but joined hands to make what is being called an Orwellian set of demands on a hard Brexit in a secret letter to May last week.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Myanmars army released a report on Monday denying all allegations of rape and killings by security forces, having days earlier replaced the general in charge of the operation that drove more than 600,000 Rohingya Muslims to flee to Bangladesh.

No reason was given for Major General Maung Maung Soe being transferred from his post as the head of Western Command in Rakhine state, where Myanmars military, known as the Tatmadaw, launched a sweeping counter-insurgency operation in August.

I dont know the reason why he was transferred, Major General Aye Lwin, deputy director of the psychological warfare and public relation department at the Ministry of Defence, told Reuters. He wasnt moved into any position at present. He has been put in reserve.

A senior UN official, who had toured the refugee camps in Bangladesh, on Sunday accused Myanmars military of conducting organised mass rape and other crimes against humanity.

The Myanmar military said its own internal investigation had exonerated security forces of all accusations of atrocities. The investigators findings were posted on the Facebook page of the militarys commander-in-chief, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.

The developments came ahead of a visit on Wednesday by US secretary of state Rex Tillerson. He is expected to deliver a stern message to Myanmars generals, over whom national leader Aung San Suu Kyi has little control.

A spokeswoman for the US State Department, Katina Adams, said the United States was aware of reports of the generals replacement and added:

We remain gravely concerned by continuing reports of violence and human rights abuses committed by Burmese security forces and vigilantes. Those responsible for abuses must be held accountable.

Lawmakers in Washington are pressing to pass legislation imposing economic and travel sanctions targeting the military and its business interests.

The government in mostly-Buddhist Myanmar, which is also known as Burma, regards the Rohingya as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh.

Leaders of Asian nations meeting in Manila on Monday skirted around the exodus of the Rohingya, disappointing human rights groups who were hoping for a tough stand.

Maung Maung Soes transfer was ordered on Friday and Brigadier General Soe Tint Naing, formerly a director in logistics, was appointed as the new head of Western Command.

Made up of three divisions, Western Command is overseen by the Bureau of Special Operations, which reports to the office of Min Aung Hlaing.

A senior UN official, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Raad al-Hussein, has described the armys actions in Rakhine as a textbook example of ethnic cleansing.

Myanmar says the clearance operation was necessary for national security after Rohingya militants attacked 30 security posts and an army base in the state on Aug. 25. The internal investigation put the number of fighters involved in the attacks at over 10,000, more than doubling an earlier official estimate.

Alleged atrocities

Speaking in Dhaka, Pramila Patten, the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, said she would raise accusations against the Myanmar military with the International Criminal Court in the Hague.

When I return to New York, I will brief and raise the issue with the prosecutor and president of the ICC whether they (Myanmars military) can be held responsible for these atrocities, Patten said.

Sexual violence is being commanded, orchestrated and perpetrated by the Armed Forces of Myanmar, otherwise known as the Tatmadaw, Patten said following a three-day tour of the Rohingya refugee camps in the Coxs Bazar region of Bangladesh.

Rape is an act and a weapon of genocide, she said.

Refugees have accused Myanmar soldiers and Buddhist vigilantes of torching their villages, murdering their families and raping women.

Patten said brutal acts of sexual violence had occurred in the context of collective persecution that included the killing of adults and children, torture, mutilation and the burning and looting of villages.

The forms of sexual violence we consistently heard about from survivors include gang-rape by multiple soldiers, forced public nudity and humiliation, and sexual slavery in military captivity. One survivor was in captivity for 45 days by the Myanmar army, Patten said.

Internal probe

The Myanmar militarys internal probe said that according to 2,817 people interviewed from 54 Rohingya villages soldiers did not fire on innocent villagers, rape or commit sexual violence against women.

Nor were there any killings or beating of villagers, and the security forces did not carry out any looting or set fire to Rohingya mosques, it said.

The report also concluded that security forces only used small arms in clashes with Rohingya militants and there were no findings to suggest the use of excessive force.

It also blamed the militants for setting fire to the villages and frightening and coercing people to leave their homes.

Myanmar is refusing entry to a U.N. panel that was tasked with investigating allegations of abuses after a smaller military counteroffensive launched in October 2016.

The country is in the early stages of a fragile transition to democracy after being ruled by a junta for 49 years, and the generals have retained their autonomy on matters of defence, security and border issues under a 2008 constitution. Three generals are members of the cabinet.

Suu Kyi has said that any alleged atrocities should be substantiated and investigated, while her government is working to stabilise Rakhine in order for the Rohingya to return.

For now, though, the flow is one way. The International Rescue Committee, a New York-based aid agency, reckons that around two-thirds of an estimated 300,000 Rohingya remaining in Myanmar could head across the border in the coming months.
A North Korean soldier was shot and injured by his own side Monday while defecting to South Korea at the truce village of Panmunjom, the Souths military said.

The soldier crossed to the South side of the Joint Security Area at Panmunjom, the only portion of the border Demilitarised Zone where forces from the two sides come face-to-face, the Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement.

Our military has taken in a North Korean soldier after he crossed from a North Korea post towards our Freedom House, the statement said, referring to a building on the South side of the village which is bisected by the border.

The defector was taken to hospital after being shot by another North Korean soldier, the Souths military said. Details of his condition were not immediately available.

Military defections across the heavily fortified DMZ dividing the two Koreas are not uncommon, but they are rare at Panmunjom -- a major tourist attraction.

Two North Korean soldiers defected to the South in June after crossing the frontier at another location.

Over the decades since the peninsula was divided, dozens of North Korean soldiers have fled to the South through the DMZ, which extends for two kilometers either side of the actual borderline.

Relations between the two sides have been tense for months, as the North stepped up its missile tests. In September the North carried out its sixth and largest nuclear test, of what it described as a hydrogen bomb.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday visited the global rice research centre in the Philippines and got a briefing from the scientists at the world famous institute which is working towards developing better quality of rice seeds to address issues relating to food scarcity.

A large number of Indian scientists are working in the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in Los Banos, an urban locality situated at a distance of around 65 km from Manila, the capital of the Philippines.

A number of scientists at the IRRI briefed the prime minister on flood-tolerant rice varieties which they said can withstand 14-18 days of submergence and can provide 1-3 tonnes more yield per hectare in flood affected areas.

The Indian government is also setting up a regional centre of the IRRI in Varanasi, the Prime Ministers constituency, to develop high-yielding rice varieties.

The IRRI, which has offices in 17 countries, is known for its work in developing rice varieties that contributed to the Green Revolution in 1960s.

The Varanasi Centre would help increase farmers income by enhancing and supporting rice productivity, reducing cost of production, value addition, diversification and enhancement of farmers skills, the Prime Ministers Office tweeted.

Spokesperson in the external affairs ministry Raveesh Kumar said the IRRI has successfully collaborated with Indian Council for Agricultural Research to introduce drought- tolerant, flood-tolerant and salt-tolerant varieties of rice in India.

He said the IRRI and its partners have provided assistance to 2,00, 000 women farmers in Odisha which included providing capacity building programmes, and improved agriculture technology.

The IRRI centre in Varanasi will help in utilising the rich biodiversity of India to develop special rice varieties.

Modi arrived in Philippines on Sunday on a three-day visit to attend the ASEAN-India and the East Asia summits.
China on Monday advised against excluding relevant countries from the quadrilateral coalition floated by the US, India, Japan and Australia, and said the groups policies shouldnt be directed at a third party.

The relevant proposals should be open and inclusive and conducive to win-win cooperation, and should avoid politicising or excluding relevant parties, foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang told a regular news briefing.

Talks on the quadrilateral  widely seen as a joint effort by the four countries to counter China in Asia  were held at Manila in the Philippines, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is participating in the East Asia Forum and Asean Summit.

From Chinas consistent foreign policy, we welcome development of friendly cooperation between relevant countries, and we hope this will not be directed at a third party, Geng said when he was asked to comment on the meeting of the leaders of the Quad countries and the US administrations use of the much-talked about term Indo-Pacific.

Geng added: We hope policies made and actions taken by relevant parties can correspond with the trend of the times, featuring peace, cooperation, friendship and development and be conducive to upholding regional peace, prosperity and stability.

He spoke in generic terms but it was by far the most detailed reaction from Beijing on developments involving the Quad countries.

Last week, China had played down talk about the coalition, possibly timing it to the then upcoming visit of US President Donald Trump. Foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying had said the Indo-Pacific region is a dynamic region with great potential.

She also stressed that stability and peace in the Indo-Pacific is of great importance to ensure the regions prosperity.

A week later, the four countries seem to be closer to reviving the Quad, which was first mooted in 2007. The alliance is being seen by some in Beijing as the latest effort to counter an increasingly assertive China and its aggressive foreign policy in the region and beyond.

It is also being interpreted as a security arrangement led by the US to contain China. Trump and top US officials have been using the term Indo-Pacific more frequently than the phrase Asia-Pacific.

Trump used it at joint news conference with South Korean President Moon Jae-in in Seoul a day before arriving in China.

The Quad talks were held in Manila, where Modi interacted with Trump and Japans premier Shinzo Abe at a dinner hosted by President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines for the visiting leaders.

The discussions focussed on cooperation based on their converging vision and values for promotion of peace, stability and prosperity in an increasingly inter-connected region that they share with each other and with other partners, Indias external affairs ministry said in a statement.

They agreed that a free, open, prosperous and inclusive Indo-Pacific region serves the long-term interests of all countries in the region and of the world at large. The officials also exchanged views on addressing common challenges of terrorism and proliferation linkages impacting the region as well as on enhancing connectivity, the statement added.
Important!! email - yadmoshe@gmail.com

1) LASHON HARAH ALERT



Assertions made by any poster - should not be assumed to be true until checked with authoritative rabbis. They are allowed only for the concerns that they raise - so that people can be alerted to investigate so as to avoid harm.



Acceptance of a post is not assurance that it is accurate or in proper context. Even notices said in the name of major rabbis need to be checked out to see that they were actually authorized by those rabbis.



2 ) My translations and other material that appears on this blog are copyrighted.

 2007-2014



3) Any post with the name "anonymous" will automatically be rejected. Please pick another name to identify yourself

4) The comments section is intended for readers to be able to comment on the relevant post, and should be related to the the subject matter at hand. Please avoid posting irrelevant comments! 5) If you would like to recommend material of general interest to be posted on the forum, please send me an email: yadmoshe@gmail.com.
Southeast Asian nations will not take a relative calm in the dispute over the South China Sea for granted, according to a draft of a statement to be issued during a summit meeting in Manila on Monday.

The statement will be issued after a meeting between China and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the Philippines capital, a diplomatic source said.

While the situation is calmer now, we cannot take the current progress for granted, said the draft, a copy of which was seen by Reuters.

Important that we cooperate to maintain peace, stability, freedom of navigation in and over-flight above the SCS (South China Sea), in accordance with international law. It is in our collective interest to avoid miscalculations that could lead to escalation of tensions.

Almost all of the South China Sea, one of the worlds busiest waterways, is claimed by China. Taiwan and four ASEAN nations - Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines and Brunei - have competing claims.

Leaders from China, the United States and seven other nations are joining ASEAN at its annual summit.

US President Donald Trump said on Sunday he was prepared to mediate between claimants to the disputed South China Sea.

Asked about his comments, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said that China upheld resolving the issue via talks with the countries directly involved and to uphold the peace and stability of the South China Sea.

The situation in the South China Sea was generally stable and heading in the right direction with the joint efforts of China and ASEAN countries, he said.

Countries in the region were willing and able to appropriately handle the South China Sea issue, Geng added.

Satellite photo shows Chinese-controlled North Island, part of the Paracel Islands group in the South China Sea, on September 29, 2017. (Reuters File Photo)

At the same time, we also hope that countries outside the region can respect efforts by countries in the region to protect peace and stability in the South China Sea and play a constructive role in this regard.

He did not elaborate, but China has been angered in the past by freedom of navigation patrols in the South China Sea, and comments on the issue, by the United States which it sees as provocative.

On Sunday, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte suggested that, despite their differences, the leaders should not discuss the South China Sea.

We have to be friends. The other hotheads would like us to confront China and the rest of the world on so many issues, Duterte said at a business conference.

The South China Sea is better left untouched. Nobody can afford to go to war. It can ill-afford a violent confrontation.

At the meetings formal opening on Monday, Duterte made no mention of the South China Sea and pointed to other triggers for a threat of violence in the region.

Terrorism and violent extremism endanger the peace, stability, and security of our region because these threats know no boundary, he said.

Piracy and armed robbery in the seas put a dent on our growth and disrupt the stability of both regional and global commerce. The menace of illegal drug trade continues to endanger the very fabric of our society.

These and other issues are high on the agenda of our meeting.

In this April 21, 2017, file photo, an airstrip, structures and buildings on China's man-made Subi Reef in the Spratly chain of islands in the South China Sea are seen from a Philippine Air Force C-130 transport plane of the Philippine Air Force. (AP)

Duterte has grown closer to China since he took office last year and Vietnam has emerged as Beijings main challenger in the area. Chinas move to pressure Vietnam to stop oil drilling in a disputed area in July brought relations between the Communist neighbours to a low.

But on Sunday, Vietnams state television said Chinese President Xi Jinping had told Vietnams General Secretary, Nguyen Phu Trong, he wanted to work with Southeast Asian nations on a code of conduct in the sea. Chinas Xinhua news agency said China and Vietnam had agreed to properly handle maritime issues and strive to maintain peace and stability.
The sixth round of voting to select a judge to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is a runoff between India and the UK, with former Supreme Court judge Justice Dalveer Bhandari pitted against British jurist Christopher Greenwood.

1. Both them are seeking re-election. The Hague-based ICJ has 15 judges with a nine-year term, but five vacancies come up for polls once in three years. To emerge victorious, a candidate has to win a majority of 97 votes or more in the UN general assembly and a majority of eight in the UN Security Council of 15 members (five permanent and 10 non-permanent). Four judges from France, Somalia, Brazil and Lebanon were elected after five rounds, leaving Justice Bhandari and Greenwood to fight over the remaining slot. If the UK candidate is defeated, this would be for the first time the ICJ (also known as the world court) would be without a British judge since 1946. The court was established in 1945 by a UN charter.

2. India  which would like to see Justice Bhandari re-elected to the ICJ  is in the midst of a case involving former naval officer Kulbhushan Jadhav, who was sentenced to death on spying charges by a Pakistani military court. This is the first time since 1971 that India has turned to the international court in a dispute with Pakistan. On the earlier occasion, India had withdrawn Pakistans overflight rights after an Indian Airlines flight to Lahore was hijacked. Pakistan, citing the jurisdiction of the International Civil Aviation Organisation, said India cannot deny it both overflight and landing rights. The court had ruled in Pakistans favour then.

3. Another defeat in the UN will reflect badly on the UK, which already seems to be losing its global clout after the Brexit vote. In a UN general assembly last June, the UK was defeated 94 to 15 with 65 abstentions on a Mauritian-backed resolution questioning the countrys authority over the territory (including Diego Garcia, where the United States has an Indian Ocean base). The UK must have been particularly worried by how the 27-member European Union voted on the resolutions: 22 EU nations  including Germany, France and Italy  abstained, while only Cyprus supported the resolution. One more defeat is something the UK cannot politically afford.

4. The result of voting in the UN General Assembly in the last round was also something a veto-wielding member permanent member hadnt faced. Justice Bhandari won 115 votes in the general assembly, but failed to secure six votes in the 15-member security council. Greenwood won nine votes in the security council but managed only 76 votes in the general assembly. Never before was a permanent member of the UN security council defeated in the general assembly.

5. Though it is not uncommon for a candidate to withdraw from contests of the kind, this is unlikely because both the countries have too much at stake in the present scenario. India is hard-pressed to win the general assembly vote in order to prove its credentials as a potential member of the security council. However, it must be noted that a candidate had withdrawn from a similar situation as recently as 2014. Though the security council consistently voted for Argentinas Susana Ruiz Cerutti, Patrick Lipton Robinson from Jamaica won the majority of votes in the general assembly. Argentina had then withdrawn its candidate from the race in a gesture of regional bonhomie.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
World carbon emissions are set to rise 2% this year to a new record, scientists said on Monday, dashing hopes that global emissions had already peaked.

Carbon emissions had been roughly flat from 2014-16, but will increase this year mainly due to a rise in China after a two-year decline, the scientists said.

Their data, presented during negotiations among almost 200 nations in Germany about details of the 2015 Paris Agreement climate accord, are a setback to a global goal of curbing emissions to avert more downpours, heat waves, and rising sea levels.

The plateau of last year was not peak emissions after all, the Global Carbon Project, a group of 76 scientists in 15 countries, wrote of the findings.

Countries that have signed or ratified the Paris climate agreement, or which have stayed outside the deal, with an indication of how much they contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. (AFP)

Carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels and industry, the bulk of man-made greenhouse gases, were on track to gain 2%in 2017 from 2016 levels to a record high of about 37 billion tonnes, it said.

Global CO2 emissions appear to be going up strongly once again ... This is very disappointing, said lead researcher Corinne Le Quere, director of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research at the University of East Anglia in Britain.

Glen Peters, another leader of the study at the CICERO Center for International Climate Research in Oslo, said Chinas emissions were set to rise 3.5%, driven by more coal demand amid stronger economic growth.

China, the top greenhouse gas emitter ahead of the United States, accounts for almost 30% of world emissions.

US emissions were set to decline by 0.4% in 2017, a smaller fall than in recent years, also reflecting more burning of coal.

Concentrations of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, drivers of climate change, since the pre-industrial era. (AFP)

Coals gains were linked to a rise in the price of natural gas that made coal more attractive in power plants, Peters told Reuters, rather than the effects of US President Donald Trumps pro-coal policies.

Trump plans to pull out of the Paris Agreement.

Worldwide we are probably in the level-to-upwards direction for emissions in the next years rather than level or downwards, Peters said, because of stronger global gross domestic product (GDP) growth.

Richard Black, director of the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit think-tank who was not involved in the study, said carbon emissions per unit of GDP were falling.

This year might well prove a small blip on an otherwise flattening emissions curve, he said.
Protecting the drawdown of U.S. troops in 1971, a cavalry squadron was hit with a puzzlingand terrifyingenemy tactic.

At long last, the stewardess announced that we would be arriving at Cam Ranh Bay shortly. It was early March 1971 and for the first timers on board there was a sense of electric excitement. For myself, I was thinking a lot about my first tour flying UH-1C guns in 1967-68 and wondering what type ship and where I would fly. I was aware of the shortages relating to the drawdown of U.S. troops, so I didnt know what to expect.

Soon after the 707 touched down, we were bused to a replacement depot where we were given bunk space, drew our gear and then were whisked off to a mess hall for a rather good, late supper. The next morning after chow, we received our assignments. I drew the 23rd Infantry Division, the Americal Division. Oh my God, was my first thought. The My Lai massacre stench was still in the air. I was more than displeased with the assignment and had no idea what type aviation units were in the division. The next morning, I caught an Army Caribou transport that flew several of us Americal newbies to Chu Lai, where we were to begin the Americal Combat Preparation School, a two-week course that covered the waterfront on how to stay alive in Vietnam.

One morning early in the second week, I was pulled out of class and told to contact the 2nd Brigade commanders office. I did and was invited to the commanders mess for dinner. I was driven to the beachside mess, a beautiful China Beachlike setting. I mixed well with the brigade staff officers, and the meal and service was almost too good to believe: Philippine waiters, china, cloth napkins, wine.

After dinner, the brigade commander invited me into his office and began talking about his 2nd Brigade Cavalry troop that had recently performed very well in the March 1971 Lam Son 719 incursion into Laos. He had noticed from my records that even though I was an aviator, I had commanded an armored cavalry troop in Germany. He then flat out asked me if I would be willing to take H Troop for six months.

All night I weighed the pros and cons of ground command versus assignment to an aviation unit. The thought of commanding cavalry troopers again, for even six months, put the decision over the top as a yes! Early the next morning, I told the brigade commander I would be honored to accept the position.

Little did I know how that decision would lead me into one of the most challenging and terrifying experiences as a commander that I would face in Vietnam, testing my ability to react to and counter a mystifying and devastating enemy tactic.

After completing the Combat Preparation Course, I was taken to the H Troop, 17th Cavalry, cantonment area of tarpapered Quonset huts lined up in neat rows separated by company streets. I went to my hooch, which appeared to be more like a prison cell with double bolts on the door and so much chain link fence over the windows that air could hardly get in. I was told the wire was there to protect a previous commanderfrom fragging! I muttered to myself, What the hell have I gotten myself into now?

Shortly, 1st Sgt. John Stephens approached me for a heart-to-heart talk. We sat in his office and talked for hours about what we needed to do in order to bring H Troop to U.S. Cavalry standards. In fact, the troop was reflecting the problems and upheaval shaping the Army and American society in general.

Several weeks of field duty security missions, however, had a dramatic effect on raising troop morale and building cohesiveness, and gradually we could sense a wellness developing within the troop. In early April, we went back to Chu Lai for maintenance and a brief rest, and learned that we were to become part of a provisional cavalry squadron, organized to provide security operations under a new provisional squadron commander. A giant of a man, Lt. Col. Frederick Wilmouth looked like a big green grizzly bear, with huge hands and a genuine smile. I also met Captain Jim Wilson, a proficient, savvy, combat leader.

We all sat down and had a Da Nang drawdown sketched out for us. In order for this concept to workproviding security in a great arc from the north and around the west of Da Nang to the south close coordination was paramount. With little squadron coordinating staff available, Wilson and I knew that troop-to-troop cross talk was essential.

Our mission would take us to the edge of the plain west of Da Nang and on west to the mountains. We were to screen the area for infiltrations of company-sized Viet Cong (VC) or North Vietnamese Army (NVA) units that could attack the bases in the Da Nang vicinity to disrupt the time-phased withdrawal of U.S. troops that was underway.

We were headed generally toward a town named Phu Lac where we would screen and patrol the area, as the avenue from the mountains to Da Nang was thought to be a viable attack route for VC and NVA units.

Soon we fell into a daily routine of searching for caches of enemy weapons, bunker complexes, food and weapons. For the most part, we were coming up dry with next to nothing of value to show for almost a month in the field.

One fact that was clear was the lack of military-aged Vietnamese males we saw during our daylight operations. Plenty of women, elderly men and young children, but no 17- to 25-year-old males at all.

Our standard method of operations was to leave one platoon from the previous nights ambush mission as a troop security force to rest while maintaining a 50-percent alert. Near days end, this platoon would join the troop and prepare to swap positions with that nights ambush platoon mission and take its position within the troops night defensive position (NDP), which had been reconned earlier. No matter how many times a commander may have set up an NDP, it was always a high-stakes event, ensuring that everything that needs to be done has been done, and done correctly.

Near the end of the second week of April, I was told by our squadron headquarters to rendezvous with a company of Regional Forces Popular Forces (RFPF), commonly called Ruff Puffs, that would be attached to us for a couple of weeks. They ranked somewhere between Vietnamese army soldiers and Montagnards more organized than the Yards but not nearly the caliber of fighters they were.

We were met by a rag-tag unit of about 100 men scattered about in a dusty rice paddy basin, with absolutely no security in place, backpacks stuffed with live ducks and chickens, and old weapons that I wasnt sure would even fire. An American captain who was advising the band approached me. We agreed that the RFPFs would ride on our tracks until we came to an area that needed to be reconned. They would then dismount and provide the additional boots on the ground that we needed to function more efficiently.

Along with the nicety of having dismounted infantry, however, came a steep bill, which their adviser began to detail. The RFPFs werent exactly early risers and they needed to be situated near a water source each evening so they could cook their rice and vegetables. They werent too good in the security game, having a reputation of sleeping while on sentry posts. The list the captain was running through seemed to go on forever, so I finally interrupted him and said, Hey Pal, Ive been doing just fine with the troop without you folks so far, so with the list of musts you just gave me Im not sure I can live with it. I told him we would attempt to meet his troops needs, but if we couldnt, then they would just have to suck it up.

The RFPF unit requirements placed additional pressure on our scouts to find NDPs that met our security and their administrative requirements, leaving us far fewer suitable NDP candidates. I would soon learn the perils of this situation.

As we pulled into the area selected as our NDP on the very first night after our link up, I went ballistic, ranting about the positions weak defensibility and lack of decent fields of fire. Meanwhile, the Puffs parked their rucks, started their fires and began bathing and hauling water for cookingout of the same damn river. I decided I would have to develop a mechanism to keep me from getting boxed into accepting an NDP like this again. Unfortunately, I failed to recognize the signs that this place had been used as a night defensive position before. Used fire pits, three-legged branch cooking pot holders and several shallow fighting positions were already there.

We had shifted to a new paradigm, but I was too young and inexperienced to realize it. As a direct result, what would unfold in the next few days and weeks was a period of fear bordering on terror. When I think of it four decades later, it still gives me chills.

The following day was uneventful with no enemy contact and little of anything found. Again around 1700 we went into the standard night laager routine, position occupation, laying in artillery, emplacing mortars, setting claymore mines and erecting RPG screenschain-link fence to defeat the rocket-propelled grenades shaped charges.

The NDP perimeter was about 100 meters in diameter, with the command group consisting of my M113 ACAV track, three 81mm mortar tracks, the medic, a supply track and another couple of administrative wheeled vehicles. We had integrated the dismounted RFPF forces into our perimeter, with their fighting positions located between every third U.S. track. We had a total of 30 tracked vehicles. Our communications were good.

That evening, after touring the perimeter for a third time and finding all in order, I decided to try and get some sleep in my ACAV in a hammock strung from behind the drivers hatch to the right rear of the track. I laid in the hammock, feet on the floor, and held a radio hand microphone for the troop command net in one hand and the squadron command in the other.

It was stone quiet at 2400 hours and, just as I was giving a negative SITREP to squadron headquarters, several small explosions went off in rapid succession inside our perimeter. I immediately grabbed my steel pot and portable radio. As I exited the vehicles back door, I saw a scene of utter chaos, eerily illuminated by our 81mm mortar flares. The RFPFs were scurrying all over the place as our guys manned their weapons on their tracks and in their individual fighting positions. Maintaining combat discipline, no one was firing his machine gun. My immediate assessment was that we were under a 60mm mortar attack, probably designed to let us know that the VC were alive and welland that they damn sure knew where we were.

Only seconds after my feet hit the ground, a tremendous explosion from across the perimeter ripped through the air, literally blowing me off my feet, tearing the radio from my grip and sending my unbuckled helmet flying. As I got up on my hands and knees and gazed across the perimeter, I saw one of our tracks engulfed in flames. The ramp was down and there appeared to be some movement inside.

I ran to the track, reaching it as one of my scout sergeants was pulling an unconscious trooper from the flaming vehicle. We dragged the smoldering trooper about 25 meters from the track. Another crew member had been blown out the open back and had a wicked gash on his forehead. Immediately the ACAVs on the left and right had buttoned up and repositioned to maintain perimeter integrity and minimize the danger from ammunition that would soon cook off.

After reporting to squadron, I called for a muster to account for personnel, then called for a medevac for the two wounded U.S. troopers and a number of RFPFs. We had one man unaccounted for, and seven RFPFs who had been in fighting positions near the burning track were missing and assumed to be dead.

When the dustoff came in, there was a wild clamor by terrified Ruff Puffs who appeared ready to storm the copter. I had to threaten the Vietnamese RFPF leader before he gained control of his men. I told the aircraft commander that this would be one of several lifts, as I was sure come daylight we would find more casualties.

All the while I was racking my brain trying to figure what could have caused this carnage. It wasnt an artillery shell, for the explosion certainly was too big for that.

Shortly after the dustoff departed, one of my M-551 Sheridan Light Tank commanders was found dead on the back deck of his track, apparently from a shrapnel wound to his skull. He was sleeping in his bag on his tanks back deck. When the initial rounds went off, he probably sat up and was struck by a piece of shrapnel when the big blast went off.

It was a long, jittery night. Everyone was on 100-percent alert, having no idea what had just happened and fearing that something like it would happen again.

The burning track smoldered, and as the suns first rays lit the perimeter you could see its .50-cal machine gun drooping from the intense heat, still locked into its mount atop a charred aluminum box. I ordered the men to fill five-gallon cans with nearby river water and cautiously pour it over the unexploded ammunition on the tracks floor. Once we were certain that the hulk and unexploded ammunition had cooled sufficiently, we gingerly approached. I was amazed to see a crater on the right side of the track, about 10 feet deep and looking like what Id seen during my first tour when I had done Arc Light raid bomb damage assessments. The center of the crater was directly in the center of several RFPF fighting clusters, where the seven missing RFPFs had been.

I called squadron and requested that they send an explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) expert out to see if we could ascertain just what hit us. I believed it could have been an errant bomb that had inadvertently pickled off from a plane returning from an attack mission. I cancelled combat operations for the day and figured I had to get the soldiers minds off what had just happened.

Meeting with squad leaders and above, I told them that I was as perplexed as they were, but that the good part, if there was any good part in this situation, was that we had sustained minimum losses and had not been subjected to a second ground attack. I wanted the men to get some of the rest that they had missed the night before and stand by to resume combat operations in the morning. They gave me a salute and went about their work.

The EOD team choppered in, and in less than an hour they brought me a metal plate that looked like a piece of stainless steel. They said it was the base of a 250-pound U.S. bomb and confirmed that the crater could have been made by a bomb that size, detonating at ground level. They continued to search in and around the crater and found several metal shards that convinced them that it was indeed a 250-pound bomb that had done this damage.

I had ruled out a buried command-detonated 250-pound bomb, as the EOD team said that whatever made the explosion had detonated on the surface. Otherwise, the crater would have been much deeper. Still thinking the bomb had fallen off the wing of an aircraft, I requested squadron check Air Force and Navy flights during the 2400-hour time period.

Regardless of what had done the evil deed, or how it had been delivered, the troop was reeling from the shock. But we had to put it behind us and get on with our mission. The next morning, we resumed our tactical screening operations as usual, without incident.

After about a week, we were slipping the bonds of fear that had gripped us in the wake of the mysterious bomb incident. Then one night, as it was getting dark and we were safely in our night defensive position, we started taking incoming 60mm mortars again. We took about 10 rounds in quick succession and then there was nothing but an ominous silence. I called the platoons and found that we had had no casualties and no damage resulting from the mortar attack.

Five minutes later, I got a call from one of my Sheridan commanders, Sergeant Moye, telling me that he believed he had found a torpedo laying next to his track. We were 40 kilometers inland for Christs sake! A torpedo? I grabbed my helmet, radio and flashlight and made my way to the 2nd Platoons arc of the NDP. When I reached Moyes Sheridan, he was standing on the back deck, pointing to the ground on the right side of his track.

Moving around to the side of the track, I turned on the red filtered flashlight and there it was: a finless 250-pound U.S. bomb laying just 10 feet from the track. The bombs nose fuze looked as if it had been disgorged from the bomb itself. A pair of wires trailed from the fuze and were still attached to the bomb.

I wasnt exactly sure what I was seeing, but was smart enough to know that we had a very dangerous situation on our hands and that we had to get the hell away from this highly explosive bit of ordnance, fast.

I ordered the tracks on that arc of the perimeter to move and double up with left and right platoons. I called squadron and requested EOD support again, and then called a command huddle on the far side of the perimeter.

Next I ordered a quartering party to immediately move to one of the alternate NDP sites, then return and guide us there as quickly as possible. Everyone was to load up and prepare to move, but leave the RPG screens in place. We would also leave a team of two scout tracks about 500 meters away from the bomb to watch the NDP and the bomb until we could get the EOD team in. The troop then quickly moved about three kilometers for the rest of the night.

Throughout the night, I kept trying to figure out how these massive bombs came to be placed so near to my troops. In the morning, one of my platoon leaders came to me to report that our Kit Carson scouta repatriated VChad called them lob bombs. I had the scout brought to my track along with our interpreter. He took a pencil and hurriedly sketched out just how the Viet Cong would take unexploded U.S. bombs, cut them in half to extract the high explosives and turn them into booby traps, mortar rounds or hand grenades. Another use, he explained, was to use them as lob bombs.

The VC were smart, patient and knew how their enemy fought. They knew what we looked for in a night defensive position and, because our Ruff Puffs needs made us so predictable, they knew how the perimeter would look even before it took shape on the ground. As such, he said, they would locate formerly used NDP sites, then scratch out a trench deep enough to encase the bomb just two or three inches under the surface. Selecting the exact position was critical, he explained, for they ideally wanted the bomb to be outside the perimeter to keep it from being run over and exploded or compromised as the NDP was being set up.

The Viet Cong would place the bomb longwise in the trench on a radial from the forecasted center of the NDP. Then, under the bomb, about a third of the way up from the tail end, they placed a small, low-velocity tamping charge that was just strong enough to propel the bomb, end over end, into the perimeter. The bomb itself was fuzed with two wires that would initiate detonation upon contact with the ground. It was this detonating mechanism that I had seen on the bomb that failed to explode when the fuze dislodged on ground contact. The Kit Carson scout went on to explain how the detonation of the tamping charge was usually preceded by a small perimeter probe or an indirect-fire harassing attack, intended to get the troops running around for cover just prior to the ground level detonation of the bomb.

At that point, I realized that these little fighters were more sophisticated than I had given them credit for being.

As we awaited the EOD teams detonation of Sergeant Moyes torpedo, I was a little afraid to communicate all that I had learned to all of the men. I felt like my NCOs at platoon level could handle it, but I kept it from rank and file to avoid panic. When the explosion rocked us at even three kilometers away, I shuddered with fear contemplating what might have been.

Now, I had to find a way to eliminate or at least ameliorate the enemys ability to snipe at us with 250-pound bombs. Obviously, they were watching our every move, could predict where we would be as nightfall closed in and therefore could easily plan on what damage they could inflict on us that night. It occurred to me that if the enemy needed time to select a location and wire in his command detonation system, he had to start his preparation when we gave signs of preparing to laager. I figured if we attempted to disguise where we would spend the night as long as possible, that would lessen the time the enemy had to wire in those command-detonated tamping charges to adequately prepare their destructive weapon.

So, our NDP scouting parties were instructed to select a primary NDP and two alternate sites and show no partiality to any of the three. We also changed our heretofore-standard U.S. method of NDP selection and preparation. In late afternoon, at 1600 or so, wed begin to make a big deal of staking out our perimeter. This would be NDP No. 1, where we would occupy and do everything that was needed to protect ourselves. Then I would send the quartering party to NDP No. 2 as we tore down NDP No. 1 and prepared to move.

Moving an armored cavalry troop in the dark was like moving Barnum and Baileys circusnot the quietest operation aroundand I was worried that we would be RPG ambushed as we were preparing to move. But, since I had no median timings as to how long it took for the VC to adequately prepare to command-detonate the launching charges of a lob bomb, I was operating on pure gut feel.

Over the next few weeks, this became our standing operating procedure, and it appeared to work. Either the enemy didnt have as many cached bombs as we thought he might have, or we were ahead of him, however slightly, in his planning and execution cycle. It was not without negative consequences for the troops, however, who were being seriously overworked and ragged as a result of little sleep.

Likewise, as the troop commander, I had never been in such an extended period of constant stress and worry in my entire career, as every decision had potentially disastrous consequences. I still believe I made the right decision to not tell the troopers what the real deal was in this case.

After several harrowing weeks, we were ordered back to Da Nang and then, after a brief rest, back to our base camp at Chu Lai. We were more than ready to get back home, catch our breath and relax just a bit.

In a world full of acronyms, few instill as much dread and embody evil as thoroughly as IED, shorthand for the improvised explosive device, a weapon made far too familiar to Americans in the first decade of the 21st century. Although the British coined the term in the early 1970s to describe Irish Republican Army terrorist tools, IEDs were significant weapons used by the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese against U.S. troops during the Vietnam War. In Vietnam, however, most were smaller, mine-like booby trap devices in comparison to the lob bombs my troop encountered in 1971 and the often massive IEDs employed in Iraq and Afghanistan that have claimed nearly 3,000 U.S. troops to date.

Brigadier General Stanley F. Cherrie served two tours in Vietnam, was the operations officer of VII Corp in Operation Desert Storm, and from 1993 was assistant division commander for maneuver of the 1st Armored Division in Germany and Bosnia. He has been awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Legion of Merit, Air Medal with V Device and the Purple Heart.

Originally published in the December 2011 issue of Vietnam Magazine. To subscribe, click here.
Mother shipsaircraft designed to carry and launch small airplanes for specific missionshave existed for more than a century.

The concept dates at least to 1905, when pioneer glider designer John J. Montgomery employed balloons to lift his man-carrying gliders for release near San Jose, Calif.

Montgomery began studying problems of flight in the 1880s. He appreciated what would become a traditional airframe design, with aft-mounted tail surfaces deflected to affect pitch and yaw. He was also at the forefront of high-altitude flight.

While balloons had previously lifted parachutists, in March 1905 Montgomery used a hot air balloon to elevate his glider and aeronaut Dan Maloney to 4,000 feet at a time when other pioneer aviators were barely getting out of ground effect. This altitude assist allowed Maloney to maneuver and turn the glider into the wind and in any direction for unpowered flights lasting 15 minutes or more. The dangers of test flying manifested themselves chillingly on July 18, however, when a balloon rope tangled with the glider as Maloney was released over Santa Clara, sending him plummeting to his death.

In 1916 the British sought to give fighters the ability to reach German Zeppelins patrolling the North Sea, then out of fighter range. In likely the first use of one airplane to carry and launch another, a Bristol Scout was mounted to a Porte trimotor seaplane. On May 17, 1916, the aerial combination made a successful flight and separation, but the concept soon fell out of favor as experiments with aircraft-carrying naval vessels progressed.

After World War I, airship experiments with stowed biplanes expanded on wartime ideas. In October 1925, the British began conducting trials with a de Havilland D.H.53 mounted beneath the airship R33, successfully launching and recapturing the light monoplane that December. The following October, R33 carried and launched a pair of Gloster Glebe biplanes.

The U.S. Navy dirigible Los Angeles was the testbed mother ship for a trapeze arrangement that proved successful at capturing and releasing biplanes in 1929. By 1932, the Navy airship Akron served as a flying aircraft carrier, stowing Curtiss F9C Sparrowhawk biplanes in an internal hangar and lowering them for release. Akrons sister airship, Macon, followed suit. F9C pilots soon mastered the mechanics of launches and recoveries via the airships trapeze mechanism. Akron also employed Consolidated N2Y two-seat trainers as couriers and to carry passengers to and from the dirigible.

Although the aircraft-carrying dirigible concept proved feasible, the unwieldy airships themselves were doomed: Both Akron and Macon were lost at sea before the end of the decade.

Seaplane mother ships resurfaced in England in 1938, when long-range mail-carrying aircraft could handily beat an ocean liner. The mother ship this time was a modified Short Empire-class S.21 flying boat named Maia. The airmail carrier was an unusual four-engine floatplane, the Short S.20 Mercury. Braced with struts, the smaller Mercury rode atop Maia and was otherwise unable to take off with sufficient fuel and payload to make a transoceanic flight. The MaiaMercury combination performed its first separation on February 6, 1938, and operated scheduled airmail service from Southampton, England, to Alexandria, Egypt, until war broke out.

The Soviet Union also experimented with mother ship configurations under its Zveno (chain link) project during the 1930s. Various Zveno combinations typically relied on large Soviet bombers carrying two or more fighters for inflight release. As with other military mother ships, the purpose was to extend the range of fighters and provide immediate protection for bombers. Zveno proponents also argued that it would allow dive bombers to carry ordnance that otherwise would be too heavy for them to take off with conventionally. During the early stages of the German invasion in the summer of 1941, the Soviets used Zveno as many as 30 times to bomb bridges and other targets with two Polikarpov I-16 SPB dive bombers carried under the wings of Tupolev TB-3s. But in spite of a few successes, the Soviets abandoned Zveno by 1942.

World War II saw the Germans revive the piggyback airplane concept, initially with single-engine airplanes mounted above a troopcarrying DFS 230 glider. The Klemm Kl-35 monoplane could not lift itself and the DFS 230, so a Junkers Ju-52/3m towed the pair to altitude in September 1942. The test flight showed that the Klemms engine was insufficient to keep the duo aloft, though the two aircraft separated and made safe landings.

Next a Focke Wulf Fw-56 parasol monoplane with a 240-hp Argus engine was mounted atop the DFS 230. Although the Fw-56s engine was still insufficient for an independent takeoff, the combination maintained altitude once aloft.

Tests with the DFS 230 continued with a Messerschmitt Me-109E fighter. On June 21, 1943, the Me-109E-propelled combination took off under its own power near Linz, Austria, landing, still mated, 40 minutes later.

The German piggyback glider combinations were dubbed Mistel (mistletoe), an apt use of a parasitic plant to describe parasitic aircraft. The Germans also used the term to describe their late-war efforts to mount a fighter atop an unmanned twin-engine Junkers Ju-88 laden with explosives. The fighter pilot guided the Ju-88 to its target, and then separated and returned to base. Mistel bombers generally failed to inflict serious damage.

Germany also embraced the Mistel arrangement as a means of lifting a reconnaissance aircraft to an altitude where a rocket motor could propel it above enemy interception. The ambitious mission profile called for a Dornier Do-217 twin-engine bomber to carry a dorsally mounted DFS 228 reconnaissance aircraft to 33,000 feet, where it would launch and ascend to 75,000 feet. Reconnaissance photographs would be captured at extreme high altitude in a shallow glide. The DFS 228 featured a pressurized capsule for the lone prone pilot, infrared cameras and a Walter bi-fuel rocket motor. While it only made gliding flights before wars end, it demonstrated the Do-217s utility as a mother ship.

At the end of WWII, France had access to much German equipment, including the Heinkel He-274 four-engine strategic bomber then under construction at Suresnes. Two He-274 airframes were completed as AAS-1s, and the French air force initially used them for high-altitude research before French industry flew them as mother ships, carrying test aircraft aloft on dorsal struts.

One of the most ambitious postwar mother ship efforts involved the McDonnell XF-85 Goblin parasite fighter. Anticipating the availability of super bombers such as the Convair B-36, and realizing early jet fighters lacked the range to escort them, the U.S. Army Air Forces sought to develop parasitic fighters to stow in the big bombers.

McDonnell responded with an unusual design for a jet-powered aircraft with a wingspan barely over 21 feet, swept 34 degrees. The wings folded to fit inside the bomb bay. A geometric puzzle of a tail performed its aerodynamic duties while being small enough to fit inside the mother ship. Perhaps most telling about the constraints the designers faced is the Goblins overall length: 14.8 feet.

The parasite had a pressurized cockpit with ejection seat. A large retractable hook in the nose engaged the mother ships trapeze. The Goblins Westinghouse J34 turbojet was expected to propel the egg-shaped fighter well over 500 knots, though that may have been optimistic.

The USAAF funded two XP-85 (later XF-85) prototypes, and because production B-36s were not yet available, a test B-29 Superfortress was modified with a trapeze to stow and release them. The tiny Goblin airframe had no provision for landing gear, so the parasite fighters mission profile consisted of an outbound ride in the mother ships bomb bay, aerial combat as needed and a ride back in the bomb bay.

The Goblin was supposed to be able to return to its mother ship to refuel and rearm twice during a mission. Five tons of equipment, fuel and supplies were to be stowed in the B-36 for its support. A declassified description of the XP-85 noted, The physical limitations on a pilot are 5 8 and 200 lb weight with full equipment.

Air Force planners figured one Goblin could be stowed in the no. 1 bomb bay of a B-36, leaving the second bay available for a bombload. Some B-36s in a group effort could carry three Goblins instead of bombs. Left unspoken was the fate of a Goblin whose bomber was shot down while the parasite was away.

The XF-85 prototypes had skids to allow emergency landings if testing went awry. And it did. On August 23, 1948, during the first flight of a Goblin, pilot Edwin Schoch barely avoided serious injury when the trapeze smashed his Plexiglas canopy as he tried to dock with the B-29. The skid enabled Schoch to recover safely on the dry lakebed below. A March 1949 flight damaged the trapeze during release, and the XF-85 made a safe skid landing on Rogers Dry Lake. Fewer than half of the handful of Goblin flights resulted in hook-ups and recoveries within the B-29. On April 8, 1949, during the final Goblin flight, the pilot attempted to engage the trapeze three times but had to make another lakebed landing.

If experienced test pilots encountered major difficulties docking with the mother ship, how would average operational pilots do it? Furthermore, the performance of the stubby Goblin would likely fall short in comparison to the conventional foreign jet fighters soon to be fielded. Thus in October 1949 the Air Force terminated the Goblin program

In another effort to carry a fighter in the B-36s bomb bay, the Air Force compromised to allow a Republic F-84 or RF-84 to ride partially inside, with its wings and specially downward-canted elevators outside. Dubbed FICON, for Fighter Conveyor, the system attained limited operational use in the 1950s.

Given the hectic pace of Cold War aviation advancements, the need to carry a fighter for bomber defense diminished in the time between the first experiments with parasite fighters and the validation of the FICON concept. But high-altitude reconnaissance efforts might be well-served by FICON. Small and fast, the RF-84F (redesignated RF-84K for FICON) could dash into contested airspace and back out again, hitching a ride both ways in the belly of a B-36. And since the RF-84K was nuclear capable, it could conceivably have been used as the final sprinter in a relay delivery of a nuclear weapon on target.

By late 1955, Air Force FICON hook-ups were underway. The end of the FICON program the following year coincided with the winding down of B-36 operations in the last half of the 1950s and the introduction of the Lockheed U-2 reconnaissance aircraft.

Air Force experiments in the 1950s also saw F-84s hitch a ride wingtip-to-wingtip with a B-29 (Project Tip Tow) and a B-36 (Tom-Tom). The B-29 experiment ended in disaster when a connected F-84 flipped onto the mother ship and both aircraft crashed, with the loss of all on board. The B-36 range extender fell out of favor as traditional tankers gained traction and unaccompanied nuclear bomber missions became the norm.

Perhaps the best-known use of mother ships in the U.S. involved the X-plane series of rocket-propelled aircraft that required a lift to preserve their finite fuel for testing at altitude. Carried to launch altitude in the modified bomb bay of a B-29 on October 14, 1947, the Bell XS-1 became the first aircraft documented to surpass the speed of sound, attaining Mach 1.06.

Installing the X-1 in the B-29 required ingenuity. A steep ramp and loading pit were excavated at Muroc Air Force Base (today Edwards AFB) in California, and the X-1 was backed down the ramp. Then the B-29 was rolled over the pit until it was exactly lined up to receive the X-1 beneath it.

The X-1 was carried in the B-29 much like a large weapon, with a shackle and special sway braces to keep it from rolling from side to side. The rocket plane was exposed to the outside air through the B-29s cutout bomb bay doors. An elevator allowed the pilot to access the X-1 in flight over the Mojave Desert.

Major (later Brig. Gen.) Robert Cardenas piloted the B-29 mother ship. The X-1 was hoisted into place using the B-29 internal bomb hoist, he recalled. I could not lift the nose wheel of the B-29 more than about six inches [on takeoff] without scraping the X-1, which was not a good idea since it was loaded with propellant fuel.

For its research flights, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA, NASAs predecessor) converted a former Navy variant of the B-29, the P2B-1S, to carry the sweptwing Douglas D558-II Skyrocket. Instead of the ramp-and-pit method, NACA used huge hydraulic lifts to elevate the B-29 (and later B-50) mother ships high enough to permit the Skyrocket to be installed.

For the next level of X-plane testingthe hypersonic North American X-15more capable carriers would be needed. The B-36, which offered better performance and load-carrying capability, was an obvious choice, but it was in its final years of service, and X-15 programmers worried about the ability to logistically support such a complex bomber once the fleet was retired.

The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress promised perhaps a mile higher launch altitude at faster speed than the B-36. Two early Stratofortresses were made available for the task: B-52A serial no. 52-003, nicknamed The High and The Mighty One, and RB-52B no. 52-008, generally referred to as Balls 8.

North American Aviation made the required modifications to the B-52s. The high-wing Stratofortress broke with mother ship tradition by carrying the X-15 on an underwing pylon inboard of the engines on the right wing rather than in the bomb bay. To accommodate the X-15s vertical fin, a large angular cutout was needed in the trailing edge of the B-52s wing.

No longer could the research pilot enter the test aircraft by climbing into its cockpit from inside the converted bomber. Now the pilot entered the X-15 as it hung from its pylon on the ramp, and he remained there throughout takeoff and ascent to launch altitude. A zero speed, zero altitude ejection seat for the X-15 boosted confidence in this new arrangement. The X-15 rode far enough ahead of the B-52s wing to provide a clear overhead path for the pilot if he needed to eject while attached to the bomber.

In an early photoreconnaissance drone experiment, Lockheeds celebrated Blackbird spyplanes were groomed to be mother ships for the Mach 3 D-21. Riding atop a modified A-12 Blackbird, the D-21 stealth drone carried a camera in a jettisonable package. After completing a sortie, the drone was to jettison the camera where it could be retrieved, and then self-destruct. Problems plagued the D-21 program, however, including a post-launch collision with the M-21 mother ship version of the A-12 that resulted in the death of one crewman. D-21s then shifted to B-52H mother ships, but subsequent tests, as well as unsuccessful missions over China between 1969 and 1971, failed to validate the concept. Improved satellite imagery and international politics contributed to cancellation of the D-21 program.

NASA used a pair of 747 jumbo jets for many years as space shuttle carrier aircraft. The first lifted the engine-less shuttle Enterprise high over Edwards AFB for approach and landing tests in 1977. With an angle-of-attack adjustment to the mounting struts, the 747 mother ships regularly ferried shuttles back to Kennedy Space Center after the reusable spacecraft landed at Edwards.

The Soviets built one example of the huge six-engine Antonov An-225 Mriya to carry the Buran space shuttle. When the Buran program was canceled in 1993, the An-225 went into hiatus, emerging years later as a conventional heavy-lift transport.

Orbital Science Corporations Lockheed L-1011 jetliner is another specialized mother ship, modified to launch a Pegasus rocket from ventral stowage. Dubbed Stargazer, the L-1011 has also been used for captive tests and transportation of Orbitals X-34 hypersonic research plane (for drop tests, they used the B-52 Balls 8).

Burt Rutans Scaled Composites has built clean-sheet mother ships to carry its innovative spaceplanes to launch altitude. White Knight, powered by two afterburning J85 engines, was key to the success of launching SpaceShipOne into suborbital space in 2004the first privately funded manned spaceflight. White Knight Two, dubbed Eve, is an all-new larger mother ship created to heft SpaceShipTwo in Richard Bransons ongoing private space venture.

Today the mother ship concept continues to find new utility, with plans for aircraft to launch satellites into orbit and carry the next generation of drones. The goals remain the same: Give the hitchhiker the range and altitude to accomplish its mission.

Frederick A. Johnsen is the author of more than 20 books and numerous articles on aviation history. He served for many years as a U.S. Air Force historian, and was the curator for the McChord Air Museum at McChord AFB and director of the Air Force Flight Test Museum at Edwards AFB. This article has been adapted from his forthcoming book, Testbeds, Motherships and Parasites: Astonishing Aircraft From the Golden Age of Flight Test, due this January from Specialty Press.

This feature appeared in the January 2018 issue of Aviation History. Subscribe today!
Pentagon Papers Making News 40 Years Later

With the official government release of the Pentagon Papers in June, LBJs response if he were alive would be, What the hell took so long? said Harry Middleton, a past director of the LBJ Library and a White House aide to President Lyndon Johnson. He felt, to get the whole story out, that everybody should have access to the papers in the LBJ Library, Middleton told the Austin American-Statesman. And, in recent comments, Daniel Ellsberg, the former RAND Corporation analyst who originally leaked the report, said he wanted to stop the warso he left out sections about the peace negotiations with North Vietnam. I omitted them because I thought that Nixon would use the release as an excuse for breaking off negotiations with North Vietnam, he said in an interview.

Officially declassified per Executive Order 13526 on June 16, the Pentagon Papers, titled United States-Vietnam Relations, 1945-1967:A Study Prepared by the Department of Defenseall 47 volumesnow occupy 48 boxes in the National Archives and Records Administration. That fulfills a wish that Johnson made known to Middleton just 10 days before he died in 1973. According to Middleton, Johnson wanted a meeting with President Richard M. Nixon as soon as he was re-inaugurated in 1973, but two days after Nixons inauguration, LBJ died of a heart attack. Former Johnson White House aides pressed the issue with Nixon, who reportedly indicated his full cooperation, but when the Watergate scandal broke, it consumed the Nixon White House and led to Nixons resignation. And that was the end of the story, said Middleton.

The Archives worked for nearly a year to prepare the release of the 7,000-page document, to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the papers leak to the press. Approximately 2,384 pages or 34 percent of the Report will be opened for the first time, the National Archives website claimed, but officials conceded that sections about the peace negotiations had been declassified for years and that the new material contained no smoking guns. The study, completed five days before Nixon was first sworn into office in 1969, was collected between blue covers and bound with metal brads. The LBJ Library, which has had one of the complete sets of the Pentagon papers since 1969, removed the brads some time ago to help preserve the papers, but the historic blue covers remain. The papers will also be available for online viewing, through the National Archives website, as well as at the Nixon, Kennedy and LBJ presidential libraries. For Vietnam War scholars, it will be a chance to see all the sections in the context in which they were first written, and it may indeed provide the encyclopedic history of the Vietnam War that Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara envisioned when he commissioned the study in 1967.

Report Keeps Blue Water Sailors Treading Water

An institute of Medicine (IOM) Report on Blue Water Navy, requested by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki in an effort to clear up the debate surrounding Agent Orange (AO) exposure to so called Blue Water Navy veterans from Vietnam, was released in May. Its findings have only stirred the waters. [We are] unable to state with certainty that Blue Water Navy personnel were or were not exposed to TCDD [dioxin] the report states, making it unlikely that the VA will change its rules and make it easier for these sailors to receive benefits for diseases linked toAgent Orange. In 2002, Blue Water Navy veterans were removed from legislation guaranteeing them disability compensation and health care benefits because they had not actually had boots on the ground in Vietnam, a decision that was upheld by a federal court in 2008.

The IOM report, however, did identify plausible pathways of offshore exposure such as: direct contact with ocean water contaminated by dumped or sprayed dioxin, such as by swimming or inhaling; or by ingesting potable water distilled from offshore waters that contained AO runoff. While that plausibility has given some Navy veterans hope, the IOM committee also concluded that qualitatively, ground troops and Brown Water Navy personnel had more pathways of exposurethan did Blue Water Navy personnel. But John Wells, a retired Navy commander and spokesman for the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Association, said it did not matter whether there were fewer pathways, you only need to be exposed once, he told The NewYork Times. According to a recent article in American Legion magazine, Thomas J. Laliberte, a naval photographer who serviced aerial reconnaissance cameras on the A-5 Vigilantes that flew from the aircraft carrier Constitution in the Gulf of Tonkin, the planes flew in areas sprayed with Agent Orange and periodically landed in Vietnam, accumulating dioxin residue, not to mention that contaminated reconnaissance equipment was serviced on board the ships.

As the debate continues, legislation is circulating on Capitol Hill to restore AO benefits to everyone who served in the Vietnam Waron land, in the air or at sea. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, D-NY, who has sponsored legislation for the Blue Water vets, said that as many as 800,000 service members might have been exposed to Agent Orange without having set a foot in Vietnam.

Vietnam and U.S. Begin Cleanup of Da Nang Dioxin Hotspot

In a joint effort by the Vietnamese Defense Ministry and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Vietnam has begun its cleanup of Agent Orange contamination on 70 acres in Da Nang, 38 years after the U.S. Air Force withdrew from the air base where the deadly dioxin was stored. The $32- million project, funded by the U.S. government, marks the first time both sides will work together on the environmental cleanup. According to the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi, Vietnams Ministry of Defense began sweeping the area to clear unexploded ordnance in June, and it will then work with the USAID to remove the dioxin from the soil and sediment in a process called in situ thermal absorption, in which the dirt is superheated to remove contaminants.

Zippo Collection Pulled Off the Auction Block

Almost 200 Zippo lighters featured in the 2007 book Vietnam Zippos: American SoldiersEngravings and Stories, from the collection of Bradford Edwards, who had consigned them to Cowans Auctions in Cincinnati for an American history sale, were removed from the auction in June.

Edwards and Wes Cowan, who is the owner of the auction house, have said that they hope the lighters will somehow be kept on public view. I envision a traveling exhibit that could be toured to a number of institutions nationally, that would feature the lightersand a story booth where Vietnam veterans could relate stories, Cowan told The New York Times.

Marine Museum Sacrifice Window Is Dedicated to Chaplain

Father Vincent Capadanno, well known among Marines for his pastoral services during the Vietnam War, has been honored with a permanent tribute at the National Museum of the Marine Corps near Quantico, Va. On May 11, one of the windows in the memorial chapel, the Sacrifice window, was dedicated to honor him. Holding the rank of a lieutenant, he began his service as a Navy chaplain in Vietnam in the spring of 1966 and participated in seven combat operations. In September 1967, Capadanno, already injured in a mortar attack and trying to tend to the wounded, was killed when he placed his own body between one of his wounded men and an enemy machine gunner. He is the only chaplain to receive the Medal of Honor.

General Vang Pao Gets Arlington Honor After All

General Vang Pao, the Hmong leader and key U.S. ally during the Vietnam War who died in January 2011 and was subsequently denied burial in Arlington National Cemetery Arlington, was recently honored at the cemetery.

On May 13, the U.S. Army Honor Guard presented arms and colors in honor of General Pao and the Hmong and Lao veterans who died during the war at the Lao Veterans of America monument at Arlington. Pao led a CIA-funded guerrilla army against the Lao and Vietnamese Communists. He was denied an Arlington burial because he was not a U.S. citizen during the Vietnam War, though he subsequently did became a citizen and settled in Orange County, Calif. Pao was buried in Californias Glendale cemetery on February 9.

Originally published in the October 2011 issue of Vietnam Magazine. To subscribe, click here.
The Farmington Regional Chamber of Commerce will host the "Business & Community Luncheon" beginning at noon on Thursday.

The program for this month is the "State of the City" and features officials from the city of Farmington.

A special live auction to benefit the Help the Hungry Bake Sale is also scheduled to take place as a kick-off to this year's event on Saturday. Last year's auction at the chamber meeting raised more than $1,000.

There is no cost to attend. Lunch is available for $10 per person from Qdoba.

For more information, contact the chamber office at 573-756-3615 or email chamber@farmingtonregionalchamber.com.
The Irish music icon is planning to hand back his prestigious freedom of the city award because he doesn't want to be connected with an award that's associated with Aung San Suu Kyi.

The Burmese Nobel peace laureate's government has come under wide-spread fire over its violent military crackdown on Rohingya muslims, which resulted in over a half million fleeing the state during one month alone back in September/October.

The Burmese politician was once admired but she has now become "one of the great ethnic cleansers", Sir Bob said back in October.

Bob Geldof says he's a "proud Dubliner" but plans to hand back his Freedom award today.

"In short, I do not wish to be associated in any way with an individual currently engaged in the mass ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya people of north-west Burma," he says.

"I am a founding patron of The Aegis Trust, who are concerned with genocide prevention and studies. Its founders built and maintain the National Holocaust Museum of the UK.

"I spoke at the inaugural National Holocaust Memorial Day at Westminster and in my time, I have walked amongst peoples who were sectionally targeted with ethnic cleansing."

He adds: "I would be a hypocrite now were I to share honours with one who has become at best an accomplice to murder, complicit in ethnic cleansing and a handmaiden to genocide."

Back in October, the Dubliner heavily criticised the Nobel Peace Prize winner, who at the time was about to be stripped of her Freedom of Oxford honour.

"Insults them all. Took the greatest prize that humans can give one another. And then becomes one of the great ethnic cleansers of our planet. Its a disgrace," he said during a speech at the One Young World conference in Colombia.

"I am sick of these leaders. I am sick of Putin. Im sick of Xi Jinping. Im sick of Trump. Im sick of Erdogan. I loathe these people. I despise them. How dare they behave in the manner they behave.

With her now getting stripped of her Freedom of Oxford honour, it's possible that she will also be stripped of her Freedom of Dublin which was awarded to her in the year 2000.

Cllr Mary Freehill, who was the Lord Mayor of Dublin when Suu Kyi was first awarded the Freedom of Dublin, has slammed the iconic figure's handling of the Rohinga crisis as "deplorable".

Ms Suu Kyi was first awarded the Freedom of Dublin in 2000 when Cllr Freehill was Lord Mayor of Dublin. Ms Suu Kyi was not in a position to receive the award until 2012.

"The inaction of Aung San Suu Kyi in relation to the Rohingya crisis is deplorable and not in keeping with the ideals we would expect from a Nobel Peace Prize winner," Cllr Mary Freehill tells Hot Press.

"Aung San Suu Kyi was awarded the Freedom of Dublin City because she was an icon of human rights, peace and freedom. It is now time for her to live up to those principles."

The Labour Cllr added: "While she has said that Myanmar does not fear international scrutiny, it is now time that she put action on her words and invite UN investigators into the country, including Rakhine state. They should be allowed full a nd unshackled access to all areas, and people in need in the region."

In her Nobel Lecture in 2012, Ms. Suu Kyi said, "Ultimately our aim should be to create a world free from the displaced, the homeless and the hopeless, a world of which each and every corner is a true sanctuary where the inhabitants will have the freedom and the capacity to live in peace.

"Every thought, every word, and every action that adds to the positive and the wholesome is a contribution to peace. Each and every one of us is capable of making such a contribution. Let us join hands to try to create a peaceful world where we can sleep in security and wake in happiness.

And "such sentiments and values", adds Cllr Freehill, "are a far cry from her current position on the 421,000 Rohingan who had to flee to Bangladesh.

She concludes: "I want to add my voice to those calling on her now to take action on the Rohingya crisis."
This article can only be read with a Premium Account
WASHINGTON - The Ohio coal magnate Robert Murray had a problem.

Coal prices were near historic lows, and the prognosis for coal mining companies, including Murray Energy, was only going to get worse as their best customers, coal-fired power plants, closed across the country. Murray, a prominent supporter of President Donald Trump, turned to the president, urging him to declare an emergency across the electric grid that would prevent any more coal plants from closing, according to a letter Murray sent to the White House in August.

Less than two months later, Energy Secretary Rick Perry, whose failed 2012 presidential campaign received a six-figure contribution from Murray and his employees, released a controversial plan to raise electricity prices paid to coal and nuclear plants. The proposal falls short of the emergency declaration sought by Murray, analysts said, but it nonetheless appears designed to particularly benefit Murray and his company.

"If you want to tax customers to do favors for friends, be honest about it," former Federal Energy Regulatory Commissioner Nora Mead Brownell, a Republican appointed by George W. Bush, said recently in Washington.

Since introducing his proposal in September, Perry has consistently described the goal as protecting the grid from power outages caused by loss of coal and nuclear plants unable to compete with the lower costs of natural gas and falling costs of wind and solar energy. But under the narrow terms of the Energy Department's proposal, less than 25 percent of the nation's coal and nuclear plants would qualify for increased rates, according to the Boston research firm The Brattle Group.

Vote on Dec. 11

Just four of the dozens of U.S. electricity markets would be affected by Perry's proposal, analysts from three independent research firms said, and none more than PJM Interconnection, the nation's largest wholesale electricity market with customers in 13 states across the Mid-Atlantic, Midwest and South, and the core market for Murray Energy's coal. During one month last year, more than 70 percent of the coal Murray delivered to U.S. power plants went to plants in PJM, according to analysis by the Houston Chronicle of federal coal delivery data.

"In any given month (Murray) sends the majority of his production to PJM," said Joe Aldina, director of coal research at S&P Global Platts, an energy and commodities research firm. "Murray is the biggest producer in northern Appalachia and the coal from there is the primary fuel source in PJM. De facto, he is the biggest beneficiary of anything that improves coal demand in PJM."

The Department of Energy and White House did not respond to requests for comment. But Neil Chatterjee, chairman of the five-member Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which is scheduled to vote on Perry's proposal Dec. 11, said Thursday that he didn't see the plan as benefiting "any one company."

"No one from the administration has tried to strong-arm me into taking a position on this," said Chatterjee, who was appointed by Trump earlier this year.

A spokesman for Murray Energy declined to comment, but pointed to Robert Murray's statement last month in which he called Perry's proposal "necessary to ensure the reliability and resiliency of the nation's electric power supply."

Murray, 77, is a larger than life figure in coal country and owner of what is believed to be the largest privately held mining company in the nation. For both Trump and Perry, he has provided critical support during their political careers.

'Consistent supporters'

Murray's endorsement of Trump during last year's presidential campaign helped shore up the New York billionaire's promise to be the savior of the coal industry, along with more than $300,000 in donations from Murray Energy and its employees, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, a nonprofit, nonpartisan group that researches money in politics. Likewise, Murray and his employees donated more than $100,000 to Perry's campaign during his failed 2012 bid for the White House, making Murray Energy the second largest corporate contributor to Perry's campaign, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

"We raised about $18 million in six weeks so there was a whole lot of fundraising that went on very fast," said Ray Sullivan, the Perry campaign's former communications director, who now runs an Austin consulting firm. "Mr. Murray and employees of his company attended Perry fundraising events in West Virginia and were consistent supporters."

After Trump's election victory in 2016, to be followed a few months later by Perry's nomination as secretary of energy, Murray did not wait long to seek their help. The stakes were high. One of Murray's largest customers, FirstEnergy Solutions, which operated four large coal-fired plants in Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, was on the verge of bankruptcy - a move that could lead to some or even all of the plants to close and force Murray Energy into "immediate bankruptcy," Robert Murray said in his letter to the White House in August, which was obtained by the Associated Press and posted online.

What Murray wanted was Trump to issue a two-year moratorium that would prevent coal plants from closing.

"Nine days ago, after my personally speaking with President Trump, he turned to Energy Secretary Rick Perry and said three times, 'I want this done,' " Murray wrote in his letter. "As stated, disastrous consequences for President Trump, our electric power grid reliability, and tens of thousands of coal miners will result if this is not immediately done."

It would have been a dramatic move, the likes of which the U.S. government had not taken since the 1970s energy crisis, when it banned new natural gas plants in response to a shortage of the fuel, said Matt Preston, an analyst with the energy research firm Wood Mackenzie.

"It's not impossible the government can step in and do something like this," Preston said, "but I don't think they've ever done anything so far reaching."

Issuing such an order, however, would appear to be a giveaway to coal executives, something likely to enrage not only Democrats eager to address climate change and free-market conservatives opposed to market meddling but also other energy industries, including the oil and gas companies headquartered in Houston that Trump drew support from during his campaign.

In late August, the Department of Energy announced it had decided against Murray's request. But the Trump administration was not finished. In September, Perry asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to amend power market regulations so they raised electricity prices for any power plant with a 90-day fuel supply - something that only coal or nuclear plants would have.

Such a move had its limits. FERC's authority extends to only deregulated markets crossing state lines - leaving electricity markets in Texas and the western United States out of bounds. But it served to satisfy Murray and FirstEnergy, which have both come out in support of the plan.

Malcolm Woolf, senior vice president with Advanced Energy Economy, a trade group representing wind and solar firms, battery manufacturers and major power buyers like Wal-Mart and Google, said that if Trump administration officials wanted to help the coal industry, they could have gone to Congress the way the Obama administration did to bail out the auto industry during the worst of the national recession in 2009. But Woolf said, the Trump administration doesn't have evidence coal and nuclear plant closures would lead to blackouts.

"They've resorted to this because this isn't about reliability and resiliency," he said, "but about bailing out a few failing companies in the marketplace."

Opponents team up

Outside of the coal and nuclear industries, support for the proposal is hard to find. A coalition of eight former FERC commissioners, Republicans and Democrats, called the proposal a "significant step backward" for "transparent, open, competitive wholesale (power) markets." Lobbyists as diverse as the American Petroleum Institute, which represents the oil and gas industry, and American Wind Energy Association have teamed up to stop the proposal, drawing congressional Democrats and Republicans into the fray.

"Any changes must also be technology-neutral and reflect the fact that all sources of energy are susceptible to natural or even man-made events of one kind or another," Rep. Pete Olson, R-Sugar Land, and Rep. Bobby Rush, D-Ill. wrote to FERC this month.

Olson and Rush are members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and represent districts where wind power and natural gas are significant economic drivers.

But as lawmakers and lobbyists fight against Perry's proposal, both Murray Energy and First Energy have steadily grown their influence in Washington. In September Trump announced he was appointing Sean Cunningham, a veteran lobbyist for FirstEnergy, as the director of the Energy Department's Office of Energy Policy and Systems Analysis.

In October, Trump announced the appointment of Andrew Wheeler, a Virginia lawyer and lobbyist for Murray, as deputy administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.

At a confirmation hearing Wednesday, Wheeler said he lobbied for Perry's proposal but downplayed his role. He added, "I have not been involved in anything the last few months when this issue has been front and center."

ENERGY NEWS: For the latest in energy news, check out the Chronicle's business section here, like our FuelFix Facebook page, or follow us on Twitter.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

BBVA Compass non-executive chairman Manolo Sanchez, who stepped down from the CEO position at the beginning of this year, will retire Wednesday.

Sanchez, 52, will be replaced by Terry Strange, a longtime member of the board and the current chairman of the audit and compliance committee.

"It has been my honor and pleasure to be a part of the BBVA Compass team since the BBVA Group first set its sights on the U.S.," Sanchez said in a news release. "The team that has been built over the years is primed to do great things in the industry."

Spain-based BBVA Group entered the U.S. banking market in 2004 when it bought Los Angeles-based Valley Bank for $16.7 million. Early Texas purchases included Laredo National Bank, completed in 2005, followed by Texas State Bank and State National Bank. The $9.1 billion purchase of Compass Bancshares in 2007 gave BBVA Group a large Sun Belt footprint.

As head of community banking from 2005 to 2008, Sanchez helped BBVA Compass integrate Laredo National Bank. He became CEO in 2008 and made technology one of the bank's key focuses. BBVA Compass partnered with Iowa-based Dwolla in October 2014 to allow its account holders to make real-time money transfers.

One of the more notable deals was the purchase of Simple for $117 million in 2014. Simple is a digital bank without branches that offers its users tools for saving and budgeting.

The bank has, however, taken impairment charges on the Simple acquisition, suggesting it overpaid. Sanchez was also challenged by a nationwide recession and, more recently, an oil price slump.

Sanchez was replaced by the bank's current chief executive, Onur Genc, in January. Genc was previously the deputy CEO of Garanti Bank based in Turkey. BBVA Group owns nearly 40 percent of Garanti.

"Manolo set the course for BBVA Compass as it moves into its next phase of profitable, organic growth," Genc said in the news release. "We are grateful for his work, the dedication he has shown, and the impact he has made in the communities in which the bank serves. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors."

Strange, who is replacing Sanchez as non-executive chairman, retired from KPMG in 2002 as global managing partner of the audit business and a member of KPMG's International Executive Committee. He is a member of the boards of Group 1 Automotive, New Jersey Resources Corp. and Newfield Exploration Co.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

Fans of Fox News host Sean Hannity are fighting back against coffee-maker company Keurig, which announced Sunday that it has pulled its ads from his program.

Vermont-based Keurig is one of several advertisers that have moved their commercials out of Hannity's program after he defended Roy Moore, the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate from Alabama, against allegations that Moore pursued romantic relationships with underage girls 40 years ago.

Hannity said that Moore should be given the benefit of the doubt and questioned the veracity of the accounts of the women, which first appeared in the Washington Post last week.

In response to Keurig's move, Hannity shared Twitter posts from his fans that made derisive comments about the Keurig coffee maker. His supporters have also posted images showing the destruction of Keurig machines, which retail for $99.99 and up.

Boycotts have been called against Hannity before over positions he has taken on his show. None has resulted in a significant economic impact.

Hannity's fans have pressured advertisers to reverse their decisions to pull out in the past. USAA, which provides insurance to members of the military, reversed its decision to pull its ads from Hannity's show in May after a backlash on social media.

Liberal media watchdog group Media Matters for America has been putting public pressure on Hannity's advertisers for months.

Several other brands, including DNA testing company 23 and Me , women's clothing label ELOQUII , food delivery service Hello Fresh and natural supplement maker Nature's Bounty also said they don't advertise on "Hannity."

Nature's Bounty said it hasn't advertised on the show since the summer but declined to give a reason. Hello Fresh said it last advertised on "Hannity" in August and added that it doesn't advertise on certain shows "for a variety of reasons." It's unclear if 23 and Me and ELOQUII previously advertised on "Hannity," and the companies didn't immediately return requests for comment.

Realtor.com posted on Twitter on Saturday that it doesn't run ads on "Hannity" and wouldn't do so in the future. That tweet was later deleted, and the company posted a statement on its website Sunday stating it would "continue to place ads across a broad range of networks, including Fox News and its top shows."

Realtor.com declined comment on the reason for the change.

Realtor.com and Fox News are both owned by News Corp.

Fox News didn't immediately return a request for comment Monday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Qualcomm has rebuffed a $105 billion buyout bid from Broadcom, setting up two of the world's biggest chipmakers for a potentially nasty takeover battle.

The proposal "significantly undervalues" the company, overlooking its reputation in mobile technology and potential for growth, Paul Jacobs, Qualcomm's board chairman, said in a statement Monday.

Broadcom's offer, which would amount to the largest deal in the history of the tech industry and have significant implications for smartphone production, could also run afoul of antitrust regulators, Qualcomm said.

Broadcom, which said Monday that it "remains fully committed to pursuing its acquisition of Qualcomm," now has several options, each involving a degree of hostility.

The company could raise its bid price. Or it could take its case to shareholders, starting a proxy fight to swap out members of the current board of directors, all of whom are up for re-election in the spring.

Broadcom has until Dec. 8 to nominate a new slate.

The company could also try to assuage Qualcomm's fears of government pushback by initiating the regulatory approval process for a potential deal. The company garnered praise from President Donald Trump this month when it said it would move its corporate address to Delaware from Singapore.

Hock Tan, chief executive of Broadcom, said in a statement Monday, "This transaction will create a strong, global company with an impressive portfolio of industry-leading technologies and products, and we have received positive feedback from key customers about this combination."

He added, "It remains our strong preference to engage cooperatively with Qualcomm's board of directors and management team."

Broadcom is not Qualcomm's only headache. The company, based in San Diego, is also brawling with Apple, a major client, over royalties that it collects on mobile gadgets. Apple could weigh in on Broadcom's bid, analysts said, and might prefer that Qualcomm remain independent.

"No customer wants to see a supplier have that much power," said Romit Shah, a senior equity analyst at Nomura Instinet. "Broadcom has to convince those companies that they stand to benefit."

Qualcomm's stock price rose nearly 3 percent to settle at $66.49 a share Monday, but remained under Broadcom's $70-a-share offer, suggesting some skepticism on Wall Street.
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. - It was 15 years ago that the teenager Elizabeth Smart was abducted from her home in Utah in the middle of the night. For nine months she was held captive by an ersatz holy man and his wife and subjected to torture, rape and attempts at brainwashing.

The true version of that ordeal will be revealed in a docudrama premiering Saturday on Lifetime. Unlike earlier attempts, this project, "I Am Elizabeth Smart," arrives with Smart's participation and her blessings. She not only serves as a producer, but also provides the show's narration.

"When I got home, I swore up and down that I was never going to write a book, I was never going to do a movie. I wanted it all to disappear," says Smart, smartly dressed in a black pantsuit and white shirt, her face burnished with rosy cheeks.

"I wanted it all to go away, and honestly, I think that's a pretty natural response. And for years I felt that way," she says.

"But little by little, I started to become more involved in advocacy. And I started meeting more survivors and meeting other people who had gone through similar things. And as I got older and I became more involved, until eventually it's kind of my world now. I realized that I have an opportunity. I have a unique opportunity to share my story because there are so many other survivors out there who struggle every day because they feel like they are alone."

More Information 'I am Elizabeth Smart' When: 7 p.m. Saturday Network: Lifetime See More Collapse

Smart felt desperately alone when Brian David Mitchell and his wife, Wanda Barzee, imprisoned the 14-year-old in a mountain campsite where they sometimes forced her into a pit covered with boards or chained her to a tree.

Smart says throughout the incarceration, her religion and family background helped fortify her. "I grew up in a conservative Christian home. And having had 14 years of a wonderful family, of coming from a very secure background, having been taught from my parents from as far back as I can remember, to all of a sudden being taken, being told that God commanded them to hurt me, God had been commanded to do all these terrible things to me, that was just sort of night and day for me," she says, her long, blonde hair cascading over her shoulders.

"So it never changed my view on God because the 14 years prior to that, I'd always been told, 'You'll know a person by their actions. No matter what they say, if they're a good person, they'll be doing good things.' And these people weren't good. They were hurting me. So clearly they weren't people of God. So that's, fortunately, how I was able to kind of maintain the separation."

In the film, Smart is played by 20-year-old British actress Alana Boden. Skeet Ulrich, who portrays the demonic Mitchell, says he was tormented by doubts before filming began.

"He was a very complicated guy to figure out, and I had nightmares every night," says Ulrich, who's starred in projects like "As Good as It Gets," "The Newton Boys" and "Jericho."

"I fortunately had access to his psych analysis, which was about a little over 200 pages while they were trying to figure out if he was competent to stand trial. And all of the reading, reading Elizabeth's book, everything going on, I couldn't sleep. I'd get nightmares every night. And then, fortunately, we had shot all of the stuff in the encampment in the first couple of weeks, and then we had a four-day break," he said.

"So I flew back to L.A. to see my family. And I had one last nightmare that I had a hair stuck in my throat, and I was pulling it out. And it became a massive bunch - more hair and a bunch more hair. And then it turned into the rope that he wore to hold the key that she was locked with

"And I woke up panicked, and then I realized it was letting him go  It's one thing to play the killer in 'Scream,' and it's a completely different thing to play Brian David Mitchell. It was complex. But, ultimately, I think there's great value in accepting challenges like that. The hope for me was always that those out there - probably your hope as well - will find courage in their own voice if things are happening to them or if they suspect things could happen or  to trust their instincts. I think that, to me, was the value that won out over the fear of playing him or trying to play him."

Smart, now 30 and the mother of a 2-year-old daughter and a 7-month-old son, says anyone caught in a horrendous experience like hers should not give up. "Trust yourself, and find your hope, and hold on to it, and don't let go, ever," she says.

"And keep holding on, and just do everything you can to survive, because you can be happy again. And you can move forward in your life, and you can  have a normal life. It will be different, but you can have it again."
The search for the Zodiac Killer ought to be on the same level of "oh spare me" credibility as "Finding Bigfoot," but after about 50 years (depending on which murder you believe to have been the killer's first), it is the crime story that keeps on giving.

The History Channel reopens the case in the five-part docuseries, "The Hunt for the Zodiac Killer," premiering at 9 p.m. Tuesday. Although the channel only made one episode available for review, it's enough to give you a sense of why the murders remain one of history's great unsolved cases.

The Zodiac murders took place over a relatively short span of time, from the late 1960s to the early 1970s. There were seven confirmed Zodiac murders, but possibly more - the killer claimed to have murdered 37 people.

The first murders were always thought to have taken place in Benicia. Calif., in 1968 with a young couple as the initial victims - David Faraday and Betty Lou Jensen. However, in recent years, earlier deaths are suspected to have been the work of Zodiac, including that of Cheri Jo Bates, stabbed to death in Riverside in 1966.

The History Channel series focuses specifically on what is considered the Holy Grail of the investigation, one of four cryptograms sent by the killer. The cipher in question, called Z340, is a 340-character puzzle sent by Zodiac to the San Francisco Chronicle, which allegedly contains the identity of the killer.

More Information 'The Hunt for the Zodiac Killer' When: 9 p.m. Tuesday Network: History Channel xxx See More Collapse

"The Hunt for the Zodiac Killer" takes a two-pronged approach to reviving the case. While Kevin Knight of the University of Southern California's Information Science Institute heads a team of researchers who use a supercomputer, named Carmel, to try to crack Z340, former Los Angeles homicide detective Sal LaBarbera and former FBI cold case expert Ken Mains retrace the investigative paths of others who have tried to solve the cases. To begin with, they go to Riverside to test their theory that Cheri Jo Bates was a Zodiac victim. Without giving anything away, they discover some intriguing details.

That said, Mains and LaBarbera aren't the first to link the Bates murder to the Zodiac, although you wouldn't know that from the way the series plays it.

By the end of the first episode, though, Mains and LaBarbera have a name, although, again, it's someone who has been suggested as the killer by others, and Knight and his team find something in Z340. But don't expect a revelation in the first installment, there's a reason there are five episodes in the limited series. Besides, if solving the Zodiac were that easy, the case would have been closed years ago.

Watching even the most complicated fictional mysteries on television or in movie theaters suggests that cases can be solved with relative ease once you know the killer's motive and patterns. But we don't know Zodiac's motive, other than to create mayhem, and his patterns have remained, well, indecipherable for the most part. Those unknown factors have fueled unending conspiracy theories and crackpot suggestions of the killer's identity over the years, as well as legitimately serious investigations.

Still, mystery loves company and no matter how skeptical we may be, we're often hooked by the possibility of identifying the Zodiac killer. At least there's a greater chance of solving those cases than finding Bigfoot.
It was a seasonably cool and sunny day when about 200 people gathered at the St. Francois County Courthouse steps in Farmington at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month to commemorate Veterans Day before the county memorial honoring the local men and women who fought and died for this nations freedoms.

The solemn ceremony began with an invocation given by Joel Meador, Farmington VFW post chaplain, followed by the posting of the colors by the Farmington High School Air Force JROTC and the playing of the national anthem.

Farmington VFW Post Commander Dwain Asberry welcomed those present and introduced the days two guest speakers  Mike Schoelhamer, constituent specialist for U.S. Congressman Jason Smith; and Missouri 116th District Rep. Kevin Engler, R-Farmington.

Addressing the crowd, Schoelhamer said in part, Across this great country and throughout the world, Americans will pause today to honor or brave fighting men and women. We recognize that all our veterans have given something of themselves to this country and some have given all  laying down their lives to defend the freedoms we hold so dear.

As we stand here today at the St. Francois County Veterans Memorial, I am honored to not only be here as a veteran myself, but to also recognize my great-uncle who is listed on this memorial. Private First Class Mike Tyndyk, U.S. Army 7th Cavalry, was a resident of St. Francois County and a graduate of Leadwood High School.

[Tyndyk] was just 27 years old when he lost his life on Oct. 22, 1944, during the Pacific Campaign at Leyte Island in World War II. His valor and commitment to serve his country is what inspired his nephew, my father, also originally from St. Francois County, to join the Army and serve in Baumholder, Germany in the 1960s. I was inspired by both to join the Army in 1987, leading up to my 28 years of service in the U.S. Army.

Offering his thoughts on Veterans Day 2017, Rep. Engler thanked those present for having the honor over the past 20 years of addressing veterans in a variety of roles  Farmington mayor, state representative and state senator.

Going as a state senator to Elsinore, to Arcadia Valley, to Ste. Genevieve, to Jefferson County to speak for Memorial Day and Veterans Day programs was humbling, he said. I used a lot of people and a lot of instances from Farmington to try to enlighten our high school kids and college kids around the district about the sacrifices that had been made.

I mean  they dont get it, for the most part! A high school senior has never lived in a world without a cellphone. Theyve never lived in an era without FaceTime, without fax machines or email. I talked about Ferd Thompson being in the Seabees and left less than 10 days after he got married. He didnt see his wife again for four years.

They didnt get to fly home. They didnt get to fax or email. The mail  and Im not saying anything that a lot of veterans here dont already know  might have been a month behind. It might take a month to get your Thanksgiving greetings by the time it caught up to you in the South Pacific. Think if youre a senior and for all the time youre in high school you didnt get to see your wife. And the sacrifices at home  she didnt get to see her husband. They had to live without things here.

In closing, an emotional Engler thanked veterans for their sacrifice in fighting for the many freedoms Americans enjoy, saying, People of this town and of this community are proud to know you and we want to say 'thank you.'

Following the conclusion of the speeches, wreaths were laid at the Veterans Memorial by representatives of the Farmington American Legion Post 416, Farmington American Legion Post 416 Auxiliary, Daughters of the American Revolution, Farmington Disabled American Veterans Chapter 12, Farmington VFW Post 5896, Farmington VFW Post 5896 Auxiliary and Farmington AMVETS Post 113.

Next, a volley of three shots was fired by VFW Post 5896 and American Legion Post 416, led by retired First Sergeant Jerry Rawlins, followed by Taps performed by a member of the Farmington High School Air Force JROTC and the benediction given by Chaplain Meador.
Houston has been described as "the new Creole city" - a busy port town where many cultures merge to form a thrilling new humanity.

So what does that have to do with Thanksgiving? Quite a lot. Anywhere you have great diversity, you're going to have a mash-up of ideas and traditions that eventually become the norm.

Which brings us to our Thanksgiving Day turkey. This year the Chronicle tapped Jim Mills, chef/partner of Cherry Pie Hospitality (State Fare Kitchen & Bar and Star Fish restaurants), to share his recipe for what he calls "three-step" turkey. It is essentially a bird that has been dry-cured with salt and sugar then rubbed with an herbaceous butter slather. The turkey is cooked hot at first then slowed down to finish. It is a fragrant, moist bird with a mottled skin and classic, herbal flavor.

But it also sings a Creole city hymn. Mills, known to many for his nearly 20 years at The Houstonian, credits a friend and former co-worker at the hotel, Weli Jabur, for the inspiration behind the distinctive holiday turkey.

Mills recalls a conversation with Jabur about how his mother roasted meats back in the day. Of Iraqi descent, Jabur explained how his mom would make a paste of onions, garlic and herbs that was spread on lamb and cooked at a high temperature so that the paste formed a nubby crust. Then she would cover the meat in foil, reduce the heat and roast the meat slowly to doneness.

"I thought that would be great for turkey," Mills said.

After some experimentation, Mills has perfected the recipe that he said yields a tender, juicy bird fragrant with aromatics. "It's exceptionally moist. Most turkey breasts are dry, but this method keeps it super moist."

"Some people don't like to experiment on Thanksgiving because it's completely about nostalgia," said Mills, who pairs his hybrid turkey with a classic gravy recipe. "But some people do experiment, especially young people who don't have traditions and are looking for new directions."

That "new directions" group might be larger this year after Hurricane Harvey destroyed so many homes and ruined beloved family recipes with its floodwaters. Recipe ideas - from classic preparations to new flavor paths - are surely welcome as the city gets back on its feet.

"Houston is about change and all the many cultures that come together," Mills said. "There's plenty of room for us to learn from each other, particularly when it comes to food."

***

Julie Soefer

Herb Roasted Turkey in Three Steps

Courtesy Jim Mills

Feeds 8-10

1 all-natural young turkey, 12-14 pounds

1 cups kosher salt

 cup sugar

1 yellow onion, finely diced

 cup carrot, peeled and finely diced

 cup celery leaves, loosely packed

 cup Italian parsley leaves, loosely packed

 cup garlic, roughly chopped

1 bunch green onion, white parts only, sliced thin

20 leaves fresh sage

 cup butter, unsalted, melted

1 teaspoon dry mustard

1 teaspoon black pepper, ground

 cup olive oil (in mister or spray can)

Step 1: The Cure

Remove neck and giblet bag from turkey and wash well in cold water inside and out. Remove the plastic doneness indicator from the breast if supplied. Remove tips and second joints and reserve for gravy (recipe follows). Let the bird drain, then pat dry with paper towels inside and out.

Mix together the kosher salt and sugar in a bowl. Place turkey in a shallow pan. Begin by placing 1 cup of the cure in the cavity. Use your hand to spread it as evenly as possible all around the inside. Turn bird onto breast and pour about  cup of the cure onto the roasting pan. Scoop up some of this with your hand and rub the cure onto back of the bird. It should be thick but uniform. Turn the bird on its back and set in the roasting pan. Pour remaining cure over the bird, using your hand to pack it onto the breast, legs and thighs. It should be applied thickly, as if the turkey were frosted with snow. Set the pan on the counter and let stand at room temperature for 1 hour.

After an hour has elapsed, wash the bird with cold running water inside and out very thoroughly. It is important that all the curing mix be removed. Let the bird drain in the sink for a few minutes, turning it variously to facilitate removal of as much water as possible. Pat dry inside and out with paper towels.

Step 2: The Rub

While the bird cures, prepare the rub. Place yellow onion, carrot, celery leaves, parsley, garlic, green onion, sage, butter, dry mustard and pepper in a blender jar. Set blender jar on motor and puree until a chunky paste is formed.

When the cured bird has drained, towel it off again inside and out, and place about half the rub in the cavity. Spread it as before, then truss or use the plastic trussing found on most turkeys. Start spreading the rub on the outside, beginning with the back. When this is done, set the bird on its back on an oiled rack set in a shallow roasting pan. Spread the rub in a layer over the breast and on the thighs and legs. Spray well with oil.

Step 3: The Roast

Place the bird in an oven preheated to 375 degrees. Roast for 40 minutes, turning the pan and spraying the turkey with more oil about halfway through. After 40 minutes, remove the turkey and set aside. Turn oven off and open the door to let heat escape for 5 or 6 minutes. Then close door and turn oven on; set to 250 degrees. Cover the turkey with aluminum foil, crimping around the edges but not touching the breast. Return turkey to the oven. Baste after 25 minutes or so, and again every 25 minutes or so thereafter. Roast turkey until a thermometer inserted in the inner thigh - but not touching the bone - reads 165 degrees. Depending on the size, this should take about 2 hours.

When the turkey is cooked, carefully remove the roasting pan from the oven. Remove foil and let stand at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before carving. Using a baster, put drippings in a fat separator or measuring cup and let stand 10 minutes to allow fat and stock to separate. After removing the fat, the drippings may be used to finish the gravy or drizzled over the meat after carving.

***

Julie Soefer

Perfect Turkey Gravy

Courtesy Jim Mills

Makes about 2 cups

3teaspoons canola oil, separated

3turkey wings (purchase in poultry case)

2turkey second joints (from turkey recipe)

1turkey neck

1onion, peeled and cut into large dice

2ribs celery, large dice

1medium carrot, cut into large dice

5cups water

1bay leaf

8teaspoon dried thyme leaves

2tablespoons flour

teaspoon salt

teaspoon black pepper

1tablespoon unsalted butter

Instructions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly spread a baking sheet with two tablespoons canola oil. Place turkey wings, second joints and neck on the sheet and set in the oven to roast. Roast about 40 minutes or until well browned, turning them over halfway through to evenly brown. Remove from the pan. Pour any drippings into a fat separator or a narrow bowl. Let stand until the fat rises. Skim off the fat, reserving 2 tablespoons for later.

Set a large saucepot over medium-high heat. When heated, add remaining tablespoon of canola oil, swirling to coat the bottom. Then add onion, celery and carrot. Saute until well browned, about 8 minutes, stirring often. Add turkey wings, joints and neck along with the water and any reserved liquid from roasting. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a slow simmer. Add bay leaf and thyme. Let cook for about 4 hours. Carefully skim any fat or foam that forms on the surface. Do not let the stock boil.

When the stock is done, remove turkey pieces and strain through a fine sieve into a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil then turn down to a fast simmer and reduce the stock by about half. Remove from heat when sufficiently reduced and let cool.

Place another saucepan on medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons of pure fat reserved from the roasting of the turkey parts. Let heat a minute, then stir in flour until smooth. Cook flour until it is brown, stirring continuously. When browned, turn heat down and continue stirring until pan cools. Slowly add stock, using a wire whisk to incorporate stock and roux into a smooth mixture, then place back on the heat and stir often until the gravy reaches a boil.

Carefully skim any foam that rises, then turn down the heat to a simmer and let cook about 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste and finish with the butter. May be kept warm until needed.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

Anel Nieto and her grown daughters found themselves sharing a twin-size trundle daybed and not much else after Hurricane Harvey destroyed everything they owned in their small rental home on the city's north side.

Like virtually every other home in their neighborhood near Melrose Park, floodwaters crept in, leaving behind ruined furniture and mattresses, soggy carpet and layers of mold.

It takes all three of them working - Wendy Nieto is 23 and Ashley Nieto is 20 - to get by, and there's never enough money to buy new furniture.

When Houston interior designer LeTricia Wilbanks heard of the Nietos' plight, she knew the small family would be the next project in her startup charity, Designed 4 Peace.

Wilbanks taps into her clients' gently used furniture to help others who have nothing.

When her design clients' new furnishings are installed, there's often old furniture that needs a new home. Sometimes the clients give it to family or friends, sell it or donate it to thrift stores, but Wilbanks knew there are people who can't afford even that.

"After the election last year, it was so cantankerous in the country. I was tired of it," said Wilbanks, who moved here from East Texas with her family in 2002. "I've been exposed to Muslim, Jewish, Christian, all of these faiths and cultures here, and I love them all. I wanted to do something collectively that enables all of us to work together for the good of someone in need."

The Nietos needed furniture for two bedrooms and things for the living room. Their dining table is metal, so it survived the floodwaters, and they'd put the dining chairs on top, so they avoided damage, too.

Like so many others, Anel Nieto and her daughters expected to wait out the hurricane in their home. As the rain kept falling, their ditches filled and then overflowed. As the water inched toward their home, they knew it was time to leave.

Neighbors in pickup trucks helped the women to safety, and they stayed with a relative.

Days later, though, they returned home to devastation.

In a neighborhood of small, ranch-style homes with carports built in the early 1960s, piles of debris started mounting along every curb.

Water-laden drywall, furniture soaked in contaminated floodwaters, ruined appliances and more all sat waiting to be hauled to landfills.

Their landlord quickly replaced the bottom 4 feet of drywall, repaired damaged ceilings and installed new carpet, but their home, otherwise, was nearly empty.

Anel Nieto and her daughters had no idea what they would do for the rest. They contemplated moving to Dallas, where a friend lives.

Wilbanks, however, knew exactly what to do. She reached out to clients, some of whom, like her, use Anel Nieto's housekeeping services. Texts came back with photos of chairs, beds, nightstands and more.

She hired two men with a truck - she paid them $750 out of her own pocket - and drove from client to client picking up furniture, then installing it at the Nietos' home.

The tan leather sofa in the living room came from Wilbanks, whose new, replacement furniture won't arrive for several weeks. A second sofa and two chairs will go to the next home she fills.

Client Kathy Dimmitt donated a console, TV and master bedroom furniture. Carol Fisher donated the mattress and bed frame for Ashley Nieto's room. More furniture came from Maura Parro, and Teri Quance donated barstools and draperies.

Michael Rogers, Wilbanks' go-to guy for installing window treatments, installed hardware donated by Williamson Supply.

A lovely painting that rests over Anel Nieto's sofa was painted for her by Wilbanks' friend, Tricia Legg, an artist who owns Cache Chic in Brenham.

The living room now has a leather sofa and two chairs, with accessories finishing off the room.

Ashley Nieto's bedroom used to be little-girl pink, way too young for this young woman who works at a financial services company. The walls are now a soft gray that blends with darker gray carpet and draperies. Her bedspread is a mod assemblage of colorful flowers topped with orange decorative pillows.

"When she fixed it up, I was so happy. I definitely needed a change," Ashley Nieto said.

Designed 4 Peace isn't yet a formal 501c3 nonprofit but rather an effort that Wilbanks works on when she can and when she learns of someone new in need. She hopes to have another home finished before the end of the year.

With so much of Houston rebuilding after the hurricane, Wilbanks is certain there's a long list of people needing help. If homeowners or other designers want to help, they can reach her at letricia_wilbanks@hotmail.com.

Better yet, designers can follow her lead and do the same.

"I am trying to start a movement," Wilbanks said.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

I grew up in a small town about three hours north of Columbus, Indiana, which has to be one of the most unlikely places to see some of the best modernist architecture in the country.

Burnished by the patronage of J. Irwin Miller, a banker and the president of engine manufacturer Cummins  a man who once said, "It is expensive to be mediocre in this world"  the town of 44,000 has a stunning collection of buildings by the likes of Eliel and Eero Saarinen, Gunnar Birkerts and I. M. Pei.

It's the kind of place people pay good money to go tour.

"Architecture has always been our identity," says Erin Hawkins. She would know. She grew up in Columbus and works now for the Visitors Bureau.

And Hawkins also appears  you can just make out her red shoes and dark hair as she walks with a tour group in the very beautiful, Eero Saarinen-designed Miller House  in a new film, "Columbus," set in and around the buildings that have made this otherwise working-class town famous. The film's playing tonight at the Rice Media Center as part of the Architecture Center Houston Film Festival at the Houston Cinema Arts Festival.

Buyenlarge / Getty Images

"Columbus" goes like this: Jin (played very well by John Cho), a translator, hasn't spoken for a year to his father, an architect and historian studying the town. (The estrangement is caused, Jin explains, by his father's lack of interest in him. In some ways, Jin loses out to architecture, which is a source of resentment.)

The father collapses one day outside a building he's studying and is rushed to the hospital, where Jin meets him. Soon, Jin meets Casey (played very well by Haley Lu Richardson), a Columbus native, librarian and architecture lover a year out of high school who's living at home and taking care of her mother, a recovering meth addict.

And the film proceeds from there, as Jin and Casey develop a friendship that explores the ambiguities of ambition, loyalty and attention. Why doesn't Jin feel more sadness about his father's illness and potential death? Why does Casey refuse to pursue her passion for the sake of her mother?

And how is architecture supposed to make you feel? Because in the film it's both in the background and foreground, all at once.

SUBSCRIBE: Like Gray Matters? Get our free weekly newsletter, sent right to your inbox

Hawkins says that that's a familiar reality for her. "People ask, 'What was it like? Did you grow up with this great appreciation?' But it would be disingenuous to present that everyone who lives in Columbus is into architecture and design."

At one point, Jin says, "You grow up with something and it feels like nothing."

In fact, "Columbus" isn't really about architecture at all, but our relationships with the biggest things in our lives, how our capacity to appreciate them comes and goes, blinks on and off. Buildings are fixed objects for citizens in the same way that parents are fixed objects for children. They never really change, but we do, constantly, in relation to them. We orbit them. Sometimes, they seem invigorating. Sometimes, they seem infuriating.

The question "Columbus" so beautifully asks is about the struggle to appreciate what we appreciate and love what we love.

Allyn West runs Gray Matters. Find him on Twitter at @allynwest and send him an email if there's something you're curious about: allyn.west@chron.com.





Bookmark Gray Matters. It's both in the background and foreground, all at once.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

A man believed to have taken a teenage girl at the center of an Amber Alert and then lead police on a violent chase was indicted Thursday on three felony charges.

Rudolfo Nuncio Jr., 41, was arrested north of Shepherd Aug. 16 and was found with Priscilla Martinez, 13, who was last seen on Aug. 9 in Donna, Texas. Martinez was safe and sound when she was recovered.

Nuncio was wanted on a child indecency warrant when U.S. Marshals spotted him at the Flying J on U.S. 59 at Texas 242 earlier that morning. The marshals asked for help from Montgomery County Sheriff's deputies, who all attempted to arrest Nuncio but were unable to, MCSO officials previously said.

WIFE SHOT: Fight after high school reunion leads to attempted murder-suicide

Nuncio ran back to his truck in the parking lot and started to drive away from the police, ramming into one of the marshal's vehicles in the process, officials said. No injuries were reported.

Deputies and marshals chased Nuncio north on U.S. 59 through Montgomery, Liberty and San Jacinto counties with speeds reaching up to 80 mph. Nuncio eventually crashed into a DPS trooper on U.S. 59 north of Shepherd and was arrested.

He was charged and indicted on two third-degree felony charges of evading arrest and enticing a child as well as a first-degree felony aggravated assault on a public servant charge.

"We take cases like this very seriously," Chief Prosecutor Rob Freyer said. "His actions appear to have impacted the safety of people not only in Montgomery County but in Liberty and San Jacinto Counties as well. We don't tolerate this sort of thing. He'll have his day in court, and we'll be ready."

Nuncio's court-appointed attorney, Wendy Little, could not be reached for comment. He is being held in the Montgomery County Jail with no bond.

If convicted, he could face up to life in prison.

Montgomery County grand jury indictments for Nov. 7 and 9:

Alfred Jay Gordon Jr., possession with intent to deliver/manufacture controlled substance

Donald Ryan Reed, DWI  third or more

Noah Scott Olson, possession with intent to deliver/manufacture controlled substance

Adam Oshad Walker, possession of controlled substance (x2)

Yefry Jose Violante-Sosa, assault family strangulation

Bobby Charles Ewing, harassment of public servant  retaliation

Theresa Maden, possession of controlled substance

Robert Raymond Pearson, assault family strangulation

Clarence David Taylor, indecency with a child

James Ray Bates, indecency with a child

Daniel Douglas Kane, repeated violation of court order/condition

Brian Andrew Woodard, assault family strangulation

Carrie Ann Holcomb, possession with intent to deliver/manufacture controlled substance

Caleb Andrew Carmichael, burglary of habitation and possession of controlled substance

Joseph Dominique Grant, assault family strangulation

Joshua Tariq Range, forgery

Wesley Landon Brasseaux, forgery

Kenneth Charles Boze, assault family strangulation

Angel Angel-Jaimes, DWI  with a child

Brian Patrick Clark, possession of controlled substance

Clifford Craig Bradford, possession of controlled substance

Frederick Sepulvado, possession of controlled substance

Wayman Gerald Biles, DWI  third or more

Robert Baxter, DWI  third or more

Dustin James Bratton, theft

Jamie Rae Magarahan, theft and possession of controlled substance
The Woodlands local Marlo Saucedo says she has been an artist all her life. She originally did sculptures but opted to build her business on portraits. She created the first piece in her current style of constructing pictures from words in 1995 with a portrait of cars moving across the Brooklyn Bridge out of lyrics from early 1990s songs.

Saucedo says she's enjoys research and has spent time as a writer, which is reflected in her versatile style that combines her love of art and writing in each of her unique pieces.

"I'm able to get two very big interests of mine taken care of in one piece. The process of creation with the research and writing," Saucedo said. "I think every artist changes and morphs over their career and so this is where my career is right now. It's very, very satisfying for me in [the] way of doing art."

Inspiration comes from a variety of sources for Saucedo, who said anything from a quote on television that catches her attention to the area she lives in could be included in her next work.

Past pieces have been based upon the Houston library, downtown Houston and loblolly pines here in The Woodlands. A more recent piece of a bee was created from the names of flowers, foods and plants pollinated by bees.

"It's almost like where don't I draw my inspiration from," Saucedo said.

The artist grew up in Houston from the age of 1 in the Briargrove and Tanglewood neighborhoods. She recalled how she would ride bicycles and go swimming with her sister. Saucedo attended Episcopal High School and obtained a Bachelor's degree in psychology from Davidson College. She then went on to get a Master's degree in business from the University of Texas in Austin.

Saucedo has been married to her husband, who is originally from New Mexico, for 18 years. They moved to The Woodlands with their two sons in 2007. The two boys each attend public schools in The Woodlands. Saucedo said her 14-year-old is a Level 9 gymnast, and the couple's 11-year-old is more artistic-like her-and makes origami pieces.

Being able to give her children the opportunities she had as a child is a source of happiness and joy, she said.

"We're giving our kids the same kind of upbringing that I was able to have. The free-you know-ride your bike by yourself, go down to the park, walk to school," she said.

Saucedo added that her husband is very much involved in raising their sons. They both work from home, which helps create a balance between work and family life, she added. To learn more about Saucedo and see examples of her art, visit marlosaucedo.com.
Sallie Bryant is sticking with Roy Moore. Like many of the hard-core supporters of the embattled U.S. Senate candidate, the chairwoman of the Jefferson County, Alabama, Republican party says she believes Moore's denials of allegations he had inappropriate relationships with teenage girls when he was in his 30s. And she suspects the accusations are a political ploy concocted to block his election.

"The timing of it is a little bit suspicious," Bryant, whose county includes Birmingham, said after a standing-room-only Moore rally on Saturday. "It's a political event and that's why they did what they did."

Bryant is the kind of voter -- a Republican woman -- whose support is vital if Moore is to prevail in a Dec. 12 special election to fill a seat vacated by Attorney General Jeff Sessions. But there are signs at least some of them are slipping away. Polls of likely voters conducted over the last several days show his once solid lead over Democrat Doug Jones has evaporated as female voters shift away from him.

Moore has flatly denied a report in the Washington Post on Thursday that he initiated a sexual encounter with a 14-year-old girl in the late 1970s when he was 32 and an assistant district attorney. The Post also cited three women who said Moore pursued relationships with them when they were between the ages of 16 and 18 around the same time, and Moore said in an interview on Sean Hannity' radio program he couldn't rule out having dated teenagers.

Although some national Republican lawmakers called on Moore to drop out after the Washington Post report, Alabama GOP leaders like Bryant are rallying around their candidate.

Moore isn't backing down either. During a Veteran's Day breakfast on Saturday, in a cramped meeting room at the Vestavia Hills Public Library, outside Birmingham, Moore called the allegations "a prime example of fake news" and said that in coming days there will be "revelations" about the motivations and content of the charges.

"To think that grown women would wait 40 years to come forward right before an election to bring charges is absolutely unbelievable," Moore said, drawing applause from the audience, which included dozens of Republicans and party officials wearing Moore stickers. Outside there were a handful of Democratic protesters outside holding signs with messages like "Grabby Old Pervert" and "#NoMoore."

The revelations have upended what otherwise might have been an easy contest for Moore, 70, to win in a solidly Republican state. Now Moore, a former chief justice of the state Supreme Court, has the national party in a difficult position: He could win and taint the party in advance of 2018 congressional elections. Or he could lose and turn over a seat long held by Republicans to Democrats, leaving the GOP with a one-vote majority in the Senate and imperiling their ability to deliver on promises to voters.

Moore's support in Alabama hasn't collapsed, but it has weakened. Polls from Atlanta-based Opinion Savvy and Louisiana-based JMC Analytics, conducted after the Washington Post report, show that support for Moore has dropped with women, who make up the majority of Alabama voters, and Evangelicals. One of the surveys showed the candidates tied and the other had Jones narrowly ahead but within the margin of error.

Still, there are plenty of Republican women who echo Moore's response to the accusations.

Debbie Harrelson, a 61-year-old medical representative from Hoover, Alabama, said the allegations fall into a suspicious pattern of the news media reporting charges from women impugning the character of conservatives.

"It's too long ago, it's a he said she said," Harrelson said before the Saturday breakfast of coffee and donuts. "He's had forty years of service to the state of Alabama and he's proven himself to me so I don't care."

When Moore arrived at the event, trailed by reporters asking about the accusations, Harrelson cheered him and said, "Good for you."

Supporters of President Donald Trump, who had endorsed Republican Luther Strange in a Republican runoff election for the Senate seat, also came to Moore's defense.

"Where have they been?" Perry Hooper Jr., a co-chair of Trump's Alabama campaign who endorsed Luther Strange in the primary, said of the women accusing Moore. "Maybe they should be required to take a polygraph test to find out if they really are telling the truth."

National Republicans have few options to block Moore. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, a Republican, rejected calls to delay the election in hopes of convincing Moore to withdraw or launching a credible write-in campaign.

Ivey "is not considering and has no plans to move the special election for U.S. Senate," according to her spokesman, Daniel Sparkman. And while Strange has said he's exploring the possibility of a write-in campaign, polls show that would likely split the vote.

"As long as Moore is on the ballot, I don't think that there's any way that Strange could pull that off," said Matthew Towery, a pollster with Opinion Savvy. "That would definitely hand the seat over to Jones."

The challenge for Jones is to increase turnout among Republican women who are rejecting Moore without appearing to capitalize on the sexual abuse allegations.

"They need to identify these voters and get them to the polls," said Jennifer Duffy, a political analyst at the nonpartisan Cook Political Report. "Find those disaffected Republicans and get them there."

In Vestavia Hills, Democrats were energized at the Moore event.

Elizabeth Shannon, a 60-year-old retired video editor from Mountain Brook, Alabama, who supports Jones, held up a picture of herself when she was 14 years old. She said the accusations against Moore rang true at a time when women are coming forward to publicly report sexual harassment or assault against well-known men.

"We're all feeling supported by each other, that it's OK, that it wasn't our fault," she said.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

Kathy Walker has seen her father cry only three times in her life: twice after Hurricane Harvey destroyed his Willowbrook-area home and again Sunday.

William Fly, a World War II veteran, turns 100 on Monday but celebrated the milestone in grand style a day early, honored by family, a group of newfound friends from Indiana and public officials who bestowed upon him flags honoring his service to the nation.

"It represents a lifetime," said Fly, a lifelong Houstonian, choking back tears. "It's overwhelming."

The honors included a letter from Vice President Mike Pence expressing gratitude to Fly "for putting on the uniform to defend our nation and fight for freedom." The letter added that Fly's "heroic service as an Army Air Forces aviator in the European theater of World War II gave the United States and our allies the air supremacy we needed to win."

After the reading of Pence's letter, Fly was presented with a U.S. flag flown recently over the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., and a Texas flag that flew over the Alamo in San Antonio on the 180th anniversary of the battle. Harris County Commissioners proclaimed Nov. 13 William Madden Fly Day.

It was particularly overwhelming for Fly because he recently endured the death of his wife, Mary Beth, and Harvey's devastation, which he thought would ruin him financially and rob him of the independence he so valued. He described it as "a one-two punch."

Fly's home took in about 4 feet of water, which ruined most everything, including family photos and other valued mementos. He'd stayed as long as possible, evacuating by boat just hours before the floodwaters entered his home.

"I thought life was not going to be worth anything anymore," said Fly. "I thought, 'That's it.'"

Unbeknown to Fly, members of "Task Force Hoosier" heard about his plight. A group of police, firefighters and emergency medical responders from Evansville, Ind., who trained under Cypress Creek's EMS department, organized a relief effort. They brought eight semitrucks of donated supplies and spent a week helping local first responders and veterans clean up their flooded homes.

Fly said to them, "Y'all came all the way from Indiana to help me?"

The team spent a day working to remove sheetrock and damaged belongings, the start of what would be a long process rebuilding Fly's home. The key was a pledge by Marcus Luttrell, the former Navy SEAL who received the Navy Cross and Purple Heart for his actions against Taliban fighters, to raise funding so Fly's house could be rebuilt.

That was the first time Walker saw her father cry openly, when she told him of the plan. The second time was last week, when he first saw the restored house.

It was Task Force Hoosier who remembered Nov. 13 was Fly's 100th birthday and arranged for the special celebration. They contacted Indiana Rep. Wendy McNamara, who spoke at the event and enlisted Pence to write his letter of thanks and send the U.S. flag.

Before it was flown above the World War II Memorial, the flag was carried through the building by a National Parks Service staffer, who wrote Fly he wished he could be there to personally shake his hand. He wrote that he was crying as he penned the letter.

"My grandma and grandfather survived the Holocaust," wrote Ridka Zuares. "They were very young and my grandma tells us how they used to fight over crumbs that fell because of how hungry they were. Without what you all have done during World War II, I don't know if I would be here today."

The reading of the letter marked the third time Walker saw her dad cry.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

It was the same hour on the same day, a week after 26 people had been shot dead in a Texas church. Gov. Greg Abbott had called for a moment of silence, but the people gathered at the Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church were far from quiet.

They were singing.

Here, in a packed 11 a.m. service at the iconic church in Houston's historic Third Ward, they refused to let the shooting in Sutherland Springs inspire fear. They wanted to worship. They gave thanks, moved at times to their feet, trusting in the goodness of God even after tragedy.

"Whenever you attack folks in the body of Christ, it just makes us stronger," the Rev. Marcus Cosby asserted as he preached. "Folks still shout hallelujah."

Outside of Wheeler Avenue, countless Houstonians gathered for religious services Sunday, seeking fellowship in the wake of an attack that killed and injured so many churchgoers. Hundreds gathered under a white tent for a service in Sutherland Springs, while pastors in parishes big and small across Texas addressed the attack in the manner they felt best.

Prayer and security

Some had reviewed security plans in advance of the day. Many had prayed.

"Who expects to come to church and find not acceptance and peace but annihilation and death by someone with a weapon of mass murder?" asked Neil Alan Willard, the chief rector of Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church, during his sermon at 7:45 a.m., the first service of the day.

"All we can do is pray for them, and pray these things don't happen again," churchgoer Martin Gonzalez said, attending Mass at St. Helen Catholic Church in Pearland, 15 miles away, where the pastor of the church that morning had reminded everyone where the exits are in the sanctuary.

On the avenue, as they say at Wheeler, people arrived well ahead of the 11 a.m. service, lining up for entry to the main worship space.

Among them was Marcia Curry, who that morning put on her dress and grabbed a black shawl and decided to go to Bible study before church. She had come without second thought. She was alive, she said, and she was able.

They prayed during Bible study for those in Sutherland Springs, at the request of someone connected to the small town in San Antonio's shadow.

"Even here in our community, here in our church, we were affected," she said. "They were Christians serving God.  You still feel for other believers."

The line filed in as the 9 a.m. service let out. Everyone settled. The singing began. The feeling was one of resiliency and of trust.

For He is good!

Yes, He is good!

Here, like in so many churches, community matters. It's built into the service: time to greet newcomers. To shake hands with and hug those in the pews in front or behind. To pray for sisters and brothers bereaved and hospitalized.

It forms bonds like those among the self-professed "pew partners," a small group of men who sit together in the back left - no matter the violence in the news.

"We have plenty of security here," Herb Quaintance, 70, said.

"And we have God Almighty," Don George, 62, added.

They came to be healed and leave ready for the week.

"We can say thanks," Lekesha Barnett said as she led everyone in prayer. "You have been so good to keep us from danger, seen and unseen."

She sat down. She wiped her eyes.

Officers patrolled outside. "Watchmen," as they were known, stood in suits at the front protecting the pulpit.

Even Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez patrolled area churches, spending five hours Sunday morning visiting services. He wanted to be visible and to offer comfort.

People needed to know: They should not be afraid to go on with their lives. They should not be afraid to practice their faith. "We can learn from it," he said.

Finding peace

Michelle Morrison, 44, hadn't been scared. She swayed in song among those at Wheeler. This was her time to take a break from the worry of looking for a new job, from the nagging question of whether she should move back to Louisiana to be near her family again.

Here she could find solace and peace.

Michael Cook, 50, did not worry either, belting out words seemingly as they came to him.

"If I die coming, I know where I'm going," he said later.

He had trust in God, he explained.

Cosby took the podium. And he, too, gave thanks for the blessings he said God had given.

"You can't buy peace," he said. "You can't buy joy."

His voice built. He worked himself breathless and into a sweat, wiping his forehead with a towel. The congregation added to the energy, clapping and shouting.

"He made us to be blessed with firmness to endure," he said. "The God we serve will keep you strong."

Events like Sutherland, he said, would only make him pray more.

The congregation ended the service singing "Amen," hands held, arms raised.

St. John Barned-Smith and Jim Molony contributed to this report.
The St. Francois County Sheriffs Department has one man in custody after a domestic dispute reportedly ended in a young mans death.

St. Francois County Lt. Greg Armstrong said charges have been filed against Clinton Wheeler, 49, of Park Hills, who is accused of shooting his 22-year-old son-in-law, Christopher Goodman.

Charges were filed with the St. Francois County Prosecutor's Office late Sunday afternoon and Wheeler is being charged with a class A felony of murder in the first degree with no bond.

The shooting occurred at 11:20 p.m. Saturday night in the 1600 block of Ellis Rd. in St. Francois County.

The ambulance district pronounced Goodman dead at the scene and transported another man to Mercy Hospital-Jefferson by county ambulance.

St. Francois County Ambulance Director David Tetrault said a friend of the family who tried to stop the shooting was injured.

It went through his hand before it hit the young man who died. He was shot with a 9 mm gun in the chest/abdomen area with no exit wound, said Tetrault. A 9 mm is a high velocity bullet and he assumes that since it went through the first guys hand, it was slowed down a little bit and stopped it from exiting the other man.

Tetrault said the man shot in the hand was stable, but taken to the hospital.

According to police radio traffic, a woman called 911 reporting that her father shot her husband as they were having an argument.

This is a developing story and the Daily Journal will bring details as they become available.
AUSTIN - The unresolved criminal charges against Attorney General Ken Paxton may be centered around whether he committed securities fraud, but other drama surrounding his case has pushed that judgment to the back burner.

The tea party darling's case has taken several detours over the last two years since his indictment, most recently with an investigation into bribery, questions over how much prosecutors should be paid and contentious politics among the state's largest group of criminal defense lawyers. Now, he's attracted his first opponent in this election cycle.

"There are a lot of fits and starts because the politics and the legal process intermingle," said Brandon Rottinghaus, an author and academic who has studied more than 300 executive scandals dating back to 1972. While it's normal for cases involving top elected officials to take a year or two to work through the courts, the particular delays and tangents stemming from Paxton's case are more akin to legal dramas on the national level, he said.

"National scandals tend to be more tinged with politics since the stakes are high for the White House. The Paxton scandal is strongly laced with politics like national scandals because of the high stakes for the attorney general's future and the potential brand damage to the Texas Republican Party," said Rottinghaus, who wrote "The Institutional Effects of Executive Scandals" and teaches political science at the University of Houston.

"Ken Paxton has been at every level either lucky or well-represented or a combination of the above where he's been able to essentially deflect much of the political damage that might come otherwise, and legally he's been able to survive the various slings and arrows that have come his way."

Paxton, a first-term Republican attorney general, was indicted in July 2015 and has since been fighting two charges of first-degree felony securities fraud and a third-degree felony charge for failing to register with the state as an investment advisor. The case, which involves his selling of stock for a North Texas tech company unrelated to his time in office, has captivated political and legal observers around the state, given the novelty of having the state's top law enforcement officer under indictment.

The charges threatened to multiply recently amid revelations that an administrative judge had appointed Kaufman County District Attorney Erleigh Wiley to investigate whether Paxton broke laws under the state bribery code while raising money for his legal defense. After a 10-month investigation, the district attorney from about 60 miles south of Paxton's home base of Collin County announced on a Friday night that there would be no charges.

"After a thorough review of the evidence gathered during this investigation, my office concluded that Attorney General Paxton had a personal relationship with the donor, in addition to a prior attorney/client relationship, which relationships render Penal Code Section 36.08 inapplicable to this donation. Accordingly, this investigation has been closed," Wiley said in a statement.

Violation of the state's gift ban would have meant a Class A misdemeanor, punishable with up to a year in prison, up to a $4,000 fine or both.

Wiley was asked three days before Christmas in 2016 to investigate a $100,000 donation to Paxton's legal defense fund. The Collin County district attorney's office recused itself from the case, according to Wiley. The donation in 2015 came by way of a gift from James Webb, the CEO of a diagnostic imaging company under investigation by federal agents and the attorney general's office. The next year, the company received what critics said was a favorable settlement from the attorney general's office.

The office's Texas Civil Medicaid Fraud Division and the U.S. Department of Justice in June of 2016 co-signed a $3.5 million settlement of a whistleblower lawsuit accusing the company of violating Medicaid billing rule. The state received $68,000 of the settlement.

Paxton said Webb, who leads Premiere Imaging, is a family friend and former legal client who is allowed to give state officials like him gifts without violating the state's gift ban. Paxton reported collecting $547,000 from people he identified as friends and family between 2015 and 2016 to help pay his legal bills.

The announcement that the unrelated investigation turned up nothing was a win for Paxton. But his legal team is hoping for another critical victory that could cripple the prosecution against the sitting attorney general.

Prosecutors' pay

Running parallel to Paxton's criminal proceedings is an effort to defund the prosecution by capping the special prosecutors' pay at $1,000 for pretrial work in accordance with county rules. A trio of Houston-area special prosecutors appointed to build a case against Paxton for $300 an hour billed Collin County for about $200,000 worth of work in January. Local rules allow a judge to agree to higher pay schedules in special circumstances, the special prosecutors argue, but the local commissioner's court refused to pay the bill, kicking the issue into the legal system.

The special prosecutors, seasoned lawyers who work in private practice, say they will walk away from the case if the courts cap their pay. That would unravel much of Paxton's case, requiring the appointment of new special prosecutors who will need time to get up to speed and further delay resolution of the trial. Assigning a district attorney from Paxton's home base in North Texas could be politically dicey, according to Brian Wice, one of the special prosecutors, in a legal filing defending his appointment.

"Any district attorney called on to investigate and prosecute a sitting attorney general, especially one as popular with the powerful sects of the political party that has a stranglehold on every statewide-elected office, would not exactly be thrilled at accepting such a task," read the filing from Wice. "Aside from the potentially dire political repercussions of signing on, any district attorney who might consider such an appointment would have to consider the fact that his or her office has to deal with the Attorney General and his office on myriad matters on a daily basis."

The other, more weighty repercussion of the back pay decision is what a strict adherence to the cap would mean to the 166 counties throughout the state that currently give judges discretion to pay appointed attorneys more to take on special cases.

Various groups and officials weighed in, filing briefs with the court. The County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas it would adversely affect their budgets should the court allow judges to set "unfettered attorney's fees." Meanwhile, the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association filed an amicus brief stressing that a limit jeopardizes the court's independence and could have a "serious negative impact on indigent defense in Texas."

But the filing from TCDLA sparked its own political battle, causing the executive board of the group to quickly yank the filing from the record. The reason: The organization's upper management board did not sign off on the amicus brief.

The board has relationships with lawyers on both sides of Paxton's case: One of Paxton's criminal defense attorneys, Heather Barberi, serves as secretary to the group's executive committee; Kent Schaffer, one of the special prosecutors, is one of the organization's past presidents.

The association's relationships with attorneys on both sides of Paxton's case had no influence on the executive committee's decision to drop its amicus brief supporting the special prosecutors, said David Moore, president of the TCDLA. He said the organization will reconsider whether to file the amicus brief but that could take weeks to decide.

The matter is now before the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, the state's highest court for criminal cases. The court is expected to decide in coming weeks whether it will hear arguments on the case, make a ruling or disregard the matter.

Law and politics

Quinton "Dwight" McDonald, a law professor at Texas Tech University, said it's difficult to parse whether many of the issues stemming from the Paxton case are rooted in the law or politics.

"The reality is you can't separate those worlds. You can talk about the legal world, but the reality is you have elected officials involved in this," said McDonald. "Both of those things are in play. Which one is in play more? That I don't know."

Paxton's charges stem from him allegedly failing to tell his friends and colleagues he stood to gain from their investment in Servergy, a North Texas tech company. He was also charged with failing to register as an investment advisor and faced mirroring civil charges in federal court.

His trial, originally set for May, has been rescheduled as early as March.

The allegations have followed him since his primary bid to become the state's top law enforcement officer in 2014. He argues he is the victim of a political witch hunt from members of his own party and maintains his innocence. A federal civil judge sided with him earlier this year, tossing charges brought by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and accusing the agency of trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.

Meanwhile, Paxton has kicked off his bid for reelection. Known for suing the Obama administration, supporting anti-abortion efforts and as a strong supporter of President Donald Trump's travel ban, Paxton is running with no Republican opponent in sight, leaving him so far unscathed from allegations that have dogged him since he last ran for election nearly four years ago.

The Republican primary election is where the bulk of electoral contests are decided in Texas. Republicans have had a strong hold on the office since 1999.

However, a Democratic candidate entered the fray recently. Austin attorney and Houston native Justin Nelson announced he would run against Paxton in the general election, saying the state deserves to have a top law enforcement official who is not under indictment.

"Justice is for all. Nobody is above the law. Texans can do better than our indicted Attorney General who is charged with criminal fraud," said Nelson.
Consumers

Regarding "FERC chairman says Perry's grid proposal to be decided by Dec. 11" (Chron.com Thursday), U.S. Rep. Pete Olson, R-Sugar Land, recently showed leadership in Washington, D.C., by standing up for consumers and energy freedom. When he saw a government intrusion into energy markets, Olson spearheaded a bipartisan letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in support of competition among all energy technologies. Olson recognizes that market competition benefits consumers and our electric grid, rather than having politicians pick winners and losers. Olson's letter was specifically in response to a federal proposal that would bail out uneconomic power plants. Current estimates predict this proposed regulation could cost Americans as much as $11 billion a year over the next decade, and FERC will issue a final decision by Dec. 11.

In Texas, consumers have benefitted from a competitive market, all while driving massive investments in advanced energy technologies, such as wind, solar, and demand response.

Using his leadership role on the energy committee in D.C., Olson stood up to powerful special interests in support of market competition, innovative technologies and consumer savings.

Suzanne Bertin, executive director, Texas Advanced Energy Business Alliance,

and Dylan Reed, head of congressional affairs for Advanced Energy Economy

Our society

Regarding "Killer made threats, fled mental hospital" (Page A1, Wednesday), something has to be done about the recent tragedies that have occurred. Something is wrong with the way things are being done if someone can go to a church and kill innocent children.

We have to look into the social issues affecting our society. We need to help people coping with depression and anxiety and stop the abuse and mistreatment that people are affected by today.

We have an obligation to try to deal with those problems for the children who will make up the next generation.

Ronald Peters, Pearland
Low-income Texans have been struggling for years to find an affordable place to live, a struggle intensified by the devastating effects of Hurricane Harvey, and we must devote every resource we have to changing that trend. On top of that, we must ensure that the post-Harvey recovery push is not left without the sources of capital necessary to finance the rebuilding effort. Congress simply cannot brush these issues aside. They are far too important.

The tax-exempt Private Activity Bond program is one of the most effective tools that we have for financing new affordable housing. Unfortunately, while debate over tax reform generally has been focused on corporate and individual tax rates, the House of Representative bill is set to kill this critical program, which would put the future of affordable housing construction in Texas and across the nation at risk and unintentionally but severely harm efforts to repair and rebuild the homes of Texans impacted by Hurricane Harvey.

As originally proposed by President Ronald Reagan and adopted as part of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, if a housing project agrees to charge affordable rents to lower-income residents and is financed using PABs, the project will also generate Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTCs). Because it costs the same to build and operate an affordable housing project as it does to build market-rate housing, the reduction in revenue resulting from these lower rents would otherwise make these projects financially infeasible. The LIHTCs are used to "fill the gap" in covering the cost of construction, thereby allowing for the production of new affordable housing.

In Texas alone, PABs have provided more than $2.9 billion since 2013 in financing to create and preserve much needed affordable housing. The elimination of PABs would cripple this program and others like it around the country, ruining the hopes of thousands of Texans seeking a decent, safe and affordable place to call home.

The damage from Hurricane Harvey continues to impact many Texas residents, a factor which greatly enhances the threat by the tax reform bill. More than 750,000 Texans have applied for individual assistance from FEMA in the wake of the hurricane, about 300,000 of whom have already been approved. A significant number of these residents live in homes that were severely damaged by the storm. Some were forced to relocate as a result of that damage.

Financing generated by PABs (and the associated LIHTCs) will be vitally important to hurricane recovery efforts, especially in Houston and along the Gulf Coast, where historic flooding brought about unprecedented damage. Congress, by eliminating a vehicle of financing, will make these efforts even more difficult and leave residents to fend for themselves after suffering from a natural disaster of historic proportions.

Fortunately, all is not lost. Congress still has the opportunity to act and do the right thing by rejecting the tax plan in its current form and reworking the proposal to guarantee that PABs are protected and that LIHTCs are not just sustained but also strengthened for generations to come.

If this simple step is taken now, residents across our state and across the nation will benefit. They will feel more secure in the future of their housing options and know that their elected officials support them in the face of disaster. If Congress ignores this warning, low-income renters, prospective homeowners and those affected by Hurricane Harvey will pay a disastrous price.

Asarch is board president on the nonprofit Texas Affiliation of Affordable Housing Providers.
The news you need, when you need it, by the editors you trust. Get continuing news coverage and educational information on crops, livestock, soil health and other topics you select.
loyers in Malaysia may soon have to offer longer paid maternity leave and reduced working hours for women as the nation continues its push to keep more women in the workforce.The measures are part of Prime Minister Najib Razaks economic plan to boost female participation as well as overall workforce productivity to get Malaysia out of its middle-income trap.Najib has proposed giving women in the private sector up to 90 days maternity leave  the same as what civil servants are currently entitled to.Those in the government will also get more total maternity leave throughout their career and can work shorter hours from their fifth month of pregnancy.Najib is also looking at giving women a one-year tax exemption if they return to work after a break of two years or more and making it mandatory for all new office buildings to have childcare facilities.The PM wants to bring Malaysias per capita income to $12,476 in the next three years so that it would be deemed a high-income country, from the current $10,000 levels.In Malaysia, women tend to drop out of the labour force once they begin to have children.A study by the International Monetary Fund says that raising the participation of women to the same level of males can boost gross domestic product by 5% in the United States, 9% in Japan, 12% in the United Arab Emirates and 34% in Egypt.Despite the fact that Malaysias public universities produced 80% more female graduates than males last year, Malaysia still lags its neighbors in female participation in the labor force at 49%, according to the World Bank Child-rearing responsibilities are the top reason for womens dropping out of the workforce, even as they are educated and have had some professional experience prior to marriage. A 2016 paper called Malaysian female graduates: Marriage, motherhood and labor force participation showed that mothers with young children did not trust helpers at day-care centers or live-in maids to care for their children.Najib also said he would start naming and shaming publicly listed companies with no women in their boards. He said he wanted a 30-percent minimum for women on boards of state companies. He also wants to set aside 20 million ringgit for entrepreneurship training for females.Julia Goh, an economist at United Overseas Bank Ltd. in Kuala Lumpur, said these initiatives are definitely encouraging.Its moving in line with the trends we are seeing now in trying to get women to contribute more to the economy and society.
Ministry of Manpower has charged a Singaporean businessman in the state courts for allowing 18 foreign workers to be housed in overcrowded living quarters.Thirty-four-year-old Li Dan faces 18 charges of the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act for failing to provide accommodation to his workers compliant with regulations. If convicted, he can be fined up to $10,000 or be imprisoned up to 12 months, or both, per charge.Lis company, Shuang Lin Construction Pte Ltd was also charged for submitting false information in the Online Foreign Worker Address Service  an online system where employers update the addresses of their foreign workers with the MOM. If convicted, the company can be fined up to $20,000 for each of the 22 charges.Between October 2015 and July 2016, Lin arranged for the foreign workers to be housed in overcrowded premises at Upper Paya Lebar, MacPherson and Changi. These premises had then exceeded the prevailing allowed occupancy load of eight occupants under Urban Redevelopment Authoritys guidelines.MOM ordered the company to relocate the affected workers to other approved accommodation.Between March 2016 and April 2016, the company furnished false addresses of 22 FWs to the Controller of Work Passes in the OFWAS. It declared that the FWs were staying at Tuas South Avenue, when they were not.Under the Employment of Foreign Manpower (Work Passes) Regulations, employers who contravene any of the conditions of the work pass will be guilty of an offence under Section 22(1)(a) of the EFMA. On top of penalties imposed by the Court, MOM will also bar errant employers from employing Fws.Employers are also required to register or update their FWs residential addresses through OFWAS, within five days of the FWs moving to a new address.
Monday

Bonne Terre Council

The Bonne Terre City Council will meet in regular session at 6 p.m. at city hall located on 118 N. Allen St. The meeting is open to the public.

Desloge Board of Aldermen

The Desloge Board of Aldermen meet in regular session at 7 p.m. at city hall, located at 300 N. Lincoln Drive. The meeting is open to the public.

Tuesday

SFC Commission

The St. Francois County Commission meets in regular session at 10 a.m. on the third floor of the courthouse annex in Farmington. The meeting is open to the public.

Park Hills Council

The Park Hills City Council will meet in open session at 6 p.m. in council chambers at City Hall, located at 9 Bennett Street. This meeting will be open to the public.

Leadington Board of Aldermen

The Leadington Board of Aldermen meets in regular session at 6 p.m. at the municipal building, located at 12 Weir St. The meeting is open to the public.

Thursday

Farmington Regional Chamber of Commerce

The Farmington Regional Chamber of Commerce hosts the "Business & Community Luncheon" beginning at noon at the Centene Center, located at 2 Black Knight Dr. There is no cost to attend. Lunch is available from Qdoba for $10.

MAC Board of Trustees

The Mineral Area College Board of Trustees meets in regular session at 2 p.m. in the VanHerck Boardroom on the Park Hills campus. The meeting is open to the public.

West County School Board

The West County Board of Education will meet at 6 p.m. in the board room of the administrative office located at 1124 Main Street in Leadwood. This meeting will be open to the public.

North County Board of Education

The North County Board of Education meets in regular session at 6 p.m. in the administration offices located at 300 Berry Rd. The meeting is open to the public.

Bismarck R-5 School Board

The Bismarck R-5 Board of Education meets in regular session at 6 p.m. in the elementary school library. The meeting is open to the public.
SAO PAULOPastificio Primo, an important pasta company in Brazil, has announced it has joined with HSI to switch to a 100% cage-free egg supply chain by 2022.

In Brazil, egg-laying hens are typically confined for their whole lives in wire battery cages, so small that the hens cannot even fully stretch their wings. Both common sense and science agree that virtually immobilizing animals for their entire lives causes mental distress and significant physical pain.

The use of conventional battery cages for laying hens is banned or being phased out under laws or regulations throughout the EU, in six U.S. states and in Canada, New Zealand and Bhutan. Officials in the majority of states in India, the worlds third largest egg producer, have declared that the use of battery cages violates the countrys animal welfare legislation, and India is debating a national ban.

Pastificio Primo joins other food corporations that have committed to switching to exclusively cage-free eggs in Brazil and throughout Latin America, including Unilever, which has committed to a global cage-free egg supply chain by 2020, and Nestle, the largest food company in the world, by 2025. After working with HSI, Burger King and Arcos Dorados, which operates McDonalds in Brazil and 19 other countries in the region, committed to switching to 100 percent cage-free eggs, as did other restaurant operators, accounting for thousands of restaurants in Brazil and Latin America.

Become an All-Animals Defender.

In Brazil, Compass Group (GRSA) and Sodexo have previously announced their commitment to a global cage-free policy in partnership with HSI. Alsea, the largest restaurant operator in Latin America and Spain, and Grupo Bimbo, the worlds largest bakery company, announced their cage-free egg policies after several years of talks with HSI specialists. Corporations like JBS, BRF, Sapore, Casa do Pao de Queijo, International Meal Company (IMC), Grupo Trigo, Brazil Fast Food Corporation (BFFC), Subway, Giraffas, Habibs, Grupo Halipar, Cargill, Bunge, Hemmer, Barilla, Intercontinental Hotels Group, AccorHotels, Marriott International and Hilton Worldwide have also pledged to go cage-free in Brazil.
karandaev via Getty Images

Education doesn't have to be restricted to the classroom. While textbooks get the job done, they definitely don't incite the same intrigue as travelling does. Studying abroad offers the best of both worlds: traditional learning in a university setting, while developing your cultural education, developing your personal growth and of course having fun!

Taking part in a study abroad programme allows you to step outside of your comfort zone and explore a new corner of the world. But while it's important to make the most of travelling and interacting with new people, you also have to keep the practicalities in mind. Having taken part in the Erasmus scheme myself in 2015, I've pulled together three top tips for studying abroad.

Advertisement

Immerse yourself in the culture:

For some students, the cultural norms and pace of life in a new country can be daunting! The thought of having to immediately acclimatise to a foreign environment might seem unachievable, but if you view it as simply getting out of your room and exploring your local area, you'll realise that integrating yourself into a new culture isn't as challenging as it first seems. Actively participating in your new community can be as simple as having a chat with people - invite your neighbours around for a glass (or bottle) of wine or have a conversation with the guy who works at your local supermarket!

Joining a university society, attending community events, and going to the local bars and pubs, are all fun and easy ways to become better acquainted with a new culture. These everyday interactions will help you to understand the way others live and make you feel so much more at home.

Plan in advance:

Finding somewhere to live is arguably the biggest challenge of studying abroad. It's easy to get caught up in the excitement of embarking on a new adventure and forget the practicalities, such as setting up a new phone or ensuring that your student visa is valid. It's also not uncommon for students to arrive at their chosen destination without having secured a rental property. The result of this can be weeks of couch surfing, which is not conducive to comfort!

One way to ensure that the rental process runs as smoothly as possible is to plan ahead, using an online rental accommodation site that allows you to view images of the property and connect with the landlord. When I moved to Madrid for a year with the Erasmus scheme, I was lucky enough to move in with a friend, but the majority of students don't have contacts in their new area.

Advertisement

The online rental website, Spotahome, is a good place to start. It saves a great deal of time and expense by removing the need for in-person viewings, as professional photos and descriptions of the property and local area are available online. If you're worried about the language barrier with your prospective landlord, choosing to use a platform like this one which offers support in different languages is definitely a good idea.

Learn a new language:

While it's true that you can get by with English in most countries available on a study abroad programme, learning the local language undeniably transforms the experience (not to mention that it shows respect!). If the language isn't already part of your university degree, you can start learning the basics using a language app such as Duolingo before you set off.
Joe Giddens/PA Wire

Sometimes I think people have a really odd view of what it's like to be transgender. The reality, I hate to break it to you, is a lot more boring than that - we have jobs, and families, commitments, rent to make and bills to pay. In fact, you could probably swap my life out with that of a childless, white, 32-year-old and realise that, by and large, our existences are startlingly similar. Except for one thing - how the world talks about us.

Your beliefs, whether religious or secular, are a choice. You choose to behave in a particular manner, and it's fundamental to establish that these beliefs are shaped by free will. In fact, that's one of the central tenets of the church - that God loved his children so much he gave them free will. This includes the freedom to believe and worship or not. This is different to "believing trans people when they say they're trans".

Advertisement

So it's with absolute joy this morning that I realised the church's take on trans issues is so mellow and common sense. His Grace, Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, has said that Christianity should not be used to make children feel guilty about who they are. That CofE Schools should allow kids to be kids. As a Christian, and member of the CofE, it's a welcome surprise to see that the church is willing to go out on a limb to defend at-risk members of society. It feels, well, Christian.

You could be forgiven for thinking - given the way the press has covered trans issues this year - that it's all abusing and sacrificing children, attempting to storm women's shelters, and waiting inside toilets and changing rooms to jump out at unsuspecting non-transgender folk. When you first start the process of being Out, it's heartbreaking. After all, none of us are experts in this any more than I'm an expert about having blue eyes or being right-handed, it's just something that exists in me. I was 28 when I had the confidence to talk about these kinds of things, after growing up in the shadow of Section 28, where LGBT issues were ignored. How can you be something you've never heard of? How can you deal with your difference if you have nobody to talk to?

These rules aren't anything new, so don't fall prey to the doomsday mongers among us. The people who seem most actively against the Church's take on this appear to have no idea about the role of the church in this country. Religion has never been apolitical, and these guidelines issued to schools are in line with both the Equality Act (2010) and general church thinking. In July 2017, the Synod voted to welcome transgender people as congregants in CofE churches. The message that went out today is a reinforcement of a message that went out in 2014.

Make no mistake, the outcry has to do with the press coverage of something that has been going on for a while, proving further that this has nothing to do with Christianity, the Church of England, or the Archbishop of Canterbury. One day, I think the press will look back and hang their heads for the lies they've told, and personally, I can't wait for that day.

Advertisement
BrianAJackson via Getty Images

I distinctly remember, almost three years later to the day, nervously walking on stage in a VIP area of the Royal Festival Hall at the Southbank Centre in London. My tie was off centre, my whole look somewhat dishevelled and there was a pure form of terror wracking at every fibre. I told everyone I met that my shaking hands were a result of the bitter December cold rather than the unadulterated fear that had consumed my rational being.

It was a room full of 300-400 influential, wealthy people who had made it in the world. I was an apprentice in social media, still in nappies in the professional sense who didn't have a single thing in common with these people.

Advertisement

I felt more out of place than I had ever felt.

I was speaking at the Huawei Winter Concert as a Young Ambassador for The Prince's Trust. It was my biggest event so far and no amount of champagne (this was, not-so-coincidentally, the same time I discovered a love for the bubbly stuff) or delicious canapes could dull the sense of impending doom I felt.

Then I started to speak.

The nerves melted away as I began to tell my story about how The Prince's Trust had helped me to turn my life around. I looked out on the audience and I had captivated all their attention. They laughed at my jokes (something that doesn't happen too often with me) and they fell silent as I moved into the depths of my speech.

Now, I felt more powerful than I had ever felt.

It was empirical of everything I said about how The Trust changed me. It seemed unthinkable that just a few minutes previously, I was finding breathing and even moving difficult due to nerves.

After my speech, I was introduced to the man who would be my future employer. My confidence and feeling of euphoria was so strong after my speech that I forgot that I'm a socially awkward, slightly nerdy individual who doesn't know how to network or hold conversations with people I don't know. That night, that very conversation, having the confidence to speak up led to the beginning of my career.

Advertisement

This is why I passionately feel that every young person should be taught the art of communication and more specifically, public speaking. Not as a small part of a wider English lesson; a full on, wide ranging tutorial on how to structure, prepare and deliver an effective speech or presentation and beyond that, be able to speak to and develop relationships with others.

In a world where we turn to our devices before we turn to the people who are physically with us, we need to adapt our education system to account for the fact that this epidemic of social media and smartphone addiction by making sure our kids know how to develop human relationships. This isn't a benefit and an advantage for them to have, it's crucial to create a happier, more confident society and leadership will naturally follow.

Public speaking has undoubtedly changed my life. Not just with the aforementioned career, of which I am still progressing in today but because my confidence sky rocketed before my eyes. I found that I could do things that I've never been able to do before.

I've always had a way with words. I've been a writer for as long as I can remember but I found through my experiences that with the spoken word I could move people, inspire them to take action and influence their decision making.

This isn't something we focus on in our schools though and I ask myself why this is. Verbal communication is one of the facets that defines every great leader, every successful entrepreneur, every world president and prime minister. We're pushed into presenting at school, yes, and that is important but we're not taught how to do it effectively.

Advertisement

There is a culture of fear when it comes to public speaking. Whenever I ask a group of people why they fear public speaking, I get usually the same answers or thereabouts: What if I mess up? I don't want to forget what I'm talking about and make a fool of myself. What if they ask me a question I can't answer? There is a common theme in every response I receive: the fear of not being enough.

A fear of public speaking is not a fear of public speaking at all. It is a fear (a very human fear) of inadequacy.
In January 2015, I attended the World Economic Forum in Davos where I spoke about the impact of arts and culture on some of our global challenges - across society, the economy, education, health and wellbeing. In the questions that followed, I was asked whether there was equivalent evidence for the use of culture in the service of soft power. Having looked at a wide range of research to prepare for my speech I could confirm, unequivocally, that there is not.

Over recent years, soft power has gained a significant reputation and, in some countries, substantial government investment. This is despite the absence of a body of research that would prove the efficacy of art in soft power. Those people working in arts education or in the area of arts and health can draw upon robust research to make their case and to make effective choices around how scarce resources are allocated. There simply isn't the same kind of evidence available to people working in the field of cultural diplomacy. Given the enormous claims made for the role of culture in diplomacy - and the drive towards evidence-led policy - it's surprising that this particular contribution of the cultural sector has remained out of the critical gaze of academic scrutiny: poorly articulated and poorly understood.

Advertisement

This may be an apposite time to attempt to increase our understanding of soft power's potential: as the world-order undergoes significant change and long-held international alliances shift and evolve, the kind of diplomacy that operates outside the formal channels of hard edged politics is likely to become increasingly important.

My interlocutor at Davos turned out to be Lithuania's Ambassador to the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG), Rytis Paulauskas. In follow up conversations, Rytis suggested that UNOG - a microcosm of world politics in which communities of diplomats seek to influence one another not only through formal sessions but through a structured Cultural Activities Programme - might offer a unique laboratory for investigating the ways in which culture is deployed in the service of diplomacy.

The contained environment of UNOG had immediate appeal. The study of soft power is fraught with practical problems. It's easy to measure how many people saw a piece of art: much harder to measure whether (and how) it changed their feelings towards the country that presented it - particularly when that change may take place in different ways, in different circumstances and, often, years down the line.

Another significant challenge is the absence of a shared understanding of what soft power (or cultural diplomacy) really means - the terms are used interchangeably (and, by some people, consciously avoided). There is, of course, Joseph Nye's famous starting point - the ability to attract and persuade - but our research in Geneva uncovered over 150 responses to a question about how soft power is articulated, understood and practiced.

Advertisement

It's also true that cultural diplomacy has something of a shadowy reputation and may even be most effective when government involvement is at a distance, out of sight. A report by Christopher Hill and Susan Beadle for the British Academy in 2014 urged caution for scholars seeking to measure, understand or account for soft power, and for governments seeking to deploy it. They argued that when governments conspicuously use soft power (in national branding campaigns, for example) it frequently backfires. None of us wants to feel that our feelings are being targeted in order that they can be at best influenced or, at worst, manipulated - and we certainly don't want governments doing the manipulating. So soft power is, if you like, the ninja of the cultural policy world. It operates by stealth. This presents a challenge to anyone wanting to study the ways in which it works.

Researching the processes and effects of soft power among a community like UNOG may present its own challenges. In a multilateral environment, sophisticated diplomats attempt to influence the thoughts, feelings and behaviours of fellow sophisticated diplomats - professionals whose skill-set includes the ability to resist (or at least moderate) external influence. This is different from a bilateral setting, where the influencing effort is focussed on people who don't necessarily possess these same attributes.

The research project that followed was based on interviews with 20 diplomats and the UNOG secretariat undertaken during five fieldwork trips to Geneva by Melissa Nisbett and James Doeser This data - and additional information relating to the Cultural Activities Programme in and around the Palais des Nations, the main UNOG campus - was investigated using Thematic Analysis.

The opportunity to study this distinctive 'tribe' in its natural habitat was both rare and revealing. Private spaces and private lives were shown to be important soft power tools and - in contrast to academic assumptions in the existing cultural diplomacy literature - the researchers found a clear connection between cultural spaces and political meaning. The manifold responses of the various interviewees fell into two distinct categories: 'reaching out' (cultural diplomacy) and 'standing out' (soft power). These dual notions might initially seem to be at odds, but they mirror the blend of leadership and collaboration required in tackling the kinds of global challenges that are the daily business of UNOG.

Advertisement

The experience in Geneva led the researchers to question whether an alternative to the usual starting points of political science, economics or sociology methodologies might prove fruitful in the study of soft power. The rituals, performance and behaviours of the diplomatic tribe - along with the settings, clothing, mannerisms and body language displayed - suggest that looking through an anthropological lens could offer new insights.

In the initial scoping visit to UNOG, I was privileged to take part in early conversations in which diplomats and their officers shared fascinating insights into the ways in which arts and culture create opportunities to develop, enhance and maintain relationships. There were many different perspectives but over and over, the same truth emerged: interviewees expressed an intuitive feeling that 'something good' came out of cultural activities, but admitted that they had never stopped to question, explore or articulate this supposed chain of causality.

Over the course of that visit, it dawned on me that I was almost certainly the only person in the conversations who had actually been deployed as a tool of cultural diplomacy. As a dancer with The Royal Ballet I performed in many tours abroad, some of which were at particularly strategic moments in time: China in 1983; Russia in 1987; Australia in 1988 and many more. In 2008 I danced in Beijing again, in the section of the Closing ceremony of the Olympic Games that marked the handover to London, the next host city.

Perhaps the artist in me should be happy to believe that art has the power to change how people feel, think and behave - to accept that 'something good' happens, and leave it there. But the analyst in me is not. And besides, if we can evidence what so many of us believe instinctively to be true - that art can build bridges and promote understanding between nations - this might be a very good moment to understand more about the how and the why.
We have heard quite a lot over the past few years about the rise in eating disorders in males, and the ways in which eating anxiety and body confidence issues are not restricted to girls and women. Such stories, and the need to address the rising visibility of eating problems in boys and men, certainly carry an important message about who might be effected by - and need treatment for an eating disorder.

But in presenting the rise of male EDs as something 'new', such perspectives nod to the fact that females have been seen as 'obviously' at risk from eating problems, and therefore the 'obvious' candidates for eating disorder treatment. But does that mean that girls and women - in terms of the highly visible association between eating problems and femininity - have necessarily been well-served by treatment in this regard? Calls for the need to specifically 'tailor' treatment experiences for males seem to imply that the historically gendered nature of eating disorders is already actively addressed within treatment. But is this really the case?

My research into the treatment of eating disorders over the last four years would suggest not.

Although eating disorders are now quite widely perceived as what are known as 'biopsychosocial' problems - so combining biological, psychological and social causes - the 'social' part of the equation seems to be a low priority in most treatment contexts.

Advertisement

This is despite the fact that there is a long history of writing on how eating disorders are bound up with, and emerge from, sociocultural ideas such as gender. Susie Orbach and other feminist therapists and scholars have been making this argument since the 1970s, urging us to situate eating problems within complex cultural constructions of femininity. Studies on how girls/ women talk about their eating problems have revealed the complexity of how gender, and gender inequalities, may be woven into eating disorders, highlighting the significance afforded to the very topical issue of sexual harassment and objectification; the use of an eating disorder to evade or 'opt out' of gender binaries and being sexually available; the conflicting pressures on women to achieve professionally while still being acceptably 'feminine', attractive and maternal; an attempt to stall transition into a culture in which women may not be able to 'have it all; the overvaluation of women as nurturers; and the significance of body/eating distress as a way of dealing with being bisexual/ gay.

As this list suggests, these approaches are more complex than only emphasising the pernicious impact of the slender female idea perpetuated by the media. Such contexts are certainly important, but the pressures of body image do not represent the sociocultural aspects of eating disorders in their entirety. Indeed, if sociocultural issues are addressed in treatment, it tends to be through a limited focus on body image, and this is squeezed into a programme that otherwise largely addresses the patient's problem on a very individualised (rather than social) level.

In my research, I surveyed 86 eating disorder treatment contexts in the UK - both in and out-patient, private and NHS - and none of them said that they had systematic or regular ways of addressing these concerns. In fact, some even asked 'why' they would want to look at these issues at all.

Advertisement

This may well reflect the current treatment context for eating disorders right now, in which there has been lots of talk about the importance of 'evidence-based' approaches. This is clearly important: we want to be delivering treatment that has a weight of research and evidence behind it. But evidence-based for the most part has meant Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) - the kind of approach which can offer quick, clear stats in terms of a patient's progress, and this is clearly attractive in the face of squeezed NHS budgets and rising waiting times. But 'evidence' comes in different forms and packages, and the research that listens to how girls and women talk about their eating disorder often brings us back to questions of gender. CBT is also one of the approaches least likely to situate the individual within a social context.

In response to this omission, I was involved in designing and trialling a new treatment group at an adult in-patient clinic in Norwich which specialises in the treatment of eating disorders.

The group, which was run over 10 weeks, was called 'Cultural Approaches to Eating Disorders', and included all the patients who were resident in the clinic at the time. These were all female, with a diagnosis of anorexia, and their ages ranged widely (from 19-51).

Each week, the programme examined different aspects of the potential relationships between eating problems and cultural expectations surrounding femininity, including gender and 'appetite'; expectations surrounding female emotion and anger; exploring the meanings of the starved female body in relation to cultural prescriptions of femininity; and the dynamics of contemporary 'healthy eating' and fitness cultures aimed at women (and men).

Advertisement

The group used media, such as television adverts, Disney films such as Frozen (2013), press articles, image bank photography to social media, to stimulate debate about the issue for that week. But the media were not positioned as the 'cause' of anorexia, as so often happens in popular ideas about how culture and society might shape eating problems. In fact, the research confirmed the idea that people living with eating disorders find the tendency to portray women with anorexia as the passive victims of media influence as patronising and simplistic. As one of the participants said, pinning it all on "a skinny model in a magazine" "completely trivialises" the many reasons why many people develop body and eating distress.

Nor is it the case that this approach works on the assumption that issues concerning gender identity are only relevant to the experience and treatment of eating disorders in females. The focus on how eating problems may be used to navigate dominant ideas about gender and sexuality is similarly applicable to male patients, as well as gender minorities, even whilst the cultural ideas at stake may be different.

The groups had complex, and sometimes mixed results, and only represented the start of a dialogue about getting questions of cultural identity more clearly on the agenda of contemporary eating disorder treatment. But perhaps the most worrying thing here is why talking to a group full of female patients about the relationships between gender and eating disorders can be seen as 'new' or innovative. It's not rocket science, is it?
Getty Images

On Thursday the Home Office published figures about the number of individuals referred to the PREVENT counter-extremism strategy between April 2015 to March 2016. Headlines have honed in on the fact that 95% of referrals to PREVENT in that time were deemed unnecessary.

Before going any further I want to say it plainly - these statistics are further proof that PREVENT is a failed policy, and one that must be abolished. Not rebranded, not merely 'reformed'.

Advertisement

For over a decade PREVENT has faced mass opposition from across society and civil sector calling for a fundamental rethink of how the state approaches 'security'. This opposition has been met with stubborn resistance by successive governments, but PREVENT has long passed the point of being a tenable public policy - it has to go.

There is much to be unpicked in the stats released this week. Predictably, Muslims/those identified as possible 'Islamist extremists' continue to compromise the majority of PREVENT referrals as they have been since its start, reflecting the anti-Muslim racism that is core to PREVENT.

But possibly the most troubling figure should be the high proportion of children and young people referred - with over half aged 20 or younger, and over a quarter falling younger than just 15. This reflects a growing trend since 2014 whereby PREVENT has turned its attention more directly to school-aged children, seeing skyrocketing figures from the education sector that national teachers' unions have noted with alarm.

Since the Counter-terrorism and Security Act 2015 placed PREVENT on a statutory basis for public bodies including nurseries, schools and universities, PREVENT has operated more heavily under the label of 'safeguarding' - allegedly protecting vulnerable individuals from the harm of being "radicalised". But the state's apparent newfound concern for children rings hollow.

Advertisement

Safeguarding is concerned with the rights and welfare of children and vulnerable individuals, not marking them out as threats to national security deserving of police intervention. If PREVENT was truly about 'safeguarding' it would have said so since its start - rather than nearly a decade after its introduction. The move to the framework of safeguarding only continues PREVENT's long, twisting path from its introduction in 2006, from first marketing itself as a tool of 'community cohesion' through to 'integration' and now to 'safeguarding'. PREVENT is a policy that has continuously shifted the goalposts by which it measures itself, led by the whims and agenda of the government of the day.

The education sector on the whole has been marked as a key PREVENT battleground since the 2011 overhaul of PREVENT under the Coalition government. Since then student societies - especially Islamic societies and those campaigning against war, tuition fees and for the Palestinian case - have found themselves stifled and under surveillance by their institutions. Politically vocal students have also been marked out for monitoring. The recent shifts have meant school-aged children are being introduced to the reality of state surveillance ever younger. The so-called "chilling effect" of PREVENT is forcing a generation of young people into silence and compliance, toeing the state line rather than fighting for principles of justice.

The massive disparity between those referred and those who continue in PREVENT is far from an accident or aberration: with PREVENT, over-referrals are a built-in inevitability. To understand that it is worth considering PREVENT through from end to end. PREVENT emerged in, feeds off and in turns sustains a climate of mass paranoia and anti-Muslim sentiment, hinging on the seemingly permanent threat of 'terrorism'.

The model of "radicalisation" that it operates for understanding how individuals come to commit violence has been widely discredited as reductionist, while its framework for identifying indicators of extremism have been condemned by academics as resting upon shoddy scientific process.

PREVENT training for frontline staff goes even further than this to problematise behaviours that many have noted as being...not too different from the average teenager.

Advertisement

Underpinning all of this is the fact that PREVENT has not - and can not - conclusively prove that it prevents any acts of violence at all. Rather, the government have been labouring behind smokescreens and pro-PREVENT echo chambers, wielding an elastic definition of extremism as a weapon of repression.

Statistics like todays are important in what they tell us and just as much in what they do not.

Amidst number-crunching and analysis it's easy to lose sight of the very human impact of PREVENT, the stories that lie behind the data sets.

We cannot pave over the fact that PREVENT embodies state violence, and directed at the most vulnerable and precarious communities in Britain - predominantly working class Muslim communities with little recourse to defending their rights or scrutiny.

For every sensational story - as the Home Office have led with this week - about young boys "pledging their allegiance to ISIS" - there are hundreds, thousands of stories of young children subjected to the torment of monitor, referral and interrogation for nothing more than maybe saying the wrong word at the in the wrong place, at the wrong time. This is to speak nothing of the damage inflicted on their parents, traumatised into silence.

It is crucial that we give voice to those stories, and organise in solidarity with those most sharply affected by PREVENT. This November as part of Islamophobia Awareness Month, my organisation will be hosting the Students Not Suspects tour against PREVENT to do just that - bringing together victims of PREVENT and counter-terrorism, students activists and academics to illustrate the dangers of PREVENT, the reality of state repression of civil liberties - and how to organise to end PREVENT.

Advertisement
Have you heard the latest news? A new method for screening for Down's syndrome, Reflex DNA Screening, was announced to the press last week by Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), with not merely the 'potential to transform' antenatal screening, an attribute that Non-Invasive Prenatal testing (NIPT) was considered to have ... but it will be 'transformational'. Have we really run out of unique superlatives to describes these much-lauded discoveries, designed with the intention to seek out the tiny minority of babies carrying that extra chromosome?

Going by the efforts of the scientific community, it's as if there were some sort of race or goal set in medical schools and Universities to find the Holy Grail of antenatal screening. Oh! Hold on. According to Icelandic geneticist Dr Kari Stefansson that's exactly what did happen '40 some years ago, it was considered one of the goals of Obstetrics and Gynaecology to figure out how to screen for Down syndrome in such a way that Down syndrome could be eradicated'. In the same interview with the BBC, Dr Stefansson also stated, 'and now we are sitting here in Iceland in 2017 and no there are no babies being born with Down syndrome'. I ponder this 'achievement', has it led to everyone in Iceland being richer or happier? Well, perhaps not, because, according to recent research, people with Down's syndrome and their families, are happier than everyone else!! Perhaps this targeted use of screening technology is not a glorious win, but an own goal?

Advertisement

Geneticists have set themselves a very achievable target. Down's syndrome is one of the most common forms of chromosomal mutations known to man and is fairly easily detected. When a sample of fetal blood is obtained, technicians can simply sort and count the chromosomes in the sample and, bingo! Yet, as each geneticist announces the latest test for Down's syndrome, they can take a bow, go to the top of the class - the media lap it up. Perhaps this explains the overuse of sensational superlatives, geneticists are playing to a receptive, perhaps even naive, audience. After all, the process of antenatal screening isn't easy to explain to a time-starved journalist.

Incidentally, Reflex DNA, is not a new screening test for Down's syndrome, although, in the wake of its upbeat press release, many people considered that to be the case. 'I'm sure they said it was?' I hear many of you say. No, no, let's put this matter to bed right now. Reflex DNA isn't the name of a new test, it's merely a different way of dispensing the highly publicised NIPT, or Cell Free DNA (cfDNA), as it is also known. The Reflex DNA press release was rather disingenuous about the significance of the announcement, the University of East Anglia's Professor Tom Shakespeare even went so far as to Tweet that the media had been 'gamed' by the Reflex DNA announcement.

Currently, Down's syndrome screening protocol asserts that one blood sample is obtained and tested under the triple test method, this protocol is proposed to continue when NIPT is introduced into the NHS. Women whose blood samples show a 1 in 150 chance or greater of Down's syndrome being present will be called back to discuss the offer of NIPT which is claimed to have greater accuracy than the triple test alone. Contrastingly, Reflex DNA, proposes that two blood samples are taken at the initial visit, subsequently, women whose results find a 1 in 800 chance or greater, of Down's syndrome being present, will have their second blood sample sent off to be tested using NIPT, without further consultation with the expectant individual. Note the difference in likelihood here too, this recommended process would lead to increased expenditure in NIPT for participating hospitals with little in return if NIPT proves to be less efficient in the pregnant populations whose chances of an affected pregnancy are considered to be lower.

Advertisement

The Reflex DNA carrot being dangled in front of time-starved clinicians, I see a theme developing here, is that Reflex DNA will not necessitate a return visit from women found to have a higher chance that their baby has Down's syndrome following the standard triple test. One clinician is quoted in the QMUL Press Release as saying that this process will lead to 'more time to devote to other clinical needs'. Oh wait, what about the, no little, matter of informed choice? If we consider these proposals from that viewpoint, the Reflex DNA proposed time-saving, removes at least one of the opportunities for expectant parents to discuss their options going forward, in light of an unexpected result. Some women who initially agree to a test think that they are simply excluding one 'worry' of pregnancy from their mind? They may not have previously considered the reality of a high chance or positive result. They may not have realised the implications of stepping on to the screening pathway or indeed what it's like to live with Down's syndrome. Indeed, many expectant parents do not have knowledge about living with Down's syndrome. Furthermore, this hasn't been a prerequisite for medical professionals working in the antenatal screening environment either. Realistically, attaining informed choice around the decision to screen for Down's syndrome requires time and expertise. It is one of the most important principles of antenatal screening, perhaps even the Holy Grail, challenging, but oh so worth it

Last Thursday ITV's, Dr Hilary Jones, was lambasted by the Down's syndrome community following his use of the word 'normal' in relation to a baby unaffected by Down's syndrome, insinuating that a baby with Down's syndrome is not normal. I have some sympathy for him, he was merely using language that many medical professionals up and down the country are using with expectant parents and new parents, week in, week out, his insensitivity is an all-too-common occurrence. The use of discriminatory language is one of the beefs that the Down's syndrome community has with the medical community, seen as a symptom of outmoded medical attitudes towards the condition.

Still, thanks to the effort of campaigners and documentary makers (well you can't have a blog about Down's syndrome without mentioning the actress Sally Phillips), the UK is establishing an Ethics Committee to inform the work of the screening Committee and perhaps, as a result, we can begin to tackle institutionalised Down's syndrome discrimination. Professor Nicholas Wald, whose Wolfson Institute developed the Reflex method in conjunction with diagnostics company Premaitha, appears to be blissfully unaware of this impending brave new world, a world where ethics could be the protagonist, where geneticists submit to having their methods informed by an agreed code of ethics. No, no, no, the Reflex DNA press release declared that Wald et al will be approaching Hospitals on an individual basis. They will be selling their new approach without a nod to the ethics of the matter. Whoa there, Professor! Don't you know? 'A global campaign is emerging to stop the eradication of Down syndrome from the planet.' And it must be true, because we saw it in the media last week. It's the 21st Century Professor and we need to talk to you about screening.

The crux of the matter is that there's nothing wrong with screening tests, it's what we do with them that's important. Dr Hilary Jones may find the news of another Down's screening method 'exciting' but the Down's syndrome community merely groans and lets out a sigh. New technology, old procedures.

Setting out on a screening pathway is a journey from which individuals should feel confident that they can turn back from at any time. Furthermore, presenting Down's syndrome as abnormal, no more than a list of medical conditions or leading to increased suffering, can catapult many expectant parents, 90% of those who test positive do abort, into despair. That is not the way screening should be carried out and if the UK Screening Committee were to consult people with Down's syndrome then the narrative could be vastly improved. Babies found to have Down's syndrome are wanted babies, and as the 2017 Nuffield Report on NIPT said "women and couples would be better able to make genuine choices about their pregnancies if all disabled children were actively welcomed when they are born into the world and valued as equal to those without disabilities."
Carlo Allegri / Reuters

Donald Trump's Presidential approval rating in the US this quarter is at an all-time low at 35%, well below the historical average of 64%. But who believes polls any more?

During the election itself, Trump was laughed off as a no-hoper, a crass star of Reality TV who lived in cloud cuckoo land and spouted words like somebody who needed the care of the community.

Advertisement

Even so, Trump was elected and opinion polls were derided. With the advent of fake news and the polarisation of views along party and political lines, it's difficult to believe anything, not least predictions.

One data company, however, has consistently called global elections right and even managed to predict the Labour surge in this year's General Election.

Qriously is a London-based startup that uses mobile phones to create real-time surveys based on its access to a network of more than 50,000 apps.

Just before Trump's visit to Asia, the company released data gleaned from research conducted in Japan, South Korea and China. The company interviewed over 2,200 people - around 750 in each country.

Advertisement

One of the astounding results was that in China, Trump had an approval rating of 24%. This compared with 13/14% in Japan and South Korea, and approaching the 34% approval rating in the US.

Does this mean Trump's recent comments about Chinese leader Xi will play well domestically? Perhaps Trump's recent statements imply that the Chinese man in the street likes Trump's style and rhetoric more than expected.

Unsurprisingly, the numbers are very different for Kim Jong-Un, the leader of North Korea.

In Japan, 66% see him 'very negatively', in South Korea this is down to 48%; but in China it's only 18%, with a plurality of people actually having a neutral opinion on Kim Jong-Un. How the other half think.

Qriously's data has also unearthed that Chinese people are most likely to say that the North Korean situation is impacting their political allegiance The data says 41% 'Yes' as against 28/31% in Japan and South Korea.

So why should Qriously's data be trusted more than any other pollster?

Its recent record is impressive. Aside from the Labour surge in the UK General Election, the company also predicted Brexit, Trump's rise in vital swing states and other elections in France, Turkey, The Netherlands, Germany and (naturally) South Korea.

Advertisement

It workings are simple and focused on the easiest channel possible; mobile phones. Consumers are served a banner question instead of an ad on their smartphones, and if they choose to engage are offered a survey of between 15 and 20 questions they can choose to answer or ignore.

Their surveys have all the typical features of traditional market research projects, including randomisation, piping, skip logic and more. Qriously's data and predictions are already trusted by the New York Police Department and many of the world's biggest hedge funds and consumer brands.

"We think polling needs to evolve. The current systems of panel-based polling is increasingly being gamed by professional poll-takers and results are suffering because of it."

"Complicated correction factors often have to be applied to compensate for this. We're seeing our programmatic sampling methodology on smartphones produce much more representative samples and we're getting great results with minimal data treatment," said Christopher Kahler, CEO of Qriously.

While Qriously says that its polling is not its primary focus, it's an important path to credibility and vindicating the technology.

Advertisement

"We want to be known for getting things right. It's much harder to argue with an accurate prediction," adds Kahler.

It will be interesting to see if the company conducts polls when Trump gets back home and how they differ from the current data.
Artificial intelligence is a trending topic, with discussions around it ranging from 'robots will take over our jobs' to debates on the ethical repercussions. But as artificial intelligence becomes more advanced, more and more problems are being solved and one area which is benefitting from AI technologies is in fertility treatments.

I've pioneered a new fertility treatment called CATI (Cognitive automation of time-lapse images), which is the first automated system for using artificial intelligence to recognise and sort embryos.

The system, which sort's embryos according to selected morphokinetic criteria, obtained from time-lapse systems plays an important role in IVF with aneuploidy screening (PGS) in preventing the misdiagnosis of mosaic embryos.

Advertisement

Essentially, this means that using the technique in conjunction with PGS boosts pregnancy success rates by 30-40%. This means that for example a woman aged 40, who has a 20% chance of pregnancy, will reach the rates of a younger woman, with 50-60% chance of success.

Preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) is a screening tool that is being used to help further improve embryo selection and is successful. However, there is a drawback with this method in that false negative/positive results can occur in mosaic embryos, leading to the rejection of viable embryos.

CATI removes this disadvantage by detecting abnormal cleavage patterns and providing valuable information on the dynamics of the embryo morphologic changes, so that only viable embryos are used. The automatic statistic analysis enables the evaluation of multiple embryo markers at the same time to remove human error and only select those that are relevant to embryo implantation ability.

It is the use of both PGS and CATI together which is aiding the goal of IVF and leading to increased success rates of a healthy live birth.

Advertisement

A recent study showed a significant difference in clinical pregnancy rates between 'Group A' patients that had embryos undergo time-lapse and PGS, and 'Group B' patients that had embryos cultured in time-lapse alone, (72.5% vs 52.6%, respectively). For ongoing pregnancy rates, a significant difference was also observed between the two groups (71.6% for Group A vs 50.8% for Group B).
Country

Afghanistan Albania, People's Socialist Republic of Algeria, People's Democratic Republic of American Samoa Andorra, Principality of Angola, Republic of Anguilla Antarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S) Antigua and Barbuda Argentina, Argentine Republic Armenia Aruba Australia, Commonwealth of Austria, Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Bahamas, Commonwealth of the Bahrain, Kingdom of Bangladesh, People's Republic of Barbados Belarus Belgium, Kingdom of Belize Benin, People's Republic of Bermuda Bhutan, Kingdom of Bolivia, Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana, Republic of Bouvet Island (Bouvetoya) Brazil, Federative Republic of British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago) British Virgin Islands Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria, People's Republic of Burkina Faso Burundi, Republic of Cambodia, Kingdom of Cameroon, United Republic of Canada Cape Verde, Republic of Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad, Republic of Chile, Republic of China, People's Republic of Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia, Republic of Comoros, Union of the Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, People's Republic of Cook Islands Costa Rica, Republic of Cote D'Ivoire, Ivory Coast, Republic of the Cuba, Republic of Cyprus, Republic of Czech Republic Denmark, Kingdom of Djibouti, Republic of Dominica, Commonwealth of Dominican Republic Ecuador, Republic of Egypt, Arab Republic of El Salvador, Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Republic of Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Faeroe Islands Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Fiji, Republic of the Fiji Islands Finland, Republic of France, French Republic French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon, Gabonese Republic Gambia, Republic of the Georgia Germany Ghana, Republic of Gibraltar Greece, Hellenic Republic Greenland Grenada Guadaloupe Guam Guatemala, Republic of Guinea, Revolutionary People's Rep'c of Guinea-Bissau, Republic of Guyana, Republic of Haiti, Republic of Heard and McDonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras, Republic of Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China Hrvatska (Croatia) Hungary, Hungarian People's Republic Iceland, Republic of India, Republic of Indonesia, Republic of Iran, Islamic Republic of Iraq, Republic of Ireland Israel, State of Italy, Italian Republic Jamaica Japan Jordan, Hashemite Kingdom of Kazakhstan, Republic of Kenya, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait, State of Kyrgyz Republic Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon, Lebanese Republic Lesotho, Kingdom of Liberia, Republic of Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liechtenstein, Principality of Lithuania Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Macao, Special Administrative Region of China Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Madagascar, Republic of Malawi, Republic of Malaysia Maldives, Republic of Mali, Republic of Malta, Republic of Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania, Islamic Republic of Mauritius Mayotte Mexico, United Mexican States Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco, Principality of Mongolia, Mongolian People's Republic Montserrat Morocco, Kingdom of Mozambique, People's Republic of Myanmar Namibia Nauru, Republic of Nepal, Kingdom of Netherlands Antilles Netherlands, Kingdom of the New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua, Republic of Niger, Republic of the Nigeria, Federal Republic of Niue, Republic of Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway, Kingdom of Oman, Sultanate of Pakistan, Islamic Republic of Palau Palestinian Territory, Occupied Panama, Republic of Papua New Guinea Paraguay, Republic of Peru, Republic of Philippines, Republic of the Pitcairn Island Poland, Polish People's Republic Portugal, Portuguese Republic Puerto Rico Qatar, State of Reunion Romania, Socialist Republic of Russian Federation Rwanda, Rwandese Republic Samoa, Independent State of San Marino, Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu US Virgin Islands Uganda, Republic of Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland United States Minor Outlying Islands United States of America Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe
The World Economic Forum recently published its Global Gender Gap Report 2017 and the data is not encouraging. Over the course of the last year, progress made on gender equity has actually been reversed. Take for example the gaps between economic and political participation of men and women; they remain shockingly high. Only 58% of the economic participation gap has been closed; 2017 is the second consecutive year of reverse progress in this area and represents the lowest value measured by the index since 2008. Despite all the global talk of girls' and women's economic empowerment, things are getting worse, not better.

I was recently in Bangladesh to understand what challenges continue to dampen the economic future of girls and women. While the women and girls in the country have made strides in closing the gap (Bangladesh ranks 47 out of 144 on women's economic participation and opportunity), the situation is still quite striking, and clearly, there is much more to do.

Having spoken to girls and women across the country, in urban and rural settings, in government schools and extracurricular clubs run by non-profits, in the traffic plagued streets of Dhaka and under the shade of trees in remote villages, I gleaned three issues we must all consider when building effective and impactful programs to further the economic empowerment of the girls and women of Bangladesh.

Advertisement

1.Prioritising Safety

In the suburbs of Dhaka, I met over 40 adolescent girls enrolled in Standard Chartered's Goal program run by local partner BRAC. I witnessed them navigate the challenges of peer pressure, dance routines they choreographed and sing songs extolling the importance of agency and self-determination. What was most striking, however, was their passion for karate.

Goal girls demonstrate their karate and self defense skills

The girls told me about their reluctance to go out alone for fear of being attacked or assaulted; they shared that learning karate not only increased their confidence but enabled them to move about the streets more safely. During the session I attended, boys and men peaked into the Deilla clubroom and tried to see what the girls were learning. The word in the community about the karate must have gotten out, because the girls admitted that they were experiencing less bullying and harassment by the local boys since the inception of the program.

The most jarring scene I witnessed during my visit was the girls practicing their defenses against rape. "To rape position," the instructor called, and half of each pair laid prostrate on the floor. The other half proceeded to mimic a sexual assault and was repelled by a series of moves, strategies and tactics.

Advertisement

To see these girls practice their defenses against rapists really reinforced how bad the situation is. Equipping these girls with self defense and karate is certainly an important, critical step, but we must also engage local communities including men and boys about the importance of respecting the physical rights of girls and women. These girls will not experience true safety and freely participate in economic opportunity until we are able to lower the incidence and tolerance of sexual violence.

2. Going Digital

Technology, laptops, digital literacy, computers, mobiles, internet. These words were uttered to me in every single one of my project visits in Bangladesh. One of the participants in the joint Standard Chartered/BRAC Kurigram Integrated Livelihood and Financial Literacy program summed it up best when she said to me "if I am not able to use a computer, I might as well be illiterate."

Participants in Kurigram program

In recent years, the global community has been obsessed by the "skills gap"- the disconnect between what young people are (and are not) learning in school and what employers and the economy will require of them in the future. As automation increases across the world, many traditional jobs will be eliminated, and pundits predict that unemployment will sky rocket. The most vulnerable are those who lack access to quality education...and technology.

As we think about interventions that further enable girls and women to embrace economic opportunity, we need to consider how we integrate STEM into programming. Digital fluency has become a critical life skill, and girls and women are disproportionately denied access to technology. If we want to give girls and women a fair chance, we have to help them navigate this new digitized world.

Advertisement

3. Leaning into the multiplier effect

We know the adage well: invest in a woman and you invest in her whole family. Research consistently proves that the return on investment in girls' and women's programs is higher, because health and education outcomes in families and children also improve. As Bob Zoellick, former President of the World Bank, famously quipped "gender equality is smart economics."

While I know what all the data and research says, what I didn't appreciate until my visit to Bangladesh was the intense desire of girls and women to pass on the knowledge to their friends and family. They are an untapped resource, and we must leverage them.

Visiting Standard Chartered's Financial Education for Youth program at the Biddut Unnayan Board High School in Monsurabad, I anticipated the girls' enthusiasm to learn about financial management and change their savings behavior. What I didn't expect, however, was the number of girls who had passed on the knowledge to their friends and family. Take fifteen year old Moni for example. She participated in the program in 2016; now, without any prompting from her school or the Bank, she conducts financial education sessions for her peers every week at her school. She feels an intense desire to empower and equip others with the knowledge she's gained. And she's doing it entirely on her own with no resource or toolkit.

The multiplier effect embodied in Moni

Imagine the impact if we supported girls and women like Moni who are determined to pay their knowledge forward. What if we provided resources, formal training and teaching techniques to her so that she could maximize her effectiveness and reach?

Advertisement

The multiplier effect isn't just an economic theory; it's a reality that we must embrace and build into all our programs - not only to deepen impact but to realize sustainability. We must embed models of peer leadership and mentoring in all youth and gender programs, so that multipliers like Moni can lead by example, help empower more girls and women and unleash economic potential of women and girls everywhere.

As my trip to Bangladesh concludes, I feel pride in the immense positive impact that Standard Chartered is having on the girls and women in the community, but I also feel dissatisfaction, because there is so much more we could do.
What are some ways blockchain smart contracts can improve government? originally appeared on Quora - the place to gain and share knowledge, empowering people to learn from others and better understand the world.

Answer by Samantha Radocchia, Co-Founder at Chronicled (2015-present):

Some governments are more transparent than others. That's not a surprise to anyone who keeps up with global news. But blockchain technology could change the way many governments operate, mostly through an increase in both efficiency and data transparency.

If a government chooses to use blockchain for contract management, identity management, and its many other uses, it creates a publicly available record of those actions.

Advertisement

So we could soon be seeing the beginning of a new, radical transparency in government.

Or not.

How Transparent Is Too Transparent?

Total data transparency would be an exciting new era of governance. But we might see some pushback before we get there, if we ever do. The reason is that most governments may be a little worried about this type of transparency. It could be for security reasons, or it could be that they just want to keep their edge over rival countries. Knowledge is power, right?

And those worries aren't just limited to governments, by the way. I've spent the three years working to ensure authenticity in supply chains by using blockchain and smart contracts. What I have found is that some entities already know they have a problem with counterfeit goods, unethical supply chains, conflict materials, but they don't necessarily want that information public. Which makes sense from their perspective. If you have a serious problem, you might tell a few friends who can help, not the entire neighbourhood.

On The Road To Transparency

Whatever your thoughts on social media, you have to admit that it has done an incredible job of getting people to air what used to be personal information online. At this point, most of us are already pretty comfortable relinquishing our privacy to businesses and the government. We hardly think twice when clicking on those buttons that say "Agree" or "I Accept the Terms."

The question is, will this go both ways? Will governments and corporations be willing to become more transparent in exchange for the benefits that blockchain provides?

Advertisement

Because there are plenty of benefits.

Smart Contracts And Efficient Government

Governments around the world are in a great spot to utilize blockchain technology. One of the biggest complaints about government today is about inefficiency. Wasteful. Well, blockchain cuts out inefficiencies and waste from systems.

Government contracts are in high demand for a lot of companies, and blockchain provides a way for governments to quickly and easily determine who has a history of completing contracts on time and on budget.

And blockchain can also help cut out middlemen that increase the complexity of citizen services. If you want to sell your car, you have to exchange the title at the DMV. Buying land, starting a business, or even paying taxes require the use of a governmental middleman that validate the transaction. That third-party verification isn't necessary on the blockchain. Each party has access to the records of the transaction. Instead of going to the DMV to complete the transaction, you could sell your car on an app on your phone.

Regulatory Compliance

Governments also create regulations, especially environmental ones. After all, no one likes improperly disposed of mercury! But officials can't always ensure regulations are being followed. Blockchain can help here, too.

Just this past June, seven Chinese citizens were jailed for falsifying data and tampering with the systems that monitor air quality. China has huge problems with the quality of its air in many parts of the country. But they're cracking down--and falsifying monitoring data is now as serious a crime as doing the actual polluting.

Advertisement

But what if that information was automatically stored on the blockchain as soon as it was collected, available for everyone to see? The people who are currently in jail wouldn't have even had the opportunity to falsify the data. An unchangeable and transparent data trail is exactly what's needed to make sure that regulations are being followed.

Now, those people who falsified the data? They stuck cotton into the sensors to stop them from picking up the correct amount of pollutants in the air. So blockchain technology can't stop everyone who's determined to break the law or flaunt a regulation. But it will stop a lot of them.
The decision by Sir James Dyson to invest 2.5 billion in the development of a 'radically different' electric car has been scoffed at by some industry experts, but could his vision become a reality?

Dyson isn't the first entrepreneur to take up the challenge to mass produce electric cars, Elon Musk the founder of Tesla is already producing high-end electric vehicles and other technology-led companies including Google and Apple are also developing electric car technology. Recent moves by the UK and German Governments to set out plans to ban the manufacture of petrol and diesel-engine vehicles by 2040 are adding impetus to the global R&D effort.

For most legacy vehicle manufacturers, Dyson's decision to make a late entry to the electric car market is unsettling. Whilst their all-electric programmes are already well underway, Dyson has a track record for using clever design ideas to disrupt markets in a way that consumers find appealing. Importantly, he is also a trusted figure in an industry which has recently faced criticism for hiding the truth. Legacy manufacturers on the other hand, have existing market segments to protect.

Advertisement

So, can Dyson do it?

The problem is that no one really knows the extent of Dyson's capabilities. We know he can make electric motors and inverters; the technologies needed to operate electric drivetrains and manage heating and cooling systems. The unknown factor is his ability to manufacture batteries with a longer mileage range than the standard lithium-ion batteries used in existing models. His decision to invest $15 million in Sakti3, a US-based start-up specialising in the research and development of solid-state batteries in 2015, suggests he may well have a solution in mind.

The main barrier to market entry for Dyson's new electric car is the ability to scale up production to meet rapidly-growing consumer demand. Tesla has committed to manufacturing 1 million all-electric cars by 2020 but seems to be struggling to manufacture the Model 3 in the volumes promised. This is nothing compared to required volumes in China where 28 million vehicles were produced last year - a figure which is expected to grow to 40 million by 2025. To stand a chance of securing a share of this market, at the point of market entry, Dyson will need to be manufacturing around 300,000 cars a year to achieve the economies of scale necessary to ensure mass-market appeal.

There is also strong competition. The Volvo/Geely Car Group's electric brand, Polestar, has recently announced plans to release its first all-electric car, Polestar 1, in mid-2019. The car is based on Volvo's Scalable Platform Architecture (SAP) for efficiency and ease of production. As a legacy manufacturer, Volvo already has the reach in terms of aftermarket support too.

If Dyson is going to make a success of his late challenge, he will need more than clever ideas and production know-how, he will need quick access to the burgeoning Chinese marketplace and its ready-made supply chain. Fortunate then that he already has a foothold in Asia with a manufacturing plant in Malaysia and sourcing agreements for much of the required technology are already in place.

Advertisement

Can Dyson do it? Yes, he probably can.

Richard Gane is a director and automotive sector specialist at supply chain firm, Vendigital
Plan International / Rob Beechey

Upendo is 23 and lives in Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. She is a young campaigner with Plan International UK's Youth For Change project - a global network of youth activists working with organisations and governments to create positive change for girls.

Imagine what you were doing when you were 11. You had probably just started secondary school, perhaps you dreamed of being a doctor, artist, computer scientist? Maybe you looked forward to the weekend when you could go to the cinema with your friends, go swimming or shopping. It's very unlikely, living in the UK, that you were about to marry someone more than twice your age.

Advertisement

I grew up in a community where most of my neighbours and friends got married young, had early pregnancies and dropped out of school. This is just seen as a normal path for a girl.

Child marriage, sadly, is rife across the developing world. Whether it's fuelled by gender inequality, poverty, traditions, or instability, it can have devastating consequences on the girls who marry young. Across the world, 15 million girls marry by the age of 18 and Tanzania has one of the highest rates of child marriage in the world. On average, one in three girls are married before they turn 18 and in rural areas, some girls are getting married as young as 11.

The consequences of child marriage are serious and they last a lifetime. Girls who marry young will often be forced to drop out of school and abandon their education. They're more likely to have children before their young bodies are ready, causing long-term health complications, and they can also be trapped in an abusive relationship, with nowhere to turn.

I feel proud to have escaped this cycle and can partly thank the day my sister was born for inspiring me to campaign for change on the issue. From the first day I held my sister in my hands I felt a huge responsibility. I wanted to be the perfect role model, not only for her but also for my mum, sister and community.

Advertisement

That's why I am working with the girls' rights charity Plan International UK to stop more girls being violated in this way. The law in Tanzania states that while boys can only get married at the age of 18, girls can be married at 14 years old. We need to make sure child marriage is made illegal and raise the age of consent to 18 years old for girls.

And it is possible, with enough support from the international community; we can get this law changed. In February this year, Malawi approved a bill to make child marriage illegal following a campaign by Plan International UK in which 42,000 people across the world signed a petition in support of the change.

So now is the time to be the change you want to see in the world, and improve the future for girls in Tanzania. I know I will.
The town wants to raze the former mill and turn the property into a park.

Adams Plans To Restore Cook Street Mill

ADAMS, Mass.  The town will try to salvage the Cook Street grain elevator and remediate the area in hopes of turning it into a park.

Director of Community Development Donna Cesan asked the Selectmen to endorse a grant application to secure up to $200,000 in Brownfield funds from the Environmental Protection Agency to remediate the former Hoosac Valley Coal and Grain Property.

"I think people in town really want to save that grain elevator," Cesan said. "It is a landmark along route 8 and there is a lot of history there so to the degree that we can reuse that we want to."

The town took the property for back taxes some time ago and with its optimal location near the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail and the Berkshire Scenic Rail line, town officials think it is a perfect place for a park.

Senior Project Manager Tom Biolsi with TRC Environmental, who the town hired to analyze the area, said a use restriction was placed on the property back in the 1990s when petroleum contamination was found.

He said they also found coal remnants in one of the foundations (the building was formally used to store coal and grain) and there is an underground storage tank still on the property.

"We confirmed that there is one underground storage tank so part of the application for EPA cleanup is to remove that and clean up some of the petroleum that remains in the ground," he said.

He added that depending on their own findings, some of this topsoil may have to be removed or somehow isolated so it is not accessible in the park.

Currently, on the property, there is the large wooden structure and a coal shed. There are also two remaining foundations left from structures the town demolished.

Biolsi said the structures may also contain hazardous materials that would need to be abated.

Cesan said the town is "piecing" together the project and as they go along, and the project would ultimately draw from multiple grant sources. She said what is found in the environmental study would inform how much of the structure can be salvaged and the design of the possible park.

"This assessment work will help inform the design and what areas we need to avoid," she said.

She added that it is likely that the $200,000 would not totally cover the remediation but the town did not want to miss a grant cycle.

Biolsi said he would receive the official results from the test in ten days.

Selectman Joseph Nowak said he was happy the town was going to attempt to save the structure.

"That is one of a kind and you dont really see those types of grain elevators," he said. "You see them a lot out west but not in New England and I think it is certainly worth refurbishing because it is part of our history."

The Selectmen also endorsed entering the Tier 2 portion of the Complete Streets program and refined and submitted a list of 40 possible projects to the state.

The Selectmen adopted the policy last year and it awards qualifying communities funds to improve streets, sidewalks, and intersections to better transportation for all travel modes.

Matt Chase of Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, who is working with the town to develop the list, said he has collected data, met with the traffic commission and developed a list of projects ranked by readiness.

"We are developing projects that are easy to construct in a timely fashion," he said.

He said the town will submit the list to the state before the end of the year and if the projects are approved the town could be awarded $400,000 to execute one project or multiple.

Chairman John Duval said one of his concerns was the Hoosac Street, East Hoosac Street intersection.

Chase said the site has been looked at before and in the past, it did not meet the criteria for a traffic light. He said 500 cars would have to pass through the area an hour for near eight hours straight to perk the states interest.

He said less expensive things can be done to make the intersection safer.

Nowak also had concerns about Hoosac Street where it meets Park Street.

"It is very difficult because if you are coming out and you want to turn left cars coming from the north slow down to take the corner and you dont have a chance to get out because it is backed up," he said.

Chase said the intersection is a high accident area however the project may be too big for the Complete Streets project. To be done correctly would have to extend beyond the immediate intersection, he said.

He said making these changes and adding a traffic light would likely cost $1 million and the project may be better suited for the Transportation Improvement Program.

Cesan added that it would be better to hold that project until after the town completes the Visitor Center Parking Lot and are able to quantify increased traffic from the Berkshire Scenic Railway and other coming developments in town.

Police Chief Richard Tarsa, who sits on the Traffic Commission, said Chase and Cesan addressed many of the Commissions concerns on the list.

"We have had two meetings and they were extensive we went through everything on the list," he said. "Our concerns were voiced, and they took them into consideration. They were good meetings."

Before closing, Selectwoman Christine Hoyt asked if the town could adopt a ribbon cutting policy that would create an application for new business to fill out and the town would help coordinate ribbon-cutting ceremonies.

"It can be led by the Selectmen and it will show that the town is open for business and celebrate those businesses that are in town," she said.

She said the policy would allow the town to properly publicize a new business and provide some help in the grand opening.

She said current businesses can also use the application to inform the town of anniversaries or milestones.

Town Administrator Tony Mazzucco said he thought it was a good idea.

"Its good for press and a good way to celebrate what is going on in town at really no cost," he said. "We just have to buy some giant scissors and ribbon."
Lanesborough, Williamstown Voters Face School Regionalization Question Tuesday

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass.  Tuesday's special town meetings in Lanesborough and Williamstown are the culmination of a process that began nearly a decade ago.

It was 2008 when Williamstown Elementary School and Lanesborough Elementary School joined together to form Superintendency Union 71 and share central administrative services. Two years later, SU71 joined forces with the junior-senior high school to which elementary students matriculate, Mount Greylock, creating the so-called "Tri-District" shared services agreement.

Back when those relationships were formed, they were seen as stepping stones on the path to fully regionalizing the North County school districts.

On Tuesday, voters in Mount Greylock's two member towns will have a chance to finish the process. Lanesborough holds its special town meeting at 6 p.m. and Williamstown at 7 p.m., both at their respective elementary schools. Both towns also have other, unrelated articles on their warrants. Child care will be available at both schools as well.

At contemporaneous town meetings in each community, residents will be asked whether to consolidate the three schools of the Tri-District into a single, expanded Mount Greylock Regional School District. If they do so, the current practice of electing a separate school committee for each elementary school will be a thing of the past, and the budgets for both preK-6 schools will be incorporated into a single spending plan that voters will be asked to approve each spring at annual town meeting.

Other than those two changes, the operation of the schools will appear very much as it does now from the outside looking in. School committee members, who are driving Tuesday's proposal, point out that the schools already share a superintendent and have been doing so for nine years (in the case of the elementary schools) or seven years (in the case of Mount Greylock), depending on how you look at it.

The bigger change, school officials say, will be the increased efficiency that comes with full regionalization  efficiency that, among other things, will make it easier for the expanded district to hire a permanent superintendent and other administrative staff.

"This governance creates the structure in which our administration has to operate," WES Committee Chairman Joe Bergeron said recently of the Tri-District arrangement. "It's like being a CEO of three separate companies or if we shared the town manager with Lanesborough and New Ashford."

Bergeron and his counterpart on the LES Committee, Regina DiLego picked up the ball and ran with it last spring after the Mount Greylock School Committee decided that the regionalization effort should be led by the two elementary schools after years of study by the junior-senior high school district.

Along with other collaborators, DiLego and Bergeron developed the final proposed regional agreement that will be put to voters on Tuesday, including the critical elementary school funding piece that school officials hope satisfies concerns at the town level around the issue of local control.

They also have been at the heart of a public information effort to spread awareness of the regionalization issue in advance of the Nov. 14 special town meetings. Bergeron, DiLego and Mount Greylock School Committee Chairwoman Sheila Hebert filmed a 45-minute primer on the topic for community access television in the two towns. Bergeron has presented the plan to both the Williamstown Finance Committee, which unanimously voted to recommend voters' approval, and the Williamstown Board of Selectmen, which is scheduled to make its advisory vote on Monday, the night before town voters weigh in.

Bergeron made the "CEO" analogy during his presentation to the Williamstown Fin Comm, continuing:

"[The Tri-District superintendency] is not a desirable job among superintendents in Massachusetts. I haven't spoken to a past superintendent or a superintendent in another part of the state who thinks we have a desirable job for a superintendent to thrive in."

Bergeron said there are 275 licensed superintendents in the commonwealth, and the average tenure in a district is three years. Since Rose Ellis' retirement in 2014, the Tri-District has had two interim superintendents and one full-time superintendent whose stormy tenure of just more than a year ended abruptly amid criticism from school committee members and a letter of no-confidence signed by principals of all three schools.

"We're creating, in our corner of the state, a really challenging space to recruit and retain staff," Bergeron said. "It's not just the superintendent, but the business manager and special education director. It's across the board. We're not doing ourselves any kind of good service right now."

The Tri-District currently is led by interim Superintendent Kimberley Grady, whose former post as director of pupil personnel services is also being filled on an interim basis. The school committee members agreed to put off a search for a permanent superintendent until after the regionalization question is decided  leaving the door open for a dissolution of the complicated Tri-District structure and, potentially, a return to two or three superintendents if voters reject the idea of full regionalization.

No school leaders are expressing a preference for such a drastic step. All agree that the curriculum alignment and economies of scale created by the current collaboration between the three districts have benefited students and local taxpayers.

But the school committee members are just as unified in their assertion that the current mechanism for collaboration is cumbersome and not sustainable long term.

"We're trying to create a situation where we can have many of the benefits of collaboration while putting it in a manageable structure," Bergeron told the Williamstown BOS. "I think the best you can hope for is to have a balance [between collaboration and local control].

"For me, it comes down to: Do we have a better alternative? I don't think any structure we can propose would be perfect, but we've walked the line to find the best solution."

Below is some background on elements of the 14-page agreement voters will be asked to approve on Tuesday:

Section I  Type of School District

The one change here is semantic, changing the definition of the Mount Greylock Regional School District from a 7-12 district to a pre-kindergarten through 12th grade district.

Section II  Location of Regional District Schools

This specifies the schools that constitute the district and specifies the process by which an additional school could be built in the unlikely event one is needed.

It also addresses the question of how a school could be closed in the district, specifying that such a step would require a majority vote in each member town. In other words, if the voters of one town reject the school closure, the school will remain open.

It is tempting to think that this language was a reaction to last spring's elementary school closure in the neighboring Adams-Cheshire Regional School District, but in fact this was a feature of the proposed regional agreement that issued from Mount Greylock's 2013 Regional District Amendment Committee.

Mount Greylock formed a committee back then that spent a year studying the regionalization question from every angle, with particular attention to the educational impacts, and the district was close to putting the regionalization question to voters four years ago. But when, after numerous applications, Mount Greylock was invited into the Massachusetts School Building Authority's building program, the regional school committee decided it needed to focus its energy on the successful completion of that process and put regionalization on the back burner.

Section III  Lease of Schools in Member Towns

This is an entirely new section that deals with lease agreements between the district and the towns, which will continue to own the elementary school properties (the Mount Greylock Regional School District owns the junior-senior high school on Cold Spring Road in Williamstown).

This section was the last one modified, a modification that required a brief special meeting of the Mount Greylock School Committee to approve after the "final" agreement language was sent to the towns. The last-minute alteration, in response to a request from Lanesborough town officials, specifies that the elementary schools will continue to be available for use by the town for events, like town meetings, as long as priority is given to educational needs.

Section IV (formerly Section III in the current agreement)  Pupils

This section deals with who is eligible to attend the schools, namely children who reside in the two member towns, and adds language around out-of-town placement of special education programs.

Under the proposed agreement, moving a special ed program outside the town of the affected child would require a majority vote of the school committee.

Section V  The Regional School District School Committee

This section defines the composition of the regional school committee, which ultimately would look like the current Mount Greylock School Committee: seven members elected by voters from both towns with four members who reside in Williamstown and three members who reside in Lanesborough.

All seven positions would be up for election in November 2018, with staggered terms (four four-year terms and three two-year terms) in the first election and four-year terms for all seats after that.

In the meantime, the expanded district would be governed by a transition committee that includes four of the current Mount Greylock School Committee members (two residents of each town), two members of the current WES Committee and one member of the current LES Committee.

Section VI  Transportation

This is a new section required by the commonwealth to specify that regional school districts are required to provide transportation for students, something that all three districts in the Tri-District already are doing.

Section VII (formerly Section V)  Budget

It is fair to say that this section and the one that follows have generated the most discussion in the run-up to Tuesday's town meetings.

The text in Section VII tracks closely with the text of the current agreement with the notable exception of adding references to the School Council.

"Each such school building budget shall be prepared with the participation of a school council established as required by [Massachusetts General Law] c. 71 sec. 59C. The principal shall certify to the Superintendent that such school council is established as required by M.G.L. c.71, sec. 59C, that the council has participated in the preparation of the school building budget and that the budget is necessary and appropriate to implement the school improvement plan pursuant to M.G.L. c.71, sec. 38Q1/2 and any other applicable requirements."

The school council includes an equal number of faculty members and parents in a school and may include other community members. The parent representatives are elected by the school's Parent Teacher Organization while the teachers union appoints its representative. The school's principal serves as one of two co-chairs on the council.

As this section notes, the council is required by state law, but it is fair to say that at least one of the three Tri-District schools, WES, the council has had a low profile, to put it mildly. The reality on the ground in a single school district is that the elected school committee is the nexus of power, but in a region, school officials say, the school council would take on a greater role in advocating for the needs of its building.

Regionalization advocates say a more empowered school council addresses fears of losing "local control" over the elementary school budget, and the proposed regional agreement goes further than state law by requiring the principal to submit the budget to the superintendent and school committee.

"The school council is critical," interim Superintendent Grady told the Williamstown Board of Selectmen. "It will be working at each individual school, advocating for that school as they bring the budget forward. The local school committee goes away but then you have a robust school council at each school."

This fall, the Tri-District brought in a trainer from the Massachusetts Association of School Committees to educate members of the school councils at all three member schools about their role in school governance.

Section VIII  Apportionment and Payment of Costs Incurred by the District

This piece caused the longest delay in getting the blessing of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, which ultimately must approve all regional district agreements in the commonwealth.

And it is the section that is most changed from the proposal that came out of the 2013 RDAC process, addressing local control questions that were raised four years ago, specifically the fear that one town's decisions could drive the elementary school budget in the other town.

That has been a particular concern in Williamstown, where some have pointed to recent struggles at Mount Greylock in getting a budget through the town committee process in Lanesborough. Some have questioned Lanesborough town officials' commitment to full collaboration with their partners to the north, pointing to efforts to scuttle SU71 as recently as 2014 by a member of the LES Committee and a 2015 bid by the Lanesborough Board of Selectmen to send the town's 7th- through 12th-graders to Hoosac Valley in an effort to save money.

School committee members from both towns maintain that while town officials sometimes have challenged the Lanesborough-Williamstown partnership, Lanesborough's voters have been strong in their support. They can point to the 2016 vote on the bond to pay for the addition/renovation project at Mount Greylock, which passed with 56 percent of the vote in Lanesborough, where nearly 50 percent of registered voters turned out.

The other concern expressed by Williamstown officials: incorporating the smaller Lanesborough Elementary School into a district budget that included all three schools would disproportionately impact Williamstown's tax bill. Why? Because a smaller school, like LES, has higher per-pupil cost than does WES because of fixed costs that both schools incur, like a principal. If you took all the operating costs for all three schools into one budget and simply divide them by number of students each town sends to the three schools, the per-pupil cost for Lanesborough taxpayers would go down and the per-pupil cost for Williamstown residents would go up.

To allay all those concerns, the school committees are recommending a funding mechanism in which each town will be assessed based on the operating cost of its elementary school, without regard to the cost of operating the school in the other town.

That is what caused regulators in Boston to take more time to consider the proposed Mount Greylock agreement. Ultimately, DESE signed off on the non-traditional funding mechanism, which is rare, but not entirely without precedent in the commonwealth.

In a more traditional regional funding scheme  like that currently used at Mount Greylock's junior-senior high school  towns are given an assessment based on the percentage of students it has in the system.

Costs for grades 7-12 would continue to be split that way under the proposed regional agreement. But costs for the elementary schools would be separated out. The town would receive one assessment, but that number would only reflect the operating cost for the elementary school in the town (along with what it's already paying for grades 7-12).

One last note about finances:

The commonwealth, in an effort to encourage regional school districts, offers transportation subsidies to regional districts that are not available to single-school districts like Lanesborough and Williamstown. For the current fiscal year, that would have meant an additional $191,000 coming to the two towns from Boston. That is partly offset by a projected $70,000 cost that will come from aligning union contracts at the three schools.

Regionalization proponents recognize the potential $121,000 windfall, but they are not emphasizing it. They also note that current shared services, which would be made permanent under full regionalization, save the towns a combined $400,000 per year, and those savings could go away if the Tri-District goes away without regionalization.

But the thrust of their argument is not finances.

"The reason to vote in favor of this is better governance and the administration," Bergeron said. "We will be able realize savings in the future, and all of our students will benefit from the ability to better manage the schools."

Section IX  Incurring of Debt

Section X  Admission of Additional Towns to the District

Neither of these sections are changed from the current regional agreement.

Section XI  Withdrawal

This section has new language required by the state to clarify how payment of Other Postemployment Benefits would be handled in the event of either town's withdrawal from the district.

Section XII  Amendments

This section is not changed.

Section XIII  Retiree Costs

This new section was required by the state to specify how retiree costs at the current elementary schools would be handled if those schools are added to the Mount Greylock district.
Greylock Federal Credit Union has pledged to donate $100,000 over five years to Elder Services of Berkshire County.

Biz Briefs: Greylock Donates $100,000 to Elder Services for Elder Nutrition Program

Staying healthy

Greylock Federal Credit Union has pledged to donate $100,000 over five years to Elder Services of Berkshire County. The gift is to support the Elder Nutrition Program, which provides meals through both Meals on Wheels and their 15 congregate meal sites located at Councils on Aging throughout the county.



ESBC's Elder Nutrition Program reaches some of the most vulnerable seniors in Berkshire County. According to a report from Elder Services, the typical person who receives a visit from a Meals on Wheels driver is between the ages of 75 and 90, female, widowed, and living alone on a fixed income. Each visit provides not only a hot nutritious meal, but also vital social contact and a health and safety wellness check. Congregate meals provide a well-balanced meal (often the only warm meal of the day) and the opportunity for social interaction and friendship.



The service provides Berkshire seniors with more than 206,000 meals per year and incurs expenses in excess of $1.7 million per year.

Nonprofit workshop

The Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires is partnering with Northern Berkshire United Way and MCLA to offer a workshop titled "The Art & Science of Leading Transformational Change" on Tuesday, Dec. 12, from 10 a.m. to moon at the MCLA Design Lab, 49 Main St., North Adams. The workshop will be taught by Bob Voss, a senior consultant in change management. The cost is $25 for Nonprofit Center members and $35 for non-members. To register online visit the website or call 413-645-3151.



The goal of this workshop is to introduce participants to a framework and process for leaders to assess the current state of their organizations, define an ideal future state and then to create clear, actionable change initiatives for attaining that desired future state. Bob Voss, PhD, is a senior consultant at Growth River and has extensive experience as an executive, teacher, trainer, and technical writer. He served at the global nonprofit organization EnlightenNext as CEO, COO and board member.

Eating fresh

For the first time ever, the Downtown Pittsfield Farmers Market's Double Value Program has raised enough funding to continue into the indoor market season- extending the communitys opportunity to purchase local, healthy, affordable food. The Double Value Program is a money-matching program for low-income residents using SNAP (and seasonally those using WIC and Senior FMNP benefits). The market matches up to $15 per person per day, doubling the purchasing power of each participating SNAP shopper.



The way home

Greylock Federal Credit Union will offer a free class for first-time homebuyers Wednesday, Nov. 29, and Thursday, Nov. 30, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Greylock Insurance Agency, Allendale Shopping Center, 5 Cheshire Road in Pittsfield. Those interested in attending can complete the course in just two nights.



The free two-night course covers creating a budget; understanding your credit and financing options; and reviewing the home-buying process with an experienced realtor, home inspector, appraiser, and team members from Greylock Insurance Agency. Space is limited; registration is required at 413-347-6114.

Shopping art

The Clark Art Institute will participate in Museum Store Sunday, a new international shopping and cultural campaign launched by the Museum Store Association, on Sunday, Nov. 26, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors receive 20 percent off all purchases made in the Clark's Museum Storeincluding jewelry, home decor, gifts, and fine art booksand can enter to win a family/dual membership valued at $100. No purchase is necessary to enter the drawing.



The Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield also is participating in the program. The museum is open from noon to 5 p.m.



In partnership with the United Kingdoms Association for Cultural Enterprises and the Museum Shops Association of Australia and New Zealand, MSA's Museum Store Sunday promotes shopping conscientiously and supporting museum stores and their missions worldwide. More than 300 museums from three continents, five countries and 47 states are slated to partake in Museum Store Sunday with special events and promotions.




iciHaiti - Internet : HaitiData the first atlas of natural risks





More than a year after the passage of Hurricane Matthew in Haiti, the Ministry of the Interior, the Interministerial Committee for Territorial Development (CIAT) and the World Bank have made public the first atlas of natural risks and a platform open data.



For the first time, these geospatial data and maps are available to all Haitian citizens to allow a better analysis of natural threats and a better allocation and use of public resources in post-disaster situations.



" www.haitidata.org/ is an open data platform that centralizes and shares information to provide the general public with a tool for creating, visualizing and directly accessing geospatial data, thereby promoting the sharing of risk knowledge and public awareness," said Boby Emmanuel Piard, General Director of the National Center for Geo-Spatial Information (CNIGS).



"The Government has made significant progress in strengthening the management of risks and disasters, and the Ministry of the Interior can count on the World Bank's continued commitment to this effort. Until recently, hurricanes Irma and Maria have highlighted the importance of accessing this data in order to better prepare and sensitize the population," said Anabela Abreu, Country Director for the World Bank.



IH/ iciHaiti


















Imperial Valley News Center

Why health officials are concerned about the Madagascar plague outbreak

Rochester, Minnesota - A large outbreak of plague, including the rare form known as pneumonic plague, has health officials in Madagascar working to prevent the bacterial infection from spreading to neighboring countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) says there have been more than 1,800 confirmed, probable or suspected cases of plague since August 1, including 127 deaths.

Dr. Pritish Tosh, an infectious diseases specialist at Mayo Clinic says, "Public officials are concerned about this going on in Madagascar and potentially moving to neighboring areas. At this point, I think its unlikely that this is going to go much farther beyond that just because by the time people are able to transmit, they are pretty sick."

"Right now, there are cases of pneumonic plague coming from human-to-human transmission occurring in Madagascar. Plague, thankfully, is treatable with antibiotics. We can treat people who have been exposed with antibiotics to prevent that from developing into infection."

Plague is divided into three main types - bubonic, septicemic and pneumonic - depending on which part of your body is involved. Signs and symptoms vary, depending on the type of plague. Pneumonic, which is being seen in Madagascar, is the least common, most dangerous and the only form of plague that can be spread from person to person.

The plague, says Dr. Tosh, is "unlike Ebola where any bodily fluid would be infectious." He says with pneumonic plague, the infection is transmitted through respiratory droplets. The infection progresses rapidly, and may cause respiratory failure and shock within two days of inhaling plague bacteria.

Dr. Tosh says the plague is caused by the bacteria Yersinia pestis, which is often found in rodents and their fleas.

The WHO says it expects more cases of the infection to be reported until the typical plague season ends in Madagascar in April 2018.
Will taking zinc for colds make my colds go away faster?

Imperial, California - There's been a lot of talk about taking zinc for colds ever since a 1984 study showed that zinc supplements kept people from getting as sick. Since then, research has turned up mixed results about zinc and colds.

Recently an analysis of several studies showed that zinc lozenges or syrup reduced the length of a cold by one day, especially when taken within 24 hours of the first signs and symptoms of a cold.

Most colds are caused by a type of virus called rhinovirus, which thrives and multiplies in the nasal passages and throat (upper respiratory system). Zinc may work by preventing the rhinovirus from multiplying. It may also stop the rhinovirus from lodging in the mucous membranes of the throat and nose.

Zinc may be more effective when taken in lozenge or syrup form, which allows the substance to stay in the throat and come in contact with the rhinovirus.

But the recent analysis stopped short of recommending zinc. None of the studies analyzed had enough participants to meet a high standard of proof. Also, the studies used different zinc dosages and preparations (lozenges or syrup) for different lengths of time. As a result, it's not clear what the effective dose and treatment schedule would be.

Zinc  especially in lozenge form  also has side effects, including nausea or a bad taste in the mouth. Many people who used zinc nasal sprays suffered a permanent loss of smell. For this reason, Mayo Clinic doctors caution against using such sprays.

In addition, large amounts of zinc are toxic and can cause copper deficiency, anemia and damage to the nervous system.

For now, the safest course is to talk to your doctor before considering the use of zinc to prevent or reduce the length of colds.
Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

IndyArts email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

For anyone who lived through the 1980s, the television series Miami Vice is the pastel-shaded, music-driven, drug-saturated image of the city forever seared into memory. At the centre of this action in real life was the Mutiny at Sailboat Bay, a hotel and club in the citys Coconut Grove neighbourhood. Roben Farzad, whose family immigrated to the United States from Iran after he was born, grew up in Miami during those years. His new book, Hotel Scarface, is a raucous history of the cocaine boom as it played out at the Mutiny. (The 1983 movie Scarface, also set in this period in Miami, was filmed mostly in California.) All roads led back to the Mutiny, an undercover police officer who worked in Miami at the time told Farzad. The druggies, the celebs, the crooked pols, spies, the informant, cops  good and bad  were all there. Appropriately, Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas, the stars of Miami Vice, also were known to drop by. (Thomas even lived there for a time.) Below, Farzad talks about the haunting image that got him interested in the story, the filmmakers who inspired him as he tried to recapture a time and place, and more.

When did you first get the idea to write this book?

I encountered the Mutiny as an abandoned property 23 years ago, just before I left Miami  I thought for good  to go to college up north at Princeton. I had a severe case of senioritis in high school, and I had a job selling frozen lemonade at a street fair in front of this abandoned building. It didnt make sense. Coconut Grove is like the West Village of Miami. This was not a run-down part of town. Waterfront property gets snapped up. Back in the day, you had Richard Nixon and the Bee Gees docking their yachts in the marina there. People were staring at me from these collapsed balconies. Eddie Money was performing live across the street, singing, as if on cue, I want to go back / And do it all over / But I cant go back I know.

I was really haunted. Im not given to the supernatural, but later I kept thinking back to that tableau. I think if I didnt get homesick, I wouldnt have thought back to it. It became a talisman almost.

Philip Michael Thomas as Detective Ricardo Tubbs and Don Johnson as Detective James Crockett in the TV series Miami Vice (Rex)

Whats the most surprising thing you learned while writing it?

Some really smart, ambitious and strait-laced people  class salutatorians, Federal Reserve Bank analysts  morphed into cocaine dealers in no time at all. The profit motive, you couldnt resist it. Some very worldly people got a chance to get some cocaine for a few thousand dollars and turn it into much, much more money. And even if you tell yourself, Ill just do three or four kilos and let it go, its a victimless crime  people couldnt do that. It took over their lives.

And I didnt fully appreciate to what extent our misadventure with Cuba informed our cocaine experience in the United States. There were thousands of men hell-bent on taking out Fidel Castro, and the CIA trained them to do it. When it was botched with the Bay of Pigs invasion, these men waited for a rematch, and they never got it. So you had a lot of restless mercenaries around, who knew the coastline like the back of their hands. It was childs play to smuggle pot. And when cocaine came along, it was high class. Unlike pot, which was looked at as the province of stoners, cocaine was something your dentist did. It turned into cocaine madness. The Colombians came back to reassert themselves, when Castro sent refugees. It started to become downright murderous. Miami was ill-equipped to handle that inundation of both petty thieves and assassins, people for hire. All of that combusted and mixed in the Mutiny club. It was almost like their dystopian Statue of Liberty in Miami.

Roben Farzad grew up in Miami during the 1980s cocaine boom

In what way is the book you wrote different from the book you set out to write?

It became more personal. I came from Iran on the eve of the revolution, and we came to Miami because my aunt was in medical school there. For the first two years, I just remember my mother sobbing and my father studying. Every morning, the teacher had to pry me off my fathers leg. I didnt speak the language. And if you time-stamp that, 1980 is exactly when all this other stuff was going on. It was like a period of shared trauma for me and Miami. At times while writing the book, I asked myself, why do I care? Most people would ask me, how old were you when this happened? And I blushed and said I was four or five. The more I got into it, the more I wanted to see myself in their stories and their traumas.

Who is a creative person (not a writer) who has influenced you and your work?

Paul Thomas Anderson. I saw Boogie Nights about 20 years ago, and it really impacted me, how he brought the porn valley of Los Angeles back to life with those characters. And David Milch, who did Deadwood. He took another gold rush mentality, and a time of transitional people and lawlessness, and brought it back to life.

And for whatever reason, especially in the final year of writing this book, I glommed on to Gerry Rafferty, the Scottish rocker. His music became my spirit animal. Night Owl, Baker Street, Right Down the Line. I heard belatedly that he had frequented Coconut Grove. People say they remember him playing Frisbee in Peacock Park. Everybody was spotted there. The Mutiny staff mistook David Crosby as a hobo; same thing with Neil Young. They were part of the wildlife.

Al Pacino as Tony Montana in Scarface  also set in this period in Miami (Rex)

Persuade someone to read Hotel Scarface in 50 words or less.

The Mutiny was where the Cold War crashed into reefer madness and the cocaine wars. To this day, I cant tell you if it was operated as a front company for the CIA. How many places do you find where all of those things happened?

Hotel Scarface: Where Cocaine Cowboys Partied and Planned to Control Miami by Roben Farzad is published by Bantam Press, 20

 New York Times
DA NANG - Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Chilean counterpart, Michelle Bachelet, on Saturday witnessed the signing of a bilateral deal on upgrading the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries.

Xi underlined that this is China's first FTA upgrade completed with a Latin American country.

The upgraded agreement will unleash new impetus for the practical cooperation between China and Chile and set a new benchmark for China's cooperation with other Latin American countries as well as a new role model to the world, he said.

Bachelet congratulated Xi on the success of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and wished that greater achievements would be made in the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative.

The Chile-China relationship has made many firsts in the course of developing relations between Latin America and China, said Bachelet, adding that her country will carry forward the pioneering spirit and advance the practical cooperation between the two sides.

Chile is the first Latin American country to sign a free trade agreement with China.

Negotiations for upgrading the FTA were initiated during Xi's state visit to Chile in November 2016 and the agreement was completed a year later.
Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

IndyArts email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

Gal Gadot, the star of hit DC film Wonder Woman, is reportedly refusing to return for the sequel unless Warner Bros fully severs ties with producer Brett Ratner who faces multiple allegations of sexual harassment.

While previously announced that Ratner is to part ways with the studio while the accusations levied against him are investigated, Page Six reports that Gadot is refusing to star in the project should he be involved in any way.

The news would put the studio into a tough place considering Ratner's deal doesn't expire until 2018.

 Wonder Woman - trailer

According to Page Six, a Warner Bros insider said: Brett made a lot of money from the success of 'Wonder Woman,' thanks to his company having helped finance the first movie, according to a WB insider, as reported by Page Six. Now Gadot is saying she won't sign for the sequel unless Warner Bros. buys Brett out [of his financing deal] and gets rid of him.

Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Show all 42 1 /42 Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Harvey Weinstein Harry Weinsteins reputation as one of Hollywoods leading executives was long cemented in stone. The acclaimed movie mogul, who produced Oscar-winning films Shakespeare in Love, The English Patient, and The Artist, clocked up box office successes and accolades aplenty. But this has quickly changed since a chorus of women have come forward to accuse the Hollywood producer of sexual harassment and assault. Since the New York Times bombshell report disclosed sexual harassment and rape allegations against the film mogul dating back decades, Weinstein has been fired from his namesake company, expelled from the Oscars and has had his wife leave him. Weinstein has apologised for having caused a lot of pain but has denied all allegations of nonconsensual sex. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Annabella Sciorra The Sopranos actor alleged Weinstein raped her after shooting The Night We Never Met, a 1993 movie that Weinstein produced. Similar to the stories told by other women, Weinstein drove the actor home, only to reportedly burst into Sciorra's apartment and start unbuttoning his shirt. He shoved me onto the bed, and he got on top of me, Sciorra said. I kicked and I yelled. Weinstein then allegedly locked her arms and forced sexual intercourse on her. After the incident, Sciorra found it increasingly hard to get work, many filmmakers saying 'We heard you were difficult', something the actor claims was because of the 'Weinstein-machine'. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Natassia Malthe The model and actress, who has appeared in around 50 films, said she met Weinstein at a BAFTA after party in 2008 while she was working as a spokeswoman for LG. She told a press conference in New York that she felt pressured into telling Weinstein she was staying at the Sanderson Hotel after being put on the spot. Malthe, now 43, said after her shift on February 10 she went back to her room and went to sleep, but was awoken by "repeated pounding" on her door, from someone yelling: "Open the door Natassia Malthe, it's Harvey Weinstein." Feeling humiliated, she said she opened the door. She alleged Weinstein began implying sex would get her a role in an upcoming film while semi-undressed and then he began to masturbate. "I was sitting on the bed talking to Harvey when he pushed me back and forced himself onto me. It was not consensual. He did not use a condom," she said. AP Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Sean Young The actor, best known for her role in Ridley Scott's Blade Runner, said that Weinstein exposed himself to her in the early 1990s, when she was starring in the Miramax-produced Love Crimes - a production company that Weinstein headed at the time. "I personally experienced him pulling his you-know-what out of his pants to shock me," she said. "My basic response was, 'You know, Harvey, I really dont think you should be pulling that thing out, its not very pretty.'" Young never worked with Weinstein again after the incident. Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Mimi Haleyi Mimi Haleyi said she was assaulted by Weinstein in what appeared to be a child's bedroom in his New York City apartment in 2006 when she was in her 20s. She said she was aspiring to work in television and film production when she was first introduced to him at the London premiere of The Aviator around two years earlier and he helped her get experience on the set of a TV show being produced by The Weinstein Company. But, she added, he repeatedly hassled her and even tried to force himself through her front door in an effort to get her to join him on a trip to Paris. At one point he allegedly forcibly performed oral sex on an aspiring production assistant while she was on her period. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Lupita Nyong'o In an op-ed for The New York Times, the Oscar-winning actor said she was invited to Weinsteins family home in Connecticut on the premise of watching a film shortly after they met in 2011. But she said shortly after it started he "insisted" in front of his children that she follow him and she was led to his bedroom. The Kenyan-Mexican actress, now 34, said she felt pressured into giving him a massage after he offered her one. "Before long he said he wanted to take off his pants," she wrote."I told him not to do that and informed him that it would make me extremely uncomfortable. He got up anyway to do so and I headed for the door, saying that I was not at all comfortable with that." Over the years that followed, he continued to get in touch, Nyong'o said, and when she declined another proposition she felt her career was threatened. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Lena Headey Writing on social media, the Game of Thrones actor claims she first met Weinstein at the Venice Film Festival in 2005 where, after taking her for a walk by the water, he made some suggestive comment and gesture. Headey claims she bumped into Weinstein years later where he kept asking her questions about her love life. She alleges that, when Weinstein invited her to his hotel room to show her a script, the "energy shifted. The actor notes how, after saying she was not interesting in anything but the work, Weinstein was furious, apparently marching her back to a lift, "grabbing and holding tightly to the back of [her] arm." She claims that, after paying for her car, he whispered in her ear: "Don't tell anyone about this, not your manager, not your agent. Headey finished the post, writing: I got in the car and I cried. Getty Images Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Lucia Evans The actor told The New Yorker that after a meeting to discuss casting her in various projects, Weinstein forced her to perform oral sex on him. I said, over and over, I dont want to do this, stop, dont. She added: Hes a big guy. He overpowered me. I just sort of gave up. Thats the most horrible part of it, and thats why hes been able to do this for so long to so many women: people give up, and then they feel like its their fault. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Laura Madden Madden, a production assistant who worked at Miramax for a decade, told the Times that Weinstein allegedly prodded her for massages at hotels, a common theme among the sources the Timess reporters spoke with. On one occasion, she claims she locked herself in his hotel bathroom, sobbing Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Ashley Judd Judd recounted for the Times how Weinstein allegedly harassed her while she was filming Kiss the Girls in 1996, inviting her to his hotel room and asking her for a massage, then inviting her to watch him shower. Judd first went public with the allegations in a 2015 interview with Variety during which she discussed the experience without naming the producer involved. She described Weinsteins alleged behaviour as coercive bargaining; I said no, a lot of ways, a lot of times, and he always came back at me with some new ask, she told the Times AFP/Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Rose McGowan McGowan reportedly reached a previously undisclosed $100,000 settlement with Weinstein in 1997, over an incident that occurred in a hotel room Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Mimi Haleyi Mimi Haleyi said she was assaulted by Weinstein in what appeared to be a child's bedroom in his New York City apartment in 2006 when she was in her 20s. She said she was aspiring to work in television and film production when she was first introduced to him at the London premiere of The Aviator around two years earlier and he helped her get experience on the set of a TV show being produced by The Weinstein Company. But, she added, he repeatedly hassled her and even tried to force himself through her front door in an effort to get her to join him on a trip to Paris. At one point he allegedly forcibly performed oral sex on an aspiring production assistant while she was on her period. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Emily Nestor Nestor had been temping at the Weinstein Company for only one day in 2014 when Weinstein allegedly offered to boost her career in return for sexual favours, according to the Times. She declined and reportedly complained of his behaviour to colleagues, who later passed the information on to senior executives. An internal Weinstein Company document cited by the Times describes Nestors encounter with Weinstein as follows: She said he was very persistent and focused though she kept saying no for over an hour Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Ambra Battilana In March 2015, Battilana, an aspiring model and actress, was reportedly summoned to Weinsteins office on a Friday night to discuss her career. According to a police report cited by the Times, Battilana claimed she was assaulted by Weinstein, who grabbed her breasts after asking if they were real and put his hands up her skirt. Weinstein later claimed that Battilana had set him up, according to colleagues of his who were interviewed by the Times. The Manhattan District Attorney, Cyrus Vance, later declined to press charges, and according to the Times, made a payment to Battilana. On 5 October, the International Business Times reported that after Vance dropped the charges, he received $10,000 from Weinsteins lawyer Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Lauren OConnor Lauren OConnor, an employee of the Weinstein Company, penned a memo to executives alleging a toxic environment for women at the company. The memo cited numerous incidents of Weinstein harassing or coercing women who worked for him. She expressed fear that Weinstein was using her and other female employees to facilitate liaisons with vulnerable women who hope he will get them work. That same year, Weinstein allegedly reached a settlement with OConnor Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Kate Beckinsale The actor, who starred in the Weinstein Company films Serendipity and The Aviator, alleges that she was invited to Weinsteins hotel room at the age of just 17. When she approached the door, the producer reportedly greeted her dressed in just a dressing gown. I was incredibly naive and young and it did not cross my mind that this older, unattractive man would expect me to have any sexual interest in him, she wrote on Instagram. After declining alcohol and announcing that I had school in the morning I left, uneasy but unscathed. Theo Wargo/Getty Images Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Gwyneth Paltrow The actor alleges that after he cast her in the title role of the film Emma when she was 22, he took her to his hotel room, placed his hands on her and suggested massages. I was a kid, I was signed up, I was petrified, Paltrow told the New York Times. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Asia Argento Italian actress Asia Argento has alleged that in 1997 Weinstein forcibly performed oral sex on her as she repeatedly told him to stop. When I see him, it makes me feel little and stupid and weak, Argento told The New Yorker. After the rape, he won. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Cara Delevigne The British model and actress penning an Instagram post claiming that Weinstein had ordered her to kiss another woman in his hotel room, and tried to kiss her on the lips. AFP/Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Ashley Judd Ashley Judd said she rebuffed Harvey Weinsteins unwanted sexual advances by offering to consent only after she had won an Oscar. When she was initially invited to a meeting with Weinstein, Judd said, she was surprised to learn the producer was in his hotel room - a tactic that recurs in other womens accounts. Echoing the accounts of other women, Judd said Weinstein suggested she give him a massage and then invited her to watch him shower. After a volley of nos she said she would only after she wins an Oscar, fleeing after making the comments. Reuters/Mike Segar Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Judith Godreche French actress Judith Godreche said when she was 24 Weinstein invited her to his hotel room and asked to give her a massage. The next thing I know, hes pressing against me and pulling off my sweater, she told the New York Times. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Mira Sorvino The Oscar-winning actor said she found herself in a hotel room with Weinstein in 1995 where he started massaging my shoulders, which made me very uncomfortable, and then tried to get more physical, sort of chasing me around. According to an interview in The New Yorker Weinstein subsequently arrived at her apartment late at night and she had to call a friend to come over to pose as her boyfriend in order to get Weinstein out of the house. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Katherine Kendall The actress said Weinstein undressed and chased her around a living room when she was just 23. She subsequently felt that telling others meant Ill never work again and no one is going to care or believe me, she told the New York Times. WireImage Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Tomi-Anne Roberts As an aspiring actress and working in a restaurant in New York, Tomi-Ann Roberts encountered Weinstein who encouraged her to audition for one of his films back in 1984. She subsequently went to meet him and found him naked in the bath and invited her to get naked and get into the bath with him, she told the New York Times. She said she left feeling manipulated. Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Myleen Klass It has also been alleged that the disgraced film producer propositioned Myleene Klass with a sex contract at Cannes Film Festival in 2010. One of the singer and television personalitys friends reportedly told The Sun, Klass had told Weinstein to f*** off. Getty Images Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Sophie Dix Sophie Dix, best known for her role as Captain Sadie Williams in Soldier Soldier, described her encounter with Weinstein when she was 23 as the single most damaging thing thats happened in my life. She told The Guardian Weinstein had pushed her to her bed and was tugging at her clothes. She rushed to the bathroom to escape, but when she came out she found him standing there masturbating. I quickly closed the door again and locked it, she said. Then when I heard room service come to the door I just ran. Rex Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Lea Seydoux The actor and director claims she had to fight off Weinstein after he brought her to his hotel room during what she remembers to be 2012. He suddenly jumped on me and tried to kiss me. I had to defend myself. Hes big and fat, so I had to be forceful to resist him. I left his room, thoroughly disgusted, she wrote in The Guardian. AFP/Getty Images Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Claire Forlani British actress Claire Forlani wrote on Twitter that she had evaded Weinsteins advances on five occasions at the age of 25. At meetings with the Hollywood a-lister, she says massage was suggested, and that Weinstein had boasted of all the women hed had sex with. Mark Douet Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Florence Darel French actress Florence Darel claimed Weinstein relentlessly pursued her in the mid 1990's and propositioned her while Eve Chilton, his wife at the time, was in the hotel room next door. I was astonished, she told People magazine. When you have someone so physically disgusting in front of you, continuing and continuing as though this was all perfectly normal What happened to me may not be illegal but it was inappropriate. Very inappropriate. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Lysette Anthony Lysette Anthony, who starred as Marnie Nightingale in Hollyoaks, has claimed Weinstein raped her in the late 1980's after turning up to her London home in the late 1980s. She described the disgraced film producers alleged attack as pathetic and revolting and said it left her feeling disgusted and embarrassed. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Dawn Dunning Dunning said she met Weinstein in 2003 when she was 24-years-old and the disgraced film producer suggested she have a threesome with him and someone else. She told the New York Times Weinstein got angry when she refused. Youll never make it in this business, she said he told her as she left. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Rosanna Arquette Rosanna Arquette was already well known for her role in Desperately Seeking Susan, when she said she met Weinstein at his hotel to pick up a script in the early nineties. Weinstein was dressed only in a dressing gown, and tried to put her hand on his erect penis. Speaking to the New York Times, Arquette said as she left she told him: I will never be that girl. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Emma de Caunes Caunes, a French actor, claimed Weinstein took her to his hotel room in 2010 supposedly to retrieve a book he was making into a film, but once there he went into the bathroom. De Caunes said he then emerged naked, with an erection and told her to lie on the bed. She fled the room. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Zoe Brock Model Zoe claimed that she had to lock herself in a bathroom at Weinsteins hotel in 1997, after the mogul had sent all of the assistants out of the room, and then appeared naked. I was alone with Weinstein, she told ITVs This Morning programme. He very quickly left the room and came back naked. He chased me naked. Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Jessica Barth Actress Jessica Barth described an encounter with Weinstein in 2011 in an interview with The New Yorker in which she said Weinstein veered between offering her roles in films and demanding a naked massage. She alleges the producer said to her: So, what would happen if, say, were having some champagne and I take my clothes off and you give me a massage? When she tried to leave, he then promised to give her the number of a female executive at the company. He gave me her number, and I walked out and I started bawling, Barth said. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Romola Garai The actress told The Guardian she felt violated after she went to a meeting with Weinstein at the age of 18 and he met her in his hotel room wearing nothing but a dressing gown. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Heather Graham Graham claimed that during a casting opportunity in the early 2000's Weinstein had told her he had an open relationship with his wife. He could sleep with whomever he wanted when he was out of town. I walked out of the meeting feeling uneasy, Graham told Variety. There was no explicit mention that to star in one of those films I had to sleep with him, but the subtext was there. Graham was never hired to work in a Weinstein film. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Jessica Hynes Spaced and W1A star Jessica Hynes tweeted about an encounter with Weinstein earlier this week, but subsequently deleted the tweet. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Lucia Evans The actor told The New Yorker that after a meeting to discuss casting her in various projects, Weinstein forced her to perform oral sex on him. I said, over and over, I dont want to do this, stop, dont. She added: Hes a big guy. He overpowered me. I just sort of gave up. Thats the most horrible part of it, and thats why hes been able to do this for so long to so many women: people give up, and then they feel like its their fault. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Louisette Geiss The former actress said she met Weinstein to pitch a film script she was working on. During the meeting, Weinstein allegedly went out and reappeared naked and got into a jacuzzi where he masturbated in front of her and said he would make the script into a film if she stayed and watched. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Liza Campbell Liza Campbell, a British writer and artist, alleged that Olympically ugly Weinstein asked her to join him in the bath and began getting undressed at a hotel. In a piece for The Times, Campbell claimed she was forced to sprint to the door to escape. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Louise Godbold Writing in a blog post, Louise Godbold, a non-profit director in Los Angeles, said her encounter with Weinstein took the form of an office tour that became an occasion to trap me in an empty meeting room. She said then Weinstein was begging for a massage, his hands on my shoulders as I attempted to beat a retreat.

The allegations against Ratner arrived in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal which has shone a light on a history of sexual misconduct in Hollywood with the careers of figures including Kevin Spacey and Louis C.K. seemingly left in tatters.

He is also accused of "outing" his X-Men: The Last Stand star Ellen Page at the age of 18, an allegation backed up by co-star Anna Paquin.

Follow Independent Culture on Facebook
Sign up to Roisin OConnors free weekly newsletter Now Hear This for the inside track on all things music Get our Now Hear This email for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Roisin OConnors email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

It was Sean de Paul sans Blu Cantrell at Brixton Academy.

Luckily, the crowd-pleasing rapper had enough unbridled energy - and bright enough yellow kicks - to make up both for the absence of his early Noughties collab buddy and the fact that Breathe only made a far-from-satisfying teaser appearance on the setlist.

This was a Jamaican party, flag draped proudly over the DJ booth just in case any of us forgot which nation was responsible for the man who filled club dancefloors around the globe with his euphoric pop-tinged brand of dancehall.

Paul may be 44 now, his glory days behind him, but he knows how to stay relevant, as proved by the screams that met No Lie, his huge 2016 hit with girl-of-the-moment Dua Lipa.

The iPhones came out in force for that one - the modern-day, somewhat depressing signal that youre doing something worth recording - and again for a red-hot cover of Ed Sheeran and Stormzys recent chart-topper Shape of You.

Rockabye, last years long-running number one with Clean Bandit, received a joyous reception, as did Cheap Thrills, his banger with Sia (Sia and Clean Bandit, like Blu, sadly also not included).

There was an infectious carnival feel to this show, ramped up by the two fantastic female dancers pumping and twerking their way through the hour-long performance and the talented audience member who stole the spotlight with her moves when dragged up on stage to join in.

Fully aware of why this gig sold out, Paul bashed out 15 years worth of bangers dutifully and unpretentiously, punctuated by reminders to get those arms waving. Get Busy, Give It Up To Me, Luv 2 Luv U, Baby Boy (no Bey either), Bailando (or Enrique, sob)he kept them coming, with a little help from support act pal Chi Ching Ching in a LED jumpsuit.

Having succeeded in reminding us all just how many classic tunes he has in his arsenal, the Kingston boy closed proceedings with a rowdy sing-a-long to Temperature.

No dollar bills needed to have fun tonight, just a willingness to get busy throwing those hands in the air.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

Large swathes of the UK woke up to frost this morning after a night of sub-zero temperatures  and more freezing weather is on the way.

Forecasters had predicted -7C, which would have made it the coldest night of the autumn so far, but in the end the coldest it got was -4.9C, which was recorded at Benson in Oxfordshire.

It dropped as far as -3C across parts of Gloucestershire, Scotland and mid-Wales.

Meterologists are now saying things will warm up slightly before becoming extremely cold again.

Some snow is forecast, but meteorologist Alex Burkill told The Independent that apart from a few slushy deposits in parts of Scotland, most of the snow and sleet in the next few days will hit the mountainous regions of the country.

There may also be some snow over the highest ground in England, but it will most likely not settle, and the weather will enter a milder spell in the coming week, he said.

He added: Towards the end of the week on Friday and the weekend, things [will] turn a bit colder, [and there is a] risk of wintry showers again in Scotland."

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 15 November 2022 Lesley Sutcliffe shelters from the rain next to a life-sized replica of the innermost coffin of King Tutankhamun by artist Amanda Stoner as it goes on display inside a traditional red telephone box which has been converted into a museum, in Barnsley, South Yorkshire PA 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

Met Office forecaster Simon Partridge said: "We've had three short cold snaps over the past three weekends but it will become less cold over the coming days, before another, more prolonged, cold spell into next weekend."

The coldest November temperature on record in the UK is -23C in Braemar, Aberdeenshire, on 14 November 1919.
Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

Gasps, sighs and fervent accusations resounded throughout Twitter and beyond on Friday evening after former Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman made a series of awkward comments regarding race in an interview.

The esteemed editor, who famously only ever gave two black models solo covers during her 25-year-long tenure, told The Guardian she would sell fewer copies if she put a lesser-known black face on the cover.

Only Jourdan Dunn and Naomi Campbell made the cut.

On the other hand, Edward Enninful, whose debut issue hit newsstands last Friday, is already being hailed for putting a mixed race model on the cover and featuring a culturally-diverse mix of talents inside the issue itself.

Recommended Naomi Campbell just called out Vogue for lack of diversity

Shulmans comments sparked a furore online, with fellow journalists cringing at the 60-year-olds evasive answers when probed on race, with some critics labelling the interview a case study on white privilege.

While Shulman explicitly states in the interview that she hasnt got a racist bone in [her] body, critics took issue with her ambiguous choice of words when praising Enninfuls choice to put Adwoa Aboah on the cover.

(Conde Nast Publications Ltd (Conde Nast Publications Ltd)

Shes the perfect mixture of mixed race, sort of posh Notting Hill royalty. So shes the perfect cover star, absolutely, she said.

The British editor came under fire earlier this year when Naomi Campbell posted a Vogue staff photograph to Instagram (which was printed in Shulmans final issue) in which every face appeared to be white.

Looking forward to an inclusive and diverse staff now that @edward_enninful is the editor, wrote Campbell, who Enninful has appointed as contributing editor as the title.

When discussing the incriminating snap, Shulman explained that shes never been someone whos box-ticked and didn't take race, sex or age into account when considering applicants for jobs.

However, Enninfuls latest staff appointments and talent profiles feel less like box-ticking and more like a nod to leading lights whose credible reputations transcend the bounds of fashion.

Firstly, there's Aboah, who like Enninful has Ghanaian roots.

Then, theres the notable names hes brought to Vogues masthead (Naomi Campbell, Steve McQueen and Pat McGrath) and the talents whose voices form a core part of his debut issue (Skepta, Zadie Smith and Jourdan Dunn).

These are not people who Enninful has employed to simply meet a quota, they are names who are at the vanguard of fashion and culture and feel right at home in the pages of Vogue.

However, thats not to say that Enninful's Vogue has arrived without controversy or criticism.

Aboah graces the cover appearing notably lighter-skinned than usual and without her trademark freckles, notes fashion blogger Sharn Rayment, writing for Shevolution.

Is it just us or does she look extremely light and freckle-less in her cover shot? before adding that the cover feels almost washed out.

In response to Shulman's Guardian interview, one tweeter accused the former editor of being prone to nepotism hiring with Shulman herself defending claims that she was running a kind of posh cabal.

Despite her denial, the magazine industry has always been notorious for operating on an its not what you know, its who you know mentality - and it might still, even under Enninfuls leadership.

Covergirl Aboah is not just an inspirational model-of-the-moment, she is also the daughter of high-flying talent manager Camilla Lowther, whose CLM agency represents some of the industrys most prominent stylists and photographers (think Juergen Teller and Kate Phelan).

She also happens to be Enninfuls goddaughter.

So, yes, #NewVogue might be more diverse and "open," as Enninful calls it in his debut editor's letter.

But for an industry that seems so entrenched in exclusivity and the meritocracy of privilege (fashion internships are notoriously unpaid), will the glossy, marble gates ever really be completely "open" and without accusations of underrepresentation?

Watch this space.
Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

39-year-old Gwyneth Montenegro from Australia is a former prostitute who says she has slept with over 10,000 men.

And the ex-sex worker has now written a book revealing everything she learned from working in the industry.

Montenegro says she wrote her book, The Secret Taboo, with the hope of passing on her knowledge and empowering younger escorts who are disheartened, bitter, broken and financially struggling.

However the book has come under fire by some people who claim it teaches young women to be prostitutes.

But Montenegro says its more about being financially successful.

Controversially I opted to teach young ladies how to survive as an escort, she told the Mail. Okay, to not only survive but to show her every tip and every trick needed to earn impressive amounts of money within the industry and get out.

Amongst the insights revealed in the book, Montenegro confirms that different men like different body types.

You dont have to be the hottest femme fatale, but as long as you are well groomed, comfortable and confident in your own skin, have a great vibe, energetic and you are professional then this is what it takes, she says.

There are many, many different women of all shapes, ages, sizes and backgrounds than you can think of making money from their body.

Montenegro says its not true that men are only interested in younger women, with escorts of all ages being financially successful.

She believes its also a myth that all men want kinky services. Instead, most of Montenegros clients simply want to feel desired, needed and wanted.

They want someone they can have a proper conversation and connection with.

Montenegros insights into the industry may be meant to empower women, but many people fear the book will encourage women to do things theyre not comfortable with to please men and earn money.
Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

A website that encourages women to embrace their sexuality and learn how to have better orgasms? OMGYes.

That's what it called, at least. OMGYes says it combines the wisdom of more than 2,000 women, ages 18 to 95, as well as the latest science on sexuality to reveal different techniques for having a fulfilling sex life.

The website, recently came under the spotlight after Emma Watson announced she was a paying subscriber.

Recommended Inside the sex doll factory making robots that talk and orgasm

The actress and UN ambassador told feminist icon Gloria Steinem about the website during a sit-down chat at the Emmanuel Centre in London, saying: A friend told me about this website called OMGYes, which is dedicated to female sexuality. I wish it had been around longer.

It's an expensive subscription, she added. But it's worth it.

The website, which works right in the browser of your phone, tablet or PC/Mac, requires a one-time payment of 49 (though it's available now for 29) and includes 62 short videos, as well as 11 touchable videos.

The touchable simulation videos act as guides, allowing users to practice different techniques on your screen before taking a more hands-on approach.

The site aims to educate users on 12 key methods, including edging, rhythm, multiples and staging.

Techniques are largely based on input from a study involving 2,000 women

The company says roughly half of the site's users are female, while the other half are male, adding that couples who are constantly exploring ways to make sex more pleasurable are 5 times more likely to be happier in their relationships and 12 times more likely to say they are sexually satisfied.

The website was launched by Lydia Daniller and Rob Perkins, two friends who met in university and realised during a conversation about sex how much of a taboo topic women's sexual pleasure can be.

Their team, made up of a group of researchers, filmmakers, engineers, educators and sexologists, hopes the website will help dissolve taboos around women's sexuality.

There's so much that's been left unsaid, unasked, and unknown, the OMGYes team says on its website. All because of a taboo that, we believe, will look absurd in a few decades  the same way taboos from the 1950s about oral sex and homosexuality are absurd to us now. We want to accelerate that transition.

Instead of reliable, agreed-upon facts, the specific techniques and the way women vary have been left to pop-culture to make up  lists of tips, opinions, rumours, sayings.

Sex research has been about general behaviours, like percentages of people who masturbate or use vibrators. Or the biology of what happens inside the body during sex and orgasm. But the actual techniques for women's pleasure just hadn't been researched before. Why?

The large institutions that conduct research usually have at least a few very conservative supporters. And, for them, the specifics for women's pleasure are still too taboo and uncomfortable to look at directly and specifically.

To develop their methods, OMGYes says it conducted more than 1,000 in-depth interviews with women across the US, in addition to surveying another nationally representative group of 1,000 women in partnership with researchers at Indiana University and The Kinsey Institute, a not-for-profit organisation focused on research around sex, gender and reproduction.

It claims its work with Indiana University and The Kinsey Institute marks the first-ever, large-scale nationally representative study on the specifics of women's pleasure.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

Bet365 founder Denise Coates was paid a salary of 199,305,000 along with dividend payments of 18m last year. But who is the billionaire gambling boss who amassed a multi-billion pound fortune after founding Bet365 in a Portakabin in Stoke-on-Trent?

Who is Denise Coates?

The 50-year-old billionaire began her career as a cashier in her fathers betting shops, known as Provincial Racing. She graduated with a first class degree in econometrics from Sheffield University and became manager of the family business when she was 22, expanding it to almost 50 shops.

She started Bet365  still a privately held company  from a temporary office in a Stoke car park in 2000 after reportedly buying the Bet365.com domain on eBay for $25,000 (19,000).

We mortgaged the betting shops and put it all into online, she said in a 2012 interview with The Guardian. We knew the industry required big startup costs but  we gambled everything on it. We were the ultimate gamblers if you like.

The company has since become one the biggest online gambling firms in the UK as the industry has boomed. Ms Coates retains a majority stake in the company.

She was awarded a CBE in 2012 and was named one of the 100 most powerful women in the UK in 2013 Radio 4s Womans Hour. She has become known as the patron of the Potteries for employing a significant number of people in Stoke, however, Bet365 moved the base for much of its gambling operations to Gibraltar in 2014. Ms Coates now lives in a farmhouse in Sandbach, a market town in Cheshire, north of Stoke.

Why has she been paid 200m?

Bet365 customers wagered 47bn last year, an increase of more than 10bn on the previous year. Revenue from gambling in the 2016-17 financial year jumped 39 per cent to a record 2.15bn, while profits from gambling were up 15 per cent to 514m.

How does this compare with other pay packets?

The average pay for the bosses of Britains 100 largest publicly-listed companies was 4.5m last year, which was a fall of 17 per cent on the 5.4m awarded in 2015. Ms Coates has been awarded more than 40 times that sum, and more than four times last years highest FTSE 100 salary of 48.1m for Sir Martin Sorrell, of advertising group WPP. Its also more than the 129m Taylor Swift is estimated to have earned last year.

Bet365 paid Ms Coates the equivalent of 3.8m per week, which is almost eight times more than FC Barcelona pay star player Lionel Messi, and 7,000 times the average full-time weekly earnings in the UK.

Even before the bumper 200m payment, Ms Coates and her family had 5bn in the bank, which is more than Sir Richard Branson, according to the most recent Sunday Times Rich List. Ms Coates is Britains wealthiest self-made female billionaire with her personal fortune currently estimated at 3.06bn, according to Forbes.

Controversy

Some have expressed concern that Ms Coates enormous salary has come at the same time as the number of peoples lives hurt by gambling has risen.

Industry regulator the Gambling Commission estimates there are now 2 million people who are either problem gamblers or at risk of addiction.

A spokesperson for campaign group Fairer Gambling said on Monday: As losses from Britains gamblers continue to spiral out of control, so has executive pay. The entire gambling industry donated just 8m to research, education and treatment last year. If these companies can afford to pay their executives millions of pounds a year, there is no excuse for such chronically underfunded treatment services.

Coates said in a statement to shareholders that Bet365 was committed to developing an evidence-based approach to responsible gambling.

To this end, the group continues to work with research partners on a number of projects to improve its methods of identifying harmful play and deliver more effective harm-minimisation interventions, she said

The group is assured that its efforts over the past year will continue to evolve over the coming months, and will make further progress in the prevention and minimisation of gambling-related harm.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

Ubers warring board members have struck a peace deal that allows a multibillion-dollar investment by SoftBank to proceed, and which would resolve a legal battle between former chief executive Travis Kalanick and a prominent shareholder.

Venture capital firm Benchmark, an early investor with a board seat in the ride-services company, and Mr Kalanick have reached an agreement over terms of the SoftBank investment, which could be worth up to $10bn (7.7bn), according to two people familiar with the matter.

The Uber board first agreed more than a month ago to bring in SoftBank as an investor and board member, but negotiations have been slowed by ongoing fighting between Benchmark and Mr Kalanick. The agreement struck on Sunday removed the final obstacle to allowing SoftBank to proceed with an offer to buy to stock.

Uber confirmed the deal was moving forward.

Weve entered into an agreement with a consortium led by SoftBank and Dragoneer on a potential investment, an Uber spokesman said. We believe this agreement is a strong vote of confidence in Ubers long-term potential.

SoftBank, a Japanese conglomerate that has become a heavyweight in Silicon Valley tech investing, is joined by Dragoneer Investment Group in leading a consortium of investors that plans to invest $1bn to $1.25bn in Uber, and in addition, will buy up to 17 per cent of existing shares from investors and employees in a secondary transaction. The terms were signed on Sunday, although the tender offer would likely take weeks to complete.

Uber is valued at $68bn, the most highly valued venture-backed company in the world. SoftBanks roughly $1bn investment of fresh funding is expected to be at the same valuation. The secondary transaction, or the purchases from employees and existing investors, would be at a lower valuation.

A spokesperson for Benchmark did not immediately respond to a request for comment, and a spokesman for Kalanick declined to comment.

Completing the SoftBank deal would allow Uber to open a new chapter after a year of controversy, including the resignation of Kalanick, the ouster of several top executives, sexual harassment and discrimination allegations, and multiple federal criminal probes. The deal is also tied to new governance rules that aim to distribute power more equally and bring more oversight to the company.

Uber had a remarkable first six or seven years, a bumpy past two years, and now the SoftBank deal allows for a full reset, said Bradley Tusk, an Uber investor and political strategist who works with tech companies.

It would also be a major victory for Ubers new chief executive, Dara Khosrowshahi, who often served as a mediator to help broker the agreement, according to a third person familiar with the matter.

To allow the deal to go forward, Benchmark has agreed to immediately suspend its lawsuit against Mr Kalanick, which it filed in August in an effort to diminish the ex-CEOs power at the company and force him off the board, one of the sources said.

On the successful completion of the SoftBank investment, Benchmark would drop the lawsuit entirely, the person said.

In turn, Kalanick must receive majority board approval should he want to replace the board seats over which he has control, according to the source. In addition to his own seat, Mr Kalanick controls two more, which are occupied by Ursula Brown, the former Xerox Corp chief executive, and former Merrill Lynch chief executive John Thain. Mr Kalanick appointed them in September without first consulting with the board.

Ending the litigation is a big step forward if it finally ends the specter of Kalanick retaking control, said Erik Gordon, an entrepreneurship expert at the University of Michigans Ross School of Business.

Ubers board already approved a slate of governance reforms that are contingent on completion of the SoftBank deal. They include removing super-voting rights that gave Mr Kalanick and his allies outsized power, adding new independent directors and increasing the size of the board to 17.

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.

Uber plans to run newspaper ads informing investors about the share purchase, and SoftBank will propose a price at which it will buy stock. The company has threatened to invest in ride-hailing rival Lyft if it does not get the Uber deal done.

The deal gives early investors such as Benchmark, whose Uber stake is worth nearly $9bn, the opportunity to cash out a very lucrative investment.

Reuters
Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Health Check email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

Scientists have unearthed two completely unexpected methods used by drug-resistant superbugs to withstand antibiotic treatments, raising the potential for new cures in future.

A decade-long research project from a team at the University of Birmingham has shown how potentially lethal E. coli bacteria evades two important antibiotics used to treat sepsis and local infections.

This follows repeated warnings of a post-antibiotic apocalypse by the UKs chief medical officer, Professor Dame Sally Davies if the drugs that underpin all modern medical treatments are rendered ineffective.

E. coli is a significant infection in hospitals where it can causes sepsis if it gets into the bloodstream, but it is also a common cause of food poisoning with around two-thirds of raw supermarket chicken carrying the bug.

The paper was published in Nature Communications and coincides with the start of the World Health Organisations (WHO) World Antibiotic Awareness Week today.

It outlines how the scientists involved in the study honed in on one gene segment in E. colis DNA, identifying the key role it plays in making the germ impervious to antibiotics seeking to destroy it.

Health news in pictures Show all 40 1 /40 Health news in pictures Health news in pictures Coronavirus outbreak The coronavirus Covid-19 has hit the UK leading to the deaths of two people so far and prompting warnings from the Department of Health AFP via Getty Health news in pictures Thousands of emergency patients told to take taxi to hospital Thousands of 999 patients in England are being told to get a taxi to hospital, figures have showed. The number of patients outside London who were refused an ambulance rose by 83 per cent in the past year as demand for services grows Getty Health news in pictures Vape related deaths spike A vaping-related lung disease has claimed the lives of 11 people in the US in recent weeks. The US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has more than 100 officials investigating the cause of the mystery illness, and has warned citizens against smoking e-cigarette products until more is known, particularly if modified or bought off the street Getty Health news in pictures Baldness cure looks to be a step closer Researchers in the US claim to have overcome one of the major hurdles to cultivating human follicles from stem cells. The new system allows cells to grow in a structured tuft and emerge from the skin Sanford Burnham Preybs Health news in pictures Two hours a week spent in nature can improve health A study in the journal Scientific Reports suggests that a dose of nature of just two hours a week is associated with better health and psychological wellbeing Shutterstock Health news in pictures Air pollution linked to fertility issues in women Exposure to air from traffic-clogged streets could leave women with fewer years to have children, a study has found. Italian researchers found women living in the most polluted areas were three times more likely to show signs they were running low on eggs than those who lived in cleaner surroundings, potentially triggering an earlier menopause Getty/iStock Health news in pictures Junk food ads could be banned before watershed Junk food adverts on TV and online could be banned before 9pm as part of Government plans to fight the "epidemic" of childhood obesity. Plans for the new watershed have been put out for public consultation in a bid to combat the growing crisis, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said PA Health news in pictures Breeding with neanderthals helped humans fight diseases On migrating from Africa around 70,000 years ago, humans bumped into the neanderthals of Eurasia. While humans were weak to the diseases of the new lands, breeding with the resident neanderthals made for a better equipped immune system PA Health news in pictures Cancer breath test to be trialled in Britain The breath biopsy device is designed to detect cancer hallmarks in molecules exhaled by patients Getty Health news in pictures Average 10 year old has consumed the recommended amount of sugar for an adult By their 10th birthdy, children have on average already eaten more sugar than the recommended amount for an 18 year old. The average 10 year old consumes the equivalent to 13 sugar cubes a day, 8 more than is recommended PA Health news in pictures Child health experts advise switching off screens an hour before bed While there is not enough evidence of harm to recommend UK-wide limits on screen use, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health have advised that children should avoid screens for an hour before bed time to avoid disrupting their sleep Getty Health news in pictures Daily aspirin is unnecessary for older people in good health, study finds A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine has found that many elderly people are taking daily aspirin to little or no avail Getty Health news in pictures Vaping could lead to cancer, US study finds A study by the University of Minnesota's Masonic Cancer Centre has found that the carcinogenic chemicals formaldehyde, acrolein, and methylglyoxal are present in the saliva of E-cigarette users Reuters Health news in pictures More children are obese and diabetic There has been a 41% increase in children with type 2 diabetes since 2014, the National Paediatric Diabetes Audit has found. Obesity is a leading cause Reuters Health news in pictures Most child antidepressants are ineffective and can lead to suicidal thoughts The majority of antidepressants are ineffective and may be unsafe, for children and teenager with major depression, experts have warned. In what is the most comprehensive comparison of 14 commonly prescribed antidepressant drugs to date, researchers found that only one brand was more effective at relieving symptoms of depression than a placebo. Another popular drug, venlafaxine, was shown increase the risk users engaging in suicidal thoughts and attempts at suicide Getty Health news in pictures Gay, lesbian and bisexual adults at higher risk of heart disease, study claims Researchers at the Baptist Health South Florida Clinic in Miami focused on seven areas of controllable heart health and found these minority groups were particularly likely to be smokers and to have poorly controlled blood sugar iStock Health news in pictures Breakfast cereals targeted at children contain 'steadily high' sugar levels since 1992 despite producer claims A major pressure group has issued a fresh warning about perilously high amounts of sugar in breakfast cereals, specifically those designed for children, and has said that levels have barely been cut at all in the last two and a half decades Getty Health news in pictures Potholes are making us fat, NHS watchdog warns New guidance by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the body which determines what treatment the NHS should fund, said lax road repairs and car-dominated streets were contributing to the obesity epidemic by preventing members of the public from keeping active PA Health news in pictures New menopause drugs offer women relief from 'debilitating' hot flushes A new class of treatments for women going through the menopause is able to reduce numbers of debilitating hot flushes by as much as three quarters in a matter of days, a trial has found. The drug used in the trial belongs to a group known as NKB antagonists (blockers), which were developed as a treatment for schizophrenia but have been sitting on a shelf unused, according to Professor Waljit Dhillo, a professor of endocrinology and metabolism REX Health news in pictures Doctors should prescribe more antidepressants for people with mental health problems, study finds Research from Oxford University found that more than one million extra people suffering from mental health problems would benefit from being prescribed drugs and criticised ideological reasons doctors use to avoid doing so. Getty Health news in pictures Student dies of flu after NHS advice to stay at home and avoid A&E The family of a teenager who died from flu has urged people not to delay going to A&E if they are worried about their symptoms. Melissa Whiteley, an 18-year-old engineering student from Hanford in Stoke-on-Trent, fell ill at Christmas and died in hospital a month later. Just Giving Health news in pictures Government to review thousands of harmful vaginal mesh implants The Government has pledged to review tens of thousands of cases where women have been given harmful vaginal mesh implants. Getty Health news in pictures Jeremy Hunt announces 'zero suicides ambition' for the NHS The NHS will be asked to go further to prevent the deaths of patients in its care as part of a zero suicide ambition being launched today Getty Health news in pictures Human trials start with cancer treatment that primes immune system to kill off tumours Human trials have begun with a new cancer therapy that can prime the immune system to eradicate tumours. The treatment, that works similarly to a vaccine, is a combination of two existing drugs, of which tiny amounts are injected into the solid bulk of a tumour. Nephron Health news in pictures Babies' health suffers from being born near fracking sites, finds major study Mothers living within a kilometre of a fracking site were 25 per cent more likely to have a child born at low birth weight, which increase their chances of asthma, ADHD and other issues Getty Health news in pictures NHS reviewing thousands of cervical cancer smear tests after women wrongly given all-clear Thousands of cervical cancer screening results are under review after failings at a laboratory meant some women were incorrectly given the all-clear. A number of women have already been told to contact their doctors following the identification of procedural issues in the service provided by Pathology First Laboratory. Rex Health news in pictures Potential key to halting breast cancer's spread discovered by scientists Most breast cancer patients do not die from their initial tumour, but from secondary malignant growths (metastases), where cancer cells are able to enter the blood and survive to invade new sites. Asparagine, a molecule named after asparagus where it was first identified in high quantities, has now been shown to be an essential ingredient for tumour cells to gain these migratory properties. Getty Health news in pictures NHS nursing vacancies at record high with more than 34,000 roles advertised A record number of nursing and midwifery positions are currently being advertised by the NHS, with more than 34,000 positions currently vacant, according to the latest data. Demand for nurses was 19 per cent higher between July and September 2017 than the same period two years ago. REX Health news in pictures Cannabis extract could provide new class of treatment for psychosis CBD has a broadly opposite effect to delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main active component in cannabis and the substance that causes paranoia and anxiety. Getty Health news in pictures Over 75,000 sign petition calling for Richard Branson's Virgin Care to hand settlement money back to NHS Mr Bransons company sued the NHS last year after it lost out on an 82m contract to provide childrens health services across Surrey, citing concerns over serious flaws in the way the contract was awarded PA Health news in pictures More than 700 fewer nurses training in England in first year after NHS bursary scrapped The numbers of people accepted to study nursing in England fell 3 per cent in 2017, while the numbers accepted in Wales and Scotland, where the bursaries were kept, increased 8.4 per cent and 8 per cent respectively Getty Health news in pictures Landmark study links Tory austerity to 120,000 deaths The paper found that there were 45,000 more deaths in the first four years of Tory-led efficiencies than would have been expected if funding had stayed at pre-election levels. On this trajectory that could rise to nearly 200,000 excess deaths by the end of 2020, even with the extra funding that has been earmarked for public sector services this year. Reuters Health news in pictures Long commutes carry health risks Hours of commuting may be mind-numbingly dull, but new research shows that it might also be having an adverse effect on both your health and performance at work. Longer commutes also appear to have a significant impact on mental wellbeing, with those commuting longer 33 per cent more likely to suffer from depression Shutterstock Health news in pictures You cannot be fit and fat It is not possible to be overweight and healthy, a major new study has concluded. The study of 3.5 million Britons found that even metabolically healthy obese people are still at a higher risk of heart disease or a stroke than those with a normal weight range Getty Health news in pictures Sleep deprivation When you feel particularly exhausted, it can definitely feel like you are also lacking in brain capacity. Now, a new study has suggested this could be because chronic sleep deprivation can actually cause the brain to eat itself Shutterstock Health news in pictures Exercise classes offering 45 minute naps launch David Lloyd Gyms have launched a new health and fitness class which is essentially a bunch of people taking a nap for 45 minutes. The fitness group was spurred to launch the napercise class after research revealed 86 per cent of parents said they were fatigued. The class is therefore predominantly aimed at parents but you actually do not have to have children to take part Getty Health news in pictures 'Fundamental right to health' to be axed after Brexit, lawyers warn Tobacco and alcohol companies could win more easily in court cases such as the recent battle over plain cigarette packaging if the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights is abandoned, a barrister and public health professor have said Getty Health news in pictures 'Thousands dying' due to fear over non-existent statin side-effects A major new study into the side effects of the cholesterol-lowering medicine suggests common symptoms such as muscle pain and weakness are not caused by the drugs themselves Getty Health news in pictures Babies born to fathers aged under 25 have higher risk of autism New research has found that babies born to fathers under the age of 25 or over 51 are at higher risk of developing autism and other social disorders. The study, conducted by the Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment at Mount Sinai, found that these children are actually more advanced than their peers as infants, but then fall behind by the time they hit their teenage years Getty Health news in pictures Cycling to work could halve risk of cancer and heart disease Commuters who swap their car or bus pass for a bike could cut their risk of developing heart disease and cancer by almost half, new research suggests  but campaigners have warned there is still an urgent need to improve road conditions for cyclists. Cycling to work is linked to a lower risk of developing cancer by 45 per cent and cardiovascular disease by 46 per cent, according to a study of a quarter of a million people. Walking to work also brought health benefits, the University of Glasgow researchers found, but not to the same degree as cycling. Getty

Our work identifies previously unrecognised pathways to antibiotic tolerance, the paper says. We suggest that the proteins involved are excellent drug targets and targeting these areas could make existing drugs more effective.

Senior author Professor David Grainger said: Although we have known about this gene for many decades, the nuts and bolts of how it provides resistance to antibiotics has been difficult to pick apart.

Our research identified previously unknown roles for this gene in controlling processes that provide drug resistance.

Another member of the team, Dr Prateek Sharma, said: The resistance mechanisms that we identified are found in many different species of bacteria, therefore our research could lead to the discovery of molecules that could be developed into new drugs that can treat bacterial infections.

Drug resistance is becoming a global issue because of inappropriate use, or overuse, of antibiotics particularly treating infections not caused by bacteria, such as colds and flu  which are caused by viruses.

Public Health England last month launched its own campaign to warn patients not to ask for antibiotics when they are not needed, as patient pressure is a factor in over prescribing.

Adverts featuring singing antibiotics have been playing around the country to relay the message.

The overuse of antibiotics in farming is another major issue. Animal feed is laced with preventative doses to keep infections from spreading rapidly through livestock kept together in enclosed herds.
Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Health Check email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

A psychedelic drug brewed by indigenous South American tribes could be used to treat alcoholism and depression, new research suggests.

Ayahuasca, a plant-based potion often used in spiritual medicine by indigenous Amazonians, is linked to improved well-being and holds potential as a psychiatric therapy, a study found.

The hallucinogenic concoction, traditionally administered during shamanic ceremonies, has led to a tourism boom in the region as thousands of western backpackers are drawn to the upper reaches of the Amazon river each year in search of spiritual awakening and out-of-body experiences.

Others drink ayahuasca in the hope of treating post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and addictions.

Researchers from the University of Exeter and University College London used data from more than 96,000 people worldwide in the largest study on the effects of the drug to date.

Respondents who had taken ayahuasca in the past year reported better general well-being than those who had not.

Users also reported lower problematic alcohol use than people who took LSD or magic mushrooms, psychedelic drugs that previous research has suggested can help alcoholics tackle their addiction.

Ayahuasca is made by boiling stems of ayahuasca vines with the leaves of a plant called chacruna (Rafael Guimaraes dos Santos)

"These findings lend some support to the notion that ayahuasca could be an important and powerful tool in treating depression and alcohol use disorders," said lead author Dr Will Lawn, of University College London.

"Recent research has demonstrated ayahuasca's potential as a psychiatric medicine, and our current study provides further evidence that it may be a safe and promising treatment."

The drug, which causes users to vomit or 'purge' before inducing hallucinations, is brewed by boiling stems of the ayahuasca vine with leaves from the chacruna plant. Chacruna contains the potent potent psychedelic compound dimethyltryptamine, better known as DMT, an illegal class A drug in the UK.

Researchers used the Global Drug Survey, which gathers data from thousands of people around the world, to compare the well-being of ayahuasca users and non-users.

Of the respondents, 527 were ayahuasca users, 18,138 took LSD or magic mushrooms, and 78,236 did not take psychedelic drugs.

The survey data showed a higher incidence of lifetime mental illness diagnoses among ayahuasca users, although further analysis found this was confined to users from countries without a tradition of taking the drug.

Senior author Professor Celia Morgan, of the University of Exeter, said: "If ayahuasca is to represent an important treatment, it is critical that its short and long-term effects are investigated, and safety established.

"Several observational studies have examined the long-term effects of regular ayahuasca use in the religious context. In this work, long-term ayahuasca use has not been found to impact on cognitive ability, produce addiction or worsen mental health problems.

"In fact, some of these observational studies suggest that ayahuasca use is associated with less problematic alcohol and drug use, and better mental health and cognitive functioning."

The researchers noted their findings, published in the Nature journal Scientific Reports, were "purely observational and do not demonstrate causality". They said controlled trials were needed to "fully examine ayahuasca's ability to help treat mood and addiction disorders".

A separate study earlier this year concluded drinking ayahuasca could help treat eating disorders.

Ayahuasca has made headlines around the world in recent years after being linked to the deaths of several young tourists.

In December 2015, British tourist Unais Gomes, 25, was stabbed to death by a Canadian backpacker during an ayahuasca ceremony at a spiritual retreat in Peru. Joshua Stevens, 29, said he killed Mr Gomes in self-defence after screamed "it's time to get your demons out" and attacked him with a knife.
Okay, I had to go calm down. So, what I really want to say about Roy Moore is this:



If any of you have worked within the legal system (lawyer, cop, paralegal, judge, etc) or if you raised your hand and swore to defend the Constitution of the United States (i.e. the military), then you have a duty to know and respect what the law is all about.



Unlike many other countries, America was supposed to be the place where an accused was presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law by a jury of their peers. To allow people to come forth decades after an alleged assault takes place and then pretend to be upset only after an alleged attacker is in the public spotlight, running for one of the nation's highest offices is morally reprehensible.



When the Democrats engage in this kind of political warfare, you cannot put anything past them. Contrary to the far left here, I do not like presuming that Roy Moore is guilty of any crime. And the left can go stick it because the right came down on me like a ton of bricks when I complained about their usage of the term "illegal aliens" when the accused had never been arrested, much less tried or convicted.



It's too easy to become a statistic and a victim in this country because so many people reject the concept of innocent until proven guilty. But, in my lifetime, I have witnessed just enough people that have been imprisoned - and some murdered, that I take the issue seriously. And that was my main point.
Sign up for a full digest of all the best opinions of the week in our Voices Dispatches email Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Voices Dispatches email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

An Ancient Egyptian tomb has been resurrected using a 3D printer - 2,000 miles away in Switzerland.

A team of archaeologists and artists is working to create a perfect copy of the tomb of Pharaoh Seti I, one of the largest and most elaborate in Egypt's Valley of the Kings.

The eventual aim of the five-year project is to install the facsimile on a site close to the original, near Luxor.

Recommended No secret Burial at end of Seti I Tunnel

For now, the two first two chambers have been reproduced and gone on display at a museum in Basel.

The Scanning Seti exhibition at the Swiss city's Antikenmuseum contains an exact copy of the pharoah's 3,300-year-old royal sarcophagus, in rooms adorned with intricate etchings and paintings.

It was created by Factum Foundation, a specialist art company which has previously worked on a facsimile of facsimile of Tutankhamen's tomb.

Founder Adam Lowe told CNN Seti's tomb was "the most important library of Pharaonic religion, philosophy, art, poetry and science" in existence.

His team used state-of-the-art 3D scanning and printing technology, as well as photogrammetry - the science of taking measurements from photographs - to resurrect the chambers.

The team created a copy of Seti I's sarcophagus based on the original at Sir John Soanes Museum, London (Ruedi Habegger, Antikenmuseum Basel und Sammlung Ludwig)

They conducted a 3D survey of the walls of the original tomb and worked from fragments removed from Seti's burial chamber in the 19th century, now displayed in museums including the Louvre in Paris, the British Museum in London, and the Pergamon Museum in Berlin.

They also studied watercolours created by Giovanni Belzoni, a former circus strongman who discovered the tomb in 1817 more than 3,000 years after Seti's death.

Belzoni found the tomb in immaculate condition, but years of improperly conducted excavations, looting, and tourism have since taken their toll.

Mr Lowe said facsimiles had an important role to play in the future of tourism and conversation.
Sign up for a full digest of all the best opinions of the week in our Voices Dispatches email Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Voices Dispatches email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

Scientists have discovered a dinosaur-era shark with 300 teeth and a snakes head off the Portuguese coast.

The frilled shark was caught by a trawler during a research project on how to minimise unwanted catches during commercial fishing, according to Sic Noticias TV.

The rare species dates back 80 million years.

While its peers, such as the Tyrannosaurus rex and triceratops, died out long ago, this shark, with its frilled teeth and long, slim body still swims at great depths of at least 700 metres (2,300 feet).

 Beware the Bobbit - Blue Planet exhibits an absolutely savage carnivorous seaworm

Professor Margarida Castro of the University of the Algarve told Sic Noticias that the shark has 300 teeth, which allows it to trap squid, fish and other sharks in sudden lunges.

According to the Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere, the captured shark measured 1.5 m in length and was swimming off the Algarve coast.

The shark usually lives in the Atlantic and in waters near Australia, New Zealand and Japan, as reported by the BBC. At such depths the shark is in constant darkness, crushing pressure and extremely cold temperatures.

Science news in pictures Show all 20 1 /20 Science news in pictures Science news in pictures Pluto has 'beating heart' of frozen nitrogen Pluto has a 'beating heart' of frozen nitrogen that is doing strange things to its surface, Nasa has found. The mysterious core seems to be the cause of features on its surface that have fascinated scientists since they were spotted by Nasa's New Horizons mission. "Before New Horizons, everyone thought Pluto was going to be a netball - completely flat, almost no diversity," said Tanguy Bertrand, an astrophysicist and planetary scientist at NASA's Ames Research Center and the lead author on the new study. "But it's completely different. It has a lot of different landscapes and we are trying to understand what's going on there." Getty Science news in pictures Over 400 species discovered this year by Natural History Museum The ancient invertabrate worm-like species rhenopyrgus viviani (pictured) is one of over 400 species previously unknown to science that were discovered by experts at the Natural History Museum this year PA Science news in pictures Jackdaws can identify 'dangerous' humans Jackdaws can identify dangerous humans from listening to each others warning calls, scientists say. The highly social birds will also remember that person if they come near their nests again, according to researchers from the University of Exeter. In the study, a person unknown to the wild jackdaws approached their nest. At the same time scientists played a recording of a warning call (threatening) or contact calls (non-threatening). The next time jackdaws saw this same person, the birds that had previously heard the warning call were defensive and returned to their nests more than twice as quickly on average. Getty Science news in pictures Turtle embryos influence sex by shaking The sex of the turtle is determined by the temperatures at which they are incubated. Warm temperatures favour females. But by wiggling around the egg, embryos can find the Goldilocks Zone which means they are able to shield themselves against extreme thermal conditions and produce a balanced sex ratio, according to the new study published in Current Biology journal Ye et al/Current Biology Science news in pictures Elephant poaching rates drop in Africa African elephant poaching rates have dropped by 60 per cent in six years, an international study has found. It is thought the decline could be associated with the ivory trade ban introduced in China in 2017. Reuters Science news in pictures Ancient four-legged whale discovered in Peru Scientists have identified a four-legged creature with webbed feet to be an ancestor of the whale. Fossils unearthed in Peru have led scientists to conclude that the enormous creatures that traverse the planets oceans today are descended from small hoofed ancestors that lived in south Asia 50 million years ago A. Gennari Science news in pictures Animal with transient anus discovered A scientist has stumbled upon a creature with a transient anus that appears only when it is needed, before vanishing completely. Dr Sidney Tamm of the Marine Biological Laboratory could not initially find any trace of an anus on the species. However, as the animal gets full, a pore opens up to dispose of waste Steven G Johnson Science news in pictures Giant bee spotted Feared extinct, the Wallace's Giant bee has been spotted for the first time in nearly 40 years. An international team of conservationists spotted the bee, that is four times the size of a typical honeybee, on an expedition to a group of Indonesian Islands Clay Bolt Science news in pictures New mammal species found inside crocodile Fossilised bones digested by crocodiles have revealed the existence of three new mammal species that roamed the Cayman Islands 300 years ago. The bones belonged to two large rodent species and a small shrew-like animal New Mexico Museum of Natural History Science news in pictures Fabric that changes according to temperature created Scientists at the University of Maryland have created a fabric that adapts to heat, expanding to allow more heat to escape the body when warm and compacting to retain more heat when cold Faye Levine, University of Maryland Science news in pictures Baby mice tears could be used in pest control A study from the University of Tokyo has found that the tears of baby mice cause female mice to be less interested in the sexual advances of males Getty Science news in pictures Final warning to limit "climate catastrophe" The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has issued a report which projects the impact of a rise in global temperatures of 1.5 degrees Celsius and warns against a higher increase Getty Science news in pictures Nobel prize for evolution chemists The nobel prize for chemistry has been awarded to three chemists working with evolution. Frances Smith is being awarded the prize for her work on directing the evolution of enzymes, while Gregory Winter and George Smith take the prize for their work on phage display of peptides and antibodies Getty/AFP Science news in pictures Nobel prize for laser physicists The nobel prize for physics has been awarded to three physicists working with lasers. Arthur Ashkin (L) was awarded for his "optical tweezers" which use lasers to grab particles, atoms, viruses and other living cells. Donna Strickland and Gerard Mourou were jointly awarded the prize for developing chirped-pulse amplification of lasers Reuters/AP Science news in pictures Discovery of a new species of dinosaur The Ledumahadi Mafube roamed around 200 million years ago in what is now South Africa. Recently discovered by a team of international scientists, it was the largest land animal of its time, weighing 12 tons and standing at 13 feet. In Sesotho, the South African language of the region in which the dinosaur was discovered, its name means "a giant thunderclap at dawn" Viktor Radermacher / SWNS Science news in pictures Birth of a planet Scientists have witnessed the birth of a planet for the first time ever. This spectacular image from the SPHERE instrument on ESO's Very Large Telescope is the first clear image of a planet caught in the very act of formation around the dwarf star PDS 70. The planet stands clearly out, visible as a bright point to the right of the center of the image, which is blacked out by the coronagraph mask used to block the blinding light of the central star. ESO/A. Muller et al Science news in pictures New human organ discovered that was previously missed by scientists Layers long thought to be dense, connective tissue are actually a series of fluid-filled compartments researchers have termed the interstitium. These compartments are found beneath the skin, as well as lining the gut, lungs, blood vessels and muscles, and join together to form a network supported by a mesh of strong, flexible proteins Getty Science news in pictures Previously unknown society lived in Amazon rainforest before Europeans arrived, say archaeologists Working in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso, a team led by archaeologists at the University of Exeter unearthed hundreds of villages hidden in the depths of the rainforest. These excavations included evidence of fortifications and mysterious earthworks called geoglyphs Jose Iriarte Science news in pictures One in 10 people have traces of cocaine or heroin on fingerprints, study finds More than one in 10 people were found to have traces of class A drugs on their fingers by scientists developing a new fingerprint-based drug test. Using sensitive analysis of the chemical composition of sweat, researchers were able to tell the difference between those who had been directly exposed to heroin and cocaine, and those who had encountered it indirectly. Getty Science news in pictures Nasa releases stunning images of Jupiter's great red spot The storm bigger than the Earth, has been swhirling for 350 years. The image's colours have been enhanced after it was sent back to Earth. Pictures by: Tom Momary

It is not known why this species has survived when other prehistoric creatures have not. It has also been speculated that the frilled shark influenced 19th century sailors stories of sea serpents.

Scientists have made other unusual discoveries in recent years including a long, toothy eel  likely a member of the snake-eel Opichthidae family  that was found washed up and decomposing on a Texas beach.

A man in Perth also recently found a sea squirt, or compound ascidian, resembling an animals tongue, but which acts as a colony for small animals called zooids which feed and live together.

International researchers pulled up a range of deep-sea creatures earlier this year off the coast of Australia, including the toothy faceless fish, a thorny red crab and a blue-eyed coffinfish that lures prey by dangling fluffy bait on top of its head.

Experts say more than 90 per cent of the worlds deep waters remain unexplored.
Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

Bob Geldof is to hand back his Freedom of the City of Dublin in protest at Aung San Suu Kyi holding the same accolade while Burma carries out what he called ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya.

The Live Aid founder and musician blasted the Burmese Nobel peace laureate, saying she was a handmaiden to genocide whose association with the capital shames us all.

Ms Suu Kyi, Burma's civilian leader, has faced widespread criticism and anger over the country's violence against the Rohingya Muslim minority, described by the UN as textbook ethnic cleansing.

Recommended Burma attacks UN for meddling in Bangladesh Rohingya refugee talks

In a statement Mr Geldof said he would hand the award back at City Hall on Monday morning, because while he was a proud Dubliner he did not want the ceremonial title while Ms Suu Kyi also held it.

He said: Her association with our city shames us all and we should have no truck with it, even by default. We honoured her, now she appals and shames us.

In short, I do not wish to be associated in any way with an individual currently engaged in the mass ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya people of north-west Burma.

I am a founding patron of The Aegis Trust, who are concerned with genocide prevention and studies. Its founders built and maintain the National Holocaust Museum of the UK.

Rohingya refugees  in pictures Show all 15 1 /15 Rohingya refugees  in pictures Rohingya refugees  in pictures A young girl and a baby wade through mud after arriving in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh from Burma on 10 September Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Rohingya refugees  in pictures Rohingya refugees walk through a camp in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh after arriving from Burma Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Rohingya refugees  in pictures A young Rohingya refugee gathers firewood after arriving in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh from Burma Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Rohingya refugees  in pictures Rohingya refugees wait for sacks of rice to be distributed in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Rohingya refugees  in pictures Rohingya Muslim refugees arrive on a boat in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh after crossing from Burma on 8 September Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Rohingya refugees  in pictures Rohingya Muslim refugees react after being re-united with each other after arriving in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh on a boat from Burma Getty Rohingya refugees  in pictures Rohingya Muslim refugees walk along the remains of a road after arriving in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh on a boat from Burma Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Rohingya refugees  in pictures Rohingya Muslim refugees wade through water after arriving in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh by boat from Burma Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Rohingya refugees  in pictures Rohingya Muslim refugees wade through water after arriving in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh by boat from Myanmar Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Rohingya refugees  in pictures Rohingya Muslim refugees stand in the rain after arriving in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh by boat from Burma Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Rohingya refugees  in pictures Indian children hold placards and shout slogans during a protest against the alleged persecution of the Rohingya Muslims in Burma EPA/Raminder Pal Singh Rohingya refugees  in pictures Supporters of the Difa-e-Pakistan Council (DPC), an Islamic organisation, listen to their leaders' speeches against Burma's persecution of Rohingya Muslims, during a demonstration in Karachi Reuters/Akhtar Soomro Rohingya refugees  in pictures Hundreds of Iranians take part in a protest against violence in Myanmar after weekly Friday prayers, in Tehran EPA/Abedin Taherkenareh Rohingya refugees  in pictures Indonesian Muslim activists hold placards and shout slogans during a protest against the alleged persecution of the Rohingya minority in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia EPA/Ali Lutfi Rohingya refugees  in pictures Members of an Islamic organisation shout slogans against the Burma government during a protest in Dhaka, Bangladesh EPA

I spoke at the inaugural National Holocaust Memorial Day at Westminster and in my time, I have walked amongst peoples who were sectionally targeted with ethnic cleansing.

I would be a hypocrite now were I to share honours with one who has become at best an accomplice to murder, complicit in ethnic cleansing and a handmaiden to genocide.

More than 600,000 of the minority group have fled the northern Rakhine state into neighbouring Bangladesh to avoid violence between Burmese security forces and rebels since August, leading to a major humanitarian crisis. There have been accusations of violence against civilians by the army.

The Buddhist majority in Burma, also known as Myanmar, regard the Rohingya as foreign immigrants rather than Burmese.

Ms Suu Kyi, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991 for her non-violent struggle for democracy and human rights, has acknowledged the criticism. However both she and Burma's military have denied accusations of "ethnic cleansing", with the army blaming the violence against civilians on rebels.

Last month she called for national unity, saying efforts were being made to stem the humanitarian crisis in the makeshift refugee camps strung along the border with Bangladesh.

Press Association
Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

A bride who vomited blood all over her new husband before she was rushed to hospital, has finally been able to hold her wedding reception after a fundraising campaign by well-wishers.

Ciara Keenan fell seriously ill just after she had exchanged vows with John Cowan at their church ceremony in Cookstown, Northern Ireland.

Doctors found Ms Keenan had a stomach ulcer and she spent three days in hospital before she was discharged.

But while she was able to go on their honeymoon to the Seychelles, she had been forced to miss their reception after their September wedding.

However, Ms Keenan's sister-in-law Arielle set up an online fundraising campaign on the GoFundMe website.

This darling couple deserves the reception of their dreams, she wrote. We are starting this campaign to give Ciara and John another chance to enjoy their wedding day!

Within weeks it had raised more than 1,000, allowing them to hold a second celebration at The Ivory restaurant in Belfast.

Owners provided the venue for free, while a photographer and videographer also did not charge any fee.

"It has been incredible how generous so many people have been to us, Ms Keenan told the Belfast Telegraph ahead of the gathering.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 15 November 2022 Lesley Sutcliffe shelters from the rain next to a life-sized replica of the innermost coffin of King Tutankhamun by artist Amanda Stoner as it goes on display inside a traditional red telephone box which has been converted into a museum, in Barnsley, South Yorkshire PA 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

She said that it had helped us be able to enjoy the wedding reception we missed out on because I was ill."

She added that it had "raised the money to cover the food and drink, so thanks to the kindness of so many people we were able to join our guests for the wedding party we missed out on last time.

Ms Keenan said that she was still treating her stomach ulcer.

"I will be on medication for the rest of my life, she said. But that's a small price to pay when you consider how much worse things could have been, especially if it had happened when we were out in the Seychelles on honeymoon.
Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

The family of a woman facing the death penalty for bringing painkillers into Egypt have said they are afraid for her mental state and ability to cope.

Laura Plummer, 33, has been in jail for more than a month after she brought almost 300 Tramadol pills into the country for her husbands back pain, and was arrested on suspicion of drug trafficking.

Her father, Neville Plummer, told the Daily Mail, "As a father I just feel helpless when I hear that my daughter has said she would prefer someone let her out and slit her throat."

Recommended British woman jailed for carrying painkillers in Egypt will face trial

He added: "She has been in prison too long already and I don't know how she is going to cope given her mental state."

Her mother, Roberta Synclair, said Ms Plummer was in very bad spirits after her daughters trial date was postponed and it was announced she will face a criminal trial.

The family and lawyers had been hoping Ms Plummer would be granted bail. Over the weekend, her detention was renewed for 15 days.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty

Ms Plummer has not expressed fears for her life to reporters. She told the BBC that she felt stupid for not realising the painkillers were illegal in the country.

Authorities say Tramadol can be used as a substitute for heroin.

Ms Plummer is sharing a cell measuring 15 ft by 15 ft with 25 other women.

This is ridiculous and Im sick of it, she told The Sun.

 Family of British holidaymaker accused of drug smuggling in Egypt say 'she's unrecognisable'

The family has criticised the Foreign Office for the lack of progress in helping their daughter.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said its officials were supporting a British woman and her family following her detention in Egypt."

Her lawyers said they expected Ms Plummer to be freed on bail, but unless media attention ensures her case is fast-tracked, she could wait up to two years for a hearing.

Ms Plummer said she was given the pills by her colleague in Hull for her Egyptian husband Omar Caboo, but she did not check inside the bag before flying to Hurghada International Airport.

Mr Caboo had a car accident two years ago and has since suffered from chronic pain. He has produced his marriage certificate to Ms Plummer, an X-ray of his back and medical records in the hope the evidence can help his wifes case, according to Ms Plummers local MP, Karl Turner.
Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

Children should be able to try out the many cloaks of identity without being labelled or bullied, the Church of England has said in new advice issued to its 5,000 schools.

The Church said youngsters should be free to explore the possibilities of who they might be  including gender identity - and says that Christian teaching should not be used to make children feel ashamed of who they are.

Nursery and primary school is a time of intense creative exploration, the fresh guidelines say, and children should be able to choose the tutu, tiara and heels, as well as or instead of the helmet, tool belt and superhero cloak without expectation or comment.

Guidance for Church of England schools on homophobic bullying was first published three years ago, and has now being updated to cover "transphobic and biphobic bullying"  which means bullying people who consider themselves to be either transgender or gender fluid.

The guidelines warn that schools must take action to stamp out bullying based on perceived or actual sexual orientation or gender identity, because of the psychological damage it can cause.

The guidelines say that schools which promote dignity for all enable pupils to accept difference of all varieties and be supported to accept their own gender identity or sexual orientation and that of others.

The advice goes on to say: In the early years context and throughout primary school, play should be a hallmark of creative exploration.

Pupils need to be able to play with the many cloaks of identity (sometimes quite literally with the dressing up box). Children should be at liberty to explore the possibilities of who they might be without judgement or derision.

For example, a child may choose the tutu, princess's tiara and heels and/or the fireman's helmet, tool belt and superhero cloak, without expectation or comment.

It adds: Children should be afforded freedom from the expectation of permanence. They are in a 'trying on' stage of life, and not yet adult and so no labels need to be fixed.

This should inform the language teachers use when they comment, praise or give instructions.

It may be best to avoid labels and assumptions which deem children's behaviour irregular, abnormal or problematic just because it does not conform to gender stereotypes or today's play preferences.

Recommended What the critics say about treatment for transgender children

In a foreword to the advice, the Archbishop of Canterbury says: All bullying, including homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying causes profound damage, leading to higher levels of mental health disorders,self-harm, depression and suicide.

Central to Christian theology is the truth that every single one of us is made in the image of God. Every one of us is loved unconditionally by God.

We must avoid, at all costs, diminishing the dignity of any individual to a stereotype or a problem.

The Most Rev Justin Welby adds: This guidance helps schools to offer the Christian message of love, joy and the celebration of our humanity without exception or exclusion.

The guidance acknowledges a wide range of views among Christians and people of all beliefs about same-sex marriage, sexual orientation and gender identity.

The new guidelines are likely to reignite the debate around the idea of children being allowed to self identify, with critics asking whether there is a sudden trend towards gender fluidity and gender neutral.

Campaign groups including Christian Concern have raised concerns that any dissenting voices in the debate around gender identity are being silenced or labelled as bigoted.

A Christian Maths teacher from Oxfordshire is due to appear before a disciplinary hearing to answer allegations that he referred to a pupil born female as a girl.

Joshua Sutcliffe claims not to have been given any instructions on how to refer to the pupil, and said he did not mean to cause any offence.

Recommended Transgender children explain how they feel

According to Christian Concern: "Since the pupil started at the school, Joshua has tried to balance his sincerely held Christian belief that biological sex is God-given and defined at birth, with the need to treat sensitively the pupil. He avoided the use of gender-specific pronouns, and instead referred to the pupil by the pupils chosen name. Joshua admits saying Well done girls when he addressed a group of students including the pupil in question. The pupil became irate at this and Joshua sought to diffuse the situation and apologised

Responding to the proceeding against him, Mr Sutcliffe said: I have been shocked and saddened by the actions of the school, which, in my opinion, reflect an increasing trend of seeing Christians, people like me, being marginalised in the public square, and our beliefs punished and silenced.

While the suggestion that gender is fluid conflicts sharply with my Christian beliefs, I recognise my responsibility as a teacher and Christian to treat each of my pupils with respect and dignity.

I have balanced these factors by calling the pupil by the chosen name and although I did not intentionally refer to the pupil as a girl, I do not believe it is unreasonable to call someone a girl if they were born a girl.

The aggressive way in which transgender ideology is being imposed is undermining my freedom of belief and conscience, as well as the conscience of many people throughout our nation who believe that gender is assigned at birth.

Lonely road: Why school is hell for transgender pupils Show all 2 1 /2 Lonely road: Why school is hell for transgender pupils Lonely road: Why school is hell for transgender pupils 25255.bin Lonely road: Why school is hell for transgender pupils 25256.bin

Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre which is supporting Mr Sutcliffe, said: This case is one of a flood of cases we are encountering where teachers are finding themselves silenced or punished if they refuse to fall in line with the current transgender fad.

We all know how much we change during our teenage years. It is vital that during those years we help our children to live in the biological sex they were born rather than encouraging them to change gender. If we encourage them to change gender it is not kind and compassionate; it is cruel.

The case comes after genetics expert and Labour member of the Lords, Professor Lord Robert Winston, said that transgender people can end up "damaged.

In an interview on BBC Radio 4's Today Programme, he said: What Ive been seeing in my fertility clinic is the long-term results of often very unhappy people who are now quite badly damaged.

Figures published this year by the Gender Identity Development Service, based at the Tavistock Centre in north London, reveal the number of very young children aged between three and seven being referred to the clinic because of confusion about their gender had more than quadrupled from 20 in 2012-13 to 84 last year.

Last year there were 2,016 referrals to the Tavistock for youngsters aged between three and 18, more than six times the 314 referrals that were logged five years previously.
Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

Residents in the Grenfell Tower borough are suffering from tuberculosis and rickets, Kensingtons MP has warned in a shocking report on inequality affecting the UKs richest local authority.

Labours Emma Dent Coad warned Victorian illnesses were returning due to devastating poverty levels affecting some of Kensingtons roughly 160,000 residents.

The damning report, titled After Grenfell: Housing and Inequality in Kensington and Chelsea, found multiple instances of children being admitted to hospital with hypocalceamic shock that caused them to collapse due to a lack of calcium.

The findings were particularly stark in the northern Golborne ward, where Ms Dent Coad was a councillor, with 51 per cent of children living in poverty and the average life expectancy for a man more than 20 years lower than in Hans Town ward where Harrods is situated.

Ms Dent Coad told The Independent the report exposes extremes of inequality in the borough that prove trickle down does not exist.

This has been brewing for a very, very long time. Children were coming to school with loose teeth and I spoke to some dentists in the area and they explained, 'Its not sugar, its not eating too many sweets. Its malnutrition', she said.

In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Show all 51 1 /51 In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Police have released images from inside the tower where at least 58 people have died Metropolitan Police In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A still from a video shared by polices what appears to be a stationary bicycle sitting among the ashes In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A still from a video shared by police shows the remnants of a burnt-out bathroom In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Picture showing the lifts on an unknown floor Metropolitan Police In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Emergency crews outside the front entrance to the tower Metropolitan Police In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Fire crews inspecting flats in the burnt out tower London Metropolitan Police In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Grenfell Tower is seen in the distance PA In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A drone flies near the scene of the fire which destroyed the Grenfell Tower block REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire 'Theresa May Stay Away' message written on the messages of support at Latymer Community Church for those affected by the fire Ray Tang/REX In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire An aerial view of the area surrounding Grenfall tower Getty In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Donated shoes sit in the Westway Sports Centre near to the site of the Grenfell Tower fire Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Messages of support for those affected by the massive fire in Grenfell Tower are displayed on a well near the tower in London AP In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A local resident stands on her balcony by the gutted Grenfell Tower in Latimer Road Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Messages of condolence are left at a relief centre close to the scene of the fire that broke out at Grenfell Tower, EPA In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A police officer stands by a security cordon outside Latimer Road station Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Firemen examine the scorched facade of the Grenfell Tower in London on a huge ladder AP In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A search dog is led through the rubble of the Grenfell Tower in London as firefighting continue to damp-down the deadly fire AP In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn comforts a local resident (name not given) at St Clement's Church in west London where volunteers have provided shelter and support for people affected by the fire at Grenfell Tower David Mirzoeff/PA In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn hugs councillor Mushtaq Lasharie as he arrives at St Clement's Church in Latimer Road, where volunteers have provided shelter and support for people affected by the fire at Grenfell Tower Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn meeting staff and volunteers at St Clementis Church in Latimer Road David Mirzoeff/PA In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Firefighters with a dog walk around the base of the Grenfell Tower REUTERS/Peter Nicholls In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Emotions run high as people attend a candle lit vigil outside Notting Hill Methodist Church near the 24 storey residential Grenfell Tower block in Latimer Road, West London Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Debris hangs from the blackened exterior of Grenfell Tower Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A woman speaks to Mayor of London Sadiq Khan outside Notting Hill Methodist Church near Grenfell Tower in west London after a fire engulfed the 24-storey building Yui Mok/PA Wire In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A woman holds a missing person posters near the Grenfell Tower block REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Sadiq Khan speaking with a resident James Gourley/REX In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Ken Livingstone walks near the scene of the Grenfell Tower fire Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Mayor of London Sadiq Khan is confronted by Kai Ramos, 7, near Grenfell Tower in west London after a fire engulfed the 24-storey building Yui Mok/PA Wire In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Mayor of London Sadiq Khan speaks to a woman outside Notting Hill Methodist Church near Grenfell Tower Yui Mok/PA Wire In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Volunteers distribute aid near Grenfell Tower Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Family and friends of missing Jessica Urbano, 12, wearing photographs of Jessica pinned to their t-shirts gather near Grenfell Tower EPA In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Family and friends of missing Jessica Urbano, 12, wearing photographs of Jessica pinned to their t-shirts gather near Grenfell Tower EPA In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Family and friends of missing Jessica Urbano, 12, wearing photographs of Jessica pinned to their t-shirts gather near Grenfell Tower EPA In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire People attend a vigil at Notting Hill Methodist Church near Grenfell Tower Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire People gather to observe a vigil outside St Clement's Church following the blaze at Grenfell Tower Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire People light candles as they observe a vigil outside St Clement's Church following the blaze at Grenfell Tower Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire People attend a vigil at Notting Hill Methodist Church near Grenfell Tower Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A man distributes food from the back of a van near the scene of the fire which destroyed the Grenfell Tower block REUTERS/Paul Hackett In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A firefighter is cheered near the scene of the fire which destroyed the Grenfell Tower block REUTERS/Paul Hackett In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A T-shirt with a written message from the London Fire Brigade hangs from a fence near The Grenfell Tower block REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A young girl on her way to lay flowers near Grenfell Tower Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire The remains of residential tower block Grenfell Tower are seen from Dixon House a nearby tower block Getty In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Volunteers prepare supplies for people affected by the Grenfell Tower block which was destroyed in a fire REUTERS/Neil Hall In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Volunteers move a car to make space for a lorry picking up supplies for people affected by the Grenfell Tower block REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire People distribute boxes of food near the scene of the fire which destroyed the Grenfell Tower bloc REUTERS/Paul Hackett In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A woman touches a missing poster for 12-year-old Jessica Urbano on a tribute wall after laying flowers on the side of Latymer Community Church next to the fire-gutted Grenfell Tower AP In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A man looks at messages written on a wall near the scene of the fire which destroyed the Grenfell Tower block REUTERS/Paul Hackett In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Candles and messages of condolence near where the fire broke out at Grenfell Tower EPA In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Police carry a stretcher towards Grenfell Tower Rick Findler/PA Wire In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Emergency services at Grenfell Tower Rick Findler/PA Wire In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Police carry out a body from Grenfell Tower in west London after a fire engulfed the 24-storey building Rick Findler/PA Wire

Its malnutrition in the womb, perinatal malnutrition which causes the babies to be born undersized and without enough calcium in their bodies. We have had some children collapsing at school.

The report also highlights the huge disparity in average income across Kensingtons 18 wards.

The mean average income is 45,000, but a third of all workers  the majority living in the north of the borough  earn below 20,000, the report found. The average house price in Kensington is 1.4m.

A global spotlight was shone on the boroughs divisions in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire in June that killed at least 80 people.

 How the Grenfell Tower fire happened, explained

Ms Dent Coad said the entirely preventable atrocity had revealed an inequality chasm, which, she believes, has been created through years of poor political decision-making and financial mismanagement.

There is no trickle down, if it existed we wouldnt have people with their teeth falling out from such a young age, if we cant even feed children in Kensington then you know we have to stop pretending that trickle down exists, she said.

Most politicians dont actually look at the way health is affected by government cuts, wage freezes, all the things that have been happening over the last few years that force people to economise on everything  like buying their children cheap filling food that is not nutritious.

Chris Williamson, shadow fire minister said Kensington and Chelsea can be seen as a microcosm of society at large.

Recommended Grenfell council refuses to release cladding warning exchanges

It is a place where inequality has become a gross spectacle. Where childhood poverty, overcrowding and homelessness live cheek by jowl with opulent second homes, palatial apartments for the mega rich and vast outflows of rent to corporate landlords, he said.

Ms Dent Coad said there was a clear political will to tackle the problem, adding: Let that be our legacy for Grenfell.

It comes just days after The Independent revealed two-thirds of the families who lost their homes in the Grenfell Tower fire are still living in hotel-type accommodation almost five months after the blaze.
Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

A Welsh zoo is facing calls to close after it emerged a second lynx was accidentally strangled in a terrible handling error days before Lillith the lynx was shot and killed following her escape from the same attraction.

Borth Wild Animal Kingdom near Aberyswyth was branded a hobby zoo after news of the death of the second lynx emerged, throwing a spotlight on fears that at some UK animal attractions well-meaning but underqualified owners are failing to look after creatures properly.

Launching a petition for Borth to close in the light of the two deaths, the Lynx UK Trust, a conservation group working to reintroduce the lynx to Britain, accused the zoos management of having little to no understanding of wild animal behaviour or welfare needs.

Dr Paul O'Donoghue, Chief scientific adviser to the trust, added: What if it had been Borth's crocodile that escaped? Or their two lions?

How long are we going to let these hobby zoos run by amateurs keep operating? Will it take the death of a human for someone to take action?"

News of the second lynx fatality came amid controversy over how one and a half-year-old Lillith was shot dead by a marksman on Friday, having been on the run since late October.

The local council said the killing had been necessary to protect the public, and farmers claimed the lynx had killed seven sheep, but Dean and Tracy Tweedy, the husband and wife owners of Borth Wild Animal Kingdom declared themselves outraged.

Now the zoo has confirmed that another female lynx died in a handling accident last week.

In an announcement on its Facebook page, it said: It is with deep sadness and regret we announce the demise last week of Nilly, an adult female lynx, who was unrelated to Lillith but shared an enclosure.

Over the past few weeks our staff have been under incredible pressure and when the authorities gave us 24-hour notice that they would be carrying out a full cat inspection we took the decision to move Nilly to a more suitable enclosure.

Unfortunately, there seems to have been a terrible handling error where it seems she twisted in the catch-pole and became asphyxiated.

An internal investigation is underway, and a key member of staff has been unable to work since the ordeal as they are truly devastated by what has happened.

The authorities were notified after the incident and will be carrying out their own full investigation.

When news of Lilliths escape first emerged last month, it was reported that Dyfed-Powys police were only told on October 29 that the lynx, about twice the size of a domestic cat, had been missing for five days.

On Friday November 10 Ceredigion County Councillor Ceredig Davies announced that the decision was taken to shoot the lynx after it strayed into a populated area and a specialist vet advised that the threat it posed had increased from moderate to severe.

But Mr and Mrs Tweedy declared themselves truly devastated and outraged, with Mrs Tweedy adding that she thought it was "highly unlikely" that Lillith had killed any sheep.

The couple, who bought the 625,000 zoo about six months ago, received sympathy from some quarters, with some suggesting that the marksman could have used a tranquiliser dart rather than a bullet.

But after news of the second lynx death emerged, the Lynx UK Trust posted a highly critical statement on Facebook, saying: We are appalled to see the zoo attempting to court public sympathy for the loss of "our baby lynx" Lillith. Borth Zoo must be closed immediately.

In its online petition, which has attracted more than 2,000 signatures in the space of a few hours, the trust added: Most "hobby zoos" like Borth, run by inexperienced owners, do not provide any benefit to conservation or education, fail to meet basic animal welfare standards, and create a significant threat to the public as unpredictable, captive-bred, human-habituated animals are left to escape.

Ceredigion County Council has announced it is to evaluate the zoos existing arrangements for hosting big cats, and will conduct a full inspection involving an approved vet before the end of the month.

The Born Free Foundation, which runs a Zoo Check programme to monitor the condition of animals in captivity, also said it was very concerned for the welfare of the remaining lynx at Borth.

Mr and Mrs Tweedy have denied the suggestions that theirs is a "hobby zoo". They have voluntarily decided to close the zoo until further notice. In August the couple, who have three daughters, had described buying the zoo and moving from Kent to Wales to run it with the help of a team of zookeepers.

Explaining how they had gone from looking after a collection of 30 family pets to helping to care for 300 animals including lions, leopards and crocociles, Mr Tweedy told Mailonline: We already have 30 pets so we're used to living with animals but this is obviously on a whole new level.

It's a dream come true for the kids - they're loving every minute. When we tell people what we've done we often have to repeat ourselves a few times before they realise they haven't misheard us.

The couple said they had initially just been looking for a petting farm to house more animals for Mrs Tweedys work as a psychotherapist.

Following the escape of Lillith, the Tweedys have released a series of Facebook statements in which they have explained: When we took over this business just six months ago we knew it was in a terrible state, with many of the enclosures rotting and not fit for purpose.

The lynx enclosure especially was not fit for purpose and certainly not up to modern zoo standards. Plans are in place to build a whole new enclosure on the hill for the lynx which will give them all the individual space that they need.

This summer we have been working hard to make vast improvements [to the whole zoo], but it does seem to be that we are swimming against the tide. There are many serious issues with this establishment that need to be addressed before we go forward. Hopefully we can work with the authorities to bring this place up to code and create a home for these animals that is safe and secure.

Insisting their zoo served a useful purpose, the couple added: We bought this place not to make money, but because we are animal lovers and could see that this place in this beautiful location needed some serious love and attention.

Many of the animals are rescued from the animal trade or are exotic pets that the owner cannot look after any more.

This is the only zoo in the county of Ceredigion and it would be a real loss to the area if this much-loved home for rescued exotic animals was not allowed to continue after refurbishment.

In 2013, before the Tweedys took over at Borth, Rajah, an African leopard, nearly escaped from the zoo after its cage was left open during feeding time.

It was reported that just as Rajah was about to get out, the zoos then owner noticed what was about to happen and used a stepladder to block the big cats escape route.

Concerns about conditions in some British zoos were heightened earlier this year when it emerged that 486 animals had died in less than four years at South Lakes Safari Zoo in Dalton-in-Furness, Cumbria.

Among those said by government inspectors to have died between December 2013 and September 2016 were two baby snow leopards, Miska and Natasja, found partially eaten by other leopards in their enclosure and, Indiana, the white rhino, which was crushed against a barrier by another rhino.

Lion cubs and giraffes had also died and lemurs and birds had been run over and killed by the miniature train.

The Captive Animals Protection Society (Caps) reacted by saying the findings at the zoo were among the worst it had ever heard of, and in March the zoos founder David Gill was refused a licence to run the attraction.

By then, however, Mr Gill had already handed responsibility for the business to the Cumbria Zoo Company, which had been formed in January, and in May Barrow Borough Council granted this new firm a licence to run the attraction.

The councils decision came after government-appointed inspectors declared themselves impressed by the improvements made the palpable change of culture and attitude of all staff, and ambitious plans to move forward now that the owner/previous director is no longer involved.

Caps, however, remained sceptical, saying that although improvements had been made since the takeover, some of the directors of the new company had held senior positions in the old management structure of South Lakes Safari Zoo.

Mr Gill, who had opened the zoo in 1994 and is married to a former Miss Peru finalist, had reportedly described himself as someone whose childhood menagerie of raccoons, goats and wallabies attracted people from miles around to see Daltons Doctor Doolittle.

After the news of the second Borth lynx death emerged, Maddy Taylor of Caps told The Independent: We know people setting up zoos love working with animals, but sometimes they have very little of the knowledge, qualifications and experience in animal welfare and behaviour that is required.

Will Travers, president and co-founder of the Born Free Foundation, told The Independent that while those running and working in zoos might be passionate about animals, the inspection regime needed to be radically tougher.

He said: The power to grant licences should be taken away from local authorities, which have a clear potential conflict of interest: if a zoo is bringing in visitors and generating money for the local economy are you really going to be inclined to be punitive?

Currently, I think the inspection process looks at things on the basis of minimums  is there water, food and enough warmth in winter?

It should go beyond that to look at social compatibility  are species that should be living in groups being kept in groups? Is the environment stimulating and is the zoo providing a truly educational experience?

And can it demonstrate it really is saving wildlife  if the zoo has animals on display and millions in turnover, but almost no species on breeding programmes and a derisory amount of money being churned out for conservation in the field, then the answer must be no.

Mr Travers added: If you used criteria like how many zoos are involved in properly accredited co-operative breeding programmes, and how many are doing useful research, I suspect the number of licensed UK zoos would wither away from hundreds to about 25 that would survive scrutiny.
Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

Former Emmerdale actress Scarlett Archer said was left "in tears" after she was sexually harassed over the weekend.

Taking to Twitter, Archer, who played Nell Fairfax in the soap opera, said she was travelling on the Tube in London when the man struck.

"I hate you," she wrote. "I hate you SO much but I didnt have the guts to say anything. I just took it. Then cried. Like too many women. Im glad were getting angry.

Recommended Members of the European Parliament protest against sexual harassment

She added: I know this isnt a gender thing and plenty of men have to go through this too. Its just heart breaking because all down to respecting your fellow humans. All my love with you guys. I love you so much!

After she posted her message British Transport police encouraged her to phone their helpline.

Please do call us. We take these incidents very seriously," they wrote.

It is unclear whether she has done so.

The Independent has contacted Archer's representatives for comment but none had arrived at the time of publication.

Her tweet prompted an outpouring of support from men and women alike.

 'Me Too' movement - thousands of women take to social media

One wrote: Hope you are okay. Im sorry this happened to you. I understand and unfortunately we have to go through this, which isnt fair and men do too!

Another wrote: Omg hope youre OK that is just awful. No man or woman should have to go through that. Sending love and hugs to you. Hope they get the man I use that term lightly by CCTV. Here for you hun xx.

Millions of women across the world have adopted the hashtag #MeToo to highlight their experiences with sexual abuse and harassment in light of a number of allegations against Harvey Weinstein.

The disgraced Hollywood producer has said sexual relations he had were consensual.
Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

A grieving grandmother has called for the death penalty for the adoptive father who killed her baby granddaughter.

Sian OBrien, 51, the natural grandmother of murdered 18-month-old Elsie Scully-Hicks, believes Matthew Scully-Hicks, 31, "got off quite lightly" with a life sentence

Its about justice for Shayla, said Ms OBrien, using the name Elsie was given at birth.

Elsie died on May 29, 2016, having been adopted just a fortnight earlier by Scully-Hicks his husband, Craig Scully-Hicks, 36, following a seven-month period of fostering. The court decided that Matthew Scully Hicks had shaken Elsie, and she died four days later. He was handed a life jail sentence and told he will serve a minimum of 18 years.

Recommended Court hears 999 call of man accused of killing adopted daughter

Asked in an interview with the Sun if he should pay for the crime with his life, Ms O'Brien replied: He should have.

Baby Elsie was taken into care from her mother Jemma  Sians daughter  when she was just five days old in November 2014.

Ms OBrien has adopted Elsies older brother and sister, and wanted to do the same for the baby girl, beginning legal proceedings to become her guardian in January 2015 but the proceedings were not completed.

Ms O'Brien has called on people to sign a Facebook petition - which has gathered more than 4,000 signatures - urging the Government to hold an independent investigation into adoption and fostering, where the natural family is not giving up a child voluntarily.

Recommended Damning report finds children are at risk due to poor social services

Scully-Hicks was found guilty of murder last week following a trial at Cardiff Crown Court. He had denied the charge and said the fatal injuries must have been caused by an accident.

A pathologist found the little girl's injuries, including haemorrhaging to the retinas, were very typical of a shaken baby, with a post-mortem revealing Elsie had also suffered broken ribs, a fractured skull and left thigh bone.

In a statement given to the court  which was not read out during the trial but has now been made public  Sian OBrien said: I accept that at the time of giving birth my daughter was living a chaotic lifestyle and was not in a position to care for Shayla and she was removed from the hospital five days after birth by social services.

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

Ms OBrien and other members of Elsies natural family continued to have contact with her while she was in foster care, before she began legal proceedings to become her legal guardian.

I wanted to bring her up in a happy, healthy and warm family environment, that was all taken away from me when social services and the family court decided I would not be able to cope.

When Elsie was formally adopted by the Scully-Hicks in May 2015, the natural family was no longer allowed to have contact.

They were visited by social services in January 2017 and told that Elsie had died just two weeks after she was adopted.

"In itself this was devastating news but to then be informed that one of the parents who had adopted her had been charged with murder and was allegedly responsible for her death was completely incomprehensible, Ms O'Brien added in her statement to the court.

Elsies case will be examined as part of a child practice review, which takes place as a matter of course whenever a child dies or is seriously injured and abuse or neglect are believed to have been involved.
FOCUS ON DEFENSE CAPABILITY DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTHEAST ASIA AND OCEANIA
Sign up to the Inside Politics email for your free daily briefing on the biggest stories in UK politics Get our free Inside Politics email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Inside Politics email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has apologised for incorrect comments, which risked lengthening the prison sentence of a British woman incarcerated in Iran.

Mr Johnson has faced calls to resign over mistaken remarks made to MPs, where he claimed Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe had been teaching journalism in Tehran when she was arrested 19 months ago  rather than visiting relatives as her family claims.

Iranian state TV seized on the comments as an unintended confession, prompting fears that his remarks were being used by the Iranian authorities to justify her continued imprisonment over spying allegations.

 Boris Johnson claims no connection between his comments and Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe's sentence

Mr Johnson, who returned from Brussels to answer an urgent question on the matter, said the British Government had no doubt that Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe was on holiday after Environment Secretary Michael Gove gave an interview on Sunday claiming he did not know why she was there.

He said: As I said in the House last week, my remarks on the subject before the Foreign Affairs Committee could and should have been clearer.

And I acknowledge that the words that I used were open to being misinterpreted and I apologise to Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe and her family if I have inadvertently caused them any further anguish.

Shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry condemned Mr Johnson for days of obfuscation and bluster where he failed to clarify his comments, as she urged him to state simply and unequivocally that he got it wrong.

Mr Johnson went on to apologise for the distress and suffering caused by his remarks, adding: I do apologise, I do apologise and of course I retract any suggestion that she was there in a professional capacity.

He told MPs the case has cast a shadow over Britains relations with Iran and vowed to travel to the Middle Eastern nation later this year to drive home the strength of feeling in this House and the country at large about the plight of Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe and other consular cases.

It comes as Downing Street said it was considering offering diplomatic protection to the mother-of-one, which would make the case a legal dispute between Iran and the UK, rather than a consular issue.

But her husband Richard Ratcliffe claimed he had submitted a legal opinion that Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a dual national, was entitled to diplomatic protection to the Foreign Office more than two months ago but received no reply.

In an open letter published in the London Evening Standard, Mr Ratcliffe urged Mr Johnson to solve this mess created by his incorrect claims but offered the Foreign Secretary a political lifeline by stopping short of demanding his resignation.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 15 November 2022 Lesley Sutcliffe shelters from the rain next to a life-sized replica of the innermost coffin of King Tutankhamun by artist Amanda Stoner as it goes on display inside a traditional red telephone box which has been converted into a museum, in Barnsley, South Yorkshire PA 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

He said: Nazanin is being held because she is British and is being used as a bargaining chip against the UK, now justified by your words.

That direct connection of her to you is why I believe my wife should be entitled to diplomatic protection  rather than consular assistance, as she has now.

Mr Ratcliffe has appealed to be allowed to join Mr Johnson on a trip to Iran, as he has not been able to visit his wife who he claims is on the verge of a nervous breakdown.

The 38-year-old was separated from her young daughter Gabriella when she was arrested as she tried to return home from visiting her parents in April 2016.

Gabriella, now three, remains in Tehran with Nazanins parents, while her mother is in a high-security prison and her father remains in London.
Sign up to the Inside Politics email for your free daily briefing on the biggest stories in UK politics Get our free Inside Politics email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Inside Politics email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

Nicky Morgan has said Boris Johnson should be considering his position as Foreign Secretary after making inaccurate comments about Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe who is detained in Iran.

The former Cabinet ministers comments come after Anna Soubry  also a former minister  said that in normal times Mr Johnson would have been removed from his position long ago.

Asked whether she agreed with her Conservative colleague Ms Morgan said: I certainly think he [Boris] should be considering his position, yes. If I thought that sacking was going to make a differencethe important point is the safety and security of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe.

On Monday Downing Street said it was considering the possibility of offering the UK mother diplomatic immunity, adding the Foreign Secretary had told his Iranian counterpart that Ms Zaghari-Ratclifee was on holiday in the country.

Mr Johnson was heavily criticised last week after it emerged he incorrectly told MPs that Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe had been training journalists in Iran, which led to her being hauled in front of an Iranian court and threatened with an extended prison sentence.

And on Sunday Michael Gove, the Environment Secretary, said he didnt know what Ms Zaghari-Ratclife was doing in the region, despite it being the UKs official position that she was there on holiday.

Speaking on the BBCs Daily Politics, Ms Morgan said the case was a heartbreaking situation, and added that she could not begin to imagine what went through Mr Johnsons and Mr Goves minds.

We all know, particularly after a week of coverage, that she was in the country visiting her parents with her young daughter. Thats it. End of story, she said.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 15 November 2022 Lesley Sutcliffe shelters from the rain next to a life-sized replica of the innermost coffin of King Tutankhamun by artist Amanda Stoner as it goes on display inside a traditional red telephone box which has been converted into a museum, in Barnsley, South Yorkshire PA 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

Ms Morgan continued: The conduct he has shown, the way he answered the original question, the way hes continued it would make, I would have thought, any Prime Minister think do I have the right person as Foreign Secretary."

Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe, 38, was separated from her 21-month-old daughter Gabriella when she was arrested as she tried to return home to London after a two-week holiday.

Gabriella, now three, remains at the Tehran home of Nazanins parents, while her mother is in a high-security Iranian jail and her father in London.
Sign up to the Inside Politics email for your free daily briefing on the biggest stories in UK politics Get our free Inside Politics email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Inside Politics email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

David Davis has caved in to demands for MPs to vote on a separate bill to implement any Brexit agreement, to head off a major Tory revolt.

The Brexit Secretary said the legislation would cover the issues of citizens rights, the financial settlement and any implementation period  or transitional deal  agreed.

It would allow MPs to examine any Brexit agreement line-by-line, Mr Davis acknowledged, which means  crucially  that it could be amended.

Recommended Ministers plan more Brexit legislation to prevent Tory rebellion

Labour immediately welcomed a recognition by the Government that it is about to lose a series of votes on the Commons floor.

However, Mr Davis  asked if the UK would still leave the EU if Parliament rejected the Brexit deal  replied: Yes.

Its a meaningful vote but its not meaningful in the sense that you can reverse the whole decision, he said, delivering a statement.

And he rejected a call, by pro-Remain Tory Anna Soubry, for MPs to vote if Britain is heading for a no deal Brexit, replying: If we dont have an agreement, we cant have a withdrawal agreement bill.

Ten Conservative MPs had signed an amendment insisting the promised meaningful vote had to take the form of standalone legislation, threatening the Government with possible defeat.

However, Theresa May has repeatedly insisted MPs will not be able to block Brexit, because rejecting any deal would mean leaving with no deal.

Although the concession was welcomed, MPs of all parties immediately criticised Mr Davis for not going far enough.

Under questioning, he admitted there was no guarantee the bill would come before Brexit day, in March 2019, describing that only as our principal policy aim.

And he rejected a call from Dominic Grieve, the former Attorney General, for the two-year Article 50 talks to be extended, if we run out of time.

Heidi Allen, another Tory rebel, tweeted that a fresh bill would be pointless if MPs also back the Prime Ministers plan to put the exact date and time of withdrawal in legislation.

Pointless if we have enshrined a drop dead date in the bill, & get a deal at 11th hour! Thered be no time! she said.

Keir Starmer, Labours Brexit spokesman, said: This is a significant climbdown from a weak government on the verge of defeat.

But he added: Ministers must now go further. They need to accept Labours amendments that would ensure transitional arrangements, and protect jobs and the economy from a cliff edge.

Tom Brake, for the Liberal Democrats, said a true meaningful vote was still not on offer and the people should have the final say in a further referendum, adding: If they reject the Governments Brexit deal, they must have the option to stay in the EU.

But Mr Davis did agree that any amendments made by MPs would be treated by the Government as an instruction to go back and seek a better deal.

The Government had already conceded a vote at the end of the process, but suggested it would be on any future trading agreement, as well as the exit deal.

Now a new Withdrawal Agreement and Implementation bill will give MPs a say on the exit terms and the opportunity to send the Government to seek better ones.

Despite the Governments insistence that the only other option is to crash out with no deal, the political reality  probably in a years time  may dictate otherwise.

It is very possible that a outright rejection by the Commons of the Governments 18-month effort to deliver Brexit could trigger its collapse and an attempt to delay withdrawal, under a new prime minister.

The climbdown came ahead of the first two days of detailed debate on the EU Withdrawal bill, which will paste Brussels law onto the UK state book, before parts are junked later.

Clashes will come over attempts to stop the UK leaving the EU customs union, the single market and European Court of Justice jurisdiction.

Labour and some Tories also want Clause 9 to be removed, which would still give ministers Henry VIII powers to implement a Brexit deal while bypassing Parliament.

Earlier, Mr Grieve branded the plan to fix the date of the EU withdrawal in domestic law as incoherent and thoroughly stupid because it would tie the Governments hands.

The stance, echoed by other pro-EU Tories, raises the prospect that the Prime Minister could yet be defeated on that controversy.
Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

Boris Johnson is facing fresh scrutiny after a picture emerged of him at a dinner with the "London professor" linked with the US President Donald Trump-Russia probe.

Joseph Mifsud was named in the statement of charges made by US Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller against George Papadopoulos  a former Trump campaign staffer who pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about statements relating to dirt on Hillary Clinton he was offered during the election campaign.

The Maltese-born professor reportedly told a colleague he was meeting the Foreign Secretary to discuss Brexit in October but Mr Johnson denied having ever met him.

The news brings up concerns about the influence of the Kremlin on UK politics and the EU referendum in particular.

Mr Johnson, who was a prominent member of Vote Leave, is allegedly a member of an intricate web of relationships between a known Russian spy deported from the UK in 2015 and the chief executive of the official Brexit campaign, Matthew Elliott, the Observer reported.

The other man in the photo, businessman Prasenjit Kumar Singh, said he and Mr Mifsud met Mr Johnson at a Brexit event at the London School of Diplomacy and had chatted about normal things.

Asked if Mr Mifsud had introduced himself to the politician, Mr Singh said he did not know but it his first time meeting him.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 11 November 2022 City workers attend a Remembrance Day ceremony at Lloyd's of London, in the City of London, to mark Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of the First World War PA UK news in pictures 10 November 2022 A grey heron lands on the river Dodder in Dublin on a sunny autumn morning PA UK news in pictures 9 November 2022 Australia and Spain play during the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup group A match at the Copper Box Arena, London PA UK news in pictures 8 November 2022 A migrant attempting to communicate with journalists is pinned against a fence by members of staff, before being taken out of view, at the Manston immigration short-term holding facility, located at the former Defence Fire Training and Development Centre in Thanet, Kent PA UK news in pictures 7 November 2022 Handout photo issued by Just Stop Oil of a protester who has climbed a gantry on the M25 between junctions six and seven in Surrey, leading to the closure of the motorway PA UK news in pictures 6 November 2022 A grey seal with its pup, at the Donna Nook National Nature Reserve in north Lincolnshire, where they come every year in late October, November and December to give birth to their pups near the sand dunes, the wildlife spectacle attracts visitors from across the UK PA UK news in pictures 5 November 2022 Demonstrators with placards calling for a General Election march near the Houses of Parliament AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 4 November 2022 A peacock is seen in the early winter sunshine in the Dutch Gardens in Holland Park AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 3 November 2022 Florence Kasumba, Letitia Wright, Tenoch Huerta and Lupita Nyongo attend the European Premiere of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in London Getty UK news in pictures 2 November 2022 A red squirrel gathers nuts in Pitlochry, Scotland Reuters UK news in pictures 1 November 2022 Englands Tara-Jane Stanley scores their sides seventh try against Brazil during the Womens Rugby League World Cup group A match at Headingley Stadium, Leeds PA UK news in pictures 31 October 2022 GBs James Hall competes during the mens parallel bars qualification at the World Gymnastics Championships in Liverpool AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 October 2022 People dressed in Halloween costumes paddle board along the river Avon in Christchurch, Dorset PA UK news in pictures 29 October 2022 Members of the public take pictures as police officers remove activists from a road during a Just Stop Oil protest, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 28 October 2022 A cosplayer attends the MCM Comic Con London 2022 at the ExCel Centre in London Reuters UK news in pictures 27 October 2022 98-year-old D-Day Veteran Bernard Morgan, whose story is among those featured on the giant poppy wall, during the launch of The Royal British Legion 2022 Poppy Appeal, at Hay's Galleria in central London PA UK news in pictures 26 October 2022 A meerkat explores a pumpkin in the enclosure at Wild Place, Bristol, where some of the animals are having pumpkin treats as part of their environmental enrichment PA UK news in pictures 25 October 2022 King Charles III welcomes Rishi Sunak during an audience at Buckingham Palace, where he invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party to become Prime Minister and form a new government PA UK news in pictures 24 October 2022 Rishi Sunak celebrates with Tory MPs outside the Conservative Campaign Headquarters after becoming the new leader of the Conservative Party Reuters UK news in pictures 23 October 2022 The Green Man at October Plenty, Borough Market's annual Autumn Harvest festival, in London, which returns for the first time post pandemic PA UK news in pictures 21 October 2022 Sculptor Peter McKenna puts the finishing touches to a pumpkin that will form part of the Planet A Hebden Bridge Pumpkin Trail in the West Yorkshire town PA UK news in pictures 20 October 2022 Britains Prime Minister Liz Truss delivers a speech outside of 10 Downing Street in central London to announce her resignation AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 19 October 2022 Salmon leap up Stainforth Force on the River Ribble in the Yorkshire Dales as they swim upriver to their spawning grounds during the annual Salmon migration PA UK news in pictures 18 October 2022 Just Stop Oil protesters continue their protest for a second day on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, which links Kent and Essex and which remains closed for traffic, after it was scaled by two climbers from the group PA UK news in pictures 17 October 2022 Hundreds of students take part in the traditional Raisin Monday foam fight on St Salvator's Lower College Lawn at the University of St Andrews in Fife PA UK news in pictures 16 October 2022 A protester holds a placard during a march into central London at a demonstration by the climate change protest group Extinction Rebellion AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 15 October 2022 A member of the public drags an activist who is blocking the road during a "Just Stop Oil" protest, in London, Britain REUTERS UK news in pictures 14 October 2022 Germanys Womens double skulls during day one of the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals at Saundersfoot beach, Pembrokeshire PA UK news in pictures 13 October 2022 Family and mourners arrive at St Michael's Church, in Creeslough, for the funeral mass of 49-year-old mother of four Martina Martin, who died following an explosion at the Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal on Friday PA UK news in pictures 12 October 2022 Motorists in Coventry pass trees showing autumnal colour PA UK news in pictures 11 October 2022 A woman and her dog in the the North Sea at Tynemouth Longsands beach before sunrise PA UK news in pictures 10 October 2022 Police officers remove a campaigner from a Just Stop Oil protest on The Mall, near Buckingham Palace, London PA UK news in pictures 9 October 2022 A drummer plays during the Diwali on the Square celebration, in Trafalgar Square, London PA UK news in pictures 8 October 2022 Timothee Chalamet attending the UK premiere of Bones and All during the BFI London Film Festival 2022 at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London PA UK news in pictures 7 October 2022 Two young male fallow deer lock antlers in Dublins Phoenix park as rutting season begins PA UK news in pictures 6 October 2022 The Princess of Wales during a cocktail making competition during a visit to Trademarket, a new outdoor street-food and retail market situated in Belfast city centre, as part of the royal visit to Northern Ireland PA UK news in pictures 5 October 2022 Greenpeace protesters interrupt Prime Minister Liz Truss as she delivers her keynote speech to the Conservative Party annual conference PA UK news in pictures 4 October 2022 Prime Minister Liz Truss and Britains Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng wearing hard hats and hi-vis jackets, visit a construction site for a medical innovation campus in Birmingham AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 3 October 2022 British artist Sam Cox, aka Mr Doodle, reveals the Doodle House, a twelve-room mansion at Tenterden, in Kent, which has been covered, inside and out in the artist's trademark monochrome, cartoonish hand-drawn doodles PA UK news in pictures 2 October 2022 Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring Manchester City's second goal against Manchester United at Etihad Stadium. Haaland went on to score a hattrick, his third of the season in the Premier League. City beat United 6-3. Manchester City FC/Getty UK news in pictures 1 October 2022 Protesters hold up flags and placards at a protest in London. A variety of protest groups including Enough is Enough, Don't Pay and Just Stop Oil all demonstrated on the day AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 September 2022 British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who has not been seen in days, leaves the back of Downing Street after a meeting with Office For Budget Responsibility following the release of her governments mini-budget Getty UK news in pictures 29 September 2022 The Virginia creeper foliage on the Tu Hwnt i'r Bont (Beyond the Bridge) Llanwrst, Conwy North Wales, has changed colour from green to red in at the start of Autumn. The building was built in 1480 as a residential dwelling but has been a tearoom for over 50 years PA UK news in pictures 28 September 2022 Criminal barristers from the Criminal Bar Association (CBA), demonstrates outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, as part of their ongoing pay row with the Government PA UK news in pictures 27 September 2022 David White, Garter King of Arms, poses with an envelope franked with the new cypher of King Charles III 'CIIIR', after it was printed in the Court Post Office at Buckingham Palace in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 26 September 2022 A gallery staff member poses next to a painting by Lucian Freud - Self-portrait (Fragment), 1956 - on show at a photocall for the Credit Suisse exhibition - Lucian Freud: New Perspectives at the National Gallery in London PA UK news in pictures 25 September 2022 Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer is interviewed by Laura Kuenssberg in Liverpool before the start of the Labour Party annual Conference which he opened with a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II and sang the national anthem PA UK news in pictures 24 September 2022 Handout photo issued by Buckingham Palace of the ledger stone at the King George VI Memorial Chapel, St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle PA UK news in pictures 23 September 2022 A climate change activist protests against UK private jets while lighting his right arm on fire during the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the O2 Arena in London EPA UK news in pictures 22 September 2022 Woody Woodmansey, Lee Bennett, Kevin Armstrong, Nick Moran and Clifford Slapper attend the unveiling of a stone for David Bowie on the Music Walk of Fame at Camden, north London PA

Ben Bradshaw, former Labour Cabinet Minister, told the Observer: Its inconceivable that the FBI didnt tell their UK counterparts about Mifsud  so how was this allowed to happen?

The FBI is said to have known about Mr Mifsuds links to Russia since July and under the terms of the Five Eyes intelligence agreement the UK, the US and three other nations share important information with each other.

It comes as Mr Johnson is already under fire for his response to a gaffe where he wrongly claimed a British-Iranian woman, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, imprisoned in Tehra, had been in the country training journalists when she says she was actually on holiday.

Recommended If you saw these tweets you were targeted by Russian Brexit propaganda

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has led calls for Theresa May to finally sack her errant Foreign Secretary after he doubled down on his comments regarding Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe, refusing to apologise to her or her family and potentially causing her to face further criminal charges meaning an extra five years in prison.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan told the Andrew Marr programme: This is the latest gaffe made by own Foreign Secretary. He has offended the Libyans in relation to what he said about Sirte being 'the new Dubai should they get rid of the dead bodies'.

He's offended the Americans by saying President Obama is anti-British because he's 'part Kenyan'.

He's offended the Spanish, he's offended Sikhs with what he said about whisky tariffs in the Gurdwara. I think he has got to go.

I think he is our Foreign Secretary whose job is diplomacy in the best interests of our country and if Theresa May was a strong Prime Minister she would have sacked him a long time ago.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

A Twitter account which tweeted a picture of a Muslim woman wrongly accused of ignoring the Westminster terror attack has been revealed as one of the thousands of fake accounts set up by a Russian troll factory.

The account, @Southlonestar, tweeted a picture of a woman in a hijab walking past a victim laying on the ground while on her phone.

It said: Muslim woman pays no mind to the terror attack, casually walks by a dying man while checking phone #PrayForLondon #Westminster #BanIslam.

The sentiment was picked up by far-right activists in the UK and the US and the woman was attacked for her indifference to the scene.

In March 52-year-old Muslim convert Khalid Masood, who had been radicalised by Isis propaganda, drove a van in pedestrians on Westminster Bridge before attempting to storm the Houses of Parliament.

He killed five people, including a police officer on duty who tried to stop him, before being shot dead by armed officers.

The woman was photographed on the bridge in the moments after the attack but the man who took the picture, Jamie Lorriman told The Independent the woman was clearly traumatised and visibly distressed.

He said she was just one of hundreds fleeing the bridge, trying to avoid looking at the horror surrounding them.

Her behaviour was completely in line with everyone else on the bridge, but you're not assuming others are callously ignoring the scenario, he said.

The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Show all 17 1 /17 The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Paul Manafort Mr Manafort is a Republican strategist and former Trump campaign manager. He resigned from that post over questions about his extensive lobbying overseas, including in Ukraine where he represented pro-Russian interests. Mr Manafort turned himself in at FBI headquarters to special counsel Robert Muellers team on Oct 30, 2017, after he was indicted under seal on charges that include conspiracy against the United States, conspiracy to launder money, unregistered agent of a foreign principal, false and misleading US Foreign Agents Registration Act statements, false statements, and seven counts of failure to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts. Getty The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Rick Gates Mr Gates joined the Trump team in spring 2016, and served as a top aide until he left to work at the Republican National Committee after the departure of former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort. Mr Gates' had previously worked on several presidential campaigns, on international political campaigns in Europe and Africa, and had 15 years of political or financial experience with multinational firms, according to his bio. Mr Gates was indicted alongside Mr Manafort by special counsel Robert Mueller's team on charges that include conspiracy against the United States, conspiracy to launder money, unregistered agent of a foreign principal, false and misleading US Foreign Agents Registration Act statements, false statements, and seven counts of failure to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts. AP The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation George Papadopoulos George Papadopoulos was a former foreign policy adviser for the Trump campaign, having joined around March 2016. Mr Papadopoulos plead guilty to federal charges for lying to the FBI as a part of a cooperation agreement with Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation. Mr Papadopoulos claimed in an interview with the FBI that he had made contacts with Russian sources before joining the Trump campaign, but he actually began working with them after joining the team. Mr Papadopoulos allegedly took a meeting with a professor in London who reportedly told him that Russians had "dirt" on Hillary Clinton. The professor also allegedly introduced Mr Papadopoulos to a Russian who was said to have close ties to officials at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mr Papadopoulos also allegedly was in contact with a woman whom he incorrectly described in one email to others in the campaign as the "niece" to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Twitter The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Donald Trump Jr The President's eldest son met with a Russian lawyer - Natalia Veselnitskaya - on 9 June 2016 at Trump Tower in New York. He said in an initial statement that the meeting was about Russia halting adoptions of its children by US citizens. Then, he said it was regarding the Magnitsky Act, a US law blacklisting Russian human rights abusers. In a final statement, Mr Trump Jr released a chain of emails that revealed he took the meeting in hopes of getting information Ms Veselnitskaya had about Hillary Clinton's alleged financial ties to Russia. He and the President called it standard "opposition research" in the course of campaigning and that no information came from the meeting. The meeting was set up by an intermediary, Rob Goldstone. Jared Kushner and Paul Manafort were also at the same meeting. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jared Kushner Mr Kushner is President Donald Trump's son-in-law and a key adviser to the White House. He met with a Russian banker appointed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in December. Mr Kushner has said he did so in his role as an adviser to Mr Trump while the bank says he did so as a private developer. Mr Kushner has also volunteered to testify in the Senate about his role helping to arrange meetings between Trump advisers and Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Rob Goldstone Former tabloid journalist and now music publicist Rob Goldstone is a contact of the Trump family through the previously Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant, which took place in Moscow. In June 2016, he wrote to Donald Trump Jr offering a meeting with a Russian lawyer, Natalya Veselnitskaya, who had information about Hillary Clinton. Mr Goldstone was the intermediary for Russian pop star Emin Agalaraov and his father, real estate magnate Aras, who played a role in putting on the 2013 pageant. In an email chain released by Mr Trump Jr, Mr Goldstone seemed to indicate Russian government's support of Donald Trump's campaign. AP images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Aras and Emin Agalarov Aras Agalarov (R) is a wealthy Moscow-based real estate magnate and son Emin (L) is a pop star. Both played a role in putting on the previously Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant in Moscow. They allegedly had information about Hillary Clinton and offered that information to the Trump campaign through a lawyer with whom they had worked with, Natalia Veselnitskaya, and music publicist Rob Goldstone. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Natalia Veselnitskaya Natalia Veselnitskaya is a Russian lawyer with ties to the Kremlin. She has worked on real estate issues and reportedly counted the FSB as a client in the past. She has ties to a Trump family connection, real estate magnate Aras Agalarov, who had helped set up the Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant which took place in Moscow. Ms Veselnitskaya met with Donald Trump Jr, Jared Kushner, and Paul Manafort in Trump Tower on 9 June 2016 but denies the allegation that she went there promising information on Hillary Clinton's alleged financial ties to Russia. She contends that the meeting was about the US adoptions of Russian children being stopped by Moscow as a reaction to the Magnitsky Act, a US law blacklisting Russian human rights abusers. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Mike Flynn Mr Flynn was named as Trump's national security adviser but was forced to resign from his post for inappropriate communication with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. He had misrepresented a conversation he had with Mr Kislyak to Vice President Mike Pence, telling him wrongly that he had not discussed sanctions with the Russian. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Sergey Kislyak Mr Kislyak, the former longtime Russian ambassador to the US, is at the centre of the web said to connect President Donald Trump's campaign with Russia. Reuters The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Roger Stone Mr Stone is a former Trump adviser who worked on the political campaigns of Richard Nixon, George HW Bush, and Ronald Reagan. Mr Stone claimed repeatedly in the final months of the campaign that he had backchannel communications with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and that he knew the group was going to dump damaging documents to the campaign of Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton - which did happen. Mr Stone also had contacts with the hacker Guccier 2.0 on Twitter, who claimed to have hacked the DNC and is linked to Russian intelligence services. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jeff Sessions The US attorney general was forced to recuse himself from the Trump-Russia investigation after it was learned that he had lied about meeting with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Carter Page Mr Page is a former advisor to the Trump campaign and has a background working as an investment banker at Merrill Lynch. Mr Page met with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak during the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland. Mr Page had invested in oil companies connected to Russia and had admitted that US Russia sanctions had hurt his bottom line. Reuters The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jeffrey "JD" Gorden Mr Gordon met with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak during the 2016 Republian National Convention to discuss how the US and Russia could work together to combat Islamist extremism should then-Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump win the election. The meeting came days before a massive leak of DNC emails that has been connected to Russia. Creative Commons The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation James Comey Mr Comey was fired from his post as head of the FBI by President Donald Trump. The timing of Mr Comey's firing raised questions around whether or not the FBI's investigation into the Trump campaign may have played a role in the decision. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Preet Bharara Mr Bahara refused, alongside 46 other US district attorney's across the country, to resign once President Donald Trump took office after previous assurances from Mr Trump that he would keep his job. Mr Bahara had been heading up several investigations including one into one of President Donald Trump's favorite cable television channels Fox News. Several investigations would lead back to that district, too, including those into Mr Trump's campaign ties to Russia, and Mr Trump's assertion that Trump Tower was wiretapped on orders from his predecessor. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Sally Yates Ms Yates, a former Deputy Attorney General, was running the Justice Department while President Donald Trump's pick for attorney general awaited confirmation. Ms Yates was later fired by Mr Trump from her temporary post over her refusal to implement Mr Trump's first travel ban. She had also warned the White House about potential ties former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn to Russia after discovering those ties during the FBI's investigation into the Trump campaign's connections to Russia. Getty Images

So many other people were walking all over the place - everybody that was on the ground had someone with them, if everybody had stopped and tried to help you would never have been able to help anyone.

He said he hated that the photo had been taken out of context and used to push an agenda and said people who hate will use anything as the weapon of their opinion.

The account is one of 2,700 Twitter users which have been handed over to the US House Intelligence Committee as a fake one created in Russia to influence UK and US politics.

The committee is currently investigating claims that the Kremlin systematically intervened in the election and allegations that the Trump campaign colluded with them.

The account, which had over 16,000 followers and read Proud TEXAN and AMERICAN patriot is known to have spread messages on the day of the US presidential election a few months earlier designed to support Donald Trump.

Recommended Russia paid for Facebook and Twitter shares through Kushner associate

It was also one of a number of accounts which tweeted pro-Brexit messages on the day of the EU referendum in June last year.

The accounts are believed to have been written by staff at the Internet Research Centre in St Petersburg.

The trolls are believed to work around from 8am-8pm Moscow time (5am- 5pm UK time) to churn out hundreds of thousands of tweets designed to spread political disharmony in western countries such as the US and the UK and encourage the rise of populist politicians or causes.

Many tweets mocked the warnings of the Remain campaign, which said the country faced years of economic uncertainty and a potential recession if it voted to leave, with memes such as one which said: If you Brexit your car wont start in the morning.

The scale and speed at which the tweets were produced suggested they were not spontaneous or genuine  one account, called @PeterMagLob who was pretending to be German, tweeted 20 times an hour during polling day.
Sign up to the Inside Politics email for your free daily briefing on the biggest stories in UK politics Get our free Inside Politics email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Inside Politics email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffes husband has written to the Foreign Office after yet another cabinet ministers words threatened to muddy attempts to free his imprisoned wife from an Iranian jail.

Richard Ratcliffe urged officials to remind cabinet ministers that the Governments official position on his wifes case is that she was in Iran on holiday, after Michael Gove said he did not know why she was there when she was arrested.

After speaking to Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson on the phone he said he hoped his wife may be granted diplomatic immunity, easing her way back home.

Mr Johnson himself sparked controversy after incorrectly telling MPs that Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe had been in Iran teaching journalists, which led to her being hauled in front of an Iranian court and being threatened with an extra five years in jail.

When cabinet minister Mr Gove was asked on Sunday why she was in Iran when she was arrested and accused of plotting to overthrow the countrys government, he broke from the official government line that she was there on holiday to instead say he did not know.

Mr Ratcliffe told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: I picked up from social media the outrage, and obviously my cousins were all very indignant at it not being very clear what [Mr Gove was saying] she was doing.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 15 November 2022 Lesley Sutcliffe shelters from the rain next to a life-sized replica of the innermost coffin of King Tutankhamun by artist Amanda Stoner as it goes on display inside a traditional red telephone box which has been converted into a museum, in Barnsley, South Yorkshire PA 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

He added: So actually, I wrote to the Foreign Office and said listen, can you please remind cabinet ministers that the Governments position is that the Government has no doubt that Nazanin was there on holiday, and left it at that.

Mr Ratcliffe explained that he believes Mr Gove had simply been clumsy in answering the question and went on to say the most important thing was that Mr Johnson is clear about the Governments position.

He added: The Foreign Secretary is the one that is appearing now on Iranian TV and is being used.

His positioning is vital, I think other members of the cabinet, its important that they dont muddy it, but they are less central.

He said he had now spoken to Mr Johnson and believed the Foreign Secretary was focussed on the case, adding that he had discussed the possibility of his wife gaining diplomatic immunity in a bid to free her.

Mr Ratcliffe said he did not believe it would be useful for Mr Johnson to be sacked, and added that he hoped the Foreign Secretary would come with him to visit his wife in Iran.

 Michael Gove says he doesn't know what Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was doing in Iran

Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe was arrested and jailed after being accused of trying to topple the government and also faced allegations she was spreading propaganda, with a central part of her defence being that she had never worked teaching journalists in the country, but was merely there on holiday.

When Mr Johnson mistakenly told MPs she had been teaching journalists, she was threatened with another five years in prison on top of her existing five-year sentence.

The Iranian High Councils website carried a story headlined UK confirms Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was not in Iran for Holiday, while Mr Johnsons words were cited on state TV as part of the case against her.
Sign up to the Inside Politics email for your free daily briefing on the biggest stories in UK politics Get our free Inside Politics email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Inside Politics email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

Jailed charity worker Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe could be given diplomatic protection to help secure her release from Iranian custody, No 10 says.

Ministers revealed they are exploring the move after leading lawyers advised that the grave harm she has suffered made her eligible for the status.

Diplomatic protection is one of the possibilities that is being looked at, the Prime Ministers spokesman told reporters.

The move would effectively make Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffes case a formal legal dispute between Britain and Iran, rather than simply a consular matter.

But it is thought that the Foreign Office is concerned that it is not clear how the Iranian authorities would respond to the escalation of the dispute.

The potential development came as Downing Street distanced itself from Environment Secretary Michael Goves refusal to accept Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe was simply on holiday in Iran.

Mr Gove is under fire because, when asked what he thought the 38-year-old mother was doing in Iran with her young daughter when she was arrested, he replied: I dont know.

But the spokesman said: The Government's position on this is clear. She was there on holiday. It wasn't for any other purpose.

The Foreign Secretary reiterated that in his conversation with the Iranian Foreign Minister last week.

He declined to respond to calls for Boris Johnson to face the sack, saying: The entire Government is working towards securing her release as quickly as possible.

Her husband has said this morning that he wants us to be focused on securing her release, and that's what we are doing.

Richard Ratcliffe appears to have given Mr Johnson breathing space in his fight for survival, after saying his resignation could provoke more instability" and make the situation worse.

Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe was jailed for five years in September on allegations of spying and attempting to topple the Iranian government.

She had been visiting her parents to introduce them to her daughter, Gabriella, who remains at their Tehran home, while her father is in London.

An Iranian court has threatened Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe with a further five years in prison, on top of her existing five-year sentence, putting her on the verge of a nervous breakdown, her husband said.

It followed Mr Johnson telling a Commons committee that she had been training journalists at the time of her arrest  a mistake for which he has refused to apologise.

In an open letter, Mr Ratcliffe accused the Foreign Office of sitting on a legal opinion that his wife is entitled to diplomatic protection for two months.

The Foreign Office has not answered our lawyers' questions on this, nor has it acknowledged any violation of Nazanins rights in its replies to parliamentary questions, Mr Ratcliffe wrote.

He also stepped up pressure on the Foreign Secretary to make arrangements for the pair to visit Iran together as soon as possible.

That means you personally asking the Iranian authorities if I can travel with you, and asking them to vouch for my safety, he added.

The REDRESS Trust, which helps Briton arrested abroad, has highlighted the legal opinion that Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe should be given diplomatic protection.

Lawyers from two leading chambers said her personal history and ties to the UK make clear that her predominant nationality is British and that she appeared to have been targeted because of that.

We are of the view that the only effective means under international law by which the grave harm suffered by Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe may be repaired lies in the UKs right to exercise diplomatic protection, the legal opinion said.
Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

Theresa May will meet with European business leaders to discuss the future of UK-EU trade after Brexit as she is warned over the urgency to provide firms with certainty in the coming months.

The Prime Minister will use Mondays meeting to attempt to win support from European businesses for her goal of moving the negotiations on to trade talks before Christmas.

But it comes after Michel Barnier, the EUs chief negotiator, warned that the bloc is drawing up contingency plans in case Brexit talks collapse. He said that failing to reach a deal with the UK was not his preferred option but was a possibility.

Everyone needs to plan for it, member states and businesses alike. We too are making technical preparations for it. On 29 March 2019, the United Kingdom will become a third country, he told the French publication, Le Journal du Dimanche.

During the meeting in Downing Street on Monday, which the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has helped organised, Ms May will set out her vision of a bold and deep economic partnership between the UK and the EU after Brexit.

But the organisations, including Medef of France, Germanys BDI and Spains CEOE, are expected to voice their concern over the progress of the Brexit negotiations.

Carolyn Fairbairn, the CBI director general, told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: This is an important meeting because the urgency that is shared by businesses across Europe is growing by the day.

The big message today is around mutual interest.

She added that 10 per cent of firms had enacted their contingency plans to deal with Brexit and another 25 per cent would do so before the end of the year.

Brexit: the deciders Show all 8 1 /8 Brexit: the deciders Brexit: the deciders European Union's chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier Getty Brexit: the deciders French President Emmanuel Macron Getty Brexit: the deciders German Chancellor Angela Merkel Reuters Brexit: the deciders Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker EPA Brexit: the deciders The European Parliament's chief Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt Getty Brexit: the deciders Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May Getty Images Brexit: the deciders Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond PA Brexit: the deciders After the first and second appointed Brexit secretaries resigned (David Davis and Dominic Raab respectively), Stephen Barclay is currently heading up the position PA

A leaders' summit will take place next month and the European Union's chief negotiator Michel Barnier has previously said the moment was approaching for a real clarification of Britain's position on issues such as citizens' rights, the Irish border and the UK's financial settlement.

If the 27 remaining EU members agree next month that sufficient progress has been made on these issues, they will give a green light for negotiations to move on to the questions of trade and transition to a new post-Brexit negotiation.
Sign up to the Inside Politics email for your free daily briefing on the biggest stories in UK politics Get our free Inside Politics email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Inside Politics email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

Theresa May has issued a stern warning to Russia over attempts to threaten international order in a speech condemning its alleged meddling in elections and campaign of cyber espionage.

In some of her strongest words yet, the Prime Minister said the UK would do what is necessary to protect ourselves and allies from disruption from Moscow, urging President Vladimir Putin to step back from efforts to weaponise information through fake news, hacking and electoral interference.

The comments will put her at odds with President Donald Trump, who has sought to downplay claims of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential campaign by insisting that President Putin was telling the truth when he denied meddling in the US election.

Ms May, in a speech to the Lord Mayors Banquet in London, said: "In a recent speech President Putin said that while the interests of states do not always coincide, strategic gains cannot be made at the expense of others. When a state fails to observe universal rules of conduct and pursues its interests at any cost, it will provoke resistance and disputes will become unpredictable and dangerous.

"I say to President Putin, I agree. But it is Russias actions which threaten the international order on which we all depend."

Outlining concerns over Russia's annexation of Crimea, Ms May said: "Since then, Russia has fomented conflict in the Donbas, repeatedly violated the national airspace of several European countries, and mounted a sustained campaign of cyber espionage and disruption.

"This has included meddling in elections, and hacking the Danish Ministry of Defence and the Bundestag, among many others.

"It is seeking to weaponise information. Deploying its state-run media organisations to plant fake stories and photo-shopped images in an attempt to sow discord in the West and undermine our institutions."

Addressing Moscow directly, the Prime Minister said: "We know what you are doing. And you will not succeed. Because you underestimate the resilience of our democracies, the enduring attraction of free and open societies, and the commitment of Western nations to the alliances that bind us.

"The UK will do what is necessary to protect ourselves, and work with our allies to do likewise."

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

Ms May also reiterated the UK's commitment to its European allies after Brexit, by vowing to seek a "comprehensive new economic partnership" with free societies against those that "seek to undermine them".

However she stressed the need to avoid returning to Cold War relations and vowed to send Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson to Moscow in the coming months to build a stronger dialogue on international stability.

Mr Johnson was invited to Moscow by his counterpart Sergei Lavrov, after an earlier visit was cancelled in the wake of a deadly chemical attack on a rebel-held town in Syria. Russia supports President Assad's regime, which was blamed for the atrocity.
Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

If what people do is any reflection of who they are, then Devin Patrick Kelley, who slaughtered 26 churchgoers on Sunday in Texas, surely was a madman.

Before the atrocity, he had attempted to sneak weapons onto an Air Force base after making death threats to his superiors, according to a local police report. In 2012, he had escaped from a mental hospital in New Mexico to which he had been sent after assaulting his wife and fracturing his stepsons skull.

A video of the church killing reportedly shows Mr. Kelley working his way methodically through the aisles, shooting some parishioners, even children, at point-blank range.

I think that mental health is your problem here, President Trump told reporters on Monday.

It is true that severe mental illnesses are found more often among mass murderers. About one in five are likely psychotic or delusional, according to Dr. Michael Stone, a forensic psychiatrist at Columbia University who maintains a database of 350 mass killers going back more than a century. The figure for the general public is closer to 1 per cent.

But the rest of these murderers do not have any severe, diagnosable disorder. Though he was abusive to his wife, Omar Mateen, who killed 49 people in an Orlando nightclub, had no apparent serious mental illness. Neither did Stephen Paddock, who mowed down 58 concertgoers from a hotel window in Las Vegas.

Ditto for Dylann Roof, the racist who murdered nine African-American churchgoers in South Carolina in 2015, and Christopher Harper-Mercer, the angry young man who killed nine people at a community college in Oregon the same year.

Nor does anything in these criminals history  including domestic violence, like Mr Kelleys  serve to reliably predict their spectacularly cruel acts. Even if spree killers have committed domestic violence disproportionately more often  and this assertion is in dispute  the vast majority of men who are guilty of that crime never proceed to mass murder.

Most mass murderers instead belong to a rogues gallery of the disgruntled and aggrieved, whose anger and intentions wax and wane over time, eventually curdling into violence in the wake of some perceived humiliation. #

In almost all high-end mass killings, the perpetrators thinking evolves, said Kevin Cameron, executive director of the Canadian Center for Threat Assessment and Trauma Response.

They have a passing thought. They think about it more, they fantasize, they slowly build a justification. They prepare, and then when the right set of circumstances comes along, it unleashes the rage.

This evolution proceeds rationally and logically, at least in the murderers mind. The unthinkable becomes thinkable, then inevitable.

Researchers define mass killings as an event leaving four or more dead at the same place and time. These incidents occur at an average of about one a day across the United States; few make national headlines.

At least half of the perpetrators die in the act, either by committing suicide (Mr. Kelley is said to have shot himself in the head) or being felled by police.

Analysing his database, Dr. Stone has concluded that about 65 per cent of mass killers exhibited no evidence of a severe mental disorder; 22 per cent likely had psychosis, the delusional thinking and hallucinations that characterize schizophrenia, or sometimes accompany mania and severe depression. (The remainder likely had depressive or antisocial traits.)

Among the psychotic, he counts Jared Loughner, the Arizona man who shot Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, Democrat of Arizona, and 18 others in 2011. By most accounts, including his own, Mr. Loughner was becoming increasingly delusional.

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

Adam Lanza, who in 2012 killed 26 people at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Conn., exhibited extreme paranoia in the months leading up to his crime, isolating himself in his room.

But what to make of John Robert Neumann Jr., who in June shot and killed five former co-workers at a warehouse in Orlando before turning the gun on himself? Mr. Neumann was not overtly psychotic, as far as anyone knows, and this is far more typical of the men who commit mass killings generally.

The majority of the killers were disgruntled workers or jilted lovers who were acting on a deep sense of injustice, and not mentally ill, Dr. Stone said of his research.

In a 2016 analysis of 71 lone-actor terrorists and 115 mass killers, researchers convened by the Department of Justice found the rate of psychotic disorders to be about what Dr. Stone had discovered: roughly 20 percent.

The overall rate of any psychiatric history among mass killers  including such probable diagnoses as depression, learning disabilities or ADHD  was 48 per cent.

About two-thirds of this group had faced long-term stress, like trouble at school or keeping a job, failure in business, or disabling physical injuries from, say, a car accident.

Substance abuse was also common: More than 40 per cent had problems with alcohol, marijuana or other drugs.

Looking at both studies, and using data from his own work, J. Reid Meloy, a forensic psychologist who consults with the FBI, has identified what he believes is a common thread: a paranoid spectrum, he calls it.

At the extreme end is full-on psychosis of the Loughner variety. But the majority of people on this spectrum are not deeply ill; rather, they are injustice collectors. They are prone to perceive insults and failures as cumulative, and often to blame them on one person or one group.

If you have this paranoid streak, this vigilance, this sense that others have been persecuting you for years, theres an accumulation of maltreatment and an intense urge to stop that persecution, Dr Meloy said. That may never happen. The person may never act on the urge. But when they do, typically theres a triggering event. Its a loss in love or work  something that starts a clock ticking, that starts the planning.

Mental health treatment might make a difference for the one in five murderers who have severe mental disorders, experts say. Prevention is also possible in a few other cases  for instance, if the perpetrators make overt threats and those threats are reported.

But other factors must be weighed.

In my large file of mass murders, if you look decade by decade, the numbers of victims are fairly small up until the 1960s, said Dr Stone. Thats when the deaths start going way up. When the AK-47s and the Kalashnikovs and the Uzis  all these semiautomatic weapons, when they became so easily accessible.

New York Times
Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

Donald Trump has added to his personal catalogue of awkward handshakes with fellow world leaders after being left confused by an apparently straightforward group photo during a summit in the Philippines.

The US president was in Manila attending the opening ceremonies of the Association for Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) conference, which began with the group photo of those gathered.

Mr Trump, along with those standing on the podium, was instructed to take part in the traditional ASEAN handshake, which consists of a cross-body exercise where leaders extend their right arm over their left and shake the opposite hands of those next to them.

Recommended Trump downplaying Russian hacking is threat to national security

However, the US president seemed briefly confused by the announcers instructions, and proceeded to cross his hands in front of him.

He turned to the leaders that flanked him  Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc to the right, and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to the left  and extended his arms outwards.

Finally, he crossed his arms and reached to the correct sides and vigorously shook the arms of the two leaders beside him, while laughing.

Mr Trump has on a five-country trip through Asia travelling to Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam and the Philippines.

Handshakes have become a Trump trademark in his first year in office, with the President demonstrating a tendency to pull the other person towards him before patting them on the back.

In one instance, he pulled Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abes hand toward him and then held onto it for a long time, prompting an eye roll from Mr Abe as the President looked away.

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 French President Emmanuel Macron engaged in a white-knuckle handshake with the US leader, while Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau short-circuited Mr Trumps attempt at dominance and used his left arm to hold onto him to prevent being pulled toward him.

Additional reporting from AP
Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

Brett Talley, a 36-year-old lawyer whom President Donald Trump nominated for a lifetime federal judgeship, has practiced law for only three years and has yet to try a case.

Before his nomination in September, he had been unequivocal about his political views. Hillary Rotten Clinton might be the best Trumpism yet, says a tweet from his account, which has since been made private. A Call to Arms: It's Time to Join the National Rifle Association was the title of a blog post he wrote in January 2013, a month after a gunman in Newtown, Connecticut, killed 27 people before taking his own life.

Talley, who also writes horror novels on the side, moved a step closer to becoming a federal district judge in his home state of Alabama on Thursday. Voting along party lines, the Senate Judiciary Committee, on which Republicans outnumber Democrats, approved Talley's nomination, which now goes to the Senate for a full vote.

Talley is the latest federal judicial nominee to draw scrutiny for what some say is his limited experience in practicing law and the level of partisanship he had shown on social media, on his political blog, and on several opinion pieces he had written for CNN. He has also received a not qualified rating from the American Bar Association (ABA), which vets federal judicial nominees.

The vote on Talley's nomination comes as Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Republican-Kentucky, continue to intensify efforts to place conservative jurists, some of whom are young, on the federal bench. As he stood next to McConnell during a news conference in October, Trump said the judicial nominations are the untold success stories of his presidency.

Nobody wants to talk about it. But when you think about it, Mitch and I were saying, that has consequences 40 years out, depending on the age of the judge, but 40 years out, Trump said. So numerous have been approved. Many, many are in the pipeline. The level of quality is extraordinary.

In a statement defending Talley's nomination, Senator Charles E. Grassley, Republican-Iowa, chairman of the Judiciary Committee, said he does not believe extensive trial experience is the only factor in deciding on a nominee's qualifications.

Mr Talley has a wide breadth of various legal experience that has helped to expose him to different aspects of federal law and the issues that would come before him, Grassley said.

Talley graduated from Harvard Law School in 2007. Shortly after, he became a law clerk in Alabama, spending two years at a federal district court and another two at the US Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit. He worked as a political speechwriter for three years, first for Mitt Romney's presidential campaign in 2012 and then for Senator Rob Portman, Republican-Ohio, from 2013 to 2015.

In April 2015, Talley became an Alabama deputy solicitor general, a position he held for nearly two years until he became deputy assistant attorney general for the Justice Department in January.

Talley's lack of experience in the courtroom and his partisan commentaries, however, were repeatedly questioned by Democrats on the Judiciary Committee.

Your overall qualifications and preparation for becoming a lifetime-appointed federal judge are a concern to me, Senator Dianne Feinstein, Democrat-California, said, according to her written questions to Talley.

Senator Richard J. Durbin, Democrat-Illinois, did not mince words, asking questions like: How can you claim to be qualified for a lifetime appointment to supervise federal trials on a daily basis when you have never yourself tried a single case? and Do you think it is advisable to put people with literally no trial experience on the federal district court bench?

In response, Talley said he had previously argued motions in federal district court on behalf of the state of Alabama, often through written briefs than in person. He also said he had argued cases before the 11th Circuit appeals court and the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals.

Talley said it would be inappropriate for him to comment on the decision to recommend him for the federal bench - a decision made by two US senators from Alabama, Richard C. Shelby and Luther Strange.

Federal judges come to the bench from a variety of legal backgrounds, each with something to learn and something to contribute, Talley wrote. I have worked in all three branches of the federal government, in state government, and in private practice.

In his previous job in Alabama, he said, he was one of the highest-ranking lawyers in the state, handling the most sensitive and most important legal matters Alabama faced.

Feinstein, the top Democrat on the committee, also spent a good portion of her 14-page questionnaire asking Talley about partisan statements he'd made in the past, including tweets such as:

The press cares when you lie to the American people. Unless you are @HillaryClinton #LochteGate

The worst part of #NeverTrump is that they are helping Hillary win the election. Their self-righteousness while doing it is a close second.

Talley had written political commentaries for CNN, including a 2016 article in which he said Clinton has committed acts that would have resulted in the prosecution of ordinary citizens. In the blog post in which he called on his readers to join the NRA, he criticised gun-control advocates, who, he said, have exploited the Newtown mass shooting to advance an agenda to strip people of their Second Amendment rights.

These politicians either do not know or do not care that an armed, responsible citizenry is the last and greatest bulwark against tyranny that a nation can have, Talley wrote in his blog, Government in Exile. They certainly do not care about our right to bear arms, enshrined in the Constitution and reaffirmed by recent Supreme Court rulings.

Talley said the post was meant to attract opposing views and encourage constructive discussion. He also said that he would recuse himself in cases in which his impartiality is questioned, as required by federal statute, and that his personal views on the Second Amendment and other issues will have no bearing on how I would rule in a case.

Rather, I would be duty-bound to apply relevant Supreme Court and circuit precedent to the facts before me, he wrote.

Talley is one of five judicial nominees whom the Judiciary Committee approved Thursday.

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights questioned his ability to be fair, particularly in presiding over cases with political overtones.

Brett Talley is entirely unqualified for a federal judgeship because he lacks the breadth and depth of experience necessary for the job, and he has demonstrated ideologically extreme views that call into question his temperament and judgement, Vanita Gupta, president and chief executive of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, said in a statement.

In a 7 November letter to Grassley and Feinstein, the American Bar Association did not raise questions about Talley's temperament but said his lack of trial experience was a concern.

Carrie Severino, counsel for the conservative Judicial Crisis Network, criticised the American Bar Association, saying the group is not a nonpartisan organisation.

The ABA is a liberal interest group. They have a long history of giving lower ratings to Republican nominees, she told The Los Angeles Times.

Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Show all 30 1 /30 Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Threatening to shut down Twitter after being fact-checked After the president tweeted that voting by post would be "substantially fraudulent", Twitter attached a warning label to his tweet and referred readers to a site which explained how the claim was "unsubstantiated". Trump then said Twitter was "stifling free speech" and that he may have to shut it down, something which he would not have the power to do AFP/Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Flippantly dismissing a serious allegation of sexual assault When author E Jean Carroll accused Trump of raping her, the president responded: Number one, shes not my type. Number two, it never happened. It never happened, OK?" AFP/Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Insulting the Mayor of London as he landed in London Just before touching down at Stansted Airport for his state visit, Trump took time out to @ the London mayor Sadiq Khan on twitter. He said that Khan has done a "terrible job"as mayor and that he is a "stone cold loser" Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Taking plenty of "Executive Time" The president's official schedule sets aside the hours from 8 to 11am daily for "Executive Time". Further intermittent periods of "Executive Time" are scheduled throughout any given day, ranging from 15 minutes to 3 hours. His duties in these hours have not been officially disclosed, though Axios reports that he spends them watching TV, reading the newspapers and tweeting Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Shutdown the government for over a month in an effort to secure funding for his wall With Mexico declining to pay for the wall, the president has faced difficulty in raising the required $5bn at home. Due to his demand that the money for the wall be included in the budget, and Congress's refusal, the government partially shut down on 22 December 2018. It remained shut for over a month, the longest period in history Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Joking about the Nazi occupation of France to President Macron In this tweet from 13 November 2018, the president mocks Emmanuel Macron's suggestion of a "true, European army" by invoking the conflict between France and Germany in the world wars Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Railing against the Mueller investigation The president has repeatedly claimed that the Mueller investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, is a "rigged witch hunt" Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Contradicting a US intelligence report on Russian meddling in the presence of Vladimir Putin In the press conference that followed his landmark meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin, Trump stated that he saw no reason why Russia would have meddled in the 2016 US election. This contradicted a 2017 report by the US Office of the Director of National Intelligence that found evidence of Russian interference in favour of Trump Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Contradicting his contradiction of a US intelligence report on Russian meddling Following furious backlash in the US, the president claimed that he meant to say that he saw no reason why it would not have been Russia who meddled in the 2016 US election. As to why he would have intended to use such bizarre phrasing, he did not comment Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Colouring in the US flag wrong The president coloured in the US flag wrongly during a visit to a children's hospital in Columbus, Ohio. He added a blue stripe where in tradition, and statute, there have been only white and red stripes AFP/Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Firing a Secretary of State over Twitter The president announced on Twitter that he was appointing Mike Pompeo as Secretary of State, much to the surprise of then Secretary of State Rex Tillerson Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Quoting a catchphrase from a reality TV show when discussing police brutality While addressing the issue of black athletes not standing for the national anthem in protest of police brutality, the president made reference to his catchphrase from reality TV show "The Apprentice": you're fired! Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Calling African nations "S***hole Countries" Ever one for diplomacy, the president reportedly referred to African nations as "s***hole countries". Asked to confirm this when meeting with Nigeria's President Buhari, Trump stated that there are "some countries that are in very bad shape". Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Defending Russian President Vladimir Putin Trump appeared to equate US foreign actions to those of Russian president Vladimir Putin, saying: There are a lot of killers. You think our countrys so innocent? Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Asking for people to 'pray' for Arnold Schwarzenegger At the National Prayer Breakfast, Trump couldnt help but to ask for prayers for the ratings on Arnold Schwarzeneggers show to be good. Schwarzenegger took over as host of The Apprentice  which buoyed Trumps celebrity status years ago Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Hanging up on Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull Early in his presidency, Trump reportedly hung up the phone on Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull after the foreign leader angered him over refugee plans. Mr Trump later said that it was the worst call he had had so far Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... The 'Muslim ban' Perhaps one of his most controversial policies while acting as president, Trumps travel ban targeting predominantly Muslim countries has bought him a lot of criticism. The bans were immediately protested, and judges initially blocked their implementation. The Supreme Court later sided with the administrations argument that the ban was developed out of concern for US security Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Praising crowd size while touring Hurricane Harvey damage After Hurricane Harvey ravaged southeastern Texas, Trump paid the area a visit. While his response to the disaster in Houston was generally applauded, the president picked up some flack when he gave a speech outside Houston (he reportedly did not visit disaster zones), and praised the size of the crowds there AP Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... 'Little Rocket Man' During his first-ever speech to the United Nations General Assembly, Trump tried out a new nickname for North Korea leader Kim Jong-un: Rocket Man. He later tweaked it to be little Rocket Man as the two feuded, and threatened each other with nuclear war. During that speech, he also threatened to totally annihilate North Korea Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Attacking Sadiq Khan following London Bridge terror attack After the attack on the London Bridge, Trump lashed out at London Mayor Sadiq Khan, criticising Khan for saying there was no reason to be alarmed after the attack. Trump was taking the comments out of context, as Khan was simply saying that the police had everything under control Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Claiming presenter Mika Brezinkski was 'bleeding from the face' Never one not to mock his enemies, Trump mocked MSNBCs Morning Joe co-host Mika Brzezinski, saying that she and co-host Joe Scarborough had approached him before his inauguration asking to join him. He noted that she was bleeding badly from a face-lift at the time, and that he said no MSNBC Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Claiming the blame for Charlottesville was on 'both sides' Trump refused to condemn far-right extremists involved in violence at 'the march for the right' protests in Charlottesville, even after the murder of counter protester Heather Heyer AP Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Retweeting cartoon of CNN being hit by a 'Trump train' Trump retweeted a cartoon showing a Trump-branded train running over a person whose body and head were replaced by a CNN avatar. He later deleted the retweet Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Tweeting about 'slamming' CNN Trump caught some flack when he tweeted a video showing him wrestling down an individual whose head had been replaced by a CNN avatar. Trump has singled CNN out in particular with his chants of fake news Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Firing head of the FBI, James Comey Trumps firing of former FBI Director James Comey landed him with a federal investigation into Russias meddling in the 2016 election that has caused many a headache for the White House. The White House initially said that the decision was made after consultation from the Justice Department. Then Mr Trump himself said that he had decided to fire him in part because he wanted the Russia investigation Mr Comey was conducting to stop Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Not realising being president would be 'hard' Just three months into his presidency, Trump admitted that being president is harder than he thought it would be. Though Trump insisted on the 2016 campaign trail that doing the job would be easy for him, he admitted in an interview that living in the White House is harder than running a business empire Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Accusing Obama of wiretapping him Trump accused former president Barack Obama of wire tapping him on twitter. The Justice Department later clarified: Obama had not, in fact, done so Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Claiming there had been 3 million 'illegal votes' Trump was never very happy about losing the popular vote to Hillary Clinton by 2.8 million ballots. So, he and White House voter-fraud commissioner Kris Kobach have claimed that anywhere between three and five million people voted illegally during the 2016 election. Conveniently, he says that all of those illegal votes went to Clinton. (There is no evidence to support that level of widespread voter fraud.) Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Leaving Jews out of the Holocaust memorial statement Just days after taking office, Trumps White House issued a statement on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, but didnt mention jews or even the word jewish in the written statement Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Anger over Inauguration crowd size Trumps inauguration crowd was visibly, and noticeably, smaller than that of his predecessor, Barack Obama. But, he really wanted to have had the largest crowd on record. So, he praised it as the biggest crowd ever. Relatedly, Trump also claimed that it stopped raining in Washington at the moment he was inaugurated. It didnt, the day was very dreary Reuters

The bar association gave a not qualified rating to four Trump judicial picks. Two, Talley and Leonard Grasz, an Omaha lawyer nominated to fill a vacancy on the US Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit, were unanimously deemed to be unqualified. Two others, Charles Goodwin and Holly Teeter, nominees for federal district judgeship in Oklahoma and Kansas, respectively, were rated as not qualified in a split decision.

Previously, the association, which has been vetting judicial candidates since 1989, unanimously rated only two other judicial candidates as unqualified, both of whom were nominated by then-President George W. Bush.

Another Trump judicial nominee, Jeff Mateer, attracted controversy over earlier speeches in which he said transgender children are proof that Satan's plan is working, described same-sex marriage as a harbinger for disgusting practices such as polygamy and bestiality, and advocated for conversion therapy. He also had previously admitted discriminating based on sexual orientation.

The Washington Post
Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

President Donald Trump said that President Vladimir Putin had assured him again Saturday that Russia did not interfere in the 2016 presidential campaign, and indicated that he believed Putin's sincerity, drawing immediate criticism from lawmakers and former intelligence officials who assessed that the meddling took place.

I asked him again, Trump said after what he described as several brief, informal chats with Putin in Danang, Vietnam, where they were attending a regional conference. You can only ask so many times... He said he absolutely did not meddle in our election. He did not do what they are saying he did.

I really believe that when he tells me that, he means it... I think he's very insulted, if you want to know the truth, Trump told reporters travelling with him aboard Air Force One from Danang to Hanoi, on the ninth day of a long Asia tour. Trump voiced similar conclusions after his only previous meeting with Putin, last July in Germany.

Trump's response to questions about his conversations with Putin was a jarring return to the more insular preoccupations of Washington after more than a week of what has been a trip filled with pageantry and pledges of mutual admiration, but few substantive outcomes, between Trump and Asian leaders.

Trump suggested that what he called the artificial Democratic hit job of investigations of possible collusion between his campaign and Russia were somehow preventing US-Russia cooperation on a range of issues, including North Korea. It's a shame, he said, because people will die because of it.

In his own news conference after their talks, Putin said he knew absolutely nothing about Russian contacts with Trump campaign officials, and called reports that a campaign official met with his niece bollocks, according to an interpreter.

They can do what they want, looking for some sensation, Putin said of the investigations. But there are no sensations.

Trump described the former top US intelligence officials who concluded in January that the tampering took place - including former director of national intelligence James Clapper Jr and former CIA director John Brennan - as political hacks. He called former FBI director James Comey, who testified before Congress that Trump asked him to drop an investigation of his campaign's connections to Russian officials, a proven liar and a leaker.

Clapper said in a statement that the president was given clear and indisputable evidence that Russia interfered in the election. His own DNI and CIA director have confirmed the finding in the intelligence community assessment. The fact that he would take Putin at his word over the intelligence community is unconscionable.

Brennan declined to comment.

In a statement, the CIA said that Director Mike Pompeo stands by and has always stood by the January 2017 Intelligence Community assessment... with regard to Russian election meddling. That position, it said, has not changed. The assessment also concluded that Russia had acted to promote Trump's victory over Democrat Hillary Clinton. Although Pompeo said last month that intelligence agencies had determined that Russian interference had not altered the electoral outcome, the assessment did not address that question.

Former CIA director Michael V. Hayden said he was so concerned by Trump's statement that he contacted the agency to confirm that it stood by the January assessment. He described Trump's remarks as egregious comments on the character of folks who have been public servants... [and] the public should know that these guys are thoroughgoing professionals, and what the president left unsaid is that the people he put into these jobs agree with the so-called hacks.

Senior officials in the intelligence community will be dismayed by the disparagement of two respected intelligence veterans, Hayden said, and people have a right to ask at senior levels: 'Does what I do make a difference anymore?' 

Michael Morell, a former acting director and deputy director of the CIA, said Trump was biting hook, line and sinker the word of Putin, a former intelligence officer who is a trained liar and manipulator. Although progress had been made in the intelligence community's initial raw relationship with Trump, Morell said in an email, this will most definitely be a step backward.

Senator Mark Warner, Virginia, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, one of the panels investigating Russian interference in the presidential campaign, said he was left completely speechless by Trump's willingness to take Putin's word over the conclusions of our own combined intelligence community.

Representative Adam Schiff, California, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said in a statement: Instead of criticising the Russian leader for the audacity of his interference and denials, he attacked Directors Brennan, Clapper and Comey... But the President fools no one. He understands that the Russians intervened through the hacking and dumping of his opponents emails, the fruits of which he exploited time and again on the campaign trail.

Several Republican members of the Senate and House intelligence panels did not respond to requests to comment on Trump's remarks.

Senator John McCain, Republican-Arizona, said in a statement that there's nothing 'America First' about taking the word of a KGB colonel over that of the American intelligence community... Vladimir Putin does not have America's interests at heart. To believe otherwise is not only naive but also places our national security at risk.

Trump's latest comments on the subject came as investigations of allegations that his campaign colluded with Russia have moved into a new, more visible and potentially consequential phase.

Special counsel Robert Mueller filed criminal charges two weeks ago against three people - including a former Trump campaign chairman and two lower-level campaign advisers - and more charges are expected.

Although Trump, his family members and close aides continue to reject any suggestion of collusion, new evidence has emerged that people in Trump's orbit communicated with Russians during the campaign. Three congressional committees investigating the matter are focused in part on a meeting that occurred in Trump Tower in June 2016, attended by Trump's son Donald Trump Jr; his son-in-law, Jared Kushner; and then-campaign manager Paul Manafort, with a well-connected Russian lawyer offering negative information about Clinton.

In his news conference, Putin said he and Trump hardly know each other. He described the US President as very professional, very friendly, he behaves very appropriately, and added, Unfortunately, we did not have enough time to get down to some more details, because we have many matters to discuss.

The two leaders issued a joint statement pledging to continue their cooperation to defeat the Islamic State in Syria, and their commitment to UN-brokered peace negotiations between the government of Syrian President Bashar Assad and opponents fighting to oust him.

Putin also said that he and Chinese President Xi Jinping, who held a long meeting at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Danang, had similar views on various issues, including North Korea. Our views completely coincide. . . . We do not accept the nuclear status of that country, Putin said.

Trump said in his airborne remarks to reporters that a Xi statement calling for the denuclearisation of North Korea, which depends on China for its economic survival, was a major step forward that a lot of people... didn't pick up.

Russia, Trump said, also could be tremendously helpful on North Korea but was prevented by this artificial Democrat barrier of the election investigations. I think it's a shame that something like that can destroy a very important potential relationship between two countries that are very important countries, Trump said. Russia could really help us.

Putin blamed the lack of a formal meeting with Trump at the conference on the failure of their respective teams, and said they would be lectured on the lapse.

Relations with the United States, Putin said, are still in crisis, even though Russia is saying that we are ready to turn that page over and go forward and look into the future.

The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Show all 17 1 /17 The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Paul Manafort Mr Manafort is a Republican strategist and former Trump campaign manager. He resigned from that post over questions about his extensive lobbying overseas, including in Ukraine where he represented pro-Russian interests. Mr Manafort turned himself in at FBI headquarters to special counsel Robert Muellers team on Oct 30, 2017, after he was indicted under seal on charges that include conspiracy against the United States, conspiracy to launder money, unregistered agent of a foreign principal, false and misleading US Foreign Agents Registration Act statements, false statements, and seven counts of failure to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts. Getty The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Rick Gates Mr Gates joined the Trump team in spring 2016, and served as a top aide until he left to work at the Republican National Committee after the departure of former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort. Mr Gates' had previously worked on several presidential campaigns, on international political campaigns in Europe and Africa, and had 15 years of political or financial experience with multinational firms, according to his bio. Mr Gates was indicted alongside Mr Manafort by special counsel Robert Mueller's team on charges that include conspiracy against the United States, conspiracy to launder money, unregistered agent of a foreign principal, false and misleading US Foreign Agents Registration Act statements, false statements, and seven counts of failure to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts. AP The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation George Papadopoulos George Papadopoulos was a former foreign policy adviser for the Trump campaign, having joined around March 2016. Mr Papadopoulos plead guilty to federal charges for lying to the FBI as a part of a cooperation agreement with Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation. Mr Papadopoulos claimed in an interview with the FBI that he had made contacts with Russian sources before joining the Trump campaign, but he actually began working with them after joining the team. Mr Papadopoulos allegedly took a meeting with a professor in London who reportedly told him that Russians had "dirt" on Hillary Clinton. The professor also allegedly introduced Mr Papadopoulos to a Russian who was said to have close ties to officials at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mr Papadopoulos also allegedly was in contact with a woman whom he incorrectly described in one email to others in the campaign as the "niece" to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Twitter The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Donald Trump Jr The President's eldest son met with a Russian lawyer - Natalia Veselnitskaya - on 9 June 2016 at Trump Tower in New York. He said in an initial statement that the meeting was about Russia halting adoptions of its children by US citizens. Then, he said it was regarding the Magnitsky Act, a US law blacklisting Russian human rights abusers. In a final statement, Mr Trump Jr released a chain of emails that revealed he took the meeting in hopes of getting information Ms Veselnitskaya had about Hillary Clinton's alleged financial ties to Russia. He and the President called it standard "opposition research" in the course of campaigning and that no information came from the meeting. The meeting was set up by an intermediary, Rob Goldstone. Jared Kushner and Paul Manafort were also at the same meeting. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jared Kushner Mr Kushner is President Donald Trump's son-in-law and a key adviser to the White House. He met with a Russian banker appointed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in December. Mr Kushner has said he did so in his role as an adviser to Mr Trump while the bank says he did so as a private developer. Mr Kushner has also volunteered to testify in the Senate about his role helping to arrange meetings between Trump advisers and Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Rob Goldstone Former tabloid journalist and now music publicist Rob Goldstone is a contact of the Trump family through the previously Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant, which took place in Moscow. In June 2016, he wrote to Donald Trump Jr offering a meeting with a Russian lawyer, Natalya Veselnitskaya, who had information about Hillary Clinton. Mr Goldstone was the intermediary for Russian pop star Emin Agalaraov and his father, real estate magnate Aras, who played a role in putting on the 2013 pageant. In an email chain released by Mr Trump Jr, Mr Goldstone seemed to indicate Russian government's support of Donald Trump's campaign. AP images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Aras and Emin Agalarov Aras Agalarov (R) is a wealthy Moscow-based real estate magnate and son Emin (L) is a pop star. Both played a role in putting on the previously Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant in Moscow. They allegedly had information about Hillary Clinton and offered that information to the Trump campaign through a lawyer with whom they had worked with, Natalia Veselnitskaya, and music publicist Rob Goldstone. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Natalia Veselnitskaya Natalia Veselnitskaya is a Russian lawyer with ties to the Kremlin. She has worked on real estate issues and reportedly counted the FSB as a client in the past. She has ties to a Trump family connection, real estate magnate Aras Agalarov, who had helped set up the Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant which took place in Moscow. Ms Veselnitskaya met with Donald Trump Jr, Jared Kushner, and Paul Manafort in Trump Tower on 9 June 2016 but denies the allegation that she went there promising information on Hillary Clinton's alleged financial ties to Russia. She contends that the meeting was about the US adoptions of Russian children being stopped by Moscow as a reaction to the Magnitsky Act, a US law blacklisting Russian human rights abusers. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Mike Flynn Mr Flynn was named as Trump's national security adviser but was forced to resign from his post for inappropriate communication with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. He had misrepresented a conversation he had with Mr Kislyak to Vice President Mike Pence, telling him wrongly that he had not discussed sanctions with the Russian. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Sergey Kislyak Mr Kislyak, the former longtime Russian ambassador to the US, is at the centre of the web said to connect President Donald Trump's campaign with Russia. Reuters The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Roger Stone Mr Stone is a former Trump adviser who worked on the political campaigns of Richard Nixon, George HW Bush, and Ronald Reagan. Mr Stone claimed repeatedly in the final months of the campaign that he had backchannel communications with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and that he knew the group was going to dump damaging documents to the campaign of Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton - which did happen. Mr Stone also had contacts with the hacker Guccier 2.0 on Twitter, who claimed to have hacked the DNC and is linked to Russian intelligence services. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jeff Sessions The US attorney general was forced to recuse himself from the Trump-Russia investigation after it was learned that he had lied about meeting with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Carter Page Mr Page is a former advisor to the Trump campaign and has a background working as an investment banker at Merrill Lynch. Mr Page met with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak during the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland. Mr Page had invested in oil companies connected to Russia and had admitted that US Russia sanctions had hurt his bottom line. Reuters The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jeffrey "JD" Gorden Mr Gordon met with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak during the 2016 Republian National Convention to discuss how the US and Russia could work together to combat Islamist extremism should then-Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump win the election. The meeting came days before a massive leak of DNC emails that has been connected to Russia. Creative Commons The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation James Comey Mr Comey was fired from his post as head of the FBI by President Donald Trump. The timing of Mr Comey's firing raised questions around whether or not the FBI's investigation into the Trump campaign may have played a role in the decision. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Preet Bharara Mr Bahara refused, alongside 46 other US district attorney's across the country, to resign once President Donald Trump took office after previous assurances from Mr Trump that he would keep his job. Mr Bahara had been heading up several investigations including one into one of President Donald Trump's favorite cable television channels Fox News. Several investigations would lead back to that district, too, including those into Mr Trump's campaign ties to Russia, and Mr Trump's assertion that Trump Tower was wiretapped on orders from his predecessor. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Sally Yates Ms Yates, a former Deputy Attorney General, was running the Justice Department while President Donald Trump's pick for attorney general awaited confirmation. Ms Yates was later fired by Mr Trump from her temporary post over her refusal to implement Mr Trump's first travel ban. She had also warned the White House about potential ties former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn to Russia after discovering those ties during the FBI's investigation into the Trump campaign's connections to Russia. Getty Images

Putin noted that Russia's relations with China, a country that he said would soon be the biggest economy in the world, are growing stronger. The United States, he said, is losing out on profitable investments in Russia, presumably because of sanctions.

If you don't want to work, Putin said, there will be others. Your competitors will come and take your place.

The Washington Post
Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

Another woman has accused former President George HW Bush of groping her, saying he did so when she was a teenager.

In an interview with TIME magazine, Roslyn Corrigan said the former President touched her buttocks when she was 16, during a 2003 event at a Texas office of the Central Intelligence Agency.

Describing feeling confusion and absolute horror, Ms Corrigan told TIME she did not say anything to Mr Bush.

What does a teenager say to the ex-president of the United States? Like, Hey dude, you shouldnt have touched me like that? she told the magazine.

I was really, really confused, Ms Corrigan said, adding: I was a child.

Several acquaintances of Ms Corrigan are quoted corroborating her story, saying she had told them of the groping. Through a spokesman, Mr Bush expressed contrition.

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

George Bush simply does not have it in his heart to knowingly cause anyone harm or distress, and he again apologizes to anyone he may have offended during a photo op, spokesman Jim McGrath told TIME.

Numerous women have now come forward to allege Mr Bush groped them. The former Presidents spokesman has said he did not intend any harm.
Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

Two Navy SEALs reportedly being investigated over the death of an Army Green Beret in Mali are accused of killing him after he learned they had been allegedly stealing.

Two special operations sources who remained unnamed told the Daily Beast the members of the US Navys elite SEAL team  which stands for Sea, Air, and Land  under investigation over the death of Logan J Melgar had been taking money from a fund utilised to pay informants.

Mr Melgar was a Special Forces Engineer in the US Army Special Forces which is colloquially referred to as the Green Berets because of their distinctive headwear.

The sources allege Mr Melgar uncovered the theft and rebuffed an offer to gain a cut of the takings.

They also claim that an altercation erupted on 4 June - but the trigger for it remains unknown - and Mr Melgar in turn stopped breathing.

According to former Africom officials, the SEALs and another Green Beret escorted the 34-year-old to hospital.

One official told the publication, Mr Melgar had informed his wife he had a negative instinct about two of the partners he was working with - the SEALs - and he would tell her more when he arrived home.

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

Military officials told CNN a military examiner ruled Mr Melgar's death while on assignment in the landlocked West African country as a homicide.

According to a defence official who knew the findings of the medical examiner's report, Mr Melgar's cause of death was asphyxiation.

According to a US Army Special Command statement, Mr Melgar, who comes from Lubbock, Texas, signed up to the US Army in 2012 and started Special Forces training in 2013. He then carried out two deployments in Afghanistan.

He had been placed in Mali since February with troops providing support for the US embassy there.

Mr Melgar was a member of the third Special Forces Group - the primary unit responsible for Army special operations in northwest Africa, including Mali and Niger.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

President Donald Trump has picked a former top pharmaceutical and government executive to be his health secretary.

If confirmed, Alex Azar would oversee a $1 trillion department responsible for major health insurance programs, including Obamacare, as well as medical research, food and drug safety, and public health.

The nomination of Mr Azar is unusual because Health and Human Services (HHS) secretaries have come from the ranks of elected officials such as governors, leaders in academia and medicine, or top executive branch managers  not industries regulated by the department.

He will be a star for better healthcare and lower drug prices! Mr Trump tweeted in a morning announcement. Mr Trump has a track record of making industry-friendly nominations, such as former ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson as secretary of state and wealthy investor Wilbur Ross as secretary of commerce.

But Mr Trump also has been a scathing critic of the drug companies, both as a candidate and as President.

Mr Azar, 50, a lawyer by training, has spent most of the last 10 years with pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly, rising to president of its key US affiliate before leaving in January to start his own consulting firm. Hes also seen as an expert on government health care regulation.

As secretary, Mr Azar would be returning to HHS after serving in senior posts in the George W Bush administration. He would have to scrupulously avoid conflicts with Lillys far-reaching interests, from drug approval to Medicare reimbursement. The drugmaker has drawn criticism from patient advocacy groups for price increases to one of its biggest products: insulin, used to treat high blood sugar for nearly 100 years.

Mr Azars earlier HHS nominations in the Bush era sailed through the Senate. This time, hell face Democrats wary of the administrations unyielding quest to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Show all 30 1 /30 Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Threatening to shut down Twitter after being fact-checked After the president tweeted that voting by post would be "substantially fraudulent", Twitter attached a warning label to his tweet and referred readers to a site which explained how the claim was "unsubstantiated". Trump then said Twitter was "stifling free speech" and that he may have to shut it down, something which he would not have the power to do AFP/Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Flippantly dismissing a serious allegation of sexual assault When author E Jean Carroll accused Trump of raping her, the president responded: Number one, shes not my type. Number two, it never happened. It never happened, OK?" AFP/Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Insulting the Mayor of London as he landed in London Just before touching down at Stansted Airport for his state visit, Trump took time out to @ the London mayor Sadiq Khan on twitter. He said that Khan has done a "terrible job"as mayor and that he is a "stone cold loser" Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Taking plenty of "Executive Time" The president's official schedule sets aside the hours from 8 to 11am daily for "Executive Time". Further intermittent periods of "Executive Time" are scheduled throughout any given day, ranging from 15 minutes to 3 hours. His duties in these hours have not been officially disclosed, though Axios reports that he spends them watching TV, reading the newspapers and tweeting Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Shutdown the government for over a month in an effort to secure funding for his wall With Mexico declining to pay for the wall, the president has faced difficulty in raising the required $5bn at home. Due to his demand that the money for the wall be included in the budget, and Congress's refusal, the government partially shut down on 22 December 2018. It remained shut for over a month, the longest period in history Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Joking about the Nazi occupation of France to President Macron In this tweet from 13 November 2018, the president mocks Emmanuel Macron's suggestion of a "true, European army" by invoking the conflict between France and Germany in the world wars Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Railing against the Mueller investigation The president has repeatedly claimed that the Mueller investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, is a "rigged witch hunt" Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Contradicting a US intelligence report on Russian meddling in the presence of Vladimir Putin In the press conference that followed his landmark meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin, Trump stated that he saw no reason why Russia would have meddled in the 2016 US election. This contradicted a 2017 report by the US Office of the Director of National Intelligence that found evidence of Russian interference in favour of Trump Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Contradicting his contradiction of a US intelligence report on Russian meddling Following furious backlash in the US, the president claimed that he meant to say that he saw no reason why it would not have been Russia who meddled in the 2016 US election. As to why he would have intended to use such bizarre phrasing, he did not comment Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Colouring in the US flag wrong The president coloured in the US flag wrongly during a visit to a children's hospital in Columbus, Ohio. He added a blue stripe where in tradition, and statute, there have been only white and red stripes AFP/Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Firing a Secretary of State over Twitter The president announced on Twitter that he was appointing Mike Pompeo as Secretary of State, much to the surprise of then Secretary of State Rex Tillerson Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Quoting a catchphrase from a reality TV show when discussing police brutality While addressing the issue of black athletes not standing for the national anthem in protest of police brutality, the president made reference to his catchphrase from reality TV show "The Apprentice": you're fired! Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Calling African nations "S***hole Countries" Ever one for diplomacy, the president reportedly referred to African nations as "s***hole countries". Asked to confirm this when meeting with Nigeria's President Buhari, Trump stated that there are "some countries that are in very bad shape". Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Defending Russian President Vladimir Putin Trump appeared to equate US foreign actions to those of Russian president Vladimir Putin, saying: There are a lot of killers. You think our countrys so innocent? Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Asking for people to 'pray' for Arnold Schwarzenegger At the National Prayer Breakfast, Trump couldnt help but to ask for prayers for the ratings on Arnold Schwarzeneggers show to be good. Schwarzenegger took over as host of The Apprentice  which buoyed Trumps celebrity status years ago Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Hanging up on Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull Early in his presidency, Trump reportedly hung up the phone on Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull after the foreign leader angered him over refugee plans. Mr Trump later said that it was the worst call he had had so far Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... The 'Muslim ban' Perhaps one of his most controversial policies while acting as president, Trumps travel ban targeting predominantly Muslim countries has bought him a lot of criticism. The bans were immediately protested, and judges initially blocked their implementation. The Supreme Court later sided with the administrations argument that the ban was developed out of concern for US security Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Praising crowd size while touring Hurricane Harvey damage After Hurricane Harvey ravaged southeastern Texas, Trump paid the area a visit. While his response to the disaster in Houston was generally applauded, the president picked up some flack when he gave a speech outside Houston (he reportedly did not visit disaster zones), and praised the size of the crowds there AP Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... 'Little Rocket Man' During his first-ever speech to the United Nations General Assembly, Trump tried out a new nickname for North Korea leader Kim Jong-un: Rocket Man. He later tweaked it to be little Rocket Man as the two feuded, and threatened each other with nuclear war. During that speech, he also threatened to totally annihilate North Korea Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Attacking Sadiq Khan following London Bridge terror attack After the attack on the London Bridge, Trump lashed out at London Mayor Sadiq Khan, criticising Khan for saying there was no reason to be alarmed after the attack. Trump was taking the comments out of context, as Khan was simply saying that the police had everything under control Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Claiming presenter Mika Brezinkski was 'bleeding from the face' Never one not to mock his enemies, Trump mocked MSNBCs Morning Joe co-host Mika Brzezinski, saying that she and co-host Joe Scarborough had approached him before his inauguration asking to join him. He noted that she was bleeding badly from a face-lift at the time, and that he said no MSNBC Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Claiming the blame for Charlottesville was on 'both sides' Trump refused to condemn far-right extremists involved in violence at 'the march for the right' protests in Charlottesville, even after the murder of counter protester Heather Heyer AP Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Retweeting cartoon of CNN being hit by a 'Trump train' Trump retweeted a cartoon showing a Trump-branded train running over a person whose body and head were replaced by a CNN avatar. He later deleted the retweet Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Tweeting about 'slamming' CNN Trump caught some flack when he tweeted a video showing him wrestling down an individual whose head had been replaced by a CNN avatar. Trump has singled CNN out in particular with his chants of fake news Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Firing head of the FBI, James Comey Trumps firing of former FBI Director James Comey landed him with a federal investigation into Russias meddling in the 2016 election that has caused many a headache for the White House. The White House initially said that the decision was made after consultation from the Justice Department. Then Mr Trump himself said that he had decided to fire him in part because he wanted the Russia investigation Mr Comey was conducting to stop Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Not realising being president would be 'hard' Just three months into his presidency, Trump admitted that being president is harder than he thought it would be. Though Trump insisted on the 2016 campaign trail that doing the job would be easy for him, he admitted in an interview that living in the White House is harder than running a business empire Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Accusing Obama of wiretapping him Trump accused former president Barack Obama of wire tapping him on twitter. The Justice Department later clarified: Obama had not, in fact, done so Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Claiming there had been 3 million 'illegal votes' Trump was never very happy about losing the popular vote to Hillary Clinton by 2.8 million ballots. So, he and White House voter-fraud commissioner Kris Kobach have claimed that anywhere between three and five million people voted illegally during the 2016 election. Conveniently, he says that all of those illegal votes went to Clinton. (There is no evidence to support that level of widespread voter fraud.) Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Leaving Jews out of the Holocaust memorial statement Just days after taking office, Trumps White House issued a statement on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, but didnt mention jews or even the word jewish in the written statement Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Anger over Inauguration crowd size Trumps inauguration crowd was visibly, and noticeably, smaller than that of his predecessor, Barack Obama. But, he really wanted to have had the largest crowd on record. So, he praised it as the biggest crowd ever. Relatedly, Trump also claimed that it stopped raining in Washington at the moment he was inaugurated. It didnt, the day was very dreary Reuters

Top Democrats in Congress were sceptical, but also said they hoped Mr Azar would bring a shift from an ideological hardline on Obamacare.

Its time to turn over a new leaf at HHS, said Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the Democratic leader.

Senator Patty Murray, a Democrat from Washington, flagged a potential conflict of interest, questioning how Mr Azar can fairly execute any significant effort to lower drug prices for patients. Ms Murray is the senior Democrat on the Health, Education, Labour and Pensions Committee.

But committee chairman Sen Lamar Alexander, a republican from Tennessee, cast Mr Azar as a problem solver, saying he has the qualifications and experience to get results.

Insurers and for-profit hospitals also reacted positively, while the Public Citizen advocacy group likened Mr Azars nomination to a coup detat by drug companies.

Americans consistently rank the high cost of prescription drugs among their top health care priorities, ahead of divisive issues like repealing former President Barack Obamas healthcare law.

Mr Trump has been a sharp critic of the industry. The drug companies, frankly, are getting away with murder, he said at a recent Cabinet meeting. Prices are out of control.

Professionally, Mr Azar has another set of skills that may be valuable to the President. In his previous service at HHS, the Yale law graduate developed an insiders familiarity with the complex world of federal healthcare regulation, serving first as the departments chief lawyer and later as deputy secretary.

Frustrated by fruitless efforts to overturn the Obama-era health law in Congress, Mr Trump might see the regulatory route as his best chance to make a mark on healthcare.

If confirmed, Mr Azar would join the club of Trump administration officials from big business. Mr Ross was chairman of a private equity firm he founded and later sold. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin was a former Goldman Sachs executive and hedge fund manager.

Admirers say Mr Azars drug industry experience should be considered an asset, not a liability. To the extent that the Trump administration has talked about lowering drug prices, heres a guy who understands how it works, said Tevi Troy, who served with Mr Azar in the Bush administration and now leads the American Health Policy Institute, a think-tank focused on employer health insurance.

Mr Trumps pick to lead the Food and Drug Administration, Scott Gottlieb, also faced scrutiny for receiving consulting payments from drugmakers and medical device companies while in the private sector. Once in office, Mr Gottlieb pushed efforts to lower drug prices by reworking FDA drug reviews to increase competition.

Mr Azar would be Mr Trumps second HHS secretary, replacing former Georgia congressman Tom Price, ousted after his use of private charter planes for government travel displeased the President.

Associated Press
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

One of Donald Trump's closest advisers has said that anyone in public office who has sexual encounters with underage girls should "step aside".

Kellyanne Conway made the comment after she was asked about Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore, who was last week accused of having sexual contact with a number of teenage girls. One said she was 14-years-old at the time.

"The conduct as described should disqualify anyone from serving in public office and I'll stand by that," she told ABC News. "The President and others in the Republican party have made clear that if the allegations are true this man should step aside.

Recommended Donald Trump is no longer the centre of attention in America

"But I've gone further than that and I've reflected something the vice President has said as well, which is: Everybody should know that conduct is disqualifying."

Mr Moore, the Republican nominee for a Senate race in Alabama, has admitted to sexual contact with teenagers, but he denied the encounter with the 14-year-old.

There have been calls for him to stand down after Leigh Corfman last week, alleged otherwise to the The Washington Post.

She said Mr Moore, then 32, approached her outside an Alabama courthouse, where he offered to watch out for her while her mother went inside.

When the pair were alone, she said he asked her for her phone number.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty

He later arranged to pick Ms Corfman, who was 14-years-old, up near her home, where she said he kissed her. On a second similar visit, she said he removed his clothes and touched her sexually,

I wanted it over with  I wanted out," she said. Please just get this over with. Whatever this is, just get it over.

Mr Moore has described her claims as "fake news" and vowed to file a lawsuit against The Post. He has yet to do so.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

Roy Moore does not intend to drop out of the Alabama Senate race for anyone, according to his campaign adviser  not even the President.

Senior campaign adviser Brett Doster has claimed that a Washington Post story accusing Mr Moore of sexual misconduct with a 14-year-old was nothing more than a political hit job. He told ABC that new information would reveal that the story was leaked by political opponents" and that the reporting was "an overly aggressive attempt by the Washington Post to create a fictional story.

Asked if Mr Moore would step aside if Donald Trump asked, Mr Doster replied: "No. Nothing is getting him out. He's not going anywhere."

The Post reported last week on one womans claims that Mr Moore  then an Etowah County assistant district attorney  had touched her inappropriately when she was 14 and he was 32. Mr Moore has denied the accusation.

The Post also interviewed two other women who said they dated Mr Moore when he was in his thirties and they were under the age of 18. Mr Moore has said he does not remembering dating these women.

Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Show all 30 1 /30 Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Threatening to shut down Twitter after being fact-checked After the president tweeted that voting by post would be "substantially fraudulent", Twitter attached a warning label to his tweet and referred readers to a site which explained how the claim was "unsubstantiated". Trump then said Twitter was "stifling free speech" and that he may have to shut it down, something which he would not have the power to do AFP/Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Flippantly dismissing a serious allegation of sexual assault When author E Jean Carroll accused Trump of raping her, the president responded: Number one, shes not my type. Number two, it never happened. It never happened, OK?" AFP/Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Insulting the Mayor of London as he landed in London Just before touching down at Stansted Airport for his state visit, Trump took time out to @ the London mayor Sadiq Khan on twitter. He said that Khan has done a "terrible job"as mayor and that he is a "stone cold loser" Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Taking plenty of "Executive Time" The president's official schedule sets aside the hours from 8 to 11am daily for "Executive Time". Further intermittent periods of "Executive Time" are scheduled throughout any given day, ranging from 15 minutes to 3 hours. His duties in these hours have not been officially disclosed, though Axios reports that he spends them watching TV, reading the newspapers and tweeting Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Shutdown the government for over a month in an effort to secure funding for his wall With Mexico declining to pay for the wall, the president has faced difficulty in raising the required $5bn at home. Due to his demand that the money for the wall be included in the budget, and Congress's refusal, the government partially shut down on 22 December 2018. It remained shut for over a month, the longest period in history Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Joking about the Nazi occupation of France to President Macron In this tweet from 13 November 2018, the president mocks Emmanuel Macron's suggestion of a "true, European army" by invoking the conflict between France and Germany in the world wars Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Railing against the Mueller investigation The president has repeatedly claimed that the Mueller investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, is a "rigged witch hunt" Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Contradicting a US intelligence report on Russian meddling in the presence of Vladimir Putin In the press conference that followed his landmark meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin, Trump stated that he saw no reason why Russia would have meddled in the 2016 US election. This contradicted a 2017 report by the US Office of the Director of National Intelligence that found evidence of Russian interference in favour of Trump Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Contradicting his contradiction of a US intelligence report on Russian meddling Following furious backlash in the US, the president claimed that he meant to say that he saw no reason why it would not have been Russia who meddled in the 2016 US election. As to why he would have intended to use such bizarre phrasing, he did not comment Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Colouring in the US flag wrong The president coloured in the US flag wrongly during a visit to a children's hospital in Columbus, Ohio. He added a blue stripe where in tradition, and statute, there have been only white and red stripes AFP/Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Firing a Secretary of State over Twitter The president announced on Twitter that he was appointing Mike Pompeo as Secretary of State, much to the surprise of then Secretary of State Rex Tillerson Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Quoting a catchphrase from a reality TV show when discussing police brutality While addressing the issue of black athletes not standing for the national anthem in protest of police brutality, the president made reference to his catchphrase from reality TV show "The Apprentice": you're fired! Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Calling African nations "S***hole Countries" Ever one for diplomacy, the president reportedly referred to African nations as "s***hole countries". Asked to confirm this when meeting with Nigeria's President Buhari, Trump stated that there are "some countries that are in very bad shape". Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Defending Russian President Vladimir Putin Trump appeared to equate US foreign actions to those of Russian president Vladimir Putin, saying: There are a lot of killers. You think our countrys so innocent? Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Asking for people to 'pray' for Arnold Schwarzenegger At the National Prayer Breakfast, Trump couldnt help but to ask for prayers for the ratings on Arnold Schwarzeneggers show to be good. Schwarzenegger took over as host of The Apprentice  which buoyed Trumps celebrity status years ago Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Hanging up on Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull Early in his presidency, Trump reportedly hung up the phone on Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull after the foreign leader angered him over refugee plans. Mr Trump later said that it was the worst call he had had so far Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... The 'Muslim ban' Perhaps one of his most controversial policies while acting as president, Trumps travel ban targeting predominantly Muslim countries has bought him a lot of criticism. The bans were immediately protested, and judges initially blocked their implementation. The Supreme Court later sided with the administrations argument that the ban was developed out of concern for US security Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Praising crowd size while touring Hurricane Harvey damage After Hurricane Harvey ravaged southeastern Texas, Trump paid the area a visit. While his response to the disaster in Houston was generally applauded, the president picked up some flack when he gave a speech outside Houston (he reportedly did not visit disaster zones), and praised the size of the crowds there AP Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... 'Little Rocket Man' During his first-ever speech to the United Nations General Assembly, Trump tried out a new nickname for North Korea leader Kim Jong-un: Rocket Man. He later tweaked it to be little Rocket Man as the two feuded, and threatened each other with nuclear war. During that speech, he also threatened to totally annihilate North Korea Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Attacking Sadiq Khan following London Bridge terror attack After the attack on the London Bridge, Trump lashed out at London Mayor Sadiq Khan, criticising Khan for saying there was no reason to be alarmed after the attack. Trump was taking the comments out of context, as Khan was simply saying that the police had everything under control Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Claiming presenter Mika Brezinkski was 'bleeding from the face' Never one not to mock his enemies, Trump mocked MSNBCs Morning Joe co-host Mika Brzezinski, saying that she and co-host Joe Scarborough had approached him before his inauguration asking to join him. He noted that she was bleeding badly from a face-lift at the time, and that he said no MSNBC Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Claiming the blame for Charlottesville was on 'both sides' Trump refused to condemn far-right extremists involved in violence at 'the march for the right' protests in Charlottesville, even after the murder of counter protester Heather Heyer AP Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Retweeting cartoon of CNN being hit by a 'Trump train' Trump retweeted a cartoon showing a Trump-branded train running over a person whose body and head were replaced by a CNN avatar. He later deleted the retweet Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Tweeting about 'slamming' CNN Trump caught some flack when he tweeted a video showing him wrestling down an individual whose head had been replaced by a CNN avatar. Trump has singled CNN out in particular with his chants of fake news Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Firing head of the FBI, James Comey Trumps firing of former FBI Director James Comey landed him with a federal investigation into Russias meddling in the 2016 election that has caused many a headache for the White House. The White House initially said that the decision was made after consultation from the Justice Department. Then Mr Trump himself said that he had decided to fire him in part because he wanted the Russia investigation Mr Comey was conducting to stop Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Not realising being president would be 'hard' Just three months into his presidency, Trump admitted that being president is harder than he thought it would be. Though Trump insisted on the 2016 campaign trail that doing the job would be easy for him, he admitted in an interview that living in the White House is harder than running a business empire Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Accusing Obama of wiretapping him Trump accused former president Barack Obama of wire tapping him on twitter. The Justice Department later clarified: Obama had not, in fact, done so Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Claiming there had been 3 million 'illegal votes' Trump was never very happy about losing the popular vote to Hillary Clinton by 2.8 million ballots. So, he and White House voter-fraud commissioner Kris Kobach have claimed that anywhere between three and five million people voted illegally during the 2016 election. Conveniently, he says that all of those illegal votes went to Clinton. (There is no evidence to support that level of widespread voter fraud.) Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Leaving Jews out of the Holocaust memorial statement Just days after taking office, Trumps White House issued a statement on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, but didnt mention jews or even the word jewish in the written statement Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Anger over Inauguration crowd size Trumps inauguration crowd was visibly, and noticeably, smaller than that of his predecessor, Barack Obama. But, he really wanted to have had the largest crowd on record. So, he praised it as the biggest crowd ever. Relatedly, Trump also claimed that it stopped raining in Washington at the moment he was inaugurated. It didnt, the day was very dreary Reuters

The news caused at least 15 Republican senators to urge Mr Moore to drop out, if the allegations were true. Republican Governors Larry Hogan and John Kasich both said the candidate should drop out immediately.

The White House has yet to release a statement on the issue. Kellyanne Conway, a counsellor to the President, has joined those saying that Mr Moore should step down if the allegations are accurate. She called the Post report disturbing and said it offends me greatly as a woman; as a mother of three young girls.

She added, however, that it would be a very dangerous precedent for any of us  for any person in this country  to just be cast aside as guilty because of press reports.

 Kellyanne Conway: anyone in public office who has mistreated women should "step aside"

Mr. Moore has denied that conduct," she said. "I think you've got other people are out there talking about what did or did not happen many years ago."

Mr Moore, meanwhile, has shown no intention of dropping out of the race. At a campaign event on Sunday, Mr Moore promised more information about the motivations and the content of the Post article. He added that he did not intend to let established Republicans derail his campaign.

"We fully expect the people of Alabama to see through this charade, he said. And we will continue our efforts."

Recent polling shows Mr Moore has lost his once-comfortable lead over Democratic opponent Doug Jones. A third of the voters surveyed, however, said the sexual misconduct allegations made no difference to them.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

Another woman has accused Roy Moore, a Senate candidate in Alabama, of sexually abusing her when she was a minor.

Beverly Young Nelson claims Mr Moore sexually assaulted her when she was 16. The Alabama resident, now 56, says Mr Moore was 39 years old and working as a district attorney when he allegedly forced himself on her in his car.

Ms Nelson told reporters on Monday that Mr Moore had been a regular at the restaurant where worked as a teenager. Through tears, she described a night in which he allegedly offered to drive her home.

Recommended Why evangelicals are defending Moore despite child sex abuse claims

Instead of taking her home, Ms Nelson claimed, the candidate drove into a dark area, locked the doors of his car, and began groping her breasts. When she fought and screamed, she alleged, he grabbed her neck and attempted to force her head toward his crotch.

The allegations make Ms Nelson the fifth woman to accuse Mr Moore of past sexual misconduct with a teenager.

Mr Moore  a populist favourite backed by former White House adviser Steve Bannon  denied the claims in a statement. He called Ms Nelson's lawyer, Gloria Allred, a "sensationalist leading a witch hunt".

"Weve said this before and well say it again: Judge Moore is an innocent man and has never had any sexual misconduct with anyone," the campaign said. "This is a witch hunt against a man who has had an impeccable career for over 30 years and has always been known as a man of high character."

 Roy Moore says he doesn't 'generally' remember dating teenage girls while in his 30s

In the press conference, Ms Nelson claimed the abuse started when she was just 15. Mr Moore would visit her at the restaurant, she said, and compliment her appearance and pull her hair. One day, she brought her high school yearbook to work. Mr Moore allegedly asked to sign it.

At the press conference, Ms Allred passed around photocopies of an old yearbook page. A note in the top right corner, dated Christmas 1977, read: To a sweeter more beautiful girl I could not say 'Merry Christmas'."

It was signed: "Love, Roy Moore, DA.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty

Ms Nelson claimed the alleged assault happened a week or two after the yearbook signing. After finishing her evening shift, she said, she waited outside the restaurant for her boyfriend to pick her up. When he did not show up, Mr Moore offered to drive her home.

"I trusted Mr. Moore. He was the district attorney. I thought that he was simply doing something nice by offering to drive me home," Ms Nelson said, her voice shaking. "I did not want to wait outside in the cold so I agreed."

Once she was in the car, Ms Nelson said, Mr Moore allegedly began groping her and forcing her head down, despite her protestations. When he finally opened the car door, she said he told her: If you tell anyone about this, no one will ever believe you."

 Kellyanne Conway: anyone in public office who has mistreated women should "step aside"

Ms Nelson said she had not come forward with her claims earlier because she was afraid of Mr Moore and the power he wielded as district attorney.

But she did eventually tell her mother and sister about the incident, Ms Nelson told reporters. Ms Allred said the women remember their family member becoming upset whenever she saw Mr Moore on the television.

Ms Nelson's claims come in the wake of a Washington Post report alleging Mr Moore initiated sexual contact with a 14-year-old girl when he was 32. Ms Nelson  who voted for Donald Trump in the presidential election  said she was inspired to come forward after reading the article.

I want Mr Moore to know that he no longer has any power over me and I no longer live in fear of him," she said.

Roy Moore, seen here speaking at the Values Voter Summit of the Family Research Council in Washington, DC on October 13, 2017, faces allegations of pursuing relationships with underage women (REUTERS/James Lawler Duggan) (Reuters)

Mr Moore has denied the claims from the Post article, and even threatened to sue the publication. Despite a media uproar, and pushback from his party, he has vowed to stay in the Senate race.

On Monday morning, before the press conference, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell urged the former judge to step down.

"I believe the women," Mr McConnell said. "I think he should step aside."

Other prominent Republicans joined in the chorus after the press conference.

Cory Gardner, the National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman, said Mr Moore was unfit to serve in the United States Senate and he should not run for office".

If he refuses to withdraw and wins, the Senate should vote to expel him, because he does not meet the ethical and moral requirements of the United States Senate, Mr Gardner added.

Senator John Cornyn of Texas also withdrew his endorsement after the press conference. More than a dozen Senate Republicans had already urged Mr Moore to step down in the wake of the Post allegations.

It is too late to remove Mr Moore's name from the ballot, but Senate leaders say they are looking at staging a write-in campaign. The election is scheduled for 12 December.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

Two companies, Realtor.com and Keurig, have pulled advertisements from Fox News host Sean Hannitys programme after he interviewed Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore.

The Republican running the special election on 12 December has come under criticism for allegations of sexual abuse of teenage girls - all of which Mr Moore has denied.

Every single person in this country deserves the presumption of innocence, said Mr Hannity during the programme, which included ad spots from both companies.

He also later said If its true [Mr Moore] should step aside from the race.

The Washington Posts original story on the allegations included no less than 30 sources, four of whom went on the record.

Viewers notified Kuerig and Realor.com via Twitter about their ads.

Neither has confirmed the reason for the pull was because of the interview with Mr Moore, however, they did respond to concerned Twitter users.

One accusation against Mr Moore, that of Leigh Corfmans, has come under the spotlight.

Ms Corfman told the Washington Post that she was 14 years old in 1979 when then-district attorney Mr Moore, 32, approached her outside a courtroom where her parents were attending a child custody hearing.

He then proceeded to meet her twice more, kissing her and then undressing her, forcing her to touch his genitals.

Two other women - both teenagers when Mr Moore was in his 30s - have also come forward with similar stories.

Mr Moore made a name for himself in politics by touting his conservative Christian values.

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

Several prominent Alabama officials have come forward in defence of Mr Moore, with several arguing that since she has been married three times and filed for bankruptcy her charges are likely false.

Mr Moore has said the allegations are completely false and are a desperate political attack by the National Democrat Party and the Washington Post on this campaign.

The campaign levied the now consistent fake news charge against the newspaper.

Four polls have been run since the story surfaced. Three show Mr Moore roughly tied with Democrat Doug Jones in the race.

One, conducted by JMC Analytics, has Mr Jones ahead by four points.

That same poll conducted prior to the child sex abuse charges had Mr Moore ahead by nearly eight points.

The election is set to take place 12 December.
Foundation adds director

Jennifer Stanaway recently joined Samaritan Health Services as executive director of the Albany General Hospital Foundation.

Stanaway graduated from the University of Portland with a business management degree and comes to Samaritan Health Services after 22 years in the banking industry.

Stanaway has served on boards or committees at the Boys & Girls Club of Albany, ABC House, Albany Area Chamber of Commerce, Rotary, Linn County Budget Committee and United Way of Linn County.

Zonta Club

installs officers

The Zonta Club of Corvallis recently installed its officers for the 2017-18 year.

Elected officers are Diana Simpson-Godfrey, president; Joan Reukauf, first vice-president; Kelley Marchbanks, immediate past president; Caron Johnson, treasurer; Kara Daley, board recording secretary; Erin Duncan, advocacy chair; Mary Bentley and Andrea Shonnard, attendance and fellowship chairs; Bill Smart and Laurie Russell, communications chairs; Kara Daley and Karen Smith, community grants and outreach chairs; Gail Anderson and Sunny Welles, membership chairs;

Pete Bober and Rebecca Yu, program and UN chairs; Deb Rarick and Carol Trueba, scholarship chairs; Ronna Pomeroy and Leigh Griffith, service chairs; Kelley Marchbanks, Joan Demarest and Bronwyn Evans, nominating committee members; and Sylvia Moore, Pete Bober, Kathy Heath and Selma Starnes, Zonta Service Foundation of Corvallis members.

The Zonta Club of Corvallis is a member of Zonta International, an organization dedicated to empowering women through service and advocacy. The club awards grants to local community organizations and scholarships to a local high school senior and college students. The grants and scholarships are made possible through funds raised at the clubs annual auction.

Research clinic

hires manager

Sheena Strohmayer is the new manager of The Clinical Research Center at The Corvallis Clinic.

Strohmayer succeeds longtime manager Pat Eshleman, who has retired. She most recently held the position of community connect supervisor at Salem Health, but her new position is something of a homecoming. She began her health care career a decade ago at the clinic, where she held several positions before leaving.

From 2007 to 2012, Strohmayer worked as a clinical research assistant and then a clinical research associate coordinator in the center she now leads. Having earned a Master of Healthcare Administration degree in 2011 from Walden University, she was named in 2012 as the clinics senior clinical quality improvement analyst and eventually manager of quality improvement and informatics, a position she held until 2015.

Dentist joins

Corvallis office

Kurt Black, dentist at Timberhill Dental in Corvallis, recently announced that James Means has joined the practice as an associate dentist.

Means grew up in Salem, and worked in the food and real estate industry before deciding to pursue his dream of becoming a dentist.

He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Oregon State University and a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from Oregon Health & Science University. He graduated with distinction at OHSU, earning the operative and radiology top awards. He is accepting new patients at the office, 2356 NW Professional Drive, 541-754-0144, TimberhillDental.com.

Dutch Bros.

raises money

On Sept. 29, Dutch Bros. celebrated its annual Buck for Kids day and raised $414,233.

All 292 stands donated $1 from each drink sold to the local childrens organization of their choice in honor of National Coffee Day.

Through Buck for Kids, Dutch Bros. locations in Corvallis raised $5,090 for Jackson Street Youth Services. Founded to fill a gap in local support services for homeless youth, Jackson Street Youth Services helps provide stable futures to youth in crisis. Jackson Street Youth Services offers overnight shelters, transitional living, mentoring, education and outreach for youth in Linn and Benton counties.

Dutch Bros. has given to local youth organizations for 10 years through Buck for Kids day. However, two years ago, the company moved the day to coincide with National Coffee Day to increase the impact coffee lovers can have on youth in their local communities.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

Senator John McCain has criticised President Donald Trump for sidelining human rights during his meeting with Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte.

Human rights obviously not a priority in @POTUSs meeting with Duterte  again, sad, Mr McCain wrote on Twitter, coopting one of Mr Trumps favourite ways to express his frustration.

The tweet came after the White House indicated that the two world leaders had briefly discussed Mr Dutertes drug crackdown that has left thousands of people dead in the country, and elicited accusations of human rights abuses, which Mr Duterte has denied.

Mr Dutertes spokesman contradicted the White House, however, saying that the issue was not brought up. There was no mention of human rights, no mention of extralegal killings, Harry Roque said.

Mr Trump, following the meeting, said that he has a great relationship with Mr Duterte, and chose to focus on his own style of transactional diplomacy to discuss other issues than human rights, a stark contrast to past presidents and their approach to the issue.

Mr Dutertes spokesman said that human rights had not come up during their meeting, even as Mr Duterte discussed the drug menace in the Philippines.

Mr Trump appeared sympathetic and did not have any official position on the matter, and was merely nodding his head, indicating that he understood the domestic problem that we faced on drugs, Mr Roque, the spokesman, said.

Mr Trumps predecessor Barack Obama had taken a much tougher line over the drug policy of Mr Duterte and the two clashed verbally. Mr Dutertes spokesman Mr Roque keen to play up the difference. He described the relationship between between the two presidents as warm, friendly and candid.

Its very apparent that both of them have a person who they consider as not a best friend, he added. They have similar feelings towards former US President Barack Obama.

Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Show all 30 1 /30 Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Threatening to shut down Twitter after being fact-checked After the president tweeted that voting by post would be "substantially fraudulent", Twitter attached a warning label to his tweet and referred readers to a site which explained how the claim was "unsubstantiated". Trump then said Twitter was "stifling free speech" and that he may have to shut it down, something which he would not have the power to do AFP/Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Flippantly dismissing a serious allegation of sexual assault When author E Jean Carroll accused Trump of raping her, the president responded: Number one, shes not my type. Number two, it never happened. It never happened, OK?" AFP/Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Insulting the Mayor of London as he landed in London Just before touching down at Stansted Airport for his state visit, Trump took time out to @ the London mayor Sadiq Khan on twitter. He said that Khan has done a "terrible job"as mayor and that he is a "stone cold loser" Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Taking plenty of "Executive Time" The president's official schedule sets aside the hours from 8 to 11am daily for "Executive Time". Further intermittent periods of "Executive Time" are scheduled throughout any given day, ranging from 15 minutes to 3 hours. His duties in these hours have not been officially disclosed, though Axios reports that he spends them watching TV, reading the newspapers and tweeting Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Shutdown the government for over a month in an effort to secure funding for his wall With Mexico declining to pay for the wall, the president has faced difficulty in raising the required $5bn at home. Due to his demand that the money for the wall be included in the budget, and Congress's refusal, the government partially shut down on 22 December 2018. It remained shut for over a month, the longest period in history Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Joking about the Nazi occupation of France to President Macron In this tweet from 13 November 2018, the president mocks Emmanuel Macron's suggestion of a "true, European army" by invoking the conflict between France and Germany in the world wars Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Railing against the Mueller investigation The president has repeatedly claimed that the Mueller investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, is a "rigged witch hunt" Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Contradicting a US intelligence report on Russian meddling in the presence of Vladimir Putin In the press conference that followed his landmark meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin, Trump stated that he saw no reason why Russia would have meddled in the 2016 US election. This contradicted a 2017 report by the US Office of the Director of National Intelligence that found evidence of Russian interference in favour of Trump Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Contradicting his contradiction of a US intelligence report on Russian meddling Following furious backlash in the US, the president claimed that he meant to say that he saw no reason why it would not have been Russia who meddled in the 2016 US election. As to why he would have intended to use such bizarre phrasing, he did not comment Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Colouring in the US flag wrong The president coloured in the US flag wrongly during a visit to a children's hospital in Columbus, Ohio. He added a blue stripe where in tradition, and statute, there have been only white and red stripes AFP/Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Firing a Secretary of State over Twitter The president announced on Twitter that he was appointing Mike Pompeo as Secretary of State, much to the surprise of then Secretary of State Rex Tillerson Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Quoting a catchphrase from a reality TV show when discussing police brutality While addressing the issue of black athletes not standing for the national anthem in protest of police brutality, the president made reference to his catchphrase from reality TV show "The Apprentice": you're fired! Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Calling African nations "S***hole Countries" Ever one for diplomacy, the president reportedly referred to African nations as "s***hole countries". Asked to confirm this when meeting with Nigeria's President Buhari, Trump stated that there are "some countries that are in very bad shape". Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Defending Russian President Vladimir Putin Trump appeared to equate US foreign actions to those of Russian president Vladimir Putin, saying: There are a lot of killers. You think our countrys so innocent? Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Asking for people to 'pray' for Arnold Schwarzenegger At the National Prayer Breakfast, Trump couldnt help but to ask for prayers for the ratings on Arnold Schwarzeneggers show to be good. Schwarzenegger took over as host of The Apprentice  which buoyed Trumps celebrity status years ago Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Hanging up on Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull Early in his presidency, Trump reportedly hung up the phone on Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull after the foreign leader angered him over refugee plans. Mr Trump later said that it was the worst call he had had so far Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... The 'Muslim ban' Perhaps one of his most controversial policies while acting as president, Trumps travel ban targeting predominantly Muslim countries has bought him a lot of criticism. The bans were immediately protested, and judges initially blocked their implementation. The Supreme Court later sided with the administrations argument that the ban was developed out of concern for US security Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Praising crowd size while touring Hurricane Harvey damage After Hurricane Harvey ravaged southeastern Texas, Trump paid the area a visit. While his response to the disaster in Houston was generally applauded, the president picked up some flack when he gave a speech outside Houston (he reportedly did not visit disaster zones), and praised the size of the crowds there AP Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... 'Little Rocket Man' During his first-ever speech to the United Nations General Assembly, Trump tried out a new nickname for North Korea leader Kim Jong-un: Rocket Man. He later tweaked it to be little Rocket Man as the two feuded, and threatened each other with nuclear war. During that speech, he also threatened to totally annihilate North Korea Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Attacking Sadiq Khan following London Bridge terror attack After the attack on the London Bridge, Trump lashed out at London Mayor Sadiq Khan, criticising Khan for saying there was no reason to be alarmed after the attack. Trump was taking the comments out of context, as Khan was simply saying that the police had everything under control Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Claiming presenter Mika Brezinkski was 'bleeding from the face' Never one not to mock his enemies, Trump mocked MSNBCs Morning Joe co-host Mika Brzezinski, saying that she and co-host Joe Scarborough had approached him before his inauguration asking to join him. He noted that she was bleeding badly from a face-lift at the time, and that he said no MSNBC Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Claiming the blame for Charlottesville was on 'both sides' Trump refused to condemn far-right extremists involved in violence at 'the march for the right' protests in Charlottesville, even after the murder of counter protester Heather Heyer AP Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Retweeting cartoon of CNN being hit by a 'Trump train' Trump retweeted a cartoon showing a Trump-branded train running over a person whose body and head were replaced by a CNN avatar. He later deleted the retweet Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Tweeting about 'slamming' CNN Trump caught some flack when he tweeted a video showing him wrestling down an individual whose head had been replaced by a CNN avatar. Trump has singled CNN out in particular with his chants of fake news Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Firing head of the FBI, James Comey Trumps firing of former FBI Director James Comey landed him with a federal investigation into Russias meddling in the 2016 election that has caused many a headache for the White House. The White House initially said that the decision was made after consultation from the Justice Department. Then Mr Trump himself said that he had decided to fire him in part because he wanted the Russia investigation Mr Comey was conducting to stop Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Not realising being president would be 'hard' Just three months into his presidency, Trump admitted that being president is harder than he thought it would be. Though Trump insisted on the 2016 campaign trail that doing the job would be easy for him, he admitted in an interview that living in the White House is harder than running a business empire Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Accusing Obama of wiretapping him Trump accused former president Barack Obama of wire tapping him on twitter. The Justice Department later clarified: Obama had not, in fact, done so Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Claiming there had been 3 million 'illegal votes' Trump was never very happy about losing the popular vote to Hillary Clinton by 2.8 million ballots. So, he and White House voter-fraud commissioner Kris Kobach have claimed that anywhere between three and five million people voted illegally during the 2016 election. Conveniently, he says that all of those illegal votes went to Clinton. (There is no evidence to support that level of widespread voter fraud.) Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Leaving Jews out of the Holocaust memorial statement Just days after taking office, Trumps White House issued a statement on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, but didnt mention jews or even the word jewish in the written statement Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Anger over Inauguration crowd size Trumps inauguration crowd was visibly, and noticeably, smaller than that of his predecessor, Barack Obama. But, he really wanted to have had the largest crowd on record. So, he praised it as the biggest crowd ever. Relatedly, Trump also claimed that it stopped raining in Washington at the moment he was inaugurated. It didnt, the day was very dreary Reuters

Since taking office Mr Duterte has overseen a massive and controversial war on drugs that have left thousands of suspected or alleged drug addicts and dealers dead in the streets. More than 3,900 people have been killed so far, although human rights group claim the number is much higher. Mr Dutertes government says the police act in self-defence, but critics say executions are taking place with no accountability. Mr Trump was criticised in April for praising Mr Duterte in a phone call in saying he was doing a great job in countering the illegal drug trade.

In a joint statement, the White House listed human rights as the third topic discussed, of 14 in total. The two sides underscored that human rights and the dignity of human life are essential, and agreed to continue mainstreaming the human rights agenda in their national programmes to promote the welfare of all sectors, including the most vulnerable groups, the statement said.

Just last week, Mr Duterte boasted he had stabbed a person to death as a teenager, following similar admissions previously, including killing three men while mayor of the city of Davao.

Not everyone was happy with the meeting. As the two leaders met, hundreds of left-wing protesters clashed in central Manila with riot police, who used water cannons to disperse them. The demonstrators chanted slogans against the drugs crackdown and Mr Trumps escalating rhetoric on North Korea. They burnt an effigy of the US President that showed the billionaire developer with four arms, all bent into the shape of a swastika.

They were not the only concern of critics. Mr Trump has business interests in the financial district of Manila, where he is connected to a 57-storey, $150m luxury tower. One of his partners is Jose EB Antonio, a developer on the project, and also Mr Dutertes trade envoy to America.

As with much of the rest of his Asia trip  particularly in relation to Chinas President Xi Jinping  Mr Trump relied on his personal relationships to try and push ahead with his agenda. The lack of a concerted push on human rights can likely be placed in the same bracket as not blaming China over the trade relationship with the US while Mr Trump was in Beijing, despite his anger about the one-sided relationship on the campaign trail for the presidency.

A sense of that personal bond was highlighted on Sunday, when Mr Duterte sang a hit Filipino love song Ikaw (You) at a gala dinner for summit leaders in Manila, saying it was on the orders of Mr Trump.

One of the songs verses, translated from Filipino, begins: You are the light in my world, a half of this heart of mine.

Ladies and gentlemen, I sang uninvited, upon the orders of the commander in chief of the United States, Mr Duterte said later, according to the ABS-CBN news channel.

Mr Duterte has expressed enthusiasm for closer ties with both Russia and China in recent months, leaving Mr Trump little wiggle room if he wanted to keep Mr Duterte on his side with the issues of the threat from North Korea and terrorism high on the agenda. Ahead of his final day in the region, Mr Trump seemed pleased with his efforts.

He met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday and highlighted their two nations deeper and more comprehensive ties, looking to strengthen a relationship that is vital to the US vision of an Indo-Pacific region that attempts to de-emphasise Chinas influence. He also jointly met with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who hosted the President in Tokyo earlier in the trip. Mr Trump was keen to play up progress on both trade and the issue of North Korea.

Mr Trump said he would wait until his return to Washington and elaborate with a major statement on those two topics on Wednesday. But he hinted at progress while in Manila.

Weve made some very big steps with regard to trade  far bigger than anything you know, Mr Trump said.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

Donald Trumps pick to be a federal judge in Alabama - despite having only practised law for three years and having never tried a single case - reportedly failed to disclose he is married to a White House lawyer.

Brett Talley, who writes a blog in which he has described Hillary Clinton as rotten and suggested efforts to regulate guns after the Newtown elementary school massacre as the "greatest attack on our constitutional freedoms in our lifetime, was nominated for the position by the Trump administration in September.

When he was nominated, the American Bar Association rated him as unqualified - the fourth such Trump administration judicial nominee to receive such a rating.

Now, it was been reported Mr Talley, 36, failed to disclose he is married to Ann Donaldson, the chief of staff to the White House counsel, Donald McGahn.

The New York Times said Mr Talley was asked on his publicly released Senate questionnaire to identify family members and others who are likely to present potential conflicts of interest. Despite this, he did not mention his wife.

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 newspaper said Ms Donaldson had in recent weeks been interviewed by the team lead by Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller, which is proving Russias alleged meddling in the 2016 election and possible collusion between Moscow and the Trump campaign.

 Protesters burn Donald Trump effigy in the Philippines

It said she had been interviewed because she had taken detailed notes about conversations with Mr McGahn on a variety of topics and which included the firing of the former FBI director James Comey.

Mr Talley and the Department of Justice did not immediately respond to inquiries.

In a statement to the Times, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, said: Mr Talley served as deputy solicitor general for the state of Alabama, currently serves in the Department of Justices Office of Legal Policy and was recommended by Alabamas US senators.

She added: He is more than qualified to serve in the federal judiciary.
Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

A woman who reportedly married her estranged mother after the pair later hit it off when they got back in contact has avoided a potential 10-year jail sentence.

Misty Velvet Dawn Spann, 25, hadnt seen mother Patricia Spann, 43, since her childhood, when Patricia lost custody of her and two other siblings who were put up for adoption, court records show.

But Misty, from Duncan, Oklahoma, reconnected with Patricia three years ago and the pair apparently bonded before joining together in a same sex-union last September, CBS reported.

Recommended Social services criticised after boy cared for by paedophile relative

Social services officials later discovered the incestuous relationship between the mother and daughter  which is illegal  and the pair were arrested and taken into custody.

It came after Patricia had also married Mistys brother  who was not named  in 2008. It was annulled two years later.

Mistys brother Cody  who is not identified as the brother who married Patricia  has blamed their mother over her relationship with Misty.

"I think she's worthless she put my sister into this, Mistys brother Cody Spann last month told Oklahoma TV channel News9. She forced my sister into this, there's a lot of people that know it."

Patricia Swann, 43, had also married her estranged son in 2014 before it was anulled two years later (Screengrab)

For you to want to put your own daughter through this, he added, what kind of person are you? If that's what you want that's on you, but none of us kids want that, and now you got my sister behind bars because of your choices, why don't you let that sit on you as a mom.

Misty was due to have a jury trial in Stephens County district court in Oklahoma but it was called off after she pleaded guilty, according to a report by Tulsa World.

District Judge Ken Graham gave her a 10-year probation and she faces a jail term if she violates the terms of her release.

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

Her mother Patricia will be sentenced over the same charge in January and faces a decade in prison. She has been held in custody on remand on a bond of $10,000.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

A 13-year-old boy who is unable to swim, used an oil drum to make the two-and-a-half mile sea crossing from Burma to Bangladesh, amid escalating violence against a Rohingya Muslim minority

Nabi Hussain strapped cooking oil containers to his chest and used it to float to the port of Shah Porir Dwip.

I was so scared of dying, the teenager said, adding that he had passed countless bodies on the journey.

The fourth of nine children Nabi grew up in the mountains of Burma, where his father was farmer who grows paan, the betel leaf used as chewing tobacco. He never went to school.

The family were forced to flee after the Burmese military moved in on his village. The last Nabi saw of it, all the homes were on fire.

It came as part of a brutal crackdown by security forces in country after some of their members were attacked by Rohingya insurgents in the Rakhine province, in August.

The military has been accused of killing men, raping women and burning homes and property.

While Nabi's family were able to reach the coast they had no money for a boat or a smuggler to get them to Bangladesh.

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

Surrounded by other refugees, there was a swiftly dwindling supply of food and water.

On the fifth day, Nabi and his parents decided that he was to cross the sea to Bangladesh.

So on the 3 November he joined 23 other young men on the short but perilous journey.

He could not swim, so he was placed in the middle of a group of three men who were tied together with rope. They had cooking oil containers strapped to their bodies.

Now, he is one of over 40,000 unaccompanied Rohingya Muslim children in Bangladesh.

I want my parents and peace," he said.

Recommended Burma attacks UN for meddling in Bangladesh Rohingya refugee talks

Burma has been condemned by the international community for its treatment of the Rohingya community.

Downing Street likened the Burmese militarys violent actions to ethnic cleansing.

The UN Security Council also called on Myanmar to rein in its military campaign in Rakhine state and allow hundreds of thousands of Muslim Rohingya driven from their homes to return, last week.

The council expressed grave concern over human rights violations, including by the Myanmar security forces against the Rohingya such as killing, sexual violence and burning of homes and property.
Sign up to our free fortnightly newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent Nadine White Sign up to our free fortnightly newsletter The Race Report Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

The Race Report email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

A Hindu village in Bangladesh was burnt down after a rumour spread that a local youth had insulted the Prophet Mohammed in a Facebook post.

More than 30 houses were set alight in the Rangpur Sadar upazila (district) following the mans alleged defamation of the religious figure on social media.

The mob reportedly emerged from a crowd of 20,000 people who had gathered from six or seven neighbouring Muslim villages. Anger started to grow after a local Muslim businessman lodged a complaint with the police about the alleged Facebook post.

Recommended Burma attacks UN for meddling in Bangladesh Rohingya refugee talks

One person was killed and five others received serious injuries as the police tried to stop the arson and looting attack in the village of Thakurpara, as reported by the Dhaka Tribune, by firing tear gas and rubber bullets into the crowd.

In response to the police violence, the group blocked the local Rangpur-Dinajpur highway in protest, blocking traffic for about four hours.

Indian Express reported that more than 50 people were arrested.

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 attack and police crackdown was spurred by rumour that local man Titu Roy defamed the Prophet on Facebook several days previously.

Jagadish Roy, a local Hindu community leader, told New Age said that the man accused of defamation was involved in a local dispute over a piece of land, and that he likely had not made any derogatory posts as he was well-behaved and always respectful.

Local reports say police have accused Bangladeshs largest Islamist party, Jamaat-e-Islami, of deliberately attacking Hindus before the elections. The party is reportedly an ally of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, led by former prime minister Khaleda Zia.

Local authorities have launched an investigation of the incident and relief for affected families.

The alleged targeting of ethnic minorities in a Muslim-majority country using what some people have described as fake propaganda comes as Bangladeshi authorities are trying to deal with more than 300,000 Rohingya Muslim refugees who are fleeing from violence by Buddhists in neighbouring Burma.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

North Korean soldiers shot and wounded a comrade as he fled across the demilitarised zone (DMZ) and defected to the South.

The soldier bolted from a guard post at the northern side of Panmunjom village in the Joint Security Area  partly controlled by both sides  to the southern side of the village, South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

North Korean soldiers have occasionally defected to South Korea across the border. But its rare for one to defect via the Joint Security Area, where border guards of the rival Koreas stand facing each other just metres away, and be shot by fellow North Korean soldiers.

He was hit in the shoulder and elbow and was taken to a South Korean hospital, the countrys Defence Ministry said. It was not immediately known how serious the soldiers injuries were or why he decided to defect.

South Korean troops found the injured soldier south of the border after hearing gunfire, an official said citing department rules to requesting anonymity. South Korean troops did not fire at the North, he said.

The defection came at a time of heightened tension over North Koreas nuclear weapons program, and could escalate animosities between the rival countries.

North Korea has often accused South Korea of enticing its citizens to defect, a claim denied by their neighbours.

 H R McMaster calls North Korea a threat 'to the entire world'

About 30,000 North Koreans have defected to South Korea since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War, but most travel through China.

Panmunjom, once an obscure farming village inside the 4-km-wide (2.5-mile-wide) DMZ that separates the two Koreas, is where an armistice was signed to pause the Korean War.

Jointly controlled by the American-led UN Command and North Korea, the DMZ is guarded on both sides by hundreds of thousands of combat-ready troops, razor-wire fences and tank traps. More than a million mines are believed to be buried inside the zone.

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

American presidents often visit Panmunjom and other DMZ areas during their trips to South Korea to reaffirm their security commitment to the South.

President Donald Trump planned to visit the DMZ to underscore his stance against North Koreas nuclear program when he came to South Korea last week as part of an Asian tour.

But he was thwarted by heavy fog that prevented his helicopter from landing at the border area.

At Panmunjom, North Korean soldiers wearing lapel pins with the images of late North Korean leaders often use binoculars to monitor visitors from the South.

They stand only several metres away from tall South Korean soldiers wearing aviator sunglasses and standing motionless like statues. This makes the area a popular stop for visitors from both sides.

Areas around Panmunjom were the site of bloodshed and defection attempts by North Koreans in the past, but there have been no such incidents in recent years.

The most famous incident was in 1976, when two American army officers were killed by ax-wielding North Korean soldiers. The attack prompted Washington to fly nuclear-capable B-52 bombers toward the DMZ in an attempt to intimidate North Korea.

In 1984, North Korean and UN Command soldiers traded gunfire after a Soviet citizen defected by sprinting to the South Korean sector of the truce village.

The incident left three North Korean soldiers and one South Korean soldier dead. In 1998, a North Korean solider fled to South Korea via Panmunjom.

Associated Press
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte drew laughs from Donald Trump when he jokingly called a group of journalists spies after they tried to raise the issue of human rights in his country.

The US president met his counterpart ahead of the Association for Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) conference which is being held in the country's capital Manila, amid a bloody drug war in the country.

Thousands have been killed in a violent crackdown on the illicit trade initiated by Mr Duterte, who has in the past told police that they were "free to kill idiots if they resist arrest.

Recommended Donald Trump baffled by group handshake with fellow leaders

Campaigners had been hoping Mr Trump would press Mr Duterte over human rights issues. But when reporters shouted questions about the issue at the start of the summit he failed to answer.

Speaking after talks with his opposite number ahead of the conference, he said: Weve had a great relationship."

He added: "This has been very successful.

Commenting on the sunny weather in Manila, he said: Ive really enjoyed being here.

As reporters pushed on the issue, Mr Duterte stepped in.

 Protesters burn Donald Trump effigy in the Philippines

Whoa, whoa. This is not a press statement. This is the bilateral meeting," he said.

He then drew a chuckle from Mr Trump when he called the reporters spies, in an apparent joke.

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said that the 40-minute meeting between the US president and his counterpart focused on Isis, illegal drugs and trade.

She added that human rights briefly came up in the context of the Philippines' fight against illegal drugs, but did not say if Mr Trump was critical of the violent crackdown led by Mr Duterte.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty

A spokesman for the Philippine president, however, said that the pair had not discussed the issue.

He said: "There was no mention of human rights. There was no mention of extralegal killings. There was only a rather lengthy discussion of the Philippine war on drugs with President Duterte doing most of the explaining."

The Filipino leader has come under fire over the bloody war on drugs in the country that has targeted mostly users and dealers.

At least 3,000 people have been killed in the violent crackdown, according to government figures, while human rights groups have put the number closer to 9,000.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

Protesters in Manila burned a swastika-shaped effigy of Donald Trump as the US President arrived in the Philippines for trade talks.

The sight of the spinning four-armed construction  holding a bag of cash, a handgun, a nuclear bomb and a bulldozers scoop  contrasted with the red carpet welcome Mr Trump said he had received from governments throughout Asia.

The billionaire is now in the closing stages of a tour of the region designed to push his agenda on trade that is fair to the US, and to shore up opposition to North Koreas threatening behaviour.

Recommended Man who predicted Brexit and Trump gives bleak predictions for 2018

He said the trip had been very fruitful for the US and added: It was red carpet like nobody, I think, has probably ever received.

And that really is a sign of respect, perhaps for me a little, but really for our county. And Im really proud of that.

He was in the Philippines for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and related meetings.

Police used water cannon to keep hundreds of protesters away from the US embassy before his arrival.

Demonstrators carried signs reading Dump Trump and Down with US imperialism but were blocked by riot police.

 President Trump obliquely calls Kim-Jong Un short and fat

Conversely, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau received a heros welcome as he bantered with customers at a fast food restaurant.

The 45-year-old visited chain giant Jollibees where his support among the public appeared as strong as it was two years prior when he was voted the most attractive politician at the APEC summit  a key point in his rise as a global figure.

Environmental critics reportedly expressed utter dismay, however, at his failure to resolve a dispute over the shipping of 50 containers of waste to the Philippines in 2013.

Mr Trumps visit to Manila was being watched closely for mentions of Philippines President Rodrigo Dutertes human rights record.

The strongman leader has overseen a brutal anti-drugs crackdown that has left thousands dead since his election.

When a reporter asked Mr Trump if he would raise human rights at the meeting, Mr Duterte said: Whoa, whoa. This is not a press statement. This is the bilateral meeting.

A Philippines government spokesman later said human rights were not raised, though White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the topic was mentioned briefly.

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 conversation focused on Isis, illegal drugs, and trade. Human rights briefly came up in the context of the Philippines fight against illegal drugs.

Mr Trump was criticised in May for praising Mr Duterte during a phone call for the great job he was doing to counter illegal narcotics.

Additional reporting by agencies
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

An eight-year-old girl has died after her junior drag racing car crashed into a concrete barrier.

Anita Board had was performing a test run at the track in Perth, Australia, in a vehicle with a top speed of 30mph.

She was hoping to get get her licence and compete in her chosen sport.

At eight-years-old, it is legal to race under official rules in Western Australia.

Ministers have now suspended junior drag racing there pending an outcome of the investigation into the crash at the Perth Motorplex.

My heart in a million pieces, Anitas father Ian wrote in a Facebook tribute.

He added: Our angel setting [out] on what was meant to be [a] day to remember for all the right reasons."

But he warned officials not to overreact to her death, saying both he and his partner had carefully picked the sport for their two daughters.

We chose drag racing because we believed it was the safest form of motorsport that we could allow our girls to do," he told Australia's ABC News. The history speaks for itself and sadly this one-in-a-million event happened to us, to our little girl.

"We do understand there needs to be a couple of changes but we don't believe there needs to be major change."

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

Sport and Recreation Minister Mick Murray has banned all drag racing in Western Australia pending the investigation into Anitas death.

"The State Government will wait until the details of the accident are clear following the investigation before taking any further action," he said.

However, Junior Dragster Australia's Mike Sprlyan, told news site Perth Now, that beginner racers in the eight to 17 category took to tracks in vehicles that reached up to 30mph.

He added that it was not uncommon for eight year old drivers to compete.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

France is poised to change its statutory rape laws after a man was acquitted of raping an 11-year-old after the prosecution was unable to prove it was not consensual.

Under French law, having sex with someone aged 15 or under is illegal but prosecutors have to prove it is non-consensual as there is no legal minimum age below which it is presumed in law that a child cannot consent.

But now equalities minister Marlene Schiappa wants a legal minimum age set at between 13 and 15-years-old.

She said: The law will mean that below a certain age, there can be no debate, ever, on the sexual consent of a child, and that any child below a certain age would automatically be considered as raped or sexually assaulted.

She was speaking following the acquittal of a 29-year-old man in the Seine-et-Marne district of Paris who was accused of raping an 11-year-old in a park in 2009.

He was found not guilty by a jury as the prosecution could not prove the girl did not consent to the act.

It came after two days of hearings on what constitutes rape in French law which concluded that elements that constitute rape such as coercion, threat, violence and surprise were not established, according to public prosecutor Dominique Larens.

French newspaper, Le Parisien, reported that the prosecution launched an appeal on Friday.

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 man, then 22, said he had sex with the girl in a park but it was consensual and the girl had told him she was 14 and would soon turn 15.

The girls family is only said to have discovered what had happened when the girl fell pregnant. The child, now seven, was placed in foster care.

It followed another case, which fell apart in September, against a 28-year-old man who said an 11-year-old girl had agreed to go back to his home from a park in Montmagny, another Parisian suburb.

He reportedly told her he would teach her how to kiss but when they arrived, they had sex, the Local reported.

The prosecution and the girls family argued that she had been paralysed by fear and unable to defend herself but he was only given the lesser charge of sexual abuse of a minor because he had not used physical force.

Childrens rights group, Le Voix de lEnfant, has called for changes to the legal system.

In a statement following the first case, they said: The question of consent or its absence should never even be asked when it comes to rape victims who are minors.

In the UK, the age of consent is 16 and in court there is an irrefutable presumption of an absence of consent in such cases.

But those under 13 have additional legal protections which say they can never under any circumstances consent to sexual activity.
In November of 1992, more than 1,500 scientists put their signatures on an extraordinary document titled World Scientists Warning to Humanity, imploring global leaders to save the planet from environmental disaster.

Now, 25 years later, more than 15,000 scientists have signed an updated version of that historic plea, saying "time is running out."

World Scientists Warning to Humanity: A Second Notice, published today in the international journal BioScience, charts the progress  or lack thereof  on the issues highlighted in the original document and renews the call for urgent action.

Lead author William J. Ripple, a distinguished professor of ecology at Oregon State University, said he was astounded by the level of support he and his seven co-authors received for their manuscript.

I initially sent it out to 40 of my colleagues, he recalled. After 24 hours there were 600 scientists who signed it. Within two days, there were 1,200.  There were so many people signing that our website crashed a couple of times.

By the time the paper was ready for publication, the authors had received the endorsement of 15,364 fellow scientists from 184 countries.

The original Warning, published by the Union of Concerned Scientists, was a sort of environmental distress signal that began with this chilling statement: Human beings and the natural world are on a collision course.

It went on to lay out a number of alarming trends, including a growing hole in the atmospheric ozone layer, depletion and pollution of freshwater resources, overfishing in the ocean, widespread deforestation, crashing wildlife populations, increasing greenhouse gas emissions, rising global temperatures and soaring human population levels.

A great change in our stewardship of the earth and the life on it is required, the authors declared, if vast human misery is to be avoided and our global home on this planet is not to be irretrievably mutilated.

As the manifestos 25th anniversary approached, Ripple and his co-authors examined the available data to determine whether any progress had been made on key global environmental issues since 1992. By most measures, they concluded, humanity gets a failing grade.

Especially troubling is the current trajectory of potentially catastrophic climate change from burning fossil fuels and other human-caused factors, the article states. It also calls attention to a drastic loss of biodiversity that the authors call a mass extinction event.

Charts included with the paper chronicle a number of other disturbing developments over the past quarter-century, including a 28.9 percent reduction in the abundance of all vertebrate wildlife, a 62.1 percent increase in carbon dioxide emissions, a 167.6 percent increase in global average annual temperature change and a 35.5 percent rise in the global population  an increase of 2 billion people.

On the plus side, the researchers note a number of positive trends.

Perhaps the biggest environmental success story of the past 25 years has been the significant recovery of the ozone layer since the 1987 Montreal Protocol sharply curtailed the use of damaging chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs, in aerosol sprays and other applications.

Other encouraging signs include reductions in extreme poverty and hunger, a slowdown in deforestation in some parts of the world, the rapid growth of the renewable energy sector and a sharp drop in birth rates in certain regions as women and girls obtain greater access to education.

Nevertheless, the authors conclude, urgent measures are required to avert disaster. They call on the scientific community, the media and ordinary citizens to pressure their governments to take immediate action as a moral imperative to current and future generations of human and other life.

They also call for change at the individual level, asking people to voluntarily have fewer children and consume fewer resources, from fossil fuels to meat.

Humanity is now being given a second notice, as illustrated by these alarming trends, the scientists warn. We are jeopardizing our future by not reining in our intense but geographically and demographically uneven material consumption and by not perceiving continued rapid population growth as a primary driver behind many ecological and even societal threats.

While its unusual for academics to speak out so strongly, Ripple said he and his colleagues couldnt stand idly by while cascading global environmental crises continued to worsen.

Im feeling more concerned all the time. I wanted to write this because I think its important for scientists to reach out and show some leadership on global issues, he said.

If we dont take an active part, who will? Should we just rely on the politicians to do it?

Ripples co-authors on the BioScience paper were Christopher Wolf and Thomas M. Newsome of Oregon State University; Mauro Galetti of Universidade Estadual Paulista in Brazil; Mohammed Alamgir of the University of Chittagong in Bangladesh; Eileen Crist of Virginia Tech; Mahmoud I. Mahmoud of Nigerias National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency; and William F. Laurance of James Cook University in Australia.

The authors created a new organization, the Alliance of World Scientists, as a platform for promoting their ideas. They continue to collect endorsements from fellow scientists for their "Second Notice" paper at the organization's website, http://scientists.forestry.oregonstate.edu/.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

A German newspaper has published the names of 33,293 refugees and migrants who died trying to reach Europe.

Der Tagesspiegel listed victims' names, ages and countries of origin, as well as causes and dates of death, over 46 pages.

One entry is a 15-year-old boy who drowned on 15 November 2016 when a rubber dinghy he was on with 23 others sank while trying to travel from Libya to Europe.

Another tells of Iraqi migrant Talat Abdulhamid, 36, who froze to death on 6 January after walking for 48 hours through the mountains on the Turkish-Bulgarian border.

The newspaper said it wanted to document "the asylum-seekers, refugees and migrants who died since 1993 as a consequence of the restrictive policies of Europe on the continent's outer borders or inside Europe".

The majority of the people on the newspaper's list drowned in the Mediterranean Sea.

Last year was the deadliest for migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean, with at least 5,079 dying or going missing during their journey, according to the UN International Organisation for Migration (IOM).

According to the body, a crackdown on the Western Balkan path and the EU-Turkey deal has forced refugees and migrants to choose more dangerous routes to Europe.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty

While overall numbers of migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean by the eastern route were reduced significantly in 2016 by the EU-Turkey deal, death rates have increased to 2.1 per 100 in 2017, relative to 1.2 in 2016, the IOM said in a September report.

Part of this rise is due to the greater proportion of migrants now taking the most dangerous route  that across the central Mediterranean  such that 1 in 49 migrants now died on this route in 2016.

The most recent entries on the list in Der Tagesspiegel were dated 29 May 2017 for two unidentified people, one of them a child.

The entry says: Two bodies found, 28 missing, drowned or stamped down in a panic when their boat sank off Libya.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

The official celebration of Poland's 99th independence day proceeded innocuously, with ceremonies in the capital. There was even a visit from the European Council's internationalist president, who insisted to Politico that Saturday's festivities would proceed with a smile on our face and with joy in our hearts.

But for blocks and blocks and blocks beyond the central towers of Warsaw, a much larger crowd swelled beneath a cloud of red smoke. The tens of thousands of people came from across Poland and beyond, and reporters documented their signs:

Clean Blood, as seen by Politico.

White Europe streaked across another banner, the Associated Press reported - as about 60,000 people chanted and marched through Warsaw in an annual gathering of Europe's far-right movements, which have by now grown to dwarf the official version of Poland's independence day.

By the end of the weekend, the AP reported, the official and unofficial events even seemed to be merging.

Police had arrested 45 counterprotesters  but not one of the marchers seen carrying white supremacist symbols or heard chanting Sieg Heil in a country where Nazis carried out some of the Holocaust's worst atrocities.

Rather, Poland's Foreign Ministry said Monday that the day had been a great celebration of Poles, differing in their views, but united around the common values of freedom and loyalty to an independent homeland.

Nov. 11 marks Poland's celebration of its freedom from imperial rule in 1918. That freedom was interrupted over the following century by brutal occupations, first by Nazis, then communists.

In the 21st century, a group called All-Polish Youth, which the AP reported is named after a radical anti-Semitic group from the 1930s, began hosting a competing 11 November celebration in Warsaw.

It began as a small thing, Politico reported. No more than a few hundred people showed up to the march in 2010, though the numbers soon grew into the thousands.

In some years, the spectacle turned bloody - as when masked marchers threw rocks, flares and paving slabs at police in 2014, according to the BBC.

But in 2015, the conservative Law and Justice Party took power in Poland, fuelled in part by anti-immigration politics that helped put other right-wing parties in power throughout much of Europe.

By all accounts, the 11 November rallies since then have been very large and fairly peaceful.

Some who marched under the flares and red smoke on Saturday were families and children, the AP reported. But more noticeable were droves of young men, some masked  and some chanting, Death to enemies of the homeland.

There was some violence Saturday, the AP reported, when nationalists pushed and kicked a group of women holding a banner that said Stop Fascism. But that was the only such report. A heavy police force kept the small assembly of counter-protesters separated from the far-right march.

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

Far-right leaders from Britain and Italy were welcomed by the crowd, according to the AP. (But the US alt-right leader Richard Spencer had been deemed too extreme by the Polish government, and he cancelled his plans to attend.)

An Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman called the march dangerous, per the AP.

History teaches us that expressions of racist hate must be dealt with swiftly and decisively, he said  perhaps referring to the Nazi-era Warsaw ghetto, where hundreds of thousands of imprisoned Jews were deported to extermination camps if they were not killed before.

But the Polish Foreign Ministry waved off the worst reports about the crowd as incidental, the AP reported.

After the rally ended in the evening, a reporter asked Poland's interior minister - a member of the right-wing government - what he thought of the banners and chants. Of white Europe and pure blood.

It's only your opinion, because you behave like a political activist, he replied, Politico reported. According to the AP, the same minister called that swollen, crimson-fogged march across Warsaw a beautiful sight.

The Washington Post

Update: This article was syndicated by The Independent from the Washington Post. It has now been amended in line with changes made by the Washington Post to remove references - including in the original headline - citing an erroneous CNN report that said a Pray for an Islamic Holocaust banner was displayed at the weekend march in Warsaw. CNN has since corrected its story and removed its reference to the banner. A similar banner was hung in another Polish city in 2015, according to local reports, but not at Saturday's march. 20/11/17
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

The remains of at least 400 people have been discovered near an Iraqi town which has just been retaken from Isis, an official has said.

The mass graves were found at an airbase on the outskirts of Hawija, a town occupied by the militants until early last month. It had been under Isis control since 2013.

Bodies wearing civilian clothes, fatigues and the orange jumpsuits Isis makes prisoners wear were among the dead, Kirkuk province governor Rakan Said told media. He did not say when the authorities would begin exhuming the bodies.

 Isis kills 128 civilians in 'revenge' surprise counter attack on Syrian town

Local shepherd Khalaf Luhaibi who helped the security forces find the site told AFP that Isis brought prisoners to the area and shot them or poured oil over them and set them on fire.

More than 72 such sites have been discovered as US-backed forces across Iraq and Syria have succeeded in the full-scale fight to drive Isis out of its territory over the last year. It is estimated the graves could contain between 5,200 -15,000 people in total.

More than 95 per cent of Isis so-called caliphate has been reclaimed from the group, although advancing Iraqi coalition and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) troops face pockets of resistance.

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

There is still fierce fighting in the desert border region. Isis has also managed to recapture more than half of the Syrian town of al Bukamal, two days after the Syrian army declared it freed of militants.

The last town under Isis control in Iraq is Rawa, which came under attack by Iraqi forces over the weekend.

Although Isis' proto-state project has almost entirely failed, analysts expect the group to morph into a full-blown insurgency across the two countries, and for Isis to step up terror attacks around the world in future.


For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

Israeli Police believe they have enough evidence to charge Benjamin Netanyahu with bribery, according to a new report.

The Prime Minister and his wife are accused of accepting gifts worth hundreds of thousands of shekels, in what has been dubbed Case 1000.

Among the alleged donors is billionaire film producer Arnon Milchan, who purportedly gave cigars and champagne to the premiere over a seven to eight-year period.

Recommended Benjamin Netanyahu pushes to pass criminal immunity bill

Reports suggest that after receiving the gifts, the Israeli Prime Minister lobbied then US Secretary of State John Kerry on Mr Milchan's behalf while he was trying to acquire a new US visa.

Sources told Channel 10  which first reported the story  that prosecutors had not decided on what charges to file against the Prime Minister, who is also accused of breach of trust.

Under what has been named Case 2000, Mr Netanyahu is under investigation for allegedly offering commercial favours to Israeli newspaper owner Arnon Mozes in return for more positive coverage.

Mr Mozes owns Yedioth Ahronoth  one of Israel's biggest newspapers. Mr Netanyahu is alleged to have offered to cut the circulation of Israel Hayom, a pro-Netanyahu newspaper owned by US billionaire and Republican Party donor Sheldon Adelson, if Mr Mozes told his paper to be more favourable towards the Prime Minister.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty

Mr Netanyahu was questioned for four hours in relation to both cases for the fifth time on Thursday. According to TV reports, investigators intend to question him at least twice more on the matters.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

The US is reportedly considering adding Israel to the list of countries allowed to travel there without a visa obtained in advance.

Israeli authorities have long argued that Israelis should be given the right to travel on the 90-day tourist visas given to citizens of 38 other countries granted by the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP).

Israeli newspaper Yediot Ahronot reported on Monday that Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit and Deputy Attorney General for International Affairs Roei Sheindorf have negotiated a deal with the US Department for Homeland Security.

 Trump meets Netanyahu and talks of "unbreakable" US-Israel bond

As part of the anticipated agreement, the US would be given access to Israels extensive fingerprint database. The American authorities have reportedly dropped a previous demand for access to the entire system, and now request access to the files of those citizens suspected of crimes punishable by prison sentences of more than 10 years.

The supposed deal must be passed into Israeli law, since it requires the sharing of sensitive data with a foreign nation. Several politician had raised privacy concerns over giving the US the background check information in the past.

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

Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked is expected to travel to the US in the next fortnight to finalise the agreement.

Currently, like citizens of most other countries, Israelis must attend an interview at the US embassy, pay a processing fee and submit extensive paperwork for background checks before they are allowed to travel to the US for tourism or business.

Recommended We must reorientate our foreign policy away from Israel

American citizens travelling to Israel are given tourist visas upon arrival in the country.

Critics note the reported agreement stands in stark contrast to Donald Trump's administration's attempts to implement a 'Muslim ban', the executive order blocked by various courts which suspended the processing of visas for people from several Muslim-majority countries.

Any new agreement on waiving US visas for Israelis would not go into effect for more than two years.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

Lebanon's Prime Miniter Saad al-Hariri has said the country is at risk of Gulf Arab sanctions because of the Shia group Hezbollah's regional meddling and said he would return to Lebanon within days to formally confirmed he had resigned.

In a television interview, the Saudi-allied Mr Hariri held out the possibility he could yet rescind his resignation if Hezbollah agreed to stay out of regional conflicts such as Yemen, his first public comments since he read out his resignation on television from Riyadh eight days ago.

He indicated the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of Lebanese in the Gulf could be at risk, as well as trade, vital to the stability of the Lebanese economy.

Mr Hariri said his resignation was intended as a positive shock to his country, which he saw in danger.

Top Lebanese government officials and senior sources close to Hariri believe Saudi Arabia coerced Hariri into resigning and has put him under effective house arrest since he flew to Saudi Arabia over a week ago.

Ahead of his interview, Lebanese President Michel Aoun said Mr Hariri's movements were being restricted in Saudi Arabia, the first time the Lebanese authorities have publicly declared their belief that Riyadh is holding him against his will. Mr Hariri said he was a free man.

The resignation and its aftermath have thrust Lebanon back to the forefront of the conflict between Sunni Saudi Arabia and Shia Iran. Mr Aoun refused to accept Mr Hariri's resignation unless he tendered it in person in Lebanon.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty

Mr Hariri, who has not returned to Lebanon since he declared his shock resignation, said he stepped down for the sake of the Lebanese national interest, repeatedly saying the country must stick by a policy of disassociation from regional conflict.

I am freely in the Kingdom, and if I want to travel tomorrow, I will travel, Mr Hariri said of his presence in Saudi Arabia. He said he would return to Lebanon within two or three days.

When he resigned on 4 November he said he feared assassination. His father, a long-serving former prime minister, was killed by a bomb in 2005. Mr Hariri said he must be sure his security had not been penetrated before returning.

Mr Hariri's eyes welled up with tears at one point in the interview. Asked by the interviewer if he would take more questions, Mr Hariri said no because he was tired.

We know there are American sanctions (targeting Hezbollah), but (do) we add to them also Arab sanctions? What is our interest (in that) as Lebanese, because we see today interventions in Yemen and Bahrain by Iran and Hezbollah, said Hariri. He added: Disassociation is the foundation of Lebanon's interest. Where do we export our goods, is it not to the Arab states? Where do our sons work ...?

We must work to preserve this interest, and this interest was threatened, so for this reason I did what I did, he said.

 Saudi Arabia has 'declared war' on Lebanon and detained Lebanese PM, says Hezbollah leader

He singled out Yemen, where a Saudi-led alliance is bogged down in a war with Iran-allied Houthi rebels, asking what a Lebanese group was doing there, in reference to Hezbollah.

Saudi Arabia has accused Hezbollah of a role in firing a ballistic missile from Yemen towards Riyadh earlier this month.

In order for him to go back on his resignation, Hariri said the the diassociation (policy) must be respected and regional interventions by Hezbollah halted.

Lebanon cannot bear them, he said.

Hezbollah is Lebanon's most powerful group thanks to a powerful arsenal. It has deployed fighters to Syria in support of President Bashar al-Assad. The group denies a role in the fighting in Yemen but is fiercely supportive of the Houthis in its statements.

Mr Hariri's resignation from abroad and the week of silence that followed has destabilised his country, where Sunni, Shia, Christian and Druze factions fought a civil war from 1975 to1990, often backed by rival powers around the region.

After Hariri announced his resignation, Saudi Arabia accused Lebanon of declaring war against it because of Hezbollah. The Hezbollah leader on Friday said it was Saudi Arabia that had declared war on Lebanon.

Western countries including the United States and France have reiterated their long-standing policy of support for the Lebanese government since the Saudi declaration that the Beirut government was a hostile party.

Before Mr Hariri's interview, Mr Aoun said Mr Hariri's situation in Saudi Arabia threw doubt over anything that he had said or would say, and his statements could not be considered as an expression of his full free will.

Mr Aoun said Mr Hariri was living in mysterious circumstances in Riyadh which had reached the degree of restricting (his) freedom and imposing conditions on his residency and on contact with him even by members of his family.

Saudi Arabia has denied Mr Hariri is being held against his will or that he had been forced to resign. It has advised its citizens not to visit Lebanon and those there to leave as soon as possible.

Reuters
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

President Donald Trump has yet to address an earthquake that has killed more than 400 people in Iran and Iraq.

The 7.3 magnitude quakes epicentre was along the Iran-Iraq border - 19 miles (31 km) outside the eastern Iraqi city of Halabja - but was felt as far west as the Mediterranean coast.

Mr Trumps Twitter account has remained silent on the issue up until now. He has however tweeted several times about his Philippines his trip to meet President Rodrigo Duterte, his new nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the work of Congress on tax reform and Obamacare replacement.

The White House and State Department have not yet responded to a request for comment.

Mr Trump due to leave Manila on Tuesday at end of his 12-day Asia tour and is set to return to the US on 14 November.

Behnam Saeedi, a spokesman for the countrys crisis management headquarters, was quoted by the semi-official Fars and Tasnim news agencies said the number of injured was close to 6,700.

Of the 445 reported dead, at least half were in Iran according to Iranian state television.

 Deadly earthquake on Iran-Iraq border disrupts live interview

The Kermanshah province, which is in the Zagros Mountains that divide Iran and Iraq, appears to be the hardest hit region.

Pope Francis sent two messages of prayers and condolences to the victims families in Iran and Iraq after the earthquake.

Upon the injured and the emergency and civil authorities engaged in rescue and recovery efforts, His Holiness invokes the divine blessings of consolation and strength, a statement from the Vatican read.

Despite its contentious relationship with the Kurdish population in Iraq, Turkey sent emergency personnel and aid to northern Iraq following Sundays earthquake on the Iraq-Iran border as officials expressed their deep sadness at the tragedy.

Kerem Kinik, Turkish Red Crescents vice president, told the Associated Press from Habur border gate that 33 aid trucks were en route to Iraqs city of Sulaimaniyah, carrying 3,000 tents, heaters, 10,000 beds, blankets, as well as food.

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 Turkish foreign ministry said in a statement the Turkish people stand with the Iranian and Iraqi people and is prepared to help Iran if requested.

Pakistan issued a statement as well that said the peoples thoughts and prayers are with the Iranian and Iraqi brothers who lost their lives in this tragic calamity and we pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.

Iranian state television reported on Monday morning that many of the casualties are in the city of Sar-Pol-Zahab and the district of Ezgeleh - an area with a population of approximately 30,000.

The only hospital there was reportedly destroyed by the earthquake and makeshift centres have been set up by the military, according to the state media station.

There are currently 5,262 US soldiers are in Iraq, according to the Pentagon but some defence officials' estimates have placed that number as high as 7,000.

Mr Trump has come under fire before for delayed responses to events like devastation wrought by Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico and the four US soldiers deaths in Niger.

Last month, the US President announced he would not re-certify a nuclear deal signed by Iran and six world powers - a signature foreign policy achievement by predecessor President Barack Obama.

Despite the evidence provided by the United Nations on Tehran's compliance with the deal, Mr Trump said it was too lenient on Iran and that they had violated portions of it.

It opened the door for harsher economic sanctions to be placed on the country, the mitigation of which was a key inducement for Iran to comply with the historic deal.
Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

Such is the paradoxical nature of Donald Trump's Presidency that it should perhaps have come as no surprise that the man who swept to power on the promise of putting America First should undertake a lengthier tour of Asia than any of his three most recent predecessors.

Perhaps he decided that it is more pleasant to be feted as a foreign dignitary than hated as a divisive head of state. Certainly he enjoyed many warm words of welcome from those he visited during his trip  and he repaid the compliments by the bucketload. Yet it remains unclear whether Trump actually achieved a great deal during his 11 days away.

At the outset, he was said to have three objectives, according to General HR McMaster, the US National Security Adviser. First was the promotion of democratic freedom and openness; second was to press for 'fair' trade to boost America's prosperity; third was to deal with North Korea.

In relation to the first aim, it might have been thought that the President would raise concerns over human rights abuses by China, or the large-scale killing of drug pushers in the Philippines, or the lack of media freedom in Vietnam. When it came to it, though, he evidently felt it was a little impertinent to be so rude. He is, after all, always wary of causing offence.

As for the second, he has regularly railed against Chinese trade policies, which he argues amount to an assault on America's economy. Yet when he was actually in Beijing, he simply told President Xi what a special man he was (Xi, not Trump, though he probably feels the same about himself).

 Protesters burn Donald Trump effigy in the Philippines

When it came to North Korea, Trump's attempts to rally a co-ordinated regional response were undermined by his inability to resist a childish Twitter spat with Kim Jong-un.

Of course, Trump can point to a few macho statements  mostly made about China when he wasn't in the country  which might convince his fans at home that he's still fighting the good fight on behalf of US workers. But the evidence that he has come anywhere near achieving something concrete in the last week and a half is slim to say the least.

What's more, he also gave a good impression of furthering his cosy relationship with Vladimir Putin, infuriating America's intelligence community by explaining that he'd  yet again  asked the Russian President whether he had interfered in the US election and had been reassured by his answer in the negative. Not only that, complained Trump, but poor old Vlad felt insulted by the constant impugning of his reputation by suggestions to the contrary.

As ever with Trump, it is hard to know whether his apparent missteps are intentional  an extension simply of his dismissal of the US establishment and the way things have been done by his predecessors  or whether he is acting on the hoof, pulling punches when flattered and throwing them when riled.

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

Increasingly however it feels as if Trump  the great entertainer-President  is being played. The Chinese roll out the red carpet and thus avoid both tricky questions of the sort usually asked by Western leaders and any sort of confrontation over trade. Putin, meanwhile, appeals to Trump's own inflated notion of ego by complaining that claims of Russian meddling in America's democratic process amount to a personal slight. Trump responds by defending his fellow strongman leader and attacking the conclusions of his own intelligence agencies.

In the South Korean leg of his tour, Trump gloried in being introduced to the National Assembly as the "leader of the world". But the truth is almost the diametric opposite: Trump is being led, quite often in ways that appear at odds with American national interests, which is a remarkable state of affairs.

The counter-argument deployed by the President is that America's foreign policy in many arenas has been a failure over many years and his approach will, at some stage, pay dividends. Yet, such an argument pre-supposes that different policies in the past  towards Chinese trade for instance, or Russian diplomacy, or the Middle East  would have had alternative outcomes. It also relies on Trumps bluster turning into something demonstrable. That is a dangerous game indeed.

But maybe that is the central problem  that to Trump, the Presidency is simply a game, in which beating losers and vying for personal glory are the key aspects. Worse still, while Trump thinks it's a game for single players, Russia, China and others understand that it's all about teams. And in the last few days they have benefitted from a series of Trump own goals.

Much more of this and America will find that it is very far from being first in the modern world order.
Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

A weird and highly constrained interview on his personally owned television channel by Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri was made under Saudi duress in Riyadh. The interview, in which Hariri  who claimed he had resigned last week and who on Sunday said he has complete freedom in Saudi Arabia but wanted to look after his family as well  was made after the Saudis declined to invite a Beirut-based Future TV crew to Saudi Arabia and insisted that their own television personnel filmed him.

Thus when he was questioned by popular Lebanese presenter Paula Yakoubian in the presence of Futures Lebanese director of news Nadim Koteich in Riyadh, the Saudis were in a position to cut him off or edit Hariris words if he strayed away from what was very possibly a vetted script. For the interview itself reflected not the views which Hariri has persistently made public at home in Lebanon but those of the Saudi government under the effective leadership of the increasingly aberrant Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman.

Hariri, who appeared unsmiling on Future television (he always smiles when he is interviewed) said he wrote his own resignation speech more than a week ago  although not a single Lebanese political party believes this  and would return to Lebanon very soon (in a matter of days, he claimed) adding the extremely odd remark that I wanted to make a positive shock [sic] for the Lebanese people so the people know how dangerous is the situation we are in. He said that on returning to Lebanon, he would confirm his resignation in accordance with the countrys constitution. But how on earth did he think he could shock Lebanon by resigning in the Saudi capital of Riyadh?

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

Could this have something, then, to do with the state of finances  or near bankruptcy  of his Saudi Oger company, which is supposedly owed $9bn by the Saudi state and whose own employees in Saudi Arabia (including many French citizens) are now trying to sue him for months of back pay? Ominously, Lebanese officials have received copies of apparent Saudi government documents showing that Hariri, who also holds Saudi citizenship, is expected to make an appearance in a Riyadh court to respond to Ogers unpaid workers. He is named in the Saudi judicial papers as Saadedin Rafiq al-Hariri  Rafiq, of course, was his murdered ex-prime minister fathers first name  and his Saudi identification number is present.

Yet the date of the Hariri court appearance is given in the papers as 24/2/1438 in the Islamic calendar, which corresponds to 25 November 2016, almost exactly a year ago. Court papers in Saudi Arabia can be delayed indefinitely  but then reasserted. So this court appearance in Riyadh has been hanging over Hariri for a year already. Ominously, the same court asked for an appearance two days earlier (on 23 November) by Al-Waleed bin Talal, one of the richest of the princely prisoners already detained for alleged corruption. Like Saad Hariri, al-Talal is also of Lebanese origin. Even more worryingly, the Riyadh Ritz Hotel in which many of the 200 arrestees  princes, ex-ministers and businessmen  are being held for corruption investigations is now almost overflowing and the Saudi government has reportedly asked for more bookings in the Riyadh Marriott Hotel. In other words, there are going to be more arrests, no doubt including some of the Crown Princes political enemies.

 Saudi Arabia has 'declared war' on Lebanon and detained Lebanese PM, says Hezbollah leader

But further traps lie around the corner. The Lebanese Catholic Patriarch, Bechara Rai, is leaving for a one-day official visit to Riyadh today (Monday) and has been told he can meet Hariri. President Michel Aoun, however, met for two hours with Rai on Sunday telling the prelate that he feared the Saudis would give him a resignation note signed by Hariri and tell him to take it back to Beirut  so that Hariris resignation would be official. Aoun told Rai he could not accept the paper if he brought it  but its still unclear whether Rai would accept it or not. The visit of so senior a Lebanese Christian clergyman is unprecedented. So which of Rais several characters will win: the churchman or the extremely wily politician which he is also?

While Hariris return is debated, however, the Lebanese authorities have become extremely disturbed that the Crown Prince will not only send all Lebanese expatriates working in the Kingdom back home to Beirut  well over 200,000 of them  but will withdraw all Saudi investments from Lebanon. Even more disturbing now is a reported threat  which the government in Beirut is also inclined to believe  that the Saudis will try to have Lebanon suspended from the Arab League. This would not please the Egyptians or Jordanians or the Iraqis. But nowhere other than the Middle East is the old saying more accurate: that he who pays the piper calls the tune. And we all know who pays the piper in this part of the world.

And its worth noting the immense Saudi economic power in Lebanon. The Beirut authorities have calculated that oil and petrol reserves in the Mediterranean that belong to Lebanon are worth at least $600bn (460m) and that the Saudis may well want a share. And despite Irans promise to sustain Lebanon economically, the figures suggest that this would be impossible. Each year, the 1,200 Lebanese residents in Iran send back $300,000 (230,000) to Lebanon. Lebanese in Saudi Arabia send back $4.5bn. Saudi Arabias Lebanese expatriates have been worth $70bn to Lebanon over the past 25 years. Lebanese exports to Iran are currently worth only $3m. To Saudi Arabia, they are worth $378m a year, including much agricultural produce. Are the compromises Hariri was talking about an attempt to salvage the Lebanese economy if the Hezbollah does not come to heel?

 Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri resigns

Yet the one immensely wealthy Gulf nation which the Saudis are already trying to destroy, Qatar, may come to the rescue. Qatar has just quietly announced that the Lebanese will no longer need visas to enter the emirate and can merely present their passports for an entry stamp at Doha airport. This extraordinary decision has been accompanied by quiet suggestions from the Qataris that if the Saudis withdraw their money from Beirut, Qatar will make up the difference from its own funds  and thus spite Saudi Arabia.

Its as well to remember at this point that the whole purpose of this assault on Lebanons sovereign integrity is to force the fall of the government, new elections and the expulsion of the Shia Hezbollah ministers in the cabinet  thus breaking Irans power in Lebanon. It seems this has all along been the Crown Princes intention. In his interview on Sunday night, Hariri called for compromise by the Hezbollah when he returned to Beirut if he was going to withdraw his resignation  the first suggestion that he might declare this infamous resignation letter invalid. But what sort of compromise was he talking about? Then Hezbollah, which is indeed paid by the Iranian government, is not going to disarm or pull out of the Lebanese government  an act which would indeed bring down the cabinet in Beirut.

My life means nothing to me, Hariri told the Lebanese on Sunday night. My concern is the unity of the country. Well, maybe.

So why not just get on the next plane to Beirut? All this  in the lands of political irony  has caused much amusement to the Lebanese who have been sending to each other page five of the now defunct Beirut newspaper Hadaf (which means goal or target), whose edition for 28 February 1967 carried the headline: The Saudi Threat to Lebanon Provokes Different Reactions. The threat included expelling Lebanese workers from Saudi Arabia and the withdrawal of Saudi funds from Beirut  exactly the problems which the Lebanese government now fear they are confronting. At the time, the Saudis were trying to dissuade the Lebanese from supporting Sunni Muslim Saudi Arabias Egyptian nationalist enemy, Gamal Abdul Nasser, just as today they are trying to persuade them to abandon Hezbollah and Iran. Alas, the Lebanese, including the Sunnis, preferred Nasser. The Hadaf newspaper said that some Lebanese were supporting moderation, others neutrality  the very policy the Beirut government has been trying to follow in the present crisis.

And theres one final historical irony in this dangerous farce of the present day, which has been rediscovered by Nicholas Noe, an American colleague of mine who writes for Mideastwire.com. Exactly 74 years ago last week, it transpires, the Free French authorities under Charles de Gaulle, kidnapped Riyad al-Solh, the statesman who would become Lebanons first prime minister  in an attempt to prevent Lebanese independence. Even more piquant is the fact that al-Solh was the grandfather-in-law of Al-Waleed bin Talal, the wealthy Saudi prince who has been put under house arrest now by Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman. Maybe the French  whose own prime minister Emmanuel Macron is currently trying to persuade the Crown Prince to send Hariri back to Beirut  have more in common with the Saudis than we (or they) realised.
Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

There was one thing above all others that Roy Moores fans mentioned when they talked about their support for him - namely, that in their eyes, he was doing Gods work.

We took a path away from God, said Debbie Giles, as she waited in a large barn outside of Mobile, Alabama, for the former judge to speak. Another supporter, Donna Atkins, said: We need someone open to bring God back.

His powerful backer Steve Bannon, took to the stage to claim the most important aspect of Moores candidacy was that he was righteous. The following night, having defeated the establishment Republican candidate Luther Strange, Moore delivered a victory speech in Montgomery during which he said: God can still bring us back.

Moore's supporters include hardcore Christian conservatives (Reuters)

Six weeks later, Moore is fighting for his political life, following allegations detailed by the Washington Post that Moore had a sexual encounter with a 14-year-old girl when he was aged in his 30s and dated at least three other high school teenagers while he was serving as a local state prosecutor.

Moore has denied the allegations and said the Posts story is part of a plot hatched with the Democrats. He has vowed to file a lawsuit against the newspaper.

Another accuser came forward on Monday at a press conference, with Beverly Young Nelson alleging Moore sexually assaulted her when she was 16. Moore denied the claim and called the allegations a witch hunt in a statement shortly before the press conference.

Donald Trump, who had thrown his support behind Moores opponent, has been wishy washy in his comments about the former judge. But most mainstream Republicans have been clear - if the allegations are true, he should stand down. Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell said on Monday that Moore should step aside.

 Roy Moore says he doesn't 'generally' remember dating teenage girls while in his 30s

Strikingly, the people who have not deserted Moore, are the evangelicals who believe he is going to do Gods work for them in Washington DC, the same people who told The Independent it was vital that they open their heart to Jesus before leaving the state. The same people who said America had taken a wrong, secular path and that Moore - who earned international headlines when he installed a 5,000lb granite statue bearing the Ten Commandments in the state court compound - would help guide it to the correct one.

Alabama columnist Josh Moon told CNN over the weekend that Moores supporters were not going to believe this Washington Post story because its the liberal media lying about their beloved leader here.

Such anecdotal insights are supported by a survey that found 29 per cent of Alabama voters said the allegations against Moore would make them more likely to vote for him. Around 38 per cent said the allegations would make it less likely, while a third of voters said it would not impact their decision whatsoever. A full 58 per cent of people who took part in the JMC Analytics poll, identified themselves as evangelical Christians.

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

What is one to make of this. Are we to assume Alabamas evangelical Christians are any less disapproving of such actions, than anyone else?

Of course not. But deeply religious and conservative Alabama, is a unique political landscape. Donald Trump easily defeated Hillary Clinton there in last years presidential election; indeed, the last Democratic presidential candidate to win the state was Jimmy Carter in 1976.

As the late George Wallace proved when he led resistance to school integration in the 1960s, Alabamians are deeply resistant to politicians and political influences from outside.

Trump is a recent hero to voters in the state because he ran not as a politician, but as someone who would knock over establishment Washington. For social conservatives, Moore has long been someone they believe will stand up for them and their values.

While much of America looked on horrified when he installed the granite statue in his courthouse and then ordered state officials to ignore a Supreme Court ruling on same sex marriage, to his supporters, such issues simply underscored his determination.

Having been told by the likes of Bannon and Trump that the mainstream media is nothing less than the enemy, the majority of Moores supporters are simply not going to believe the allegations of abuse. If anything, they will see them as just another challenge for him to overcome.
Just a couple of weeks ago, it seemed that the Republican Party had thrown in the towel on maintaining any sort of Donald Trump-free identity. Sen. Jeff Flake announced that, rather than defy the Trump-supporting base in Arizona, he would not seek re-election. He followed Sen. Bob Corker's path. Sen. Ted Cruz, who, in a different universe, had stood tall at the Republican convention in Cleveland, responded to the small chorus of Trump critics in the Senate (Corker, John McCain and Flake) by growling that his fellow senators should "shut up and do (their) job."

Now, in the aftermath of the elections in Virginia, New Jersey and elsewhere, people are asking whether Trumpism can prevail "without Trump."

Laura Ingraham rushed to explain Ed Gillespie's Virginia loss as a result of too little, not too much, Trump flavor in the mix. He "played footsie with conservative populism, but didn't embrace it. Big mistake." Trump himself tweeted, "(Gillespie) worked hard but did not embrace me or what I stood for."

But Gillespie did very well with the central and western voters in Virginia who had gone for Trump. His trouble was that Virginia Democrats were burning to rebuke the president and his party. Voters who wanted to express disapproval of President Trump outnumbered those who wanted to support him by a 2-1 margin. Sixty percent of Virginia voters said they had a negative view of the Republican Party, and Democratic turnout was up 4 points over 2013. With a wave of Democrats crowding polling places, the Republicans were doomed. Recounts will determine whether Democrats were able to wrest control of the House of Delegates, which Republicans had controlled since 2000.

In a hint of what Democratic turnout may look like when the party is no longer saddled with Hillary Clinton, Ralph Northam did better among almost every demographic than Clinton had. He won 61 percent of women, compared with 56 for Clinton. He won 69 percent of 18- to 29-year-olds, compared with Clinton's 54 percent. He won 60 percent of college graduates, while Clinton won 55 percent. Only among African-Americans did Clinton edge a slight, 1-point advantage over Northam's totals.

Immigration is the signature issue for the Trump base. Among Virginia voters who cited it as their most important voting issue, 74 percent went for Gillespie  but they represented only 12 percent of voters.

Besides loyalty to Trump himself, what is Trumpism 12 months after his election? Is a Trump nationalist supposed to be for a southern wall paid for by Mexico when Trump himself hasn't taken a single step toward erecting it or extorting that payment? Is a Trumpian expected to support deporting minor children of illegal immigrants as Trump promised in his campaign, or letting them stay, as Trump agreed with Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer to do? Shall a Trumpian demonize trade though Trump has done nothing (thank God) so far to launch trade wars? Does a Trumpian favor huge infrastructure projects to put blue-collar men back to work? Even though Trump hasn't done that?

It's just possible, isn't it, that Trumpian nationalism and pot-valiant talk about "America First" is pretty light on content. Trumpism seems to be a personality cult built around a particularly unappealing personality, and little more.

Trump's Rasputin, Steve Bannon, seems convinced that nastiness is the secret sauce. He was for Gillespie's primary challenger, Corey Stewart, who ran on worshiping Confederate statues, labeling his opponents "cucks" and locking up illegal immigrants. Wonder how well he would have done if he'd been the party's nominee instead of Gillespie?

Bannon has been beating his toy drum about backing challengers to "establishment" Republicans. So far, he's outfitted Michael Grimm, just out of prison on a tax-fraud conviction; Tom Tancredo, who called Barack Obama a bigger threat than al-Qaida; Kelli Ward, who appears on Alex Jones' radio show and called upon John McCain to "step aside" hours after his cancer diagnosis; and Roy Moore, who thinks parts of Illinois  or maybe Indiana  labor under sharia law and hasn't read the part of the U.S. Constitution that prohibits religious tests, if he's read any of it.

Update: A number of women are now suggesting that Moore made sexual advances to them when they were teenagers and he was in his 30s. He may be more of a creep than even Bannon bargained for.

Though these strivers cannot be said to espouse a consistent philosophy, they are united in their crudeness, ignorance and sheer jackassery. Republicans should be asked whether this is what Trumpism amounts to, and if so, whether they are happy to be counted as members of the louts and dunces party.
Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

It is likely that 2017 is a year that Prime Minister Theresa May would rather forget. As her premiership slowly disintegrates like a choc ice left out in the sun on a hot summers day, all that talk of stability and crushing the saboteurs feels like a distant memory.

Personally I am shocked by Mays impending doom, because she has always shown such integrity. You mean to tell me that a Home Secretary who sent LGBT+ asylum seekers back to violently homophobic countries and advised them to act straight isnt the kind of leader that global Britain needs? Who could have predicted that bribing the DUP with 1bn, after telling public sector workers who havent had a pay rise in eight years that theres no magic money tree, wouldnt go down well?

May has always stood up in the face of injustice. When she condemned the National Trust for axing an Easter egg hunt, but stayed silent when Donald Trump took two days to distance himself from white supremacists, it was clear she had her priorities straight. When she didnt announce any policies for the first two weeks of her general election campaign, then announced her support for lifting the ban on fox hunting, it showed she really understood the electorate.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 15 November 2022 Lesley Sutcliffe shelters from the rain next to a life-sized replica of the innermost coffin of King Tutankhamun by artist Amanda Stoner as it goes on display inside a traditional red telephone box which has been converted into a museum, in Barnsley, South Yorkshire PA 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

But somewhere in between holding hands with the orange overlord himself and failing to meet survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire on her first visit to the site, Mays approval rating began to plummet. Gone are the days when Tory MPs called her mummy. Now they openly tell journalists how much they all f*cking hate her. Chancellor Phillip Hammond, one of the many ministers she is too weak to sack, reportedly cant stand to be in the same room as her. Even Ruth Davidson, one of Mays biggest supporters, could only muster shes the best Prime Minister weve got as words of support.

The only saving grace is that at least this isnt a particularly important time in our nations history. There arent many crucial decisions that need to be made or anything. If you say no deal is better than a bad deal enough then itll eventually come true. Ive always thought the single market and the customs union are pretty overrated anyway, who needs em? If International Trade Secretary Liam Fox, who had to resign as Defence Secretary in 2011 for sneaking a friend into Government meetings without clearance, says that Brexit is the easiest thing in human history, then I have no reason not to believe him. Besides, when I exchanged 100 pounds to get 107 this summer, it really felt like wed taken back control already.

But lets not forget the brief moments of triumph. For instance, with a new cabinet minister being appointed every week, May is working wonders for employment statistics. In fact, in a revolutionary new scheme, she is even letting people appoint themselves to prominent positions without any relevant qualifications, like her new Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson. Last week over 20,000 people watched a live feed of Priti Patels plane journey home to resign as International Development Secretary, so May might have finally convinced someone that airport expansion is a good idea.

 Theresa May's ability to deliver Brexit in doubt amid growing threat to her leadership

As her government becomes a never-ending episode of The Apprentice, it is good to see that Michael Gove and Boris Johnson are stepping up to the plate. They have always had the interests of Britain at heart. Goves attempt to slide the knife out of Boriss back by further endangering Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffes liberty is just the kind of thinking we need.

Today former cabinet minister Nicky Morgan has called May tone-deaf and tin-eared, while 40 of her own MPs are reportedly preparing to call for her resignation. With this many Tories lining up to criticise their leader, they look more like the opposition than a credible government.

Yet despite the vultures circling and the hailstorm of negative news, Maybot clings on to short-circuit another day. When she first stood on the steps of Downing Street as Prime Minister, few could have predicted that May would be just about managing to hold her government together so early on. As the Tories wait for a viable successor to emerge, May remains one scandal away from oblivion. Trapped in office but no longer in power.

But it could be worse. At least we didnt let Ed Miliband and his bacon sandwich anywhere near Downing Street. Now that would have been chaos.
KANNAPOLISThe NC Research Campus welcomes R&S Chemicals, a cancer research and development company, to its roster of small businesses leasing ready-to-use laboratories in the David H. Murdock Core Laboratory.

Srisailas Muthialu, PhD, PMP, vice president of R&S Chemicals, is leading the companys study of two molecules that demonstrate anti-cancer activity. With additional research that will be done in collaboration with parent company Chem-Master International, Muthialu will explore the molecules and their potential application for the prevention or treatment of cancer.

Because of the nature and the sensitivities of these molecules, I have a lot of work to do, said Muthialu, who has more than 15 years of industry experience spanning custom synthesis, medicinal chemistry and drug discovery. But the NCRC gives me everything I could need. As a small company, we dont want to invest too much in our infrastructure. The ready-to-use lab is what we were looking for. I could not find anything else in this area like it.

Muthialu opened R&S Chemicals in mid-September and is still unpacking boxes and ordering supplies for the 950-square-foot laboratory and office. Since he lives in Fort Mill, S.C., he is enjoying the advantage of working closer to his family than other locations would have allowed.

His first priority is to hire employees.

In our current space, we can only hire one or two, Muthialu said. But in three to five years, we want to expand. Then well hire more people.

He will be joined soon by his business partner Ramesh Gupta, PhD. Gupta has more than 35 years of industry experience with the development of medicinal compounds that are used in the treatment of illness like allergies and chronic diseases such as cancer and diabetes.

Muthialu and Gupta will continue supporting Chem-Master as director of business development and vice president, respectively. Chem-Master International is a contract research and development company located in New York that specializes in organic and medicinal chemistry. R&S will provide similar services as their parent company customizing the synthesis of organic compounds.

R&S Chemicals is the fourth small company to join the NCRC in the last year, following BioArmor, Ideal Health Biotechnology and Klear Optix. The NCRC this year has also announced the addition of Standard Process Center of Excellence and the Food Processing and Innovation Center, a partnership with the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and N.C. State University that will help expand the food manufacturing sector in North Carolina.

We couldnt be more pleased to welcome Dr. Muthialu and Dr. Gupta to the NCRC; they are joining us at time of steady growth, said Mark Spitzer, vice president of operations for Castle & Cooke North Carolina, the developer and business development arm of the NCRC. We hope that our scientific community will prove to be a valuable resource as they launch their company and develop their promising cancer technology.
An air traffic controller at a North Carolina airport was arrested after he was found to be in possession of a homemade explosive device, police said.

Paul George Dandan, 30, was arrested Friday, a week after police received a 911 call about a person with a bomb and went to his house in Charlotte, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. A bomb squad sent to the house later confirmed that the device was a homemade pipe bomb, police said.

The investigation led police to another man, Derrick Fells, 39, who they say created the device. Fells told police that he had planned to use the bomb against a neighbor with whom he had a feud, but he changed his mind and gave it to Dandan, an air traffic controller at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

Police did not say how Dandan and Fells knew each other, nor did they say why Fells gave the device to Dandan or why Dandan accepted it. It also is unclear what plans, if any, Dandan had for the bomb, or if the airport was targeted. A spokesman for the police department did not respond to follow-up questions from The Washington Post.

The airport said in a statement that Dandan did not have access to any aircraft or to restricted areas of the terminal or ramp.

Dandan is employed by the Federal Aviation Administration, working out of the Charlotte airport. He has been working for the FAA since March 2012, according to the agency. The FAA in a statement said it has terminated Dandan's access to the airport and is cooperating with police.

Dandan has been charged with possession of a weapon of mass destruction, acquiring a weapon of mass destruction and transporting a weapon of mass destruction. Fells has been charged with possession of a weapon of mass destruction and three counts of manufacturing a weapon of mass destruction.

Both men are being held in the Mecklenburg County Jail, each on a $45,000 bond. It's unclear if they have attorneys.

The FAA's airmen database lists Dandan as a student pilot and a control-tower operator. His student pilot license, which was issued in 2011, does not allow him to fly passenger airplanes.

Federal law says that a weapon of mass destruction can be a bomb, a grenade, a rocket, a missile, a mine or other similar weapons designed to kill and seriously hurt people. It can also be in the form of a poisonous chemical, a weapon involving a disease organism, or one that is designed to release deadly radiation.
The magazine provides a general overview of the options available to foreign firms to sell to the online India...
The issue of gun control is as divisive as they come in American politics, but there actually are at least a couple of points on which we have general agreement.

Here's one of those points: The FBI's background-check system for gun buyers  which includes records of criminal convictions, mental illness diagnoses and other red flags to keep guns away from people who shouldn't have them  should be as complete as possible.

Here's another: Better mental health care in the United States could play a big role in stopping the mass shootings which occur in this country with numbing frequency.

If you're nodding in agreement now, maybe you should stop: The Washington Post reported on Friday that the FBI's database is missing millions of records of people who likely should not have access to firearms. That list includes the gunman who last weekend killed 26 people at a Texas church; he had been convicted at a court-martial of charges stemming from a domestic violence case, but the Air Force didn't notify the FBI. So when the gunman bought weapons at a retail store, he cleared his background check.

The Air Force isn't alone in its failure to pass along potentially important information to the FBI's database: Some estimates suggest that about 7 million records are missing from the system, the Post reported.

The FBI and others have known for years about its big gaps in this database; in fact, the Post noted, the government funded a four-year effort beginning in 2008 to try to get a sense of how many records were missing, but that effort was abandoned because of its cost. In 2016, President Barack Obama signed an executive order that was aimed in part to improve the quality of the gun-check database.

Part of the problem is that local and state government law enforcement agencies vary widely in terms of the information they provide to the FBI. For their part, those agencies often say they don't have the necessary resources to keep current information flowing to the FBI. And there is some confusion as to what information is required to be provided for the database.

But if you wanted to focus on just one area to improve, it would be information regarding domestic assault convictions: The gun-control advocacy group Everytown for Gun Safety has conducted a study concluding that more than half of recent mass shootings (54 percent) were related to domestic or family violence.

We can argue, and we will, about other gun control measures. But we should not allow that debate to distract us from an opportunity to start plugging some of the biggest holes in the primary safety net we have to try to catch people who should not have access to guns.

As for the argument that better mental health care could help prevent tragedies like the Texas shooting or the massacre in Las Vegas: There's no doubt that the United States needs better mental health care. But experts say it's unlikely to do much to prevent mass shootings, because the sorts of people who tend to commit mass murder often are not mentally ill or don't see themselves as such, according to a recent article in The Atlantic. Mass murderers tend to blame the outside world for their problems, so they're not good candidates for therapies that require self-examination.

In fact, experts say very little violence is actually committed by mentally ill people. The Atlantic quoted a psychiatry professor at Duke University, who said that curing schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression would reduce overall violence by just 4 percent.

Don't misunderstand: Those cures would be wonderful things. But the reason to fix our mental health system is not to stop mass shootings. The reason is to improve the lives of millions of Americans. That reason should be sufficient. (mm)
The Greek economy has posted significant progress and macro-economic imbalances, such as those in the fiscal sector , have been rectified, according to a report issued by the European Stability Mechanism on Monday, entitled "The ESM Stability Support Programme Greece, First & Second Reviews  July 2017 Background Report."
Main opposition New Democracy (ND) party on Monday demanded that the relevant Greek defense and foreign affairs ministers provide documentation to Parliament regarding a controversial contract to sell surplus military ammunition and ordnance to Saudi Arabia.
A court in Tanzania has found a popular Tanzanian actress guilty over the death of her boyfriend.

A 22-year-old Tanzanian actress, Elizabeth Michael Lulu has been sentenced by a Dar es Salaam court over her late lover, Steven Kanumba.

Lulu committed the crime at the age of 19 on April 7th, 2012. Steven Kanumba, 28 who was a local Tanzanian actor as at that time died after Lulu pushed him to the wall during an argument because of a call she allegedly received from another man.

Seth Bosco, Kanumbas younger brother, said during the court hearing ,that Lulu had an altercation with his brother. Explaining in details he recalled that the quarrel started at about midnight, Kanumba told his young brother to prepare for outing. While preparing themselves, the accused person came and upon entering the house she went straight to the deceased room,

He went on, After some few minutes, the deceased young brother heard the deceased and accused person quarrelling. According to the prosecutor, Bosco also heard the deceased complaining as to why Lulu was talking to her boyfriend in his presence.

Thereafter, he alleged, the quarrel went on and later fighting whereas the accused person was heard crying. The deceaseds young brother approached the deceased bed room door and saw the accused person trying to force herself out of the room, but was pulled inside by the deceased and the door was locked from inside by the deceased, the prosecutor further alleged.

Further revealing that Lulu came out of the room and informed him that Kanumba had fallen. The two called a doctor who declared Kanumba dead after examining him

Detective Esther Zephania, who arrested Lulu on that fateful day, told the court that walls of the room where the actor died had black blood-like stains.

Lulus lawyer Peter Kibatala requested the court to pardon his client arguing that she committed the crime when she was only 19 and young, pleading with the court to forgive his client saying that she is her familys breadwinner. Kibatala asked the court to free his client so that she could continue providing for her family.

The High Court, however, found Lulu guilty of unintentionally killing her lover, Steven Kanumba. Kibatala vowed to challenge the ruling even as Lulu was sent to prison to start serving the two-year term as passed by the judge in court.
The Nigerian government has been warned by the Center for Democracy and Development, CDD, to be more vigilant to ensure that last minute conflict triggered via SMS or social media contents are not allowed to disrupt the forthcoming Anambra governorship election.

The CDD, in a paper titled No Election, No Referendum, made the observation against the backdrop of threats by the secessionist Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB to stop the November 18, Anambra Governorship Election.

The IPOB, through its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, had earlier said unless the Nigerian State calls for a referendum to determine the status of the country, there would be no election in Anambra State.

In series of press interviews and YouTube videos, Mr. Kanu insisted that the Anambra election would not hold.

The IPOB agitation had in recent months protested several times in the South-east region, after the release of Mr. Kanu from detention.

But despite being labelled a terrorist organisation, members of the IPOB staged a demonstration in Onitsha, the Anambra State capital, threatening voters not to participate in the November 18 governorship election in the state.

Last Friday, members of the secessionist group sang and marched around the commercial town, threatening to unleash mayhem on potential voters in the forthcoming guber race.

The CDD, in its report noted that government must not assume that the proscription of the group has rendered it toothless in the scheme of things because proscription does not stop organisations from functioning.

It noted that the group may attempt to enforce its boycott of the election at all cost and this may lead to an outcome that threatens democracy not just in Anambra State but also in the South-east and indeed the country as a whole.

The destruction of lives and property cannot be entirely ruled out at this stage as the group may not only resort to confronting the security forces but may also attempt disrupting the elections.

We cannot completely rule out the possibility of IPOB trying to disrupt the polls as they have been accused of harassing political party stalwarts and candidates, including a confrontation with incumbent Governor Willie Obiano during a church service on July 30, 2017 at St. Josephs Catholic Church Ekwuluobia, the report said.

The report, however, explained that with the determination of the state to conduct the election, it is likely to be conducted as planned as arrangements for massive deployment of security forces have already been concluded.

The CDD also warned that the security forces should not use excessive force in case of any skirmishes arising during the election, adding that the Operation Python Dance 11 has elicited so much pain and emotional anguish within the Igbo community.

The Nigerian State must accept that the attachment to Biafra among a part of the Igbo community is real and deep-rooted and force cannot drive away such sentiments. Not all members of the community however believe that secession is the best option so the way the security forces operate will have consequences for which side increases its support.

It is also important to note that if IPOB engages in violence and disrupts the election and their activities lead to a declaration of a state of emergency on Anambra state, it is IPOB that will lose its social capital. In that case, it is possible that the entire South-east may revolt against IPOB and cause an implosion that will invert the Biafra struggle against itself.

There are already a number of disgruntled citizens in Anambra State who believe that IPOB has singled their state as a guinea pig that will make them the only Igbo state without an elected governor in the South-east. Such an outcome, desired by IPOB would trigger a constitutional crisis as the term of the governor would have elapsed and a sole administrator will have to be appointed by the Federal Government.

The report further pointed out that a successful election boycott by the IPOB poses extreme danger to the Federal Government and national politics as it will boost the confidence of secessionists and facilitate referendum for Biafra Republic. It said this will equally trigger the drive for other ethnic groups or sections of the country to toe the same line.

On the other hand, it said, a failure of the boycott will also place the Biafran struggle on the line, should Anambra people come out en-mass in November to vote.

It is therefore imperative that the Nigerian government desists from using force and militarising the state to avoid low voter turn out and also to avoid violence or a faceoff with the IPOB secessionist movement, the report said.

Therefore, the report noted that to make the election possible, voter education becomes extremely important on the part of the political parties and INEC.

The report went further to disclose that it is likely that six LGAs may witness low voter turnout as a result of the IPOB call for election boycott, adding that these LGAs are the strongholds of IPOB and are likely to mobilise members and sympathizers to boycott the governorship election.

What this means is that the election would hold in many LGAs but it may witness poor voter turnout in the strongholds of IPOB in areas such as Ogbaru, Onitsha North and South, Oyi, and Idemili North and South, it said.

The report explained that the assurance from 179 communities under the aegis of the Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ASATU), is a positive sign that would facilitate mobilisation of voters. This, it explained, is because the unions could mobilise vigilante groups in their various communities to checkmate the activities of the IPOB during the governorship election since Anambra State has one of the strongest density of vigilante groups in the South-east.

Nonetheless, the CDD posited, following Operation Python Dance 11 and the discontent it generated, the likelihood of having high voter turnout is low.

Finally, the State, civil society and communities must be vigilant that last minute conflict triggers via SMS or social media are not allowed to disrupt the election.

Source: ( Punch Newspaper )
The Nigerian army has reacted to the brutal murder of an Army Captain killed by a junior officer which took place yesterday.

ARMY COMMISSIONS BOARD OF INQUIRY TO INVESTIGATE SHOOTING INCIDENT IN CHIBOK

The Headquarters of 28 Task Force Brigade, Nigerian Army, has instituted a Board of Inquiry (BOI) to unravel the circumstances surrounding the shooting incident that resulted in the death of an Officer and a Senior Non-Commission Officer (SNCO), deployed on duty at Chibok, Borno State earlier today Sunday, 12th November 2017.

At about 12.50pm today, the unit received a report that a Staff was seen to be drunk and misbehaving to civilians. An officer was despatched to the scene with a view to bring him back to base.

The officer did his best but the SNCO refused several entreaties to calm him and be disarmed by the superior officer. Unfortunately, the Staff Sergeant shot the officer dead and then killed himself. Their remains have since been evacuated to a military facility. The BOI is expected investigate the incident and promptly turn in its report and findings in one week.

The Nigerian Army is a disciplined and professional force with zero tolerance for any acts of indiscipline and misdemeanor.

The death of the officer and the Staff Sergeant is painful and a great loss to the unit and the Nigerian Army.

Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman

Director Army Public Relations
There was unrest in Chibok community, Borno State, on Sunday after a staff sergeant in the Nigerian Army, Silas Ninyo, shot dead a captain, four civilians and himself during an altercation.

It was learnt that Ninyo killed the captain, identified only as Mani, and the four others when he (Ninyo) was allegedly ordered by Mani to stop beating some civilians at a checkpoint.

According to an online medium, Sahara Reporters, which got the armys situation report on the incident, the captain was providing security for worshippers during a church service when he received a distress call that Ninyo (93NA/36/2608) was beating up some civilians for some unknown reasons.

Our correspondent gathered that Mani (NA/14430) scolded the sergeant, freed the civilians and attempted to disarm Ninyo.

The later was said to have shot the captain dead before killing the four civilians.

He then shot himself in the head.

The corpses of the soldiers were reportedly taken to a military hospital in Yola, Adamawa State.

A reliable source in Chibok on Sunday confirmed the incident to our correspondent, noting that the army was investigating it.

The source said, I can confirm that the shooting took place. I know Silas (Ninyo) and Mani very well. They were very close in that formation. I dont know what would have caused the altercation. I am still trying to speak to their boss, a Major, to ascertain what really went wrong. The army is investigating the incident.

The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Sani Usman, could not be reached for comment on the incident as of press time.

Source: ( Punch Newspaper )
Beautiful 22-year-old Tanzanian actress, Elizabeth Michael Lulu has been sentenced by a Dar es Salaam court for the death of Steven Kanumba whom she was dating until his death.

The ugly incident occurred on April 7th, 2012 when Lulu was 19 years old while Kanumba was 28 years.

Steven Kanumba who was a popular Tanzanian actor died after Lulu pushed him to the wall during an argument because of a call she allegedly received from another man.

During the court hearing, Kanumbas younger brother, Seth Bosco told the court that Lulu had an altercation with his brother on that fateful day. He explained that the two were quarreling because Lulu picked up a call from another man in the presence of the deceased.

Bosco further revealed that Lulu came out of the room and informed her that Kanumba had fallen. The two called a doctor who declared Kanumba dead after examining him

Esther Zephania, a detective who arrested Lulu on that fateful day, told the court that walls of the room where the actor died had black blood-like stains.

Lulus lawyer Peter Kibatala requested the court to pardon his client arguing that she committed the crime when she was still young.

He further begged the court to forgive his client saying that she is her familys breadwinner. Kibatala asked the court to free his client so that she could continue providing for her family.

The High Court, however, found Lulu guilty of unintentionally killing Steven Kanumba. Kibatala vowed to challenge the ruling even as Lulu was sent to prison to start serving the two-year term.

More photos of Lulu below..

Source: Linda Ikejis blog
One of the worlds richest persons, Bill Gates has taken an unbelievable steo an investor could ever imagine buying 25,000 acres of land in Arizona desert with the intention of erecting a city on it.

Bill Gatess plan is to build a smart city outside of Phoenix, Arizona. He had reportedly staked $80 for the land whihc is about 45 minutes outside of Phoenix, called Belmont.

The land in the desert area is presently totally undeveloped. In any case, developers Belmont Partners intend to assemble 80,000 homes, 3,800 acres of land of modern, office, and retail space, and 470 sections of land for state-funded schools, leaving around 3,400 acres of land of open land.

In a press release, Belmont Partners said they plan to create a forward-thinking community with a communication and infrastructure spine that embraces cutting-edge technology, designed around high-speed digital networks, data centers, new manufacturing technologies and distribution models, autonomous vehicles and autonomous logistics hubs.

Belmont will be located along the proposed freeway I-11, which would run from Reno to Mexico and connect the town to both Phoenix and Las Vegas.

Source  Talkglitz
President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday, declared support for Governor Nasir El-Rufais plans to sack about 22,000 teachers who failed a competency test.

The primary school reform being undertaken by the Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna who had announced plans to sack about 22,000 teachers who failed a competency test, has been supported by President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday.

According to Premium Times , President Buhari expressed his stance at a special retreat of the Federal Executive Council in Abuja.

I just opened a Special Retreat of the Federal Executive Council on the challenges facing Nigeria's education sector. We've brought together Government officials, academic experts, civil society and development institutions for this all-important conversation.  Muhammadu Buhari (@MBuhari) November 13, 2017

I touched on the situation in Kaduna, where Gov @elrufai is trying to implement important reforms. It's a very serious situation when teachers cannot pass the exams they're supposed to administer to their students. It underscores the urgent need for comprehensive national reform.  Muhammadu Buhari (@MBuhari) November 13, 2017

This is a developing story, well ring you more details later
A former deputy minister was fined $7,000 by a South African court on Monday after he pleaded guilty to assaulting three women in a nightclub after they referred to him as gay, a sentence that drew outrage from activists.

Mduduzi Manana, 33, quit his job in August as deputy minister for higher education after he was charged over the assault, which was caught on camera and circulated widely on social media.

A woman had accused him of kicking and punching her and two others at the exit of a nightclub in the early hours of August 6.

The women had had a drink with him and referred to him as gay.

In passing the sentence, Magistrate Ramsamy Reddy lambasted Manana saying the degree of violence displayed by Manana in a public space was not becoming of a person of his stature.

The magistrate said the incident had undoubtedly caused the victims great trauma and humiliation before he handed him a 100,000-rand fine  the equivalent of $6,878  or an option of a 12-month sentence.

He also ordered him to perform 500 hours of community service and pay the medical costs incurred by the victims, as well as compensation for shoes and jewellery damaged in the incident.

Advocacy group Sonke Gender Justice slammed the sentence as inappropriate and disappointing  in a country where violence against women is endemic.

The sentencing sets a bad precedent for people of Mananas social standing, that if you have money you can simply get away with a fine, said the groups spokesman, Bafana Khumalo.

A jail time would have been much an acceptable punishment, he said.

A large group of supporters clad in the governing African National Congress (ANC) party filled the gallery and broke into song and dance after the sentencing.

Some women could be heard ululating in joy outside the courthouse, as Manana left the building.

Manana still holds his position as ANC member of parliament.

Source : (AFP)
At least 120 people were killed in Iran and at least several others in Iraq when a powerful magnitude 7.3 earthquake hit the region, state media said, as rescuers stepped up efforts overnight to find dozens trapped under rubbles.

At least 129 people were killed in Irans Kermanshah province on the Iraqi border, the provincial deputy governor told state television.

There are still people under the rubbles. We hope the number of dead and injured wont rise too much, but it will rise, Mojtaba Nikkerdar said.

More than 60 of the victims were in the town of Sarpol-e Zahab, about 15 km (10 miles) from the border.

Kurdish health officials also said at least four people were killed in Iraq and there were 50 injured.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake measured magnitude 7.3, while an Iraqi meteorology official put its magnitude at 6.5 with the epicentre in Penjwin in Sulaimaniyah province in the Kurdistan region close to the main border crossing with Iran.

Electricity was cut off in several Iranian and Iraqi cities, and fears of aftershocks sent thousands of people in both countries out onto the streets and parks in cold weather.

The night has made it difficult for helicopters to fly to the affected areas and some roads are also cut off we are worried about remote villages, Iranian Interior Minister, Abdolreza Fazli, said in an interview.

Many houses in rural parts of the province are made of mud bricks and are known to crumble easily in quake-prone Iran.

A quake registering a magnitude between 7 and 7.9 can inflict widespread, heavy damage.

Local people said in media reports sent on Twitter that they had felt several aftershocks.

Local Television said schools were closed in Kermanshah and Ilam provinces on Monday.

Residents of Turkeys south-eastern city of Diyarbakir also reported feeling a strong tremor, but there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties in the city.

In a tweet, Turkish Red Crescent Chairman, Karem Kinik, said the Turkish Red Crescent was gathering 3,000 tents and heaters, 10,000 beds and blankets and moving them toward the Iraqi border.

We are coordinating with Iranian and Iraqi Red Crescent groups. We are also getting prepared to make deliveries from our northern Iraq Erbil depot, he said.

Israeli media said the quake was felt in many parts of Israel too.

Source: ( NAN )
Two men who decided to steal a Toyota Camry in Benin city, Edo sate  got more than they bargained for after they were caught during the failed operation. The elderly men were apprehended by eagle-eyed residents as they tried to vanish with the Camry 2.2. They were beaten by the mob who rounded them up before handing them over to security operatives.

Source  National Helm
A yet to be identified man lost his life in a fatal car accident while returning from his wedding introduction. The sad event occurred yesterday at Igbogiri, Edo state.

Sunny Agali who shared the graphic photos on Facebook wrote;

Im appealing to the Federal government of Nigeria to as a matter of urgency come to the aid of commuters. The various degrees of damaged portions of the Lagos Benin/Asaba highway has caused several accidents & lost of lives, this one just happened yesterday afternoon at Igbogiri, Edo state. The victims were said to be heading to benin, as they were returning from a marriage introduction, what a life?
A completely heartbroken white man has opened up on how his wife left him and their nine children just to be with her Gambian lover.

A devastated husband has told how his wife left him and their nine kids for a toyboy from Gambia.

Andy Hepworth says he is nursing a broken heart while missus Heidi, 44, lives it up with her Facebook lover.

She wants a divorce, saying her future is with Mamadou Jallow, 30.

Andy, 44, said: Its a midlife crisis. She started going to the gym, booking sunbeds, getting tattoos and wearing dresses.

The person she has become is horrible. She was a loving, caring mum. Now its like an alien has possessed her body.

He has brainwashed her. Its one big fantasy for her and she is following it through step by step.

Heidi had never been abroad before she flew to be with Mamadou in West Africa last month.

A neighbour fearing for her three youngest, aged six, nine and 11, alerted their school.

But police found them staying legally with their 29-year-old sister.

Heidi said last night: Ive met a young gentleman but its not an affair. The marriage had problems. We drifted apart. Can a woman not have a new relationship?

Andy and Heidi met in the 1990s and had been together 23 years.

He said: She had three children from a previous relationship but I brought them up as mine. We then had six kids of our own.

Five years ago I moved out but I realised I wanted to go home and she took me straight back.

We decided to take the next step  and got married.

The family appeared settled in Hetton-le-Hole, Tyne and Wear.

Ex-delivery driver Andy, who served in the Navy for four years, first noticed a change in Heidi in March.

He said: She was wearing more make up and dresses which shed never done before. It just wasnt her. She was going out all the time with friends and was always on her phone.

She has strange friends on Facebook, men from Africa and Asia. Andy says she blocked him being a Facebook friend.

But when he asked if there was another man he was told no.

He added: I didnt think she was messing around with a bloke here, but I did wonder what she was up to.

Heidi moved out twice in a fortnight after rows. When she was home inbetween Andy claims he found messages from Mamadou on the family computer. He added: It felt like my heart had been ripped out. I loved her.

Nearly half of Gambias two million population live in poverty.

Heidi says Mamadou, who lives in the capital Banjul, is not using her to get a UK passport. She said:

Andy went off but I still took him back. The marriage came to a natural end. Now Im very happy. You couldnt meet a nicer man.

Andy slammed Heidi for leaving their youngest kids, saying: A caring mum wouldnt go off gallivanting around Africa with her new boyfriend.

Heidi said: The children havent been left to fend for themselves. Im missing them and video chat every day. Its hard but they understand. I dont know if I will move here permanently but I see my future with Mamadou, and my children.

Andy added: We were always a rock solid. But I think its over. Shes said and done too much.

Police said: There are no concerns for the children. They were left with an appropriate adult.
It has been revealed that the Nigerian military is set to end the admission of female cadets into the combatant course of the Nigerian Defence Academy.

A new report by The Punch has revealed that the Nigerian military is set to end the admission of female cadets into the combatant course of the Nigerian Defence Academy, in a major policy reversal.

A set of 20 females, nicknamed Jonathan Queens, were first admitted into the course in Nigerias premier military officer training institution during the former President Goodluck Jonathans administration in 2011.

According to The Punch, it was learnt that the recommendation to end the programme was made by the Armed Forces Council which was inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari last week.

Buhari had also last week ratified the National Defence Policy 2017 (Revised); Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service Officers 2017.

Recommendation 19 of the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of the Armed Forces of Nigeria was sighted by one of our correspondents on Sunday.

It read, Phase out the training of female regular combatant cadets.

A serving general in the Nigerian Army told our correspondent that the military took the decision due to complaints from some unnamed northern Muslim leaders.

The general, who pleaded anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the issue, explained that there were various types of commissions in the Armed Forces namely: Regular Combatant Commission, Short Service Combatant Commission, Direct Regular Commission, Direct Short Service and Executive Commission.

He said, It is only the Regular Combatant Commission that can give an officer the opportunity to aspire to head any of the services or rise to become the Chief of Defence Staff, while the others have limited career path. If the military is able to scrap this programme, women will never be able to head any of the arms of the Nigerian military.

The northern Muslim leaders want to prevent a situation where one day, a woman will lead the army and give orders to men.

Incidentally, it was reported in 2013 that of the first 20 female cadets, only one Muslim, Fatimah Saleh, enlisted. She had also stated that her Arabic school teacher had advised her against joining the army.

The general said those pushing for the scrapping of the programme had convince the President that women were not doing well in the programme.

He said, When we started the training of female cadets in 2011, we never thought it would be successful. When the first set of women cadets graduated from the academy last year, women won three awards, including the best award in the navy category.

A female cadet, C. Lord-Mallam, won the Navy Gold award which is the highest in the navy category. The Army Silver award, which is the second highest in the army, went to a female cadet, K. O Dayo-Karim. The Air Force Silver award was also won by a female cadet, O. S Ijelu.

However, some northern conservatives were not happy about it because most of the female cadets are either Christians from the South and northern minority groups or Muslims from the South and Middle Belt.

Dissatisfied with how things are turning out, the northern Muslim leaders lobbied the military authorities to stop the programme for women.

The general described the recommendation as an attempt to reverse the gains of the past, adding that it was a setback in the push for gender equality.

He revealed that many of the female cadets were outperforming their male colleagues, adding that their achievements were being suppressed by the military hierarchy.

The general said, I was informed that the women were trained just like the men were trained. They were not given any preferential treatment. Two of these female cadets beat their male counterparts to win placement at the United States Military Academy in West Point and they are doing well.

It is unfortunate that while the western world and even other African nations are progressing, Nigeria is going backwards.

In 2010, the then President, Goodluck Jonathan, had ordered the military to allow females interested in becoming combatant officers of the Nigerian armed forces to be admitted into the NDA for the first time ever.

The then Minister of Defence, Adetokunbo Kayode, had said other countries in Africa were already doing it and they are not better than us.

He had said, Presently, we have female armoured tank drivers, female Para-troopers, jumpers, and so on. We want to have strong, virile armed forces devoid of discrimination.

Expatiating on the new directive, the minister had said, As you are all aware, the Nigerian Armed forces have always had opening for female officers. However, these have always been limited to non- combat duties, thereby limiting their career path irrespective of their competence or skill.

To redress this obvious anomaly and in line with theconviction of the President that every Nigerian, irrespective of gender or any affiliation, should be given equal opportunity to excel in his or her chosen field of life, Mr. President has directed the immediate enlistment and training of female regular combatant commission officers into the Nigerian armed forces.

However, the Defence Headquarters, Abuja, failed to comment on the revised harmonised terms and conditions on Sunday.

The Director of Information, Maj. Gen. John Enenche, did not pick his calls, and a text message sent to his line had yet to be replied to as of press time.

Also, the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Sani Usman, could not be reached for comment on Sunday.

However, a military source said the revised harmonised structure, if it saw the light of the day at all, would not affect the NDA admission for 2018.

The NDA has already begun receiving applications for the 70th regular course since October 20, 2017. The application, which will run till February 2018, is open to both male and female Nigerians.

So, there is no going back on what the NDA has started. It will be a public disaffection if the military reneges on what it has advertised and we are a professional arm and cannot do that.

Civil Society Organisations have kicked against the move, saying it will be like taking 10 steps backwards.

A civil society organisation, Partners West Africa, Nigeria, said the policy would spell doom for Nigerias quest for inclusiveness.

Executive Director of PWAN, Mrs. Kemi Okenyondo, said this in a telephone interview with one of our correspondents in Abuja, on Sunday.

She said, If this is allowed to come to reality, it will be like taking 10 steps backwards and such would be revising all the gains of inclusiveness and mainstreaming of women within the security sector.

If it is allowed to sail through, it then means that the perception that this administration is not given to having women participate within the different layers of government will be held to be true.

Also, the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights and the Campaign for Democracy said the move was a violation of the fundamental human rights of womenfolk.

The CDHR President, Malachy Ugwummadu, said, It is absurd and unacceptable. It offends Section 42 of the constitution of the Federal Government of Nigeria, which talks about non-discrimination against citizens on the basis of sex, gender, religion and others.

We have female officers who distinguished themselves in the armed forces. We have a lot of them who have showed capacity and done more than what their male colleagues are doing, even at the war front. I think that recruitment and admission into the armed forces should be a question of preference rather than discouragement on the basis of gender.

The CD President, Usman Abdul, said, We should not allow such proposition to see the light of the day. It is discriminatory and anti-democratic. It offends the human rights privileges. It is proper to admit women into full combatant service. We have this in the advanced countries and it is the international best practices.

Also, Women Arise for Change Initiative said the move was a ploy to marginalise women.

Its President, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, said necessary action would be taken to challenge the policy.

Okei-Odumakin said, It is an unacceptable discrimination against women; highly insensitive. They must tell us why they are putting this glass ceiling.
The Senate has concluded plans to appeal a Federal High Court judgement that declared the suspension of a senator, Ali Ndume, illegal. The court had also ordered that Mr. Ndume be paid all his outstanding salaries and allowances.

The position of the Senate was conveyed in a statement by its counsel, Mike Ozekhome, on Sunday.

The Senate had on March 30 suspended Mr. Ndume, who was former Majority Leader for 90 legislative days (six months).

Mr. Ndume was suspended for raising a matter that the Senate investigate public allegations of impropriety against the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and another senator, Dino Melaye.

The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, which investigated the matter recommended that Mr. Ndume be suspended for one year.

Mr. Ndume was subsequently suspended for six months for bringing Melaye, his colleague, and the institution of the senate to unbearable disrepute after the Senate adopted the report by the committee.

Mr. Ndume, not satisfied by the reason given for his suspension, headed to court to challenge the action of the senate.

In a judgement delivered by Justice Babatunde Quadri on Friday, the court set aside the suspension and ordered that Mr. Ndume be allowed to resume his duties in the senate as a senator.

Reacting to this, Mr. Ozekhome in the statement said the Senate will file an appeal on Monday.

The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, will on Monday, November 13, 2017, file an appeal against the judgment of the Federal High Court, delivered today, 10th of November, 2017, the statement reads.

It is important to state clearly that the Senate respectfully disagrees with the said judgment.

For the records, the Senate had challenged the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court to entertain the matter on several grounds, portions of which are outlined hereunder for the purpose of emphasis, as follows:

That the Plaintiff wrongly joined several causes of action in his Originating Summons.

That an action for the enforcement of fundamental rights to fair hearing can only be brought against a court or a tribunal, established by law as held by the Supreme Court in several current cases, and not against Committee of a legislative body.

That by the provisions of sections 3 and 30 of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, the trial court lacked requisite jurisdiction to hear the suit of the Plaintiff.

He added that the appeal will be followed by a stay of execution of the High Court judgement.

The notice of appeal is ready and would be filed unfailingly by Monday morning. An application for a stay of execution of the orders of the court will also be filed same time.

Source: ( Premium Times )
One-time Mr. Nigeria, Emmanuel Ikubese, recently uploaded a video online in which he berated controversial broadcaster, Freeze, telling him to stop misleading people about the issue of paying tithes to church. According to the model, a lot of people were tired of Freezes rants on social media.

Even though Freeze hasnt responded, Sunday Scoop sought to find out if the duo had any prior relationship. Ikubese said, I have never met Freeze and I honestly dont want to talk about him please.

Baring his mind on tithes, the former Mr. Nigeria said, I believe in tithing. However, no one is forced to pay tithe. Its all based on what you believe. God is love and we should all show love to one another.

Speaking on what he is working on at the moment, he said, Im in the US at the moment shooting a TV series with Nse Ikpe-Etim and Ayoola of Project Fame. I am usually interested in projects when I consider the storyline, the actors involved in the project; and of course, the pay.

On the challenges he faced when he started acting, he said, The challenges I had were producers or directors not trusting you with a major role or a challenging role. I was boxed into a corner and really wanted to take on more challenging roles. But right now, Im in a good place in my career and Im grateful to God. Of course, Im still seeking more challenging roles and more exciting projects. Im still very far from who I want to be and where I want to go as an actor.

So when will he be getting married, we asked. At Gods appointed time! However, I am in a relationship at the moment. I like someone who loves God, is intelligent and is a really beautiful person inside. The List of my preferences is quite long, he said.

Source: Punch
President Muhammadu Buharis recent visit to Turkey has boosted bilateral trade among countries in Turkey, according to reports 23 Turkish electrical manufacturing companies will visit Nigeria this week to meet buyers and distributors.

The Managing Director of Naijalink Ltd., Mrs Thessa Bagu, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos that the visit would strengthen trade and economic relations between Nigeria and Turkey.

Naijalinks, a local firm, connected foreign companies willing to do business in Nigeria to local buyers or sellers.

Following renewed Turkish-Nigerian commitments to boost bilateral trade, a Turkish electronics and electrical goods trade mission will, this week, be visiting Nigeria for meetings with local buyers and distributors.

This trade mission is coming only weeks after President Buhari visited Turkey to strengthen trade and economic relations between Nigeria and Turkey.

Under the ambit of the Turkish Electro Technology Exporters Association (TET)  a professional body representing over 7,500 companies  the trade mission will showcase advanced Turkish white goods, electronics, cables and electrical production and distribution equipment, she said.

Bagu said that the mission would comprise Turkish manufacturers, representing companies across consumer electronics and appliances, lighting, cables, electrical transmission and distribution equipment, industrial automation products and specialised cables.

She said that the mission, to be led by the Vice Chairman of TET Board, Mr Mehmet Kavaklioglu, would hold pre-scheduled meetings with Nigerian business operators at Eko Hotel and suites, Lagos, on Thursday.

According to her, Turkeys fast-growing electronics, white goods and electrical components sector annually exports over 10 billion dollars in goods to the global market.

NAN reports that Buhari went on a four-day working visit to Turkey on Oct. 18.

The president participated in the ninth D-8 Summit in Istanbul on Oct. 20 and held bilateral meetings with some member-countries.

Source : (NAN)
Former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo has been described by Goodluck Jonathan as the boss of bosses in the Nigerian political space.

Jonathan said any politician who ignores Obasanjo does so at its own peril, advising ex-Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to find a way of courting his former boss, if he (Atiku) must realise his presidential ambition.

He maintained that it would be impossible for Atiku to realise his presidential ambition on the platform of the All Progressives Congress.

According to Jonathan, Atikus chances of becoming President in 2019 would be bright if he contested on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party.

He, however, stressed that Atiku must do everything to get Obasanjos endorsement, who, he said, had the magic wand and remained respected home and abroad.

Jonathan was quoted as saying this in an interview he recently granted the Ovation Magazine, published by Dele Momodu.

He (Atiku) cant get the APC ticket. If Atiku gets our party (PDP) ticket, he would compete well, Jonathan reportedly said.

Hes always a passionate politician. But he would have to reach out to our boss, Baba OBJ, the boss of all bosses.

Weve all learnt at different times that you ignore OBJ at your own peril. OBJ has the magic wand, respected at home and abroad, Jonathan said.

Atiku, who served as Vice-President during Obasanjos eight years administration, fell out with his former boss towards the end of the administration.

The rift was believed to have stemmed from Atikus antagonism to Obasanjos alleged third-term bid.

Atiku had recently said given the chance to lead the country, he would fight corruption even better than President Muhammadu Buhari, who enjoys public opinion as a man of integrity and hater of corruption.

Atiku lashed out at those he said were regurgitating corruption allegations against him, without bringing any proof forward.

He said, It is sickening to continue to regurgitate allegations of corruption against me by people who have failed to come forward with a single shred of evidence of my misconduct while in office.

Despite previous desperate efforts to link me with corruption, the William Jefferson trial in the United States ended in 2009 without indicting me or linking me to corrupt activities, Atiku added.

Source: ( Punch Newspaper )
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, National Chairmanship have announced that all the eight chairmanship aspirants will sign a peace accord as part of their commitment to a successful convention.

The founder of Daar Communications, Mr. Dokpesi disclosed this in an interview with journalists after the PDP Governors Forum met with all aspirants in Enugu. The meeting ended in the early hours of Monday.

Mr. Dokpesi disclosed that all the aspirants had agreed to sign the peace accord at the partys national secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, by 4 p.m.

He described the move as part of efforts by the aspirants to ensure that the party comes out of the convention stronger and united.

With that accord being signed, we are going to look forward to a very peaceful and harmonious convention.

Asked if the issue of zoning came up at the meeting of the forum with the aspirants, Mr. Dokpesi said the party was explicit enough on the issue of zoning.

He said that while the partys presidential ticket was zoned to the North, the position of chairman was zoned to the South, without specific reference to states or geopolitical region.

He said that the candidates had agreed to work together

After the zoning principle, all the aspirants have agreed to work together to come up with a common position. Anybody can contest.

If the party in its wisdom and the aspirants agreed within themselves and notify the party early enough that would be fine.

Also asked if the issue of a consensus candidate was deliberated at the meeting, Mr. Dokpesi said no, but that did not mean there was no discussion among the aspirants.

Today on the way forward, a few of the aspirants met in the morning and in the afternoon and discussed which solution can be adopted.

Mr. Dokpesi added that following the meeting, he would go ahead with his campaign and consultation to fulfil his ambition.

The Governor of Ekiti and Chairman of the Forum, Ayodele Fayose, said that the partys national convention, scheduled for December 9, would be a world class event that other political parties would emulate.

Mr. Fayose said that the party has worked hard and it has all it takes to win the Saturday Anambra governorship election.

We are using this opportunity to demand that the election should be credible. It should not only be credible but seen to be credible.

We want to believe that Nigeria is of age to organise election that is acceptable at home and internationally, on November 18 in Anambra, Mr. Fayose added

Source: ( Punch Newspaper )
It was twist of fate for a member of the NYSC serving his father land in Katsina State,where he was assaulted by Police officers in the state while he was coming from church.

According to reports, he was assaulted along side other 30 persons on their way from church and was all taken to prison despite identifying himself with his corper ID card.

Read full story below:

Source: ( Instablog9ja )
About 13 suspected counterfeiters were arrested while more than 900,000 high-quality fake banknotes with a value of more than 28 million euros were siezed by the Italian Police.

In a statement released by the Police, During the investigation three underground printworks, including one in Romania, were discovered equipped with the machines and instruments needed to manufacture counterfeit notes.

More than 28 million euros ($33 million) in counterfeit notes were seized  939,775 notes of 10, 20 and 50 euros  and 13 people were caught in the act and arrested.

The two alleged ringleaders of the gang are Neapolitans with long experience in the area of counterfeiting, police said.

They are suspected of setting up the facilities and forging links with Italians living in Romania to print fake cash.

Police said the counterfeiters found buildings that did not arouse suspicion, before setting up short-term presses to make counterfeit notes for 10 to 15 days.

During that time, they were able to print more than 15 million euros in counterfeit notes.

Then they stopped the operation, and sometimes transferred the whole print shop to another building, police said.

Italy remains the leading producer of counterfeit banknotes, with the Camorra  the Neapolitan mafia  controlling the vast majority.

Source: ( AFP )
The Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-rufais has received backing from President Muhammadu Buhari over the planned sacking of 21,780 teachers who recently failed the competency test conducted by the state government.

Buhari made his position know at a special retreat of the Federal Executive Council on the challenges facing the Education sector in Nigeria themed: Education in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects.





He said it was not acceptable for teachers not to be better than their students.

Source: ( Punch Newspaper )
A FUTO undergraduate has lost his life after he was attacked yesterday by an unknown gunman who shot him in the leg.

A student of the Department of Financial Management Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State identified as Anosike Michael, has died after being shot last night.

Information gathered revealed that the victim died after being abandoned following a gunshot attack. He lost excessive blood in the process. He was shot at the back of his left leg by a yet to be identified individual.
Former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mrs. Farida Waziri, says she was glad that ex-President Goodluck Jonathan sacked her from the office.

She said had she not been sacked, she would have been traumatised by now, given the ongoing revelation of alleged grand corruption that took place under Jonathans administration.

Waziri said the EFCC under Jonathan was not given free hand to operate, saying she got the first indication of it during the probe of the fuel subsidy scam.

She said it was her refusal to back down from the probe of one of the masterminds of the fuel subsidy scam that earned her a dismissal by Jonathan.

A statement on Sunday quoted the ex-EFCC helmsman as saying this during an interaction with journalists at an unnamed event, which she attended in Lagos at the weekend.

She was said to have been asked to react to the revelation about the alleged grand sleaze that took place under Jonathans watch.

Im only glad that those things didnt happen under my watch as the EFCC Chairman because it would have been too traumatic for me. And that is why if I see President Jonathan today, I will kneel down to thank him for the honour done me by removing me as the EFCC Chairman at the time he did.

My first strong premonition of what was ahead was when I began the probe of the monumental oil subsidy fraud going on then.

I came to Lagos on a vital intelligence on the subsidy scam and as soon as I arrested a key culprit I got a call from the Presidential Villa asking me to release the suspect, because, in their words, he is our person, but I refused to let him off and days after I was removed from office, Waziri was quoted to have said
A train carrying fuel has derailed and caught fire afterwards, a development that has left behind lots of casualties in its wake.

Officials have revealed that no less than thirty-three people riding on a fuel train in southeastern Democratic Republic of Congo were killed and 26 were injured when the train plunged down a ravine and caught fire, the Agence France Presse, AFP, reports.

The UNs radio Okapi said there had been 33 fatalities in the accident on Sunday.

It occurred in the mining region of Katana, close to the border with Zambia and Angola, in the DRC province of Lualaba.

Thirty-three people were killed, Richard Muyej Mangez Mans, the governor of Lualaba province, told AFP, confirming Okapis toll.

Twenty-six people who were seriously injured have been admitted to hospital. Doctors have been sent from Kolwezi to help those who are lightly injured.

Work is continuing to search for any survivors in the wreckage, he said.

Access to the site is difficult because of the poor state of the roads during the rainy season, he said.

The Red Cross said it was unable to give a toll. The train, in which the victims were travelling illegally, was running between the countrys second city of Lubumbashi and Luena.

The train, transporting 13 oil tankers, derailed while climbing a slope at Buyofwe, a station 30 kilometres (18 miles) from Lubudi. It fell into a ravine and the tankers caught fire, radio Okapi said.

Its a freight train that derailed and it wasnt supposed to be carrying passengers. If there were people on board, we consider them to be illegal travellers, said Sylvestre Ilunga Ilukamba, a senior official from the national railway company SNCC.

Katanga  a vast mineral-rich region the size of Spain  has witnessed several deadly train accidents. In April 2014, a freight train derailed killing 74 people and injured 163, according to officials but the Red Cross said up to 200 corpses had been buried.

The national news agency a month later reported 136 deaths.

Another train accident in July 1987 near the Zambian border killed 150 people after crashing into a truck.
In what will come across as a really shocking development, a young lady hawking on the streets, has been brutally killed for rituals.

According to a Vanguard report, two suspected ritualists have been arrested by men of Ogun State Command of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, VGN, in connection with the murder of a 17-year-old girl, Taye Gusau, in Idosemo, Ipokia Local Government Area of the state.

After killing her, they decapitated the body, cut off the hands and intestines. It was gathered that the suspects, Yewanu Tailoju and Asamo Soji, lured the girl, who was hawking puff-puff (doughnut) after school, into the bush and murdered her.

The state Public Relations Officer of VGN, Adebodun Omotolani, who disclosed this, said that the suspected criminals reportedly dumped the body in a well at an abandoned plot of land at Igude, after decapitating it.

Adebodun Omotolani explained that four days ago, the parents of the girl, when they did not see their child, reported to the VGN, who swung into action, leading to the arrest of 35-year-old, Yewenu Tailoju.

It was Tailoju that named his partner, Asamo Soji, who is now in Police net and confessed to killing the young girl for money rituals.

He later took officers of the VGN to where her corpse was dumped after severing her head and hands, while her intestines were also removed.

The Commandant of the VGN, Olanrewaju Adedoyin, who advised members of the public to always avail the group with information, said VGN was poised to taking community policing to a level that will reduce crime in the society.

He said the case will be properly handed over to the Nigeria Police for further investigations and prosecution.
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to stay away from Biafraland, else there will be bloodshed.

Buhari is scheduled to visit Ebonyi state on Tuesday, and Anambra the day after.

In a statement sent to TheCable on Monday, Emma Powerful, IPOB spokesman, said:

we (IPOB members) will die with him should he set his foot on the sacred land of Biafra. Tuesday 14th November 2017 will be recorded in history as a very bloody day should that Jubril masquerading as Buhari attempt to land on Biafran soil, the statement read. He is coming to mock us and to urinate on the graves of our 91 brethren his Operation Python Dance killed in Abia State. He is coming to show us that power belongs to the north and people like Nnia Nwodo and Dave Umahi are in charge over their conquered territory and defeated people of Biafra. He has come to tell us we are forever slaves.

When visited the presidential villa in Abuja last week, he told state house correspondents that the people of the state are fully prepared to receive the president.

He said Buhari would commission some projects carried out by his administration during the visit, including roads and flyovers.

The governor had said:
A graduate of the Yaba College of Technology, Oluwamuyiwa Oluwagbemileke, aka Spartacus, has ended his life.

The 27-year-old graduate of electrical engineering reportedly took a poison on Wednesday after he was blamed for damaging a car in a sachet water factory in Ojodu Berger, Lagos, where he worked.

PUNCH Metro learnt that he had hit the vehicle on another one on the factory premises while trying to help the owner re-park it.

The Osogbo, Osun State indigene, was said to have become desperate to raise N50,000 to repair the damaged car.

In a suicide note he posted on Facebook, a few hours before the incident, he hinted that he was depressed.

He wrote, When a mans life is unstable, worried, downcast and destabilised, things he does right before will become wrong no matter the best he puts in. He loses focus and strength; he becomes unhappy and angry at everything even if he tries to wear a smiling face.

Thoughts of death will come in the scene. He keeps asking the question, why me? He becomes helpless and even if hes among people, he still feels lonely. Life can be truly unfair.

Advice: Never let your ugly situations weigh you down. When you notice things are not going well, check yourself before it makes you feel worried.

About an hour before he took the poison, he wrote another note on his Facebook wall at 10.16pm, asking his family to look after his mother.

Please, help me stand by my mother. Shes the reason why I have lived this far. Thank you. To my loved ones, it read.

He was buried on Saturday at the Atan Cemetery in Yaba, Lagos.

His nickname, it was learnt, evolved from his determination to become a graduate, which made him to engage in one menial job or another to sponsor himself.

His elder sister, who spoke with our correspondent on the telephone on Sunday, confirmed that he was reserved.

Source: ( Punch Newspaper)
Zimbabwes army chief on Monday demanded a stop to the purge in the ruling ZANU-PF party after the sacking of vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa and warned the military could intervene.

The current purging which is clearly targeting members of the party with a liberation background must stop forthwith, General Constantino Chiwenga told a media conference attended by about 90 senior army officers at army HQ.

In an unprecedented warning, he said in a statement: We must remind those behind the current treacherous shenanigans that when it comes to matters of protecting our revolution, the military will not hesitate to step in.

Mnangagwa was dismissed and humiliated a week earlier after clashing with veteran President Robert Mugabes wife Grace, who is now in prime position to succeed her 93-year-old husband.

Analysts had warned that the sacking would spark repercussions beyond Mugabes control.

Mnangagwas main rivals within the ruling ZANU-PF- party are the younger Generation 40 or G40 group, who enjoy Graces support.

But the 75-year-old former vice president has powerful military connections, having served as defence and state security minister.

Soon after his dismissal Mnangagwa quickly fled into exile, vowing to return and launched a direct challenge to Mugabe by calling for members of the ruling party to desert the president.

Mnangagwa  whose nickname is the Crocodile  defiantly told Mugabe that the party was not personal property for you and your wife to do as you please.

Mugabe then reacted by expelling his longtime confidant and former liberation war guerrilla, from the party.

Source : ( Punch Newspaper)
Phoenix-based U-Haul International Inc., which operates nearly 1,000 self-storage locations across North America, plans to convert a Dayton, Ohio, office building to self-storage. The purchase of the property at 360 S. Main St. is expected to close on Dec. 12, according to the source.

The 83,000-square-foot structure is near U.S. Route 35, adjacent to a McDonalds fast-food restaurant and across the street from Community Tissue Services, a provider of services to donor families and medical communities. The site is owned by Cincinnati-based McDay Ltd., which is being represented in the transaction by Charlie Hewitt, a leasing agent with real estate firm Crest Commercial Realty.

Last year, U-Haul completed a similar project at 3936 Salem Ave., also in Dayton. The transformation of the former shopping plaza adjacent to U-Haul Moving & Storage of Harrison Township added 10,026 square feet and 138 units to one of the companys existing sites.

U-Haul converted another shopping center in Dayton to self-storage in 2015. The property at 234 and 240 N. Springboro Pike once housed Dicks Sporting Goods and an h.h. gregg Inc. appliance store.

The operator has other conversion projects under development in several states. The projects are driven by the companys corporate sustainability initiatives, which support infill development to help local communities lower their carbon footprint, according to company officials. U-Hauls adaptive reuse of existing structures eliminates the amount of energy and resources required for new-construction materials and helps local cities diminish their unwanted inventory of unused buildings, officials said.

Established in 1945, U-Haul owns more than 28 million square feet of storage space.
By now youve already heard about most of the post-Brexit choices unveiled by financial companies who wish to retain access to the single market when the UK bids the European Union goodbye. Among them is American conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway, which picked Dublin for its European underwriting business.



Now it looks like more investments in financial services coming from the US will end up bypassing the UK because of the imminent departure, with Ireland poised to enjoy part of the gains. This will be in addition to the UK-based firms being pushed to move or branch out because of Brexit.



Search and compare insurance product listings for International Operations from specialty market providers here



Irelands financial services minister Michael DArcy told Reuters that not only does the country have a substantial pipeline arising from British companies, but that another source  a bigger one  will benefit Ireland in the longer term.



We are certainly seeing from the United States the opportunity to increase that pipeline, DArcy was quoted as saying. Its a process thats happening.



DArcy  who said agencies in Ireland are currently dealing with about a hundred UK-based financial services firms for licensing matters  noted that investment volume from the US will be multiple times larger.



We expect more traffic from American institutions, he said.





Related stories:

Calls for insurance sector to get Brexit prioritisation

Insurers offer backing to EU regulation changes
The insurance industry staffing crisis is the talk of the town. Around 25% of the workforce is set to retire by 2018 and theres a serious shortage of millennial candidates seeking to take their places.So, what can be done to recruit, engage, train and retain the best and brightest of the younger generations to join the insurance industry?Insurance Business spoke to Nicole Ricigliano, a millennial high-flyer and senior underwriter at Markel West Region, about the opportunities for younger generations in the workforce I think weve done a better job over the last few years of marketing the insurance industry and doing more college outreach and communication campaigns, said Ricigliano. It helps to have people that are closer in age to the college students explaining the ins-and-outs of the industry and the added benefits like travel, having a market and getting to meet some really cool people.Lots of the younger insurance workforce have family ties to the industry. Ricigliano became interested in a career in insurance after she did some summer filing work at Arlington Roe, the wholesale broker her father was working at. She grew curious while stamping surplus lines policies and took that curiosity back to college, where she changed her major and enrolled on to a risk management and insurance program. She claims she fell into the industry but also saw how well the career treated her father.But what about those with no link to the industry? What stumbling blocks are getting in their way?We do have this huge age gap in the industry which sometimes causes a disconnect . Occasionally, there can be a bit of a hostile environment because older generations sometimes feel threatened by millennials coming after their jobs  but thats not the case at all. The younger workforce wants to learn from the older generation. After all, a lot of insurance (especially underwriting) is about years and experience, Ricigliano told Insurance Business.Another challenge is technology. The insurance industry is so far behind when it comes to technology that it can be a little bit frustrating. We grew up with computers and cell phones and were used to getting things at lightening speed  and the industry needs to keep pace with that.The tech lifestyle and the rise of social media have spawned a generation in need of instant gratification. That doesnt have to be the perfect job, the plush car or the massive pay package. It can be something as simple as a positive work culture and company flexibility.As part of her training, Ricigliano was a NAPSLO intern and worked at Essex Insurance Company, which was part of the Markel Corporation . After graduating, she joined Nautilus Insurance where she stayed for seven years before taking a job in Excess & Umbrella at Markel West Region. During that period, Markel Corporation relaunched its Markel University program.Markels doing a really great job of trying to bring younger generations into the industry through its university programs, she said. People on the programs get to see the industry from all different aspects and theres a real small family feel to it. The company is really big on making sure that the associates feel engaged. Theyve done a really good job of being a huge corporation with a really great family foundation.Another important factor is flexibility. Insurance is not always a standard 8am-5pm job. Sometimes you might have to work a 15-hour day or catch a flight somewhere at 4am and not get to bed until midnight. Millennials crave flexibility and I think Markels fantastic at providing it. Its important to remember that theres still life outside of work.
Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. has announced the acquisition of a California-based insurance agency. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.Gallagher has acquired Associated Insurance Services, an independent personal lines property and casualty insurance agency with a focus on construction, retail, hospitality and manufacturing. Michael C. Creswell, Tm McClain, Megan B. Gaines and their associates will continue to operate out of their Westlake Village, Calif., location under the direction of Scott Firestone, head of retail property/casualty brokerage operations for Gallaghers Southwest Region.Associated Insurance Services strengthens our brokerage operations geographically and enhances our ability to serve the whole spectrum of contractors, said J. Patrick Gallagher Jr., chairman, president and CEO of Arthur J. Gallagher. I am very happy to welcome Michael, Tim, Megan and their associates to our growing Gallagher family of professionals.
Brokers, we want to hear from you  who are wholesale brokers who have gone above and beyond for you and your clients?Insurance Business America is searching for the nations topthat specialize to feature in our first issue of 2018. From environmental insurance specialists to brokers that specialize in the construction sector  whatever the specialty is, we want to know!To nominate, simply click here  nominations take two minutes and the process is completely free of charge.Deadline to nominate is Wednesday,
Wholesale broker and MGA NIF Group has acquired the privately held Agency Intermediaries and A.I.I. Insurance Brokerage of Mass. (A.I.I.).Both affiliated entities serve as MGA/contract binding authorities and wholesale insurance brokerages in Guilford, Connecticut (Agency Intermediaries) and East Douglas, Massachusetts (A.I.I. Insurance Brokerage of Mass.).A.I.I. was founded in 1980 by Ray Connors, Sr. and Manja Connors. Erina Connors later joined in 1983, helping add focus to the companys excess and surplus lines. Since 1998, A.I.I. has been led by Erina Connors and Julie Sonier.The Connors and Sonier families have built an exceptional brokerage firm in the same manner in which NIF was forged, said NIF Group president Mark P. Maher. A.I.I.s long standing commitment to their clients, carriers, exceptional service and industry expertise perfectly align with our existing branches and strategic plans for growth in the Northeast.NIF is a great fit for us, our people are joining a well-respected firm with plans of growth and opportunity in the future, commented A.I.I. president Erina Connors.NIFs acquisition of A.I.I. expands its presence in the Northeast with locations in Framingham,Massachusetts, East Douglas, Massachusetts, Guilford, Connecticut, and Warwick, Rhode Island.This acquisition is the sixth such transaction by JenCap Holdings, the parent company of NIF Group.
South Florida-based Seeman Holtz Property & Casualty is continuing its strong acquisition growth with its 22nd broker acquisition of 2017.The Boca Raton-headquartered brokerage announced the acquisition of brokerage Check Out Insurance on Friday.Check Out, based out of Dallas, TX, has been offering the best protection with the best service at the best prices in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, according to Seeman Holtz. The operations will be folded into another Seeman Holtz company, Primera Capital.Marshal Seeman, president of Seeman Holtz Property & Casualty said: The addition of Check Out Insurance not only gives us a number of additional offices but also a model to rapidly expand organically.Brett Williams, vice president added: We intend to expand on the existing Check Out model which will allow us to quickly grow our regional capabilities without a heavy operational expense.The company was looking to further expand in 2018, both through further acquisitions, and by melding the companies in the books with one another, Seeman said.As far as the Seeman Holtz business  we have a pretty large pipeline  and were really about integrating some of these different niches that were acquiring with each other  to work with each other on cross-selling opportunities as well.The company is backed financially by a strategic partner, Hudson Structured Capital Management, based out of Bermuda.Seeman Holtz offers: private client, homeowners policy, automobile insurance, renters policy, umbrella coverage, commercial and employee, and personal liability coverage.The acquisition of Check Out, and its intended merger within the Primera brand, is solely centered in Texas.
Boca Raton headquartered Seeman Holtz Property & Casualty, Inc. has acquired Dallas, TX. based Check Out Insurance, LLC.Check Out Insurance brands itself as a cheap auto insurance provider, locating its five Dallas/Fort Worth operations in Cliffs Check Cashing operations. The agency has been offering products (and a web based service) from MGA Empower Insurance.The Check Out team will join the Primera Capital team and help add to the Seeman Holtz portfolio throughout the state of Texas. Seeman Holtz already has an office in Austin.Seeman Holtz has big plans to roll out the Check Out model across the nation.The addition of Check Out Insurance not only gives us a number of additional offices but also a model to rapidly expand organically, said Marshal Seeman, president of Seeman Holtz Property & Casualty.Brett Williams, vice president confirmed the expansion plans: We intend to expand on the existing Check Out model which will allow us to quickly grow our regional capabilities without a heavy operational expense, he said.And Seeman Holtz Property & Casualty says it is still looking for more agencies  this acquisition is its 22nd agency acquisition for 2017.
It has been a difficult few months for the insurance industry. Third quarter results are rolling in and lots of companies are reporting the same thing  US natural catastrophes have hit us hard 2017 will be remembered for Hurricane Harvey and the intense flooding it caused in Texas, followed closely by hurricanes Irma and Maria battering the Caribbean. Add to that a devastating earthquake in Mexico and raging wildfires in California  all in the space of a few months Flood insurance and flood modelling have been top of mind insurance issues for some time. Urgency around the flood issue really hiked up a notch when the impact of Harvey became clear. It was the subject of an event hosted by ArgoGlobal and Lloyds of London, where comparisons were made between four leading flood risk modelling vendors: AIR, KatRisk, Impact Forecasting and CoreLogic.We are experiencing one of the most active hurricane seasons this century, said David Clouston, head of Lloyds risk aggregation. Widespread flooding as a result of windstorms Harvey and Irma has once again highlighted the costs of natural catastrophes  both in terms of human suffering and economic hardship . The need for a deeper understanding of inland flood modelling is more important than ever.The event was hosted by Federico Waisman, senior vice president and head of analytics at Ariel Re. Waisman created a data set that was run through each flood risk model using the same input and model options. He then presented a comparison of results (which were quite variable at times) and allowed the vendors to explain their results.This is a significant milestone for the modelling of inland flood in the US, and could not be more timely. We have witnessed time and again the devastation wrought by flooding. The models presented at this event will enable the insurance industry to better underwrite this risk, he said.The potential for growth in this area is clear. With the benefit of more robust analytics the US flood market could represent an area of significant potential for (re)insurers. This event will enable the market to witness how these relatively new models perform, and gain valuable insights into their respective processes.Flood risk modelling undoubtedly has value, but calculations are still enormously variable, as shown by some of the comparisons made at the ArgoGlobal event. The flood risk modelling market is still at its beginning and there are still uncertainties that need to be unraveled, said Siamak Daneshvaran, head of research and development at Aon Benfield Impact Forecasting.All four vendors at the event agreed wholeheartedly on one thing  theres a great opportunity to delve into new data and use flood modelling to truly analyze risk.None of these are out-of-the-box models, commented Stefan Eppert, chief technology officer and co-founder of KatRisk. I advise companies to take the time to delve into risk model results and figure out how the data relates to your books and the best way to use it to come up with a [way to mitigate] that risk.Laurel Di Silvestro, senior product manager at CoreLogic added: 2017 happened! So we have an opportunity to do some real stress testing. My advice would be to [collect your data] get the flood maps and really start delving into some of these models.



Related stories:

We need an Apollo project for flood risk

NFIP reform vote delayed
Residents living in St. Francis, Milwaukee County in Wisconsin have filed a lawsuit against a nearby industrial barrel refurbishing plant, claiming that the facility is spewing toxic fumes over their communities.Locals Michael Tennessen, Deborah Kessel and Robert Kress alleged that Greif  the parent company of the plant  is guilty of negligence for failing to improve operations following the recommendations of a safety consultant.Journal Sentinel reported that the three residents filed a class-action complaint in Milwaukee County Circuit Court. The attorneys of the three will seek to have Circuit Judge Stephanie Rothstein certify the complaint as a class action, which would allow other individuals who have been affected by the noxious exhausts to join.The suit proposes to allow residents with similar complaints within a one-mile ring around the plant to join the suit. To date, the suit seeks unspecified damages.I am proud of Robert, Debbie and Mike for stepping forward to take on this big company, said attorney Michael Lueder, representing one of the claimants. These folks just want to be able to let their kids and grandkids enjoy the yard on a sunny day. They want to invite guests for barbecues without embarrassment. They want to hang their clothes out on the line and pull them down smelling fresh, and not like unpleasant chemicals.The plant, located in the 3900 block of S. Pennsylvania Ave., is known locally as Mid-America. It is one of several other similar plants that are operated by Container Life Cycle Management, a joint venture majority owned by Greif.An investigative report by Journal Sentinel published in February found that the plant and Container Life Cycle Managements other facilities in Oak Creek, Milwaukee and three other states all had workplace safety hazards. Plant workers said that chemicals were often mixed together, which caused dangerous reactions that resulted in both chemical and heat-related burns, exploding barrels, breathing difficulties, and other health risks.Following the report, EPA agents later interviewed residents near the St. Francis plant to get to the bottom of the issue and the investigators themselves reported experiencing health problems of their own.
Californias Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District, Division Three ruled last week that Travelers Property Casualty does not have a duty to defend or indemnify Watson Pharmaceuticals.Watson Pharmaceuticals, along with several other opioid manufacturers, was sued in May by two California counties and the city of Chicago. The claimants were seeking redress for costs related to the opioid epidemic in their respective communities. Travelers had denied Watsons demand to pay for its defense and subsequently brought a lawsuit against the drug company.The California Court of Appeal detailed in its 31-page ruling that the Travelers policy covers damages for bodily injuries caused by an accident.The California action and the Chicago action do not create a potential liability for an accident because they are based, and can only be read as being based, on the deliberate and intentional conduct of Watson that produced injuriesincluding a resurgence in heroin use that were neither unexpected nor unforeseen, Justice Richard Fybel wrote in the ruling.All of the injuries arose out of Watsons products or the alleged statements and misrepresentations made about those products, and therefore fall within the product exclusions clause of the policies, Fybel added.The takeaway is that the opioid crisis has gone into the realm of whether there is insurance coverage to pay for some of the costs being incurred by public entities, commented Larry Golub, a lawyer and partner with Hinshaw & Culbertson who is unattached to the case.I think there is a potential for more cases, Golub told Connecticut Law Tribune. Big bucks are being spent to deal with the opioids crisis.This is the second time Travelers has won a ruling against Watson. In August 2016, the US Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit ruled that the insurer did not have to defend Anda, a division of Watson Pharmaceuticals. The court based its decision on the exclusions of the companys insurance policy.
By Dan Negron, Senior Underwriter, TT ClubWhile the effects of the three recent hurricanes in the Atlantic  Harvey, Irma and Maria - on the worldwide insurance industry are still being determined, some estimates are now setting the cost for these events at more than $100 billion.It is difficult to accurately predict the full extent of the costs to the insurance industry, as they continue to roll in over time. These costs include damage to homes, offices, factories, as well as infrastructure such as roads and bridges.Whether down to climate change, these disasters have massive implications for the insurance industry, government, as well for the lives of millions of Americans.In the eye of the storm that was Hurricane Harvey, the port of Houston, the eighth busiest container port in the US, was left relatively unscathed as traffic was diverted to other regional ports away from the path of the storm. Harvey sidelined ports west of Louisiana in Texas, and resulted in the port of New Orleans welcoming cruise ships affected by the hurricane. Fortunately, thanks to sophisticated weather prediction technologies, warnings about Hurricane Irma were sent out early.Despite all precautions taken for Irma, the delay caused disruptions to the ocean freight industry, as well as the logistics sector. Days after Irma passed, intermodal shippers continued to face delays for cargo that needed rail transportation through the South Eastern US and the likes of Amazon struggled to keep its two day delivery promise. The six major ports that closed as a result of Irma handle one of every six containers going in and out of North America, and as a result, this had a knock-on effect on supply chains.While local businesses suffered increased shipping rates and logistical disruptions due to Hurricane Harvey, reports indicated transit-related losses were not too badly affected. According to modelling firm RMS, damage was most likely to affect shipments whose commodities, packaging, or storage was susceptible to wind, rain, and flood water contamination.Hurricanes are becoming more frequent and are costing more; nine of the 10 costliest Atlantic hurricanes (not including Harvey or Irma) have occurred since 2000 and this increasing trend puts insurers and the government in danger for larger and increasingly regular recovery bills.The insurance industry remains concerned about future potential costs and is currently a sector struggling with low margins, tough competition and falling prices. In the years since Hurricane Katrina hit the US Gulf Coast in 2005, insurance premiums had been steadily decreasing, as increased investment in the industry and the lack of significant disaster events put downward pressure on rates. This years events appear to have changed all that, as the losses continue to mount against the industrys excess capital.With several recent multibillion-dollar payouts in quick succession, reinsurers are facing greater pressure than ever. It was reported that as a result of claims resulting from Harvey and Irma, German reinsurance firm Munich Re expected high insured losses, wiping out its third-quarter profit and threatening the companys ability to meet its full-year earnings target.Philip Kett, an analyst at Jefferies, suggests the cost of the catastrophes for the insurance industry could drive up prices, which have been falling for years and have the potential to end the persistent soft insurance market and lead to material pricing increases at the January 01, 2018 renewals.
Top News - Investor Idea

Breaking EV Stock News: Mullen's (NASDAQ: MULN) 'Strikingly Different' EV Crossover Tour Heads to Texas After Completing a Successful Sold Out Stop in Las Vegas

BREA, Calif. - November 15, 2022 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Mullen Automotive, Inc. (NASDAQ: MULN), an emerging electric vehicle ("EV") manufacturer, announces today that it has successfully completed the third stop of the Mullen FIVE Strikingly Different EV Crossover Tour in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Top EV Stock News - Investor Idea

EV Companies on the Rise: (NASDAQ: MULN) (NASDAQ: TSLA) (NYSE: NIO) (NASDAQ: RIVN)

Vancouver, Kelowna, Delta, BC - November 16, 2022 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Investor Ideas Investorideas.com, a leading investor news resource covering EV stocks releases a special report on the continued growth within the sector

Top AI News - Investor Idea

Breaking AI Stock News: FatBrain (OTCQB: LZGI) Acquires UK-based Forecasting Innovator Predictive Black To Help SMEs Optimize Cash Management

NEW YORK, NY - November 15, 2022 (Investorideas.com Newswire) FatBrain AI (LZG International, Inc.) (OTCQB: LZGI), the leader in powerful and easy-to-use artificial intelligence (AI) solutions for star enterprises of tomorrow (some call SMEs), has acquired Predictive Black Ltd, a UK-based innovator of real-time cash management, financial insights and business wellness for SMEs.

Top Fashion News - Investor Idea

New Fashion Designer Launches this Holiday Season in Kelowna and Online; Sweet Dees Creations  Fun, Flirty and Affordable

Kelowna B.C. - November 14, 2022 (Investorideas.com Newswire) A local fashion designer is launching a new women's line at Kelowna markets and online this Holiday Season that will make heads turn with her whimsical and colourful choices

Check out our Podcasts for great investor ideas:

Get new posts by email: Subscribe Powered by

Investorideas.com Newswire:

Subscribe to Investor Ideas Newswire
Since Tsai Ing-wen took office as the leader of Taiwan in 2016, cross-Strait relations gradually reached a new low despite the lack of tit-for-tat militarized tensions. On one hand, Tsai tried to contain the pro-independence forces within the Democratic Progress Party (DPP) and maintain the status quo across the Strait. On the other hand, she made several subtle and controversial policies to enhance Taiwanese identity, promote cultural de-sinicization, and delegitimize the Kuomintang (KMT), the main opposition party, by launching an official investigation into the partisan assets.





Whats more, Tsai clearly refused to accept the 1992 consensus  that both Taiwan and mainland China belong to the same China, but both sides agreed to interpret the meaning of that China according to their own definition. This served as the political foundation of cross-Strait exchanges, particularly when Ma Ying-jeou served as the leader of Taiwan from 2008 to 2016, and also facilitated the meeting between Ma and Xi Jinping in 2015 in Singapore. Thus, Tsais denial of the consensus was seen as a major departure from the status quo in Beijings eyes. Despite Beijings economic and political pressure, Tsai was very unlikely to accommodate Beijing on this issue due to the lack of popular support within her own party, the DPP, and the Taiwanese society.





Under such circumstances, societal and elite pressures for a new Taiwan strategy within mainland China are becoming more evident. Beijings previous Taiwan strategy was defined by a gradualist approach aimed at enhancing economic, social, and political exchanges in the long term and ultimately facilitating a natural unification. In terms of implementation, Beijing particularly stressed the importance of economic engagement and integration by mostly surrendering economic benefits unilaterally to Taiwans entrepreneurs and individuals, hoping that economic leverage could buy popular support over the unification scheme within Taiwan.1





A new Taiwan strategy is still under debate in Chinese academia and policy analyst circles and it has not been clearly drafted so far. Their advocates believe that, despite Beijings economic leverage and unilateral surrender of economic benefits, it still lacks a significant pro-unification force in Taiwan; rather, more and more people in Taiwan prefer to pursue either Taiwanese independence or preserve the status quo: no unification, no independence, and no use of force. Some analysts believe that Taiwan  no matter under which leadership  is pursuing a de facto separation, and it is time to think about militarized means to force Taiwan back. Other observers may be less pessimistic, but they believe that political separation cannot be shelved in Beijings agenda, and it is time to make a timetable for cross-Strait negotiation and unification.2





It is unclear if Beijing officially embraces these policy beliefs. There are mixed signals from the leadership. On one hand, it seems that Xi Jinping has no intention to affect cross-Strait stability by making very proactive moves, possibly because he has enough problems in other vital issues, including Chinese-Japanese relations and the Diaoyu/Senkaku island dispute, and the South China Sea. On the other, it is also possible that Xi will try to make historical progress in achieving the Chinese dream, a significant part of which is cross-Strait unification. Although Xi may not be quick to force Taiwan back, he certainly has intentions to break the political deadlock and may set a timetable for political unification.





For advocates of forced unification, mainland China and Taiwan are merely separated by a 180-km wide strait that can be easily overcome by the Peoples Liberation Army.





For the analysts who believe that it is time for Beijing to resolve the Taiwan issue, probably via militarized means, they need to rethink  in the case of forced unification  the possibilities of US intervention, the domestic costs of a tragic victory or even failure, regional countries anxieties about Chinas aggressiveness, and even the deterioration of Chinas national image in the world community. An important, albeit neglected, aspect in most analyses is whether Beijing is ready to govern.





A major focus of existing analyses is whether the Taiwanese are willing to accept Beijings One Country Two Systems (OCTS) formula. Although Beijing has promised that more privileged arrangements will be made considering Taiwans special situation compared with Hong Kong and Macau,  Chinas two special administrative regions which used to be colonialized by the British and Portuguese respectively  Taipei, from Chiang Ching-kuo, Ma Ying-jeou, to the present leader Tsai Ing-wen, have clearly declared their objections to OCTS.





According to the DPP, any efforts to engage the mainland by pan-blue forces are a betrayal of Taiwans interests which undermine Taiwans strategic autonomy, while the pro-blue media criticize the DPPs efforts to Go South and promote an arms build-up as unrealistic and anti-mainland China.



In the Chinese Communist Partys 19th Congress, Xi Jinping reassured Beijings commitment to the applicability of OCTS in Taiwan and Beijings respect for the current social system in Taiwan and the lifestyles of the Taiwan compatriots.3 Taipei reiterated that the fate of Taiwan should be determined by the 23 million Taiwanese. Considering that most Taiwanese find OTCS unacceptable, Taipei de facto rejects Beijings proposals.4





A more prominent issue is the rise of vetocracy in Taiwan. Vetocracy is a political term proposed by the political scientist Francis Fukuyama, which refers to the dysfunctional system of governance whereby no single entity can acquire enough power to make decisions and take effective charge.5 Economic stagnation, inter-party conflict in the legislative and administrative agencies, intra-party power struggle, rise of populism, and lack of authority to promote significant reform, have been hallmarks of a political system in disarray in Taiwan, as indicated by the series of political events since Tsai took power.





The rise of vetocracy in Taiwan firstly stems from the intensive political competition between the pan-blue and pan-green forces led by the two major political parties, the KMT and the DPP. Any political party would want to maximize its political influence and win elections. However, both parties have tried to please the popular demands regardless of the social and economic consequences. Politicians tend to exaggerate their competitors underperformance and policy failures, exploit their weaknesses, and shore up the popular anti-government sentiments. Their political competition and power struggles are not only intensive in times of elections, but also defines the process of routine legislative, administrative, and social issues.





In addition, party politics also gives different social groups more space to shape policy outcomes. Labour, environmental, ethnic, and other social groups tend to affiliate with political parties to advocate their values and beliefs, and maximize their influence. Social movement activists are good at increasing their exposure in the media, attracting public attention and sympathy. A large presence of social movement activism challenges the authority and efficiency of the elected government, and nongovernmental organizations have more social and political influence to block items in the governments agenda that are unfavourable to them. Especially since the Sunflower Student Movement of 2014, university students have become more politically active, and political forces are also more inclined to increase their influence in universities, making Taiwan politics more complicated.





Under these circumstances, political polarization is becoming more and more prominent in Taiwan. More people have fixed party identification, and the number of median voters has declined, particularly in times of intense interparty competition. Ordinary voters political decisions are not only influenced by the candidates performance or policy proposals, but also by their political affiliations. Voters are more likely to tolerate the underperformance of the administrators of their party, and defend them in the next election.





Both parties domestic policies now seem to converge, but cross-Strait relations remain an important issue that can split Taiwan. According to the DPP, any efforts to engage the mainland by pan-blue forces are a betrayal of Taiwans interests which undermine Taiwans strategic autonomy, while the pro-blue media criticize the DPPs efforts to Go South (engage Southeast Asian countries commercially) and promote an arms build-up as unrealistic and anti-mainland China. Individuals are termed as either native Taiwanese or extra-provincial persons: those who escaped from mainland China to Taiwan following the KMT regimes failure in the Chinese civil war of 1945-49, and society has split accordingly.





All these imply the fundamental dilemmas of governing contemporary Taiwan, and make significant political and economic reforms hard to carry out. This yields significant implications for Beijings Taiwan policy.





It will be politically unwise for Beijing to force Taiwan back via militarized means proactively. Enforced unification  even if successfully achieved with small casualties on both sides  increases Beijings difficulties in governing Taiwan in the post-war period, given that most Taiwanese have gotten used to liberal democracy and self-government, and that Beijing cannot give more liberal rights than Taiwanese enjoy right now. That means, to some extent, a military-oriented unification strategy will not be a wise political option until Taiwan encounters some fundamental crisis of governance  economic or political  which leaves the majority expecting a change. From this perspective, Beijing need to think seriously about how to govern Taiwan when framing its new Taiwan strategy.





Notes





1. Huang, J., Inseparable Separation: The Making of Chinas Taiwan Policy. Singapore: World Scientific Publishing, 2010.





2. Wang, Z. (January 5, 2017). Forced unification? China will try its best to avoid using force. Global Times; Zhou, Z. (August 13, 2017). Timetable needed for unification of Taiwan. Global Times.





3. Bush, R. C. (October 19, 2017). What Xi Jinping said about Taiwan at the 19th Party Congress. Brookings.





4. Taiwan think talk poll: seventy percent of Taiwanese do not accept One country two system. (June 30, 2017). Newtalk.tw.





5. Friedman, T. L. (April 21, 2012). Down with everything. New York Times.




Bob Geldof is to hand back his Freedom of the City of Dublin, saying he does not want to be associated with the award while it is also held by Aung San Suu Kyi.

The Live Aid founder and musician blasted the Burmese Nobel peace laureate, who has faced widespread criticism over her country's treatment of its Rohingya Muslim minority.

In a statement he said: "Her association with our city shames us all and we should have no truck with it, even by default. We honoured her, now she appals and shames us.

Mr Geldof said he would hand back the freedom at City Hall in the Irish capital on Monday morning.

Mr Geldof, who received an honorary knighthood from the Queen for his charity work, said he was a "proud Dubliner" but could not continue to hold the freedom while Ms Suu Kyi also held it.

He added: "In short, I do not wish to be associated in any way with an individual currently engaged in the mass ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya people of north-west Burma.

"I am a founding patron of The Aegis Trust, who are concerned with genocide prevention and studies. Its founders built and maintain the National Holocaust Museum of the UK.

"I spoke at the inaugural National Holocaust Memorial Day at Westminster and in my time, I have walked amongst peoples who were sectionally targeted with ethnic cleansing.

"I would be a hypocrite now were I to share honours with one who has become at best an accomplice to murder, complicit in ethnic cleansing and a handmaiden to genocide."

More than 600,000 of the minority group have fled the northern Rakhine state into neighbouring Bangladesh since August, leading to a major humanitarian crisis.

It is not the first time Mr Geldof has spoken out against Ms Suu Kyi. Last month at a summit in Colombia he described her as "one of the great ethnic cleansers of our planet".

In his Sunday statement Mr Geldof added: "The moment she is stripped of her Dublin Freedom perhaps the council would see fit to restore to me that which I take such pride in. If not, so be it."

On Saturday fellow Irish musicians U2 also criticised Burma's civilian leader, urging her to fight harder against serious violence inflicted by the nation's own security forces.

The musicians, led by singer Bono, posted a lengthy plea on the band's website, saying they had tried several times to reach out to her directly.

They claimed that her failure to challenge the targeting of thousands of Rohingya was "starting to look a lot like assent".

They wrote: "So we say to you now what we would have said to her: the violence and terror being visited on the Rohingya people are appalling atrocities and must stop.

"Aung San Suu Kyi's silence is starting to look a lot like assent.

"As Martin Luther King said: 'The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people but the silence over that by the good people'.

"The time has long passed for her to stand up and speak out."
Sinn Fein leader in the North Michelle ONeill has called on the UK and Irish governments to intervene in the powersharing deadlock at Stormont to act on outstanding issues.

The Stormont Executive has not sat since powersharing between the DUP and Sinn Fein collapsed in January, due to ongoing disagreements around language and cultural issues including over whether to have an Irish Language Act.

A Budget for Northern Ireland has been put to the parliament in Westminster today by Secretary of State James Brokenshire in lieu of an agreement between the parties to return to government.

Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire moved the bill in the House of Commons, telling MPs he was "reluctant" to do it but that the region would soon run out of funds as the political impasse entered its 11th month.

Mr Brokenshire said: "This is a measure I have deferred for as long as possible."

He said: "Passing this Budget does not mean direct rule."

However shadow Northern Ireland Secretary Owen Smith countered that many in Northern Ireland would not agree with that assessment, particularly those in the nationalist community.

In a statement today, Ms ONeill reiterated her partys stance. She said: "It is now the responsibility of the two governments to look to the provisions of the Good Friday Agreement and for a British-Irish intergovernmental conference to meet as soon as possible."

She added: "We have sought urgent meetings with both the Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister. The way forward now is for the two governments to fulfil their responsibility as co-guarantors of the Good Friday and St Andrews Agreements, to honour outstanding commitments, and to deliver rights enjoyed by everyone else on these islands to people here."

Sinn Fein have argued that provisions for a standalone Irish Language Act were agreed in the St Andrews Agreement in 2006.

Rights issues will not go away. It is now responsibility of two governments to look at GFA and meet as British-Irish Intergov. Conference. pic.twitter.com/JaCq23rWT5  Sinn Fein (@sinnfeinireland) November 13, 2017

The DUP remains opposed to a standalone bill and have instead suggested a cross-community bill with provisions for both Irish and Ulster Scots.

Prime Minister Theresa May spoke to the DUP and Sinn Fein leadership in separate phone calls on Friday, during which she insisted that a budget being imposed from Westminster is not tantamount to direct rule, and urged the parties to bridge the gaps which remain between them.

Northern Ireland trade union Unison criticised the budget, stating that although it included an overall increase in spending, this in effect amounts to a cut once inflation is factored in.

Unison regional secretary Patricia McKeown said: "It is in fact a cut.

"Health inflation is running at 6%. The budget allocation is only a 5.4% increase.

"This is not sufficient to maintain current services, let alone develop them."

She added: "Todays budget is another stop gap that brings us closer to direct rule.

"Whilst we now know the budget allocations for the rest of the financial year, the political decisions needed to implement real positive change for the public will not be made.

"We do not need direct rule. We need our parties to work together in the interests of the people.
Writer, director, and producer, Grace Dyas, alleged that Mr Colgan had made inappropriate comments to her. Writing in the Sunday Independent, Mr Colgan blamed misjudged behaviour for upsetting some of his co-workers.

I welcome that he has been considering his behaviour and I think, maybe, he needs to think a bit more about his behaviour, Ms Dyas said, on TV3, yesterday.

Mr Colgan says he was not aware of his behaviour. However, I believe he was made aware by several people in his own organisation, over the course of his tenure, that his behaviour was inappropriate.

She alleged that Mr Colgan made comments of a sexual nature about her, in the Oak Bar, on Dame St, after the launch of the Dublin Theatre Festival in 2016.

I, myself, told him that it was inappropriate, on the night in question, in the Oak Bar. I said: Michael, you cant speak to me that way. Other people at the table also told him that what he was saying was wrong, inappropriate, and an abuse of his power in the situation that he was in.

Meanwhile, the head of the Arts Council has described Mr Colgans apology as curious. There is an apology on one side, and then, on the other, there is a defence of the behaviour and that he knew he was not politically correct, said Ms McBride.

Mr Colgan wrote: I already knew that I was not politically correct, that I often sacrificed proper conduct for a punchline, and that, at times, could be too exacting as a boss.

But, realising that I have been responsible for causing distress to some of those with whom I worked so closely has shocked me, and I am truly sorry.

Mr Colgan said his behaviour should not be equated with sexual crimes and that he is not guilty of more than misjudged behaviour.

Over the past few weeks, a number of women came forward with allegations about Mr Colgans conduct when he was director of the Gate Theatre.

Ms McBride, speaking on RTE radio yesterday, said she was glad the Gate Theatre had appointed Gaye Cunningham to conduct an independent review of the matter.

Ms Cunningham, an adjudication officer with the Workplace Relations Commission, has already begun her investigation and will report back ot the Board of the Gate in January.

I think her impartiality and her independence is beyond any criticism. So trusting that process is what is important now, said Ms McBride.

The Gate Theatre has stated that it is fully committed to taking the necessary steps to deal professionally and compassionately with all the issues.

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys, will meet theatre leaders this week to discuss how to create a safe culture.

Terry Prone: 10
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has confirmed that he supports the idea of extending the confidence and supply agreement with the Fine Gael-led government and the main opposition party.

In a separate interview with the Irish Examiner, junior public expenditure minister Patrick ODonovan also said he absolutely backs extending the pact from three to five years.

The signal from senior government figures comes as this week marks the halfway point for the current pact, which allows Fine Gael rule if Fianna Fail abstains in the main on Dail matters. The opposition party, in return, gets to put its own stamp on budget and policy matters.

Speaking to Newstalk presenter Chris Donoghue, Mr Varadkar said: I think [the deal] it could be... Nut I think it is something Fianna Fail and Fine Gael may want to talk about next year as to whether we want to renew the deal and extend it for a longer period.

However, Mr ODonovan, the junior minister at the Department of Public Expenditure, went further and said the pact should be absolutely renewed after next years budget.

I dont see what the reason would be not to extend that deal, he said. If you dont have a government that is doing anything that is worthy of bringing it down, why would you bring it down? I think, at the end of the day, there is no reason that this Government shouldnt be aspiring to run the full course.

It is working fine and at the end of the day, the delivery is plain to be seen and the economic figures are plain to be seen, the unemployment rate [change] is plain to be seen and our capital plan is plain to be seen

Asked though if he trusted Fianna Fail, the Limerick County TD responded: Ive no reason to distrust them. What we went into as a government was an agreement on the basis of a confidence and supply motion. Stuff that is outside that, yes we are going to have differences of opinion. But the material, those financial measures that are in the confidence and supply agreement, are being adhered to.

Mr Varadkar also told RTE that he could lead Fine Gael to winning a third consecutive term in government at the next general election.

Elsewhere, he denied there was a housing bubble, despite price rises of over 12% year-on-year. Mr Varadkar said credit being given to buyers was not excessive.

Meanwhile, the Government this week will consider proposals to finally address a pensions anomaly which has seen people getting up to 1,500 a year less.

Social Protection Minister Regina Doherty will bring a report to Cabinet to close the loophole so, she says, we wont be sitting here next year with another 7,500 people disadvantaged.

It is estimated though up to 40,000 people, mainly women, are getting smaller pensions, partially due to changes made in 2012 in how levels are calculated. Some of those disadvantaged took time out of their careers in previous years, in many cases to mind their children.
Speaking at the partys national conference in Cavan, he confirmed that Fine Gael is considering controversial plans to link peoples dole payments to their employment history. The shift in Irelands welfare system could reduce dole payments if someone has made few or no PRSI contributions, while someone who has worked all their life may get large welfare amounts immediately after losing their job.

At the two-day conference, Mr Varadkar said that income taxes will be further reduced over the next three budgets if Fine Gael remain in government.

Meanwhile, speaking just a few kilometres from the border, Mr Varadkar called on the British government to come clean on their plans for the North and the region, when Brexit goes ahead.

If there is an alternative proposal from the UK side, we would like to see it, he said. Its 18 months since the [Brexit] referendum; it is 10 years since people started agitating for a referendum. They must, at this stage, have a counter proposal.

The issue of whether London can begin negotiating a future trade deal with the EU will come to a head at a leaders summit in Brussels next month. The bloc insists that Britains divorce bill, the North, and the rights of EU and British citizens must be resolved before that.

Any objection by Ireland would put back talks on the new trade deal until next year, and potentially move Brexit closer to a no-deal scenario.

Mr Varadkar also promised to safeguard the rights of communities in border counties.

The Taoiseach and Education Minister Richard Bruton also launched a 50-page document, dubbed a rolling manifesto, on Fine Gael policies for the next decade.

The document looks at everything from childcare and working practices, to security and sport.

A controversial proposal is that welfare payments be directly linked to the level of PRSI payments. Some claimants would get lower amounts if they have a poor work history.

The Taoiseach defended the proposals, saying people with a full work history could receive most of their salary in the days immediately after losing a job. Such a system operates in Denmark and Germany, among other places, but it will likely be years before it is tested here.
FOR many years, Doug Ross struggled to exhibit his fine art nude photography in Ireland. He decided to concentrate on burgeoning interest in his work abroad but in recent years, a change in attitude has resulted in more solo shows, and now a collaborative exhibition.

I gave up trying to exhibit my work in Ireland a few years ago, which coincided with a lot of interest abroad. But suddenly, around 2014, there was an avalanche of interest, and I did five different solo shows in galleries, even one in Athlone Public Library with transition group students, it was great.

Ross went on to help set up the Art Nude Ireland Collective, now holding its first exhibition.

I was giving a lot of talks to draw together people with a similar interest in fine art nudes. Out of that grew a desire to meet on a regular basis and to show the work  both international work we admired and our own work.

The collective has met monthly for the last two years and has 14 active members, comprising models and photographers. Ross says the collaboration has been beneficial for those involved but is conscious of achieving a better gender balance.

The gender mix isnt as good as wed like it to be  we have one female photographer from France, who wont feature in the show but who has shown us some very thought-provoking work. We also have a male model whos very active.

Ross is very much aware of some of the less helpful, but unavoidable, associations of nude photography with pornography.

I was a painter first, and I worked with life drawing models. My wife had no problem with me staring at a naked woman lying on a sofa for hours at a time. But as soon as I picked up a camera, it was different. Photography and the body seem to have a connection with pornography.

While it is obvious a lot of our discomfort with nude photography is tied up with Catholic guilt and repression, Ross maintains that he has never really felt this sense of shame around the body. He was born in New York but has spent over 50 years here, completing his secondary school education in Blackrock, Dublin and going on to study at Trinity.

I wasnt affected by it because I didnt have an overly religious upbringing, he says.

He says that as an artist, he has no control over the response his work triggers in the viewer, whether it is voyeuristic or erotic.

Im keen on James Joyces view that the proper function of work is to engender a sense of aesthetic arrest in the viewer; for me, that is when you stand in front of something and it takes your breath away.

However, pornography makes you want to do something. Its exploitative, tends to be male-dominated, and engenders some kind of lust  but we also know that covering up the body and making it an object of shame also leads to problems within society, and has done for years. So where do we go?

Ross says he is not interested in whether his subjects fit into the mould of what we perceive as classically beautiful. However, many of his images feature younger, relatively svelte models, something he says is down to circumstance rather than design.

Not many people present themselves to be photographed who dont feel themselves to be attractive in some way. So there is a self-selecting group of people. But we need to challenge that more. For example, I recently worked with a 55-year-old woman and we explored themes of ageing and the body.

The male side is also interesting. In our collective, Im not aware of anyone other than myself whod shot male nudes before the collective was established. Thats a cultural thing as much a macho thing but its great that we have a male model in our collective.

For Ross, one of the most important things about the collective is how it facilitates trust.

We would feel we have a very safe environment; we vetted each other, if you like. There are a lot of creeps out there with cameras who call themselves photographers and most women have experienced misogynistic behaviour, which is even scarier if youre standing in front of someone and you have no clothes on. Having a collective like ours where you can meet someone beforehand and you can go on a shoot where theres a lot of people together  thats a good way to work.
You wouldnt normally expect to see a pool table in a school but the Cork Life Centre isnt any ordinary school. As its director, Don OLeary (a youth worker and former Sinn Fein councillor with Cork City Council), points out, it isnt a school in the traditional sense.

He prefers to call it an education centre. Playing pool is supposed to be an indicator of a misspent youth but for the 52 young people, aged 12-18, attending this relatively unique centre (there is just one other, in Dublin), chilling out in the pool room or spending time in the quiet space in the library, is all part of the holistic approach to education practised here.

Located in a large 17-room Georgian house in Winters Hill, Sundays Well, the premises was donated by the Christian Brothers. The centre opened in 2000. The students, made up of young people who may have dropped out of mainstream education due to disadvantaged backgrounds, or because of anxiety issues or difficulties fitting into secondary school, are encouraged to socialise and pursue their passions.

There are currently five students studying Japanese at the centre. They were drawn to the language and culture of Japan as a result of an interest in Japanese cartoons and comics. The centres administrator, Thomas Mulcahy, teaches Japanese having previously worked as an interpreter in Japan.

William Cooper

The ethos of the Cork Life Centre is based on a method known as Servol  service volunteered for all. This tool was established in Trinidad by Fr Gerry Pantin in the 1970s.

In 1993, Brother Paul Hendrick spent a year in Trinidad where he came into contact with Fr Pantin and was impressed with his method. He brought the idea back to Ireland and approached the Christian Brothers.

The centre follows three key ideas:

Philosophy of ignorance, which means no one should ever presume to know what is best for any individual;

Attentive listening which acknowledges that the persons voice is the most important in their own development;

Respectful intervention in order to help a person, with that persons consent.

Brother Gary OShea was the director of Cork Life Centre before stepping down in 2006. OLeary became the first lay director while Brother Gary became the deputy director. Religion is not taught at the centre. The centre received a much-needed boost recently when it was awarded funding from the Social Innovation Fund Irelands education fund with add-on supports and a commitment to further funding over five years. This is supported by Tomar Trust, a Cork-based philanthropic organisation. The centre receives minimal funding from the Department of Education. Despite lobbying the department, OLeary says it doesnt really recognise alternative education.

There are 65 staff members, 95% of whom are volunteers. OLeary says: Part of the ethos of the centre is to have volunteers involved. What greater credit can you give to a young person sitting opposite you than the fact that youre there not because youre getting paid but because you want to be there? The volunteers all have degrees but theyre not all trained as teachers.

Emma Doyle

As much as possible, the teaching is done on a one-to-one basis.

OLeary says: The vast majority of the young people here go as far as the Leaving Cert. Initially, when the centre opened, it catered for young people doing the Junior Cert. They then progressed into other areas. We piloted a Leaving Cert programme. It has gone from strength to strength. We had 14 students dong the Leaving Cert last year. This year, we have another 14 doing it and 13 students doing the Junior Cert. Some of the students go onto third level education.

OLeary is not focused on the so-called points race. We need to look at the issues that young people are facing and support them in dealing with them. For us here, the socialisation process is equally, if not more important, than the academic side of things. One of the issues that arises when the young people come here is their low self-esteem. Sometimes, their relationships with adults have been strained and even relationships with peers can be strained. The young people might have been bullied or were bullies in the past. We see a lot of social anxiety.

Counselling and therapy is available at the centre with an art therapist, a drama therapist, and a drugs counsellor on hand. The students are generally referred to the centre by education and welfare officers.

The aspect of the work that causes me most concern is having had to turn away 150 young people last year because I had no places for them, says OLeary.

SATISFIED STUDENTS:

Darragh Cotter

Darragh, a fifth-year student at Cork Life Centre, says he used to be extremely scared of social interactions. I would have a mental breakdown in groups of more than five people. So I started to look into this centre where my brother had been 10 years ago... I am happy I made the choice. The Cork Life Centre is very adapted to people who are a bit different and it makes them feel comfortable.

Another student, William, has ambitions to be a champion in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

The Cork Life Centre made me realise that I have potential and made me discover who I was... I can do what I want to do and take advantage of opportunities. The centre has made me realise I have potential. If you take a step back, you realise you are helping others too by interacting and socialising. The centre has also had a positive impact on my family and our relationship.
Morrisons Island is a wedge of city centre Cork enclosed on two sides by a kink in the Lee and on the third side by South Mall. It possesses an arrhythmical urban grain that conforms to neither the tight medieval street pattern or neo-classical order, that defines much of the remaining city centre.

Where buildings once held the edges to routes and the river, there is now a fragmented mixture of scales, gaps, infills and building types. Further to this, the river frontage is the most vulnerable to flooding of all quays.

This could be seen as an awkward section of the city, sandwiched between the vibrant historic centre to the north, the fast developing docklands to the east, the mixed-use hinterland to the south, and the parklands and universities to the west.

Yet there is latent value here. The School of Commerce, Holy Trinity Church and Capuchin Friary are buildings of civic importance. Along with RTE, the hotels and other small businesses, there is good urban substance.

However, the principal asset is the quay. It is metaphorically and literally the ribbon that binds this broken urban condition. It is the most cohesive element on Morrisons Island.

Its limestone is never in shadow, yet is hidden behind parked cars and beneath clumsy additions, it works quietly between bridges to organise a very important relationship between the city its river.

In the past, this relationship was unambiguous. A durable working edge for tall ships to alight upon. A proud arrival point for a prosperous and international city. In this way the limestone quays were a threshold, fully engaged in a transition from sea and river, to land and the city.

The clamour of the 20th century, Corks diversification away from shipping and the overlaying of vehicular bridges has introduced ambiguity to the quays and their role in the city.

As a result their value is diminished and low-quality interventions have been permitted. There is clearly confusion about the citys relationship to the river, most poignantly illustrated by the OPWs proposal to create concrete walls atop the old quays.

Cork must decide whether it wants a barrier or a threshold between it and its waterways.

Principally among our ambitions is to create an exciting new waterfront. The method for doing so is understood as a series of clearly legible steps.

Through these steps, we would like to provide a catalyst for a wider attitude towards the Lee, and close the gap between Corks history and its aspirations for the future.

We have looked for clues from the periods when Cork was most engaged with the river to help inform our approach. Our interventions will occur in the public realm and will belong to the city. To bring the quays back into the foreground, our interventions will not be loud and competitive, but binding and regenerative.

The steps are as follows:

Analyse the current situation at a city scale and anticipate future routes, amenities and developments

Reroute vehicular traffic and reduce parking, and thereby improve the environment for pedestrians and cyclists

Remove timber mooring uprights and salvage for reuse along a new landscaped promenade

Strip quays back to sound base, to reveal the full quality of the underlying stonework

Add two new wooden footbridges to align with key routes

Celebrate the quay by introducing a new landscaped promenade

Activate the river and facilitate its usage with a new lightweight pavilion

Suggest opportunities for public art works and other forms of urban nourishment

New materials

Opportunities for public art works and other forms of urban nourishment in this proposal

For our landscape promenade along Fr Mathew Quay and Morrisons Quay, we begin by placing the historic limestone to the foreground. We do not pour any new material against this stone, choosing instead to raise our bollards above the surface on doweled steel plates and abutting the landward side of the stone with a cobble edge.

The same cobble edge brackets a resin-bound gravel pathway. This new surface is a modern interpretation of the old hoggin pathways which were used in this location historically.

Both mediums are formed with compacted material, and where hoggin pathways would have provided a good growing medium for trees in the past, our new surface opens in sections to allow for new planting.

Moving further away from the river, we use cobbles to form a slow- moving ribbon against the flood wall. This subtle surface change welcomes people onto the riverfront as they pass through openings in the flood barrier.

Aside for the benches which will be constructed from found material, the only new elements proposed above ground level are the bollards and flood wall. These elements borrow from the beautiful rounded stones along Popes Quay and the existing rhythm of bollard placement. We explored the idea of introducing a new railing typology but felt it would add to the confusion rather than consolidating existing.

Our new bridges alight on the quay wall like a ship might have in the past. The flood protection located backwards of the quay edge allows this threshold to be flush. We like the use of inset supports to shorten span at St Vincents Bridge on the north channel.

We have taken this approach and added a curve to achieve the minimum air draft for boaters to pass at high tide. Our consultant engineer has given us outline guidance on pre-tensing laminate timbers to perform like a leaf spring and achieve the span in a slender and elegant fashion.

The use of timber seems appropriate here, impermanent and supervenient to the quay, and evocative of a maritime history.

Lighting

Morrisons Island is a wedge of Corks city centre enclosed on two sides by a kink in the River Lee and on the third side by South Mall.

Our attitude towards artificial lighting is very simple. The purity of the quays in the 19th century tell us that we should avoid adding street furniture.

Carefully positioned downlighting to the finned railings of the bridge, beneath the benches and in the flood wall will provide atmospheric low lighting and signal towards the key routes.

We propose to use immersible wall washers along the the quay wall, instead of floodlights or upward facing spots, which have a tendency to dazzle and produce light pollution.

We prefer to use oblique light to cast shadows over the bumpy stone surfaces and guide navigators towards the steps.

What the jury said: Pleasurable new relationship between city and River Lee

Timber mooring uprights would be removed and salvaged for reuse along a new landscaped promenade.

The jury commended the skill of this submission to evaluate and incorporate specific local characteristics, making proposals which deal with the serious issue of flood risk while at the same time creating an attractive and interesting environment for the public to enjoy.

This scheme was valued for its ability to respond to the urban conditions of this part of the city, focusing on the quayside as the principal asset, while recognising and noting that the limestone of the quayside is never in shadow.

The drawings communicate clearly the civic benefit of celebrating and presenting these quays in a new way, adding to the warmth, vitality and amenity of city life.

The proposal describes the quays as ... a threshold, fully engaged in a transition from sea to river, to land and city.

The proposal peels away layers which have obscured the historic craft of the stonework of the quays, and by positioning retractable flood barriers set back from the existing quays, allows for the preservation and presentation of the historic river edges.

The existing pedestrian bridge, situated uncomfortably on the bend in the river, is replaced by two new timber pedestrian bridges. One of these is located close to Holy Trinity Church and Father Mathew Street, linking Georges Quay directly to the South Mall, while the other connects Morrisons Quay to Union Quay.

These two bridges provide new vantage points looking up and down each of their respective stretches ofthe river, at the same time providing a new web of connections which will enliven the areas around in new ways.

By removing the existing pedestrian bridge, this submission proposes a new landscaped and seating area at the prow of the quayside, providing a new, less congested area to be enjoyed by pedestrians, while enhancing the setting of the adjoining buildings.

A new multi-purpose pontoon on the river along Morrisons Quay provides the general public with public space located down close to the water. The intention of this intervention is to create an exciting new waterfront amenity.

There is a definite sense of appreciating and understanding materials and the sense of local distinctiveness in this submission.

The historic crafted limestone of the quayside is revealed; bollards are placed on doweled steel plates so as to be raised above the original stone; while a resin-bound gravel pathway, bordered by cobblestones echoing original historic finishes, forms a new quayside promenade.

Old timber fenders, now in poor condition, located on the quay, are removed, salvaged, revitalised and reused to become new benches on the quayside.

This proposal is a well-judged, finely detailed proposition for this important quayside location.

It is particularly well-illustrated by the annotated cutaway, quayside section, and specifically by the communicative illustration called Quay edge along Morrisons Quay, which evokes a plausible and pleasurable new relationship between the city and the River Lee.

This entry also benefited from the submission of a comprehensive and highly articulate written report.

Second Place: PoroCity - A holistic, integrated plan

A2 Architects: Jury found the proposal to be an important addition to the discussion of flooding

This elegant and intelligent proposal named PoroCity considered Morrisons Island in its totality, as defined by the River Lee on two sides and the South Mall on the remaining side.

The strength of this proposal is that it imagines a holistic, integrated solution where architecture, engineering and landscape design overlap to form a coherent strategy.

It envisages the co-operation of various stakeholders in the area, where gardens, pools and open spaces offer a new public network for the citizens to enjoy, as well as providing a system of soakage areas and swales intended to deal with excess water at critical times.

The proposal refers to the historic wetland condition of the area, or the marsh after which the city is named. It merges contemporary and future water management infiltration ponds into a network of water-container civic spaces, together with a micro-network of public drinking fountains within the area.

Reference is made to the historic use of chestnut and hemlock end-grain woodblocks as paving in some areas of the city, such as on Coal Quay and Kyrls Quay, and as a way of making Morrison Island re-establish its own distinct character, this proposal includes the use of similar woodblock paving to replace existing asphalt and concrete road surfaces.

Carefully selected trees and the planting of various scales and sizes line the quaysides and enrich the network of new spaces. A metal, universally accessible bridge is proposed to replace the existing bridge.

The jury found this integrated approach to be an important and meaningful addition to the discussion of urban flooding and future strategies.

Third Place: Submission creates new urban vista

GKMP: Jury was particularly impressed by the positioning of the upstream bridge.

This submission includes an important drawing which traces the course of the River Lee from its source to the sea, while proposing a new urban floor together with two new bridges to replace the existing bridge.

The jury was particularly impressed by the carefully positioning of the upstream bridge, which is aligned with the impressive facade of Holy Trinity Church connecting to the South Mall.

A beautiful perspective highlights the impact of this architecturally sensitive view. The second new bridge forms a further link across the river, making a new sun-filled, landscaped space.

The quayside itself is landscaped, with particular areas highlighted by intensified planting.

In the interior of the block, bounded by the River Lee and the South Mall, a proposed network of new landscaped spaces enhance the interior of this large city block.

Within this submission are convincing references to examples of surfaces, materials and relevant public spaces throughout Europe.

The quay wall itself is restored with new railings added and the quay front and adjoining streets are resurfaced forming a new urban floor.

In this submission, the existing car parking is removed and relocated.

A one-way system put in place, with pedestrians and cyclists given priority to improve the quality and amenity of the public realm.

Tidal barrier most viable solution

As the Office of Public Works draws up plans to combat flooding in Cork, the Save Cork City group argues that a tidal barrier is the only solution

Morrisons Island in Cork city is prone to flooding and wil be one of the areas altered by the OPWs wall-building scheme. The Save Cork City group is arguing that a tidal barrier, of the kind built in cities all over the world, will provide a more lasting, viable and economic solution. Picture: Larry Cummins

The controversial Office of Public Works (OPW) flood defence scheme for Cork City is the largest ever proposed in Ireland.

This Walls scheme is a drainage project designed to ensure that increased amounts of river water can flow from upstream and meet a rising tide without flooding the city, relying only on the construction of heavily engineered wall defences.

In the Netherlands, considerations of economic impact, heritage impact, adaptability, environmental impact and the wishes of citizens, influence all proposals for flood protection at the early design stages. If drainage walls dont make sense in the Netherlands, another way is found.

Like building on flood plains, the construction of walls for flood defence causes higher water levels in rivers. The Rhine River is currently being re engineered to reverse poor drainage practices, creating a landscape of ditches, trees and floodplains as well as directing water towards storage areas.

The principle is simple: when it rains, if water finds its way to our rivers over a longer period, less flooding occurs. Holistic management of rivers is good long term practice relating to climate change and significantly improves water quality and promotes wildlife habitats.

The real secret to achieving river based flood relief in Cork, however, is not just land management but the optimal use of the existing upstream dams.

The OPW Drainage Department discounts the capacity of the existing dam structures to keep our city safe. HR Wallingford, world leaders in hydrology and maritime engineering has confirmed that optimisation and investment in the current dam infrastructure can fully protect Cork from upstream flooding. This could be carried out for a mere fraction of the cost of the Walls scheme.

The quays around Parliament Bridge stem from the early 18th and 19th century and above the bridge towards St Finbarrs, they are from the 16th and 17th century.

The World Bank recommends the restoration and repair of historic city cores to create economic advantage while noting the effects on the wellbeing of citizens. The rich heritage of our river could be the catalyst to creating an attractive city centre destination as demonstrated by countless examples throughout Europe.

Why risk destroying the largest intact Georgian riverscape in the world when there is a better alternative?

Good design within an historic environment is an art form and Cork deserves the consideration of good design both in terms of flood prevention and the historic landscape.

The river has inspired our commerce, our poetry, song, art, architecture, accent and even our sporting endeavours. The Walls scheme negates this soulful connection to our ancestors and separates us from the river that we love.

The River Lee and Holy Trinity church at Fr Mathew Quay, Cork, where the save Cork City group say the Walls flood scheme proposed by the OPW will cause significant environmental damage. Picture: Larry Cummins

The construction of up to nine kilometres of deep trenches filled with concrete and walls and pump chambers with over a kilometre of sheet piling would pollute and destroy river habitats of fish, birds and mammals as seen in other towns in Ireland subjected to similar schemes.

The possibility of using walls as flood defence was considered in Venice but fully rejected due to the rotting of building piles and the mass subsidence of buildings that would result in alterations to the below ground water table.

But there is an alternative. A survey carried out by HR Wallingford found a tidal barrier would make the walls unnecessary and would avoid the scenario of failure of flood walls in the city which would cause serious risk to life as well as damage to the city.

Under the OPWs plans, the construction of 46 pump chambers, 22 of which are within the historic city centre would also mean a new susceptibility to flooding from rainwater.

The city centre would become a sealed bowl that can no longer drain itself without pumps.

Managing the walls and gate pump chambers would represent a financial burden and disruption to everyday life that would become increasingly harder to bear over time.

The survey carried out by HR Wallingford shows a tidal barrier would protect far more of the city than the Walls scheme and is a faster solution.

The Little Island tidal barrier is the most economical, viable and environmentally considerate solution to providing flood protection for Cork. The storage behind it is far in excess of whats required for a barrier that would only close for a few hours in the event of a flood event. The location is based in shallow water, behind the main drainage outlet on the edge of the harbour.

It avoids dividing the harbour in two as proposed by the OPW barrier at Passage and East Ferry with all the environmental impact that that would cause.

By separating upstream fluvial water from tidal water and providing flood protection to a much greater area of the city, the Little Island tidal barrier is the only solution that makes the development of the docklands economically viable while also protecting the historic city.

While the OPW has done much good work, what is proposed for Cork is unsupported by all flood relief experts. The OPW stance is leading to unnecessary confusion and fear in the city, with the prospect of stagnation of investment as a result.

Dublin City Council has started the conversation about a prospective tidal barrier for Dublin in acknowledgement that continuing shoreline defences (walls) are aesthetically unacceptable and deficient due to multiple technical considerations.

It is unlikely that the citizens of Dublin would accept the destruction of their granite quay walls when better options exist.

In addition to having a more acute need, Cork has many geographical advantages over Dublin in that a tidal barrier can be delivered at a fraction of the cost in the shallow water adjacent to Little Island with no adverse environmental, shipping or navigation impacts.

The south channel of the River Lee and Trinity Bridge with College of Commerce on the left where the OPW plan to increase the height of the quay walls. Picture: Larry Cummins

Tidal barriers are used worldwide to protect cities for good reason. As we hope to emerge from recession Cork City cannot afford another lost decade when there is a better alternative.

Experienced international experts from the UK and Holland recommend a tidal barrier as the most appropriate solution for Cork.

Our finest academics with expertise in hydrology, hydraulics, climatology and economics recommend the tidal barrier as the best solution for Cork.

What Cork now requires is greater leadership from our national and local politicians to put an end to the threat of a forced Walls scheme.

Cork is at a turning point in its history. We either accept that a tidal barrier can unlock the potential of our city or we can pursue the limited proposal for walls that would cause social and economic stagnation for generations.

In the words of JFK: An error does not become a mistake until you refuse to correct it. We need to correct this error simply because it is the right thing to do for future generations.

The Save Cork City Solution Document Potential Cork is available to download at savecorkcity.org
The failure of the Department of Justice to provide answers about the targeting of Maurice McCabes character is leading to many more questions.

Principal among these is who exactly knew that there would be an attempt at a statutory inquiry to portray McCabes character in the most negative light. And if, for instance, it was to emerge that the minister of the day, Frances Fitzgerald, was thus informed, then why did she stay schtum when the matter exploded into the public domain in May of last year.

Labour TD Alan Kelly asked four specific questions about the knowledge of the department of a legal strategy to attack McCabe at the OHiggins commission in 2015.

They were:

To ask the Minister for Justice to outline fully the extent of consultation that the former Garda commissioner, Noirin OSullivan, had with the Department of Justice prior to commissioner OSullivan giving instructions to her legal team representing her at the OHiggins commission.

To ask the Minister for Justice to outline fully the extent of meetings and communications in any way that the former Garda commissioner, Noirin OSullivan, had with the Department of Justice prior to commissioner OSullivan giving instructions to her legal team representing her at the OHiggins commission. Please provide dates and times of meetings, communications type, attendance and agendas.

To ask the Minister for Justice if anyone in An Garda Siochana has made a complaint to his department regarding the manner in which the former commissioner, Noirin OSullivan, gave instructions to her legal team representing her at the OHiggins commission and if so how this is being dealt with by his department?

To ask the Minister for Justice what contact, meetings, and correspondence the secretary general of the department, Noel Waters, or any of his senior officials had with the former Garda commissioner, Noirin OSullivan, or any of her senior staff or advisers prior to commissioner OSullivan giving instructions to her legal team representing her at the OHiggins commission? Please provide dates and times of meetings, communications type, attendance, and agendas?

He has got partial replies. He has now complained to the Ceann Comhairle about this affront to democracy as he terms it, and has submitted more detailed questions.

These are:

To ask the Minister for Justice what was the purpose of the telephone call from commissioner OSullivan to the secretary general of the department on Friday, May 15, 2015, and if will he make a full public statement on the matter.

To ask the Minister for Justice to publish the logs/notes and diary entries in the department regarding the phone call between commissioner OSullivan and the secretary general of the Department on Friday, May 15, 2015, and if he will make a statement on the matter.

To ask the Minister for Justice when the departmental minister at the time was informed about the phone call and/or the details of the phone call between former commissioner OSullivan and the secretary general of the Department of Justice on Friday, May 15, 2015, and if he will make a public statement on the matter.

To ask the Minister for Justice when anyone in his department was made aware of the decisions taken at the meeting of senior Garda management in Garda Headquarters on Friday, May 15, 201, and if will he make a full public statement on the matter.

Last week, the reply he received did not answer the basic question as to whether there were meetings or contacts between members of An Garda Siochana and the department prior to the OHiggins commission.

Transcripts from the commission, later published in the Irish Examiner, revealed that the legal strategy employed by Ms OSullivan was to claim that McCabe had a grudge against the force which prompted his complaints. The then commissioner may well have been acting on good faith in following this strategy.

It was based on an allegation that McCabe had expressed a grudge towards a senior officer at a meeting in 2008, and indicated that that was behind his complaints of malpractice.

The commission, which was conducted behind closed doors, was told there would be evidence to that effect. A document outlining the sequence of events leading up to the 2008 meeting, and McCabes alleged admission at it, was prepared by the Chief State Solicitors office and handed in to the commission.

Then McCabe, to everybodys surprise, produced a recording of the meeting in question. No grudge was expressed on the recording.

The strategy of attacking McCabes character right the way through, as OSullivans lawyer had indicated, was dropped. There was no mention of the whole affair in the final report.

There was no investigation at the commission as to how the chief state solicitor could have prepared a document that was now shown to be based on a falsehood.

It has since emerged that the civilian head of HR in the gardai, John Barrett, has told the Disclosures Tribunal that he was informed at the time by a colleague that we are going after Maurice at the commission.

The matter emerged publicly in the pages of the Irish Examiner when the OHiggins report was published in May 2016. Thereafter, it was handed over to GSOC, which is ill-resourced to deal with such a matter, and most likely confined in how far it can go to investigate it.

At the time, the then justice minister, Frances Fitzgerald, refused to say when she first knew about what had occurred behind the closed doors of OHiggins.

Then earlier this year the Disclosures Tribunal was set up to examine whether the generation of a false and grievous allegation of child rape against McCabe was an attempt to smear his character.

Maurice McCabe and his wife had requested a public inquiry on the basis, they said, of what they had been subjected to over the grudge allegation behind the closed doors of OHiggins.

The Government also agreed that the Disclosures Tribunal would examine what happened at the OHiggins commission. The matter is scheduled for hearing next January.

Now it is emerging that the Department of Justice may have been aware of the strategy that was deployed against McCabe.

Not just that, but Kellys latest questions concern alleged contacts between the commissioners office and the office of the secretary general of the department on May 15, 2015.

This was the day that the commissioners lawyer told OHiggins they would be attacking McCabes character based on the alleged grudge.

That was also the day that the chief state solicitor was instructed by OHiggins to prepare a document to show the basis for the proposed attack.

If any of these contacts are confirmed a number of serious questions arise:

When and to what extent was the Minister for Justice informed?

Did anybody in the department ask questions as to how a meeting which had occurred seven years earlier was now being dredged up?

Did anybody ask why, in all the other inquiries related to McCabes complaints of malpractice, had it never previously been introduced?

By 2015, issues around Maurice McCabes complaints had led to the resignation of a Garda commissioner and a minister for justice. (Alan Shatter would in 2016 be deemed to have been treated unfairly in the Guerin report which led to his resignation).

A secretary general in the department had also moved to another job. Surely anybody with the faintest political antennae would have inquired how solid was the basis for attacking a man who had been shown to be largely vindicated, and also resourceful in how he had survived.

One other question arises as to the reaction from Ms Fitzgerald when the issue entered the media and political domain in May 2015: What did she know?

These questions are not academic. They go to the heart of to what extent the State may have been involved  either unwittingly or otherwise  in attempting to silence a whistleblower.

It is also a matter the Oireachtas, beyond Mr Kelly, should be examining in far greater detail. If the department knew, then the terms of reference of

the Disclosures Tribunal must be adjusted to include the department in its inquiry.

Ironically, the partial answer supplied to Mr Kelly from the justice minister last week included the plea: The deputy will be aware some aspects of the OHiggins commission are part of the remit of the Disclosures Tribunal and I am limited in what I can say.

The department is not involved in any form in the Disclosures Tribunal under its current terms of reference.

That may well be about to change if the answers to Mr Kellys questions suggest in any way that the department and the minister of the day, Frances Fitzgerald, was in the loop in the attempt to go after Mr McCabe.




The Transport Ministers Forum on road safety has been organised a day prior to the four day World Road Meeting (WRM 2017,) to begin in Greater Noida from November 14, 2017. Ministers from various countries, including Bosnia & Herzegovina, Burundi, Canada, Finland, Lesotho, Luxembourg and Russia along with FIA President Jean Todt and the Argentinian Transport Ministers Emissary Mr. Javier Iguacel, Director General, Road Transport will also participate. The State Transport Ministers from Rajasthan, Goa, Kerala and Delhi also joined the deliberations. A joint Delhi declaration, based on the deliberations on Eradicating Road Deaths by 2040 was announced after the meet.



 The total of 4,80,652 road accidents led to 1,50,785 deaths and 4, 94,624 injuries in the country during the year 2016 .We should explore the possibility of novel methods of quick relief through airlifting such as Air Ambulances and providing relief in remote areas, well equipped Mobile Clinics etc..it is important to create an enhanced capacity and infuse the knowledge of road safety related actions in public bystanders, road side facilities such as dhabas and amongst commercial truck drivers, who are most often the first on the accident sites and are first res ponders." He said



" The capacity building for developing Trauma Care Facilities in Government Hospitals on National Highways, was approved for development of 85 new trauma care facilities. He further said that during 12th FYP, 85 Medical Colleges/ District Hospitals have been approved. Out of the 116 trauma care facilities funded during the 11th FYP, 100 are reported to be functional by the States..". Mr Nadda said.



It was a matter of pride that India is hosting the 18th World Road Meeting and believed that coming in the Seventh year of the UN Decade for action on Road Safety (2011-2020), the WRM will provide an opportunity for all to assess the lead taken so far and the road ahead. To meet the challenge of trauma care and to better meet the needs of trauma patients, we need to advance not only clinical practice and medical technology, but also the organization of our healthcare system and resources. Said Mr Nadda.



"The union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has identified 700 Black spots in the country and rectified 120 of them with cost-effective engineering measures with measures like construction of sub ways and foot over bridges .Rest of the black spots will be removed with in next Two years .Ministry is also studying these rectified black spots and benefits of changes in them"said Mr Yudhvir Singh Malik , Secretary,Ministry of Transport and Highways while speaking on the occasion.



 Some of the Transport ministers from various countries who participated at the form included Ms. Anne Berner, Minister of Transport, Finland, Mr. Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, Canada, Mr. Ditrih Evgeny Ivanovich, First Deputy Minister of Transport of Russian Federation, Mr Thomas Chandy, Minister of Transport, Kerala, Mr R.M. Dhavlikar, Minister of PWD and Transport, Goa, Mr. Yoonus Khan, Minister of PWD & Transport, Government of Rajasthan said Mr K K Kapila, Chairman International Road Federation



Some of the Transport ministers from various countries who participated at the form included Ms. Anne Berner, Minister of Transport, Finland, Mr. Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, Canada, Mr. Ditrih Evgeny Ivanovich, First Deputy Minister of Transport of Russian Federation, Mr Thomas Chandy, Minister of Transport, Kerala, Mr R.M. Dhavlikar, Minister of PWD and Transport, Goa, Mr. Yoonus Khan, Minister of PWD & Transport, Government of Rajasthan

Union Minster for Health And Family Welfare Mr J P Nadda today inaugurated a Transport Ministers Forum on Road safety organised by International Road Federation (IRF) a Geneva based global body working for safer and better roads world wide.
RENO  Based on a nomination by the Nevada Department of Wildlife, the Maggie Creek Ranch in Elko County was recently honored by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies with its annual National Private Lands Fish and Wildlife Stewardship Award.

While we dont do what we do for awards, it is still nice to have your hard work recognized by an organization like AFWA, said Louise Klarr, chairman of the Maggie Creek Ranch. We manage our land for cattle, but often what is good for cattle is also good for wildlife and vice-versa. My family was raised hunting and fishing, so we have a lot of respect for the land and we have always believed that well managed land provides a lot of great habitat for everybody.

The annual award recognizes the contributions of private farms, ranches and forestlands to conserve the nations fish and wildlife resources and was officially presented to Klarr, Ranch Manager Jon Griggs and the Maggie Creek Ranch LP.

While running a successful cattle ranch, MCR also partnered with several federal and state agencies and non-governmental organizations to develop and implement projects that have enhanced habitat for a variety of fish and wildlife including the Lahontan cutthroat trout, greater sage-grouse and the Columbia spotted frog.

The list of partners for the Maggie Creek Ranch includes the Nevada Department of Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management and the Sagebrush Chapter of Trout Unlimited.

We nominated Maggie Creek Ranch because of their continued demonstrated commitment. They have been partnering with NDOW and other agencies to help Nevadas wildlife and habitat for more than 25 years, said Tony Wasley, director of NDOW. This is who they are. They genuinely care about Nevada and its wildlife and are always willing to step up.

A list of some of the crucial projects that MCR has participated in includes:

Irrigation/fish passage structures

Enhancing and protecting spring and wetland habitats for Columbia spotted frogs

Developing solar wells to help distribute water in dry areas of the ranch

Installing wildlife escape ramps in troughs and other water developments

Constructing reservoirs for waterfowl habitat and engineer sloughs downstream for sediment filtering

Post-fire rehabilitation and reseeding

Range improvement projects such as seeding native grasses and forbs

This is not the first time the ranch has been recognized for its dedication to Nevadas wildlife, being the recipient of several awards including the 2015 Environmental Stewardship Award from the Natural Resources Conservation Service, USFWS, National Cattlemens Beef Association and the National Cattlemens Foundation.

We here at the Nevada Cattlemens Association are very proud of the work that has, and will be carried out by our friends at Maggie Creek, said David Stix, president.

In this day and age it is extremely hard to convey and convince the public about the important roll the livestock industry plays in ensuring that our environment is taken well care of for all future generations. Jon Griggs and all the folks at Maggie Creek have done their job as good stewards to achieve a balance and secure a future and we are glad to see NDOW nominate them.

In this day and age it is extremely hard to convey and convince the public about the important roll the livestock industry plays in ensuring that our environment is taken well care of for all future generations. Jon Griggs and all the folks at Maggie Creek have done their job as good stewards to achieve a balance and secure a future and we are glad to see NDOW nominate them.
ISLANDERS are being encouraged to hand in firearms and ammunition to Newport Police Station over the next two weeks.

The surrender runs from today (November 13) until Sunday November 26 and is part of a national initiative run by the National Ballistics Intelligence Service to reduce the number of illegally held firearms in the UK.
CHAPEL HILL  A female geography professor has sued officials at UNC-Chapel Hill, claiming gender discrimination and retaliation for raising concerns of sex and racial discrimination at the university.

The faculty member, Altha Cravey, filed a complaint this week in Middle District of U.S. District Court against the university and three administrators  Chancellor Carol Folt, College of Arts and Sciences Dean Kevin Guskiewicz and Geography Department Chair Michael Emch. She is seeking back wages and benefits, promotion, compensatory damages and attorneys fees.

She claims she has been denied promotion to full professor while male professors with similar or lesser credentials and experience have been promoted. A university spokeswoman declined to comment on the lawsuit Friday.

Cravey is an associate professor of geography at UNC, where she has been on the faculty for 23 years. Her teaching includes courses on globalization, migration, trans-nationality, feminist geography, Latino studies and Latin American geography. She is also an activist and a frequent presence at student protests on campus, where she has been a critic of Folt, the UNC Board of Governors and UNC President Margaret Spellings.

Dr. Cravey has been a vocal advocate for the equal and fair treatment of women and minority faculty and students within the UNC system throughout her career at UNC-CH, the lawsuit said. Dr. Cravey has frequently exercised her right to free speech and free expression by speaking publicly at rallies and meetings, by publishing op-ed articles and letters, and, at times, by bringing her concerns directly to officials of UNC-CH and Department employees.

She first received tenure in 2000 and applied for promotion to full professor in 2005, when she was denied, the lawsuit said. Later, she was removed as chair of a diversity committee within the department in 2014.

The year before in a meeting of UNC department chairs, the lawsuit said, Emch discussed a difficult problem he was having with a female associate professor who had no research agenda yet sought a promotion to full professor. The suit claims that Emch also said a female faculty member was encouraging graduate students to complain about perceived inequities and that it posed a problem for his leadership.

In 2014, according to the lawsuit, Cravey took her concerns to a university ombudsperson, complaining that all full professors were male and that they did not appear sympathetic to her feminist-oriented research. The next year, she submitted an application for promotion to full professor, and was again denied.

Meanwhile, the lawsuit said, male professors were consistently promoted and also were assigned graduate student teaching assistants who cut down on their workload. Cravey has been assigned a teaching assistant three times in 23 years, according to the suit.

The lawsuit claims only one woman had ever been promoted to full professor more than 100 years since the geography department was founded.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued a right to sue letter to Cravey in 2016 after reviewing the case. Reached Friday, Cravey declined to comment.
If youre tired of the dysfunction in Washington  the backbiting, the questioning of motives, the failure to agree on much of anything, the one-upmanship, the allegations about a stolen presidential election, Russian collusion, the posturing and boorish behavior  how about focusing on something that is working and benefits a growing number of people?

Consider a company called Teladoc, which provides access to a doctor through a computer screen, telephone or mobile app. The waiting time, a company official tells me, is between eight and 10 minutes. That beats any doctors office I have ever been in, even with an appointment. The company claims a 95 percent satisfaction rate with 92 percent of issues resolved after the first visit.

Heres how it works. Say your child wakes up in the middle of the night with a fever, or some other health issue. You go to your computer, phone or mobile app and describe the symptoms to the doctor, who then prescribes treatment. It can be in the form of a prescription or, if the symptoms seem more serious, the doctor will recommend a specialist, or a trip to the hospital. The doctor has previously been provided your familys medical history through the app.

Teladoc services are offered through a subscribing companys insurance plan. The company currently serves 10,000 clients and 20 million members, according to a company spokeswoman. All physicians are board certified and licensed in their respective states. They are available any hour of the day or night and every day of the year. Is your doctor that accessible? Unless you live with one, probably not.

The cost? A low $40 to $45 per session.

Jason Gorevic, Teladocs CEO, tells me: Consumers of health care are looking for a better way. Regardless of the political environment, there is a growing demand for a better way to provide medical services to individuals.

Gorevic says Teladoc is especially helpful to people living in rural areas where a doctor is not close by, or unavailable.

Reporting on this growing and popular trend in telemedicine, health care writer Bruce Japsen wrote in Forbes magazine: Health plans see a way for patients to get high-quality care from a physician and the potential to avoid a more expensive trip to a hospital emergency room. Teladoc executives also say they are seeing growth opportunities in mental health, dermatology and smoking cessation programs.

Japsen adds that the field of virtual medicine is growing about 10 percent per year with projections it will soon reach 26.9 million, which seems likely given the current spurt.

Gorevic sees increasing interest from health plans that contract with state Medicaid programs for poor Americans, as well as Medicare Advantage plans that provide benefits to seniors. This could save time and money by reducing trips to emergency rooms for less serious ailments.

Lets review: A health plan that bypasses government bureaucracy; rapid access to a doctor who knows a familys medical history; prompt treatment, or quick referral; low cost  whats not to like?

It is another example of how the private sector, when it is allowed to innovate and flourish, outshines the federal government almost every time.

Virtual medicine, led by companies like Teladoc, is not the wave of the future, but of the present.

If youre unhappy with increasingly expensive, impersonal and slow access to medical care  and some liberal politicians are already pushing for single-payer, which would likely make waiting times longer and lower the quality of treatment  you might feel a lot better, while saving money and time, by going virtual.
Students: Was was Robert Abajyan left without bullets? (video)

12.35 While marching from one university to another, the students touched upon a recent photo discussion. There are student who are striking at the picture of Robert Abajyan, a victim of the April War. "Fake Facebook patrons say Robert Abajyan was killed and, in their words, demand some deductions, whether they were afraid of telling why Robert Abajyan remained without a bullet and exploded him. "Have those fake Facebook user patriots who say that Robert Abajyan fell, meanwhile some deserters want to get academic procrastination, ever express their concern on why Robert Abajyan did not have any bullets and had to explode himself? Why was he left without bullets? Or do they only speak about the things that are good for them?" 11.35 Entrance to the Armenian State University of Economics was banned both by a group of local students and security guards. Journalists were also banned from entering the university. One of the security guards said that he was instructed not to let them in. 10.45 It has already been the fifth day that students' protests against the new draft law on Military Service and Servicemen's Status continues. Students are struggling against the limitation of the academic procrastination, which is envisaged by a new draft law. They demand the academic procrastination to be used as before. And according to the bill, the academic procrastination will be given only if a citizen signs a contract with the Ministry of Defense, and in that case, after the study, the citizen undertakes to serve in the army not for two years, but for three years. Today students will march from YSU to other universities. The controversial bill will be put to a vote in the second reading of the four-day sittings of the National Assembly this week. To remind, on Friday afternoon the NA Standing Committee on Defense and Security approved the bill.
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Sunday asked the Supreme Court [official websites] to dismiss [pleading, PDF] two election petitions challenging the validity of his repeat election win. Kenyatta strongly rejected the claims made by two challengers, saying that the petitions were manifestly wanting in fact, gravely misconceived on the law and irredeemably lacking in merit.

Kenyatta won reelection on October 26 in a second round of voting prompted by the Supreme Courts invalidation [JURIST report] of the previous election results in September. The propriety of the October election results were again challenged by two separate petitions currently before the Supreme Court. One petition was filed by human rights activists Njonjo Mue and Khelef Khalifa and the other [petitions] was filed by Harun Mwau, a former member of parliament from Kilome Constituency. In his affidavits [text, PDF] filed in opposition to the petitions, President Kenyatta claims the petitioners have made unsubstantiated claims and are merely mouthpieces for rival political party National Super Alliance (NASA).

The petitioners argue that Kenyans in 27 NASA strongholds were denied their right to vote and, as such, the election should again be nullified. In response, the president argues that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) [official website] did not in any way discriminate against any voters, including the voters in the 27 constituencies outlined in the petitions. Further, Kenyatta claims that the petitions were filed in bad faith, and that the petitioners are trying to undermine a free, democratic election. Kenyatta said that, despite acts of intimidation and deadly protests [JURIST report] in parts of the country, especially in NASA strongholds, the election met the constitutional threshold of a credible, free and fair and election.

The Supreme Court has until November 14 to rule on election petitions. If the Court upholds the result, Kenyatta will be sworn in on November 28.
The UK its outsourcing those who want assistance with dying to Switzerland, according to a study [text, PDF] released on Monday by the non-profit organization Dignity in Dying, but the price limits those who can afford to take such measures.

The study found that more than half of citizens would consider traveling to Switzerland for assistance dying, but only a quarter could actually afford the average cost of 10,000 euros.

In October the High Court of Justice rejected [JURIST report] a terminally ill individuals petition for assistance to die, thereby upholding the Suicide Act 1961 [text], which makes it illegal to assist in suicide. The court ruled that the act was necessary to protect the weak and vulnerable.

Chief Executive of Dignity in Dying Sarah Wootton says [press release],

This report exposes the unacceptable reality that is faced by so many dying people is this country. By denying terminally ill people the option of an assisted death at home, we are not solving the problem, just outsourcing it  and dying people and their families are the ones paying the pricepaying huge sums of moneymade to feel like criminals. Those unable to obtain an assisted death overseas can end up suffering painful and traumatic deaths at home or [commit suicide]. This is not how a [civilized] country should treat its dying citizens.

The study proposes that the law prohibiting assisted dying in the UK is flawed. Those with the means to have an assisted death abroad are put through extremely difficult and time consuming process, required to be physically able to travel meaning they end their lives sooner, prohibited from having family and friends involved in the process, and frustrated from healthcare professionals fear of providing meaningful advice. The law also doesnt protect those subjected to improper assisted dying tactics after the fact.
The panel of Guinean judges investigating the September 28, 2009 massacre of more than 150 protesters and rape of 100 women by the security forces during a peaceful protest concluded their investigation on November 9 2017, Human Rights Watch said today. The development is a major, much-awaited step in ensuring justice for the victims.

The domestic investigation  which began in February 2010  broke new ground in combatting impunity in the country, but progressed slowly amid political, financial, and logistical obstacles. During the investigation, the judges have brought charges against high-ranking members of the security forces.

Concluding the investigation into the 2009 massacre and rapes is a major development in the case, said Elise Keppler, associate international justice director at Human Rights Watch. More than eight years after the crimes were committed, wrapping up the investigation brings the victims and family members a significant step closer to seeing justice for the crimes.

More than 14 suspects have been charged, including current and former high-level officials. Suspects include Moussa Dadis Camara, the former leader of the National Council of Democracy and Development junta which ruled Guinea in September 2009, and his vice president, Mamadouba Toto Camara. Abubakar Toumba Diakite, Dadis Camaras aide de camp, has also been charged, and was extradited to Guinea in March after being at liberty for more than five years.

Judges have heard the testimony of more than 450 victims and their family members, and have also questioned witnesses, including members of the security services. A civil party action (partie civile) to the case, which allows victims to join the criminal proceedings, has facilitated the inclusion of extensive information from victims and their families in the investigation. This action was initiated by the International Federation for Human Rights and victims associations and their lawyers.

Under Guineas legal system, the prosecutor now has up to one month to review the file prepared by the investigative judges and to propose any changes. The judges will then review the prosecutors suggestions and make final decisions, including which suspects, if any, should be tried and under which charges. The prosecutor may lodge one appeal to the final decision of the investigative judges, after which any trials will move ahead before the criminal chamber of Dixinn (Chambre criminelle du Tribunal de premiere instance de Dixinn).

The International Criminal Court (ICC) opened a preliminary examination into the situation in Guinea in October 2009 and has urged the Guinean authorities to ensure progress in the investigation. The ICC is designed as a court of last resort, and the ICC only steps in when national courts are unable or unwilling to investigate and prosecute cases under its authority.

Trials of suspects in the September 28, 2009 crimes are likely to be among the most  if not the most  complex and sensitive cases ever tried before Guinean courts. Measures to ensure the protection and security of witnesses, victims, defence counsel, judges, and other staff working on the case will be needed. The accused should be afforded the full range of international fair trial protections, and the Guinean authorities should consider how to best inform the general population about developments in the case to maximize its impact.

Several victims and family members described the hope they felt after learning that the investigation was closing. A 52-year-old man who was wounded and lost his business in the violence said: I have suffered since that day  I still have pain from my injuries. I want to know the truth and have justice and reparations for all I have lost. A victim of sexual violence said, The closure of the investigation gives me great hope and I pray to God that we will soon know the truth in the case of September 28, 2009.

One aspect, which remains unclear, is the location of mass graves believed to contain the bodies of about 100 victims who remain unaccounted for. A man whose father has been missing since the 2009 violence told Human Rights Watch that he hoped the judicial process would eventually locate his fathers remains. I have hope that one day, the truth will be known and we will finally be allowed to mourn my father, who has been missing since Monday, September 28, 2009, he said.

The long-awaited conclusion of the September 28, 2009 investigation gives hope that accountability for the crimes may at last be possible in Guineas domestic justice system, said Keppler. Guineas government and its international partners should take steps to ensure that the courts have the resources to try these cases fairly, with adequate protection and security for those involved.
Donald Trump sits down Monday with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who boasts about personally killing people and is waging a drug war that rights groups say involves mass murder.

The US president is in Manila with leaders of 18 other nations for two days of summits, the final leg of a headline-grabbing Asian tour dominated by the North Korean nuclear crisis.

Allegations of Russian meddling in last year's US presidential elections also hounded the second half of his 12-day trip, which took him from Japan to South Korea, China and Vietnam.

Rights groups have called on Trump to end his Asian journey with a strong statement against Duterte's drugs war, which has seen police and suspected vigilantes kill thousands of people.

But brief encounters between them in the lead-up, including at another regional summit in Vietnam and a banquet dinner in Manila on Sunday night, appeared to support Duterte's confidence that Trump was not concerned with the killings.

"I'm sure he will not take it up," Duterte said on Sunday when asked whether he expected Trump to raise the issue of alleged extra-judicial killings in the drugs war.

Duterte won elections last year after promising to eradicate illegal drugs with an unprecedented campaign that would see up to 100,000 people killed.

Since he took office, police have reported killing 3,967 people in the crackdown.

Another 2,290 people have been murdered in drug-related crimes, while thousands of other deaths remain unsolved, according to government data.

Many Filipinos back Duterte, believing he is taking necessary measures to fight crime, but rights groups warn he may be orchestrating a crime against humanity.

Amnesty International accuses police of shooting dead defenceless people and paying assassins to murder addicts.

- 'I already killed someone' -

When pressured over allegations of extra-judicial killings carried out by police, Duterte insists he has never told them to break the law.

But rights groups say police are following Duterte's incitements to kill, including comments made last year when he said he would be "happy to slaughter" three million addicts.

He has also repeatedly boasted about personally killing people, most recently on Thursday while in Vietnam for the Asia-Pacific economic summit.

"At the age of 16, I already killed someone. A real person, a rumble, a stabbing. I was just 16 years old. It was just over a look," Duterte said.

Duterte also said in December last year that he had personally shot dead criminal suspects when he was mayor of southern Davao city to set an example for the police.

Then-US president Barack Obama was one of many prominent critics of Duterte's handling of the drugs war. The Philippine leader responded last year by calling Obama a "son of a whore".

Trump has so far appeared to be a fan of Duterte, telling him in a telephone call in April that he was doing a "great job".

Duterte said on Sunday that Trump had offered him further "words of encouragement" during their brief chat in Vietnam the previous day.

And at the pre-summit banquet on Sunday, Duterte sang a Filipino love song in front of his audience, saying in a light-hearted fashion that he did so on the orders of the US president.

Duterte is hosting the world leaders because the Philippines holds the rotating chair of the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) bloc.

The events on Monday and Tuesday in Manila are two separate ASEAN-hosted summits, which also include China, Japan, Russia, South Korea, India, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Competing territorial claims in the South China Sea and fears that the Islamic State group is gaining a foothold in Southeast Asia are expected to be on the formal agendas of the talks.
Donald Trump shook hands Monday with a smiling Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, a man who boasts about personally killing people and who is waging a drug war that rights groups say involves mass murder.

The US leader is in Manila with leaders of 18 other nations for two days of summits, the final leg of a headline-grabbing Asian tour dominated by the North Korean nuclear crisis.

Allegations of Russian meddling in last year's US presidential elections have also hounded the second half of his 12-day trip, which took him from Japan to South Korea, China and Vietnam.

Rights groups have called on Trump to end his Asian journey with a strong statement against Duterte's drugs war, which has seen police and suspected vigilantes kill thousands of people.

But brief encounters between them in the lead-up to official talks scheduled for late Monday morning appeared to support Duterte's confidence that Trump was not concerned with the killings.

Trump shook hands with Duterte, then the pair chatted for about 30 seconds as the Philippine leader smiled broadly, before the opening ceremony for the first summit on Monday morning. Trump had his back to the cameras.

The pair also sat next to each other at a pre-summit banquet on Sunday, during which they smiled, chatted and clinked champagne glasses.

Duterte, 72, sang a Filipino love song in front of his audience at the banquet, saying in a light-hearted fashion that he did so on the orders of the US president.

"I'm sure he will not take it up," Duterte said on Sunday when asked whether he expected Trump to raise the issue of alleged extra-judicial killings in the drugs war.

Duterte won elections last year after promising to eradicate illegal drugs with an unprecedented campaign that would see up to 100,000 people killed.

Since he took office, police have reported killing 3,967 people in the crackdown.

Another 2,290 people have been murdered in drug-related crimes, while thousands of other deaths remain unsolved, according to government data.

Many Filipinos back Duterte, believing he is taking necessary measures to fight crime, but rights groups warn he may be orchestrating a crime against humanity.

Amnesty International accuses police of shooting dead defenceless people and paying assassins to murder addicts.

- 'I already killed someone' -

When pressured over allegations of extra-judicial killings carried out by police, Duterte insists he has never told them to break the law.

But rights groups say police are following Duterte's incitements to kill, including comments made last year when he said he would be "happy to slaughter" three million addicts.

He has also repeatedly boasted about killing people himself, most recently on Thursday while in Vietnam for the Asia-Pacific economic summit.

"At the age of 16, I already killed someone. A real person, a rumble, a stabbing. I was just 16 years old. It was just over a look," Duterte said.

Former US president Barack Obama was one of many prominent critics of Duterte's handling of the drugs war. The Philippine leader responded last year by calling Obama a "son of a whore".

But Trump has appeared to be a fan of Duterte, telling him in a telephone call in April that he was doing a "great job".

Duterte said on Sunday that Trump had offered him further "words of encouragement" during a brief chat in Vietnam the previous day on the sidelines of another regional summit.

Duterte is hosting the world leaders because the Philippines holds the rotating chair of the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) bloc.

The events on Monday and Tuesday in Manila are two separate ASEAN-hosted summits, which also include China, Japan, Russia, South Korea, India, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

The rising threat of the Islamic State group across Southeast Asia, and further efforts to pressure North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un to abandon his nuclear ambitions, were top agenda items in Manila.

"Terrorism and violent extremism endanger the peace, stability and security of our region because these threats know no boundaries," Duterte said in an opening ceremony speech on Monday.

bur-kma/hg/kaf

ANZ - AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND BANKING GROUP

APRIL
Donald Trump declared Monday he had a "great relationship" with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, a self-proclaimed killer who is waging a drugs war that rights groups say involves mass murder, as the leaders joked with each other in Manila.

The US president is in the Philippines with leaders of 18 other nations for two days of summits, the final leg of a headline-grabbing Asian tour dominated by the North Korean nuclear crisis.

Allegations of Russian meddling in last year's US presidential elections have dogged the second half of his 12-day trip, which has taken him from Japan to South Korea, China and Vietnam.

Rights groups had called on Trump to end his Asian journey with a strong statement against Duterte's drugs war, which has seen police and suspected vigilantes kill thousands of people.

But in a series of encounters over Sunday and Monday, Trump and Duterte appeared to enjoy each others' company, leading to warm praise from the US president during official talks at lunchtime.

"We've had a great relationship. This has been very successful," Trump told Duterte in brief opening remarks at their meeting.

Trump praised Duterte for his organisation of the summits, saying he handled them "beautifully".

"I've really enjoyed being here," he said.

As the reporters were being escorted out of the room, one asked if Trump would raise the issue of human rights, to which Duterte jokingly called the media "spies". Both laughed but neither answered.

Duterte's spokesman later said repeatedly that Trump did not bring up any human rights concerns in the meeting, which lasted about 40 minutes.

He said the US leader nodded as he listened to Duterte speaking about his drugs war.

However Trump spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said human rights were raised, although "briefly".

Duterte won elections last year after promising to eradicate illegal drugs with an unprecedented campaign that would see up to 100,000 people killed.

Since he took office, police have reported killing 3,967 people in the crackdown.

Another 2,290 people have been murdered in drug-related crimes, while thousands of other deaths remain unsolved, according to government data.

- 'I already killed someone' -

Many Filipinos back Duterte, believing he is taking necessary measures to fight crime, but rights groups warn he may be orchestrating a crime against humanity.

Amnesty International accuses police of shooting dead defenceless people and paying assassins to murder addicts.

When pressured over allegations of extra-judicial killings carried out by police, Duterte insists he has never told them to break the law.

But rights groups say police are following Duterte's incitements to kill, including comments made last year when he said he would be "happy to slaughter" three million addicts.

He has also repeatedly boasted about killing people himself, most recently last week while in Vietnam for the Asia-Pacific economic summit.

"At the age of 16, I already killed someone. A real person, a rumble, a stabbing. I was just 16 years old. It was just over a look," Duterte said.

Former US president Barack Obama was one of many prominent critics of Duterte's handling of the drugs war. The Philippine leader responded last year by calling him a "son of a whore".

Ties between the Philippines and the United States, longtime allies bound by a mutual defence treaty, deteriorated sharply as Duterte turned towards China and Russia.

Duterte last year declared the Philippines' "separation" from the United States.

But Trump told Duterte in a telephone call in April that he was doing a "great job", which helped to begin a diplomatic thaw.

"We are your ally. We are an important ally," Duterte said on Monday, appearing to confirm relations were back on track, although he has also continued to court China and Russia.

Some Filipinos were not happy though, with hundreds of people staging an anti-Trump rally near the conference venue which led riot police to use water cannon.

- Champagne, love song -

Duterte and Trump sat next to each other at a pre-summit banquet on Sunday, during which they smiled, chatted and clinked champagne glasses.

Duterte, 72, also sang a Filipino love song, saying light-heartedly that he did so on the orders of the US president.

Duterte is hosting the world leaders because the Philippines holds the rotating chair of the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) bloc.

The events on Monday and Tuesday in Manila are two separate ASEAN-hosted summits, which also include China, Japan, Russia, South Korea, India, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

The rising threat of the Islamic State group across Southeast Asia, and further efforts to pressure North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un to abandon his nuclear ambitions, were top agenda items in Manila.

"Terrorism and violent extremism endanger the peace, stability and security of our region because these threats know no boundaries," Duterte said in an opening ceremony speech on Monday.
Myanmar's army cleared itself of any abuses against Rohingya civilians on Monday, following an internal probe that a rights group said aimed to "whitewash" an ethnic cleansing campaign against the Muslim minority.

The findings were released ahead of Wednesday's visit by US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who is expected to adopt a firm tone with the military over its treatment of the Rohingya, more than 600,000 of whom have fled to neighbouring Bangladesh in two and a half months.

The crisis detonated in late August after Rohingya rebels attacked police posts in Myanmar's Rakhine state, triggering a military crackdown that saw hundreds of villages reduced to ashes and sparked a massive exodus.

While authorities have blocked independent access to northern Rakhine, journalists and UN officials have collected reams of testimony from Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh describing soldiers and Buddhist mobs committing murder, rape and mass arson.

Following its first official investigation into the crisis, the army said the findings published late Monday were based on interviews with more than 3,000 villagers in northern Rakhine and proved that "all security members" had "strictly abided" by the rules of engagement.

After firing warning shots at mobs of alleged Rohingya militants, soldiers and police only "started firing single shots in intervals aiming only at the legs between the foot and knee of the leader" if the group did not desist, the report said.

In total 13 security officers and 376 Rohingya "terrorists" were killed in clashes over a two-week period starting on August 25, it said.

The report also denied allegations that soldiers had raped women, set fire to villages or pillaged homes.

"They did not threaten, bully and drive out the villagers," it said, blaming Rohingya militants for arson attacks.

The only lapse on the military's part pertained to "weaknesses" in management and intelligence-gathering that allowed the rebel raids to take place, the probe said.

The report will do little to appease the UN and rights groups that have documented evidence of a systematic army campaign to expel the maligned Muslim minority.

Rights watchdog Amnesty International slammed the probe as an attempt to "whitewash crimes against humanity".

"There is overwhelming evidence that the military has murdered and raped Rohingya and burned their villages to the ground," said James Gomez, Amnesty International's Regional Director for Southeast Asia and the Pacific.

The Rohingya have been the target of state persecution in mainly Buddhist Myanmar for years.

Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, a former democracy activist who came to power in free elections in 2015, has been lambasted by rights groups for failing to speak up for the Rohingya or condemn festering anti-Muslim sentiment in the country.

But she lacks control over the military.

Washington has been careful not to place blame on her and focus instead on the army's role in the conflict.
Educational Crisis. Live (video)

Continuing protest actions in Yerevan against the curtailment of university deregistration under the new draft law on the Military Service and Servicemen's Status, and attempts to limit the freedom of expression of the teaching staff towards this process, have again raised the issue of the dependence of academic institutions. Is it possible for a higher education institution to have a quality educational environment where not only students but also lecturers are forbidden to express their own opinions? Problems are numerous, and in parallel to the reduction of budgetary allocations to education every year, the educational institutions face the most serious problem of providing quality education. Taking into consideration the recent developments, it has become imperative to bring the issue of the necessity to change the order of formation of universality liberty and total politicism, academic freedoms and advice on the agenda, to discuss and raise issues on EDUCATIONAL CRISIS. The issues of freedom and politicism in higher education institutions, on November 13, at 12:00 pm at Club 3. Speakers are: SAMVEL KARABEKYAN - YSU lecturer, Higher Education Expert SEROB KHACHATRYAN - YSU lecturer, Education Expert ARAYIK HAROUTYUNYAN - YSU lecturer, Member the Yelk (Way Out) faction in the Yerevan Council of Elders, chairman of the Standing Committee on Education, Culture and Social Affairs LARISA MINASYAN - Director of the Open Society Foundation in Armenia MENUA SOGHOMONYAN - YSU Science Secretary
Ucoms mobile customers will benefit from the best internet roaming rate of 8 AMD/MB when travelling to Georgia, Egypt or the UAE

Ameriabank Launches Google Pay and Google Wallet Support for Card Users in Armenia

Karen Vardanyan donated 112 million drams for the medical equipment for National Center for Infectious Diseases.

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

Google Ad

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

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
Ara Papyan: Army empowerment is being linked to number

It is already the fifth day that students in Yerevan went out to the streets to protest against the limitation of the right to an academic procrastination, under the draft law on Military Service and Servicemen's Status. Political analyst Ara Papyan and lecturer Larisa Alaverdyan, Chairperson of the Against Violations Foundation, spoke about the law that has been the cause of fierce discussions. Larisa Alaverdyan said that the reason why students went on strikes was the fear to serve in the army. There were number of citizens who did not consider serving in the army as their business. "It is of no secret that for many years, the teaching staff of universities have been able to provide their children with places in graduate and postgraduate programs, by injustice means, and help them to avoid military service," said Larisa Alaverdyan. Ara Papian said that he believed that the government of our country would not be able to achieve the goals it had tend to accomplish. The steps taken to restore the justice prescribed by law would create new roadblocks to avoid service. "The already started process promotes emigration, which is a serious cause of concern. Parents of teenagers, fearing for their children's future, are already taking them out of the country," said Ara Papyan. Larisa Alaverdyan thought that the law did not challenge the emerging science, because it did not steal brains, as this way or another, there were no brilliant young scientists in our universities. The other speaker partially agreed with that allegation, if the student wanted to study, he would definitely learn, even after serving in the army. "Unfortunately, the strengthening of the army is not relate to the introduction of new technologies, but the increase in the number of people, which is dangerous in itself." The speakers agreed that serving in the army should be a mandatory condition for having a public office.
Ucoms mobile customers will benefit from the best internet roaming rate of 8 AMD/MB when travelling to Georgia, Egypt or the UAE

Ameriabank Launches Google Pay and Google Wallet Support for Card Users in Armenia

Karen Vardanyan donated 112 million drams for the medical equipment for National Center for Infectious Diseases.

UCOM HAS INTRODUCED FUTURE NETWORK WI-FI 6E ROUTERS

Google Ad

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

Google Ad

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

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
KEARNEY  The Academy of Childrens Theatre presents the musical, Dont Say No to the U.S.O., with book by Tim Kelly and music by Bill Francoeur, at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Merryman Performing Arts Center.

Admission is free.

The show, set at a U.S.O. club in Brooklyn in 1942, follows Pvt. Joe Kilroy. The club offers a diversion from the war by giving soldiers a chance to take a turn on the dance floor with the club hostess, thanks to a new jukebox.

As the ships leaving a nearby U.S. Navy yard continue to come under attack from enemy U-boats, suspicions rise on who might be leaking information. Pvt. Kilroy takes it upon himself to solve the mystery.

The Academy of Childrens Theatre operates under the umbrella of the Kearney Community Theatre. More than 2,000 area students have performed with the group during its 17-year existence. Maria Beucke and Kim Hauschild direct the company that specializes in quality childrens theatre, by kids, for kids.

Donations will be accepted for the planned memorial at the Central Nebraska Veterans Home in Kearney.

For more information, visit www.kearneycommunitytheatre.com or call 233-7521.
According to a Nebraska Department of Transportation press release, Govier was one of 13 people to complete the Oct. 6 examination and who are now licensed by the Board of Examiners for County Highway and City Street Superintendents.
KEARNEY  The investigation continues into an alleged assault of a staff member at Kearneys Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center where an employee was hit with a sock filled with dominoes.

At 8:18 p.m. Nov. 5, the Nebraska State Patrol received a report that a youth had hit a staff member with the sock full of dominoes. The injured staffer and the teen were transported to Kearney Regional Medical Center, State Patrol Capt. Jeromy McCoy of Grand Island said.

The incident happened to a male staffer in one of the living units on campus, although Mark LaBouchardiere declined to say which unit or the extent of injuries. LaBouchardiere is the administrator of the Office of Juvenile Services, which oversees Kearneys YRTC and the YRTC for girls in Geneva.

The staffer and teen were discharged from the hospital later that night. The teen, a state ward, was returned to YRTC and placed in the Dickson security unit.

The staffer has since returned to work, LaBouchardiere said. The staffer is a youth program specialist II who provides direct care and supervision to the youth.

State Patrol reports on the incident will be forwarded to the Buffalo County Attorneys Office for possible prosecution. Late this morning, no formal charges have been filed against the teen.

@HubChic
KEARNEY  Alan Murch Oldfather, 86, of Kearney died Friday, Nov. 10, 2017, at CountryHouse Residence.

Graveside services will be at 9 a.m. Wednesday at Kearney Cemetery with military honors by Kearney American Legion Post 52, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 759 and the Nebraska National Guard Military Honors Team. Memorial services will be at 10:30 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Stephen Price-Gibson officiating. A lunch and celebration of life will follow at the church.

Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl & Cremation Services is in charge of arrangements.



A luncheon and life celebration at the church will follow services.

A banker, businessman and community leader, Alan was born on June 9, 1931, to Harold and Marcia (Hazlett) Oldfather at Good Samaritan Hospital. A lifelong resident of Kearney, he graduated from Kearney High School in 1949 where he was president of his class and participated in football, baseball and track.

An influential experience in Alans youth was as a participant in the Nebraska Boys State leadership program, which contributed to his lifelong commitment to community.

Alan pursued a degree in business administration at the University of Nebraska and was a member of the ROTC. Upon graduating from the University of Nebraska in 1953, Alan served in the Finance Corps of the U.S. Army at Fort Sam Houston at San Antonio, Texas, from 1953-1956. In the early 1960s, Alan graduated from banking school in Wisconsin.

Alan married his high school sweetheart, Frances Germaine Christensen, in 1951, and, in 1956, they made their home in Kearney and raised three children.

Alans finance career began at Kearney Loan and Finance Co., and he expanded his banking resume by spending over 35 years at First National Bank of Kearney, including many years on the board of directors and as president. This bank is currently Wells Fargo Bank.

Alan also enjoyed investing in numerous entrepreneurial enterprises including a media outlet, restaurants, commercial and residential real estate projects, and start-up businesses.

Alans love and commitment to the Kearney area was evident in his desire to promote the success of its business community through numerous organizations, including over 20 years on the Kearney Planning Commission, serving 17 years as chairman.

In 1963, he was president of the Kearney Chamber of Commerce at age 31. He participated in various economic development committees for the chamber including those that successfully advocated for the location of the Eaton Manufacturing plant and the Cabelas complex to Kearney.

Alans commitment to local health and welfare issues led him to serve on the Board of Directors of Good Samaritan Hospital. He was also a founding board member of the Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation. Alan was trustee of the Ron and Carol Cope Foundation from 1992-2017. He also was a founding director of the Kearney Area Community Foundation and served many years on its board.

As a lifelong member of First Presbyterian Church, Alan served his faith as Sunday school teacher, trustee, elder, and member of numerous finance and pastor nominating committees. Alans integrity, caring service and business acumen have left an inspirational legacy for many organizations and citizens of his community.

A good day for Alan would have been fishing or hunting with friends, boating on Johnson Lake with his family or attending sporting events with his wife.

Alan is survived by his beloved wife of over 66 years, Germaine; his three children, William A. Oldfather, Carol A. Troxel and Mary K. Egleston; daughter-in-law, Julie (Fessler) Oldfather; son- in-law, Ivan Troxel; and his sister-in-law, Diane Harris Oldfather. He was a loving grandfather and role model to six grandchildren, Kellie Troxel, Tyler Troxel, Peter Oldfather, Andrea Troxel, Scott Egleston and Dana Egleston.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Richard H. Oldfather and Charles E. Oldfather; sister-in-law, Janice Carter Oldfather; and son-in-law, Douglas L. Egleston.

Special thanks to the staff of CountryHouse Residence and to hospice services for the loving care he received.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Kearney Area Community Foundation, 412 W. 48th St., No. 12, Kearney, NE 68845, or First Presbyterian Church, 4511 Sixth Ave., Kearney, NE 68845.

Visit www.hlmkfuneral.com to leave a tribute or message of condolence.
11/6/2017 - Article explains how Venezuela is preparing to restructure its crushing debt in a meeting of bondholders in Caracas, noting that Vice President Tareck El Aissami is accused of overseeing a cocaine-smuggling network while being one of the nations iron-fisted political operatives. Adjunct Lecturer Daniel Lansberg-Rodriguez was quoted on the state of the meeting: They are basically assigning the discussion with bondholders to the most radioactive member of the Venezuelan government.
Eight-year-old Alia Essington of West Kelowna reacts with delight on Sunday after learning shell be heading to Disneyland with her family, thanks to the Sunshine Foundation of Canada.
We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on!

Go to form
FILE - In this Feb. 6, 2017 file photo, Lin-Manuel Miranda arrives at the 89th Academy Awards Nominees Luncheon in Beverly Hills, Calif. Miranda will be honored Thursday at the Latin Grammys with the Latin Recording Academy President's Merit Award for his outstanding and numerous contributions to the Latin community. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)
Arayik Khandoyan: Tell Vladimir Putin to change them (video)

Arayik Khandoyan, a member of the Sasna Tsrer group, was worried about something that nobody had expected. "Tell Vladimir Putin to change them, they are poor, do not fit us." However, Arayik Khandoyan was not able to finish his speech as the guard took the microphone from him. Some time later, it appeared in his hands again. "How are you, my Armenians. I love you. Wish you to be well. We are fine, we are as standing as our mountains. Say hi from me to my brothers, to our mountains." Victims were present at the trial. They came to say that they did not want to participate in the next trials. Hayk Alumyan, Smbat Barseghyan's advocate, filed a motion for joining three cases of Sasna Tsrer in one proceeding. Such motions were filed during the last two trials. "These three cases refer to the same alleged case, the three defendants are being accused of storming a police station on July 17, 2016, and taking action on that territory," said the advocate. The same victims and witnesses go through three cases. It turns out that they are not interrogated once, but three times. The lawyer was convinced that violations during the verdict would be more obvious. "This way or another, if there is still no preliminary agreement between the three judges on the trials and the results, it is assumed that the three trials will end at different times. In case on of the judges makes verdict the other two cases will be violated by denying the innocence of defendants," said Hayk Alumyan. At the next hearing, on November 15, advocates will express their views on the motion.
District Attorney Stacy Parks Miller speaks during a new conference about new evidence in the investigation into the death of Beta Theta Pi fraternity pledge Tim Piazza, Monday, Nov. 13, 2017, at the Centre County Courthouse Annex in Bellefonte, Pa. Newly recovered security camera footage from inside the Penn State fraternity house showed that Piazza had been given at least 18 drinks over less than 90 minutes, investigators said Monday. (Phoebe Sheehan/Centre Daily Times via AP)
While big industries are major players in the economy, theres also a rise in little guys trying to establish themselves.

That was the message at Entrepreneurship as a New Normal, a Kenosha Startup Week that took place Tuesday at Kenall Manufacturing.

According to research, interest in entrepreneurship is at an all-time high.

A report by Venture Well, an entrepreneur research and development agency, revealed that a record number of Americans identify themselves as entrepreneurs  approximately 27 million, or 14 percent of all working adults.

One in four millennials say they would like to eventually own a business. Meanwhile, there is an increase in entrepreneurship courses, programs and competitions.

Throughout the forum, panel members relayed the message that it is important to develop an entrepreneurial mindset.

They also delivered the message that creativity goes beyond artistic and cultural experiences to include the development of ideas and business innovations.

While having a great idea for a business is important, theres more to it than that, said David Jones of the Center for Collaborative Research.

Most people have ideas, but dont follow through with them, he said.

He noted that the first step is to develop the idea and maintain the passion for it.

All of a sudden, this idea germinates, and its like, Ive got to make this work. I cant rest until I can make this happen.

Samantha Jacquest of Blue House Books is an example of that.

Jacquest said she launched her business out of a need to create a job for herself. She has a masters degree in book publishing and wanted to remain in the Midwest, but she didnt find many job opportunities, so she created one.

Jacquests ultimate goal is to open an independent bookstore in Kenosha. But to start, she plans to operate Blue House Books as a pop-up bookstore.

Jeremy Fojut, chief idea officer of NEWaukee, a Milwaukee-based talent attraction and retention agency, said entrepreneurship can cause someone to go through many different emotions in any given day.

He said entrepreneurs ask themselves, How do I replace the unknown with curiosity?

I think you have to have a drive and a passion for wanting to change something or do something different, he said.

Amy Greil vice president of Kenosha Creative Space, said that innovation and success in business sometimes mean being creative and not just settling for doing things the same old way.

Theres a need for better recipes, not more cooking, Greil said.

Panel members also noted that entrepreneurship plays a role for people who work for a large organization.

Kenall Manufacturing Executive Vice President of Operations Randy Hernandez said he expects employees to be micro-entrepreneurs.

Its all about creation. Its almost creating something from nothing, he said.
Cambridge House International has a solid track record of offering investors access to some of the most knowledgeable people in industry. That is probably why Marin Katusa chooses to work with Cambridge house to produce The Silver and Gold Summit.

It is difficult to imagine another event that is similar in its depth and scope, and this November, Marin Katusa will be joined by a number of CEO's, investment legends and visionary thinkers. The two-day conference takes place at the Hilton Union Square on November 20th & 21st.

The Silver and Gold Summit will feature people like Doug Casey, James Rickards, Frank Holmes, Rick Rule and so many more. If you are interested in meeting some of the most well informed people in the world of resource investing, this Summit is a very unique opportunity for investors and speculators of all kinds.

A Broad Base

There aren't many influential people in the precious metals sector that won't be attending or presenting at the Silver and Gold Summit later this month. The market for precious metals has been on a wild ride over the last decade, and many investors wonder how to best deploy their capital in this sometimes trying market.

Doug Casey has been involved with resources for decades, and he has shown an ability to make great investments that pay off in a big way. But over the last few months Doug Casey has been sharing some ideas that aren't being talked about in the mainstream press. He, like many of the presenters at the Silver and Gold Summit, think that we may be in for some rough water in the international financial markets.

Mr. Casey thinks that the crisis that began in the last months of 2007 never really went away, and right now, we might be entering the second phase of the breakdown that began with the chaos of 2008. He likens the time between 2009 and 2016 as the eye of the hurricane, and given how central banks have gone way off their existing playbook during that time period, he may be right on the money.

Timely Advice

Another veteran investor who has been warning people about an impending implosion in global liquidity is James Rickards, and he will be delivering a keynote speech at the upcoming Summit. His ideas are explored inside his most recent book, The Road To Ruin, but according to him, the next financial crisis will dwarf 2008, and may end the era of national central banks.

In the post 2008 economy, central banks have created a jaw dropping about of new debt. These action have maintained liquidity in the international markets, but now, the credibility of the central banks themselves may very well be at risk. The underlying problem is one of faith, and with the world's markets dominated by a handful of fiat currencies, the kind of problems that could emerge from a crisis of confidence are difficult to imagine.

One thing is for sure, precious metals would have a value to both investors and everyday people if the existing financial framework were disrupted. It is easy to forget that the economy that exists today is a very new idea, and it has been extremely turbulent ever since it became a reality in the wake of President Nixon's decision to close the gold window in 1971.

It was in that ensuing bull market in gold that Doug Casey made his first fortune, and today we can all learn what some of the original contrarians are thinking. A highlight of the upcoming event will be the highly anticipated Gold vs Crypto Currency debate between titans Jim Rickards, Doug Casey & Michael Gokturk.

The recent report from the US Mint describing a huge fall in gold coin sales would add credibility to the idea that Bitcoin and the crypto space is luring money away from gold and gold stocks, and this panel will be enlightening to say the least.

Not just Precious Metals

Despite its name, the Silver & Gold Summit features a number of exhibitors and speaking sessions outside of the precious metals space. This includes a Uranium Investment Panel, an Energy Metals Keynote and a keynote by Black Bird Energys CEO Garth Braun.

The uranium space is a favorite contrarian investment at the moment, and many of the presenters like Rick Rule, Marin Katusa and Doug Casey are currently bullish on uranium. The reason is simple, despite all the negative press in the wake of the Fukushima disaster, there are still a lot of reactors under construction. The uranium market is still operating at a pretty substantial deficit, and there isn't much new supply coming online.

In fact, one of the most promising uranium juniors on the TSX-V will be represented by their CEO at the convention. Skyharbor Resources' own Jordan Trimble will be participating in the Uranium Investment Panel, along with UEC's CEO, Amir Adnani. For those of you who don't know him, Mr. Adnani is also the CEO of GoldMining Inc., which has an incredible portfolio of gold properties across the Americas.

Open To All

Described as the Hardest Working Man In The Resource Sector by Marin Katusa, Rick Rule has a long history of creating value in the mining industry. As a long time participant in the mining sector, Rick Rule will have valuable insight into the market as a whole, and especially the junior miners, who have been under a lot of pressure in the last few years.

Marin Katusa was a math teacher before he began working in the investment world, and he talks fondly about the first time he had a chance to sit down with Rick Rule at a conference in 2004. You can catch Rick and Marin sitting down once more at this event to discuss the future of mining stocks. Today Marin Katusa is happy to present a forum where people can have the same advantages that helped him to get a foothold in the resource industry, and there are still tickets available at CambridgeHouse.com.

It will be exciting to see what kind of ideas come out of this year's Silver and Gold Summit, and there will be no substitute for going in person. There will also be a large number of companies with information about what they can offer investors. There is nothing like shaking hands with the CEO of a company before you invest in it. This event creates the kind of atmosphere where great ideas can find support, we are excited to see what happens at the Silver & Gold Summit this year!
By Ayai Tomisawa

TOKYO, Nov 13 (Reuters) - A majority of Japanese companies have no interest in being included in stock indexes guided by environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles, a Reuters poll found, even as pressure grows on firms to lift their management standards following a string of corporate scandals.

Investment in ESG indexes is expected to grow after Japan's Government Pension Investment Fund, which manages $1.3 trillion, decided earlier this year to raise its ESG allocation to 10 percent of its stock holdings from 3 percent.

The pension fund's shift follows problems that have put the focus on Japan Inc's management. These include the accounting scandal at Toshiba Corp , Kobe Steel Ltd's data fabrication and Nissan Motor Co's revelation that uncertified technicians had been carrying out vehicle inspections. However, despite increased awareness around corporate responsibility issues, a Reuters Corporate survey showed 56 percent of 247 companies polled were not aware of ESG indexes, and only 6 percent said their companies were included in one. Some 72 percent of companies said they were not included and 22 percent said they didn't know.

And of the 174 companies that said they aren't included in such indexes, 144 said they had no interest in joining them, accounting for 58 percent of the entire survey sample.

"Companies that make ESG efforts do not necessarily report strong earnings," wrote a manager at a wholesale company.

A manager at a food company was also dismissive: "Companies should contribute to society by paying more taxes and not bother with ESG criteria."

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has been pushing for greater corporate governance and transparency.

GPIF in July chose three indexes to guide its investments in the area: the FTSE Blossom Japan index, which includes 150 companies, the MSCI Japan ESG Select Leaders index (252 stocks) and the MSCI Japan Empowering Women index (211 stocks).

The companies in the indexes were selected based on criteria including labour practices, efforts to prevent global warming and the use of toxic substances and board of directors selection.

In a drive to improve corporate governance at Japanese companies and make them more attractive to foreign investors, GPIF signed the U.N.-supported Principles for Responsible Investment, or PRI, in 2015.

Both Kobe Steel and Nissan are included in the MSCI Japan ESG Select Leaders index.

The survey for Reuters by Nikkei Research, conducted Oct. 26-Nov. 7, polled 400 big and mid-sized businesses. A total of 247 firms, which reply on condition of anonymity, answered the questions on ESG.

(Reporting by Ayai Tomisawa; Editing by Malcolm Foster and Sam Holmes)
By Greg Roumeliotis and Liana B. Baker

Nov 12 (Reuters) - U.S. chipmaker Qualcomm Inc is making preparations to reject rival Broadcom Ltd's $103 billion bid as early as this week, four people familiar with the matter said on Sunday, setting the stage for one of the biggest-ever takeover battles.

Qualcomm's board of directors could meet as early as Sunday to review the unsolicited acquisition offer and decide on its strategy, the sources said. The preparations for the board meeting indicate that Qualcomm is poised to rebuff the bid as insufficient as early as Monday, although it may decide to spend a few more days this week to prepare its full response to Broadcom, the sources added.

Qualcomm Chief Executive Steven Mollenkopf has spent the past few days soliciting feedback from Qualcomm shareholders, and feels that Qualcomm's $70-per-share bid undervalues the company and does not price in the uncertainty associated with getting the deal approved by regulators, according to the sources.

Broadcom CEO Hock Tan, who said earlier this month he would redomicile his company to the United States from Singapore, has stated he is open to launching a takeover battle. The sources said Broadcom was preparing to submit a slate of directors by Qualcomm's Dec. 8 nomination deadline. That would allow Qualcomm shareholders to vote to replace the company's board and force it to engage with Broadcom.

Broadcom has also been deliberating the possibility of raising its bid for Qualcomm, including through more debt financing, some of the sources said, although it was not clear when Broadcom would choose to make such a move.

The sources asked not to be identified because the deliberations are confidential. Qualcomm and Broadcom did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Qualcomm provides chips to carrier networks to deliver broadband and mobile data. It is engaged in a patent infringement dispute with Apple Inc , and is also trying to close its $38 billion acquisition of automotive chipmaker NXP Semiconductors NV after signing a deal in October 2016. Broadcom has indicated it is willing to acquire Qualcomm irrespective of whether it closes the NXP deal.

NXP shares have been trading above Qualcomm's offer price, as many NXP shareholders, including hedge fund Elliott Management Corp, have been holding out for a better price. Qualcomm does not plan to significantly raise its price for NXP as a defensive strategy to make its acquisition by Broadcom more expensive, according to one of the sources.

Qualcomm shares closed at $64.57 on Friday, while Broadcom ended at $264.96.

(Reporting by Greg Roumeliotis in New York and Liana B. Baker in San Francisco; Editing by Peter Cooney)
HANOI, Nov 13 (Reuters) - Following is a snapshot of Vietnamese dong exchange rates in the official and unofficial markets, indicative SJC gold prices in Hanoi and interbank offered rates as of 0407 GMT.

November 13 USD/VND mid-point 22,462 USD/VND interbank 22,711/22,712 USD/VND unofficial 22,770/22,790 SJC gold (mln dong/tael) 36.41/36.63

Interbank offered rates Overnight 0.6-1.3

1 week 1.0-1.5

1 month 1.7-2.0

3 months 3.6-4.2

NOTES: As of Jan. 4, 2016 the State Bank of Vietnam has begun setting the mid-point rate on a daily basis, allowing dollar/dong transactions to move in a band of +/- 3 percent around the mid point. The dong's exchange rate against other currencies is not restricted by a band. Interbank offered rates are the latest indicative bid/ask prices, quoted from market sources.

One tael is equivalent to 37.5 grams or 1.21 troy ounces. SJC gold prices are quoted by state-owned Saigon Jewelry Co.

For more interbank rate fixings released at 0400 GMT, click on .

For Vietnam market overview click on: Vietnam's bonds market auctions: Bonds auction results: (Compiled by Hanoi Newsroom; Editing by Biju Dwarakanath)
Raya Jalabi, Ahmed Rasheed

BAGHDAD/ERBIL, Iraq (Reuters) - At least four people died in Iraq and several were killed across the border in Iran on Sunday when a strong earthquake hit the region, officials and state media in the two countries said.

The US Geological Survey said the quake measured a magnitude of 7.3, while an Iraqi meteorology official put its magnitude at 6.5 with the epicenter in Penjwin in Sulaimaniyah province in the Kurdistan region close to the main border crossing with Iran.

Kurdish health officials said as well as at least four people being killed there were 50 injured.

Across the border in Iran, state TV said several people were killed and many others injured when at least eight border villages were damaged. Electricity had been cut in the area and rescue teams had been dispatched to the area.

On the Iraqi side, the most extensive damage was in the town of Darbandikhan, 75 kms (47 miles) east of the city of Sulaimaniyah in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region. More than 30 people were injured in the town, according to the Kurdish Health Minister Rekawt Hama Rasheed.

The situation there is very critical, Rasheed told Reuters.

The districts main hospital was severely damaged and had no power, Rasheed said, so the injured were being taken to Sulaimaniyah for treatment. There was extensive structural damage to buildings and homes.

There were reports of injuries in a stretch of cities, towns and rural villages near the Iranian border, including Halabja, Khanaqin and Panjwin.

Residents were keeping away from their homes and sleeping on the streets, several hours after the quake hit.

In Halabja, local officials said that a 12-year-old boy died from an electric shock when an electric cable fell during the earthquake.

Iraqs interior minister ordered civil defense and fire fighting crews to be on high alert after the quake.

In Iran, the earthquake was felt in the capital Tehran. Media gave contradictory casualty figures. Semi-official Fars news agency and state news agency IRNA said at least six people had been killed and many others injured in the border town of Qasr-e Shirin.

But the governor of Qasr-e Shirin, Faramarz Akbari, said only two people had died in the town and 25 others were injured.

The quake was felt in several Iranian provinces bordering Iraq ... Eight villages were damaged ... Electricity has been cut in some villages and rescue teams have been dispatched to those areas, TV reported.

Semi-official Tasnim news agency quoted an emergency services official as saying there were fears that casualties in villages and small towns could be high.

People were staying out on the streets in towns in the western Kermanshah province because of the threat from aftershocks, a local Red Crescent official told TV.

DANCING IN THE AIR

Many residents in the Iraqi capital Baghdad rushed out of houses and tall buildings in panic.

I was sitting with my kids having dinner and suddenly the building was just dancing in the air, said Majida Ameer, who ran out of her building in the capitals Salihiya district with her three children. I thought at first that it was a huge bomb. But then I heard everyone around me screaming Earthquake!'

There were similar scenes in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region, and across other cities in northern Iraq, close to the quakes epicenter.

Iraqs meteorology center advised people to stay away from buildings and not to use elevators, in case of aftershocks.

Four dead after earthquake in Iraq's Kurdistan Region: Kurdish health minister

Residents of Turkeys southeastern city of Diyarbakir also reported feeling a strong tremor, but there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties in the city.

Turkish Red Crescent Chairman Kerem Kinik told broadcaster NTV that Red Crescent teams in Erbil were preparing to go to the site of the earthquake, and that Turkeys national disaster management agency AFAD and National Medical Rescue Teams (UMKE) were also preparing to head into Iraq. AFADs chairman said the organization was waiting for a reply to its offer for help.

In a tweet, Kinik said the Turkish Red Crescent was gathering 3,000 tents and heaters, 10,000 beds and blankets and moving them towards the Iraqi border.

We are coordinating with Iranian and Iraqi Red Crescent groups. We are also getting prepared to make deliveries from our northern Iraq Erbil depot, he said.

Israeli media said the quake was felt in many parts of Israel too.

Reporting by Raya Jalabi and Ahmed Rasheed in Iraq,; Parisa Hafezi, Tuvan Gumrukcu and Irem Koca in Ankara; Editing by Susan Fenton and Richard Balmforth
Steve Holland

HANOI (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said in a tweet on Sunday that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had insulted him by calling him old and said he would never call Kim short and fat.

Trump made the comment after attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Vietnam.

In a series of tweets he also said Chinese President Xi Jinping was upping sanctions on North Korea in response to its nuclear and missile programs and that Xi wanted Pyongyang to denuclearize.

During Trumps visit to Beijing last week Xi reiterated that China would strive for the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula but offered no hint it would change tack on North Korea, with which it fought side by side in the 1950-53 Korean war against U.S.-led forces.

One of Trumps tweets read: Why would Kim Jong-un insult me by calling me old, when I would NEVER call him short and fat? Oh well, I try so hard to be his friend - and maybe someday that will happen!

Speaking later in Vietnams capital, Hanoi, Trump said it would be very, very nice if he and Kim became friends.

That might be a strange thing to happen but its a possibility, he said.

INSULTS AND THREATS

Trump has traded insults and threats with Kim in the past amid escalating tension over Pyongyangs nuclear and missile programs as North Korea races toward its goal of developing a nuclear-tipped missile capable of reaching the United States -something Trump has vowed to prevent.

North Korea conducted its sixth and most powerful nuclear bomb test on Sept. 3, prompting another round of U.N. sanctions.

In September Kim described Trump as a mentally deranged U.S. dotard whom he would tame with fire. His comments came after Trump threatened in his maiden United Nations address to totally destroy the country of 26 million people if the United States were threatened.

After North Koreas Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho addressed the U.N. General Assembly in September Trump tweeted: Just heard Foreign Minister of North Korea speak at U.N. If he echoes thoughts of Little Rocket Man, they wont be around much longer!

North Korea has conducted dozens of ballistic missile tests in defiance of U.N. sanctions. It has vowed to never give up its weapons programs, saying they are necessary to counter hostility from the United States and its allies.

The United States has said that all options, including military, are on the table, although its preference is for a diplomatic solution.

Reporting by Steve Holland in Hanoi and Mike Stone in Washington; Editing by James Dalgleish and Clarence Fernandez
* UK court rules Resmed's patent for mask invalid - F&P Healthcare

* Allows F&P Healthcare to sell similar masks in UK

* Legal proceedings still underway in Germany and U.S.

(Adds context on wider legal proceedings, market reaction)

WELLINGTON, Nov 13 (Reuters) - New Zealand's Fisher & Paykel Healthcare said on Monday that it could continue to sell its sleep apnea masks in Britain as a UK court had ruled that rival Resmed Inc's patent was invalid.

Fisher & Paykel filed the case against California-based Resmed in Britain's High Court in 2016, and has similar legal proceedings underway in Germany, after Resmed had said the New Zealand company's masks violated Resmed patents.

"This result confirms that UK patients can continue to purchase and enjoy the benefits of our high-performance masks," Fisher & Paykel said in a statement in which it announced the UK court ruling.

Resmed said in a statement that it was "disappointed" in the court's decision and was considering an appeal. It added that the ruling had no impact on its court proceedings in other countries.

The U.S. company has launched legal action against Fisher & Paykel in Germany and the United States.

It is pursuing court proceedings in a U.S. District Court, but dropped a complaint against Fisher & Paykel to the U.S. International Trade Commission in May.

"We are confident that when the courts in those countries apply their different evidentiary rules and validity procedures, we will prevail," Resmed said in the statement.

In September, a German court suspended the American firm's intellectual property proceedings against Fisher & Paykel while the two waited for the outcome of a European Patent Office decision over Resmed's patents. Fisher & Paykel shares were largely unchanged on Monday, edging down 0.8 percent after the stock market opened to NZ$13.20 ($9.14), just below a record high of $13.55 hit last week. ($1 = 1.4447 New Zealand dollars)

(Reporting by Charlotte Greenfield; Editing by Susan Fenton)
(Adds details throughout, changes dateline)

By Heather Somerville and Greg Roumeliotis

SAN FRANCISCO/NEW YORK, Nov 12 (Reuters) - Uber Technologies Inc's warring board members have struck a peace deal that would allow a multibillion-dollar investment by SoftBank Group Corp to proceed, and would resolve a legal battle between former Chief Executive Travis Kalanick and a prominent shareholder.

Venture capital firm Benchmark, an early investor with a board seat in the ride-services company, and Kalanick have reached an agreement over terms of the SoftBank investment, which could be worth up to $10 billion, according to two people familiar with the matter. The Uber board first agreed more than a month ago to bring in SoftBank as an investor and board member, but negotiations have been slowed by ongoing fighting between Benchmark and Kalanick. SoftBank is leading a consortium of investors that plan to invest $1 billion to $1.25 billion and buy up to 17 percent of existing shares from investors and employees in a secondary transaction. The terms are expected to be signed on Sunday, one of the people said.

Uber did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Uber is valued at $68 billion, the most highly valued venture-backed company in the world. The SoftBank investment is expected to be at the same valuation, so the company would not suffer any valuation cut, despite its year of cultural turmoil and legal problems.

Completing the SoftBank deal would allow Uber to open a new chapter after a year of controversy, including the resignation of Kalanick, the ouster of several top executives, sexual harassment and discrimination allegations, and multiple federal criminal probes. The deal is also tied to new governance rules that aim to more equally distribute power and bring more oversight to the company.

Also it would be a major victory for Uber's new CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, who served as a mediator to help broker the agreement, according to a third person familiar with the matter.

To allow the deal to go forward, Benchmark has agreed to immediately suspend its lawsuit against Kalanick, which it filed in August in an effort to diminish the ex-CEO's power at the company, one of the sources said. Upon the successful completion of the SoftBank investment, Benchmark would drop the lawsuit entirely, the person said.

A spokeswoman for Benchmark did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A spokesman for Kalanick declined to comment.

In turn, Kalanick must receive majority board approval should he want to replace the board seats over which he has control, according to the source. In addition to his own seat, Kalanick controls two more, which are occupied by Ursula Brown, the former Xerox Corp CEO, and former Merrill Lynch & CO Inc CEO John Thain. Kalanick appointed them in August without first consulting with the board.

Uber's board already approved a slate of governance reforms that are contingent on completion of the SoftBank deal. They include removing super-voting rights that gave Kalanick and his allies outsized power, adding new independent directors and increasing the size of the board to 17.

Uber plans to run newspaper ads informing investors about the share purchase. SoftBank will propose a price at which it will buy stock, and if it doesn't get enough buyers, it could propose a higher price or walk away. The company has threatened to invest in ride-hailing rival Lyft if it doesn't get the Uber deal done.

(Reporting by Heather Somerville. Additional reporting by Liana Baker in San Francisco.; Editing by Diane Craft)
HONG KONG, Nov 13 (IFR) - Asian credit markets felt the impact of last week's weak finish in the U.S., which undermined risk appetite amid concerns that Congress could struggle to implement meaningful tax reform.

The iTraxx Asia ex-Japan IG index was spotted at 80bp/81bp, the widest level in six weeks, according to Thomson Reuters data.

Bank of China and Bank of India's CDS spreads widened 4bp, while the People's Republic of China's credit protection costs widened 2bp.

The rise in new issue premiums at the end of last week is cause for concern, according to a Hong Kong-based syndicate banker.

"There's a massive pipeline especially in USD for China, and China CDS is up and US Treasury yields are also wider," he said. "This market could be a bit difficult for primary if Chinese issuers are going to want to pay minimal concessions."

Ten-year US Treasury yields reached 2.67%, the highest since October 27. However, private banking investors were still spotted buying perpetuals.

Money went into Huarong's 4.0% perps, DBS's 3.6% perps and Baidu's 2025s, according to a Singapore-based credit salesperson.

In individual credits, Alibaba's 3.6% 2024s were 2bp wider after IFR reported that the company is this month planning its second US dollar bond.

Bonds of HNA Group, which raised concerns after raising a 364-note at 8.875%, was trading around par.

(Reporting by Frances Yoon; Editing by Vincent Baby)

Keywords: MARKETS ASIA DEBT/
SHANGHAI, Nov 13 (Reuters) - China's major indexes extended gains on Monday, powered by banking firms, as investors cheered Beijing's deregulation in the financial sector, mitigating wider concerns about higher corporate borrowing costs as bond yields rose.

The blue-chip CSI300 index rose 0.4 percent, to 4,128.07 points, while the Shanghai Composite Index also gained 0.4 percent to 3,447.84 points.

Investors piled into financial stocks, betting Beijing's move to widen foreign access to its giant financial sector would attract fresh foreign capital inflows, and push up the valuations of Chinese lenders, insurers and brokerages.

The latest changes, announced by vice finance minister Zhu Guangyao on Friday, include raising the limit on foreign ownership in joint-venture firms involved in the futures, securities and funds markets to 51 percent from the current 49 percent. Meanwhile, China will drop the foreign ownership cap on banks.

"The relaxation of existing curbs will ease restrictions on investment inflows to China," wrote Raymond Yeung, ANZ's chief economist of Greater China.

"Given the fast expansion in financial assets over the past few years, we believe that there will be a slew of optimistic headlines carrying positive emphasis on their value."

Banking shares led the gains, with an index tracking the sector closing up 1.4 percent. Small- and mid-sized commercial banks, including Jiangsu Wujiang Rural Commercial Bank , Ping An Bank Co Ltd and Wuxi Rural Commercial Bank Co were among the biggest gainers.

The strength in banking stocks counteracted wider fears stirred by rising bond yields with China's benchmark 10-year treasury yield up at the highest level in three years.

Resources stocks also firmed, with sector leader Wanhua Chemical leaping 8.4 percent, leading the rally in material firms .

But healthcare and utilities shares took a breather, as investors booked profits after recent gains.

(Reporting by Luoyan Liu and John Ruwitch; Editing by Sam Holmes)
(Kitco News) - Global holdings in gold-backed exchange-traded funds were up in October, but only thanks to European investors and not their counterparts in North America, according to the latest data released by the World Gold Council.

In its monthly report, the WGC said that global gold-backed ETF flows were flat last month with inflows mostly coming from Europe. Outflows in North America mostly offset inflows in Europe, added the report, which was released on Monday.

According to the report, global gold funds added 3.3 tonnes last month, or more than $221 million in assets under management (AUM). Holdings now stand at 2,347.6 tonnes year to date.

Europe led inflows in October, as investors added 11.2t (+$523mn, 1.3% AUM) of gold through funds listed in the region. There were outflows in North America of -8.0t (-$305mn, -0.59% AUM), reversing some of its September gains.

Even on an annual basis, Europeans accounted for roughly 70% of all inflows so far this year.

European funds continue to lead inflows accounting for nearly 70% of all inflows at 127.4t (+$5.1bn; +12.8% AUM) in 2017, the WGC noted.

Global gold-backed ETF holdings are still up this year, the data showed, with funds adding 182.2 tonnes to date. This represents an increase of 8% of global AUM from December 2016.

Digging deeper, the report also showed that the worlds largest gold-backed ETF  SPDR Gold Shares (GLD)  led outflows globally, with 13.9 tonnes coming out of the fund in North America last month.

WGCs latest report comes out shortly after the firm released its Q3 Gold Demand Trends report, which showed that global gold demand saw its weakest third-quarter performance in eight years, driven in part from lower ETF inflows.
By Maha El Dahan

ABU DHABI, Nov 13 (Reuters) - Egypt will not issue permits to companies to import natural gas from Israel as long as arbitration cases with its neighbour remain unresolved, Egypt's energy minister said on Monday.

In 2015, the International Chamber of Commerce ordered Egypt to pay $2 billion in compensation after a deal to export gas to Israel via pipeline collapsed in 2012 due to attacks by insurgents in Egypt's Sinai peninsula.

Egypt, which has turned from a gas exporter to a net importer, is challenging that order through arbitration.

Energy Minister Tarek El Molla said for new Israeli import deals to be signed these arbitration cases would have to be resolved and the deal would have to "add value".

Egypt issued a law this year allowing private firms to import gas directly, potentially unlocking a deal to tap the Israeli fields of Tamar and Leviathan as Israel seeks export markets. Officials from the Israeli fields have recently visited Egypt to negotiate possible deals.

"Delegations (from Israel) are healthy as it means there are discussions and negotiations, but they have to meet the conditions put by the government as that is only fair," said Molla on the sidelines of an energy event in Abu Dhabi.

There was no immediate comment on the minister's remarks from Israel, which has said it is awaiting the arbitration payment.

The Sinai pipeline line attacks halted Egyptian supplies to state-owned Israel Electric Corp, forcing it to revert to more expensive diesel and fuel oil to drive its generators.

Asked about gas imports from Qatar, the minister said: "We are importing from traders, we don't know where they source their gas from, this is not our problem."

Egypt has Saudi Arabia and several other states in cutting ties with Qatar, accusing Doha of backing terrorists, a charge Qatari officials deny.

Separately, the minister said the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation would announce a bid round before the end of this year to offer nine or 10 oil and gas blocks.

He also said he expected first gas from Egypt's giant offshore Zohr field in the Mediterranean by the end of 2017. (Reporting by Maha El Dahan; Additional reporting by Eric Knecht; Writing by Arwa Gaballa and Edmund Blair)
ATHENS, Nov 13 (Reuters) - Emergency central bank funding to Greek lenders dropped by 5.74 billion euros or 20 percent in October compared to the previous month, Bank of Greece data showed on Monday.

Emergency funding, which is more costly than borrowing from the European Central Bank, dropped to 22.75 billion euros ($26.52 billion) from 28.49 billion euros at the end of September, the data showed.

Greek banks have relied on emergency liquidity assistance (ELA) drawn from the Greek central bank since February 2015 after being cut off from the ECB's funding window due to stalled bailout talks between the government and its official creditors.

Their dependence on the ELA emergency lifeline has declined since June last year when the European Central Bank reinstated banks' access to its cheap funding operations. ($1 = 0.8580 euros)

(Reporting by Lefteris Papadimas)
MILAN, Nov 13 (Reuters) - Italy's three-year debt costs fell back into negative territory at an auction on Monday, helped by the prospect of monetary policy in the euro zone remaining expansionary for a long time.

At an auction delayed by several hours due to technical problems, Italy raised 6 billion euros ($7 billion), the top of its planned issue size.

Italy sold a three-year bond due in 2020 at a negative 0.02 percent yield compared with 0.15 percent at the previous sale a month ago. It was the lowest auction yield for this maturity since October 2016.

A seven-year bond maturing in 2024 fetched a gross yield of 1.21 percent, down from 1.53 percent in mid-October and the lowest since January.

Finally, Italy sold a 15-year 2033 bond at 2.38 percent from 2.77 percent when it was last sold in mid-July and lowest since October 2016.

European government bonds have rallied after the European Central Bank last week said it would only hike rates well after its bond-buying scheme ends and extended it until at least September 2018. ($1 = 0.8572 euros)

(Reporting by Alessia Pe and Valentina Za; Editing by Catherine Evans)
MILAN, Nov 13 (Reuters) - The Bank of Italy said on Monday it had set at 1145 GMT the cut-off time to submit bids for a bond sale which has been delayed due to technical reasons. Bids were originally due by 1000 GMT.

(Reporting by Valentina Za; Editing by Isla Binnie)

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.
By Ahmed Hagagy and Tom Arnold

KUWAIT CITY/DUBAI, Nov 13 (Reuters) - Kuwaiti banks have been told by the central bank to provide account details relating to some Saudi Arabian nationals, sources familiar with the situation told Reuters on Monday.

The move follows the freezing of more than 2,000 domestic bank accounts in Saudi Arabia after the detention of senior business figures and officials in a campaign against alleged graft.

Kuwait's central bank had asked its banks if they had exposure to any of the Saudi citizens who were arrested, one of the sources said, without providing further information.

Banks had also been asked to provide information about the companies linked to the individuals, the source added.

So far, the information received by the Kuwaiti regulator showed the exposure of Kuwaiti banks to the individuals detained and their companies was limited, the source said.

Reuters reported last week that the central bank in the United Arab Emirates had asked banks to provide details of the accounts of 19 Saudis, including billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, who was among those detained.

Some banks in the Gulf Cooperation Council have close links to Saudi Arabia, the largest economy in the six-nation bloc, with a number of Saudi individuals and companies doing business in the neighbouring nations and holding bank accounts there.

A second Kuwaiti banking source said some Kuwaiti banks had been asked by the regulator to provide details on their total exposure to Saudi Arabia.

Some banks in Bahrain had also been asked to provide information on any accounts held by Saudi citizens caught up in the anti-graft campaign, a third source said.

Nobody was available to comment from the Bahrain central bank.

(Editing by Alexander Smith)
By Claire Ruckin

LONDON, Nov 13 (Reuters) - Banks have launched syndication of a 2.36bn-equivalent leveraged loan financing backing US private equity firm Hellman & Friedman's DKr33.1bn (US$5.3bn) take-private of payments firm Nets , banking sources said.

Nets said in September it welcomed the offer from Hellman & Friedman, marking what would be one of the largest European private equity takeovers in recent years. Deutsche Bank, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, JP Morgan and Morgan Stanley are leading the leveraged loan financing alongside Nordea, Danske Bank, Nomura, Barclays, Nykredit and SEB, the sources said.

A bank meeting is set to take place on November 14 to show the loan to investors, which have been asked to commit to the financing by November 27, the sources said.

The covenant-lite financing comprises a 200m-equivalent, 6.5-year multicurrency revolving credit facility, a 1.86bn, seven-year term loan B and a NKr2.795bn (300m-equivalent), seven-year term loan B, the sources said.

The loans are offered with 101 soft-call protection for six months. Pricing is set to emerge at the bank meeting, the sources said.

In additon to the first lien term loans there is also a pre-placed second-lien loan, taking the total debt quantum on the buyout higher, the sources said.

The Danish firm was taken public in Copenhagen a year ago and was valued at DKr30bn (US$4.75bn), or DKr150 per share, double what Advent International, Bain Capital and Danish pension fund ATP had paid for it two years earlier.

Following a deal Bain and Advent have agreed to maintain a 16% stake in Nets.

Nets said in July it had been approached by potential buyers as the payments industry sees a wave of deals, with consumers switching to card and mobile payments and regulatory changes promising to open up the fragmented market.

(Editing by Christopher Mangham)
By Claire Ruckin

LONDON, Nov 13 (Reuters) - Banks have launched a 270m leveraged loan financing to back Beijing Sanyuan Foods Co Ltd and Chinese conglomerate Fosun Group's 625m acquisition of French margarine maker St Hubert, banking sources said.

Sanyuan and Fosun said in July they had signed an agreement with European private equity firm Montagu to acquire Brassica TopCo S.A. and PPN Management SAS, which are controlling shareholders of St Hubert.

JP Morgan, Societe Generale and UniCredit are leading the loan financing and bank meetings are set to take place on November 14 and November 15 in Paris and London, respectively, to show the deal to investors, the sources said.

Commitments to the loan are due by December 1.

The financing comprises a 260m seven-year term loan B, guided to pay 400bp over Euribor with a 0% floor. An Original Issue Discount is expected to emerge at the bank meetings, the sources said.

The term loan is offered with a leveraged covenant.

The financing also comprises a 10m six-year revolving credit facility, the sources said.

Montagu acquired St Hubert from Dairy Crest for 430m in 2012, backed with a 217m leveraged loan financing from BNP Paribas, Credit Agricole, Bank of Ireland, Commerzbank, ING Bank, Natixis and UniCredit, according to Thomson Reuters LPC.

Set up in 1904, St Hubert reported consolidated net turnover of 129m in the 2016 financial year and has 213 employees. It has more than 40% market share in France and almost 70% in Italy.

(Editing by Christopher Mangham)
DUBAI, Nov 13 (Reuters) - Gulf stock markets were mixed early on Monday with Saudi Arabia under pressure from the kingdom's anti-corruption probe and Dubai -- where trade in GFH Financial was volatile -- flat overall.

The Saudi index was 0.5 percent lower after 20 minutes of trade. Repeatedly since the start of last week, selling by individual investors spooked by the investigation has pushed the market lower during much of the day before buying by state-linked funds, which are apparently mounting a market support operation, cut losses towards the close.

The most heavily traded stock, real estate developer Dar Al Arkan , gained a further 2.1 percent after surging in the previous two days following strong quarterly earnings.

Alujain sank 6.0 percent in unusually heavy volume as it resumed trading after being suspended since August because of a delay in reporting earnings. It said third-quarter net profit fell to 36.1 million riyals ($9.6 million) from 36.8 million riyals.

In Dubai, the index was flat. GFH was 3.5 percent higher at 1.49 dirhams after swinging between 1.35 and 1.51 dirhams in heavy trade.

The company said it had exited real estate portfolios in Bahrain and the United States worth $180 million, would invest in the education sector, and planned to acquire a financial institution in the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council by year-end.

Emaar Properties was up 0.9 percent at 7.95 dirhams, well off an early high of 8.05 dirhams, after posting a 32 percent rise in third-quarter net profit to 1.51 billion dirhams ($411.2 million), beating SICO Bahrain's forecast of 1.36 billion dirhams.

Abu Dhabi's Dana Gas dropped 2.7 percent after reporting a leap in third-quarter net profit to 375 million dirhams from 47 million a year ago thanks to higher hydrocarbon prices.

A British High Court judge may issue a ruling as soon as this week on the company's effort to avoid redeeming about $700 million of Islamic bonds that matured in October, on the grounds that the sukuk are no longer legally valid.

(Reporting by Andrew Torchia; editing by John Stonestreet)
OSLO, Nov 13 (Reuters) - The Norwegian central bank will offer an F-loan for Nov. 15-17, it said on Monday. The deadline for bids is Nov. 13 at 1315 GMT (1415 CET).

(Reporting by Oslo newsroom)

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.
Following are news stories, press reports and events to watch that may affect Poland's financial markets on Monday. ALL TIMES GMT (Poland: GMT + 1 hour):

DATA

Polish statistics office will release CPI data, while the central bank will publish Current Account data at 1300. PGNIG Poland's dominant gas firm PGNiG said on Monday third-quarter net profit rose 3 percent to 367 million zlotys ($101.14 million) helped by higher oil prices and gas sales. PKO Poland's largest lender, PKO BP PKO.WA, reported on Monday a 17-percent rise in its third-quarter net profit to 902 million zlotys, as accelerating economy boosted demand for banking services and products. ENERGY

Poland's energy ministry is expected to present conclusions from its works on launching High Temperature Reactors (HTR) in the coming weeks, Rzeczpospolita daily said quoting unnamed sources. The paper also said that Poland is willing to introduce the technology, irrespectively of the plans to build first nuclear power plant.

****Reuters has not verified stories reported by Polish media and does not vouch for their accuracy.****

For other related news, double click on: Polish equities E.Europe equities Polish money Polish debt Eastern Europe All emerging markets Hot stocks Stock markets Market debt news Forex news For real-time index quotes, double click on: Warsaw WIG20 Budapest BUX Prague PX (Reporting by Warsaw Bureau)
BRATISLAVA, Nov 13 (Reuters) - Here are news stories, press reports and events to watch which may affect Slovak financial markets on Monday.

ALL TIMES GMT (Slovak Republic: GMT + 1 hour)

=========================ECONOMIC DATA========================

Real-time economic data releases.................. Summary of economic data and forecasts......... Recently released economic data................ Previous stories on Slovak data.......... **For a schedule of corporate and economic events: ============================NEWS================================

INDUSTRIAL OUTPUT: Slovakia's industrial output rose by 2.3 percent year-on-year in September below analysts' expectations of a 5.1 percent increase, statistics office data showed on Friday.

Story: Related stories: OTP BANK: Hungarian OTP Bank Deputy CEO Laszlo Bencsik told a press conference the bank still wants to grow in size and profitability in Slovakia.

Story: Related stories: For real-time stock market index quotes click in brackets: Warsaw WIG20 Budapest BUX Prague PX Main currency report TOP NEWS -- Emerging markets News editor of the day: Jan Lopatka +420 224 190 476

E-mail: prague.newsroom@thomsonreuters.com

(Reporting by Prague Newsroom)
JOHANNESBURG, Nov 13 (Reuters) - South Africa's Treasury on Monday confirmed that Deputy Director-General Michael Sachs, the senior official in charge of the budget office, had quit the department.

"Mr Sachs will not be leaving National Treasury immediately to ensure a proper handover to another senior official," Treasury said in a statement.

Local media outlet Fin24 said on Monday Sachs quit last week complaining that President Jacob Zuma was interfering in the budget process. The rand has weakened since last week on concerns about a possible ratings downgrade should Zuma announce increased education spending. (Reporting by Mfuneko Toyana; Editing by James Macharia)
JOHANNESBURG, Nov 13 (Reuters) - South Africa's anti-graft watchdog must meet a high court deadline in a case about the central bank's mandate to avoid creating market instability, the bank said on Monday.

Market stability is politically sensitive in South Africa because ratings agencies downgraded the country's debt in April and S&P Global and Moody's have warned that pressure on bank independence could spark a deeper cut. Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane in June proposed changing the bank's mandate to focus on promoting growth rather than currency and price stability.

The proposal sparked a plunge in the rand and attracted criticism from Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba. It was quashed by Pretoria High Court, which said the proposal lacked merit and was ill-considered because the bank's mandate is fixed in the constitution. The court then invited Mkhwebane, who is employed to ensure proper conduct in public office, to respond to its ruling and the hearing was expected to start on Dec. 5.

Mkhwebane requested to file her answering affidavit in Jan. 2018. In an affidavit last week, she said this would allow her new lawyers to acquaint themselves with the case since her previous lawyers withdrew in late September.

But in an affidavit the central bank said a postponement would adversely impact financial stability given the concerns of ratings agencies about bank independence.

"Ratings agencies regard the role of the Reserve Bank and its stability as a key indicator of stability in the market. The attack on the Reserve Bank in the report creates uncertainty," the bank's lawyers said, adding that Mkhwebane's reason for a postponement was neither "candid nor adequate".

Fitch, S&P Global and Moody's downgraded the country's debt following President Jacob Zuma's abrupt firing of respected finance minister Pravin Gordhan in March. S&P Global and Moody's are due to announce ratings decisions on Nov. 24.

(Reporting by Mfuneko Toyana; Editing by James Macharia and Matthew Mpoke Bigg)
Parisa Hafezi, Raya Jalabi

ANKARA/BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Thousands of homeless Iranians huddled against the cold late on Monday, a day after at least 450 people were killed in Irans deadliest earthquake in more than a decade, state TV said.

Rescue teams kept up search operations for dozens trapped beneath the rubble of collapsed houses in towns and villages in the mountainous area of the western province of Kermanshah that borders Iraq.

Irans English-language Press TV said more than 450 people were killed and 7,000 were injured when the magnitude 7.3 earthquake jolted the country on Sunday. Local officials expected the death toll to climb as search and rescue teams reached remote areas of Iran.

The quake was felt in several provinces of Iran but the hardest hit province was Kermanshah. More than 300 of the victims were in Sarpol-e Zahab county in that province, about 15 km (10 miles) from the Iraq border.

Iranian state television said the quake had caused heavy damage in some villages where houses were made of earthen bricks. The quake also triggered landslides that hindered rescue efforts, officials told state television.

At least 14 provinces in Iran had been affected, Iranian media reported. Iranian media reported that a woman and her baby were pulled out alive from the rubble on Monday in Sarpol-e Zahab, the worst hit area with a population of 85,000.

Relief workers said while much aid had been pledged, there was an immediate need for blankets, childrens clothes, medicine and large cans to store drinking water. TV aired footage of some people weeping next to corpses shrouded in blankets.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei offered his condolences on Monday, urging all government agencies to do all they could to help those affected. State TV appealed for blood donations. The government announced one day mourning on Tuesday.

ANGRY PEOPLE

Tempers frayed in the quake-hit area as the search went on for survivors amidst the twisted rubble of collapsed buildings. State TV aired footage of damaged buildings, vehicles under rubble and wounded people wrapped in blankets.

We need a shelter, a middle-aged man in Sarpol-e Zahab told state TV. Where is the aid? Where is the help? His family could not spend another night outside in cold weather, he said.

An Iraqi meteorology official put the quakes magnitude at 6.5, with the epicenter in Penjwin in Iraqs Sulaimaniyah province in the Kurdistan region, close to the main border crossing with Iran.

Kurdish health officials said at least six people were killed in Iraq and at least 68 injured, adding that in northern Iraq Kurdish districts seven were killed and 325 wounded.

Iraqs health and local officials said the worst-hit area was Darbandikham district, near the border with Iran, where at least 10 houses had collapsed and the districts only hospital was severely damaged.

The situation there is very critical, Kurdish Health Minister Rekawt Hama Rasheed told Reuters.

The districts main hospital was damaged and had no power, Rasheed said, so the injured were taken to Sulaimaniyah for treatment. Homes and buildings had extensive structural damage, he said.

The quake was felt as far south as Baghdad, where many residents rushed from their houses and tall buildings when tremors shook the Iraqi capital.

I was sitting with my kids having dinner and suddenly the building was just dancing in the air, said Majida Ameer. who ran out of her building with her three children.

I thought at first that it was a huge bomb. But then I heard everyone around me screaming: Earthquake!'

An Iranian local official told state TV that some villages were totally destroyed.

I lost nine members of my family ... they were killed while they slept, a weeping middle-aged woman told state TV.

Local officials said hundreds of critically wounded people had been transferred to other provinces as Kermanshahs main hospital had been badly damaged.

NO SHELTER

Iran sits astride major fault lines and is prone to frequent tremors. A magnitude 6.6 quake on Dec. 26, 2003, devastated the historic city of Bam, 1,000 km southeast of Tehran, killing about 31,000 people.

Electricity and water was cut off in several Iranian and Iraqi cities, and fears of aftershocks sent thousands of people in both countries out onto the streets and parks in cold weather.

Across the area, rescue workers and special teams using sniffer dogs and heat sensors searched wreckage. Blocked roads made it hard for rescue workers to reach some remote villages.

Iranian authorities acknowledged the relief effort was still slow and patchy. More than 70,000 people needed emergency shelter, the head of Iranian Red Crescent said.

Hojjat Gharibian, one of hundreds of homeless Iranian survivors, was huddled against the cold with his family in Qasr-e Shirin.

My two children were sleeping when the house started to collapse because of the quake. I took them and ran to the street. We spent hours in the street until aid workers moved us into a school building, Gharibian told Reuters by telephone.

Irans police, Revolutionary Guards and Basij militia forces were sent to quake-hit areas overnight, state TV reported.

Aid workers handed out water to people, while bulldozers worked to clear the streets in damaged areas.

A local official said aftershocks slowed down erecting tents for homeless people but electricity had been restored in most of the quake-hit areas.

The main problem is sheltering people at this cold weather. We need more tents, Qasr-e Shririn governor Faramarz Akbari told TV.

Writing by Parisa Hafezi, reporting by Raya Jalabi and Ahmed Rasheed in Iraq, Bozorgmeh Sharafedin in Londn, Tuvan Gumrukcu and Irem Koca in Ankara, Dan Williams in Jerusalem, and Dubai newsroom; Editing by Peter Cooney, Bill Tarrant, Richard Balmforth
ZURICH, Nov 13 (Reuters) - The Swiss blue-chip SMI was seen opening 0.3 percent higher at 9,159 points on Monday, according to premarket indications by bank Julius Baer .

The following are some of the main factors expected to affect Swiss stocks:

NOVARTIS The drugmaker holds a research day in London where it will discuss its pipeline of drugs.

The company's bid to move in on Bayer's and Regeneron's eye-drug turf was buoyed on Friday by data showing patients on the Swiss drugmaker's new RTH258 drug showed less disease activity than those on its rivals' drug Eylea. For more info, click on CREDIT SUISSE Activist shareholder Rudolf Bohli who wants to break up the bank has been in contact with the Qatar Investment Authority, one of the largest shareholders in Credit Suisse, according to newspaper Schweiz am Wochenende, without citing sources. Talks between Bohli and Credit Suisse CEO Tidjane Thiam focused on RBR's argument that the bank should cut overheads and take greater advantage of technology, the Financial Times reported, citing people familiar with the meeting. COMPANY STATEMENTS * Nestle said its U.S. business had initiated a recall of Hot Pockets four cheese pizza snack bites due to misbranding and undeclared allergens. The company said there had been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions. * Sonova Holding said first--half normalized EBITDA was up 17 percent at 241 million Swiss francs and confirmed its full-year 2017/18 outlook. * Huber+Suhner said it was acquiring Inwave Elektronik, a Swiss specialist in microwave and RF-over-fiber solutions which convert radio frequencies to analogue fiber optic signals and vice versa. * Meyer Burger said it has sold its non-PV related diamond wire production business. * Romande Energie Holding said is selling Tecfor SA to a construction group in western Switzerland. * Metall Zug Group's Schleuniger Holding AG has signed an agreement to acquire 60 percent of adaptronic Pruftechnik GmbH, based in Wertheim, Germany. * VP Bank appointed Urs Monstein as chief operating officer. Monstein, the bank said, has spent the past ten years working for Julius Baer and currently holds the position of global head IT / chief information officer. ECONOMY The Swiss National Bank is due to publish details of sight deposits at 0900 GMT.

(Reporting by Zurich newsroom)

Daily Swiss stock market report in German................ All SMI constituent stocks............................ News on major Swiss stock price moves.................. FTSE Eurotop 300 index................................ DJ STOXX index........................................ Top 10 STOXX sectors............................. Top 10 EUROSTOXX sectors........................ Top 10 Eurotop 300 sectors....................... Top 25 European pct gainers... , losers... Swiss mid-cap index SMI futures Swiss all-share index Market statistics Swiss market digest Sector overview All Swiss news Swiss research news All equity news INTERNET ADDRESSES: Swiss Exchange / Eurex STOXX Ltd SPEED GUIDES: ))

Keywords: MARKETS SWISS STOCKS/
(Kitco News) - Major gold producers need to take a leadership role and embrace innovation to shift the tides in a sector that has been reluctant to embrace new technology, according to one mining executive.

Luis Canepari, vice-president of technology at Goldcorp (NYSE: GG, TSX: G, said in an interview with Kitco News that major producers are in a unique position to develop technologies and demonstrate how the sector can grow and benefit from innovation.

Canepari said that innovation is going to be key to a companys survival in the future. To attract investor capital to the sector, he said that companies have to show how they are becoming more efficient, lowering costs, and reducing their environmental footprint.

Very soon, you can expect that all mining companies will show investors how they are using technology to give them an edge over the competition, he said. If you want to be relevant in 10 years, you have to embrace innovation, he said.

Goldcorp is already seeing the benefits of the digital world, working closely with IBM Watson, the tech giants cognitive computing system. Canepari explained that Goldcorp has been working with Watson in a pilot project since the start of the year. In the first phase, Goldcorp used cognitive computing to correlate data from its Red Lake project.

Our geologist do lots of manual analysis and now with the Watson they can run queries 90% faster than before, he said. Our geologists in Red Lake are really pleased with the results they have seen.

With the success of the first phase of its pilot project, Goldcorp is now planning to use Watson to actually find potential drill targets.

We think that by the third quarter of next year we will have drill targets from Watson that we can compared to what our exploration team comes up with, he said. We will see who comes up with the best targets.

Along with using artificial intelligence to find new deposits, Canepari said that Goldcorp has implemented a connected-mine program, installing sensors within its mines to collect real-time data to actively manage daily production. He added that the company is also planning to install several autonomous drills in its underground and open pit projects next year.

Goldcorp is also the driving force behind a unique event at the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada: #DisruptMining. The event showcases innovative ideas and new technologies that can be incorporated in the mining sector.

We need to open up a forum that highlights the incubators in this sector, the university professors, the small cap companies and entrepreneurs who have great transformative ideas, he said. We need to give these people the opportunity to present their ideas and back those ideas with capital.

Canepari, said that the innovation initiative is working. Goldcorp has invested in pilot projects and new technologies and some of Goldcorps peers have also engaged with some of the companies that have presented their ideas in past competitions.

While Goldcorp is becoming a tech leader in the mining space, Canepari acknowledged that there are still major hurdles for some of this technology to become mainstream.

He noted that one major hurdle is the time it takes to get a mine up and running. He explained that from discovery to construction, it can take up to 10 or even 15 years before a mine starts producing.

However, he added that as companies like Goldcorp develop technologies, he would expect costs to come down, making it a lot easier and cheaper for smaller mines to modernize.

As the cost of technology comes down, you are going to see more companies embrace innovation, he said. The Tide is already starting to shift.
ISTANBUL, Nov 13 (Reuters) - Here are news, reports and events that may affect Turkish financial markets on Monday.

The lira stood at 3.8600 against the U.S. dollar at 0517 GMT, firming from a close of 3.8686 on Friday.

The yield on the benchmark 10-year bond was at 12.30 percent in spot trade on Friday and rose to 12.33 percent in Monday-dated trade.

The main BIST 100 share index fell 1.18 percent to 108,949.35 points on Friday.

GLOBAL MARKETS

Asian shares stepped back in cautious trade on Monday as investors look to see whether U.S. Republicans can hammer a tax reform deal quickly, while the British pound fell on growing doubts over Prime Minister Theresa May's leadership. Tokyo's benchmark Nikkei dropped 0.7 percent, bringing down MSCI's Asia-Pacific Index 0.4 percent. ERDOGAN TO RUSSIA

President Tayyip Erdogan will travel to Russia where he will meet President Vladimir Putin. He is scheduled to leave from Istanbul's Ataturk airport at 1130 GMT.

At the weekend, Defence Minister Nurettin Canikli said Turkey's purchase of Russian S-400 surface-to-air missiles had been completed but Ankara is discussing a further deal with a European consortium to help it develop its own missile defence system. CURRENT ACCOUNT The central bank will release current account data for September (0700 GMT). In a Reuters poll, the data was forecast to show a deficit of $4.125 billion.

CENTRAL BANK SURVEY The central bank will release its monthly survey of economists' and business leaders' expectations for the economy (1130 GMT).

U.S. RELATIONS

Turkey has dismissed what it said were ludicrous reports that Turkish officials may have discussed a plan to seize a wanted U.S.-based Muslim cleric and hand him over to Ankara in exchange for millions of dollars. [nL8N1NI0A8

For other related news, double click on:

Turkish politics Turkish equities Turkish money Turkish debt Turkish hot stocks Forex news All emerging market news All Turkish news For real-time quotes, double click on:

Istanbul National-100 stock index , interbank lira trading , lira bond trading (Writing by Daren Butler)
KAMPALA, Nov 13 (Reuters) - The Ugandan shilling was stable on Monday, underpinned by low demand for dollars as most firms held on to the local currency to help them meet mid-month tax obligations. At 0950 GMT, commercial banks quoted the shilling at 3,635/3,645, unchanged from Friday's close. UGX Spot Rate..... Ugandan Shilling Money Guide.... Calculated Cross Rates.......... Deposits..................... Deposits & Forwards............. Uganda Equities Guide....... Uganda All Share Index........ Shilling background ..... Ugandan Debt Guide............ All Uganda Bonds............. Uganda T-Bills.............. Uganda Benchmark............. Central Bank ................ Ugandan Contributor Index.... Uganda Coffee Prices....... (Reporting by Elias Biryabarema; Editing by Duncan Miriri)

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 detail)

BEIRUT, Nov 13 (Reuters) - Lebanon's Ministry of Finance is to issue $1.7 billion in eurobonds to the central bank in exchange for an equivalent amount of T-bills, two ministry officials told Reuters on Monday.

The officials said the transaction had been planned before Lebanon entered a political crisis on Nov. 4 when Saad al-Hariri offered his resignation as prime minister in a broadcast from Saudi Arabia.

The first official said the transaction had been temporarily postponed while authorities monitored the situation but would now go ahead.

He said Lebanon's central bank had agreed to take the eurobonds at yield levels that existed before Hariri resigned.

He said the fact that they were being issued now showed the ministry was confident there was support in the international and local markets.

He said the Ministry of Finance aimed to issue bonds at good rates and lower the average cost of debt, and the central bank aimed to get paper it could use for its monetary policy.

The second official said the operation was a standard procedure.

The ministry will likely issue the $1.7 billion in two series, the official added.

(Reporting by Lisa Barrington; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
* Former Catalan leader says he's open to talks

* PM says Catalan politicians just want independence vote

(Adds comment from Rajoy in German newspaper Handelsblatt)

MADRID, Nov 13 (Reuters) - Catalonia's deposed president said he might consider a solution to Spain's political crisis that did not involve the region's secession, appearing to soften the staunchly pro-independence stance that cost him his leadership last month.

In an interview with Belgian daily Le Soir, Carles Puigdemont was asked if a non-secessionist option was on the table to resolve a crisis triggered when Spain took over control of the region after its parliament declared independence on Oct. 27.

"I'm ready, and have always been ready, to accept the reality of another relationship with Spain ... It (another solution) is still possible," Puigdemont said.

"I have, being pro-independence all my life, worked for 30 years to have another way of Catalonia being anchored to Spain," he added, giving no details of what form such a relationship could take.

He posted a link to the interview, which was published on Monday, on his Twitter feed.

The former president is in self-imposed exile in Belgium after running an independence campaign that prompted authorities in Madrid to fire his cabinet, dissolve the regional parliament and call new elections for December.

Puigdemont, who had previously insisted the independence declaration should form the basis of any political negotiations with Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, is under conditional release after an international arrest warrant was served against him.

He and four other former members of the Catalan government with him in Belgium face charges of rebellion and sedition.

'THERE WAS NO ALTERNATIVE'

Rajoy has said he was open to talks with Catalan leaders on resolving Spain's worst political crisis since its return to democracy four decades ago, but only within a legal framework and after the independence drive was dropped as a condition.

In an interview with German newspaper Handelsblatt published on Monday, Rajoy said the position of the former Catalan leaders focused on the independence vote and gave little room beyond that for debate.

"Many blame me for not seeking political solutions. But I've been in politics for a long time and ... there was no alternative," Rajoy said, adding that the Catalan crisis was the largest problem he had had to face as prime minister.

He said had tried to reach a compromise with the regional government, but it was impossible. "The government of Catalonia had only one goal - the independence referendum," he said.

The Spanish government has called regional elections for Dec. 21, and Puigdemont's PDeCAT has failed to agree on a united ticket with other secessionist party, the ERC, denting the pro-independence camp's hopes of uniting behind the secessionist cause.

The head of the ERC and former deputy to Puigdemont, Oriol Junqueras, will campaign for his party from a prison cell after being detained with other cabinet members who remained in Spain and pending trial on sedition and rebellion charges.

According to an opinion poll released last week, independence supporters would win the election if they ran on a joint ticket, though probably short of a parliamentary majority.

(Reporting by Robert-Jan Bartunek in Brussels and Michael Nienaber in Berlin; Writing by Paul Day; Editing by Sonya Dowsett and John Stonestreet)

, 13 . (Reuters) -                ,        ,            .

     Le Soir,  Carles Puigdemont                                 ,          27 .

"               ...   ",   Puigdemont.

"       ,   30             ," ,            .

      ,               ,            .

(Robert-Jan Bartunek    Michael Nienaber  )
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
By Yun Suh-young



Artists and organizations which were shunned from support due to being blacklisted by the previous government have been restored to their positions and are eligible to receive funding, according to the Arts Council of Korea, Monday.



One of the blacklisted groups, the Lee Yoon-taek Yeonheedan Street Troupe, recently received 20 million won for their work, "Time to dedicate the flower," after passing a two-part deliberation process for 2017-2018 funding for a creative operatic production. Two other projects were also selected to receive government funding. When the finished works are showcased next year sometime between March and April, the final winner will be selected and be entitled to 150 million to 280 million won for a larger production.



Lee's project was refused funding in 2015 despite topping the recommendation list by the Arts Council of Korea. This was apparently largely due to Lee's political stance of supporting Moon Jae-in in the 2012 election when Park Geun-hye was elected president. Lee is an eminent figure in the theater industry.



Twenty-two works have been selected this year by the Arts Council of Korea, several of which were refused government support by the previous administration.



Support for writers has also been resumed. Of six writers who attended the International Istanbul Book Fair, those who were blacklisted previously such as Ahn Do-hyun, Chun Yang-hee and Kim Ae-ran, were included.



Government funds of 500 million won have been set aside to support publication of literature, while next year, the budget will be expanded to 1 billion won.



Projects supporting small organizations and theaters have also been restored, with 26 theaters being listed as recipients, while 330 million won was budgeted for next year to support arts associations to rent theater spaces.



The 790 books selected as part of the annual list of Sejong Books where the government provides 10 million won for each book to be distributed to libraries. Several books that were deemed "troublesome" during the last government, such as works by Yoon I-sang or books about the Sewol ferry disaster, were included on the list, according to the Publication Industry Promotion Agency of Korea.



The culture ministry and its affiliate organizations adopted a new system of forming the deliberation committee starting this year, whereby candidates are picked randomly from a pool of 1,000 applicants in order to prevent political intrusion and censorship.



"The committee members, selected from a random draw, will judge the works solely based on content," an Arts Council of Korea official said. "It is impossible to take into consideration a blacklist or a white-list."




European Chamber of Commerce in Korea (ECCK) Chairman Dimitris Psillakis speaks during a press conference at the organization's office in Seoul, Monday. The chairman, who is also the CEO of Mercedes-Benz Korea, asked for updates to be made to the free trade deal between the European Union and Korea. / Courtesy of ECCK



By Park Jae-hyuk

European business leaders in Korea have urged the Korean government to begin talks on amendments to the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Union (EU), citing overall changes in various industries since the deal first took effect in July 2011.

The members of the European Chamber of Commerce in Korea (ECCK) said they just want Seoul to harmonize its standards with Europe, emphasizing they are not complaining about the Korea-EU FTA or recommending renegotiation.

"After six years, there are certain updates, which are necessary for making both sides more functional to create conditions for fairer entry and play," ECCK Chairman Dimitris Psillakis said in a press conference. Psillakis is the CEO of Mercedes-Benz Korea.

"Our approach is asking the Korean authorities and agencies to support the harmonization, not to change the FTA."

After an ECCK business delegation meeting with European Commission officials in Brussels last week, the ECCK has come up with 90 recommendations in 16 industrial sectors, and stated the suggestions in its recently published white paper.

According to the ECCK, the white paper was distributed to the European embassies in Korea and to the Korean government, including the prime minister's office and other ministries regarding the issues.

The ECCK demanded the government ease the regulations discussed in the white paper, but Psillakis said the suggestions are not contradictory but complementary to the Moon Jae-in administration's policies.

ECCK President Christoph Heider said the white paper can be summarized as, "Doing businesses in Korea is rewarding but challenging."

According to the EU Ambassador in Korea Michael Reiterer, who also attended the press conference, 75 percent of Korean and European companies said the FTA has improved their bilateral relationships and allowed them to enhance their services.

In addition, the foreign direct investment by the EU in Korea last year has grown to $7.4 billion, which is three times more than it was in 2015 and is the biggest ever in Korea's history.

The trade volume between Korea and Europe has increased by 30 percent over the past six years as well.

As unexpected changes have happened of late in various industries, however, the European companies have started feeling the necessity for updates of the Korea-EU FTA.

Heider said there has been no progress since the two sides discussed the need for amendments in 2015.

Reiterer said further discussions are expected to be made in a ministerial meeting between Korea and EU in Brussels, Dec. 7.

He said both sides will also continue with informal approaches.

Korea Times intern Hwang Ga-yeon contributed to this article.


By Chyung Eun-ju

The server at Bithumb, a leading online currency exchange based in Korea, was out of action for an hour over the past two days.

The server went down at 4 p.m. Sunday as more people tried to access the site while Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash (BCH) prices fluctuated wildly, according to the Internet and Security Agency.

While the new digital token called BCH soared to a record $2,477 and then fell 50 percent to $1,224, the Bitcoin price plunged to $5,507 and shot back up to $6,400, according to CoinMarketCap on Sunday (local time).

"If the server had not been down, I could have sold my Bitcoins for a higher price," complained a Bithumb user surnamed Kim..

An investor said, "People are thinking of whether to die overnight, but the employees [of Bithumb] don't even come out of their offices.

"I lost 250 million won ($222,900) because the server was down."

Two police stood by as a precaution while frustrated investors stood outside Bithumb headquarters in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, at 10.30 a.m. on Monday.

"We are discussing measures to compensate the investors," a Bithumb official said. "We will meet our legal and social responsibilities concerning this issue."

Bitcoin's volatility reflects the uncertainty about the digital currency's future.

BCH split from Bitcoin on Aug. 1 after developers upgraded the block size from one megabyte to eight megabytes.

Block size limits the transaction speed, so developers tried to improve the speed with a SegWit2x upgrade, which raises the block size to two megabytes.

The slow speed and high cost of Bitcoin make traditional means of sending payments overseas more attractive.

"High volatility isn't going away for Bitcoin, raising questions about whether the digital currency can be a sustainable investment asset," CNBC reported Sunday.
North Korean soldiers at the truce village of Panmunjeom in the demilitarized zone (DMZ), Oct. 12. / Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk



By Park Si-soo, Choi Ha-young



A North Korean soldier defected to South Korea through the Joint Security Area (JSA) in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), Monday, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).



He was bleeding from gunshot wounds inflicted by North Korean border guards while he was defecting.



The JCS said the soldier headed toward the South from a guard post on the North Korean side of the JSA at 3:31 p.m., minutes after the South Korean military heard several rounds of gunfire. He was found bleeding on the ground on the south side of the JSA.





A North Korean soldier, who suffered gunshot wounds from North Korean forces while defecting to South Korea via the Joint Security Area, is being transferred to the operating theater at Ajou University Hospital in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, Monday. / Yonhap



South Korean soldiers crawled toward him to avoid possible additional gunfire and dragged him to the rear at 3:56 p.m. During this, the two Koreas did not exchange gunfire, according to the JCS.

He was bleeding from the elbow and shoulder, and was taken to a hospital in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, by a helicopter operated by the United Nations Command.
By Nam Hyun-woo





Yousif Mohammed's painting on Princess Diana in Arabic dress / Courtesy of Nayef Mohammed

Yousif Mohammed, a Bahraini artist and architect, is promoting peace on the Korean Peninsula, expressing his hopes to hold an exhibition of his paintings of two Korean leaders at the border area.



In an interview with The Korea Times, the 63-year-old said he wants to remind the Korean people of "who they are and what a war between Seoul and Pyongyang could cause to global society" through his paintings.



"Although I have no experience or acquaintances in both Koreas, I observed the long-lasting tension between South and North Koreas has erupted to a new level," he said.



"The idea is to possibly form an art exhibition between the borders of South and North Koreas so we can display works pertaining to both Korean leaders along with some cultural displays of nature and the history of the Korean Peninsula."





Yousif Mohammed / Courtesy of Nayef Mohammed

Mohammed has been promoting peace in the Middle East with his paintings throughout his life, sketching the region's key political and diplomatic moments, such as the Gulf War and the construction of the King Fahd Causeway, which links Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.



Of those paintings, a piece on Princess Diana's 1986 visit to the kingdom captured more attention, because it was personally acquired by Bahraini King Hamad Bin Salman Al Khalifa and was granted to Diana.



According to him, it was the first art work, which depicted Diana clad in Arabic dress.



"Art has always been a common language that anyone would understand as it reflects harmony, compassion and understanding to ultimately touch all kinds of people," Mohammed said.



Mohammed obtained his bachelor's degree in arts and design at Cairo University and is in the process of completing his Ph.D. thesis in architectural engineering and solar energy.



He said that the plan to hold the exhibition is in its initial stages, but they said they have strong hopes to hold it and are currently arranging it.



"We believe that long-lasting peace and prosperity won't be achieved without challenges, hard work and dedication towards fulfilling our goals to sustain a better future," the Mohammed senior said. "We wish and dream for a unified Korea to become a strong, independent and modern country, but at the same time we want people to not forget who they are and where they come from."



According to his son, Nayef, they came here to promote peace while studying engineering through green and solar energy, because energy has been the trigger for many conflicts and wars.



"The exhibition will support my father's envisaged architectural project to allocate a land for building a renewable international health center for people affected by any terrorist attack," Nayef said.
President Moon Jae-in, second from left, holds hands with leaders of Asian countries, including Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, right, during an opening ceremony for the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in the Cultural Center of the Philippines in Manila, Monday. / Yonhap



By Jun Ji-hye

President Moon Jae-in called on members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to enhance joint efforts to ensure peace and prosperity in Asia, Monday.

Unveiling his future vision to strengthen cooperation with the Southeast Asian countries, Moon also vowed to greatly expand Seoul's economic ties with them.

The President made the comments in a speech to the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (ABIS) in Manila. About 500 business leaders from the 10 ASEAN members participated in the summit.

"Our joint community for peace, along with the four major powers around the Korean Peninsula, will play an important role in establishing peace and prosperity in Asia," Moon said. "To that end, we need to enhance our cooperation in security and the defense industry, and jointly cope with North Korea's nuclear and missile provocations, as well as terrorism and cyberattacks."

Moon is currently visiting Manila for meetings with heads of ASEAN, comprised of the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.

Mentioning his longstanding political philosophy, "People first," Moon said it is in line with ASEAN countries' efforts to build a "people-centered, people-oriented community."

"We need to be friends who can understand each other in order to build a future together," Moon said. "I will work to extend exchanges between heads of state, governments, enterprises and students."

The President also vowed to visit all 10 ASEAN member countries during his tenure and improve the visa issuance system so people, as well as high-level government officials, can more actively visit Korea.

According to Moon's chief press secretary Yoon Young-chan, Moon also vowed to double the Korea-ASEAN Cooperation Fund from $7 million per year and significantly increase the government's contribution to the Korea-Mekong Cooperation Fund.

"President Moon's vision, announced at ABIS, will be a policy direction of the government for the next five years to enhance relations with ASEAN," Yoon said.












The leaders of South Korea and the Philippines agreed Monday to further strengthen the countries' longstanding friendship and discussed measures to better protect their people in the other's country, Seoul's presidential office Cheong Wa Dae said.

During their summit, South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte also agreed to work together in resolving the North Korean nuclear issue peacefully.

The meeting was held on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) forum in Manila.

"President Moon expressed hope to strengthen the country's relationship with the Philippines, our old friend and the chair of ASEAN this year," Cheong Wa Dae said in a press release.

It explained the Philippines were the first Southeast Asian country to establish diplomatic ties with Seoul in March 1949. It also sent over 7,000 troops to fight in the 1950-53 Korean War.

The Philippine president said he will actively support Moon's newly proposed vision for a joint community of South Korea and ASEAN, Cheong Wa Dae said.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang reaffirmed their efforts Monday to quickly normalize the countries' ties soured by the deployment of a U.S. missile defense system in South Korea, while the Chinese premier noted a "bright" future for their bilateral relations.

"As they say one must sometimes take a step back to take nine steps forward, I believe we will be able to quickly develop the countries' strategic cooperative partnership in the very near future if we work to turn our past difficulties into a chance and pool our wisdom," the South Korean leader told Li in a bilateral meeting.

The meeting, the first of its kind, was held on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) forum in Manila, the Philippines. It came two days after the South Korean president held a bilateral summit with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Danang, Vietnam, where they were attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.

Seoul-Beijing relations have been at their lowest ebb due to China's protest against the deployment of the THAAD missile defense system in South Korea.

For months, China enforced what many believed to be de facto economic retaliation against South Korea that included a ban on large group tours to South Korea and a range of non-tariff import barriers that effectively prevented shipments of many South Korean products, such as cosmetics.

The two countries agreed to normalize their ties in a joint statement issued by their foreign ministries on Oct. 31.

Li said the Seoul-Beijing relations were already facing "active" or positive changes.












Workers distribute College Scholastic Ability Test papers and answer sheets at a printing office in Sejong City, Monday. / Yonhap



By Chyung Eun-ju

With just three days left until the annual Korean College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), the ultimate exam that can make or break one's future, students across the nation are studying furiously.

Distribution of the exam papers and answer sheets started nationwide on Monday, according to the Ministry of Education.

A total of 593,527 people will take the test, 12,460 fewer than in 2016.

The exam papers will be transported to all 85 districts on Wednesday, and will be moved to 1,180 test centers on the day of CSAT, Thursday morning.

About 400 people will be responsible for transporting the test papers, with police guarding the transport vehicle.

The ministry urged people to "cooperate with police requests when near the transport vehicle."

The National Police Agency also set special traffic conditions for CSAT on Monday. Around 15,000 police will help to take those sitting the exam to the test centers to ensure people are not late.

Seoul City will also increase the number of subway, bus and taxi services and have available 800 emergency transport vehicles.

The city also delayed the clock-in time to work from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. and asked people to use public transport to minimize traffic.

Test-takers who have difficulty getting to a center should phone 119 for help.
An Apache (AH-64E) attack helicopter fires a Hellfire air-to-surface missile du ring its first live-fire exercise at a firing range in waters off the western coastal city of Gunsan, Monday. / Courtesy of Republic of Korea Army



By Jun Ji-hye

The Republic of Korea Army successfully fired eight Hellfire air-to-surface missiles at targets in the sea in its first live-fire exercise, Monday.

Twelve Apache (AH-64E) attack helicopters belonging to the Army's Aviation Operations Command took part in the drill held at a firing range in waters off the western coastal city of Gunsan. Of them, eight fired one Hellfire missile each, the Army said.

This was the first time for the Army to have carried out a live-fire exercise with the missiles since their introduction this year.

The Army said the missiles flew 3.5 to 8 kilometers in various strike formations.

The U.S. Hellfire missiles were developed for precision strikes against different targets and have been used in a number of killings of high-profile individuals. The missiles have been used by the U.S. armed forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Army said one Apache helicopter is capable of carrying up to 16 Hellfire missiles, and the unit is capable of destroying 570 enemy tanks.

"The Apache unit is the core of the Army Air Force," said Lt. Col. Joo Gyung-suk. "We will continue to improve our ability to respond to any enemy provocation."
A vandalized Seoul train with graffiti / Yonhap



By Jung Min-ho

A Seoul appellate court has upheld a four-month prison sentence for two British men, who were indicted in July on charges of vandalizing trains with graffiti.

The court rejected their appeal, Monday, saying they deserve heavy punishment.

"Given that the two were convicted of the same crime in Britain in the past, the punishment isn't too harsh," the court said.

The brothers, 25 and 23, came to Korea, July 10. Over the next two days, they tagged "SMTS" and "SMT" on two parked Seoul subway trains with spray paint.

They were scheduled to board a flight bound for their home country July 13, but police apprehended them at a guesthouse. According to officers, they initially denied the crime and claimed they were here just to travel.

Prosecutors later indicted them on charges of trespassing on public facilities and vandalism.

They are known to be members of "SMT Crew"  a notorious group of taggers founded in Britain and active across Europe.

During the trial, the two denied the connection, claiming SMT is their personal message that simply stands for "so much trouble."

In April, five members of the group were jailed in Britain for causing 340,000 British pounds of damage to trains and trams, according to media there.

Graffiti refers to street art that has been scribbled or painted illicitly, often within public view. Painting graffiti on trains is considered the "biggest status builder," according to a source. Graffiti is rapidly developing as a legitimate art form, but for government officials in some countries, it has been a big headache.

In Korea, the issue of graffiti came into the spotlight when Park Jung-soo was fined 2 million won ($1,800) for spray-painting a rat, which the prosecution saw as an insulting depiction of then-President Lee Myung-bak, on posters for the G-20 Summit in 2011.

Over the past few years, the number of graffiti cases has increased sharply  many of them committed by temporary foreign visitors, as the country is a favored destination due to its poor security and light punishment, compared to other Asian countries. In 2015, police announced they would dedicate more resources to tackling such crimes.

Under the law, those who vandalize public facilities with graffiti could face up to three years in prison or a maximum fine of 5 million won ($4,470).
A female official scans a toilet paper holder with an infrared detector. /Korea Times photos by Kim Se-jeong



By Kim Se-jeong



Tiny cameras built into cell phones and watches, or placed in subway station toilets or swimming pool locker rooms are growing threats to women in Korea. Some men even secretly film their sexual activities with their partners and some motel owners install hidden cameras in guest rooms.

Photographs and footage taken are not only enjoyed by the men who took them but they're also sold on the Internet.

In August, the government vowed to take stern action to tackle the issue, promising to step up camera detection campaigns.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government is already running such a campaign.

Starting in August last year, the city hired 50 "hidden camera officials," mostly women, to patrol restrooms in public parks, subways, schools and other facilities on a regular basis.

Recently, The Korea Times followed two officials responsible for Jung-gu, a district in central Seoul, to see how they work.

Song Jae-kyung in her 60s retired from her two-decade-long hotel career. Kim who only disclosed her last name for this article is a stay-at-home mother. Both said they applied for the program because they had time and wanted to do something meaningful.

They meet every other day at the Jung-gu district office located in Euljiro 4-ga. Their work starts with getting their equipment  radar and infrared detectors  ready and selecting places to inspect.

Inhyeon Park, a tiny public park next to the district office, was their first stop.

Arriving at the restroom building, they put out a plastic sign at the entrance that read "we are detecting hidden cameras."

"It's just to let people know what we do," Kim said.

Song with a radar detector started first, Kim followed with the infrared detector.

They moved the detectors from inside the toilet to the toilet tank, flush handle, water supply line, shutoff valve, door knob and a light on the ceiling.

"The cameras are so tiny that they can be installed anywhere," Song said.

Song suddenly called Kim, and Kim rushed to her toilet.

"When a radar detector shows a strong sign, we get the infrared scanner to confirm," Kim said.

They're not professionals and didn't know how to use it at first. They learned to use them through workshops and the field experience taught them to gauge.

When they find a suspicious spot, they call the district office and the city government which will visit the place for a special inspection with representatives from the detector manufacturer. This has only happened once so far and cameras weren't detected.

If they find real cameras, the police are called in to start investigation.

In Korea, installing hidden cameras can be punished with up to 5 years in prison or up to 10 million won in fines  but most perpetrators pay the fines and go home.












President Moon Jae-in delivers an address to the National Assembly, Nov. 1. He encouraged lawmakers to support the holding of a referendum on a constitutional revision in tandem with local elections slated for next June, saying if the country misses the opportunity, it will not be easy to collect public opinion on the revision for several more years. / Courtesy of Cheong Wa Dae



Parties divided over what, when to amend

By Kim Rahn

The constitutional revision has recently become a hot political issue.

All political parties agree on the need for a revision, as some aspects of the 30-year-old Constitution do not meet the public's needs in the 21st century.

President Moon Jae-in is seeking a referendum on the revision in tandem with local elections slated for next June, but the main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) is against the idea. A National Assembly special committee on the revision, which was launched in January, has not yet produced meaningful suggestions.

Attention is high on whether a revision is possible next June or in a couple of years, and what the revisions will include.

Current Constitution

Korea established its first Constitution on July 17, 1948, about three years after its liberation from Japanese colonial rule on Aug. 15, 1945.

The Constitution underwent nine revisions, which usually focused on political power arrangement, such as the presidential terms and election process.

The current one was announced on Oct. 29, 1987, following the June Democracy Movement that year against the Chun Doo-hwan military junta. It became the basis for the development of the nation's democracy in various social fields  it limited a president's tenure to a five-year single term, abolished the president's right to dissolve the Assembly, resumed parliamentary audit of the government, re-established the Constitutional Court, obliged the military to keep political neutrality, abolished press censorship, guaranteed freedom of assembly and stated minimum wage.

The Constitution has significantly and positively influenced society, but after three decades, it no longer reflects the spirit of the times as the nation's economy has expanded significantly, new industries and technologies have emerged and social norms have changed,.

Not only the political but also other sectors of society agree on the need for a constitutional amendment. In an August survey of 3,396 professors, civil servants and people in the law profession, 88.9 percent of the respondents agreed with the revision; and in a July survey of 1,000 citizens, 75.4 percent of the respondents did so.

What should be changed

A key aspect of the proposed amendment is how to delegate the presidential power, as the current system grants almost absolute power to the president.

The ruling Democratic Party of Korea is advocating for two four-year presidential terms, saying such a system will help the nation set up long-term visions for state affairs. However, the party does not propose limiting presidential power.

However, while most opposition parties agree with the two-term system, they are calling for a semi-presidential system in which the Assembly selects a prime minister. They say under such a system, the president would focus on diplomacy and security, while the prime minister would take charge of domestic affairs.

The Assembly's special committee on the constitutional amendment has held numerous hearings and forums with experts but has failed to narrow opinion gaps.

Meanwhile, with regard to the issue of reinforcing the power of local governments, all political parties generally agree and thus, only minor opinion differences among parties are expected to be resolved.

Expanding basic rights by reflecting social changes is another item on the revision agenda. All parties agree with including new rights to the Constitution, such as rights to safety, information, and health, and more effectively banning discrimination.

However, opinion is still divided on whether to guarantee the rights of same-sex couples, to grant public servants three basic labor rights, and to recognize several historical incidents in the Constitution, such as the May 18 Democratic Uprising.

When to change

While there are no signs of narrowing the divide among opinions on various issues on the Constitution, especially on how to delegate the presidential power, Moon is still pursuing a referendum to be held along with local elections next June, which was his election pledge.

"If we miss that opportunity, it will not be easy to collect public opinion for the revision. I ask the Assembly to discuss the issue for a referendum in time for the local elections," he said in an address at the Assembly, Nov. 1.

The President indicated that if the amendment talks at the Assembly do not progress fast enough in time for the local elections, the government may present its own suggestions for the revision.

Assembly Speaker Chung Sye-kyun also upheld the idea of a referendum in tandem with the June elections, saying it would be the most suitable time to implement a democratic revision of the Constitution with support from all three stakeholders  the people, the Assembly and the government.

"If we fail (to revise it) this time, the revision issue will likely drift for a long time. So we need to go for it," Chung said in a forum, Nov. 6.

He also proposed an ideal timeline  the special committee would finish a draft of the revision and the Assembly would form another committee to refine the draft by November, the second committee would finalize the constitutional revision bill by February, the Assembly would submit the bill in March and vote on it in May, and the referendum would be held in June.

A constitutional revision requires at least two-thirds of the votes in the Assembly and then a majority vote in a referendum.

But LKP Chairman Hong Joon-pyo opposes the idea of holding the referendum and the local elections together, claiming the revision needs more time for discussion.

"A constitutional revision is a much more important state affair than a presidential election, so we need to have sufficient discussions about it," he said in a press conference in October. Hong also said the nation's Constitution is based on the premise that the Korean Peninsula is divided, but a revised one should be made in preparation for a unified Korea.

Regarding Hong's claim, Chung said, "All parties have already agreed that holding the referendum and the local elections together is acceptable because it can save costs and ensure a high voter turnout."

Minor opposition People's Party floor leader Kim Dong-cheol also criticized Hong, saying Hong himself had called for holding the referendum and the local elections together during the May presidential election. "He changes his own words for political needs," Kim said.
Rep. Yoo Seong-min of the Bareun Party waves the party flag after being elected as its new chairman at a party convention in the National Assembly, Monday. / Yonhap



By Choi Ha-young

Rep. Yoo Seong-min was elected as the new leader of the fourth largest Bareun Party in a party convention, Monday.

Yoo was the presidential candidate of the minor conservative party, founded in January by 33 lawmakers who bolted from the bigger conservative Liberty Korea Party (LKP) following the impeachment of then-President Park Geun-hye.

The number of Bareun Party lawmakers is now only 11, including Yoo, as the other lawmakers have rejoined the LKP.

In an acceptance speech, Yoo vowed to take the path of a "reformist conservative," saying the ongoing crisis faced by the Bareun Party will make the party stronger.

"We are moving into the valley of the shadow of death," Yoo said citing a biblical passage as recited in the American movie "We Were Soldiers."

"Let's go together. Let's keep the faith we had in January, when we promised the people we would build a new conservative party."

Yoo won the leadership race overwhelmingly, garnering 56.6 percent of support, followed by Rep. Ha Tae-keung with 24.5 percent, Rep. Jeong Woon-chun with 10.3 percent and Rep. Park In-sook with 4.7 percent. The three lawmakers lost the race, but will become members of the party's decision-making Supreme Council.

The party convention came after its former leader Rep. Lee Hye-hoon resigned from the post in September due to her involvement in a graft scandal.

The LKP has courted Bareun Party lawmakers by expelling ex-President Park Geun-hye, the origin of the party split. But Yoo dismissed the call to hold a joint convention with the LKP which triggered the nine Bareun lawmakers to defect to the LKP. The Bareun Party was formed when members left the Saenuri Party, which later became the LKP.

Analysts have commonly urged the Bareun Party to generate its own policy ideas in line with its core values  warm and clean conservatism with a competitive edge and a focus on national security and social welfare. So far, the Bareun Party has failed to prove its reason for being, showing an approval rating under 5 percent.

Yoo vowed to articulate the party's policy goals. "The most pressing task to resolve is economic polarization," he said. "The party will proactively tackle labor, education, housing and medical service issues with a clear goal to establish warm conservatism."

Yoo also touched on pressing issues. "The party will also stipulate our stance on the constitutional amendment, revision of electoral laws, political neutrality of government authorities, eradication of corruption and governance of public broadcasters."

His victory may pave the way for joint moves between the Bareun Party and the People's Party. Following the election outcome, the People's Party promptly issued a congratulatory message: "We are looking forward to larger common ground between the two parties."

On the same day, the LKP again fell into a factional dispute between Chairman Hong Joon-pyo and remaining pro-Park lawmakers. The 15 politicians who are still loyal to the ex-president called for a general meeting Monday, taking issue with the party's decision-making process when embracing Bareun Party defectors, Thursday.

In an opening statement, Hong issued a message of the party's integration to counter the liberal Moon Jae-in administration. "Let's forget the past and overcome the emotional baggage," he said in an opening speech.
By Yi Whan-woo





Lee Myung-bak

Former President Lee Myung-bak is drawing a backlash from liberal parties over his protest against the prosecution's widening investigation into his former aides in line with President Moon Jae-in's anti-corruption drive.

The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and the center-right People's Party slammed Lee, Monday, after he disparaged the probe as "political retaliation," accusing him of being "shameless" and demanding that he apologize.

Speaking before reporters, Sunday, Lee raised concerns over the investigation before leaving for Bahrain, saying "It is not helpful at all for the country's security affairs and diplomacy."

Lee was referring to the prosecution's arrest of Kim Kwan-jin, who served as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, defense minister and National Security Office chief before, during and after he was in office.

Kim is the highest-ranked figure among Lee's former aides who are allegedly linked to political interference, including the Cyber Warfare Command and National Intelligence Service's online smear campaigns during the 2012 presidential election.

Lee had remained low-key over the matter before Kim's arrest, Saturday. His outspoken criticism against Moon's anti-corruption drive was believed to be a measure to defend Kim, amid suspicions that his former aides took orders from him and therefore he should undergo questioning for possible abuse of power.

"It's never enough to say the administration of Lee was the originator of corruption," DPK Chairwoman Choo Mi-ae said during a Supreme Council meeting.

She pointed out that his successor Park Geun-hye, who was removed from office in March over an influence-peddling scandal, was elected in December 2012 amid suspicions that the Lee government conducted the online smear campaigns in favor of her.

"Lee is greatly mistaken and misunderstands if he thinks he can continually cover up criminal abuse of power," Choo said. "He is trying to make the prosecution's probe look as if it is politically motivated, but it is rather about restoring justice. He should apologize to the people over allegations of political interference instead of complaining about the anti-corruption drive."

DPK spokeswoman Kim Hyun held Lee accountable for "the destruction and regression of the country's democracy" and demanded him to take responsibility accordingly.

People's Party Chairman Ahn Cheol-soo accused Lee of being shameless, saying, "His boldness is really something to see."

The former president reacted angrily to reporters when asked whether he was briefed by his aides about the smear campaigns and told them to not ask any "questions with a lack of common sense."

In a separate media interview, he also said, "I will no longer tolerate things as this case has crossed the line."

"It was like a thief turning on a victim with a club considering Lee has dented the country's reputation and acted against common sense," Ahn said. "It appears to me as if Lee does not know how to feel shame."

DPK floor leader Kim Dong-cheol demanded Lee kneel before the people, repent his wrongdoings and offer an apology, while urging the prosecution to carry out its investigation in a fair and objective manner.
By Bahk Eun-ji



A middle school in North Chungcheong Province has been forced to move 17 chickens from its campus, because the school failed to inform the authorities about the birds.



According to the provincial education office, inspectors found a 14-square-meter chicken run at the back of the auditorium.



The school had set up the run in April to provide healthy food for its students who play sport.



Under the stock-raising law, people and organizations must inform the provincial office if they want to keep livestock in an area of more than 10 square meters, but the school did not tell the authorities.



An education office official said it was fully understood that the school was trying to do the right thing for its students.



"However, it is obviously a violation of the related law, and such a facility can cause noise and bad smells," the official said.



The school moved chickens the day after the inspection.










Biggest portal churns out fake, unvetted news



In choosing hospitals or private educational institutes, people usually search articles written by those who have had experience at these facilities before. Frequently, they will find these articles on Naver, Korea's largest portal operator.



It has just been discovered that most of these "experience stories" were fake information manufactured by business enterprises and advertising agencies.



The Seoul District Prosecutor's Office Friday booked three people who had opened about 70,000 Naver accounts with "cloned cellphones" and sold them to ad agencies for around 260 million won ($233,600), while prosecuting 48 people at 22 companies who committed "fake marketing" with these accounts.



In September last year, law enforcement officers ferreted out a group of people who rigged the rankings of the internet hit list on Naver, and this September, the prosecution clamped down on those who forged the list of the most searched ads. The alarming thing about this is that the internet portals, including Naver, are showing signs of becoming hotbeds for false information and fake news.



A recent series of articles in some of the vernacular newspapers suggests portals, which are supposed to serve as the distributive channel of information, have been reduced to "second manufacturing bases" that amplify fake news.



The latest case in point was the controversial fake story about the driver of "No. 240 Bus," who allegedly let a child off his vehicle and then kept running with his wailing mother aboard. The falsified news about the "heartless driver" became the talk of the town through social networking services and portals, publicly ostracizing an innocent man who just tried to be faithful to his profession.



The episode is but one example that demonstrates how the internet portals are allowed to distort the truth and deceive consumers entirely free of all controlling mechanisms.



The Economist, a London-based weekly newspaper, pointed out in a recent issue the most significant threat facing political leaders throughout the world is "fake news." Even in America, which puts freedom of the press ahead of all else, the U.S. Senate Standing Committee passed a law last week which permits judicial authorities to prosecute internet sites that distribute posts involved in the sex trade. Germany, too, implemented a law beginning last month that obligates SNS platform companies to monitor and erase fake news.



The trends in these countries illustrate their governments have decided not to let internet portals and search engines, such as Google, Facebook and Twitter to play the role of a breeding ground for sex trafficking and fake news.



The situation in Korea is as serious as _ if not more than _ Western Europe or North America, given that a "dinosaur portal" named Naver is all but monopolizing the domestic market and holds sway on public opinion.



The time is long past for the government to revise the Information and Communication Law to directly hold internet portals accountable for the spreading of fake news.








By Yoon Sung-won



LG Electronics has opened a home appliance distribution center in New Jersey, Monday.



The new distribution facility will work as a "logistics hub," targeting the eastern part of the world's largest marketplace for premium electronics products.



It is expected to store and distribute electronics products such as refrigerators, dish washers, ranges, washing machines and dryers manufactured at the company's plants in the United States, including the one currently under construction in Tennessee.



"East Windsor Township in New Jersey is an attractive place to do business," LG Electronics USA's vice president of supply chain division Paul Heffernan said.



"In East Windsor, we have a great facility in a great location, centrally located between New York and Philadelphia. There is a terrific workforce here and excellent transportation access, too. LG is looking forward to being a good neighbor and good corporate citizen in the home of our new facility."



LG Electronics USA started building the distribution center in October last year.



East Windsor Township Mayor Janice Mironov welcomed the decision.



"This project will generate substantial local tax incomes and new jobs, as well as new patrons for our many stores and restaurants," he said.



East Windsor Township is connected to New York and Philadelphia through major transportation networks, according to the mayor.



LG ranks third in the U.S. electronics market with a 15.7 percent share while remaining in the top perch in the premium drum washer sector for the last 10 years.



LG has continued to expand the proportion of its North American operation in total sales in recent years. The company generated 30 percent of its total global sales from North America in 2015, up from 25 percent in 2014.



Aiming at further boosting its presence in the North American premium electronics market, LG is pushing to expand infrastructure in the U.S.



To prepare for the strengthened protectionism trade policy of the Trump administration, the company is establishing a major plant in Tennessee, pouring in an investment of $250 million. Once the new plant starts operation in the latter half of next year, it is expected to be able to produce more than 1 million products a year, including premium drum washers.



LG is also planning to build an electric vehicle component plant in Detroit, investing about $25 million by early next year. The plant in Detroit is expected to mainly produce battery packs.



The electronics company is also going to build an office building in New Jersey, aiming to complete it by late 2019. The company is expected to spend $300 million on the construction of the building.




An aerial view of AmorePacific's new headquarters in Yongsan-gu, Seoul / Courtesy of AmorePacific



By Lee Hyo-sik

AmorePacific has opened its new headquarters in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, beginning a new era for the 72-year-old cosmetics maker seeking to become one of the world's top five "beauty" companies.

The completion is expected to facilitate the firm's Vision 2025 plan in which it aims to become a "great company." Toward that end, it is trying to bolster its overseas presence, innovate the way it conducts business, create additional value for employees and local companies, and expand its product portfolio.

The construction, which began in August 2014, was to demolish the previous 10-story building and create the new 22-story structure on a 14,526 square-meter site. British architect David Chipperfield designed the structure in a moon-shaped jar of white porcelain, the company said Monday.

More than 3,500 employees from holding company AmorePacific Group and its subsidiaries, who currently work at Signature Tower near Cheonggye Stream in Jongno-gu, will move into the new building, Nov. 20.

The building, which can accommodate as many as 7,000 people, will also host Samil PricewaterhouseCoopers that has signed a 10-year lease contract to use four stories from April 2018.

Its entire fifth floor is reserved exclusively for AmorePacific employees as the space will be occupied by a cafeteria, a gym, a massage room and other amenities designed to improve workers' wellbeing.

On the first floor, AmorePacific has built a museum, a library, a daycare center and other facilities that can be used by its employees and visitors.

"AmorePacific, which started its business in Yongsan in 1956, has become an exemplary corporate citizen that prospers with global communities," CEO Suh Kyung-bae said. "Our new headquarters will become a hall of beauty for the entire world."

Suh said the company will continue to work hard to be recognized as one of the most sustainable and socially responsible businesses for its employee-friendly corporate culture, a win-win partnership with small businesses and active social giving programs.

Founded in 1945 in Gaeseong, North Korea, by his late father Suh Sung-whan, AmorePacific started operations in Seoul in 1956 by purchasing a two-story building. In 1976, the company rebuilt it into a 10-story structure as it emerged as one of Korea's largest cosmetics makers.

In 2016, AmorePacific had 6.7 trillion won ($6 billion) in sales with a 1.8 trillion won operating profit, ranking as the 12th largest cosmetics firm in the world. It exported products worth 1.7 trillion won last year, mostly to its three major markets: China, Southeast Asia and North America.
Francis Van Parys, GE Healthcare Korea CEO

By Lee Hyo-sik

GE Healthcare appointed Francis Van Parys as the new head of its Korean unit, replacing outgoing CEO Sia Moussavi who has moved to Canada to oversee the firm's multi-vendor service unit there.

Prior to joining GE Healthcare, Van Parys held several key positions in marketing and sales within GE Life Sciences and Consumer & Industrial divisions. He was also recognized for his ability in sales force effectiveness and deployment, GE Healthcare Korea said Monday.

The company said he is a general manager with a strong track record of delivering results in senior leadership roles in portfolio management, commercial operations and sales and marketing.

In addition, Van Parys has gained substantial global experience acquired from working in healthcare, life sciences and industrial business units within GE.

"I am very confident the extensive experience and leadership capabilities Van Parys has accumulated in the global healthcare market will bring a new era of partnership with Korean customers, including medical professionals and biopharmaceutical industry experts," said Sean Burke, CEO of GE Healthcare Asia Pacific.

"He is the right person to accelerate the growth of GE Healthcare Korea as we strive to expand our presence in the nation's rapidly growing biopharmaceutical market," he said.

Early in his career, he drove significant market share gains in the electrical distribution markets in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) by optimising go-to-market and channel strategies, GE Healthcare said.

The Belgian later led the consolidation of commercial operations and customer service teams for GE Life Sciences EMEA, based in Amersham, United Kingdom.

As the product general manager for research business in Life Sciences, he propelled a business turnaround by revitalising product strategies, optimizing the portfolio and delivering a new product pipeline.

Van Parys was also credited for accelerating growth with pharmaceutical and biotech customers to strengthen GE's position in upstream bioprocessing.

He received a master's degree in materials science and engineering from the University of Ghent in Belgium. He also holds a master of science in polymer technology from the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology.
By Yoon Ja-young



Louis Vuitton, which had been one of the most popular luxury brands among Korean women, seems to be losing steam.



According to local media, Louis Vuitton shops operating at a department store chain saw total sales drop by 5.3 percent between January and October this year from a year ago. Its shops at another department store chain also saw a 2.1 percent fall in sales during the same period. This contrasts with Hermes and Chanel, which recorded double digit growth at both the chains.



The exact sales and earnings figures of Louis Vuitton here are not known as it doesn't disclose the numbers being a limited liability company. Most luxury brands operating in Korea, including Louis Vuitton, switched to non-listed limited liability companies a few years ago.



The measures came after criticism that they were shunning responsibilities society expects from them, making little in the way of social contributions, while channeling most of their earnings to their headquarters as dividends and royalties.



Following the approval of the External Audit Law revision at the National Assembly, however, limited liability companies will be obliged to publicly disclose key corporate information from next year.



The reported drop in sales at department stores contrasts with a few years ago when Louis Vuitton was marking double digit growth each year. The bag of the French brand was once nicknamed "the three second bag" in Korea, meaning they were so common here that they were seen on the street every three seconds.



Ironically, analysts point out that the huge popularity made it lose its attraction as a luxury brand.



"While consumption patterns and trends are changing quickly and economic growth has slowed, competition is getting fierce as there are too many brands," noted Kim Shi-woo, an analyst at Korea Investment and Securities.



Kim pointed out that "scarcity" has become the keyword for success. In other words, Louis Vuitton bags are by now "too common to be cool."



He cited Hermes as a super premium luxury brand that sticks to such a strategy. The luxury bag makes customers wait a year or two until they get one in their hands, despite prices that are as high as tens of millions of won.



"Based on its value of scarcity, Hermes saw sales increase even after the Sept. 11 terrorist attack and during the 2008 global financial crisis," Kim said.



He also noted that Hermes raised prices in January and September this year, following a hike in February last year.



"The price hike was possible since there is huge demand despite high prices. Its sales have grown 14 percent annually on average over the past six years."



He added that super car brands such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, Bentley and Porsche are luxury brands that adopted scarcity as their main success strategy. Customers have to wait a couple of years until they get a Ferrari of which annual production is less than 8,000.



"Hermes and Ferrari are basically expensive, and they also control the quantity of production. They have a group of enthusiasts thanks to scarcity."



Louis Vuitton is also having to fight counterfeiters. According to the Korea Customs Service, Louis Vuitton has been the most counterfeited luxury brand in Korea over the past five years.




PRESS RELEASE

Putin and Trump Call for All Nations To Support Syria

Nov. 11, 2017 (EIRNS)Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump signed a Joint Statement calling on all countries to build up humanitarian assistance to Syria. Although the Presidents had no formal meeting on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Da Nang, Vietnam on Nov. 10-11, they met briefly several times, and approved this joint statement in which they agreed to the necessity of easing the humanitarian suffering in Syria and called on all the UN member countries to contribute to the effort. The document was prepared by the experts of the two countries and agreed on by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who met earlier in Da Nang today.

The statement reiterated that the conflict in Syria has "no military solution."

The statement also says:

"The Presidents agreed to maintain open military channels of communication between military professionals to help ensure the safety of both U.S. and Russian forces and de-confliction of partnered forces engaged in the fight against ISIS. They confirmed these efforts will be continued until the final defeat of ISIS is achieved."

The Presidents praised

"the successful U.S.-Russia enhanced de-confliction efforts between U.S. and Russian military professionals that have dramatically accelerated ISISs losses on the battlefield in recent months.... "They reviewed progress on the ceasefire in southwest Syria that was finalized the last time the two Presidents met in Hamburg, Germany on July 7, 2017,"

their statement read. The two had last had a formal meeting at the G20 summit in Hamburg.

They also hailed the Nov. 8 memorandum among the U.S., Russia and Jordan, which "reinforces the success of the ceasefire initiative" in southern Syria.

They agreed the final political settlement should be in the framework of the Geneva process in compliance with the UN Security Council Resolution 2254, and noted the recent statement of Syrias President Bashar Assad committing to adhere to the Geneva process, the constitutional reform and the elections in compliance with the UNSC Resolution 2254.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Sputnik that the statement was specifically prepared for the meeting in Da Nang.

The Presidents statement is posted to the State Department website and on the Kremlin website.
PRESS RELEASE

Trump to Press after APEC: Praises Putin, Rips Hacks Brennan, Clapper, Comey

Nov. 11, 2017 (EIRNS)On the plane from Da Nang to Hanoi in Vietnam today, where President Trump is being hosted in a state visit, the President opened up to the press corps, clearly energized by the historic events of the past days. He focussed at length on the importance of ending the insane Russiagate, establishing close relations with Russia and Putin, while also ripping into the "political hacks" Brennan, Clapper and Comey, the cohorts of legal assassin Robert Mueller in the coup attempt against Trump. Some quotes from the White House transcript:

On the Asia trip thus far:

"I think its been a great trip. In certain ways, its been very epic. I think things have happened that have been really amazing. Prime Minister Abe came up to me just at the end, and he said that since you left South Korea and Japan, that those two countries are now getting along much, much better.... They say in the history of people coming to China, theres been nothing like this. And I believe it."

He noted that the theater in the Forbidden City had been opened for the opera performance for the first time in 100 years.

On Xi Jinping: "We have an amazing feeling toward each other. And hes for China; Im for U.S.A."

On the Syria Joint Statement with Putin: "Its going to save a tremendous number of lives. And we did that very quickly. We agreed very quickly."

On Putin: He said that he and Putin had talked three times, all rather briefly, but productively. Asked about Russian "meddling" in the U.S. election, Trump was emphatic:

"He said he didnt meddle. I asked him again. You can only ask so many times. But I just asked him again, and he said he absolutely did not meddle in our election. He did not do what theyre saying he did."

Asked if he believed Putin, Trump said:

"That whole thing was set up by the Democrats. I mean, they ought to look at Podesta. They ought to look at all of the things that theyve done with the phony dossier. Those are the big events. Putin said he did not do what they said he did. And, you know, there are those that say, if he did do it, he wouldnt have gotten caught, all right? Which is a very interesting statement. But we have a good feeling toward getting things done. If we had a relationship with Russia, that would be a good thing. In fact, it would be a great thing, not a bad thing. Because he could really help us in North Korea. We have a big problem with North Korea. And China is helping us. And because of the lack of a relationship that we have with Russia, because of this artificial thing thats happening with this Democratic-inspired thing, we could really be helped a lot, tremendously, with Russia having to do with North Korea. And, you know, youre talking about millions and millions of lives. This isnt baby stuff. This is the real deal. And if Russia helped us, in addition to China, that problem would go away a lot faster. "And I believeI really believe that when he tells me that, he means it.... I think hes very insulted by it, which is not a good thing for our country. "But this is really an artificial barrier thats put in front of us for solving problems with Russia.... And then you look at whats going on with Podesta, and you look at whats going on with the server from the DNC, and why didnt the FBI take it, why did they leave it; why did a third party look at the server and not the FBIif you look at all of this stuff, and you say, whats going on here? "And then you hear its 17 agencies. Well, its three. And one is Brennan. I mean, give me a break. Theyre political hacks. So you look at itI mean, you have Brennan, you have Clapper, and you have Comey. Comey is proven now to be a liar and hes proven to be a leaker. "So you look at that, and you have President Putin very strongly, vehemently says he had nothing to do with that."

A reporter said: "You seem to have a fairly warm relationship with a number of totalitarian or authoritarian leaders." Trump didnt fall for the bait, responding:

"And others.... Everyone in that room [at APEC], I have a good relationship. Theyre very different people, but every one. And I do have a very good relationship with Xi, obviously. Its the biggest state dinner theyve ever had, by far, in China. He called it a state-plus. Hes a strong person. Hes a very smart person. I like him a lot; he likes me. But, you know, we represent two very different countries. But we get along very well. And thats a good thing that we along; thats not a bad thing.... I think one of my strong suits is going to be foreign affairs. And were actually getting very good marks having to do with foreign affairs. Theres nobody that I can think of that I dont have a very good relationship with.... And this artificial Democratic hit job gets in the way. It gets in the way. And thats a shame because people will die because of that as we go down the road. I have to get back into the country to see whats happening."

On Xi Jinping:

"Hes the most powerful Chinese leader since Mao Zedong. Some people say more powerful than Mao. With that being said, I really believe hes a good person, hes a good man, he wants to do right, hes representing his people. Hes strong, hes very strong. But you know, you look at some of what you saw was very impressive. It was very impressive.... We were together for hours. And we get along very well. You know, its easy to be with him for hours. Whereas, if you dont have chemistry, you people know, you cant be with somebody for two minutes. "But President Putin would be tremendously helpfultremendously helpfulif I had Russia and China helping us with North Korea, I think that would solve it. But this artificial barrier gets in the way. I call it the artificial Democrat barrier."

On Putin:
PRESS RELEASE

UNESCO Backs Campaign To Save Lake Chad

Nov. 11, 2017 (EIRNS)Nigerias Water Minister Suleiman Adamu announced that UNESCO is backing an international campaign to save Lake Chad from drying up. UNESCO is sponsoring an international conference in February in the Nigerian capital of Abuja, where the solution advocated by Nigeria and by the Lake Chad Basin Committee will be presented.

Adamu said that the commission had proposed inter-basin water transfer from Congo Basin to the evaporating lake as a measure of saving it from total extinction.

"This is a huge infrastructure project that will change the dynamics of the region and it is a long- term project with a lot of consensus to build on, as well as diplomatic issues having to do with different countries,"

Adamu said according to PM News Nigeria media outlet.

"We therefore need to do a lot of advocacy to make the members of the Congo Basin understand that we are not taking away their water but taking only 5% of the natural resource to keep the Lake Chad alive,

he said.

"We hope that at the end of the conference in February next year, we will have an international consensus on what to do, leverage on and how to get a lot of resources and funding."

Adamu, who was attending a UNESCO General Conference in Paris, said that they considered the inter-basin water transfer as the most suitable option, but that they would not, however, insist on it, and "allow the UNESCO experts to advise on any cheaper available alternatives, if any," as PM News reported. Adamu told PM News that the initial study on the project costed the water transfer project at $14 billion.

"We have a 60,000 hectares irrigation scheme under the South-Chad Irrigation scheme, which was designed to depend on intake of water from the Lake Chad to irrigate the 60,000 hectares for the production of wheat. That irrigation scheme is not working now because the water is not available. We need the water to revive that investment. All the efforts the administration had been making to boost food production and reduce food imports stands to benefit if the Lake Chad is revived,

he said.

Adamu said that a lot of other economic activities would be revived and the general livelihood of the people in the area would improve with the revival of the lake. The lake, on which the lives of 30 million people depend, is bordered by Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, and Niger; it has shrunk by 90%.

"Clearly, the major factor of the Boko Haram insurgency is that there are lots of young people that are living in that area without any opportunity whatsoever because of the shrinking lake. Herdsmen had been forced to move southward and eastward and you can see that crises are getting increased between farmers and herdsmen,

he said.
Lyft is planning to make its first trip outside the U.S. by carrying passengers in Toronto.

The ride-hailing service says its recruiting drivers starting Monday in Canadas largest city and expects to begin service sometime in December.

Its another move in Lyfts plan to compete with rival Uber, which now is in 77 countries.

Advertisement

Lyft says 50,000 people in greater Toronto already have downloaded its app.

When service begins there, Lyft hopes to have enough drivers to respond to ride requests in two to three minutes, as it does in major U.S. cities.

Lyft Chief Executive Logan Green has said the San Francisco company plans further international expansion. But Lyft wont say which city is next.

Uber has 40 million customers worldwide. Lyft wont reveal its customer count but says it does 1 million rides daily.

Lyft has been making Uber sweat. Last week, Uber Chief Executive Dara Khosrowshahi said Uber is still spending heavily on subsidies in the U.S. to keep the costs of its rides artificially low.

Right now, we have a situation where Lyft is spending very aggressively to gain [market] share, he said. Khosrowshahi said he didnt think Uber could be particularly profitable in the U.S. for at least the next six months.

Uber has been bolstering its finances, in part to better compete with Lyft. On Sunday, Uber said it had struck a deal potentially worth as much as $10 billion in which an investor group  led by Japanese telecommunications giant SoftBank and San Francisco investment firm Dragoneer  could buy a stake in Uber.

The investor group plans to buy about $1 billion of newly issued shares and make a tender offer for about 14% of Ubers existing shares, according to a person with knowledge of the deal who was not authorized to discuss it publicly.

Times staff writers Tracey Lien and Lauren Raab contributed to this report.

UPDATES:

9:10 a.m.: This article was updated with comments from Uber Chief Executive Dara Khosrowshahi and with information about Ubers deal with an investor group led partly by SoftBank.

This article was originally published at 7:05 a.m.
Fans of Fox News host Sean Hannity are fighting back against coffee maker company Keurig, which announced Sunday that it has pulled its ads from his program.

Vermont-based Keurig is one of several advertisers that have moved their commercials out of Hannitys program after he defended Roy Moore, the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate from Alabama, against allegations that Moore pursued romantic relationships with underage girls 40 years ago.

Hannity said that Moore should be given the benefit of the doubt and questioned the veracity of the accounts of the women, which first appeared in the Washington Post last week.

Advertisement

In response to Keurigs move, Hannity shared tweets from his fans that made derisive comments about the Keurig coffee maker. His supporters have also posted images showing the destruction of Keurig machines, which retail for $99.99 and up.

Hannity indicated that he will help in their protest, which has the hashtag #BoycottKeurig.

Deplorable friends, I am buying 500 coffee makers tomorrow to give away!! Details on radio and TV. Hint; best videos!! Hannity tweeted.

But Hannity called off the protest Monday afternoon after the Washington Post published a memo from Keurigs chief executive that apologized to employees, saying that the tweet announcing the pause in advertising on Hannity was outside of the companys protocol. The memo said the decision was not intended to show that the company was taking sides in a political flap.

The memo was apparently contrite enough for Hannity to get his fans to back down. Hold on to your coffee machines @keurig has recognized it got caught up & misled by a bigot. Still giving away coffee machines, which brand has yet to be determined. Stay tuned, he wrote.

Boycotts have been called against Hannity before over positions he has taken on his show. None has resulted in a significant economic impact. The watchdog group Media Matters has urged advertisers to distance themselves from Hannitys program due to his volatility and conspiracy spreading.

Hannitys fans have pressured advertisers to reverse their decisions to pull out in the past. USAA, which provides insurance to members of the military, reversed its decision to pull its ads from Hannitys show in May after a backlash on social media.

DNA testing website 23andMe, plus-size womens clothing retailer Eloquii and vitamin maker Natures Bounty have also reportedly pulled ads from the Hannity program, which has scored the highest ratings in all of cable news in recent weeks. Realtor.com has removed a tweet that stated it pulled its ads.

Keurig and Fox News did not respond to requests for comment on the situation.

Advertiser pullouts led to former Fox News host Bill OReillys firing, which followed reports that he and the network had paid out $13 million to women who accused him of sexual harassment and abusive behavior.

The boycotts against Hannity have been over views expressed on his program. The host has decried those boycotts, calling them an attack on free speech.

stephen.battaglio@latimes.com

Twitter: @SteveBattaglio

ALSO

Mitch McConnell calls on Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore to step aside after sexual misconduct allegations

Trumps agenda at stake as sexual misconduct allegations against Roy Moore turn Alabama race into a tossup

Op-Ed: Roy Moores alleged pursuit of a young girl is the symptom of a larger problem in evangelical circles

UPDATES:

2:47 p.m.: This article was updated to report the Keurig chief executives apology to employees on the controversy and Hannitys response.

This article was originally published at 12:55 p.m.
The largest two categories of Americas fastest-growing jobs offer some of the countrys lowest wages and weakest benefits.

Over the next 10 years, analysts expect to see 1.2 million more jobs for home health aides and personal care aides, according to a recent report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Those are more positions than the projected job creation in the eight other most rapidly growing fields combined.

By 2026, the home health aide industry will add 425,600 positions, an increase of 46.7%, the government estimates show. The occupations median annual wage today is $22,600.

Advertisement

The ranks of personal care aides, who handle mostly domestic tasks, meanwhile, are expected to grow by 754,000 jobs, or 37.6%. These aides typically make about $21,000 a year.

Solar-cell installer and wind-turbine technician jobs, which come with larger paychecks, are projected to grow by 105% and 96% respectively, but the tiny fields will add just 17,400 new positions in the next decade, researchers predict.

Roughly nine in 10 caretaker positions are held by women. Nearly half identify as black or Latino.

Workers in these roles share one central mission: They care for people who struggle to care for themselves. But many of these workers live in poverty, and most have little or no paid time off.

Theyre typically the breadwinners in low-income households, said Ariane Hegewisch, a labor economist at the Institute for Womens Policy Research who co-wrote a study published last year about low-wage jobs filled by women. But what they earn makes it hard for them to pay the rent, or get an education to move into better paying jobs, or look after their children.

More than half of home health aides  55%  subsist on incomes below 200% of the federal poverty line, her research found. They tend to rely on public benefits and lack the resources to set their children on an economically better path, she said.

Hegewisch said policymakers need to pay attention to this growing group of workers.

If these jobs work well, the overall health system and social care system can save a lot of money, she said.

Hegewisch has proposed using Medicare dollars to supplement caregivers wages, arguing it would reduce turnover and save the government money by keeping the elderly and the sick out of nursing homes. Nursing homes tend to be much costlier drains on the health system than home care.

Demetra Nightingale, a senior fellow at the Urban Institute, a left-leaning Washington, D.C., think tank, said demand for home health aides and personal care aides will continue to skyrocket as the U.S. population ages.

We have a lot of these low-wage jobs, and were going to need a lot of these low-wage jobs in the future, she said.

President Trump has said he aims to expand apprenticeships in the United States, and Nightingale said she hopes to see similar opportunities for domestic caretakers. Los Angeles and Seattle both have robust  and replicable  paid training programs, she said.

We need to provide career ladders for people who can meet the growing demand, Nightingale said.

Advocates for these workers also push for raising the minimum wage and a national paid parental leave plan so that aides could afford to take time off to care for a sick child or recover after a birth.

Ivanka Trump, the presidents daughter and advisor, has proposed opening paid leave to low-income workers through the nations unemployment insurance system. But the idea hasnt gained traction on Capitol Hill.

Paquette writes for the Washington Post.
Mattel Inc. stock soared more than 20% on Monday after a report that rival Hasbro Inc. made a takeover offer for the El Segundo toy maker.

The Wall Street Journal first reported the takeover offer Friday, citing unnamed sources. It said that terms of the possible deal were not available and that the offer could go nowhere.

When contacted by a Times reporter Friday, Hasbro and Mattel declined to comment on the report.

Advertisement

A tie-up between Hasbro and Mattel would put brands including Barbie, American Girl, G.I. Joe and Nerf under the same roof. Mattel has struggled with slumping sales despite the entrance earlier this year of new Chief Executive Margo Georgiadis, a former Google executive who was expected to bring her digital know-how to the toy maker.

In late October, Mattel reported a 14% drop in its third-quarter sales, excluding the effect of currency fluctuations, and suspended its quarterly dividend. It blamed some of the decline on the recent bankruptcy filing of retailer Toys R Us Inc.

Mattel shares rose 20.7% to $17.64 on Monday. They are still down 36% this year.

Hasbro shares rose 5.9% on Monday to $96.84.

Toys R Us owes big money to toymakers. Its bankruptcy sparked widespread panic 

Times staff writer James F. Peltz contributed to this report.

samantha.masunaga@latimes.com

Twitter: @smasunaga

UPDATES:

4 p.m.: This article was updated with Mattel shares closing price.

This article was originally published at 7:40 a.m.
San Diego-based Qualcomm on Monday rejected rival Broadcoms unsolicited $103 billion bid as too low, setting the stage for a hostile proxy fight for control of the company.

It is the Boards unanimous belief that Broadcoms proposal significantly undervalues Qualcomm relative to the companys leadership position in mobile technology and our future growth prospects, said Paul Jacobs, executive chairman and chairman of the board of Qualcomm, in a statement.

Qualcomm also said that the bid comes with significant regulatory uncertainty.

Advertisement

Broadcom offered $60 a share in cash and $10 in stock for Qualcomm  a 28 percent premium over the companys share price before news of the bid leaked on Nov. 3  making it the largest tech deal ever. When including Qualcomms debt, the deal is valued at $130 billion, or double the value of Dells then record-setting $65 billion purchase of EMC in 2015.

Broadcom responded Monday with a news release reasserting its commitment to the acquisition.

We continue to believe our proposal represents the most attractive, value-enhancing alternative available to Qualcomm stockholders and we are encouraged by their reaction, Broadcom CEO Hock Tan said in a statement. Many have expressed to us their desire that Qualcomm meet with us to discuss our proposal. It remains our strong preference to engage cooperatively with Qualcomms Board of Directors and management team.

If a deal is completed, the combined companies would have annual sales of $51 billion  trailing only Intel and Samsung in the semiconductor industry. Any deal will face tough regulatory scrutiny, particularly in Europe and China.

We fully expected (Qualcomms board) to reject Broadcom, said Mike Walkley, an analyst with Canaccord Genuity. Broadcoms bid of $70 per share, and Qualcomms rejection of it, shows both companies confidence that the Apple licensing dispute can get resolved.

Broadcoms bid has been seen by analysts as an offensive move that takes advantage of Qualcomms lagging stock price, which was down 18 percent over the trailing 12 months before Broadcoms takeover offer.

Qualcomms shares have been weighed down by its nasty legal battle with Apple over patent royalties, fines from antitrust regulators and slow progress on its planned $38 billion acquisition of NXP Semiconductors. Up to now, Qualcomm has preached patience.

No company is better positioned in mobile, IoT, automotive, edge computing and networking within the semiconductor industry, said Qualcomm CEO Steve Mollenkopf, in a statement. We are confident in our ability to create significant additional value for our stockholders as we continue our growth in these attractive segments and lead the transition to 5G.

Meanwhile, Broadcoms shares have surged nearly 50 percent in the past 12 months as it completed the Broadcom/Avago Technologies acquisition, paid down debt and increased revenue and profitability.

The current Broadcom was created last year when Tans Avago Technologies Ltd. bought the Irvine-based chipmaker for $37 billion and adopted the Broadcom name for the combined company. The cash-and-stock deal amounted to a 21 percent premium over the Irvine firms market value in the week before the deal was announced, according to data provided by Dealogic.

Tan brought up combining the two companies with Qualcomm in August 2016, when Qualcomms shares traded at significantly higher prices.

Broadcom will likely raise its bid, and try to force a hostile takeover by nominating members to Qualcomms board of directors to help push the deal through, Walkley said. Canaccord, which rates Qualcomms stock as a buy, believes Qualcomm shareholders are looking for a bid over $80 per share. The value assumes Qualcomm can settle its royalty dispute with Apple and receive at least $5 per iPhone, or half the value of the royalty before the dispute.

Qualcomms board members are up for re-election annually and Broadcom has until Dec. 8 to submit a slate of alternative candidates.

I do strongly believe that Qualcomm wants to remain independent, but that might be out of its control now, Walkley said. I think were in the early stages of a longer-term battle.

Coming in at 28 percent premium, Broadcoms initial offer is already one of the more generous bids among the worlds top tech dealmakers. Of the top 10 technology deals, either pending or completed, Microsofts $28 billion takeover of LinkedIn was completed at the highest markup, amounting to a 45 percent bump over LinkedIns market value in the week before the deal was announced, according to Dealogic.

Monday, Qualcomms stock closed at $66.49, up 2.97 percent. Shares in Broadcom closed at $265.01, up 0.02 percent.

Business

jennifer.vangrove@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1840 Twitter: @jbruin

UPDATES:

8:39 a.m.: This article was updated with additional details.

4:20 p.m.: This article was updated with additional details.

This article was originally published at 6:15 a.m.
The venerable Hermes has been enticed by the pop-up-shop craze but, of course, has an altogether unique take on it. The coveted French brand is inviting owners of its silk scarves to Hermesmatic, its quirky, laundromat-style pop-up where scarves can be given a complimentary dip-dyed face-lift.

The concept comes from wanting to surprise our existing and future clients by encountering Hermes in a totally unexpected location and in a very unexpected way  a laundromat, said Robert Chavez, the brands U.S. chief executive officer. The event replicates ones in New York, Washington, D.C., and Nashville.

Chavez said the initiative should appeal to Hermes scarf collectors who are looking to reinvent the pieces. Customers can choose from a range of brilliant colors.

Its like having a brand-new scarf that is still one of your favorite designs from many years back, he said.

The pop-up goes from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily through Nov. 19.

Westfield Century City, the Atrium, Level 1, 10250 Santa Monica Blvd., www.hermes.com

Max Mara

An image of actress Lupita Nyongo wearing a Max Mara coat to Varietys Power of Women New York luncheon in April 2016 will be among those shown in the upcoming Max Mara photo exhibition. (Mark Sagliocco / Getty Images)

The coat, as conceived by Italian brand Max Mara, is the subject of an upcoming exhibition in Beverly Hills. Called Wrapped in Luxury, the exhibition features 23 photographs of stylish celebrities such as the former Kate Middleton, Reese Witherspoon, Lupita Nyongo and Jennifer Lopez wearing the brands luxurious outerwear.

We live in a moment where, as a brand, you need to make a statement about who you are, said Maria Giulia Maramotti, director of North America retail, global brand ambassador and the granddaughter of Max Mara founder Achille Maramotti. We are the coat.

Outerwear is among the strongest categories for the label, which was founded in 1951. Maramotti said the classic camel coat is a staple, and lightweight coats are perfect for mild winters such as the ones experienced in Los Angeles.

Seasons no longer drive what a consumer purchases, Maramotti said. There are pieces you can wrap yourself in like a blanket or wear when its not that cold. I want our clients to make an investment in a piece and have it last.

The coats in the photos will be available at the Beverly Hills Max Mara store and retail from $2,000 to $7,500.

Max Maras Wrapped in Luxury exhibition runs Nov. 16-22 at 451 N. Rodeo Drive, (310) 385 9343, us.maxmara.com

Mestiza New York

Cocktail and formalwear from Mestiza New York is designed for those who covet a high-end look at an affordable price. (Mestiza New York)

Mestiza New York was born when its founders, Alessandra Perez-Rubio and Louisa Rechter, realized they had nothing to wear to formal parties.

Everything we liked was $5,000, Perez-Rubio said. We saw a void in the market for elevated cocktail attire at an accessible price point.

The duo launched the label in 2015, selling at trunk shows and to their friends. By their third season, the dresses were in Neiman Marcus, and demand for the couture-quality pieces is ramping up. (Moda Operandi carried select pieces until earlier this month.) And after Chrissy Teigen was spotted in a strappy, embellished Laura Bell dress ($1,695), Mestiza couldnt keep them in stock.

Other standouts from the collection, which starts at $395, include the Glitterati Trumpet gown, a floor-sweeping off-the-shoulder number with wide trumpet sleeves and gold palm leaf beading, which retails for $1,195. And another dress that the duo describe as high impact is the Shimmy Shimmy Tassel, priced at $495.

Mestiza New York, mestizanewyork.com

Tradesy

A selection of vintage Hermes Birkin bags are displayed art-gallery style in the new Tradesy space in Santa Monica. (Joe Scarnici / Getty Images for Tradesy)

After five years of running a website and mobile app for people to buy and sell pre-owned designer pieces, Tracy DiNunzio, founder of Tradesy, decided to open a brick-and-mortar location.

The 1,200-square-foot Tradesy showroom in Santa Monica opened Nov. 8 and will be a showcase for our rarest and most unique inventory, DiNunzio said. Its a boutique and art gallery with between 50 and 100 pieces on the floor.

An Hermes crocodile-skin Birkin bag for around $45,000 as well as other Birkin bags are available at the showroom.

In addition to high-demand items such as vintage trunks, Hermes bags and Chanel accessories from the 1940s, L.A. artist Illma Gore was given designer bags with which to make art. These reworked pieces include a bust of Abraham Lincoln made from Louis Vuitton-monogrammed leather and an American flag fabricated from repurposed Hermes skins.

Tradesy, 1217 2nd St. Santa Monica. Open for special events and by appointment only, www.tradesy.com

Ziran

Los Angeles brand Ziran is the only company in the U.S. to use a particular type of silk from China known as perfumed cloud clothing. (Ziran)

Theres a reason that the name of the Chinese silk used by Los Angeles brand Ziran translates literally to perfumed cloud clothing. The fabric, xiang yun sha, sourced from a town in southern China, has a powdery-soft, velvety texture.

Ziran founder Kelly Wang Shanahan, who started her label last year, fuses the silk with a modern, easy Californian silhouette.

We are the first to use the silk outside China and Korea, said Wang Shanahan. New selections include the labels Peony Chill pants, high-waisted, drawstring cropped pants with a large yet subdued peony print, as well as voluminous robes, sexy jumpsuits and reversible bomber jackets.

The pop-up will feature a DJ, and guests will be treated to dumplings made using Wang Shanahans family recipe. Prices for the clothes will range from $75 for a bandanna to $1,500 for a robe. Also, menswear will be on offer.

The Ziran pop-up is set for Nov. 17 and 18 at a location in downtown Los Angeles. Send an RSVP to info@theziran.com for the address and time. www.theziran.com

Fashion Videos

image@latimes.com For fashion news, follow us at @latimesimage on Twitter.

ALSO

Platt Boutique Jewelry and Kit Vintage bring clothes and jewelry together in Fairfax district

Best Made Co. brings its $348 axes  and an indoor archery range  to La Brea 'guys gulch'

Fall 2017 Wear LACMA collection features art-inspired wares from RTH, Gabriela Artigas & Co.
Design trends dont happen in a vacuum. The best ones reflect the world around us and capture the zeitgeist of the time in a way that resonates on an instinctual, gut level  and such is the case with color forecasting.

The process of predicting what groups of colors are destined to be most sought after, and which exact shade or hue should be designated color of the year, represents a democracy of style, not a dictatorship.

Sue Wadden, director of color marketing for Sherwin-Williams paint, leads a team of color clairvoyants who spend approximately nine months taking the pulse of the design world by attending industry shows like the High Point Market in North Carolina and the International Contemporary Furniture Fair show in New York, as well as subscribing to trend services such as the World Global Style Network, monitoring influential blogs like Design Milk and This Is Colossal, and traveling the world, before coming together to compare notes and determine trend direction.

Advertisement

Its about figuring out the colors people are going to want, before they know they want them.

Theres usually one color thats kind of transcendent, Wadden said, and this year the team kept coming back to a slate of teals.

When it finally came time to crown the color of the year for 2018, Wadden said the consensus was unanimous: Oceanside.

A deeply saturated shade of teal blue, Oceanside represents a nod toward darker interior trends, Wadden said, but not so dark that it is overpowering. Its deep and rich.

Oceanside joins In the Moment, a serene, blue-green color with a slightly gray cast that is Behrs pick as the color to watch in 2018, and there will be many more color predictions to come before we turn the page on 2017.

When asked what colors she would suggest pairing with Oceanside, Wadden said, I dont want to narrow the focus too much, but I really love this color as a midcentury accent color, or even as a primary wall color.

In keeping with that modernist, minimal feel, Wadden said she sees Oceanside working especially well with warmer wood tones, and colors like camel, burlap, black and brown. I love that combination together, said Wadden, and maybe an oxidized pop of yellow  I think that looks really cool, especially with all the warm metal finishes that are out there; copper and gold are really taking over.

In addition to naming a color of the year, the Sherwin-Williams team also presented three distinct Colormix palettes, edited collections of color, they predict will prove influential in the year ahead.

The 36 additional colors are grouped into palettes entitled Sincerity, Unity and Connectivity, with an overarching theme of unification representing a collision of international cultures and design cues.

Whether it was craft coming out of Africa or things going on in Central and South America, it was kind of like the idea of transculturalism, Wadden said . Its about unifying all of those regions into one collection.

Bonnie McCarthy contributes to the Los Angeles Times as a home and lifestyle design writer. She enjoys scouting for directional trends and reporting on whats new and next. Follow her on Twitter @ThsAmericanHome

ALSO

Youve never seen a kitchen island sink like this

This effortless Midcentury look? It takes a lot of hard work -and attention to detail

Home with a 4,200-bottle wine tower is a sign that collections are finally coming out of hiding

How online art galleries are serving up talent  and sales  without the tude
The Marlborough School announced Monday that it has reached a settlement with an unnamed former student who was sexually abused by Joseph Koetters, her English teacher.

The settlement, whose terms are confidential, came just before the case was set to go to trial and one month after the school settled with Chelsea Burkett, 33, who also was sexually abused by Koetters when she was a teenager. The women sued Marlborough for failing to protect them from sexual abuse.

I hope that our schools will take real steps to shut down predatory behavior from here forward, so that no other girls will have to go through what Chelsea and I have gone through, the unnamed former student said in a statement. This case should serve as a warning to educators that ignoring their responsibilities to the children in their care can result in serious consequences. I hope that the protection of students starts to take priority over the need to protect a schools reputation.

Advertisement

Priscilla Sands, who heads the prestigious Hancock Park all-girls school, sent out news of the settlement to people affiliated with the school.

We deeply regret and apologize for all that happened to both women as students, Sands wrote. We will be forever grateful to our alumnae for their bravery in coming forward, and truly believe Marlborough is a better environment today because of what we have learned through this process.

This litigation may be behind us, but our work is far from over, Sands continued. I pledge that transparency and advocacy for our students will remain our priorities.

David Ring, the attorney who represented both women, said in a statement that his clients were pleased.

This was incredibly difficult litigation for these two women, he said. But both of these courageous women stuck with it to the end. ... We are proud that we raised awareness that teacher-student abuse can occur anywhere, even in the most prestigious and elite private schools.

Marlborough hired Koetters in 1999, after he taught at the private Viewpoint School in Calabasas. The suit, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, claimed that Marlborough knew, had reason to know and was otherwise on notice that Koetters had previously engaged in unlawful sexual activities.

According to the lawsuit, in the spring of 2004 Koetters began paying special attention in and out of class to the young woman identified as Doe 2. He chose an explicit book, Pussy, King of the Pirates, for her to read as an extra assignment, and met with her outside class to discuss it.

The complaint states that Koetters took advantage of Plaintiffs fragile mental state during a vulnerable time in her life. He told her his marriage was one of convenience and that he and she shared a special connection.

Later that school year, they kissed on a trail, and then were involved for several months in unlawful sexual conduct, the complaint states. She was 16. Koetters was in his mid-30s. The relationship ended when Koetters wife gave birth and the teenage girl went away for the summer, the lawsuit said.

During the next school year, the plaintiff overheard a younger girl discuss Koetters advances, the lawsuit said. She confronted Koetters, who denied them.

Like Burkett, the woman identified as Doe 2 relived her trauma in 2014 when she read an anonymous article published by another student that detailed a relationship with a teacher identifiable as Koetters.

In 2015, she spoke to a therapist and shared her story in full for the first time. It was at that point, the lawsuit states, that she first realized Koetters had harmed her and that her psychological injury as an adult was caused by the sexual abuse committed by Koetters during her high school years.

Law enforcement authorities investigated Koetters and arrested him in connection with his alleged abuse of Burkett and Doe 2. In 2015, after pleading guilty to charges that he had engaged in sexual acts with the two when they were teenagers, Koetters was sentenced to a year in jail.

Burkett and the woman identified as Doe 2 also settled with Viewpoint School this weekend, the schools attorney confirmed.

There is a settlement and its confidential. Thats what Im authorized to say, said attorney Patricia Glaser of Glaser Weil Fink Howard Avchen & Shapiro. Its important for everyone to put it behind us.

The women sued the school for fraud, stating that its administrators knew that Koetters engaged in serious misconduct, including sexual harassment of girls but Viewpoint wanted to rid itself of Koetters in an efficient way. So Viewpoint, their lawsuits stated, gave Koetters a positive recommendation and said that he parted from the school on good terms.

Representatives of Viewpoint did not immediately return requests for comment. A Marlborough spokeswoman said the school had nothing to add beyond Sands message.

Sexual abuse and sexual assault are increasingly in the spotlight, and the opportunity to turn public outcry and #metoo into sustained change is boundless, Burkett said in a statement. Im proud of what weve accomplished these past three and a half years, but theres much work to come in holding organizations, industries and lawmakers accountable to a much higher standard.

joy.resmovits@latimes.com

Twitter: @Joy_Resmovits

UPDATES:

12:40 p.m.: This article was updated with a statement from Chelsea Burkett.

11:57 a.m.: This article was updated with a statement from the unnamed plaintiff.

This article was originally published at 11:45 a.m.
On a cataclysmic fall day in 2003, David Mead stood on the roof of his house using a garden hose to fight off an undulating river of embers that floated down his street.

When he saw the battle was lost, he jumped off and escaped in the car he had left running, just in case.

Meads house was one of 121 destroyed in the Del Rosa neighborhood of San Bernardino when the Old fire swept out of the mountains that day.

The decimation of that 1950s tract development at the foot of the San Bernardino Mountains illustrates a phenomenon that is commonplace in Southern California  neighborhoods built so close to forest and chaparral that they could fall to the kind of urban conflagration that wiped out a whole neighborhood of Santa Rosa in last months fires.

From Ventura to San Diego, hundreds of thousands of homes  both in mountain enclaves and flatland tracts  are part of what is called the wildland/urban interface, where there is a higher risk of fire. Thats because homes are close enough to wild land areas that ember from brush fires could spread to them.

For two decades state fire officials have been working to identify those vulnerable neighborhoods and tighten their defenses with fire-conscious building codes for new houses.

Aerial view of the Springs fire burning in the Santa Monica Mountains between Malibu and Newbury Park in 2013. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

At least 550,000 homes vulnerable

But these programs leave existing homes more vulnerable to fires. A Times analysis of the states maps for the highest-risk fire areas in Southern California shows about 550,000 residences covered by the zones. If areas with a lower but still significant fire risk were added, the number would roughly double, The Times analysis found.

Complicating the situation, some cities such as Los Angeles and San Diego have expanded the states fire zones to include many more homes, while others have not.

Agoura Hills, La Canada Flintridge and four cities of the Palos Verdes Peninsula declared their entire areas hazard zones, said J. Lopez, assistant chief for the Los Angeles County Fire Department .

San Bernardino County adopted the state boundary unchanged, despite an obvious flaw. The boundary excludes a portion of the Del Rosa neighborhood that burned in 2003. Replacement houses like Meads, built to more modern fire standards, are still outnumbered by 50s tract homes with features such as wooden siding and open eaves that would not be allowed today.

(Mapzen, OpenStreetMap, Cal Fire, Silvis Labs, city of San Diego)

Only a short distance to the west, another neighborhood of about the same age is entirely inside the zone, even though it withstood both the Old fire and the Panorama fire of 1980.

The flaws in the mapping program reflect a conundrum officials face in modeling fire behavior.

Unlike floods, which flow in predictable plains, fires behave more randomly, especially in the relatively rare instances when wind-blown embers move outside the wild land edge into residential areas.

When you have wind and embers, thats super hard to map  thats a big gap in our knowledge about how to identify the risk in a more practical way, said Michele Steinberg, wildfire division manager at the National Fire Protection Assn.

Hazard maps attempt to define a wildland/urban interface using algorithms that take into account vegetation, topography and wind speed.

In urban Southern California, small differences in where the lines are drawn can cause big swings in the numbers affected.

The Times analysis found that about 450,000 housing units currently mapped outside the zone would be included if the state used the wildland/urban interface boundary mapped by a Wisconsin research lab called Silvis.

The benefits from including so wide an area are also hard to calculate. Statistically, it is highly unlikely that any given neighborhood will become the next Santa Rosa.

The Old fire swept out of the San Bernardino mountains and destroyed 121 homes in the Del Rosa neighborhood. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

The destructive fire cycle

But the more than 100-year record of Southern California wildfires shows that some will, resulting in huge losses.

In 1961 a fire that began in a trash heap and was propelled by gusting Santa Ana winds destroyed nearly 500 homes in Bel-Air and Brentwood  including those of Hollywood stars such as Zsa Zsa Gabor and Burt Lancaster.

Less than 10 years later, in 1970, more than 400 homes in Agoura Hills, Chatsworth and Malibu were lost in a blaze that burned in a wall from Newhall to the ocean.

More recently, the Cedar fire in 2003 and Witch and Harris fires in 2007 destroyed about 3,500 homes in total across San Diego County.

Not all of those houses were in flatland tract developments like Del Rosa. But a post-mortem of the 2007 Grass Valley fire in Lake Arrowhead concluded that the mountain neighborhood burned from home to home in a pattern characteristic of a residential fire.

Home ignitions did not result from high intensity fire spread through vegetation that engulfed homes, scientists wrote in a 2008 report to the U.S. Forest Service. The home ignitions primarily occurred  due to surface fire contacting the home, firebrands accumulating on the home, or an adjacent burning structure.

In trying to strike a balance between defining hazard either too narrowly or too broadly, state law currently wavers between two standards. Areas that fall under state jurisdiction, including most rural areas, are classified in three tiers  moderate, high and very high hazard. Structures in all three zones are subject to stricter building codes.

But laws dating to the 1990s provide a less inclusive standard for areas designated local responsibility, primarily cities and urban counties. The states recommended maps show only areas where the hazard is designated as very high severity.

Very high severity zones generally stop a short distance from mountains edge, even though fires do not.

Flanked by both the San Gabriel and Verdugo mountains, central La Canada Flintridge became what Robert Stanley, director of community development, called a doughnut hole in the fire zone.

The citys solution, Stanley said, was partly motivated by fairness.

It didnt make sense to try to delineate who would have to comply with the fire codes or not, Stanley said. They said just do the whole city.

It was also influenced by lessons of the fire that destroyed nearly 2,900 homes in Berkeley.

In a wind-driven fire its not going to stop at that zone, Stanley said. Its going to drive right through.

San Diegos modifications were influenced by the devastation of the Cedar fire. When Cal Fire issued its recommended zone, San Diego found that the state had missed some areas, according to reports to the City Council at the time.

Cal Fires used to dealing with big, huge forested areas, but in our city theres a lot of finger canyons  that become a risk, said San Diego Fire-Rescue Department Assistant Fire Marshal Eddie Villavicencio, who was a code enforcement officer at the time.

The map that the city ultimately adopted, in 2009, added dozens of those finger-like extensions, plus a wide swath of central San Diego that included the community of Scripps Ranch, a neighborhood of medium to large tract homes that burned down in the Cedar fire.

(Mapzen, OpenStreetMap, Cal Fire, Silvis Labs, city of San Diego)

Before the 2003 and 2007 fires, Villavicencio said, People were just thinking only the houses on a canyon rim needed to be hardened or needed defensible space.

When you have these types of catastrophic disasters, youre going to have this deluge of embers carried half a mile or a mile away, he said.

A house on Roscomare Road in Bel-Air burns in 1961. (Los Angeles Times)

Making homes safer  at a price

New homes built in designated fire hazard severity zones must be built according to regulations laid out in Chapter 7A of Californias building code.

These include using non-combustible materials for roofs and wall sidings and eaves, attic vents that prevent embers from entering houses and double-pane, tempered glass windows.

Homeowners must also maintain a brush clearance zone within 100 feet of their property.

Even in neighborhoods demarcated as high severity hazard zones, building standards apply only to new construction.

Though retrofitting has been mandated for some hazards, such as a Los Angeles ordinance requiring seismic strengthening of some buildings, there has been no push so far, either at the state or local level, to require existing houses in fire zones to be upgraded.

Some critics of current fire prevention practices argue that spending money to harden communities would be more effective than the current focus on controlling flammable growth in the wild land.

In terms of community protection, you want to start from the house out, said Richard Halsey, director of California Chaparral Institute. Putting the money there is so much more efficient than maintaining fuel breaks and grinding up vegetation and doing prescribed burns. And its a one-time deal.

But mandatory retrofitting programs would be difficult to implement because of the vague harm associated with living in an area where a natural disaster might or might not occur, said Steinberg of the National Fire Protection Assn.

Researchers, in fact, still dont have a firm understanding of how much upgrades cost and how to weigh the cost against the benefit.

It requires some assumptions, said Stephen Quarles, a fire scientist with the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety.

A house with no close neighbors could be made safer without great expense by installing proper screens on attic vents, Quarles said.

But, he said, If your neighbor is 10 feet away, the cost would be greater but the benefit would be greater.

Insurance companies can offer incentives, too, such as providing discounts to those who do retrofit or refusing to insure those who lack protections.

Steinberg said that, unlike for disasters like earthquakes or floods, many of the fire retrofits do not require engineering solutions, such as elevating a home or reinforcing the foundation. Many are steps homeowners would take in the course of owning a home, such as replacing a roof or clearing out the rain gutters.

Although the benefits may be slow coming when building codes apply only to new construction, the effect can be substantial over time.

A fire department report after the Bel-Air fire identified wood-shingle roofs as a leading cause of the fires widespread damage to homes and the difficulty in controlling it.

Through public education as well as prohibitions in some areas, wood-shingle roofs have become rare, especially in fire-prone areas.

Fire departments in some jurisdictions ask home builders to do more than state law requires.

Nearly 10 years ago, Greg and Dana Carlson custom-built a house on a stunning plot of land in Cowan Heights, backing up to a wild area that has burned repeatedly in what is now a very high severity hazard zone.

Nick Pivaroff, Orange County Fire Authority assistant fire marshal, said his department worked closely with the Carlsons to ensure the house would be fire resistant.

The sprawling ranch-style property features metal roofing, stucco walls, and oversized timber pillars, sprinklers in the covered backyard and fire-resistant landscaping. There is even an access path for firetrucks.

It was one big check after another, Dana Carlson said of the construction process. I think it was $30,000 just for the gravel in the driveway, she said.

When the Carlsons asked for a shortened fuel modification zone, Pivaroff pushed back. The Carlsons said they ended up having to obtain an easement from neighboring Peters Canyon Regional Park to have permission to clear vegetation in what was essentially their backyard.

We knew it was a historical corridor, Pivaroff explained, referring to the 1967 Paseo Grande and 2007 Santiago fires. We knew it was going to happen again.

Earlier this month Pivaroffs prediction became reality. When the Canyon Fire 2 tore through northeastern Orange County, it stopped precisely at the fire break the Carlsons had drawn. Firefighters used the access route and even relied on two fire hoses the Carlsons had connected to their pool.

A week later charred hills could be seen from their backyard and red remnants of flame retardant still spattered the roof, but the house had been untouched.

I talked to him the day after, and all he could say was thank you, Pivaroff said of Greg Carlson.

David Mead in front of his home in the Del Rosa neighborhood of San Bernardino. He rebuilt it after the 2003 Old fire destroyed it. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

ALSO

PG&E says private power line might have sparked deadly wine country fire

Warning sirens stayed silent the night deadly wildfires swept into Mendocino County

Mudslide fears haunt neighborhoods burned by huge La Tuna fire

Santa Rosa residents warned of possible sinkholes and landslides in burn areas amid upcoming rain

UPDATES:

FOR THE RECORD

Nov. 13, 8:20 a.m.: An earlier version of this article referred to the San Gabriel Mountains. The reference should have been to the San Bernardino Mountains.
Los Angeles charter school leaders won changes to the rules under which they operate last week after they put pressure on the Los Angeles Unified School District.

Students, they say, will benefit. But some district officials say that it is better for students that the charters did not get everything they wanted.

Here is a look at what the district agreed to change, where charters backed down, and what might happen next.

Services to disabled students

The rule: A charter school reserves the right to work with an agency other than L.A. Unified to provide or pay for services to disabled students.

How best to educate the disabled has long been a point of contention. Though all public schools have an obligation to provide a free and appropriate education to all students, neither the state nor the federal government provides anywhere near the funding necessary to cover the extra expenses of serving the disabled, especially those with moderate to severe disabilities.

Some charters have been accused of making it harder for disabled students to enroll or remain in their programs. Others have been faulted for serving mainly those with milder disabilities, whose education costs less.

L.A. Unified extracts a portion of the cost for the more expensive students by essentially taxing charters who take part in its regional special education program. The district is able to provide classes for students with rarer disabilities and oversee charter schools own efforts. But under state law, charters dont have to use L.A. Unifieds program. They can use the services of any education agency in the state.

Several years ago, a large group signed up with the El Dorado County Office of Education, several hundred miles to the north.

El Dorado officials insisted that they provided sound supervision of the charter schools special education programs.

And they didnt require L.A.-based charters to pay a share for students their schools werent serving. So the charters saved money while El Dorado got a windfall from the fees they paid.

L.A. Unified eventually managed to bring most of these charters back into the fold, in part by asking less of them financially but also by adding rules that made it more difficult for charters to contract with other agencies such as El Dorado. Charters worried that their authorizations would not be renewed if they didnt contract with L.A. Unified.

Last weeks changes in the rules spelled out a charters right to contract with an agency other than L.A. Unified for special education.

Critics fear that charter operators now will have the freedom to search out the cheapest agencies, regardless of standards. In fact, under state law, they already had that option.

Charter leaders insist that the change was needed to stop the district from pressuring them to pay for special education programs that they think are inadequate or overpriced.

L.A. Unified could lose if many charter schools now look elsewhere to meet their special education requirements.

Charter school leaders backed down from a demand to curtail the authority of L.A. Unifieds inspector general, whose investigation precipitated an FBI raid of the Celerity charter network. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)

Powers of inspector general

The rule: Charters are subject to audit by LAUSD, including, without limitation, audit by the District Office of the Inspector General. Charters shall cooperate with any...inquiry and/or investigation undertaken by the District and/or the Office of the Inspector General Investigations Unit.

Charter schools wanted very much to limit the inspector generals authority to investigate. They complained that such investigations have been secretive, burdensome and so open-ended that they sometimes last several years.

The timing seemed right to push for change after control of the school board shifted in July to a majority elected with major financial support from charter backers.

But in last weeks deal with the district, charter leaders did not insist on this point. Recent events worked against them: two long-running inspector general investigations that appeared to have legs. Celerity Educational Group was raided by the FBI. And PUC Schools, which was co-founded by board member Ref Rodriguez, contacted local and state regulators alleging that Rodriguez had conflicts of interest when he authorized a series of payments while he was employed there. Rodriguez faces unrelated criminal charges for alleged political money laundering, and has denied any wrongdoing.

For now, Inspector General Ken Bramlett retains his formal authority, but he has no civil service job protection. Board members who want to respond to complaints from the charters also could use the budget to cut back his activities.

Following district policies

The rule: Charter schools must comply with district policies as they relate to charter schools and are adopted through Board action. The district will compile a list of such policies by April 1, 2018 and annual changes must be approved by the Board of Education.

This new language could prove to be the most important. Before, at least in principle, charters were expected to follow all district policies. Now, they must follow only those policies that are required by law or that the school board, whose majority was elected with major support from charter advocates, votes to apply to them.

Before, the administrators of the districts charter division could change rules for charters based on their own professional judgment and experience. The school board could overrule their decisions, but rarely did. Now, any proposed changes would have to be approved by a more charter-friendly school board.

With this opening, charters could also lean on board members to vote to change other rules. For example, some charters object to having to abide by the districts approach to student discipline. Under last weeks compromise, they still are bound by these district policies. But they now have a way to circumvent these and other rules.

Charter school leaders hope changes to L.A. Unifieds rules will result in long-term leases for charters on district property, like the one for dance-focused Gabriella Charter School at Logan Elementary in Echo Park. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Limits on leased campus space

The rule: Agreements that allow charters to use available space on campuses shall be limited to one school year and separate multiyear agreements shall not exceed five years.

These limits have now been removed, which could allow charters to become permanent fixtures on district campuses they are using.

In the recent fight over rules, charters mostly opposed district efforts to impose rules on them that went beyond state law. But when it came to their use of district campuses, they wanted L.A. Unified to do more than state law requires.

Under state law, school districts must make classrooms and other campus facilities available for charters in a way that is "reasonably equivalent" to what is provided to traditional schools. But these offers of space only have to be good one year at a time.

Charters have complained that the district really doesnt want to share space and theyve had to fight, sometimes in court, to enforce their legal rights to space. Parents of students in traditional schools, on the other hand, often complain that having charters on their campuses forces cutbacks to programs for their children.

Of the 224 independent charter schools in L.A. Unified, 89 are occupying district-owned space, according to California Charter Schools Assn., and more would want to do so. Forty-nine of the charters currently on district properties are there under the one-year agreements laid out in state law, while the others have arranged more stable  sometimes virtually permanent  occupancy.

Under the revised rules, the district also commits to settling disputes over campus space more quickly. This could provide more stability to charters trying to plan for the next school year.

Based on costs arising from such problems as sexual misconduct at Miramonte Elementary, a district-run school, L.A. Unified wanted charters to purchase more insurance. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Insurance flexibility

The rule: Charter schools can now meet increased insurance requirements by banding together or in an approved self-insurance program.

L.A. Unified has been hammered in recent years by legal claims from sexual misconduct and other problems. To avoid being blindsided by similar lawsuits stemming from problems at charter schools, over which the district has limited control, L.A. Unified required them to purchase more expensive insurance.

Charters protested that the costs were exorbitant.

The compromise is that charters now are allowed to get better rates by buying in groups. They also can self-insure, meaning they can commit to paying such claims themselves. L.A. Unified retains the authority to approve or nix these alternative arrangements.

howard.blume@latimes.com

Twitter: @howardblume
After years of rapid growth, enrollment of first-time international students in U.S. colleges and universities dipped last year amid concerns about political uncertainty, tuition increases, visa delays and reductions in scholarship money, an annual survey found.

California remained the nations most popular destination for foreign students, with 157,000 coming to the state in 2016-17. They made up nearly 16% of more than 1 million international students in the United States that year, according to the survey of more than 2,000 institutions released Monday by the Institute of International Education.

Alyson L. Grunder, a deputy assistant secretary of State, said the U.S. ability to attract the worlds largest number of international students was testament to the unmatched quality of American higher education.

But the roughly 3% decline in new foreign students in California and nationally was the first drop the institute has recorded in the 12 years it has collected such data, and the decline appears to be deepening. The institutes separate tally of data from about 500 colleges and universities found a 7% drop in enrollment of first-time students this fall  mostly at less-selective campuses.

Institute officials were diplomatic, and repeatedly declined to pinpoint President Trump s hard-edged attitudes toward immigration and foreign visitors from countries he considers sponsors of terrorism.

It really is much too soon for us yet to tell what is the definitive factor, said Allan E. Goodman, the institutes president. He said U.S. institutions need to redouble efforts to recruit more foreign students because they enrich campuses and collectively contributed $39 billion to the U.S. economy this past year.

Its a very healthy ... wake-up call, Goodman said.

Growth in foreign students is slowing

Overall, the number of international students in the United States went up by 3%, signaling a slowdown in what used to be double-digit growth. Institute officials said other countries, notably Canada, Germany and the United Kingdom, are recruiting foreign students more aggressively. Trumps travel ban and fears of crime also appeared to be factors, they said. But only 20% of institutions surveyed in the smaller sample said international students had expressed a desire to leave the country because of the social and political climate.

(Source: Institute of International Education)

California is still No. 1 for foreign students

California remained the most popular destination for foreign students, but new enrollment declined by 2.8% in 2016-17. The states share of first-time foreign students could decline further since the 10-campus University of California system limited its international and out-of-state students for the first time and raised tuition by 2.5% this year.

(Source: Institute of International Education)

China sends the most students here

More than 200 countries sent students to the United States, a record high. China was the top country of origin in California and nationally  by far. Four-fifths of campuses surveyed in the smaller sample said they were working to integrate them better into campus life with language support and address issues of academic integrity. (There have been several reported incidents of cheating and plagiarism.) The number of students coming from Saudi Arabia and Brazil declined the most  which the institute attributed to major cutbacks in their governments scholarship programs. The biggest increases came from Nepal, India, Bangladesh and Nigeria.

The most popular majors were in science, technology, engineering and math, followed by business.

(Source: Institute of International Education)

NYU beat out USC

Once again, New York University was the No. 1 host of international students. But four California universities made the top 20 list  USC, UCLA, UC San Diego and UC Berkeley. USC and most of the UC campuses bucked national trends and increased their numbers of first-time international students in 2016-17. The number of undergraduate and graduate international students in the UC system rose to 38,908 in 2016-17 from 35,035 the previous year.

(Source: Institute of International Education)

(Source: Institute of International Education)

American students favor Europe

The number of American students studying abroad increased by 4% to 325,339 in 2015-16, according to the institute. The top destinations were the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, France and Germany. Cuba saw a 58.6% increase in American students after the Obama administration eased travel restrictions, but officials said they expect the numbers to decline in the Trump era. The number of U.S. students in China dropped by 8.6%, due in part to concerns about pollution and other health and safety issues, said the institutes Peggy Blumenthal.

teresa.watanabe@latimes.com

Twitter: @teresawatanabe
Investigators have identified two people who died in an apparent murder-suicide at an El Segundo park on Saturday night, authorities said.

Police believe that Diego Lopez, 24, shot his girlfriend, Wendy Silva, before killing himself, said El Segundo Police Lt. Carlos Mendoza.

Lopez and Silva, who was 23, had been dating for about a year, he said. They were driving late Saturday night in a 2003 Chevy Tahoe when Lopez produced a handgun and shot Silva in her upper torso multiple times in the parking lot of El Segundos Recreation Park, according to police.

Advertisement

Scrapes on Silvas clothes and body suggest that she jumped out of the moving car to try to save herself, Mendoza said. Lopez drove away but immediately returned to her, got out of the car and shot himself in the head, Mendoza said.

Both were pronounced dead at the scene and a gun was recovered there, according to police. Lopez was from Lake Elsinore; Silva was from Paramount.

Police are still looking for a motive in the case, Mendoza said. Anyone with information can contact El Segundo Police Det. Paul Saldana at (310) 524-2284.

Sonali.Kohli@latimes.com

Twitter: @Sonali_Kohli.
Police are looking for a white car that sped away after a man was shot and killed in Harvard Heights, just south of Koreatown, early Monday morning, authorities said.

Officers responded to a call of gunfire at 12:18 a.m. and arrived at the 1200 block of Manhattan Place to find a man about 40 years old on the sidewalk with multiple gunshot wounds, said Los Angeles Police Det. Ross Nemeroff.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene, he said.

There was an unidentified white vehicle that sped westbound on Pico [Boulevard] after the shooting, Nemeroff said.

Advertisement

Anyone with information can contact LAPDs West Bureau Homicide Division at (310) 382-9470.

Reach Sonali Kohli at Sonali.Kohli@latimes.com or on Twitter @Sonali_Kohli.
A federal appeals court Monday partially revived President Trumps travel ban on six Muslim-majority countries, allowing it to go into effect against people without a bona fide connection in the U.S., such as close family members.

The decision by the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals means that the federal government can start blocking travel into the U.S. by most nationals of Syria, Libya, Iran, Yemen, Somalia and Chad who lack family in the country.

The order partially reversed one from Honolulu-based federal judge Derrick K. Watson, who blocked nearly the entire ban on the grounds that it plainly discriminates based on nationality. Watson ruled on a lawsuit brought by the state of Hawaii.

Advertisement

The 9th Circuit decision is a temporary measure before judges hear arguments Dec. 6 over the governments appeal of Watsons ruling. A panel of three judges  Michael Daly Hawkins, Ronald M. Gould and Richard A. Paez  is considering the appeal. All were appointed by President Bill Clinton.

Trump signed his newest travel ban on Sept. 24 to indefinitely halt travel from most citizens of the six countries, but Hawaii- and Maryland-based federal judges issued orders stopping it just as it was about to go into effect in October.

Trumps travel order also applied to North Koreans and certain Venezuelan government officials and their families, but judges allowed bans on those nationals to continue.

The 9th Circuit decision is a win for the Trump administration, which has struggled since January in three attempts to push similar travel bans that immigration advocates and federal judges have largely described as illegal.

Judges have said the presidents bans either violated immigration law or were unconstitutional in discriminating against Muslims. The Trump administration has argued in federal courts that the bans fall within presidential power and are needed to protect Americans from potential terrorism.

The U.S. Supreme Court briefly allowed a prior travel ban to go into effect over the summer as long as people with close family in the U.S. were exempt from it.

White House officials said the latest ban was written after an extensive review of vetting procedures for nations around the world. In a statement, the Department of Justice said it wanted the ban fully restored.

We are reviewing the courts order and the government will begin enforcing the travel proclamation consistent with the partial stay. We believe that the [travel ban] proclamation should be allowed to take effect in its entirety, said spokeswoman Lauren Ehrsam.

In issuing its order Monday, the 9th Circuit said that foreign nationals who have bona fide U.S. connections cannot be blocked. The court said those included grandparents, grandchildren, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins who live in the U.S.

Lawyers for the Trump administration will also argue a separate travel ban case on Dec. 8 in the U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals. That appeal is over a decision by Maryland-based U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang, who has also blocked the ban for people who do not have a bona fide U.S. connection.

Chuang wrote in October that Trumps campaign trail comments about Muslims and his Twitter postings pointed to the ban being an unconstitutional example of discrimination against Muslims.

The Trump administration has vowed to take its case over the ban to the Supreme Court. If it does, it wont be the first time. The administration was set to argue its prior travel ban in front of justices in October before the court dropped the case, saying it was moot because the prior travel ban in front of it  a temporary one  had expired.

jaweed.kaleem@latimes.com

Jaweed Kaleem is The Times national race and justice correspondent. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

More national headlines

UPDATES:

3:10 p.m.: This article was updated with a statement from the Department of Justice.

This article was originally published at 12:10 p.m.
Ill cut to the chase: I think Roy Moore did it. And I can predict what Moore supporters will say: Of course you would believe that!

After all, I called for conservatives to repudiate Moore, the Alabama Republican candidate for the Senate seat vacated by Jeff Sessions, before the Washington Posts meticulously reported story alleging that he dated teenagers and, in one instance, molested a 14 year-old-girl. So naturally I would exploit this politically timed smear to ruin a good man.

Thats the nature of the Moore-defense Im hearing, not just from folks on Twitter and email, but from prominent politicos and pundits. Its all just a hoax perpetrated by people who dont want to Make America Great Again.

Advertisement

At one point, with barely restrained pique, Moore insisted, I dont remember ever dating any girl without the permission of her mother.

I would say its a terrible argument, but calling it an argument is too generous. Heres Breitbart honcho Steven Bannon on Thursday:

The Bezos-Amazon-Washington Post that dropped that dime on Donald Trump, Bannon told a New Hampshire audience, is the same Bezos-Amazon-Washington Post that dropped the dime this afternoon on Judge Roy Moore. Now is that a coincidence?

This is typical of Bannons demagogic style. Because the Post is allegedly out to get Moore, not only can we not believe what the Post reports, we dont have to credit what any of the people talking to the Post on the record actually said. Its a kind of motivated reasoning that lets audiences connect dots and reach conclusions unsupported by the facts.

Bannon uses lots of adjectival nouns  Bezos-Amazon Washington Post!  to insinuate a nefarious conspiracy everyone is supposed to know about. He appeals to intellectual vanity and insecurity: Surely you dont believe this is a coincidence! This is a classic example of the paranoid style, inferring evil intentions from objective facts.

The most telling detail is Bannons claim that the Post dropped a dime on Trump with the Access Hollywood tape. Translation: theyre snitches!

But heres the thing: Snitches may or may not be bad people, but what makes people hate snitches is that they tell the truth. A snitch, by definition is an informer, not a liar.

And the one fact Bannon leaves out from his innuendo-drenched word-salad is that the Access Hollywood story was, actually, you know, true. Donald Trump said what he said  on tape  in his own words! Whether he was lying when he talked about sexually assaulting women is a different question altogether. The Post didnt make anything up then, and I dont think its making anything up now.

That said, Im entirely open to the idea that the Post is out to get Moore. But reporters motives arent nearly as important as people think. The Post was surely out to get Richard Nixon during Watergate; that doesnt change the fact that Nixon was guilty. During the Monica Lewinsky scandal, many people were out to get Bill Clinton (me included), but that doesnt mean he didnt have an affair with an intern and lie about it under oath. The motivations of truth tellers cannot turn the truth into a lie.

Both the Posts reporting and victims testimony are persuasive for reasons widely discussed. But theres one point no one has made: If these women were willing to lie, why not go all in and say they were raped or insist Moore wouldnt take no for an answer? In for a penny, in for a pound, after all.

But perhaps most damning are Moores creepy denials. When Fox News host Sean Hannity asked, almost begged, Moore to deny the allegations categorically, Moore was evasive, lawyerly and weird. If someone asked me if I ever dated teenagers when I was in my 30s, my reply would be absolutely not. It wouldnt be that wasnt my customary behavior. When asked if he remembered dating teenagers, Moore answered not generally, no. At one point, with barely restrained pique, he insisted, I dont remember ever dating any girl without the permission of her mother.

Thats an odd thing to say if you never dated teenagers.

Moore and his defenders are counting on the fact that his supporters dont want the allegations to be true. And, shamefully for all concerned, its working.

jgoldberg@latimescolumnists.com

ALSO

Another accuser comes forward against Roy Moore

Keurig pulls ads from Sean Hannitys show after he defends Roy Moore. Hannity fans fight back

Op-Ed: Roy Moores alleged pursuit of a young girl is the symptom of a larger problem in evangelical circles

Roy Moore responds after Mitch McConnell calls on Alabama Senate candidate to step aside after sexual misconduct allegations
Petition drive to repeal California gas tax increase temporarily slows down By Patrick McGreevy A motorist prepares to gas up her vehicle in San Rafael, Calif., in 2015. ( (Justin Sullivan / Getty Images)) Paid signature-gatherers for a ballot measure that would repeal gas tax increases may be hard to find on the streets of California this week. Organizers say its not a money issue, adding that they needed to briefly halt paid signature-gathering to catch up on collecting petitions from volunteers. The petition drive has so far collected more than 327,800 verified signatures of the 587,407 needed to qualify the measure for the November ballot, according to Dave Gilliard, the political strategist behind the drive. We knew it was popular but the incredible pace is even faster than we expected so we outran the capacity of our verification operation over the Christmas holiday and told our crew managers to slow down so we could catch up, Gilliard said. We will be back up to speed by the end of this week. The gas tax and vehicle fee increases signed by Gov. Jerry Brown are expected to raise $5.2 billion annually for road and bridge repairs and expanded mass transit. The gas tax jumped from 18 cents to 30 cents per gallon on Nov. 1, and vehicle fees of at least $25 kicked in Jan. 1. The gas tax repeal petition is breaking records for both paid and volunteer signatures and were using the next two weeks to catch up on validation of signatures already received, said Carl DeMaio, a former San Diego City Councilman and conservative radio talk-show host. As a grass-roots-funded effort we are also continuously raising funds and volunteer support. We are highly confident well qualify this Initiative for the November 2018 ballot. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

State pot bureau ready to enforce Californias new marijuana laws as license applications flood in By Patrick McGreevy The state has issued 104 licenses for retail stores to sell marijuana for recreational use in California and 239 other applications for those permits are pending, officials said Tuesday. An official with the state Bureau of Cannabis Control added that the agency is prepared to begin taking enforcement action against pot shops that are not properly licensed. The bureaus enforcement team is ready to respond to any complaints it receives and start doing compliance checks and site visits at any time, said Alex Traverso, a spokesman for the bureau. Selling marijuana without a license is a crime punishable by up to six months in county jail and a fine of up to $500. Those convicted of engaging in any marijuana business activity without a license will also be subject to a civil penalty of up to three times the amount of the license fee for each violation. A new report issued Tuesday indicated the bureau has issued 478 temporary licenses to firms to test, distribute and sell medical and recreational marijuana, which began Jan. 1 after voters approved a legalization initiative, Proposition 64, in 2016. Businesses have received 153 licenses to sell marijuana for medical use. Another 1,458 firms have applied for licenses that are still being processed. The state Department of Food and Agriculture has separately issued 207 licenses to marijuana growers. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Two possible instances of discrimination reported after California issues drivers licenses to immigrants here illegally By Jazmine Ulloa The California Research Bureau on Tuesday released its first report on incidents of discrimination under a 2015 state law that has provided drivers licenses for hundreds of thousands of immigrants here illegally. Researchers found no complaints have been made against government agencies tasked with enforcing anti-discrimination laws. But two possible instances of discrimination were reported in focus group interviews conducted by Drive California, a coalition of advocates studying the impact of the new law. In one case, a woman in Fresno was told her license was not a valid form of identification at a retail store, though it was unclear whether the incident reflected intentional discrimination or simple ignorance of the license marking, the report states. A MoneyGram clerk in another case denied a license holder the ability to cash a check. The same person was later rejected again at a bank. The state Department of Motor Vehicles has issued 960,000 AB 60 drivers licenses as of Nov. 30. The state research bureau produced the report for the Legislature as part of the new law, which declares discrimination against an AB 60 license holder a violation of the Unruh Civil Rights Act. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

California lawmaker proposes requiring panic buttons for hotel workers in response to widespread sexual harassment By Patrick McGreevy More than half of hotel workers surveyed report being sexually harassed at some point. (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times) Alarmed by a survey indicating sexual harassment of hotel housekeepers is widespread, a California state lawmaker on Tuesday proposed requiring employers to provide panic button devices to their employees so they can summon help if abused by a guest. The bill to be introduced Wednesday by Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance) would also require individual hotels to impose a three-year ban on guests who engage in harassment on the property. We want to protect our most vulnerable women workers, hotel maids who are going into rooms alone, from sexual harassment, said Muratsuchi, who co-authored the bill with Assemblyman Bill Quirk (D-Hayward). The legislation signals that concerns over sexual harassment that dominated the state Legislature last year will continue to be an issue for lawmakers as they begin the new legislative year Wednesday. Harassment allegations against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, comedian Louis C.K. and other high-profile men have involved sexual misconduct in hotel rooms. A survey in July by Unite Here Local 1 found that 49% of female hotel workers in Chicago had experienced a guest answering the door naked or exposing himself. The report titled Hands Off, Pants On, found 58% of hotel workers said they had been sexually harassed by a guest. Californias Unite Here Local 11 has been calling for the action proposed in the legislation. It is the intent of this measure to protect hotel employees from violent assault, including sexual assault, and sexual harassment, and to enable those employees to speak out when they experience harassment on the job, said the introduction to the legislation introduced by Muratsuchi. In addition to requiring hotels to provide panic buttons to employees who work alone in rooms, the bill requires hotels to take written complaints from employees and keep them for five years. Any complaint backed by evidence including a statement given under penalty of perjury would result in a guest being banned from a hotel for three years. Hotels would also be required to post a notice on the inside of hotel room doors warning guests about the consequences of sexual harassment. Updated at 4:10 pm to include comment from Assemblyman Muratsuchi. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Money, Republican malaise and Tom Steyer: These are the things to watch for in Californias 2018 statewide elections By Seema Mehta Get ready, California. What had been a behind-the-scenes dash for cash closely watched by few other than political observers is about to burst into public view. Voters this year will decide who will succeed Democrat Jerry Brown as the next governor and whether they will send Sen. Dianne Feinstein back to Washington. Before the June 5 primary, candidates will ramp up their campaigns with messages on television and stuffed into mailboxes. Heres a primer on the states two marquee races. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Fickle L.A. County is pivotal in the race for California governor By Phil Willon Home to a quarter of Californias 5.2 million registered voters, Los Angeles County is the biggest prize in Californias 2018 race for governor. For two hometown Democratic candidates especially  former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and state Treasurer John Chiang of Torrance  doing well in L.A. County is essential if they hope to best the front-runner, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom. Yet this overwhelmingly Democratic stronghold continually bedevils even the most adept campaigns. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

A renewed brawl over single-payer healthcare in California is on deck for 2018 By Melanie Mason Carolyn Angela Chen, a registered nurse, gives a free hepatitis A vaccination to Glenn Gardner, 52, at Joshua House Clinic (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) California officials are bracing for healthcare battles in Washington to have a major impact on the states budget and programs. Activists and politicians are planning a showdown over whether or not to establish a single-payer healthcare system in the state. And prescription drug manufacturers are the target of a number of bills meant to target the rising costs of medication. Sound familiar? Turns out the brewing healthcare battles in California in 2018 arent all that different from those from 2017. Heres a primer on the upcoming healthcare agenda in California: Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

How California lawmakers plan to protect the online privacy of consumers in 2018 By Jazmine Ulloa (Elise Amendola / Associated Press) With federal regulation rollbacks and a rise in data breaches, California lawmakers this year are looking for ways to protect consumers and their personal information. Some legislation under consideration could give people more notice and control over what data is collected, without having to pay for privacy or better services. Other bills could provide free credit freezes for consumers and require new privacy features for products that connect to the internet. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

2018 will see California motorists pay more to the state to repair roads and bridges By Patrick McGreevy The new year brings with it new vehicle fees in California ranging from $25 to $175 depending on the value of your car, but Republican lawmakers are hoping to qualify a ballot measure in November to repeal the higher charges. The fees and a 12-cent increase in Californias gas tax last year are part of a plan by Democrats to raise more than $5.2 billion annually to deal with a backlog of road and bridge repairs. Petitions to qualify a repeal initiative are circulating now. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

A rent control battle tops the list of California housing issues to watch in 2018 By Liam Dillon A new-home community in Anaheim in 2016 (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times) California lawmakers arent wasting any time in tackling one of the most contentious issues in state housing politics this year. On Jan. 11, the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee is set to hold a hearing on legislation that could lead to a dramatic expansion of rent control policies across the state. The debate over rent control could spill over onto the 2018 ballot, where Californians also could see proposals to expand or curtail the property tax restrictions ushered in 40 years ago by Proposition 13. Lawmakers will have to wrestle with how to follow up a package of housing bills that passed last year. The measures provided new funding and regulations designed to encourage homebuilding, but are unlikely to make an appreciable difference in housing costs. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Assemblyman Sebastian Ridley-Thomas is resigning By John Myers Assemblyman Sebastian Ridley-Thomas (D-Los Angeles) (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) Assemblyman Sebastian Ridley-Thomas abruptly announced his resignation from the California Legislature on Wednesday, citing health reasons. Ridley-Thomas, a Democrat from Los Angeles, informed Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) Tuesday night. The reason for this difficult decision is that I am facing persistent health issues, Ridley-Thomas, 30, said in a written statement on Wednesday. On December 18th, I underwent surgery for the fifth time this year. Although I expect a full recovery, my physicians advise that I will need an extended period of time to recuperate. Earlier this year, Ridley-Thomas was absent from work for more than two weeks. Staff members initially said the absence was a personal leave, then said the time off was due to unspecified medical reasons. His resignation letter on Wednesday offered no additional details. When I resume public life, I intend to remain active in civic affairs, where my passion lies, he said in the statement released by his office. Ridley-Thomas was first elected to the Assembly in a 2013 special election. He is the son of Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas. Before winning elected office at age 26, the younger Ridley-Thomas worked as an aide for Los Angeles City Councilman Curren Price and managed a 2012 Assembly campaign in San Bernardino County. In a statement about his sons decision, Mark Ridley-Thomas said he and his wife more than anyone, have seen him struggle with health challenges this year, and we fully support his decision to step down from the state Legislature so that he can recuperate with complete rest, in accordance with his doctors orders. His solidly Democratic district includes the west Los Angeles neighborhoods of Westwood, Culver City, Crenshaw and Baldwin Hills. He is chairman of the influential Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee, which oversees all tax-related legislation. Ridley-Thomas is a proponent of changes in the operation of the state Board of Equalization, though his plan would have allowed the agency to ultimately retain many of its duties. A more substantial shake-up was signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown in June. Ridley-Thomas was the author of a bill signed into law in October giving the Los Angeles Unified School District the power to preserve some of its existing single-gender schools. He was unsuccessful, though, in an effort to stop local governments from imposing taxes on streaming video services like Netflix and Hulu. Ridley-Thomas departure will require a special election in 2018. He is the fourth Southern California legislator to leave office this year. The election of Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-Los Angeles) to Congress also required a special election. The other two lawmakers Assemblymen Raul Bocanegra (D-Pacoima) and Matt Dababneh (D-Woodland Hills)  stepped down in the wake of allegations of sexual misconduct, which both men have denied. A special election to fill Bocanegras seat will be held on April 3, with a potential runoff on June 5. A special election date has not yet been set for Dababnehs seat. My colleagues and I wish Assemblymember Sebastian Ridley-Thomas all the best going forward as he deals with his health challenges, Rendon said in a statement. The Assembly will continue to assist the residents of the 54th Assembly District until a new assemblymember is seated. This post was updated with comment from Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon and Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, as well as more information about special elections. It was originally published at 11:10 a.m. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

California Senate Democrats are considering some ideas to counter the GOP tax plan By Liam Dillon Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles) (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) Democrats in the California Senate are planning to write legislation to lessen the effects of the elimination of popular tax breaks in the GOPs overhaul of the federal tax system. To finance broad-based corporate tax cuts and reductions in individual tax rates, the GOP plan caps the deductibility of state and local income and property taxes  a benefit used often in suburban areas of California. The Republican tax scam disproportionately harms California taxpayers, Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles) said in a statement. Our hard-earned tax dollars should not be subject to double-taxation, especially not to line the pockets of the Trump family, hedge fund managers and private jet owners. De Leon, who also is running for U.S. Senate, said the state Senate is working with law professors at UCLA, UC Davis and the University of Chicago to develop the legislation. Ideas being considered, according to a de Leon spokesman, include: Reducing state personal income taxes through a tax credit program and offsetting that amount through payroll taxes.

Allowing individuals to make voluntary gifts to the state of California, which would be deductible as a charitable donation under federal law. The deduction for the donated amount would replace the state and local tax deduction. Lawmakers return to Sacramento in January.

Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti admits considering a 2020 bid: I am thinking about this By Seema Mehta Eric Garcetti (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) Its no secret Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti is interested in running for president. When reporters ask about his intentions, he has used all sorts of ways to deflect, typically by saying hes focused on his day job  for the moment. But speaking in Spanish to a Univision reporter this week, Garcetti edged ever closer to the telltale admission hes actually considering it. I am thinking about this, said Garcetti, who is partly of Mexican heritage but learned Spanish attending private school. The majority of time goes to my work as mayor of Los Angeles, but every [citizen] should think about what our role is in these difficult times, in these dangerous times. Garcetti added that he expects many mayors to run for president, and noted New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio recently visited Iowa, which holds the first presidential nominating contest. Garcetti has long been rumored to be flirting with a White House bid, and he has fueled such speculation by traveling out of state to places such as the early presidential primary state of New Hampshire to campaign for a mayoral candidate. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Gov. Brown makes judicial appointments, including attorney who helps train Legislature on anti-sexual-harassment policies .@JerryBrownGov makes two court of appeal and 33 superior court appointments including Lauri Damrell in Sacramento. Damrell, an attorney at Orrick, testified at the Assemblys recent hearing on sexual harassment, outlining the assemblys current prevention efforts.  Liam Dillon (@dillonliam) December 22, 2017 Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

Californias former top cop forms marijuana distribution firm in new age of legalization By Patrick McGreevy Former California Atty. Gen. Bill Lockyer is going from enforcing laws against marijuana to legally distributing the drug under the states new rules that allow the sale and possession of pot for recreational use. With state-licensed sales of marijuana starting Jan. 1, Lockyer has co-founded a firm, C4 Distro, that will distribute packaged marijuana concentrates and edibles to stores in Los Angeles. He says Californias new regulated system has a chance to be a model for the rest of the country. For me as somebody who was on the law enforcement side for so many years, I saw the inadequacies of the effort to regulate something just by calling it illegal, Lockyer said. I think legalizing will help stabilize and help legitimize this industry and result in better consumer protection and other public benefits. Lockyer, a Democrat who served in the state Assembly and was leader of the state Senate, has co-founded the firm with Eric Spitz, who was chairman and president of the former parent company of the Orange County Register. The businessmen aim to get their products to pot shops in L.A. in late January or early February, Spitz said. Asked if he uses marijuana himself, Lockyer, 76, said, Not in any recent times, but there were college years. He said he sees his involvement in the marijuana industry as a mixture of helping to pay for his kids college tuition and public service to help the new regulations work. This whole industry has to come from the dark side to the light, he said. By focusing on delivery to as many as 700 stores that might open in Los Angeles, C4 Distro hopes to capture a targeted market while other firms distribute statewide. The business has a warehouse in southeast Los Angeles County and is close to applying for a distributors license from the state, Lockyer said. Lockyer served a quarter century in the state Legislature before he was elected as state attorney general in 1999. He left that office in 2007 when he was elected as state treasurer, serving until his retirement from politics in 2015. Before co-leading a group that bought the Register newspaper in 2012, Spitz served as chief financial officer at Narragansett Brewing Company. Spitz left the Registers Freedom Communications in 2016. 2 p.m.: An earlier version of this article mistakenly said Spitz left Freedom Communications in 2015. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

House passes disaster aid bill with wildfire funding, 18 Californians vote no By Sarah D. Wire (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) Eighteen of Californias 53 House members voted no on an $81-billion disaster aid package Thursday, which includes funds for Californias recent wildfires. The 17 Democrats and one Republican voted no on the bill, which passed the House by a 251 to 169 vote. The Senate is not expected to take up the bill until January, when Congress returns from its holiday break. The entire California delegation had recently signed onto a letter asking for the disaster aid. In a speech on the House floor before the vote, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) pleaded with colleagues not to take a political stance on a disaster aid bill. Dont play politics on a vote to give aid to the people of Texas, to the people of Puerto Rico and to the Virgin Islands, to the people of Florida, and to the people of California that are still fighting the fires. Dont play politics on a bill where you hope to maybe stop another. That would be the worst of any politics Ive seen played here, McCarthy said. Here and now, right before Christmas, dont vote against aid for Americans who just lost everything. Several of the Democrats who voted no also voted against the spending bill Thursday, and said that they felt they could not support either because the bills did not include Democratic priorities for the end of the year, including protections for people brought to the country illegally as children. Others said the aid bill doesnt provide enough money for California and doesnt treat Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands fairly in terms of competing for the funds. The 18 representatives voting no were: Nanette Barragan (D-San Pedro)

Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles)

Tony Cardenas (D-Los Angeles)

Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park)

Lou Correa (D-Santa Ana)

Anna Eshoo (D-Menlo Park)

Jimmy Gomez (D-Los Angeles)

Ro Khanna (D-Fremont)

Barbara Lee (D-Oakland)

Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose)

Tom McClintock (R-Elk Grove)

Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco)

Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-Downey)

Linda Sanchez (D-Whittier)

Jackie Speier (D-Hillsborough)

Eric Swalwell (D-Dublin)

Norma Torres (D-Pomona)

Juan Vargas (D-San Diego) Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Three California House members cross party lines on spending bill to keep government open By Sarah D. Wire Three California House members crossed party lines Thursday on a vote to pass a spending bill that will keep the government open until mid-January. Democratic Reps. Jim Costa of Fresno and Raul Ruiz of Palm Desert joined the majority of Republicans to vote for the bill. Republican Rep. Duncan Hunter of Alpine joined Democrats to vote against it. The bill, which funds the government through Jan. 19, passed the House 231 to 188, right before representatives left for the holidays. Costa said in a statement that he voted yes because keeping the government open is Congress job, but he called the vote a continuation of the dysfunction in Washington. It further illustrates the damage that results from partisan politics and irresponsible leadership. It is unacceptable that we have to resort to funding the government for weeks at a time because we cannot sit down together  Democrats and Republicans  and negotiate a real budget bill, Costa said. Hunters staff said the congressman was concerned that military spending in the bill was extended for only a short period. He had wanted the spending to be extended until September. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Poll points to all-Democrat runoffs in California races for governor and senator By Seema Mehta Californians could see two Democrat-on-Democrat contests in the states premier races in 2018, according to a new poll released Thursday. In the gubernatorial race, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom remains the front-runner with the support of 26% of likely voters in a Berkeley IGS poll. Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa came in second with the backing of 17%. The poll found notable demographic differences in the two mens bases of support. Newsom had strong leads in the Bay Area, where he once served as the mayor of San Francisco, as well as among white voters, liberals and the wealthy. Villaraigosa saw strong backing in Los Angeles County, among Latino voters and among those who earned less than $40,000. Republicans splintered in the race, placing businessman John Cox and Assemblyman Travis Allen in a tie for third place with 9% each. Two other Democrats, state Treasurer John Chiang and former state schools chief Delaine Eastin, each won the support of 5% of likely voters. If Republicans fail to consolidate behind a candidate in the June primary, voters will for the first time see no GOP candidate on the November ballot for governor. Its a repeat of what occurred in the 2016 U.S. Senate race, and what is likely to occur again in the 2018 U.S. Senate race if the field does not grow. Sen. Dianne Feinstein has the support of 41% of likely voters in her reelection bid, but her rival, fellow Democrat Kevin de Leon, won the support of 27%, according to the poll. There is no GOP candidate in the race. Feinstein, who has served in the Senate for a quarter-century, has enormous advantages in fundraising, name recognition and support among powerful political groups. However, the poll found that nearly one-third of likely voters said they are undecided or would like to support another candidate. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

California legislator wants to curb sexual harassment in Hollywood and eating disorders for models By Melanie Mason Fashion models show off the BCBG MAX AZRIA Spring 2016 collection during New York Fashion Week. (Richard Drew / AP) A new proposal by a California assemblyman is taking aim at two of the more criticized phenomena in the entertainment industry: sexual harassment and unhealthy body standards for fashion models. The legislation, by Assemblyman Marc Levine (D-San Rafael), would require the states Occupational Safety and Health Standards to adopt guidelines for fashion models in an attempt to combat the prevalence of eating disorders and excessive thinness in the industry. This is the second time Levine has tried to take on the fashion industry. His similar bill to impose standards on models sputtered in 2016. This time, Levine also is trying to address the prevalence of sexual harassment in the entertainment industry by requiring that talent agencies  which represent actors, performers and other artists  provide training on sexual harassment and how to identify and prevent inappropriate behavior. I believed women who told me their stories of abuse when I introduced legislation to provide workplace protections in the fashion industry in 2016 just like I believe them now, Levine said in a statement. Its time that law reflects societys rejection of sexual harassment in all workplaces, including Hollywood. My bill aims to address the problem before it starts, but also empowers survivors with the tools to report these cases. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Local Indivisible group picks Democrat to endorse against Rep. Duncan Hunter By Christine Mai-Duc Ammar Campa-Najjar, 28, is running against Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Alpine). (Hayne Palmour IV / San Diego Union-Tribune) With an already crowded field of contenders hoping to unseat Rep. Duncan Hunter and months to go before the candidate filing deadline, one local activist group has made an early endorsement in the race. Indivisible CA50, made up of activists mostly in San Diego County, announced Thursday that its endorsing Ammar Campa-Najjar, a Democrat and public affairs consultant whos challenging Hunter. The endorsement comes as liberal activists and interest groups all over the state are grappling with whether  and how  to winnow down the dozens of candidates vying for 10 GOP-held seats in California. The group held more than half a dozen endorsement meetings to allow members throughout Hunters district to vote on their preferred candidate. One of the candidates, Pierre Beauregard, dropped out of the race recently and endorsed Campa-Najjar. In a statement Campa-Najjar said in a statement that the nod represents the enthusiasm of hundreds of progressive grassroots activists. Indivisibles national political director Maria Urbina said the endorsement was the first made by any California chapter in the 2018 midterms. Aside from Campa-Najjar, two other Democrats are running for Hunters seat: Josh Butner, a school board trustee and former Navy SEAL, and realtor Patrick Malloy, who ran last year and lost to Hunter by nearly 27 percentage points. Hunter will also face at least two GOP challengers: Shamus Sayed and Andrew Zelt. Hunter is not considered to be particularly vulnerable in next years election, but an investigation into his alleged misuse of campaign funds has caused at least one election handicapper to move his race from solid Republican to the likely Republican column. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

San Francisco is getting a new mayor and creating a political star. Who will it be? By Mark Z. Barabak San Francisco is the city everyone loves, even if they hate it. The stately Victorians, like a gingerbread dream come to life. The majestic Golden Gate Bridge, standing like heavens portal above the fog. The plucky cable cars, scrabbling up its impossible hillsides. It can almost make you forget the bands of ravaged homeless, the paralyzing traffic, the scent of human waste wafting from sidewalks outside the citys posh eateries and palatial tech headquarters. San Francisco is getting a new mayor, owing to the sudden death of incumbent Ed Lee. All of the grandeur, and all of the grit, accompany the position. To say the race is wide open  Lee having died just about a week ago  is an understatement. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

Sen. Dianne Feinstein is under pressure over a fix for Dreamers By Sarah D. Wire California Sen. Dianne Feinstein is under pressure from activists and fellow Democrats to withhold support for a spending bill that would avert a government shutdown in exchange for protections for people brought to the country illegally as children. Feinstein said in October that protections for so-called Dreamers are the most important thing we can get done, but the senator known for her moderate bent said this week that she wont try to block the end-of-the-year spending bill over it, and has not offered an explanation. Dreamers this week flooded Feinsteins five California offices and her office on Capitol Hill. Two UCLA students refused to leave her Capitol Hill office after three hours Tuesday and were briefly detained by police. On Wednesday, about a dozen students and parents returned and were asked to leave after about 30 minutes of shouting in her office lobby. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

The GOP tax plan passed. Now Democrats have another big issue to use in the midterms By Sarah D. Wire As GOP leaders in Congress met behind closed doors to hash out the details of their massive tax overhaul, a group of UC Irvine graduate students met in Rep. Mimi Walters district, fretting about how the plan could cost them money. About 20 miles north, dozens of activists in top hats stood outside Rep. Ed Royces Brea office as they chanted, Shame on you! And up in the Central Valley, protesters gathered outside Rep. Jeff Denhams Modesto office to sing Protest ye dreary congressman  Remember that he voted to take healthcare away. To save himself from taxes now, so you will have to pay. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Kevin de Leon to Feinstein: Dont come back to California without forcing a government shutdown over Dream Act By Jazmine Ulloa State Senate leader Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles), left, and Assemblyman Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles), right. (Damian Dovarganes / Associated Press) Taking direct criticism to the woman he is attempting to unseat in next years U.S. Senate race, California Senate leader Kevin de Leon on Wednesday urged Democrats to block a year-end spending bill as leverage to pass a Dream Act  clean of GOP demands for increased border security. At a news conference in downtown Los Angeles, De Leon commended Sen. Kamala Harris for pledging to block the measure, saying he could not understand why her colleague Sen. Dianne Feinstein had failed to take a similar stance in pushing for legislation to protect the so-called Dreamers, immigrants brought to the country illegally as children. Dreamers make up hundreds of thousands of Sen. Feinsteins constituents, and while talking a good game on Dreamers, when it comes to standing up and supporting them, she is AWOL, said De Leon (D-Los Angeles), who has attempted to position himself to Feinsteins left as he campaigns for her seat. His statements follow days of demonstrations by young protesters at legislators offices in Washington and California. The coalitions of activists have been calling on Democrats to hold up the spending bill, a move that could force a government shutdown. They want to pass Dream Act legislation that would provide protections and a path to citizenship to young people without legal residency in the U.S. At least two young protesters were arrested Tuesday outside of Feinsteins Capitol Hill office, and more demonstrations took place at her offices in Washington and San Francisco on Wednesday. Feinstein, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) and Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) have sponsored Dream Act legislation but have not pledged to hold up the spending deal. A separate bipartisan group of senators is advocating punting the issue to January. President Trump has asked Congress to come up with a solution by March. Standing next to De Leon and immigrant rights advocates on Wednesday, state Assemblyman Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles) said advocates had to double down the shame on any Democrat who thinks its time to wait on the issue. De Leon said they had made that message clear to Schumer, saying, It is time to find your spine, sir. To Pelosi and Feinstein, he said: Dont come back to California if you havent demonstrated your leadership and your courage to stand up for these young men and women. I can tell you this, De Leon said. If the Republicans were on the other side, they wouldnt hesitate for a nanosecond to shut down the government to move forward what they believe in. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

12 California Republicans vote to support tax overhaul for a second time; Rohrabacher and Issa say no By Sarah D. Wire The House gave final approval for the GOP tax bill Wednesday, with 12 Republicans in the state delegation again voting in favor of the bill. Reps. Dana Rohrabacher of Costa Mesa and Darrell Issa of Vista voted no. The House and Senate both passed the bill Tuesday, but, because Democrats raised procedural objections that forced the bill to be changed in the Senate, the House had to vote on the bill again Wednesday before sending it to President Trump for his signature. Though many California taxpayers are expected to see an initial income tax cut under the plan, a significant number probably will have higher taxes because of the lost deductions. Analysts also expect the biggest cuts to flow to corporations and the states wealthiest residents. Republicans are expected to head to the White House later Wednesday for a celebration with Trump. No House Democrats, including the 39 from California, supported the bill. Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-Norwalk) was not present for the second vote, but she voted no on Tuesday. See the Republican votes here: Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Californias Democratic senators vote no on GOP tax bill Californias @SenKamalaHarris and @SenFeinstein join rest of Democrats in the Senate in voting no on the GOP tax bill, which passed 51-48 along party lines. Sanders, who is an Independent, voted with Democrats.  Sarah D. Wire (@sarahdwire) December 20, 2017 "At a time when wages have stagnated and working Americans are trying to do more with less, this tax plan pulls the rug out from the middle class to give billions to those who already have so much. This is an attack on our values, and Americans deserve better," Harris said.  Sarah D. Wire (@sarahdwire) December 20, 2017 "Californians will be hit especially hard by the cap on the state and local tax deduction, making it more difficult for communities to pay for services that our families rely on, Its no wonder a bill that primarily benefits the wealthy is so unpopular..." Feinstein said  Sarah D. Wire (@sarahdwire) December 20, 2017 Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

GOP tax overhaul passes House with help from a dozen California Republicans By Sarah D. Wire Despite weeks of consternation from some California House Republicans, a dozen of them joined their colleagues to pass an overhaul of the U.S. tax code Tuesday. Two  Reps. Darrell Issa and Dana Rohrabacher  voted against the plan. In the weeks before the vote, Republican Reps. Mimi Walters of Irvine and Steve Knight of Palmdale cited new caps on popular deductions as reasons they were uncertain about whether to vote for the bill. Both worked behind the scenes on changes and ultimately supported the bill, which passed the House on a near party line vote 227-203. Knight said hes satisfied the changes are enough to to turn what would have been a tax increase into a tax cut for his constituents. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

More than half of Californians oppose GOP tax bill, according to new poll By Sarah D. Wire House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) arrives for a news conference about the tax plan. (Win McNamee / Getty Images) More than half of Californians oppose the GOP tax bill expected to be approved by Congress today, and just 20% believe it will have a positive affect on their families, according to a poll released Monday. Just over half of California voters, 51%, oppose the tax bill, and 30% support it, according to the newest IGS Poll, a survey by the Institute of Governmental Studies at UC Berkeley. And the belief falls largely along party lines, with Democrats opposing the bill by a more than 4-to-1 (67% to 15%) margin and Republicans supporting it 3 to 1 (60% to 21%). The House and Senate are expected to vote on the tax bill Tuesday. Californias Republican members of Congress largely support the bill despite some concerns about how cuts to the state and local tax deduction and mortgage interest deduction might affect Californians. Democrats in the delegation oppose it and have said they will use the vote against vulnerable Republicans in the 2018 midterm elections. When asked about the impact they think the bill will have on themselves and their families, just 20% of the polls respondents said they think it will benefit them directly, while 40% foresee a negative impact. About 27% do not expect much of an impact, and 13% said they dont know if theyll be affected. The poll of a random sample of 1,000 registered voters was completed by telephone in English and Spanish from Dec. 7 to 16. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

A quick look at some of the biggest tax changes for Californians By Sarah D. Wire (Jacquelyn Martin / Associated Press) Congressional Republicans are framing their tax cut bill as a Christmas gift that will give Americans an average tax cut of $2,059. For Californians, especially in the wealthier areas along the coast, the situation isnt as clear-cut. When the measure comes up for a vote in the House on Tuesday morning, its expected to pass along party lines. At least two Republicans say they will join Democrats in the California delegation to oppose the plan because they fear it will hurt their constituents bottom line. Take a quick look at what some of the biggest changes in the tax bill might mean for average Californians. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Lawmakers, pot growers say Californias marijuana cultivation rules favor big corporate farms By Patrick McGreevy Californias new rules allowing marijuana cultivation favor large corporate farms despite a promise in Proposition 64 that small growers would be protected, according to a group of state lawmakers and marijuana industry leaders who called Monday for the policy to be changed. The California Department of Food and Agriculture issued emergency rules last month that allow for small and medium-sized farms of up to a quarter acre and one acre, respectively, to get licenses for the first five years. That five-year head start for small farms was promised in Proposition 64, the initiative approved last year by voters that legalized growing and selling marijuana for recreational use. Individuals and businesses can get only one license for a medium-sized farm, but the new rules do not set a limit on how many small-farm licenses can be obtained by one person or business. That could allow a corporation to assemble a 20-acre farm by obtaining 80 licenses for a quarter-acre each, opponents worry. Democratic state Sens. Scott Wiener of San Francisco and Mike McGuire of Healdsburg, Assemblyman Jim Wood (D-Healdsburg) and the California Growers Assn. asked for swift action by the state agricultural department to change the rule. This is clearly a broken promise, McGuire said. For two years, every discussion has included a cap on cannabis grows and the Department of Food and Agriculture needs to fix this massive loophole they have created. This last-minute revision rolls out the red carpet for large corporations to crush the livelihood of small family farmers. With cultivation licenses set to take effect next month, the lawmakers also promised legislative hearings on why the rules were drafted to disadvantage small, mom-and-pop farms. California only has one chance to get this right, and it is already on the wrong path with this last-minute change that flies in the face of what the backers of Prop. 64 promised, said Hezekiah Allen, executive director of the California Growers Assn. This single decision will hand over the California marketplace to multinational corporations and a wealthy few at the expense of thousands of growers who are ready to play by the rules and provide economic opportunity in communities that until recently were criminalized or  at the very least  marginalized. The industry estimates there are about 3,500 independent growers on track to get a state license in the first half of 2018. Allens group estimates that number could grow to as many as 10,000 or 15,000 by the end of 2020, but not if large corporate farms are allowed in early. The agricultural agency issued a response later: A one-acre canopy limit has not been in proposed regulations at any point and was not included in the emergency regulations due to the fact that Proposition 64, the law guiding the process, did not provide authority to include it. However, local jurisdictions may impose that limitation on their own if it meets the needs of their constituents. Updated at 5:10 pm to include comment from agricultural agency. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

Final tax bill dramatically softens blow to mortgage interest deductions in California By Christine Mai-Duc Last-minute changes to the Republican-led tax overhaul seem to be tailor-made to entice support from California GOP lawmakers, several of whom voted against a previous version passed in the House last month. The House version, passed with the support of all but three California Republicans, had proposed capping the mortgage interest deduction at loans of $500,000 or less. Republicans in high-tax, expensive states had voiced concerns the bill would have major effects in their districts. But the final version of the bill dramatically slashed the percentage of new mortgages that would be affected if the package becomes law. *New mortgages over $500,000 include data through Sept. 2017. New mortgages over $750,000 include data through Oct. 2017. Source: Times analysis of data provided by CoreLogic The particulars of the mortgage interest provision and other popular deductions were major sticking points as House and Senate negotiators hammered out a compromise between the two versions. A previous Times analysis showed that more than half of new mortgages this year in Rep. Dana Rohrabachers coastal Orange County district exceeded the $500,000 cap laid out in the House version. Text of the new bill released Friday outlined a cap of $750,000, which would apply to just under a quarter of new mortgages there through October 2017. Rohrabacher was one of three California Republicans, along with Reps. Darrell Issa (R-Vista) and Tom McClintock (R-Elk Grove) who previously voted against the measure. Rep. Mimi Walters (R-Irvine) said she supported the House version after receiving assurances from leaders that the bill would be changed to account for the loss of deductions, The percentage of new mortgages over the cap dropped from 48% to 14%. Rep. David Valadao (R-Hanford), whose district had 1% of mortgages exceeding the $500,000 cap proposed previously, saw that share drop almost to zero; 27 of 7,515 mortgages in his congressional district this year have been for more than $750,000. The House is expected to vote on the final tax bill Tuesday. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

A major change to Proposition 13 takes its first step toward the 2018 ballot By Liam Dillon A commercial property in San Bernardino County that could face higher property taxes under a proposed ballot measure (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times) Proponents of making a dramatic change to Californias landmark Proposition 13 property tax restrictions took their first step to getting a measure on the November 2018 statewide ballot Friday. The change would allow the state to receive more tax dollars from commercial and industrial properties by assessing them at their current market value, an effort known as split roll because existing tax protections on homes would remain in place. Advocates of the measure, including the League of Women Voters of California and community organizing nonprofits California Calls and PICO Network said the change could raise billions of dollars that could be spent on public schools and community colleges. I think the cumulative effects of the unfair tax system have gotten to the point where its created crippling economic impacts on the state, said Melissa Breach, executive director of the League of Women Voters of California. Backers filed their proposed initiative Friday. The attorney generals office will prepare an official title and summary for the measure and it will receive a financial analysis. From there, advocates will decide if they will collect signatures to put the measure on the ballot. Proposition 13 passed in 1978 amid concerns that rising property taxes could force people out of their homes. The ballot measure limited property taxes to 1% of a propertys value at the time of purchase and ensures that the assessed value on which taxes are based can only increase by a maximum of 2% a year  no matter how much a propertys market value goes up. Split-roll measures have been long debated in state politics, but business groups and anti-tax groups have expressed substantial opposition to the idea, arguing that it would cause major harm to the states business climate. Breach said she expected an avalanche of big money against the measure should it go forward, but said that her organization wouldnt get involved without believing it could raise sufficient funding.S For the record 1 p.m., Dec. 18: An earlier version of this post said the split roll ballot measure would allow California to charge higher tax rates on commercial and industrial properties. It would allow the state to assess those properties at current market value, not charge higher rates. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

Three more women accuse California assemblyman of sexual misconduct By Melanie Mason Assemblyman Matt Dababneh (D-Woodland Hills) (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times) A Los Angeles woman has filed a police report alleging Democratic Assemblyman Matt Dababneh had sex with her without consent four years ago, adding new allegations of sexual misconduct to those that led the politician to announce his resignation last week. He says her claims are false. Nancy Miret, 26, told The Times that when she was 22 and a recent college graduate, she spent time with Dababneh over two months in late 2013, primarily at his Encino apartment. At the time, Dababneh was running for Assembly to represent the western San Fernando Valley. They had consensual sex on one occasion, but after that, Miret said she had multiple nonconsensual sexual encounters with Dababneh that left her traumatized. Miret, who now works in commercial real estate, is one of three women interviewed by The Times who have made new allegations concerning Dababnehs behavior. These allegations are false and Im confident that when all the facts are in, it will clearly show that these claims are not true, Dababneh told The Times. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

San Diego business is first in California to be issued license to sell marijuana for recreational use By Patrick McGreevy A San Diego medical marijuana business is the first firm to be issued a license by the state of California to sell marijuana for recreational use, officials said Thursday. Torrey Holistics received two of the first 20 licenses granted by the state Bureau of Cannabis Control this week to sell or distribute marijuana, although the licenses do not take effect until Jan. 1, according to bureau chief Lori Ajax. An additional 180 firms have applied for licenses but they are being processed. Last week, we officially launched our online licensing system, and today were pleased to issue the first group of temporary licenses to cannabis businesses that fall under the Bureaus jurisdiction, Ajax said in a statement. We plan to issue many more before January 1. The bureau is issuing temporary, four-month licenses to firms initially, but will eventually require firms to undergo background checks and pay a $1,000 application fee for yearlong permits. Tony Hall left a chemical distribution business two years ago to start Torrey Holistics with a friend and classmate at San Diego State. He said he was ecstatic to have the first recreational permit in California. He also obtained a new license to continue selling marijuana for medical uses. We feel fricking great about it, he said Thursday. Its just exciting. This is a once in a multi-generational event, he added, likening it to the end of prohibition. Added Ruthie Edelson, the firms marketing director, We will be open at 7 a.m. on Jan. 1. Last year, voters approved Proposition 64, which makes California one of eight states that allow the growing and sale of marijuana for recreational uses. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Conservative activist group files a lawsuit over Los Angeles County inactive voter list By John Myers A Washington-based conservative-leaning activist group filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday alleging Los Angeles County officials are refusing to cancel the registrations of voters who are ineligible to cast a ballot. The legal action by Judicial Watch comes four months after the organization first accused elections officials across the state of maintaining registration lists that are larger than their voting-age population. The lawsuit also names Secretary of State Alex Padilla as a defendant and alleges the voter lists violate the National Voter Registration Act, or NVRA. They dont care about removing ineligible registration, said Robert Popper of Judicial Watch. I think we have a very strong lawsuit. The lawsuit names four Los Angeles County voters as co-plaintiffs and asserts that a countys two lists of voters  the file of active voters and those whose registration has been placed on inactive status  should be combined into a single total. The inactive list includes people who havent cast ballots in recent elections and havent responded to inquiries from elections officials. Though the names on that list are considered voters, they are not counted in official registration reports and are not mailed election material. Popper led an effort earlier this year to estimate the size of each countys voting-age population using the Census Bureaus American Community Survey. He said the surveys five-year average of county populations was then adjusted by focusing just on the estimate of those over the age of 18, and then comparing that with the combined active and inactive voter lists. Popper dismissed any concern that the resulting number might be skewed by the different standards used by counties for the inactive list, which could include names of voters who moved or died and thus be an imperfect guide. I believe that a court is going to accept our numbers, he said. Dean Logan, the registrar of voters in Los Angeles County, said his staffs practices are consistent with federal law. This lawsuit appears to fundamentally interpret the requirements of the NVRA in a manner inconsistent with ensuring voter enfranchisement and appropriate list maintenance, he said. The lawsuit also alleges that Los Angeles elections officials failed to provide Judicial Watch with requested data about the size of the inactive list, and accuses Padilla of failing to address the groups concerns about California not following NVRA rules. In a statement on Thursday, Padilla said county inactive-voter files are not out of compliance with the law. He criticized Judicial Watch for its baseless assertions, bad math, and flawed methodology. Local elections officials have said very few inactive voters show up on election day, and that any who do would be asked to cast a provisional ballot  one that isnt counted unless the voters eligibility is confirmed through additional review. Popper insisted that if the list is never used, theres no reason to keep it. Judicial Watch, which sued for access to Hillary Clintons emails in 2016, alleged that its calculations show 11 California counties with questionable voter registration totals. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Voters in California GOP districts may get calls asking them to thank their member of Congress for tax plan By Sarah D. Wire Voters in four key Republican-held congressional districts could get a robocall starting Friday urging them to call and thank their member of Congress for supporting the tax bill. Its a last minute effort by American Action Network, a politically active nonprofit connected with House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) that has spent millions to shore up Republican support for the bill. The robocalls include the members office number. The four California members being targeted are Reps. Jeff Denham of Turlock, David Valadao of Hanford, Steve Knight of Palmdale and Mimi Walters of Irvine. All four represent districts that backed Hillary Clinton for president in 2016 and are Democratic targets in 2018. Knight and Walters had been particularly vocal about their concerns with the plan, saying it might raise taxes for their constituents. The final text of the bill is set to be released Friday, with a vote expected early next week. In total, American Action Network plans to place 1 million robocalls in 29 districts nationwide. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

Merry Christmas Republicans in Congress: Funny or Die video goes after California lawmakers over DACA By Christine Mai-Duc As members of Congress try to pass a controversial tax bill and a measure to keep the federal government funded, the political arm of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus is hitting Republicans hard over another unresolved issue: the legal status of hundreds of thousands of people brought to the country illegally as children who could face deportation if lawmakers dont act. Amid negotiations over a long-term spending bill, Democratic leaders have been pushing their GOP colleagues to include a fix for those who were granted temporary protection under President Obamas Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, known as DACA. President Trump announced an end to the program earlier this year and gave Congress a March deadline to address it. Funny or Die and BOLD PAC released a video Friday featuring comedians skewering GOP members, including two in California, for their inaction. In the video, Oscar Nunez, best known for his role on The Office, calls out Reps. Steve Knight (Palmdale), Ed Royce (Fullerton), Carlos Curbelo (Florida) and John Culberson (Texas), who get to go ahead and celebrate as thousands of Dreamers are banished from the only country theyve ever called home. How many broken promises can fit in a stocking? Nunez asks later. Im asking for a congressman. The political action committee says its spending six figures on the weeklong buy, which will go out nationwide across Funny Or Dies social media channels. They are known for blasting out irreverent, often viral parodies that play to young audiences. The video will also be targeted to constituents in each of the four congressional districts. A separate video released by the ACLU last week also urged members of Congress to strike a deal on DACA. Many California Republicans have remained mum on the issue, particularly those facing tough races in 2018. So far, only Reps. David Valadao (Hanford), Jeff Denham (Turlock) and Mimi Walters (Irvine) have pressured fellow Republicans to come up with a solution before Congress breaks for Christmas. Following Trumps decision, Knight said the issue should receive attention by Congress. Royce, who has taken hard-line stances on immigration in the past, urged his colleagues to provide a permanent, legislative solution that gives certainty to these kids. Neither elaborated on what that solution should be. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

For a prominent California consumer group and savvy political consultants, documents reveal a close financial relationship By John Myers If theres a clear mantra for Consumer Watchdog, one of Californias most visible and vocal advocacy groups, its that hidden financial relationships shouldnt shape politics and public policy. The Santa Monica-based nonprofit has spent more than three decades reprimanding politicians and interest groups for doing the bidding of those who give them money. Its official motto is expose, confront, change. We are loud, and we speak more of a populist truth than the way people usually talk to each other in Sacramento, said Jamie Court, Consumer Watchdogs president. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Regional director resigns from California Democratic Party amid sexual misconduct claims By Jazmine Ulloa A regional director with the California Democratic Party submitted his resignation on Thursday, nearly two weeks after a 23-year-old woman reported that he sexually assaulted her last year, spurring party leaders to seek his ouster. Craig Cheslog served as Region 2 director spanning the East Bay, Napa, Sonoma and the Clearlake areas. In a statement, his lawyer, Mary P. Carey, said she and her client were confident that a full and fair exploration of this matter, undertaken in an appropriate, fact-governed venue, would exonerate Mr. Cheslog. We are prepared, if necessary, to put forward the facts of this matter in just such a venue, she said. Democratic Party Chairman Eric Bauman and other officials initially called for Cheslogs removal in a Nov. 29 letter to state party secretary Jenny Bach. They said he was seen acting in an inappropriate and sexually aggressive manner toward a member of the party in a public area of the Westin San Francisco Airport Hotel, following a Nov. 18 executive board meeting. The level to which this activity advanced made a number of those in attendance uncomfortable, the letter stated. It added that another member reported that Mr. Cheslog raped her at a CDP executive board meeting the previous year. Party officers said the incident occurred during a weekend where the prevention of sexual harassment of women in politics was a dominant theme in the wake of the #metoo movement. Before the meetings conclusion on Sunday, the California Womens Caucus approved a resolution making clear that sexual harassment, bullying and other forms of abuse are grounds to lose endorsements and be stripped of party membership. Maddy Dean, who was not named in the letter, spoke at the meeting about her experiences of sexual harassment in the movie industry, and told the Times that she reported Cheslog. She said she could not provide further details about her allegation as she explores possible legal paths moving forward. This was about protecting other women and in particular other young women, she said of reporting the assault. In his own letter to Bach on Thursday, Cheslog did not acknowledge any wrongdoing. He said he was stepping down to prevent any personal misconduct allegations from creating a distraction with the party at a critical moment in national and state politics. I am confident of the results that would be forthcoming in a fair, fact-based exploration of this matter, he said. Since the report, Cheslog has been fired from his job at Common Sense Media, a nonprofit organization that helps families navigate media and technology. He also has stepped down from his position on the Acalanes Union High School District Board of Trustees. The conduct represented a serious violation of both company policy and the way in which our employees are expected to conduct themselves in the community at large, Common Sense spokeswoman Corbie Kiernan said in a statement. We immediately suspended Mr. Cheslog and conducted an investigation. As a result of the investigation, Mr. Cheslogs employment with Common Sense was terminated. 4:05 p.m.: This post was updated with Cheslogs resignation from the school board. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Sen. Bob Hertzberg will cooperate with investigation into unwanted hugs By Patrick McGreevy State Sen. Bob Hertzberg works at his Senate Chambers desk. He faces an investigation into unwanted hugging (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) State Sen. Bob Hertzberg (D-Los Angeles) said Thursday he will cooperate with a state investigation into complaints from a former legislator that she was uncomfortable with his repeated hugs after she asked him not to touch her. Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon said Thursday that a team of outside attorneys will investigate a complaint by former Assemblywoman Linda Halderman that Hertzberg has made her uncomfortable with hugs that were too close and lasted too long. Hertzberg, well-known for hugging other lawmakers, said he supports having any allegations investigated by the two outside law firms. I just learned of the investigation, and will fully cooperate, he said. The use of an independent third party investigator is essential to improving transparency and trust in the system. Halderman said Thursday she was encouraged that her concerns will be investigated, but said it was disturbing  that attorneys for one of the law firms selected, Gibson, Dunn and Crutcher, contributed more than $90,000 in campaign funds to sitting legislators including Hertzberg. Halderman, a surgeon, served in the state Assembly from 2010 through 2012 and said Hertzberg hugged her multiple times even after she asked him to stop because she was uncomfortable. The last incident occurred in a hallway of the Capitol, she claimed. I told him I dont care to be hugged. Dont touch me,  Halderman recalled. He then grabbed me and pinned my arms to my side and used his hands to press my lower back into his groin and he essentially pinned me so I couldnt push off of him to get away the way I ended previous hugs. It was certainly so over the line, she added. Halderman said a current female senator and assemblywoman also have complained about inappropriate hugs from Hertzberg. However, Sen. Cathleen Galgiani (D-Stockton) defended Hertzberg, saying she has known him for many years and he has always acted as a gentleman. I have never felt uncomfortable with him, and have always felt his hugs were a display of affection - which I appreciate, she said. I consider him a dear friend. Updated at 5:30 pm to include comment from Sen. Galgiani. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

Rep. Maxine Waters asks Justice Department to investigate fake letter tweeted by Republican opponent By Sarah D. Wire (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) Rep. Maxine Waters is asking the Justice Department to look into a fake letter posted to Twitter by her Republican challenger that falsely indicated the congresswoman wants to resettle tens of thousand of refugees in her Los Angeles district. The GOP candidate, Omar Navarro, posted the letter on what looks like official House of Representatives letterhead to Twitter on Monday. The letter, which purports to be from the congresswoman, says the congresswoman wants to bring refugees to her congressional district after the 2018 election and perhaps even once I have secured the Speaker of the House position. Navarro accompanied the tweeted letter with a message: According to this document, Maxine Waters wants more terrorists, like the one who bombed NYC, in Californias 43rd District. As Congressman of CAs 43rd District, I will oppose such policies. Its been retweeted more than 680 times. But the letter is a forgery and a fake, her chief of staff, Twaun Samuel, said in a news release. The letter, dated June of this year, also contains several inaccuracies. It references multiple committees and subcommittees Waters does not serve on, and lists an address for a district office that has been closed for nearly a decade. Waters filed a complaint about the tweeted letter with the House general counsel, who forwarded the complaint to the U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California and the fraud section of the Criminal Division for the United States Department of Justice. The complaint states that Waters has not communicated with the letters purported addressee  Teri Williams, who is president and chief operating officer of the Los Angeles-based OneUnited Bank, about any refugee resettlement program. Impersonating a federal official and misusing a federal seal are federal crimes. Navarro, who is backed by big name far-right conservatives, said Thursday that the letter was sent to his campaign through Facebook by a person he didnt know. He said neither the Justice Department or Waters staff has asked him about the letter. I dont know if its real or not, so I put it out there, Navarro said, adding that he believed his followers would help him determine if it is real. It doesnt say that I know. Its according to this document  what, am I supposed to send it to her and get an email back from Maxine? According to this document, Maxine Waters wants more terrorists, like the one who bombed NYC, in Californias 43rd District.

As Congressman of CAs 43rd District, I will oppose such policies. #VoteNavarro2018https://t.co/vO8YUsyPp3 pic.twitter.com/k7ef0H20if  Omar Navarro (@RealOmarNavarro) December 11, 2017 Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Sen. Tony Mendoza refuses to take a leave of absence amid harassment probe By Patrick McGreevy Sen. Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia), left, talks earlier this year about a pending bill with Sen. Ted Gaines (R-El Dorado Hills). (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) Defying pressure from legislative leadership, state Sen. Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia) refused Thursday to take a leave of absence until an investigation into sexual harassment allegations against him is concluded early next year. Mendoza has denied allegations by former employees that he treated three female aides inappropriately, inviting them to hotel stays and asking one to visit his home to work on her resume. I am very disappointed that certain Senate Rules Committee members are apparently asking me to take a leave of absence or resign before any investigation has even begun and without giving me an opportunity to defend myself, Mendoza said in a statement. This is contrary to the very concept of due process, which is a pillar of our American system of fairness and judicial prudence. These actions bypass any process in a rush to judgment. Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles) earlier Thursday called on Mendoza to take a leave of absence. Mendoza had previously been stripped of his leadership positions, including chairmanship of the Senates committee on banking and insurance. Mendoza questioned statements urging him to step down, saying they leave him concerned about the fairness of the investigation. He also said he has been disappointed that he has been told he cannot publicly address allegations. I was not appointed to the position I hold, but was elected by the voters in my district, he said. I am grateful to the voters in my district and thank them for their trust and their continued support. The Senate owes them an opportunity to hear the truth. I assure them that I will vigorously defend myself to clear my name. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

State Senate leader asks Sen. Tony Mendoza to take leave of absence amid sexual harassment investigation By Patrick McGreevy (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) State Senate leader Kevin de Leon said Thursday he has strongly suggested that Sen. Tony Mendoza take a leave of absence until the completion of an investigation by outside attorneys into allegations that Mendoza sexually harassed three former aides. Given the severity of the allegations against Senator Mendoza I do not believe he can perform the duties in Sacramento right now while the investigation is being conducted, De Leon told a packed news conference in his Capitol office. I believe Its the right thing to do, its the fair thing to do, to take a leave, he said. The Senate leader also said the outside attorneys have been asked to investigate complaints by former Assemblywoman Linda Halderman that Sen. Bob Hertzberg (D-Los Angeles) inappropriately hugged her on multiple occasions in a way that made her uncomfortable, even after she asked him to stop. De Leon also announced the hiring of two law firms to handle the Mendoza and Hertzberg investigations, and all future probes of harassment and abuse involving Senate employees. Mendoza, a Democrat from Artesia, did not immediately respond to the request to step aside. De Leon, a Democrat from Los Angeles who had been Mendozas roommate before the allegations were made public, said he made the suggestion to Mendoza in a meeting Thursday morning. If Mendoza refuses to take a leave, the Senate has the power to suspend him without pay, but De Leon said that is not currently under discussion. There is an effort underway to force his expulsion in January when the Legislature returns to Sacramento. Former Mendoza employees have claimed that he gave inappropriate attention to a female fellow and intern, inviting one to his home and hotel and giving the other alcohol in a hotel even though she was underage. Another former female aide told the Sacramento Bee that Mendoza invited her to one-on-one dinners and a weekend at Pebble Beach. Mendoza has denied the allegations. The Gibson, Dunn and Crutcher and Van Dermyden Maddux law firms have been retained for two years, according to Sen. Holly Mitchell (D-Los Angeles), who participated in their selection. Have you experienced sexual harassment in government or politics? Tell us your story   In addition, the state is contracting with Weave, a Sacramento crisis-intervention organization for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, to provide counseling and to establish a hotline for Senate employees who are victims of sexual assault. The hotline number is 1-800-729-1443. America is finally reckoning with entrenched inequities in our personal and professional relationships and in workplaces of every type, De Leon said. Nowhere is this reckoning more important than in the halls of power  our political institutions. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

Watch live: California Senate leader addresses sexual misconduct at state Capitol Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

California state senator pledges to bring back net neutrality rules just as FCC votes to repeal them By Jazmine Ulloa Demonstrators rally in support of net neutrality outside a Verizon store in New York on Dec. 7. (Mary Altaffer / Associated Press) Moments after the Federal Communications Commission on Thursday voted to roll back net neutrality regulations, a state senator pledged to introduce legislation that would preserve open internet protections for consumers in California. Net neutrality is essential to our 21st century democracy, and we need to be sure that people can access websites and information freely and fairly, Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) said in a statement. If the FCC is going to destroy net neutrality and create a system that favors certain websites just because they can pay more money, California must step in and ensure open internet access. The announcement of the proposal came shortly after the FCC voted to repeal net neutrality in an expected 3-2 party-line vote, with Republicans calling for an end to the utility-like oversight of internet service providers. The Obama-era rules put in February 2015 barred broadband and wireless companies, such at AT&T Inc., Charter Communications Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc. from selling faster delivery of certain data, slowing speeds for certain video streams and other content, and discriminating against legal material online. Before the vote, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai argued loosening the regulations would allow the online economy to flourish. FCC commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, one of the the two Democrats on the commission, said the rollback would inhibit the openness that has made the U.S. internet the envy of the world. Supporters of net neutrality are expected to file suit to try to halt the repeal plan. Weiners attempt to institute net neutrality rules in California could have challenges. The FCC order states that allowing state and local governments to adopt their own separate requirements, which could impose a heavier burden on companies, could disrupt the balance between state and federal regulations. The preemption of state and local net neutrality measures is something that could be challenged in court. Amid such legal battles state legislation could face heavy lobbying efforts from internet providers arguing against uneven regulations. A bill by Assemblyman Ed Chau (D-Monterey Park) was shelved last legislative session over similar disputes. It would have enshrined in state law other FCC regulations that were rolled back this year by President Trump and Congress. The Internet privacy rules limited what broadband providers can do with their customers data. The bills defeat capped a behind-the-scenes battle that pitted telecom companies against state internet service providers and brought other bills to a halt in the state Senate as negotiations unfolded over legislation that would have had national significance. UPDATES 7:57 a.m.: This post was updated with additional information about the potential legal case. LA Times reporter Jim Puzzanghera contributed to this report. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

L.A. County sheriffs office failed to follow policy for issuing concealed weapon permits, audit says By Patrick McGreevy Handguns are displayed at the Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show in Las Vegas in 2016. ( (John Locher / Associated Press)) The Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department has repeatedly failed to follow its own rules for issuing concealed weapon permits, the state auditor concluded in a report released Thursday. L.A. County Sheriff Jim McDonnell disputed some of the key findings of the audit, saying state officials misinterpreted the policy. The department policy requires applicants to provide convincing evidence of a clear and present danger to life or of great bodily harm to get a license, but the audit found the department issued 24 licenses during the last few years without sufficient evidence. Most of the 197 active licenses in L.A. County as of August went to current or former law enforcement officers, judges and prosecutors, the audit found. The lieutenant in charge of reviewing applications told auditors that people in law enforcement satisfy the departments requirements by the nature of their jobs. However, making that decision based solely on the applicants profession both directly contradicts Los Angeless written policy  which specifically states that no position or job classification in itself shall constitute good cause for issuance  and has led the department to treat applicants inequitably based on their occupations, the audit says. McDonnell said the audit identified some legitimate issues, and the department has added a checklist to the application process in order to show requirements have been met. But he disagreed on the reports sweeping conclusion that the department consistently failed to follow its own policies. The LASD policy simply requires that the applicant provide convincing evidence that his or her life or physical safety is threatened, the sheriff said. He said the policy does not require additional documentation of that evidence if sufficient information is provided in the application. Auditors also concluded that Sacramento County issued some licenses without proper documentation and that San Diego Countys renewal process led it to inappropriately renew some licenses. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

Anti-Issa effort discloses donors: Leo DiCaprio, Jane Fonda, Ted Danson and more By Joshua Stewart A political group that has brought professional political organizers into the campaign against Rep. Darrell Issa has received its most significant contributions to date  from actress Jane Fonda and other celebrities. Fonda gave $100,000 to Flip the 49th! Neighbors in Action, which recently registered as a political committee to get Issa, R-Vista, out of office. Comedian Bill Maher gave $15,000 to the group, a rebuke of a politician who has twice appeared on his talk show. Former California Sen. Barbara Boxer gave $2,500, as did Academy Award recipient Leonardo DiCaprio. Actor Ted Danson gave $1,500. Flip the 49th gave the The San Diego Union-Tribune a list of donors more than a month before its required to disclose them to the Federal Election Commission. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

California Senate GOP leader: Release Capitol whistleblowers from non-disclosure agreements By Melanie Mason California Senate Republican leader Patricia Bates is wading into the sexual harassment debate that has swept up the Capitol and is calling on her Democratic colleagues to allow whistleblowers to speak out by releasing them from non-disclosure agreements. Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) wrote in a letter to the Democratic legislative leaders  Senate Pro Tem Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles) and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount)  that Senate Republicans are calling for the Legislature to allow victims or witnesses who may have signed such agreements to share their experiences publicly. This release from NDAs would empower victims of sexual harassment, create a new atmosphere for resolving sexual harassment or discrimination concerns, increase public awareness and transparency, and ensure that both the Senate and the Assembly fulfill their obligations to the public and their employees for providing a safe and welcoming workplace environment, Bates wrote in the letter, dated Dec. 12. The Republican senator also laid out suggestions to improve the Legislatures handling of sexual harassment complaints, such as jointly convening both houses rules committees  which act as the chambers human resources departments  to have a comprehensive, bicameral and bipartisan review. Bates wrote that the Joint Rules Committee should consider the assigning of an outside entity for assuming responsibility for all issues regarding sexual harassment. She said the California Highway Patrol or an inspector general could serve that function. Bates is currently serving on a panel designated by the Senate Rules Committee to select an outside law firm to investigate sexual harassment complaints. De Leon, in a statement, said he agreed with Bates that sexual harassment is a bipartisan, bicameral problem that requires bipartisan, bicameral solutions. Many of these recommendations we are already pursuing and evaluating in some form and we look forward to working in collaboration with Senator Bates  as we did with the independent selection panel  on additional reforms in the weeks to come, De Leon said. With regard to non-disclosure agreements, De Leon spokesman Jonathan Underland said the Senate is discussing with attorneys and anti-harassment experts about what options are available without violating the privacy rights of past victims. John Casey, a spokesman for Rendon, said the Assembly does not ask for NDAs in settlement agreements. The Speaker agrees with both the Legislative Womens Caucus and the Rules Committee chair that any sexual harassment policy should be both bicameral and bipartisan, Casey said. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

California plans to send out licenses for pot sales this month  but they wont be effective until Jan. 1 By Patrick McGreevy Patrons shop at Bud and Bloom, a Santa Ana marijuana dispensary, last year. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) California officials said Wednesday they plan to use email before the new year to send out some licenses to sell marijuana to speed up the transition to a regulated market. The licenses will not go into effect until Jan. 1. Proposition 64, which legalized the sale of marijuana for recreational use, required the state to begin issuing licenses by Jan. 1. Because that date is a state holiday, the bureau originally planned to begin sending them out on Jan. 2. That has changed. Much of the date discussion  Jan. 1 versus Jan. 2  was based on whether or not wed be able to be open on a state holiday, said Alex Traverso, a bureau spokesman. The solution to that issue was to issue licenses with an effective date of Jan. 1 since licenses will be issued electronically. That eliminates the need to have the office open on Jan. 1. He said that, as of Wednesday, the bureau has not yet sent out any emails with licenses approved to begin operating Jan. 1. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Californias budget director makes last ditch effort to urge GOP members to vote against tax plan By Sarah D. Wire House Republicans hold a news conference after the House passed the GOP tax bill. (Jacquelyn Martin / Associated Press) As closed-door negotiations over the final tax bill come to an end, the head of the California Department of Finance is making a last-ditch effort to convince Republicans in the states congressional delegation to vote against the plan. In a letter to the entire delegation Wednesday, Finance Department Director Michael Cohen detailed 10 issues in the current tax proposals about which the state is worried. Some of Cohens concerns may be addressed in the deal that House and Senate leaders said they reached Wednesday morning. Details of the agreement are not yet public. Cohens concerns range from potentially billions less in federal funding available to California to offset the $1.4 trillion the plan is expected to add to the federal deficit, to the environmental effect of ending green energy tax credits. Californias 39 Democratic representatives are expected to oppose the final tax bill, which could come before both chambers of Congress by early next week. Three California Republicans  Reps. Darrell Issa of Vista, Dana Rohrabacher of Costa Mesa and Tom McClintock of Elk Grove  voted against the original House version, and several other California Republicans have indicated they might be willing to vote against the final plan. Cohen specifically pointed to issues that have been raised by the uncertain House members, including the proposal to lower the cap on the mortgage interest deduction, the plan to limit state and local tax deductions and the elimination of a deduction for uninsured personal property damaged in natural disasters such as fires. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

California lawmakers have fought sexual misconduct on military bases, farms and college campuses. Will they police their own house? By Jazmine Ulloa Over the past decade, California lawmakers have worked to help curb sexual violence in the workplace and other spheres of public life. They have pushed college campuses to keep better track of incident reports, created whistleblower protections for military officers who file claims and established sexual harassment training for farmworkers and janitors. Now, as more than 140 women have come forward in an open letter to denounce a pervasive culture of sexual harassment in the California Legislature, activists and employment lawyers say lawmakers have not held colleagues and staffers to the same standards demanded of those in other fields. Members [of the state Assembly and Senate] are quick at pointing the finger at other folks, said Fiona Ma, a former Democratic assemblywoman from San Francisco who is now running for state treasurer. But they dont want to look inside and fix their own house, air their own dark, dirty laundry. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Californias cap-and-trade climate program could generate more than $8 billion by 2027, report says By John Myers Gov. Jerry Brown signs an extension of Californias cap-and-trade program in July. (Eric Risberg / Associated Press) Although Californias cap-and-trade program was designed to combat climate change, a new analysis predicts it could also provide significant cash  as much as $8 billion in a decades time  for state and regional programs. The report issued Tuesday by the independent Legislative Analysts Office projects a wide range of revenue generated by the sale of permits for companies to emit greenhouse gases beyond a state-ordered emissions cap. The most recent auction of those emission permits brought in more than $800 million. The analysis warns that annual cap-and-trade revenue beyond 2020 is highly uncertain, and offers a possible range from $2 billion in 2018 to almost $7 billion in 2030  the final year of the program under legislation Gov. Jerry Brown signed in July. The estimate of $8.3 billion in 2027 is the high-water mark for any year in the report. Researchers cite a number of factors that make a specific prediction impossible, including future technology that allows industries to cut greenhouse gas emissions easily and thus pass on purchasing emission allowances. While it is clear that there will be additional revenues to the state beyond 2020, the amount that will be generated annually is highly uncertain, the report reads. Money collected from the sale of pollution permits is required to be spent on programs combating climate change. A portion of the money also is earmarked for the states high-speed rail program. The report urges lawmakers to provide oversight for future decisions made by the California Air Resources Board, the agency that has taken the lead on climate change efforts. In particular, the analysts warn that allowing businesses to stockpile too many permits  ones bought at current low prices  could lead to excessive greenhouse gas emissions in future years, potentially even causing the state to miss its annual benchmark as soon as 2024. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Vice President Pence meets with California lawmakers about massive fires By Sarah D. Wire Briefed bipartisan group of California reps on the fed response to #CAwildfires. @POTUS approved an emergency declaration last Friday & @forestservice is providing air & ground assets including 1,000 personnel. Together, we will help the people of CA restore, rebuild & recover. pic.twitter.com/zn7QdbCZOQ  Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) December 12, 2017 A handful of California representatives discussed the federal response to their states wildfires Tuesday with Vice President Mike Pence. Attending the West Wing meeting were House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) and Reps. Ken Calvert (R-Corona), Darrell Issa (R-Vista), Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village), Steve Knight (R-Palmdale) and Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara). It was a very bipartisan-spirited meeting. He clearly understood the significance of the fires and the impacts, Brownley said after the meeting. She said Pence offered federal assistance and recognized that recovery was going to be very important and that we want to work together to make sure that we can get the resources needed. President Trump signed an emergency declaration for the Southern California fires last week. Pence visited California this fall to view fire damage in Northern California. He stayed engaged and specifically wanted to make sure that FEMA and the other organizations were continuing to meet or exceed all expectations, Issa said after the meeting. We mostly thanked him for the fact that hes taken a personal interest and his team has been at the heart of the domestic coordination. There was no discussion about reinstating a federal tax deduction for uninsured damage repairs that would end up in the House and Senate tax bills, Brownley said. If you cant deduct uninsured property loss, its devastating. It would be devastating, Brownley said. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

We must talk about the health aspects of climate change, Schwarzenegger says in Paris By Kim Willsher (Thibault Camus / Associated Press) He showed up at Paris City Hall on Monday on a green bicycle and wearing a green tie to talk climate change with the mayor. But Arnold Schwarzenegger almost didnt make the trip from Los Angeles. One of the wildfires scorching Southern California was threatening his home. Luckily we have extraordinary firefighters, he told a group of officials and journalists. The actor and former governor of California was speaking in Paris as the founder of R20, a nonprofit based in Geneva that aims to help regional, state and local governments reduce their carbon emissions by developing clean energy sources. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

A special recall election for state Sen. Josh Newman would cost a lot more than waiting for the June primary, state says By Patrick McGreevy State Sen. Josh Newman (D-Fullerton) faces a recall campaign (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press)) State finance officials said Monday it would cost about $2.67 million for a special election on the recall of state Sen. Josh Newman (D-Fullerton), but only $931,000 to put his potential recall on the regular June primary ballot, which will also feature races for governor and congressional seats. The savings  and the time it took to complete the financial assessment  could give ammunition to Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown to put the recall measure on the primary ballot, possibly improving Newmans chance of staying in office. The higher turnout expected in the primary might benefit Newman as he tries to fend off the Republican recall drive. The financial analysis was a new requirement of a law approved this year by the Democrat-controlled Legislature that has slowed the Newman recall. Brown and legislators now have 30 days to review the election cost report. The deadline for calling a special election was last week, 180 days before the June 5 primary, although state officials have been known to extend such deadlines. In this case, that is unlikely. Carl Demaio, a former San Diego City councilman who is leading the Republican-funded recall, denounced the lengthy new process Monday, but said it will not save Newmans political career. This is about a shameful tactic by Sacramento politicians to keep politicians who break public trust and engage in misconduct in office for as long as possible, he said. Republicans launched the recall after Newman voted with the majority of le
After 11 days of honor guards, dancing children, palace banquets, deference from Asian leaders and an audience with an emperor, President Trump on Monday seemed determined not to spoil the pomp and ceremony with a sticky dispute over human rights.

So as he met in Manila with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, a leader accused of overseeing a broad crackdown on suspected drug dealers that has left thousands of people dead without charges or trials, Trump ignored reporters questions about human rights and instead focused on the hospitality.

Weve had a great relationship, Trump said as he and Duterte briefly met with reporters. Duterte, host of this years summit of the Assn. of Southeast Asian Nations, dismissed the reporters as spies and didnt conceal his displeasure at their presence as he had them quickly hustled out.

Advertisement

Trump, in his later address at the summit, praised Duterte in an aside: Rodrigo, I would like to commend you on your success as ASEAN chair at this critical moment in time, and in the associations history.

And the show last night, the talent at that show  I assume mostly from the Philippines  was fantastic, he continued. And you were fantastic.

The list of organizations condemning Dutertes human rights violations is long and includes the U.S. Congress, the European Union, the United Nations and the global group Human Rights Watch.

Trump joked with Duterte and enthused about the Philippines great weather as their one-on-one meeting began Monday morning. He laughed when Duterte called reporters spies and had them ushered out of the room.

Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Trump briefly discussed human rights with Duterte in a conversation that focused on Islamic State, illegal drugs and trade. But Philippine government spokesperson Harry Roque denied that human rights came up at all.

No, that issue was not raised, Roque said. However, the president [Duterte] explained at length his war on drugs. President Trump seemed to be appreciative.

From the body language of the U.S. president, he seemed to be in agreement, Roque added.

A joint statement of the two presidents that was released later by the White House included language nodding to human rights: The two sides underscored that human rights and the dignity of human life are essential, and agreed to continue mainstreaming the human rights agenda in their national programs to promote the welfare of all sectors, including the most vulnerable groups.

That statement also committed the Philippines, where death squads have acted with impunity, and the United States to share best practices on preventing illegal drugs, enforcement and transparency in investigations.

Trump made clear on Monday that he views the elaborate treatment he has received on his five-country trip through Asia as an important sign of American strength, and he has been eager to avoid upsetting the mood.

It was a red carpet like, I think, probably nobody has ever received, he said Monday. That really is a sense of respect, perhaps for me a little bit, but really for our country, and Im very proud of that.

When Trump met last week with Chinese President Xi Jinping, who had been a favorite target of his on the campaign trail, he blamed his own predecessors rather than China for allowing economic practices that, as a candidate, he described as the Chinese raping American workers.

Though past presidents likewise have received respectful ceremonial welcomes during foreign trips, Trump has continued, as in the past, to suggest the shows of deference he gets from foreign leaders contrast in particular with the treatment given to President Obama, who Trump says was repeatedly disrespected. Before Trumps trip to Asia began, he mocked Obama for having endured profane insults  from afar  from Duterte.

The previous administration was not exactly welcome, as you may remember, Trump told reporters before leaving Washington.

Roque, the Philippine government spokesperson, suggested that Trump and Duterte had shared their disdain for Obama in private.

They [have] been very candid in their dealings, and it is very apparent that both of them have a person they consider as not their best friend, Roque said. They have similar feelings toward former U.S. President Barack Obama.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

When Trump and Duterte appeared before reporters ahead of the summit, Duterte cut off the shouted questions.

We will be talking on matters of interest to both the Philippines and  with you around, guys, youre the spies, he said.

Trumps advisors have often argued that he is more effective raising human rights concerns in private, though  as Roques statement suggested  it is unclear that he has done so.

And Trump said that although he thinks the issue is important, during the Asia trip, I also raise issues on many other things. He said that in places such as China, he has an obligation to emphasize trade.

Trump has a history of embracing strongmen. On his Asian trip, he has had warm exchanges with Chinas Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin. In the course of Mondays praise for Duterte, Trump also thanked Prime Minister Najib Razak of Malaysia for his excellent work as ASEANs coordinator. I really appreciate it, Trump said.

The U.S. Justice Department has accused Najibs associates of embezzling billions of dollars from a government investment account he oversees, which Najib has disputed. Najib, whom Trump hosted at the White House in September, has also been accused of cracking down on journalists and critics.

On Tuesday, Trump will attend a second conference, the annual East Asia Summit, before returning to Washington late that night.

Special correspondent Simon Roughneen contributed to this report.

noah.bierman@latimes.com

Twitter: @noahbierman

UPDATES:

9:40 a.m.: This article was updated with language from the Trump-Duterte joint statement and time for Trumps return to Washington.

This article was originally published at 4:50 a.m.
Some of Americas most important political races will be run next year in seven California congressional districts. That seems strange.

Normally, these contests would be obscure asterisks outside their local areas. The Republican incumbents would win, most of them comfortably. But these arent normal times. Theyre Trump times.

Sure, the office of California governor is super powerful. Voters next year will choose Gov. Jerry Browns successor. But politically, the odds are 99 to 1 it will be another Democrat, and thats being generous to the GOP. Same with the U.S. Senate election. And the state Legislature is a cinch to remain under Democratic dominance.

Advertisement

But the U.S. House elections will help determine whether one-party Republican rule continues in Washington or if Democrats recapture at least one half of Congress. That will largely determine the fate of President Trumps policy agenda.

A big factor in whether those California House Republicans survive could be how they vote on the GOP tax overhaul pending in Congress. Despite Republican leaders claims that the legislation would cut taxes for most people, independent analysts say both rival bills have middle-class tax hikes written all over them.

Thats particularly true in high-tax California because of the proposed elimination  or serious crimping  of state and local tax deductions on federal returns.

My assumption is that people who take advantage of the deductions for state and local taxes are exactly the people who vote, and probably disproportionately vote Republican, says Darry Sragow, a longtime Democratic strategist and now publisher of the nonpartisan California Target Book, which handicaps congressional and legislative races.

More from George Skelton 

I would think if Republicans manage to enact legislation that kills state and local tax deductions, they arguably are putting a deadly weapon to their foreheads  and pulling the trigger.

Even if the bill fails to pass but a Republican votes for it, Sragow adds, a Democratic rival can capitalize by claiming that the incumbent doesnt stand with the voters. He votes 180 degrees opposite them.

Those seven endangered Republican House members include five from Southern California: Darrell Issa of Vista, Dana Rohrabacher of Costa Mesa, Mimi Walters of Irvine, Ed Royce of Fullerton and Steve Knight of Palmdale. The other two are from the San Joaquin Valley: David Valadao of Hanford and Jeff Denham of Turlock.

What all seven have in common  and a big reason analysts think theyre vulnerable in next years elections  is that their districts voted for Democrat Hillary Clinton over Republican Trump.

But tending to debunk this perceived evidence of vulnerability, Sragow says, is the fact that in the five Southern California districts, Clinton is the only Democrat in a statewide partisan race the voters have supported since 2012. They didnt even back Brown or U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein in their blowout wins over Republicans whose names virtually no one remembers.

Coverage of California politics 

What that shows is consistent support for any Republican not named Trump.

If voters behave as they have, Sragow says, those five seats are going to be very difficult for Democrats to pick up  barring a national wave election, a tsunami. Whether the incredible amount of heat generated by Trump creates that, nobody knows.

There were early glimpses of a potential tsunami in last weeks elections in Virginia, New Jersey and elsewhere. Democrats romped. Suburbs that resemble Republican districts in Southern California voted Democratic, with many voters motivated by their dislike of Trump.

The heart of Trump resistance is California. And Democratic strategists hope that citizens who dont consistently vote  Latinos especially  will be so disgusted with the president that theyll cast ballots next November.

Nationwide, Democrats need to pick up 25 seats to take back the House.

That GOP tax bill could anger significant numbers of middle-class Republicans in the targeted California House districts. The state and local tax deductions are widely used in those districts to reduce federal income taxes.

In Walters and Rohrabachers districts, the average state and local tax deduction totaled $18,200 for 2015, according to the Government Finance Officers Assn. In Issas district, it was $16,524; in Royces, $15,575, and in Knights, $16,723. In the poorer San Joaquin Valley, the deductions were much less: about $10,000 in both districts.

Overall in California, about 6 million taxpayers  one third of the total  itemized deductions on their tax returns, claiming an average of $18,400 for state and local taxes. The Bay Area boosted the average.

Issa is the only California Republican member of Congress, as of writing this, to oppose the tax proposal. Others feel a strong loyalty to one of the measures strongest advocates, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy of Bakersfield. There are 14 GOP members in all. Democrats dominate the delegation with 39.

We can do better than this, says Issa, who won reelection by only half a percentage point in 2016. Hes considered the most vulnerable among the threatened House members.

Rohrabacher is also regarded as threatened. One reason is that voters gradually have been deserting the GOP in Orange County and registering as independents.

In 1992, Republicans amounted to 52% of Orange County voter registration. Last November, it was down to less than 38%. Democrats stayed practically the same at around 34%. Independents rose from 10% to nearly 24%.

And a tsunami could be brewing. Endangered Republicans must decide whether to fall in line behind Trump and the party leadership, or protect their itemizing taxpayers.

george.skelton@latimes.com

Follow @LATimesSkelton on Twitter

ALSO

When will this end? When Congress has the courage to stand up to the gun lobby

Blasting Californias gas tax while working to cut federal tax breaks? Thats called hypocrisy

Californias Capitol always has been a sexual playground with bullies from both parties. Now, empowered women could change things
Trump promotes sons Justice with Judge Jeanine interview President Trump promoted via Twitter an interview with his son Eric Trump just before it aired Saturday night on Fox News Justice with Judge Jeanine. Eric Trump on @JudgeJeanine on @FoxNews now!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 21, 2018 Eric Trump called into the show to defend his father from criticism prompted by the first government shutdown in more than four years, as well as a series of Womens March events that saw protesters in dozens of cities take to the streets to oppose the presidents policies. .@EricTrump joined me over the phone from Mar-a-Lago ! pic.twitter.com/Hro3TzUW52  Jeanine Pirro (@JudgeJeanine) January 21, 2018 Speaking to host Jeannine Piro  who is reportedly an old friend of the presidents  Eric Trump offered effusive praise for his father, ticking off glowing statistics to illustrate the strength of the U.S. economy and gains against Islamic State fighters overseas. My fathers working like no ones ever worked before to bring back this country and to fulfill his promise to make America great again, said the executive vice president of the Trump Organization. He also repeated a sentiment recently expressed on Twitter by his father: That Democratic lawmakers forced a government shutdown on the anniversary of the presidents inauguration in a bid to distract from his achievements. You look at this whole government shutdown, and the only reason they want to shut down government is to distract and to stop his momentum, Eric Trump said. I mean, my father has had incredible momentum. Hes gotten more done in one year than arguably any president in history. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Trump tweets: a perfect day for all Women to March President Trump hailed the nationwide Womens March gatherings Saturday. On Twitter, the president called it a perfect day for all Women to March, seeming to imply that those taking part were celebrating his administrations accomplishments: Beautiful weather all over our great country, a perfect day for all Women to March. Get out there now to celebrate the historic milestones and unprecedented economic success and wealth creation that has taken place over the last 12 months. Lowest female unemployment in 18 years!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018 Participants in the marches across the United States were actually seeking to deliver a powerful rebuke to Trumps policies and mount a crucial mobilization for this years midterm elections. But Trump continued to tout his administrations unprecedented success in tweets sent later in the day: Unprecedented success for our Country, in so many ways, since the Election. Record Stock Market, Strong on Military, Crime, Borders, & ISIS, Judicial Strength & Numbers, Lowest Unemployment for Women & ALL, Massive Tax Cuts, end of Individual Mandate - and so much more. Big 2018!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018 The Trump Administration has terminated more UNNECESSARY Regulation, in just twelve months, than any other Administration has terminated during their full term in office, no matter what the length. The good news is, THERE IS MUCH MORE TO COME!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 21, 2018 In addition to the roll call of major American cities where womens marches took place  including New York, Washington, Los Angeles, Dallas, Philadelphia, Chicago, San Francisco, Atlanta  protesters also raised their voices in suburbs and small towns, reflecting the aim of coalescing a broad-based movement on the anniversary of Trumps inauguration to oppose the presidents stance on immigration, healthcare, racial divides and an array of other issues. Read More This post contains reporting from Times staff writer Laura King. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Trump calls shutdown a present from Democrats By Associated Press President Trump is blaming Democrats for the government shutdown  tweeting that they wanted to give him a nice present to mark the one-year anniversary of his inauguration: This is the One Year Anniversary of my Presidency and the Democrats wanted to give me a nice present. #DemocratShutdown  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018 That comes after Senate Democrats late Friday killed a GOP-written House-passed measure that would have kept agencies functioning for four weeks. Democrats were seeking a stopgap bill of just a few days in hopes that would build pressure on Republicans, and they were opposing a three-week alternative offered by GOP leaders. Democrats have insisted they would back legislation reopening the government once theres a bipartisan agreement to preserve protections against deporting about 700,000 immigrants  known as Dreamers  who arrived in the United States illegally as children. Trump on Saturday accused Democrats of holding our Military hostage over their desire to have unchecked illegal immigration: Democrats are holding our Military hostage over their desire to have unchecked illegal immigration. Cant let that happen!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018 Democrats are laying fault for the shutdown on Republicans, who control both chambers of Congress and the White House and have struggled with building internal consensus. In a series of tweets hours after the shutdown began, the president tried to make the case for Americans to elect more Republicans to Congress in November in order to power through this mess: Democrats are far more concerned with Illegal Immigrants than they are with our great Military or Safety at our dangerous Southern Border. They could have easily made a deal but decided to play Shutdown politics instead. #WeNeedMoreRepublicansIn18 in order to power through mess!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018 He noted that there are 51 Republicans in the 100-member Senate, and it often takes 60 votes to advance legislation: For those asking, the Republicans only have 51 votes in the Senate, and they need 60. That is why we need to win more Republicans in 2018 Election! We can then be even tougher on Crime (and Border), and even better to our Military & Veterans!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018 #AMERICA FIRST!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018 The stopgap spending measure won 50 votes in the Senate, including five from Democrats. Although the House and Senate were in session Saturday, it was unclear whether lawmakers would take any votes of consequence. Trump had been set to leave Friday afternoon for a fundraiser at his estate in Palm Beach, Fla., where he intended to mark the inauguration anniversary. But he remained in Washington and ended up scrapping his plans to attend the Saturday fundraiser. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Trump tweet casts doubt on likelihood of averting shutdown President Trump appeared to cast doubt on the likelihood of reaching a deal to avert a government shutdown Friday night in a tweet. Trump also sought to blame Democrats for what would be the first shutdown since 2013. His message came just hours before the midnight deadline by which lawmakers must pass a measure to fund government agencies, or some operations will cease. Not looking good for our great Military or Safety & Security on the very dangerous Southern Border. Dems want a Shutdown in order to help diminish the great success of the Tax Cuts, and what they are doing for our booming economy.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018 Despite last-minute negotiations Friday between Trump and Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, Congress remained deadlocked over a spending bill and the federal government was headed toward a shutdown at midnight. Senate Democrats  joined by some GOP deficit hawks and immigration allies  were set to filibuster a stopgap funding bill approved by the House on Thursday. A Senate vote was planned for 10 p.m. Eastern, and even White House officials predicted it would fail. Read More This post contains reporting from Times staff writer Lisa Mascaro. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

Trump signs surveillance law after confusing tweets By Associated Press President Trump on Friday signed a bill into law to renew a foreign intelligence surveillance program, announcing his action in the latest in a series of confusing tweets about the spy program: Just signed 702 Bill to reauthorize foreign intelligence collection. This is NOT the same FISA law that was so wrongly abused during the election. I will always do the right thing for our country and put the safety of the American people first!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 19, 2018 Trumps tweet on Jan. 11 created chaos in the House just before it voted to reauthorize what is known as Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. He linked the intelligence program to a dossier that alleges his presidential campaign had ties to Russia. That caused people to wonder if he didnt support the program that allows U.S. spy agencies to collect intelligence on foreign targets abroad. Trump and other Republicans have alleged that Obama administration officials improperly shared the identities of Trump presidential transition team members mentioned in intelligence reports. Democrats say there is no evidence that happened. Shortly before the House vote, and after conferring with House Speaker Paul Ryan, Trump did an apparent about-face. This vote is about foreign surveillance of foreign bad guys on foreign land, he tweeted. We need it! Get smart! In his tweet announcing that he had just signed the bill, Trump wrote: This is NOT the same FISA law that was so wrongly abused during the election. I will always do the right thing for our country and put the safety of the American people first! There are no obvious links between the dossier Trump spoke of, which includes salacious but unsubstantiated allegations against him, and the reauthorization of the spying program, or between the program and Trumps oft-repeated claims that the Obama administration conducted surveillance on Trump Tower during the presidential campaign. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

In tweet, Trump suggests that Pennsylvania trip is a political one The White House press office was once again forced to walk back a tweet from President Trump on Thursday morning after he described a trip to Pennsylvania later in the day as a political one  a statement that would force the Republican Party, not taxpayers, to pay for the journey. The White House had said Trump was going to an industrial equipment company outside of Pittsburgh to highlight the good economy and new tax cuts, making it an official, policy-oriented event. It was widely assumed that the trip had a political cast  the area is holding a special election to fill a congressional seat vacated by a Republican who resigned. Trump, by his tweet, seemed to confirm that politics was the whole purpose: Will be going to Pennsylvania today in order to give my total support to RICK SACCONE, running for Congress in a Special Election (March 13). Rick is a great guy. We need more Republicans to continue our already successful agenda!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 18, 2018 Trump later shared via Twitter a pair of video clips of his speech at H&K Equipment, in which he touted the tax cuts he signed into law just before Christmas and tried to turn the conversation back to his accomplishments after weeks dominated by distractions, including questions about his mental health and comments about immigration that some considered racist: Departing Pittsburgh now, where it was my great honor to stand with our incredible workers, and to show the world that AMERICA is back - and we are coming back bigger and better and stronger than ever before! pic.twitter.com/kWPgylqFzj  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 18, 2018 AMERICA will once again be a NATION that thinks big, dreams bigger, and always reaches for the stars. YOU are the ones who will shape Americas destiny. YOU are the ones who will restore our prosperity. And YOU are the ones who are MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! #MAGA pic.twitter.com/f2abNK47II  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 18, 2018 The Republican National Committee, rather than the White House, is supposed to pay for political travel so that taxpayers are not financing party activities; for trips that combine policy and politics, parties have split the cost under past presidents. Neither the RNC nor the White House responded to emails sent Thursday asking who would pay. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders released a statement later Thursday suggesting that taxpayers would foot the bill. She insisted that Trump would be conducting government business while in Pennsylvania. Read More This post contains reporting from the Associated Press and Times staff writer Noah Bierman. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

Trump tweets praise of Bob Dole after awarding him Congressional Gold Medal By Associated Press Former Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole knew the art of the deal before President Trump published the 1987 book of the same name. The two shared a stage under the Capitol dome Wednesday as Dole, 94, accepted Congress highest civilian honor, the Congressional Gold Medal, for his World War II service and decades of work in the House and Senate. Trump later praised Dole in a tweet, attaching to his message a video composed of clips from the ceremony: Today, we witnessed an incredible moment in history  the presentation of Congress highest civilian honor to our friend, and true AMERICAN HERO, Bob Dole. #CongressionalGoldMedal pic.twitter.com/qNQqDLRmCk  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 17, 2018 At the ceremony, the president saluted Dole as a patriot and gave tribute to Doles struggle as a veteran who worked his way back from a grievous shoulder wound he suffered in Italy. He knows about grit, said Trump. But it was Doles penchant for working across the aisle that earned him his latest award, according to the legislation. Bob Dole was known for his ability to work across the aisle and embrace practical bipartisanship, reads the legislation Trump signed in September. Some of the awards 300 recipients include George Washington and Mother Teresa, according to the Congressional Research Service. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

Trump touts report that seeks to link terrorism cases with immigration By Joseph Tanfani The Trump administration on Tuesday released a report attempting to link terrorism with migration, arguing that it was evidence of the need to dramatically reshape the nations immigration system. New report from DOJ & DHS shows that nearly 3 in 4 individuals convicted of terrorism-related charges are foreign-born. We have submitted to Congress a list of resources and reforms....  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2018 ....we need to keep America safe, including moving away from a random chain migration and lottery system, to one that is merit-based. https://t.co/7PtoSFK1n2  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2018 The report, ordered by President Trump in an executive order last year, said that 75% of the 549 people convicted of terrorism charges since 9/11 were born outside the U.S. Administration officials called that a sign that the U.S. needs to scrap its policy of family preferences for visas, which they call chain migration, and a diversity visa lottery program. But the report did not specify how many  if any  of the convicted terrorists entered the country through those means. It also did not detail how many of the convictions were related to attacks or plans in the U.S. versus overseas and how many involved people who went to fight overseas for the Islamic State or another terrorist group. Those details were not available, officials said. The report, due last year, is being released in a highly charged moment in the immigration debate, as Trump and some Republicans in Congress seek tough new border and immigration measures in return for a deal protecting the 690,000 people in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. Trump also fired off a pair of tweets on the topic earlier Tuesday: We must have Security at our VERY DANGEROUS SOUTHERN BORDER, and we must have a great WALL to help protect us, and to help stop the massive inflow of drugs pouring into our country!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2018 The Democrats want to shut down the Government over Amnesty for all and Border Security. The biggest loser will be our rapidly rebuilding Military, at a time we need it more than ever. We need a merit based system of immigration, and we need it now! No more dangerous Lottery.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2018 The focus of our immigration system should be assimilation, a senior administration official said on Tuesday, speaking on condition that his name not be used. He said the nation should give priority to potential immigrants who speak English, who have an education and those who are committed to supporting our values  not family members of people already here. The official said the timing of the report was coincidental. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Trump tweets welcome to president of Kazakhstan By Associated Press President Trump said Tuesday that he and the president of Kazakhstan are united in a shared determination to prevent North Korea from threatening the world with nuclear devastation. Trump and President Nursultan Nazarbayev discussed North Korea along with other issues during meetings at the White House. Today, it was my honor to welcome President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan to the @WhiteHouse! pic.twitter.com/TerYFZViax  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2018 Trump said Kazakhstan, once part of the Soviet Union, is a valued partner in our efforts to rid the Korean peninsula of nuclear weapons. Together we are determined to prevent the North Korean regime from threatening the world with nuclear devastation, he said, as both presidents addressed journalists between meetings. Nazarbayev noted that his country once had one of the worlds largest nuclear arsenals but voluntarily gave it up after the Soviet Union collapsed. He said his country is in talks with Iran, which was the focus of a global deal that lifted some economic sanctions in exchange for Irans curbing its nuclear program. Trump has sharply criticized the Iran nuclear deal and threatened last week to pull out soon unless other countries fix what he says are terrible flaws. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Trump falsely claims his approval rating among black Americans has doubled By Alex Wigglesworth President Trump lashed out at the news media Tuesday morning in a tweet denouncing the special counsel investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election and possible collusion among members of his campaign team. Do you notice the Fake News Mainstream Media never likes covering the great and record setting economic news, but rather talks about anything negative or that can be turned into the negative. The Russian Collusion Hoax is dead, except as it pertains to the Dems. Public gets it!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2018 It wasnt immediately clear exactly what prompted the presidents tweet, but it appeared as though he was watching Fox & Friends. A short time later, Trump tweeted a headline from a report that aired during that mornings episode: 90% of Trump 2017 news coverage was negative -and much of it contrived!@foxandfriends  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2018 The segment focused on the latest survey results from conservative watchdog Media Research Center, which purportedly analyzed the evening news broadcasts on ABC, CBS and NBC from Jan. 20 to Dec. 31 and found that 90% of the statements made about Trump were negative. Study: 90% of Trump media coverage in 2017 was negative pic.twitter.com/vbrwup4Drg  FOX & friends (@foxandfriends) January 16, 2018 But believe it or not, through all this negative coverage, they did a survey of 600,000 people about how black America views this president, co-host Brian Kilmeade said. His numbers have actually doubled in approval. Trump highlighted the statement in another tweet: Unemployment for Black Americans is the lowest ever recorded. Trump approval ratings with Black Americans has doubled. Thank you, and it will get even (much) better! @FoxNews  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2018 But its not true. The claim appears to have originated from a misreading of data from the online polling firm SurveyMonkey, according to factcheck.org. The firm polled 600,000 Americans in 2017 and found that Trumps approval rating among blacks actually dropped from 23% early in his presidency to about 17%, as of the week ending Jan. 3. Some conservative outlets, including Breitbart, produced an average from those and other SurveyMonkey figures and compared them to the scores Trump received from black voters in the 2016 exit polls. That methodology is not sound. And since the statistics measure different things, the comparison is misleading. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

Trump goes after senator who surfaced his immigration remark By Associated Press President Trump turned his Twitter torment Monday on the Democrat in the room where immigration talks with lawmakers took a famously coarse turn, saying Sen. Richard J. Durbin misrepresented what he had said about African nations and Haiti and, in the process, undermined the trust needed to make a deal. Senator Dicky Durbin totally misrepresented what was said at the DACA meeting, Trump tweeted, using a nickname to needle the Illinois senator. Deals cant get made when there is no trust! Durbin blew DACA and is hurting our Military. Senator Dicky Durbin totally misrepresented what was said at the DACA meeting. Deals cant get made when there is no trust! Durbin blew DACA and is hurting our Military.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 15, 2018 Trump was referring to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which protects young people who came to the United States illegally as children. Members of Congress from both parties are trying to strike a deal that Trump would support to extend that protection. Trump also cast doubt on the likelihood of reaching an agreement in tweets sent earlier Monday: Statement by me last night in Florida: Honestly, I dont think the Democrats want to make a deal. They talk about DACA, but they dont want to help..We are ready, willing and able to make a deal but they dont want to. They dont want security at the border, they dont want.....  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 15, 2018 ...to stop drugs, they want to take money away from our military which we cannot do. My standard is very simple, AMERICA FIRST & MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 15, 2018 On a day of remembrance for the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Trump spent time at his golf course with no public events, bypassing the acts of service that his predecessors staged in honor of the civil rights leader. Instead, Trump dedicated his weekly address to Kings memory, saying Kings dream and Americas are the same: A world where people are judged by who they are, not how they look or where they come from. That message was a distinct counterpoint to words attributed to Trump by Durbin and others at a meeting last week, when the question of where immigrants come from seemed at the forefront of Trumps concerns. Some participants and others familiar with the conversation said Trump challenged immigration from shithole countries of Africa and disparaged Haiti as well. Without explicitly denying using that word, Trump lashed out at the Democratic senator, who said Trump uttered it on several occasions. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Trump thanks pundit for laudatory Fox & Friends spot By Alex Wigglesworth President Trump thanked Fox News personality Stuart Varney after Varney praised Trump during an appearance on Fox & Friends. In a pair of tweets early Sunday, Trump quoted from Varneys commentary, in which he argued that Trump deserves more credit for the booming economy. The pundit, who also hosts a show on Fox Business Network, cited moves by some corporations to raise workers minimum wage or pay out one-time bonuses in response to the GOP tax cuts. President Trump is not getting the credit he deserves for the economy. Tax Cut bonuses to more than 2,000,000 workers. Most explosive Stock Market rally that weve seen in modern times. 18,000 to 26,000 from Election, and grounded in profitability and growth. All Trump, not 0...  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 14, 2018 ...big unnecessary regulation cuts made it all possible (among many other things). President Trump reversed the policies of President Obama, and reversed our economic decline. Thank you Stuart Varney. @foxandfriends  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 14, 2018 Varney was reacting to a quote from House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco), who on Thursday called the bonuses handed down to workers pathetic in comparison to the gains corporations are expected to see from the tax cuts. In terms of the bonus that corporate America received versus the crumbs that they are giving to workers to kind of put the schmooze on is so pathetic, Pelosi told reporters. Its pathetic. Varney shot back Sunday that the bonuses, along with explosive stock market growth, are enriching all Americans. This is a huge shot in the arm, its the result of this tax cut deal and I think President Trump should get the credit for it, he said. .@Varneyco Sets the economic record straight after Nancy Pelosi calls U.S. mass bonuses crumbs pic.twitter.com/BvjIHGm3HE  FOX & friends (@foxandfriends) January 14, 2018 The sweeping tax plan passed last month lowers the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% and cuts personal income taxes. Analysts say the benefits will largely flow to corporations and the wealthy, as theyre more likely to be in positions to share in corporate profits. For instance, Wells Fargo & Co., which responded to news of the tax overhaul by announcing it will raise workers pay to at least $15 an hour, also reported that it expects to pay an effective tax rate of 19% this year, down from about 31% in previous years. That should amount to tax savings of more than $3 billion annually. On average, middle-class Americans are expected to see a very small tax cut in the near term and a tax increase after 2025, when all of the tax cuts for individuals expire. The tax cuts for corporations, however, are permanent.  This post contains reporting from Times staff writer James Rufus Koren. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

Trump touts MLK proclamation in tweet, but ceremony is overshadowed by reports of racist remarks By Associated Press President Trump signed a proclamation Friday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, noting the contributions of a great American hero. Today, it was my great honor to proclaim January 15, 2018, as Martin Luther King Jr., Federal Holiday. I encourage all Americans to observe this day with appropriate civic, community, and service activities in honor of Dr. King's life and legacy. pic.twitter.com/samlJsz1Nt  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2018 Overshadowing the event was mounting backlash from Trumps comments during a private meeting with lawmakers the day before. A short time after the meeting, which was called to discuss a possible immigration deal, reports emerged that Trump had asked participants why the United States should accept immigrants from shithole countries in Africa, Central America and the Caribbean. Illinois Sen. Richard Durbin, the Senates second-ranking Democrat, appeared to confirm those reports on Friday. Trump did not respond Friday to several questions about the incident, including whether he actually used vulgar language to describe African nations, or if he is racist. The president said at the White House that love was central to the slain civil rights leader. Trump said the nation celebrates King for standing up for the self-evident truth Americans hold so dear, that no matter what the color of our skin or place of our birth, we are all created equal by God.  This post contains reporting from Times staff writer Noah Bierman. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

Trump criticizes Democrats in tweet calling for stricter immigration rules President Trump hit out at Democrats on Thursday night in a tweet calling for stricter immigration rules. Trump wrote that members of the party seem intent on having people and drugs pour into our country from the border with Mexico: The Democrats seem intent on having people and drugs pour into our country from the Southern Border, risking thousands of lives in the process. It is my duty to protect the lives and safety of all Americans. We must build a Great Wall, think Merit and end Lottery & Chain. USA!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2018 It wasnt immediately clear exactly what prompted the tweet. Earlier Thursday, Trump rejected a bipartisan compromise to resolve the standoff over so-called Dreamers, young immigrants who were brought to the United States illegally as children but have temporary permits to work, attend school or serve in the military. The president drew widespread condemnation after reports emerged that he had asked participants in an Oval Office meeting about the proposal why the United States should accept immigrants from shithole countries in Africa, Central America and the Caribbean. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

Trump touts bill aimed at improving border screening for fentanyl By Associated Press President Trump signed legislation Wednesday aimed at giving Customs and Border Protection agents additional screening devices and other tools to stop the flow of illicit drugs. Speaking at a surprise bill-signing ceremony while flanked by members of Congress from both parties in the Oval Office, Trump described the bill as a significant step forward in the fight against powerful opioids such as fentanyl, which he called our new big scourge. He echoed that language Thursday in a tweet: Yesterday, I signed the #INTERDICTAct (H.R. 2142) with bipartisan members of Congress to help end the flow of drugs into our country. Together, we are committed to doing everything we can to combat the deadly scourge of drug addiction and overdose in the United States! pic.twitter.com/ELZvFol5Lo  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2018 The legislation will pay for new portable and fixed chemical screening devices to detect and intercept fentanyl at ports of entry and in the mail, along with other laboratory equipment and personnel, including scientists. Trump has made fighting the opioid epidemic a centerpiece of his administration, though critics say he hasnt dedicated nearly enough money or resources to make a difference. Trump suggested during his remarks on Wednesday that hed like to take a more aggressive approach to the drug crisis  but the countrys not ready for what he has in mind. So were going to sign this. And its a step. And it feels like a very giant step, but unfortunately, its not going to be a giant step, because no matter what you do, this is something that keeps pouring in, he said. And were going to find the answer. There is an answer. I think I actually know the answer, but Im not sure the countrys ready for it yet, he added. Does anybody know what I mean? I think so. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Trump applauds news that Toyota-Mazda plant is slated for Alabama By Associated Press Japanese automakers Toyota and Mazda on Wednesday announced plans to build a mammoth, $1.6-billion joint-venture plant in Alabama that will eventually employ about 4,000 people. President Trump lauded the news in a tweet: Cutting taxes and simplifying regulations makes America the place to invest! Great news as Toyota and Mazda announce they are bringing 4,000 JOBS and investing $1.6 BILLION in Alabama, helping to further grow our economy! pic.twitter.com/Kcg8IVH6iA  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2018 Good news: Toyota and Mazda announce giant new Huntsville, Alabama, plant which will produce over 300,000 cars and SUVs a year and employ 4000 people. Companies are coming back to the U.S. in a very big way. Congratulations Alabama!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2018 Several states had competed for the project, which will be able to turn out 300,000 vehicles per year and produce the Toyota Corolla compact car for North America and a new small SUV from Mazda. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey and company executives held a news conference to announce that the facility is coming to the Huntsville area not far from the Tennessee line. Production is expected to begin by 2021. The decision to pick Alabama is another example of foreign-based automakers building U.S. factories in the South. To entice manufacturers, Southern states have used a combination of lucrative incentive packages, low-cost labor and a pro-business labor environment, because the United Auto Workers union is stronger in Northern states. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Trump highlights call for border wall in tweets on visit with Norways prime minister By Associated Press President Trump praised Norways prime minister in a tweet on Wednesday after Erna Solberg became the first foreign leader to visit with the president in 2018. Today, it was my great honor to welcome Prime Minister Erna Solberg of Norway to the @WhiteHouse - a great friend and ally of the United States! Joint press conference: https://t.co/qWR1BhfQZI pic.twitter.com/PJvwznjRCO  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2018 Trump also shared via Twitter a video clip of a joint news conference he held with Solberg on Wednesday afternoon. In the clip, Trump responds to a question from a reporter by saying there can be no bipartisan immigration deal absent funding for his long-promised wall along the U.S. border with Mexico. Republican and Democratic lawmakers have been seeking a solution for hundreds of thousands of so-called Dreamers, young people who were brought to the United States as children and are living here illegally. The United States needs the security of the Wall on the Southern Border, which must be part of any DACA approval. The safety and security of our country is #1! pic.twitter.com/4CFzQXb5aS  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2018 We need the wall for security, we need the wall for safety, we need the wall for stopping the drugs from pouring in, Trump said Wednesday.  Any solution has to include the wall because without the wall, it all doesnt work. On Tuesday, Trump drew widespread attention when he said during a meeting with a bipartisan group of lawmakers that he would be agreeable to signing a stand-alone bill to protect the Dreamers, before moving on to a more comprehensive immigration bill. That contradicted the Republican consensus that Dreamers fate needed to be part of a broader immigration bill that would include some version of Trumps promised border wall and other immigration reforms. Trump backed away from a stand-alone Dreamer bill in subsequent tweets and public comments. Read More This post contains reporting from Los Angeles Times staff writer Noah Bierman. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Trump praises Cabinet in tweet touting meeting By Associated Press President Trump promoted a meeting of his Cabinet on Wednesday, sharing via Twitter a link to a video of the session posted on the White House YouTube account. In his tweet, Trump thanked his Cabinet for working tirelessly on behalf of our country and wrote that the last year has been one of monumental achievement. I want to thank my @Cabinet for working tirelessly on behalf of our country. 2017 was a year of monumental achievement and we look forward to the year ahead. Together, we are delivering results and MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! https://t.co/ptXa1hAPwW pic.twitter.com/yv6RALkQf3  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2018 The former reality television star continued to dispense accolades at the meeting Wednesday, greeting reporters in the Cabinet Room by saying: Welcome back to the studio. Then he proceeded to relive a Cabinet Room session from the prior day, when he had allowed reporters and TV cameras to stick around for much of his meeting with a bipartisan group of legislators on the thorny issue of immigration. It was a tremendous meeting. Actually, it was reported as incredibly good. And my performance  you know, some of them called it a performance  I consider it work, Trump said. Trump went on to say he had received letters from news anchors calling it one of the greatest meetings theyve ever witnessed. He added that the media will ultimately support Trump in the end, because theyre going to say, if Trump doesnt win in three years, theyre all out of business. Asked for examples of letters received from news anchors, the White House said it had received private communications. It also offered a series of positive on-air comments and tweets from journalists about the unusual access to the meeting. During his remarks, Trump swung from praising his own meeting coverage to telling journalists that they were dependent on his presidency for ratings to threatening a strong look at libel laws. Still, Trump thanked the journalists in front of him, joking: Youve gotten very familiar with this room. I appreciate your nice comments yesterday. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

Trump blasts DACA ruling in tweet calling courts broken and unfair By Lisa Mascaro President Trump denounced the federal courts Wednesday as broken and unfair after a district judge in San Francisco issued a nationwide injunction keeping protections in place for so-called Dreamers. Trump tweeted: It just shows everyone how broken and unfair our Court System is when the opposing side in a case (such as DACA) always runs to the 9th Circuit and almost always wins before being reversed by higher courts.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2018 On Tuesday night, U.S. District Judge William Alsup in San Francisco temporarily blocked the Trump administrations decision to phase out the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, known as DACA, which has protected from deportation some 700,000 people who came to the country illegally as children. Alsup granted a request by the state of California, the University of California and other plaintiffs to stop Trump from ending DACA on March 5. The administrations decision to end DACA, which was announced in September, was based on a flawed legal analysis, Alsup wrote in his decision. Dreamers would be irreparably harmed if their DACA protections, which allow them to live and work legally in the U.S., were stripped away before the courts had a chance to fully consider their claims, he ruled. The action is the mirror image of a ruling in 2015 by a federal judge in Texas who ruled in favor of that state when it sought to block President Obama from expanding DACA to include the parents of Dreamers. Trump administration officials praised that judicial ruling. By contrast, they sharply criticized Alsups decision. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Trump thanks lawmakers for productive immigration meeting, says deal must include border wall President Trump thanked a bipartisan group of lawmakers for participating in a meeting on immigration legislation on Tuesday. Much of the discussion involved so-called Dreamers, an estimated 700,000 young people who were brought to the country illegally as children and are now facing deportation. In a tweet, Trump wrote that there was strong agreement to negotiate a bill to protect Dreamers, as well as put into place some of the reforms favored by Republicans. Thanks to all of the Republican and Democratic lawmakers for todays very productive meeting on immigration reform. There was strong agreement to negotiate a bill that deals with border security, chain migration, lottery and DACA. https://t.co/SdqAQ3aL3z pic.twitter.com/8DYHZHspAy  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 9, 2018 The most notable exchange of the meeting came when Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the San Francisco Democrat, asked Trump whether he would be agreeable to signing a stand-alone bill to protect the Dreamers, before moving on to a more comprehensive immigration bill. Yeah, I would like to do it, Trump responded. The statement drew widespread attention because it contradicted the Republican consensus that Dreamers fate needed to be part of a broader immigration bill that would include some version of Trumps promised border wall and other immigration reforms. Trump later backed away from a stand-alone Dreamer bill, tweeting that a wall along the U.S. border with Mexico must be part of any deal: As I made very clear today, our country needs the security of the Wall on the Southern Border, which must be part of any DACA approval.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2018 Pressure has been mounting for Congress to broker an immigration deal by Jan. 19 as part of a must-pass budget package to fund the government. This post contains reporting from Times staff writer Noah Bierman. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Trump thanks officers and veterans in tweets President Trump doled out a slew of accolades Tuesday via Twitter. He thanked the nations law enforcement officers, including in his message a hashtag denoting a day of appreciation organized by a national support group for law enforcement families. On behalf of the American people, THANK YOU to our incredible law enforcement officers. As President of the United States - I will fight for you, and I will never, ever let you down. Now, more than ever, we must support the men and women in blue! #LawEnforcementAppreciationDay pic.twitter.com/Qb4uxB4JRm  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 9, 2018 Trump later expressed gratitude for federal immigration agents, in particular: .@ICEgov HSI agents and ERO officers, on behalf of an entire Nation, THANK YOU for what you are doing 24/7/365 to keep fellow Americans SAFE. Everyone is so grateful!#LawEnforcementAppreciationDay

President @realDonaldTrump https://t.co/HXCpTlruVo  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2018 The president thanked veterans as he cited his administrations efforts to curb the number of veteran suicides by improving mental health treatment for the high-risk group: Today, it was my great honor to sign a new Executive Order to ensure Veterans have the resources they need as they transition back to civilian life. We must ensure that our HEROES are given the care and support they so richly deserve! https://t.co/0MdP9DDIAS pic.twitter.com/LP2a8KCBAp  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 9, 2018 Trumps tweet included photos of the president signing an executive order Tuesday directing the secretaries of Defense, Homeland Security and Veterans Affairs to develop a plan to provide seamless access to mental health and suicide prevention resources for 12 months for members leaving the armed forces. Also on Tuesday, Trump touted a law he signed the day before designating the birthplace of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. a national historic park: It was my great honor to sign H.R. 267, the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park Act, which redesignates the Martin Luther King, Junior, National Historic Site in the State of Georgia as the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park. https://t.co/Qe0b6HBFTY pic.twitter.com/QTgaqTawPT  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 9, 2018 And he thanked House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) for sharing a video compilation comprised of clips of politicians and commentators praising the GOPs tax cut bill: Thank you @GOPLeader Kevin McCarthy! Couldnt agree w/you more. TOGETHER, we are #MAGA https://t.co/QaxtqpyXTR  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2018  This post contains reporting from the Associated Press and Times staff writer Alex Wigglesworth. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

Trump hails tax bill in tweets recapping speech to farmers By Associated Press Connecting with rural Americans, President Trump on Monday hailed his tax overhaul as a victory for family farmers. Farm country is Gods country, Trump told the annual convention of the American Farm Bureau Federation. Trump became the first president in a quarter-century to address the federations convention. His Southern swing also included a stop in Atlanta for the national college football championship game. Cant wait to be back in the amazing state of Tennessee to address the 99th American @FarmBureau Federations Annual Convention in Nashville! #AFBF18



On my way now - join me LIVE at 4:00pmE: https://t.co/QaljAqekdD. pic.twitter.com/Wm7Io0hYT8  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2018 Joined by Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) and a group of Tennessee lawmakers, Trump said most of the benefits of the tax legislation are going to working families, small businesses, and who  the family farmer. The package Trump signed into law last month provides generous tax cuts for corporations and the wealthiest Americans, and more modest reductions for middle- and low-income individuals and families. In every decision we make, we are honoring Americas PROUD FARMING LEGACY. Years of crushing taxes, crippling regs, & corrupt politics left our communities hurting, our economy stagnant, & millions of hardworking Americans COMPLETELY FORGOTTEN. But they are not forgotten ANYMORE! pic.twitter.com/MdYS7xnukQ  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2018 The president vastly inflated the value of the package in his speech, citing a total of $5.5 trillion in tax cuts, with most of those benefits going to working families, small businesses and who? The family farmer. The estimated value of the tax cuts is actually $1.5 trillion for families and businesses because of cuts in deductions and the use of other steps to generate offsetting tax revenue. We have been working every day to DELIVER for Americas Farmers just as they work every day to deliver FOR US. #AFBF18 pic.twitter.com/QDH7fvFkZ7  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2018 From Nashville, Trump traveled to Atlanta to watch Alabamas Crimson Tide and Georgias Bulldogs face off Monday night in the College Football Playoff National Championship. We are fighting for our farmers, for our country, and for our GREAT AMERICAN FLAG. We want our flag respected - and we want our NATIONAL ANTHEM respected also! pic.twitter.com/16eOLXg6Fi  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2018 Before departing for the game, Trump referenced his ongoing defense of the American flag and the national anthem, saying there was enough space for people to express their views. We love our flag and we love our anthem, and we want to keep it that way, he said. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Trump tweet hails drop in unemployment rate for African Americans By Associated Press President Trump touted a drop in the unemployment rate for African Americans on Monday in a tweet. African American unemployment is the lowest ever recorded in our country. The Hispanic unemployment rate dropped a full point in the last year and is close to the lowest in recorded history. Dems did nothing for you but get your vote! #NeverForget @foxandfriends  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2018 The rate fell to 6.8% in December, the lowest level since the government began tracking such data in 1972. The reasons range from a greater number of black Americans with college degrees to a growing need for employers in a tight job market to widen the pool of people they hire from. Trump also hailed the development via Twitter on Saturday. His latest tweet on the topic came about an hour after it was discussed during an episode of Fox & Friends, according to Mediaite. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Trump talks up the economy and dresses down the media in Sunday tweets With President Trump cheering from the sidelines, the White House on Sunday pressed its defense of the presidents fitness to govern, as fired former aide Stephen K. Bannon reversed course and apologized for his role in a new books explosive portrait of Trump. The presidents critics, meanwhile, said Trumps stream of taunts and insults in response to the book  Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House, released last week  served only to underscore the authors unsettling portrayal of Trumps year-old presidency, depicting a leader whose own aides consider him childish, ignorant and dangerously erratic. Trump provided more ammunition Sunday morning, as he continued to attack the book via Twitter while preparing to depart Camp David for the White House: Leaving Camp David for the White House. Great meetings with the Cabinet and Military on many very important subjects including Border Security & the desperately needed Wall, the ever increasing Drug and Opioid Problem, Infrastructure, Military, Budget, Trade and DACA.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 7, 2018 Ive had to put up with the Fake News from the first day I announced that I would be running for President. Now I have to put up with a Fake Book, written by a totally discredited author. Ronald Reagan had the same problem and handled it well. So will I!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 7, 2018 The most vehement defense of Trump on Sunday came from senior advisor Stephen Miller, a onetime Bannon acolyte who distanced himself from his former mentor. In a combative appearance Sunday on CNNs State of the Union, Miller called the book grotesque and writer Michael Wolff the garbage author of a garbage book. Trump is known to closely monitor aides televised performances in putting forth his case, and he gleefully weighed in within moments of Millers televised clash with host Jake Tapper. CNN has long been a particular target of Trumps ire. Jake Tapper of Fake News CNN just got destroyed in his interview with Stephen Miller of the Trump Administration. Watch the hatred and unfairness of this CNN flunky!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 7, 2018 Trumps reaction, however, seemed to bolster Tappers on-air depiction of Miller as using his appearance on the show to play to the president rather than addressing questions put to him. I get it  theres one viewer that you care about, the host said exasperatedly after Miller turned the discussion repeatedly to negative news coverage of the president while deflecting specific queries. Later on Twitter, Trump took up two themes that have been prevalent on his social media feeds recently. The president again went after the news media, tweeting that the recipients of his self-proclaimed most dishonest & corrupt media awards of the year, which he promised earlier in the week to announce on Monday, would actually be revealed the following Wednesday: The Fake News Awards, those going to the most corrupt & biased of the Mainstream Media, will be presented to the losers on Wednesday, January 17th, rather than this coming Monday. The interest in, and importance of, these awards is far greater than anyone could have anticipated!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 7, 2018 Trump later lauded a New York Post opinion piece that compared him favorably with his predecessor, President Obama, as well as Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. In quoting the op-ed, Trump initally misspelled consequential as consensual, but he deleted those tweets and re-sent the messages. His is turning out to be an enormously consequential presidency. So much so that, despite my own frustration over his missteps, there has never been a day when I wished Hillary Clinton were president. Not one. Indeed, as Trumps accomplishments accumulate, the mere thought of...  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2018 ...Clinton in the WH, doubling down on Barack Obamas failed policies, washes away any doubts that America made the right choice. This was truly a change election  and the changes Trump is bringing are far-reaching & necessary. Thank you Michael Goodwin! https://t.co/4fHNcx2Ydg  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2018 Trump also continued talking up the economy, which has been enjoying a period of strong gains. The Stock Market has been creating tremendous benefits for our country in the form of not only Record Setting Stock Prices, but present and future Jobs, Jobs, Jobs. Seven TRILLION dollars of value created since our big election win!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 7, 2018 In addition to Miller, other senior administration officials made the rounds of Sunday news talk shows to decry the claims made in Wolffs book. CIA Director Mike Pompeo said Wolffs characterization of Trump as averse to digesting classified briefing material was ludicrous, and the ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, insisted that that those around Trump love their country and respect their president. Read More This post contains reporting from Times staff writer Laura King. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Responding to book that mocks his intelligence, Trump tweets hes like, really smart By Tracy Wilkinson President Trump declared himself a very stable genius on Twitter on Saturday and later in a televised news conference called the author of a book that questioned his mental fitness a fraud. His comments came on a bone-cold day at Camp David during a weekend retreat with top administration officials and Republican congressional leaders strategizing on the years legislative agenda, including matters such as infrastructure, immigration, welfare reform and national security. Now that Russian collusion, after one year of intense study, has proven to be a total hoax on the American public, the Democrats and their lapdogs, the Fake News Mainstream Media, are taking out the old Ronald Reagan playbook and screaming mental stability and intelligence.....  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2018 ....Actually, throughout my life, my two greatest assets have been mental stability and being, like, really smart. Crooked Hillary Clinton also played these cards very hard and, as everyone knows, went down in flames. I went from VERY successful businessman, to top T.V. Star.....  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2018 ....to President of the United States (on my first try). I think that would qualify as not smart, but genius....and a very stable genius at that!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2018 Still, Trumps explosive rebuttal to author Michael Wolffs claims not only opened the day, but it also ensured the presidents capability to fill the highest office in the land was a topic that would not go away. In his early-morning tweets, Trump said two of his greatest assets have been mental stability, and being, like, really smart. He noted that his former Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton, played these cards [about competence] very hard and, as everyone knows, went down in flames. I went from VERY successful businessman, to top T.V. Star to President of the United States (on my first try). Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

In morning tweets, Trump touts job numbers and takes digs at news media By Associated Press President Trump used Twitter on Saturday morning to tout a drop in the unemployment rate for African Americans. He also used the tweets as an opportunity to take digs at media outlets whose past coverage he has found to be critical. The African American unemployment rate fell to 6.8%, the lowest rate in 45 years. I am so happy about this News! And, in the Washington Post (of all places), headline states, Trumps first year jobs numbers were very, very good.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2018 The unemployment rate for African Americans fell to 6.8% in December, the lowest level since the government began tracking such data in 1972. The reasons range from a greater number of black Americans with college degrees to a growing need for employers in a tight job market to widen the pool of people they hire from. Still, the rate for black workers remains well above those for whites and some other groups, something experts attribute in large part to decades of discrimination and disadvantages. Robust job creation has lowered unemployment for all Americans. U.S. employers added nearly 2.1 million jobs in 2017  the seventh straight year that hiring has topped 2 million. In his tweet, Trump praised a report that noted the numbers, touting the fact that it appeared in the Washington Post (of all places). Minutes later, Trump renewed his attack on an ABC News reporter who was suspended last month after filing an erroneous report on Michael Flynn, Trumps former national security advisor. Brian Ross, the reporter who made a fraudulent live newscast about me that drove the Stock Market down 350 points (billions of dollars), was suspended for a month but is now back at ABC NEWS in a lower capacity. He is no longer allowed to report on Trump. Should have been fired!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2018 The reporter, Brian Ross, was reportedly reassigned within ABC News upon returning from his unpaid suspension. But on Saturday, Trump wrote that he should have been fired. Trumps tweets came hours before he was set to host congressional Republicans and administration officials at Camp David. The meeting scheduled to begin at midmorning Saturday was expected to touch on the budget, infrastructure, immigration, welfare reform and the shape of the midterm election this fall. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Trump commends Sen. Rand Paul after he proposes eliminating all U.S. aid to Pakistan President Trump commended Sen. Rand Paul after the Kentucky Republican announced plans to introduce legislation that would eliminate all U.S. aid to Pakistan. Trump tweeted Friday night: Good idea Rand! https://t.co/55sqUDiC0s  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2018 On Thursday, the Trump administration announced it was suspending security assistance to Islamabad until the country moves aggressively against local militants who have attacked U.S. troops in neighboring Afghanistan. Trump has repeatedly expressed frustration at the apparent inability of Pakistani authorities to rein in militants who cross out of the countrys rugged tribal areas to attack U.S. troops in Afghanistan. Read More This post contains reporting from Times staff writer Tracy Wilkinson. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Trump continues to lash out at Sloppy Steve Bannon in tweets on tell-all book By Associated Press President Trump is praising a major Republican donor family for distancing themselves from his former advisor Steve Bannon. Trump tweeted Friday: The Mercer Family recently dumped the leaker known as Sloppy Steve Bannon. Smart!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 5, 2018 Trump has continued to lash out at Bannon over an explosive new book that quoted his former aide as questioning Trumps competence and describing a June 2016 meeting at Trump Tower among Donald Trump Jr., Trump campaign aides and a Russian lawyer as treasonous and unpatriotic. On Thursday, billionaire GOP donor Rebekah Mercer issued a statement distancing her family from Bannon. Mercer is a co-owner of Breitbart, the populist website Bannon helps run. I support President Trump and the platform upon which he was elected, Mercer said. My family and I have not communicated with Steve Bannon in many months and have provided no financial support to his political agenda, nor do we support his recent actions and statements. The book, Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House, quickly shot atop Amazons best-seller list, and the publisher moved up its release date by four days, to Friday. Trump took up the topic again on Twitter on Friday night, denouncing both Bannon and the books author, Michael Wolff, in starkly personal terms: Michael Wolff is a total loser who made up stories in order to sell this really boring and untruthful book. He used Sloppy Steve Bannon, who cried when he got fired and begged for his job. Now Sloppy Steve has been dumped like a dog by almost everyone. Too bad! https://t.co/mEeUhk5ZV9  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2018 Trumps message linked to a meme depicting a parody book cover titled, Liar and Phony, that featured a photo of Wolff and disparaging quotes about the author. In a tweet sent earlier Friday morning, Trump suggested the book was intended to serve as a distraction from the FBIs investigation into possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia, which Trump wrote is proving to be a total hoax. Well, now that collusion with Russia is proving to be a total hoax and the only collusion is with Hillary Clinton and the FBI/Russia, the Fake News Media (Mainstream) and this phony new book are hitting out at every new front imaginable. They should try winning an election. Sad!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 5, 2018 That came amid reports that Trump directed his White House counsel to tell Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions to not recuse himself from the Justice Departments Russia investigation. Trumps effort to keep Sessions, a vocal and loyal supporter of his election bid, in charge of an investigation into his campaign offers special counsel Robert Mueller yet another avenue to explore as his prosecutors work to untangle potential evidence of obstruction. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Trump praises the economy ahead of meetings at Camp David By Associated Press President Trump is praising the strength of the U.S. economy ahead of meetings at Camp David with congressional Republicans. Trump tweeted early Friday: Dow goes from 18,589 on November 9, 2016, to 25,075 today, for a new all-time Record. Jumped 1000 points in last 5 weeks, Record fastest 1000 point move in history. This is all about the Make America Great Again agenda! Jobs, Jobs, Jobs. Six trillion dollars in value created!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 5, 2018 The president also told reporters on the South Lawn that the tax cuts are really kicking in after Congress passed a package of tax cuts at the end of 2017. And the president praised the December jobs report, which found U.S. employers added 148,000 jobs in December and the unemployment rate stayed at 4.1%, the lowest level since 2000. The modest but steady pace of hiring is a reassuring sign for investors who have been buoyed by the just-passed Republican tax plan and have been sending stock market indexes roaring to uncharted heights. The president is meeting with Republican congressional leaders and members of his Cabinet on Friday and Saturday to discuss the 2018 agenda. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

Trump tweets as Dow crashes through 25,000 By Associated Press President Trump dispatched a congratulatory tweet as the Dow Jones industrial average rose above the 25,000-point mark Thursday, just five weeks after its first close above 24,000. Dow just crashes through 25,000. Congrats! Big cuts in unnecessary regulations continuing.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 After the Dow closed above 25,000, Trump shared a graphic depicting the stock indexs record-setting rise. MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! pic.twitter.com/iONbr1DkVk  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 5, 2018 Later in the day, the president was back on Twitter, complaining that news outlets had barely covered the stock market milestone. He suggested that the strength of the economy would be the biggest story on earth, had it unfolded during the presidency of his predecessor. The Fake News Media barely mentions the fact that the Stock Market just hit another New Record and that business in the U.S. is booming...but the people know! Can you imagine if O was president and had these numbers - would be biggest story on earth! Dow now over 25,000.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 5, 2018 The Dow broke past 1,000-point barriers in 2017 on its way to a 25% gain for the year, as an eight-year rally since the Great Recession continued to confound skeptics. Strong global economic growth and good prospects for higher company earnings have analysts predicting more gains, although the market may not stay as calm as it has been recently. The Dow has made a rapid trip since it reached 24,000 points Nov. 30, partly on enthusiasm over passage of the Republican-backed tax package, which could boost company profits this year with across-the-board cuts to corporate taxes. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Trump reacts to Fire and Fury book in tweet lashing out at author and Sloppy Steve President Trump lashed out at the author of a soon-to-be-released book about the chaotic first year of his presidency Thursday night. In a tweet, Trump called Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House, a phony book and claimed that hed never spoken to its author, Michael Wolff. Look at this guys past and watch what happens to him and Sloppy Steve! Trump wrote. He appeared to be referring to former White House chief strategist Stephen K. Bannon, whose stunning criticisms of Trump and his circle figure prominently in the title. I authorized Zero access to White House (actually turned him down many times) for author of phony book! I never spoke to him for book. Full of lies, misrepresentations and sources that dont exist. Look at this guys past and watch what happens to him and Sloppy Steve!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 5, 2018 Trumps tweet came hours after he had his lawyer demand that Henry Holt & Co. and Wolff stop publication the book. Instead, the publisher expedited the books release to Friday, four days before it was slated to hit bookstore shelves, in response to unprecedented demand. Published excerpts on Wednesday and Thursday whetted that appetite and roiled Washington. Bannons comments, including that it was treasonous and unpatriotic for Trumps son Donald Trump Jr., son-in-law Jared Kushner and campaign manager Paul Manafort to have met in 2016 with Russians said to have dirt on Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, prompted Trump on Wednesday to rebuke his former advisor, saying Bannon had lost his mind. Read More This post contains reporting from Times staff writers Brian Bennett and Alex Wigglesworth. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Trump thanks senators who attended meeting on immigration President Trump tweeted thanks to Republican senators who attended a meeting about possible immigration legislation on Thursday. In his message, Trump also listed his top priorities when it comes to any type of overhaul of the nations immigration system. Thank you to the great Republican Senators who showed up to our mtg on immigration reform. We must BUILD THE WALL, stop illegal immigration, end chain migration & cancel the visa lottery. The current system is unsafe & unfair to the great people of our country - time for change!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 Trumps tweet echoed his remarks at the beginning of Thursdays meeting, when he insisted again that constructing a border wall and overhauling two legal immigration programs must be part of any deal with Democrats to protect the so-called Dreamers from deportation. Two-year deportation protections and work permits given under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program begin to expire March 6 under an executive order. Trump announced in September that he was ending the Obama-era program, but told Congress to draft a law to continue protections for people brought to the country illegally as children  a group that has widespread public support. Read More This post contains reporting from Times staff writer Brian Bennett. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Trump resumes Twitter war against kneeling NFL players President Trump has resumed his Twitter war against NFL players who kneel during the national anthem to protest social injustice and racial inequality. In a tweet early Thursday, Trump replied to a supporter who shared a meme that appears to depict family members lying on the grave of a fallen soldier with the caption: This is why we stand. Show this picture to the NFL players who still kneel! Trump wrote. So beautiful....Show this picture to the NFL players who still kneel! https://t.co/tJLM1tvbvb  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 The president has denounced players who kneel during the anthem in previous tweets. Hes also called for the firing of players who do so. His latest message came amid news that the NFL finished the regular season with TV ratings that fell nearly 10% below the previous season. Analysts attribute the drop to controversies facing the league, as well as changing viewing habits and a possible saturation point in the number of games available. Read More This post contains reporting from Times staff writers Stephen Battaglio and Alex Wigglesworth. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

Trump credits himself with facilitating talks between North and South Korea By Associated Press President Trump says his tough stance on nuclear weapons on the Korean peninsula is helping push North Korea and South Korea to talk. Trump tweeted early Thursday: With all of the failed experts weighing in, does anybody really believe that talks and dialogue would be going on between North and South Korea right now if I wasnt firm, strong and willing to commit our total might against the North. Fools, but talks are a good thing!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 That assertion is in conflict with some of the presidents own statements. Last year, he ridiculed Secretary of State Rex Tillerson for talking about negotiations with the North. This week, Trump seemed open to the possibility of an inter-Korean dialogue after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made a rare overture toward South Korea in a New Years Day address. But Trumps ambassador to the United Nations insisted that talks wont be meaningful unless the North is getting rid of its nuclear weapons. The overture about talks came after Trump and Kim traded more bellicose claims about their nuclear weapons. In his New Years Day address, Kim repeated fiery nuclear threats against the United States. Kim said he has a nuclear button on his office desk and warned that the whole territory of the U.S. is within the range of our nuclear strike. Trump mocked that assertion Tuesday evening in a tweet. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

After disbanding his vote fraud panel, Trump still says voting system is rigged By Brian Bennett One day after disbanding his troubled voter fraud commission without any findings of fraud, President Trump continued to call the U.S. voting system rigged and said states should require that Americans have voter-identification cards. In two tweets on Thursday morning, Trump blamed the commissions failure on the lack of cooperation from mostly Democrat States that refused to hand over voter rolls because they know that many people are voting illegally. However, voting supervisors in Republican-led states refused as well, objecting on privacy and other grounds. Many mostly Democrat States refused to hand over data from the 2016 Election to the Commission On Voter Fraud. They fought hard that the Commission not see their records or methods because they know that many people are voting illegally. System is rigged, must go to Voter I.D.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 As Americans, you need identification, sometimes in a very strong and accurate form, for almost everything you do.....except when it comes to the most important thing, VOTING for the people that run your country. Push hard for Voter Identification!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 Despite Trumps assertions, analysts have not found evidence of widespread voter fraud. Trump created the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity in May after alleging, without proof, that millions of illegal votes were cast for Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election. Trump was elected after winning a majority in the electoral college, but the nationwide count showed Clinton received nearly 3 million more votes. The commission sought personal data on voters across the country and faced mounting lawsuits in recent months over privacy concerns. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Trump touts another good day for stocks, credits tax cut By Associated Press President Trump touted another good day for the stock market Wednesday in a tweet. Stock Market had another good day but, now that the Tax Cut Bill has passed, we have tremendous upward potential. Dow just short of 25,000, a number that few thought would be possible this soon into my administration. Also, unemployment went down to 4.1%. Only getting better!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 Big gains for technology and healthcare stocks helped U.S. indexes set records again Wednesday. Some analysts attributed the surge to investor enthusiasm for Trumps $1.5-trillion tax cut. All told, Wall Street analysts estimate the tax package should boost earnings for companies in the Standard & Poors 500 index by roughly 8% this year. Thats much more generous than the average tax cut of 1.6% that middle-class families will receive, according to the Tax Policy Center. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 The public has been less enthusiastic about the tax law. A Monmouth University poll last month found that nearly half of Americans disapproved of it, with only 26% in support. Still, as Trump also noted on Twitter, some workers have seen a benefit: So far, dozens of companies have announced bonuses and higher minimum wages as a result of the tax cut. AT&T, Comcast, Bank of America, and American Airlines have all pledged to pay $1,000 bonuses to their employees. Some 40 U.S. companies have responded to President Trumps tax cut and reform victory in Congress last year by handing out bonuses up to $2,000, increases in 401k matches and spending on charity, a much higher number than previously known. https://t.co/bmWrwWzxMR  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 Investors also appear less concerned than many politicians about how the additional profits will be used. The Trump administration says it expects companies will plow much of the extra profit back into their businesses, purchasing more software, machinery, and other equipment. Those investments will make workers more productive and provide a key boost to the economys long-run growth. They should also boost wages and salaries for employees. Opponents of the tax law respond that companies are more likely to pass the windfall on to shareholders in the form of higher dividend payments and share buybacks, which raise the price of those shares still in investors hands. Previous cuts in corporate tax rates, in the United States and overseas, havent always led to higher wages. For Wall Street, its all good, at least in the short run. Most analysts take the view that either way, companies and the economy will benefit. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Trump reacts to death of Mormon Church president By Associated Press President Trump mourned the death of Mormon Church leader Thomas S. Monson on Wednesday evening. Trump tweeted a link to a statement in which he said that Monson demonstrated wisdom, inspired leadership, and great compassion and delivered a message of optimism, forgiveness, and faith. Melania and I are deeply saddened by the death of Thomas S. Monson, a beloved President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints...https://t.co/ETD3fWtfU3  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 A church bishop at the age of 22, Monson became the youngest church apostle ever in 1963 at the age of 36. He served as a counselor for three church presidents before assuming the role of the top leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in February 2008. After a life of church service, Monson died Tuesday at his home in Salt Lake City, according to church spokesman Eric Hawkins. He was 90. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

Trump tweets that Iranian protesters will see great U.S. support at the appropriate time By Associated Press President Trump continued to express support for Irans anti-government protesters on Wednesday. In a tweet, Trump commended the protesters and pledged that the United States will support them at the appropriate time. Such respect for the people of Iran as they try to take back their corrupt government. You will see great support from the United States at the appropriate time!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2018 Trumps tweet Wednesday morning came as Iranian Ambassador Gholamali Khoshroo sent a letter to United Nations officials complaining that Washington was intervening in a grotesque way in Irans internal affairs. The President and Vice-President of the United States, in their numerous absurd tweets, incited Iranians to engage in disruptive acts, the ambassador wrote to the U.N. Security Council president and U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The U.S. didnt immediately respond to the letter, which maintains that Washington has crossed every limit in flouting rules and principles of international law governing the civilized conduct of international relations. At least 21 people have been killed and hundreds arrested in Iran during a week of anti-government protests and unrest over economic woes and official corruption. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of people took part in counter-demonstrations Wednesday backing the clerically overseen government, which has said enemies of Iran are fomenting the protests. Trump has unleashed a series of tweets in recent days backing the protesters, saying Iran is failing at every level and declaring that it is time for change in the Islamic Republic. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Trump congratulates Sen. Orrin Hatch upon news of his retirement By Associated Press President Trump congratulated Sen. Orrin Hatch for an absolutely incredible career upon news of Hatchs impending retirement. In a tweet Tuesday afternoon, Trump called Hatch a tremendous supporter and wrote that he will be greatly missed in the Senate. Congratulations to Senator Orrin Hatch on an absolutely incredible career. He has been a tremendous supporter, and I will never forget the (beyond kind) statements he has made about me as President. He is my friend and he will be greatly missed in the U.S. Senate! pic.twitter.com/0VjzLEeHTl  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 Hatchs decision to retire from the Senate after four decades lets the Utah Republican walk away at the height of his power after helping to push through an overhaul of the tax code and persuading Trump to downsize two national monuments. Retirement also preserves the 83-year-olds legacy by allowing him to avoid a bruising reelection battle that would have broken his promise not to seek an eighth term. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Trump tweet exaggerates progress in improving veterans care By Associated Press President Trump played up tremendous progress in improving care for veterans in his first year on Tuesday in a tweet. His message linked to an Instagram video describing eight accomplishments that show Trump is fighting for our veterans. But it overstates the impact of these steps. We will not rest until all of Americas GREAT VETERANS can receive the care they so richly deserve. Tremendous progress has been made in a short period of time. Keep up the great work @SecShulkin @DeptVetAffairs! https://t.co/ir25vW15hx pic.twitter.com/OtuzIgxMn6  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 Of the eight achievements cited, two are ceremonial proclamations recognizing National Veterans and Military Families Month and National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. Two are pieces of legislation that extended the troubled Veterans Choice program on a temporary basis. This became necessary because the Trump administration repeatedly miscalculated the amount of taxpayer dollars available to pay for care from private doctors outside the Veterans Affairs system when veterans had to endure long waits for treatment at VA medical centers. The departments poor budget planning caught lawmakers off guard. A fifth claim involves telehealth, a step letting doctors practice medicine across state lines using digital technology. Announced in August, it has yet to take full effect because a proposed VA regulation hasnt been completed. The VA wants authority to practice across state lines to come from legislation, not a regulation. On Wednesday, the Senate approved a telehealth measure that now goes to the House. A sixth claim refers to legislation that streamlines the appeals process for disability compensation claims within the VA. This step has had limited effect so far because it applies to new disability claims, not the 470,000 pending claims. The last two initiatives make it easier for the VA to discipline employees. The department has pointed to more than 1,300 employees who have been fired under Trumps watch. Because their infractions are not detailed in public documents, the effect on veterans care is not fully known. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Trump unleashes his first tweetstorm of 2018 By Noah Bierman President Trump clearly didnt resolve to change his Twitter habits this year. With nine disparate tweets over three hours on Tuesday morning, the first working day of 2018, Trump continued to exploit social media to be the most aggressive commentator in chief in American history. For any other president, his posts would have made for a monumental day of (mis-)statements. Yet for Trump, the series  attacks on political foes and media, provocations of foreign leaders and self-praise for events he had nothing to do with  was all but unremarkable. His Twitter barrage  sent between 7:09 a.m. and 10:16 a.m.  reflected a familiar gamut after nearly a year in office: Attacks on political foes: Nearly 14 months after his election, Trump called for the jailing of Huma Abedin, Crooked Hillary Clintons top aid (his misspelling, another occasional feature of Trump tweets). Crooked Hillary Clintons top aid, Huma Abedin, has been accused of disregarding basic security protocols. She put Classified Passwords into the hands of foreign agents. Remember sailors pictures on submarine? Jail! Deep State Justice Dept must finally act? Also on Comey & others  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 In the same tweet, he disparaged the Deep State Justice Dept, headed of course by his appointees, calling on it to act against James B. Comey, the FBI director he fired for investigating the Russia thing. Diplomatic provocations: Trump again called North Korean leader Kim Jong Un Rocket man, ridiculed the volatile nuclear-armed foe for recent military defections and openly speculated about potential talks between North and South Korea. Sanctions and other pressures are beginning to have a big impact on North Korea. Soldiers are dangerously fleeing to South Korea. Rocket man now wants to talk to South Korea for first time. Perhaps that is good news, perhaps not - we will see!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 Perhaps that is good news, perhaps not  we will see! Trump wrote. Later Tuesday, Trump tweeted: North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times. Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2018 Also later Tuesday, Trump tweeted an attack on Pakistan, his second in as many days, and added a new one against Palestinians: It's not only Pakistan that we pay billions of dollars to for nothing, but also many other countries, and others. As an example, we pay the Palestinians HUNDRED OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year and get no appreciation or respect. They dont even want to negotiate a long overdue...  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 ...peace treaty with Israel. We have taken Jerusalem, the toughest part of the negotiation, off the table, but Israel, for that, would have had to pay more. But with the Palestinians no longer willing to talk peace, why should we make any of these massive future payments to them?  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 Undermining media: Trump offered Congratulations! to A.G. Sulzberger, who took over as publisher of the New York Times this week. The Failing New York Times has a new publisher, A.G. Sulzberger. Congratulations! Here is a last chance for the Times to fulfill the vision of its Founder, Adolph Ochs, to give the news impartially, without fear or FAVOR, regardless of party, sect, or interests involved. Get...  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 ....impartial journalists of a much higher standard, lose all of your phony and non-existent sources, and treat the President of the United States FAIRLY, so that the next time I (and the people) win, you wont have to write an apology to your readers for a job poorly done! GL  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 But the two-part post was really yet another slam against a perceived media foe: Trump said the paper had a last chance to fulfill its journalistic mission, and accused it of relying on phony sources and substandard reporters  just days after he granted another exclusive interview to the paper. As a bonus, the tweet contained a recycled falsehood, that the paper apologized after the election for reporting on him unfairly. It didnt. Trump later said on Twitter that he would soon announce the most dishonest & corrupt media awards of the year. Stay tuned! I will be announcing THE MOST DISHONEST & CORRUPT MEDIA AWARDS OF THE YEAR on Monday at 5:00 oclock. Subjects will cover Dishonesty & Bad Reporting in various categories from the Fake News Media. Stay tuned!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2018 The president also tweeted a quote from Fox Business Networks Lou Dobbs Tonight, which aired a segment praising Trumps first-year accomplishments. Dobbs reportedly joined Trump at Mar-a-Lago on Sunday for a gala to celebrate New Years Eve. President Trump has something now he didnt have a year ago, that is a set of accomplishments that nobody can deny. The accomplishments are there, look at his record, he has had a very significant first year. @LouDobbs Show,David Asman & Ed Rollins  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2018 Taking credit: Trump congratulated himself for policing the border with Mexico, an area where his policies and anti-immigration rhetoric are believed to have had some effect on reducing illegal crossings. Thank you to Brandon Judd of the National Border Patrol Council for your kind words on how well we are doing at the Border. We will be bringing in more & more of your great folks and will build the desperately needed WALL! @foxandfriends  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 He took credit for employee bonuses by companies after he signed Republican tax cuts into law last month. Companies are giving big bonuses to their workers because of the Tax Cut Bill. Really great!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 But the jaw-dropper was Trump congratulating himself for planes not crashing. Since taking office I have been very strict on Commercial Aviation. Good news - it was just reported that there were Zero deaths in 2017, the best and safest year on record!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 It was the safest year on record worldwide, but the American streak without commercial jet passenger deaths goes back to 2009. Trump, who has promoted deregulation as one of his top accomplishments, has not signed off on any new airline safety regulations. The White House pointed to new security screening of passengers, to electronic devices to prevent terrorist attacks and to Trumps support for privatizing air traffic control  a proposal that has gotten nowhere in Congress. Falsehoods: Trump said President Obama, in brokering the 2015 nuclear arms limitation deal with Iran, foolishly gave money to the brutal and corrupt Iranian regime. He didnt. The people of Iran are finally acting against the brutal and corrupt Iranian regime. All of the money that President Obama so foolishly gave them went into terrorism and into their pockets. The people have little food, big inflation and no human rights. The U.S. is watching!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 The nuclear deal, which included major U.S. allies as signators, released Irans own funds that had long been frozen. Trumps art of the deal: When Trump sees a big deal looming, he often blasts the other side  to gain leverage, as hes written. This week he resumes a showdown with Democratic lawmakers over funding the government and immigration protections for so-called Dreamers, who were brought to the country illegally as children. Democrats are doing nothing for DACA - just interested in politics. DACA activists and Hispanics will go hard against Dems, will start falling in love with Republicans and their President! We are about RESULTS.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 Trump, who in September ordered a gradual end of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, sought to shift blame for the resulting controversy, saying Democrats are doing nothing for DACA and are just interested in politics. Trump has insisted that any help for Dreamers be paired with funding for a border wall and a crackdown on legal immigration. Democrats, and some Republicans, are opposed. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

In tweet, Trump suggests U.S. will withdraw financial assistance to Pakistan By Shashank Bengali Pakistan lashed out Monday after President Trump accused its leaders of lies & deceit and suggested the United States would withdraw financial assistance to the nuclear-armed nation it once saw as a key ally against terrorism. It was the presidents latest broadside against Pakistan after a speech in August in which he demanded its leaders crack down on the safe havens enjoyed by Taliban militants fighting U.S.-backed forces in neighboring Afghanistan. The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 1, 2018 U.S. Ambassador David Hale was summoned to the Foreign Ministry to discuss the presidents statement, U.S. Embassy spokesman Richard Snelsire said. Pakistan lodged a strongly worded protest and asked for clarification about Trumps comments, according to two foreign office officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. Pakistans prime minister, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, called a Cabinet meeting for Tuesday and a meeting of the National Security Committee on Wednesday to discuss Trumps New Years Day tweet. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Trump continues to tweet in support of Iranian protesters By Laura King President Trump expressed renewed support Sunday for protesters in Iran, declaring that people are finally getting wise as to how their money and wealth is being stolen and squandered on terrorism. In a tweet from his Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago, the president said the nationwide economic protests that began on Thursday  and have taken on wider political overtones as they have grown in size  were a signal that Iranians will not take it any longer. Big protests in Iran. The people are finally getting wise as to how their money and wealth is being stolen and squandered on terrorism. Looks like they will not take it any longer. The USA is watching very closely for human rights violations!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2017 Trump has tweeted about the protests for three days straight as Iranians took to the streets despite a heavy police presence, tear gas and scores of arrests. The defiance gained urgency after two people were reported shot to death in the city of Dorud, about 200 miles southwest of Tehran. As the conflict escalated, Iranian authorities on Sunday slapped a temporary ban on Instagram and the messaging app Telegram, which were widely used to fan protest fervor. Iran, the Number One State of Sponsored Terror with numerous violations of Human Rights occurring on an hourly basis, has now closed down the Internet so that peaceful demonstrators cannot communicate. Not good!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2017 Irans leaders already are casting Trumps increasingly effusive expressions of support for the demonstrators as opportunistic meddling and are painting the demonstrators as foreign pawns, adopting a strategy that some analysts say could jeopardize the legitimacy of the nascent antigovernment protests. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

Trump tweets condolences after Colorado deputies are shot in ambush, one fatally By Associated Press A man fired more than 100 rounds at sheriffs deputies in Colorado early Sunday, killing one and injuring four others, before being fatally shot himself in what authorities called an ambush. Two civilians were also injured. President Trump expressed sorrow, writing on Twitter: My deepest condolences to the victims of the terrible shooting in Douglas County @DCSheriff, and their families. We love our police and law enforcement - God Bless them all! #LESM  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2017 Douglas County Sheriff Tony Spurlock said deputies came under fire almost
Wait  did the president really say, Mission Accomplished? By Marc Olson Some are recalling the last time a president declared Mission accomplished, in May 2003 when George W. Bush was talking about Iraq. (Stephen Jaffe / AFP/Getty Images) President Trump on Saturday morning thanked his allies in a tweet that declared the airstrikes on Syria perfectly executed, but he might have wished hed stopped there. Instead, he ended his message with the phrase, Mission Accomplished! Thats a line that might have a previous president shaking his head. On May 1, 2003, President George W. Bush declared an end to major combat in Iraq under a Mission Accomplished banner aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln. That war, which began in March 2003, grew into a prolonged conflict that didnt end until 2011. In 2008, the White House said it had paid a price for the backdrop. A perfectly executed strike last night. Thank you to France and the United Kingdom for their wisdom and the power of their fine Military. Could not have had a better result. Mission Accomplished!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 14, 2018 Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Auditor says Pentagon is censoring key data on the war in Afghanistan By Shashank Bengali The Pentagon is blocking the release of data showing how much of Afghanistans territory lies outside government control, censoring a key metric used to gauge progress in the 16-year war, a watchdog agency said Tuesday. The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, an auditing agency established by Congress, said in its latest report that the Pentagon instructed it not to release unclassified data on how many districts and people are controlled or influenced by insurgent groups. This is the first time SIGAR has been specifically instructed not to release information marked unclassified to the American taxpayer, the head of the agency, John F. Sopko, wrote in a letter. Sopko also said the U.S.-led military coalition, for the first time since 2009, classified information about the size and attrition rates of the Afghan security forces, important indicators of progress in building up army and police forces on which the U.S. already has spent $70 billion since 2002. The decision to withhold more information from congressional oversight and the public comes amid growing violence in Afghanistan and an intensifying combat mission involving a greater number of American troops. Following a series of bombings in Kabul that left at least 136 people dead in 10 days, President Trump signaled on Monday that he was focused on trying to win the conflict militarily, saying, We dont want to talk with the Taliban. But data released by SIGAR since 2015 have shown how the insurgents have gained ground against Afghan security forces. In its previous quarterly report, the watchdog said that only 57% of Afghanistans 407 districts were under Afghan government control or influence as of August 2017, the lowest level of control since it began tracking the statistic in December 2015. The steady decline in government control should cause even more concern about its disappearance from public disclosure and discussion, Sopko wrote. The watchdog also accused the Pentagon of overstating the impact of its efforts to combat drug cultivation and trafficking, among the Talibans main sources of revenue. The Pentagon touted airstrikes that destroyed 25 drug labs in November and December, saying it eliminated nearly $100 million of Taliban revenue. The labs being destroyed are cheap and easy to replace, SIGAR said. According to some estimates, they only take three or four days to replace. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Women journalists shunted to rear for Pences visit to Western Wall By Noga Tarnopolsky The view from the womens section. (Noga Tarnopolsky / Los Angeles Times) Vice-President Mike Pences 48-hour visit to Israel stumbled into a public storm Tuesday when female reporters covering his final stop at Jerusalems Western Wall were penned behind four rows of their male colleagues. White House officials told stunned journalists that the arrangement emanated from a request made by the Western Wall rabbi, Shmuel Rabinowitz, and followed Western Wall rules. Some women journalists said they could not recall such treatment in the past. In a statement to Israels Channel 10 news, the Western Wall Heritage Foundation said it was exactly as it was during the visit of the U.S. president to the Western Wall last May. Later in the day, in a statement to the newspaper Haaretz, the foundation blamed the United States embassy in Tel Aviv and Israeli security officials for the segregation, and announced they would reexamine the way they handle such events. Women who covered previous VIP visits said the Pence arrangements were significantly more onerous than previous visits, when male and female journalists were separated but not offered substantially different work conditions. LIVE coverage of our male colleagues granted access to cover VP at Western Wall as we are penned into #PenceFence pic.twitter.com/k3svkxfQsa  Noga Tarnopolsky (@NTarnopolsky) January 23, 2018 The arrangement reflected procedures at the Western Wall, Judaisms holiest site, where on regular days, men have access to two thirds of the area available for prayer. Tal Schneider, the diplomatic analyst for Globes, a financial newspaper, protested that the separation of men and women may be valid for the requirements of Orthodox prayer, but no one is praying here. We are here to work. I dont appreciate being restricted in my ability to work because I am a woman, she said. The discriminatory attitude towards women is infuriating and is unbefitting of a modern country. Yael Freidson, the Jerusalem affairs correspondent for Yediot Ahronot, Israels widest circulation newspaper, said she worried that her editors could choose male colleagues for the next assignment, knowing they would have better access. Before Pence arrived, journalists were herded onto a specially constructed platform in the middle of the Western Walls esplanade, with women guided to the right behind a white fence, and men, many carrying cameras, directed to the left, where they had more than double the space. Towards the end of the vice presidents 10-minute visit, male journalists were permitted into the VIP tent where he received a gift from Rabinowitz, while the women remained in their enclosure. None of the men publicly protested the treatment of their female colleagues. Israels Association of Women Journalists filed a formal complaint with Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, herself a woman. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Former Sheriff Joe Arpaio, after his pardon from Trump, says hell run for Senate in Arizona By Kurtis Lee (Mary Altaffer / Associated Press) (Mary Altaffer / Associated Press) Former Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who last year was pardoned by President Trump in a case stemming from his enforcement tactics aimed at immigrants, announced Tuesday he will run for the open Senate seat in his home state. I am running for the U.S. Senate from the Great State of Arizona, for one unwavering reason: to support the agenda and policies of President Donald Trump in his mission to Make America Great Again, Arpaio, 85, said on Twitter. Hell enter a Republican primary for the seat being vacated by Republican Sen. Jeff Flake. Last summer, Trump pardoned Arpaio, who was convicted in July of criminal contempt for violating a federal court order to stop racially profiling Latinos. It was Arpaios roughly quarter-century as sheriff that gave him a national reputation for his tough treatment of people suspected of being in the country illegally. Repeated court rulings against his office for civil rights violations cost local taxpayers tens of millions of dollars. In the early 1990s, Arpaio directed construction of a tent city for immigration detainees, a measure he said was intended both to alleviate overcrowding and to underscore his aggressive enforcement measures. But it was open to the burning Arizona sun, and drew widespread criticism. After Trump entered the presidential race in July 2015, Arpaio invited him to Phoenix to talk about a crackdown on illegal immigration. He endorsed Trump just before the first votes in the Iowa caucuses in 2016 and frequently spoke out on behalf of Trumps campaign. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

President Trump ends controversial voter fraud commission By Kurtis Lee President Trump signed an executive order late Wednesday ending the voter fraud commission he launched last year as the panel faces a flurry of lawsuits and criticism from Democrats and Republicans alike. Trump signed the order disbanding the commission rather than engage in endless legal battles at taxpayer expense, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a statement. The Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity, created by executive order in May with the stated goal of restoring confidence and integrity in the electoral process, has faced a barrage of lawsuits in recent months over privacy concerns, as the commission sought personal data on voters across the country. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Congress returns to work with slimmer GOP majority to accomplish Trumps agenda By Lisa Mascaro Congress returns to work this week with unfinished business on spending, immigration and other crucial issues, but with an even narrower GOP majority that will make it tougher to move on President Trumps agenda. The House and Senate will convene Wednesday, swearing in the newly elected Democratic senator from Alabama, Doug Jones, and Minnesotas Tina Smith to replace a fellow Democrat, Sen. Al Franken, who is resigning as the latest high-profile public figure sidelined by allegations of sexual misconduct. The change gives Republicans only a one-seat margin in the Senate. Trump, fresh off passage of the GOP tax cuts bill, is pushing lawmakers to pivot quickly on his new year priorities of infrastructure investment and immigration, as well as his foreign policy agenda. But another legislative victory seems far off. Republicans have struggled to hold their majority together and Congress first must tackle critical stalled agenda items that leaders punted to 2018. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Trump threatens to cut off U.S. aid to Palestinians By Tracy Wilkinson President Trump on Tuesday angrily threatened to cut off U.S. aid to Palestinians as punishment for what he called their failure to show appreciation or respect to the United States. Writing on Twitter, the president compared the Palestinians to Pakistan, a nuclear-armed ally that abruptly drew his ire this week and a similar threat to drastically curtail aid. He accused the Palestinians of recalcitrance in what he described as their refusal to negotiate a peace deal with Israel. Palestinian officials have said they can no longer use Washington as a broker to restart peace talks with Israel following Trumps Dec. 6 decision to overturn decades of U.S. policy and recognize the disputed city of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and ultimately to move the U.S. Embassy there. The Palestinians also claim part of Jerusalem as the capital of an eventual independent state. Until now, the United States and most of the world agreed the citys political status was a matter to settle in final peace talks. The United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly condemned any effort to recognize Jerusalem as Israels capital, and the Palestinian leadership said it would not meet with Vice President Mike Pence, who had planned a trip to the region. That trip is on hold. [W]e pay the Palestinians HUNDRED [sic] OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year and get no appreciation or respect, Trump wrote on Twitter. [W]ith the Palestinians no longer willing to talk peace, why should we make any of these massive future payments to them? In response to Trumps tweet, Hanan Ashrawi, a senior Palestinian official, issued a statement saying: Palestinian rights are not for sale. By recognizing Occupied Jerusalem as Israels capital Donald Trump has not only violated international law, but he has also singlehandedly destroyed the very foundations of peace and condoned Israels illegal annexation of the city. We will not be blackmailed, she said. President Trump has sabotaged our search for peace, freedom and justice. Now he dares to blame the Palestinians for the consequences of his own irresponsible actions! The United States does not pay large amounts of money directly to the Palestinian Authority, the government that rules over parts of the Palestinian West Bank. Instead, most money goes to the U.N., refugee or aid agencies and even Israel to pay for roads, welfare, schools, security and other Palestinian projects. The U.S. ambassador to the U.N., Nikki Haley, said Tuesday that the administration was planning to cut off one of those organizations, the U.N. Relief and Works Agency, until the Palestinians return to the negotiating table. UNRWA, which receives around $300 million annually from the U.S., for years has been the lifeline to hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees living in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. It was not clear if Haley was threatening to cut all U.S. support for the agency. Special correspondent Noga Tarnopolsky in Jerusalem contributed to this report. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

The White House stops short of calling for government overthrow in Iran By Brian Bennett President Trump wants Iran to give its citizens basic human rights and stop being a state sponsor of terror, his top spokeswoman said, but the White House stopped short of calling for a change of government in Tehran. If they want to do that through current leadership, if thats possible, OK, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters. Sanders praised the organic popular uprising, which she said the widespread protests in Iran represented. The protests grew out of years of years of mismanagement, corruption, and foreign adventurism have eroded the Iranian peoples trust in their leaders, she said. Earlier Tuesday, Trump called Irans government brutal and corrupt and wrote in a tweet: The people have little food, big inflation and no human rights. The U.S. is watching! Trump also blamed President Obama for foolishly giving Iran money that he said went to fund terrorism. The money he referred to were funds belonging to Iran that had been frozen by the U.S. and were released as part of the deal in 2015, which blocked Irans development of nuclear weapons. The people of Iran are finally acting against the brutal and corrupt Iranian regime. All of the money that President Obama so foolishly gave them went into terrorism and into their pockets. The people have little food, big inflation and no human rights. The U.S. is watching!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

Retirement of Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch clears the way for a Mitt Romney revival By David Lauter The retirement of Utahs senior senator, Orrin G. Hatch, opens the way for a widely expected Senate bid by Mitt Romney, the Republicans 2012 presidential nominee and a frequent critic of President Trump. Although Romney previously served for two terms as governor of Massachusetts (and was raised in Michigan, where his father was governor and his mother ran for the Senate), he comes from a prominent Mormon family with strong ties to Utah. He also served as chief executive of the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics. Hes viewed as a strong candidate for the Senate seat. Romneys criticisms of Trump, however, could prompt a challenge in a Republican primary. Trump was widely reported to have tried to convince Hatch to run for a seventh term, in part to head off a Romney candidacy. Last month, Romney and Trump were on opposite sides of one of the biggest political fights of the fall  the battle over the Senate seat from Alabama. The president strongly supported Roy Moore, the Republican candidate who had been accused of sexual misconduct by several women. Romney called Moore a stain on the GOP. Roy Moore in the US Senate would be a stain on the GOP and on the nation. Leigh Corfman and other victims are courageous heroes. No vote, no majority is worth losing our honor, our integrity.  Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) December 4, 2017 On Tuesday, Romney tweeted praise for Hatch, but did not immediately reveal his own plans. I join the people of Utah in thanking my friend, Senator Orrin Hatch for his more than forty years of service to our great state and nation. Read my full statement: https://t.co/YwjUpjez5y  Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) January 2, 2018 Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

U.S. calls on Iran to unblock social media sites amid protests By The Associated Press The Trump administration is calling on Irans government to stop blocking Instagram and other popular social media sites as Iranians are demonstrating in the streets. Undersecretary of State Steve Goldstein says the U.S. wants Iran to open these sites. He says Instagram, Telegram and other platforms are legitimate avenues for communication. The United States is encouraging Iranians to use virtual private networks, known as VPNs. Those services create encrypted links between computers and can be used to access blocked websites. Goldstein says the U.S. is still communicating with Iranians in Persian through State Department accounts on Facebook, Twitter and other platforms. He says the U.S. wants to encourage the protesters to continue to fight for whats right. Goldstein says the U.S. has an obligation not to stand by. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Trump blasts Democrats in advance of immigration meeting By Brian Bennett The day before a meeting of administration officials and congressional leaders on outstanding legislative business, President Trump accused Democrats of doing nothing to hammer out an immigration deal to protect from deportation people brought to the country illegally as children. Democrats are doing nothing for DACA  just interested in politics, Trump wrote in a Tweet on Tuesday morning, referring to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program by its acronym. Democrats are doing nothing for DACA - just interested in politics. DACA activists and Hispanics will go hard against Dems, will start falling in love with Republicans and their President! We are about RESULTS.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer along with the Republican leaders, House Speaker Paul D. Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, are scheduled to meet on Wednesday at the Capitol with Trumps legislative director, Marc Short, and budget director, Mick Mulvaney. The White House on Tuesday said the meeting is to discuss separate spending caps on military and domestic programs. Yet the Democrats insist the discussion also must include a variety of legislative issues that Trump and Congress punted into the new year  on immigration, the budget, healthcare and more. That stance reflects Democrats leverage: Republicans need Democratic votes to pass a government-funding bill and avert a federal shutdown when the current funding expires Jan. 19. Democrats especially want separate legislation replacing the Obama-era DACA program; Trump in September ordered a phase-out of the program, beginning March 6, and called on Congress to act before then on an alternative way to address the plight of the group. However, Trump has demanded that any alternative must be part of a package including both money for a border wall and immigration limits. Democrats are opposed. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

Pakistan hits back after Trump accuses its leaders of lies and deceit By Aoun Sahi Pakistan lashed out Monday after President Trump accused its leaders of lies and deceit and suggested the United States would withdraw financial assistance to the nuclear-armed nation it once saw as a key ally against terrorism. U.S. Ambassador David Hale was summoned to the Foreign Ministry to discuss the presidents statement, U.S. Embassy spokesman Richard Snelsire said. Pakistan lodged a strongly worded protest, according to two foreign office officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. Pakistans prime minister, Shahid Abbasi, called a Cabinet meeting for Tuesday and a meeting of the National Security Committee on Wednesday to discuss Trumps New Years Day tweet. It was the presidents latest broadside against Pakistan after a speech in August in which he demanded its leaders crack down on the safe havens enjoyed by Taliban militants fighting U.S.-backed forces in neighboring Afghanistan. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Trump again cheers on Iran protests By Laura King President Trump expressed renewed support Sunday for protesters in Iran, declaring that people are finally getting wise as to how their money and wealth is being stolen and squandered on terrorism. In a tweet from his Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago, the president said the nationwide economic protests that began on Thursday  and have taken on wider political overtones as they have grown in size --- were a signal that Iranians will not take it any longer. Big protests in Iran. The people are finally getting wise as to how their money and wealth is being stolen and squandered on terrorism. Looks like they will not take it any longer. The USA is watching very closely for human rights violations!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2017 The presidents earlier hailing of the protests drew condemnation from Irans government. A Foreign Ministry spokesman called his comments deceitful and opportunistic. Following an overnight report of the first two fatalities stemming from the protests, Trump raised some eyebrows by expressing concern over human rights violations as authorities move to crack down on the demonstrations. During his first year in office, the president has shown scant inclination to press foreign governments to respect the fundamental rights of their citizens. The USA is watching closely for human rights violations! Trump said in his tweet Sunday. Some domestic critics have pointed to the presidents inclusion of Iranian nationals in his travel ban, suggesting he was more interested in bashing the Tehran government than in supporting freedom of speech in Iran. Even some of the presidents allies said that supporting the protesters on social media did not amount to making policy. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said he had urged Trump to give a national address laying out his Iran strategy. President Trump is tweeting very sympathetically to the Iranian people, Graham said on CBS Face the Nation. But you just cant tweet here. You have to lay out a plan. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Australian diplomats tip a factor in FBIs Russia inquiry By Associated Press Australian High Commissioner Alexander Downer. (Alastair Grant / Associated Press) An Australian diplomats tip appears to have helped persuade the FBI to investigate Russian meddling in the U.S. election and possible coordination with the Trump campaign, the New York Times reported Saturday. Trump campaign advisor George Papadopoulos told the diplomat, Alexander Downer, during a meeting in London in May 2016 that Russia had thousands of emails that would embarrass Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton, the report said. Downer, a former foreign minister, is Australias top diplomat in Britain. Australia passed the information on to the FBI after the Democratic emails were leaked, according to the Times, which cited four current and former U.S. and foreign officials with direct knowledge of the Australians role. The hacking and the revelation that a member of the Trump campaign may have had inside information about it were driving factors that led the FBI to open an investigation in July 2016, the newspaper said. White House lawyer Ty Cobb declined to comment, saying in a statement that the administration is continuing to cooperate with the investigation now led by special counsel Robert Mueller to help complete their inquiry expeditiously. Papadopoulos has pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI and is a cooperating witness. Court documents unsealed two months ago show he met in April 2016 with Joseph Mifsud, a professor in London who told him about Russias cache of emails. This was before the Democratic National Committee became aware of the scope of the intrusion into its email systems by hackers later linked to the Russian government. The Times said Papadopoulos shared this information with Downer, but it was unclear whether he also shared it with anyone in the Trump campaign. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Trump offers fresh support for protesters in Iran as demonstrations continue By Lisa Mascaro Oppressive regimes cannot endure forever, and the day will come when the Iranian people will face a choice. The world is watching! pic.twitter.com/kvv1uAqcZ9  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 30, 2017 President Trump again offered support Saturday for anti-government protesters in Iran, where a third day of demonstrations, the largest in years, spilled across the country amid fears of a crackdown. Oppressive regimes cannot endure forever, and the day will come when the Iranian people will face a choice. The world is watching! Trump wrote on Twitter. Trump took a break from playing golf near his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida to tweet clips from his speech to the United Nations General Assembly in September when he called for Iranian democratic reforms. Iranian authorities warned of potential violence as the street demonstrations, which began over economic conditions, swelled into frustrations with the theocratic rule of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Trump has maintained a hawkish stance toward Iran, sharply criticizing the landmark nuclear disarmament accord that Tehran reached with then-President Obama and five other nations in 2015. In October, Trump declined to certify the accord to Congress although the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency says Iran is complying with it. Several conservative GOP senators signaled their support for Trumps position and backed the protesters in Iran. Others in Congress did not immediately respond, however, amid conflicting reports over who had organized the demonstrations. Even after the billions in sanctions relief they secured through the nuclear deal, the ayatollahs still cant provide for the basic needs of their own people, said Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), a Trump ally and opponent of the nuclear deal. We should support the Iranian people who are willing to risk their lives to speak out against it, he added. Trump initially tweeted his support on Friday night. White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders issued a statement at that time as protests spread. There are many reports of peaceful protests by Iranian citizens fed up with the regimes corruption and its squandering of the nations wealth to fund terrorism abroad, Sanders said. The Iranian government should respect their peoples rights, including their right to express themselves. The world is watching. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

When it comes to U.S.-Russia relations, it takes two to tango, Kremlin says By Sabra Ayres The deteriorating relationship between the United States and Russia is one of the biggest disappointments of 2017, Russian President Vladimir Putins spokesman told reporters today. Russia would like to rebuild relations between the two adversaries, but it takes two to tango, Dmitry Peskov said today during a conference call with the press. We want and are looking for good mutually beneficial relations based on mutual respect, mutual trust with all countries, primarily with European ones, including the United States, but it is necessary to dance tango, as they say. Peskov blamed the ongoing anti-Russian Russophobia in Washington for playing a major role in blocking the two countries from moving forward in their relationship. U.S. investigations into the Trump presidential campaigns alleged collusion with the Kremlin during the 2016 U.S. election and accusations that the Kremlin tried to interfere with the electoral process continue to cast a dark shadow over the relationship, he said. Peskov told reporters that Moscow was perplexed by the investigations. The Kremlin has continued to deny having any involvement with the Trump campaign or doing anything to interfere with the American election. This is definitely a U.S. domestic affair, but in this case it naturally hurts our bilateral relations, which is regrettable, Peskov said. Relations between the U.S. and Russia have been categorized as the worst theyve been since the end of the Cold War. This year, Washington and Moscow have engaged in a diplomatic tit-for-tat in which both sides have been forced to reduce diplomatic staff, embassy properties have been repossessed by the hosting countries and visa services have been interrupted. The U.S. diplomatic mission to Russia shrank from 1,200 personnel, including some Russian local staff, to just over 450 across all its three consulates and embassy in Moscow. In the U.S., Russia was forced to vacate its San Francisco consulate. Moscow has also blamed anti-Russian sentiments on the recent decision by the International Olympic Committee to ban Russian teams from wearing their tricolor uniforms or flags during the upcoming games in South Korea. The international body accused some of the Russian national teams of doping. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

U.S. and Turkey resume reciprocal issuing of visas but frictions remain By Tracy Wilkinson The United States and Turkey began issuing reciprocal visas again on Thursday, more than two months after normal visa service was suspended in a dispute over the arrest of two U.S. diplomatic staffers in Istanbul  the latest friction between the two nominal allies. The State Department said it was lifting the visa restrictions after it was assured by the Turkish government that U.S. Embassy employees would not be arrested when performing their official duties. But the Turkish Embassy in Washington denied assurances were offered concerning the ongoing judicial processes, and suggested that the arrests were legal and justified. It is inappropriate to misinform the Turkish and American public that such assurances were provided, the embassy said in a statement. The dispute has aggravated the already tense relationship between the United States and Turkey, which is a member of the NATO military alliance. The two countries have clashed over U.S. support for Kurdish rebels in Syria and over Turkeys demands that the U.S. extradite a Turkish cleric who lives in rural Pennsylvania. After a failed coup attempt killed more than 250 people in July 2016, Turkeys autocratic president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, launched a harsh crackdown on his political opponents, arresting or firing tens of thousands of teachers, police, journalists, military officers and others. Erdogan accused Fethullah Gulen, an Islamic educator and former political ally, of orchestrating the coup. Gulen, who has lived in a compound in the Pocono Mountains, has denied any involvement. The Justice Department has so far denied Turkeys repeated demands to extradite Gulen. Erdogan raised the issue again at the White House in May, but his visit ended in a public relations disaster when his security guards brutally beat peaceful protesters outside the Turkish ambassadors residence. Two Turkish employees of the U.S. Consulate in Istanbul were arrested this fall for alleged ties to the 2016 coup attempt. The U.S. responded by suspending most visa services at its missions in Turkey in October. The Turkish government reciprocated in November. State Department officials said they have repeatedly demanded more information about any formal charges against the two employees. They reiterated on Thursday that serious concerns about the allegations remained. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Trump: China caught RED HANDED allowing oil to reach North Korea By Brian Bennett (Andrew Harnik / Associated Press) President Trump isnt taking a holiday vacation from Twitter. In one of three tweets early on Thursday from his West Palm Beach golf club, he charged that China was caught RED HANDED allowing oil shipments to reach North Korean ports. Pronouncing himself very disappointed, Trump in effect was acknowledging the failure of his months-long effort to convince China to clamp down further on energy shipments going to the isolated country, which relies heavily on Beijing, as a way to pressure North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons program. Caught RED HANDED - very disappointed that China is allowing oil to go into North Korea. There will never be a friendly solution to the North Korea problem if this continues to happen!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 28, 2017 Trumps tweet came after a South Korean newspaper published what it said were U.S. spy satellite images of Chinese ships selling oil to North Korean ships. The United Nations Security Council, which includes China, has voted repeatedly to restrict fuel shipments to North Korea. Trump asked Chinese President Xi Jinping in November to cut off North Koreas oil supply entirely, the American ambassador to the U.N., Nikki R. Haley, said at the time. It is unclear if Trumps admonishment of China was based on news reports or classified information he received from U.S. intelligence officials. There was no daily intelligence briefing on Trumps public schedule Thursday. He is expected to return to Washington next week after spending the Christmas holiday and New Years Eve at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Fla. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

President Trump again falsely claims hes signed more bills than any president By Brian Bennett President Trump visits a firehouse in West Palm Beach, Fla., on Wednesday. (Nicholas Kamm / AFP) After another morning at his Florida golf club, President Trump visited firefighters and paramedics at a West Palm Beach firehouse and praised his own performance as president, including with a false boast. Trump touted his administrations work to roll back government regulations and cut taxes and claimed credit for the stock market hitting record highs. He also said hes signed more bills into law than any other president, which isnt true. We have signed more legislation than anybody, Trump said, standing in front of a rescue vehicle inside the fire station. We have more legislation passed, including  the record was Harry Truman a long time ago, and we broke that record, so we got a lot done, Trump said. An analysis by GovTrack, a website that tracks bills in Congress, shows that Trump has signed the fewest bills into law at this point than any president in more than 60 years, back to Dwight D. Eisenhower. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

Trump administration urges Russia to reinstate monitors in Ukraine, lower violence By Tracy Wilkinson Sergei Lavrov (AFP/Getty Images) Secretary of State Rex Tillerson asked Russia on Wednesday to reinstate its military personnel at a monitoring station in eastern Ukraine intended to quell escalating bloodshed. In a telephone conversation with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, Tillerson also urged Russia to lower the level of violence and underscored the Trump administrations concern over increased fighting in Ukraine, the State Department said in a statement. Russia last week withdrew its monitors from the Joint Center on Coordination and Control, which is tasked with verifying a much-violated ceasefire between Ukrainian forces and Russia-backed separatists. Moscow cited what it called restrictions and provocations from Ukrainian authorities that made it impossible for the observers to do their jobs. Washington has accused the pro-Russia forces of being responsible for many of the truce violations. Late last week, the State Department also announced plans to provide Ukraine with lethal defensive weapons, including Javelin anti-tank missiles, a decision that angered Moscow. The State Department statement did not say whether the weapons deal came up in Tillersons conversation with Lavrov. The two also discussed North Korea, its destabilizing nuclear program and the need for a diplomatic solution to achieve a denuclearized Korean peninsula, the statement said. Russia has offered to serve as a mediator between Washington and Pyongyang, but direct talks do not seem likely at this point. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

U.S. sanctions two more North Korean officials for ballistic missile program By Tracy Wilkinson The Trump administration announced sanctions Tuesday against two more North Korean officials for their alleged role in Pyongyangs expanding ballistic missiles program. The Treasury Department is targeting leaders of North Koreas ballistic missile programs, as part of our maximum pressure campaign to isolate [North Korea] and achieve a fully denuclearized Korean Peninsula, Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin said in a statement. The nuclear-armed country tested an intercontinental ballistic missile last month that U.S. officials said appeared capable of reaching New York or Washington, a significant milestone in the countrys growing arsenal. The Treasury Department identified the two North Korean officials as Kim Jong Sik, who reportedly is a key figure in the ballistic missile program and led efforts to switch missiles from liquid to solid fuel (which makes them easier to hide before launch), and Ri Pyong Chol, who was reported to be a key official in the development of intercontinental ballistic missiles. The sanctions block banks, companies and individuals from doing any business with the targeted officials. It also allows the U.S. government to freeze any American assets owned by the officials. On Friday, the United Nations Security Council unanimously voted to add more sanctions on North Korea, its third round this year. The new measures order North Koreans working abroad to return home within two years, and ban nearly 90% of refined petroleum exports to the country. In a statement published Sunday by North Koreas state-run KCNA news agency, the foreign ministry denounced the new U.N. sanctions as an act of war. We define this sanctions resolution rigged up by the US and its followers as a grave infringement upon the sovereignty of our Republic, as an act of war violating peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula and the region and categorically reject the resolution, it said. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Salt Lake Tribune calls on Sen. Orrin Hatch to not seek reelection in scathing editorial Perhaps the most significant move of Hatchs career is the one that should, if there is any justice, end it. The last time the senator was up for reelection, in 2012, he promised that it would be his last campaign. That was enough for many likely successors, of both parties, to stand down, to let the elder statesman have his victory tour and to prepare to run for an open seat in 2018. Clearly, it was a lie. Read the editorial>> Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Christmas Eve, Trump on Twitter: New attacks on FBI official, decrying Fake News By Laura King President Trump launched a Christmas Eve attack on FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, whom he accuses of favoritism toward his former opponent, Hillary Clinton, and also returned to a longtime favored theme, excoriating the news media for failing to sufficiently extol his accomplishments. .@FoxNews-FBIs Andrew McCabe, in addition to his wife getting all of this money from M (Clinton Puppet), he was using, allegedly, his FBI Official Email Account to promote her campaign. You obviously cannot do this. These were the people who were investigating Hillary Clinton.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 24, 2017 Thank you President TRUMP!! pic.twitter.com/LKdkT0FL99  oregon4TRUMP (@shawgerald4) December 23, 2017 The Fake News refuses to talk about how Big and how Strong our BASE is. They show Fake Polls just like they report Fake News. Despite only negative reporting, we are doing well - nobody is going to beat us. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 24, 2017 Trump, who is spending the holidays at his Florida resort, Mar-a-Lago, also sent Christmas greetings to deployed military personnel, praising them for success in the fight against terrorism. The early-morning swipe at McCabe followed a flurry of tweets attacking the deputy FBI chief on Saturday. McCabe, who has been a lightning rod for Republican attacks on the FBI, is expected to retire early in the new year. How can FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, the man in charge, along with leakin James Comey, of the Phony Hillary Clinton investigation (including her 33,000 illegally deleted emails) be given $700,000 for wifes campaign by Clinton Puppets during investigation?  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 23, 2017 FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe is racing the clock to retire with full benefits. 90 days to go?!!!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 23, 2017 Critics say the president and his allies are in the midst of a systematic campaign to denigrate the FBI and special counsel Robert S. Mueller III, who is looking into potential collusion by the Trump campaign in Russias attempts to sway the 2016 presidential election. In a pair of statements on Twitter, Trump again expressed scorn regarding news coverage of his administration. For months, the president has been particularly critical of reports regarding the Russia investigation and more recently has repeatedly complained he does not receive enough credit for a booming stock market. In his video conference message to troops overseas, the president made apparent reference to the fight against the militants of Islamic State, who over the last year have lost most of the territory they previously controlled in Iraq and Syria, including former strongholds in Mosul and Raqqah. Were winning, Trump told military personnel deployed in Qatar, Kuwait, Guantanamo Bay and aboard the guided missile destroyer Sampson. Reporters traveling with the president heard his address, but were ushered from the room before he took questions from the troops. The president often breaks with longtime custom and makes politically charged statements at events in which he addresses military personnel. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

Trumps Wells Fargo tweet cited in court hearing as reason to remove Mulvaney as CFPB acting chief By Jim Puzzanghera A recent tweet by President Trump about possible penalties against Wells Fargo & Co. was cited during a court hearing Friday as a reason for removing White House official Mick Mulvaney as acting director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The attorney for Leandra English  the bureaus deputy director who has said she is the rightful acting head  said Trumps tweet showed he was trying to exercise improper influence over the independent consumer watchdog. I think that [tweet] shows you this isnt just some hypothetical concern, the attorney, Deepak Gupta, told Judge Timothy J. Kelly of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia during a nearly two-hour hearing. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Trump administration recognizes Honduran presidents reelection By Tracy Wilkinson The Trump administration on Friday formally recognized the incumbent president of Honduras, conservative Juan Orlando Hernandez, as the winner of a bitterly contested presidential election held last month. In a statement, the State Department congratulated Hernandez while also acknowledging widespread irregularities in the Nov. 26 vote and calling for a robust national dialogue to overcome political discord in the Central American country, a close ally of the administration. The Organization of American States, which monitored the election, said it was so flawed that only a new round of voting could establish a fair and transparent outcome. But the U.S. rejected that determination. Uproar over the contest led to demonstrations in Honduras that left numerous civilians dead after state security forces opened fire on the protests. Activists and others voiced criticism Friday of the administrations decision. Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), a leading Democratic voice on Central American issues, said he was angry and deeply disturbed by the State Department decision. The recent elections in Honduras were deeply flawed, chaotic and marred by numerous irregularities, McGovern said. U.S.-Honduran cooperation on matters such as drug-trafficking, violence and immigration requires a credible, legitimate government that has the support of its people, in Honduras, McGovern said. Hernandezs victory also was controversial because it was the first time a sitting president was allowed to run for re-election, barred until now by the Honduran Constitution. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Senate Leader Mitch McConnell says fixing DACA is no emergency until March By Lisa Mascaro Amanda Bayer, left with banner, and Marisol Maqueda, right, join a rally in support of so-called Dreamers outside the White House. (Manuel Balce Ceneta / Associated Press) Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Friday hes committed to allowing a vote on a bill for so-called Dreamers in January, but sees no rush to resolve the deportation threat posed by President Trumps decision to end a program protecting immigrants brought to the country illegally as children. There isnt that much of an emergency there, he said. There is no emergency until March. Well keep talking about it. Trump called for phasing out by March the Obama-era program that allows the young immigrants, many of them longtime residents, to get two-year deferrals of any deportation threat so they can legally attend school or work. Beneficiaries must be vetted for security purposes. Trump told Congress to come up with a legislative alternative for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which President Obama created by executive order, to protect those currently eligible. A bipartisan Senate group has been working with the White House, but talks stalled this week amid administration demands for curbs on legal immigration flows in exchange for protecting the DACA recipients. Meanwhile, Dreamers and immigrant advocates stormed the Capitol in recent days pressing for the help promised by Trump and Democratic congressional leaders that failed to materialize in the years final legislation. Advocacy groups say more than 120 immigrants each day are falling out of compliance without DACA renewals, putting them at risk of deportation. The number that is projected to swell to more than 1,000 a day in March. Weve been gridlocked on this issue for years, McConnell said. We want to have a signature. We dont just want to spin our wheels and have nothing to show for it. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

President Trump signs tax bill By Noah Bierman (Alex Brandon / Associated Press) President Trump on Friday morning signed a sweeping tax-cut measure  his first major legislative achievement  before heading off for a Christmas vacation at his Mar-a-Lago property in Palm Beach, Fla. The president also privately signed a short-term spending bill to fund government operations through Jan. 19. Congress approved it Thursday, after Republican leaders were unable to bridge differences in their own party as well as with Democrats to get agreement on funding for the full fiscal year. The stopgap bill punts fights on immigration and other issues to January. The tax bill, approved earlier this week in Congress in largely party-line votes, slashes corporate tax rates from 35% to 21% and also includes a host of other provisions for individuals, all intended to boost the economy. Critics point to nonpartisan analyses showing that the package, including changes greatly reducing the number of estates subject to taxes, steers the bulk of tax benefits to top earners and the wealthy, including Trump, despite his repeated claims that hell take a hit. Trump signed the bill quietly Friday, but held a public ceremony with Republican lawmakers on Wednesday after the bills passage; he also tweeted about the measure extensively. He is expected to hold another public ceremony after the New Years holiday. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

Pelosi urges Ryan to prevent Republicans from curtailing Houses Russia probe By Chris Megerian House Speaker Paul D. Ryan of Wisconsin greets House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California. (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press) House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi sent a letter to Speaker Paul D. Ryan on Friday urging him to ensure the Houses investigation into Russian interference with last years presidential campaign is not cut short. The American people deserve a comprehensive and fair investigation into Russias attacks, wrote Pelosi, of San Francisco, in her letter. Political haste must not cut short valid investigatory threads. The House Intelligence Committee has been probing the issue since March 1, and Democrats have repeatedly warned that Republicans are trying to wrap up its work prematurely. Pelosi said Ryan, a Republican from Wisconsin, should take urgent action to ensure this investigation can continue. AshLee Strong, a spokeswoman for Ryan, said Pelosi simply wants to see this investigation go on forever in order to suit her political agenda. Whether it concludes next month, next year, or in three years, she will say it is too soon, Strong said in a statement. She added, The investigation will conclude when the committee has reached a conclusion. The committees work is led by Rep. K. Michael Conaway (R-Texas). His spokeswoman, Emily Hytha, said he remains committed to conducting this investigation as thoroughly and expeditiously as possible. With more interviews scheduled, the investigation shows signs of extending into next year, Bloomberg reported Friday. BREAKING: Steve Bannon and former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski have been sent letters requesting they testify to House Intel panel in early January, per @HouseInSession  Laura Litvan (@LauraLitvan) December 22, 2017 Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Congress votes to avert government shutdown, but Senate fails to pass disaster aid package By Lisa Mascaro ( (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press)) Congress approved a temporary spending bill to prevent a government shutdown, but failed to complete work on an $81-billion disaster aid package to help California, Gulf Coast states and Puerto Rico recover from wildfires and hurricanes, as lawmakers scrambled Thursday to wrap up business before a Christmas break. The stopgap measure continues federal operations for a few more weeks, setting up another deadline for Jan. 19. But it left undone a long list of priorities that members of both parties had hoped to finish this year. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Wells Fargo says raises were not linked to tax bill passage  then backtracks By James Rufus Koren Wells Fargo & Co.s move to raise its minimum pay to $15 an hour was part of a long-term plan and not related to the passage of the Republican tax overhaul as the company implied, said a bank spokesman, who later backtracked and stated the hikes were a result of the bills approval. The bank was among several large corporations to publicly announce pay raises or new investments immediately following the final House vote in an apparent public relations offensive to boost the popularity of the tax bill The San Francisco bank had implied the direct linkage to the tax legislation in a news release Wednesday, shortly after Congress passed the tax overhaul, which slashes the corporate tax rate to 21% from 35% starting Jan. 1. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Obamacare signups beat expectations, despite Trump administrations opposition By Noam N. Levey President Trump with Seema Verma, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (Evan Vucci / Associated Press) Despite Trump administration efforts to discourage people from signing up, the number of people enrolling for Affordable Care Act coverage nearly hit last years level, the government revealed Thursday. Exchange open enrollment for 2018 coverage ended w/ approx 8.8M people enrolling in coverage. Great job to the @CMSGov team for the work you did to make this the smoothest experience for consumers to date. We take pride in providing great customer service.  Administrator Seema Verma (@SeemaCMS) December 21, 2017 The 8.8 million people who enrolled in the 36 states that use the federal governments healthcare.gov system significantly exceeded most forecasts. The Trump administration stopped most outreach and other efforts this year aimed at getting people to sign up. The president also repeatedly said publicly that Obamacare was dead. Open enrollment continues in California and several other states that run their own healthcare marketplaces. The figures from the federal government indicate that when those states wrap up for the year, the number of people covered by Obamacare will be nearly the same as in 2017. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

U.N. General Assembly overwhelmingly condemns U.S. policy change on Jerusalem despite Trumps threats By Tracy Wilkinson The United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly voted Thursday to condemn President Trumps decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, despite Trumps threats to punish countries that voted against the U.S. position. The resolution passed in an emergency session at U.N. headquarters in New York with 128 in favor, nine opposed and 35 abstentions. The nonbinding resolution demands that Washington rescind its declaration, which included a plan to transfer the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in coming years. The resolution value is mostly symbolic, showing how isolated the U.S. is in the move. Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the U.N., warned this week that she would be taking names of countries that opposed the U.S., and Trump on Wednesday suggested he might cut U.S. aid to governments that voted in favor of the resolution. Let them vote against us, Trump said. Well save a lot. We dont care. The U.S. recognition of Jerusalem reversed decades of international consensus on the political status of the divided city. Palestinians claim East Jerusalem as their capital in a future independent state. Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Malki said the U.N. was facing an unprecedented test and that history would remember those who stand by what is right. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Democrats defend Robert Mueller, saying Russia investigation must be allowed to continue By Chris Megerian Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles) speaking during a committee hearing earlier this year. (Molly Riley / Associated Press) House Democrats said they will fight Republican attempts to discredit and undermine the work of special counsel Robert S. Mueller III, who is investigating whether President Trumps associates helped Russian meddling in last years election. There is an organized effort by Republicans, in concert with Fox News, to spin a false narrative and conjure up outrageous scenarios to accuse special counsel Mueller of being biased, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles) said. Trump has said he has no plan to fire Mueller, but Democrats are alarmed by escalating criticism of the special counsels work. Why is the president afraid of the facts and the truth? Rep. Dan Kildee (D-Mich.) said. He added, No matter what the facts are, were satisfied if the investigation is complete. A letter of support signed by 171 Democratic members of Congress will be sent to Deputy Atty. Gen. Rod Rosenstein, who appointed Mueller, a former FBI director, and oversees his investigation. Rosenstein has defended Mueller in the face of Republican criticisms. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

U.S. blacklists Myanmar army general who it says oversaw atrocities against Rohingya Muslims By Shashank Bengali The Trump administration on Thursday blacklisted a Myanmar army general who it said oversaw human rights abuses committed by security forces against Rohingya Muslims. Imposing economic sanctions against the general, Maung Maung Soe, was the toughest action the United States has taken in response to a brutal army offensive that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has described as ethnic cleansing. In a statement, the Treasury Department said it had examined credible evidence of Maung Maung Soes activities, including allegations against Burmese security forces of extrajudicial killings, sexual violence and arbitrary arrest as well as the widespread burning of villages. The Rohingya are an ethnic and religious minority of about 1 million people in predominantly Buddhist Myanmar, also known as Burma. The United Nations says that more than 640,000 Rohingya have fled the country since August, after the army launched clearance operations in response to attacks carried out by a Rohingya insurgent group against security forces. Rohingya refugees in crowded camps in neighboring Bangladesh have described horrific violence by Myanmar forces, including mass rapes, summary executions and children being burned alive. The aid group Doctors Without Borders estimates that 6,700 people were killed in the first month of the operation. Myanmar authorities deny committing atrocities and say that only a few hundred fighters were killed. Maung Maung Soe was chief of the armys Western Command, which carried out the offensive. He was transferred from his position last month, according to news reports. He was one of 13 individuals worldwide who were blacklisted Thursday under a new U.S. law that gives the Treasury Department authority to target officials for human rights abuses and corruption. Others included former Gambian President Yahya Jammeh; Gulnara Karimova, daughter of the late Uzbekistan dictator Islam Karimov; and Artem Chaika, son of Russias prosecutor-general. Today, the United States is taking a strong stand against human rights abuse and corruption globally by shutting these bad actors out of the U.S. financial system, said Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin. The sanctions freeze any assets Maung Maung Soe holds in the United States and bars Americans from doing business with him. It is also a sign of how quickly U.S. relations with Myanmar have soured. Under the Obama administration, the United States forged closer ties with the former military dictatorship and eased economic and political sanctions as the country began implementing democratic reforms. But Myanmar, which does not regard the Rohingya as citizens, has lashed out at the international community over the current crisis. It has jailed journalists, blocked access to affected areas in the western state of Rakhine and this week barred a U.N. human rights investigator from entering the country. Rohingya activists said the U.S. action would not have much effect on a country that survived under economic sanctions for years. It is the whole military institution that has a policy to persecute these people, said Nay San Lwin, a Rohingya activist and blogger in Germany. According to the U.S.s own definition, the army is carrying out ethnic cleansing. They have a responsibility to protect these people. Sanctions on one person are really not enough. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Dreamers will have to wait until next year for Congress long-promised protections By Lisa Mascaro Amanda Bayer, left with banner, and Marisol Maqueda, right, join a rally in support of so-called Dreamers outside the White House. (Manuel Balce Ceneta / Associated Press)) A promised year-end deal to protect the young immigrants known as Dreamers from deportation collapsed Wednesday as Republicans in Congress  fresh off passage of their tax plan  prepared to punt nearly all remaining must-do agenda items into the new year. Congressional leaders still hope that before leaving town this week they can pass an $81-billion disaster relief package with recovery funds for California wildfires and Gulf Coast states hit during the devastating hurricane season. But passage even of that relatively popular measure remained in doubt as conservatives balked at the price tag. Rather than finish the year wrapping up the legislative agenda, the GOP majorities in the House and Senate struggled over their next steps. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

Chants of protest drown out any caroling this holiday season at the Capitol By Lisa Mascaro U.S. Capitol Police arrest a man wearing a Santa Claus hat during a protest against the Republican tax bill. (Alex Edelman / AFP/Getty Image) Outside the U.S. Capitol, the lights on a towering Christmas tree are flipped on each evening, giving the Engelmann spruce a festive twinkle; inside the marble halls, wreaths and garlands decorate doorways and alcoves ahead of the holidays. But the spirit of the season has been punctuated by other sights: a Jumbotron parked across from the Capitol reflecting pool broadcasts images of young immigrants who face deportation; Little Lobbyists, children with complex medical needs, were featured in a recent news conference; protesters filed into the visitor galleries to shout against the Republican tax plan. While its beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the Capitol, its also shaping up to be a holiday season of protest. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Tax bill simplifies filing for some but complicates it for others  and dont count on that postcard By Jim Puzzanghera A priority of the Republicans tax overhaul was simplification, and they drove home the point this fall with an omnipresent prop: a red-white-and-blue postcard. Were making things so simple that you can do your taxes on a form the size of a postcard, House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.) said last month, pulling one from his jacket pocket as he and Republican leaders unveiled their bill. They gave a couple of the cards to President Trump at a White House meeting a few hours later and flashed them often during news conferences and TV interviews in the coming days. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Top U.N. human rights official reportedly wont seek reelection The top United Nations official for human rights, who has frequently criticized the Trump administration, has reportedly decided not to seek a second term, saying his work had become untenable. Zeid Raad Hussein, the U.N. high commissioner for human rights, notified his staff in an email that was obtained by several news outlets, including Agence France-Presse. Staying when his four-year term is up for renewal at the end of August might involve bending a knee in supplication, AFP quoted Husseins email as saying. Hussein is a Jordanian prince who has criticized, among other things, President Trumps attempts to ban visitors or refugees from six predominantly Muslim countries. The news comes a day before the U.N. General Assembly is expected to vote on a nonbinding resolution condemning the Trump administrations formal declaration of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, a decision that went against international consensus. Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the U.N., has warned she will be taking names of those who vote against the United States on Thursday. Trump echoed that sentiment Wednesday, voiced support for Haley and implying to reporters that he would consider cutting off U.S. aid to countries that vote against the U.S. Well, were watching those votes, Trump said. Let them vote against us. Well save a lot. We dont care. On Monday, the United States lost a Security Council vote 14-1 on a binding resolution that would have required Washington to rescind its declaration. Haley then vetoed the resolution. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Top Democrat warns Trump not to fire Mueller or interfere with his investigation By Chris Megerian Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, one of the top Democrats involved in the congressional inquiries into Russian interference in last years election, said Wednesday that any attempt by President Trump to interfere with the separate criminal investigation would be a gross abuse of power. Warner, who is vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, delivered his warning from the Senate floor as Republicans escalate their criticism of special counsel Robert S. Mueller III and his team of prosecutors and FBI agents. Some Democrats believe Trump is laying the groundwork to fire Mueller even though the president has publicly denied it. Mueller was appointed in May after Trump fired FBI Director James B. Comey. In the United States of America, no one, no one is above the law, not even the president, Warner said. Congress must make clear to the president that firing the special counsel or interfering with his investigation by issuing pardons of essential witnesses is unacceptable and would have immediate and significant consequences. Some Democrats say the White House may try to in effect short-circuit the Mueller investigation by replacing Deputy Atty. Gen. Rod Rosenstein, who is the only official empowered to fire Mueller. Rosenstein recently told Congress that the special counsel is acting appropriately and that he would not dismiss Mueller without just cause. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

We have essentially repealed Obamacare, Trump says after tax bill passes By Brian Bennett President Trump at a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday at the White House. (Chris Kleponis / Getty Images) President Trump is celebrating Republicans passage of the tax overhaul bill as a two-fer: On Wednesday, in addition to tax cuts, he checked off his promise to repeal Obamacare, pointing to a provision in the bill to end the penalty on Americans who dont get health insurance. We have essentially repealed Obamacare, Trump told reporters during a Cabinet meeting at the White House. Other provisions of the 2010 Affordable Care Act are still in place, and Trump and congressional Republicans failed completely on the replace half of their vow to repeal and replace the program. In Trumps view, however, stripping away the laws individual mandate to get insurance or else pay a tax penalty amounts to repeal of the whole law. Congressional analysts have said that millions of people would lose insurance as a result, either by choice or because they cannot afford it without subsidies, and that premiums would increase for others as younger, healthy people drop coverage. We will come up with something much better, Trump said, adding that block grants to states could be one approach. By his comments, Trump tacitly acknowledged that repeal of the mandate is likely the best he can do following Republicans failure this year to agree on a repeal-and-replace bill. Looking back on his first year, Trump also boasted of his administrations efforts against the Islamic State and increased immigration enforcement. He said he had not given up on funding a border wall or tightening immigration law to limit citizens ability to resettle foreign relatives in the country. He said he would very shortly visit the border with Mexico near San Diego to see wall prototypes that have been built. He didnt answer a reporters shouted question about how he would personally benefit from the tax bill. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

House gives final OK to GOP tax plan, sending it to Trump By Lisa Mascaro Congress gave final approval to the GOP tax plan Wednesday, 224-201, after the House took an unusual do-over vote to clear up differences with the Senate-passed bill. The $1.5-trillion package now heads to President Trump, who plans to sign it into law. The House had approved the tax bill on Tuesday but was forced to take another vote Wednesday because a couple of provisions in the version it approved were found to be in violation of Senate procedures. Those provisions were dropped before the Senate gave its approval early Wednesday. Critics complained the Republicans rushed to pass the sweeping tax plan to deliver Trump a year-end legislative victory, but supporters shrugged off the problems as minor. The tax plan dramatically cuts corporate rates and provides some individual rate reductions, overhauling the tax code for the first time in 30 years. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Trump administration effort to block immigrant from having an abortion fails By David Savage Scott Lloyd is director of the Office of Refugee Resettlement at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (Drew Angerer / Getty Images) President Trumps lawyers rushed to the Supreme Court and U.S. appeals court in Washington on Monday evening to file emergency appeals seeking to prevent an immigrant in detention, dubbed Jane Roe in court, from having an abortion. That set the stage for a legal showdown on whether the administration can block pregnant minors in custody from choosing to have an abortion. But the legal clash, which the administration has seemed eager to have, fizzled out Tuesday when the governments lawyers admitted the 17-year-old unaccompanied minor in their custody was actually 19. They said they had obtained her birth certificate and realized she was not a minor after all. As a result, Roe, who is 10 weeks pregnant, will no longer be held in a detention center for immigrant minors, and will not be subject to an administration policy that tries to prevent minors in immigration detention from having abortions. Administration lawyers told appeals court judges Tuesday night that Roe was being sent to a facility for adults and likely would be released until her immigration status can be resolved. In a brief order, the D.C. Circuit Court agreed to put the case on hold, but told government attorneys to confirm that she will be permitted to obtain an abortion. The administration had earlier tried to delay another young woman, referred to in court as Jane Poe, from having an abortion, but officials relented on Monday because she was 22 weeks pregnant and nearing the time limit for a legal abortion. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Senate panel rejects Trumps pick to lead Export-Import Bank, a leader in the effort to shut it down By Jim Puzzanghera A Senate committee on Tuesday rejected President Trumps nominee to lead the Export-Import Bank, extending the chaos at the embattled agency whose job is to help U.S. companies sell their goods abroad. Two Republicans joined all Democrats on the Senate Banking Committee in voting against former Rep. Scott Garrett (R-N.J.) to be the banks president. Garrett had been a vocal critic of the Ex-Im Bank and a leader of a conservative effort that shut the bank down for five months in 2015 by blocking its congressional authorization. He and other bank opponents branded the banks aid as crony capitalism. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

Congress proposes $81-billion disaster aid package, including funds for California wildfires By Lisa Mascaro Congress is set to consider an $81-billion disaster aid package that includes wildfire recovery money for California and other Western states as well as hurricane relief with a price tag reflecting a year of record-setting natural calamities. The legislation, the text of which was released late Monday, would provide almost twice as much as the $44 billion the White House sought last month to cover relief efforts along the Gulf Coast and in the Caribbean. Republican congressional leaders added more money after California lawmakers objected that the administration had failed to include help for areas damaged by wildfires and Democrats protested that the overall amount President Trump asked for was insufficient. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

White House blames North Korea for worldwide WannaCry cyber attack By Noah Bierman The Royal London Hospital, a victim of the unprecedented global cyberattack in May. (Niklas Hallen / AFP/Getty Images) The White House officially blamed North Korea on Tuesday for the cyberattack in May known as WannaCry that infected hundreds of thousands of computers in 150 countries, affecting healthcare, financial services and vital infrastructure. Thomas P. Bossert, assistant to the president for homeland security and counter-terrorism, noted in a briefing with reporters that the consequences were beyond economic. He warned that North Koreas malicious behavior is growing more egregious. Bossert did not specify what evidence American officials have to blame North Korea, citing security issues, but he cited the countrys prior attacks as revealing hallmarks of how Pyongyang and its network of hackers operates. He said other allied countries had joined the United States in making the determination. The administration did not announce any penalties on the regime, which is already subject to severe sanctions over its nuclear program. They want to hold the entire world at risk, Bossert said of North Koreas rulers, referring to the nations nuclear and missile provocations as well as its alleged cyberattack. Given its isolation and international sanctions, North Korea is desperate for funds. Bossert said the country did not appear to make much money on the ransom attack, as word spread that paying a ransom did not result in getting computers unlocked. Its primary goal, he said, was spreading chaos. Bossert and Jeanette Manfra, assistant secretary of homeland security for cybersecurity and communication, said the United States, through a combination of preparation and luck, escaped the worst of the attack, as a patch to the malware was found before U.S. companies and other interests were severely crippled. However, Manfra said, We cannot be complacent. Bossert added, Next time were not going to get so lucky. Manfra praised Microsoft and Facebook for their efforts to combat WannaCry and to block more recent attempts to hack U.S. systems. She and Bossert urged more cooperation and information-sharing from American and multinational companies, arguing a united front is vital to protecting against bad actors who do not differentiate between government and business. Bossert rejected criticism that the the Trump administration has more aggressively called out North Korean cyberattacks than it has Russias meddling in the 2016 election. He said the administration has continued the national emergency initiated by President Obama. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

GOP lures some mountain bike groups in its push to roll back protections for public land By Evan Halper When their vision of creating a scenic cycling trail through a protected alpine backcountry hit a snag, San Diego area mountain bikers turned to an unlikely ally: congressional Republicans aiming to dilute conservation laws. The frustrations of the San Diego cycling group and a handful of similar organizations are providing tailwind to the GOP movement to lift restrictions on the countrys most ecologically fragile and pristine landscapes, officially designated wilderness. Resentment of these cyclists over the longstanding ban on mechanized transportation in that fraction of the nations public lands presents a political opportunity for Republicans eager to drill fissures in the broad coalition of conservation-minded groups united against the GOP environmental agenda. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

Vice president postpones Israel trip a second time in case his vote is needed to pass tax cut bill By Noah Bierman (Ethan Miller / Getty Images) Vice President Mike Pence is delaying his trip to Egypt and Israel for a second time in case he is needed to break a tie in the Senate for the tax bill that is expected to pass narrowly this week. Two White House officials confirmed the changed schedule, which they say is unrelated to to protests in the region over the administrations decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israels capital. Pence had initially been scheduled to leave last Saturday. Late last week, the White House moved the trip back a few days to Tuesday night, in case Pence was needed to break a Senate tie. But Monday, they decided to postpone the trip further, to January, given the possibility of a late Senate vote and the coming holidays. He wants to see it through the finish line, said a White House official, referring to the tax measure that is a centerpiece of the Republican legislative agenda. We dont want to leave anything to chance. The mid-January dates will allow Pence more breathing room to merge schedules with embassies and hotels, the official said. Trump still plans to address the Israeli Knesset, a high-profile venue to discuss the Jerusalem decision where it is most popular. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Trump judicial pick who drew ridicule at hearing withdraws By Associated Press A White House official says the Trump judicial nominee whose qualifications were questioned by a Republican senator has withdrawn his nomination. Matthew Petersen, who was nominated by President Trump to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, has been the subject of widespread ridicule since he was unable to define basic legal terms during his confirmation hearing Wednesday. A White House official says Petersen has withdrawn his nomination and that Trump has accepted the withdrawal. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the official was not authorized to discuss the development publicly. Louisiana Sen. John Kennedy pressed Petersen, a former chairman of the Federal Election Commission, who testified he had never tried a case, on his qualifications to the bench. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Trump says McCain will return to Washington if needed for tax vote By Laura King President Trump said Sunday that Sen. John McCain, who is battling an aggressive form of brain cancer, was returning home to Arizona for the holidays but would come back to Washington if needed to cast a vote on the Republicans tax overhaul bill. The Arizona Republicans office announced last week that McCain was receiving treatment at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center outside Washington for complications from his cancer treatment. McCains daughter Meghan tweeted earlier Sunday that her 81-year-old father would be spending Christmas in Arizona. The Senate is expected to vote early this week on the tax cut legislation, but the GOP appeared to have secured sufficient support without McCains vote. John will come back if we need his vote, Trump told reporters as he returned from a weekend at the presidential retreat at Camp David. Hes going through a very tough time. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Putin calls Trump to thank him for U.S. help foiling terrorist strike By Laura King Vladimir Putin phoned President Trump to thank him for what the Russian president said was CIA help in foiling a terrorist attack, the Kremlin said on Sunday. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders confirmed the two leaders conversation to reporters. It was the second time that the two leaders had talked in four days; Trump called Putin on Thursday to thank the Russian leader for lauding the U.S. economy. Putin, in his annual year-end news conference, had praised Trump for a strong performance by the U.S. stock market. Perhaps ironically, given his credit to the CIAs recent help, Putin at that news event dismissed as hysteria the consensus among American intelligence agencies that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential campaign. In reporting Putins call to Trump on Sunday, the official Russian news agency Tass said Putin thanked his American counterpart for information shared by the US Central Intelligence Agency that had helped break up a plot to set off explosives in St. Petersburgs landmark Kazan Cathedral and elsewhere in the city, which is Russias second-largest. Russian authorities last week had credited their countrys counter-intelligence service, the FSB, for foiling the attacks. They reported that seven people affiliated with Islamic State had been detained in St. Petersburg in connection with the plot. The FSB, the successor organization to the KGB, announced Friday that the group had planned to carry out the attacks on Saturday, and that one of those in custody had confessed to the cathedral bomb plot. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

Mnuchin: Government shutdown unlikely but could happen By Laura King Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin said on Sunday that a government shutdown this week was unlikely but possible. A two-week stopgap spending bill passed by Congress earlier this month provided enough funding to keep the government running through Friday. A deadlock on another temporary funding measure would open the door to a possible shutdown. I cant rule it out, but I cant imagine it occurring, Mnuchin said on Fox News Sunday, suggesting everyone had an interest in avoiding the government grinding to a halt and federal workers going unpaid, especially in the holiday season. I would expect that both the House and Senate, Republicans and Democrats, understand if they cant agree on this, they need to have another short-term extension to move this to January, the Treasury secretary said. We cant have a government shutdown in front of Christmas. In May, irate over concessions made to Democrats in hammering out a spending measure, President Trump tweeted that a good shutdown might help matters. While both parties agree that a government shutdown involves a degree of disruption that is not beneficial to either side, shutdowns in 1995-96 and in 2013 mainly caused a backlash against Republicans. The latest funding measure is to be taken up after a vote on a massive GOP tax overhaul, expected by midweek. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Trump transition team says sensitive emails should not have been shared with Robert Mueller By Chris Megerian (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press) President Trumps transition team is crying foul over how special counsel Robert S. Mueller III obtained emails for his investigation into Russian meddling in last years campaign and possible Trump campaign complicity. Kory Langhofer, a lawyer for the transition team, sent a letter to Congress on Saturday saying there was an unauthorized disclosure of emails. While the Trump transition is long over, the transition team remains a nonprofit organization. Its emails were hosted by the General Services Administration, a federal agency. Mueller reportedly obtained the emails directly from the agency. There are attorney-client communications, Langhofer said in an interview. There are executive-privileged communications. He added, What were asking Congress to do is to take some legislative action to make sure this never happens again. Peter Carr, a spokesman for the special counsels office, defended the process for obtaining emails. When we have obtained emails in the course of our ongoing criminal investigation, we have secured either the account owners consent or appropriate criminal process, he said. The letter was first reported by Fox News. A request for comment from the General Services Administration was not immediately answered. This story has been updated with a comment from the special counsels office. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Virginia house arrest is ending for Paul Manafort By Chris Megerian (Mark Wilson / Getty Images) A federal judge agreed Friday to end Paul Manaforts house arrest in Virginia, allowing President Trumps former campaign manager to return to Florida while awaiting trial. The decision followed a dispute between Manaforts legal team and prosecutors working for special counsel Robert S. Mueller III, who accused Manafort of violating a court order restricting public statements about the case. Under the terms of the judges order, Manafort will be allowed to live at his home in Florida as long as he stays within Palm Beach and Broward counties and obeys a curfew from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. If he misses a court appearance, he would forfeit four properties valued at $10 million total. The deal, which includes GPS monitoring, is not as permissive as Manafort originally sought. He had asked to be able to travel freely among Florida, New York, Virginia and Washington. Manafort faces criminal charges of fraud, conspiracy and money laundering. He has pleaded not guilty. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

GOP negotiators enhance child tax credit to win over Sen. Rubio By Lisa Mascaro Republican negotiators slightly increased the refundable portion of the expanded child tax credit in their tax plan, raising it to $1,400 in hopes of winning back Sen. Marco Rubios (R-Fla.) support ahead of next weeks vote. Rubio announced Thursday he was withholding support after negotiators ignored his push to make the expanded tax credit, which increases from the current $1,000 to $2,000 in the proposed bill, fully refundable for lower- and moderate-income filers. The refundable portion in the original bill was $1,100. The Florida senator argued that was not enough to help working-class Americans, many of whom already view the GOP plan as tilted toward the wealthy. Rubios office was waiting to see the final text before commenting on whether the change was enough to win him over. We have not seen the bill text, and until we see if the percentage of the refundable credit is significantly higher, then our position remains the same, Rubios spokeswoman said. Negotiators meeting Friday before unveiling the bill said they thought they had the support they needed from Rubio and other holdouts. Im confident both chambers will pass it next week, said Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.). Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

Sen. Marco Rubio opposes GOP tax bill, depriving leaders of crucial support By Lisa Mascaro 20.94% Corp. rate to pay for tax cut for working family making $40k was anti-growth but 21% to cut tax for couples making $1million is fine?  Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) December 12, 2017 Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) says he is currently opposed to the GOP tax plan because it fails to include his proposed enhancements to the child tax credit, leaving leaders without crucial support ahead of next weeks expected vote. Republicans can only lose two GOP senators from their slim 52-48 majority as they push the plan forward under special budget rules to prevent a Democratic filibuster. Vice President Mike Pence on Wednesday altered his planned Israel trip so he could be on hand, if needed, to cast a tie-breaking vote. Rubio, and GOP Sen. Mike Lee of Utah, have fought to increase the child tax credit, doubling it to $2,000 in the GOP plan, but they also want to increase its refundability. They argue it will lower taxes on middle-income families at a time when the tax plan is being criticized as tilted to the wealthy. Sen. Rubio has consistently communicated to the Senate tax negotiators that his vote on final passage would depend on whether the refundability of the Child Tax Credit was increased in a meaningful way, Rubios spokeswoman said. Lee stopped short of opposing the bill, but his spokesman said Wednesday he is undecided. GOP leaders, though, have said they believe they have the support for passage. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

White House gives Roy Moore a unsubtle shove: Time to concede By David Lauter (Alex Wong / Getty Images) The White House sent a clear signal Thursday to the defeated Republican candidate for Senate in Alabama: Its time to concede. Roy Moore refused to concede the race on Tuesday night when Doug Jones, the Democrat, was declared the winner. Election night results show Jones winning by about 1.5 percentage points, three times more than the states standard for a recount. Although a few absentee and provisional ballots remain to be counted, theres no indication they would change the result. On Wednesday, Moore notably did not call to congratulate Jones  even as President Trump and other leading Republicans did. Instead, he released a video declaring the battle rages on. Asked at the daily news briefing whether the White House thinks Moore should concede today, Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said, It probably sounds like it maybe should have already taken place. Sanders also dismissed the idea, pushed by some Moore supporters, that Jones victory was tainted in some fashion. Asked if the Democrat had won fair and square, she said, I think the numbers reflect that. The states Republican senator, Richard Shelby, offered a similar comment in an interview with MSNBC in which he said he was willing to work with Jones. If I was 25,000 votes behind, its not going to change much, Shelby said. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

House Speaker Paul Ryan says hes not leaving anytime soon By Lisa Mascaro House Speaker Paul D. Ryan shot down suggestions Thursday that he might soon be retiring. Stories often circulate that party leaders, especially the House speaker, are stepping aside. Ryans tenure has been as rocky as that of his predecessor, Rep. John Boehner, who abruptly resigned in 2015 amid GOP infighting. Asked Thursday if he would be leaving, Ryan answered a simple no, as he left his weekly press conference in the Capitol. Ryan, the Wisconsin Republican who reluctantly took over the speakers gavel after Boehners departure, had just finished talking up the GOP tax plan, which leaders hope to pass next week. He also outlined his sweeping agenda for his longtime goal of entitlement reform of welfare benefits next year. Two stories published Thursday suggested Ryan may soon be out. This is pure speculation, said spokeswoman AshLee Strong. As the speaker himself said today, hes not going anywhere anytime soon. Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

GOP leaders reach tax deal, cutting corporate rate to 21% and top individual rate to 37% By Lisa Mascaro Republican leaders on Wednesday agreed on a revised plan to cut taxes that would lower the corporate rate from 35% to 21% and drop the top individual rate for the richest Americans to 37%, according to GOP senators and others briefed on the deal. The tentative accord marked a significant step in the Republican push to have a tax bill on President Trumps desk by Christmas. Leaders did not release details of the compromise or the text of a final bill as negotiations continued. Its critically important for Congress to quickly pass these historic tax cuts, Trump said Wednesday, promising that Americans could begin to reap the benefits of the plan as early as February, if passed. Critics, however, said the latest changes  particularly the lowering of the top individual rate from the current 39.6%  only reaffirmed several independent analyses that show the bulk of the savings from the Republican plan would go to businesses and the wealthy. Read More Facebook

Twitter

Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Copy Link URL Copied!

Print

Advertisement

Farenthold to retire from House amid harassment accusations By Associated Press Texas Republican Rep. Blake Farenthold wont seek reelection next year, two Republicans said Thursday, adding his name to the list of lawmakers leaving Congress amid sexual harassment allegations that have cost powerful men their jobs in politics, the arts and other fields. The accusations against Farenthold surfaced in 2014, when a former aide sued him alleging sexually suggestive comments and behavior and said shed been fired after she complained. The lawmaker said he engaged in no wrongdoing and the case was settled in 2015. But the House Ethics Committee said last week that it would investigate Farenthold after congressional sources said hed paid an $84,000 settlement using taxpayers money. Though Farenthold said hed reimburse the Treasury Department, such payments have drawn public criticism from people saying lawmakers should use their own money for such settlements. A House official said Farenthold spoke twice Wednesday to House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.), while another official said the congressman spoke once with Rep. Steve Stivers (R-Ohio) who heads the GOPs House campaign committee. Those discussions suggested that Farenthold may have come under pressure from leaders to step aside. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity to describe private conversations. Last week, three lawmakers facing accusations of sexual harassment announced their resignations. Reps. John Conyers (D-Mich.) and Trent Franks (R-Ariz.) have already left Congress while Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) has said he will step aside soon. Mike Bergsma, Republican county chairman in Farentholds home county of Nueces, Texas, said Fare
An Orange County Superior Court judge Friday sentenced an Irvine mechanic to 107 years in prison for breaking into the homes of two women and sexually assaulting them.

Judge Sheila Hanson called Travis Dewayne Batten, 32, a dangerous man who needed to be put behind bars forever to prevent him from hurting anyone else, according to a news release from the Orange County district attorneys office.

In 2005, Batten put on a mask, broke into the house of a 40-year-old Newport Beach woman and waited for her to return home, prosecutors said.

Batten then duct taped her hands and mouth, sexually assaulted her, punched her twice in the head and warned her not to call police, according to the district attorneys office.

In 2006, Batten again donned a mask and broke into the home of a 21-year-old Irvine woman while she was showering, prosecutors said.

Batten waited outside the bathroom for the victim, threw her to the ground, tied her hands and raped her twice, according to the district attorneys office.

Newport Beach and Irvine police connected the two cases through DNA left by Batten at the scenes and arrested him in 2011 while he was heading to work at Fletcher Jones Motorcars in Newport.

In March, a jury convicted Batten of two felony counts of forcible rape, one felony count each of assault with intent to commit a sexual offense, assault with intent to commit a sexual offense during the commission of first-degree burglary, sodomy by force, sexual penetration by foreign object by force, and kidnapping to commit a sex offense.

One of Battens victims submitted a statement to be considered during Fridays sentencing. According to the district attorneys news release, she said Battens crime could have destroyed her, but instead she chose to be defined by her successes.
As January closes, heres a final nod to the holiday events of 2015.

Segerstrom Center for the Arts and the American Ballet Theatre presented a spectacular staging of The Nutcracker for Orange County enthusiasts. So well received was the show that it is already booked for a return engagement this year.

Following the curtain opening on Dec. 10, three dedicated corporate sponsors threw an elegant late-night celebration for cast, crew, patrons and guests, including members of the American Ballet Theatre board who had flown in from New York. It was all made possible through the generous support of South Coast Plaza, Tiffany & Co. and Orange County BMW centers.

South Coast Plazas executive director of marketing, Debra Gunn Downing, joined American Ballet Theatres board Chairman-elect, Andy Bark, and Segerstrom Center President Terry Dwyer in welcoming the crowd at the gala, which was held in Jewel Court. No expense had been spared in creating a setting with a golden backdrop and towering holiday trees set on enormous pedestals supported by shimmering nutcrackers.

The crowd arriving post performance was greeted by an array of wait staff passing hors doeuvres of lobster mac and cheese to go with the Dew Drop cocktails, inspired by sugar plum fairies. Tiffany & Co., represented by group director Michael Botsko, had bakers create petit fours fashioned in the image of the iconic Tiffany blue box with white ribbon frosting.

Special guests included Segerstrom Center Vice President Judy Morr, ABT artistic director Kevin McKenzie, choreographer Alexei Ratmansky and South Coast Plaza executive Elizabeth Segerstrom.

*

A Night For Scotch On The Orange Coast

In celebration of Robert Burns birthday and the recent Hogmany, the Balboa Bay Club presented its annual Robert Burns Scotch dinner featuring Macallan, which was represented by Kieran Eiliot.

The crowd arrived for sunset Scotch tasting in the Bay Clubs members grill on the bayfront. The clubs governor, John Wortmann, served as haggis presenter. To set the mood, piper Glen Thompson played his bagpipes as narrator Jesse Chisholm shared the Burns legacy with the dinner guests.

The culinary team led by chef David Fune began the meal presentation with a deconstructed Scotch egg with wild salmon and flavors of bearnaise. Then came the Haggis served over whipped Yukon potatoes. Entree selections included crisp duck breast and lamb shank with all appropriate trimmings.

Enjoying the Scottish camaraderie were the clubs general manager, Malcolm Smith, a genuine Scotsman, donning his family kilt for the evening and sharing tales with Jim and Catherine Emmi, Art and Jane Rivera, Mark Doyle, Catherine and DeLayne Thyen, Kathy Dogali, Denice Day, Jo Clark and Ann and John Wortmann, to name only a few.

*

A Fashion Show To Benefit Kids

Once again Childhelp will team up with South Coast Plaza to present a spring fashion luncheon. It will be held March 17 at The Island Hotel, Newport Beach.

This season, Anton and Jennifer Segerstrom will be honored with Childhelps Childrens Friend Award, joining Erik and Stacey Rees, who will receive the annual humanitarian award from the organization. On March 13, the ultra-generous Childhelp patrons Beverly and Robert Cohen will welcome event underwriters for a reception at their Bayshores estate.

*

Go Red For Women

The American Heart Assn. will present a daylong conference with lunch for the 2016 Go Red For Women outreach.

The Hotel Irvine will host the Feb. 5 event, which kicks off with a health expo at 9 a.m., followed by workshops, health screenings and educational sessions before the luncheon program at noon. The event will be chaired by Laurinda Newell, vice president of strategic business development for Cigna Healthcare.

The annual Go Red For Women raises awareness that heart disease is the number one killer of women, and encourages them to take preventative measures to reduce the risk, said Tamara White, who is with the American Heart Assn.

For more information, visit www.heart.org/orangecounty.

B.W. COOK is editor of the Bay Window, the official publication of the Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach.
South Korean authorities captured a U.S. citizen in a buffer zone along the North Korean border, officials said.

The man, who was not identified, was detained Monday morning in the Civilian Control Line, a miles-wide zone along the border established after the Korean War to prevent skirmishes.

Separately, a North Korean soldier crossed into South Korea at Panmunjom, the complex used by both countries for diplomatic talks over the years to visit the demilitarized zone.

Advertisement

The incident began with the soldier, who hasnt been identified, driving near the border before leaving his vehicle and fleeing amid gunshots from his fellow North Korean soldiers. At least one shot hit him.

American officials said the wounded soldier then hid near a building on the South Korean side of the complex, before South Korean and American troops  who have worked at the complex together for decades  rescued him.

South Korean authorities, accompanied by a United Nations escort and interpreter, took the soldier to a hospital in Suwon, a Seoul suburb, for treatment. No American or South Korean forces were hurt in the incident, which remains under investigation.

A spokesman for the South Korean Defense Ministry, Kwon Ki-hyun, confirmed broad details about the incident involving the U.S. citizen but deferred specific questions about the man  and any potential charges  to police and the National Intelligence Service.

Neither could be reached for comment, and it was unclear whether the man faced any charges.

An official with the U.S. Embassy said authorities were looking into what happened but could not immediately provide more details.

If it is determined that a U.S. citizen has been detained, the U.S. Embassy will provide appropriate consular services, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of privacy concerns.

The mans activities and motives remained under investigation, government officials said. A spokesman for the Blue House, South Koreas presidential office, confirmed basic information but declined to elaborate.

South Koreas Yonhap News Agency reported that the man entered the country three days ago.

The incidents came days after President Trump visited Seoul  part of a trip to Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam and the Philippines.

Stiles is a special correspondent.

UPDATES:

6:40 p.m.: This article has been updated with details about the North Korean soldier.

This article was originally posted at 8:30 a.m.
Polands Foreign Ministry said Monday that it strongly condemns racist, anti-Semitic and xenophobic ideas, and insisted that a large weekend march by nationalists in Warsaw was largely an expression of patriotic feeling.

The ministry said the march Saturday on the Independence Day holiday was a great celebration of Poles, differing in their views, but united around the common values of freedom and loyalty to an independent homeland.

The event was organized by groups that trace their roots to radical nationalist pre-World War II anti-Semitic groups. About 60,000 people took part, including families.

Advertisement

But there were also young men carrying banners with messages including White Europe of brotherly nations.

Some carried the Celtic Cross, a white supremacist symbol, and there were reports that people chanted slogans against Jews and had anti-Islam banners.

Police detained 45 counter-protesters who blocked the marchs path, but didnt act against any of those expressing extremist views.

On Monday, a small group of civic rights activists protested what they saw as the authorities failure to respond properly to the behavior of the nationalists. In a rally in front of city hall they chanted, Warsaw free from fascism! One man held a banner saying, Poland, wake up. Fascism is coming. They then proceeded to a police station to protest there too.

Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon called the event a dangerous march of extreme and racist elements.

We hope that Polish authorities will act against the organizers, Nahshon said in a statement. History teaches us that expressions of racist hate must be dealt with swiftly and decisively.

The Polish Foreign Ministry said it wasnt justifiable to define the march based on some incidental elements. Underlining its opposition to extremism, the ministry recalled that it had opposed a visit to Poland by Richard Spencer, the leading American white nationalist.

Spencer was originally to have attended a conference in Warsaw a day before the march, but he was taken off the schedule after the ministry said it didnt want him in the country.

The American Jewish Committee, a global Jewish advocacy organization, also urged the government to act. It cited reports that masked participants had chanted , Sieg Heil and Ku Klux Klan as well as Pure Poland, white Poland and Clean blood, lucid mind.

Agnieszka Markiewicz, director of AJCs Warsaw Central Europe office in Warsaw, said the holiday was seriously marred by hateful, far-right throngs that threaten the core values of Poland and its standing abroad.

The apparent tolerance shown for these purveyors of hate  and, lets be clear, thats exactly what they are  by some Polish government officials is particularly troubling, Markiewicz said.
They live under the volcano, literally, but their fears are not focused on the latest torrents of smoke, ash and flaming stones belching from Don Goyo  as the Popocatepetl volcano is known in these parts, with equal measures of respect and affection, and surprisingly little dread.

We are all accustomed to Don Goyo and his emanations, his fumarolas, his furies, said Rosalina Rojas Garcia, 55, as she paused one recent afternoon while walking down the main drag of San Antonio Alpanocan just 10 miles from the volcano. We have lived with Don Goyo all our lives.

Instead it is another aspect of Mexicos geological vulnerability  earthquakes  that drives the anxiety prevalent these days in San Antonio and other towns and hamlets hugging the signature volcano.

Advertisement

Media attention and rescue efforts following the powerful 7.1 earthquake that struck central Mexico on Sept. 19 focused on Mexico City, where most of the nations 369 fatalities were recorded. But damage also was widespread in rural areas such as San Antonio, population 3,000, and other settlements along the lush, heavily forested flanks of Popocatepetl  smoking mountain, in the Aztec Nahuatl language.

Though no one was killed here, about 80% of the buildings in San Antonio were destroyed or suffered extensive damage and will need to be rebuilt, officials and experts say. Volunteer groups from the nearby city of Puebla and elsewhere have hastened to provide aid amid what many residents call a desultory government response  a common complaint in earthquake-struck rural zones of Mexico.

Popo, a ubiquitous diminutive for the almost 18,000-foot volcano, sits less than 100 miles from the epicenter of the Sept. 19 temblor. The quakes aftermath saw a surge in volcanic activity, including soaring plumes of smoke, vapor and ash, but authorities called the discharges normal and not a cause for alarm or evacuations.

Still, Popocatepetl is considered among natures most potentially lethal threats. Some 25 million people live in its vicinity, mostly in Mexico City, 40 miles northwest. Popo, Mexicos second-highest mountain, was quiescent for more than half a century until it began to stir anew in 1994.

Popocatepetl and its relatively dormant twin, Iztaccihuatl (sometimes called la mujer dormida, or the sleeping woman, because its craggy summit bears a resemblance to a reclined female) dominate the regional landscape.

Both are intricately entwined with the pre-European worldview of the central Mexican altiplano, where volcanoes were esteemed as both deities and living beings. In one version of indigenous mythology, Popocatepetl, a mighty male warrior, and Iztaccihuatl, a princess, were an ill-starred couple who transformed after death into towering monuments, the volcanic fire symbolizing the eternal passion of their tragic romance.

Colorful images of the legendary Aztec power couple remain popular in Mexico and in Mexican American communities in the United States, where commercial calendars featuring the two grace gas stations, panaderias and other establishments. The feather-bedecked Popocatepetl is often depicted bearing the corpse of the light-skinned Iztaccihutal (roughly, white woman in Nahuatl), who is said to have died of a broken heart  or committed suicide  after she was misinformed that her beloved had been killed in battle.

Eruptions of Popocatepetl before the Spanish arrival in the 1500s likely caused mass evacuations of towns and ceremonial centers, scientists say. No catastrophic event has been recorded since the Spanish conquest, despite occasional evacuations.

Today, Mexican authorities closely measure Popocatepetls volcanic activity and seismic jolts. Webcams focus on the crater, occasionally generating sensational internet videos of volcanic bursts. Signs along roads point to emergency evacuation routes.

Early this month, Mexicos national disaster center recorded a series of minor eruptions during the previous 24 hours on Popocatepetl, including some 200 low-intensity exhalations of water and gas, three explosions, three relatively small volcanic earthquakes and a light fall of ash on two towns. Authorities retained the warning level at Yellow Phase 2, meaning area residents should be alert but no danger was imminent.

If something happens with the volcano, we know we will have a warning, said Florencia Perez Valdez, 49, who was found on a recent Sunday outside the colonial-era church of St. Francis of Assisi, cordoned off after extensive damage in the Sept. 19 quake. But there is no warning with an earthquake. Just the terrible shaking.

Tears came to Perezs eyes as she gazed at the battered church, which authorities hope to rebuild. The cast-iron bell, dated 1781, was now strung from a tree; the church bell tower collapsed in the quake.

We have had so many important events here at the church  baptisms, funerals, marriages, said Valdez, a lifelong resident of this town. It is so sad to see it in such a lamentable condition.

On the afternoon of Sept. 19, as the temblor rattled the town, some 400 students fled buckling walls and tumbling masonry at the Ignacio Zaragoza elementary school.

Really, it is a miracle no one died here, said Claudio Espana, 44, who lives across the road from the school.

His 6-year-old son, Juan, suffered a head injury from falling debris at the school but has recovered. Like others here, Espana farms beans, corn and avocados, while maintaining livestock and chickens, supplementing his income by selling intricate handcrafted baskets and planters produced in the area.

Funds sent from sons and daughters who have emigrated to the United States also help sustain many families here. Among the damaged structures in San Antonio were several large, still-incomplete hillside homes funded by emigrant dollars.

The earthquake, it felt like a bomb, said Espana, standing outside his collapsed adobe home, as several of his neighbors rode by on horses. We have never felt anything like that before.

Weeks later, the site of the destroyed elementary school was frozen in earthquake time, and a blackboard bore the date: Sept. 19, 2017, with prospective lessons for the day. Dust-covered backpacks, notebooks, pencils and other remnants of scholastic days were scattered about classrooms featuring collapsed doorways and fissures in the walls.

In 2012 photograph, Mexicos Popocatepetl volcano lights up the night sky. (Ronaldo Schemidt / AFP/Getty Images )

The earthquake was frightening, nothing like Don Goyo, said Osvaldo Perez Acosta, 52, who stood on the dirt foundation that once housed his stationery shop, leveled in the quake, the debris now cleared. We respect Don Goyo. We make offerings to him. We do not fear the volcano. It is part of us. The earthquake  that is something else.

Indeed, townsfolk here and elsewhere in the area still lay flowers and food along the flanks of the grumbling colossus in their midst. Bands play tunes in a bid to placate Don Goyo.

In local lore, Don Goyo  short for Don Gregorio  is an elderly figure who embodies the essentially benevolent spirit of Popocatepetl. Legend has it that Don Goyo trudges down from the caldera to advise townsfolk to get out of harms way if needed.

But Don Goyo has not been seen of late. And it is the unsteady earth below, not the fiery giant above, that is generating disquiet these days among the people who live under the volcano.

Cecilia Sanchez of The Times Mexico City bureau and special correspondent Liliana Nieto del Rio in San Antonio Alpanocan contributed to this report.

patrick.mcdonnell@latimes.com

Twitter: @PmcdonnellLAT

ALSO

How the Dia de Muertos tradition continues, even after losing everything in the 7.1 quake in Mexico

Mexico City has never cataloged its buildings to know how many are at serious risk of collapse in an earthquake

550,000 homes in Southern California have the highest risk of fire damage, but they are not alone

Hundreds killed and thousands injured in a magnitude 7.3 earthquake near Iran-Iraq border
All material is subject to strictly enforced copyright terms & conditions and cannot be repurposed or reproduced.  19882022 Latin American Financial Publications Inc.
Indias The Economic Times newspaper has posted an article titled "APEC Summit: Recognition of Vietnam's Economic Achievements and Challenges Ahead" by Dipanjan Roy Chaudhury.

The newspaper hailed Vietnam as one of the fastest growing economies amid the global economic slowdown, saying it has attempted to harmonise interests, seek common ground to bridge differences, and promote cooperation among APEC members while hosting the APEC meeting.

Meanwhile, Japan Times (Japan), The Independent (Singapore), South China Morning Post (Hongkong, China), all also published Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quangs article titled APEC Vietnam 2017  Fostering a shared future in a changing world.

In addition, Malaysian media heightened Vietnams achievements of inclusive growth. Notably, The Malay Mail Online posted an article APEC in Vietnam to promote innovation and inclusiveness to introduce the activities under APEC 2017 Year in Vietnam, as well as bring out positive comments on Vietnams outcomes after its thirty years of reforms.

The APEC event held in Vietnam put the emphasis on Hanois fast-tracking of innovation and inclusiveness, while the country will also bank on efforts to deepen regional cooperation, the article said.

Especially, Xinhua News Agency (China) also published articles on the event. The article said this year's APEC Economic Leaders' Week is held under the theme of "Creating New Dynamism, Fostering a Shared Future."

Under the theme of "Creating New Dynamism, Fostering a Shared Future," Vietnam set four priorities during its rotating APEC chairmanship this year - promoting sustainable, innovative and inclusive growth; deepening regional economic integration; strengthening micro, small and medium enterprises' competitiveness and innovation in the digital age; and enhancing food security and sustainable agriculture in response to climate change, the article said.

Vietnam is becoming one of the leading players in the region, said Maria Zelenkova, a research fellow at the Russian Institute of Strategic Studies in a recent analysis.

Vietnam is the centre of close attention on the part of the leading countries of the Asia-Pacific region, the Russian researcher said, adding that this is due to the increasing role of the country in the international arena, caused by a number of interrelated reasons.

Meanwhile, in a number of conferences in the framework of the APEC summit, Mr. Kim Sang Yeol, Vietnamese honourable Consul General in Gwangju-Chonnam region, the Republic of Korea, made positive comments on Vietnams socio-economic development after more than 30 years of Doi Moi (reform), and expressed his belief in the Southeast Asian countrys economic potential.



Kim, who is also General Director of Hoban Construction Co., Ltd and President of the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS), highlighted that Vietnam is a promising market which offers favourable conditions for foreign investors, including those from the RoK, to enlarge their business.

On November 12th, at the 16th meeting of the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) Council and the 20th ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC) Meeting took place in Manila, the Philippines, in preparation for the 31st ASEAN Summit and related meetings, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of ASEAN congratulated Vietnam on successfully completing its role as the APEC Chair in 2017, while speaking of the countrys initiative of holding ASEAN-APEC Informal Dialogue, as this was a good chance for ASEAN to expand its relations with partners in the Asia-Pacific region.

Established in 1989, APEC comprises 21 economies, including Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong (China), Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, the US and Vietnam.

Vietnam joined APEC in 1998, and first hosted APEC in 2006./.
A Northampton County man is facing up to 30 years in state prison in child pornography and indecent assault cases.

Dustin M. Wagner, 32, of the 1600 block of Farmersville Road in Bethlehem Township, was sentenced Wednesday to 15 to 30 years in state prison; 13 to 26 years in the child porn case, and two to four years in the indecent assault case.

Wagner previously pleaded guilty to 20 counts of child pornography, as well as single counts of disseminating images of child sex acts and criminal use of a communication facility.

Wagner pleaded no contest to indecent assault of a child under the age of 13, corruption of minors and indecent exposure.

Under a no contest plea, the defendant does not admit guilt but acknowledges prosecutors have enough evidence for a conviction. It is treated the same as a guilty plea for sentencing purposes.

Wagner has been held on $160,000 bail in the two cases.

Authorities searched Wagner's apartment in November 2015, when he admitted to investigators to sexually explicit online chats with children ages 10 to 12.

A forensic analysis of items seized from his home allegedly turned up more than 1,000 images of child pornography.

In the second case, Wagner was accused of molesting a girl at his township home when she was 5 or 6, and also when she was 8, according to The Morning Call.

Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
Pennsylvania State Police trooper Cpl. Seth Kelly, 39, was shot several times during a traffic stop Nov. 7, 2017, on Route 33 in Plainfield Township. (Courtesy photo | For lehighvalleylive.com)

A processional of about 35 police cruisers, fire trucks and ambulances drove past St. Luke's University Hospital Sunday in support of a Pennsylvania State Police trooper shot and wounded in the line of duty.

The vehicles lined up around noon at the Masonic Temple in Bethlehem before proceeding down Ostrum Street with emergency lights enacted, but remained in complete silence.

It was believed by those who participated Cpl. Seth Kelly would be seeing the display from a hospital window facing the street, but Pennsylvania State Police spokesman Cpl. Adam Reed could not confirm. Kelly on Sunday was upgraded to stable condition, Reed said.

Among those participating were emergency vehicles from Lower Mount Bethel Township, Plainfield Township, Forks Township, Fountain Hill, Bethlehem Township, Salisbury Township and Wind Gap. White doves were released into the sky by Kelly's parents as the procession made its way past the hospital.

The idea to support Kelly in the form of a procession came from Bob Kummer, a heavy equipment operator for the City of Easton and volunteer Lower Mount Bethel Township firefighter. Kummer of Lower Mount Bethel Township said he knows Kelly and his wife, Forks Township Detective Philomena Kelly, from social settings and wanted to do more to show support.

Kummer then asked followers on Facebook to join him in the effort Sunday afternoon. His post was shared nearly 100 times.

Throwing it out there.. was trying to see who would be interested from local fire companies and EMS to form a convoy to... Posted by Bob Kummer on Wednesday, November 8, 2017

Kummer said he was floored by the turnout.

"I didn't think it would take off like this," he said Sunday afternoon, noting word of mouth just spread after he posted on social media.

Wilson Borough Police Chief Steve Parkansky said his department wasn't aware, but would have been there if officers knew. He said the display of support just shows the unity among police departments across the Lehigh Valley when one of their own is in need.

"It just shows that there is a brotherhood and there is a unity among officers and anytime any of us needs help or support, all of us are there for them," Parkansky said. "And this is not just in a time of tragedy."

Allentown Police Chief Glen Dorney said his department also wasn't notified, but had they known, officers "absolutely would have participated to show support."

"We support our brother officer and are working with Pennsylvania State Police to help support Corporal Kelly and his family and all the troopers affected by this senseless act of violence against law enforcement," Dorney said. "Although we are different agencies, we are united in a very unique brotherhood, so we support him and Pennsylvania State Police, as we are all on the same team."

The convoy lasted about 20 minutes and then, vehicles seemed to disperse in different directions.

Kelly of Upper Nazareth on Nov. 7 was shot at three times by 22-year-old Daniel Khalil Clary of Monroe County during a traffic stop at the Route 191 exit of Route 33 in Plainfield Township. Clary is accused of fighting with Kelly and Trooper Ryan Seiple, before opening fire on the pair and fleeing.

Police said Kelly likely saved his own life using a tourniquet he carried on his belt. After being shot in the throat and leg, Kelly put the tourniquet on himself to stop the bleeding from his wounds and returned fire at Clary.

Seiple suffered minor injuries in the fracas. Clary managed to drive himself to Easton Hospital and now is hospitalized at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest. When Clary is well enough, he will head to Northampton County Prison on $1 million bail in his case. Until then, he is being guarded by Northampton County sheriff's deputies and state police.

Clary faces 16 charges in the incident, including two counts under the crimes code for criminal homicide, in addition to two counts each of attempted murder of a law enforcement officer; aggravated assault; assault of a law enforcement officer; simple assault and reckless endangerment. He also faces single counts of disarming a law enforcement officer, escape, carrying a firearm without a license and resisting arrest.

St. Luke's Friday also lighted up the hospital in blue in support of Kelly. A Go Fund Me online fundraiser was set up last week to help Kelly's family while he remains hospitalized. The site has a goal to raise $50,000.

Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
A Pennsylvania State Police trooper shot and wounded in the line of duty was upgraded from critical to stable condition Sunday, according to Pennsylvania State Police.

Cpl. Seth Kelly remains hospitalized at St. Luke's University Hospital in Fountain Hill, Cpl. Adam Reed, a state police spokesman, said.

Kelly was previously listed in critical, but stable condition.

A procession of about 35 police cruisers, fire trucks and ambulances drove past St. Luke's Sunday afternoon in support of him.

Kelly, of Upper Nazareth, was shot at three times on Nov. 7 by 22-year-old Daniel Khalil Clary of Monroe County during a traffic stop at the Route 191 exit of Route 33 in Plainfield Township, authorities have said.

Clary is accused of fighting with Kelly and Trooper Ryan Seiple, before opening fire on the pair and fleeing.

Police said Kelly likely saved his own life using a tourniquet he carried on his belt. After being shot in the throat and leg, Kelly put the tourniquet on himself to stop the bleeding from his wounds and returned fire at Clary.

Seiple, who is the son of Colonial Regional Police Chief Roy Seiple, suffered minor injuries in the fracas.

Clary managed to drive himself to Easton Hospital and now is hospitalized at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest in Salisbury Township. When Clary is well enough, he will head to Northampton County Prison on $1 million bail in his case. Until then, he is being guarded by Northampton County sheriff's deputies and state police.

Cpl. Kelly is the husband of Forks Township Detective Philomena Kelly.

He was promoted to corporal last year, according to a news release. Kelly was later reassigned within Troop M from the Belfast to the Bethlehem barracks. He joined the state police in 2004.

Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
Nazareth borough councilman-elect Carl Strye Jr. admits he paid $8,000 to Vigilance Hose Co., enrolled in a special program for first-time offenders and willingly resigned as mayor.

But the defiant ex-mayor refuses to admit he took $8,000 from the Nazareth-based fire company or did anything wrong.

He claims he took responsibility for the crime in order to spare the Vigilance Hose scrutiny from Internal Revenue Service auditors.

"I took one for the team," Strye said last week.

From the time he was charged with theft in April 2016, he has kept his mouth shut about the allegations. But now that he has completed the accelerated rehabilitative disposition program, he is willing to open up.

"I am done with ARD. Now I can speak!" he said in an email last week.

By enrolling in the program, Strye had a theft charge wiped from his record. As part of the program, he resigned as mayor in September 2016 and paid $8,000 to the fire company.

Strye claims by enrolling he took responsibility for the crime but never admitted wrongdoing.

That's not the case, according to Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli. It's true that Strye is not a convicted thief, but he had to admit to the criminal conduct, Morganelli said.

"He can not get into ARD if he does not admit to the facts," Morganelli said, later adding, "The defendants like to spin it any way they can."

Strye says that during the time he was accused of taking the money between 2009 and 2013 the club paid its part-time bartenders with the cash proceeds of small games of chance. The missing money is due to this under-the-table bookkeeping, not because he took it, he said.

Strye was president of Vigilance Hose at that time. He said others in the fire company engaged in the same practice. He said his enemies within the fire department and police used the situation as an opportunity to punish him for unrelated and longstanding feuds.

"My accusers did it revengefully due to an incident that happened in the past," he said.

Rather than shell out tens of thousands of dollars for a trial, expose the names of bartenders being paid in cash and take a chance on a conviction, Strye said he decided to enroll in ARD.

"I did not take anything," Strye said. "The only thing I did was pour my heart into that fire company and make it what it is today."

He said he started the fire company carnival, fireworks display and block party.

"I didn't just become mayor. I earned it through many years of caring for the community and putting the fire company out there, in front of the public constantly. I was and am a promoter. I would help anybody at any time," he said.

The Vigilance Hose trustees voted in January to re-instate Strye as a lifetime member.

Mark Morella, who was elected president of Vigilance Hose in January, called Strye a "great guy." Morella joined the company in 2012 and said he doesn't have much knowledge of what went on during the time Strye was accused of taking funds.

He said an outside company handles payroll for the staff now.

"Everything is done through the bank. We have no cash around any more," Morella said. The company has more than 35 active members, he said.

"Everything at this point seems to be moving forward," Morella said. "What happened in the past happened in the past, whatever it was that may have happened."

Although Strye was required to resign as mayor, there was no prohibition on him seeking office after his ARD enrollment. He was elected to borough council last week.

"I am a good person with great values," Strye said in an email. "I did nothing wrong. Nobody wants to hear that, just continually point fingers."

Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @RudyMillerLV. Find Easton area news on Facebook.
Turkey has dismissed as "utterly false, ludicrous and groundless" a report that Turkish officials may have discussed paying millions of dollars to have a U.S.-based Muslim cleric kidnapped.

The Wall Street Journal reported Friday that Special Counsel Robert Mueller was investigating an alleged plot involving former U.S. National Security Adviser Michael Flynn and his son to hand Fethullah Gulen over to Ankara for as much as $15 million.

Turkey blames the cleric and his supporters for a July 2016 military coup attempt that killed 250 people.

Gulen, leader of the movement known as Hizmet, denies any involvement in the coup. He has been living at his Golden Generation Worship and Retreat Center, a gated 26-acre compound in Ross Township, Monroe County.

The Turkish Embassy in Washington reiterated demands late Saturday for the United States to extradite Gulen so he can stand trial. The embassy in a statement rejected "all allegations that Turkey would resort to means external to the rule of law" to get Gulen back on Turkish soil.

Flynn's lawyers also have disputed the Journal report that Mueller was looking into a meeting where Flynn allegedly discussed a plan that would pay him and his son "to forcibly remove" Gulen.

Flynn, a retired lieutenant general, did lobbying work for Turkey last year.

"Out of respect for the process of the various investigations regarding the 2016 campaign, we have intentionally avoided responding to every rumor or allegation," the lawyers said in a statement.

"But today's news cycle has brought allegations about General Flynn, ranging from kidnapping to bribery, that are so outrageous and prejudicial that we are making an exception to our usual rule: they are false," they said. .

Michael Flynn Jr.'s attorney declined to comment on the allegations.

Gulen has been living in the U.S. for nearly two decades. He is a former ally of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan until their 2013 public falling-out led the government to declare Gulen's network a terror group.

Nearly 50,000 people are behind bars in Turkey and more than 100,000 civil servants have been dismissed from their jobs for alleged links to the cleric's network in the government's crackdown after the failed coup.

Also behind bars in Turkey for alleged links to Gulen is U.S. pastor Andrew Brunson, who has lived in Turkey for over 20 years. Erdogan said in September the U.S. was pressing Turkey to return a "cleric" while refusing to hand over another "cleric."

The Turkish Embassy said the Turkish people find Gulen's continued refuge in the U.S. "perplexing and deeply frustrating."

Complicating relations further is the case of a Turkish-Iranian businessman on trial in the U.S. for evading U.S. sanctions on Iran. A former Turkish economy minister and an executive of a state-owned Turkish bank have also been indicted.

In a meeting last week, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim and U.S. Vice President Michael Pence discussed the cases among other sources of strain, including the U.S. backing of Syrian Kurdish militants in the war against the Islamic State group.

Turkey has been infuriated by the U.S. support for a group it considers an extension of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party or PKK, which has waged an insurgency within Turkey for more than 30 years.
The election of Phil Murphy as New Jersey governor is a watershed moment for marijuana users, growers and sellers. Murphy, a Democrat, has pledged to legalize recreational marijuana. He easily defeated his Republican opponent, Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno, who favored decriminalization of personal possession and use.

A significant number of Democratic lawmakers, who control the state Legislature, say they would have voted for legalization before now if not for the opposition and certain veto by Gov. Chris Christie.

Murphy says he'll send a legalization bill to lawmakers within his first 100 days. He supports it, he says, to address social injustice created by disparate arrest and conviction rates for blacks and whites -- not to turn it into a cash crop for the state.

If the Legislature votes to legalize, New Jersey would become the ninth state to do so. There is opposition in the Legislature, much of it from minority Republicans. State Sen. Mike Doherty, R-Warren/Hunterdon County, considers marijuana a gateway to harder drugs.

What do you think? Should New Jersey make marijuana legal for those 21 and over? Have a say in our informal poll, and feel free to join the conversation in the comments section.
Just before 6 a.m., the temperature at Lehigh Valley International Airport held firm at 37 degrees as light rain fell across the region.

The short-term forecast for the Lehigh Valley and northwest New Jersey was for continued light rain -- and possibly light sleet -- at least through 7 a.m., according to the National Weather Service.

Prior concerns about temperatures dropping into the upper 20s bringing an early snowfall don't appear to be playing out in the Valley, but Stroudsburg was near freezing just before 6 a.m.

The rain and sleet are expected to last until 8 a.m. in Monroe County, the weather service said. The forecast is similar in northern Warren County.

The temperature out Interstate 78 toward New York was in the high 30s or low 40s, with rain falling. It was a couple of degrees cooler along Interstate 80 in New Jersey.

Troopers at the Hope and Perryville barracks just before 6:30 a.m. said there were no weather-related problems on I-78 on Interstate 80. A Northampton County emergency dispatch shift supervisor said there were no major crashes at that hour on roads in the county.

Since local highways change in elevation, localized temperatures can be lower, so drivers should be cautious.

And since the roads are wet anyway, normal caution is called for no matter if it freezes or not.

Tony Rhodin may be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyRhodin. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
President Tran Dai Quang and President Donald Trump hold talks in Hanoi (Photo VNA)



President Quang affirmed Vietnams consistent external policies of independence, self-reliance, and diversification and multilateralisation of international relations while proactively integrating into the world.

He hoped the Vietnam-US relations will continue to grow based on respecting the respective independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and political institution.

President Trump expressed his pleasure to visit Vietnam for the first time and said the US attaches great importance to the friendship and comprehensive cooperation with Vietnam.

The two Presidents agreed that the establishment of the bilateral comprehensive partnership in 2013 lays an important foundation for Vietnam and the US to reinforce their ties.

Promoting economic, trade and investment ties will continue to be a focus in the bilateral comprehensive partnership in the time ahead, contributing to growth and employment in both countries.

Vietnam and the US agreed to increase high-level delegation exchanges and promote the efficiency of existing cooperation mechanisms while considering the establishment of new appropriate ones.

The two sides will step up cooperation in other fields such as the settlement of post-war consequences, people-to-people exchanges, science-technology, education-training, and security-defense.

President Quang thanked the US for its prompt assistance for Vietnamese flood victims and hoped the US will strengthen coordination with Vietnam in humanitarian aid activities and natural disaster relief in the coming time.

Quang and Trump welcomed the two countries efforts to complete the detoxification project at Da Nang airport and plan to soon implement similar ones at Bien Hoa airport and other locations.

They affirmed that Vietnam and the US share common benefits in maintaining peace, stability, cooperation and development as well as respect international law in the Asia-Pacific region, while agreeing to increase coordination at regional and international forums.

President Quang thanked the US for supporting Vietnam in hosting successfully the APEC Year 2017 and proposed the US push ahead with relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

President Trump congratulated Vietnam on the successful organisation of the APEC Economic Leaders Week 2017 and highly valued the role of Vietnam as the host of the event.

He affirmed the US will continue supporting the central role of ASEAN and promote the strategic partnership with the bloc.

Regarding regional issues, the two sides stressed the need to maintain security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea. They agreed to address disputes via peaceful means and in line with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS), while respecting diplomatic and legal processes, implementing fully and effectively the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and soon signing a Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea.

After the talks, host and guest answered reporters queries at a joint press conference, issued joint statement on Vietnam-US relations, and witnessed the signing of economic cooperation agreements worth over USD12 billion./.
Laois County Council will be expanding its property section with a new full-time staff member, which will enable the council to better address the problem of derelict sites in the county.

The news came at the recent meeting of the Portlaoise Municipal District. Cllr Jerry Lodge proposed a motion calling on the council to establish a specific property unit which will ensure that all the councils properties/lands are properly registered and also maintain a record of derelict sites with appropriate follow up.

Kieran Kehoe, director of services, said that Laois County Council has a dedicated property section which has details of all Laois County Council property. The planning section has a dedicated derelict sites team.

He said that there is one full-time staff member in the property section and another full-time technician is due to start.

Welcoming the news, Cllr Lodge said he wanted the resources to ensure that when there is a derelict site the council identifies the owner. He said he thought there are lands the council bought over the years that may not be totally registered to the council.

Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley said that derelict sites are a massive issue for both Portlaoise and County Laois.

Referring to a burnt out house in Esker Hills which had been vacant for nine years, Cllr Dwane Stanley said that local communities are left to deal with these sites.

Banks are the biggest culprits, in some cases they dont register ownership, said Cllr Dwane Stanley. We need to stay on the backs of these people who own these properties.
A Labour Youth National conference took place in the Midland Park Hotel in Portlaoise at the weekend.

Local Area Rep Eoin Barry spoke of the legacy of the Labour Party and its founder James Connolly. He spoke to delegates of the importance of keeping to the founding principals the Party, while developing policies for the future.

Delegates discussed and debated the restoration of pay for defence forces, collective bargaining rights, motions against precarious work and learning the lessons from Jermey Corbyn and the UK election.

Labour Party Leader Brendan Howlin spoke of a New Democratic Programme for a New Generation.

He mentioned the importance of investment in public services, building public and affordable homes, creating publicly funded health care of the highest quality and eliminating the cost of education and childcare.

Representatives from SDLP and the German SPD party attended the event.

Chloe Manahan, current chair of Trinity Labour, was elected as Chairperson of Labour Youth.

She will join the Labour Party Executive for the coming year and she was congratulated on her election by Brendan Howlin and members of the Parliamentary Labour Party.
The Minister for Health Simon Harris insists that he will not be 'bounced' into any decision to adopt a plan that recommends the downgrade of Portlaoise hospital which is not a 'clearcut' call.

Speaking in response to the leak of a Dublin Midlands Hospital Group (DMHG) plan for Portlaoise, Minister Harris said the Midlands Regional Hospital is not similar to Roscommon hospital where there was a 'clearcut' need to remove services in 2011.

He said lessons must also be learned from Limerick and the Mid-West where decision were taken to reconfigure services that caused 'significant challenges' in University Hospital Limerick.

In a radio interview, Minister Harris said the report entitled, 'Development of an Action Plan for a New Model of Clinical Service Delivery in the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group' , focuses on the appropriate level of services that the hospital can provide.

Under the plan, all emergency, maternity, paediatric and intensive care services would be removed. Hospitals in Dublin, Kildare and Offaly will pick up the slack. Portlaoise will become a Model 2 hospital which is what was proposed in 2011 when Roscommon and other hospitals were downgraded. At the time the then Minister, Dr James Reilly, removed Portlaoise from downgrade.

Under DMHG estimates, the plan could cost nearly 100 million in capital investment and four years to implement.

The DMHG says the plan has expert backing but has only been reviewed by the HSE. It says Portlaoise will be a busier hospital with more patients and a rise in the number of staff.

The proposal has been with the Minister for Health Simon Harris, for more than a year. He has yet to endorse or reject the plan but has asked for revisions. The latest leaked version dates to September this year.

Speaking after it was leaked to the Sunday Business Post, which charges people to read it, Minister Harris said it has been under consideration for quite some time.

"The status of the report is that it is in my department and that I will shortly be making a decision on how to proceed in fact I expect to bring clarity to the matter in the coming weeks but let me say this because I do think it is quite important.

"You do get the sense sometimes from the commentary in relation to this that it is sitting in the department gathering dust, what has actually been happening is significant engagement between my department and officials in the HSE in relation to this.

"I am not going to make mistakes that have been made in the past when it comes to reconfiguration. We have seen in the past, piecemeal decision making and we have seen in the past a situation where people look at one hospital and make decisions rather than looking at the whole jigsaw if I can put it like that," he said.

Minister Harris referenced the the Slainte Care report, and said a bed capacity review was coming out very shortly.

"We need to look at the whole picture here and I am not going to be bounced or pressurised into making inappropriate decisions," he said.

The Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan is a Laois TD. He has opposed downgrade for many years and continues to do so. As to whether a decision would be influenced by polticis he said the decision making process is very clear.

"I am the Minister for Health and I will make policy decisions, not the HSE. Ill obviously take into consideration their views. Ill take into consideration lots of different clinical views but I will also look at things like the Midwest in the past where decisions were taken to reconfigure services that caused significant challenges in Limerick.

"Ill look at Slainte Care, an all party approach wants me to look at how hospital groups are configured and I will also make the point that the last HIQA report out in Portlaoise pointed out very good progress for safety.

"I am the Minister for Health who set up a new national patient safety office, safety is absolutely paramount in everything we do but there is no HIQA report that suggests services need to be downgraded in Portlaoise.

"There were HIQA reports in relation to Roscommon that made the decision very clear cut. HIQA have said very clearly in relation to Portlaoise that there is a need for a plan and a decision and I will bring clarity to that in the coming weeks," said Minister Harris.
Laois TD Sean Fleming has said there is total shock at the contents of the leaked report prepared by the Regional Manager of the HSE on the future of Portlaoise Hospital.

"This proposed action plan is far worse for Portlaoise than many people expected.

"The plan fails to take account of the recent improvements acknowledged by HIQA. This action plan must be rejected in its entirety.

"There needs to be a new proper long term sustainable plan to provide services in the region based on the best medical and patient safety grounds," he said.

Deputy Fleming has outlines that the action plan includes:

Closing the Emergency Department.

Closing the Maternity Department (delivering babies to take place in the Coombe in Dublin).

Closing the Paediatrics Care Department.

Closing the Intensive Care Unit.

Ceasing all inpatient surgery.

"The Regional Manager only sees the role for Portlaoise as a glorified health centre, dealing with minor injuries and day procedures.

"Portlaoise has one of the busiest A&E Departments in the country outside the major cities.

"There has never been a proposal anywhere in the country to close an A&E Department in a hospital where there are Maternity and Paediatrics Units.

"Remarkably, this report also calls for the closure of these units. This report was not drawn up in line with national guidelines and the future of the health services in mind. It is ad-hoc report in respect of one area only and is not consistent with the rest of the country.

"I have spoken personally with Minister Simon Harris TD in recent days requesting him to reject this report and to plan for the future of the health services in a coordinated basis nationally.

"I am calling for this report to be rejected and for a new Regional HSE Manger to be appointed who will adopt a positive and proactive approach to the delivery of health services in the region," he said.

Read more: Government faces policy u-turn on Portlaoise hospital after 'consensus' is reached on 100 million downgrade.

Laois GPs express 'total lack of confidence' in Dublin Midlands hospital chief in battle for Portlaoise hospital.
Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content.

Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist.

If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter .

Support our mission and join our community now.
Boyle Family Resource Centre is celebrating their 30th anniversary of supporting individuals, families and the community by holding a conference in King House, Boyle on November 23rd.

The Conference theme is It Takes a Community to Raise a Child.

You dont need to go through life alone there are people, supports and community there for you every step of the way and as Boyle FRC often would say we offer service and support from the cradle to the grave.

The conference has a variety of speakers which include:

Chris Monahan who is Interim National Family Resource Centre Manager with Tusla will officially open the Conference.

Joe Dixon: Joe is a role model, an inspiration, a clever and funny man, Joe is a compassionate, sensitive human being who himself experiences depression from time to time and has once contemplated suicide. It is Joes dearest wish to try and educate families to be able to reach out to loved ones and seek help.

Gillian Roddie: Gillian is a Mum of two who works in Trinity College as a Student Support Officer, a Tutor with the Trinity Access Programme and curator of the ScienceSnaps series on Snapchat. Despite working as a Science Tutor for ten years her biggest learning experience has come from becoming a mother, and quickly found out that having kids exposes everything you never knew. Shes still waiting on the Course Handbook to help her figure it all out.

Noel C Duggan is an entrepreneur who brought the Eurovision Song Contest to Millstreet in Cork. He is an inspiration with his words of wisdom and those of his humble beginnings in County Roscommon.

Tiffany Jennings Walsh: Suicide Bereavement Liaison Officer for County Roscommon based in Boyle FRC and Vita House, Roscommon

Sean Maguire: Accredited Addiction Counsellor with over 20 year experience working in both inpatient and outpatient addiction services. Speaking about addiction & the family focusing on evidence base approaches in responding to a loved one's substance misuse.

Sinead Raftery: Accredited Psychotherapist & Addiction Counsellor, wide range of experience in working with families and substance misusers in outpatient addiction services. Speaking about addiction & the family focusing on evidence based approaches in responding to a loved one's substance misuse.

Moya Mohan: Moya has experience working with adults and adolescents both in a private setting at Boyle Counselling and Psychotherapy Centre (where she remains as a member of the Board of Directors), and with children both privately and as part of a multi-disciplinary team within a primary and secondary school. She also works with Lawcare, a psychological support body for solicitors, barristers and legal professionals across Ireland, the UK and the British Isles.

Annette Keenehan is a volunteer on the Board of Directors of Boyle FRC; she has been involved in the Centre for the past 30 years. She is retired from her career in the bank and is mother and grandmother.

Marie McNamara is a volunteer of Boyle FRC and has been for a number of years. Marie has seen the value of It Takes a Community to Raise a Child first hand and will speak about her experience in the local community

At the conference you will also hear from Evelyn ODonnell who is Chairperson of the Board, Louise Moran (Manager), Maura Callaghan (Director of Counselling and Psychotherapy), and Fr Michael Duignan (Chancellor and Diocesan Secretary)

This conference is open to all and promises to be a very interesting day.

This conference is free, lunch is provided and places need to be booked in advance as places are limited.

To book you can phone Boyle FRC on 0719663000, email info@boylefrc.ie or through Eventbrite http:// ittakesacommunitytoraiseachild.eventbrite.ie

Boyle FRC supporting you, your family and our communities.
A bachelor died from two stab wounds to the neck while he was drunk in his own home, a barrister told a murder trial this afternoon (Monday).

Paul Murray SC opened the trial of 30-year-old Keith Brady of Cartron Estate, Sligo who pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Martin Kivlehan (59) at New Apartments, Holborn St, Sligo on August 2/3 2015. The plea was not accepted and he is on trial at the Central Criminal Court.

Mr Murray told the jury that the deceased was a bachelor and people would often visit his house for a drink. On the Sunday night of August 2 and the following Bank Holiday Monday Keith Brady and his sister Janice Brady were in Mr Kivlehan's house and while they were there Mr Kivlehan died.

His body was found the next day and a pathologist's report showed that he had two stab wounds on either side of his neck. The pathologist's report, Mr Murray said, would show that one of the wounds went to a depth of 7.8cm while the other was 9cm deep. Death was not immediate but would have been rapid, brought on by blood haemorrhage.

Counsel added that a toxicology report would show that the deceased had high levels of alcohol in his system and that there will be evidence of "gross intoxication" on his part.

Mr Murray further told the jury that the accused has offered a plea of guilty to manslaughter which was not accepted by the State. Therefore the jury must decide whether Mr Kivlehan's death amounted to murder or manslaughter. He explained that in order for them to bring a verdict of murder the prosecution must prove beyond reasonable doubt that the accused intended to kill or cause serious injury to Mr Kivlehan.

Under Irish law, he explained, an accused person is presumed to intend the natural and probable consequences of their actions. He then asked, "What are the natural and probable consequences of stabbing a person, not once, but twice, on either side of the neck?"

The jury then heard from Detective Garda Brian Cleary who developed maps of the area in Sligo where Mr Kivlehan lived.

Detective Garda Eoin Conway told Mr Murray that he took photos of the house where Mr Kivlehan's body was found. He said the apartment was in a "general state of untidiness."

He identified an armchair which had blood staining and was surrounded by "rubbish" and beer cans. A duvet visible in one of the photos had been covering Mr Kivlehan's body.

The trial will continue tomorrow in front of Justice Paul McDermott and a jury of five men and seven women.
A JUDGE has expressed concern over the behaviour of a Polish man who was caught actively dealing ecstasy in Limerick.

Filip Lampart, aged 21, of Carrig Midhe, Corbally has pleaded guilty to possession of a significant quantity of the drugs for the purpose of sale or supply.

Detective Garda David Boland said the defendant was arrested at William Street on February 15, 2016 after he was observed act suspiciously and looking up and down the street.

Seventeen deals of MDMA (found commonly in ecstasy tablets) was seized from him and a further quantity  in powder and rock form  was recovered when he was searched at Roxboro Road garda station.

The detective told Limerick Circuit Court the street value of the drugs was just under 5,000.

He agreed with John OSullivan BL, prosecuting, who said the defendant had been caught red-handed.

Mr Lampart, who has been living in Ireland for more than a decade, made admissions following his arrest  telling gardai he bought the drugs on the dark web and travelled by bus to Dublin to collect them.

Rebecca-May Treacy BL said her client is an intelligent young man who lost control of his life after he first began taking drugs during a holiday to Ibiza.

He regrets getting involved. He just wants to get his life back on track, she said adding that he is currently working full time.

Judge Tom ODonnell has requested the preparation of a probation report.
A LIMERICK city centre facility which offers training to disadvantaged youths has taken its first steps to offering jobs in the manufacturing industry.

Bosses at Limerick City Build, located in the Cahill May Roberts building at Bank Place have linked up with British businessman Andrew MacKenzie, who is to train youngsters in the manufacture of insulation panels for housing.

The centre has taken delivery of one such machine, with nine more to follow should the scheme get off the ground.

Initially, 12 people  in two groups of six  will be trained.

But there are hopes that this number could rise into the hundreds, says City Build chief executive Ray OHalloran.

These machines manufacture panels, three metres by 600 for the insulation of homes. It can produce 30 sheets per hour providing insulation for external walls. Its enough for around 800 homes in one machine, Mr MacKenzie, who hails from Leighton Buzzard in Buckinghamshire said.

Mr OHalloran added: Initially, Andrew will be training local guys currently in City Build for the machine. Following on from this, there will be another crew which will be taught how to do the insulation. There are then hopes that ten more machines will be placed in an industrial estate. You could then be talking up to 250 jobs.

The Corbally businessman has already secured planning permission for this light engineering at the Bays in Moyross.

Training of the youngsters on the insulation machines will kick off early in 2018 through Mr MacKenzies company, MacKenzie Electrical Services Ltd.

On top of this, Limerick City Build has teamed up with another company, ChimneySafe to train youths on this project  an automated fire suppression system for fireplaces.

Founded in Portumna, Co Galway, ChimneySafes product can negate the need for chimney sweeping.

Declan Moylan, who is also involved in the project, said: We are going to train guys to operate this. We want to train them in Limerick, look after Limerick people and create jobs in Limerick. Were going to manufacture the system in Limerick for export to the British market.

He said Limerick City Build is on the look out for capable, competent lads out there who are willing to take training on board.

The right attitude is all we need, Mr OHalloran added.

The most important thing is that these two businesses are in the green energy area. At the moment, we are working out of Cahill May Roberts.

But we have full planning permission for a 25,000 square foot training centre in Moyross, he continued.

It has been nominated as a green energy area, and we eventually hope to move out there, he said.
OVER the past 21 years, 212 women have died violently in Ireland and a majority of these women, some 63%, have been killed in their own homes.

Figures compiled by Womens Aid in September this year also show that, in resolved cases, over half (54%) of women were murdered by a partner or ex-partner and a further 33% were killed by someone they knew.

The figures, according to Deirdre Barrett of Adapt House in Limerick, underline the continuing prevalence of violence against women and demonstrate the need for the Purple Up Limerick Campaign which kicks off next week.

One in five women in Ireland is affected by violence, she added.

The Purple Up Campaign, Ms Barrett explained, is being co-ordinated and led by the Limerick Local Area Network on Violence against Women and is part of the International 16 Days of Action Opposing Violence Against Women which now encompasses over 1500 organisations across 160 countries.

The aim of the campaign is to highlight the prevalence of violence against women in Limerick and stand in solidarity with those who are affected by abuse and violence in their close relationships, Ms Barrett said.

We also want to turn the spotlight on abusers and send a message to them that Limerick will not tolerate abuse of our women and girls.

We also want to send a message to legislators that we need tougher penalties for those who target and groom women and use their power to control women, she added.

We are asking groups and organisations, individuals, clubs, libraries, schools, colleges, adult education centres, family resource centres and community development programmes to take a Purple Up pack and use the materials in it to decorate a space with information on the many services available to women who are or have experienced sexual or domestic abuse or violence, Ms Barrett said.

On Friday, November 24, there will be a public demonstration to commemorate the stolen lives of the 212 women who have died violently in Ireland since 1996.

We will gather at 12 noon at the junction of Thomas St and OConnell St and everyone is asked to wear something purple on that day.

Lights will be lit in memory of the women and at 12.30 there will be a National Moment of Silence.

Anyone who cant make the rally in Limerick is asked to wear something purple on the day and to stop at 12:30 to observe the National Moment of Silence, Ms Barrett added.

The 16 days of Action against Violence against Women runs from November 25, which is International Day against Violence against Women, to December 10th International Human Rights Day.

The international campaign works towards the elimination of all forms of violence against women and raises awareness of violence against women as a human rights issue at local, national and international level.

To get your Purple Up pack, email development@adaptservices.ie or ring 061-412354.
President Tran Dai Quang has talks with General Secretary of the Communist Party of China and President Xi Jinping in Hanoi on November 13th (Photo: VNA)



The host considered Xis choosing of Vietnam as the first country to visit after the CPCs 19th National Congress as an illustration of the CPC, the Chinese State and Xis respect for Vietnam-China relations and support for the 2017 APEC Economic Leaders Meeting hosted by Vietnam.

He thanked China for providing non-refundable aid packages and urgent relief for people in some Vietnamese localities hit by recent natural disasters.

Vietnam and China are neighbouring countries that share many similarities in development directions, political regime, and cultural and social features, he said, adding the development, stability and achievements of each country are important for both sides.

The enhancement of healthy and stable development of bilateral friendship and comprehensive cooperation is in line with basic and long-term interests of the two countries and peoples, and benefits peace, stability and development in the region and the world.

The development of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership with China is a consistent and long-term policy, a strategic selection and a top priority in Vietnams foreign policy, President Quang emphasised.

He asked for unceasing consolidation of political trust between the two Parties and countries through the maintenance of high-level visits and meetings. The two sides need to direct their sectors and authorities at all levels to effectively carry out the reached agreements and common perceptions.

They should also take concrete actions to bolster mutual trust, understanding and connectivity between the two peoples, such as peoples forums, youths festivals, while ordering press agencies to further communications on the countries friendship, he added.

At the meeting, the Vietnamese leader called for the expansion and intensification of bilateral cooperation, particularly in important spheres like diplomacy, defence, security and law enforcement. They should better bring into play the bilateral cooperation steering committees role in strengthening ties and settling emerging issues in bilateral relations in a timely manner.

Vietnam and China should bolster the effectiveness of cooperation in economy, trade, investment, agriculture, environment, and science-technology, while stepping up the implementation of Chinas major projects using advanced and environmentally friendly technology in Vietnam. They also need to address some problems in their cooperation so as to create economic trust and consolidate the material foundation for bilateral ties.

On the East Sea issue, the President asked both sides to abide by agreements and common perceptions set by the two countries leaders, including the Vietnam-China Agreement on Basic Principles guiding the Settlement of Sea-related Issues, and actively step up practical progress of negotiations on issues at sea.

While disputes are yet to be settled, the two countries should exercise self-restraint and refrain from actions that further complicate the situation, he said, adding that Vietnam welcomes positive progresses of ASEAN-China negotiations and adoption of the framework Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

In the near future, he requested that China and ASEAN continue to fully and seriously implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and conduct practical negotiations to build an effective and efficient COC.

Xi, for his part, congratulated Vietnam on successfully hosting the 2017 APEC Economic Leaders Meeting.

He expressed his wish to continue working closely with Vietnam to increase high-level meetings to share experience in Party building and national development, uphold the coordinating role of the Steering Committee on Vietnam-China Bilateral Cooperation, connect the Belt and Road initiative with the Two Corridors, One Economic Belt framework, build cross-border economic areas and launch key projects.

China will take measures to facilitate Vietnamese farm produces access to China towards balanced and sustainable trade development, he said, adding that China will also consolidate social organisations via increased friendship exchange between the two peoples as well as enhance press cooperation and carry out projects using Chinas non-refundable aid.

At the same time, China will well manage disputes, maintain peace and stability at sea while increasing exchanges and sharing experiences to deal with challenges and fighting crimes, he said.

Following the talks, the Vietnamese President hosted a banquet in honour of the Chinese leader and his entourage.

On November 13th afternoon, Chinese Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping left Hanoi, concluding his two-day State visit to Vietnam./.
THE family of UL student Stephen Cullinan who has not been seen for almost two weeks have renewed their appeal for information on his whereabouts.

The last confirmed sighting of the 25-year-old, who is originally from Ballymackey, Nenagh, County Tipperary was at St Stephens Green in Dublin on November 2  a number of hours after he left his home at Castletroy in the city.

Today is the 10th day of our search. Were deeply grateful for the support we have received from all corners of the country.Posters are being distributed across Dublin. Anyone who may have seen Stephen or have any information please contact any Garda Station/Confidential Line pic.twitter.com/8KX58ZokiA  Brian Cullinan (@brianmcullinan) November 12, 2017

Stephen, who wears glasses, is described as being 5'11" in height, of medium build with short fair hair.

According to gardai at Henry Street who are investigating his disappearance, when last seen he was wearing a hoodie and jeans.

Extensive searches have been conducted in Dublin in recent days with relatives and friends making contact with hotels and other accommodation providers in the capital.

Stephens father Tim, who is a prominent IFA figure, has appealed to his son to make contact to confirm he is okay.

All we want to know as a family is that he's safe. If he wants to stay in Dublin, that's fine but just make contact, he said confirming that Stephen suffers from a slight health issue that requires regular medication.

A major campaign has also been launched on social media in an effort to locate Stephen.

PLS RT IT ONLY TAKES 1 PERSON pic.twitter.com/eIP5C3i2rb  Brian Cullinan (@brianmcullinan) November 12, 2017

UL student Stephen Cullinan is missing and Gardai are seeking public assistance - any info contact Henry St at 061 212400 - https://t.co/CHDJ0VPTOX pic.twitter.com/ku4pupb3YH

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the UL student is asked to contact Henry Street garda station at 061 212400.
We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.
President Tran Dai Quang and US President Donald Trump (Source: VNA)



The following is the full text of the Joint Statement.

1. At the invitation of President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Tran Dai Quang, President of the United States of America Donald J. Trump paid a State visit to Hanoi, November 11th - 12th, 2017. The two leaders discussed measures to strengthen and expand the Comprehensive Partnership between the two countries based on mutual understanding, shared interests, and a common desire to promote peace, cooperation, prosperity and security in the Indo-Pacific. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deepening ties on the basis of previous Joint Statements between the two sides, respect for the United Nations Charter and international law, and each others independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and respective political systems.

2. President Trump congratulated Vietnam on hosting a successful Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders Meeting in Da Nang. The two leaders reaffirmed their intent to continue high-level contacts and exchanges of delegations, and to strengthen existing dialogue mechanisms, including party-to-party dialogues. Both sides highlighted the expanding and mutually-beneficial economic relations between the United States and Vietnam, and underscored their shared desire to create jobs and favourable conditions for commerce and business in both countries.

3. The two leaders pledged to deepen and expand the bilateral trade and investment relationship through formal mechanisms, including the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA). They welcomed the return of market access for US distillers dried grains into the Vietnamese market and new market access for Vietnamese star apples into the US market. They committed to seek resolution for remaining agricultural trade issues, including siluriformes, shrimp, mangos, and to promote free and fair trade and investment in priority areas, including electronic payment services, automobiles and intellectual property rights enforcement.

4. The two leaders welcomed the announcement of more than USD12 billion in new commercial agreements during President Trumps visit. Both leaders also welcomed expanding bilateral energy ties, including discussions between companies from both sides on Vietnams import of liquefied natural gas from the United States, as well as steps by Vietnam to enhance its capacity for solar power generation with the support of the United States.

5. The two leaders underscored their commitment to deepen defense cooperation and shared resolve to address regional security challenges. President Tran Dai Quang thanked the United States government for the transfer of a Hamilton-class Coast Guard cutter to help improve Vietnams maritime security and law enforcement capabilities. Both leaders welcomed the plan for the first visit to a Vietnamese port by a United States aircraft carrier in 2018. They affirmed the 2018 - 2020 Plan of Action for US - Vietnam Defense Cooperation to implement the 2011 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Advancing Bilateral Defense Cooperation and the 2015 Joint Vision Statement on Defense Relations, strengthening bilateral defense relations in areas of maritime security, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, peacekeeping operations, and overcoming war legacy issues. In this regard, the two leaders welcomed the early visit of the US Secretary of Defense to Vietnam.

6. The two leaders underscored that the two countries would deepen and gradually expand security and intelligence cooperation, enhancing information sharing and joint training on issues of mutual concern. The leaders expressed the intent to strengthen cooperation on cyber security through increased exchanges of delegations and information sharing, in order to promote an open and secure cyberspace. President Tran Dai Quang expressed interest in closer collaboration on aviation safety and security and counterterrorism.

7. Both leaders reaffirmed the importance of continued cooperation to address the legacies of war. In this regard, President Tran Dai Quang expressed appreciation for the United States contribution to the successful dioxin remediation at Da Nang Airport and welcomed the United States commitment to contribute to remediation at Bien Hoa Airport. He welcomed further US assistance for persons with disabilities. President Trump expressed his appreciation for Vietnams full and continued cooperation in accounting for US personnel still missing from the war, and pledged to cooperate with Vietnam in its efforts to locate its missing soldiers. The two leaders committed to cooperation in the removal of explosive remnants of war.

8. Both leaders affirmed their support for enhancing people-to-people ties to strengthen mutual understanding, cooperation and friendship between the two peoples, including through professional and academic exchanges, the launch of the Fulbright University Vietnam, USD500,000 in Vietnam Education Foundation (VEF) alumni grants, and the arrival of the first ever Peace Corps volunteers in Vietnam.

9. President Donald Trump and President Tran Dai Quang welcomed the exchange of agreed minutes on the intent of the United States to acquire the D30 site in Hanoi for the construction of a new Embassy facility, in accordance with the laws of both countries. President Donald Trump reiterated US support for Vietnam to acquire better diplomatic and consular facilities in the United States.

10. The two leaders recognised the importance of protecting and promoting human rights.

11. The two leaders discussed and welcomed initiatives to preserve peace and stability and to advance cooperation and development in the Indo-Pacific. They recognised the central role of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the region, and pledged to respect and to support the centrality and unity of ASEAN in the evolving regional architecture. Both sides expressed support for ASEAN to play a stronger role in addressing traditional and non-traditional security issues, such as terrorism, natural disasters and humanitarian crises, illegal drugs, and transnational criminal organisations]. Both sides committed to deepening the US - ASEAN Strategic Partnership based on the principles outlined in the 2016 Sunnylands Declaration. They welcomed the 50th anniversary of ASEANs founding and the 40th anniversary of ASEAN - US relations, and looked forward to commemorative activities, including the ASEAN - US Commemorative Summit in Manila on November 13th, 2017.

12. Both leaders expressed grave concern over the DPRKs nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs and tests, which violate United Nations Security Council resolutions and threaten international peace and security. They urged all countries around the world to fully and strictly implement all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, and agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation to ensure their effective enforcement. The two leaders agreed on the importance of the peaceful denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula.

13. The two leaders underscored the strategic importance to the international community of free and open access to the South China Sea, the importance of unimpeded lawful commerce, and the need to respect freedom of navigation and over-flight, and other lawful uses of the sea. The two sides reiterated the stance on the South China Sea in the previous Vietnam - US and ASEAN - US Joint statements, including their call on parties to refrain from escalatory actions, the militarisation of disputed features, and unlawful restrictions on freedom of the seas. They reaffirmed their shared commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with international law, including full respect for legal and diplomatic processes. They called for the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), and an early conclusion to an effective, legally binding Code of Conduct for the South China Sea (COC). They further called for all South China Sea claimants to clarify and comport their maritime claims in accordance with the international law of the sea as reflected in 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and to implement their international legal obligations in good faith in managing or resolving these disputes.

14. The leaders noted that, as a partner of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) and a founding member of the Lower Mekong Initiative (LMI), the United States supports the efforts of the Lower Mekong countries to sustainably manage the regions water and environmental resources for the benefit of all. President Tran Dai Quang acknowledged the United States leading role in reducing global carbon emissions and innovating clean energy technologies, and thanked the United States for its assistance to Vietnam in advancing climate mitigation and adaptation.
The meeting took place in Da Nang on November 10th within the framework of the ongoing APEC Economic Leaders Week.

Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang (R) and Russian President Vladimir Putin (Source: VNA)

The leaders noted remarkable progresses in the development and use of information technology and communications (ITC), creating a global information environment that has increasingly impacted peoples daily life.



They expressed their concern that modern ITC would be used to serve purposes that dont benefit international security, stability and peace, and would become direct threats to citizens, societies and states.



Given this, the two sides consented to build and consolidate common trust, guarantee information security for major national security projects, and prevent the use of ITC for terrorism and other crimes.



At the same time, they will transfer technologies, cooperate in expert training, exchange information and experience in cyber crime combat, join hands in internet management internationalisation and show their close-knit ties at international mechanisms and forums.



The two sides will regularly organise bilateral inter-sectoral consultations on international information security, including preparations for and signing of bilateral agreements on cooperation in ensuring international information security.



The Presidents were unanimous in the need to enhance collaboration between Vietnam and Russia within the UN, especially within the International Telecommunication Union in the field of internet management internationalisation.



Regarding international cooperation in this field, the two Presidents shared the views that standards and principles or codes of conduct for information security of countries should be rolled out under the sponsorship of the UN, in order to ensure equal security for all countries, national sovereignty over information and communications infrastructure in their territory, and no intervention into internal affairs of countries.



They voiced their support for the prevention and peaceful settlement of conflicts between countries that may emerge as results of ITC destruction and illegal use.



The leaders held that ensuring national information security needs united actions at bilateral, multilateral, regional and global levels within the framework of the UN.



They called on the international community to set forth necessary measures to prevent the use of ITC violating independence and sovereignty, intervening into internal affairs of countries, and serving the purposes of terrorism and other crimes./.
Visitors at Vietnam's stall (Photo: vov.vn)

This annual humanitarian activity to bring together cultures was organized by the Asian Ambassadors' Spouses Association and the Egyptian Charity Association.

The event was attended by 1,000 people to learn about various cultures and cuisines with over 50 stalls by nearly 20 Asian nations including Vietnam, China, Japan, India, Thailand and Cambodia.

During the bazaar various activities were held, such as cultural, art exchanges, introduction of national featured products and tourism promotion were organized.

At the event, the Women's Union of the Vietnamese Embassy in Egypt prepared food and handicraft booths, as well as brochures about the country and people of Vietnam.

Today I went to Vietnams stall at Conrad Hotel and enjoyed spring rolls, I was also impressed by the delicious pho of Vietnam. I also love your culture, a culture that is close,"said Mr. Mohamed, an Egyptian.

Emphasizing the significance of participation in the event, Mr. Vu Thien, Deputy Vietnamese Ambassador to Egypt, said that this activity had great significance. It contributed to humanitarian activities of the Asian diplomatic corps to Egypt and through the activity, countries introduced their cultures and cuisines to local people and visitors in Cairo.

The proceeds from the bazaar will be donated directly to the Egyptian charity fund for social activities to support those in need, thus representing the spirit of international solidarity and shared by the Asian diplomatic corps to the host country of Egypt./.
The expected benefits for these two countries in becoming signatories to the GPA would be enormous. This agreement would allow both countries to move towards increased competition and to improve governance. For firms, it would be a real opportunity to win new business deals by opening the doors to a large market. For example, EU Member States launched more than three million tenders within the european economic space and Macedonia between 2006 and 2015. In a document entitled " Turkeys and Egypts possible Accessions to the WTO Government Procurement Agreement : What are the Pros and Cons ? ", Femise researchers are surprised that these two countries are not yet engaged in this process.Prior to 2002, Turkey did not respect the principles of public procurement. In 2002, the country adopted a law taking into account the European directives in effect (...). But, instead of getting closer to European legislation, Turkey has chosen to deviate more and more from the  acquis communautaire  over time, regrets the study.As a result, the Turkish public procurement system in 2017 needs a major reform. Membership of the WTO GPA would allow reform of public procurement mechanisms while providing major benefits to Turkey.
Future Home of the Living God

By Louise Erdrich

Harper. 267 pp. $28.99

---

Book sales are an imprecise indicator of social anxiety, but 30-year-old novels don't come back from the dead for no reason. "The Handmaid's Tale" has sold more than half a million copies since the ascension of Donald Trump, making it one of the most popular novels of the unpopular president's first year. Surely, Hulu's Emmy-winning adaptation jacked up even more interest, but it didn't hurt that Republicans kept releasing photos from Gilead of white guys congratulating each other for curtailing women's rights. Only the Nobel committee, so characteristically out of touch, failed to recognize that this is the year of Margaret Atwood.

And her influence is not limited to her own work. Atwood mentored Naomi Alderman and has been actively promoting her feminist dystopia, "The Power," which won this year's Women's Prize for Fiction. It's not difficult to see why Alderman's smart, chilling novel would appeal to Atwood. "The Power" flips the social structure of "The Handmaid's Tale" and imagines a world in which women can electrocute with their hands. Complementary to Atwood's story but in no way derivative, "The Power" is just the kind of novel we need to reflect on the forces surging through our society.

But do we need another novel that reenacts the grim obstetrical control of "The Handmaid's Tale"?

This is the awkward question inspired by Louise Erdrich's new novel, "Future Home of the Living God." Long recognized as one of America's finest writers - winner of a National Book Award and a National Book Critics Circle Award - Erdrich has published an extraordinary cycle of novels largely about the Ojibwe people of North Dakota. But "Future Home" marks a striking departure - an experiment of sorts, inspired 15 years ago and then re-ignited by the incendiary election of Donald Trump.

In an author's note, Erdrich explains that she wrote the first draft back in 2002 when President George W. Bush reinstated the "global gag rule," which barred the U.S. from funding any health-care organization that provided abortions or abortion counseling. When Trump was elected, she read her old manuscript again. "I felt I'd circled back to 2002," she writes, "only worse." After some quick work with her editor and publisher, "Future Home of the Living God" is now being released just as emboldened theocrats in Congress are plotting to outlaw abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. "The timing is right," Erdrich says.

But timing isn't enough.

"Future Home" comes to us as a diary kept by Cedar Hawk Songmaker, a 26-year-old woman four months pregnant. For reasons that probably have something to do with environmental degradation, evolution is suddenly running backwards - at an absurdly high speed. Prehistoric animals and insects have already appeared. More troubling, human genetics has been rewound, rendering most fetuses inviable and most pregnancies fatal. The United States government has been replaced by the Church of the New Constitution, which imprisons all pregnant women to harvest their babies, hoping to sift the rare "normals" from the atavist stillbirths.

Everybody except Rep. Steve King of Iowa is likely to find this vision pretty terrifying, but the political and environmental context is only vaguely and rarely hinted at in "Future Home." Erdrich is not so much tantalizing as miserly with the details of her fantastical conceit. "Nobody knows exactly what is happening," Cedar says, and neither do we. Throughout the novel, we're kept largely in the dark with her as she hides or flees from people out to capture her and steal her unborn baby.

Her plight is intermittently exciting. Whom can she trust? Who might betray her next? But the novel remains weirdly depth-resistant. For one thing, Cedar Hawk Songmaker is nowhere near as fine a writer as Louise Erdrich, and the choice to keep us trapped in Cedar's diary constrains the narrative considerably. The plot material is here for an interesting exploration of Anglo and Native American attitudes about women, reproductive freedom and environmental protection, but those issues remain overshadowed by Cedar's far less interesting rumination on her parents. (The whole world is dying, but - (BEGIN ITAL)wait (END ITAL)- Cedar's mother has hurt her feelings.) And when Cedar does reflect on biology, the Incarnation and the more profound concerns of the day, we get passages that sound like an undergraduate cramming on a term paper. "Evolution has never been a very controversial part of Catholic discourse even though the Archbishop of Vienna has made some retro noises on the subject," she writes. "We have seemingly reached the end of what Teilhard de Chardin hoped would be our apotheosis. Maybe T.S. Eliot had it right. Our world is ending not with a bang but a puzzled whimper."

(Mental note: Do not try to improve on T.S. Eliot by tossing in an extra adjective.)

Perhaps the problem stems from this novel's abnormally long and then rushed gestation period. Maybe it suffers from the conflicting motives of wanting to make a point but knowing that polemical novels are a drag. Or maybe if "Future Home" weren't sitting next to Erdrich's masterpieces, such as "The Plague of Doves" and "The Round House,"along with Atwood's "Handmaid's Tale," it wouldn't seem so slack and minor.

Strangely, the novel's final paragraphs, when Cedar falls into reverie about how snow used to look before the earth heated up, demonstrate what a gorgeous writer Erdrich can be. But, as we might say about our own climate, by then it's too late.

bookworld@washpost.com
The Quantum Spy: A Thriller

By David Ignatius

W.W. Norton. 323 pp. $25.95

---

To anyone who has ever said that prizewinning Washington Post columnist and popular spy novelist David Ignatius is too much of an apologist for the CIA, his new book is a dramatic rebuttal. "The Quantum Spy" is a fascinating, beautifully textured thriller in which the CIA comes across as a racist, sexist institution whose biases play right into the hands of hostile foreign powers.

The MacGuffin here is the competition between the United States and China to develop a quantum computer that will crack codes and perform other spy work millions of times faster than conventional machines. A Seattle firm seems to be close enough to making a key breakthrough that the agency forces it to hide its work from public view even as its owner, super-geek Jason Schmidt, wants all the world to benefit from the technology. A running argument among several characters throughout the novel is over high-tech openness vs. secrecy.

Ignatius' likable protagonist is Harris Chang, a rising star at the CIA. He grew up in Flagstaff and is a patriot through and through; he served bravely and successfully as an Army officer in Iraq before being recruited to be a spy. Chang reads stories of political intrigue in 19th-century Trollope to understand the ways of present-day Washington, which he finds unnerving. He's also puzzled and hurt by the notion among some colleagues and at the FBI that there's something about being Chinese American that makes one susceptible to becoming a traitor for Beijing.

This misguided notion is shared by Li Zian, head of the Chinese Ministry of State Security, who tries to recruit Chang through a mole the MSS has planted in the agency. Chang's boss, snarky, culturally clueless John Vandel, develops a plan to catch the mole and disrupt the MSS, which is also under siege from the intelligence branch of the Chinese military. It all gets plausibly ultra-complicated, what with the internecine squabbles and double- and triple-crosses on both sides of the Pacific.

Ignatius even makes the scientific information on quantum computers comprehensible to the lay reader. Nor is there too much of it. We take the word of the CIA director that quantum computing "is a paradigm shift. It's like Galileo and Newton." And beating the Chinese in the quantum computer race is "like completing the Manhattan Project and catching the Rosenbergs, all at once."

"The Quantum Spy" honors the conventions of a good spy novel, including vivid depictions of colorful locales, from Singapore to Beijing, Vancouver, Mexico City and Amsterdam. It's like a Jason Bourne thriller, except brainy and believable. There's lots of smartly observed D.C. local color, too, from CIA hideaways on Glebe Road to Old Town, where the chief mole suspect lives.

As entertaining as this novel is, it's also disturbing in its depiction of racial and gender prejudice in a place where these attitudes aren't simply unjust; they get in the way of the institution's worthy mission. A security specialist named Kate Sturm talks about how "she loved the agency, but she hated the way women got shunted off into marginal areas, where they were glorified 'reports officers,' serving the male 'case officers.'" Another female agent is treated so badly that she gets even in an especially nasty way.

As a spy novelist, there are some things Ignatius isn't. He doesn't write the beautiful sentences of John le Carre, and his narrative lacks the perfectly poised architecture of Charles McCarry's CIA novels. But for inside dope on the day-to-day work and personal lives among America's espionage personnel, Ignatius is unbeatable. On the acknowledgments page, he says the book is entirely fictional, but that's the one thing in the book I had trouble believing.

---

Lipez writes the Don Strachey PI novels under the name Richard Stevenson. The most recent is www.dropdead.
It is not a bad thing for us, that the route known as the Goldene Strae or the Golden Road as we will get to know it- has escaped the attention of so many. It has been spared being overrun by hordes of tourists and as you will discover the
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

Influential classical music-tinged '70s rockers Electric Light Orchestra will visit Houston next summer.

On Monday the group, now billed as Jeff Lynne's ELO, announced a set of ten concert dates for 2018.

RELATED: Imagine Dragons brought the thunder Sunday night at Toyota Center

The group will play Houston's Toyota Center on Aug. 10, 2018. ELO will only play two Texas dates in 2018, following up Houston's show with a date in Dallas on Aug. 13.

Electric Light Orchestra was first formed in England in 1970 from the ashes of Lynne's former band The Move.

Now Playing: R&B singer Fats Domino has passed away. He was 89. According to Variety, Dominos death was confirmed by an administrative assistant at the Jefferson Parish Coroners Office in Louisiana. His daughter told WWL, he died peacefully at home on Tuesday, surrounded by his family. His cause of death has not been revealed. Domino was known for early rock hits like Aint That a Shame (1955), "Blueberry Hill" (1956) and "I'm Walkin'" (1957). Video: Wochit

Known for songs like "Mr. Blue Sky", "Turn to Stone", "Livin' Thing" and "Telephone Line", the Jeff Lynne-led act sold millions of albums in its heyday and the songs are still heard in movies like the latest "Guardians of The Galaxy" epic.

RELATED: Readers share their first concert experiences

Lynne is still a music industry titan, following up his ELO time as a member of rock supergroup the Traveling Wilburys. He and Bob Dylan are two of the last surviving members in 2017.

According to the release from Live Nation, tickets for the Houston date go on sale Friday, Nov. 17 at 10 a.m.

Craig Hlavaty is a reporter for Chron.com and HoustonChronicle.com. He's an intolerable native Texan with too much ink in his skin and too much brisket stuck in his teeth.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

Ready to do the Hustle?

By the end of the month Nancy's Hustle, a wine bar and bistro, is scheduled to open in EaDo at 2704 Polk at the corner of Nagle  joining a number of restaurant and bar projects that is fast making the East End the place to be.

The new project comes via partners Sean Jensen and chef Jason Vaughan, who both most recently consulted front of house and in the kitchen for the opening of Alice Blue in the Heights.

"We're excited to bring another neighborhood spot to the East End," Vaughan said. "We wanted to open a place where you can grab a quick drink and snack after work, a full dinner in the evening, or just swing by for a late burger and nightcap."

Vaughan's menu will include dishes such as Turkish dumplings in a spicy tomato sauce; lamb tartare with marcona almonds and grilled sesame flatbread; Johnny cakes with smoked snapper and caviar; wood-grilled chicken with romesco sauce and roasted scallions; sourdough pasta with pistachio, burrata and crispy Brussels sprouts; and seasonal vegetable dishes that change daily.

The partners are joined by pastry chef Julia Doran, formerly of Bernadine's, who will be in charge of the bread and pastry program. For dessert? A dark chocolate marquise with orange creme fraiche and candied buckwheat, parmesan cheesecake with honey and black pepper, and a tropical banana rum shake.

Cocktails will be created by Kristine Nguyen, formerly of Captain Foxheart's Bad News Bar.

The restaurant will be anchored by a large open kitchen with wood-burning grill; the dining room will feature tables made from reclaimed bowling lane flooring.

Nancy's Hustle will be open for dinner Tuesday through Sunday from 5 p.m. to midnight with a happy hour from 5 to 6:30 p.m. and a late night menu from 10 p.m. nightly.
The annual Veterans Day Parade passed through the streets of downtown Laredo on Saturday morning with WWII veteran Henry H. Boubel as this year's parade marshal.

The parade met at San Agustin Plaza where the Veteran's Day Ceremony "began at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month," said Jesus Cantu, retired first sergeant with the U.S. Marine Corps.

Chaplain Jose Gamez led the invocation and asked for a moment of silence for the victims of the Sutherland Springs shootings.

"Military service is the reason for liberty," Gamez said.

RELATED: Local World War II veteran, parade marshal reminisces time in war

Mayor Pete Saenz was the main speaker of the ceremony.

"We thank our veterans for their bravery, love of country, love of God and what this country stands for. Freedom is not free. It's been earned and continues to be earned," Saenz said. "And despite the fact that some of us may disagree on certain issues I ask that we choose to always honor our flag, our national anthem and what they represent. They also represent our veterans. So we need to be mindful of the sacrifices that these people have made just so we can live free and be able to express the value to disagree. Let us always choose to honor our flag."

Arnaldo Sanchez is a Vietnam War veteran who served from 1967-68 during the Tet Offensive. Sanchez attends the ceremony every year.

"This ceremony means a lot to me. I am real proud to be a Vietnam veteran, an American, serve my country and serve my flag. And I believe in standing up for the flag and saluting. Veterans are just people that serve their country and do their duty and protect the freedom of others so we can live in the beautiful democracy that we have," Sanchez said.

Cantu served throughout the world from 1974-94.

READ MORE: Laredo WWII veteran to receive overdue Prisoner of War Medal

"I had the privilege to serve this country for 20 years, 15 days, 10 hours, 43 minutes and 57 seconds. I was in the hospital when I got an honorable discharge," Cantu said. "Ceremonies like this have to be done. We do this for the people. To remind them of the sacrifices that veterans go through and what they come back to. It's very important that we do this because we celebrate life when veterans come back. It's their day. It's America's way of thanking a veteran for their service. You buy them a cup of coffee, you tell them thank you for your service and you've made his day. It's important we do that."

In addition to the veterans in attendance, Mariely Guadiana, an eighth grader at Clark Middle School, sang the national anthem, the Clark Middle School band led the military fanfare, the U.S. Border Patrol Honor Guard presented colors and Commander of the American Legion Post #59 Cesar Montemayor said the concluding remarks.

"Thank you to all the veterans that showed up today despite the weather conditions. On behalf of the American Legion Post 59, God bless America," Montemayor said.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

For the first time in its 17-year history, the Diocese of Laredo has launched a capital campaign to restore the 145-year-old San Agustin Cathedral.

The campaign, dubbed San Agustin Cathedral: Our Story, Our Faith, Our Cathedral, is an ongoing effort to raise $11 million over the course of four years.

"Everything we are doing is just what is needed," said Teresa Fonseca, facilities manager for the Diocese of Laredo. "Just like anyone would do at their home. You take care first of all the needs. We are not trying to convert the cathedral into something luxurious. We are just trying to take care of the needs."

Diocese of Laredo Bishop James Tamayo has commissioned Hickey Pena Architects to create an implementation plan.

How you can help For more information about the capital campaign, or to make an online donation, visit dioceseoflaredo.org/capital-campaign See More Collapse

"The team's approach is not only to help preserve, maintain and upgrade the facility but to provide comprehensive planning that includes archival practices, cataloguing of architectural elements and efforts for fundraising," architect Mario A. Pena said.

READ MORE: Cockroaches, hazardous temperatures highlight Laredo restaurant inspections for October

The implementation plan is divided into four phases.

Phase one, according to the plan, focuses on the most immediate repair needs of the cathedral that "will prevent further structural damage and minimize current functional hazards."

Phase two is divided into two parts. The first part includes expanding the sanctuary and choir loft and restoring interior finishes and details. This phase also provides "security and functional upgrades such as a fire alarm system and the audio system."

The second part is contingent upon funding and provides "new and improved vesting faculties and larger, more accessible public restrooms, restoration of the pipe organ as well as a video equipment system. It also includes the restoration of the rest of the stained-glass windows on the north and south facade."

Phase three concludes the restoration efforts by focusing on the exterior details and lighting of the cathedral and restoring functionality to the tower's clock and bell.

The last phase, phase four, focuses on "projects that can provide a continuing source of income for the maintenance of the cathedral."

Rene Gonzalez, director of stewardship and development for the Diocese of Laredo, said the Vatican sets certain criteria for what a cathedral should look like.

"We're grandfathered in because we are historical," Gonzalez said. "The church became San Agustin Cathedral in July of 2000. We weren't like many other areas where a cathedral was already there. San Agustin was a church and Pope John Paul II chose it as the cathedral for the Diocese of Laredo."

MORE FROM LMTonline: U.S. aims to restrict Mexican truckers with proposed NAFTA change

According to the Association of English Cathedrals website, a cathedral is identified by its bishop's chair, known as a cathedra. It is often the oldest building in continuous use in the counties under the diocese. It is of significance to the heritage, culture and community life of the area it serves.

The renovation project focuses on taking care of the most pressing needs the cathedral has as well as keeping with cathedral specifications.

"There are certain things today that do not meet the usual cathedral dynamics because San Agustin started off as a church," Gonzalez said.

Part one of phase two undertakes the conversion of the church-type configuration into a properly functioning cathedral. This includes expanding sanctuary space, relocating the altar and ambo and adding a new cathedra to the sanctuary space.

Gonzalez said they are in continuous conversation with the Texas Historical Commission and the Webb County Heritage Foundation in order to preserve and respect the history of the cathedral.

"The cathedral is a historic landmark," he said. "Most historic landmarks cannot be touched on the outside, but we can because we believe in the historical role the cathedral has played in the history of Laredo. We want to preserve that history. So the cathedral is about preservation. Respecting the history of the cathedral. Respecting the history of Laredo. And trying to emulate what existed in years past.

RELATED: 145-year-old San Agustin Cathedral to undergo restoration, renovation

Fonseca, facilities manager for the diocese, added, "Once the church was built and a tower was added, it became a landmark. Back then when people were traveling, people saw the tower and knew that they almost arrived to Laredo. The city uses the cathedral in their logo. It is part of Laredo history."

Gonzalez said most Laredoans have ties to the cathedral.

"Many individuals in Laredo know someone who has had a baptism, wedding or confirmation at San Agustin Cathedral," he said. "The cathedral is the last thing you see when you leave the United States and the first thing you see when you come into the United States. San Agustin Cathedral is part of the charm and culture of Laredo. So we are respecting that culture and that charm but at the same time we need to make some renovations."

Being the first major capital campaign the diocese has held, it is asking citizens to be a part of the restoration effort.

"For the last 15 years, we've been concentrating on the needs of all the other parishes and all the other needs of the diocese," Fonseca said. "We've identified that now is the time to look at the cathedral and what the needs of the cathedral are before it becomes too expensive."

Gonzalez said any donation to the campaign will help.

"We ask people to give from their hearts," he said. "If you can give $5, we are very thankful for those $5. If you can give $100,000, we are very thankful for that."

Every registered parishioner will be invited to learn about the campaign through a series of receptions at their home parish, parish announcements, bulletins and direct mail.

"We are excited about this process. The time has come for the cathedral to heal its infrastructure. And we invite the community to be part of that healing process," Gonzalez said.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

Laredo police are seeking help in identifying a man suspected of stealing a television from a local Wal-Mart.

The incident occurred Oct. 6 at the Wal-Mart on 2310 Bob Bullock Loop.

LPD released surveillance video photos of the man.

He was captured on camera entering the store and then walking out with a television.

READ MORE: Murder trial begins Monday for Laredo man charged in fatal home invasion

Authorities said he is wanted for identification purposes only.

People with information on the case are asked to call police at 956-795-2800 or Laredo Crime Stoppers at 727-TIPS (8477).

You can also text a tip to 847-411 and type keyword: Laredo then your crime information. All calls will remain anonymous.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

A man with a long history of criminal offenses is set to go on trial this week in connection with a fatal home invasion.

Jury selection will start Monday in the 406th District Court.

The defendant, Alexis Guzman, is accused of fatally shooting 53-year-old Antonio Gonzalez in January 2016. He faces charges of murder and burglary of a habitation. His co-defendant, Rogelio Pena III, faces the same charges. However, he has been on the run since January 2017, when he tampered with his ankle monitor and absconded from his home.

READ MORE: Suspect in central Laredo bank robbery arraigned on multiple charges

Guzman has a history of incidents with police. Court records show he was arrested five times in 2015 on charges of felony possession of marijuana, making a false report to police, felony possession of a controlled substance, misdemeanor possession of marijuana and evading arrest with a vehicle.

The murder trial was initially scheduled for August, but was postponed due to evidentiary issues. The defendant's attorney, Fausto Sosa, listed issues with transcripts and other pieces of evidence.

RELATED: Second person arrested in connection with central Laredo home invasion

The investigation for the case began when police received a 911 call from a home in the 3500 block of South Texas reporting shots fired on Jan. 9, 2016. Gonzalez was found dead at the scene in what police described as a home invasion.

Law enforcement linked Guzman and Pena's case to a group of young offenders smuggling narcotics and immigrants along the Rio Grande in June 2016 through an investigation dubbed Operation River Ratz.
Superintendent Lance Hindt said he remained "cautiously optimistic" as the time approached for voters in the Katy Independent School District to decide if they were willing to back a $609.2 million bond referendum to fund the construction of six new campuses for the second fastest-growing school district in Texas.

"But I've been around long enough, 28 years in this business, to know that a community speaks and sometimes it's not what we were all thinking," Hindt said. "I was pleased that a two-thirds majority approved the bond."

If voters had rejected the bond package, district officials said they would have been forced to trigger 'Plan B' - a district-wide rezoning that would have shuffled students throughout Katy ISD, sometimes far away from their homes, to achieve some sort of balance in classrooms.

"It would have been very drastic. It's not anything that the majority of this community wanted," Hindt said.

In addition to the brand new schools, the $609.2 million bond also will result in a top to bottom $21 million renovation of Fielder Elementary School, 2100 Greenway Village Drive, as well as upgrades and improvements at almost every other campus in the district.

"Families continue to move to Katy because of the quality learning opportunities our teachers and staff provide to each and every student," Hindt said. "This bond will help to ensure that our community's expectations for high educational standards and schools are maintained now and well into the future."

Katy ISD board president Ashley Vann said she was "almost without words" after learning of the election night victory.

"It speaks volumes for how our parents and staff and our community support the growth and the need for new schools," Vann said after the late results came in.

She said the bond will affect campuses throughout the district.

"There are no haves and have-nots on this bond," Vann said. "In the end, it's a vote for the students and not just for the students now. It's a vote for the students who are coming."

Some bond opponents tried to link Tuesday's bond package with recently opened and still controversial $70 million Legacy Stadium. The tactic didn't convince enough voters to reject the measure.

"This was a totally different bond. It was about new buildings for the additional students who are enrolling in our schools," Hindt said.

Katy ISD officials put on a full-court press to sell the bond package to Katy ISD voters. District officials gave media tours through some of the campuses expected to get upgrades and made more than 30 presentations about the referendum to the public.

"It was important too me that I stood in front of them and they saw my eyeballs - rather than just directing people to a web page," Hindt said. "I wanted to make sure that the folks knew the facts and had the opportunity to ask me questions."

Vann said the district has been very up front with the bond referendum.

"We said that from the very beginning when we put the bond package out there, this is the whole thing. This is everything. We're not going to come back and ask for technology and security. This is everything in one big package," Vann said.

She said 91 percent of the $609 million price tag will be used for school campuses, either construction or renovations and upgrades.

"They are things like HVACs and chillers and gym floors. Things that makes campuses feel like home to these kiddos," Vann said. "I've never felt so proud to be here and be a part of this place."

Hurricane Harvey and economic swings have done little to slow the explosive growth in the district. Hindt said 8,000 students have enrolled at Katy ISD schools since the last bond election in 2014 and 8,000 more are expected to arrive by the time construction is completed at the proposed high school in the 2017 bond.

"That is a staggering number," he said.
TOKYO - The new U.S. ambassador to Japan, William Hagerty, embarked Monday on a careful visit to Okinawa, where he met with the governor who wants the American military presence on the southern island prefecture sharply reduced.

The U.S. bases on Okinawa are the most sensitive aspect of the two countries' security alliance, which President Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe celebrated during their meetings in Tokyo last week.

The governor of Okinawa, Takeshi Onaga, has been campaigning against the relocation of the huge Marine air station at Futenma, in the middle of Okinawa's main island, to a remote spot on reclaimed land farther north at Henoko.

Hagerty is scheduled to visit Camp Schwab, the existing American base at Henoko, by helicopter Tuesday if the weather permits.

But Onaga and a majority of Okinawans, according to polls, don't want the base moved there. Instead, they want the base moved out the prefecture entirely, saying that the southern islands bear too much of the burden for the U.S.-Japanese alliance.

"People in Okinawa prefecture are working hard to stop that base ever being finished," Onaga told Hagerty during their 35-minute meeting, according to local media reports.

Onaga's previous attempts to persuade policymakers in Washington have led nowhere, with American officials telling him it is a matter for him to sort out with the central government in Tokyo. Abe's government has been pressing ahead with the plans to expand the base in Henoko, while Onaga has come up with creative ways to stymie them.

Onaga took the opportunity to make his case to Hagerty, complaining about the environmental impact of the construction at Henoko, particularly on sea life, and asking why Okinawa had to have the new base.

Okinawa was occupied by the United States for almost three decades after the end of World War II, and the bases remained after it was handed back to Japan in 1972. The island chain accounts for less than 1 percent of Japan's landmass but houses 74 percent of the U.S. military bases in Japan.

"This is discrimination against Okinawa," Onaga told Hagerty.

In response, Hagerty said that the United States had an agreement to reduce the military burden on Okinawa and alleviate some of the impact of hosting the bases.

The governor also raised concerns about a recent series of military accidents in Okinawa involving tilt-rotor Ospreys or other military aircraft.

A Marine CH-53E transport helicopter last month caught fire in midair during a training flight in the northern part of Okinawa's main island. The copter crashed just 300 yards from houses. No one was injured.

Sporadic and sometimes serious crimes also have fueled Okinawans' concerns about the large American military presence.

A U.S. military contractor, Kenneth Franklin Shinzato, is expected to plead guilty Thursday to charges of raping a 20-year-old Okinawa woman last year and then dumping her body, but not guilty to killing her.

Hagerty, a Tennessee businessman who spent three years working in Japan for the Boston Consulting Group earlier in his career, was at pains to be diplomatic at the start of his visit Monday.

"My visit to the Peace Memorial Park and Museum was a deeply moving experience," Hagerty wrote on Twitter after visiting the memorial to the 200,000-plus people who were killed during the three-month-long Battle of Okinawa in 1945. It was the only battle of World War II that was fought on Japanese territory.

Hagerty also visited Shuri Castle, the center of the kingdom that ruled the islands before Japan took them over, and tweeted that he had a "fantastic" visit with high school students.

This is not Hagerty's first visit to Okinawa since taking up his post at the end of August.

He and his family went to the main island in October, but the ambassador did not meet Onaga at that time. Analysts said that the sensitive spot was a strange choice for a family getaway, especially just weeks before snap parliamentary election in Japan.

Still, Okinawans will likely feel encouraged that Hagerty has started his posting by showing an interest to their prefecture.

Caroline Kennedy, the U.S. ambassador before Hagerty, visited the islands during her term, but that was while Onaga's pro-base predecessor was in office.

- - -

The Washington Post's Yuki Oda contributed to this report.
A federal appeals court panel on Monday allowed President Donald Trump's third travel ban to partially take effect, deciding that the government - at least for now - can keep out people targeted by the measure who have no bona fide ties to the United States.

In a brief order, a three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit temporarily put on hold part of a lower judge's ruling that had nearly completely blocked the government from enforcing its ban.

The judges said that the government could implement the ban, except on "foreign nationals who have a credible claim of a bona fide relationship with a person or entity in the United States." They said such people include grandparents, grandchildren, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins of people in the United States.

Tyler Q. Houlton, a Department of Homeland Security spokesman, said officials were reviewing the court order and "looking to operationalize the ruling, consistent with all applicable court orders, and provide guidance to the field." State Department and Justice Department spokespeople said they would comment later.

Hawaii Attorney General Douglas Chin, who had sued over the ban on behalf of his state, said in a statement: "Today's decision ... closely tracks guidance previously issued by the Supreme Court. I'm pleased that family ties to the U.S., including grandparents, will be respected."

The third version of Trump's travel ban had been set to take effect last month and would have barred various types of travelers from Syria, Libya, Iran, Yemen, Chad, Somalia, North Korea and Venezuela. But before it could be implemented, two federal judges ruled against the measure, blocking the government from enforcing it on people from six of the eight countries.

A federal judge in Hawaii had blocked the government from implementing the measure almost completely, though he said it could be enforced on people from North Korea and Venezuela. A federal judge in Maryland, meanwhile, issued a less complete halt, saying the government could similarly not enforce the measure on people from six of the eight countries - save North Korea and Venezuela - but only if the travelers the government sought to block had a "bona fide" relationship with a person or entity in the United States. That would include family members, as well as those with a job offer or other professional engagement.

The government appealed in both cases, and oral arguments are set for next month. To get the measure fully restored, the government would have to run the table - winning in both the 9th Circuit, the higher court for the Hawaii case, as well as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit, the appeals court for the Maryland case.

The ruling from the 9th Circuit does not affect that schedule but rather allows the government to implement the measure at least partially, on people without any U.S. ties, until then. The judges issued what is known as a stay, or temporary halt, on U.S. District Judge Derrick K. Watson's blockade of the ban. They could ultimately reverse course after hearing more arguments.

The government has argued the ban is necessary for national security, helping prevent those who might want to harm the U.S. from coming into the country. Various versions of the measure have taken a tortuous path through the legal system, and so far, none has succeeded in sticking.

The first iteration, signed in January, sought to block citizens of seven Muslim majority countries and all refugees, though judges ruled against it, and the president revoked and revised the measure. The second version, signed in March, winnowed the list of countries from seven to six, though it, too, was largely held up in court until it expired.

The latest ban was devised after an extensive process in which the U.S. sought information from foreign governments to help vet their travelers. Those nations that were either unwilling or unable to cooperate ended up on the list, authorities have said.

Unlike the last ban, the newest one is permanent; countries can get off the list, but only if they are able to provide the data the U.S. requires. It also affects different countries in different ways.

For Syria and North Korea, it blocks immigrants wanting to relocate to the United States and nonimmigrants wishing to visit in some capacity. For Iran, it blocks both immigrants and nonimmigrants, although it exempts students and those participating in a cultural exchange.

For Chad, Libya and Yemen, it blocks people from going to the United States as immigrants or on business or tourist visas. It blocks people from Somalia from coming as immigrants, and it names Venezuela, though it only blocks certain government officials of that country.

Those suing over the ban have argued that though the measure is different from its predecessors, it still amounts to an unconstitutional Muslim ban, and they say Trump exceeded his lawful authority in authorizing it. They have found district judges to be sympathetic, though their path through the higher courts might be more challenging.

Though both the 4th and 9th Circuits had ruled against the previous version of the measure, the Supreme Court vacated the precedent in both of those decisions.

The case in the 9th Circuit is being heard by Judges Michael Daly Hawkins, Ronald M. Gould and Richard A. Paez, all appointed by President Bill Clinton. The 4th Circuit recently announced it would consider the case sitting with a full complement of judges.
NEWARK - The jury weighing bribery charges against Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., told the judge Monday that the members are deadlocked on whether to convict him - but the judge told them to take the rest of the day off and try again.

"As of 2 p.m., on behalf of all the jurors, we cannot reach a unanimous decision on any of the charges," the jury wrote in a note to Judge William Walls. "Is there any additional guidance? And what do we do now?"

The note from the jury came on the first day of deliberations after a female juror was excused from the panel for a long-planned vacation. That former juror predicted the panel would end in a hung jury.

Menendez is accused of engaging in a corrupt bargain with Florida eye doctor Salomon Melgen. Prosecutors say the senator took gifts such as a luxury hotel stay, private flights and hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign donations from Melgen and in return Menendez acted as the doctor's "personal senator," advocating on his behalf on various government matters.

Prosecutor Peter Koski said the jury had been deliberating only a couple of hours with its new juror and asked that Walls tell them to continue talking.

Menendez attorney Abbe Lowell said 11 of the 12 jurors have been deliberating for several days and asked that Walls declare a mistrial.

Walls chose to send the jury home an hour early and asked it to continue deliberations Tuesday morning.

On Thursday, the judge excused a juror who had a long-planned vacation. That juror said that she felt the panel was deadlocked - and that she felt strongly that Menendez was not guilty.

"What I saw, the government didn't give me enough. So I think the defense showed me enough to say he's not guilty on every count," Juror No. 8, Evelyn Arroyo-Maultsby, said as she left the courthouse.

She said other jurors also want to vote not guilty on some counts, "but I'm the only one that's held out that he's not guilty on every single charge."

The panel heard nine weeks of testimony before beginning its deliberations last week.
The Newton County Sheriff's Office will pay $400 in restitution to owners of guns whose weapons were destroyed while their cases were still pending.

Sheriff Billy Rowles said in July that his predecessor, Eddie Shannon, destroyed evidence in at least three open cases before he left office in December 2016. Those cases were dismissed after Rowles took office in January.

"I assume that they were dismissed because the evidence was destroyed," Rowles said.

The department will pay about $400 from its general fund to the owners of the two guns that were destroyed before the charges were dropped, he said Monday.

In his motion to dispose of the property, filed Dec. 10, 2016, Shannon wrote that "no criminal actions are pending" in the attached list of cases and evidence.

According to that list, released by the county last week, evidence destroyed in the "2016 Property Room Purge" included two swords, $1,000 in cash, bath salts, drugs and other weapons.

Shannon declined to comment.

Rowles asked the Texas Rangers to get involved, but the agency has not opened an investigation, Sgt. Stephanie Davis said.

He said his department is too busy to spend time on the destroyed evidence and affected cases.

"It's a violation of the law, but we're so shorthanded and we've got so much more important stuff," he said.

LTeitz@BeaumontEnterprise.com

Twitter.com/LizTeitz
RICHMOND, Va. - The success of Democrats in last week's Virginia elections was a political windfall for Gov. Terry McAuliffe, raising his profile as a potential presidential candidate in 2020.

His party's unexpectedly strong victory - taking governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general by wide margins, and coming within a hair of gaining control of the House of Delegates - added to McAuliffe's bragging rights as a Democrat who knows how to win in the era of Donald Trump.

It was McAuliffe who put Gov.-elect Ralph Northam on course for the top job, recruiting him four years ago to run for, and win, lieutenant governor. And Northam triumphed last week on promises to continue McAuliffe's policies of protecting and expanding civil rights for women and minorities as a way to woo business and build Virginia's economy.

McAuliffe also delivered Virginia last year for his old friend Hillary Clinton, the only Southern state to resist the Trump tide.

Seen just four years ago as a hard-partying wheeler-dealer who made his name raising money for the Clintons, McAuliffe - who is prohibited by the state constitution from seeking a consecutive term as governor - has new national gravitas.

"It makes him a bit of a hero to a new generation of Democrats - millennials and other people who don't necessarily remember his time with [the Clintons]," said Jennifer Duffy of the Cook Political Report. "I bet that he suddenly finds himself a sought-after speaker at state party dinners, and candidates could ask him to campaign with them."

As University of Mary Washington political scientist Stephen Farnsworth put it: "It would not surprise me if Virginia's current governor started spending a lot of time in Iowa and New Hampshire come January."

McAuliffe's ambition is widely assumed around Richmond, though the governor himself has been coy about it. Asked on election night about his prospects for running in 2020, he demurred.

"This is a great night for Virginia," he said. "Tonight, I'm celebrating Ralph."

But he also knew the country was watching, via CNN and other network cameras, and made his case as a leader who has figured out the formula at a time when the national party is fractured and uncertain about the path back to power. "This is the revitalization of the Democratic Party in America. This isn't just about Virginia tonight," he said.

"What this should tell Democrats," McAuliffe said the next day, "if you're going to win, you've got to run on values you believe in. Make it about economy and jobs" - and connect that to social issues, as he has.

McAuliffe departed later Wednesday for Europe, mentioning that "I'm going to be speaking in Parliament, going to Oxford" and attending U.N. climate negotiations in Germany.

At 60, McAuliffe has an extensive political network built over decades in national politics, relationships nurtured from his varied stints as the top fundraiser for Bill Clinton's presidential campaign, head of the Democratic National Committee and, last year, chair of the National Governor's Association.

Once he leaves the governor's mansion in January, McAuliffe will be doing exactly what a prospective presidential candidate should do: traveling around the country, working to get Democrats elected in every state.

He's signed on to help former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder in his effort to influence redistricting around the country, aiming to rebuild the Democratic Party's infrastructure from the local and state level on up. McAuliffe referred to that last week when asked about his presidential plans in a radio interview on WAMU.

"I'm also going to take a lead on winning the 36 governors' races, so I will be very visible, very much traveling around the country next year," he said.

But there's a long way to go and a lot of baggage to shed to get McAuliffe to the 2020 campaign. There is already a crowded field of hopefuls, Duffy said, and McAuliffe's Clinton connections will be a drag for those Democrats who are eager for a new generation of leaders.

"In 2016 they nominated a well-known, establishment candidate and that didn't go so well," she said. "My guess is they sort of make a 180 in 2020, and the establishment Democrats may struggle. And I think that given McAuliffe's long past in Democratic politics he'd probably fall into that category."

What's more, Virginia's big week could lose luster if Democrats fail to build on that momentum in races next year. Anti-Trump sentiment was a huge factor in the wins - even McAuliffe was caught off guard by the scope of Democrats' success in House of Delegates races.

With some contests still too close to call, Democrats are set to pick up at least 15 seats in the 100-seat House, and could get a 50-50 split after being down 66-34 the past two years. As recently as the Sunday before the election, McAuliffe had been predicting gains of about a half-dozen seats.

Not all Democrats think McAuliffe deserves credit for those wins. Some of the House candidates were aided more by progressive groups than by the state party apparatus.

"It was obviously a huge win for Democrats on Tuesday but not necessarily a win for any particular brand of Democrat," said Jeff Weaver, who managed the insurgent presidential campaign of Bernie Sanders last year.

The Virginia elections look at lot better in hindsight than they did a few weeks ago, he said. At Democratic National Committee meetings in Las Vegas last month, "there was almost a panic about what was going on in Virginia," Weaver said - panic that the state was going to blow its big chance.

He credited a host of progressive groups - such as his own, Our Revolution - with mobilizing money and volunteers to get the legislative candidates elected, drawing voter turnout that then benefited the top of the ticket.

Weaver said McAuliffe deserves respect for his governing in Virginia, where the unemployment rate is 3.7 percent. But if he runs for president as an establishment candidate he will "have to explain how 2020 is going to be different from 2016," Weaver said.

McAuliffe is a natural campaigner, a loud, animated politician who fills up any room and is always half-jokingly introduced around Virginia as "his excellency." He has won praise even from Republicans for his tireless salesmanship, which he uses to recruit companies to the state. McAuliffe is notorious for crowing about every new business, from Humm Kombucha opening a brewery in Roanoke to Facebook announcing a billion-dollar data center in Henrico County.

It could be that his image as a dealmaking, jobs-creating, civil rights-protecting defier of Donald Trump will be enough to get him a serious look in other states.

"What people are looking for now, they're looking for leaders who say what they believe then follow up with action. And I think that's where Gov. McAuliffe has a very strong record, he doesn't hem and haw," said Cecile Richards, the national head of Planned Parenthood.

The group was one of the biggest donors to Virginia Democrats this year, giving more than $2.3 million to a host of candidates, according to the Virginia Public Access Project.

Richards praised McAuliffe for his track record of protecting funding for Planned Parenthood and standing up to Republican efforts to restrict women's access to health care. "If health care continues to be as prevalent an issue as it has been over the last year . . . I think that helps him certainly with women all across the country and gives him something to distinguish himself compared with other leaders," she said.

Some Republicans have taken note. John Fredericks, a conservative radio host who helped run Trump's Virginia campaign in 2016, has become a grudging McAuliffe fan. He has praised the governor for his economic development efforts and conceded that McAuliffe's push to unlock federal dollars by expanding Medicaid, which the Republican-controlled General Assembly has so far resisted, was probably the right call.

"He would be the one to bring the working-class jobs debate to Trump's base and make the argument that he could peel some of it away in the battleground working-class swing states," Fredericks said. "I fear Terry McAuliffe more than any other candidate in the Democratic field in 2020."

Few others will go that far, but after Tuesday's strong showing, McAuliffe has at least earned mentions in the chatter about presidential contenders.

"It sure doesn't hurt, let's put it that way," said Republican pollster Whit Ayers. "But any Democrat who has hopes of national prospects has got to figure out how to bridge the governing-Democrat-versus-Bernie-socialist divide, and I don't think anyone has quite figured that out."
Compliance makes sure that your hard-earned money stays in your pocket, or better yet reinvested, not squandered in an avoidable legal dispute. As companies spend more and more time creating content-marketing strategies to reach their customers, sourcing the assets they use becomes more and more important.

It's easy to think that stock assets would be the way to go over producing your own content, especially considering how little stock sites charge for their use. The reality is, it's actually not as cheap as you'd think if you're remaining compliant and using the images they're intended. Let me be clear: you're not to blame, it's simply that licensing stock assets is a lot more complicated than you probably realize.

For example, if you're a small business with one employee who creates all of your advertising documents, then a standard royalty-free license is definitely fitting for your business model. In this scenario, your employee can head over to a stock site, license the image on their computer and create the marketing document you need. As long as you stay within the maximum allotted number of people who'll be viewing the asset and also that you only use the asset once, then you're in compliance.

However, let's assuming you have another employee work on the same file you bought with a standard license -- then you're immediately out of compliance. A standard licensing agreement allows for a single user to access and use the file that you license.

This is why it's critical that you're aware of where you're licensing your files and what their licenses allow. Assuming that you're entering a licensing agreement with a photographer, videographer, graphic designer or simply buying your assets off of a stock photography website, here are some considerations to have prior to approving the purchase.

Related: 7 Sources of Free High Quality Stock Images

Royalty-Free vs. Rights-Managed

Royalty-Free and Rights-Managed licenses are the two most commonly used models for licensing assets and price isn't the only factor to consider when either choosing one or the other. In fact, you should truly evaluate your needs before taking the plunge into either direction.

Royalty-Free

The benefits of choosing a Royalty-Free license is that it allows the licensee (you) unlimited and multiple uses of an asset, with restrictions depending on the licensing agreement you pay for. This is assuming that you're being compliant with the number of users accessing the file to create the project. If your creative team is larger than one person, you'll need to buy the right licensing agreement.

At the very basic level, most licenses allow you to pay a one-time license for perpetual use of the assets you're licensing, be it a photo, video or a template. This is a non-exclusive contract. The creator of the asset is allowed to sell that asset mutiple times and through multiple agencies as they choose.

Rights-Managed

The licensee pays a fee in order to use the asset, and the fee is based on usage. For instance, an image can be used as a print ad, billboard or printed on a tee shirt, but the licensee agrees to pay for the intended use. In this scenario, the licensee also has the ability to pay for exclusive rights for the asset so that no one else has access to those files.

Related: How to Avoid Copyright Trouble When Using Online Images (Infographic)

Why stock isn't always the cheaper option.

It's important to look at content creation like any other product. Whether it be photo, video or a graphic; marketing template, content creators are selling a product. With every asset produced, there's still a combination of time, equipment, production and uniqueness that goes into every single file.

Even if you choose to avoid hiring a photographer yourself and choose to use a stock asset over creating your own, there's still a cost of producing the content and the photographer wants to see a return on their investment.

For example, a simple Birdseye view of the ocean can cost from hundreds to thousands of dollars to create. Between the cost of hiring a helicopter or buying a drone, along with other expenses, labor and the experience of the photographer, that single image of the ocean costs thousands of dollars to produce.

On that note, what if you're licensing a photo of a person? Then there's still the cost of hiring the subject and location for the shoot. These are all costs that you're avoiding by licensing the image royalty free. However, this is why the license is non-exclusive. The photographer is able to disperse the cost of creating the file over several licensees in order to recover their investment. This is why content creators are extremely protective of their rights.

Related: How to Avoid Potential Pitfalls With User-Generated Content

Factors that contribute to pricing.

Pricing for the asset you choose will vary depending on the quality of the asset, the type of asset you're licensing and where that license will be used. Pricing can also vary wildly depending on where you're sourcing your asset from. For example, the pricing on Shutterstock, Adobe Stock and Getty Images can vary from site to site, but you'll want to be sure that the licensing agreements align with your business objectives.

This should go without saying, but you get what you pay for. If you want exclusivity, then you'll need to pay for exclusivity. If you want to print the asset on a T-Shirt, then you'll pay accordingly. The same holds true, whether it's photography, videography, music or graphics. Here are some factors that contribute to pricing assets:

End Products: How many times will you be using the asset? E.g. You can license a music track and use it in your TV ad, but you can't use the same song on your website if you haven't purchased a license with more than one use.

Print Runs: How many copies of the asset will be distributed? Most basic licenses cover you up to 500,000 total copies of a downloaded or physical copy. This also covers up to 500,000 people who can view the final product.

Merchandise Use: Will your product be sold on TShirt, Mug or any other type of product? Yes? Then, you'll probably need an extended license to do so.

Redistribution: You are not allowed to resell, redistribute the product without authorization. If you want to do so, you'll need an extended license or you'll need to pay a premium depending on where you choose to license your assets.

Indemnification: How much of your losses will the stock site cover if a third party sues you? Most stock websites charge a premium for indemnification. This is imperative in case either the creator of the asset or the people in the asset (say a photo or video) decided to sue you because they never authorized use of the image. (Most stock agencies request if the creator has a model release, only a handful require to show proof).

Exclusive vs. Non-Exclusive: If you're interested in licensing an image exclusively so that you're the only licensee able to use the image, expect to pay a premium. If you're not willing to pay for exclusivity, then expect that the creator will license the image to others.

Uniqueness: If it's unique, expect to pay more. Scenic images and video of New York City are a dime a dozen. Scenic shots of wild Leopard Seal charging at the camera in the middle of Antarctica, not so much. If it's unique, the creator is going to charge more.

Beyond that, we have license terms. You pay more for more freedoms. It's just that simple.

Related: 7 Legal Steps You Must Take Before Outsourcing Content Creation

Selecting the right license for you.

In order to make it easier for the consumer market, stock agencies have divided their licensing into separate categories -- Standard and Extended. Which license you choose is determinant on what you need the assets for.

Every stock agency will have different terms with regards to personal use vs. commercial use that describe the number of projects you're able to use the assets in, the number of people the assets can be used to reach, etc. Usually speaking, every image in their catalog is on a level playing field in terms of uniqueness (every image cost the same), unless they offer a premium catalog and most large stock agencies will also provide you with indemnification coverage at a premium.

Below, you'll find some common uses for licenses depending on what you're looking to create:

Standard License

Presentations

Ebooks

Promotional Cards and Mailers

Web Page Designs

Set Design (Audience Must be Less than Allotted Amount)

Film and Video (Audience Must be Less than Allotted Amount)

Trade Show Signage

Extended License

Greeting Cards

Calendars That Will Be Sold.

Apps

Advertisements

Posters

Art Prints

Computer Screen Savors

Commercials

The license types you choose will be a reflection of the miscellaneous requests / coverages that you make. Often times, sites will charge you minimally to license an image and then will tack on additional fees to the assets for additional grants. It's not unheard of to see an image go from twenty dollars to upwards of several hundred.

Related: How Thinking Like a Lawyer Made Me a Better Content Marketer

Professional, Team and Enterprise Packages

In the event, you're going to regularly be buying and licensing stock images consider investing in a professional, team or enterprise package -- they may provide you with the valuable coverage that you're looking for. For example, Adobe Stock and Getty images both offer flexible plans that include unlimited print runs, users, sharing and indemnification for their enterprise contracts.

They both also allow users to collaborate in their own ways, should your company need access to collaborative tools to produce content.

Related:

Curate, License or Create? A Guide to Sourcing the Ideal Images and Video for Your Marketing Strategy.

The Beginner Content Marketer's Guide to Using Stock Images Without Getting Sued

4 Ways Instant Gratification Has Changed Content Marketing



Copyright 2017 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved



This article originally appeared on entrepreneur.com


If you're experiencing some dizziness trying to follow the tax debate in Congress, you are not alone.

Companies with the most to gain or lose from a sweeping overhaul of the tax code are also struggling to assess the bottom-line impact of the changes proposed so far - and the changes piled on top of those changes, as the House bill zoomed through the Ways and Means Committee last week.

The head-spinning velocity of the process has sidelined a meaningful chunk of the corporate cheering section that under more ordinary circumstances would be rallying to help sell the measure to a skeptical public. But that has also thrown off would-be detractors - and not by accident.

"The process is moving quickly by design, and it's creating difficulties in digesting complex legislation and providing feedback on potential unintended consequences," says Nancy McLernon, head of the Organization for International Investment, representing multinational companies with major U.S. footprints.

Her membership - a roster that includes Anheuser-Busch, Honda North America, Nestle USA and Unilever - got blindsided by the inclusion in the House draft of a complex new excise tax on payments among certain subsidiaries of globe-spanning companies. Responding in part to their protests, tax-writing Republicans tweaked the proposal last Monday, draining 95 percent from the $155 billion it aimed to raise, then tweaked it again Thursday, restoring about half that revenue. Companies snagged by the measure have been racing to determine what the latest incarnation means for them.

The dynamic is repeating across a range of industries. Lobbyists and tax specialists tell me their clients have been hiring extra muscle to help them model the impact of the bills as they evolve. From my story in Saturday's paper:

"Many businesses aren't yet sold on the proposals, fracturing the traditional Republican coalition that has helped send major legislation over the finish line during previous high-profile fights. The lack of unity among would-be corporate allies could spell trouble for the tax effort at a time when Republicans, and Trump, are desperate for a legislative accomplishment they can tout on the campaign trail next year. . .

"The NAHB is planning to fly more than 100 of its members to Washington next week to make its case. "We want members of Congress to look their friends in the eyes and tell them why they can't support housing and homeownership," NAHB President Jerry Howard said. . .

"'You've got Republican majorities in Congress and a Republican president that all came together on a framework to reform the tax code, and nobody wants to be against that,' said one lobbyist who spoke on the condition of anonymity to offer a candid assessment. 'The problem is the process has really backed everybody into a corner.'"

The headlong rush continues Monday, when the Senate Finance Committee begins marking up the bill it released Thursday. And House Republican leadership will begin whipping its rank and file in hopes of bringing a bill to the floor later this week.

Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., is apparently bullish on its prospects, reports Politico's Rachael Bade, despite a group of GOP lawmakers from high-tax states who worry about their constituents losing the state and local income tax deduction.

"Republican leaders are confident they have the votes to pass their once-in-a-generation tax reform bill in the House this week. There was little arm-twisting over the weekend, multiple sources close to leadership told POLITICO." Bade reports. "And unlike with the Obamacare repeal effort earlier this year, when leaders made final-hour tweaks to win over resistant members, [Ryan's] team doesn't intend to make significant changes to the legislation before the vote this time.

"I think they've made the calculation that they have 218," Rep. Peter King [R-N.Y.] said in a Saturday phone interview. The New York Republican, currently a "no" on the bill, said he hasn't heard from leadership in more than two weeks. Fellow New York Rep. Dan Donovan, another GOP opponent of the legislation, said the same. The lack of outreach to GOP holdouts suggests leadership feels good about the level of support in the conference - though the Republican whip team won't officially count votes until Monday night."

---

Watch Republicans make the case that businesses stand to benefit from their tax plan:

- But the House and Senate proposals still diverge. The Post's Damian Paletta and John Wagner: "Stark differences between the House and Senate tax bills remain unresolved, but there is enough overlap and - so far - muted intraparty resistance, making the White House increasingly optimistic that an agreement can come by Christmas, as President Trump has repeatedly promised..."

Still, potential quagmires remain. House and Senate Republicans risk colliding over whether Americans should be able to deduct local property taxes from their federal taxable income. The House GOP bill would allow Americans to deduct up to $10,000 of those taxes from income as a way to placate complaints from conservatives in high-tax states such as New York, New Jersey and California. In an interview on "Fox News Sunday," Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, stood firm on that provision, saying it is important to "make sure people keep more of what they earn, even in these high-tax states."
Zimbabwe armed forces commander Constantine Chiwenga called for an end to purges in President Robert Mugabe's ruling party and said the security services would stop those "bent on hijacking the revolution," signaling a split with the 93-year-old leader.

Chiwenga, speaking alongside the commanders of the army and air force, was commenting on the upheaval in the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front following Mugabe's dismissal of Emmerson Mnangagwa, 75, as vice president a week ago and his subsequent expulsion from the ruling party. Mnangagwa, an ally of Chiwenga, fled the southern African nation on Dec. 8 because of "incessant threats" against him and his family.

"It is with humility and a heavy heart that we come before you to pronounce the indisputable reality that there is instability in Zanu-PF today and as a result anxiety in the country at large," Chiwenga, 61, told reporters at the King George IV military barracks in the capital, Harare.

Mnangagwa's ouster marked a dramatic shift in politics in Zimbabwe, where he had been a pillar of a military and security apparatus that helped Mugabe, 93, emerge as the nation's leader after independence from the U.K. in 1980. He was Zimbabwe's first national security minister.

"This is a new and potentially dangerous twist to the politics of the country," Eldred Masunungure, a professor of political science at the University of Zimbabwe, said by phone. "It's the toxic insertion of the military and will sour relations between the military and government."

Mugabe has broken with most of his comrades who fought in the liberation war against the white-minority regime of Rhodesia, leaving the so-called Generation-40 faction of younger members of the ruling party championed by his wife, Grace Mugabe, 52, in the ascendancy.

"The current purging which is clearly targeting members of the party with liberation backgrounds must stop forthwith," Chiwenga said.

Mnangagwa's firing came amid growing tensions before elections next year when it may face a seven-party opposition coalition that's capitalizing on public anger over cash shortages, crumbling infrastructure and a collapse in government services. The economy has halved in size since 2000.

The Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association condemned Mnangagwa's dismissal last week and said it was breaking with the ruling party.

"We remain committed to protecting our legacy and those bent on hijacking the revolution will not be allowed to do so," Chiwenga said.
A deeper look at defense department failures to report domestic violence after Texas church murders; violence at a homeless encampment, declines in international enrollment at Texas colleges, GOP retirements in Congress, and a Sugar Land man who was the region's King of Kush - all in this week's #in-depth and #investigative reporting.

Sugar Land man painted as "King of Kush" by Gabrielle Banks

He stashed it in tote bags, spent it on properties and made nightly deposits but the cash from drug sales kept piling up at Muhammad Shariq Siddiqi's home in Sugar Land, federal investigators said.

There was so much money police were summoned to his son's school because the boy was handing out $20 and $100 bills to classmates.

Mark Mulligan/Houston Chronicle

FBI data indicate military rarely reports domestic violence

By St. John Barned-Smith and Sig Christenson

The U.S. Department of Defense -- now under scrutiny for failing to report a domestic violence conviction that could have stopped Devin Patrick Kelley from purchasing several guns used in the Texas church shooting -- reported just one domestic violence conviction to a national FBI database in all of 2016.

Violence mounts around homeless camp as man shot to death

By Alyson Ward and Margaret Kadifa

In the latest in a series of violent acts near a Midtown homeless encampment, a man was found shot to death late Tuesday night after area residents heard gunfire.

The encampment, which sprawls beneath the Interstate 69 bridge near the intersection of Caroline and Wheeler, has become a serious trouble spot for the city, with multiple reports of violence since late August.

Marie D. De Jesus/Houston Chronicle

Texas colleges feeling effects of decline in international students

By Lindsay Ellis



University of Houston Clear Lake is among several universities around Texas that this year have seen a sharp drop in international enrollment, as the number of international student applications to four-year public universities has plummeted by more than 10,000 after three years of growth, according to recently compiled data.



Experts and college administrators blame a number of factors, including President Donald Trump's anti-immigrant rhetoric during the 2016 campaign and in office, as well as the global economy.

Church shooting again puts spotlight on domestic violence

By St. John Barned-Smith, John D. Harden, and Keri Blakinger

The mass shooting in Sutherland Springs last week left America shocked, searching for a cause, something to explain the brazen slaughter of 26 people as they prayed. They wondered what could have possessed Devin Patrick Kelley, the 26-year-old disgraced airman identified as the shooter, to act with such cruelty.

One factor that surfaced early in the investigation - a chaotic past of domestic abuse and violence - has proved all too common in Texas in recent years. Domestic violence cases have risen sharply across the state, with more than 210,000 wives, girlfriends, husbands and others suffering death or injury at the hands of a family member in the past two years.



GOP turnover gives Texas Democrats hope for opportunities in congressional races

By Kevin Diaz and Mike Ward

A wave of retirement announcements from Texas Republicans in both Congress and the Legislature already had sparked a lot of speculation that the pendulum of power might swing against the GOP, even possibly to some degree in a deep red state like Texas.

"We've worked from the beginning of this election cycle to expand the battlefield, and that means making sure there are strong candidates who fit their districts ready to capitalize on whatever environment 2018 brings," said Cole Leiter of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the campaign arm of the House Democrats.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

From the beginning, Beverly Tanner was invested in education in the arts.

She was chosen as one of the first teachers at the Defense Language Institute at Lackland AFB in 1959 to teach English to foreign officers. Students from her classes would come to her house every weekend and share their culture with Tanner and her family.

That was our cultural experience, daughter Wyndie Applewhite said. Some brought, as gifts, snakeskins in a decorative box, and some cooked meals from their culture. We learned a lot about their foods and traditions.

Applewhite said they would sit on the patio and talk about their lives, and the visitors would show their dances and tell stories.

More Information Beverly J. Tanner Born: Feb. 1, 1931, San Antonio Died: Nov. 4, 2017, San Antonio Survivors: Husband Windsor J. Tanner Sr.; children Michael, Wyndie and Windsor Jr.; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren. Service: 11:00 a.m.today at St. Gerard'sCatholic Church, 1523 Iowa St. See More Collapse

Tanner died Nov. 4 of heart failure. She was 86.

Relatives said Tanner was chosen for a job not typically given to African-Americans or women. Applewhite said she believes that her mother was chosen for the job because of her education at Huston-Tillotson University, a historically black college.

Applewhite was only 4 or 5 when her mother started teaching at Lackland but remembers the consistent stream of officers from all over the world. Tanners husband, Windsor Tanner Sr., said they had 54 nationalities come through their home, including Koreans, Japanese, Italians, Germans and Iranians.

My parents taught us to be appreciative of other cultures, no matter what culture they are from, and we still have that appreciation today, Applewhite said.

She said they would go to events including an Easter play at 6 a.m. every year, African dances and library exhibits. Her mother made sure they were up and at the church on time, every year.

Before integration, they taught the whole child, friend Joyce Hopkins said. She said integration gave children in majority black schools the lesser teachers, worse school books and an overall poor education, but Tanner wouldnt stand for it.

Beverly made sure her children were exposed to the arts. She, through reading and exposure, showed them what they could be and let them dream, she said.

Tanner made sure that her children, along with seeing traditions and dances from all cultures, were cultured as well. Applewhite said she was in ballet and tap dance forever and that both of her brothers were in band. The tradition continued with her children, who played in band in school for a bit.

Tanners passion for children to be well-rounded and thoroughly educated was infused in her career as well. In 1964, she became a teacher at Tynan Elementary School, where she taught a special class where fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade students were in the same classroom, Applewhite said. Then she worked with the Right to Read program in her continued fight for equality.

From there, she became a principal at W.W. White Elementary and worked with Alamo Music Co. and the San Antonio Independent School District to provide music classes with an instructor who also taught at the middle school where her husband was the principal.

They wanted to bring these music programs to the schools because its one of the arts, Windsor Tanner said. They were both passionate about it at home and at work.

Applewhite said some of the students in the program went on to play in the San Antonio Youth Orchestra and that some of them went on further to play in the San Antonio Symphony. Some came back and thanked Tanner for her persistence as an educator.

jpolcyn@express-news.net
For the sake of our national security, I am thankful that Speaker Paul Ryan appointed U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith, R-San Antonio, Chairman of the House, Science, Space, and Technology Committee, as a conferee to the Armed Services Conference Committee.

There, he worked with fellow Texas Rep. Mac Thornberry to get the National Defense Authorization Agreement (NDAA) ready for a final vote. Smiths voice on the committee was critical because he has a long history of demonstrating a sound understanding of how defense policy is often lacking in equity. Before the conferees got involved, the 2018 NDAA was no different.

Thankfully, the conferees scrapped Section 1615 of the original House agreement, which would have stopped the armed forces from aiding in the creation of new launch systems.

RELATED: Something big may be in store for the SpaceX South Texas rocket launch site

The timing of this section is what was perplexing. A ban on Russian rocket engines will go into effect in just a few years, which may take SpaceXs current sole competitor out of play. This Russia prohibition would be completely understandable on national security grounds if the Air Force could still incentivize competition; however, Section 1615s ban on abetting new launch systems might have resulted in SpaceX receiving near-monopoly status over the nations launch services.

Inclusion of this section was a bit surprising since up until this point, the company was widely praised for increasing competition in a once uncompetitive industry. At the same time, however, this congressional session is not the first time that SpaceX tried to receive an inequitable political favor.

In August 2015, Smith wrote a letter to NASA Administrator Charles Bolden questioning why SpaceX seemed to have been given a free pass in a launch failure investigation when one comparable in size and cost from a competitor received much more governmental scrutiny. Smith said, The discrepancy between the approaches taken by NASA in response to these two similar events raises questions about not only the equity and fairness of NASAs process for initiating independent accident investigations, but also the fidelity of the investigations themselves.

READ MORE: NASA's new autonomous space shuttle just had a successful test flight

Much of the legislative problem involving SpaceX  whether it be in government audits or possible legislative failures like Section 1615  appears to be a result of the companys tight relationship with many of our legislatures. Since 2003, SpaceXs CEO has given over $500,000 to members of Congress. SpaceX itself has even given funds to lobbying firms to advance its interests in prior NDAAs.

That prompts the question: did the company do anything this time around to spur Section 1615? Even if SpaceX, a company that is unable to meet half of the National Security Space missions by itself, has not engaged in lobbying this time, members of Congress were right to oppose Section 1615 strictly on policy grounds.

On FoxNews.com, former Texas congressman Ron Paul wrote last month, Allowing SpaceX to obtain a monopoly over launch services harms taxpayers much more than forbidding the Pentagon from purchasing Russian products harms Vladimir Putin. I would add that scrapping Section 1615 would have, in reality, helped Russia. The Trump administration made clear that passing 1615 would make the administrations strategy impossible to execute, causing delays in transitioning from Russian engines and increased risks to continued assured access to space. This alone should have rightfully given pause to every single member of Congress.

RELATED: 23 weird things we've learned about Elon Musk

The potential implications of this section are why the action taken by the conference committee to remove Section 1615 was so important. Texas Reps. Smith and Thornberry and their colleagues on the conference committee were holding a lot of cards.

It looks like they knew when to play them.

Matt Mackowiak is chairman of the Travis County Republican Party, and the president of Austin, Texas, and Washington, D.C.-based Potomac Strategy Group.
The citys Historic and Design Review Commission should approve plans for a controversial mixed-use development near the iconic Hays Street Bridge.

Its debatable whether the development should have ever occurred  with plenty of twists in a story that has stretched years  but at this point the project merits support. This development will benefit the near East Side, activate a vacant lot and appears to meet the citys design requirements.

The project is a 149-unit complex with two retail spaces. It will be four stories tall  a height that has raised concerns about blocking views of the Hays Street Bridge. It is a partnership between developer Mitch Meyer and Alamo Beer Co. owner Eugene Simor.

RELATED: Plan for apartments near Hays Street Bridge creates controversy

Some history: In 2012, the Hays Street Bridge Restoration Group sued the city of San Antonio over the sale of the land to Alamo Beer Co., arguing it violated a 2002 memorandum of understanding that requires the land to be a park.

The group won at the district level, but lost at the 4th Court of Appeals. It is appealing to the Texas Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, some community members, in particular, the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center, have called for a viewshed around the bridge, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.

A park might have been the intent, but there was never a specific requirement. The propertys former owners have expressed support for the development. Perhaps more important, its also far too late for a viewshed designation. There are already buildings around the bridge, and the property was sold without such a designation. Besides, neighbors seem to want some type of development, although they would like more input in development plans.

This project will turn a vacant lot near railroad tracks into housing in the heart of our city. That means more residents downtown, and more people to support East Side businesses. The project has undergone a number of changes to meet downtown design guidelines, and it includes a small market and open space for the public to enjoy. It merits support.

READ MORE: Historic commission delays action on Hays Street Bridge apartments

In a separate, but related matter, we are not big fans of plans to place private tables on the bridge. Simor and Meyer have plans to open a restaurant that connects to the Hays Street Bridge via a private skywalk. As part of an agreement with the city, the restaurant could place tables on the bridge.

We would like to see an alternative developed. The bridge isnt a commercial setting like the River Walk. Its historic. But debating that detail, or even a viewshed, is not nearly enough to derail an important project in the urban core.
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.
MARTINSVILLE  When talking about religion, people shouldnt pussyfoot around differences, said the Rev. Nicholas Hull.

Hull will be the host of Principles of Respect: An Interfaith Perspective Saturday at the church where he is the rector (pastor), Christ Episcopal.

The event will run from 3-4:30 p.m., and the church is located at 311 E. Church St. (across from the library), Martinsville. The forum is held by Interfaith Council of Martinsville & Henry County. Contemporary issues from the Jewish, Christian and Islamic traditions will be discussed, as well as ideas of common values that create a cohesive community and how to reconcile differences without violence.

I think these conversations are really important, Hull said.

The speakers will be the Revs. Kameron Wilds and Lillian Geib, representing the Christian religions; Martha Woody, on Judaism; and Imam James Shabazz on Islam.

Hull said people can slip easily into an idea that they must look for similarities with those of other religions, but its really more important to pay attention  in a good way  to differences.

His experience with that goes back to when he was in high school, when one of his close friends was a Muslim. As Hull became a religious person, the pair of friends first thought that their biggest learning was for both of us to continue to try to find common ground, he said, but eventually, the realized learning how to embrace each others differences was how to get along.

Its important, he said, not to just stick with the common denominator. (People need) a model of understanding each other where we dont try to shy away from disagreement and rather embrace diversity.

That may not come naturally to people, he said, because as a society were not very good at acknowledging differences in a healthy way. I think its totally understandable why they would avoid that, but for me, its kind of like avoiding the problem. We dont tolerate people with differences from our own perspective.

When he was in college with a major in religious studies, Hull said, his classes included one on Islam and one on Judaism: I would not say that I am a scholar, but I am familiar with them.

Judaism, Christianity and Islam all are considered Abrahamic religions in that they share the same origin, he said.

Christianity was a Jewish reform movement. Our roots are in the Jewish religion. Islam developed 400 years after Christianity. They consider themselves to be children of Abraham as well. They just have a different perspective.

Where Jews and Muslims will celebrate Jesus  as a great prophet, theyre not going to proclaim him as the son of God as Christians would. Christians and Muslims know the same stories that are in Jewish scripture, but they (Muslims) believe that the prophet Muhammad added to that, and Christians believe the story of Christ should be told as well.

As he was talking, Hull said that he was speaking in generalizations, not attempting to represent the beliefs of all individuals. Looking at the wide picture, he said, Its part of Muslim orthodoxy that Christ is respected as a prophet. A lot of Jews also respect Christ as a prophet as well, or at least as a great religious man. I dont want to speak on behalf of all Jews and Muslims.

Hull has been the rector of Christ Episcopal for a little over a year. At Saturdays event, he said, I am looking forward to getting to know other religious leaders in the area who want to foster understanding between our different traditions. For a lot of people, theres a lot of anxiety on encountering people from different religions. I hope this can almost turn the temperature down a little bit, where we can have honest, candid and compassionate conversations over a subject that is usually very volatile.

In his role as host, he said, I really hope that I can open up the doors, welcome people and maybe offer a beginning prayer. Im really looking forward to what other people have to say with this  in that way, I hope I can be like everyone else, and experience the event.
SPRINGFIELD -- Starting this Spring, construction is set to bring Pynchon Plaza in downtown Springfield back to life, thanks to $3.5 million from the MassWorks Infrastructure Program.

Patrick Sullivan, Springfield's executive director of Parks, Buildings and Recreation Management said the city is preparing to put the project out to bid with construction to start in March and to be completed by the end of the 2018 construction season.

The newly rebuilt half-acre park will feature a funicular -- a fancy term for an inclined elevator -- making it handicapped accessible and replacing the trouble-prone elevator. The park covers a four-story change of elevation and with a primary goal being to move people from downtown to the Quadrangle a mechanical means is necessary to help folks cover that 40-foot lift.

"I think it is more open and inviting," Sullivan said. "They are very popular in Europe. I've been to Switzerland where they have them and they work well."

The fountain will be gone, replaced by a "water wall" feature that will be easier to maintain and less prone to vandalism.

Billed as a Bicentennial celebration project for the city of Springfield, the $750,000 Pynchon Plaza opened on Dwight Street in 1977.

The Park was supposed to link The Quadrangle -- a cultural corridor with the Springfield Museums and Library -- with downtown. The park was built with a concrete courtyard, an abstract sculpture and fountain, an elevator and stairs.

But maintenance problems and persistent vandalism plagued Pynchon Plaza and its been closed to the public for most of its existence.

The city still has a goal of linking downtown with the Quadrangle, especially important now with the imminent opening of MGM Springfield and the new Amazing World of Dr. Seuss museum.

In May, the city announced plans to establish a new police substation at 75 Dwight St. in hopes of preventing criminal activity in the park.

Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno has set aside $30,000 in federal Community Development Block Grant funds to begin a design study for the plaza.

Massachusetts Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash announced the $3.5 million on Monday as he appeared with a bevy of local state representatives and senators.

The plaza was named in honor of Springfield founder William Pynchon.

The MassWorks Infrastructure Program provides funding for economic development projects in Gateway Cities like Springfield.

State economic development secretary Jay Ash said the MasWorks program is part of a $1 billion State economic development effort.

"It's the most powerful tool I have to help communities achieve their goals," Ash said.
SPRINGFIELD -- Tony Danza, backed by a smooth four-piece combo, performed an evening of standards in an engaging, delightful concert at CityStage on Sunday night.

For those who only know the affable Danza for his comedic work on "Taxi" or "Who's The Boss," his intimate 90-minute set had to be a revelation.

The 66-year-old Brooklyn native played the downtown Springfield theater like a New York cabaret beginning with the opening chords of the Bobby Darin-penned "As Long As I'm Singing" to his set closing "If My Friends Could See Me Now."

He repeatedly spoke with great affection of his late mother and her love of Frank Sinatra.

Danza was at his best singing tunes associated with The Chairman of the Board, like the patriotic "The House I Live In," the saloon standard "Angel Eyes" and the haunting "It Was A Very Good Year."

Throughout the night, Danza rattled off jokes, told stories about his life, and shared his impressive knowledge of Springfield history, courtesy of Google searches.

The versatile Danza offered a little soft shoe and later pulled out a ukulele. He strummed a Hawaiian melody before offering up Lerner and Lowe's "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face" from "My Fair Lady" and a playful take on The Searcher's "Love Potion No. 9."

Danza, who earned rave reviews on Broadway for his performance as tap dancing high-roller in "Honeymoon in Vegas," treated the CityStage crowd to selections from the 2015 musical, including the romantic "I Love Betsy" and comedic "Out of the Sun."

He was in strong voice throughout the night and was ably backed by pianist/ music director John Oddo, bassist John Arbo, guitarist Dave Shoup and drummer Eddie Caccavale.
SPRINGFIELD -- MGM Springfield opened a new career center Monday designed to serve as a "one-stop shop" in the screening and hiring of approximately 3,000 employees.

The MGM career center is at the Colvest Building at 1259 East Columbus Ave., adjacent to its $960 million casino project.

MGM and Massachusetts Gaming Commission officials, along with representatives of the education, business and employment training sector, attended a morning open house and tours at the center just prior to its afternoon opening.

Michael Mathis, president and chief operating officer of MGM Springfield, said the center offers "everything you need" to get a job at the casino.

"The career center will be the hub of our hiring activity in the community," Mathis said. "It's a one-stop shop facility for people to come learn about opportunities at the resort, to fill out applications, to meet with our different HR professionals, to do panel interviews, private interviews, drug testing, as well as to meet the regulators and fill out licensing paperwork."

The career center will initially be open through the end of the year from 1 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. It will open for full-time hours and weekend hours in 2018, MGM officials said.

Those attending the open house Monday included gaming commission members Bruce Stebbins and Lloyd Macdonald, and the commission's executive director, Edward R. Bedrosian Jr.

Stebbins said the commission is pleased to see MGM Springfield moving forward with the hiring of residents of the city and region.

"This career center is a great way for them to understand all the career opportunities available to them as well as our licensing for certain employees," Stebbins said. "It's a great resource for the the community and we're just happy to be here to applaud this opening."

The 7,000-square foot center will be used for all aspects of the hiring process, and it offers a 20-seat computer lab to assist prospective employees. There are two interview rooms and office space.

Mathis said the Colvest building is a "great space, right in our backyard" adjacent to the MGM casino project.

Jeffrey P. Hayden, vice-president of business and professional development at Holyoke Community College, said he was impressed by what he saw at the center.

"This is a great start in order to draw the people in that MGM needs to hire," said Hayden, who also serves as executive director of the Massachusetts casino career training institute on behalf of the community colleges in Holyoke and Springfield. "This will give us the opportunity to get people not only ready to apply for jobs but also to be aware of the training that is available which is where the two community colleges come in."

Marikate Murren, MGM Springfield's vice-president of human services, said there is a mass hiring event scheduled June 2-4 at the MassMutual Center. MGM plans to invite nearly 5,000 people who have put themselves in the company's data system, and officials expect to hire approximately 1,500 people at the three-day event.

Kevin Kennedy, the city's chief development officer, said the career center opens as major improvement projects are planned at Pynchon Plaza, Stearns Square and Riverfront Park, in conjunction with the casino.
Saugus Police are searching for a man who they say carjacked a taxi in front of Dick's Sporting Goods at the Square One Mall in Saugus Sunday night.

Police were first called to the area around 6:45 p.m. on Sunday, when someone at Dick's reported a possible robbery by a man who ran out of the store. It is unclear if the man actually stole anything at this time.

The suspect then allegedly approached a gray 2008 Ford Fusion Garcia's Taxi and broke the driver's side window. Police say the man removed the taxi driver, who was not injured in the process, and drove off in the stolen vehicle toward Essex Street.

The alleged carjacker is described as a white male in his 30s, who was last seen wearing a black hat and black jacket. The taxi he is believed to have stolen had a Massachusetts license plate, 412c.

In June, a teen was arrested after he stole a bolt rifle from the same Dick's Sporting Goods store in Saugus. That event led to a lockdown and police sweep of the entire Square One Mall.

Anyone with information can call their local police or Saugus Police at 781-941-1199.
HADLEY - A vehicle crash on South Maple Street has prompted police to close a section of the road between the Norwottuck Rail Trail and Mill Valley Road.

Vehicles are able to pass through the area via a temporary detour, according to an item on the department's Facebook page, posted at about 9:40 a.m. The vehicle crashed into a utility pole.

This is a developing story. Additional information will be posted as soon as it is available.
SPRINGFIELD-- The newly named Roderick L. Ireland Courthouse was evacuated on Monday morning following a report of a fire in the building.

Just before 11 a.m., an electrical fire reported on the fourth floor prompted that floor building to be evacuated as firefighters were dispatched to the scene. A reporter in the building said that the fire alarms did not sound and the second floor was only evacuated once court personnel read the initial report of a fire on MassLive.

Around 11:30 a.m., fire department spokesman Dennis Leger said the incident was just a "smoke scare," and firefighters began to allow people to re-enter the building.

Police blocked traffic at the East Columbus Avenue and Main Street intersections with State Street, but those intersections were also reopened around 11:30 a.m.

The courthouse, located at 50 Main St., is situated across the street from the $960 million MGM Springfield resort casino, which is under construction.

This is a developing story which will be updated as additional information is available.
A report from the National League of Cities shows that US cities are incubators for new technology, and a sharing economy is a major part of the plan for many municipalities.

By Teena Maddox

https://www.techrepublic.com/article/66-of-us-cities-are-investing-in-smart-city-technology/
"We think living and working in Missoula gives us an advantage over the thousands of other mutual funds, since we are less apt to be influenced by the crazy swings and sensitivities of Wall Street. We just stay focused on the quality of the culture of our companies, and we use volatile stock price swings to our advantage to buy our great companies at great prices." Jeremy Brown

A Missoula investment advising company has found success by investing in companies that empower employees to make decisions without fear of punishment by their managers while fostering a culture of cooperation.

Front Street Capital Management https://www.frontstreetcap.com/ in Missoula created the Tarkio Fund, a mutual fund which now holds $95 million worth of investor money. It recently was rated the top mid-cap core fund (a fund that invests in mid-sized companies with market capitalizations generally between $2 billion and $20 billion) in the nation by the Wall Street Journal, out of 948 mid-cap funds in the past 12 months. And out of 6,361 U.S. mutual funds categorized as either small-cap, mid-cap or multi-cap, Tarkio ranked sixth. Those types of rankings by the Wall Street Journal usually are reserved for huge, well-known wealth management firms in large cities on either coast, so for a Missoula company with five employees its a pretty big deal. The rankings mean the fund has been good for its investors, financially, but it also means their money is being invested in companies that treat their employees well.

DAVID ERICKSON [email protected]

http://missoulian.com/business/missoula-investment-company-finds-success-in-companies-that-empower-workers/article_a3889872-c1f6-5184-972e-c3aee8f7bfb8.html
It once took online grocer Ocado two hours to put together a box of 50 food items. Now machines can do it in five minutes.

The breakthrough and ones like it could help propel the grocery business into the modern era. The industry wants to make buying food online as simple and commonplace as purchasing clothes or consumer electronics.

By Jing Cao

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-11-06/how-many-robots-does-it-take-to-fill-a-grocery-order?mod=djemlogistics&utm_source=Area+Development+Site+%26+Facility+Planning+Newsletters&utm_campaign=62ac5c1f09-SFP_This_Week_403&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_94850a8d43-62ac5c1f09-300624573&goal=0_94850a8d43-62ac5c1f09-300624573
What happens when the computers around you all but disappear?

Tiny sensors built into walls, household products, what youre wearing, and perhaps your own body will make computers invisible to the eye, but responsive to a gesture, voice, and perhaps your movement as you walk into a room.

It is still very early, but the era of ambient computing is slowly taking shape, whether in the form of the voice-driven smart speaker on your kitchen countertop, or via the IoT (Internet of Things) devices and appliances that are designed to blend into the background. Its a vision fused by advances in artificial intelligence, speech recognition, natural language processing, machine learning and cloud computing.

Edward C. Baig, USA TODAY

https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/columnist/baig/2017/11/13/what-life-like-when-computers-disappear/843489001/
The hiring pool is open for elections administrator https://www.missoulacounty.us/government/administration/human-resources/current-job-openings and the standards are high.

Running elections may sound easy (theyre only every two years, right?), but the Missoula Board of County Commissioners recently decided it should be a full-time appointed position, after a three-year trial run showed there was more than enough work to warrant the job.

"We are at a point in our history where we must have someone dedicated full time to the task of managing and administering elections," Commissioner Dave Strohmaier said in a news release. "Elections are just too complex in our large county, and the public, rightfully, has a high expectation of competency in this role."

PETER FRIESEN [email protected]

http://missoulian.com/news/local/missoula-county-elections-administrator-job-open-for-applications/article_1f6a58e8-d68e-5628-b71f-416418f89648.html
Employment in large establishments increased by 1,293 from 325,194 (200,107 males and 125,087 females) in March 2019 to 326,487 (199,239 males and 127,248 females) in March 2020.

Main changes in employment were registered in the following industry groups:

Accommodation and food service activities +1,047

Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles +994

Professional, scientific and technical activities +501

Manufacturing -2,827

Agriculture, forestry and fishing -546

Education -139

Employment in the General Government Sector decreased by 184 from 79,861 in March 2019 to 79,677 in March 2020.

Employment in large Export Oriented Enterprises (EOE) decreased by 2,549 from 46,714 to 44,165.

The number of foreign workers increased by 839 from 30,916 to 31,755.

Change in average earnings from March 2019 to March 2020

Overall average monthly earnings in large establishments increased by 6.2% from Rs 31,819 to Rs 33,777. A general upward trend was observed in almost all industrial groups. Highest increases were registered in Construction (+18.9%) and Administrative and support service activities (+7.1%).

Average monthly earnings in large establishments of the EOE sector decreased by 1.4% from Rs 17,982 to Rs 17,737.

Partager et informez vous aussi......

0 shares Share

Tweet

LinkedIn

Articles similaires
On Thursday, new information will be presented about a battle of the American Revolution that was fought in what is now McDowell County.

Both the McDowell County Public Library and the McDowell County Historical Society will present a special program called Battle of Cane Creek: Prelude to Kings Mountain. This free program will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday in the lower level of the McDowell County Public Library at 90 W. Court St. in Marion.

On Sept. 12, 1780, this battle was fought between Patriot militia under the command of Col. Charles McDowell and the Loyalist troops under British Major James Dunlap and Major Patrick Ferguson. The fighting took place at the head of Cane Creek in what is now southern McDowell County. It was a significant event in the Kings Mountain Campaign, which is considered one of the turning points in the American Revolution.

A state highway historical marker on U.S. 64 informs people traveling through there that they are close to the site of the battle. The marker reads Prelude to the Battle of Kings Mountain. Site of a skirmish on Sept. 12, 1780, between Loyalists and Overmountain Men.

In the clash, both sides suffered fatalities and Dunlap was wounded in the leg. The news of this battle spread across the region and made the Patriot forces more determined to seek out Ferguson and his Loyalist troops. Although the fighting at Cane Creek was indecisive, it inspired the Overmountain Men and they won a major victory at the Battle of Kings Mountain a month later, according to the website for the state historic markers.

Using grant money, a study has been done to accurately document and determine the location of the battle. This is a project sponsored by the Foothills Conservancy of North Carina with funding from the National Park Service  American Battlefield Protection Program and additional support from the Overmountain Victory Trail Association.

The project to document the battlefield is now complete. On Thursday, historical archaeologist Ken Robinson will summarize his findings and conclusions about what happened on Sept. 17, 1780.

As an historical archaeologist, Robinson has researched many sites associated with the Overmountain Victory Trail, including sites associated with the Revolutionary War and Civil War in North Carolina. He has more than 40 years experience in conducting archaeological research in North Carolina and other places.

Robinson said to The McDowell News he has some new historical and archaeological information to present, which is a result of the Foothills Conservancy project. The Overmountain Victory Trail Association also provided assistance.

Many details about the battle remain elusive and inconclusive, not surprising for a battle that took place 237 years ago, but my research has brought to light some new historical information about the battle, he said. Additionally, archaeological investigations yielded evidence possibly associated with the battle that is intriguing, although not conclusive.

By most accounts, the Loyalist army prevailed in the fight, leading to the retreat of the Patriots to the western waters over the Blue Ridge Mountains. But the Patriot forces were able to regroup and come up with a plan to defeat Ferguson and his Loyalists before they could rejoin Cornwallis British Army.

Many who fought at Cane Creek also fought at Kings Mountain, said Robinson. The Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail - commemorating the Patriots who fought at King's Mountain - runs through the Cane Creek battlefield. I have defined a boundary for the battlefield that can be used for interpretative and preservation purposes moving forward.

Doors to the library will open at 5:30 p.m. You can enter through the disabled/childrens library entrance on the lower level along West Court Street.
Advertisement

First pregnancy

Women older than 40 years of age

Pregnancy interval of more than 10 years

Body mass index (BMI) equal to or more than 35 at first visit

Family history of pre-eclampsia

Multiple pregnancies

Progesterone

Diuretics

Low molecular weight heparin (lmwh)

Magnesium

Folic acid

Antioxidants (vitamin C, E)

Fish oil

Garlic

It is important to ensure preconception checkup. Those with pre-existing hypertension and diabetes should keep both these parameters under control. If you weigh on the higher side, take steps to lose weight.

It is good to indulge in physical activity even during pregnancy, with tips from your doctor. This is also important for those women who are trying to conceive. Lose that extra weight to avoid the risk of acquiring hypertension.

Make sure that you consume healthy food and avoid processed foods in any form.

What are Symptoms of Pregnancy Induced Hypertension?

High blood pressure levels in the second and third trimester

Excretion of protein in urine

Unusual weight gain not related to pregnancy

Blurred or double vision

Vomiting and nausea

Abdominal pain and discomfort

Frequent urination

Blood in urine

Increase in heart rate

Abnormal liver function test (LFT) and kidney function test (KFT)

Buzzing sound in the ears

Edema

Fever

Role of Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring for blood pressure during pregnancy & Follow Up with General Practitioners

About 7% to 10% of pregnant women experience what is called pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH), a condition in which the mother can have elevated levels of blood pressure. In India, the incidence of preeclampsia is reported to be 8% to 10% among the pregnant women.According to a study, the prevalence of hypertensive disorders during pregnancy was 7.8% with preeclampsia in 5.4% of the study population in India.The risk of developing PIH is higher in those women who suffer from certain medical conditions and health factors. Some predisposing factors includeThere are some steps women can take to avoid the risk of developing hypertension during pregnancy. These are also true for those with an existing history of hypertension. Some of them are as follows.it is important to be aware of the symptoms of PIH and pre-eclampsia such as, severe headache; visual problems like blurring or flashing before the eyes; severe pain just below the ribs; vomiting; and sudden swelling of face, hands or feet.With the advice of the doctor, make sure to take 75 mg aspirin daily from 12 weeks onward till the birth of the baby. Some of the drugs and nutritional supplements were earlier said to have a role in prevention of hypertensive disorders during pregnancy. However, according to the latest guidelines, this below mentioned list does not have a proven roleThere are ample number of studies which support that salt restriction has no role in prevention or management of pregnancy induced hypertension.This is due to the disturbances in the normal functioning of the heart, for instance, increase in pre-load and after-load of the heart and endothelial activation. These continue even after pregnancy in milder form in patients with PIH.Women with PIH develop a resistance in their blood vessels, which affects the blood flow throughout the body including that to the placenta and uterus. This further leads to problems with the growth of the fetus. PIH can also cause premature detachment of the placenta from the uterus, affect the oxygen flow to the placenta, or even lead to stillbirth. It is, therefore, important to detect and treat this condition on time to avoid complications such as pre-term birth, seizures, heart diseases later in life, or even death of the mother and the baby. Fetal damage can be minimized with anti-hypertensive drugs, keeping blood pressure under control, and routine Doppler ultrasounds.PIH can increase the risk of preterm births and infant respiratory distress syndrome. If not detected and treated on time, it can even cause maternal or infant mortality and morbidity.The following precautionary measures can help prevent PIH before pregnancy.Some of the characteristic symptoms of PIH include -Dr Nandita Palshetkar, Medical Director, Bloom IVF said, "It is imperative to monitor fluctuations in blood pressure during pregnancy, since not all of it can be attributed to PIH. Post delivery, the blood pressure levels should be monitored through ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) regularly. This method is more accurate in detecting blood pressure fluctuations over 24 hours and helps in taking readings on the move.She further added that, "Women with PIH must take adequate bed rest. In case of consistently high readings, hospitalization for constant fetal monitoring might be needed. Many women do not take follow up precautions post-pregnancy, particularly in monitoring blood pressure levels. Women should follow up with their primary care doctors after giving birth as this will help prevent the risk of heart complications later in life."Source: Medindia
The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) has amended the conditions for providing information about the ownership structure of banks to the regulator, the central bank has reported on its website.

The amendments are outlined in NBU resolution No. 109 approving amendments to the rules of providing information on the ownership structure of banks dated November 10, 2017. The resolution takes effect next day after the official publication of the document.

The changes, in particular, provide for the possibility of presenting information on the ownership structure only in electronic form. Documents on the ownership structure on paper can be additionally submitted on the initiative of the bank or at the request of the NBU.

In addition, the changes give the NBU the right to recognize the ownership structure of a bank as opaque if it is not possible to identify a person or persons exercising significant influence over the management or activities of the bank.

Changes also clarified some of the requirements for processing documents.
World Bank President Jim Yong Kim has begun a two-day visit to Ukraine and is set to meet with representatives of the Finance Ministry and agrarian business to discuss reforms in Ukraine.

"Right now we are starting with breakfast with representatives of agribusiness to discuss ways to increase productivity in the agricultural sector and the role of our country in global food security," Finance Minister Oleksandr Danyliuk wrote on his Facebook page.

According to him, the president of the World Bank has many important meetings in the agenda, in particular, with President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko, Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman, as well as with Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada Andriy Parubiy and the leaders of the parliamentary factions.

As reported, the World Bank in the announcement of the visit called one of the purposes of his visit confirmation of the World Bank's support in order to accelerate economic growth. The bank said that meetings with representatives of civil society, private sector leaders, as well as parliamentarians to discuss ways to accelerate reforms in the areas of agriculture, health, pensions, energy, the banking sector and fighting corruption in Ukraine are also planned.

Together with Prime Minister Groysman Jim Yong Kim will take part in the special event titled "Ukraine: Innovations and Opportunities."

The World Bank has recently approved the concept of partnership with Ukraine for 2017-2021, which should support the country's efforts to achieve sustainable economic recovery.
Online radio station Radio more.fm, launched in 2016 in Odesa by radio host Pavel Kozlov and businessman and co-owner of the TIS terminal group, Andriy Stavnitser, has created Radio Kyivstar for the subscribers of Kyivstar, the largest Ukrainian mobile communication operator.

"Some 26 million subscribers of Kyivstar can listen to the new station without charging for mobile traffic," the project participants told Interfax-Ukraine.

According to them, streaming service is already available for free download, and the feature of the new radio will be broadcasting without commercial breaks.

Currently, three music streams have been launched on Radio Kyivstar: Business, Lounge and TOP-Hits, but the number of streams is expected to increase.

"This is a new format that will surely supplant all the rest very soon," more.fm said, citing the founder Stavnitser.

More.fm Head Kozlov said that his team has been creating corporate radio stations for several years, including hotels, restaurants, medical clinics and chain stores, but Radio Kyivstar, with 26.4 million subscribers of the operator, is potentially the most mass radio station.

More.FM LLC (Vyzyrka, Kominternovsky district, Odesa region - the address of the companies of the TIS group) was established at the end of December 2015 on an equal footing by Stavnitser and Kozlov with a charter capital of UAH 20,000.

Kyivstar, a leading Ukrainian mobile communications operator, serviced 26.4 million subscribers in Ukraine as of late September 2017. Its revenue grew by 10.5% in January-September 2017, to UAH 11.08 billion, and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) rose by 11.8%, to UAH 6.02 billion.
An Indigenous airman, who had to cut his braids when first joining the Air Force two years ago, is now one of the first in...
An elite North Korean soldier stationed at the heavily guarded Demilitarized Zone made a bold bolt for freedom Monday, defecting to South Korea despite getting shot twice, the South's military said.

North Korean soldiers shot at the unidentified North Korean soldier when he ran from the guard post at the northern side of the village, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement.

He suffered gunshot wounds to his elbow and shoulder and was taken to the hospital when South Korean soldiers found him about 25 minutes later on the southern side of the Joint Security Area, a strip of land where North and South Korean forces stand face-to-face, the military said, according to the South's Yonhap News Agency.

"He crossed from a North Korea post towards our [South Korean] Freedom House," the South said in a statement.

It's unclear what the soldier's conditions are or why he decided to defect to the South. The South Korean military said he was unarmed and was wearing a combat uniform for a low ranking soldier.

South Korean military said there was no armed conflict after the incident, but they are "increasing alertness" for a possible provocation from North Korea.

"Currently, there are no unusual signs in the North Korean military, but we are increasing alertness against the possibility of North Korean provocations," officials told Yonhap News Agency.

About 30,000 North Koreans have defected to South Korea since the end of the Korean War, but most travel through China. An estimated 1,000 people flee Kim Jong Un's volatile regime each year, but going through the DMZ -- fortified with land mines, barbed wires and machine guns -- have been extremely rare because of the dangerous conditions. This year, North Korean defectors successfully escaping the regime fell by 12.7 percent, according to the Telegraph.

The soldier's successful escape makes only the fourth defection by a North Korean soldier through the DMZ in the last three years, the BBC reported. Yonhap News agency said Kim's military officials reportedly "cherry-pick" loyal soldiers who are stationed at the DMZ.

At Panmunjom, once an obscure farming village inside the 2 1/2-mile-wide DMZ that separating the rivaling countries, North Korean soldiers wearing lapel pins with the images of late North Korean leaders often use binoculars to monitor visitors from the South. They stand only several yards away from tall South Korean soldiers wearing aviator sunglasses and standing motionless like statues.

Panmunjomis where an armistice was signed to pause the Korean War. Jointly controlled by the American-led U.N. Command and North Korea, the DMZ is guarded on both sides by hundreds of thousands of combat-ready troops, razor-wire fences and tank traps. More than a million mines are believed to be buried inside the zone.

The defection came during escalated tensions between the North and the South and nearly a week after President Trump visited Seoul for his five-country Asia tour. American presidents often visit Panmunjom and other DMZ areas during their trips to South Korea to reaffirm their security commitment to the South. Trump planned to visit the DMZ to underscore his stance against North Korea's nuclear program when he came to South Korea last week as part of an Asian tour, but his plans were thwarted by heavy fog that prevented his helicopter from landing at the border area.

Areas around Panmunjom were the site of bloodshed and defection attempts by North Koreans in the past, but there have been no such incidents in recent years.

The most famous incident was in 1976, when two American army officers were killed by ax-wielding North Korean soldiers. The attack prompted Washington to fly nuclear-capable B-52 bombers toward the DMZ in an attempt to intimidate North Korea.

In 1984, North Korean and U.N. Command soldiers traded gunfire after a Soviet citizen defected by sprinting to the South Korean sector of the truce village. The incident left three North Korean soldiers and one South Korean soldier dead. In 1998, a North Korean solider fled to South Korea via Panmunjom.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Two Navy SEALs being investigated in the strangulation death of Army Sgt. Logan Melgar in Mali in June allegedly offered the Green Beret a cut of the military money they pocketed, but he refused, according to a report.

Melgar confronted the two Navy SEALs after discovering their alleged scheme, where they reportedly took money for themselves from a fund used to pay informants, the Daily Beast reported.

The two men tried to get Melgar to join the racket, but he declined the offer, the report said. Melgar later ended up dead in what appeared to be a strangulation.

Whether the SEALs were involved in the death remained unclear as the investigation continued. The commandos were initially described as "witnesses," but authorities later changed that to "persons of interest." Officials said Melgar's cause of death was "homicide by asphyxiation."

Melgar, 34, was found dead June 4 at the U.S. Embassy housing he shared in Mali with several other special operations personnel working in West Africa on training and counterterrorism missions, the New York Times reported.

There have been no charges so far in connection with the homicide, but two member of SEAL Team 6 -- the famous counterterror unit that killed Osama Bin Laden in 2011 -- were placed on administrative leave, pending investigation, according to the Times.

The SEALs reportedly told their military leaders that they found Melgar and tried to save him, according to the Daily Beast. They also said Melgar was intoxicated that night as he was taking hand-to-hand fighting exercises.

The autopsy, however, showed no signs of drug or alcohol usage, according to the report.
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...
Energy Community, World Bank propose Ukraine to switch to unrestricted sale of one third of gas made by Ukrgazvydobuvannia

The Secretariat of the Energy Community and the World Bank have proposed to Ukraine their option of public service obligations (PSO) in the gas sphere, foreseeing unrestricted sale of at least one third of gas made by public joint-stock company Ukrgazvydobuvannia, Energy Community Secretariat Director Janez Kopac has said at a meeting of the Verkhovna Rada committee for fuel and energy complex.

"Several days ago we jointly with the World Bank proposed new provisions on PSO The first step is to start free sale of at least one third of gas made by Ukrgazvydobuvannia. Two thirds will be left for the regulated segment  households and heat suppliers. Next steps are to sell more gas in the free market. We understand that it is impossible to do everything synchronously, but it should be started," he said.

Kopac said that the provision of information about retail consumers to all market players is also an important issue.

"The second very necessary and urgent measure is to provide free access to data on retail customers to all potential players ... Some consumers have made attempts to change the supplier, but could not do it, because the alternative supplier simply did not have direct access to the customer," he said.

As reported, today, the entire amount of gas made by Ukrgazvydobuvannia is sent for the needs of households and heat suppliers.

Only companies created by owners of regional gas supply companies have full information about retail consumers-households.
ANN ARBOR, MI - An independent review of the Ann Arbor Police Department is now complete and the final report from auditor Hillard Heintze makes several recommendations.



That includes forming a 15-member Co-Produced Policing Committee to help improve police-community relations, and improving the AAPD's diversity recruitment, as the current hiring process "does not generate significant diversity in racial and ethnic demographics and in education and approach," according to the report.



The new citizen-led committee, as recommended, would have various roles and responsibilities, providing input on policing strategies and improving transparency and access to the complaint-investigation process in terms of citizen complaints against police.



As envisioned, the committee would be empowered to help form a community-policing plan for Ann Arbor with mutually agreeable goals and strategies, holding the community and the AAPD accountable for improving police-community relations.



The committee also would be responsible for an annual report presented to the City Council, while the committee chairperson would report to the city administrator.



"The CPPC will drive community engagement and community policing strategies that support community goals to improve public safety and police-community relationships," the report states.



"The CPPC provides a far more comprehensive voice and role than that of a traditional civilian review board. Civilian review often focuses on a single issue - discipline for past actions and whether the investigation and discipline were sufficient. The CPPC affords the community the opportunity to have a more equal, meaningful and constructive voice in some aspects of the way their neighborhoods are policed and to equally share responsibility for defining public safety strategy in their community. Given the civic commitment of its residents, the City of Ann Arbor is well-positioned to champion and adopt this innovative community policing approach and present a national model for other cities."



To form the committee, the report recommends the City Council appoint one resident from each of the city's five wards, one student representative, one youth representative, two business representatives, one clergy representative, two citywide representatives, one council representative, one Human Rights Commission representative and a chairperson.



The committee should function as a liaison between the police and the community to allow for a shared understanding of goals, policies, practices and legal authority, and provide input from the community regarding its issues and goals, the report states.



"The CPPC and AAPD should be jointly tasked with developing performance goals for the policing strategies for the agency, including the chief, and the CPPC, linked to defined, measurable outcomes," the report states. "Strategies and their progress and outcome should be routinely evaluated at the CPPC meetings and reported to the council on an annual basis."



The city administrator should coordinate the exchange of information between the committee and the police department and act as facilitator between the committee and City Council, the report states.



The city and its Human Rights Commission have been discussing the issue of police-community relations since the death of Aura Rosser, who was shot by an Ann Arbor police officer in November 2014.



The HRC in November 2015 released a report recommending ways to improve police-community relations in Ann Arbor, including forming a civilian review board to investigate complaints against police, ensuring thoroughness and neutrality, and hiring an outside auditor to conduct an independent review of AAPD policies and practices.



The City Council hired Hillard Heintze, a Chicago-based firm, to conduct the independent review this year.



The firm's final report discusses the Rosser shooting as a rare and unfortunate incident in the history of the AAPD.



"The City of Ann Arbor takes pride in its civic-minded community and in its delivery of services across the public works sector. Its police department is professional, well-trained and educated," the report states. "The department has also earned the respect of its criminal justice partners. Ann Arbor is a safe community, and most in the community are supportive of the Ann Arbor Police Department.



"Recent years, however, have been challenging for law enforcement across the country, as a number of officer-involved shooting incidents, captured on video and involving persons of color, have become a source of national public concern," the report continues. "The AAPD has had a limited number of significant use of force incidents. Unfortunately, in November 2014, the City of Ann Arbor was faced with its first officer-involved shooting incident in over 30 years when officers responded to a disturbance call at a residence, where the victim stated he had been attacked by Ms. Aura Rosser.

"Responding officers engaged with Ms. Rosser, who was armed with a knife, which resulted in one of the responding officers discharging his firearm and killing Ms. Rosser. In February 2015, after an independent investigation and review by the Michigan State Police and by the Washtenaw Prosecutor, the actions of the officers were found to have been legal and justified under the circumstances. In an unprecedented act, the Prosecutor's Office made the documents contributing to the review and determination available on its website. However, some members of the community continued to advocate for police oversight, arguing justice had not been served."



The new report states that the law in Ann Arbor and Michigan significantly constrains the authority of civilian review to directly impact discipline decisions within the police department.



"Should it be determined that the community's voice in discipline decisions is necessary, two statutory options exist: amending the City Charter or modifying state law," the report states. "A third option would be to renegotiate the collective bargaining agreement. None of these options is ideal, as each requires a significant time investment and has limited likelihood of success because of the political process."

The best response to the community's desire to better engage with the AAPD, the new report concludes, is to establish the recommended Co-Produced Policing Committee.



"A structure that allows for transparency and voice in AAPD policies, practices and analytical trends can establish a greater foundation than simply reviewing the discipline of a single officer," the report states.



"The authority to establish such a committee currently exists, does not require any modification of existing law and is supported by the City Charter. Developing a process and structure for greater police accountability and transparency, and ensuring the community's voice is reflected, where appropriate, in policing decisions and practices through co-produced policing is achievable under current law. If warranted, subsequent action could follow, as appropriate and necessary, if the CPPC is not properly supported by the AAPD."



Along with the new report's release, City Administrator Howard Lazarus issued a statement on Monday, Nov. 13.



"This independent review was intended to explore how AAPD community engagement means and methods are perceived by our community," he said. "I'm pleased with the process and believe that every effort was made to seek broad community feedback with the intent of receiving recommendations that would enhance AAPD's service and relationship with our community -- which is a critical part of the exceptional quality of life we strive to provide to all of Ann Arbor's residents, visitors, businesses and institutions."



The City Council voted in February to hire Hillard Heintze for a $200,000 to conduct the review.



From March through October, the firm offered multiple ways for members of the community to participate in feedback opportunities, which included dozens of stakeholder meetings, several public meetings and an online survey.



The final report released publicly on Monday includes eight key recommendations:





Have the department and community commit to a shared responsibility to develop policing strategies that serve the City of Ann Arbor. This will allow the AAPD to become a model for the future of community policing.

Establish a Co-Produced Policing Committee empowered to help collaborate and form a community policing plan with mutually agreed-upon goals and strategies. The committee will hold the community and the AAPD accountable for improving police community relationships.

Operationalize a community policing strategy to ensure all AAPD members have a role and recognize the value of developing a strong relationship between the communities of Ann Arbor and the AAPD.

Integrate CALEA goals related to professionalism and adherence to standards into the department's daily operations.

Pursue innovative practices, such as expansion of the cadet program or sponsorship of candidates through academy training, to improve AAPD diversity recruitment.

Expand the use of technology to drive operational and community policing. This will help the AAPD better understand its current operations and needs, as well as support future planning.

Expand the AAPD's training to focus on "soft" skills that will better support officers in the field.

Improve transparency regarding strategies, practices and accomplishments. Strategic use of communication tools and commitment will enhance information sharing through the CPPC.

The City Council and Human Rights Commission are holding a special joint session to discuss the report at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16, at Community Television Network, 2805 S. Industrial Highway. The meeting will be aired live on CTN and

. It also will be available for replay online and rebroadcast on CTN.
ANN ARBOR, MI - As a Superfund cleanup of the Gelman dioxane plume appears unlikely anytime soon, local officials are staying focused on pursuing other legal remedies.



"If the EPA has concluded that it will not take independent corrective action, then we need to focus our efforts on the litigation in which Ann Arbor is an active participant," said Mayor Christopher Taylor.



"We need to force the polluter to accelerate cleanup, force them to expand monitoring."



The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced last week that, while the toxic plume of chemical pollution spreading through the Ann Arbor area's groundwater does qualify for further investigation and evaluation under the federal Superfund listing process, the EPA is agreeing to let the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality continue to oversee state regulatory efforts to manage the risks.



The DEQ has been overseeing pump-and-treat remediation and monitoring activities with regard to the Gelman plume for years, and the EPA intends to watch over those activities for the next year, reserving its option to pursue enforcement action in the future. The DEQ will report quarterly to the EPA starting in January.



In the meantime, local governments are actively suing the polluter in state court -- a legal step they took last year.



Family with 3 children living in home with dioxane-poisoned water

Gelman Sciences, a filter manufacturer that once operated on Wagner Road on the border between Ann Arbor and Scio Township, discharged large amounts of the toxic chemical 1,4-dioxane at its property between the 1960s and 1980s.



Despite the company's ongoing efforts to remove dioxane from the environment, large concentrations remain in the ground and the plume is continuing to spread, now covering an area more than three miles long and a mile wide. Under a Washtenaw County Circuit Court consent judgment, the plume is allowed to spread through Ann Arbor with the expectation that it eventually will reach the Huron River.



The city and others are fighting in court to get the the consent judgment changed.



Taylor said there never has been any dioxane detected in Ann Arbor's drinking water and the city needs to keep it that way.



City Council Member Chip Smith, who represents the city's west side where the plume is spreading through neighborhood areas and under parks, said he's not surprised by the EPA's decision to hold off on Superfund designation for the plume.



"But otherwise, I'm not going to comment on an active court case," he said, referring to the litigation in which the city, Washtenaw County, Scio Township and the Huron River Watershed Council several months ago joined the DEQ as co-plaintiffs in the case against Gelman.



They're trying to renegotiate the consent judgment, and local officials are hoping to come away with a better plan of attack for the plume. If they can't reach agreement with Gelman, which the polluter's appeals suggest might not happen, the case could go to trial.



Polluter complains about Washtenaw County's 'cleanup or bust' attitude

At the very least, the consent judgment is expected to be amended to reflect the DEQ's new exposure criteria for dioxane, revising the allowable level of the toxic chemical in residential drinking water from 85 parts per billion to 7.2 ppb.



Dioxane is classified by the EPA as likely to be carcinogenic to humans by all routes of exposure. It also can cause kidney and liver damage, and respiratory problems. Short-term exposure to high levels of dioxane in the air can cause eye, nose and throat irritation.



Just a few parts per billion in drinking water, with long-term exposure, poses a 1 in 100,000 cancer risk, according to the EPA.



Scio and Ann Arbor townships, along with the Sierra Club's Huron Valley Group, submitted the Superfund petition to the EPA last year, which prompted the EPA review that concluded last week. The city of Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County opted not to join the townships and the Sierra Club in seeking a Superfund cleanup, deciding instead to focus on pursuing a remedy in Washtenaw County Circuit Court.



"My focus has been on the legal case and state standards and to let the EPA process play out," City Council Member Chuck Warpehoski, D-5th Ward, said in response to the EPA's decision last week.



"I am concerned with what I hear about the new toxics head at the EPA," he added. "He has lobbied for weaker dioxane standards."



Scio Township resident Roger Rayle, chairman of the local Coalition for Action on Remediation of Dioxane, said he's disappointed in the EPA's decision not to move the Superfund process forward. He noted this isn't the first time locals have been disappointed in the EPA, though.



In 1986, local officials expressed dismay at the EPA's investigation of the Gelman contamination after the EPA's soil and water samples had to be discarded because of lab errors.



Rayle worries the state and local governments don't have either the resources or the will to successfully fight the polluter in court. He argues the state has been "beat up" in court for years, allowing the risks and costs associated with the dioxane plume to be transferred from the responsible party to the public, requiring taxpayer funds to cover monitoring costs to keep tabs on the plume.



Gelman Sciences was acquired in 1997 by Pall Corp., which was acquired in 2015 by Danaher Corp., a multibillion-dollar corporation that some local officials and residents argue has the financial resources to do a better cleanup.



Gelman, which has complained about the county's "cleanup or bust" attitude, tried in April to get the Michigan Court of Appeals to overturn a local judge's decision that let local parties intervene in the legal case, but the Court of Appeals in July rejected Gelman's request.



As of August, Gelman is appealing to the Michigan Supreme Court and asking the same -- that local parties be thrown out of the case so the company only has to legally negotiate with the state attorney general's office and the DEQ, which said last year it wasn't sure a better cleanup of the Gelman dioxane plume was warranted.
BAY CITY, MI -- A Saginaw County man who served about 15 years in federal prison is facing a new charge due to police alleging he again trafficked in cocaine.

According to a complaint authored by ATF Special Agent Kyle Salcido, a lengthy investigation resulted in law enforcement believing 48-year-old Damon L. Wilbert was dealing drugs. On Oct. 28, the ATF, Bay Area Narcotics Enforcement Team (BAYANET), and Flint Area Narcotics Group (FANG) executed search warrants on three residences linked to Wilbert.

They arrested Wilbert at his principle residence, located at 962 S. 24th Street in Buena Vista Township. His children and girlfriend lived there as well, the complaint states.

In searching 2306 1/2 Niagara St. in Saginaw, police found more than 1,000 grams of cocaine, along with packaging materials such as plastic baggies, digital scales, respirator masks, rubber gloves, weights, and a microwave containing cocaine residue. No people were present at this location, which the complaint describes as a "stash house."

For months, police surveilled the house and saw Wilbert visit it on a nearly basis, Salcido's complaint states.

The third house police searched was located at 2301 Nebraska Ave. in Bridgeport Township, where Wilbert's mother lives. Nothing of evidentiary value was recovered.

A grand jury in the federal courthouse in downtown Bay City on Wednesday, Nov. 8, indicted Wilbert on one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

U.S. District Magistrate Judge Patricia T. Morris has ordered Wilbert be held in custody pending his case's resolution.

Wilbert's criminal history dates back to at least May 1991, when he was convicted of unlawfully driving away a motor vehicle. Two months later, he was convicted of possessing less than 25 grams of a narcotic or cocaine.

In April 1993, he was convicted of escaping prison.

After being convicted of possession with intent to deliver cocaine base in December 1997, a federal judge sentenced Wilbert to 264 months, or 22 years, in prison. A judge in April 2009 reduced Wilbert's sentence to 211 months. In January 2012, Wilbert's sentence was again reduced to 169 months' incarceration, for which he was given full credit and subsequently released.

Wilbert was under supervised release until 2014.
BAY CITY, MI -- Residents of downtown Bay City condominiums who filed a lawsuit earlier this month against a bar on the ground floor of their building are alleging the bar is only getting noisier.

In the past week, Chris Duncan, a second-story resident of the Shearer Building, filed two complaints with the Shearer Building Condominium Owner's Association against Harless + Hugh Public House, a craft cocktail bar located on the first floor at 811 Adams St. The complaints, obtained by The Bay City Times-MLive through an association member, regard incidents that occurred on Nov. 7 and Nov. 11. MLive published an article on Nov. 7 detailing a lawsuit the association filed against Public House owner Lyndsay Edmonds in Bay County Circuit Court.

Both complaints describe the bar as emitting "extremely loud music with excess bass, constant vibrations from low frequency sounds" in direct conflict with the association's bylaws. Each complaint lists 9 p.m. as the time of the incidents.

The Nov. 11 complaint states the "music was relatively loud from 6-9 p.m. but at 9 p.m. the music volume doubles. Due to the obvious and intentional nature of the increase in noise, the Bay City Police were called at 9:15 p.m."

Duncan also recorded video of a metal ladder in a guest bedroom, propped against a wall and apparently vibrating from the music below.

Police entered the bar with a decibel reader, but did not issue a citation, Edmonds said. City ordinances state businesses must keep their decibel level to 65 or lower after 9 p.m., with residences to keep theirs at 60 or lower.

Each citation comes with a $250 fine, though Edmonds said she's not yet received the Nov. 11 one. The complaints are the 12th and 13th filed against Edmonds since July 22. Duncan has authored 11 of them, with association president Jim Kruzynski and his wife Wendy Dore authoring one each.

Edmonds has not paid any of the fines.

In an email sent by Duncan to other board members after the MLive article's publication, he states Edmonds has "significantly disrupted our lives for the last 5 1/2 months with loud music and cooking smells..."

"As an added bonus," Duncan continued, "her classy customers have been driving by screaming and honking their horns outside our windows. While this may be an inconvenience for some, and annoyance to others, trust me when I tell all of you that no one wanted to be placed in this position less than (wife) Kathy and I. I would never wish this kind of harassment on anyone."

Edmonds disputed Duncan's claim that she increased the music volume to spite the building's tenants.

"We're not trying to haze people," she said. "The music was never increased. That's never happened. We always let the police take a decibel reading and we've never been above code."

Edmonds added that so far this month, personnel from the Michigan Department of Agriculture, Bay County Health Department, and Bay City Building & Code Enforcement have visited Public House in response to complaints. None of the complaints were validated.

Public House opened June 2. Twelve occupied condos are above it.

The residents' association filed their suit against Edmonds Properties LLC on Nov. 3.

"Our goal is not to put her out of business," Kruzynski told MLive on Monday, Nov. 13. "Our goal is to have her follow the bylaws. When you live in a condominium, you need to abide by the bylaws, period. The goal isn't to shut her down. It's community living, she bought in, she got a set of bylaws when she purchased, and she needs to be abide by them. Everybody in the whole building has to abide by them. It's pretty simple."

The bylaw Edmonds allegedly is violating states, in part, "No unreasonably noisy activities shall be permitted within the Condominium Premises, including Condominium Units and General and Limited Common Elements."

The association's amended bylaws took effect July 20.

The suit states the association is asking the court to permanently prevent "Edmonds from continuing current operations in any manner inconsistent with the bylaws" and to issue a judgment that her activities are prohibited by the bylaws. The group is also asking the court to order Edmonds to pay her outstanding fines and their legal costs and attorney fees.

Edmonds is represented by Bay City attorney Matthew Hewitt, who said he plans to file a response to the lawsuit in the near future.
The German Federal Government will provide financial support to the humanitarian activities of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Ukraine worth EUR 1.5 million, the German Embassy in Ukraine has reported.

Thus, the total financing by Germany of ICRC projects and events in Ukraine in 2016-2018 will increase to EUR 16 million.

The German embassy reminded that Germany financially supports numerous humanitarian events within the framework of the ICRC project "Assistance, Protection, Prevention and Cooperation in Ukraine in 2016-2017", which are carried out mainly in the east of Ukraine. They cover medical care, trauma care, support for health facilities, preventive measures, provision of food and hygiene, water supply, training of medical personnel, search for missing persons and restoration of family ties, custody for prisoners, as well as information on mines and unexploded ordnance, etc.

"These measures are an important contribution to overcoming the consequences of the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine. They improve the situation of internally displaced persons, families in certain communities that shelter them, as well as the lines of demarcation in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions that suffered from the conflict on both sides," the embassy said.
Enterprise with foreign investments McDonald's Ukraine Ltd. (Kyiv), which develops the American chain of fast food restaurants McDonald's in Ukraine, in 2017 invested UAH 136 million in the development of the network in the country.

"Since the beginning of this year and to date, investments in the opening and reconstruction of fast food restaurants amounted to UAH 136 million. These are three reconstructions in Odesa, Kharkiv and Dnipro, as well as two new restaurants in Kyiv (Lavina Mall trade center and near the Minska metro station). By the end of the year this amount will increase," Director General of McDonald's Ukraine Grzegorz Chmielarski said in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine.

According to him, the company plans in the current year to open four new restaurants in Ukraine, two of them are already open.

"Two more restaurants will be opened in the existing shopping centers RayON in Troyeschyna in Kyiv and City Mall in Zaporizhia," he said.

In addition, one McDonald's restaurant is currently in the process of major restructuring with an area increase from 290 to 405 square meters in Naukova Street in Kharkiv.
Production of denaturized bioethanol actually has been halted due to "unfair" taxation, the press service of state-owned enterprise Ukrspyrt has told Interfax-Ukraine.

"There is real market demand on denaturized bioethanol and supplements on its basis. Due to "unfair" tax burden compared to the countries of the European Union, Ukraine actually halted production of these products and its sale," the company said.

Ukrspyrt recalled that the Association Agreement with the EU envisages Ukraine's commitment to change taxation for bioethanol.

"We have designed proposals for settling the issue in legislation. In addition, alternative bills have been also registered in the Verkhovna Rada. We hope that our lawmakers would pay attention to his problem and pass the bills as top-priority bills," the company said.

As reported, Ukrspyrt is managed by the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food, which drafted a bill on the privatization of the state company.

The total production capacity of Ukrspyrt exceeds 30 million decaliters per year. Its work is provided by 41 production sites.
live bse live

nse live Volume Todays L/H More 

The Corporate Relationship Department,The Stock Exchange Mumbai.Ist Floor. New Training Ring,Rotunda Building, P J Towers,Dalal Street, MumbaiSub: Next Board MeetingDear Sir,Notice is hereby given that Meeting of Board of Directors of the Company to be held on Wednesday, 15th November, 2017 at 3.30 P.M at Registered office at Ludhiana, to consider and approve Unaudited Financial Results as on 30/09/2017.Your good office is requested to take on record the above said information.Thanking You,Yours Faithfully,For Garg Furnace LimitedDevinder GargManaging DirectorDin: 01665456Source : BSE

Read More
DTEK Naftogaz plans to get license for gas supply in Ukraine

DTEK Naftogaz has filed an application for a license to supply natural gas in Ukraine.

The decision to issue the license will be considered at a meeting of the National Commission for Energy, Housing and Utilities Services Regulation (NCER) on November 16, 2017.

DTEK Naftogaz is an operating company in charge of the oil and gas sector in the structure of DTEK energy holding. DTEK Naftogaz's assets portfolio includes Naftogazvydobuvannia and Naftogazrozrobka, which carry out exploration and production of hydrocarbons in three licensed areas in Poltava and Kharkiv regions.
live bse live

nse live Volume Todays L/H More 

Postponed Board meeting will now be held on Thursday, the 16th November, 2017 at 3.00 PM. Notice attached.Source : BSE

Read More
live bse live

nse live Volume Todays L/H More 

Indian Oil Corporation Ltd will organise a conclave here on Thursday, with an aim to provide a platform for young investors to interact with business leaders of the petrochemical industry, government functionaries and financial institutions.

Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers Ananth Kumar and Union Minister of PNG Dharmendra Pradhan are scheduled to address the conclave titled 'Purvodaya- The Dawn of New Investment Opportunities in Eastern India'.

"The conclave aims to highlight the emerging investment opportunities in the petrochemicals sector in Eastern India and help catalyse investment in downstream plastic parks and textile parks proposed to be developed in this part of the country," Pritish Bharat, CGM, IOCL Odisha State Office, said.

Meanwhile, a new polypropylene unit of 700 KTA (kilo tonne per annum) capacity is under construction at Paradip Refinery to support the plastic industry, said Sujoy Choudhury, CGM, Petrochemical Marketing.

He said the proposed polypropylene unit will be set up at an estimated investment of Rs 3,500 crore, and is likely to be commissioned by June, 2018.

Senior IOCL officials said the upcoming polypropylene unit is also part of the petrochemical complex being developed by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.

Replying a question, G S Singh, ED of Paradip Refinery said Odisha government has already identified 100 acres of land for the proposed plastic parks, and plans are on the anvil to set up a textile park at Paradip.

These units will use polymer and other required raw materials produced by the Paradip Refinery.

Paradip is the most strategically located region for investment in petroleum, chemicals and petrochemicals, Singh added.
File Pic: Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar today asked his Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal what steps he has taken to end stubble burning by farmers in areas near the national capital as air pollution peaked to alarming levels.

Kejriwal last week had sought a meeting with counterparts from Haryana and Punjab to discuss ways to manage the worsening air pollution in Delhi and the neighbouring states.

While Khattar said today he was open to meet Kejriwal "anytime anywhere" to find a solution to the issue, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh last week said the situation warranted Centre's intervention as it has inter-state implications.

The practice of burning of crop residue by farmers of the two states have been blamed for the toxic smog enveloping the region during the winter season every year.

In a letter to Kejriwal, Khattar said some 40,000 families cultivate around 40,000 hectares in Delhi. "What steps have been taken to keep them from stubble burning?".

"I write this in response to your letter dated November 8. I believe no single person, organisation or government can improve the quality of air. Such collective problems require everyone to do their bit. And more importantly, a strong mechanism to enhance the outcome of such constructive steps," Khattar told Kejriwal in the letter dated November 10.

Quoting from Rabindranath Tagore's poem, 'Where The Mind Is Without Fear', he said the bedrock of such a mechanism is a "mindset" where "words come out from the depth of truth".

"Unfortunately, your letter contains no hint of such a mindset. In fact, your reference to the helplessness of farmers in Punjab and Haryana in stubble burning betrays an inability to rise above short-term electoral interests," he said.

He cited "publicly available satellite imagery data" and said they showed substantial reduction in stubble burning cases and fires from 2014 onwards in Haryana.

Khattar said he was "likely" to be in Delhi on November 13 and 14. "You may feel free to call me to fine tune a mutually convenient date, time and venue for the meeting."

A thick blanket of smog, mainly caused by stubble burning, has enveloped parts of Punjab, Haryana and Delhi, severely affecting normal life and troubling people in breathing.

Haryana's outspoken minister Anil Vij has previously said said that if the Kejriwal-led AAP government wants to tackle the smog problem in Delhi, it should provide grants to farmers of Haryana to stop them from burning crop residue.
Tejashwi Yadav and Lalu Prasad Yadav

Tejashwi Yadav, son of RJD leader Lalu Prasad, today appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a money laundering probe in the railway hotels allotment corruption case, official sources today said.

They said the statement of the former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister is being recorded by the investigating officer of the case after he arrived at the ED office, slightly after 11 AM.

This is the second time Tejashwi is being questioned by the central probe agency in this case.

He was last questioned by the agency on October 10 and was grilled for over nine hours.

Since then, Tejashwi has skipped four appearances and has appeared today as part of a fresh summon, they said.

The agency had registered a case against Lalu Prasad, his family members and others under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) sometime back.

Tejashwi's mother and former Bihar chief minister Rabri has skipped the ED summonses at least six times till now.

In July, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had registered an FIR and conducted multiple searches on the properties of Lalu Prasad, who is also a former Bihar chief minister, and others.

The CBI FIR has alleged that Lalu Prasad during his tenure as the railway minister handed over the maintenance of two Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) hotels to a company in 2004 after receiving a bribe in the form of a prime land in Patna through a 'benami' company owned by Sarla Gupta, wife of Prem Chand Gupta, a former Union minister.

The ED had registered a criminal case against his family members and others under the PMLA, based on the CBI FIR.

The CBI also recently recorded the statements of Tejashwi and Lalu Prasad in this case.

The ED is investigating the alleged "proceeds of crime" generated by the accused, purportedly through shell companies, according to officials.

Others named in the CBI FIR include Vijay Kochhar, Vinay Kochhar (both directors of Sujata Hotels), Delight Marketing company, now known as Lara Projects, and the then IRCTC managing director P K Goel.

The CBI FIR was registered on July 5 in connection with favours allegedly extended to Sujata Hotels in awarding a contract for the upkeep of the hotels in Ranchi and Puri and receiving premium land as 'quid pro quo'.
US President Donald Trump raised North Korea's missile tests during talks on Monday with the prime ministers of Japan and Australia, and said "a lot" of progress had been made in negotiations on trade.

On the sidelines of a summit of East and Southeast Asian leaders in Manila, Trump met Japan's Shinzo Abe and Australia's Malcolm Turnbull, and said discussions at the meeting would include tensions on the Korean Peninsula and trade.

In brief remarks prior to media being ushered out of the meeting, Turnbull said North Korea's "recklessness" needed to be stopped, while Abe said the most immediate challenge was to ensure regional peace and stability.
US President Donald Trump on Monday spoke of the "great relationship" he had with his Philippine counterpart, Rodrigo Duterte, as the two controversial leaders met on the sidelines of an Asian summit.

Their meeting was one of the most anticipated of the summit of East and Southeast Asian leaders in Manila, with human rights groups pressing Trump to take a tough line on Duterte over his bloody war on drugs, in which thousands of people have been killed.

Duterte, who has spoken highly of Trump, last week said he would tell him to "lay off" should Trump decide to raise the issue of alleged human rights violations.

Trump was criticised in May for praising Duterte during a phone call for the "great job" he was doing to counter illegal narcotics.
Vakrangee posted its Q2 earnings. The revenue is up nearly 20 percent and the margins have also expanded for the company this quarter.

In an interview with CNBC-TV18, Ammeet Sabarwal, President Investor Relations at Vakrangee discussed his companys Q2 performance.

Companys revenues have increased by almost 60 percent to Rs 1,550 crore on year-on-year (YoY) basis, he said.

Kendra business, the retail outlet based business, contributes more than 90 percent of the revenues, he added.

As on September 30, we have now crossed more than 40,000 Vakrangee Kendras and our current March 2018 target is around 50,000 outlets and March 2019 target is around 65,000 outlets, said Sabarwal.
Market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is working with banks on how to define loan defaults.

"Banks needs further time to examine and see because there are.varuous type of debt they give so they just want to examinate there is term loan, working capital loan," SEBI Chairman Ajay Tyagi on Monday said on the sidelines of an event.

Moneycontrol had reported on October 4 that SEBI may not be coming out with a circular on loan default disclosure norms any time soon as mounting pressure from banks has made the markets regulator bury it for the time being.

The markets regulator on September 30 withdrew a circular issued in August that mandated corporates to reveal details of their loan default  either interest payment or principal repayment  within a days time of default.

Sources had then said that the circular may not see the light of day in the near future since banks had been petitioning both SEBI and the finance ministry over the last couple of months, saying loan default disclosures will end up increasing their provisioning burden.

SEBI means well when it says it wants to implement the default disclosure norms. However, at this point in time, banks dont have enough money and this circular will increase their provisioning amount (money banks have to set aside for doubtful loans), an official from the finance ministry had told Moneycontrol.

Seeking consensus, SEBI had asked banks to come out with a report on the matter. A source close to the development told Moneycontrol that the capital markets regulator will implement the circular when banks completed their study and submitted it to them.

The regulator is worried about the minority shareholders in companies which have defaulted. However, banks are not comfortable with this circular, the source told Moneycontrol.
Representative image

More than eight lakh foreign tourists visited India in October 2017, 18 percent higher than the same period last year, the tourism ministry said in a statement today.

The number of foreign tourist arrivals (FTA) in India last month was 8.76 lakh as compared to FTAs of 7.42 lakh in October 2016 and 6.83 lakh in October 2015.

"The growth rate in FTAs in October 2017 over October 2016 has increased to 18.1 percent, compared to 8.6 percent in October 2016 over October 2015," the ministry statement said.

Most tourists came from Bangladesh (21.66 percent) followed by the US (11.57 percent), the UK (10.23 percent), Sri Lanka (3.79 percent), Canada (3.36 percent), Germany (3.17 percent), Australia (3.07 percent), France (2.81 percent) and Russian Federation (2.81 percent) among others.

With almost 33 percent share of FTAs, Delhi airport remained the busiest followed by Mumbai (14.02 percent), Haridaspur Land Check Post (between Bangladesh and India, (11.29 percent) and Chennai airport (6.10 percent).

The ministry compiles monthly estimates of FTAs, including those with e-tourist visas, on the basis of their nationality and port. The estimates are based on data received from the Bureau of Immigration (BOI).

October 2017 also saw a substantial rise in the number of tourists arriving on e-visas.

During October 2017, 1.76 lakh foreign tourists arrived on e-tourist visas as compared to 1.05 lakh during October 2016, registering a growth of 67.3 percent, the statement said.

During January-October 2017, 12.43 lakh foreign tourists arrived on e-tourist visas against 7.81 lakh during January- October 2016, registering a growth of 59.2 percent.

Most tourists with e-visas used the Delhi airport (53 percent) as their port of arrival, followed by Mumbai airport. Tourists from UK (18.2 percent) availed the e-visa facility the most.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko expects the Verkhovna Rada to draw up a bill on the Anti-Corruption Court, in which he will submit his proposals.

"Next is the adoption of a number of laws on changing the system of justice, including the law on the Anti-Corruption Court. I expect the Verkhovna Rada to present a draft on the basis of which I will submit my proposals to the Verkhovna Rada and define it as urgent," he said during an oath taking ceremony by judges of the Supreme Court of Ukraine in Kyiv on Saturday.

The head of state also said that simultaneously with the draft on the Anti-Corruption Court he plans to table in the Ukrainian parliament a draft law on a military court.

"We are waiting for new laws on the bar, on legal education," Poroshenko said.

Earlier, the president insisted on the speedy preparation of a draft law on the Anti-Corruption Court, so that he could sign a respective law by the end of this year.

The creation of the Anti-Corruption Court in Ukraine is one of the requirements of the protesters for big political reform that began in Kyiv on October 17.
live bse live

nse live Volume Todays L/H More 

Passengers of an IndiGo Thiruvananthapuram to Bengaluru flight went through a scary situation when a laptop caught fire mid-flight.

Passengers aboard 6E-445 (VT-IGV) reported a burning smell which was coming from one of the bags. Aircrew instantly sprayed fire extinguishers and relocated the passengers sitting nearby the bag. As a caution, the crew kept the laptop in a container filled with water till the plane landed, according to a report in The Times of India.

IndiGo crew operating flight 6E-445 from Thiruvananthapuram to Bengaluru noticed the smoke smell in the cabin on November 11, 2017. The crew quickly identified minor sparks coming from the hat-rack of seat 24RH and immediately informed the pilot-in-command. Taking precautionary measures, the cabin crew on priority relocated all passengers from adjacent seats, the report quoted an IndiGo spokesperson.

The spokesperson informed that the flight had a normal landing and passengers were debarked as per procedure. The airline thanked the passengers for their cooperation. The airline has informed the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) about the incident.

This is not the first case of electronic equipment catching fire on board a flight. Last month, a mobile phone caught fire mid-air on Delhi-Indore flights of another airline.

The aviation regulator had put a standard operating procedure some years back and crews are now trained to handle such situation accordingly. The body is also considering using a fireproof bag to store such equipment which catches fire during the flight as a safety measure, especially for long-haul flights.

Many international aviation agencies are considering banning personal electronic devices in Check in bags.
Idea Cellular board has approved the sale of its subsidiary Idea Cellular Infrastructure Services Limited (ICISL)  the standalone tower business  to ATC Telecom for an enterprise value of Rs 4,000 crore. The sale is likely to be completed in the first half of 2018.

Vodafone has also sold its tower business in India to ATC Telecom for an enterprise value of Rs 3,850 crore.

Idea, in its filing with the stock exchange said that the Vodafone and Idea Cellular Limited separately agreed to sell their tower businesses to ATC for an aggregate sum of Rs 7,850 crore.

The money from the tower sale will be used to fund additional capital expenditure to expand 4G services, Himanshu Kapania, managing director of Idea Cellular told CNBC-Tv18.

The standalone tower business of both companies comprises of a combined portfolio of about 20,000 towers with a tenancy ratio of 1.65 as on June 30, 2017.

The companys tower business reported a standalone revenue of Rs 758.5 crore for the FY17 with a net worth of Rs 662.3 crore.

Earlier this year, Vodafone India and Idea Cellular announced their merger in order to become the largest telecom player in the country.

The merged entity will avoid payment of exit penalties as the combined standalone tower businesses will collapse into single tenancies over a two-year period.
In an interview to CNBC-TV18, SP Tulsian of sptulsian.com shared his readings and outlook on market and specific stocks.

Below is the verbatim transcript of the interview.

Anuj: Your thoughts on Idea Cellular because that is the fresh news and in the pre-open the stock is up 10 percent?

A: This was been talked that Idea and Vodafone both will be looking to monetise their tower business and in fact ATC has been able to score over and even Bharti Infratel is seen to be quite aggressive in increasing their tower tally. So, I think this is positive and in fact for Idea and Vodafone this is a compulsion for both of them after integration now getting monetise of about Rs 8,000 crore with Rs 4,000 crore by each party seem to be the necessity because things are seen to be moving on an equal path going forward and the focus is now seen on the core business going forward. So, seen positive may be from a debt reduction point of view or maybe giving some financial relief by monetisation of this non-core assets.

Anuj: Your long-term stock bet?

A: My stock is Lakshmi Electrical Control Systems. In fact this stock was recommended by me on July 18 th at Rs 548 and it has given us a gain of about 35 percent in this last three months or maybe less than three months. After seeing the quarter two numbers, I thought of revisiting the stock and taking a renewed call and still find to see huge value existing in the stock. First if I just quickly come on H1 instead of taking quarter two numbers, if I just take the H1 numbers the earnings per share (EPS) has been at Rs 22. H2 is always better so one can safely assume that Rs 46-48 EPS will be seen for FY18, company is a consistent dividend payer. Last dividend was Rs 8. If you see the kind of improvement in their segment  electrical segment has again recouped their old kind of margins and the plastic component business has been seen doing quite well.

In the first half of FY18 EBIT has been Rs 1.61 crore which was less than about Rs 70 lakhs in the same period over the previous year. Apart from that best interesting part which company has carried out which optically looks better it doesnt have any financial ramifications because company is holding about 90,000 shares of Lakshmi Machine 89,000 though they have not clarified in the results which have been posted, but it seems that those investments have been re-valued by the company having a book value of less than about may be Rs 100 lakhs have been revalued at a market price and Rs 50 crore got added to the reserves and surplus.

If you optically see the net worth which was at Rs 105 crore on March 31 st now is at Rs 155 crore giving a book value of Rs 500-510. As I said it is just an accounting entry because otherwise also these investments were existing in book of the company. However now the cash and cash equivalent with the company is closer to about Rs 70-75 crore against the market cap of Rs 185 crore. So, taking all this into account I think the stock still looks quite good with a target of about Rs 890 in next six months.
Indian market witnessed profit booking at a higher level for the week ended November 10 as both Sensex and Nifty50 slipped by over 1 percent each. However, there was plenty of action in the small and midcap space.

The S&P BSE Sensex slipped by about 370 points or 1.1 percent while the Nifty50 dropped by 1.2 percent for the week ended November 10. But, nearly 200 stocks gave a positive return in the S&P BSE 500 index.

Stocks which rose in the S&P BSE 500 index include names like RattanIndia Power rose 31 percent, followed by Rain Industries (25 percent), Kitex Garments (23 percent), Titan Company (18 percent), India Bank (16 percent), MMTC (16 percent), L&T Infotech (15 percent), HSIL (13 percent) etc. among others.

Sectors which managed to outperform benchmark indices include Consumer durable which rose by 10 percent, followed by IT which gained 3.3 percent and Consumer Discretionary which gained 0.9 percent last week.

Among the laggards, the S&P BSE Energy index slipped 4.7 percent, followed by Healthcare index which dropped by 4.6 percent, and Oil & Gas index saw a decline of 3.3 percent in the same period.

The fall in the index was largely weighed down by rising crude oil prices and weak global cues from the US. The Nifty50 saw some selling pressure at higher levels after it came closer to 10500.

Crude oil is boiling at USD 57 a barrel. Power consolidation in Saudi Arabia and internal family issues have come to the forefront which has the potential to disrupt the peace in the Middle East.

On the crude oil front, if something like Mahabharata is repeated between the two nations, then it will have far-reaching consequences for the global peace, Jimeet Modi, Founder & CEO, SAMCO Securities told Moneycontrol.

The positive takeaway from last weeks price action was that the index closed above its crucial short-term moving an average of 20-DEMA placed at 10,281. Investors are advised to remain cautious and but bulls have nothing to fear as long as the index trades above 10,240-10,250.

The GST Council on Friday slashed rates on 178 items to 18 percent from 28 percent on Friday, which could benefit stocks under consumers, light electrical and home building. The move could well be a sentiment booster for markets in the short term.

But, in the medium term, the market will remain under pressure due to high valuation. Long-term investors should not allocate fresh funds but can selectively book profits. The market closed the week at 10321.75 down by 1.25 percent, said Modi.

Technical Outlook:

The market has witnessed cracks in its uptrend. On the weekly charts, Nifty formed an Engulfing Bear pattern which is very reliable and powerful. All previous engulfing bear patterns in the weekly charts have resulted in decent time and price correction, suggest experts.

The momentum oscillator RSI on a daily chart is showing positive hidden divergence, which generally takes place when the Oscillator makes a lower low, but Price makes higher lows. This is a positive sign for the index and shows a possibility of a resumption in the uptrend in coming sessions.

"Though a small correction from current levels cannot be ruled out in Nifty, we wont initiate short in the index and rather be on sidelines for next couple of sessions," Jay Purohit, Technical & Derivatives Analyst, Centrum Broking Limited told Moneycontrol.

"At the current juncture, we would be looking for the reversal signs around the support zone of 10170 - 10250 to initiate fresh long positions. Thus, buy on dips would be a prudent strategy for the coming week," he said.
Mutual fund investments carry different tax liability for the investor. While some are taxable, others are not if held over a certain period of time under the exemption for long-term capital gains. The returns are taxed under the head Income from capital gains' as mentioned under the Income Tax Act.

If you are a mutual fund investor or planning to invest in a fund, it is important to understand the tax implications, be it long-term capital gain tax (LTCG) applicable or the short term gain tax (STCG). The tax incidence would impact your earnings when you redeem your units.

Mutual funds are redeemed on a FIFO basis  first in, first out. The units purchased first are redeemed first, and you have to pay the appropriate capital gains tax on any profit. So, for an SIP that ran from January to December, you redeem and are taxed for your January units first and your December units the last, said Adhil Shetty, CEO, Bankbazaar.com

Shetty added further, The taxation rules vary for debt and equity funds. For debt funds, the long-term is three years. Any debt fund units held for less than three years qualify for the Short Term Capital Gains (STCG) tax, which is as per your tax slab. Units held longer than three years qualify for the Long Term Capital Gains (LTCG) tax, which is 20.6% with indexation benefit. For equity mutual funds, the long-term is one year. Therefore any units held less than one year qualify for STCG (15.45%), and units held longer than one year qualifies for LTCG, which is tax-exempt.

Short-term capital gain Individual /HUF/NRI Equity Oriented Schemes 15% Non-Equity Oriented Scheme Marginal rate of tax Money Market Scheme Marginal rate of tax Long-term capital gain Individual /HUF/NRI Equity Oriented Schemes NIL Non-Equity Oriented Scheme 20% after indexation Money Market Scheme 20% after indexation

Other tax implications

Securities Transaction Tax (STT) is applicable on all equity shares and mutual funds which are sold on a stock exchange. Any sale which happens on a stock exchange is subject to STT. STT will be deducted only on equity mutual fund units at the time of redemption or switching to other schemes or sale of units and not on their purchase

Archit Gupta, CEO and Founder,ClearTax.com said that when STT in paid on the sale of mutual fund Units held for more than 1 year, any gain on sale of units is tax-free.

"The rate of STT is 0.001 percent on the sale of units through the stock exchange. STT is deducted at source on sale of mutual fund units. Hence, it is not required to be paid separately by an investor on all sale transactions," said Gupta.

There is no TDS for the resident investor. However, TDS is applied to NRI transactions. Further, there is no set-off benefit available for long-term capital loss (LTCL) from equity-oriented funds.

Dividend Distribution Tax (DDT) is applicable when the investment is made under any scheme opting a dividend option. However, you, as an investor, do not have to pay the taxes on your dividend received because they are exempt in the hands of an investor as defined under the income tax act.

DDT is not applicable on equity oriented schemes but it is applicable on debt schemes or money market and liquid scheme, which is around 28.84% (25%+12% Surcharge+3% Cess). The mutual fund companies pay this DDT on debt schemes, therefore, which simply means your dividend will get taxed whenever you will receive it.
As many as 20,000 flats will be on offer in the next housing scheme that Delhi Development Authority (DDA) plans to launch around June 2018 across all income categories. The price of these units is yet to be decided, DDA officials said.

We will be launching 20,000 flats in the second quarter of 2018 which will be a mix of LIG, MIG and HIG flats, said JP Agarwal, DDA's Principal Commissioner (Housing).

These will be located in areas such as Narela, Dwarka, Rohini, Vasant Kunj, Jasola among others. The price range of these flats is not yet finalised.

Eligible allottees will be able to avail interest subsidy of Rs 1.40 lakh to Rs.2.67 lakh under the Credit-Linked Subsidy component of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) which has now been extended for 15 more months beyond December this year, sources said.

While launching its 2017 housing scheme in June under which 12,072 houses were on offer, former Minister of Urban Development M Venkaiah Naidu had announced that DDA would be offering a total of one lakh houses, as many as 20,000 per year till 2022 to further the mission of Housing for All.

In June this year, DDA launched 12,000 flats, ranging from Rs 7 lakh to over Rs 1.26 crore. DDA had incentivised this years offer by removing the five year lock-in period for resale besides retaining the prices at the 2014 levels.

The draw for DDA's housing scheme launched in June, for which the urban body has received over 46,000 applications, would be held around the end of November, Agarwal said.

The date was extended only once and only serious buyers have applied this time around, he added.

The Delhi Development Authority or DDA is offering 12,000 flats across four income categories in Rohini, Dwarka, Narela, Vasant Kunj, Jasola, Pitampura, Paschim Vihar and Siraspur.

Of the total number of flats, nearly 11,000 flats include those that were surrendered after the 2014 draw while around 2,000 have been lying vacant.

After the closure of the extended deadline for submission of forms, about 90,000 forms were sold.

"The deadline ended on September 11 and the total number of applications received stand at over 46,000. The last date for applying for any rectification in forms ended on November 10," officials said, adding the draw of the lots is likely be streamed online.

Benefits of PMAY scheme can be availed by successful applicants as per their income category. Under the CLSS, MIG beneficiaries with annual income of above Rs 6 lakh and up to Rs 12 lakh would get an interest subsidy of 4 percent on a 20-year loan component of Rs 9 lakh. Those with annual income exceeding Rs 12 lakh and up to Rs 18 lakh would get interest subsidy of 3 percent.

The four categories of houses under the 2017 scheme are - HIG (high-income group) with 87 flats ranging from Rs.53.52 lakh to Rs. 126.81 lakh; MIG (middle-income group) with 404 flats ranging from Rs. 31.32 lakh to Rs. 93.95 lakh; LIG/one-bedroom flats numbering 11,197 and ranging from Rs. 14.50 lakh to Rs. 30.30 lakh; and 384 Janta flats ranging from Rs. 7.07 lakh to Rs. 12.76 lakh.

For the LIG (lower-income group) category, the registration fee will be Rs. 1 lakh while for MIG and HIG flats, Rs. 2 lakh will be charged.
Representative image

Coming down heavily on Jaiprakash Associates Limited (JAL) for missing the fourth deadline to deposit Rs 2000 crore towards refunding homebuyers, the Supreme Court today ordered that all non-institutional directors of the parent company be present before the apex court on the next date of hearing on November 22 and also directed the amicus curiae to set up a portal for homebuyers.

The SC directed all non-institutional directors of the parent company be present at the next hearing and present their affidavits disclosing their personal assets, lawyers present at the hearing said.

The court-appointed amicus curiae Pawan Shree to create a website for home buyers to enter their claims. I have been asked to create a portal for homebuyers to help them give their details and register their claims, he says.

In a brief hearing, the focus was on the failure of JAL to deposit Rs 2000 crore with the Supreme Court. JAL mentioned that they have Rs 593 crore lying in an account with ICICI Bank. JAL also mentioned that they have a cheque of Rs 100 crore in a sealed envelope for depositing with the Supreme Court.

JAL mentioned that they can deposit Rs 693 Crore today itself, however, they require an order from the Supreme Court asking ICICI Bank to release Rs 593 crore. But ICICI Bank opposed the above on the ground that the Rs 593 crore lying in that bank account is not free floating money, and has been deposited in that bank account specifically for the benefit of the lenders of JAL. Considering ICICI Banks objection, the Supreme Court did not allow JAL to withdraw the Rs 593 crore from ICICI Bank, lawyers present at the hearing said.

The committee of creditors met on Friday to discuss the expressions of interest from the prospective bidders. Steel, energy and cement conglomerate JSW Group, metals and commodities giant Vedanta, the Mumbai-based Lodha Group and Deutsche Bank are among the 18 companies that have shown interest in buying Jaypee Infratech. Among other parties who have expressed interest include Essel Highways, Lodha Group, L&T, Cube Highways from Singapore, Kotak Infra, SARE Group, Deutsche Bank, Asset Reconstruction Company (India) Limited, Suraksha Realty, Tata Realty.

The resolution professional is likely to split the project into three parcels with the 27 real estate projects being one block, the expressway being the second and the hospital being the third.

It has been reported that over 600 buyers from the 16 towers of the project in Noida's Sector 129 have come together under the umbrella of Kasa Isles Welfare Association and submitted their proposal to the resolution professional appointed by the National Company Law Tribunal.

On November 6, the Supreme Court had directed JAL to keep Rs 2,000 crore ready before the next hearing that was today. The court refused to permit a part deposit of Rs 400 crore offered by the company every month from January 2018.

Last month, the top court had refused permission to embattled Jaypee to hive-off the rights of multi-crore six-lane Yamuna Expressway connecting Greater Noida with Agra in Uttar Pradesh.

The top court had on September 11 directed Jaypee Associates to take prior approval of the court if it wished to sell any asset or property to raise funds to the tune of Rs 2,000 crore to be deposited by it in the apex court registry by October 27 to pay off the troubled home buyers.

The Supreme Court while hearing a plea of home buyers of Jaypee's Wish Town project at Noida in Uttar Pradesh challenging the insolvency proceedings initiated against Jaypee Infratech, had restricted the directors of the firm from leaving the country.

The top court had revived insolvency proceedings against Jaypee Infratech Ltd and given its management control to the IRP (insolvency Resolution Professional), appointed by the National Company Law Tribunal with immediate effect.

Debt-laden Jaypee Infratech defaulted on a Rs 526.11 crore loan to IDBI.The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) had admitted the application by IDBI Bank-led consortium seeking resolution of the embattled company under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy code.

vandana.ramnani@nw18.com
Posters depicting Lebanon's Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri, who has resigned from his post, are seen in Beirut, Lebanon, November 10, 2017. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir

Saad Hariri pledged today he would return to Lebanon from Saudi Arabia "very soon," in his first television interview since his shock resignation as prime minister eight days ago.

In an exclusive interview from Riyadh with his party's Future TV, Hariri brushed aside rumours that he was under de facto house arrest in Saudi Arabia.

"I am free here. If I want to travel tomorrow, I will," Hariri told journalist Paula Yaacoubian.

"I will return to Lebanon very soon to initiate the necessary constitutional procedures," Hariri said.

Hariri, who also holds Saudi citizenship, stepped down in a televised broadcast from Riyadh on November 4, a move that sent shockwaves throughout Lebanon and the region.

Lebanese President Michel Aoun has yet to formally accept Hariri's resignation and has said he wants to meet him in person to discuss the situation.

Just hours before Hariri's interview on Sunday, Aoun blasted the "obscure circumstances" around the resigned prime minister's stay in Riyadh.

In a statement from his office, Aoun said "Hariri's freedom has been restricted and conditions have been imposed regarding his residence and the contacts he may have, even with members of his family."

In his announcement last week, Hariri accused Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah of taking over his country and destabilising the broader region, saying he feared for his life.

Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah said on Friday that Hariri was "detained in Saudi Arabia" and "banned from returning to Lebanon". (AFP) .
Sudarshan Sukhani of s2analytics.com told CNBC-TV18, "Wockhardt has made a bullish head and shoulder. It has come in my buy list earlier also. There are much higher targets for Wockhardt. It is a buying opportunity. You could actually hold it also for a longer time for the more ambitious targets."

"TVS Motor had a small flag like decline and that flag tells us much higher levels could be coming, it is a buying opportunity."

"NTPC is waking up from a slumber of many years, not sure why, but power companies generally are giving signs of life. NTPC is a buy."

"All three stocks could be carried for more than a day. I think there are investment or intermediate investment opportunities there also."

"Two short sells, Marico which is doing nothing, drifting sideways while Hindustan Unilever is doing much better. It is an underperformer."

"UPL is the stock where some kind of a mini-bear market has started. It is breaking support levels consistently. Short sells should only be done for the day," he added.

"Nestle India is a buying opportunity. Most FMCG stocks except for Marico, even Dabur India is. Nestle is certainly an investment buy, it is not a swing trade. At current level, at these elevated levels you can still buy it."

"Axis Bank is part of the private sector banks which I am upbeat on. The market can become choppy and there maybe a temporary short term set back. Banks generally are upbeat and Axis Bank is also in the same group, it is a buy on dips even today," he said.

"Axis Bank is a buying opportunity as is the Nifty Bank. The early morning rally has given way to some kind of consolidation and a minor decline I would be buyer in the Index also and in the Axis Bank stock as well."

"I have a sell idea and I know I am going against the current and that is to go short in Bharti Airtel. I have been bearish on this stock earlier and saying that this breakout is not genuine, it is not creating and developing a bearish head and shoulder. These patterns can easily fail, so with that caveat it is a short sell for the day and for a courageous trader you can buy Puts and carry the short position overnight also."

"Hexaware Technologies which has been making lifetime new highs and continuous to do so today with a weakness in the rupee and generally upbeat momentum in CNX IT. IT stocks is a buy for today and a carry forward trade as well."

"The third is Hindustan Unilever (HUL), it is a favourite. It is an all season stock, you can buy it with your eyes closed and after a month hopefully there is money in it. HUL as it makes new highs, it is also a buy."
Hemant Thukral of Aditya Birla Money told CNBC-TV18, "Within the banking space, we like State Bank of India (SBI) a lot. I think the way they got open interest added up on Friday, we saw around 5.5 percent being added up. So in individual stocks, we want to buy SBI with a stop loss of Rs 322 and we are suggesting a target of Rs 351."

"Interesting data point in SBI is the way 15 lakh shares added up in Rs 324 and 10 lakh shares got un-winded. So, clearly the base for SBI itself is shifting up."

"The other stock is also a largecap FMCG, Hindustan Unilever (HUL). It has got GST booster but derivatives data point of view are also suggesting more bullishness to come. So, we will keep Rs 1,275 as the stop loss and a target of Rs 1,345," he added.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and Polish President Andrzej Duda in a telephone conversation on Saturday, November 11, agreed to hold an extraordinary meeting of the Consultative Committee of the Presidents of Ukraine and Poland at the level of foreign policy advisers in Krakow this week.

"They agreed to hold an extraordinary meeting of the Consultative Committee of the Presidents of Ukraine and the Republic of Poland at the level of foreign policy advisers in Krakow next week," the press service of the Ukrainian president reported on November 11.

The sides also coordinated their positions in the context of preparations for the Eastern Partnership summit, which will be held in Brussels on November 24.

The leaders of the two states exchanged views on topical issues of bilateral relations.

Poroshenko also congratulated Duda on Poland's Independence Day and expressed hope for the strengthening of strategic partnership for the sake of peace, prosperity and wellbeing of the peoples of the two countries.

As reported, on November 8, Poroshenko initiated a special meeting of the Consultative Committee of the Presidents of Ukraine and Poland to prevent further escalation of tension between the two countries.

"Recent strong statements by representatives of the Polish authorities addressed to Ukraine and its leadership cause serious concern and cannot be left without proper response. In order to strengthen the strategic partnership between Ukraine and the Republic of Poland, and to avoid further escalation of tension, recognizing the need to resolve any outstanding issues in bilateral relations exclusively in a civilized European way. Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko has initiated the holding of an extraordinary meeting of the Consultative Committee of the Presidents of Ukraine and Poland," Ukrainian presidential press secretary Svyatoslav Tsegolko wrote on his Facebook page.

He recalled the Consultative Committee is an advisory agency designed to facilitate the implementation of agreements between the heads of both states aimed at deepening the friendly relations between Ukraine and Poland. It is headed by the foreign policy advisers of the presidents of the two states.

Duda said on November 7 that he expected Poroshenko and Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman not to allow people with anti-Polish views to occupy important public posts. He noted that such people "do not build cooperation between our countries, they are destroying them." Therefore, there should be no such people in Ukraine's big politics, in politics, which has international significance."

Duda noted that there are such people in Ukrainian politics. "It's also necessary to speak loudly that there are people in important positions in Ukraine who have almost openly anti-Polish views, this is unacceptable," the Polish president stressed.
Shares of Idea Cellular declined 6 percent intraday Monday on the back of poor Q2 numbers and sale of tower business to ATC Telecom.

The company board in its meeting held on November 13 has approved sale of entire shareholding in Idea Cellular Infrastructure Services, a wholly owned subsidiary, to ATC Telecom Infrastructure for Rs 4,000 crore.

The sale process to be completed by first half of 2018.

The company in the quarter ended September 2017 (Q2FY18) has reported loss of Rs 1106.8 crore against profit Rs 91.5 crore in the same quarter last fiscal.

The company had reported loss of Rs 814.9 crore in the quarter ended June 2017.

The company's revenue was down 8.6 percent at Rs 7,465 crore against Rs 8,166.5 crore. EBITDA was down 19.9 percent at Rs 1,501.6 crore and EBITDA margin was down 290 bps at 20.1 percent, QoQ.

The average revenue per user was at Rs 132 against Rs 141.

Vodafone & Co is also going to sell its tower business in India to ATC. Vodafone will get Rs 3,850 crore post completion of deal.

At 09:22 hrs Idea Cellular was quoting at Rs 97.55, up Rs 0.50, or 0.52 percent on the BSE.

Posted by Rakesh Patil
air-conditioners-ac-cooler

live bse live

nse live Volume Todays L/H More 

Share price of Voltas declined 2.3 percent intraday Monday as CLSA has maintained sell rating on the stock with target price increased to Rs 390 from earlier Rs 366.

According to CLSA the early festive season drives Q2 AC revenue and margin, but Q3 is likely to remain on slow side.

The new energy efficiency norms effective January 2018 could hike cost by 2 percent.

Not see much improvement in Voltas fundamentals, but the stock is scaling new highs on PE bands on domestic liquidity, while FII remain sellers, it added.

Voltas has reported 22 percent jump in its consolidated Q2 net profit to Rs 95 crore against Rs 78 crore in the same quarter last fiscal.

The share touched its 52-week high Rs 591 and 52-week low Rs 305 on 10 November, 2017 and 22 November, 2016, respectively.

Currently, it is trading 4.14 percent below its 52-week high and 85.75 percent above its 52-week low.

At 11:39 hrs Voltas was quoting at Rs 567, down Rs 3.55, or 0.62 percent.

Posted by Rakesh Patil
Hindustan Unilever share price performance in FY18: Up 47 percent | FY19: Up 28 percent | FY20: Up 35 percent.

live bse live

nse live Volume Todays L/H More 

The fast moving consumer good (FMCG) companies are all set to cut tax rate by 5-15 percent as per the revised Goods & Services Tax (GST) rates, reports the Economic Times.

The 23rd GST Council Meeting on Friday revised the rates of the earlier 28-percent levied 178 items to 5-15 percent.

Major companies  Hindustan Unilever, Dabur, Amul, GlaxoSmithKline, Procter & Gamble, Nestle and Perfetti Van Melle  told the paper that either they will reduce the prices of the products now or they will do so after the next tax cut by the Council on the other consumer goods under 28 percent tax slab.

Dabur CEO Sunil Duggal confirmed that they will drop their shampoo prices by 5 percent. Amul is another company which will slash its condensed milk and chocolates prices by 5-10 percent with immediate effect.

GlaxoSmithKline Consumers also said they will bring the price of their brand, Horlicks, in line with the revised rates.

Hindustan Unilever plans to adjust the price of their detergent Rin to be able to cut the prices of their skin cream products.

Despite the revised rates, the firms may face difficulties while passing on the benefits to the consumers. According to the report, this is because some retailers are not willing to cut prices unless the producers protect the retailers' margins and take back the old stock before implementing price cuts.

The negotiations between the FMCG majors and retailers have already begun and it will take at least a week to reach a consensus, industry executives told the paper.

Companies, along with tax experts, have pointed the hurdle to lower prices and said they were working on the solutions. Sooner or later, because of the anti-profiteering norms, the industry will be required to pass on the revised rates' benefit to the consumers.

Nestle India spokesperson told ET that "there will be a transition time before new price stocks are available in the market", but will definitely reduce the prices and pass on the benefit to the consumers.

Patanjali spokesperson pointed that the firm is already in the process of reducing the prices. However, since there are multiple channels and processes to be taken care of, it will take some time.
INDIA - OCTOBER 02: Dawood Ibrahim, the mafia leader in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates ( mafia don ) (Photo by Bhawan Singh/The India Today Group/Getty Images)

Indias most wanted underworld boss Dawood Ibrahim may be offering his "protection cover" to music composer Nadeem Saifi in London, according to call records intercepted by India Today. The composer is wanted in connection with the 1997 Gulshan Kumar murder case.

The report reveals intercepts which show that a henchman apprising Dawood about potential legal trouble for Saifi, apparently over India's extradition efforts.

The music composer had fled to the UK after he was named a co-suspect in Gulshan Kumar murder case. A hit squad had gunned down Kumar on August 12, 1997.

The channel accessed three phone calls of Dawood that were independently verified by crime experts. Dawood Ibrahims location has been unknown since his rise to infamy in the early 90s. He is widely believed to based in Pakistan.

According to a CNN News 18 report where Dawood spoke to the channel, and was believed to have been suffering from poor health due to gangrene or a serious heart ailment.

When CNN-News18s Manoj Gupta called a number in Karachi, the man on the other end was none other than Dawood. After the correspondent identified himself, Dawood got into damage control mode, realising that he picked a phone which he shouldnt have. He identified himself as Javed Chotani  No, this is Chotani speaking, he said, before handing over the phone to the real Javed Chotani.

Blood pressure was up a bit, Chotani dismissed that question, clearly implying the don was in good health and frequently in touch with his henchmen.

Dawood Ibrahim is widely credited as the one who masterminded the March 1993 bombings in Mumbai.
A Jet Airways passenger plane takes off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad

live bse live

nse live Volume Todays L/H More 

A Mumbai-bound Jet Airways Flight from Cochin was delayed today by about two hours after a passenger made a hijack threat.

According to Times Now, Clince Varghese, a passenger, told a flight staff member at the time of boarding that he will hijack the plane with a "happy bomb." While the report said CISF detained two passengers, some reports stated only one passenger, who made the threat, has been detained.

The threat caused Jet Airways to delay the the flight by 2 hours until they were sure that it will be safe to take off.

"Jet Airways flight 9W 825 Cochin - Mumbai was rescheduled to depart Cochin at 14O2 hrs., with a delay of 2 hours on account of a security-related matter. The airline has informed the relevant authority of the same for further necessary action and has offered full cooperation as required," Jet Airways said in a statement.

This is the second time in two months that a Jet Airways flight faced a hijack scare. In October, a Mumbai-Delhi Jet Airways flight had to make an emergency landing in Ahmedabad because of an anonymous hijack threat note.
The Supreme Court on Monday sought the Centre's response to a plea seeking a ban on all pesticides that have been prohibited by other countries.

A bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud issued notice to Centre and the Ministries of Chemicals and Fertilisers and Agriculture on the plea, which has also sought banning of advertisements and unacceptable practises of marketing and promoting such pesticides.

The petition, filed through advocate Prashant Bhushan, also sought a direction to set up an expert committee of individuals with unimpeachable integrity to examine the issue of phasing out all chemical pesticides in a time-bound manner.

The plea sought to promote organic farming and providing farmers with the necessary knowledge and assistance to be given by the central and state governments for the period of time it would take for their farms to be converted to organic farms.

"Issue a direction to make it mandatory to follow the precautionary principle before registering any pesticide for use or manufacture," the plea said.

The petition was filed by three persons  Kavitha Kurunganti, national convener of Alliance for Sustainable and Holistic Agriculture (ASHA), Dr Amar Singh Azad, former Chief Medical Officer in Punjab and V R Ananthasayanan, an activist on sustainable agriculture.

It has alleged that at least 93 pesticides used in India have been banned by other countries and an additional 6 more are used in India that has been withdrawn or restricted by other nations.

It also referred to a National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report which said that nearly three lakh farmers have committed suicide in the past two decades, averaging more than 46 farmer suicides every day, and said scientific studies have linked pesticide use by farmers to depression and suicidal tendencies.

"Numerous scientific papers and studies have shown pesticide exposure has increased the risk of several diseases like various forms of cancer, DNA damage, damage to the brain and nervous system, Parkinsons disease, birth defects, immunological changes and adverse effects on the physical and mental development of children, in farmers and farmworkers and their families in many states of India," the plea said.
Los Banos: Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with IRRI Director General Matthew Morell while visiting the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), in Los Banos, Philippines on Monday. PTI Photo/PIB(PTI11_13_2017_000036B)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today contributed two Indian rice seed varieties to the gene bank of the international rice research centre in the Philippines which he said is working towards mitigating global poverty and hunger by improving the cultivation of the key grain.

The prime minister visited the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in Los Banos, an urban locality situated at a distance of around 65 kms from Manila -- the capital of the Philippines -- and interacted with a large number of Indian scientists working there.

A number of scientists at the IRRI briefed the prime minister on flood-tolerant rice varieties which they said can withstand 14-18 days of submergence and can provide 1-3 tonnes more yield per hectare in flood affected areas.

A 'rice field laboratory' named after Prime Minister Modi was also inaugurated by him at the institute.

He unveiled a plaque marking the inauguration of the Shri Narendra Modi Resilient Rice Field Laboratory.

"A contribution from India to IRRI...presented two Indian rice seed varieties to the IRRI gene bank," the prime minister tweeted.

The prime minister also undertook a symbolic groundbreaking for a new plot for submergence tolerant rice varieties.

Modi said he saw a detailed exhibition on rice varieties and the impressive work done by IRRI with women farming cooperatives.

"My visit to IRRI was a great learning experience. Saw the exceptional work IRRI is doing towards mitigating poverty and hunger by improving rice cultivation. Their work benefits many farmers and consumers, particularly in Asia and Africa," he said.

The Indian government is also setting up a regional centre of the IRRI in Varanasi, the Prime Ministers constituency, to develop high-yielding rice varieties.

The IRRI, which has offices in 17 countries, is known for its work in developing rice varieties that contributed to the Green Revolution in 1960s.

"The Varanasi Centre would help increase farmers' income by enhancing and supporting rice productivity, reducing cost of production, value addition, diversification and enhancement of farmers' skills," the Prime Minister's Office tweeted.

Spokesperson in the external affairs ministry Raveesh Kumar said the IRRI has successfully collaborated with Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR) to introduce drought- tolerant, flood-tolerant and salt-tolerant varieties of rice in India.

"Interacted with Indian scientists, students, researchers working at IRRI. India's ICAR and IRRI have been cooperating for four decades. India is also involved in helping IRRI in strategic planning, helping decide key goals and working to overcome hunger as well as poverty," Modi said.

Kumar said the IRRI and its partners have provided assistance to 2,00,000 women farmers in Odisha which included providing capacity building programmes, and improved agriculture technology.

The IRRI centre in Varanasi will help in utilising the rich biodiversity of India to develop special rice varieties.

Modi arrived here yesterday on a three-day visit to attend the ASEAN-India and the East Asia summits.
Yogi Adityanath, Chief Minister of India's most populous state of Uttar Pradesh, addresses the audience after inaugurating power projects in Allahabad

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday blamed the 55-year-long rule of the Congress for the ills plaguing the country and accused the opposition party of "dividing" people and playing appeasement politics.

He said the Sonia Gandhi-led party is responsible for "mismanagement" in the country and that the BJP-led NDA government is making efforts to tackle problems and take the country on the path of development.

Addressing a convention of BJP workers at the Balbir Singh Juneja Indoor Stadium, Adityanath accused the Congress of playing with the sentiments of the people and dividing them on the basis of caste, region and language for its vested interest.

"It practised politics of appeasement for political gains and gave birth to a scourge of terrorism, Naxalism and separatism. The country is still paying the price (for its policies)," the BJP leader said.

Adityanath said if the grand old party had acted responsibly, the country would not be facing so many problems.

"If the Congress leadership had discharged its duties, the country would not have been grappling with starvation and lack of health facilities. If anyone is responsible for the country's mismanagement, it is the 55-year rule of the Congress," the UP chief minister said.

He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP government in states are making efforts to tackle such problems and take the country on the path of development.

"Our party works without discrimination on the basis of religion, caste and creed. We consider the entire country a family," he added.

Adityanath said construction of a temple devoted to Lord Rama has been completed here in Chhattisgarh, which was his 'nanhial' (his mother Kaushlya's maternal home).

"Chhattisgarh was Lord Ram's 'nanihal'. I was here in February after the construction of a Ram temple. According to 'manyata' (belief), Lord Ram first settles in his 'nanihal' and then goes to his birthplace (in Ayodhya)."

Adityanath said India's identity is closely associated with Ayodhya.

"I visited Ayodhya on Diwali. (Members of the) previous governments in UP were scared of visiting Ayodhya. They did not even want to take the name of Ayodhya.

"People felt that if we came to power (in UP) we will also not go there. I do not have any fear," he said.

He said 'Ram Rajya' is considered the best model of good governance in the entire world where there is no fear, discrimination, pain and starvation.

Adityanath praised the prime minister for launching a slew of welfare schemes and said their benefits are reaching the people of the country.

"The people ask what Prime Minister Modi has done in three years and when 'achhe din' will come. We should tell them that we gave electricity to the poor who did not have a power connection even after 70 years of Independence.

"The poor who had never seen bank now has a bank account. It's achhe din for them."

The prime minister has assured houses to every family in the country by 2022, he added.

Adityanath also lauded the paddy procurement system and public distribution system in BJP-ruled Chhattisgarh.

Chief Minister Raman Singh and state BJP president Dharamlal Kaushik, among others, were present on the occasion.
SPaulBinayTamangmeetsGovernor101517

Gorkhaland movement leader Binay Tamang has cautioned the BJP to set aside its electoral compulsions and immediately address the crisis in the hills lest things intensify and spin out of hand of the Centre, according to a report by the Mint.

Tamang also underlined the strategic significance of Darjeeling as a frontier area.

As Gorkha Jamukti Morchas (GJM) chief leader Bimal Gurung has been subsided from the picture, ousted leader Binay Tamang has been making an effort to fill that space. But the demand is still one to curve a separate state for Gorkhas out of West Bengal.

The emerging leader said that although West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had acknowledged the demand for Gorkhaland as legitimate, her government did not have jurisdiction over the matter. The Centre has a pivotal role to play in the discussion, he said.

Last month, Banerjee had called for a long-term solution to the Gorkhaland demand, while maintaining that a separate statehood would not be allowed. She has also accused the BJP of conspiring with the GJM extremists after the Centre pulled out paramilitary forces from the hills amid blockade and violence.

But in his interview to the newspaper, Tamang asserted that the permanent solution was to create Gorkhaland as a separate state.

The split in the GJM party leadership took place as Bimal Gurung had taken the movement away from non-violent path, said Tamang. He also underlined that the 105-day strike led by Gurung was a failure as it did not culminate into anything, only the working class suffered at the end.

Tamang said no matter which party was in power in West Bengal, no one would allow the formation of Gorkhaland. Political parties speak out of their electoral compulsions, he said.

He is also trying to revive the administrative body GTA with the states support and looking for Darjeelings development, he told the media.

Earlier, Mint reported that it was the West Bengal governments strategy to push Gurung away from the hills into hiding and end the strike by bringing a moderate leader like Tamang to power, an official in Kolkata said on the condition of anonymity.
Veteran actor Rishi Kapoor said he agrees with National Conference president Farooq Abdullah, who claimed that Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) belongs to Pakistan and "this won't change" no matter how many wars India and Pakistan fight against each other.

While agreeing with the National Conference Chiefs statement, he further added that those on the Indian side should stop talking about "Azadi".

Abdullah, a former Chief Minister had on Saturday said that PoK belongs to Pakistan and this is not going to change. He added that Kashmir on the Indian side needs more autonomy and those seeking azadi are misguided.

Abdullah had yesterday said that talk of an independent Kashmir was "wrong" as the Valley is landlocked and surrounded by three nuclear powers -- China, Pakistan and India.

Abdullah reminded the Centre about the instrument of accession that was signed between the Maharaja of Kashmir and the Government of India.

His statement came days after Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi had rejected the idea of an "independent Kashmir", saying it was not based on "reality".

Reacting to the same, Rishi wrote on Twitter, "Farooq Abdullah ji, Salaam! Totally agree with you sir. Jammu and Kashmir is ours, and PoK is theirs. This is the only way we can solve our problem.



Farooq Abdhulla ji, Salaam! Totally agree with you,sir. J&K is ours, and PoK is theirs. This is the only way we can solve our problem. Accept it, I am 65 years old and I want to see Pakistan before I die. I want my children to see their roots. Bas karva Dijiye. Jai Mata Di !

 Rishi Kapoor (@chintskap) November 11, 2017

"Accept it, I am 65-years-old and I want to see Pakistan before I die. I want my children to see their roots. Bas karva dijiye (Please make it happen). Jai Mata Di!"

The tweet immediately became the subject of numerous trolls, with many taking a dig at the actor f being drunk as the post came on late Saturday.



Soda aur laau?  Gabbbar (@GabbbarSingh) November 11, 2017



The Kapoor clan has a house in Peshawar, Pakistan. It was constructed between 1918 and 1922 by Dewan Basheswarnath Kapoor, father of Prithviraj Kapoor, who was the first from the family to enter the Indian film industry.

Rishi is said to have visited the family home in 1990 while shooting a film in Pakistan, according to some media reports.

The family shifted to India after Partition.
Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman has said that he intends to pay an official visit to Georgia in the near future.

"As a prime minister, I will come to Georgia for the first time," he said in an interview with the Georgian Imedi TV on Sunday, noting that this visit will take place soon.

At a meeting in Kyiv, in March, Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili invited his Ukrainian counterpart to visit Tbilisi. Kvirikashvili invited Groysman to take part in the forum dedicated to the new 'Silk Road', which will be held in Tbilisi in November.

Speaking about the possibility of extradition to Georgia of former President Mikheil Saakashvili, Groysman said that everything should be within the law in this issue. "As far as I know, Georgia has made such a request. Ukraine will do everything that is implied by the law. And I can not say anything about specific decisions. There are mandatory procedures. The main thing is that everything should be within the law," Groysman said.

Commenting on the recent protests in Kyiv with the participation of Saakashvili's party New Forces Movement, including the tent city near the building of the Verkhovna Rada, Groysman said that he considers this as another attempt of Saakashvili to draw attention to himself.

Recalling the recent events when Saakashvili broke through Poland to Ukraine across the border, Groysman said that "the Ukrainians gave these actions a very negative assessment."

"If you want to ask me about Mikheil Saakashvili, whom I know well enough for many years, I can say that we had high hopes for him. We thought that a person who has a good biography will hold a master class for us, show his organizational and reform opportunities. And I really wanted to see it. Then I was the chairman of the parliament, but it did not happen," the Ukrainian PM said.

According to him, the effectiveness of Saakashvili as chairman of Odesa regional state administration, "unfortunately, was very, very low." "I do not know, maybe he lost certain skills. He was not ready to make decisions. It's difficult to assess, but I did not personally see his effectiveness for a year and a half and was disappointed," Groysman said.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella speaks at the Future Decoded conference in Mumbai, India, February 22, 2017. REUTERS/Shailesh Andrade - RTSZQQF

On a trip to India, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella questioned two journalists using iPads as to why they were doing so.

When the journalists from TechRadar went to have a talk with Nadella, on seeing their iPads, the Microsoft CEO commented: You need to get a real computer, my friend, said Nadella.

But this is not the first time Microsoft has taken a dig at the competing Cupertino giant.

Previously, as per several reports in the media, Microsoft had said that Windows 10 computers can do more than Macs, and had also lampooned Apples claim that the iPad Pro is a computer. One of the executives had complained that iPad Pro is merely an example of Apple copying Microsoft.

Nadella, however, has maintained that Microsoft is different from both Apple and Google.

Samsung, in one of its recent ads, teased Apple in a direct insult to the last 10 years of the iPhone.

A statement given by Nadella to TechRadar summed up his final blow, where he said that Microsoft is a tool creator, not a luxury good manufacturer.

Given Apples brand image, it is being seen as an intentional burn on their reputation.

Microsoft recently has been shifting its market position by introducing a string of new gadgets under its kitty to counter Apple.

This includes the 28-inch, all-in-one Surface Studio and a Surface dial to go along with, a high-tech knob on the users computer screen that can be used like a mouse.
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 - HP1ED9C1FVUD0

Apples introduction of the iPhone Xs Face ID set off an immediate race among hackers about who was going to be the first to fool the companys advanced face recognition phone authentication system.

A week later, a group of hackers claim to have successfully duplicated someones face to unlock his iPhone X  with a rather sketchy technique which few security researchers believed will be possible.

Vietnamese security firm Bkav released a blog post where they said that they had beaten Apples security measure with a simple technique: a silicone mask.

"The mask is crafted by combining 3D printing with makeup and 2D images, besides some special processing on the cheeks and around the face, where there are large skin areas, to fool AI of Face ID," said Ngo Tuan Anh, Bkav's Vice President of Cyber Security.

Also Read: DATA STORY: What could Apple buy with its 'offshore' cash?







The Bkav researchers used a basic silicone mask and 2D printed eyes to bypass the FaceID (Courtesy: Bkav.com)

"Nose was made by a handmade artist. We use 2D printing for other parts (similar to how we tricked Face Recognition nine years ago). The skin was also hand-made to trick Apple's Artificial Intelligence," Bkav said in the blog post.



Face ID projects more than 30,000 invisible IR dots and claims to only unlock iPhone X when customers look at it and are designed to prevent spoofing by photos or masks, as specified by Apple previously.



Apple has done this not so well, writes the company, Face ID can be foiled by a mask, which means it is not an effective security measure, they said.

In a video posted on YouTube, one of the companys staff pulls out a piece of cloth from a mounted mask facing an iPhone X on a stand, and the phone instantly unlocks.

The Bkav security experts who also posted a video on how they did this, said that Face ID can be fooled by a mask, which means, according to them, that it is not an effective security measure (Courtesy: Bkav on YouTube)

The researchers say that they were able to spoof the iPhone Xs 3D infrared mapping of the owner's face and its AI-driven modelling with a relatively basic mask - which had little more than some sculpted silicone, two-dimensional eyes and lips printed on paper.

There is a catch though: the researchers, however, admitted that the technique would still be requiring a detailed measurement or a digital scan of the face of the phones owner.

Hence, they rated their own hacking technique in the more sophisticated category as compared to an ordinary hack that an iPhone X user may be facing.





The hacking group also suggested that future unlocks of prolific people owing the iPhone X may be based on quick smartphone scan of the victims face, a model created from photographs  but they did not mention any predictions about how easy they may be to engineer.

This is not the first attempt at decoding the Face ID, there have been other ones as well, but this is by far the cheapest technique that claims to have decoded the Face ID unlock.

Previously, a report by Mashable showed that Face ID was indeed unlockable in cases of identical twins.

In 2008, Bkav was the first company in the world to show that face recognition was not an effective security measure for laptops, right after Toshiba, Lenovo, Asus, etc. used this technology for their products.
Q6. Electrical Cables and Allied Products was established in 1924, at Torino, in Italy. It started out with making cables for telephones and railways. Name the company.

About 30 people were killed and more than two dozen injured when a train derailed then caught fire in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a provincial governor said on Monday.

The freight train was travelling from the southern copper and cobalt mining hub of Lubumbashi to Luena, in Lualaba province, on Sunday when it left the tracks and tumbled into a ravine near the town of Buyofwe.

"There's major damage because the tanker cars caught fire," Lualaba's governor Richard Muyej told Reuters. "Around 30 dead and 26 wounded were transferred to the hospital in Lubudi, 25 km (16 miles) from the scene of the accident."

The train had taken on a number of passengers before the accident, and Muyej said the death toll could rise further. Eleven of the train's 13 cars caught fire following the derailment.

Officials from Congo's national railway company, the SNCC, were investigating the cause of the crash, which was not immediately known.

Rail accidents are relatively common in Congo due to ageing, poorly maintained infrastructure and lax enforcement of safety standards.wor
Manila: President Donald Trump, right, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shake hands during a bilateral meeting at the ASEAN Summit at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza, Monday, Nov. 13, 2017, in Manila, Philippines. Trump is on a five country trip through Asia traveling to Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam and the Philippines. AP/PTI(AP11_13_2017_000060B)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday met with US President Donald Trump in Philippines, where the two leaders currently are for the ASEAN-India and East Asia summits, and reportedly discussed a number of important issues like security and defence.



ASEAN Summit: PM Narendra Modi holds bilateral talks with US President Donald Trump in Manila, Philippines pic.twitter.com/BSGjLhpLI1

 ANI (@ANI) November 13, 2017

The security issues discussed by the two leaders likely pertained to ones in the region. Other issues discussed included ways of boosting bilateral trade between India and the United States.

"The relations between India and the US are not only for mutual interest. It goes beyond that. It will be for the greater benefit of Asia and humanity, at large. I would like to assure you that we will come good on the expectations that the world and US have with India," PM Modi said to President Trump.

Modi was scheduled to meet both Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in bilateral meetings on Tuesday. Ahead of these meetings, Modi also held separate meetings with Trump and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on the sidelines of the gala dinner organised to mark the 50th anniversary of ASEAN.



Interacting with world leaders in Manila. pic.twitter.com/qh0pdcFyXP  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 12, 2017

Speaking about Modi, Trump said he was doing a great job and has become a friend of the United States. "He's become a friend of ours. He's doing a great job. A lot of things were solved and we will continue to work together," Trump said.
Narendra Modi

(This story was first published on November 13, 2017)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will likely lead a high-powered Indian delegation comprising finance minister Arun Jaitley and defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman among others to the World Economic Forums (WEF) marque annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland in January.

Modi will be the second Indian Prime Minister in 20 years after HD Deve Gowda in 1997 to address delegates at the popular Swiss ski resort where global leaders converge every year to discuss geo-politics, economics and development at the WEFs flagship event.

Modi will likely address a special plenary on January 23 centred on Creating a Shared Future in a Fractured World, the theme of WEFs 48th four-day annual summit that will end on January 26.

World leaders and analysts will be keenly watching out for the phraseology in Modis maiden speech at the WEFs annual event given the rapidly changing dynamics in geo-political calculus. Modis visit comes a year after Chinese President Xi Jinping defended economic globalisation in his first speech to the WEF at Davos.

Modi will use the occasion to hard sell the India story, showcasing the leapfrogging into the 100th rank in the World Bank's latest Ease of Doing Business rankings, jumping 30 notches from last year.

Also read: India jumps 30 places, breaks into top 100 of World Bank's Ease of Doing Business rankings

The annual rankings, which assesses countries on business-friendliness, procedural ease, regulatory architecture and absence of bureaucratic red tape, could jump further in the coming year after factoring in the GST, which kicked-in from July 1.

The Modi-government has vowed to turn India into an investors' darling by removing bureaucratic sloth, eliminating red tape and reverse the country's image as a dodgy place to do business.

It has launched a string of signature initiatives such as "Make in India" and brought about significant legislative changes including a modern Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code.

Also read: Big Relief: GST Council slashes tax rate on 178 items to 18%; eating out gets cheaper as restaurants get tax rate cut

Bringing together over 2,500 leaders from business, government, international organizations, civil society, academia, media and the arts, the aim of the Davos meeting will be to set an agenda that drives greater multistakeholder collaboration to address political, economic and societal challenges.

A WEF statement issued in September on its annual meet had said that the global context today has changed dramatically: geostrategic fractures have re-emerged on multiple fronts with wide-ranging political, economic and social consequences. With over 400 sessions, the programme is an unparalleled effort to engage leaders in a new shared narrative to improve the state of the world.

Besides Modi, finance minister Jaitley and defence minister Sitharaman will likely address special sessions at the WEF annual summit that will engage leaders and global influencers on a host of issues ranging from efforts to improve global governance mechanisms to inclusive economic development in the face of lower growth rates, declining productivity and skills gaps.
Education

Montgomery County Community College will present the spring installment of the interview/talk show program Issues and Insights April 20 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in Science Center room 214, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The programs will be simulcast to the Colleges West Campus in South Hall room 216, 101 College Drive, Pottstown. Dr. Kolsky will offer a humorous presentation, Carrots, Sticks and Politics: A State of the Nation and the World Message. In this speech, he will provide his interpretation of domestic and international politics and then welcome questions from the audience for discussion. Issues and Insights, is free and open to the public. For information, contact Dr. Thomas Kolsky, professor of political science, at 215-641-6380 or tkolsky@mc3.edu.

Montgomery County Community Colleges STEM Scholars Program will host a STEM Jam! open house April 25 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Advanced Technology Center at the Colleges Central Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The drop-in event is designed for students interested in learning more about careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Activities will include STEM program information and career advising, STEM speakers throughout the day from industry and academia, micro-helicopter and robotics competitive obstacle courses and demonstrations and static models of STEM student and faculty work. For more information about STEM Jam! or STEM programs at MCCC, contact William Brownlowe at wbrownlowe@mc3.edu or 215-641-6644, or Robin Zuhlke at 215-619-7440 or rzuhlke@mc3.edu.

Temple Ambler, located at 580 Meetinghouse Road, presents the following events:

International Club Global Bazaar April 15 from 5 to 8 p.m. The Ambler Campus International Club invites all students, faculty, staff and the community to celebrate a multitude of diverse cultures, which will be showcased at the organizations Global Bazaar. This family friendly event will highlight cultural traditions and celebrations in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, South American, North America and Africa through music, entertainment, food and informative displays developed and presented by students at the Ambler Campus. Young visitors will be provided with passports, which they may get stamped at each country they visit. Prizes will be awarded to world travelers who talk to cultural representatives, answer questions about the countries theyve visited and take part in fun-filled activities designed to help them learn about the rich diversity of cultures found throughout the world. Refreshments will be served. The event is free. For more information, call 267-468-8108 or e-mail tuc36466@temple.edu.

EarthFest 2011 April 29 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. More than 75 exhibitors, including the Philadelphia Zoo, The Franklin Institute, the Academy of Natural Sciences, the Elmwood Park Zoo and the Insectarium, will take part in EarthFest 2011. School students of all ages are invited to attend and develop displays of their own. EarthFest partner the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society also offers its Kids Grow Expo, featuring the Junior Flower Show, as part of the event. For more information, call 267-468-8108 or e-mail duffyj@temple.edu.

Annual Spring Plant Sale May 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The plant sale  an Ambler Campus tradition dating back to the early 1900s  will feature woody plants and perennials in portable sizes, hardy trees, shrubs, and vines, native plants that are attractive to wildlife, herbs, and hanging baskets. There will also be numerous special plants for sale to highlight Amblers special anniversary year. Garden books and garden tools will also be available for sale. Students, staff, and volunteers from the Department of Landscape Architecture and Horticulture and the Ambler Arboretum Advisory Committee will be available to answer questions. All proceeds from the Spring Plant Sale will support the Ambler Arboretum Fund and the Pi Alpha Xi National Honor Society. Information: 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary.

June Homecoming/Louise Bush-Brown Garden Dedication June 5 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. (June Homecoming), Bright Hall Lounge; 2 p.m. (Garden Dedication), Ambler Campus Formal Perennial Gardens. Tickets  June Homecoming: Participant  $18 per person; Sustainer  $25 per person; Benefactor  $40 per person. The 2011 June Homecoming, sponsored by the School of Environmental Design Alumni Association, will include the Alumni Association annual meeting and luncheon. June Homecoming will be followed by the formal dedication of Temple University Amblers Formal Perennial Gardens as the Louise Bush-Brown Formal Gardens. During this 100th anniversary of the campus, Temple University Ambler and the Ambler Arboretum of the Temple University is honoring Louise Bush-Browns many contributions to the history of the campus by formally dedicating the gardens in her honor. During the program, campus Executive William Parshall will welcome guests, Ambler Arboretum Director Jenny Rose Carey will speak about the Bush-Browns and the history of the garden, and an official ribbon cutting will be held for the Louise Bush-Brown Formal Garden. Following the ribbon cutting, guests are invited to take a tour of the gardens, which will wend their way to the Campus Greenhouse for the School of Environmental Designs annual Plant Auction. Information (Garden Dedication): 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Information (June Homecoming): 215-482-0722. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary.

Northview Garden Tour and Fundraiser for the Ambler Arboretum June 12 from noon to 5 p.m. Call for reservations. Tickets: $15 per person or $20 at the door. In addition to the gardens of the Ambler Arboretum of Temple University, Arboretum Director Jenny Rose Carey has a garden oasis all her own right in Ambler  Northview. Visitors will have the opportunity to take self-guided tours throughout the many gardens, where garden experts will be available to answer questions about the various designs. The Ambler Keystone Chapter of the Womans National Farm and Garden Association will also provide tea and refreshments. All proceeds from the tours will support the Ambler Arboretum of Temple University. Information or to register: 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary.

The Senior Adult Activities Center of Montgomery County, 536 George Street, Norristown, will hold the following events:

SAAC Adult Day Care, an alternative to Nursing Home Care is available  for information call 610-275-1960

Volunteers are needed for Meals on Wheels Program (call the number above)

SAACs Fifth Avenue Boutique opens Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Exercise with Theresa will be held every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1 p.m.

Dance class is held every Monday at 10 a.m.

Tai Chi is held every Monday at 10 a.m.

Yoga is held every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m.

Line Dancing is held every Thursday at 10:30 a.m.

Dancing with Joan is held every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m.

Sculpture Class is held Wednesdays from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Why Should I Learn Spanish? will be held Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m.

Generations On-Line computer classes for seniors will be held Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.  4 p.m.  computers are available during those hours.

Health Living will be held every Tuesday at 1 p.m.

Boomer U will hold the following events. Boomer U is located at 45 Forest Avenue, Ambler. Registration & payment is required for all events: 215-619-8863.

Pilates Class is held Wednesdays and Fridays at 9:30 a.m. First class is free; please bring a mat. For information call 610-291-5376.

Blue Bell School of Dance, 921 Penllyn Blue Bell Pike, Blue Bell, hosts Argentine Tango Classes and a Milonga dance party every Friday evening. Lessons start at 8:30 p.m. followed by dancing at 9:30 p.m. Andrew Conway, master Argentine Tango dancer, instructor and performer and his partner Linda Chase will instruct. All levels welcome and no partner is needed. Refreshments will be served. Fee is $12 per person and includes lesson and dancing. Information: 215-634-1101 or www.amoretango.com.

The Montgomery Hospital Medical Center will offer the following classes:

Childbirth Education Class- all parents are invited to participate, including those who are delivering at

other hospitals. For more information on maternity services or classes, call 610-270-2020.

CPR and First Aid Courses are offered for beginners to experiences health care providers. Call 610-270-2313.

The Ambler SAAC (Senior Adult Activities Center), located at 45 Forest Ave in Ambler will hold the following events:

Tai Chi every Monday and Thursday at 11 a.m.

Yoga is every Tuesday at 1 p.m. and Friday at 10:30 a.m.

Strength and balance training every Wednesday at 10 a.m.

Armchair Aerobics is held every Monday at 10 a.m.

Gourmet Weight Wise every Thursday at 12:30.

Fitness Center and Pool Room open daily 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

The Diabetes Education Center will offer day and evening classes each month. Health insurance pays for diabetes education classes. Preregistration is required. Call 610-270-2301.

For Kids & Families

The Ambler Kiwanis Club will host its annual Easter Egg Hunt April 26 at 10 a.m. in Ambler Borough Park, located just off of the intersection of Hendricks Street and Valley Brook Road. Members of the Wissahickon Key Club will assist Kiwanians in hiding thousands of wrapped chocolate eggs in a designated area of the park. Also hidden will be plastic colored eggs, which are redeemed for prizes. Elementary school children are separated by age.

Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation will hold its 21st annual Storybook Egg-Stravaganza April 15 fom 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Upper Dublin Township Building. Toddlers and preschoolers love this annual event where photo opportunities with favorite friends abound! Treasures are collected from UDP&Rs assortment of lifesize cutouts of favorite cartoon characters from Disney, Sesame Street, Nickelodeon and other well-known animation. Children can have their picture taken with Bugsy OHare; bring your own camera. And dont forget a basket for goodies! $7 for UD residents; $12 for non-residents. Pre-register at 215-643-1600 ext. 3443.

Splash Week is a free week-long program that teaches children and families basic swimming skills and water safety practices. All YMCA branches will host multiple classes each day from April 11 to 15. For more information, contact the Ambler Area YMCA at 215-628-9950.

Healthy Kids Day is April 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The day is filled with fun, engaging and artistic activities that cultivate healthy living as part of the YMCAs larger efforts to help more kids and families become physically active. All activities are free and open to the community. For more information, contact the Ambler YMCA at 215-628-9950. No reservation is required.

The Ambler Area YMCA has added several new programs for area youngsters. Classes are held late afternoons or evenings on various weekdays. For more information, visit philaymca.org or call 215-628-9950.

Basic Beading: Ages: 10+. Wednesdays 7 to 7:45 p.m. This class will teach you the fundamentals of wiring and stringing along with how color can be used to create unique and vibrant beadwork design. You will create various jewelry including earrings, bracelets, charm pendants and much more! Supplies will be provided. Bringing your own jewelry pliers or tools would be a plus.

Messin with the Masters: Ages: 8-12. Thursdays 7 to 7:45 p.m. Learn about some of the worlds greatest artists. You will be inspired to create your own Starry Night with oil pastels and tempera paints, a tissue paper painted Monet garden, a Picasso head using scraps of paper, a Georgia OKeeffe clay flower bowl and a Rousseau jungle collage.

Super Scientist: Ages: 5-7. Mondays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Well be concocting chemistry experiments such as making slime, mixing potions and having fun with magnet magic. Your budding little scientist will enhance his/her creative thinking and motor skills and to top it off will learn that science can be serious fun.

Wacky Junk Art: Ages: 8-12. Thursdays 6 to 6:45 p.m. Why throw it away! Instead join us to make household junk into aliens from outer space, wacky specs, crazy hats, body masks or a recycled train.

Globe Trotters: Ages: 4-6. Tuesdays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Youre never too young to start thinking globally. Each week, we explore a new country through crafts, games, music, stories and even some taste-testing. A perfect introduction to our great big world!

Crazy about Crafts: Ages: 5-7, Thursdays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Let your childs creative juices flow with our fun arts and crafts projects each week. Fine motor skills and creative thinking skills will be enhanced with this crafty class.

Come out and join the Ambler Area YMCAs Teen and Junior Leaders Club. Participants are given the freedom to plan community service projects year round and truly make a difference in the lives of people in need. Those in Teen and Junior Leaders also attend leadership retreats all along the East Coast three times a year and meet other leaders who are doing the same great work in their respective areas. Dont miss out on this inspiring opportunity. Teen Leaders, ages 13-17, meet every Wednesday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Junior Leaders, ages 10-12, will begin in the spring and will meet every Monday. For more information, contact Mike Miles, Teen Director, 215- 628-9950 x 1540 or mmiles@philaymca.org.

Did you know that the new Ambler Area YMCA holds childrens birthday parties at its site for members and non members as well. The Ambler Y does all the work from start to finish and birthday parties include a personalized cake, ice cream, beverage and paper products. Parties are held on Saturday and Sunday afternoons and include two party hosts to lead activities, set-up, clean-up and assist with serving. You can have a Splash Party for children ages six to 12 in the new zero depth entry pool with water slide and spray fountains. Up to 25 children have exclusive use of the pool area with 30 minutes in the party room. Sports Parties are offered for kids ages four to 12 with age appropriate activities and games, and sports such as floor hockey, soccer, basketball or dodge ball. Children ages three to five years of age will enjoy parties in the Family Active Center with use of the Moon Bounce and organized activities, such as parachute play and songs. For information, 215-628-9950 ext. 1583.

Community Events at the Ambler Y:

-YAchievers YMCA Achievers is a developmentally based, extracurricular, educational and team mentoring program designed to help students in grades five through 12 prepare for fulfilled livelihoods in college and beyond. Participation is free and all students in this program receive a free YMCA membership. Registration for the 2009 program begins now. You do not need to be a YMCA member to utilize these special services. Call 215-628-9950 to register.

Greater Norristown Art Leagues Childrens Weeklong Summer Art Camps will be held at 800 West Germantown Pike in East Norriton, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday throughout the summer. The cost per session is $125 per student for ages 6 and up. Jo Ann Cooksey Bono teaches an introduction to basic drawing skills and techniques from 10 a.m. until the lunch break each day. In the afternoon sessions, Mary Vogel Lozinak involves the students in hands on projects such as collage, papermaking, T-shirt printing, 3D design and sculpy clay. Fridays Graduation Day includes an art show, awards ceremony and reception for parents, siblings, grandparents and friends. All supplies are included. Students provide their own lunch. A refrigerator is available and the building is air-conditioned. This is the 15th year to run this successful program. Both instructors are professional artists with State Police and Child Abuse Clearances. To register, call Jo Ann at 610-279-1008, or register on-line at www.gnal.org.

Health

Dresher Physical Therapy is hosting an interactive seminar discussing its Golf Assessment Progam April 30 from 10 a.m. to noon at Dresher Physical Therapy, 1075 Virginia Drive, Suite 200, Fort Washington. Physical therapist Chris Miller, certified through the Titleist Performance Institute, will discuss why your body may be the most important piece of golf equipment you invest in and how this can drastically improve your game. $10 in advance; $15 at the door. Call 215-619-4545 to reserve your spot.

The Chestnut Hill Center for Enrichment, Center on the Hill and Chestnut Hill Hospital will host a Senior Health and Resource Fair April 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Chestnut Hill Presbyterian Church, 8855 Germantown Ave. The event is free. For more information, call 215-248-0180 or e-mail chseniors@cavtel.net.

The Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center is hosting Help Yourself to Health, a new six-week workshop for older adults with ongoing health conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, anxiety, heart disease and others. The free workshop will take place at the Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center, 45 Forest Ave. on six Thursdays, May 12 through June 16 from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Although there is no charge to participate, registration is required. To register, call 215-619-8863.

The Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center is sponsoring an eight-week program called A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns About Falls. Presented by the Montgomery County Health Department, this workshop will be held on Tuesdays, May 3 to June 21 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Ambler Center, 45 Forest Ave. If you pre-register by April 27, the fee is only $5! Registration at the first class is $10. (Checks should be payable to SAAC and will benefit our Meals on Wheels program that serves homebound seniors.) A workbook will be provided and refreshments will be served. Call 215-619-8863 to register or for more information.

Fort Washington Wellness Center classes are ongoing. There are several offered during lunch or right after work, for your convenience: Boot Camp from noon to 1 p.m. on Monday; Zumba is MWF from 11 a.m. to noon and Friday at 4 p.m.; there are 25 cycling classes; Ashtanga and Vinyasana Yoga and Pilates; and a group Womens Strength Training class M-F from 10 to 11 a.m. Questions, call Cathy DeMarco at 215-641-1245.

Following the success of other local area programs, Impact Sports and Upper Dublin Parks and Recreation are delighted to team up again to offer a spring program for the 2011 season! Upper Dublin area children ages 3-5 years old can attend a Sports Program featuring their favorite sports games; soccer, rugby, hockey, track and field, basketball, and more. The program will start on April 27 and run through June 1. Cost for the program is $85 for the six weeks. The classes will be running 12- 1 p.m.; 1- 2 p.m.; 2- 3 p.m. For more info or to register, call Upper Dublin Township on 215 643 1600 or visit their website a http://www.upperdublin.net.

Spring Aquatic Programs  UDHS Pool:

-Summer is just around the corner  Community Aquatic Programs at the UDHS Pool can help get you into shape! Programs begin in March; preregistration is required.

 Shallow Water Aerobics  Two 5-week programs, Wednesday nights, 8-8:45 p.m., $40R/$50NR.

 Adult Swim Instructions  Two 5-week programs, Wednesday nights, 7-8 p.m., $50R/$60NR

-Open Rec Swims are fun for the whole family! Come out on Fridays from 7-9 p.m. or Saturdays from 1-4 p.m. and enjoy use of the pool and diving area. Fridays are offered through June 17; Saturdays are offered March 12-May 21.

-Join a growing group of adult lap swimmers and water walkers. Lanes are set aside evenings and weekends for use; lanes are shared. Monday  Thursday from 7:30-9:30 p.m.; Fridays from 7-9 p.m. and Saturdays (March 12-May 21) from 1-4 p.m.

-Private Swimming & Diving Lessons for ages 3-adult are offered at the UDHS Pool through a partnership with the Upper Dublin Aquatic Club (UDAC). Visit the UDAC website for more information, www.udac.us, and click the link to UDHS Private Lessons.

-Looking for local programs for US Masters Swimming (adults) or Water Polo (all ages)? UDAC and UDSD are working together to develop programs that will be offered at the UDHS Pool. Add your name to Interest Lists by emailing slohoefer@upperdublin.net. emails will be sent about clinics and program start dates.

Questions about Community Aquatic Programs at the UDHS Pool, group use of the pool or pool rental? Contact Susan Lohoefer, Facility & Community Affairs Manager at slohoefer@upperdublin.net or call 215-643-8800 x8994.

SilverSneakers Fitness Program. The Healthyways SilverSneakers Fitness Program is a result-oriented program that enables older adults to take charge of their health. The program is an innovative blend of physical activity, healthy lifestyle and socially oriented programing. Members of the program are eligible for a free YMCA membership, with use of the pool and exercise equipment, along with customized classes designed for older adults who want to improve their strength, flexibility, balance and endurance. If you are a subscriber to Independence Blue Cross (Personal Choice 65 PPO) or Keystone 65 HMO, Bravo Health, or Health Options Programs (HOP), call the Ambler Area YMCA, 215-628-9950 or Hatboro Area YMCA, 215-674-4545. You can also visit www.silversneakers.com.

Zumba Fitness offers Zumba dance/fitness classes at Academy of Dance and Music/BBAD Studio located at 1524 DeKalb Pike in Blue Bell (behind Sherwin Williams). Classes are offered three times a week: Tuesdays at 6 p.m., Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 8 a.m. For a free trial pass for your first class, email us at info@danceandmusic.biz or call 610-277-2557. For more info, visit our site at www.academyofdanceandmusic.org.

Chestnut Hill Health Systems presents the following Health Education Programs:

FITNESS CLASSES

Golden Yoga: A Breathing, Stretching and Relaxation Class. Fridays, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Lea Auditorium, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. Registration for four classes at a time required. Golden Yoga is Classical Yoga, adapted by the SKY Foundation, to accommodate those who have difficulty getting up and down from the floor. The program includes postures, breathing, relaxation and meditation techniques, all performed while sitting in a chair and standing. Registration required. Call 215-247-3029. Cost: $20 for 4 classes per month.

Tai Chi: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 8:30  9:30 a.m. Springfield Residence, 8601 Stenton Ave. Classes, for the novice or beginner/intermediate student, are designed to improve balance, power, posture, coordination, flexibility and mental focus. Slow, gentle movements are modified to most everyones abilities. For more information or to sign up for a free introductory class, call 215-882-2804. Cost: $8 per class/paid monthly.

SUPPORT GROUPS

Weight Loss Surgery Support Group: Fourth Wednesday of the month, 7-8 p.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia. Join us for a monthly get-together where well share information for those interested in weight loss surgery, learn from guest speakers discussing current news on issues including lifestyle modification, nutrition and exercise and provide ongoing support for those who have completed surgery. Registration required. Call 215-753-2000.

Breast Cancer Networking Group: Fourth Tuesday of the month 5:30  7 p.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia. A free, confidential support group for women living with a diagnosis of breast cancer designed to provide a forum for sharing information, feelings and concerns associated with breast cancer. Facilitated by Tish Wakefield, LCSW, Oncology Social Worker. Registration required. To register or for more information, call 215-248-8047.

New Moms Support Groups Tuesdays 10:30 a.m.  12 p.m.; contact Jeanine ORourke, MSW or 2:30  4 p.m.; contact Susan Schack, Ph.D Volunteer Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. The Center for Postpartum Depression at Chestnut Hill Hospital is pleased to offer two new support groups to support new moms. Both groups will be run by experienced mental health professionals who really get it when it comes to new motherhood and juggling relationships, extended family, work/family balance and self-care. If you are experiencing new mom challenges that often heighten anxiety and involve hormonally driven depression, join us for an informative and supportive forum to connect with other moms. Infants are welcome. $30 per session (flexible based on need). Registration is required. Call Dr. Schack, 646-265-2484, or Ms. ORourke, 215-206-2931.

Man to Man Prostate Cancer Support Group Third Thursday of the month 8-9 a.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. A networking group for men diagnosed with prostate cancer designed to provide education, support and encouragement. Spouses and partners welcome. Harry M. Baer, MD, Chief, Urology Division, will host Ask the Doctor. Registration required. Call 215-248-8325.

Contact the Senior Center by phone 215-248-0180 or email (chseniors@cavtel.net) with your questions about these programs or any of our on-going activities and classes.

Holy Redeemer HomeCare and Hospice seeks compassionate and emotionally mature volunteers to provide support to local hospice patients and their families in Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. Volunteers may also assist with pet therapy and administrative work within the hospice department and are requested to have daytime availability. Hospice patient care volunteers visit with patients in their homes or nursing facilities once a week for two to three hours. They provide emotional support and companionship to patients and family members, assist with errands or provide respite for caregivers. Bereavement volunteers support the families of hospice patients following the loss of a loved one, while administrative volunteers assist with typing, mailings and/or filing. Hospice care workers provide a great service to families and loved ones of hospice patients. Many volunteers also report a great deal of personal satisfaction as a result of their services. Patient care and bereavement volunteers complete an application and attend an 18-hour volunteer training program that covers the medical, psychological and spiritual aspects of hospice volunteering. Day and evening training programs are offered. To sign up for volunteer opportunities in Pennsylvania, contact Holy Redeemer Volunteer Coordinator Jean Francis at 215-698-3737 or email jfrancis@holyredeemer.com.

Librarytalk

Upper Dublin Public Library, 805 Loch Alsh Avenue, Ft. Washington, 215-628-8744

www.upperdublinlibrary.org

APRIL CHILDRENS PROGRAMS:

Storytimes: Please register in the library.

o Wee Ones: 0 to 23 months Thursdays and Fridays 10:30 to 10:50 a.m.

o Tiny Tots: age 2. Wednesdays 10:30 to 10:50 a.m. and Fridays 11 to 11:20 a.m.

o Jr. Book Lovers: ages 3 to 6. Tuesdays 10:30 to 11 a.m.

o Bedtime Storytimes: 7 to 7:30 p.m. April 20 and 27. Wear your jammies, bring your teddy & hear Miss Barbara read bedtime stories! For ages 3 to 6.

APRIL TEEN PROGRAMS:

North Hills Library Teens April 28 from 4 to 6 p.m. Movie Matinee

APRIL UDPL ADULT PROGRAMS:

NEW! ESL Conversation Group. Tuesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. Interested in practicing your English in a safe and caring environment? Come to our conversation group and improve your skills! Please register with Kay Klocko at 215-628-8744 or kklocko@mclinc.org.

One-on-One Computer Mentoring. Get personalized assistance from experienced computer volunteers! Sign-up for a one-hour session. Limit one session per month. Please register  contact info above.

Book Groups Please register with Kay Klocko 215-628-8744.

o Daytimers: April 21 at 1:30 p.m. Tired of book groups where you all read the same book? Read any fiction or non-fiction book on this months theme: Explorers. Please register.

Meetings:

Annual Meeting of the Friends of UDPL: April 14 at 1 p.m.

Board of Directors: April 20 at 7 p.m.

Blue Bell Library www.wvpl.org Upcoming Events: The Wissahickon Valley Public Library, 650 Skippack Pike (Route 73) in Blue Bell, is diagonally across from the Blue Bell Inn. Call 215-643-1320 or visit their website at www.wvpl.org.

For children and teens at Blue Bell:

* Story times with guitar music by Miss Michelle, the singing librarian.

* Mondays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages.

* Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. for all ages.

* Fridays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages.

* Family Movies, new releases, second Saturdays of the month at 1:30 p.m.

* May 14  Despicable Me

* June 11  Alpha and Omega

* Special Events

* April  watch for date of spring/Easter events

* April 14 at 4:30 p.m.  Junior Lego Club for children ages 3 through 5. Parents and caregivers need to stay with children.

* April 14 at 7 p.m.  Jeopardy for ages 11 to 18. Test your book and library knowledge for prizes. Sign up to be a contestant. No sign up to be in the audience. Snacks provided.

* April 16 at 1 p.m.  Adult Mystery Book Group discussing The Beekeepers Apprentice by Laurie King.

* April 16 at 1:30 p.m.  Childrens event for One Book, Every Young Child celebration. Story and craft for book Whose Shoes?

* April 19 at 7 p.m. and April 26 at 1:30 p.m.- Adult book group discusses The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester. Group led by Adam Button.

* April 30 through May 3  Friends book sale with about 10,000 items for sale for children, teens and adults.

* May  sign up for Science in the Summer

* June  sign up for Enrichment Programs for Elementary-Age children

* June  sign up for Summer Reading, all ages

For adults at Blue Bell:

* Daytime Book Discussion Group  fourth Tuesday, Jan  April at 1:30 p.m.

* April 26  The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester

* Night-time Book Discussion Group  third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m.

o April 19  The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester

* Art Series with Dr. Sheldon Weintraub, docent at The Barnes and speaker at local colleges

o April 27 at 2 p.m. The Art of Looking at Art-Is She Nude or Is She Naked?

*Mystery Book Discussion Group, third Saturday of the month at 1 p.m.; new mystery theme each month; www.wvpl.org/programs

* Yoga on Mondays at 1:30 p.m. $20 for eight classes; $5 per drop-in class.

* Tai Chi on Mondays at 3 p.m. with Dr. Kurt Findeisen. $20 for eight classes; $5 per drop in class.

* Philadelphia Museum of Art presents class on their Marc Chagall exhibit, April 13 at 2 p.m.

* Giant Book Sale, April 29  May 3

o Starts with almost 10,000 items for children and adults!

o Held during library hours.

o Preview for members of the Friends of the Library, April 28 at 7 p.m.

o Join the Friends and attend the preview sale. Modest fee to join.

* Blooms at Blue Bell Gardening Series

o May 11 at 1 p.m.  Summer Bulbs by PA Horticultural Society

* Knitting group Mondays and Wednesdays at 10 a.m. Work on your project or observe and learn. The groups continue year-round in the community room.

* Socrates Cafe discussion group every Monday at 7 p.m. You pick the topic to discuss each week. No sign-up, nothing to read.

* Bridge every Friday at 12:30 p.m. New players welcome.

* Mah Jong every Wednesday at 1 p.m. New players welcome.

*Chess every Wednesday at 7p.m. for adults and teens 14 and older.

* Movie Matinee showing recent releases every Thursday at 2 p.m. April 14: Maos Last Dancer; April 21: Welcome to the Rileys; April 28: Conviction; May 5: Inception; May 12: Inside Job; May 19 The Kings Speech; May 26 The Fighter; June 2 Rabbit Hole; June 9 Black Swan; June 16 127 Hours

* Ongoing like-new, year-round book sale for adults & children during library hours

* Library opening at 10 a.m. Monday through Saturday!

Ambler Library, a branch of the Wissahickon Valley Public Library, 209 Race St., 215-646-1072. www.wvpl.org. All the following events occur at the Ambler Library.

* Story times with guitar music by Miss Michelle, the singing librarian.

* Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages.

* Thursdays at 4:30 p.m. for all ages.

* For adults:

* Beading Group meets the first and third Monday of every month at 1 p.m. Work on your own projects or come to watch and learn.

* Free Family History Lookup with Connie Briggs. Email Connie for an appointment at the Ambler Library. conniebriggs@comcast.net

* Special Events:

* April 14 at 1:30 p.m.  Book Group discusses Skeletons at the Feast by Chris Bohjalian.

* April 19 at 7 p.m.  Travel to Paris with world traveler Harry Balin. Tea and scones at 6:30 p.m.

* April 21 at 7 p.m.  Art with Sara for children in fourth through seventh grades.

*May 2 at 6:30 p.m.  Discuss the movie Lone Star with Temple Professor Lisa Hawkins. Watch the movie ahead of time.

*May 10  Robert Capucci discusses Art into Fashion. Tea and scones served at 6:30 p.m. Program at 7 p.m.

*May 12 at 1:30p.m.  Book Group discusses The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman.

*May 17  Tour the gardens of Devon and Southwest England with Lois McMullen. Tea and Scones at 6:30 p.m. Program at 7 p.m.

*June 13 at 6:30 p.m.  Discuss the movie Blade Runner with Temple Professor Lisa Hawkins. Watch the movie ahead of time.

Meetings and Lectures

The Unisys Blue Bell Retiree Group will meet in the Church on the Mall in the Plymouth Meeting Mall April 14 at 1:30 p.m. Kathy Sacket Young, director/trainer with the North Penn YMCA, will speak on Keeping Fit in Retirement. For more information, contact Membership Committee Chairperson Jerry Feldscher at 610-275-3538 or President Al Rollin at 215-368-4833.

The next FWBA meeting will be April 28 at the Hilton Garden Inn Fort Washington. Networking begins at 11:30 a.m.; meeting from noon to 1 p.m. Leon Singletary, Principal, First Contact HR and FWBA Executive Board, will present: Social Media: How to Use It To Get More Business. Lunch is provided courtesy of the Hilton Garden Inn Fort Washington. Members are welcome to bring a guest. An RSVP is requested by return email or 215-628-0313.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern PA is hosting a information sessions over the next few weeks on how to become a Big Brother. The information sessions will take place: April 16 at noon, April 19 at 8 a.m. and April 28 at 6 p.m. All sessions will be held at the groups Norristown Office,t 530 DeKalb St., Norristown. For more information, call 610-277-2200.

The North Penn Chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) normally meets on the third Tuesday of each month from now until May. Meetings are held at the William Penn Inn on Route 202 and Sumneytown Pike, Upper Gwynedd, PA. Social hour starts at 5:30 p.m., dinner is served at 6:30 p.m., and the technical program begins at 7 p.m. Cost with reservation is $28 for members. Members without reservations and guests pay $30. Students with reservations pay $15. Reservations may be made by noon on the Monday preceding the meeting by phoning 215-371-1854 or emailing the reservation to northpennima@yahoo.com northpennima@yahoo.com. Information about the North Penn Chapter is available at http://northpenn.imanet.org/.

LeTip, a professional organization of men and women who are dedicated to the highest standards of competence and service meets every Tuesday at Cedar Brook Country Club, 180 Penllyn Pike, Blue Bell at 7 a.m. -meeting officially starts at 7:16 a.m. and ends at 8:31 a.m. Our purpose is the exchange of business tips, leads, and referrals. Each business category is represented by one member and conflicts of interest are disallowed. Guests are welcome to visit any of our breakfast meetings.

Every third Thursday of month, Sunrise Assisted Living of Blue Bell (795 Penllyn Pike, Blue Bell, PA 19422, 215-619-2777) serves as a satellite site to 148th Legislative district PA congressman Mike Gerber from 10 a.m. to noon. Stop by for help needed with things such as disability placards and license plates, vehicle registration, utilities issues, birth/death certificates,property tax/rent rebates, etc. Notary services arranged by appointment.

The Eastern Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce is an action-oriented organization dedicated to promoting its members and the economic health of eastern Montgomery county. The Chamber is committed to serving as a catalyst by uniting business, community agencies, government and education to make our county a great place to live and work. For information, call 215-887-5122 or visit www.emccc.org.

Do you have a fear of public speaking? Blue Bell Toastmasters Club can help. We meet from 7 to 9 p.m., on the second and fourth Tuesday at the Marriott Courtyard, located on Route 202, directly across from the Montgomeryville Mall. Learn how to improve communication and leadership skills in a friendly and supportive environment. Guests are welcome. Admission fee: $5. For more info, visit www.bbtoast.org.

The PennSuburban Chamber of Commerce will hold the following meetings (for reservations to any of the following, email info@PennSuburban.org)

-Breakfast News Network, 7:30-8:45 a.m. at Normandy Farm Hotel (1401 Morris Road, Blue Bell, PA 19422) $15 members, includes full buffet breakfast. Join us for a networking program at Normandy Farm Hotel every Thursday morning for breakfast, business news, informative speakers, and plenty of networking. The cost includes a full breakfast buffet. Copies of the business cards will be made available to those who would like them.

The BNI, Fort Washington Chapter meets every Monday at The Hilton Garden Inn, 520 Pennsylvania Ave., Fort Washington for a networking meeting. Meetings are from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. Visitors are welcome. The only cost to attend is the cost of your meal. For information or a reservation to attend, please call Luanne Cram at 215-947-7784, or visit our Internet site at: http://www.BNIDVR.Com and click on the menu item Find a Chapter.

For the past seven years, people have enjoyed participating in WVWAs Adopt-a-Tree program. Individuals can support the Association in its reforestation efforts by purchasing native trees to be planted. Supporters can plant their adopted tree or have WVWA volunteers will plant it. Trees cost $30 each. If you would like to volunteer or purchase a tree(s), please contact: Bob Adams at Bob@wvwa.org or call: 215-646-8866 for more information. Check www.WVWA.org for directions and maps.

Sustainable Upper Dublin, http://sustainableupperdublin.org, meets the first Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m., at the Upper Dublin Township Building, 801 Loch Alsh Avenue, Fort Washington, PA 19034. Please send any questions to suec@sustainableupperdublin.org or call 610-996-6316. To learn more about Sustainable Upper Dublin, view or join the discussion at http://googlegroups.com/group/sustainableupperdublin.

Special Events

The Mattie N. Dixon Community Cupboard will hold its first nutrition class April 19 at 10 a.m. at the Community Cupboard, 150 N. Main St., Ambler. Lynne Sinclair, a nutritionist from Abington Memorial Hospital specializing in diabetic nutrition, will conduct the class. Topics will include healthy eating, beneficial foods, recipes, making meals with every day foods, and how to use unfamiliar produce. A healthy snack will be provided.The class is is open to all residents in Montgomery County.

The Historical Society of Fort Washington presents The History of Conshohocken April 19 at 8 p.m. at the Clifton House, 473 Bethlehem Pike, Fort Washington. Jack Coll will present an illustrated program on the history of the Borough of Conshohocken. Coll is a longtime resident of Conshohocken and a member of the Conshohocken Historical Society. He is co-author with his son, Brian, of the Arcadia Then and Now Series book Conshohocken. He has also done books Conshohocken and West Conshohocken Sports and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Italian Feast. He has taken many photos for the Conshohocken Record and the Norristown Times Herald. This program is free. Refreshments will be served. For additional information, call 215-646-6065.

Taste of the White House Soiree featuring former White House Chef Walter Scheib will take place April 29 at 6 p.m. at Manufacturers Golf & Country Club in Fort Washington to celebrate HealthLinks 10th anniversary and honor its founders, the Eugene Jackson Family. The evening will heat up with a Chef Meet & Greet, followed by a specially selected presidential menu. Gala tickets are $150 per person. Proceeds benefit HealthLink, a free clinic providing compassionate, quality medical and dental care to uninsured, working adults in Bucks and Montgomery counties who fall in between the health care cracks. Go to http://tasteofthewhitehouse.charityhappenings.org to make reservations online or lend support through sponsorship. For event information, call 267-699-0124 or email jmarushak@healthlinkmedical.org.

The Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association will hold an open house at the Evans-Mumbower Mill April 17 from 1 to 4 p.m. The Mill is at the corner of Swedesford and Township Line Roads in Upper Gwynedd. The open house is free but donations are welcome. For more information, call 215-646-8866 o email info@wvwa.org.

The Eastern Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce will host Breakfast With Your County Commissioners and State Representatives April 21 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the Holiday Inn Fort Washington, 432 W. Pennasylvania Ave. Commissioners: James R. Matthews (Chairman), Joseph M. Hoeffel (Vice Chair), State Representatives: Todd Stephens (District 151) and Josh Shapiro (District 153). Register onlineat www.emccc.org. $10 for EMCCC member; $20 for non-members.

Upper Dublins Districtwide Allied Art Show will be held April 27 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. in the Upper Dublin High School Athletic Complex.

The Rev. Alfred Muli, chaplain at Fort Washington Estates, will be the featured speaker at the Kiwanis sponsored breakfast observing the National Day of Prayer May 5 at 7 a.m. at the William Penn Inn. The breakfast is open to the public ($15). Reservations can be made by calling 215-646-4356 or by emailing georgesaurman@Juno.com.

The Upper Dublin Shade Tree Commission invites people to participate in its spring bare root planting events, sponsored in part by Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation and Friends of Robbins Park. On April 9, zix trees will be planted at the Evelyn B. Wright Park & Community Pool, 401 Logan Ave., North Hills, at 9 a.m., followed by the planting of 10 trees at Sheeleigh Park, Loch Alsh Avenue and Douglas Street, Ambler, at 10:15 a.m. On April 29, students from Upper Dublin High School will join the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society to plant 16 trees in Robbins Park, Butler Pike and Meetinghouse Road, Ambler, to help launch the societys Million Trees campaign. This event will occur in conjunction with Temple Amblers EarthFest. Experienced tree-tenders are sought to assist the students. For more information,contact Ron Ayres at 215-653-0421 or 215-483-4348.

The Friends of the Wissahickon and the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association are teaming up once again to clean the Wissahickon Creek from top to bottom April 30 from 9 a.m. to noon. This spring marks the 41st anniversary of Wissahickon Valley Watershed Associations annual Creek Clean Up, and the second year that FOW has teamed up with WVWA. Volunteers of all ages will clean the creek, the surrounding trails and the many tributaries of the Wissahickon Creek. Armed with bags, volunteers will be assigned to sections of the creek. Following the clean up, all volunteers are invited to WVWAs Talkin Trash picnic in Fort Washington State Park, with food provided by Whole Foods Market of North Wales. The pavilion is located on Mill Road in Flourtown. To help out in Montgomery County, all volunteers must be pre-assigned a section of the Wissahickon Creek to clean. Please contact Bob Adams, WVWA director of stewardship, at 215-646-8866 ext. 14 or bob@wvwa.org. To work with the Friends of the Wissahickon in Philadelphia, meet at the pavilion along Forbidden Drive, a short distance south of the intersection of Forbidden Drive and Northwestern Avenue. Limited parking is available along Northwestern Avenue and other nearby streets. Volunteers are encouraged to bike or carpool to the event. To participate, register at www.fow.org. Contact Kevin Groves with questions at 215-247-0417 ext. 105 or groves@fow.org.

Montgomery County Community Colleges International Club invites the community to the second annual International Festival April 20 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Central Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The rain date is April 26. The International Club will transform the outside quad area into multicultural celebration with various performances by dancers, singers and musicians. Artists will share their artwork at various display tables. Activities include games, raffles, Easter egg decorating and henna tattoos. Students will have samples of international cuisine at tables representing different countries and will serve food from various local ethnic restaurants. Throughout the evening, volunteers will accept donations and will raffle gift baskets and prizes to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity. Donations of food, international clothes and prizes are needed. Volunteers, including artists and performers, are welcome. For more information or to sponsor an activity, contact Gillian Nel, International Club president, at gnel9277@students.mc3.edu or 267-974-0163.

The Arts and Humanities Division at Montgomery County Community College is partnering with the Philadelphia Writers Conference to host Memoirs Matter: How Life Stories (Including Yours) Can Transform Your Relationship to Literature April 23 from 1 to 3 p.m. in Advanced Technology Center room 101, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The event is free and open to the public. In the first part of this two-hour seminar, professor and author Robert Waxler will explain how writing his two memoirs affected his life as well as his relationship to literature. In the second part, blogger and workshop leader Jerry Waxler will present a sequence of steps to help writers find their own story. For information, contact Dana Resente at dresente@mc3.edu.

The Maple Glen Garden Club will hold its fourth annual Plant Sale on May 7 from 8 to 11 a.m. Perennials, shrubs, vegetables and native plants grown by the club members will be sold. The club uses the plant sale proceeds to fund community projects, a college scholarship and community plantings. The sale will be held in the 500 block of Coach Road, Horsham, as part of a neighborhood garage sale. Plants will be sold at bargain prices. For more information, email MapleGlenGardenClub@gmail.com.

The Relay for Life Craft Show is looking for local crafters to participate in show, which will be May 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Wissahickon High School track, 521 Houston Road, Ambler. There is a $10 entry fee, and 20 percent of sales are donated to the American Cancer Society. Participants will receive a 6-foot table under a tent. For information, contact Joanne at joannescoles@comcast.net or Mindy at mcamsilver@comcast.net.

Spring House Estates is hosting its annual book fair on April 18 from 4 to 7 p.m. and April 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Included will be hardback and paperback used books. Spring House Estates is located at 728 Norristown Road, Lower Gwynedd.

The PennSuburban Chamber of Commerce will present the Penn Suburban/Hatfield Joint Business Card Exchange April 20 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Univest Bank Lansdale Area Financial Service Center, 120 Forty Foot Road, Hatfield. The event is free. To make reservations, visit PennSuburban.org/Events. Join Univest National Bank and Trust Co. for a spring-inspired Business Card Exchange at its newest office in the Hatfield Pointe Shopping Center. Come out and meet members of Univests executive management team while enjoying fine food and beverages.

13th Annual Community Reading Day Kick-off Breakfast Get Together April 26 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the North Wales Area Library, 233 Swartley St., North Wales. The event is free. To make reservations, visit PennSuburban.org/Events. For more information, contact the chamber office at 215-362-9200 or info@pennsuburban.org. Join presenting sponsor Verizon, chamber staff and fellow members for the Community Reading Day volunteer get together. The Community Reading Day program allows volunteers to read a designated book to second-grade students throughout 38 area public and private schools and present the book as a gift to each class. Even if you are not a volunteer, you are cordially invited to stop by to network, enjoy coffee and pastries.

Ambler Mennonite Church is hosting a Spring Craft Show and Flea Market May 21 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Rain date will be May 28. The community is invited to shop the great craft booths, find some gifts and deals, as well as enjoy home baked goods and tasty lunch specials. Childrens activities are planned. All vendors are encouraged to contact the church at 215-643-4876 or AmblerMennonite@verizon.net. Advertising, signage, customer parking and a shuttle to auxiliary parking at nearby lots for vendors will be provided. 10 foot by 10 foot spaces can be rented for $5 each and tables for an additional $5 each. All proceeds from space and table rentals go toward school kits for children around the world. The church is located at the corner of East Mt. Pleasant Avenue and North Spring Garden Street, Ambler.

The Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association presents The Life & Times of Aquatic Insects in the Wissahickon Creek April 16 from 1 to 3 p.m. Join WVWA for a hands-on program. RSVP required: www.wvwa.org or 215-646-8866. WVWA member fee: $5 per person / $15 per family. Non-WVWA member fee: $10 per person / $20 per family.

The photography exhibition Natures Palette by photo-artist Judy Miller will run March 18 to May 19 at the Art in the Storefront gallery, 41 E. Butler Pike, Ambler.

JPRN  Networking For People in Transition & People Who Can Help Them  Unemployment remains high. JPRN, the Jarrettown Professional Relationship Network can help. Are you trying to network your way to a new job? Do you have expertise or contacts that can help people in transition? Is your company or organization looking for people in the area? This is a free outreach program to support those seeking work, involve people with contacts and networking know how, and involve local companies. Meetings held monthly at Jarrettown United Methodist Church, Limekiln Pike.

Pennsylvanias Low-Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) grant program is now open for the 2010-11 heating season. Grants are based on income, family size, type of heating fuel and region. Additional information, such as specific income limits, and applications for LIHEAP grants are available online via the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Access to Social Services (COMPASS) website at www.compass.state.pa.us. Applications are available at most public officals district offices, county assistance offices, local utility companies and community service agencies, such as Area Agencies on Aging or community action agencies.

Begin your holiday shopping at Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation! Entertainment books for 2011, Philadelphia North, are now on sale at $30 each. Regal/United Artists movie tickets are on sale for just $7.50 each, and tickets to the Adventure Aquarium, Baltimore Aquarium, and the Philadelphia Zoo are also available. Discounted ski vouchers to area mountains will be arriving in December; call 215-643-1600 x3443 for more information. Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

RSVP of Montgomery County and the Wissahickon Valley Public Library have partnered again to offer the public their popular free mock interview sessions. The mock interviews are conducted by RSVP volunteers who are retired professionals, some of whom were in hiring positions themselves. Packets of information which include a sample employment application and interviewing tips with mock interview questions are available at the library to pick up prior to a scheduled mock interview or will be sent via email once the interview is scheduled. To schedule your interview, please contact Janis Glusman at RSVP 610-834-1040, ext. 16. The library is also offering a free resume review service. Bring in your current resume and the professional reference staff will assist you with hints and tips on capturing your work history accurately.

Registration for Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation summer playgrounds, Camp B.I.G. and Small Folks, X-Zone, and sports camps has began. Register online at www.upperdublin.net/store, or at the UDP&R office, 801 Loch Alsh Avenue, Fort Washington. Call 215-643-1600 x3443 for more information.

Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation and Danielles Espresso Cafe presents Mornings at Mondaug Bark Park April 16 and May 21 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Meet fellow dog lovers. These events include complimentary coffee, treats for people and pups and raffles/giveaways.

Upper Dublins Annual Spring Flea Market will be held June 4 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Reserve a table, or come and shop. Tables are $15 for UD residents, $20 for non-residents. This successful event occurs rain or shine. Refreshments available. Call 215-643-1600 ext. 3443 to register for a table.

Regal movie tickets available for purchase at Upper Dublin Township Parks & Recreation. Reduced rate: $7.50 per ticket. Some restrictions apply. Call 215-643-1600 x3443.

Whitpain Township Parks & Recreation movie tickets $7.50 Regal Cinemas, United Artist & Edwards Cinemas on sale throughout the year Monday  Friday from 9 a.m.  4 p.m.

Whitpain Township Parks & Recreation Camp Sign-ups for Stony Creek Day Camp  Stony Creek Tracers and Park n Tots. Register on-line at www.whitpaintownship.org OrCome to Township Building with check or Visa MasterCard Monday  Friday from 9 a.m.  4 p.m. For additional information call 610.277-2400 ext. 374

Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation offers exciting new programs for the fall:

-Returning favorites include UK Elite Petite Soccer, Tiny Dancers, Kiddie Tennis, Fun-nastics, Messy Playtime, Little Chefs, and more. Babysitters Training will be offered in November and December. Continuing Adult Fitness Classes include Cardio Circuit, Core & More, Yoga, Boxing, and Adult G.Y.M. For more information call 215-643-1600 x3443. Register for programs online at www.upperdublin.net/store.

Music and Theater

The community is invited to a Cantors Concert April 16 at 8 p.m. Congregation Beth Or, 239 Welsh Road, Maple Glen. Listen and hum-along to the Yiddish, pop tunes and classical music performed by Congregation Beth Ors own Cantor David Green and his special guest, Cantor Irvin Bell, from Temple Beth Israel in Deerfield Beach, Fla. The cantors will be accompanied by Mark Sobol and his Klezmer musicians. Tickets are $18 in advance and $25 at the door. RSVP with payment to Barb Murtha, 239 Welsh Road, Maple Glen, PA 19002, or call 215-646-5806 ext. 220.

Gwynedd Friends Coffeehouse will host the Jameson Sisters May 14. Doors open at 7:30 pm, performance at 8:00 pm. Gwynedd Friends Coffeehouse is located at the corner of Rte. 202 & Sumneytown Pike, Gwynedd. $5 suggested donation. Light refreshment available at a modest cost. For further information, call 215-393-9576 or visit gwyneddmeeting.org/coffeehouse.html.

Celebrate patriotism through song with Gwynedd-Mercy Colleges choir, the Voices of Gwynedd, as it presents Hear America Singing April 15 at 8 p.m. The choir will perform song selections from all over the country, including Georgia on My Mind, New York State of Mind, and a medley including Philadelphia Freedom and Allentown. The performance will end with When the Saints Go Marching In to acknowledge the choirs upcoming tour in New Orleans. Hear America Singing will take place in the Julia Ball Auditorium, located in St. Bernard Hall. Parking is available in lots A, C and D. Admission is free.

The Choristers will present Anton Dvoraks Stabat Mater April 16 at 7:30 p.m. at Upper Dublin Lutheran Church in Ambler. The choir will be accompanied by a 41-piece orchestra. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for senior citizens, $10 for students and children are free. Tickets will be sold in advance or at the door. For more information, call 215-542-7871 or visit TheChoristers.org

Religious News

The Staircase Gallery at Or Hadash: A Reconstructionist Congregation in Fort Washington will feature the work of Emily Ennuat-Lustine. The artist will be showing paintings and graphics inspired by her own personal spiritual journey and quest for meaning. Some of the works to be shown have been inspired by Biblical Psalms and writings. Her work has been shown at Abington Art Center, Cheltenham Arts Center and Old City Gallery of Jewish Art among others. The exhibition is open Friday evenings starting Feb. 18 after Shabbat services. Gallery hours are: Mondays through Thursdays 10-4:30, Fridays 10-3 and following Shabbat Services and Sundays 10-1. The synagogue is located at 190 Camp Hill Road in Fort Washington. For additional information contact the synagogue office at 215-283-0276.

Reunions

St. Matthews High School Conshohocken Class of 1961 is looking for classmates. For details, contact Greg Marincola at 215-646-2239, 215-740-1296 or gregcola@comcast.net.

Olney High School Class of 1971 is Lloking for classmates for a 40th reunion Oct. 28. For details, contact Judy at ohsclassof71@yahoo.com or 215-870-7572.

Abington High School Class of 1961 is seeking classmates for a 50-year reunion to be held Oct. 14-15, 2011.Visit the website, www.abington61.com, for details or call 215-947-1779.

Overbrook High School class of January 1956 is having a 55 year reunion on May 22, 2011 at the Bala Golf Club in Philadelphia. For information please contact overbrookreunion56@comcast.net

Germantown High School Class Of January 1961 is looking for classmates for 50th year reunion to take place in May of 2011. Please contact: 215-362-9148, 856-577-0659 or samdelcomo@comcast.net

The June 1961 class of Germantown High School is holding their 50th reunion on May 15, which will be a brunch. For further details please contact Linda Dorfman Alten at lindaalten@yahoo.com or call 215-441-8411.

Support

New Life Presbyterian Church in Dresher, will host GriefShare, a special seminar and support group which will run on Monday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m., from March 7 through June 6. At each meeting there will be a DVD about the grief process, discussion and reference to a grief workbook. Preregistration is required to secure a place in the group and to purchase a GriefShare notebook (for a one-time fee of $15). The notebook goes along with the 13-week schedule covering such topics as: living with grief, the effects of grief, and stuck in grief. For more information or to register, call: Sandy Elder at 215-884-5149.

PUPS (People Understanding Parkinsons) A self-help group for those adjusting to a new diagnosis or dealing with the early stages of Parkinsons Disease. Meets fourth Tuesday of the month from 1 to 2:30 p.m., at Abington Health Center, Schilling Campus, Willowood Building, 2510 Maryland Road, Suite 251, Willow Grove. For more information or to RSVP, contact Lorna at 215-542-2931.

The North Penn Visiting Nurse Associations Meals on Wheels program is looking for volunteers to pack or deliver meals to the elderly and infirmed. Meals are packed and delivered mornings, Monday through Friday. You can volunteer for as many days per week or month as you would like. Packaging meals requires approximately 2-1/2 hours of your time each day and involves making sandwiches, packaging food into individual serving containers and packing coolers with the meals. Delivering meals requires approximately 1-1/2 hours of your time each day and involves loading coolers into your car and delivering a route of approximately 10 to 15 stops. The Meals on Wheels program is also in need of emergency, winter-weather volunteers to pack and deliver meals in bad weather. North Penn VNA is located at 51 Medical Campus Drive in Lansdale and delivers meals in the Lansdale, North Wales and Blue Bell areas. For more information or to volunteer, please call Bridget, North Penn VNA Meals on Wheels coordinator at 215-855-8296.

Elkins Park Area CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) meets the first Tuesday of every month, 7- 8:30 p.m., at Einstein at Elkins Park Hospital in Elkins Park. For information on CHADD or ADHD, please see our website www.chadd.net/249 or call Claire Noyes at: 215-779-6656.

Center for Loss and Bereavement, 3847 Skippack Pike, Skippack (610-222-4110) www.bereavementcenter.org Offers professional counseling for individuals, couples, children and families dealing with issues of loss and bereavement. Six-week adult support groups: Newly forming young adult grief support group  every other Wednesday, 7  8:15 p.m. (free of charge); Monthly loss of child support  second Mondays, 7-8:15 p.m.; Six-week young loss of spouse/partner  Thursdays, 10-11:15 a.m.; Other groups scheduled as interest is shown for suicide loss support, adult loss of parent, motherless daughters, adult loss of sibling, coping with chronic illness and disability and mens loss of spouse. Nellos Corner Family Bereavement program offers peer grief support groups for ages 4 through teen and their caregivers  Every other Tuesday or Wednesday (free of charge) Local chapter of Parents of Murdered Children also meets at the Center. Registration required. Call for further information.

CHADD is a national organization for children & adults with Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder, providing education, advocacy and support for individuals and their families with AD/HD. Einstein at Elkins Park Hospital, 60 Township Line Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027, will host children & adults with Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder on the First Tuesday of each month 7  8:30 p.m. Free, no childcare provided.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphias Kehillah of Old York Road is sponsoring a free Caregiver Support Group for individuals who care for an elderly person with cognitive and/or physical impairments. The group meets at SarahCare Adult Day Care Center, 101 Washington Lane, Suite G-6, Jenkintown, Pa., on the first Wednesday of each month. Patty Rich,
Jarrett Coleman goes from school board to statehouse with win in 16th Senate District race
The Verkhovna Rada has rejected a draft resolution abolishing bill No. 6327 on the public financial guarantees of provision of healthcare services and medicines on passed on October 19, 2017.

An Interfax-Ukraine correspondent has reported that only 45 lawmakers backed draft resolution No. 6327-p drawn up by MPs from the Opposition Bloc and a lawmaker who is not a member of any parliamentary faction.

The authors of the draft resolution said that bill No. 6327 on government financial guarantees for provision of healthcare and medicines was voted at second reading in violation of the Verkhovna Rada procedure.
State officials announce $2.85M for new police station in Upper Moreland
November 13, 2017

Yemen - Having Lost The War Saudis Try Genocide - Media Complicit

Fakenews:

From the last link:

Saudi Arabia reacting to UN famine warnings says ports in Yemen it controls will reopen for aid deliveries. Riyadh shut them down last week after a missile attack blamed on Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

The above headlines are false. The Saudi government announced the re-opening of some Yemeni ports and airports. All of these are in the south and under control of Saudi proxy forces who are fighting the Houthi-Saleh alliance in north-west Yemen. Some 70% of the population lives in the north-western areas which will continue to be under an extreme blockade. The most important port in their area is Hodeida which will stay closed. Back in March the U.S. Pentagon tried to get control of the port. But fighting for it would have destroyed the piers and thereby the supply route for some 20 million people. The most important airport is in Sanaa. The Saudi/U.S./UK alliance blocks even UN flights with medical supplies from using it.

The Saudis now "request" the UN to send an expert commission to Riyadh to "discuss" procedures for future control of the ports that are not held by its proxies. Such a process will take weeks if not months. The Saudis will, like the Pentagon earlier, demand total control over the ports which their opponents will of course not give. Any such fighting will only worsen the situation.

Thanks to local smugglers some food and other goods will still be able to pass through the blockade. But these will be way too few and too expensive for the vast majority of Yemenis. When the recent blockade was announced, food and gas prices in Yemen doubled overnight. Public service employees have not been paid for more than 15 months. People simply can no longer afford to keep their children alive:

In Sanaa, Nor Rashid sold her familys cow to pay for the transport costs to get her four year-old daughter, who weighs 16lbs, to the citys feeding centre in Al-Sabaeen hospital. She has other children who are also sick but she cannot afford to pay for the medical care if she brings them in for treatment too. Its because of the lack of government wages, she said. Usually we go to the person in the village with a wage to ask for help and borrow money if someone needs to go to the hospital. But since the wages stopped we have no support.

The UN warns, rightly, that the blockade is causing a mass famine. This famine is not a side effect of the war - it is a weapon:

To starve Yemeni civilians is an overt act by Riyadh, enraged by a humiliating failure to achieve a Saudi military victory.

The media claim that only 10,000 civilians have been killed in the two and a half years of the war. The number is laughable. Neither the UN nor others have published any detailed account. The 10,000 number seems to be plugged from hot air. Compare, for example, the dates and content of these two reports:

Al Jazeerah - 31 Aug 2016: UN: At least 10,000 killed in Yemen conflict

The United Nations has significantly revised the estimated death toll from Yemen's 18-month civil war to up to 10,000 people

...

Speaking from the capital Sanaa on Tuesday, Jamie McGoldrick, the UN humanitarian coordinator, said the new figure was based on official information from medical facilities in Yemen.

Al Jazeerah - 17 Jan 2017: Death toll in Yemen conflict passes 10,000

The United Nations' humanitarian aid official in Yemen has said that the civilian death toll in the nearly two-year conflict has reached 10,000, with 40,000 others wounded. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs' Jamie McGoldrick said that the figure is based on lists of victims gathered by health facilities ...

The same low number is claimed by the same official in August and in January while a devastating war has been ongoing throughout that time frame. That does not make sense. To provide a cynic laugh attack, or out of stupidity, the later Al Jazeerah report says:

The announcement marks the first time a UN official has confirmed such a high death toll in Yemen

Up to July 2017 the U.S.-Saudi coalition had flown more than 90,000 air-sorties over Yemen. Most of those will have involved weapon releases. Are we to believe that only 10,000 civilians have been killed by all these bombs and the additional artillery, sharpshooters and suicide attacks? That would be inconsistent even with western reports of the known mass incidents during the war. 100,000 dead civilians caused by the war so far is a more likely number than the never changing 10,000.

On November 1 a Saudi bomb attack killed at least 29 people in a busy market in Saada. The Yemeni missile launch against the airport of Riyadh on November 4 was in response to that deadly Saudi attack. The Saudis claim that these Yemeni missiles are from Iran and the U.S. military is, without providing evidence, supporting that fairy tale:

[R]emnants of [the missile] bore Iranian markings, the top U.S. Air Force official in the Mideast said Friday.

"The Saudis found a sticker on the wreckage. It said Made in Iran."

In a video message the former Yemeni president explained that these missiles were from the large stash he bought before the ongoing war broke out. According to IHS Janes these missiles are of North Korean origin (pdf) and were modified by the experienced Yemeni army missile forces.

In concert with Saudi propaganda's curious claims now pop up in U.S. media. Suddenly Afghan Shia fighters (Fatemiyoun) or Hizbullah from Lebanon are said to be fighting in Yemen. These claims make no sense. Explain, for example, the geography in this recent New York Times piece:

Not only did Iran send smaller units of the Fatemiyoun to cross Syrian borders and fight in Yemen, ...

How and why would Afghan Shia, who do not speak Arabic, enter the blockaded Yemen? There are millions of unemployed Yemenis in the besieged areas. They hate the Saudis. The Houthi surely have no lack of foot-soldiers.

In yesterday's TV interview the kidnapped Lebanese Premier Saad Hariri insinuated that he would be released by the Saudis if Hizbullah ends operations in Yemen. AP summarized:

[Hariri] singled out Hezbollahs involvement in Yemen as the main cause of the kingdoms ire.

But there is no reasonable evidence at all that any Hizbullah are in Yemen. In 2015 a Saudi diplomat claimed to "have reports" of Hizbullah trainers in Yemen without providing any of them. In 2016 the Saudi state owned Al Arabia TV posted a short video of which it claims that it shows a Hizbullah trainer teaching Houthis. No date or place or other information about the recording was released. In the two and a half years of the war on Yemen no reports from the ground emerged of any Hizbullah involvement or of wounded or killed Lebanese or Iranian or Afghan fighters.

The Houthis are no Hezbollah and they are not stooges of the Iranian government. Their alliance with Yemeni army troops loyal to former President Saleh gives them tactical and technical capabilities. Their weapons are either from old stocks or purchased from the large weapon markets in Yemen. The dealers buy these weapons from the groups the Saudi employ and generously equip and supply. Those Saudi controlled forces are the main suppliers of their designated enemies.

The Saudis are starving a whole country - with avid support of the "humanitarian" western world. The UN bureaucracy and leadership was bought off and is complicit. The Saudi tyrant kidnaps and blackmails the Prime Minister of a third country. All this because he fails to overcome the barefooted Houthi fighters in Yemen against which he started a senseless war. The Saudis invent Iranian involvement and the media avidly repeat their claims without any evidentiary support.

Literally millions are in imminent danger of dying. Meanwhile greedy "western" politicians are ass-kissing the Saudi freak of a clown prince and his senile father. They support whatever lunatic claim the Saudis make about their perceived enemies.

The next time you see one these creatures please punch its face.

Posted by b on November 13, 2017 at 14:32 UTC | Permalink

Comments
The History Museum of Burke County will welcome historical archeologist Ken Robinson, who will give a presentation focusing on the Revolutionary War Battle of Cane Creek on Thursday at 10 a.m. as part of the museums Coffee at the Museum series. The event is free to attend, and refreshments will be served.

Robinson said he has extensive experience investigating Revolutionary War and other historical sites in North Carolina. His presentation is part of a research and battlefield delineation project sponsored by the Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina, with grant funding from the American Battlefield Protection Program of the National Park Service and the Overmountain Victory Trail Association.

The Battle of Cane Creek took place in September 1780 in old Burke County, along the edge of the South Mountains near the current boundary of Burke, McDowell and Rutherford Counties. The battle was between Patriot forces under the command of Col. Charles McDowell, and Loyalists led by British Maj. Patrick Ferguson.

The battle was short, but vicious, and it resulted in casualties on both sides, Robinson said. It was a prelude to an important battle a few weeks later at Kings Mountain.
Burke United Christian Ministries has planned two events to shine a spotlight on the continuing struggles of those living in poverty in Burke County in recognition of National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, which is Nov. 12 -19.

BUCM staff and volunteers invite people to join them on Monday, Nov. 13, from 12:30-1:30 p.m. on the grounds of the old Burke County courthouse for a Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Flash Mob.

BUCM will have signs for participants to hold up to highlight the ongoing need for solutions to hunger and homelessness. Attendees are encouraged to wear purple for homeless awareness and/or orange for hunger awareness.

Visitors on the Burke iCare Tour, which will take place Tuesday, Nov. 14, starting at 8 a.m. at the Burke Mission Station, will be taken on a road trip to various agencies throughout the county which provide assistance to those in need, including BUCM. Other stops on the tour will include the Meeting Place Mission, The House of Refuge, The Outreach Center and the Good Samaritan Clinic.

The Burke iCare Tour is $10 per person and includes both breakfast and lunch. To register for the tour, contact Chasity Poteat, executive director of the Burke County United Way, at 828-433-0681 or chasity.poteat@bcuw.org.

It will really bring an emphasis on what we as a community need to do to help those who need a hand up, those who live below the poverty level who are unable to get the food they need, said Dr. David Burleson, executive director of BUCM, about the events. This tour will give folks an up-close, personal look at the situations people live in. It will show the community whats available for individuals in Burke County.

Theres an old saying that, A pictures worth a thousand words. When you get to see what happens in an agency, its a whole lot better than just hearing about it. When you see firsthand the help the different groups in Burke County provide, I think it will get peoples attention. Theyll begin to talk about it, and the more good people talk about the situations, the more solutions come about. Our hope is that we will find more solutions to meet the needs of our community.

Burleson shared what his agency is doing to combat hunger in Burke County, including serving breakfast and lunch daily in the soup kitchen, and serving dinner three nights a week. BUCM served 63,000 meals through its soup kitchen in 2016.

Burleson said BUCM provides meals to a lot of low-income senior residents regularly, in part because a lot of those seniors have to choose between purchasing food and purchasing the medications they need to survive.

In addition to the soup kitchen, families and individuals who qualify based on income can sign up to get 10 pounds of food per person once a month, in addition to an allotment provided by the USDA. All people who apply for assistance meet with a social worker, who determines their needs.

We have so many families that really need help, Burleson said. Its hard to rely just on food stamps  it doesnt meet the entire need of a family. About 60 percent of the children in the school system qualify for free or reduced lunch. Thats a large number.

A portion of the food is donated by Bi-Lo, Food Lion, Walmart and the Walmart Neighborhood Market in Morganton. BUCM also receives food from Second Harvest Food Bank. Local hunters donate venison through the North Carolina Hunters for the Hungry organization.

The ministry has specific collections of baby food and diapers to distribute to families with infants and toddlers as well.

BUCM assists approximately 77 homeless individuals on a weekly basis, giving them meals, food, clothing, camping gear and access to shower facilities.

We have a fairly large number of homeless residents in and around Morganton, Burleson said. There are a lot of factors (contributing to homelessness). It could have been a tragic event in their lives. Many of them deal with mental health issues and cant always get the help they need, or the medication necessary to deal with those issues. And sometimes the mental health causes some substance abuse and addiction, and that drives folks even further away from the resources they need.

He mentioned two groups which formed recently to join in the fight against hunger and homelessness locally:

 Burke Cares: A group of nonprofits and agencies that assist those in poverty have started meeting to figure out how they can collaborate to most efficiently meet needs.

 HOWi (Homeless Outreach Warming initiative): A group of volunteers began meeting last year to try and figure out a way to provide emergency shelter for homeless individuals during particularly cold nights.

Our goal is collaborate and support each other, because we can do a whole lot more together than we can do separately, Burleson said.

He encouraged people to remember the needs of those less fortunate during National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week and to prayerfully consider what they can do to help. He said about 95 percent of BUCMs budget comes from donations from local churches and individuals.

So often, you come to a stoplight and see people with signs (reading), Im homeless  help, and you dont know what to do to help, or if theyre actually homeless, Burleson said. Thats one thing I appreciate about our ministry and some other ministries in Burke County  we make sure the folks we help actually need the help, and to me, thats really important.

For those would like to learn more about BUCM, the ministry offers a brunch and tour for interested visitors every third Friday at 10 a.m. For more information, contact BUCM at 828-433-8075 or burkeunited@hotmail.com.
A former Burke County Public Schools student recently helped test a growing and evolving piece of technology by racing it more than 1,000 miles across Australia.

Kali Smith is a junior at Appalachian State University studying environmental economics. She is a former East Burke High School student who transferred to the North Carolina School for Science and Math and recently traveled to Australia with a few other classmates to race a solar-powered vehicle in an international competition called the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge.

It is the longest running solar vehicle race that exists  it has been happening since 1987, Smith said.

A total of 28 teams from all around the world started the race at a northern city called Darwin to start their 1,864 - mile journey south to Adelaide, Australia. The race started on Oct. 8 and took six days to complete.

The Appalachian State solar vehicle team , called Team Sunergy ,  which included Smith, partnered with a team from Chile to get a better understanding of the race for when the full ASU team participates in 2019 with their own vehicle, she said.

The vehicle, built by university students, has solar panels installed on the hood o f the futuristic- looking car. When the sun hits the solar panels, a chemical reaction occurs involving electrons, which charges the battery pack to power the vehicle, Smith said.

They dont look like your typical car because they are more aerodynamic, faster and sleeker, she said. The sport is transitioning to making solar cars more practical, so you are starting to see developed solar vehicles that actually look like cars with solar capabilities. "

Smith and the rest of the team traveled along the O utback and stopped each day at 5 p.m. at various stage stops along the race route. The solar vehicle only had seating for one person, so the rest of the team would either be behind or in front in other vehicles.

They were allowed to charge the battery for two hours and , after that time was up , the battery was impounded so they would not be able to charge it longer than any other competitor, she said.

Smith was not able to drive the car, but was assigned to the scout vehicle that would drive ahead of the solar vehicle to figure out the locations of other competitors.

At some stage stops, they would be camped out on the side of the road in the O utback. They would work on the car if needed and then start again when the sun came up.

It was amazing and so beautiful out there, Smith said. We were in the middle of nature and it was amazing being able to use this car and it worked so well.

According to Smith , the vehicle did not have any maintenance issues.

It drove 3,000 kilometers straight in six days and there were no issues, she said. The car was very well - built and it ran amazingly.

The Chilean team that Smith and her classmates were assisting finished the race in 10th place. Many of the other teams were bumped down to a non-competitive race because they did not reach a stage stop in time, Smith said.

She says the trip not only helped her understand the ins and outs of the competition, but also how to travel internationally and how to help prepare meals for 20 people when camping in the O utback.

We gained a lot of logistical experiences and it was so amazing to be able to go to this and meet solar vehicle teams from around the world and the kind of community that was there, she said.

Team Sunergy is currently building a solar vehicle from scratch and designing it to be one of the more practical vehicles.

We plan on having it be a two-seater car that looks like an actual car and has trunk space  something you would see yourself driving one day, Smith said.

However , it will not be able to blend in well with other cars just yet because they are built very low to the ground, have solar panels on the roof and are more light-weight than normal cars.

We are still in the development process with the design, but we begin building it next semester, she said.

Smith is still debating on what field she would like work in post - graduation, but says she would love the opportunity to work in operations and logistics for clean energy groups.

I think it is very important and I think it is the way we should start moving, she said.

To learn more about Team Sunergy from ASU, visit www.appstatesvt.com.

Staff Writer Jonelle Bobak can be reached at jbobak@morganton.com or 828-432-8907.
Western Piedmont Community College will take an in-depth look at issues surrounding free speech and the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution at its 2017 Fall Speakers Forum/Ervin Constitutional Issues Program, which will take place Nov. 13-16.

This years program is called, Navigating the First Amendment: Where do Your Rights Begin and End? and will focus specifically on the freedom of religion, speech, and press. Presentations will be held in WPCCs Leviton Auditorium, and all events are free and open to the public. Receptions will be held after each event.

 Monday, Nov. 13, 7 p.m.: The Right to Be Wrong: Why Religious Freedom Belongs to Everyone, presented by Asma Uddin

Uddin, founder and director of strategy for the Center for Islam and Religious Freedom, will examine several American religious liberty cases, and will discuss some of the hot button religious liberty issues other countries are facing. Uddin is a faculty member at George Mason University Law School and at the Religious Freedom Center at Newseum Institute. She has been published by numerous law reviews and prominent university presses and speaks nationally and internationally on religious liberty topics.

 Tuesday, Nov. 14, 11 a.m.: Freedom of Speech: What Is It and Why Should You Care, presented by Bob Joyce

Joyce will focus on freedom of speech under the First Amendment and what that really means. He is currently a lawyer specializing in higher education law and the Edwin Hinsdale Distinguished Professor of Public Law and Government at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He has regularly conducted legal sessions at presidential training seminars of the American Association of Community Colleges.

 Thursday, Nov. 16, 7 p.m.: Protecting Press Freedom in an Era of New Threats, presented by Caitlin Vogus

Vogus is a staff attorney for the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, and will close out the 2017 Speakers Forum by exploring the fundamentals of the First Amendment as it applies to press freedom, including a discussion on why a free press is essential to democracy. She currently oversees the drafting and filing of friend-of-the-court briefs in cases of importance to the news media. Most recently, the Reporters Committee has filed amicus briefs in cases concerning access to court records, freedom of information, defamation, and the reporter's privilege in state and federal courts around the country. Vogus also litigates cases on behalf of journalists, most often in cases seeking access to sealed court records or closed court proceedings.

The Fall Speakers Forum/Ervin Constitutional Issues Program has a long history at WPCC, with the first forum held in 1967. It is an annual event and consists of three days during which student, faculty, staff and the local community explore a timely topic and engage in conversation. The Speakers Forum is sponsored each year by the Western Piedmont Foundation, the WPCC Student Government Association, and the Department of Workforce Development and Continuing Education. Employees from the academic Department of Arts and Sciences plan the event each year, which also is supported by additional employee and student volunteers. For more information, please visit www.wpcc.edu/speakers-forum.

WPCC complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and will make every effort to honor reasonable requests made by individuals with qualifying disabilities. Accommodations must be requested three business days in advance of school events or activities through the Office of Disability Services in Room 136 Hildebrand Hall or by calling 828-448-3154.
Austrian politicians who visited the "Friends of Crimea Forum" organized by the Russian occupation authorities have violated the neutrality of Austria and the decisions of the European Union, Ukrainian Ambassador to Austria Oleksandr Scherba has said.

"When Renat Paralamov talked about the untold suffering that he had to go through, Linz Deputy Mayor Detlef Wimmer and newly elected MP Hans-Joerg Jenewein were laying out their belongings in the luxury rooms of the Yalta hotel where they arrived to witness the support of Russia's annexation of Crimea," reads a statement posted on the website Crimea.Realities late on Saturday, November 11, with reference to an article of the diplomat for the Austrian newspaper Die Presse.

According to Scherba, Austrian politicians should be guided not only by their own moral criteria, but also by the obligations of their country.

"In the case of Austria, this is, perhaps, neutrality and the EU's decision. In my opinion, Wimmer and Jenewein violated both the first and the second. If you are in favor of 'recognizing the legitimate nature' of the Crimean 'Anschluss,' this contradicts not only European politics, but and the Austrian policy of neutrality," he wrote.

At the same time, Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz said that he was dissatisfied with the visit by two politicians of the Freedom Party to Crimea. He recalled that his People's Party had issued a statement referring to Russia's annexation of Crimea "that contradicts international law."

The report recalls that in the Yalta hosted the "Friends of Crimea Forum" on November 6-8. According to Kremlin-controlled State Duma deputy for Crimea Mikhail Sheremet, about 90 foreign guests arrived on the peninsula.

In 2016, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry called on foreigners and stateless persons to enter the annexed Crimea exclusively in accordance with the laws of Ukraine and international law.
Several dozen citizens of Serbia are members of illegal armed groups in Ukraine and Syria, the prosecutor's office of Belgrade is considering a total of 45 cases against mercenaries, according to the local newspaper Politika.

"The mercenaries from Serbia went to Ukraine, where they fought on the side of the pro-Russian forces in the east of this country, but also to Syria, where these people, mainly from Novi Pazar and outskirts, fought on the side of the Islamic state. Only a few dozen fighters remained in Ukraine and Syria," the publication said.

According to the representative of the Belgrade Prosecutor's Office Tatyana Sekulich, in relation to mercenaries, cases are opened with a view to criminal prosecution in connection with a war or an armed conflict in a foreign country in accordance with Article 386 of the Criminal Code of Serbia.

She also informed the publication that last year the prosecution entered into an agreement with 24 individuals on confessing guilt. Earlier, the representative of the Supreme Court in Belgrade, Boyana Stankovic, said that a total of 28 people who had taken part in hostilities abroad were found guilty, and another decision was made against a person who was denied an agreement on the recognition of a criminal offense.

The publication reminds that in October 2014 Serbia adopted amendments to the Criminal Code providing for imprisonment for up to ten years for all those who participate in military operations abroad or organize and recruit citizens of Serbia for this.
Saakashvili's party holds rally in Kyiv for adoption of laws on president's impeachment and anti-corruption court

A march of supporters of the Movement of New Forces party of Mikheil Saakashvili was held in the center of Kyiv on Sunday, November 12, to demand the adoption of laws on the impeachment of the Ukrainian president and on the anti-corruption court.

According to an Interfax-Ukraine reporter, about 500 people participated in the march, and some of them were holding national flags, red-black flags and the flags of the Movement of New Forces.

Before the beginning of the march, MPs Yuriy Derevianko, Serhiy Leschenko and Yuriy Levchenko made their speeches.

Party leader Saakashvili said that new demands to the authorities had to be announced at the end of the march.

"Yes, we are going to stage a coup, a coup not in the state, but in the minds of the Ukrainians," he said.

The rally was clam, law and order was ensured by a small number of law enforcement officers.
In a newly released report, the Ryerson City Building Institute and Urbanation noted that while the pace of condo construction in the Greater Toronto Area is arguably the highest it has ever been, it still wont be sufficient to meet the ongoing shift in housing demand.Over the next 5 years, approximately 94,000 new condo units will be added to the GTA market, but only 38% of these will come with multiple bedrooms.This is essentially neglecting the needs of a growing demographic, the reports authors wrote.The next decade will see significant growth in the 35-44-year-old age bracket. This demographic will be seeking new family-friendly housing and will need housing units with at least two bedrooms, according to the study.We are building an all-time high of condos, but not enough missing middle housing that is suitable for a range of family sizes and income levels, Ryerson City Building Institute executive director Cherise Burda added.Read more: Psychological impact of taxes, measures on Toronto winding down  TREB Building more family-friendly mid-rise and low-rise buildings may require development to shift to locations in the GTA with more affordable land costs than the Central 416. Yet it is the 416 that is in greatest need of family-friendly housing units, the report explained further.If these construction trends continue, the proportion of family-appropriate housing available in location-efficient neighbourhoods (close to transit, employments, schools and services) will decrease, and affordability will further erode.Ultimately, this might lead to a mad scramble in the consumer segment that actually needs new homes the most, the report warned.This increasing demand for family-sized units means that young families will have to drive to qualify for any type of unit, not just detached housing. This may also contribute to pressure on greenfield lands and urban sprawl to accommodate outward building of family-friendly housingunless we can find ways to build more affordable missing-middle housing units.
Presidents of the United States and Russian Federation, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, mentioned Ukraine on the margins of the APEC summit in Vietnam, Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said.

"Ukraine was voiced. It was stated that the situation is complicated, but there was no detailed discussion," he said.

As reported, the presidents of Russia and the U.S. met at the APEC summit in Vietnam late on Friday during the photographing ceremony.

Trump approached the Russian president, and the two leaders shook hands and exchanged greetings. The U.S. president patted his Russian colleague on the shoulder, an Interfax correspondent reported.

After this brief communication, the presidents went to the reception. The presidents of Russia and the United States attended the event separately.
As details regarding the tax reform measure on Capitol Hill become better understood, its become obvious that passage would demolish the tax structure that has long supported private home ownership.



The bright shiny things in the tax package that have gotten much initial attention are the effort to limit the mortgage interest deduction (MID) to financing that does not exceed $500,000, as well as the plan to end property tax write-offs above $10,000. If passed, these provisions would be a significant problem in the nations high-cost metro cores, including New York, Boston, Washington, Seattle, Portland, and much of California, New Jersey and Connecticutespecially when combined with an end to deductions for state income taxes.



To make things worse, there are other parts of the tax reform package that impact homeowners nationwide, including owners in low-cost and rural communities. The tax reform legislation would end the ability to write off mortgage interest for second homes. It substantially lengthens the holding period to qualify for the capital gains deduction on the sale of a personal residence. There would be no deductibility for home equity loan interest costs. The moving allowance would end, and mortgage-debt forgiveness would be terminated.



Whats missing from the Republican tax reform planat this writing no Democrat has signed on in supportis any effort to increase homeownership and the resulting jobs and economic benefits that it creates. This is not just some fuzzy notion about the American Dream; rather, its the hard fact that real estate represents a huge portion of the gross domestic product. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the GDP reached $18.6 trillion in 2016. Of this amount, real estate chipped in $2.48 trillion, or 13.3 percent. In comparison, manufacturing was worth $2.18 trillion, retail contributed $1.1 trillion, and lawyers produced services worth $245 billion.



So heres the question: If you want to gain more tax revenue and increase the job base, why not do something to encourage more real estate consumption? The logic here is fairly obvious: if existing home sales top 6 million instead of 5.5 million, dont consumers buy a lot more furniture, rugs, roofing and window treatments? Dont we employ more people and generate more taxes inside our borders when the real estate numbers are bigger?



If you remember 2008, the housing market was in free-fall and threatened to decimate the entire U.S. economy, said Rick Sharga, executive vice president at Ten-X.com, the online real estate marketplace. The government realized that it needed to do something to re-start the marketplace and increase home sales. The weapon of choice at the time was a tax credit for first-time homebuyers and later for repeat purchasers, programs that definitely accelerated home purchases.



In 2008, the government created a tax credit for first-time buyers of as much as $7,500 for married couples filing jointly and $3,750 for single taxpayers. The credit phased out for joint filers with incomes of $150,000 or more and for single filers who earned at least $75,000. It defined a first-time buyer as someone had not had his or her name on a real estate title for at least three years.



The 2008 credit was largely the right idea, but it came with a hook: If you got a $7,500 tax credit when you bought, then the 2008 program said that when you sold, you had to pay back the entire $7,500 to Uncle Sam over 15 years. The result was not a lot of public enthusiasm.



The government tried again in 2009. It raised the tax credit to as much as $8,000 and dumped the repayment requirement. The government also came up with a tax credit for existing homeowners. Those who purchased a replacement property could get up to $6,500 in tax credits.



Home sales rose in 2009, but the tax credit program ended on April 30, 2009, so what happened next was hardly a surprise: home sales fell in 2010.



If tax reform succeeds, the value of the mortgage interest deduction will substantially fall because most people will turn to the larger standard deduction. According to the Tax Policy Center, only 4 percent of households would claim the deduction, down from 21 percent under current law. The effective subsidy rate (tax savings as a percentage of mortgage interest) for those who still claim the MID would fall by nearly halffrom 22 percent to about 13 percent.



The package of changes contained in the current tax reform proposal threatens to substantially hurt the real estate marketplace and with it the rest of the economy, a result that should thrill no one. There should at least be something in the legislation that encourages home sales and the broad economic benefits they represent, so how about a nice and easy concept, such as a $10,000 tax credit with every purchase?


As Weir Oil and Gas held a groundbreaking ceremony inside a tent Thursday, earthmovers were already at work outside.

The oilfield services company is building a $30 million facility on a 20-acre portion of the David Mims Business Park near Schlumbergers Midland headquarters. Weir is consolidating its three Permian Basin service centers into a single service center in the city of Midland and will add about 100 employees in the process.

Our investment, as a whole, will benefit our company and employees, the Permian Basin and the city of Midland, said Paul Coppinger, Weir Oil & Gas president. It provides a fully integrated, one-stop shop for customers in the Permian Basin and a world-class working space for our employees. We are thankful for Midlands Economic Development Corp. in partnering with us to make this project a reality.

The Weir project is a feather in the cap for the MDC, an economic development group funded by the Type A quarter-cent sales tax. Weir had plans to build a similar facility in Odessa, but after plans broke down with Odessa City Council, the MDC jumped in to pursue a deal with the oilfield services giant.

The MDC offered $1.8 million in incentives to be paid in equal installments over five years as Weir meets certain criteria, such as maintaining a payroll of at least $6 million.

Weir purchased the property at a cost of $20,000 per acre, which will be valued at $65,000 per acre on the tax rolls.

The Odessa Development Corp. had worked a deal with Weir to build a $25 million facility in return for a $1.5 million tax abatement. Odessa City Council nixed the deal at its May 4 meeting. At the same meeting, the council fired Odessa Development Corp. President Jimmy Breaux. The Odessa American alleges Odessa City Council violated the Texas Open Meetings Act at the meeting and has since brought a lawsuit against the council.

In the months since, the OA has reported that City Councilman Malcolm Hamilton, who voted to cancel the Weir deal, works for a competitor. There also are efforts to hold a recall election for Councilwoman Barbara Graff, who also voted against the deal.

As for Midland, Mayor Jerry Morales said Thursday that the new Weir facility will be a remarkable addition to the city.

MDC Chairman Brent Hilliard said Midland needs to recognize what it is: an oil and gas community that exports billions of dollars of goods to the rest of the world. He added that the Weir deal not only will add to the tax rolls and add more jobs, but will see infrastructure development such as water and sewer on the remaining 50 acres at David Mims Business Park, which will make the area more attractive to other companies.
Throughout her life, people set expectations for Cara Mund. So when she was told a woman from North Dakota could never win the Miss America title, she wanted to push past that limitation.

A lot of people said that it wouldnt happen and that I probably would go to Miss America and not make top 15, she told the Reporter-Telegram before speaking to Midland ISD students on Friday. I knew that I had qualities of what it took and that in the end, it didnt matter where you came from.

After years of competing in pageants, Mund was crowned Miss America 2018. She said becoming the first titleholder from her state held significance.

That night when I won, I realized I had made history A, for North Dakota  but B, would hopefully inspire all the young girls that that were very similar to me and thought that their dream couldnt come true because it never happened or because they came from a smaller county or a smaller city, Mund said.

She told students on Friday about other times she overcame the expectations of others. When Mund was 14 years old, she started North Dakotas Annual Make-A-Wish Fashion Show, which has raised more than $78,000 in 10 years. Also, after cool responses to her Ivy League ambitions, she graduated from Brown University.

The story inspired Adelyn Johnson, a Franks Elementary fourth-grade student who wants to become a professional volleyball player.

I thought she worked hard and did her best to be Miss America, she said.

Her schoolmate, Ryder White, said Mund encouraged him to look toward the future. He liked receiving insight into the life of the pageant winner.

I thought it was a good event for people to see Miss America and for them to see what shes been doing, the fourth grader said.

Mund spoke in the Midland High School auditorium to students from DeZavala, Emerson, Franks, Henderson, Travis and Yarbrough elementary schools. The event came one day after Munds meet-and-greet session at the Midland County Public Library Centennial branch. The title winner said she valued the opportunity to speak locally.

I came from a community very similar to Midland  very energy focused, she said.

After achieving her pageant dreams, Mund still wants to accomplish more. She plans to use scholarship money from Miss America to pay for law school. Eventually, she hopes to become the governor of North Dakota.

I realize with a title like Miss America or a title as governor, you serve as a voice for a lot of people that havent been heard, she said. Thats something that I definitely want to do.
The Midland Exchange Club will present Midland Rape Crisis and Childrens Advocacy Center Executive Director Betty Dickerson with its Golden Deeds award at an event tonight at the Petroleum Club.

Dickerson has resided in Midland for about 50 years and has served a number of local nonprofits during that time. Her greatest impact most likely has been felt at the MRCCAC.
Russia's hybrid military forces have attacked Ukrainian army positions in Donbas 33 times in the past 24 hours, the press center of the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) headquarters has reported.

"The situation in the ATO area remains complicated ... Compared to the previous days, the number of enemy armed provocations has almost doubled and reached 33. More than a dozen facts of using weapons by fighters are characterized by the use of mortars of different calibers," the ATO staff said on Facebook on Monday morning.

It is reported that the enemy is particularly active in violating the ceasefire agreements throughout the night hours. Despite the increase in enemy fire activity, no Ukrainian soldier was killed or wounded in action.

"After dark, the militants became more active on the Svitlodarska Duha bulge. The defenders of the village of Luhanske were attacked with 120mm and 82mm mortars, grenade launchers, small arms, and infantry fighting vehicles. In the vicinity of the city of Donetsk, the enemy used infantry weapons near the towns of Avdiyivka and Maryinka, and Butovka coal mine.

In the Luhansk sector, the Russian occupation forces fired 82mm mortars, grenade launchers and small arms near the village of Katerynivka, as well as heavy machine guns on the defenders of the village of Valuiske.
GET OUR APP Our Spectrum News app is the most convenient way to get the stories that matter to you. Download it here.
Nigerian pirates have released the earlier kidnapped six crew members of the German ship Demeter, among whom was one Ukrainian, the Department of Consular Service of Ukraine's Foreign Ministry has reported.

"A Ukrainian and five other crew members of the Demeter ship, abducted by pirates, have been released," it said on Twitter on Monday.

The consular service also said that the release was possible due to the coordinated actions of the shipping company, security services and diplomats.

As reported, on October 25, 2017, pirates kidnapped six crew members of the German ship Demeter in the territorial waters of Nigeria. According to the media, four citizens of the Philippines, as well as citizens of Ukraine and Hungary were among the abducted persons.
The annual International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions expo kicks off this week at the Orange County Convention Center.

IAAPA expo: Nov. 14-17

Industry news and announcements

Trade show is not open to the public



The week-long event is filled with industry news and announcements.



Thousands of companies will be on hand to show off the latest in amusement park rides and attractions, which could eventually end up at a local theme park.

About 32,000 people are expected to attend the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions expo, which kicks off this week at the Orange County Convention Center.

Attendees can try new rides and foods, as well as hear from industry leaders and designers.

SeaWorld and Legoland will also be at the expo to share previews of their upcoming attractions.

One of the most popular new technologies expected to be shown this year is virtual-reality.

Many theme parks, including SeaWorld, have added VR components to their rides.

Next year, Legoland is scheduled to debut The Great Lego Race, a roller coaster that uses VR technology.

The trade show is not open to the public.

IAAPA runs Nov. 14 through Nov. 17.

CHECK OUT ATTRACTIONS INSIDER: Your all-in-one source for news, pictures and video from Floridas theme parks. Just go to our Attractions Insider page. Sign up to get breaking theme park news alerts and subscribe to our newsletter, Theme Park Roundup, delivered to your inbox or mobile phone.
Most area communities in the Heralds coverage area saw increases in tax receipts according to a recent report on sales tax allocations to area communities and counties by Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar.

This week, Hegar announced that his office would be sending, counties, transit systems and special purpose taxing districts nearly $775 million in local sales tax allocations for November, 5.0 percent more than in Novemberr 2016. These allocations are based on sales made in September by businesses that report tax monthly.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

The grand opening of the Contemporary Art Museum of Plainview was a big success with involved artists, Plainview residents and all those interested in modern art took a trip to downtown Plainview to see the citys newest jewel.

Artist in residence and museum founder Kelly Alison was very pleased with the turnout as she graciously greeted guests as they came into the museum. Alison said a lot of work, especially in the last few days, went into finishing work on the museum ahead of the exhibit, which includes 14 different artists in a variety of different artistic styles.

In the last three days we were here working around the clock, Alison said.

Alison noted that one large mural on the wall near the rear of the museum was completed by the respective artist in one day.

The museum, which has a bright and creative flow was in many respects the brainchild of Alison.

It was a bit hard trying to decide (where to put each piece), Alison said. A lot of it is just where it fits best, looking at the size of the piece and the space.

Local artist Robyn Barrett, who helped with the set-up in the museum said that everyone had been working 12-15 hour days over the last couple of weeks to get the museum ready for the opening.

Barrett said she was excited to have a museum of this type in Plainview, noting that in the past she has had to show her pieces in Amarillo and Lubbock.

She (Alison) has put together a really good show, Barrett said. I think it is a really great thing for Plainview.

Several dozen guests took in the museum on its opening night, most stayed for some time to talk with the artists, who were on hand to discuss their various pieces.

The museum will be open from noon to 5 p.m. Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Shows will change every three months, and a schedule of exhibitions will be announced after the beginning of the year.

Alison grew up in Plainview, and she and her husband Preston recently moved back here from Houston to be closer to her parents, Rex and Ethel Ramsower. Preston Alison is a collector, and the drier climate of West Texas was another attraction to the couple.

When Alison heard that the Ramsowers furniture storage building was not being rented, the idea for opening a new museum formed. She found support from the city of Plainview and from many individuals.

A grant from the Sybil B. Harrington Endowment for the Arts, which is affiliated with the Community Foundation of West Texas, helped get things rolling.

There seems to be a good system of support from businesses for the arts up here, Alison said.

Members of the board and staff of the museum are: Kelly Alison; Joe Diaz, San Antonio; B.C. Gilbert, Wichita Falls; Jeff Wheeler, Slaton; Chloe Rizzo, Amarillo; Heather and Justin May, Plainview; Chad Holliday, Canyon; Kathy Sterling Kelley, Lubbock; Debbie and Josiah Herrera, Plainview; Michael Roque Collins, Houston; Blair Willson, Plainview; Jon Whitfill, Lubbock; and Preston Alison, Plainview.

For more information, visit the website at www.ContemporaryArtMuseumPlainview.org.
Ban on exhumation for Polish side could be lifted if it agrees to restore Ukrainian monuments - Viatrovych

The moratorium on exhumation in Polish graveyard sites in Ukraine could be lifted after the Polish side provides a vision of how the Ukrainian monuments in Poland will be restored, Head of the Ukrainian National Remembrance Institute Volodymyr Viatrovych has said.

"We are ready to end this moratorium if we can agree with the Polish side, which will announce its vision of how Ukrainian monuments will be legalized on Polish territory, how the Polish state will think about restoring the destroyed monuments," Viatrovych said in an interview with the 1+1 television channel on Sunday, November 12.

He also commented on reports about an alleged ban on his entry into Poland, calling it an instrument of pressure.

"This is an instrument of pressure and a certain game. There are and there will be no documents that would confirm something," Viatrovych said.

Polish media reported on November 9 that Warsaw had banned Viatrovych from entering Poland. At the same time, Poland will not publish the list of persons banned from entering the countries, and people will be recognized only at the border.

Earlier, Polish Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski said that the country had been drawing up a list of Ukrainians who will be refused entry to Poland.

"At the moment, we are about to launch procedures that will not allow people who are extremely anti-Polish to enter Poland," the minister said on the Channel TVP.

In his words, these are individuals who demonstratively wear WWII Ukrainian Division Galicia (Halychyna) Waffen-SS uniform, who administratively participate in blocking the exhumation and renovation of places where Polish graves are located, who use administrative levers for this.

Earlier, the Ukrainian National Remembrance Institute initiated a moratorium on the exhumation of Poles in Ukraine in response to the dismantling of the Ukrainian monument in the village of Hruszowice near Przemysl, Poland.
WALLINGFORD  Next summer First Congregational Church will host Wallingford Workcamp 2018, a five-day retreat for more than 400 youth and adult volunteers who will help homeowners with repairs.

The actual event wont take place until July 8, 2018, but the church has already started organizing, fundraising and collecting applications from homeowners.

The church has participated in 10 previous workcamps, but has never hosted one. The idea was first pursued by Connor Filkins, who was part of the church youth group for about six years and has worked for Group Mission Trips, the umbrella organization that organizes the workcamps.

Filkins is currently a student at Eden Theological Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri, where hes studying for a degree in divinity. Hes still helping organize the event from afar, but much of the organizing has been coordinated by parishioner Lorraine Westervelt and other church members.

I thought it would be a good way to bring not only our church together, but our community together, Filkins said. We live in a world that could use a bit more light and happiness.

All of the repairs done by volunteers are free of charge to the homeowners. Repairs might include building wheelchair ramps, interior and exterior painting, porch and step repair and roofing.

Applications are open until Jan. 31 for people that own their homes and live within a 30-minute drive from Mark T. Sheehan High School, although they dont have to be in Wallingfords boundaries. The group is hoping to help homeowners with disabilities, low income and senior citizens.

Wallingford Workcamp has about 13 applicants so far, but are hoping to receive about 60.

Its getting exciting because were actually starting to talk to the residents, Westervelt said. After a homeowner applies, organizers conduct a brief phone interview and then visit the house to see firsthand what work needs to be done.

Homeowners can apply online at www.sites.google.com/site/Wallingfordworkcamp/apply-for-home-repair.com, or by filling out a paper application available at the Wallingford library, senior center and town hall. Westervelt said theyve been reaching out to the housing authority, home health care agencies and community organizations to let people know of the opportunity.

Volunteers from youth groups and parishes across the country will be housed in Sheehan High School for the week. Since so many people will be staying in the school, it will be considered a practice run for using the school as an emergency shelter, in collaboration with the health department.

The church is looking for local volunteers to help with hospitality. People who can bring cookies one day or maybe a pasta bowl, workcamp organizer Karen Blakeslee said. They are also looking for volunteer contractors to provide advice and help complete any projects that arent able to be finished in the five-day period.

To be able to help about 60 homeowners, the church is working to raise a minimum of $25,000 for materials. They are asking for donations and sponsors from the community. One hundred percent of the donations will go toward materials, according to Filkins. To donate, visit their GoFundMe, Wallingford Workweek Materials Fund.

Blakeslee said the workcamp is driven by a desire to give back to the community. When she participated in a past workcamp in Michigan, one disabled homeowner had not left his house in two years because he didnt have a wheelchair ramp. His first time out of the house was to celebrate with the volunteers who built him a ramp.

When you see those kinds of things, thats why we do it, Blakeslee said.

bwright@record-journal.com

203-317-2316

Twitter: @baileyfaywright
Director of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) Artem Sytnyk has said that the authorities will not be able to stop the work of the NABU to investigate high-profile anti-corruption cases.

"To date, one must be naive if he doesn't understand that those cases that we are investigating will not be abandoned and forgiven by the authorities. Beginning with [ex-MP from the People's Front Faction Mykola] Martynenko, [dismissed head of the State Fiscal Service Roman] Nasirov and ending with the latest investigations into the deputy minister of defense and backpacks of the Ministry of Internal Affairs," he told reporters on Monday after visiting the National Agency for Corruption Prevention (NACP).

Sytnyk was invited to NACP to serve a protocol on allegedly committing an administrative offense, which consisted in the fact that he did not submit certain documents at the request of the NACP.

Director of the Bureau said that it was about his alleged use of the legal capabilities of NABU for his own personal interests. He pointed out that when NABU or its director becomes a party to a dispute, then their interests represent, on the basis of the power of attorney of the head of the NABU, a representative of the legal department of the Bureau.

"Why it was concluded that I used this for some personal interests, I do not know. This was a representation not of my personal interests, but of the interests of the NABU director," Sytnyk said.

He pointed out that a number of investigations are currently under way, including regarding the NACP head Natalia Korchak, but, in his opinion, this call to the NACP is not a personal initiative of the head of the agency.

"We were waiting for such a reaction, we expected that there would be a maximum media attack using all controlled resources, such as NACP. So, I will not rule out further use of administrative resources, suspicions, arrests, including myself," the director of NABU said.

"But I want to address those people who organize all this: guys, you can put pressure as much as you like - you will not break us!" Sytnyk said.
Two separate weather systems are forecast to sweep across the region this week, bringing rain to the Bay Area and snow to the Sierra, forecasters said Sunday.

By Monday night, a quarter-inch to a half-inch of rain is expected to fall over the area, with the highest amounts in the North Bay, said Suzanne Sims, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Monterey.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

A 4.6-magnitude earthquake rattled Monterey County on Monday and was felt more than 90 miles away in San Francisco, officials said.

AFTERSHOCKS CONTINUE: The shaking isn't over as aftershocks continue (UPDATE)

The quake hit at 11:31 a.m. about 13 miles northeast of Gonzales, near Salinas, and was followed by nine smaller aftershocks, with the largest measuring magnitude 2.8, said Annemarie Baltay, a seismologist with the U.S. Geological Survey in Menlo Park.

There were no reports of injuries or damage.

Baltay said the quake occurred on the San Andreas Fault, close to an area where the Calaveras Fault branches off. The quake happened at a depth of about 4 miles.

She said there was no indication that the tremor was a harbinger of a bigger earthquake.

This is really typical behavior, Baltay said. Its as if someone put an oil can into the fault and lubricated it.

Now Playing: From Russia to Chile, these are the largest earthquakes the world has ever seen. Video: Ted Andersen, SFGATE

There have been 51 small earthquakes in the same general area in the past decade, including a magnitude-4.6 shaker in 2011, Baltay said.

Mondays quake was felt in Monterey, Morgan Hill, San Jose and as far north as San Francisco.

We felt it here, said Steve Anderson, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Monterey. It lasted about five seconds. There was a little bump and then a rolling motion. One of my colleagues said it made him feel seasick.
Fake news has become "almost overwhelming," the European Commission warned as it weighed steps that may help it assess how far the likes of Facebook and Google have stemmed the tide of online misinformation.

The European Union's executive arm said Monday it was starting a public consultation on fake news, including on what internet companies, news media and others have done to counter disinformation online. It will also ask what role each of those should play. Officials will seek opinions on how aware people are of fake news and what trust they have in different media.

Regulators are attempting to tackle concerns that false news reports might have sought to influence French and German elections this year as well as votes in Catalonia, the Netherlands and the U.K. French President Emmanuel Macron earlier this year accused Russia of meddling in the country's election by putting out fake news.

Jean-Claude Juncker, the commission's president, has promised to tackle "the challenges which online platforms create for our democracies as regards the spreading of fake information." The EU will set out a strategy on fake news in spring 2018, it said in an emailed statement.

Academics and representatives of news media, online platforms and other groups will be asked to form an expert panel to advise on who should play what role in tackling fake news.

"The flow of information and misinformation has become almost overwhelming," said Frans Timmermans, the European Commission's vice-president. "That is why we need to give our citizens the tools to identify fake news, improve trust online, and manage the information they receive."

The use of social media and fake news to influence votes is being examined across Europe. The U.K.'s elections regulator is looking at whether Russia tried to use social media to illegally influence the Brexit referendum campaign. Spanish reports have linked fake news on Catalonia with allegations of Russian influence in the Brexit vote.

The EU's external action service, which handles foreign relations for the bloc, runs a website to counter Russian media disinformation.

"We recognize false news is something Facebook needs to address" in collaboration with others, the social network's Thomas Myrup Kristensen told a conference in Brussels on Monday. "We are trying to build new products to address it" and the company is working to identify "clickbait" headlines that link to exaggerated information.

"We are increasing enforcement on ads" to identify those with little substance, using artificial intelligence to identify if new pages link to low-quality content that "may not be eligible to be an ad," he said.

Myrup Kristensen said Facebook wants to be "very careful" on any rules that might force it to delete content, citing concerns over limiting free speech and consumer choice.

Google's Jon Steinberg said fake news was like unwanted spam emails, "another attempt to game our algorithms" and the company would be failing its users if it didn't fight low-quality content in its search engine. Changes to Google's advertising terms aim to "follow the money" and "demonetize hundreds of fake news sites," he said.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

BBVA Compass non-executive chairman Manolo Sanchez, 52, will retire Wednesday. He stepped down from the CEO position at the beginning of this year.

Sanchez will be replaced by Terry Strange, a longtime member of the board and the current chairman of the audit and compliance committee.

"It has been my honor and pleasure to be a part of the BBVA Compass team since the BBVA Group first set its sights on the U.S.," Sanchez said in the news release. "The team that has been built over the years is primed to do great things in the industry."

Sanchez helped integrate several banks and improve BBVA Compass' core technology system.

At HoustonChronicle.com: BBVA Compass settles in for the long haul in Houston

"Manolo set the course for BBVA Compass as it moves into its next phase of profitable, organic growth," BBVA Compass President and CEO Onur Genc said in the news release. "We are grateful for his work, the dedication he has shown, and the impact he has made in the communities in which the bank serves. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors."

Strange retired from KPMG in 2002 as global managing partner of the audit business and a member of KPMG's International Executive Committee. He is a member of the boards of Group 1 Automotive, New Jersey Resources Corp. and Newfield Exploration.

Find out more about Sanchez and his time at BBVA Compass on HoustonChronicle.com.
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine should support the negotiations on Donbas between U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine Kurt Volker and Russian presidential aide Vladislav Surkov and refuse from the adoption of a bill on restoring Ukraine's sovereignty in the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, the head of the Opposition Bloc faction in parliament, Yuriy Boiko, has said.

"We believe that the parliament should support this important mediation mission and the introduction of peacekeepers as the first stage of achieving security in this region," he said at a meeting of the parliament's conciliatory council of the leaders of factions, committees and groups in Kyiv on Monday.

Boiko also said that the parliament should avoid "contradictory and absolutely uncompetitive laws, like the law on reintegration, which... in fact is a law on the separation of the territory of Ukraine and has nothing to do with restoring the territorial integrity of our state."
The second San Antonio Entrepreneurship Week started Monday with ceremonies at Port San Antonio and will continue through Friday with numerous sessions daily scattered among 11 sites.

Theres nothing like seeing a small company growth from scratch and prosper, Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff said during the opening session at Port San Antonios Duncan Theater.

Wolff and his family have started and sold two companies, one in the construction industry and another in groceries, along with his political career as a former San Antonio mayor and the current county judge.

Entrepreneurship Week is organized by Launch SA, a public-private nonprofit that operates at Central Library downtown to help companies start and find resources, such as financing. Launch SA, once called Cafe Commerce, is partially funded by the city of San Antonio in a partnership with LiftFund. The nonprofits name was changed about a year ago when the first Entrepreneurship Week was held.

We want to help people take chances, to roll the dice, Wolff said.

San Antonio Economic Development Department Director Rene Dominguez said, Promoting entrepreneurialism is a key strategy for economic development in San Antonio.

Each day of Entrepreneurship Week will feature different themes at the various sites. Monday was devoted to cybersecurity, manufacturing and contracting at Port San Antonio.

Today will focus on support services with sessions scheduled at the University of Texas at San Antonio Downtown Campus. Wednesdays sessions, mainly on the medical industry, will be held at UT Health San Antonio, Cafe Martinez, Woodlawn Gymnasium and Central Library.

Thursdays sessions on the arts, culture and real estate are scheduled at the San Antonio Museum of Art, San Antonio College and Dorcol Distilling Co. Fridays session will feature the culinary and technology industries with events at St. Philips College, Local Sprout Food Hub, Codeup, Scaleworks and Geekdom.

dhendricks@express-news.net
(Bloomberg) -- Its a tempest in a K-Cup.

JAB Holding Co., the European investment firm that owns Keurig Green Mountain, is getting a dose of U.S. politics this week -- and its left a bitter taste.

Keurig pulled its advertisements from Sean Hannitys show on Fox News after the anchor found himself embroiled in controversy over Alabama senate candidate Roy Moore. Many Twitter users reached out to the company to request it nix the ads, saying that Hannity defended Moore, who has been accused by women of inappropriate sexual behavior when they were minors.

Keurig complied.

Thank you for your concern and for bringing this to our attention. We worked with our media partner and Fox News to stop our ad from airing during the Sean Hannity Show, the company said, responding to several tweets.

But then came the response from the other side of the political spectrum. Hannity and Moore loyalists posted photos of themselves smashing the companys single-serve coffee brewers. Hannity himself tweeted that he is purchasing 500 coffee makers to give away.

I am humbled and speechless and frankly laughing my ass off, Hannity said in a tweet. I love all my deplorable friends. Thank you and game on!!

Fox News didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.

#BoycottKeurig is the top hashtag promoted by 600 accounts associated with the Kremlin, according to the Alliance for Security Democracy, a bipartisan initiative of the German Marshall Fund. The group, which aims to expose Russian efforts to affect U.S. politics, was cited by Newsweek.

JABs Keurig is the latest of many companies who have found themselves pulled into disputes on social media. Consumers are increasingly using their wallets -- and sites like Twitter and Facebook -- to express political frustration and perspective in the Trump era. Among the others: Anheuser-Busch InBev NV, Coca-Cola Co., PepsiCo Inc., Starbucks Corp., Nike Inc., Uber Technologies Inc., Under Armour Inc. and Kellogg Co.
WASHINGTON -- By slashing the corporate tax rate, the Republican tax proposal could very well curtail the widely derided practice of companies moving headquarters to foreign countries to reduce their tax payments.

But how far will the tax overhaul go in advancing a top goal of President Donald Trumps: keeping U.S. multinational firms from sending manufacturing work and jobs overseas?

Not very much, many economists and tax analysts think. By some accounts, the Republican proposal in its current form could increase the incentive for companies to make investments and manufacture abroad.

While there are some important differences in the House and Senate versions, they share key elements. Both would reduce the U.S. corporate tax rate to 20 percent from the current 35 percent. That is a little less than the worldwide average rate of 22.5 percent, according to the research firm Tax Foundation, and that is likely to tamp down further what had been a wave of corporate inversions, in which companies moves their legal domiciles to a lower-tax nations.

The Republican proposal also would fundamentally change the U.S. tax scheme to a so-called territorial system, in which foreign earnings would be exempt from U.S. taxes. A multinational firms offshore income would still be subject to taxes in the country where it made those profits.

A few countries, such as Bermuda and the Cayman Islands, have a zero corporate tax rate, so to prevent multinational firms from paying nothing at all, congressional Republicans have proposed a minimum tax on foreign profits at a rate that is no more than 10 percent.

But at 10 percent, that would still be just half the tax rate on an American corporations domestic earnings, meaning that it would still make financial sense for U.S. companies to shift earnings and activity to places where taxes are lower or pay the minimum on foreign earnings of no more than 10 percent.

As long as the rate structure is lower abroad than it is here, were going to continue to have an incentive to shift jobs, production and profits offshore, said Steven Rosenthal, a senior fellow at the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center.

In recent years, U.S. multinational firms have continued to invest and hire employees at a faster rate in their foreign operations than in the U.S. From 2009 to 2014, American companies with foreign subsidiaries increased their employment abroad by 21.5 percent while their domestic payrolls rose by about 16 percent, according to the latest Commerce Department data on multinational activities.

Jared Walczak, a senior policy analyst at the conservative-leaning Tax Foundation, agreed that some companies will still find it attractive to move activity abroad for tax purposes, but he nonetheless expects a slowdown in the overall shift, if not a reversal.

Up to now, he said, U.S. companies facing a 35 percent tax on their foreign earnings were highly motivated to establish bases overseas. A favorite among tech firms such as Apple was Ireland, where the top corporate tax rate is 12.5 percent.

With the U.S. rate reduced to 20 percent, Walczak argued, the gap would be narrowed enough that it will be much more attractive for multinational companies to do business in the United States and less advantageous to go abroad. Whats more, he said, other changes in the tax plan, such as immediate expensing for equipment and capital purchases to offset taxes, would spur firms to invest and expand production in the U.S.

But that gap may be much bigger than what meets the eye. The 10 percent minimum tax would apply only to earnings on nontangible assets such as patents and intellectual property holdings, which can easily be shifted offshore on paper. There would be no minimum tax on foreign tangible assets such as plants and equipment, which means firms would find it that much more profitable to produce overseas.

By the time all the dust is cleared, theres a net incentive to shift income offshore and to shift activities offshore, said Kimberly Clausing, an economics professor at Reed College who has written extensively on corporate taxation.

Both the Senate and House bills have promised to include anti-abuse provisions and ways to protect the tax base. But in fact, both versions would result in the federal government losing tax revenue on foreign income in the 10th year of the tax plan relative to what it would under the status quo, Clausing said.

Thats showing us that on net, the incentive to be offshore is even higher because the tax base gets even smaller due to these provisions, she said.

One House idea meant to protect the tax base was an excise tax to stop multinational firms from using transactions with their foreign affiliates to reduce their U.S. taxes. But that provision, after coming under attack by conservative groups, has been gutted. Though it was once estimated to generate $155 billion, it is now projected to generate only about half that much.

The underlying idea seems to be that, subject to this quasi-minimum tax, anything goes in respect of foreign tax avoidance by U.S. multinationals, Edward Kleinbard, a University of Southern California law professor and expert in federal tax policy, said of the House tax bill. This strikes me as a very conscious policy.

U.S. multinationals that use Ireland or other low-tax jurisdictions to minimize their foreign tax bills down to the Irish rate in respect of foreign sales will be enormous winners, Kleinbard said.
SAN FRANCISCO  Before the sun came up on Oct. 31, Renee DiResta sat in bed in her pajamas and logged into a virtual war room.

For years, DiResta had battled disinformation campaigns, cataloging data on how malicious actors spread fake narratives online. That morning, wearing headphones so she wouldnt wake up her two sleeping children, DiResta watched on her laptop screen as lawyers representing Facebook, Google and Twitter spoke at congressional hearings that focused on the role social media played in a Russian disinformation campaign before the 2016 election.

DiResta knew the lines of questioning inside and out. Along with a handful of people with a similarly obsessive interest in mapping data across social media, she had helped prepare congressional staff members before the hearings. That morning, they gathered in a dedicated channel on the Slack messaging app to watch and listen for answers to questions they had been asking for years.

We were monitoring closely to see when the companies gave misleading or partial answers so that we could follow up, said DiResta, 36, who became immersed in disinformation campaigns in her spare time outside her job as a founder and head of marketing at Haven, a shipping technology company.

How a small group of self-made experts came to advise Congress on disinformation campaigns is a testament to just how long tech companies have failed to find a solution to the problem. For years, the informal group  about a dozen or so people  have meticulously logged data and published reports on how easy it was to manipulate social media platforms.

In 2016, they monitored thousands of Twitter accounts that suddenly started using bots, or automated accounts, to spread salacious stories about the Clinton family. They watched as multiple Facebook pages, appearing out of nowhere, organized to simultaneously create anti-immigrant events. Nearly all those watching were hobbyists, logging countless hours outside their day jobs.

When I put it all together and started mapping it out, I saw how big the scale of it was, said Jonathan Albright, who met DiResta through Twitter. Albright published a widely read report that mapped, for the first time, connections between conservative sites putting out fake news. He did the research as a second job outside his position as research director at the Tow Center for Digital Journalism at Columbia University.

Senate and House staff members, who knew of DiRestas expertise through her public reports and her previous work advising the Obama administration on disinformation campaigns, had reached out to her and others to help them prepare for the hearings.

Rachel Cohen, a spokeswoman for Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., said in a statement that researchers like DiResta had shown real insight into the platforms, in many cases, despite efforts by some of the platforms to undermine their research. Warner is a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee.

One crucial line of the questioning  on how much influence Russian-bought advertisements and content had on users  was the result of work by DiResta and others with a Facebook-owned tool. Facebook has the tools to monitor how far this content is spreading, DiResta said. The numbers they were originally providing were trying to minimize it.

Indeed, at the congressional hearings, the tech companies admitted that the problem was far larger than they had originally said. Last year, Mark Zuckerberg, Facebooks chief executive, said it was a crazy idea that misinformation on Facebook influenced the election.

But the company acknowledged to Congress that more than 150 million users of its main site and a subsidiary, Instagram, potentially saw inflammatory political ads bought by a Kremlin-linked company, the Internet Research Agency.

DiResta contended that is still just the tip of the iceberg. Minimizing the scope of the problem was a naive form of damage control, she said. This isnt about punishing Facebook or Twitter. This is us saying, this is important and we can do better.

In response, Facebook said it had begun organizing academic discussions on disinformation.

We regularly engage with dozens of sociologists, political scientists, data scientists and communications scholars, and we both read and incorporate their findings into our work, said Jay Nancarrow, a Facebook spokesman. We value the work of researchers, and we are going to continue to work with them closely.

A graduate of Stony Brook University in New York, DiResta wrote her college thesis on propaganda in the 2004 Russian elections. She then spent seven years on Wall Street as a trader, watching the slow introduction of automation into the market. She recalled the initial fear of overreliance on algorithms, as there were bad actors who could come in and manipulate the system into making bad trades.

I look at that now and I see a lot of parallels to today, especially for the need for nuance in technological transformations, DiResta said. Just like technology is never leaving Wall Street, social media companies are not leaving our society.

DiResta moved to San Francisco in 2011 for a job with the OReilly Alpha Tech Venture Capital firm. But it was not until the birth of her first child a few years later, that DiResta started to examine the dark side of social media.

When my son was born, I began looking into vaccines. I found myself wondering about the clustering effects where the anti-vaccine movement was concentrated, DiResta recalled. I was thinking, What on earth is going on here? Why is this movement gaining so much momentum here?

She started tracking posts made by anti-vaccine accounts on Facebook and mapping the data. What she discovered, she said, was that Facebooks platform was tailor-made for a small group of vocal people to amplify their voices, especially if their views veered toward the conspiratorial.

It was this great case study in peer-to-peer misinformation, DiResta said. Through one account she created to monitor anti-vaccine groups on Facebook, she quickly realized she was being pushed toward other anti-vaccine accounts, creating an echo chamber in which it appeared that viewpoints like vaccines cause autism were the majority.

Soon, her Facebook account began promoting content to her on a range of other conspiratorial ideas, ranging from people who claim the earth is flat to those who believe that chem trails, or trails left in the sky by planes, were spraying chemical agents on an unsuspecting public.

So by Facebook suggesting all these accounts, they were essentially creating this vortex in which conspiratorial ideas can just breed and multiply, DiResta said.

Her published findings on the anti-vaccine movement brought her to the attention of the Obama administration, which reached out to her in 2015, when officials were examining radical Islamist groups use of online disinformation campaigns.

She recalled a meeting with various tech companies at the White House in February 2016 where chief executives, policy leaders and administration officials were told that U.S.-made social media platforms were key to the dissemination of propaganda by ISIS.

It was during that time that she first met Jonathan Morgan, a fellow social media disinformation researcher who had published papers on how the Islamic State spreads its propaganda online.

We kept saying this was not a one-off. This was a toolbox anyone can use, DiResta said. We told the tech companies that they had created a mass way to reach Americans.

A year and a half later, they hope everyone is finally listening. I think we are at this real moment, whereas a society we are asking how much responsibility these companies have toward ensuring that their platforms arent being gamed, and that we, as their users, arent being pushed toward disinformation, DiResta said.
Houston police are investigating a Sunday morning shooting in southeast Houston.

Arthur Walton, 20, was shot in the leg about 9:35 a.m. Sunday at an apartment complex at 12000 Martin Luther King Boulevard, police said. They have no known witnesses or suspects.
A survey released Monday found that international student enrollment is stagnating or declining at many colleges and universities around the U.S., marking the second year of lower foreign enrollment on campuses dependent on out-of-state tuition dollars.

The national data appear less pronounced then the Houston Chronicle's findings in Texas. A solid majority of four-year public universities here saw declines in international student enrollment, while 45 percent of respondents to the Institute for International Education's fall survey saw fewer students enrolled. About 24 percent of institutions nationally saw no change, that survey said.
1 Voting rules: The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday agreed to determine whether a Minnesota statute that prohibits wearing political apparel in polling places is unconstitutional. Several groups sued just before the 2010 election to try to ensure officials would not bar them from wearing Tea Party apparel to the polls, including buttons that read, Please I.D. Me. They referred to legislation that would have required voters to show identification at the polls. Lower courts upheld Minnesotas law barring political apparel at voting places, saying its reasonable and applies equally to all political material regardless of viewpoint.

2 Plane crash: Four people were killed in a plane crash in south-central Kentucky. State Police said 41-year-old Kyle Stewart, 40-year-old Quinton Whitaker, 41-year-old Scott Foster and his son, 15-year-old Noah Foster were killed Sunday when the small plane went down in Barren County. The cause of the crash is under investigation.
When Nancy Yedlins father was dying of cancer in a New Jersey hospital, she and her family couldnt have anticipated the stress they would undergo as his life neared its end.

He had an advance directive. He had a living will to say what he wanted or didnt want at the end of life, and he had cancer.  But we could not in a family meeting get his oncologist to talk about palliative care or hospice, Yedlin said.

Yedlin, who lives in New Haven, set up a meeting with a palliative care doctor and her family, but on the day of the meeting received a call that her father, Benedict Yedlin, 81, a belly gunner during World War II, was being moved to intensive care.

As she, her stepmother, brother, sister and sister-in-law were meeting, a code sounded and a medical team came running down the hall with this equipment going into the ICU, prepared to insert a breathing tube and open her fathers chest if his heart stopped.

It was not what Benedict Yedlin would have wanted. He didnt want any life-prolonging treatment if he had a terminal illness, Nancy Yedlin said.

We basically said, Dont do it and you could see a little bit like their shoulders slumping. This is not what theyre trained to do.

His breath got really fast and literally, [within] three minutes of us all touching him and being with him, the breath went out of him.

Yedlin said she would have preferred to have a conversation with her fathers doctors when he first entered the hospital.

I think if the palliative care physician hadnt been there at that moment and hadnt been able to interject what she knew about his wishes, I dont know what would have happened with my dad, she said.

That experience in 2004 impressed on Yedlin the need for family members to know what each others wishes are and to communicate them to doctors and other caregivers.

It was probably a few years after my father died that my family felt comfortable talking about what happened, Yedlin said. Theres still a stigma that you dont love your loved one enough if youre willing to honor their wishes.

When her mother, Rita Yedlin, died in 2016 at age 90, the experience was much different. She had a real slow decline, but we had a lot of opportunities to talk about what she wanted  and we were able to check in with her over the last few years to say, Hey, Mom, are you sure that is what you want? Nancy Yedlin said.

She did not want to be transferred to a hospital if something acute happened to her. She really just wanted pain management at the end of her life and comfort care where she was living  and thats what she had.

As the holidays approach, the greatest gift we might give our family members is to tell them how we would like to die, according to advocates for improving end-of-life care. To make that gift most worthwhile, we should know as much as we can about what our options are, including the availability of palliative care and hospice care during a prolonged or terminal illness.

Spreading that message is the goal of Care Decisions Connecticut, a program begun in 2016 by the Connecticut Hospital Association to improve end-of-life care and quality of life for those with serious illnesses.

The group  as well as organizations such as the Connecticut Association for Healthcare at Home, which represents 26 of the 31 hospice agencies in the state  would like to overturn misconceptions about what palliative care and hospice are and when patients may turn to them.

To help convey the message that families need to discuss end-of-life decisions, Care Decisions Connecticut will hold a conference Tuesday, Nov. 14 at Quinnipiac University featuring WNPRs Colin McEnroe and experts in the field.

The issue at hand is helping individuals contemplate the type of care that they want at the end of their life before they get to the end of their life, said Dr. Adam Silverman, chief population health officer of Trinity Health of New England and co-chairman of Care Decisions Connecticut.

But the conversation shouldnt be put off until a family member is facing a terminal illness.

It is for anybody at any age to have this conversation with their loved ones, said co-chairwoman Karen Mulvihill, a nurse practitioner who is network director of palliative care for the hospice consortium.

Death is a part of life

I think in the United States especially its important to always be young and theres discomfort to talking about death and death isnt considered a part of life, said Tracy Wodatch, vice president of the Connecticut Association for Healthcare at Home, based in Wallingford. Learning how to have a conversation is not just about talking about death but its about whats meaningful in life and what are your goals.

I think that sense of guilt that families feel is that we havent socialized this; we havent made it normal, even though were all dying from the moment were born, Silverman said.

Theres this concept of the health care provider being the hero, he said, fed by media portrayals of doctors swooping in at the last minute, rescuing somebody from the jaws of death.

In fact, there are studies that show that certain populations of patients that choose a palliative approach  actually live longer, he said.

The best time to talk about our wishes for treatment shouldnt be in the hospital, Wodatch said. It shouldnt be when you have an illness. It should be when youre healthy, she said. Most peoples conceptions include an old, gray, feeble body that has lived a long full life and can still make decisions on their own.

Elizabeth Beaudin, senior director for population health at the Connecticut Hospital Association, and facilitator for Care Decisions Connecticut, said her sister, who died of a brain tumor at age 37, encouraged her family to have the discussion. She wanted to talk very directly about death and we were able to do that, Beaudin said. She knew exactly how she wanted to handle things. There were treatment options and she didnt want any of them.

The ability to discuss how we want to die is largely about having conversations about life and whats important to you ... and that helps guide you in what kind of care you want and how to communicate that to family members and providers, Beaudin said.

The result she said, can be a good death. Some folks would think thats an oxymoron, she said.

Seeking care sooner

Avoiding talking about death keeps families and doctors from bringing up options of palliative and hospice care, with too many people thinking of them as available only at the very end of life.

A recent Yale School of Medicine study found many patients had less than two weeks to live when hospice care was enlisted, and quality of life would be improved if hospice were called in sooner. (Medicare covers hospice care when a patient has a life expectancy of six months or less.)

According to a report by Hospice Analytics of Colorado Springs, Colo., Connecticut ranks last in length of stay in hospice care, with 36 percent staying less than seven days.

Care Decisions Connecticuts goal is to empower people to make decisions that are important to them, Wodatch said. According to another study, 80 percent of people say if theyre seriously ill they would want to talk to their doctor about medical treatment toward end of life. Seven percent report having had the conversation with their doctor.

She said there is a billing code doctors can use when a patient makes an appointment to talk about end-of-life care, so its covered by insurance.

When it comes to getting palliative care involved  generally the physicians are waiting for the families to ask  and the families a lot of times are waiting for the physician to have that conversation, Mulvihill said.

Families or physicians still think that palliative care is hospice care and theyre one and the same, so theyre afraid to bring up the word palliative care because they think hospice, she said.

Hospice care, which may be offered at home, in a health care facility or at a standalone agency such as Connecticut Hospice in Branford, involves a team that may include doctors, nurses, aides, a chaplain, a social worker and volunteers, all with a focus of helping the patient and the family, and its about quality of life, Wodatch said. Palliative care should come much earlier to treat the side effects of cancer treatments, for example, she said.

I think one of the roles of having palliative care involved early in the diagnosis of a serious illness is really to make sure that hospice referral is made at an appropriate time and not too late, Mulvihill said. So when the time comes, theyre not scared to go into hospice.

The important point is that the patients wishes be honored, whether they include wanting everything possible done to keep them alive or a do-not-resuscitate order.

Were not pushing one decision over another, Silverman said. We all have patients who come to us and say, Hey, I want you to do everything, and well do everything unless it becomes futile or were doing harm to the patient.

One option available to patients is a palliative care physician, who specializes in pain management and keeping a patient comfortable, whether the patient is suffering a terminal illness or is simply from intense pain.

Theres really no reason that somebody whos critically ill, whether theyre dying or not  that the palliative care physician shouldnt be part of the conversation, Yedlin said. We had to use our own kind of networks to involve the palliative care doctor.

Taking action

Once decisions are made, an advance health care directive, or living will, should be created and a health care representative appointed whom the patient trusts to follow his or her wishes. Neither requires a lawyer and forms can be found on the state attorney generals website. Family members and doctors should have a copy.

There is also a new form, Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment that is signed by a physician and contains a patients directives in a standardized form. Information on MOLST can be found on the state Department of Public Healths website.

The Care Decisions Connecticut will be held at the Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University starting at 11 a.m. Nov. 14. It is free and open to the public. Register at CareDecisionsCT.org. In addition to McEnroe, who will share personal stories about peoples end-of-life decisions, the Rev. Rosemary Lloyd, adviser to faith communities for the Conversation Project at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, will discuss how values should be incorporated into end-of-life decisions, and Probate Judge John J. McGrath Jr. of the Windham-Colchester probate district in Willimantic, will join a question-and-answer session.

Contact Ed Stannard at edward.stannard@hearstmediact.com or 203-680-9382.
Representative of the Ukrainian president in the Verkhovna Rada, Iryna Lutsenko, refutes accusations that the draft law on the Anti-Corruption Court is being dragged out by the president and declares that he will submit his bill to the parliament.

"Informing our colleagues from the opposition factions that if the working group is not created, the president will submit a law on the Anticorruption Court ... We are not procrastinating," Lutsenko said at a meeting of the conciliatory council of the faction leaders, committees and groups in parliament on Monday.

She urged people's deputies to do their part of the work and withdraw the deputy bill on the Anti-Corruption Court, which was previously registered in the parliament.

"Let's finish our work and still recall the deputy bill, and in this way we will unblock the introduction of the draft law on the Anticorruption Court by the president of Ukraine," she said.
HURON COUNTY  Political candidates could ask for a recount only if they have a reasonable chance of winning under recent legislation approved by the Michigan House of Representatives.

House Bill 5012 is in response to Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein's recount bid last year. The bill was passed 98-10, with bipartisan support in the GOP-led chamber. It was then sent to the Senate.

It would define who is considered an "aggrieved" candidate eligible to ask for a recount of ballots. It would codify a state appeals court ruling, which ultimately led to Stein's recount being halted.

Under the measure, a candidate would be required to be able to allege a good-faith belief that he or she "would have had a reasonable chance of winning the election" but for fraud or mistake.

Huron County Clerk Lori Neal-Wonsowicz said she would be in favor of the proposed legislation.

"I would be in favor of not letting them have it if it's not going to prove anything," said Neal-Wonsowicz.

Late last year, Stein sought the recount despite winning just 1 percent of the vote. She questioned the accuracy of the vote and suggested that votes were susceptible to hacking. She also mounted recounts in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, other states where Republican Donald Trump narrowly defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton.

The move meant plenty of additional work for county clerks, canvassers and recount workers. Neal-Wonsowicz said she scrambled to get everything set up, only to have it called it off three days before the recount.

"That was awful  and we're a small county," Neal-Wonsowicz said.

The House vote was the second time this year that legislators have sought to prevent a repeat of a Stein-like recount. A bill approved by the Republican-controlled Senate, which is pending in the House, would double a losing candidate's fees to recount votes if he or she is down by more than 5 percentage points.

House Elections and Ethics Committee Chairman Aaron Miller, a Sturgis Republican, said the bill is a "common-sense reform" and he expects both measures to eventually be enacted. The sponsor of the House legislation, Republican Rep. Jim Lilly of Ottawa County's Park Township, said it would eliminate "ambiguity" in the law that let Stein "obstruct the election process and cause an expensive legal battle."

Stein initially paid $973,000 and was reimbursed $632,000 because a full recount did not occur. Counties that participated in the recount received Stein's $341,000, while state costs were not reimbursed.
NORWALK  Six years after the unsolved shooting deaths of Rickita Smalls and Iroquois Alston, their families spoke publicly to implore the public to come forward with information that will bring them closure.

Norwalk police, States Attorney Richard Colangelo and family members of Alston and Smalls spoke at a press conference Monday at police headquarters in part to remind the public of a $50,000 reward leading to the arrest and conviction of the killer or killers.

As Alstons mother, April Alston, took the podium she burst into tears before saying, Six years, Im at a loss for words. This is just like it happened today. This is a pain no mother should have to go through ... Somebody knows who killed our kids, Im begging them to call in to the hotline and give information

Smalls, 22, and Alston, 27, were found shot dead in a black Honda sedan on Avenue B in the early morning hours of Aug. 6, 2011.

An Avenue B resident phoned police shortly before 8 a.m. after finding Smalls slumped forward and unresponsive in her car. The passenger's side window of the vehicle had been shattered.

Both victims died of gunshot wounds to the head, and the persons responsible for the killing remain at large.

I am the mother of a murdered child, said Smalls mother, Notassha Smalls. Her name was Rickita Smalls. She wasnt just a girl found dead in a car  shes my daughter. ... Im asking anyone who has information to please come forward.

Smalls grandmother, Barbara Smalls, held up photos of her granddaughter while conveying a message to the person responsible for her death.

I dont believe youre living after taking two peoples lives, she said. Youre just existing. Its time for you to come clean and turn yourself in.

Smalls said nothing will bring her granddaughter back, but she hopes for closure for the family.

When I hug my daughter, I can feel the hurt, she said. Anyone can see how broken we are and how much we miss her ... If anyone has information, help us with this and please come forward.

Colangelo reminded the public that there is a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the murders.

Not a day goes by that Norwalk police arent working on this, Colangelo said. This was a heinous act and Norwalk police wont stop until they find the responsible individual.

We stand with the family to ask for justice, said Norwalk Ppolice Chief Thomas Kulhawik. A case may be cold but it is never closed.

Kulhawik cited reorganization in the detective bureau in which greater resources have been allocated to older cases.

Norwalk Police Lt. Thomas Mattera, commander of the detective bureau described the newly created Special Investigative Squad that is re-examining cold case homicides.

There is a dedicated group of four detectives and a sergeant in the detective bureau that is deconstructing and reconstructing all these cases, Mattera said. We are working with the Cold Case Unit in Rocky Hill and the States Attorneys Office in a reinvestigation of these cold cases.

Anyone with information is asked to call Norwalk detectives at 203-854-3011 or the Connecticut Cold Case hotline at 866-623-8058.

Anonymous tips can be left the Norwalk Police Tip Line, 203-854-3111. Anonymous Internet tips can be sent to Norwalk police website at www.norwalkpd.com. Anonymous text tips can be submitted by typing NPD into the text field, followed by the message, and sending it to CRIMES (274637).
Global carbon dioxide emissions are projected to rise again in 2017, climate scientists reported Monday, a troubling development for the environment and a major disappointment for those who had hoped emissions of the climate change-causing gas had at last peaked.

The emissions from fossil fuel burning and industrial uses are projected to rise by up to 2 percent in 2017, as well as to rise again in 2018, the scientists told a group of international officials gathered for a United Nations climate conference in Bonn, Germany.

Despite global economic growth, total emissions held level from 2014 to 2016 at about 36 billion tons per year, stoking hope among many climate change advocates that emissions had reached an all-time high point and would subsequently begin to decline. But that was not to be, the new analysis suggests.

"The temporary hiatus appears to have ended in 2017," wrote Stanford University's Rob Jackson, who along with colleagues at the Global Carbon Project tracked 2017 emissions to date and projected them forward. "Economic projections suggest further emissions growth in 2018 is likely."

The renewed rise is a troubling development for the global effort to keep atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases below the levels needed to mitigate the worst effects of climate change. The more we emit now, scientists say, the more severe cuts will have to be later. That's because of the very long atmospheric lifetime of carbon dioxide, which means we can only emit a fixed amount in total if we want to stay within key climate goals.

"It's sort of, lose one year now, you have to pick up five years later," said Glen Peters, one of the study's co-authors and a researcher at the Center for International Climate Research in Oslo.

Emissions are forecast to reach around 37 billion tons of carbon dioxide from fossil fuel burning and industrial activity in 2017, said the group, which published the results in the journal Environmental Research Letters and more detailed findings in Earth System Science Data Discussions. The renewed increase is driven largely by more fossil fuel burning in China and many other nations.

"We've been lucky in the last three years with emissions being flat without any real policy driving it," Peters said. "If we want to ensure that emissions remain flat we have to put policies in place . . . and the second step is to start to drive emissions down."

Peters said the 2017 number would be a record high for emissions from fossil fuel burning and industrial uses (such as cement), although carbon emissions from deforestation and land-use changes were actually higher in 2015.

The scientists also acknowledge some uncertainty in their estimate, meaning that the 2017 emissions rise could be as low as 1 percent or as high as 3 percent.

All in all, the finding is bad news for global climate policy. The Paris agreement, now supported by every nation except for the United States, aims to limit the warming of the planet to "well below" 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) above preindustrial levels, and to try to hold warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit).

But this requires emissions not just to stay flat but to go down - rapidly.

"The 2017 emissions data make it crystal clear that urgent and very serious emissions reductions are needed to stop global warming below 2 degrees C, as was unanimously agreed in Paris," Stefan Rahmstorf, a climate scientist at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in Germany, said in an email. Rahmstorf was not involved with the current work.

Rahmstorf said there are currently about 600 billion remaining tons of carbon dioxide that can be emitted if the world is to have a good chance of keeping warming considerably below 2 degrees Celsius, and with some 40 billion tons of emissions each year, that leaves just 15 years.

"If we start to ramp down emissions from now on we can stretch this budget to last us about 30 years," he said. "With every year that we wait we will have to stop using fossil energy even earlier."

The rise of global emissions projected for the year 2017 in the current research is attributable to multiple causes.

In particular, China's emissions were projected to increase by 3.5 percent in 2017 as the country consumed more of all three of the top fossil fuels - coal, natural gas and oil. China is the single largest emitting country.

India, which has been experiencing rapid emissions growth, will pull back to 2 percent growth in 2017 because of economic contraction, the research suggests. Emissions from the United States and European Union are projected to decline 0.4 percent and 0.2 percent, respectively. But emissions for the rest of the globe - which, in total, are even larger than China's - will rise by close to 2 percent, according to the projection.

If the increase continues, what many hoped was a plateau in emissions seen from 2014 to 2016 could come to look more like a pause.

During that era, many cited a broad "decoupling" of economic growth and emissions growth, thanks in part to greater energy efficiency and renewable energy. And there's no denying that renewables are continuing to grow around the world - making it hard to know quite what to make of the current emissions rise.

"It's too early to say whether it's a long-term trend, or just a one-off little blip," Peters said.

The new results reinforce just how much of the globe's emissions trajectory depends on China, its largest emitter. China took a number of steps to cut back coal emissions in the past three years, notes Joanna Lewis, a Georgetown University professor who studies energy trends in the country. This led to less coal use in the electricity and industrial sectors.

"What is less clear is whether these trends can continue," Lewis said by email. "Reduced plant operation and closures around the country are putting huge pressures on local governments to deal with slowing economic growth and unemployment. Overcapacity in these sectors, and particularly an overbuild of coal plants, means there is pressure to increase coal electricity production, which is often done through the curtailment of renewables. As a result, China's long term CO2 emissions trends are unclear at best."

While 37 billion tons of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels and industry represent the lion's share of the globe's emissions, there are also several billion tons of carbon dioxide each year from deforestation and other changes in how humans use land. When it comes to global tree loss, there are also worrying signs that it is not abating as hoped.

There are also rising emissions of methane, a greenhouse gas that is a stronger and faster warming agent, although not nearly as long-lived in the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. There is still a debate over where the methane growth is coming from, but much of it could be from animal agriculture.

The new findings will be immediately relevant to the proceedings in Bonn, since one part of the agenda involves laying the groundwork for a "facilitative dialogue" to take place next year, in which countries will take a hard look at where their emissions are, and where they need to be, to live up to the Paris goals.

Higher emissions will, in this context, inevitably mean deeper cuts will be required of participating nations - even as deadlines for avoiding the most severe effects of global warming draw near.
The parliamentary faction of the Opposition Block Party has demanded that Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman nominate a candidate for the post of Ukraine's health minister, but said that it will not vote for acting Health Minister Ulana Suprun if she is nominated for the post.

"We insist that the government finally decide on the candidacy of the health minister and submit a respective proposal. I want to say that we will not vote for the acting head who is working today," Opposition Bloc faction leader Yuriy Boiko said at a meeting of the parliament's conciliatory council of the leaders of factions, committees and groups on Monday.

In addition, he recalled that representatives of his faction had registered a draft resolution on a report by the heads of law enforcement agencies in parliament on investigations into high-profile crimes in the state.

"It [the draft resolution] is at the national security committee, and we demand that if the committee does not consider it, it must be brought into the hall and voted in the hall," the politician added.

The head of the People's Will deputy group, Yaroslav Moskalenko, in turn, called on the coalition "to restore order in personnel matters."

"What can we expect from medical reform, when there is no health minister? Nominate Suprun or someone else, or offer several candidates. Let the parliament decide. We need to decide on this issue," he said, adding that a nomination for health minister should be submitted and considered in parliament this week.
Federal prosecutors must scale back their search of Facebook accounts connected to protests during President Trump's inauguration to protect private data unrelated to the ongoing probe, a judge in Washington has ruled.

"The risk for disclosure of private political speech and association of innocent persons to the government cannot be ignored and therefore additional protections are necessary," according to D.C. Superior Court Chief Robert E. Morin.

The ruling is the latest development in a legal battle over the government's request to search three Facebook accounts, including that of a political group that helped plan the Jan. 20 demonstrations. More than 200 people were arrested and are facing felony rioting charges connected to the protests that injured police and damaged property in an area of downtown Washington.

The judge ordered Facebook to redact the identities of about 6,000 people who liked or followed the DisruptJ20 Facebook page and to limit the production of photographs. However, Morin did not go as far as attorneys for the two individual users had requested to limit the search of their private content.

"The court agreed to impose safeguards to protect political activity and third-party communications from government snooping, but was not equally careful to protect our clients' private and personal communications," Scott Michelman, an attorney with the ACLU of the District of Columbia, said in a statement.

The fight over the warrants first became public after Facebook went to the D.C. Court of Appeals to protest a judge's order that prevented the company from alerting its users to the search. Prosecutors in the District backed off their request to keep Facebook quiet in September, allowing the company to alert the three users.

In his 21-page order issued Thursday, Morin distinguished between the two individual accounts and the DistruptJ20 Facebook page used as a "common forum" by many people. The judge said he was trying to balance individual rights to private online expression with the government's ability to prosecute criminals.

Among other limitations, Morin ordered investigators to clear their search plan with the court before accessing the DisruptJ20 page and to get the court's permission to uncover any third-party names.

"While the government has the right to execute its warrants, it does not have the right to rummage through the information contained on the Facebook accounts and discover the identity of, or access communications by, individuals not participating in alleged criminal activity, particularly those persons who were engage in protected First Amendment activities," Morin wrote.

The individual targets of the search - Lacy MacAuley and Legba Carrefour - have not been charged with any crime. The judge ordered the names redacted of MacAuley and Carrefour's Facebook friends, and the names of anyone who communicated with the two.

But Morin ruled that because the government has "established probable cause to believe that criminal activity is likely to be found in the individual accounts," investigators can review those communications and postings.

The office of the U.S. attorney for D.C. had no comment on the ruling.
Brett Talley, the young lawyer nominated by President Donald Trump for a lifetime federal judgeship in Alabama, was asked by a Senate committee to disclose family members who are likely to present potential conflicts of interest if he is confirmed.

In response, Talley said he would evaluate "real or potential conflict, or relationships that could give rise to appearance of conflict" and recuse himself from cases if necessary, according to a Senate Judiciary Committee questionnaire.

He did not, however, identify any family members - including his wife, who is one of Trump's attorneys. Annie Donaldson is White House Counsel Donald F. McGahn II's chief of staff.

Talley's failure to mention his wife in the 30-page written questionnaire was first reported Monday by the New York Times.

Talley could not be immediately reached for comment.

The White House did not respond to questions about whether the administration sees a potential conflict of interest, and whether Talley should have disclosed that he is married to a White House attorney.

A spokesman for the Senate Judiciary Committee and its chair, Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, did not respond to a call seeking comment.

As a district judge, Talley could end up presiding over cases in which the federal government or the White House is one of the parties. For example, district judges in Hawaii and Maryland had previously heard cases challenging the Trump administration's travel ban.

Talley attracted controversy for what some say is his limited experience in practicing law and the level of partisanship he had shown in the past. The Judiciary Committee, on which Republicans outnumber Democrats, approved Talley's nomination last week on a party-line vote.

His nomination is now headed to the Senate for a full confirmation vote.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., the ranking Democrat on the committee, said the Senate should not confirm Talley in light of the new revelation.

"By failing to disclose that his wife is one of President Trump's lawyers, Talley has betrayed his obligation to be open and transparent with the Senate and American people," Feinstein said in a statement, adding later: "Talley's nomination shouldn't be considered by the Senate unless he answers questions about this glaring omission that clarifies matters concerning when he would recuse himself."

Feinstein said reports that Donaldson has been interviewed by special counsel Robert S. Mueller III's team as it investigates Russian meddling in the U.S. presidential election show "a clear conflict of interest that should have been disclosed." The Times reported that Mueller's team recently talked to Donaldson about her notes on conversations with McGahn regarding the firing of former FBI director James Comey.

Feinstein and other Democrats on the committee have opposed Talley's nomination, citing his lack of trial experience and political comments he previously made on social media, on his political blog and in several opinion pieces he had written for CNN. The American Bar Association, which vets federal judicial nominees, has rated Talley as "not qualified."

Talley, a 36-year-old lawyer from Alabama who also writes horror stories on the side, has practiced law for only three years and has yet to try a case.

Before his nomination in September, he had been unequivocal about his political views. For example, one tweet from his account, which has since been made private, says, "Hillary Rotten Clinton might be the best Trumpism yet."

On his political blog called Government in Exile, he wrote a post with the title, "A Call to Arms: It's Time to Join the National Rifle Association," in January 2013, a month after a gunman in Newtown, Conn., killed 27 people before taking his own life. He criticized gun-control advocates, who, he said, "have exploited" the Newtown mass shooting to advance an agenda to strip people of their Second Amendment rights.

Answering written questions from Democrats on the Judiciary Committee about his previous political statements, Talley said he would recuse himself in cases in which his impartiality is questioned, as required by federal statute, and that his personal views on the Second Amendment and other issues "will have no bearing on how I would rule in a case." He also said the blog post calling on people to join the NRA was meant to attract opposing views and encourage constructive discussion.

Challenged about his lack of trial experience, Talley said he had previously argued motions in federal district court on behalf of the state of Alabama, often through written briefs rather than in person. He also said he had argued cases before the 11th Circuit appeals court and the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals. He said it would be "inappropriate" for him to comment on his recommendation for the federal bench - a decision made by two U.S. senators from Alabama, Richard Shelby and Luther Strange.

Talley graduated from Harvard Law School in 2007. Shortly after, he became a law clerk in Alabama, spending two years in a federal-district court and another two at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit. He worked as a political speechwriter for three years, first for Mitt Romney's presidential campaign in 2012 and then for Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, from 2013 to 2015.

In April 2015, Talley became an Alabama deputy solicitor general, a position he held for nearly two years until he became deputy assistant attorney general for the Justice Department in January.

In a statement defending Talley's nomination, Grassley said he does not believe "extensive trial experience" is the only factor in deciding on a nominee's qualifications.

"Mr. Talley has a wide breadth of various legal experience that has helped to expose him to different aspects of federal law and the issues that would come before him," Grassley said.

Talley's nomination comes as Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., continue to intensify efforts to place conservative jurists on the federal bench.

Talley and Donaldson were married in August 2015.

Donaldson was an associate for the Washington law firm Jones Day before she was appointed to the White House post. She is one of several lawyers from the firm who were tapped to join the Trump administration, some as attorneys for the White House, including McGahn.

Among the others: Greg Katsas, James Burnham and David Morrell, who now work in the Office of the White House Counsel.

Katsas, Trump's deputy counsel, is also a judicial nominee. The Senate last week approved Katsas' nomination to an appellate court in Washington.
NEW YORK - An Alabama woman on Monday accused Roy Moore, the Republican nominee for Alabama's open U.S. Senate seat, of sexually assaulting her and bruising her neck in the late 1970s when she was 16 years old.

This new allegation follows an extensive report published Thursday by The Washington Post that detailed allegations that Moore initiated a sexual encounter with a 14-year-old girl when he was 32. The story also described his relationship with three other girls who were between the ages of 16 and 18 at the time. Moore has denied the allegations.

Beverly Young Nelson, now 55, said Monday that she got to know Moore, now 70, in the late 1970s when she was a waitress at the Old Hickory House restaurant in the northeastern Alabama town of Gadsden, where Moore lived for much of his life.

Nelson said at a news conference at a New York hotel that Moore, then the district attorney of Etowah County, was a regular at the restaurant and would sometimes compliment her looks or touch her long red hair. She showed a copy of her high school yearbook that she said Moore signed on Dec. 22, 1977, with the inscription, "To a sweeter more beautiful girl I could not say 'Merry Christmas.' "

On a cold night about a week or two after that, Nelson alleges, Moore offered to give her a ride home from work after her shift ended at 10 p.m. Instead of taking her home, Nelson said, Moore pulled the two-door car into a dark and deserted area between a dumpster and the back of the restaurant.

When she asked what he was doing, Nelson alleges, Moore put his hands on her breasts and began groping her. When she tried to open the car door and leave, Nelson said, he reached over and locked the door. When she yelled at him to stop and tried to fight him off, she alleges, he tightly squeezed the back of her neck and tried to force her head toward his lap. He also tried to pull her shirt off, she said.

"I was determined that I was not going to allow him to force me to have sex with him. I was terrified," Nelson said during the news conference, often becoming emotional as she described the attack that she alleges occurred about 40 years ago. "I thought that he was going to rape me."

Moore denied the latest accusations during a brief campaign appearance Monday evening in Etowah County, where he still lives.

"I can tell you without hesitation this is absolutely false," Moore said, according to the Anniston Star newspaper. "I never did what she said I did. I don't even know the woman. I don't know anything about her. I don't even know where the restaurant is or was."

Earlier in the day, Bill Armistead, the chairman of Moore's Senate campaign, accused Nelson's attorney, Gloria Allred, of being "a sensationalist leading a witch hunt."

Nelson is the fifth woman to publicly accuse Moore of pursuing her when she was a teenager.

"Judge Moore is an innocent man and has never had any sexual misconduct with anyone," Armistead said in a statement. ". . . Let it be understood: The truth will come forward, we will pursue all legal options against these false claims and Judge Moore will be vindicated."

At the news conference in New York, Nelson said that during the incident, she kept fighting Moore, with tears rolling down her face, and he eventually stopped. She said he then told her: "You're just a child and I'm the district attorney of Etowah County, and if you tell anyone about this, no one will believe you.'" Nelson said she then fell or was pushed out of the car.

"The passenger door was still open as he burned rubber pulling away, leaving me laying there on the cold concrete in the dark," Nelson said.

She said that her neck was "black and blue and purple" the next day. She said she quit her job at the restaurant so that she would not have to see Moore again.

About two years after the alleged incident, Nelson said, she told her sister what had happened. She also said she told her husband of 13 years, John Nelson, before they got married and also told her mother about four years ago.

Allred, a women's rights attorney who has represented victims of sexual assault or abuse in high-profile cases, said that Nelson reached out to her and that her law firm has interviewed Nelson's relatives. Allred said Nelson wants the Senate Judiciary Committee to call a hearing within the next two weeks and petition Moore to testify about the incident under oath. She added that Nelson is not considering any civil or criminal options at this time.

Nelson said she always assumed she was the only woman who had this sort of experience with Moore. The Post report published last week featured four women who said Moore pursued a relationship with them when they were teenagers. Leigh Corfman told The Post that in early 1979 Moore took her to his home, where he kissed her, touched her and took her clothes off; she was 14 at the time, and he was a 32-year-old assistant district attorney.

None of the four women sought out The Post. While reporting a story in Alabama about supporters of Moore's Senate campaign, a Post reporter heard that Moore allegedly had sought relationships with teenage girls.

Over the ensuing three weeks, two Post reporters contacted and interviewed the four women. All were initially reluctant to speak publicly but chose to do so after multiple interviews, saying they thought it was important for people to know about their interactions with Moore. The women say they do not know one another.

Nelson said that the courage of these women prompted her to speak out.

"My husband and I supported Donald Trump for president. This has nothing whatsoever to do with the Republicans or the Democrats. It has everything to do with Mr. Moore's sexual assault when I was a teenager," Nelson said. "Mr. Moore attacked me when I was a child, and I did nothing to deserve his sexual attack."

Earlier in the day, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said he believes the women who have accused Moore and called on Moore to end his Senate campaign. While other GOP lawmakers have called on Moore to step down, McConnell is the highest-ranking Republican in Washington to do so.

Moore has shown no signs that he is preparing to bow out of the race.
Poland, accused by European Union officials of undermining democracy, looked to mount a defense from criticism after white supremacists marched in Warsaw in the latest demonstration of nationalism surging across the continent.

Poland's annual Independence Day march on Saturday became a demonstration by far-right groups when masked protesters shouted racist slogans and carried banners saying "Pure Blood" and "Europe will be white or uninhabited." After the rally become global news, the government accused media of focusing on "fringe incidents," said unspecified "provocateurs" had stoked unrest and praised the police for restraining 45 anti-fascists who sought to disrupt the 60,000-strong march. No arrests were made for racist behavior.

"It's clear that these types of marginal voices are caught and sent abroad by the Polish press, and this is an image problem," deputy Prime Minister Mariusz Morawiecki said on Monday. "Poland is an oasis of security, peace and tolerance."

The country has been ruled for almost two years by the Law & Justice party, which has urged Poles to embrace their national heritage and vowed a return to the nation's traditional conservative Catholic roots. Hours before the march, party leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski pledged in a speech to keep Poland on a path of "pride, independence and strength." He called on Poles to lead "sick Europe" to the path of "health, to fundamental values, to true freedom and to the strengthening of our civilization based on Christianity."

Following a series of moves to give politicians more control over the courts, the government in Warsaw has triggered the EU's first-ever probe into whether a member state is upholding the rule of law.

While railing against the bloc's establishment, Poland is the largest net beneficiary of EU funds. That has fueled antipathy with the leaders of member states such as France, who are battling against a surge in nationalist political forces across Europe.

Law & Justice officials didn't attend the rally, but Interior Minister Mariusz Blaszczak called it "a beautiful sight." The party has pushed to increase the role of Polish-owned businesses in the economy and criticized some companies for taking profits out of the country of 38 million. At the same time, the government has strictly rejected sheltering any refugees from Africa and the Middle East in Europe's worst refugee crisis since World War II.

"Law & Justice has allowed radical nationalists to step out of the shadows as their rhetoric chimes with the party's nationalist-Catholic views," said Beata Laciak, a sociologist at the Institute of Public Affairs, a think-tank in Warsaw. "The party has long said that Poland should be for Poles, that companies must be patriotic, and -- since the start of the European immigration crisis -- that all Muslims are terrorists, so they can't be on Polish soil."

Along with the banners and chants, protesters carried pictures of anti-Semite Roman Dmowski, a leading Polish nationalist in the 1920s and 1930s as well as flags of Falanga, a nationalist group from that era that advocated "Catholic totalitarianism" and taking away rights from Jews.

Guy Verhofstadt, an EU lawmaker critical of Poland's turn toward populism, said that he and his Polish colleagues were "outraged" by the march and asked why officials hadn't condemned fascist symbols shown there, according to his Twitter account.

"Authorities categorically condemn views based on racist, anti-Semitic and xenophobic ideas," Poland's Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Monday. It added that most of the people who marched on Saturday wanted to "peacefully show their patriotism."

Deputy Justice Minister Patryk Jaki said those carrying "shameful" banners may have been "provocateurs" who wanted to "ruin the fantastic event."

Norman Davies, a U.K.-born historian who has written books about Poland's turbulent past, said that the country's citizens were more ethnically homogeneous than just about any other European nation, a fact that should shore up their confidence, not undermine it.

"Poland's national identity is less at risk than in every other EU nation," he told private broadcaster TVN24 in an interview. "Such risks are completely illogical."

---

Bloomberg's Marek Strzelecki and Adrian Krajewski contributed.
Larson Dairy in Okeechobee, Florida - one of the state's largest milk suppliers - is under criminal investigation after a video surfaced online showing its workers kicking and beating cows.

"I believe there will be criminal charges forthcoming on the completion of this investigation," Okeechobee County Sheriff Noel Stephen said at a news conference Thursday afternoon, according to the Sun-Sentinel.

The video also caused a financial backlash. Publix - a popular Florida-based supermarket chain with more than 1,000 locations in the Southern United States - suspended its relationship with the farm, which supplied the grocer with raw milk.

A spokesperson for the grocery chain said in a statement on Twitter it was "shocked and disturbed by the cruelty" depicted in the videos.

Meanwhile, the National Milk Producers Federation placed the farm on probation, pending an investigation. And on Sunday, a small group carrying signs with photographs of cows gathered to protest the farm, while one star reviews of the dairy producer flooded Google.

The disturbing video opens with shots of cows crowded into small pens and milking stalls. Then, it shows several workers hitting a cow's neck and head with a metal construction rebar and a twisted towel.

"The sharp metal rods piece and penetrate the cow's bodies," says a narrator on the video shot by the nonprofit organization Animal Recovery Mission using hidden cameras. "Kept hidden from tours and visitors of the dairy, the cows are brutalized."

At one point, a man in boots, blue jeans and a T-shirt punches and kicks a cow in the head while it is trapped in a milking stall. Spittle flies from the animal's mouth as its head snaps back. In another scene, a man punches a cow, a new mother, in her heavy milk-filled udders.

"Larson Dairy cows are milked, tormented and beaten three times a day, 305 days a year, for life," the narrator says.

The video also shows newborn calves stuck in small cages in a field on the farm, far from public view.

The farm's owner Jacob Larson said in a statement to the Associated Press he was "saddened and appalled" by the video, and he fired "the employee involved." He didn't specify which employee. At least three were filmed attacking the cows.

"The unusual use of force is simply unacceptable on our dairy or on any other farm," Larson, the farm's owner, told the Associated Press in a statement. "We have strict protocols involving animal care and clearly the behavior shown in this video goes against everything we stand for and will not be tolerated."

The video was shot by an unidentified ARM employee, who took a job at Larson Dairy as a dairy milker. He secretly filmed at the farm in August and September this year.

"On day one, we started seeing serious abuse by the milkers, by the managers, by the foremen," Richard Couto with ARM told WQAM. "The abuse continued as the days went on."

Larson said he was "concerned about the manner in which this video was brought to our attention."

"Had the 'undercover' employee brought this to our attention when it occurred, we may have been able to prevent it earlier," Larson said.

Okeechobee County Commissioner Bryant Culpepper, a longtime friend of Larson's, shared this viewpoint - and took it a step further.

"Somebody got paid off to do this because Mr. Larson and his family have built an empire in the dairy industry. They've been credible stewards of these animals because they know their life and animals abused" do not "produce milk like animals that are cared for," Culpepper told WPEC.

Others strongly disagreed. Kayla Leaming, a member of a group called Okeechobee Animal Save who drove from Orlando to protest the farm on Sunday, told WPEC, "If these people actually care about their animals they would keep better tabs on what's going on. There wouldn't be a chance for these cows to be beaten like that."
The Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security and Defense has postponed the meeting of the working group to agree on the text of the bill on restoring Ukraine's sovereignty in Donbas to November 15.

"In connection with the continuation of the work of the working group to agree on the text of the draft law on the specifics of the state policy to ensure Ukraine's sovereignty over the temporarily occupied territories in Donetsk and Luhansk regions (No. 7163), the Committee's meeting is postponed to Wednesday, November 15, 2017, at 3:00 p.m.," the website of the National Security and Defense Committee said on Monday.

As reported, the Verkhovna Rada intends on November 16 to consider draft law (No. 7163) on the fundamentals of state policy on securing sovereignty in Donbas at the second reading.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is about to face a legacy-defining test of whether he can keep his unruly caucus in line to deliver President Donald Trump's coveted goal of "massive tax cuts" in 2017.

He needs 50 of 52 members, and they have a variety of competing demands. Some want to limit new deficits, while others want to deepest tax cut possible; some prioritize family tax breaks while others want to give businesses a boost; some have parochial concerns while others tend to be notoriously difficult to win on major pieces of legislation.

Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn says he wants a floor vote the week of Nov. 27. That's two weeks away. Here are the factions McConnell and his team have to navigate:

- The fiscal skeptics:

The tax plan going before the Senate Finance Committee Monday would increase the federal deficit by about $1.5 trillion over the next decade -- before accounting for any economic growth that it might spur. That complicates the plan's prospects among some Republicans.

Tennessee's Bob Corker, Arizona's Jeff Flake and Oklahoma's James Lankford have all warned against fiscal recklessness in the bill.

Corker says he doesn't want a "penny" in new deficits or he'll vote against the bill. Lankford says it should be revenue-neutral in the first decade and beyond. Both say they're willing to assume "reasonable" economic growth that would cushion the deficit impact.

After the Senate plan's rollout Thursday, Flake fired a warning shot: "I remain concerned over how the current tax reform proposals will grow the already staggering national debt," he said.

Corker and Flake plan to retire next year, freeing them from political pressure to support their party or please GOP donors.

The Senate plan will change, but for now, one analysis says it would increase the deficit. On Friday, a conservative-leaning policy group, the Washington-based Tax Foundation, projected that plan would boost the deficit $516 billion over a decade, even after assuming economic growth.

The businessmen:

Georgia's David Perdue is the former CEO of both Reebok and Dollar General. South Dakota's Mike Rounds is a former partner for an insurance and real estate firm. For both, the business side of the tax plan is paramount.

If any new revenue measures went after businesses to boost offsets, that could be a problem for them.

So far, Congress's proposal to cut the corporate tax rate to 20 percent from 35 percent has gotten the most attention among business provisions. The House bill would deliver that cut next year, but the Senate plan would delay it until 2019. That won't sit well with Perdue, who has said that "delays on tax would damage our economy."

"We need to have a sense of urgency like never before in order get this done this year," he has said of tax cuts.

Rounds said last month that he wants an "equitable" 25 percent tax rate for partnerships, limited liability companies and other so-called pass-through businesses -- a provision that doesn't include income limits on which firms get the low rate.

But the Senate plan would go a different route, providing a 17.4 percent deduction for such businesses' non-wage income. That break would not be available to many types of service businesses -- except for those whose taxable income falls below $150,000 for joint filers or $75,000 for all others.

The cut, cut, cut corps:

President Donald Trump is reported to have suggested that the name of the tax legislation should be the "Cut, Cut, Cut" Bill. He might find common cause with Pennsylvania's Pat Toomey, Texas's Ted Cruz and Kentucky's Rand Paul.

All three senators have emphasized that they want the steepest and longest-lasting tax cut possible. Deficits are of less concern to them; they believe Congress should focus on boosting the economy and deal with deficits by cutting spending.

Toomey downplayed the tax plan's estimated $1.5 trillion cost, saying Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press" that the legislation would lead to "greater economic growth, a larger economy, and therefore, more revenue to the federal government."

Paul, a libertarian purist who's not fond of compromise, has called for a tax bill in which "everyone gets a tax cut" - ideally "at least 15 percent for every taxpayer." McConnell and other GOP leaders have already said they can't meet that standard, acknowledging that under a broad overhaul there will be outliers who see a tax hike.

Cruz last month urged his party to be "unapologetic" for tax cuts, arguing on CNBC that "we should be going much bigger and bolder" than the $1.5 trillion limit.

The group may have gotten a boost Monday morning from Trump. In a Twitter message, the president repeated his call for Congress to repeal the Obamacare law's requirement that individuals purchase health insurance -- and said the resulting savings could help offset a rate cut for top earners.

The family guys:

Utah's Mike Lee and Florida's Marco Rubio insist their main tax priority is to double the Child Tax Credit from $1,000 to $2,000. The Senate plan would raise it to $1,650. Both senators say that's not enough.

"While we are glad to see an increase to the child tax credit, like the House bill, it is simply not enough for working families," they said in a joint statement. The two senators also want to apply the credit against payroll taxes as well as income taxes.

Simply raising it to $1,650 costs $582 billion over 10 years, according to Congress's Joint Committee on Taxation. Going higher would only worsen the red ink, unless tax writers find other offsetting revenue.

Would Lee and Rubio scuttle a tax bill if they don't get their way? That's unclear, but they have staked out a position, and any retreat would come with some political cost.

"The Senate is not going to pass a bill that isn't clearly pro-family," the pair said in their statement.

The moderates:

Maine's Susan Collins and Alaska's Lisa Murkowski showed they're not afraid to deal Trump or Republican leaders a devastating defeat this year when they cast pivotal votes to block an Obamacare repeal bill.

Collins has made a few tax-related demands that have already been met -- including no repeal of the estate tax and no increase in the lowest individual income tax rate of 10 percent. But she also said people making over $1 million shouldn't get a tax cut, and the Senate proposal would cut the top rate modestly to 38.5 percent from 39.6 percent.

Murkowski has said little about the tax effort so far, and she tends to be cryptic about her intentions on major legislation before casting her vote. Republican leaders gave her an enticement in the budget vehicle for the tax debate: a fast-track vote to permit oil drilling in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

The wildcards:

Sen. John McCain of Arizona showed his vote can't be taken for granted with a momentous thumbs-down on the Senate floor that killed Obamacare repeal in July. He has a mixed record on taxes, having voted against Republican tax-cut efforts in 2001 and 2003, citing deficit concerns. McCain, 81 and battling brain cancer, has demanded a bipartisan process through regular order on a tax overhaul.

He tweeted Thursday that he's "pleased" with the tax effort so far. "I've long believed we need to fix our burdensome tax system & am reviewing the Senate bill to ensure it benefits the people of #Arizona," he wrote.

A different kind of maverick is giving Republican leaders heartburn lately, and he's not even a senator -- at least not yet.

Roy Moore, the GOP nominee for a Dec. 12 special election Alabama, is fending off allegations that he had sexual contact with a 14-year-old girl almost four decades ago. The former judge has denied those allegations, and others that he pursued dates with three other teenagers when he was in his 30s.

Recent polls show Moore slipping in the race against Democrat Doug Jones. A loss would cut the GOP's margin for error in half -- to just one senator.

One way to avoid that problem: Get both the House and Senate to hammer out compromise legislation before Moore -- or his Democratic opponent -- is sworn in.
WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump has selected Alex Azar, a former pharmaceutical executive and a top health official during the George W. Bush administration, to lead the Health and Human Services Department.

In announcing that he is nominating Azar to be secretary of the government's largest civilian department, the president turned to a health policy insider and conservative thinker. Azar spent a decade at Eli Lilly and Co., including five years as president of Lilly USA, its biggest affiliate, before stepping down in January to work as a health-care consultant. He previously was HHS general counsel, then served for two years as the department's second in command.

Republicans predicted that, if confirmed, Azar would pursue Trump's goals to tilt health-care policies in a more conservative direction through executive action. Leading Democratic health policy experts, while not sharing Azar's views, said he is well qualified for the post. His ties to the drug industry drew some rapid criticism, however.

In announcing his decision on Monday, Trump tweeted that Azar "will be a star for better healthcare and lower drug prices!" He has a close rapport with the department's top political appointees as well as Vice President Mike Pence.

Azar has been highly critical of the Affordable Care Act, saying in interviews in recent months that the law was "certainly circling the drain" and that many of its problems "were entirely predictable as a matter of economic and individual behavior."

In a June interview on Bloomberg Television, Azar said the administration could alter the implementation of the health-care law even if congressional Republicans failed to repeal much of it. "One of the nice things in it is it does give tremendous amount of authority to the secretary of HHS," he said.

He also supports converting Medicaid from an entitlement program covering everyone who is eligible into block grants, a polarizing and long-standing GOP goal. He opposed expansion of the program under Obamacare to people with slightly higher incomes, something most states chose to pursue.

Azar boasts sterling conservative credentials, having clerked for the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia before working under special counsel Kenneth Starr to investigate Bill Clinton's failed Whitewater real estate investments. Still, administration officials and Democrats alike expect he could work more deftly with competing health-care interests and politicians than his predecessor, Tom Price. Revelations that Price racked up more than $1 million in expenses by making official trips on noncommercial aircraft forced his departure.

The White House plans to send the official nomination to the Senate on Tuesday, according to deputy press secretary Hogan Gidley.

As expected, Azar's selection was widely praised by congressional Republicans. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., said he plans to schedule a courtesy hearing on the nomination "promptly." As a former HHS official and private-sector executive, "Alex Azar has the qualifications and experience to get results," Alexander added.

Senate Democrats have begun preparing for Azar's confirmation proceedings. They intend to focus on his ties to the pharmaceutical industry, his position on high drug prices and the way he would continue implementing Obamacare. On Monday, they used Azar's selection as an occasion to bash anew the Trump administration's health policies. "It's time to turn over a new leaf at HHS," Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (N.Y.) said in a statement.

Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, the top Democrat on the health committee, said in a statement that she wants "to understand whether [Azar] is willing to stand up to President Trump and his Administration to ensure the needs of all patients and families are put first, whether science or ideology will drive his decision-making, and whether he plans to continue the Administration's ongoing and unprecedented attack on women's constitutionally protected health care rights."

And Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon, the senior Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, which will hold the official confirmation hearing on the nomination, said he would "closely scrutinize Mr. Azar's record and ask for his commitment to faithfully implement the Affordable Care Act and take decisive, meaningful action to curtail the runaway train of prescription drug costs."

On the opposite end of the political spectrum, anti-abortion groups praised Azar's work for Scalia and another conservative jurist and said they will listen for his commitment to reversing Obama administration policies on the issue.

Dan Mendelson, president of the Washington consulting firm Avalere Health, said that, conservative as Azar is, "he is well accepted by Democratic policy people by having good policy wonk credentials." Mendelson, who has known Azar for two decades, said that after the department's turmoil under Price, "he will bring stability to this agency. He really understands the mechanisms of HHS."

Azar's ties to Pence date to his days at Lilly, an Indiana-based pharmaceutical firm, when Pence was Indiana governor.

While Azar initially backed Jeb Bush for president in 2016 and served on his Indiana steering committee, he later donated $2,700 to a "Trump Victory" committee. Since 2008, records show, he has donated more than $96,000 to GOP candidates.

In an undated Yale Law School alumni profile, Azar said that he "wrestled with the question" as to whether he should take his first job at HHS but that it set him on the career path he has followed ever since.

"I realized I had found my life's calling: To help people around the world live longer, healthier, and happier lives," he said.

As HHS general counsel, Azar worked on the administration's response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the ensuing anthrax attacks, stem-cell policy and the advent of the Medicare prescription drug benefits. During his tenure as deputy secretary, he pushed for greater disclosure of prices associated with medical services to help foster competition and contain costs. He also backed converting medical records to electronic form.

"It is absurd to me that one of the largest sectors of the economy is run in a way where consumers don't have a way to find out about price or quality," Azar said at an event in Providence, Rhode Island, in 2007.

In recent weeks, Azar was seen as the only likely choice to be nominated to become the next secretary of HHS, a sprawling department that encompasses the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, among other branches.

His selection comes even as Trump has repeatedly attacked U.S. drug companies for profiting too much, suggesting the federal government should negotiate with them to get lower prices.

While Azar led Lilly USA, the U.S. list price of its Humalog insulin more than doubled - from $123 per vial in January 2012 to $255 per vial when he left the company five years later. But a spokesman said the net amount Lilly receives has declined since 2009 because of rebates to middlemen in the drug-supply chain.

Critics said Monday that Azar's leadership at a company that repeatedly raised prices on existing drugs makes him ill-suited to lower drug prices. Supporters countered that his understanding of the complex dynamics behind pharmaceutical pricing will give him an advantage in striving to make drugs more affordable.
Intrepid adventurer dreams of completing epic journey through China, Kazakhstan and Russia

The Irtysh River flows from Hou Zhili's hometown and leads to the Arctic Ocean - a journey Huo plans to make alone in a kayak.

From where he lives in Fuyun county, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, the 41-year-old has completed what many see as epic feats - kayaking unpowered for 2,020 kilometers on the China and Kazakhstan sections of the Irtysh in 2014 and 2016.

The paddler is preparing for the final and most challenging stage of the 2,200-km Russia section, plus the last 1,160-km of the Ob River, which the Irtysh flows into before its waters reach the northern sea.

From its source in the Altay Mountains in Fuyun, the 4,248-km Irtysh River flows northwest through Kazakhstan before merging with the Ob River in Russia. It is the only river in China that leads to the Arctic Ocean.

Huo's love for kayaking began when he was a teenager. In the 1980s, several white-water adventurers on China's two largest rivers, the Yangtze and the Yellow River, had become famous and started a craze among bold Chinese who took to rafting on streams across the country.

Some youngsters from Hou's hometown even drifted for hundreds of kilometers along the Irtysh on rafts made of old tires.

In 2012, he decided to close his graphic design company and turned his hobby into a full-time occupation.

After arduous training, on Aug 28, 2014, Hou set out alone in his yellow and orange boat from Koktokay, a town near the source of the Irtysh.

He paddled for 50 km a day, and took 23 days to arrive at Kaba county, where the 520-km China section of the river ends.

The river begins to freeze in November and does not thaw until April, so Huo planned to complete the Kazakhstan section the following year. When the time came, however, he was refused a visa.

His chance finally arrived as tourism cooperation between China and Kazakhstan improved with the Belt and Road Initiative.

Kazakhstan relaxed its visa procedures for Chinese tourists last year.

In August 2016, with the help of travel agencies from both sides of the border, Hou set out from Jeminay, a Chinese county bordering Kazakhstan. It took him 33 days to paddle the 1,500-km section.

The journey was longer and tougher than he expected.

The river width and current varied constantly. He fought hard to meet his target of 50 km a day. Camping on the riverbank when dusk fell was risky.

"I was lucky to return from the dangerous journey unharmed," he said.

Along the way, Hou was deeply moved by the friendly Kazakh people who gave him fresh produce and invited him to stay at their homes.

It has not been cheap. The challenge has cost a good portion of his savings.

To finish the task, he has to kayak further than the total of his two previous trips.

He also has to cross the vast and frigid Siberian landscape. The adventure in Russia will be much more demanding - physically and financially.

Hou went to Russia in September to assess his travel route and to coordinate with local tourism authorities.

He said the preparation is going well. The prospect of navigating a watercourse that is frozen solid for much of the year has not dampened his ambition.

Hou plans to start from the Russian city of Omsk next summer and to paddle all the way to Labytnangi, the last town on the Irtysh. From there he will approach the great northern ocean.

"I want to be a true hero in the eyes of my daughter," said Huo, who has a 12-year-old girl. Hou's wife, who at first did not understand his drive to complete such a dangerous journey now accepts his ambition and backs him.

"That support inspires me to hold on to my dream, no matter how many challenges I encounter," he said.

Xinhua

The Irtysh River in the northern Xijiang Uygur autonomous region is the only river in China that leads to the Arctic Ocean.Hu Huhu / Xinhua

(China Daily 11/13/2017 page7)
Poland will not disclose a list of persons banned from entering the country, and this list does not contain a great number of surnames, Polish Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski has said.

"We do not disclose the surnames and number of people, and the sphere this concerns," Polish news site Onet.pl quoted Waszczykowski as saying in an interview with Dziennik Gazeta Prawna.

When asked to comment on a ban on the entry into Poland for Head of the Ukrainian National Remembrance Institute Volodymyr Viatrovych, he said that "this is a person who promotes deeply anti-human, anti-European values."

Waszczykowski said that the list of persons banned from entering Poland is "short".

"This demonstrates our far-sighted understanding of the views of the Ukrainian side, determination in the search for a path of progress in relations and unwillingness to further escalation," he said.

He also added that the prospects for the planned visit by Polish President Andrzej Duda to Kharkiv would depend on the readiness of the Ukrainian side to take into account Polish "constructive proposals."

"We are not sure whether strategic partnership with Poland remains Kyiv's goal," Waszczykowski said.

Duda said on November 7 that he expected Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman not to allow people with anti-Polish views to occupy important public posts. He noted that such people "do not build cooperation between our countries, they are destroying them." Therefore, there should be no such people in "Ukraine's big politics, in politics, which has international significance."

Duda noted that there are such people in Ukrainian politics. "It's also necessary to speak loudly that there are people in important positions in Ukraine who have almost openly anti-Polish views, this is unacceptable," the Polish president stressed.
Ukraine's consul is checking information about a road accident involving a minibus and a truck with Ukrainian license plates near the village of Nizny Hrabovec in Slovakia.

"The consul is now in contact with local police on this issue. He clarifies the circumstances and causes of the accident," an official representative of the Consular Service Department of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, Vasyl Kyrylych, told Interfax-Ukraine on Monday.

Earlier, Mukachevo.net reported that a man was killed in a collision of a minibus with a truck near the village of Nizny Hrabovec in Slovakia on November 11.

"The road accident occurred about an hour before midnight. A Mercedes Sprinter collided with a truck (both with Ukrainian license plates, from Zakarpattia region). The truck crew was not injured," the director of a regional fire and rescue unit in Presov said.
A Harley rider who crashed into a house earlier this month in northwest Houston died Saturday from injuries, more than a week after the wreck.

The 49-year-old was on his Harley-Davidson motorcycle headed along the 9400 block of Neuens on Nov. 3 when he slammed into a brick house around 10:15 p.m.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

The Houston patrol officer accused of trying to steal a duffel bag with 8 kilos of cocaine during a traffic stop in an elaborate internal affairs sting could face more charges, prosecutors said Monday.

Officer Julissa Guzman Diaz, 37, was arrested Thursday for the third-degree felony of tampering and fabricating evidence. She also could be charged with intent to deliver a controlled substance, prosecutor Jennifer Stabe told state District Judge Denise Collins in court.

"She's also under investigation for delivery of cocaine," Stabe said as Diaz was being arraigned

If convicted of the third-degree felony, she faces a maximum of 10 years in prison. If convicted of a more serious charge, she could face more time.

An attorney for Diaz said she is innocent and would be vindicated.

"These are very serious charges and my client is completely innocent and we look forward to proving that in court," said lawyer Scott Siscoe. "I took this case because I talked to her and I believe she's innocent of these charges."

Diaz was arrested after pulling over a motorist, who was actually an undercover officer, swerving near Interstate 45.

The undercover officer allegedly told Diaz that the car was not his, then he volunteered that there was cocaine in the car, but it was not his.

As she detained him for suspicion of drunk driving, Diaz allegedly repeatedly told the undercover officer that she did not want to know about any cocaine. After she put him in the back of her patrol car, she asked where his phone was, then retrieved it from his car.

While she looked for the phone, prosecutors said, Diaz rummaged through the car and would have seen an open black duffel bag with one kilo of cocaine and 7 kilos of staged cocaine.

Diaz told the undercover officer that she was not going to inventory the car and instead called a wrecker driver. Police said Diaz and the wrecker driver agreed to meet up to split the cocaine after she took the undercover officer to the city's sobering center.

Police followed the wrecker driver and he was pulled over for failing to signal a turn. Police found the cocaine and some marijuana and charged him with possession of marijuana.

Diaz is free on $100,000 bail.

After hearing that Diaz went to high school and college in Houston, and was a dutiful employee of a grocery store for a decade followed by 12 years as a Houston police officer, the judge declined to make her wear a GPS ankle monitor as a condition of bond.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

Edward Benavides, the longtime city executive who has served as the CEO of the citys Tricentennial Commission since late 2015 has resigned from the position, according to a memo.

Today the Executive Committee of the San Antonio Tricentennial Commission accepted the resignation of CEO Edward Benavides, according to a memo written by City Manager Sheryl Sculley. The resignation is effective immediately. Until a permanent replacement is approved by the Commission, Assistant City Manager Carlos Contreras will serve as interim CEO. Contreras also will continue his duties as Assistant City Manager.

Benavides has come under fire recently for how he and former Chief Operating Officer Asia Ciaravino had handled an exclusive media partnership with KSAT-TV.

The San Antonio Express-News reported late last month that the Tricentennial Commission had negotiated for months with KSAT officials on a partnership before releasing an Request for Proposals  the day after WOAI-TV had complained about what it saw as an unfair process.

I applaud Edwards willingness to step aside and minimize distractions as San Antonio commemorates its 300th birthday, Mayor Ron Nirenberg said. The Tricentennial is the most important moment in our lifetime to exhibit who we are and what our city will be in its next era.

Tricentennial leaders have also admitted that the organization's fundraising efforts have been lackluster.

The city will celebrate its 300th birthday in 2018. In the commissions infancy, it had once pondered a year of events with a budget exceeding $50 million, largely from private contributions. Now, the budget is set at $10.3 million.

Earlier this month, though, commission leaders announced a $500,000 contribution from USAA, bringing total fundraising to about $6.1 million.

The memo, obtained by the San Antonio Express-News, says Benavides  Sculley's former chief of staff and a "valuable asset to the city"  will be reassigned to another position in the municipal government.

Officials are promising that the celebration will come off without a hitch, as its slated to begin in about six weeks with a massive downtown New Years Eve celebration.

Lionel Sosa, one of the co-chairmen of the Tricentennial Commission, said he laments the decision for Benavides to step down. He has been a strong supporter of the bureaucrat and said he believes in his abilities and professionalism.

Sosa also acknowledged that the volunteers will likely need to work harder now than ever before.

We all take this very, very seriously, Sosa said of the volunteer officials overseeing the trajectory of the celebration. We have volunteered numerous hours for two years, and I bet this takes a good 15 hours a week or more on each of the volunteer staff.

He said hes confident that San Antonio will put on a worthy tricentennial.

The proof is going to be in the pudding, he said. Is it going to be a wonderful New Years Eve celebration? Yes it is.

Commission President Robert Thrailkill also thanked Benavides in a separate press release.

We appreciate Edwards steadfast commitment to the Tricentennial planning effort, he said.

Edward worked extremely hard to prepare for the official celebration of San Antonios 300th birthday. We respect his decision to do what he believes is in the best interest of the city.

Meanwhile, Sculley issued a statement backing Benavides.

Edward has been to be a valuable asset to the City of San Antonio, and will be reassigned within the City organization, she said in a news release. Im grateful for the passion and commitment he gave to the Tricentennial effort, and there is no question that the year-long celebration will be a great success and source of pride for our community.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

From the beginning, Beverly Tanner was invested in education in the arts.

She was chosen as one of the first teachers at the Defense Language Institute at Lackland AFB in 1959 to teach English to foreign officers. Students from her classes would come to her house every weekend and share their culture with Tanner and her family.

That was our cultural experience, daughter Wyndie Applewhite said. Some brought, as gifts, snakeskins in a decorative box, and some cooked meals from their culture. We learned a lot about their foods and traditions.

Applewhite said they would sit on the patio and talk about their lives, and the visitors would show their dances and tell stories.

Tanner died Nov. 4 of heart failure. She was 86.

Relatives said Tanner was chosen for a job not typically given to African-Americans or women. Applewhite said she believes that her mother was chosen for the job because of her education at Huston-Tillotson University, a historically black college.

Applewhite was only 4 or 5 when her mother started teaching at Lackland but remembers the consistent stream of officers from all over the world. Tanners husband, Windsor Tanner Sr., said they had 54 nationalities come through their home, including Koreans, Japanese, Italians, Germans and Iranians.

My parents taught us to be appreciative of other cultures, no matter what culture they are from, and we still have that appreciation today, Applewhite said.

More Information Beverly J. Tanner Born: Feb. 1, 1931, San Antonio Died: Nov. 4, 2017, San Antonio Survivors: Husband Windsor J. Tanner Sr.; children Michael, Wyndie and Windsor Jr.; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren. Service: 11:00 a.m.today at St. Gerard'sCatholic Church, 1523 Iowa St. See More Collapse

She said they would go to events including an Easter play at 6 a.m. every year, African dances and library exhibits. Her mother made sure they were up and at the church on time, every year.

Before integration, they taught the whole child, friend Joyce Hopkins said. She said integration gave children in majority black schools the lesser teachers, worse school books and an overall poor education, but Tanner wouldnt stand for it.

Beverly made sure her children were exposed to the arts. She, through reading and exposure, showed them what they could be and let them dream, she said.

Tanner made sure that her children, along with seeing traditions and dances from all cultures, were cultured as well. Applewhite said she was in ballet and tap dance forever and that both of her brothers were in band. The tradition continued with her children, who played in band in school for a bit.

Tanners passion for children to be well-rounded and thoroughly educated was infused in her career as well. In 1964, she became a teacher at Tynan Elementary School, where she taught a special class where fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade students were in the same classroom, Applewhite said. Then she worked with the Right to Read program in her continued fight for equality.

From there, she became a principal at W.W. White Elementary and worked with Alamo Music Co. and the San Antonio Independent School District to provide music classes with an instructor who also taught at the middle school where her husband was the principal.

They wanted to bring these music programs to the schools because its one of the arts, Windsor Tanner said. They were both passionate about it at home and at work.

Applewhite said some of the students in the program went on to play in the San Antonio Youth Orchestra and that some of them went on further to play in the San Antonio Symphony. Some came back and thanked Tanner for her persistence as an educator.

jpolcyn@express-news.net
A 19-year-old San Antonio man is facing a murder charge in the fatal shooting of his father, who was found on the kitchen floor with a gunshot wound to his head.

San Antonio police arrested Jose Fernando Garcia Jr. on Saturday. His bail has been set to $150,000, according to the Bexar County Central Magistrates Office.

On July 20, police responded to a call around 10:15 p.m. for a shooting in progress at a home in the 100 block of Northgate on the Northeast Side. When officers arrived, they found Jose Fernando Garcia, Sr., 43, on the kitchen floor, his wife next to him, applying pressure to an apparent gunshot wound to the head, according to an arrest warrant affidavit.

Garcias wife told police she heard a gunshot and then observed a shadow moving out the front door. She indicated that her husband was shot in a home invasion incident.

According to the affidavit, the wife reported the only other person inside the residence at the time of the shooting was her 14-year-old daughter, who said she was in her bedroom at the time her father was shot.

The wife told police that her two sons, the junior Garcia and his step-brother, arrived home moments after the shooting and had gone after the suspect. In her statement, she added that Garcias step-brother was mentally slow.

The affidavit states, the two did not return to the scene for hours after the shooting occurred.

The only evidence investigators found was a 9mm shell casing on the living room floor. There was no sign of forced entry into the residence, according to the affidavit.

The elder Garcia was taken to San Antonio Military Medical Center with a gunshot wound to the head. He was pronounced dead at 10:39 p.m. An autopsy performed the next day ruled cause of death as a gunshot wound to the head, and ruled it a homicide, the affidavit states.

The younger Garcia was arrested Aug. 18 for an unrelated offense and was interviewed about the night his father died, according to the affidavit. Garcia admitted to being home that evening and arguing with his father about money, but nothing physical happened.

On Nov 4., investigators were able to interview Garcias stepbrother and found his statement to be very credible and was said to describe the events of the evening in detail and never appeared to waiver on the facts he reported.

The stepbrother told investigators that he heard his stepfather and Garcia arguing about money. He stated the argument was getting loud so he walked outside the home to get away from the noise.

The affidavit stated that while outside on his cellphone, the stepbrother heard a gunshot inside the home. He then saw the junior Garcia run out of the front door and get into his car. He reported that he got in after Garcia because he was not sure what was going on.

As the two drove away Garcia told him I just shot dad, according to the affidavit.

The document states Garcia handed his stepbrother a gun to put into the glove box, until they arrived at an unknown apartment, where Garcia told him to wait in the car while he dropped the gun off inside.

The stepbrother stated that he had repeatedly been told by his mother and Garcia not to speak with police because he would be considered just as much to blame. He also stated that his mother told him since he is slow, the police would not believe him, the affidavit stated.

During his statement, he admitted that he does have a speech problem, but insisted he is not slow and knows right from wrong.

If convicted, Garcia faces up to life in prison.

Nbautista@express-news.net | @_NBautista
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

A Converse detective testified Monday that a man accused of killing his wife in a jealous rage on Mother's Day 2012 would not let officers near her body when they arrived.

Robert Joiner is being tried for murder in the death of his estranged wife, Elizabeth Joiner on May 13, 2012. When Converse officers arrived at the home they once shared on Meadow Drive, they found the woman unresponsive, lying in a pool of blood in the kitchen, a gun near her body.

Initially, Joiner confessed to officers that he killed his wife after finding a digital photo card that had pictures of his wife with another man, but later recanted, stating that his wife shot herself.

When his trial opened last week, Joiner entered a plea of not guilty.

Testifying for the state, Converse Detective Anthony Clary told the jury that when he first arrived, he and other officers drew pistols to get the defendant out of the house because he was distraught, and would not leave her side. Clary said he saw the woman's body lying face down, on her stomach, in the kitchen, her hands under her cheek.

Under cross-examination, defense attorney Cathy Compton questioned Clary on the position of the body because his descriptions did not match some photographs shown to the jury last week in court. She helped him draw a diagram of how Elizabeth Joiners body was when emergency responders arrived, and pointed out that it was different than when he first saw the body.

Compton asked him to explain procedure when they arrive at scenes.

Were allowed to take life-saving steps to save life and limb, he said, explaining that emergency responders moved the body to begin life-saving measures.

Compton asked why the fact that EMS techs moved her body was not in his report, and why pictures werent immediately taken of her exact position when officers arrived.

Our priority was to attempt to save her life, said Clary. Life comes before capturing the scene.

The trial, in its second week, is being conducted in the 144th state District Court, presided by Judge Lorina Rummel.

If convicted, Joiner faces up to life in prison.

ezavala@express-news.net | Twitter: @elizabeth2863
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

Onlookers were apparently a little confused when they spotted construction workers in Central Texas hammering together a structure resembling a doghouse while standing in a stretch of unfinished road.

Ronnie Frazho, a Temple man, was quick to call the workers out on Facebook.

"This is why the frontage road on General Bruce is taking forever!!! Anybody else need a doghouse," he said, sharing a photo of the workers on what appears to be South General Bruce Drive in Temple, roughly 150 miles north of San Antonio.

RELATED: TxDOT concedes just-completed I-35 bridge near downtown looks 'well, terrible'

The post has accumulated 58 shares and more than a dozen comments, one of which came from a TxDOT spokeswoman.

"Actually, these workers were on their lunch hours, when they were allowed to do whatever they want, since they are not paid for that time," said Jodi Wheatley, a TxDOT spokeswoman, in the comments of Frazho's photo.

She said the delay in construction is due to a water line that needs to be moved, not the construction of a small dog house.

"If we don't move (the water line), it will be broken and then all the businesses and homes in the area would have no water for as long as repairs took," Wheatley said. "We are trying to avoid the problem that would cause."

Kelsey Bradshaw is a digital reporter for mySA.com. Read more of her stories here.| kbradshaw@express-news.net | Twitter: @kbrad5
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

Two Austin residents were arrested over the weekend after they were accused of making shooting threats in separate incidents at a school and a church, according to the Austin American-Statesman.

The threats came just a week after the deadliest shooting in Texas history claimed 26 lives in Sutherland Springs.

According to the Austin American-Statesman report, the first incident allegedly involved a Manor High School student.

Rafael Gamboa, 17, posted a Snapchat video using the username "School Shooter," according to the report.

The video allegedly showed the student standing behind bushes at a pep rally and was captioned "Loads glock, oh i'll make y'all red."

RELATED: SAPD: Man rolls off Loop 1604 bridge, leaves 5-year-old girl with broken leg behind in wreckage

The video was reported Friday by an assistant principal of the high school, according to the report.

Police pulled the teen out of class and found several shooting-related photos and videos on his phone, including one photo of Gamboa wearing a tactical vest with the caption, "you had this coming manor."

The student's parents allowed police to search his room, where officers found a map of the school with markings indicating shooting positions, a location of explosives and the location of an attack vehicle, police reportedly said.

Scott Thomas, Manor ISD spokesman, said weapons were not brought on to campus and that administrators were quick to act when learning of the potential threat.

"Student safety is and always will be our number one priority," Thomas said. "Furthermore, we want to remind parents that school is a safe place to be, as we employ school resource officers to patrol our campuses and staff members are trained on lockdown drills and other measures geared toward student safety in an emergency."

Gamboa faces a felony charge of exhibition of a firearm with bond set at $50,000, according to the report. He was also ordered to stay at least 200 feet away from the high school.

The second threat was connected to the Bannockburn Baptist Church in South Austin.

RELATED: Church opens doors to public for first time since mass shooting for memorial

A man who was at a learning center attached to the church allegedly heard someone trying to enter the locked building on Friday. The man let her in, assuming she was a parent, according to the report.

The woman then placed a child on the floor and allegedly said, "There's a gun in my car. I have shells. Look, I will give you the shells. I have one for each of you."

The man grabbed his own daughter and went to his car outside the church, where he could reportedly see the woman raising a rifle or shotgun at him.

When police interviewed the woman, identified as Lindsey Holeman, 27, she allegedly admitted bringing a pink Remington pump-action shotgun to the church, but she said she displayed it to protect other people.

Holeman was charged with two felony counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon with bond set at $25,000, according to the report. She was also ordered to stay at least 200 feet way from the church.

Fares Sabawi covers crime in San Antonio and Bexar County for mySA.com. Read more of his stories here. | fsabawi@mysa.com | Twitter: @FaresInSA
Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine deputy Oleksandr Onyshchenko, who is wanted by Ukrainian law-enforcement agencies, has said Spanish prosecutors turned down a request to arrest and extradite him, the Kyiv-based Ukrayinska Pravda on-line edition has said.

"The court heard the arguments of the Ukrainian side and asked whether I agreed to voluntary extradition. I said no, because the case against me is politically motivated. The court deemed our arguments convincing and did not order me arrested," Ukrayinska Pravda quoted Onyshchenko as saying.

The edition was not able to produce a copy of the Spanish court ruling.

According to Onyshchenko, the hearing was held in the Audiencia Nacionale Madrid court and lasted 90 minutes.

Ukraine's parliament during the summer of 2016 voted to strip Onyshchenko of his immunity and gave permission for his arrest. The MP failed to appear in the parliament chamber.

Head of Ukraine's Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) has said Onyshchenko, as the beneficiary of companies operating under Ukrgazvydobuvannia organized a criminal group with the aim of embezzling funds of the company.

Ukraine's parliament on July 5, 2016 approved lifting deputy immunity from Onyshchenko and authorized his arrest, but the deputy fled Ukraine. He was put on the national wanted list on August 8, 2016.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

San Antonio police are searching for four suspects they say fled the scene of a shooting after crashing their vehicle on the Northeast Side Sunday afternoon.

Police Sgt. David Renn said officers responded about 3:47 p.m. to the 4000 block of Sunrise Creek where they found a man in his 20s shot in both legs.

The young man told police that he and his friend were standing outside his home when a blue Ford Taurus drove by and someone inside the car began shooting, hitting them both.

The victim told police the suspect's vehicle then struck pole and crashed into a ditch on nearby Glacier Sun Drive, as the suspects attempted to drive off.

Police said the four individuals then fled the scene on foot.

The victim was treated and then transported to University Hospital in unknown condition. Renn said the victim's friend was shot once in the foot, but left the scene in his own vehicle.

Police said the shooting may have been drug or gang motivated. The victim told police he did not know the suspects.

"This isn't something that happens on a normal day," Renn said. "Situations that involve gangs and drugs usually lead to this."

A witness told police the suspects were wearing dark clothing and had their faces covered by bandanas. Police said one or more of the suspects were armed with small-caliber handguns.

According to Renn, police have a perimeter around the area and are searching for the suspects with K-9 units.

aluna@express-news.net | Twitter: alexluna801
AUSTIN -- In what promises to deepen divisions in the Texas Republican Party, Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday endorsed a GOP challenger to incumbent state Rep. Sarah Davis of Houston.

Abbott gave his public thumbs-up to Susanna Dokupil, a more-conservative Republican like Abbott, who is running against the more moderate Davis, who also touts herself as "a conservative voice in Austin."

The announcement was the first endorsement of a legislative challenger by Abbott, who had announced last summer that he would support legislative candidates who supported his positions on issues. In the past, it has been rare for governors to get involved in legislative races so early -- if at all.

The month-long filing period for candidates opened Saturday.

But at a time when Steve Bannon, a former top White House aide to President Trump, is injecting himself in U.S. Senate and congressional races pushing for Republicans to replace liberal and moderate Republicans with more-conservative Republicans, Abbott's move is perhaps not unexpected.

"She is the most visible and vocal centrist in the Texas House . . . and I don't see what the payoff would be for the governor to get involved in a House primary -- which is very unusual," said Mark Jones, a political science professor at Rice University, which is located in Davis' district. "She perfectly reflects the average voter in that district . . . and if she wins the primary, or if she loses and a Democrat wins in November, he could end up with egg on his face."

Davis, an attorney, has challenged Abbott's positions on a number of issues in the past year, including the bathroom bill. She has represented a district that includes West University Place for four terms in the Texas House.

"We need leaders in Austin who will join me to build a better future for Texas," Abbott said in his endorsement statement. "I trust Susanna, and I know voters in House District 134 can trust her too to fight for their needs in Austin, Texas. Susanna is a principled conservative who will be a true champion for the people of House District 134, and I am proud to support her in the upcoming election."

Dokupil, who is CEO of Paladin Strategies, a strategic communications firm based in Houston, worked for Abbott as assistant solicitor general while he was Texas attorney general, before becoming governor. There, she handled religious liberty issues, he said.

Abbott said he has known Dokupil for more than a decade.

Davis is a part of the House leadership team. She chairs the House General Investigating and Ethics, serves as chair for health and human services issues on the House Appropriations Committee and is a member of the influential Calendars Committee that sets the House schedule.

In a statement, Davis appeared to dismiss the Abbott endorsement of her challenger, who said she represents the views of her district.

"I have always voted my uniquely independent district, and when it comes to campaign season I have always stood on my own, which is why I outperformed Republicans up and down the ballot in the last mid-term election," Davis said.

"Republican voters in (House District) 134 will not be told for whom to vote, and will not nominate a candidate who will be so easily defeated in the fall because they are a wholly-owned subsidiary of the extremist fringe group, Empower Texans."

Davis' West Houston District 134 known to support both Republican and Democratic candidates. In the 2016 general election, Democrat Hillary Clinton beat then-candidate Donald Trump by 15 percentage points. Davis won reelection to her fourth term that election, claiming 54 percent of the vote.

Davis' tightest race was her first appearance to the general election. In 2010, she won 50.68 percent of the vote, barely besting incumbent Democrat Ellen Cohen.

Abbott, who has high popularity in polls as he has filed for reelection, said he intends to endorse more candidates for office in coming weeks.

The governor issued his first endorsement in the 2018 House primaries last week for state Rep. Paul Workman, an Austin Republican who faces a GOP challenger from Jay Wiley. Workman authored Abbott-supported legislation during the special session.

During the regular legislative session last spring, and a special session this summer, Abbott sparred with House leaders over his support for the bathroom bill, new restrictions on the powers of cities, further restrictions on abortion and other issues.

When Abbott pressed Republicans to register their support for each item on his 20-piece special session agenda this summer, Davis and other key House chairmen refused. She only supported one of the governor's bills, and it sought to extend operations for a task force to study maternal mortality.

Instead, she pressed the governor to extend his special session call to include ethics issues and reverse millions of dollars in therapy cuts for children with disabilities. The governor's office accused her of "showboating."

Amid opposition to his agenda, the governor had said that he intended to get involved in some legislative races, ostensibly to campaign against some of those who opposed him.

Increasingly, in recent years Texas Republicans have been split between moderate and far-right conservative factions, with Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick in the latter group.

As a part of that split between GOP factions, the Harris County Republican Party on Monday night was to consider a move filed by Davis' conservative opponents in the GOP to censure her for being too liberal on many issues -- including abortion, personal accountability, school choice, vaccinations, and not supporting the state party platform.

But on Sunday night, the sponsors -- Scott Bowen and Rolando Garcia, chairmen of Senate Districts 11 and 15, respectively --decided not to pursue the matter, said Vlad Davidiuk, spokesman for the county Republican party.

Fifty-one of Davis' supporters signed a letter in rebuttal, saying Davis has "cross-over appeal" and several of her votes stressed in the resolution were echoed by Republicans across both chambers.

"If censure advocates get their way, we'll need to censure a majority of the Harris County Republican delegation," read the letter. "We risk losing Davis' seat to another liberal Democrat who will not only vote against us on abortion, but on virtually every issue. Why should we cut off our nose to spite our face?"

Bowen and Garcia did not respond to requests for comment.

Austin Bureau reporter Andrew Zelinski contributed to this report.





Austin Bureau Chief Mike Ward covers Texas politics, the Executive Branch and criminal justice, among other issues. Send him story tips at Mike.Ward@Chron.com or @ChronicleMike on Twitter.




President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko intends to submit a draft law on the Financial Security Service (FSS) to the Parliament, the presidential representative in the parliament Iryna Lutsenko ( Petro Poroshenko Bloc faction) has reported.

"The access to business of various law enforcement agencies should be stopped. And the bill on the Financial Security Service, which will be introduced by the president of Ukraine, will be stopped," she said at a meeting of the conciliatory council of parliamentary factions, committees and parliamentary groups in Kyiv on Monday.

As Lutsenko noted, the president also develops the so-called anti-raiding bill on the de-concentration of the powers of the State Service for Geodesy, Cartography and Cadastre to digitize all agricultural and other lands.
On July 15, 2016, an American college professor named Henri Barkey convened an academic workshop about Iran at a hotel on an island near Istanbul. That night, elements of the Turkish military attempted a coup against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that quickly failed but triggered a massive campaign of repression which continues to this day. Barkey went through with his conference, spent a couple of days in Istanbul and flew home.

To Barkey's astonishment, he soon became a target of the world's newest political weapon: fake news, in the form of a feverish, government-sponsored campaign. Pro-Erdogan media claimed that Barkey was on the island of Buyukadanot to discuss Iran's foreign relations with fellow academics but to direct the coup operation on behalf of the CIA.

To those who know the professor, a stereotypically tweedy 63-year-old intellectual who has combined teaching at Lehigh University with stints at Washington think tanks and the State Department policy planning staff, the claims were literally laughable. But the real-world consequences have not been. The five Turkish scholars who attended the conference have been defamed and stripped of their passports; one was detained for two weeks.

On Friday, the Turkish press reported that a prosecutor had issued a warrant for Barkey's arrest. The indictment also charges Metin Topuz, a U.S. consular employee whose detention several weeks ago triggered a diplomatic spat in which both countries temporarily suspended the issuance of visas. Topuz did not attend the conference, and Barkey says he has never met him.

Last month, one of Turkey's best-known philanthropists and liberal activists, Osman Kavala, was arrested and jailed. One of the two charges against him is "contact with Henri Jak Barkey and foreigners who were among the organizers of the [July 15, 2016] coup attempt," according to court papers. Kavala was also not at the conference, but Barkey says they spoke briefly at a restaurant in Istanbul. "Knowing me," the professor ruefully told me, "is enough to send someone to jail for life."

Kavala, Topuz and Barkey are just three among some 150,000 people imprisoned, fired or sanctioned by Erdogan's government in the past 16 months, including 150 journalists and 6,000 university employees. But the case is a good example of how fake news has become a tool for authoritarian governments that have watched closely how Russia - and President Trump - have used it.

The first lesson is that not just facts but basic plausibility are unimportant when concocting charges. Social media can be used to make anything sound convincing to the followers of a Trump or Erdogan. The Turkish ruler's propagandists claimed, for example, that Barkey enlisted the notorious convicted murderer Scott Peterson as muscle. Peterson is imprisoned in California. But no matter: An American journalist also named Scott Peterson happened to be at the meeting.

Once the fake news is floated, political leaders can demand investigations while claiming they only want to learn the facts. Their main objective is not prosecutions, but advancing a political narrative. In Erdogan's case, the point is to suggest that the United States is responsible for the coup attempt - a lie that he is attempting to leverage into concessions from Washington. Above all, he wants the extradition of Fethullah Gulen, the Pennsylvania-based cleric accused of masterminding the coup. Erdogan may also be trying to fend off charges that his government offered millions of dollars to former national security adviser Michael Flynn in exchange for Gulen.

Hence the warrant for Barkey and arrests of Topuz and Kavala, an internationally admired secular activist. Erdogan has referred to him as "Turkey's [George] Soros," in reference to the liberal U.S. financier; he also claimed that Kavala and Topuz are connected, without further explanation.

That's the trick: to use fake news without accepting responsibility for it. Erdogan's prime minister, Binali Yildirim, offered me another demonstration of that last week when I asked him, during his visit to Washington, whether the Turkish government really believed that Barkey directed the coup. "Whether Henri Barkey managed the coup or not, I don't know," he replied, claiming that he was unaware of the allegation.

He then said that Turks were inclined to believe that the United States must have something to do with the coup because of Washington's failure to hand over Gulen. "Sometimes perception becomes more important than facts," he concluded.

That, of course, is exactly Erdogan's objective. And if his repression seems far removed from the tactics of Trump, it's worth recalling that the president and the media that support him are even now promoting the manifestly false story that Hillary Clinton corruptly influenced the sale of a uranium company to Russia and are demanding a criminal investigation. No wonder Trump said as he met the Turkish strongman in September, "We're as close as we have ever been."
That a body armor company would even consider marketing bulletproof panels for student backpacks is a sad commentary on the non-academic problems facing our nations schools.

A recent Washington Post article recently focused on Florida Christian School in Miami, which is offering an order form on its website for the purchase of bullet-resistant panels designed to go into students backpacks.

The panels, with a price tag of $120 each, are being marketed by Applied Fiber Concepts, a company owned by the dad with two children in the nondenominational private school.

Students are instructed to place their school bags in front of their chests if they find themselves in an active shooter situation.

The Florida based company is not the only business catering to growing concerns about student safety on our nations campuses, the Post reports.

Bullet Blocker, a Massachusetts company, also offers bullet-resistant backpacks, briefcases, fleeces and inserts that can be placed in a binder.

Bulletproof whiteboards, which have replaced the chalk boards of years past in most classrooms, are also becoming common place.

The 2007 Virginia Tech shooting that left 32 dead and the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary shooting that killed 20 first-graders and six educators made us aware of just how vulnerable students are when confronted by an active shooter.

Schools across the country, at all age levels, are having to earmark funds in their annual budgets to ensure their safety of their students.

It is money that could have been put to use in the classroom if the threat of violence on campus was not such a valid concern, and that is regrettable.
1 Afghanistan attack: Taliban insurgents using sophisticated night-vision goggles killed eight Afghan police officers in their beds early Monday near the western city of Farah, officials said. Authorities suspect there was also a Taliban infiltrator, according to Naser Mehri, a spokesman for the regional governor, who said the only police officer who had survived the attack was being interrogated but had not been charged. Afghan officials said the killings were the latest in a wave of attacks by the Taliban using night-vision goggles, usually with Russian markings. U.S. forces introduced night-vision technology in Afghanistan, and U.S. trainers instructed the Afghan army how to use them to get an advantage against the Taliban. Now, the Taliban have apparently managed to find sources for the same technology.

2 Syria fighting: At least 53 people were killed in a ferocious attack on a market in northern Syria on Monday that left rescuers and survivors digging late into the evening to search for residents still buried under the rubble. There were at least three air strikes on the market at Atareb, a town in the Aleppo countryside swollen by arrival of refugees from nearby battles. At least 53 people were killed, according to the Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group, including 5 children. The Observatory said it could not determine whether the Syrian government or its chief backer, Russia, was behind the attack.
A group of Ukrainian servicemen have been detained in Donetsk region on suspicion of battering a civilian, the ATO headquarters said.

"Servicemen of the Ukrainian Armed Forces have been detained in the city of Popasna. It has been tentatively determined that the servicemen inflicted bodily injuries on a civilian," the headquarters' press center wrote on Facebook on Monday.

Military police together with the National Police are investigating the situation, it wrote.
It was in a sack. Residents said the baby was found by someone who was collecting bottles for recycling. The man wanted to use the sack...
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settings ACCEPT
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry is asking The New York Times to correct the mistake in the map published by them, where Crimea is described as a 'disputed territory.'

"The Crimea is not a 'disputed territory', it's a temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine. The invader is known  it's Russia. We are asking @nytimes. The mistakes must be corrected," the spokeswoman for the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry Mariana Betsa wrote on Twitter on Monday.
A GROUP of Zanu PF youths was pelted after taking to the stage at a music show held at Harare Gardens at the weekend.

The show was held to celebrate the 10th anniversary of music stable Chillspot Records (Chillspot) when the Zanu PF youths, led by Harare youth chairperson Emmanuel Mahachi, took to the stage to introduce himself and his entourage.

He was also accompanied by some party officials from Bulawayo.

The impatient youthful crowd jeered and booed the Zanu PF members.

Harare is among opposition strongholds.

Thats not what we are here for, the crowd shouted.

Mahachi persisted and tried to use money to silence the crowd.

How much should I give as a present to Chillspot? he asked before taking out his wallet.

After he handed over three US$100 notes one after another to Chillspot director Arnold Kamudyariwa, popularly known as DJ Fantan, the crowd pelted the stage, forcing the Zanu PF youths to scurry for cover.

Its alright, lets not damage the stage. We still want to party and see other artistes, Fantan shouted as he apologised and calmed fans. He tried to redeem himself immediately by introducing Hwindi President and Hwinza, who belted their popular 2020 collaboration, Handikanganwe Kwandabva.

Zanu PF regularly uses music events in the form of galas to preach its gospel across the country.

Chillspot artistes have also performed at Zanu PF events around the country.

Zimdancehall has been particularly of interest to the party, which is trying to capture the youth vote in the elections next year.

Self-proclaimed prophet, Passion Java has led a group of socialites openly campaigning for President Emmerson Mnangagwa ahead of the 2023. Java is a known benefactor of the Chillspot stable and his name was repeatedly chanted by MCs during the event, including DJ Fantan, who said the self-styled prophet was in attendance.

Java posted a video on his social media platforms, promoting the Harare Gardens event.

 NewsDay

Breaking News via Email
SOUTH Africa-based Zimbabwean radio presenter, actress and singer Melissa Nxumalo has taken a swipe at people who call her a satanist. Nxumalo, who was born to a Zimbabwean father and a South African mother, has found a niche in the arts industry across the Limpopo having worked at Hillbrow Radio and is now at Venrap Radio, a predominantly hip-hop station.

In an interview with The Standard Style from her Johannesburg base, Nxumalo said she would not lose sleep over such satanism claims or bow down to the pressure by haters.

Why do some people from Zimbabwe love satanic things? Some people have been malicious spreading rumours that I am satanic. Like really, I am dead laughing, she said.

The 23-year-old said deejaying was her own way of reaching out to people and shaping todays world. Being a radio host is my everything as I just love talking and sharing information. For me, it is not all about being famous, but it is about mending other peoples problems and learning from them as well, she said.

I am where I am today because of radio. It has groomed me and taught me a lot over these last couple of years. Radio helped me to have a better understanding of people from different walks of life and do so much more than I had previously anticipated.

She defines her first slot on air (at Hillbrow Radio in 2015) as nothing short of dramatic as she was a bundle of nerves.

I had no experience or anything at all, thank God it was a graveyard slot. A couple of years on and more radio mileage, I am definitely up there with the best of them and a star in the making, she said.

Nxumalo describes herself as an ambitious woman who has set her sights on what she hopes will be a long and fruitful career in the showbiz.

My goal is to see my acting and presenting careers taking shape in America, where I see myself representing Africa and I would love to also see myself making the same strides in the music industry, working with big artists, she said.

 The Standard

Breaking News via Email
CHIEF Musarurwa of Chivhu has blocked villagers from naming a road in rural Hokonya area after former First Lady Grace Mugabe, arguing that proper procedures were not followed.

The villagers had resolved on their own to honour Grace by naming a seven-kilometre gravel road which leads to her familys homestead in Ndwere village off the Chivhu-Murambinda Road, as Grace Way.

But Chief Musarurwa (Enos Masakwa) said if the villagers wanted to name the road, there were certain procedures which had to be followed and processed through Cabinet.

There is no such road named Grace Way in Chivhu. As far as I know, no Cabinet sat and resolved to name it that way. Do not mislead citizens by issuing out names that are not approved by the government, he said.

A villager, Andrew Mazhawidza, said: The road was named after Grace by villagers some two decades ago when she got married to the now late former President Robert Mugabe. It was a prestigious marriage in this community, hence the road to her homestead became very popular.

The road passes through Madondo Primary School, a few metres from the Marufu homestead as it proceeds to St Francis of Assisi High School, where Grace was a patron during the time she was First Lady. Apart from the gravel road which villagers had named in her honour, no other institution or place has been named after the once powerful Grace in her rural home.

 NewsDay

Breaking News via Email
THE removal of three Zimbabweans from the European Union (EU) sanctions signals the positive strides that the country has made under President Mnangagwas reengagement policy.

Commenting on the latest removal of the remaining names on the EU sanctions list, President Mnangagwa who is the driving force behind the re-engagement drive said dialogue is the only way.

Zimbabwe has made profound progress in engaging the international community.

Action taken this week by the EU is just another example of this success. Dialogue continues to yield results, the President said on Twitter.

This comes after the EU on Monday, announced the removal of Vice-President Dr Constantino Chiwenga, Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) Commander General Phillip Valerio Sibanda, and former first lady Grace Mugabe from the baneful sanctions, in a move that analysts canvassed by The Herald said demonstrated the softening of stance by formerly hostile nations.

The development comes after President Mnangagwas commitment in 2017 at the inception of the Second Republic that re-engaging and mending relations with countries in western Europe, which imposed sanctions since 2002, was a priority call.

The Herald is reliably informed that behind the scenes, Brussels is escalating diplomatic engagements with Harare and will lift sanctions in totality soon, after France said Zimbabwe was a partner in ensuring stability in the SADC regions fight against jihadists in Mozambiques Cabo Delgado province.

Zimbabwe and the EU have both benefited from fruitful diplomatic engagements that have seen the thawing of relations since the official withdrawal of former coloniser, Britain, from the EU bloc.

To date, only two Nordic countries are stalling the total removal of sanctions on Zimbabwe while the other members agree that besides coordinating the regional fight against jihadists, Zimbabwe is also a key partner in providing more military training to Mozambican forces.

Hubert Leclercq, a journalist from one of Europes influential dailies, La Libre, last week indicated to President Mnangagwa in an interview that in the past three months, 15 EU members were in favour of sanctions and now only two countries are reluctant to lift the sanctions.

While the Zimbabwe Defence Industries (ZDI) remains on the sanctions list, analysts and international relations experts said the EU was changing its reading grid on Zimbabwe and applauded the two parties for their continued engagements.

President Mnangagwa during an interview with Hubert Leclercq of the Belgian newspaper La Libre at State House in Harare recently.  Pictures: Joseph Nyadzayo

Political analyst and media lecturer Dr Wellington Gadzikwa said the absence of Britain in the EU had brought dividends to the Harare-Brussels relationship as the former colonial power used the EU as a platform to internationalise a bilateral affair.

He said the EUs removal of sanctions was a realisation that the sanctions regime no longer worked because it has led to a breakdown of the moral fabric of Zimbabweans by negatively impacting ordinary people.

The exit of Britain from the EU could have influenced the thawing of relations between Zimbabwe and the European bloc. This is so because Britain had dragged a bilateral affair to the EU in a view to internationalise it.

The EU is removing sanctions upon the realisation that they no longer work. While it is good that there is headway being made, Zimbabwe also needs to dictate its terms of re-engaging the West basing on the need for self-determination as happened when it embarked on the land reform programme, said Dr Gadzikwa.

He also said the lobbying for the removal of sanctions on Zimbabwe by France is proof that the EU has new interests that cannot be realised if sanctions are still in place.

Prof Obediah Dodo, an international relations expert, concurred with Dr Gadzikwa, adding that the lifting of sanctions by the EU is a reflection that the bloc is now a body independent of British influence.

He said the move will also shape the trajectory of Zimbabwes international relations amid an expectation that Britain will soon follow suit.

This is a positive indication that shows that no conflict exists forever. At one point it will naturally die. So no matter how small Zimbabwe might be, the EU has realised it cannot do without Zimbabwe and vice-versa, said Prof Dodo.

He also said ahead of the 2023 elections, detractors were expecting the EU to tighten screws on Zimbabwe, but the gesture to lift sanctions is the positive success of what the New Dispensation has managed to achieve in just three years.

An expected development is borne out of this re-engagement policy id that Britain will follow suit. More positive developments are going to follow and this is a very important position for the government ahead of the 2023 plebiscite, he added.

 Herald

Breaking News via Email
Two retail groups band together on their opposition to expand cold beer sales to convenience stores.

INDIANAPOLIS  Representatives from the Indiana Association of Beverage Retailers (IABR) and the Indiana Retail Council (IRC) announced an agreement on a series of policy initiatives that would affect the states alcohol laws.

Both organizations say they support Sunday sales of alcoholic beverages for carry-out, without new restrictions that would impact how products are currently displayed in stores. However, the organizations are also unified in opposing the expansion of the sale of cold beer in Indiana.

The organizations also made a series of policy recommendations, including:

The IABR and the IRC believe that the sale of alcohol should be strictly regulated and that the existing regulations regarding cold beer are important safety measures.

IABR and IRC strongly oppose new restrictions on the type and variety of adult beverage products sold and displayed by drug and grocery stores.

IABR and IRC support significantly increasing the fines for sales to minors. Tripling the fines would generate funds that could be used to increase the number of excise officers.

The IABR and the IRC support strengthening and increasing penalties for adults who host parties and furnish alcohol to minors.

While the IABR and the IRC recognize that alcoholic beverages are sold responsibly in Indiana, both organizations support changes that would require a mandatory age verification check for alcohol purchases, as well as require video monitoring or the presence of store employees in close proximity to the sale and/or display of alcoholic beverages.

Meanwhile, the Indiana Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Association (IPCA), which represents convenience stores, says the agreement between the IABR and IRC should call into question the credibility of both organizations, reports WTHI.com.

The news source cites IPCAs statement:

For well over a decade, the liquor store industry has vehemently opposed Sunday sales, testifying numerous times before legislative committees that such a move would put 25% of liquor stores out of business. Further, the liquor lobby decried the display of spirits in big box stores, even supplying committee members with pictures of liquor bottles next to toys or at the checkout lane to support its position.

At the same time, the Indiana Retail Council and its members joined forces with convenience store retailers in forming two coalitions over the last decade to campaign for sensible alcohol laws, which included cold beer and Sunday sales. Why are they now suddenly against cold beer sales?

How credible can these groups be when just six months ago each made opposite claims? Frankly, this type of backroom gamesmanship and hypocrisy is exactly what the public despises and what has led to Indianas nonsensical alcohol laws.

Alcohol regulations should be based on sound public policy, not upon the wishes of powerful special interests suddenly aligned for the sake of expediency. The convenience store industry has demonstrated beyond a reasonable doubt that its members are responsible retailers of beer. The IPCA and over 60% of Hoosiers believe that Indiana should not regulate beer sales based on temperature.

We call on lawmakers and Hoosiers to see this agreement as nothing more than liquor stores and big box stores protecting their turf. Instead, we would ask legislators to support the common-sense reform of moving beer from store floors to coolers.
DEERFIELD, Ill.  Drug Store News reports that Walgreens recently relaunched its Nice! brand proposition with new packaging and a new campaign touting the private-label food lines focus on "great taste from the source."

New marketing and packaging emphasizes products as having whole ingredients, no trans fats, artificial sweeteners or artificial coloring, and incorporating non-GMO, gluten-free and certified organic ingredients. The new Nice! line, with 1,000 SKUs across 25 categories, has been organized into three tiers: Everyday, Premium and Organic.

"The packaging is fantastic," Alex Gourlay, Walgreens Boots Alliance co-COO, recently told investors. "It is doing really well early on, and that's a roll-in, roll-out. So again, we will continue to improve the quality of our products and the quality of our value and improve the convenience as part of that model."

The news source notes that Walgreens' Nice! brand was first launched in 2012, replacing a number of the chains private label lines including Cafe W, Deerfield Farms and W, and included more than 400 grocery and household products.
Find the newest releases to watch from National Geographic on Disney+, including acclaimed documentary series and films Fire of Love, The Rescue, Limitless with Chris Hemsworth and We Feed People.
Deputy Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatars Ilmi Umerov has been awarded the Platform of European Memory and Conscience 2017 Prize as an acknowledgement of his battle against totalitarianism, for the ideals of democracy, basic rights and freedom and the rule of law.

"Platform of European Memory and Conscience 2017 Prize organizers included me among their nominees, something I didn't even know. It is an acknowledgement on the European level of the problems existing in Ukraine and the Crimean Tatars," he said.

Umerov said Russia's annexation of Crimea and the position of Crimean Tatars in Crimea during the occupation played a prominent role in the decision to grant him the award.

"I didn't earn it. The Crimean Tatar people earned the award," he said.

"This award is important for us, because it is an award to the entire Crimean people. It reflects the struggle that was tradition for Crimean Tatars during the USSR, when, by force, through meetings and other forms of protest, Crimean Tatars articulated its position against repression, against totalitarian regimes Today 57 prisoners of the Kremlin are symbols of this battle," Umerov said.
U.S. Assistant State Secretary Mitchell to meet with Ukrainian MPs in Kyiv on Tuesday  Hopko

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Aaron Wess Mitchell will meet with Ukrainian lawmakers during his visit to Kyiv on Tuesday, November 14, the head of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Foreign Affairs Hanna Hopko said.

"The meeting will take place tomorrow night," she told reporters in Kyiv on Monday.
By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Schools in Chennai, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur districts are closed today as heavy rainfall is expected until Wednesday.

According to India Meteorological Department, Heavy rain is likely at isolated places over South Coastal Andhra Pradesh and north coastal Tamilnadu and Puducherry on November 13.

The low-pressure area brought a big surprise on Sunday with rain eluding the capital city during the day. Though heavy rainfall was forecast, rain-bearing clouds failed to reach overland. Rain fell off the coast a few kilometres inside the sea. Weather models indicate that the city may receive multiple brief spells of rainfall till Wednesday.

The latest update by Tamil Nadu weatherman:

The rain picked up on Sunday night at Nungambakkam weather station getting 50 mm after 8 pm.

S Balachandran, Director, Area Cyclone Warning Centre, said the wind had weakened and changed direction. Most of the rain fell into the sea, reducing the intensity on land, he said adding that the low pressure in the Bay of Bengal had not fully dispersed. Moderate showers are expected in many parts of North coastal TN and Puducherry until Wednesday. Light showers or thundershower will persist in isolated pockets over North and South interior of State for the next three days.

Currently, the low-pressure area is located over Southwest Bay of Bengal adjoining Sri Lanka and neighbourhood with associated cyclonic circulation extending up to 7.6 km above mean sea level and is likely to become more marked during next 48 hours. The sky condition is likely to remain cloudy in Chennai and maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to be around 28 and 24 deg Celsius respectively.

Weather blogger Pradeep John said the low pressure is likely to travel northwest on Monday and Tuesday and will bring good rain.

Nallur lake breaches, paddy fields flooded

Chennai: Water from Nallur lake, a 118-acre irrigation tank in Kancheepuram, breached its walls on Sunday submerging 15 acres of paddy fields. The leakage was observed on Saturday near the tanks sluice No 2 maintained by the local panchayat. The leak, however, eroded more silt breaching the walls and uprooted the sluice on Sunday. We have temporarily closed the breach with a ring bundh. We will soon fix the wall, said P Ponniah, District Collector.

CHENNAI: Schools in Chennai, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur districts are closed today as heavy rainfall is expected until Wednesday. According to India Meteorological Department, Heavy rain is likely at isolated places over South Coastal Andhra Pradesh and north coastal Tamilnadu and Puducherry on November 13. The low-pressure area brought a big surprise on Sunday with rain eluding the capital city during the day. Though heavy rainfall was forecast, rain-bearing clouds failed to reach overland. Rain fell off the coast a few kilometres inside the sea. Weather models indicate that the city may receive multiple brief spells of rainfall till Wednesday. The latest update by Tamil Nadu weatherman: The rain picked up on Sunday night at Nungambakkam weather station getting 50 mm after 8 pm. S Balachandran, Director, Area Cyclone Warning Centre, said the wind had weakened and changed direction. Most of the rain fell into the sea, reducing the intensity on land, he said adding that the low pressure in the Bay of Bengal had not fully dispersed. Moderate showers are expected in many parts of North coastal TN and Puducherry until Wednesday. Light showers or thundershower will persist in isolated pockets over North and South interior of State for the next three days. Currently, the low-pressure area is located over Southwest Bay of Bengal adjoining Sri Lanka and neighbourhood with associated cyclonic circulation extending up to 7.6 km above mean sea level and is likely to become more marked during next 48 hours. The sky condition is likely to remain cloudy in Chennai and maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to be around 28 and 24 deg Celsius respectively. Weather blogger Pradeep John said the low pressure is likely to travel northwest on Monday and Tuesday and will bring good rain. Nallur lake breaches, paddy fields flooded Chennai: Water from Nallur lake, a 118-acre irrigation tank in Kancheepuram, breached its walls on Sunday submerging 15 acres of paddy fields. The leakage was observed on Saturday near the tanks sluice No 2 maintained by the local panchayat. The leak, however, eroded more silt breaching the walls and uprooted the sluice on Sunday. We have temporarily closed the breach with a ring bundh. We will soon fix the wall, said P Ponniah, District Collector.
By Express News Service

VIJAYAWADA: The death toll in the boat capsize incident, which occurred on Sunday evening at the Pavithra Sangamam ghat near Ibrahimpatnam in river Krishna, has climbed to 21 after one woman died during treatment at the hospital following the recovery of four more bodies on Monday morning. [SEE PICTURES]

The National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force teams are still continuing search operations to find two more people, including a 7-year-old Popuri Ashwika who went missing after the boat overturned near the Pavithra Sangamam ghat on Sunday evening.

Of the four bodies recovered, identities of three have been confirmed as Katari Sudhakara Rao, Popuri Haritha, and Kosuri Rohit Roy.

In a double tragedy for a family from Ongole, a 75-year-old woman died upon seeing the body of her daughter early on Monday. D Leelavathi (45), who went to Pavithra Sangamam along with the Walkers Club members from Ongole, drowned after the boat capsized in the river. Her body was retrieved and sent to their residence at Vangamuru Road in Ongole in the wee hours.

Her mother, D Lakshmikantham, died of shock within an hour. Leelavathi had been living with her mother ever since her husband died several years ago.

WATCH VIDEO HERE:

Police have shifted the bodies to the New Government General Hospital for postmortem.

Meanwhile, Krishna District Collector B Lakshmikantham said criminal cases were registered against the River Boating Company for illegal operation of the tourist boat that capsized in the river.

"Despite warnings by the APTDC not to operate boats without permission, the River Boating Company staff went ahead with impunity. We are going to take severe action against those responsible for the death of 20 innocent people. While the boat's capacity is 20, they modified it to accommodate 30, and could not provide life jackets to the passengers. Only one was given life jacket, he said.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu conducting an aerial survey near Pavitra Sangamam Ghat where a tourist boat capsized on Sunday evening. Death toll reached to 19 persons. @NewIndianXpress  Sistla Murthy (@Murthy_TNIE) November 13, 2017

Also, three boat staff - driver Suribabu, assistant driver Byrava Swami and helper Ramarao, reportedly went missing after the incident. They are said to have survived the accident and reportedly escaped to Kakinada.

The police formed special teams to nab the accused. A criminal case was registered against the River Boating and Adventures Partners' senior management members Sesham Modhakondala Rao, Neelam Seshagirirao, Gedela Srinu, Vinjamuri Vijayasarathi, and Chitti at the Ibrahimpatnam police station for running the boat without permission, and not following safety norms.

Relatives of the deceased and the missing. (Express Photo | P Ravindra Babu)

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who returned from Kerala, conducted an aerial survey and later made a statement in the Legislative Assembly.

He said the death toll had risen to 20 and that search operation was going to find the missing.

"Four survivors are being treated at a hospital. Nearly 45 were onboard the ill-fated boat. Of them, three were crew members. 20 dead bodies have been recovered. 17 have gone home after treatment. Four are under treatment. Two are still missing," he informed the House.

A tourist boat packed with 35-40 passengers capsized into river Krishna at the Pavithra Sangamam ghat near Vijayawada on Sunday evening. Till late last night, 16 bodies were fished out. Sources told New Indian Express that 15 people had been recovered while 10 others were still feared missing till yesterday night.



The boat overturned while it was returning from the Bhavani Island to the Pavithra Sangamam, where the Godavari meets the Krishna.

VIJAYAWADA: The death toll in the boat capsize incident, which occurred on Sunday evening at the Pavithra Sangamam ghat near Ibrahimpatnam in river Krishna, has climbed to 21 after one woman died during treatment at the hospital following the recovery of four more bodies on Monday morning. [SEE PICTURES] The National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force teams are still continuing search operations to find two more people, including a 7-year-old Popuri Ashwika who went missing after the boat overturned near the Pavithra Sangamam ghat on Sunday evening. Of the four bodies recovered, identities of three have been confirmed as Katari Sudhakara Rao, Popuri Haritha, and Kosuri Rohit Roy. In a double tragedy for a family from Ongole, a 75-year-old woman died upon seeing the body of her daughter early on Monday. D Leelavathi (45), who went to Pavithra Sangamam along with the Walkers Club members from Ongole, drowned after the boat capsized in the river. Her body was retrieved and sent to their residence at Vangamuru Road in Ongole in the wee hours. Her mother, D Lakshmikantham, died of shock within an hour. Leelavathi had been living with her mother ever since her husband died several years ago. WATCH VIDEO HERE: Police have shifted the bodies to the New Government General Hospital for postmortem. Meanwhile, Krishna District Collector B Lakshmikantham said criminal cases were registered against the River Boating Company for illegal operation of the tourist boat that capsized in the river. "Despite warnings by the APTDC not to operate boats without permission, the River Boating Company staff went ahead with impunity. We are going to take severe action against those responsible for the death of 20 innocent people. While the boat's capacity is 20, they modified it to accommodate 30, and could not provide life jackets to the passengers. Only one was given life jacket, he said. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu conducting an aerial survey near Pavitra Sangamam Ghat where a tourist boat capsized on Sunday evening. Death toll reached to 19 persons. @NewIndianXpress  Sistla Murthy (@Murthy_TNIE) November 13, 2017 Also, three boat staff - driver Suribabu, assistant driver Byrava Swami and helper Ramarao, reportedly went missing after the incident. They are said to have survived the accident and reportedly escaped to Kakinada. The police formed special teams to nab the accused. A criminal case was registered against the River Boating and Adventures Partners' senior management members Sesham Modhakondala Rao, Neelam Seshagirirao, Gedela Srinu, Vinjamuri Vijayasarathi, and Chitti at the Ibrahimpatnam police station for running the boat without permission, and not following safety norms. Relatives of the deceased and the missing. (Express Photo | P Ravindra Babu)Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who returned from Kerala, conducted an aerial survey and later made a statement in the Legislative Assembly. He said the death toll had risen to 20 and that search operation was going to find the missing. "Four survivors are being treated at a hospital. Nearly 45 were onboard the ill-fated boat. Of them, three were crew members. 20 dead bodies have been recovered. 17 have gone home after treatment. Four are under treatment. Two are still missing," he informed the House. A tourist boat packed with 35-40 passengers capsized into river Krishna at the Pavithra Sangamam ghat near Vijayawada on Sunday evening. Till late last night, 16 bodies were fished out. Sources told New Indian Express that 15 people had been recovered while 10 others were still feared missing till yesterday night. The boat overturned while it was returning from the Bhavani Island to the Pavithra Sangamam, where the Godavari meets the Krishna.
The Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine (PGO) has called in former President Viktor Yanukovych, former Prime Minister Mykola Azarov, his son, Oleksiy Azarov, and former Deputy Prime Minister Serhiy Arbuzov for questioning on Friday, November 17.

The respective summons notices were posted on the website of the Prosecutor General's Office on Monday.

"Viktor Fedorovych Yanukovych, born on July 9, 1950, in accordance with the requirements of Articles 133 and 135 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine, you need to appear at 16.00 on November 17, 2017 at the investigative unit of the office for especially important cases of the department for international legal cooperation of the Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine, in room No. 1106B at 13/15 Riznytska Street in Kyiv for procedural measures in criminal proceedings No. 12013220530000400 of January 31, 2013 on the grounds of crimes set forth in Part 1, Article 255, Part 5, Article 191, Part 3, Article 209, Part 2, Article 205 and other articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine," the text of the summons reads.

In addition, Azarov and his son are also summoned for questioning as part of the same criminal proceedings. They should appear for interrogation on November 17 at 15.00 and 13.00 at the same address.

Arbuzov, who served as Ukraine's deputy prime minister from December 24, 2012 to January 28, 2014, was called to interrogation on the same day at 14.00, as part of the same criminal proceedings.

At the same time, there is no information in which status the said persons are summoned for questioning.

As reported, Azarov headed the Ukrainian government from March 2010 to the end of January 2014. He left Ukraine after the Revolution of Dignity. He currently lives in Russia. The Ukrainian side placed him on the interstate wanted list on suspicion of embezzlement of state funds.

Azarov's son, Oleksiy, served as an MP of the Verkhovna Rada of the seventh convocation.

In early August 2016, Azarov and his son had already been summoned to the Chief Military Prosecutor's Office of Ukraine as witnesses for participation in procedural measures as part of the criminal proceedings opened in January 2013 on the appropriation of property by a criminal organization led by Yanukovych, which belongs to PJSC Ukrnafta and PJSC Ukrgazvydobuvannia, for a total of UAH 2 billion.

Neither Mykola Azarov nor Azarov appeared for interrogation.
By ANI

LUCKNOW: The Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) professor, against who a case was registered for allegedly divorcing his wife through triple talaq on Whatsapp, has refuted the allegation.

I haven't given her triple talaq. I divorced her verbally, sent the same via post and WhatsApp. After a month, I divorced her for the second time verbally and sent it via SMS, so triple talaq has not happened yet. She is still my wife until there is a third divorce, Khalid-Bin-yusuf Khan, the accused professor, told ANI.



Khan, who is a Sanskrit professor, also clarified that one divorce conveyed through three different means - orally, in written, and on Whatsapp - was being taken as three divorces.



Khan, in turn, alleged that his wife, Yasmeen Khalid, physically abused him, thus forcing him to leave the house.



On September 18, she physically abused me and I had to leave my home. I am still living with my daughter in a rented house, said, Khan, who added that he was still supporting his wife financially.



WATCH: Professor Khalid-Bin- yusuf Khan refutes allegations of divorcing his wife through talaq

Khan also said his wifes behaviour towards his relatives had been rude, which led him to warn her of divorce in 2007.



It is her behaviour to abuse and beat people, and not let anyone come to our house. She has even restricted the entry of my relatives. This continued for a long time, and in 2007, I gave her warning and she promised in written to me that she would not repeat all these mistakes again, and that I could divorce her if she did, the Sanskrit professor alleged.



While replying to the accusation of beating his wife, Khan said, I am 80 per cent handicapped. If I beat her, then just imagine what will happen to me and my body.



She has served as the female president of the Samajwadi Party in Aligarh. She is a politician and not a weak woman that anyone can beat and insult her and get away with it, he added.



On Sunday, a case was registered against Khan after his wife accused him of divorcing her through triple talaq.



Khalid said she, along with her children, would commit suicide if justice was not delivered.



This incident came to light two months after the Supreme Court pronounced triple talaq as 'unconstitutional'.

LUCKNOW: The Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) professor, against who a case was registered for allegedly divorcing his wife through triple talaq on Whatsapp, has refuted the allegation. I haven't given her triple talaq. I divorced her verbally, sent the same via post and WhatsApp. After a month, I divorced her for the second time verbally and sent it via SMS, so triple talaq has not happened yet. She is still my wife until there is a third divorce, Khalid-Bin-yusuf Khan, the accused professor, told ANI. Khan, who is a Sanskrit professor, also clarified that one divorce conveyed through three different means - orally, in written, and on Whatsapp - was being taken as three divorces. Khan, in turn, alleged that his wife, Yasmeen Khalid, physically abused him, thus forcing him to leave the house. On September 18, she physically abused me and I had to leave my home. I am still living with my daughter in a rented house, said, Khan, who added that he was still supporting his wife financially. WATCH: Professor Khalid-Bin- yusuf Khan refutes allegations of divorcing his wife through talaq Khan also said his wifes behaviour towards his relatives had been rude, which led him to warn her of divorce in 2007. It is her behaviour to abuse and beat people, and not let anyone come to our house. She has even restricted the entry of my relatives. This continued for a long time, and in 2007, I gave her warning and she promised in written to me that she would not repeat all these mistakes again, and that I could divorce her if she did, the Sanskrit professor alleged. While replying to the accusation of beating his wife, Khan said, I am 80 per cent handicapped. If I beat her, then just imagine what will happen to me and my body. She has served as the female president of the Samajwadi Party in Aligarh. She is a politician and not a weak woman that anyone can beat and insult her and get away with it, he added. On Sunday, a case was registered against Khan after his wife accused him of divorcing her through triple talaq. Khalid said she, along with her children, would commit suicide if justice was not delivered. This incident came to light two months after the Supreme Court pronounced triple talaq as 'unconstitutional'.
By ANI

MANILA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in Los Banos, Philippines and inaugurated 'Shri Narendra Modi Resilient Rice Field Laboratory' on Monday.

He undertook a symbolic ground breaking for a new plot for submergence tolerant rice varieties and unveiled a plaque to mark the inauguration of the 'Shri Narendra Modi Resilient Rice Field Laboratory'. He also presented two Indian rice seed varieties to the IRRI gene bank.

IRRI is a premier research organisation dedicated to reducing poverty and hunger through rice science; improving the health and welfare of rice farmers and consumers; and protecting the rice growing environment for future generations.

A contribution from India to IRRIpresented two Indian rice seed varieties to the IRRI gene bank. pic.twitter.com/AtxKmyu5jS  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 13, 2017

Prime Minister Modi later took to Twitter and shared his experience at the laboratory.

"My visit to International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) was a great learning experience. Saw the exceptional work IRRI is doing towards mitigating poverty and hunger by improving rice cultivation. Their work benefits many farmers and consumers, particularly in Asia and Africa. Saw a detailed exhibition on rice varieties and the impressive work done by IRRI with women farming cooperatives. Interacted with Indian scientists, students, researchers working at IRRI. Indias ICAR and IRRI have been cooperating for four decades. India is also involved in helping IRRI in strategic planning, helping decide key goals and working to overcome hunger as well as poverty," the prime minister said, in a series of tweets.

During the course of the visit, the prime minister interacted with several Indian scientists working at IRRI. He also reviewed a photo exhibit showcasing flood tolerant rice varieties; drought tolerant rice varieties; salinity tolerant rice varieties; and IRRI's work with women farming cooperatives.

Earlier in the day, President Duterte and his wife Honeylet Avancena welcomed the world leaders at the opening ceremony of 31st ASEAN Summit in Manila.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also arrived there and shook hands with President Duterte here.

Among the highlights of the opening ceremony was a music and dance excerpt from the musical Rama Hari, based on the characters of the Ramayana, an epic narrative that is a shared heritage among the ASEAN member states.

The performers were Arman Ferrer and Lara Maigue, vocal soloists, Ballet Philippines, choreographed by Alice Reyes, with the Philharmonic orchestra conducted by Herminegildo Ranera.

The prime minister is on a three-day visit to Manila to attend the ASEAN India summit and East Asia Summit on November 14.

Terror and Trade related issues will be on top of Modi's agenda during his visit.

The prime minister will also attend the ASEAN business and investment summit on November 13 and regional comprehensive economic partnership meeting on November 14 in Manila.

He will also meet the members of the Indian community at a reception to be hosted by the Indian envoy in Philippines.

MANILA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in Los Banos, Philippines and inaugurated 'Shri Narendra Modi Resilient Rice Field Laboratory' on Monday. He undertook a symbolic ground breaking for a new plot for submergence tolerant rice varieties and unveiled a plaque to mark the inauguration of the 'Shri Narendra Modi Resilient Rice Field Laboratory'. He also presented two Indian rice seed varieties to the IRRI gene bank. IRRI is a premier research organisation dedicated to reducing poverty and hunger through rice science; improving the health and welfare of rice farmers and consumers; and protecting the rice growing environment for future generations. A contribution from India to IRRIpresented two Indian rice seed varieties to the IRRI gene bank. pic.twitter.com/AtxKmyu5jS  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 13, 2017 Prime Minister Modi later took to Twitter and shared his experience at the laboratory. "My visit to International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) was a great learning experience. Saw the exceptional work IRRI is doing towards mitigating poverty and hunger by improving rice cultivation. Their work benefits many farmers and consumers, particularly in Asia and Africa. Saw a detailed exhibition on rice varieties and the impressive work done by IRRI with women farming cooperatives. Interacted with Indian scientists, students, researchers working at IRRI. Indias ICAR and IRRI have been cooperating for four decades. India is also involved in helping IRRI in strategic planning, helping decide key goals and working to overcome hunger as well as poverty," the prime minister said, in a series of tweets. During the course of the visit, the prime minister interacted with several Indian scientists working at IRRI. He also reviewed a photo exhibit showcasing flood tolerant rice varieties; drought tolerant rice varieties; salinity tolerant rice varieties; and IRRI's work with women farming cooperatives. Earlier in the day, President Duterte and his wife Honeylet Avancena welcomed the world leaders at the opening ceremony of 31st ASEAN Summit in Manila. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also arrived there and shook hands with President Duterte here. Among the highlights of the opening ceremony was a music and dance excerpt from the musical Rama Hari, based on the characters of the Ramayana, an epic narrative that is a shared heritage among the ASEAN member states. The performers were Arman Ferrer and Lara Maigue, vocal soloists, Ballet Philippines, choreographed by Alice Reyes, with the Philharmonic orchestra conducted by Herminegildo Ranera. The prime minister is on a three-day visit to Manila to attend the ASEAN India summit and East Asia Summit on November 14. Terror and Trade related issues will be on top of Modi's agenda during his visit. The prime minister will also attend the ASEAN business and investment summit on November 13 and regional comprehensive economic partnership meeting on November 14 in Manila. He will also meet the members of the Indian community at a reception to be hosted by the Indian envoy in Philippines.
By AFP

MANILA: Donald Trump was all fingers and thumbs during a carefully choreographed photo op Monday at a summit of world leaders, failing to grasp whose hands he was supposed to be holding and breaking a lineup intended to showcase unity. [SEE MORE PICTURES HERE]

Trump, whose insurgent election victory was built on his willingness to disrupt political convention, was supposed to cross his arms and join hands with the men on either side of him.

ALSO READ: Trump to push agenda, 'North Korea's growing threat', at 31st ASEAN Summit

But as others clutched the hands of the person to their left and their right, Trump used both of his hands to clasp the extended fingers of Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

The doubling up left summit host Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte with a spare hand -- and broke the line into two parts.

The handshake chain is a set piece of gatherings of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), who are meeting with leaders from China, the US, Russia, New Zealand, Australia, India, Canada, Japan and South Korea.

ALSO READ: US-Philippines relations, A look back

After an awkward few seconds, Trump appeared to recognise his error and made the link between Nguyen and Duterte.

Trump is on the final leg of a tour of Asia that has taken in Japan, South Korea, China and Vietnam.

The famously bullish former businessman has largely avoided the kind of protocol pitfalls that can ensnare even the most careful traveller in this often formal part of the world.

MANILA: Donald Trump was all fingers and thumbs during a carefully choreographed photo op Monday at a summit of world leaders, failing to grasp whose hands he was supposed to be holding and breaking a lineup intended to showcase unity. [SEE MORE PICTURES HERE] Trump, whose insurgent election victory was built on his willingness to disrupt political convention, was supposed to cross his arms and join hands with the men on either side of him. ALSO READ: Trump to push agenda, 'North Korea's growing threat', at 31st ASEAN Summit But as others clutched the hands of the person to their left and their right, Trump used both of his hands to clasp the extended fingers of Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc. The doubling up left summit host Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte with a spare hand -- and broke the line into two parts. The handshake chain is a set piece of gatherings of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), who are meeting with leaders from China, the US, Russia, New Zealand, Australia, India, Canada, Japan and South Korea. ALSO READ: US-Philippines relations, A look back After an awkward few seconds, Trump appeared to recognise his error and made the link between Nguyen and Duterte. Trump is on the final leg of a tour of Asia that has taken in Japan, South Korea, China and Vietnam. The famously bullish former businessman has largely avoided the kind of protocol pitfalls that can ensnare even the most careful traveller in this often formal part of the world.
By IANS

MANILA: US President Donald Trump on Monday attended the opening ceremony of the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit here, where he is set to discuss security issues with his fellow leaders.

Trump posed in the customary group photo and later took part in the traditional Asean leaders handshake, with the Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte standing next to him and with whom he is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting later on Monday, reports Efe news.

ALSO READ: Trump breaks the link as handshake photo op goes awry

The US President is also scheduled to meet with Australian Prime Ministers Malcolm Turnbull and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the day.

The Asean summit, which is set to conclude on Tuesday, and which is coupled with the East Asia Summit, includes bilateral and multilateral meets between the US, China, South Korea, Japan, India, the European Union, Russia, Australia, New Zealand and the UN.

Trump will take the opportunity to address "North Korea's growing threat", as he said on Sunday at the end of his state visit to Vietnam, the penultimate stop of his fourth international trip and the first in Asia, that will end in the Philippines and has also taken him to Japan, South Korea and China.

ALSO READ: Philippine President Duterte sure Trump will not bring up human rights at Manila ASEAN Summit

Trump is also expected to coordinate with his regional partners in the fight against the Islamic State terror group, present in the southern Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia.

His most eagerly-awaited bilateral meeting is the one he will hold with Duterte, the architect of the relentless and controversial "war on drugs" that has left more than 6,000 people dead throughout the Philippines in the last 16 months, almost 4,000 of them died at the hands of the police, according to official figures.

Several organisations have urged Trump to censure Duterte's controversial war on drugs, but in May the US president praised its effectiveness to eliminate drug trafficking during a telephone conversation between both leaders.

ALSO READ: India, Australia, US and Japan hold first meet; give shape to quad coalition

The Philippines, Asean's rotating chair for 2017, set the theme of "Partnering for Change, Engaging the World", putting security and regional integrity high on the agenda, reports Xinhua news agency.

At the closing ceremony of the Asean summit and related summits on Tuesday, Duterte will hand over the chairmanship of Asean to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong of Singapore, the incoming chair for 2018.

Established in 1967, Asean, which groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.

The Asean Community, with the Political-Security Community, the Economic Community and the Socio-Cultural Community as three pillars, was established at the end of 2015.

MANILA: US President Donald Trump on Monday attended the opening ceremony of the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit here, where he is set to discuss security issues with his fellow leaders. Trump posed in the customary group photo and later took part in the traditional Asean leaders handshake, with the Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte standing next to him and with whom he is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting later on Monday, reports Efe news. ALSO READ: Trump breaks the link as handshake photo op goes awry The US President is also scheduled to meet with Australian Prime Ministers Malcolm Turnbull and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the day. The Asean summit, which is set to conclude on Tuesday, and which is coupled with the East Asia Summit, includes bilateral and multilateral meets between the US, China, South Korea, Japan, India, the European Union, Russia, Australia, New Zealand and the UN. Trump will take the opportunity to address "North Korea's growing threat", as he said on Sunday at the end of his state visit to Vietnam, the penultimate stop of his fourth international trip and the first in Asia, that will end in the Philippines and has also taken him to Japan, South Korea and China. ALSO READ: Philippine President Duterte sure Trump will not bring up human rights at Manila ASEAN Summit Trump is also expected to coordinate with his regional partners in the fight against the Islamic State terror group, present in the southern Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia. His most eagerly-awaited bilateral meeting is the one he will hold with Duterte, the architect of the relentless and controversial "war on drugs" that has left more than 6,000 people dead throughout the Philippines in the last 16 months, almost 4,000 of them died at the hands of the police, according to official figures. Several organisations have urged Trump to censure Duterte's controversial war on drugs, but in May the US president praised its effectiveness to eliminate drug trafficking during a telephone conversation between both leaders. ALSO READ: India, Australia, US and Japan hold first meet; give shape to quad coalition The Philippines, Asean's rotating chair for 2017, set the theme of "Partnering for Change, Engaging the World", putting security and regional integrity high on the agenda, reports Xinhua news agency. At the closing ceremony of the Asean summit and related summits on Tuesday, Duterte will hand over the chairmanship of Asean to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong of Singapore, the incoming chair for 2018. Established in 1967, Asean, which groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. The Asean Community, with the Political-Security Community, the Economic Community and the Socio-Cultural Community as three pillars, was established at the end of 2015.
U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine Kurt Volker will hand over letters from the families of hostages to Russian presidential aide Vladislav Surkov, at the request of the Ukrainian side, Ukraine's representative in the humanitarian subgroup of the Trilateral Contact Group, First Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada Iryna Gerashchenko has said.

"Today, U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine Kurt Volker meets with Putin's adviser Surkov. He, at the request of the Ukrainian side, will give the Russian Federation letters from the families of hostages with the demand for their immediate release. The issues of security and hostages are our key priorities," she wrote on her Facebook page on Monday.

As reported, Volker and Surkov, at a meeting in Belgrade on November 13, will discuss all most important issues of the settlement in the southeast of Ukraine, including those related to a peacekeeping force in Donbas.
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine should appeal to the European Union for a list of criteria and conditions for Ukraine's accession to the EU, the People's Front faction says.

"We believe that the parliament should appeal to the European community to provide Ukraine with a list of criteria and conditions for obtaining the status of a member of the European Union, and we will implement them," the head of the People's Front faction, Maksym Burbak, said at a meeting of the conciliatory council of the leaders of parliamentary factions, committees and groups in Kyiv on Monday.

In addition, the People's Front stands for the resumption of negotiations on the signing of the action plan on Ukraine's membership of NATO.

At the same time, Burbak said that the People's Front is in favor of adopting as a whole a draft law on state policy on security Ukraine's sovereignty in Donbas (No. 7163), as well as introducing a visa regime with Russia.

He also called on MPs to review a draft law on strengthening traffic safety on November 16.
Champaign, IL (61820)

Today

Cloudy with gusty winds developing this afternoon. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Temps nearly steady in the low to mid 30s. Winds W at 20 to 30 mph..

Tonight

Overcast. Low near 25F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph.
New Delhi: The Centre is demanding millions of dollars in dividends from 12 reluctant state companies to make up for an expected tax revenue shortfall this fiscal year, as a slump in economic growth risks New Delhi overshooting its fiscal deficit target.

The demand has been made following a finance ministry assessment on October 25 of the financial health of 14 state companies, including top miner NMDC Ltd and trading firm MMTC Ltd, according to a government document reviewed by Reuters.

The ministry asked 12 of the companies to payout between 30 percent and as much as 100 percent of their 2016/17 or 2017/18 net profit in dividends, share buybacks or bonus shares. The other two companies were exempted.

All state companies evaluated by the government sought exemptions. The finance ministry, NMDC and MMTC did not reply to Reuters emails seeking comment.

Country's central budget is under pressure this year following an unexpected slump in economic growth, which slipped to its lowest level in three years in the three-months ending June, the first quarter of the 2017/18 fiscal year.

As of September, the half-way mark for the fiscal year, the budget deficit had reached 4.99 trillion rupees or more than 91 percent of its full-year target.

Surjit Bhalla, a member of the prime minister's economic advisory council, told Reuters in an interview in October that the government wanted to stick with a budget deficit target of 3.2 percent.

The government's revenues have also been hit by a sharply lower dividend from the central bank.

DEMANDS

The assessment by the finance ministry did not specify the combined amount of payouts expected of the 12 companies.

But New Delhi has budgeted $21.86 billion in payouts from all state companies this fiscal year, slightly down on the previous fiscal year. Indian businesses have been disrupted by last year's shock ban on high-value notes and the roll-out of a new national goods and services tax.

Indian state firms will only finalise their full dividend payouts for the current 2017/18 fiscal year in September next year.

NMDC has told the finance ministry it would only be able to pay less than half of the 25 billion rupees in dividend payouts that the government is demanding for the current fiscal year of 2017/18, a senior company executive said. He declined to be identified because of the sensitivity of the matter.

Three senior government officials said NMDC is reluctant to comply with the government's demands because it already has to pay a 30-billion-rupee penalty to the eastern state of Odisha for illegal mining and needs cash for capital investments.

The senior company executive said a payment of 25 billion rupees to the government would mean paying out a further 35 billion rupees to other shareholders in the company.

"Where will the money come from?" the source said.

That would compare with NMDC's projected 2017/18 net profit, based on Thomson Reuters SmartEstimate data, of 37.7 billion rupees.

NMDC has also been asked to issue bonus shares before Sept. 30, 2018, the document showed.

The government has asked MMTC to pay 300 million rupees in dividends and issue bonus shares for 2016/17. The firm is seeking exemptions from both.

"The committee noted that MMTC's defined reserves and surplus is more than 10 times of its paid-up equity share capital," the document said.

Three unlisted companies from defence and railways were asked to pay a maximum 100 percent of their net profit as dividend, the document showed.

A. Prasanna, an economist with ICICI Securities Primary Dealership in Mumbai, said the government had the right to seek higher dividends from cash-rich companies as long as the money was sitting idle.

"But asking all public sector units to step up investments and dividends at the same time may become counterproductive," he said.

($1=64.97 Indian rupees)
Alwar: The Rajasthan Police on Monday said it had detained one person and identified six more for the murder of Ummar Mohammad but had not found any proof to link the accused to cow protection groups.

Ummar, whose body was found near the railway tracks, was shot dead on Friday morning. His family has alleged that he was killed by cow vigilantes on the suspicion that he was smuggling cattle.

Alwar SP Rahul Prakash said the person detained has confessed that he along with six others assaulted Ummar and his two associates. He also admitted that they disposed of the body along the railway tracks.

The SP said that the accused has named the other six and police would track them down soon. He, however, did not say why the accused is still being detained and a formal arrest has not been made despite the confession to cops.

He also did not reveal the motive behind the murder and only said that police are treating it as a murder and no link to gau raksha groups has been found yet.

He said that during investigation, the police have discovered the "tyreless truck" which was being used to transport the cows. One alive and five dead cows were recovered, he said.

One of the injured, Tahir Muhammad, had several criminal cases pending against him. As the investigation proceeds, we should have more details, he said.

The incident had taken place in Fahari village near Govindh Gadh in Alwar. Sources said Ummar Muhammad, 35, and the two others were transporting cows from Mewat in Haryana to Bharatpur in Rajasthan, but they were waylaid by the mob and assaulted.

An FIR under sections 147 (rioting), 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder) and 201 (causing disappearance of evidence) of the Indian Penal Code was registered on Sunday, two days after the murder.

Official sources have confirmed that Ummar died of a bullet wound. His body was initially in a mortuary at Shehr hospital but was later shifted to Sawai Man Singh Hospital, Jaipur.

Relatives of the victim alleged that policemen too were present when the crime took place but did nothing to stop the attackers. They had refused to take the body for burial till a case was registered and said they would make sure that Ummars case does not meet the same fate as that of Pehlu Khan, the dairy farmer who died after being assaulted by cow vigilantes in April this year.

Sher Muhammad, chairman of the Meo Panchayat of Alwar, told News18, The attack took place around five in the morning. We are calling it a case of lynching too, as they were not only shot, but also beaten up. We will press the charges accordingly.

After the incident, Rajasthan home minister Gulab Chand Kataria admitted that such incidents have increased and a crackdown will be done in this case.

"The guilty can be anyone, whether a Gau Rakshak or any criminal, he will not go unpunished. We have not been able to curb such incidents and are looking at increasing facilities," said Kataria.
New Delhi: The Donald Trump administration has been trying to normalise relations between India and Pakistan and Pakistans decision to allow Kulbhushan Jadhav, who is on death row, to meet his wife was a result of the efforts, a media report said on Monday.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson urged the leadership of the two nations to restart dialogue during his recent visit, Pakistans Express Tribune said. America's objective to normalise ties between the two South Asian rivals is part of its efforts to have a more focused approach on the Afghan endgame.

Behind the scenes, efforts appear to have started paying dividends since Tillerson's visit, as there has been a noticeable reduction in violence along the Line of Control (LoC) in the disputed Kashmir region, the paper said.

Officials with the knowledge of the backdoor manoeuvres confirmed to the paper that the Trump administration wanted to see a lowering of tensions between the two neighbours. A senior official, who requested not to be identified because he was not authorised to speak to the media, said Tillerson had informed Pakistan that the Trump administration was willing to encourage a rapprochement between Islamabad and New Delhi.

Pakistan, however, publicly insisted that the offer to let Jadhav meet his wife was made purely on the humanitarian grounds. The former Indian Navy officer was sentenced to death after a Field Court Martial on charges of espionage and involvement in terrorist activities.

Officials are reluctant to link Pakistans decision on Jadhav as well as the brief lull in LoC clashes to the US intervention. They said it was too early to draw any such conclusions as the Trump Administration was still struggling to come up with a workable roadmap for Afghanistan and South Asia.

The official, nevertheless, made it clear that continued tensions between Pakistan and India would certainly undermine US efforts to bring some semblance of peace in Afghanistan. Historically, Islamabad has not been averse to third-party intervention, but India has publically opposed such approaches.

The official said the Pakistani side had urged the US to use its influence over India for the resumption of dialogue after a number of terror attacks in India.

It is, however, not clear if the two sides would resume the full spectrum of talks, considering the timing. Since Pakistan is also just a few months away from parliamentary elections, it is highly unlikely that structured dialogue would be restored. However, political leaders and officials may interact with each other as a result of US efforts in order to arrest any further slide in ties between Pakistan and India, the report said.
The Supreme Court has pulled up the Centre and the Delhi government on rising air pollution in the national capital, observing that its an emergency-like situation. The Delhi government has filed a review petition with the National Green Tribunal for allowing exemption to women and two-wheeler riders in the proposed return of the odd-even car rationing plan. It has contended that bringing women drivers into the odd-even ambit would pose a security risk, while barring two-wheelers would add to the burden of the public transport system.

Will the NGT allow these exemptions? Stay tuned for LIVE updates:

Read all the Latest News , Breaking News , watch Top Videos and Live TV here.
Ukrainian journalist Roman Suschenko accused of espionage in Russia has received permission to meet with his wife and daughter the following Monday, November 20, his lawyer Mark Feygin has said.

"Ukrainian journalist Roman Suschenko has been permitted another meeting with his wife and daughter in Lefortovo prison on November 20, which will possibly be the last before the trial on the merits of his case," Feygin wrote on Twitter on Monday.

It was reported on October 3 that Suschenko had been detained "while committing an act of espionage" in Moscow. The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) claims journalist Roman Suschenko is a career officer of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry's Main Directorate of Intelligence.

Espionage charges were brought against Suschenko, he pleaded not guilty.

Lawyer Mark Feygin said that Suschenko, who had lived in France for six years as a correspondent of the Ukrinform news agency in Paris, repeatedly visited Russia and stayed there for personal reasons at the time he was detained. His relatives live in Russia.

Kyiv says Suschenko's detention in Russia is an act of provocation and the spying charges brought against him are far-fetched.

Moscow court extended the arrest of Suschenko until November 30.

At present, the FSB has finalized the inquiry into the espionage case against Suschenko, and the defense team is studying the case file.
GATE 2018 has opened the option to change Examination City on GATE Application Processing System or GOAPS. Candidates who wish to change their examination city will have this option open till 17th November 2017 i.e. Friday this week.

The candidates have to however pay an Examination city change application fee of 400 online to take this option. The option to change the examination city is available only online and offline requests can neither be made nor will be entertained.

Candidates interested in making changes to their GATE 2018 Examination City can follow the instructions below and change it as per their convenience:

How to Change GATE 2018 Examination City?

Step 1  Visit the official website - http://gate.iitg.ac.in/

Step 2  Login to your candidate profile on GOAPS

Step 3  Make the changes in your Examination City from the drop down menu

Step 4  Pay the fee online

Step 5  Download the confirmation

As per the official website, GATE 2018 Admit Cards will be available for printing from 5th January 2018. GATE 2018 examination will be organized by IIT Guwahati on 3rd  4th February 2018 and 10th  11th February 2018 in different cities across India and six cities abroad, for the candidates seeking admissions to Masters and direct Doctoral programs in Engineering/Technology/Architecture as well as for the candidates keen on applying for the Public State Undertakings (PSUs) who will recruit candidates based on their GATE 2018 scores.

These PSUs are expected to initiate the recruitment process in January 2018 and candidates will need to mention their GATE 2018 Registration Number to apply for these vacancies.

Also, candidates who have not yet verified their email address and mobile number in their GATE 2018 application must do so at the earliest by logging in to their profile page on GOAPS to avoid any last minute hassles and to get up-to-date information pertaining to Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering, GATE 2018.
Whats in a name? A rose by any other name smells just the same, Shakespeare had written so beautifully many centuries ago. In diplomacy, a name can mean a lot of things. Any change of constructs and terminologies are thought through for many years before being implemented. Which is why Americas recent use of the phrase Indo-Pacific as opposed to Asia Pacific carries a lot of meaning and import for India.

It was first brought up by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2007 in a speech to the Indian Parliament to represent the vast swathe of water that connects the Pacific and the Indian Oceans. At that time, there were not too many takers for it even in the India foreign policy establishment.

It has recently got some traction after Rex Tillerson, the US Secretary of State, used it in a major policy speech in Washington. Trump in his visit to China also referred to the Indo-Pacific. His NSA McMaster is also using it. The White House has not referred to Asia Pacific even once in Trumps first visit to Asia since taking office. Neither has it offered an explanation for the use of this new phrase Indo-Pacific as opposed to Asia Pacific.

Why is the use of this phrase important? One, it diminishes the hold of China in this vast swathe of water. When Chinese diplomats refer to disputes in the South or East China Seas, it gives an impression to the layman that these are Chinas seas. That China has first rights over these waters. And whatever disputes arise therein are brought forth by countries that want to challenge Chinas writ in these waters. The reality is actually the opposite. It is China that is trying to impose its writ in these waters, thereby trying to create a new Chinese order.

Americas phenomenal success from the end of the Second World War until now was underwritten by the American order on either of its flanks. No country was powerful enough to challenge America either on the Atlantic or on the Pacific. This implicit peace meant seventy years of extraordinary growth, the kind of which has been unparalleled in human history for such a brief period of time.

Similarly, the Chinese realize that if they want to claim the 21st century as their own, then they need to build a Chinese order in the waters of the East and South China seas. Which is why the Chinese raked up a 19th century concept of the nine dash line to give legitimacy to its claims in the South China Sea. China did this in Doklam too, dishing out a British era agreement to lend legitimacy to its claim on this disputed piece of land.

Now if the whole world, including America, is going to refer to this part of the world as the Indo-Pacific, it gives less legitimacy to Chinas hegemon in this region. What is also does is give India greater impetus in these waters given the centrality of India in the Indo-Pacific.

India has long been wanting to play a greater role in these waters. India has always believed it was the net security provider in the Indian Ocean region. Chinas growing tentacles in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Myanmars coasts has been a matter of grave concern for India for it challenges this very notion.

In much the same way if countries in Asia all the way from Japan to South Korea to South East Asia are going to refer to the Indo-Pacific it implies a greater primacy for India in these often-times choppy waters. Whereas the term Asia Pacific means China is very much central to its construct.

The Chinese loved the idea of the Centre. China is called Zhong-guo in Chinese meaning Middle Kingdom. In Indo-Pacific, India is central, not China.

But this can also cut both ways. The Chinese can use this new construct of Indo-Pacific to legitimize their own growing presence in the Indian Ocean Region. This is a danger that India needs to guard against. Through One Belt, One Road China has already established deep physical connections in countries of the Indian Ocean Region. China being a player in the Indo-Pacific gives them a new terminology to justify OBOR.
Kochi: A man was on Monday taken into custody after he was overheard talking about a "happy bomb" by a worker of Jet Airways at the Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) in Kochi, an airport official said.

A Jet Airways worker overheard Clince Varghese from Thrissur district saying he had a "happy bomb". The ground staff told the supervisory officers who in turn informed the CISF and the domestic terminal manager, he said.

He was to take flight 9W 825 Cochin-Mumbai of Jet Airways. Subsequently, Varghese was offloaded and his baggage was checked thoroughly.

He was later handed over to the police. During questioning, he told officials he was expressing happiness to his friend in Mumbai on Facebook chat, the official said. Another person accompanying him was also detained and questioned, he said.

An airport spokesperson said that after the incident, all passengers were offloaded for completing security procedures. The flight was scheduled to leave at 12.05 pm, he said.

Jet Airways spokesperson in a statement said the flight was rescheduled to take off at 1402 hours, "with a delay of two hours on account of a security-related matter".

"The airline has informed the authority concerned of the same for further necessary action and has offered full cooperation as required," the spokesperson said.
Manila: A musical version of the epic Ramayana was one of key attractions at the grand opening ceremony of the two-day-long ASEAN summit in Manila on Monday, reflecting India's cultural linkages with the Philippines and several member countries of the 10-member bloc.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Donald Trump, Chinese premier Li Keqiang, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and several other leaders from ASEAN's partner countries attended the opening ceremony at the highly fortified Cultural Centre in this bustling metropolis.

The Ramayana performance was presented by ballet company Rama Hari and it drew loud applause from the audience.

The Ramayana in the Philippines is called 'Maharadia Lawana' which means king Ravana. The Philippines' famous dance 'Singkil' is based on the Ramayana.

"Partnering for change, engaging the world. PM attends the opening ceremony of the 31st @ASEAN Summit; an important pillar of India's #ActEast policy," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted.

The ASEAN leaders later began deliberations at the summit which is taking place under the shadow of China's growing military build-up in the resource-rich South China Sea. China claims sovereignty over all of the South China Sea, a huge source of hydrocarbons. However, several ASEAN member countries including Vietnam, the Philippines and Brunei have counter claims.

The Ramayana is widely popular among ASEAN nations. I compliment the cast and crew of Rama Hari for their stupendous performance at the ASEAN Summit. pic.twitter.com/umf3aRTwwO Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 13, 2017

India has been supporting freedom of navigation and access to resources in the South China Sea in accordance with principles of international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The ASEAN have been pushing for a legally binding code of conduct for all stakeholders in the South China sea but Beijing has been opposing such a framework asserting that it will resolve the dispute with respective countries under bilateral mechanism.

Prime Minister Modi will attend the ASEAN-India summit on Tuesday.
PM Narendra Modi is speaking in the Philippines after meeting US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the ASEAN-India Summit. PM Modi had on Sunday held separate pull-aside meetings with Trump and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on the sidelines of a gala dinner to mark the 50th anniversary of ASEAN. The PM is on a three-day visit to Manila for the ASEAN-India and East Asia summits.

Stay tuned for LIVE updates:

Read all the Latest News , Breaking News , watch Top Videos and Live TV here.
New Delhi: The National Green Tribunal on Monday capped the number of devotees that will be allowed to visit Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir at 50,000 a day.

A bench headed by Justice Swatanter Kumar said that once the limit for the day is reached, any additional visitors proceeding towards the shrine will be stopped at either Ardhkuwari or Katra.

The court said that the cap was being implemented as the structure cannot accommodate more than 50,000 people and there was a risk of damage. It also halted all new constructions taking place inside the shrine complex.

A new path to Vaishno Devi exclusively for pedestrians and battery-operated cars will be opened from November 24, the court said. The NGT also directed that no horses or mules shall be allowed on the new route to the shrine and these animals shall be removed slowly from the old path as well.

It also directed the authorities to impose a fine (environment compensation) of Rs 2,000 on anyone found littering the roads as well as the bus stop at the nearby Katra town.

The directions came during the hearing of a plea filed by an activist seeking directions to stop the use of horses and ponies in Vaishno Devi shrine premises in Jammu, prompting the green panel to seek response from the government on the issue.

The NGT has been taking a close look at the impact of religious tourism on areas close to the shrine. Last year, it had directed the CEO of shrine board to furnish a report giving details of the municipal solid waste (MSW) and sewage treatment plants (STPs) installed there.

The cave shrine, one of the most popular in the country, attracts millions of pilgrims every year but the number has dipped in the past few years. The number, however, rebounded a little in 2017, with a footfall of 69,34,377 till October 21, up 2.70 lakh from the same time last year.

Minister of State for Finance Ajay Nanda said terror strikes and natural disasters have made a dent in the number of pilgrims visiting the holy shrine. There is a decline of 15 to 20 per cent in the numbers over the past couple of years. Frequent terror strikes and 2014 disaster (floods) are among the many factors, he said.
Noida: A 26-year old pregnant woman was run over by a minor parking attendant at Noidas Sector 18 market on Sunday night. The womans husband was also hit by the car and is stated to be in a critical condition.

The woman, who was has been identified as Mansi Singhal, was hit by the car twice. She was rushed to a nearby hospital but was declared brought dead by doctors. She was eight months pregnant. She and her husband were carrying a cake when the incident happened.

Police said that the parking attendant has been arrested and the car has been seized. They said the attendant, who is said to be just 14, was pulling the car out of the parked slot. He reversed the car at great speed, ran over Mansi, hit her husband and two other parked cars and finally crashed into a pole.

The relatives of the deceased have demanded strict action against the culprit. Speaking to news agency ANI, one of the relatives said the parking contractors should also be booked as giving the car to the boy was their fault. Even walking there is not safe now when you have minors parking cars, he said.

Circle Officer of Noida Police, Shevtambar Pandey, said the police have launched an investigation. The couple was out for shopping on Sunday evening in the market of Noida Sector-18, when a parking attendant, who lost control of his car, rammed into them, he said.
New York/Singapore: United Airlines said it had resumed flights from Newark, New Jersey to New Delhi on Sunday, after suspending the service temporarily over concerns about poor air quality in the capital.

UA Flight 82 had been cancelled on Friday and Saturday, data from flight tracking website FlightRadar24 showed, while the airline's website said it had waiver policies in place for passengers travelling to, from or through Delhi until Monday.

UA Flight 82 has resumed operations, but "we will continue to monitor conditions over the next few days", a spokesman said.

The third-largest US carrier is monitoring advisories as Delhi remains under a public health emergency, and is coordinating with respective government agencies, the United Airlines spokesman told Reuters.

Last week, Delhi had declared a pollution emergency as toxic smog hung over the city for days, with tourism operators reporting cancellation of bookings for the Christmas holidays.

US rivals Delta Air Lines Inc and American Airlines Group Inc said they do not operate flights to New Delhi, while several Asian airlines contacted by Reuters said they had not cancelled flights.

Verisk Maplecroft, a risk consultancy, says India has the worst air quality out of a list of 198 countries it measures, and that Delhi ranks among the world's top 10 most polluted cities with many urban areas around the capital also among those with the worst air quality.

"At the national level, India tops the index rankings (i.e. the country with the worst air quality), followed by Bangladesh and Thailand," said Richard Hewston, Verisk Maplecroft's global head of environment and climate change.

The company's Air Quality Index assesses the atmospheric concentrations of fine particulate matter smaller than 2.5 micrometres, known as PM 2.5. US embassy measure of PM 2.5 showed a reading of 481 in New Delhi on Monday morning, local time. The outer limit of "good" air is 50.
Travellers from Hawaii are being called America's "happiest travellers" in a new list which suggests that flyers from sun-soaked destinations are the most positive flyers in the country.

For the ranking, compiled by travel-organizing app TripIt, analysts looked at how travellers rated their flights across more than 575,000 ratings submitted in 2016 to 2017.

According to the data, travellers living in Honolulu had fewer gripes than other flyers in the US, placing them at the top of the charts.

In fact, the sunshine vitamin is the common denominator for many of the top-ranked cities, as the list is dominated by southern sun-soaked cities, including Phoenix, Tampa, Orlando, and Albuquerque.

The data also suggests that flying in and out of smaller airports will result in smoother, stress-free travel experience, as their ranking of airports that put travellers "in a better mood" are made up of alternate flying hubs: Chicago's Midway International Airport is named the best departing airport, while Dallas Love Field Airport is the best airport for arrivals.

The report also identifies Millennials -- defined as years 1983-1999 -- as the happiest flyers, followed by Baby Boomers (1946-1964), Xennials (the microgeneration between Gen X and Millennials), and Generation X (1965-1976).

Here are America's happiest flyers:

1. Honolulu, HI

2. Phoenix, AZ

3. Nashville, TN

4. St. Louis, MO

5. Tampa, FL

6. Milwaukee, WI

7. Kansas City, MO

8. Baltimore, MD

9. Orlando, FL

10. Albuquerque, NM
While dream vacations have traditionally been set in sun-soaked, waterfront destinations, the uncharted territory of chillier climes like Iceland, Antarctica and the Arctic will become increasingly enticing for the world's wealthiest travellers.

Cold, wintry travel destinations top the charts in a forecast from luxury travel network Virtuoso, which identifies five travel trends predicted to dominate 2018 among its affluent clientele.

Travellers who've exhausted the world's most beautiful beaches and resorts will seek out chillier climes, says Virtuoso, like cruises that sail through Alaska, Antarctica and the Arctic. The celestial spectacle of the Northern Lights will also become increasingly popular, as will stays in igloo and frozen hotels.

The prediction aligns with Virtuoso's top emerging destinations list, in which Iceland takes the top spot.

Here are few other highlights from the Virtuoso 2018 Luxe Report:

Beyond the comfort zone

From swimming with dolphins or manta rays, zip-lining above the jungle canopy or soaking in aerial views through a helicopter tour, wealthy travellers for whom money is no object will be more adventurous this year and step outside their comfort zone.

Multigenerational travel

In 2018, families will expand their travel plans to include grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins for family trips that create lifelong memories and strengthen bonds. Cruises and the renting of whole villas in Europe will become increasingly popular.

Africa

As a once-in-a-lifetime experience, the African safari tops many a bucket list, and that's no exception for the world's rich and famous. Look out for South Africa to become a trendy destination in 2018 as well.

Be a traveler, not a tourist

For a more authentic experience not found in guidebooks, travelers will seek out activities that bring them closer to the local culture, be it through wine tastings, language classes, or traditional arts and crafts classes.

Meanwhile, here are some other key findings from the report:

Top emerging destinations

1. Iceland

2. Croatia

3. Japan

4. Cuba

5. Portugal

Top travel trends

1. Multigenerational travel

2. Active or adventure trips

3. River cruising

4. Food and wine travel

5. Celebration travel

Top global destinations

1. Italy

2. Iceland

3. South Africa

4. France

5. Australia and New Zealand

Virtuoso is an international travel agency network specializing in luxury and experiential travel.
Mumbai: The decision to axe two prominent films Sanal Sasidharan's S Durga and Ravi Jadhav's Nude from the 48th International Film Festival Of India, has left the festivals selection committee in a state of shock.

"We heard of the two films being dropped around the time the press release was sent. We don't know the reasons. We have been given no reasons.

"We have written to them. Now we are waiting for an explanation," said one of the jury members on condition of anonymity.

The jury, however, gave Information and Broadcasting Minister Smriti Irani a clean chit.

"She wanted to do this right. She followed all the correct steps in the selection procedure. She has picked jury members and committee members herself.

"But there are powers above her that she must have had to succumb to. As you know, it is election time," said the jury member.

The jury member says there was no interference while the selection was on.

"The process was actually wonderful. No interference. They looked after us so well. The NFDC and DFF (Directorate Of Film Festivals) are a sincere lot.

"Maybe the nudity in 'Nude' rattled the I&B Ministry, this being the pre-election weeks.

"One just wishes they had removed the said films during their preliminary screening process. More than what was done, it's the manner in which it was done that belittles the jury," said the jury member."

While Irani remained unavailable for comment, a source close to the Ministry said: "These are volatile times. We can't afford to take any risks."
The trouble for Sanjay Leela Bhansali's magnum opus, Padmavati, doesn't seem to end anytime soon. After protests in Rajasthan and Gujrat, Rajput fringe outfits burned the poster of the film in front of theaters in Noida, demanding a ban on the film. However, looks like there is some relief for Bhansali from within the industry.

After Karan Johar and Javed Akhtar lending their support to Bhansali's magnum opus, filmmakers Sudhir Mishra and other members from the Indian Film and Television Directors' Association (IFTDA) have come out in his support. Talking about the film in a press conference, Mishra said, "CBFC can take a call on the film. The protestors haven't even watched the film. "

Also Read: Hansal Mehta on Padmavati Row

Vikram Gokhale questioned the creative atmosphere in the country and asked, "Are we living in a democratic world? If there is no liberty, why should we make a film?"

Actor Sushant Singh Rajput who had lent his support the first time Padmavati sets were attacked in Rajasthan, said, "Bhansali didn't ask us to hold this press conference. Why are union and state government mum? Why are netas giving threats? We are tired of fighting for freedom of speech."

Also Read: Prakash Jha on Padmavati Controversy

Fellow filmmaker Ashoke Pandit spoke about constant threat to creative liberties that filmmakers have to fight. He said, " We are hurt because we have been abused and accused. We are filmmakers, creative people and we don't deserve this kind of treatment."

"Every now and then we see our makers being heckled. We are together today we thought we should stand up. We work hard, we make a film. Bhansali is a symbol and attack on him is not him it is an abuse of film fraternity. We condemn the attack on any person from the industry." he added.

Meanwhile, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor tweeted in support of the film saying that the controversy is an opportunity to focus on women issues in Rajasthan in today's time. Shahid Kapoor who is essaying the role of Raja Rawal Ratan Singh in the film said that the film deserves a chance and the makers have kept everyone's feelings and interests in mind.
Mumbai: The Indian Film and Television Directors' Association (IFTDA) will on Monday lead an appeal to Information and Broadcasting Minister Smriti Irani and Home Minister Rajnath Singh, on behalf of four other associations, to allow freedom for filmmakers in the wake of the ongoing controversy over Padmavati.

Members of IFTDA, Cine and TV Artists Association (CINTAA), Western India Cinematographers Association (WICA), Screenwriters Association (SWA) and Association of Cine and Television Art Directors & Costume Designers, will hold a press meet here later on Monday.

"Five bodies are coming together to make an appeal for freedom of expression for filmmakers. The industry is shocked and we are hurt that a filmmaker like Sanjay Leela Bhansali is being heckled and abused. Bhansali symbolises success of our film industry in many ways, and if he can be treated like this and harassed, things are not right," Ashoke Pandit, IFTDA President, said.

He said their appeal is for the ministers to take note of the controversy and uphold the freedom of filmmakers.

"Nobody has seen the film, yet people are making assumptions and attacking and abusing Bhansali. Similar controversy happened around 'Indu Sarkar'. What will we do? We can't make films to suit everyone's ego. If someone doesn't want to watch the film, don't watch it. If someone doesn't want it to release, go to court," Pandit said.

Padmavati, slated to release on December 1, is embroiled in a controversy as some Hindu groups and political parties, including the Congress and the BJP, claim that the film distorts history and wrongly portrays Rajput queen Padmavati, a contention Bhansali has repeatedly rebuffed.
Sushant Singh Rajput is set to romance Bhumi Pednekar in Abhishek Chaubey's upcoming film based on Chambal dacoits. The film has been tentatively titled Sone Chiriya and will go on floors early next year.

According to a source observing the film's proceedings, both the lead actors will be seen playing dacoits in the film which is based in the 70s. The source told BollywoodLife, "We are having script reading sessions for the whole team. Prep is on in full swing. The film is high on emotions and drama. There is a love story as well. We will start shoot from January 10, 2018."

It is for the first time that Sushant and Bhumi will share screen space. In an earlier interview, Bhoomi has expressed her excitement over working in a challenging film. "I am very excited to play this character. It is a challenging script and film," she had said.

Talking about working with Sushant, Bhumi had said, "Sushant is the main lead in the film and he is such a phenomenal actor. So, I am really excited to see how everything unfolds."

Well, it'll be exciting to see this fresh pairing of two talented actors working under the vision of Chaubey, who is known for bringing the dark and gritty side of small-town stories.
When the likes of Kareena Kapoor Khan, Sonam Kapoor, Swara Bhaskar, Shikha Talsania and Rhea Kapoor unite for a project, there's bound to be a party-like vibe to it. Ever since Veere Di Wedding was announced, the viewers are excited to get their hands on anything and everything concerning the film. Touted to be girl gang entertainer, the makers are leaving no stone unturned in piquing up the excitement for fans.

Rhea took to Instagram to announce that the team has wrapped up the Phuket schedule of the film. "Almost at the finish line!!!! That's a wrap on Phuket! @vdwthefilm see you MAY 18!," she wrote alongside a photo featuring Kareena's goofy side. While Kareena is striking a fun pose, the other three leading ladies are busy chatting with the film's director Shashanka Ghosh.

Credit: @ Rhea Kapoor

Both Sonam and Rhea have been actively sharing live stories from the shoot locales on their Instagram accounts. In fact, Sonam has also intrigued fans by offering sneak peeks into her Phuket work vacation.

Credit: @ sonamkapoor

"Rhea and I dont want to leave!" she wrote alongside a photograph of herself relishing the scenic beauty.

Credit: @ sonamkapoor

Just a few days ago, the actor also shared a photo of herself enjoying coconut water at the poolside. "The @amanpuri resort has been a much welcome break from the hustle and bustle of the city! It's beautiful moments like this that inspired the whimsical designs in our Shibori collection for Rheson," she wrote.

Credit: @ sonamkapoor

The film is all set to release on May 23, 2018.
Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday exuded confidence that his ally Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) will win Gujarat assembly elections since it is the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Talking to reporters in Patna, Nitish Kumar declined to term Gujarat election as a semifinal before 2019 general elections saying, "every year elections take place in one state or other. So, it does not mean much."

He, however, was confident of the BJPs win in Gujarat. "Why are people speculating over the results of Gujarat Assembly elections? The PM hails from there and I am sure the BJP will win. I personally feel that voters will not forget the fact that their own leader is the Prime Minister."

He reiterated his stand on holding all elections  Panchayat, Assembly and Lok Sabha  should be held simultaneously to save time and money.
New Delhi: Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday said he would meet his Haryana counterpart in Chandigarh on Wednesday to discuss rising air pollution levels in the national capital as the latter was too "busy" to meet him in Delhi.

Kejriwal said Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar had called him and told him that the latter was in Delhi till Tuesday, but cannot meet him in Delhi, citing "he (Khattar) was very busy".

The Haryana CM has asked me to see him in Chandigarh on Wednesday, the AAP supremo said.

The Delhi chief minister has been seeking a meeting with his counterparts from Haryana and Punjab over the last few days to find a solution to stubble burning in the neighbouring states, a major source to high pollution levels in Delhi.

"Khattar ji called. He is in Del till tomo. Says he is v busy n can't meet me in Del. He has asked me to come to Chandigarh on Wed. I look forward to meeting him in Chandigarh on Wed (sic)," Kejriwal tweeted.

Earlier in the day, he said his office was constantly trying to fix a meeting with the Haryana chief minister. The development comes after Khattar wrote back to Kejriwal and said he was "likely" to be in Delhi on November 13 and 14.

"You may feel free to call me to fine tune a mutually convenient date, time and venue for the meeting," Khattar had said in the letter.

Last week, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said the situation warranted Centre's intervention as it has inter-state implications.

The practice of burning of crop residue by farmers of the two states of Punjab and Haryana has been blamed for the toxic smog enveloping the region every winter.

Kejriwal had recently said that keeping political differences aside, the Centre, Haryana, Punjab and Delhi governments should come together to find a permanent solution to stubble burning which leads to high pollution every year.
New Delhi: Patidar Andolan Amanat Samiti (PAAS) leader Hardik Patel on Monday announced that the PAAS, which has been demanding reservation for Gujarats Patidars, has reviewed the alternate proposal from senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal and "found the Congress proposal acceptable.

Speaking to the press on Monday, 24-year-old Patel said, After the PAAS Core Committee meeting, I want to announce that the proposal on Patidar reservation given by Kapil Sibal and the Congress party is correct and is acceptable to us. We will discuss it with other social outfits in Gujarat.

"Our aim is that Patidars should get reservations under the guidelines laid down by the Constitution and different Commissions in the country. If one follows the Congresss formula for reservations, this will give benefits to other communities along with the Patidars. Congress is also likely to add this to their election manifesto for the Gujarat Assembly polls.

Further making the case for Patel reservations, Patel added, There is no such law in the country that states that reservations cannot exceed 50%. We have accepted the proposal by the Congress. If Patels can get reservations in Madhya Pradesh, then why not in Gujarat?

Addressing allegations surrounding a sex tape involving him, Patel said, The clip was uploaded from abroad. It has been morphed. I will present my own proof soon. I am not impotent, I am a man. If I were impotent, I would have said it openly.
New Delhi: Earlier this year, the Gujarati phrase Vikas Gando Thayo Chhe (Development has gone crazy) took social media by storm.

While the online movement was initially fueled by Patidar activists in Gujarat, soon, the Congress social media wing latched on to the movement.

But Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi soon asked the Congresss keyboard warriors to abandon the campaign since, according to him, it was tantamount to disrespecting the position of the Prime Minister.

Gandhi, who a gathering of the Congress social media team on Sunday, reportedly said, I sent an email to Ashok Gehlot (Congress Gujarat in-charge), asking him to protect the dignity of the Prime Minister's office. We will find out Narendra Modi's mistakes, disturb the BJP but the office of the Prime Minister reflects the majesty of the people's mandate.

We all know how disrespectfully Modi spoke of our Prime Minister when he was chief minister of Gujarat. We can't go beyond a point if the prestige of the Prime Minister's office is involved, he added.

Congress Gujarat in-charge Ashok Gehlot, who was present at the meeting, had spoken earlier and concurred with him. "It is true that development has gone mad in Gujarat but Rahulji asked me to ensure the PM's prestige is not put on the line. When Modiji said 'I am vikas, I am Gujarat', we stopped that campaign. People may continue their barbs but we are not doing it anymore," Gehlot reportedly said.

The online movement had gained momentum in September this year after a viral post by a Patidar youth in Gujarat, who had posted a picture of a broken down Gujarat Roadways bus with the caption Vikas Gando Thayo Chhe.

The movement, which Congress had later latched on to, had visibly rankled the BJP leadership. BJP President Amit Shah was forced to address the youth of the state and tell them not to fall prey to anti-BJP propaganda being spread by the Congress on social media. Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, too, was forced to react to the movement and talk about Guajrats development credentials.
New Delhi: The National Capital has been engulfed in thick smog for the last week and the health crisis has caused panic among Delhi residents, many of whom have started to wear face masks outdoors, but according to Union Environment Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan, there is no need to panic. Vardhan, in an exclusive interview with CNN-News 18, said "no death certificate has the cause of death as pollution".

"Beyond a certain level, it is certainly detrimental for anybody's health. But what I have said and I'm going to assert is that there is no cause for anybody to spread panic about the whole issue. And as of today, the data clearly shows that the Air Quality is improving over the last 24 hours or so. PM 2.5 and PM 10 levels have certainly gone down. I am hopeful that in the next few days, it will become much better than what it has been," Harsh Vardhan said.

He added, "Let me clarify that I have never said that we shouldn't be bothered. All I am saying is that there is no need to frighten people. There is only a need to educate people and tell them about the routine precautions that they have to take. And I am sure that with routine precautions, people will be able to take care of it. I am not saying someone with lung problems should not go to the hospital."

When reminded that pollution kills between 10,000 and 30,000 people in Delhi every year, Harsh Vardhan said his benchmark for an "emergency" was the Bhopal Gas Tragedy of 1984. "I am talking in practical terms. You see, what happened in Bhopal when there was a gas leak and hundreds of thousands of people fell acutely sick and had to be rushed to the hospital. We call that an emergency situation where you have to panic and you have to see what you have to do. I'm not saying we shouldnt do anything about it (Delhi smog); everyone has to respond to what he is supposed to do. But there is no need to spread panic among the people."

This is not the first time the minister's comments on the Delhi smog crisis have invited criticism. Earlier, he had said that while smog is harmful it "does not kill". Ashutosh, spokesperson and senior leader of Delhi's ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), lashed out at the Union Minister for his comments on Monday and said, "Dr. Harsh Vardhan is medical professional and Union Minister but this is not the first time he has made such comments. Earlier, he had said that this is not a reason to panic. He then said it's harmful but nobody dies of pollution. This shows that the BJP and its leaders know nothing about the environment and pollution and they don't even want to understand such things. They are running away from their responsibilities. The Prime Minister when asked about global warming says that when people grow old, they feel colder. Dr. Harsh Vardhan is not only a Union Minister, he is also a Member of Parliament from Delhi. He should be worried about this situation."

Delhi Congress, too, hit out at Vardhan. DPCC Vice President Sarmistha Mukherjee said, "This is a very insensitive comment, especially coming from a medical doctor. He, more than anyone else, should know that pollution can be a major cause of death. It is unfortunate that a doctor is turning away from such a health crisis. I think he is trying to divert attention from his government's complete lack of action. If BJP is saying it's not an emergency, they have lost touch with ground realities and have gone blind. BJP should realize that this is not about politics. This is hampering the health of even BJP leaders and workers in Delhi, like any other citizen of Delhi. So this is not an issue on which one should do politics. Both the Central Government and Delhi Government cannot be exonerated from their responsibilities."
Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday took a swipe at his arch rival, Lalu Prasad, terming the latter's Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) as a "private political party" and a "family political asset" which he said would be "back to the pavillion" in the next state Assembly polls.

"It (RJD) is not an ordinary political outfit. It is a private political party," he said in response to a query on Prasad filing nomination for the post of RJD president for the 10th consecutive time. He is the sole candidate to have filed papers for election to the post.

"Although it is an internal matter of that party, I wonder whether there is a provision in the RJD constitution for electing a new president every year. After all, the party had elected its national president only last year. But, what to say of a party which has become a family political asset," the JD(U) chief said sarcastically.

"Perhaps, this entire exercise of electing a new party president is simply a trick to remain in the news. I have known him (Prasad) since our student days. He knows well how to hog the limelight," Kumar, who had quit the Grand Alliance comprising the RJD and the Congress in July, said.

On the vitriolic attacks by RJD leaders against him and his party in the recent past, the JD(U) national president said, "Hurling abuses is in their culture. But that has never been my nature. I have, therefore, asked my spokesmen not to respond to personal attacks against me."

"They are excited over the fact that they had won so many seats in the last (Bihar) Assembly polls. Let the next polls (in 2020) come. It will be back to the pavillion for them," Kumar said.

The RJD had won 80 seats in the 2015 Bihar Assembly polls to emerge as the single largest party in the state.

In the wake of the disintegration of the Grand Alliance, Kumar, while returning the barbs of the RJD, had on several occasions reminded the latter of its stock going down to only 22 MLAs in the 243-member Bihar Assembly after the 2010 state polls, which the JD(U)-BJP combination had won convincingly.

About the repeated attacks from Prasad's younger son Tejaswhi Yadav, who was his deputy in the erstwhile Grand Alliance government in the state, the chief minister said, "He is just a kid. But, maybe he has inherited certain traits of his father.
Tapi, Gujarat: Over the past three months, tribal pockets in South Gujarat have seen small, sporadic protests against the state government with memorandums being submitted at the district collectorates. With the Assembly elections slated for December, Gujarat's Scheduled Tribes have been coming out to protest against three other communities - Rabari, Bharwad and Charan - seeking Scheduled Tribe status for their children who migrated out of the forest.

These three pastoralist communities have traditionally settled in and around the Gir forest, far from South Gujarat in the Kathiawad peninsula. But their inclusion in the Schedule Tribe category has caused resentment to the "traditional" tribal communities such as Bhils, Vasavas and Gamits.

Praful Vasava of the Bhilistan Tiger Sena, an outfit that has been demanding a separate tribal state of Bhilistan to be carved out of Gujarat, went so far as to say that the three Gir communities were "fake tribals".

Speaking to News 18, he said, "Tribals have a distinct culture. From our attire to our rituals and way of life, everything has a distinct characteristic. Rabari, Bharwad and Charans do not match with us and not every person who lives in a forest is an Adivasi. They are nomadic pastoralists who live around the Gir forest. They may be facing some problems, but that does not mean they should be given ST certificates."

He added that this will end up causing harm to the "real" tribals. "All over India, there are about one crore people who get fake Scheduled Tribe certificates made and end up diluting the benefits that the genuine tribals should get.

Reserved jobs and seats that should go to real tribals end up with these fake tribals. The Rabari, Bharwad and Charan communities are actually OBCs and not STs. Why not give them reservations under the OBC quota?"

The debate, however, is not a new one. According to Romel Sutariya of the Adivasi Kisan Sangharsh Morcha, the dispute dates back to 1956.

Sutariya said, "In the year 1956, the Jawaharlal Nehru government included the Gir communities in the list of Scheduled Tribes. However, the benefits only extended to those who were living in the forest and not to the future generations who migrated to the cities. In 2005, the Manmohan Singh government extended these benefits to the children of these communities. The Gujarat government issued its notification in 2007 and this year, they started distributing Scheduled Tribe cards to them.

The issue is an old one but it is only after seeing the scale and impact of the Patidar agitation did these communities come out to protest. They have felt the need to protest for their rights too."

With Gujarat Assembly polls just a month away, the ST status debate has taken a political colour and the Congress, which has traditionally had a stronghold over the Adivasis in Gujarat, has thrown its weight behind the "traditional" tribals.

The BJP, that had distributed the new cards to the Gir communities, was forced to backtrack after the protests. Perhaps one of the reasons why neither party is willing to stand behind the Rabari, Bharwad and Charan communities is that together they make up for less than 2% of the state's entire tribal population.

However, Gujarat Tribal Development Minister Ganpat Vasava does not see this as a U-turn.

He said, "In October, the state government formed a committee and we received complaints that some ST cards were fake and it was decided that all mistakes would be corrected."

He even went on to blame the Congress for this "confusion".

"No state government has the right to include or exclude any community from the Scheduled Tribes list. That is the prerogative of the Centre. The Jawaharlal Nehru government included these communities as STs and the Manmohan Singh government included their children. We are constitutionally bound to implement that. The Congress has been trying to mislead the voters but that will not work."

The Congress, however, hit back at the ruling BJP. Congress MLA and tribal leader Anandbhai Chaudhari said, "There is a clear distinction in the UPA notification and the Gujarat government notification. The Manmohan Singh government said that only those whose parents lived in the forests would get ST cards but the Gujarat government has extended these rights to anyone who had an ancestor living in the forest. Ancestor can be anyone, even a great grandfather. We are not against Rabari, Bharwad and Charan communities. We want them to get benefits and improve their lives, however, it would be wrong to include them in the ST list."

Activists, too, are not convinced with the BJP's reaction.

Praful Vasava said, "The BJP government did not make their stand clear. All they said was that they would rectify their mistakes. There was no word on whether they will cancel all ID cards that were given to these communities. Unless political parties make their stand clear, they will end up suffering in the tribal belt during the election."

With Assembly polls less than a month away and Gujarat's caste equation in a flux, both BJP and Congress will not want to upset the state's tribal population.
London: British Prime Minister Theresa May's government is considering granting diplomatic protection to a jailed aid worker in Iran as part of an effort to secure her release from a jail in the Islamic Republic.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a project manager with the Thomson Reuters Foundation, was sentenced to five years after being convicted by an Iranian court of plotting to overthrow the clerical establishment. She denies the charges.

Her husband, Richard Ratcliffe, said the case had become a bargaining chip for Iran in its relations with Britain and urged Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson to extend diplomatic protection for his wife.

It is unclear how such protection could be offered retrospectively to a dual Iranian-British citizen, or whether such a move would secure her release, but May's spokesman said that it was one option being considered.

"I think that the foreign secretary has obviously spoken with her husband and that is one of the options being looked at," the spokesman said.

"The prime minister has been involved with this case from the outset, she's raised it with the Iranian president on at least two occasions, the entire government is working towards securing her release as quickly as possible."

A legal opinion prepared for human rights charity Redress on Zaghari-Ratcliffe's case said the British government could grant her diplomatic protection as she is "predominantly" a British citizen who has been denied a fair trial.

It is unclear how Tehran would view such a step which would explicitly make Zaghari-Ratcliffe's fate an issue in state-to-state relations rather than a purely consular case.

Zaghari-Ratcliffe's fate become a major political issue in Britain after Johnson said on Nov. 1 that she had been teaching people journalism before her arrest in April 2016, contradicting statements from her employer.

IRANIAN JAIL

The Thomson Reuters Foundation, a charity organisation which is independent of Thomson Reuters and which operates independently of Reuters News, said she had been on holiday and had not been teaching journalism in Iran.

Iranian state television said Johnson's comments showed Zaghari-Ratcliffe's guilt and that she was involved in spying.

Johnson later said his remarks could have been clearer and there was no doubt she had been on holiday, although opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn said he should resign.

Her husband said it would not be helpful for Johnson to resign but asked to come with Johnson on a trip to Tehran planned for later this year.

"Nazanin is being held because she is British and is being used as a bargaining chip against the UK, now justified by your words," he said in an article in the Evening Standard newspaper.

"Nazanin is no longer simply a consular case as she has been endangered in a deeper way," he wrote.

The situation had affected his wife's health, he said, saying she had gone to hospital for tests after finding lumps on her breasts, which the specialist thought were benign and stress-related.

Opposition lawmakers have called on Johnson to resign for his remarks which they say have endangered Zaghari-Ratcliffe.

British ministers have rallied round Johnson but one of his allies, Environment Secretary Michael Gove, was accused of muddying the waters in a television interview on Sunday when he said he did not know what Zaghari-Ratcliffe was doing in Iran.
Tehran: At least 332 people were killed in Iran and Iraq when a magnitude 7.3 earthquake jolted the region on Sunday, state media in the two countries said, and rescuers were searching for dozens trapped under rubble in the mountainous area.

State television said more than 328 people were killed in Iran and at least 2,500 were injured. Local officials said the death toll would rise as search and rescue teams reached remote areas of Iran.

The earthquake was felt in several western provinces of Iran but the hardest hit province was Kermanshah, which announced three days of mourning. More than 236 of the victims were in Sarpol-e Zahab county in Kermanshah province, about 15 km (10 miles) from the Iraq border.

Iranian state television said the quake had caused heavy damage in some villages where houses were made of earthen bricks. Rescuers were labouring to find survivors trapped under collapsed buildings.

The quake also triggered landslides that hindered rescue efforts, officials told state television. At least 14 provinces in Iran had been affected, Iranian media reported.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei offered his condolences on Monday, urging all government agencies to do all they could to help those affected.

DANCING BUILDINGS

The US Geological Survey said the quake measured magnitude 7.3. An Iraqi meteorology official put its magnitude at 6.5 with the epicentre in Penjwin in Sulaimaniyah province in the Kurdistan region, close to the main border crossing with Iran.

Kurdish health officials said at least four people were killed in Iraq and at least 50 injured.

The quake was felt as far south as Baghdad, where many residents rushed from their houses and tall buildings when tremors shook the Iraqi capital.

"I was sitting with my kids having dinner and suddenly the building was just dancing in the air," said Majida Ameer, who ran out of her building in the capital's Salihiya district with her three children.

"I thought at first that it was a huge bomb. But then I heard everyone around me screaming: 'Earthquake!'"

Similar scenes unfolded in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region, and across other cities in northern Iraq, close to the quake's epicentre.

COLD WEATHER

Electricity was cut off in several Iranian and Iraqi cities, and fears of aftershocks sent thousands of people in both countries out onto the streets and parks in cold weather.

The Iranian seismological centre registered around 118 aftershocks and said more were expected. The head of Iranian Red Crescent said more than 70,000 people were in need of emergency shelter.

Hojjat Gharibian was one of hundreds of homeless Iranian survivors, who was huddled against the cold with his family in Qasr-e Shirin.

"My two children were sleeping when the house started to collapse because of the quake. I took them and ran to the street. We spent hours in the street until aid workers moved us into a school building," Gharibian told Reuters by telephone.

Iran's police, the elite Revolutionary Guards and its affiliated Basij militia forces were dispatched to the quake-hit areas overnight, state TV reported.

Iranian Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli said some roads were blocked and authorities were worried about casualties in remote villages. An Iranian oil official said pipelines and refineries in the area remained intact.

Iran sits astride major fault lines and is prone to frequent tremors. A magnitude 6.6 quake on Dec. 26, 2003, devastated the historic city of Bam, 1,000 km southeast of Tehran, killing about 31,000 people.

HOSPITAL SEVERELY DAMAGED

On the Iraqi side, the most extensive damage was in the town of Darbandikhan, 75 km east of the city of Sulaimaniyah in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region.

More than 30 people were injured in the town, according to Kurdish Health Minister Rekawt Hama Rasheed.

"The situation there is very critical," Rasheed told Reuters.

The district's main hospital was severely damaged and had no power, Rasheed said, so the injured were taken to Sulaimaniyah for treatment. Homes and buildings had extensive structural damage, he said.

In Halabja, local officials said a 12-year-old boy died of an electric shock from a falling electric cable.

Iraq's meteorology centre advised people to stay away from buildings and not to use elevators in case of aftershocks.

TURKEY AND ISRAEL

Residents of Turkey's southeastern city of Diyarbakir also reported feeling a strong tremor, but there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties there.

Turkish Red Crescent Chairman Kerem Kinik told broadcaster NTV that Red Crescent teams in Erbil were preparing to go to the site of the earthquake and that Turkeys national disaster management agency, AFAD, and National Medical Rescue Teams (UMKE) were also preparing to head into Iraq.

AFADs chairman said the organisation was waiting for a reply to its offer for help.

In a tweet, Kinik said the Turkish Red Crescent was gathering 3,000 tents and heaters, 10,000 beds and blankets and moving them towards the Iraqi border.

"We are coordinating with Iranian and Iraqi Red Crescent groups. We are also getting prepared to make deliveries from our northern Iraq Erbil depot," he said.

Israeli media said the quake was felt in many parts of Israel as well. In a statement, Israeli Intelligence Minister Israel Katz said, "My condolences to the people of Iran and Iraq over the loss of human life caused by the earthquake." Iran refuses to recognise Israel.
Beirut: Saad Hariri pledged he would return to Lebanon from Saudi Arabia "very soon," in his first television interview since his shock resignation as prime minister eight days ago.

In an exclusive interview from Riyadh with his party's Future TV, Hariri brushed aside rumours that he was under de facto house arrest in Saudi Arabia.

"I am free here. If I want to travel tomorrow, I will," Hariri told journalist Paula Yaacoubian.

"I will return to Lebanon very soon to initiate the necessary constitutional procedures," Hariri said. Hariri, who also holds Saudi citizenship, stepped down in a televised broadcast from Riyadh on November 4, a move that sent shockwaves throughout Lebanon and the region.

Lebanese President Michel Aoun has yet to formally accept Hariri's resignation and has said he wants to meet him in person to discuss the situation.

Just hours before Hariri's interview on Sunday, Aoun blasted the "obscure circumstances" around the resigned prime minister's stay in Riyadh.

In a statement from his office, Aoun said "Hariri's freedom has been restricted and conditions have been imposed regarding his residence and the contacts he may have, even with members of his family."

In his announcement last week, Hariri accused Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah of taking over his country and destabilising the broader region, saying he feared for his life.

Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah said on Friday that Hariri was "detained in Saudi Arabia" and "banned from returning to Lebanon".
Jerusalem: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday he has put the United States and Russia on notice that Israel will continue to take military action across the frontier in Syria, even as the two powers try to build up a ceasefire there.

"We are controlling our borders, we are protecting our country and we will continue to do so," Netanyahu said in public remarks to members of his right-wing Likud party in parliament.

"I have also informed our friends, firstly in Washington and also our friends in Moscow, that Israel will act in Syria, including in southern Syria, according to our understanding and according to our security needs."

US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday affirmed joint efforts to stabilise Syria as its civil war wanes, including with the expansion of a July 7 truce in the southwestern triangle bordering Israel and Jordan.

Israel has been lobbying both leaders to deny Iran, Lebanon's Hezbollah and other Shi'ite militias any permanent bases in Syria, and to keep them away from the Golan Heights frontier, as they gain ground while helping Damascus beat back Sunni-led rebels.

"RED LINES"

Netanyahu's remarks echoed those on Sunday by Israel's regional cooperation minister, Tzachi Hanegbi, who sounded circumspect about the ceasefire deal and said Israel has "set red lines and will stand firm on this".

Israel's military has said it has carried out around 100 strikes in Syria. Attacks have targeted suspected Hezbollah or Iranian arms depots or have come in retaliation for shelling from the Syrian-held Golan.

A US State Department official has said Russia had agreed "to work with the Syrian regime to remove Iranian-backed forces a defined distance" from the Golan Heights frontier with Israel, which captured the plateau in the 1967 Middle East war.

The move, according to one Israeli official briefed on the arrangement, is meant to keep rival factions inside Syria away from each other, but it would effectively keep Iranian-linked forces at various distances from the Israel-held Golan as well.

Those distances would range from as little as 5-7 kilometres and up to around 30 km (18 miles) depending on current rebel positions on the Syrian Golan, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue.
Seoul: A North Korean soldier was shot and injured by his own side Monday while defecting to South Korea at the border truce village of Panmunjom, the South's military said.

The soldier was shot in the shoulder and elbow and was picked up bleeding on the South side of a portion of the border known as the Joint Security Area.

It is rare for the North's troops to defect at the truce village, a major tourist attraction and the only part of the frontier where forces from the two sides come face-to-face.

"Our military has taken in a North Korean soldier after he crossed from a North Korea post towards our Freedom House," Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said in a statement, referring to a building on the South side of the village which is bisected by the borderline.

An JCS official quoted by Yonhap news agency said the soldier was evacuated to a private hospital by a UN helicopter.

The official said the South's soldiers heard a gunshot and then retrieved the unarmed and bleeding soldier in the mid-afternoon.

No personal details have been released but his uniform suggested he was low-ranking, Yonhap said.

The JCS official said the soldier had regained consciousness but declined comment on whether his injuries were life-threatening.

There has been no exchange of gunfire between the two sides, but the South's military said it has raised its level of alertness against any North Korean provocations.

No tourists were in the Joint Security Area at the time because such tours do not run on Monday, said a spokesman for United States Forces Korea which approves the visits.

Military officials from the two sides have used Panmunjom frequently in the past for talks. Unlike the rest of the frontier, Panmunjom is not fortified and the border is marked only by a low concrete divider.

Over the decades since the peninsula was divided, dozens of North Korean soldiers have fled to the South through the heavily fortified Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) along the rest of the border.

Two North Korean soldiers came over to the South in June after crossing the frontier.

Relations between the two sides have been tense for months, as the North stepped up its missile tests. In September it carried out its sixth and largest nuclear test, of what it described as a hydrogen bomb.

More than 30,000 North Korean civilians have fled their homeland since the two nations came into being in 1948. But it is very rare for civilians to cross the closely guarded border with the South, which is fortified with minefields and barbed wire.

Most flee across the North's porous frontier with China and then move on to a third country to seek passage to South Korea.
Manila: Donald Trump and Rodrigo Duterte meet Monday in Manila for their first official talks, an occasion that brings together two of the most outspoken statesmen of recent years.

US President and former reality TV star Trump has revelled in his ability to shock establishment America, and enjoys a reputation among supporters for straight talking.

In tweets, press conferences and at campaign-style rallies, the 71-year-old has blasted "political correctness" in favour of voicing opinions popular with his base  but anathema to his liberal foes.

His Philippine counterpart, who is 72, built his electoral success on crowd-pleasing pledges to rid the country of drugs and crime by killing tens of thousands of people.

Here are some notable quotes from two populist presidents whose insurgent rule has shaken their countries.

On violence

"If they are there in your neighbourhood, feel free to call us, the police or do it yourself if you have the gun. You have my support. If he fights and fights to the death, you can kill him. I will give you a medal."  Duterte on how ordinary Filipinos should deal with suspected criminals.

"There may be somebody with tomatoes in the audience. If you see somebody getting ready to throw a tomato, knock the crap out of them, would you? Seriously. Okay? Just knock the hell... I promise you, I will pay for the legal fees."  Trump on how supporters should deal with troublemakers at a campaign rally in February 2016.

On the media

"The FAKE NEWS media (failing @nytimes, @NBCNews, @ABC, @CBS, @CNN) is not my enemy, it is the enemy of the American People!" Trump tweeted, a month after being sworn in as president.

"Just because you are a journalist, you are not exempted from assassination if you are a son of a bitch."  Duterte arguing that many of the journalists killed in the Philippines, one of the most dangerous nations in the world for media workers, are corrupt.

On women

"They raped all of the women... there was this Australian lay minister... when they took them out... I saw her face and I thought, 'Son of a bitch. What a pity...' They raped her, they all lined up," Duterte told a rally about a prison riot during his time as mayor of Davao. "I was mad she was raped but she was so beautiful. I thought, the mayor should have been first," he added.

"I moved on her like a bitch, but I couldn't get there. And she was married," Trump told a TV host in 2005 comments that were caught on a hot mic. "You know I'm automatically attracted to beautiful. I just start kissing them. It's like a magnet. I don't even wait. And when you're a star, they let you do it. You can do anything."

On immunity

"I have the most loyal people. I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn't lose any voters, okay?"  Trump on the campaign trail explaining how some of the electorate would stick with him no matter what.

"Pardon given to Rodrigo Duterte for the crime of multiple murder, signed Rodrigo Duterte."  Duterte on the campaign trail tells a crowd of businessmen his plans if there are attempts to bring him to justice for deaths in his drug war.
The office of Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWWGC), which is curator of the graves of these unsung heroes, in consultation with the French Government and the Indian Embassy in France decided to hold a burial ceremony at Laventie Military Cemetery, with full military honours for these martyrs alongside the Annual Memorial Service to commemorate the Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives in France and Belgium. (Image: Indian Army)
The demonstrators, many of whom came from left-wing groups, carried an effigy of Trump with four arms in the shape of a Nazi swastika, each of them carrying a missile, a bulldozer symbolising the exploitation of natural resources, a gun and a bag of money. (Image: AP)
A new consignment shop selling both new and antique items has opened on Fort Avenue.

Twice and For All started as an online eBay store, but as of Nov. 1, it opened a storefront in Lynchburg to sell home decor items.

The consignment shop, owned by Joshua Germain and his wife, Christina, consigns antiques, collectibles, small appliances and some name-brand clothing and shoes. Right now, it also sells Christmas decorations.

Twice and For All started as an at-home business for the couple back in 2015.

Germain, who originally comes from Vermont, had graduated from Liberty University five years ago and decided to quit his full-time job with Enterprise Rent-A-Car.

I quickly realized I didnt want to work full-time for someone else, so we started selling furniture part time out of our house in 2015, he said.

He said it was a lot of work but something he thought would be fun to do. Eventually it morphed into selling online.

The couple still operates the eBay site selling collectables and furniture, but with the seed money they made from that business, they decided to open a storefront this year.

Part of their motivation was their home had run out of space to hold all of the items.

Germain had been selling furniture out of his 88-square-foot attic.

Selling online was a good idea to start because Germain said he was able to reach potentially millions more customers.

Consignees receive 60 percent of anything sold in the store, and Germain receives 40 percent.

Germain looks mostly to sell primitive and antique home decor items. When he looks through consignees items to sell, he asks they only bring 20 items at a time.

People definitely like this; a lot of customers come through, many of them repeat customers, and many of them say that a lot of these things remind them of their past. It brings back memories for a lot of people.

The store, located on 4900 Fort Ave., is 1,000 square feet and has been completely renovated inside.

The store previously was Sew Simple, a sewing shop, that now is located on Wards Road.

Everything has been changed, Germain said. There was an office in the back that we tore out, we got rid of all the wallpaper and painted the walls, all of the lighting is new, and the windows, door and floors are new.

Germain said the investment was not too expensive since he and his wife did all of the work themselves, costing just $6,000.

Jim Jennings, owner of Grace Consignment in Rustburg, is a friend of Germains, and though many would consider the two competitors, Jennings will take some of the items Germain cannot and vice versa.

He is a large part of the reason why I am in the consignment business right now, Germain said.

Jennings first met Germain as a customer of his, and right away, Jennings knew had a sense of style for the eclectic.

As he became a consigner, I could certainly tell he also had a flair for bringing just the right [items] in that people are seeking and that is hard to procure in this area, he said. As a business owner, I believe wholeheartedly that he and Christie will go to great lengths to provide a quality of personal service that is, unfortunately, slowly disappearing in the service-oriented business.

Jeremiah Flinchum, of Lynchburg, visited the store last week and said he saw many items he potentially would like to buy as gifts for family members or for his apartment.

I think its nice; I really like it, he said. I was surprised when I walked in, knowing it had only been open about a week and saw about eight or nine customers.

He added Lynchburg is a good market for consignment shops and needs more.

Germain said he hopes to move into a bigger building in the next year or so, one four times larger.

We would eventually like to sell furniture, he said. And maybe open a chain one day, expanding into different areas, markets and even states.
The jury is out on the recent move by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) to temporarily ban all police officers from registering to vote in next years crunch elections  which could see thousands of police officers failing to cast their ballots in the watershed 2018 polls.





This comes as the national elections management body, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec), as well as local election observer groups are intensifying their efforts to have millions of prospective voters register in the ongoing biometric voter registration (BVR) exercise.





Zec is targeting seven million voters for the current BVR registration exercise  ahead of the much-awaited 2018 polls which could see President Robert Mugabe and his brawling ruling Zanu PF facing a grand coalition of opposition parties in that plebiscite.





In a memorandum seen by the Daily News at the weekend, the ZRP chief staff officer in charge of operations  senior assistant commissioner Douglas Nyakutsikwa  recently informed all police officers that they were not allowed to register as voters until further notice.





The memorandum serves to advise commanders that police officers should temporarily suspend their registration on the biometric voter registration (BVR) that is currently underway.





Previously, police officers were privileged to vote through a special vote system that has since been repelled. The current scenario requires a prospective voter, including police officers, to register at places where they are going to cast their votes  which is prohibitive in terms of our deployments during the voting dates.





Currently, solutions are being sought with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zez) to address the anomaly, Nyakutsikwa said in a memo dated October 24, 2017.





It is against this background that all police officers are directed to temporarily suspend registration until further notice, he added in the memo which was also copied to police commissioner-general Augustine Chihuri, deputy commissioner-generals, depot commandants, senior assistant commissioners and department directors.





Efforts by the Daily News yesterday to get further comments from the ZRP bore no fruit, as both police national spokesperson Charity Charamba and her deputy, Paul Nyathi, were not answering calls to their mobile phones.





But some insiders said the ZRP was insisting that there should be another arrangement to allow police officers to vote, following the recent outlawing of the special voting provision under which they voted in 2013.





Amendments to section 22A of the Electoral Act introduced a precise polling station-based voters roll in which one can only vote at one specific polling station  where ones name appears; thereby effectively eliminating the special voting provision.

This implies that all police officers are expected to vote only at the polling stations that they are registered to vote at.





However, this is apparently operationally problematic  due to unpredictable deployments by the ZRP on voting days, which could see officers shunted to areas far away from the constituencies that they would have registered to vote in.





In July 2013, and two weeks ahead of voting by the general public, the special vote was rocked by chaotic scenes which saw thousands of police officers and civil servants failing to

vote.





The special vote had traditionally been organised to allow civil servants and police officers to vote ahead of the general public, as they would be working on the actual days of polling.

Zec chairperson Rita Makarau was also not reachable yesterday. However, she is on record saying that there was nothing that the commission could do to give special dispensation to those working on polling day, after the scrapping of the special vote.





If you are not at home, you will not vote. The devil is in the law. Change the law, Makarau said earlier this year.



Some election observers who were vocal against the amendments to the Electoral Act yesterday called for the re-introduction of the special voting provision, saying the current arrangement would rob police officers and others of their constitutional right to vote.





Zesn has continuously called for the reinstatement of the special vote in order to ensure that no one is disenfranchised. We believe that there is need to reconsider reinstating the special vote as it enables electoral officials and the security officials on duty on election day to vote in advance, Zimbabwe Election Support Network (Zesn) director Rindai Chipfunde Vava said.





The sentiments were echoed by the director of the Election Resource Centre (ERC), Tawanda Chimhini, who said there was need to re-visit the law.





We reiterate our calls for comprehensive electoral reforms covering the administrative, political and legislative aspects of elections in Zimbabwe for the promotion of credible elections in the country, Chimhini told the Daily News.





Zimbabwe is for the firsts time using the BVR system for registration for next years elections, which analysts say could bring to an end Zanu PFs long political dominance  due to a combination of the grand coalition, as well as serious divisions within its ranks, including the sackings of former vice presidents Joice Mujuru and Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Mujuru was hounded out of Zanu PF in the run-up to the partys hotly-disputed congress in 2014 together with other liberation stalwarts who included former Cabinet ministers such as Didymus Mutasa and Rugare Gumbo  on untested allegations of plotting to topple Mugabe from power.





Mnangagwa, who had appeared to be a shoo-in to succeed the 93-year-old in the aftermath of Mujurus ouster, was cut loose with disdain last week when he was fired from both the government and Zanu PF, on a raft of damaging allegations.





The 75-year-old had been at Mugabes side for nearly 54 years.

Political analysts have said a grand coalition of the opposition, fielding a single candidate against Mugabe, stands a very good chance of winning next years elections  especially at a time there is mindless bloodletting in Zanu PF, as well as deep economic problems in the country. Daily News
Leader of the newly-formed coalition  Peoples Rainbow Alliance (PRA)  Joice Mujuru has insisted they will only join forces with the Morgan Tsvangirai-led MDC Alliance after it adopts a neutral name, among other conditions.



Mujuru, who also leads the opposition National Peoples Party (NPP), argues that the name MDC Alliance is derived from Tsvangirais MDC, which almost represents his partys interests and is exclusionary.



This comes as opposition political parties are on record claiming that a grand coalition is the only way to win against long-ruling President Robert Mugabes Zanu PF in 2018s election.

Though the opposition parties remain positive that they will eventually find one another, three distinct groups have so far emerged in the run-up to next years elections.



As it stands, Mujuru was over the weekend chosen to lead PRA, while on the other hand, MDCs Tsvangirai is leading the MDC Alliance and Renewal Democrats of Zimbabwe (RDZ) leader Elton Mangoma is leading the Coalition for Democrats (Code).



Asked about the new development, Mujurus spokesperson, Gift Nyandoro, said his principals nomination to lead the PRA does not mean that they are not going to be working with other like-minded political parties, but emphasised the need for neutrality, even in names.



What is clear from yesterdays (Saturday) launch is a testament of what a coalition should be. This is a coalition with one goal, one logo and a neutral name.



This, however, does not become an exclusion not to work with others. That does not stop us from engaging with others, Nyandoro said.



Queried how they were going to coalesce in light of three different coalitions with distinct leaders having emerged, he said when the time comes, they will select a leader through a consensus and democratic means.



If you see some of the aspirations set as a matter of public record, Mujuru has been selected through consensus.



Where consensus fails, parties representatives will be involved. In our view, it wont be a problem, there will be a selection of the members through party organs.



We want this to have legitimacy. The selection of Mujuru or Tsvangirai to the leadership position is agreed through a consensus. But in the absence of that consensus, lets show the people we are democratic. The ultimate goal is to fight the dynasty, he said.

PRA members are on record against the use of the name MDC Alliance as the name of the coalition.



They argue that the name of the coalition must be neutral and not refer to any party which is a player in the coalition, amid indications by MDC, which is the biggest opposition party in Zimbabwe that the name will not be changed.



This has resulted in the mooted grand coalition suffering major setbacks with clearly less than 12 months to go to the next elections. The coalition has been wobbling, with no distinct conclusion having been made, creating chances that it might not come to fruition in time.

While some of the misunderstandings are emanating from a party level, the squabbling is also being escalated to inter-party with differences around the allocation of seats and the name of the alliance taking centre stage.



MDC spokesperson Obert Gutu said they were also willing to work with other democratic forces willing to end a Mugabe dynasty.



We are on record and willing to work with all patriotic Zimbabweans, who want to see the death of the Mugabe dynasty, who have reduced everything to a fiefdom.



We are willing to work with everyone in the big tent. We dont look at the peoples race, ethnicity or colour. As long as one is a patriotic Zimbabwean willing to work hard on our shuttered economy, we are willing to work with them.



This is what we have always been saying, we dont discuss in public. In the domain of company law there is something called measures and acquisition.



You only hear on the day of acquisition that such and such a company has acquired something. This is exactly what happens in politics, Gutu said. Daily News
How can Parliament work with fools, when it is not properly composed with people with the correct ideology, those who truly want to work for their country? I dont see those in Parliament having that spirit. They are going to Parliament to just be called Members of Parliament not to bring anything constructive for the country, he said.
Six people who died last Friday in Mt Hampden along Lomagundi Road after their vehicle crashed into a goods train were all friends and retirees who were on their way to a fishing expedition, it has emerged.



The team reportedly had a car breakdown the previous day (Thursday) on the same spot while going for fishing, leading to the abandonment of the journey. However, tragedy struck the following day, when the driver reportedly failed to give way to a goods train at a railway crossing in Mt Hampden on the outskirts of Harare.



Police, through national spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi, said they would provide full identification details of the six deceased today. Three of the four deceased, who were all from Warren Park 1 in Harare, were buried yesterday. A visit to Warren Park by The Herald yesterday revealed a dark cloud, with residents and friends shell-shocked with the incident. Mr Noel Jacob, the younger brother of the deceased Mr Clever Jacob (69), said his brother had always been a fisherman.



My late brother had always been a fisherman and they had a fishing club with his other late friends, whom he would go for fishing with, said Mr Jacob.



The previous day (Thursday), they went for fishing and their car developed a mechanical fault on the same spot where the tragedy struck. They escaped death by a whisker after a haulage truck nearly ploughed into their stationary vehicle, leading to the abandonment of the trip. Then on Friday, they took another car belonging to our uncle. Upon arrival at the same spot, they found a haulage truck which was giving way to a goods train. It was reported that the driver failed to realise that there was a goods train, leading to the tragedy. Mr Jacob said he was unaware of their specific destination on the day.





We did not know where these people were going. We were later shocked to learn of their deaths. He is survived by his wife and six children. My brother was a retiree and took fishing as a hobby, which he always partook with his other five friends. The accident dealt us a major blow since he was a pillar of the family, it pained us. However, being Christians as we are, know that death is always there, only differentiated by ways in which we all die, he said. He said, the late Clever was the eldest in their family and was buried at Zororo Memorial Park in Chitungwiza. Herald
No Charges for Cops

in Killing of Man Who

Was 'Biking While Black'
Chaim Motzen was intrigued when he read about a pendant excavated at a Nazi death camp with a possible link to Anne Frank. Engraved with "mazel tov""good luck" in Hebrewthe little charm belonged to Karoline Cohn, a 14-year-old Jewish girl killed at Sobibor. Motzen, an amateur genealogist, set out to find Karoline's family and discovered several branches, from the US and Israel to Nicaragua and Japan, the Times of Israel and Time report. On Monday, more than 30 of those relatives will meet in Germany to dedicate a stolpersteine, or "stumbling stone," a brass memorial plaque at Karoline's last known address in Frankfurt. Many of the girl's family members have never met, and some had no idea they lost relatives in the Holocaust. "We had this person who was completely forgotten," Motzen tells the Times.

"Through this pendant people are learning about each other and their history, and about Karoline," he says. Motzen's first clue about Karoline's roots came when he dug up testimony online that her mother's cousin had given to Yad Vashem in 1978, per Time. From there, he found the grandchildren of her uncle. When he phoned Mandy Eisemann, 46, the daughter of Karoline's first cousin, in Maryland, she cried. Then she phoned her dad, Barry Eisemann, 72, whose own father escaped the Nazis but kept mum about the family history. "He kept it from me to protect me," he tells Time. "The emotions he experienced then, I'm feeling now." Barry Eisemann is "excited, but a little nervous" about meeting newly found relatives at the reunion. But he adds, "I think this is what Karoline would have wanted." (A letter buried at Auschwitz was finally published.)
Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, addresses a welcoming banquet held by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong and Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang at the International Convention Center in Hanoi, Vietnam, Nov. 12, 2017. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang)

HANOI, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese President Xi Jinpinghere on Sunday called for advancing the China-Vietnam comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership while attending a welcoming banquet.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong and Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang held a banquet for Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, at the International Convention Center.

Xi stressed that his state visit to Vietnam aims to consolidate traditional friendship, deepen practical cooperation and chart out future for bilateral ties.

The fact that China and Vietnam both follow the leadership of Communist parties and socialist road, jointly strengthen solidarity and cooperation, as well as seek prosperity, is in line with the fundamental interests of both peoples and conducive to the peace, stability and development of the region and the world, said Xi.

Xi urged the two countries continue to be good neighbors, good friends, good comrades and good partners.

Trong, on behalf of the Vietnamese party, government and people, extended warm welcome to Xi, saying that Vietnam and China are neighbors with traditional friendship.

Vietnam attaches great importance to Vietnam-China ties and is willing to work together with China to enhance traditional friendship, deepen practical cooperation and ensure sustainable, healthy and stable development of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, Trong said.

Trong believed that Xi's visit will inject new impetus to the bilateral ties.

Xi arrived in Hanoi on Sunday for a state visit to the Southeast Asian country. It is his second visit to Vietnam as China's head of state and top CPC leader. His previous state visit was in 2015.
Called an "unusual" arrangement right from the start, a Montana energy company working in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria is now raising eyebrows even higher. The New York Times reports Florida linemen hired as contractors by Whitefish Energy are making up to $100 an hour with double time, which, due to the emergency situation, is an "overage" utility experts say is still acceptable. But the now-canceled contract (with work set to end Nov. 30) between Whitefish and the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority allows Whitefish to bill Prepa $319 an hour per linemanwhat one ex-utility exec calls "empirically questionable." A Whitefish rep insists the company has to "pay a premium" to entice workers to the ravaged island (more than half of it is still without power, per Fortune); he also cites "overhead costs" and "the difficulty of the work."

Whitefish is also billing two to three times the usual rate for helicopters and aviation fuel, and $412 a day per worker for food and hotel stays, reports the Times, based on public records, industry insiders, and people with knowledge of the Whitefish contract. The controversy underlines what happens after a natural disaster and money flows without much care for the eventual tableaving regions vulnerable to being price-gouged or the victims of paperwork errors or oversights. The Whitefish contract had a clause that said it couldn't be audited, and there's now a second Prepa deal with an Oklahoma company being scrutinized for the same reason. Prepa is now working on mutual-aid agreements, in which such markups usually don't happen, with New York and Florida, and the feds are examining all other contracts with Puerto Rico. (Read more Whitefish Energy stories.)
The families of nine Sandy Hook victims, along with a wounded teacher who survived, have for years been going after the maker of Adam Lanza's "weapon of choice"the Bushmaster AR-15-style rifle. This week, they'll see if their lawsuit has teeth. Filed in 2014, the suit was dismissed last October by a Connecticut state superior judge who ruled the federal Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Actwhich offers immunity to gunmakers when one of their products is used in a crime and establishes an extremely high bar for litigation against themdid indeed shield Bushmaster-maker Remington from such a claim. Now it's up to the state Supreme Court to decide whether the case should move forward. The New York Times explains the crux of the suit: that the very idea of putting a military weapon into the hands of untrained civilians qualifies as "negligent entrustment."

It further argues the gun's makers promoted the weapon to unstable males by pushing it within their realmthink product placement in video games. The Hartford Courant explains they'll try to bolster their claim by citing a 1977 lawsuit involving a slingshot. The Michigan case, which involved 12-year-old who suffered an eye injury while using the device, was green-lit for jury trial after the judge found the company should have anticipated such accidents because it "entrusted" the device to kids. The Times notes that if the case is OKed for trial, then the internal communications that gun makers have kept a tight clench on would be handed to prosecutors, "a potentially revealing and damaging glimpse into the industry and how it operates." But the Wall Street Journal notes that since the 2005 arms act was passed, suits like these have largely failed. (The FBI last month revealed many more details about Lanza.)
Senior Republicans are backing away from Roy Moore amid allegations of sexual misconductbut Breitbart.com is still firmly on the Alabama US Senate candidate's side. Steve Bannon has sent at least two reporters to Alabama in an attempt to discredit Moore's accusers, Axios reports. Leigh Corfman says Moore made a sexual advance on her when she was 14, though a Breitbart story published Sunday says her mother "contradicted a key detail." Corfman told the Washington Post that she spoke to Moore on her bedroom phone. Her mother, however, says Corfman didn't have a phone in her room, but "the phone in the house could get through to her easily." But she also says she is standing by the Post's story, which is "truthful" and "researched very well." In other developments:



Moore suing . Moore told supporters in Huntsville on Sunday night that he is planning to sue the Washington Post over the allegations, which he has denounced as "fake news," the AP reports. He said allegations that he was involved with a minor are "untrue" and accused the Democratic party of working with the GOP establishment to keep him out of the Senate.

. Moore told supporters in Huntsville on Sunday night that he is planning to sue the Washington Post over the allegations, which he has denounced as "fake news," the AP reports. He said allegations that he was involved with a minor are "untrue" and accused the Democratic party of working with the GOP establishment to keep him out of the Senate. Calls to step aside. Republican Sen. Pat Toomey added his voice to those calling for Moore to quit the race Sunday, AL.com reports. "You know, this is a terrible situation, nearly 40-year-old allegation, we'll probably never know for sure exactly what happened," Toomey said. "But from my point of view, you know, I have to say, I think the accusations have more credibility than the denial. I think it would be best if Roy would just step aside."

"Significant issue." Other Republicans addressing the issue Sunday included Treasury Secretary Stephen Mnuchin, who told CNN "there is a significant issue here" that needs to be investigated. Ohio's Gov. John Kasich said "of course" Moore should step aside, while White House aide Kellyanne Conway said the behavior described, if true, was "disqualifying."

Other Republicans addressing the issue Sunday included Treasury Secretary Stephen Mnuchin, who told CNN "there is a significant issue here" that needs to be investigated. Ohio's Gov. John Kasich said "of course" Moore should step aside, while White House aide Kellyanne Conway said the behavior described, if true, was "disqualifying." Going back to God . In his Sunday night speech at the Huntsville Christian Academy, Moore tried to put the focus back on conservative Christianity, the Washington Post reports. "We can be proud of where we came from and where we're going if we go back to God," Moore said. "If we go back to God, we can be unified again."

. In his Sunday night speech at the Huntsville Christian Academy, Moore tried to put the focus back on conservative Christianity, the Washington Post reports. "We can be proud of where we came from and where we're going if we go back to God," Moore said. "If we go back to God, we can be unified again." "She did not go to them." In another Breitbart story published Sunday, Corfman's mother said Washington Post reporters talked her daughter into going public. "She did not go to them," she said. "They called her." The Post says it is true that none of the four women in its story sought out the newspaper. They were contacted by reporters who heard allegations while reporting on Moore's Senate run, the Post says.

In another Breitbart story published Sunday, Corfman's mother said Washington Post reporters talked her daughter into going public. "She did not go to them," she said. "They called her." The Post says it is true that none of the four women in its story sought out the newspaper. They were contacted by reporters who heard allegations while reporting on Moore's Senate run, the Post says. Evangelical soul-searching. Evangelical Protestants make up around half of Alabama's population and they have long considered Moore a close ally. The allegations, however, have caused plenty of soul-searching amid evangelical voters. "This is one of those excruciating decision moments for evangelicals," Albert Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, tells the AP. "These allegations, if true, are devastating. If true, this is a very big deal."

(Moore's lead in the polls vanished after the claims surfaced .)
Public masturbation is so rampant in Chicago's Cook County Jail that officials offered inmates pizza to stop, a federal lawsuit claims. Hundreds of female public defenders and law clerks working at the jail and other lockups have had to endure "on an almost daily basis" inmates who "have repeatedly exposed their penises, masturbated, and engaged in other acts of sex-based aggression," along with threats and harassment, Reuters reports. The legal action filed last week says authorities have done little to stop the "heinous sexual misconduct." Efforts to curb the behavior have failed, including offering detainees pizza if they went 30 days without masturbating. Jumpsuits preventing access to genitals also didn't work: Wearers burned them in microwaves, per the suit. Calling themselves "Savage Life," ringleaders organize the harassment and award "points" for each offense, per USA Today.

A Cook County Sheriff's Office rep denies the pizza story but tells Reuters that "this kind of behavior unfortunately is prevalent in correctional settings." She says more than 200 of the 6,400 inmates have been charged with indecent exposure this year, but she adds that being slapped with a misdemeanor means little to men facing murder raps. A lawyer for female correctional officers who filed a similar suit tells the Chicago Tribune it's "outrageous" to suggest "that nothing can be done. ... This is not how correctional institutions have to be run." But the Public Defender's office says it can't support any measures that would "significantly increase penalties for detainees who engage in this behavior," per Reuters. (A female Texas lawmaker wants to fine men for "unregulated masturbatory emissions.")
It may not be a household name in the US, but many Americans have surely come under the gaze of a product made by the Chinese company Hikvision. As the Wall Street Journal reports, Hikvision is the No. 2 seller of surveillance equipment in the US and is No. 1 in Europe. The story isn't a business feature, however. It raises the question of whether having all of these security cameras hanging around the US poses a security risk. For example, Hikvision is used to monitor the Army base Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri, and the Memphis Police Department also is a customer. Hikvision cameras even rolled at the US Embassy in Kabul until the government canceled the contract last year and removed the devices.

The risk? Worst case, the company, perhaps at the behest of the government in Beijing, is able to access anything captured by the cameras through some secret back door. Company officials dismiss this as absurd. In a lesser scenario, hackers (state-backed or otherwise) take advantage of flaws to hijack the system. In fact, the Homeland Security Department identified one such vulnerability that could be exploited in such a way in some Hikvision devices, though the company says it has since patched the glitch. Just don't expect the devices to go away anytime soon. "At the end of the day, they are the No. 1 camera manufacturer in the world," says a Memphis police lieutenant. "They make a lot of cameras and many people use them, even if they don't say Hikvision on the product." Click for the full story. (Read more security cameras stories.)
Coffee machine maker Keurig has added its name to the list of advertisers boycotting Sean Hannity's Fox show over the Roy Moore controversy, and Hannity fans are not pleased: On Sunday, many of them promised to boycott the company. A few using the #BoycottKeurig hashtag posted videos of themselves smashing their Keurig coffee makers to bits by throwing them off buildings or attacking them with assorted implements, Business Insider reports. Other companies to have pulled their ads from Hannity's show include Nature's Bounty, fashion firm Eloqui, genetic testing firm 23 and Me, and realtor.com.

Angelo Carusone of Media Matters for America called for the boycott after Hannity interviewed Moore last week, NBC reports. He said Hannity "defends child molester Roy Moore and then chastises the women that spoke out, reminding them the ten commandments say 'thou shall not bear false witness.'" Other critics said Hannity went too easy on Moore and attacked the host for describing Moore's alleged sexual encounter with a 14-year-old as "consensual," though Hannity later said he had meant only to refer to the women Moore dated when they were older teenagers. (Earlier this year, advertisers abandoned Hannity over the Seth Rich story.)
His lengthy Asia trip nearing its end, President Trump once more pushed for equitable trade deals and opted to publicly prioritize strategic interests over human rights, declining to shine a spotlight on the violent drug war overseen by his Philippine host, reports the AP. Trump repeatedly praised Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, pointedly calling him by his first name. What he did not do was what many predecessors have done: highlight human rights abuses while overseas. Duterte has overseen a bloody drug war that has featured extrajudicial killings and has boasted about killing people with his own hands. During brief remarks to reporters, Trump said he and Duterte have "had a great relationship," but avoided questions on whether he'd raise human rights issues.

The White House later said the two leaders discussed the Islamic State, illegal drugs, and trade during the 40-minute meeting. Spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said human rights came up "briefly" in the context of the Philippines' fight against illegal drugs. That appeared to conflict with the Philippines' version of the meeting. A spokesman for Duterte, said "there was no mention of human rights" or "extralegal killings. There was only a rather lengthy discussion of the Philippine war on drugs with President Duterte doing most of the explaining." The New York Times notes that Trump's political and business worlds collided at the private meeting. Present was Jose EB Antonio, who is Duterte's trade envoy to the US as well as a partner with Trump on a luxury tower in Manila.

(Read more President Trump stories.)
President Trump is known for his memorable handshakes, and photos circulating from the ASEAN summit are only adding to the reputation. It seems the president got a little crossed up doing the signature ASEAN handshake among world leaders gathered on the Philippines stage. As NPR notes, if you watch video of the good-natured incident, it's not so bad. But still images capturing Trump's facial expressions have become a smash hit (see them in the photo gallery).

One image in particular tweeted by New York Times photographer Doug Mills was going viral, reports the Washington Post, which notes that it might be "revenge" of sorts for Mills, who'd been complaining about paltry access granted to photographers during the Trump trip. Mills wasn't the only pool photographer to publish the awkward images, and the Post suggests that Trump's defenders, perhaps even Trump himself, will point to it as an example of biased coverage. (Read more President Trump stories.)
It would have been the largest tech acquisition ever, per CNBC, but Qualcomm is saying no thanks. It rejected an unsolicited, $103 billion offer from Broadcom, saying that the proposal is significantly undervalued and that a tie-up between the massive chipmakers would face substantial regulatory resistance. Further, Qualcomm said Monday that it's in a unique position to grow without any outside help: "We are highly confident that the strategy (CEO Steve Mollenkopf) and his team are executing on provides far superior value to Qualcomm shareholders than the proposed offer," said Tom Horton, Qualcomm director. Broadcom's bid last week represented a 28% premium over the closing price of Qualcomm shares on November 2; the AP reports analysts were expecting Qualcomm to reject the $70-per-share bid.

Qualcomm, which makes the Snapdragon chips found in smartphones and tablets, is the world's No. 3 chip supplier, according to research firm Gartner. A combination with Broadcom wouldn't have propelled it past industry leaders Intel and Samsung. Broadcom Ltd. also announced, in the company of President Trump, that it would bring its corporate address back from Singapore to Delaware. The company hopes the change will make it easier to get deals done and, more specifically, help it avoid a cumbersome federal review process for a $5.5 billion deal for US network provider Brocade Communications Systems. The deal has been delayed by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, which investigates proposed acquisitions of US companies by foreign buyers on national security and intellectual property grounds.

(Read more Qualcomm stories.)
Just hours after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell called on Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore to "step aside" in Alabama's special election, another woman accused Moore of sexually assaulting her when she was a teenager. At a press conference Monday with attorney Gloria Allred, Beverly Young Nelson said Moore assaulted her in a restaurant parking lot in 1977, when she was 15 or 16, the Hill reports. Nelson said Moore, who was the district attorney of Etowah County, Ala., at the time, offered to drive her home after her shift at a diner but instead drove the car to a dark area of the parking lot and started groping her, pushing her head toward his crotch, and trying to take her shirt off. "I also thought he was trying to rape me. I had tears running down my face, Nelson said.

At the press conference Nelson said she feared retaliation from Moore if she ever spoke about the encounter. I thought he would do something to me or my family so I decided to keep what happened to myself, she said. In a statement released before the press conference, the Moore campaign denied "any sexual misconduct with anyone" and accused Allred of being a "sensationalist leading a witch hunt," the New York Times reports. Earlier Monday, the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, Sen. Cory Gardner, said if Moore wins the race, the Senate should vote to expel him "because he does not meet the ethical and moral requirements of the United States Senate," Politico reports. (Read more Roy Moore stories.)
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R, front) arrives in Manila, the Philippines, Nov. 12, 2017, for an official visit to the Philippines and a series of leaders' meetings on East Asian cooperation. During his five-day stay, Li is scheduled to attend the 20th China-ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) (10+1) leaders' meeting, the 20th ASEAN-China, Japan and Republic of Korea (10+3) leaders' meeting and the 12th East Asia Summit. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

MANILA, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrived here Sunday for an official visit to the Philippines and a series of leaders' meetings on East Asian cooperation.

During his five-day stay, Li is scheduled to attend the 20th China-ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) (10+1) leaders' meeting, the 20th ASEAN-China, Japan and Republic of Korea (10+3) leaders' meeting and the 12th East Asia Summit.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of ASEAN and the 20th anniversary of 10+3 cooperation.

As the world economy is going through weak recovery, East Asia has maintained the momentum of regional cooperation and development, and has become a stabilizing force in the complex and ever-changing global landscape, Li said upon his arrival.

Noting that ASEAN stands at a new starting point of development, the premier said China would work with all parties to plan for the future and build a closer community of a shared future.

China and ASEAN will mark the 15th anniversary of their strategic partnership in 2018.

This is Li's first overseas trip since the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in October. The visit is expected to deepen China's friendly cooperation with the Philippines, promote China-ASEAN ties and enhance regional cooperation in East Asia, Chinese authorities said ahead of the visit.

In Manila, Li will brief the other leaders on the spirit of the 19th CPC National Congress as well as China's stance and policy on cooperation in East Asia, said Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong in a press briefing earlier this week.

The Chinese premier will propose nearly 30 new initiatives under various mechanisms to deepen practical cooperation on interconnectivity, food security, poverty reduction, tourism and anti-corruption, Chen added.

In addition, Li will attend the leaders' meeting on Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, a free trade pact involving the 10 ASEAN members and six other countries -- China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.

During the visit, the Chinese premier will also hold talks with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on bilateral ties and issues of common concern.

It is the first visit to the Philippines made by a Chinese premier in 10 years.

Currently, the China-Philippines relations are making steady and healthy progress, which accords with the common interests and aspiration of the peoples of the two countries and of the region as a whole, Li noted.

The premier said he would like to exchange views with the Philippine leaders on further strengthening friendship between the two nations and deepening cooperation in areas that suit the development needs of both sides.

In a signed article published by major Philippine newspapers prior to his trip, Li said he hoped the visit would help enhance friendship between the two peoples, deepen bilateral cooperation and open new prospects for China-Philippines relations.
Sorry!

This content is not available in your region
Chinese President Xi Jinpingand his Chilean counterpart Michelle Bachelet witness the signing of a bilateral deal on upgrading the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries in Da Nang, Vietnam, Nov. 11, 2017. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

DA NANG, Vietnam, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Chilean counterpart, Michelle Bachelet, on Saturday witnessed the signing of a bilateral deal on upgrading the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries.

Xi underlined that this is China's first FTA upgrade completed with a Latin American country.

The upgraded agreement will unleash new impetus for the practical cooperation between China and Chile and set a new benchmark for China's cooperation with other Latin American countries as well as a new role model to the world, he said.

Bachelet congratulated Xi on the success of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and wished that greater achievements would be made in the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative.

The Chile-China relationship has made many firsts in the course of developing relations between Latin America and China, said Bachelet, adding that her country will carry forward the pioneering spirit and advance the practical cooperation between the two sides.

Chile is the first Latin American country to sign a free trade agreement with China.

Negotiations for upgrading the FTA were initiated during Xi's state visit to Chile in November 2016 and the agreement was completed a year later.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) and his Chilean counterpart Michelle Bachelet attend the signing ceremony of a bilateral deal on upgrading the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries in Da Nang, Vietnam, Nov. 11, 2017. (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng)
Mumbai:

India is likely to achieve strong growth over the next decade and will overtake Japan in nominal GDP by 2028, to emerge as the worlds third largest economy, says a foreign brokerage report.

The country has already overtaken Brazil and Russia to emerge as the second largest BRIC economy after China and is well on track to cross France and Britain to emerge as the worlds fifth largest economy after Germany by 2019.

We see India crossing Germany and Japan in nominal GDP in dollar term by 2028. This assumes that the Indian economy grows at 10 per cent (in nominal US GDP) in the next decade, well ahead of Japans 1.6 per cent, a Bank of America Merrill Lynch a report said on Monday.

The American brokerage has conservatively projected the countrys real GDP growth at 7 per cent potential.

Last year the economy closed at USD 2.26 trillion. But the report did not quantify the size of the economy by 2028 when it would be the third largest after China and the US.

The report titled, India 2028: The last BRICK in the Wall, said falling dependency ratios, financial maturity and increasing incomes and affordability are the three key drivers for the country to stand among the large emerging economies.

First, falling dependency ratios should raise savings and investment rates. Second, financial maturity, due to financial liberalisation and inclusion, should continue to lower lending rates structurally.

ALSO READ | Demonetisation: Credit agencies lowered India's FY 2016-17 GDP growth estimates predicting liquidity crunch in economy

Finally, increasing incomes and affordability will likely underpin the emergence of mass markets, supporting an expected 7 per cent real GDP growth, the report said.

It said the dependency ratio (unproductive population in the o-14 and over-65 age group) is slated to fall to 46.2 per cent in 2028 from 52.2 per cent now and 71.7 per cent in 1990. This should sustain the savings rate at 32 per cent of GDP, at the least, in 2028, comparable to 31.4 per cent during 2000-17, up from 20.5 per cent in the 1980s and the 1990s.

A rising savings rate should push the investment rate up to 35 per cent of GDP in 2028 from 32.4 per cent in 2017 and 22.1 per cent in the 1980s and the 1990s. This assumes a sustainable current account deficit of 2-2.5 per cent of GDP.

This, in turn, should lift growth to 10 per cent from 7.1 per cent last fiscal holding the incremental capital output ratio at current 4.8 levels, the report said.

The credit to GDP ratio, a proxy for financial maturity, will likely climb to 83 per cent of GDP from 44 per cent (2001-17) and 25 per cent during the 1980s and the 1990s driven by financial extension and inclusion, emergence of financial products and financial market development.

The report expects the countrys growth to be driven by services.

It further said RBI will recoup forex reserves compared to falling import cover. We continue to expect RBI to recoup forex reserves to guard against contagion in contrast to import cover almost halving since 2008. This should contain depreciation to 3 per cent a year over the next 10 years, the report said.

The brokerage said the country is witnessing the emergence of mass markets powered by rising incomes, on the demand side, as well as economies of scale, on the supply side.

ALSO READ: Delhi minister Manish Sisodia criticises Modi, says PM has put 'facts wrongly' on GDP

For all the Latest Business News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Mumbai:

Many film bodies came out in support of director Sanjay Leela Bhansali's upcoming movie Padmavati. The bodies questioned the government's silence over the threats by Rajput groups against the release of the Deepika Padukone starrer.

The Indian Film and Television Directors' Association (IFTDA) along with Western India Cinematographers Association (WICA), Cine and TV Artists Association (CINTAA), Association of Cine and Television Art Directors and Costume Designers (ACTADCD) and Screenwriters Association (SWA), supported the Baajirao Mastani director at a press conference here.

Filmmaker Sudhir Mishra, who was present there, said an attack on Bhansali was an assault on creative freedom.

"Attack on Bhansali is an attack on freedom. This is very stifling. When it comes to the interpretation of history, you can disagree with him, but at least allow the film to release.

By asking for a ban, you are creating an atmosphere where nobody will attempt films on Indian history," Mishra said.

Bhansali has been facing trouble since he started shooting for the movie. The set of the movie was vandalised twice -- in Jaipur and Kolhapur -- and the director was roughed up by members of Karni Sena during the Jaipur schedule of the film earlier this year.

Rajput groups and some BJP members have accused Bhansali of distorting facts in the movie, starring Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh. The film is scheduled to be released on December 1.

At the press conference, actor Sushant Singh, general secretary of CINTAA, said the government should intervene at this point.

"Sanjay Leela Bhansali didn't ask us to hold this conference... We all are frustrated, angry and upset. For how long will our fraternity members keep asking for freedom of expression to make films? Why do we need to fight for such a basic right all the time?," Singh asked.

"My question is for the state and the Central government- why are you silent? People from your parties are openly threatening to burn theatres. I have the right to ask for an assurance from the government," he added.

Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit, convenor of IFTDA, said the industry has been pushed to a point where they feel abused.

"We are hurt because we have been abused and accused. We are filmmakers, creative people and we don't deserve this kind of treatment. Every now and then we see our makers being heckled. We work hard, we make films. Bhansali is a symbol and attack on him is like abusing the film fraternity," he said.

Pandit said on November 16 there will be a silent protest outside the Film City gates here to support Bhansali.

"The entire film fraternity will come out at 11 AM. No shoot will be done from 4-4:15 PM as a symbolic support to Bhansali," Pandit added.

He also said that the bodies will write letters to I&B minister Smriti Irani tomorrow and Union home minister Rajnath Singh.

Veteran actor and CINTAA President Vikram Gokhale, who worked with Bhansali in "Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam", said the filmmaker is a responsible man and his vision should be trusted.

"I am against private censorship. I have worked with Bhansali, he is a responsible man. Even if he has made a mistake, you have a pen and media platforms to express your opinion. But vandalising sets, indulging in physical violence is extremely foolish," Gokhale said.

Bhansali has already issued an appeal to clarify that there is no dream sequence between Deepika's Padmavati and Ranveer's Khilji as claimed by Rajput groups.

For all the Latest Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

A day after a Muslim man was killed cow vigilantes in Rajasthan, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said that he had a detailed discussion with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on attacks by gaw-rakshaks and the PM has assured him such attacks will be dealt sternly.

Bihar chief minister replying to a question during a press conference said, I had a detailed discussion with PM Modi on the issue. He said that the law should take its own course and we should deal sternly with elements on killing spree in name of cow vigalantee.

In Bihar, since Kumar has partnered with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to form a coalition government at least three incidents of alleged cow vigilantism killing have been reported.

On November 10, a Muslim man was shot dead by alleged cow vigilantes, and threw his body on railway tracks in Rajasthan's Alwar. The victim was identified as Ummar Khan. He was transporting cows along with two others to Fahari village near Alwar's Govindh Gadh when they were attacked by cow vigilantes. Ummars uncle has filed a complaint with the Alwar police.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
J-10 aerobatic fighter jets of the Chinese Air Force's August 1st Air Demonstration Team perform on the opening day of the Dubai Airshow 2017 in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, on Nov. 12, 2017. Six J-10 aerobatic fighter jets of the Chinese Air Force's August 1st Air Demonstration Team demonstrated their acrobatic skills for the first time in the history of the Dubai Airshow which started on Sunday in its 15th edition. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe)
New Delhi:

Narendra Modi-led Central government is all set to start helicopter-based air dispensary service, first of its kind in the country, to serve people in hinterlands in Northeast India.

Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Jitendra Singh said, The Northeast will soon have helicopter-based air dispensary to serve people staying in remote areas in the region.

Singh added, Helicopter-based dispensary will be gift for the people of Northeast by the Central government in 2018.

The union minister further added that DoNER has already contributed Rs 25 crore as part of the initial funding to launch the service to the earliest. The union minister had held a meeting with representatives of aviation sector and helicopter service Pawan Hans on Sunday.

Singh told the media that his ministry since long has been exploring the idea of introducing helicopter-based dispensary/OPD services Northeast hinterlands, where patients do not have access to doctors or medical facility. We had proposed the idea to the Central government and it has been accepted and is in the final stages of the process in the ministry of civil aviation.

Also read: India to buy 48 advanced Mi-17 V5 choppers from Russia, likely to ink deal by year end



According to plans of DoNER, three twin-engin helicopters will be parked at Imphal and Shillong from where they will cater service in eight states in the Northeast region. The helicopter-based dispensary will fly with doctors, paramedical staffs and medical equipments. The helicopters will fly back with patients if intensive medical care is required.

Also read: IAF Cheetah rescues kidney patient from Gujarats remote flooded area



Singh also said that after the success of helicopter-based dispensaries in the Northeast it will be launched in hill states.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

After a break of 5-day, the schools in Delhi-NCR all set to reopen on Monday. However, authorities in Gurugram has announced that schools will remain closed on Monday.

The decision to close schools was taken after air quality reached alarming levels on Tuesday. The menacing pollution forced authorities to close schools. They also directed schools to avoid morning prayers in the school.

Schools will reopen tomorrow and the break is not being further extended, a Delhi government official said.

Meanwhile, after a brief let-up, the pollution levels skyrocketed in Delhi with the air quality becoming hazardous, which environmental agencies consider unfit for inhalation even by healthy people.

The pollution monitoring authorities said there may be some respite from Monday evening as surface winds will gain momentum.

The SAFAR (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research) said there was a possibility of rains in the evening of November 14.

However, experts say rains brings temporary relief, but also leads to accumulation of particulates due to high-levels of moisture.

With PTI inputs

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

Major breakthrough has been achieved in the case where a 28-year-old girl was found shot dead at her residence in Lucknow's PGI area.

It was said earlier that Martina Gupta committed suicide but now reports are coming that she was murdered by her father.

Now, Martinas mother informed that her husband Rakesh Gupta has murdered her.

Police have arrested Rakesh on the statement of Martinas mother. Rakesh has already accepted that he shot dead his daughter.

It is being said that Rakesh had murdered his daughter after she refused to marry.

Earlier, police said, her father's licenced weapon was recovered near her body.

According to Lucknow Police, at least five rounds of bullet were pumped into her body or she shot herself.

"We are investigating the matter in all angles. It would too early to comment," said a police officer investigating the case.

The officer added, they received a call from her parent's after she did not respond for more than five hours or so. The girl's parents were shocked to find the girl lying in a pool of blood when police broke the door to recover her body.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday met with US President Donald Trump and held talks on the sidelines of 31st ASEAN summit in Manila.A A

His comments came ahead of bilateral talks, the prime minister said the relationship between India and the US goes beyond mutual interest and can be beneficial for Asia and the humanity at large.

"The relations between India and the US are growing... and I also feel that the relationship between India and the US is not only for mutual interest. It goes beyond that. We are working together for the interest, for the future of Asia and for the humanity as a whole in the world," Modi said.

Relations between India and US are growing. Our relations go beyond, we are working for future interests of Asia and humanity: PM Modi in meeting with US Pres Trump pic.twitter.com/XXF26Vz26v a ANI (@ANI) November 13, 2017

Modi also thanked Trump for praising India whenever he got an opportunity to speak about the country during his Asia tour.

More visuals of bilateral talks between PM Modi and US President Donald Trump, in Manila #Philippines pic.twitter.com/7S0nF4oGoK a ANI (@ANI) November 13, 2017

"...in the few days wherever president Trump has travelled and whenever opportunity arose to talk about India, he has expressed very high opinion about India," Modi said.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

A day after former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah stated that PoK belongs to Pakistan, VHP leader Pravin Togadia on Sunday said those talking about independent Kashmir should go to Pakistan.

Kashmir is an integral part of India. People talking about independent Kashmir should go to Pakistan or else our security forces are ready with AK 47s at the border to deal with them, the VHP working International President said on the sidelines of an event here.

Abdullah said on Saturday that PoK belongs to Pakistan and this wont change no matter how many wars India and Pakistan fight.

To a query on the controversy surrounding Bollywood film Padmavati, the Hindu leader said the Censor Board should take a stand on the issue and stop its release.

Padmawati was a great queen, why should people protest against the movie based on her life? Its the responsibility of the Censor Board. It should take a stand and shouldnt allow the movie to be released, he said.

Various Rajput organisations have been protesting the December 1 release of the film starring Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh in the lead, claiming that it is based on distorted history and is hurtful to Hindu sentiments.

To a query, Togadia said Congress vice president Rahul Gandhis frequent visits to temples in poll-bound Gujarat is a victory for Hindus.

Rahul Gandhi frequents temples in Gujarat every now and then. I see this as a victory for Hindus, he said.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

The Income Tax Officials on Monday informed that they have unearthed unaccounted income of over Rs 1400 crore during raids on VK Sasikala's family members and premises of Jaya TV in Chennai.

Last Thursday, the Income Tax department sleuths had carried out simultaneous multi-city raids on 187 premises including those linked to Sasikala and her nephew and deposed AIADMK general secretary T T V Dhinakaran and Tamil television channel Jaya TV over suspected tax evasion.

A top tax investigation official asserted that more than Rs 7 crore in cash and jewellery worth over Rs 5 crore were seized during the searches.

As many as 15 bank lockers and diamond jewellery were kept under "prohibitory orders" under which access to them is denied, he added.

Income Tax officials say, unaccounted income of over RS 1400 crore has been unearthed during raids on VK Sasikala's family members & premises of Jaya TV in Chennai. a ANI (@ANI) November 13, 2017

"A lot of incriminating documents were found and prima facie we have detected undisclosed income of Rs 1,430 crore," the official, who did not want to be named, told. In Delhi, a senior I-T official said undisclosed income of around Rs 1,500 crore was detected during the multi-city searches that were carried out mostly in Tamil Nadu. (With PTI Inputs)

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

Varun Thakur, father of Pradyuman Thakur who was murdered inside Ryan International School, on Monday doubted involvement of the top management of the school.

Thakur also said that local administration and people with access to government might be involved to save the real killer.

Earlier on November 8, the CBI said that a class XI student of Ryan International School killed seven-year-old Pradyuman Thakur to postpone school examinations and parent teachers meeting.

In a sensational twist to the case, the agency announced that it had apprehended a senior student of Ryan International School on Tuesday night in connection with the murder of Pradhuman Thakur, rejecting the Gurugram police's theory that the killing was the handiwork of Ashok Kumar.

The CBI has said that there was no evidence against Kumar so far.

Opposition party also attacked the BJP government and Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar over the "shoddy" police probe.

Bus conductor Ashok Kumar was arrested by Gurugram police in connection with Pradyumans murder.

The Gurgaon Police arrested Ashok in hurry and even Khattar congratulated the team for cracking case the same day.

Gurgaon Police Commissioner Sandeep Khairwar declared in a press meet on September 10 that Ashok was the killer and that he had tried to sexually assault Pradhuman.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Hyderabad :

Hyderabad Police arrested a government employee for allegedly raping his 20-year-old mentally challenged daughter in Telanganas Warangal district on Monday.

The arrested has been identified as V Vijayendra Chary. A complaint was lodged against him by his wife with Intezargunj police station.

A senior officer of Intezargunj police station told the media that the government employees wife in her complaint has mentioned that Chary on multiple occasions raped their daughter over the last two months.

The officer further added that the victim is the eledest of the four children of the couple. She was forced to discontinue her studies as she is mentally unsound.

Also read|Madhya Pradesh: Youth tries to rape two-year-old, agitated mob sets his house on fire



The police officer added that a rape case has been registered under Indian Penal Code (IPC) section 376 against the government employee.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits International Rice Research Institute in Los Banos, Philippines; inaugurates Resilient Rice Field Laboratory.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be attending the opening ceremony of 31st ASEAN Summit in Manila. He will also visit International Rice Research Institute, Mahaveer Philippines Foundation.A

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold bilateral talks with US President Donald Trump and President Duterte of Philippines.

He will address the ASEAN Bussiness and Investment Summit and later attend a Community Reception.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi would be holding bilateral talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, and US President Donald Trump.

PM Modi had a brief interaction with President Trump.A

#WATCH: Visuals from the opening ceremony of 31st #ASEANSummit in #Manila, PM Narendra Modi and other world leaders attend #Philippines pic.twitter.com/4rjRGibMu0 a ANI (@ANI) November 13, 2017

#Philippines: More visuals of music and dance excerpt from the musical Rama Hari, based on the characters of the Ramayana, at the opening ceremony of the 31st #ASEANSummit in #Manila pic.twitter.com/9OsTzO9svi a ANI (@ANI) November 13, 2017

Music and dance performances from the musical Rama Hari, based on the characters of the Ramayana, at the opening ceremony.A

#WATCH: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at the venue for opening ceremony of 31st #ASEANSummit in #Manila #Philippines pic.twitter.com/P02tneuTj4

US President Donald Trump has arrived for the opening ceremony of 31st ASEAN Summit in Manila, Philippines.

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday held bilateral talks withA Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Manila.

While talking to media, Preeti Saran, an official with MEA, said President Duterte asserted that he would like to have a very good relationship with India.

She said,aPresident Duterte and PM Modi had an excellent meeting, and President said he'd like to have very good relations with India.a A

aThis is the first Prime Ministerial visit from India toA PhilippinesA in 36 years,a she said.

PM Narendra Modi meets Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte in Manila #ASEANSummit pic.twitter.com/3XSDcPp4wu a ANI (@ANI) November 13, 2017

Saran further added, aFour agreements were signed between the two nations, including on defence cooperation, A logistics, agriculture and on micro small and medium enterprises.a

This is the first Prime Ministerial visit from India to Philippines in 36 years. President Duterte & PM Modi had an excellent meeting, President said he'd like to have very good relations with India: Preeti Saran, Mea pic.twitter.com/kb7V6g7BFC a ANI (@ANI) November 13, 2017

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
A German newspaper has published a list of 33,293 people it says died while trying to immigrate to Europe between 1993 and May of this year.

The list, published by daily Der Tagesspiegel Thursday, covered 46 pages and included names, ages and countries of origin, when available, as well as how the victims died and their date of death. Often, though, they never were identified.

One entry said Iraqi migrant Talat Abdulhamid, 36, froze to death on Jan. 6 after walking for 48 hours through the mountains on the Turkish-Bulgarian border.

Another, citing the United Nations refugee agency, was for a 15-year-old boy who drowned on Nov. 15, 2016 when a rubber dinghy he was on with 23 others sank while trying to get from Libya to Europe.

The newspaper said it wanted to document, the asylum-seekers, refugees and migrants who died since 1993 as a consequence of the restrictive policies of Europe on the continents outer borders or inside Europe.

Some of the immigrants who succeeded in reaching Europe later died in violent attacks or killed themselves in custody while waiting to be deported back to their home countries.

A 17-year-old Somali boy died when neo-Nazis in the eastern German town of Schmoellnhe forced him to jump off a tower on Oct 21, 2016. A 30-year-old man from Uganda committed suicide in an immigrant detention center on the coast of southern England.

We want to honor them Der Tagesspiegel wrote. And at the same time we want to show that every line tells a story...and that the list keeps getting longer, day by day.

The vast majority of the people on the newspapers list drowned on the Mediterranean Sea while trying to make their way to Europe.

The most recent listings were for two unidentified people, one of them a child, and dated May 29, 2017. The entry says: Two bodies found, 28 missing, drowned or stamped down in a panic when their boat sank off Libya.
(Xinhua) 11:06, November 13, 2017

MOSCOW, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Any double interpretation of the latest joint statement on Syriaby Russian President Vladimir Putinand his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump would be inappropriate, the Kremlin said Sunday.

According to the statement, the two heads of state agreed to maintain open channels of communication between the two militaries to help ensure the safety of U.S. and Russian forces engaged in the fight against Islamic States until its final defeat.

The statement was at first agreed at the level of experts and then agreed between Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, before finally being approved by the two presidents, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted by Russian news agencies as saying.

"There is no need to comment on anything. There is the text of the statement, which is available for reading. That is why double interpretation is inappropriate," Peskov said.

On Saturday, Putin and Trump issued a joint statement about Russia-U.S. cooperation on Syria after their short meeting on the margins of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting in Da Nang, Vietnam.

Russia and the U.S.-led coalition are backing separate offensives against IS in Syria, with both advancing in oil-rich Deir al-Zour province in the east of the war-torn country.
The Kawasaki Heavy Industries C-2 is making its debut outside of Japan at the air show, as the country pushes for export sales of the military transport.

Powered by General Electric CF6 engines, the aircraft has been developed as a successor to the Kawasaki C-1 in both strategic and tactical airlift missions.

With a 15.6m-long (51ft) cargo compartment, the C-2 is able to carry a maximum payload of 36 tonnes for a range of 2,430nm (4,500km), or has a ferry range of 5,300nm.

"The C-2's capacity sits just in the middle of the C-130 and the C-17," says Colonel Tokukazu Omine, programme manager at Japan's Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency. "We are quite proud of its capability."

Development of the jet started in 2001, and was completed this March. Following that, the Japanese government signed a contract with Kawasaki to produce 11 C-2s, of which four have been delivered and are now in service with the Japan Air Self Defence Force.

Omine says the four aircraft are now undergoing operational testing, and have been involved in operational reliability tests, paradrops and tactical operations. Full operating capability is expected in 2018.

With Japan's government clearing the way to start defence exports, it is keen to tap the market for C-130 replacements, or for countries requiring a larger strategic airlift capability.

The United Arab Emirates and New Zealand are expected to be strong prospects for sales. However, Omine would not be drawn on which countries have the greatest export appeal. He adds that a "variety of countries" have expressed interest in the type, including a number of C-130 operators.

Nov 13 (ANNnewsCH) - caacaaaaaacaaaeaaa aaaaaaaaaaa12aaaaaaYaecaaaaaeceeesSaazeeYaaaaaaaaaaaYaa12aaaaaaYaaaaecaaaaaacaeaaaaazaaeaaaaaaaaaaaaa
The Fire and Disaster Management Agency plans to make the installation of hydrogen filling stations easier by revising ordinances related to the fire service law in fiscal 2018, in order to help promote the use of fuel cell vehicles, Jiji Press has learned.

At present, there must be a certain distance between gasoline and hydrogen filling facilities to prevent fires when hydrogen stations are built at gas stations.

Through the revision of the ordinances, the agency plans to allow the installation of hydrogen facilities very close to those for gasoline if certain safety measures are taken, according to informed sources.

This is expected to make it easier to install hydrogen stations in urban areas and other locations where enough space is not available, possibly helping spread the use of environmentally friendly fuel cell vehicles, according to the sources.

In Japan, as few as 1,799 fuel cell vehicles were in use as of the end of March this year, due partly to a lack of hydrogen stations. There are only some 90 such facilities in the country.

Currently, a gap 10-15 centimeters wide and deep must be secured on the ground between gas and hydrogen facilities to prevent gasoline from reaching the hydrogen facilities in case of leakage.

This requirement is making it difficult to increase hydrogen stations in urban areas.
Junior high school students in Japan are generally well-behaved, though occasionally a few naughty ones may slip through the disciplinary system and wreak juvenile havoc.

It seems one junior high school in Owariasahi City, Aichi Prefecture ran into a nasty case recently when a female assistant teacher found her soup bowl filled to the brim with soy milk soup during school lunch. Since it was too much for her, the teacher poured half the bowl back into the huge communal container that the soup was served from.

She felt an odd prickling sensation in her mouth after lunch, and thus proceeded to the school nurse's office. It was there that the truth came to light: she had consumed an unknown amount of laxative.

It wasn't long before another three students from her eighth grade class reportedly fell ill to the same cause. Upon further investigation a student confessed to crushing commercial laxative tablets and sprinkling it into the soy milk soup as a nasty prank meant for the assistant teacher. But since she poured half of it back into the communal container at the start, it also inadvertently affected the three students who went back for seconds.
Gunma Prefectural Police believe thieves suspected in a string of recent burglaries of second hand shops in the prefecture struck again twice early Friday, reports TBS News

At just past 4:25 a.m., thieves broke into Goldies Oizumi in the Asahi area of the town of Oizumi and stole about 15 items, including wristwatches and hand bags, valued at around 1.1 million yen after smashing display cases.

About 30 minutes later, three men broke into Brand Shop Santore in Tatebayashi City, located about 15 kilometers from the first incident, and stole more than 300 items, including necklaces and wristwatches, valued at 20 million yen.

In security camera footage released by police, two of the thieves can be seen smashing the display cases with a metal rod and collecting the merchandise in a white bucket.

According to the Tatebayashi and Oizumi police stations, the stores are located inside a mall and supermarket. In both cases, the suspects wrenched open the front door. The men in both incidents were attired in black trousers and hooded sweatshirts.

Police believe the pair may have been behind similar burglaries in Takasaki --- a jewelry shop and another second hand store --- in July and earlier this month.

Nov 13 (ANNnewsCH) - ecSaaaaeasaaa3acaaacSeaaeaca aaaaaaYaa11aa5aaZacecezaaaaaaaaaeaaacaaaaaaaaYeasaaa3acaaaaaSaaaaaaaaYa aacaaeaa
Of all the things there are to see and do in a foreign city, it's fair to say a visit to the local garbage incinerator is not usually one of them. But a garbage facility in the Japanese city of Osaka has become a major tourist attraction --- for all the wrong reasons.

Some 12,000 tourists visit Osakaas Maishima incineration plant every year, many of them mistaking it for a Universal Studios theme park, Japanas Asahi Shimbun reports. About 30 per cent of those are international tourists.

In fairness to the hapless sightseers, Universal Studios Japan is located near the Maishima incineration plant, in Osakaas Konohana Ward, so theyare not far off.

And the plantas carnivalesque chimney, featuring a colourful column and golden dome 120m is in the air, does seem more befitting of a theme park than a garbage facility.

According to Asahi Shimbun, the incinerator plant processes up to 900 tonnes of garbage every day. It was built in 2001 and designed by the late Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser, to fit in with the Osaka city governmentas request it represent the afusion of technology, environment and arta.
One month ahead of the trial of a Chinese murderer in Japan, thousands of signatures have been collected to demand the death penalty for the man who stabbed a Chinese girl to death at her doorstep in Tokyo.

(Screenshot of Jiang Ge in a Japanese news report)

The suspect, Chen Shifeng, is scheduled to stand trial on December 11 in Tokyo for the murder of 24-year-old Chinese student Jiang Ge on November 3, 2016, in the capital of Japan.

Jiangs mother began to collect public signatures in August to call for the death penalty for Chen. She also flew to Japan this past weekend to garner more support. There is no exact record on the total number of signatures, but in lettered signatures alone, she has received 2,249 names as of October 29. On Sina Weibo, posts containing the link to the online petition were reposted tens of thousands of times.

We understand that one is rarely sentenced to death in Japan, but we believe that it is one of the most heinous crimes to brutally kill an innocent girl due to his personal grudge with someone else. The suspect Chen Shifeng also showed no remorse after leaving the victims family in pieces. We believe that Chen Shifeng must pay for his crimes and we plead for Japanese authorities to protect law-abiding citizens human rights and sentence Chen Shifeng to death, said the petition letter, which was addressed to the Japanese judges and the trial jury in the name of a Chinese citizen.

(Screenshot of Chen Shifeng in a Japanese news report on Jiang Ge)

Amid the public outcry to punish the murderer, Jiangs roommate Liu Xin has also come under criticism. Liu is an ex-girlfriend of Chen, and their former relationship is allegedly one reason for Jiangs death.

Chen allegedly followed Jiang back home to seek Liu when the murder took place. Liu allegedly refused to let Chen in when Jiang was attacked, but later claimed that she heard nothing and that the door was unlocked. However, neighbors say that they heard Jiangs desperate scream for help.

Lius absence of apology and comfort to Jiangs family triggered even wider discussions as well as criticisms. She has also reportedly threatened to withdraw from the police investigation after her personal information was released online during her avoidance of contact with Jiangs family.

Many have criticized Lius lack of conscience and want to hold Liu legally responsible for the death of Jiang Ge. Some legal experts have pointed out that while Liu may not be legally accountable, she should not be exempt from moral judgment.
Can the boring counseling books become page-turners like wuxia novels?

Contrary to popular perception, 14 high school students in Chengdu, Sichuan province have achieved a near-impossible feat.

For the uninitiated, wuxia is a genre of Chinese fiction featuring itinerant warriors of ancient China, often depicted as capable of superhuman feats of martial arts such as Kung Fu.

The students' compilation of five counseling books for senior high school entrance examination has become an Internet rage.

Yan Zuhuai, 15, was the topper at Chengdu Gaoxin Heping Middle School. He came first in Chengdu No.7 High School, which requires the highest cut-off marks, in June.

"I'd like to share my study experience with others," said Yan. Along with 13 other classmates, he is immersed in the compilation of SHARED SHSEE, counseling books for senior high school entrance examination.

The books cover five subjects such as mathematics, Chinese, English, physics and chemistry.

Compelling stories are used as engaging hooks to make dissemination of knowledge an enjoyable learning process.

Gender centric-books

The content of the books are tailored for boys and girls, respectively. For example, the chemistry-counseling book for girls is written in romantic wuxia style, while for boys it's like a military novel.

The English-counseling book is called A Bite of English. The book has English tongue twisters, dialogues from films and TV series and key knowledge pointers.

The Chinese-counseling book has related stories or illustrations of main characters depicted in the textbook to make the exercise lively and absorbing.

Mathematics is the most difficult subject among a vast majority of students. The counseling book has used emoticon-like illustrations to make mathematical solutions refreshing despite the obvious challenges.

Yan has taken the pain to go through a series of exercise papers.

The team of 14 students is set to rescue their peers from "exam phobia" and make learning a joyous experience instead of mindless cramming.
Work begins next month on an once-controversial project Eversource says will improve electric service in the area.

The energy company plans to install a 3.4 mile, 115-kilovolt transmission line through Bethel, Danbury and Brookfield and improve substations in Bethel and Brookfield. The line will be built within Eversources existing right-of-way, which extends from Plumtree Substation in Bethel to an area near Park Ridge Road in Brookfield.

It provides another path for us to deliver electricity into the area, Eversource spokesman Frank Poirot said. As such, it improves the reliability of our system to serve customers in the western part of the state.

A public hearing in Bethel last fall attracted dozens of residents who said they were worried about the negative impact the work could have on the environment and their neighborhoods. But since the Connecticut Siting Council approved the proposal last November, first selectmen in Bethel and Brookfield said they have not heard any complaints about the project.

Bethel First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker said he supports the projects efforts to better service in the area, because residents have complained about frequently losing power during storms. After a storm late last month, Bethel was one of the last towns in the area to have power completely restored.

But Knickerbocker said he is still concerned about the trees that might have to be cut down to install the line.

The good news is when the project is done the service will be more reliable, but the bad news is quite a few trees have to come down, he said.

Poirot said Eversource will not know how many trees will need to be cleared until survey crews complete their work next month.

Some trees will likely need to be removed to create a safe work area for construction crews and a clear path for the new line, he said.

Poirot said survey crews will mark environmentally sensitive and culturally significant areas to avoid accidentally disturbing them during construction.

Transmission rights-of-way serve a vital role in maintaining the health of a significant population of plants, animals and insects and we take our role as environmental stewards very seriously, he said.

Brookfield First Selectman Steve Dunn said residents on Deer Trail Drive had opposed Eversource building an access road off of their small cul-de-sac. But once Eversource moved its access road, Dunn said he and the residents supported the project.

Instead of using Deer Trail Drive, Eversource modified an existing access road to reach Stony Hill Road.

It was less ambitious of an approach to that substation and, I believe, it was something that met with neighbors approval, Poirot said. As always, we were very pleased to work with the neighbors on something that met everybodys needs.

Poirot said there have not been any glaring issues with service in the area. But he said the line will allow the company to meet current and future demand for electricity.

We're a little more proactive about it, he said. We try to anticipate when a piece of equipment will reach its life cycle and when it needs to be replaced before it causes a problem.
Musicians and actors seem to change their persona or stylistic choices almost overnight. One bad album release or a terrible film doesn't appear to make or break their careers. It's almost as if they reinvent themselves and try again -- a complete "do-over."

Fans' willingness to go along with a new look or sound might have something to do with the way artists market their personal brands. They connect on an intimate level with listeners and movie audiences. Their storytelling transcends the physical being and creates a persona to whom nearly anyone can relate.

You don't need to be a creative type to learn the marketing skills that help artists succeed in their businesses. Whether you're looking for professional or personal inspiration, applying these methods can help you get ahead.

1. Reinvent yourself.

The entrepreneurial world clings to the belief that moving forward with relentless effort means youre on the right track. Put another way: Motivation, tact, sleepless nights and maybe a little bit of luck mean your conviction will lead you from risk to reward. You're free to relax only after youve reached the safe point (no longer having to choose between ramen and steak).

In truth, complacency is how the mighty fall. History bears this out. Titans of business have failed because they didn't evolve with the market or their leaders simply didn't understand how to reinvent themselves. (Toys R Us, anyone?)

Madonna has become known as the queen of reinvention. Since launching her first album in the summer of 1983, she's undergone a near-constant evolution of her personal brand and self-expressionistic style. Decades later, shes amassed hundreds of millions of dollars on tour. Shes the artist every female pop performer aspired to be. Those who study pop culture likely can hear a Madonna song and match it to a corresponding span of years on the nostalgia calendar.

Related: 12 Scientifically Proven Ways to Reinvent Yourself

Today's audiences crave content and quickly lose interest -- and businesses fail to move at the same speed. People get bored. Madonna and other artists arent afraid to take risks. In fact, shes always used controversy to sell her brand. How can companies tap into that power?

Lets assume you founded a social-media marketing consultancy, and interest in your business is starting to plummet due to intense competition in your space. If your primary competitor publishes a great article titled "3 Ways to Grow Your Business on Social Media Over the Next Year," I encourage you to write a piece called "3 Ways That Social Media is Killing Your Productivity." As long as you can substantiate your position and it serves a purpose in your marketing, use controversy to your benefit.

That example allows you to slowly begin marketing yourself as a solutions consultant for brands that struggle with time management. You might even use such an article to test audience interest in your intended direction. One well-written piece could be the catalyst you need to deviate from the crowd and go your own way.

2. Be real. Be personable.

If you want to connect with your clients and audience, be relatable -- not perfect. The old adage "people want to do business with people" exists for a reason. Artists are no different. Try to imagine Jennifer Lawrence behaving like a prima donna on set. Can't do it? Shes known to be extremely humble, down to earth and a bit quirky. Hugh Jackman, Chris Pratt and Ellen DeGeneres all have reputations for being genuinely pleasant to work with. People love them because theyre real.

Related: 5 Ways to Immediately Make Your Business More Personable

Follow any of those celebrities on social media, and youll see theyre just like you and me. You also should be willing to show parts of your personality and your business that customers don't normally get a chance to see. For example, you might share outtakes from your latest commercial shoot or new business initiatives. Highlight your staff members and show appreciation for them on social media.

Get people involved in the processes that make your business run, and keep them engaged. Most of all, be responsive. Dont give your clients corporate-drone speak. Take the real talk directly to them and have meaningful conversations with them. Youd be surprised how client feedback can influence your business' direction and its growth trajectory, too.

3. Use the power of storytelling.

Companies finally are starting to understand the value of storytelling. Stories establish a purpose and help drive action. They help audiences relate to concepts that consumers otherwise not have understood or taken an interest in.

Jay-Z's songs resonate with a broad range of listeners because they tell stories about starting from nothing -- rags to riches. It doesn't matter that a good share of his audience doesn't share his personal experience of growing up in a pre-gentrification Brooklyn housing project and selling drugs to make his family's rent. Entrepreneurs, though, do know what it feels like to be the underdog -- misunderstood, tired, broke and working 24/7 for a chance at success.

Related: Classic Tales to Mirror When Telling Your Brand Story

The late Steve Jobs was a master at crafting and delivering keynote speeches. He created compelling theatrical performances that inspired people to act. What he sold was almost irrelevant. What mattered more was how he sold it. If Jobs had sold chairs instead of computing technology, I've no doubt he'd be able to spin a story around why his chairs fit your life. You'd inevitably buy his chair instead of someone else's.

As youre marketing your business, think of ways to show your audience why your story is relevant to theirs. Why should they care? How does it affect them? The ability to translate a common, core message across different circumstances is unmistakably powerful.

Related: Tell Your Startup's Story and Captivate Your Audience. Here's How.

Related:

21 ideas simples para tener exito con tu negocio en el Buen Fin

5 Lessons on Writing Sales Proposals Gleaned From the Competition for Amazon's New Headquarters

How to Market Yourself Like an Artist



Copyright 2017 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved



This article originally appeared on entrepreneur.com


Im not crying over the apparent demise of the General Assemblys propaganda arm, called CT-N.

Its the self-inflicted victim of broadcast creep, pleading poverty with $877,451 in the bank, according to its latest IRS statement.

Once dedicated to simply televising the General Assembly and its committees, the Connecticut Public Affairs Network grew and grew, after it was anointed by then-Senate President Kevin Sullivan back in 1999.

In response to their expanding telegenic opportunities, lawmakers became even more pompous, bloviating their under-informed monologues and colloquies for over-extended periods, to the dubious benefit of the states insomniacs and policy wonks.

Over the years, CT-Ns playpen expanded to include more exotic locations and assignments. One of the chief beneficiaries has been Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, whose frenetic tours of the state were often streaming on the web, or recorded for later.

Now, the Connecticut Public Affairs Network is essentially kicked out of the Capitol after rejecting a temporary deal for $5,000 a day in expenses, pending further negotiations in this year of the budget crisis. While singing the monetary blues, CPAN claimed that the General Assembly was attempting to take over editorial control of its coverage.

As CT-N defaulted last week into a death loop of a never-ending two-hour-and-22-minute meeting of the state Board of Firearms Permit Examiners, Gov. Dan Malloy even jumped on his high horse, promising the find $400,000 toward the $1.6 million haircut that the new state budget took toward CPANs previous $3.2 million budget. He asked for the legislative and judicial branches to find similar amounts.

Going over 15 years of CPANs IRS 990 filings for non-profit organizations, we see that President and CEO Paul Gigueres compensation was $107,071 in 2002. In 2016, CPAN reported that he was paid $161,587 plus $23,672 in benefits. The organization spent more than $25,000 in lobbying expenses. They paid out about $2.1 million for the more than 30 other employees, about a dozen of whom  pawns in this game with real technical skills  are in the process of becoming temporary workers for the Connecticut General Assembly, until bids go out to continue the operation. There is a roomful of video equipment in the first floor of the Legislative Office Building, dozens of stationary cameras throughout the Capitol complex and equipment for remote recording.

Back in 2015, when Giguere made $143,050 in salary and $24,385 in benefits, CPAN asked the General Assembly, unsuccessfully, for about $8 million. Last year it tried to piggyback on Connecticut cable bills and require every subscriber in the state to cough up 40 cents more per month for its state-designated monopoly, or another cool million bucks a year. Anyone familiar with cable bills know that charges eventually increase and are never reduced. The failed legislation was written to limit contract eligibility to a company with experience in providing gavel-to-gavel coverage of state government proceedings. Yeah it was pretty much dialed-in for CPAN.

One thing CPAN did, was allow reporters to be in multiple locations at the same time.

So after a week of checking on CT-Ns website with no change, it was finally time to check in with that Nov. 2 meeting of the state Board of Firearms Permit Examiners, held in the headquarters of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection in Middletown. The board hears the cases of people who once lost their gun permits and now theyre trying to get them back.

An attorney named Donald Celotto was in an uphill struggle, after his client, a dude from Cheshire wearing a mullet, admitted that he did not include his entire criminal history, in particular a 1994 domestic incident, on his application to be reinstated. Cheshire Police Chief Neil Dryfe was there in opposition. Celotto said that a different, 2001 domestic, in which, according to a board member, the dude threatened to kill his girlfriend, then threw something at a wall with the womans 6-year-old nearby, was reduced to breach of peace.

The victims testimony in a police report is hearsay, Celotto said. It went through the court system with trained assistant states attorney and judges, and it was adjudicated as a breach of peace... But under the circumstances that prevail for an allegation contained in a police report, is very serious on its face, to result in a breach-of-peace plea, I think puts the underlying circumstances in a far-less grave light than the lurid reading of it. I dont question the urgency of law enforcement to respond to such a thing, but the conviction resulted in a breach of peace violation.

The mullet finally got a chance to talk. This is stemming from a relationship from the past, he said. I have learned a lot since then. Celotto described his client, who was not named, as steadfast with good conduct for 16 or 17 years. I dont think hes very sophisticated, Celotto said. I do feel he has come in good faith and contrition.

Not exactly scintillating TV.

Ken Dixon can be reached in the Capitol at 860-549-4670 or at kdixon@ctpost.com. See twitter.com/KenDixonCT. His Facebook address is kendixonct.hearst.
It might be comforting to believe that Tuesdays election can be explained as a political primal scream aimed at President Donald Trump and his dangerous excesses. Some may even conclude that a Democratic sweep of next years midterms will follow along with the speedy impeachment of Trump. Then, surely, reason and order will return to the business of running the United States.

Unfortunately, that pipe dream ignores the more profound meaning of last weeks election results: The shellacking Republicans took proves again just how unmoored American politics has become in the 21st century.

Democrats and Republicans have held a duopoly over Washington since Franklin Pierce got elected president in 1852. For most of that time, both parties saw their governing majorities rise and fall over the course of entire generations.

The Grand Old Party more or less dominated national politics from Abraham Lincolns election in 1860 until the Great Depression. Franklin D. Roosevelts Democratic coalition dominated from 1933 until the Reagan Revolution began to reshape politics in 1980. When Ronald Reagans Republican Party finally gained control of Congress 14 years later, it was the first time a GOP speaker had run the House in 40 years.

Since then, though, the political alignments that once endured decades of change have begun collapsing in two-year intervals. In 2004, Karl Rove spoke of a permanent Republican majority. Just over two years later, Nancy Pelosi became speaker of the House.

In 2008, many hailed Barack Obamas winning coalition as a new Democratic majority, built on a well-educated and demographically diverse coalition. Fast-forward two years and the tea party laid waste to all previous political presumptions. But their unfocused, anti-government zeal proved to be no match for Obamas reelection campaign. At that time, Obama told Mika Brzezinski and me that his 2012 victory would finally make Republicans deal with his White House. But just two years later, Republicans again routed Democrats in local, state and national legislative races. And two years after that, Trump destroyed the Democratic establishment, but only after reducing the Republican political machine to rubble.

Now, less than a year after seizing control of all branches of government, Trumpism is in full retreat. Even before Tuesdays drubbing, the president was weighed down by historically low approval ratings. The Republican Congress fares even worse, with a dismal 13 percent approval rating. Remarkably, the Democratic Party seemed even less united before Tuesdays rout. The fact that Trumps GOP was beaten so badly by the party of Donna Brazile and a Virginia gubernatorial candidate who one observer compared to a bag of mulch proves again that voters are voting against political parties instead of voting for inspiring leaders.

The last president to own majorities in both the House and Senate for two terms was Roosevelt. Since then, Republican majorities have been undone by the excesses of McCarthyism, Watergate and Iraq, while Democratic alliances have collapsed under the weight of Vietnam, a runaway welfare state, the enduring impact of the Great Recession and a brand of identity politics that some Democrats quietly suggest fed into Trumps destructive rise.

It seems the long-term political turbulence shaking the United States two- party system to its knees comes from the inability of either party to explain why working-class jobs keep leaving the country and why most Americans wages have stagnated for decades. More importantly, no candidates have come forward with a convincing plan to turn those trends around.

Trump promised voters last year that his unique brand of economic witchcraft would magically send millions of workers back into coal mines, return automotive assembly lines to full capacity and transport U.S. workers back to a time when factories were spinning out manufactured goods and workers had a salary that supported their families. But the dreams Trump sold working-class Americans are already turning to dust. His promise of a more affordable and accessible health-care system is dead. His plan to reform the tax code now seems to be little more than a payoff to rich political patrons and billionaires like him. And instead of draining Washingtons swamp of unethical behavior, Trump has put his White House, his family and himself in the legal sights of Special Counsel Robert Mueller.

Even if Tuesdays election begins the long process of removing the president from office, Americans will be left with the same corrosive system that led voters to take a chance on Trump. The only way to escape that cycle is to break apart the hyperpartisan two-party duopoly that has kept Washington too divided, too dysfunctional and too directionless for too long.

Joe Scarborough, a New Canaan resident, is a former Republican congressman from Florida and host of the MSNBC show Morning Joe. He wrote this for the Washington Post.
Zero gravity binge as pizza and ice cream rocket toward space station

A stash of frozen treats including chocolate bars, ice cream and other supplies rocketed towards the International Space Station on Sunday from Virginias cold eastern shore.

NASAs commercial shipper, Orbital ATK, launched the cargo ship just after sunrise from Wallops Island, aboard an unmanned Antares rocket.

The Cygnus capsule should reach the orbiting lab Tuesday.

Its loaded with 7,400 pounds of cargo, including frozen fruit bars and ice cream for the six station astronauts.

The Orbital ATK's Antares rocket sits on the launch pad at the NASA Wallops Island flight facility in Wallops Island Saturday. /AP Photo

The crew expects a pizza delivery as well, something Italian astronaut Paolo Nespoli has been craving for months.

"Pizza and ice cream on the way!" NASA astronaut Joe Acaba tweeted after liftoff, "Eagerly awaiting the arrival."

This marked Orbital ATKs first launch from its home turf in more than a year.

The last time it made a space station delivery, it used another companys rocket flying from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Among the cargo were several CubeSats, or small satellites, which will conduct a variety of missions, from technology demonstrations of laser communication to an investigation to study spaceflight effects on bacterial antibiotic resistance.

Other experiments will advance biological monitoring aboard the station and look at various elements of plant growth in microgravity that may help inform plant cultivation strategies for future long-term space missions.

The spacecraft also transported a virtual reality camera to record a National Geographic educational special on the Earth as a natural life-support system.

Orbital ATKs Antares rocket lifted off from Wallops Island on Sunday. /AP Photo

A launch attempt on Saturday was nixed after a plane strayed into the restricted airspace. Sundays try was almost foiled by a couple of boats that briefly entered the keep-out zone.

Orbital ATK named the capsule after the last man to walk on the moon, Apollo 17s Gene Cernan, who died in January.

During the final minutes of the countdown, a launch controller paid tribute to Cernan as well as J.R. Thompson, a high-ranking NASA and Orbital ATK official who died last week.

The capsule will remain at the space station until the beginning of December, when its cut loose for a test of close proximity flying, a series of mini satellite deployments and, lastly, a fiery re-entry.

Source(s): AP, Xinhua News Agency
VANCOUVER, Nov. 13, 2017 /CNW/ - Axion Ventures Inc. ("Axion Ventures" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: AXV) announced today that, since its press release dated June 29, 2017, it has loaned an additional US$885,000 to its subsidiary, Axion Games Limited ("Axion Games"). The principal amount of the recent loans together with the principal amount of the loan announced in June equals US$1,547,500. All loans bear interest at 8% and the maturity date is the earlier of one year or demand from the Company.

Axion Ventures intends to convert the aggregate balance of the loans provided to Axion Games into shares in Axion Games at the next rights offering by Axion Games. Past loan conversions together with additional subscription proceeds has increased the Company's overall ownership in Axion Games by approximately 5%.

About Axion Ventures

Axion Ventures is an Investment Issuer with majority ownership in Axion Games, an online video game development and publishing company headquartered in Shanghai, China as well as in True Axion Interactive Ltd., a video game development company headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand and cofounded with True Corporation. Axion Ventures also maintains holdings in other innovative technology companies.

www.axionventures.com

Axion Ventures Inc. is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol (TSXV: AXV).

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.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements contained in this press release may 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", "proposed" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on Axion Ventures' current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. 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 Axion Ventures. 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: general economic and business conditions; and changes in regulatory regime. Axion Ventures 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 Axion Ventures 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.

SOURCE Axion Ventures Inc.

For further information: Axion Ventures Inc., John Todd Bonner, Chief Executive Officer, (604) 687-7767; Investor Relations, Robert Kelly, LodeRock Advisors Inc., (416) 992-4539, [email protected]
Stock Market Symbols

GIB.A (TSX)

GIB (NYSE)

www.cgi.com/newsroom

MONTREAL, Nov. 13, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - Francois Boulanger, Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer and Lorne Gorber, Executive Vice-President, Global Communications and Investor Relations of CGI (TSX: GIB.A) (NYSE: GIB), will present to investors at the RBC Capital Markets TMT Deep Dive Conference on November 14, 2017 in Toronto.

The presentation is scheduled for 12:45 p.m. (EST), and will be available via live audio webcast on CGI's website at www.cgi.com. A replay of the webcast will be archived on CGI's website in the Investors section under Events.



About CGI

Founded in 1976, CGI is the fifth largest independent IT and business consulting services firm in the world. With approximately 71,000 professionals worldwide, CGI delivers an end-to-end portfolio of high-end IT and business consulting services, systems integration and IT and business process outsourcing services. CGI's client proximity model, best-fit global delivery network, and intellectual property solutions help clients accelerate results and digitally transform their organizations. With annual revenue of C$10.8 billion, CGI shares are listed on the TSX (GIB.A) and the NYSE (GIB). Website: www.cgi.com.

SOURCE CGI Group Inc.

For further information: Samantha Taccone, Investor Relations Specialist, [email protected], +1 416-306-3782

Related Links

http://www.cgi.com/


TORONTO, Nov. 13, 2017 /CNW/ -- Moores Clothing for Men and Kenneth Cole Productions launched the AWEARNESS Kenneth Cole collection in November 2015 with the mission to create tailored clothing so the modern man can "look good, for good." This Remembrance Day, Moores and Kenneth Cole Productions are proud to announce that the AWEARNESS Kenneth Cole collection has generated over $350,000 in donations since the program's inception to support True Patriot Love Foundation and their mission to assist Canadian military Veterans. "The donations generated from sales of the AWEARNESS collection have been impressive and we are proud of our partnership to support our Veterans and their families," says Richard Bull, Vice President of Merchandising at Moores.

Moores Clothing For Men Celebrates Remembrance Day, Donates Over $350,000

The benefitting charity partnering in this mission has a strong history supporting the military community. True Patriot Love Foundation is a national charity dedicated to providing essential support and resources to Canadian military members, Veterans and their families. Among many other programs, True Patriot Love Foundation pairs ill and injured soldiers with Canadian business leaders on ambitious expeditions across the globe helping build awareness of the challenges Veterans face when they transition to civilian life.

"True Patriot Love sincerely thanks Moores, and the AWEARNESS Kenneth Cole collection, for its incredible support and partnership," said Bronwen Evans, CEO of True Patriot Love Foundation. "Together, we are able to assist Veterans who are transitioning to civilian life by providing access to critical programs and services that will directly help them on their journey."

The AWEARNESS Kenneth Cole collection features slim fit suits, sport coats, dress shirts and ties. Also included in the collection is the AWEAR-TECH line of performance apparel introduced last Fall. The tailored clothing and sportswear items feature 37.5 fabric technology that includes advanced cooling technology. Both collections will continue to generate a one percent contribution from all gross sales of AWEARNESS Kenneth Cole products sold exclusively at Moores.

About Moores Clothing for Men:

Launched in 1980 and a subsidiary of Tailored Brands, Inc. (NYSE: TLRD), Moores Clothing for Men is the leading national retailer of men's business attire in Canada with over 120 stores. Moores' stores carry a full selection of suits, sport coats, slacks, formalwear, sportswear, outerwear, dress shirts, footwear, and accessories in non-exclusive and exclusive merchandise brands such as Joseph Abboud, AWEARNESS Kenneth Cole, Black by Vera Wang, among others. Moores is also the largest provider of tuxedo and suit rentals in Canada.

For additional information on Moores Clothing for Men, please visit mooresclothing.com

Follow us on social media @MooresClothing (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter)

About Kenneth Cole Productions, Inc.

Kenneth Cole is an American designer, social activist, and visionary who believes business and philanthropy are interdependent. His global company, Kenneth Cole Productions, creates modern, functional, clothing, shoes, and accessories for inspirational urban lifestyles under the brand names Kenneth Cole New York, Kenneth Cole Reaction and Unlisted, as well as footwear under the name Gentle Souls. The company has also granted a wide variety of third party licenses for the production of men's and women's apparel, fragrances, watches, jewelry, eyewear, and several other accessory categories, including children's footwear. The company's products are distributed through department stores, better specialty stores, company-owned retail stores and its e-commerce website. Over 30 years ago, Kenneth Cole leveraged his passion and unique brand platform to make a meaningful impact on people's wardrobes, as well as communities in need. He did what others didn't and said what others wouldn't. Today, The Kenneth Cole Foundation remains committed to helping communities in need by supporting Collective Health, Civil Liberties, and Artistic Activism.

About True Patriot Love Foundation

True Patriot Love Foundation (TPL) is a national charity with the mission to inspire every Canadian to contribute to the resilience and wellbeing of our military and Veteran families. Since 2009, TPL has provided more than $18 million to support military families, including supporting more than 100 community-based programs across the country that address the unique challenges resulting from service including mental health, physical rehabilitation, transitioning to civilian life, and the special needs of children. In addition, TPL contributes to advancements in research and technology through our $5 million commitment to the Canadian Institute for Military and Veterans Health Research (Queen's University). For more information, visit www.truepatriotlove.com.

For media inquiries, contact:

Director of Public Relations All Brands

Diego Louro, [email protected]





Public Relations Marketing Manager

Julie Weber, [email protected]

SOURCE Moores Clothing For Men

Related Links

http://www.mooresclothing.com


TORONTO, Nov. 13, 2017 /CNW/ - Sunwah International Limited, TSX: SWH (the "Company"), an Asian based financial services firm, today announced its financial results for the period ended September 30, 2017. All figures quoted are in U.S. dollars.

Q1 FY2018 Financial Highlights:

Net profit attributable to owners of the Company of $0.3 million (Q1 FY2017: Net profit of $22,000 )

(Q1 FY2017: Net profit of ) Profit before tax of $1.1 million (Q1 FY2017: $0.5 million )

(Q1 FY2017: ) A solid year-over-year increase in total revenues to $5.7 million (Q1 FY2017: $4.3 million )

(Q1 FY2017: ) Net gain of $1.2 million on the disposal and mark-to-market differences of financial assets/liabilities (Q1 FY2017: Net gain of $1.2 million )

on the disposal and mark-to-market differences of financial assets/liabilities (Q1 FY2017: Net gain of ) Strong growth in commission and fee income to $3.6 million (Q1 FY2017: $1.9 million )

(Q1 FY2017: ) Interest and dividend income of $0.8 million (Q1 FY2017: $1.1 million )

Sunwah International and its subsidiaries (collectively "the Group") recorded a net profit attributable to owners of the Company of $0.3 million in the first quarter of Fiscal 2018, which compares with a small profit of $22,000 last year. The increase is the result of solid growth in the Group's service revenues as well as strong gains in its proprietary investments portfolio alongside strategies to stabilize its investment returns.

Strong investor sentiment globally, including in Hong Kong and key parts of Asia where the Group is particularly active, contributed to a rise in total revenues for the period to $5.7 million from $4.3 million last year. Realized and unrealized mark-to-market gains in proprietary trading income remained steady relative to last year at $1.2 million while commission and fee income increased significantly to $3.6 million from $1.9 million in Q1 FY2017, reflecting respectable gains within the Group's brokerage division as well as an upsurge in advisory fee income. Selling and administrative expenses, including commission expenses, rose to $4.8 million from $3.9 million in last year's corresponding quarter, which was commensurate with the rise in total income.

Sunwah International's improved financial performance for the quarter reflects a shift in investment strategy within its proprietary trading division to an absolute return focus as well as efforts to strengthen the Group's fee based earnings, driven by its mainstay Capital Markets Group. In particular, the Company is focused on its international growth strategy and expansion into promising parts of Asia, giving it a first-mover advantage in these regions and positioning the Company to benefit from such initiatives as China's One Belt One Road project and the newly concluded Free Trade Agreement negotiations between Hong Kong and the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). Schemes such as these promote economic collaboration amongst Asian nations, resulting in new business opportunities and heightened trade and investment flow.

"We are encouraged by the Group's operational performance over the last several quarters and are pleased to see this translate into positive financial strides as evidenced by this period's results and the return to profitability of our proprietary investment division in Fiscal 2017," said Michael Choi, President and CEO. "The Company continues to target resources within our Capital Markets Group, and we are particularly excited by our expansion into several up-and-coming markets, which positions us to capitalize on new regulatory programs that enhance connectivity between key Asian economies."

Sunwah International represents the financial services division of Sunwah Group, a highly reputable Asian based, international conglomerate.

For more information on Sunwah International's first quarter operating results, please see the Management's Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) and compete financial statements, which are filed on SEDAR and also available on the Company's website at www.sunwahinternational.com.

About Sunwah International Limited

Sunwah International Limited (TSX: SWH) is a Hong Kong based financial services provider, focused on linking the international investment community with Asia's highest growth economic regions. The organization's primary Hong Kong based subsidiary, Sunwah Kingsway Capital Holdings Limited, is listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong under the stock code 00188. Sunwah Kingsway is licensed to provide a range of financial solutions in Hong Kong and abroad that include award-winning brokerage services and innovative corporate finance offerings.

Founded in 1990, Sunwah International represents the financial services division of Sunwah Group, one of Asia's most prominent multi-national conglomerates.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release announcing the financial results for Sunwah International's period ended September 30, 2017 should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and management's discussion and analysis of Sunwah International Limited (the "Company") and its subsidiaries. This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined under applicable Canadian securities laws. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements made concerning the Company's 2018 objectives, its strategies to achieve those objectives, as well as statements with respect to management's beliefs, plans, estimates, and intentions, and similar statements concerning anticipated future events, results, circumstances, performance or expectations that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "outlook", "objective", "may", "will", "expect", "intend", "estimate", "anticipate", "believe", "should", "plan" or "continue", or similar expressions suggesting future outcomes or events. Such forward- looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is provided as of the date of this press release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances.

Except as required by applicable law, management and the board of directors of the Company (the "Board of Directors") undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE Sunwah International Limited

For further information: Kristen Humphrey, Sunwah International Limited, (416) 888-2323, [email protected]

Related Links

www.sunwahinternational.com


COHOES, N.Y. -- Police were called to the home of Cohoes Mayor Shawn Morse last week, but he denies domestic violence between him and his wife.

The Albany Times-Union reported that 911 received a call Friday morning from Morse's wife, Brenda, who told authorities her husband choked and pushed, her and smashed her phone when she tried to call police.

When contacted by The Times-Union, Morse said, "Don't [expletive] call my house ever again," according to the report. "You don't need to know what goes on in my house between me and my family."

He initially denied police were called to his house, threatened to file a lawsuit, and suggested 911 calls are "private" under New York state law.

Morse later apologized to the newspaper, and said no one was physically injured in the family dispute. He said he and his wife had a good 18-year marriage.

"Me and my wife are going through a real hard time, we are emotionally drained, we are physically drained and we are trying to find answers that we can't find," he said in interview with The Times-Union.

A police official told The Times-Union that officers who responded to the call did not observe Brenda Morse to have any injuries. The official said Morse had a small scratch on his face, which could be seen in photos of the mayor in subsequent days.

Morse "vehemently denied" there was physical contact during the argument, according to the Times-Union report.

In a Facebook post obtained by the newspaper, Morse apparently wrote that it's normal for couples to argue.

"Most couples have not had hundreds of arguments; they've had the same argument hundreds of times," Morse wrote. "Life is hard. After all, it kills you."

Public Affairs Reporter Julie McMahon covers federal courts, government and other issues affecting taxpayers. She can be reached anytime: Email | Twitter | 315-412-1992
In 1994 the Bogor goals were established in APEC with the aim to achieve by 2020 an area of free trade and investment among all member economies, but within three years of that date, it will be difficult to reach that objective. That is why some years ago the idea of having a Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific, or FTAAP, was proposed, and in the 2014 APEC Leaders Summit in Beijing, at China initiative, a study on how to achieve that was launched.

In the 2016 APEC Leaders meeting in Lima, Peru, the study was presented. It recommended that member economies should continue to work towards eliminating barriers to trade and investment, facilitate business and encourage cooperation, and to work in the existing efforts by regional groups, like the TPP and RCEP, to have a broad Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific.

But after the 2016 APEC Leaders summit the environment surrounding members economies efforts towards a free and open system of trade and investment changed with the election of a new administration in the USA. This country, that was the main one pushing for the TPP agreement, supposed one of the pillars of the future FTAAP, decided to withdraw from the TPP, preferring bilateral to multilateral trade negotiations, and assume an attitude of isolating itself of the APEC members aim to have an open system of trade and investment.

Giving that situation, and the fact that China is the most important member of APEC in terms of economic weight, and the main engine of growth in the world economy, China role in APEC should become bigger. How can this be achieved? Below are some proposals for that.

With the withdrawal of the USA the TPP scheme weakened, but now under the leadership of mainly Japan and Australia, a TPP with eleven members is being pushed up. Another round of negotiations for this TPP11 agreement has just finished in Tokyo and its members hope to conclude a deal by the coming 2017 APEC Leaders Summit in Vietnam. As said before, the other pillar of the FTAAP is supposed to be the RCEP, but negotiations are not advanced as desired and an agreement will not be achieved this year. China, as the biggest economy in this group should assume a leadership role in the RCEP. How? USA could attract countries with the incentive of access to its big market. China could do also the same in the RCEP, as its economy is increasing in its size and becoming more attractive. Opening China economy more is also one objective of its economic reforms as it will give its consumers access to a wider variety of goods and services and will encourage its companies to be more competitive

China could work within the mechanism of the Economic and Technical Cooperation (ECOTECH) scheme in APEC, where more advanced member economies give cooperation and technical advice to other members in several fields. China has already achieved advances in several areas where could give that cooperation, as in the following:

Environment protection: China still suffer of environment contamination in some cities and in certain periods of the year, and because of that it is becoming the world leader in technologies to replace fossil fuels, like solar panels, wind power, electric cars, etc. China can give technical advice and cooperation to other member economies in this field, as this is a common problem, especially for the less advanced economies.

Achieving food security is one of the main priorities in APEC, and is one of the four priorities that Vietnam has for this 2017 APEC year having putting it as enhancing food security and sustainable agriculture in response to climate change. In this case China is also making great contributions. It is already a big achievement that China can feed a fifth of the world population with less than 7% of available land. Not only that, recently Chinese scientists had made possible to grow rice in salty waters. The increasing presence of saline and alkaline soil in arable land areas is a growing problem in many countries, and this achievement by Chinese scientists will be of great help to many people in the APEC region, especially in Asia where rice is still the main dish.

The development of human resources is a question of the utmost importance in the APEC member economies and is a priority issue in ECOTECH agenda. China has also achieved great advances in this field as has been show by the upgrading of its industry, having transformed from being mainly a producer of cheap goods using unskilled labor to becoming more and more a producer of high value added goods using skilled labor. China investment in education and on research and development is allowing this, experience that could share with other less developed APEC member economies.

The lack of physical infrastructure (roads, seaports, railways, power grids, etc.), that makes connectivity difficult to achieve is a problem for many APEC members, and its solution will facilitate trade and business in the region. In this regard the Chinese initiative of Belt and Road is a proposal that should be promoted in the APEC fora. China has the experience, the technology, the companies, the human and the financial resources to contribute with APEC economies in solving that problem and building the needed infrastructure. But the question of facilitating business in the region is not only a question of building physical infrastructure but also of promoting a payment system to increase online shopping and a cashless economy. In this regard China is the most advanced country in the world providing a system of mobile payments with its Alipay or WeChat Pay schemes. More than half of China population use already this system, making it easier for business and people, and allowing millions of small businesses (including grocery stores, and taxis drivers for example) to do business just with their mobile phones. China should promote this technology and system payment in the APEC member economies.

The fight to corruption is also an important issue in APEC agenda. China fighting the corruption at all levels is showing how when a government has the willingness to carry on it could achieve success. China experience in this field could also be shared with other member economies.

Lastly, but not of the least importance, is the fact that China economy should continue growing and continue being the main engine of the world economy. Also it should continue its economic reforms and open more its economy. China importance in APEC could not be underestimated as it is already the biggest trade partner for most of its members (except of Mexico, Canada and perhaps another economy), is the main investors in many of them, the one that sends most of the tourists (except to the economies of the American side of the Pacific), and most of its members will directly benefit from its initiative of Belt and Road.

Carlos Aquino Rodriguez is a professor with San Marcos National University, Peru
A 61-year-old man, formerly from New Haven and Woodbridge, was sentenced to an additional 27 months in federal prison for a fraud scheme hatched while he was on probation for a previous conviction.

John Voloshin was sentenced Monday by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to the prison sentence followed by three years of supervised release for operating a fraud scheme and for violating a condition of his federal supervised release from a prior conviction.

On May 17, 2012, the same judge sentenced Voloshin to 33 months in prison and three years of supervised release for operating multiple fraud schemes that caused losses of more than $1.5 million to individuals and lenders, according to a press release from the U.S. attorneys office. As part of the schemes, Voloshin forged signatures and used fabricated bank account statements, tax returns, mortgage releases and loan applications. He was released from prison on May 16, 2014, and began serving a three-year term of supervised release, the release said.

Shortly after his release from prison in 2014, in an attempt to gain permission from the U.S. Probation Office to travel to London, Voloshin repeatedly lied to and misled his probation officer by concocting a bogus job for a real estate concern in London, the release stated. On Nov. 7, 2014, Chatigny sentenced Voloshin to an additional nine months in prison and 27 months of supervised release for violating the terms and conditions of his probation.

Voloshin was again released from prison on June 8, 2015.

According to court documents and statements made in court, beginning in fall 2015, Voloshin engaged in another fraud scheme by soliciting money, representing that the money would be invested to generate very high returns. Although Voloshin did invest some of the victims money, he used substantial portions of the victims money for personal expenses, including a $20,000 payment toward a luxury apartment in Manhattan, and for plastic surgery, fine dining, retail shopping and alcohol, the release said.

Chatigny ordered Voloshin to pay $275,000 in restitution. Voloshin also has a substantial restitution obligation from his prior conviction.

Voloshin has been detained since his arrest on May 26, 2016. On Jan. 4, 2017, he pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and admitted to a violation of the terms and conditions of his federal supervised release.

Chatigny sentenced Voloshin to 21 months in prison on the wire fraud conviction and a consecutive six months on the supervised release violation.
MILFORD  The owner of a local bistro that specializes in soup is holding a fundraiser Saturday and calling it Soups for Compassion, because to him, soups and compassion are similar, as they both involve recipes and love.

Compassion is kind of a recipe of strong emotions like love, hope, empathy, humanity, said Gary Caulfield, co-owner of Bobettes Take-Out Bistro. Soup is a blending of ingredients, but its more than just a food. Soup is love.

Caulfield said he decided to have the fundraiser for Beth El Center as a way of paying it forward after being chosen by Connecticut Magazine this year as having the best soup in the state.

All profits from the many types of soup sold Saturday will go to the center, which serves the homeless and hungry. The bistro is located at 93 Boston Post Road.

He said customers often order soup for others and bring it to them as a warm gesture or even to soothe an illness.

Caulfield and his girlfriend, Bobette Moore  the master soup creator  held a month-long fundraiser for the center in February using their butternut squash bisque, but this one is a bonus and Beth El Center Executive Director Toni Dolan said its greatly appreciated.

She, too, sees extra meaning in the soup.

The connection between Bobettes hearty soup and our mission to end hunger and homelessness is interwoven in such a special way. ... Not only are their customers buying delicious, nourishing soup, but they, in turn, are providing physical, mental and spiritual nourishment to struggling individuals and families in Milford, Dolan said.

Caulfield said the idea for the extra fundraiser came up when Bobettes received the Connecticut Magazine distinction.

It seems like the right thing to do right before Thanksgiving, Caulfield said.

The review in Connecticut Magazine says, in part, The soup at Bobettes has personality.

The couple, in business for 29 years, serve sandwiches, paninis and salads, but soup is what makes it a destination eatery, as they offer about 10 different soups each day.

Caulfield said they made soup the centerpiece when they opened the business because most people back then only knew soup out of a can.

The couple quickly adopted the view that they could make any dinner into a soup, and through the years, aside from staples such as chicken orzo, spit pea and beef barley, have served lasagna soup, stuffed pepper soup, chicken pot pie soup and even a BLT soup that Caulfield quips may have been going too far.

More than a decade ago, they began offering the butternut squash soup in February to benefit the shelter. Caulfield said it began after he approached then-Mayor James Richetelli looking for ways he and Bobette could give back to the community.

The mayor told them Beth El was a cause close to his heart and referred them to Dolan, who embraced the butternut squash soup idea.

So many people have asked for their recipes that the pair have an e-cookbook, The Bobette One Pot Soup Method, that can be ordered on Amazon for $4.95.

Although the bistro has a strong local following and lunch crowd  they deliver  Caulfield said they also get license plates from all over the country because travelers get off the highway to visit after reading their reviews on Yelp.

They will also sell Soups for Compassion T-shirts Saturday with the events logo featuring a pair of hands holding a steaming bowl of soup.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

NEW HAVEN  The search for a superintendent of schools remains on track for a Nov. 20 finish, with the Board of Education committee voting to put forward three finalists for the job.

The decision was made with consultation from an advisory committee with 10 community stakeholders. According to interviews with several members of that committee, however, it appears many felt it was chaotic and confused, with challenges to the legality of decision making and allegations of using the committee as window dressing throughout the process.

Youve got two board members that have been going back and forth, said Nijija-Ife Waters, president of the Citywide Parent Team, and one of 10 community stakeholders appointed to assist the seven board members in narrowing down its list of candidates to two or three finalists.

Those two board members  school board President Ed Joyner and Secretary Darnell Goldson  also have quarreled publicly. Both men have placed the blame on the length of the search for a new superintendent of schools on the other, with Joyner saying Goldson attempted to delay the search as the chairman of the boards search committee and Goldson claiming he had his authority usurped when he raised concerns about the quality of the executive search firms performance.

The latest battle between the two, which has often devolved to semantics, was how closely the 10 committee appointees should be allowed to assist in the search process. Joyner was outvoted 4-2 when Goldson made a motion to add three people to the advisory committee, which was then seven people: the presidents of the administrators, teachers and paraprofessionals unions, a representative of the Board of Alders, the two student board members and Waters.

Following that vote, Mayor Toni Harp was allowed to appoint two people  choosing pediatrician Tamiko Jackson-McArthur and childhood trauma expert Maysa Akbar  and Waters was allowed to appoint one parent, selecting the Citywide Parent Team Vice President Letisha Harris.

Were really caught in the middle. Its like a bad divorce, and these people are going through a really bad custody battle and theyre pulling us back and forth, Harris said last week.

Complicating matters, she said, was that feedback on the characteristics of an ideal superintendent of schools collected from interviews from more than 1,000 people in person and online, by search firm Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates, was disregarded when the committee was asked to narrow down a list of Connecticut-area candidates to add to the pool of HYAs finalists.

If this is a committee, why dont we work as a team? Harris said. I see how theyre trying to guide us through.

School board member Carlos Torre, who joined Joyner in the minority vote on expanding the committee, said he felt the committee was making decisions by ignoring four sources of information: the boards initial request to NYA on a superintendent profile, the feedback from in-person interviews, the feedback from online interviews and the search firms ultimate conclusions after looking at searches done by other districts. All four streams of information, he said, should reflect a consensus on what a good superintendent of schools looks like.

Some admitted they had not read candidates resumes, and then they had critiques, Torre said. How are you going to vote legitimately and honestly on people you know nothing about, even on paper?

Waters said she believes that Joyner held up the process by consistently challenging the legality of the committee.

I dont want to be in a position where Im a part of something, but youre telling me what were doing is wrong, she said. We are placed in a very uncomfortable position.

Joyner said he believes it is a slippery slope whenever the board tries to take over the responsibility of a search firm.

We have people trying to do things for which theyre not qualified, Joyner said last week.

In the past, when Joyner encountered resistance from Goldson on the board, he said board members are duty-bound to follow the will of the majority.

With the committee, he said, they are not board members, which informs his concerns that some committee members are expecting to take votes on personnel matters.

In an email to the committee, obtained by the Register, Joyner wrote that the way forward is clear: only board members may take a vote on personnel matters and the board members have legal jurisdiction, whereas the advisory committee would be asked solely to rate candidates.

This is not rocket science and would have been much simpler if we allowed the (search) firm to do their job, he wrote.

Joyners email had been in response to an email sent by Harris, wherein she expressed concern about being treated like window dressing to the process.

No one is supposed to vote for a candidate for superintendent other than the board itself: thats state law, Torre said. There should not be a combination of the Board of Education and what are, in effect, an advisory group to the board.

Patrice McCarthy, deputy director and general counsel of the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education, said there is no legal prohibition on use of an advisory council in a superintendent search, and ethics clauses would not extend to people who are not school board members.

Under the statute, its the boards responsibility to hire the superintendent, she said.

Torre, who was appointed with Che Dawson by Joyner to serve as co-chairman of the search committee with Goldson, after Joyner stated Goldson was not doing enough to advance the search, said Goldson has made his own decisions without seeking input.

Also troubling to him, he said, is that the only Latinos on the committee are board members: recent addition Jamell Cotto and himself.

One of the criteria the school board established when tasking HYA with conducting the search, he said, was that preference be given to candidates who speak both English and Spanish. Of the three finalists, Pamela Brown, Carol Birks and Gary Highsmith, only Brown, a Spanish major during her time at Stamford, is bilingual. The board did not ask for HYA to give preference to local candidates, he said.

I believe the committee has been working really well together, Goldson said Thursday, hours before the board took its vote on the three finalists. I am adamant that Im going to do my part to make sure we get this right.

Goldson acknowledged there are two sides to the board, and said his is the one in favor of transparency, which is why he posted a notice for a special meeting on Friday, after the committee gave its recommendations. That meeting was canceled when a reporter with the New Haven Independent identified that it was not legally posted.

Goldson said Torres accusation of making his own decisions without consulting the other chairmen is merely that: an accusation.

In a statement last week, Harp did not address the temperature of the advisory committee and said she looked forward to the public getting a chance to interview the finalists.

Once the pool of candidates shrinks, scheduled public sessions will help determine compatibility of the finalists with priorities of the community  that element has been missing in this process up to this point, she said in an emailed statement.

brian.zahn@hearstmediact.com
NEW HAVEN  A Superior Court jury has ruled Jamal Sumler is guilty of the murder and robbery of store clerk Sanjay Patel in a business on Forbes Avenue two years ago.

The 12 jurors took only about three hours to find Sumler, 26, of Howard Avenue, guilty of felony murder, murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree robbery and carrying a pistol without a permit. Prosecutors charged him with felony murder as well as murder because Patels death occurred in conjunction with the robbery and conspiracy.

In addition, Superior Court Judge Elpedio N. Vitale found Sumler guilty of a fifth count, criminal possession of a pistol or revolver.

Vitale scheduled the sentencing for Jan. 23. Sumler faces a prison sentence of up to 95 years.

Patel, 39, was behind the counter of Pay Rite Food/Citgo Station on the night of April 6, 2015 when Sumler and another man, both with masks covering their faces, pointed guns at him. One of the perpetrators jumped over the counter and got into a scuffle with Patel, who tried to defend himself with a wooden stool.

A store surveillance videotape showed both men firing at Patel. He was struck multiple times. A state medical examiner determined the cause of death was gunshot wounds to the chest.

Police and prosecutors allege the other shooter was Dwayne Sayles, 24. of New Haven. He is awaiting trial on charges of felony murder, murder, first-degree robbery, conspiracy to commit first-degree robbery and criminal possession of a pistol or revolver.

A third co-defendant, Leighton Vanderberg, testified during Sumlers trial that he drove Sumler and Sayles to a side street near the store. Vanderberg said that after the three of them smoked marijuana together in the parked car, Sumler and Sayles walked toward Forbes Avenue.

According to Vanderbergs testimony, Sayles returned about 10 minutes later, acting nervously, clutching a box of Dutch Masters cigars and telling Vanderberg to quickly drive out of there. Sumler came back to the car shortly afterward, Vanderberg stated.

Vanderberg testified as part of a cooperation plea agreement with the state. He had his charges reduced from felony murder and robbery conspiracy to aiding and abetting first-degree robbery. He is awaiting sentencing.

Vanderberg, who is 25, is already serving a 40-year sentence for felony murder in the shooting death of another store clerk, that one in Bridgeport.

Patels widow was in the courtroom for the closing arguments of the trial. Sumlers mother and others supporting Sumler attended most or all of the trial.

Senior Assistant States Attorney Seth Garbarsky, who prosecuted the case with Assistant States Attorney Lisa DAngelo, said after the trial: Attorney DAngelo and I thank the jury for their careful consideration of all the evidence.

Attorney Wade Luckett, who handled Sumlers defense with attorney Walter Bansley IV, said, Mr. Sumler is obviously disappointed. He is looking forward to the appeal. He wants to appeal this.

Luckett declined to say on what grounds the appeal would be lodged.

randall.beach@hearstmediact.com
HARBIN, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese and Russian travellers are expected to benefit from a visa-free policy for cross-border travel between Heihe in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province and Blagoveshchensk, capital of Russia's Amur State.

Heihe government confirmed on Monday that it is in talks with the Russian side on visa-free travel.

The two cities are only 750 meters apart, separated by the Heilong River, known as Amur River in Russia.

Currently, travellers on cross-border day trips have to queue for hours for customs clearance.

Wang Ping, head of the China Chamber of Tourism, said the organization has been involved in talks on a visa-free policy and encourages the Russian region to offer accommodation catering to Chinese tourists.

Donets Andrey Ivanovich, deputy governor of Russia's Amur region, said the Amur government would apply for approval of the visa-free policy from national departments.

Galushka Alexander Sergeevich, director of the Russian Far East Development Department, said Heihe and Blagoveshchensk visa-free travel was on the agenda of the Far East development planning.

The transportation between the two cities currently depends on ferries in summer and a pontoon bridge when the river is frozen.

Construction of a permanent bridge started in 2016 after 28 years of negotiations between China and Russia. Scheduled to open in 2019, the bridge will be an important part of the China-Mongolia-Russia economic corridor.
Workers at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Enugu has given a 14-day ultimatum to the minister of state for health to tackle all the management issues affecting the hospital or have the battle shift to the National Assembly.This followed a reported failed peace move initiated by the Enugu State Police Commissioner.DAILY POST gathered that the police chief had invited all the warring parties in the health institution with hope of finding a common ground.However, it was learnt that as soon as the parties returned to the hospital, the Medical Director, Dr. Jojo Onwukwe, who was also at the peace parley, issued query to all the staff who were present at the meeting with the CP, except his allies.The development has already sparked fresh round of crisis in the institution with the two nurses associations, the University Graduate Nursing Sciences Associationin (UGONSA) and the Association of Psychiatric Nurses of Nigeria, (APNON) in the area vowing to mobilize for a major industrial unrest.In a press statement made available to journalists in Enugu, the national secretary of UGONSA, G.I Nshi called on the Federal Ministry of Health to intervene and save the hospital from unavoidable crisis.The group said it was strange that several months after a panel, sent from the Federal ministry of health visited the hospital, its recommendations were yet to be implemented.They added that the minister of state for health had equally visited the hospital but was yet to take any action on the endless crisis.The group, therefore, called on the ministry to look into the decade-long crisis in the hospital.We are using this medium to alert the Federal Ministry of health to the looming fresh crisis at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu.As concerned citizens of Nigeria and workers in the hospital, we cannot continue to fold our hands and watch the obvious victimization and threat of workers, as well as abuse of office by the Medical Director, Jojo Onwukwe.We have tried to maintain the peace in the hospital, but the management through its cronies, is not ready to heed to any form of peace moves.It has remained clear that the Medical Director is hell-bent on clamping down on his perceived enemies in the hospital, who he believes to have instigated a criminal case against his personal secretary, Mrs. Stella Achara.This is despite the public knowledge that Mrs. Achalla is standing trial not for union matters but for allegedly defrauding over 50 job seekers.Shockingly, the MD has resorted to self-help by coming after members of staff, who he believes instigated the victims of the fraud into taking up the matter. As a result, the said staff, mostly in the school of Nursing, were now under the MDs daily attack, which he launches through one of his attack dogs, one Andrew Orovwigho. The said Andrew is hiding under SERVICOM, to harass life out of them.While he issued query to some staff for attending peace parley initiated by the Enugu CP, nothing has been said of the MDs secretary, Mrs. Achara, her children and brother who had been absent from work repeatedly.We also have a case where a senior worker, in the position of ADN, has been asked to hand over the emergency unit of the hospital to a junior officer in the level of CNO. No other persecution could be more than this.Following these developments, we are calling for the immediate implementation of the report of the Federal ministry of healths visitation panel. We believe that this is the only thing that will bring about a lasting peace in the hospital.We may not guarantee industrial peace any longer if action was not taken to stop this endless intimidation, victimization and abuse of office by the MD.It is getting to a point where all the nurses in the country will be mobilized to the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Enugu in order to end this impunity.We, therefore, urge the Honourable Minister of State for Health to come to our aid and save these workers from such a humiliating experience.The workers said should the ministry fail to accede to their requests, they would take the matter to the National Assembly.We cant continue to keep quiet in the face of tyranny. We will take the matter before the both health committees in the Senate and the House of Representatives if the report is not implemented within 14 days, the workers vowed.Meanwhile, a reliable source in the Federal ministry of health told journalists in confidence that the panel, among other things recommended that the MD be caused to activate the process of appointment of a substantive assistant director/HOD administration.Cause the MD to place Mrs. Achara on suspension as required by the rule until the determination of the case by the court;To ratify as substantive the acting appointment of the principal of the school of nursing;Direct immediate conduct of 2017 senior staff promotion exercise with the participation of eligible ADNs;Direct all parties to sheath their sword.
The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has urged the security agencies to intervene to prevent a clash between the Ijaw and Itsekiri, over the location of the Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Delta State. This followed the threat at the weekend, by the Itsekiri National Youth Council (INYC) that there might be a national anarchy if the universitys location was not changed from Okerenkoko to Okerenghigho.The IYC President, Eric Omare, explained that the land where the varsity is sited is an Ijaw community, owned by the Gbaramatu people.Omare described the development as worrisome and charged the security agencies to brace up for a likely breakdown of law and order.An Itsekiri youth leader, Esimaje Awani, who spoke on behalf of the INYC, had threatened: If the name of the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko is not changed to the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenghigho, there may be anarchy in Nigeria.The IYC cautioned that the position of the Itsekiri group was a clear threat to the existing fragile peace in the Warri councils.He urged the appropriate authorities to disregard the unnecessary alarm by Awani, stressing that the INYCs claim is baseless and without any foundation.Omare stressed that the Niger Delta people are excited that the Maritime University would soon start its academic activities at Okerenkoko.According to him, the varsity would be of great benefit to all Nigerians, especially the Niger Delta people, adding that there was no basis for the threat by Itsekiri youths.He said: We urge people in the class of Awani, who are aggrieved by the name of Okerenkoko to seek remedy in the appropriate place. It amounts to taking the laws into ones hand for a section of the people to threaten anarchy because of the name of an institution.Since Awani and his co-travellers are relying on a court judgment, they should also know what to do in the circumstances.We invite the security agencies to take note of the threat to peace in the Niger Delta region by Awani and their sponsors, and urge that proactive steps be taken to bring such persons to justice.The Ijaw people, who are peace-loving are eagerly waiting for academic activities to start in earnest at the Maritime university. However, Awani should be invited and brought to justice for threatening the peace of the Niger Delta region.
Spain on Monday raised the issue of disinformation and manipulation emanating from Russia during the Catalan independence crisis, at a meeting of EU foreign and defence ministers.Madrid had said on Friday it was concerned by Russian social media activity on Catalonia, after misleading reports and images shared widely online helped fuel the standoff triggered by the banned October 1 independence referendum.It is just the latest issue link d to Russian interference through social media.There have also been accusations of Russian involvement in the election of US President Donald Trump and in the campaign ahead of Britains Brexit vote.EU ministers are now expected to increase resources for countering Russian disinformation campaigns.I will raise the question of how misinformation and manipulation around the referendum and subsequent events in Catalonia have developed, Spanish Foreign Minister Alfonso Dastis said.These situations of disinformation, of manipulation arise not only on our eastern flank but in other areas.Spains Defence Minister Dolores de Cospedal said it was clear that a lot the messaging on social media around the Catalan crisis came from Russian territory, though a definitive link to the government has yet to be proved.It is important that we know that there are certain entities, which may be public or private, that try to interfere in national politics, that try to affect and create unstable situations in Europe, De Cospedal said.We have the obligation to declare openly, that public opinion knows about it and to fight against it.Spanish media have also accused Moscow-backed outlets such as Russia Today and Sputnik  which have Spanish language services  of playing a destabilising role in the Catalan crisis.EU diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini said she expected ministers meeting on Monday to agree to her demand for more funding for the blocs strategic communications taskforce, which works to counter negative and inaccurate messaging.
Happy New Month Nigeria! Welcome to the month of June. As the world searches for a respite from all its troubles since 2020 began, one can ...
Ahead of the 2019 general election, former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has said both the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, and the m...

Ahead of the 2019 general election, former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has said both the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, and the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, need fresh ideas to promote democracy in the country.





The ex-President said this when he received PDP national chairmanship aspirants, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, at his Presidential Library, in Abeokuta on Saturday.





Obasanjo maintained that he was no longer interested in partisan politics in the country.





He said, I have also said that the two parties that are there, the one in government and the one in opposition are both wobbling parties.

I still believe that the two wobbling parties can still be made strong. They can.





That has happened in some other countries like Germany, where a party runs the affairs of the county for decades, but of course, that is not the history in our own case.





If we are just saying PDP has a crisis, which is self-made and that the Supreme Court had resolved the crisis for us, we are just deceiving ourselves.





The Supreme Court has taken a right decision as an apex court should, but as a party, only that cannot help you to do it all.
An EFCC Prosecution witness Usman Zakari, Monday told a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos how a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Dele Belgore and a former Minister of Planning, Professor Abubakar Sulaiman, had admitted collecting the sum of N450million, from the $115million allegedly shared by Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, to rig the 2015 general elections.The witness who was testifying before Justice Rilwan Mohammed Aikawa disclosed this while he was being cross-examined by Belgores counsel, Ebun Shofunde SAN. Zakari, who is an investigator with EFCC, had earlier revealed this while he was being led in evidence in chief by the EFCC lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo.The two defendants admitted signing the receipt of payment with which they collected the sum of N450 million.The first defendant (Belgore) particularly admitted disbursing the money, he said.The witness said, though it was not contained in the statement he wrote upon the conclusion of an investigation into the matter.At the resumed hearing of the matter Monday Rotimi Oyedepo, also hinted the court of a possible amendment of the charge against the two defendants.He said the amendment is necessary to accommodate all evidences at the disposal of the commission.We intend to amend the charge in line with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 and the evidences with us. The law is that we can amend anytime before judgement is delivered, the Oyedepo said.The defence counsel Ebun Shofunde (SAN) and Tunji Ayanlaja (SAN) who did not oppos the amendment, sought for time to study the amended charge anytime it is served on them by the prosecution.However the Judge adjourned further hearing in the matter to November 24. It can be recalled that in the existing five count amended charge, Diezani was alleged to have conspired with Belgore and Sulaiman on or about March 27, 2015, to directly take possession of the sum of N450 million, which they reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful act.The trio were also alleged to have taken the said funds in cash, which exceeded the amount authorized by law, without going through any financial institutions. Belgore and Sulaiman were also alleged to have paid the sum of N50 million to one, Sheriff Shagaya, without going through any bank.According to the EFCC the offences committed are contrary to Sections 18(a), 15(2)(d), 1(a), 16(d) and punishable under Sections 15(3) and 4, 16 (2)(b), and 16(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012.Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/11/belgore-san-suleiman-admit-collecting-n450m-diezani-rig-2015-elections/Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/11/belgore-san-suleiman-admit-collecting-n450m-diezani-rig-2015-elections/
The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, on Monday warned President Muhammadu Buhari against his planned visit to the South East.

The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, on Monday warned President Muhammadu Buhari against his planned visit to the South East.

Barring any last minute change, Buhari is expected to visit Ebonyi through Enugu on November 14, 2017 and Anambra on November 15.





Reacting to the planned visit, IPOB warned that the said date will be recorded in history as a very bloody day should that Jubril masquerading as Buhari attempt to land on Biafran soil.





The pro-Biafra group also said Ohanaeze and South East governors should be responsible to bear the consequences of their attack on the president.





In a statement signed and sent by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, IPOB warned that we will die with him should he set his foot on the sacred land of Biafra. HE WILL NOT GO BACK ALIVE.





IPOB claimed that Buhari was responsible for the death of its members at Enugu, Nkpor, Igweocha, Aba, Onitsha and lastly Umuahia.









The statement reads, It is with a heavy heart and grave sense of responsibility that we IPOB worldwide under the supreme command Of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu announce to the world, that those who are completely committed to provoking bloodshed in our land may have finally succeeded. The consequences of any fallout from the visit of the impostor Jubril to Ebonyi State will rest squarely on the head of Chief John Nnia Nwodo, Gov. Dave Umahi, Rochas Okorocha and the rest of South East governors.





Bringing this version of Buhari to insult the memory of those killed at Enugu, Nkpor, Igweocha, Aba, Onitsha and lastly Umuahia will not be tolerated by IPOB and every right thinking Biafran for that matter. This is tantamount to an Israeli politician inviting Adolf Hitler to visit Jerusalem to mock the Jews he slaughtered in Concentration Camps during the holocaust.





Tuesday 14th November 2017 will be recorded in history as a very bloody day should that Jubril masquerading as Buhari attempt to land on Biafran soil.





We have remained passive and peaceful but it appears that Hausa Fulani slave politicians in Igboland are hell bent on provoking us to become violent. Whoever advised Ohaneze Ndigbo and Igbo governors to embark on this suicide mission does not wish them well.









We would like to use this opportunity to call on the Sudanese government to come and return their citizen Jubril, who for months now have been fraudulently and deceptively been parading himself as the hated late dictator Muhammadu Buhari, when in actual fact he is not. That notwithstanding, given that this Jubril have now assumed the persona of the arch gemocidist Muhammadu Buhari, we shall treat him like Buhari.





Reason this man, in whose name Operation Python Dance was ordered; an operation that swallowed 91 of our brethren, is visiting Ebonyi state through Enugu airport is best known to Chief John Nnia Nwodo and Gov. Dave Umahi. The impression of a defeated and conquered people being portrayed by the present OHANEZE leadership in concert with the governors of the South East is most troubling at this period in our history.





For those that claim to be intellectual elites, their palpable lack of a sense of history showcases their ignorance at every turn. They are planning to welcome a man in the name Buhari, a name that is responsible for the worst war crimes and genocide in recent times against our people. The only atrocity left, for the likes of Nnia Nwodo and Dave Umahi, is for Biafraland to be transformed into a giant estate of the Fulani caliphate, with small labour camps owned by their Emirs, with Biafrans as their labouring slaves.





Our message is short and simple. JUBRIL a.k.a Muhammadu Buhari will be exposed to the world as the impostor he is by making sure he never goes back alive. We will die with him should he set his foot on the sacred land of Biafra. HE WILL NOT GO BACK ALIVE. He is coming to mock us and to urinate on the graves of our 91 brethren his Operation Python Dance killed in Abia State. He is coming to show us that power belongs to the North and their slaves like Nnia Nwodo and Dave Umahi are in charge over their conquered territory and defeated people of Biafra. He has come to tell us we are forever slaves of his Islamic caliphate.





All those who plotted this visit will pay dearly. When the time comes their Northern masters will not be around to save them. We see them coming but they will not see us when the time for vengeance comes. Those who are hoping to welcome Buhari to Biafraland will suffer miserably. There will be no forgiveness.




Chinas e-commerce created another business miracle during the just-ended annual online shopping festival, known as Double 11, which takes place every November 11.

This years shopping craze showed the countrys consumption, retail, and technology upgrades.

Tmall, the e-commerce platform under Alibaba, generated 168.2 billion RMB ($25.3 billion) in sales in a single day alone, and e-commerce titan JD raked in 127.1 billion RMB in the first 11 days of November.

Double 11, which was just an ordinary promotion day nice years ago, has turned into a shopping festival featuring quality goods, intelligent logistics, and a celebration of individuals.

A total of 167 Tmall shops have seen turnovers above 100 million RMB on the shopping day, with Apple topping the list.

With a sales revenue of over 4.02 billion RMB on JD and Tmall, Chinese smart phone manufacturer Honor under tech giant Huawei topped the list in terms of smart phone revenue last Saturday.

Rural consumption is also becoming a new drive for e-commerce growth in China. Statistics show that sales of air conditioners, water purifiers, and refrigerators have doubled in rural markets compared to last year. In addition, greater demand for baby supplies, beverages, and daily-use chemicals have been observed in the countryside.

Offline stores also participated in this years shopping festival, thanks to the new retail concept raised by Jack Ma, founder of Alibaba. A total of 53 core commercial circles, 100,000 smart stores, 600,000 retail shops, and 30,000 rural service centers have joint the shopping craze this year, bringing new shopping experiences for customers, said Daniel Zhang, CEO of Alibaba.

Online-offline integration can also collect user data so that the merchants can carry out targeted strategies to meet consumer demands, said Cao Lei, director of China E-commerce Research Center.

In addition, new technologies powered by artificial intelligence, big data, biological recognition, and the Internet of Things are also optimizing the capital, cargo, and information flows of the retail industry.

A total of 325,000 transactions and 256,000 payments were made each second on Alibabas platform on Singles Day, and the whole transaction system has been running smoothly with the help of the global cloud computing platform Alibaba Cloud, said Zhang.

Machines have largely replaced operations in Chinas express delivery industry. On Singles Day, the industry handled 331 million parcels, three times the average daily figure. It is another factor that contributed to the rapid growth of Chinas e-commerce.
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday remanded in Suleja Prison, Niger State, a former aide to former Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State and two other officials of the state for allegedly diverting fraudulently Benue States N16.6bn.The Attorney-General of the Federations office, which filed nine counts against the defendants, alleged that the three men diverted the sum of N16.6bn from Benue States bank accounts, dedicated for the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme and the Joint Allocation Account for Local Government funds.The money was allegedly diverted by the defendants between June 27, 2011 and May 29, 2015, the day Suswam completed his second term in office.The first defendant is a former Special Adviser to the ex-governor on Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Solomon Wombo.Wombo doubled as the Chairman, Joint Allocation Account for Local Government Committee in the state.The second is a former Permanent Secretary of the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and Secretary, Asen Sambe, who served as the Secretary to the Joint Account Allocation for Local Government Committee.The third defendant is a former Director of Accounts and Finance in the states Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and Secretary, Isiah Ipevnor.Justice Nnamdi Dimgba ordered that the three men be remanded in Suleja prison pending when they would meet the bail conditions imposed on them shortly after they pleaded not guilty to the nine counts on Monday.After the arraignment on Monday, the lead prosecuting counsel, Mr. Aminu Alilu, urged the court to remand the defendants in prison pending the hearing and determination of their bail applications and their trial.But noting that the alleged offences were bailable, Justice Dimgba directed both the prosecution and the defence teams to meet, agree and propose the terms and condition of the bail the court could impose on the defendants in order to save time.After a short meeting between the prosecution, led by Alilu, and the defence team, led by Mr. Innocent Daagba, a set of bail conditions and terms were presented to the court.The meeting was held outside the courtroom.Justice Dimgba accepted the conditions but made some alterations including the imposition of an additional surety instead of one for each of the defendants as suggested by the two parties.The judge also imposed another condition that one of the two sureties to be presented by each of the defendants must have a house in Abuja worth the N100m bail sum to be imposed by the court.Generally, the court granted bail to the defendants in the sum of N100m each with two sureties in like sum.The judge ruled that one of the sureties should be a civil servant not lower than Assistant Director in any state of federal ministry or other government establishments.He ruled that the other surety could be a private businessman or woman who owned a property in the municipal area of Abuja with worth sufficient to cover the N100m bail sum.The civil servant to be presented by each of the defendants must also present to the court their first letters of appointment, last promotion letters, and their staff identity cards or drivers licences.The court also directed that the defendants must deposit with the court their passports and other travelling documents.The judge ordered that the defendants must not travel outside the country without an express permission of the court sought through a motion on notice that must be served on the defence.But despite the defence lawyers appeal that the defendants be remanded in police custody pending when they would be able to fulfil the bail conditions, Justice Dimgba ordered them to be remanded in prison.Meanwhile, before the parties went into the meeting on the bail conditions on Monday, the prosecuting counsel, Alilu, informed the judge that the case ought to be filed in the division of the Federal High Court in Makurdi, Benue State, where the alleged offences were committed, but for the prevailing insecurity in the state when the case was filed on August 1, 2017.He conceded that the security condition in the state had improved considerably since then.But Alilu, who said all the defendants, the witnesses and members of both the prosecuting and defence teams were all residents in Abuja, urged the court to assume jurisdiction and continue the trial.He also cited the provisions of section 102(1)(c) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, to back his prayer.The defence counsel, Daagba, agreed with the prosecutions prayer that the court should assume jurisdiction to continue to hear the case.In addition to section 102()(c) of ACJA cited by the prosecution, Daaagba also referred the court to the provisions of section 385 and 386 of the same law.But in response, Justice Dimgba asked parties to the case to go back to reflect on the issue, noting that it was possible that the case could be more speedily determined in Makurdi where there was less number of such high profile corruption cases than they were in Abuja.The judge then adjourned until December 18.The total sum of N16,604,314,604.01 allegedly diverted by the defendants was said to be owned by the 23 Local Government Councils of Benue State.Out of the N16.6bn, the defendants allegedly, between June 15, 2012 and May 29, 2015, diverted N7,032,333,506.28 from the states SURE-P Local Government component bank account into the account of Benue State Local Government Joint Account with the aim of concealing the money and for their own personal benefits.The defendants were also said to have, between June 27, 2011 and May 29, 2015, diverted the sum of N5,342,028,098.73 paid into the state Local Government Joint Account by the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation of the state.They were also said to have between, June 15, 2012 and May 29, 2015 diverted another sum of N4,230,953,000 from the states Local Government Joint Account into the Benue State Association of Local Government of Nigeria with the aim of concealing the money being property derived directly from corruption.The prosecution accused the three defendants of diverting the sum of N16.6bn in violation of various provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011, and the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act.The AGF office accused the defendants of conspiracy to transfer property derived directly from corruption contrary to Section 18 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 and punishable under Section 15 of the same Act.The defendants were also accused of transfer of property derived directly from corruption contrary to Section 15(1)(a)(ii) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 and punishable under the same Section of the Act.They also face charges of conversion of property derived directly from corruption contrary to Section 15(1)|a)(ii) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 and punishable under the same Section of the Act.They are also charged with offences of obtaining by false pretence contrary to Section 1 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, Cap A6 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and punishable under the same section of the Act.The charges read in part, That you Solomon Wombo (m), former Special Adviser to former Governor Gabriel Suswam on Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and Chairman, Joint Account Allocation for Local Government Committee of 30 Spring Road Sun-city Estate, Abuja; Asen Sambe (m), former Permanent Secretary of the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and Secretary, Joint Account Allocation for Local Government Committee of No 1 Kungo Sambe Street, Judges Quarters Makurdi; and Isaiah Ipevnor (m), former Director of Accounts and Finance of BNA 1305, Off Abu Shuluwa Road, Makurdi, Benue State, between June 15, 2012 and May 29, 2015 at Makurdi, Benue State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did transfer a total sum of about Seven Billion thirty two million, three hundred and thirty-five thousand, five hundred and six naira, twenty-eight kobo (N7,032,333,506.28), from Benue State Sure-P Local Government Component Account number 0760175012 domiciled with the First City Monument Bank (FCMB) into Benue State Local Government Joint Account number 2017241513 domiciled 1with the First Bank of Nigeria the aim of concealing the money, being property derived directly from corruption.That you Solomon Wombo (m), former Special Adviser to former Governor Gabriel Suswam on Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and Chairman, Joint Account Allocation for Local Government Committee of 30 Spring Road Sun-city Estate, Abuja; Asen Sambe (m), former Permanent Secretary of the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and Secretary, Joint Account Allocation for Local Government Committee of No 1 Kungo Sambe Street, Judges Quarters Makurdi; and Isaiah Ipevnor (m), former Director of Accounts and Finance of BNA 1305, Off Abu Shuluwa Road, Makurdi, Benue State, between June 27, 2011 and May 29, 2015 at Makurdi, Benue State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did covert a total sum of about five billion three hundred and forty-two million, twenty-eight naira and seventy-three kobo (N5,342,028,098.73) meant for the twenty-three (23) Benue State Local Government Councils paid by the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation into the Benue State Local Government Joint Account number 2017241513 domiciled with the First Bank of Nigeria, which you withdrew in cash With the aim of concealing the money, being property derived directly from corruption.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo over the weekend said the Federal Government will tackle the worsening poverty in the country through developmental financing and creation of an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.Osinbajo, who was represented by the Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr Okechukwu Enelamah, at the opening ceremony of the 2017 CEO Forum of African DFIs in Abuja said that Nigeria planned to expand its business around the world.He also revealed that the Federal Government intended to make Nigeria a peaceful place and a choice business destination in the world.Osinbajo said: Development finance needs to play a vital role to bring Nigerians out of poverty by providing an enabling environment. Our ambition is to make Nigeria one of the most peaceful places to make business in the world.In his remarks, representative for South Africa, Dumisani Msibi, said the vice presidents declaration was a huge call for all players and stakeholders.It becomes important that we look at achieving delivery of effective development on the continent as a collective.There is no one country, institution that can achieve this enormous challenge that we are faced with; of ending poverty, of putting in place infrastructure, of feeding our people, of creating jobs, of industrialization.One of the things that we promote is cross-border trade, cross-border collaboration.Take for instance infrastructure, they are there, and are working with different countries to come together to enable trade.That is why at Goldberg, it becomes important to do this as a collective and we look at the synergies among and between countries so that development will be faster.The DFI in most of the countries are owned by government, therefore, Nigeria can learn from other African countries like South Africa, Ghana etc on what we are doing, for us to come together to see how we can better move this continent forward.For the DFIs, can we contribute to the development of the continent? How can we ensure that we help to generate more jobs? How do you help those who are in need? So there are many things that we want, Msibi said.Speaking at the forum, Managing Director, Bank of Industry, Olukayode Pitan, explained the challenges faced by countries, stressing that much of it revolved around infrastructure financing.He said: The challenge in all the countries now is how do you get financing for those who require it and at a cost? We all know in Nigeria today, the average cost of borrowing money, the lending rate sometimes is between 20 and 30 percent, depending on what you are asking for.
Former President, Goodluck Jonathan has said he is proud to have been the President under whom Nigeria made her best improvement in the Cor...

Former President, Goodluck Jonathan has said he is proud to have been the President under whom Nigeria made her best improvement in the Corruption Perception Index of Transparency International.

Jonathan stated this in a press statement sent to Media houses on his behalf by his former Special Assistant on New Media, Reno Omokri.









The statement was a response to claims by former Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) boss, Farida Waziri, in which she said at an interactive session in Lagos that she will kneel down to thank former President Goodluck Jonathan for sacking her as the commissions boss.





According to Mrs Waziri, had she not been sacked by the ex-President, she would have been traumatized by now, given the ongoing revelation of alleged grand corruption that took place under the last administration.





However, Jonathan said that Farida Waziri has a history of badmouthing former Presidents to enter the good books of the incumbent President.





He said: My attention has been drawn to comments made by Farida Waziri to the effect that she was removed as Chairperson of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission because of a particular case she was handling.









Mrs. Waziri also said that she received a call from Aso Rock over this case which instructed her to drop her investigations.





It is understandable that when there is a new government in power, people would want to ingratiate themselves to the new administration and one of the easiest way to do this is by demonizing the previous government.





Nigerians will remember that Mrs. Farida Waziri was appointed as the chairperson of the EFCC by the late President Umaru Musa Yaradua in May 2008 under very controversial circumstances after the unceremonious removal of the pioneer Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Nuhu Ribadu.





It will be recalled that after she was appointed, Mrs. Farida Waziri made some uncomplimentary remarks against former President Olusegun Obasanjo because he said I know that the woman they brought in to replace Ribadu (Farida Waziri) was not the right person for that job.









In response to that statement, Mrs. Farida Waziri described ex-President Obasanjo as a man known for speaking in a manner that betrays his status as an elder statesman. She also accused President Obasanjo of mischief.





Farida Waziri made those comments to ingratiate herself to the then administration and her accusations against former President Obasanjo were denied.





Mrs. Farida Waziri also accused her predecessor, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, of being used by former President Obasanjo to push the aborted third term agenda. And claimed to have been Mr. Ribadus instructor at the Police Academy.





Again, her comments were found to be untrue and Malam Ribadu released a statement then and said as follows;





This is a unclad lie that she keeps flaunting to seek undue relevance and validate her own appointment. At no time in my career did I work under the same section or unit as her. In fact, contrary to the Waziris claim that she trained me, it was I that actually lectured her and others, on fraud investigation and prosecution, when she was newly posted as Head of Special Fraud Unit even though she was my senior in rank.





That Mrs. Farida Waziri has a history of telling lies against former Presidents in order to ingratiate herself to the serving President is an established fact and old habits die hard.





I never called Farida Waziri from the Aso Rock Presidential Villa or any State House at any given time, neither did he ask her to drop or take up any investigation.





Let it be known that there is no statute of limitations on corruption cases and if Mrs. Farida Waziri has any evidence that she was asked to drop any cases of corruption, she is challenged to show proof of such.





I fired Mrs. Farida Waziri for reasons he would choose not to disclose publicly for now, but Nigerians may want to remember that Nigeria continued to sink in Transparency Internationals annual Corruption Perception Index during Mrs. Waziris tenure at the EFCC.





Things got so bad at her last year at the EFCC (2011) that we moved from 134 in 2010 to 143 in 2011 which represented a backward movement of 9 points. Which God fearing leader would leave a person responsible for such retrogression as the head of a sensitive institution as the EFCC.





It would also be recalled that the transparency website, Wikileaks, exposed that both the US Federal Bureau of Investigations and the London Metropolitan Police refuses to cooperate with the EFCC under Farida Waziri because of doubts they had about her credibility. Those Wikileaks cables are still publicly available.





However, after the sack of Mrs. Waziri in 2011, Nigeria made her highest improvements in the annual Corruption Perception Index till date in 2014 when we moved eighth places from 144 to 136, so in essence the facts speak for themselves.




The Immediate past Senate leader, Senator Muhammad Ali Ndume, APC, Borno South said weekend that he was prepared to stand with President Muhammadu Buhari and Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu anytime.Speaking with Journalists yesterday in Abuja, Senator Ndume who noted that Magu has showed competence despite rejection of his appointment by the Senate, said that that he had not changed his position on Magu.Senator Ndume said, I am still standing (on the earlier position)because there is nothing new that came out of it (Senates rejection). Magu was nominated by Mr. President. He is a competent person. He is doing his job. You can see that within two years of his activities at the EFCC they have been able to recover N700bn and so many forfeitures have been done. They are doing a wonderful work and the world has acknowledged it.So, even if Magu is to come after me for whatever reason, I will still believe that doing the right thing is the thing to do. I think he is doing his job.There was an observation made by the DSS and we referred it to Mr. President and Mr. President investigated it and said he would still submit his (Magus) name. So, I have no reason to change my mind, honestly. I still stand by Magu, and Buhari on that matter.The Senate had on March 29, 2017, suspended Ndume for six months for not conducting due diligence before filing a petition against the President of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki; and lawmaker representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Senator Dino Melaye.While a Federal High Court on Friday nullified the suspension and condemned the Senate for the action, Ndume had announced his resumption on Wednesday after spending eight months out of the chamber.
Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday warned the Anambra staff of the commission against involvement in electoral fraud.Yakubu gave the warning when he addressed the staff of the commission at the INEC state headquarters Awka ahead of Nov.18 governorship election.The INEC boss said that anybody caught in electoral malpractice would be dealt with in accordance with the law.Every INEC worker must ensure that we all achieve our set goal of making Anambra Nov.18 governorship election flawless and historic, he said.Yakubu said that Nigerians and indeed people outside are watching INEC in its resolve to make Anambra governorship election the best in the history of the commission.INEC will be holding two elections in Anambra on Nov. 18, the governorship election and the state assembly election for Idemili North state constituency you must discharge your duties diligently.There are many people out there working seriously to see that the commission fails in its commitment to record free, fair and credible election and you must have this in mind.INEC will get rid of you if you do the wrong thing, and you are aware that those caught in the web of such negative act during the conduct of 2015 election are still facing the music, he said.He said that he had about one month ago provided money and other logistics needed for the smooth conduct of the election and advised unit heads to work closely with their subordinates.The deployment of materials to local governments will commence on Wednesday this week while the sensitive materials would be shared a day before the election.You must make sure you get to the polling units by 8am on the election to make sure that things work according to plan, he said.Dr Nkwachukwu Orji, the states Resident Electoral Commissioner, assured the national chairman that staff of the commission were committed to ensuring a hitch-free election.
Prof. Paul Mamza, National President, Polymer Institute of Nigeria (PIN), has advised the Federal Government to provide financial support and equipment to manufacturers of made-in-Nigeria goods to boost Growth Domestic Production (GDP).Mamza made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday.Mamza said such backing would also strengthen indigenous manufacturers to produce locally made goods that could compete favourably with the imported ones.The national president also said investment in Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) determined the end results of successes to be achieved in such joint venture.According to him, PPP is a collaboration of the public and private sectors in the financing and development of public goods and services.The success of PPP toward adding value to made-in-Nigeria goods and services is a mixture of hard work, zeal, patriotism, diligence, favourable policy formulation, collective patronage and national commitment.He said what Nigeria needed was political will, improved sensitisation about the essence of PPP as well as favourable environmental atmosphere for such partnership to thrive.According to Mamza, Nigerians also needed to take risk in venturing into business enterprise, adding that one of the key elements of PPP was risk management.He urged the key operators of government to patronise made-in-Nigeria goods in order to encourage others to key in.Both the leadership and followership in Nigeria must work toward economic sustainability and technological prosperity of the country. Science and Technology holds the key to rapid industrialisation of Nigeria.All the levels of government must invest heavily in the scientific and technological aspects of governance to enhance Nigerias efforts to take its rightful place in the comity of nations.This is necessary for the country be truly independent and egalitarian, he said.Mamza also called on government to patronise professionals, especially in the area of Polymer Science and Technology for the country to move forward in the scientific technological world.The national president, who said Nigeria had abundant local raw materials yet to be exploited, expressed optimism that their exploitation would bring about the diversification of nations economy and its economic prosperity.
The Nigerian military is set to end the admission of female cadets into the combatant course of the Nigerian Defence Academy.

The Nigerian military is set to end the admission of female cadets into the combatant course of the Nigerian Defence Academy.A set of 20 females, nicknamed Jonathan Queens, were first admitted into the course in Nigerias premier military officer training institution during the former President Goodluck Jonathans administration in 2011.It was learnt that the recommendation to end the programme was made by the Armed Forces Council which was inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari last week.Buhari had also last week ratified the National Defence Policy 2017 (Revised); Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service Officers 2017.Recommendation 19 of the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of the Armed Forces of Nigeria was sighted by one of our correspondents on Sunday.It read, Phase out the training of female regular combatant cadets.A serving general in the Nigerian Army told our correspondent that the military took the decision due to complaints from some unnamed northern Muslim leaders.The general, who pleaded anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the issue, explained that there were various types of commissions in the Armed Forces namely: Regular Combatant Commission, Short Service Combatant Commission, Direct Regular Commission, Direct Short Service and Executive Commission.He said, It is only the Regular Combatant Commission that can give an officer the opportunity to aspire to head any of the services or rise to become the Chief of Defence Staff, while the others have limited career path. If the military is able to scrap this programme, women will never be able to head any of the arms of the Nigerian military.The northern Muslim leaders want to prevent a situation where one day, a woman will lead the army and give orders to men.Incidentally, it was reported in 2013 that of the first 20 female cadets, only one Muslim, Fatimah Saleh, enlisted. She had also stated that her Arabic school teacher had advised her against joining the army.The general said those pushing for the scrapping of the programme had convince the President that women were not doing well in the programme.He said, When we started the training of female cadets in 2011, we never thought it would be successful. When the first set of women cadets graduated from the academy last year, women won three awards, including the best award in the navy category.A female cadet, C. Lord-Mallam, won the Navy Gold award which is the highest in the navy category. The Army Silver award, which is the second highest in the army, went to a female cadet, K. O Dayo-Karim. The Air Force Silver award was also won by a female cadet, O. S Ijelu.However, some northern conservatives were not happy about it because most of the female cadets are either Christians from the South and northern minority groups or Muslims from the South and Middle Belt.Dissatisfied with how things are turning out, the northern Muslim leaders lobbied the military authorities to stop the programme for women.The general described the recommendation as an attempt to reverse the gains of the past, adding that it was a setback in the push for gender equality.He revealed that many of the female cadets were outperforming their male colleagues, adding that their achievements were being suppressed by the military hierarchy.The general said, I was informed that the women were trained just like the men were trained. They were not given any preferential treatment. Two of these female cadets beat their male counterparts to win placement at the United States Military Academy in West Point and they are doing well.It is unfortunate that while the western world and even other African nations are progressing, Nigeria is going backwards.In 2010, the then President, Goodluck Jonathan, had ordered the military to allow females interested in becoming combatant officers of the Nigerian armed forces to be admitted into the NDA for the first time ever.The then Minister of Defence, Adetokunbo Kayode, had said other countries in Africa were already doing it and they are not better than us.He had said, Presently, we have female armoured tank drivers, female Para-troopers, jumpers, and so on. We want to have strong, virile armed forces devoid of discrimination.Expatiating on the new directive, the minister had said, As you are all aware, the Nigerian Armed forces have always had opening for female officers. However, these have always been limited to non- combat duties, thereby limiting their career path irrespective of their competence or skill.To redress this obvious anomaly and in line with theconviction of the President that every Nigerian, irrespective of gender or any affiliation, should be given equal opportunity to excel in his or her chosen field of life, Mr. President has directed the immediate enlistment and training of female regular combatant commission officers into the Nigerian armed forces.However, the Defence Headquarters, Abuja, failed to comment on the revised harmonised terms and conditions on Sunday.The Director of Information, Maj. Gen. John Enenche, did not pick his calls, and a text message sent to his line had yet to be replied to as of press time.Also, the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Sani Usman, could not be reached for comment on Sunday.However, a military source said the revised harmonised structure, if it saw the light of the day at all, would not affect the NDA admission for 2018.The NDA has already begun receiving applications for the 70th regular course since October 20, 2017. The application, which will run till February 2018, is open to both male and female Nigerians.So, there is no going back on what the NDA has started. It will be a public disaffection if the military reneges on what it has advertised and we are a professional arm and cannot do that.Its like taking 10 steps backwardsCSOsCivil Society Organisations have kicked against the move, saying it will be like taking 10 steps backwards.A civil society organisation, Partners West Africa, Nigeria, said the policy would spell doom for Nigerias quest for inclusiveness.Executive Director of PWAN, Mrs. Kemi Okenyondo, said this in a telephone interview with one of our correspondents in Abuja, on Sunday.She said, If this is allowed to come to reality, it will be like taking 10 steps backwards and such would be revising all the gains of inclusiveness and mainstreaming of women within the security sector.If it is allowed to sail through, it then means that the perception that this administration is not given to having women participate within the different layers of government will be held to be true.Also, the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights and the Campaign for Democracy said the move was a violation of the fundamental human rights of womenfolk.The CDHR President, Malachy Ugwummadu, said, It is absurd and unacceptable. It offends Section 42 of the constitution of the Federal Government of Nigeria, which talks about non-discrimination against citizens on the basis of sex, gender, religion and others.We have female officers who distinguished themselves in the armed forces. We have a lot of them who have showed capacity and done more than what their male colleagues are doing, even at the war front. I think that recruitment and admission into the armed forces should be a question of preference rather than discouragement on the basis of gender.The CD President, Usman Abdul, said, We should not allow such proposition to see the light of the day. It is discriminatory and anti-democratic. It offends the human rights privileges. It is proper to admit women into full combatant service. We have this in the advanced countries and it is the international best practices.Also, Women Arise for Change Initiative said the move was a ploy to marginalise women.Its President, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, said necessary action would be taken to challenge the policy.Okei-Odumakin said, It is an unacceptable discrimination against women; highly insensitive. They must tell us why they are putting this glass ceiling.
Police Chief Ibrahim Idris has ordered a probe into the Saturday clash between security detail of Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and...

Police Chief Ibrahim Idris has ordered a probe into the Saturday clash between security detail of Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and those of Minister of Transportation Chibuile Amaechi in Port Harcourt.Although nobody died during the clash, many were injured and the rifle of a policeman was snatched at the Trans-Amadi Layout.Both Wike and Amaechi, who are former allies, claim thay escaped assassination.Rivers Police Command spokesman Nnamdi Omoni, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), confirmed that a probe had been launched into the incident and the involvement of policemen. He did not give details.The state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of Wikes Chief Security Officer (CSO), Promise Wosu, a Superintendent of Police (SP), and other security personnel who were involved in the bloody clash.In a statement by its Chairman Chief Davies Ikanya, made available by his media adviser Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, the APC said: Reports made available to us by Prince Tonye Princewill, an associate to Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, who was in the same car with the Minister of Transportation, indicated that Wikes dispatch rider pulled a pistol to assassinate Amaechi, but missed his target, after which Amaechis Aide-de-Camp (ADC), Mr. Seimeikumo Debewari, intervened to save the minister from further assassination attempt.Prince Princewill stated that he was at a loss if the attack was not an assassination attempt on the Transportation Minister, somebody should explain to him in a clearer sentence why Wikes despatch rider failed to stop the two security vehicles of the minister, which had already crossed, but decided for whatever reasons, to block the vehicle in which the minister was driving.Prince Princewill also asked why the attempt by Amaechi, who was driving the car, to navigate his vehicle out of danger was prevented by two security men from Rivers governors convoy, who pulled their pistols to shoot him, but when Wikes security men realised that the vehicle that the minister was driving was bullet-proofed, they resorted to hitting the jeep with the butts of their guns and in the process broke the right driving mirror and attempted to break Amaechis windscreen.After the failed attempt to kill the Transportation Minister, his escort team was physically assaulted by Wikes CSO and Rivers governor, with the operatives of Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (F-SARS) on the ministers convoy dislodged and forcibly dispossessed of one of their AK-47 rifles.Rivers APC also stated that the dangerous trend, if not nipped in the bud, might jeopardise the peace pervading the Niger Delta.It reiterated that Wikes main desire was to truncate Nigerias hard-earned democracy, after the failed plot by the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to win the 2015 presidential election, stressing that the Rivers governors disdain for President Muhammadu Buhari, APC and Amaechi was legendary.The opposition party said: Wike recently exhibited hatred for Buharis administration during his misguided lecture at Chatham House, London, where he disparaged the Federal Government, demarketed and rubbished all the efforts of the APC-led Federal Government to right most of the wrongs of the past PDP government in a foreign land.Wike should not be allowed to turn Rivers State into a theatre of unwarranted war, only obtainable during the Sir Celestine Omehias era, when Port Harcourt was rated as the riskiest place in the world.Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications Emma Okah described as wishful thinking, the call for the immediate arrest and prosecution of Governor Wikes Chief Security Officer (CSO). Promise Wosu, a Superintendent of Police (SP), and other security personnel.Okah, said: The call for the arrest and prosecution of Wikes CSO lacks merit, it is mere wishful thinking and it should be disregarded.If APC chairman is calling for arrest and prosecution of Wikes CSO, what do we do to the policemen that attacked the Rivers governors escort rider? Do we also call for their arrest and prosecution?Okah also stated that there should be no double standard in order to ensure justice.
The Peoples Democratic Party has broken its silence on the alleged attempt to assassinate the governor of Rivers state, Nyesom Wike, by se...

The Peoples Democratic Party has broken its silence on the alleged attempt to assassinate the governor of Rivers state, Nyesom Wike, by security operatives purportedly working on the instructions of the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.

Nigerian Eye had reported that a major disaster was averted when Amaechi and Wike met on Saturday at a cross road in Nwanja area of Elekahia road, Port Harcourt where both political leaders traded assassination claims. had reported that a major disaster was averted when Amaechi and Wike met on Saturday at a cross road in Nwanja area of Elekahia road, Port Harcourt where both political leaders traded assassination claims.





However, the PDP in a statement on Sunday signed by Chinwe Nnorom on behalf of the Partys National Publicity Secretary, Dayo Adeyeye, said that the alleged harassment and attempt on the life of governor Wike was an open invitation to anarchy and another plan of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to ignite crisis against Rivers state.





It also said that if anything happens to the governor or his immediate family and aides, the APC and Amaechi should be held responsible.





While condemning the attack, the PDP also called on President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene in the on-going face-off between governor and his predecessor as well as to order the immediate transfer of one Akin Fakorede, the commander of Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS), in Rivers State, who purportedly led the assassination attempt on the governor.





The statement reads: the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is once again constrained to draw the attention of President Muhammadu Buhari to another assassination attempt by his Minister of Transport, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi on the Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike yesterday being Saturday, November 11, 2017 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The Convoy of Governor Wike was ambushed by a contingent of security apparatus led by the commander of Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS), in Rivers State, Mr. Akin Fakorede and supervised by Amaechis ADC, Mr. Debewari. These constant harrasement and attempt on the Life of Governor Wike is an open invitation to anarchy and another plan of the APC to ignite crisis against Rivers State.





The public is aware that the Minister of Transport has been making attempts on the Life of Governor Wike, and in all of the attempts, the Commander of SARS in Rivers State, Mr. Fakorede is ever ready to lead the ill-advised onslaught.





Again, we condemn this attack in very strong terms and call on President Buhari to order the immediate transfer of Mr. Fakorede of SARS out of Rivers State. Any delay in effecting this change will be taken that President Buhari is fully in charge of these ugly activities in the State.




The Federal Government announced, Monday, that it has recovered over $64.63 million electricity debts owed it by international customers in Benin Republic and Niger Republic.Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, who, disclosed this at the 21st monthly power sector operators meeting held in Asaba, the Delta State capital, explained the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trader, NBET, will work out the modalities for distribution of the funds.Fashola also announced that Federal Government will make available a total of N37 billion to address challenges in supply of meters to the customers.According to him, I am happy to announce that we have recovered $64,630,055:00 from our international customers in Benin Republic and Republic of Niger.The Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trader, NBET, will work out the modalities for distribution. There are other challenges that we must also overcome together; estimated billing and metering, and in this regard we anxiously await the Regulation from NERC to open up meter supply Business.Similarly I am happy to report that following the approval of the Federal Executive Council, FEC, earlier in the year, the dispute over meters supply contract that started since 2003, was resolved by a Court-approved settlement on Thursday the 9th day of November 2017. This means that there will be N37 billion available for meter supply by the contractor to DISCOs who want to partner and can reach their independent agreement with the contractor.While we await the regulations by NERC, a lot of preparatory work can be done, he said. In the area of rural electrification, Fashola said REA completed the guidelines for the operation of the rural electrification fund that will help vulnerable groups and communities gain access to funding to support their electricity development program.He added, by way of explanation the Rural Electrification Fund was created by Section 88 of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act (EPSRA) of 2005 to promote support and provide rural electrification access.The fund will provide a partial single payment capital subsidy and or technical assistance to eligible private Rural Power Developers, NGOs or communities to invest in options such as hybrid mini grids or solar home systems to scale up rural access to electricity. Those who will be served are the unnerved and underserved Rural Communities.He said, What they are likely to get are minimum amounts of $10,000 (N3.5m) and Maximum amounts of $300,000. (N106m) or 75% of project cost whichever is less, adding, the REA will publish details of guidelines and eligibility.On improved power supply being experienced in the country, Fashola recalled that, These are only headline items of developments that characterize the progress we are making month after month, especially since March 2017.They do not represent, or pretend to fully report, all of the progress that is going on at distribution levels, which is highlighted by the New Asaba Mains 2x15MVA injection substation completed and commissioned today by Benin DISCOs.This is expected to improve service to Okwe, Akuebulu, Jarret, Ogbeofu, Osadebe Way, Okwe Housing Estate, Oduke, New Jerusalem, Malbovil and more by reducing load shedding and increasing the hours of supply.Minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day, week by week and month by month we have not only gained momentum, we are seeing progress that inspires us not to flag, progress that inspires us to continue, because the power problem can be successfully managed by Nigerians.Not even your worst critic can deny that his experience has improved; even if he is reluctant to acknowledge it, which is his prerogative.Our work is certainly not driven by a quest for acknowledgment; on the contrary it is driven by our belief in our collective abilities to change what we do not accept.We remind ourselves that we are not immune from what we do. If we make it work as we intend to, it will also serve us.We thank well-meaning Nigerians who are gracious to acknowledge that their experience has improved and who ask us to do more. Your honesty inspires us to continue.Dear members, we all know that the progress this year was due to many things we have done and the peace in the Gas producing regions which enabled us to get the gas stations and the Hydro stations to work together.Now that the rains are coming to an end we expect some minor, not major, reduction in the production from the Hydro, and we must work now to keep all the gas stations well maintained and operational.I am sure that we can do this, if there is peace in the gas producing areas and gas supply is not interrupted.
ADS ADS

Marbella-based chef Dani Garcia has a two-star Michelin restaurant to his name and is the latest celebrity chef to join Blancpains kitchen. On his first visit to the Blancpain workshops in the Vallee de Joux, WorldTempus spoke after a traditional Swiss smorgasbord of cheese, cold meats, fondue, rosti and sausage and just before a copious dessert selection of homemade tarts and meringues with double cream at the Chalottet farm.

To Dani Garcia:

Why did you choose to partner with Blancpain?

Well, there are a lot of similarities between watchmaking and gastronomy but Blancpain has been working with chefs for the longest time, so its special for me to work with this brand. We share the same values in terms of quality and luxury  I live in a luxury town [Editors note: Dani Garcia lives in Marbella, where he owns three restaurants] where there are a lot of people who love the kind of watches that Blancpain makes.

Dani Garcia  Blancpain

To Alain Delamuraz:

Was there anything in particular that impressed you about Dani Garcia? Why did you choose this partnership?

What is most important is that both partners agree on the approach. The best example I can give you is our partnership with Joel Robuchon. He has 31 Michelin stars to his name and we met one day in Monaco. I suggested working together and he agreed and we started to discuss the details. But when I returned to Switzerland my direction asked me how much?. I didnt have the answer and my superiors thought it would be way beyond our budget anyway. So the next time I saw him I had to broach this touchy subject, but he was not at all interested in talking money. With money comes contracts, he said, and with contracts come lawyers and with lawyers come disputes. But I dont want to fight with you, so I dont want any contract, any money, or any lawyers. You will in any case bring me customers.

There is also the question of the chefs style. I dont think we could have partnered with chefs having a cooking philosophy that is more about reconstructing dishes and less about the traditional values. Theses values are exactly what are trying to uphold at Blancpain and which works so well with somebody like Dani Garcia.

To Dani Garcia:

What impressed you most about the visit to the workshops?

In many ways it is similar to working in the kitchen. The client gets to see the finished dish and may well be impressed, but they dont necessarily see everything that goes into it. For example, they may not realize that a duck has been slow cooked for 24 hours. But the visit today showed me that watchmaking even goes beyond this. Its more than just a question of quality and passion. For me it is a pity that not everyone gets the chance to see this kind of thing. In Spain, there are only a few people that understand the kind of cooking we do, where every dish has a philosophy behind it. Everybody can eat, but not everybody can understand. Its the same with the watch: everybody can read the time but not everybody gets the chance to appreciate what goes into it.

 Blancpain

How do you reconcile tradition and innovation in your cooking?

My restaurant is called Dani Garcia Cocina Contradicion, which expresses this idea perfectly since it can be understood in two ways. On the one hand there is the respect for tradition (con tradicion) with the use of recipes from my mother and grandmother, but on the other there is a more modern edge (contra) using new technologies and new techniques.

Did you see anything at the workshops that gave you inspiration?

It was incredible to see the machines that drill the tiny holes in the mainplates of the mechanical movements, because I could imagine using something similar for meringues. It would not be easy but I thought about this when I saw them. The traditional Swiss food with all the cheese and the fantastic onion gravy we had with the rosti was also a source of inspiration. Whenever I travel I pick up lots of ideas.

Dani Garcia at work  Blancpain

To Alain Delamuraz:

Since you also come from this world, has it given you any inspiration for your job?

When I arrived in the watchmaking industry I understood the common points because there are more than you think  even something as simple as the respect for the customer is common to both worlds, so this helps you when it comes to activating the different partnerships.

How does a relatively traditional brand like Blancpain deal with the process of creativity and innovation? Are there any red lines that cannot be crossed?

Respecting tradition does not mean repeating it. Blancpain has been built on solid foundations, which is an enormous benefit to the brand. We need to be constantly questioning our actions and new developments. The industry thought it was doing fine until it was nearly wiped off the map in the 1970s. We have to be careful.

To Dani Garcia:

Are there also parallels in the creative process between cooking and watchmaking?

Yes, absolutely. For example, if Im preparing a shoulder of lamb I first need to use a machine where the water is heated to precisely 65 degrees Celsius, then I seal the lamb in a plastic baking bag with herbs and slow cook it for 24 hours. This is the technological process, similar to machining all the different movement components in a watch. Then comes the preparation phase, where everything has to be cut and assembled perfectly by hand, just as the watchmaker assembles the individual movement components by hand. But I think this handcrafted part is much more difficult for a watch, because I may only add a handful of additional flavours to a dish, whereas the watchmaker has hundreds of individual components to deal with.

 Blancpain

When you do gala dinners what do you aim to show?

First of all you have to be aware that you are not in your own kitchen, its not all your own team. I have 30 chefs in my restaurant to serve 50 people, for example, but for the gala dinner I only have three, so its really different. We create a menu with dishes that everyone can understand and will be comfortable with and that we are comfortable with in the kitchen. It would be the same if a watchmaker had to assemble a watch outside the workshop, it would be very different!
President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed his administrations commitment to revitalizing the nations education system and making it more responsive and globally competitive.In his remarks at the Presidential Summit on Education held at the Old Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja on Monday, President Buhari admitted that the state of education in Nigeria calls for a serious concern, adding that the problem was no longer a secret that the quality of education t in Nigeria requires greater attention and improvement.We cannot afford to continue lagging behind. Education is our launch-pad to a more successful, more productive and more prosperous future, he said.Describing the summit as highly significant, President Buhari said Nigeria cannot progress beyond the level and standard of her education, pointing out that today, it is those who acquire the most qualitative education, equipped with requisite skills and training, and empowered with practical knowhow that are leading the rest.He noted that one the primary roles of education was to build and sustain individual and societys development.It renews and improves the economic, social, political and cultural aspects of any nation. Education upgrades the living standard of citizens and enables people to become better and more productive citizens. It is a human right that creates a safe, healthy and prosperous society. It changes the visions and perspectives of individuals, enhances critical decisions and improves democracy. Indeed education is paramount and necessary requirement for all-round development, he said.He told the gathering that Nigerias participation in all relevant international education fora together with his Administrations investment in education and collaboration with development partners was an indication of high level of commitment towards ensuring that every capable Nigerian receives good quality education.Attributing the numerous challenges being faced in education and all other sectors to a result of historical abuses, mindless impunity and corruption, President Buhari contended that with an estimated 13.2 million children out of school, high illiteracy level, infrastructural deficit and decay, unqualified teachers, and inadequate instructional materials, we can clearly see the effect of decades of neglect that the education sector has suffered.Still, he said his Administration was determined to turnaround the sector for the better. We are already making appreciable progress in this respect. This summit must therefore, among other things, sharpen our strategies for addressing the challenges of basic and secondary education, teacher training and professional development; technical and vocational education.He charged participants at the summit to work to enhance quality in, and access to, higher education and other challenges in the sector that will debar us from attaining the SDGs and be among the top 20 economies in the world.It is my expectation that at the end of this summit, we shall come up with feasible, implementable but far-reaching action plans for the ministerial strategic plan that would make education play the pivotal role as the engine that drives national prosperity and development, he said.While acknowledging that there are numerous other competing demands and responsibilities from different sectors of the economy, the President however assured that his administration was committed to confronting and tackling the challenges in the education sector.This will be part of our deliberate policy of revitalizing education provisioning and capacity building, he said.With emphasis, President Buhari told the summit, we must get it right in this country. To get it right means setting our education sector on the right path. No nation can achieve economic, social, political and cultural prosperity without a sound and functional education system. We should also bear in mind that the security and stability of the country hinges, to a large extent, on its ability to provide functional education to its citizens.
Biafra Nations Youth League, BNYL, has advised people of the South East and South-South not to expect a referendum from Nigerian government...

Biafra Nations Youth League, BNYL, has advised people of the South East and South-South not to expect a referendum from Nigerian government.

BNYL leader, Princewill Obuka on Monday said asking for a referendum is a waste of time.





Catalonia did not beg Spain for a referendum, the separatists did it in collaboration with regional authorities or separatists government, he said.





How on earth do we expect a nation that spent almost all her resources to engage us in three years war give us referendum on a platter of gold.





BNYL do not see the possibility of Buharis government allowing a referendum. Is it the Senate and House of Rep that will vote for referendum to be conducted?





How many are we there? Our people there are just a few in the legislature. Some say they are in court asking for referendum and I begin to wonder how a government controlled court would go against their constitution.









Obuka recalled the case of Bakassi Peninsula, where a Federal High Court Abuja judgement stopping the government from ceding the peninsula pending resettlement of natives was ignored.





Advising, agitators not to compare Biafras case to that of Catalonia, he said the area is a region with a regional separatists government and thus was easy for the region to conduct referendum and peaceful protests.





In 1967 we had a regional government that was in control of our armed forces, but today, we have been divided into States.





We are now at the stage of agitations, protests etc, we need to look beyond referendum from Federal government.









We can not expect people we call our enemies to conduct free, fair and credible referendum for us.





Obuka stressed that the division of defunct Eastern region into states and geopolitical zones disorganized the political class that they are no longer focused, instead they now focus on their personal interests and tribal politics.





I think those who are supposed to conduct referendum for us are the States to ascertain if we really have the support of the masses.





But they are all afraid, and since they have proved incapable of doing that for us, we have to strategise; look beyond the demands for referendum.





After all we fought three years war to prove we are serious, it is admitted we lost the war but today we have continued from where our warlords stopped.





Asking UN to pressurize them (Nigerian govt) would have been little bit better, but what is the level of diplomatic relationship we have with the UN.





The truth is we have to make friends with countries in the UNsign agreement if possible because it is all about interest.





Not when one goes to the UN and a bill of rights he or she starts feeling the UN has endorsed our cause. The game is all about recognitions.





Till now, we dont have a legitimate central authority that coordinates the affairs of the struggle.





We need a structure, an interim institutional authority at the centre that every tribe are fully involved, we can do that without dissolving our organizational structures.




Tom Maleski was ready to take the plunge and invest in some home improvements.

The job at hand was to remove an existing concrete driveway and replace it with a driveway made of paving stones, adding a paving stone patio to match.

The river of rainwater and mound of dirt left from Tom Maleski's driveway job.

But instead of a new driveway, Maleski was left with a path between his and his neighbor's homes that turned into a four-inch deep river when it rained. Another side effect was a mound of dirt blocking access to his front door. The mound was as high as the front stoop on the North Arlington home.

It all started when Maleski signed an $11,000 contract with AJD Group and contractor Brian Keiper in March. The homeowner handed over a $4,000 deposit, followed by checks for $3,000, $1,800 and $200, records show.

Two of the checks were made out to Keiper per the contractor's request, records show.

That should have been a red flag -- we later learned Keiper isn't officially the company's owner.

And Maleski didn't know it at the time, but Keiper and AJD Group have been the subject of numerous lawsuits and judgments.

Back to the job.

After the contract was signed, Maleski selected the paving stones he wanted.

Keiper reported it would take 12 to 14 days to get the materials, text messages show.

Work started on April 7 with the removal of the existing concrete driveway, Maleski said.

"During this portion of the project, my vinyl fence was damaged along with the drainage pipe in the front of the house," he said.

Next there would be a delay because the contractor said he needed to call for a utility mark-out, Maleski said.

Finally on April 19, the excavator arrived to fix the soil to the proper depths, Maleski said. But when he arrived home, Maleski said, it didn't look right.

He said he asked Keiper to come by to review the work.

Keiper said he was on vacation, text messages show, but he promised to come the following Monday.

He didn't show, Maleski said.

Maleski said he tried to contact the contractor, who wasn't always answering his messages. After several days, Keiper texted, "Gonna fix it all."

But that didn't happen. There were several more no-shows, Maleski said, and several more broken promises.

It all led to a bigger mess.

The view of the rain-filled driveway from the back of the property.

"I sent Brian a text on May 12, showing him a photograph with about four inches of standing water for the entire length of the driveway where the concrete slab was removed," Maleski said. "I was getting water in the basement."

Once again, the contractor promised to come by but he never showed up, Maleski said.

The homeowner started to ask more questions, such as when the materials would be delivered.

Keiper gave several different dates, but none of the materials ever arrived, Maleski said.

So the homeowner asked where the materials had been ordered from, but the contractor dodged the question, text messages show.

Then there was silence for more days as Keiper ignored Maleski's messages, he said.

Maleski said when he finally got a response, Keiper said he could finish the job by the end of June, and he agreed to come to the home every morning at 7 a.m. to review the status with Maleski.

But that didn't happen, Maleski said.

"The last return exchange from Brian was on June 8, 2017. I have sent him numerous text messages, emails and phone calls. The phone goes directly to voice mail," Maleski said.

Maleski said he still has water issues every time it rains, and he needs to pump standing water from the driveway to reduce the chance that it will enter his basement.

"At this point I do not see this contractor ever finishing my project," Maleski said.

He wants Keiper to show him a paid-in-full invoice for all the materials that were supposedly ordered. Then he could deal with the supplier himself, Maleski said.

"Another option is to send me a certified bank check for the full amount that I have paid him for the work that he was to perform," he said. "I will also need his insurance information so I can repair the areas that his workers have damaged."

UNSAVORY HISTORY

We reviewed dozens of text messages, the contract, invoices and other documents, and then we took a closer look at Keiper and the company -- which on paper, doesn't belong to him.

AJD Group is owned by Donna Witt Holland, according to state filings. Holland is also listed as the company owner on the firm's Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) registration. The same Verona address -- which is also the address on the contract and invoices provided to Maleski -- is listed on both filings. That property is owned by Holland, records show.

There have been six lawsuits against AJD Group, five against Keiper and one against Holland, public records show. There are six judgments against Keiper.

Worth noting is that Keiper was also named in lawsuits against another contracting company -- BK Group of Rockaway -- for which Keiper had a Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) registration until 2012, records show.

Records and press reports also show Keiper, in 2012, was arrested and charged with issuing more than $5,500 in bad checks to a lumber company. He entered a Pretrial Intervention program (PTI), records show.

The Division of Consumer Affairs has one complaint against the company -- from Maleski -- which a spokeswoman said "is under review."

Tom Maleski stands in front of his incomplete driveway.

Hoping for the best, we reached out to Keiper and Holland multiple times via telephone and text message. The number we found for Holland had a full voice mail each time we called, and we left messages for Keiper.

Keiper returned a call.

He confirmed Donna Witt Holland is his girlfriend, and said he would call us back after speaking to his attorney. He also said he would tell Holland to contact Bamboozled.

Holland, on Nov 8, sent us an email (signed Donna Witt) requesting the contact information for Bamboozled's supervisor, which we provided, and she said her voice mail was never full. We emailed questions about the case that same day.

Holland responded via email on Nov, 10 and said was unable to review her records in time for publication. She added: "I can tell you that Mr. Malewski (sic.) is a certifiable nutcase who has bothered no less than 4 excavators that we sent to his jobsite as well other laborers to the point that they refuse to return," she said in the email.

"He fancies himself an engineer, which he holds no license for," she wrote. "As a result we have had a significant overrun and because of customers like him, are in the process of meeting with lawyers to discuss if we have any future solvency or lack thereof."

Keiper didn't respond to additional requests for comment.

We shared Holland's comments with Maleski. He said he brought issues with workmanship to Keiper and not the subcontractors because Keiper was the one he hired. He also said he only spoke to one of the subcontractors, who Maleski said stopped coming to the house because a check from the company bounced.

While Maleski waits for action from Consumer Affairs, he hired another contractor to fix the damage and install the driveway.

The cost? Another $11,600, documents show.

Altogether, that's one expensive home improvement project.

Have you been Bamboozled? Reach Karin Price Mueller at Bamboozled@NJAdvanceMedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @KPMueller. Find Bamboozled on Facebook. Mueller is also the founder of NJMoneyHelp.com.

Stay informed and sign up for NJMoneyHelp.com's weekly e-newsletter.
CAMDEN -- County police are asking for the public's help in locating two missing teenagers from the city's Centerville neighborhood.

JaQue McKenney, 13, and Chyna Monae Jones, 18, were reported missing separately from their homes, which are less than a mile apart, authorities said Sunday.

McKenney was reported missing from his home in the 2000 block of Kossuth Street. He is known to frequent Centerville and Woodlynne, police said.

He was described by police as a black teenager who stands at 5-foot-3-inches tall and weighs 120 pounds, with brown eyes and brown hair. He was last seen wearing a blue vest, blue jeans, blue sweatshirt and blue Nike sneakers, and was carrying a blue gym bag.

Jones was reported missing from her home in the 2000 block of Ferry Avenue. She may be headed to Uniontown, Pa., police said.

She was described by authorities as a black teenager who stands at 5-foot-2-inches tall and weighs 125 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair. She was last seen wearing green sweatpants and a green sweatshirt.

Authorities are asking anyone with information about either of their whereabouts to call police at 856-757-7042.

Luke Nozicka may be reached at lnozicka@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @lukenozicka.

Find NJ.com on Facebook.
EAST ORANGE -- Authorities have identified a man who was found dead with a gunshot wound in the city as a 25-year-old from Newark.

The body of Kpama Silver was found at about 6:30 a.m. Saturday in the area of North 15th Street and 4th Avenue, officials said.

An autopsy report determined Silver died from a gunshot wound. His death has been ruled a homicide, Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino and East Orange Public Safety Director Sheilah Coley said in a statement.

Authorities are investigating whether Silver was shot in the area where his body was found or elsewhere, Chief Assistant Prosecutor Thomas S. Fennelly of the prosecutor's homicide unit said.

The Essex County Prosecutor's Office's Major Crimes Task Force, which includes Newark police detectives, is investigating the homicide.

The prosecutor's office is asking anyone with information to call them at 877-847-7432.

Luke Nozicka can be reached at lnozicka@njadvancemedia.com or on Twitter @lukenozicka.

Find NJ.com on Facebook and Twitter.
JERSEY CITY -- Officials are investigating a toy gun that was found inside a student's backpack on Monday morning.

A parent spotted the gun at School 8 in the Heights and notified police, school officials said. It's unclear if the parent thought the gun was real or knew it was fake.

The school district does not allow students to bring toy weapons to school and is following its code of conduct to address the incident.

Authorities could not immediately provide information about their involvement in the investigation.

Caitlin Mota may be reached at cmota@jjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter @caitlin_mota. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.
JERSEY CITY -- One of the Jersey City cops recently indicted on an attempted murder charge over a high-speed pursuit was fired two months ago in part because the city accused him of taking improper cash payments for off-duty work.

MD Khan's alleged actions, detailed in a letter from a city attorney and obtained by The Jersey Journal, mirror those of the officers who have admitted in federal court to taking part in a conspiracy involving the off-duty jobs program. These new accusations surrounding Khan are separate from the federal probe, which has ensnared nine officers.

Khan's lawyer, Daniel Welsh, declined to comment. The other three officers in connection to the chase have been suspended without pay.

Khan was in court today to plead not guilty to the attempted murder charge, one of 13 counts he faces in the investigation of the June 4 pursuit. The attempted murder charge stems from the accusation that Khan shot the driver of the car the officers were pursuing, Leo Pinkston, as Pinkston drove by him.

The pursuit ended when Pinkston crashed the car he was driving on Tonnelle Avenue, hitting a pole and igniting a blaze that engulfed his car and a second vehicle. Video taken just after the wreck appears to show officers kicking a man who had crawled out of that second car. Khan's indictment says he was one of the two officers seen kicking the man, Miguel Feliz.

The letter obtained by The Jersey Journal was sent Nov. 1 to an administrative law judge weighing whether to reverse Khan's Sept. 11 firing.

It says Khan worked a four-hour shift in January 2016 for a building company, told the company to write out a $232 check but leave the payee line blank and then wrote in his own name. The city requires companies seeking off-duty cops to pay the city, which then pays the officer after pocketing an administrative fee.

Khan did not pay taxes on the $232 check, the city notes in its letter.

The city attorney also told the judge that Khan violated another city policy by working more than 16 hours in one 24-hour period on 10 different occasions in 2015.

A source said county prosecutors opted not to charge Khan over the off-duty work allegation.

The letter was obtained by a source who asked not to be identified. It was sent one day before a grand jury indicted Khan and the other three officers for their alleged actions during the June 4 pursuit.

Khan was accused in February 2016 of armed robbery and an assault on his sister's husband. A grand jury opted not to indict him in that case.

Terrence T. McDonald may be reached at tmcdonald@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @terrencemcd. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.
JERSEY CITY -- More than a dozen city police officers showed their support today at the arraignment of three current and one former officer charged in a high-speed chase in which shots were fired at the moving vehicle and an innocent bystander was beaten while on fire.

Attorneys for Officers Eric Kosinski, Francisco Rodriguez, Lt. Keith Ludwig and former Officer MD Kahn entered pleas of not guilty on behalf of their clients at this morning's hearing before Hudson County Superior Court Judge Nesle Rodriguez.

The officers turned themselves in on Nov. 3 after being indicted in connection to the chase involving Leo Pinkston, 48, which left the innocent bystander critically injured after a fiery crash on Tonnelle Avenue at North Street on June 4.

Some 15 Jersey City police officers sat in the back two rows of the courtroom for the proceedings. Prior to the hearing the defendants and the other officers, who were not in uniform, milled around together in the hallway.

The defendants, who stood next to their attorneys and did not say a word during the hearing, appeared calm throughout the proceedings.

Officer Rodriguez' attorney, Brian Neary, said issue of the officers' use of force will be critical from the moment the defense receives the grand jury transcript.

"The issues of the use of reasonable force will continue throughout this case," Neary said after the hearing in the Hudson County Administration Building in Jersey City. "Frank Rodriguez was exercising the authority he has to protect himself, his fellow officers and the citizens of Jersey City."

Khan and Kosinski are charged with firing at Pinkston's moving vehicle at Tonnelle and Carlton avenues during the chase, which began in Greenville when police tried to stop Pinkston because his vehicle matched the description of one involved in a shooting, officials said.

Khan and Kosinski are charged with attempted murder, counts of aggravated assault, and weapons offenses. The indictment states that one of Khan's shots struck Pinkston in the leg.

During Khan and Kosinski's first court appearance on the charges on Nov. 3, Khan's lawyer, Daniel Welsh, said he was "doing his job trying to protect the people of Jersey City and it's a real shame he finds himself in this position."

Rodriguez is charged with opening fire on Pinkston as the car passed through the Manhattan Avenue intersection. He is charged with unlawfully firing at Pinkston's car and aggravated assault.

The chase ended when Pinkston's car collided with 28-year-old Miguel Feliz's car. The two vehicles slammed into a utility pole and downed wires ignited the vehicles. Video from the scene shows Feliz being kicked by officers after he ripped off his burning shirt and was on his hands and knees.

Khan and Ludwig are identified in the indictment as the officers seen kicking Feliz, of West New York, who was later hospitalized for burns.

All four officers are charged with aggravated assault and official misconduct, while. Pinkston has been indicted on eluding and aggravated assault charges and has been jailed since his arrest.

Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Pete Stoma said today that the state has no plea offer at this time.

The defense attorneys said they have received numerous discs containing discovery evidence in the case including statements and video. Stoma said additional discover will be provided by the end of the week.

Khan has been fired by the department in regard to an unrelated matter. A grand jury declined to indict Khan on other charges last year.

All four officers charged remain free pending trial. Kosinski is represented by defense attorney John Lynch and Ludwig by attorney Anthony J. Iacullo.
ADS ADS

After the best watches of the year were awarded at the GPHG last Wednesday, some 50 brands came together in aid of a good cause at the biennial Only Watch charity auction last Saturday. You can see the prices realised by each of these unique pieces in our round-up and well done if you guessed the overall total correctly in our prediction competition. Stay tuned for news of the lucky winner of a case of Swiss wine and a high-end corkscrew.



We start this week with some food for the soul in a joint interview with Blancpains Vice-President of Marketing Alain Delamuraz and Michelin-starred chef Dani Garcia. I accompanied Dani on his visit to Blancpain and saw first-hand how he picked up on some of the parallels with his work in the kitchen.



An official press release from Baselworld last week confirmed a number of rumours that had been circulating for a few weeks: the show will be shortened by two days and there is a drastic reduction in the number of exhibitors to between just 600 and 700. Before the announcement was made I had had chance to talk to Julien Haenny, CEO of Anonimo, about the brands presence at Baselworld as part of a wide-ranging interview. Read why Anonimo is still banking on Baselworld this Thursday.



The Dubai Watch Week starts on Thursday and both myself and Tiffany Busser will be representing WorldTempus at the event. On the opening day, Tiffany gives us an overview of what to expect, while I will be talking about the sensitive issue of counterfeit watches on a panel with Mohammed Seddiqi and fellow watch journalist Suzanne Wong.



We will also have news of the first new watches announced for the SIHH later this week, as well as a detailed look at Patek Philippes refreshed Reference 5230 and a brand-new limited-edition RM 055 Yas Marina Circuit watch from Richard Mille just in time for next weeks season-closing Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Orndorffs experimental writing began when he discovered a way to take his reading automaticity (effectively used for over thirty years of grading senior students many expository essays and research papers) and use the automaticity in his writing. The errors produced add to his sense of humility that I find refreshing. He preached the rules of General Manuscript Specifications his whole career and now finds he cant live up to them himself. He may not see the humor in this, but his many former students and colleagues might sense a secret delight in his lightly buried misery of my conditional. I would not be here but for his determination and humility to see this experimental and self-imposed writing project through. Humanity is my standard in orndorff's writing, not GMS perfection.  Amorella
Egypt's Minister of Irrigation Mohamed Abdel-Ati said on Sunday that participants in the tripartite ministerial meeting held in Cairo to discuss a preliminary studies report on the regional impact of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam have failed to reach a consenus, state-run MENA news agency reported.

The focus of the meeting, which was attended by ministers from Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia, was the introductory report on planned technical studies of the dam's potential impact on Egypt and Sudan, according to Minister Abdel-Ati.

The studies, which will be carried out by two French firms, Arterlia and BRL, were proposed to begin in late 2016, but reqiure an agreement on methods from the three governments before they can begin.

The minister added that Egypt approved of the initial report on Sunday, though Ethiopia and Sudan demanded major amendments to the proposed studies.

Egypt has previously expressed concern over ongoing delays in the approval of the technical studies given that Ethiopia is continuing the construction the dam.

The 6,000-megawatt Grand Renaissance Dam, which is slated for completion this year, is situated near Ethiopia's border with Sudan.

Ethiopia hopes it will be able to export electricity generated by the dam, which upon completion will be the largest hydroelectric power plant in Africa.

Egypt, however, has expressed concerns that the dam might reduce its share of Nile water.

Ethiopia maintains that the dam will not have any negative impact on Egypt or Sudan.



Search Keywords:

Short link:


A police officer who was abducted by terrorists in the Western Desert last month and later rescued by security forces may continue his medical treatment abroad, his father has said.

Mohamed El-Hayes was abducted during a shootout when security forces raided a terrorist hideout in Bahariya Oasis, about 135 kilometres (83 miles) southwest of Cairo.

Sixteen police forces were killed during the incident on 19 October.

"My son has undergone four surgeries to his hands and feet during the past two weeks, however he is in a good condition, Mohamed El-Hayes father said, according to Al-Ahram Arabic website.

."He still needs more operations, he added, without specifying further.

Joint army and police forces rescued El-Hayes on 31 October.

The freed police officer is currently at a military hospital receiving treatment.

Last week, President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi announced that all the terrorists involved in the Western Desert shootout in October have been killed bar one foreigner who has been arrested.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


A statement by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry expressed deepest condolences over the victims of an earthquake that hit the border region between Iraq and Iran, killing more than 300 people and injuring thousands on late Sunday.

"Egypt stands with the people of Iraq and Iran as it offers its deepest condolences for the victims and their families"," the statement said.

At least 332 people were killed in Iran and Iraq when a magnitude 7.3 earthquake jolted the region on Sunday, state media in the two countries said, and rescuers were searching for dozens trapped under rubble in the mountainous area.

Iranian state television said more than 328 people were killed in the country and at least 2,500 were injured.

Local officials said the death toll would rise as search and rescue teams reached remote areas of the country.

The earthquake was felt in several western provinces of Iran but the hardest hit province was Kermanshah, where officials announced three days of mourning.

More than 236 of the victims were in the county of Sarpol-e Zahab in Kermanshah province, about 15 km (10 miles) from the Iraqi border.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


The number of utilities betting their futures on renewable energy seems to be growing by the day. Giants like NextEra Energy (NYSE: NEE), Southern Company (NYSE: SO), AES (NYSE: AES), and Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) are slowly but surely seeing the fossil fuels aren't the profit drivers of their future; renewable energy is.

American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP), who generates nearly half of its electricity from coal, says it will invest $1.8 billion in renewable energy by 2020. That's only about 10% of its total capital spending, but it's a transition other utilities have already begun.

AEP starts to take renewables seriously

In a press release discussing its future investments, AEP said it will invest $1.8 billion in renewable energy between 2018 and 2020, which seems small compared to its $18.2 billion capital spending plans. But if you pull out $4.4 billion in investment for distribution systems and $9 billion for transmission assets you see that only $3.0 billion will be allocated to fossil fuel generating assets.

The 2018 to 2020 plan is also on top of a $4.5 billion investment in the 2,000 MW Wind Catcher project in Oklahoma, which will be the world's second-largest wind farm. In total, AEP will spend more on building/buying renewable energy assets than fossil fuels in the next few years.

A shift is happening at U.S. utilities

The transition to renewable energy is happening because utilities see the economics of wind and solar energy as too good to pass up. And they're putting billions into building their renewable energy businesses.

Duke Energy has 2,300 MW of wind power and 600 MW of solar, investing $4 billion in renewables since 2007. It's even investing in battery storage as a new generation of grid asset.

NextEra Energy's subsidiary NextEra Energy Resources says it is the world's largest generator of electricity from the wind and solar. On top of that, the company has a controlling interest in NextEra Energy Partners (NYSE: NEP), one of the biggest renewable energy yieldcos in the world.

AES has taken a leadership position in energy storage through a partnership with Siemens called Fluence. This is on top of 25% of its power generation portfolio coming from renewable sources.

Southern Company is another to make the surprise move to renewable energy. After leading the charge into "clean coal" and nuclear power, Southern Company has made an about-face and added 4,000 MW of renewables in the last five years.

Renewable energy can't be ignored any longer

Utilities aren't investing billions of dollars into renewable energy to save the climate or appease environmentalists, they're doing so because it's in their best interest financially. Renewable energy is now the lowest cost option when building new power plants and that's what's driving adoption. If these utilities are any indication, there will be tens of billions more poured into the industry over the next decade.

10 stocks we like better than American Electric Power

When investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.*

David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy right now... and American Electric Power wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys.

Click here to learn about these picks!

*Stock Advisor returns as of November 6, 2017

Travis Hoium owns shares of American Electric Power and NextEra Energy Partners. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Drive south from Chicago into North Hammond and you'll see 24-hour drive-thru smoke shops, liquor stores, fireworks stands, a casino, flashing lights and factories that emit noxious odors.

But a suburban-style shopping center has transformed the gritty area just across the state line, not far from the Chicago Skyway.

Developer Marina Development District, helmed by Luke Oil Vice President Tom Collins Jr., has pumped more than $20 million in new investment around a Walmart Supercenter that's been a popular attraction for residents of the South Side of Chicago. The developer recently has added more than 88,000 square feet of restaurant and retail space in the growing Marina District, Hammond Director of Economic Development Anne Anderson said.

Anchored by Walmart, the growing shopping center includes Ross Dress for Less, Dollar Tree, Rainbow Apparel, Beauty Supply and an IHOP diner. Marina Development District recently completed construction of a 14,250-square-foot strip mall that includes an AT&T store and has room for additional tenants to lease.

The developer also is building a 3,775-square-foot Wing Stop restaurant and a 3,200-square-foot Popeyes. There's space for eight other tenants in the new buildings, and enough land for another 10,000-square-foot strip mall.

Changing landscape

The project has come a long way since it started in 2013, coming on the heels of the 184,000-square-foot Walmart that was built in Hammond's Robertsdale neighborhood in 2011.

"We are proud of the product we were able to put into a market that was designated as a 'brown zone,'" Collins Jr. said. "We hope that the city and Region is equally as pleased with our redevelopment of North Hammond. The project has been difficult financially due to the length of time involved and us having to purchase the TIF bonds."

Marina Development District also plans to redevelop two fuel stations there this year, and continue the build-out next year. Then it will continue development farther southeast along Indianapolis Boulevard to its "5-points" intersection with Calumet Avenue and 114th Street.

"We hope to complete the Marina District portion by the end of 2018," Collins said. "Once we complete the 'Marina District' footprint, we will begin focusing on the parcels from Vogels to the 5-points corner."

Attracting Illinois consumers

The retail area has flourished by the state line largely because of lower taxes that draw in Illinois shoppers. After state, county and city taxes are factored in, the sales tax is 10.25 percent in the city of Chicago, but only 7 percent in Northwest Indiana. Indiana also charges 99 cents in tax for cigarettes, while Chicago taxes a total of $7.42 per pack, making Indiana a destination for smokers.

Many cross the state line to buy cartons of cigarettes, fill up their gas tanks because of cheaper gas taxes, buy fireworks that are illegal in Illinois or try their luck at Hammond's Horseshoe Casino.

"They are doing a lot of business there," said Africa Tarver, Hammond's executive director of Planning & Development. "They've been building a substantial amount."

While new stores have been crowding around the Walmart that's been a magnet for South Siders, the shopping center also is drawing shoppers from Hammond, including the surrounding Robertsdale neighborhood, Tarver said. The parking lots are often packed.

"The Ross clothing store was a nice complement and it's somewhere for families to go," she said. "We've been in talks with a lot of different restaurants. It's an appealing site because of the (Horseshoe) casino, the proximity to Chicago and the expressway. There also are a lot of families that live nearby."

Tarver expects to see more restaurants open in the Marina District and has been in talks with more national chains.

"Walmart brought a lot of the other businesses in and brought a lot of construction," she said. "There's going to be more retail coming in, and we're actively looking at more restaurants. A lot of our largest employers are there: there's Cargill and Unilever. With those plants, there's quite a bit of activity that would support restaurants. There are a lot of workers going to lunch."

Development welcome

Hammond cleared the way for the redevelopment several years ago by spending about $2 million to remediate slag at the site, which had been one of the many dumping grounds for local steel mills, Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. said.

"It was like Lost Marsh where the slag just piled up to a huge hill," McDermott said. "The steel mills had no plans, they just dumped it there and left it there. We cleaned it up and now it's an asset."

Some residents have complained that higher-end stores haven't come in, but any investment is a good thing, McDermott said.

"Those stores cater more to the South Side of Chicago, where there are higher taxes," he said. "They were built for the South Side; it's just a bonus we have them here. The Walmart's doing very well, the IHOP's doing very well, the whole area is doing very well."

Just across the state border, the property on Indianapolis Boulevard always has drawn Chicagoans. From 1920 to 1936, it was home to the Roby Speeway, a 1-mile dirt track where Chicagoans would gamble on auto races.

It was long vacant until the Marina Development District came in and revived it.

"We made a deal with them to fix up their existing buildings in the area, including a liquor store that was not looking good," McDermott said. "It's bringing in investment. While some people complain it's hourly retail jobs, I'd like to remind people 50-60 retail jobs are better than no jobs whatsoever."

Hammond just needs to figure out how to spur more new development like the Marina District across the city, he said.

"Here in Hammond, the borders are doing very well," McDermott said. "There's a lot of new development by Chicago and down along Interstate 80-94, where we're making solid gains. But we need to get investment in the city proper, not just on the borders."
When most people hear how bad things are, they usually respond with either disbelief or that age-old question, Why?
Sgt. Calvin Thornberry and his 78th Infantry Division, nicknamed "Lightning," crossed the Ludendorff Bridge over the Rhine at Remagen during the invasion of Germany in World War II.

Deploying aircraft, artillery barrages, V2 missiles and underwater demolition teams, the Germans ultimately blew the bridge up, trapping the American soldiers in the heart of Nazi Germany.

"There was no place for us to go but toward the Germans," Thornberry said. "We couldn't go back over the bridge."

Thornberry, now a 94-year-old Cedar Lake resident, joked at the time if the Germans came streaming over the hill he was headed back toward the water. He already had survived the Battle of the Bulge, the deadliest battle Americans endured during the war.

"I was fortunate I was on the flank. I wasn't hit by the main stream," he said. "We made it through."

Surrounded by family and friends at his Cedar Lake home, Thornberry was honored Sunday for his wartime service in France and Germany by Quilts of Valor, which provided him with a hand-sewn quilt, and U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, who gave him a flag that had been flown over the U.S. Capitol.

Visclosky, D-Merrillville, thanked the World War II veteran and retired steelworker for his mility service.

"I appreciate you coming out here," Thornberry said. "I appreciate you taking time out from a busy life."

"Government job," Visclosky joked, to much laughter in the crowded living room.

Thornberry is a Kentucky native who found work after the war in Northwest Indiana's steel mills and moved south to Cedar Lake because he "couldn't live in town" and was "an old country boy from the country."

"I had a brother who worked up here at Inland. People ask me how I settled here," he joked. "I tell them I was driving from Kentucky to Detroit and my car broke down here. Then I met this little farm girl."

Thornberry has been married to his wife Sarah for more than six decades. They had four children: Dwayne, Ronna, Becky and Scott. Dwayne followed in his father's footsteps, serving in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War era.

"I felt pride in my father today," Dwayne Thornberry said. "He never talked about the war. It was like pulling teeth to find out what it was like."

Thornberry's son-in-law Wayne Wesley, a Navy veteran who lives in Dyer, said the honor was long overdue.

"It means everything," he said. "Look how many people are here."

Wesley arranged for the ceremony after reconnecting on Facebook with former classmate Colleen Kreiger, of Hebron, a volunteer for Quilts of Valor, a national nonprofit founded in 2003 by a woman whose son had just deployed to Iraq.

"To keep herself busy during the stressful time while he was deployed, Catherine Roberts came up with the idea of comforting veterans with quilts," she said. "It became a nationwide grassroots community service effort connecting the homefront with our combat warriors, veterans of all armed conflicts and others who were in some way touched by war. The Quilt of Valor is a generous nap-sized quilt quilted together by the appreciative hands of thousands of volunteers who spent countless hours on each one to make it very special."

The quilts are meant to honor veterans for their service and keep them warm, Kreiger said.

"Our quilters know that freedom isn't free," she said. "The cost of our freedom is the dedication of the men and women who serve in our military. This quilt is meant to offer you comfort and remind you that you're forever in our thoughts and hearts."

Thornberry also was recently interviewed twice by retired U.S. Army Col. Alistair Dyer, who's sending the recordings to the planned National Museum of the United States Army at Fort Belvoir in Virginia to preserve his story for posterity.

"It's still under construction," Dyer said. "It'll probably be another three years before it opens up. It's the history of the Army all the way through. A lot of World War II veterans never talked about their service, so it's important to get their experiences down."
A high military court in Ismailia has rejected appeals by fifteen terrorists convicted of killing soldiers in North Sinai, Al-Ahram Arabic website reported on Monday, confirming the death penalties issued to them.

The defendants were found guilty of killing two army officers and seven soldiers and attempting to bomb a security patrol in Arish city in 2013.

A North Sinai military court sentenced the 15 defendants to death in June 2015. They appealed the sentence.

Egyptian security forces are battling a North Sinai-based Islamist militancy that intensified following the ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in 2013.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


HAMMOND  Federal prosecutors say a gun dealer who conspired with corrupt Lake County police officers to illegally buy machine guns and laser gun sights should be treated as a threat to national security.

The U.S. Attorney's office is recommending a 14-year-prison term for Vahan Kelerchian, 58, of Warminster, Pennsylvania, who is scheduled to be sentenced Thursday before U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Van Bokkelen.

"Both the public and our military troops have been placed at risk by Kelerchian's egregious conduct and disregard for the danger he caused," Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip C. Benson argues in a recent memo to the judge.

A federal jury in Hammond convicted Kelerchian in October 2015 of eight of nine counts of conspiracy, fraud and money laundering to obtain more than 140 machine guns and laser gun sights between 2008 and 2010.

Benson said Kelerchian circumvented federal restrictions on individual ownership of these firearms and accessories by convincing Joseph Kumstar, then a high ranking Lake County Sheriff's Department, official to create a "letter of intent" on sheriff's department stationary falsely stating the department was purchasing them for exclusive law enforcement use.

Benson said Kumstar and two other county police officers in fact purchased the guns and sights from manufacturers with their own money, broke the machine guns into parts and sold them and the laser sights for large profits.

Benson argues, "There is a strong black market for night vision equipment whereby both enemies and allies of the United States attempt to acquire night vision equipment and thereby reduce or eliminate the U.S. military's technological superiority on the battlefield."

He states that 46 of the 74 sights Kelerchian, Kumstar and Slusser obtained are unaccounted for. Benson said two of the sights were found in the possession of a Mississippi man who died seven years ago after a shootout with police.

Benson said four machine gun barrels purchased by the conspirators were recovered six years ago in Canada from a "known dealer of illegal weapons for a large gang in Montreal."

Benson said the corrupt county police officers were buying machine guns for between $1,200 and $1,600 apiece and reselling barrels alone on the internet for $2,400 each.

Benson said Kelerchian also obtained machine guns with phony documents that he would conduct firearms demonstrations with Lake County as well as police departments in Idaho, Pennsylvania and Michigan.

Benson argues Kelerchian used county policemen as pawns in illicit trade that "resulted in dangerous items being indiscriminately placed into the public domain" and served to damage the reputation of the county sheriff's department.

Kumstar, once the third highest ranking officer in the sheriff's office, Ronald D. Slusser, a former veteran member of the sheriff's SWAT team, and Edward O. Kebella, another former county cop, pleaded guilty in 2011 to having roles in the scheme.

They resigned from the force. Kumstar is serving a 57-month sentence and Slusser a 70 month sentence in minimum security federal institutions. Kebella completed a 24-month sentence three years ago.

Kelerchian has denied all wrongdoing on the witness stand during his 2015 trial. He said high ranking sheriff's department officials assured him the guns and sights were to be used for legitimate law enforcement.
GARY  A fight began inside a nightclub in the city's Miller section and later erupted into a shooting outside the business leaving seven people wounded, police said.

A 26-year-old man remained in critical condition Monday after the shooting about 2:30 a.m. Sunday at Dirttys Jazz and Blues Club in the 4600 block of Melton Road, police said.

Six others  including two men, ages 28 and 22, and three women, ages 28, 24 and 20  were in stable condition, police Lt. Dawn Westerfield said.

A third man suffered a leg injury while running for safety, police said.

A person of interest was cooperating with detectives Monday, and police were working to identify additional persons of interest, Westerfield said.

The shooting appears to be an isolated event, and no shots were fired inside the club.

Police have been called to the club a total of 14 times in the past two years, mostly for nonviolent events such as alarm calls, Westerfield said.

On Sunday night, the club appeared closed.

A maroon Chevrolet Impala with Indiana plates parked in front of the club Sunday night was riddled with bullet holes. The parking lot was filled with half-empty beer bottles, broken glass, spilled food and stray cats.

The live music venue sits in a commercial stretch filled with gas stations and fast-food restaurants, where U.S. 12 and U.S. 20 split on the city's east side.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call Detective Sgt. William Fazekas at 218-881-1210. To remain anonymous, call 866-CRIME-GP.
INDIANAPOLIS  Indiana's commerce agency already has topped its prior record for annual job commitments with seven weeks still to go in the year.

State Commerce Secretary Jim Schellinger said the 270 companies recruited by the Indiana Economic Development Corp. so far in 2017 have pledged to create 28,846 jobs for Hoosiers.

That surpasses the previous peak of 27,620 pledged jobs reached in 2012 on the eighth anniversary of the IEDC's establishment by Republican former Gov. Mitch Daniels.

Schellinger said the positions promised this year will have an average hourly wage of $27.38.

He noted that's well above the $21.52 average hourly wage for all jobs in the state.

In addition, he said companies working with the IEDC have promised to make more than $6.7 billion in capital improvements to their Indiana facilities.

"Hoosiers across our state will benefit from this achievement," Schellinger said.

Typically not every job that companies pledge to the IEDC will be created. That's one reason why Indiana only awards tax incentives to companies once they begin employing Hoosiers.

Records show the bulk of the 2017 jobs and investment incentivized by the IEDC are due to be located in central and northeast Indiana.

At the same time, Northwest Indiana was home to one of the most significant single job announcements of the year.

In August, HMD Trucking, a transportation and logistics service provider, announced that it will move its corporate headquarters from Chicago Ridge, Illinois, to a new, $6 million building in Gary, and hire up to 500 new workers by 2021.

"Locating at this site in Gary is a perfect match and we look forward to a long and valued relationship with the city and the state of Indiana," said Henry Malukas, HMD Trucking president and founder.

Gov. Eric Holcomb said deals like that are proof that "Indiana's pro-business environment continues to be heard around the world."

The Republican vowed that in 2018: "We will take Indiana to the next level with an unwavering focus on the issues that matter most to Hoosiers and our state's vitality."
To accommodate changing instructional needs, Bishop Noll Institute moved into a new direction when replacing its dean of students.

Seeking the guidance of a current teacher to make sure administration tasks were done with student needs in mind, Jessica Omelanczuk, who previously taught Spanish at the school, now also serves as the assistant principal.

Noll Principal Lorenza Jara Pastrick said the role of principal has changed over the years and this new position better suits the instructional aspects of Bishop Nolls administration.

Together, the two put together ISTEP and ECA remediation to ensure students pass their tests in December, Omelanczuk said. We both wanted to focus on academics and make sure the students receive the help they need.

A Marian Catholic High School alumna, Omelanczuk has a masters degree in teaching and is working toward her administrators license through Indiana State University in Terre Haute. She took three classes over the summer and is working on her internship and commuting to the college once a month.

I have really enjoyed my internship so far because I have been able to network with many different educators and learn from their experiences. My professors at ISU have been amazing as well and very willing to help with any problem or question I may have.

She said her friends and family members encouraged her to continue pursuing administration because they thought it would be a good fit for her.

In addition to her new job, Omelanczuk also loves continuing to teach Dual Credit Spanish 3 and 4 classes.

My students are great and that really makes both classes extremely enjoyable. I teach first and second hour every day and I love starting my day with my classes because I know what to expect and have my lessons prepared and once my classes are over I really do not know what the rest of the day will bring.

She said that her seven years of classroom experience has helped her juggle both roles. The administration side is completely new and I am learning every day. Mrs. Pastrick and all of the teachers and staff have been an excellent support system and I look forward to a great rest of the year.
MICHIGAN CITY  The 12-year-old girl attacked by a 140-pound bull mastiff Friday morning is recovering, according to police.

Winter Morgan has undergone three surgeries and is expected to undergo a fourth this week, according to a press release from Michigan City Police Sgt. Chris Yagelski.

She is still at Riley's Children's Hospital in Indianapolis.

The girl was attacked about 7:40 a.m. Friday at the Dunewood Trailer Park on U.S. 212. She managed to get away from the dog and run into a mobile home, but the dog followed her and continued to attack her until officer Scott Combs pulled the dog off of her and locked him in a room. The officer then treated Morgan at the scene until emergency medical services could arrive.

According to the press release she received extensive wounds on every part of her body except for her left leg and face.

Morgan's mother, Ruth Hall, told police the girl has a long road ahead, but is in good spirits after undergoing vascular surgery Monday, according to police.

According to Animal Control Officer Jason Speakman, no decision has been made on the fate of the dog; however, it is still quarantined. Detective Sgt. Ken Havlin has been assigned the criminal portion of the case and will send it to the prosecutors office for review.

Hall told police she cannot thank Combs enough as she feels that he and the other two assisting neighbors saved her daughters life.
PORTAGE  A Chesterton man was arrested late Saturday night after the car he was driving left the road, striking a NIPSCO pole and then a house.

Nicholas R. Purcell, 25, was charged with possession of a legend drug and three counts of operating a vehicle while intoxicated.

According to a police report, Purcell and a passenger had left a Portage bar on their way home about 11 p.m. when the crash happened on the 2400 block of McCool Road.

Purcell told police he was driving about 35 mph when he saw a deer in the roadway and swerved. The car left the roadway, struck a NIPSCO pole on the east side of McCool Road, went through a yard and then crashed into a house, coming to rest partially inside.

There was no one in the house at the time of the accident.

Purcell failed field sobriety tests and registered a 0.155 on a portable breath test. The legal limit in Indiana is 0.08. Police also found two pills in his pocket. He was transported to a local hospital for a chemical blood test, medically cleared and transported to Porter County Jail.

The passenger complained of pain to his arm, but refused medical treatment.
After divers were unable to locate the body of a 21-year-old university student along a Minnesota stretch of the Mississippi River earlier this year, the young man's father was unwilling to give up the search and just wait for his son to surface.

He turned to private consultant Tom Crossmon for help, and within four hours, the young man's body was located and recovered.

Family and friends of 20-year-old Valparaiso resident Keegan Whaling are hoping for the same results when Crossmon makes the 10-hour trip from Duluth, Minnesota, to begin searching Saturday for the young man's body where he was last seen two weeks ago in Long Lake just north of Valparaiso.

Crossmon, who carries out drowning recovery services for nothing more than the cost of his expenses, said he is bringing a sonar not yet used in the search for Whaling and a remote-operated vehicle capable of retrieving a body.

"We actually can do a drowning victim recovery," he said.

WORKING WITH LOCAL AUTHORITIES

Tyler Brock, conservation officer with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, said his department has been in contact with Crossmon and has cleared the way for the search if continued efforts this week are not successful.

Divers with the Merrillville Fire Department were to search Monday, followed by a region-wide team on Tuesday, he said.

An effort is underway to raise the $5,000 needed to cover Crossmon's expenses, according to a Facebook post shared by friends. Donations are directed to the Teachers Credit Union, account number 4984119, with checks made payable to Keegan Whaling.

Whaling and a 21-year-old friend were reportedly canoeing when the boat capsized shortly before 7 a.m. Oct. 29, Brock has said. The 21-year-old man made it back to shore and told authorities the last time he saw Whaling was in the water. He did not see Whaling make it to shore.

Crossmon said he was contacted by the Whaling family or a representative for help.

He said he has been involved in search and rescue for more than 30 years. He began Crossmon Consulting in 2008 and does for-profit jobs to pay for the equipment needed to carry out drowning search and recovery efforts at no cost beyond his expenses.

It was his understanding that local hotel rooms and restaurant food are being donated for him and an assistant, he said.

STRONGER TECHNOLOGY

The sonar device, which is torpedo shaped, is dragged along under water and sends out sound waves, he said. The sound waves produce photo-quality images that Crossmon is able to see on a laptop computer in his boat.

When the target is located, Crossmon said, he lowers the remote-operated vehicle into the water, and it is able to grab hold of and retrieve the object. If the vehicle cannot reach its target, such as when there is heavy underwater plant growth as has been described at Long Lake, a dive team is called in for help, he said.

Crossmon said his success rate is high, but is challenged by factors such as strong currents and large areas.

Long Lake covers 48 acres and is about 3,200 feet, or nearly nine football fields, in length from north to south, Porter County Surveyor Kevin Breitzke said.

The width varies from 1,100 feet to 400 feet, and it would be a 1.7-mile walk around its shore, he said.

Crossmon plans to wait and see how the ongoing search goes before loading up his equipment later this week and making the long drive to Valparaiso.

"I'm hoping they have success," he said.
Discarded and left for dead, Mumtaz says she found herself on top of a mound of charred, entangled bodies.

"They killed and killed and piled the bodies up high. It was like cut bamboo," says Mumtaz, a Rohingya woman from the village of Tula Toli in western Myanmar.

"In the pile there was someone's neck, someone's head, someone's leg. I was able to come out, I don't know how."

The horrors Mumtaz says she endured didn't stop there. After escaping the mass grave, Mumtaz says she was dragged to a village house and raped by soldiers. The wooden house was then locked and set on fire.

It was her seven-year-old daughter Razia, who was in the hut, that ultimately saved her.

"I called to my mum. And my mum said, 'who are you?,'" Razia says. "My mother's head was split. She was thrown aside. They struck me and threw me aside."

"I said 'your finger is on fire.' Then my mum and I got out and left."

The pair squeezed through a damaged part of a fence and hid in a vegetable patch, before other villagers found them and helped them get to Bangladesh, where a staggering 615,000 Rohingya refugees have fled since August 25, according to aid agencies.

The refugees have escaped violent clashes in the north of Rakhine State, where Myanmar's military has intensified what it calls "clearance operations" targeting "terrorists" after Rohingya militants attacked police posts, killing 12 security officials.

The UN calls what's happening in Rakhine a "textbook example of ethnic cleansing" and the killings that took place in Mumtaz's village on August 30 have been described as one of the worst atrocities of the past two and a half months.

Documenting a massacre

Shafiur Rahman, a Bangladeshi-British documentary maker, first heard about what occurred at Tula Toli after he filmed a group of Rohingya crossing the border between Myanmar and Bangladesh on September 2, three days after the killings.

The dramatic footage shows dozens of men and women clambering across barbed wire fences into no man's land, some of them covered in blood and carrying dead or injured relatives. Their distress is palpable.

"It quickly became clear to me that those telling me the most horrific accounts of their last few days were those coming from Tula Toli," Rahman tells CNN. "And what also struck me was the consistency in their stories."

He met Mumtaz and Razia in Bangladesh in late September. Almost mummified in bandages, Mumtaz had spent 15 days bed- bound in a clinic, unable to speak or even sip a glass of water. By mid-October, the horrific burns all over her face and body started to slowly heal, and Mumtaz began to share her story with Rahman in a series of interviews.

Accounts of mass rape, murder and arson have been given by many of the hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees who have escaped Myanmar.

But the testimonies Rahman has collected from a total of 30 Tula Toli residents over the past two months, and detailed in this report depict what Amnesty International describes in an October report as "what appears to be one of the worst atrocities of the Army's ethnic cleansing campaign."

"Amnesty International believes, based on consistent, corroborating witness accounts, that soldiers massacred at least scores of Rohingya women, men, and children from Min Gyi on 30 August," the Amnesty report concludes. Min Gyi is another name for Tula Toli.

Amnesty also released satellite images showing the village before and after the houses were burnt.

'They won't kill anyone'

One of Myanmar's poorest regions, Rakhine State is home to the mostly Muslim Rohingya and the Rakhines, a predominantly Buddhist ethnic group.

The two have lived side by side in Tula Toli for generations although long-simmering tensions have often erupted into violence in the region. The estimated 1.1 million Rohingya have been denied citizenship in Myanmar, which regards them as Bengali. Bangladesh insists they are from Myanmar, rendering them effectively stateless.

In detailed video interviews and conversations, most of the 30 survivors told Rahman that they were given assurances by local officials that they would be safe if they remained in their village.

Mohammed Nasir said he was told: "They might torch the houses, but they won't kill anyone."

Residents describe helicopters landing near the village at 8 a.m. on the morning of August 30. The soldiers were joined by around 50 Rakhine Buddhists and other non-Rohingya minorities from outside the village, survivors said.

"They asked us to gather on the beach," Nasir says, describing the sandy bank of the meandering river that runs through Tula Toli. He saw the killings unfold from a hill.

"When they saw people gathering, they went straight for them. They were shooting continuously, at the same time the houses were burning.

Cellphone footage shows Tula Toli residents heading to the river in their village on August 30, where witnesses say many were shot later that day.

Another resident, Rehana Begum, said she was also told to leave her home and stay near the river.

"They kept us there by saying that they would do us no harm," Begum says. "At 8 a.m., a helicopter landed and the village was besieged. Whoever was able to flee, they fled."

"(The military) surrounded us suddenly and we could not escape because of the river. The tide was high. There were no boats. Since my brothers could carry my children, I was able to swim and flee," she says.

"Many were shot, scores got hit and they fell on their face," Rehana said. "Those lying on the ground were picked up, chopped and later they were thrown into the river."

Hasina, a Rohingya woman from Tula Toli, says the soldiers and their accomplices threw her one-year-old daughter Sohaifa on a fire while she was still alive.

"They tore her from my arms," Hasina says, breaking down into tears. "They threw her into a burning pile of clothes. They had started a fire using people's belongings. And they threw her into the big burning pile."

Her husband had been working outside the village when the killings took place and later reunited with his wife in Bangladesh, where he found out about the death of their only child.

CNN cannot verify the accounts of the refugees, as access to Rakhine State is heavily restricted.

Peace deal signed

More than a week before the attack on the village, Rohingya village officials say there was a meeting on August 18, in which both Rakhine Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims from Tula Toli signed a peace agreement.

While the village, which is home to 4,360 Rohingya and 435 Rakhines, hadn't seen any clashes in recent years, Rakhine officials said they wanted to allay Rohingya fears given tensions between the two groups elsewhere in the state and a recent military build up, the survivors told Rahman.

"A resolution was passed to not attack each other and live peacefully. It was signed by both sides, Rakhine and us," said Nur Kabir, the current secretary of Tula Toli's village administration, who is now in Bangladesh.

"But they attacked on Wednesday starting at 8 a.m. and killed us."

The survivors say their trust in that peace agreement signed days before, and in the village authorities, was obliterated when the military arrived early on the morning of August 30. Those who escaped estimate that between 1,500 to 1,700 people died that day.

Rahman believes, given the instructions of local officials, the peace deal and the military build-up in the area before August 25, that the attack on Tula Toli was pre-planned. He calls it a "terrifying and inescapable notion" that undermines the repeated insistence from Myanmar authorities that the military were responding to attacks from Rohinya insurgents.

Zaw Htay, the spokesperson for Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi, said that local Rakhines and the military had been targeted by insurgents in Tula Toli.

"We could verify that on 30 August 2017 in Min Gyi (Tular Tuli) village, there were a total of eight attacks against Rakhine population and security forces by hundreds of terrorists," Zaw Htay said.

Previously, Myanmar's government has denied charges of ethnic cleansing, saying that the military took "full measures to avoid collateral damage and the harming of innocent civilians" in Rakhine State.

In a televised speech on September 19, Suu Kyi, a Nobel peace prize laureate who took power in 2015 in a power-sharing agreement with the military, said she "condemned all human rights violations," but failed to address alleged atrocities by the military.

She now faces increased scrutiny ahead of the visit of the US Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, on Wednesday, who has said he is "extraordinarily concerned about the situation."

Pope Francis, who has spoken out repeatedly in defense of the Rohingya, will also meet with Suu Kyi during a visit to Myanmar and Bangladesh later in November.

Bleak future

Mumtaz is slowly recovering from her burns and other injuries in Bangladesh, but faces a desperate future.

Conditions in the border camps are bleak, with aid agencies struggling to provide enough food, shelter and healthcare in what the UN has described as the world's fastest growing refugee crisis and a major humanitarian emergency.

She and Razia now have only each other. In the carnage, Mumtaz says her husband was shot by the riverside. One of her three sons was thrown into a fire. The other two were killed in the wooden hut that Razia and Mumtaz escaped from.

"My brother and the others were burnt," Razia says. "They were killed by being smashed. They shot dead my dad."

Razia's head is scarred with the blows she received. But worse is the mental trauma of the memories, which are still raw.

"She saw. The little girl saw everything," Mumtaz says. "She tried to pick up her brother as he was burning. She couldn't."

Edited by Katie Hunt
In 1965, a spiritual, political, and artistic movement emerged on an archipelago in the south of Nicaragua: Solentiname. Ernesto Cardenal, a leading poet and priest, established this community in its remote location on Lake Nicaragua. For over 50 years, Cardenal has been committed to social change, starting with Solentiname, which played a significant role in the Sandinista revolution over the U.S. backed Somoza regime. The Dream of Solentiname will look at this key moment in the relationship between aesthetics and politics in Central America as well as its impact on artists working in New York City during the 1980s as the contra war against the new Sandinista government was underway.

Correspondence between Ernesto Cardenal and fellow priest Thomas Merton document the founding ideas for Solentiname as a social and artistic utopia built around principles of art, liberation theology, and social justice. Painting became a way of political expression, economic support, and lifestyle for the inhabitants of the archipelago. Residents of the communal society also wrote poetry, created ceramics, handicrafts, and works in wood, leather, copper, bronze, and silver. Over the years the community hosted a number of writers and artists including novelist Julio Cortazar, artist Juan Downey, museum director James Harithas, poet Allen Ginsberg, and photographer Sandra Eleta.

Solentinames community was established from 1965 until 1977 when it was destroyed by the Somoza regime. The Sandinista Front for National Liberation (FSLN) overthrew the Somoza dictatorship two years later in the peoples revolution. When the new government was formed Cardenal became the minister of culture and the Solentiname experience was seen as a model for the cultural program of the revolution.

Many of the historical paintings from the original Solentiname community were sold abroad as a way to earn funds for subsistence in Solentiname; this exhibition brings a number of these works together with some key pieces from the artists own collections. This series contains Oscar Mairenas depictions of community celebrations, Rodolfo Arellanos portrayal of the assault of San Carlos Fort during the Sandinista revolution, and Elena Pinedas visions of a post-Somoza future. While there was no formal training, painter Roger Perez de la Rocha spent time working in Solentiname, working with the community and supporting the development of their distinct style of painting. In the adjacent gallery, works by Ernesto Cardenal span the last 50 years. The sculptures are inspired by the nature and wildlife of the islands and echo Cardenals ideals of living amongst nature, in harmony within paradise. Publications by Cardenal will be on display alongside those of Argentinian novelist Julio Cortazar, who visited Solentiname in 1976, culminating in his work Apocalipsis de Solentiname. Also included are archival materials documenting the communitys local bulletins, in addition to Cardenals correspondence with Merton, who encouraged Cardenal in developing his vision for the community of Solentiname, but passed away before he had the opportunity to visit the islands and witness Cardenals vision come to fruition.

The exhibition includes a recreation of the Solentiname chapel by architect and artist Marcos Agudelo, son of William Agudelo, poet and co-founder of Solentiname. The chapel was the spiritual and political center of Solentiname and was restored by Agudelo in 2011. He presented a first version of this architectural installation at the 2016 Bienal de Nicaragua. The installation includes a video slide show of the process of renovation of the chapel, as well as posters designed by his father depicting the spirit of the revolution.

This will also feature the Panamanian photographer Sandra Eleta. In the 1970s, Eleta struck up a friendship with Cardenal and traveled to Solentiname a number of times, creating a visual testimony of the community. Accompanied by writer Gloria Guardia, Eleta began the first comprehensive documentation of Solentiname in 1974. Their travel experiences were published in a book titled Con Ernesto Cardenal: Un viaje a Solentiname (With Ernesto Cardenal: A Journey to Solentiname).

The work of photographer Susan Meiselas  documenting the insurrection in Nicaragua and resulting in the book Nicaragua: June 1978  July 1979  was widely disseminated throughout international news outlets during the 70s and 80s. Meiselas traveled to Nicaragua not for the sole purpose of documenting the war, but to capture the lived experience of the Nicaraguan people residing in a war-torn country. Meiselas returned to Nicaragua ten years after the Sandinista revolution to revisit the people and places she had previously captured, resulting in her film project, Pictures From a Revolution, which allowed her to reconnect with the subjects of her photographs. Meiselas has an interest in re-contextualizing her work; she often uses other photographs and materials in conjunction with her own, creating installations that continually re-examine historical and personal narratives. For many Americans, the only insight into the revolution was through the mainstream media, which often misrepresented the situation in order to gain support for the countrys interventionist strategies. The revolutions treatment in the news galvanized artists in New York City, resulting in the 1984 New Museum exhibition The Nicaragua Media Project, which challenged the misunderstandings perpetuated by Reagan-era propaganda. The Dream of Solentiname emphasizes the importance of artists during this historical moment and how painting and photography, as well as the other forms of art and literature that developed in Solentiname in the 1960s and 1970s, can serve as a tangible example of sociopolitical transformations. The exhibition explores this radical period within Nicaragua, as well as the relevance of these ideas today.

1984 was also the year that New York-based artists collective Group Material (Doug Ashford, Julie Ault, Mundy McLaughlin, and Tim Rollins) joined the wider initiative, Artists Call: Against U.S. Intervention in Central America, which resulted in a network of artists and cultural workers coming together to organize a program of exhibitions and benefits in order to raise awareness and funds for the popular revolutions in Latin America. Timeline: A Chronicle of U.S. Intervention in Central and Latin America was first presented in 1984 at P.S.1. The original Timeline featured a mix of historical and contemporary artworks, artifacts, and documentary materials to illustrate the tumultuous relationship between the U.S. and Central and Latin America. Group Materials practice hinges on the critical orientation of their installations, bringing seemingly disparate narrative parts together, and allowing for the emergence of new insights and connections.

The exhibition  curated by Pablo Leon de la Barra with 80WSE Gallery  runs December 1, 2017 through February 17, 2018. This exhibition will tour to the Jumex Foundation in Mexico City in March 2018.

Preliminary research for The Dream of Solentiname was supported by a Cisneros/ICI travel research grant for Central America and the Caribbean.

About 80WSE Gallery (@80wsegallery)

80WSE Gallery, located at 80 Washington Square East between West 4th Street and Washington Street, is an extension of the Department of Art and Art Professions in the NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. Under the direction of Nicola Lees, 80WSE presents experimental contemporary and historical exhibitions, produced exclusively by and for the gallery, through unique collaborations between faculty, students, and noted artists and curators. The gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday, 11 a.m.  6 p.m. For more information, please visit steinhardt.nyu.edu/80wse or contact the gallery at 212-998-5751 or 80wsefrontdesk@nyu.edu.

About the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development (@nyusteinhardt)

Located in the heart of Greenwich Village, NYUs Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development prepares students for careers in the arts, education, health, media, and psychology. Since its founding in 1890, the Steinhardt School's mission has been to expand human capacity through public service, global collaboration, research, scholarship, and practice. To learn more about NYU Steinhardt, visit steinhardt.nyu.edu.


IS militants regained control of Albu Kamal, their last stronghold inSyria, after Iranian-backed militias who claimed to have captured the city a few days earlier were ambushed and forced to retreat, tribal leaders, residents and a war monitor said on Monday.

Fighters from Lebanese Shia Hezbollah in Syria who joined forces with Iraqi Shia fighters crossing the border into Syria were taken by surprise by militants hiding inside tunnels in the heart of the city they said they had taken on Wednesday, they said.

The Shia fighters had launched a ground offensive on the city, in Syria's eastern Deir al Zor province where the Euphrates river meets, after months of mainly heavy Russian bombardment against the city that killed dozens of civilians and caused widespread destruction.

"IS militants began surprise attacks with suicide bombers and rocket attacks after the Iranian militias were duped that Daesh (Islamic State) had left the city," said Qahtan Ghanam al Ali, a tribal leader in touch with relatives.

The Syrian army had on Thursday declared victory over IS militants, claiming it had killed many militants while scores surrendered. It said the capture of Albu Kamal marked the collapse of the militants' three-year reign in the region.

The army made no mention of the loss of Albu Kamal but Hezbollah's media unit said intensive aerial strikes pounded IS militants hideouts in the western countryside of the city.

The offensive was spearheaded by elite forces from Hezbollah fighting inside Syria alongside an array of Iraqi and Afghan Shia militias that had entered from Iraq, a commander in that alliance told Reuters.

"These militant attacks lead to big human losses in the ranks of fighters supporting the regime," the U.K.-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Albu Kamal, a major supply and communications hub for the ultra-hardline militants betweenSyria and Iraq, was a big prize for the Iranian-backed militias.

The militants' control of the city and its sister border town of al Qaim on the Iraqi side had disrupted the strategic Baghdad-Damascus highway that had long been a major arms supply conduit by Iran to its Syrian ally.

The Syrian opposition and some Western countries say Irans strong military intervention on the side of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, alongside its backing of other Shia militias, is fuelling the sectarian dimension of the Syrian civil war by radicalising mainstream Sunni rebels.

An overstretched Syrian army is now more than ever dependent on Shia militias on the ground and Russia's military fire power to recapture ground from Sunni insurgents.

Islamic State, the militants group that once laid claim to a self-styled caliphate spanning swathes of Syria and Iraq, has seen its proto-state crumble in recent months under the pressure of multiple offensives.

On Sunday, jets believed to be Russian intensified their third day of bombing of Albu Kamal and its outskirts, with at least 50 civilians, mostly women and children, killed since Friday, the monitor and residents said.

In retaliation for their losses, Iranian militias who were forced to withdraw shelled villages east of the city where hundreds of families who fled Albu Kamal had found temporary refuge, the U.K.-based war monitor said.

In one air strike on the town of Sukariya, east of the city, at least thirty people were killed, mostly women and children from three families, two former residents of the city in contact with relatives said.

Other aerial strikes hit villages of Marshada and Sousa near the river crossing where hundreds of civilians were targeted as they fled in small boats and dinghies, they added.

Albu Kamal has been a target of intensive strikes believed to be conducted by Russia across Deir al Zor province which has killed hundreds of civilians in recent months, according to the monitor and local figures.

Military experts and Syrian opposition figures say Russia has stepped up a "scorched earth" policy in the province with its aerial bombing in recent months to secure a rapid military victory at any price for its military and its allies.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Margaret Nagwovuma

In the past, researchers would scour various parts of the country looking for variables in their statistics before they could make conclusions over particular phenomena.

This usually caused research projects to take long. However, there is a new tool in town that could dramatically change how research is carried out  Geographic Information System (GIS).

Recently, 20 researchers at Makerere University were taken through a two-day session on how to use the GIS tool to further their studies. Supported by Swedens Lund University, the researchers were taught how to use its varied resources to enhance their research.

One of them, Margaret Nagwovuma, is pursuing a PhD in Information Science, particularly looking at disease spread and prevalence in Uganda, particularly for schistomiasis [bilharzia] control.

This technology helps one sift through various variables to help one predict how particular phenomena are spread, she said.

GIS will be important to policymakers in the future, especially those seeking information that can be used to find solutions to problems. Future scholars will find it harder to avoid GIS. More people need to appreciate how technology is affecting their outcomes.

She explained that GIS tools like ArcMaps help a researcher set up maps to determine how things have been going so that they can make interventions  such as mass drug administration, at a lower cost.

Kizito Ongaya, another researcher pursuing a PhD in Information Science, agrees. Ongaya, who is ordinarily a member of staff at Gulu University, is pursuing his postgraduate degree studies at Makerere. In particular, Ongaya is looking to understand how nodding syndrome is spreading in northern Uganda.

"GIS helps us quickly figure out the extent of the problem, by looking at relevant variables in an area and how they are distributed, he explained. Indeed, the results [are] helping me find solutions that will bring better understanding to related crop and plant diseases.



HOW GIS WORKS

These students are pursuing the studies under the Training Spatially Enabled E-Services Delivery project (TSSEEDD).

According to TSSEEDD student supervisor and project coordinator, Dr Aminah Zawedde, GIS is vital in allowing students to increase their appreciation of policy insights and solutions.

You can use GIS to learn how particular phenomena like weather, famine and floods are affecting agriculture or health in the areas while likely variables feature, she said.

Dr Zawedde explained that a researcher looks at the issues surrounding a subject, then uses the programme to determine while similar patterns are developing, and hence likely problems, leading one to plot corresponding solutions.

The TSSEEDD project started at Makerere in 2016 and is supported by Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA). Zawedde explained that the project is now training 20 postgraduate students on various programmes at Makerere, with the hope that more will join in the future.

For now they are doing a two-day introductory course, but we expect them to return for advanced course  to update their skills after at least a year of practice, she said.

Dr Gilbert Maiga is the principal investigator on the project at Makerere, with Dr Ali Masourian of Lund University as his SIDA counterpart.

Under the programme, Makerere has set up two GIS labs, one in the college of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology and another in the college of Computing and Information Sciences, which are open to students, on various programmes.

Prof Petter Pilesjo, from Lund University, is one of the experts who have been teaching on the TSSEEDD programme. Prof Pilesjo, a director of the GIS centre at Lund University, is pleased how the programme is developing.

The idea was for us to introduce GIS and for Makerere to take over after sometime  and it is looking good so far  that is how sustainability is developed, he said.

We think that GIS will become very important in research and more students will begin to appreciate it, she said. Just like people first appreciated computers in the late 1980s and early 90s, Im confident that researchers will appreciate GIS more in the future.

Martin Ngobye, another of the PhD students, this time on the Computer Science programme is also positive about GIS.

We are using such tools as arc catalogue to collect details to determine which conditions are prime for paediatric infections in particular areas, Ngobye said. GIS is going to be very important in research, especially in access to information that policymakers need to make vital decisions.
After two days of deliberations, the education sector review closed last week, with renewed focus on learning at nursery, primary and secondary levels. As MOSES TALEMWA reports, participants vowed to do more to improve learning outcomes.

Education minister Janet Museveni last week challenged the sector to work smarter to improve learning outcomes across the board. In a terse tone, the minister said the education sector review would only be meaningful if the sectors performance improved over the next 12 months.

We should have more realistic targets for ourselves Im convinced that we have come up with relevant recommendations that should result in visible progress in the sector, she said. We need to improve the quality of learning and training at all levels.

Pupils in a classroom, the ministry has resolved to improve learning outcomes at primary and secondary school level

Held under the theme, Quality and relevant education for social economic transformation: the role of key stakeholders, the sector review workshop heard various presentations on achievements made in 2016 and 2017, with many lauding efforts by the state and foreign donors to build or refurbish several primary secondary schools as well as support to colleges and public universities, over the last year.

The meeting was also treated to an audit by the ministry of Finance, whose responsibility it is, to monitor funds presented to the education sector.



FAIR PERFORMANCE

The audit of the education sector centred on how funds had been absorbed, and whether there was general improvement in performance.

Presented by the ministrys head of the Budget Monitoring and Accountability Unit, Charles Henry Nsubuga, the report rated the sectors performance at 74.4 per cent.

The performance of the education sector varied between institutions and programmes, Nsubuga said. The recurrent programmes performed better than the development projects as the latter were largely constrained by low releases and procurement delays, which led to low absorption across the sector.

Nsubuga cited several construction projects in the sector, largely funded by the donor community, that he found to be progressing well, with some complete.

However, he was also concerned at low absorption of funds in the ministry budget, which led to only 77 per cent of the Shs 663.741bn allocated, being utilised.

The ministry registered the lowest absorption rate in the entire sector, he said. He cited incomplete procurement processes, low releases as well as delays in contractors starting projects as the reason for low absorption.

This was based on the ministerial budget allocation of Shs 2.4 trillion for the FY 2016/17, including external (donor) financing.



BUILDING BONANZA

The ministry also had an opportunity to showcase what some are now calling a building bonanza across the sector. The construction efforts are happening at various primary schools in at least 10 districts, under the auspices of a consortium of donors, including the World Bank.

There was also work, under the Support to Higher Education Science and Technology (HEST) project, where construction was progressing at 86 per cent performance in Kyambogo, Makerere, Busitema, Gulu, Lira and Makerere University Business School, through African Development Bank (AfDB). The government was also supporting construction at Soroti University, due to be handed over next month.

Construction of several secondary schools, mostly in northern Uganda but also in Luweero, Mbarara and Kabale districts, was rated at 70.9 per cent. The construction ranged from putting whole school premises in northern Uganda, to refurbishing dormitories, science laboratories and classroom blocks in other parts of the country.

The AfDB and government also supported construction at various tertiary institutions including Uganda Technical Colleges of Kyema, Kichwamba, Lira and Bushenyi, as well as Uganda Petroleum Institute in Kigumba.

The report also found 86.6 per cent progress in construction at National High-Altitude Training Centre in Teryet in Kapchorwa. With a Shs52.2bn budget, construction had seen the surrounding roads completed as well as a 3km jogging track. This project is intended to improve the training of athletes for international competitions, in honour of a request made by Olympic gold medalist, Stephen Kiprotich.

Ironically, another stadium being refurbished in honour of another Olympic gold medalist John Akii-Bua in Lira, is rated as far behind schedule, with little work having been achieved, three years after the project started.

In his remarks, the permanent secretary, Alex Kakooza, cited improvements in the number of teachers retrained, scholastic materials procured as well as enrolment at vocational tertiary institutions.



CHALLENGES

One of the major challenges listed at the workshop was poor learning outcomes in primary and secondary schools, on account of teacher and learner absenteeism.

Kakooza was also concerned about the higher staff turnover in private schools, which limits learning outcomes. He was also disturbed at low participation by the communities in the affairs of the schools.

The public needs to be sensitized to expect improvements in the performance of schools in their communities, for the benefit of their children, Kakooza said.

Minister Museveni was also disturbed at the poor hygiene at several schools that she had visited over the year.

Sometimes I make impromptu visits to schools, where no one expects me and Im confronted by the disturbing situation of filthy-looking teachers, pupils who have not been told about maintaining cleanliness and schools covered in bushes, she said.

It is at such times that I wonder what happened to our teachers. Some have argued that it is because of insufficient funds, but how much money do they need to maintain minimum standards of hygiene in their schools?



RESOLUTIONS

On the final day of the sector review, participants resolved to improve learning through a number of recommendations.

The ministry resolved to re-emphasize inspections of schools across the board as a way of improving learning outcomes.

The ministry will also undertake to end unprofessional practices in early childhood development centres (ECD  or nursery) and lower primary schools, such as the provision of homework and tests (including those for admission to P1) by teachers.

The sector will also fast-track development and implementation of the ECD policy, which will lead to the creation of at least one classroom in each public primary school, to be used as a nursery section.

The sector will also move to improve the uptake of physical education in schools, as a measure of unveiling talent, as well as teaching healthy practices. There are also plans to fast-track the recruitment of teachers in primary and secondary school, previously in short supply.

But in her parting remarks, the minister called for caution in implementation of the sectors plans.

You may have noted that this sector has to compete for resources with other emerging priorities  cost-effective and efficient approaches, which generate high impacts, have to be designed and adopted if we are to provide the kind of quality education that our children and learners deserve, she said.

The plans will be included in the coming sector budget, due to be discussed in parliament, early in 2018. The education sector had focused on tertiary education over the last two years



mtalemwa@observer.ug
The month of October will linger on in the minds of so many following the two separate fire incidents in southwestern Uganda.

In one of the schools, girls set their dormitory ablaze because the school authorities had denied them the liberty to go for night preps with their male classmates. In the other school, the fire was an act of vengeance upon prefects who other students considered puppets of the administration.

Memories of the unfortunate Budo Junior School fire are still in our minds. For others, the Kibwetere cult inferno is a recollection they still struggle with many years after. It is mind-blowing for our children to plan and set themselves or their colleagues ablaze.

We definitely will not sit anymore with hands folded as though it is business as usual. There is a problem! We may choose to believe it or not, but that does not take away the fact that the problem is real and glaring at us.

The world is grappling with terrorism; many a times leaving people wondering how on earth one takes delight in mass killing  even if it means that he/she dies with the victims.

When I heard about the two separate incidences, I could not avoid the bitter thought that probably we were raising self-made terrorists, though they were not enrolled in any recognized terrorism school.

If not this, how do we explain the tragedy of adolescents that plan their own death in the name of making a statement to the school?

This again took my mind to the so many times I had tried to poke my nose into the social ills that are eating up our society, largely because of the fallen family unit. I was looked at as overtly perfectionist or unaware that we are living in modern days.

If modernity is about raising idiotic offspring, then I will comfortably remain in my conservative world if this will make a small contribution in raising children with an ounce of brain material in this morally degenerated world.

We must all be concerned at the trend of things in society today. The recklessly raised child you do not give a damn about could be your prospective daughter/son-in-law. As long as our children are going to share life on this planet, we all must be concerned about how they are raised.

The bitter truth is that the good ones will not relocate to their own planet leaving behind the wretched and uncultured.

As long as they are to live together, it is our responsibility to train them in a way that will inculcate humaneness in their lives.

If you were a parent in any of the said schools, how would it feel waking up to such news that your child is dead or critically injured because of a handful unreasonable brats fighting over non- issues? The pain and trauma are definitely unimaginable.

But how many times have we read or heard about innocent children dying because of strikes or bullying in schools, and we just brush it off because our children are not affected?

It is high time we realized that the deep grounding to transform our children is our responsibility. It starts at home, not the reverse. As we send our children to be shaped and molded by the teachers, what have we done as parents?

You may never know what your children may suffer at the hands of the poorly brought up colleagues.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has promised to follow Tanzanian President John Pombe Magufuli's modus operandi to fight corruption in Uganda.

Addressing a joint press conference at State Lodge in Masaka on Friday, Magufuli said corruption cannot be fought successfully without the involvement of the general public. He also hastened to add that the fight needs decisive action from the top leadership of the country.



Magufuli's intolerance to corruption has won him admiration within East Africa and worldwide two years after he took office as president of Tanzania in 2015. He said corruption had partly persisted in Tanzania because the past leadership did not face it squarely.

President Museveni with Tanzania President John Pombe Magufuli

Magufuli who has only been out of his country, four times since he took office in November 2015, said he immediately slapped a ban on foreign travels by government officials and ministers.

He said by leading as an example on limiting foreign travels, the country has been able to save lots of money that has been diverted into development. Government officials in Tanzania need clearance from Magufuli himself for travels abroad.

He said fighting corruption requires direction and determination by the top leadership like the presidency and it also requires a leadership that is ready to enforce it.

The press conference almost turned into an anti-corruption lecture as Dr Magufuli outlined what his leadership has done in fighting corruption.



Museveni, who, has decade after decade declared war on corruption albeit unsuccessfully, appeared to have been attentively listening while some government officers present would occasionally clap and stamp their feet on the ground as Magufuli went on outlining some of the benefits from his intolerance against corruption and corrupt officers.



He said the money saved from purging the government of ghost workers, restricted travels abroad and other anti-corruption initiatives has been used to increase the country's development budget from 26 per cent to 40 per cent.



Magufuli said it is from such savings that the government of Tanzania is funding its 726 kilometer Standard Gauge Railway at a cost of Tshs 7.1 trillion.



Museveni in April this year vowed that all people involved in corruption if caught will be exposed and dealt with according to the law. The threat was made after the arrest of then minister of state for Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations Herbert Kabafunzaki. He said Kabafunzaki's arrest was is just a taste of what is to come.



Museveni has however not arrested or sacked any other corrupt persons in government compared to what his visiting counterpart is doing in Tanzania. Museveni personally admitted to not doing enough and congratulated Dr Magufuli for being intolerant to the corrupt.



Museveni said Magufuli is succeeding in the war on corruption because he is not entertaining bureaucratic methods when dealing with the corrupt. Magufuli said corruption is yet to be eliminated from Tanzania but he said it is being fought heavily.

"Corruption is a really an enemy, but President Magufuli has given us new impetus. Even me, I'm picking new things from him which you will hear about in the coming days", Museveni said.

One of the journalists at the press conference seemed to anger the Tanzanian leader when he asked whether Magufuli's fight against corruption was not violating the rights of those that have been summarily sacked over alleged corruption.

Magufuli said the government has to choose whether to continue with human rights or continue with corruption.

The Tanzanian president said they have built special courts to handle corruption cases and that the aggrieved parties have options of appealing in other courts if they are not satisfied by the decisions of the special courts.



On his part, Museveni observed that the corrupt are abusing the rights of majority of the citizens.

"The corrupt people are the ones abusing the human rights of everybody and the issue is, that the institutions are distorted like the courts and so on instead of defending the rights of the right people, they are defending the corrupt people", Museveni said.

MUSEVENI, UGANDA'S UNAPPRECIATED PROPHET

Magufuli praised the Uganda-Tanzania relations saying; of the four times he has been out Tanzania since taking over office in 2015, two trips have been to Uganda.

"I have been out of Tanzania four times but the two times I have been out, it has been to visit Uganda. This shows how important the relationship between Tanzania and Uganda is to me, Magufuli said.

Idi Amin was in Uganda but he did not discover the oil. All the past Presidents did not see the oil but the experienced Museveni discovered it and using his professionals, he studied it and began the process of drilling it. A prophet is not honoured in his country but back in Tanzania, we are so grateful to Mr Museveni, Magufuli added.

Museveni said Uganda chose Tanzania over Kenya for the $3.5 billion oil pipeline because of terrain and compensation costs. He said Tanzanians are "not as greedy as Ugandans". He asked Ugandans to fully embrace the opportunities that the 1,444km UgandaTanzania crude oil pipeline would bring.

BURUNDI PEACE TALKS

Meanwhile, the two presidents condemned the decision by the International Criminal Court (ICC) to open a war crimes investigation into Burundi, saying it will likely undermine regional peace initiatives.



The two presidents said the ICC decision is likely divert them from peace-making process. Museveni is of the view that the ICC investigation be halted for the peace process to be given a chance.

"Investigation of the Burundi situation, we condemn it because it is diverting us from peace making. What we want is peace making in Burundi. Wed arranged that later on, we would have truth and reconciliation commission which could go into all those issues but after peace. Anything that goes into disturbing the peace, we shall not support it and I will consult other East African leaders and communicate officially to the ICC. They should stop this unilateral actions without consultations. Why dont they consult us? This is our region, these are our people, we have more information", said Museveni.

Museveni who doubles as chair of the East African Community (EAC) has been working with the former Tanzanian President, Benjamin Mkapa to bring the warring parties in Burundi to talks. Magufuli concurred with Museveni condemning the latest ICC decision on Burundi.

"This process is actually going to disturb the stability of Burundi instead of making it in the proper way. After all the facilitator is a Mkapa", he said.

Mkapa and his team of mediators on Burundi peace talks are expected to hold another round of talks during the third week of November.



ICC judges Chang-ho Chung, Antoine Kesia-Mbe Mindua, and Raul C. Pangalangan of pretrial chamber III issued the decision to open an investigation on October 25. The decision was under seal to protect victims and potential witnesses.



While the two Uganda and Tanzania leaders are opposed to the ICC decision, Human Rights Watch in a statement said the decision by ICC gives victims hope that those responsible for grave crimes over the past two years could be held to account.



In late April 2015, the announcement by the Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza that he would run for a third term ignited protests in the capital, Bujumbura, and later in other locations.

The unrest led to thousands of deaths, alleged torture of opposition figures and over 300,000 refugees fleeing into neighbouring countries.

Burundi became a state party to the ICC in December 2004. Following its notification to the UN secretary general of its intent to leave the court in October 2016, on October 27, 2017, Burundi became the first member country to officially withdraw from the ICC.



The pretrial chamber found that the court has jurisdiction over crimes allegedly committed while Burundi was an ICC state party.

The judges also concluded that the prosecutor is authorized "to extend her investigation to crimes which were committed before 26 April 2015 or continue after 26 October 2017 if certain legal requirements are met."

So far, the ICC prosecutor has identified the crimes against humanity of murder and attempted murder, imprisonment or severe deprivation of liberty, torture, rape, forced disappearance, and persecution allegedly committed in Burundi, and in certain instances outside of the country by Burundi nationals.



In September, a UN-mandated commission of inquiry indicated that there were reasonable grounds to believe that crimes against humanity have been committed in Burundi, including murder, torture, rape, imprisonment, and persecution, against a backdrop of almost total impunity.

The commission urged the ICC to investigate these violations. The ICC according to Human Rights Watch is meant to act as a court of last resort, stepping in only when national courts cannot or will not prosecute the most serious international crimes.



Hundreds of people have been tortured, killed, raped, or disappeared in Burundi since 2015. The Burundian justice system, deeply corrupt and manipulated by ruling party officials, almost never conducts credible investigations or brings those responsible for these crimes to justice. Hundreds of arbitrarily arrested people have been detained on trumped-up charges.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian called Monday for "non-interference" in Lebanon, after the country's prime minister announced his surprise resignation in a televised statement from Saudi Arabia.

"For there to be a political solution in Lebanon, it is necessary that all of the political leaders have total freedom of movement and that non-interference is a fundamental principle," Le Drian said as he arrived for a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels.

Saad Hariri sent shock waves through Lebanon when he unexpectedly quit as prime minister a week ago, but on Sunday rejected rumours he was under de facto house arrest in Riyadh, insisting he was "free" and would return home soon.

His resignation came as tensions rise between Riyadh and Tehran, which back opposing sides in power struggles from Lebanon and Syria to Yemen.

Le Drian said France was "worried by the situation in Lebanon" and wanted to see the government there "stabilise as quickly as possible".

Other Western countries have moved to express their support for Hariri, with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson calling him a "strong partner".

Tillerson warned against "any party, within or outside Lebanon, using Lebanon as a venue for proxy conflicts or in any manner contributing to instability in that country"

Search Keywords:

Short link:


As the paralyzing strike called by medical doctors enters its second week, their leader, Dr Ekwaro Obuku, has rebuked the government for resorting to threats instead of pursuing constructive talks.

Speaking on the Capital Gang, a Saturday morning political radio talk show on Capital FM, Obuku said they will not be returning to work until their issues are attended to -- despite a Thursday night ultimatum issued by the government, through minister of Health Jane Ruth Aceng, for doctors to resume work or face the sack.

Aceng, herself a medical doctor, has declared the Uganda Medical Association (UMA) headed by Obuku not legally mandated to negotiate for medical workers.

On Saturday, she refused to reveal her next course of action. She told The Observer in an interview: Wait and see what I will do. I dont want to tell you my secret and you release it in the papers.

Doctors at Mulago hospital

During a hastily arranged press conference on Thursday night, Aceng denounced the industrial action as illegal and ordered the doctors to return to work or face disciplinary action.

The involvement of UMA in influencing the public service activities by calling on doctors to strike is illegal and should cease henceforth and the perpetrators should be treated as trespassers, Aceng said.

The minister has largely been ignored. Her threat of disciplinary action against the striking doctors seems to have instead strengthened their resolve.

Aceng said while the health workers demands are genuine, they must exercise their rights with restraint and patience to allow government handle their issues in a phased manner.

But Obuku called out the minister.

We were about to agree with the office of the prime minister, he said but then the ministry of health [has] poured cold water on the deal. Threatening will not work. We call upon the government to end the strike because it is the chief organiser of strikes by not meeting the demands of health workers.

Obuku said medics will not accept governments well-rehearsed excuse of having no money to meet their demands. He said the politicians should stop hoodwinking the public that there are no resources to effect a pay rise for doctors.

I want parliamentarians to jump over tables and throw chairs in order to pass the health budget when it is around 15 percent. Doctors have decided to conduct this industrial action because life was being lost excessively [because of poor working conditions] and we are saying that as vanguards of the health sector, we should be the first ones to stand up because we have also lost doctors to preventable diseases, Obuku said.

Instead of resident district commissioners and the controversial State House health monitoring unit (HMU) wasting money spying on doctors, Obuku said, government should be looking for a peaceful resolution to the impasse.

Dr Ekwaro Obuku

Speaking on the same show, Sister Florence Abati Abalo, a nursing officer working with HMU, said the doctors timing of the strike was bad, especially before they exhausted all channels of dialogue.

Nurses constitute 65 percent of the health workers. We hoped that if the doctors sat down together with us and discussed a way forward of how to organise this strike, we would have agreed to hold it. The president is willing to listen to them; the strike of health workers means life and lives have already been lost, Abalo said.

She also added that doctors knew what they were signing up to when they accepted to work with government. However, panelist Abdul Katuntu (MP for Bugweri) said doctors have every right to withdraw their labour when they feel their working conditions are not favorable.

He said Ugandas biggest problem is the duplication of roles where ministry work is done by units within State House.

The president is running a double government. You create another structure, you put in too much money which should go to the ministry of health, Katuntu said.

Last week, the doctors said they can return to work as negotiations on their demands continue if three key conditions were met.

These are the disbandment of a State House anti-corruption operation directed against their fraternity, sorting out the perennial problems facing medical interns, and the payment of various duty allowances.

Dr Obuku told The Observer in an interview last week that health workers have been humiliated by HMU whose work methods he described as draconian.

The doctor-to-patient ratio in Uganda is among the worst in the world with 32,000 patients for every available doctor.

The Ugandan doctor is not valued by [his/her] government; thats why many are running to other African countries for greener pastures, Obuku told this newspaper.

We are spending much more money in private health insurance schemes for State House, cabinet, statutory authorities, Obuku said.

In their demand, the doctors want the salary of an entry-level doctor to be increased from Shs 1.1 million to Shs 8.5 million, while that of a senior consultant who is currently at Shs 3.4 million be increased to Shs 45 million.

bakerbatte@observer.ug
In 2015 researchers from the University of Cincinnati uncovered a Bronze Age tomb in Pylos, in southwest Greece. It belonged to the so-called Griffin Warrior, a wealthy Mycenaean man, and dates back 3,500 years. Inside archaeologists uncovered a trove of treasure including precious jewels, armor and weapons, and many vessels made from precious metals. One of the most exciting discoveries, however, came in the form of a seemingly insignificant agate stone. It was covered in limestone initially, and it took a year of careful restoration to reveal its true form.

What lay beneath the limestone is a discovery so astounding that it is set to rewrite art history. As the intricate details of the stones design began to emerge, the researchers were astonished to discover that they had unearthed a masterpiece. The agate stone was revealed to be a seal, used for stamping an image onto clay or wax. The seal, named the Pylos Combat Agate, depicts a fierce hand-to-hand battle between tho warriors, with a third one already crumpled on the ground. The scene was meticulously carved on a 3.6-centimetre piece of hard stone, and some of the details are only half a millimeter in size.

Photo: University of Cincinnati

Jack Davis, professor of Greek archaeology at the University of Cincinnati , said of the seal, What is fascinating is that the representation of the human body is at a level of detail and musculature that one doesnt find again until the classical period of Greek art 1,000 years later. Its a spectacular find.

Some of the details on this are only a half-millimeter big, theyre incomprehensibly small, Davis added.

The seal is set to rewrite the modern understanding of art history, and the development of Greek art, as the skill and craftsmanship are unparalleled by any previous Bronze Age discovery, with many details only visible under a magnifying glass. How ancient craftspeople were able to accomplish this without modern tools has mystified researchers, and they say that the discovery prompts a reconsideration of the evolution and development of Greek art.

Photo: University of Cincinnati

This seal should be included in all forthcoming art history texts, and will change the way that prehistoric art is viewed, said Shari Stocker, a senior research associate in University of Cincinnatis Department of Classics.

Meanwhile, work continues in unearthing the Griffin Warriors tomb. Over 3000 burial objects have been discovered in the grave, including gold rings, silver cups, a sword with gold embroidery on the pommel, over 1,000 beads carved from precious stones, a suit of bronze armor, ivory combs, a gold necklace, and over 50 seal stones. The discoveries have been cataloged by Davis and Stocker, along with other UC staff and students. Some items are still in the process of being cleaned and preserved.

There will be many more surprises to come, for sure, said Davis.

Photo: University of Cincinnati

A full analysis of the Pylos Combat Agate will be published by Stocker and Davis in the journal Hesperia.**


Christina Reynolds

Christina Reynolds, most recently senior VP at Global Strategy Group, has joined Emilys List, which funds political campaigns for pro-choice Democratic women, as VP-Communications.

Prior to GSG, Reynolds was deputy communications director at Hillary for America, managing director at Glover Park Group, media affairs director in the White House and rapid response director at Obama for America.

She also served as research/policy director at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, and communications advisor at the John Edwards for President campaign.

Stephanie Schriock, president of Emilys List, called Reynolds a long-time fighter for progressive values.

Since its launch in 1985, Emilys List has raised more than $500M for political candidates.


Les Moeller





Les Moeller, most recently global leader of PwC's Strategy& unit, has joined FTI Consulting as chairman of North and South America.

In announcing Moellers recruitment, CEO Steve Gunby noted that FTI wants to build a business that as a whole is more than the sum of its individual parts.

Moeller will focus on client development and leverage FTIs cross-company expertise in the Americas, as it has done in Europe.

We see Les appointment as the opportunity to extend those learnings and results to our largest business  the U.S, said Gunby in a statement. Les is a savvy and results-focused leader with a track record of delivering consistent financial growth through economic cycles and a commitment to client service.

Moeller, who has more than 25 years of consulting expertise, was managing director of North America at Booz & Co. at its acquisition by PwC.
Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday that those who do not believe in a military solution in Syria should pull their troops out, after Russia and the United States said no military solution was possible in Syria.

"I am having trouble understanding these comments. If a military solution is out of the question, then those who say this should pull their troops out," Erdogan told reporters before flying to Russia.

He said he would discuss the issue with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as well as a political solution in Syria, joint steps with Russia in Syria's Afrin region, and details of an S-400 air defence missile system deal.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Prime Minister Theresa May will come under pressure from business leaders on Monday to speed up negotiations with the European Union amid concerns Britain may crash out the world's biggest trading bloc without a deal.

May has invited 15 business groups from Britain and continental Europe for talks to urge them to back her Brexit strategy and persuade companies not to move overseas.

The meeting comes amid slow progress in negotiations on leaving the European Union that has unsettled businesses and drawn warnings that unless a transition is agreed soon, some may begin activating Brexit contingency plans.

International businesses have become increasingly vocal in recent weeks over fears that Britain could leave the EU without a trade deal, a move that would send shockwaves through global markets and fracture some supply chains.

European business association BusinessEurope, which will attend the talks, said last month it was "extremely concerned" with the slow pace of Brexit talks and called on the British government to rapidly come up with proposals that would speed them up.

BusinessEurope is a lobby group that speaks for all-sized enterprises in 34 European countries, including Britain.

The European Union told Britain last week to spell out what it will pay Brussels when it leaves the bloc in 2019 or face more delay in talks on future trade ties that are vital for business. [nL8N1NG4DU}

Progress at a Brussels summit next month is seen as an important milestone in the talks as businesses seek clarity by the new year when many will take investment decisions dependent on conditions after Brexit.

May has stepped up her engagement with businesses in recent months, regularly meeting with British lobby groups and senior executives, but they the government has offered little detail about what a future trade deal will actually look like.

Monday's meeting would, for the first time, expand that programme to include representatives from industry groups from Germany, France, Italy, Spain and other member states as well as British and EU-wide organisations.

They will meet May, as well as business minister Greg Clark, Brexit minister David Davis and the junior Treasury minister Stephen Barclay.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Omaha restaurateurs Ron Samuelson and Greg Cutchall together plan to take over the former Paragon Dundee, which closed Sunday.

Samuelson, of Della Costa and Herbe Sainte, and Cutchall, of Jams and many other Omaha spots, plan to reopen the space as Kith & Kin the week after Thanksgiving. The restaurant will serve a Southern-focused menu.

Former owner Willy Theisen, who opened Paragon last year, announced its closing last week. Cutchall said originally that he planned to help Theisen find a buyer, but after a conversation with Samuelson, the two decided to partner.

It all transpired by accident, he said.

Samuelsons SamFam restaurant group, which he runs with his nephews Justin and Aaron Halbert, will develop the new menu. Theyll bring chef Jeff Owen, who has worked at Della Costa and Herbe Sainte, to Kith & Kin. Alicia Rowe, who managed Paragon Dundee, will remain in place at the new restaurant.

In the South, kith and kin means friends and family. The menu, Samuelson said, takes its cues from that name.

Dishes will include entree salads, hot and cold sandwiches, appetizers and a variety of sides that diners can pair with proteins.

Desserts will be traditional Southern classics. The owners are hoping to serve family-style dinners on Sunday evenings.

Samuelson said Kith & Kin will have less of a Louisiana influence than his other Southern spot, Herbe Sainte in Aksarben Village.

Cutchall said this is the first time hes partnered with another restaurateur in Omaha. The new team is currently remodeling the dining room  the spaces signature chandeliers will remain  and Cutchall said the main goal of the mostly cosmetic work is to warm up the space with new colors and a retooled dining room.

The restaurant will be open daily for lunch and dinner, along with weekend brunch. The new owners plan to offer positions to the former Paragon staff; they also plan to honor Paragon gift cards for several months after opening.

Cutchall owns and operates 48 restaurants in five states, including local locations of Jams and First Watch, among others. Samuelson started SamFam in 2016. He is a former partner in Ms Pub.

Kith & Kin will be at 5018 Underwood Ave. A website and Facebook page will come soon.
The deposed leader of Catalonia Carles Puigdemont said Monday that there could be solutions to Spain's political crisis other than independence for his region, insisting he was still open to "agreement" with Madrid.

"I've always been willing to accept the new reality of a different relationship with Spain," Puigdemont said in Brussels, where he travelled to after his government declared independence from Spain last month.

"It's still possible. I've been pro-independence all my life, working for 30 years to secure a different way of integrating Catalonia within Spain. I'm still for an agreement," the former leader told Belgium's Le Soir newspaper.

Spain was plunged into its worst political crisis in decades when Catalan lawmakers voted to split from Madrid following a banned referendum in the wealthy northeastern region on October 1.

The central government hit back, revoking the region's autonomous powers, sacking its parliament and Puigdemont's government, and calling fresh regional elections for December 21.

The crisis has caused deep distress in the European Union as it comes to terms with Britain's shock decision to leave the bloc.

It has also sent business confidence plunging in Catalonia -- home to 7.5 million people and accounting for a fifth of Spain's GDP -- with more than 2,400 firms re-registering their headquarters outside the region.

Puigdemont says he wants to run as a candidate in the regional election but his PDeCAT party is lagging far behind another pro-independence group in polling.

The leftist ERC -- whose leader was Puigdemont's deputy -- said last week it would not allow its candidates to run on the same ticket as PDeCAT.

Several Catalan former lawmakers are in jail accused of violating Spain's constitution for declaring independence.

Puigdemont, who says he is in Belgium because he cannot get fair treatment from courts back home, has spoken of slowing his independence drive and last week accused Madrid of planning a "wave" of repression against separatists.

"We've been forced to adapt our agenda to avoid violence," he already said at the end of October.

"If the price to pay is slowing the creation of a republic, then we need to consider that as a price worth paying in 21st-century Europe."

Search Keywords:

Short link:


In the Philippines, people who live in and around Marawi City have long been known as the Meranaw, the people of the lake, after Lake Lanao, on whose shores it sits.

Nowadays, after a prolonged violent assault by militants, theyve also become known as survivors of the worst urban siege in Philippine history.

A resident of that beleaguered community, Asmarie Labao, has been in Omaha recently gaining skills to help his fellow citizens make better use of the lake, which also goes by the name Ranaw. One of the Philippines largest freshwater lakes, it is more than twice the size of Nebraskas Lake McConaughy.

Labao  who serves as Lake Lanaos ecotourism advocate, among other duties  has spent the past month with the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District.

Labao, 32, is a government forester in Muslim Mindanao, an autonomous region in the southern Philippines. He is visiting the NRD as part of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative, a State Department program.

What Labao has noticed about the flood-control reservoirs in the NRDs area is how locals use them for recreation and take an interest in their management. There is less of an interest in Lake Lanao by those who live near it, Labao said.

I am really attached to the lake. Aside from it being my profession, I love it, he said. We should protect the lake because that is our identity.

Marawi City has seen violence this year as the Philippine military has battled insurgents there. Labao hopes that ecotourism associated with Lake Lanao will help Marawi City recover once the fighting is over.

Labao has reviewed the NRDs pamphlets and programs, like the Kids Camps at Chalco Hills, and would like to replicate many of them to generate interest in the lake and in sustainability. He also wants to promote ecotourism, which he says can help the economy and reduce poverty.

This is part  of the identity that we have. When you go to Marawi City, thats the thing that we can share, he said. We need to improve it. We need to love it. We need to embrace the lake.

Eric Williams, the NRDs natural resources planner, said Labaos visit has inspired him to apply for the State Department program to visit the Philippines.

Labao will spend a week in Washington, D.C., before returning home.
WASHINGTON  A senior aide to President Donald Trump said Sunday that Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore needs to be given time to defend himself against allegations that he pursued sexual or romantic relationships with teenage girls when he was in his 30s and that Trump would look more closely at the issue after returning from a trip to Asia.

"There's no Senate seat more important than the notion of child pedophilia," Marc Short, the White House director of legislative affairs, said on NBC's "Meet the Press." "I mean that's reality. But having said that, he has not been proven guilty. We have to afford him the chance to defend himself."

Short noted that Moore this week "plans to come forward with more evidence to support his innocence."

Short was among several senior Trump administration officials who hedged their comments about the Republican Senate hopeful during appearances on Sunday talk shows. A Washington Post report last week detailed the stories of four women who said Moore had pursued relationships with them while they were teenagers and he was in his early 30s, including one, Leigh Corfman, who said Moore undressed himself and touched her over her underwear when she was 14 and he was 32.

Moore has vigorously denied the allegations, calling them "fake news."

In an interview on ABC's "This Week" on Sunday morning, White house counselor Kellyanne Conway emphasized that if Moore did what he is accused of doing, he should step aside from his campaign for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Jeff Sessions, R, after he became Trump's attorney general.

But Conway repeatedly declined to say whether she believed the accusations against Moore.

"Let me ask you again: Do you have any doubt about the veracity of the accusations?" ABC News host Martha Raddatz asked.

"Martha, I only know what I read," Conway responded, "and I take very seriously allegations like this, particularly when they involved somebody who happens to be one of my daughter's ages."

Raddatz interrupted: "So you believe these ..."

"I know what I read," Conway said. "I don't know the accusers, and I don't know Judge Moore. But I also want to make sure that we as a nation are not always prosecuting people through the press. He has denied the allegations."

When asked by Raddatz what "standard of proof" Conway would accept for her to advise Trump to call for Moore to step aside, Conway again noted that Moore is not on trial.

"It would be a very dangerous precedent for any of us, for any person in this country, to just be cast aside as guilty because of press reports. Conway said.

Appearing on CNN's "State of the Union," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the allegations against Moore require a closer look.

"I'm not an expert on this issue, but what I would say is people should investigate this issue and get the facts," he said. "And if these allegations are true, then absolutely, this is incredibly inappropriate behavior."

Asked by host Jake Tapper whether he believes the allegations, Mnuchin said, "It appears that there is a significant issue here that needs to be addressed."

After the allegations surfaced last week, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders issued a statement saying that Trump "believes that if these allegations are true, Judge Moore will do the right thing and step aside."

She also said that "a mere allegation" should not "destroy a person's life."

Asked about Moore, Trump more recently has told reporters traveling with him in Asia that "I have not seen very much about him, about it."

"And, you know, I put out a statement yesterday that he'll do the right thing," the president added.

Short said Trump would focus more on the Alabama race when he returns to Washington later this week.

"I think the president's obviously on a very important trip, and when he returns, I think we'll have that conversation," Short told host Chuck Todd. "But I think that people here in this town have an inflated view of what our views are. And it's important for the people of Alabama to be allowed the chance to discern the truth here and make the right decision."

"Roy Moore is somebody who graduated from West Point, he served our country in Vietnam, he's been elected multiple times statewide in Alabama," Short said. "The people in Alabama know Roy Moore better than we do here in D.C., and I think we have to be very cautious ... of allegations that are 40 years old that arise a month before Election Day."
European Union foreign ministers approved economic sanctions including an arms embargo on Venezuela on Monday, saying regional elections last month marred by reported irregularities had deepened the country's crisis.

Anxious not to push Caracas any closer to economic and political collapse as debt restructuring talks begin, EU governments held back from targeting any individuals.

The bloc instead left names for a later stage to try to persuade President Nicholas Maduro to calm the situation.

"Everything we do is aimed at seeking dialogue between the government and the opposition to find a democratic and peaceful solution," Spain's Foreign Minister Alfonso Dastis told reporters at a meeting with his counterparts where the sanctions decision was taken.

Venezuelan opposition leaders said last week they would resume efforts to hold dialogue with Maduro, even though they say he previously used such talks to stall for time instead of implementing serious reform.

There was no immediate response on Monday from the Venezuelan government to the EU move, but over the weekend Maduro termed imminent sanctions by the bloc as "stupid".

"Turning its back on the people, the European Union (and) its elite leaders should not become an instrument of oppression, submissively and automatically supporting the policies of Donald Trump," said Maduro in a Sunday TV program.

Spain has long pushed for sanctions on those close to Maduro, whom Washington accuses of installing a dictatorship and slapped sanctions on in July, but the EU has been divided over whom to target.

The arms embargo adds Venezuela to an EU list that includes North Korea and Syria, where European defence companies can no longer do business and to which the sale of any goods deemed as being used for repression are also banned.

Britain sold 1.4 million pounds ($1.83 million) of arms to Venezuela between May 2010 and March 2017, according to The Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT), which lobbies to end arms sales to repressive governments.

'Gradual And Flexible' Sanctions

In a joint statement, all 28 EU ministers said the legal basis for individual travel bans to the EU and the freezing of any Venezuelan assets in the bloc "will be used in a gradual and flexible manner and can be expanded".

Representatives of Maduro's government are due to meet investors in Caracas on Monday to discuss renegotiating $60 billion in foreign debt.

Some EU governments want to give former Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, the EU's main envoy for Venezuela, another chance to try negotiations despite unsuccessful efforts in 2016.

But in the statement, ministers said regional elections held in Venezuela on Oct. 15 were a turning point that had hardened the bloc's position, having taken place amid "reported numerous irregularities".

The results appeared to favour Maduro's ruling Socialists, while polls had suggested the opposition would easily win a majority. In the end it won only a handful of governorships, according to the pro-government electoral board.

EU ministers will decide whom to target with sanctions at a later stage, but said they would focus on security forces and government ministers and institutions accused of human rights violations and the non-respect of democratic principles or the rule of law.

Experts say individual U.S. sanctions spearheaded by U.S. President Donald Trump, while providing strong symbolism, have had little or no impact on Maduro's policies and that oil-sector and financial sanctions may be the only way to force the Venezuelan government to change.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Stavridis, a retired U.S. Navy admiral and former military commander of NATO, is dean of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. He wrote this for Bloomberg View.

In 1952, on a stormy night in the North Atlantic, the aircraft carrier USS Wasp cut the highly decorated World War II destroyer USS Hobson in two, with the loss of 176 sailors. Afterward, the accountability was swift and sure  such is the tradition of the Navy.

The Wall Street Journal responded with an editorial that is still routinely quoted in the service: Now comes the cruel business of accountability. It was no wish to destruction that killed this ship and its 176 men; the accountability lies with good men who erred in judgment under stress so great that it is almost its own excuse.

Todays Navy is facing some hard business of accountability itself, following the shocking loss of two guided missile destroyers and the deaths of 17 sailors  part of a string of seamanship failures in the legendary 7th Fleet.

In particular, the twin collisions of USS Fitzgerald and USS McCain sent shock waves through the entire Navy, prompting the abrupt retirement of the four-star admiral who commanded the entire Pacific Fleet, as well as the firings of the three-star commander of the 7th Fleet, the two-star admiral commanding the Japanese-based strike group and the commanding officers, executive officers (second in command) and senior enlisted sailors aboard both destroyers. This is breathtaking accountability, from top to bottom.

Even more striking was the release this month of a searing and recommendation-laced report prepared by the Navys senior surface-warfare admiral, Phil Davidson. While additional reports will follow (including one prepared at the behest of the services civilian leader, Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer), it is Davidsons report that will drive the corrective action.

The Navys failures in the forward-deployed ships are centered in a culture of shut up and do the job in the surface fleet. Growing up as a junior officer in that world, I saw again and again the refusal to balance sufficient rest with on-deck watch standing in order to accomplish the mission: admirable in concept, foolish in execution.

I failed personally in command of my first ship  the USS Barry, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer like the Fitzgerald and McCain  to find the right balance between operational demands, training and rest levels of my crew. We were lucky on several occasions to avoid a grounding or collision. That such situations are still so prevalent is, of course, is a leadership failure at heart and will take the longest to correct.

Unfortunately, these challenges emerge against the backdrop of a long, embarrassing investigation into more than 60 current and retired admirals surrounding allegations of corruption, likewise in the 7th Fleet. The so-called Fat Leonard scandal  named after Leonard Glenn Francis, the convicted Malaysian defense contractor at its center  is part of the leadership clean-up ahead at the senior levels of the Navy.

The report also highlights and mandates corrections in equipment and maintenance, training and qualification pipelines, and organizational oversight. While complex, these steps can largely be accomplished swiftly if they get the senior-level attention and resources they need.

For decades, unfortunately, the surface forces have been the poor cousin of better-resourced nuclear powered fleet (submarines and nuclear aircraft carriers) and the aviation arm of the Navy.

Also critical is the longstanding insufficiency of the Navys size. The fleet count hovers around 275, far lower than at any point since early in the 20th century.

While all of the ships today are certainly of high quality, the old saying quantity has a quality of its own has great merit, and the vast majority of analysts say the fleet needs to grow to about 350 front-line warships.

This will allow lower operational tempo, better rest cycles and more training and ship-handling opportunities for officers coming up through the ranks.

Three clear lessons emerge, applicable not just to the U.S. Navy but to any large, complex organization undertaking demanding work around the world.

 Basic blocking and tackling are the heart of real-world operations.

Even in this increasingly high-tech, artificial-intelligence and cyber-driven world, humans will continue to make difficult operational decisions. There is no easy way to substitute for basic experience  it takes five years of ship handling to have five years of ship handling experience.

We can use simulators more creatively and aggressively, but the heart of such skills comes the good old-fashioned way: spending time performing hard tasks under demanding instructors who challenge the apprentice again and again until he or she masters the art.

 Institutional reputation can evaporate in an instant, but rebuilding it takes time.

The damage to the Navys national and international reputation caused by this string of mishaps is profound  but hardly irretrievable.

Over the past few months, I have been challenged in dozens of public forums to explain the Navys failure streak, and I tend to revert to what I was taught 40 years ago as a plebe at Annapolis: to say simply, no excuse, sir, and describe how the Navy has taken all the right steps and will emerge stronger over time. Rebuilding the sea wall of our reputation can only be done brick by brick, but that wall will stand again.

 Harsh accountability is painful but critical when facing serious damage.

The chief of naval operations, Adm. John Richardson, has been forced to fire good officers and enlisted sailors. He feels that loss personally and profoundly; but he has shown the courage and leadership to do what must be done. Too many American institutions again and again refuse to seize the hard right course of action, and default to an easier path. This may be the most important lesson of all in the wake of these failures.

In closing their editorial six decades ago, the Journal editors said:

We are told men should no longer be held accountable for what they do as well as for what they intend. To err is not only human, it absolves responsibility. Everywhere else, that is, except on the sea. On the sea there is a tradition older even than the traditions of the country itself and wiser in its age than this new custom. It is the tradition that with responsibility goes authority and with them both goes accountability.

The Navy will emerge stronger from this ordeal and better at the basics of operating our ships. Its ruthless sense of operational accountability lies at the heart of recovery  and here lies a profound lesson for any organization.
OK! Magazine 16 Nov 2022

Ivanka Trump released a statement in which she said she didn't want to be involved in her father's 2024 presidential campaign.
Egypt and Saudi Arabia signed two agreements in Cairo worth EGP 250 million to finance entrepreneurship, small enterprises and car ownership for drivers who work for ride-sharing companies, the Saudi Press Agency reported Monday.

The agreement on entrepreneurship and small enterprises, worth EGP 150 million, is between the Ministry of Investment and International Cooperation, the Saudi Fund for Developments Grant Committee and Enmaa Company for financial leasing, according to a statement from the ministry.

The agreement to finance car ownership, worth EGP 100 million, was signed between the ministry, the committee and a subsidiary of EFG Hermes, and was attended by Uber and Careem representatives.

This came as part of efforts to implement the investment law and its provisions related to providing equal job opportunities and supporting entrepreneurship and the small investor, the ministry's statement read.

The financing will have a decreasing annual interest of 5 percent, said Hassan Al Attas, representative of the Saudi Fund for Development.

ekretak Sherketa

The funds are part of a $200 million grant from the Saudi Fund for Development to fund the equipment needed for the project, through financial leasing or sale with re-lease, Deputy Investment and International Cooperation Minister Shehab Marzban said.

The agreements are also part of startup accelerator Fk, launched by the ministry in cooperation with the Saudi Fund for Development.

Enmaa is a leasing company owned by Ayady for Investments and Development, Arab Investment Bank and the Islamic Development Banks Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


by  Graham Pierrepoint



History can teach us a lot of things  and the best way to learn from it is to really immerse yourself in some of its most interesting events! Thats why we first set up our One News Page time machine  as we take a weekly look back at some of the most intriguing and epoch-making events in history. Get ready to see what occurred this week back in years and centuries past!

November 13th, 1789  The Origin of Franklins Famous Words

Nothing is certain but death and taxes  its a phrase that is oft-misquoted or mis-phrased, but it originated in some form from the writings of Benjamin Franklin, all the way back in 1789.

November 14th, 1922  BBC Radio is Born

BBCs radio service is one of the most celebrated in the world  and it continues to offer a fantastic selection of programmes and playlists online as well as in our cars and showers. Its domestic radio constitution celebrates its 95th birthday this week.

November 15th, 2013  Playstation 4 Launched

One of the most-celebrated consoles in Sonys history celebrates its fourth birthday this week  still holding up in a changing gaming climate by adding services on such as VR in recent months.

November 16th, 2015  Largest-Ever Diamond Found

How much would you pay to put this on your finger? Two years ago, explorers in Karowe, Botswana, found a 1,111 carat diamond nestled deep in a mine  breaking history and hopefully leaving no shards in the process!

November 17th, 1933  Duck Soup Released

One of the most important comedy movies of all time  and one of the Marx Brothers most famous  saw release 84 years ago this week.

November 18th, 1902  Birth of the Teddy Bear

Weve all had a teddy bear  right? It was 115 years ago this week that they first received their popular moniker on behalf of toy creator Morris Michton  named for legendary US President Theodore Teddy Roosevelt.

November 19th, 1895  Birth of the Pencil

Without it, I certainly wouldnt be writing this for you  and the humble pencil, first patented by Frederick Blaisdell, celebrates its 122ndbirthday this week  and you can bet it didnt take people long to start developing those annoying chewing habits!

Join us again this time next week for more historical journeying  who knows what will pop up down the avenues of time the next time we set off?
Mediaite 13 Sep 2021

Richard Johnson, the famed former New York Post gossip columnist and longtime editor of Page Six, is coming out of retirement ..
Matthias Knab, Opalesque:

Further to the Consultation Document issued by Malta' Financial Services Authority (MFSA) on the 23rd October 2017, regarding the proposed regulation of Collective Investment Schemes investing in Virtual Currencies, the Authority advises that the period of consultation has been extended to Friday, 17th November 2017.

The MFSA says it is developing a rulebook to regulate Professional Investor Funds ("PIFs") which have the investment in virtual currencies as their investment objective. The MFSA is presently considering whether Alternative Investment Funds and Notified Alternative Investment Funds should also be allowed to invest in virtual currencies.

In view of the risk associated with the investment model of collective investment schemes investing in virtual currencies, it has been decided that, for the time being, the legal structures for PIFs making such investments should be limited to SICAV and INVCO structures, which are required to have a board of directors responsible for the overall conduct of business of the collective investment scheme.

The rulebook published for consultation builds on the existing rules applicable to PIFs and adds further rules, which specifically aim to mitigate the potential risks of investing in virtual currencies. The main proposals introduced within this ne......................

To view our full article Click here
Opalesque Industry Update - Systematica Investments [Systematica], the technology-driven manager focused on a quantitative and systematic investment approach, has extended its portfolio offering to a broader investor base through the launch of a new UCITS fund based on the Systematica Alternative Risk Premia (SARP) strategy. Since its launch on 1 March 2017, SARP has seen strong investor interest, growing assets under management to $120 million. A UCITs version of the SARP strategy will be made available to UK and European investors and their advisers on 8 November 2017, with a commitment to invest from a significant seed investor of $122 million. The fund will have daily liquidity and will be Systematica's second strategy on its Dublin based UCITS Fund ICAV platform. The SARP approach was developed as part of Systematica's strategy to further diversify its product range and to meet investor demand for higher capacity, lower fee products that provide differentiated returns with greater transparency, liquidity and cost focus than traditional hedge fund products. SARP utilizes "alternative risk premia" such as value, momentum, carry and defensive characteristics, which have been shown to demonstrate well established sources of return. Using stocks and futures, SARP allocates investments across a broad range of strategies and asset classes to maximize fund diversification whilst taking account of trading costs and liquidity. The strategy targets an annualised volatility of 8-10% and net returns of 6-8% over a market cycle. Leda Braga, Chief Executive Officer, Systematica Investments, comments: "I am pleased that a broader segment of investors will now be able to access our innovative SARP strategy. This systematic trading programme provides investors with high quality implementation of well documented alternative risk premia strategies across global markets." "Within the class of hedge fund strategies, it is well known that systematic strategies (especially systematic macro strategies) provide attractive diversification benefits to global equity markets. SARP demonstrates strong diversification benefits, and is largely uncorrelated to a composite hedge fund portfolio as well." Managed through Systematica's team based approach, the fund will be overseen by Product Manager Matthias Hagmann, who has been at Systematica since its formation. As of November 8th, the shares in the fund will be available in US dollars, euros, Swiss francs, sterling, Australian dollars, Hong Kong dollars, Yen and Singapore dollars. It will be registered for marketing in various EU jurisdictions, including the UK, Netherlands, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain and Greece. Following the launch, an application for passporting will also be made in Switzerland, Australia and Singapore, with more expected to follow. The fund will be regulated as a UCITS product by the Central Bank of Ireland.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

The "happiest dog in Scotland" has finally found a home.

Buster, a Staffordshire bull terrier, earned the title when he had to have his tail amputated because he wagged it too hard and too often, according to the Scottish SPCA.

After two years in the organization's care near Edinburgh, the happy pup has been adopted.

Buster's new caregiver, Michelle Lennox, says he is adjusting well to his new environment and that he was "well-behaved from the start."

"He can be a bit wary of some dogs, but he has made some friends in the neighborhood  he's a bit of a ladies man!"

Lennox added that Buster loves showing off his tricks and looks forward to visits from the mail delivery woman.

Mike Flynn, chief superintendent of the shelter Buster was housed in, explained in a press release that Buster's personality isn't unusual for his breed.

"Staffies are one of our most popular dogs and it's clear to see why, they are friendly, loyal and affectionate dogs, they are real people dogs and thrive on human companionship."

Now Playing: LATEST ANIMAL VIDEOS Video: San Francisco Chronicle

Those who cared for him, like Diane Aitchison, are happy to see Buster find a new family. "After two years with us here at the centre, it's great that he has finally found his forever home where he has unlimited bum scratching and a big sofa to snuggle up on."

His new owner agrees. "People say he's lucky we found him but I think we're the lucky ones," said Lennox.

Read Alix Martichoux's latest stories and send her news tips at amartichoux@sfchronicle.com.
The Mid-Michigan Section of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) is sponsoring a seminar by Chris Rentsch, head of engineering for Origin Materials, from 6 to 7:30 pm on Wednesday at the Grand Traverse Pie Co., 2600 N. Saginaw Road.

While BP employs 74,500 workers and DowDuPont employs 102,000, Origin Materials employs just 52, yet aspires to deliver a renewable monomer to market within two years. How does a company scale up without significant corporate support or institutional expertise? Rentsch will talk about his candid perspective on how work at a large company contrasts with work at a company so small that everyone still knows everybody's name.

Rentsch started his career in 2004 at the BP Toledo Refinery. Then he joined The Dow Chemical Co. in 2007 where he held a variety of roles in agrochemical manufacturing and lithium ion battery materials development and scale up. In 2014, he changed his scenery by joining the venture capital world and is currently head of engineering for Origin Materials, a small California-based start-up company pursuing renewable plastic from Gen-2 biomass feedstocks. Complimentary sandwiches will be available beginning at 6 p.m. while they last, and the presentation will begin at 6:30 p.m. Reservations are not necessary. For more information, contact Bruce Holden at midmichiganaiche@gmail.com or 989-636-5225, or visit www.mmaiche.org
The Michigan Chamber of Commerce's 2017 Economic Competitiveness Study shows Michigan continues its upward climb.

The most recent study, conducted by Northwood University's McNair Center for the Advancement of Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship, shows Michigan has climbed to No. 21 on Northwood's proprietary State Competitiveness Index.

Now in its sixth year, the study compares all aspects of Michigan's economy against the other 49 states. In 2012, the inaugural study ranked Michigan No. 47 based on data from 1998 to 2012. In 2016, Michigan ranked No. 25. In fact, the 2017 study notes since the end of the Great Recession in 2009, Michigan ranks as the ninth most competitive economy in the country.

"This study offers the most detailed and honest assessment of our state's economy," said economist and study co-author Timothy Nash, senior vice president of strategic and corporate alliances, and the director of the McNair Center at Northwood University. "Michigan has led the Great Lakes Region in average GDP growth since the end of The Great Recession, ranking sixth nationally."

Michigan showed strong signs of growth since The Great Recession, Nash noted. The ranking of 21st uses economic data from 1998 until 2016.

"When looking at the general macroeconomic environment in Michigan, the ranking jumped to seventh in 2017 study from No. 48 in the 2012 study," Nash said. "In fact, Michigan ranks ninth in overall competitiveness since 2009 with real GDP growth ranking sixth and per capita wage growth ranking third nationally over the same period."

"Since the study began, the overall United States economy has shown underwhelming performance," said Keith Pretty, co-author, president and CEO of Northwood University. "This study and others, however, show Michigan remains on a strong growth trajectory".

New in the 2017 study is a look at the Michigan and U.S. automobile industries. The resurgence of the automobile industry in Michigan has clearly contributed to GDP growth. In 2016, the U.S. automobile industry reached an all-time record high for automobiles sold, at more than 17.5 million, with 2017 sales on pace to challenge that number. The auto industry remains the state's biggest economic driver.

Rich Studley, president and CEO of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, also highlighted the importance of tax climate, an indicator of how a state's tax laws affect economic performance.

"We are pleased to see Michigan's improvement in state business tax climate, where we now rank second in the Great Lakes Bay Region, and 12th overall," he said. "We are also pleased to see that Michigan's corporate tax environment is now ranked eighth best nationally by The Tax Foundation".

The full study is available via the Northwood University McNair Center for the Advancement of Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship at http://www.northwood.edu/academics/McNair/projects.aspx.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

Julia Kepler has just opened Serendipity Road, a boutique at 215 E. Main St., that carries Michigan products. But, for Kepler, her own serendipity road began at a very young age.

"I can remember when I was 3 because my mom was pregnant with my sister," she said. " I would straighten my shelves and make them all neat and pretty."

The second of four events leading up to Serendipity Road occurred during field trips to the Midland Center for the Arts.

"All the other kids were in the discovery center. But, I was looking at the art. I've always appreciated other people's work," said the Meridian High graduate.

A book, The Big Orange Splot, by Daniel Manus Pinkwater, became the next milestone on the journey as Serendipity Road provides opportunities for others to live out their aspirations.

"I always loved that book because it portrays 'What is your dream in life?' And 'What is that like for you?'" Kepler said.

The final piece occurred when Kepler was able to help others while working for non-profits.

"When you add those four things, that is where Serendipity Road comes from: the need to help others; to help people build their dreams, whatever that looks like to them; the appreciation for other people's work; and the desire to make things look pretty," she said.

The boutique includes product from 55 various vendors. About 80 percent of those are from Michigan, including local vendors.

"I want the small businesses to succeed," Kepler said. "That is my main goal. The business plan of helping others to be successful will make this successful."

The Michigan manufactured product gives shoppers a variety of options for gifts such as home decor, housewares, textiles, stationery, clothing, baby items and jewelry.

"We carry unique Michigan-made products and vendors when you want a unique item for your home or to give as a gift," Kepler said. "There are some things we just can't find in Michigan, and there are certain things I want in the store."

Shoppers may visit the business from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

However, during special events in downtown Midland, the Serendipity Road will extend it hours, including being open on Sundays.

For more information or to contact Serendipity Road, call 989-486-9866; email shop@serendipityroad.net; or visit its website serendipityroad.shop

Those interested may check out and Like the store on Facebook.com/SerendipityRoadMI; or follow on Instagram http://instagram.com/SerendipityRoadMI
The following list includes recent reports from the Midland County Sheriff's Office and the Midland Police Department.

Friday, Nov. 10

4:14 a.m. -- Officers responded to a suspicious situation in the 4700 block of Trotters Pointe.

Thursday, Nov. 9

1:51 a.m. -- Officers made an arrest for OWI/OUID in the 400 block of East Ellsworth Street.

2:54 a.m. -- Deputies are investigating an assault that occurred at a residence in Edenville Township. Another nearby jurisdiction provided the information to the Midland County Sheriff's Office. A 32-year-old Standish woman received medical treatment at an Isabella County hospital for treatment of her injuries. A report will be forwarded to the prosecuting attorney for review.

8:21 a.m. -- A deputy was sent to check an area of M-20 due to a reported car parked in the roadway. The area was checked and found clear.

8:23 a.m. -- Deputies dispatched to a Lincoln Township residence for a report of an out of control 14-year-old boy were advised prior to arrival that the he agreed to obey his parents, and deputies were no longer needed.

8:58 a.m. -- Officers assisted probation officers in the 400 block of Willow Street.

9:12 a.m. -- Deputies were dispatched to a Porter Township residence to assist CPS with a residence check. The residents weren't home upon arrival, and it was determined that their child was in school.

9:13 a.m. -- Officers made a warrant arrest in the 200 block of West Ellsworth Street.

10:05 a.m. -- Officers responded to a report of public intoxication at Washington and East Haley Streets.

12:16 p.m. -- Officers responded to a hit and run/property damage accident at Eastman Avenue and Wackerly Street.

12:37 p.m. -- A 23-year-old Mount Haley Township woman wanted on a criminal bench warrant was found at a Sanford business and taken into custody without incident. She was turned over to a Saginaw County deputy.

3:20 p.m. -- A civil infraction was reported in the 2500 block of Greenwich Circle.

3:57 p.m. -- A case of retail fraud was reported in the 6800 block of Eastman Road.

4:11 p.m. -- A 34-year-old Larkin Township woman spoke to a deputy about her daughter's ex-boyfriend, and was advised on how to attempt to pursue a protection order if she felt it was needed.

5:18 p.m. -- Deputies were dispatched to a Porter Township residence in reference to CPS needing sheriff's office presence at a 26-year-old man and woman's home during an inspection. There were no incidents during the inspection.

6:45 p.m. -- Officers investigated a case of fraud in the 3300 block of Greenway Drive.

6:50 p.m. -- Officers responded to a report of juvenile trouble in the 1200 block of Wildwood Street.

7:04 p.m. -- Officers responded to a personal protection order violation in the area of Ashman Circle.

8 p.m. -- A 54-year-old Lee Township man reported being threatened by his 59-year-old brother. A deputy recorded the threatening message at the request of the caller and it will be on file. There was no crime observed. The man was advised of the option to request a personal protection order.

10:09 p.m. -- An animal complaint was reported in the 3100 block of Isabella Street.

11 p.m. -- An animal complaint was reported in the 2400 block of Belaire Street.
 Bristol Lower and her aunt, Stephanie Ponte, who won the Midland Daily News Halloween photo contest.

 Edenville Township Fire Department, which celebrated its 60th anniversary.

 The Rev. Dr. Thomas Schacher, who was honored for his service at The Bertha E.R. Strosacker Memorial Presbyterian Church this past weekend.

 Midland native Chris O'Brien, who recently published his first volume of work, "Toilet Bowl."

 Midland residents and business owners who received Appreciation of Beautification Awards.

 The individuals who were honored at the Coleman Lions' ninth annual Charter Night Dinner and Auctions.

 Jason Orvosh and Jim Reichard, who were recognized by the Home Builders Association of Michigan.

 The cast and crew of Bullock Creek High School's production of "Robin Hood," which performed this past weekend.

 The cast and crew of Center Stage Theatre Peanut Gallery's production of "The Lady Pirates of Captain Bree," which opened this past weekend.

 Valerie (Niedermier) and Ryan Donald on their marriage.
We don't need to hunt cranes

To the editor:

Recent proposals from our beknighted legislature hopes to open hunting to include sandhill cranes. The reason? Because they are not endangered. Is this the reason? Sad. Humans are not endangered, why not hunting for humans?

There is a hunting mentality that seems to embrace the idea that killing any animal that is not endangered is fine. Why? Food? Who has sandhill crane for Thanksgiving? The reason is simply to pump up the egos of hunters who somehow get a boost from killing something big. Try bear hunting with a spear if you want that testosterone boost. Shooting a feeding bird from X number of yards away is neither sport nor necessary for food.

Now, now, NRA members, I have no problem with hunting for ducks, geese, deer, and such that are hunted for food. But, seriously, who eats cranes? I see no reason for a hunting season on cranes simply because they are not endangered (like humans). What is the drive to kill for trophies or ego based on?

As an ethicist teaching for over 35 years, I find this all appalling, ethically, and to legalize it, immoral.

RALPH P. FORSBERG

Midland

Politicians should put voters first

To the editor:

The recent legislative activity of our state legislators and congressional representatives illustrates a serious problem in Midland population's representation. I have met with our state Sen. Jim Stamas and find him accessible and amiable. I am told that our U.S. House Rep. John Moolenaar is a good man. However, I find them both lacking the fundamental asset of representing our area with an independent mind.

My impression is that their foremost responsibility is to their party and not to the electors. As an example, Rep. Moolenaar recently endorsed the tax overhaul proposal before knowing the details of his party's proposal.

One highlighted provision reduces tax brackets and is spun as a simplification and a benefit to the average citizen, but really has drawbacks. The average citizen would have fewer options for managing their adjusted gross income to fall into a lower tax bracket. It is spun as simplification, yet tax bracket calculation is virtually invisible to the average filer and does not complicate the tax filing process.

Sen. Stamas led the select committee investigating the Flint water crisis, which is a telling event that affects us all in one way or another, yet defers to party leadership for action on his own committee's strong recommendation for change. I find our U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow effective in many areas but sidestepping controversial issues. All these circumstances, to me, indicate a lack of leadership qualities to one extent or another.

I ask all of our representatives to base their decisions first on the average citizen and make the party platform secondary. To the contrary, recent legislation supported by Sen. Stamas to force public land sale to developers showed no benefit to his constituent outdoor sportspersons; yet he went along with his committee chair's preferences.

Rep. Moolenaar supports his party's national debt increasing tax legislation on the unfounded hope that the tax cuts will be offset by economy gains; though history has shown it increases debt to our children. Who operates their household budget on the hope of a pay raise or in hopes of unlikely high investment growth? Delude the electorate or buy them off with tokens when that doesn't work. The whole situation relies on voters being ignorant or apathetic.

I hope we all remain informed and demand independent leadership of all our governmental representatives.

GREG EAGLE

Midland
BLOOMINGTON  A downtown Bloomington church will offer free Thanksgiving meals as part of its ongoing outreach to homeless and low-income residents.

Abundant Life in Christ Church will provide meals Nov. 23 at its 108 E. Market Street church from noon to 6 p.m.

Food and free will donations will be accepted before and during the event, said Pastor Charles Ahrens.

The holiday event also will include music and a time for guests for fellowship. l

Ahrens opened the church in April 2016 in a four-story building that once housed a comedy club. The work to renovate the upper floors to apartments and dormitory-style living spaces for about 30 people who need shelter is ongoing. Ahrens and five others reside in space that has been renovated.

"We're still working on it, plugging along. We're working with the health department on a certification for our kitchen" said Ahrens.

Fundraising also continues toward a $95,000 sprinkler system required before the upper floors can be opened.

Painting of the building's exterior was recently completed and major remodeling work on the kitchen will allow the church to expand its meal services.

Cold weather brings more people into shelters from the streets and Abundant Life Church is no exception, said Ahrens, a former Salvation Army chaplain and street minister for the homeless in San Francisco.

The church has changed its schedule to open its doors at 7 a.m. for the daily coffee session ahead of the day's first bible study at 9 a.m.

A food pantry and clothing room opened about a year ago after the closing of Jesus Coffeehouse in west Bloomington. Showers and laundry services also are available at the church.

With the onset of colder weather, the facility is accepting donations of winter clothing, hand warmers, hats, gloves and blankets.

The church also works with local social service providers to connect people with mental health and job training programs.
100 years ago

Nov. 13, 1917: On the home front there are those women who say they cant knit or dont have time to help soldiers in the trenches. Then theres little Thelma Malone who lost an arm and a leg in a train accident a few years ago. Thelma, of LeRoy, is knitting for the soldiers.

75 years ago

Nov. 13, 1942: Today is not only Nov. 13, its Friday the 13th. So young Guy Robinson of 807 S. Wright St. was watching his step today, like a lot of other people. But for Guy, this Friday the 13th is different because its his birthday: hes now 13-years-old.

50 years ago

Nov. 13, 1967: Merle Rohler makes the rounds as an Eisner meat truck driver. But in his off time, he makes donuts and hands them out to kids around the neighborhood. He and his wife Thelma enjoy the kids so much, this is how they show it. They live at 7 Grandview, Normal.

25 years ago

Nov. 13, 1992: David Mouser, 18, of Normal, went up against the toughest talent in the Future Farmers of Americas public speaking contest. He came in second, for which he won $275 and a plaque. Mousers a freshman at Illinois, majoring in agricultural communications.
A report this morning notes that "A security guard at a central London Apple store was threatened with a hammer as he tried to stop a gang of raiders on mopeds. Ten suspects on five mopeds smashed their way into the Regent Street shop at 00:45 GMT and escaped with iPhones, iPads and iWatches. The suspects are described as wearing dark clothing. The man who threatened the guard was described as a black man." Wow, with a generic description like that I'm sure that London's finest will find this robber in no time flat, said sarcastically.

Two iPhone Xs were later recovered near Kings Cross.The flagship store was fully operational with no visible damage later on Monday morning.

Last month, a moped gang that robbed more than 100 people, including the former Chancellor George Osborne, were arrested and jailed. You could read more about this story here.

Back in June two were arrested for an earlier raid on the Regent Street Apple Store according to itv news.





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.
It's been reported that American Vogue has partnered with Apple to create an augmented reality-powered iPhone feature for iMessage, available exclusively on the newly launched iPhone X on December 1.

In a bid to merge the magazine's trend-driven content with high-tech, "The Vogue Effect" iMessage extension uses the front-facing camera's Face ID to create a multi-dimensional filter akin to those on Snapchat and Instagram. iPhone X users need to download Vogue's app in order to access the filters, but they can be applied directly via iMessage once installed.

Vogue used Apple's ARKit technology  which allows product designers to create augmented reality experiences  to layer trends from the Spring/Summer 2018 season, such as a '21st-century spin on disco glamour,' over the user's surroundings, creating an immersive image that can be downloaded or sent as a message. Further trend roll-outs and collaborations with industry talents are in the pipeline.

Arlie Sisson, vice president of emerging products at Conde Nast said that "This is experimentation, leveraging technology and pushing our creativity in new ways. It's unexpected, but it makes sense because leading is what we do best.

To be sure, this is likely the first of many AR-powered products embraced by Conde Nast and competing publishers eager to engage the reader in new ways. Apple's CEO Tim Cook told British Vogue in an October interview that "Over time, I think these features will be as key as having a website"

Over time Apple has built a relationship wIth Vogue who shot their New York fashion show in 2015 using an iPhone 6s. Apple's Jony Ive also hobnobbed with Vogue's U.S. editor-in-chief Anna Wintour back in 2014 when Apple was introducing the Apple Watch in Europe along with Karl Lagerfeld and Marc Newson as noted in the photo below. Ive also worked with Anna Wintour again in 2016 for the 'Manus X Machina' fashion event.











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.
I wrote an initial defense of leftist pro-lifer and English professor Rebecca Bratten Weiss, taking on the LifeSiteNews hit piece against her. Then I wrote a second, pondering seemingly unsavory (and related?) aspects of her dismissal as an adjunct professor from Franciscan University of Steubenville.

I reiterate again that its not my intent at all to bash the entire university. Rebecca herself didnt even do that on a podcast yesterday. Im a huge fan of it. We dont know enough facts. But I am strongly rebuking a cadre of (mostly unknown and unnamed) professors there who (mounting evidence suggests) orchestrated a campaign designed to get her removed from the school (and on, I think, demonstrably false pretenses).

Rebecca was cited as follows in the National Catholic Reporter article yesterday:

She feels betrayed by university colleagues, who she believes helped provide the documentation, . . . It was a big punch in the gut to realize these people had been in an alliance against me and that the university had taken them at face value without giving me an opportunity to defend myself, she said.

Today Id like to compile the remarks made on the hit-piece that suggest (or are consistent with) the existence of collusion or a campaign or concerted joint effort or whatever we want to call it. Here is the data:

* * * * *

Steve Jalsevac (moderator): This article is not a hit piece on Steubenville, but a report on a harmful mentality and on a particular person who promoted that mentality. There has been a great deal of research on this. . . . I doubt this has been a minor issue at the college. There are persons at the college who have been deeply concerned about the situation. (9-14-17)

The university is and has for a long time been exceptionally pro-life. That is one big reason for deep concerns within the university about such a person as Weiss being permitted to teach at the college. (9-15-17)

Our information is that there are very frustrated professors and students at the University because the administration had not taken action that it should have, given the strength of evidence the administration received, apparently over the past few years. We are not relying on the writer for that information. (9-15-17)

People are very appropriately jumping to many correct conclusions simply because of the substantial amount of solid evidence against Weiss within the article and which has been known by some teachers and students for the past few years. (9-16-17)

Timothy J. Williams (Professor of French at FUS): [T]he article . . . discusses things she has publicly written and raises the issue of whether she belongs in the classroom, a question some faculty members were discussing. (9-16-17)

Many months ago, I was approached by a number of senior faculty members at Franciscan University who were alarmed by the clearly-stated views of Bratten Weiss in her Patheos essays, as well as the readings she assigned her students. Although  for a number of reasons  I chose not to involve myself in their approach to the Administration, I must say I found her statements perplexing, disturbing, bizarre and her selection of readings a waste of time, at best. (9-17-17)

***

Also, under my first article on the topic, Dr. Williams wrote, similarly to his last statement above: [T]hough I was requested by numerous faculty members to join them in speaking and writing to the administration about Bratten-Weiss, I declined (and I tried to dissuade them from doing so) because I did not think that approach would be helpful.

So, good for him for not joining in. But he bears witness to the existence of the cadre, and as soon as the hit-piece came out, he jumps right in, repeatedly defending it, as if no one in the world could possibly find it objectionable in the slightest.

* * * * *

Dr. Timothy J. Williams is clearly a radical reactionary Catholic. For example, he commented on an article posted on the reactionary site Rorate Caeli, which was a hit piece on Pope Francis on his first day in office (!). I later discovered that the key source in the article, Marcelo Gonzalez, is a Holocaust denier. When I wrote about that, it cost me a longtime friend, who had gotten involved at Rorate Caeli. He never refuted my expose ; he just split. Dr. Williams wrote (bashing Pope St. John Paul II and Pope Benedict at the end):

I am a Roman Rite Catholic who has attended a Byzantine Liturgy for the past 18 years, because the Roman liturgy in my diocese changes with every new breeze. . . . Now, I am a hard-core Trad. But what is amazing is that there are many, more moderate Catholic parents doing exactly the same thing I am doing. And yet, our Catholic sensibilities have been so poisoned by Vatican II and the Novus Ordo that we hardly even recognize the monstrosity of this situation. Even good Catholics think of things as almost normal or getting better! And people wonder why Bishop Fellay hesitates! The only reasonable hope for the Papacy of Francis is that he will will not do considerably more damage than his predecessors. Any expectation beyond that is simply delusional. Oremus! (2-13-13)

*****

Photo credit: Mud volcano in New Zealand; photo by Simon (4-16-07) [Pixabay / CC0 Creative Commons license]

*****
Over the past few months, Ive been rereading some of the Bart Ehrman books on my shelf, as well as reading some new ones. Ehrman is a religious studies professor at the Chapel Hill well known for writing popular books that make scholarly understandings of the New Testament and early Christianity available to a lay audience. While reading his Lost Christianities: The Battles for Scripture and the Faiths We Never Knew, I came upon two points that struck me as particularly interesting, and I thought Id take a moment to share them.

The first comes in a discussion of early Christians who believed individuals must become Jewish (observing the Jewish law and being circumcised) to be Christian. This was possibly the majority view at one time, and Acts records a council that was called in Jerusalem to address this matter. In the book of Galatians, Peter writes of disagreement over this issue with Peter and James. All of this I knew. Ehrman goes a step further, though, suggesting that Matthew may have been written by a proponent of this view.

As Ehrman explains on pages 98-99:

whereas only Pauls account of his confrontation with Peter and the Judaizing missionaries of Galatia survives, at one time numerous positions were represented. Even though most of the others have been lost, it is possible that not all of them have been. A close reading of our surviving sources shows that one of our Gospels, at least, appears to represent an alternative point of view. With good reason, Matthews Gospel is frequently thought of as the most Jewish of the Gospels of the new Testament. This account of Jesus life and death goes to extraordinary lengths to highlight the Jewishness of Jesus.  Time and again it quotes the Jewish Scriptures to show that Jesus was the Jewish Messiah sent from the Jewish God in fulfillment of the Jewish Scriptures (cf. Matt. 1:23, 2:6, 18). Not only does Jesus fulfill the scriptures here (a pint Paul himself would have conceded); Matthew also insists, contrary to Paul, that Jesus followers must do so as well. In one of the most trenchant statements of the Gospel, found only in this Gospel in the New Testament, Jesus is recorded as saying: Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 5:17-20). For Matthew, the entire Jewish Law needs to be kept, down to the smallest letter. The Pharisees, in fact, are blamed not for keeping the law but for not keeping it well enough. It is worth noting that in this Gospel, when a rich man comes to Jesus and asks him how to have eternal life, Jesus tells him that if he wants to live eternally he must keep the commandments (19:17).

I knew that Matthew was considered the most Jewish of the gospels. I learned in church and Bible club, growing up in an evangelical family, that Matthew wrote his gospel as part of outreach to the Jews. Paul was a missionary to the gentiles; Matthew, in contrast, laced his account with quotes from the Jewish scriptures because he was writing to other Jews. I was also aware that the passage from Matthew 5 quoted above read a bit oddly, and I found it slightly odd that Jesus told the young rich man to keep the commandments; I was taught, by way of making sense of these passages, that these were Jesus way of emphasizing humans inability to reach this standard on their own, without his sacrifice.

When I was an evangelical, I understood that the authors of different books of the New Testament had their own particular perspectives and things they wanted to emphasize. We drew the line, however, on the authors of these various books actually disagreeing with each other. I read the New Testament straight through probably twenty times, but each time I read it through I did so on the assumption that each book was inspired by God, and that they thus could not be in conflict. Any perceived contradictions or oddities were simply explained away.

Ehrman offers a different perspective. He suggests that we should not assume that the authors of these various books agreed with each other, or that their accounts can be harmonized. And here, he suggests that the book of Matthew may not merely have been intended for the Jews; instead, it may be intended for a community of Christians who believed that one must become Jewish in order to be a Christian (and we know that such communities existed). Jesus statements no longer need to be explained away. They suddenly make perfect sense.

Of course, Ehrman is not the first to make this suggestion. Instead, this understanding of Matthew is well known in scholarly circles.

What about the second point I wanted to share? This passage is shorter, a mere interpolation in a discussion of a group known as the Ebionites. From pages 100 and 101:

The Ebionites did not subscribe to the notion of Jesus preexistence or his virgin birth. These ideas were originally distinct from each other. The two New Testament Gospels that speak of Jesus being conceived of a virgin (Matthew and Luke) do not indicate that he existed prior to his birth, just as the New Testament books that appear to presuppose his preexistence (cf. John 1:1-3, 18; Phil. 2:5-11) never mention his virgin birth. But when all these books came to be included in the New Testament, both notions came to be affirmed simultaneously, so that Jesus was widely thought of has having been with God in eternity past (John, Paul) who became flesh (John) by being born of the Virgin Mary (Matthew and Luke).

I already knew from reading another of Ehrmans books that the two accounts of the virgin birththose in Matthew and Lukeare not compatible. I hadnt stopped to think about the fact that the doctrine of the virgin birth and the doctrine of Jesus preexistence were separate and not naturally compatible. The pagan world, after all, had plenty of stories of mortal women who were impregnated by the gods; their children were never considered to have preexisted before their conception.

That the early Christians were very divided on who Jesus was, and ultimately on the nature of his divinity, is evident in the fact that the question of whether Jesus was the same in substance with the Father, or a lesser being, was not settled until the Council of Nicea in 325 AD. Ehrmans point that the Virgin Birth and Jesus preternatural existence do not naturally go hand in hand was something I had not considered.

Im reminded of passage that struck me in another Ehrman book that I read recently, Did Jesus Exist? The Historical Argument for Jesus of Nazareth. This passage discusses the evolution of early Christian understandings of Jesus; it is a bit longer than the previous sections I have quoted, but just as interesting. From pages 110-112:

One of the most striking features of several of the speeches in Acts is that they present a view of Jesus that scholars have long thought was one of the oldest, if not the oldest, Christian understanding of what it meant to call Jesus the Son of God. Eventually, of course, Christians came to think that Jesus had always been the Son of God, from eternity past, and that he came into the world only to conduct his miraculous ministry and deliver his supernatural teachings for a short while before returning to heaven whence he came. this is the view that can be found in the last of our Gospels, the Gospel of John. But this was not the earliest view of Jesus. Before anyone thought Jesus preexisted as the divine being who created the world (see John 1:1-18, for example), there were Christians who thought Jesus came into existence when he was born of a virgin and that it was because she was a virginand the father was God himselfthat he was the Son of God. This view seems to be embodied in the Gospel of Luke itself. Not a single word in Luke mentions Jesus preexisting his life on earth. Instead, his mother conceives of the Holy Spirit, and that is ho the comes into being. As the angel Gabriel tells Mary at the Annunciation, informing her of how she will bear a child: The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. For that reason the one who is born of you will be called holy, the Son of God. (Luke 1:35). Here Jesus is the Son of God because God made his mother pregnant. At an even earlier stage of the tradition, before Christians had begun to talk about either Jesuss persistence or his virginal conception, they (or some of them) believed that he had become the Son of God by being adopted by God to be his son. In this view Jesus was not metaphysically or physically the son of God. He was the son of God in a metaphorical sense, through adoption. At one point Christians thought this happened right before he entered into his public ministry. And so they told stories about what happened at the very outset, when he was baptized by John: the heavens opened up, the Spirit of God descended upon him (meaning he didnt have the Spirit before this), and the voice from heaven declared, You are my son. Today I have begotten you. One should not underplay the significance of the word today in this quotation from Psalm 2. It was on the day of his baptism that Jesus became Gods son. There were yet earlier traditions about Jesus that did not speak of him as the Son of God from eternity past or from his miraculous birth or from the time he began his ministry. In these, probably the oldest, Christian traditions, Jesus became the Son of God when God raised him from the dead. It was then that God showered special favor on the man Jesus, exalting him to heaven, and calling him his son, the messiah, the Lord. Even though this view is not precisely that of Paul, it is found in an ancient creed (that is, a pre literary tradition) that Paul quotes at the beginning of his letter to the Romans, where he speaks of Christa s Gods son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and designated Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness at his resurrection from the dead (1:3-4). One reason for thinking that this is an ancient creednot the formulation of Paul himselfis that Paul holds other ideas about Jesus as the Son of God and expresses them in his own words elsewhere. But he quotes this crude here, probably because he is writing this letter to get on the good side of a group of Christians, the church in Rome, who do not know Paul or what he stands for, and the creed provides a standard formulation found throughout the churches of his day. It is, in other words, a very ancient tradition that predates Pauls writings. More striking still, a similar tradition can be found in some of the speeches in Acts, showing that these speeches incorporate materials from the traditions about Jesus that existed long before Luke put pen to papyrus. So, For example, in a speech attributed to Paul in Acts 13 (but not really by Paul; Luke wrote the speech, incorporating easier materials), Paul is reputed to have said to a group of Jews he was evangelizing, We proclaim to you that the good news that came to the fathers, this he has brought ot fulfillment for us their children by raising Jesus, as it is written in the second Psalm, You are my son, today I have begotten you' (Acts 13:32-33). Note once again the word today. it was on the day of the resurrection, according to this primitive tradition that long predated Luke, that Jesus was made the Son of God. A comparable view is found in an earlier speech delivered by the apostle Peter: Let the entire house of Israel know with certainty, that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this one whom you crucified (Acts 2:36).

In other words, the very earliest Christians believed that Jesus was adopted by God at his resurrection; later Christians believed that he was adopted by God at the beginning of his public ministry; and still later Christians believed that Jesus was the Son of God because God made his mother, Mary, pregnant. It was only after this that early Christians came to believe that Jesus preexisted his time on this earth, and, ultimately, that Jesus was of the same substance with God, an equal member of the Trinity (another belief that did not exist until later).

I know this is starting to sound like an infomercial for Ehrman, but I promise Im not getting any kickbacks. I suppose its just that Im excited to see the New Testament make sense. Everything that I ever found odd or confusing, or that I had to work to harmonize, is explained when the New Testament is approached not as an inerrant, divinely inspired collection of books but rather a collection of books written by various individuals who often disagreed, during thehard-fought early years of a new and developing religion whose theology was still in flux.

I have a Patreon! Please support my writing!
Weve got your sacred beads (click the link for the whole story):

Travelers who happen upon a regional museum in Washington state are frequently surprised to find there the largest collection of rosaries in the world  according to no less an authority than Ripleys Believe It or Not.

Located in southeastern Washington, on the north side of the Columbia River Gorge, near the picturesque town of Stevenson, the Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center houses a collection of some 4,000 rosaries that can easily take hours to examine closely.

The display of rosaries was the lifes work of the late Donald A. Brown of North Bonneville, who was a founder of the Skamania County Historical Society. Born April 27, 1895, in Tualatin, Oregon, he died in a traffic accident Dec. 14, 1975, at age 80.

In an article he wrote for a regional newspaper, Brown remarked: Perhaps the most common question asked by visitors to my rosary chapel in North Bonneville (the site of the rosary collection during Browns lifetime) is how did I ever happen to originate such an unusual collection?

Brown explained that his collection began in 1917 when he was living in The Dalles, Oregon, but his interest in the rosary as a devotional prayer began years earlier, before he became a Catholic, while he was confined to the Mercy Hospital in North Bend, Oregon, recovering from pneumonia.
First cargo of Indian wheat reaches Afghanistan via Iran

11/13/17

Source: Press TV

Afghanistan says it has received an inaugural consignment of wheat from India through a project which has opened a new trade and transit route in the region. The shipment of almost 15,000 tonnes of wheat dispatched from India's western port of Kandla late last month reportedly reached the Afghan province of Nimroz, which borders Iran, on Saturday.

The media quoted Manpreet Vohra, India's ambassador to Kabul, as saying that the shipment demonstrated the viability of the new route that connected India with Afghanistan through Iran.



"The ease and the speed with which this project is already working is evident from the fact that as we are receiving the first trucks of wheat here in Zaranj, the second ship from Kandla has already docked in Chabahar," Vohra was quoted as saying by news agencies.



He said there would be seven shipments between now and February and a total of 110,000 tonnes of wheat would come to Afghanistan through Chabahar. The official added that the shipments were part of a promised 1.1 million tonnes of wheat as India's "gift" to Afghanistan out of which 700,000 had already been sent to the country.



The new route would create a unique opportunity for India to send its goods to landlocked Afghanistan through a safe route. It would to the same effect enable Afghan merchants to export their commodities - mainly fruits and vegetables as well as nuts and minerals - to global markets through Chabahar.

India signed a deal with Iran in 2003 to develop the same port through an investment that could amount to $500 million.



Located on the confluence of the Indian Ocean and the Sea of Oman in southeastern Iran, Chabahar is India's first foreign port project. Once completed, the project would enable India to send its goods Afghanistan, Central Asia and beyond.
Iran rejects 'delusional' Bahraini accusation after oil pipeline blast

11/13/17

Source: Press TV

Iran has dismissed a recent Bahraini allegation linking the Islamic Republic to an oil pipeline fire near the capital, Manama. On Friday night, an explosion at an oil pipeline, belonging to the state-run Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco), caused a fire in the vicinity of the village of Buri. The pipeline was running between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

No one was injured in the blast and no group claimed responsibility, but Bahrain's Foreign Minister Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifah claimed in a post on Twitter that the incident was "a dangerous Iranian escalation."



On Sunday, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi vehemently dismissed the accusations as "delusional."



"Apparently, the only thing that Bahraini officials have been taught to utter following any incidents in the island is accusing Iran," Qassemi said.



He reminded Bahraini authorities that "the era of such delusional remarks and lies as well as hype and childish accusations is over."



"We have always insisted and stressed that we consider stability and security in all our neighbors as our own stability and security and remain committed to it," the Iranian official added.

Bahrain, home to the US Navy's 5th Fleet and an under-construction British naval base, has witnessed peaceful anti-regime protests against the systematic abuse and discrimination against the country's Shia population since 2011.



Manama has suppressed the demonstrations using lethal force, killing scores of pro-democracy protesters.



Bahraini authorities have also detained human rights campaigners, broken up major opposition political parties and revoked the nationality of several activists.



From time to time, the ruling Al Khalifah regime would parade detainees and accuse them of having links to Iran.



Iran has categorically rejected the allegations, advising Bahraini officials to end the crackdown and address the root causes of the problems gripping the tiny Arab state.
GLICO, a leading insurance service provider has won four (4) awards at the recently held CFO awards.



The categories won were: The Chief Finance Officer of the Year (Insurance); the Chief Finance Officer of the Year (Pensions); Innovation in Insurance and a Special Recognition Award for the Executive Chairman of GLICO GROUP- Dr. Kwame Achampong Kyei, for his outstanding contribution towards the development of insurance in Ghana.



Mr. Victor Owusu-Boakye received the Chief Finance Officer Insurance Category award, Mrs. Belinda Dede Tandoh received the Chief Finance Officer Pensions award, whilst the Group Head Corporate Affairs & Marketing, Nana Efua Rockson received the Insurance innovation and special recognition award for GLICO GROUP.



Receiving the award on behalf of GLICO, Nana Efua Rockson expressed that, We are delighted that our efforts as an organization in bringing insurance to the doorstep of Ghanaians is being honoured. This is a feather in our cap and a challenge to continue to churn out quality and innovative products for our customers.



She also thanked the organizers of the awards, Instinct wave for recognizing the contributions of Dr. Kwame Achampong-Kyei towards the development of insurance in Ghana.



She further relayed the excitement of the Executive Chairman of GLICO GROUP, when he received notification for his special award that, it feels humbling to be awarded for something one has dedicated his entire life for. It is indeed a spur-on to do more as long as God gives me strength.



The annual CFO awards recognizes the accomplishments of senior finance executives and their contribution towards the growth and success of their organizations in the financial industry.



It is worthy to note that GLICO started operations as a life insurance company. Significantly, it has grown into a Group status with six subsidiaries namely: GLICO LIFE, GLICO HEALTHCARE, GLICO PROPERTIES, GLICO CAPITAL, GLICO GENERAL and GLICO PENSIONS, all together providing innovative and quality insurance/ financial products and services for the Ghanaian people.

Source: 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.

Featured Video
Airtel and Tigo, leading providers of mobile telecommunication services in Ghana, today announced the launch of a joint brand that will advance their commitment to providing the best mobile and fixed telephony service and solutions to consumers and businesses.



The talents, technologies and tactical expertise of Airtel and Tigo are now unified as AirtelTigo. At a staff durbar where the new brand identity was revealed, the CEO for the merged business, Roshi Motman, said the joint brand name and identity is a natural progression following extensive customer engagements.



"The combined name brings clarity and simplicity and continues on the brand journey of former Airtel and Tigo. Our new business is a combination of our strengths and positions us perfectly to bring greater value, deeper insights, and bigger and better solutions to all our customers, she said.



In earnest AirtelTigo has started to integrate and harmonise their operations - combining resources and services to deliver greater value to Ghanaians. The first thematic campaign as a joint entity, yabmu, which means weve joined has kicked off and will be rolled out nationwide to engage customers on the commitment of the of the merged business.



Under the bigger theme of One big family, AirtelTigo has already harmonised calls from the former Airtel to Tigo and vice-versa. Calls charges are now treated as though they are one network. Roshi Motman, the CEO of AirtelTigo promised more exciting offers for customers of both networks while they integrate into one network.

Source: 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.

Featured Video
OmniBank has awarded scholarship grant to brilliant but needy student, Samuel Dorkenoo to pursue his academic programme at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.



The beneficiary student Samuel Dorkenoo, 1styear student, KNUST, had early on dropped out of school due to financial constraints and was referred by the Graphic Communication Group when OmniBank made a courtesy call on the print media house.



After further checks on his background and academic records which indicated that he had excelled in the WASSCE results, the company then assisted him in reapplying for admission to Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology where he was given admission to pursue Biological Science. The sponsorship package granted was for the entire duration of his educational programme which includes tuition, accommodation, book allowance and monthly stipend to be paid at the beginning of each academic year.



This initiative is part of OmniBanks Corporate Social Responsibility to support needy but brilliant students. Our firm belief in education is to help alleviate poverty and build a sustainable skilled workforce for the community.



Also, Six (6) other students were also offered scholarship through its Board of Directors assisted trust fund.



Beneficiaries include Mark Kwartei Quartey (Level 300, Nursing), Danso Solomon Danquah (Level 300, Information Technology) and Amponsah Abigail (Level 300, Accounting), all of Pentecost University College and 3 continuing students of Apegusu Senior High School; Charles Mintah, Boadua Gladys Boafo and Belinda Arthur have all also beneficiaries of the OmniBank Foundation Scholarship scheme.



Speaking at a short ceremony to present cheque to the beneficiary students, Corporate Affairs Manager, Yaa Fosuah Gyamfi indicated this years CSR projects have been centered on Education.



"We seek to honour academic excellence, support academic dream of beneficiaries and also contribute to academia.



Our choice of education is influenced strongly by Supporting brilliant but needy young individuals who will make the bigger impact on their families and communities".



OmniBank has benefited immensely from developing people, thus we see this as an extension of our staff development . We hope that our initiative will influence other associations to also support, she added.



The OmniBank Foundation was set up to oversee the management of CSR projects by providing funding and other forms of financial assistance in areas such as Education, Health, Environment, ICT among others.



BoG Minimum Capital Requirement

OmniBank has engaged the services of a transaction advisor to devise strategies that will attract potential investors to help recapitalize the bank.



The move, according to them, is aimed at getting the bank to meet the new minimum capital requirement of GH400 million as demanded of the universal banks in the country by the Bank of Ghana(BoG)



Speaking at a press briefing in Accra on Friday, Managing Director (MD) of OmniBank, Mr Philip Oti-Mensah, explained that the advisor, who was approved by the board of the bank, had obtained two foreign and two local investors who were ready to invest in the bank to help it meet the requirement ahead of the 2018 deadline.

Source: Josephine Acheampomaa/Peacefmonline









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said he would not abandon Christ in all his endeavours as President since it is the power of God that would guide him to accomplish his vision of creating prosperity for all Ghanaians.



He said it was the power of God that propelled him to the presidency and would, therefore, rely on Gods wisdom, understanding and direction to implement pragmatic policies set out by his government to transform the economic fortunes of the country.



The scriptures say give onto Caesar what is Caesars and onto God what is God, but I cannot achieve any meaningful development without Gods intervention and, therefore, I will not abandon Christ as President of Ghana, he stressed.



President Akufo-Addo made these remarks at the Black Star Square in Accra on Sunday, during the Centenary Celebration of the Christ Apostolic Church International (CACI).



The year-long celebration was held on the theme: Hundred Years of Impacting the World through Pentecostalism.



The occasion brought together over 10,000 members of the Church across the world, including India, Italy, Belgium, United Kingdom, USA, South Africa and Nigeria, to acknowledge Gods grace and mercies for sustaining them throughout the turbulent years.



President Akufo-Addo expressed gratitude to all the pastors who encouraged and supported him throughout the campaign period with prayers and asked for their continuous support and prayers in order to accomplish his vision for the nation.



He gave the assurance that his government would root out corruption from the system and implement pragmatic policies that would inure to the benefit of all Ghanaians.



The President noted that Ghana had never been a poor country because it had been endowed with abundant human and natural resources, but it required truthful and God-fearing leaders to utilise them for the wellbeing of the ordinary Ghanaian.



He reiterated his commitment to fulfill his campaign promises to Ghanaians, saying The promises I made to Ghanaians are not lies but genuine promises and I will make sure they are fulfilled.



President Akufo-Addo said his government had started implementing some of the promises already including the Free Senior High School and asked the support of all well-meaning Ghanaians to fulfill the rest in the course of his tenure of office.



The President noted that, every Ghanaian child deserved to be educated since education had become a useful tool in the development of every nation and assured that every Ghanaian child would receive free SHS education so as to advance the cause of national development.



He said the Church had complemented governments development efforts over the years and commended the Christ Apostolic Church International for contributing its quota towards socio-economic development of the nation as well as keeping the faith in Christ alive.



Apostle Dr. Stephen Kwame Amoani, the Chairman of the CACI, on behalf of the Church, presented three brand new ambulances to the Ghana Ambulance Service which would be distributed to Sunyani Government Hospital, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi and 37 Military Hospital in Accra.



Another ambulance which is yet to arrive in the country would be given to the Tamale Hospital in the Northern Region to enhance health delivery.



President Akufo-Addo joined the leadership of the Church to cut an anniversary cake to climax the centenary celebration.



The President spiced the occasion with his majestic dancing moves to the songs from the Church Choir that erupted the celebration grounds, amidst cheers and camaraderie.



The Christ Apostolic Church was founded by Apostle Peter Newman Anim at Asamankese in the Eastern Region in 1917.



The church currently has over 1.5 million members and 5,087 branches across the world.

Source: GNA









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
A top Norwegian private newspaper VG, has claimed that former President John Dramani Mahama is fronting for the controversial Africa Middle East Resources Investment Group LLC (AMERI) in Namibia, although Mr. Mahama has denied the deal.



Mahamas erstwhile National Democratic Congress (NDC) government signed a $520 million deal with AMERI for the supply of 256 mw of electricity in 2015 in the heat of the energy crisis, but it turned out to be a rip-off, with Ghana losing about $150 million to the Dubai-based company.



It has since become a subject of heated debate as to whether or not the contract should be abrogated, and it heightened after Mahamas government was voted out of office in December 2016  when the deal was uncovered.



Mahamas Refusal



According to the award-winning newspaper (VG), the former president had refused to confirm or deny his involvement or otherwise in AMERI in Namibia, which is believed to be owned by Sheikh Ahmed Bin Dalmouk al Maktoum of Dubai, United Arab Emirates.



According to VG, it had followed the story for more than two years.



The report was posted on VGs website: www.vg.no by the newspapers journalists  ROLF J. WIDERE, AMUND BAKKE FOSS and SYNNVE ASEB  on Saturday, November 11, at 09:31 and updated at 15:33 on the same day.



According to the newspaper, former President Mahama travelled to Namibia in July with two representatives of the controversial AMERI Group to discuss energy opportunities.



Ghana Ripped-Off



In 2015, the newspaper revealed that Umar Farooq Zahoor, who is still wanted by Norwegian police for fraud, and a sheikh from Dubai had made an energy deal with the Ghanaian government that included an overcharge of the contract sum by $150 million.



Today VG can reveal that the former Ghanaian president this July entered into a cooperative arrangement with the sheikhs company. John Mahama brought the two men representing the sheikh to Namibia  seeking to clinch possible energy deals with yet another African nation: Namibia, the paper stated.



According to VG, This July, Mahama travelled to the Namibian capital, Windhoek, with employees of the private office of Sheikh Ahmed Bin Dalmouk al Maktoum of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, adding , This company now owns the AMERI Group, also known as the Africa Middle East Resources Investment Group LLC.



AfDBs Advocate



It said, According to Namibian officials, Mahama claimed he was in Windhoek as an advocate for the African Development Bank. At a news conference after Mahamas meeting with Namibian President, Hage Geingob, the former Ghanaian leader appeared with two men professionally based in Dubai.



Until now, it has not been officially known who these men were. But VG can now reveal their identities: One was AMERI Group CEO, Maher Al Alili, who is also CEO of the sheikhs private office. The other was Mustafa Ahmed, who left behind a business card in Namibia embossed with the logo of the sheikhs office.



They both work for the sheikh who signed the controversial AMERI deal together with Umar Farooq Zahoor, who is wanted internationally by Interpol.



The paper recounted the Phillip Addison-led 17-member committee set up by the current Energy Minister, Boakye Agyarko, to look into the AMERI deal.



Namibian Spokespersons Revelation



In an interview with VG at the end of October, Albertous Aochamub, a spokesman for Namibias president, provided new and striking information: Mahama himself set up the meeting in Namibia and arranged for the sheikhs representatives to join him.



A letter requesting an audience with the Namibian president was sent via the Namibian Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation from the office of former President Mahama, as is customary practice, Aocham tells the Norwegian newspaper.



The two gentlemen were said to have been introduced by Mr John Mahama (as working for) the Private Office of Sheikh Ahmed Bin Dalmook al Maktoum. They were introduced as Mr Mustafa Ahmed and Mr Maher Al Alili. The names of the two gentlemen or the name of the company were not mentioned in the letter from former President Mahama.



 Among his delegation were these two gentlemen, as well as the former High Commissioner of Ghana to Namibia, Alhaji A. R. Haruna Attah, Aocham adds, then continues:



 Mahama informed President Geingob that he was in Namibia in his capacity as an AfDB (African Development Bank) advocate for African self-sufficiency in energy and brought UAE representatives to Namibia after they identified the country as one of the most attractive destinations for electricity infrastructure investments.



Since July there has been no further contact between the parties.



One of the men, Mustafa Ahmed, denies to VG that he had a role in the Namibia visit.



I do not work for his highnesses private office, he says.



 So what happened in Namibia?



I advise several groups, not just them, he replies.



Nothing happened in Namibia, so if you want to make a big story, thats up to you?



 But the sheikhs logo and your number appear on the same business card. How do you explain that?



I dont know what you are talking about. I have nothing to hide. I know him. I have advised him and advised him, but I do not work for him. I do not have an official position with him, insists Ahmed.



AMERI Lawsuit



A few days later, the companys CEO, Maher Al Alili, contacted VG and threatened a lawsuit. In 2015 the company had threatened to sue VG for $150 million for its reporting on the controversial electrical power deal between Ghana and AMERI Group.



The company said VG had published false claims about Umar Farooq Zahoor, the man who signed the AMERI agreement and is still wanted internationally.



Who gave you the right to write about Umar? asked Al Alili, on telephone from Dubai.



If there is anything wrong with the story, we have the option of suing you, he says.



The company does not want to be open with information or grant interviews with the media.



Al Alili nevertheless confirmed that he was in Namibia working for the sheikhs office.



He refused to comment on Mahamas ties to the Dubai company.



Youll have to ask Mahama about that, said Al Alili.



Mahamas Aide



For seven weeks VG has tried to make direct contact with Ghanas former president in order to obtain comments. His special advisor, the lawyer Joyce Bawah-Mogtari, confirms that Mahama has received VGs inquiry.



Of course, Mr Mahama sees any request that arrives. I am telling you he is not available, and that I will get back to you if he becomes available, the special advisor told VG in mid-October. VGs many queries have not been well received by the ex-presidents inner circle.



He has no obligation to give you an interview. You cant force Mr Mahama to talk to you. Can you force the King of Norway to give you an interview? she queried.



Umar Farooq



The Ameri Group has repeatedly denied that Umar Farooq Zahoor  the man who signed the controversial energy agreement with Ghana in 2015  is wanted internationally by law enforcement authorities.



That is not the case.



He is still wanted by the police internationally, Norwegian district attorney, Carl Graff Hartmann, confirmed to VG.



We have received a response from the United Arab Emirates stating they will not grant our request for the extradition of Umar Farooq Zahoor, he continued.



That means the UAE has refused to turn over the internationally wanted man, who has a Pakistani passport, to Norway.



Zahoor himself has claimed he no longer works for AMERI Group, though VG has disclosed that he still plays a key role in the sheikhs private office, which owns the company.



This was also confirmed by a PR officer at the sheikhs office.



Yes, he is working there, said Ahmed al Baloushi to VG.



In September, Zahoor travelled to Pakistan with Sheikh Ahmed Bin Dalmouk al Maktoum and CEO Maher Al Alili to further discuss yet another AMERI-related deal with Pakistani company, FWO.

Source: Daily Guide









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Businessman Alfred Agbesi Woyome has filed another application at the Supreme Court clearly scuttling attempts by the state to retrieve the GHC 51.2 million judgement debt wrongly paid to him by the state.



In the latest application, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) financier wants the court to stay execution of all processing leading to the retrieval of the controversial cash.



After an in camera hearing today, it also emerged that Mr. Woyomes application will require the empaneling of five judges to hear the application as filed.



The application is expected to be heard on November 21, 2017.



Excuses



Over the past few weeks, further oral examination of the businessman by the Attorney General appears to have hit a snag because lawyers of Mr. Woyome had prayed the court for more time.



On October 30, Woyomes lawyers had urged the court to give the businessman some time to recover from his ill health.



The request had followed a medical record submitted to the court by Osafo Boaben, lawyer for Mr. Woyome indicating that the businessman is still unwell.



Mr. Woyome was due to appear before the court for further oral examination by the state.



It may be recalled that on October 16, this year, Osafo Boaben again said his client who is in the dock for questioning by the AG is indisposed.



He had submitted an excuse duty from doctors at the Accra Regional Hospital asking that the businessman be granted a two-week health leave.



Ruling



Mr. Woyomes request follows the dismissal of a motion filed by his lawyers challenging the legality of the valuation of his assets by the state.



According to the court the motion as filed was without merit.



In the view of the court, the second order issued on January 6, 2016 to attach the properties of Mr. Woyome was irrelevant because the first one issued on 9 January 2015 had not been used and as such was effective.



The ruling of the court had given the state the go ahead to continue to orally examine the businessman over the cash.



Lawyers of the beleaguered businessman had filed the motion in an attempt to stop the state from continuing with the ongoing valuation processes.



They had argued that the state erred in initiating the valuation processes of the properties belonging to the businessman and National Democratic Congress (NDC) financier.



Mr. Woyome is currently in a fierce legal battle with the state over attempts to recoup into the national kitty the controversial cash.



The state intends to ascertain whether or not he has the means to repay the amount.



Godfred Yeboah-Dame, a Deputy Attorney-General was present in court while Mr. Woyome was absent.



Valuation



Recently, the government began a valuation of Woyomes properties in a quest to retrieve the money wrongfully paid to him.



Some security personnel and officials from the Ghana Valuation Board, were stormed the Trasacco residence of Mr. Woyome to conduct the valuation to build concrete evidence on his ability to pay the debt for his trial.



Embargo



The judge had placed an embargo on the shares owned by the businessman in 11 companies, following his indebtedness to the state. The businesses affected include those in Anator Holding Company Limited, AAW Management Consulting Services Limited, Green Township Security Services Company Limited, Anator Construction Company Limited, Woyome Brothers International Limited and Stewise Anator Company Limited.



The rest are Stewise Shopping Company Limited, Green Townships and Industrial Parks Development Company Limited, Anator Power Company Limited, Green Townships (GH) Company Limited and Special Economic Zone International Trading Company Limited.

Source: The Publisher









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
I am writing to add my voice to three written and published appeals by three well-meaning citizens to His Excellency the President, Nana Akufo Addo to think long before appending his signature to the Major Mahama Trust Bill which Parliament passed on 8th November 2017. (See Major Mahama Bill; good idea gone bad on Ghana Webs features column of 11th November 2017: Lawyer begs Akufo-Addo not to sign Major Mahama Trust Fund into Law, Ghana Webs General News of 11th November 2017; and A Bill Akufo-Addo must not sign into law just yet on Ghana Webs features column of 12th November 2017.)



Mr. President, the Bill that Parliament passed for your signature suffers from several constitutional, legal and policy defects that should have been conditions precedent to its enactment. Portions of the Bill passed by Parliament for your signature are inconsistent with and contravene the 1992 Constitution in several material particulars. It also seriously undermines and puts to naught several provisions of the Armed Forces Act, 1962 (Act 105) as revised, and Regulations made thereunder to compose and regulate the conduct of the Ghana Armed Forces.



Mr. President, the speed with which the Major Mahama Trust Fund Bill was laid on 24th October 2017 and passed by Parliament on 8th November 2017 without citizens being given the chance to make any inputs into its constitutionality and legality ought to be sufficient reason for you, who promised participatory democracy to the electorate, to make haste slowly in signing this Bill. Major Mahama was killed on 29th May 2017 by Ghanaian citizens who at the time could not have known his official identity, let alone his name and tribe. The perpetrators committed a criminal offence for which they must face the consequences under the Constitution and laws of Ghana, which presumes them innocent until proven guilty.



Mr. President, the appeals you are receiving from patriotic citizens (some of whom have been your ardent supporters over the years) is an indication that the Bill was treated as though it were one under a certificate of urgency, without adequate invitation to the public to make inputs to ensure acceptability by the mass of Ghanaians and particularly a substantial portion of the membership of the Ghana Armed Forces when enacted.



Mr. President, Lieutenant-General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka, Captain C. Y. Borkloe, Captain A. K. Avevor and Sergent Osei Grunshie fell during the insurrection of 17th April 1967. They had been preceded by Pte. Adjoba Grunshie; Pte. Lawrence Mensah; Cpl. Lassey Sewoatsri; Sgt. Abudulai Allasan; Pte. Arnold Kwao and Cfn. Daniel Odame who died in the 24th February, 1966 Revolution. These events happened during a military regime but it took the National Liberation Council (NLC) and the Ghana Armed Forces almost three and four years respectively to pass the General Kotoka Trust Act, 1969 (NLCD 339) not for Gen. Kotoka alone but all the gallant men who fell during the two events.



Mr. President, the NLC saw wisdom in allowing the criminal justice system and the Armed Forces Act to exhaust their processes in accordance with the due process of law before acting on the matter.



Mr. President, I know your love and penchant for democracy, the rule of law and due process. My worry, Mr. President, for the Nana Akufo Addo I have known over the years, is why this matter is being rushed through as though it were a matter which cannot wait for the constitutional and legal processes connected with or related to the gruesome killing of the army officer to be exhausted before you decide on enacting the Major Mahama Trust Fund Bill into law.



Mr. President, you have shown by word and deed that Ghana is a constitutional democracy, ruled under laws in accordance with the rule of law and the due process of law. In view of the fact that the victim of the gruesome act turned out to be a commissioned officer of the Ghana Armed Forces one expected that in addition to the Constitutional processes and the criminal laws taking their natural course fairly and impartially, the Armed Forces Act, 1962 (Act 105) as revised would be complied within whatever actions the Government wanted to take in this matter.



Mr. President, the Executive, and Parliament of Ghana through its Defence and Interior Committee has a duty as representatives of the electorate of Ghana under the 1992 Constitution to investigate and disclose to the electorate of Ghana the circumstances under which a fellow citizen, in this case a member of the Ghana Armed Forces, found himself at the time and place he was killed. Why was the officer in that village at that time of the morning alone? Was he on active duty or on a frolic of his own? The answers to these questions will not excuse the lynching of any citizen whether a soldier or a civilian but for a member of the Ghana Armed Forces it is a condition precedent to further actions under Act 105.



Mr. President, is it true that Major Mahama was repatriated from Lebanon on Ghanabatt 82 in 2015 for driving into what seemed like a no-go area that was under the control of Hezbollah elements and was consequently repatriated on the last chalk 4? Mr. President, this question is important for those who are questioning the lone mission he was on in the village at the time of his killing. The records are to the best of my knowledge at the IPO at Burma Camp and you as Commander-in-Chief should have been briefed by now. This is public knowledge in Burma Camp!



Mr. President, on 30th May 2017 the Minister of Defence was reported by Joy FM to have promised Ghanaians a thorough investigation into the killing of the army officer which he described as weird. On 2nd June 2017 Class FM reported that the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Lieutenant General Obed Akwa promised Ghanaians that: investigations will be conducted into why Captain Maxwell Mahama, was jogging alone at the time he was attacked. Mr. President, the CDS was reacting to very pertinent military issues raised by Major Osahene Boakye-Djan (rtd).



Mr. President, you know that under the Armed Forces Act, 1962 the death of the army officer would of necessity have to be investigated and the people of Ghana are entitled to the results of that investigation. Ghanaians are not aware that this has been done. The Minister of Defence who promised an investigation has also not made available to the electorate any results of any investigations. What was his authority under Act 105 for presenting the Bill to Parliament under his signature as the Minister of Defence as though he was acting under the Armed Forces Act for and on behalf of the Ghana Armed forces?



Mr. President, the Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Interior which has a constitutional duty to investigate this matter on behalf of the electorate has taken no such steps to the best of my knowledge to do so. Yet when four United States of America soldiers were killed in active service in Niger a few days ago Sen. John McCain, the chairman of the Senate Armed Forces Committee threatened to issue a subpoena to the Executive for more information. He was reported in the following terms: the White House was not being up front about the Niger Ambush, and he said he would like the information his committee deserves and needs.



Mr. President, in Ghana, Parliament on the contrary has rather presented you with a Bill to sign into law in which the Chairman of the Defence and Interior Committee and his Ranking member are to be trustees of the fund with financial benefits even before they could undertake their constitutional duties to the people of Ghana under the 1992 Constitution. Could this be an incentive to kill any parliamentary investigations?



I have been away since 3rd November 2017 to my village where electricity and network is a scarce commodity that is why I am trying to get this appeal to you so belatedly through the media before the budget overtakes the pertinent issues I have raised herein tomorrow.



Mr. President, there is a tendency on the part of many politicians and political appointees to over please every sitting President in whatever he says. Your wishes when you state them ought to be implemented in accordance with the due process of law where feasible. I sincerely do not think the Bill presented to you for signature meets constitutionality and due process of law. That is why I urge you to think long before you sign it.



Martin A. B. K. Amidu



(Citizens Vigilance for Justice  CIVIG-JUSTICE)



13th November 2017

Source: 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.

Featured Video
The Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Ade Coker, has told Ghanas High Commissioner to South Africa George Ayisi-Boateng to resign by Monday November 6th over his comments that members of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) were his topmost priority.



Mr Ayisi-Boateng retracted and apologised for the comments 72 hours after his statement was widely condemned by civil society organisations, the Minority and a section of the populace who were calling for his dismissal.



But Mr Coker said the apology was not enough and that he should resign.



He said if Mr Ayis-Boateng doesn't resign then he should be sacked by the president, otherwise the comment will be considered as the position of the NPP



Commenting on this matter on TV3 Saturday November 4, he said : I think the apology was an afterthought, I think the president at this moment must really look into this



It is up to the president to decide but for me an apology is not enough. He should resign by Monday.







Source: classfmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
The Minority in Parliament has alleged that members of the New Patriotic Party are intimidating members of the opposition National Democratic Congress from seeking for jobs.



His comments come after several members of the NDC who worked in some government facilities were hounded out of their offices by vigilante groups affiliated to the governing NPP.



Addressing the media during a roundtable discussion on the 2018 budget, a former deputy finance minister Casiel Ato Forson called on the Akufo-Addo led government to be fair to its members since their members also pay taxes.



The NPP should remember that members of the NDC pay taxes and so they should stop intimidating our members from applying for jobs, Ato Forson said.



Mr. Ato Forson also stated that the 2018 Budget which will be read by the Finance Minister Ken Ofori Atta to Parliament on Wednesday, November 15 2017, must address the rising unemployment in the country.



We expect that the 2018 budget will signal how the govt will address the growing unemployment in this country Ghanaians are expecting the 2018 budget to address the issues of unemployment, Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu when he had his turn at the roundtable discussion.



We believe that the 2018 budget wont create jobs. How can you create jobs when commercial banks are in a big distress? The local banks dont have the liquidity to lend to the private sector to create jobs.



The budget deficit in IMFs article four is projected to be 3.8%, so ladies and gentlemen, next year, let us be assured that there is going to be there will be severe austerity and hardships equivalent to 1983, Mr. Ato Forson added.

Source: starrfmonline.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.

Featured Video
A South Korean army soldier, second from left, is seen as medical members treat an unidentified injured person, believed to be a North Korean soldier, at a hospital in Suwon, South Korea, Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. North Korean soldiers shot at and wounded a fellow soldier who was crossing a jointly controlled area at the heavily guarded border to defect to South Korea on Monday, the South's military said. (Hong Ki-won/Yonhap via AP)
People walk next to a destroyed house after an earthquake at the city of Darbandikhan, northern Iraq, Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. A powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake near the Iraq-Iran border has killed over 350 people across both countries, sent residents fleeing their homes into the night and was felt as far away as the Mediterranean coast. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)
FILE - In this Oct. 27, 2017, file photo, Russian state-owned television station RT logo is seen at the window of the company's office in Moscow, Russia. Russian state-funded TV channel RT has registered with the Justice Department as a foreign agent after pressure from the U.S. government, documents released Nov. 13, 2017, show. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin, File)
Daniel Acker/Bloomberg U.S. producers object to 20% import tariffs imposed by Brazil. Protest comes month after Trump intervened to support industry By Mario Parker and Fabiana Batista

The U.S. biofuels industry, fresh off a win against Big Oil, is lining up for a fight with Brazil.

American ethanol producers said Thursday in a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer that they're seeking Brazil's suspension from a trade program allowing duty-free imports into the U.S. The move follows Brazil's decision in August to slap a 20 percent tariff on ethanol shipments from the U.S. that exceed a 600 million-liter (158 million-gallon) annual quota.

The U.S. ethanol lobby was buoyed last month by President Donald Trump's instruction to Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt to support the Renewable Fuel Standard, a law mandating the use of fuels such as corn-based ethanol and soy-based biodiesel. Trump's personal intervention came despite the objections of oil refiners.

The spat with Brazil also comes as the White House pursues a protectionist agenda in dealing with international trade. On Thursday, the Commerce Department set import duties on biodiesel from Indonesia and Argentina after U.S. producers said they were harmed by unfair state subsidies given to competitors in those countries.

The letter to Lighthizer was signed by three industry groups: The Renewable Fuels Association, Growth Energy and the U.S. Grains Council. Ethanol in the U.S. is made from corn, making the industry an important part of the farm lobby. Trump visited ethanol plants in Iowa during his presidential campaign and told the state's voters he would stand by the biofuel if he was elected.

It is fair to say that President Donald Trump's administration has been actively and constructively engaged in every step of the way of this process, Bob Dinneen, president of the Renewable Fuels Association, said Friday in a telephone interview.

Eligible Trade

Dinneen said the government has already signaled to Brazil there will be consequences for imposing the tariff. American ethanol exports to the country dropped 54 percent in August from January levels, data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration show.

No one at the U.S. Trade Representative or the Brazilian government immediately responded to requests for comment.

The ethanol groups are threatening to petition for Brazil's suspension designated country status under the Generalized System of Preferences trade program, which allows duty-free imports to promote economic growth in other countries. Brazil is the third-largest beneficiary under the program, with $2.2 billion of eligible trade in 2016, the groups said in their letter. Brazil's tariff violates the spirit" of the program, they said.

Brazil didn't violate World Trade Organization rules, Eduardo Leao, executive director of Unica, a sugar and ethanol industry group, said in an interview Friday. The tariff is being levied only on the amount of ethanol that exceeds 600 million liters, which is the average amount of imports in the three years through 2016.

"We made a courtesy to the Americans in taxing only what exceeds the quota." Leao said.
District Attorney Stacy Parks Miller talks to the media outside the Centre County Courthouse in Bellefonte, Pa. in August 2017. Read more

Prosecutors on Monday charged 12 more Pennsylvania State University fraternity members in connection with fraternity pledge Tim Piazza's hazing death, after recovering footage they say had been deleted from a frat house security camera.

In addition, Centre County District Attorney Stacy Parks Miller accused one member of the now-defunct Beta Theta Pi fraternity  Braxton Becker, 20, of Niskayuna, N.Y.  of deleting the video in an attempt to stifle the investigation.

The charges  felony counts against five new defendants and misdemeanors against seven others  significantly broadened what was already one of the largest hazing prosecutions in the nation's history and drew renewed attention to Piazza's Feb. 4 death after a booze-fueled fraternity initiation ritual.

But swift condemnation from fraternity members and their supporters only highlighted troubles that have plagued the case in recent months.

In September, a magistrate judge threw out many of the most serious charges, saying prosecutors did not have enough evidence to support them. Parks Miller, who recently lost a re-election bid and is due to leave office in January, vowed to fight the ruling and refiled the case last month with a request for a new judge.

"I'm perplexed by her approach," said Bill Brennan, lawyer for Joseph Ems, one of the fraternity members added to the case on Monday. "She is a lame duck with legal problems of her own."

A total of 26 students now stand accused of crimes ranging from providing alcohol to minors to involuntary manslaughter.

Ems, 21, of Philadelphia and Becker were among four fraternity members who were previously charged but saw the case against them collapse when the judge, Allen Sinclair, ruled after a preliminary hearing that spanned eight days over three months. Both found themselves back in legal jeopardy as a result of the newly recovered video footage.

At a news conference Monday in Bellefonte, Parks Miller said investigators knew from Becker's text messages that he had deleted security system tapes from the basement camera after Piazza's death but that FBI analysts were only recently able to recover it from the hard drive on which it had been stored.

Authorities now believe that Becker wiped the tape right in front of a State College police detective who was sent Feb. 6 to retrieve it.

"We know exactly what time it was deleted," the prosecutor said. "It was while police were in the house."

The basement footage, she said, showed more fraternity members than were previously known participated in a marathon drinking session, known as The Gauntlet, that was meant to welcome new pledges to the fraternity.

The tape depicted Piazza shotgunning drinks during a beer pong game, where members handed the 19-year-old engineering student from New Jersey can after can to chug.

"Every drink consumed was provided to him by a fraternity brother," Parks Miller said. "Based on the video, Tim Piazza was furnished with at least 18 drinks in 1 hour and 22 minutes."

Footage obtained from elsewhere in the fraternity house earlier this year helped Parks Miller build the grand jury case and chronicled the harrowing last hours as Pizza drunkenly stumbled into walls, passed out for hours and repeatedly fell down a flight of basement stairs. All the while, the footage shows, other fraternity members either ignored or jokingly beat and slapped Piazza  with none calling for help until late the next morning.

Piazza died two days later of a head injury, a ruptured spleen and a collapsed lung.

As the district attorney described the drinking marathon and aftermath, Piazza's parents stood by shaking their heads. His father, James Piazza, said the fraternity members who did nothing while his son repeatedly injured himself in a drunken haze deserved to be punished.

"Hazing is illegal and justice needs to be served," he said. "It's time to man up, fellas, and face accountability for your actions."

Those charged Monday with the most serious offenses  involuntary manslaughter and aggravated assault  are: Joshua Kurczewski, 19, of Erie; Ryan Burke, 21, of Scranton; Jonathan Kanzler, 19, of Coopersburg; Bohan Song, of Wayne, Pa.; and Aiden O'Brien, whose age and hometown were not available Monday.

In addition to Ems and Becker, the new students facing misdemeanor counts include Brian Gelb, Patrick Jackson, Reggie Goeke, Mike Fernandez and Donald Prior.

It was not immediately clear whether any of those charged Monday had retained lawyers. All are due in court for arraignments Nov. 28.
Piles of money in Pa. politics dont help a poorly performing state. Read more

(This is first in a series of weekly columns, each dealing with one aspect of state politics and government that, if changed, could make Pennsylvania better.)

Few connect the dots.

Few appreciate links between the underpinnings of Pennsylvania politics and government, and routinely disappointing results from both.

Why, for example, can't budgets get done on time, or well?

Why does the state rank 45th in fiscal health, per recent data from George Mason University?

Why does U.S. News & World Report, using metrics such as health care, infrastructure, and integrity of state government, put us 30th among states, lowest of any northeastern state?

And why are we nationally known for corruption?

I'd argue it's because the framework of our politics  long in place and never improved  is flawed and weak, all but assuring poor performance.

This column looks at just one part of that framework: our campaign-finance laws.

They're bad. Among the nation's worst.

We're one of only 11 states (the only northeastern state) with no limits on contributions for state office or state judge.

Oh, there's language saying corporations and unions can't contribute to candidates. But their officers, members, and PACs pour money into the process.

In just three years  2014, 2015, 2016  state House, Senate, row office, judicial, and gubernatorial candidates got $267 million in contributions.

The National Institute on Money in State Politics says that tops all but three states: Illinois, California, and Texas  each more populated than Pennsylvania  and it's much more than any neighboring state, including New York.

The bulk comes from special interests: unions, business, lawyers, lobbyists. It's a constant flow to candidates in both parties and various campaign committees.

Last month, as reported by the Caucus, a weekly covering state issues, there were 13 fund-raisers in Harrisburg over just three days. Among them, a reception for Sen. Tony Williams (D., Phila.), priced at $500 to $2,500 and a luncheon for Senate Appropriations Chairman Pat Browne (R., Lehigh), for $1,000.

Who do you think paid?

During the same period, an event at Philadelphia's Union League for Republican court candidates was headlined by state Supreme Court Chief Justice Tom Saylor, who won a Nov. 7 retention election. It was priced at $2,500 to $10,000.

Think anyone with court business attended?

Campaign funds, due to our lax laws, can be used for virtually anything so long as somebody claims their use was "to influence an election."

There's no doubt they do that. There's no doubt they also influence policy.

The Inquirer and Daily News recently reported the natural gas-drilling industry spent $60 million-plus since 2010 to make sure Pennsylvania remains the lone major gas-producing state without a severance tax. It does.

The unfettered nature of campaign giving provides a louder voice to those who give, thereby diminishing democracy. And competition.

Limitless money, especially for incumbents, skews elections. In 2016, with all 203 House seats and 25 of 50 Senate seats up, half the "contests" offered no choice. They featured only one candidate.

Money isn't the only factor killing competition and creating near-bulletproof incumbents (others will be addressed in upcoming columns). But it's key.

"Caps on contributions and especially public financing can give those seeking public office the ability to run competitive campaigns," says national Common Cause VP for policy and litigation, Paul S. Ryan. "And since the greatest corruption threat is money handed directly to candidates, caps reduce the threat of corruption."

There's always legislation to cap contributions, make them more transparent, or create public financing, which 13 states have in some form. Such bills always die. The state's political class gains too much from the current system.

And, yes, the 2010 U.S. Supreme Court case, Citizens United, opened floodgates for funding campaigns. But 39 states and the federal government limit contributions. Pennsylvania should follow their lead.

Voters weary of watching politics and policy determined by high bidders should press lawmakers and 2018 candidates on campaign-finance reform.

We're "the cradle of American democracy." The cradle could use some rocking.
Even the biggest Hollywood stars need some time off. And for Samuel L. Jackson last weekend, that meant a trip to the circus.

Jackson attended Cirque du Soleil's Varekai at Allentown's PPL Center on Friday. He was given a backstage VIP tour afterward during which he had his photo taken with the performers.

Jackson was in Allentown shooting the Spit/Unbreakable sequel Glass with director M. Night Shyamalan. The film started shooting early last month in Philadelphia, also bringing stars Bruce Willis and Sarah Paulson to the area.

In the film, Jackson reprises his Unbreakable role as gallery owner Elijah Price, also known as the evil Mr. Glass. According to a synopsis, Glass will follow Willis' Unbreakable character David Dunn as he pursues Kevin Wendell Crumb, the villain from Split, played by James McAvoy. Mr. Glass "holds secrets critical to both men."

Over the weekend, however, Jackson appeared to have been focused mainly on the circus. Launched in 2002, Varekai retells the Greek myth of Icarus. It will be in Philadelphia Nov. 22 to 26 at the Liacouras Center.

Glass is scheduled for a Jan. 18, 2019, release.
Kevin Bacon at the "I Love Dick" Premiere on April 20, 2017 at the Linwood Dunn Theater in Los Angeles, Calif. Read more

Philadelphia's Kevin Bacon is headed back to the FBI in a new Showtime pilot whose producers include Matt Damon and Ben Affleck.

Bacon, who played a former special agent in Fox's The Following (and, more recently, the title character in Amazon's streaming series I Love Dick), will star with Aldis Hodge (Underground) as a "corrupt yet venerated FBI veteran" in the one-hour pilot City on a Hill.

The crime drama, a fictionalized story of the 1990s gun-violence reduction program that came to be known as the "Boston Miracle," will feature Hodge as the district attorney who "forms an unlikely alliance" with Bacon's character, according to Showtime.

Read more: Kyra Sedgwick directs husband Kevin Bacon, their daughter in Lifetime movie

Production on the pilot, which Showtime said comes from an idea from Affleck and writer and fellow executive producer Chuck MacLean (Boston Strangler), is expected to begin in Boston later this year. Bacon's a co-executive producer on the project.

"Kevin Bacon radiates intelligence and mystery with every role he plays," said Showtime president David Nevins in a prepared statement in which he called Bacon "a gifted, mesmerizing actor who will be the perfect partner and foil to Aldis Hodge, one of Hollywood's rising talents and someone primed to stand at the center of this powerful drama."
Downed power lines and debris in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico, in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. Read more

More big storms. More life-threatening heat waves. More flooding along the coasts. It's a familiar litany of horrors to anyone who knows about climate change.

But if any two of those events happen in rapid succession, the even more frightening result is what scientists call "compound extremes." The most recent example came in early September when Hurricane Irma gave Puerto Rico a glancing blow, followed two weeks later by the even more devastating Hurricane Maria.

Get ready for more of the same, some scientists warn.

Deep within the Climate Science Special Report released last week by 13 federal agencies is a chapter on what it calls "potential surprises" as the planet continues to warm and seas continue to rise. The chapter was cowritten by Robert Kopp, a Rutgers University professor. The report surprised many in how thorough and frank it is given the Trump administration's suspicion of climate science.

"I would say the report ended up being perhaps more extensive than the original target," said Kopp, who directs Rutgers' Institute of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences.

The report by the U.S. Global Change Research Program is a topic-by-topic takedown of climate denial, painstakingly outlined by the 51 scientists involved in the 18-month project.

Compound Extremes

Simultaneous heat and drought that produce wildfires, flooding associated with rain on top of snow, successive hurricanes  all of these "compound extremes" multiply the damage of single events, Kopp said.

Data show that the occurrence of warm-dry and warm-wet conditions that can give rise to compound extremes has increased since the 1950s.

Another way compound extremes could have a big impact would be major simultaneous droughts in different agricultural regions that could "challenge the ability of human systems" to provide food, especially in poorer regions, the report says. What's more, these compound events are harder to forecast. In fact, events could combine to create new patterns that take forecasters by surprise because they have not yet been observed in historical records, or because they haven't been predicted in simulations.

Hurricane Sandy's "compound extreme" came when rising sea levels, higher than normal ocean temperatures, and high tides combined. All those factors strengthened both the storm, and the magnitude of its storm surge.

At the same time, reduced sea ice in Greenland caused an atmospheric feature that blocked Sandy, directing it inland, making the damage even worse.

Tipping points

The Arctic Ocean is covered by ice in the summer and has decreased in recent decades. But if the ice is completely melted, it would mark a tipping point that could produce big changes in regional temperature and precipitation.

Further, vast amounts of carbon are locked in the Arctic permafrost and methane is locked in sediment in the continental shelves of the Arctic Ocean. Thawing can release the greenhouse gases with the combined potential to "significantly amplify both local and global warming"  even if humans stopped producing fossil fuel emissions altogether.

Scientists are watching another potential tipping point in ocean circulation that may be the reason for the "warming hole" observed in the North Atlantic. Long term, this phenomenon could accelerate global warming, while paradoxically cooling some parts of the United States.

In the Pacific, climate model experiments suggest another tipping point as warming triggers more and stronger El Nino and La Nina events, producing more extreme weather events in different parts of the country  at the same time.

Another potential tipping point: If the Amazon rain forest mostly converts to grasslands, it could lead to a huge increase in carbon dioxide, which can lead to even more warming.

"These multiple extreme events will have compound effects," Kopp says, "with the effects adding up to more than just the sum of their parts."
An off-duty Denver police officer shot an alleged intruder Friday afternoon after the suspect broke into the officers Littleton, CO, home. The suspected intruder was taken to a hospital but was declared dead a few hours later.

The off-duty police officer was asleep in the basement of his home and awoke to someone breaking in, the Denver Post reports. The officer reportedly shot the suspect from the base of the stairs.
A Utah jury has rejected a claim in a lawsuit that a Morgan County Sheriffs sergeant used excessive force when he shot a woman in the left eye at the end of a 2012 police chase.

After deliberating for about an hour at the conclusion of a five-day trial in Farmingtons 2nd District Court, jurors returned a unanimous verdict on Oct. 27 that found Sgt. Daniel Peay did not violate the constitutional rights of Kristine Biggs Johnson.

Johnson  who was a Colorado resident at the time of the shooting and now lives in California  was drunk on Nov. 24, 2012, and would not pull over when a Morgan County sheriffs deputy tried to stop her for having a broken headlight, according to court records. She fled, setting off a 40-mile chase into Davis County and at times driving up to 90 mph on Interstate 84.

The 30-minute chase continued even after Johnson  who drove over spikes set up by officers that ripped off three tires on her pickup truck  ended on a road near South Weber. Blocked in by police vehicles, Johnson made a U-turn and struck two cruisers, according to court records.

Dashcam video shows Daniel Peay getting out of his cruiser and approaching Johnsons truck as she tries to back out of the cluster of cars. Then, as the truck pulls forward a few yards and hits one of the cruisers, Peay fires a single shot through the pickups windshield.

Sergeant Peays attorney Julia Kyte told the Salt Lake City Tribune Peay had three seconds to make his decision to fire and pulled the trigger because Johnson was driving toward Christian Peay and the sergeant believed his brother was in imminent danger of being run over, pinned or crushed.
Primary thermal targeting systems like the Armasight by FLIR Zeus Pro mount quickly to bolt-action rifles with a factory rail. Short Picatinny rails are readily available for most modern bolt guns if yours didnt come with one.

After the seemingly endless administrative gymnastics of research, justification, documentation and a bit of strategic grousing, that long-dreamed-of thermal sight has finally arrived.

The first order of business is getting that sight firmly affixed to the top of your rifle, but because thermal sights are still relatively new outside of the armed forces, there arent many people available to help set up your new gear. Read on and well try to close that knowledge gap, so you better understand the mounting options available to you. With a bit of thought and planning, youll soon be outside and sending rounds downrange.

Mounting a thermal weapon site like FLIRs new ThermoSight Pro PTS233 as the primary targeting device is an easy proposition for any firearm with a standard Weaver or Picatinny (MIL-STD-1913) rail. Simply attach the sight to the top of the rail, check for proper torque of all fasteners, correct eye relief, and then head to the range.

Most thermal sights utilize a quick-detachable mounting system that is designed to interface with either a standard Weaver or Picatinny (MIL-STD-1913) rail. The incorporation of a quick-detach base allows flexibility in mission planning, as your new investment could be used as a handheld thermal imager in addition to its primary role as a weapon sight. A rail mount is the way to go if you want such ability.

There are two main types of thermal weapon sights: primary, standalone targeting devices, and forward-mounted thermal imagers intended to augment existing day sights.

Primary thermal imaging optics will have an electronically adjustable reticle in the image field, just like a standard telescopic sight, though most incorporate a variety of user-selectable indicators ranging from standard crosshairs to Mil-Dot and ranging types. Forward-mount thermal sights may not have a reticle. If they do, it is usually switched off, as not to conflict with the shooters perception of the daytime optic.

Add-on thermal imagers like Armasight by FLIRs Apollo Pro require real estate in front of the primary optic. This is not a concern for most AR platforms and MSRs, many of which come equipped with a long rail. It is a simple matter for an armorer to install an aftermarket full-rail fore-end if your rifle isnt so equipped.

While primary thermal targeting systems are highly accurate, there is potential for a point-of-impact shift anytime the optic is moved on and off a weapon. With a well-made mount this error is nearly imperceptible, especially in close to medium-range engagements, but in tactical missions, any potential shift raises concern for the precision marksman.

There is no such concern with a forward-mount thermal imager. Since these utilize the reticle in the daytime optic for aiming, there is no change in the point of impact when introducing the thermal imager into the visual chain. Of course, each weapon system is different and needs to be tested extensively prior to critical use. For the most part, however, a forward-mount thermal imager is a simple matter of use it when you need it.

Either type of system can be permanently mounted on the weapon to remove any doubt and leverage the 24/7 benefits of thermal imaging, so weigh the pros and cons of fast detachment versus more permanent solutions before moving forward.

This rifle is equipped with an integral rail on the barrel. If yours doesnt have one, a gunsmith can add a second short rail to your bolt-action rifle to facilitate easy-on-and-off of a forward-mounted thermal device.

There are three primary ways to mount a thermal weapon sight. The first is by utilizing the stock rail on the weapon. The most commonly seen example is a flat-top AR-style rifle. You simply attach the sight to the top of the weapon, check for proper torque of all fasteners, correct eye relief, and then head to the range.

Many other weapons systems can utilize a rail, including bolt guns. There are several after-market manufacturers who build bolt-on long rails for popular bolt-action rifles. If you cant find a bolt-on replacement for your particular gun, you can always employ the services of your friendly neighborhood gunsmith.

Forward-mount sights can be a little more challenging because rail mounting requires real estate in front of the objective lens of the primary scope. An AR-platform rifle is perfect if it has a fore-end that incorporates a full-length rail; such rifles are available from many major manufacturers. It is also a simple matter for an armorer to install an aftermarket full-rail fore-end.

FLIRs FSRS (Front Scope Rail System) mounts on an existing rail and provides scope rings plus an extended rail forward of the day optic. This is a great DIY solution for adding a forward-mounted thermal imager, especially for hog and predator bolt guns.

Bolt guns can also have a longer rail installed to accommodate a forward-mount thermal imager, but many users opt for a separate, smaller forward rail on the barrel. Its also possible to install a mount that attaches to the stock fore-end and skirts the barrel without touching it. Any of these types of installations require the services of a qualified gunsmith.

A DIY option is to go with a proprietary forward-mount like the FSRS (Front Scope Rail System) from Armasight by FLIR. This mounts on an existing rail and provides scope rings plus an extended rail forward of the day optic. These are simple, well-engineered solutions and can work well if your weapon already has a short rail. Couplers are also available that are designed to attach a forward-mounted thermal imager directly to the objective ring of the daytime scope.

Certain thermal add-on devices can simply be coupled directly to the objective ring of the primary optic.

Thermal imaging technology is quickly being adopted by civilian law enforcement agencies because of the literal sixth sense it provides. Thermal scopes like those in FLIRs new ThermoSight Pro Series epitomize thermal technology and excel as a primary weapon sight because they perform in any lighting conditions. Meanwhile, clip-ons add powerful thermal capability to virtually any platform employing a daytime optic. Mounting these optics is a simple matter and shouldnt stop any shooter from experiencing their benefits.
Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Email

Print

Kellyanne Conway was trying to distance herself from Roy Moore when she made the blanket statement that anyone who has mistreated a woman or a girl should resign from office, which means that she just called for Trump to resign.

Video:

Conway said, Let me say it one last time, the conduct as described is not just offensive and disgusting, it disqualifies anyone who has done it from holding public office. So let me go a little step farther if theres anyone currently in public office who has behaved that way to any girl or any woman, maybe they should step aside, because, in a country of 330 million people, we ought to be able to do better than this.

If Conway really believes that anyone currently in public office should step down for sexually assaulting women, then she just called for President Access Hollywood Tape to resign. Conway was trying to distance the White House from Roy Moore, but she actually did was make it the official White House position that Donald Trump should resign.

No one is really sure what it is that Kellyanne Conway does in the White House outside of lie for Trump on television and ride on private jets at the taxpayers expense, but it is a safe bet that she was not supposed to go on national television and boldly state criteria that would require Trump to resign.

Kellyanne Conway has always gotten too much credit with some people for how she handles the media. Conway isnt a great media person. She is a lie machine who sometimes lets the lies get ahead of her brain.

His own senior White House adviser agrees that due to the way he has behaved toward women, Donald Trump should resign.
Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Email

Print

The party of family values has fallen on hard times. The Republican Party as we know it has been transformed into the worst representation of government in our modern history. Led by a moral abomination, Donald Trump, the GOP has molded itself in the image of its inept leader and become fodder for late night comedy, resignations, impeachment and federal prison.

From the buffoonery of Donald Trump to the accusations of pedophilia against Alabama Judge Roy Moore, conservative politics are imploding, and everyone seems to understand that, except those in the middle of the meltdown. Denials, delusions, and lies are the new normal for the GOP as American citizens realize that the grand old party isnt so grand anymore.

Roy Moore and his Alabama contingent have proven themselves to be tone deaf, insensitive and tragically stupid. Take the case of Alabama GOP State Rep. Ed Henry, who dared to say that the purported victims of Roy Moore should be prosecuted for not coming forward sooner with their accusations. Sexual abuse is at the forefront of the American consciousness, following the fallout from the Bill Cosby and Harvey Weinstein revelations, among others that seem to emerge every day. Women are displaying immense courage and fortitude to break their silence and should be encouraged to tell their truths not vilified.

Then theres Republican National Committeeman, Paul Reynolds, who incredibly opined that if he had to choose who to place his welfare in, The Washington Post  who reported the Roy Moore story  or Putin, hed choose Putin every time. Consider that for a moment. A representative of our government, went on record saying he trusted a foreign adversary that has been proven to interfere with our democratic elections, who has journalists murdered, over a member of American media. This madness was offered as our resident Moron in Chief and his illicit underlings, are being investigated for colluding with Russia. Is that coincidental, ironic or full-fledged lunacy?

If that bit of brilliance doesnt make your blood boil, contemplate what may be the coup de grace, offered by Alabama state auditor, Jim Ziegler, who delved into the realm of religious insanity, by first comparing Moores alleged courtship of a 14 year old girl, to the biblical relationship between Joseph and Mary. Just to make his position clear, Ziegler doubled down on his idiocy by insisting there was nothing immoral or illegal about a 32-year-old man seducing a teenager. Evangelicals all across the state of Alabama echo his sick sentiment. Its these same evangelicals who have empowered Donald Trump and continue to support his presidency after he conned them into believing he was a man of faith.

Led by cowardly Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell the GOP is also trying to get a tax plan approved, that theyve gone out their way to mislead American citizens about. McConnell was caught lying about tax relief for the middle class and Republicans have tried to include a repeal of the ACA under the radar. Lying and deceit have become the most prevalent calling card of the party.

Trump nominated Brett Talley for a federal judgeship, in spite of the fact that Talley has never even tried a case in court as a lawyer. You read that right. Hes never tried a case. Never filed a motion. He passed a Senate vote 11-9. Guess who holds the majority seats in the Senate? The GOP of course. Sensing a pattern yet? Talley is also a staunch supporter of the NRA, so much so that he characterized the Obama administrations call for background checks for prospective gun owners and proposed limitations on rapid-fire weapons as the greatest attack on our constitutional freedoms in our lifetime. Federal judges are appointed for life. How can anyone be comfortable with Donald Trump  dumb as the day is long Donald Trump that is  populating our justice system with his hand-picked judges? He isnt remotely qualified to do so, as evidenced by the numerous firings, resignations and significantly substandard results of his cabinet and staff.

The Lying King himself, under investigation by Special Counsel Robert Mueller  regardless of his denials and obliviousness- is poised to go down in history not merely as the most corrupt, poisonous and boneheaded president but also potentially as a foreign compromised treasonous snake. He may very well be the first president fitted for a prison jumpsuit along with his son Donald Jr and son-in-law Jared Kushner.

Donald Trump is a traitor to all things American. He has come right out and said on Veterans Day no less, that he believes the word of former KGB killer Vladimir Putin, over the universal findings of U.S. intelligence. He says this with a straight face, even as indictments are being handed down by Robert Mueller. Donald Trump is an absolute disgrace to this country and has been long before he took office. Resignation or impeachment will not be enough punishment for his treason. Donald Trump belongs in a prison cell along with other members of his dimwitted crime family.

Trump ignores Radical Christian Extremists while praising bigots as fine people. Demands to put gun reform on the table are met with claims of too soon while he waits about 15 seconds to call our Federal court system a joke when prosecuting terrorists. He insults the families of fallen soldiers, ignores social issues, calls for police brutality and assails the media. Donald Trump is a cancer.

Trump and the GOP are protected by Fox News, who deemed the recent democratic takeover election results as unworthy of report. Fox disgustingly promotes debunked conspiracy theories, floated by Trump and distort the facts of his presidency. We have to ask ourselves if Republicans are beginning to believe the propaganda that Fox distributes to the public because they seemingly have no grasp on reality and their public perception.

As each day goes by the GOP shovels another pound of dirt into their political grave while peeling back every layer of their deceptive practices. They are led by and follow in the footsteps of lunatic who has no respect or understanding of democracy. Donald Trump is leading the Republican Party to slaughter and as Tuesdays elections demonstrated, America is more than happy to aim our own weapons of mass destruction, our votes, directly at the heart of the GOP. #RESIST
Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Email

Print

A new allegation was made against Alabama Republican congressional candidate Roy Moore on Monday.

Beverly Nelson alleged that Republican Senate nominee Roy Moore brutally sexually assaulted her when she was 16 years old.

Nelson, a self-described supporter of Donald Trump, read a jarring statement to reporters during a news conference in New York with her attorney Gloria Allred.

Mr. Moore began groping me, putting his hands on my breasts. I tried fighting him off, while yelling at him to stop, but instead of stopping he began squeezing my neck attempting to force my head into his crotch. I continued to struggle, Nelson began.

Watch here:

"He said 'You're just a child.' And he said, 'I am the District Attorney of Etowah County. And if you tell anyone about this, no one will ever believe you," accuser Beverly Young-Nelson says Roy Moore told her after the alleged sexual assault. (via CBS) pic.twitter.com/3GZNQqIO0A  Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) November 13, 2017

Nelson said Moore groped her in his car after offering her a ride home and tried to force her to perform oral sex on him while she was crying and fighting him off.

Instead of driving her home, Nelson says Moore parked in a lot behind the restaurant and began assaulting her. He squeezed her neck as she fought him. She says when he finally gave up, he told her that no one would believe her if she told them what he had done. He then drove off, leaving her on the concrete in the dark.

I was determined that I was not going to allow him to force me to have sex with him. I was terrified. He was also trying to pull my shirt off. I thought that he was going to rape me. I was twisting and struggling and begging him to stop. I had tears running down my face.

Beverly Young Nelson alleges Roy Moore began squeezing my neck attempting to force my head into his crotch. She was 16. pic.twitter.com/dForLnaVnp  Alex Silverman (@AlexSilverman) November 13, 2017

My husband and I supported Donald J. Trump for President. This has nothing to do with the Republican Party or the Democratic Party, Nelson said. It has everything to do with Mr. Moores assault on me when I was a teenager.

Allred called on the Senate Judiciary Committee to subpoena Moore.

Nelson had a school yearbook with a creepy note signed by Roy Moore to back up her claim.

Roy Moore might think hes not leaving the Alabama Senate race, but things just got a whole lot worse for Republicans as they will either have to mount a write-in campaign to stop him or expel Moore from the Senate if he wins.
You are the owner of this article.
Straight No Chaser is celebrating its silver anniversary with a three-month tour that would exact a physical toll on any performer  vocalists especially. Yet despite the grueling schedule (they are almost exactly in the middle of more than 60 performances), SNC performed an outstanding show Nov. 13 at the Charleston Gaillard Center. Read moreReview: Straight No Chaser delights young and old on a cappella tour
The trial for Russell Laffitte, a former top executive for Palmetto State Bank, continues this week in Charleston's U.S. District Court. He stands accused of helping Alex Murdaugh defraud his former law clients, while using money from his family's bank to prop up the disbarred attorney's shaky finances. Read moreRussell Laffitte offers defense against bank fraud charges on Day 6 of federal trial
He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how,  wrote philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, and this midterm election suggests he was on to something. Read moreCommentary: The story of the midterms  'the cult' vs. 'the cause'
Across South Carolina, from the coast to our mountainous state line, new and expanded trails have certainly made a lot of headlines in recent months. Here are just a few of the exciting developments: Read moreEditorial: From the SC coast to the mountains, welcome progress on new trails
Former President Donald Trump is preparing to launch his third campaign for the White House on Tuesday, looking to move on from disappointing midterm defeats and defy history amid signs that his grip on the Republican Party is waning. Read moreTrump prepares to launch 3rd campaign for the White House
An investigation into a recent shooting turned up more than officers were looking for, authorities said today.

Members of the crimes against persons unit of the Rochester Police Department executed a search warrant about 12:30 p.m. Thursday at 402 31st St. NE, No. 301, "looking for electronic evidence in connection to a recent shooting," said Capt. John Sherwin.

Inside, they also spotted drugs and a handgun, the report says, so the warrant was amended to retrieve those items as well.

Officers found nearly 50 grams of cocaine, Sherwin said; the handgun  though apparently not connected with the shooting  was reported stolen out of North Dakota.

Iman Abucar Hagi Iman, 24, was arrested at the scene. He could be charged with second-degree drug sales and third-degree drug possession.
This year, for Give to the Max Day , the Sisters of St. Francis have a simple goal: the ability to go out and see the fall leaves.

Usually, the organization uses a normal passenger car to take sisters to necessary appointments or on outings, but as more and more of the retired sisters develop mobility issues, Barb DeCramer, the director of development for the Sisters of Saint Francis, said a handicap-accessible van has become necessary.

"It's also for fun outings," DeCramer said. "Viewing the fall leaves, seeing Christmas lights, or visiting friends."

Give to the Max Day, an annual fundraiser for nonprofits in the state, organized by GiveMN, collected $20.1 million last year, including $411,899 in the eight-county region of southeastern Minnesota. Some 312 organizations in our area received contributions. This year, Give to the Max Day is Thursday, and 1,565 organizations in our region are eligible to receive gifts. (See the full list of them online at PostBulletin.com.)

GiveMN ramped up a little earlier than normal this year, with a new campaign that began 10 days before Give to the Max Day.

ADVERTISEMENT

The "Pay It Forward" challenge began on Nov. 6 with St. Paul musician Chastity Brown. Brown donated her $1,000 to Sarah's an Oasis for Women , which provides resources to women healing from trauma.

Rochester musician Brandon Sampson received the challenge on Sunday, and donated his $1,000 to Reaching Out on a Limb , an organization that provides low- to no-cost prosthetics and braces to those in need.

The donors have simple parameters to ensure that the giveaways go across the state.

"I think it gets people thinking about their favorite nonprofits and the impact that even a small gift can make," GiveMN Executive Director Jake Blumberg said.

For 2017, GiveMN has doubled the number of prize grants that will go to leaderboard winners  10 organizations in each size category will win money from the Bush Foundation, instead of the normal five.

Each day between the start of the month and Give to the Max Day, a donor who schedules a gift will have a chance to win a $500 "golden ticket," which will be added to their donation.

"It's kind of like early voting," Blumberg said. "You have to get out and support your organization between now and Nov. 16."

Whenever it is you're reading this, Blumberg said, you can feel free to donate to your favorite nonprofit via GiveMN.org within minutes.

ADVERTISEMENT

To donate to the Sisters of St. Francis in Rochester, search "Rochester Franciscans" at GiveMN.org. As there are many communities of the Sisters, this will make it easier to find the local order, DeCramer said.

The Sisters of St. Francis look for funding in three main areas outside of this year's goal for Give to the Max Day: maintaining the Assisi Heights property, which is owned by the Sisters, providing a good quality of life for the retired sisters who live there, and supporting sisters who still work in various ministries.

"Their job is very low-paid and sometimes even volunteer," DeCramer said.

Last year, the Sisters used funds from Give to the Max Day to replace stonework in their inner courtyard which had crumbled and fallen into disrepair. The year before that, they instituted a Lifeline system to alert workers in the case of falls.

"We're always grateful for this organization, GiveMN, for spurring on the philanthropic urges of people around the state," DeCramer said. "We all do well when we all do well."

-----

Learn more

Some 1,565 organizations in southeastern Minnesota are eligible to receive gifts. See the full list of them online at PostBulletin.com.

ADVERTISEMENT

Some organizations have sponsors that will match your donation. Among them:

 Women's Shelter, Inc. in Rochester

 National Eagle Center in Wabasha

 Grace Place in Winona

 Lutheran Campus Ministry of Winona

 Rochester Area Foundation

 Chatfield Center for the Arts

-----

How to donate

First-time donors, here's how to make a single donation through GiveMN.

If you have multiple donations in mind, you can also search for and use the MultiGive tool on GiveMN.org to send funds to several places in one checkout.

Step 1: Find a cause.

If you have a favorite organization in mind, type its name into the search bar at GiveMN.org. Otherwise, you can type a city, area code, or keyword in and look through the options. Make sure to scroll down - not all of the organizations listed will be visible on the page until you scroll through the results.

Step 2: Click on your favorite.

The website will take you from the search page to the nonprofit's donation page, where you can learn more about their goals.

Step 3: Choose your amount.

There's a donation section at the top right-hand corner of each nonprofit's page. Choose an amount to donate, then decide whether to make it a one-time gift or repeat for a certain number of weeks in the calendar year, which is nice for forgetful philanthropists.

When you hit "donate," you'll be asked to enter your name and address, and to decide whether to pay the processing fee for the donation.

Step 4: Pay up.

Enter your payment details and submit the donation.

 Anne Halliwell
Sometimes, all one has to do is to listen.

The Oral History Fair kicked off at the Rochester Public Library on Sunday. The fair celebrated the yearlong process of gathering interviews of community members who grew up in Rochester during a certain segment of time.

The project includes stories from the first African-American families growing up in Rochester, to sisters at Assisi Heights who share their experiences as nurses, to an individual who was drafted for the Vietnam War. Each story comes from a different perspective.

"It's important to have the cultural record of our community and the rapid changes it had been through."said Kimberly Edson, head of Readers Services at Rochester Public Library

Oral historians verify the stories and place them in an accurate historical context that becomes part of the historical record.

ADVERTISEMENT

Six members from the Rochester Public Library's oral history team asked guided questions of their subjects to gain information about a specific event or time period.

The project at Rochester Public Library was made possible through a $7,000 SE Libraries Cooperating (SELCO) Legacy grant that awarded last November. The grant paid for two computers, microphones, headphones, sound booths and transcription services.

The library will soon be able to continue collecting more stories from Rochester community members.

"It's a primary source from the everyday person," Edson said. "These words weren't filtered through an academic trying to figure out what this individual meant. It's people's lives and stories who made their home here. We get to hear firsthand what you can't just read about in a textbook. It comes from the perspective of the person living through it."

'The town changed a lot'

When Ray Lundquist moved to Rochester with his family in the late 1960s, much of the city was still surrounded by cornfields.

Lundquist shared his story about living in Rochester as a fourth-generation Native American of the Chippewa Tribe. He detailed his journey of learning about his cultural heritage and identity. He shared his ability to connect with others through the Native American Center and being able to learn more about himself.

"I had the chance to get acquainted with the center, and it got me involved in their drum program," he shared. "I am so grateful for it."

ADVERTISEMENT

He also witnessed the changing landscape of Rochester with the growth of Mayo Clinic and IBM. What was once cornfields became homes, businesses and schools.

"(Rochester) changed a lot," he said. "I liked the town the way it was, but you can't hinder progress."

The Salvation Army

Another story shared during the Oral History Fair was the beginning of the Rochester Salvation Army.

The nonprofit's Rochester chapter formed in 1896. Kathy Krueger, a Salvation Army historian, stated that while much of the public associated the organization with its thrift stores or its campaigns like the red kettles, it was always foremost a church.

She said that during the Salvation Army's earlier years, the members would beat on drums and have bands out on the streets to preach. However, the organization is now mostly focused on assisting those who face chronic homelessness.

"The Salvation Army provides not just the physical needs, but the spiritual needs as well," Krueger said.
Democrat Thomas Martinez recently announced he is seeking to challenge Rep. Peggy Bennett.

Martinez said he stepped up to run for the House District 27A seat to ensure the Albert Lea Republican had a challenger. The district includes the cities of Blooming Prairie and Hayfield.

"Peggy Bennett was going to run unopposed because no one else in our district had the willingness or time to put into it. Fortunately, I do and I could not in good conscience let a Republican seat go unchallenged," he said.

This is Martinez's first run for office. The 33-year-old lives in Hayward and is a sanitation truck driver. He said he was inspired to get more involved in politics after Bernie Sanders ran for president, becoming a delegate to the DFL state convention.

If elected, Martinez said his number one priority would be making sure Albert Lea has a full-service, acute care hospital. This comes after Mayo Clinic Health System announced it would be moving most inpatient care from its Albert Lea campus to its Austin location. The Intensive Care Unit has already been moved and the consolidation plans call for Albert Lea birthing services to move to Austin in 2020.

ADVERTISEMENT

"I would like to request specialized funding to immediately re-open the Intensive Care Unit and bring back (baby) delivery service," he said.

Martinez said he also thinks there needs to be an "emergency review" of funding for the Destination Medical Center initiative. A 2013 state law allows up to $585 million in public subsidies to be spent on infrastructure to support DMC  a $5.5 billion initiative aimed at turning Rochester into a worldwide destination for health care.

Martinez said he would also support clean and sustainable energy. He also would like to see the number of bike trails expanded.

"I'm very interested in making southern Minnesota a destination for young people to come and explore our wilderness through bike paths," he said.

He also supports single-payer health care, a $15 minimum wage, legalizing recreational marijuana, tuition-free public colleges and universities, campaign finance reform and fully funding pre-K through 12th-grade education.

Bennett was first elected to the House in 2014. Last year, she defeated DFLer Gary Schindler with nearly 62 percent of the vote.
Allegations of sexual harassment against two Minnesota lawmakers rocked the Capitol last week and continue to dominate the headlines.

MinnPost writer Briana Bierschbach reported that multiple women were accusing Sen. Dan Schoen, DFL-St. Paul Park, of sexually harassing them. Accusers include DFL legislative candidate Lindsey Port, who said Schoen grabbed her behind. Also accused of harassing women is Rep. Tony Cornish, R-Vernon Center. A Star Tribune story detailed allegations from an unnamed female lobbyist who said Cornish pushed her against a wall and tried to kiss her against her will in his office. She also said he had asked her for sex at least 40 times over 10 years.

Rochester GOP Sen. Dave Senjem previously served as both majority and minority leader in the Senate. During that time, he had to deal with a complaint of sexual harassment leveled against a lawmaker. The decision was made to require the male lawmaker to attend outside sexual harassment training.

"There was a strong message sent and a requirement this person go to the outside (training)," he said.

The Rochester senator said he is very concerned about sexual harassment allegations being made against legislators. He said he believes lawmakers should undergo annual sexual harassment training. His caucus had sexual harassment training, but it was three or four years ago. He also backs the idea of having the Senate's ethics committee consider the allegations against Schoen. Each chamber of the Legislature has the power to expel a member with a two-thirds vote.

ADVERTISEMENT

"This was out of bounds. Way, way out of bounds if all these allegations are true, and there's no reason to think that they are not," Senjem said.

Several leaders have called on Schoen to resign, including DFL Gov. Mark Dayton and Senate Minority Leader Tom Bakk. Schoen told MinnPost the allegations are false or taken far out of context. He has said he does not plan to resign and has hired an attorney. Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka has also called on Schoen to resign and raised the possibility of an ethics investigation if the lawmaker refuses to step down.

Cornish told Minnesota Public Radio News that the allegations by the lobbyist of what happened in his office were "damned lies." He said texts exchanged with the lobbyist were about a possible relationship between two consenting adults. House Speaker Kurt Daudt last week suspended Cornish's role as chairman of the House Public Safety and Security Committee. Daudt and other legislative leaders agreed with the House's Human Resources staff to hire an outside firm to investigate the allegations against Cornish. The House also plans to hold mandatory sexual harassment training for lawmakers at the start of next year's legislative session and ask non-partisan staff to make recommendations on how to improve the House's policies against sexual harassment.

Rep. Tina Liebling, DFL-Rochester, applauded the women who are stepping forward to share their stories of harassment.

"The women who are coming forward with these stories and are willing to talk about it are doing everybody a great service, and I think that's really a good thing," she said.

Liebling added that she wants to make sure there is a fair process in place for allegations of sexual harassment to be considered by lawmakers.

"I really am uncomfortable having people tried and sentenced in the press, and I would really like us to have a process that brings everything into the open," she said.

Coleman kicks-off campaign, stops in Rochester

ADVERTISEMENT

DFLer Chris Coleman will be visiting Rochester today after officially kicking-off his campaign for governor on Sunday.

Coleman will be stopping by Cafe Steam on Monday afternoon to greet voters. It's one of 16 cities that Coleman is visiting over the next few days. Coleman officially steps down as St. Paul mayor next month after serving in the role for 12 years. He is one of several Democrats running for governor in 2018. Others are Liebling, state Rep. Erin Murphy, State Auditor Rebecca Otto, state Rep. Paul Thissen and 1st District Rep. Tim Walz. Nearly a dozen Republicans are also running.
In a post called The Prophet of Affirmative Action, John cited and quoted extensively from a letter written in 1969 by California appellate judge Macklin Fleming, a Yale Law graduate, to the dean of Yale Law School. The letter questions the wisdom of the new quota system in terms that, as John says, are remarkably prescient.

I want to give credit to another, even earlier, prophet of affirmative action  John Kaplan of Stanford Law School. In 1966, Professor Kaplan wrote an article for the Northwestern University Law Review called Equal Justice in an Unequal World: Equality for the Negro  The Problem of Special Treatment.

Kaplan, as this professor puts it, acknowledged that the moral claims of blacks for special treatment rendered overbroad any simple call for a single principle of colorblindness. However, he argued that the negative consequences of affirmative action militated against race-based preferences. Among the negative consequences Kaplan cited were the exacerbation of racial divisions, the stigmatization of blacks, the dampening of motivation of blacks, and the involvement of the state in racial classifications.

Kaplans article has been cited at least twice by the Supreme Court, including by Justice Powell in Regents of Univ. of Cal. v. Bakke (1978), the seminal opinion on the constitutionality of using race in college admissions. Unfortunately, the Supreme Court failed to heed Kaplans warning.

I took two courses from Professor Kaplan at Stanford. He was one of the best professors at the law school in those days, and hands down the most entertaining. Indeed, Kaplan is probably the funniest person Ive ever known.

He was exceptionally quick. I would love to have seen Kaplan do those quicky debates on cable news. He probably would have taken the side he disagreed with  as he sometimes did  just to give his opponent half a chance.

John Kaplan died in 1989 at age 60. His New York Times obituary is here. It omitted mention of his remarkable 1966 article on racial preferences.
The mood Ive been in lately is reflected in the fact that most of my posts end with question marks. But why should I be the only person in America who hasnt expressed an opinion about Judge Roy Moore? For what its worth, here goes:

I agree with Paul that the Washington Posts allegation that Moore tried to seduce a 14-year-old girl 38 years ago is more likely false than true, particularly given the gaping hole in the accusers story that has been attested to by her own mother. Beyond that, I question whether a newly-surfaced, 38-year-old allegation should evershort of murder or something nearly as heinousbe grounds for defeating a political candidate.

There is a reason why our criminal laws include statutes of limitation. After decades have gone by, it is often impossible to prove (or disprove) an allegation. The accuser in the present case remained silent for 38 years, during most of which time Moore was a prominent figure in Alabama politics. Now, a few weeks before a U.S. Senate election, at the importuning of a team of reporters from the Washington Post who are obviously determined to bring down the candidate, she sees fit to accuse Moore. One of the kinder words we apply to this sort of conduct in the law business is estoppel. It is much too late to dredge up an accusation from the 1970s.

The accusation, if it were true, would be relevant as an indictment of Moores character. Of course, low character has never been much of a bar to political office. Consider, to name just a few examples from modern history, John Kennedy, Ted Kennedy, Chris Dodd, Hillary Clinton and Bill Clinton. Say what you will about Roy Moore, his name has never appeared on the flight logs of the Lolita Express. On the contrary, he has been married for more than 30 years and the only act of moral turpitude alleged against him dates, ostensibly, from the 1970s.

Some say that Moores case is different, because he is a Republican, and Republicans are held to a higher standard. That is true as a statement of fact, but it is not a principle to which Republicans should stipulate. The Senate seat at issue is important. When Jeff Sessions ran for re-election in 2014, the Democrats didnt even field a candidate against him. For the Democrats to steal that seat now, by recruiting a troubled woman to tell a 38-year-old story that is probably false, would be outrageous.

I am not a fan of Judge Moore. I would not have voted for him in the primary election. But control of the Senate is important. It is far better that Moore represent Alabama for the unexpired three years of Sessions term than that the seat go to a Democrat on the basis of a smear.

Whether Alabamas voters will agree remains to be seen. Poll results are mixed, but so far, at least, it doesnt appear that the Posts last-minute, desperation attack has been fatal. Lets hope that proves to be true when voters go to the polls next month.
When I read the Washington Posts account of Roy Moores alleged sexual misdeeds towards Leigh Corfman, one detail rang particularly false. Corfman told the Post that she spoke with Moore on her phone in her bedroom. As one woman of my acquaintance who lived in the deep South during that era guaranteed, 14 year-old girls in Alabama didnt have phones in their rooms back then.

Corfman, it turns out, was no exception. Aaron Klein reports that Corfmans mother, Nancy Wells, told Breitbart News that her daughter did not have a phone in her bedroom during the period when Moore allegedly called the girl.

However, Wells stands by the rest of the story reported by the Post.

Does Corfmans faulty recollection about the phone undercut the thrust of that story? I spent decades working with and examining witnesses. In my view, Corfmans mistake about the bedroom phone is the kind of error people often make when trying to remember details from the distant past. I dont think her mistake regarding this detail bears much on her overall credibility.

Corfmans claim of sexual misconduct by Moore is not a detail. If she is erring about this matter, shes not failing to remember something incidental. Her error, if shes making one, is of a different nature  a lie, a delusion, or a substantial embellishment.

I think there are substantial reasons to disbelieve Corfmans claim of improper sexual touching. I discussed them here. I dont think her mistake about the location of the phone provides much additional reason to dispute her claim.
The Senate Judiciary Committee has gotten down to work holding hearings on President Trumps nominees to the federal appellate courts. The confirmation of these nominees has only begun to redress the substantial effect achieved by President Obama with the help of Harry Reid and the Democrats.

Although the Democrats have now gone to absurd lengths to throw sand in the gears of the confirmation process under President Trump, the pace has finally picked up. This weekend the New York Times took an alarmed look in Charlie Savages article on events so far.

Despite the progress to date, the nomination of Minnesota Supreme Court Justice David Stras to the Eighth Circuit remains in limbo. President Trump nominated Justice Stras to the Eighth Circuit early last May. His nomination has now been in limbo for six months.

Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar has returned her blue slip on Justice Stras. His nomination remains in limbo because Minnesota Senator Al Franken has declined to return his blue slip.

Justice Stras is widely supported by just about everyone who knows him in Minnesota. Although he pretended otherwise, Franken was unable to find anything in Justice Strass professional record to discredit him. Frankens statement on Justice Stras amounts to little more than the expression of animus in search of a rationale.

It is not clear how Chairman Grassley will treat the withholding of a single senators blue slip on an appellate court nominee. Senator Grassley continues to hold his cards close to his vest. On November 2, however, the Senate Judiciary Committee Majority issued a memorandum to news media on the History and Context of the Blue Slip Courtesy. The memo emphasizes the variable nature of the blue slip practice (or courtesy) against the backdrop of the changing Senate rules regarding the filibuster. The text of the memorandum is prefaced by a handy set of bullet points:

 The blue slip process is a courtesy extended by Committee chairmen, not a binding Senate rule.  Since the blue slip courtesy was created in 1917, only two chairmen (Sens. James Eastland and Patrick Leahy) had strict policies requiring two positive blue slips from home-state senators before the Judiciary Committee would consider a nomination.  In 25 of the 36 years before Senator Grassley became Chairman, chairmen have allowed hearings on nominees despite negative or unreturned blue slips.  The same senators who changed the Senate rules to ignore the views of 41 senators after evaluating a nominee now want to enable a single senator to block a nomination before the Committee can even review the nominees background and qualifications.

The memo concludes with this statement: By eliminating the filibuster rule, the Democrats removed a tool for the minority to block nominees with negative or unreturned blue slips after the committee has evaluated nominees qualifications. They are now, because of their own actions, in the position of having to rely on an ahistorical interpretation of the blue slip courtesy at the Committee level to attempt to defeat nominees they oppose on ideological or political grounds before the full Committee reviews a nominee. The memo characterizes blue slip policy allowing a single senator to block a nominee from even receiving Committee consideration as a more extreme example of counter-majoritarian practice previously disapproved by the Democrats when they were in the majority.

I think it is fair to assume that the memo would not have been disseminated without Senator Grassleys blessing as chairman of the Judiciary Committee. Those of us wondering what Senator Grassley will do with respect to blue slips now at least have some tea leaves to read. To me, the memo reads like a backgrounder for reporters explaining a course of action that is about to be taken (and should be).
LOVE FOR OTHERS

"You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the lord your God" (Leviticus 19:34).

ENCOUNTER JESUS

Every stranger who knocks at our door is an opportunity for an encounter with Jesus Christ, who identifies with the welcomed and rejected strangers of every age (Matthew 25:35-43). The Lord entrusts to the Church's motherly love every person forced to leave their homeland in search of a better future.

"EVERY STAGE"

This solidarity must be concretely expressed at every stage of the migratory experience from departure through journey to arrival and return.

"MANY CHALLENGES"

This is a great responsibility, which the Church intends to share with all believers and men and women of good will, who are called to respond to the many challenges of contemporary migration with generosity, promptness, wisdom and foresight, each according to their own abilities.

"OUR SHARED RESPONSE"

... I wish to reaffirm that "our shared response may be articulated by four verbs: to welcome, to protect, to promote and to integrate."

WELCOME, PROTECT

... Welcoming means... offering broader options for migrants and refugees to enter destination countries safely and legally... Protecting ... may be understood as a series of steps intended to defend the rights and rights and dignity of migrants and refugees, independent of their legal status.

"A DETERMINED EFFORT"

Promoting ... means a determined effort to ensure that all migrants and refugees as well as the communities which welcome them are empowered to achieve their potential as human beings...

OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENRICHMENT

... Integrating ... concerns the opportunities for intercultural enrichment brought about by the presence of migrants and refugees.

MARY OUR MODEL

The Holy Mother of God herself experienced the hardship of exile ..., lovingly accompanied her Son's journey to Calvary, and now shares eternally His glory. To her maternal intercession we entrust the hopes of all the world's migrants and refugees and the aspirations of the communities which welcome them, so that, responding to the Lord's supreme commandment, we may all learn to love the other, the stranger, as ourselves.

(Source: Message for World Day of Migrants and Refugees, issued 8/15/17)
WHO ARE THEY: Culture Club are a new wave pop band that achieved enormous success during the 1980s. Led by the flamboyant Boy George, the group has sold over 50 million records and scored a slew of hit singles such as Karma Chameleon, Do You Really Want to Hurt Me, Time (Clock of the Heart) and I Just Wanna Be Loved. In 1984 Culture Club won a Grammy for Best New Artist.

WHAT TO EXPECT: Culture Club, complete with all four original band members Boy George, Roy Hay, Mikey Craig and Jon Moss will bring their magnificently catchy brand of pop, new wave and soul to Atlantic City. One of the 80s most iconic front men, George commands the stage like few ever have or will and possesses an impressive set of vocal pipes that at times has unfortunately been overshadowed by his outfits and makeup. Fans can look forward to singing along to all of the big hits Saturday night.
WHO ARE THEY: This Australian soft rock group first gained exposure in the late 1970s while touring as the opening act for Rod Stewart. A record contract was soon to follow and Air Supply was on its way with the debut album Lost in Love, which sold over 2 million copies in the U.S. and included the hit singles Lost in Love, All out of Love and Every Woman in the World. The bands sophomore album The One That You Love was released a year later and the title track became a number one hit. The album also contained the hit songs Here I Am (Just When I Thought I Was Over You) and Sweet Dreams. 1982s Now and Forever featured the hit single Even the Nights are Better.
WOODBINE  Chase Jackson grew up in the military town of Norfolk, Virginia.

Her family wasnt in the military, but its influence was all around her, she said.

I lived around a naval base housing complex named after Doris Dorie Miller, she said. I leaned who he was. He was known for bravery during the attack on Pearl Harbor and was the first African American to receive the Navys third-highest honor, the Navy Cross.

He was killed in action two years later, she said.

His story started her on a quest to learn more about African American soldiers and their contributions throughout American history.

She has collected stories from people all over the country and will present them in a talk, Victory and Valor Beyond the Color Line, next Saturday at the Woodbine branch of the Cape May County Library.

I was also in the performing arts, and there was a theater in town named for Crispus Attucks. He was the first American casualty of the American Revolution, said Jackson, 69, who lives in Cape May Beach in Lower Township.

A friend in New York City told her about the Harlem Hell Fighters, the all-black 369th Infantry Regiment known for its bravery in World War I, spending more time in combat than any other American unit.

She will talk about them and the first black armored unit, the 758th Tank Battalion, founded in 1941 during World War II; the all-black Womens Army Corps called the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, which kept the mail flowing to and from soldiers in the European theater, and more.

They got to Birmingham (England) and found warehouses crammed full of mail that hadnt moved in a year or two. They broke the logjam in three months, Jackson said of the womens battalion, by working seven days a week in rotating, eight-hour shifts.

Jackson had a 30-year career in arts administration, she said. She is the co-founder of the Natchel Blues Network, a blues society and founding director of AFRAM Fest, both in Norfolk.

Currently, she is the outreach coordinator at the Bayshore Center at Bivalve.
PLEASE BE ADVISED: Soon we will no longer integrate with Facebook for story comments. The commenting option is not going away, however, readers will need to register for a FREE site account to continue sharing their thoughts and feedback on stories. If you already have an account (i.e. current subscribers, posting in obituary guestbooks, for submitting community events), you may use that login, otherwise, you will be prompted to create a new account.
ATLANTIC CITY  The New Jersey State League of Municipalities will return to the city this week for its 102nd annual conference, which provides an economic boon for the resort during the off-peak season.

More than 22,000 exhibitors and delegates are expected to attend the three-day conference, which is estimated to generate more than 8,400 hotel rentals and $10 million in spending that will benefit Atlantic City, according to Meet AC, an organization tasked with marketing the city.

Also in attendance will be Gov.-elect Phil Murphy, who is scheduled to be the keynote speaker Wednesday.

We are looking forward to holding the 102nd and 103rd annual New Jersey League of Municipalities Conferences at the Atlantic City Convention Center, said Michael Darcy, executive director of the league. Both the City of Atlantic City and Meet AC continue to make sure all our needs are met even as we must move some 18,000 attendees around eight properties over three days of meetings and events. Its a great partnership that creates great results.

Municipal officials from throughout the state will have the opportunity to attend more than 100 sessions that focus on best practices for local government, including shared services, economic development and rebuilding communities.

A full list of sessions can be found at the League of Municipalities website, njslom.org.
The New Jersey Education Associations attempt to get revenge on Senate President Steve Sweeney has left the states largest teachers union politically damaged, according to experts.

In an interview with Politico, Sweeney, D-Salem, Gloucester, Cumberland, said the leadership of the NJEA is out of touch with its membership and from now on he will consult with the American Federation of Teachers before going to the NJEA.

The NJEA backed Sweeneys opponent in the 3rd District race, Republican Fran Grenier, after saying Sweeney broke a promise to lobby for a ballot question that would guarantee teachers pensions be funded by the state.

According to the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission, the NJEA had spent more than $4.5 million attacking Sweeney as of late October and supporting Grenier. That angered Democrats throughout the state, because Grenier is described as a Trump Republican and supported Donald Trumps candidacy on his way to the White House last year.

Democratic officials and political experts said Democrats could have picked up even more seats throughout the state in last weeks elections had the NJEA not spent so much money on one race, especially considering Sweeney cruised to an easy victory over Grenier.

The NJEA comes out of this greatly diminished, said John Weingart, associate director of the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University. I still havent heard an argument as to why spending all that money (on one race) was a good idea.

Overall spending on the 3rd District race jumped above $16 million by late October, shattering records in New Jersey.

Atlantic County Democratic Chairman Mike Suleiman said in the months leading up to the campaign that he did not believe the NJEA spending millions on the Sweeney race was a good use of the unions resources.

He also took issue with the fact the NJEA endorsed Republican Chris Brown over Democrat Colin Bell for state Senate in the 2nd District.

Brigid Harrison, a professor of political science and law at Montclair State University, told Politico the NJEAs spending against Sweeney was a fools errand.

The NJEA said although Grenier did not win, his campaign energized NJEA members across the state.

While NJEA-endorsed candidate Fran Grenier fell short in his race against incumbent Senate President Steve Sweeney, his insurgent campaign electrified New Jersey politics and energized NJEA members, who remain determined to endorse and campaign for pro-public education candidates regardless of party affiliation, the union said in a statement on election night.

NJEA President Marie Blistan wrote in a statement on election night that the union will not back down when it feels its values are threatened.

By standing with our allies in the Legislature, we have maintained a strong foundation for the next legislative session, Blistan wrote. And by taking on difficult fights that forced us to stand firm for what we believe in, we showed New Jersey that we will not back down when our values are at stake.
MAYS LANDING  Although the general elections were held nearly a week ago, some races still are not settled.

On Monday, the Atlantic County Board of Elections will meet to count 787 provisional ballots that could flip the results of some local contests, including one in Hamilton Township and the freeholder-at-large race between John Risley and Thelma Witherspoon.

Some of the races are so tight, there is absolutely a chance it could change the overall results, said Lynn Caterson, chairwoman of the county elections board.

The race that will be watched closely is for the freeholder at-large seat. Currently, there are eight Republicans and one Democrat on the board, which is the legislative branch of county government. However, Democrats were able to pick up two seats in Tuesdays election, when Caren Fitzpatrick finished as the top vote-getter in the race for two freeholder-at-large seats and Ashley Bennett defeated John Carman in the district representing Egg Harbor Township.

Risley, a Republican incumbent, finished with the most votes at the polls in the at-large race but fell behind Fitzpatrick after mail-in ballots were counted.

Witherspoon, a Democrat, and Republican Tony DiPietro finished as the third and fourth at the polls, respectively. But after counting the mail-in ballots, Witherspoon was behind Risley by only 285 votes.

If she is able to defeat Risley, the freeholder board will be comprised of five Republicans and four Democrats, a drastic change in the boards makeup. The last time there was more than one Democrat on the board was in 2015, when Ernest Coursey and Colin Bell were both in office.

It could also change some of the boards leadership, because Risley is the vice chairman under Chairman Frank Formica.

I think this election just goes to show you that every vote counts, Risley said. It was a difficult year for Republicans. (Gov. Chris Christie) was a huge anchor around our necks.

Risley said he would love to continue to serve on the freeholder board and work on getting several initiatives done, including countywide tax assessments.

If Im fortunate enough to be elected again, thats great. If not, thats politics, he said.

Witherspoon said Democrats expected to have a very successful night Tuesday, but that didnt stop her from being nervous leading up to it.

You never know how the votes are going to go, she said. (The Democratic Party) is stronger than it was last year, but were not all the way there yet.

Witherspoon said that if she is elected after the provisional ballots are counted, she will seek to work together with Republicans to help the countys economy grow.

Everyone wants to see the county do well, have tax relief and maintain services, she said. It seems everyone had a consensus with that during the debates, and I was really encouraged by that.

The race for Hamilton Township Committee may also flip, depending on the provisional ballots. Republican John Kurtz led Democrat Dwight Melton by just 40 votes after all the ballots at the polls were counted.

A provisional ballot is used when there are questions about a voters eligibility, including when the person does not show up on the voter rolls at the polling place.

In New Jersey, you must fill out a provisional ballot if you are a registered voter in the county who moved and did not notify the county commissioner of registration before Election Day or if your registration is not complete in the poll book.

Caterson said not all 787 provisional ballots may be valid, so the final number of votes could be lower once they are done counting.
BERKELEY TOWNSHIP  Ivanka Trump, special adviser to and daughter of President Donald J. Trump, looked out at a small sea of friendly faces Monday at the Bayville fire hall as she touted the impact the Republican tax plan will have on the middle class.

Trump and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin appeared at the invitation-only event alongside Rep. Tom MacArthur, R-3rd, and Gov. Chris Christie to discuss the plan, which supporters claim will benefit the middle class and spur job creation.

The Ocean County township, population 41,689, is one of the few Republican enclaves in a Democrat-dominated state. During the 2016 presidential election, the township voted for Donald Trump over Hillary Clinton 66 percent to 30 percent.

We need a tax code that reflects the modern reality, and we feel this does this, Ivanka Trump told the 150 people at the fire hall Monday morning.

Republicans are calling for cutting corporate rates and reducing the number of income-tax brackets from seven to four.

MacArthur said the House bill won his support after the $10,000 property-tax deduction cap was included, while the Senate plan calls for the elimination of the deductions.

Ivanka Trump has been promoting the plan throughout the country.

At each turn, the audience, which included numerous local and county Republican lawmakers, applauded the plan.

Outside supporters stood in the rain hoping to get a seat inside the hall, while protesters picketed the event.

People dont understand that nothing goes down, said Brian Gingrich, 72, of Berkeley Township. There is nothing free, everyone wants to get something on the dime and we cant do it. The middle class has been paying for so long for everything. ... Steps have to be taken.

During the 45-minute event, MacArthur, Trump and Mnuchin did not take questions from the pro-Republican crowd. Those who attended were allowed to fill out question cards before the event and those questions were given to the group.

Asked about why more audience questions  especially critical ones  werent included, MacArthur said the event was about giving Trump and Mnuchin a platform to talk about tax reform.

What we wanted was to give them a chance to speak and let people hear them speak, he said. As you know, town halls can get out of control. Thats not what I was after today.

As the event wrapped up, Marianne Clemente, one of the few Democrats who was able to get in, loudly questioned the panel about not interacting with the public. Clemente drew the ire of many in the crowd, including some who confronted her.

This is an outrage that they had an invite-only, when MacArthur doesnt have any town hall meetings, said Clemente, a resident of Barnegat Township. Only Republicans got invited.

MacArthur has held town-hall meetings, including two over the past year surrounding health care reform.

The makeup of the crowd was a topic even before the event started. Jason Ireland, of Brick Township, came inside the venue and yelled, Why arent Democrats allowed? before he was ushered back outside by security.

Ireland was one of the 30 people gathered outside the fire hall to protest the tax plan. The protesters held signs voicing their disapproval of the plan. One read GOP Tax Bills Bad for NJ, while another stated Tom MacArthur vote no on tax bill.

They are trying to rush it through, said Carla Loundsbury, 68, of Waretown, as she held an RIP Middle Class mock headstone. This is going to hurt the middle class, and no one seems to care.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
- China's exclusive national carrier continues expansion in North America with additional service from Los Angeles International Airport

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Star Alliance member Air China is adding to its three daily Los Angeles-Beijing flights with a new route that connects Southern California's Silicon Beach to China's own Silicon Valley starting Dec. 7, 2017. The three times weekly nonstop service between Los Angeles (LAX) and Shenzhen (SZX) will be operated by the airline's newest Dreamliner, the Boeing 787-9. It will be the first direct service from Los Angeles to China's City of the Future.

"With China as Los Angeles' top trading partner, we are committed to growing and strengthening the economic and cultural ties between the two. The new nonstop Los Angeles-Shenzhen service brings together two of the world's leading technology and innovation hubs," Dr. Zhihang Chi, Vice President and General Manager of Air China North America stated.

According to the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC), majority of Chinese investment into the United States originates from Guangdong Province which covers Shenzhen and Guangzhou.

Dr. Chi added, "At no time is the connectivity between these two cities more needed than it is now when China's homegrown tech companies with headquarters in Shenzhen are expanding their presence and direct investments in the United States. This new service offers more options for business and leisure travelers to Shenzhen and Hong Kong which is only 19 miles away.

"As this will be operated with our newest Dreamliner which includes a premium economy class cabin, we are confident our competitive fares and affordable, easy upgrade programs will be very attractive for travelers to Shenzhen, Hong Kong and beyond. In addition to extra legroom, our premium economy passengers also enjoy priority boarding and more Phoenix miles, among other amenities."

Air China's B787-9 three-cabin Dreamliner features 30 seats in Capital Pavilion (business class), 34 premium economy and 229 economy class seats for a total of 293.

Schedule and other details for the new service:

Flight # Origin-Destination Departure* Arrival* Frequency Aircraft CA 769 Shenzhen-Los Angeles 23:30 20:00 Mon, Thu, Sat B787-9 CA 770 Los Angeles-Shenzhen 22:50 5:40+2** Mon, Thu, Sat B787-9 Note: * All times are local. ** +2 = Two days. Days of operation and times are subject to

seasonal changes.

This announcement, Air China's latest in a series of unprecedented expansions in North America, brings the average of its seasonally adjusted flights to 150 per week between cities throughout the region and China. Since 2013, China's national carrier has been launching a new route every year.

In September 2016, Air China launched its nonstop service between Shanghai (PVG) and San Jose (SJC), its first direct service between Shanghai and North America. The international carrier's other U.S. and Canada gateways offer nonstop services to Beijing from Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Newark, Washington Dulles, Houston, Honolulu, Vancouver and Montreal.

About Air China

A Star Alliance member and China's exclusive national carrier, Air China is the only airline granted the privilege of having the flag of China painted on the fuselage of its fleet. In addition to its commercial operations, it also provides exclusive special flight services for China's senior government officials on state visits to other countries. It is the top Asian airline in brand value, according to Brand Finance 2016. As well, it is the only airline in the top 20 of Millward Brown's Most Valuable Chinese Brands 2016.

With a fleet of 590 passenger aircraft and freighters, Air China serves 174 cities in 40 countries and regions. It offers access to 1330 destinations in 193 countries through its Star Alliance affiliation. It holds the controlling shares in Air Macau, Shenzhen Airlines, Shandong Airlines, Dalian Airlines, Tibet Airlines, Beijing Airlines and Air China Inner Mongolia Limited. Next to the Swire Group, Air China is the second largest stakeholder of Cathay Pacific Airways.

Visit www.airchina.us or call 800-882-8122 for sales and reservations.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/596661/Air_China_Logo.jpg

Related Links

http://www.airchina.com



SOURCE Air China
LOS ANGELES, November 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

USA News Group - It seems that the increase in demand for lithium has Chinese manufacturers of electric vehicles (EVs) digging deep to secure the future supply of the metal. Apparently they are so concerned about producers' abilities to fill downline supply that Chinese EV companies are now willing to buy lithium that's yet to be mined.

Companies that could be in line to produce or simply sell the in-ground resources include QMC Quantum Minerals Corp. (TSX-V: QMC) (OTC: QMCQF), Galaxy Resources (OTC: GALXF), Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile (NYSE: SQM), Lithium X Energy Corp. (TSX-V:LIX) (OTC: LIXXF).

This new move by Chinese automakers is understandable, since all major automakers, including several major Chinese manufacturers, are planning to increase their electric vehicle (EV) quotas dramatically. That fact, combined with greater use of lithium in power grid storage, is creating a serious projected lithium supply deficit that could hit as early as 2020.

Companies with lithium production are expanding their production, while a forward looking group of junior companies are working feverishly to bring on new lithium sources.

A new lithium player that could be a winner as a result of the Chinese approach is QMC Quantum Minerals Corp. (TSX-V: QMC) (OTC: QMCQF), which is looking to open up lithium reserves in Canada's hard-rock lithium category. The company is developing a large historical resource in Manitoba -a region with very favorable mining logistics.

Larger companies that are working to expand their lithium reserves may use selling in-ground assets as a way to bolster development. These include Galaxy Resources (OTC: GALXF), Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile (NYSE: SQM), and Lithium X Energy Corp. (TSX-V: LIX.V) (OTCQX: LIXXF), all of which are in major expansion of their respective lithium resources.

CHINA'S MASSIVE HUNGER FOR LITHIUM

China is poised to become a monster consumer of lithium. And while the country holds its own significant reserves of the word's lithium resources estimated at about 7 million tons, they realize that they will need much more supply to handle all of their future needs.

China's concerns for securing future lithium reserves is highlighted in a recent agreement by Australian lithium company Pilbara Minerals.

In September, Pilbara announced its agreement with China's Great Wall Motors Company to back Pilbara's Pilgangoora Stage 2 expansion. The agreement is a true landmark for producing one of the very first off-take funding and equity investment agreements by a Chinese EV Manufacturer for lithium.

The deal gives Pilbara an upfront Australian $28 million for 75,000 tpa of stage 2 production from Pilgangoora and up to 225,000 tpa over the following 10 years via a debt or off-take pre-payment facility.

What's most important to note is that this marks a new stage where the car manufacturers are starting to realize the need to lock in their EV metals supply well in advance.

OFF-TAKE IS A SIMPLE WAY FOR CHINA TO GAIN GROUND

An off-take agreement, such as the one modelled by Pilbara working with Great Walls Motors, is one way that China, and other major consumers of lithium, could help to secure their future with supplies not yet mined or produced.

An offtake agreement is an agreement between a producer of a resource and a buyer of a resource to purchase or sell portions of the producer's future production. These are normally negotiated prior to the construction of a mine in order to secure a market for the future output of the facility.

Off-take agreements can benefit the miners greatly too, since if lenders can see the company has a purchaser of its production, it makes it easier to obtain financing to construct a facility.

If, as lithium consultant Sam Jaffe of Cairn ERA predicts, lithium-ion battery demand rises from 80 GWh this year to 750 GWh in 2026, it's likely that the off-take model may become commonplace with lithium companies. Fully realized, we are talking about a whopping 10-fold increase in demand within 10 years.

QMC QUANTUM MINERALS FITS THE MOLD

In the category of production in the ground ready to be bought, QMC Quantum Minerals presents a potentially very attractive lithium target.

QMC is a Canadian mining company focused in Manitoba's mineral region, which just ranked in as 2nd among all global mining districts in a global survey. Manitoba it seems has competitive tax regimes and efficient permitting procedures surrounding environmental regulations and land-claims.

QMC Quantum Minerals must have considered this when they located their current project. In 2016, the company acquired a known lithium property, the Cat Lake Lithium Property, formerly known as the Irgon Mine.

QMC is right in the hot spot; their Cat lake property is just 20km from the world class Tanco Mine Property, which was previously North America's largest and sole producer of spodumene (Lithium).

Their predecessor on the Cat Lake discovery drilled 25 holes into the property's Irgon Dike between 1953 and 1954. The result was a reported historical resource estimate of 1.2 million tonnes grading 1.51% Li20 over a strike length of 365 meters and to a depth of 213 meters.

In other words, the Cat Lake Property is believed to hold a very significant amount of lithium that would make sense to bring to production, by off-take or conventional means.

QMC Quantum's geological team says they have no reason to disagree with the accuracy of those historical drill results. They are already drilling and stripping away the overburden to prove up the lithium, which is also expected to extend the known strike length of this dike.

The massive demand for Li-ion batteries continues to swell as EV makers up their forecasts. The Chinese have taken the leap to move into the supply chain and secure lithium still in the ground.

According to miner Galaxy Resources, during October, 99.5% lithium carbonate China spot prices were up 1.5%, and are up 23% over the past year. At the same time, lithium cobalt oxide China spot prices were up 0.33% for the month, and 16.91% over the past year.

The Chinese EV makers have good reason to position themselves in future lithium now. Lithium prices don't appear to be abating any time soon and quick-to-turnaround lithium sources like QMC Quantum Mineral's Cat Lake Project will not remain undeveloped forever.

POTENTIAL COMPARABLES

Galaxy Resources (OTC: GALXF)

Galaxy Resources Limited is a lithium-focused resources company, with assets spanning Australia, Canada and Argentina. Galaxy is currently advancing plans to develop the Sal de Vida Lithium and Potash Brine Project ("Sal de Vida") in Argentina, which is situated in the Lithium Triangle, a region where Chile, Argentina and Bolivia meet. Sal de Vida is a proven high quality resource has excellent promise as a future low cost production facility. Galaxy also owns the Mt Cattlin Spodumene Mine near Ravensthorpe in Western Australia and the James Bay Lithium Pegmatite Project in Quebec, Canada.

Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile (NYSE: SQM)

Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A., is a producer of potassium nitrate and iodine. The Company produces specialty plant nutrients, iodine derivatives, lithium and its derivatives, potassium chloride, potassium sulfate and certain industrial chemicals. Its segments include specialty plant nutrients, industrial chemicals, iodine and derivatives, lithium and derivatives, potassium, and other products and services Lithium and its derivatives are used in batteries, greases and frits for production of ceramics. Potassium chloride is a commodity fertilizer that is produced and sold by the Company across the world.

Lithium X Energy Corp. (TSX-V: LIX.V) (OTCQX: LIXXF)

Lithium X Energy Corp. is a lithium exploration and development company with a goal of becoming a low-cost supplier for the burgeoning lithium battery industry. On July 11th, the company announced that further to its news release of June 29th, 2017, the Company has closed the definitive agreement with Aberdeen International Inc. for the purchase of Aberdeen's remaining 50% interest in Potasio y Litio de Argentina S.A., which controls 100% of the Sal de los Angeles Project. The project consists of 8,154 hectares covering 95% of Salar de Diablillos, and has an NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate of 1.037 million tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent in the indicated category and 1.007 million tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent in the inferred category.

For a more in-depth look into QMC you can view the in-depth report at USA News Group: http://usanewsgroup.com/2017/11/12/lithium_is_positioned_perfectly-2-2-2/

Article Source:

USA News Group

http://usanewsgroup.com

info@usanewsgroup.com

Legal Disclaimer/Disclosure: This piece is an advertorial and has been paid for. This document is not and should not be construed as an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to purchase or subscribe for any investment. No information in this Report should be construed as individualized investment advice. A licensed financial advisor should be consulted prior to making any investment decision. We make no guarantee, representation or warranty and accept no responsibility or liability as to its accuracy or completeness. Expressions of opinion are those of USA News Group only and are subject to change without notice. USA News Group assumes no warranty, liability or guarantee for the current relevance, correctness or completeness of any information provided within this Report and will not be held liable for the consequence of reliance upon any opinion or statement contained herein or any omission. Furthermore, we assume no liability for any direct or indirect loss or damage or, in particular, for lost profit, which you may incur as a result of the use and existence of the information, provided within this Report.

DISCLAIMER: USA News Group is Source of all content listed above. FN Media Group, LLC (FNM), is a third party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. FNM is NOT affiliated in any manner with USA News Group or any company mentioned herein. The commentary, views and opinions expressed in this release by USA News Group are solely those of USA News Group and are not shared by and do not reflect in any manner the views or opinions of FNM. FNM is not liable for any investment decisions by its readers or subscribers. FNM and its affiliated companies are a news dissemination and financial marketing solutions provider and are NOT a registered broker/dealer/analyst/adviser, holds no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security. FNM was not compensated by any public company mentioned herein to disseminate this press release.

FNM HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.



This 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. "Forward-looking statements" describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as "may", "future", "plan" or "planned", "will" or "should", "expected," "anticipates", "draft", "eventually" or "projected". You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company's annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and FNM undertakes no obligation to update such statements.





Media Contact Information:

FN Media Group, LLC

Media Contact e-mail:

editor@financialnewsmedia.com

U.S. Phone: +1(954)345-0611



SOURCE USA News Group
June 21-24, 2018 at Columbia University, NYC

PASADENA, Texas, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Coenzyme Q 10 Association (ICQA; http://icqaproject.org/) is a non-profit organization that fosters basic and applied biomedical research on Coenzyme Q 10 (CoQ 10 ). Their mission is to advance knowledge on basic biochemistry and molecular genetics, as well as preventive and therapeutic effects of CoQ 10 . Kaneka Nutrients (www.kanekanutrients.com) is a founding member and proud to partner with ICQA for the Ninth Scientific Meeting to be held in at Columbia University in New York City June 21  24, 2018.

"We have not held our Scientific Meeting in the United States in over 10 years. As such, we are excited to bring this meeting back to the United States. Previous Scientific Meetings have been held in Japan and Europe," said Dr. Placido Navas, Chairman of The International Coenzyme Q10 Association.

Every two to three years, nearly 350+ researchers and other professionals choose to attend the ICQA International Scientific Meeting to learn about the latest advances of Conventional CoQ 10 and the Ubiquinol form of CoQ10, meet with colleagues from around the world and strike new collaborations.

The critical goals of the IQCA are to promote international collaborative research efforts to expand scientific knowledge and to optimize the use of CoQ 10 as preventative and therapeutic interventions in human health. To achieve these important goals, ICQA organizes an international scientific meeting to present cutting-edge CoQ 10 and Ubiquinol CoQ 10 research in major clinical topics including: mitochondrial and degenerative diseases, aging, cardiovascular disorders, and nutritional supplementation needs and mechanisms that can benefit people suffering these conditions.

Dr. Navas added, "As in the 2015 Bologna Scientific Meeting, exciting sessions on the areas of CoQ 10 and Ubiquinol CoQ 10 research that have advanced significantly in the last few years will be presented including: mitochondrial diseases (primarily CoQ 10 deficiency syndrome), cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and aging. There is evidence of efficacy of CoQ 10 supplementation in these conditions. Significantly, the European Medicines Agency has recently registered Ubiquinol as an orphan drug for CoQ 10 deficiency syndrome."

Mark your calendars for this important Scientific Meeting to learn about the advances of Conventional CoQ 10 and the Ubiquinol form of CoQ 10 . Visit icqaproject.org for more information and to register.

Contact Information:

Ron Martin

Kaneka Nutrients

+1-281-291-3185

Related Links

https://www.kanekanutrients.com



SOURCE Kaneka Nutrients
Around the globe, one child dies every two minutes from diseases caused by poor water, sanitation and hygiene ii . Millions of girls miss school every month because they do not have access to adequate sanitation facilities to manage their periods privately and with dignity iii . Women and girls often have to wait until dark to defecate and urinate, often in secluded spots, exposing them to risk of violence and attack iv .

Kimberly-Clark believes that access to sanitation is an essential for a better life and that toilets change lives. The company, which launched its Toilets Change Lives program in 2014 in the United Kingdom, has now expanded it to involve more than 15 countries around the world. The program, delivered in partnership with organizations such as UNICEF, WaterAid and Water For People, provides funding and expertise to build, repair and maintain toilet infrastructure, along with hygiene education and behavior change programming.

"As a global personal care company, Kimberly-Clark brings decades of experience and expertise in understanding the interconnected issues associated with hygiene, sanitation and water," said Rishi Dhingra, vice president and global sector leader, Family Care. "What we've learned from undertaking the Toilets Change Lives program is that no single entity can solve this issue alone; rather it takes, and will continue to take, true collaboration. What has helped us to scale-up the Toilets Change Lives program is the involvement of our consumers, retail partners, NGOs and employees. The plan is to continue to grow this program and involve more people and partners, including our suppliers, as we believe everyone deserves the dignity of a clean and safe toilet."

"To date, the Toilets Change Lives program has directly improved the lives of 500,000 people with the wider community impact reaching over 1 million. We are working towards a goal of improving the lives of 25 million people in need by 2022 through increasing access to sanitation, helping children thrive and empowering women and girls," says Lisa Morden, global head of sustainability for Kimberly-Clark.

Communities in countries like Angola, Bangladesh, India, South Africa, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua have already benefited through The Toilets Change Lives program. Examples of some of the projects include:

In the UK, Spain , Switzerland and The Netherlands , Kimberly-Clark's Andrex, Scottex, Hakle and Page brands are partnering with UNICEF to affect change in Angola . Through its Toilets Change Lives program, Kimberly-Clark is contributing to UNICEF's Water and Sanitation work in Angola . Donations to date have helped over 240,000 people in Angola gain access to sanitation, through efforts to empower communities to build their own clean, safe toilets v . By the end of this year, the goal is to help an additional 45,000 people in Angola . Watch the video

, and , Kimberly-Clark's Andrex, Scottex, Hakle and Page brands are partnering with UNICEF to affect change in . Through its Toilets Change Lives program, Kimberly-Clark is contributing to UNICEF's Water and Sanitation work in . Donations to date have helped over 240,000 people in gain access to sanitation, through efforts to empower communities to build their own clean, safe toilets . By the end of this year, the goal is to help an additional 45,000 people in . Watch the video The Toilets Change Lives program in the UK has recently expanded to involve WaterAid where work is underway to improve public sanitation in two urban centers in Bangladesh . The public toilets being built and renovated will serve over 100,000 people in the first year. Watch the video

. The public toilets being built and renovated will serve over 100,000 people in the first year. Watch the video In India , Kimberly-Clark is working with the Charities Aid Foundation to repair and maintain toilets in schools and mobilize children as change agents to bring hygiene education into their families' homes. To date, the program has directly benefited over 30,000 school children and teachers across more than 100 schools, increasing enrollments at some schools by up to 40 percent vi . Watch the video

, Kimberly-Clark is working with the Charities Aid Foundation to repair and maintain toilets in schools and mobilize children as change agents to bring hygiene education into their families' homes. To date, the program has directly benefited over 30,000 school children and teachers across more than 100 schools, increasing enrollments at some schools by up to 40 percent . Watch the video In Latin America , Kimberly-Clark's Scott and Suave brands are partnering with Water For People to bring sanitation services, safe drinking water and/or hygiene education to more than 25,000 people across 32 communities and 21 schools in Bolivia and Peru. This year, the partnership has expanded into 3 new markets  Guatemala , Honduras and Nicaragua .

Developing Next Generation Sanitation Solutions

Looking to the future, Kimberly-Clark is bringing its innovation capabilities to help develop commercially sustainable and scalable solutions to the sanitation crisis. As a founding member of the Toilet Board Coalition, Kimberly-Clark supports the organization's "Toilet Accelerator" program. Through the "Toilet Accelerator" program, Kimberly-Clark employees mentor local entrepreneurs to develop new technology, programs and business models to convert waste from a cost to a valuable resource, with the ultimate aim of creating a self-sustaining sanitation economy.

For example, members of Kimberly-Clark's Corporate Research & Engineering team have been helping to mentor BioCycle, an innovative South African business, on the development of a unique production technology which uses fly larvae to convert waste into high value products including animal feed and biodiesel. BioCycle's solution aims to help entrepreneurs around the world to generate revenue from waste, creating an economic incentive to develop new sanitation systems in underserved regions.

"Kimberly-Clark helped establish the Toilet Board Coalition in 2014 to accelerate the development of the sanitation economy and new circular business models that approach waste differently," says Morden.

For more information about Kimberly-Clark's Social Impact goal visit Sustainability2022.com or to learn more about the Toilets Change Lives program visit @ToiletsChangeLives on Facebook.

About Kimberly-Clark

Kimberly-Clark (NYSE: KMB) and its well-known global brands are an indispensable part of life for people in more than 175 countries. Every day, nearly a quarter of the world's population trust Kimberly-Clark's brands and the solutions they provide to enhance their health, hygiene, and well-being. With brands such as Kleenex, Scott, Huggies, Pull-Ups, Kotex and Depend, Kimberly-Clark holds No. 1 or No. 2 share positions in 80 countries. To keep up with the latest news and to learn more about the company's 145-year history of innovation, visit www.kimberly-clark.com or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

i World Health Organization - http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs392/en/

ii WaterAid

iii WaterAid: We Can't Wait. A report on sanitation and hygiene for women and girls

iv WaterAid

v UNICEF

vi According to Charities Aid Foundation

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/602549/KCG0021_World_Toilet_Day_infographic_FA_Infographic.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/602497/KIMBERLY_CLARK_LOGO.jpg

Related Links

http://www.kimberly-clark.com



SOURCE Kimberly-Clark Corporation
THATCHAM, England, November 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Award winning Mobile Phones Direct, one of the UK's leading online mobile phone retailers, today announces a new partnership with digital communications company, O2 UK. Delivering an excellent customer experience is at the heart of both businesses - and by giving greater choice, value and service to existing and new customers, it's a great strategic fit. As the market for mobile phone contracts continues to shift towards online purchases, this partnership complements Mobile Phones Direct's existing relationships with other mobile networks operators. It also places the online mobile phone retailer in a unique position to offer pay monthly contracts across all four UK mobile networks. O2 products and services are available on http://www.mobilephonesdirect.co.uk from 15th November 2017.

(Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/601285/mobilephones_Logo.jpg )

Richard Baxendale, CEO of Mobile Phones Direct, commented: "Partnering with O2 means that we can provide our customers with an unparalleled choice of propositions. The ability to offer O2 products and services to our customers creates something unique, ensuring that we can give our customers access to the widest choice of any mobile phone retailer in the UK."

Simon Stanford, Director - Indirect Mass Retail, Direct Telesales and Retention, O2 UK, commented: "As a highly successful online retailer in the industry, we're delighted to welcome Mobile Phones Direct to our indirect retail partner channel. This partnership complements our direct channels and gives customers the opportunity to widen their choice when looking to buy O2 Pay Monthly contracts."

NOTES TO EDITORS

About Mobile Phones Direct

We started life in 1992 bringing mobile products to the masses. Now, the UK's leading online-only mobile phone retailer, we offer competitive mobile products to over 1 million customers. Our partnerships with leading mobile brands including O2, EE, Vodafone, Three, offer our customers the greatest choice, value and service. As one of the fastest growing privately held companies in the UK, our continued success is recognised by Sunday Times Fast Track 100 and Profit Track 100 in 2016, 2017. Our industry accolades and awards include "What Mobile Best Online Retailer", for five consecutive years and "Mobile News Awards Online Retailer of the Year" for three years running.

SOURCE Mobile Phones Direct
LONDON, November 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Datapipe prepares the UK holiday park operator for its busiest summer trading period

Park Holidays UK, one of the largest holiday park operators in the South of England, has selected Datapipe, a leader in managed cloud services for the enterprise, to replace its end-of-life infrastructure with a new cloud-based system utilising Amazon Web Services (AWS).

Park Holidays UK is one of the largest operators of holiday parks in the South of England, with 28 parks stretching from Devon in the South West to Suffolk in the East. Park Holidays UK offers its customers affordable caravan holidays, and it relies on its website and web-booking infrastructure to take most of its bookings. The demand for holidays is seasonal, with the bulk of the bookings coming in the lead-up to the busy summer period.

The Park Holidays UK website was running on legacy web servers that were first installed 10 years ago. In that time, the number of bookings taken through its website has grown dramatically. The infrastructure was reaching its capacity limit, so in February 2017 it began investigating new options. Park Holidays UK needed an entirely new technology stack built on AWS. It wanted to use the opportunity to rewrite its website from scratch and deliver a new, responsive site. However, Park Holidays UK did not have the expertise or knowledge to make such major changes to its infrastructure on its own, especially with regard to ensuring the new cloud-based solution was fully PCI complaint and that security was locked down. It needed guidance from a trusted partner.

With Datapipe it found that partner. Not only did Datapipe deliver a solution hosted on AWS, it offered Park Holidays UK a fully resilient solution with the ability to automatically bring on new resources when the load reaches a threshold, ensuring there is always spare capacity available. In case of any problems, failover time is now measured in minutes whereas previously, there was potential for up to two weeks of downtime for hardware replacements - this was a huge business risk to carry.

Datapipe also gave Park Holidays the reassurance that data held on the cloud would be secure. Datapipe's experts ensure that best practise methods are used to hold the data, and that end-to-end monitoring is in place to lock down the cloud environment.

Mike Procyshyn, IT Director at Park Holidays UK says: "Ten years ago, the majority of our bookings were taken via our call centre. Now the tables have turned, and most of our bookings come in via our website which makes it critical to our business. However, the infrastructure had not been significantly upgraded in that time and it was reaching the limits of its capacity.

"With the weak pound, more Brits than ever opted for a staycation this year, meaning we have been busier than ever. We could not afford to have any doubts about the resilience of our website and Datapipe has delivered a secure solution that sets us up for another ten years or more."

Scotty Morgan, Chief Sales Officer, Europe at Datapipe, says: "With Park Holidays UK, we delivered a new cloud-based solution that elastically scales depending on demand. It no longer has to worry about capacity issues and has a secure solution ready for the summer peak."

About Datapipe

A next generation MSP, Datapipe is recognised as the pioneer of managed services for public cloud platforms. Datapipe has unique expertise in architecting, migrating, managing and securing public cloud, private cloud, hybrid IT and traditional IT. The world's most trusted brands partner with Datapipe to optimise mission-critical and day-to-day enterprise IT operations, enabling them to transform, innovate, and scale. Backed by a global team of experienced professionals and world-class interconnected data centres, Datapipe provides comprehensive cloud, compliance, security, governance, automation and DevOps solutions. Gartner named Datapipe a leader in the 2017 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Public Cloud Infrastructure Managed Service Providers, Worldwide. For more information please visit the Datapipe website.

Contact: Tom Fry, datapipe@brightbee.co.uk, +44(0)208-8193170

SOURCE Datapipe
KALAMAZOO, Michigan, USA, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The New England Journal of Medicine published the results of the DAWN Trial, the first to provide compelling evidence in treating late window and wake-up stroke patients with mechanical thrombectomy. Currently, less than one in 10 patients suffering from an ischemic stroke receives thrombectomy, due in part to a lack of scientific evidence supporting treatment beyond six hours. The results shown in the DAWN trial have the potential to fundamentally change the paradigm of care for stroke patients globally.

According to Dr. Tudor Jovin, co-principal investigator from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, "By quadrupling the size of the therapeutic time window, the consequence of DAWN is that many more patients with large vessel occlusion stroke have the potential to be treated with mechanical thrombectomy. DAWN validates the physiological, rather than time-based approach to patient selection for endovascular therapy."

"Time alone should no longer be a disqualifier for thrombectomy but rather only a source of urgency. We hope this new treatment paradigm will benefit a large proportion of patients who were previously deemed untreatable," commented Dr. Raul Nogueira, Professor of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Radiology at Emory University School of Medicine and Director of Neuroendovascular Service, Marcus Stroke & Neurosciences Center, Grady Memorial Hospital and co-principal investigator on the study.

"The results of the DAWN Trial offer the first level-one evidence of significant reduced disability in patients who present in the late time window," said Mark Paul, president of Stryker's Neurovascular division. "However, best outcomes are achieved when patients are treated as quickly as possible, requiring increased patient awareness, EMS outreach and hospital infrastructure to be in place."

The DAWN Trial reflects Stryker's commitment to clinical leadership and focus on patient pathway development. Sponsored by Stryker, the trial was designed to evaluate functional outcomes at 90 days in stroke patients treated with mechanical thrombectomy using the Trevo Retriever compared to those receiving medical therapy alone. Patients were screened for inclusion in the trial if they had a stroke that started within six to 24 hours, or a stroke with an unknown time of onseta significantly longer treatment window than the currently cleared thrombectomy indication.

About the Trevo Retriever

Stryker's Trevo Retriever is a tiny stent-shaped medical device that is attached to a thin wire. In a minimally invasive procedure that utilizes X-ray, the physician navigates the retriever from the femoral artery (located in the upper leg) to the blocked blood artery in the brain. The retriever is designed to ensnare the blood clot and remove it from the body. Originally cleared by the FDA in 2012 for the revascularization of patients experiencing ischemic stroke, the Trevo Retriever has been used in thousands of patients worldwide. The retriever's indication within the DAWN Trial, for use in patients treated six to 24 hours after last seen well, is currently under an Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) only. The Trevo Retriever was the only mechanical thrombectomy device used in the DAWN Trial.

An animation and Important Safety Information of Stryker's Trevo Retriever is available here: https://youtu.be/PxcERzyI67I

About ischemic stroke

An ischemic stroke occurs when an artery in the brain becomes blocked by a blood clot or other substance such as plaque, a fatty material. Blood vessels carry blood, oxygen and nutrients throughout the body and to the brain. When the brain is deprived of blood and oxygen, it fails to work properly. Depending on the severity of the stroke and the area of the brain affected, loss of brain function or death may occur. According to the World Heart Federation, ischemic stroke contributes to 6 million deaths around the globe.1

About Stryker

Stryker is one of the world's leading medical technology companies and, together with its customers, is driven to make healthcare better. The company offers innovative products and services in Orthopaedics, Medical and Surgical, and Neurotechnology and Spine that help improve patient and hospital outcomes. More information is available at www.stryker.com.

Media contact

Keri Laden

Stryker

510 413 2534

keri.laden@stryker.com

1. http://www.worldstrokecampaign.org/learn.html. Accessed September 19, 2017.

Logo - http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/601960/STRYKER_LOGO.jpg

Related Links

http://www.stryker.com



SOURCE Stryker
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
London, Nov 8 : IT spending in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) is projected to exceed $1 trillion in 2018 -- an increase of 4.9 per cent from an estimated spending of $974 billion in 2017 -- market research firm Gartner said on Wednesday.

"The UK has EMEA's largest IT market and its decline of 3.1 per cent in 2017 impacts the forecast heavily," said John-David Lovelock, Research Vice President, Gartner, in a statement.

"Weak sterling and political uncertainty since Brexit are reducing UK IT spending in 2017, while other major IT markets in EMEA grew steadily," Lovelock added.

In 2017, however, all categories of IT spending in EMEA underperformed global averages while currency effects played a big part in the weakness in 2017 and will also contribute to the strength forecast in 2018, the market research firm noted.

"In 2017, we're seeing a pause in EMEA enterprise spending due to the switch to as-a-service offerings gaining momentum," said Lovelock.

All categories of enterprise IT spending will return to growth in 2018, but only IT services and software will grow strongly at 4 per cent and 7.6 per cent, respectively.

Enterprise spending on devices and communications services continues to fall behind in 2018, growing at 2 per cent or lower, thus failing to recoup the losses of 2017.
Shenzhen (China), Nov 9 : As smartphone players in India begin to infuse Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities into devices while looking at Cloud for safe and secure deposit of massive data, Chinese telecom giant Huawei will ramp up its efforts towards building devices with these capabilities for the Indian market, a top company executive has said.

"AI is the hot technology now. Huawei is making huge investments into this technology. We have the software and we have the chipset. It is important not only for consumer electronics but also for many other things as well. Thousands of engineers are working on this project," Peter Zhai, President, Huawei India Consumer Business Group, told IANS in an interview here.

Huawei unveiled its first mobile AI computing platform "Kirin 970" early in September in its bid to pack smart devices with powerful AI features to offer better user experience. The company is positioning it as an open platform for mobile AI, opening up the chipset to developers and partners who can find new and innovative uses for its processing capabilities.

In a benchmark image recognition test, the "Kirin 970" processed 2,000 images per minute which was faster than other chips on the market, according to Huawei.

Huawei also wants to be the biggest consumer electronics company in the world, Zhai said.

"The consumer electronics business constitutes around 27 per cent of Huawei's overall business. It is a very important part of our business and we will continue to work towards capturing greater market share in India's consumer electronics business," Zhai said, adding that the next focus for the technology giant is the Cloud enterprise market.

"India is very important for Huawei. The Indian smartphone market is now the second-largest in the world. It is bigger than the US market. In the next three to five years, it will become closer to China in size. So it will be a very fast-growing market and a very promising market," Zhai told IANS.

"Nobody can ignore India because this market will keep becoming bigger," he added.

In the third quarter of this year, the Indian smartphone market grew 37 per cent (quarter on quarter) and 18 per cent (year on year). The performance of Chinese brands remained strong and contributed to more than half of the total smartphone shipments, according to market research firm Counterpoint Research.

Huawei recently surpassed Apple to claim the second position in worldwide smartphone sales after Samsung.

How does Huawei plan to win the Indian market?

"The Chinese have one winning strategy -- put yourself in an undefeatable position and then start taking on the rivals. Huawei follows that," Zhai stressed.

"Huawei wants to win the Indian market with technology, word-of-mouth communication and good quality products. With this strategy, we can strengthen the base for long-term success," Zhai said, hinting that Huawei is looking for long-term gains rather than short-term success.

"In the past 30 years, Huawei has invested 10 per cent of its global revenue in R&D. We will continue this strategy which has helped us taste success all these years," Zhai said.

Huawei's R&D centre in Bengaluru is the company's second-biggest centre globally. It has contributed significantly to language customisation, software applications, and creating updates for its Emotion User Interface (EMUI).

"From my experience, the market ultimately allows only those to survive who offer technology-leading high-quality devices," Zhai said.

"Today, the only Chinese company to thrive in Europe is Huawei. Why? Some players may become popular one year, gain 10 to 20 market share and disappear next year, but we are not like them," he said, adding that with the introduction of 5G around 2020, Huawei will emerge as the leading technology company in the world.

"One generation network creates one generation company. With 5G we will start leading," he said.

(Gokul Bhagabati was in China at the invitation of Huawei. He can be contacted at gokul.b@ians.in)
Pune, Nov 10 : Electronic dance music (EDM) DJ Marshmello and rock band Incubus will come to India in February to perform at the fifth edition of Vh1 Supersonic in Pune.

The three-day fest by LIVE Viacom18 will be held at Laxmi Lawns, Pune, on February 9-11 next year. There will be a 'Live Stage' featuring rock music legends, read a statement.

Nikhil Chinapa, Festival Curator - Vh1 Supersonic, said: "The diversity of artists in the line-up for our festival's fifth edition is reflective of the many voices at Vh1 Supersonic, who've come together to finalise our programming mix this year.

"From rock and indie music to future bass and driving techno, our festival embraces many sounds. I do hope that if you roll into our festival to listen to one genre, you will roll out having accidentally discovered a few others -- and that your musical landscape would have forever been altered. That, without doubt, would be the most gratifying outcome of our team's work this past year."

Brandon Boyd, Mike Einziger, Jose Pasillas, Chris Kilmore and Ben Kenney comprise rock band Incubus.

Boyd is excited about coming to India for the first time.

"We've been dreaming about making music in India for decades! The opportunity to play there has always felt like it was almost always out of reach, so now that it is real and we're coming to India, I can't express enough how excited and elated we are," Boyd said.

Marshmello and Incubus have joined the already announced headliners which include names like English trio Alt-J and American electronic music group Major Lazer.
Manila, Nov 10 : Around 200 demonstrators gathered outside the American embassy here to protest US President Donald Trump's upcoming visit to the Philippines.

The protestors, summoned by local Left-wing groups, held up a large banner saying "Ban Trump, Fight against the imperialist war and looting" in addition to displaying posters and shouting slogans against the US President, Efe news reported.

Trump, who is currently in Da Nang, in Vietnam, attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, will arrive in Manila on Sunday to participate in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit and the East Asia Summit.

The Philippines is Trump's last stop in his five-nation tour through Asia which has taken him to Japan, South Korea and China.

Friday's protest saw minor scuffles between demonstrators and police officers, although no injuries were reported.

Protest organisers promised massive demonstrations in Manila from the day of Trump's arrival on Sunday until his departure on November 14.

They said they would be joined by more than 500 farmers and representatives of the Muslim community in the conflict-ridden island of Mindanao who have rejected alleged US military and economic interference in the region.

Philippines authorities, meanwhile, will deploy about 60,000 police officers and soldiers during the Asean summit.
New Delhi, Nov 10 : A quick cameo of performances from India, Taiwan, Russia, Argentina, Egypt and the US will mark the gala opening of the 11th edition of the Delhi International Arts Festival (DIAF) at the magnificent Purana Qila here on Saturday.

Delhi International Arts Festival is one of its kind as it includes all genres of music, dance, theatre, puppetry, poetry, literature, visual arts, films and exhibitions -- from the most traditional to the most contemporary expressions of all these art forms. Several embassies, cultural centers, international cultural managers, other international festivals and artistes from all around the world are also part of the annual event. This time DIAF will host artistes from 26 Countries and from all over India.

Of the 25 plus venues of the Festival are huge heritage sites like the Purana Qila, Qutub Minar, Central Park, CSOI (Civil Services Officers Institute), IGNCA, Auditorium, Kamani Auditorium, India Habitat Centre and Bikaner House, among others.

"I believe that everyone should be touched by art. Art feeds the soul and reveals one's true identity. A little brush with art changes perceptions and moulds a human being into a sensitive, understanding, accepting person. In today's world, this is an urgent necessity" festival founder-director Prathibha Prahlad said in a statement.

One of the highlights of DIAF this year will be the celebration of silver jubilee of Asean-India Partnership at Qutub Minar at the losing ceremony, which will feature Artistic Border Guards Group from Vietnam, a Traditional Dance and Music Performance from Bangladesh, Sumatera Dance Troupe from Indonesia and Baihana Trio from Philippines.

In addition to all of these are exciting performances like "Balinese Wayang," a puppet dance from Indonesia and "Wayang Kulit Dalang," a shadow play from Malaysia and many other performances from the UK, Norway, Thailand, Portugal, France, Egypt, Argentina, Hungary and Ireland.

The artistes will also be visiting almost 18 schools during the day to address and harness young minds to the beauty of the arts.

The festival is organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and the Delhi government.
Gandhinagar, Nov 11 : Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi arrived in Gujarat on Saturday on a three-day visit, his fourth in a row to the poll-bound state. This time he is visiting the stronghold of the BJP, in north Gujarat.

Gandhi is expected to attack the ruling BJP, both in the state as well as the Centre, on various fronts like the Goods and Services Tax, demonetisation, unemployment, Patidars, farmer distress and price rise et al.

As the state gears up for the state assembly elections on December 9 and 14, political bigwigs have made Gujarat their second home and the Gandhi scion is no exception.

In the last two months, not just Gandhi, but Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP national chief Amit Shah have been to the state several times.

Gandhi arrived at the Ahmedabad airport on Saturday morning. Then in a completely unplanned move, he headed to the Akshardham Temple here. After 'tilak' and 'darshan' he set out for the Chiloda village, adjoining the state capital.

Gandhi during his recent visits, has made it a point to visit most of the pilgrim places and famous temples.

He will later visit Chala and Majra chokdi, both in Gandhinagar district.

From there he will head to Prantij and Himmatnagar before going to Idar, a tribal region. In Himmatnagar, Gandhi will be addressing a farmers gathering.

In the afternoon he will be visiting the Khedbrahmma region, as well as visit the famous Ambaji temple. In Idar, as well as in Vadali, he will have corner meetings, similar to the 'Chai Pe Charcha' type.

His night halt will be in Ambaji town. Before his Ambaji temple 'darshan', he will address a public meeting on the rights of tribals at Khedbrahmma.

Gandhi's frequent visits have sprung quite a surprise in political circles, and have been unprecedented.

Political pundits opine that as far as Congress leaders, especially from the 10, Janpath in Delhi are concerned, visits to the state have always been for a single day.

Until now, they were mostly characterised by a single public meeting in some remote tribal region. But this is probably for the first time that three-day visits have been planned and executed in Gujarat and that too, in urban areas as well.

On Sunday, Gandhi will have an interaction with the social media and IT teams of the party followed by his visits Danta and Jalotra and a public meeting at Palanpur in Banaskantha district.

In Deesa, Gandhi will once again address small gatherings of youth and talk about Yuva Rojgar.

On Sunday he will be visiting and having 'darshan' of two temples, one at Thara and the other Totana. He will also address a public meeting at the Thara ground.

Late on Sunday evening he will arrive at former Chief Minister Anandiben Patel's bastion, Patan, and address a public meeting. He will make a night halt at Patan Circuit House.

On Monday, Gandhi will meet Dalit leaders in the morning after his 'darshan' to Patan's Vir Megh Maya Temple.

After that he will be visiting four villages in the area and once again have a small gathering and discussion (Chopal-style) with the nomadic tribe communities.

On the last day of his three-day sojourn, Gandhi will have a 'darshan' in three temples. First in Varana, where he will also address a public meeting, then in Shankheshwar temple and later in Becharaji, where he will also address the 'Rojgar Adhikar Sabha'.

Gandhi will arrive in the Mehsana constituency of Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel, where he will address women at 'Mahila Adhikar Sabha'.

He will end the visit on Monday with small corner meetings in Visnagar, the place from where the Patidar reservation stir initiated. He will then leave for Delhi.
Cairo, Nov 13 : Saudi Arabia has urged the Arab League (AL) to hold an urgent meeting of Arab foreign ministers on what it calls Iran's interventions in the region, informed sources said.

"Saudi Arabia requests the meeting to be held next Sunday," said the AL source on Sunday, reported Xinhua.

The Saudi request comes amid continuous tension between the two rivals in the region, particularly in the conflicts in Syria and Yemen.

It also comes a week after the resignation of Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri, who blamed Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah group for his decision.
Tehran/Baghdad, Nov 13 : At least 90 people were killed and over thousands injured after a powerful 7.2 magnitude earthquake jolted the Iran-Iraq border area, the media reported.

The epicentre of the earthquake on Sunday was 32 km southwest of the Halabja area near the Iranian border at the depth of 33.9 km, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS), Xinhua news agency reported.

The occurred at a depth of 33.9 km and tremors were also felt in Turkey, Israel and Kuwait, BBC reported.

Over 20 Iranian villages in the area have been damaged and the power and water flow have been disrupted.

Iranian emergency teams have rushed to the quake-hit region and helicopters are delivering basic need to people affected by the quake.

At least 61 people were killed and 300 injured in western Iran, the state media said, according to BBC. The toll is likely to rise.

The earthquake sparked panic, with residents fleeing their homes for the streets.

Mosques in the Iraqi capital Baghdad have been saying prayers through loudspeakers.

Many of the victims were in the town of Sarpol-e Zahab, about 15 km from the border, Iran's emergency services chief, Pir Hossein Koolivand, said, according to Iranian state television channel IRINN.

Damage was reported in at least eight villages, the head of Iran's Red Crescent Organisation, Morteza Salim, told the channel.

"Some other villages have suffered power cuts and their telecommunications system has also been disturbed," he said.

In Iraq, the earthquake was felt in many provinces in the north and central regions, including the capital Baghdad, witnesses said.

Most casualties occurred in the town of Darbandikhan, around 35 km from the city of Sulaimaniyah, Xinhua reported.

The casualties in Darbandikhan could rise as some houses have collapsed and it is not clear yet whether there were people buried under the debris, Nasih Mala Hassan, Mayor of Darbandikhan, was quoted as saying.

Iraqi Minister of Water Resources warned the people down the Darbandikhan Dam to be in highest alert as the condition of the dam is not clear.

In Erbil, the capital of the semi-autonomous Kurdish region, dozens of people were taken to hospitals. Some were treated from injuries and others fainted or shocked.

Many of the injured in Erbil were students who live in dormitories, the health department was quoted as saying.

Saad Maan, spokesman of the Iraqi Interior Ministry, told reporters that cracks appeared in some buildings in central Baghdad, while an old house was seriously damaged.
Manila, Nov 13 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday attended the opening ceremony of the 31st Asean Summit here.

"Photo session & Handshake by leaders during the Opening Ceremony of the #ASEANSummit in #Manila, #Philippines," Indian public broadcaster Doordarshan posted on Twitter along with a video in which Modi was seen sharing the stage with world leaders and shaking hands with them.

Earlier on Sunday, Modi interacted with world leaders, including US President Donald Trump, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, at a gala dinner reception hosted by Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte ahead of this year's India-Asean and East Asia Summits.

Ahead of the summits, Modi will hold a bilateral meeting with Duterte, and the Prime Minister is also scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Trump.

Modi would also speak at the Asean Business and Investment Summit and attend an Indian community reception to be hosted by the Ambassador of India to the Philippines This year marks the 25th year of the India-Asean dialogue partnership and the golden jubilee of the formation of the Asean regional bloc.

The Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
New Delhi, Nov 13 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday condoled the death of 16 tourists, who were killed in a boat capsize in Andhra Pradesh's Krishna district.

"Capsizing of a boat in the Krishna River is anguishing. My thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives in this tragedy. Andhra Pradesh Government and @NDRFHQ (National Disaster Response Force) have been working on rescue operations," the Prime Minister's Office said in a tweet.

At least 16 tourists, including nine women and two children, were killed and eight others were reported missing as the boat capsized in the Krishna river on Sunday.

The boat overturned at Ibrahimpatnam Ferry Ghat around 5.20 p.m. There were 41 tourists on board belonging to a private operator and returning from Bhavani Island to Pavitra Sangam, or holy confluence of Krishna and Godavari rivers.
Manila, Nov 13 : US President Donald Trump on Monday attended the opening ceremony of the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit here, where he is set to discuss security issues with his fellow leaders.

Trump posed in the customary group photo and later took part in the traditional Asean leaders handshake, with the Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte standing next to him and with whom he is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting later on Monday, reports Efe news.

The US President is also scheduled to meet with Australian Prime Ministers Malcolm Turnbull and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the day.

The Asean summit, which is set to conclude on Tuesday, and which is coupled with the East Asia Summit, includes bilateral and multilateral meets between the US, China, South Korea, Japan, India, the European Union, Russia, Australia, New Zealand and the UN.

Trump will take the opportunity to address "North Korea's growing threat", as he said on Sunday at the end of his state visit to Vietnam, the penultimate stop of his fourth international trip and the first in Asia, that will end in the Philippines and has also taken him to Japan, South Korea and China.

Trump is also expected to coordinate with his regional partners in the fight against the Islamic State terror group, present in the southern Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia.

His most eagerly-awaited bilateral meeting is the one he will hold with Duterte, the architect of the relentless and controversial "war on drugs" that has left more than 6,000 people dead throughout the Philippines in the last 16 months, almost 4,000 of them died at the hands of the police, according to official figures.

Several organisations have urged Trump to censure Duterte's controversial war on drugs, but in May the US president praised its effectiveness to eliminate drug trafficking during a telephone conversation between both leaders.

The Philippines, Asean's rotating chair for 2017, set the theme of "Partnering for Change, Engaging the World", putting security and regional integrity high on the agenda, reports Xinhua news agency.

At the closing ceremony of the Asean summit and related summits on Tuesday, Duterte will hand over the chairmanship of Asean to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong of Singapore, the incoming chair for 2018.

Established in 1967, Asean, which groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.

The Asean Community, with the Political-Security Community, the Economic Community and the Socio-Cultural Community as three pillars, was established at the end of 2015.
Manila, Nov 13 : The police on Monday used water cannons against demonstrators at a protest against US President Donald Trump, who is here to attend the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit.

Police officers and demonstrators were injured in the clashes that erupted when officers blocked the protesters from marching towards the convention centre where Trump is attending the Summit, reports Efe news.

The demonstrators, many of whom came from left-wing groups, carried an effigy of Trump with four arms in the shape of a Nazi swastika, each of them carrying a missile, a bulldozer symbolising the exploitation of natural resources, a gun and a bag of money.

In addition to chanting slogans against the US President, some protesters also carried placards describing Asean as "neoliberal" and "privatising".

The Asean summit opened on Monday, with the member countries - Myanmar, Brunei, Cambodia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam - participating in the meetings.

The bloc will also hold bilateral meetings with the US, China, South Korea and Japan, among others.

The meetings will culminate on Tuesday with the East Asia Summit, which will include Australia, the US, India and Russia, in addition to the Asean countries.
Vijayawada, Nov 13 : The death toll in Sunday's boat capsize in Andhra Pradesh's Krishna district rose to 19 as three more bodies were recovered from Krishna river on Monday, police said.

The search was on for two missing persons.

The overloaded boat of a private operator carrying 42 tourists capsized near Ibrahimpatnam Ferry Ghat near here on Sunday evening.

The tourists, majority of them hailing from Ongole town, were coming from Bhavani Island to Pavitra Sangamam, or holy confluence of Krishna and Godavari rivers to witness 'Maha haarathi' ritual on the last Sunday of the auspicious month of 'Karthika'.

Local fishermen and rescue workers saved 21 persons.

Krishna District Collector B. Lakshmikantham said four of them were still undergoing treatment in a hospital.

Deputy Chief Minister N. Chinnarajappa, who rushed to the site along with some other cabinet colleagues on Sunday night, supervised the rescue and relief operations.

Chinnarajappa said 32 members of the Ongole Walkers' Club were among those on board. He announced Rs 8 lakh compensation each to the families of the deceased.

Overload is believed to be the cause of the accident, he said, adding that the private company also did not have permission to operate the boat.

Survivors said they boarded the private boat as the boats of the Tourism Department were not available. They also complained that there were no life jackets on the boat.

The District Collector said a case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder was booked against the company operating the boat.

One of the crew members has been arrested while three others were absconding.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu will visit the ferry ghat on Monday. He will also call on the injured.
Mumbai, Nov 13 : The Indian Film and Television Directors' Association (IFTDA) will on Monday lead an appeal to Information and Broadcasting Minister Smriti Irani and Home Minister Rajnath Singh, on behalf of four other associations, to allow freedom for filmmakers in the wake of the ongoing controversy over "Padmavati".

Members of IFTDA, Cine and TV Artists Association (CINTAA), Western India Cinematographers Association (WICA), Screenwriters Association (SWA) and Association of Cine and Television Art Directors & Costume Designers, will hold a press meet here later on Monday.

"Five bodies are coming together to make an appeal for freedom of expression for filmmakers. The industry is shocked and we are hurt that a filmmaker like Sanjay Leela Bhansali is being heckled and abused. Bhansali symbolises success of our film industry in many ways, and if he can be treated like this and harassed, things are not right," Ashoke Pandit, IFTDA President, told IANS.

He said their appeal is to the ministers to take note of the controversy and uphold the freedom of filmmakers.

"Nobody has seen the film, yet people are making assumptions and attacking and abusing Bhansali. Similar controversy happened around 'Indu Sarkar'. What will we do? We can't make films to suit everyone's ego. If someone doesn't want to watch the film, don't watch it. If someone doesn't want it to release, go to court," Pandit said.

"Padmavati", slated to release on December 1, is embroiled in a controversy as some Hindu groups and political parties, including the Congress and the BJP, claim that the film distorts history and wrongly portrays Rajput queen Padmavati, a contention Bhansali has repeatedly rebuffed.
Mumbai, Nov 13 : They are not-so-mute witnesses to history, clanging away at intervals of 15 minutes, as if asking us all to grab the moment because time was slipping by.

Perhaps in the daily, mad rush in Maximum City, not many Mumbaikars pay attention to the 16-odd time-keepers of the city, some of them centuries old. But they have seen dramatic changes as Mumbai evolved from a conglomeration of fishing villages into a burgeoning metropolis -- a modern, global financial centre accommodating 17 million people that often appears to come asunder at its seams.

Yet, they have been evidently bypassed in the Swachh Bharat campaign.

"I was once permitted to go up the tower to click Mumbai views, but came across a lot of dirt, pigeon droppings and even dead birds. If people are allowed to visit them regularly, maintenance will be better," historian and archaeologist Mugdha Karnik told IANS.

She says clock towers are an important aspect of any city's history and should be more accessible to the masses, especially in Mumbai.

The most famous of the lot is, of course, the Rajabai Clock Tower adorning the entrance of the University of Mumbai, which once played God Save The King and a Handel Symphony with 16 tunes that kept changing four times a day -- now limited to chimes every quarter of an hour. But it still makes heads turn with people glancing at their own watches to match the time.

The iconic 280-feet tall structure, once visible from distances of 15 km, entered the 140th year of its existence in November. It has seen the reclamation of land beyond the present Oval Maidan, which pushed back the Arabian Sea by nearly 200 metres. Access to the top, which offered a panoramic view of Bombay, was stopped a few decades ago after it became a suicide point.

Other famous clock towers are at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Naval Dockyard, David Sassoon at Byculla Zoo, Crawford Market, St. Thomas Cathedral, BH Wadia in Fort, David Sassoon Library, Life Insurance Building Churchgate, the Khoja Shia Imami Ismaili Jamatkhana gifted by the Moloo Brothers of Zanzibar -- all in good working condition.

There is a Time Ball Building clock tower in the Mumbai Port Trust, which is not functional, another at Sasoon Docks Gate in Colaba, Lakshmi Insurance Building in Fort, Fulchand Nivas Building at Chowpatty, Mhatre Pen Building and Vijaynagar Building, both in Dadar to the north, and a few stray ones in other parts of Mumbai.

Avid clock tower lover, conservationist and historian Aadil Desai said the ones at CSMT, St. Thomas Cathedral built in 1718, David Sassoon at Byculla Zoo, David Sassoon Library, Naval Dockyard, BH Wadia and some others are very well-maintained and continue to grab attention.

"Several conservation activists regularly keep in touch with the owners of these premises on the status of the clock towers and they are very cooperative as it is a part of the city's rich heritage and history. The Mumbai Port Trust is even considering setting up a museum at the site," Desai said.

Every clock tower is unique, each having its own history and importance for the city, he said.

For instance, Rajabai Tower was financed by "Cotton King" Premchand Roychand, one of the original founders of the modern-day Bombay Stock Exchange Ltd. It was designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott on the lines of London's Big Ben and built in nine years for what was then a staggering amount of Rs 550,000.

It is named after Roychand's blind mother, Rajabai, who was a staunch Jain and needed to have her meals before dusk, and the clock chimes helped her do that without needing to depend on anyone.

The massive clock above the CSMT -- which was one of the sites targeted during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks -- was built in 1888 by Sir Frederick William Stevens, inspired by the Victorian Gothic architecture of London's St Pancras Railway station.

It's now a UNESCO world heritage site and the imposing clock sees millions of commuters hurrying past daily or tourists gaping and photographing it. Recently, the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has built a "selfie point" off the CST and the BMC headquarters to help people click pictures of the heritage precincts.

It was in the 1860s that Albert Abdul Sassoon, son of a Baghdadi Jewish philanthropist, came upon the idea of settng up a good library in the heart of the city. It materialised in 1870 as the David Sassoon Library at Kala Ghoda, near the Jehangir Art Gallery.

It is built with yellow Malad stone, like the nearby Army & Navy Building, Elphinstone College and Watson's Hotel, with a proud white stone bust of David Sassoon adorning the library entrance.

The Sassoon Docks, with a large clock tower, is one of the oldest fishing docks of Mumbai built on reclaimed lands in Colaba and constructed in 1875 by Albert Abdul Sassoon as a prime fish unloading and trading spot, which remains operational till date.

The Crawford Market, renamed Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Market, is a stone's throw from the CSMT and opposite the Mumbai Police Headquarters.

Blending the Norman and Flemish architectural styles, the freizes at the entrance depict Indian farmers and fountains made of Kurla stone, designed by Lockwood Kipling, the father of the legendary novelist Rudyard Kipling.

The Time Ball Building clock tower at Mumbai Port Trust is just one of the two surviving -- the second being in Kolkata -- and among the handful in the world, like at Greenwich, UK. Desai says it is an important piece of historical heritage and must be protected.

Perhaps it's time to step in and preserve the towers which may otherwise become the victims of, well, time.

(Quaid Najmi can be contacted at q.najmi@ians.in)
New Delhi, Nov 13 : The Delhi government on Monday did not file a review petition in the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on the odd-even ruling, two days after it decided to hold the traffic rationing scheme in abeyance and said it would request the green court to exempt women and two-wheelers from the restrictions.

The NGT questioned the Delhi government over not filing a review petition and wondered if its statement on Saturday was a media gimmick.

"There is no review petition from the Delhi government on odd-even though the Delhi Minister said so earlier. Was the statement only for media?," asked NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar while hearing another case in the tribunal.

A case regarding the overall air pollution in Delhi is listed for Tuesday in the NGT.

On Saturday, the green court gave the go ahead to the odd-even scheme and disapproved of all the exemptions that were given during the previous two phases of odd-even in January and April 2016.

The Delhi government said it will approach the green court again on Monday, and request that exemptions be given for women drivers and two-wheelers. Subject to the NGT's decision, the Delhi government will "consider implementing it again".

The road rationing scheme is to be implemented from November 13 to 17 as suggested by the Supreme Court-appointed Environment Pollution Prevention and Control Authority (EPCA) and specified under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), after Delhi's air quality went "beyond severe".

Last year, exemptions were given to women, two-wheelers, vehicles carrying children in school uniforms and VVIPs.
Madrid, Nov 13 : Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema says team-mate and star forward Cristiano Ronaldo is more selfish than him but he enjoys playing with the Portuguese international.

"(Ronaldo) is more selfish than me, but that's normal," the French international was quoted saying by Spanish website Marca.

"We get along well, I like to play with him. In the end, his selfishness doesn't bother me, it is good for the team," Benzema, 29, added.
Manila, Nov 13 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday visited the Mahaveer Philippine Foundation here that has helped rehabilitate thousands of disabled people in the country with the famed Jaipur Foot.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said that Modi interacted with nine-year old Carlo Migel Silvano from Bulacan province at Mahaveer Philippine Foundation in Manila.

"He (Carlo) is one of the thousands in Philippines fitted with the Indian-made 'Jaipur Foot' at this Foundation," Kumar tweeted.

The Mahaveer Philippine Foundation is an associate centre of the Jaipur-based Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayat Samiti (BMVSS) of the famed Jaipur Foot artificial limb.

BMVSS is the world's largest organisation to rehabilitate over 1.55 million lives with the artificial limb.

The Foundation in Philippines was set up by then Indian-origin Mayor of Manila Ramon Bagotsing and Executive President of BMVSS V.R. Mehta.

This year alone, 757 amputees in the Philippines have benefitted from the Foundation's programme.
New York, Nov 13 : Men with a history of cardiovascular disease may be more at risk of facing sudden cardiac arrest during or soon after sex, a study led by an Indian-origin researcher has revealed.

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is when the heart suddenly stops beating. It usually occurs without warning.

The findings showed that although the incidence of SCA is very rare, survival rates in such cases remain low.

It is because, the partners failed to immediately perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), which could save more lives, the researchers said.

"Even though SCA during sexual activity was witnessed by a partner, bystander CPR was performed in only one-third of the cases," said Sumeet Chugh, Associate Director at the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute.

For the study, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, the team examined records of more than 4,500 cardiac arrests over a period of 13 years in persons above 18 years.

Out of these only 34 were during or within an hour of having sex, and 32 of those were men, who were already taking drugs for heart conditions.

Patients who experienced sudden cardiac arrest related to sexual activity also had a higher rate of ventricular fibrillation/tachycardia than those who did not.

Only one-third of these SCA cases received bystander CPR. This low bystander CPR rate accounted for less than 20 per cent of patients who survived to hospital discharge, the researchers noted.

Moreover, some cases of SCA after sexual activity may also involve medications, stimulants and alcohol use, the researchers said.

"These findings highlight the importance of continued efforts to educate the public on the importance of bystander CPR for SCA, irrespective of the circumstance," Chugh added.
London, Nov 13 : British Prime Minister Theresa May will meet business leaders from the European Union (EU) to voice concerns about the future of UK-EU trade.

Experts from groups including the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and BusinessEurope will stress the need for a transitional deal that preserves the status quo after Brexit, reports the BBC.

According to sources, the experts will urge the British government to clarify the future relationship between the UK and the rest of the EU.

The next round of Brexit talks is due to start in mid-December.

Apart from May, Business Secretary Greg Clark, Brexit Secretary David Davis and Economic Secretary to the Treasury Stephen Barclay will also attend the meeting.

The CBI and the Institute of Directors will be represented, as will business organisations from France, Germany, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Ireland, Sweden, Poland, the Czech Republic and Belgium.

CBI Director General Carolyn Fairbairn told the BBC that it was an important meeting.

"The urgency that's shared by business across Europe is growing by the day."

She said a CBI survey showed that 10 per cent of firms had "already pressed the button on their contingency plans" in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
Beijing, Nov 13 : China on Monday said the US, Japan, India and Australia should not target Beijing, a day after the four met on the sidelines of the Asean Summit in Manila and decided to work for a "free, open, prosperous and inclusive Indo-Pacific region".

China also said the US-brokered proposal of these countries to ensure free and open "Indo-Pacific ... should avoid politicising or excluding some relevant parties".

"The relevant proposal should be open and inclusive and should be conducive to the win-win cooperation and avoid politicising or excluding some relevant parties," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said.

"From China's persistent foreign policy, we welcome the development of friendly cooperation between the relevant countries and we hope this kind of relation is not directed against any third party and we hope this kind of relations will be conducive to the regional peace and stability," Geng added.

US President Donald Trump has been increasingly using the term "Indo-Pacific" for Asia-Pacific to clearly signal the inclusion of India in the Indian Ocean.

Some experts say the US wants to contain China with help from India, Australia and Japan.

"Peace, development and win-win cooperation is the trend of the times... I think the development in any country, any region should correspond to the trend of the times and the trend of the world," Geng said "I think all relevant parties can put forward their vision and proposal on how to develop cooperation between the countries and regions. I hope this kind of proposal and vision can correspond to with the trend and correspond with the trend of the world," he added.

The representatives of the four countries met for the first time on the sidelines of the Asean Summit on Sunday.

Later, India's External Affairs Ministry said: "The discussions focused on cooperation based on their converging vision and values for promotion of peace, stability, and prosperity in an increasingly inter-connected region that they share with each other and with other partners."
Lucknow, Nov 13 : The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Monday said the ruling BJP will bite the dust in the upcoming urban body polls in Uttar Pradesh and termed its election manifesto a "bunch of lies" aimed at "hoodwinking people".

Addressing a press conference in the state capital, AAP national spokesman Ashutosh said that a "jittery" BJP had come out with its 'Sankalp Patra', which had tried to copy the promises the AAP had already made to the people in its manifesto.

The party leader termed Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath as the "most inefficient Chief Minister in the history of Uttar Pradesh".

Ashutosh said the fact that Adityanath is leading the campaign for the urban body polls while the big leaders of other parties have chosen not to, proves that the BJP is "fighting a lost battle".

"Under the watch of Yogi Adityanath more than five dozen children died in Gorakhpur due to paucity of oxygen, BJP workers are attacking policemen; girl students were cane charged in the Benaras Hindu University...Is this what the BJP is trying to replicate in urban bodies as well?" Ashutosh questioned.

He alleged that both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the Centre and state had failed to keep the promises made to the people during elections. "There is no investment coming, industry has been hit by recession and trade has collapsed post-GST," said the journalist-turned-politician, and said the BJP had also failed to provide security and safety to women.

The AAP leader also attacked the BJP on corruption and said that while it claimed to be a party with a difference, its actions had proved that it is a party in a hurry to "embrace the corrupt". "The BJP leadership has been shouting at the top of its voice on how it had waged a war against the people who are corrupt. Can it justify why it chose to assimilate leaders like Narayan Rane in Maharashtra, Mukul Roy in West Bengal and a convicted politician like Sukhram in Himachal Pradesh?" the AAP leader asked.

State spokesman of the party, Vaibhav Maheshwari, said they had already proved through tangible evidence that the present Deputy Chief Minister and former Lucknow Mayor Dinesh Sharma had "presided over" serious financial bungling and scams running into crores of rupees.

"We have all seen how the BJP has done in its previous tenures... Now they are promising to deliver on their promises. We ask what have they done so far, now that they even have a central government, state government and the municipal corporation of their own?" Maheshwari said.

The party also accused the state government, the central government and the Municipal Corporations ruled by the BJP of doing precious little on the sanitation front.

Chief Minister Adityanath on Sunday released the party manifesto at the BJP headquarters in Lucknow. The Sankalp Patra promises free WiFi at prominent public places and 'pink toilets' for women. Adityanath said that 652 urban local bodies across the state are going to polls, which is the highest number so far. The number also includes 16 municipal corporations.

Uttar Pradesh will witness three-phase civic polls on November 22, 26 and 29. Counting will be held on December 1.
New Delhi, Nov 13 : Congress MP Deepender Singh Hooda on Monday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting him to constitute a committee to tackle air pollution in the capital.

"I am planning to move a 'Right to Clean Air Bill' as a private member's bill in the Lok Sabha. I shall put together thoughts of the citizens and experts in the bill," Hooda told the media here.

"I have written to the Prime Minister requesting him to constitute a high-level committee, including the Chief Ministers of north Indian states. The committee will be headed by the Prime Minister himself. Everybody should rise above political lines, sit together and should present before the country a plan with budgetary provisions."

In his letter to the Prime Minister, Hooda said: "We need to rise above political blame games and find a lasting solution to this problem for the sake of our next generation."

"As reports suggest that National Clean Energy and Environment Fund is being used towards compensating the states' revenue loss due to GST, in this context, I request you to also use the funds towards tackling the issue of pollution in Delhi, NCR and North India," he added.
New Delhi, Nov 13 : A gang of robbers opened fire and stole around Rs 38 lakh from a person outside a bank here on Monday, a police officer said.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Omvir Singh told IANS that the robbery took place outside a branch of the Corporation Bank in Vasundhara Enclave in east Delhi around noon.

"The gang robbed a petrol pump owner. They fired some three rounds," the officer said.

The DCP said that no one was injured.
New Delhi, Nov 13 : Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Monday took a poetic dig at Delhi's smog situation, quoting lines from a Hindi film song, and questioned why everyone is indifferent to the issue.

"Seene me jalan, ankhon me tufan sa kyon hai, is sheher me har shaks pareshan sa kyon hai (What is the cause of this burning sensation in the heart and storm in the eyes? Why is everyone in this city troubled?)" Gandhi tweeted quoting the well-known ghazal from the 1978 Hindi movie 'Gaman', written by lyricist Shaharyar.

Gandhi, however, added one more line to the poem, and said: "Kya batayenge saheb, sab jankar anjan kyo hai (Could you tell, why everyone is pretending ignorance despite knowing all)."

He did not name any political party or leader in his comment.

He also shared the link to a news report on the Delhi smog crisis.

Delhi has been facing smog and "severe" pollution for days now, with doctors warning people against going outdoors.
Manila, Nov 13 : US President Donald Trump, known for his awkward and at times aggressive handshakes with fellow world leaders, struggled during a traditional group handshake at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit here on Monday.

Trump was befuddled during a group photo when the world leaders were instructed to take part in the "traditional" Asean handshake. During the handshake, the leaders cross their right arm over their left and grasp the hands of the fellow participants on both sides.

However, the US President seemed briefly confused by the announcer's instructions and proceeded to cross his hands in front of him, the New York Daily News reported.

Then, he turned to the leaders flanking him -- Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc to his right and Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte to his left -- and extended his arms outwards. But that wasn't right either.

Finally, Trump crossed his arms correctly and vigorously shook the arms of the two leaders beside him, while laughing.

Photos showed Trump alternatively grimacing and chuckling as he jockeyed for position with Duterte, the event's host.

The US President has long struggled to shake hands with world leaders without making it an international incident. The photos of the Manila event made it soon to Twitter where Trump was mocked.

"President Trump positioned next to President Duterte for class photo including @ASEAN2017 handshake, which took some twisting," one user tweeted.

"Trump's face in this photo is priceless. He struggled a bit with the cross body handshake. He eventually got it and laughed off the awkwardness," said another tweet.

"Guess he never played twister? In Asia, Trump briefly baffled by group handshake," another Twitter user said.

In February, Trump greeted Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe with a handshake that lasted 19 seconds, included two firm pats from Trump on the back of Abe's hand, and ended with the President declaring, approvingly, "strong hands".

He also fumbled handshakes with France's Emmanuel Macron and the First Lady Brigitte Macron earlier this year.
Vientiane, Nov 13 : Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived here on Monday on a state visit to Laos after attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Vietnam.

This marks the first visit in 11 years by a Chinese head of state to Laos, Xinhua news agency reported.

Xi is scheduled to meet Laos President Bounnhang Vorachit, Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith and National Assembly President Pany Yathotu.

Vientiane is the final leg of Xi's first overseas trip after he was re-elected the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China last month.
Navi Mumbai, Nov 13 : Thieves dug up a deep tunnel to sneak into the Bank of Baroda's Juinagar Branch here and reportedly escaped with Rs 1 crore in cash and valuables from over 100 safe boxes, police said on Monday.

According to a police official, the robbery may have taken place during the weekend holiday but came to light when the branch opened on Monday morning.

Investigators said the tunnel was dug from outside to the bank's store room which houses private lockers.

But the robbers could not break open the main safe vault housing the bank's cash reserves.

The robbery - reminiscent of the 2008 British-Hollywood flick "The Bank Job" - created a sensation. A police official said it could be the work of expert criminals.

Bank Of Baroda officials declined to comment on the incident or the losses suffered by the branch. The bank losses were estimated by the police.
Manila, Nov 13 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump held a "warm and productive meeting" on the sidelines of the Asean Summit here on Monday and discussed issues of mutual interest.

A day after they held a brief interaction at a dinner hosted by Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte, the two leaders "discussed bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest in a warm and productive meeting", External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said.

The meeting comes a day after India, US, Japan, and Australia held talks to begin the quadrilateral process for greater cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.

Ahead of his meeting with Trump, Modi said: "Relations between India and the US are growing."

"I also feel that these relations between India and the US are not just for our mutual interests but go much beyond that, and we are working together for the future of Asia and of the humanity as a whole."

Modi said that in the past few days, wherever President Trump has travelled and whenever an opportunity arose to talk about India, he has expressed very high opinion about India and said things full of hope.

At the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Vietnam last week, Trump commended India for achieving "astounding" growth since opening its economy and heaped praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he has been working to bring the country and its people together.

"I would like to assure you that whatever are the expectations of the world, of the United States from India, India has always worked and made efforts to do its bit and fulfil those expectations. We will continue to do so in the future too," Modi said.

Briefing the media later here, Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar said the meeting between the two leaders lasted about 45 minutes.

He said the meeting started with Trump saying that there were a lot of good reports coming from India.

"He was talking mainly in economic terms," Jaishankar said.

"The bilateral was mainly on economic issues. Trade and investment was discussed. Thrust of the discussion was on how to grow trade and investment," he added.

This was the second Modi-Trump meeting after the Indian leader's visit to Washington in June.

Modi arrived here on Sunday on a three-day visit to the Philippines during the course of which he will attend the 15th India-Asean Summit and the 12th East Asia Summit on Tuesday.
Alappuzha (Kerala), Nov 13 : Oscar winner and hugely popular American actress Halle Berry had a peaceful and quiet holiday here, without grabbing the attention she is used to.

Berry, 51, won the 2002 Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in the romantic drama "Monster's Ball".

An official of the beach resort where she and her five-member group were put up, told IANS on Monday that the actress' visit was purely private.

"She and her group were here with us for two nights and checked out yesterday morning. She spent time at the beach and had no problems moving around. Yes, none knew who she was and we were also told that since this was a private visit, none should also come to know.

"She really enjoyed the stay with us and the places she visited," said the official on condition of anonymity.

Berry arrived at the Kochi International Airport around three days ago, and drove to the beach resort near here.

During her visit, she enjoyed a houseboat ride, visited the beach and also a few establishments here.

On Sunday, she went back to Kochi and flew to Mumbai from there.

Berry has been posting updates from her India trip on Instagram.

"Time to WINE down," read one post in which she is seen holding up a glass of red wine. Her wrist is wrapped in beads.

In another post from Mumbai, she is seen sporting a bindi and is seen wearing an innovative serpent ring.

"Sometimes the universe puts us in places where our souls most need to be in order to see more clearly. So grateful to be here," she wrote.

Before her trip to Kerala, the former James Bond girl was in Mumbai where she bonded with actress Dia Mirza over climate change at a private event.
Sabarimala (Kerala), Nov 13 : A state-of-the-art hospital, improved facilities at the dining hall that can seat 5,000 people at a time and beefed up security measures are among features at Kerala's famed Sabarimala temple which opens on Wednesday evening for a new pilgrimage season, officials said.

The sanctum sanctorum will be opened to pilgrims in the wee hours of Thursday, signalling commencement of the two-month annual pilgrimage.

The opening of doors of the sanctum sanctorum coincides with the first day of the Malayalam month of 'Vrishickam', which falls on Thursday. The festival season's most awaited moment falls on the first day of the Malayalam month, the day of the Makaravilaku -- sighting of the celestial light on the horizon -- which takes place on January 14, 2018.

Situated on the mountain ranges of the Western Ghats at an altitude of 914 metres above sea level, Sabarimala temple is four km uphill from Pamba in Pathanamthitta district, which is around 100 km from the capital city.

The temple, which bars the entry of women who have attained puberty, is accessible only on foot from Pamba.

Every pilgrim carries with him a kit (alrumudi' - which contains coconuts which are broken just before climbing the 18 steps) on his head during the pilgrimage. Without it no one is allowed to go up the holy 18 steps at the Sannidhanam.

Speaking to IANS, State Minister for Devasoms Kadakampally Surendran said everything is ready and officials are ensuring that nothing is left to chance for a smooth pilgrimage.

"This year, we have set up a state-of-the-art hospital at the temple complex. This time the facilities for pilgrims have been beefed up and would include more drinking water treatment plants, facilities at the dining hall have been improved and at a time 5,000 people can be served food," said Surendran.

He said the number of policemen on duty at a time has been increased to 1,500.

"We have ensured adequate supply of 'appam and aravana' prasadam. At a meeting with representatives of state governments from nearby states, we will seek their support to pass on the message to pilgrims from their states to see that they do not bring any plastic items by way of packets or bottles," the Minister added.
Manila, Nov 13 : Underlining the importance of building physical connectivity with the Asean region to further strengthen its economic ties with India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday announced that the largest so far Asean-India business and investment summit is slated to be held in New Delhi in January next year.

Addressing the Asean Business and Investment Summit here, Modi also said that a conference to discuss increasing connectivity between both regions is also due to take place next month in New Delhi.

"India's Look East policy puts this region at the centre of our engagement. So, connectivity with Asean by land, sea and air remains our priority," Modi said pointing to the ongoing Trilateral Highway Project involving Myanmar and Thailand, which India is seeking to extend to three other countries.

"An Asean-India Connectivity Summit will take place next month with all the countries participating," he said.

"To coincide with the Asean-India Commemorative Summit in January, an Asean-India Business and Investment meet and expo will be held, which will be the biggest Asean focused event that India has ever organised," he added.

The Prime Minister also said that work is in progress to conclude a maritime transport agreement with the Asean.

Modi arrived here on Sunday on a three-day visit to the Philippines during which he will attend the 15th India-Asean Summit and the 12th East Asia Summit on Tuesday.

Describing both India and Philippines as service sector powerhouses, Modi noted how India had risen 30 places to enter the top 100 countries on the World Bank rankings on ease of doing business as a result of various reforms undertaken.

He said demonetisation coupled with measures like linking of the Aadhaar number with bank accounts has led to formalisation of a big part of the Indian economy.

"We are using our unique ID system in financial transactions and taxation for this purpose and the results are already visible," he said.

"These steps, coupled with demonetisation of high value notes, has resulted in fomalising a large part of our economy. The number of new tax payers filing income tax returns has more than doubled. Digital transactions have increased by 34 per cent as we march together to a less-cash economy," he added.
Bhubaneswar, Nov 13 : The polypropylene unit being set up by Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) will be commissioned in Odisha's Paradip by June 2018, said an official on Monday.

The polypropylene unit of 700 kilo tonne per annum capacity is being set up at a cost of Rs 3,150 crore. It will be ready by June 2018, said Sujoy Choudhury, Chief General Manager (Petrochemical Marketing) of IOCL.

Out of Rs 3,150 crore, about Rs 2,000 crore has been invested so far and the construction work of over 70 per cent completed.

IOCL, which has already commissioned a 15 million tonne per annum refinery at Paradip at an investment of Rs 35,000 crore, is set to produce BS-VI (Bharat Stage-VI) compliant fuel by 2020 to reduce vehicular pollution.

"Presently, we are operating the refinery at 100 per cent capacity and producing BS-IV compliant fuel," said Paradip Refinery Executive Director G.S. Singh.

He said the refinery is exporting nine to 10 per cent petroleum products to Singapore.

While over 100 companies have expressed their interest to invest in the petrochemical complex, IOCL is organising a first-of-its-kind Petrochemical Investors Conclave in Bhubaneswar on November 16 to promote investment potentials in the region.

"This is our attempt to create investment opportunities in Eastern India. The conclave aims to highlight the emerging investment opportunities in the petrochemical sector in Eastern India and help catalyse investments in the downstream plastic parks and textile parks proposed to be developed in the region," said Pritish Bharat, Chief General Manager, Odisha office.

"About 450 investors are likely to participate in the conclave. Around 90 per cent of investors attending are from the eastern region. We have also invited young entrepreneurs to take part," said Bharat.

The theme of the Conclave is "Purvodaya - The Dawn of Investment Opportunities in Eastern India".

Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers H.N. Ananth Kumar and Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan will attend the event.
New Delhi, Nov 13 : BJP MP Shatrughan Sinha said on Monday that all police interrogation in cases such as the murder of Gurugram student Pradhuman Thakur must be done under "camera surveillance" to prevent the "inhuman torture" of suspects.

Sinha's remarks came after the Central Bureau of Investigation said the seven-year-old from Ryan International School was killed by a Class 11 student of the same school. The Haryana Police had earlier arrested Ashok Kumar, a bus conductor, for the murder.

"If the poor Ashok Kumar, accused of Pradhuman's murder, is let off by the CBI, then Gurugram police or whoever participated in framing him to divert attention deserves no mercy and must be punished most severely and appropriately," Sinha said in a series of tweets.

Sinha urged the judiciary, the Haryana government and the Centre to ensure that "justice prevailed".

"High time and right time that now on, any and every interrogation by police or the CBI must be conducted under CCTV camera... to stop the inhuman torture of people like Ashok Kumar... No more third degree," he said.

On September 22, the CBI took over the murder investigation from the Haryana Police.

The Class 2 student was found with his throat slit inside the Gurugram school washroom on September 8 just after he was dropped by his father.
New Delhi, Nov 13 : The government on Monday clarified that supplies to foreign diplomatic missions and United Nations (UN) organisations will not have any additional impact on the businesses tax liability.

Amid reports of businesses showing unwillingness to give their Good and Services Tax (GST) Unique Identify Number (UIN) while supplying to foreign diplomatic missions and UN bodies, the government said such supplies were like any other business-to-consumer (B2C) sale and hence would not attract any extra tax liability.

"It may be noted that sale or supply to foreign diplomatic missions/UN organisations is like any other B2C sale and will not have any additional effect on the supplier's tax liability.

"Recording of UIN while making such sales will enable foreign diplomatic missions/UN organisations claim refund of the taxes paid by them in India. Therefore, it is advised that under no circumstance any supplier should decline to record the UIN of the diplomat/official on the tax invoice," the Finance Ministry said in a statement.

The ministry said several representations had been received from foreign diplomatic missions/UN organisations regarding unwillingness of the vendors/suppliers to record the UIN while making sales to such missions/consulates or UN organisations.

"The diplomats/consulate staff may quote the same UIN as allotted to their missions/consulates or UN organisations while making any purchases," it said.

UIN is a 15-digit unique number allotted to any specialised agency of the UN organisation or any multilateral financial institution and organisation notified under the United Nations (Privileges and Immunities) Act, 1947, Consulate or Embassy of foreign countries. The first two digits of the UIN denote state code where the diplomatic mission/ consulate/embassy is located.

"Search functionality for UIN is available on the GST common portal in "search taxpayer" option. On entering UIN and captcha, details of the diplomatic mission/consulate/embassy will be available," the statement added.
Vijayawada, Nov 13 : The death toll in Sunday's boat capsize in Andhra Pradesh's Krishna district rose to 21 on Monday as more bodies were recovered from Krishna river and one of the injured succumbed, police said.

The overloaded boat of a private operator carrying 45 tourists, including three crew members, capsized near Ibrahimpatnam Ferry Ghat near here on Sunday evening.

The tourists, majority of them hailing from Ongole town, were coming from Bhavani Island to Pavitra Sangamam, or holy confluence of Krishna and Godavari rivers to witness 'Maha haarathi' ritual on the last Sunday of the auspicious month of 'Karthika'.

Local fishermen and rescue workers saved 21 persons. The deceased included nine women and two children.

Making a statement in the state Assembly, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said 20 bodies had been recovered and the bodies have been handed over to their relatives.

He said out of 21 rescued and admitted to hospitals, 17 were discharged and four were still undergoing treatment.

He announced Rs five lakh reward for two fishermen, who rescued 17 people.

Naidu, who also visited the scene of the accident, said the whereabouts of three crew members were not known. He said the private boat had no licence to operate.

The tourists had boarded a boat of the tourism department, but when told that the time for ferrying passengers was already over they boarded the private boat.

The Chief Minister said the driver was inexperienced and unfamiliar with the area. He suddenly lost control of the overloaded boat, which capsized.

The police has registered a criminal case against the boat operator.

Naidu announced compensation of Rs 10 lakh each for the families of the dead.

Terming the incident unfortunate, the Chief Minister said a committee comprising of IAS and IPS officers has been formed to prevent such incidents in future.

Except for three, all the victims were from Ongole town of Prakasam district.

As many as 32 members of the Ongole Walkers' Club were on board. The deceased include three relatives of Communist Party of India (CPI) national secretary K. Narayana, a relative each of Director General of Police Sambasiva Rao and intelligence official Rama Rao.
New Delhi, Nov 13 : The BJP on Monday condemned the killing of a RSS activist in Kerala and hit out at the state's ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist by dubbing it as a "Maoist" government.

"We condemn the brutal killing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh worker in Thrissur. Despite our campaign in the state, the killer brigade is active. The ruling party is acting like Maoists. The CPI-M has become CPI-Maoists," Union Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar told reporters here.

RSS activist Anand was killed on Sunday, allegedly by CPI-M workers, after a group of persons riding a car knocked down his two-wheeler. He was then hacked to death.

Javadekar, a senior BJP leader, accused the state government of suppressing the voice of the opposition and demanded justice in the case of the worker's killing.

"There is no place for violence in a democracy. The culprits must be brought to justice. Our fight will continue democratically," he said.
Patan (Gujarat), Nov 13 : Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Monday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is like a "jadugar" or magician who has been "performing tricks" on the people of Gujarat and the country, as he visited Patidar strongholds in north Gujarat that saw huge crowds greet and listen to him.

The All India Congress Committee (AICC) Vice President is on the last and fourth leg of his three-day visit to poll-bound Gujarat. He will conclude his Gujarat tour by visiting the BJP bastion and the home of Patidar agitations of Mehsana and Visnagar later on Monday.

Earlier, talking to the media he said just like magicians perform tricks which are mere tricks and not real, similarly Prime Minister Modi has been perfoming tricks in Gujarat on the people.

On Monday, he began his tour of north Gujarat by visiting the Veer Meghmaya temple and had 'darshan' there. After that, he interacted with Dalit leaders of Patan. The Gandhi scion continued his attacks on Prime Minister Modi and lambasted the central government on various fronts like demonetization, the Goods and Services Tax (GST), unemployment and corruption.

He was warmly greeted by villagers on his visit to Kungher village in Patan district. He even mingled with the local children and offered them sweets. Later, he visited the native village of a BJP cabinet Minister in Gujarat, Dilip Thakore, in Harij. People turned up in huge numbers to greet the Congress leader, who broke the security barricades to meet them.

In Harij, he also became part of a magician's performance. Gandhi remarked, "Jadugars (magicians) have been earning money through tricks and Modiji too has been doing the same in 22 years."

While interacting with the denotified tribes and their leaders, Gandhi said that the Congress will prepare their poll manifesto after consulting the Gujarati people. "Unlike others who just make people listen to their 'Mann ki Baat', the Congress will listen to other's 'Mann ki Baat'" reiterated Gandhi.

At a public meeting in Varana in Patan, Gandhi said, "In Gujarat, there are five to 10 industrialists who are not agitating, whereas all others are doing 'andolan' (agitations)." Before his public address, he visited the temple of Goddess Khodiyar in Varana. He also offered a 'Chundadi' and 'Prasad' to the deity.

In the evening he will address a large gathering in Mehsana, the hometown of Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat, Nitin Patel and also the district of the hometown Vadnagar of Modi. Mansa, the hometown of the BJP national president Amit Shah is also located in north Gujarat.

The meting is much-awaited as it is the epicentre of the Patidar agitation. Another significant place of Patidar agitation is Visnagar, where Gandhi will be concluding his Gujarat visit. Political pundits are waiting to see the turnout at the Mehsana meeting, as Patidar groups are going to finalize their support to the Congress after their consultation meetings which are currently in progress.
New Delhi, Nov 13 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday questioned Tejashwi Yadav, son of RJD leader Lalu Prasad, in connection with a money laundering probe into the 2006 IRCTC hotels maintenance contract case, an official said.

The former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister was asked over 100 questions during his day-long questioning that started around 11 a.m. at the agency's office here and his statement recorded, the ED official said.

This is for the second time that the ED questioned Tejashwi in the case. He was questioned by the ED for over nine hours on October 10.

Tejashwi appeared before the ED on Monday after skipping four earlier summons.

The ED is probing financial irregularities in the case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against Tejashwi, his father and Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Lalu Prasad and his other family members.

Tejashwi's mother Rabri Devi, against whom the ED has issued six summons, is next in line to be questioned in the case.

On July 27, the Enforcement Directorate had registered a case under the PMLA following an FIR by the Central Bureau of Investigation and is probing the trail of funds allegedly transferred through shell companies.

The CBI registered a corruption case on July 5 against Lalu Prasad, his wife Rabri Devi and Tejashwi for alleged irregularities in the allotment of contracts for two Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) hotels in Ranchi and Puri in 2006 to a private firm when the RJD chief was the Railway Minister.

The contracts were given to Sujata Hotels, a company owned by Vijay and Vinay Kochhar, allegedly in lieu of bribe in the form of a plot of prime land in Bihar, the CBI said.

Apart from Ahluwalia Contractors' promoter Bikramjeet Singh Ahluwalia, who has also been questioned in the case, former Union Minister Prem Chand Gupta's wife Sarla Gupta and then IRCTC Managing Director P.K. Goel are also accused in the case.

The CBI has recorded the statements of Tejashwi and Lalu Prasad in this case.
Tehran/Baghdad, Nov 13 : At least 341 people were killed and thousands wounded when a devastating 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck Iran in a region bordering Iraq, flattening hundreds of buildings and leaving a mass of people homeless. The death toll will rise further, officials warned on Monday.

The Sunday night quake occurred at a depth of 33.9 km and the tremors were felt in a wide area including Turkey, Israel, Kuwait, Lebanon, Armenia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and as far as Pakistan, the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported.

At least 5,953 people were injured in the earthquake. The majority of the casualties appeared to be centred in Iran's Kermanshah province while seven people were killed in Iraq, officials said.

Any earthquake measuring over 7 on the Richter scale can cause widespread damage.

Thousands of Iranians spent the night digging through rubble in a frantic search for survivors. Videos and images from the town of Sarpol-e Zahab, located close to the border, showed partially collapsed buildings and residents wrapped in blankets on the streets.

Power cuts were reported in locations across western Iran that is home to some of the country's poorest regions.

Some 30 aftershocks, including some of the magnitude-4.5, were felt in several Iranian provinces, including Kurdistan, Khuzestan, Hamedan, western and eastern Azerbaijan as well as capital Tehran.

Among the worst affected towns in Iran were Ghasr Shirin, Sarpul and Azgale although officials said that it was still difficult to evaluate the extent of the destruction in the remote mountainous areas where roads and telephone lines were damaged.

"There has been no help yet, neither food nor water, no clothing, no tents, there is nothing," said an Iranian man who appeared to be in his 30s, standing on a street with collapsed buildings.

"There are no facilities. We've slept outside since last night. This is the condition of our homes. Our electricity, water, gas, phone lines are out, everything is completely out, the whole city has been destroyed, it is wrecked," he said.

An image posted on social media showed Iranian soldiers searching through the rubble at night without flashlights or torches, using their cellphones for light.

Some relief camps were set up in Kermanshah and neighbouring provinces to accommodate the afflicted people.

On the Iraqi side, the most extensive damage was in the town of Darbandikhan in the Kurdistan Region. The Iraqi Health Ministry said 321 people had been wounded in the Iraqi Kurdistan region.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, President Hassan Rouhani, Vice-President Eshaq Janhangiri, Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli and many other Iranian high-rank authorities issued messages expressing condolences to the bereaved over their loss.

They urged military and civilian help to be dispatched to quake victims.

Also, Iran's Revolutionary Guard were reportedly travelling to the affected areas to help with rescue efforts, the semi state-run Tasnim news agency reported.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi tweeted that he had told civil defense teams and health and aid agencies to do all that they could to provide assistance to those affected by the quake.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several world leaders including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued condolence messages after the tragedy.

Iran is one of the most seismically active countries in the world, being crossed by several major fault lines that cover at least 90 per cent of the country. The deadliest quake in Iran's modern history happened in June 1990.

That quake destroyed the northern cities of Rudbar, Manjil, and Lushan, along with hundreds of villages, killing an estimated 37,000 people.

An earthquake in the city of Bam in December 2003 killed 26,000 people.
Kolkata, Nov 13 : Trinamool Congress MP and party's youth wing chief Abhishek Banerjee on Monday served legal notice on BJP's new entrant Mukul Roy for making "malicious and defamatory" statements against him and demanded an unconditional apology within 48 hours.

Roy had on Friday alleged that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's "Biswa Bangla" was nothing but a company owned by her nephew Abhishek Banerjee.

"We on behalf of our clients ... do hereby call upon you to: a) Forthwith cease and desist from making or circulating any defamatory comments, statement and/or causing publication of the same in any media against our client; b) Issue an unconditional apology within 48 hours in a press conference retracting the false, virulent and mala-fide statements made against our client," Banerjee's lawyer said in the notice.

The legal notice also mentioned that Roy had "deliberately levied (sic) various allegations against Banerjee" and the statements were "misleading and false".

Refuting Roy's comments relating to Biswa Bangla Marketing Corporation, two senior West Bengal government officials had on Saturday said the company was wholly owned by the state government.

State's Additional Chief Secretary Rajiva Sinha had said: "The Biswa Bangla Marketing Corporation was incorporated in December 31, 2014 and its share holders are three government officials. It is not a private entity. Its paid-up capital was paid by the state MSME (Micro, Small, medium Enterprise) and Textiles Department."

He also mentioned that the Biswa Bangla logo was created by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and, in 2014, she transferred the logo to the government with an agreement.

With regard to multiple applications for trademark registration of the Biswa Bangla logo, the official said an applicant -- CJ Associates, on behalf of Abhishek Banerjee -- had withdrawn its application and the withdrawal was accepted by the Registrar of Trade Marks.

Reiterating the government position, state Home Secretary Atri Bhattacharya had also said that the Chief Minister, in a private capacity, had created the logo and handed it over to the government.

However, Roy, who was one of the founding members of Trinamool Congress, on Sunday claimed that the documents suggested the Biswa Bangla mark was wholly owned by Abhishek Banerjee.

"In a trade mark journal published by the Trade Marks authority of the Government of India, on May 8, 2017, the Biswa Bangla mark is shown as wholly owned by Abhishek Banerjee, the nephew of Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal," he said.

Roy, who sent a letter to two senior officers of the state government for making "incorrect statements", said he was ready to face the legal battle on the subject.
New Delhi, Nov 13 : Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Monday took a dig at those criticising Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Padmavati", saying the controversy over the film is an opportunity to focus on the condition of Rajasthani women and education is more important than "ghoonghats" or head veils.

"Agree totally. The 'Padmavati' controversy is an opportunity to focus on the conditions of Rajasthani women today and not just of queens six centuries ago. Rajasthan's female literacy among lowest. Education more important 'thang Hoog hats'," Tharoor said in a tweet.

In another tweet, Tharoor said: "Just realised that dreaded autocorrect has changed "than goonghats" to "thang hoong hats". Apologies. When I hit "tweet" I was still seeing the correct words I'd typed."

"Padmavati", set to release on December 1, has been the subject of controversy with some groups, mainly Rajput, claiming the film distorts history and is a wrong portrayal of queen Padmavati, a contention Bhansali has denied.

Tharoor's comments also come after BJP member Arjun Gupta, a member of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) advisory panel, in a letter to Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that Bhansali must be punished for "treason".

The Supreme Court has refused to ban the release of the movie.
Ranchi, Nov 13 : President Ram Nath Kovind will launch schemes worth over Rs 2,000 crore on Jharkhand's foundation day on November 15.

Kovind will be the chief guest at this year's foundation day programme to be held at the Morabadi Ground here.

"The President will launch scores of schemes on the foundation day. The schemes include Rs 1,500 crore Johar Yojana and Chief Minister Health Insurance Scheme," Jharkhand Home Secretary S.K.G. Rahate told reporters here.

Besides these schemes, the President will also launch the 108 ambulance scheme. He will also hand over appointment letters to the principals of newly constituted colleges and university, doctors, specialists, teachers and constables.

The President of India will be participating in the state's foundation day programme for the first time.

Jharkhand was carved out of Bihar on November 15, 2000.
New Delhi/Guwahati, Nov 13 : The northeast region will get India's first Air Dispensary, Minister of Development of North East Region (DONER) Jitendra Singh said on Monday.

For the air dispensary, which will be based in a helicopter, the government has contributed Rs 25 crore as initial funding.

"For quite a few months, the DoNER Ministry had been exploring the idea of introducing a helicopter-based Dispensary/OPD service in such far-flung and remote areas where no doctor or medical facility is available and the patients in need also do not have access to any medical care," said Singh after a meeting with the representatives of the aviation sector and helicopter services.

The meeting was held on Sunday.

According to Singh, the proposal, put forward by the Ministry of DoNER, has been accepted and is in the final stages of processing in the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation.

The government aims to start the project by the beginning of 2018.

Nearly a third of India's population does not have access to proper hospital bed care, as a result of which poor patients living in remote areas remain deprived of crucial medical care.

"The experiment being introduced in the Northeast, at the behest of the Ministry of Northeast/DoNER, can also be emulated in other hill states having difficult topography like Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh," said Singh.

The minister said that as per the envisaged plans, the helicopters would be based at two locations -- Imphal in Manipur and Shillong in Meghalaya -- to begin with.

"Both these cities have premier postgraduate medical institutes from where specialist doctors, along with the necessary equipment and paramedical staff, would be able to move into the helicopter and hold a dispensary/OPD in different locations across the eight states of the region," said Singh.

On its way back, the same helicopter can also transport a sick patient requiring admission to a city hospital.

Giving an account of other new helicopter service plans for the northeast, Singh said: "Three twin-engine helicopters are planned to be placed for initial operation on six routes in regions around Imphal, Guwahati and Dibrugarh."
Manila, Nov 13 : US President Donald Trump on Monday promised to reduce his country's trade deficit with Asia and pitched at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit here for reciprocal trade relations.

Trump said the US seeks "economic partnerships on the basis of fairness and reciprocity" with members of the Asean comprising Myanmar, Brunei, Cambodia, Philippines, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

"I'm here to advance peace, to promote security, and to work with you to achieve a truly free and open Indo-Pacific, where we are proud and we have sovereign nations," Trump said at the Asean meeting in the Philippines capital.

Trump will on Tuesday wrap up his Asian tour during which he has visited Japan, South Korea, China and Vietnam over the last 12 days, Efe news reported.

"We've made some advances with respect to trade, far bigger than anything you know, in addition to about $300 billion in sales to various companies, including China," he said.

The US President added that he will announce the results of the trade negotiations of his fourth international tour and first Asian one only after his return to Washington on Wednesday.

Trump rued his country's trade deficits with almost all East Asian countries and promised to fix it soon.

On Monday, Trump also met his Filipino counterpart Rodrigo Duterte along with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The leaders discussed trade and security issues, particularly the North Korean crisis.

He is expected to attend the East Asia Summit in Manila on Tuesday, a forum that, in addition to Asean member countries, includes Russia, Australia, India and New Zealand, among others.
Bonn, Nov 13 : Finance for countering climate change is flowing at a greater pace than ever, with growing markets for renewable energy. But there is still an ambition- investment gap to meet the goals of the Paris Climate Change Agreement.

To bridge this, which is completely inter-connected, governments and the entire financial sector must see it as a single challenge.

This was the main focus of discussion of high-level representatives at COP23 Finance for Climate Day on Monday who highlighted their efforts to meet the goals of the 2015 Paris Climate Change Agreement and underlined that this challenge of coordination and coherence needed to be quickly addressed.

They set out what needs to be done next by governments, cities, states, business and multilateral institutions to secure the pace and scale of investment required, before and after 2020, to meet the Paris goal of keeping the average global temperature rise well below two degrees Celsius and as close as possible to 1.5 degrees.

"At the heart of the climate challenge are two gaps we urgently need to bridge: the ambition and the investment gap," UNEP Finance Initiative head Eric Usher said.

"It is up to national governments now to increase the ambition of their NDCs to close the 17 GtCO2e emissions gap that we still face for 2030. When it comes to the investment gap, however, we need all financial players to work together effectively to mobilise at least $1.5 trillion of climate finance that is needed every year," he said.

What is more, every dollar invested in cutting greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change gets double the bang for the buck because the results directly support the only sustainable future possible, which is captured in the international community's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Finance is flowing at a greater pace than ever, with vibrant and growing markets for renewable energy, electric vehicles, green buildings and climate-smart agriculture seeing aggressive growth, backed by exponential advances in innovative green financial instruments, indices and markets.

Equally, the finance sector is recognising to a much greater degree where and how climate change presents risks to its existing investments and the need to adjust their portfolios away from carbon-intensive assets to reduce that risk.

However, as a series of discussions taking place at the UN Climate Change Conference highlight, much more is needed to secure finance and investment at the scale required to deliver a fully de-carbonised and climate-resilient global economy by 2050.

Laura Tuck, Vice President Sustainable Development, World Bank said: "The potential for climate friendly investment in areas such as clean energy and climate-smart agriculture is enormous."

"The key is to get the funding to flow so that everyone everywhere can benefit from low-carbon and climate resilient investments. That's why we are working with the UN and our other development partners to create the conditions that will attract investors and to get all forms of finance - public, private, philanthropic - working together for maximum impact," she said.

Vladis Dombrovskis, Vice-President of the European Commission said: "Hundreds of billions of euros in investment are needed to transition to a low carbon economy and meet the target of well below two degrees warming. This is a challenge but also an opportunity for the EU to become a magnet for green investment and lead the way in mobilising both public and private financing for sustainable projects."

The high-level finance for Climate Day focused, among others, on investment to reallocate capital flows towards low-carbon and resilient growth, with additional upfront capital or risk sharing, to deliver financial returns and resource savings.

(Vishal Gulati is in Bonn at the invitation of the Global Editors Network to cover COP-23. He can be contacted at vishal.g@ians.in)
Chandigarh, Nov 13 : Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij on Monday joined the anti-"Padmavati" bandwagon and asked the censor board to stall its release.

In a statement here, Vij said the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) should withhold the release of film "Padmavati" "keeping in view the people's sentiments".

"The Information and Broadcasting Minister has already been apprised about people's sentiments in this regard," Vij said.

Opposing the release of the movie, the minister said Rani Padmavati was the pride of the country.

"She, along with 16,000 women, had committed self-immolation (jauhar) after Raja Rana Ratan Singh fell in the war. It is an insult to show a princess of such high character dancing in public. It is highly objectionable as it tampers with history.

"Why don't people like Bhansali get the story of the likes of Alauddin Khilji, who hurt the Indian masses, for their films? There are a lot of sagas of heroes in Indian culture which could be showcased to the society. But Bhansali would not do this as he wants to work for promoting a single ideology," added Vij, who is known for being outspoken.

The film is slated to release on December 1.
Islamabad, Nov 13 : At least two soldiers of the Pakistan Army were killed in a suspected militant attack on a checkpost near the Afghan border on Monday, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

"Terrorists from the Afghanistan side attempted an attack on Pakistani posts along the Pak-Afghan border in Bajaur Agency. The attempt was effectively responded killing 8-10 fleeing terrorists, while many seen running back were injured," the ISPR said in a statement.

The deceased soldiers were identified as Captain Junaid Hafeez and Sepoy Raham, Dawn online reported. The banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan claimed responsibility for the attack.

Four soldiers were injured in the incident. "The absence of Afghan (state) writ on (the) Afghan side of the border, like many other areas, facilitates terrorists to undertake such attempts," the ISPR said.

Officials said the militants who have fled to Afghanistan due to military operations in Pakistan operate from the border launching attacks on Pakistani posts.

Both the countries share a 2,600-kilometre border which the Pakistan Army is now fencing to stop cross-border movement of militants. It is the fourth such attack on Pakistani posts from the Afghan side of the border in two months.
Kabul, Nov 13 : Casualties were feared as a suicide car bomb targeted a foreign military convoy in Afghanistan's Kandahar province on Monday, officials said.

"A terrorist riding an explosives-laden car parked it alongside a road in Dand district and blew it up next to a military convoy of foreign forces today (Monday) afternoon," a government official told Xinhua news agency.

Qudratullah Khoshbakht, a spokesman for Kandahar provincial government, confirmed the attack but refused to comment on the possible casualties.

The NATO-led Resolute Support mission has yet to issue any statement on the incident.
Becharaji (Gujarat), Nov 13 : Continuing his attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Monday told a large gathering in this Gujarat village that just as demonetisation and the Goods and Services Tax (GST) were launched by the NDA government at midnight, Gabbar Singh, the notorious villain of popular film "Sholay", too attacked people at midnight.

"The drastic step of demonetisation was launched at midnight, the GST was also launched at the stroke of 12 midnight. Gabbar Singh too attacked villages at midnight," he said.

Interestingly, one of the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) members, Narendra Patel, was seen on the dais with him.

Gandhi continued, "During my visit to the state people have been pleading to me, with folded hands, saying please save us from Modiji. GST has crushed people. The present GST still needs to be restructured. The common man's day-to-day commodities should be exempted from GST. There should be one single GST."

The Gandhi scion, on the last day of his visit to north Gujarat, visited the World Heritage site of the step-well in Patan, Ran-ki-Vaav. On his way from Patan to Becharaji, he met farmers, farm labourers in Mela village, and also took some selfies with them.

In his Becharaji public meeting, Gandhi said, "Wherever Modiji goes, he brags about eliminating corruption in Gujarat. But when I went to Surat, many people came and told me that corruption is everywhere."

Rahul Gandhi said, "All over the world fuel prices are dropping whereas in India fuel prices are hiked."

Mentioning the 'Mann ki Baat' radio programme of Modi, Gandhi tried some words in Gujarati, "December Ma Congress Ni Sarkar Aave Che. Jyaare Amari Sarkar Aave A. (In December the Congress is coming to power. When our government formsA) we won't be telling our 'Mann Ki Baat' to you but listen to your 'Mann Ki Baat'. You won't have to agitate for anything in our government."

PAAS member Narendra Patel, who was seen on the dais with Rahul Gandhi, had recently alleged that the BJP state president had attempted to bribe him with an offer of Rs one lakh for joining the BJP.

This is the first time any PAAS leader was seen sharing the dais on any Congress function or event.

The All India Congress Committee (AICC) Vice President is on the last and fourth leg of his three-day visit to poll-bound Gujarat. He will conclude his Gujarat tour by visiting the BJP bastion and the home of Patidar agitations of Mehsana and Visnagar.

Earlier in Patan, Gandhi told the media that just like magicians perform tricks which are mere tricks and not real, similarly Prime Minister Modi has been performing tricks in Gujarat on the people.

On Monday, he began his tour of north Gujarat by visiting the Veer Meghmaya temple and had 'darshan' there. After that, he interacted with Dalit leaders of Patan. The Gandhi scion continued his attacks on Prime Minister Modi and lambasted the central government on various fronts like demonetization, the GST, unemployment and corruption.

He was warmly greeted by villagers on his visit to Kungher village in Patan district. He even mingled with the local children and offered them sweets. Later, he visited the native village of a BJP cabinet Minister in Gujarat, Dilip Thakore, in Harij. People turned up in huge numbers to greet the Congress leader, who broke the security barricades to meet them.

In Harij, he also became part of a magician's performance. Gandhi remarked, "Jadugars (magicians) have been earning money through tricks and Modiji too has been doing the same in 22 years."

While interacting with the denotified tribes and their leaders, Gandhi said that the Congress will prepare their poll manifesto after consulting the Gujarati people. "Unlike others who just make people listen to their 'Mann ki Baat', the Congress will listen to other's 'Mann ki Baat'" reiterated Gandhi.

At a public meeting in Varana in Patan, Gandhi said, "In Gujarat, there are five to 10 industrialists who are not agitating, whereas all others are doing 'andolan' (agitations)." Before his public address, he visited the temple of Goddess Khodiyar in Varana. He also offered a 'Chundadi' and 'Prasad' to the deity.

He is to address a large gathering in Mehsana, the hometown of Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat, Nitin Patel and also the district of the hometown Vadnagar of Modi. Mansa, the hometown of the BJP national president Amit Shah is also located in north Gujarat. The meeting is much-awaited as it is the epicentre of the Patidar agitation.
New Delhi, Nov 13 : The BJP on Monday asked the Congress to come clean over allegations of "wrongdoings" by a relative of a Congress leader who plays a major role in the party in Gujarat over farmer subsidy related to import of potash.

"Congress is synonymous with corruption. They used to speak about farmers but we know there were many scams in all agricultural schemes particularly in fertilisers and urea. Another fertiliser scam happened between 2007 and 2009," Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar told reporters.

He said that potash is not available in India and the country is dependent on imports.

"It is Rs 12,000 per ton and there is a subsidy of about Rs 7,500 per ton. It is meant for farmers but many vested interests and companies ganged up to steal the scheme by importing, taking subsidy and not giving it to farmers.

"They changed the title and exported it which is restricted. A relative of the Congress leader was fined by customs because of wrong doing. Investigative agencies would perform their duties but we want to know from Congress what is their stand," he said.
Mumbai, Nov 13 : Amid the controversy surrounding celebrated filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali's upcoming 'Padmavati', the Indian Films and TV Directors Association (IFTDA) along with four other bodies on Monday expressed support for him with #WeSupportPadmavati campaign and sought protection of freedom of expression of artistes.

Well-known filmmaker Sudhir Mishra told the media: "This matter is absurd. No one has seen the film. The movie director is a responsible, brilliant filmmaker. He has said that he has been accused of something he has not done."

He said he believed that the attack on Bhansali is an assault on freedom of expression.

Actor Sushant Singh, General Secretary of the Cine and Television Artists Association (CINTAA), said the government should step in.

"Bhansali didn't ask us to hold this press conference... we all are frustrated, angry, and upset. Till when will our fraternity keep asking for freedom of expression to make films? Why do we need to fight for such basic right all the time?" Singh said.

"My question to the state and central governments is: Why are you silent? People from your parties are openly giving threats, abusing our families, threatening to burn theatres. I have the right to ask for an assurance from the government," he added.

Ashoke Pandit, President of IFTDA said: "We are hurt because we have been abused and accused. We are filmmakers, creative people. We don't deserve this kind of treatment. Every now and then, we see our makers being heckled. We work hard, we make films. Bhansali is a symbol and attack on him is like abusing the film fraternity as a whole," he said.

IFTDA, CINTAA along with the Western India Cinematographers Association, Screenwriters Association and Association of Cine and TV Art Directors and Costume Designers have decided to extend support to Bhansali on November 16 at the Film City, where their members will stand in silence for 15 minutes from 11 a.m.

On that day, all units and workers associations will stop shooting for 15 minutes from 4 p.m. as a mark of their support for freedom of speech and expression, which is the basic right of a citizen, Pandit said.

He said: "In the current situation, Bhansali is not just a filmmaker who represents our fraternity but also a symbol, which has been targeted by some unconstitutional bodies. We urge our government to protect our right to freedom."
New Delhi, Nov 13 : Both the warring factions of the All India Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) on Monday submitted to the Election Commission their final arguments in writing laying their claim to the partys 'Two Leaves symbol.

The T.T.V. Dinakaran faction has further sought three days time to submit counter arguments in response to the documents submitted by the rival EPS-OPS faction on Monday.

"The EC gave us opportunity to submit our arguments in writing. We have given our arguments in 111 pages," senior advocate Raja Senthoor Pandian, representing the Dinakaran faction, told IANS.

"But the other side also submitted some more documents today. Now we have sought three days time to submit our counter to the fresh documents submitted by the other side," he added.

In the papers submitted to the EC, the Dinakaran faction has argued that the present case of AIADMK greatly differs from the Sadiq Ali case decided by the Supreme Court (Sadiq Ali vs Election Commission of India, November 1971), and which the rival faction has cited as the benchmark.

The Dinakaran faction has also urged the EC to "randomly verify 10 per cent of the affidavits" submitted by the E. Palanisami-O. Pannerselavam faction that is currently ruling in Tamil Nadu.
Hyderabad, Nov 13 : Fire broke out on a Telugu film set in Annapurna Film Studios here on Monday evening, police said.

Huge flames were seen on the sets of a movie at the studio, owned by the family of popular actor Nagarjuna, in posh Banjara Hills.

Five fire engines were called to douse the flames.

Short circuit is believed to be the cause of the fire. Further details were awaited.
New Delhi, Nov 13 : The Delhi High Court on Monday issued a notice to the Election Commission (EC) on a plea filed by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal challenging two orders which censured him and ordered the lodging of an FIR against him for violating the model code of conduct.

Justice Indermeet Kaur asked the Election Commission to respond to the plea by February 2, 2018.

In January while exhorting the voters in poll-bound Goa to accept bribes, Kejriwal had asked them "to accept money from the Congress and BJP candidates but vote for the AAP".

The Commission had on January 29 also directed the Chief Electoral Officer of Goa to file an FIR against Kejriwal for accusing the poll body of promoting bribery.

The Commission was "anguished" that Kejriwal had committed such a violation of the model code for the second time (during the Goa Assembly polls) despite a warning issued to him during the 2015 Delhi Assembly polls.

Kejriwal in his plea, through advocate Rishikesh Kumar, said that the Election Commission's order infringed his right to free speech and expression.

"The order infringes upon the petitioner's fundamental right of speech and expression as promised under Article 19 of the Indian Constitution. The petitioner being a political activist, censuring him made him incur a huge setback because of his inability to take part in political rallies and thereby hindering his bona fide activism towards a bribe free and corruption free society."

Kejriwal denies that he has "deliberately or intentionally instigated the public" of Delhi or Goa to take a bribe for voting and has thereby abetted the offence of bribery during the electoral process.

The petition stated that Kejriwal had "merely canvassed the voters to cast their ballot in favour of the Aam Aadmi Party" without being influenced by any corrupt practice which may be practiced by any person connected with the electoral process.

"The petitioner only meant to say that if allurements are offered by any person or party, it will be within the prerogative of the voters to accept the same if they desire but without being influenced by such gratification, they may vote and choose AAP to eradicate corruption," the plea added.
Navi Mumbai, Nov 13 : Robbers dug a 25-feet tunnel to sneak into the Bank of Baroda's Juinagar Branch here and reportedly escaped with Rs 1 crore in cash and valuables from at least 30 safe boxes, police said on Monday.

According to a police official, the Hollywood film style robbery may have taken place during the weekend holiday but came to light when the branch opened on Monday morning.

Investigators said the tunnel was dug from an adjoining shop outside the bank's store room, which houses private lockers rented out to people for safekeeping of valuable and documents.

However, the robbers could not break open the main safe housing the bank's cash reserves.

The robbery - reminiscent of the British-Hollywood flick "The Bank Job" - created a sensation and hundreds of locals gathered there to see the unfolding drama.

A police official said it could be the work of expert criminals and a new modus operandi had been revealed which may need to be factored in by security agencies manning such banks.

"The thieves had rented out the adjoining shop since May 2017. The culprits have dug an underground tunnel of 25 feet long to the locker room of the bank," Navi Mumbai Police Commissioner Hemant Nagrale said in a brief statement.

He added that 30 of the bank safe's 225 lockers had been broken into and the robbers escaped with the loot, the value of which is yet to be ascertained.

Nagrale said the police had found some leads and teams of officers and men were working on them.

Though the loss could run into several crores of rupees, the process of assessment was still on. The bank had called all its customers and was verifying other records.

Despite repeated attempts, Bank Of Baroda officials declined to comment on the incident or the losses suffered by the branch.

The robbery came to light around 11 a.m. when a customer approached the bank to operate his locker and was escorted to the safe vault by a staffer.

They were shocked to see many lockers broken open and also the tunnel through which the thieves had entered and exited.

Preliminary investigation revealed the robbers had recced the area many times and were familiar with the construction and architecture of the bank as well the locker room.

They had also mapped the entire area and executed the crime with proper planning, keeping the entire neighbourhood in the dark.
Geneva, Nov 13 : India on Monday said that Pakistan should give freedom to people of Pakistan-administered Kashmir and dismantle its 'Special Terrorist Zones', as the third Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Pakistan was presented before the Human Rights Council (HRC).

India, in its recommendation, said the Pakistan government should "provide freedom to the people of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) by ending its illegal and forcible occupation".

India made the recommendations during an interactive dialogue, in the 28th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council's Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review (UPR).

India also recommended that Pakistan dismantle its "Special Terrorist Zones", safe havens, and sanctuaries, and take action on terror financing.

Talking about minorities, India said Pakistan should end harassment of minorities, and place procedural and institutional safeguards to stop misuse of the blasphemy law, and end forceful conversions and marriages of minorities, including Hindus, Sikh and Christian women.

In the backdrop of the case of Kulbhushan Jadhav, a former Indian naval officer given death sentence by a Pakistan military court for alleged spying, India recommended that military courts in Pakistan should be barred from trying civilians and allow their monitoring by international observers and human rights organisations.

The other recommendations made by India include stopping the targeting of political dissidents and illegitimate criticism in Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, stop torture, enforced disappearance and unlawful killings, including that of journalists and activists by its security agencies and review the educational curriculum including that of Madrassas to remove extreme prejudice, religious intolerance and historical distortions.

India also said that Pakistan should stop persecution of Muslim minorities such as Shias, Ahmadiyas, Ismailia and Hazaras.

The UPR is a unique process which involves a review of the human rights records of all UN member states. It is a state-driven process, under the auspices of the UNHRC, which provides the opportunity for each state to declare what actions have been taken to improve the human rights situations in their countries and to fulfill their human rights obligations.

The UPR was created through the UN General Assembly on March 15, 2006, by resolution 60/251, which established the UNHRC itself.

This is the third UPR of Pakistan, being undertaken in the course of the 28th Session of the UPR Working Group.
Manila, Nov 13 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday held a bilateral meeting with Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte following which four agreements were signed between the two countries.

"President Duterte and PM Modi had an excellent meeting," Preeti Saran, Secretary (East) in the External Affairs Ministry, said while briefing the media here.

"The President said he would like to have very good relations with India."

Saran said four agreements, including on defence cooperation and logistics, agriculture, and on micro, small and medium enterprises, were signed between the two sides.

Modi arrived here on Sunday on a three-day visit to the Philippines during the course of which he will attend the 15th India-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit and the 12th East Asia Summit on Tuesday.

This is the first prime ministerial visit from India to this southeast Asian nation in 36 years after the visit of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1981.

Earlier on Monday, Modi attended the opening ceremony of the 31st Asean Summit here.

On the margins of the summit, he also held a meeting with US President Donald Trump.
Bhubaneswar, Nov 13 : Odisha Agriculture Minister Damodar Rout on Monday courted controversy by saying that he has no plan of visiting the bereft family of Brunda Sahu, a farmer who committed suicide in Bargarh district, as he did not belong to the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD).

Rout's statement came after Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Monday met the farmer's family members.

"The Union Minister is visiting as he (Brunda Sahu) might be of the BJP. Since he is not my party man, why should I visit," asked the minister.

The farmer committed suicide on November 1, a day after he had set his pest-affected paddy crops on fire.

Rout said that an order has already been given to enquire into the suicide incident and a high-level probe team is conducting the investigation.

"What for he committed suicide? Why did he set his paddy crop on fire in the field prior to that? On the very next day, he committed suicide in presence of many people. All angles and aspects are being probed into by a high-level team," he stated.

Meanwhile, the Union Agriculture Minister blamed the state government for not creating awareness on the use of pesticides by the farmers and said as a result they used wrong pesticides on their paddy fields that led to increase in pest attack.

Shekhawat, who visited several areas to assess the crop situation, talked to several farmers during his visit.

Recently, the farmers of Bargarh, Jharsuguda, Nuapada, Ganjam, Sambalpur and Rayagada districts in the state set their crops on fire as they could not stop the attack of brown plant-hopper pest.

As many as nine farmers have allegedly committed suicide over crop loss due to pest attack in last few weeks.

The Odisha government has announced a package of Rs 124 crore for the farmers affected by pest attack in different areas of the state during this Kharif season. It notified 1,28,319 hectares of cropped areas in 24 districts as pest-affected.

The state government had announced that agriculture input subsidy at Rs 6,800 per hectare for rainfed areas and Rs 13,500 per hectare for areas under assured irrigation would be provided to the farmers, who suffered crop loss due to pest attack.
Tehran/Baghdad, Nov 13 : Over 400 people were killed and thousands injured when a devastating 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck Iran in a region bordering Iraq, damaging hundreds of buildings and causing massive destruction. The death toll could rise, officials warned on Monday.

Iran's state-run Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) news agency raised the death toll in the Sunday night earthquake to 407, making it the deadliest earthquake of 2017. At least 6,650 people were injured in the quake which occured at a depth of 33.9 km, Press TV reported.

The tremors were felt in a wide area in the region including Turkey, Israel, Kuwait, Lebanon, Armenia, the United Arab Emirates and as far as Pakistan. Some 145 aftershocks were reported.

Monday's death toll has overtaken the figure in September's Mexico City earthquake in which 369 people lost their lives.

More than 70,000 people were in need of emergency shelter, the Iranian Red Crescent said. The hardest hit province was Iran's Kermanshah, where three days of mourning have been announced.

A total of 236 people died in the town of Sarpol-e Zahab, 16 km from the Iraq border.

The quake killed at least seven people in Iraq and injured 535, all in the country's northern, semi-autonomous Kurdish region, the Interior Ministry said. Any earthquake measuring over 7 on the Richter scale can cause widespread damage.

The most extensive damage was in the town of Darbandikhan in the Kurdistan Region.

Rescuers worked through the night to find people trapped in collapsed buildings in towns affected by the quake. Videos and images from Iran showed partially collapsed buildings and residents wrapped in blankets on the streets.

Power cuts were reported in locations across western Iran.

Some 30 aftershocks, including some of the magnitude-4.5, were felt in several Iranian provinces including Kurdistan, Khuzestan, Hamedan, western and eastern Azerbaijan as well as capital Tehran.

Among the worst affected towns in Iran were Ghasr Shirin, Sarpul and Azgale although officials said it was still difficult to evaluate the extent of the destruction in the remote mountainous areas where roads and telephone lines were badly damaged.

"There has been no help yet, neither food nor water, no clothing, no tents, there is nothing," said an Iranian man in his 30s, standing on a street with collapsed buildings.

"There are no facilities. We've slept outside since last night. This is the condition of our homes. Our electricity, water, gas, phone lines are out, everything is completely out, the whole city has been destroyed, it is wrecked," he said.

An image posted on social media showed Iranian soldiers searching through the rubble at night without flashlights or torches, using their cellphones for light.

Some relief camps were set up to accommodate the afflicted people.

Iran's Revolutionary Guard were reportedly travelling to the affected areas to help with rescue efforts, the semi state-run Tasnim news agency reported.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several world leaders including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued condolence messages.

Pope Francis also sent two messages, offering prayers for those who lost their lives.

Iran is one of the most seismically active countries in the world, being crossed by several major fault lines that cover at least 90 per cent of the country. The deadliest quake in Iran's modern history happened in June 1990, killing an estimated 37,000 people.

An earthquake in the city of Bam in December 2003 killed 26,000 people.
New Delhi, Nov 13 : The Union Home Ministry on Monday sought within three days a report from the Kerala government on the killing of an RSS activist in the state, informed sources said.

The sources said the Ministry had asked the Pinarayi Vijayan state government to submit the detailed report on Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh activist Anand's killing on Sunday and police action thereafter.

Anand was hacked to death allegedly by Communist Party of India-Marxist workers in Thrissur district. He was an accused in the murder of a CPI-M worker in 2014 and was out on bail.

Earlier in the day, the Bharatiya Janata Party condemned the killing and hit out at Kerala's ruling CPI-M dubbing its government as "Maoist".
New Delhi, Nov 13 : The Supreme Court will pronounce its order on Tuesday on a petition seeking a SIT probe into allegations of graft against a retired Orissa High Court judge that has cast a shadow on the top court.

Reserving the order to be pronounced on Tuesday, the bench of Justice R.K. Agrawal, Justice Arun Mishra and Justice A.M. Khanwilkar on Monday described the conduct of the petition lawyer Kamini Jaiswal as "reckless and short on propriety which has damaged the institution".

"Damage has been done. Everybody is doubting this court," said Justice Arun Mishra, taking exception to the "urgency" and the "haste" with sending a petition with exactly the same wording as was filed earlier.

The question is "How to repair the damage", Justice Mishra asked in a poser to the counsel present in the court room.

The situation can be redeemed, Attorney General K.K. Venugopal said, by the "unconditional withdrawal of the petition" by the petitioner advocate.

The hearing lasted for an hour-and-a-half.

Referring to the petition filed by Jaiswal, the bench said, "It was a deliberate attempt to scandalise the judiciary."

Telling noted lawyer Prashant Bhushan that no FIR can be filed against a judge of a High Court or that of the top court without the consent of the Chief Justice of India and no FIR can be filed against the Chief Justice of India without a nod from the President, the bench said: "These kind of allegations are reckless and per say contemptuous", referring to an earlier three-judge bench judgment.

"We are very much concerned with the conduct and the propriety of the person who insisted that the case be heard by the bench headed by Justice J. Chelameswar."

The court on Monday told Bhushan that he was aggravating the situation, as he later tried to defend the filing of the second petition and the prayer seeking probe by a SIT headed by a former Chief Justice of India and that Chief Justice Dipak Misra should not deal with the case both in his administrative and judicial authority.

Both senior counsel Shanti Bhushan and son Prashant Bhushan on Monday defended the order passed by the bench headed by Justice Chelameswar, saying that "heavens would not have fallen" if a constitution bench of the five senior-most judges of the top court had heard the petition by Jaiswal.

Apparently contesting the position that CJI alone was the 'Master of Rolls', Shanti Bhushan said that any order passed by any bench of the top court was binding on everyone.

The NGO Campaign for Judicial Accountability and Reforms had moved the top court on November 8 seeking probe by a SIT headed by a former Chief Justice of the top court to probe the allegation of graft involving retired judge of the Orissa High Court, I.M. Quddusi, and middlemen for getting a favourable order to a Lucknow-based medical college.

The college was barred from admitting students for two academic years. Quddusi, who was Orissa High Court judge between 2004 and 2010, is alleged to have helped the private medical college admit students to MBBS courses despite the Supreme Court barring the institutes from doing so.

The petition by NGO Campaign for Judicial Accountability and Reforms was mentioned before the bench headed by Justice J. Chelameswar for an early hearing on November 8. Directing the listing of the matter on November 10 (Friday), Justice Chelameswar assigned the matter to himself.

However, by afternoon on November 8, he was informed that Chief Justice Dipak Misra had already assigned the matter to the bench of Justice A.K. Sikri and Justice Ashok Bhushan for hearing on November 10.

On November 9, another petition was filed by advocate Kamini Jaiswal which was mentioned for an early hearing by senior counsel Dushyant Dave. The said petition was taken up by the bench headed by Justice Chelameswar for hearing on November 9 itself at 12.45 p.m. and the court passed an order referring the entire matter to a constitution bench of five senior-most judges of the top court for hearing on November 13.

The order of the bench headed by Justice Chelameswar was annulled by a five-judge constitution bench that sat on Friday afternoon and ruled that the Chief Justice was the 'Master of Rolls' and he alone can decide on the composition of the different benches and the matters to be assigned to them.

It said that any order contrary to this was inactive in law and not binding on the Chief Justice of India.
Mumbai, Nov 13 : In a shocking disclosure aired on Monday by two private television channels, it was alleged that music composer Nadeem Saifi of the Nadeem-Shravan duo may be under the protection of absconding mafia don Dawood Ibrahim Kaskar.

The revelation reportedly came in some intercepted phone calls of Dawood and his aides which were aired by private news channels India Today TV and Aaj Tak TV on Monday evening.

The telephonic conversations purportedly between Dawood and his henchmen in Dubai and London suggest that Nadeem, currently in self-exile in the United Kingdom, may be enjoying protection from the don.

The authenticity of the clips aired on TV could not be independently verified.

An associate of Dawood, who called up, used code-words like "Ustad", "London Friend" etc, which apparently referred to Nadeem and the three intercepted calls were made in early 2015, according to the channels.

Nadeem is wanted for the August 12, 1997, killing of New Delhi-based fruit juice vendor-turned-music baron and founder of the T-Series of Super Cassettes Industries Ltd Gulshan Kumar.

The then 46-year-old music industry mogul was brutally gunned down by three unidentified assailants outside a Shiva Temple in Andheri. Nadeem is one of the suspects in this case.

Earlier, the Indian government had lost a plea seeking his extradition to India before the British courts and Nadeem continues to live there since the past 20 years.

It was alleged that the late Gulshan Kumar had some personal disputes with Nadeem besides his refusal to pay extortion monies reportedly demanded by the don's gang.

Later in 2001, a person named Abdul Rauf Merchant confessed to Kumar's killing and was subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment.

The TV channels said that Dawood's voice in the audio clips of the telephonic conversations have been confirmed by police, intelligence sources and others.

Now, the channels have said they plan to hand over the audio tapes to Mumbai's Thane police which arrested Dawood's younger brother Iqbal Ibrahim Kaskar in connection with several extortion cases filed against him.

During his interrogation by the Thane police Anti-Extortion Cell, Iqbal has, among other things, revealed that Dawood -- wanted for several major crimes in India, including the March 12, 1993, Mumbai serial bomb blasts -- is hale and hearty and living in Pakistan.
New Delhi, Nov 13 : Around 60 farmers under the banner of Swaraj India party on Monday protested outside the residence of Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh here to remind him of the promises made before the 2014 parliamentary elections.

The protesting farmers raised slogan "Agriculture Minister don't lie, it's time to deliver not deny!" before they were "brutally" evicted and detained at the Mandir Marg Police Station, said Anupam, Swaraj India leader.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised 50 per cent margin on cost of production during his campaign before the Lok Sabha election, while Singh denied any such promise in Parliament, he said.

"At around 1.00 p.m., farmers gathered outside the minister's place, where they displayed on a large screen videos of Modi's and Singh's speeches that were contradicting each other.

"The farmers then started the protest and asked Singh to stop lying and tender an apology. Although the protest was peaceful, police used force and evicted them brutally," Anupam told IANS.

The protestors were later released.

According to Swaraj India, Monday's protest was a trailer of the mega protest to be held near Parliament on November 20 and such small protests will continue through this week.

"We want the government to apologise for its failure to fulfil its election promises. Its wrong polices have put farmers under financial burden. We also want to know the government's plan to provide relief to farmers," Anupam said.

On November 20, farmers from 184 organisations from across the country under the banner of All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC) will hold "Kisan Mukti Sansad" outside Parliament.

Their primary demands are loan waiver and remunerative prices for all agricultural produce.
Jaipur, Nov 13 : Former Rajasthan Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot on Monday condemned the lynching of Umar Khan in the state by cow vigilantes and demanded a fair probe into the killing.

In a series of tweets, he said: "I strongly condemn the lynching of Umar Khan in Govindgarh in Alwar district.

Umar Khan's dismembered body was found on the railway tracks near Govindgarh on Friday.

He said that as per reports, Khan was thrashed and later shot dead by a mob of cow vigilantes when he was transporting cows to his native village in Bharatpur. "Who are the forces behind such brazenness audacity?"

The Congress leader demanded a fair investigation and said the case should not meet the same fate as the Pehlu Khan lynching.

Castigating the Bharatiya Janata Party government in the state, he said it had totally failed in curbing such incidents.

Various civil society bodies held a protest here at Gandhi Circle in which relatives of Umar also participated and demanded the arrest of the culprits and monetary compensation and government jobs for his kin.

Around 15 such organisations also faxed a memorandum to Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje to demand the arrest of erring policemen and 'gau rakshaks' in the case.

They also demanded withdrawal of cow smuggling case against Umar and his fellow travellers Tahir Khan and others and ensure an end to attack on Muslims in Rajasthan by self-proclaimed cow protectors and others, particular on the Meos in Alwar and Bharatpur district since they are dairy farmers.
Lucknow, Nov 13 : Amid growing attacks by the opposition, the state unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday claimed that it would not only sweep the Uttar Pradesh urban body polls but also romp home comfortably in the Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat assembly polls.

State BJP chief Mahendra Nath Pandey accused opposition parties of pursuing a negative agenda said they were rattled by the development work of BJP governments and were hence resorting to falsehoods against the party. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched a big war against graft and black money and people of the country are solidly backing him," the BJP leader said.

Brushing aside speculation of the Modi wave being on the wane, specially after the loss of the BJP in the Chitrakoot Assembly by-poll in Madhya Pradesh on Sunday, Pandey said the seat was a "traditional stronghold" of the Congress and nothing should be read beyond it.

"Major wins for the BJP in the UP Assembly elections earlier this year and victories in local body polls in Maharashtra, Odisha, Gujarat have proved the popularity of the BJP beyond doubt," the BJP leader said.

The BJP is focusing on development and the opposition parties like Congress, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Samajwadi Party (SP) have a negative agenda, which the people are seeing through and will give a befitting reply to in the forthcoming polls, Pandey added.
New Delhi, Nov 13 : India's failure to implement emission control standards for coal-fired power plants is leading to sever air pollution levels, a researcher said on Monday.

Close to 40 per cent of winter-time pollution has been attributed to crop fires, coal-fired power plants and industries spread across the National Capital Region (NCR).

"The national capital has 13 coal-fired power plants in 300-km radius operating with no emission controls to regulate sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide which contribute to a surge in particulate matter levels," environmental researcher Aishwarya Sudhir told IANS.

The air quality in Delhi-NCR was back to "severe-plus" or "emergency" category towards Monday evening and the monitoring agencies forecast a further rise in toxicity.

The levels of PM2.5 and PM10 continued to rise even as both central and Delhi governments claimed partial relief earlier in the day.

A research by the University of Maryland and NASA last week blames severe haze as a major public health concern in China and India.

It says both countries rely heavily on coal for energy, and sulfur dioxide emitted from coal-fired power plants and industry is a major pollutant contributing to their air quality problems.

According to researcher Sudhir, India's air pollution crisis is a regional problem, similar to that of China, but India has no regional-level action plans in place to address the issue.

Blaming failure of Delhi's Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which is designed to control air pollution, she said the capital had failed to make any difference to the severe pollution levels being witnessed by the citizens.

"Since it's notification on January 12, the action plan should have ensured that 95 poor air quality alerts, 55 very poor alerts and six emergency alerts were issued in Delhi.

"However, it is important to note that each of the categories under the GRAP require cross-boundary action with state governments across the region having their pollution control plans in place. This is not the case as of now," she said in a statement.

The researcher advocated the need for the GRAP cross-boundary coordination with agencies across the NCR states.

Interestingly, the NCR states do not have any action plans of their own to mitigate pollution at their sources.

Drawing a comparison between India and China, she said: "India, unlike China, does not have regional actions plans in place with time-bound targets."
New Delhi, Nov 13 : The Congress on Monday refused comment on spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's role in attempting a solution to the Ram Mandir issue.

Congress Spokesperson Manish Tewari asked the government to clarify if the spiritual leader was its designated interlocutor on the vexed issue or was just a skylarking operation.

When pointed out that Union Minister Prakash Javadekar had denied an official role for Sri Sri on the issue of Ram temple in Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh, Tewari said: If the Minister says it is not a government sanctioned effort, then there is nothing further to say."

"But I do hope that this gentleman, who is playing the negotiator, has settled issues which the National Green Tribunal has with him."
New Delhi, Nov 13 : A man facing trial in a cheating case was shot dead in a court complex here on Monday, police said. The accused was quickly overpowered and arrested.

Vinod, 31, was shot dead while police was taking him back to the Tihar Central Jail. The killer, Abdul Khan, was overpowered and arrested, Deputy Commissioner of Police Rishi Pal said.

This is the fourth fatal shooting in Rohini court in west Delhi in three years, the Rohini Bar Association said and criticised the lack of adequate security on the premises.

Sub-Inspector Narender, who was responsible for Rohini courts security, has been suspended and Prashant Vihar police station SHO Ashok Kumar sent to the district police lines as punishment, the DCP said.

Rohini Bar Association President Mahavir Sharma told IANS that no entry pass was needed for anyone to enter the court premises. He said they had requested the district judge "more than 10 times" to make entry passes mandatory for visitors.

"On Monday, we told the judge that if the entry pass is not made compulsory within 24 hours, we will go on an indefinite strike from November 15," Sharma said.

The DCP said that Vinod, a Mangolpuri resident jailed in connection with a seven-year-old cheating case, was fatally shot in a corridor near the court canteen around 11.20 a.m.

Though Vinod was rushed to hospital, he was declared brought dead by doctors. A countrymade pistol used by Khan, a resident of Nangloi, was seized, police said.

Pal told IANS that the corridor was crowded when Vinod was shot dead and the Assistant Sub-Inspector responsible for Vinod's security was merely two feet away when he was attacked.

The officer said only one shot was fired and that the accused did not have criminal history. He said the reason for the murder could not be ascertained immediately.

The DCP said police was investigating into possible security lapses that led to the murder on the court premises.
Lucknow, Nov 13 : Thailand's Ambassador to India Chutintorn Gongsakdi called on Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday to discuss business ties between his country and the state, an official said.

The envoy lauded the state government's initiatives and expressed his country's desire to invest in food processing, tourism and infrastructure development, textile industry, and renewable energy.

Inviting Thai businessmen to invest in his state, Adityanath assured of full cooperation.

A delegation from Thailand made presentations before the Chief Minister on the possibilities in the food processing industry and showed interest in road construction.

Additional Chief Secretary (Infrastructure and Industrial Development) Anoop Chandra Pandey told the visiting delegates that Uttar Pradesh was leading state in livestock, and production of potato, sugar cane, food grain, potato, milk, fruits, and wheat and offered lucrative options for foreign and domestic investors.

The state government extended an invitation to Thai businessmen and officials to participate in the Global Investment Summit in Uttar Pradesh in February 2018.

Principal Secretary (Tourism) Avaneesh Kumar Awasthi told the delegation that the two sides could come together to provide world-class hotels for domestic and global tourists.

Establishing a Ramayana museum in Ayodhya also came up as a possible converging point of understanding between the two sides.

Cultural exchanges between Thailand and Uttar Pradesh were also discussed, an official told IANS.
Hyderabad, Nov 13 : A film set was gutted in a fire that broke out at Annapurna Film Studios here on Monday evening, police said. No one was hurt.

Huge flames erupted on the set at the studio owned by the family of popular actor Akkineni Nagarjuna in posh Banjara Hills, after which five fire engines rushed there and doused the fire suspected to have been caused by a short circuit.

Nagarjuna said nobody was injured, adding it was rather sad that the set erected for film 'Manam' was gutted. He said the memories of his father and legendary actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao were associated with it.

In this 2014 movie, Nageswara Rao had acted with son Nagarjuna and grandsons Akkineni Naga Chaitanya and Akkineni Akhil.

Nagarjuna said the set was made at a cost of Rs 2 crore and was also used for 'Raju Gari Gadhi' starring him in the lead with Samantha.
New Delhi, Nov 13 : India and Canada on Tuesday agreed to work towards an early conclusion of a proposed bilateral free trade agreement, with New Delhi highlighting the importance of services under such a deal, an official statement said.

The proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) figured in the discussions between India's Commerce Minister Suresh Prabhu and Canadian Minister for International Trade Francois-Philippe Champagne at the 4th India-Canada Ministerial Dialogue on trade and investment here, a Commerce Ministry statement said.

"Both sides noted the exchange of wish lists on the services front. India reiterated that the architecture for services under the CEPA is a vital focus area and a response from Canada on positive elements has to be mutually beneficial," it said.

"The Canadian side assured that they will look into the issues concerned, including movement of natural persons and what kind of provisions could be built into the CEPA," it said.

India is keen to ensure easier movement of Indian skilled workers to Canada for short-term work.

The negotiations for the free trade agreement started in November 2010.

"The Ministers directed the chief negotiators to discuss and explore ways for early conclusion of the agreement," it added.

The statement said that India and Canada discussed the progress made under the Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA) and expressed hope for its early conclusion.

They also said that bilateral trade was "much below" its untapped potential.

The bilateral merchandise trade in 2016-17 was worth $6.13 billion.
New Delhi, Nov 14 : A former Air India (AI) Executive Director, Rohita Jaidka, has been named in a First Information Report (FIR) for stealing an artwork, an AI spokesperson said.

"AI filed the FIR and further course of action to be taken by the police as deemed fit," the spokesperson told IANS.

A senior Delhi Police officer confirmed that a FIR was registered on November 11 about the stolen artwork, after AI made a police complaint.

Jaidka had retired from AI more than 10 years ago.

The stolen artwork is a painting by eminent artist Jatin Das, which was a part of Air India's collection.

Earlier this year, Das told then Air India's Chairman and Managing Director Ashwani Lohani that one of his paintings was available in the black market.

The airline used to lend out artwork of its vast collection to top executives with the rider the same be returned back to the company up on retirement.

After receiving Das' complaint, an internal committee of Air India in July started preparing a list of former employees who were suspected of siphoning-off artwork.

After this, the painting was returned to the airline via a courier addressed to Lohani but with no details of the sender.
Bengaluru, Nov 14 : Out-patient services in private hospitals across Karnataka was affected on Monday as some 50,000 private doctors went on a strike to protest against an amendment bill intended to regulate their functioning. The strike will continue till their demands are met, said a senior Indian Medical Association (IMA) official.

"Out-patients were not seen or treated in private hospitals across the state today (Monday), as our members went on strike against the (amendment to the) Karnataka Private Medical Establishments (KPME) Act," IMA's state chapter Secretary B. Veeranna told IANS.

The private hospitals had very few doctors on duty to look after in-patients and for emergency services.

"We have decided to go on a relay hunger strike at Belagavi from Tuesday till the state government withdrew the stringent provisions in the amendment bill," asserted Veeranna.

About 300 private doctors will be on 24-hour relay hunger strike in batches near the Souvrna Soudha in the state's northern town till four provisions in the bill are withdrawn.

The private doctors are staging the hunger strike at Belagavi, about 500 km from the state capital Bengaluru, where the 10-day winter session of the state legislature began on Monday and the entire government machinery, including the cabinet, officials and lawmakers will stay put till November 24.

The 10-day session of the Assembly and Council is held in winter every year to address the issues of people living in the state's northern region.

The out-patient departments in private hospitals, which were shut on Monday across the state, will however resume services from Tuesday.

"Though Chief Minister Siddaramaiah held talks with us (five representatives of the IMA's state chapter) and assured us of looking into our demands, we will not budge till 'punitive' provisions were withdrawn," noted the Secretary.

The four main demands are inclusion of government doctors under the KPME Act, no grievances redressal committees, no penalty on erring doctors or their imprisonment for the death of any patient due to medical negligence and ceiling on cost of treatment only for the government health schemes under which eligible patients are treated in private hospitals or clinics.

"The government can fix the cost of treating patients under its health scheme in private hospitals but the same cost cannot be applied for treating private or other patients," noted Veeranna.

According to IMA's Karnataka Chapter President H.N. Ravindra, nearly 76 per cent of patients under the government health schemes are refereed to private hospitals or clinics, as state-run hospitals lack expertise and facilities to treat them for various diseases.

"The Chief Minister told us the amendment bill would be tabled in the assembly on Wednesday and discussed by the lawmakers along with the report of the joint select committee set up to study the provisions. We hope the government will meet our demands as even the opposition BJP and JD-S have supported us," stated Veeranna.

About 20,000 private doctors, Ayush practitioners, nurses, paramedics and medical students from across the state participated in the sit-in demo near the secretariat.

"We also took a protest rally and staged a sit-in demo to draw the attention of the government and the MLAs against the amendment bill which has anti-doctor and anti-patient provisions that will endanger private healthcare," Veeranna said.

About 45,000 private hospitals, including 5,000 in Bengaluru, were also shut on November 3, as doctors went on a flash strike, demanding changes in the amendment bill.
Troy University is First in Alabama to Offer Visual History Archive

Available to academic libraries through ProQuest, this fully streaming, primary-source archive includes more than 55,000 interviews with survivors of and witnesses to some of humanitys most serious and solemn events.

ANN ARBOR, MI, November 13, 2017  Troy University is the first in Alabama to offer its researchers access to the University of Southern California (USC) Shoah Foundations Visual History Archive. Available to academic libraries through ProQuest, this fully streaming, primary-source archive includes more than 55,000 interviews with survivors of and witnesses to some of humanitys most serious and solemn events, including the European Holocaust, the Nanjing, Rwandan, Cambodian, and Guatemalan genocides and contemporary antisemitism. Access to the Visual History Archive enriches the Universitys growing Holocaust education and research program.

In 2008, the Troy University Library used an Alabama Humanities Foundation grant to bring a Holocaust survivor to speak at its three libraries. More than 1,200 people came to hear Ann Rosenheck's story, marking the beginning of an expansive annual program that has included speakers, art installations and collaborations with other institutions. Holocaust scholarship at Troy is renowned and includes author Dan Puckett, a member of Troys History faculty. Three professors from Troy sit on the Alabama Holocaust Commission. Now, through the Visual History Archive, this active University library will open new pathways for its students and scholars to study the profound, far-reaching impact of genocide, as well as the political, cultural, and social context surrounding these atrocities.

Dr Christopher Shaffer, Dean of Library Services at Troy University said, I began a series of outreach Holocaust education programs following an in-country fellowship from the Goethe Institute that I received in 2007. Beginning with the amazing and inspiring Ann Rosenheck, who shared her story of survival and forgiveness, the Libraries have annually hosted Holocaust programming in collaboration with our History Department. I believe VHA will not only be an excellent resource for Troy University's faculty and students, but also for educators throughout the state, who I hope will come to one of our libraries in Troy, Montgomery, and Dothan where they can take advantage of this resource.

The largest digital collection of its kind, the Visual History Archive encompasses 115,000 hours of interviews, conducted in 62 countries and 41 languages. Each interview is expertly indexed in one-minute segments, resulting in 65,000 searchable terms. More than 1,800 transcripts of Holocaust-related interviews enable granular searching  part of an ongoing project to transcribe all interviews. Designed to empower researcher and student learning, the Visual History Archive also includes tools for studying and sharing testimonies. For example, users can bookmark clips, save projects and embed testimonies in LMS course packs via durable URLs.

USC Shoah Foundation and ProQuest launched an exclusive partnership in 2016 to expand, enrich, and simplify access to Visual History Archive in the academic market. This version surfaces the librarys related ProQuest content, which can encompass more than a billion searchable items spanning dissertations, news and historical newspapers, periodicals, scholarly journals, and primary source materials  a combination that improves contextual discovery while viewing the video testimonies.

At Troy University, the Visual History Archive will be available to all students, staff and faculty, supporting research and learning across multiple disciplines.

About Troy University

Troy University is a public institution comprised of a network of campuses throughout Alabama and worldwide. International in scope, Troy University provides a variety of educational programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels for a diverse student body in traditional, nontraditional and emerging electronic formats. Academic programs are supported by a variety of student services which promote the welfare of the individual student. Troy University's dedicated faculty and staff promote discovery and exploration of knowledge and its application to life-long success through effective teaching, service, creative partnerships, scholarship and research.

About USC Shoah Foundation (https://sfi.usc.edu/)

USC Shoah Foundation - The Institute for Visual History and Education is dedicated to making audiovisual interviews with survivors and other witnesses of the Holocaust and other genocides, a compelling voice for education and action. The Institutes current collection of over 55,000 eyewitness testimonies in the Visual History Archive preserves history as told by the people who lived it, and lived through it. Housed at the University of Southern California, within the Dana and David Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, the Institute works with partners around the world to advance scholarship and research, to provide resources and online tools for educators, and to disseminate the testimonies for educational purposes.

About ProQuest (http://www.proquest.com)

ProQuest is committed to supporting the important work happening in the worlds research and learning communities. The company curates content that matters to the advancement of knowledge, assembling an archive of billions of vetted, indexed documents. It simplifies workflows so that people and institutions use time effectively. And because ProQuest connects information communities, complex networks of systems and processes work together efficiently. With ProQuest, finding answers and deriving insights is straightforward and leads to extraordinary outcomes.

ProQuest and its companies and affiliates  Ex Libris, Alexander Street, Bowker  stand for better research, better learning, better insights. ProQuest enables people to change their world.
The campaign was a major success with participating attorneys retaining over $140 million in cases to date.

KLS Equity Group will fund a second round of campaign finance for the production and media purchases of a group of trial attorneys focused on asbestos litigation. Over $30 billion of funds have been placed in trust funds to aid the victims of asbestos exposure. In May of 2014 KLS Equity opened Fund XVII to pay the advertising expenses for a select group of asbestos focused trial attorneys. The fund raised $6.1 million and hired KLS Media Group of Houston, Texas to handle production and media placement. The fund paid for a national advertising campaign running in over 50 major US markets as well as San Juan, Puerto Rico for roughly 90 days ending in early October. The campaign was a major success with participating attorneys retaining over $140 million in cases to date. The fund raised $5 million and will continue the mission of fund XVIIs national campaign for an additional two months, ending in mid-December. Daniel Spence, President of KLS Equity was the lead investor in KLS Equity Fund XVII. Spence Family Investments has pledged $3.5 million for the second round of asbestos advertising campaign financing. KLS Equitys second round of asbestos campaign financing has closed and the fund is not considering any further outside investors.

About KLS Equity

KLS Equity is a private equity firm founded to finance the advertising campaigns of purpose driven companies that may not have the capital required to successfully launch a new brand, product, or idea. KLS Equity has provided advertising campaign finance for some of the worlds leading companies, including major oil and gas holdings, textiles, legal, and hospitality industries. KLS Equity has funded over $100 million in advertising campaigns.

About KLS Media

KLS Media Global is an advertising agency holding company based in Houston, Texas. KLS Media was founded in 1998. Daniel Spence was named CEO of KLS Media Global in 2005. KLS Media is set to surpass US$500 million in annual 2014 billings including over $366 million in media purchases. In 2013 a Texas based private equity firm purchased a majority stake in KLS Media Global and KLS Media is now asset managed by the equity firm.
Pilera Software, a leading community and property management solution, is happy to welcome their newest client, Excel Association Management. Excel is one of the largest community management companies in the Dallas area.

Adam Clark, Operations Manager of Excel, is very excited to begin working on Pilera for their communities. On this new partnership, Adam said, Their [Pileras] intuitive and clean resident portal will give our homeowners a better organized account page and help get to the information they need quicker. The work order management system is going to streamline unit and common area maintenance requests not only in our condos and townhomes but also our HOAs. Founded in 1991, Excel Association Management, Inc. is a family owned Community Management Company headquartered in Plano, Texas and services Homeowners Associations and Condominiums in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Excel focuses on delivering clear and valuable Community Management solutions for clients and stakeholders by developing and implementing operating policies that emphasize customer service and transparent communication.

Pilera is always adapting to evolving business needs and hence, released a new Vendor Management app. Managers and staff can organize and track key vendor information, gain portfolio-level insights, monitor vendor performance, and automate workflows throughout the management tool. They are excited to continue rolling out this new functionality to their current and new clients.

Pilera Software, LLC is a national community management software company. Thousands of communities have chosen Pilera to help them streamline operations and gain a competitive edge. Excel joins Pileras growing customer base of HOAs, condo associations, townhomes, self-managed associations, and multifamily management companies. With this new partnership, Pilera is excited to work with the team at Excel to help enhance their customer service activities.
Episcopal Relief & Development Holiday Matching Gift Challenge This match is the largest in the history of the organization, said Rob Radtke, President of Episcopal Relief & Development. Im grateful to our faithful and compassionate friends for their continued support of our critical work with local partners worldwide.

Episcopal Relief & Development is launching its annual Holiday Matching Gift Challenge. Starting now through the end of December, Episcopalians, friends and other supporters have the opportunity to double their donations by participating in this special fundraising opportunity.

A group of extremely generous donors will match all donations dollar-for-dollar up to $760,000 until December 31. The Matching Gift Challenge will benefit the Global Needs Fund, enabling Episcopal Relief & Development to work around the world with its local partners in overcoming poverty, hunger, disease and rebuilding after disasters.

This match is the largest in the history of the organization, said Rob Radtke, President of Episcopal Relief & Development. Im grateful to our faithful and compassionate friends for their continued support of our critical work with local partners worldwide.

Donations made to any Episcopal Relief & Development fund before year-end are eligible for matching, including contributions online, over the phone, by mail or through Gifts for Life, the organizations alternative giving catalog. Gifts of stock or from an IRA are also eligible for the Matching Gift Challenge. For new and existing monthly donors, any scheduled contributions will also be matched.

We are so appreciative of our donors commitment and look forward to meeting this challenge, said Betsy Deisroth, Episcopal Relief & Developments Vice President for Advancement. People love giving to a cause that empowers communities around the world to transform and live fuller, healthier lives and this is an opportunity to double their gifts."

Between now and December 31, all contributions up to $760,000 will be matched. Click here to donate online, or call 1.855.312.HEAL (4325). Gifts can also be mailed to Episcopal Relief & Development, PO Box 7058, Merrifield, VA 22116-7058.

For over 75 years, Episcopal Relief & Development has served as a compassionate response to human suffering in the world. The agency works with more than 3 million people in nearly 40 countries worldwide to overcome poverty, hunger and disease through multi-sector programs, using the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a framework. An independent 501(c)(3) organization, it works closely with Anglican Communion and ecumenical partners to help communities create long-term development strategies and rebuild after disasters.
Fortior Solutions is the market leader in high-assurance identity solutions used by the government and critical infrastructure. We are proud to honor Fortior Solutions for the enhancements they've brought to security at Marine Corps installations worldwide that help create a safer environment for our families and their children," Lieutenant General Bob Ruark USMC (Ret.), President and CEO of the MCSF

Fortior Solutions, aka SureID, Inc., received the prestigious Semper Fidelis Award by the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation at a West Coast event attended by service members, honorees, scholarship recipients, civilians and their guests.

The award was given in recognition of the companys commitment to the foundations mission of honoring Marines by educating their children. Scholars and their Marine Corps families also were recognized at the event, held on October 14 in Newport Beach, CA.

Fortior Solutions President & CEO, Jim Robell, accepted the award on behalf of his company. It is truly an honor and privilege to receive this award, Robell said. The Foundation provides exceptional scholarship support to children of our countrys great heroes, the Marines. These Marine Scholars are our countrys future leaders, and we are proud of their achievements.

We are proud to honor Fortior Solutions for the enhancements they've brought to security at Marine Corps installations worldwide that help create a safer environment for our families and their children," said Lieutenant General Bob Ruark USMC (Ret.), President and CEO of the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation. Fortior Solutions clearly shares the Scholarship Foundation's devotion to Marine families and is committed to ensuring their children have access to affordable education."

Fortior Solutions patented RAPIDGate solution helps to protect Marines and their families at 19 Marine Corps bases across the country, through the companys sophisticated identity management and credentialing system for access control of vendors, service providers and contractors.

The Semper Fidelis Award recognizes individuals and organizations whose service to the Nation exemplifies the Marine Corps motto to remain Always Faithful.

About Fortior Solutions:

Fortior Solutions is the market leader in high-assurance identity solutions used by the government and critical infrastructure. The company creates end-to-end trusted identity programs offering full credential lifecycle management through the combination of registration, identity proofing, verification, background screening, credentialing and identity authentication for government, critical infrastructure, and individuals including contractors, vendors and other authorized personnel. Fortior Solutions RAPIDGate program provides an enterprise-wide, single-credential high assurance identity for the U.S. Marine Corps, Army and Coast Guard installations and critical infrastructure sectors across the country. Fortior Solutions is the leading issuer of PIV-I credentials. Fortior Solutions is headquartered in Hillsboro, OR, and has been delivering trusted identity solutions to customers since November, 2001.

About the Scholarship Foundation:

Established in 1962, the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation is the Nation's oldest and largest provider of need-based scholarships for military children. Since its inception, the Scholarship Foundation has awarded $120 million in scholarships to 40,000 recipients. For more information on the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, please visit http://www.mcsf.org.
Soliant Health, a leading specialty healthcare staffing provider and part of The Adecco Group, is pleased to announce the launch of its newly redesigned website  soliant.com. The website is positioned to be a leading resource for job seekers and employers in the healthcare community.

The new site is optimized to ensure a user-friendly experience across all digital platforms, including desktop and mobile. On mobile devices, job seekers are now able to scroll seamlessly through various job categories on the site based on specialty and location. Job seekers will have access to a comprehensive portal for all jobs associated with their desired specialty through the following categorical tabs on the new site:



Nursing

Schools

Pharmacy

Physicians

Therapy

Advanced Practice

Healthcare IT

Allied Health

Created with the user in mind, the new soliant.com strives to deliver improved navigation for both job seekers and employers. An improved Quick Apply feature allows job seekers to easily and efficiently upload resumes via web-based platforms such as Dropbox and Google Drive. A one-click talent request form allows employers to quickly submit their hiring needs to a specialized personal consultant who is cross-trained by specialty in the placement process.

Visually, the new site makes use of images and specially-designed icons that are modern and bright, promoting user engagement page after page. Overall, the new site aims to better reflect Soliants culture of, making life better for those who make lives better.

To learn more about Soliant, please visit soliant.com.

About Soliant Health

Soliant Health, an Adecco Group company, is a leading provider of specialized healthcare staffing services to hospitals and healthcare providers. By supplying traveling healthcare professionals on both temporary and direct hire assignments, Soliant Health delivers comprehensive healthcare staffing services to leading facilities across the United States. Soliant's teams of professionals are qualified to fill physician, nursing, therapy, pharmacy and other healthcare positions.

For more information, please contact:

Tera Tuten

Vice President of Operations and Marketing

Soliant

904-527-5826

tera.tuten(at)soliant.com

Carmela Nazareno

Marketing Specialist

Soliant

904-360-2553

carmela.nazareno(at)soliant.com
The Great Courses Donates to Education-Focused Philanthropies I cannot tell you how delighted we are to be able to make a positive impact on adult education in our local community...

Last week, The Great Coursesa Northern-Virginia-based educational company delivered more than $13,000 to help fund two local adult-literacy programs in Washington D.C. Raised as part of the companys education-focused philanthropy and corporate outreach program, the funds will go to Academy of Hope and the Washington Literacy Center to help D.C.-area adults improve their literacy skills.

I cannot tell you how delighted we are to be able to make a positive impact on adult education in our local community. said The Great Courses President and CEO Paul Suijk. Weve long benefited tremendously, as an organization, from being located in the Washington D.C. area and having ready access to the best-educated workforce in the country. Giving back to the community by helping improving the education levels of the city is simply our responsibility."

Academy of Hope Adult Public Charter School and Washington Literacy Center are the D.C. areas leading adult literacy organizations, with more than 85 years combined experience in helping prepare adult students for better work and educational opportunities by teaching fundamental literacy skills. 90 percent of our students arrive at or below a sixth-grade level in reading, math and computer literacy, said CEO of Academy of Hope, Lecester Johnson, so the challenges we face are enormous. More than 60 percent of our graduates go onto college or further education, which just goes to show the immense power of education to transform peoples lives. Responding to the increasing demand for services, AoH purchased a new facility last year. This generous donation from The Great Courses will go a long way in helping us reach even more people with a desire to learn.

Washington Literacy has operated as nonprofit helping families in the D.C. since 1965. We have evolved to focus on whole student with a literacy based approach in reading, math and workforce/occupational skills. We provide a pathway for students who need to strengthen basic reading and numeracy skills necessary to qualify for many of the other programs. Our students face daily obstacles in meeting their needs and the needs of their families. Literacy is the only path out of poverty. It will create new opportunities for them to pursue educational and job opportunities that enhance their quality of life. Said Jimmie Williams, the Executive Director of Washington Literacy Center. Since our organization relies on grants, donations, and our amazing volunteers, were always grateful for support from the business community. The Great Courses contribution is going to help us provide digital literacy and workforce training that enhance the literacy and workforce skills of our students.

Kevin Manzel, Director of Content for The Great Courses and the head of the companys philanthropic efforts, notes that the effort was a home run all around. Our employees were excited to launch a sales campaign that benefited such a worthy cause as adult literacy, and we received wonderful feedback from our customers about the effort, as well. We couldnt be happier to contribute to the great work that Academy of Hope and Washington Literacy Center are doing.

About The Great Courses

The Great Courses is the nation's leading developer and marketer of premium quality media for lifelong learning and personal enrichment. Delivered in engaging, expertly produced video and audio, these carefully crafted courses provide access to a world of knowledge from the most accomplished professors and experts. The contentrich, proprietary library spans more than 600 series with more than 14,000 lectures designed to expand horizons, deepen understanding, and foster epiphanies in the arts, science, literature, selfimprovement, history, music, philosophy, theology, economics, mathematics, business, professional advancement and personal development. Creating unique learning experiences since 1990, The Great Courses and The Great Courses Plus are the premier brands of The Teaching Company Sales, LLC of Chantilly, Virginia, which is owned by Los Angeles-based Brentwood Associates. More information can be found at https://www.thegreatcourses.com.
This collaboration, on a national level, is groundbreaking and will provide a roadmap of how doctors and health plans can work together to improve the quality and affordability of care across the country.

The U.S. Womens Health Alliance (USWHA), in collaboration with Cigna (NYSE: CI), is proud to announce the launch of the first national maternity episode of care program for its member OBGYN practices. Twenty-eight USWHA member groups, collectively comprising over 1,700 providers, are now eligible to participate in the maternity episode of care program.

In an episode of care arrangement, healthcare providers are compensated for all of the care they provide related to a specific procedure or course of treatment  for example, a hip replacement or the delivery of a baby including a defined time prior to the event, the event itself, a recover period and follow-up care for a defined period of time afterward.

The aim of the maternity program is to improve the quality and affordability for Cigna customers who are treated by USWHA member groups. By compensating physicians comprehensively for the full episode of care, there is an intentional focus on rewarding doctors for the outcomes achieved, rather than the number of procedures performed.

An episode of care program fosters collaboration between providers and health plans so they can achieve higher quality, as well as more consistent and affordable healthcare for their patients and customers. In this model, providers have the opportunity and responsibility to coordinate the overall care of their patients. The model is part of the growing movement away from traditional fee for service arrangements to value-based arrangements that reward better outcomes and more affordable care.

This collaboration, on a national level, is groundbreaking and will provide a roadmap of how doctors and health plans can work together to improve the quality and affordability of care across the country, stated Dr. Jack Feltz, President of USWHA. I am proud to be part of this project and sincerely thank all of those who have been committed and worked hard to bring this initiative from concept to reality.

Dr. Feltz led the project design and implementation team of highly-seasoned clinical and operational alliance members. Dr. Genevieve Fairbrother and Dr. Rhona Magaril and their team led the task force on detailed medical guidelines. Lili Brillstein, MPH, a leading expert in episodes of care, played a critical role educating the USWHA around the design and benefits of this model. Dr. Feltz and Dr. Cone and their team oversaw the episode contracting with Cigna to help member groups execute and implement a successful episode of care. Karen Ryer and her team worked on data analytics to develop a measurement system to track results, which helps providers to improve outcomes. Heather Schueppert led the coordination process of the project.

Cigna is the first health plan to collaborate with the USWHA, on a national level, on such an important value-based initiative.

The episode of care program is part of Cigna Collaborative Care, a value-based model that uses incentives to engage health care professionals and drive improved health, affordability and customer experience. Cigna Collaborative Care initially focused on large primary care physician groups and has expanded to include hospitals, small primary care practices and specialists, including OBGYN practices. Cigna has episodes-of-care arrangements for other medical specialties, including gastroenterology, oncology, orthopedics and cardiology.

Were excited by this opportunity to help improve the quality and affordability of maternity care for our customers in cooperation with USWHA and its member groups, said John Keats, M.D., Cigna's senior medical director who provides clinical oversight for the companys value-based maternity programs. By rewarding health care providers for the value and outcomes of their care, we can take an important step toward creating a health care system that works for everyone.

The U.S. Womens Health Alliance has hired Elaine Daniels as its Alternative Payment Models Director, who will lead the Member Readiness and Implementation part of the project. Positive work and discussions with other health plans on a local and national level are ongoing with the USWHA, as the goal remains to make this as far-reaching of an initiative as possible so the greatest number of patients can receive the benefits of these initiatives.

About U.S. Womens Health Alliance

The U.S. Womens Health Alliance is a national womens healthcare organization of respected healthcare practices across the United States, who work together to improve the quality of womens care, create a more affordable healthcare system and protect and preserve the private practice of medicine. Formed in 2012, the USWHA is an OBGYN association comprised of over 2,500 providers and their 20,000+ employees, who directly care for the lives of over 10 million women. We accomplish our unified Mission through member group collaboration, pooled resources, development of new models of healthcare delivery including evidence based quality metrics, and shared savings initiatives. Members of USWHA also collaborate on medical technology, operational and practice management benchmarks and group purchasing programs. We also develop healthy relationships with hospital systems, insurance companies, medical industries and government organizations to strengthen our reach and impact on the lives of women throughout the nation. To learn more about the U.S. Women's Health Alliance, visit uswha.com.

About Cigna

Cigna Corporation (NYSE: CI) is a global health service company dedicated to helping people improve their health, well-being and sense of security. All products and services are provided exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, including Connecticut General Life Insurance Company, Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, Life Insurance Company of North America and Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York. Such products and services include an integrated suite of health services, such as medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, vision, supplemental benefits, and other related products including group life, accident and disability insurance. Cigna maintains sales capability in 30 countries and jurisdictions, and has more than 95 million customer relationships throughout the world. To learn more about Cigna, including links to follow us on Facebook or Twitter, visit http://www.cigna.com.
AEGEA Vapor System The ease of insertion, small size, low vapor pressure, and new safety features will provide more gynecologists with the confidence to perform endometrial ablation in an office setting.

AEGEA Medical, Inc., a privately held medical device company focused on the development of its patented Adaptive Vapor Ablation technology, today announced U.S. FDA approval of the AEGEA Vapor System as a new treatment option for menorrhagia. The AEGEA Vapor System is the first endometrial ablation system specifically designed for use in the doctors office allowing minimal anesthesia/analgesia and rapid recovery.

AEGEA Medicals technology utilizes the naturally expansive power of water vapor to deliver a safe, effective and quick endometrial ablation procedure designed to significantly reduce menstrual bleeding. The AEGEA Vapor System delivers controlled, low-pressure water vapor to the uterine cavity to efficiently ablate the inner lining of the uterus.

The AEGEA Vapor System is a fully automated safety monitoring and vapor delivery system that uses a slender flexible Vapor Probe with SmartSeal(TM) technology and the Integrity Pro(TM) safety feature for an added level of confidence. The fast 4-minute procedure time includes 2 minutes of vapor treatment and can be performed in patients with a wider range of uterine anatomies than indicated for use with currently available treatments. The ease of insertion, small size, low vapor pressure, and new safety features will provide more gynecologists with the confidence to perform endometrial ablation in an office setting, said Dr. Kirk Brody, Chattanooga Medical Research and University of Tennessee College of Medicine.

Women treated with the AEGEA Vapor System experienced a 6x reduction in menstrual bleeding per the Pivotal Study criteria, 99% experienced an improvement in quality of life 12 months post-treatment, and 93% would recommend the procedure to a friend. Clinical trials with the AEGEA Vapor System included women with uterine cavities up to 12 cm in length, any uterine width, and uterine cavities with certain types of fibroids. "The AEGEA Vapor System gives me the opportunity to help a much broader population of patients that we see every day since it works in non-uniform uterine cavities, said Dr. David Levine, Director of Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery, St. Louis Mercy Hospital.

We have realized the vision of a new treatment approach that fulfills an unmet need for patients that cannot be treated by existing endometrial ablation devices. Our approved vapor procedure expands the options for these patients that dont want surgery or hormonal treatment and yet desire an effective minimally invasive treatment for their abnormal uterine bleeding. Adaptive Vapor Ablation can transform the experience of gynecologists and the millions of women they treat who suffer from abnormal uterine bleeding, said Don Gurskis, President and Chief Executive Officer of AEGEA Medical.

About Excessive Menstrual Bleeding (Menorrhagia)

Many women experience heavy menstrual bleeding at some point in their lives. Nearly 1 in 5 women between the ages of 30 and 50 experience abnormally heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding. Healthcare professionals call this condition abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) or menorrhagia. The increase in quantity and duration can negatively impact every day routine activities such as work and family care. It can also make it difficult to exercise and to be socially or sexually active.

Important Safety Information

The AEGEA Vapor System is indicated for premenopausal women with menorrhagia due to benign causes for whom childbearing is complete. As with all surgical procedures, there are risks and considerations associated with the use of the AEGEA Vapor System. Please refer to the device labeling for a detailed discussion of the devices intended use, relevant warnings, precautions, side effects, and contraindications.

About AEGEA Medical

AEGEA Medical is pioneering the application of its Adaptive Vapor Ablation technology to deliver therapies that provide high quality patient outcomes to a wider range of patients. AEGEAs FDA approved water vapor technology enables the delivery of a safe and effective endometrial ablation for the treatment of menorrhagia in a simple, office-based procedure that takes only minutes. With a vision to expand safe and effective treatment options to more patients, and provide physicians with the confidence and convenience necessary to perform office-based procedures, AEGEA is inspiring new approaches to womens healthcare. Founded in 2008, AEGEA Medical is located in Redwood City, California. For more information, visit AEGEAmedical.com.

AEGEA Medical, AEGEA Vapor System, SmartSeal, and IntegrityPro, and associated logos, are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of AEGEA Medical.
List of Top Exhibitors with High Impact at SEMA 2017 Our analysts ensure that customers get the most appropriate and contextual media intelligence possible. The analysis involved studying more than 2 million impressions on Twitter and online to ensure 360 degree coverage.

Leading media monitoring and analysis firm, Fullintel, published an analysis of the top activities at the 2017 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas. Taking place from October 31st to November 3rd, the SEMA show drew more than 70,000 international and domestic attendees and scored thousands of mentions in the media. Nearly 2,400 exhibitors participated in the show and over 2,500 new products were on display this year.

Fullintels media analysts curated more than 4,000 stories from both traditional and social media from the vast coverage to study the media impact of the show. Our analysts ensure that customers get the most appropriate and contextual media intelligence possible. The analysis involved studying more than 2 million impressions on Twitter and online to ensure 360 degree coverage, added Andrew Koeck, Co-founder and President of Fullintel.

Using an infographic design, the Fullintel media coverage report compares the mentions received by top exhibitors by region and by outlet. The report also highlights the top journalist who covered the SEMA show and the impact that was registered across social media. The report also provides interpretations of the sentiment of stories written on the show. A copy of the report can be downloaded from this link.

About Fullintel

Fullintel is a media intelligence company offering relevant news and business information, handpicked by human analysts and delivered to industry professionals via email and mobile and web apps. Fullintels services include comprehensive media monitoring, event monitoring, executive news briefs, media coverage reports and competitive analysis. For more details, visit https://www.fullintel.com/ or email pr(at)fullintel(dot)com
Google is so much more than the worlds largest search engine. It's an organization's digital gateway to the world. For this reason, PR News has created a one-stop resource for everything Google for PR and communicationsThe Google for Communicators Guidebook. This newly-published guidebook is crafted for PR practitioners and communicators who are looking to leverage Google for their brand. Each chapter provides critical tools, strategies and insights that communicators need to take their Google efforts to the next level in todays digital environment.

To order a copy of the Google for Communicators Guidebook, visit http://www.prnewsonline.com/products/google-for-communicators-guidebook/

Contributing organizations for PR News' Google for Communicators Guidebook include:



Google

Bayer

Los Angeles World Airports

PwC

The Clorox Company

CareerBuilder

Weber Shandwick

Asian American Hotel Owners Association

Toshiba America Medical Systems

SHIFT Communications

Association for Psychological Science

The PR News editorial team collaborated with more than 45 contributing authors on the topics that matter most to PR, communications, social media and marketing professionals so that they can turn to this book time and time again for real-world advice on Google's tools. Chapters in the Google for Communicators Guidebook include SEO Tactics, Google Analytics, YouTube, Finding Influencers and Audiences, Google AdWords and Case Studies.

To order a copy of the Google for Communicators Guidebook, visit http://www.prnewsonline.com/products/google-for-communicators-guidebook/

For questions regarding this guidebook, contact PR News Laura Snitkovskiy at laura(at)accessintel(dot)com.

The PR News Group focuses on honing and growing PR and communications professionals skills in social media, crisis management, digital PR, measurement, employee relations, media training, CSR and writing through its flagship newsletter, webinars, conferences, awards programs, workshops and guidebooks. With the launch of its weekly newsletter over 70 years ago, PR News has remained dedicated to supporting the growth of communicators and marketers all while keeping them abreast of the latest news affecting their industries. For more information, visit http://www.prnewsonline.com.
UltraLevel receives WBENC Certification UltraLevels WBE and WOSB certifications benefit our clients by helping them achieve their diversity initiatives and gives the marketplace an IT partner with a certification that is nationally recognized.

UltraLevel, an IT solutions provider and Dell EMC Platinum Partner, is proud to announce it has received national certification from the Great Lakes Womens Business Council, a regional certifying partner of the Womens Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), as a National Womens Business Enterprise (WBE) and Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB).

The WBENC certification for women owned business is the most recognizable and sought-after certification of its kind. WBENCs national standard of certification implemented by the Great Lakes Womens Business Council is a meticulous process including an in-depth review of the business and site inspection. The certification process is designed to confirm the business is at least 51% owned, operated and controlled by a woman or women.

We are proud to be officially certified as a Women Owned Business Enterprise in accordance with the rigorous, multi-faceted business application and review process. By receiving the WBENC designation, we hope to serve as an inspiration to other organizations of the tremendous business value women offer, said Trisha Butz, UltraLevel CEO. UltraLevels WBE and WOSB certifications benefit our clients by helping them achieve their diversity initiatives and gives the marketplace an IT partner with a certification that is nationally recognized.

By including women-owned businesses among their vendors, corporations and government agencies demonstrate their commitment to fostering diversity and the continued development of their supplier/vendor diversity programs.

To learn more about UltraLevel, please visit http://www.UltraLevel.com

About UltraLevel

Established in 2001, UltraLevel is a premier IT solution provider headquartered in Southfield, Michigan with regional offices in Indiana and Ohio that services organizations of all sizes and industry verticals. The company specializes in designing and implementing technology solutions that address the business needs and strategic objectives of its clients ranging from Public, Private and Hybrid Cloud solutions to more traditional customer-premises data center solutions. UltraLevel has the experience and expertise to get the job done for your organization. Learn more at http://www.ultralevel.com.

About WBENC

Founded in 1997, the Womens Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) is the nations largest third-party certifier of businesses owned, controlled, and operated by women in the United States. A national 501(c)(3) non-profit, the WBENC partners with 14 Regional Partner Organizations to provide its world-class standard of certification to women-owned businesses throughout the country. For more information, visit wbenc.org.
Miva Our employees are essential to the continued success of Miva clients, and we take pride in cultivating an environment and culture for employees to thrive in.

Miva, Inc., enterprise ecommerce platform, has been awarded a 2017 Top Workplaces honor by the San Diego Union-Tribune. The Top Workplaces lists are based solely on the results of an employee feedback survey administered by Energage, LLC (formerly WorkplaceDynamics), a leading research firm that specializes in organizational health and workplace improvement. Several aspects of workplace culture were measured including alignment, execution, and connection.

Doug Claffey, CEO of Energage explains, To be a Top Workplace, organizations must meet our strict standards for organizational health. And who better to ask about work life than the people who live the culture every daythe employees. Time and time again, our research has proven that whats most important to them is a strong belief in where the organization is headed, how its going to get there, and the feeling that everyone is in it together. Claffey adds, Without this sense of connection, an organization doesnt have a shot at being named a Top Workplace.

Rick Wilson, CEO of Miva, contributes this achievement to the Miva team, Our employees are essential to the continued success of Miva clients, and we take pride in cultivating an environment and culture for employees to thrive in. Wilson continues, This recognition reflects our dedication to making Miva a workplace, where people are excited to come to work every day.

Miva is currently hiring for several ecommerce positions in San Diego and Tampa, including software developer, front-end web developer, account manager, and ecommerce administrative assistant. To apply visit, https://www.miva.com/company/careers.

About Miva, Inc

Since 1997, Miva has delivered expertly-designed solutions to help high-growth businesses serve their customers in the most innovative, forward-thinking ways possible. Miva stores deliver superior online shopping experiences and support sophisticated back-end ecommerce workflows. Miva is the only cloud-based platform that provides a reliable and expandable enterprise ecommerce solution from a single source; Miva owns and maintains the Miva Merchant software and cloud-based hosting environment. Visit http://www.miva.com for more information.

About Energage, LLC

Headquartered in Exton, PA, Energage specializes in employee feedback surveys and workplace improvement. This year alone, more than two million employees in over 6,000 organizations will participate in the Top Workplaces campaigna program it conducts in partnership with more than 40 prestigious media partners across the United States. Energage also provides consulting services to improve employee engagement and organizational health. Energage is a founding B Corporation member, a coalition of organizations that are leading a global movement to redefine success in business by offering a positive vision of a better way to do business.
C-TRAC, the Center for Commercialization, Research and Technology, will be supporting a CyberWorx Design Sprint in December 2017 with a focus on the best way to meld the now-separate Cyberspace with Global ISR  Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance capabilities to improve warfighting.

CyberWorx educates Air Force cadets while simultaneously partnering with industry to solve cyber problems facing our Nation. Design thinking  a structured framework for understanding and pursuing innovation in ways that encourage outside-the-box thinking  figures prominently in the CyberWorx Design Sprint process. Typically five days long, a Sprint originates with a problem statement. In this case, the problem to be examined is: How might we eliminate operational barriers between USAF Cyberspace and ISR Operations?

Were certainly looking at how do we better integrate and close the seams between cyberspace operations, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, electronic warfare, information operations, said Maj. Gen. Christopher Weggeman, commander of the 24th Air Force, also referred to as AFCYBER, in a recently published interview. Integrating that portfolio more seamlessly will allow warfighters to operate agilely and leverage new, innovative ISR and Cyber capabilities. This opportunity is much bigger than simply merging together two numbered Air Forces (the 24th and 25th, both at Lackland AFB) to achieve synergy; this opportunity is about moving toward multi-domain thinking in Air Force operations and unleashing the talent of our cyber and ISR forces in executing and supporting missions.

C-TRAC plans to identify industry thought leaders to work with representatives of the DoD and Air Force during the Sprint to consider how best to restructure Cyberspace and Global ISR operations to simplify their collaboration and increase their agility, thus helping them to complement each other more effectively. Diversity of experience is prized, as it enhances the overall creativity of the group.

C-TRAC will interview a variety of applicants to determine if they will be a good fit for the diverse group of industry experts envisioned for this Sprint, depending upon background and experience. C-TRAC invites any interested member of private sector industry to contact C-TRAC at info(at)c-trac.org or at (719) 896-5087 ext. 205 to begin the application process.
We are truly honored and thrilled to be on this inclusive list of great companies, it's a testament to the entire ValuTrac team - Clint Cornett

ValuTrac Software today announced it ranked #453 on Deloittes Technology Fast 500, a ranking of the 500 fastest growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences and energy tech companies in North America. ValuTrac Software grew 166 percent during the period 2013 to 2016.

The Deloitte 2017 North America Technology Fast 500 winners underscore the impact of technological innovation and world class customer service in driving growth, in a fiercely competitive environment, said Sandra Shirai, vice chairman, Deloitte Consulting LLP and U.S. technology, media and telecommunications leader. These companies are on the cutting edge and are transforming the way we do business. We extend our sincere congratulations to all the winners for achieving remarkable growth while delivering new services and experiences for their customers.

At ValuTrac, our mission is to deliver the best value and the best service to our customersthats been our formula for growth since our days as a bootstrap startup in 2009, said Clint Cornett, CEO of ValuTrac Software. Being named to Deloittes Technology Fast 500 validates the effort and dedication of our entire team. Were honored to be named to the list. Our goal is to remain on this list for years to come.

Emerging growth companies are powering innovation in the broader economy. The growth rates delivered by the companies on this years North America Technology Fast 500 ranking are a bright spot for the capital markets and a strong indicator that the emerging growth technology sector will continue to deliver a strong return on investment, said Heather Gates, national managing director of Deloitte & Touche LLPs emerging growth company practice. Deloitte is dedicated to supporting the best and brightest companies of the future in the emerging growth company sector. We are proud to acknowledge the significant accomplishments of this years Fast 500 winners.

Overall, 2017 Technology Fast 500 companies achieved revenue growth ranging from 135 percent to 59,093 percent from 2013 to 2016, with median growth of 380 percent.

About Deloittes 2017 Technology Fast 500

Deloittes Technology Fast 500 provides a ranking of the fastest growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences and energy tech companies  both public and private  in North America. Technology Fast 500 award winners are selected based on percentage fiscal year revenue growth from 2013 to 2016.

In order to be eligible for Technology Fast 500 recognition, companies must own proprietary intellectual property or technology that is sold to customers in products that contribute to a majority of the company's operating revenues. Companies must have base-year operating revenues of at least $50,000 USD, and current-year operating revenues of at least $5 million USD. Additionally, companies must be in business for a minimum of four years and be headquartered within North America.

Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee (DTTL), its network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL (also referred to as Deloitte Global) does not provide services to clients. In the United States, Deloitte refers to one or more of the US member firms of DTTL, their related entities that operate using the Deloitte name in the United States and their respective affiliates. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting. Please see http://www.deloitte.com/about to learn more about our global network of member firms.

About ValuTrac Software, Inc.

Since 2009, ValuTrac Software has been a trusted provider of real estate valuation management technology to the real estate lending industry. ValuTrac products provide the tools for businesses to simplify and streamline their business operations. ValuTrac offers a real-world approach and execution of tried and proved methods that cement customer relationships while improving business productivity. ValuTrac products deliver real added business value to any organization. Using our proven methodology and experience, our team guides customers through the best practices to ensure every project is flawlessly executed and is aligned with their business goals and objectives. ValuTracs product stack includes, ValuTrac Pro, ValuTrac Pro Plus, Appraisal Relay, Snapshot Appraisal Review, EmpowerBA, and ValuTracOne.

For more information, please visit the Companys website at http://www.valutracsoftware.com.
Approyo Named Among 30 Most Innovative Companies 2017 by CIO Bulletin Magazine Approyo is honored to be recognized by CIO Bulletin Magazine as the one of the 30 Most Innovative Companies 2017

Approyo today announced that CIO Bulletin Magazine has named it among the 30 Most Innovative Companies 2017.

CIO Bulletin 30 Most Innovative Companies 2017 program identifies companies which are successful in achieving strategic goals through innovation, and winning a spot on this list indicates the company has distinguished itself from peers by proving itself more valuable in terms of service quality, vast customer base, innovation and market position, said J.P Pande, Editor-in-Chief of CIO Bulletin Magazine.

Approyo is honored to be recognized by CIO Bulletin Magazine as the one of the 30 Most Innovative Companies 2017, said Christopher Carter, CEO of Approyo. This ranking continues to validate our success in the SAP industry worldwide and our goal to be the most customer-centric SAP HANA business in the world.

The publication has selected Approyo based on its customer focus, diversity and the ability to spot trends, open innovation, disruptive ideas, and financial status.

For the full article, please visit CIO Bulletin Magazine.

Approyo has been providing solutions powered by SAP HANA, such as the latest version of SAP S/4HANA, in the cloud for the last three years. Approyo built an entire platform using the best solutions in the market, helping companies move to SAP HANA quickly and benefit immediately.

About Approyo

Approyo offers products and services that include upgrades, comprehensive remote operations/managed services, consulting, hosting and implementations and cloud services. Approyo differentiates itself by offering scalable managed solutions built on SAP HANA for organizations of all sizes. Headquartered in Milwaukee, WI and offices in throughout North America, Europe and South America, plus partners around the world, Approyo has the capability to support global organizations and their applications.

For additional information e-mail us at info(at)Approyo(dot)com, call 404.448.1166, or visit us on the web at http://www.Approyo.com.

SAP, SAP HANA, SAP S/4HANA and other SAP products and services mentioned herein as well as their respective logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of SAP SE (or an SAP affiliate company) in Germany and other countries. See http://www.sap.com/corporate-en/legal/copyright/index.epx for additional trademark information and notices.

All other product and service names mentioned are the trademarks of their respective companies.
FBR Names Youve Got Maids one of Top 100 Franchises for Military Veterans

Charleston-based franchisor earns third-consecutive annual commendation

Americas Finest Cleaning Service, Charleston-based home cleaning franchisor Youve Got Maids is thrilled to announce that for the third consecutive year the company was recently named as being one of the Top 100 franchises to qualify for its 2017 Top Franchises for Veterans list. The announcement comes on the heels of the publication of FBRs fifth-annual Veterans in Franchising report, in which the firm names 100 of the best franchising companies in the country for U.S. military veterans to work with.

To identify the top brands, Franchise Business Review analyzed 18 months of data from approximately 25,000 veteran franchise owners representing over 250 brands regarding their overall satisfaction with their brands and their likelihood to recommend them to others.

Youve Got Maids franchisees were surveyed on 33 benchmark questions about their experience and satisfaction regarding critical areas of their franchise systems, including training & support, operations, franchisor/franchisee relations, and financial opportunity.

The reality is that two-thirds of the thousands of franchise opportunities available today are simply average or below average opportunities, said Eric Stites, founder and CEO of Franchise Business Review. Thats the whole reason we do what we do, which is help prospective franchisees understand which franchises are the top opportunities based on the actual performance and satisfaction of franchise owners. The 100 companies named in this years report received the highest ratings from the veterans that own them on our independent satisfaction survey.

Being named a Top Franchise for Veterans again in 2017 is a tremendous honor. It goes without saying, says Youve Got Maids CEO Frank Berger of the recent announcement. My own father was a veteran of U.S. Army, so It gives us a great feeling to know were doing right by our military heroes.

And for us, working with veterans has been an unbridled win-win. Roughly a third of our franchise owners are veterans, and we have veterans-turned-franchise owners representing all five branches of the military, Berger continues with pride.

And the folks from our military turn out to be excellent at what we do. They tend to really take to our system, what we call our System of Success, he continues. They take to that quicker than the average person. They are systems people and because of that I think, they have become some of our best franchise owners.

Visit FranchiseBusinessReview.com to see the full description of the 2017 Top Franchises for Veterans.

About Youve Got Maids:

Youve Got Maids is a residential cleaning franchisor supporting a growing network of 78 independently-owned local franchise owners across the country. Founded in 2005 and franchising since 2010, Youve Got Maids is consistently ranked on Entrepreneur Magazines Franchise 500 list, Franchise Business Review's "Top 200" list, and has been the recipient of numerous awards and commendations for franchising, entrepreneurship and small business. The company takes pride in providing free cleaning for women fighting cancer, and is a top supporter of Cleaning For A Reason. For more information, visit the Youve Got Maids website at http://www.youvegotmaids.com, email charlie(at)youvegotmaids(dot)com or call the companys corporate headquarters at (843) 388-7887.

About the Franchise Business Review:

Franchise Business Review (FBR) is the only independent market research firm that specializes in benchmarking franchisee satisfaction based exclusively on ratings and reviews from franchise owners. FBR publishes free and unbiased franchisee satisfaction research reports throughout the year online at http://www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com.

Media Contacts:

Youve Got Maids

Charlie Morrison

Marketing Content Strategist

843.388.7887

charlie(at)youvegotmaids(dot)com

Franchise Business Review

Ali Forman

B2B Marketing Manager

603.319.4818

ali(at)franchisebusinessreview(dot)com
Learning Genie NewSchools Ignite is rooted in research, and we always start by talking to people in the field who are doing this work, said Tonika Cheek Clayton, managing partner, NewSchools Venture Fund. 

Learning Genie, Inc. is proud to announce its selection as a member of the Fall 2017 Ignite cohort at NewSchools Venture Fund.

Learning Genie is one of 15 ed tech companies awarded funding through the NewSchools Ignite Early Learning Challenge. Each cohort member is committed to create or expand an innovative ed tech product to help millions of students across the country in PreK-2nd grade. In addition to the funding, NewSchools will provide management assistance and create a community of practice for the cohort members. The grant supports Learning Genies commitment to continuously innovate and build its personalized learning platform to support teachers and underrepresented students in Head Start communities and state-funded preschools.

Learning Genie is a personalized learning platform for supporting early learning educators, administrators and parents through every step of the education cycle. Learning Genies interactive app helps teachers with authentic evidence-based assessments, generating analytical reports, and creating personalized lesson plans. Through the implementation of the lesson plan, the Learning Genie tool also focuses on promoting family engagement through sharing interactive learning contents, parenting tips and activities to try at home.

We are very excited about this award and the opportunity it opens up for our platform, said Dr. Gene Shi, CEO of Learning Genie. At Learning Genie we are committed to supporting early learning educators to deliver high-quality learning experiences for children, especially children impacted by the deep achievement gap. Our ultimate goal is to promote childrens confidence, curiosity and grit, while meeting their individual needs. Our interactive platform allows educators to become more efficient, and enable a seamless collaboration between parents and teachers towards childrens school readiness goals.

NewSchools Ignite is rooted in research, and we always start by talking to people in the field who are doing this work, said Tonika Cheek Clayton, managing partner, NewSchools Venture Fund. We heard from both educators and ed tech developers about the lack of high-quality tools to support academic and social development for young students. They also emphasized the importance of limiting the hours spent on devices and promoting interaction with parents and teachers. Given the importance of these early years, NewSchools Ignite is thrilled to invest in Learning Genie, Inc. to develop engaging tools to reimagine early learning.

About Learning Genie, Inc.

Learning Genie provides an open platform for early learning educators from customizable evidence-based assessment and data-driven analytics to personalized lesson planning and family engagement. Learning Genie is the most complete and efficient portfolio tool that helps enhance child outcomes and school readiness. Learning Genies mobile-based data service helps preschools better record children's daily activities and provides unique data-mining features, which allow preschools to optimize their daily operation, track a child's learning progress and securely share between teachers and parents. Learn more at https://www.learning-genie.com/.

About NewSchools

NewSchools Venture Fund is a national nonprofit that finds, funds and supports promising and innovative education entrepreneurs, teams of educators and education leaders. We help them accomplish their missions to achieve outstanding results for the schools, students and educators they serve. We are committed to helping students graduate high school prepared and inspired to achieve their most ambitious dreams and plans. Through our investing, management assistance, network building, and thought leadership, NewSchools helps to reimagine K12 education.
SPARK and Pace University are seeking high school and college students to develop Mobile Friendly Websites and Innovative Apps to help individuals with Autism. Mobile apps can be built to meet the needs of a variety of communities, including those with autism spectrum disorder, their parents, families, and caretakers, said Jonathan Hill, dean of the Seidenberg School.

High school and college students in the U.S. have the opportunity to win cash prizes while doing good by creating innovative apps and mobile friendly websites for individuals and families affected by autism through the SPARK Mobile App Contest.

The contest is run through a partnership between Simons Foundation Powering Autism Research for Knowledge (SPARK) and Pace University. With a long-standing history of facilitating the creation of mobile apps to improve lives, Pace Universitys Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems will be organizing the technical areas of the contest, including selecting technical judges, managing code review, and serving as technical support for contestants. SPARK is an online research initiative that aims to speed up research and advance the understanding of autism.

Mobile apps can be built to meet the needs of a variety of communities, including those with autism spectrum disorder, their parents, families, and caretakers, said Jonathan Hill, dean of the Seidenberg School. In competitions like the SPARK Mobile App Contest, not only are we building great apps that solve real problems, but these apps are being built by high school, undergraduate, and graduate students who learn skills in mobile app development that will serve them in their careers.

No experience in mobile app development or websites is necessary to enter. Tech specialists and autism experts will be available to assist throughout the contest. To learn more or to enter, visit contest.SPARKforAutism.org.

Entries will be accepted until midnight on January 26, 2018. Technical judges and autism experts will score projects and video submissions in each of the categories -- design, prototype, and production. Semi-finalists will be announced after the deadline and the SPARK community will then vote for their favorite app. Winners will be announced on April 13 which is during Autism Awareness Month. The contestant with the highest score will receive the SPARK Community Award with a grand prize of $25,000. Other awards range from $1,000 to $5,000.

In the United States, 1 in 68 children are affected by autism (CDC, 2017) and there are more than 3.5 million Americans living with an autism spectrum disorder (Autism Society, 2017). Pace University has a long-standing commitment to supporting college students with autism. The Ongoing Academic and Social Instructional Support (OASIS) program at Pace offers one of the most comprehensive college support programs for students with learning differences.

About Pace Universitys Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems: Founded in 1983, the Seidenberg School is one of the oldest dedicated institutions of computer science and information systems in the country. The school is named for Ivan G. Seidenberg, its most generous benefactor and former chairman and CEO of Verizon Communications, Inc. The Seidenberg School has run the Westchester Smart Mobile App Development Bowl for three years which has drawn close to 1,000 contestants from high schools and colleges. In 2017, the Seidenberg School was, for the third time, recognized by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security for its role in cybersecurity education and research by designating it a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE) through academic year 2022, a distinction held by only two other institutions of higher education in New York State.

About Pace University: A private university, Pace has campuses in New York City and Westchester County enrolling 13,000 students in bachelor, master, and doctoral programs in its College of Health Professions, Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, Elisabeth Haub School of Law, Lubin School of Business, School of Education, and Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems. http://www.pace.edu

# # #
ParaView applies new features for path tracing with OSPRay. The combination of OSPRay and ParaView enables scientists to more deeply engage with and analyze their terabyte-plus three-dimensional and four-dimensional data, even as it is computed in situ for faster turnaround to insight.

Kitware, a software research, development and consulting company, connected with other members of the high-performance computing (HPC) community to develop new features for three open source software platforms: the Visualization Toolkit (VTK), ParaView and CMake. Kitware made a preview release of ParaView earlier this month, and it plans to release VTK 8.1 and CMake 3.10 by the end of the year. Kitware has designated space at its booth (647) at The International Conference for High Performance Computing, Networking, Storage and Analysis (SC17) to show off the platforms and other offerings for HPC.

Prior to last years SC conference, Kitware began the release cycle for VTK 7.1. The release introduced a new module for rendering data in virtual reality, which uses the OpenVR standard and includes support for HTC Vive. With the upcoming release of VTK 8.1, users will be able to interact with three-dimensional widgets, such as menus and cropping planes, in virtual reality.

The consumer virtual reality support in VTK is opening up new ways of exploring data at an unprecedentedly low cost, said Ken Martin, a distinguished engineer at Kitware and a co-founder of the company. This years conference is special, as it will be the first time that attendees get to experience VTK with HTC Vive at our booth.

In version 8.1, VTK will contain new features for ray tracing with the support of OSPRay from Intel. These features include OSPRays path tracer, which enhances the realism of visualizations through lighting, soft shadows and surface material properties. Furthermore, VTK 8.1 will directly support unstructured data and Adaptive Mesh Refinement (AMR) data in OSPRay.

We are very pleased to continue our open source, Software Defined Visualization collaboration with Kitware to bring state-of-the-art, scalable, high-performance and photorealistic path tracing to VTK, along with support for unstructured data, running on Intel Xeon Scalable and Intel Xeon Phi processor-based platforms, said Joe Curley, the senior director of HPC platforms & ecosystem enabling at Intel. Unstructured and AMR data types are important for enabling computation and visualization to focus on the most relevant details.

The OSPRay features for path tracing and the support for unstructured data and AMR data serve as the focal points of the preview release of ParaView. Kitware made the release on the ParaView website. Version 5.5 will follow in 2018.

The combination of OSPRay and ParaView enables scientists to more deeply engage with and analyze their terabyte-plus three-dimensional and four-dimensional data, even as it is computed in situ for faster turnaround to insight, Curley said. The preview release of ParaView has uses in computer-aided engineering, such as photorealistic vehicle design with hydrodynamic flow analysis.

ParaView and VTK rely on CMake to build, compile and test their code. CMake 3.10 will cap off the release schedule for 2017. Improvements made throughout the year have aimed to reduce the complexity of HPC build systems. These improvements began with upgrades for CUDA in CMake 3.8 and 3.9.

Our work to enhance CMake brought the full range of CMake features to CUDA projects, said Jean-Charles Vasnier, a senior solutions architect at NVIDIA. As a result, the development experience has become more consistent and uniform in CMake.

Version 3.10 will continue to address the complexity of HPC build systems by introducing support for the Flang Fortran compiler and improving support for Message Passing Interface (MPI). Robert Maynard, a principal engineer at Kitware, will present the progression of CMake throughout 2017 at the company booth (647) at SC17. He will do so November 14, 2017, at 12:30 p.m. MDT.

On any day of the SC17 exhibition, attendees can pick up the most recent issue of the Kitware Source quarterly, which chronicles the use of CMake at Algorithmic, in situ visualization with ParaView Catalyst and numerical modeling for surgical training. Attendees can also reserve time to talk about CMake, ParaView and/or VTK with members of Kitware by emailing kitware(at)kitware(dot)com.

Beyond the company booth, Kitware team members will participate in a variety of conference activities. Kitware has itemized these activities on its blog.

Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Institute Of Biomedical Imaging And Bioengineering of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number R01EB014955. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Acquisition and Assistance, under Award Numbers DE-SC0012037 and DE-SC0012387. This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States Government. Neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof.

About Kitware

Kitware is an advanced technology, research and open source solutions provider for research facilities, government institutions and corporations worldwide. Founded in 1998, Kitware specializes in research and development in the areas of HPC and visualization, medical imaging, computer vision, data and analytics and quality software process. Among its services, Kitware offers consulting and support for high-quality software solutions. Kitware is headquartered in Clifton Park, NY, with offices in Carrboro, NC; Santa Fe, NM; and Lyon, France. More information can be found on kitware.com.

Intel, Xeon and Xeon Phi are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation in the United States and other countries.
Haivisions KB 4K encoder is an essential piece of the live 360-degree streaming workflow.

Haivision, a market leader in enterprise video and streaming solutions, announces that the companys award-winning KB 4K internet media encoder is now certified for the Panasonic 360-degree Live Camera (AW-360C10, AW-360B10) for live 360-degree streaming.

Ideal for live events and sports, broadcasters and producers now can combine the low latency Panasonic 360-degree Live Camera and the Haivision KB 4K encoder to stream reliable, high quality, 360-degree experiences to online audiences.

Haivisions KB 4K Encoder features software and hardware accelerated support for both HEVC/H.265 and H.264 encoding at up to 4K (2160p60) resolution. The Panasonic system stitches together its four 12.76 megapixel cameras in real-time and delivers the 2:1 Equirectangular 360 output as 4K (3840 x 2160) to the KB 4K encoder. The KB encoder then delivers the compressed video over HLS, MPEG-DASH, or Haivisions open standard SRT through a CDN to 360 players.

In live broadcast, failure is not an option. We designed the AW-360C10 and AW-360B10 to exceed the demands of professional live event video producers and offer a reliable 360-degree broadcasting solution, said Tetsuya Miyazawa, Group Manager of Product Planning, Panasonic. Haivisions KB 4K encoder is an essential piece of the live streaming workflow.

Innovations such as the new Panasonic 360-degree Live Camera continue to fuel audience needs for immersive viewing experiences, said Sylvio Jelovcich, VP Global Alliances, Haivision. Collaboration with Panasonic helps all types of broadcasters  from traditional broadcasters to live event producers and even corporate streamers  deliver rich and reliable 360-degree experiences to viewers anywhere.

Haivisions KB series of internet media encoders provides multiple options for live event streaming, helping deliver the highest quality live video to global Internet audiences. KB encoders are available as small form factor portable appliances or server configurations for HD or 4K streaming.

At Inter BEE 2017, Haivisions partner Paltek Corporation will showcase the Panasonic 360-degree Live Camera (AW-360C10, AW-360B10) and the Haivision KB 4K encoder in hall 8, booth #8401.

About Haivision

Haivision, a private company founded in 2004, provides media management and video streaming solutions that help the worlds leading organizations communicate, collaborate and educate. Haivision is recognized as one of the most influential companies in video by Streaming Media and one of the fastest growing companies by Deloittes Technology Fast 500. Haivision is headquartered in Montreal and Chicago, with regional offices located throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and South America. Learn more at haivision.com.
ROBINYOUNG & COMPANY, INC. earned spots for the sixth consequetive year in the Texas Lawyer 2017 Texas Best Of edition as one of Texas Top Rated Structured Settlement Firms, which recognizes Texas service experts and specialists by associates', clients', and peer-reviewed rankings. This year, ROBINYOUNG & COMPANY is also honored for the third consecutive year in Texas Lawyer 2017 Texas Hall of Fame.

Texas Lawyer's business department's annual "Best Of" is a poll where lawyers cast their votes for the best providers of products and services to the Texas legal community. The ballot consists of 40+ categories encompassing legal support, business, education, legal products and services.

About RobinYoung & Company

RobinYoung & Company, INC. (RYC), founded by Robin Lynne Young, CSSC, MSSC in 1996, is an independent brokerage firm specializing in structured settlements and funding agreements. The firm is dedicated to the plaintiff and plaintiffs family, personal injury attorney and their legal team, offering injury victims a unique brand of personal attention and financial assistance at a critical juncture on their road to recovery. Young is among the first 100 industry professionals in the nation to earn the prestigious Certified Structured Settlement Consultant (CSSC) designation from the National Structured Settlement Trade Association through the University of Notre Dame. Young returned this fall, as one of only 26 out of 950 industry professionals nationwide to be accepted and approved in the inaugural Masters Certificate in the Structured Settlement Consulting certificate program.

With a team-player attitude and personal approach, RYC coordinates and assists plaintiff attorneys, mediators, trust attorneys, government attorneys, attorney ad litems, guardian ad litems and judges with a deep understanding and expertise of the process of resolving legal financial claims through a financial or insurance arrangement, including periodic payments.
Sonia Santiago in Puerto Rico before coming to the United States in 1980. My mother, Sonia, started Para-Plus after coming to the United States from Puerto Rico in 1980. We are proud to support Puerto Rico in this desperate time of need," said Robert Santiago.

New Jersey based Para-Plus Translations, Inc. (http://www.para-plus.com), a global provider of translation and interpretation services, recently donated to Hispanic Federation, the United States premier Latino nonprofit membership organization. The donation from Para-Plus went directly to the UNIDOS Fund, a disaster relief and recovery program to support Puerto Rico.

The objective of the Hispanic Federations UNIDOS Fund is to meet hurricane-related need and recovery in Puerto Rico. One hundred percent of contributions to the UNIDOS Fund goes to help the immediate and long-term recovery needs of children, families and communities in distress from the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria.

Puerto Rico holds a special place in our hearts here at Para-Plus Translations, said Robert Santiago, Chief Operating Officer of Para-Plus Translations. My mother, Sonia, started Para-Plus after coming to the United States from Puerto Rico in 1980. We are proud to support Puerto Rico in this desperate time of need.

Founded by Sonia Santiago to address the need for high-quality interpretation and translation services in the legal community, Para-Plus can manage effective translations in 124 languages from Afrikaans to Yoruba. The company was named to the Inc. 5000 ranking as one of the fastest growing, privately owned companies in the United States. Para-Plus also was named a SmartCEO100 Best-Run Company and has been named to the New Jersey Law Journals Best of reference guide of top service providers for the legal profession in New Jersey.

Thirty years after its founding, Para-Plus Translations continues to help clients around the world better communicate and form strong, lasting relationships. The company is operated by Sonia Santiagos two sons, Robert Santiago, Chief Operating Officer and Carlos Santiago, Vice President.

About Para-Plus Translations, Inc.: Para-Plus Translations is a leading provider of comprehensive global translation, interpretation, transcription, voice-over, sign language and Braille services in more than 100 languages. Founded in 1980, Para-Plus Translations has been offering a wide range of foreign language services to businesses, individuals and organizations for more than three decades. Para-Plus Translations takes pride in delivering outstanding service and personal attention, representing a wide array of industries including businesses, law firms and legal service providers, governments and municipalities, health care, education, financial and insurance institutions. National and international clients rely on Para-Plus Translations to provide document translation, business and trade translation and interpretation, conference translation and interpretation, criminal justice and law enforcement translation and interpretation, medicine and health care translation and interpretation, educational translation and interpretation, and multimedia and voice-over translation and interpretation. The dedicated team of foreign language linguists assists clients in breaking down communication barriers to build lasting relationships with multicultural contacts. For further information, please visit http://www.para-plus.com.
Here to Serve You I am delighted to welcome Mr. Izzy Bonilla into the Telcom & Data family.

Telcom & Data Inc. is ecstatic to announce Mr. Ismael Bonilla as the new Business Development Officer for Transportation/Energy Security and Safety Markets. Mr. Bonilla recently served as the Airport Director for General Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee before working for Telcom & Data Inc.

I am delighted to welcome Mr. Izzy Bonilla into the Telcom & Data family. His wealth of experience in all areas of security, emergency notification and life safety will be instrumental in working with our customers to take Telcom & Data to the next level as well as driving additional shareholder value. We are looking forward to him expanding our rapidly growing airports and transportation markets, said Ricardo Trinidad, Owner and CEO.

Mr. Bonilla has worked with Aerostar Airports holdings in San Juan, Puerto Rico as Chief Operating Officer from 2013 to 2015, and as Deputy Director at Ft. Lauderdale International Airport from 2010 to 2013. He has also worked extensively with the Jacksonville Aviation Authority.

Bonilla is a United States Air Force veteran who served over twenty years of active duty, retiring with honors in 1997. He holds a Masters Degree in Aviation Safety from Central Missouri State University, and a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Bonilla is an active volunteer and serves as a Second Lieutenant with the Civil Air Patrol an Auxiliary Wing of the USAF. He is fluent in English, Spanish and Italian.

About Telcom & Data

Telcom & Data Inc. was founded in 1996 and is a leader in Emergency Notification Systems and Communications. Telcom & Data helps companies worldwide protect their employees through custom integrations of Emergency Notification, Access Control and Security technology. For more information about Telcom & Data, call 1-800-335-0229 ext 838
Quanta Cloud Technology (QCT), a global data center solution provider, unveils its open source framework QxSmart HPC/DL Solution at SuperComputing 2017. QCTs QxSmart HPC/DL Solution is a scalable answer for HPC, high-performance applications, and data intensive analytics.This solution combines QCTs best-in-class infrastructure to provide a scalable cluster architecture with unparalleled performance for supercomputing users. It delivers optimized applications with pre-validated common open-source and commercial tools to simplify software deployment and management.

****** QCT will be at SC 2017 in booth #1069 in Denver, Colorado from Nov. 13-17 ******

QCT has a long history of open-source community contributions and collaboration. The company actively participates with several open-source organizations including the Open Compute Project (OCP), OpenStack Foundation, Open Networking Foundation (ONF), Open Networking Lab (ON.Lab), and recently OpenHPC to name a few. By leveraging open community standards, QCT can minimize duplicating vendor efforts, and focus the majority of R&D investments on the development of innovative product technologies that lead data center transformation with its partners.

"The open-source community continues to play an important role for QCTs synergistic path, and as part of this effort we plan to innovative with industry-leading partners, said Mike Yang, President of QCT. "We believe with open standards we will deliver benefits to the HPC ecosystem, including researchers and scientists that use our systems every day. QCT will seek to enable OpenHPC solutions based on QCTs proven servers and its associated storage, network, and rack solutions. Having all the gear built under-one-roof we plan to enable long term compatibility, stability and usability of solutions developed by our extended ecosystem with our associates.

"Joining as a Silver Member, QCTs participation is an important addition to the OpenHPC project. The alignment that open-source HPC software components and best practices can accelerate HPC transformation will greatly benefit the entire HPC community," said Alan Clark,Chair of the OpenHPC Business Governing Board. "Like in many industries, a cloud-based implementation is an important trend for the next generation and were excited to gain from QCT's years of experience in the cloud server space."

------ Commitment to Open Initiatives: Expanding QCT Synergy to the HPC Ecosystem ------

Access to the industrys leading tools is key to successful implementation of HPC, especially with the exponential growth of data in todays transforming world. In support of this need and for open environment HPC developers, QCT has joined forces with Altair and ThinkParQ. Leveraging such open-source technology, and also their commercial support features, QxSmart can fulfill diverse HPC user requirements whether it is the need for a preferred workload manager or a scalable storage file system.

QCTs lead to push many innovative initiatives, from server, storage, network, rack, to cloud HPC deployments allows them to provide optimized hardware with the latest technologies to the supercomputing community. When it comes down to the core of any system, its the underlying hardware and standardized industry application stacks that serves as a foundation for computing, and QCT has its roots in the creation of such solutions.

------ QCT at SuperComputing 2017 ------

If you have any questions about any QCT products and technologies, like QxSmart HPC/DL, storage, and/or management, you can find us at SuperComputing 2017 in Booth #1069 in Denver, Colorado from Nov. 13-17.

QCT has been a member of the HPC ecosystem for many years and values collaboration. We will be showcasing many of our joint solutions with our hardware and software partners from the HPC ecosystem.

QCT Showcase at Supercomputing 2017 includes:



QxSmart HPC/DL Solution

QuantaGrid Series Servers powered by Dual Intel Xeon Scalable Processors

Powerful 2U 4 Node QuantaPlex Series Servers

QuantaVault Series Storage Solutions

Rackgo R RSD Solutions

QCT will feature in-booth sessions throughout the conference from various speakers including Intel, Altair, Broadcom and Mellanox. See schedule here: http://qct.io/Events/index/United_States/Super-Computing-2017/1

------ About Quanta Cloud Technology (QCT) ------

Quanta Cloud Technology (QCT) is a global data center solution provider. We combine the efficiency of hyperscale hardware with infrastructure software from a diversity of industry leaders to solve next-generation data center design and operation challenges. QCT serves cloud service providers, telecoms and enterprises running public, hybrid and private clouds.

Product lines include hyperconverged and software-defined data center solutions as well as servers, storage, switches and integrated racks with a diverse ecosystem of hardware component and software partners. QCT designs, manufactures, integrates and services cutting-edge offerings via its own global network. The parent of QCT is Quanta Computer, Inc., a Fortune Global 500 corporation.http://www.QCT.io.

Intel and Xeon are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation in the United States and other countries.
Show Us How NeilMed Has Improved the Quality of Your Life And Win Up to $3,000!

NeilMed Pharmaceuticals, Inc., USA, makers of the world famous NeilMed Sinus Rinse, is hosting a contest for their social media followers for monetary prizes. There will be multiple prizes for video submissions on specific NeilMed products. The theme and title will be How NeilMed products have helped to improve the quality of my life. Contestants will need to submit a video that is 60 seconds or less demonstrating the proper use of specific NeilMed products and include one statement on how NeilMed products have helped to improve the quality of their life.

The contest product selection includes NeilMed Sinus Rinse Kit, NeilMed NasaFlo Neti Pot, NeilMed Sinugator, NeilMed Clearcanal Ear Wax Removal Kit and NeilMed Naspira. Contestants can submit a maximum of two videos per for each adult nasal care product and one video for the ear care and infant products. Please see our NeilMed Facebook page for full contest guidelines and rules. We encourage contestants to use creativity and humor in their video submissions.

The contest submissions begins on November 9, 2017 at 6:00 PM PST and end December 3, 2017 at 11:59 PM PST, contestants must be at least 18 years old to participate. All contestants must either

1. upload their submission to http://www.neilmed.com/contest, including an e-mail address and phone number to be contacted at, or

2. alternatively, mail the original video on a DVD to:

NeilMed Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Attn: 2017 NeilMed Video Contest

601 Aviation Blvd

Santa Rosa, CA 95403 USA

Please enclose your contact information (e-mail and phone number) with the DVD. The top 25 videos with the highest numbers of votes at the end of our voting period will move on to the second round. Voting is open to the public on Facebook and will take place December 4th-10th, 2017; final selection process will take place December 11th-14th, 2017; winners for all product categories will be announced December 15, 2017. Each category will have a first place prize of $3,000, second place will receive $2,000 and third place will receive $1,000. All contestants who provide a home address will receive a free NeilMed Sinus Rinse Kit.

About the Company: In January 2000, Ketan C. Mehta, MD and Nina Mehta founded NeilMed Pharmaceuticals, Inc. from Dr. Mehtas medical office, and since then the company has grown to 350 employees. NeilMed is the largest manufacturer and supplier of LVLP (Large Volume Low Pressure) saline nasal irrigation systems in the world. The NeilMed brand of products helps to alleviate common nasal and sinus symptoms in a simple, safe, effective and affordable way. In addition to nasal care, NeilMed has developed products for baby care, ear care, and first aid. The company supplies millions of products to end users through various trade channels. NeilMed headquarters & manufacturing facility is based in Santa Rosa, California, USA. In addition, worldwide offices and/or warehouses are located in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Costa Rica, Chile, Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan.

The mission of the company is to create and maintain safe, affordable, effective products to sustain long-term growth and create drug-free, effective devices for millions of consumers worldwide. Please visit our website http://www.neilmed.com for more details.
My mothers example and family recipe inspired me to create a tastier and healthier noodle dish than anything on the market today. Its an homage both to her and the Vietnamese heritage thats made pho the centuries-old staple in her homeland, and one that America deserves to enjoy as well.

Naughty Noahs has launched a line of instant, Vietnamese-style pho noodles, designed to provide a tastier, healthier alternative to conventional instant noodle products. The companys gluten-free, vegan, non-GMO single-serving dishes are now available for online purchase at Naughtynoahs.com. They come in three of a planned six-flavor line. Naughty Noahs preservative-free, all-natural ingredients include rice noodles, spices, and omega-rich coconut or avocado oil.

The colorfully-packaged products come in dishwasher-safe, reusable, recyclable bowls, each complete with an individually wrapped selection of noodles, spices, and oil. Hot water is all that is needed to turn those contents into a light meal or snack thats ready in five minutes to be enjoyed any time. The products have earned early distinction among natural foods aficionados, taking Veg Magazines award for Best Vegan Product of the Year at the national natural foods trade show: Natural Products Expo West.

The passion and drive of company founder and CEO, Jimmy Tay Trinh, has more than a little to do with Naughty Noahs success. Trinhs indefatigable attitude is complemented by both his practical restaurant-industry experience and the culinary creativity he fostered as a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America. His vision for a product that stands to take a bit bite out of the more than 4 billion servings of instant noodles consumed in the U.S. each year also led to Trinhs role as winner of the FounderMade Pitch Competition at the Consumer Discovery Show in Los Angeles this year.

The man who founded the company, however, is the first one to cite the other people in his life responsible for both the birth of his product and his commitment to sharing it with the world. My mothers example and family recipe inspired me to create a tastier and healthier noodle dish than anything on the market today, explains Trinh. Its an homage both to her and the Vietnamese heritage thats made pho the centuries-old staple in her homeland, and one that America deserves to enjoy as well. When asked about the future plans for Naughty Noahs, Trinh turns immediately to the brands namesake, his three-year-old son. I started this company with an eye on Vietnams rich culinary history says Trinh, but named it for the person whose future Im most concerned about. I want to give Noah the same thing I want to share with my customers: a healthy taste of just how rich life can be.

About Naughty Noahs

Founded in 2016 in Houston, Texas, Naughty Noahs Vietnamese Pho is committed to creating the freshest-tasting and healthiest instant noodle products available. Every one of its single-serve flavors offers the exotic spices and rich tastes of traditional Vietnamese pho in a quick, convenient light snack or meal that can be enjoyed anytime. All of Naughty Noah products are vegan, non-GMO, and gluten free.
As it progresses, so much of the familys time is spent caring for the sick; however, with a caregiver, they take over such a large burden of care for the family and allow them the opportunity to focus on spending time together. Past News Releases RSS Keller Williams Realtor Ryan Devin...

KW Realtor Ryan Devin Helps 65...

Realtor Ryan Devin, founder of the Devin Team at Keller Williams Realty, is hosting a donation drive for the ALS Association Rocky Mountain Chapter in honor of National Family Caregiver Month. A Caregiver for an ALS patient is an incredible resource to those affected by ALS and the families going through the disease with them. They step in as the disease progresses and becomes even more challenging for the family and the needs of the patient increase. With skill, they take on much of the day to day caregiving responsibilities allowing the family time to focus on being together.

Pampering-type items for caregivers can be dropped off at Keller Williams Realty, 350 Indiana Street, Suite 300, Golden, CO 80401 through the month of December. Items needed include fuzzy socks, slippers, robes, any gift cards and items more directed towards male caregivers, such as sporting tickets, electronics, etc.

ALS is such a challenging disease for the entire family to go through. Its effects are quick and devastating. As it progresses, so much of the familys time is spent caring for the sick; however, with a caregiver, they take over such a large burden of care for the family and allow them the opportunity to focus on spending time together, said Devin, whose father passed away from ALS in 2012. My fathers caregiver, John, became a part of the family and took such good care of him during his illness. We could not have gone through it without him.

ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. It is 100 percent fatal. The mission of the ALS Association is to discover treatments and a cure for ALS, and to serve, advocate for, and empower people affected by ALS to live their lives to the fullest.

To donate directly to the ALS Association, please visit https://secure2.convio.net/alsa/site/Donation2;jsessionid=00000000.app296b?df_id=34740&34740.donation=form1&NONCE_TOKEN=329F0AEC5FB9BAD7A8E6DC2641E79E41

About Ryan Devin, the Devin Team, Keller Williams Realty

Ryan Devin has a passion for helping buyers, sellers, first-time home buyers, real estate investors, those relocating and renters. Performing in his 13th year in the industry, he is one of Denvers top producing real estate agents. His service areas include Denver, Arvada, Golden, Lakewood, Littleton, Lone Tree, Highlands Ranch, Parker, Castle Rock, Denver metro, Castle Pines, Roxborough Park and Morrison, CO. For more information, please call (303) 579-9428, or visit http://www.thedevinteam.com.

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.
Jives donation will help provide the funding needed to allow our program to get on its feet...

Jive Communications made the first donation to the UVU Wolverine Fund last week. Matt Peterson, Chief Marketing Officer, and Mike Sharp, Chief Product Office, presented a check for $25,000 to President Matthew S. Holland in the Presidents office at UVU.

The Wolverine Fund is a donation-based, student-run private equity fund operating with the venture capital community in Utah. The Fund will finance a class, starting in January of 2018, where entrepreneur and finance students will make real investments and receive instruction from industry experts in the venture capital community.

The Wolverine Fund will mirror the Cougar Capital program at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, a program that Matthew Peterson, co-founder and CMO at Jive Communications attended while at BYU. Peterson said, It was the greatest experience of my MBA program. The Wolverine Fund will be an eye-opening and door-opening opportunity for UVU students. It will provide them with real-life experience and help place them in a field that is otherwise difficult to enter. Were proud to donate to this cause and excited to follow its recipients achievements.

Jives donation will help provide the funding needed to allow our program to get on its feet, and give UVU students in the program the opportunity to co-invest alongside private equity firms in big deals, said Jefferson Moss, Chief Operating Officer for the UVU Foundation.

About Utah Valley University

Utah Valley University is home to more than 37,000 students, which makes it Utahs largest institution of higher learning. UVU offers programs that range from career training to high-demand master degrees.

About Jive Communications

Jive provides cloud-based phone systems and Unified Communications services. Jives customers include high-growth businesses and public sector institutions needing a scalable platform that is more flexible and cost-effective than their existing legacy systems. Jives cloud architecture offers an integrated, seamless experience that provides richer context and creates more efficient connections between co-workers and clients. Jives cloud delivery model ensures that each organization always has the latest technology, features, and applicationsmaking Jive the last phone system youll ever need.
NFP, a leading insurance broker and consultant that provides employee benefits, property & casualty (P&C), retirement and individual private client solutions, today announced that it has acquired EverGuard Insurance Services, Inc. The transaction closed effective October 1, 2017.

Based in Seattle, Washington, EverGuard is a specialty Program Administrator (PA) focused on providing commercial P&C products to restaurants, bars and taverns. The company operates an exclusive national program that utilizes a distribution channel of over 500 retail brokers and provides commercial insurance solutions to end clients across 35 states. Principals of the firm Tom Gillingham and John Mahoney will join NFP as managing directors of its P&C division and will report to Executive Vice President and CEO of NFP P&C, Terry Scali.

Were thrilled to welcome Tom, John and the entire EverGuard staff to the NFP team, said Scali. The acquisition of EverGuard further expands and diversifies NFP P&Cs capabilities, as well as adds two talented program managers with extensive specialty experience to the NFP P&C team.

Tom Gillingham said, We are thrilled to bring our underwriting capabilities to NFPs growing specialty business, where well be able to continue serving our existing brokers and provide NFPs clients and brokers extensive offerings for the hospitality industry.

About NFP

At NFP Corp., our solutions and expertise are matched only by our personal commitment to each client's goals. Were a leading insurance broker and consultant that provides employee benefits, property & casualty, retirement and individual private client solutions through our licensed subsidiaries and affiliates.

NFP has more than 3,800 employees and global capabilities. Our expansive reach gives us access to highly rated insurers, vendors and financial institutions in the industry, while our locally based employees tailor each solution to meet our clients' needs. Weve become one of the largest insurance brokerage, consulting and wealth management firms by building enduring relationships with our clients and helping them realize their goals.

Recently NFP was ranked the 4th largest U.S.-based privately owned broker and the 5th largest benefits broker by global revenue by Business Insurance, the 9th largest property & casualty agency by total 2016 P&C revenue by Insurance Journal, the 11th largest global insurance broker by Bests Review and the 12th largest broker of U.S. business by Business Insurance.

For more information, visit NFP.com.
876-275-1119 / 876-312-1119 Air Ambulance Jamaica Ground Ambulance Jamaica When you prepare for the emergency the emergency ceases to exist

Duane Boise and his team have created a remote monitoring device that is in line with the recent shift in the healthcare industry towards more patient-centric care. Patients who have been diagnosed with high blood pressure and, as a side effect, are at risk of developing other serious, life threatening conditions, would benefit greatly from this device. With EMED Jamaicas remote monitoring device, individuals can monitor their blood pressure from the comfort of their own home.

Duane Boise has always had patients at the center of his philosophy for healthcare. His company, EMED Jamaica, was built upon the foundation that patients from every part of the world, from every background, and from every financial situation deserve top-quality care available to them when they need it most. In order to do this, Duane Boise stresses the importance of telemedicine. Not only do patients have more access to doctors, nurses, and loved ones, but professionals can easily access urgent medical records and information from virtually wherever they are.

This inspiration for transforming the face of healthcare happened after Duane witnessed a hotel guest suffer a mild heart attack in the Caribbean while on vacation over 20 years ago. When asked about the experience, Duane said, I noted a serious need for efficient emergency medical services in the region in that moment. I knew I had to dedicate my career to improving medical services by creating cost-efficient and reliable technology to enhance the care of patients from all over the globe.

EMED Jamaica is offering the remote medical monitoring kits that will be available to the public for purchase. The EMED kits will have several very important medical monitoring devices, such as: an O2 SAT monitor that is used to measure oxygen levels in the blood, a blood pressure monitor, and a proprietary telemedicine phone allowing patients access to physicians. All the remote medical monitoring devices will also record and organization these important vital measurements. Every time an individual checks their blood pressure, the information will not only be sent to their personal app, but their physician will also have access to this data on their own version of the dashboard. If the number is dangerously high - enough to warrant a stroke or heart attack - an alert is sent directly to the doctor and immediate action is taken.

About Duane Boise: Duane Boise is the CEO of EMED Jamaica. He is driven by innovation and the possibility of helping to change the healthcare industry one piece of technology at a time. His focus is combining the services of ambulances, air ambulances, local healthcare services, and health information technology systems in order to improve care, thus offering medical services that will help to prolong and save more lives. Currently, his companys reach extends into Florida, Canada, Jamaica, and the Caribbean region. Follow Duane Boises pursuits online.
West Monroe Partners, a progressive business and technology consultancy, today announced it plans to double the size of its office over the next five years to address todays growing tech skills gap in business and innovation, as the firm hires professionals with an uncommon blend of deep technological expertise and business acumen.

The Los Angeles office provides a full array of business and technology consulting services to dozens of mid-market and Fortune 1000 clients across Southern California and is investing in the area for its wealth of business improvement opportunities in financial services, healthcare, and energy and utilities.

West Monroe, which has 10 locations and nearly 1,000 employees across the United States, opened the Los Angeles office in 2014 and has expanded it rapidly since then. On Oct. 31, 2017, West Monroe completed its acquisition of Los Angeles-based CAST Management Consultants, bringing its current headcount to more than 40 employees.

Our growth mindset has created dozens of jobs in the Los Angeles area in just a few years, and will fuel even more in the years to follow, said Ken Siegman, senior director in West Monroes Financial Services practice and leader of the Los Angeles office leader. Seeing West Monroes distinctive people-first culture take shape here and evolve into a unique and collaborative work environment has been extremely gratifying, and I continue to be impressed with the talent pool here. Today, we have a close-knit team here that is unlike any I have experienced in my consulting career.

West Monroes people-focused culture and policies has resulted in Los Angeles Business Journal ranking West Monroe No. 1 in its Best Places to Work Los Angeles for the past two years.

The newly created positions will cover all areas of the consulting business, from operations to project managers to strategists, adding technical, functional, and industry expertise, primarily in the financial services, energy and utilities and private equity industries. In candidates, the firm looks for an uncommon blend of deep technical expertise and business acumen, both at the individual and collective level.

To accommodate its investment in new talent, the firm recently relocated to 1000 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1100. The new office is located in the same building, known as The Wedbush Center, as West Monroes previous office and more than doubles the firms space to 8,700 square feet. It was critical for the firm to remain downtown and contribute to the revitalization of downtown Los Angeles.

Our Los Angeles office has played a key role in increasing our presence and scale on the West Coast, and it is an important market for some of the core industries we serve, including financial services, healthcare, and energy and utilities, said Tom Bolger, West Monroes senior managing director of strategic growth. Achieving a compound annual growth rate of 35 percent is rare in this profession, but we have been able to do so by carefully enhancing our team with professionals who possess an uncommon blend of deep technological expertise and business acumen. We are eager to continue building the next generation of leaders by tapping into Southern Californias wealth of talent.

About West Monroe Partners LLC

West Monroe is a progressive business and technology consulting firm that partners with dynamic organizations to reimagine, build, and operate their businesses at peak performance. Our team of more than 950 professionals is comprised of an uncommon blend of business consultants and deep technologists. This unique combination of expertise enables us to design, develop, implement, and run strategic business and technology solutions that yield a dramatic commercial impact on our clients profitability and performance. For more information, visit http://www.westmonroepartners.com.

Media Contacts

Christina Galoozis

cgaloozis@westmonroepartners.com

312.447.6623
We are honored to be named finalists for the Scrip awards in two categories that mean so much to us. - Pablo Graiver, CEO and Founder of Antidote

Antidote Technologies, a digital health company dedicated to accelerating research by transforming the way patients connect with researchers, has been named as a finalist for the 13th Annual Scrip Awards. Antidote is shortlisted in two categories: Community Partnership of the Year and Best Technological Development in Clinical Trials - Patient-Focused. Winners will be announced at a ceremony held at the London Hilton on November 29, 2017.

The Scrip Awards provide the industry with the opportunity to recognize its highest achievers across the drug development spectrum  from novel deals, to new drug launches, to technological breakthroughs in clinical trials. The awards are hosted by Pharma Intelligence, an Informa business that provides international pharmaceutical news, analysis, and data services.

In the Best Technological Development in Clinical Trials - Patient-Focused category, Antidote has made the shortlist for its product Antidote Match, the first trial matching engine that uses structured eligibility criteria, proprietary algorithms, and machine learning to explore a patients eligibility for every trial. Antidote Match launched with its first large partner in the summer of 2016 and currently powers clinical trial search for 210+ patient communities and health portals  bringing clinical trial awareness, matching, and access to more than 15 million patients a month.

We are honored to be named finalists for the Scrip Awards in two categories that mean so much to us, said Pablo Graiver, CEO and Founder of Antidote. We pride ourselves on our technology, and rely on partnerships with incredible communities like JDRF to get that technology to patients where they are already looking for help. Were expanding our offerings every day and look forward to connecting many more patients in many more therapeutic areas to critical research.

The company has been nominated a finalist in the Community Partnership of the Year category for its partnership with JDRF, the leading organization funding type 1 diabetes research. JDRF launched Antidote Match on their website as Clinical Trials Connection and continuously collaborates with Antidote on building clinical trial resources.

From the day we launched of this partnership, it was clear there was high interest and a great need for the Clinical Trials Connection tool. Since then, more than 25,000 individuals have searched for trials on our site, said Aaron Kowalski, Chief Mission Officer at JDRF. By providing the matching tool, we are not only helping people with type 1 diabetes find clinical trials more easily; we are also helping to fill a gap in trial participation and drive research forward.

This announcement comes on the heels of Antidotes latest round of funding, led by Merck Global Health Innovation Fund, Mercks venture capital arm. In September, Antidote attended the 7th Annual DPharm: Disruptive Innovations to Advance Clinical Trials conference, during which the companys CEO Pablo Graiver gave a talk on their new model for patient centricity.

You can find Match on the Antidote website, http://www.antidote.me, or on a partner website, such as JDRF.org.

About Antidote

Antidote is a digital health company on a mission to accelerate the breakthroughs of new treatments by bridging the gap between medical research and the people who need it. In a world where 80% of clinical trials are delayed or closed due to lack of participants, Antidote use cutting-edge technology to match the right patients with the right trials, helping medical researchers make faster progress, and offering new treatment options to patients. Antidote Match, the companys unique trial matching tool, currently powers clinical trial search for more than 210 patient communities and health portals  bringing clinical trial awareness, matching, and access to more than 15 million patients a month. Antidote was launched as TrialReach and is based in the US and UK. As of today, the company has raised $26M. For more information, please visit http://www.antidote.me.

About JDRF

JDRF is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. Our mission is to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications. To accomplish this, JDRF has invested more than $2 billion in research funding since our inception. We are an organization built on a grassroots model of people connecting in their local communities, collaborating regionally for efficiency and broader fundraising impact, and uniting on a national stage to pool resources, passion, and energy. We collaborate with academic institutions, policymakers, and corporate and industry partners to develop and deliver a pipeline of innovative therapies to people living with T1D. Our staff and volunteers throughout the United States and our six international affiliates are dedicated to advocacy, community engagement and our vision of a world without T1D. For more information, please visit jdrf.org or follow us on Twitter: @JDRF.

Media Contacts

Sarah Kerruish

Chief Patient Officer, Antidote

sarah(at)antidote(dot)me

+44 07546364484

Lisa Conroy

Director of Communications, Antidote

lisa(at)antidote(dot)me

215-872-2917
Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate, reflect and spend time with family and friends. Oftentimes, the stress of cooking and cleaning takes over this holiday gathering.

Preparing Thanksgiving dinner can be easy and stress-free this year thanks to King Kullen. The local grocer is offering customers a ready-to-heat package with the classic holiday favorites.

King Kullens Thanksgiving Dinner package serves 8 to 10 guests for just $199 plus tax.

Every package comes with an oven roasted turkey, served with gravy, jellied cranberry sauce, and dinner rolls. Customers get to choose three side accompaniments and freshly baked pies to complete the holiday meal. Sides are also available for sale by the pound and appetizers and pasta dishes can be added to the meal at an additional cost.

Skip the fuss this year, and simplify the Turkey Day preparations. Keep in mind, all orders must be placed by Nov. 16, so dont wait.

Packages will be available for pickup between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 22, and between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 23 at King Kullen stores across Long Island. Call or visit the closest store to place an order for Thanksgiving Day.

About the Company:

Headquartered in Bethpage, New York, King Kullen Grocery Co., Inc. is recognized by the Smithsonian Institution as Americas first supermarket. Michael J. Cullen opened the doors of King Kullen in 1930. Today, four generations later, King Kullen is still family owned and operated. It remains a leader in the supermarket industry. From that very first store in 1930, King Kullen today operates 32 supermarkets and five Wild by Nature stores across Long Island. In addition to traditional grocery, King Kullen features a large catering and prepared foods department, freshly-baked breads and sweets, and healthy and organic areas, with pharmacies and online shopping in many stores as well.
Market America makes Grant Thornton North Carolina 100 for 13th consecutive year. The fact that this is the 13th consecutive year to be recognized on the NC 100 is an esteemed honor and privilege as well as a reflection of the core values and mission of our businesses, said Marc Ashley, President & COO of Market America Worldwide.

2017 marks the 13th consecutive year that Greensboro-based Market America has been named to the Grant Thornton North Carolina 100 (NC100). The NC100 ranks the states largest private companies by revenue.

We take pride in the consistency of our company, both in terms of our growth and our unwavering commitment to conducting business with the very highest ethical standards. The fact that this is the 13th consecutive year to be recognized on the NC 100 is an esteemed honor and privilege as well as a reflection of the core values and mission of our businesses, said Marc Ashley, President & COO of Market America Worldwide.

Since 1984, the NC100 has ranked the states largest private companies by revenue in the most recent fiscal year, based on data provided by the participants. To be considered, companies must be headquartered in North Carolina. Subsidiaries, non-profits, financial services companies, healthcare providers, such as hospitals and doctors offices, are excluded.

ABOUT MARKET AMERICA, INC. & SHOP.COM

Currently in its 25th anniversary year, Market America, Inc. is a product brokerage and Internet marketing company that specializes in One-to-One Marketing. Its mission is to provide a robust business system for entrepreneurs, while providing consumers a better way to shop. Headquartered in Greensboro, NC, the company was founded in 1992 by Chairman and CEO JR Ridinger and has generated $7.6 billion in accumulated sales. Market America employs nearly 1,000 people globally with operations in the United States, Canada, Mexico Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, United Kingdom, Spain, and Malaysia. Through the company's shopping website, SHOP.COM, consumers have access to over 60 million products, including Market America exclusive brands and thousands of top retail brands. Market Americas revolutionary Shopping Annuity program, which helps smart shoppers convert spending into earning, is an extraordinary and financially meaningful benefit of the business. Internet Retailer has ranked SHOP.COM #66 in the 2017 Internet Retailer Top 500 Guide and the 18th fastest growing Internet Mobile Retailer. By combining Market America's entrepreneurial business model with SHOP.COM's powerful comparative shopping engine, Cashback program, Hot Deals, ShopBuddy, Express Pay check out, social shopping integration and countless other features, the company has become the ultimate online shopping destination.
Stetson Universitys School of Business Administration held a ribbon cutting ceremony for its new Centurion Sales Program. This is an exciting day for our business school.

Stetson Universitys School of Business Administration recently held a ribbon cutting ceremony for its new Centurion Sales Program celebrating the grand opening of five new role-play, sales laboratories on the DeLand campus. During the event, two local business partnerships were also announced and celebrated.

The event opened with Stetson University President Wendy B. Libby, PhD, addressing the standing-room only event.

We are thrilled to partner with this savvy business man, Libby said, indicating Leopoldo Fernandez, a Stetson alumnus and entrepreneur who has owned two major businesses in Spain. Sales is the fuel for driving business forward and we thank Leo for driving Stetson forward.

The sales program was made possible by a donation from Fernandez, in honor of his father, Genaro Fernandez Centurion.

Stetson has been working to develop partnerships with local businesses to give students an opportunity to learn the nuances of real world sales across diverse fields.

During the event, William "Bill" A. Watson Jr., Founder and Chairman of the Board, Watson Realty, unveiled the Watson Sales Lab, sponsored by Watson Realty Corp, and Watson Mortgage Corp. The additional four sales labs will also be sponsored and branded by regional partnering companies in the coming months.

This is an exciting day for our business school, said Neal P. Mero, PhD, professor of management and dean of the School of Business Administration. Leo wanted to invest in people and a program that can have an impact on the school. I want to thank you [Leo]--your gift has already had tremendous impact.

The program, which launched in January, gives students the opportunity to learn how to meet the needs of consumers and sell products and services through courses in sales, communication and negotiations.

In addition to the lab room partnerships, Im excited to announce that the Centurion Sales program is now collaborating on a mutually beneficial project with the Volusia Flagler YMCA, said John Riggs, D.B.A., executive director of the Centurion Sales Program.

Students in the Advanced Sales class have been tasked with analyzing and addressing specific needs facing the YMCA, including healthy living, third-party membership, and marketing and development. Students will address the needs from a sales standpoint and ultimately be responsible for determining how to increase membership utilization and referrals, and improve customer relationships.

Following the ribbon cutting, guests received a tour of the sales labs where they witnessed students putting their knowledge to work through sales simulations using state-of-the-art cameras, microphones and recording software. Professors and students can access the recordings and review the footage for annotated audio and visual cues to help them refine their training.

About Stetson University

Founded in 1883, Stetson University is the oldest private university in Florida, providing a transforming education in the liberal arts tradition. Stetson stresses academic excellence and community-engaged learning, and consistently earns high marks in national rankings. Stetson encourages its students to go beyond success to significance in their lives, the lives of others and their communities. Stay connected with Stetson on social media.
BWW Media Group continues to commit to its vision of being the trusted voice fueling knowledge in all things that support and energize Technology professionals and Tech enthusiasts alike by strengthening the news team on Thurrott.com.

Thurrott.com, started through a partnership and friendship between legendary Technology Journalist -- Paul Thurrott and BWW Media Groups CEO and Managing Partner, George Coll. Today, Thurrott.com is BWW Media Groups premier personal technology news, reviews and analysis website that hosts both a premium paid subscription and a free offering for its readers.

As Mr. Coll states about the hiring of Mr. Hassan., Its part of the BWW Media Group way to strive for excellence in everything we do from our deep analysis or technical pieces to our news coverage to our social posts that we are thoughtful, straight-forward and give context in our opinions at all times. We believe this is why we continue to be a growing trusted resource by consumers of technology information and news. We only bring on individuals that resonate with our core value towards quality editorial-ism. I am thrilled that Mehedi Hassan will be joining our all-star BWW Media Group line-up and support our contextually relevant, thoughtful and honest coverage of Microsoft, Apple, Amazon and Google. Mr. Coll further describes the importance of this hire by stating, With Mehedi joining as our Senior News Editor on Thurrott.com, Paul will be able to spend more of his time concentrating on Premium articles for our subscribed readers which in turn will drive more value in our Premium Thurrott product fulfilling on our long-term promises to our Premium users.

Mr. Hassan will start his new role as Senior News Editor on Thurrott.com on November 13, 2017. Mr. Hassan has been writing about all things Microsoft for years including all the breaking news about Windows Phone, to all the developments to Windows 10 and other consumer-oriented products from Redmond. Prior to joining BWW Media Group, Mr. Hassan was part of MSPoweruser. Mr. Hassans new role will not only cover news from Redmond but also Mountain View, Seattle and Cupertino.

Paul Thurrott, the name behind Thurrott.com, adds that I've often pointed out how hard it is to find people who can deliver on the high quality that my readers and I both expect in our content. Mehedi joining fills a missing piece of the puzzle. And I am so happy to welcome him to Thurrott.com. He will be delivering the news every day going forward. This is great for our readers: He's more prolific than I am, but he still provides the type of analysis---the perspective---that places Thurrott.com above the copy-and-pasting that most blogs do these days.

About BWW Media Group

BWW Media Group LLC is an independent, privately held company based in the Chicago, IL. area. Led by CEO and Managing Partner George A. Coll, BWW Media Group LLC is committed to providing the best content and community resources to help IT professionals and tech enthusiasts get the most out of their technology investments.

For business inquiries, contact George Coll (george.coll(at)bwwmediagroup(dot)com)

For editorial inquiries, contact Brad Sams (brad.sams(at)bwwmediagroup(dot)com)

For advertising inquiries, contact Corey Ferraro (corey.ferraro(at)bwwmediagroup(dot)com
Jacobs Law Group Founder and Managing Attorney Neal A. Jacobs acted as course planner and presented as part of a CLE on business divorce for the Pennsylvania Bar Institute.

The program, Business Divorce: Startup to Litigation to Resolution was held on Nov. 6 in Mechanicsburg, Nov. 8 in Philadelphia, and Nov. 13 in Pittsburgh. The program on Nov. 8 also was simulcasted to additional Pennsylvania locations: the Berks County Bar Association in Reading, Kings College in Wilkes-Barre, the Westmoreland I.U. 7 in Greensburg, and York County Bar Center in York.

Designed to help lawyers, law clerks, and paralegals understand the complexities of business divorce, the program will cover essential strategies and tactics for dealing with the legal and business aspects of shareholder and partner disputes in privately held companies.

The course helped attendees learn what they must know when advising a client involved in a business divorce:



Identify the various parties and positions

Understand the multiple issues that must be considered

Business law issues

Litigation issues

Computer Forensics

Ethics

Jacobs, one of Pennsylvanias leading attorneys focusing on business divorce, was joined by Jacobs Law Group colleagues Matthew A. Cole and Samuel M. First; attorneys Eric C. Milby, James C. Sargent, and Jennifer Platzkere Snyder; and business valuation professional Megan Salehli. The program offered 5 substantive credits and 1 ethics credit.

Jacobs focuses his practice on complex corporate, business, and litigation matters. He devotes particular attention to privately held companies and their shareholder and member relations. Jacobs also handles complex corporate matters involving the rights and obligations of management and the various classes of equity holders and lenders. He is frequently called upon to solve deadlocks and disputes between ownership groups and to help find business-oriented solutions to joint ownership matters. Jacobs provides counsel and representation to privately held companies, founders, entrepreneurs, major and minority shareholders, and private equity funds and venture capital companies.

He is a graduate of Cook College, Rutgers University, where he earned a bachelors degree in Economics and the Rutgers University School of Law, Camden, where he received his J.D. with honors.

To learn more or to register for the business divorce CLE, visit PBIs website.

About Jacobs Law Group PC  Jacobs Law Group, PC (http://www.jacobslawpc.com) is a boutique litigation law firm based in Philadelphia, with an office in Marlton, New Jersey. With the mission to provide a fresh alternative to the traditional large, national law firms, the firm was designed to meet the critical corporate law and litigation needs of middle-market companies and entrepreneurs. The firms legal services are offered in a holistic approach, which includes practical advice and counsel built on an understanding of the specific needs of each client.
We have to ask ourselves if our teachers and principals have the best tools available to them and if they are the most efficient for guiding instruction and interactions between teachers and students.

Chief Educational Technology and Information Services Officer, Gil Mara, successfully spearheaded a change management initiative last year for Torrance Unified School District. To better meet the needs of this 24,400-student district, Mara worked with stakeholders district-wide to launch PowerSchools student information system (SIS) and online registration solution, improving communication and collaboration between families, students, and school staff.

The opportunity to initiate change management can be easily overlooked as school leaders have multiple priorities including improving instructional quality, graduation rates, and teacher retention. According to Mara, change management is driven by what is happening in the classroom. We have to ask ourselves if our teachers and principals have the best tools available to them and if they are the most efficient for guiding instruction and interactions between teachers and students, said Mara.

In implementing PowerSchools SIS and online registration solution, ensuring that each student had a place to sit and accurate schedules on the first day of school was important for Torrance USD leaders. If classroom management is easier for teachers then it allows them to efficiently deliver curriculum and assess instructional needs for students to drive their success.

Teachers are focused daily on developing lesson plans, instructing, grading, and having parent conferences. The role of instructional leaders helps support educators through collaboration in identifying the needs of teachers and working to meet them.

As a former teacher who was in the classroom all day, I learned that teachers dont often know about the latest innovative tools and resources available to them, said Mara. Its a busy day, every day, for teachers, and as an instructional leader, you hope that youre efficiently leading by bringing awareness to them about technologies and ecosystems that help make their job more efficient.

The previous system used by Torrance USD didnt provide the intuitive functionality its school staff needed. Our former student information system was not user friendly or web-enabled from the front-end, stated Mara. Additionally, the old system required our principals to have a VPN endpoint to connect their client to do any scheduling if they were offsite.

School leaders started to look at the future needs of their teachers, evaluated three different student information systems, and developed an RFP. PowerSchool excelled at showing us their solutions could meet our needs because of its use of modern web-based technologies and robust database on the back end, said Mara. In addition, PowerSchools ongoing development towards integrating instruction, learning, and assessment was its biggest selling point.

Hear Mara speak on a panel with four other California education leaders at the CETPA conference on November 15, 2017, at 4:00 PM in room 212. The panel discussion, moderated by PowerSchools CEO Hardeep Gulati, will address how these school leaders are interpreting and adapting to recent federal policy shifts. They will answer pointed questions about how these changes have affected their overall and technology budgets and how they are funding any new systems required to meet the changes in accountability assessment and reporting.

About PowerSchool Group LLC

PowerSchool is the leading K-12 education technology provider of solutions that improve the education experience for students, teachers, and parents in over 70 countries around the world. We provide the industrys first Unified Classroom experience, empowering teachers with best-in-class, secure, and compliant online solutions, including student information systems, learning management and classroom collaboration, assessment, analytics, behavior, and special education case management. We streamline school office and administration operations with online solutions for student registration, school choice, and finance/HR/ERP. We drive student growth through digital classroom capabilities and engage families through real-time communications across any device. Visit https://www.powerschool.com/ to learn more.
"We are beyond thrilled to be recognized by AdAge as a top company to work for, said Forest Bronzan, CEO, Email Aptitude.

Today Email Aptitude, the #1 fastest-growing email marketing agency, was named #17 to Ad Ages 2017 Best Places to Work list. Ad Age received hundreds of submissions and companies were chosen based on criteria such as workplace policies, practices, philosophy, benefits, demographics and the overall employee experience.

"Be prepared to get jealous. If youre not employed at one of our Best Places to Work, odds are youll attempt to change that after reading this list. From paternity leave and lavish birthday gifts to educational stipends, flex time, team-building trips and more, these companies are innovating on employee perks, benefits, good vibes and inspiring products. Too bad we dont offer tips on sneaking job interviews on the side." Brian Braiker, Editor, Ad Age

Best Places to Work program is designed to identify, recognize and honor the best employers in the advertising and marketing industries, benefiting the industry's economy, workforce and businesses. The list is made up of companies who underwent a rigorous review process to be considered. Every employee completed an in-depth assessment, and companies provided key details about policies, philosophy and benefits. With hundreds of companies applying, AdAge then went through a robust review and scoring process to identify the top 50 companies for their prestigious annual list.

We are beyond thrilled to be recognized by AdAge as a top company to work for, said Forest Bronzan, CEO, Email Aptitude. From the start, we have been employee-first and always strive to build a phenomenal experience for our team. We are very proud of everyones contributions and the culture that has organically evolved throughout the years! 

To see the 2017 list of Ad Ages Best Places to Work, click here: http://adage.com/article/agency-news/places-work-2017/311248/

ABOUT EMAIL APTITUDE

Email Aptitude is an ESP-Agnostic and award-winning Agency focused on full-service email program management and advanced email strategy. Based in San Francisco, CA, Email Aptitude was recently named to the Inc. 5000 as the #1 fastest growing email agency in the country; the Bay Area Fast 100; and honored by the prestigious AdAge Top 50 Best Places to Work in the US. The Email Aptitude team is made up of top industry veterans and the new bright minds of email who grow and manage email programs for some of the world's hottest fast-growth startups and global enterprise brands. To learn more about Email Aptitude and view current job openings please visit our website: https://goo.gl/ZdvRPC

ABOUT ADVERTISING AGE

Advertising Age is the leading global source of news, intelligence and conversation for the marketing and media community. Ad Age connects todays top marketers and brands online, in print and in person with analysis and insights, events including the Ad Age Brand Summit and Ad Age A-List & Creativity Awards, and industry data including the Agency Report and Leading National Advertisers.
There are few greater honors in Boston than to be named among the Power 50 and recognized alongside those who are making such a big mark on our booming business community and the region's overall economy, said Lior Div.

Cybereason, creators of the leading cybersecurity data analytics platform including endpoint detection and response, next-generation antivirus, and active monitoring services, today announced that Lior Div, its CEO and co-founder, was named a 2017 Power 50: Newsmaker by the Boston Business Journal (BBJ).

Div is joined on the list by many of the biggest names in the Boston business community including Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker; President and CEO of Boston Childrens Hospital, Sandra Fenwick; President and CEO Staples, Shira Goodman; Managing Partner, Governor & CEO Boston Celtics Wyc Grousbeck; Massachusetts Attorney General, Maura Healey and New England Patriots Owner Robert Kraft.

Div and other winners will be honored during an event at the Ritz-Carlton on November 15. A special publication highlighting the honorees will also be distributed in the November 17 print edition of the Boston Business Journal.

There are few greater honors in Boston than to be named among the Power 50 and recognized alongside those who are making such a big mark on our booming business community and the region's overall economy, said Div. Boston is a national leader in cybersecurity innovation, and Im thrilled to be acknowledged for helping to drive this momentum. Cybereasons goal is to be an iconic global technology brand that will always call Boston home.

Div and Cybereason have been recognized numerous times in recent years for individual and company-wide technology innovation. Div is a two-time finalist for EYs prestigious New England Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Earlier this year, Cybereason announced a $100 million round of funding, the largest ever received by a cybersecurity company in Bostons history according to BostInno. In fact, Cybereason has raised the two largest cyber funding rounds in Bostons history and two of the three largest in Massachusetts history.

Cybereason is also the company at the helm of the SecureMA initiative, a coalition of Massachusetts non-profits, small businesses, law enforcement, and local government officials that are working together to raise the visibility and awareness of the cyber threats facing smaller organizations and individuals across the Commonwealth. The first SecureMA Intelligence Briefing took place on October 25 at Cybereasons headquarters.

About Cybereason

Cybereason, creators of the leading cybersecurity data analytics platform, gives the advantage back to the defender through a completely new approach to cybersecurity. Cybereason offers endpoint detection and response (EDR), next-generation antivirus (NGAV), and active monitoring services, all powered by its proprietary data analytics platform. The Cybereason suite of products provides unmatched visibility, increases analyst efficiency and effectiveness, and reduces security risk. Cybereason is privately held, having raised $189 million from top-tier VCs, and is headquartered in Boston, with offices in London, Tel Aviv and Tokyo.

Learn more: https://www.cybereason.com/

Follow us: Blog | Twitter | Facebook

Media Contact:

Bill Keeler

Director, Public Relations

Cybereason

bill.keeler(at)cybereason(dot)com

(929) 259-3261
U.S. President Donald Trump addresses the National Assembly on Wednesday and sits down for a brief talk with parliamentary speaker Chung Sye-kyun and the floor leaders of the ruling and opposition parties.

Trump will be accompanied by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, National Security Adviser H.R McMaster, and White House Chief of Staff John Kelly.

It will be the first speech in the National Assembly by a U.S. president in 24 years, the last being Bill Clinton's back in 1993.
In his first visit to Catalonia since imposing direct rule, Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy called for a strong turnout in the December 21 Catalan elections.

"We want to bring back the Catalonia that belongs to everyone with democracy and freedom, we will achieve this if the silent majority turns its voice into a vote," he said Sunday.

His visit to Barcelona comes one day after Catalonia's battered independence movement staged a massive protest in the city, demanding the release of jailed leaders and recognition of a separate Catalan Republic.

Rajoy is expected to make a campaign appearance in Barcelona for his conservative Popular Party, ahead of regional elections next month.

Spain's central government imposed direct rule on Catalonia immediately after its regional parliament voted for independence on October 27. It arrested dozens of secessionist politicians, causing the head of the regional government, Carles Puigdemont, to flee to Belgium.

Eight members of the dissolved regional government and two prominent activists are in jail.

Those imprisoned without bail include Catalan Vice President Oriol Junqueras.
Podesta Group, a well-known lobbying firm with close ties to the Democratic Party and the Obama administration, might close its doors after being caught in the crosshairs of special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 election, CNN reported on Saturday.

Podesta Group  which was founded by brothers John and Anthony Podesta  got roped into the investigation over work it did for Trump's former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort.

Kimberley Fritts, the CEO of Podesta Group, told staff on Thursday that the lobbying firm would close its doors by the end of the year, sources told CNN. Fritts also asked employees to clean out their belongings and told them they would not be paid past November 15.

While investigating Manafort's consulting work for the party, Mueller has been scrutinizing Podesta Group and the lobbying group Mercury Public Affairs. Mercury worked with Podesta Group after Manafort asked the firms to do public relations work for the

Yanukovych was ousted in 2014 after widespread demonstrations against his decision to back out of a deal with the EU that would have distanced Ukraine from Russia and strengthened ties with the West. Yanukovych fled to Russia amid the protests, during which Ukrainian riot police opened fire on thousands of demonstrators, and is now living under the protection of the Kremlin.

The group also hadextensive contactswith the State Department and the National Security Council in 2012 in the lead-up to the Ukrainian elections that year.

"They were pretty open about their purpose being to give a positive perspective on the upcoming election," a former State Department employee told CNN.
The man, who hails from Louisiana, tried to defect "for political reasons," authorities told The Post.

Coincidentally, on the same day as the US man failed to make his political statement, a North Korean soldier was shot twice by his own military as he ran through the DMZ so he could defect into South Korea.

South Korean forces had to crawl toward the defector who had been downed by gunfire from North Korea and drag him out of danger, according to Reuters.
LONDON  A trade deal between the UK and the European Union may not be signed until after Brexit has taken place, according to a high-level source within Theresa May's government.

According to The Times newspaper, a senior Downing Street aide said that the government is preparing to concede that only the broad outlines of an agreement will be ready on the date of exit in March 2019.

The source, who remained anonymous, said that a large portion of the specifics of an arrangement would need to be finalised after withdrawal.

The Times also noted that the aide used the term "transition period,", rather than May's preferred terminology of "implementation period." This too would suggest continuing negotiations after Brexit, rather than simply breathing space to introduce a regime which had been agreed in advance.

If Brexit talks are not completed before March 2019 it could lead to increased calls for May to be forced out sooner, as she has previously insisted she will remain as prime minister while negotiations continue.

Such a move would anger pro-Brexit Conservatives, who believe that the future UK-EU relationship must be agreed before Brexit to avoid the possibilit of Britain being left in a never-ending transition.

Brexit Secretary David Davis has said that a trade deal will be completed in the next year, telling the Parliament's Brexit select committee that: "We aim to have a comprehensive free trade agreement which would be a tariff-free."

David also said: "A transition phase would only be triggered once weve completed the deal itself. We cannot carry on negotiating through that."

A source from the Department for Exiting the EU, also cited by The Times, said there is a growing understanding that a trade deal will not be completed before March 2019.

They said: "The position is that we must know the terms of the future partnership when we leave. David Davis has previously talked about heads of terms."
The mysterious death of US Army Staff Sgt. Logan Melgar is under scrutiny after the Green Beret, who was killed by strangulation, reportedly declined to accept money from a dubious scheme.

A Daily Beast report, sourced from five service members in the special-operations community, says that a portion of funds used to pay informants in Mali for intelligence were allegedly pocketed by members of the elite SEAL Team Six. The SEALs' actions were reportedly discovered by Melgar, who eventually turned down the money when he was offered a cut.

Prior to his death, Melgar reportedly told his wife of the problems he had with two of the SEALs, and was going to elaborate further when he went home, the Daily Beast said.

Following Meglar's death, suspicions were raised after two SEALs alleged Melgar was participating in combative exercises, the military's version of martial arts, while drunk, the report continued. However, Melgar's autopsy report said that there were no drugs or alcohol in his system, a former military official said to the Daily Beast.

The New York Times first reported that two SEALs were being investigated, due to the circumstances of the incident. According to The Times, investigators were looking into whether Melgar was strangled, and his superiors believed foul play may have been involved. Melgar's death was determined to have been "a homicide by asphyxiation," according to military officials cited by The Times.

The two SEALs were reportedly flown out of Mali and placed on administrative leave, shortly after Melgar's death.
Located outside of Las Vegas, Nevada, Nellis has close ties to its neighboring city. Following the deadly mass shooting in Las Vegas in October, last weekend's air show commemorated and honored the city and the shooting's victims.

The show also featured US Air Force history, as the Air Force celebrates its 70th anniversary. About 400,000 people were expected to visit the two-day expo.

"This is freaking awesome. It really shakes you in your boots," one observer told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. "It is rare that you get to see this stuff."

Here's what it was like inside the Aviation Nation Air and Space Expo:

Nellis servicemen customized several aircraft, including this F-16 Fighting Falcon, to display the base's Vegas Strong message.

This F-15C Eagle was painted to commemorate the shooting, which took place at a country music festival on October 1.

Here's more detail on the tail.

The aircraft had to be completely repainted in some cases.

Here's the final product on another F-15C Eagle.

Here's what they normally look like, without the paint job.

Aside from the memorials to the Las Vegas shooting, the Air and Space Expo had some of the best features of a traditional air show. Spectators were treated to a show from the Air Force Thunderbirds.

The opening ceremony featured members of the Air Force's Wing of Blue Parachute Team jumping out of aircrafts.

Here's what it looks like when they land.

Aviation Nation also celebrated the 70th Anniversary of the US Air Force, showcasing older aircraft such as the B-25 Mitchell.

The Texas Flying Legends flew in formation, showing off some WWII-era aircrafts.
President Donald Trump suggested in Vietnam on Sunday that US sanctions against Russia are too tough and that he prefers being on more amicable terms with the Kremlin.

"What I believe is that we have to get to work," Trump said. "And I think everybody understood this that heard the answer. We have to get to work to solve Syria, to solve North Korea, to solve Ukraine, to solve terrorism," he added.

"And you know, people don't realize Russia has been very, very heavily sanctioned," he said. "They were sanctioned at a very high level, and that took place very recently. It's now time to get back to healing a world that is shattered and broken."

He was referring to a new sanctions bill he signed in early August, which targeted Russia, Iran, and North Korea. He said in a statement at the time that he supported "

Trump's comments on Sunday came on the heels of remarks he made on Saturday, when he said he believed Russian President Vladimir Putin when Putin told him Russia did not interfere in the 2016 election.

"He said he didn't meddle. He said he didn't meddle," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. "I asked him again. You can only ask so many times. I just asked him again. He said he absolutely did not meddle in our election. He did not do what they are saying he did."

The president added that when they had met on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, Putin meant it when he denied ordering Russia's election meddling.

"I believe, I really believe that when he tells me that, he means it," Trump said. "But he says, 'I didn't do that.' I think he is very insulted by it, which is not a good thing for our country."

Trump walked his comments back on Sunday after they drew heavy backlash from lawmakers and former US intelligence officials, who said it was "naive" and "puzzling" for Trump to trust Putin over the US intelligence community.

But he said that having a friendly relationship with Russia, as opposed to an adversarial one, "is an asset to the world and an asset to our country, not a liability."

The president seemed to imply as much on Saturday as well, asking on Twitter when all the "haters and fools" would realize that having a good relationship with Russia "is a good thing."

"There [sic] always playing politics - bad for our country," Trump said. "I want to solve North Korea, Syria, Ukraine, terrorism, and Russia can greatly help!"

Hecontinued, asking whether the "Fake News Media" remembered "when Crooked Hillary Clinton, as Secretary of State, was begging Russia to be our friend with the misspelled reset button? Obama tried also, but he had zero chemistry with Putin."

He reiterated that on Sunday, telling reporters in Vietnam that "President Obama wanted to get along with Russia, but the chemistry wasn't there."

"Getting along with other nations is a good thing, not a bad thing," he added. "Believe me, it's a good thing, not a bad thing."
They are famous for in the movie industry for the versatility and ability to play their roles to perfection. While other stick to only one genre or only a few character themes, Jackie and Mcbrown can act in any script that is handed to them.

Ghanaian actress, Nikki Samonas when asked by Zionfelix on celebrity ride to choose between Jackie Appiah and Nana Ama Mcbrown when it comes to their craft; acting.

The 32-year-old photo model after careful consideration chose Nana Ama Mcbrown over Canadian-born Ghanaian actress, Jackie Appiah.

Born to a Greek father and a Ghanaian mother, the stylish female celebrity further chose BET award winner, Sarkodie over Manifest.

READ ALSO: Watch Lydia Forson is the best female twerker ever
According to the Mirror.co.uk, Sean Sykes Jnr was being questioned over intent to sell cocaine and being in possession of a firearm in Kansas City, Missouri.

The news portal reported that the police detective in charge of the case had told the court that, "Mr. Sykes leaned to one side of his chair and released a loud fart before answering with the address.

"Mr. Sykes continued to be flatulent and I ended the interview."

However, the 24-year-old Sykes reportedly denied the accusations and no charges were filed following the interrogation in September.

READ ALSO: Court orders psychiatric examination of teacher who faked Accra Mall terror attack

He was subsequently taken back into custody following a discovery of missing firearms in his possession.
READ MORE: Police end interrogation as suspect continuously fart to each question

According to Adomonline.com, he New Edubiase Commander, ASP Francis Ankah told the court that George Kojo Appiah popularly known as Agyegon, took the said money and disappeared into thin air.

The police have since been on the hunt for him until he was recently arrested and arraigned for court.

Agyegon pleaded guilty to the offence, and the New Edubase Magistrate Court presided over by his Lordship Stanislaus Amaniopo jailed him for 9 months on his own plea; with hard labour.
"We have told French leaders on several occasions that the Iran nuclear deal is not negotiable and that no other issues can be included in the text" of the 2015 agreement, state news agency IRNA quoted Ghassemi as saying.

Emmanuel Macron called for vigilance toward Tehran over its ballistic missile program and regional activities, in an interview published Wednesday by the Emirati daily Al-Ittihad.

Iran's nuclear deal is "not negotiable," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bassam Ghassemi said Saturday in response to remarks by the French president.

France, the Foreign Ministry speaker said, is "fully aware of our country's intangible position concerning the issue of Iran's defensive affairs, which are not negotiable."

In the interview with Al-Ittihad, published during Macron's 24-hour visit to Abu Dhabi, the French president said: "It is important to remain firm with Iran over its regional activities and its ballistic program."

Macron also said there was no immediate alternative to the Iranian nuclear deal -- long lambasted by U.S. President Donald Trump -- which curbs Iran's nuclear program.

France has been trying to salvage the 2015 nuclear, which Iran signed with six world powers -- Britain, China, Germany, France, Russia and the United States.

On Oct. 13, Macron told Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in a phone call that France remained committed to the deal. But the French leader stressed it was also necessary to have a dialogue with Iran on other strategic issues, including Tehran's ballistic missile program and regional security, a proposal ruled out by Iran.

Macron's visit this week to Abu Dhabi came amid renewed tensions between regional arch-rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia.

Iran's nuclear deal saw sanctions imposed on Tehran lifted in exchange for limits on its atomic program.
This event is first of its kind will successfully establish itself as a pacesetter in emerging entrepreneurs, heavily influencing the quality, innovation and craftsmanship of shoemaking in Ghana by young entrepreneurs.

The Shoemakers trade fair seeks to reshape the ingrained perception and apathetic narrative amongst Ghanaians towards Ghanaian made brands of been sub-standard, comparison to foreign shoe brands. The trade fair will showcase an array of designed to last for eons brogues, loafers, pumps, flats, boots, kids shoes, women stilettoes uniquely made in Ghana which can rival established international brands

One such brand is Hill Bill Company Limited which was founded in the year 2015 by Bright Aferi, CEO and Michael Opoku Kyei, Chief Operating Officer. The company is primarily into the manufacturing of shoes targeted at corporate Ghana and business men. The company since starting has seen over 400 customers and with over 40% of these customers repeating purchases.

Hill Bill since starting has been featured on many media outlets including GHONE, STARR FM, BTA and also on some popular blogs such as ameyawdebrah.com and ghanafashionmagazine. The company was in 2016 named as part of the top six student startups in Ghana at the time the CEO was still in school. Hill Bill is currently located in Accra, Ashaley-Botwe. The company in the near future will be including female shoes, belts and clothing as part of its portfolio.

Hill Bill has a philosophy of ensuring that customers always get value for their money and so the company provides the best of products with excellent finishing and quality as well as effective customer service. Hill Bill distinguishes itself on the market with the production of top-notch high quality shoes that rub shoulders with many European and American shoes. Hill Bill currently is into both wholesale and retailing.
The slay queen beamed up in a red ball gown with a long trail, looking all stunning. The apparel had its upper part made of lace and some beautiful stone patterns.

The defining accessory was one of a kind, a seemingly gold colored nose mask. Now tell me, who makes such an awkward item like the nose mask as a fashion accessory and still wow observers? It is the Gh ish girl, Nana Akua.

READ ALSO:Nana Akua Addo has been slaying since childhood

Beat it, Nana Akua Addo is everything fashion and more and we absolutely love her. This is a powerful comeback after a long red-carpet break. We live for the slay queen.
At a roundtable discussion ahead of Wednesdays budget presentation by the Finance Minister, Minority spokesperson on finance, Cassiel Ato Forson said: We believe that the 2018 budget wont create jobs. How can you create jobs when commercial banks are in a big distress? The local banks dont have the liquidity to lend to the private sector to create jobs.

Ladies and gentlemen let us be assured that next year there will be severe austerity and hardships equivalent to 1983, he said.

Mr Forson also indicated that the Minority will not allow the government to overburden the ordinary Ghanaian with taxes.

The Minority further urged the government to be transparent in the way in which over GHC177 million was spent on the issuance of the energy sector bond, which was poorly patronized and failed to reach its target.
The suspects, Dojie Kwame, 28, and Akwasi Abio, 21, were arrested last Saturday on a tip-off after they had offered for sale a Toyota Highlander 44 vehicle they allegedly took away from the pastors residence after the attack.

The two Electrical Engineering students were arrested following a complaint made by a member of the church, Ben Asamoah who visited the pastor at his residence after he failed to attend a programme only to see him lying in a pool of blood in his kitchen with knife wounds.

According to reports, Dojie is said to be a co-tenant of the deceased, and his accomplice, Abio, also took away an unspecified sum of money from the pastors residence.

According to the Spokesperson of the Northern Regional Police Command, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mr Mohammed Yusif Tanko, the suspects allegedly attacked and killed the pastor on Friday, November 10, 2017.

He said the suspects took away 2005 model Toyota Highlander with registration number GN 1763-14 and an undisclosed amount of money.

He said a church member lodged a complaint with the police upon detection of the crime adding that an informant suspected the boys after spotting blood stains on a fifty Ghana Cedis note which the two killers gave to him to buy fuel and test the car.

He further stated the police acted on the information from the complainant and the informant and upon investigations, the two students were arrested.
Mr Nyadzo who lives in the Krachi-East District of the Volta Region had paid an initial GHC100 and promised to pay the balance of GHC200 at a later time.

Director of anti-trafficking agency, Partners in Community Development Programme, George Achibra, told Accra-based Joy FM that the intervention by the police saved the little boy.

The police in Krachi had been tipped off and followed up to orchestrate the arrest of the man and rescue the boy, he said.

The mother was also arrested for accepting the GHC100 from the man and charged with conspiracy to traffic and trafficking of her son, he added.
The suspects were arrested in areas such as Ngleshie Amanfrom, Ofankor-Obimpe, Ashiyie, Quartey Papafio, Adjen Kotoku, Oyarifa, Asalaja, Mayera, Tuba, East Airport and Ayimensah in the Adenta, Weija, Amasaman, Airport and Baatsona divisions of the command.

READ ALSO: Fountain Gate School in flames

It said a team from the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), and the Counter-Terrorism units of the police made the arrests.

Again, a team of crack investigators were mobilized to land guard-related cases to ensure such cases were properly investigated and sent to court without delay.

The police, through their operational exercises, were able to impound and retrieve, among other things, one Toyota Corolla (private car), military uniforms and some accoutrements, one pickup vehicle, a pump action gun, machetes, jack knives, live and empty cartridges and motorbikes, the statement added.

Out of the total number of arrests made 21 are on remand, whilst 20 are on court bail, and 9 on police enquiry bail.

According to the statement, the operation is part of their determination to clamp down on land guard activities in the Greater Accra Region.
He said this when he was preaching to his congregants on Sunday, November 12, 2017.

Take somebody like Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, He didnt go to Oxford, or Princeton or Yale [but] brilliant, misunderstood because in this country when you are a very confident person, people dont like you.

You have to act like humility, humble, Im very humble, oh yes sir" Duncan Williams added.

He said Ghana is filled with too many hypocrites who do not celebrate success or progress.

This country, we are hypocrites. We dont celebrate success and thats why we dont attract it because what you despise, you will never attract. We dont celebrate progress, we dont celebrate riches. That is the difference between us and the Nigerians and thats why we lack it. And there are Ghanaians who live better outside than in Ghana. In Ghana they call it humble, he said.

Spio-Garbrah, who is a leading member of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has expressed his interest in leading the party into the 2020 elections.
The Association has given government a six-month ultimatum to address its challenges.

The Association also accused the government of failing to abide by the ruling of the National Labor Commission (NLC) which urged the government to pay the market premium as a percentage of their basic salary.

Newly elected president of the association Dr. Frank Ankobea told journalists that government has taken doctors for granted.

READ ALSO: Pharmacist arrested for allegedly stealing drugs from hospital
The suspects, Dojie Kwame, 28, and Akwasi Obo, 21, were picked up last Saturday on a tip-off after they had offered for sale a Toyota Highlander 44 vehicle they allegedly took away from the pastors residence after the attack.

The spokesperson of the Northern Regional Police Command, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mr Mohammed Yusif Tanko, said the suspects allegedly attacked and killed the pastor at his residence on Friday, November 10, 2017.

One of the suspect, Dojie, is said to be a co-tenant of the deceased. He and his accomplice, Obo apart from the vehicle, took away an unspecified sum of money from the pastors residence.

Both suspects are currently assisting the police in investigations.
He said Nana Addo is facing a daunting task due to the numerous challenges.

Addressing the congregation at the 50th-anniversary celebration of the Madina Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Trinity Parish, Mahama said the challenges facing the leadership of the parish were nothing compared to the ones President Akufo-Addo is faced with.

He said "Leadership is not an easy thing. We must always pray for leaders. Ive been there before and I know what its like. Sleepless nights. And Im sure my successor is also having very sleepless nights. If you are a leader even of a small parish like this, the kinds of problems Im sure Reverend Osiakwa has to handle are just a microcosm of the kinds of problems that President Nana Addo must be facing by now."

"We must also always respect our leaders. Indeed, if you do not even like the personality in the position or in the office, you must show respect to the office, because you dont know when you yourself will find yourself there. Or your son will find himself there, or your relative will find himself there, or even somebody you like will find himself there" he added.

He also accused the president of unnecessarily bashing his government instead of proving how capable he can be in running the economy.

He also kicked against the negative attitude of denigrating leaders since there was the possibility that they could receive similar treatment should they find themselves in leadership positions.
President Moon Jae-in and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on Saturday agreed to normalize ties frayed by the THAAD spat and meet again in Beijing next month.

They reached the agreement on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Danang, Vietnam, according to Cheong Wa Dae.

"The two leaders praised the Seoul-Beijing agreement of Oct. 31... and put bilateral exchanges and cooperation on the normal track in all areas," said presidential spokesman Yoon Young-chan.

Xi called it "a new start and a good beginning."


This was disclosed by a member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko.

In a Facebook post, he said that the Finance Minister has stubbornly refused to buy any Toyota Landcruiser V8 for the government appointees in the NPP administration.

I hear so much talk about V8 this month and I am a little confused. What I do know is that the Minister of Finance has stubbornly refused to buy the usual Toyota Landcruiser V8 or what-have-you for ministers since the change in government.

Even the vehicles that were ordered by the previous government have had to be audited and stalled and audited with little appetite for them except that the contract may have to be honoured even after some necessary adjustments, he added.

He mentioned that he also aware that the Finance Minister is, in fact, planning to buy Toyota Camry, Corolla and the like for Ministers and their deputies, etc. from 2018 onwards.

This may be governments way of cutting down cost. Many have accused successive governments of buying Toyota V8 for their appointees. This increases the operational cost of government whose activities are funded by the taxpayer.
He was speaking when he addresses the chiefs and people of Jamestown and Osu at a durbar at Mantse Agbonaa at Jamestown on the second day of his three-day tour of the Greater Accra Region.

He said I am not a liar. I have come to work for the benefit of Ghanaians.

READ ALSO: NDC MP demands release of Kwesi Botchwey report

They said I was only in to deceive the people of Ghana with the promise of a free SHS, but that has been done and the enemies of progress who said I was only deceiving the people of Ghana have been disgraced.

All the other promises that we made will be fulfilled one after another in order to bring about peace and prosperity for the people of Ghana,Nana Akufo-Addo added.

He said he will continue to tell Ghanaians the truth no matter the condition he finds himself in.

I want all Ghanaians to know that I am a truth-sayer and what I say I will do, I will surely do. I did not come to lie to Ghanaians, he stressed.

He added that the government he leads will continue to rely on God for his perfect direction in all they do.
His resignation came as tensions rise between Riyadh and Tehran, which back opposing sides in power struggles from Lebanon and Syria to Yemen.

The EU's diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini said that a meeting of the bloc's foreign ministers in Brussels on Monday had voiced unanimous support for Lebanon's "unity and stability".

"We expect no external interference in this national agenda and we believe it is essential to avoid importing into Lebanon regional conflicts, regional dynamics, regional tensions that have to stay out of the country," Mogherini said, adding that she would meet Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil in Brussels on Tuesday.

She said outside interference in Lebanon -- buffeted for decades by conflicts between bigger players in the region such as Iran and Syria -- was a "current and always existing threat".

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said France was "worried by the situation in Lebanon" and wanted to see the government there "stabilise as quickly as possible".

"For there to be a political solution in Lebanon, it is necessary that all of the political leaders have total freedom of movement and that non-interference is a fundamental principle," Le Drian said as he arrived for the EU foreign ministers' gathering in Brussels.

German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said there was a danger of Lebanon falling back into "political and sometimes military confrontations".

"In order to prevent this we need especially the return of the current prime minister, reconciliation in the country and the prevention of influence from outside," he said.

"Lebanon has earned the right to decide on its fate by itself and not become a pinball of Syria or Saudi Arabia or other national interests," Gabriel said in Brussels.

Other Western countries have moved to express their support for Hariri, with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson calling him a "strong partner".
Human rights groups say at least 66 people have died in bloodshed associated with the August election, which was later voided by the Supreme Court, and in unrest surrounding the re-run of the presidential vote last month.

Stephanie Moraa, an eight-year-old girl in the Nairobi slum of Mathare, died after being hit by a stray bullet as police fired to disperse protesters on Aug. 12, the day after election results were announced.

The parents of six-month-old Samantha Pendo said she was teargassed and clubbed by police who invaded their home in Kisumu looking for protesters.

On Monday, the government-funded but civilian-run Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) said it had forwarded its findings and recommendations to the director of public prosecutions for review and direction.

Asked on Monday what IPOA had recommended to the prosecutors office regarding the two deaths, spokesman Dennis Oketch said: Its a matter which will most likely end up in court.

We dont want to give any information that can become prejudicial. We will wait for the [prosecutors] review.

IPOAs statement did not specify if it had identified suspects in the two deaths.

It did not mention any other investigations into election-related violence.

It has however, completed another investigation into alleged police beatings at a demonstration in September at Kenyas oldest university that sparked opposition anger at what they see as a pattern of police brutality.

IPOA said it had recommended to a police service commission that it take stern disciplinary action against the responsible Commander.

It had also forwarded the investigation file to the prosecutors office, the statement read.

Shortly after the August election, IPOA said it was fast-tracking investigations of all deaths and injuries for which the police were alleged by rights groups to be responsible.

Kenyan police dispute those accounts.

The National Police Service described a report in October by Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International on 33 deaths in Nairobi during the crackdown as totally misleading and based on falsehoods.

Inspite of its history of police brutality, Kenya is an economic and transport hub in East Africa and important Western ally against militant Islam that receives substantial financial support for its security services from international donors, including the United States and Britain.

The IPOA was set up in 2011 after the killings of around 1,200 people in violence following the disputed 2007 election.

It has received more than 9,000 complaints of police brutality and corruption since then.

Last year, it secured its first conviction, of two police officers sentenced for the death of a 14-year-old girl shot dead during a house raid in 2014.

A survey in 2016 by the non-profit International Police Science Association ranked Kenyas police force as the 125th worst-performing out of 127 national police forces studied.
A vehicle-borne improvised explosive device attack left four US soldiers wounded in Kandahar, Afghanistan on Monday, a US military spokesman said.

The suicide vehicle reportedly hit a military convoy near Kandahar Air Field, a major US base in Afghanistan, according to a provincial spokesperson in a Stars and Stripes report.

The soldiers, who are reportedly in stable condition, are receiving care from US medical facilities, the Military Times reported. No coalition forces were killed after the attack, the Military Times reported.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, in addition to other attacks on Monday, according to multiple reports. In western Farah province, eight Afghan police officers were reportedly killed in their sleep, after insurgents wearing night-vision goggles ambushed them in their beds.
LONDON  David Davis has announced that Parliament will be given the right to vote down a final Brexit deal.

The Brexit Secretary told MPs on Monday afternoon that any final deal reached with the EU at the end of Article 50 negotiations will be put to Parliament in the form of primary legislation.

This means MPs will debate the final deal and then vote on whether to either accept or reject it.

Davis' announcement is an apparent attempt to head off a proposed amendment to the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill which called for Parliament to be given a meaningful vote on a final deal.

Parliamentary committees will begin scrutinising the Withdrawal Bill on Thursday. Nearly 200 amendments have been tabled for the Bill.

Speaking on Monday, Davis said:

"Once we have reached an agreement we will now bring forward a specific piece of primary legislation to implement that agreement, this will be known as the withdrawal agreement and implementation bill.

"This confirms that the major policy set out in the withdrawal agreement will be directly implemented into UK law by primary legislation.

"This also means that parliament will be given time to debate, scrutinise and vote on the final agreement we strike with the EU. This agreement will only hold if parliament approves it."

In practice, the legislation means that Parliament will at the end of the Brexit process have the choice to either accept the exit package negotiated by the British negotiating team or instead vote to leave the EU with no deal.

Parliament choosing to reject the deal would not halt Brexit. However, it would put Prime Minister Theresa May under pressure to request an extension to negotiations.

Labour described it as a "significant climbdown from a weak government on the verge of defeat."

"For months, Labour has been calling on ministers to guarantee Parliament a final say on the withdrawal agreement," Shadow Brexit Secretary Keir Starmer said.

"With less than 24 hours before they had to defend their flawed Bill to Parliament they have finally backed down. However, like everything with this government the devil will be in the detail.

"Ministers must now go further. They need to accept Labours amendments that would ensure transitional arrangements, and protect jobs and the economy from a cliff edge."

Opponents of Brexit said that Davis hadn't gone far enough.

"A parliamentary vote simply isnt good enough," Liberal Democrat Brexit spokesman Tom Brake said.

"The people voted to leave the EU, they should get to decide whether to accept the deal the government has negotiated.
The Fox News host Sean Hannity is facing heat after several brands pulled their ads from his show.

A wave of advertisers announced they would pull spots from "Hannity" following the host's interview on Friday with Roy Moore in which they discussed allegations that Moore engaged in sexual misconduct with a 14-year-old and pursued relationships with other teenagers when he was in his 30s.

Some media observers have noted that Hannity directly asked about the allegations. But critics say Hannity went too easy on Moore  whom he supported in the Alabama Senate primary  saying he appeared to agree with a characterization of some of the conduct as "consensual."

Amid the left-wing media watchdog Media Matters urging sponsors to pull ads, Keurig, Realtor.com, Eloquii, 23andMe, Nature's Bounty, and E-Trade all announced over the weekend that they had no plans to advertise on Hannity's Fox News show.

More recently, brands such as Mercedes-Benz have jumped on the bandwagon, even as others such as MyPillow remain unfazed.

Brands distancing themselves from politically or otherwise sensitive issues is nothing new. Several big-name advertisers were conspicuously absent from Megyn Kelly's interview in June with Alex Jones, the right-wing provocateur and conspiracy-monger.

Similarly, in April, BMW, Mitsubishi, Hyundai, and Lexus were among the brands that pulled their ads from "The O'Reilly Factor" amid a wave of sexual-harassment allegations against its host, Bill O'Reilly.

There has also been increasing consumer backlash to brands taking positions.

But these emotional reactions are unprecedented, according to Canvs, a company that measures viewers' qualitative responses to content. It looks at all the spoken words about shows across social media and maps viewers' reactions with a range of 42 emotions.

"Unlike most emotional conversations about TV, brands have been raised to the forefront of the discussion surrounding 'Hannity,'" a Canvs analyst told Business Insider. "These brand-driven viewer emotional reactions are really unprecedented when you look at any show on TV."

Still, Hannity has seen his ratings jump since Fox News moved him to a different time slot last month. He was already one of the highest-rated personalities in cable news.

He has also weathered previous boycott calls by Media Matters, partially by rallying his viewers and supporters, who started a #BoycottKeurig campaign over the weekend and shared videos of themselves destroying the coffee machines.

On Monday, Realtor.com deleted an initial tweet about pulling the ads, and Keurig's CEO apologized for "taking sides."

"The action is key because that is what will have a financial effect on Hannity's show, not the messaging that companies use," said Angelo Carusone, the president of Media Matters.

Carusone added that he was surprised that Realtor.com made a statement at all, considering the company is owned by Fox News' chairman, Rupert Murdoch.

Business Insider asked several other brands who have advertised on Hannity's show over the past few months about their stances and whether they plan to do so in the future.

Here are their responses:

Hebrew National announced on Monday it was no longer advertising on Hannity's show.

Hebrew National stated it had removed Hannity's show from its advertising plans on Monday afternoon.

"Our advertising is not intended to be an endorsement of or sponsorship of any particular program," the hot dog brand posted on Twitter.

Reddi-wip and Marie Callender's  two other Conagra brands  also cut advertising.

Keurig says it will no longer advertise

Keurig said on Twitter that it would no longer advertise on Hannity's show.

Many on the right called for Hannity's supporters to boycott Keurig. On Sunday, some people went as far as posting videos of themselves smashing their Keurig coffee machines.

In a memo to employees on Monday, obtained by The Washington Post's Erik Wemple, CEO Bob Gamgort called Keurig's decision to explain its plan to "pause" its advertising with Hannity's show "highly unusual" and "outside of company protocols."

"This gave the appearance of 'taking sides' in an emotionally charged debate that escalated on Twitter and beyond over the weekend, which was not our intent," Gamgort wrote.

Volvo is pulling its advertisements out.

"

Realtor.com said in a now deleted tweet: "While we continually strategize on where we advertise on and offline, we are not currently, and will not be running TV ads on Hannity."

The fashion brand Eloquii said in a tweet on Saturday that Hannity was "blocked from our advertising list."

The DNA-testing company 23andMe said: "We've received inquiries RE: advertising on Hannity. We are not running TV advertising on Hannity. We continue to closely evaluate where we advertise."

The nutrition brand Nature's Bounty tweeted, "We can confirm that we do not have advertisements running on this program."

Media Matters confirmed that E-Trade had stopped running ads on the show.

The meal-delivery service HelloFresh says it does not advertise on or around Hannity's shows.

"We have continuously worked with our advertising agency partners and media buyers to ensure that no HelloFresh ads are running during his programs," a HelloFresh representative told Business Insider in an email. "We always refresh our advertising outlets with considerations for current events which we do not condone."

Walmart says it does not typically advertise on political shows.

While Walmart has appeared on lists as a "Hannity" advertiser, the retailer told Business Insider it did not typically advertise on any political shows and that an ad during Hannity's show in September was a special situation.

"The ad you saw was part of a special advertising buy for Hurricane relief," a spokeswoman named Meggan Kring said. "Traditionally we do not buy advertising during shows with political commentary, but this was a unique situation that needed broad awareness. The intent of this ad was designed to bring the country together for the impacted hurricane areas, a topic most audiences could relate to."

MyPillow said it had "no plans to change its advertising" on the show.

The "as seen on TV" pillow brand isn't planning to slow its advertising push on Hannity's show.

"MyPillow has no plans to change its advertising," Mike Lindell, the founder and CEO, said in an email to Business Insider.

Untuckit said its decision not to advertise on Hannity's show was "unrelated" to news about Moore.

In an email to Business Insider, Untuckit CEO Aaron Sanandres said the men's shirt brand had no plans to advertise on "Hannity."

"We have not advertised on Hannity for several weeks, although unrelated to the controversy surrounding his interview with Roy Moore," Sanandres said in an email. "The move was part of a larger assessment of where we spend our advertising dollars. We do not have any plans to revisit this decision."

Hubble Contacts says it's not advertising on "Hannity."

Media Matters' Carusone told Business Insider that Hubble Contacts had informed him it would no longer air ads on "Hannity."

SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) has stopped advertising on all of Fox News.

According to Angelo Carusone, president at Media Matters, SHRM has decided to quit advertising not only on Hannity's show, but all of Fox News.

Another! Kindly spread the ... @ Angelo Carusone

Volvo announced on Monday it had stopped advertising on the show.

"We have spoken with our media agency and have advised them to cease advertising on the show," Volvo USA stated in a tweet that has since been deleted.

The YMCA said on Tuesday that its current advertising plans do not include the show.

"The Y is nonpartisan, and we advertise on many news and cable outlets with differing viewpoints to reach the more than 10,000 communities we serve," the YMCA said in an email to Business Insider. "We have advertised on Hannity in the recent past, but our current advertising plans do not include the show."

Dollar Shave Club announced Wednesday it had "ceased advertising with Sean Hannity."

The company tweeted in reply to a someone who asked over the weekend if it supported child molesters: "
The following is a transcript of the video.

Yanis Varoufakis: Isnt it astonishing that after Jeremy Corbyn was being described as "the longest suicide note by the Labour Party" about a year ago, today there is an air of inevitability in a Corbyn-led government.

I think its a delicious irony and Im very excited by this transition fromimpossibilityto inevitability.

In the interests of full disclosure, Im a friend of Jeremy Corbyn, a supporter, Ive worked with his team and will continue to do so.

I believe that the re-orientation of British politics under Corbyn and in particular of the Labour Party is highly beneficial, not only to the large strata within British society that have been discarded in the last 20 to 30 years, but interestingly also for British business that produces real stuff as opposed to the City of London and various other service sectors that produce precarious jobs and nothing much of substance.

British manufacturing has been left in the margins for far too long and the dearth of investment in fixed capital is something that this Conservative government has absolutely no interestin,or no concept of.

A Labour,Corbyn-ledgovernment, might be what is necessary in order to create better circumstances both for labour and manufacturing capital in the United Kingdom.
For months, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has said the GOP's tax-code overhaul would pay for itself by leading to larger economic growth. An analysis released Monday pokes holes in that argument.

"Not only will this tax plan pay for itself, but it will pay down debt," Mnuchin said in September.

Mnuchin has argued that because of larger economic investment from businesses, growth from the plan would increase tax revenue despite lower rates.

"In our models, we believe there will be $2.5 trillion of growth," Mnuchin said on CNN on Sunday. "And we're happy to go through the numbers. We're happy to give the details. We want full transparency to the American public. But the important issue is, if we increase GDP by 30 or 40 basis points, this plan is break-even."

A new analysis from University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business, however, suggests Mnuchin's assumptions are significantly off.

The school used the Penn Wharton budget model to analyze the revenue impact of the House's most recent version of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which was approved by the House Ways and Means Committee on Thursday and is set for a vote by the full House this week.

According to the model, even with a high amount of economic growth, the federal budget deficit would increase at least $1.5 trillion over the plan's first 10 years. The legislation would further cause at least a $3.6 trillion shortfall in federal revenue by 2040, the analysis says.

There is some dispute over the amount of economic growth projected to come from the bill. The Tax Foundation, a conservative-leaning group that has a more aggressive model for economic growth, found that the House bill would add about $989 billion to the deficit over 10 years.
Billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates has purchased nearly 25,000 acres of land in southwestern Arizona for the construction of a brand-new "smart city," KPNX reports.

Through one of his investment firms, Belmont Partners, Gates has committed $80 million to build a community composed of offices, stores, schools, and homes. The community will be known as Belmont.

Roughly 3,800 of the 24,800 acres will be devoted to office, commercial, and retail space, according to Belmont Partners, while 470 acres will be set aside for public schools. The new community will feature 80,000 residences, giving it a population of approximately 182,000, which is comparable to that of Tempe, Arizona.

Belmont Partners expects its development to feature all the trappings of a futuristic city: high-speed internet embedded in the built environment, accommodations for self-driving cars (such as traffic lights that communicate with one another to minimize congestion), and smarter manufacturing technology.

"The experimentation that takes place in this new community has the potential to demonstrate the viability of new smart city concepts and serve as an example for cities nationwide and globally," Brooks Rainwater,

especially now that Gates's project will join the AV pilots run by Google's Waymo in Chandler, right outside of Phoenix."

One of the worlds richest looks toward the future

Ever since Gates stepped down from Microsoft in 2006, he and his wife Melinda have been committed to reducing poverty around the world, typically through the Gates Foundation, and improving education in the US. He's also spent a lot of time learning about what makes successful communities, visiting farms, and reading up on the best ways to re-use and recycle.

The picture that has emerged for Gates, like many interested in future urban planning, is one in which cities can support a growing population with limited resources. The United Nations predicts 2.5 billion people will move into cities by 2050. Experts say that migration will only be feasible if there's housing, transportation, and digital communication that can bear the burden.

In many cities, infrastructure technology is decades old and holds the city back.
North Korea Saturday denounced U.S. President Donald Trump's tour of South Korea, China and Japan as a "warmonger's visit" and "war merchant's junket."

"On his first Asia tour since his inauguration, Trump has been roaming around us from Nov. 5," a North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman said in a statement in the official [North] Korean Central News Agency.

He called the tour a "warmonger's visit aimed at depriving [the North] of its self-defensive nuclear deterrent power."

"Making absurd remarks against our ideology and system," Trump "attempted to alienate our government from the people and fan confrontation between [the North] and the international community by demonizing us," the statement added.
In October 2017, the South African leader of the Incredible Happenings ministries ordered a couple to have sex on TV, HINNEWS reports.

In the video, the prophet is seen praying for a man to regain his libido while touching his manhood.

Next, he instructed the couple to have sex. They proceeded to do just that under the covers with the pastor standing right there.

This miracle was filmed at the couples home in Zonke, Ekurhuleni.

ALSO READ: 10 times South African pastors have embarrassed Christianity

Prophet Motsoeneng is no stranger to controversy. In 2016, he claimed to have visited heaven and taken selfies with angels, God and Jesus Christ.

Upon his return, he announced that Jesus has a wife, a black woman from the Xhosa tribe in South Africa.
Ekele who is a 2016 graduate of the University finished with 6.6 Cumulative Grade Point Average out of 7.0.

Speaking to Pulse about his academic feat, Ekele said he was not aware of the fact that no student has never made first class in the department when he came to the University of Ibadan adding that he only came to gain knowledge.

He said, I made 6.8 in my 100 level and it was that time when everybody was talking about it that I realised that between 1948 and now there has been no first class in History.

Attributing his academic success to God and diligence, Ekele said he made sure he never missed a class.

It took the grace of God and hard work to achieve this feat. It takes diligence too, a man has to be diligent in his work and I think this helped me a lot because I did everything I am supposed to do at the right time, finish assignments, attend lectures, in fact, I never missed a class.

Ekele who described himself as an introvert said his experience at the University of Nigeria Nnsuka, where he studied Mass Communication also helped him to be focus on his studies at the University of Ibadan.

Explaining why he chose to have a second degree in History instead of proceeding for his Master program, Ekele said he had always wanted to study history in a school that produced the likes of Wole Shoyinka, Chinua Achebe and Christopher Okigbo.

UI is the home of completeness and when I say completeness I talk of people like Achebe, Okigbo and Shoyinka. People who have sold Nigeria to the world. I think any reasonable human being would want to be associated with their great achievement. I think of myself now as a complete man."

Ekele who had studied Mass Communication at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka before coming to the Premier University to study History also believes UI is the only academic institution in the country that applies a different approach to teaching History.

''UI is the home of analytical history. Our emphasis is analysis rather than narrative. It is about the questions on What and Why. What applies to the narratives while why applies to analysis.

"If you ask now when did Nigeria gain independence, everybody will chorus 1960, that is the question what. That is the narrative. But why did colonial masters decide to give us Independence, that is a why question. Then, you will begin to have a lot of answers, that'll lead to different opinions. That is what UI emphasises as far as History is concerned. The University of Ibadan has the best History department in Nigeria."
The union's National President, Usman Dutse said the union had a meeting with the Ministry of Labour on October 16 to resolve the issues but the ministry has not responded.

We were told by the federal ministry of labour that a memorandum of understanding will be given, but weve not gotten one till date and that is why our members say there is no seriousness on the side of the government.

Dutse also said another meeting has been scheduled with the government for Wednesday, November 15.

Meanwhile, academic activities will be paralysed in all Polytechnics across the country.

ALSO READ: MAPOLY lecturers reject appointment of retired school principal as Rector

He said, ''All academic activities will be suspended during the strike.

Our union is constrained to lament that our sector is on the verge of collapse and needs all the emergency attention it urgently deserves.
Welcome to the Pulse Community! We will now be sending you a daily newsletter on news, entertainment and more. Also join us across all of our other channels - we love to be connected!
Bello said 32,000 applicants to the institution scored 200 and above in their Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination but only 8000 of them will be admitted.

He, however, said applicants must score nothing less than 40% percent in the University's post UTME screening before they could be considered for admission.

ALSO READ:

We know what goes on in our public examinations. That is why we insist on candidates undertaking our post UTME and scoring at least 40 per cent''.
To support the operation operation of the University, President Muhammadu Buhari has approved immediate release of another N1 billion to increase the take-off grant to N2b

In a statement signed the Minister of Niger Delta, Usani Uguru Usani, it is stated that the grant has been included in the 2018 budget presented to the National Assembly.

According to the statement, the presidential approval for the N5B budget allocation was based on the recommendation of a committee in the Ministry of Education tasked with the activation of the university.

The statement reads in part:

President Muhammadu Buhari has also approved an immediate release of N1B to the university to support essential infrastructure works and staff recruitment. This release is separate from the N5B allocated in the 2018 budget submitted to the National Assembly.

Recently, the Maritime University authorities have commenced the process of hiring staff with advert placements published in the Punch, Vanguard, and Sun newspapers, blogs and other online outlets.
His songs have become evergreen contents as he doesn't even need to make a new record for us to continue to appreciate him.

2face from his days as a member of the now-defunct group, Plantashun Boiz was seen as the special one. Everyone liked his verses in all their songs. When he decided to go on a solo career, it didn't take long before we began to see how amazing and talented he is. From his hit song "African Queen" to his conscious music which he has been able to use to preach on a lot of social issue in Nigeria, 2face has shown over the years that he is one versatile artist.

2face is seen as the very nice and down to earth guy who doesn't even act like a celebrity or star and he has been able to win the hearts of a lot of people. He is charming and is always happy and easy going.

Ever been to a 2face concert or an event where he is billed to perform? Trust the excitement from the fans and crowd is beyond amazing. His stage performance is top notch. He is one of those artists whose performance with a live bands is epic. The synergy between him and his band and the way he carries the crowd along is breath-taking.

Now when you take a look at his family front, you can't but admire from afar. From his wife, Annie Idibia whose marriage to 2face, despite his fathering other children before their union, is seen as one made in heaven and highly endorsed by their teaming fans and admirers.

Remember when 2face wanted to spearhead the protest against the Nigerian government over the poor state of affairs of the nation, the support he got from people was massive even though he pulled out at the last minute.
The Suwon District Court on Friday issued an oral warning to one of its judges after she was arrested in Guam for leaving her children alone in a car while she and her husband went shopping.

The 35-year-old judge, identified by her surname Sul, and her lawyer husband were arrested in the U.S. territory last month after they left their six-year-old boy and one-year-old girl in their car while they stopped at a grocery store.

Prosecutors in Guam indicted the couple on charges of neglect, but not child abuse and they were slapped with a US$500 fine each.


Read the excerpts here:

Could you tell us about yourself, family, career, and ministry?

I was born as the fifth child in a family of seven; my father was the late I was born into a Christian home and I remember giving my life to Christ at the age of seven in ECWA 1, Barracks Road, Makurdi, during a Sunday school class.

How did you move from being born again Christian to becoming a preacher of the gospel?

Even though my discipline is in the line of Chemistry, I was sure about my call at the age of 12 or 13 when I had a series of encounters with God and I began to work towards it from that time

My early Christian life was shaped by the writings of and the ministry of Benny Hinn.

My transition to a preacher can be referenced to an encounter I had where I was taken to heaven and I stood on a mountain and watched people going to hell and I was sent to do something about the situation of the people.

This happened when I was 13-years-old. And those moments began to shape my life. I couldn't find rest in any other thing outside the ministry.

You seem to have the power to unlock the word of God with so much depth and accuracy in your preachings. How did you come about that particular gift?

Well, I trace my teaching ability to the great impartation I received while serving under of Sanctuary of Mercy.

The impartation made me begin to desire and study the word of God faithfully and I also began to see very deep things in the scriptures; this has continued for 23 years now.

Your brand of the gospel seems different from the conventional preaching around. What has made you thrive with such unpopular messages?

I was called to preach the Gospel of the kingdom. That's the message for the end time church. Every time I go before God, that's the emphasis I hear in the spirit.

I discovered that Christianity in Nigeria is weak because it is kingless. Once the king is introduced, government and order will set in.

Why are you still headquartered in Makurdi when there seems to be a lot of acceptance for your ministry all over the country?

I am in Makurdi and will remain in Makurdi because God told me many years ago that a mighty revival will break out of the city and the region that will affect the world and that I am one of the ministers chosen to midwife the revival in the territory.

There is this general notion that people who are committed to your Apostolic Centre in Makurdi don't go to church on Sundays. What is your take on this?

Well, I may not know why it is so. I suggest you talk to such people to get their views but I am well aware of members of the ministry that are very strategic and resourceful members of their local assemblies.

Remnant Christian Network is one of the fastest growing apostolic networks in Nigeria. You are literally in all the major cities in Nigeria. What gave birth to this unprecedented growth?

We have been running with a divine policy direction from Isaiah 37:31 which says; 'And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward'.

So going by this policy, we took prayer and intercessory roots for 10 years and the resultant effect is the explosion being witnessed.

Let's talk about your recent invasion of Europe. What was responsible for that with your sons and daughters moving there for studies and work?

The invasion of Europe began with a Skype bible study I did with a family for one year and a few months; that is what translated to the branch in the UK.

But for other parts of Europe, I began with the messages we uploaded to our website for free downloads.

The last time I was in Makurdi, I saw that you are building a massive camp that will have a hospital, a 3, 000 capacity auditorium, a TV station and hostel facilities. What was the inspiration behind this project?

The camp project was as a result of a vision of glory I had many years ago of an apostolic center where many nations of the world will come and find the true God and see accurate apostolic patterns that can be replicated in their various nations.

Where do you see yourself and your ministry in the next 10 years?

In the next 10 years, I am trusting God for the restoration of the true Gospel in Nigeria and Africa through the influence of a strong network of ministers.

I trust God for strong alliances of honorable men in Africa and Europe and the parts of the world enforcing the movement of the spirit of God all over the globe.

Festival of Glory Crusade is around the corner, precisely from November 24 to 26, 2017. What should be expected?
The teenage victim had told the story of her rape at the hands of a North African immigrant at a train station.

ALSO READ: Priest accused of sexually abusing girl impregnated by brother

Guidotti, seeing the story, went on a tirade on Facebook, claiming that the rape had been her fault.

The Inquirer reports that the priest had this to say:

Im sorry but if you swim in the piranha tank you cannot complain if you lose a limb, he wrote.

According to the reports, the post which was visible to his friends alone was reportedly published by Italian website Radio Citta del Capo, going viral afterwards.

Guidotti also reportedly mocked the Italians for welcoming immigrants to the country.

"Sweetie, Im sorry, but you get revoltingly drunk and then who do you go off with? A North African?

"Do you understand that, along with the alcohol, youve gulped down the ideological tirade about welcoming everyone?

"Darling, at this point, waking up semi-naked is the least that could happen to you."

The Bologna archdiocese to which the priest is attached has distanced themselves from his views and opinions. Guidotti's opinions in no way reflects that of the Church, which condemns every sort of violence, they claimed.

At first, the priest claimed that he was not attacking the girl, but was trying to make kids and their parents think.
The group said the IMN led by Sheik Ibrahim El-ZakZaky has continued to cause havoc in some parts of the country and if care was not taken to curb the situation, it might snowball into another disaster in the country.

COCSOTGG was reacting to the recent clash between police and some members of the movement who had gone to the Unity Fountain in Abuja to protest the detention of their leader over acts of terrorism.

The National President of COCSOTGG, Patriot Sabo Ode said Nigerians shall no longer accept the complacency of the AGF on the continued existence of the IMN in the country.

According to Ode, their action is a direct threat and danger to the peace loving and law abiding citizens of Nigeria.

In a statement at a press conference, Ode said:

"We deserve to live and survive in our country, free of molestations or phobia of violence in whatever guise."

Ode added that if the AGF fails to initiate the necessary action now, the IMN sect which, by the estimation of all right-thinking members of the society, is worse than Boko Haram terrorists, will re-enact the regime of bomb attacks in Abuja or elsewhere in Nigeria.

"We are neither the least nor the most concerned about the security of our dear nation, Nigeria. But when we see national security drifting dangerously and fired with impunity by some violent sects, the dire consequences stare us in the face and, we are thus, prompted to voice out, as time has dictated at the moment.

We believe it is our collective responsibility as people of a united federation called Nigeria to work towards those things that perch peace in our hearts and minds, neighborhood or anywhere in the country, then violence.

So, our unadulterated convictions point to the natural understanding that violence solves no problem; but peace and dialogue are universal antidotes and, indisputably, the keys which prosper nations around the world.

We reiterate that the extent or magnitude of bravado does not post any useful results to any of the parties in a rivalry.

Therefore, COCSOTGG was prompted into speaking to the Nigerian public again because Nigerians appear to be very complacent with what we consider to be a thorough misbehavior, affront, and assault on our dear nation, with the siege on Abuja in numbers, exceeding 10, 000 by Shiites members.

Their leader, Shiek Ibrahim El-Zakzaky has taught them everything, except the rule of law or subordination to lawfully constituted authority and government of the Nigeria.

We have observed that members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, who though claim some religious activity, but are, unfortunately, always combat-ready and striking any ideologically unaligned persons with awesome unprovoked violence and murder.

And also, both leaders and adherents boldly profess allegiance to the Islamic Republic of Iran and affiliation with ISIS, as their mentors and sponsors of this bizarre version of Islamism in Nigeria.

Emboldened by this background, IMN sect members breach laws of the Nigerian federation with impunity and dares everybody, with a confounding recklessness or ruthlessness.

From their Spiritual head Sheik El-Zakzaky to incensed aficionados, they all hunger to test their intolerable tempestuousness on the Nigerian public anytime, anywhere, so courageously.

It is the same siege they laid on Zaria City in Kaduna State. It is the same unlawful siege on Kano, Yobe or other states in the North. No one noticed the potential danger at the budding stage.

And the Shiites sect expanded to what it is now, extending to Abuja, after Kaduna state Governor, outlawed the sect at the state level.

In Abuja on their so-called 'peaceful' protests, the IMN sect members did not only hurl insults and held the sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to ransom and in contempt, but stoned the Police, the only civil security agency mandated by law to supervise their lawful protests.

The Police were compelled to necessarily use teargas canisters to disperse the unruly Shiites mob.

The Coalition will be left with no option but to mobilize Nigerians against the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and to pass a vote of no confidence on him until he resigns from the office which he holds in trust for the rest of us.
This term is just another name for a playboy of Yoruba origin.

The term surfaced online circa 2015 and since then it has been used to describe dashing young men from South-Western Nigeria who have a habit of breaking the hearts of ladies.

While viewed by some as an ethnic slur, the term has come to stay. So how do you spot these heart breakers who have inspired threads, sad love stories and juicy gossip?

ALSO READ: Culture is to blame for Yoruba demons

Well, there are 5 pointers below you can use to identify Yoruba demons.

1) Slick tongue

Yoruba demons have a way with words. They can charm anyone just by speaking to them for a few minutes. If a Yoruba demon toasts you, he will leave you feeling like the only woman in the world. They have a way with words that would melt the hardest of hearts. Seduction is on the tip of their tongues and if they use it on you, you will be hooked.

2) Good dressers

Yoruba demons know how to slay and dress to kill. Their sense of fashion and style is engineered to attract the feminine eye. They are mostly associated with the classic white trad outfit that has caught the hearts of many women. It is hard to resist a Yoruba demon when he is rocking a white agbada. As a matter of fact, it is hard to resist them when they rock their Sundays best to toast you.

3) Late replies

Yoruba demons are masters of deception on instant messaging apps. If you send him a message and he leaves you stuck on R for hours, my sister you are talking with a demon of the Yoruba kind. If he removes read receipts on his Whatsapp and never replies because he is busy then he is a Yoruba demon.

4) Surrounded by beautiful women

A Yoruba demon is always surrounded by beautiful women. If you ask him these women are just his friends and relatives. Sometimes he might even tell you that hot chick who followed him to an event is his sister. Dont believe the lies, he has a bunch of women he has on rotation and he wants you to be a part of it.

5) Never picks up his phone
It might be challenging for young Nigerians to make concrete financial decisions due to the economic situation and also the high rate of unemployment in Nigeria.

Notwithstanding you can decide to take good financial steps which could help a lot in the future.

Here are financial steps you need to take the year you graduate.

1. Learn how to budget

You are no longer in school, which means the allowance and funds from your parents might most likely reduce or stop. Which is why the little money you have or get, you need to learn how to budget.

Learning how to budget when you don't have a lot makes it easy for you to know how to manage your expenses when you finally get a steady income.

2. Set financial goals

Though you are out of school and you have no steady income and no job for the period you are job-hunting, you still need to set financial goals you want to achieve.

Both short-term and long-term financial goals. Setting financial goals has a way of fixing your mind to the what you want to achieve financially.

So the earlier you set out with your financial goals, the better for your future expenses and income.

ALSO READ: Ways to make cash as a student in a university

3. Avoid peer pressure

After graduation, not all your friends will get a job or even a good paying job immediately. Some might tell you to hang which you might not be able to afford.

Instead of emptying your income to impress friends find other means you can socialize with your peers.

ALSO READ: Help your teenage kids manage funds

4. Start saving

After school, you shouldn't be told that you will have to take up some responsibilities. You can't start depending on your parents for everything after school, you need to find a way of surviving.

You can start saving out of the little you get from your parents or the from different side hustle.

Learn how to save and be sure of financial freedom.

ALSO READ: 6 money making hobbies millennials should imbibe

5. Create an emergency fund

After graduation comes the real life. You don't know what life has planned for you. Which means you need to have something to fall back on if such situation arises.
Duty-free shops saw a marked rise in online sales to Chinese customers ahead of China's Singles Day, the Chinese version of Black Friday, amid signs that Chinese tourists are returning now that an unofficial boycott has ended. Flights between Korea and China are also filling up again.

A screen at an expo in Shanghai shows daily transactions on Alibaba on Singles Day, the Chinese version of Black Friday. /Courtesy of Alibaba

Lotte's online duty-free sales to Chinese customers in the first 10 days of November rose 12 percent over the same period last year, while Shilla's rose 30 percent. "Cosmetics and beauty products sold particularly well, and discounts and gifts targeting Chinese customers seemed to be paying off," a Shilla staffer said. Newer duty-free shops saw even larger growth in sales this year. Shinsegae saw a 90 percent increase in online sales and HDC Shilla a 69 percent rise. A Shinsegae staffer said customers who buy products online need to come to Korea within two months to pick them up, "so we're making plans for a surge in Chinese group tourists arriving toward the end of this year."

A captured image from Chinese online shopping mall Taobao shows a photo of Korean actress Jeon Ji-hyun used to promote Singles Day, the Chinese version of Black Friday.

According to Incheon International Airport Corporation, the number of flights connecting cities in Korea and China fell to 6,222 in June of this year, when the boycott was at its peak, down 82 percent compared to the same period of 2016. But last month, regular flights between the two countries rose to 6,926, reaching 88 percent of pre-boycott levels. The number of non-regular flights, which fell to less than 10 a month from May to August, rose to 84 in October. An airline industry source said, "When large Chinese travel agencies tell us that they will recruit large numbers of travelers, airlines secure flights one to two months in advance, so we expect big crowds at the end of the year."

Read this article in Korean
This is following a statement by Senator Emmanuel Paulker that Malamis hearing will be done in camera.

According to Vanguard, the AGF said I want to address Nigerians directly on the Maina issue when I appear before the Senate. But I understand the committee to probe the allegations against me and the Minister of Interior wants to do so in camera.

Trying me in secret after I have been vilified openly by the people is not good enough. I will certainly appear before the committee at eleven oclock (11.am) on Tuesday (tomorrow) to speak on the matter but if they bring up the issue of trying me in camera, I would recuse myself from the matter and seek alternative way to explain my position publicly to Nigerians.

Maina's claim

Meanwhile, the man in the centre of the controversy, Abdulrasheed Maina has dismissed the allegations of corruption levelled against him.

Maina said that he is being persecuted for exposing the real pension thieves.

He also said that the Presidential Task Team on Pension Reforms (PTTPR), which he chaired, saved Nigeria about N282 billion from June 2010 when it was constituted.

According to reports, the former pensions reforms boss has been in hiding since he was sacked by President Buhari.
According to a report by TheCable, Hassan, who was the coordinator of peace keeping at the Ministry of Defence, is currently facing a court-martial after his arraignment before a military court on October 30, 2017.

He was arraigned on two charges of spreading rumours about the president's death and demanding $600,000 bribe from a defence contractor.

President Buhari had approved the sum of $1,464,750 on September 26, 2016, for the relocation and refurbishment of Level 2 Ministry Hospital under the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) following a directive from the UN.

The president approved the same contract again on November 9, 2016, this time for the sum of $1,000,000, with the contract awarded to Opems Integrated Concepts Ltd in February 2017.

Even though the company was directed to execute the project before April 2017, it was never done in that time, leading to a violation of the August 2017 deadline for the relocation of the hospital.

After the failure to execute the contract, the Ministry of Defence had issued a directive to serving military officers to execute it through the supply of medical equipment as well as dismantling and re-assembling the hospital at a new camp.

This had prompted Brigadier-General Hassan to reportedly demand $600,000 from Opems, unaware that he was being recorded on tape.

When he was asked by the contractor if he wasn't afraid of being caught up in President Buhari's anti-corruption war, Hassan allegedly replied, "If the president queries us, we will eliminate him."

ALSO READ: Buhari says culture of recklessness is fast vanishing

Despite Hassan being the only military personnel being prosecuted for the embezzlement of the original contract sum, TheCable reported that insiders in the Ministry of Defence said he was only a scapegoat and many others allegedly shared the money.
He said the country cannot afford to be trailing the rest of the world in education and must employ crucial measures to raise the standard.

He reaffirmed his administration's commitment to confronting and tackling the challenges in the education sector as it would also help to secure and stabilise the country.

His full statement read, "I am delighted to welcome you all to this important ministerial summit which I consider crucial to our quest to improving the lot of our people through the provision of quality and functional education for all, at all levels.

"I want to begin by congratulating the Minister of Education and the entire education family for setting the stage for this national conversation that is aimed at refocusing the education sector not only to overcome the numerous challenges, but also to strengthen the Ministerial Strategic Plan that has already been developed by the ministry.

"The significance of this summit is obvious. We cannot progress beyond the level and standard of our education. Today, it is those who acquire the most qualitative education, equipped with requisite skills and training, and empowered with practical knowhow that are leading the rest.

"We cannot afford to continue lagging behind. Education is our launch-pad to a more successful, more productive and more prosperous future. This administration is committed to revitalizing our education system and making it more responsive and globally competitive.

"One of the primary roles of education is to build and sustain individual and societys development. It renews and improves the economic, social, political and cultural aspects of any nation.

"Education upgrades the living standard of citizens and enables people to become better and more productive citizens. It is a human right that creates a safe, healthy and prosperous society.

"It changes the visions and perspectives of individuals, enhances critical decisions and improves democracy. Indeed education is paramount and necessary requirement for all-round development.

"Nigerias participation in all relevant international education fora together with our investment in education and collaboration with development partners is an indication of high level of commitment towards ensuring that every capable Nigerian receives good quality education.

"These efforts are justifiable only to the extent that schooling is effective in promoting the realization of national objectives, attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and Education For All (EFA) by 2030.

"These targets are, happily, in harmony with the manifesto and the CHANGE agenda of our Party, the All Progressive Congress (APC).

"It is also in agreement with my campaign promises during the 2015 elections exercise and in pursuit of the yearnings and aspirations of the generality of Nigerian citizens.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the state of education in Nigeria calls for a serious concern and that is why we are all gathered here today. The problem is no longer a secret that the quality of education in Nigeria requires greater attention and improvement.

"That our country is facing numerous challenges in education and all other sectors as a result of historical abuses, mindless impunity and corruption is not news to anyone.

"With an estimated 13.2 million children out of school, high illiteracy level, infrastructural deficit and decay, unqualified teachers, and inadequate instructional materials, to mention some of the challenges, we can clearly see the effect of decades of neglect that the education sector has suffered.

"We are determined to turnaround the sector for the better. We are already making appreciable progress in this respect. This summit must therefore, among other things, sharpen our strategies for addressing the challenges of basic and secondary education, teacher training and professional development; technical and vocational education.

"The summit must work to enhance quality in, and access to, higher education and other challenges in the sector that will debar us from attaining the SDGs and be among the top 20 economies in the world.

"My firm belief is that with the calibre of participants at this summit, the road to a better future is before us and we must chart it.

"It is my expectation that at the end of this summit, we shall come up with feasible, implementable but far-reaching action plans for the ministerial strategic plan that would make education play the pivotal role as the engine that drives national prosperity and development.

"While there are numerous other competing demands and responsibilities from different sectors of the economy, I want to assure you of this administrations commitment to confronting and tackling the challenges in the education sector. This will be part of our deliberate policy of revitalizing education provisioning and capacity building.

"Ladies and gentlemen, let me in conclusion, emphasize that we must get it right in this country. To get it right means setting our education sector on the right path.

"No nation can achieve economic, social, political and cultural prosperity without a sound and functional education system.

"We should also bear in mind that the security and stability of the country hinges, to a large extent, on its ability to provide functional education to its citizens.

"It is on this note and in the name of God that I declare this summit open. I look forward to reading your conclusions and recommendations for action by Government."
According to Daily Post, she said I came to Lagos on a vital intelligence on the subsidy scam and as soon as I arrested a key culprit, I got a call from the Presidential Villa asking me to release the suspect, because, in their words, he is our person, but I refused to let him off and days after, I was removed from office.

The former EFCC boss said if she had not been sacked, she would have been traumatised.

She also said Im only glad that those things didnt happen under my watch as the EFCC Chairman because it would have been too traumatic for me.

Farida Waziri thanks Goodluck Jonathan

And that is why if I see President Jonathan today, I will kneel down to thank him for the honour done me by removing me as the EFCC Chairman at the time he did.
Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola announced this at the 21 monthly power sector meeting in Asaba.

Fashola, in a text of his opening remark made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, said that the money recovered was from Benin and Niger Republics.

He said that Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trader (NBET) would work out modalities for distribution of the fund to the value chain operators.

The minister also announced that Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has completed guidelines for the operation of the rural electrification fund.

He said that the fund would help vulnerable groups and communities to gain access to funding to support their electricity development programme.

"By way of explanation, the rural electrification fund was created by section 88 of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act (EPSRA) of 2005 to promote support and provide rural electrification access.

"The fund will provide a partial single payment capital subsidy and or technical assistance to eligible private Rural Power Developers, NGOs or communities to invest in options such as hybrid mini grids or solar home systems to scale up rural access to electricity.

"What they are likely to get are minimum amounts of N3.5m and maximum amounts of N106m or 75 per cent of project cost whichever is less," he said.

According to him, REA will publish details of the guidelines and eligibility.

These, he said, were only headline items of developments that characterised the progress the government was making month after month, especially since March 2017.

He said that progress was also being recorded at the distribution levels.

He listed the recent achievements in the franchise areas of the Benin DisCo to include the newly completed Asaba main 2x15MVA injection substation commissioned on Monday.

Fashola said the completion of the substation was expected to improve service by reduction of load shedding and increase power supply to Okwe, Akuebulu, Jarret, Ogbeofu, Osadebe way, Okwe housing estate and Oduke.

"Minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day, week by week and month by month we have not only gained momentum, we are seeing progress that inspires us to continue, because the power problem can be successfully managed by Nigerians."

On further measures to improve power supply in the coverage areas of the Benin DisCos, Fashola said Asaba  Benin 330KV line was energized to service on Nov. 3.

Asaba 330kv substation is now being fed from both Benin and Onitsha.

"The line also raised the number of circuits from Onitsha to Benin to three.

According to him, a 40mva 132/33kv mobile transformer is undergoing installation at Auchi with in-house capacity to be commissioned in two weeks time.

Fashola also disclosed that a new 330/ 132kv substation would be constructed at Okpai with a 132kv line from the station to service a proposed 132/33kv substation at Kwale.

He also hinted that installation of a new 60mva 132/33kv transformer would commence at Irrua transmission station any time from now.

The minster thanked well-meaning Nigerians who acknowledged that their experience on the power supply had improved, adding that their honesty inspired government and the operators to continue the improvement.

He, however, admitted that there were other challenges that must be collectively addressed.
The whistle-blower behind the discovery of $43.5 million, 27,800 and N23.2 million from an Ikoyi apartment at No. 16 Osborne Road, in Lagos had publicly condemned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for failing to pay him his 5% commission as stipulated in the recently-signed Whistleblower Policy.

Through his lawyer, Yakubu Galadima, the unnamed whistleblower said the agency had failed to pay him and instead had subjected him to unfair treatment.

In response to the public condemnation that has trailed the development, Mrs Adeosun has clarified the government's position, explaining that the whistleblower in question is part of the batch that would be paid in November.

She explained that failure to pay the whistleblower was a procedural one and that more than 20 people have already been paid under the provision of the policy.

Taking to her Twitter account on Sunday, November 12, 2017, she posted, "Let me make it clear that the Federal Government will not withhold any funds due to any whistleblower. The Whistleblower Policy has detailed procedures for processing payments. The procedures were designed to prevent abuse and legal disputes and to ensure protection of the information providers.

"These procedures include: an application by the agency that recovered the funds, confirmation that there are no pending legal issues on the recovery, verification of the identity of the information provider, calculation of amount payable, and computation of relevant taxes.

"Whistleblower payments are made in monthly batches. To date, over 20 of such persons have been paid.

"From available records, the payment due on the Ikoyi Apartment recovery is among those being processed in the November batch, which will be released within the current month.

"The Whistleblowing Policy remains one of the Buhari administration's successful initiatives. We're fully committed to ensuring that all those who respond to the policy and partner with us in the recovery effort are paid in full and, most importantly, have their identity protected.

"Let me reiterate that the Federal Government will not withhold any payments due to any whistleblower."

Ikoyi Loot

The loot was recovered by officials of the EFCC in Flat 7B, No. 16, Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos during a raid on Wednesday, April 12, 2017.

A lot of controversy trailed the discovery of the loot, with public outcry, especially on social media, demanding that the culprits be brought to book.

The loot was initially claimed to belong to the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) when its director Ayodele Oke said that the amount in the apartment was marked for covert operations. After President Muhammadu Buhari suspended Oke and set up a three-man panel headed by Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, to properly investigate the matter, he was sacked on October 30.

The issue became even more controversial when Senator George Sekibo, a lawmaker who represented Rivers East senatorial district at the time, appeared at plenary with a whistle, claiming that the loot belongs to the Rivers state government.

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, further claimed ownership of the funds which he alleged were misappropriated from the state by his predecessor, Rotimi Amaechi.

Former aviation minister, Fani Kayode,and spokesperson of Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, Lere Olayinka also insisted that the apartment where the loot was found belonged to Amaechi. The current Minister of Transportation strongly denied the claims.

The loot has also been linked to former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Adamu Mu'azu; senator representing Lagos west, Solomon Adeola; and an ex-managing director of Petroleum Products Pricing and Marketing Company (PPMC), Esther Nnamdi-Obue.

On June 6, JusticeSule Hassan of a Federal High Court division in Lagos ordered the final forfeiture of the monies recovered to the Federal Government.

ALSO READ: Court orders interim forfeiture of Ikoyi property

Payment controversy

While speaking at the 7th Session of the Conference of States Parties to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption in Austria, on Thursday, November 9, EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Magu, said the whistleblower is already a millionaire by virtue of the percentage he was officially entitled to.

In response, his counsel, Galadima, fired back and said he had been treated poorly by the commission in his efforts to get his entitlement.
In a statement issued by the proscribed group's spokesperson, Emma Powerful, on Monday, November 13, 2017, he said that the president is unwelcome on Biafran soil and that his presence will provoke them to violence.

The group also stuck to the group's wild conspiracy theory that the president is an impostor from Sudan and criticised southeast governors and the Ohaneze Ndigbo for their involvement in the president's planned visit.

The group hinged its agitation on the president's culpability in the alleged death of 91 IPOB members who were allegedly killed in confrontations with the Nigerian Army during the controversial Operation Python Dance II in September that has also been blamed for the disappearance of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

The statement read, "The consequences of any fall out from the visit of the impostor Jubril to Ebonyi State will rest squarely on the head of Chief John Nnia Nwodo, Gov. Dave Umahi, Rochas Okorocha and the rest of South East governors.

"Bringing this version of 'Buhari' to insult the memory of those killed at Enugu, Nkpor, Igweocha, Aba, Onitsha and lastly Umuahia will not be tolerated by IPOB and every right thinking Biafran for that matter.

"This is tantamount to an Israeli politician inviting Adolf Hitler to visit Jerusalem to mock the Jews he slaughtered in Concentration Camps during the holocaust.

"Tuesday 14th November 2017 will be recorded in history as a very bloody day should that Jubril masquerading as Buhari attempt to land on Biafran soil.

"We have remained passive and peaceful but it appears that Hausa Fulani slave politicians in Igboland are hell bent on provoking us to become violent. Whoever advised Ohaneze Ndigbo and Igbo governors to embark on this suicide mission does not wish them well.

"Reason this man, in whose name Operation Python Dance was ordered; an operation that swallowed 91 of our brethren, is visiting Ebonyi state through Enugu airport is best known to Chief John Nnia Nwodo and Gov. Dave Umahi.

"For those that claim to be intellectual elites, their palpable lack of a sense of history showcases their ignorance at every turn. They are planning to welcome a man in the name Buhari, a name that is responsible for the worst war crimes and genocide in recent times against our people.

"The only atrocity left, for the likes of Nnia Nwodo and Dave Umahi, is for Biafraland to be transformed into a giant estate of the Fulani caliphate, with small labour camps owned by their Emirs, with Biafrans as their labouring slaves.

"This Jubril person coming in the name of Buhari, it should be noted, is also planning to visit Anambra State on Wednesday 15th November in order to put executive finishing touches to the APC rigging plot to install the caliphate's latest young Igbo recruit Tony Nwoye. This they hope will cement the ongoing humiliation and conquest of our people. God forbid!

"Our message is short and simple. JUBRIL a.k.a Muhammadu Buhari will be exposed to the world as the impostor he is by making sure he never goes back alive. We will die with him should he set his foot on the sacred land of Biafra. HE WILL NOT GO BACK ALIVE. He is coming to mock us and to urinate on the graves of our 91 brethren his Operation Python Dance killed in Abia State. He is coming to show us that power belongs to the North and their slaves like Nnia Nwodo and Dave Umahi are in charge over their conquered territory and defeated people of Biafra. He has come to tell us we are forever slaves of his Islamic caliphate.

"This thing Jubril is only coming to confirm to us that he is our lord and master. WE WILL NOT ACCEPT IT. He can lord it over Ohaneze Ndigbo, Igbo governors and Abuja rent boys but never over we die-hard Biafrans.

"The Governor that invited him will definitely pay a heavy price, he and his children long after Jubril must have returned to Sudan and Okorocha back to Jos.

"Buhari instructed soldiers to kill Nnamdi Kanu at his Afaraukwu Abia State residence 2 months ago. We are yet to know our leader's whereabouts or that of his parents. This is not the type of person any governor should be welcoming to their land.

"We have tried for years to avoid bloodshed, but our enemies have finally provoked us beyond measure. That Nnia Nwodo and Dave Umahi saw it fit to bring this Fulani hater of Igbos from Daura into our land to mock us proves that they are the problem of our people not the solution. We are going to perish together with this 'Buhari'. Its a promise."

ALSO READ: Army General threatened to kill Buhari over defence contract
The government will give another W66 billion to South Korean manufacturers who were kicked out of the cross-border Kaesong Industrial Complex in North Korea last year, it said Sunday (US$1=W1,120).

That brings total support for the hapless manufacturers to W588.3 billion. The government said this will be the final payment.

The decision was announced by Vice Unification Minister Chun Hae-sung, who said the government wants to take responsibility for the "abrupt policy change" that left manufacturers in the industrial park high and dry.

The complex, a dicey proposition since it opened amid a short-lived thaw in 2004, was shut down in February last year.

The government said it also will give financial support to companies that were affected by the closures of package tours to North Korea's scenic Mt. Kumgang resort in 2008 and other inter-Korean economic projects that were halted in 2010.

A Unification Ministry official said 900 businesses that were involved in joint economic projects will be given between W5 million to W40 million each in aid.
In a series of tweets on the President's official Twitter account on Monday, November 13, 2017, he said that the situation the education sector is in jeopardy when teachers cannot pass the exams they're supposed to administer to their students.

He also revealed that he has discussed the situation with Governor El-Rufai to talk about implementation of reforms in the education sector.

He tweeted, "I just opened a Special Retreat of the Federal Executive Council on the challenges facing Nigeria's education sector. We've brought together Government officials, academic experts, civil society and development institutions for this all-important conversation.

"I touched on the situation in Kaduna, where Governor is trying to implement important reforms. It's a very serious situation when teachers cannot pass the exams they're supposed to administer to their students. It underscores the urgent need for comprehensive national reform."

ALSO READ: See test scripts of Kaduna teachers who failed primary school exam

21,780 failed exam

Of the 33,000 primary school teachers who sat for the examination conducted by the state's Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), only 11,220 passed the exercise.

After issuing a one-month notice to the failed teachers to prepare for disengagement from service, the Kaduna State Executive Council has approved the immediate commencement of the process of recruiting 25,000 new primary school teachers.

In reaction to the dismissal, several protests have sprung up across the state resulting in a violent attack on lawmakers and vandalisation of properties worth millions at the state's House of Assembly complex.

Failed teachers can enroll for recruitment

Teachers who failed the exam and were disengaged have been encouraged to enroll again for the state's ongoing recruitment of new teachers with submission of applications slated to end on November 19.
Mallam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, made this known in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday.

The presidential aide cited the recent series of interviews by a former governor of Jigawa and presidential aspirant under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Sule Lamido, attacking President Buharis efforts on ongoing war against corruption, as part of the grand plan.

He, however, described the attacks by Lamido as a reflection of the intellectual and moral bankruptcy of the opposition in the country.

It is only in Nigeria that a leader will divert money belonging to the public into his childrens account then turns round to start pontificating on public morals, in the process subjecting the nations honest leadership to daily attacks based on falsehood.

It is even worse that such a person, facing criminal prosecution will start going round saying he wants to be president. Is this not one of the reasons why other countries are laughing at Nigeria?

This is hooliganism. It is not opposition politics, Shehu noted.

The presidential spokesman challenged Lamido to convince Nigerians that his trenchant attacks against the government and the judiciary were not a smokescreen to becloud the atmosphere of his criminal prosecution.

In his diatribe published in the Vanguard newspaper last week, it is clear that the former governor not only set out to mock the President but the judiciary and important national institutions.

According to him, this is part of an orchestrated plot to divert public attention from his scam related cases.

He added that, If President Buharis war against corruption as he said, was a mockery what does one say of Lamidos sworn efforts to sabotage the countrys efforts to rid itself of the cancer of corruption?

If accountability of public officials is the very essence of a mature democracy, it is indeed ironic that a politician, seeking the leadership of the country, making a mockery of institutions and leaders seeking to entrench that.

As a country, Nigeria settled for President Buhari not just as President but the watchman of peoples wealth.

Shehu observed that the citizens are happy with Buharis efforts in fighting corruption and the whole world was applauding him, while the African Union, the AU named him as the Champion of the war against corruption.

He stated that opposition politicians like Lamido needed to come to terms with the fact that their act needed updating.

It is an irony

Shehu further quoted Buhari Media Support Group (BMSG) that said, the nations war against corruption spearheaded by EFCC was incidentally formulated by the a past PDP administration.

t is a tragic irony that the leaders of the same party are doing their utmost to weaken or destroy it. Watch it, is that why he is seeking to lead the country?

ALSO READ:President Buhari meets with CAN leaders in Aso Rock

ime and again, President Buhari had lamented that strongmen had destroyed the countrys strong institutions and that it will take strong men to rebuild them.

He deserves the support of everyone to rebuild such institutions because they serve a common good.
According to reports, there was a clash between the convoy of the Governor and that of the minister of transportation, Rotimi Amaechi in Port-Harcourt on Saturday, November 11, 2017.

The PDP described the incident as an attempt by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to cause crisis in the state.

The party also issued a statement which was signed by Chinwe Nnorom on behalf of Dayo Adeyeye, its spokesman, described Saturdays incident was an invitation to anarchy.

The statement reads: The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is once again constrained to draw the attention of President Muhammadu Buhari to another assassination attempt by his Minister of Transport, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi on the Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike yesterday being Saturday, November 11, 2017 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The Convoy of Governor Wike was ambushed by a contingent of security apparatus led by the commander of Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS), in Rivers State, Mr. Akin Fakorede and supervised by Amaechis ADC, Mr. Debewari. These constant harrasement and attempt on the Life of Governor Wike is an open invitation to anarchy and another plan of the APC to ignite crisis against Rivers State.

The public is aware that the Minister of Transport has been making attempts on the Life of Governor Wike, and in all of the attempts, the Commander of SARS in Rivers State, Mr. Fakorede is ever ready to lead the ill-advised onslaught.

Again, we condemn this attack in very strong terms and call on President Buhari to order the immediate transfer of Mr. Fakorede of SARS out of Rivers State. Any delay in effecting this change will be taken that President Buhari is fully in charge of these ugly activities in the State.

We are also calling on the International Community to take note of this chain of activity that are carefully planned by the Ruling APC and being executed by the Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi. If anything happens to Governor Wike or his immediate family and aides, the APC and Mr. Amaechi should be held responsible. A stitch in time saves nine.
The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) recalls that the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Idris Ibrahim on Nov. 3 at the Also Villa, announced the deployment of 21,000 personnel for the election.

A statement by the Force spokesman, CSP Jimoh Moshood, said that the personnel would comprised police special forces, Police Mobile Force ( PMF), Counter Terrorism Unit ( CTU) and Special Protection Unit ( SPU).

Others are: Anti Bomb Squad, Marine Police, Force Armament Unit, FCIID, Mounted Troops, Dogs Section, Police Gun Boats and the Armoured Personnel Carriers ( APC).

He said that 303 police patrol vehicles were among vehicles deployed for the operations to cover the entire state including the riverine areas.

Moshood said that the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of operations had also been deployed to the state and would be assisted an Assistant Inspector-General of Police.

He said that three commissioners of police would be in charge of each senatorial district, to coordinate the security operations and deployment of security personnel throughout the election.

The spokesman said that police personnel deployed for the election were under strict instruction to be polite and civil in discharging their duties.

He said that there would be no vehicular movement in and out of the the state during the election from midnight on Nov. 17 till after the voting period on the day of the election.

Police Vs IPOB

Moshood warned the outlawed IPOB and its members, to steer clear of the state as the police would not hesitate to use all legal means to checkmate them.

ALSO READ:IPOB members threaten to kill voters in Anambra

He advised political parties, their leadership and traditional rulers to prevail on their supporters to be law abiding during and after the election.
ROAM operates various of Africas leading Classifieds businesses across the continent and will from now on activate synergies that will allow both buyers and sellers to benefit from a unprecedent ecosystem. Clemens Weitz, previously COO of Ringier Africa Classifieds, has been appointed as the CEO of ROAM.

ROAMs portfolio comprises both vertical classifieds in cars, jobs and real estate as well as general classifieds where a large variety of products can be sold and bought by professionals and individuals alike. It combines One Africa Media's vertical classifieds businesses Jobberman, BrighterMonday, Cheki, BuyRentKenya and Private Property Nigeria with Ringier Africas general classifieds Expat-Dakar, ZoomTanzania, PigiaMe and Qefira and property portal MaMaison. In addition, new partners such as Mediatiz in Mauritius and Classifieds.co.zw and Property.co.zw are intended to join the group.

As of today, the launch between the two groups of companies becomes official and operational. The various platforms now benefit from synergies between the individual businesses, greater knowledge sharing and joint technology. They are managed from the teams on the ground in the nine countries where ROAM is present: Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Mauritius and Ethiopia. The technology and product development teams are based in Cape Town and Mauritius.

Robin Lingg, CEO Ringier Africa and Asia: Together with our partners, and main shareholders of One Africa Media respectively, Tiger Global Management and SEEK, the leading global employment marketplace Group, we strive to make ROAM the most innovative, encompassing and successful classifieds company in Sub-Saharan Africa. With our strong local brands we enjoy the trust of our users and develop solutions, which are a perfect fit for African users. Clemens Weitz has been appointed as the CEO of the new ROAM Group and I am looking forward to continued cooperation. Clemens joined us in Africa in 2014 and has extensive experience in this field.
Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates supported the Saudi request, which was also approved by Djibouti, the current chair of the pan-Arab bloc, said the document shown to AFP by diplomats on Sunday.

Tensions have been rising between Saudi Arabia and Iran, including over League members Qatar and Lebanon.

Sunni Muslim powerhouse Saudi Arabia and Iran, the predominant Shiite power, are long-standing rivals based as much in geostrategic interests as religious differences.

Facing off across the Gulf, the two energy-rich powers have for decades stood on opposing sides of conflicts in the Middle East.

According to the memo, the Saudi request for an Arab League meeting was based on a missile the Sunni-ruled kingdom says its air defences intercepted near Riyadh after being fired from Yemen on November 4.

A Saudi-led coalition has been battling Shiite Huthi rebels in Yemen, and it has accused the Iran-backed rebels of firing the missile.

Saudi Arabia's powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman later accused Iran of "direct military aggression" against the kingdom by supplying the rebels with ballistic missiles.

But Iran denied any involvement in the missile attack, with President Hassan Rouhani warning that the Islamic republic's "might" would fend off any challenge.

Trading blame

According to the memo, Saudi Arabia also decried what it described as "sabotage" and "terrorism" over a pipeline fire in Bahrain on Friday that temporarily halted oil supplies from its territory.

Bahrain's foreign minister blamed Iran for the fire.

"The attempt to blow up the Saudi-Bahraini pipeline is a dangerous escalation on Iran's part that aims to terrorise citizens and to harm the world oil industry," Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed al-Khalifa wrote on Twitter.

Tehran rejected any involvement in the incident, calling the allegation "childish".

In its request for the meeting of Arab foreign ministers, Saudi Arabia referred to those two incidents "in addition to the violations committed by Iran in the Arab region, which undermines security and peace, not only in the Arab region, but around the globe," according to the memo.

Saudi Arabia has been at the forefront of a dispute with Qatar since June 5, leading a group of nations including Bahrain, Egypt and the UAE in accusing Doha of supporting terrorism.

Riyadh has for its part been accused of being behind last weekend's resignation of Lebanese prime minister Saad Hariri, in a televised address from Riyadh.

In his broadcast, Hariri accused Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah of taking over Lebanon and destabilising the broader region, saying he feared for his life.
The decision to remove FARC from the list permanently comes after the EU suspended its terror listing in September 2016 in a bid to help the peace process in Colombia.

"The Council adopted the legal acts providing for the de-listing of the FARC from the EU list of individuals and entities subject to restrictive measures to combat terrorism," an EU official told AFP, adding that the decision would be announced officially on Tuesday.

After agreeing to the peace deal and disarming, the rebels transformed their movement into a political party, keeping the same initials but changing the official name to the Common Alternative Revolutionary Force.

Rodrigo Londono, 58, the group's guerilla leader better known by his nickname "Timochenko", will run in the presidential election for the party, with the first round of voting scheduled for May 2018.

The UN has heard of concerns about progress under the peace deal. There are warnings that the reintegration of former fighters is not progressing well, with many finding it difficult to return to civilian life.
UNESCO's new leader Audrey Azoulay has promised to promote unity and reduce tensions in the global culture body, casting doubt on Korea's efforts to list divisive documents on the Memory of the World Register.

Azoulay, a former French culture minister, told AFP on Saturday, "To rebuild unity, we must promote UNESCO's assets and its knowhow, as well as that of its members."

UNESCO "must show, through its actions, that [it] is addressing the challenges of globalization today," she said. She pledged to "reduce a certain amount of tension" but conceded that difficulties will "always exist."
"The leaders of each party have expressed their willingness to start official negotiations in order to reach an agreement about the future government and ministerial posts," a statement from President Gudni Johannesson's office said.

Iceland's snap election in October saw a record eight parties win seats but left none close to a majority.

Under the Icelandic system, the president, who holds a largely ceremonial role, usually charges the leader of the biggest party with putting a government together.

But it was Katrin Jakobsdottir, whose Left-Green party came second in the polls, who was first tasked with holding coalition talks.

Last week she failed to reach agreement with the Social Democratic Alliance, the anti-establishment Pirate Party and the centre-right Progressive Party.

Benediktsson called the snap election on October 28 after a junior member of his centre-right coalition quit over a legal scandal involving Benediktsson's father.
While many marchers denied membership of or sympathy for extreme right groups, the event also drew representatives of far-right parties from Britain, Hungary, Italy and Slovakia, among others.

Dramatic images of the event showed some marchers holding banners saying "Pure blood" and "Europe will be white", while others chanted "Pure Poland, white Poland" and "Refugees get out".

Poland's conservative President Andrzej Duda insisted Monday that "there is no place or consent in our country for xenophobia, there is no place in our country for sick nationalism, there is no place in our country for anti-Semitism."

The American Jewish Congress on Monday urged the "Polish government to expressly oppose the hatred fueled by the Polish extreme right."

The AJC added that the march "was used to promote the slogans of white supremacists and neo-Nazi rhetoric."

Duda was echoed by the powerful leader of Poland's ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, widely regarded as Poland's defacto powerbroker.

Kaczynski called the far-right slogans at Saturday's march "extremely bad, completely unacceptable", but insisted they were "very marginal" incidents.

"The Polish tradition that we identify with has nothing to do with anti-Semitism, we are far from it, and have nothing to do with racism, nothing to do with xenophobia," Kaczynski said.

He also said the racist slogans could have been a "provocation" by "those who want to harm Poland", without specifying who he had in mind.
The crowd, comprising chiefly young adults, converged on the headquarters of the ruling Social Democratic party and denounced the party as "thieves".

"We cannot have confidence in leaders -- they want to bring justice under political control," said one protester, 42-year-old computer scientist Iulian Sandu.

Caludiu Dumitrescu, a 35-year-old restaurateur, blasted the government's economic policies which he said he had weakened the leu currency and forced up the price of fuel.

Other marches took place in the western cities of Cluj and Timisoara and the central city of Brasov.

Last week, a similar rally drew some 12,000 people to Bucharest.

Similar protests were also held in dozens of other cities across the country opposing the parliamentary bill that would reduce the powers of the anti-corruption prosecutor's office (DNA) and prevent it from investigating magistrates.

The bill would also mean the president could no longer name senior prosecutors.

Last January, the government tried to soften anti-corruption laws, only to backtrack under pressure after a series of huge protests, the largest since the end of communism in 1989.

The European Commission has warned Romania that its bid to overhaul its justice system could undermine efforts to stamp out rampant corruption.
Myanmar is the country formerly known as Burma.

Tillerson is expected to adopt a firm tone with military leaders there, whom he has deemed "responsible" for the crisis facing the Rohingya, an embattled Muslim minority that has seen more than 600,000 of its members flee to neighboring Bangladesh in two and a half months.

In the name of putting down a supposed Rohingya rebellion, the army has since late August waged a sweeping military campaign in the western state of Rakhine, burning villages and sending thousands into what has become the largest exodus in today's world.

The United Nations has denounced the campaign, including allegations of killings and mass rape, as "ethnic cleansing."

'Shocking' scenes

Recently returned from Myanmar and the overflowing refugee camps in Bangladesh, Simon Henshaw, the State Department official responsible for refugee and migration issues, said the scene in the camps was "shocking."

"The scale of the refugee crisis is immense," he said, adding: "The conditions are tough. People are suffering."

"Many refugees told us, through tears, accounts of seeing their villages burned, their relatives killed in front of them," Henshaw said.

"The world can't just stand by and be witness to the atrocities that are being reported in that area," Tillerson said last month.

But it is unclear what steps the United States might take. Up to now, the State Department has merely strengthened a few punitive measures aimed at Myanmar's army.

'Little concrete action'

The initial condemnations were "important," Sarah Margon of the organization Human Rights Watch told AFP, "but they stopped and there has been very little concrete action since then."

She called for targeted economic sanctions meant to bring an end to "some of the most brutal and horrific atrocities that have been seen in years."

In the absence of more determined action from the White House or State Department, several members of the US Congress are calling for sanctions to limit military cooperation with Myanmar and ban its army members from US soil. A draft bill would also ban the importation of rubies or jade from the country.

"The bill is an important, although belated, first step in pushing the Myanmar military to end the violence in Rakhine state," said Joshua Kurlantzick of the New York-based Council on Foreign Relations. Now, he said, other parts of the government "should take action as well."

The State Department has not ruled out supporting further sanctions.

But the United States has been careful not to place blame on Aung San Suu Kyi, drawing a line between the military and the civilian government led by the Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

While Suu Kyi has faced considerable criticism abroad for her apparent lack of empathy for the Rohingya, Washington has reaffirmed its support for her, saluting her commitment to allow the peaceful return of refugees.

A swipe at Suu Kyi

The US ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, did however take a side swipe at Suu Kyi, saying the situation in her country "should shame senior Burmese leaders who have sacrificed so much for an open, democratic Burma."

The United States wants to support "the transition to a civilian government (but) make sure there's no backsliding," said a senior State Department official, speaking on background while emphasizing that Suu Kyi, once a dissident, has to deal with an army that ruled unchallenged for nearly a half-century.

And new sanctions could be taken badly in Myanmar, said historian Thant Myint-U. In the past, he told AFP, sanctions "made any transition to democracy less likely to succeed, and entrenched the isolation that is at the heart of all of Burma's problems."

Margon of Human Rights Watch acknowledged that Myanmar is in "really a difficult, delicate balance," and added that the civilian government had been "very disappointing" in its handling of the refugee crisis.

Still, she added, "they are not the ones committing the atrocities, they are not the ones responsible for the ethnic cleansing."

But Margon and, separately, Kurlantzick said the United States could privately deliver a stern message to Suu Kyi on the urgent need to do more.
The soldier was shot in the shoulder and elbow and was picked up bleeding on the South side of a portion of the border known as the Joint Security Area.

It is rare for the North's troops to defect at the truce village, a major tourist attraction and the only part of the frontier where forces from the two sides come face-to-face.

"Our military has taken in a North Korean soldier after he crossed from a North Korea post towards our Freedom House," Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said in a statement, referring to a building on the South side of the village which is bisected by the borderline.

An JCS official quoted by Yonhap news agency said the soldier was evacuated to a private hospital by a UN helicopter.

The official said the South's soldiers heard a gunshot and then retrieved the unarmed and bleeding soldier in the mid-afternoon.

No personal details have been released but his uniform suggested he was low-ranking, Yonhap said.

The JCS official said the soldier had regained consciousness but declined comment on whether his injuries were life-threatening.

There has been no exchange of gunfire between the two sides, but the South's military said it has raised its level of alertness against any North Korean provocations.

No tourists were in the Joint Security Area at the time because such tours do not run on Monday, said a spokesman for United States Forces Korea which approves the visits.

Military officials from the two sides have used Panmunjom frequently in the past for talks. Unlike the rest of the frontier, Panmunjom is not fortified and the border is marked only by a low concrete divider.

Over the decades since the peninsula was divided, dozens of North Korean soldiers have fled to the South through the heavily fortified Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) along the rest of the border.

Two North Korean soldiers came over to the South in June after crossing the frontier.

Relations between the two sides have been tense for months, as the North stepped up its missile tests. In September it carried out its sixth and largest nuclear test, of what it described as a hydrogen bomb.

More than 30,000 North Korean civilians have fled their homeland since the two nations came into being in 1948. But it is very rare for civilians to cross the closely guarded border with the South, which is fortified with minefields and barbed wire.
GLADWYNE, Pa.  An injured dog will bite, even if it is your own.

If there was one takeaway at the first-aid class for K-9 police officers held at Gladwyne Fire Company recently it was this: Dont take risks when a dogs teeth are inches from your face.

They have some deeply wired behaviors, said Jon Detweiler, an emergency medical technician who instructed about 15 officers on how to recognize and respond to medical emergencies involving their four-legged partners. Please be ready for that.

Much of what the professionals learned about canine injuries due to car accidents, heatstroke, and penetrating trauma would be useful for owners of household pets as well, said Scott Kramer, a paramedic.

Anything anybody can do in an emergency situation will help save a life, said Sharon Minninger, a veterinarian who was teaching the class. She and Detweiler own Telford Veterinary Hospital.

Some dogs have a strong drive to work, and it is important their police partners know when to give them a break so they dont overheat.

Hyperthermia or heatstroke can happen any time, said Detweiler. This is huge. This is 100 percent preventable.

Its also an issue for household pets.

We had a dog die this week, Minninger said about a case at her veterinary practice. The family pet was accidentally left outside in the sun all day without water. They start with a higher body temperature than us. It doesnt take long to get to a high level.

You cant tell by just feeling a dog if its temperature is elevated. Those ear thermometers are built for humans and useless in pets because of their anatomy.

Instead, look for symptoms such as altered behavior when it's hot. A pet may collapse or vomit as well. Placing ice bags under the pets armpits, covering them with a wet towel, cooling the pads of their feet with alcohol swabs, or placing them in a pool or stream will help bring down high body temperature, she said.

The class included CPR instruction, tips on recognizing signs and symptoms that would signal a medical crisis, basic first aid rules, and emergency planning for transportation and hospital treatment before it is needed.

The seminar hit home for Whitemarsh Police Officer Matt Stadulis, who was there with his service dog, Nika, a 3-year-old Belgian Malinois trained as a patrol and explosives dog. A few years ago Stadulis first canine partner, Brock, suffered a seizure at a training class, he said.

I didnt know what to do, Stadulis said. First aid had not been a part of the comprehensive training officers go through with their canine partners, he said.

Brock, now retired at age 9, was rushed to Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital at the University of Pennsylvania and treated for mild heatstroke. He fully recovered, the officer said.

The first-aid class gives you the confidence to know what to do, said Stadulis.

TIPS FOR PET OWNERS

 Know where the nearest 24-hour emergency veterinary clinic is located. Have the phone number handy.

 Be able to recognize abnormal behaviors for your pet. Know the basic signs of overheating, poison exposure, and trauma.

 Have a separate pet first-aid kit with basic supplies.

 Injured dogs will bite. Dont assume your dog wont become aggressive, and dont take unnecessary risks.

 Practice fire drills with your pets so they are familiar with the sound of the alarm and will know what to expect.

 Be mindful of small toys that pets can choke on.
Illinois courts, reacting to a new state law, are leaning away from monetary bails for people charged for some minor offenses, a change intended to ease jail overcrowding and prevent the poor from long jail stays because they have no money.

The Bail Reform Act of 2017 became law in June and is expected to go into full effect in January. It states the emphasis of pretrial release should not be on an accused person's ability to post a monetary bond. Instead, the focus should be on whether or not a person is a public threat or is likely to not attend court hearings.

When a person first comes to court, the bail already has been set, Rock Island County Chief Judge Walter Braud said. A monetary bail is blind to the financial circumstances of the defendant. The bail stands unless the defendant requests a reduction hearing.

Those who have the money get out, but the consequences for the poor who cannot post a monetary bond include losing a job, not being able to pick up their child or pay rent, Judge Braud said.

"If you are a person of limited means, a $100 bail could be a life changer to you because you don't have it," Judge Braud said.

The change in the law is meant to address this problem, the judge said.

The law states that the court must factor an accused person's socioeconomic circumstances into its consideration of the defendant's release conditions. When imposed, such conditions should emphasize alternatives to money.

Options including curfews, in-person reports to authorities and electronic monitoring, the law states. The judge is also expected to apply the minimum restrictions deemed necessary to ensure a person shows up for hearings and protect witnesses and other participants in proceedings.

The new law divides criminal offenses into two broad classifications: Category A for serious offenses and Category B for more minor offenses.

For anyone accused of a Category A offense, bail works like it always has, Judge Braud said. In cases that fall under Category B, judges are supposed to use alternatives to keeping people locked up.

The law states that anyone accused of a "B" offense who has been unable to post bail must be seen by a judge at the first available hearing, or within seven calendar days of when the bail was set, whichever is first. During that hearing, the bail and conditions of release will be examined by the judge.

In bail hearings, the defendant can have an attorney present, the law states. A public defender can be appointed if needed.

A person accused of a B offense can still get a monetary bail, Judge Braud said. That person might have a record, may be likely to skip hearings, commit another offense, or pose a safety risk.

If a person is released under the new system, then does not appear, a warrant is issued and a monetary bail is set in the traditional way, Judge Braud said.

Should a judge impose monetary bail in a Category B offense, then $30 will be deducted from the bail for each day the person is held, the law states.

The law does allow that the court can review the case of any defendant -- regardless of the offense category -- whose pretrial incarceration is based only on their lack of money.

The changes were brought about in part to address overcrowding in other jails, Rock Island County Sheriff Gerry Bustos and Rock Island County State's Attorney John McGehee said. That is not so much of an issue in Rock Island County.

The county does a good job of keeping its caseload moving, Mr. McGehee said. Rock Island County defendants, or their families, are usually able to raise the needed money for a bond.

If there is an issue with someone raising the money to post bond, it is usually early in the case, Mr. McGehee said. The county judges watch for people with limited means and try to prevent them from staying in jail solely because they lack money.

One concern Mr. McGehee has about the change, is that victim restitution and defendant fines are often drawn from bail moneys. A reduction in that pool means it could take longer for victims to receive compensation, as well as longer terms of probation for people serving their sentences.

The jail's maximum capacity is 326 people, Sheriff Bustos said. On Nov. 7, when this interview was conducted, he said there were 260 people being housed.

"I'm expecting a lower (jail) population," he said.

Judge Braud said he expected to see a decrease in the jail population of 15- to 20 percent when the law is fully in effect.

The drop could be higher than Judge Braud's estimate, Sheriff Bustos said.

The benefit for the sheriff's office and the county's residents is that the cost of jail operations should go down, Sheriff Bustos said. Those costs are a good-sized portion of the office's budget.

Another change will be a drop in revenue because of a fee the sheriff's office is allowed to collect each time bond is posted-- about $40, Sheriff Bustos said. That fee brings in about $150,000 annually. When the new system goes into effect, he anticipates a drop in that revenue.

He said he was not complaining, but that will be a revenue loss.

Other challenges he sees are making sure people get to their mandated bond hearings and tracking the incremental reductions in bail that are being applied in some cases, Sheriff Bustos said.

The county's probation office already gathers information from defendants in the hours after an their arrest, Trent Vandersnick, director of Rock Island County Court Services, said. That includes their financial health and criminal background. This information is used to develop a bond report the court uses during defendants' first appearance.

The probation office will be using a new risk assessment survey under the bond reform act, Mr. Vandersnick said. The state was still deciding which one to use as of Nov. 8, but the goal will be to provide the court with an idea of the defendants' likelihood of attending their hearings or their potential threat to the community should they be released.

People are already released on recognizance bonds under the traditional system, and they must telephone the probation office on a weekly basis-- usually, this is between 45 people and 80 people, he said.

"I think that's going to grow," he said. "How much, we don't know."

Under the new system, electronic monitoring and drug testing will be costs carried by the county, Mr. Vandersnick said. That cost will be covered through the probation office, which will likely draw from probation fees to do so.

The purpose of bail is to ensure the appearance of the accused in court, Rock Island County Public Defender Baron S. Heintz said. It also serves to protect the public. The overuse of cash bail impacts persons of low income disproportionately.

All too often people are pressured into making plea agreements simply because they don't have the money to get out of jail and wait for trial, he said. Their decision is based on their need to get out of jail rather than their guilt or innocence.

The change will be a tool for the public defenders office to ensure the right things are getting done, Mr. Heintz said.

There will be extra work, but it will be balanced by the accused getting out of custody sooner than they would under the old system, he said. There will be a presumption that the court should not impose a cash bond without specific circumstances.

If the state is going to punish someone, the court should only impose punishment after a defendant is found guilty, he said.
MANILA  Premier Li Keqiang arrived in Manila on Nov 12 for an official visit to the Philippines and a series of leaders meetings on East Asian cooperation.

During his five-day stay, Premier Li is scheduled to attend the 20th China-ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) (10+1) leaders meeting, the 20th ASEAN-China, Japan and Republic of Korea (10+3) leaders meeting and the 12th East Asia Summit.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of ASEAN and the 20th anniversary of 10+3 cooperation.

As the world economy is going through weak recovery, East Asia has maintained the momentum of regional cooperation and development, and has become a stabilizing force in the complex and ever-changing global landscape, Premier Li said upon his arrival.

Noting that ASEAN stands at a new starting point of development, the Premier said China would work with all parties to plan for the future and build a closer community of a shared future.

China and ASEAN will mark the 15th anniversary of their strategic partnership in 2018.

This is the Premiers first overseas trip since the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), and is expected to deepen friendly cooperation with the Philippines, promote China-ASEAN ties and enhance regional cooperation in East Asia, Chinese authorities said ahead of the visit.

In Manila, he will brief the leaders on the spirits of the 19th CPC National Congress as well as Chinas stance and policy on cooperation in East Asia, said Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong in a press briefing earlier this week.

The Premier will propose nearly 30 new initiatives under various mechanisms to deepen practical cooperation on interconnectivity, food security, poverty reduction, tourism and anti-corruption, Chen added.

In addition, he will attend the leaders meeting on Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), a free-trade pact involving the 10 ASEAN members and six other countries  China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.

During the visit, the Premier will also hold talks with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on bilateral ties and issues of common concern.

It is the first visit to the Philippines made by a Chinese Premier in 10 years.

Currently, the China-Philippines relations are making steady and healthy progress, which accords with the common interests and aspiration of the peoples of the two countries and of the region as a whole, he noted.

The Premier said he would like to exchange views with the Philippine leaders on further strengthening friendship between the two nations and deepening cooperation in areas that suit the development needs of both sides.

In a signed article published by major Philippine newspapers prior to his trip, he said he hoped the visit would help enhance friendship between the two peoples, deepen bilateral cooperation and open new prospects for China-Philippines relations.
MPK Krakow announced in August that Pesa had been selected for the contract after a decision to exclude the manufacturer from the tender was overturned by Polands National Court of Appeal. Pesa had submitted the lowest-priced bid with an offer of Zlotys 427.4m ($US 117.5m), but MPK had sought to disqualify the company from the competition due to the late delivery of a previous order for Krakowiak LRVs.

In a statement on November 10, MPK confirmed it decision to place an order worth nearly Zlotys 430m with the second-placed bidder, Stadler-Solaris. The fact that Pesa failed to deliver a Zlotys 29.9m guarantee was a surprise because Pesa confirmed in writing on November 9 that it had entered into a credit agreement and could use up to Zlotys 100m for the execution of this contract.

MPK says Pesa has not sought to extend the October 20 deadline set for signing the contract.

The 32m-long LRVs must be delivered within 30 months and MPK will accept a maximum of three vehicles every two weeks. According to the original timeline, the deadline for exercising the option is October 31 2021, and deliveries must be completed by October 2023.

In 2015 MPK conducted a three-month trial with a Solaris Tramino LRV equipped with supercapacitors for catenary-free operation.
Over term of the new contract, which has a retrospective start date of January 1 2017, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes will spend 543m a year on the provision of regional train services.

However, the regional government and SNCF are hailing the new contract as a radical departure from previous contracts with a responsible relationship between the organising authority and operator. The regional government has set the quality objectives it expects from SNCF Mobility, which has been granted the management autonomy to achieve these goals.

SNCF says the contract is the first to fully address the objectives of SNCFs capTER 2020 plan, which seeks to cut costs for regional authorities and boost ridership on TER services by 5-10% by 2020 by harnessing best practice from individual regions and applying it on a national scale.

There will be penalties for delays and these will be multiplied fivefold for cancellations, says Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes regional president Mr Laurent Wauquiez.

If it fails to meet contractual performance targets on the regions two busiest TER routes, Lyon - Grenoble/Chambery and Lyon - St Etienne, SNCF will incur a 1.2m penalty. Conversely, it will receive a 1.2m bonus if performance exceeds expectations.

SNCF says the six-year contract makes provision for future competition on selected TER routes and also incorporates a multi-year investment plan. This will include a focus on digitalisation with the aim of making travel simpler and improving links between modes. Passenger Wi-Fi will also be trialled in the region next year.
Welcome to Railway Gazette. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. By continuing to browse this site you are agreeing to our use of these cookies. You can learn more about the cookies we use here.

OK
Russian tycoon Ismailov put on international wanted list on murder charges

Context Russian tycoon Ismailov arrested in absentia in murder case

MOSCOW, November 13 (RAPSI)  Russian businessman Telman Ismailov has been put on the international wanted list as part of a murder case, according to the spokesperson of Moscow's Basmanny District Court Yunona Tsareva.

Earlier, the Basmanny District Court of Moscow issued an arrest warrant for Ismailov in absentia. Ismailovs lawyer Marina Rusakova told RAPSI on Saturday that the ruling had been appealed. The Moscow City Court will consider the appeal on November 15, the attorney added.

The case against Ismailov is reportedly connected with the murder of businessman Vladimir Savkin and founder of Lublino-Motors auto service centre Yury Brylev in May 2016. The tycoons brother Rafik Ismailov and one more man Mekhman Kerimov were allegedly involved in the double homicide. Kerimov has pleaded guilty.

The businessman could face life imprisonment if convicted.

Telman Ismailov, who controls AST Group, is one of Russias richest men. In 2009, he clashed with law enforcement authorities over the Cherkizovsky outdoor market, which evolved from a mere flea market into an industrial-scale distribution hub for Chinese imports during the oil boom. The market was closed after sanitary authorities found major violations.

In March, the Moscow Commercial Court declared Ismailov bankrupt. Later, the Tenth Commercial Court of Appeals upheld this ruling.
Russian Supreme Court upholds dismissal of foreign insurers suit over 2012 Superjet crash

MOSCOW, November 13 (RAPSI)  The Supreme Court of Russia has upheld lower courts rulings to dismiss a lawsuit lodged by six foreign insurers seeking to collect over $4 million from Kapital Strakhovaniye insurance company in connection with the Superjet 100 aicraft crash in Indonesia in May 2012, according to court records.

The court therefore refused to review issued judicial acts.

On November 25, 2016, the Moscow Commercial Court dismissed a lawsuit filed by QBE Corporate, Starr Syndicate, Starr Insurance and Reinsurance, Muenchener Rueckversicherungrs-Gesellchaft AG, Dornoch and Catlin Insurance Company against Kapital Strakhovaniye insurance company. The Ninth Commercial Court of Appeals and The Moscow District Commercial Court have upheld the ruling. The case was heard for the second time. On February 29, 2016, the Supreme Court overruled all lower courts and sent the case for rehearing.

The airplane crashed on its first ever demonstration tour, across six Asian countries, over Indonesia on May 9, 2012. All people on board the plane, including eight Russian nationals, were killed. The plane crashed into Mount Salak at an altitude of 1.6 km. Investigation found that the disaster was caused by human error.

The plane was insured by Kapital Strakhovaniye, which later reinsured its risks by 95% in the Western market. Over 20 insurance companies including applicants have acted as reinsurers.

The plaintiffs transferred $3.5 million to the Russian insurer for paying compensations to the relatives of dead passengers. Later, they found that the crash was not an insurable event as it had occurred during a flight demonstration, while the insurance had been extended only to test flights. The companies have filed lawsuits to court demanding to return the paid funds with interest.

However, Russias courts ruled that the flight was experimental.
Hague court to recommence hearings in Stolichnaya brand dispute  report

MOSCOW, November 13 (RAPSI)  A legal dispute over Stolichnaya vodka brand between Russian state-run company Sojuzplodoimport (FTE) and the Dutch-based Spirits International belonging to billionaire Yuri Shefler is to be heard in a Dutch court this week, Telegraph newspaper reported on Monday.

In May, the District Court of The Hague reviewed this case but did not reach a final judgment on who is exactly the owner of Stolichnaya and Moskovskaya brands. The court acknowledged issues with the privatization of Sojuzplodoimport in 1990s and that the trademarks remained property of Russia.

Yet, the court noted that several questions still remain, such as the alleged protection of Spirits as assignee in good faith.

The dispute is concerned with legal status of trademarks in 13 European countries, including Great Britain, which is a major distribution market for Stolichnaya vodka.

Sojuzplodoimport registered the rights to the Stolichnaya brand name in 1974, which were then transferred to its legal successor of the same name in 1991. In 1997 Yuri Shefler bought the rights to several vodka brands, including Stolichnaya, for $300,000.

The Russian authorities disputed the actions Sheflers company, which granted licenses to use the Stolichnaya and Moskovskaya brands to vodka manufacturers worldwide in the early 1990s.

Shefler said he bought the rights legally after state-owned Sojuzplodoimport was privatized. However, the Russian authorities disagreed and appealed to the Dutch court, starting a series of trials that lasted almost a decade.

On July 26, 2012, The Hague Court of Appeals dismissed the Dutch-based Spirits Internationals appeal against the decision giving Russia the rights to the Stolichnaya and Moskovskaya vodka brands. The court also banned the Dutch company from writing "Russkaya Vodka" (Russian Vodka) and "Sdelano v Rossii" (Made in Russia) on the labels.

Europe is a major market for SPI Group. According to Euromonitor International, in 2012 SPI sold 9 million liters of Stolichnaya vodka in Europe, or nearly a third of global sales (33 million liters). Moskovskaya sales worldwide are more modest at only 4.7 million liters.

The case was reviewed in the U.S. where a court repeatedly dismissed a lawsuit brought by Sojuzplodoimport that claimed it was the rightful owner of a Stolichnaya trademark held by distributors.
From the perspective of threatsas well as intereststhe region will clearly be front and center in American global security strategy.

Even before Trump headed off on his Asian grand tour, the shape of things to come started to emerge. The present administrations foreign policy will place adequate emphasis on Europe and the Middle East, but America wont be pivoting away from the Asia-Pacific.

Meanwhile, the region presents more challenges than ever. An emerging China is increasingly upsetting the status-quo; North Korea remains as rambunctious as ever, and transnational Islamist terror threats appear ever-present. How the administration manages these problems will go a long way toward determining our status as an Asian power.

A bit of chaos creates opportunity. America has an unprecedented opening to shape the future security architecture of the Indo-Pacific regionand Trump is likely to take advantage of the opportunity.

Too Many Architects, Not Enough Builders

Multinational forums festoon the nations of the Indo-Pacific like umbrellas in a Mary Poppins dance line. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) includes ten countries. Its East Asia Summit adds the United States, China, Japan, South Korea, Russia, Australia, India and New Zealand. The Beijing-sponsored Shanghai Cooperation Organization consists of eight states, including recently added India and Pakistan. There is also the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), which does not include the United States, and Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), which does not include Europe. Chinas last Belt and Road forum brought together the heads of twenty-nine states, from the Far East to Western Europe. And, the list goes on.

All these regional organizations and gatherings provide plenty of forums for debate and discussion, but none offers any foundation for building regional peace and security. Something is missing.

No existing regional multinational organization includes every regional player or covers the spectrum of political, economic, environmental and security issues that concern the Indo-Pacific community. More importantly, none can reconcile Chinas drive for regional dominance, U.S. presence as an Asian power, European economic power, and a long list of nations who have no interest in being covered by Beijings shadow.

An effective security framework might help manage the competing forces that will determine the future of Asia. Building multinational frameworks that can handle such tough tasks, however, is easier said than done.

In times of trouble during the Cold War, the United States tried to erect a series of security frameworks to corral the Soviet Union. Only NATO enduredand for good reason. Michael Dorans Ikes Gamble, explains that the U.S.-sponsored Central Treaty Organization imploded because Washington failed to fully understand the interests and goals of players it tried to recruit to the cause. The Southeast Asia Treaty Organization failed for similar reasons. Security architectures are durable only if nations share sufficient interests, a common appreciation of threats, and the ability to sustain these interests over time.

It is premature and presumptive to predict exactly what the framework of Asian security might look like. On the other hand, all the building blocks needed are already there.

Asias America

Perhaps the safest bet one could make about the future security architecture of the Indo-Pacific region is that it will include America as a regional power. Trump didnt plan a twelve-day Asian swing because of a yen to travel abroad. Rather, he has undertaken the trip to make clear his personal support for the pillars of the U.S. presence and explain what they mean in terms of policy.

For starters, the administration has marked Asia as one of three regions of vital interest to the United States. America cant afford to see large-scale destabilization in any of these parts of the world. That is key premise in the emerging strategy of the Trump team.

Further, the administrations view of top threats are remarkably consistent with those of the two previous presidents. All have identified as primary concerns: Russias destabilizing influence in Western Europe, Irans meddling in the Middle East, managing competition with China in Asia, the danger of war and nuclear proliferation from North Korea, and the danger of transnational Islamist terrorism. The only major change in threat assessment is that the Trump administration rates transnational criminal activity as a higher concern. These criminal networks operate not just in the Western Hemisphere, but in Europe, Africa and Asia.

From the perspective of threatsas well as intereststhe Indo-Pacific region will clearly be front and center in American global security strategy. Here are some assumptions that will likely govern the U.S. contribution to an emerging regional security architecture.

In Asia to Stay. This administration thinks that it will be in power for seven more years. Its goal is to apply a consistent, long-term policy toward the region. There will be no effort to contain or isolate Chinaneither option is possible or desirable in a globalized world. But the United States will be remain present as a powerful force to ameliorate Chinas threat as a destabilizing regional influence.

Regional Freedom Caucus. Any regional framework must have a component built around the major democracies: Japan, India, Australia and the United States. Only recently have the worlds two largest democraciesthe United States and Indialooked more like strategic partners. That development has arisen due to a convergence of interest: concern about Chinas drive for regional hegemony. Shared interests are a gravity pulling the great democracies; Democracy is a glue that will help the alignment endure.

While the regional democracies will become a band of brothers, they will likely attract a broader coalition of nations whose political systems share a common commitment to human rights and an interest in regional peace security. This, in turn, will serve to shape other elements of the framework, like the current suite of ASEAN-centric forums, to which Trump is reaffirming American commitment.

Peace through Strength. There will not be an arms race to be won in Asia. The United States currently lacks the military capacity to defend all its global interests in a two-conflict scenario. Trump is committed to fixing that problem. Indeed, many of Americas major friends and allies in the region are looking to strengthen their defensive arsenals. Denuclearization of North Korea remains the objective, but in the meantime, North Korea will face a combination of strategic and conventional deterrence and missile defense that will severely constrain its capacity to make mischief. Over time, China will find its expansion of military influence to be checked and it will discover that its capacity to limit the access that the United States and its allies have to sea lanes or key operational theaters to be significantly challenged.

Building Blocks of Asian Security

Over time, the security of architecture of Asia will emerge organically, largely as a matter of consensus among America and its friends and allies. Like the planners who plant grass and put sidewalks where the people walk, the United States will likely let a cooperative structure emerge from the regional players. Still, given what we know of Americas future intent for regional security, some pieces of the future framework would seem to be predictable.

Enter the Quad. Whatever framework emerges will be heavily influenced by a sustained, official quad dialoguethe four discussants being India, Japan, Australia and the United States. The administration has already announced that it will restart this initiative. The four nations reportedly will meet on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit. The four countries are unlikely to drive the conversation alone. This will be a quad plus dialogue that will permit other powers to engage and influence the discussion. South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, the Philippines, and Vietnam are some of the countries that will likely move in and out of the discussions.

From the Waters Edge. Sustaining the capacity to operate in the maritime domain will be central to any effective regional-security architecture. Unlike naval operations of the nineteenth century, when mastery of the seas was all that mattered, operations in the modern maritime domain require the capacity to operate undersea, in space and cyberspace. The framework will integrate all of these and likely start by establishing a common maritime domain awareness picture for all the participants. Efforts will start with confidence-building measures such as joint patrols. Capacity-building initiatives will likely be accelerated as well. Pushing for the production of F-16 jets in India, for example, is the kind of initiative we might see more of.

Global Partnerships. The regional-security architecture of the future will likely have connections that extend beyond the region, because threats like transnational terrorist and criminal networks operate beyond the boundaries of Asia. Further, Chinas plans for regional hegemony are partly based on establishing economic dominance through pathways that extend through the Middle East and Europe. Part of the framework will require dialogue and cooperation with key friends and allies in the Middle East and Europe. Indias cooperation with Israel is a good example of the lines of communication and cooperation to come.

Another area of emerging cooperation will involve evaluating Chinese investments that may impinge upon national security. Washington has a process for evaluating foreign investments for these concerns: the Committee on Foreign Investments in the United States. Some other countries, like Australia, have similar mechanisms. In the future, partners in and out of the region will develop similar processes of their own, and they will increasingly share information. This kind of cooperation will typify what grows out of the emerging security architecture.

Reprinted with permission from The National Interest. A Heritage Foundation vice president, James Jay Carafano directs the think tanks research on issues of national security and foreign policy.
After nine months of confusion, chaos, and cascading tweets, Donald Trumps White House has finally made one thing crystal clear: the U.S. is staying in Afghanistan to fight and -- so they insist -- win. The killers need to know they have nowhere to hide, that no place is beyond the reach of American might, said the president in August, trumpeting his virtual declaration of war on the Taliban. Overturning Barack Obamas planned (and stalled) drawdown in Afghanistan, Secretary of Defense James Mattis announced that the Pentagon would send 4,000 more soldiers to fight there, bringing American troop strength to nearly 15,000.

In October, as that new mini-escalation was ramping up, the CIA leaked to the New York Times news of a complementary covert surge with lethal drone strikes and highly experienced Agency paramilitary teams being dispatched to "hunt and kill Taliban guerrillas, both ordinary fighters and top officials. This is unforgiving, relentless, intoned CIA Director Mike Pompeo, promising a wave of extrajudicial killings reminiscent of the Agencys notorious Phoenix Program during the Vietnam War. CIA paramilitary officers, reported the Times, will lead Special Forces operatives, both Afghan and American, in expanded counterterrorism operations that, in the past, have been accused of indiscriminately killing Afghan civilians. In short, its game on in Afghanistan.

After 16 years of continuous war in that country, the obvious question is: Does this new campaign have any realistic chance of success, no less victory? To answer that, another question must be asked: How has the Taliban managed to expand in recent years despite intensive U.S. operations and a massive air campaign, as well as the endless and endlessly expensive training of Afghan security forces? After all, the Afghan War is not only the longest in U.S. history, but also one of the largest, peaking at 101,000 American troops in country during President Obamas surge of 2010-2011.

Thinking About the Taliban

Americans have been hearing about the Taliban for so long that most fail to appreciate just how relentless that movements growth has been in recent years. In the wake of the 9/11 terror attacks, the Bush White House unleashed a lethal combination of U.S. airpower and CIA-funded Afghan warlords to crush the fundamentalist Taliban and capture the Afghan capital, Kabul, with stunning speed. Not only was that Islamist movement and its government defeated, but it lost so many dedicated militants to those devastating air attacks that it was seemingly smashed beyond repair or revival. Nonetheless, within five years, the Taliban was back in force, already fielding 25,000 fighters. By 2015, it was in control of more than half the countryside, had captured district capitals, and was even pounding at the gates of major provincial cities like Kunduz.

As with any movement, there are multiple reasons for the Talibans success, including the failure of the government in Kabul -- a cesspit of corruption -- to deliver anything like rural prosperity, the countrys martial tradition of fighting foreign occupiers, and Pakistans sub-rosa support, as well as the wide-open sanctuaries in its tribal backlands along the Afghan border. But there is one other factor, more fundamental than all the rest: the opium poppy.

The Taliban guerrillas are, like many insurgent armies, largely made up of teenagers who fight, at least in part, for cash to feed their families. Every spring for the past 15 years, as snow melts from mountain slopes across that country, new crops of such teenage recruits emerge from impoverished villages ready to take up arms for the rebel cause. Each of them reportedly makes at least $300 a month, far more than they could possibly hope to earn from the usual agricultural wages. In other words, it takes an estimated $90 million in salaries alone for the Taliban to field its 25,000 strong guerrilla army for a single fighting season. With an overall budget approaching a billion dollars annually, the cost of the insurgencys 15-year war rings in at something close to $15 billion.

So where, in that impoverished, arid land, has the Taliban been getting nearly a billion dollars a year? According to the U.S. commander in Afghanistan, General John Nicholson, a single Afghan province, Helmand, produces a significant amount of the opium globally that turns into heroin and... provides about 60 percent of the Taliban funding. The countrys president, Ashraf Ghani, a former World Bank official, agrees. Without drugs, hes said, this war would have been long over. The heroin is a very important driver of this war.

The Talibans rise has paralleled the relentless growth of Afghanistans opium production from a mere 185 tons when the U.S. invaded in October 2001 to a still-unequalled yield of 8,200 tons in 2008, a harvest that provided an unprecedented 53% of the countrys gross domestic product and 93% of the worlds illicit heroin supply. That same year, the U.N. stated that Taliban guerrillas were extracting from the drug economy resources for arms, logistics, and militia pay. A study for the U.S. Institute of Peace also foundthat, in 2009, the Taliban already had 50 heroin labs in its territory and controlled 98% of the countrys poppy fields, collecting $425 million in taxes levied on the opium traffic.

By the time Obamas 2010 surge segued into an exit strategy four years later, observers were unanimous in their assessment that opium had become central to the Talibans survival. Despite a succession of drug eradication programs sponsored and funded by Washington, the Pentagons Special Inspector for Afghanistan Reconstruction, John Sopko, concluded in 2014 that, by every conceivable metric, weve failed. Production and cultivation are up, interdiction and eradication are down, financial support to the insurgency is up, and addiction and abuse are at unprecedented levels in Afghanistan.

The 2013 opium crop covered a record area of 209,000 hectares, bringing the harvest back up to a substantial 5,500 tons. This massive crop generated some $3 billion in illicit income, of which the Talibans tax alone took an estimated $320 million -- almost half that movements revenues. The U.S. Embassy corroborated this dismal assessment, calling the illicit income a windfall for the insurgency, which profits from the drug trade at almost every level.

The Failure of Antinarcotics Efforts

As 2017 ends, with the White House poised for another four-year plunge into the Afghan abyss, has anything changed that might weaken the Taliban and so spare Washington from a defeat foretold? To answer this question, John Sopko has been armed with a Congressional mandate to probe all forms of failure there and already has five years of experience in this difficult mission. Recently, he drafted a scathing review of Washingtons failed 15-year effort to reduce Afghan opium production and thereby defeat the Taliban. This 150-page draft report, Counternarcotics: Lessons from Afghanistan, 2002-2016, depicts a drug-policy disaster only likely to ensure an ever-increasing income for the Taliban to fight an endless war. When read in tandem with the U.N.s annual opium surveys, Sopko provides ample evidence that Trumps decision to double down in that country is almost certainly doomed to failure.

Over the past 15 years, all counter-narcotics efforts by the U.S., Great Britain, and the U.N. have failed to slow the countrys drug production. Opium remains the country's most valuable cash crop, says Sopko, worth around $3 billion per year at border prices. It provides, he adds, up to 411,000 full time equivalent jobs, more than the number of people employed by the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces.

Despite the expenditure of nearly $9 billion on its counter-narcotics efforts in Afghanistan, Washington has presided over what Sopko calls a dramatic expansion of opium poppy cultivation from less than 8,000 hectares grown in 2001 to 200,000 hectares in 2016. By then, the opium crop represented morethan two-thirds of the countrys agricultural output. Meanwhile, 11% of the population is now estimated to be using illicit drugs, one of the worlds highest addiction rates.

The U.N.s crop survey for 2016, compiled by hundreds of Afghan enumerators who regularly walked through the poppy fields -- and corroborated by sophisticated satellite imagery -- adds yet more somber strokes to this picture. That year, at 5,600 tons the opium harvest was again up substantially (by 43%). In the same period, opium eradication efforts fell by 91% to a mere 355 hectares of the crop destroyed, or less than 2% of all illegal poppy fields in the country.

Since the start of its intervention in 2001, Washington and its drug war allies have tried every possible counter-narcotics option. All, without exception, have failed. The bulk of the U.S. budget ($4.3 billion) was allocated to interdiction efforts, but ample funds were left for more experimental approaches, none of which seem to have worked.

As much as Washingtons drug policies failed, the U.N. efforts were, in Inspector Sopkos view, even less effective. During the first decade following its 2001 invasion, Washington was obsessed with counterterror operations and so outsourced the drug war to others. It delegated opium suppression to the British and police training for interdiction to the Germans. In this critical period, the U.N. Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) maneuvered to fill the leadership void.

In what was then seen as a clever political gambit, the U.N. argued, according to Sopkos report, that it was necessary to destroy 25 percent of the standing poppy crop each year in order to deter future planting, in the process justifying the employment of thousands of Afghan peasants to pull up poppy plants. Defending that crop suppression program, Antonio Maria Costa, the Soviet-trained Italian economist who then headed UNODC, declared, according to Sopko, that there was no relationship between poppy cultivation and poverty. From his high modernist headquarters in Vienna, Costa pledged to reduce poppy cultivation by 70 percent in five years and eliminate the crop altogether in ten years -- a claim that soon proved laughable.

Near the start of Washingtons Afghan adventure in 2002, the U.S. military, the CIA, and the countrys American-supported president, Hamid Karzai, had little interest in or next to no knowledge of the drug problem. Other actors with far less power -- the U.S. embassy in Kabul, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, the World Bank, and the European Commission, among others -- all made periodic forays into antinarcotics work. Funds for such operations ebbed and flowed, while new initiatives were regularly launched without significant analysis of or thought about past policies.

In this chaotic process, as Sopko points out, interdiction efforts failed to fundamentally alter or impact the Afghan drug trade in a meaningful way. In 2017, poppy cultivation and opium production seemed destined to reach a record high and the Taliban continued to derive funding from the drug trade.

A Short-Lived Military Solution

Amid this succession of policy failures, only one program, in Sopkos view, had a discernible impact on drug production: the launching of a massive occupation of the countrys key southern opium districts by the U.S. military and the Afghans they were training. Checkpoints were set up at almost every road crossing. In Marjah, he reports, located in the opium poppy heartland of Helmand Province, the share of agricultural land dedicated to poppy was almost 60 percent prior to the major influx of U.S. and Afghan forces. After Operation Moshtarak, in which 15,000 U.S. Marines and the ANDSF [Afghan National Defense and Security Forces] occupied the district in February 2010, the amount of land dedicated to poppy fell to less than 5 percent. By the end of that year, 20,000 leathernecks in 50 fortified bases, backed by 10,000 British troops, had temporarily wrested control of the province from the Taliban guerrillas and checked the opium traffic that had sustained them.

Apart from their omnipresent checkpoints, the Marines also introduced the Marjah Accelerated Agricultural Transition program. It offered opium farmers an incentive package of cash, wheelbarrows, shovels, new water pumps, and all-important safe-conduct passes to move securely through this war zone. Despite the Talibans night letters... forbidding locals from interacting with coalition forces, the Marines were encouraged that more than 1,000 local farmers signed up for the program.

In the end, however, it wasnt sustainable. Four years later in 2014, as American troop levels in the country were beginning to fall, General Daniel Yoo stood before his Marines at Camp Leatherneck in Helmand Province and announced that they would all soon be heading home, leaving the provinces security in the hands of their Afghan allies. I am cautiously optimistic that they will be able to sustain themselves, the general said, but theyve got to want it more than we do.

Within a year, the Taliban were back, stronger than ever. Amid a nationwide offensive, the guerrillas focused, above all, on recapturing the poppy heartlands of Helmand Province, because, as the New York Times put it, the lucrative opium trade made it crucial to the insurgents economic designs. By December 2015, after overrunning checkpoints and winning back much of the province, they came close to capturing Marjah itself. Had American Special Operations forces and airpower not intervened to relieve demoralized Afghan troops and police, the town would undoubtedly have fallen.

Farther north, in the fertile poppy fields astride the Helmand River system, insurgents captured most of Sangin district, forcing the retreat of government soldiers who, hobbled by the endemic corruption of their government and military, were reportedly fighting with lack of ammunition and on empty stomachs. By 2016, President Obama was forced to reverse his drawdown and launch a mini-surge of hundreds of new U.S. troops to deny insurgents the economic prize of the worlds most productive poppy fields.

Despite support from American airpower and 700 Special Operations troops, in February and March 2016 embattled government forces retreated from Musa Qala and Khan Neshin, leaving the Taliban largely in control of 10 of Helmands 14 districts. After 3,000 government troops died in that Taliban offensive, the remaining demoralized forces hunkered down inside provincial and district capitals, leaving the countryside and the opium crops that went with it to the heroin-funded guerrillas.

In the midst of all that fighting, Helmands farmers managed to expand their poppy cultivation to 80,000 hectares by 2016, which represented 40% of the entire countrys drug production.

Sophisticated Methodology

Not only did this problematic drug war fail to curtail the traffic, but it also alienated the rural residents the government so desperately needed to win over. Worse yet, in the end it actually encouraged illicit opium production -- a frequent outcome in Washingtons worldwide drug war that I once called the stimulus of prohibition.

Using sophisticated satellite imagery, Sopkos team, for example, found a troubling disconnect between areas that received development aid from Washington or its allies and those that were subjected to opium eradication programs. In strategic Helmand and Nangarhar provinces, for instance, satellite photographs clearly reveal that the various drug eradication projects ripped through remote areas where the population was highly dependent on opium poppy for its livelihoods, rendering poor farmers destitute. The development aid was, however, lavished on more accessible, largely drug-free districts near major cities elsewhere in Afghanistan, leaving countless thousands of farmers in critical rural areas angry at the government and susceptible to Taliban recruitment.

Even liberal development alternatives to those rip-up-the-poppies programs, claims Sopko, only served to stimulate opium production in surprising ways. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), for instance, spent$36 million on irrigation for a showcase Food Zone project, meant to promote the growing of legal crops in southern Kandahar Province. As it happened, though, this important infrastructure program actually turned out to contribute to rising levels of opium poppy cultivation -- an unintended outcome that could be seen in similar irrigation projects in provinces like Nangarhar, Badakhshan, and Kunar.

Next door to Kandahar in central Helmand Province, another Food Zone program initially helped reduce the opium crop by 60%. But as British agronomist David Mansfield reports, by the spring of 2017 an unprecedented proliferation of poppies covered up to 40% of the farmland targeted by that project; guerrillas were back in force; and farmers felt, as one put it, that the Taliban is better than the government; they dont ban poppy, they just ask for tax. By now, of course, given all the years of bungled anti-drug programs, Mansfield concludes that the Kabul government has little hope of wresting back control of central Helmand.

USAID programs that emphasized increased wheat production proved similarly counterproductive. With higher-yielding varieties and improved agricultural technologies, writes Sopko, households in the well-irrigated central valleys of rural Afghanistan would be able to meet their family wheat requirements with a smaller part of their land, allowing a larger area... to be allocated to [the] high-value... opium poppy.

An Uncertain Future

Corroborating Sopkos pessimism, a recent report by Mujib Mashal of the New York Times depicted the worsening Afghan drug situation as the product, in part, of Washingtons failed policies. Fueled by a booming opium harvest, the Taliban has recently expanded from poppy growing into large-scale heroin production with an estimated 500 labs refining the drug inside Afghanistan -- part of a strategy aimed at capturing a greater share of the $60 billion generated globally by the countrys drug exports.

Out of the whole opium eradication project, the National Interdiction Unit, an Afghan outfit trained by U.S. Special Forces, is more or less whats left when it comes to hopes for reducing the traffic in drugs. Yet their nighttime helicopter interdiction raids on mobile, readily reconstructed heroin labs are proving futile and their chief, reports Mashal, was recently sacked for probably leaking information to hostile forces. U.S. military commanders now realize that local Taliban bosses, enriched by the heroin boom, have nothing to gain from further peace negotiations, which remain the only way of ending this endless war.

Meanwhile, the whole question of opium eradication has, according to Mashal, gotten surprisingly little attention in the Trump administrations new strategy for the Afghan war. It seems that U.S. counter-narcotics officials have come to accept a new reality with a sense of helplessness -- that the country now supplies 85% of the worlds heroin and theres no end to this in sight.

So why has Americas ambitious $9 billion counter-narcotics program fallen into failure again and again? When such illegality corrupts a society as thoroughly as opium has Afghanistan, then drug trafficking comes to distort everything -- giving even good programs bad outcomes and undoubtedly twisting Trumps headstrong plans for victory into certain defeat.

Think of the never-ending war in Afghanistan as Washingtons drug of choice of these last 16 years.

Reprinted with permission from TomDispatch. Alfred W. McCoy, a TomDispatch regular, is the Harrington professor of history at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is the author of the now-classic book The Politics of Heroin: CIA Complicity in the Global Drug Trade, which probed the conjuncture of illicit narcotics and covert operations over 50 years, and the recently published In the Shadows of the American Century: The Rise and Decline of U.S. Global Power (Dispatch Books).
Property details:

Welcome to Southern California's Playground of the Rich and Famous Big Bear Lake NO MINIMUM / NO RESERVE HIGH BID OWNS LOT For almost one hundred years, the Big Bear Lake area has been the primary mountain resort in Southern California. The 782 acre Alpine Lake, nestled at an altitude of 5108', is often described as the jewel of Southern California. The fresh mountain air and four-season climate is unmatched in Southern California. Part of the San Bernadino National Forest, the lot for auction i...

Price: $ 5,000 Seller State of Residence: Florida Property Address: Avenue " H " State/Province: California Type: Homesite, Lot Zoning: Residential Location: , Big Bear Lake, California

You will be redirected to eBay



Nearby Residential
Property details:

You are bidding on the full purchase price of the property, not a down payment. Description: Take a look at this BEAUTIFUL property located in the Lake Arrowhead area with GREAT VIEWS and minutes from the lake! Secluded and completely removed from civilization, yet just 90 minutes from Los Angeles and Orange County, the to Lake Arrowhead is a quick one. But as you twist and climb from the busy valley and into the San Bernardino Mountains, then arrive at this picturesque town set on a deep-blue m...

Price: $ 1,025 City: Lake Arrowhead State/Province: California Seller State of Residence: California Type: Homesite, Lot Zoning: Residential Zip/Postal Code: 92321 Location: 923**, Cedar Glen, California

You will be redirected to eBay



Nearby 92321
,



We're sorry, this article is not currently available
Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source!
'In a nation where safety standards are the lowest in the world, why make compliance expensive?' asks Aakar Patel.

Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff.com

Once again, indirect taxes were lowered on some items. This usually happens because of three reasons.

First, that certain things are politically sensitive, like khakra in Gujarat, which can attract negative headlines.

Second, because the government feels that having become more expensive, these items will decline in sales and affect the economy.

And third that it is felt that the items were wrongly classified in the first place.

All indirect taxes are bad because they tax rich and poor alike. My driver and I pay the same tax for Coca Cola. It is on the issue of direct taxes, like income tax, where the state must be effective.

The Goods and Services Tax has 7 slabs: 0%, .25%, 3%, 5%, 12%, 18% and 28%. The rate at which things are taxed is decided by the GST Council, which has representation from the Union government and the states.

Usually it is the state finance minister, but not always. Karnataka, for example, is represented by Agriculture Minister Krishna Byre Gowda.

The interesting thing to me is to see what items are at 0% and what ones at 28% and why.

Till Friday, November 10, there were 227 items in the 28% slab. This started with chewing gum and ended with vaccuum flasks and mannequins used by shops to display clothes.

After a meeting of the GST Council, there will apparently only be 50 items on the list.

How does the council decide which things we should pay most tax for? The government decides this on the basis of a subjective reasoning. It identifies things as being either 'sinful' goods or demerit goods.

Announcing a reduction in the list of these goods, Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi said that chewing gum, chocolates, shaving materials and washing powder would be among the items that would be moved from 28% to 18%. He said that in the council there was 'unanimity that only sin and demerit goods remain in the 28% category'.

The interesting question is what the Indian State and its politicians consider to be a sin or a demerit good.

Firstly, we should start by acknowledging that the concept of 'sin' as it exists in the Christian tradition does not feature in the Hindu faith.

In the Bible, 'sin' is a crime against god. For example, the Original Sin of Christianity is Adam and Eve's decision to disobey god and eat the fruit which made them sexually aware.

The sins of Christianity include sloth and lust, which are natural feelings, for which God will judge Christians. We Hindus do not have this concept.

But let us understand 'sin' from its common meaning of something that is, or is seen to be, immoral or encouraging immorality. Such as alcohol.

Alcohol is, of course, not on the GST list at all and states can tax it at the rates they choose (and some states like Gujarat do not tax it at all because officially no alcohol is sold in Gujarat to ordinary people. Unofficially it is a different story).

The strange thing is, that it can be cheaper because of that fact.

One could have a meal and a drink at restaurant in Mumbai and pay 18% for the food, but only 10% (the Value Added Tax) on the alcohol. One should not complain much about this, but it is a pointer to an imperfect system.

The issue of the demerit good is more complex. This is a product or service whose consumption is considered socially undesirable. Of course, alcohol is part of this, but so is tobacco and, especially in recent times, junk food.

This is why we should take a look at the list of sinful and demerit goods.

It includes paints (to colour your homes and offices), but also paints for artists and shoe polish (a product bought and used by some of the poorest street workers). Why punish such people? It is difficult to imagine on what basis these are either sinful or demerit.

And then fireworks, which are in any case expensive and out of the reach of the poor, are on the list, but also fire extinguishers. This I found to be astonishing. In a nation where safety standards are the lowest in the world, why make compliance expensive?

Yachts and personal aircraft are taxed at the same rate, 28%, as motorcyles and cars. I can imagine cars being seen in a poor nation as a luxury. But motorcycles? What aspect of owning a two wheeler is sinful or demerit?

Tyres also attract the same high tax, meaning that for the individual replacing his SUV's tyre pays the same rate of tax as the cyclist.

Air conditioners, fridges, washing machines and water heaters have all come in this category also. Again, it can be argued that in a country like ours these are luxuries. But the larger issue to me seems to me that there is no application of mind.

Pan masala is at 28%, but paan, meaning the betel leaf, is at 0%. Surely both encourage the same habit, so it is unclear why one is a demerit good.

I would encourage readers to have a full look at the slabs (available online on government Web sites like cbec.gov.in) to decide for themselves if the GST tax brackets are logical.

The point is not to blame this government. All state governments including the opposition run ones are a part of the GST council.

The point is whether the citizen is taken casually when the matter of 'sin' and 'demerit' is defined by people without any debate.

I should finish by saying that for the money made by columnists and independent journalists, there is no GST.

Aakar Patel is Executive Director, Amnesty International India. The views expressed here are his own.
While the crackdown is a major step in combating tax evasion and improving transparency, it might also impact the flexibility and genuine corporate structures created to achieve legitimate objectives, says Suresh Surana.

The ministry of corporate affairs in September took stricter measures against more than 100,000 shell companies and their directors.

On September 5 banks were issued instructions by the department of financial services to ensure that all the directors (ex) or their authorised signatories are restricted from operating the bank accounts of such companies and that they cannot siphon off money from these accounts.

There is also concerted action by the MCA and the Central Board of Direct Taxes to unearth unreported income or use of such companies during demonetisation for depositing demonetised currency.

Some of these companies might have been used for the above purposes.

However, in a vast majority of cases, there are companies that have not been carrying on business for the past few years and have merely not complied with the company law filing requirements such as annual return or their financial statements are also covered.

It would be appropriate for the MCA to permit such companies to avail the option of being struck off or a fast-track exit with a limited time window of three months.

This would avert unwarranted hardships in genuine cases of only procedural lapse.

Multi-layered structures

With a view to check misuse of multiple layers of subsidiaries, the MCA on September 20 notified the proviso to Section 2(87) of the Companies Act, 2013, and the Companies (Restriction on number of layers) Rules, 2017 (Layering Rules).

It restricts all the operating and investment companies, other than those belonging to the exempted class, from having more than two layers of subsidiaries.

The purpose of the notification seems to be to improve transparency regarding financial transactions and real ownership.

Layers of subsidiary would have the same meaning as specified in Clause (d) to explanation of Section 2(87)(d) of the Companies Act.

One holding-subsidiary relation shall constitute as one layer.

A company holding more than one parallel subsidiary company shall be considered as one layer.

The rule only restricts vertical expansion. There is no restriction on horizontal expansion of a group.

Hence, a company can still hold any number of horizontal subsidiaries as well as horizontal step-down subsidiaries.

Some companies have been exempted from this rule, viz a banking company; a systemically important non-banking financial company (NBFC) registered with the Reserve Bank of India; an insurance company; and a government company.

Rule vis-a-vis Section 186(1)

Section 186(1) of the Companies Act already had the provision that a holding company cannot invest through more than two layers of investment subsidiaries.

However, companies could still make more than two layers of investment through non-investment subsidiaries (that is, operating subsidiaries).

The rule plugs the gap by restricting the creation of non-investment subsidiaries, too, which suggests that this amendment is more restrictive in nature then Section 186(1).

The rule specifically states that it will not derogate proviso to Section 186(1). Proviso to Section 186(1) contains exceptions where 186(1) shall not apply.

Hence this rule shall also not apply to such exceptions mentioned in the proviso.

One of the exceptions is a subsidiary company having any investment subsidiaries to meet the requirements of any law or regulation.

Hence, a company may hold more than two layers of investment subsidiaries, if required, by any other law.

Prospective in nature

The notification will be applicable prospectively, to save the companies from hardships of disinvestment.

Hence, existing holding companies having more than two layers of subsidiaries before the commencement of these rules need not reduce their layers of subsidiaries.

However, they cannot add any additional layer of subsidiary henceforth.

They need to file a return to the registrar furnishing details of the layers of subsidiaries in Form CRL-1.

If subsequently, such companies do reduce their layers, they cannot have more than two layers of subsidiaries.

Business exigencies

The notification overlooks the business exigencies that may warrant a multi-layered corporate structure.

This could be due to several reasons:

Need for intermediate holding companies for different business segments to facilitate business segment-wise consolidation, funding, ownership and borrowings

A different ownership structure at each layer

Ring-fencing business carried on by one entity with other entities due to guarantees, high risk projects etc.

It is due to these reasons that in most countries, there is no restriction on the number of layers and, in fact, several multinational corporations have multi-layered and complex structures to meet their business needs.

This restriction needs to exempt genuine corporate structures as long as the financial statements of the entities involved are consolidated and the names of all the entities constituting part of the group with ownership patters are disclosed.

The Layering Rules and the crackdown on shell companies and their directors are major steps in combating tax evasion and improving transparency.

However, such steps impact the business flexibility and genuine corporate structures created to achieve legitimate business objectives.

Suresh Surana is founder, RSM Astute Consulting Group.

Photograph: Reuters.
How can you access the bank account of an incapacitated person?

Tinesh Bhasin lets us know.

Illustration: Uttam Ghosh/Rediff.com

Recently, the Bombay high court allowed a woman to operate the bank account of her husband who was in a coma.

As there is no legal provision in banking to deal with such a situation, the wife had no option but to approach the judiciary to be appointed her husband's guardian.

Anyone can face a similar situation where the breadwinner is comatose, incapacitated, bedridden or is critical after an accident.

"By following one simple step, an individual can give access to all financial accounts to his or her partner. An individual can opt for 'either or survivor' option," says Malhar Majumder, a Kolkata-based financial planner.

In this case, the breadwinner is the first account holder and the partner is the second. Both can operate the account.

The signature of any one of the two is valid for transactions. Majumder says this works for all financial accounts, except for an insurance policy.

An individual can opt for this option in banking, mutual funds, share trading account and so on.

There is also an option called 'former or survivor', wherein only the main account holder can operate the account.

Only on her/his death, the second account holder can independently operate the account after submitting the required papers with the bank.

In a joint account, however, the signature of both the parties are mandatory for a transaction. If one is unavailable, the transaction cannot happen.

"If a person has met with an accident and is critical, the bank can also release funds for the treatment," says Jose K Mathew, executive vice-president and head of retail business at the Federal Bank.

But the funds will be released for treatment or operation related to the accident only and on submission of the required paperwork.

If the person is too ill to sign for banking transactions, transactions can still happen by using the thumbprint. But there needs to be two witnesses present when the account holder is giving the thumbprint.

One of the two witnesses needs to be a bank official.

Those who are not even in a position to provide a thumb impression, a toe impression can be used or 'a mark can be obtained on the cheque/withdrawal form', in the presence of two witnesses, according to the Reserve Bank of India's guidelines.

But there are cases when the account holder may not have a partner to opt for the 'either or survivor' option.

In such cases, the individual can keep a power of attorney authorising someone trustworthy to operate her/his bank account.

"The account holder has to execute what is called as a specific power of attorney (PoA). On the death of the account holder, the authorised person loses all the power and the PoA is revoked," says Nishit Dhruva, managing partner at MDP & Partners.

On the death of the person, the funds will have to be passed to the legal heirs irrespective of whoever is the nominee.

"According to various Supreme Court rulings, a nominee is more like a trustee who acts as an agent on behalf of the legal heirs. On death of an individual, the estate will be passed on to the legal heirs in accordance with the inheritance laws," says Ajit Warrier, partner at Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas.

If the account holder is missing, getting hold of the account can be difficult for financial transactions.

According to the Section 108 of the Indian Evidence Act, presumptions of death can be made only after seven years from the date on which the person has been reported as missing -- that is, the date of filing the First Information Report.

Even for life insurance, family members need to wait for seven years before getting the claim.
IMAGE: Mahindra & Mahindrda chairman Anand Mahindra. Photograph: Courtesy, via Twitter.

E-mobility is only one among the several fronts on which Mahindra is waging a battle of aspirations, to future-proof the $19-billion tractor-to-technology conglomerate, says Nikhil Inamdar.

At Mahindra & Mahindras 70th annual general meeting in 2016, chairman Anand Mahindra, left, ended his speech saying if there was anyone preparing feverishly for a disruptive future of mobility, it was his group.

A year since, the auto industry has been beseiged with warnings about an operating environment about to alter forever.

When auto heavyweights sniggered at Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkaris notice to bulldoze petrol and diesel cars to achieve 100 per cent electric mobility by 2030, Mahindra bemoaned in an interview with NDTV: For too many years, we as a country have suffered from a poverty of aspiration, reminding those mocking the dramatic electric mobility targets that it took barely 10 years for an entire ecosystem of horse carriages to vanish at the dawn of the 20th century.

E-mobility is only one among the several fronts on which Mahindra is waging this battle of aspirations, to future-proof the $19-billion tractor-to-technology conglomerate.

The flagship auto firm is in the throes of a mobility, artificial intelligence (AI) and big data-led digital transformation, disrupting the organisation across its value chain.

From a product standpoint, the auto business now increasingly rests around three key focus areas -- electric cars, shared mobility and autonomous vehicles -- which are convergent trends that will drive the industrys future.

Over the past three years, apart from expanding research and development, M&M has strategically responded to these trends through collaborations.

Bets were placed on the sharing economy through investments in start-up marketplace platforms -- Smart Shift for trucks and Trringo for tractors.

In September, M&M unveiled its much-awaited driverless concept for tractors, developed at Mahindra Research Valley in Chennai, where 1,500 in-house engineers work to drive technology-driven R&D.

Mahindra believes agriculture is the most fertile ground for autonomous vehicles, even as most global carmakers place their bets squarely on passenger cars -- a pipe dream in the Indian context.

Embracing Industry 4.0

Image: Mahindras new GenZe 200 e-bike. Photograph: Courtesy, Anand Mahindra on Twitter.

But responding to the future involves more than peering past the combustion engine.

Our manufacturing capabilities today are driven largely out of the Industry 4.0 framework, says Rahul Shandilya, the groups chief information officer, over coffee at Mahindras Kandivali plant.

Shandilya and his team have been working extensively to dismantle a disintegrated shop floor by building IoT (internet of things) capabilities.

Weve connected a few hundred machines to each other already, and have a few thousand to go.

"It opens up humongous opportunities to glean data, identify anomalies, and reduce shutdowns.

Big data has been playing a growing role over the past three years; from customer analytics platform Heartbeat, to a pilot on a voice analytics tool to capture the intensity of a customers voice to identify purchase inclination, the automaker is leveraging the power of data extensively.

Last year, it also institutionalised an information insight centre, staffed with data scientists and process analysts, to leverage structured data as a business tool.

Internally, we hope to skill 300-400 of our employees to have analytics as their secondary skill, says Shandilya.

Adopting these new tools has a direct bearing on how its product portfolio evolves.

For instance, an automated manufacturing stack, Drona, built to improve traceability of parts on the assembly line, will help M&M ramp up its ability to personalise vehicles and deliver made-to-order products.

Catalysing a transformation

As a group, M&M has always described itself as a federation rather than a top-down, command-control conglomerate.

This, many say, has made it easier for the group to remain nimble and respond to the tectonic shifts in the market.

Tasked with strategising the 71-year-old corporations digital transformation is a tiny team of 15-20 people.

Theyve been working to give it a direction to face the tsunami of disruptions across businesses -- from blockchains (to modify supply chain financing at Mahindra Finance) to data analytics (for better targeting of marketing spends at Mahindra Holidays).

The approach is bottom-up, rather than top-down explains Anish Shah, group president (strategy) at M&M.

We arent building capabilities at the centre and asking businesses to follow suit. At the group level, it only act as catalysts.

Brought in three years ago from GE Capital, Shah is leading M&Ms makeover, along with a set of new hires who have worked at companies such as Google and Microsoft.

Optionality play

Shah calls the transformation philosophy driving the flagship auto business an optionality play.

We look at the different scenarios that could play out and assess if we can win in each.

The numerous plays, he admits, are a bit of a hedging strategy against failure.

For a corporation increasingly functioning like a start-up, missteps are bound to happen.

But as Mahindras trials gather scale, its tie-ups could also result in strategic investments or acquisition opportunities, helping the brand surge.

The approach conceivably illustrates what chairman Mahindra meant when he once said that large corporations such as his had become the new garages for innovators.

From a mindset point of view, we are already a technology company, asserts Shah.

Its like a fast-paced action flick these days, adds Shandilya.

We experiment fast, fail fast and succeed fast.
'There is no parallel in UN history of an individual terrorist being bailed out by a world power,' points out Brigadier S K Chatterji (retd).

The Chinese have done it again.

The proposal to designate Masood Azhar as a terrorist by the United Nations has been torpedoed by the Chinese.

India's proposal cannot apparently resurface again at the UN, at least not too soon.

Perhaps, there is no parallel in UN history of an individual terrorist being bailed out by an assertive and rising world power.

With 14 members of the Security Council ready to designate Azhar a terrorist, China displayed anything but a commitment to combating global terror.

It is important to provide a brief bio of Masood Azhar the terrorist to put things in perspective. He was with the Harkat-ul-Ansar initially and took to arms against the Soviets in Afghanistan.

He rose in Harkat's ranks to be their fund-raiser and made multiple trips abroad developing contacts, raising funds, spreading the message of jihad. His contacts in England were involved in training and providing logistical support for the 7/7 London attackers.

In 1994, he traveled to Srinagar where he was arrested. A year later, four foreign tourists were kidnapped by terrorists in Kashmir. The Al Faran terror group took ownership for this heinous act and one of its demands was Azhar's release.

On December 24, 1999 Indian Airlines flight IC-814 flying from Kathmandu to New Delhi was hijacked by terrorists. Protracted negotiations with the terrorists followed, leading to the freeing of three terrorists incarcerated in Indian prisons.

One of them was Masood Azhar who has not looked back thereafter.

The Chinese digging in their heels at the UN Security Council and disallowing designating Azhar as a terrorist is baffling. There are a number of issues that may have influenced the Chinese decision beyond their umbilical relationship with Pakistan.

The India-US relationship being on a growth curve is certainly one of them. India taking a firm stand on the Doklam standoff and the consequent enhancement of India's stature among South East Asian countries is another.

India's definite no to the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative has irritated Beijing no end. The Chinese grip on Sri Lanka is also loosening, with India playing a substantial part in this process.

India and the US are also keen on weaning the Maldives away from China's clasp. The Chinese have been keen to develop the Maldives as an outpost to dominate communication over the sea lanes in the Indian Ocean.

In the BRICS declaration at the end of its ninth summit in September 2017, terrorist groups operating out of Pakistan have been mentioned by name. The groups referred to in the declaration include Jaish-e-Mohammed that Masood Azhar founded on his return to Pakistan after the IC-814 hijack.

The Chinese agreeing to include Jaish-e-Mohammed in the BRICS declaration, but blocking the designation of its founder as a terrorist is puzzling.

As far as Pakistan is concerned, it has been at the receiving end of late. US President Donald J Trump has lashed out at Islamabad in his typical style without mincing words.

With the prospect of further global isolation on the cards, Masood Azhar's designation as a global terrorist is something Pakistan cannot afford at this time.

The Chinese derailing the process at the UN may be assessed at best as a tactical setback for India. However, China's repeatedly stalling Azhar's designation as a terrorist certainly casts a shadow on Beijing's commitment to combating terrorism.

China's close ties with North Korea, an international pariah and a rogue State, and its constant display of affinity with Pakistan, a country known in most world capitals as the epicentre of global jihad, does lower China's image.

India would do well to take up other cases for designation as terrorists by the UN. India and the US are due to confer next month on the methodology for designating terrorists.

Once the parameters are agreed upon, other jihadis based in Pakistan could be targeted. India has issued a list of about 60 terrorists residing in Pakistan that it wants. It won't be much effort to decide on which one or more among them should be its next focus at the UN.

The Chinese may be reticent to repeat the same modus operandi once too often.
The Congress's revival plan says it needs to bring back into its fold Hindus repelled by the Sangh Parivar, take its message to youth and women and sections upset at curbs on their personal freedoms.

Archis Mohan reports.

A Congress party revival plan for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls has asked the leadership to take the initiative in shaping an opposition alliance, form electoral understandings where the party is weak, curb infighting and make efforts to bring moderate Hindus back to the party.

The plan says the Congress has a number of young leaders who can spearhead the revival effort, under the guidance of seniors.

The Congresss research department, headed by Rajya Sabha member M V Rajeev Gowda, has given the revival blueprint to the leadership.

Gowda was appointed chairman of the reconstituted research department in June.

The plan attempts to diagnose how to redress these. It also makes an assessment of what the Bharatiya Janata Party had promised in 2014 and the abysmal failure of the Narendra Modi government to deliver on these, particularly on economic growth and job creation.

It has advised the party to present an alternative economic approach based on small businesses, job creation and entrepreneurship, and construct a narrative and ideology that go beyond appeals to caste and religious identities.

It says Modi risks a violent political backlash from a large section of youth and middle classes who had voted for his vision of achche din or better days, if the BJP fails to rein in its violent fringe.

Gowda and his team hope that the Congress would be able to convey to voters that communal tension would hit economic growth, even as the BJP tries to revive the Ram Janambhoomi issue.

The plan says the Congress needs to bring back into its fold Hindus repelled by the Sangh Parivar trying to mangle a pluralistic, tolerant and self-reforming faith.

The plan asks the party to take its message to youth and women, sections upset at curbs on their personal freedoms.

The Congress, it says, must strengthen outreach to sections disappointed with the governments economic failures on the economic front and also those repelled by a divisive social agenda.

The party has started its outreach to powerful agrarian castes such as the Marathas in Maharashtra, Kapus in Andhra Pradesh, Jats in Haryana and Patidars in Gujarat.

In Karnataka, the Congress has taken up the issue of Hindi imposition by the Modi government. These varied groups represent a counter force to the Modi-led BJP, says Gowda.

On electoral strategy, it doesnt rule out the possibility of the PM deciding to hold Lok Sabha elections in December 2018, along with assembly polls to Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

It believes the BJP faces severe anti-incumbency in these three states and simultaneous elections could be a way for it to overcome local anti-incumbency.

These states feature direct fights between the Congress and the BJP. The team says the Congress needs more electoral victories in the run-up to the next Lok Sabha poll, like the one in Punjab in 2017.

In 2014, the BJP won 254 of its 282 seats in their 11 states of Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Bihar, Karnataka, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Assam, Haryana, plus Delhi.

The plan says a targeted effort can reduce the BJPs tally in these states.

According to the research team, Modi has personalised and centralised governance and the Congress only needs to convince voters he misled them.

Modi will take the entire party down with him, it says.

It has also suggested the party showcase the contrast between Rahul Gandhi, willing to take questions, and Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah, who rely on monologues.

It has also suggested the party put in place a shadow cabinet to showcase the BJPs limited talent pool and the bench strength of the Congress.

It has advised the party to galvanise dormant workers, invest in training of workers on the lines of the Kerala unit, modernise departments and work on state-specific agendas to counter the BJPs one-size-fits-all narrative.

It, however, believes it is vital to break the stranglehold of the BJP on the media narrative, to put forth a clearly articulated alternative vision through a sustained media and social media push.

A former professor at the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore, Gowda works with a team of younger party leaders like Ranajit Mukherjee and Harsh Vardhan Shyam and young graduates from some of the leading universities in the United States and the United Kingdom.

Photograph: PTI Photo
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday told United States President Donald Trump that both countries can rise beyond bilateral ties and work jointly for the future of Asia, reflecting their growing convergence on strategic issues in the Indo-Pacific region.

During their wide-ranging talks which took place on the sidelines of the Association of South East Asian Nations summit in the Philippines, Modi assured Trump that India will try to 'live up to the expectations' of the US and the world and also thanked the US President for speaking 'highly' about India during his trips.

The meeting came a day after officials of India, the US, Japan and Australia held their talks to give shape to the much talked about quadrilateral alliance to keep the strategically important Indo-Pacific region free, open and inclusive.

"The cooperation between India and US can rise beyond bilateral cooperation and both countries can work for the future of Asia and the world...We are moving ahead together on many issues," Modi told Trump in his opening remarks.

The US has been pitching for greater Indo-US cooperation in the strategically key Indo-Pacific region where China has been ramping up its military presence.

"Wherever President Trump has gone and wherever he got an opportunity to talk about India, he spoke very highly about India. He expressed optimism about India and I am assuring that the expectation the world has, the expectation the US has, India has been trying to live up to that expectation and will continue to do it," said Modi.

After the 45-minute meeting at the Sofitel hotel where Trump is staying, Modi tweeted, 'Held productive talks with @POTUS on further strengthening India-USA relations. @realDonaldTrump'.

Briefing reporters later, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar described the meeting as 'cordial, constructive and very comfortable' conversation on bilateral, regional and global issues.

He said the meeting was mainly focused on economic issues including trade and investment.

The two sides discussed how to grow the economic ties and improve market access to each other. He said the two leaders also discussed matters relating to defence cooperation, counter-terrorism, proliferation, the Korean crisis and situation in the Middle East, and the Gulf.

A fair amount of time went into the discussions on Afghanistan, Jaishankar said, adding that Prime Minister Modi briefed Trump on the recent supply of wheat through sea route.

They also discussed the situation in Myanmar's Rakhine State where violence against the Rohingyas have forced more than 600,000 people to flee the country to Bangladesh.

In the meeting, Trump described Modi as a 'friend'.

'It's great to have Prime Minister Modi here. We've had him at the White House, and he's become a friend of ours and a great gentleman doing a fantastic job in bringing around lots of factions in India - bringing them all together,' Trump said according to the transcript released by the White House.

'A lot of good reports are coming out of India. So I want to congratulate you,' he told Modi.

Trump had on Friday praised India's 'astounding' growth after it opened up its economy and also lauded Modi, saying he has been working successfully to bring the vast country and its people together.

Speaking at a gathering of CEOs on the sidelines of the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in the Vietnamese city of Danang last week, Trump cited India as one of the countries in the Indo-Pacific region making strides.

The use of the term 'Indo-Pacific' by President Trump has led to speculation that it may have something to do with Washington preparing the ground for a revival of the so called Quadrilateral strategic alliance between the US, Japan, Australia and India to counter China's rise.

The move to set up the quadrilateral alliance comes in the backdrop of growing Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea. The US has been favouring a larger role for India in the strategically key Indo-Pacific region.

Photographs: @PIB_India/Twitter
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a packed schedule in Manila. The PM, who arrived in the Philippines on Sunday, is here to attend the ASEAN-India and the East Asia summits.

On his second day of the visit, Modi visited the International Rice Research Institute in Los Banos, an urban locality situated at a distance of around 65 km from Manila -- the capital of the Philippines -- and then visited the Mahaveer Philippine Foundation, that provides free Indian-made prosthesis Jaipur Foot to needy amputees.

Here are images from Modis second day in the Philippines.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits the International Rice Research Institute. During his visit to the institute, PM Modi was informed of the flood-tolerant rice varieties which can withstand 14-18 days of submergence and can provide 1-3 tonnes more yield per hectare in flood affected areas. The Indian government is also setting up a regional centre of the IRRI in Varanasi, the Prime Ministers constituency, to develop high-yielding rice varieties.

Photograph: MEAIndia/Flickr

A rice field laboratory named after Prime Minister Modi was also inaugurated by him at the institute. The PM also unveiled a plaque marking the inauguration of the Shri Narendra Modi Resilient Rice Field Laboratory.

Photograph: MEAIndia/Flickr

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also contributed two Indian rice seed varieties to the gene bank of the international rice research centre in the Philippines. The centre is working towards mitigating global poverty and hunger by improving the cultivation of the key grain.

Photograph: @narendramodi/Twitter

Dr Ranjitha Puskur explains to PM Modi about the support provided to women for transforming agriculture. IRRI and its partners provided 2, 00, 000 women farmers in Odisha with capacity building programs, stress-tolerant rice varieties and improved agriculture technology.

Photograph: MEAIndia/Flickr

After his visit to the rice centre, Modi then made his way to the Mahaveer Philippine Foundation, a long-running humanitarian cooperation programme between India and the Philippines. The foundation was set up by highly regarded Indianorigin Mayor of Manila Dr Ramon Bagatsing in 1985. The organisation is an associated centre of Jaipur-based Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti which is the worlds largest organisation rehabilitating over 1.55 million differently-able people through Jaipur Foot.

Photograph: MEAIndia/Flickr

Modi also interacted with the several amputees at the centre. He tweeted the above image, writing, "'I want to be a policeman my young friend told me... Glad to see the Jaipur Foot giving wings to the aspirations of many youngsters like him."

Photograph: @narendramodi/Twitter

Earlier in the day, PM Modi attended the opening ceremony of the ASEAN summit at the highly fortified Cultural Centre. World leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Donald Trump, Chinese premier Li Keqiang, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, were welcomed with a musical version of the epic Ramayana.

Photograph: @narendramodi/Twitter

PM Modi and US President Donald Trump meet on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit. Following his meeting, Modi said, "The relations between India and the US are growing... and I also feel that the relationship between India and the US is not only for mutual interest. It goes beyond that. We are working together for the interest, for the future of Asia and for the humanity as a whole in the world." The PM also thanked Trump for praising India whenever he got an opportunity to speak about the country during his Asia tour.

Photograph: MEAIndia/Flickr
After days of multi-city searches, Income Tax sleuths have detected undisclosed income of Rs 1,430 crore in respect of 10 assessee groups which included those linked to jailed All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader V K Sasikala, her kin and their associates, a top official said on Monday.

Income Tax department sleuths last Thursday carried out simultaneous multi-city raids on 187 premises including those linked to Sasikala and her nephew and deposed AIADMK general secretary T T V Dinakaran and Tamil television channel Jaya TV over suspected tax evasion.

The searches at some premises continued for days.

A top tax investigation official in Chennai said that more than Rs 7 crore in cash and jewellery worth over Rs 5 crore were seized during the searches.

As many as 15 bank lockers and diamond jewellery were kept under prohibitory orders under which access to them is denied, he added.

A lot of incriminating documents were found and prima facie we have detected undisclosed income of Rs 1,430 crore, the official, who did not want to be named, told PTI.

In Delhi, a senior I-T official said undisclosed income of around Rs 1,500 crore was detected during the multi-city searches that were carried out mostly in Tamil Nadu.

Stating that Rs 30 crore of undisclosed income was detected already, the Chennai-based official said a lot more materials are being looked into.

To a question on the nature of undisclosed income, he said this relates to unexplained cash and unexplained cash introduced for acquiring several businesses. The issue of shell companies was a separate matter, he said, but did not elaborate.

The official said the undisclosed income was in respect of the 10 assessee groups, which includes Jaya TV and Midas Distilleries that are reportedly linked to Sasikala.

About possible freezing of some bank accounts, primarily related to shell companies, he said that process is also being done.

The official said once it is ascertained that the proceeds are not accounted for then the bank accounts will be looked into.

Tax authorities, meanwhile, summoned Vivek Jayaraman, head of Jaya TV (Mavis Satcom Limited) for questioning following conclusion of searches in the premises of the channel.

A report from Udhagamandalam said Income Tax officials are continuing their searches for the fifth day in the Green Tea Estate in Nilgiris District.

A team, consisting of three members, are reportedly verifying the documents with regard to the Kodanadu Estate and also the 670 acre Green Teas estate in Curzon, said to be purchased by late chief minister Jayalalithaa and her aide V K Sasikala some five years ago.

Jayalalithaa used to stay and look after official duties twice a year in the Kodanadu Bungalow, documents of which were allegedly in the custody of Dhinakaran or some of his relatives after her death.

IMAGE: Media personnel stand guard in front of the Jaya TV where IT officials conducted a raids in Chennai. Photograph: R Senthil Kumar/PTI Photo
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday asked Indians in Manila to work hard to ensure that the 21st Century belongs to India and said his government was making every effort to transform the country and take it to new heights.

Addressing the Indian diaspora in the Philippines capital, Modi said difficulties might be there but once it's crossed no one can stop India from achieving new heights.

"Our efforts are aimed at transforming India and ensuring everything in our nation matches global standards," Modi said in his nearly 35-minute speech.

Noting that 21st Century is described as Asia's Century, Modi told the cheering audience that it was duty of every Indian to work hard to make it a century of India.

"I say it is possible," Modi asserted.

The PM said India has always contributed to the world peace and more than 1.25 lakh Indian soldiers sacrificed their lives just for peace during the two world wars.

"Our contingent in the United Nations Peacekeeping Forces is among the biggest. India is the land of Mahatma Gandhi, peace is integral to our culture," he said, highlighting India's contribution to the world peace.

Modi also lauded his government's initiatives such as 'Swachh Bharat', 'Jan Dhan Yojna' and 'Ujjwala Yojana'.

"Which Indian doesn't want cleanliness? We have started from where Mahatma Gandhi left and till now over 2.25 lakh villages in India have become open defecation free," he said.

Stating that getting a LPG connection once used to be a big achievement, Modi said his government has provided free LPG connections to more than 3.5 crore families in over three years.

Talking potshots at the Congress for making 'gas cylinders' their poll plank during the 2014 polls and said the party's vision was limited to cylinders but his government allotted free LPG connections to three crore families since coming to power.

Modi said there was a time when families would celebrate getting gas connections as if they have got home a Mercedes.

"Members of Parliament used to get coupons for 25 LPG gas connections annually to oblige people of their constituency... Imagine, gas connections!" he said.

Recalling the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Modi said the Bharatiya Janata Party made him the prime ministerial candidate and people were waiting for the Congress to decide on its candidate.

"The Congress party held a meeting and later told a press conference that they have decided that if they retain power they will increase the number of LPG gas cylinders to consumers from nine to 12 per year," he said.

"That (number of cylinders) was going to be their poll issue. That was the expanse of their thought and even the people would be amused by such announcements...Such narrow vision at times leads to major crisis," he said, referring to the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance's ouster from power after a decade.

Modi said that during his speech from the ramparts of the Red Fort he had requested the well-off citizens to give up LPG subsidy which led 1.5 crore consumers giving up the benefits that were passed on to the poor in form of free connections.

"There are 25 crore families in the country. Three crore families have been given gas connections and our target is to provide it to five crore families," he said, highlighting the harms of fuel-wood on women and children.

"When my party came to power, we linked LPG connections with Aadhaar. It was revealed that earlier subsidies were also given to people who did not even exist! Subsidy should be given to deserving people. We are saving Rs 57,000 crore annually by linking LPG connections with Aadhaar," he said.

Modi said the people who earlier wrongly benefited will always opposing him and vowed that he will leave no stone unturned in fulfilling the mission for which he was elected.

He also took a jibe at the UPA government referring to its scam-mired tenure, saying that before 2014 people would ask how much money lost due to corruption but now they ask how much money has comeback.

He said 30 crore families, which were out of the banking system for 70 years, have got their zero minimum balance accounts during the National Democratic Alliance regime and their total savings amounted to Rs 67,000 crore.

"This is not a small change. Those (the poor) who were out of the banking system have now become the focal point of it," he remarked.

Modi arrived in Manila on Sunday on a three-day visit to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-India and the East Asia summits.

In an address at an ASEAN business forum, Modi said the demonetisation of high value currency notes along with a series of other reform measures have resulted in formalising a large part of the Indian economy.

He also highlighted rolling out of the goods and services tax as well as measures for bankruptcy and insolvency proceedings, besides the linking of Aadhaar database with financial transactions as part of broader policy initiatives to bring transparency in the financial sector.

"We are using our Unique ID system in financial transactions and taxation for this purpose and the results are already visible. These steps, coupled with demonetisation of high value notes, has resulted in formalising a large part of our economy," Modi said.

The prime minister's comments on demonetisation assume significance as all major opposition parties have attacked the move, alleging that it had severely damaged the Indian economy.

Modi also talked about repealing of 1,200 outdated laws in the last three years and simplification of procedure for investors to do business in India.

He said the 'Act East' policy of his government puts the ASEAN region at the centre of India's engagement.

"We have exceptionally good political and people-to-people relations with each and every country in the ASEAN region. We wish to bring our economic and business relations up to the same level," he said.

Photograph: Courtesy @MEAIndia/Twitter
Dr. Morton H. Smith, founding professor of Reformed Theological Seminary (RTS), founder of Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary (GPTS), first Stated Clerk of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), and one of the world's foremost authorities on American Presbyterian history and theology, passed into glory on Sunday, November 12, 2017. He was 93 years old.

He was the fourth of five sons born to James Brookes and Margaret Morton Smith of Roanoke, Virginia on December 11, 1923. His early childhood was characterized by a love for the mountains of western Virginia and a heartfelt commitment to Christ from a young age. The Smith family maintained an active membership in the Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church, where Mr. Smith served as a Ruling Elder until they moved to the Mt. Washington area of Baltimore, Maryland.

It was at the Mt. Washington Presbyterian Church that Dr. Smith publicly professed his faith in Jesus Christ. Later on in life, Dr. Smith would credit Pastor James E. Moore with having the greatest influence on his life outside of his parents. The elders received Dr. Smith as a communing member when he was eleven years old. During the membership interview, the senior elder of the session asked Dr. Smith, "What does Jesus mean to you?" The generally shy young man expressed his love for Christ when, choking up, he eked out an answer that communicated, "He means everything to me, and I trust Him as my Savior."

In the Spring of 1941, Dr. Smith graduated from the St. Paul's School for Boys in Baltimore. He enrolled at the University of Michigan that Fall to study Forestry. In his first year at Michigan, he met his future wife, Miss. Lois Knopf. They married on June 30, 1944 while Dr. Smith was serving as a military flight instructor during World War II. After graduating with a degree in Botany in 1947, he accepted a position as the office manager in the Registrar's office.

The Lord used teaching and preaching opportunities at Grace Bible Church (Miss. Lois' home church) to call Dr. Smith to the gospel ministry. He enrolled at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia in the Fall of 1949. While at Columbia, Dr. Smith gravitated to the last remaining confessional professor at the seminary, Dr. William Childs Robinson. Recognizing the entrenched theological liberalism of the institution as a whole, the Smiths decided to transfer to Westminster Theological Seminary in the Fall of 1950.

The Smiths spent one year at Westminster, and Dr. Smith later recalled it as the most intellectually stimulating year of his life. He particularly profited from time spent with Dr. Cornelius Van Til and Professor John Murray. Though their year in Philadelphia was a great blessing to the Smiths, Dr. John R. Richardson of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Atlanta convinced them to return to a denominational seminary of the Presbyterian Church in the United States (PCUS) in order to prepare for ministry in that body. Dr. Smith completed his studies at Columbia Theological Seminary in December of 1952.

Like many students of Columbia Seminary at the time, Dr. Smith was active in pastoral and preaching ministry while pursuing his degree. In 1952, he was ministering to an unaffiliated core group of believers in Valdosta, GA who ultimately organized as a congregation of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC). After consulting with Dr. Van Til and PCUS missionary to Japan Dr. David McIlwaine, both of whom urged Dr. Smith to remain in the PCUS in order to maintain a confessional witness within the Southern Presbyterian church, he elected to pursue a call in the PCUS. In 1954, he accepted a call to a two-church field: Springfield-Roller, near Baltimore, MD.

That same year, however, he received a call to teach Bible at Belhaven Colleg in Jackson, MS. He would hold that position until 1963. It was during this time that the Smiths adopted Samuel and Suzanne in 1958 and 1962, respectively. In 1962, he completed his Doctor of Philosophy degree on a Fulbright Fellowship to the Free University of Amsterdam, under the tutelage of Professor G.C. Berkouwer. His doctoral dissertation is in publication under the title, Studies in Southern Presbyterian Theology. In 1963, Westminster Theological Seminary invited Dr. Smith to join the faculty as a guest lecturer in practical theology.

In 1964, the Smiths moved to French Camp, MS to serve on the faculty of what would become Reformed Theological Seminary. Dr. Smith taught classes in several locations around the country, locations to which he would travel by plane in his own Cessna 150. He would fly his plane all over the continental United States as both a professor and a churchman for decades, finally selling his last aircraft in 1988.

Dr. Smith was on the original faculty in the Fall of 1966, when Reformed Theological Seminary commenced classes with 17 students. He taught there until 1978, at which point his role as Stated Clerk of the PCA grew into a full-time responsibility. The Steering Committee of the Continuing Presbyterian Church (what would become the PCA) commissioned Dr. Smith to produce a book outlining a rationale for separating from the PCUS. How is the Gold Become Dim was published shortly before the Continuing Church met in December of 1973. At that first meeting of the Continuing Church, the gathered elders elected Dr. Smith to serve as Clerk at the Convocation of Sessions and at the First General Assembly of the fledgling church. He would continue in this role until 1988, serving the new denomination which from its start devoted itself to three great aims: to be faithful to the Scriptures, true to the Reformed faith, and obedient to the Great Commission.

In 1978, once he began to work full-time as Stated Clerk. Toward the end of his tenure as Stated Clerk, Dr. Smith began working with a group of elders from Second Presbyterian Church in Greenville, SC to establish an Old School Presbyterian Seminary in Upstate South Carolina. In the Fall of 1987, Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary began classes to equip preachers, pastors, and churchmen for Christ's Kingdom.

After resigning as Stated Clerk of the PCA, Dr. Smith continued to serve on denominational committees, take an active part in the Western Carolina Presbytery of the PCA, and participate in the life of Cornerstone PCA in Brevard, NC. He also traveled extensively around the world to teach, preach, and train pastors in many different countries: South Africa, South Korea, the Czech Republic, Brazil, Russia, and New Zealand. In 2013, the Board of Trustees of Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary named a Chair in Systematic Theology in honor of Dr. Smith.

Generations of his students will remember him as a godly, gentle, and quiet man of strong Christian character and conviction. As a scholar, he was committed to the depth and breadth of the Reformed tradition, founded upon the rock-solid foundation of God's Word. His was an exegetically grounded theology. Committed to preparing and equipping Reformed ministers, his academic work flowed out of the instruction which he provided to his students. As a true child of God, Dr. Smith had a humble, simple faith in Christ. For Dr. Morton Smith, all true doctrinal inquiry finds its ultimate terminus in Christ. He loved to talk about and preach Christ.

The PCA recognized his contribution as one of the founding fathers of the denomination when the 28th General Assembly (2000) elected him to serve as Moderator. To date, he appears to be the last bearded moderator of the PCA General Assembly.

In a festschrift published in honor of Dr. Smith's eightieth birthday in 2004, I described Dr. Smith's influence on the PCA in no uncertain terms: "no man has had a more profound impact on the early development of this denomination than he." Reformed Theological Seminary Chancellor and CEO Dr. J. Ligon Duncan III, who studied "The Theology of the Westminster Standards" under Dr. Smith at Covenant Theological Seminary, identified him as both a family friend and "one of the key figures in late twentieth-century North American Presbyterianism." Reformed Theological Seminary Professor Emeritus Dr. Douglas F. Kelly commended Dr. Smith as a man who has "stood for what he understands to be God's truth no matter how offensive it has been to the spirit of the age."

In the last few years of his life, Dr. Smith enjoyed receiving guests into his home, many of whom were students and colleagues from various seasons of his life. He also lovingly cared for his wife as her health declined more rapidly than his. It was only a severe stroke on Thursday, November 2, 2017 that caused him to pass more quickly into glory.

We thank God for the life and legacy of Dr. Morton Howison Smith, even as we mourn his death. Yet our loss is his gain. As the Westminster Shorter Catechism teaches in Q. & A. 37, "The souls of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness, and do immediately pass into glory; and their bodies, being still united in Christ, do rest in their graves til the resurrection." Having passed into glory, Dr. Morton Smith is now perfect in holiness, beholding his beloved Christ.
Four Rohingya refugees perish in new Bay of Bengal shipwreck

Publisher UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Publication Date 31 October 2017 Cite as UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Four Rohingya refugees perish in new Bay of Bengal shipwreck , 31 October 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5a0959674.html [accessed 16 November 2022]

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is deeply saddened by reports of a new shipwreck in the Bay of Bengal this morning in which at least four Rohingya refugees died when their boat capsized close to the southern Bangladesh shore. Others who were injured have been taken to local hospitals for immediate treatment.

UNHCR staff and our partners rushed to the scene to provide medical support, food, blankets and clothes to the survivors. According to survivors, six families - 42 people in total, many of them women and children - left on a fishing boat from Gozon Dia south of Maungdaw town in Myanmar's northern Rakhine state around 2 am. They ran into rough seas and approached shore in the Imamerdail area of Ukhia sub-district in Bangladesh around 8.30 am local time today.

The boat was hit by large waves and eventually capsized, trapping people underneath. Several were injured when they hit the engine. A 15-year-old boy died on the spot. In all 22 injured people were rushed to hospitals and NGO clinics but three reportedly died en route. The remaining 19 were taken to UNHCR's transit centre near Kutupalong camp where they will receive further assistance and support. We will ensure that families are not separated in the course of the medical treatment.

UNHCR has been in touch with the Bangladesh authorities to ensure safe passage in a systematic and timely way and to step up efforts to rescue people in distress at sea.
Thousands of Cameroonian seek refuge in Nigeria

Publisher UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Publication Date 31 October 2017 Cite as UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Thousands of Cameroonian seek refuge in Nigeria, 31 October 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5a0959fd4.html [accessed 16 November 2022]

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, together with the local authorities in Southwestern Nigeria, is assisting recently arrived Cameroonians seeking refuge and safety. Thousands have fled to Nigeria following renewed violence in Anglophone parts of Cameroon earlier in October.

Together with the Nigerian authorities, we have registered some 2,000 people so far, with the help of our local partners in various locations in Southwestern Nigeria. An additional 3,000 are awaiting registration, while more people might be trapped in forests on the Cameroonian side as they attempt to cross the border.

UNHCR and the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) are distributing relief items in Nigeria's Cross River State.

UNHCR/Nigeria teams are jointly visiting different locations to better assess the situation and register new arrivals. We have also delivered relief items such as mattresses and blankets, mosquito nets, cooking utensils or hygiene kits, as well as 40 tons of food. UNHCR will continue the distribution of relief materials in several locations this week.

UNHCR is working with the Nigerian government and other UN agencies on a contingency plan, readying humanitarian assistance for up to 40,000 people crossing into Nigeria. Our fear, however, is that 40,000 might actually be a conservative figure in a situation where the conflict might continue.

Nigeria and Cameroon are already grappling with one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, with 2.5 million people displaced by Boko Haram insurgency in the Lake Chad region. The current influx of Cameroonian seeking refuge in Nigeria poses additional challenges to the international community and burden to an already stretched assistance.
Rohingya refugees still fleeing to Bangladesh with crisis in third month

Publisher UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Publication Date 3 November 2017 Cite as UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Rohingya refugees still fleeing to Bangladesh with crisis in third month, 3 November 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5a096e9b3.html [accessed 16 November 2022]

In Bangladesh, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and our partners are providing urgent aid and seeking shelter for Rohingya refugees who arrived from Myanmar yesterday and on Wednesday.

According to the Bangladesh border guards, some 3,000 refugees arrived through the Anjuman Para border crossing between Wednesday evening and Thursday morning. They waited in the paddy fields near the border, where Action Contre la Faim sent food and UNICEF distributed water from a boat. Medecins Sans Frontieres identified and brought in people who needed urgent medical attention. UNHCR distributed tokens for relief supplies to be collected further inland when they find a place to settle.

As of this morning, more than 2,000 of them have moved towards UNHCR's transit centre near Kutupalong camp, including some vulnerable refugees who were taken by bus. This comes as our staff just relocated over 400 recent arrivals to a new extension to Kutupalong camp.

At the transit centre, the new arrivals have been given health checks, food, water and basic supplies for a few days before they are relocated to Kutupalong Extension.

New arrivals who spent the night near the border are being directed towards Kutupalong Extension site today.

Separately, UNHCR's Assistant High Commissioner for Protection Volker Turk concluded on Wednesday a visit to Myanmar, during which he reiterated UN calls for unrestricted humanitarian access to all communities in need in Rakhine State.

Turk stressed the right of return of refugees who fled from Rakhine State to Bangladesh over recent weeks and appealed for their safe, voluntary, and sustainable return home necessitating safety, protection and peaceful coexistence of all communities in Rakhine State.

UNHCR also emphasized the importance and the need for the robust and early involvement of development actors to engage and invest in community-based programmes in Rakhine State that create conditions that enable sustainable reintegration of returning refugees and benefit all communities in need.

Turk arrived to Bangladesh this morning where over the next four days he will visit refugee settlements in Cox's Bazar and meet with Bangladeshi authorities in Dhaka.
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.
First results of family counting in Bangladesh find every third refugee household vulnerable

Publisher UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Publication Date 7 November 2017 Cite as UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), First results of family counting in Bangladesh find every third refugee household vulnerable, 7 November 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5a0970cf4.html [accessed 16 November 2022]

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has just completed the first phase of Rohingya refugee family counting, where more than half a million refugees from Myanmar have so far been counted.

UNHCR has met the Minister of Home Affairs overseeing the individual biometric registration exercise and briefed on the progress made on the family counting. The exercise, conducted jointly by UNHCR and Bangladesh's Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commission (RRRC), took place in the Kutupalong camp, makeshift and extension areas and Balukhali makeshift areas and is now extending to further south. Going from shelter to shelter, more than 100 UNHCR-hired enumerators have so far gathered data on 120,284 families comprising 517,643 refugees.

In an innovative and revealing family counting exercise, UNHCR teams found that one-third of the families are vulnerable. As many as 14 per cent are single mothers holding their families together with little support in harsh camp conditions. Others are struggling with serious health problems or disabilities. There is also a high proportion of elderly people at risk, unaccompanied and separated children - some of them taking care of younger siblings. Children made up 54 percent of the total population; women 52 percent.

Most of those counted (72 per cent) arrived in Bangladesh after violence erupted in Myanmar's northern Rakhine state in late August, whereas the remaining sought refuge in Bangladesh prior to the latest influx. The majority (70 per cent) came from Maungdaw township, with smaller numbers from Buthidaung and Rathedaung.

The mobile data collection was designed in such a way that data can be collected with GPS even when the team has no network coverage. As soon as the mobile device is on the network, the collected data is automatically uploaded to a secure server. This design has allowed UNHCR to collect the necessary data and consolidate, analyse and visualise it quickly.

The RRRC-UNHCR exercise will quickly extend its coverage further south into Teknaf in the coming weeks. The geo-tagged data of each family and the barcoded RRRC Family Counting Card has given a shape to Rohingya refugees living in Bangladesh in terms of demography and location.

The design and methodology of this family counting exercise are somewhat unique in UNHCR's emergency registration history. Because the refugees are still on the move and site zoning is still in progress, the enumerators visit their shelters individually, meaning that refugees do not have to queue to be counted.

The information collected in this ongoing exercise will be useful not only for UNHCR and the Bangladeshi authorities but also for all humanitarian partners in their planning and 'interventions' for the benefit of the refugees.
Russia: Muslim prisoner of conscience tortured

Publisher Forum 18 Author Victoria Arnold Publication Date 7 November 2017 Cite as Forum 18, Russia: Muslim prisoner of conscience tortured, 7 November 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5a099a644.html [accessed 16 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

In Russia's prisons one Muslim prisoner of conscience has recently been tortured, and Muslims and Jehovah's Witnesses have both been denied literature. Other Muslims and Jehovah's Witnesses continue to be on trial and face investigations for allegedly organising or participating in allegedly "extremist" organisations.
Turkey: What do parents and pupils think?

Publisher Forum 18 Author Dr. Mine Yildirim Publication Date 1 November 2017 Cite as Forum 18, Turkey: What do parents and pupils think?, 1 November 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5a099b414.html [accessed 16 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

A group of NGOs have surveyed what Turkish parents and secondary school pupils think about the government's education policies in relation to freedom of religion and belief. Some welcome state actions, but others feel coerced into religious instruction and practices they disagree with.
Uzbekistan: Book banning, censorship, illegal fines, reprisals

Publisher Forum 18 Author Mushfig Bayram Publication Date 27 October 2017 Cite as Forum 18, Uzbekistan: Book banning, censorship, illegal fines, reprisals, 27 October 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5a099b944.html [accessed 16 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

A Muslim hairdresser and one of his regular customers with his family is being intensively investigated by Uzbekistan's Anti-Terrorism Police for sharing a Muslim book electronically. Several Protestants also have been fined - two illegally threatened - for keeping Christian material in their own homes.
Russia: Building, retaining places of worship obstructed

Publisher Forum 18 Publication Date 26 October 2017 Cite as Forum 18, Russia: Building, retaining places of worship obstructed, 26 October 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5a099bf94.html [accessed 16 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Problems caused by the authorities for non-state favoured communities attempting to build new places of worship can include demolition if a mining company wants the land, repeated refusal to legalise land claims, and the withdrawal of building permission while construction is underway.
China: Whether the US Embassy verifies personal information of visa applicants with Chinese authorities, including the Public Security Bureau (PSB) (2015-August 2017)

Publisher Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada Publication Date 18 September 2017 Citation / Document Symbol ZZZ105984.E Related Document(s) Chine : information indiquant si l'ambassade des Etats-Unis verifie les renseignements personnels des demandeurs de visa aupres des autorites chinoises, y compris le Bureau de la securite publique (Public Security Bureau - PSB) (2015-aout 2017) Cite as Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, China: Whether the US Embassy verifies personal information of visa applicants with Chinese authorities, including the Public Security Bureau (PSB) (2015-August 2017), 18 September 2017, ZZZ105984.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5a09a9584.html [accessed 16 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa

In correspondence with the Research Directorate, a representative from the U.S. Embassy in Beijing provided the following:

We can confirm that the DS-160 form and the applicant's passport are the only documents required by the U.S. Embassy and Consulate services for the nonimmigrant visa application of mainland Chinese citizens.

The U.S. Embassy and Consular services in China do not consult the Chinese Public Security Bureau (PSB) for information stored in the PSB's [National Basic Population Information Database] to verify personal information of visa applicants.

Nonimmigrant visa applications of those who are suspected to have adverse criminal records but who are otherwise deemed suitable for travel to the United States would generally be required to submit additional documentation, such as a certificate of no criminal record and/or official court records for any prior criminal proceedings, in order to rule out potential visa ineligibilities. Nonimmigrant visa applications of those who are otherwise deemed unsuitable for travel to the United States would be directly rejected under the relevant section of the Immigration and Nationality Act, instead of having the applicant's personal information further checked against PSB's information database. (US 28 Aug. 2017)

According to the same source, this information is "applicable at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing and each of  [the American] Consulates across Mission China" (US 28 Aug. 2017). According to a 2011 case study by Neusoft [1] on the development of a population information management system, the "Public Security Ministry's National Basic Population Information Database" is "an important component of the Golden Shield Project" (Neusoft 27 Oct. 2011).

Note

[1] Neusoft is a Chinese provider of industry and product engineering solutions with a focus on software technology (Neusoft n.d.a). Its client base includes, among others, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Finance, and the State Administration of Taxation of the People's Republic of China (Neusoft n.d.b).

References

Neusoft. 27 October 2011. Case Study: Project for the Development of a Ministry-Level Population Information Management System for the Ministry of Public Security. Translated by the Translation Bureau, Public Services and Procurement Canada. [Accessed 25 Aug. 2017]

Neusoft. N.d.a. "About Neusoft." [Accessed 25 Aug. 2017]

Neusoft. N.d.b. "Government." [Accessed 25 Aug. 2017]

United States (US). 28 August 2017. Embassy of the United States in Beijing. Correspondence with the Research Directorate.

Additional Sources Consulted

Internet sites, including: China - Ministry of Public Security.
Yemen: Treatment of Sunni Muslims by Houthis in areas under Houthi control (2014-September 2017)

Publisher Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada Publication Date 10 October 2017 Citation / Document Symbol YEM105985.E Related Document(s) Yemen : information sur le traitement reserve aux musulmans sunnites par les Houthis dans les regions sous le controle des Houthis (2014-septembre 2017) Cite as Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Yemen: Treatment of Sunni Muslims by Houthis in areas under Houthi control (2014-September 2017), 10 October 2017, YEM105985.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5a09aa064.html [accessed 16 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa

1. Overview

According to sources, the Houthi [Huthi] movement is also known as Ansar Allah (Al Jazeera 29 Mar. 2015; Adaki Spring/Summer 2015). Sources indicate that the Houthis belong to the Zaydi [Zaidi] sect of Shi'a Islam (BBC 17 Mar. 2015; Clausen Sept. 2015, 20; US 15 Aug. 2017, 1). According to sources, the Houthis are allied with forces loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh (ibid.; Amnesty International n.d.).

According to a 2015 article by Roland Popp [1] in CSS Analyses in Security Policy, published by the Center for Security Studies (CSS) at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (Eidgenossische Technische Hochschule Zurich, ETH Zurich), 99 percent of Yemen's population is Muslim, of which 35 to 45 per cent are Zaydi Shi'as, while the remainder are Sunni Muslims (Popp June 2015, 3). Maria-Louise Clausen, a postdoctoral researcher at the Danish Institute for International Studies (DIIS) whose research focuses on the Islamic State (DIIS n.d.), notes in an article published in The International Spectator [2] that "[t]he Zaydis make up approximately one third of the Yemeni population whereas the majority, especially in southern Yemen and the coastal areas, belong to the Shafi'i branch of Sunni Islam" (Clausen Sept. 2015, 22).

Sources indicate that the conflict in Yemen is political rather than sectarian (SAM for Rights and Liberties 26 Sept. 2017; Research Associate 19 Sept. 2017). Sources indicate that sectarianism in Yemen has not been a significant issue (ibid.; ECFR n.d.b). Sources indicate that Yemenis of different sects have been known to pray in the same mosques (ibid.; Adaki Spring/Summer 2015). The European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), an international think-tank that conducts "independent research" and promotes "informed debate about Europe's role in the world" (ECFR n.d.a), reports that "[i]ntermarriage between Sunnis and Zaidis is considered routine" (ibid. n.d.b).

In correspondence with the Research Directorate, the Executive Director of SAM for Rights and Liberties, a Geneva-based non-profit organization founded in 2015 by "a group of Human Rights activists, academics and professionals in Europe seeking to monitor human rights in [the] Middle East and aim to put violations offenses under the radar of [i]nternational decision-making institutions" (SAM for Rights and Liberties n.d.), noted that the terms "'Sunni Muslims'" and "'Houthis'" is not a differentiation that is used on the ground, stating that the Houthis have identified themselves as Zaydis struggling in a country of Sunnis, but this rights struggle is really a political issue (ibid. 26 Sept. 2017). Similarly, in correspondence with the Research Directorate, an executive director at Mwatana Organization for Human Rights (Mwatana), "an independent Yemeni organization involved in defending and protecting human rights" (Mwatana n.d.), also noted that "the conflict in Yemen has never been Sunni vs Shiite ... [i]t has always been a conflict between political parties/ groups/ armed groups/ regional countries, etc., for political reasons" (ibid. 24 Sept. 2017).

However, a report by Minority Rights Group International (MRG) indicates that, "[i]n the context of rising religious extremism [in Yemen], the threat of targeted violence between Sunni and Zaidi Shi'a Muslims" has increased (Jan. 2016). Reuters reports that, on 17 October 2014, "Yemeni Shi'ite Houthi fighters and supporters of the Sunni Muslim party Islah clashed in central Yemen" in what it characterized as a "sign of sectarian warfare" (18 Oct. 2014).

Clausen notes that "[a]lthough the Huthis have widespread support among the Zaydi community, the movement also contains Sunni Muslims, [which is why] some Zaydis have denounced the Huthi movement" (Sept. 2015, 22). In correspondence with the Research Directorate, the Executive Director at SAM for Rights and Liberties also noted that many Zaydis oppose the Houthi movement (SAM for Rights and Liberties 26 Sept. 2017).

For further information on the Houthis in Yemen, see Response to Information Request YEM105787 of April 2017 and YEM105341 of November 2015.

1.1 Territory Controlled by the Houthis

According to sources, in September 2014 the Houthis took control of the capital Sana'a (BBC 17 Mar. 2015; US 14 Oct. 2015, 1), along with large portions of the country (ibid.). A 2014 report by Al Jazeera indicates that the Houthis control the provinces of Saada and Amran, which are located north of the capital, and captured the cities of al-Hudaydah and Dhamar (15 Oct. 2014). In March 2015, Reuters reported that Houthi fighters took over the city of Taiz [Taizz] and that the "Houthi expansion into mostly Sunni areas in the center and west has led to months of clashes with local tribes and al Qaeda" (22 March 2015). In April 2017, Gulf News, a Dubai-based English-language regional newspaper, reported that the Houthis controlled Sana'a and "most northern provinces including Hodeidah, Ibb, Mahweet, Yareem, Amran, Baydha and Hajja" (2 April 2017). In correspondence with the Research Directorate, a Research Associate at the London Middle East Institute at the University of London, who has been involved in Yemen research for decades and whose publications focus on crisis in Yemen, noted that most of the area controlled by the Houthis is

inhabited by Zaydis. But they also have many Sunni supporters in the areas they control south of Dhamar, particularly in Taiz. Al Baidha governorate, which they control is almost entirely populated by Shafi'i (the local Sunni group throughout Yemen). (Research Associate 19 Sept. 2017)

2. Treatment of Opposition

The Executive Director at SAM for Rights and Liberties noted that people who oppose the Houthis, including journalists, human rights defenders, or activists of "any [kind]," "are arrested and affected by other kinds of serious human rights violations, including torture, kidnapping, disappearing, and killing" (SAM for Rights and Liberties 26 Sept. 2017). The same source notes that a "'normal'" person will not be very affected by the Houthis, unless they oppose or confront the Houthis or speak out against Houthi control of education or religious practices (ibid. 26 Sept. 2017). Similarly, the Executive Director at Mwatana stated that

[the] Houthis have arbitrarily arrested many people from different areas in Yemen, and one of the reasons was that either these people disagree with the Houthis' discourse or because of their political background and [if they are] considered as opponents. (Mwatana 24 Sept. 2017)

A report by Amnesty International on the conflict in Yemen states that

[t]he Huthi armed group, supported by state security forces, has carried out a wave of arrests of its opponents, including human rights defenders, journalists, and academics arbitrarily seizing critics at gunpoint and subjecting some to enforced disappearance as part of a chilling campaign to quash dissent in areas of Yemen under its control. (Amnesty International n.d.)

The executive director at SAM for Rights and Liberties noted that the Houthis "use police forces to control the community" and that "people are put in jail without following any proper legal procedures" (SAM for Rights and Liberties 26 Sept. 2017).

2.1 Treatment of Sunni Muslims

In correspondence with the Research Directorate, a Research Fellow specializing in Arab and Islamic Affairs at the New America Foundation, a Washington, DC based think tank, provided the following:

Since the Huthis have effectively taken over the country, they have been suspicious of Sunnis. The group believes that those who do not swear allegiance to it are working with the Saudi-led coalition. As a result, Sunnis have been discriminated against. Though this has impacted their economic well-being, it has not resulted in a significant downturn in the services they have received vis-a-vis other groups in the country.

Sunnis face discrimination that those of the Zaydi persuasion to which the Huthis belong do not experience. This includes women. (Research Fellow 21 Sept. 2017)

The same source further explained that

[a]ccording to Yemenis I have spoken with, the Huthis are recruiting Yemenis of all faiths to fight for them. Those who have sought asylum in the United States claim that Sunnis who refuse to do so are tarred as spies for the Saudis. Those coming from Saudi Arabia are suspected of being spies if only because they have come from the kingdom. With government institutions not functioning, discriminated Yemenis have few places they can turn to for protection and recourse. (ibid. 21 Sept. 2017)

Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. For further information on Yemenis returning from Saudi Arabia, see Response to Information Request YEM105787 of April 2017.

The BBC reports that "[t]here are rumours that the Houthis are targeting Sunni mosques in the capital and changing their imams," while noting that the call to prayer was changed from the Sunni to the Zaydi version (BBC 17 Mar. 2015). The US International Religious Freedom Report for 2016 indicates the following:

In northern areas traditionally under Zaydi control, there were reports of continued Houthi efforts to impose their religious customs on non-Zaydi residents, including by banning music and requiring women to wear full veils.

During [2016], there were reports of Houthi rebels pressuring imams at Sunni mosques to deliver prescribed sermons; compliance was reportedly mixed. In addition, Houthi minders reportedly pressed worshipers at Sunni mosques to sign political petitions protesting the Arab-led coalition campaign against Houthi-Saleh rebels. (US 15 Aug. 2017, 6)

The Executive Director at SAM for Rights and Liberties noted that the involvement of women is not like it was before the Houthis seized power, when there was "more openness of political parties to women and an increase in women's rights and involvement" (SAM for Rights and Liberties 26 Sept. 2017). Since the Houthi takeover, the participation of women in areas under their control has been framed as a "religious commitment" (ibid.). The same source also noted that the

suffering of the feminist movement has returned and tribal control has returned to women, reducing their freedom and rights. The Houthis used their power to recruit women in the conflicts through building women security forces that participate in the break-up of women demonstrations. Also, it was recorded that forced marriage was committed by several Houthis leaders in multiple places. (ibid.).

The same source further indicated that in issues such as education, the curriculum has been changed by the Houthis to be "more sectarian and [intolerant]" and that

[s]chools are not functioning well and a large number of teachers were expelled from their schools are replaced with Houthi teachers who are loyal to the group. The Houthis also converted many schools into camps and army training centers, and other schools were converted into prisons and detention centers. (ibid.)

Further and corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

2.2 Al-Islah

Al Jazeera describes Al-Islah as a "Sunni Islamist" party and the "Houthis' political rivals" (29 Mar. 2015). Human Rights Watch reports that "Houthi and other Sanaa-based authorities  have arbitrarily detained, tortured, and forcibly disappeared numerous opponents," including those suspected of having links to Islah (17 Nov. 2016). A report by Amnesty International on detention and forced disappearance in Yemeni areas controlled by the Houthis also notes that, according to lists compiled by Yemeni organizations and activists, the "vast majority" of the "hundreds of people who have been detained and are being held in prisons controlled by the Huthis and allied authorities, without facing charges or trials," are members Al-Islah (Amnesty International May 2016, 6). The same source also reports that armed Houthis

carried out detentions in homes, in front of family members, at security checkpoints, at workplaces, or in public venues such as mosques, without arrest warrants and with no explanation of the reasons or grounds for detention, and without providing any information about where the detained were being taken. (ibid.)

The Executive Director at SAM for Rights and Liberties stated that the Houthis target Sunnis that work with political parties, noting that in the Houthi takeover of Amran, rather than targeting all Sunnis, the Houthis targeted those involved with Sunni political parties, including Al-Islah, the Yemeni Congress, and Nasseris (SAM for Rights and Liberties 26 Sept. 2017).

2.3 Freedom of Movement

The Research Fellow stated that although "Sunnis are able to move freely throughout the country given that the Huthis are a militia and not a state," once they are in Houthi controlled areas, "Sunnis are subject to arbitrary conduct including random detentions" (Research Fellow 21 Sept. 2017). The Executive Director at Mwatana stated that "people in Yemen are categorized socially and geographically but not religiously or by sects" (Mwatana 24 Sept. 2017). The same source provided the following:

[For example], if a person (man) from the north wants to travel to the south, and his ID shows that he's from the north, he will not probably be allowed to pass checkpoints and asked to return; unless he has evidence that he wouldn't stay, like a ticket out to leave from Aden airport. We, at Mwatana, have heard about incidents from the north [of people] being deported from the south to the north, leaving their properties, businesses, etc. (ibid.)

In correspondence with the Research Directorate, a Yemen Researcher at Human Rights Watch indicated that Sunnis are not able to move freely between Houthi and government controlled areas, noting that

[t]here is still movement between government controlled areas and Houthi-Saleh controlled areas, but it is increasingly difficult for a variety of reasons. Both because you have to cross active front lines, but also as families/particularly men have been targeted, pushed back if they have northern or southern names. For example, in May 2016, hundreds of people from Taizz were reportedly forcibly displaced from Aden by the security forces. We've heard reports of people with Taizzi backgrounds still have trouble traveling to Aden. This is all exacerbated by the fact that the only functioning airports are now in government territory. (Researcher 22 Sept. 2017)

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Notes

[1] Roland Popp is a senior researcher at the Center for Security Studies (CSS) at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich; his publications and research interests include "the international politics and history of the Middle East" (ETH Zurich n.d.).

[2] The International Spectator is a peer-reviewed academic journal on foreign policy issues (Taylor & Francis Group n.d.).

References

Adaki, Oren. Spring-Summer 2015. "Yemen on the Brink." The Journal of International Security Affairs. No. 28. [Accessed 8 Sept. 2017]

Al Jazeera. 29 March 2015. Saeed Al Batati. "Who Are the Houthis in Yemen?" [Accessed 8 Sept. 2017]

Al Jazeera. 15 October 2014. "Houthi Rebels Seize Parts of Yemeni Port City." [Accessed 18 Sept. 2017]

Amnesty International. May 2016. "Where Is My Father?": Detention and Disappearance in Huthi-Controlled Yemen. [Accessed 13 Sept. 2017]

Amnesty International. N.d. "Yemen: The Forgotten War." [Accessed 22 Sept. 2017]

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). 17 March 2015. Safa AlAhmad. "Meeting the Houthis - and Their Enemies." [Accessed 8 Sept. 2017]

Clausen, Maria-Louise. September 2015. "Understanding the Crisis in Yemen: Evaluating Competing Narratives." The International Spectator. Vol. 50, No. 3.

Danish Institute for International Studies (DIIS). N.d. "Maria-Louise Clausen." [Accessed 18 Sept. 2017]

Eidgenossische Technische Hochschule Zurich (ETH Zurich). N.d. Center for Security Studies (CSS). "Roland Popp." [Accessed 15 Sept. 2017]

European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR). N.d.a. "About ECFR." [Accessed 18 Sept. 2017]

European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR). N.d.b. Adam Baron. "Mapping the Yemen Conflict." [Accessed 18 Sept. 2017]

Gulf News. 2 April 2017. Saeed Al Batati. "Coalition Pounds Al Houthi Positions Across Yemen." [Accessed 19 Sept. 2017]

Human Rights Watch. 17 November 2016. "Yemen: Abusive Detention Rife Under Houthis." [Accessed 12 Sept. 2017]

Minority Rights Group International (MRG). January 2016. Rania El Rajji. "Even War Discriminates": Yemen's Minorities, Exiled at Home. [Accessed 13 Sept. 2017]

Mwatana Organization for Human Rights (Mwatana). 24 September 2017. Correspondence from Executive Director to the Research Directorate.

Mwatana Organization for Human Rights (Mwatana). N.d. "About." [Accessed 25 Sept. 2017]

Popp, Roland. June 2015. "War in Yemen: Revolution and Saudi Intervention." CSS Analyses in Security Policy. No. 175. [Accessed 12 Sept. 2017]

Research Associate, University of London, School of Oriental and African Studies, London Middle East Institute. 19 September 2017. Correspondence with the Research Directorate.

Researcher, Human Rights Watch. 22 September 2017. Correspondence with the Research Directorate.

Research Fellow, New America Foundation. 21 September 2017. Correspondence with the Research Directorate.

Reuters. 22 March 2015. Mohammed Mukhashef. "Houthis Seize Strategic Yemeni City, Escalating Power Struggle." [Accessed 19 Sept. 2017]

Reuters. 18 October 2014. Mohammed Ghobari. "Houthis, Sunni Supporters Clash in Central Yemen." [Accessed 18 Sept. 2017]

SAM for Rights and Liberties. 26 September 2017. Correspondence from the Executive Director to the Research Directorate.

SAM for Rights and Liberties. N.d. "About Us." [Accessed 25 Sept. 2017]

Taylor & Francis Group. N.d. "Aims and Scope." The International Spectator. [Accessed 18 Sept. 2017]

United States (US). 15 August 2017. Department of State. "Yemen." International Religious Freedom Report for 2016. [Accessed 13 Sept. 2017]

United States (US). 14 October 2015. Department of State. "Yemen." International Religious Freedom Report for 2014. [Accessed 13 Sept. 2017]

Additional Sources Consulted

Oral sources: Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies; Gulf Center for Human Rights; Researchers specializing in Yemen and/or the conflict in Yemen; Yemen Peace Project.

Internet sites, including: Associated Press; ecoi.net; The Economist; Federation internationale des ligues des droits de l'homme; Freedom House; The Guardian; Gulf Center for Human Rights; Haaretz; Human Rights Quarterly; Institute for War and Peace Reporting; International Committee of the Red Cross; International Crisis Group; IRIN; Jane's Intelligence Review; The Muslim World; Radio France internationale; Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty; UK - Home Office; UN - High Commissioner for Refugees, Human Rights Council, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Refworld.
Guinea: Passports and identity cards, including format; requirements and process for obtaining a passport and an identity card, both in the country and abroad; shortage of passports and identity cards (2014-September 2017)

Publisher Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada Publication Date 2 October 2017 Citation / Document Symbol GIN105988.FE Related Document(s) Guinee : information sur les passeports et les cartes d'identite, y compris leur aspect; les exigences et la marche a suivre pour obtenir le passeport et la carte d'identite, tant au pays qu'a l'etranger; information sur la penurie de passeports et de cartes d'identite (2014-septembre 2017) Cite as Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Guinea: Passports and identity cards, including format; requirements and process for obtaining a passport and an identity card, both in the country and abroad; shortage of passports and identity cards (2014-September 2017), 2 October 2017, GIN105988.FE, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5a09aa974.html [accessed 16 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa

1. Guinean Passport

According to sources, Guinea started issuing a new biometric passport in 2014 (EU 7 May 2017; Guineenews 21 Apr. 2017). An article from Guineenews, a Guinean news magazine whose [translation] "objective is to provide reliable and verifiable information on the Republic of Guinea" (ibid. n.d.), reports that the new biometric passport [translation] "renders all non-biometric passports obsolete" (ibid. 21 Apr. 2017). In August 2017, a press release from a counsellor at the Embassy of the Republic of Guinea in Ottawa, published on Kaloumpresse, a Guinean news website, invites Guineans in Canada to obtain [translation] "a biometric passport that is accepted as valid in Guinea" and indicates that "[previous passports] will no longer be valid following the current enrolment campaign for the new biometric passport" that started on 8 August 2017 and that was to be carried out for one month (Kaloumpresse 14 Aug. 2017).

According to the Public Register of Authentic travel and identity Documents Online (PRADO) of the European Union (EU), the passport that is currently valid in Guinea was first issued on 14 May 2014 and is valid for five years (EU 7 May 2017). It is a single green booklet containing 32 pages and bearing the inscription [translation] "Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) [Communaute economique des Etats de l'Afrique de l'Ouest (CEDEAO)]" (ibid.). A detailed description of the passport, including physical and security features, as it appears on the PRADO website, is attached to this Response (Attachment 1).

According to sources, the diplomatic passport is red (Edison TD n.d.a; Keesing Reference Systems n.d.a) and the service passport is blue (ibid. n.d.b; Edison TD n.d.b). According to Keesing Reference Systems' Documentchecker website, the three ECOWAS passports were first issued on 24 February 2014, and the cover includes a contactless chip that conforms to the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (Keesing Reference Systems n.d.a, n.d.b, n.d.c). A detailed description of the diplomatic and service passports, including physical and security features, as it appears on the Keesing Reference Systems' Documentchecker website, is attached to this Response (Attachments 2 and 3).

1.1 Requirements and Process for Obtaining a Passport in Guinea

Information on the requirements and process for obtaining a passport in Guinea was scarce among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. According to sources, Guineans must go to the Air and Border Police Directorate (Direction de la police de l'air et des frontieres) to apply for a passport (APA 16 May 2014; La Depeche d'Abidjan 16 May 2014). Sources report that the fee for a biometric passport in Guinea is 500,000 Guinean francs (GNF) [approximately C$69] (Mediaguinee 7 May 2016; APA 16 May 2014; La Depeche d'Abidjan 16 May 2014). According to sources, applicants have to pay this fee at a bank, and the applicant is then given a receipt that he or she must submit before the passport is issued (ibid.; APA 16 May 2014).

1.2 Requirements and Process for Obtaining a Passport Abroad

According to sources, since 2014, applications for biometric passports have to be made in person, which makes it difficult for Guineans in other countries whose passports have expired to obtain one (Guineematin.com 6 Apr. 2016; Guineenews 21 Apr. 2017). According to Guineenews, the Guinean ministries of Public Safety, Foreign Affairs, and the Economy and Finance decided to organize enrolment missions abroad, notably in Europe and North America, [translation] "to enable the Guinean diaspora to obtain [these] passports" (ibid. 21 Apr. 2017). In a letter to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Guineans abroad, dated 6 April 2017 and published by the Embassy of Guinea in Canada, Guinea's Minister of State refers to [translation] "recent operations to roll out and issue biometric passports conducted in France, Belgium, Spain, Germany and Italy" (Guinea 28 July 2017).

According to sources, the following documents are required to obtain a biometric passport in Germany, Belgium, Canada, Spain, France and the United Kingdom:

a copy of a birth certificate extract [or judgment in lieu of a birth certificate and its transcription (Guinea n.d.)];

a copy of the consular card;

two identity photographs with a white background;

a form to be completed, which is to be supplied by the enrolment team (Guinee 360 12 Apr. 2016; Guinea n.d.).

According to sources, the fee is C$200 in Canada (ibid.), 140 euros [approximately C$206] in the Euro zone, and 110 pounds sterling [approximately C$184] in the United Kingdom (Guinea 360 12 Apr. 2016). Sources indicate that enrolment interviews will be conducted in Guinea's national languages (Guinea 14 June 2016).

1.3 Fraud and Corruption

An article published on 13 September 2017 on Guineenews indicates the following:

[translation]

Guinea is the only country where a foreigner can obtain all the documents (birth extract, national identity card, passport ) he or she needs in the biggest scam. All administrative documents are available to foreigners. All you need is a bit of money. (Guineenews 13 Sept. 2017)

According to an article published by the BBC on the arrest of two police officers accused of passport trafficking, the Guinean capital is a [translation] "main hub" for the passport trade, with foreigners using the passports to travel to Morocco and then to Europe (BBC 5 July 2017). In addition, [translation] "[a]ccording to statistics provided to the BBC by police officers, between 2015 and 2017, 20 to 30% of Guinean biometric passports were sold to non-Guinean Africans who left Conakry and went to Morocco" (ibid.). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

Guinea's Minister of State refers to the following problems that arose during operations to roll out and issue biometric passports in Guinean embassies in Europe:

[translation]

Changes in identity or date and place of birth; False reports of loss or theft; Fictitious cases of damage (Guinea 28 July 2017).

According to the same source, the Minister notes that [translation] "all changes to the biometric passport (first and last name, date and place of birth)" are prohibited, lost or stolen passports must be reported in an official manner, and any biometric passport that is declared damaged must be returned (ibid.).

1.4 Shortage of Passports in Guinea

According to the Agence de presse africaine (APA), a news portal from Dakar, Guinea faced a passport shortage (APA 16 May 2014). The same source also indicates that certain categories of people were able to obtain a passport during the shortage:

sick people who needed to be evacuated (ibid. 21 June 2013);

recipients of government scholarships (ibid. 16 May 2014);

[translation] "select civil servants" (ibid. 16 May 2014);

students (ibid. 16 May 2014);

Hajj pilgrimage candidates (ibid. 10 Aug. 2013).

During the shortage, a passport [translation] "could be bought for as much as 150,000 CFA francs [approximately C$337]" (ibid. 16 May 2014). Another article reports that [translation] "any  citizen who wants an ordinary passport would have to pay ten times the official fee or have a well-placed friend or relative in government" (ibid. 21 June 2013). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

2. National Identity Card

For information on the Guinean national identity card, please consult Response to Information Request GIN105004 from November 2014.

According to sources, Guinea's government started issuing national identity cards again in April 2016 (Guineenews 16 Aug. 2017; Jeune Afrique 21 Apr. 2016). Some sources report that the government had stopped issuing them in December 2014 (ibid.; Guineematin.com 6 Apr. 2016). Sources indicate that this resumption involves a transitional period of returning to an ordinary identity card (Guinee 360 21 Apr. 2016; Jeune Afrique 21 Apr. 2016; Guineematin.com 25 Mar. 2016). According to the news site Guineematin.com,

[translation]

[t]he Cabinet attache for the DGPN [National Police Directorate (Direction generale de la police nationale)] said that "the migration process for the biometric identity cards is long and time-consuming, so the Ministry of Security and Civil Protection (ministere de la Securite et de la Protection Civile, MSPC), through the DGPN, has decided to continue with the ordinary cards. (ibid.)

The weekly Jeune Afrique reports the following:

[translation]

According to a Ministry of Security source, the production process for biometric national identity cards has not been completed for two reasons: the lack of electronic data on citizens, and the length of time for talks to lower the price (100,000 Guinean francs). (Jeune Afrique 21 Apr. 2016)

The same source explains that [translation] "identity cards are being issued again as a transitional solution until the government of Guinea is able to issue biometric identity cards, which are considered to be more secure" (ibid.).

2.1 Requirements and Process for Obtaining a National Identity Card

Some media reports indicate that to obtain a national identity card in Guinea, the applicant must go to the police station in their region, pay a fee of 15,000 GNF [approximately C$2] and provide the following documents: a birth certificate extract, four recent photographs, a residence certificate and, if there is any doubt about the applicant's nationality, a nationality certificate (Guineenews 16 Aug. 2017; Jeune Afrique 21 Apr. 2016; Guinee 360 21 Apr. 2016). Sources add that the applicant must appear in person and undergo an interview, and must also provide a fiscal stamp in the amount of 5,000 GNF (ibid.; Guinee 360 21 Apr. 2016).

2.2 Fraud and Corruption

Guinean media articles mention problems encountered by people who have applied for a national identity card in Guinea (Guineematin.com 2 Mar. 2017; Aminata.com 19 Apr. 2017). According to a Guineematin.com correspondent based in Kindia, Guineans who try to obtain a national identity card in that city complain of corruption among police commissioners, unexplained delays, and an exorbitant fee of up to 150,000 GNF [approximately C$20] (Guineematin.com 2 Mar. 2017). Sources indicate that in the city of Labe, national identity cards are no longer being issued because of production problems (Aminata.com 19 Apr. 2017; Guineematin.com 5 July 2017) and, according to some citizens, the authorities may require amounts of up to 550,000 GNF [approximately C$76] (ibid.).

In an August 2017 article, the daily Guineenews says that it sent a reporting team to the city of N'Zerekore to look into corruption in issuing the national identity card (Guineenews 16 Aug. 2017). The article reports that the team met several people who said that they obtained their national identity card [translation] "without providing any documents whatsoever," and reports the following:

[translation]

[A]t the central police station in N'zerekore, none of these measures was followed. The national identity card costs 50,000 Guinean francs, and the applicant is not required to provide the documents listed above. The applicant simply has to pay the "deposit" and the officers do the rest (ibid.).

According to Guineenews, one of its reporters was able to obtain a national identity card using a false identity, without providing any documents, after paying 50,000 GNF (ibid.). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Aminata.com. 19 April 2017. Alpha Oumar Diallo. "Guinee : la production des cartes d'identite nationale grippee." [Accessed 13 Sept. 2017]

Agence de presse africaine (APA). 16 May 2014. "Guinee : les nouveaux passeports biometriques delivres lundi." Factiva [Accessed 13 Sept. 2017]

Agence de presse africaine (APA). 10 August 2013. "Penurie de passeports en Guinee : dispositions 'particulieres' en faveur des candidats au Hadj." [Accessed 14 Sept. 2017]

Agence de presse africaine (APA). 21 June 2013. "Vers la fin de la penurie de passeports ordinaires en Guinee (police)." (Factiva) [Accessed 14 Sept. 2017]

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). 5 July 2017. "Guinee : deux officiers en justice pour vente frauduleuse de passeports." [Accessed 13 Sept. 2017]

La Depeche d'Abidjan. 16 May 2014. Aliou Diallo. "Passeports biometriques : la Guinee s'apprete a delivrer le premier lot." [Accessed 19 Sept. 2017]

Electronic Document Information System on Network (Edison TD). N.d.a. "Guinea - Diplomatic Passport - 004 E-passport, Red Cover." [Accessed 13 Sept. 2017]

Electronic Document Information System on Network (Edison TD). N.d.b. "Guinea - Service Passport - 002 - E-passport, Blue Cover." [Accessed 26 Sept. 2017]

European Union (EU). 7 May 2017. Public Register of Authentic travel and identity Documents Online (PRADO). "GIN-AO-02001." [Accessed 13 Sept. 2017]

Guinea. 28 July 2017. Embassy of Guinea in Canada. "Avis." [Accessed 14 Sept. 2017]

Guinea. 14 June 2016. Embassy of Guinea in Berlin. "Delivrance des passeports biometriques aux guineens de l'etranger : la delegation d'enrolement a Berlin le mercredi 22 juin 2016." [Accessed 14 Sept. 2017]

Guinea. N.d. Embassy of Guinea in Canada. "Passeport." [Accessed 19 Sept. 2017]

Guinee 360. 21 April 2016. "Guinee : le gouvernement relance la delivrance des cartes d'identite a 15.000 GNF." [Accessed 19 Sept. 2017]

Guinee 360. 12 April 2016. "Guinee : passeport biometrique, enfin la possibilite de se procurer le precieux document offerte aux guineens d'Europe et d'Amerique du Nord." [Accessed 14 Sept. 2017]

Guineematin.com. 5 July 2017. Kadiatou Diallo. "Rupture des cartes d'identite nationale a Labe : la societe Sabari Technologie indexee!" [Accessed 15 Sept. 2017]

Guineematin.com. 2 March 2017. Sekou Komoyah Kaba. "Corruption dans la confection des cartes d'identite : des citoyens de Kindia se plaignent." [Accessed 14 Sept. 2017]

Guineematin.com. 6 April 2016. Saidou Hady Diallo. "Droit a l'identite : ABLOGUI fait le point sur sa campagne numerique." [Accessed 15 Sept. 2017]

Guineematin.com. 25 March 2016. "Cartes d'identite : elles seront disponibles en fin mars dans les commissariats de police." [Accessed 14 Sept. 2017]

Guineenews. 13 September 2017. Nassiou Sow. "Officiels guineens desormais prives de visa americain : indigne, Dr Oussou accuse la gouvernance Alpha." [Accessed 15 Sept. 2017]

Guineenews. 16 August 2017. "Exclusif - Guinee : Magouille et corruption de la police dans la confection de la carte d'identite a N'Zerekore (Enquete)." [Accessed 13 Sept. 2017]

Guineenews. 21 April 2017. Alhassane Bah. "Passeports biometriques : le calvaire des Guineens de l'etranger sous l'inertie du gouvernement." [Accessed 19 Sept. 2017]

Guineenews. N.d. "A propos de." [Accessed 14 Sept. 2017]

Jeune Afrique. 21 April 2016. Diawo Barry. "Guinee : les autorites annoncent la reprise de la confection des cartes nationales d'identite." [Accessed 13 Sept. 2017]

Kaloumpresse. 14 August 2017. "Passeport biometrique : l'ambassade de Guinee au Canada invite les guineens a vite se faire enroler." [Accessed 13 Sept. 2017]

Keesing Reference Systems. N.d.a. Documentchecker. "Guinea - Diplomatic Passport." [Accessed 19 Sept. 2017]

Keesing Reference Systems. N.d.b. Documentchecker. "Guinea - Service Passport." [Accessed 13 Sept. 2017]

Keesing Reference Systems N.d.c. Documentchecker. "Guinea - National Passport." [Accessed 13 Sept. 2017]

Mediaguinee. 7 May 2016. Ibrahima Cisse. "Enrolement pour passeport biometrique en France : un Guineen parle de scandale et crie au calvaire...." [Accessed 15 Sept. 2017]

Additional Sources Consulted

Oral sources: Association des juriste en action pour le droit; Guinea - embassy in Canada, consulate in Montreal, consulate in Toronto, consulate in Alberta, consulate in British Columbia; lawyers in Guinea.

Internet sites, including: ecoi.net; Guinea - embassy in Washington, DC, embassy in Belgium, consulate in Toronto, official portal of the Government of Guinea, Office of the President of the Republic of Guinea; Kababachir; United Nations - Refworld; Vision Guinee.

Attachments

European Union (EU ). 7 May 2017. Public Register of Authentic travel and identity Documents Online (PRADO). "GIN-AO-02001." [Accessed 26 Sept. 2017] Keesing Reference Systems. N.d. "Guinea - Diplomatic Passport." [Accessed 26 Sept. 2017] Keesing Reference Systems. N.d. "Guinea - Service Passport." [Accessed 26 Sept. 2017]
Guinea: The situation of sexual minorities, including legislation; the treatment of sexual minorities by society and the authorities; state protection and support services available to victims (2014-September 2017)

Publisher Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada Publication Date 21 September 2017 Citation / Document Symbol GIN105987.FE Related Document(s) Guinee : information sur la situation des minorites sexuelles, y compris les lois; le traitement reserve aux minorites sexuelles par la societe et les autorites; la protection offerte par l'Etat et les services de soutien a la disposition des victimes (2014-septembre 2017) Cite as Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Guinea: The situation of sexual minorities, including legislation; the treatment of sexual minorities by society and the authorities; state protection and support services available to victims (2014-September 2017), 21 September 2017, GIN105987.FE, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5a09ab8d4.html [accessed 16 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa

1. Sexual Minorities

In an information guide on the legal and social realities of sexual minorities in the immigrants' countries of origin, the Ministry of Immigration, Diversity and Inclusion (ministere de l'Immigration, de la Diversite et de l'Inclusion, MIDI) of Quebec states that there is [translation] "scarce information on the situation of members of sexual minorities in Guinea and, contrary to neighbouring countries, political, religious and media discourse has little interest in the topic, resulting in invisibility and the perpetuation of a strongly entrenched taboo" [1] (Quebec 2017, 31). The Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons (CGRS) in Belgium, in a report on homosexuality in Guinea published in June 2015, states that, according to testimony collected in 2011, [translation] "homosexuality is a taboo subject, behaviour that is non-compliant with social order and that often leads homosexuals to gloss over their sexual orientation in order to not be rejected by their family or society" (Belgium 22 June 2015). Similarly, the Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2016 of the United States (US) Department of State refers to "deep religious and cultural taboos" that exist against consensual same-sex sexual conduct in Guinea (US 3 Mar. 2017, 25).

Afrobarometre, a [translation] "survey-based collaborative research project [] conducted by social scientists in more than 30 African countries (Afrobarometre 1 Mar. 2016, 29), notes from a survey conducted from 2014 to 2015 on tolerance in Africa, that Guinea is among the most intolerant countries towards homosexuals of all the countries consulted (ibid., 14). In that survey, conducted through in-person interviews with 1,200 to 2,400 respondents who represented a national representative sample and who ensured a 95 percent confidence level (ibid., 2), 94 percent of the Guineans consulted responded that they [translation] "strongly hate" homosexuals and 3 percent of them stated that they "would strongly like" or "somewhat like" to have homosexual neighbours (ibid., 27).

According to MIDI, [translation] "homophobia and heterosexism force sexual minorities to conceal their sexual orientation, although it is possible to carry out discrete homosexual acts" in Guinea (Quebec 2017, 31). According to sources, in Conakry, meeting places are frequented by homosexuals, such as bars (ibid.; Belgium 22 June 2015), discotheques and restaurants (Quebec 2017, 31).

MIDI reports that many members of sexual minorities marry individuals of the opposite sex to maintain appearances (ibid.). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

2. Legislation

Sources state that same-sex sexual activity is a criminal offence in Guinea (Freedom House 12 July 2017; ILGA May 2017a; US 3 Mar. 2017, 24). According to sources, a new penal code was promulgated in Conakry on 26 October 2016 (ibid., 3; OHADA 17 Dec. 2016; ICRC 26 Oct. 2016). In a commentary on the new penal code draft bill, Amnesty International notes, in May 2016, that [Amnesty International English version] "sexual acts between consenting adults of the same sex remain a crime in the draft bill on the Criminal Code (Article 274)" (23 May 2016, 9).

Article 274 of Law No. 2016-059/AN on the Criminal Code (Loi No 2016-059/AN portant Code penal) provides for the following:

[translation]

Any indecent act or act against nature with a same-sex individual or with an animal will be punished by six months to three years of imprisonment and/or a fine of 500,000 [about C$69] to 1,000,000 Guinean francs.

If the act is committed with a minor under 18 years of age, the maximum penalty must be pronounced.

If the act was consummated or attempted with violence, the guilty party will suffer the penalty of imprisonment of 5 to 10 years. (Guinea 2016)

The Penal Code also provides for the following:

Article 275: Any deliberate act that is committed in public and may offend the sense of decency and moral sentiment of third parties who involuntarily witness the act will constitute public indecency.

Article 276: Any person who commits public indecency will be punished by 3 months to 2 years of imprisonment and/or a fine of 500,000 to 1,000,000 Guinean francs.

If the contempt is committed by a group of individuals, the sentence in the first paragraph of this article is doubled. (ibid.)

Amnesty International, in its analysis of May 2016, states that [Amnesty International English version] "[i]ncitement to indecency is also criminalized (Article 355), but this is poorly defined" (23 May 2016, 9-10).

Article 355 of Law No 2016-059/AN on the Penal Code provides as follows:

[translation]

Any person who regularly violates morals by committing debauchery or supporting the corruption of minors will be punished by a term of imprisonment of 1 to 3 years and/or a fine of 1,000,000 to 5,000,000 Guinean francs, subject to more serious sentences if applicable.

Any attempt to commit the offence set out in this article will be punishable by the same sentence as the offence itself. (Guinea 2016)

According to Amnesty International,

[Amnesty International English version]

[t]his clause could potentially serve to criminalize the actions of health workers, activists and NGOs who provide young lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans or intersex (LGBTI) people with information on, for example, their health and HIV prevention, not to mention LGBTI people themselves. (23 May 2017, 9-10)

2.1 Enforcement of the Law

Country Reports 2016 of the US Department of State indicates that, although the law criminalizes consensual same-sex sexual activity, there have been no known prosecutions (US 3 Mar. 2017, 24). Freedom House notes that although legislation criminalizing same-sex sexual activity is rarely enforced, some LGBT people have been arrested "on lesser charges" (12 July 2017). Country Reports 2016 adds that the Office for Protection of Women, Children, and Morals (OPROGEM), which includes a unit for investigative morals violations, including same-sex sexual activity, did not report that authorities arrested cross-dressing men in nightclubs on public nuisance charges, unlike in the previous year (US 3 Mar. 2017, 24).

However, the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA), states that sexual orientation-based arrests were documented in Guinea in the last three years (May 2017a). Similarly, Amnesty International states in its 2015/2016 report on Guinea that [Amnesty International English version] "[a]t least" three people were arrested during this period "because of their perceived sexual orientation" and that two of them were sentenced to three months' imprisonment, a month after their arrest (24 Feb. 2016).

The ILGA states that the Guinean government provides no protection to members of sexual minorities (May 2017b). Sources state that the anti-discrimination laws in Guinea do not apply to members of sexual minorities (Freedom House 12 July 2017; US 3 Mar. 2017, 24). The CGRA reported in June 2015 that, according to a Guinean human rights association, [translation] "it is difficult for a homosexual to be protected by the state, not because of their homosexuality, but because of the state's limited means" (Belgium 22 June 2015).

3. Treatment of Sexual Minorities

According to the Country Reports 2016, there were no reports of discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity but "societal stigma likely prevented victims from reporting abuse or harassment" (US 3 Mar. 2017, 25). According to MIDI, [translation] "[m]embers of sexual minorities are sometimes victims of crimes and stigmatization, although there has been no reports of conviction" (Quebec 2017, 31). The CGRA states that [translation] "homosexuals may be victims of isolated acts of violence by those around them or by law enforcement when they disrupt social order" (Belgium 22 June 2015).

The CGRA also reports that there is [translation] "segregation" of homosexuals socio-economically, especially in terms of finding employment (ibid.). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

Some Guinean media report reactions from the public when in October 2015, two homosexuals were caught by the authorities [translation] "in the midst of a sexual act" in Conakry (APA 31 Oct. 2015; Mosaiqueguinee 30 Oct. 2015; Africa Guinee 1 Nov. 2015). According to Africa Guinee, a Guinean news website, their questioning [translation] "was not sufficient to calm the local population's anger. It [hopes] that the two suspects are subjected to popular justice" (ibid.). The Agence de presse africaine (APA) reports that inhabitants [translation] "could demand that the two suspects be handed over, no doubt in order to settle the score" (APA 31 Oct. 2015). The same source adds that the issue received widespread attention in the media, the city and on social networks (ibid.). Sources state that the spokesperson of the national gendarmerie had to encourage the population to stay calm (ibid.; Africa Guinee 1 Nov. 2015). Guinee Matin, a Guinean news and opinion website (Guinee Matin 1 July 2014), reports that following those events, the Communications High Authority (Haute Autorite de la Communication) [whose mandate includes issuing the professional press card in Guinea (Guinee n.d.)] suspended a journalist from his duties for three months and demanded that the news site Mosaiqueguinee make public apologies for revealing the identity of one of the two homosexuals and publishing his photograph (Guinee Matin 3 Nov. 2015).

On 7 October 2016, according to Afrinews, a Guinean news website, two young militants wearing t-shirts stating: [translation] "Collective for the Defense of Homosexuals," were arrested in Conakry, after being attacked by some youths (Afrinews 9 Oct. 2016). According to that same source, their awareness campaign was identified by these youths as [translation] "[o]bscene and contrary to customary and religious values" of Guinea (ibid. 9 Oct. 2016).

In 2015, Guinee Matin reported on the speech of Oustaz Ramadan, an imam from the large mosque of Koloma, who stated the following when talking about homosexuality: [translation] "it is something to be avoided. People must condemn any person caught doing these types of things. The authorities must also make arrangements to penalize these people" (Guinee Matin 24 Nov. 2015). In 2017, on International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, Guinee Matin reported the following statements made by the imam during an interview:

[translation]

"[A]s a Muslic, although we are in a secular country, we must stand up against these acts. [] Muslims must understand that it is prohibited and that every Muslim must beware of such acts, which are savage acts" (ibid. 18 May 2017).

4. Support Services

The CGRA notes that the taboo surrounding homosexuality pushes Guinean homosexuals to conceal their sexual activities from health personnel, but that

[translation]

since 2012, the association Afrique Arc-en-Ciel Conakry has noted a significant improvement in the situation of homosexuals in this respect. Through the National Committee to Combat AIDS (Comite national de lutte contre le sida, CNLS), certain programs in favour of homosexuals have been applied within the Ministry of Health (Belgium 22 June 2015).

In May 2016, Amnesty International, stated the following:

[Amnesty International English version]

The Guinean government acknowledges and takes account of the existence of LGBTI people in Guinea, for example in the 2013-2017 National STI/HIV/AIDS Strategic Framework, and in particular through the action of the National AIDS and STI Committee. But as long as sexual acts between consenting adults of the same sex remain a crime, LGBTI people will have to live their lives in secret and many of them will thus not have access to health services (23 May 2016, 10-11).

According to the Country Reports 2016, there are no active LGBTI organizations in Guinea (US 3 Mar. 2017, 25). In June 2015, the CGRA mentioned that the association Afrique Arc-en-Ciel Conakry (AAEC) was legally recognized in Guinea and that it acknowledged that it was the only active association (Belgium 22 June 2015). According to its website, AAEC was created in 2007 by some African homosexuals to [translation] "create sharing, meeting and welcoming conditions by organizing workshops" to "enhance the vitality of the sub-Saharan homosexual population" and "develop engagement" (30 Jan. 2013). Information on the actual activities of this organization could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Note

[1] In its 2017 information guide, MIDI states that its analysis for Guinea is based on reports from Amnesty International, Guinee Assistance et Developpement and the United States Department of State, as well as on articles prepared by the following authors: Fatou Mariam Dram et al. and Boniface Dulani, Gift Sambo and Kim Yi Dionne (Quebec 2017, 31-32).

References

Afrique Arc-en-Ciel (AAEC). 30 January 2013. "Accueil." [Accessed 6 Sept. 2017]

Africa Guinee. 1 November 2015. Ahmed Tounkara. "Guinee : les populations reclament deux homosexuels a Conakry." [Accessed 12 Sept. 2017]

Afrinews. 9 October 2016. "Guinee : des jeunes militants pour la cause des homosexuels arretes sur une plage a Conakry." [Accessed 12 Sept. 2017]

Afrobarometre. 1 March 2016. Boniface Dulani, Gift Sambo and Kim Yi Dionne. "Bons voisins? Les Africains demontrent un sens eleve de la tolerance envers beaucoup, mais pas tous." Depeche N 74. [Accessed 6 Sept. 2017]

Agence de presse africaine (APA). 31 October 2015. "L'interpellation de deux homosexuels dans la banlieue de Conakry fait debat." (Factiva) [Accessed 12 Sept. 2017]

Amnesty International. 23 May 2016. "Guinee. Projet de loi en etude a l'Assemblee nationale : des opportunites et des menaces majeures pour la protection et le respect des droits humains." [Accessed 6 Sept. 2017]

Amnesty International. 24 February 2016. "Guinee." Rapport 2015/16. [Accessed 7 Sept. 2017]

Belgium. 22 June 2015. Commissariat general aux refugies et aux apatrides (CGRA). "Guinee - L'homosexualite." [Accessed 7 Sept. 2017]

Freedom House. 12 July 2017. "Guinea Profile." Freedom in the World 2017. [Accessed 6 Sept. 2017]

Guinea. 2016. Loi No 2016/059/AN portant Code penal. Excerpts translated by the Translation Bureau, Public Services and Procurement Canada. [Accessed 4 Sept. 2017]

Guinea. N.d. Haute Autorite de la Communication. "Presentation." [Accessed 20 Sept. 2017]

Guinee Matin. 18 May 2017. Alpha Mamadou Diallo. "Oustaz Ramadan sur l'homosexualite en Guinee : 'nos autorites doivent empecher ca dans notre pays". [Accessed 13 Sept. 2017]

Guinee Matin. 24 November 2015. Mamadou Alpha Balde. "Un imam recommande la traque des 'terroristes' dans les villes et frontieres guineennes." [Accessed 13 Sept. 2017]

Guinee Matin. 3 November 2015. Saliou Bah. "3 mois de suspension d'un journaliste ayant revele l'identite d'un homosexuel!" [Accessed 20 Sept. 2017]

Guinee Matin. 1 July 2014. "Qui sommes-nous?" [Accessed 13 Sept. 2017]

Human Rights Watch. [October 2016]. "# Outlawed : 'The Love that Dare not Speak its Name." LGBT Rights HRW. [Accessed 7 Sept. 2017]

International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). N.d. "National Implementation of IHL - Law on the Criminal Code, 2016 - Loi No. 2016-059/AN portant Code Penal." [Accessed 6 Sept. 2017]

International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA). May 2017a. "Droit a l'orientation sexuelle dans le monde - criminalisation." [Accessed 7 Sept. 2017]

International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA). May 2017b. "Droits a l'orientation sexuelle dans le monde - protection." [Accessed 6 Sept. 2017]

Mosaiqueguinee. 30 October 2015. "Exclusivite monsaiqueguinee.com : un cas d'homosexualite flagrant a Conakry." [Accessed 21 Sept. 2017]

Organisation pour l'harmonisation en Afrique du droit des affaires (OHADA). 17 December 2016. Pierre LAMAH. "Revision du code penal en Guinee, avec integration des sanctions penales relatives aux incriminations d'affaires prevues par les Actes uniformes." [Accessed 6 Sept. 2017]

Quebec. 2017. Ministere de l'Immigration, de la Diversite et de l'Inclusion (MIDI). "Guinee." Realites juridiques et sociales des minorites sexuelles dans les principaux pays d'origines des personnes nouvellement arrivees au Quebec - Guide d'information. [Accessed 6 Sept. 2017]

United States (US). 3 March 2017. "Guinea." Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2016. [Accessed 7 Sept. 2017]

Additional Sources Consulted

Internet sites, including: Aminata; BBC; ecoi.net; Equaldex; Factiva; Global Gayz; Guinea - Supreme Court, official government portal; International Crisis Group; International Federation for Human Rights; IRIN; United Nations - Refworld; Radio France internationale.
China: English translations of the Population and Family Planning Regulations for the provinces of Guangdong, Fujian, and Hebei

Publisher Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada Publication Date 23 October 2017 Citation / Document Symbol CHN105983.E Related Document(s) Chine : Traductions en anglais des reglements sur la population et la planification familiale pour les provinces du Guangdong, du Fujian et du Hebei Cite as Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, China: English translations of the Population and Family Planning Regulations for the provinces of Guangdong, Fujian, and Hebei, 23 October 2017, CHN105983.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5a09acb64.html [accessed 16 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa

An English translation of the Regulations of Guangdong Province on Population and Family Planning, with amendments introduced in September 2016, is attached to this Response (Attachment 1).

An English translation of the Regulations of Fujian Province on Population and Family Planning, with amendments introduced in February 2016, is attached to this Response (Attachment 2).

An English translation of the Regulations of Hebei Province on Population and Family Planning, with amendments introduced in April 2016, is attached to this Response (Attachment 3).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection.

Attachments
China: Whether exit control procedures at the Shenzhen land border include the verification of documents through the Public Security Bureau (PSB) Exit and Entry Administration Information System or Golden Shield (Policenet), for those traveling to Hong Kong (October 2015-August 2017)

Publisher Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada Publication Date 20 October 2017 Citation / Document Symbol CHN105982.E Related Document(s) Chine : information indiquant si les mesures de controle de sortie aux postes frontaliers de Shenzhen incluent la verification de documents par l'entremise du Systeme d'information de la gestion des sorties et des entrees (Exit and Entry Administration Information System) du Bureau de la securite publique (Public Security Bureau, PSB) ou par le Bouclier d'or (Policenet), pour les personnes qui voyagent a Hong Kong (octobre 2015-aout 2017) Cite as Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, China: Whether exit control procedures at the Shenzhen land border include the verification of documents through the Public Security Bureau (PSB) Exit and Entry Administration Information System or Golden Shield (Policenet), for those traveling to Hong Kong (October 2015-August 2017), 20 October 2017, CHN105982.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5a09ad9f4.html [accessed 16 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa

Information on exit control procedures at the Shenzhen land border, including the verification of documents through the Public Security Bureau (PSB) Exit and Entry Administration Information System or Golden Shield (Policenet), for those traveling to Hong Kong, could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection.

Sources Consulted

Oral sources: Canada - Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada; Hong Kong - Immigration Department; Shenzhen - Public Security Bureau, Division of Exit-entry.

Internet sites, including: Al Jazeera; Amnesty International; BBC; Beijing Daily; China - Shenzhen Municipal Public Security Bureau, State Council; China Daily; China Perspectives; The China Quarterly; ecoi.net; Factiva; Freedom House; Global Times; The Globe and Mail; The Guardian; Hong Kong - Immigration Department; Human Rights Quarterly; Human Rights Watch; International Crisis Group; International Federation for Human Rights; IRIN; Jane's Intelligence Review; Minority Rights Group International; Organisation suisse d'aide aux refugies; People's Daily; Political Handbook of the World 2015; Radio France internationale; Radio Free Asia; Shenzhen - Public Security Bureau, Division of Exit-entry; South China Morning Post; Transparency International; United Nations - Refworld, ReliefWeb, OHCHR, OCHA, UNHCR; US - Congressional-Executive Commission on China, Department of State; Xinhua News Agency.
China: Effects of the implementation of the new Family Planning Policy on ethnic minorities and children born outside the country, including access to social services and benefits, in Guangdong, Fujian, and Hebei; whether the previous Family Planning Policy is being applied retroactively to those who have violated the policy, including in Guangdong, Fujian, and Hebei (October 2015-August 2017)

Publisher Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada Publication Date 17 October 2017 Citation / Document Symbol CHN105981.E Related Document(s) Chine : information sur les consequences de la mise en oeuvre de la nouvelle politique sur la planification familiale pour les minorites ethniques et les enfants nes hors du pays, y compris l'acces aux services et avantages sociaux, au Guangdong, au Fujian et au Hebei; information indiquant si l'ancienne politique sur la planification familiale est appliquee retroactivement aux personnes l'ayant enfreinte, y compris au Guangdong, au Fujian et au Hebei (octobre 2015-aout 2017) Cite as Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, China: Effects of the implementation of the new Family Planning Policy on ethnic minorities and children born outside the country, including access to social services and benefits, in Guangdong, Fujian, and Hebei; whether the previous Family Planning Policy is being applied retroactively to those who have violated the policy, including in Guangdong, Fujian, and Hebei (October 2015-August 2017), 17 October 2017, CHN105981.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5a09aebd4.html [accessed 16 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa

1. Family Planning Regulations

For the text of the Family Planning Regulations for Guangdong, Fujian, and Hebei, see Response to Information Request CHN105983 of October 2017. For information on the new Family Planning Policy, see Response to Information Request CHN105499 of May 2016.

Information on the implementation of the new Family Planning Policy in Guangdong, Fujian, and Hebei was scarce among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

According to sources, in October 2015, China announced changes to its Family Planning Policy that would allow couples to have two children (Amnesty International 24 Feb. 2016, 120; Germany 14 Dec. 2015, 5). According to sources, this policy came into effect in January 2016 (US 3 Mar. 2017, 54; Freedom House 2017). A 2016 report by Sixth Tone, a digital news source that reports on "issues and events from across China" and belongs to the state-funded Shanghai United Media Group (Sixth Tone n.d.), notes that China "left it up to provinces to work out the details" of implementing the new policy (ibid. 9 Aug. 2016).

According to Freedom House's Freedom in the World 2017 report for China,

[w]hile the authorities will continue to regulate reproduction, the change means that fewer families are likely to encounter the punitive aspects of the system, such as high fines, job dismissal, reduced government benefits, and occasionally detention. Abuses such as forced abortions and sterilizations are less common than in the past. (2017)

However, a 2016 Xinhua report by the Xinhua News Agency cites a "top health official" as stating that "China's family planning policy will not change in the foreseeable future" and while there is no timeline for "the full relaxation of the policy," continued improvements and adjustments will be made (Xinhua News Agency 8 Mar. 2016). A 2016 report by the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), which "monitor[s] the acts of the People's Republic of China which reflect compliance with or violation of human rights" and is composed of representatives of the US government (US n.d.), notes that government officials used "heavy fines, job termination, arbitrary detention, and coerced abortion" to enforce family planning policies (ibid. 6 Oct. 2016, 28). A 2017 report by the Global Times, a Chinese English-language daily newspaper (Global Times n.d.), citing the Beijing Daily, reports that, according to the updated family planning regulations, some provinces "impose social maintenance fees in accordance with their salaries" and that "[g]overnment officials in at least 14 provinces in China would face dismissal or punishment if they violate the family planning policy" (ibid. 3 Aug. 2017). The CECC report notes that the province of Fujian was among those that "continued to promote 'family planning work'" through "harsh and invasive family planning measures" (US 6 Oct. 2016, 150).

The US Department of State's Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2016 states that "[t]he revised law permits married couples to have two children and allows couples to apply for permission to have a third child if they meet conditions stipulated in local and provincial regulations" (US 3 Mar. 2017, 54). The same source also indicates that

[t]he National Health and Family Planning Commission reported that all provinces eliminated an earlier requirement to seek approval for a birth before a first child was conceived, but provinces could still require parents to "register pregnancies" prior to giving birth, which could be used as a de facto permit system in some provinces. (ibid.)

The same source adds that "[r]egulations requiring women who violate the family-planning policy to terminate their pregnancies still exist and were enforced in some provinces," while noting that "[s]ome provinces, such as Guangdong, removed provisions from provincial-level regulations requiring 'remedial measures' [an official euphemism for abortion] but inserted them instead into the revised regulations of major municipalities, such as Shenzhen" (ibid., 55).

According to Sixth Tone,

[a]fter the revision of China's family planning laws at the start of this year, 29 of the 31 provinces and autonomous regions had adapted their local family planning policies to allow two children per couple, according to statistics from state newspaper Legal Daily. However, seven of the 29 still state in their local policies that companies can fire employees for giving birth to more children than the national law allows. (Sixth Tone 4 Nov. 2016)

The same source states that these provinces include Fujian and Guangdong (ibid.).

1.1 Guangdong

The information in the following paragraph on the situation of remarried couples in Guangdong comes from two separate 2016 articles by Sixth Tone:

In July 2016, Sixth Tone reported that

[s]ome couples in southern China's Guangdong province are facing a painful dilemma: keep their jobs, or keep their unborn babies. With the introduction of the two-child policy in January, remarried couples in many Chinese provinces are now allowed to have more children, but Guangdong's regulations have yet to change. (Sixth Tone 22 July 2016)

The article provides the example of a pregnant woman in Meizhou City, Guangdong Province, who was "warned by her employer that she would be fired if she didn't abort her child" (ibid.). The article notes that "[e]lsewhere in China, remarried couples can have one child, regardless of the number of children they've had in previous marriages, or two children if the couple has one or no children from previous marriages," stating that the "family planning authority in Guangdong has postponed issuing new rules a few times already" (ibid.). The same source quotes Qiao Xiaochun, a professor at the Institute of Population Research at Peking University, as saying that he "doesn't know why Guangdong has yet to update its family planning policies" and that "it can't be out of a concern for population growth, as elsewhere in China these policies are being relaxed for remarried couples as well" (ibid.). The same article also notes that in Foshan, Guangdong Province, "families that have more children than are allowed face a fine of 260,000 yuan ($39,000)" (ibid.). Another article by the same source reports that a couple in Guangdong "thought they were entitled to have another child under the two-child policy, [but] an omission in the province's regulations regarding couples in their second marriages" allowed their employers to give them "an ultimatum: abort, or face fines and dismissal" (Sixth Tone 9 Aug. 2016). The same source adds that another pregnant woman "called the Guangdong family planning office, and they reassured her that it would be fine for her to have a second child," and that "a new regulation would be published in March [2016]" (ibid.). The Guangdong family planning office announced on 2 August 2016 that employers should "back down from policing remarried couples' pregnancies" (ibid.). One woman is quoted as stating that because "[n]o policy has come out on paper" they "still don't have the protection of law" (ibid.). Further information on the implementation of the new Family Planning Policy in Guangdong could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

Information on the implementation of the new Family Planning Policy in Fujian and Hebei could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

2. Effects on Ethnic Minorities

Under the previous policy, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides the following:

In areas inhabited by minority peoples, each ethnic group may work out different regulations in accordance with its wish, population, natural resources, economy, culture and customs: In general a couple may have a second baby, or a third child in some places. As for ethnic minorities with extremely small populations, a couple may have as many children as they want. (China n.d.)

Amnesty International reports that, under the new Family Planning Policy, "[p]olicies allowing rural households and ethnic minorities under certain circumstances to have additional children would continue" (24 Feb. 2016, 120). Freedom House states that "[e]thnic minorities are still permitted to have up to three children" (2017).

Further information on the impacts of the new Family Planning Policy on ethnic minorities in Guangdong, Fujian, and Hebei could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

3. Children Born Outside the Country

Information on the impact of the implementation of the new Family Planning Policy on children born outside the country could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

4. Impact for Parents who Violated the Family Planning Policy

Amnesty International reports that the government "announced that it would take steps to regularize the status of China's 13 million undocumented children born in contravention of the old policy" (24 Feb. 2016, 120). In a briefing note, the German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees stated that with the change in policy, "[a]bout 13 million Chinese citizens born illegally as the second child of married couples in violation of China's one-child family planning policy ('black children') will now be officially registered" and that "[f]or the first time, these people can receive 'Hukou' documents allowing them school attendance and unrestricted access to social services including medical care," although it was not known when this provision would enter into force (Germany 14 Dec. 2015, 5).

According to a report published on the official government news portal China.org.cn,

[i]f a family's second child was born before midnight on Dec. 31 [2015], in a family that already has a child and doesn't meet the requirements which allow them to have two children, the baby would be deemed illegal as the one-child policy was still in effect, and its parents would have to pay a heavy fine. However, if the baby was born after midnight on Jan. 1 [2016], there would be no problem at all, as the new law allows all Chinese couples to have two children. (China.org.cn 5 Jan. 2016)

A June 2016 report by the Xinhua News Agency indicates that "Chinese police provided about 746,000 unregistered citizens with household registration permits, a crucial document entitling them to social welfare, in the first five months of this year, according to the Ministry of Public Security," including

orphans and second children born illegally under the one-child policy, the homeless and those who have yet to apply for one or who have simply lost theirs. Parents who violated [the] family planning policy often refrained from getting hukou for their children in order to avoid fines. (9 June 2016)

The CECC report indicates that "[p]rovincial-level authorities also made efforts to address the issue of 'illegal residents' by loosening hukou registration requirements," noting that "Guangdong province authorities no longer required 'social compensation fee' payments from family planning policy violators as a precondition for obtaining hukou; instead, authorities will collect" payments after hukou registration (US 6 Oct. 2016, 153, italics in original). According to the same report,

[i]n January 2016, the State Council issued the Opinion on Resolving Issues of Hukou Registration for Individuals Without Hukou, which specified eight types of 'illegal residents' newly eligible to register for hukou without preconditions. Unregistered individuals whose parents failed to pay 'social compensation fees,' however, were not included in this list. Some parents, fearing that authorities might forcibly collect social compensation fees from them retroactively, remain deterred from registering their children born in violation of family planning policies. (ibid., 28)

The same source also notes that "[a]uthorities in some localities denied household registration (hukou) to children whose parents violated local family planning requirements" (ibid.). Country Reports 2016 states that "[u]nder the law and in practice, there continued to be financial and administrative penalties for births that exceed birth limits or otherwise violate regulations," explaining that the law

requires each woman with an unauthorized pregnancy to abort or pay the social compensation fee, which can reach 10 times a person's annual disposable income. Those with financial means often paid the fee so that their children born in violation of the birth restrictions would have access to services. Some parents avoided the fee by hiding a child born in violation of the law with friends or relatives. (US 3 Mar. 2017, 54)

The children of single mothers or unwed couples "are considered 'outside of the policy' and subject to the social compensation fee and the denial of legal documents, such as birth documents and the 'hukou' residence permit" (ibid.). The same source states that

[c]itizenship is derived from parents. Parents must register their children in compliance with the national household registration system within one month of birth. Unregistered children could not access public services, including education. No data was available on the number of unregistered births. In 2010 the official census estimated there were 13 million individuals without official documentation, many of whom likely were 'ghost' children whose births were concealed from local officials because they violated the population control policy. Some local officials denied such children household registration and identification documents, particularly if their families could not pay the social compensation fees. (ibid., 57)

For further information on undocumented (also called "illegal" or "black") children, see Response to Information Request CHN105636 of October 2016.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Amnesty International. 24 February 2016. "China." Amnesty International Report 2015/2016: The State of the World's Human Rights. [Accessed 27 Sept. 2017]

China. N.d. Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "Family Planning." [Accessed 26 Sept. 2017]

China.org.cn. 5 January 2016. Chen Xia. "Mothers-to-be Race Against Two-Child Policy." [Accessed 27 Sept. 2017]

Freedom House. 2017. "China." Freedom in the World 2017. [Accessed 26 Sept. 2017]

Germany. 14 December 2015. Federal Office for Migration and Refugees. "Briefing Notes: 14 December 2015." [Accessed 27 Sept. 2017]

Global Times. 3 August 2017. "Beijing Mulls Hetfy Fees for Having Three or More Children: Report." [Accessed 2 Oct. 2017]

Global Times. N.d. "About the Global Times." [Accessed 2 Oct. 2017]

Sixth Tone. 4 November 2016. Ni Dandan. "Court Awards Compensation to Woman Fired for Having Second Child." [Accessed 29 Sept. 2017]

Sixth Tone. 9 August 2016. Fu Danni. "Pregnant Women Can't Keep Waiting for Two-Child Policy." [Accessed 29 Sept. 2017]

Sixth Tone. 22 July 2016. Ni Dandan. "Guangdong Families Told to Have Abortion or Lose Job." [Accessed 29 Sept. 2017]

Sixth Tone. N.d. "About Us." [Accessed 29 Sept. 2017]

United States (US). 3 March 2017. Department of State. "China." Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2016. [Accessed 27 Sept. 2017]

United States (US). 6 October 2016. Congressional-Executive Commission on China. Annual Report 2016. [Accessed 29 Sept. 2017]

United States (US). N.d. Congressional-Executive Commission on China. "Legislative Mandate." [Accessed 29 Sept. 2017]

Xinhua News Agency. 9 June 2016. "China Grants 746,000 Residence Permits to Unregistered Citizens." [Accessed 2 Oct. 2017]

Xinhua News Agency. 8 March 2016. "No Full Relaxation of China's Family Planning Policy Anytime Soon: Official." [Accessed 2 Oct. 2017]

Additional Sources Consulted

Oral sources: All Girls Allowed; China  Baoding City (Hebei Province): Chuanli Town Family Planning Office, Lianmeng Road Subdistrict Family Planning Office, Beicheng Subdistrict Family Planning Office, Nanguan Subdistrict Family Planning Office; Lawyer specializing in immigration law; Researchers specializing in China's Family Planning Policy.

Internet sites, including: Al Jazeera; BBC; CBC; The Economist; Factiva; The Guardian; Human Rights Watch; IRIN; United Nations  Refworld.
China: Marriage and divorce certificates, including physical characteristics, regulations and standards governing their appearance and content; requirements and procedures to obtain them (2014-August 2017)

Publisher Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada Publication Date 29 August 2017 Citation / Document Symbol CHN105846.E Related Document(s) Chine : information sur les certificats de mariage et de divorce, y compris leurs caracteristiques physiques et les reglements et normes regissant leur apparence et leur contenu; les exigences et la marche a suivre pour les obtenir (2014-aout 2017) Cite as Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, China: Marriage and divorce certificates, including physical characteristics, regulations and standards governing their appearance and content; requirements and procedures to obtain them (2014-August 2017), 29 August 2017, CHN105846.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5a09b1034.html [accessed 16 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa

1. Regulations Governing the Appearance and Content of Marriage Certificates

A 2013 article on Chinese marriage certificates, published on the website of Women of China [1], indicates that a "national standard has  been created so that all the [marriage] certificates more or less look the same" (Women of China 10 Sept. 2013). Information on regulations governing the appearance and content of divorce certificates could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. Article 20 of the 2003 Chinese Regulation on Marriage Registration, promulgated by the Ministry of Civil Affairs on 1 October 2003, provides the following: "The State Council Civil Affairs Department shall draw up and monitor the printing of the marriage registration certificate in a unified form" (China 2003, Art. 20). A copy of the 2003 Regulation on Marriage Registration is attached to this Response (Attachment 1).

2. Appearance

According to a 2003 article by Huaxia, a Beijing-based online media, citing the China News Service (CNS) [2],

[translation]

[Chinese] marriage certificates in 1950 were just a thin piece of paper no larger than your two palms together, with only the names, ages, places of origin, signatures of the married couple and the signature of the officiating witness and without any decorative elements.

From 1952 until the end of the 1970s, marriage certificates came with motifs of a strongly national style printed on them. Doves of peace also appeared on the certificates between 1952 and 1959. Ears of rice and cotton were major themes on certificates of the time, reflecting the fact that agriculture accounted for a significant proportion of the national economy in that period.

In the early 1960s, traditional auspicious depictions, including two mandarin ducks sporting in water, twin lotus flowers on one stalk and plum blossoms, started appearing on marriage certificates, symbolizing the social stability and desirable farming weather that people looked forward to. In the 50s and 60s, terse and pithy slogans were inscribed on certificates. For instance, a 1954 marriage certificate would be printed with four large eye-catching characters in pink: "zi zhu zi yuan," meaning a marriage that is "your decision, your wish."

During the Cultural Revolution [1966-1976], everything took on a political colouring and marriage certificates were naturally no exception. Every marriage certificate of that time had to carry a specific quotation from Chairman Mao: "We hail from all corners of the country and have joined together for a common revolutionary objective. "

With the gradual improvements in the Chinese legal system since the introduction of reform and opening up to the outside world ["gai ge kai fang," Chinese economic reform from 1978 and onwards], marriage certificate is no longer simply a wedding souvenir that a couple stuff into the bottom of a drawer but has become a legal document in the true sense of the word. People have been using their marriage certificates with ever increasing frequency. As a result, marriage certificates have been "going back to basics," gradually shedding complex designs and changing their look from the old [flat-page] "certificate of merit" to that of a passport to make it easier for people to carry ... (Huaxia 22 Nov. 2003)

Copies of Chinese marriage certificates are attached to this Response (Attachment 2). Information on the appearance of divorce certificates could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

2.1 Covers and Pages

According to the 2013 article published on the website of Women of China, marriage certificates issued in 1990 had "a plastic hardcover" (Women of China 10 Sept. 2013). The information in the following paragraph comes from a 2014 article published on the website of the Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs:

New marriage certificates have eliminated "some sentimental elements from the book block [folio] design that had originally been included". The marriage and divorce certificates have the national flower, the peony, as a "major design element, and their designs and colours are basically the same". The new certificates are superior "in terms of appearance, design and security". The folio of the certificates are produced by "a specialized bank note paper company" and composed of paper weighting 100 grams per square metre. Watermark consisting of the "double happiness" character [] is oriented and positioned on the pages of the folio; it has a strong tactile feedback upon touching. "The paper is strong and pliable" and its properties including folding endurance, moisture and water resistance, make the paper suitable for long-term preservation. The numbers appearing on the folio pages are printed with "red fluorescent security ink". The "custom-made spot colour inks" are used for the background patterns and the peonies. (China 12 February 2014)

A copy of the 2014 article on the format of marriage certificates, published on the website of the Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs, including information on the layout, dimensions, materials, and security features of marriage and divorce certificates, is attached to this Response (Attachment 3).

2.2 Naming Scheme of the Issuing Body

Article 7 of the 2015 Procedural Standards for Marriage Registration of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, which entered into effect on 1 February 2016, provides the following:

[translation]

The marriage registration offices established by the civil affairs department of the people's government of a province, city or county (or equivalent-level city or district) or by the people's government of a township (town) shall be named as follows:

Marriage Registration Office of the Ministry (Bureau) of Civil Affairs of the Province (Autonomous Region, Centrally Governed Municipality) of xxx

Marriage Registration Office of the Bureau of Civil Affairs of the City of xxx

Marriage Registration Office of the Bureau of Civil Affairs of the County of xxx

Marriage Registration Office of the Bureau of Civil Affairs of the District of xxx of the City of xxx

Marriage Registration Office of the People's Government of the Township (Town) of xxx of the County (City, District) of xxx

Where the civil affairs department of the people's government of a county, city without established districts, or district directly under a city establishes several marriage registration offices, the geographical name of the place in which the marriage registration office is located shall be placed before the words "Marriage Registration Office." (China 2015, Art. 7)

2.3 Serial Number, Stamp and Embossing Seal

According to a 2013 article published on the website of Women of China, the current marriage certificates are considered as "a legal paper with anti-counterfeiting watermarks and a serial number" (Women of China 10 Sept. 2013). Article 78 of the Procedural Standards for Marriage Registration provides the following in regard to the serial number appearing on marriage and divorce certificates:

[translation]

Where the civil affairs department of a people's government at the county or higher level handles marriage registrations, the format for the insertion of the "marriage certificate number" is "Jaaaaaa-bbbb-cccccc (where "aaaaaa" is the 6-place code for the administrative division, "bbbb" is the year, and "cccccc" is the sequential serial number for that marriage registration in that year). The "divorce certificate number" uses "L" as the initial character, the "replacement marriage certificate number" uses "BJ" as the initial characters, and the "replacement divorce certificate number" uses "BL." Where the civil affairs department of a county-level people's government establishes several marriage registration satellite offices, said department shall define the rules for using characters and numbers and prescribe the number range to be used by each satellite office.

Where the people's government at the township (town) level handles marriage registration, the administrative division code shall be changed from 6 to 9 places (by the addition of a three-place township/town code to the county-level administrative code). The other procedures for adding numbers/letters are identical to the rules set out above.

For marriage registration offices established outside administrative divisional units as a convenience for members of the public wanting to complete marriage registration, their administrative divisional code will follow a uniform format whereby the civil affairs department of the provincial-level government will let the first four places of the administrative division code for the prefectural-level municipality in which the outside office is located be the first four places of the outside office's code and will let the 5th and 6th places be the sequential serial number (starting at 61 and following in sequence with 62, 63 through to 99). (China 2015, Art. 78)

Article 10 of the Procedural Standards for Marriage Registration provides the following in regard to the "stamp and embossing seal":

[translation]

The civil affairs department of a county or higher level of people's government that has the function of handling the registration of marriages and the people's government of a township (town) that also has the function of handling the registration of marriages shall see to the production of a stamp and embossing seal specific to the administrative work of registering marriages. The stamp and embossing seal shall be round and 35 mm in diameter.

The marriage registration stamp and embossing seal shall bear a "" at the centre. Around the "" will be the name of the civil affairs ministry (bureau) or township (town) people's government to which the marriage registration office belongs; for example, "Civil Affairs Ministry of the Province of xxx" [], "Civil Affairs Bureau of the City of xxx" [], Civil Affairs Bureau of the District of xxx of the City of xxx" [], "Civil Affairs Bureau of the County of xxx" [], or People's Government of the Township (Town) of xxx in the County of xxx" [].

Under the "" the words "Marriage Registration Seal" [] shall appear.

Where a Bureau of Civil Affairs establishes multiple marriage registration offices, the serial number of the marriage registration office shall be placed below the words "Marriage Registration Seal" (China 2015, Art. 10).

2.4 Security Features

According to the 2014 article published on the website of the Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs, watermarks that become visible under the exposure of ultraviolet lights are embedded into the covers of marriage and divorce certificates (China 12 Feb. 2014). The watermarks include the following characters: [translation] "MPRCHINA", "Marriage Certificate of the People's Republic of China []" and rounded "double happiness character []" (China 12 Feb. 2014). The same source further indicates that a [translation] "[t]hree-dimensional morphing and machine-engraved secure image" is located on the inside of the front cover page, and "'JIEHUNZHENG' miniaturized secure characters" on page three (China 12 Feb. 2014). Further details on the security features of Chinese marriage certificates are available in the 2014 article published on the website of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, which is attached to this Response (Attachment 3).

3. Issuance of Marriage and Divorce Certificates

Article 8 of the 1980 Marriage Law of the People's Republic of China, amended in 2001, provides that

[b]oth the man and the woman desiring to contract a marriage shall register in person with the marriage registration office. If the proposed marriage is found to conform to the provisions of this Law, the couple shall be allowed to register and marriage certificates shall be given. The husband and wife relationship shall be established as soon as they acquire the marriage certificates.  (China 1980, Art. 8)

According to Article 31 of the Marriage Law of the People's Republic of China,

[d]ivorce shall be allowed if both husband and wife are willing to divorce. Both parties shall apply to the marriage registration office for divorce. The marriage registration authority issues a certificate of divorce after confirming that both parties are indeed wiling to divorce and have made proper arrangements for their children and have properly disposed of their property. (China 1980, Art. 31)

A copy of the 1980 Marriage Law of the People's Republic of China is attached to this Response (Attachment 4).

Article 3 of the Procedural Standards for Marriage Registration provides that [translation] "[a] marriage registration office is an agency that has the administrative function of carrying out the registration of marriages in accordance with the law" (China 2015, Art. 3). According to Article 4 of the Procedural Standards for Marriage Registration,

[translation]

[a] marriage registration office fulfills the following duties:

Handling the registration of marriages Issuing of replacement marriage registration certificates Annulment of marriages entered into under coercion Setting up and managing marriage registration archives Educating the public about marriage laws and regulations and advocating for civilized marriage customs. (China 2015, Art. 4)

Article 4 of the 2003 Regulation on Marriage Registration provides the following:

The marriage between Chinese citizens within the national boundaries of China shall be registered in the marriage registration administrative office in the locality where one party of the marriage has residency registration.

The marriage between Chinese citizen and foreigner and the marriage between domestic citizens and resident from Hong Kong, resident from Macau, resident from Taiwan and overseas Chinese within the national boundaries of China shall be registered with the marriage registration administrative office in the locality where the Chinese citizen of the marriage has residency registration. (China 2003, Art. 4)

3.1 Prerequisites for Marriage Certificates

Article 6 of the 2003 Regulation on Marriage Registration provides the following:

The marriage registration administrative office shall reject the application for marriage registration if any of the following situations apply:

Where one or both parties have not reached the legal age for marriage; The marriage is not based on the willingness of the parties; One or both parties are already married; Where the man and woman are lineal or collateral relatives by blood (up to the third degree of relationship); Where one party is suffering from disease(s) that by law would not allow them to marry or require a delay to marriage. (China 2003, Art. 6)

The website of the Shanghai Civil Affairs Bureau, in charge of, among others, the implementation of the "relevant national laws, regulations, rules, guidelines and policies on civil work" (China n.d.a), indicates the following conditions for a marriage registration:

Both parties of the marriage registration shall reach the legal age for marriage, namely, 22 for male and 20 for female. Both parties shall be of their own free will and have no spouse. There is no lineal descent or collateral consanguinity within three generations between both parties. Both parties are not considered unsuitable for marriage due to particular diseases. One party shall be a permanent resident in the district. Both parties shall go to the marriage registration authority in the place where one party's permanent residence is located together to apply for marriage registration and shall not entrust an agent [third party]. (China 31 Dec. 2009)

3.2 Required Documents for Marriage Certificates

Article 5 of the 2003 Regulation on Marriage Registration provides the following:

Article 5

The Chinese citizen to a marriage registration shall produce the following documents and proofs:

Residency paper and identification card of the Chinese citizen; The statement with signatures of the Chinese citizen involved in [sic] the marriage registration who has no spouse and another applicant who is not a lineal relative by blood, or collateral relative by blood up to third degree of kinship;



(China 2003, Art. 5)

Similarly, according to information made available via its automated voice system by the Baiyun District Marriage Registration Office, in Guangzhou City, Southern China, the following documents are required for marriage registration:

Household registration (hukou) booklets of both parties, including the original documents and photocopies of each. In case a booklet involves a collective (ji ti) hukou, the page with address information, as well as a stamp that belongs to the hukou holder's employer [work unit or dan wei] or educational institution must be stamped on the first page of each photocopy; Resident identity cards (RIC) of both parties, including the originals and photocopies of each; Proof that the parties getting married are not related by blood. A form is prepared by the marriage registration office for this purpose, which is available and can be filled out by the parties involved at the office; Three (3) copies of a 2-inch, bareheaded upper body photo of the two together, taken recently and in colour; Court order(s) and divorce certificate(s) in case any party had a divorce. The names, dates of birth, and RIC serial numbers shall be consistent and matching throughout all of these documents. (China n.d.b)

3.3 Procedures to Obtain a Marriage Certificate

Article 7 of the Regulation on Marriage Registration provides the following:

The marriage registration administrative office shall inspect the documents or proofs [submitted] by the parties to the marriage registration and [verify] the relevant information. In the case [where] the parties meet the requirements for marriage with an investigation, the marriage registration administrative office shall accept the registration and issue the marriage certificates; in the case [where] the parties are unable to meet the requirements for marriage with a[] [verification], no registration is allowed and the relevant reasons shall be explained to the parties involved. (China 2003, Art. 7)

Information provided by the Baiyun District Marriage Registration Office indicates the following procedures to obtain a marriage certificate:

Both parties shall present themselves in person with the required documents and proofs at the marriage registration office where the registered hukou of at least one party is located. Each party shall fill out a Declaration for Marriage Registration Application form, which is available at the marriage registration office. Both parties shall sign or record their fingerprints on the completed Declaration form before reading it out loud in front of the officer handling the registration. Upon verifying all required documents and making sure all conditions are met, the officer shall then issue the marriage certificates. (China n.d.b)

A copy of the Declaration for Marriage Registration Application, in Chinese and in English, available on the website of the Shanghai Civil Affairs Bureau, is attached to this Response (Attachment 5, 1-2).

3.4 Prerequisites for Divorce Certificates

Article 12 of the Regulation on Marriage Registration provides the following:

The marriage registration administrative office shall not accept the application for divorce if any of the following situations apply:

No divorce agreement has been reached; One or both parties have only limited or lost civil capacity; or The marriage registration is not made within the People's Republic of China. (China 2003, Art. 12)

According to information made available by the Baiyun District Marriage Registration Office, the prerequisites for a divorce registration are the following:

Both the man and the woman applying for a divorce are doing so on a voluntary basis. Both parties have reached an agreement on the settlement of property, debt, and the care of children, etc. Both parties shall have full civil capacity. The original marriage registration was handled in China or in an overseas Chinese embassy. (China n.d.b)

3.5 Required Documents for Divorce Certificates

Article 11 of the Regulation on Marriage Registration provides the following:

The Chinese citizens to a divorce registration shall produce the following documents and proofs:

Residency papers and identification cards;

Marriage certificates; and

Divorce agreement with the signatures of both parties



(China 2003, Art. 11)

The Baiyun District Marriage Registration Office further explains that the required documents for divorce registration are the following:

The household registration (hukou) booklets, including the original documents and photocopies of both parties. In case that a booklet involves a collective (ji ti) hukou, the page with address information, as well as a stamp that belongs to the hukou holder's employer [working unit or dan wei] or educational institution must be stamped on the first page of each photocopies; The RIC, including the originals and photocopies of both parties; Marriage certificates, including the original and photocopies of both parties; Three (3) copies of the Declaration of Divorce Registration Application, available at the marriage registration office; Two (2) copies of recently taken, 1-inch colour photos per person All names, dates of birth, and RIC serial numbers shall match throughout all documents. All stamps must be legible on the photocopied hukou documents as well. (China n.d.b)

A copy of the Declaration for Divorce Registration Application, in Chinese and in English, available on the website of the Shanghai Civil Affairs Bureau, is attached to this Response (Attachment 5, 3-4).

3.6 Procedures to Obtain a Divorce Certificate

Article 13 of the 2003 Regulations on Marriage Registration provides the following:

The marriage registration administrative office shall inspect the documents or proofs issued by the parties to the divorce registration and inquire the relevant information. In case the parties are willing to divorce and the decisions with consensus on childcare, property and debt handling and others concern are made, the marriage registration administrative office shall accept the registration and issue the divorce certificates. (China 2003, Art. 13)

The Baiyun District Marriage Registration Office indicates the following procedures to obtain a divorce certificate:

Both parties shall prepare all the required documents prior to making an appointment with the local marriage registration office where one person's registered hukou is located; Within the time frame allocated by the appointment, both parties shall present themselves with all the required documents at the marriage registration office; Each party shall fill out a Declaration for Divorce Registration Application, which is available and provided by the marriage registration office; Both parties shall sign or record their fingerprints on the completed Declaration before reading it out loud in front of the officer handling the registration; Upon verifying all required documents and making sure all conditions are met, the officer shall issue the divorce certificates to the two. (China n.d.b)

Article 59, subsection 3 of the Procedural Standards for Marriage Registration provides the following:

[translation]

A bar-type rectangular stamp shall be affixed to the marriage certificate(s) of the two parties stating "As the parties have divorced, this certificate is invalid. Marriage Registration Office of xxx." A photocopy of the cancelled marriage certificates(s) shall be placed on file while the original is (are) returned to the two parties. (China 2015, Art. 59(3))

4. Fees and Processing Time

Without providing further details, the website of the municipality of Yiwu [in Eastern China] indicates that, "based on Zhejiang price fee (2001)", the fees for a marriage registration is 9 yuan [approximately C$1.69] per couple (China. n.d.c). According to a 2017 article by China Daily, an English-language Chinese newspaper, published on the website of the Chinese State Council [3], 41 administrative charges, including the "marriage registration fee", will be "cancelled across the country on April 1 [2017]" (China Daily 30 Mar. 2017). Similarly, the website of the municipality of Guangzhou indicates that the marriage registration process does not involve any fees (China n.d.d).

According to the website of the municipality of Yiwu, the "[d]ealing time" for marriage registration is "[i]mmediate" (China n.d.c). Similarly, the website of the municipality of Guangzhou indicates that the processing time for the issuance of marriage registration is "0 business day" (China n.d.d).

Information on fees and processing time for the issue of divorce certificates could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Notes

[1] Women of China "[s]ponsored by All-China Women's Federation,  offers comprehensive information on the way China's women live today, showcasing their views on the rapidly changing world around them, the challenges they face and the achievements that have been made in the field of women's development" (Women of China n.d).

[2] CNS is a state-level news agency established in 1952 with an aim at "spreading news worldwide" (CNS n.d).

[3] The Chinese State Council is "the highest executive organ of State power, as well as the highest organ of State administration" (Xinhua News Agency n.d).

References

China. 2015. Ministry of Civil Affairs. Procedural Standards for Marriage Registration. No. 88. Translated by the Translation Bureau, Public Services and Procurement Canada. [Accessed 19 May 2017]

China. 12 February 2014. Ministry of Civil Affairs. "Explanation Concerning the Format of Marriage Certificates." Translated by the Translation Bureau, Public Services and Procurement Canada. [Accessed 19 June 2017]

China. 31 December 2009. Shanghai Civil Affairs Bureau. "What Are the Conditions of a Marriage Registration?" [Accessed 17 July 2017]

China. 2003. Ministry of Civil Affairs. Regulation on Marriage Registration. [Accessed 19 May 2017]

China. 1980 [amended in 2001]. Marriage Law of the People's Republic of China. [Accessed 26 June 2017]

China. N.d.a. Shanghai Civil Affairs Bureau. "Function." [Accessed 8 Aug. 2017]

China. N.d.b. Baiyun District Marriage Registration Office, Guangzhou. Information provided via an automated voice system on 28 June 2017. [Accessed 28 June 2017]

China. N.d.c. Municipality of Yiwu. "Marriage Registration." [Accessed 12 July 2017]

China. N.d.d. Municipality of Guangzhou. "Mainland Residents Marry Registration Appointment." [Accessed 12 July 2017]

China Daily. 30 March 2017. "New Rules that Take Effect on April 1." [Accessed 20 June 2017]

China News Service (CNS). N.d. "About Us." [Accessed 12 July 2017]

Huaxia. 22 November 2003. "How the Marriage Certificate Has Changed over Time: from a 'Thin Piece of Paper' to a Passport-style Look." Translated by the Translation Bureau, Public Services and Procurement Canada. [Accessed 12 July 2017]

Women of China. 10 September 2013. Zhao Liangfeng. "Chinese Marriage Certificates Through the Ages." [Accessed 12 July 2017]

Women of China. N.d. "About Women of China Website." [Accessed 12 July 2017]

Xinhua News Agency. N.d. "The State Council." [Accessed 8 Aug. 2017]

Additional Sources Consulted

Oral Sources: China - marriage registration office in Conghua and Nansha districts of Guangzhou, and in Xuhui district of Shanghai.

Internet sites, including: China - Ministry of Public Security, Municipal Civil Affairs Bureaus in Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Jinan, Nanchang, Shenzhen, and in Xi'an, Provincial Department of Civil Affairs in Jiangxi and Zhejiang; eBeijing.gov.cn; ecoi.net; European Union - Public Register of Authentic Travel and Identity Documents Online; Keesing's Document Checker; law-lib.com; pkulaw.cn; sohu.com; United Nations - Refworld; United States - Law Library of Congress; viewcn.com

Attachments

China. 2003. Ministry of Civil Affairs. Regulation on Marriage Registration. [Accessed 12 July 2017] Document created by the Research Directorate, containing images of Chinese marriage certificates that are out-of-circulation and current, with a reference list. China. 12 February 2014. Ministry of Civil Affairs. "Explanation Concerning the Format of Marriage Certificates." Translated by the Translation Bureau, Public Services and Procurement Canada. [Accessed 12 July 2017] China. 1980 [amended in 2001]. Marriage Law of the People's Republic of China. [Accessed 26 June 2017] Document created by the Research Directorate, containing declarations for Marriage and Divorce Registration Application in Chinese and English, with a reference list.
China: Information on the Disciples Society [Association of Disciples, Mentu Hui], including the founder, history, beliefs, and areas of activity; treatment of members by authorities (2015-July 2017)

Publisher Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada Publication Date 20 October 2017 Citation / Document Symbol CHN105840.E Related Document(s) Chine : information sur la Societe des disciples (Disciples Society) [Association des disciples (Association of Disciples), Mentu Hui], y compris le fondateur, l'histoire, les croyances et les secteurs d'activite; le traitement reserve aux membres par les autorites (2015-juillet 2017) Cite as Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, China: Information on the Disciples Society [Association of Disciples, Mentu Hui], including the founder, history, beliefs, and areas of activity; treatment of members by authorities (2015-July 2017), 20 October 2017, CHN105840.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5a09b3520.html [accessed 16 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa

1. Overview

Sources indicate that the Disciples Society [Society of Disciples, Association of Disciples, Mentu Hui, Mentuhui] is also known as "The Narrow Gate in the Wilderness" (ChinaSource 13 Mar. 2015; Lian 2010, 223) or "Kuangye Zhaimen" (Lian 2010, 223). According to sources, the Disciples Society was founded by Ji Sanbao, a farmer from Shanxi, in 1989 (Lian 2010, 223; ChinaSource 13 Mar. 2015).

In his book Redeemed by Fire: The Rise of Popular Christianity in Modern China, Xi Lian, a Professor of World Christianity at Duke University whose research is "focused on China's modern encounter with Christianity" (Duke University n.d.), indicates that "[b]y 1985, Ji [Sanbao] began to build a following among the rural population" and in 1989, "he announced that God had spoken to him in person" and chosen him as his "'prophet'" and "'stand-in'"; Ji Sanbao then selected "twelve 'disciples,'" thus formally founding the Disciples Society (Lian 2010, 223). In a 2015 article on religious movements in China, based on "information from [a] [2003] internal document of the Chinese Public Security Bureau," ChinaSource, a non-profit organization located in the State of California that works to engage "the Christian community with the critical knowledge needed to collaborate with and serve the Chinese church and society" (ChinaSource n.d.), notes that Ji Sanbao "claims to be the 'Christ established by God.' As 'God's son,' he also claims the power of miracles including healing and resurrecting the dead" (ChinaSource 13 Mar. 2015). A 2001 report on secret societies in China, written by Kristin Shi-Kupfer, who is "an expert on media policy, civil society, religious policy and ideology in China" (MERICS n.d.), indicates that the leaders of the Disciples Society are [translation] "influenced by the 'True Jesus Church'" [1] (Kupfer Oct. 2001, 3).

2. Areas of Activity

Kupfer provides the following information regarding the Disciples Society's regional areas of influence and number of members: [translation] "Shaanxi, Gansu, Hebei, Qinghai, Hunan, Jiangsu, Yunnan, Guizhou, Shandong, Xinjiang, Sichuan; until 1995 in 12 provinces, 120 cities and 681 districts; 100,000 members in Guizhou, 500,000 members in central and western China" (Kupfer Oct. 2001, 3). ChinaSource states that the "movement spread to fourteen provinces in [China] and by 1995 had an estimated following of 350,000 people, primarily in rural areas" (ChinaSource 13 Mar. 2015).

A 2000 article by South China Morning Post(SCMP), an English-language newspaper based in Hong Kong, and the Associated Press (AP), posted on Apologetics Index (AI), a non-profit Christian website that provides, amongst others, "pages of research resources on religious cults, sects, new religious movements [and] alternative religions" (AI 11 Dec. 2016), and citing the Information Centre for Human Rights & Democracy [2]," reports that the Disciples Society's "close-knit, secretive network of house churches enabled it to flourish throughout central and western China, where it claims as many as 500,000 members" (SCMP and AP 20 May 2000). The same source explains that "[t]he group cited local sources as saying there were about 2,000 followers of the movement in Yanting" (SCMP and AP 20 May 2000). According to a 2006 article on Chinese cults, published by OMF International, a Christian organization whose "missionaries" are working to build "a strong church in the countries of East Asia" (OMF International n.d.), by 1995, the group "had spread to 12 provinces and had 500,000 members in central and west China alone" (OMF International April-May 2006). Lian notes that in 1995, the Disciples Society "had expanded into fourteen provinces with more than 350,000 members" and that "[i]n the early 2000s, hundreds of thousands of people, most of them in China's northwest, still remained [within the group]" (Lian 2010, 224).

3. Beliefs and Activities

The OMF International article, based on information from Wu Dongsheng, a researcher at Nanjing University who conducted "extensive research" on cults in China and published his doctoral thesis on the topic in 2005, states that the Disciples Society declares the following to children:

"You can get through without studying" and "Communist education is useless." This causes many pupils to withdraw from school when they are converted. Just in one city in "Q" province more than 1,800 children and youth joined the Disciples. One primary school there originally had 200 or more pupils, but after being affected by the Disciples in 1998-99, two-thirds of the children joined the cult and only seventy were left at the school. (OMF International April-May 2006)

ChinaSource notes that the Disciples Society "has a very strong eschatology, encouraging followers to drop out of school or abandon their farms to pray and await ascension to heaven" and that it "predicted the world would end in 2000" (ChinaSource 13 Mar. 2015). Similarly, Kupfer indicates that the central aspects of the Disciples Society's teaching is an [translation] "[e]nd-times doctrine (year 2000)" and a "doctrine of salvation" (Kupfer Oct. 2001, 3). According to Lian,

[i]n pamphlets such as The Dream of the Kingdom of Heaven in Hanzhong (Hanzhong tianguomeng), which located the cosmic regeneration in southern Shaanxi, Ji appeared as "the true Dragon, the Son of Heaven" (zhenlong tianzi). His more spiritual title as the end-time savior was "the Christ of the Third Redemption" (Sanshu Jidu)-the first two having been offered through Noah's ark and the Cross. Several dates were announced for the end of the world, which would be accompanied by "earthquakes, fire, floods, hail, plagues, and locusts." However, those who joined the society and dedicated themselves to preaching the Gospel would be spared the calamities. Miracles would also follow them: without medicine, the sick would be healed; without the use of fertilizer or pesticide, the faithful would have bumper crops. (Lian 2010, 223-224)

OMF International also indicates that the Disciples Society "allegedly practice faith healing to the exclusion of using medicine" (OMF International April-May 2006).

Lian indicates the following:

Ji's followers were also taught to consume no more than two liang-one hundred grams-of grains each day as an expression of their repentance and spirituality. As a result, the group came to be nicknamed erliang liang (two liang of grains). As long as the believers remained under such spiritual discipline, their wheat and rice would become inexhaustible "grains of life" (shengming liang). In remote, mountainous areas of Shaanxi, Sichuan, and Hubei, the Disciples' Society succeeded in establishing its chief bases of operation. Each member was asked to bring at least ten relatives, friends, or neighbors into the group each month and was promised future "grains of life" in proportion to the number of new converts made. Proselytism was made easy with testimonies of faith healing and exorcism as well as generous group aid: "grains of charity" would be brought to the poor, or a free hand would be offered for farm work. (Lian 2010, 224)

The OMF International article, based on information from Wu Dongsheng, states that:

[a]fter the relevant authorities had cracked down on the Disciples they turned the focus of their evangelistic attention to converting youth and children as well as educated people and cadres. They let it be known they would give a prize of 50 RMB [C$9] for every Party cadre converted; 100 RMB for every rural district cadre or policeman; and 1000 RMB for every county-level cadre. In their Preparations for Work in 1997 which they disseminated in January 1997, they clearly laid down: "In developing new work our target must be lower-level Party members and cadres under the Evil One's control. For every one of these converted, we win over part of the masses and overthrow part of the government's control at the grass-roots." (OMF International April-May 2006)

According to Lian,

[t]he organization of the Disciple's Society - hierarchical, tight, and secretive from the beginning - also became increasingly sophisticated. Eventually, it even established its own underground "banks" and "post offices" to move funds and goods efficiently in the service of the Gospel. (Lian 2010, 224)

A 2016 article by the Xinhua News Agency, citing the deputy police chief of Yunxi County, in Hubei Province, states that "[t]he [Mentuhui] cult accumulated more than 40 million yuan (about six million U.S. dollars) between 2011 and 2014 through donations and business including supermarkets" (Xinhua News Agency 27 Sept. 2016). According to the same source, the deputy police chief further states that "[t]he cult never deposited money in banks but kept cash in the hands of its leaders, who often took the money for their personal use" (Xinhua News Agency 27 Sept. 2016).

ChinaSource indicates that the Disciples Society's followers "are accused of committing heinous crimes such as abduct[t]ing women, rape, and fraud. In addition, they are accused of attacking the Party, instigating riots, and resisting family planning policy" (ChinaSource 13 Mar. 2015). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

4. Treatment by Authorities

The US Department of State's International Religious Freedom Report for 2015 notes that the Chinese government "considers several Christian groups to be 'evil cults,'" including the "Society of Disciples (Mentu Hui)" (US 10 Aug. 2016, 5). According to Lian, authorities in Shaanxi, Sichuan, and Hubei

began their crackdown on the group as early as 1990. In 1995,  the Public Security system launched a nationwide campaign against the sect. However, neither the arrest of its core members nor the reported death of Ji Sanbao in an auto accident in 1997 was a deterrent to its continued growth. (Lian 2010, 224)

Similarly, the article by SCMP and AP reports that "[a]ngered by its preaching that the world would end in 2000, and its opposition to state-run churches and strict government birth-control policies, authorities started trying to wipe out the sect in 1995" (SCMP and AP 20 May 2000). Without providing further details, sources indicate that there were incidents in the late 1990s in which members of the Disciples Society were detained (Reuters 24 May 1999; Amnesty International 23 Mar. 2000, 9).

In a 2014 article, the People's Daily, a Beijing-based newspaper and online news outlet, citing a report on their news platform, people.cn, indicates the following about a "crackdown" on the Disciples Society by the police of Zigui, Hubei to "address signs of a resurgence of the Kuangye Zhaimen (Narrow Door in the Wilderness) in a very few remote rural regions":

[translation]

Beginning in June [2014], a specially designated ten-person unit was organized to move into the village of Luojia, which is under the town of Maoping in the county of Zigui, to investigate and take evidence on a one-by-one basis from key people involved in the cult organization.

The police investigation and factual verification found that the eight principal members of the Kuangye Zhaimen involved in the cult's activities in Luojia Village were Zhu Wenzhang, Li Yuanwang, Zhu Wenjie, Xiong Zuquan, Yan Fuzhen, Li Zhifu, Chen Shiqing and Chen Shizhen. While pretending to preach "Christianity," they misrepresented Biblical doctrine to induce others to engage in activities of the Kuangye Zhaimen secret society and propagated superstitious cult and secret society thinking. Through such methods as "eating the bread of life," "observing the Sabbath," praying each morning and night and preaching the Gospel, they brought people into cult activities which had a deleterious effect on society.

The people's police involved in the case also confiscated a total of five illegal publications, five banners with the sign of the Cross and over seventy handwritten booklets.

At the present time, the Zigui police have decided on administrative detention for the eight individuals under the Public Security Administration Penalties Act. (People's Daily 10 July 2014; ellipses in original).

The US International Religious Freedom Report for 2015 indicates that a

National Security Law passed in July [2015] by the National People's Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC) explicitly bans "cult organizations." An amendment to the criminal law passed by the NPCSC in August increases the maximum possible sentence for "organizing and using a cult to undermine implementation of the law" from 15 years to life in prison. (US 10 Aug. 2016, 6)

BBC reports that, on 16 July 2015, the People's Courts of Dawukou District and Pingluo County, in Shizuishan city in Ningxia, sentenced 11 out of 148 members of the Disciples Society who were arrested in November 2014 "from three to eight years and six months" (BBC 17 July 2015). The same source, citing unnamed Chinese media reports, indicates that "[s]ince 2013, eleven members of the Mentu Hui cult organization, including defendants Gao and Xie, had been using cell phones to send out promotional messages for the cult, as well as cult videos, audio files and pictures" (BBC 17 July 2015). The BBC indicates that "Chinese media reports refer to the Mentu Hui as an 'evil cult' organization" and that the Disciples Society was designated as a "cult organization" by the government in 1995 (BBC 17 July 2015). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

Xinhua News Agency, citing the Chinese "central leading group for prevention and handling of cult-related activities [3]," stated that "[p]rison terms have been handed down to several members of the Mentuhui (Disciples Sect) cult for organizing a cult and causing deaths" (Xinhua News Agency 27 Sept. 2016). The same source further reports that

Yao Xiangzhi, 35, a cult member, was sentenced for causing the death of a cult member surnamed Xu, who suffered from schizophrenia. Xu was denied freedom as well as food and drink for a week, while other cult members prayed for his recovery in June 2015 in Jianli County, central China's Hubei Province.

Yao, who only completed primary school, was sentenced to three years for organizing and taking advantage of a cult and causing death. She is currently serving her prison sentence in the provincial capital of Wuhan. (Xinhua 27 Sept. 2016)

In January 2017, Reuters reported that in "September [2016]," a "court jailed members of a group called Mentuhui, or 'Disciples Sect', for causing deaths, organising the group and illegally collecting money" (Reuters 25 Jan. 2017).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Notes

[1] According to a 2013 article on the True Jesus Church Movement, written by Jiexia Zhai Autry, an Adjunct Professor at the George Mason University in Fairfax, Viginia, who has conducted research and taught courses on China and on religion (Baylor ISR n.d.), the True Jesus Church is a "Pentecostal Chinese religious group" in China (Autry 2013).

[2] According to its website, the Information Center for Human Rights & Democracy is a Hong Kong-based organization "that provides China's human rights information to international media, the UN and governments" (Information Center for Human Rights & Democracy n.d.).

[3] A 2011 article published by The Jamestown Foundation, whose mission "is to inform and educate policy makers and the broader community about events and trends in those societies which are strategically or tactically important to the United States" (The Jamestown Foundation n.d.), describes "'The Leading Small Group for Preventing and Handling the Problem of Heretical Organizations' (zhongyang fangfan he chuli xiejiao wenti lingdao xiaozu)" as a "key leading group" used by the Chinese Communist Party and whose "targets now include house church Christians, Buddhists and other religious or spiritual groups" (The Jamestown Foundation 16 Sept. 2011).

References

Apologetics Index (AI). 11 December 2016. "About Apologetics Index." [Accessed 17 July 2017]

Amnesty International. 23 March 2000. People's Republic of China - The Crackdown on Falun Gong and Other So-Called "Heretical Organizations". (ASA 17/11/00) [Accessed 17 July 2017]

Autry, Jiexia Zhai. 16 September 2013. "Pentecostal Christianity and Church-State Relations in China: the Case of the True Jesus Church Movement." The Review of Faith & International Affairs. Vol. 11, No. 3. [Accessed 19 Oct. 2017]

Baylor Institute for Studies of Religion (ISR). N.d. "Autry, Jiexia Zhai." [Accessed 19 Oct. 2017]

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). 17 July 2015. Kai Lu. "Eleven Members of the Mentu Hui (Disciples Society) Religious Organization Sentenced in Ningxia." Translated by the Translation Bureau, Public Services and Procurement Canada. [Accessed 24 Aug. 2017]

ChinaSource. 13 March 2015. Peregrine de Vigo. "Chinese Cults, Sects, and Heresies." [Accessed 18 July 2017]

ChinaSource. N.d. "About." [Accessed 4 Oct. 2017]

Duke University. N.d. Duke Divinity School. "Xi Lian." [Accessed 18 Oct. 2017]

Information Center for Human Rights & Democracy. N.d. "About Us." [Accessed 19 Oct. 2017]

The Jamestown Foundation. 16 September 2011. Sarah Cook and Leeshai Lemish. "The 610 Office: Policing the Chinese Spirit." China Brief. Vol. 11, No. 17. [Accessed 19 Oct. 2017]

The Jamestown Foundation. N.d. "About Us." [Accessed 19 Oct. 2017]

Kupfer, Kristin. October 2001. "Geheimgesellschaften" in der VR China: Christlich inspirierte, spirituell-religiose Gruppierungen seit 1978. China Analysis No. 8. Center for East Asian and Pacific Studies, Trier University. Translated by the Translation Bureau, Public Services and Procurement Canada. [Accessed 29 Sept. 2017]

Lian, Xi. 2010. Redeemed by Fire: The Rise of Popular Christianity in Modern China. New Haven: Yale University Press.

Mercator Institute for China Studies (MERICS). N.d. "Kristin Shi-Kupfer." [Accessed 3 Oct. 2017]

OMF International. April-May 2006. "Chinese Cults Target Youth." Edited by Tony Lambert. [Accessed 15 Aug. 2017]

OMF International. N.d. "First China Inland Mission, Now OMF International." [Accessed 14 Aug. 2017]

People's Daily. 10 July 2014. "Eight Members of the Kuangye Zhaimen (Narrow Door in the Wilderness) Cult in Zigui Detained." Translated by the Translation Bureau, Public Services and Procurement Canada. [Accessed 23 Aug. 2017]

Reuters. 25 January 2017. "China to Crack Down Further on 'Cult' Activities." [Accessed 3 Oct. 2017]

Reuters. 24 May 1999. "China Rounds Up 71 Members of Religious Cult." (Factiva) [Accessed 15 Aug. 2017]

South China Morning Post (SCMP) and Associated Press (AP). 20 May 2000. "20 Christian Sect Members Arrested." [Accessed 17 July 2017]

United States (US). 10 August 2016. Department of State. "China (includes Tibet, Hong Kong, and Macau)." International Religious Freedom Report for 2015. [Accessed 17 July 2017]

Xinhua News Agency. 27 September 2016. "China Cracks Down on Religious Cult." [Accessed 18 July 2017]

Additional Sources Consulted

Internet sites, including: American Historical Review; Amnesty International; Apologetics Index; The Asia Pacific Journal of Anthropology; Asian Anthropology; Australian Centre on China in the World; brill.com; The Catholic Historical Review; Centers for Apologetics Research; China Analysis; The China Quarterly; China Review International; The Chinese Historical Review; Christian Higher Education; Christianity Today; Duihua Foundation; Dui Hua Human Rights Journal; facts.org.cn; Freedom House; Human Rights Quarterly; Human Rights Watch; International Journal for the Study of the Christian Church; Internet Archive; Joshua Project; Journal of Religious History; Modern Theology; Monumenta Serica; Religion; Radio Free Asia; Religion, State & Society; Religious Studies Review; The Souls of China: The Return of Religion After Mao.
China: Documents and parental authorization required to obtain a passport for a minor in Henan Province; procedures and requirements for obtaining a passport for a minor born out of wedlock if the parents are not married and only one parent has custody of the child (2010-June 2016)

Publisher Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada Publication Date 29 June 2016 Citation / Document Symbol CHN105546.E Related Document(s) Chine : information sur l'autorisation parentale et les documents requis pour obtenir un passeport pour un mineur dans la province du Henan; les exigences et la marche a suivre pour obtenir un passeport pour un mineur ne hors mariage si les parents ne sont pas maries et un seul parent assure la garde de l'enfant (2010-juin 2016) Cite as Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, China: Documents and parental authorization required to obtain a passport for a minor in Henan Province; procedures and requirements for obtaining a passport for a minor born out of wedlock if the parents are not married and only one parent has custody of the child (2010-June 2016), 29 June 2016, CHN105546.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5a09b4144.html [accessed 16 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa

An April 2014 article from the Henan Daily newspaper republished on the website of the People's Republic of China's State Council states that the Exit-Entry Administration of the Henan Provincial Public Security Authority launched a new form to be used for applications for entry and exit documents, including passports (Henan Daily 2 Apr. 2014).

The article indicates that previously,

[translation]

[i]n the case of applicants under the age of sixteen, all guardians used to be required to accompany the applicant to the public security authority when the application was submitted, and there were two signature columns for both the father and the mother. There also used to be the requirement to submit photocopies of resident's identity cards or passports as proof of identity and to hand over the originals for inspection. If the parents of the minor applicant had separated, the guardians also had to provide a legally valid divorce agreement proving who held legal custody. (ibid).

The same source states that starting from 1 April 2014, "the new application simply requires that one of the guardians submit an opinion on the application and appear in person" (ibid.). Further information or corroboration could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within time constraints for this Response.

Information on procedures for obtaining a passport for a minor born out of wedlock and if only one parent has custody could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Reference

Henan Daily. 2 April 2014. Li Fenghu and Wang Luyang. "Henan Launches New 'Application Form For Entry/Exit Documents For Chinese Citizens.'" Translated by the Translation Bureau, Public Services and Procurement Canada. [Accessed 20 June 2016]

Additional Sources Consulted

Oral sources: China - Consulate in Toronto, Embassy in Toronto, Embassy in Washington D.C.; PhD Candidate, Department of Politics and International Relations, University of Leicester; Professor, Institute of Population and Labor Economics; two lawyers in Beijing.

Internet sites, including: Australia - Refugee Review Tribunal; Canada - Global Affairs Canada; Changge City People's Government Office; China - Chinese Government Network, Consular Affairs, Ministry of Public Safety, National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China, State Council; China Daily; Chodorow Law Offices; ecoi.net; Freedom House; Henan Province - People's Government of Henan Province; Lawinfochina; People's Daily Online; United Kingdom - Home Office; UN - Refworld; US - Consulate General in Shenyang, Department of State, Law Library of Congress; Xuchang Municipal Government.
Syria - Lasting Peace Will Require that Thousands Unlawfully Detained are Released and Obtain Justice

Publisher Human Rights Watch Publication Date 14 March 2017 Cite as Human Rights Watch, Syria - Lasting Peace Will Require that Thousands Unlawfully Detained are Released and Obtain Justice, 14 March 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5a09b9df4.html [accessed 16 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Human rights abuses in Syria have continued amid ongoing international efforts to implement a ceasefire in talks brokered by Russia, Turkey and Iran, and parallel talks sponsored by the United Nations. As negotiations proceed toward achieving a peace and transition agreement, participants in the talks should prioritize human rights issues, including detainee rights.

Since the beginning of the uprising in Syria, security forces have arbitrarily arrested, unlawfully detained, forcibly disappeared, ill-treated, tortured, and killed thousands of people, using an extensive network of detention facilities throughout the country. Those arrested include peaceful protesters, human rights defenders, and activists involved in organizing, filming, and reporting on protests, as well as journalists, aid providers, lawyers, and doctors.

A large number of peaceful protesters, and political and humanitarian activists remain in incommunicado detention while others have faced trial, some of them before military and counterterrorism courts, for exercising their rights. Armed opposition groups, mainly in opposition-held territory in northern Syria, have also arbitrarily detained people, including journalists, aid workers, and activists who have criticized them.

Any transition agreement should include a commitment to release political detainees, journalists, aid workers, and human rights activists in their custody and to grant independent monitors access to detention facilities and to all those deprived of their liberty.

The parties should also make a commitment to repeal or reform laws that criminalize the exercise of the rights to peaceful expression, assembly, and association. An explicit commitment should be made to not detain or prosecute aid workers for doing their jobs.

The parties should also commit to enshrining in Syrian law all the basic protections and safeguards for detainees guaranteed by international law.

Any transitional plan also needs to include a commitment to establish an independent vetting mechanism for current and potential senior security officials. Wherever there is sufficient admissible evidence of responsibility for international crimes, suspects should be prosecuted in fair trials.

Any lasting peace will require that the thousands that continue to suffer from unlawful detention practices are released, and that there is justice for the crimes that were perpetrated against them.

Copyright notice:  Copyright, Human Rights Watch
Title Roma Belong  Statelessness, Discrimination and Marginalisation of Roma in the Western Balkans and Ukraine

Publisher European Network on Statelessness

Publication Date October 2017

Cite as European Network on Statelessness, Roma Belong  Statelessness, Discrimination and Marginalisation of Roma in the Western Balkans and Ukraine, October 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5a09bbb64.html [accessed 16 November 2022]

Comments Co-published with European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC) and the Institute on Statelessness and Inclusion (ISI). All reference to Kosovo should be understood in full compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244.
The chemical weapons attack in Syria that sparked President Donald Trump's first major use of military power is ratcheting up U.S.-Russia tensions at the U.N., putting Moscow's new envoy to the global body on a collision course with U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley.

This week, they are expected to tangle over rival resolutions on extending the mandate of a panel that has blamed the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad, a Russian ally, for the attack.

Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia, a career diplomat known for his low-key demeanor, has quickly shown he can muster the rhetorical firepower required in the United Nations Security Council. From Syria to North Korea, disputes before the 15-nation Council sometimes require envoys to dispense with written talking points to counter adversaries and beseech other countries to join their side.

"In this role you need a lot of qualities, to be a polemicist with very quick reactions and to have the ability to ward off attacks from our partners," former Russian diplomat Sergei Ordzhonikidze told Sputnik Radio when Nebenzia's appointment was announced earlier this year. "He has a good understanding of the problems the U.N. is facing."

Nebenzia, 55, landed in his current post after his predecessor Vitaly Churkin died of a heart attack in February. Churkin, one of the longest-serving U.N. diplomats from any country, was a former child actor known for his acerbic wit and a talent for stage-managing U.N. proceedings. Nebenzia is starting to show he has that ability even though he lacks Churkin's outsized personality.

At an Oct. 18 Security Council meeting on the Middle East -- a session many countries typically use to criticize Israel's settlements in occupied territories -- Haley instead devoted her address to lambasting Iran, another Russian ally, for its "destabilizing" actions in the region. After she finished, Nebenzia theatrically examined the papers in front of him and declared that Haley, a former governor with little foreign policy experience, must be "confused" over the agenda, which he said was about Palestine and not Iran.

Six days later, Nebenzia had harsher words after he blocked a U.S.-sponsored resolution -- in his first use of the veto power -- to extend the mandate of the panel investigating the April 4 sarin attacks in Syria that killed more than 80 people and injured almost 300.

"Let's not pretend we don't understand what's taking place here," Nebenzia said as he pushed to postpone the vote. "This has not been done out of good intentions, it is intended to embarrass Russia once again."

Without an extension from the Security Council, the investigative team's funding and mandate expires Nov. 16.

With Russia disputing the team's finding that Syrian forces were responsible for the attack, the U.S. last week accused Moscow of protecting "terrorists who continue to use chemical weapons."

"We owe the world and the victims of these heinous attacks better," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said Nov. 8.

While the U.S. and Russia have long clashed at the U.N., Trump's election a year ago had diplomats expecting more of a detente. There was even talk of a U.S.-Russian alliance upending the traditional balance of power among the veto-wielding members on the Security Council, which put France, U.K. and the U.S. on one side against China and Russia on the other. That hasn't happened.

Continuing U.S. probes into Russian hacking of the 2016 presidential election and the Trump team's contacts with Russians during and after the campaign have complicated any effort by the White House to reach out to Moscow. Congress has strengthened sanctions on Russia since Trump took office, and the two countries have ordered reductions in diplomatic personnel in tit-for-tat responses to disputes.

Over the weekend during his trip to Asia, Trump called the accusation of Russian meddling "an artificial Democratic hit job" and described intelligence agency chiefs under President Barack Obama as "political hacks." Although Trump later said he supported the intelligence finding that Russia interfered, "we have to get to work to solve Syria, to solve North Korea, to solve Ukraine, to solve terrorism" and Russia can help, he said.

Aside from Syria and Ukraine, "there is a faint sense that Russia is looking for better relations with the West," said Richard Gowan, a U.N. expert with the European Council on Foreign Relations, citing joint efforts to support tougher sanctions on North Korea.

But at the U.N., Nebenzia has inherited a plan of action with more areas of conflict than cooperation. His predecessor Churkin had vetoed half a dozen previous Security Council resolutions targeting the Assad regime over actions in Syria's almost seven-year-long civil war.

On Oct. 19, eleven days before U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller announced charges against three former Trump campaign advisers that grew out of his Russia probe, Haley warned Moscow against meddling in U.S. affairs.

"When a country can come interfere in another country's elections, that is warfare," Haley said at an event in New York alongside former secretaries of state Madeleine Albright and Condoleezza Rice.

A former deputy foreign minister, Nebenzia has been with the Russian Foreign Ministry for 34 years and arrived at the U.N. after serving four years as deputy foreign minister. Born in the city of Volgograd, then known as Stalingrad, the site of an epic battle between Soviet forces and Nazi Germany, Nebenzia graduated from the elite Moscow State Institute of International Relations in 1983.

Nebenzia declined to be interviewed for this article, and his office didn't answer questions sent via email.

The ambassador is fully conversant in U.N. operations after serving as a senior adviser at Russia's U.N. mission in New York when current Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was the ambassador. Nebenzia also spent six years as deputy U.N. ambassador in Geneva during 2006 to 2012.

"Personality matters. The tenor of presentation has changed" with Churkin's demise, said Dmitri Trenin, director of the Carnegie Moscow Center. "Nebenzia is more low-key, calmer but he has an excellent reputation as a diplomat."

That experience was on view recently when it came to defending Syria's Assad, who's reviled by most nations.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson reaffirmed on Oct. 26 the long-standing U.S. position that Assad must not remain in power, and said that there is no "future for the Assad regime and the Assad family."

Nebenzia pounced with a biting assessment of that declaration.

"We should not preempt any future for anybody," Nebenzia told reporters, "because the future will know for itself whether it is for someone or not."
Contributed photo / Not for resale

Lacy, an 8-year-old Labrador Retriever/German Shepherd mix, journeyed here to Connecticut from Texas after Hurricane Harvey. She had been in a shelter there before the storm looking for a family, and now she continues her search up here. Lacy can live in a single family home, with condos considered. She would like to live with kids over age 12 and possibly a cat, but Lacy would prefer to be the only dog in the household. This is a high energy kind of dog and she is looking for a home where she can get lots of leash walks only. Lacey does have some special needs but she still has lots of life to live and love to give. Please ask the adoption counselor to explain when you visit with Lacy in Newington. Remember, the Connecticut Humane Society has no time limits for adoption. Inquiries for adoption should be made at the Connecticut Humane Society located at 701 Russell Road in Newington or call toll free: 1-800-452-0114.
In reporting on politics all my adult life, I've enjoyed indulging in candidate scenarios, especially thinking unconventionally about what might happen if somebody runs for president. If people I respect dismiss one of my story lines as a dumb idea, it's usually better to move on.

This time, I'm going to ignore them. My latest scenario, derided by Democratic and Republican sources alike, imagines a 2020 Democratic presidential run by  Joe Biden.

I think it could work, with caveats: Biden would have to pick a special type of running mate well in advance, plan only to serve one term and release all his health records. And he'd have to be running against President Donald Trump.

Most of my expert friends dismiss the viability of a Biden run, but Biden doesn't. He and his political advisers take the prospect seriously.

To see why they're not crazy, start with this fact of political life: When an incumbent runs for re-election, the contest is a referendum on him. A challenger, to be successful, must offer an appealing alternative that better addresses whatever's bothering people. Jimmy Carter, the outsider, beat President Gerald Ford in 1976 in the shadow of the Watergate scandals. Ronald Reagan defeated Carter four years later by showing resolve that resonated during the Iranian hostage crisis. Bill Clinton's domestic focus had broad appeal in 1992, the first presidential contest after the end of the Cold War, against the veteran cold warrior President George H.W. Bush.

After 3 1/2 years of Trump, what will swing voters be looking for? A grown-up who is committed to getting things done by trying to bridge the bitter partisan divide. A person with experience in governing, savvy about the ways of Washington and wary of national-security booby traps. A reputation for incorruptibility to drain the ethical swamp of the Trump years.

More than most outsiders, new faces or ideological purists, the 74-year-old former senator and vice president could fit that bill.

To be sure, those who tell me I'm daffy have compelling reasons. Biden was a terrible candidate - twice! - when he ran for president in 1987 and 2007. A half-century in politics doesn't usually produce new ideas. He can be a gaffe machine, unable to keep ill-considered first thoughts to himself. From Day One he would be the oldest person to occupy the office.

But there are reasons to think these shortcomings might not weigh so heavily this time. Presumably, his experience running with President Barack Obama and serving as an influential vice president (a job that absolutely requires people to learn to hold their tongues) will make him a better candidate. He'll commit gaffes - otherwise it wouldn't be Joe - but occasional loose talk will seem benign measured against Trump's mean spirit and contempt for the truth.

A politician first elected in 1970 is not going to be the face of the future. But after the exhaustion, trauma and incompetence of the Trump years, voters will look for stability, solidity, maturity, global experience, civility and integrity. Biden checks all the boxes.

He's a part of the moderate Obama-Clinton wing of the Democratic Party (though there's no love lost between Biden and Bill and Hillary Clinton). But progressives acknowledge his genuine empathy for working-class Americans, and he's liberal enough for them on social issues - it was Biden who forced Obama's hand on supporting gay marriage.

There's still the issue of age. If elected he'd be 78, three years older than Trump though probably in better shape.

But even if 78 is the new 68, the notion of serving two terms, well into his mid-80s, won't cut it. Normally, promising to serve only one term is a bad idea; it turns a leader into a lame duck on the first day in office. There's never been a great one-term president.

But Biden could change the way candidates look at the selection of a running mate. Instead of waiting until the eve of the nominating convention, he should pick a running mate over a year in advance, and run as a team.

That would be good politics and good policy. Remember that there's nothing sacrosanct about the present system, which has produced Spiro T. Agnew, John Edwards and Sarah Palin.

Biden should select a woman, in her 40s or 50s, who has won elective office and demonstrated the capacity to step into the president's shoes.

His case to voters would be direct: I'm the most experienced man to ever run for president, and by the end of the first term I will have developed a partner with stellar credentials to succeed me.

OK, it's a long shot. My insider friends who think it's a crazy idea, including a couple of Republicans who said they'd vote for Biden over Trump, are probably right. The odds may be better for a fresh-faced change agent or a left winger representing the new heart of the Democratic Party.

But consider the political merits. What's a better antidote to the poison of Trumpism than the buoyant maturity of Joe Biden?

---

Hunt is a Bloomberg View columnist. He was the executive editor of Bloomberg News, before which he was a reporter, bureau chief and executive Washington editor at the Wall Street Journal.
Are you in a dark place? Are obstacles on every side of your path? Then, perhaps, have you become so discouraged, fearful or drained emotionally, that you may begin to doubt yourself and lose all hope for a better tomorrow.

But you have struggled long enough. Dont draw negative conclusions from situations, or be down on yourself or your future. For when challenges occur, you have a choice. You can make assumptions and listen to the unconstructive voice in the back of your head that says, There is nothing that you can do that will make a difference now, and just give up. Or, you could set your heart and mind toward God, believe in your amazing ability to rise above the challenge, and then take constructive positive steps forward.

Years ago, I read a book titled, A Turtle on the Fencepost, by Allen C. Emery. In the story, the author describes a memorable time in his life when he visited a prairie in Texas.

While there, Emery watched in awe as a shepherd was tending to thousands of his sheep. Then, night came. As they were making a bonfire, all of a sudden, Emery heard coyotes howling in the distance. Quickly, the shepherd ran to care for his sheep, as the sheep dogs were not on guard.

As Emery looked in the direction of the sheep, he saw thousands of tiny, sparkling lights. I realized, he wrote, that these were reflections of the fire in the eyes of the sheep.

Emery continued, In the midst of danger, the sheep were not looking out into the darkness but were keeping their eyes set toward the shepherd.

Similarly, when you are confronted with a challenge, do not look into the darkness. Rather, start the day off grateful and keep your eyes set on God. Put your faith, trust and confidence in Him. That difficulty is not going to plague you anymore. Let God shine on all of your circumstances. Kind and merciful, God will lift your burdens and take the undeserved and unfair situations that have occurred, and ultimately, turn them around for your good. Therefore, do what you can and trust that God will step in and do the rest.

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)

A few weeks back, Dr. Bernie Siegel told me a remarkable story about a patient with extensive abdominal cancer. Dr. Siegel is a physician and a best-selling author who has cared for and counseled innumerable patients.

Two months later, the patient returned to the office. She had no signs of cancer. Dr. Siegel asked her to tell him what she did. The lady smiled and said, Oh, you know. Quickly, Dr. Siegel replied, Yes, but tell me.

Contented, the lady uttered, I left my troubles to God.

Dr. Siegel suggests, Our potential when we have faith is amazing. As the Serenity Prayer tells us, leave it to God  and rest.

So place your worries and cares in Gods Hands. Give them over to Him, because He can look ahead to where you cannot see and make the wrongs turn out right. Your life is not over. Youre going to be set free. For you havent seen, heard or imagined what God has prepared for you (1 Corinthians 2:9). There are incredible blessings in your future. You have higher heights to climb, exceptional people to meet and many goals yet to make manifest.

In the Bible, it tells about a five-year-old boy named, Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 4:4). Born into royalty, the boy had a bright, abundant, blessed future. However, in a raging battle against the Philistines, Mephibosheths father Jonathan, and his grandfather King Saul died on the battlefield.

Upon hearing the news, Mephibosheths nurse became fearful. The nurse thought the Philistines might seek to take the life of the young boy. So the nurse quickly picked up little Mephibosheth into her arms. She began to flee, looking for a safe hiding place for them.

Yet, in her anxious effort and desperation, while she was running, she dropped the boy. Mephibosheth fell to the ground. He was badly injured, and his ankles were crushed. Through no fault of his own Mephibosheth was dropped. He didnt do anything wrong. It wasnt fair. It was not his mistake. But Mephibosheth became crippled, never to walk again. (2 Samuel 9:1-13)

Years passed, and Mephibosheth grew up in poverty in a very poor city. He was basically alone, in a desperate situation, and missing out on the best that life had to offer. Then, one day, out of the blue, King David inquired, Is there anyone left alive from the house of Saul? Ziba, who was a servant of the house of Saul, said to King David, Jonathans son Mephibosheth is still living. (2 Samuel 9:1)

So King David told his soldiers to go into the city and find Mephibosheth. They found him and carried him back to the palace. Terrified and, perhaps, not knowing what would happen to him next, Mephibosheth was placed in front of King David.

David comforted, Dont be afraid! Next, David said to Mephibosheth. I intend to show kindness to you because of my promise to your father, Jonathan. I will give you all the property that once belonged to your grandfather, Saul, and you will eat here with me at the kings table! (2 Samuel 9:3-7)

Gods light shined on the situation, for King David was gracious to Mephibosheth and made him a part of the royal family. In absolute awe and wonder, Mephibosheth was given a new identity, a new position, and a new freedom.

David restored to him the land of his grandfather and gave him an open, kind invitation to dine with him at the Kings table, forever changing him and his surroundings.

Today, regardless of what you face, ask your all-loving, all-knowing heavenly Father to help you. Right now, He is acting mightily on your behalf. God is going to bring your hopes, dreams and goals to pass. Thus, lift up your hands in praise to Him. Be a blessing to others. Live with a positive frame of mind and let the light of God shine upon you.

Email Catherine Galasso-Vigorito at cgv@anewyouworldwide.com. To order a copy of her new book, The Open Window, 8 Weeks to Creating an Extraordinary Life, visit www.anewyouworldwide.com or bookstores nationwide. Like me on Facebook!
Cambodias Interior Minister Sar Kheng on Monday ordered the creation of provincial standby working groups to prevent any unrest, as Prime Minister Hun Sens government cracked down on potential protests ahead of an expected court ruling on whether to dissolve the countrys main opposition party.



Opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) President Kem Sokha was arrested on Sept. 3 for allegedly collaborating with the U.S. to overthrow the ruling Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP), and Cambodias Supreme Court is expected to decide whether to disband the CNRP for its alleged involvement in the conspiracy on Nov. 16.



In a letter issued Monday, Sar Khengwho is also Cambodias deputy prime ministerordered all provincial and municipal governors to place authorities on call from Nov. 15 to monitor and settle on a prompt basis  various issues of concern in connection with any acts of trickery aimed at overthrowing our legitimate government.



Sar Khengs order followed one issued last week by the Cambodian National Police General Commissariats Central Department of Public Orders, and signed by department head Sek Phoumy, which instructed subordinate branches to establish 24-hour standby groups of combat-uniformed security forces ready to mobilize when the Supreme Court hears the CNRP dissolution case.



The Ministry of the Interior also said over the weekend that any demonstrations held at the Supreme Court in the capital Phnom Penh would be blocked by authorities.



Civil society groups called Mondays order a restriction on freedom of expression in Cambodia, where Hun Sens government has faced widespread condemnation in recent months over its actions targeting the CNRP, as well as for orchestrating the closure of independent media outlets and cracking down on nongovernmental organizations ahead of general elections slated for July 2018.



Speaking to RFAs Khmer Service, executive director for the Affiliated Network for Social Accountability (ANSA) San Chey said the Ministry of the Interior had effectively banned any protests while the Supreme Court reviews the case against the CNRP, adding that the measure violates Cambodias constitution and signals a climax in political tensions in the country.



As a matter of fact, this measure was issued in order to prevent any possible protests, and also to intimidate opposition party supporters, he said.



I believe that if, by [the hearing date], there are any restrictions or blocking of people traveling from one place to another, it will constitute a serious violation of the rights and freedom of our citizens.



Cambodian political analyst Meas Ny told RFA he was not surprised the government had implemented such measures to protect itself from the countrys many opposition supporters, who mostly view the charges against Kem Sokha and the CNRP as politically motivated.



In dissolving a party with a support base of  nearly 3 million peoplelike it or not, the authorities must take serious precautions, he said.



These three million people constitute a huge number. Should each of them show up [on Nov. 16] and lay down to block the roads, the government wont know how to deal with the situation. The concerns expressed by the government are valid, because this is not a minor issue.



The evidence presented against Kem Sokha so far is a video recorded in 2013 in which he discusses a strategy to win power at the ballot box with the help of U.S. experts, though the U.S. embassy has rejected any suggestion that Washington is interfering in Cambodian politics.



U.S. lawmakers threatened to bring sanctions against members of Hun Sens government if Kem Sokha was not released from jail by a Nov. 9 deadline for voters to register for the July ballot, saying the elections would lack legitimacy without the CNRP, but the prime minister has countered that American laws cannot be applied to his country and rejected the need for international recognition of the polls.



Confident of win



Also on Monday, government lawyers submitted to the Supreme Court a 62-page brief, four additional packages of evidencebringing to 26 the total number of packagesand a list of all elected CNRP lawmakers and officials who would be subject to a five-year ban on taking part in politics, as part of the case they are building against the opposition party in anticipation of Thursdays hearing.



Speaking to reporters after leaving the court, government lawyer Ky Tech said the Ministry of Interiors legal team was assured of a victory that would lead to the shutdown of the CNRP.



Since our evidence is concrete, strong and abundant, our lawyers assess that we have a nearly 100 percent chance of winningthat the court will examine this case and decide in our favor by dissolving the CNRP, he said.



However, Kem Sokhas lawyer Hem Socheat questioned what reason the plaintiffs had in submitting additional evidence, which he told RFA was useless in a political case.



In a criminal case, evidence can constitute either witnesses or objects related to an offense, but this is a political case, so I dont know what kind of evidence can be relevant, he said.



He added that a court decision on whether to dissolve the CNRP is directly linked to the charges against Kem Sokha, who has yet to be tried.



As for Kem Sokha, he is accused of committing an act of treason, but has the court determined that he is guilty? Not yet. So on what basis will the court determine whether to dissolve the CNRP?



Pledge to return



Meanwhile, former CNRP President Sam Rainsy said over the weekend that he plans to return to the party on Nov. 16, regardless of whether the Supreme Court rules to dissolve the opposition or not.



Speaking at a workshop on human rights and democracy in Cambodia in California on Nov. 11, Sam Rainsy, who resigned from the CNRP in February in order to preserve the party in the face of a law that bars anyone convicted of a crime from holding the top offices in a political party, said he would return to the party as a regular member, and not in any leadership position.



I request to return to the CNRP because once I resigned from the party, but it was a forced resignation so that the CNRP would not be dissolved, he said.



If the CNRP is to be dissolved, I request to return to the party. What [the government is] planning in dissolving the CNRP exists only on paper, but they cant dissolve the hearts of more than three million Cambodians.



Sam Rainsy has been living in exile since 2015 to avoid convictions many see as politically motivated.



It was not immediately clear whether the former CNRP chief intends to return to Cambodia to rejoin the party, but he made clear his support for Kem Sokha as the CNRPs president.



I still recognize Kem Sokha as the president of the CNRP, and lately he has confirmed his honesty, dignity and integrity, he said.



I just want to be a simple member of the CNRP, who supports the party as you all do.



Reported by RFAs Khmer Service. Translated by Sovannarith Keo. Written in English by Joshua Lipes.
Publishers Allen & Unwin have withdrawn a book exposing the Chinese Communist Party's activities in Australia from publication at the 11th hour after last-minute "legal advice," the book's author said in media interviews.



Charles Sturt University author and ethicist Professor Clive Hamilton said he had expected the book, which details the low-key and sometimes clandestine efforts of Chinese Communist Party agents within Australia's borders to influence public opinion, to sell well.



"The book is of enormous public interest ... and we as Australians living in a free society should not allow ourselves to be bullied into silence by an autocratic foreign power," Hamilton told the Australian Broadcasting Corp.



"This really is a watershed in the debate over China's suppression of free speech," Hamilton said. "What we're seeing  is the first instance where a major Western publisher has decided to censor material of the Chinese Communist Party in its home country.



Hamilton's book, titled "Silent Invasion: How China Is Turning Australia into a Puppet State," is billed as a comprehensive analysis of the Chinese governments methods of asserting influence in all areas of Australian society.



The author vowed to publish the book through other channels, after finding out that Allen & Unwin had canceled publication after legal advice that they could be sued for defamation by the Chinese government.



"Last week Allen & Unwin did express some legal concerns but despite that I thought they were resolved to publish it, so it was a complete shock," Hamilton told Guardian Australia.



He said his book reveals that Beijings overseas PR campaign is far more extensive than has been previously understood, and that it is "factual."



"If youre going to analyze how Beijing is influencing Australian society and politics you have to analyze that activity of individuals and name names, and thats what Ive done," Hamilton said. "It has been meticulously researched."



Hamilton, who said he was surprised several times by the "frightening extent of communist influence" in Australia, said he had refused to go ahead with publication after the publisher suggested extensive edits to avoid the possibility of legal action.



Repeated calls to the Sydney offices of Allen & Unwin, and to the Chinese consulate in Sydney, rang unanswered on Monday.



'Agents in Australia'



Australia-based Chinese dissident Sun Liyong told RFA that Hamilton's book will likely expose a genuine phenomenon, showing Beijing's influence in Australian academic, political, commercial and media circles.



"There are a lot of Chinese Communist Party agents in Australia: people who would be willing to sue in return for a payoff from the Communist Party," Sun said. "They could easily get 10 or even 100 people to sue the publishing company."



"They could bring these lawsuits in a personal capacity, saying that the publishing company had libeled China," he said.



Australian officials have already expressed concern about "sub-espionage" levels of activity at China's instigation.



In September, Australia's Attorney General George Brandis said he plans a comprehensive review of legislation governing who can lawfully influence Australian politicians, amid fears of growing behind-the-scenes influence from Beijing.



Brandis wants Australia to pass a law similar to the United States' Foreign Agents Registration Act, ensuring that the definition covers individuals covertly lobbying, infiltrating or donating to political parties on behalf of foreign governments.



Sun said the current climate has led to a "chilling effect" when it comes to speaking out against China's human rights record.



"In recent years, very few lawmakers have spoken out about human rights in China," he said. "The authorities should take comprehensive measures to stop this infiltration by the Chinese Communist Party."



Other examples



Hamilton's revelations aren't the first time that a global publishing brand has been seen to cave in to political pressure from China.



In August, the Cambridge University Press (CUP) said it had censored more than 300 articles from the China Quarterly academic journal's China website at the request of media regulators in Beijing, citing similar reasons.



However, it later reversed the decision, and refused a later request from the State Administration of Press and Publications, Radio, Film and Television (SAPPRFT) to block around 100 articles published by the Journal of Asian Studies.



Earlier this month, Springer Nature, which publishes Nature and the Scientific American, blocked access to some 1,000 journal articles to Chinese internet users because they contained banned keywords relating to political topics such as Tibet, Taiwan, or the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976).



The company said it had blocked the articles, all of which appeared in the Journal of Chinese Political Science and International Politics, in keeping with "local rules and regulations."



Reported by Hai Nan for RFA's Cantonese Service, and by He Ping for the Mandarin Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
Leadership of the exile World Uyghur Congress (WUC) passed to a new generation in an election held in Munich at the weekend, with former WUC general secretary Dolkun Isa voted in as president and long-serving leader Rebiya Kadeer elevated to the honorary post of paramount leader.



Kadeer, who had served as WUC president for almost 11 years, hailed the vote, speaking to RFAs Uyghur Service from her home in Washington D.C.



I accept the supervisory role of being paramount leader, the now 70-year-old Kadeer said. It is time for the younger generation to take up the leadership role at the WUC.



Kadeer, a formerly successful businesswoman in northwestern Chinas Xinjiang region, was released from a Chinese prison in March 2005 on medical parole after being jailed for six years for sending politically sensitive newspaper clippings abroad, and went into exile in the U.S.



Speaking to RFA following his Nov. 12 election, Dolkun Isa thanked the exile Uyghur delegates coming from over a dozen countries who had voted for him.



I am truly honored and humbled by their love for our motherland and resolve for a free East Turkestan, Isa said, using the name favored by many Uyghurs for their traditional homeland, a region now claimed by China as Xinjiang.



I also want to thank our paramount leader Rebiya Kadeer for blessing this Congress, and am looking forward to working with her in the future, Isa said.



Her valuable experiences and advice are indispensable to our peaceful struggle for human rights, democracy, and self-determination, Isa said.



New policy approach



Pointing to what he called Chinas intensifying repression in the Xinjiang region, Isa said that he and other newly elected officers of the WUC will soon chart out a new peaceful and pragmatic policy approach to securing the Uyghur peoples freedom and rights.



In the meantime, I call on Chinas leaders to respect Chinas constitution and regional ethnic autonomy laws, and I urge them to come to the negotiation table to find a permanent solution to the issue of East Turkestan through mutual respect and dialogue.



Since April, thousands of Uyghurs accused of harboring extremist and politically incorrect views have been detailed in political re-education camps and prisons throughout Xinjiang, where members of the mostly Muslim ethnic group complain of religious and cultural repression and harassment under Chinese rule.



The crackdown has also seen students who traveled to Egypt for Islamic studies being rounded up by Egyptian authorities at China's behest, with some taken back to China and most held incommunicado. The incarceration of large numbers of Uyghur males has put pressure on women and children to take over farm chores in Xinjiang.



China regularly conducts strike hard campaigns in Xinjiang, including police raids on Uyghur households, restrictions on Islamic practices, and curbs on the culture and language of the Uyghur people, including videos and other material.



While China blames some Uyghurs for terrorist attacks, experts outside China say Beijing has exaggerated the threat and that repressive policies in Xinjiang are responsible for an upsurge in violence there that has left hundreds dead since 2009.



Reported and translated by Alim Seytoff for RFA's Uyghur Service. Written in English by Richard Finney.
Articol sustinut de MedLife Romanii, din ce in ce mai preocupati de sanatatea lor dentara. 33% dintre cei cu venituri peste medie merg mai des la dentist decat in perioada pandemiei- studiu
Paige Healy was 9 or 10 years old and taking an art class when students were asked to draw a picture of what they wanted to be when they grew up.

For Healy, it didnt take much thought.

I drew myself in a chef jacket and tall chef hat in a kitchen with a pan in my hands, she said.

Healy started tagging along to work with her dad, Kevin Healy, at his restaurant, later renamed The Boathouse at Sunday Park, before she was tall enough to reach the kitchens food prep counters. When she was older and taller, she pitched in with bussing tables and food prep, and later with hostess and bartender duties.

I was very lucky from a very early age to be able to share that passion with my dad, she said. It started just getting into my blood really early on. Its really something that I have been passionate about since I was a little kid.

Today, at age 30, Paige Healy is chief creative officer of the restaurant company founded and headed by her father and which has grown to five restaurants  four locations of The Boathouse concept and one Casa del Barco Mexican-themed restaurant in downtown Richmond.

More locations are coming. A second Casa del Barco is scheduled to open in Short Pump Town Center in late December, while a third planned for Chesterfield Towne Center is expected to open in late summer or early fall of 2018 and will be paired with a new concept called Shrimp Shack.

Early on, the focus of growth was to grow the business at our one location in Sunday Park, said Kevin Healy, looking back to 1988 when he took over operations of the former Sundays Restaurant in the planned Brandermill community in Chesterfield County.

We accomplished that by adding outdoor decking, and outdoor bar, enclosing a patio and by converting an adjacent waterfront swimming pool into the pavilion area and designing it for large events like weddings and receptions, Kevin Healy said. In 2006, he rebranded the restaurant as The Boathouse at Sunday Park.

As the growth and reputation of The Boathouse at Sunday Park expanded, so did opportunities for new locations, he said.

The companys flagship waterside restaurant in Brandermill specializes in seafood dishes and is known for its stellar views of Swift Creek Reservoir. Healy opened a second waterside location in 2009  The Boathouse at Rocketts Landing, settling into a scenic space in the luxury mixed-use development that straddles the Richmond-Henrico County line along the James River.

Most of the companys expansion has been in the past five years.

Casa del Barco opened in a refurbished Italianate building along Richmonds Canal Walk in 2013. A third Boathouse restaurant opened in 2015 at Short Pump Town Center, and a fourth opened this past June in City Point in Hopewell.

I had a very good foundation in restaurant management prior to ownership. Its a business to me. Theres not a lot of ego involved, said Healy, whose first job in the restaurant business was as a dishwasher at age 15.

Later, in college at the University of Dubuque in Iowa, he was a student manager at the college cafeteria. After college, he held a succession of jobs  starting at a Richmond restaurant group that operated the areas Arbys franchise locations.

Mr. Ripp hired me out of college, said Healy, referring to local restaurant titan Richard Ripp, owner of The Restaurant Co., which operates local Arbys franchises. At the time, in addition to the Arbys, they had several restaurants in town. I did that for four years and worked in a number of their restaurants.

Next was a stint at the now-defunct Chi-Chis restaurant chain where he was a regional manager and, after that, he was food and beverage director for a Tidewater area hotel chain.

I think that one of the things I have done particularly well and we as a group do particularly well is we listen to our guests. If you listen, they will tell you what you need to do, Kevin Healy said.

***

His companys expansion is occurring at a time when Richmonds restaurant scene is bursting at the seams with dozens of locally operated restaurants offering creative and tasty cuisine.

Longer-running restaurants and more established groups have been the catalysts for the tremendous growth of the past four to five years, said Christopher Staples, director of hospitality for EAT Restaurant Partners, which operates eight area restaurants including Boulevard Burger & Brew, Fat Dragon and Red Salt Chophouse & Sushi.

We do compete with each other, but we dont let that draw a line between us, Staples said. Instead, we focus on more important things like developing our respective cultures, quality of our product and focusing on the guest experience. The competitor, if anything, makes us better, more capable and aware of what we need to.

Of Healy, Staples said, Hes a sharp guy and has a vision. You cant do what he has done without a clear vision.

Healy returned the praise to EAT Restaurant Partners and to the Richmond Restaurant Group, a company founded in 1995 by Michelle Williams, Jared Golden and Ted Wallof that now owns seven restaurants including The Daily, The Hard Shell and The Hill Cafe.

Healy said he admires those two restaurant groups ability and confidence when thinking outside their everyday comfort zone and adding unique concepts to their lineup of restaurants.

***

In the competition for taste buds, the Healys are holding their own.

Earlier this year, Kevin Healy rebranded his company, renaming it HOUSEpitality Family.

It has many layers of meaning to it, Kevin Healy said.

The word house is obviously part of The Boathouse, and less obvious Casa del Barco translated is house of the boat. Hospitality is what we are all about. And yes we are a family-run business, he said.

In addition to daughter Paige, a son, Colin Healy, and son-in-law Gregorio Spinzo (Paiges husband) are active in the business.

With the new brand came putting down on paper the values that had been part of the company.

If you are somebody who appreciates integrity, innovation, empowerment and knowledge  those are our four values  you are going to be who feels like at the end of the day we are adding to their cup rather than taking away, Paige Healy said.

Healy opened his first restaurant with a small business loan.

This past summer, Transact Capital Partners, a Henrico-based business brokerage and mergers and acquisitions advisory firm, assisted HOUSEpitality Family with securing a $6.1 million loan with Park Sterling Bank to finance the new Casa Del Barco location at Short Pump as well as to restructure its long-term debt.

***

The company has approximately 350 employees. Food service traditionally has a lot of employee turnover, but HOUSEpitality Family has a plan to keep more on board. About a year ago, the company developed an in-house training program open to employees who want to move up and assume more responsibility.

We are seeing often potential inside them that maybe they dont see. And when you give them the road map and opportunity to succeed, I think thats one of the keys to our low turnover, Kevin Healy said.

At a training class last week, employees from across the company gathered at The Boathouse at Sunday Park for an hourlong presentation by Kevin Healy and Colin Healy, a local musician who handles some of the companys accounting operations, on the economics of running a restaurant.

The employees each were given 100 pennies and asked to parse out the coins based on percentages of the companys cost of sales, labor, other expenses and profit.

At this stage in our development, we are almost spending more pennies than we make, Healy said. Were trying to grow this business and create opportunities because I think we are good at it. We have a good team and good support.

Even little things such as how many bar towels are used a week and whether a bottle of sanitizer is thrown out before its completely empty affects the bottom line, Healy said.

Candy Smith is one employee who is in it for the long run.

She started with the company in 1995 as a lunchtime server, and later took on administrative duties in payroll and scheduling. After the third restaurant opened, she became director of operations. She recently was named chief operating officer.

We all have the same passion  to continue with the growth, and we all have a passion of doing the right thing  providing excellent customer service, Smith said.

***

For Paige Healy, the title of chief creative officer also is new.

She took time off from the restaurant business to earn a college degree. She rejoined the company, excited about the changes her father was making.

There is all this cool stuff going on that my dad has created with the growth, Paige Healy said.

About four years ago, she attended a culinary program in Southern Italy and brought those skills to the business as a cuisine developer, working with chefs to create new menu items.

Eating local, eating fresh, eating whats minutes or hours off the vine versus days or weeks, she said.
Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao had said Thushar was behind an alleged BJP bid to poach TRS MLAs.
Theres a new advertising/creative agency in town  and one of its key clients is global technology giant Google.

Arts & Letters Creative Co. launched in February in Richmond, led by Charles Hodges who previously worked at two agencies  Wieden+Kennedy NY and TBWAs Media Arts Lab.

I wanted to start a place where talented people could come together and work with the worlds biggest dreamers to solve problems with large cultural impact, Hodges said.

In addition to Hodges, the leadership team includes Rich Weinstein, managing director; Andy Grayson, director of strategy; and Letitia Jacobs, head of production.

The ties that bind us is that we all worked at an agency called Wieden+Kennedy, some of us in New York and some of us in Portland, Hodges said.

The firms offices are at 1805 Highpoint Ave. in the Scotts Addition area.

The company has a total of about 20 employees, many of whom have ties to the VCU Brandcenter and Richmond-based advertising powerhouse The Martin Agency.

Weinstein, for instance, was most recently a senior vice president at The Martin Agency. Hodges graduated from the VCU Brandcenter in 2009.

A large portion of our company went there as well. We owe a lot to them, Hodges said.

Hodges could not disclose much about what the firm is doing for Google other than we are focused on a range of products across the company.

He has high praise for Richmonds cultural scene.

I believe that Richmond is in the first inning of a professional and cultural renaissance, particularly in the technology/creative industries, he said.
The folks at Wine Enthusiast Magazine recently dined (and drank) their way through Richmond and contributing editor Nils Bernstein had lots to say about our scene.

"In Richmond, Virginia, the vibrant culinary scene is still riding waves pioneered in part by The Roosevelt and Saison, which opened in 2011 and 2012, respectively. Still at the top of their games, these standouts helped spawn one of the countrys most progressive and congenial food and drink destinations," Bernstein wrote in "Richmond, Virginias Congenial, Modern Food and Drink Scene."
UR law school gets $2.4M from Lipman Foundation

RICHMOND  A $2.4 million donation from the Lipman Foundation is establishing a permanent endowment at the University of Richmond School of Law.

It will support the Jeanette Lipman Legal Clinic for Families and Children.

The Jeanette Lipman Family Law Clinic started in 2007. The local philanthropist died in January.

Sabot at Stony Point receives service award

RICHMOND  The head of school at Sabot at Stony Point, a local private school, received the Sally K. Boese Distinguished Service Award from the Virginia Association of Independent Schools.

Irene Carney was named as the recipient last Monday. The longtime educator has taught at Virginia Commonwealth Universitys School of Education and has worked at numerous Virginia private schools.

Kayak event raises $2,608 for Thanksgiving meals

RICHMOND  An event organized by a Richmond seventh-grader raised $2,608 to help feed families for Thanksgiving.

Nathaniel Milligan, a student at Albert H. Hill Middle School, created the Kayak For A Cause event, which was held Nov. 4. Event attendees used their kayaks and stand-up paddleboards to race down the James River.

The money will help give Thanksgiving meals to 47 students identified by the school.

URs beer brewer program graduates its first group

RICHMOND  The University of Richmonds first Beer Brewer Professional program has graduated its inaugural group of 17 students.

Offered through the School of Professional and Continuing Studies, the program was launched in October 2016 following the spike in the number of craft breweries opening in the Richmond region.

Gibson to be sworn in on Richmond School Board

RICHMOND  Kenya Gibson will take the oath of office to represent the 3rd District on the Richmond School Board at 4 p.m. Dec. 4 in the School Board room on the 17th floor of City Hall. She was elected Tuesday with 46 percent of the vote. The board is scheduled to meet later that night.

Citys Education Compact moving closer to fruition

RICHMOND  The Richmond School Board has finalized the process for choosing its six representatives to Mayor Levar Stoneys highly touted Education Compact.

The deadline for applications to the compact is Dec. 1. The board hopes to make decisions at its Dec. 4 meeting.

The city is also in charge of appointing six community members to the group.

High schools taking part in college-access program

RICHMOND  Every public four-year college and university in Virginia will take part in a program aimed at helping thousands of high school students apply to college.

During Virginia College Application Week, which runs through Friday, participants are encouraged to submit at least one college application.

This year, 66 high schools across the state are involved in the college-access program. Participating high schools have 50 percent or more of students eligible for free or reduced lunches.
A controversy over absentee ballots in Stafford County that could help determine which party controls the state legislature next year will linger for at least another day.

Staffords electoral board voted 2-1 on Monday to delay until Tuesday a decision about certifying absentee and provisional ballots  the ballots cast by voters who show up at the polls without proper ID.

Officials with the Democratic Party of Virginia said last week that Stafford elections officials were refusing to count 55 absentee ballots that arrived at the registrars post office box on Election Day.

Doug Filler, the electoral board chairman, said the boards delay will give anyone with questions about their vote time to come forward. After a closed session, he said the board voted to request a judicial opinion on the votes in question.

Joshua Cole, the Democratic candidate for the 28th District House of Delegates seat, was at the courthouse as the electoral board began the process of certifying last Tuesdays election results. Unofficial returns showed Republican Bob Thomas defeating Cole by 83 votes out of 23,000 cast in Stafford and Fredericksburg.

The 28th District race is among three races in which the official outcomes will determine whether Democrats or Republicans control the Virginia House of Delegates. Democrats won 49 seats in the 100-member House last Tuesday, but trail in the unofficial results for the 28th, 40th (Fairfax) and 94th (Newport News) districts.

Republicans held a 66-34 advantage in the House of Delegates going into the election, where a backlash against President Donald Trump helped Democrats gain at least 15 seats. As things stand, the House makeup in January would be 51-49 Republican  but that outcome depends on the vote counting thats underway.

According to the electoral board, 55 absentee ballots were apparently received at the post office but not the registrars office by the 7 p.m. deadline on Election Day.

Registrar Greg Riddlemoser has said that because the deadline was Tuesday evening, state law requires him to ignore the ballots. Democrats said last week that the ballots came from military personnel, but Riddlemoser said in news release that they included all types of absentee ballots.

The uncounted ballots in question could also affect a race for the Stafford Board of Supervisors.

Democrat Laura Sellers, the incumbent Garrisonville District representative on the Stafford Board of Supervisors, unofficially lost by 15 votes to Republican L. Mark Dudenhefer, a member of the House of Delegates who did not seek re-election to the legislature. She said she had lawyers preparing a legal challenge to have the absentee votes counted.

Sellers criticized Riddlemoser and said electoral board members have been intimidated.

Several dozen Democrats chanted and waved signs outside the Stafford courthouse Monday morning in protest over the handling of the ballots.

The protesters chanted Every vote counts and Do your job. Count the vote and waved signs criticizing Riddlemoser.

In Virginia, local electoral boards have three members who serve staggered three-year terms. They are appointed by the local circuit court, with the political party of the governor, in this case Democrat Terry McAuliffe, getting to nominate two of the members. The bipartisan board, in turn, appoints the registrar to a four-year term.

The electoral board prepares ballots, oversees elections and certifies the vote count. The law requires board members and the registrar to act in a nonpartisan manner.

The Stafford electoral board will meet again at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the courthouse.

The Virginia House Democratic Caucus issued a statement from attorney Marc Elias that said its members would be monitoring the situation and remain concerned that military and overseas voters may have been improperly disenfranchised in violation of the U.S. Constitution and federal and state law. ... We will do everything we can to ensure that every eligible voter has his or her vote counted in this election.
Two decades ago conservatives turned purple with rage over the allegations concerning President Bill Clinton, Monica Lewinsky, and other women. Many on the right deemed the presidents scandalous behavior intolerable, and insisted that personal rectitude was an absolute necessity for a political figure.

That devotion to family values has suffered considerably in the Trump era. Confronted with Donald Trump boasting on tape about sexual predation, many on the right decided that such behavior, while inappropriate, was less important than partisan politics. Winning mattered more.

A similar calculation has surfaced in the Roy Moore saga. The Republican nominee for Senate is famous  or notorious, depending on your point of view  for his insistence on displaying the Ten Commandments on public property and for vilifying those he considers sexual deviants. Moore now stands accused of child molestation. As Republican Sens. Tim Scott and Pat Toomey have both said, the accusations are more credible than Moores denials.

Some conservatives have denounced him or distanced themselves from him. Others, however, have turned into latter-day civil libertarians  insisting that Moore deserves to receive due process, that the allegations concern something that happened decades ago, and so on. Alabamas state auditor even compared Moore to the biblical Joseph.

Conservatives did not offer similar defenses for Hillary Clintons supposed involvement in handing American uranium interests over to Russia  or Bill Clintons alleged behavior back in Arkansas. They made no excuses for Anthony Weiner or Bob Menendez. And it seems highly unlikely conservatives would offer similar arguments if Moore were a Democrat.
As part of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986, the Richmond Floodwall was born. At a total cost of $143 million, it was built under a provision that allowed the cost to be shared between the City of Richmond and the Norfolk District of the Army Corps of Engineers.
A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.
RICHMOND  The tax plan being considered by the U.S. House of Representatives would lead to the loss of more than 9,200 education jobs in Virginia, the national education union estimates.

The losses would come from removing the state and local tax deduction provision, which would blow a hole in support for public education.

Its elimination would mean about 250,000 job losses nationwide, including 9,264 in Virginia.

Instead of tax cuts for the wealthy, we must ensure that our students have caring, qualified, and committed educators in order to succeed, said Virginia Education Association President Jim Livingston in a statement.

This bill is terrible for our state because it is a giveaway for the wealthy and corporations funded on the backs of students and middle-class families. We urge Congress to reject it.

The National Education Association estimated that about $8 billion over 10 years would be at risk in Virginia if the provision were to be eliminated. Across the U.S., that number rises to $246.6 billion, according to the NEAs analysis released Friday.

The vast majority  up to 90 percent  of school budgets are funded by state and local governments.

In a statement, the NEA compared the potential losses to the staff reductions caused by the Great Recession in 2008.

It has taken years to recover from the Great Recession, and were not out of the woods yet, what with our country facing a national teacher shortage, said NEA President Lily Eskelsen Garcia.

Since House Republicans unveiled their plan, the removal of the tax deduction has become a highly contested topic. Senate Republicans released their own tax plan last week. In their plan, the deduction would be completely repealed, according to Reuters.

About 44 million Americans claim the deduction, including about 1.4 million people in Virginia, according to a statement from Gov. Terry McAuliffe, who came out against the House plan.

Eliminating or capping these provisions will take money out of these Virginians pockets and use it to finance a tax cut for the wealthy and big corporations, he said.

National education groups issued a joint statement in late October opposing the elimination of the deduction.

The deduction isnt the only one that would affect teachers.

In an effort to simplify the tax code, the House tax plan would also eliminate a tax deduction for teachers and other workers for money  up to $250  they spend on supplies. Teachers spend about $500 of their own money on school supplies, according to the National School Supply and Equipment Association.

It sends a terrible message to those in our classrooms and those thinking of becoming teachers, said Livingston, the VEA president, in a Monday statement. Its one of many misplaced priorities in the tax proposal.

The Senate bill retains the supplies deduction.
Sometimes a haircut is more than just a haircut.

Youre a healer if you stand behind that chair, said James Turner, a barber at First Impressions on Melrose Avenue in Roanoke.

Sometimes, truth comes out when someone is in the hands of their stylist or barber.

Roanoke Mayor Sherman Lea hopes to tap into that propensity for conversations to happen in barbershops and salons that dont happen other places and use it to address community problems in the citys northwest neighborhoods.

Monday, Lea called together barbers, stylists and shop owners to talk about the role they can play in reducing problems like gun violence and domestic violence.

I know that community is better than that, Lea said. But, were not going to police ourselves out of it.

Thats where the people with the swiveling chairs come in.

Im amazed by the depth of insight that I picked up and hear in your shops, Lea told about 20 hair professionals from northwest who gathered in the city councils conference room Monday afternoon. Theyre really the hub for social change in our community. Everybody comes to your places.

Leas idea isnt new. Roanoke Police Chief Tim Jones told the group about the success of similar efforts with barbershops and salons in and around Raleigh, North Carolina.

Thats where everybody goes and sits on a chair and talks about whats going on in the community, he said. Why arent we there?

City Manager Bob Cowell described simple, low intensity measures that would be easy to do, like hanging posters to promote better behavior or to alert people to needed resources.

Roanokes Libraries Director Sheila Umberger suggested supplying books to the shops for children to read while their parents are in the chair and then take home.

Lets see what you can do right in your shop, Lea said.

The hair professionals had their own ideas.

One woman suggested opening up their shops as spaces to host seminars on how to respond to domestic violence, or group chats for mothers who have lost children to violence.

People dont know what the resources are, she said. We can be a hub for that.

Yoedie Cleveland Swain, of Divas House of Hair on Williamson Road, suggested parenting classes for young parents or meet ups with neighborhood police.

We need mentors like that, he said, So they dont see the cops as bad guys.

Another man suggested supplying barbers and stylists with contact information for organizations that help in key situations so they can hand it out on the spot, while the client is in their chair and feeling receptive.

Once they get in their car, its back to the streets, he said.

Others pointed out that barbershops and salons have tried to do their part for years. First Impressions, for example, gives free back-to-school haircuts each year, and now people who were in the chair as children are bringing their children in each fall.

What youre doing is right, Turner said to his fellow barbers and stylists. Keep doing it.

Lea agreed and said after the meeting that the whole idea is to capture the good influence these shops and professionals already have and organize it and provide them with materials and resources to ramp up their power.

Mondays meeting was just the start, Lea said. He aims to host monthly meetings going forward.

He was pleased by the response to his idea Monday.

Theyre anxious to go, he said.
Results from Tuesdays statewide elections could be especially important for a few Republican members of Congress in Virginia.

Democrat Ralph Northam, now the governor-elect, carried a majority of votes in the congressional districts of Reps. Barbara Comstock, R-Fairfax, and Scott Taylor, R-Virginia Beach.

Taylor, a former state lawmaker and Navy SEAL, has represented the 2nd District since his election last year. Northam won it with 51.4 percent Tuesday, receiving 108,336 votes to GOP nominee Ed Gillespies 99,697.

Comstock was elected to the 10th District seat in 2014 and was already a target for Democrats this year in the district that extends from the Northern Virginia suburbs of Fairfax and Loudoun west to Clarke and Frederick counties and the city of Winchester.

Nine Democrats are seeking their partys nomination to challenge Comstock next year. On Tuesday, Northam received 55.6 percent in Comstocks district, with 148,684 votes to Gillespies 115,754.

Republicans now hold seven of Virginias 11 U.S. House seats to Democrats four.

Tuesdays election means that a Democratic governor will preside over legislators redrawing of the states U.S. House and legislative districts after the 2020 census.

I will stop the gerrymandering, Northam said at a July debate in Hot Springs. And I will not sign a map unless it is drawn by a nonpartisan redistricting commission.

As for next years midterm elections, Stephen Farnsworth, a political analyst and professor at the University of Mary Washington, said the primary variable going in will be President Donald Trumps performance.

One never knows what happens in a presidential administration, Farnsworth said. President Trumps fortunes might get even worse if theres an economic or international crisis, and they might get much better if hes able to become more successful in policy making.

If youre a Republican right now looking at a competitive congressional election, your best hope is the turn of the next card.

The unpopularity of the Republican president was not lost on Taylor at the Gillespie election night party in Henrico County. He did numerous interviews with reporters there saying the Democratic landslide was a backlash against Trump and his rhetoric.

I dont know how you get around that this was a referendum on the president, Taylor said. I dont know how you get around it.

The divisive rhetoric from the top contributed to a very high turnout.

Trumps Gallup approval rating in the third quarter of the year was 36.9 percent. His approval rating has been consistently lower than any elected presidents in his first year, according to Gallup.

Tuesdays vote totals are unofficial until they are certified by the State Board of Elections in late November. Until then, results in localities sometimes shift as local electoral boards complete their canvass of the tallies.

For instance, the Virginia Public Access Project noted Saturday that Chesterfield County has posted a swing of 750 votes to Northam in the Southside Precinct. VPAP said that means Northam could become the first Democratic candidate for governor to carry Chesterfield since 1961.

The results in Tuesdays governors race also could potentially signify a close race in the 7th congressional district, represented by Trump-backing Rep. Dave Brat, who upended then-House Majority Leader Eric Cantor in the Republican primary in 2014 and was easily re-elected in 2016.

Gillespie carried the 7th District with 51.1 percent of the vote, receiving 135,629 votes to Northams 124,987. Gillespies performance this year was on par with Trumps last year in the district, however Northam made gains for Democrats over Hillary Clinton, tightening the Republican margin of victory from 6.5 percentage points to 4.

Sixty percent of Brats district is made of voters from Chesterfield and Henrico counties, where the percentage of support for Republicans has dropped with recent statewide elections. But Farnsworth said Brat is buoyed by Republican strongholds to the north between Hanover County and Fredericksburg.

Nonetheless, with an unpopular Republican president in the White House, there will be a serious Democratic effort to unseat Brat next year. Abigail Spanberger, a former CIA officer, and Dan Ward, a former combat Marine, are among Democrats seeking their partys nomination for the seat.

Like Taylor, another first-term Republican in Congress is carefully watching the fallout from Tuesday. Rep. Tom Garrett, a former state senator, represents the sprawling 5th District, which extends from the North Carolina border north through Danville and Charlottesville and all the way to Fauquier County. Gillespie carried the district Tuesday with 53.9 percent.

The Cook Political Report currently lists the districts held by Brat, Taylor and Garrett as likely Republican next year. Brats district was downgraded last month from safe Republican.

The report lists Comstocks district as a toss-up.

A three-judge panel imposed Virginias current congressional map in January 2016 after finding that Virginia lawmakers had packed too many additional African-American voters into the 3rd District, represented by Rep. Bobby Scott, diluting their influence in adjacent districts.

In redrawing the 3rd District, the judges also tweaked the 2nd. It still is anchored in Virginia Beach, but lost a number of Newport News precincts, while gaining the city of Williamsburg and York and James City counties.

The 2nd has been one of Virginias more competitive congressional districts in recent years. In 2008, Democrat Glenn Nye knocked off Republican Rep. Thelma Drake, as Barack Obama carried Virginia en route to winning the presidential election. Two years later, Republican Scott Rigell ousted Nye after one term.

Rigell chose not to seek re-election in 2016. In the 2nd District Republican primary, Taylor defeated Rep. Randy Forbes, R-4th, who had left his own redrawn district in order to run in the 2nd.

Virginias 6th District seat will reopen in 2018 when veteran House GOP member Bob Goodlatte retires. But that district has been more of a reliably Republican stronghold.
RICHMOND  Virginia is taking a hard look at tax credits and other incentives for economic development, from a film industry that a new study says doesnt generate much benefit for the states investment to an impending look at tax exemptions for data centers.

The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission received the results on Monday of a staff study of financial incentives for the film industry that have doubled in the past five years while producing mixed results in jobs and economic investment in Virginia.

The commission also blessed a new study into tax exemptions for data centers, which have become the top recipient of state economic development incentives  $61.5 million in the past year alone and $222 million in the past seven years. Facebook will receive about $19 million in tax exemptions for the data center it plans to build in Henrico County.

At the same time, JLARC heard an encouraging report from the head of the states flagship economic development authority about progress in establishing an incentives oversight division and internal auditor at the Virginia Economic Development Partnership in response to a scathing commission review of its performance a year ago.

It certainly has enhanced the confidence in that agency, Senate Finance Co-Chairman Thomas Norment, R-James City, told Stephen Moret, who became president and CEO of the partnership in February.

Moret briefed the JLARC economic development subcommittee prior to the full commission meeting Monday as the partnership completes a strategic plan for delivery to the legislature on Dec. 1 as what he called the main event in efforts to address three dozen recommendations.

I think were in a very good place right now, he told the panel. Weve already accomplished the vast majority of it.

The news was less cheery in the JLARC staffs assessment of tax credits and grants for the film industry.

The investments have grown substantially since 2012 under then-Gov. Bob McDonnell and subsequently under Gov. Terry McAuliffe, but Virginias investment in incentives lags well behind other states, such as Georgia, Louisiana, Pennsylvania and North Carolina.

The states spending on film incentives doubled under McAuliffe, to $14.3 million in fiscal 2015-2016, and total about $43 million over five fiscal years.

We find that tax credits and grants have had mixed success in achieving their goals, JLARC project leader Ellen Miller told the commission.

The incentives are critical to wooing film production companies to Virginia, said Miller, who estimated that 95 percent of productions wouldnt have filmed in the state without tax credits and grants.

States that have reduced the incentives, such as Florida, have seen a corresponding drop in production, and states without them dont have a chance of being selected for a film or television project, she said.

However, the incentives havent resulted in much economic benefit for Virginia, the staff concluded. The film production industry employs about 2,500 people in Virginia, less than 1 percent of the workforce nationally.

Measured in jobs, personal income and contribution to the state economy, the film industry has returned about 20 cents for every dollar it received in tax credit and 30 cents for every dollar in grants over the five-year study period.

A smaller sales-tax exemption for film production has created 10 jobs, added $1.4 million to the gross domestic product, and $800,000 in personal income for every $1 million invested, or 4 cents for every dollar, the report found.

However, Miller said, the legislature has options beyond simply eliminating the incentives. Instead, it could restructure them to create a more effective film incentive program in Virginia that yields a greater economic benefit and return in state revenue.

Those possible changes include combining elements of the credit and grant programs to, among other things, give the state greater discretion in the level of incentive it offers, and simultaneously simplifying the reimbursement program and sweetening its base tax credit.

The film industry is just one of the businesses that JLARC has begun examining since the General Assembly gave the commission an ongoing oversight responsibility for economic development incentives that have totaled $1.5 billion over seven fiscal years.

Almost half of that spending, about $700 million, represent revenues forgone through sales and use tax exemptions, which a joint legislative subcommittee on tax preferences already has begun giving closer scrutiny.

Data centers, proliferating from Northern Virginia to Southside and soon with the new Facebook center in Henrico, lead the state list of tax exemptions, receiving $222 million or 15 percent of all incentives given from fiscal 2010 through fiscal 2016.

JLARC will begin examining nine incentives for data centers. The study is expected to be completed in mid-2019.
Republicans have finally found a tax they like.

The party likes to call the tax bill now moving through the U.S. House of Representatives a tax-cut bill. It certainly does cut taxes for some. For others, though, it eliminates various tax credits  which would feel like a tax increase, but technically isnt.

Tucked deep inside the bill, though, is one pure tax increase  actually, a brand new tax. The Republican tax bill would tax colleges.

Well, some of them anyway. Specifically, the bill would impose a tax on endowments at certain private colleges.

The tax would come in the form of a 1.4 percent tax on net investment income  provided the college has at least 500 students and an endowment big enough to equate to $250,000 or more per student.

Why do Republicans  the party of tax cuts  want to create a new tax? Mostly for the same reason that Democrats often do. For all of the tax cuts Republicans want to pass, they still need to find revenue to fund the government. So, just like Democrats, they want to tax the rich. The only difference is that where Democrats envision taxing cigar-smoking plutocrats on Wall Street, Republicans see academia  perhaps even the dreaded liberal academia sitting on what seems a dragons hoard of wealth.

Politically, it might be brilliant: This is a tax increase that ordinary people wont feel, at least directly. Economically, it might raise $3 billion or more over the next decade, which is either a lot of money or 0.005 percent of projected federal spending, depending on how you prefer to look at it.

Proponents like to describe this as a measure that would target the super-rich schools, which conjures up images of schools such as Harvard University, whose endowment is currently pegged at $38.7 billion. Yes, thats billion with a b. That description is true, but not the whole truth. The bills threshold ensnares a lot of small colleges that we dont think of as super-rich, or even rich at all.

The bill would tax Washington & Lee University, which has an endowment of $1.55 billion, or about $699,458 per student. (Updated Nov. 13 with more recent numbers.)

It might tax Hollins University, which has an endowment of $182 million, or $232,694 per student. Thats below the threshold, but a year ago Hollins would have been above the threshold. An increase in enrollment changed the math enough to move Hollins out of the tax bracket but a growing endowment could easily put Hollins back in.

According to The Chronicle of Higher Education, Randolph College in Lynchburg would also just barely miss the cut. So would Sweet Briar College, which nearly closed two years ago but remains very much alive under a new administration. Its current endowment measures out to $229,503 per student  so if its endowment and enrollment grew (which they have been under new leadership) the school would suddenly find that nest egg taxed.

These are hardly super-rich schools. Put indelicately, why do Republicans want to tax W&L and possibly Hollins? Why do they potentially want to tax Sweet Briar College just as its coming back to life? (Feel free to substitute one of the other 70 schools that would fit the criteria).

The origin of the tax-the-endowment movement began innocently enough. Republicans are concerned that college tuition costs too much and a year or more ago began floating the idea of taxing endowments if  a critical if  colleges didnt spend more of it to hold down tuition costs. Since then the if has apparently gone away and House Republicans have moved straight to the taxation phase.

Its curious that their plan applies only to endowments at private colleges, not state-supported universities. State schools, at least, have other revenue streams  i.e., tax dollars. Private colleges are more reliant on their endowments, which by necessity need to be large to generate sufficient operating income. Youd think Republicans would like the idea of private colleges, yet their tax plan specifically targets them. This seems . . . odd.

To colleges, its more than odd. Its an existential threat. Bluntly stated, the excise tax will be catastrophic to Hollins, says a statement issued by that school. The arbitrary threshold set by the proposed excise tax on endowments does not take into account the realities of running a small institution of higher learning such as Hollins. This threshold unfairly aligns our university (with fewer than 700 undergraduate students) with larger schools that boast billion dollar endowments and does not consider our very different circumstances.

Both Hollins and W&L point out that their endowments income goes to operations  and scholarships. This tax would reduce our annual endowment payout by about $700,000, W&L says. Our draw on endowment now pays 40 percent of our operating budget. In 2017, 45 percent of the endowment payout is going to student financial aid. We are providing $52.7 million in financial aid this year. It is because of our endowment that we have been able to eliminate the need for undergraduates to take out student loans. We have also waived tuition entirely for students who come from families with annual incomes of less than $75,000.

Hollins says much the same: Tax the endowments income and that means less money for financial aid. (Forget the notion of Hollins as a school for rich students; 43 percent of the students there qualify for Pell grants, for instance.) Our endowment is a critical component of our ability to operate with balanced budgets and no debt, achievements we have been able to realize for a number of years, Hollins says. The excise tax threatens that fiscal foundation and thus our ability to invest in our students and our campus.

Tax endowments and you might have fewer donors willing to write checks. Tax endowments and youd likely have higher tuitions, or fewer students receiving scholarships, or both. Those all seem negative outcomes that House Republicans are unwittingly setting into motion. The conservative columnist George Will  a former trustee at a private college  recently warned that this proposed Republican tax on private colleges is strangely incompatible with conservative philosophy: This raid against little platoons of independent excellence would be unsurprising were it proposed by progressives, who are ever eager to extend governments reach and to break private institutions to the states saddle. Coming from Republicans, it is acutely discouraging.

So we ask again: Why do Republicans want to tax Hollins and W&L?
YBS colleagues Katie Wood and Adam Waterfall

BUILDING society members have helped raise more than 4 million to charities across the country.

Rotherham Hospice, Rotherham Dog Rescue and the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association are just some of the charities that will benefit from donations to Yorkshire Building Societys Charitable Foundations Small Change Big Difference campaign.

Mark Ferris, proprietor of the societys Rotherham branch, said: The Charitable Foundation would not exist without the support of our members who, on average, donate less than 50p a year.

But all that small change really does add up to enable the Charitable Foundation to make a big difference  as the charities that have benefited here in Rotherham will know.

Were really proud of the impact the Charitable Foundation has had on our community and we want that to continue.

If you know a charity that could benefit from a donation please come in and have a chat with a member of our team.

The foundation supports charities which aim to improve peoples health, save lives and alleviate poverty with donations from 250 to 2,000.

In 2016, the Charitable Foundation paid 1,813 donations totalling 554,229 to good causes and charities throughout the UK.

Visit www.ybs.co.uk/charitablefoundation for more information.
Some of the weapons handed in to South Yorkshire Police during the 2016 weapons surrender

SURRENDER your weapons that is the call from South Yorkshire Police who kicked off a two-week weapons amnesty today.

Guns, knives and weapons can be handed in without fear of prosecution for possession at the point of surrender.

South Yorkshire Police have joined up with forces in West Yorkshire, North Yorkshire and Humberside to launch the initiative which officers hope will prevent weapons from falling into the wrong hands.

The weapons surrender is supporting a national firearms surrender across the UK, coordinated by the National Ballistics Intelligence Service (NABIS).

Both the regional weapons and national firearms surrender will end at 11.59pm on Sunday, November 26.

During the 14-day surrender, people will not face prosecution for possession of the weapon at the point of handing it in at any of the designated police stations across the Yorkshire and Humber region.

But all the weapons surrendered will be forensically examined and if they they have been used in a crime an investigation will begin.

Det Supt Una Jennings, armed criminality lead for South Yorkshire Police, said: Weapons do not recognise boundaries which makes the national firearms and regional weapons surrender this month an ideal opportunity for people to anonymously hand in any guns, ammunition, knives and bladed articles.

While we know individuals already involved in criminality will be unlikely to hand in any weapons, there will be people who will have been passed down an antique firearm by a family member, or have items such as samurai swords that may have previously been used for decoration in the home, and they are now no longer wanted.

The surrender provides the perfect opportunity to safely dispose of these weapons and to prevent them from ending up on the streets and falling into criminals hands, which only brings destruction and devastation to our communities.

While South Yorkshire has seen an increase in the possession and use of weapons, as is the picture nationally, there are a vast array of both overt and covert operations already in progress across our county.

I want to make it very clear that the use of weapons in South Yorkshire will not be tolerated and Id urge you to please think of the life changing consequences just carrying a weapon can have.

Possession of a firearm alone will result in a minimum five-year prison sentence. Even if youre just holding it for a family member or friend, its you that will face prosecution and end up behind bars.

Similarly, possession of a knife carries up to a four-year sentence, with the risk of a lifetime in jail should you use it and fatally injure someone.

I would strongly encourage people to please take advantage of the surrender and hand in any weapon that is unwanted or illegally owned. Every gun and knife given up is one less that can end up in criminal circulation, and can potentially save a life.

For a list of police stations where weapons can be handed in and opening times, visit www.southyorks.police.uk/surrender.

Anyone with any information regarding the use of firearms, weapons or suspicious activity can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
The third edition of the biennial Dubai Diamond Conference had the theme of Shaping the future of an interconnected marketplace. The two-day conference, which took place in Dubai's Almas Tower, which houses the Dubai Diamond Exchange, brought together international leaders of the diamond industry ranging from African Ministers to traders, financiers and world-renowned jewelers.

Conference organizers, the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) and the Dubai Diamond Exchange (DDE), set out to hold an all-inclusive review of the issues facing the global diamond trade. And they certainly lived up to the promise. The meeting covered the major issues affecting the industry, with leading diamond trade figures from across the world covering all areas of the diamond pipeline. In less than two days, the conference discussed issues from sustainability to undisclosed lab-grown diamonds, financing and the lack of profitability, reviewing the work of the Kimberley Process, the effect on the industry of the marketing trend of selling diamonds at tenders and auctions, and the impact on the trade in Dubai and India of the Value Added Tax (VAT) and the Goods and Services Tax (GST), respectively.

The critical role the Dubai Diamond Conference has taken on in monitoring developments in the industry and providing pointers for how it should tackle challenges as it moves forward were at the heart of the comments made by the DMCCs Executive Chairman, Ahmed Bin Sulayem, in his welcoming remarks. Diamonds have long played an illustrious role in Dubai's heritage as a gateway for global trade. And, in just 15 short years, Dubai has become the third biggest diamond trading center in the world. It didnt happen by accident. It happened because we designed an environment that is safe, business friendly, and that conveniently links producing and consuming markets.

One of the major subjects debated at the conference was that of lab-grown diamonds and their disclosure. Panelists spoke about the large rise in the quantity and quality of lab-grown stones in recent years, whether the detection equipment is sufficiently powerful to detect loose and diamond-set jewelry and if sanctions against transgressors is a powerful enough deterrent.

The GIAs Executive Vice President and Chief Research And Laboratory Officer, Tom Moses, said: Synthetic diamonds are not only not going to go away, but production will continue growing. The GIA has developed equipment to detect them that is reasonably inexpensive, and our technology continues to develop. I would point to the example of synthetic gemstones, such as rubies and emeralds, which did not take off because consumers wanted the real thing", suggesting that the industry should perhaps not at this stage get carried away with the belief that lab-grown diamonds will necessarily be attractive to consumers. Moses spoke about the large scale of synthetic diamond production in China, although he pointed out that most of the output is aimed at industrial uses rather than for jewelry.

Moses asked if the industry is strong enough to act against transgressors. "It is critically important that consumers know exactly what they are buying and that illicit activity is not allowed to take place."

He added that the GIA began grading synthetic diamonds around 10 years ago. The decision was made in order to allow the grading lab to be able to see as many stones as possible to get information about them and how they are created. However, the number of such stones that are being graded is tiny. "Last year, we graded about 350-400 stones out of the millions of carats of diamonds that were graded overall."

Meanwhile, WFDB President Ernie Blom said: We dont have a problem with synthetics as long as they are disclosed. Lack of disclosure is our main concern. We rely on out 30 affiliated bourses to aid us in this. This is illegal and transgressors should be prosecuted by the local authorities. The WFDB, as an organization, does not have a stand on the issue of what should be the policy of its affiliated bourses regarding trading of lab-grown diamonds within their bourses. Each exchange is free to decide its own policy.

"The WFDB's Charter 'on disclosure of synthetic, treated natural and natural diamonds' obliges traders to print a statement on their invoices providing a proper description and declaration attesting to the nature of the diamonds sold: namely, that all the goods sold are guaranteed to be natural and also untreated. Perhaps we need to ask ourselves if synthetics, as long as they are disclosed, are the threat that we automatically believe them to be. Production is constantly increasing, both in quantity and quality, but we should bear in mind that it is estimated that just 3% of global consumption is of synthetics, so we should keep this in perspective.

"In addition, with their prices continuously dropping, can they really be compared to diamonds as a store of value, I think not. Synthetic diamonds are made by machines, so there is no limit to how many can be produced and as more are made their value will continue to decline. Compare this with diamonds formed billions of years ago in the Earth which are finite and which will, therefore, have an ever-increasing value.

"Perhaps synthetics can be a catalyst for higher sales of mined diamonds? Maybe they can bring new buyers to the diamond jewellery arena  specifically younger consumers and the so-called Millennials of 30 and under adults  for whom jewellery is way down on their list of wanted items after smartphones, tablets and exciting and experiential vacations. In rapidly changing times, we must be open to new ways of thinking and doing business. Sticking with long-held beliefs is usually unhelpful.

"But we believe that diamonds can't be made, you have to find them. Each one is unique. And this sums up perfectly the difference between mined diamonds, and lab-grown stones made in a production line. I have also been concerned with the dubious advertising methods of the synthetic producers who claim diamond mining causes damage. Not only is this false, but they don't mention the huge good that diamonds do for poor communities across the world and which certainly is not the case concerning factory-made stones. It is disingenuous to promote one product by dubiously denigrating another as is the case here.

"The recently established International Diamond Monitoring Committee initiative of Indias Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council and the Bharat Diamond Bourse is a very positive step forward. It aims to eliminate undisclosed mixing of lab-grown diamonds in packages of natural diamonds as well as other objectives, including the monitoring of trends and instances of non-disclosure of synthetics, threats to the polished diamond sector, and agreeing on the most effective detection devices for trade members. In addition, I would repeat what I have said before: that I would be more than happy to meet with the producers of synthetics in order to create a healthy dialogue between us."



Kevin Ryan, COO, Damas Jewellery LLC, which has 250 stores in the Gulf Cooperation Council states, said that reputational risk is clearly important and that so the industry needs to take action before the issue becomes even larger. "From a retail perspective, the integrity of our supply chain is critical. There is a system of warranties that suppliers have to sign. We source where we can from suppliers whose supply line we can see from end to end. Secondly, we believe that education is important  both from the point of our staff and of our customers  so we have an GIA education program to educate customers. Finally, we have an in-house quality control team checking the diamonds being bought and the jewelry being made."

Gemological Science International Co-Founder Debbie Azar agreed it was vital to have qualified staff who also need to stay at the forefront of developments. "The equipment of today is good for today but not for the future," she added.

In addition to the topic of synthetics, the gathering also looked at the issues of sustainability where Sir Mark Moody-Stuart, the Chairman of the Global Compact Foundation, delivered a keynote speech focused on the United Nations Global Compact initiative and how the diamond industry can implement its sustainable development goals to build a more just, more equitable and more sustainable future for all.

The first day of the conference tackled two major industry issues: Uniting the industry to accelerate initiatives driving the sustainable development agenda forward, and How diamonds fit in the new era of millennials. Following an update by Diamond Producers Association CEO Jean-Marc Lieberherr on the work they do to promote diamond jewelry sales, particularly among younger buyers, the much anticipated panel debate on diamond jewelry and Millennial buyers. The panelists discussed the vital importance of attracting Millennials, a market sector which in the United States alone is estimated to have a spending power of $65 billion. Lieberherr reported that the DPA's research shows that Millennials are looking for authenticity in their lives, and that diamonds are seen by them as representing something real.

The second day of the conference provided participants with a substantial amount of food for thought. Following opening remarks by DDE Chairman Peter Meeus, there were press conferences announcing the launch of the Nemesis International diamond polishing plant and the display by Christie's and De Grisogono of an extraordinary 163-carat diamond to be offered for sale by auctioneer Christie's.

The official launch of the Nemesis International diamond cutting and polishing plant started off the day. This state-of-the-art facility is seen as completing the range of services that Dubai's diamond trade can offer by providing the highest level of diamond cutting. "We now have the complete package, or one-stop shop," said DMCC Executive Chairman, Ahmed Bin Sulayem. "Dubai has become a major importer of rough, which can now be cut and polished by master craftsmen. This joins the world-class facilities that the Almas Tower offers, including Customs, insurance, banking, a Kimberley Process office, and international tenders of a wide range of rough diamonds."

Meanwhile, Christie's displayed the 163.41-carat emerald-cut diamond owned by the Geneva-based luxury jeweler, De Grisogono. The auction house said it is the largest D-color flawless diamond to ever come to auction and will be offered for sale on November 14 as a highlight of Christies Magnificent Jewels sale in Geneva. The diamond, cut from a 404-carat rough discovered in February 2016 in the Lulo mine in Angola, was displayed at the conference as part of a world tour. It is the 27th biggest rough white diamond ever discovered and the largest in Angola, stated Fawaz Gruosi, founder of De Grisogono, who purchased the rough diamond. A team of 10 diamond-cutting specialists were involved in mapping, plotting, cleaving, laser-cutting and polishing the extraordinary diamond, which took almost a year to cut.

Following speeches from the Mining Ministers of important African diamond producing states: the Hon. Walter K. Chidhakwa, Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Republic of Zimbabwe; the Hon. Keketso Sello, Minister of Mining, Kingdom of Lesotho; the Hon. Leopold Mboli Fatran, Minister of Mines and Geology, Central African Republic; and Dr. Obolokile Obakeng, Acting Permanent Secretary, Minerals, Energy and Water Resources, Republic of Botswana, the keynote speaker of the second day of the conference was former British Prime Minister, David Cameron.

He delivered a strong message on globalization and sustainability to a room of international leaders of the diamond industry. He praised the UAE for its pro-business environment, saying: It is impossible to visit this country without being wowed. It is a towering example, quite literally, if you look outside, of what can be achieved.

"Lots of people questioned whether all of this investment in the desert would ever work, but your airports are international hubs, your tourist industry is a model for others to follow, youre a business location of huge standing, there are over 100,000 of my fellow countrymen living here today, and I know that they dont just come for the big attractions  the tallest building in the world, the biggest shopping mall in the world, the top seven star hotel in the world  they come here for the opportunities. They hope that, in this global success story, they can write their own success stories.

In discussing what business can do to correct the course that globalization is currently taking, Cameron said: I believe in responsible capitalism; growth has to be felt in peoples lives... We need business, big business, to step up to do far more, to deliver a fair economy, the more just society, and the sustainable environment that we want to see.

Following Cameron's speech, there was apanel debate on bankability, transparency and innovation, with a range of banking figures discussing the reasons for the increasing difficulty faced by diamond firms in securing credit. Bankers agreed that further efforts to boost transparency were needed. The conference then moved on to discuss the issue of KP Reform: A reality or a never ending story? where the discussion focused on how far the KP has advanced in the 14 years since it came into being and what should be its future path. Following that, the impact of VAT or GST on wholesale diamond trading in the UAE and India, respectively, was the next discussion in Diamond trading centers  working together to create global wealth, with participants providing insights as to the likely impact of these taxes. The final panel of the international gathering examined the issue of Tender or auctions: temporary phenomenon or new business of the future? The panelists looked at this relatively new marketing method and how it is affecting the prices being paid by the industry for rough goods.

DDE Chairman Peter Meeus, who announced that he would be leaving the organization after 12 years, during which time he helped establish the exchange, which now has more than 1,000 members, said the conference once again illustrated its importance and the ability of Dubai to bring together a wide assortment of international leaders of the diamond industry. The conference provided an opportunity to build relationships between companies and governments in producing and consuming countries, further highlighting the pivotal role that Dubai plays in the global diamond trade for diamonds.

By our Israel correspondent Abraham Dayan




The System of Warranties (SoW) in the diamond industry dates back to 2002, when the World Diamond Council (WDC) in team with the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) and the International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA) launched this package of measures to strengthen the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) as a voluntary pattern of industry self-regulation aimed at weeding out conflict diamonds from the supply chain.

The annual general meeting of the WDC recently held in Dubai was focused on broadening the scope of the KPCS and formalizing principles related to the duty of care for responsible business practices in the framework of the System of Warranties. In this interview given to Rough&Polished, Stephane Fischler, Acting President of the WDC shares his views on the issues raised during the two-day event.

The World Diamond Council annual general meeting in Dubai discussed propositions to broaden the scope of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme to enhance prevention and reduce the risk of systemic violence and conflict. Was any final decision taken in this regard and how this may be done?

In 2012, during its AGM in Vicenza, the WDC took a very clear position to broaden the scope of the KPCS and proposed a new definition for the term conflict diamond to include diamond-related violence in rough diamond producing and trading areas. This remains our position today. We believe that an agreement around broadening the scope is the best way to work preventively in lowering the risk of conflict and give a much better chance to sustained development. At the same time, we need to talk more inside the industry about how to provide confidence in all spheresproviding adequate protection to all stakeholders and in particular the most vulnerable. We as an industry should provide more guarantees to the final consumer. That is our responsibility.

The WDC concluded its meeting noting that extensive and constructive discussions spanned issues and opportunities for the diamond industry to ensure that no diamond is linked to conflict or human rights abuses. Does it mean that the definition of conflict diamonds has been extended to include human rights violations as well?

Discussions followed throughout the two-day meeting, focused on various ways to strengthen the integrity of the complex diamond supply chain. This included ideas to broaden the scope of the KPCS to enhance prevention and reduce the risk of systemic violence and conflict. Members also explored, besides the standards of industry initiatives such as the Responsible Jewellery Council, universally accepted approaches towards responsible business conduct (such as those proposed by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) that should be incorporated into existing due diligence systems. The approaches will enhance awareness and responsibility of all participants in the diamond supply chain. We need to ensure that all involved in the diamond industry benefit for the long term. Again, the focus is on preventing violence and that all involved benefit for the long term.

Could you disclose the essence of discussions around the WDC System of Warranties (SoW) and describe the principles related to the duty of care for responsible business practices in the diamond supply chain?

The term duty of care was introduced during a seminar around conflict minerals co-organized by one of our member organizations, CIBJO. The duty of care relates to the responsibility of each player in the value chain to trade only with responsible parties that can demonstrate their adherence to universally accepted ethical and responsible business practices. It means asking questions and looking for solutions. It means that when a transaction is clearly associated with parties committing or contributing to fund violence, we need to just say no and the transaction shouldnt take place.

At the Kimberley Process Intersessional Meeting in Perth last year, it was said that the then existing System of Warranties was far from being perfect and there was a hope to update it by the end of this year. Were there any new elements introduced in it and to what effect?

Indeed, the WDC System of Warranties (SoW) was also reviewed during the WDC General Annual Meeting that included all major member-based industry organisations: CIBJO, IDMA, WFDB and USJC. Consensus was reached to formalize principles related to the duty of care for responsible business practices. The principles are intended to raise awareness around universal norms of business conduct and current legal obligations and incorporate more assurances as recommended by various governance-related international and national treaties. Principles should be easily incorporated into any size organization, including small and medium sized businesses.

By far not every diamond jewelry buyer is aware of the System of Warranties. What is done by the WDC to enlighten the general public about it and in what practical way may the SoW be used by diamond jewelry retailers to give guarantees to their customers?

You are right. Retailers are not sufficiently informed about our commitments. This is certainly the focus of our efforts and communication strategy for the coming months. We will create communication toolkits for the jewelers associations to allow them to better inform their members. Its crucial everybody feels confident that their suppliers use the SoW and showcase their due-diligence to provide and spread all necessary assurances. Again, as I already said, we as an industry should provide more guarantees to the final consumer.

As it appears, the Dubai Diamond Conference is not the first to point to the need for a reform of the Kimberley Process. What are the aspects of such a reform voiced by the industry stakeholders this time?

The main reforms are focused on the need to broaden the scope, establishing a permanent secretariat, review the current KPCS core document and standards and the functioning of the peer review system. We must define what has worked well and what was badly designed. I hope that an inclusive and respectfully managed review process can achieve further progress for the future. Its also important to highlight that despite the fact that its not perfect, the KP has been so far comparatively very successful.

What is the current role played by NGOs in the Kimberley Process and have they finally come to terms with this organization regarding its principal policies?

I guess you should better ask them this question. For us they are full partners in the scheme and an essential support on the ground.

The Central African Republic was allowed by the Kimberley Process to export diamonds from its KP-compliant areas, but the general situation there seems to be shaky. What are the steps taken by the KP to prevent contamination of the diamond pipeline with conflict diamonds coming from the countrys non-compliant areas?

As you know, the CAR is under strict monitoring by the KP. A monitoring Team constituted of relevant KP working groups and representative of the Civil Society and WDC is working under pre-established Terms of References and an operational framework that guide their work in allowing exports exclusively from mining zones where the absence of conflict is established, free access to all communities and with required traceability. There are currently five so-called green zones in the West of the country that are authorized to export. No zones in the rest of the country including the East is yet authorized to export. The traceability requirements are very strict and allow for prevention of contamination. We do however follow the evolutions in the country very closely.

Are there any other sources of conflict diamonds arousing concern of the Kimberley Process?

No, not currently. However, the importance of the KP and the WDC remains crucial when it comes down to the future, as there are still areas where diamond mining may take place that suddenly become involved in armed conflict. There will always be new challenges, and we stand ready to address them.

The Kimberley Process will finally have its Permanent Secretariat based on the decision of the WDC Board at this years meeting. What are the functions and tasks facing it in the near future?

We hope that, together with others, we can convince the KP members to agree on the principle to establish a Permanent Secretariat. The main goals are to guarantee institutional memory, garner and manage KP related data, provide technical assistance and capacity building in the ASM sector, enhance KPCS implementation and of course professionally support the work of the KP Chair and Vice Chair as well as the KP Working Groups. One important issue however should be considered, according to the WDC. A mandate for the chairs of 1 year is very short to allow for continuous and strong improvements.

Vladimir Malakhov, Rough & Polished
(nationaljeweler.com) - Its a topic that seems to be on everyones lips right now, communicated through the use of various buzz words: responsible sourcing, due diligence, transparency. Theyre all different parts of the same conversation that has been popping up not only in jewelry but across consumers goods industries in recent years. The jewelry industry already has been working to make progress but, now, also needs to find ways to make those efforts known. We need to stay one step or more ahead of public sentiment, CIBJO President Gaetano Cavalieri says, adding that the process of inclusive industry dialogue is critical to allow for cooperation and efforts at all parts of the supply chain, from mine to market. Yet for the colored gemstone market, which is incredibly nuanced in its size and scope, its not quite as easy to get everyone on the same page.
De Beers and the United Nations (UN) Women have availed a three-year BWP8 million ($758 000) investment in capacity-building programmes to support women micro-entrepreneurs in select villages in the Okavango Delta and Kweneng District, Botswana.

The Okavango Delta and Kweneng District were some of the poorest and most remote areas of Botswana and were selected as the initial focus due to the strong potential to deliver tangible, positive outcomes that support entire communities through the increased economic empowerment of women micro-entrepreneurs.

Botswana has achieved a huge amount of development through prudent use of diamond revenues, but challenges remain and programmes such as these can have a real and lasting positive impact, said De Beers chief executive Bruce Cleaver in an announcement at the Women Summit in Gaborone, convened by the diamond group last Thursday.

Advancing womens economic empowerment in two of the most disadvantaged areas of Botswana will not only support the women micro-entrepreneurs that participate in the programmes, but also their communities through increased employment opportunities and skills development.

UN Women South Africa Multi-Country Office, representative Anne Githuku-Shongwe, said the initiative was in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals Agenda 2030 to Leave No One Behind, targeting one of the most marginalised communities in Botswana to invest in womens economic empowerment and create long term sustainability for families in this region.

The programmes were part of De Beers three-year global partnership with UN Women and its commitment to stand with women around the world.

The group investing $3 million to advance women micro-entrepreneurs and STEM students in its diamond producing countries of Canada, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa.



Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished




RTM

Rehabilitation projects to rail infrastructure have been included in a funding commitment from the governments of Canada and Quebec to improve the Montreal area's transit system.

Nearly CA$27.9 million (US$21.9 million) will be invested in 11 projects for the Reseau de transport metropolitain (RTM) under the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund. The government of Canada will provide close to CA$15.5 million (US$12.2 million) for these projects and the government of Quebec will contribute almost CA$12.4 million (US$9.7 million). The Autorite regionale de transport metropolitain will provide the remaining funding.

We are delighted with the substantial investments made by the governments of Canada and Quebec on Reseau de transport metropolitain projects. The $27.9 million investment will help us to enhance the performance of the bus transit network, as well as information for riders, modernize and expand overcrowded park and ride areas and rebuild rail infrastructures. The RTM will thus provide South Shore residents with a more modern, efficient transit system, said Raymond Bachant, president and CEO of RTM.

The funding will help cover the reconstruction of a bridge on RTMs Montreal & Ottawa Subdivision, rehabilitation of tracks on the same subdivision, as well as bus and rider assistance improvements.

I am delighted for the citizens of the Monteregie region and the Montreal metropolitan area that will benefit immensely from the projects supported by these investments. With the help of these initiatives we will promote the maintenance, development and improvement of infrastructure and equipment, that enhances the fluidity of movement and the user experience, said Lucie Charlebois, Quebec Minister for Rehabilitation, Youth Protection, Public Health and Healthy Living and Minister Responsible for the Monteregie Region, on behalf of Andre Fortin, Minister of Transport, Sustainable Mobility and Transport Electrification.
American Tower Corp. (AMT) announced that ATC Telecom Infrastructure Private Limited, its majority owned Indian subsidiary, has agreed with Vodafone India Limited and Idea Cellular Limited to Acquire Tower Businesses for INR 78.5 billion, or about $1.2 billion cash at current exchange rates.

The transactions are expected to be immediately accretive to AFFO per share, and the deal is expected to close in the first half of 2018. Under deal, the company will add about 20,000 communications sites to its existing Indian portfolio.

As part of the transactions, ATC TIPL, Vodafone and Idea have established a preferred partner structure under which Vodafone and Idea, given their expanded relationship with ATC TIPL, will receive service level and process efficiency benefits and ATC TIPL will secure certain preferential rights for future new commencements on its existing portfolio and on the sites being acquired in certain Indian markets.

The transactions are expected to generate approximately INR 21 billion (approximately $320 million) in property revenue and approximately INR 8 billion (approximately $120 million) in gross margin during their first full year in American Tower's portfolio, at current exchange rates. Further, SG&A associated with the assets is expected to be less than INR 1 billion (approximately $10 million) for the first year.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
By SA Commercial Prop News

China's bank regulator has urged banks to guard against risks in commercial real estate projects that have been targeted by speculative investment, the China Securities Journal reported on Tuesday, citing an unnamed source.

China's measures aimed at curbing excessive home price rises have resulted in some speculative capital flowing into commercial properties.

Banks should strictly monitor risks when they make loans to commercial property projects and set a higher criteria for approving such loans than for home mortgages, the newspaper said.

Banks are banned from rolling over existing loans to commercial properties and they should improve collateral management to guard against possible risks.

The new order also asked banks to monitor property market risks in second- and third-tier cities where purchase restriction policies have not yet been imposed.

Beijing has expanded the home purchase restrictions to some second- and third-tier cities to rein in home prices. It also urged local governments to step up efforts to cap property prices within a previously set ceiling.

China's property investment and sales in August grew at a slower annual pace than in the first seven months, official data showed on Friday, indicating Beijing's efforts to rein in the red-hot real estate sector have started to have the desired effect.
Life in Samoa is already hard, and it is much harder for those who dont have a job to provide money for the many extra things that are needed.

This is according to Salesa Tavai, 29 years of age from the village of Faleasiu.

Village Voice caught up with Mr. Tavai when he was on his way to help his friend with his work last week.

Mr. Tavai told Village Voice he is looking for a job at the moment.

I am not at work but I am seeking a job right now to support my family and my son.

I am good at doing hard physical work like working in the plantation and things like that.

Mr. Tavai told Village Voice that luckily for him, right now he only has one son to support.

Life right in Samoa is hard, the only solution to cope with that is finding a job to earn income to support your family.

But for me right now, I only have one son so it is ok but I wouldnt be able to support more than one child right now.

Mr. Tavai also said that he is happy to do any kind of work.

Right now I am really desperate, which is also why I am going to my friends house to help him with his work so I can earn some money.

I really want to have money so I can support my kid and plus he will be going to school soon, and that is why I am pressuring myself to get a job now.
So there you have it ladies and gentlemen.

After all the talk and the excitement of the past few days, with Samoa Airways inaugural flight from Faleolo International Airport to Auckland this morning, a new era has started for Samoa.

It is a new beginning in this nations aviation history, which promises lots of excitement, growth and opportunities. Who doesnt want that? Who wouldnt feel inspired by the endless potential?

But lets also not kid ourselves here. Aviation is not an industry for the fainthearted. Thats because it is fraught with many difficulties, challenges and uncertainties.

The history of failed airlines all over the world exists to remind us that for the government and the people of Samoa, the launch of Samoa Airways is indeed a bold move, especially given the current economic challenges here and abroad.

For that, we commend Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaois bravery. He has been instrumental in getting the airline up and running since day one. The Airlines Minister, Lautafi Fio Purcell, the C.E.O. Seiuli Alvin Tuala, the Board of Polynesian Airlines and everyone involved should feel rightfully proud today.

But why not?

Such feelings were clearly evident when the aircraft landed on Saturday  and even yesterday evening - when scores of people flooded to the airport to check out Samoas new toy. On page 2 nd 3 of the paper you are reading, Tuilaepa clearly has a hardline message for everyone.

His Minister Lautafi is also man full of optimism.

This is a big development in Samoas future. We are very positive that this is a move in the right direction. To grow as a nation we have to start taking steps ourselves and stop relying on others, he said.

Well hes right. That said though, we cannot forget the past. The last time the government tried to run such a huge commercial operation, it nearly bankrupted the country. At one point when the airline had gone from one Boeing aircraft to a four-Boeing fleet, its debt had ballooned to over $50 million in aircraft leases. It was then that the risk of bankruptcy became very real and all the taxpayers of this country ended up shouldering the burden.

Today, we want to remind that it was the prickly combination of corruption and mismanagement that dragged the airline down the mud.

The good thing is that Minister Lautafi is obviously well aware.

I dont even think about what happened in the past, that was before my time and if anything we have learnt lessons from that, he said. Thats why Polynesian Airlines failed because they didnt do the things they should have done. We should manage Samoa Airways as a business  effectively and efficiently to make money and at the same time we service our people, thats what its all about.

Chief Executive Seiuli shares the Ministers optimism but he knows the road ahead will be challenging.

The real work starts now. We have to focus on a lot of things and make sure that we provide a very good service to our people, he said. We want to see Samoa Airways grow and make sure we have more routes and more passengers. We have to work now to make it successful and try to serve our people as best we can.

We would really like the country to get behind its national carrier and support it. Things have happened in the past and now thats gone. This is a new day and we are looking forward to serving our people.

Lastly, he urges Samoans to get behind their national airline.

Without the country we cant move forward. We need the countrys support and we need our people behind us and I guess thats the main thing, its the people  were here to serve them, he said.

Were here to look after them and in turn theyll look after us. It cant be done on your own; youve got to have your people right behind you.

We couldnt agree more.

We really hope our people can get behind Samoa Airways and support them all the way.

As weve said before this could either be the most brilliant idea the government has come up with for a while or it could be the craziest thing it has done yet.

Indeed, running an international airline in this day and age is not something you enter into blindly.

If it was difficult back in the days of Polynesian, it would be even more challenging now given the demands and dynamics of todays competitive business world.

But dont say the government has not been warned. Today, not once, twice but over several instances where the government has reassured members of the public that they know what they are doing. We pray and hope that Samoa Airways is successful.

Safe travels to all the passengers on Samoa Airways inaugural flight today, and have a great Tuesday, Samoa!
Dear Editor,

Talofa and greetings. With great respect I feel a great urgency to reply to a segment of your story titled Tension in the halls of justice published on the Sunday Samoan mentioning my father High Chief Seumanutafa Tiavolo of Apia.

I stand to defend and correct what the Minister told your Sunday readers.

My position as a Samoan family matai within Sa Seumanutafa family is a orator chief, it is my duty to convey, defend Seumanutafa in all aspects of his every whim as well as heirs of our family in Apia, having said that let us start from the beginning where the Minister failed miserably as a law abiding private citizen as he portrays himself to be:

1. He had no right to bestow matai titles using the given or first names of the children of King TuiAana Sagate and his wife Sinataufailemanunu of Apia, (Laautuivanu, Leaufueloloa, Leuli, Leefu)

2. Initial Court cases:

LC-1145/11745&LC11744, Date of hearing: 14 Aug. 2012 . Date of decision: 24 Aug. 2012. Titles Laautuivanu (LeMamea) Leaufueloloa (Lemalu)

Hon. Minister you lost this case!

:LC-11797, P1-P2 Date of hearing, 8July 2013, Decision, 8July 2013. Titles Leuli (Seumanutafa) LC11796 Tuileififi same dates.

Hon. Minister you lost these cases!

: LC11789, Date of hearing 31,Oct.2013, Date of Decision, 8, Nov. 2013.Title Leefu (Toomalatai)

Hon. Minister you lost this case!

3. Hon. Minister you and only you alone submitted an application to request a leave to Appeal all of the above cases. According to the story on Sunday, you clearly stated and I quote: I bestowed chiefly titles to men in my family back in 2011 and that is what the issue is about. There was a case in 2012 and our family WON the case and the chiefly titles were honored.

And you carried on by saying another chief has written to the Lands and Titles President asking him to reopen the case... It is 2017 now. How can they reopen a case thats been settled five years ago?

Hon. Minister as far as above cases are concerned you have never successfully bestowed matai titles on anyone nor won any court case. We are anticipating seeing you on the day of your appeal as warranted by the President of the Lands and Titles Courts of Samoa.

4. As a matai of Seumanutafa family you must without question listen, take heed of the fathers advice because Seumanutafa bestowed the title Faaolesa on you in the year of our Lord, 2004. The title Faaolesa is a matua of Seumanutafa but your Faaolesa is a matua i fale. If you need clarification Ill be happy to explain on the day of appeals.

5. Lastly Mr. Minister with due respect I suggest in the future, you refrain from all issues regarding my family, my birth right, my God given right because you and I are not related from the beginning to the end. Soifua.

Tauamamanuvao Frank Le-mamea Seumanutafa

Apia
The launch of Samoa Airways is an important milestone for Samoa.

Thats what Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi said yesterday evening when the airline was officially launched at Faleolo International Airport.

Despite the rain, the occasion was well attended. The Head of State, His Highness Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II and the Masiofo, Her Highness Faamausili Leinafo, joined government officials, stakeholders and members of the business community.

Tuilaepa highlighted the importance of Samoa determining her own destiny as far as air travel was concerned.

In hindsight we should never have entered into a joint venture in the first place, the Prime Minister reflected on the past.

Twice we did it with Ansett and later with Virgin  both Australian airlines - and the results were disappointing."

So important lessons have been learnt. Today marks a historical milestone for our country and our airline. This is indeed a momentous occasion and this development is one that our country needs and should have done a long time ago.

Tuilaepa believes no one else will look after Samoas needs better than Samoans.

If we do not do it now it will never be done, he said.

You look around our region from Solomon islands to Vanuatu, Kiribati, Tahiti to Fiji  our neighbours have their own national airlines and they have maintained their airlines successfully and comfortably."

If others can do it, so can we  yes we can, if we do not allow idiots to ever again both at the ground and management levels to operate the national airline.

The Prime Minister did not say who he was referring to in terms of the idiots.

But he praised the joint venture Samoa Airways plans to keep with Fiji Airways.

The current arrangement between the two airlines will see Fiji provide connectivity with the United States on a code share basis. They will partner with Fiji Airways to Asia, Europe and beyond.

The partnership, he said, was an excellent example of when regional cooperation works.

This type of arrangement is something we have been trying to do with other airlines for many years without any positive response. In fact services were removed from Samoa as these other carriers were asking us to pay millions in subsidies each year just to come through Samoa, Tuilaepa said.

This is not lost on us and we will be looking again at all the multilateral agreements Samoa has entered into to reassess their usefulness to Samoa."

We have entered into these multilateral to our detriment. Today is a special occasion to celebrate and showcase what a small island like Samoa can do once we focus on what is important to us as a nation."

The one certainty in all this is that revenue generated by our national carrier will stay in Samoa, airlines flying to Samoa are boasting billion dollar profits every year and little comes back to our country.

The Prime Minister also extended the governments hardline business approach to Samoa Airways and challenged the nascent airline to prove itself as a self-sustaining business.

The government has not given the airline any funds to start the airline as you must run it as a business, he said.

You have had 12 years of running the small airline profitably so that now with the jet services - give it your best, prove that we can do this and do it well. I would urge all our people and our country to come and support your national carrier. Be proud of what Samoa can do.

Tuilaepa also had a message for the tourism industry.

We as a country must embrace what is ours, he said.

It is time that we stand up and it is time we support our own airline and support Samoa. We are at the tipping point and its a point that will ensure Samoa Airways grows as Samoa grows in all sectors."

We have a beautiful country with so much to offer, we can grow and showcase the beauty of our country, our culture and our people. No other airline will do that satisfactorily on our behalf.

Samoa Airways will be dedicated to using all local products and staff was trained to provide a service with a touch of faasamoa, our own brand of hospitality.

After the formalities, guests were invited to board the Samoa Airways Aircraft and take a tour of the cabin area and to meet the pilots and cabin staff.

The flight attendants led the way and at the same time showcased their new uniforms.

This morning at 7, Samoa Airways inaugural flight is scheduled for Auckland, New Zealand.

Passengers on board will enter the record books as the first passengers of Samoa Airways.
Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaois government has moved to amend the Constitution once more in relation to the position of the Head of State.

The proposed change has given rise to suggestions that since anyone is now eligible to become the Head State, is it not time to consider changing the title from Head of State to Governor General instead.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa, who tabled the Constitution Amendment Bill (No.3) 2017 for the second reading yesterday, strongly rejected the suggestion.

He explained that the government is proposing to give the holder of the Head of State title a 10-year two-terms limit. This is as opposed to the current practice where members of the ruling H.R.P.P. vote on the position after every five years.

The position is currently occupied by His Highness Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II who recently took over from former Head of State, His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi, who held the position for ten years.

Speaking about the amendment in Parliament yesterday, Prime Minister Tuilaepa said the change gives the position the respect it deserves. As it stands, he said it is not a good look when such a highly esteemed role is subjected to a vote every five years.

Given the smallness of Samoa, Tuilaepa admitted that such a vote would always be a sensitive matter given family and blood connections.

But should the amendment be passed, there are conditions.

One of them is that after the holder serves his/her 10-year term, he/she will be retired from the position forever. Tuilaepa used the term malolo manumalo or victorious retirement to describe the exit by future holders.

This is not a new amendment, he told Parliament yesterday.

This is the result of an agreement discussed during an H.R.P.P. caucus meeting. We have 47 of 50 members of this Parliament and we have all come to the conclusion that this is the best way forward.

Tuilaepa added that 10 years for someone to hold an honorary titular role reflects the respect and honour afforded to the position.

The amendment was widely supported by Members of Parliament.

One for them was M.P. for Falelatai and Samatau, Taefu Lemi Taefu, thanked Prime Minister Tuilaepa for his foresight and vision to legislate the terms of the appointment. He said the amendment would safeguard members of Parliament from criticisms whenever the position is up for a vote.

But Salegas M.P., Olo Fiti Vaai, objected saying the appointment should be made for life.

He criticised the fact the vote is now solely made by H.R.P.P. members outside of Parliament. Olo argued that to maintain integrity of the position, the vote should be conducted inside Parliament where Samoa meets. This is how democracies should operate.

P.M. Tuilaepa disagreed and he immediately took the floor to correct Olo. He said the appointment of His Highness Tuimalealiifano was made in Parliament. Members of the H.R.P.P. only discussed and made their recommendations outside Parliament but the actual appointment only took place when Parliament convened.

But there was not vote (inside Parliament), Olo argued. That was done outside Parliament. This does not reflect democratic practices.

Tuilaepa refused to accept this.

I want to correct the member who keeps getting this wrong, he said.

He is an old member of Parliament and he still doesnt understand these things. The appointment was made in Parliament.

At that point, Speaker of Parliament, Toleafoa Leaupepe Faafisi, advised Olo to move away from the issue. He reminded him that whatever the government says, it is final.

To which Olo responded, Alright then, let people be the judge. But that is my opinion.

Tuilaepa again objected.

When your opinion is wrong, we have a responsibility to correct it. And if you keep getting it wrong, we will correct you every time, the Prime Minister told Olo.

In response, Olo said: Can you let us be right for once, everything we say is wrong, wrong, wrong according to you.

Looking at the bill, Olo raised a couple of points. First he said the 10-year appointment is an expensive decision since Samoa will have to mint new coins and print new money notes every time a new Head of State is appointed.

He suggested that since the government has moved away from only appointing only Tama Aiga to the role, instead of the Head of State, the position should be called Governor General.

This is appropriate since anyone now, as opposed to holders of the Tama Aiga titles, can become a head of State.

Olo also questioned the governments influence on the position. He expressed disappointment that Head of State appears to be controlled by the government.

He referred to part of the bill where the Head of State has seven days to sign an issue into law. If he refuses, the Prime Minister will have the power to assign someone else to sign instead of the Head of State.

What roles do the members of the Council of Deputies serve then? he asked. He wondered if they are just there for formalities when the Prime Minister controls everything.

Associate Minister and Faleatas Member of Parliament, Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi supported the amendment. He reminded that the role of the Head of State is a government appointment that the Constitution stipulates anyone can hold the position, regardless of whether you are a Tama Aiga or not.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa strongly denied the claims from Olo.

He said Members of Parliament and members of the public have a lot of time to make their views known since bill has now been referred to a Parliamentary committee.

Parliament has been adjourned until Tuesday 19 December 2017.
Climate change poses an alarming threat to food systems and food security in the Pacific islands.

Thats the warning from Deputy Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mataafa and leaders of nine small island developing states (S.I.D.S.) who were in Rome during the weekend.

They met with the Pope before they attended meeting chaired by F.A.O. Director-General, Tagaloa Jose Graziano da Silva.

The meeting took place ahead of the Pacific leaders' participation at the U.N. Climate Conference C.O.P.23 in Bonn, and culminated in the leaders signing a joint statement  a call for action that they will take to C.O.P.23.

In the statement, the Pacific leaders called upon all countries to exceed previous commitments and pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 C as above pre-industrial levels, to reduce the adverse impacts on food security and nutrition, coastal habitats and the livelihoods of those depending on oceans.

The 1.5 degrees limit will allow for a greater change at maintaining resilient livelihoods and promote partnerships for sustainable development in the Pacific Islands, the statement read.

Noncommunicable Diseases surge in the Pacific region

The group also raised concerns about the negative impacts of malnutrition evidenced by the growing incidence of Noncommunicable Diseases, which account for 75 percent of adult deaths in the Pacific, and called for more proactive and integrated actions to promote policies to tackle food insecurity challenges, especially on issues related to obesity, stunting, wasting and N.C.D.s.

The group acknowledged the importance of the F.A.O. and partners Global Action Programme on Food Security and Nutrition in S.I.D.S., which recommends action at global, regional, national and local level to accelerate food security and nutrition, calling for its endorsement and immediate implementation.

With Pacific island states highly dependent on their oceans for their livelihoods and food security, leaders reiterated their anxiety about ecosystem degradation, and called upon the international community to assist in maximizing the sustainable utilization of the fisheries and aquaculture sectors for the benefit of small island developing states.

The Pacific islands are among the most environmentally vulnerable nations in the world. Drought, extreme high tides, violent winds, and storm surges pose major risks to small island nations, and their efforts to achieve sustainable development.

For many islands, the impact of climate change represents the gravest of threats to their survival and viability, including, for some, through the loss of territory.

F.A.O. committed to support Pacific Islands and improve rural and coastal populations lives

In his opening remarks, Tagaloa Graziano da Silva shared the Pacific leaders concerns about the negative impact of climate change on food security and nutrition and its role in exacerbating the burden of malnutrition as well as the alarming overweight and obesity levels.

You are suffering from things that you didnt cause, from things you are not responsible for  the impact of climate change, said the F.A.O. Director-General said.

This is what F.A.O. offers  support so that you can face climate change; scale up growing local products as we see you import more and more food. Obesity is a big problem. It is an epidemic that we need to address. Together with partners such as WHO, we promote the uptake of healthy, fresh food  fruits, vegetable and fish instead of processed food. We promote local products  bread fruit, for which we have a pilot programme in the Marshal Islands, Samoa, Nauru, and which we want to scale up and multiply.

With Oceans Day events at C.O.P.23 underway, Tagaloa Graziano da Silva also highlighted the importance of the F.A.O. Port State Measures Agreement (P.S.M.A), todays main tool in the hands of the international community to tackle illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. He urged all Pacific Island states to adhere to the agreement.

You are countries with more water and natural resources to preserve than any other countries. This is why the Port State Measures Agreement is important. FAO is committed to support you to implement and monitor your PSMA process. We can provide assistance for your national legislations, training and funding to put the agreement in place. We will not be able to safeguard our ocean environment if we dont combat illegal fishing, said Tagaloa.
Minister of Justice and Courts Administrations, Faaolesa Katopau Ainuu, has dispelled rumours that this is not the first time evidence has gone missing from the halls of Justice.

Deputy Registrar, Veatauia Faatasi Puleiata said a gun that was submitted before Court as an exhibit and an evidence in the hearing of a criminal charge against a suspended Police Officer facing firearm charges, disappeared last month.

The matter had since been referred to Police for investigation and according to Faaolesa; the Police are still investigating the matter.

This is the first time such a thing has happened, as far as I know, the Minister said.

It is my understanding that the Police are the ones who should be taking the evidence, he said.

The Minister said having evidence disappear from the Judiciary was a serious matter.

Evidence going missing under my watch concerns me especially when something like that happens."

That is why I referred the matter to the police due to its seriousness.

He reiterated that evidence is usually taken by the Police; however there were certain cases where the evidence was left under the Courts possession.

And due to this matter, the evidence is now stored in the C.E.O's office for safekeeping, he told the Samoa Observer.

Faaolesa said nothing came out of the internal investigation launched by the Ministry of Justice when the gun disappeared.

Questions sent to the Police spokesperson, Superintendent Logoitino Filipo on the status of the case remains answered.

As reported earlier, Deputy Registrar Veatauia said: The gun is a rifle and its a long gun. Its impossible for anyone to remove it during the day.

Last month, the Chief Executive Officer of M.J.C.A, Papalii John Papalii said he was extremely concerned about the missing evidence.

The Ministry of Justice and Courts Administration immediately launched an internal investigation to find out how the gun disappeared.

Our investigation was not successful and given this is a crime, removing evidence entrusted to the Court, the Police was called in for a criminal investigation, said Papalii.

In the meantime, he told the Samoa Observer evidence is now locked away in a safe place with only one key.

I have that key and it will not leave my sight."

All the exhibits that come in will be handed over to me for safe keeping and to ensure this issue is not repeated, he said.
Samoa Airways inaugural flight has just touched down in Auckland, New Zealand.

The full flight from Faleolo International Airport took off as scheduled at 7am.

The airport was buzzing this morning with many excited passengers and guests keen to check out what was in store.

The Airline was officially launched by Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi last night where he called on Samoans in Samoa and all over the world to get behind their national airline.

Liz Ah Hi of the Samoa Observer is on the inaugural flight.

A reception is being planned for the Samoan community in Auckland tonight to celebrate the occasion.

It followed a similar celebration at Taumeasina Island Resort last night.
Think a minuteThese are the names of some of the most famous lawyers in U.S. history. Only one of them dropped out of law school. See if you can guess which one?

John Jay became a successful lawyer and later the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the highest judge in the land. William Wirt was barely 20-years-old when he passed his law exams in Virginia. He later became the United States Attorney General.

Remember, one of these famous lawyers was a law school dropout. Roger Taney started as a lawyer and worked his way up to become the first U.S. Secretary of the Treasury and then the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Daniel Webster became a lawyer in Boston where he built a great legal record and reputation. He then became a highly respected Senator and was later appointed Secretary of State. Salmon Chase became well known as a defense attorney helping slaves. Later he became a U.S. Senator and then the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, actually started as a lawyer, which helped prepare him for his exceptionally wise and diplomatic leadership that kept the States of America united through its terribly divisive and devastating Civil War. Clarence Darrow became possibly the most famous lawyer of all, particularly for his case of the Scopes or so-called Monkey trial of 1925. Of these seven successful and famous lawyers, which one do you think was the law school dropout?

It was Clarence Darrow: the one name which is so often associated with the practice of law. Clarence Darrow attended law school for only one year and then dropped out to study law on his own. But what is more amazing is those other six successful lawyers could not drop out because they never even went to law school! They all studied law on their own.

Actually, for every one of us the school of life is always in session. We are designed never to stop learning our Creators laws and ways of life. In fact, the word disciple means a lifetime learner or student of Jesus, the Maker and Master of life. Once and for all, wont you ask Him to become the Maker and Master Teacher of your completely new life with Him today? Just think a minute
My most recent column discussed a new law that will bar California employers from seeking or considering an applicants record of criminal conviction before making a conditional offer of employment. In the new year California employers also will be prohibited from considering, or inquiring into, an applicants salary history unless the applicant discloses that information voluntarily and without prompting from the employer.

The new law bars an employer from relying on an applicants pay history in deciding both what salary to offer the applicant and whether to offer the applicant a job at all. Employers also will be barred from seeking an applicants salary history information orally or in writing, personally or through an agent.

An employer must provide the applicant with the pay scale for the position upon reasonable request. An employer may be able to satisfy this obligation by including the salary range in posted or published announcements of the job opening.

Advertisement

If an applicant voluntarily discloses his or her salary history, the employer may consider that information in determining the salary for that applicant, though probably not as a baseline for the salary offered to other applicants.

This is the latest legislative effort toward closing the gender gap in wages. According to the author of the measure, closing that gap starts with barring employers from asking questions about salary history so that previous salary discrimination is not perpetuated.

Employers should do four things no later than Jan. 1.

First, employers should remove any question on their job applications or online postings seeking an applicants salary history. California employers operating in additional states should revise their application forms to excuse California applicants (and those in other states and cities with similar laws) from responding to any such prompt.

Second, employers should establish a salary range, or fixed salary, for every position for which they are hiring. Information about the salary range by location for categories of positions is available from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Society for Human Resource Management. Armed with that information, the employer may set a salary range for the particular position based on the unique features of the job being filled and based on what the employer is willing and able to pay. Employers should avoid posting or publishing a salary range that would artificially limit an applicants interest in a position, as opponents of the measure warned that it could.

Third, employers should ensure that salaries are negotiated within the framework of the new law. Opponents of the salary range provision argued that the appropriate salary to pay an applicant is based upon various factors and employers may feel compelled to enlarge the pay scale in order to create sufficient room to adjust the rate depending on these factors and varied candidates for the job. Now that the measure is law, the important point is that negotiation over salary still will be allowed, but open-ended salary negotiations, if the applicant exercises her right to request the salary range, will not.

Fourth, employers should train those who interview job applicants not to prompt applicants to disclose their salary history. Opponents of the measure suggested that an employer could be subject to penalties and attorneys fees for asking about an applicants prior salary, even if the employer, say, ultimately pays a female applicant more than any of her male colleagues.

The new law enters uncharted territory with no certainty it will work as intended. Thats why Governor Jerry Brown vetoed a similar measure two years ago. It may take years to evaluate the laws effectiveness. Now is the time for California employers to take steps to prepare to comply with the new law to avoid missteps in the new year.

Dan Eaton is a partner with the San Diego law firm of Seltzer Caplan McMahon Vitek where his practice focuses on defending and advising employers. He also is an instructor at the San Diego State University Fowler College of Business where he teaches classes in business ethics and employment law. He may be reached at eaton@scmv.com. His Twitter handle is @DanEatonlaw.
As I get older and older, my enthusiasm for trying to do the right thing has increased exponentially. As you know, I consider myself astute at measuring risk, so I am doubling down on the likelihood that there is a god and that if I happen to catch the up escalator, I want to be armed with an improved resume.

The trick in that sentence is getting people to do what you so obviously think is the right thing. Like all of us, I am always puzzled when other folks dont see it the way I do. Welcome to America.

I just finished reading an article about Robert Redford, 81, and there were two words that he used in talking about his friendship with Paul Newman -- incredible generosity and humility. I want to own those two words in my own life. I want to share them and celebrate them and imbue them into the lives of other entrepreneurs --- and so far, I have not been as successful as I would have hoped.

Advertisement

One of the areas that appears to increase that disconnect in my compatriots is the inability to acknowledge the power and place that luck plays in your life. Robert H. Frank, author of Success and Luck: Good Fortune and the Myth of Meritocracy, argues that people are much less likely to remember external events that may have helped them along the way. He points out that the risk and the unfortunate consequence of seeing ourselves as entirely self-made is that this perception makes us much less likely to support the public investments that made our own successes possible in the first place. For further reference on that topic, review the Elizabeth Warren 2012 you-didnt-build-that speech.

But where I am wound up is not about public investments but rather, private investments  investments of time and talent. I want my community to be more generous and more humble. And the community I am calling on is the innovation economy. Why is it so hard to get the big guns to step out of their silos and work on something together? I want to explore how to ignite gratitude in my peers and in the entrepreneurial ecosystem (I wish we could replace that word --- maybe with entanglement  which is how it seems at times.)

Recently, I was talking with someone who said, Our town is not really that generous. I was puzzled. After all, there are dozens of buildings with philanthropic names on them, and even more organizations that have been extensively supported by our community; I wondered what he meant.

The discussion morphed into the difference between time and money. It seemed to him that asking people for their time was somewhat of a lost cause, but asking for a check was easy, even if the check were smaller than hoped.

Lets go back to Redford and the word humility that he found so powerful and pervasive in Paul Newman. I am deeply aware of the look at me syndrome. Recently, I again watched the Seinfeld episode on The Doorman (you can find it). The tech-crunch mantra of manure that you are your own brand creates a powerful need for recognition that culminates in each of us standing on a street corner twirling an arrow pointing at ourselves. If everyone is the founder or CEO, then who is left to actually do the work?

Surprisingly, when I talk to my young entrepreneur clients, I actually find a deeper sense of humility than I find in my peers. How long do you have to stand on the stage before they give you the hook?

Frank goes on to say that when successful people are prompted to reflect on how chance events affected their paths to the top they become much more inclined to pay forward to the next generation. He says, dont tell me how lucky I have been, ask me to remember how lucky I have been. That resonates. It is always how you frame the question.

We all know the impostor syndrome (high-achieving individuals who have a persistent fear of being exposed as a fraud). My personal sense of late in my little world is that it may not be a syndrome at all  maybe it is just the truth.

Neil Senturia, a serial entrepreneur who invests in early-stage technology companies, writes weekly about entrepreneurship in San Diego. Please email ideas to Neil at neil@blackbirdv.com.

Rule No. 537: Mirror, mirror on the wall.
Selected artwork by students in the Grossmont Union High School District will be on display at Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor & Interpretive Centers Art Gallery starting next month.

The Natural Views exhibition will run from Dec. 9 through Jan. 5 at the parks indoor center at 1 Father Junipero Serra Trail off Mission Gorge Road in San Diego.

There will be a free public reception to honor the artists from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, at the center.

Advertisement

The exhibit is presented by the Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation, a nonprofit formed in 1988.

This is the sixth annual exhibit of the students work at the center. Since 2011, art teachers from East County high schools have been selecting the artwork from their students to be shown.

Students from El Cajon Valley, El Capitan, Grossmont, IDEA, Monte Vista, Steele Canyon, Valhalla and West Hills will have their work shown.

The caliber of work is so high that students in several of the art programs receive articulated college credit for their high school art classes, said Vicky DeLong, the park foundations art coordinator.

The visitors center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.

karen.pearlman@sduniontribune.com
The Santee City Council has postponed possible changes to city code that would allow for beekeeping at residences.

At a second public workshop on beekeeping requirements in residential zones, the City Council discussed the subject at length but in the end pushed a decision on a municipal code change down the road.

The Nov. 8 workshop was a follow-up to a Sept. 6 workshop held by the City Council. Both meetings allowed city staff members to collect more comments from the public and the council about backyard bees being kept for pollinating and honey making.

Advertisement

Wednesdays meeting drew several residents who either have or want hives. One resident spoke against local beekeeping because of her husbands extreme allergies to bee stings.

Adjustments being considered by the City Council include:

Changing the citys current laws that allow apiaries only on residential lots of 2 acres or larger  and downsizing that to allowing them on properties of 15,000 square feet or more.

Changing rules saying that hives would need to be 400 feet from streets, schools, parks, property boundaries and other residences  to officially allowing a maximum of two hives that would need to be 25 feet from streets, property boundaries and dwellings, and 150 feet from schools and parks.

The council is not yet taking action on making the changes in the municipal code and have tabled it for the future, possibly next year.

Councilman Stephen Houlahan and Mayor John Minto took issue with some of the changes considered.

Minto wanted to keep the discussion ongoing and make additional compromises. Houlahan said he wanted to lower the lot size minimum, possibly to 7,500 square feet to allow more people the opportunity to keep bees.

Houlahan said he believes that having additional local apiaries that use European bees would help dilute the gene pool of Africanized bees. The Africanized bees, which are already in the county, are aggressive. They can swarm and potentially kill people.

Mark Kukuchek, president of the San Diego Beekeeping Society and a Bonita resident asked the council to reconsider its 15,000 square feet minimum lot size because, he said, if a lot is large enough to meet the required setbacks, the lot size becomes irrelevant.

Other cities and the county itself allow hives in smaller lots  3,950 square feet in Encinitas, 5,000 square feet in National City and 6,000 feet in Lemon Grove, for example. Beekeeping is not allowed in El Cajon, Coronado, Escondido or Solana Beach.

Santee staff members said that at the 15,000 square feet minimum lot size, about 840 residents of Santee  which has about 58,000 residents total  could legally keep bees.

About that figure, Santee resident and avid beekeeper Kelly Wright asked rhetorically after the meeting: How many of those 840 residents would actually do it? Not many.

karen.pearlman@sduniontribune.com
Carlsbad Charitable Foundation, an affiliate of The San Diego Foundation, is accepting applications for grants from area nonprofits and is holding a workshop for grant-seekers on Thursday.

Proposals can be submitted for projects that provide health and human services with an emphasis on stopping the cycle of poverty and homelessness in Carlsbad.

The foundation will hold a Grantseekers Forum at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 16, at the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce to discuss the 2018 grant cycle and answer questions.

Advertisement

Reservations are due by Tuesday, Nov. 14, at estelam@sdfoundation.org

Eligible nonprofits serving Carlsbad can submit proposals of $15,000-$60,000. Projects should be practical, achievable within a 12-month time frame and have prospects for long-term sustainability.

The deadline for submissions is 5 p.m. Jan. 8.

Grant guidelines are at https://www.sdfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/fy18-grant-cycle-ccf.pdf

For more information about the application, contact Kerri Favela at kerri@sdfoundation.org.
Think of the futuristic society portrayed in director/playwright Aimee Greenbergs American Carnage: A Love Story not as a Utopia, but a Dystopia. Its a bloodless, remote-control world where clouds and trees no longer exist, where art is confined to a Museum of Obsolete Media, where artificial intelligence moves inexorably toward the subjugation of humankind.

All this is implied more than shown in the world premiere of Greenbergs one-act play staged by her fruitlessmoon theatreworks company at the City Heights Performance Annex. Augmented by screen projections, startling sound effects and a few props, the cast of eight in American Carnage can only represent a microcosm of what this intellectually ambitious work is trying to say in just one act.

True, there is a tattooed, toga-clad ruler called Coleigula (pronounced like the depraved Roman emperor) who presides over the privileged techno-world thats in power. But looming over his repressions and his sickness (We are committed to the repopulation of the Caucasians!) is more global, indeed more universal, commentary about loss of freedom, individuality and sentient feelings.

Advertisement

Its a tall order for 90 minutes of theater, and as such the narrative of American Carnage: A Love Story is delivered in mostly taut mini-scenes, periodically interrupted by cautionary reflections from Greenberg herself, as an unnamed cast member. This is not to say there arent focal characters. In fact, thats where the love story comes in.

YML (Arthur Wentworth) is a hybrid robot/human who is  not his words  cursed with curiosity. This leads him from his assigned vector to the Badlands, where the dissipating number of humans reside. His own human side having been incited at the Museum of Obsolete Media by exposure to the likes of Leoncavallos Pagliacci and Tony and Marias duet in West Side Story, YML makes an emotional connection with young Delilah (Alexandra Phillips), leading to his defying his creators, who would have her killed.

Yet YMLs quest and his fate are but a layer of an over-layered script that could benefit from some refining. Within the plays sweep are declarations about survival of the fittest (complete with stand-in for a Galapagos tortoise), Darwin and genetic experimentation (pig men onstage). While expecting more from a love story between a human and a hybrid droid may be in itself counterintuitive, its clear that the heart of American Carnage is YML himself. Or would that be itself?

Though somewhat restricted by the mere definition of his character, Wentworth is a sympathetic protagonist, particularly when hes dabbing on his Pagliacci clown makeup or reciting for Delilah Tonys half of West Side Storys Somewhere. A few others in the ensemble wander toward performance-art territory, though thats practically inescapable given the sharp pronouncements of the script and the stark Performance Annex setting.

Even with its exorbitance of statements about what the future of men, women and machines may hold, American Carnage: A Love Story is an intelligent new work, and theres nothing artificial about that.

American Carnage: A Love Story

When: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through Nov. 26.

Where: City Heights Performance Annex, 3795 Fairmount Ave., City Heights

Tickets: $20 ($15 students/seniors)

Phone: (949) 246-1698

Online: fruitlessmoontheatreworks.org

Coddon is a freelance writer.
Stephanie Rivera was excited about the future when her life came to an unexpected end last week in San Diego, friends said. Beautiful, disciplined and focused on her career, the Tijuana-born model had much to live for.

She was getting up there finally, said her friend Lali Amador, who at one time shared runways with Rivera in Tijuana, and more recently had been part of the same circle of friends in San Diego. She was making the big transition from being a Mexican model to being a U.S. model.

A former Miss Earth Baja California, Rivera, 26, died Wednesday following critical injuries sustained on Nov. 5 after she was ejected from a speeding 2016 Lamborghini that caught fire after crashing into a palm tree on North Harbor Drive.

Advertisement

The driver was Michael Llamas, 33, founder of a hemp products empire. He died at the scene.

Amador and other friends believe that Llamas would have been a recent acquaintance. Joaquin Meza, who directs the Miss Earth Baja California pageant, said Rivera never mentioned Llamas when she met him on the weekend before the accident.

We were close, she would have said something, she would have said he was her boyfriend, or her suitor, Meza said. But she didnt.

Rivera was part of a growing circle of modeling talent emerging in Tijuana, said Claudia Munoz, owner of the Tijuana-based Portafolio Modeling Agency. She said she stood out for her professionalism and commitment.

Always when you asked, she would be there, Munoz said. Disciplined and professional, she wanted to go far, Munoz said. But she also had a really good heart, she wasnt one of those girls who are prima donnas.

Munoz said she began working with Rivera three years ago. One time, she sent Rivera to Cabo San Lucas to record a tourism promotion program. Another time, she sent her north of the border for a modeling job at Los Angeles Fashion Week.

Friends said Rivera was born and raised in Tijuana. She attended the Autonomous University of Baja California, studying business administration, but fell some credits short of what was needed to obtain a degree, according to the schools records.

Passionate about modeling and fluent in English. Rivera lately had been spending much of her time north of the border, working and making connections. Doors were beginning to open, Munoz said.

One friend in San Diego was Marc Chase, owner of a Sorrento Valley-based dealership specializing in racing and collectible cars. They dated briefly in 2015, and had remained in touch, he said.

Chase recalled the time he invited Rivera to a charity event in Del Mar: She showed up, even though she had the flu. She was just that kind of person, that went above and beyond the call of duty to fill her obligations and commitments, he said. She was just a trouper; most girls would have called and canceled.

Even as she was making her way north of the border, Rivera kept in close contact with Tijuana friends such as Meza, the pageant director, and helped him promote causes such as beach clean-ups and stage benefits for women with cancer.

Marco Ledezma said she volunteered her talent for a program, Fashion Against Poverty, to raise funds for the Lucas Family Foundation, which works with children in Tijuana living in conditions of extreme poverty.

She was a real model, somebody that girls in the region could look up to, Ledezma said. She was always concerned about others.

sandra.dibble@sduniontribune.com
A Carlsbad woman and her Oceanside gun instructor were found guilty Monday of conspiracy to commit murder in what authorities have said was a botched murder-for-hire plot targeting her now-ex-husband, who was shot but survived.

Diana Lovejoy, 45, collapsed not long after hearing she had been convicted of the conspiracy charge as well as attempted murder. Many in the courtroom gasped when she fell, and her family members started sobbing and asking someone to help her.

Judge Sim von Kalinowski cleared the courtroom so Lovejoy could receive medical attention.

Advertisement

Fox 5 reporter Jamie Chambers  a lifeguard and emergency medical technician  assisted Lovejoy while she was on the floor until help could arrive. Chambers said Lovejoy had passed out, but was conscious when he eventually left her side. He said it appeared that she had been overcome by shock.

After paramedics took Lovejoy to a hospital  wheeled out on a gurney  court resumed. The same jury also found co-defendant Weldon McDavid Jr., 50, guilty on all counts and allegations, including attempted murder. As his family watched, he closed his eyes, put his head in his hands and cried.

Lovejoy faces at least 25 years to life in prison. McDavid, as the triggerman, faces 50 to life. Sentencing is set for Dec. 12.

Lovejoy and Greg Mulvihill were two years into a heated divorce and fierce custody battle over their young son, a legal fight that included allegations of abuse and drug use. It was drawing to a close, with shared custody and an agreement that Lovejoy would pay Mulvihill $120,000. That payment was due weeks after he was shot.

She didnt want to share custody, and she didnt want to give $120,000 to her husband, jury forewoman Erin Reed said.

There was no dispute that McDavid pulled the trigger and shot Greg Mulvihill on a dark dirt path in Carlsbad on Sept. 1, 2016 at about 11 p.m.

The question was whether the expert gunman did it as a $2,000 hired hitman, or whether he was simply trying to shoot out the light in Mulvihills left hand. The shot came after Mulvihill spotted McDavid, lying on his stomach in the bushes, wearing camouflage and pointing a long-barrel gun at him.

McDavid  a former Marine and School of Infantry instructor  testified that it was the latter, that had he intended to kill the man, he could have easily done so. The bullet missed the light in Mulvihills outstretched hand and instead struck him under his left armpit, and exited out of his back.

Lovejoy did not testify.

Jurors, who deliberated about half a day before reaching their verdicts, didnt buy McDavids testimony.

We rejected his story pretty much off the bat, said a 63-year-old male juror who declined to give his name. He was lying. It was getting absurd at times.

He and other jurors said they believed that McDavid did hit Mulvihill exactly where he was aiming  his torso.

Lovejoys collapse threw some of the jurors. Forewoman Reed said that it was hard when we watched her faint. But that didnt change any of our verdicts.

One juror said that among the strongest pieces of evidence was testimony from Lovejoys aunt, who said that a year before the shooting, Lovejoy had asked her if she knew someone who would scare or kill her husband.

Lovejoy, a software technical writer, met McDavid at the gun range where he worked. He later installed a security system in her home.

Using a burner phone Lovejoy bought, McDavid called Mulvihill and pretended to be a private investigator on the night of the shooting. He told Mulvihill that he would provide evidence showing that Mulvihill was abusive, and that he would leave that evidence on a pole along a dirt path of Avenida Soledad, near Rancho Santa Fe.

There was no such evidence. McDavid said that the idea was that if such a sketchy phone call could lure Mulvihill to a dark spot, he must be guilty of something. McDavid said he thought Lovejoy could use that against Mulvihill in the custody battle.

The defense they were giving just didnt seem plausible, juror Reed said. It seemed too far fetched for what actually happened.

teri.figueroa@sduniontribune.com

(760) 529-4945

Twitter: @TeriFigueroaUT

UPDATES:

5:10 p.m.: This story was updated with additional details. It was originally posted at 2:15 p.m.
Arrests of homeless people in downtown San Diego have spiked in recent months as the city tries to fight a deadly hepatitis A outbreak, and theres no sign things will change with the planned opening of large tents that will shelter hundreds.

Theyre going to use the tents as another reason to shoo people from downtown, said homeless advocate Michael McConnell, who often chronicles arrests on his Facebook page, Homeless News San Diego.

I just had a conversation with somebody on the tents. They said, When the circus tents go up, what are they going to do with us? he said.

Advertisement

McConnell responded that he believed more people would be cleared out.

Hepatitis A is spread through unsanitary conditions, and the outbreak has disproportionately affected the homeless population. More than 370 people have been hospitalized and of the 20 people who have died, 11 were homeless.

Partly in response to the outbreak, the city has moved 200 homeless people into a temporary encampment near Balboa Park, and it plans to open next month three large tents downtown and in the Midway area that together will shelter 700.

City-hired crews also have been spraying sidewalks in some neighborhoods with chemicals to kill the virus.

Cleaning the streets at times has meant getting homeless people to move, one way or another.

A public records request submitted by Voice of San Diego showed police made 270 arrests of homeless people in September for encroachment or illegal lodging, three times the number as in September 2016.

That same month also saw 149 citations for the two violations.

McConnell and others said they have witnessed more than a dozen police units at times citing and arresting people on and around 17th Street, which once had a dense stretch of homeless tents.

Records show that officers from the downtown Central division issued the most tickets and made the bulk of arrests for encroachment and illegal lodging in September, but they were assisted by officers called in from the Northern, Western, Southeastern and Mid-City divisions.

The downtown crackdown appeared to first focus on citations and arrests at 16th, Market and J streets and Island Avenue before focusing on 17th Street on Sept. 14, when two people were arrested and three citations were issued.

On Sept. 19, five people were arrested on 17th Street, and 10 people were arrested the next day. Another six were arrested Sept. 21, and 14 were arrested Sept. 23.

Among the people arrested was Lisa Shankle, a Navy veteran who said she served in Operation Desert Storm from 1988 to 1991.

We were just sitting there resting, she said, recalling the night when an officer approached her while she was in a tent on a sidewalk along Commercial Street. We were not doing anything. I have a clean record, but because I have priors, I was arrested.

By priors, Shankle meant she had three prior citations for encroachment. Like many homeless people who are ticketed, she didnt go to court, leading to her arrest.

Shankle said she has post-traumatic stress disorder and had an anxiety attack while being arrested, so she was was taken to a hospital rather than jail. Now shes residing at the citys temporary homeless camp.

San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconers Press Secretary Greg Block acknowledged there has been an ongoing effort to get people off the street during the hepatitis A outbreak.The focus will remain on keeping public areas clean and preventing the unsanitary conditions that helped fuel the outbreak from returning, he wrote in an e-mail.

Block also wrote that police officers treat every homeless person they encounter with respect, and each is offered a shelter bed and supportive services.

An arrest may mean a few days in jail and a fine, but it doesnt necessarily lead to a court case.

The territory has changed a lot in the last year and a half, said Michael Ruiz, supervising attorney with the County Public Defenders office.The prosecution of the homeless has changed. The City Attorneys office is taking more of a holistic approach by implementing certain programs.

Those programs include the Community Justice Initiative, formerly Community Court.

Under the initiative, the City Attorneys office will offer an opportunity to do 16 hours of community service for either the Alpha Project or Urban Corps of San Diego County.

Ruiz said since 2016, the Alpha Project has placed 80 people in the initiative with case managers who work with them to overcome homelessness. .

Another initiative is SMART, San Diego Misdemeanant At-Risk Track, which provides housing for people who repeatedly are cited for low-level infractions.

Ruiz said fines for encroachment and illegal lodging violations are $277, but judges usually suspend $150 of that.

While there is more of a thoughtful effort in helping the homeless in the legal system, Ruiz said the increase in arrests has been a problem.

As far as the cases themselves go, yes, there has been an uptake for encroachment violations, he said. Were not too happy about it.

Ruiz said the city has been circumventing a 2007 settlement to the Spencer vs. San Diego lawsuit. In the settlement, the city agreed not to ticket people on the street for illegal lodging between 9 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. because homeless people on the street have no where else to go.

Last year, police began citing homeless people for violating a city encroachment ordinance that is not affected by the settlement for illegal lodging, which is a state law.

McConnell and other critics of the practice said the encroachment ordinance is being misused because it was intended to keep businesses from blocking sidewalks with large plants and trash cans, not to run off homeless people.

Scott Dreher, the attorney behind the Spencer lawsuit, filed a class-action suit against the citys use of the encroachment law in July.

His partner, attorney Kath Rogers, said her office overlooks Fault Line Park in East Village, where many homeless people have moved to since the crackdown at 17th Street.

The other day the police showed up while I was there, and I saw the enforcement take place, she said, describing a scene of officers asking homeless people for identification and giving them warnings.

Rogers said she asked an officer where the people should go, and he suggested the new city-sanctioned camp site.

She called the idea ludicrous because the camp site is full, and people arent allowed to just show up, anyway.

Theyre using the new camp site as a place where everyone is suppose to go, and its almost like theyre using that as justification for ramping-up enforcement, she said.

Rogers said the pending class-action suit against the city addresses constitutional rights violations and argues the encroachment law is not being enforced evenly.

The suit names 10 homeless plaintiffs, but since it was filed one person has died, she said.

Homeless Playlist  On Now San Diego hepatitis outbreak continues to grow: 481 cases On Now Homeless entrenched in booming tent city along Santa Ana River On Now San Diego mayor agreed to homeless hub, then delayed, advocates say On Now Homeless outreach in San Diego On Now Video: Street Art: Portraits of San Diego's Homeless #8 On Now In poverty himself, 'Water Man Dave,' is the fearless saint of San Diego's homeless 5:41 On Now Video: Homeless living in cars find safe havens 2:21 On Now Street Art: Portraits of San Diego's Homeless #7 On Now Pitching a tent plan for San Diego's homeless On Now Homeless efforts get $80M boost for various services

gary.warth@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @GaryWarthUT

760-529-4939
Wailing survivors crowded hospital emergency rooms as rescue teams and sniffer dogs combed through rubble for bodies Monday after a powerful earthquake near the Iran-Iraq border that killed more than 400 people and left thousands injured, Iranian officials said.

Behnam Saeedi, a spokesman for Iran's crisis management headquarters, told state-run Channel 6 news that the death toll had risen to 407, with 6,700 injured.

(Sources: USGS, Mapzen, OpenStreetMap)

Authorities in Kermanshah province in western Iran, the hardest-hit area, said Monday afternoon that 328 people had died in that province alone, most in the town of Sarpol-e Zahab, the Islamic Republic News Agency, or IRNA, reported.

The magnitude 7.3 temblor late Sunday was centered 20 miles from the eastern Iraqi city of Halabja, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The Red Crescent and the Kurdish regional government said at least nine people were killed in Iraq. The Red Crescent said more than 425 were injured, whereas the Kurdish regional government put the number of injured at 554.

The quake caused damage that contaminated drinking water supplies and knocked out electricity, phone and gas services across a wide area of Kermanshah, most of which is rural. Landslides and scores of aftershocks rattled residents and delayed emergency crewsas news media broadcast urgent appeals for blood donations.

Irans state-run Press TV showed images of shopkeepers rushing from stores as goods tumbled off shelves.

All schools and public buildings are closed down and only the rescue teams for electricity, phones and hospitals are working, Shahnaza Azhtari, a resident of Kermanshah, wrote on the Telegram online messaging platform.

In the town of Shahrak-e Elahiyeh, newly built apartment blocks suffered broken walls and collapsed ceilings, residents said. Resident Mehdi Sammeni said he and others slept in parks Sunday night, braving the cold.

In Sarpol-e Zahab, a town of 50,000 people, relief workers handed out water. Medical emergency teams erected field hospitals to tend to victims who were being brought on stretchers from collapsed buildings.

The Asr Iran news website reported that Red Crescent rescue teams pulled an infant from rubble in Sarpol-e Zahab on Monday morning and later rescued the babys mother, raising hope that some survivors were clinging to life beneath collapsed buildings.

News video, nevertheless, showed survivors openly lamenting in the streets of Kermanshah towns amid the wreckage of mid-rise apartment blocks whose facades had crumbled to the ground, as bulldozers worked to clear the streets.

By late afternoon, electricity had been restored in 70% of quake-affected areas, IRNA reported.

Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, ordered military forces to rush to the quake-stricken areas while President Hassan Rouhani dispatched his vice president to make all medical and emergency equipment available to assist victims, Fars News Agency reported.

Officials said they were distributing aid from the Iranian Red Crescent but had not requested any international assistance.

In Irans capital, Tehran, 300 miles east of the epicenter, residents felt the temblor but apparently there was little damage apart from a few cracks appearing in houses.

Ali Moradi, a seismologist, told Iranian television that several foreshocks of magnitude 4.2 and greater sent some frightened residents into the streets before midnight, which meant fewer people were indoors when the main quake struck.

If the main quake had struck at midnight or the wee hours, the number of dead could be much bigger, Moradi said.

In Iraq, Prime Minister Haider Abadi said he had instructed civil defense teams and health and aid agencies to do all that they can to assist quake victims. The United Nations office in Iraq said it was sending teams to assess needs in affected areas.

In Halabja, near the epicenter, Salam Omar Aziz, a 27-year-old member of the Kurdish peshmerga force, said he was watching the news on TV at home Sunday night when he started to feel the shaking and the neighborhood was plunged into darkness.

As he raced to the bedroom to get his infant daughter, Aziz could hear cabinet doors rattling, glasses breaking and neighbors screaming, he said by phone. Outside, the street was full of people, many of them barefoot or in slippers, he said. Several women were sitting on the curb, dizzy from the shaking.

Other neighbors tried to move their cars from their garages, in case the structures collapsed. Many spent the night in the street, too afraid to go back indoors, Aziz said.

Special correspondent Mostaghim reported from Tehran and Times staff writer Bengali from Mumbai, India. Staff writer Alexandra Zavis in Irbil, Iraq, and special correspondent Nabih Bulos in Beirut contributed to this report.

shashank.bengali@latimes.com

Twitter: @SBengali

ALSO

Under the volcano: A Mexican village fears earthquakes, not 'Don Goyo'

550,000 homes in Southern California have the highest risk of fire damage, but they are not alone

Islamic State has lost 90% of its territory in Iraq and Syria. Where in the world is Abu Bakr Baghdadi?

19 photos show just how bad the air pollution is right now in New Delhi

UPDATES:

11:10 a.m.: This article was updated with new figures on the number of people killed and injured in Iraq.

9:40 a.m.: This article was updated with additional aid information for Iraq and Iran, as well as comments from officials and a witness.

This article was originally published at 7 a.m.
Two former senior intelligence officials Sunday offered an extraordinary critique of President Trumps mode of dealing with foreign leaders, portraying the president as cowed by Russias Vladimir Putin and overly susceptible to flattery by rivals likely seeking to manipulate him.

The broadsides by ex-CIA Director John Brennan and former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper followed months of tension between the White House and the intelligence community over the presidents reluctance to publicly accept intelligence assessments that Russia sought to sway the 2016 vote in his favor.

That long-running contretemps flared again over the weekend when Trump, speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One as he traveled in Asia, implied that he took Russian President Vladimir Putin at his word that Russia had not acted to influence the U.S. election. Trump also said that raising the issue was insulting to Putin.

Advertisement

On Sunday, in Hanoi, Trump partially walked back those remarks, telling reporters that Im with our agencies, especially as currently constituted in their assessment  implying he still mistrusted former intelligence chiefs who served in the Obama administration. A day earlier, he described the ex-directors of major intelligence agencies as political hacks.

Brennan, appearing on CNNs State of the Union, said the presidents stance, even somewhat softened, was incompatible with established facts.

Its very clear that the Russians interfered in the election, and its still puzzling as to why Mr. Trump does not acknowledge that and embrace it and also push back hard against Mr. Putin, he said.

Trump, he said, should state very clearly and strongly that this is a national security problem, and to say to Mr. Putin, We know you did it, you have to stop it, because there are going to be consequences if you dont.

Brennan was unusually explicit in suggesting that the Russian leader had some sort of hold over Trump  a theory often voiced by Democratic political figures, but one that intelligence veterans generally avoid.

I think Mr. Trump is, for whatever reason, either intimidated by Mr. Putin or afraid of what he can do, or what might come out as a result of these investigations, Brennan said, apparently referring to the wide-ranging probe being carried out by special counsel Robert S. Mueller III and several separate congressional investigations.

Characterizing Trumps dealings with Russia as colored by naivete, ignorance or fear, the former CIA chief said the tenor of Trumps encounters with Putin  the latest of which came during his Asia trip  fueled the belief, especially among authoritarian or adversarial leaders, that it was easy to take advantage of the U.S. president.

I think it demonstrates to Mr. Putin that Donald Trump can be played by foreign leaders who are going to appeal to his ego and try to play upon his insecurities, which is very, very worrisome from a national security standpoint, Brennan said.

Clapper, also appearing on CNN, said Trumps reluctance to fully acknowledge Kremlin interference was both puzzling and dangerous.

I dont know why the ambiguity about this, because the threat posed by Russia is manifest, and obviously has been for a long time, he said. To try to paint it in any other way is, I think, astounding, and in fact poses a peril to this country.

Clapper concurred with Brennans view that Trump seems very susceptible to rolling out the red carpet and honor guards and all the trappings and pomp and circumstance afforded by overseas visits.

I think that appeals to him, and I think it plays to his insecurities, Clapper said.

The former intelligence chiefs comments drew a sharp response from Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin, also interviewed on CNN. He said Trump was not getting played by anybody and that it was ridiculous to suggest he was being manipulated by Putin or anyone else.

Some Republican lawmakers have also been critical of the president on the Russia issue, directly or indirectly. A day after a harsh response to Trumps initial remarks by Arizona Sen. John McCain, the GOP former chair of the House Intelligence Committee, Mike Rogers, tweeted Sunday that the intelligence community had concluded that Russia interfered in last years vote and we should expect them to attempt to do so again.

Thats a clear and present danger to our democracy, he added.

Trump surrogates sought again Sunday to frame Russia campaign interference as having led to a fruitless investigation of whether the Trump campaign colluded with the Kremlin  even though Mueller has given no sign that the probe is winding down, and the intelligence community did not attempt to address whether the interference affected the election outcome.

White House legislative director Marc Short, interviewed on NBCs Meet the Press, said Trump believes that after a year of investigations, of tens of millions of taxpayer dollars, there is zero evidence of any ballot being impacted by Russian interference.

Muellers investigation, which Trump again over the weekend decried as being based on a Democratic hoax, has led to the indictment of Trumps former campaign manager, Paul Manafort, and another aide, along with a guilty plea from a junior Trump campaign associate who is apparently cooperating with investigators. More indictments are expected.

Following another of Trumps often-used talking points, Short stressed the benefits of a cooperative relationship with Putin on security matters.

I think the president is more interested in figuring out how can we partner with them to help prevent North Korea from developing nuclear weapons, he said.

Trump on Sunday repeated that a good working relationship with Putin could pay big dividends.

Having Russia in a friendly posture, as opposed to always fighting with them, is an asset to the world and an asset to our country, not a liability, he told reporters in Vietnam.

laura.king@latimes.com

@laurakingLAT
The deaths of an elderly couple found dead in their Otay Mesa mobile home Sunday are being investigated as a murder-suicide, a San Diego homicide lieutenant said.

A neighbor called 911 about 10:30 a.m. to ask police to check on the couple after they didnt answer their door or their phone, Lt. Mike Holden said.

When officers arrived at the Ocean Bluffs Mobile Home Park, they found the door of the Del Sol Boulevard residence locked. They forced their way in through a side door and discovered an 82-year-old man and an 83-year-old woman dead of gunshot wounds, Holden said.

Advertisement

Police didnt release the married couples names.

Investigators are working on getting a warrant to search the home. They are not currently looking for any outstanding suspects, Holden said.

Twitter: @LAWinkley

(619) 293-1546

lyndsay.winkley@sduniontribune.com
The City of San Diego helped install an aesthetically pleasing structure on its signature waterfront in 2014, designed by an artist to invoke Jonathan Livingston Seagull, the popular 1970 novella about a seagull who wanted to be special.

Its function? A restroom.

Its cost? Two million dollars.

Advertisement

It was welcomed at the time as a sophisticated new addition to San Diegos front porch for tourists and others arriving by bay. But now that a hepatitis A outbreak has killed 20 people and sickened more than 500 others, some are questioning whether the regions priority should have been more downtown restrooms  not more stylish ones.

The liver infection is spread because of unsanitary conditions, particularly among San Diegos growing homeless population, which lacks access to proper facilities. The crisis has brought new scrutiny on years of grand jury reports that called for a significant increase in the number of restrooms downtown.

Officials cited cost in rejecting the recommendations, even as they planned and executed the North Embarcadero Visionary Plan that included the seagull-themed lavatory.

The city should be beautiful and welcome tourism to boost our economy with the money that it brings, but at what expense? said homeless advocate Anne Rios of the San Diego-based nonprofit Think Dignity. I think our city places emphasis on those who have as opposed to those who have not.

A special joint government authority was formed to oversee the waterfront project in 2007. Mayor Kevin Faulconer, then a city councilman who represented downtown, chaired the authority.

Mayor Faulconer is proud to have supported this transformative project to restore public spaces and recreation space along the waterfront, spokesman Craig Gustafson said by email. The exterior of the restroom facility also doubled as a public arts project meant to be showcased on San Diegos waterfront. The fact that this project included a much-needed public restroom is a good thing.

Gustafson said the mayor recognizes the city needs more downtown restrooms and pointed to efforts this fall to provide public restrooms as the hepatitis A crisis boiled over and became national news.

The fancy restroom facility that opened in 2014 stands next to Broadway Pier. It has a title, Birds Words, according to the San Diego Unified Port District, which helped pay for the bathroom. The 816-square-foot stand-alone building was designed by Los Angeles artist Pae White.

White said the North Embarcadero Visionary Plan originally called for more traditional structures and a separate work of public art. She said she suggested integrating art into the design of the planned structures, as opposed to creating a free-standing sculpture.

During one of the early meetings I got a sense that elements such as the bathroom or pavilions were going to be a bit non-descript and so I asked if I could intervene, White said by email. The art budget funds were used to put these enhancements in place. So in many ways, the art budget is responsible for aestheticizing the existing plan.

White won a $125,000 contract in 2011 to provide designs and consulting for the project, according to port records. The project took longer than anticipated and the port repeatedly extended Whites contract, increasing its value to $291,350.

In 2015, the project won an Urban Design Honor Award and a Divine Detail Award from the American Institutes of Architects, San Diego; was named an Outstanding Urban/Land Development Project in the State of California from the American Society of Civil Engineers, Region 9, and received a Project Achievement Award from the Construction Management Association of America.

Warning signs

The city was warned repeatedly as far back as 2000 that human waste on city streets was a problem that threatened public health, and that there was a shortage of 24-hour public restrooms available to the citys growing homeless population downtown.

In 2005, city officials shot down a grand jury recommendation calling for more toilets to address the shortage. City officials said the facilities could cost up to $250,000 each to buy and install, plus another $65,000 per year to maintain, and the city did not have the resources to execute a project of this magnitude.

Based on those cost estimates, the $2 million spent on the seagull-themed restroom could have paid for four such facilities and operated them for 16 years.

Between 2010 and the peak of the hepatitis outbreak, the city closed more 24-hour restrooms than it opened downtown. As the health crisis peaked this fall, more resources were made available.

We have taken action to expand restroom opportunities as we work through this public health emergency, city spokeswoman Katie Keach said. We are monitoring usage of the public restrooms daily and will determine the long-term approach based on various factors, including public health needs.

The Port District operates 17 public restrooms on San Diegos waterfront, according to information provided by the district. Of those, at least six are open 24 hours a day.

Birds Words is one of three new public restrooms built on a half-mile stretch of the Port Districts waterfront property between 2012 and 2015, port spokeswoman Brianne Page said.

One of them  a 24-hour stand-alone public restroom building the Port District constructed at Ruocco Park in 2012  cost $378,991.

The $2-million waterfront restroom cost about five times as much as the bathroom in Ruocco Park.

Page said its important to understand that the Ruocco Park restroom was part of a very different project.

The restroom at Ruocco Park features a modern, minimalist design to go with the minimalist theme of the park, Page said.

The North Embarcadero bathroom  as well as all the projects structures  were designed to be inspirational, interactive and functional art.

The waterfront restroom was open from 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. until San Diego County declared the hepatitis A outbreak a local public health emergency in September, Page said. It is now open 24/7.

Birds Words is among the improvements constructed in the first phase of a waterfront upgrade known as the North Embarcadero Visionary Plan. The restroom buildings seagull-themed design extends to adjacent structures constructed as part of the redevelopment project, including a visitor center and cafe, to create a unified work of public art, she said.

The city and the San Diego Unified Port District split the estimated $28.6-million cost of constructing the North Embarcadero Visionary Plans first phase.

Page said the Port had identified the need for a public restroom to be included in the project, and design and public art were considered just as important as functionality.

Pae Whites artwork is as aesthetically pleasing as it is functional and embodies the ports dedication to world-class experiences that are accessible by all, Page said by email.

A 2011 draft resolution by the City of San Diegos Redevelopment Agency shows officials planning the waterfront project were aware of the sanitation issues.

The resolution said the restroom would bring enhanced cleanliness and desirability of the area, including reduced use of public areas for toileting needs for the direct advantage of property in and adjacent to the Columbia neighborhood.

Watchdog Videos On Now Sexual misconduct accusers worry deputy is being protected 6:16 On Now City funded $2-million waterfront bathroom 1:26 On Now Public water district charges customer for legal work, response to records request On Now Video: Tiny homes won't be reused amid housing, homeless crisis On Now Attorney General seeks documentation for Miss Middle East On Now Rep. Hunter probe covers possible fraud On Now Video: SDG&E delaying solar credit for some low-income housing tenants On Now Video: Former San Diego Junior Theatre teacher sentenced for sex with teen girl 0:24 On Now Video: Shelter volunteers believe they were fired for finding a dog a home 0:49 On Now McKamey Manor is leaving San Diego 3:35

morgan.cook@sduniontribune.com
With your help, The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board will name a San Diegan of the Year.

So tell us who most inspired or incensed you in 2017. Which person or group do you think had an outsized impact on the region this year, for better or for worse? We want to hear from you. We want to shine a spotlight on someone deserving of special recognition.

Well accept nominations for four weeks, through Dec. 11, and then well reveal a handful of finalists that month before announcing the recipient in the Sunday Union-Tribune on Jan. 7. We may publish your suggestion, along with your name and your city or neighborhood if you live in San Diego, so let us know if you want to keep your nomination private.

Advertisement

Your choices will help inform, but not dictate, our decision. Well make the selection based on the strength of your nominations but not the number of them. We may even choose someone you havent considered, to acknowledge the things theyve said or done over the past year. To be clear, this distinction isnt meant as a career recognition but for words and deeds during the 2017 calendar year.

This person may be well-known to many, a philanthropist or a political figure. Or perhaps the person wont be known to most San Diegans at all but will have done something noteworthy that more people should know about.

Well likely give greater weight to people who gave of themselves to make some or all of the San Diego region  which, for the record, includes Tijuana  a better place. But if theres a goat to recognize, well listen to that line of thinking, too.

In the past, under different ownership and a different company name  U-T San Diego  our owners bestowed a Person of the Year Award multiple times to honor the outstanding actions of San Diego residents who inspire courage, triumph and selflessness. Prior recipients included the U.S. Marine; former Navy SEALs Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty, who died during a terrorist attack in Benghazi, Libya, in 2012; and La Jolla businessman Ernest Rady.

Now the Editorial Board is launching a new effort.

In some years it may not necessarily be an honor, but we hope the award becomes an annual tradition. We hope it becomes something San Diegans discuss for years. Because we hope it will be a distinction drawn by the fact San Diegans cant stop talking about this person or group and their impact.

Thanks for your help in whittling a long list of remarkable San Diegans down to a few we can consider this year. To help get you thinking, here are some questions you can ask while picking someone.

Who are San Diegos heroes and villains in 2017?

Who transformed the region, its image or your lives this year?

Who provoked the most thought or conversation?

Who challenged you?

Who brought the most joy or pain into your life?

Who can you not stop thinking or talking about?

Who made the most headlines?

Who among us is the most unsung?

Who made a difference?

We appreciate your help  and your efforts to make San Diego a better place throughout this and every year. It will be hard to narrow our list down to a few finalists and then single out just one, but it certainly wont be difficult to find nominees to consider.

To suggest a candidate for the 2017 San Diegan of the Year, just fill out the short nomination form below.

To contact us the old-fashioned way, mail us a letter marked 2017 San Diegan of the Year to Union-Tribune, P.O. Box 120191, San Diego, CA 92112-0191.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Twitter: @sdutIdeas

Facebook: San Diego Union-Tribune Ideas & Opinion

Twitter: @sdutIdeas

Facebook: San Diego Union-Tribune Ideas & Opinion
Amid growing outrage, the California Senate on Sunday abruptly changed the way it will investigate sexual abuse, assault and harassment allegations and complaints against its members.

The Senate Rules Committee announced that an outside legal firm will handle all investigations going forward and make findings and recommendations to resolve, and where appropriate, discipline, state senators, removing that role from the rules committee, which is chaired by Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon, a candidate for U.S. Senate.

In a change thats no less important, the Senate Rules Committee said the general findings would be made public for each pending and future investigation, after redacting names and details as needed. While steps need to be taken to protect accusers and whistleblowers, the public should always have been allowed access to the outlines of these situations. Yet the Los Angeles Times reported last week without detail that the California Legislature had investigated 31 allegations of sexual harassment  15 in the Senate and 16 in the Assembly  since 2006.

Advertisement

Brief summaries released to the media disclosed the number of investigations but no specifics such as dates or outlines of the complaints. Also unclear is whether those investigations were related to lawmakers or their staff, or how they were resolved.

The policy changes come as Sen. Tony Mendoza, D-Artesia, faces allegations of misconduct from two former female employees. Mendoza was de Leons roommate in a Sacramento suburb until Saturday, when de Leons press secretary said he moved out of the house they share as allegations grew.

The Sacramento Bee reported last week that Mendoza had invited a 23-year-old Sacramento State fellow who was working in his office at least twice to his house to go over her resume and once to his hotel room to spend the night before an early-morning fundraiser. A second woman came forward after that story was published to say when she was 19, Mendoza suggested they drink from the mini-bar in his hotel suite after picking her up alone from the San Jose airport while attending the California Democratic Party convention in 2008.

That woman, Jennifer Kwart, is now 28 and works for Assemblyman David Chiu, D-San Francisco. Chiu said on Facebook this weekend that he has serious doubts about whether Mendoza should continue to serve in public office.

The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board has its own doubts  about how serious Sacramento is at turning a corner. Weeks after 147 women shined a light on a culture of inappropriate male behavior in Sacramento, the Senates actions to let an independent investigator handle the current and future allegations of sexual harassment is a step so obvious it should have been taken immediately.

The people who work here and the public we serve must have complete confidence that no public official is above the law or our strict zero-tolerance harassment policies, de Leon said Sunday announcing the change. Those who violate these policies will be held to account  swiftly and justly.

If de Leon is to be believed, the Senate can start by offering just as much information about the prior investigations as he expects to release about the current and future ones. He can reconsider the Senate Rules Committees still-existing role as the body that would ultimately act on the independent investigators reports. He can work with Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon to have the same approach to sexual harassment investigations for both houses. And de Leon can answer anew the question of what he knew about Mendoza and when.

He told the Bee he was unaware of any allegations involving Mendoza when approached a week ago. But Senate Secretary Daniel Alvarez told the Bee that de Leons Senate Rules Committee has been investigating Mendoza since Sept. 22. Thats fishy.

Related:

Latest Sacramento harassment allegations a test for Capitols leaders

How Sacramento policies enable sexual harassment

Dont just stop sexual harassment in Sacramento. Elect more women.

Sacramento has a Harvey Weinstein problem

Twitter: @sdutIdeas

Facebook: San Diego Union-Tribune Ideas & Opinion

Twitter: @sdutIdeas

Facebook: San Diego Union-Tribune Ideas & Opinion
The Sacramento Bees report that several unnamed sources alleged that state Sen. Tony Mendoza, D-Artesia, invited a 23-year-old legislative fellow on his staff who was seeking a full-time job to his home in a Sacramento suburb this summer to review resumes and to stay overnight in his hotel room is, if true, appalling. But its sadly unsurprising given the harassment-rich culture in the Capitol detailed in a letter signed last month by 147 women.

The allegations against Mendoza  who is 46 and married with four children  go beyond hitting on a job-seeker. The Bee also reported that his motive in firing three staff members may have been retribution for two of them detailing allegations to the Senate Rules Committee about his inappropriate behavior. The aides  chief of staff Eusevio Padilla, legislative director Adriana Ruelas and scheduler Stacey Brown  were fired Sept. 22. The Bee reported that the three, who declined comment, had signed confidentiality agreements. How convenient  how enabling  for the accused senator.

Mendoza denied the firings had anything to do with the allegations he faces and said he had not knowingly harassed or abused his authority with anyone. He denied the hotel invitation but didnt reply when asked about the invitation to his home.

Advertisement

What happens to Mendoza now is a test of whether lawmakers, including Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon, are serious when they promise a cultural change. Its also a test for the Democratic lawmaker from Los Angeles who shares Mendozas Sacramento-area digs during legislative sessions. Thats de Leon, a U.S. Senate candidate. A spokesman told the San Jose Mercury News that de Leon was unaware of any misconduct involving Mendoza. De Leon must answer these questions himself.

Related:

How Sacramento policies enable sexual harassment

Dont just stop sexual harassment in Sacramento. Elect more women.

Sacramento has a Harvey Weinstein problem

Twitter: @sdutIdeas

Facebook: San Diego Union-Tribune Ideas & Opinion
New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/13/2017 -- SUMMARY



WiseGuyReports published new report, titled "Guinea (Conakry): Mobile Network Expansion and Innovative VAS to Spur Telecom Growth".



"Guinea (Conakry): Mobile Network Expansion and Innovative VAS to Spur Telecom Growth", a new Country Intelligence Report by provides an executive-level overview of the telecommunications market in Guinea Conakry today, with detailed forecasts of key indicators up to 2022. Published annually, the report provides detailed analysis of the near-term opportunities, competitive dynamics and evolution of demand by service type and technology/platform across the fixed telephony, broadband and mobile sectors, as well as a review of key regulatory trends.



In 2017, Guinea Conakry will generate total telecom service revenue of $390m (or 5.4% of its nominal GDP), an increase of 1.0% over 2016, owing to an increase in fixed Internet and mobile services revenue. Mobile voice will continue to be the largest revenue-contributing segment in 2017 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 2.7% during 2017-2022. Mobile data will be the fastest-growing segment during the forecast period, mainly driven by operator investments in network expansions and upgrades and innovative service offerings and seasonal promotions to stimulate data adoption. Operators will seize opportunities via VAS offerings such as mobile money and mobile music.



The Country Intelligence Report provides in-depth analysis of the following 



- Regional context: telecom market size and trends in Guinea Conakry compared with other countries in the region.



- Economic, demographic and political context in Guinea Conakry.



- The regulatory environment and trends: a review of the regulatory setting and agenda for the next 18-24 months as well as relevant developments pertaining to spectrum licensing, national broadband plans, number portability and more.



- A demand profile: analysis as well as historical figures and forecasts of service revenue from the fixed telephony, broadband, mobile voice and mobile data.



- Service evolution: a look at changes in the breakdown of overall revenue between the fixed and mobile sectors and between voice and data from 2017 to 2022.



- The competitive landscape: an examination of key trends in competition and in the performance, revenue market shares and expected moves of service providers over the next 18-24 months.



- In-depth sector analysis of fixed telephony, broadband, mobile voice and mobile data: a quantitative analysis of service adoption trends by network technology and by operator, as well as of average revenue per line/subscription and service revenue through the end of the forecast period.



- Main opportunities: this section details the near-term opportunities for operators, vendors and investors in Guinea Conakry's telecommunication market.



GET SAMPLE REPORT @ https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/1646343-guinea-conakry-mobile-network-expansion-and-innovative-vas-to-spur-telecom-growth



Scope



- The overall telecom service revenue in Guinea Conakry is estimated to generate $390m in 2017 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 4.7% during 2017-2022.



- Mobile revenue will account for 97.3% of total telecom revenue in 2022.



- The Guinea Conakry telecom market will be dominated by Orange Guinea and MTN Guinea. Operators will continue to invest in 2G/3G coverage expansions, deployment of fiber-optic cables and the ACE submarine cable to boost international connectivity.



Key points to buy



- This Country Intelligence Report offers a thorough, forward-looking analysis of Guinea Conakry's telecommunication market, service providers and key opportunities in a concise format to help executives build proactive and profitable growth strategies.



- Accompanying Forecast products, the report examines the assumptions and drivers behind ongoing and upcoming trends in Guinea Conakry's mobile communications, fixed telephony and broadband markets, including the evolution of service provider market shares.



- With more than 20 charts and tables, the report is designed for an executive-level audience, boasting presentation quality.



- The report provides an easily digestible market assessment for decision-makers built around in-depth information gathered from local market players, which enables executives to quickly get up to speed with the current and emerging trends in Guinea Conakry's telecommunication market.



- The broad perspective of the report coupled with comprehensive, actionable detail will help operators, equipment vendors and other telecom industry players succeed in the challenging telecommunications market in Guinea Conakry.



Table of Contents



Executive summary 4

Market and competitor overview

Regional context 6

Economic, demographic and political context 7

Regulatory environment 8

Demand profile 12

Service evolution 14

Competitive landscape 15

Major market players 16

Segment analysis

Mobile services 20

Fixed services 24

Identifying opportunities

Opportunities in the market 27

About the authors 28



About Wise Guy Reports

Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Research Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe.



Contact Us

Email Us at :

Reach Us at : +1 339 368 6938 (US) +44 208 133 9349 (UK)
New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/13/2017 -- SUMMARY



WiseGuyReports published new report, titled "Indonesia Renewable Energy Policy Handbook".



"Indonesia Renewable Energy Policy Handbook 2017" is among the latest country specific policy reports from the industry analysis specialist that offers comprehensive information on major policies governing renewable energy market in the country.



The report provides the current and future renewable energy targets and plans along with the present policy framework, giving a fair idea of overall growth potential of the renewable energy industry. The report also provides major technology specific policies and incentives provided in the country.



The report is built using data and information sourced from industry associations, government websites and statutory bodies. The information is also sourced through other secondary research sources such as industry and trade magazines.



GET SAMPLE REPORT @ https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/1474091-indonesia-renewable-energy-policy-handbook-2017



Scope



- The report covers policy measures and incentives used by Indonesia to promote renewable energy.



- The report details promotional measures in Indonesia both for the overall renewable energy industry and for specific renewable energy technologies that have potential in the country.



Key points to buy



The report will enhance your decision making capability in a more rapid and time sensitive manner. It will allow you to -



- Develop business strategies with the help of specific insights about policy decisions being taken for different renewable energy sources.



- Identify opportunities and challenges in exploiting various renewable technologies.



- Compare the level of support provided to different renewable energy technologies in Indonesia.



- Be ahead of competition by keeping yourself abreast of all the latest policy changes.



Table of Contents



1 Table of Contents 2

1.1 List of Tables 3

2 Introduction 4

2.1 Renewable Energy Policy 4

2.2 Global Data Report Guidance 4

3 Renewable Energy Policy, Indonesia 5

3.1 Renewable Energy Market, Overview 5

3.2 Green Energy Policy 5

3.3 Small Distributed Power Generation Using Renewable Energy 6

3.4 Medium-Scale Power Generation Using Renewable Energy 6

3.5 Income Tax Reduction for Energy Development Projects 6

3.6 Electricity Purchase from Small- and Medium-Scale Renewable Energy 6

3.7 Clean Technology Fund 7

3.8 Ceiling Price for Geothermal 7

3.9 New Geothermal Law 8

3.10 Geothermal Fund 8

3.11 Power Purchase from Solar PV Plants 9

3.12 Feed-in Tariffs for Biomass 9

3.13 New Electricity Sector Regulations in 2017 9

3.13.1 Ministerial Decree number 10/2017 (MEMR 10/2017) 9

3.13.2 Ministerial Decree number 11/2017 (MEMR 11/2017) 10

3.13.3 Ministerial Decree number 12/2017 (MEMR 12/2017) 10



FOR ANY QUERY, CONTACT US @ https://www.wiseguyreports.com/enquiry/1474091-indonesia-renewable-energy-policy-handbook-2017



About Wise Guy Reports

Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Research Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe.



Contact Us

Email Us at : sales@wiseguyreports.com

Reach Us at : +1 339 368 6938 (US) +44 208 133 9349 (US)
New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/13/2017 -- WiseGuyReports published new report, titled "Life Insurance in Lebanon Key Trends and Opportunities".



Synopsis



'Life Insurance in Lebanon Key Trends and Opportunities to 2020' report provides a detailed outlook by product category for the Lebanese life insurance segment, and a comparison of the Lebanese insurance industry with its regional counterparts.



It provides key performance indicators such as written premium, incurred loss, loss ratio, commissions and expenses, total assets, total investment income and retentions during the review period (20112015) and forecast period (20152020).



The report also analyzes distribution channels operating in the segment, gives a comprehensive overview of the Lebanese economy and demographics, and provides detailed information on the competitive landscape in the country.



The report brings together research, modeling and analysis expertise, giving insurers access to information on segment dynamics and competitive advantages, and profiles of insurers operating in the country. The report also includes details of insurance regulations, and recent changes in the regulatory structure.



GET SAMPLE REPORT @ https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/1673911-life-insurance-in-lebanon-key-trends-and-opportunities-to-2020



Summary



'Life Insurance in Lebanon Key Trends and Opportunities to 2020' report provides in-depth market analysis, information and insights into the Lebanese life insurance segment, including:

- An overview of the Lebanese life insurance segment

- The Lebanese life insurance segment's growth prospects by category

- A comprehensive overview of the Lebanese economy and demographics

- A comparison of the Lebanese life insurance segment with its regional counterparts

- The various distribution channels in the Lebanese life insurance segment

- Details of the competitive landscape in the life insurance segment in Lebanon

- Details of regulatory policy applicable to the Lebanese insurance industry



Scope



This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the life insurance segment in Lebanon:



- It provides historical values for the Lebanese life insurance segment for the report's 20112015 review period, and projected figures for the 20152020 forecast period.



- It offers a detailed analysis of the key categories in the Lebanese life insurance segment, and market forecasts to 2020.



- It provides a comparison of the Lebanese life insurance segment with its regional counterparts



- It analyzes the various distribution channels for life insurance products in Lebanon.



- It profiles the top life insurance companies in Lebanon and outlines the key regulations affecting them.



Key points to buy



- Make strategic business decisions using in-depth historic and forecast market data related to the Lebanese life insurance segment, and each category within it.



- Understand the demand-side dynamics, key market trends and growth opportunities in the Lebanese life insurance segment.



- Assess the competitive dynamics in the life insurance segment.



- Identify growth opportunities and market dynamics in key product categories.



- Gain insights into key regulations governing the Lebanese insurance industry, and their impact on companies and the industry's future.



Key Highlights



- In 2016, Bancassurance SAL launched a new retirement plan to target the aging population.



- Allianz SNA SAL provides the Jana retirement saving plan, in collaboration with BBAC Bank.



- In 2016, Arope Insurance announced a strategic partnership with BoB Finance, in collaboration with Beirut Brokers.



- As of 2015, life insurers must have a minimum paid-up capital of LBP2.3 billion (US$1.5 million) to operate in Lebanon.



- The civil war in Syria negatively affected the Lebanese economy and insurance industry during the review period.



- In 2015, the Insurance Control Commission (ICC) initiated the provision of soft loans as incentives to encourage mergers and acquisitions.



Table of Contents



1 KEY FACTS AND HIGHLIGHTS

2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

3 ECONOMY AND DEMOGRAPHICS

4 SEGMENT OUTLOOK

5 OUTLOOK

6 DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL OUTLOOK

7 COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

8 GOVERNANCE, RISK AND COMPLIANCE

9 DATABOOK

10 DEFINITIONS AND METHODOLOGY

11 ABOUT TIMETRIC
Professor David McKenzie from the University of Sydney and his PhD student Enyi Guo have demonstrated quantum tunneling in water  a quantum phenomenon first predicted by British theoretical physicist Dr. Ronald Wilfred Gurney in 1931. The research is published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society A.

Professor McKenzie and Guo applied quantum techniques to understanding the electrolysis of water, which is the application of an electric current to water to produce the constituent elements hydrogen and oxygen.

The researchers found that electrons can tunnel through barriers in aqueous solutions away from the electrodes, neutralizing ions of impurities in that water.

This can be detected in changes in current, which has applications for biosensing, the detection of biological elements in solution.

This neutralization of ions in solution is a different idea to that currently believed, where the neutralisation only happens at the electrode surface.

This lays the basis for new and faster methods to detect biomedical impurities in water, with potentially important implications for biosensing techniques, Professor McKenzie said.

A better understanding of electrolysis is becoming more important for applications in alternative energies in what is sometimes called the hydrogen economy.

Without storage methods, solar energy only works when the Sun is shining.

To produce energy at other times, one method is to use electricity from solar cells to electrolyze water, producing hydrogen gas which can then be stored and burned later to produce energy when needed, the researchers said.

The tunneling effect refers to the quantum mechanical process where a particle moves through a barrier that in classical physical theory should not occur.

Electrons are able to tunnel in biological and chemical systems in a non-trivial manner that has implications for photosynthesis and other biological processes. It occurs through barriers that are just a few nanometers thick.

_____

Enyi Guo & David R. McKenzie. 2017. A post Gurney quantum mechanical perspective on the electrolysis of water: ion neutralization in solution. Proc. R. Soc. A 473 (2207): 20170371; doi: 10.1098/rspa.2017.0371
[NEW YORK] Climate change is compounding other man-made problems that are already affecting the health of the oceans and global fish stocks, says Peter Thomson , the UN Secretary Generals new Special Envoy for the Ocean. As an example, Thomson says that warming of Earths waters means that not only tropical fish, but also micro-fauna, are moving to temperate zones, affecting people in tropical countries who rely on fish for nutrition and protein. In this interview with SciDev.Net, he states that while some man-made problems, such as plastics in the oceans, can be addressed separately, limiting climate change is the only way to address global problems such as warming waters and ocean acidification.

What made you take on the role of UN Special Envoy for the Ocean and what does it entail?

I was appointed to the position by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres following strong calls from UN member states for such action. Ocean action has been central to my work at the UN over the last eight years.

In terms of personal motivation, I'm deeply committed to restoring a healthy ocean. My first ancestor in Fiji, five generations back, was a master mariner who arrived in a sailing ship. If youre brought up in the islands, the ocean is in your blood.

During the 71st session of the UN General Assembly, we managed to raise global awareness of the ocean's problems through the ocean conference held at the UN in June 2017. From the conference, we've evolved a comprehensive strategy and work plan to take us through to 2020.

How are human activities affecting the health of the ocean?

We must find the necessary solutions to deal with the many problems that accumulated human activity has bought upon the ocean. Just look at marine pollution  the fact that theres going to be more plastic in the ocean than fish by the year 2050 . Think of the fact that much of the ocean's fish stocks have been pushed to tipping points of non-sustainability. Thats not being done by the seals, or the sea birds; its being done by us and our fishing fleet. If you think of the degradation of coastal ecosystems  again due to human activity.

And when you get to the even more complicated issues of the ocean; problems such as ocean acidification or ocean warming , again it is accumulated human activity that's causing these changes, directly linked as they are to climate change. A warming planetary atmosphere means the ocean is warming as well, and the more CO2 we emit into the atmosphere the more acidic the ocean becomes.

So, all these human activities have massive implications on the health of the ocean, and since it is humanity that has caused the problems, we have to find the solutions.

On ocean acidification and warming, we must link directly with the climate action emanating from the Paris Climate Agreement. If we are to find solutions to ocean acidification and warming, weve got to be faithful to our implementation of the Paris Agreement.

We must find the necessary solutions to deal with the many problems that accumulated human activity has bought upon the ocean. Peter Thomson

What are some of the other consequences of warming oceans?

Coral bleaching is mainly due to ocean warming, but as you know, its more than that. Coastal ecosystem management is also fundamental. We must better manage whats going through our rivers out towards the coral. Weve got to manage whats being done to mangroves and weve got to manage the damage thats being done by emissions and outflows from agriculture and industry. But as I've said, when it comes to ocean warming, we must link our work to climate action .

Another problem arising from ocean warming is that many life forms are predicted to move away from tropical waters. It's already being observed that fish that werent normally seen in temperate zones are moving in from warmer waters. It seems they are not moving just because of their own temperature tolerance but because their micro-fauna food sources are moving away as well.

Fiji is presiding over the COP23 . How critical are issues like climate change and the ocean to island states like Fiji?

I think for a Pacific island country, there is nothing more fundamental at this time than dealing with the coming challenges of climate change and the ocean's health. These two elements are the fundament within which everything else on this planet operates. When you are talking about trying to lift health standards, when you are talking about agriculture production, uplifting education, or achieving gender parity, whatever you are trying to do, nothing will succeed unless we fix our fundamental relationship with climate and the ocean. The relationship has to be restored to one of respect and balance. This applies not just to a Pacific island country like Fiji, but to humanity everywhere.

I think the effect I have seen in the world in response to that statement of withdrawal has been a doubling down in global commitment to advance climate action and the Paris Agreement  a lifting of ambition. I've also witnessed that from within the US, big cities like New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, and states like California, are stepping up their climate action. Climate action is critical for all of us  existential for our children, for our grandchildren; and so, yes, Ive been observing a doubling down of understanding, of commitment and of will to work positively for the implementation of the Paris Agreement. So much more has to be done, but we have a pathway of hope to follow.



This piece was produced by SciDev.Nets Asia & Pacific desk.
The Ugandan government has proposed funding for aiding R&D but critics say it is misplaced, Esther Nakkazi writes.



In efforts aimed at boosting innovation, the Ugandan government has made a bold move and set aside funds to help innovators to commercialise their products.

The government has committed 30 billion Uganda shillings (about US$9 million) to support innovations and technology, and has allocated an additional US$4 million to finance the talented youth in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector, according to the country 2016/2017 budget statement.



We shall give support to innovation by building a critical mass of highly skilled ICT, science, technology and engineering professionals to drive industrialisation, said Matia Kasaija, the minister of finance, planning and economic development in a speech on the budget read on 8th June 2017.

This first round of funds will be given mostly to individual innovators who already have products in place.



Critics of the initiative

Critics say that giving these funds to individuals rather than institutions undermines efforts to build an innovation ecosystem where innovations can be nurtured, and innovators are supported.

Putting the funds at the end of the innovation cycle is not what governments in the South should do, critics add. But the officials in charge of the initiative disagree.

We have been given instructions to support innovations that are already in place. Elioda Tumwesigye, Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation

We have been given instructions to support innovations that are already in place so that the scientists can actualise their innovations, said Elioda Tumwesigye, the minister for science, technology and innovation (STI) at the 5th CAMTech Uganda annual meeting at the Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) in August this year.

Peter Ndemere, the executive secretary of the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology, tells SciDev.Net that there have been so many products produced by Ugandan scientists and innovators that hardly reach consumers.

Now, the president wants to see these products off the shelf and graduated to the local, regional and international markets, Ndemere notes. I think this also represents a policy shift; it is not to just do research but for income generation and industrialisation.



Wrong products for investments?

Some of the products to be funded include banana juices made by William Kyamuhangire, an associate professor and manager of the Food Technology and Business Incubation Centre, Makerere University; Artavol, a malaria prevention beverage by Patrick Ogwang, a pharmacist and lecturer at the Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), and Tooke, an instant matooke (banana) flour by Florence Isabirye Muranga, head of the Presidential Initiative on Banana Industrial Development.

Other innovators to be supported are Byarugaba Bazirake, the director of Afribanana Products Ltd, for his vacuum sealed bananas matooke agribusiness incubator, and Moses Kizza Musaazi, a professor at the Faculty of Technology, Makerere University, for Makapads, a sanitary napkin made from papyrus.

But some critics are wondering why most of the innovations that are to be commercialised are edible products.

Most of the products that are going to receive this funding include juices and wines and these cannot even lead to industrialisation or take Uganda to the middle-income status that the government is promoting, says John Kintu, a young innovator.

What needs to be supported are commercially viable innovations that will revolutionalise major sectors of the country, he adds.

The innovation fund, which is a brainchild of President Yoweri Museveni, is also aimed at promoting Uganda-made products through the Buy Uganda, Build Uganda or BUBU policy that took effect on 1 August 2017.

The initiative, which is expected to promote patriotism, also seeks to boost technological innovations to drive economic development in Uganda.

It should be the government funding the initial stages of innovations including the end user acceptability studies. Nuriat Nambogo, CAMTech Uganda

Some critics worry that this process of supporting individual scientists may well not be sustainable and could favour just a few innovators.

This funding should not be to individuals and if it is given to a project it should have deliverables and in a given timeframe, says Moses Mulumba, the executive director of the Uganda-based Centre for Health Human Rights and Development.

Mulumba tells SciDev.Net some people may get the funding because they are privileged. Instead, he is vouching for funding through a system, preferably a university setting.

Data Santorino, a paediatrician and a lecturer at the MUST and one of the innovators behind the augmented infant resuscitator that monitors in real-time and captures data on the quality of resuscitation of babies, says Uganda is not short of ideas and prototypes.

Santorino also heads the annual CAMTech Uganda Hack-a-thons, an event where hundreds of undergraduate students participate to showcase medical technology developments.

It is at the early stage that governments in the South should put their money, not at the end because most traditional funders position themselves to take on approved proof of concepts or almost finished products, he explains.

Nuriat Nambogo, a research and grants development officer at CAMTech Uganda, adds that many innovators are asked to do initial acceptability studies, but they do not have the money to do that.

Research for promotions or innovation?

It should be the government funding the initial stages of innovations including the end user acceptability studies, says Nambogo.

According to Santorino, scientists in academic institutions mainly teach and conduct research for publications to get promotions and peer recognition, an issue that needs to be looked into.

Maybe we should have an incentive system structured differently in academic institutions. An innovation has commercial value and industrial application but a publication has knowledge value, Santorino explains. When we reach an extent where they will use commercial output from innovators other than publication, we shall see more innovations come out.



This piece was produced by SciDev.Nets Sub-Saharan Africa English desk.
Press Release

November 12, 2017 Legarda: ASEAN Community Must Be About The People In light of the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Manila, Senator Loren Legarda today stressed that the interests of the people should be the primary concern as member nations move forward together towards a better and stronger ASEAN Community. Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committees on Foreign Relations, Finance and Climate Change, said that as the ASEAN aims to build "a peaceful, stable and resilient Community with enhanced capacity to respond effectively to challenges," it should actively involve its people and ensure that the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 would eventually lead to better living conditions of its citizens. "We have a population of more than 600 million, more than half of them are young people. We must capitalize on this asset but at the same time, we must ensure that our aspirations as an ASEAN Community would actually redound to the benefit of our people," she said. "As we continue to forge stronger cooperation to address the greatest threats to our respective nations and the region as a whole--terrorism and climate change--we must build on the capacities of our local communities and our people to contribute towards our goal of fostering equitable and sustainable economic development across the region, which must result in a higher quality of life for our people," Legarda stressed. The Senator noted that the ASEAN Joint Statement on Climate Change to the 23rd Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP23) highlights the region's commitment to proactively take action to address climate change through the signing of the Paris Agreement; submission of Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC); actively engaging in the post-COP21 UNFCCC negotiations on the modalities, rules, procedures, and guidelines for the implementation of the Paris Agreement; promoting sustainable management of forests and the use of sustainable energy sources and green technology; and the implementation of the ASEAN Community Roadmap 2009-2015 including ASEAN Action Plan on Joint Response to Climate Change (AAP-JRCC), the ASEAN Forging Ahead Together 2025, and developing the ASEAN Post-2015 Strategic Plan on Environment (ASPEN), and ASEAN-UN Action Plan on Environment and Climate Change 2016-2020. On the other hand, as a region greatly affected by the impacts of climate change, the ASEAN calls upon developed countries to expedite the provision of the means of implementation as articulated in the Agreement to enable ASEAN and other developing country Parties to pursue mitigation and adaptation efforts consistent to the implementation of NDCs. Meanwhile, Legarda also stressed on the need for ASEAN to foster innovation and build its creative capacities with the end view of ensuring that the region's micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) contribute to developing new solutions and value added outputs to meet the challenges of the 21st century. According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), one of the region's main challenges is to bring its infrastructure and information technology capability up to date so that it can take advantage of new technology. "Innovation and creativity play a significant role in transforming small businesses into competitive components of the ASEAN value chain. We need to develop industries that will be innovators of technology," said Legarda. The Senator said that the ASEAN's bold vision of achieving the free flow of goods, services, investment, and skilled labor in the region may actually help the country achieve higher productivity and economic diversification with the right policies and programs of action. "As an ASEAN Community, we want an integrated, peaceful and stable community. But much work needs to be done in order that this community that we all seek to build will be relevant and will help usher in a better life for all the people in the region," Legarda concluded. The 31st ASEAN Summit from November 10-14, with the theme "Partnering for Change, Engaging the World," is hosted by the Philippines. ASEAN Leaders will discuss the implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and the way forward and the appointment of the new Secretary-General of ASEAN.
Press Release

November 12, 2017 Legarda to Advance PH Interests in 2017 UN Climate Talks On 13-17 November 2017, Senator Loren Legarda will serve as Head of the Philippine Delegation to the 23rd Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 23) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Bonn, Germany. Senator Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committees on Climate Change, Foreign Relations and Finance and UN Global Champion for Resilience, said that the Philippines, as one of the most vulnerable nations to extreme weather events, has a lot at stake in this year's climate negotiations, which will focus on the drafting of a rulebook on the implementation of the 2015 Paris Agreement on Climate Change from 2020 onwards. Legarda will be taking over the leadership role from Climate Change Secretary Emmanuel M. De Guzman who was designated as Head of the Philippine Delegation from November 6-12, 2017. "The Philippines' active involvement in this year's climate talks signifies our steadfast commitment to realize the principles that we have championed in the Paris Agreement, which we ratified early this year. This is yet again a manifestation of our commitment to climate justice--to make the developed and industrialized countries answer for contributing the most to global warming and climate change--as well as a testament of our solidarity to the call for greater and more ambitious global climate action," Legarda said. "It is in this disposition that the members of the Philippine Delegation have prepared and engaged in the negotiations. While we continue to advocate for a climate goal that would limit global temperature to 1.5-degrees Celsius, we are also emphasizing the need for climate financing for projects and programs that would build the resilience of climate vulnerable countries, such as the Philippines, against the impacts of climate change," she added. Since November 6, 2017, members of the Philippine Delegation have been engaging in climate negotiations and advancing Philippine interests in the following work streams: Adaptation; Mitigation; Loss and Damage; Agriculture; Capacity-building; Finance; Technology Transfer and Development, Implementation and Compliance, Transparency, Global Stocktake; Indigenous Peoples (IP), Persons with Disabilities (PWD), and Gender Concerns; Facilitative Dialogue 2018; and the 2018 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Report on the 1.5-degree climate goal. As Head of the Philippine Delegation, Legarda will deliver the Philippine Statement during the High-Level Segment of the UN Climate Change Conference, which will be attended by dignitaries, ministers, and other senior officials of 197 member-countries. The Senator will also deliver the keynote address to the Innovative Climate Finance Strategies and Instruments by and for Climate Vulnerable Countries and a presentation on the Philippine Perspective on Green Lending Instruments and Supportive Policy Frameworks to Scale Low Carbon Investments in the Asia-Pacific Climate Action Forum hosted by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP). She will also be a guest speaker at the Discussion Session on the Best Practices of National Programs on Climate Change Communication organized by The Climate Reality Project. Legarda is also scheduled to meet with UNFCCC Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa, the International Network of Parliamentarians for Renewable Energy, and fellow National Adaptation Plan (NAP) Envoys. "In all of my engagements, the message will be clear: climate change has taken too many lives and destroyed too much of our environment--a source of basic commodities and livelihoods to many. Without proper interventions, we continually subject ourselves to climate and disaster risks. And in order to implement the necessary interventions, we need the technology, knowledge, skills, and financing to safeguard the welfare of our fellow Filipinos," Legarda said. "This is the message that we, as a developing country, would like to get across to the global community. I hope this call that carries the voice of the vulnerable would be supported by many," she added. Updates on the COP23, press statements and speeches will be posted on Legarda's official website [www.lorenlegarda.com.ph] and social media accounts [Twitter: @loren_legarda, Facebook: senatorlorenlegarda, and Instagram: iamlorenlegarda]. For COP-related posts, please use the official hashtags #COP23, #ClimateAction, and #Uniting4Climate.
The rebuilding of Wine Country after last months horrific wildfires will require an army of building- department bureaucrats, not to mention thousands of carpenters, electricians and plumbers.

But what role will architects play in the mad rush to rebuild the 8,889 structures lost in the Wine Country fires? Can thoughtful design help shape a reconstruction effort that is more resilient against future fires as well as more socially and environmentally conscious than what was lost?

That is what Napa architect Brandon Jorgensen was wondering when he invited some of the Bay Areas top architects  including renowned designers Anne Fougeron and Stanley Saitowitz  to a design charette Sunday afternoon at Grassi Family Ranch on Soda Canyon Road in Napa.

Sitting on pillows around a square table upstairs in an old barn, the architects talked about everything from building material to how the latest modular prefab technologies could be employed to reconstruct neighborhoods faster and cheaper. They discussed how landscape design could create barriers against future wildfires. They questioned whether the reconstruction could add density to help alleviate the Bay Area housing shortage.

How can we do something better than what typically happens after one of these disasters? Jorgensen asked.

The group  which is calling itself Architecture of Resilience  is in its early stages. But the plan is to come up with enough ideas to put on an exhibit next spring that would feature a range of solutions to the rebuilding effort. The group also discussed building a prototype house that would give homeowners a broader sense of their possibilities as they confront the depressing and expensive task of starting over on a leveled property that in most cases will not even have a foundation remaining.

Fougeron said its important that the group figure out precisely whom it is trying to help. City planners? Blue-collar families in Santa Rosas Coffey Park or well-to-do people whose second or third home was destroyed on the Silverado Trail in Napa?

Are we trying to help the community at large, and who are they? They are extraordinarily varied, she said. Its not one client walking into your office looking for something.

The 1991 Oakland hills firestorm  in which 3,500 homes were destroyed  was cited as a cautionary tale. Many of the homes were rebuilt as even bigger mega-homes and are just as susceptible to fire as they were before. Saitowitz recalled designing four homes after the Oakland disaster.

They were the worst experiences Ive had, because none of our clients had prepared themselves for the idea that they were going to be building a house with an architect, he said. They needed so much nurturing to get them where they needed to be.

A more useful approach, he said, would be to create widely applicable prototypes. I dont think its right to solve the problems one by one with architecture, he said. I think its at a much broader scale.

Density  something that urbanists love but that many homeowners leave the city to get away from  will be a tough sell, the architects agreed. Architect Craig Steely talked about how some property owners might be encouraged to rebuild houses closer together  without the traditional suburban backyard and side yard  which would also free up open space that could create a barrier against fire. Two percent of the people might see it, and it might strike an interest with them.

Fougeron suggested that accessory dwelling units  sometimes called granny units  should be encouraged.

Should everybody have an ADU in the backyard at the very least? she said. What should we be encouraging people to think about so that what they rebuild is more socially relevant than what they had?

As the meeting was wrapping up, Saitowitz encouraged his fellow architects to think bigger than just an exhibit.

Why couldnt we build a house? There is enough empty land, he said. A firebreak and a beautiful house. We could put it together.

J.K. Dineen is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jdineen@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @sfjkdineen

Online

For complete fire coverage: www.sfchronicle.com/north-bay-fires
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

On Sunday, as the 45th president continued his Twitter taunts of nuclear-armed nemesis Kim Jong Un of North Korea, veterans, peace activists and high school marching bands paraded down Fishermans Wharf  heralding the wounded and fallen, but feeling uneasy like few other times in history.

I am very fearful that the combination of a narcissistic madman at the head of North Korea and a narcissistic madman at the head of the United States may accidentally bring us to not only World War III, but the end of the world as we know it, said former San Francisco Supervisor Carol Ruth Silver. A civil rights Freedom Rider in the 1960s, Silver has a 40-year-old son who served in the war in Afghanistan. Blissfully, she noted, he came back all in one piece, for which I thank the forces of the universe.

San Franciscans marked the Nov. 11 Veterans Day holiday on Sunday, the 100th anniversary year of the United States entry into World War I, before a crowd including a good number of tourists enjoying a sunny day by the bay. But stalwart onlookers included those committed to honoring veterans each year in a city legendary for its antiwar sentiment.

Dapper in pinstripes, retired Army Lt. Col. Wallace Levin  a veteran of the Korean War and event organizer of San Franciscos Veterans Day Parade  celebrated the 1,000 marchers who represented every race, color and creed of the city.

What veterans really want is peace, he said Sunday, noting that President Trumps rhetoric with North Korea is not 100 percent wrong, its 1,000 percent wrong.

Even when the president dials back his commentary  which in the past has threatened North Korea with fire and fury like the world has never seen  Levin said Trumps goading of the isolated, nuclear-armed nation could eventually lead to countless zeroes added to the numbers of war dead and wounded.

If he had a word with Trump, Levin said his message would be simple: If your sons and your daughters, your son-in-law, and your youngest son were living in Seoul, would you be saying these things?

Emerging Sunday morning on Twitter with renewed enthusiasm after a brief pause, Trump tweeted a distinctly personal message, shortly before leaving Hanoi for Manila at the close of his 12-day trip through five Asian countries: Why would Kim Jong-un insult me by calling me old, when I would NEVER call him short and fat? Oh well, I try so hard to be his friend  and maybe someday that will happen!

At a news conference later, Trump added that strange things happen in life, and it would be very, very nice if he and Kim became friends.

Noting the odd twists in foreign affairs since the current administration took office, dozens of local members of the national organization Veterans for Peace gathered Sunday to assess the dizzying times the nation finds itself in. The group is focusing on beating back the privatization of veterans health care and highlighting the past 100 years  an end of the war to end all wars, which didnt work out that way, said member Paul Cox.

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.

If were not in yet another war by this time next year, the veteran noted somberly, Ill be surprised.

Chronicle news services

contributed to this report.

Karen de Sa is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kdesa@sfchronicle.com
Two years ago, Gov. Jerry Brown signed an ambitious law ordering California utility companies to get 50 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2030.

It looks like they may hit that goal a decade ahead of schedule.

An annual report issued Monday by California regulators found that the states three big, investor-owned utilities  Pacific Gas and Electric Co., Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas & Electric Co.  are collectively on track to reach the 50 percent milestone by 2020, although individual companies could exceed the mark or fall just short of it.

In 2016, 32.9 percent of the electricity PG&E sold to its customers came from renewable sources, according to the report. Edison reached 28.2 percent renewable power in 2016, while SDG&E  the states smallest investor-owned utility  hit 43.2 percent.

California first started requiring utilities to increase their use of renewable power in 2002. Brown and his Republican predecessor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, ratcheted up the targets over time. Known as the renewable portfolio standard, the requirement has become one of the states most important tools for lowering greenhouse gas emissions and fighting climate change.

Brown has touted Californias ability to boost renewable power and lower emissions while growing its economy. Even as President Trump has moved to scale back federal efforts to combat global warming, Brown has been pushing other states and foreign governments to join California.

We dont want to do nothing and just sit there and let the climate get worse, he said Monday by phone from Germany, where he is attending climate talks. California is all in.

Californias emissions from electric power generation have declined almost every year since 2008.

The requirement triggered a boom in the construction of solar power plants and wind farms. At the same time, renewable power prices have plunged. The average utility contract price for buying electricity from a large-scale photovoltaic solar facility dropped from $135.90 per megawatt-hour in 2008 to $29.17 in 2016. Wind power prices fell from $97.11 per megawatt-hour in 2007 to $50.99 in 2015, according to the report.

So much solar power now floods the California grid from late morning through mid-afternoon that on many days, there isnt a need for all of it. But the state is still heavily reliant on conventional power plants burning natural gas, which provide the large majority of Californias electricity during late afternoons and evenings.

The report found that as the renewable power building boom was getting under way, utilities signed contracts with more solar and wind power developers than they needed, expecting many of the projects to fall through.

They also bought more renewable energy credits  tradeable certificates generated whenever a solar plant or wind facility produces electricity  than necessary.

In addition, the growing popularity of community choice aggregation projects  in which local governments buy electricity on behalf of their citizens  has cut into the amount of electricity the utilities sell to customers, a trend expected to accelerate. As result, reaching the 50 percent renewable mandate will be easier than anticipated.

Chronicle staff writer

Kurtis Alexander contributed to this report.

David R. Baker is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: dbaker@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @DavidBakerSF
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

Editor s note: Here are three Bay Area startups worth watching this week.

LiquidSpace makes it easier for companies that fear commitment.

If a company is too small or too big for an office space, employees often turn to shared workspaces. LiquidSpace, a San Francisco startup, is an online marketplace that aggregates extra desks and offices that tenants can rent out on an hourly, monthly or yearly basis.

Its like an Airbnb for office space, said CEO Mark Gilbreath.

Businesses and companies are looking for more flexible ways to address their office needs, he said. With LiquidSpace, they have the ability to go to one platform and see the whole breadth of flexible office options.

LiquidSpaces users range from startups that dont have enough money to rent out their own space to more established companies that have grown so rapidly that they suddenly need somewhere to put all their employees. And the Internet has made it easier to work remotely.

Founded in 2010, LiquidSpace operates in more than 750 cities in the U.S., Canada and Australia, Gilbreath said.

The company has $26.3 million in funding and 30 employees. It is probably trending on startup database Crunchbase because of the 170,000 people that descended on San Francisco last week for Salesforces annual conference, Dreamforce.

We could alert the thousands of people who came for Dreamforce that a productive place could be (available) at three taps on an app, Gilbreath said.

Also trending:

Matrix Industries

What it does: Builds a smartwatch that is powered by the wearers body heat  the company says the Matrix PowerWatch is the first smartwatch that you never have to charge

What happened: Matrix recently began shipping the PowerWatch to its early investors on crowdfunding website Indiegogo.

Why it matters: Battery-powered personal devices eventually run out of juice. As long as the Matrix PowerWatch is in contact with someones body heat, its thermal electric technology will keep it charged, the company says.

Headquarters: Menlo Park

Funding: $26 million, according to founder and CEO Akram Boukai

Employees: 10

Polarr

What it does: Offers advanced photo-editing tools as part of an artificial intelligence app

Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes

What happened: The company recently released a feature called Album Plus, which uses artificial intelligence for features such as facial recognition and search tools.

Why it matters: As people increasingly rely on phones to take photos, apps like Polarr are designed to improve the experience.

Headquarters: San Jose

Funding: $2 million, according to founder and CEO Borui Wang

Employees: 10

Trisha Thadani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: tthadani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @TrishaThadani

How we pick the companies

Every week, The Chronicle and Crunchbase, a San Francisco firm that tracks key businesses in technology, analyze private Bay Area companies based on their financial backing, employees and activity on Crunchbase. We feature three that are moving up in the ranks. For more information on the companies, go to: www.crunchbase.com
As the trial in the San Francisco killing of Kate Steinle draws to a close, jurors must sift between dueling evidence and experts to settle whether the waterfront shooting that ignited a national debate over immigration enforcement was an intentional act by a violent gunman or a freak accident that befell a hapless homeless man.

Prosecutors pressing for a second-degree murder conviction sought to prove that the stolen gun that killed Steinle couldnt have fired without a firm pull of the trigger, while establishing that the defendant, Jose Ines Garcia Zarate, tossed the weapon into the bay before fleeing the scene.

The defense, pushing for an acquittal, seized upon the fact that the single bullet bounced before it struck Steinle, suggesting that a purposeful shot was improbable. While a lesser charge of manslaughter is an option, Garcia Zarates attorneys maintain his innocence.

But with the main testimony done and closing arguments scheduled for Nov. 20  though attorneys may still call rebuttal witnesses  jurors were left with little insight into an issue that is often clarifying in homicide trials: a motive.

Under California law, prosecutors need not present a motive, and in a typical murder case, proving that the defendant was at the scene of the homicide with the gun that fired the deadly bullet would be enough for conviction.

But evidence of a motive, experts say, would be helpful in a case in which a man is accused of randomly shooting a woman he did not know.

Whenever you have a case that hinges on intent, you cant really get into somebodys head and know what theyre thinking, said Hadar Aviram, a criminal law professor at UC Hastings in San Francisco. Motive, and in general the backstory between the defendant and the victim, can in a lot of cases illuminate the intent.

Here, we dont have that, she said. We have two complete strangers and circumstances physically that are quite bizarre.

Assistant District Attorney Diana Garcia spent much of the Superior Court trial, which has spanned 13 days so far, bringing forth witnesses and experts who could bolster her contention that Garcia Zarate had fired the gun deliberately, either at Steinle or in a direction he knew would harm others, an act that arguably carries the malice needed for a second-degree murder conviction.

But defense attorneys painted a scenario in which Garcia Zarate stumbled upon a gun left concealed on the pier for an unknown reason and was startled to see it discharge as he unwrapped it from a T-shirt or rag. Defense attorney Matt Gonzalez of the Public Defenders Office said his client had never handled a gun and was scared by the loud noise, prompting the fling of the weapon into the bay.

What is certain is that on the evening of July 1, 2015, Garcia Zarate was in a seat on the pier as Steinle, 32, strolled with her arm around her father, heading toward the end of the walkway to take in the views of the bay.

A .40-caliber Sig Sauer pistol, stolen four days earlier from an off-duty federal rangers nearby parked vehicle, discharged from where Garcia Zarate sat, sending one bullet into the piers concrete surface about 12 to 15 feet away from the defendant.

After ricocheting, the bullet traveled 78 more feet to pierce Steinles back. As she collapsed in her fathers arms  pleading, Help me, Dad!  Garcia Zarate tossed the gun over the side of the pier and walked away as the picturesque setting devolved into chaos. He was arrested an hour later.

In the days that followed, Garcia Zarates immigration status emerged, thrusting San Francisco into a political firestorm and fueling anti-immigrant rhetoric embraced by Donald Trump as he campaigned for the presidency. Garcia Zarate, a Mexican citizen with a history of drug crimes, was on track for a sixth deportation when local authorities, relying on the citys sanctuary policies, released him despite a federal request to hold him for removal.

The politics around Steinles death meant jurors most likely had heard about the case before they received their summons, but both the prosecution and the defense made a point during jury selection to try to keep the issue of immigration out of the criminal proceedings.

Instead, the question jurors must weigh is whether Garcia Zarate acted with the necessary intent  a question complicated not only by the lack of a known motive but an absence of clear surveillance video as well as eyewitnesses who might have seen the shooting or at least provided an account of the defendant handling the gun.

What jurors do have to wrestle with is Garcia Zarates video-recorded police interrogation in the hours after the shooting, which prosecutors said implicated him and defense attorneys said revealed little except confusion worsened by an officers Spanish translation.

Garcia Zarate provided varying accounts of what happened on the pier. He said at one point he had aimed the gun at a sea animal, and at another point said the gun had been under a rag that lay on the ground and had fired when he stepped on it.

Some of his answers were inconsistent with physical evidence. Yes, he said, he had been 5 feet away from Steinle when the shooting occurred  not 90 feet as investigators later found. Yes, he had walked by her as she bled in her fathers arms  even though she was at the opposite end of the pier from the exit.

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.

Another pivotal dispute emerged when Garcia, the prosecutor, called in the San Francisco police inspector who processed the crime scene to testify that he drew a straight line from where Garcia Zarate sat to where the bullet ricocheted to Steinle. In those circumstances, the inspector said, Garcia Zarate had to have aimed the gun at Steinle and pulled the trigger.

The inspector testified that some novice shooters pull a guns trigger before they lift the muzzle up, which could explain why the shot hit the ground.

But Gonzalezs experts said there was no way to tell which direction a ricochet would travel and that a shot that first hits the ground is most likely an unintentional discharge.

In cases like the Pier 14 shooting, evidence can become a Rorschach test of jurors experiences and beliefs, said Professor Aviram.

Peoples demographics and peoples experiences inform the way they interpret evidence, especially when the evidence itself is really open to interpretation, and thats going to come to play in this case, she said. The defense will say, You can clearly see X, and the prosecution will say, You can clearly see Y, and the jury will see different things.

The interrogation highlighted another issue that could affect the jurors decision: the mental state of Garcia Zarate, who has spent much of his adult life behind bars, was living on the street before the shooting, and has a second-grade education, according to his lawyers.

The defense is not arguing that Garcia Zarate is innocent because of insanity or mental defect. Even so, Aviram said, that doesnt stop jurors from weighing a defendants mental capacity in deliberations.

Im sure they have all already gotten a chance to form an impression of the defendant, and the question now is how that impression is going to play out when they look at the issue of intent in this case, Aviram said. Any demonstration that the person is not thinking right could dig into the intent. If a persons mental abilities show that the person was not trying to shoot anyone, for the jury, that could make a difference. For them, this could mean that the person did not form the requisite intent for murder.

On the other hand, jurors do not have to believe Garcia Zarate pointed the gun at Steinle and tried to kill her to convict him of second-degree murder. The act of pulling the trigger of a gun in a crowded place  like Pier 14  could be enough.

Vivian Ho is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: vho@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @VivianHo
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

A pedestrian was killed in a hit-and-run in South San Francisco late Saturday night, police said.

South San Francisco police responded to a report of a vehicle striking a pedestrian just before midnight on Saturday. The incident was reported in the 200 block of El Camino Real in one of the southbound lanes, police said Sunday.

RELATED: Man dies Saturday morning in San Jose freeway crash

A female victim was found unconscious in the street, police said. She was transported to a hospital but died from her injuries.

The San Mateo County coroners office identified the victim as Teresa Gonzales, 44, of South San Francisco.

MORE: Couple who lost home in Tubbs Fire lose family pictures during benefit show

Police are still investigating the incident and said that the driver has yet to be apprehended. The suspect vehicle was described as a black Toyota or Lexus from 1998 to 2000, police said, noting that the vehicle will likely have damage to the right front end and hood.

ALSO: Herb Lee, SF's first Chinese American police officer, dies

Anyone with information can contact police at (650) 877-8900.

Annie Ma is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: ama@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @anniema15
On the cover of the greeting card is a picture of President Trump wearing a Santa hat, and the line, Making Christmas Great Again! Open it and you hear the presidents real voice saying, Were going to start saying Christmas again ... Merry Christmas! and read his pronouncement: Christmas is not fake news. (For doubters, a sticker on the outside assures authenticity: Its really Donalds voice.)

The back of this Trump talking Christmas card  $9.95 on Amazon.com  says it is produced by Our Friendly Forest, a company with wares visible on www.potusgreetings.com. The back of the card also proclaims that it is Made in China.

It was a spectacular clear fall day when, at the top of the new World Trade Center in New York, Bob Heywood sends the overheard: Can you see the Farallons?

I made my way through what seemed to be a herd of Salesforce elves holding onto bobbing balloons during the afternoon of Thursday, Nov. 9. At the top of the steps to the Powell Street BART Station, I altered my path to skirt a man lying there, motionless, with his eyes closed, as though hed collapsed.

He was sprawled on the sidewalk at the very top step, an unsheltered place not likely to have been chosen for a siesta. His pants were down over his hips. One hand was stretched out, and the pieces of bread from a sandwich he must have been holding were strewn over the sidewalk.

A San Francisco police offer was patrolling a few steps ahead, so I ran after him, pointed to the man and asked if he would get him some help.

Hes just sleeping, said the patrolman. Look at his position, look at his sandwich, I said. Oh, he said, theyre all over the city, and he shrugged and walked on.

Mark Allan Davis, who was a cast member when the first production of The Lion King opened on Broadway, was at the Minskoff Theatre in New York a few weekends ago for a reunion marking the 20th anniversary of the show. Davis has been an assistant professor in the San Francisco State School of Theatre and Dance for about a year. He choreographed the S.F. State production of Chicago that ran this spring.

At the gathering  which included director Julie Taymor  it was said that there are something like 323 performers who have been in the show, which has nine productions running around the world. At the end, Elton John sang Can You Feel the Love Tonight? with the Broadcast cast.

Among the guests were many whod been children when they were in the show, including the first Simba, Scott Irby-Rannier, now 33. They have all grown up to be these spectacular beings: Stunning. Pigtails and dreadlocks to man buns and beards and locks down to the shoulder and Jimmy Choos.

When Paul Wiefels went to Walgreens in Mill Valley to get his flu shot, the pharmacist prepared the needle and then assured him, This vaccine is free of preservatives. Most people ask about that.

Adda Dada traveled to the land across the water, Emeryville, and visited IKEA, where he and his pal Ken Duffy noticed a shelf of books, not for sale, but just being used to display bookshelves. They were all in Swedish, even Eugene Schoulgins Federico! Federico! and Siba Shakibs Samira och Samir. Spending money to ship books used for decorative/display purposes seems a bit wasteful. And Dada is wondering if they came with IKEA assembly instructions and a hex key wrench. ... I guess we have an open book policy on immigrating books, but not for immigrating people.

Lying prone in a brand new pair of Costco boxers before a minor surgical procedure, Bruce Lamott was relieved when the surgical nurse informed him (gleefully, he says) that according to the sticker affixed to my derriere, I had already been inspected by No. 6.

A reader who calls herself Wasp suggests a new political party: What the ___? with the third word to be inserted at the discretion of the new party member. The lapel pin will be an upside-down Stars and Stripes.

I guess solitary confinement for a Saudi royal is a table for one at the Ritz-Carlton, observes Dan St. Paul.

Leah Garchik is open for business in San Francisco, (415) 777-8426. Email: lgarchik@sfchronicle.com; Twitter: @leahgarchik

Public Eavesdropping

Whoa ... Thanksgiving just got weird if Aunt Cindy is showing up.

Man speaking to woman  perhaps his mom  overheard at Westlake Joes by Jonathon Martinsen
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell called on Roy Moore of Alabama to drop his Republican U.S. Senate candidacy, saying he believes the women who say the former judge pursued them for dates when they were teenagers.

"I think he should step aside," McConnell told reporters Monday in his home state of Kentucky. "I believe the women, yes," the GOP leader said.

Moore quickly fired back, writing on Twitter, "The person who should step aside is @SenateMajLdr Mitch McConnell. He has failed conservatives and must be replaced."

McConnell's statement breaks through a threshold that many Republican leaders set last week of qualified calls for Moore to step aside if the allegations prove true. It increases the pressure on Moore, who has strongly denied having sexual contact with a 14-year-old almost four decades ago but acknowledged knowing two women who told the Washington Post that he pursued them for dates when they were 17 and 18 during the late 1970s. In a radio interview Friday with Sean Hannity, Moore said he couldn't rule out having dated teenagers.

Senate Finance Chairman Orrin Hatch of Utah, the longest-serving Republican currently in the Senate, joined McConnell shortly afterward. He wrote on Twitter, "I stand with the Majority Leader on this." Hatch said he thought that current Senator Luther Strange, who lost a runoff vote to Moore in September, "is an excellent alternative."

McConnell said Monday that a write-in campaign is a possibility to oppose Moore in the Dec. 12 election.

"That's an option we're looking at, whether or not there is someone who could mount a write-in campaign successfully," McConnell said. Asked if it could be Strange, who lost to Moore despite McConnell's support, the majority leader said, "We'll see."

Moore has remained defiant, insisting on Saturday that neither Democrats nor the Republican establishment would force him to abandon his campaign. Speaking on Saturday at a Veterans Day breakfast in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, the GOP Senate nominee said his opponents were "desperate" and said, "People in Alabama will see through this charade."

Three Republican senators have withdrawn earlier endorsements of Moore -- Mike Lee of Utah, Steve Daines of Montana and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana. Several others who backed him have remained silent, including second-ranking Republican John Cornyn of Texas, Ted Cruz of Texas and Rand Paul of Kentucky.

On Thursday, Cornyn called the allegations "deeply disturbing and troubling" and said if they are true, the candidacy can't be sustained. Aides to Cornyn, Cruz and Paul didn't immediately respond to requests for comment after McConnell's remarks Monday.

Moore, 70, a former chief justice of the state Supreme Court, has the national Republican Party in a difficult position just as the GOP is trying to pass massive tax-cut legislation. Moore could defeat Democratic nominee Doug Jones and taint the party before the 2018 congressional elections. Or he could lose and turn over a seat long held by Republicans to a Democrat, leaving the GOP with a one-vote majority in the Senate and imperiling their ability to deliver on promises to voters.

Moore's support in Alabama hasn't collapsed, but it's weakened. Polls from Atlanta-based Opinion Savvy and Louisiana-based JMC Analytics, conducted after the Washington Post report, show that support for Moore has dropped with women, who make up the majority of Alabama voters, and evangelicals. One of the surveys showed the candidates tied and the other had Jones narrowly ahead but within the margin of error.

Still, there are plenty of Republican women who echo Moore's response to the accusations.

Debbie Harrelson, a 61-year-old medical representative from Hoover, Alabama, said before Saturday's breakfast that the allegations fall into a suspicious pattern of the news media reporting charges from women impugning the character of conservatives.

"It's too long ago, it's a 'he said she said,'" Harrelson. "He's had forty years of service to the state of Alabama and he's proven himself to me so I don't care."

---

Bloomberg's Steven T. Dennis contributed.
The future of Californias new fuel tax  12 cents a gallon for gasoline, 20 cents for diesel fuel  is likely to go before the voters in November 2018. Whats less clear is whether the official title on the state ballot pamphlet, an important source of voter information, will start by saying it repeals taxes or eliminates ... revenues for transportation and road repair.

Both descriptions are accurate. Which one will accompany a Republican-sponsored initiative to repeal the tax, as of January 2019, is a question now before a state appeals court in Sacramento. The justices must weigh their duty to inform the voters against the authority provided by law to Attorney General Xavier Becerra, whose office prepares the title and summary for every proposed ballot measure.

Becerra, a Democrat, drafted a title for the initiative that referred only to its impact on repair programs and revenue, though his more-detailed summary that followed listed each tax that would be repealed. In September, a Sacramento County judge, in an unusual but not unprecedented action, found the title misleading and rewrote it to lead with the gas tax repeal.

The attorney generals office challenged the judges action to the Third District Court of Appeal.

Paul Chinn/The Chronicle

Courts have stated that considerable deference must be afforded to the attorney generals title and summary, lawyers from Becerras office said in the filing. The judge, the lawyers said, simply substituted (his) judgment for the judgment of the official vested by state law with the task.

On the other hand, the attorney general is also a politician, from the party that steered the gas tax through the Legislature. He was appointed to his current position by Gov. Jerry Brown, the very governor who champions this tax increase, to replace Kamala Harris after her election to the U.S. Senate, noted Benjamin Pugh, lawyer for Assemblyman Travis Allen, R-Huntington Beach (Orange County), sponsor of the tax repeal initiative.

The new taxes and fees, signed into law by Brown in April, are intended to raise more than $5 billion a year to repair the states deteriorating streets and highways. Besides the gas tax, they include a vehicle registration fee of $25 to $175, depending on the value of the vehicle, starting next year, and a $100 fee on zero-emission vehicles, starting in 2020.

In a USC Dornsife/Los Angeles Times poll conducted online among 1,504 Californians from Oct. 27 to Nov. 6, 54 percent said they would vote to repeal the tax.

Becerras title said the repeal initiative eliminates recently enacted road repair and transportation funding by eliminating revenues dedicated for those purposes.

In response to a lawsuit by Allen, a prospective Republican candidate for governor next year, Superior Court Judge Timothy Frawley recast the title to say that the measure repeals recently enacted gas and diesel taxes and vehicle registration fees. Eliminates road repair and transportation programs funded by these taxes and fees.

But under state law, Becerras appeal of Frawleys ruling automatically reinstated the attorney generals language on initiative petitions, at least until the appellate court acts. Pugh said a speedy ruling is needed so that supporters will have a chance to collect 365,880 valid signatures and submit them by the June 28 deadline.

The title of a proposed ballot measure, written in all capital letters, and the summary that follows appear on signature-gathering petitions as well as the state ballot pamphlet, and represent most voters first view of the measures contents. Their importance was illustrated in 1996 in a dispute over Proposition 209, which eliminated any consideration of race or sex in state education, employment and contracting programs.

Then-Attorney General Dan Lungren, a Republican who supported Prop. 209, gave it a title and summary that said it prohibited discrimination or preferential treatment based on race or gender. In a suit by civil rights groups, a Sacramento judge ordered Lungren to also state that the measure would ban affirmative action for minorities  a ban that most Californians opposed, according to opinion polls.

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 appeals court disagreed, saying Lungren had taken his wording from the text of the initiative, which did not mention affirmative action. Prop. 209 passed with 54.6 percent of the vote.

Other challenges to ballot titles have occasionally succeeded, and there have been a few unsuccessful legislative efforts to shift responsibility for titles and summaries to a less partisan office. The drafter of the current law that assigned those tasks to the attorney general says he now regrets it.

The Legislatures nonpartisan fiscal analyst now does assessments of each ballot measures likely financial impact for the ballot pamphlet, and we should have put them in charge of the titles as well, attorney Robert Stern said. The legislative analyst, as far as I can remember, has never been accused of playing politics.

The law was part of the states Political Reform Act, a 1974 ballot measure that also regulated political contributions and spending. Stern helped to write it as legal counsel to then-Secretary of State Jerry Brown and later served as the first general counsel of the enforcement agency, the Fair Political Practices Commission.

He now teaches an extension class at UCLA, where Becerra appeared as a guest speaker last month and defended his role in writing the states official descriptions of ballot measures.

There is no one who has more expertise on this than the attorney generals office, Becerra said, responding to questions by Stern. It doesnt make any difference to me if youre a Republican or a Democrat. ... We are the attorney for the state.

Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @egelko
After an epidemic of residential fires, San Francisco Supervisor Aaron Peskin has introduced legislation to require new owners of single-room-occupancy hotel buildings to install sprinkler systems for fire prevention.

Since 2001, sprinkler systems have been mandatory for the residential portions of these buildings  but not on the ground floor, where fires in restaurants and other commercial spaces have sparked fires that have led to deaths, damage and displacement all over San Francisco.

Its time to close the loophole.

I have not been able to determine from the record why that didnt happen in the final legislation in 2001, Peskin said.

His legislation will be voted on by the Board of Supervisors this month. The next stop is a committee meeting Monday. Its only the first step in a necessary process to improve residential fire safety.

The law would apply only to residential hotel buildings. These buildings tend to be older and lacking the preventative design and materials that have become mandatory for newer construction in San Francisco. There are more than 300 of these buildings in San Francisco, with some 19,000 rooms. Peskins legislation would apply only at the time of the sale or transfer of the buildings.

To be honest with you, its kind of a half step, Peskin said of his proposal. I would have preferred to require it of all nonresidential spaces now, but the reality is these buildings turn over over time, about 10 percent a year. So its a fair way of doing it. That would mean over a 10-year period, it would all get done.

The reason for this limitation is a practical one: Sprinkler systems can be quite expensive, running to the tens of thousands of dollars. Peskin is seeking to avoid an outcry from the business community about cost, guessing that it will be harder for new building owners to plead poverty when theyre already spending a (presumably large) sum of money.

The Board of Supervisors should pass the legislation, while understanding that it will only chip away at the problem.

Its the last vestige of truly affordable housing stock in the city ... and weve seen fire after fire, Peskin said.

Protecting residents from dangerous fires will require more vigilance  and possibly a stronger bill down the line. But this measure represents an important advancement in fire safety.

This commentary is from The Chronicles editorial board. We invite you to express your views in a letter to the editor. Please submit your letter via our online form: SFChronicle.com/letters.
I spent part of last week in Montgomery County, Ohio, the epicenter of the nations opioid epidemic.

I didnt hear grating sounds as an EMT zipped up a body bag of yet another opioid overdose victim. I didnt watch as a gurney was wheeled across a front yard dotted with brightly colored autumn leaves to a waiting ambulance. I didnt see the bodies stacked in cold storage because the local morgues had run out of space when overdose deaths spiked, as they did in January, when 65 people died of opioid overdose in Montgomery County.

I was in a brightly lit, wood-paneled conference room of a think tank listening to journalist Doug Oplinger, a fellow at the Kettering Institute, talk about how we might change the practice of journalism to help average citizens find a clear role in addressing community problems  like opioid addiction. Nationwide, 64,000 Americans died from opioid overdoses last year  more than died in the Vietnam War. More than those who died of AIDS at the height of the epidemic, in 1995.

After four decades as a writer and editor at the Akron Beacon Journal, Oplinger left in March to launch a statewide effort to bring together media, elected officials and average citizens to fight twin scourges devastating Ohio  opioids and a changing economy. Oplinger wasnt looking for hero stories or someone to blame or shame. His No. 1 story was how the community is working together on shared public problems. At a series of community meetings, the public made it clear what media could do to help.

They told us, We want charts; we want conflicts identified; we want potential solutions outlined that we can discuss and weigh, Oplinger said. Help empower us to make decisions.

What the charts revealed was a crisis of biblical proportion. In 15 years, prescriptions for opioids such as OxyContin had soared. The drug was marketed as a safe painkiller but instead proved addictive. When patients couldnt get prescriptions for legal drugs, they soon turned to illegal ones such as heroin or, recently, fentanyl. Many overdosed; the number of overdose deaths rose.

Readers wanted data so they could see and understand the shape, size and nature of the epidemic that arose as industrial jobs disappeared and opioid use proliferated. They needed to understand why Ohio employers now struggle to find workers who can pass a drug test.

The data also showed a misunderstanding of who was using the drugs and a mismatch of resources to respond. In Cincinnati, administrators had scheduled more EMTs for Friday and Saturday nights to be at the ready with the overdose-reversal treatment Narcan for partyers. But the data showed it typically was a quiet act of desperation on a Wednesday afternoon that resulted in a 911 call to treat overdose. Rescheduling EMTs cut overtime costs and made medical resources available when most needed, potentially saving lives.

Readers wanted their news organizations to help lay out options, with suggested actions and their drawbacks. More medical treatment resources? More arrests? More liberal attitudes toward users?

They wanted to know how to deal humanely with addicted loved ones. They wanted media to publish a local number to call for assistance.

They wanted to turn it around so they could say they were winning, Oplinger said.

The statewide media response proved more difficult than expected, and Oplinger found himself pleading with newspapers and TV stations to at least publish a local assistance number.

The national media response also was disappointing. People in Ohio are so freaking angry that their lives have been destroyed in the last 15 years and the only time the coasts care about us was at election time, he said, his voice rising.

The news media have a big role to play in helping Americans find solutions to their problems, and not just in Ohio. The opioid epidemic is like other public concerns, be it homelessness, housing, wildfire, flood or inadequate schools. That is, broadly shared, often personally devastating. Experts and elected officials cant solve them alone. It takes the work of you and me and my neighbors and yours. And a healthy news media to help connect, not divide, us.

Lois Kazakoff is The San Francisco Chronicles deputy editorial page editor. Email: lkazakoff@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @lkazakoff
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

Over the years, Rupy C. Tut gradually pieced together details of her grandparents past lives. The older the Oakland painter got, the more she asked them  of their home in what was then British India, and of what would come to drag them from it.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of what is broadly remembered as the year of Indian independence from British rule. But those circumstances also marked the historically bloody August 1947 partition of British India  the establishment, spurred by political and religious schisms, of the independent nations of Pakistan and India.

The separation displaced millions, Tuts family among them, and sparked widespread violence. Hindus and Sikhs fled into India, and Muslims into Pakistan  the respective national safe havens for their religious identities. In the process, riots and mobs broke out, mass rape and abduction occurred, and civilian violence took on an anarchic back-and-forth of religious cleansing.

My grandfather said that his survival depended on the fact that he had a gun and horses, says Tut. If he didnt have those two things, they wouldnt have made it across.

Death estimates range from the hundreds of thousands to 2 million. Between 10 million and 15 million people crossed the new borders in what was considered the largest mass migration of the 20th century.

This dark history comes together in Broken Seeds (Still Grow), a mixed-media performance from the San Francisco bharatanatyam dance company Nava Dance Theater premiering Thursday, Nov. 16, at the Flight Deck in Oakland.

Tut, who specializes in Indian miniature painting, joined forces with Nava Dances artistic director, Nadhi Thekkek, to form a meditation, through bharatanatyam and video-projected paintings, on partition and its relationship to the immigrant experience in the United States.

Yet partitions history, in spite of the magnitude of its tragedy, has remained elusive.

There is this silence that is kind of draped over partition, says Tut. Memories of partition appear neither memorialized nor educationally institutionalized abroad, let alone here.

For Tut, a secondhand understanding of a largely unspoken historical trauma came together in fragments. Details were given out of order and in abstract summations (Tuts grandfather often repeated a couplet of poetry that appears as spoken word in the performance). Shards of harrowing memories were expressed without dramatic revelation  bearing nonchalance that perhaps belies numbness.

When I started talking more to the women, they told me more about the violence. The men didnt, says Tut, who prodded for answers whenever she returned to India after immigrating to the U.S. when she was 11.

Thekkek understood partition in even more obscure terms. Her family lived in South India, relatively removed from its effects simply by geographical distance.

Then Thekkek was referred to the 1947 Partition Archive in Berkeley, a nonprofit that has for the past few years been building a vast archive unlike any other, recording oral stories of partition survivors, all of whom are in the late stages of their lives.

Hearing stories of displacement from homes that had been around for generations, Thekkek saw a connection. When I heard them talking about how their identity was totally shattered when they left home, she says, I realized that we are building that here, in this new country, in this new place. The firm ground of a homeland is taking root again now, as the Bay Area-born Thekkek raises her daughters in Alamo, with her parents a mile away.

With that understanding came more troubling parallels: being branded as an outsider, the danger of losing ones home as a result and more crucially, the underestimation of this danger. Before partition, communities were religiously diverse, and in the witness accounts Thekkek heard, nobody believed in the possibility of the violence to come.

The way they were describing how partition really crept up on them really made me fear for our country here, Thekkek says.

Broken Seeds was born out of learning this history and seeing its increasing pertinence. The first half takes on partition stories, while the second half observes events in America such as the post-9/11 revenge killings and the 2012 shooting in Wisconsin at a Sikh temple. Thekkek and her companys performance is backdropped by video projections of Tuts miniature paintings, each created specifically to accompany the dances, along with live original music and occasional spoken word.

The performance doesnt take sides or provide an answer. Research told of victims who were perpetrators, and perpetrators who were victims, Thekkek says.

I dont know if we lost a family member to being killed, and I dont know if any of my family members killed anybody either, Tut says.

Another insight they heard often from witness accounts, according to Tut: All of them would always end it with, Well, these are just stories now. 

Part of Tut is frustrated with this sentiment. They could be more than stories  they are more than stories. But then she realizes, Life just became for them moving on to the next day and the next day. They didnt get time to contemplate the loss. Suppression, for many, meant survival.

Broken Seeds elevates these stories and gives voice to an oft-muted history.

Tuts grandparents have since died. She can no longer ask them questions that remain unanswered. How would they respond if they were alive to see the show? Its a question Tut struggles with.

At the end of the day, she says, I still think Im definitely honoring my grandfather by doing this.

But their first reaction, Tut says, would be silence.

Brandon Yu is a Bay Area freelance writer.

Broken Seeds (Still Grow): Thursday, Nov. 16-Sunday, Nov. 19. $22-$30. The Flight Deck, 1540 Broadway, Oakland. http://www.brokenseeds.com/
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

On any given day, downtown San Francisco attracts a hodgepodge of tourists and local characters to its busy streets.

Photographer Maarten van Dijk, who hangs around this area, is hard to miss.

Most days, he wears a tan three-piece suit he describes as British gentlemens countryside attire, with tall riding boots and round spectacles. He also carries a enormous lens propped on a monopod to take portraits of people around Union Square.

Im all dressed up to make it a show, van Dijk explains. I tell people that, Im a show and you need to be too.

Now Playing: Tourists and long time San Francisco residents alike share why they visit Union Square. Video: San Francisco Chronicle

Occasionally, people approach him out of curiosity (that's where the suit comes in), but there have been cases where his look has garnered unwanted attention.

Once someone came from behind and threw a whole mug of soup at me," he says. "I do stand out but thats part of the package.

That rarely happens, though.

He mainly sticks to Union Square and favors certain streets such as Grant Avenue, where he likes to begin his day due to its beautiful lighting.

He charges people for the photos, but it's a fraction of the cost compared to his other professional gigs, he says.

Its less than the amount of parking my car for the day.

ALSO: Local artist has drawn 1,500 portraits of BART passengers while commuting

Van Dijk, originally from the Netherlands, began photographing folks in San Francisco 10 years ago after a stint in San Jose and the South Bay. Eventually, he realized that San Francisco was the place to be as he found it more exciting.

Throughout the years, hes had the opportunity to photograph a wide range of folks and especially likes photographing gay and lesbian couples.

He recalled once photographing a young lesbian couple visiting from Poland and telling them that if they couldnt show their love in San Francisco, they couldnt show it anywhere.

Click on the slideshow above to see Maarten van Dijks favorite photographs throughout the years in San Francisco.
Nearly 80 French and English bulldogs were rescued from a Southern California home suspected of being a puppy mill.

Animal control took 78 dogs from the Westminster, Calif. home last week. The dogs were found in dirty conditions, in a house authorities described as a "combination hoarding situation and puppy mill," the Orange County Register reported.

"The conditions were unsanitary and disgusting," Westminster police Cmdr. Cameron Knauerhaze told the paper. "No human or animal should have to live in the conditions we saw."

READ ALSO: SoCal man accused of pouring boiling water on girlfriend's dog 'at least 5 times'

The conditions were reportedly so horrible that two animal control officers were apparently treated for ammonia inhalation due to the feces and urine from the dogs.

The bulldogs were also in varying states of health, from infected surgery scars, mange, warts, and female bulldogs that looked to have been bred multiple times. The dogs ranged in age from 4 months to senior age.

The dogs were taken in by Westminster Adoption Group and Services (WAGS), a Southern California shelter. The dogs are being treated for their health issues, and a few were learning to walk and run for the first time, according to KCAL. The owner allegedly sold dogs for "thousands of dollars each" via Instagram.

GOOD DOG: Guide dog puppies create a stir as they ride Muni Metro downtown

Both French and English bulldogs are a popular breed, and are known to be sold for high prices by breeders to eager customers. Some debate whether bulldogs and pugs  which both sport the "brachycephalic" flat-faced look  should be bred at all, as both animals have considerable health issues related to their narrow nostrils.

The homeowner had not been cited yet, according to the Register, but could potentially be charged with felony animal cruelty. The bulldogs are expected to go up for adoption soon.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

This story was first published on DailyCal.org.

Hash Khan lives in a school bus. Transforming it from an ordinary, yellow bus into a sky-blue, mobile house, Khan's home is charming, if not alluring, to those of us who have settled for cramped rooms at steep rental costs.

"I paid $800 for the bus and spent about $1000 rebuilding it. ... That comes out to around $2000 total, which is two months' rent," Khan, a campus junior, said of his new home. "It still drives. I plan on taking it to places and, like, doing road trips in it."

The circumstances leading up to Khan living in a bus, however, were not as glamorous.

Khan transferred into UC Berkeley last year, only to find that he had to spend at least $13,984 for an on-campus dorm in a triple  about $1,500 per month.

"It's insane to be spending more than my parents' mortgage on a spot in a triple," Khan said. "(I'm) pretty annoyed and frustrated."

Now Playing: A federal judge today temporarily blocked BART from evicting a prominent homeless encampment on their property in Berkeley at the Oakland border. Video: KTVU

Yet, living in a triple is the most-accessible, cheapest option for on-campus housing. The next-best option would be to look for an apartment off campus, but according to the U.S. Census, from 2011 to 2015, the median gross rent in Berkeley per month was $1,362, almost as expensive as on-campus housing.

After his first year at UC Berkeley, Khan tried searching for another apartment, though he found it difficult with the constant rise of rent and the lack of sufficient financial aid.

"I definitely think (costs of living) should definitely be taken more into account," Khan said. "Estimates (from the universities)  I don't think are really accurate."

The shortage of apartments and soaring costs of rent left Khan to find his own means of shelter, forcing him to live in the his car during the first months of the semester.

While living in his car, he scoured Craigslist for vans  gaining inspiration from the growing trend of "#vanlife" on social media.

"Once I realized I wouldn't be finding an apartment, I was pretty fixed on getting a van so I just went on Craigslist almost every day, and then I found the bus about two months into the semester," Khan said.

It took Khan two months before he received his financial aid.

After remaining persistent in buying the bus and dedicating a strenuous amount of work and resources into refurbishing the school bus, Khan was able to settle into his "home-bus" a little less than a month ago.

"One thing you would hope to get out of an apartment is that you're paying more than a $1000 for, is for it not to be run-down," Khan explained. "That's not always the case. My last apartment building was pretty s----y and I significantly like this bus more. ... I even liked my car more."

UC Berkeley does not seem to be effectively helping its students face the housing crisis, as the university has been notoriously slow in distributing financial aid  a critical source for paying housing costs. According to Khan, it took him two months before he received his financial aid.

"Making sure financial aid is disbursed on time would be extremely helpful," Khan said. "I do understand because the financial aid offices are so understaffed, but at the same time, many of us have to face these harsh realities because of it."

Further stagnating the crisis, the university offers merely 27 percent of undergraduates to live in on-campus housing. Not only that, but the least-expensive option for living on campus is roughly 15 percent more than the city of Berkeley's median rental cost.

Yet, UC Berkeley will only grant a maximum amount in financial aid of $1,412 per month for off-campus housing, neglecting the fact that approximately 40.8 percent of the city's rental cost is above $1,500. Not to mention the fact that nearly half of the city's population must use 35 percent or more of their income toward their rent, and many full-time students simply do not have the time to work to combat these staggering housing prices.

Because of the lack of affordable and quality housing, perhaps more students need to resort to living in their cars or in buses. Khan, however, acknowledges that this option is not feasible for everyone.

"Even in my current situation, I'm still speaking from a privileged position. Being a tall and somewhat intimidating guy, I can get away with what I'm doing," Khan said. "In fact, the women who park with us, generally they'll park their cars closer to just feel safer. I can't even imagine how much harder it might be being a smaller person or a woman. So while I have a positive spin, it's definitely not something that is not this positive for everyone."

"You really can't do anything if you don't have stable housing first."  Begonia Herbert

Khan's observations proves to be true. For Begonia Herbert, a campus junior transfer student, it grew more apparent that living without a home even excludes certain people.

Herbert had proven to be a bright young woman pursuing work in social welfare and psychology. Yet, according to Herbert, after growing up under unstable family circumstances, she was left homeless, exacerbating the difficulties she was already enduring.

"You really can't do anything if you don't have stable housing first," Begonia said. "I couldn't live with my grandma because she was developing Alzheimer's, and then I just had to drop out."

According to a 2013 study conducted at UCLA, students often experiencing homelessness correlates directly with poor academic performance. Those who face unsteady housing situations are more likely to graduate later, ultimately affecting the opportunities they will have in the future.

With the futures of countless college students affected by the housing crisis, the question remains as to how the university must act. Herbert said she would prefer to have the university focus on providing basic needs for the students already accepted into the university before obtaining more students.

"On one hand, I think the university's intentions are good, but on the other, their implementation is not," Herbert expressed. "You can't give students the same quality education if you can't get their basic needs met."

In spite of the intensifying housing crisis and the scarce housing options UC Berkeley offers, Herbert and Khan both are positive the campus is doing the best that it can by responding to the cost of living in the Bay Area. In fact, Khan said, since moving in, he has embraced living in a bus, despite how unconventional it is.

"It really taught me how to live minimalist life ... just my lifestyle and habits have changed for the better, so I can't complain," Khan said. "I definitely wouldn't mind living in the bus indefinitely."

Contact Katrina Fadrilan at kfadrilan@dailycal.org and follow her on Twitter at @katfadrilanDC.
Uber completed a deal Sunday to sell a significant stake of itself to SoftBank, a Japanese conglomerate, paving the way for the ride-hailing company to make sweeping governance changes and to go public by 2019.

Under the agreement, a consortium of investors led by SoftBank will buy at least 14 percent of Uber through a combination of new and existing stock, according to three people briefed on the process, who spoke on condition of anonymity because those details are confidential. SoftBank plans to buy about $1 billion of fresh stock at Ubers current valuation of about $68.5 billion, but the bulk of the deal will be purchasing existing Uber shares from current investors.

SoftBank is to buy the existing Uber shares in a process called a tender offer, which takes at least a month to complete. During that process, a price will be set for the existing Uber shares. If investors are reluctant to sell and SoftBank cannot hit its threshold of 14 percent ownership of Uber, SoftBank can walk away from the deal.

Weve entered into an agreement with a consortium led by SoftBank and Dragoneer on a potential investment, said Matt Kallman, an Uber spokesman. We believe this agreement is a strong vote of confidence in Ubers long-term potential. Upon closing, it will help fuel our investments in technology and our continued expansion at home and abroad, while strengthening our corporate governance.

The agreement follows an Oct. 3 Uber board meeting, in which directors voted to move forward with an investment from SoftBank. As part of the deal, Ubers board agreed to sweeping governance changes, including measures that reduce the influence that Travis Kalanick, Ubers former chief executive, has at the company. He still has a seat on the companys board. The SoftBank investment also sets up Uber to go public by 2019, another provision that was contingent on the deal.

Benchmark, initially wanted to retain certain shareholder rights that it holds through its Uber stock, according to two of the people briefed on the discussions. Benchmark and others ultimately agreed to waive those rights in exchange for concessions from SoftBank over the tender offer process, the people said.

Benchmark has agreed not to work with other investors to prop up the price during the tender offer. The firm will also suspend the lawsuit that it filed against Kalanick, and drop the suit upon completion of the tender offer.

SoftBank plans to purchase the Uber shares along with other investors, including Dragoneer, an investment firm. SoftBank will gain two Uber board seats as part of the investment.

Uber does not necessarily need new money, as it has raised more than $10 billion in debt and equity and has about $5 billion in the bank. But the SoftBank investment will let some of the companys investors sell their shares to lock in huge gains. Early employees also stand to sell for significant sums.

Katie Benner and Mike Isaac are New York Times writers.
Tailored lawns and trimmed shrubbery are no match for the hoofs of a hungry hog.

Hordes of wild pigs have returned to Bay Area neighborhoods once again. They seek a midnight snack, buried beneath the trappings of suburbia, and they've been infuriating locals and their carefully landscaped yards for years.

"During the dry season, it's harder for them to root for grubs and acorns," said California Fish and Wildlife spokesperson Peter Tira of the hogs, who venture from their open space habitats and bulldoze well-watered front lawns for nourishment.

The expanding hog territories had been blamed on the drought in recent years, but an especially wet winter in Northern California this year has not deterred the pigs' wave of destruction. California's five-year drought has ended, but the pigs remain.

Neighbors in San Ramon, San Jose and Castro Valley have reported especially vicious pig packs in their communities, Tira said.

"I think we might be fighting a losing battle. Every day it's getting worse and worse," Cindy Smith, who lives in San Ramon's Westside Drive neighborhood, told ABC. Another San Ramon resident told the new site he's seen about 25 pigs around his Norris Canyon Estates neighborhood. Both of the communities are adjacent to open spaces.

About 40 miles south, in San Jose's East Foothills, residents told KTVU it's not uncommon to spot a dozen or so pigs "grubbing" late at night. And if you don't see them, you'll certainly spot their damage in the morning.

Though harmful to the scenery, the pigs aren't known to terrorize humans and their pets, said Steve Burdo of Contra Costa Animal Services.

"We've gotten a couple of calls this year for unusually aggressive pigs," he said, but their aggression was directed at the landscape.

Tira said the region has been attempting to get a handle on the hog issue for years, but wrangling the wild animals out of neighborhoods "takes time." Fish and Wildlife has issued countless depredation permits, which gives permit holders authority to kill the pigs, to private landowners, parks and even cities. In 2017, a private contractor hired by San Ramon has trapped or hunted 16 pigs thus far.

To ward off the pigs, Tira recommends turning off your sprinklers to make your landscape less attractive to the animals (and likely your neighbors, as well). With California moving into winter and its promises of rainfall, Tira said he's hopeful that "conditions will improve in the open spaces and pigs will be less inclined to leave."

Michelle Robertson is an SFGATE staff writer. Email her at mrobertson@sfchronicle.com or find her on Twitter at @mrobertsonsf.
When you cant

beat em, inhale

The former chief marketing officer for Anheuser-Busch InBev, the brewer of Budweiser, is moving from barley and hops to cannabis as the alcohol industry casts its sights on the burgeoning market for state-sanctioned marijuana. Chris Burggraeve, has made two investments in the field, including joining the advisory board of San Franciscos GreenRush Group. The startup, which wants to be the Amazon of weed, closed a $3.6 million financing round last week.

Number of the day

$50 million

Thats how much Bill Gates says hes giving help fight Alzheimers disease. The Microsoft co-founder said Monday that the donation to the Dementia Discovery Fund is personal and not through his charitable foundation. The London fund is backed by government, charities and pharmaceutical firms and seeks new treatments for the disease. Gates said he hopes Alzheimers can be a chronic condition treatable with medication.

A tempest in a coffee, uh, maker

If you see tweets with #boycottkeurig, its not from an episode of When Coffee Goes Bad. Its because the maker of coffee brewers decided to stop advertising on Sean Hannitys Fox News program. That came after Hannity defended (at least briefly) Roy Moore, the Alabama Senate candidate who reportedly made sexual advances toward teenage girls when he was in his early 30s, including a 14-year-old. Some Hannity fans started the hashtag and made videos of themselves destroying Keurig coffee makers. Realtor.com also pulled its ads, but so far there have been no videos of people destroying their homes.

Daily Briefing is compiled from San Francisco Chronicle staff and news services. See more items and links at www.sfgate.com. Twitter: @techchronicle
The sequel to Marvel's San Francisco-set 2015 superhero flick "Ant-Man," to be titled "Ant-Man and the Wasp," is back filming in the city, and locals are flocking to the scene.

Some say they've spotted stars Paul Rudd (Scott Lang/Ant-Man), Evangeline Lilly (Hope Pym/The Wasp), and Michael Douglas (Hank Pym) on set of the forthcoming film and have snapped some photos and shot video of the production in progress.
ADKINS, Texas  The line of cars already stretched for miles before noon when Gage Laubach and his two friends approached a tiny church outside San Antonio where they heard a barbecue was being held to raise money for victims of last weekends mass shooting at a church in the nearby town of Sutherland Springs.

The three marveled at the steady stream of cars still coming in Saturday evening, hours after the Smokin Angels BBQ Ministry opened its doors at Saint Marks Lutheran Church in Adkins.

Organizers announced the event online only a few days earlier. But within an hour, the group ran out of the 5,000 pounds of meat volunteers stayed up smoking overnight. Another quick post on social media, and more than 6,500 pounds of additional meat arrived: turkeys, chickens, slabs of beef and pork. The cars  and donations  kept coming.

I dont know if weve slept in the last three days, but we felt a calling, said Mike Ritch, a professional chef who created Smokin Angels BBQ Ministry after Hurricane Harvey battered the Texas coast. Ritch estimated tens of thousands of meals would be served by the end of the night.

The effort raised money for families of the more than two dozen people killed when a gunman opened fire last weekend inside First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, a tiny community about 15 miles southeast of Adkins.

Theyre lost right now, and not much can take that away. But if they see this support, theyll see that their neighbors care, said Labauch, who along with his friends unfurled a 30-foot Texas flag that billowed over the parking lot. People honked and stopped to take photos and selfies with the flag before heading into the to-go line or to sit at the community style folding tables.

Plates were priced at $10, but Ritch said dozens of people came through the line and paid more for to-go orders. He said all of the money will go directly to the families.

There was one guy who came through the line and ordered four plates, and he gave us $400, Ritch said, grinning. Theres not just one story of generosity worth telling. Its everyone who came. Its people who sent donations from California or Washington, and one guy who came from Georgia.

Ritch said Sunday that the exact tally hadnt been determined, but it exceeded their $50,000 goal.

Ritch and his wife, Paula Reinecke, also a chef, started the ministry in September after volunteering during the recovery efforts for Hurricane Harvey. The two helped serve 79,000 meals in three days of volunteering in Houston during the flooding after Harvey.

Claudia Lauer is an Associated Press writer.
WASHINGTON  Attorney General Jeff Sessions returns to Capitol Hill this week amid growing evidence of contacts between Russians and associates of President Trump, bracing for an onslaught of lawmaker questions about how much he knew of that outreach during last years White House campaign.

The appearance before the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday follows a guilty plea from one Trump campaign aide who served on a foreign policy council that Sessions chaired, as well as statements from another adviser who said hed advised the then-GOP Alabama senator about an upcoming trip to Russia.

Those details complicate Sessions effort to downplay knowledge of the campaigns foreign contacts, and Democratic lawmakers who already contended the attorney general had not been forthcoming with them have signaled that questions about the new revelations are likely to dominate what could otherwise have been a routine oversight hearing.

These facts appear to contradict your sworn testimony on several occasions, Democrats from the committee said in a letter to Sessions last week.

Republicans, for their part, may press Sessions on the Justice Departments handling of an investigation into Hillary Clintons email practices as well as an Obama-era uranium deal that has invited GOP scrutiny.

Sessions, an early Trump backer who led a foreign policy advisory council during the campaign, has been shadowed for months by questions about his own communications with Russians and by contacts of others in the Trump orbit. That issue has been at the forefront of each of his congressional hearings, and Tuesdays appearance is unlikely to be an exception.

At his January confirmation hearing, Sessions told Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., that I did not have communications with the Russians during the campaign and said he was unaware of contacts between others in the campaign and Russia. Yet he recused himself in March from overseeing the Justice Departments investigation into potential coordination between the Trump campaign and the Kremlin after acknowledging two previously undisclosed encounters with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak.

Democratic members of the House Judiciary Committee advised Sessions in a letter last week that they intended to press him on what they said were inconsistencies between the attorney generals past statements and the new revelations.

Eric Tucker is an Associated Press writer.
WASHINGTON  Turning to an industry he has rebuked, President Trump on Monday picked a former top pharmaceutical and government executive to be his health and human services secretary, overseeing a $1 trillion department responsible for major health insurance programs, medical research, food and drug safety, and public health.

The nomination of Alex Azar is unusual because HHS secretaries have tended to come from the ranks of elected officials such as governors, leaders in academia and medicine, or top executive branch managers  not industries regulated by the department.

He will be a star for better healthcare and lower drug prices! Trump tweeted in announcing the nomination Monday.

Trump has a track record of making industry-friendly nominations, such as tapping former ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson as secretary of state and wealthy investor Wilbur Ross as secretary of commerce. But Trump also has been a scathing critic of the pharmaceutical industry, both as a candidate and as president.

Azar, 50, a lawyer by training, has spent most of the past 10 years with pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly, rising to president of its key U.S. affiliate before leaving in January to start his own consulting firm. Hes seen as an expert on government health care regulation.

As secretary, Azar would be returning to HHS after serving in senior department posts in the George W. Bush administration. Now he would have to scrupulously avoid conflicts with Lillys far-reaching interests, from drug approval to Medicare reimbursement. The drugmaker has drawn criticism from patient advocacy groups for price increases to one of its biggest products: insulin.

Azars nominations to HHS in the Bush era sailed through the Senate. This time, hell face Democrats wary of the administrations unyielding quest to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

The Trump administrations track record on health care to date is objectively abysmal, said Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon, senior Democrat on the Finance Committee, which would send Azars nomination to the full Senate. I will closely scrutinize Mr. Azars record.

Sen. Patty Patty Murray, D-Wash., flagged a potential conflict of interest. I am ... interested in how, given Mr. Azars professional background, he believes he can fairly execute any significant effort to lower drug prices for patients, she said in a statement.

Trump has been a sharp critic of the industry. The drug companies, frankly, are getting away with murder, he said at a Cabinet meeting this fall. Prices are out of control and have gone through the roof, Trump said.

Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar is an Associated Press writer.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

BERKELEY (BCN)

A female student was robbed of a laptop Wednesday evening on the campus of the University of California at Berkeley, police said.

Officers responded at 7:10 p.m. after someone reported a robbery at the Clark Kerr Campus Building No. 4, a student housing building.

ALSO: Woman killed in hit-and-run in South San Francisco

Police said the victim was trying to open an entry door to the building when the robber approached her from behind.

The male suspect grabbed the victim's laptop bag from her shoulder, ran toward Dwight Way and got into a car.

MORE: Student beaten unconscious at UC Berkeley residence hall

The car was last seen going east on Dwight Way.

Police said they searched the area but did not find the suspect's vehicle or the suspects.

The student was not injured. Police said the male suspect was 5 feet 10 inches tall with a thin build and was wearing a black jacket.
A freight train loaded with timber set off on a 9110 km journey from Finland to China for the first time on Friday.

A freight train loaded with timber set off on a 9110 km journey from Finland to China for the first time on Friday. A freight train loaded with timber sets off from Finland to China on Friday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn] The train, pulling 41 containers, left Kouvola in southeastern Finland and is expected to arrive in Xi'an via Kazakhstan and Russia in 17 days.

The Kouvola-Xi'an link is the first railway link to join China with the Nordic countries. It is operated by Kazakhstan Railway (KTZ Express) and jointly organised by Xi'an International Trade & Logistic Park and Kouvola Innovation Ltd.

The service will run once a week, with one train departing from Kouvola on Thursdays and another from Xi'an on Wednesdays.

More Scandinavian goods including electronic devices, spare parts, and agricultural specialties such as blueberry and salmon will be exported to China through Xi'an and equivalent cargos from Western China will be exported to the Nordic countries.

Antti Hakkanen, the minister of justice of Finland, said he is extremely pleased to see the new route opening between Kouvola and China. "Major global trends, such as digitalisation, automation and sustainable development, are going to have a significant impact also on the logistics and transport services of the future," he said.

"The new route will enhance the efficiency of transportation and bring a competitive edge to rail transport. I am convinced that this new Silk Road between Finland and China will prosper and flourish."

As the starting point of the original Silk Road trading route, Xi'an plays an important role in the Belt and Road initiative and is also a major road transport hub.

Nancy Li, general director from Scan-China International Link, said that Xi'an is poised to "connect east and west" as the new route provides both reliability and efficiency.
Members of the ASEAN are the prior and primary partners of China in promoting the Belt and Road Initiative, Chinese Ambassador to ASEAN Xu Bu said.

Members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are the prior and primary partners of China in promoting the Belt and Road Initiative, Chinese Ambassador to ASEAN Xu Bu told Xinhua in an interview ahead of the 31st ASEAN summit and related meetings from Nov. 10 to Nov. 14.

Chinese Ambassador to ASEAN Xu Bu. [File photo/Xinhua]

ASEAN's development plans, including ASEAN Community Vision 2025, AEC Blueprint 2025 and Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity 2025, are highly compatible with the objectives of China's Belt and Road Initiative, China and ASEAN have both agreed to integrate and mutually promote the development strategies of both sides, Xu said.

According to him, the Belt and Road Initiative has made remarkable progress and achievements in ASEAN countries in five aspects.

Firstly, with effective policy communication, the Belt and Road Initiative and ASEAN countries are forming a multi-level inter-governmental communication mechanism.

Secondly, the construction of infrastructure interconnectivity has been speeding up along with China's high-speed rail "going out" and a series of flagship projects being implemented.

Thirdly, with the China-ASEAN deal to upgrade their free trade agreement (FTA) formally going into force, the two sides have been closely pushing forward production capacity cooperation with industrial parks as key projects, and rapidly enhancing trade and investment.

Furthermore, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank has attracted participation and support of all ASEAN countries, providing a firm guarantee for financial integration.

Besides, with cultural exchanges and tourism as a link, non-governmental contact between the two sides is becoming increasingly active, laying the social foundation for people-to-people bonds.

The Belt and Road Initiative, put forward in 2013, is aimed at building the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road by promoting trade, financial integration, infrastructure inter-connectivity and people-to-people exchanges among continents.

A recent report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development showed that ASEAN would need infrastructure investment of 60 billion to 146 billion U.S. dollars per annum up until 2025.

China has been providing assistance in railway infrastructure projects to ASEAN countries, including Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, the Philippines and Laos. These include Indonesia's Jakarta-Bandung High Speed Rail link, Malaysia's East Coast Rail, China-Thai high speed railway, and China-Laos railway, according to China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).

Established on Aug. 8, 1967, ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Leaders from the 10 ASEAN member countries and ASEAN dialogue partners gather in Manila from Nov. 10 to Nov. 14 for the 31st ASEAN summit, the 12th East Asia summit and related meetings. Strengthening Regional integration and global free trade, security issues, among others, will be the major topics.
CANBERRA, Australia  All Australian senators have three weeks to prove they were not foreign nationals when elected under an agreement the major political parties reached Monday to resolve a deepening citizenship crisis that could upend the government.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbulls conservative coalition could lose two seats at by-elections next month after lawmaker John Alexander on Saturday resigned from Parliament because he had likely inherited British citizenship from his English-born father.

Australia is rare if not unique in the world in banning dual nationals from sitting in Parliament. Pressure is growing to reform the 116-year-old constitution amid the growing uncertainty over how many by-elections might result from the current crisis and which party might end up forming a government.

Turnbulls conservative Liberal Party and the center-left opposition Labor Party agreed to set a Dec. 1 deadline for senators to provide documented evidence that they are solely Australian citizens. Australian-born lawmakers will have to provide details of their parents and grandparents dates and countries of birth to demonstrate that they have not inherited a second nationality. Immigrant lawmakers must document steps they have taken to renounce their original nationalities.

Acting Prime Minister Julie Bishop said she expected the House of Representatives would endorse a similar citizenship registry when it next sits on Nov. 27.

Turnbull said he would have preferred if the High Court had accepted the governments argument last month that ignorance of a second nationality should be an excuse for breaching a ban on dual citizens that was designed to exclude lawmakers with divided loyalties.

I wouldve preferred they took a different approach, Turnbull told reporters in the Philippines where he attended a Pacific Rim leaders summit. But what they say is the law and our job now is to comply with it and what we are doing is going through a process that will enable everybody to put all the relevant facts on the line.

Any lawmakers who remain under a cloud after declaring their citizenship status would be referred to the High Court to decide whether they were legally elected. A series of by-elections that could change the government could be scheduled for a single weekend early next year.

The dual citizenship ban was a rare issue until recently, but the High Court last month disqualified five lawmakers, including Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce, in a rejection of the governments argument that ignorance of an inherited nationality was an acceptable excuse.

Rod McGuirk is an Associated Press writer.
TEHRAN  Rescuers dug with their bare hands Monday through the debris of buildings brought down by a powerful earthquake that killed more than 400 people in the once-contested mountainous border region between Iraq and Iran, with nearly all of the victims in an area rebuilt since the end of the ruinous 1980s war.

Sunday nights magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck about 19 miles outside the eastern Iraqi city of Halabja, according to the most recent measurements from the U.S. Geological Survey. It hit at 9:48 p.m., just as people were going to bed, at a depth of 14.4 miles.

The worst damage appeared to be in the Kurdish town of Sarpol-e-Zahab in the western Iranian province of Kermanshah, which sits in the Zagros Mountains that divide Iran and Iraq.

Residents fled into the streets as the quake struck, without time to grab their possessions, as apartment complexes collapsed into rubble. Outside walls of some complexes were sheared off by the quake, power and water lines were severed, and telephone service was disrupted.

Residents dug frantically through wrecked buildings for survivors. Firefighters from Tehran joined other rescuers in the desperate search, using dogs to inspect the rubble.

The hospital in Sarpol-e-Zahab was heavily damaged, and the army set up field hospitals, although many of the injured were moved to other cities, including Tehran.

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei immediately dispatched all government and military forces to aid those affected.

Many of the heavily damaged complexes in Sarpol-e-Zahab were part of construction projects under former hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The newly homeless slept outside in the cold, huddled around makeshift fires for warmth.

The quake killed 407 people in Iran and injured 7,156 others, Irans crisis management headquarters spokesman Behnam Saeedi told state TV. Most of the injuries were minor, he said, with fewer than 1,000 still hospitalized.

But the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported 445 dead and 7,370 injured. There was no immediate explanation of the discrepancy, although double-counting of victims is common during such disasters in Iran.

In Iraq, the earthquake killed at least seven people and injured 535 others, all in the countrys northern, semiautonomous Kurdish region, according to its Interior Ministry.

Nasser Karimi and Amir Vahdat are Associated Press writers.
SEOUL  North Korean soldiers shot at and wounded a fellow soldier who was crossing a jointly controlled area at the heavily guarded border to defect to South Korea on Monday, the Souths military said.

North Korean soldiers have occasionally defected to South Korea. But its rare for a North Korean soldier to defect via the Joint Security Area, where border guards of the rival Koreas stand facing each other just feet away, and be shot by fellow North Korean soldiers.

The soldier bolted from a guard post on the northern side of Panmunjom village in the Joint Security Area to the southern side of the village, South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement. He was shot in the shoulder and elbow and was taken to a South Korean hospital, the Souths Defense Ministry said. It wasnt immediately known how serious the soldiers injuries were or why he decided to defect.

South Korean troops found the injured soldier south of the border after hearing sounds of gunfire, a South Korean Defense Ministry official said, requesting anonymity. South Korean troops didnt fire at the North, he said.

The defection came at a time of heightened tension over North Koreas nuclear weapons program, and could escalate animosities between the rival countries. North Korea has typically accused South Korea of enticing its citizens to defect, something the South denies.

About 30,000 North Koreans have defected to South Korea since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War, but most travel through China.

Panmunjom, once an obscure farming village inside the 2-mile-wide Demilitarized Zone that separates the two Koreas, is where an armistice was signed to pause the Korean War. Jointly controlled by the American-led U.N. Command and North Korea, the DMZ is guarded on both sides by hundreds of thousands of combat-ready troops, razor-wire fences and tank traps. More than a million mines are believed to be buried inside the zone.

American presidents often visit Panmunjom and other DMZ areas during their trips to South Korea to reaffirm their security commitment to the South. President Trump planned to visit the DMZ to underscore his stance against North Koreas nuclear program when he came to South Korea last week as part of an Asian tour, but his plans were thwarted by heavy fog.

Hyung-Jin Kim is an Associated Press writer.
JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images

MANILA  Winding down his visit to Asia, President Trump repeatedly praised Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, called him by his first name, shared a joke with him about the media and even complimented Manilas weather. What he did not do Monday was what many of his predecessors made a point of doing while abroad: publicly highlight human rights abuses.

Duterte has overseen a bloody drug war that has featured extrajudicial killings. But during brief remarks to reporters, Trump said he and Duterte have had a great relationship, and he avoided questions about whether hed raise human rights concerns with the Filipino leader during a private meeting on the sidelines of a summit of Southeast Asian leaders.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

SANAA, Yemen  Saudi Arabia announced Monday that the coalition fighting Shiite rebels in Yemen will begin reopening airports and seaports in the Arab worlds poorest country, days after closing them over a rebel ballistic missile attack on Riyadh.

The announcement from the Saudi mission at the United Nations came after the coalition fighting Yemens rebels, known as Houthis, faced widespread international criticism over the closure, with the U.N. and more than 20 aid groups saying it could bring millions of people closer to starvation and death.

The first step in this process will be taken within 24 hours and involves reopening all the ports in areas controlled by Yemens internationally recognized government, which the coalition backs, read the missions statement.

Those ports are in the cities of Aden, Mocha and Mukalla. For ports in rebel-held or disputed territories, the mission said it has asked the United Nations to send a team of experts to discuss ways to make sure weapons cant be smuggled in.

The Saudi-led coalition hopes that will prevent the smuggling of weapons, ammunitions, missile parts and cash that are regularly being supplied by Iran and Iranian accomplices to the Houthi rebels, the statement said.

Despite the Saudi announcement, a top leader of Yemens Shiite rebels on Monday vowed retaliation against the oil-rich kingdom over its disastrous blockade of his war-torn country. The war has killed more than 10,000 civilians, displaced 3 million people and left much of the infrastructure in ruins.

The fiery comments by Saleh al-Sammad, the head of the Presidency Council of the Houthis, came during a rally of thousands of rebel supporters marching in the capital, Sanaa.

Al-Sammad said that with the blockade, the coalition shut down all doors for peace and dialogue. The more the blockade tightens, he said, the more the Houthis will develop their abilities to respond to the assault of the enemy.

After two years of a devastating war, the Houthis still control much of Yemens north while the south falls under embattled President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, whose government is recognized by the international community and who is supported by the Saudi-led coalition.

Saudi Arabia announced it shut down all ports after a Houthi ballistic missile attack near Riyadhs international airport. The missile was intercepted but Saudi Arabia and the U.S. both accused Iran of supplying the missile, saying it bore Iranian markings.

Ahmed Al-Haj is an Associated Press writer.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The Girl Scouts of Greater New York (GSGNY) has named Giavanna Corazza, a 16-year-old Dongan Hills resident, as the 2017 Future Woman of Distinction at the 25th Annual Breakfast Celebrating Women Leaders in New York City.

Giavanna represents the values of the Girl Scouts through her commitment to community service and demonstrated leadership, including her tobacco control advocacy and her Gold Award project creating activity kits for children in her local hospital.

For 25 years, GSGNY has held the Women of Distinction event in celebration of Girl Scout founder Juliette Gordon Low's birthday. Giavanna was honored alongside five women at GSGNY's annual Women of Distinction Breakfast at Cipriani's in Manhattan.

"Throughout her years as a Girl Scout, Giavanna has shown a tremendous commitment to advocacy and community service, and demonstrated the impact a girl can have when she uses her voice," said Meridith Maskara, CEO of GSGNY. "We are proud to call her the 2017 Future Woman of Distinction."

THE TOOLS TO EXCEL: Giavanna has been a Girl Scout since the age of five, before which she attended troop meetings led by her grandmother. Over the years, Girl Scouting gave Giavanna the tools to excel in academics, lead in extracurricular activities, and to flourish in her community advocacy work.

"I'm so honored to be recognized as a Future Woman of Distinction, and be counted among a group of young women who I aspired to be like growing up," said Giavanna. "To me Girl Scouts is not just a program, it's a way of life. Girl Scouting has shaped my perception of the world, pushed me out of my comfort zone, and taught me the power of my own voice."

Giavanna credits Girl Scouts with instilling in her a desire to create change, which is best exemplified by her tobacco control advocacy activities.

After seeing first-hand the effects of tobacco use on her grandfather, Giavanna joined the Tobacco-Free Staten Island youth group, a division of Reality Check of New York, a statewide tobacco control program with a strong youth component.

Since joining in 2014, Giavanna has inspired other classmates to get involved, has taken part in rallies in Manhattan, presented to community boards, spoken with elected officials in Albany, and received Reality Check's Youth Advocate of the Year Award for the Metropolitan Region.

Giavanna attended the 2017 National Youth Advocacy Symposium in Washington, D.C., and was selected as the National Youth Ambassador to represent the state of New York.

WORKING TOWARD A GOLD STAR: Giavanna is currently working on a project to earn her Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award in Girl Scouting. The project is focused on assembling activity packages for children who are in the pediatric units at Staten Island University Hospital. She is organizing classmates, fellow Girl Scout troops, and family, friends and community members to help in the effort. Giavanna was awarded her silver award for making dozens of blankets for children with terminal illnesses.

Additionally, Giavanna is actively involved in her school community at St. Joseph Hill Academy, where she is a senior.

She is an executive committee member for Friends of Staten Island, a cooperative service organization between her school and Monsignor Farrell High School, which is responsible for planning community events that support four local Staten Island charities.

Giavanna also serves as president of her school's Spanish Club. In August, Giavanna and 16 of her junior and senior classmates traveled to Robbins, Tenn. to volunteer with Appalachia Habitat for Humanity, helping to build homes for local families.

Giavanna plans on pursuing a major in biomedical engineering in college and looks forward to continuing her advocacy work.

Four finalists for the 2017 Future Women of Distinction Award are also being recognized by GSGNY. They are: Anastasia Amalia Dakis, Elizabeth Karpen, Grace McGrath and Xiu Tiu Wang.

MORE ABOUT THE GSGNY: The Girl Scouts of Greater New York is New York City's premier girls' leadership organization, reaching more than 28,000 girls ages 5 to 17 in every zip code of the five boroughs.

Girl Scouts enjoy STEM, business and entrepreneurship, environmental leadership and outdoor education, take-action, and global citizenship programs, as well as activities across 1,200 troops led by more than 8,200 volunteers. In 2017, the Girl Scout Cookie Program turns 100 years old.

The program is the largest girl-led business in the world and teaches girls five essential business skills. Today's Girl Scouts learn to lead with courage, confidence, and character to make their communities and the world a better place. Visitwww.girlscoutsnyc.org to learn more.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- As part of a federal court battle with the contractor it fired in May, the New York Wheel is seeking engineering documents to make sure parts used for the 630-foot-high tourist attraction were fabricated correctly, according to court papers.

A high-stakes feud over project delays and work payments between the New York Wheel's developer and the project's fired contractor, the Holland-based Mammoet-Starneth, has been playing out in federal court since May.

Mammoet-Starneth had suspended work on May 26 and threatened to terminate the contract. The company alleged NY Wheel had failed to make required payments, the complaint said. The company alleges the NY Wheel owes $38 million for work completed, according to court documents.

Subsequently, the NY Wheel fired Mammoet-Starneth, and filed a counter lawsuit in federal court.

INJUNCTION REQUEST

The NY Wheel is asking a federal judge to grant an injunction that will compel Mammoet-Starneth to hand over engineering information to a potential new contractor, American Bridge Company. NY Wheel contends the information is vital to finish the project, said court papers.

"NYW [New York Wheel] contends not only that it is entitled to these documents pursuant to the parties agreement, but also that they are discoverable in this action and necessary, among other things, to confirm that the Wheel components at issue in NYW's motion for a preliminary injunction were fabricated according to a sound erection methodology -- i.e., to confirm that these components can eventually be assembled into a functioning observation wheel on Staten Island," wrote Anne Champion, a partner at the law firm Gibson and Dunn, which represents New York Wheel in its lawsuit against Mammoet-Starneth, in a Nov. 6 letter to Judge Jesse M. Furman.

Champion said in the letter that the NY Wheel is asking that "certain erection engineering documents," be handed over to the potential new contractor, American Bridge Company -- a company that built the Vegas High Roller -- in order to finish the job.

The next court date is for a pre-trial conference on Tuesday, according to court papers.

COURT SQUABBLES

Mammoet-Starneth contends the NY Wheel "poorly supervised the project" in court documents.

"There was a material risk that its crane and equipment would sink into the ground and/or the ground would give out underneath them,'squeezing' the subsoil, along with the crane (and possibly the Wheel) out into the New York Harbor," said Mammoet-Starneth in court papers.

CRANES REMOVED

Recently, Mammoet-Starneth's enormous cranes -- of which few exist in the world -- were removed from the site. Since then, the project has been indefinitely delayed, and will not meet it's last predicted opening of Spring, 2018. So far, the Wheel has drained $400 million of its $580 million funding pot.

'ADVANCED NEGOTIATIONS'

It seems that these construction documents are holding up the signing of a contract between the NY Wheel and American Bridge Company.

"The New York Wheel is in advanced negotiation with American Bridge Company, the builder of the Las Vegas High Roller Observation Wheel and the new Tappan Zee Bridge, to take over and complete the erection of The New York Wheel," said Cristyne Nicholas, spokesperson for the New York Wheel, on Tuesday.

FOLLOW TRACEY PORPORA ON FACEBOOK
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- In honor of Veterans Day, the NYPD on Staten Island recently organized a trip for local high schoolers to visit the USS The Sullivans and USS Hue City, the two U.S. Navy ships docked at The Sullivans pier in Stapleton.

Students from Curtis, Wagner and Concord high schools toured both ships and met the sailors.

"Our students from Curtis High School, Susan Wagner and Concord gained invaluable life lessons today and walked away with a new-found respect for all veterans," said Kevin Moran, the director of Staten Island's borough field support center for the Department of Education.

Given the opportunity to "meet members of the U.S. Navy and thank them for their service was a great honor for our students," he added.

The Sullivans (DDG-68) is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its commissioning. The vessel, named to honor five brothers from Waterloo, Iowa, who served together on the USS Juneau and lost their lives during World War II, arrived in New York on Thursday.

The USS Hue City (CG-66) was commissioned in September 1991 and is the only ship named after a battle of the Vietnam war, according to uscarriers.net.

Members of the Navy have been performing multiple acts of community outreach since docking in New York.

"The Department of Education is incredibly thankful to the NYPD and U.S. Navy for the tremendous opportunity to engage with the servicemen and servicewomen of the USS The Sullivans and USS Hue City," Moran said.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A Stapleton teen who shot and wounded two other teens in his community on Easter Sunday was sentenced Monday to 42 months in prison after a justice rejected his lawyer's plea for leniency.

Justice Wayne Ozzi denied a bid by Joshua Gourdine's lawyer to sentence the 17-year-old defendant as a youthful offender to 16 months to four years behind bars. In addition, the conviction would not have gone on his criminal record, and his court file would have been sealed.

"We are asking you to give him a chance," attorney Eliza Pacheco implored Ozzi in state Supreme Court, St. George. "He doesn't have the decision-making capacity that an adult has. That's why youthful offender [sentencing] exists. ... He's a very bright and motivated child now that he has people caring for him."

But Ozzi noted Gourdine, then 16, was already on probation as issued by a Family Court judge for his role in an unrelated gang-assault case when he shot the victims on April 16.

Youthful offender status, Ozzi said, is designed for "youthful indiscretions."

"This was the shooting of two people," the judge said. "I don't think it was an isolated incident that would go to indiscretion on his part."

Assistant District Attorney Michael Tannousis opposed sentencing the defendant as a youthful offender.

He said Gourdine was an admitted member of the Bloods street gang and "has a history of continuous, escalating violence."

Pacheco said Gourdine was a former gang member, but is no longer associated with the group.

The bespectacled Gourdine, who was garbed in a white sweatshirt and dark trousers, wore a string of rosary beads around his neck.

He did not address the court.

Gourdine was accused of shooting a 17-year-old male in the thigh and a 15-year-old male in the buttocks outside the Stapleton Houses near 212 Broad St. at around 9 p.m. Both victims survived.

Police said Gourdine shot the victims during a dispute, then fled.

The teens were transported to Richmond University Medical Center in West Brighton, an FDNY spokesman said.

A witness supplied the Advance with video which shows one of the victims being rushed to an ambulance while crying out in pain.

Pacheco said the victims suffered minor injuries.

Gourdine was indicted on felony charges of attempted murder, assault, reckless endangerment, criminal weapon possession and criminal firearm possession. He was also accused of a misdemeanor weapon-possession count.

In September, the defendant pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree assault to satisfy all charges against him.

In her remarks on Monday, Pacheco said Gourdine had a difficult childhood.

He was beaten by both parents, she said, and was rendered homeless at age 16.

Sparing him a felony conviction as a youthful offender would give him the chance to turn his life around and become a productive member of society, she said.

Ozzi agreed the defendant's childhood was "not an ideal developmental situation," but said he still could have made different choices than resorting to violence.

"I don't see anything of a mitigating nature that bears directly" on Gourdine's actions, said the judge.

"He had his second chance," Ozzi said, referring to the sentence of probation in the Family Court case. "This would be the third."

Besides prison time, Gourdine was sentenced to three years' post-release supervision under his plea agreement.
MANILA, Philippines -- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has sanctioned a bloody drug war that features extrajudicial killing. He called Barack Obama a "son of a whore." This week, he boasted that he murdered a man with his own hands.

All that went unmentioned in public by President Donald Trump when the leaders held talks Monday in the Philippines.

Reporters saw the beginning of the leaders' bilateral meeting in during which Trump praised Duterte's hospitality, the organization of the summit he was hosting and even Manila's weather. Trump said nothing about human rights and both leaders ignored shouted questions about the violent drug crackdown. The two men also shared a laugh in the meeting when Duterte called reporters "spies."

Later, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said that the 40-minute meeting focused on ISIS, illegal drugs, and trade. Human rights, she added, briefly came up in the context of the Philippines' fight against illegal drugs. She did not say if Trump was critical of the violence.

Breaking with his presidential predecessors, Trump has largely abandoned publicly pressing foreign leaders on human rights, instead showing a willingness to embrace international strongmen for strategic gain. He has cozied up to autocrats such as Saudi Arabia's King Salman, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi and Russian President Vladimir Putin. And earlier in this trip to Asia he made no mention of human rights during multiple appearances in Beijing with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

"Trump seems very comfortable with strongmen. It's not just that he won't criticize Duterte. I wouldn't be surprised if he patted him on the back," said Mike Chinoy, senior fellow at U.S.-China Institute at the University of Southern California, before the meeting.

Duterte's war on drugs has alarmed human rights advocates around the world who say it has allowed police officers and vigilantes to ignore due process and to take justice into their own hands. Government officials estimate that well over 3,000 people, mostly drug users and dealers, have died in the ongoing crackdown. Human rights groups believe the victim total is far higher, perhaps closer to 9,000.

"Human rights groups, I think, will be quite disappointed by the visit," said Amy Searight, director of the Southeast Asia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "It's unlikely that human rights or rule of law or due process are going to be topics that President Trump will raise."

Duterte has strenuously defended the violence and boasted of participating himself.

Late last year, he bragged that he personally pulled the trigger and killed three people years ago while serving as mayor of Davao City. And last week, while in Vietnam for an international summit, he said he took his first life years earlier.

"When I was a teenager, I had been in and out of jail, rumble here and there," Duterte said during a speech in Danang, where he briefly crossed paths with Trump on the sidelines of an international summit. "At the age of 16, I already killed someone."

He claimed he fatally stabbed the person "just over a look." His spokesman later tried to downplay the comment, saying, "I think it was in jest."

Trump has shown little interest in pressuring Duterte to rein in the violence, instead saluting him during a May phone call.

"I just wanted to congratulate you because I am hearing of the unbelievable job on the drug problem," Trump told Duterte, according to a transcript of the conversation that later leaked. "Many countries have the problem, we have a problem, but what a great job you are doing and I just wanted to call and tell you that."

Trump also criticized Obama during the call, noting that his predecessor "did not understand" the drug problem the Philippines faces. Meanwhile, Duterte was openly critical of Obama in the final year of his presidency, including cursing his name.

White House officials have suggested there is a strategy behind Trump's flattery of Duterte.

Advisers have said that while Trump was always unlikely to publicly chastise the Philippine president, he may offer criticisms behind closed doors. Trump would plan to hold his tongue in public in order not to embarrass Duterte, whom he is urging to help pressure North Korea and fight terrorism, and to avoid pushing him into the arms of China.

"If the administration is not going to care about human rights in China, why would you care in the Philippines?" asked Gordon Chang, Asia expert and author of "Nuclear Showdown: North Korea Takes On the World." He said the "logical thing to do is keep them close and not let Duterte flirt with China. In our struggle with China, we need all the friends when we can get."

Duterte has seemed less committed to the strategic partnership with the U.S. Searight said a good relationship is "vital to the United States given its location on the South China Sea and the enhanced access that the American military has gotten in recent years with the Philippines."

White House aides have suggested that Trump's strategy has worked before, pointing to his interactions with el-Sissi. Trump refrained from chastising the Egyptian leader but quietly worked with him to help engineer the release of American prisoner Aya Hijazi in April.

Trump dismissed the notion that he buddied up to dictators. He said Saturday he has great relationships with all sorts of leaders, "every person in that room today," after leaving a summit in Vietnam attended by Duterte and Putin, among others.

Human rights groups have expressed dismay at Trump's public silence, believing that the spotlight an American president can shine on human rights abuses overseas can rally pressure on an authoritarian regime to change its ways.

"In the old days, we used to call on the U.S. government to raise human rights issues during these trips," said John Sifton, Asia advocacy director at Human Rights Watch. But given the administration's lack of credibility in raising human rights abuses, he said, they have pivoted to a different tack, focusing on international attention.

"We haven't given up," Sifton said.

--By Jonathan Lemire
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A 23-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the shooting of a 17-year-old girl in Stapleton over the weekend, police said.

Jason Dale, 23, of Jersey Street in New Brighton, allegedly discharged a loaded firearm, injuring the teen shortly before 3 a.m. Sunday, according to a spokesman for the NYPD's Deputy Commissioner of Public Information.

The teen was shot in the thigh at about 2:50 a.m. inside a Coursen Place building after she reportedly heard a commotion in the hallway and went to check it out, according to an NYPD spokesman.

Dale was arrested a few minutes later in front of the address where the shooting occurred, the police spokesman said.

A 9-mm gun was recovered and the suspect has been charged with assault, criminal possession of a weapon and criminal use of a firearm, the police spokesman said.

The teen was transported to Richmond University Medical Center in West Brighton and is expected to survive, police said.

The police spokesman could not say what relationship -- if any -- there is between Dale and the victim.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Community activist John McBeth, a deacon since 2005 has a "passion for God," especially when the church is concerned about youth.

He was only 12 when he "accepted Christ."

Now, he teaches adult and young adult Sunday school classes.

He says the "well-being of my family is central to my happiness and empowers me to make communities better" by founding and immersing himself in many organizations and causes which serve the needs of youth, including coordinating the St. Philip's Baptist Church HEAT Drumline.

Where were you born?

I'm a native Staten Islander with no plan to leave; born, second of four, at St. Vincent's in West Brighton to Amelia McBeth.

What is your employment history?

At 14, I was given a job after I jumped in and helped a new store owner for three days with no promise of pay or opportunity. I've rarely been without work since. Six days after my 18th birthday, I joined the Navy. After I completed my time in service, I found work in the retail field. When I was seeking a discount deal on pager service, I stumbled upon my entrepreneurial ability and became a small business owner. In 2004 I started working for Con Edison and am now an instructor, teaching safety to incoming and existing employees.

When did you start volunteering and where are you volunteering now?

I've been a volunteer ever since I was young. At high school, I often stayed behind to help the teachers with their tasks and my volunteer service was part of the impetus for the re-creation of the Seagulls Society, a volunteer organization for the students. I volunteered to serve in the Navy, where I was proud to serve as a nuclear operator aboard the USS Nimitz CVN68, the flagship of the Navy at that time.

During my walk as a deacon, I distributed food through Project Hospitality. Currently, I am deacon and a Sunday school young adult teacher at St. Philip's Baptist Church. I also belong to and work with Communities United for Respect & Trust; the Ralph R. McKee Career & Technical High School empowerment group, and the National Environmental, Safety and Health Training Association.

When violence began to grow in our community, I, along with two others, founded Occupy the Block, which has volunteer adults touring the streets at night to overcome negative behavior while offering alternatives.

When did you start work on behalf of youth?

I used my success in business to give back, by providing many neighborhood youths with their first job. During the high point of my business venture, I had four separate sites and had six employees. When I was a high school student, I served as the school's liaison to the Staten Island Advance where I would regularly submit school related stories for publication and developed a relationship with the paper. As a result, in adulthood, I was able to get tickets to the visiting circus and then rented buses to take the neighborhood kids.

How did you become so involved in community affairs?

I was fluent in Spanish and became a link between the Latino and African American community as robberies and attacks were labeled as bias incidents. I was trained by the U.S. Department of Justice to recognize and diffuse community tensions, as well as how to appropriately address media and speak for the community.

Since its inception, I have been a part of the Port Richmond Anti Violence Task Force, now known as "Port Richmond Proud", which I currently chair. We regularly hosts "Friendship Dinners," where the community has the opportunity to come together over a meal and discuss not only their differences, but their similarities.

Through my interactions with elected officials, I helped to bring together multiple faith communities as well as outside community organizations to form Verrazano Civic Engagement Table to register voters and get them to the polls.

Upon hearing a new political empowering organization, North Shore Political Action Club, was forming, I jumped at the opportunity to not only serve, but also provide social media outreach for the group. I actively worked on two past campaigns, and am looking forward to working for the first candidate to come from the club.

After reading about some of the conditions in the Arlington Apartments complex, I took it upon myself to get as many of the residents together as possible to demand better living conditions and to offer them opportunities.

Simultaneously, I was appointed to Community Board 1, where I was immediately moved to the position of co-chair of my area committee. I embraced my new label of "community activist" after hearing that Staten Island's youth were planning to protest at the Staten Island Mall. I inquired about specifics for plans and leadership. After finding none in place, I risked much and organized leadership of the protest. The youth of Staten Island wanted to speak out against the injustice surrounding the death of Eric Garner, but had difficulty finding their voice and a venue. Through my involvement and existing relationship with the 121st Precinct, the protest went on without a hitch, no arrests, and no injuries. I continue to plan and participate in both protests and solutions forums.

More about John

His wife: He has been married for 12 years. Just before closing his business he "met God's match for him," Rev. Agnes McBeth. Together, they joined St. Philip's Baptist Church and "after a whirlwind courtship," they married in October 2003.

His kids: He has six children, "although many more have adopted me as father." His children, John-Anthony, John Jr., Trevor, Kaila, Malcolm and Alexandria, range in age from 9 to 27.

Where he attended school: PS 18, I.S. 27, McKee High School, the Naval Nuclear Power School and the Cittone Institute, where he received the Director's Award for Excellence.
Page Content

Fellow St. Martiners,





This St. Martin Day is like no other that we have celebrated since this holiday was established jointly by two St. Martin patriots in 1959, the late Dr. Hubert Petit and Dr. Claude Wathey. Their intention, as I understand it, was to bring all the people of the island together, from Great Bay to Marigot, from Middle Region to Hameau du Pont, from French Quarter to Dutch Quarter, and from Simpson Bay to Galisbay, St. Martin people from all four corners of the island, to join hands and hearts together to celebrate our St. Martin-ness, that special bond that sets us aside from other people and makes us family.





Fifty-eight years later, that concept, that ideal, still holds true, at least in the minds of all true St. Martin patriots. No doubt, St. Martin Day is for all those who genuinely love this island we call home, this Rock that we have inherited as our own portion of Paradise. But no one can love this island more than we do. No one!





I dont know when the Day became an occasion for flowery speeches about unity delivered by appointed and elected officials from both halves of the island, but what is clear is that our unity has been put through a severe test, by those who are responsible for dividing us in the first place.





I make haste here to quote the famous novelist J.K. Rowling, who wrote the following memorable words in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided. In the aftermath of the worst natural disaster in our collective history in the form of the most powerful storm to ever hit this region, super Category 5 Hurricane Irma, it behooves us to pause for a moment and meditate on the now famous hashtag and ask on this St. Martin Day, are we really and truly SXM strong, or have we allowed ourselves to be weakened by desperation, despair and disappointment as well as a loss of faith in ourselves?





For me, this St. Martin Day is about lifting up our spirits, renewing our strength by returning to those very same core values that made us survive and thrive throughout our history, when others had written us off, demanding of us that we bow our heads and beg. But let me say this loud and clear: St. Martin people have never been beggars and by Gods grace, we will never have to beg for our survival.





As we embark on rebuilding our island, house by house, business by business, street by street and district by district, we must do so together - North and South - as one island, one people





with one destiny. After all, neither Irma nor Maria stopped at the border when they hit us with such destructive force that instead of turning to one another, we turned against each other, forgetting as American poet Gwendolyn Brooks said so beautifully that We are each others harvest; we are each others business; we are each others magnitude and bond.





Isnt that what we mean when we say that we are our brothers and sisters keepers?





Yes, we will have disagreements, even disputes, as all families do. And, yes, we should be able to tell each other some home truths, no matter how bitter these may be. But they should never lead to such bitterness that we can no longer talk to each other and work with each other. St. Martin is our home; we have no other place we call home.





Surely, we have some huge challenges ahead of us and there is no doubt that we will need the help of our friends, real friends, true and respected partners, to overcome them. But must we be humiliated and sell our souls and our island for how many pieces of silver? Absolutely not! Are we grateful for all the assistance we have received and all the help we have been promised? Definitely so! Gratitude is an essential part of our DNA as St. Martiners. However, as much as we have been raised to be grateful, we have also been brought up not to take advantage of others, especially when they are down. As a people, we may be down now, but were not out. Were coming back, stronger, smarter, better, together, as we have done over and over again in the past, going back to plantation days. That is why we are still here today. Let nobody write us off, for we come from a very resilient stock; a very strong breed.





On this St. Martin Day, I urge all of us to dig deep into our hearts and ask ourselves: what can I do to help rebuild this island to be better, stronger, more united, more resilient and friendlier, so that generations to come can look back and be proud of us. That is what SXMstrong should mean, today and every day of our lives.





Happy St. Martin Day!




By clicking Agree, you consent to Slates Terms of Service and Privacy Policy and the use of technologies such as cookies by Slate and our partners to deliver relevant advertising on our iOS app to personalize content and perform site analytics. Please see our Privacy Policy for more information about our use of data, your rights, and how to withdraw consent.

Agree
Thank you for visiting the Daily Journal.

Please purchase an Enhanced Subscription to continue reading. To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account.



We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription.



A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means youre helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much!
System error

error: Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.

context: ... 21: </%method> 22: 23: % foreach my $c (@categories) { 24: <%perl> 25: my $category_id = $c->get_id(); 26: my @stories = Bric::Biz::Asset::Business::Story->list ( { element_type_id=>1148, category_id=>$category_id , Order=> 'cover_date', publish_status => 't' , OrderDirection=> 'DESC' , Limit=>10 } ); 27: </%perl> 28: <table width="90%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> 29: <tr> ... code stack: /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html:25

/usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm:948

/var/cache/mason/obj/2011159162/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj:17

/usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html:149



Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. Trace begun at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Exceptions.pm line 125 HTML::Mason::Exceptions::rethrow_exception('Can\'t call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.^J') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 157 HTML::Mason::Component::run_dynamic_sub('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x5612e68152c8)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 948 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612f0223a40)', 'main') called at /var/cache/mason/obj/2011159162/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj line 17 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 135 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x5612e68152c8)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1302 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1292 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 955 HTML::Mason::Request::call_next('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612f0223a40)') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html line 149 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 135 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x5612efe6be80)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1300 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1292 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 481 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 481 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 433 HTML::Mason::Request::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612f0223a40)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612f0223a40)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612e74e5b68)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x5612f027f858)') called at (eval 592) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x5612f027f858)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0
System error

error: Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.

context: ... 21: </%method> 22: 23: % foreach my $c (@categories) { 24: <%perl> 25: my $category_id = $c->get_id(); 26: my @stories = Bric::Biz::Asset::Business::Story->list ( { element_type_id=>1148, category_id=>$category_id , Order=> 'cover_date', publish_status => 't' , OrderDirection=> 'DESC' , Limit=>10 } ); 27: </%perl> 28: <table width="90%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> 29: <tr> ... code stack: /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html:25

/usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm:948

/var/cache/mason/obj/2011159162/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj:17

/usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html:149



Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. Trace begun at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Exceptions.pm line 125 HTML::Mason::Exceptions::rethrow_exception('Can\'t call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.^J') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 157 HTML::Mason::Component::run_dynamic_sub('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x5612f030e660)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 948 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612f03a6b38)', 'main') called at /var/cache/mason/obj/2011159162/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj line 17 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 135 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x5612f030e660)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1302 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1292 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 955 HTML::Mason::Request::call_next('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612f03a6b38)') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html line 149 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 135 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x5612f0320780)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1300 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1292 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 481 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 481 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 433 HTML::Mason::Request::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612f03a6b38)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612f03a6b38)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612e74e4fd0)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x5612f031c600)') called at (eval 592) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x5612f031c600)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0
Braddon's Lonsdale Street is set to close as Canberrans react to results from the government's same-sex marriage postal vote on Wednesday.

Campaign group Australian Marriage Equality received approval from the ACT government to close part of the road near Hopscotch bar from 6pm, hours after the national survey results are released.

Lonsdale Street will be closed for celebrations or commiserations.

There is growing optimism among campaigners for same-sex marriage with similar events planned around the country, including on Sydney's Oxford Street.

Australian Marriage Equality ACT organiser Jacob White said hundreds of people were expected to attend the Canberra street party.
The concert is a fundraiser in the Friends of the School of Music Historical Keyboard Recital Series. All the funds raised will go to grants and prizes for current ANU School of Music students.

He discovered the instrument - a Paul McNulty 2004 reproduction of an 1819 Conrad Graf fortepiano from the ANU's historic instrument collection - was more suited to the classical-era music of Beethoven than the later romantic period of Brahms when the fortepiano had evolved into the pianoforte (though both use hammers striking strings to create sound). So he substituted another work by the earlier composer. He will be performing Beethoven's Bagatelles Op. 26 and Piano Sonata No 31 in A flat major Op. 110 as well as Schumann's Papillons Op.2.

Originally Mike Cheng-Yu Lee's next recital at the ANU School of Music was going to contain some Brahms. But then, Lee says, "I had time to spend with the piano."

Since July, Lee has been Lecturer of Piano/Keyboard Performance at the Australian National University School of Music and Director of the ANU Keyboard Institute.

"It's a research centre with historical keyboards set up by [former head of keyboard] Geoffrey Lancaster," he says.

The copies of historical pianos are used in teaching and performance and the originals are used more sparingly to help students understand how earlier keyboards worked, felt and sounded. Lee says the ANU is one of the most innovative music institutions in its approach, with historical and modern instruments used side by side in teaching rather than being sectioned off into separate departments.

"Here, because it's a small school, pianists play all kinds of pianos," he says.

Comparing the pianos of the Romantic era of the mid-19th century to the pianos of Mozart's era in the latter part of the 18th-century, "The difference is huge", Lee says. With the collection of 30 or so instruments - both copies and originals - in the School of Music's collection, he says students get to understand how the music developed and how the instruments feel and the differences in texture, technique, sound and feeling from one to another. The older instruments have shallower keys and levers pushed with the knee rather than pedals. .
A gong has been added to the 55 bells at the National Carillon on Lake Burley Griffin.

The Carillon, one of only two in Australia, was awarded a Good Music Citizen award from the nation's leading music industry body on Sunday for a commitment to developing new works by Australian composers.

Lyn Fuller and Josh Pyke at the National Carillon, which has won an award. Credit:Ricky Lloyd

APRA AMCOS ambassador and award-winning songwriter Josh Pyke handed the award to lead carillonist Lyn Fuller, who accepted it on behalf of the venue.

Director of general licensing at APRA AMCOS, Catherine Giuliano, said in addition to investing in the future of Australian music, the Carillon has been consistently fully licensed to use music, respecting the rights of music creators.
Police find missing Canberra woman

Were sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. Were working to restore it. Please try again later.

Dismiss
Fresh details of the killing emerged for the first time in court on Monday. A police statement of facts said the neighbours were friends before their relationship soured in the months before the killing. Cole had taken a dose of methadone, five valium tablets and had been drinking alcohol in a neighbour's apartment when he went back to his unit and Mr Hollingshed questioned him about a broken screen door. He yelled, "What the f--- happened to my door?", to which Cole replied he didn't know. The pair argued before Cole went back to his unit, grabbed a kitchen knife with a 20-centimetre blade and stormed upstairs. The court heard Mr Hollingshed said, "Scotty, what are you doing?" and Cole replied: "You're gone."

He plunged the knife into the man's neck, arms and torso as he fell to the ground. Cole continued to stab him forcefully in the neck. Neighbours arrived to find Mr Hollingshed on the ground in a pool of blood and making gurgling sounds. They told Cole to phone police. Instead, he went back to his unit where he washed the knife and put it back in a drawer. He removed his bloodied clothes and put them in the laundry basket before he cut his arms and face to make it look like he'd been attacked by the victim. Police soon arrived and Cole asked them if "the maggot" was dead. "Is he dead? I hope he's f---in' dead. Teach him to come at me."

He was arrested and later admitted to the killing. Cole told police he "did the right thing" and "that guy deserved everything he f---ing got". He said he "took someone's life today" and he didn't "f---ing want to do it again". Cole admitted he had "a barrage" of drugs in his system that day and described going into the victim's apartment with the knife before the attack. He said "his eyes just went real big, shit himself". "Went boom, boom, pumped him about three or four times in the guts. So I pumped him in the sternum and I pumped him three times through the neck." Ms Jones told the sentence hearing Cole's comments to police showed "justification and boasting" and "extreme callousness" towards his victim.

She said the offence showed little premeditation but had not been entirely spontaneous, arguing Cole had an "opportunity to stop and consider his actions". The court was told Cole had a long history of violent offences, many involving knives. Ms Jones argued the murder was in the upper end of seriousness but said the case did not warrant the maximum penalty. Defence barrister Steven Whybrow acknowledged Cole had "violently and viciously" murdered Mr Hollingshed in his home but said the offence was mid-range seriousness. He said there had been no previous history of violence between the pair. The court heard Cole had a "very unfortunate upbringing" and started using drugs and drinking alcohol when he ran away from his broken childhood home at 15.
Consumer groups are raising the alarm over a plan to give financial start-ups a wider temporary exemption from key regulations, warning "unscrupulous" advisers may exploit the regime to sell consumers harmful products.

As part of a push to position Australia as a "fintech" hub, Treasurer Scott Morrison in this year's budget unveiled plans to expand what is known as a "regulatory sandbox".

Treasurer Scott Morrison has called the proposed fintech sandbox changes a "game changer". Credit:AAP

The corporate watchdog describes the sandbox as a "lighter touch" regulatory environment, which allows start-up firms to operate without a financial services licence, but under other constraints, for a limited period.

The changes planned by Mr Morrison will expand the range of products that can be issued by firms in the sandbox, to include superannuation and life insurance, and to allow a longer testing period.
Shares in Woodside Petroleum fell the most in a year after Royal Dutch Shell made its long-awaited exit from the register, offloading its remaining 13.28 per cent stake in the Australian energy giant for about $3.5 billion.

Shell late on Monday said it had entered an underwriting agreement to sell 71.6 million shares in Woodside for $31.10 a share. Soon afterwards, it announced it had increased the deal to 111.8 million shares  its entire stake  following strong demand from institutional investors.

Ben Van Beurden, chief executive officer of Royal Dutch Shell, which has agreed to sell 111.8 million Woodside shares. Credit:Bloomberg

The sell-down capitalised on recent strength in Woodside's share price, which has been buoyed by the higher oil price.

The company's shares fell as much as 3.5 per cent on Tuesday morning and were changing hands at $31.19 at lunchtime. That level is still above Shell's sale price and well in excess of Citi's target price of $27.25 a share.
Macquarie Group will be asked to appear before a Senate inquiry to respond to allegations that its advisers artificially inflated the price of a small mining company before a sudden collapse wiped out hundreds of investors.

Executives and stockbrokers from the country's largest investment bank are also expected to be grilled over suspicious trading activity that coincided with a string of positive announcements by Cleveland Mining Group, which helped its share price to almost triple in value over a two-month period in 2012.

Former Macquarie advisers Stefan Whiting (left) and Michael Rosenbaum.

Australian Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson confirmed that he would ask for Macquarie to appear before an ongoing Senate inquiry into consumer protection in the banking, finance and insurance industries.

The motion is expected to win the backing of Labor in the Senate, along with several independent members of the upper house.
The man known as 'Bitcoin Jesus' feels like a winner even though he wasn't able to collect $US7 million ($9.1 million) from a wager with other cryptocurrency evangelists over the success of a now cancelled offshoot of bitcoin.

That's because the version of bitcoin that Roger Ver's promoting with as much fervour as he once preached in the early days of the original cryptocurrency is on a tear. Bitcoin cash, which sprung from a split from bitcoin in August, has more than doubled to about $US900 since an upgrade to the underlying technology was called off mid last week. Bitcoin is down about 10 per cent during the same period- tumbling over $US1,000 in a 48-hour period.

Bitcoin cash is gaining as traders who were disappointed with the suspension of the so-called hard fork, or split, may view it as an alternative. Both Bitcoin cash and the version known as SegWit2x have larger block size than bitcoin. Ver, who says bitcoin will have to allow for larger block size to speed up transactions and reduce fees, called the cancellation more reason than ever to be bullish on what he calls "the real bitcoin."

Ver's wager was with Charlie Lee, founder of the fifth-biggest cryptocurrency litecoin, and three others for 1,000 bitcoin. He predicted that new coins resulting from the SegWit2x upgrade would have more value than the original bitcoin. The terms of the trade were that at least 100 blocks had to be mined on the new chain, but that's unlikely to happen for now after the main proponents of the update said they're suspending the split to avoid deepening divides in the developer community.
Medibank, one of Australia's biggest health insurers, has announced it will dump its holdings in fossil fuel companies amid concern over the health effects of climate change.

In a statement to the Australian Stock Exchange on Monday morning, Medibank said it would transition to low-carbon investments in its international portfolio within the next year, to reflect the global transition to clean energy.

Medibank chairwoman Elizabeth Alexander. Credit:John Woudstra

"We are also committed to exploring a similar approach with our domestic equity portfolio, and so we will be actively encouraging fund managers to develop a suitable product for us that is socially responsible, cost effective and delivers a sustainable investment return," the statement said.

The announcement by chairwoman Elizabeth Alexander preceded the company's annual general meeting in Melbourne on Monday.
Is a clown on tour any less a clown? No. That's a truth that Donald Trump's Asia trip affirms. The region's nations are moving on, shaping a world where the US is still present but not leading. And that includes Australia.

If you'd ever wanted to see a case study in the soft bigotry of low expectations, it was the first part of Trump's trip. Because he didn't start a fistfight or insult his hosts, quite a few commentators gushed about the new serious Trump, the measured Trump, the strategist Trump.

Of course it was only a matter of time until the clown resumed his regular performances. He was soon in his element, exchanging schoolyard insults with the criminally despotic leader of a rogue regime. North Korea called him a "dotard".

So the US President did Kim the honour of giving him equivalence. Trump tweeted: "Why would Kim Jong-un insult me by calling me 'old' when I would NEVER call him 'short and fat'?"
Monsignor Eugene Harley, was a Catholic priest and former army chaplain who was one of the first to recognise PTSD in Vietnam veterans and risked his own life rather than allow a mortally wounded soldier die alone.

His life was celebrated at his former parish, Sacred Heart Church Mosman, in the presence of an "extended family" of more than 1000 people, including Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP, former Governor of NSW, Dame Marie Bashir and many former military colleagues. At the commencement of the Mass a message from the Governor General, Sir Peter Cosgrove, was read in which he said: "Father Gene showed wisdom, good humour and endless compassion and typified the best of the military chaplaincy  sleeves rolled up ministering to the troops of all ranks with such a deft touch that he was held in vast affection by all he encountered. The army was his parish  that parish will miss him and remember him."

Monsignor Eugene Harley spent 26 years in full-time army service.

Eugene Harley was born in April 1930 at Lithgow, the youngest of seven children of recent Scottish immigrants, Owen and Mary Harley (nee O'Donnell). The family was left without a mother when Eugene was only one year old. His 38-year-old mother's dying wish was that the children be kept together. Despite difficult times that wish was honoured and Eugene was largely raised by three of his older sisters, the eldest only 13. The second sister, Delia, later became Sister Bridget Harley DC, a missionary nun who spent 38 years pioneering early childhood education in Ethiopia.

Eugene completed his school education at Marist Brothers College, Parramatta, and went on to priestly training at Springwood and Manly. He was ordained at St Mary's Cathedral in July 1953. His early appointments were as Assistant Priest at Forest Lodge and at Cronulla. During this time he joined the Citizens Military Forces as a part time chaplain before being "conscripted " in 1959 for 26 years full-time army service.
Dennis Banks was the militant Chippewa who founded the American Indian Movement in 1968 and led often-violent insurrections to protest the treatment of Native Americans including the famous Wounded Knee seige.

He has died aged 80 following open-heart surgery.

American Indian activist Dennis Banks has died at the age of 80. Credit:AP

Banks and his Oglala Sioux compatriot Russell Means were by the mid-1970s perhaps the best-known Native Americans since Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse, who led the attack that crushed the cavalry forces of George Armstrong Custer at the 1876 Battle of the Little Bighorn.

Banks, whose early life of poverty, alcoholism and alienation mirrored the fates of countless ancestors, led protests that caused mass disorder, shootouts, deaths and grievous injuries. He was jailed for burglary and convicted of riot and assault, and he became a fugitive for nine years. He found sanctuary in California and New York but finally gave up and was imprisoned for 14 months.
Global carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels and industry have renewed their climb after a three-year pause, driven higher by quickening economic growth and the failure to find alternatives particularly to oil, international researchers say.

Carbon emissions will rise 2 per cent in 2017 to almost 37 billion tonnes as the world economy heads for 3.6 per cent annual growth. Total emissions, including from land clearing, push that tally to 41 billion tonnes.

A slightly faster pace of GDP expansion in 2018 will also send emissions from industry and fossil fuel combustion higher for at least another year, according to the 2017 Global Carbon Budget.

"This year's carbon budget news is a step back for humankind," said Amy Luers, executive director of Future Earth, a sponsor of the report.
Jacqui Lambie has declared she has "so much more" to achieve in Canberra after being forced to quit Parliament as the eighth casualty in the months-long citizenship crisis.

Revealing her British citizenship through her Scottish-born father, Ms Lambie told the Senate on Tuesday she had "worked hard to be a voice for those who don't often get much of a voice in this chamber" and said she intended to return to federal politics.

"Politicians on both sides of the house talk about helping those on welfare without having had to choose between spending your welfare payment on either school uniforms [or] school lunches," Ms Lambie said in a tearful farewell address, in which she proclaimed her pride at opposing "savage" welfare cuts.

"Unlike some in this place, who say they are there for the battler, I actually refused to deliver the budget into surplus by driving struggling families into further poverty."
Another senator could fall victim to the ongoing citizenship crisis within 24 hours, with Tasmanian independent Jacqui Lambie awaiting urgent advice from British authorities as to whether she is a dual citizen.

Senator Lambie told Fairfax Media she had sought urgent advice last week as to whether she holds dual citizenship, and said she will resign from the Senate immediately if that is confirmed.

"Tasmanians will be the first to know," she said at lunchtime on Monday. She said she hoped to receive the advice within the next 24 hours.

Senator Lambie dismissed the rampant speculation around Parliament House that she was about to resign on Monday afternoon, after Australian Conservatives leader Cory Bernardi told the chamber he knew of another senator under a citizenship cloud.
Federal politicians will be required to publicly disclose their citizenship history and status by December 1 after the Turnbull government struck a deal with the opposition designed to end the crisis that has battered Federal Parliament.

After a week of tense negotiations the Coalition has agreed to Labor's demands, including stronger disclosures and a quicker turnaround. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull originally wanted the disclosures made in the third week of December, a plan that would have required Parliament to be recalled in the days before Christmas.

Finance Minister Mathias Cormann helped broker the deal directly with Opposition Leader Bill Shorten and Labor's Penny Wong.

The government will move a motion in the Senate today requiring disclosure by December 1 and the lower house will do the same when it returns later in the month.
Australia has taken part in a four-way meeting with the United States, India and Japan regarded as a first step towards deeper co-operation to balance China's strategic expansion.

Senior officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs met with counterparts on Sunday in the Philippines "to discuss a shared vision for increased prosperity and security in the Indo-Pacific region and to work together to ensure it remains free and open", a statement from the department read.

Deeper co-operation between the four major democracies, known as the "quadrilateral security dialogue", has been a contentious issue because China has interpreted it as an effort to contain its rise.

The department's statement - and those by the other three nations - did not mention China. But the Australian statement said the "shared challenges" under discussions included "upholding the rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific and respect for international law, freedom of navigation and overflight".
Since it's going to be a busy day tomorrow I'm drawing a line under today. What happened?

preparations are being made for tomorrow morning's announcement of the result of the same-sex marriage survey ;

; if the result is 'yes' supporters of change have given notice they want their bill considered for debate on Thursday ;

supporters of change have given notice they want their ; the bill was authored by Liberal Dean Smith and has cross party support ;

and has ; Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull arrives back in Australia tonight so will be here to witness the result;

arrives back in Australia tonight so will be here to witness the result; Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie has resigned after she confirmed her dual citizenship ;

has resigned after she confirmed her ; she is the eighth MP to be caught up in the citizenship brouhaha; and

former Labor NSW premier Kristina Keneally will contest the Sydney seat of Bennelong against government MP John Alexander.

My thanks to Andrew Meares and Alex Ellinghausen for their superb work and to you for reading and commenting.

You can follow me on Facebook.

Alex, Andrew and I will return in the morning - look for us about 8. Until then, go well.
Liberal senator Scott Ryan has abandoned the Turnbull government frontbench to become Senate President, replacing Stephen Parry and creating another vacancy in the ministry.

Senator Ryan won a ballot of Liberal senators on Monday morning, paving the way for him to take up the plum posting with support from the opposition.

Senator Parry quit two weeks ago after realising he was a dual British citizen by descent. It later emerged he had previously told senior members of the government about his citizenship concerns but was asked to keep quiet until after last month's High Court verdict.

Finance Minister Mathias Cormann will take over Senator Ryan's portfolio temporarily, until Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull promotes someone new as part of a broader reshuffle.
Senator Fraser Anning in his new Senate office. Credit:Andrew Meares "It was an insult." Nonetheless, Anning came to Canberra intending to be part of the One Nation team. By this stage he had assembled his staff  among them David Goodridge, Boston White and Leon Ashby, who all worked for Roberts. Senator Anning Credit:Andrew Meares This was causing consternation behind the scenes in the party. Hanson, Ashby and Roberts loyalist Sean Black believed the trio were traitors to the outgoing senator, hitching their wagon to the new man in town.

Goodridge was Roberts' chief of staff and is now Anning's chief of staff. He left Roberts' office on extended sick leave in May, alleging bullying. He and White are in the office during Fairfax Media's interview. Outside, Goodridge's daughter is manning the phones, taking abuse from One Nation supporters who believe Anning betrayed Hanson on his first day. She politely explains that's not what happened. Like the Annings, they are all in shock about how things developed on Monday  the most eventful of first days on the job. First came a text from Hanson: "See me in my office at 8am." He went and says he walked into a "hornet's nest".

"I walked into the meeting and there's a whole group of them around the table. She then proceeded to berate me like a 12-year-old schoolboy. And I thought, I didn't come in here for this," Anning says. "It was a silly thing for her to do that in front of people. To do that at any time at all was rude. It's schoolyard stuff." Hanson would not let Goodridge or any of the other staffers near the meeting and said she would not allow any of them to work for him. Anning left and went back to his office. He was sworn in at 10am and then a short time later he saw the "Breaking News" on television that he had defected. "She made the decision, not me," Anning says. "I believe a lot of this is coming from James Ashby, who I think is the wrong person for her - or for anyone for that matter. I think there's only one person James Ashby is interested in and that's himself. She's been manipulated before but I think this is the worst of all her advisers. "I guess he feels we're some sort of threat to his ambitions."

True or not, the claim speaks to an ongoing war between the party's old guard, like Anning, and the new, represented by Ashby. But Anning says there was simply no chance he would stab his staff in the back. "I certainly wasn't going to betray these guys, the only people who have given me any support at all. I got zero from her office. That would be showing gross disloyalty to decent people," he said. "So that's what actually happened. I didn't defect. She made my position pretty much untenable with her conditions." So Hanson has lost a vote  and some influence  in the Senate. And Anning has lost a party, but no doubt gained some new political suitors. Loading
Jacqui Lambie has said she will quit the Senate, and that there is no need to refer her case to the High Court if it is confirmed she has breached section 44 of the constitution by holding dual citizenship.

Senator Lambie, who represents Tasmania as an independent, would be the eighth MP to be forced out of the parliament since the citizenship crisis engulfed the federal parliament in July.

She was awaiting urgent advice from British authorities after Tasmania's Examiner newspaper reported that her father was born in Scotland, prompting questions about her inherited citizenship.

She told the Hobart Mercury: "If I am a dual citizen I will resign, if it is black and white there is no need to take it to the High Court, as simple as that."
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has reassured Coalition MPs he can revive the government's fortunes amid a dual citizenship crisis that looks set to claim high-profile independent senator Jacqui Lambie as soon as Tuesday morning.

Labor and the Coalition on Monday finally struck a deal on a disclosure regime that will require politicians to publicly disclose their citizenship history and status by December 1, in a move designed to bring the citizenship crisis to a head.

In the Senate, Liberal Scott Ryan was elected President to replace Stephen Parry while One Nation's newest senator, Fraser Anning  who replaced Malcolm Roberts  sensationally quit the party after an hour in the job to become an independent.

As the eligibility crisis rolls on, with more MPs likely to be referred to the High Court and a final resolution, including possible byelections, likely to be months away, Coalition MPs are increasingly nervous the Turnbull government is terminal and an election defeat is inevitable.
Last week, British Vogue's new editor-in-chief, Edward Enninful, ushered in his first issue at the helm of the magazine promising greater diversity. By the weekend, the publication's first man and person of colour helped reach another milestone by helping to launch the next year's Pirelli calendar which he styled, and cast with an all-black group of 18 models, activists, artists and actors.

For the 2018 edition, British fashion photographer Tim Walker reimagined Lewis Carrol's fanciful tale, Alice and Wonderland. South Sudanese-Australian model Duckie Thot was cast as the cover star, titular Alice along, with fellow local model Adut Akech as the Queen of Diamonds. RuPaul played Queen of Hearts, while Naomi Campbell, alongside Diddy, play the Queen's Beheaders.

Australian model Duckie Thot poses for the 2018 Pirelli Calendar. Credit:Twitter/Pirelli/Tim Walker

Thot, 22, told The Cut that being parent of the calendar with such focus on representation was important because in Australia "I didn't have peers who looked like me."

"It means so much to me because I know it's going to impact some girl's life in a way that I wish I had when I was younger. I knew there was something missing when I was growing up, but I didn't know what it was. To be able to have shot this and be Alice is so important to me."
Australians are the world's biggest consumers of the drug ice, on a per capita basis, with most of the imported product coming from China, a Victorian inquiry has been told.

Up to 80 per cent of crystal methamphetamine brought into Australia comes from China, where the chemicals used to make it can be legally sourced, Australian Federal Police Detective Superintendent Matt Warren told Victoria's parliamentary inquiry into drug law reform on Monday.

Up to 80 per cent of the drug ice in Australia comes from China.

Since about 2010, Australian police have been seizing the finished drug, which is usually quite pure, instead of finding the precursor chemicals used for domestic manufacture.

"Simply because it's economically sensible for the criminal groups involved," Superintendent Warren said.
She is one of the world's top scientists, whose research has propelled Australia to the forefront of advanced computing systems.

But it was a speech about the dumbing down of HSC physics that brought notoriety to Michelle Simmons, a professor of quantum physics at the University of NSW.

Michelle Simmons, a professor of quantum physics at the University of NSW, was awarded the 2018 NSW Australian of the Year. Credit:Nic Walker

Delivering the 2017 Australia Day address, Professor Simmons said she was horrified to discover the physics curriculum had been "feminised" in an attempt to attract more girls.

"What a disaster," she told an audience that included NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian. "From the students coming to university, I see little evidence that this has made any difference and indeed I see many students complaining that the physics curriculum has left them ill-equipped for university."
A surfer who narrowly escaped serious injury when a shark leapt at him at Avoca Beach said his decision to punch the shark in the face was inspired by an interview with Mick Fanning.



British doctor Charlie Fry has described the moment a two-metre shark jumped out of the water and hit him in the right shoulder about 4pm on Monday.

Speaking on Channel 9's Today on Tuesday, Dr Fry said he initially thought the "massive thud" was just a friend goofing around, but soon "saw a shark's head come out of the water with its teeth".

In a moment of quick thinking, he punched the shark in the face with his left hand.

"I just punched it in the face... and just surfed my way in [to shore]," Dr Fry said.
Rodney Lawrence has pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact to murder in relation to the brutal stabbing death of Elizabeth "Betty" Dixon, whose body was found at Ashtonfield in 1982.

Lawrence, now 66, who was due to face the first day of a murder trial in Newcastle Supreme Court on Monday, was re-arraigned and pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact to murder.

Elizabeth Dixon was found slumped across the front seat of her own car in the bush. Credit:Police Media

Crown prosecutor Brad Hughes SC told Justice Ian Harrison the prosecution would not be proceeding on the murder charge.

The man who the prosecution say committed the murder has since died and can not be identified.
A chef is recovering from burns after a barbecue explosion at a popular Brisbane restaurant on Sunday, with the business hitting back at claims staff did not act quick enough in the aftermath.

Emergency services were called to Watt Riverside Restaurant and Bar in New Farm about 11.30am after reports of a fire.

The 'explosion' ripped through the umbrella on the terrace. Credit:Jorge Branco

The fire had been extinguished upon the arrival of fire crews, but a male chef who had been operating the barbecue was taken to the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital with "serious burns to his chest" according to a Queensland Ambulance Service spokesman.

A Workplace Health and Safety Queensland spokesman described the incident as "a gas explosion involving a barbecue" and said investigators were on scene.
Firearm dealers, casino operators, disgruntled taxi operators, unions, mining and ethanol companies and conservationists are among the interests that have contributed to a pool of millions of dollars in donations leading up to the 2017 Queensland election.

That was according to the first real-time donation system employed by the Electoral Commission of Queensland for a Queensland election.

Who has donated to whom in the 2017 Queensland election. Credit:Fairfax Media

The first flush of public disclosures was made available on the ECQ website on Monday and will be refreshed every seven days.

Real-time disclosure requires people to inform the ECQ within seven days of a donation to a candidate or political party.
He faces a major operation on Wednesday with Deputy Mayor Donna Gates expected to act as mayor while Mr Tate recovers.

Mr Tate was diagnosed last month after minor surgery to remove polyps from his colon, News Corp reports.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate has revealed he's battling bowel cancer and will undergo major surgery this week.

"There was a moment of disbelief because I hadn't felt any symptoms and I said to the doctor, you have got to be kidding me," the 58-year-old told the Gold Coast Bulletin.

Mr Tate hopes to be back at work on November 20.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk wished Mr Tate a speedy recovery.

"We need him back, fit and ready for the Commonwealth Games," she said on Monday.

"I send to him the best on behalf of all Queenslanders for a speedy recovery."
A man has died after falling into a woodchipper north of the Sunshine Coast.

Emergency services were called to Tinana Road, Goomboorian, near Gympie, about 7.40pm on Sunday.

A police spokesman said a group of men were clearing vegetation on a rural property when one of the men got caught in the woodchipper.

Investigators including the Forensic Crash Unit were been sent to the property to investigate.

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland investigators were also heading to the scene on Monday.
An "audacious" car thief who stole a mother's Mercedes-Benz while her baby was asleep inside has been jailed for more than three years.

Gurkan Yildrim, 25, was on bail and in the grip of an ice addiction when he stole the SUV at Coburg in November 2016, unaware a six-month-old girl was in the back seat.

The mother, who had left the engine running and was chatting to parents at a school pick-up area, watched in horror as Yildrim sped off with her baby.

"At the scene was the distressed mother ... wailing as the car left," Victorian County Court Judge Michael Tinney said in his sentencing remarks on Monday.
Police at Darren Thornburgh's Barmah property last night. Credit:Luke Hemer, Riverine Herald The nightclub operator had the freehold ownership of the Barmah Hotel. The hotel refused to comment. Mr Thornburgh owned high-profile nightclub Boutique in Prahran in Melbourne's inner south-east, but the Greville Street nightspot was shut down two weeks ago following a dispute with the landlord. Police outside Mr Thornburgh's property in Barmah. Credit:Riverine Herald Last year shots were fired into Boutique nightclub when a man armed with a shotgun got out of a car that had pulled up outside the Prahran nightclub and blasted at least three shots into the front of the building.

Days later, Mr Thornburgh's former wife and her teenage daughter were left shaken after shotgun fire peppered their luxury Port Melbourne house in a drive-by shooting. The scene of the drive-by shooting in Beacon Vista in Port Melbourne on October 14. Credit:Jesse Marlow Denise Thornburgh and her teenage daughter were asleep inside the upmarket, cream-coloured home on Beacon Vista, when shots were fired at their home. Tributes have begun to flow for Mr Thornburgh from shocked friends and family, with many recalling his sense of style and humour as well as his devotion to his two daughters. Los Angeles-based Australian actor Kate Neilson remembered Mr Thornburgh as a best friend and partner in crime.

"He had one of the funniest senses of humour out of anyone I have ever met," she said. The Australian actor said she had known "Razzle" for 15 years since moving from Hobart to work in his nightclub, Boutique, when she was 21. "He was my boss but ended up being a friend," Ms Neilson said. She said in its heyday, Boutique was the city's most exclusive nightclub. But, throughout, she said Mr Thornburgh remained a doting father. "His devotion to his two daughters was unbelievable," she said.

"It breaks my heart thinking what they must be going through right now". Several other former nightclub staff remembered him as a generous and kind man who was well-liked and respected. Christina Owczarek, who now runs a craft beer consultancy in Calgary, Canada joked that at times Mr Thornburgh ran his club like a tyrant. But his staff always respected him, she said. "He produced a nationally and internationally known club in the heart of our city that ... is still alive and will always be remembered by us old guys as a home and favourite place," she said. Travel agency owner Peter Kalla said he knew Mr Thornburgh for three decades through the nightclub scene.

"I knew him from the mid 80s," Mr Kalla said. "He was an extrovert, easy-going, a great character, that's what it takes to become a promoter. "He wore loud shirts ... he was a gentleman". 'He liked the lifestyle' Barmah Caravan Park manager June Jenkins said she was shocked to learn her neighbour had been killed.

Nothing like it had ever happened in the town before, she said. "We're a pretty close-knit community." Ms Jenkins said Mr Thornburgh visited his holiday home directly across the street from the caravan park every few months. Although she rarely interacted with him, Ms Jenkins said she always knew when he was there because the nightclub owner loved to play loud music. "I presumed he was here on Wednesday because I could hear music," she said.

"Thump, thump, thump  whatever that kind of music is. "He was very full on, full of energy, very vibrant, almost eccentric." Jeanine Pike runs another caravan park in Barmah as well as the post office, newsagency and general store. She said Mr Thornburgh had been in town for an unusually long period of time. "He'd been up for the last six weeks," she said.

"He usually just popped in on weekends or what have you." Ms Pike said the Melbourne nightclub owner "liked to throw his money around". "He had all his toys up here: jet skis, a big bus, boat, golf buggies," she said. "He had the money and he liked the lifestyle." Mr Thornburgh also owned four properties in Barmah.

Court documents revealed he had not paid property rates to the Moira Shire for several years and it is believed Mr Thornburgh had other serious debts. Mr Thornburgh began his career as a doorman at the now-defunct Chevron Hotel on St Kilda Road. He had been a part-owner in some of Melbourne's biggest nightclubs before founding Boutique more than a decade ago. Over the years he had shares in Chasers Nightclub and Warehouse Nightclub in South Yarra, the Chevron, the Imperial in Chapel Street and the old Heat Nightclub in Crown Casino. Loading
Elderly men and woman living in Australian nursing homes are being killed or fatally injured by their fellow residents.

A string of 28 deaths has been uncovered by Melbourne researchers. The cases are not considered murders, but mostly tragedies where people with dementia have become confused and argued with each other, with fatal consequences.

The deaths mostly involve "two people with dementia getting involved in an argument".

"Some people were classifying these as homicides but we don't believe there is intent behind this," said Professor Joseph Ibrahim from the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine and Monash University.

"It's typically two people with dementia getting involved in an argument or concerned about one invading another person's space.
Damaged door at the Hampton home where intruders forced entry. Credit:Justin McManus "He's copped a pretty severe bashing, it's not life threatening, but he's not well," the detective sergeant said. "First thing he knew the door was getting smashed in and these blokes came in. "You put yourself in his shoes  that'd be terrifying." Detective Sergeant Hargreaves described it as a cowardly act. "Three blokes against one, your home should be safe and secure, they've kicked in the door, they've smashed it in," he said.

"He was there by himself, he didn't know what was going on and they've just set upon him, three against one, it's really a dog act." Detective Sergeant Hargreaves said police were not yet aware if the offenders had taken anything but that they clearly intended to steal as they were "fully disguised". The trio were seen fleeing on foot and police were yet to determine whether there was a getaway car. Police were door knocking the area and early investigations had produced several leads, Detective Sergeant Hargreaves said. So far they had not produced evidence linking it to the drive-by shooting in April.

"There's nothing to link it as yet, nothing at all," he said. "It's a nice area, it's a nice street  it's quite an unusual occurence. "I think it could be an unhappy coincidence, unlucky for the person who lives there, but at the moment we don't know." A neighbour who lives around the corner from Mr Sheffield said he was a retired public servant who had lived at the same address for more than 30 years and had recently subdivided. "I haven't the foggiest why Chris was targeted," she said.

"He's a nice guy, a single-guy who drives an MG and who keeps to himself a lot. "I feel sorry for him  and for the bloke across the road who's house is for sale." The woman asked to remain anonymous, saying she had heard Mr Sheffield "got himself into trouble" after giving an interview to TV news crews following the April drive-by shooting. In the park across the street from Mr Sheffield's home, several locals were walking their dogs. One woman from nearby Brighton said she was concerned about the rise of violent crime in the area. "I've a friend who's a bit of an insomniac, who used to walk his dog late at night  until about a year or so ago, he never felt unsafe," she said.

"Now he never goes out late at night. "We've observed a real change over the last few years." Even so, the woman  who asked to remain anonymous  said she was shocked by Sunday night's events. "It doesn't matter where it happens," she said. "It's ghastly to be in your own home and have it invaded like that."

Another dog-walker who lives a few blocks away, Carol Watson, said the incident was frightening. "That's why we have a big front gate which we keep locked," she said. One woman who lives a few houses down from the victim's on Lawson Street, who also wished to remain anonymous, said she was always vigilant against crime. "It's very unfortunate  but it could happen anywhere," she said. "People need to keep their doors locked, keep an eye on where and when crime is happening...
Ivanhoe Girls' Grammar has reached a confidential settlement with a 10-year-old autistic girl after allegedly refusing to enrol her because she didn't "suit" the school.

The girl's mother took legal action in the Federal Court, accusing the independent school of discriminating against her daughter because of her disability.

Ivanhoe Girls' Grammar reaches settlement with autistic girl over discrimination claims. Credit:Mario Borg

A spokeswoman for Ivanhoe Girls' Grammar denied the claim and said the school was "committed to providing an inclusive and supportive educational environment".

She said the matter was resolved on a confidential basis to the satisfaction of all parties.
That's all from me this morning. Thanks for joining us.

Melbourne Express will be back from 6am tomorrow with Chloe Booker at the helm.

Have a great day.
A Melbourne man has been charged with murdering his American partner after meeting her online.

Tamara Turner, 49, was dead when she was found outside the Mildura Base Hospital in Victoria's far north on a Monday morning in June last year.

Tamara Turner was found dead outside the Mildura hospital in June last year. Credit:Facebook

Police said she had injuries consistent with an assault, while her son said he was told by authorities she had been shot in the thigh with the bullet piercing a major artery.

Ms Turner's partner, Preston man Steven Samaras, has been charged with murder.
A fatal flu outbreak at a Wangaratta nursing home, where 10 residents died of influenza and two others from respiratory illness, was worsened by serious management failures, a scathing government audit has found.

In response, the St John's Village nursing home accepted the resignation of its own former acting care services manager and referred him to his professional body for potential sanction.

An electron microscopy image of the flu virus Credit:Rob Ruigrok/ UVHCI

A federal government audit of the St John's Village home, which was ordered after the catastrophic outbreak, has found it took days after infections began in August for management to report the outbreak.

By the time they did, 16 residents and eight staff were already sick.
The condition of a 13-year-old girl left fighting for her life after being knocked from her bike in an alleged hit-run has improved.

Thi Nguyen outside the Melbourne Magistrates court on Monday Credit:Jason South

The girl was in a serious condition in the Royal Children's Hospital on Monday, having previously been listed as critical.

The driver alleged to have knocked the girl from her bike on November 5 in Coburg appeared before Melbourne Magistrates Court on Monday.
It's believed the party was advertised through Facebook, and around 400 people were originally invited.

Ballajura locals have rubbished an apology from the host of an out-of-control party held in the suburb on Saturday night, after WA Police were called to deal with a number of party-goers allegedly fighting in the streets and vandalising neighbouring property.

Neighbours were quick to express their frustration on social media, as the party was the second event in less than a month to result in arrests and property damage.

Residents have since called for harsher penalties for those found to be organising the parties, and demanded they take responsibility for their actions.

"I hope they get arrested and I'd be sending them some serious fines for the damage and use of resources  [it] went on for hours," one resident said.

"What is this place coming to? It used to be a great neighbourhood, not so sure now," another said.

On Sunday evening Samuel issued an apology to community Facebook page Ballajura Community and Crime Watch, and attempted to explain the situation to frustrated locals.
Anita with her customised Pony Power racer. Credit:Broad Family Racing "Its history speaks for itself. Sadly this one in a million event happened to us and to our little girl. "We do want the kids to go on and enjoy their racing. We do understand there will need to be a couple of changes, but we don't believe there needs to be major change." Anita died following a crash at Perth Motorplex on Saturday afternoon, where she lost control of her vehicle and crashed into a cement barrier. She had been racing in a junior drag event.

The fatal crash will be investigated by WA Police and the Australian National Drag Racing Association (ANDRA), with a Coroner's inquiry into the matter expected to be prioritised. ANDRA spokesman Terry Jongen confirmed the sport would be looking for ways to improve following the tragedy. "Like all sporting codes we are constantly seeking to improve. Once the continued police investigation into Saturday night's tragic incident at the Motorplex has been completed, ANDRA will undertake its own investigation," Mr Jongen said. Acting Premier Roger Cook said he thought it was "extraordinary" a child so young could be permitted to race at such speeds. "Our heartfelt sympathies go out to the family of young Anita, I can't image the pain and the sorrow that that family is feeling today," he said.

"96 kilometres an hour seems an extraordinary speed to me, I think it would strike anyone that it's an extraordinary speed for an eight-year-old to be having the sole control of a vehicle. "I'm not an expert in motor sports, I'm certainly not an expert in motor sport safety and so it's appropriate we wait for the various inquiries to go into this to make sure we get to the bottom of the matter." Australian National Drag Racing Association permitted speeds for children with a junior competition licence: 8 - 10 years old: up to 96 kilometres per hour

11 - 12 years old - up to 128 kilometres per hour

13 - 16 years old - up to 144 kilometres per hour

Sports Minister Mick Murray said the state government would take a "hard look" at the state's child racing rules once the inquiries were complete.

"I was very surprised to find out that they were allowed to be in the system but in saying that from my understanding it was well controlled but an unfortunate accident that happened," he said. "Junior competition drag racing - which includes ages eight to 16 - will be suspended at Perth Motorplex until the investigation is complete. "The suspension of this category of motorsport activity allows for a full investigation to be carried out into the nature of the accident. "The state government will wait until the details of the accident are clear following the investigation before taking any further action." Anita was racing in the junior dragster category on Saturday afternoon when she lost control of her vehicle.

Paramedics were on standby for the event and immediately ran to the site of the crash. The event was stopped for about two hours while paramedics and police attended to Anita. She was rushed to Rockingham Hospital and then later transferred to Princess Margaret Hospital. It is understood she died just after 1pm on Sunday. The Board family, from Aubin Grove, said on their Facebook page that Anita had celebrated her birthday by going go-karting to get more practice before going for her junior competition licence.
London: British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has apologised for causing distress with remarks about a Iranian-British aid worker jailed in Iran.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a project manager with the Thomson Reuters Foundation, was sentenced to five years after being convicted by an Iranian court of plotting to overthrow the Islamic Republic's clerical establishment. She denies the charges.

Johnson said on November 1 that she had been teaching people journalism before her arrest in April 2016, contradicting her and her employer, who said she had been on holiday visiting her family.

"Of course I apologise for the distress, for the suffering that has been caused by the impression I gave that I believed she was there in a professional capacity. She was there on holiday," Johnson told parliament on Monday.
The report, which was issued on behalf of the 17-agency intelligence community, did not address whether the interference affected the outcome of the election.

In talking to reporters about his brief conversations with Putin during a larger meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation forum in Danang, Vietnam, Trump said he believed Putin was "sincere" in his denials, while calling former US intelligence officials, including Clapper and Brennan, "political hacks".

"He said he didn't meddle," Trump said. "I asked him again. You can only ask so many times ... He said he absolutely did not meddle in our election. He did not do what they were saying he did."

At one point, he also said: "I mean, you have Brennan, you have Clapper and you have Comey ... So you look at that and you have President Putin very strongly, vehemently says he had nothing to do with them."

Responding to questions about Trump's comments, CIA director Mike Pompeo said he "stands by and has always stood by" the intelligence community's findings, which have not changed since Clapper, Brennan and Comey issued the January report.
Beirut: Lebanon's prime minister has said he is "free" to move as he pleases, and, in his first interview since his unexpected resignation while in the Saudi capital, he rejected suggestions by his political allies that he was coerced into leaving his post.

In a live television interview from Riyadh, a tired and sometimes emotional Saad Hariri said that he hoped his resignation would cause a "positive shock" between Saudi Arabia, his regional patron, and its rival, Iran, which backs the Hezbollah movement. Hezbollah plays a dominant role in Lebanese politics.

Lebanon's Prime Minister Saad Hariri speaking on TV from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday. Credit:AP

"We are in the eye of the storm," he said.

Lebanon has repeatedly become a stage for the regional ambitions of its more powerful counterparts. Hariri's resignation on November 4 came amid heightened tension between Iran and Saudi Arabia, and coincided with an aggressive purge of rivals by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman under the cover of an anti-corruption drive.
Manila: Plans for US President Donald Trump and his new buddy Malcolm Turnbull to meet together for a private dinner on Monday night were cancelled at the last minute.

The two leaders who had a contentious telephone call last year have been collaborating on strategies to press North Korea over its nuclear weapons program and other issues during Asian leaders' summits in Vietnam and the Philippines.

But the planned dinner was changed to a short private meeting because they had met earlier in the day, officials said.

A spokesman for Mr Turnbull said the prime minister spent half an hour with Mr Trump in the president's waterfront hotel suite.
Washington: More than 400 American millionaires and billionaires are sending a letter to Congress this week urging Republican lawmakers not to cut their taxes.

The wealthy Americans, which include doctors, lawyers, entrepreneurs and CEOs, say the GOP is making a mistake by reducing taxes on the richest families at a time when the nation's debt is high and inequality is back at the worst level since the 1920s.

Jerry Greenfield, left, and Ben Cohen have made a fortune out of icecream but are cold on tax cuts. Credit:AP

The letter calls on Congress not to pass any tax bill that adds to the debt and that "further exacerbates inequality". Instead of cutting taxes of the wealthy, the letter tells Congress to raises taxes on rich people like them. It is being released publicly this week, as Republicans debate legislation that would add $US1.5 trillion to the debt to pay for widespread tax cuts for businesses and individuals.

The letter was put together by Responsible Wealth, a group that advocates for progressive causes. Signers include Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, fashion designer Eileen Fisher, billionaire hedge fund manager George Soros and philanthropist Steven Rockefeller, as well as many individuals and couples who aren't household names but have at least $1 million in assets.
Warsaw: Poland, accused by European Union officials of undermining democracy, looked to mount a defence from criticism after white supremacists marched in Warsaw in the latest demonstration of nationalism surging across the continent.

Poland's annual Independence Day march on Saturday became a demonstration by far-right groups when masked protesters shouted racist slogans and carried banners saying "Pure Blood" and "Europe will be white or uninhabited." After the rally become global news, the government accused media of focusing on "fringe incidents," said unspecified "provocateurs" had stoked unrest and praised the police for restraining 45 anti-fascists who sought to disrupt the 60,000-strong march. No arrests were made for racist behaviour.

Demonstrators burn flares and wave Polish flags during the annual march to commemorate Poland's National Independence Day in Warsaw, Poland. Credit:AP

"It's clear that these types of marginal voices are caught and sent abroad by the Polish press, and this is an image problem," deputy Prime Minister Mariusz Morawiecki said on Monday. "Poland is an oasis of security, peace and tolerance."

The country has been ruled for almost two years by the Law & Justice party, which has urged Poles to embrace their national heritage and vowed a return to the nation's traditional conservative Catholic roots. Hours before the march, party leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski pledged in a speech to keep Poland on a path of "pride, independence and strength." He called on Poles to lead "sick Europe" to the path of "health, to fundamental values, to true freedom and to the strengthening of our civilisation based on Christianity."
Beneath the wave of sexual misconduct allegations in recent weeks against male lawmakers and candidates lies a common theme: These offences had been going on for decades, but were either unacknowledged or dealt with quietly.

Now, veils of silence in legislative chambers are lifting as public disavowals and calls for resignations pour in against the accused, even from fellow party members.

Kentucky's former Republican House speaker Jeff Hoover. Credit:AP

Roiling the political world in the last week was a report in The Washington Post that four women had accused Roy Moore, the Republican nominee for a US Senate seat in Alabama, of sexual or romantic advances when he was in his 30s and they were teenagers, one of them 14.

While many Republican officials in Alabama have come to Moore's defence, a chorus of others -- including the president, vice president and Senator Mitch McConnell, the majority leader -- immediately called on the candidate to step aside if the allegations were true. The Senate campaign arm of the party cut its fundraising agreement with him, and two Republican senators have rescinded their endorsements.
Ljubljana, Slovenia: Voters in Slovenia went to the polls on Sunday to decide a run-off election between a sitting president deeply rooted in the political establishment and a former actor who had appealed to the electorate by tapping into concern about the struggling economy.

With all votes counted after the polls closed, the incumbent, Borut Pahor - described by one news media outlet as Europe's Instagram president - received nearly 53 per cent, according to results published by Slovenia's National Election Commission.

Slovenia's President Borut Pahor was returned to office with 53 per cent of the vote. Credit:AP

His rival, Marjan Sarec, the former actor and mayor of a small town north of the capital, Ljubljana, received a little more than 47 per cent of the vote.

Despite the unofficial results, however, Sarec, 39, congratulated Pahor, 54, for apparently winning a second term in this tiny Alpine country that was once home to America's first lady, Melania Trump.
He's the Philippine government official who can't help taking a selfie. And sometimes, with press access limited, he often gives the world its the first - and only - glimpse of what goes on behind closed doors at the high-level meetings involving world leaders.

Christopher Lawrence Go has been dubbed the "national photobomber" by the press in the Philippines.

Christopher Lawrence Go, special assistant to Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, snaps a revealing selfie with Donald Trump, Malcolm Turnbull and Duterte during the ASEAN conference. Credit:Facebook/Christopher Lawrence Go

His more formal title is the special assistant to Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. And he is something of a selfie savant known for snapping pictures of himself with just about every person he meets  with or without their permission.

Go, who goes by the nickname "Bong Go," had the opportunity to meet a lot of famous people at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) conference in Manila this week. Did he rise to the occasion? Yes, he did.
Manila President Donald Trump boasted of his 'great relationship' with with Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte when the two met on Monday amid concern from human rights activists about thousands of extrajudicial killings in Mr Duterte's war on drugs.

Mr Trump had praised Mr Duterte for doing an "unbelievable job" in combating the illicit drug trade during a private phone call in April that focused mostly on North Korea. In that call, the contents of which were first revealed in detail in May by The Washington Post, Mr Trump also invited Mr Duterte to visit the White House.

The two leaders met for the first time briefly on Friday at an economic summit in Danang, Vietnam, and were photographed raising wine glasses together in a toast at the opening dinner of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations forum on Sunday.

Images of them appearing to be at ease with one another and, like other leaders at the summit, wearing traditional barong tagalong shirts, were published in Philippines newspapers.
SignalFx Announces Comprehensive Global Monitoring for Google Cloud Platform

SAN MATEO, CA  (Marketwired)  11/13/17  SignalFx, a leader in real-time operational intelligence for data-driven DevOps, today announced an integration for comprehensive global monitoring for Google Cloud Platform. This integration allows enterprise-class Google Cloud customers to leverage the real-time, end-to-end operational intelligence of the SignalFx solution. Global organizations can get alerts in real-time from SignalFxs streaming analytics platform across their entire technology stack. From infrastructure to applications critical information will be uncovered every second of every day so unwanted issues can be instantly fixed. The integration currently is live across many Google Cloud Platform services.

If DevOps isnt happening in real real-time, its not happening fast enough. SignalFx delivers a comprehensive view into an organizations DevOps environment as it happens. Now enterprises can monitor the Google Cloud Platform in SignalFx using Googles Stackdriver metrics, with built-in dashboards for Google Compute Engine, Google Container Engine, BigQuery, Cloud Pub/Sub, Cloud Bigtable, Cloud Router, Cloud Spanner, Cloud Storage, Cloud Functions, App Engine and Cloud Datastore.

In a world where customer experience defines brands, theres no room for error. SignalFx is for companies whose customers expect their products and services to perform 24X7, said Karthik Rau, Founder and CEO of SignalFx. Our operational-intelligence platform provides instant visibility into technology performance so companies can fix what needs fixing and uncover opportunities to keep customers engaged and happy. Thats what matters most.

SignalFxs metrics, dashboards, and alerts are now available for a broad range of Google Cloud Platform services enabling developers with real time insights throughout their development lifecycle. This can help users of the SignalFx platform develop faster and more robust applications on Google Cloud, said Adam Massey, Director of Strategic Technology Partnerships, Google Cloud.

Visit SignalFx:

Follow SignalFx on Twitter:

Follow SignalFx on

Like SignalFx on

SignalFx is a leader in real-time operational intelligence for data-driven DevOps. The service discovers and collects metrics across every component in the cloud, replacing traditional point tools and providing real-time visibility into todays dynamic environments. Leveraging the massively scalable SignalFx platform, the SaaS service is optimized for container and microservices based architectures and provides powerful visualization, proactive alerting, and collaborative triage capabilities across organizations of all sizes. SignalFx is used by Fortune 500 enterprises across financial services, apparel, industrials, telecommunications, media, and by web-scale players like Yelp, Hubspot, Acquia, and Kayak. SignalFx is venture-funded by Andreessen Horowitz and Charles River Ventures.

Media Contacts:

Allison DeLeo

Racepoint Global for SignalFx

Phone: +1 (415) 694-6700
Route1 Announces Q3 2017 Financial Results

TORONTO, ONTARIO  (Marketwired)  11/13/17  (OTCQB: ROIUF)(TSX VENTURE: ROI) (the Company or Route1), a world-leader in secure data protection technologies and user authentication for government and enterprise, today announced its third quarter (Q3) financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017.

Revenue from the recurring revenue and services segment for the three months ended September 30, 2017 decreased $461,000 from the same period in 2016. The decrease is a result of a reduction in the number of paid, active MobiKEY application software users with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, an agency of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation amortization, patent litigation expense and stock-based compensation (Adjusted EBITDA) during the third quarter of 2017 amounted to $(46,000) compared to $447,000 in Q3 2016.

Route1 used cash from operating activities of $0.2 million during Q3 2017 compared with cash generated from operating activities of $0.5 million in Q3 2016. As at September 30, 2017, the Company had no bank debt and a cash balance of $1.4 million.

Route1s cash position is at its highest level during the second quarter of the fiscal year as a direct result of the timing of certain annual enterprise user subscription renewal payments.

Operations Update

Route1 provided a Q3 2017 Operations Update through a news release issued on October 23, 2017 that provided highlights on operations and business development activities. The news release is archived on the Companys website and can be found at .

Route1 Annual and Special Meeting

The Companys annual and special meeting will be held at 9 am on November 27, 2017 at the offices of Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP  Suite 2400, 333 Bay Street, Toronto, Ontario. Management will be available after the meeting to answer questions from shareholders.

About Route1 Inc.

Route1 Inc. is a world-leader in secure data protection technologies and user authentication for government and enterprise. Route1 solutions enable the workforce to be more productive and more flexible without compromising system access, data-at-rest, or data-in-use. The Companys suite of patented enterprise security solutions combines best-in-class authentication, data security and secure communications with streamlined administration tools, running on a proven, trusted infrastructure. From mobile access to business continuity to best-in-class full system encryption, Route1 offers the most effective, affordable methods to secure the digital fortress, while meeting or exceeding the highest standards for government and industry. Route1 has Full Authority to Operate from the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Department of the Navy, the U.S. Department of the Interior, and other government agencies. The Company is also trusted by enterprise security teams in the banking, healthcare, legal and education sectors, among others. With offices in Washington, D.C., Boca Raton, FL and Toronto, Canada, Route1 serves public and private sector clients around the world. Route1 is listed on the OTCQB in the United States under the symbol ROIUF and in Canada on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol ROI. For more information, visit: .

This news release, required by applicable Canadian laws, does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the U.S. Securities Act) or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release contains statements that are not current or historical factual statements that may constitute forward-looking statements. These statements are based on certain factors and assumptions, including, expected financial performance, business prospects, technological developments, and development activities and like matters. While Route1 Inc. considers these factors and assumptions to be reasonable, based on information currently available, they may prove to be incorrect. These statements involve risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to the risk factors described in reporting documents filed by the Company. Actual results could differ materially from those projected as a result of these risks and should not be relied upon as a prediction of future events. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law. Estimates used in this news release are from Company sources.

 2017 Route1 Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, transmitted or otherwise used in whole or in part or by any means without prior written consent of Route1 Inc. See for notice of Route1s intellectual property.

Contacts:

Peter Chodos

EVP and CFO, Route1 Inc.

+1 416 814-2619
BERNINA of America Donates Nearly $20,000 to Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund

AURORA, IL  (Marketwired)  11/13/17  BERNINA of America, the premier manufacturer of sewing, embroidery and quilting machines, is pleased to announce that it is donating nearly $20,000 to the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund. Prior to exhibiting at International Quilt Festival Houston, BERNINA announced that it would donate two-percent of its sales revenue generated from the Festival. The International Quilt Festival Houston is the largest annual quilt show in the United States that attracts people from over 35 countries. This year it was held November 3-5 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston.

BERNINA of America has participated in the International Quilt Festival Houston since its inception 43 years ago, and has 23 BERNINA Dealers in the Houston area. This history, coupled with the connection we have with our customers, compelled us to find a way to support the victims of Hurricane Harvey and help rebuild the community. We hope this donation, along with the donations of many others, will help make a difference, said Paul Ashworth, President of BERNINA of America.

The International Quilt Festival Houston takes place each fall in Houston, Texas and attracts 55,000 people from over 35 countries. With more than 1,000 booths and 500 classes and lectures, the public can experience great shopping opportunities and learn new skills. The International Quilt Market is the only wholesale tradeshow for the worldwide quilting, textile, and soft crafts industry. The spring edition is held in Chicago each year and will take place April 12-14, 2018. For more information about upcoming Quilt Festivals, visit .

Founded in Switzerland more than 100 years ago, BERNINA is the worlds premier manufacturer with a proven reputation for offering quality state-of-the-art sewing, quilting and embroidery machines, overlockers, and embroidery software. BERNINAs leadership is marked by an impressive number of ambassadors, industry leaders, influencers and bloggers, who chose to partner with the company. BERNINA products are sold in the United States through a network of over 400 fully trained independent dealerships that also offer support and education. Select BERNINA and bernette machines, and BERNINA software can also be purchased online. BERNINA products are designed for beginning to advanced sewists and priced to meet a variety of budgets, with new products being introduced every year. You can follow BERNINA on Facebook: , Instagram: , and Pinterest: , and read BERNINAs WeAllSew blog at . To learn more about BERNINA and to find a Dealer, visit or call (630)978-2500.

Joanne Tedesco

(312)780-7210

Mike Mason

(917)841-8371
#FIFA World Cup Captain Son Heung-min willing to risk health for fans It would be too risky for any athlete to return to competition less than a month after suffering facial fractures. But Son Heung-min, the beloved captain of the South Korean men's ...
Optimization

Are you frustrated with a slow pc or a hard disk not performing as it should?

Try SLOW-PCfighter to speed up boot time on a slow PC, or try a free scan of FULL-DISKfighter to recover space on a full disk. The latest offering is DRIVERfighter to update your driver updater. Get complete PC optimization and extend the life of your PC with these must-have software tools.
Reintke is one of the few women who dares speak openly about sexual harassment. In early September, before the #MeToo campaign, she gave a speech in parliament about how she had been harassed in the train station in Duisburg. "A man came from behind and grabbed between my legs," she said. Reintke received a lot of respect for her appearance, but on Facebook, she faced malice and hatred. "Finally, someone actually touched you," was one of the milder comments.

Traditional power structures -- male boss, female employees -- famously facilitate abuse. This is exacerbated by the fact that the female lawmakers and assistants in Brussels are often working far from home, and that receptions and lots of alcohol replace meals at home with the family. This feeling of being on a school trip is especially strong when the parliamentarians meet once a month in Strasbourg.

On top of that, the European Parliament is still a way-station for men who were once important. Former commissioners, former party leaders and several big-name politicians spend their political twilight years here. "Many have the feeling that nothing can happen to me here," says Martin, the Socialist from France.

Complaints About Existing Mechanisms

That also makes it difficult to organize help for the women affected. Although there has been an advisory committee for harassment complaints for several years, its work hasn't had much of an effect. "It is unrealistic to believe that women affected would turn to a committee composed of European parliamentarians," says Terry Reintke, "which is to say, to exactly those people that would need to condemn the person sitting next to them, or their colleague in the parliamentary group, in order for something to happen." This explains why former French environment ninister and European parliamentian Yves Cochet is one of only a few who have so far been accused of harassment. Britain's Sunday Times reported that he made inappropriate advances to a 25-year-old colleague, allegedly writing to her in a text message that she should share "passions, dreams and fantasies" with him.
Shaheed El-Hafed (Refugee Camps), November 13, 2017 (SPS) - The National Secretariat of the Polisario Front met on Saturday and Sunday in its 5th and 6th ordinary sessions, chaired by Secretary-General, President of the Republic, Brahim Gali, has renewed its willingness to cooperate with the international efforts aimed at the decolonization of Western Sahara, the last colony in Africa, in accordance with the charter and resolutions of the United Nations and African Union.

In a statement, the National Secretariat of the Polisario Front underlined the need for a full and urgent implementation of Resolution 2351 of the UN Security Council, in particular the part of the resolution related to the ceasefire agreement and Military Agreement No. 1, in the light of the serious events resulting from the flagrant Moroccan violation in Elgargarat region, stressing that any delay in the treatment of the situation could threaten to return to tension and confrontation.

It reiterated the need for MINURSO to adhere to the principles and norms that govern peace missions in the world, and demanded the immediate and unconditional return of the AU component to the mission.

It called on the UN and the AU to act energetically to impose a just and democratic solution, based on the urgent implementation of the terms of the UN-AU settlement plan of 1991, signed by both parties and ratified by the UN Security Council, establishing a date for the organization of a free and fair referendum that allows the Saharawi people to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination and independence. (SPS)

062/SPS/TRA
Plans to consult on a new, independent body that would hold Government to account for upholding environmental standards in England after we leave the European Union have been set out by Environment Secretary Michael Gove.

Leaving the EU gives us the opportunity to put the environment at the heart of policy making, while ensuring vital protections for our landscapes, wildlife and natural assets are not only maintained but enhanced.

To help deliver a Green Brexit, ministers will consult on a new independent, statutory body to advise and challenge government and potentially other public bodies on environmental legislation  stepping in when needed to hold these bodies to account and enforce standards.

A consultation on the specific powers and scope of the new body will be launched early next year.

Environment Secretary Michael Gove said:

We will deliver a Green Brexit, where environmental standards are not only maintained but enhanced.

Today we are setting out our plans to ensure the powerful are held to account. We will consult on creating an independent body  encouraging transparency and preventing careless or irresponsible behaviour damaging our natural environment.

We will consult as widely as possible on these proposals to ensure we get this important decision right for future generations.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

STAMFORD  Private equity firm Olympus Partners announced Sunday the acquisition of Vaco, a Nashville, Tenn.-based executive search, consulting and placement firm.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Olympus partner Jason Miller said in a statement that Vacos founders and the rest of the Vaco team have built a remarkable entrepreneurial culture that has led to impressive growth across multiple industries and geographies. We look forward to working with them to continue that success.

Founded in 2002, Vaco describes itself as a firm that matches accounting, finance, technology, health care IT and administrative professionals with clients project and permanent needs. The business has more than 780 employees and 4,300 consultants, based in 35 offices around the world.

We are beyond ecstatic to partner with Olympus, Vaco co-founder and CEO Jerry Bostelman said in a statement. Their contribution will be invaluable as we explore how to more cohesively deliver our complete solutions to clients, expand our service lines and geographies throughout the globe and institutionalize the essence of Vaco to ensure its eternal viability.

The acquisition of Vaco marks Olympus ninth investment from its sixth fund, which is worth $2.3 billion, the largest fund total in the companys history.

In September, Olympus closed on the $605 million sale of Columbia, S.C.-based pharmaceutical firm Ritedose Corp., to a consortium of China-based businesses. It bought the firm for about $150 million in 2009.

Olympus has posted a 30 percent gross internal rate of return since it started investing in 1990. Losses account for only 2.6 percent of $3.7 billion in controlling investments, according to data provided by the firm.

We dont operate to try to have two or three (investments) work well and seven blow away, founder and managing partner Rob Morris said in a recent interview. We try not to lose money.

Public and private pension funds, endowments and large trusts are key backers. Among the largest and longest-running partners, the University of California systems investment office has invested some $180 million with Olympus since 2003.

Olympus was founded in 1988, and it has operated in Stamford since 1990. About two dozen work in its offices across the street from the downtown Metro-North train station. Its partners have spent an average of 18 years in the organization.

We know the Olympus way, Morris said. People just dont run out the door when they have one good deal and disappear  or after one bad deal. Its the groups decision to do something.

pschott@scni.com; 203-964-2236; twitter: @paulschott
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

STAMFORD  The media center at Stamford High School, once buzzing with students, is now described as a barren waste land by those who used to frequent it.

Theres no one here ever  its a place for nobody, said junior Isabella Sorial. It shouldnt be like that...the atmosphere has changed, and I felt more comfortable going in before.

Without paraeducators, the staff isnt big enough to accommodate the needs of students outside of the normal classes that are in the library. Now, there are two regular staff members in the center, and sometimes volunteers, and there can only be 30 students per supervisor inside.

For this reason, a basket of tickets is available outside the media center door in the mornings, when the center is usually at its busiest. Once they are gone, no more students can enter. This system didnt need to be in place when the paraeducators were in the media centers, said head of media Mary George.

Senior Augustus Doricko experienced this inconvenience first-hand, when he was forced to stand at the door of the media center while his friend printed something for him.

I dont think the library is dying, but the serious issue is the limitation on how many students can go in, Doricko said.

Students across the district held their media centers, and the paraeducators that used to work in them, in high regard. But in August, the positions were defunded in an effort to save on costs while the state was still without a budget.

School officials said that the positions would be reinstated once the appropriate funds became available. Now that a budget has been signed by Gov. Dannel Malloy, Superintendent of Schools Earl Kim has said that he is cautiously optimistic about the positions being funded again.

Meanwhile, students continue to feel the effects.

[The paraeducator] would help me publicize things for activities and clubs, and helped me print stuff out for posters, and come up with cool slogans, said Brianna Jean, a senior at Stamford High. Now we dont really have someone who is specifically dedicated to helping out with those things, so its pretty much just me on my own or I have to make sure another educator is in the room with me, which takes away from other students.

Despite being among the lowest paid full-time employees in the district, the paraeducators were known for their dedication to the media centers; they were often the first to help students with issues they faced, and took care of the finer details in the centers.

Even when we had the paraeducators in the library, we still had a need for volunteers, George said. Now, its me and my colleague doing the work of four or more people.

George said that study halls were impacted tremendously. Now, students are forced to stay in their assigned classrooms for study hall rather than go to the media center, which they used to enjoy.

I cannot take on study-hall students because I need things to be under control, George said. I would probably end up staying here until 10 p.m. every night getting everything done that I need to get done.

An after school program that had been held in years past has also not returned this year with no word on whether it will. Students would seek help from tutors after school, and now they cant go to the media center during that time.

Books seem to be lacking in the center, as well. What was formerly an upstairs to the center, filled to the brim with books, is now a separate computer lab and career resource room, although it does not have full-time staffing.

While this was a decision made prior to the paraeducator position being defunded, its effects are reflected even more so, now. Without adequate staffing levels in the media center or a full-time staff in the career resource room, there is a lack of support for students applying to colleges  a common use for the center as students research potential colleges and scholarships, George said.

Reference books that were in the upper-level were either removed from the collection or integrated into the non-fiction books on the lower-level, according to George. Whereas paraeducators would catalog books, the responsibility now falls to librarians, on top of other tasks.

Libraries increase student achievement, George said. When a school librarian has a full support staff, its most effective. But when you have no support staff assigned to the library or have volunteers replace them, youre not considered to be effective.

At the Academy of Information Technology and Engineering, senior projects are a must to graduate. Seth Christofor, who attended the most recent Board of Education meeting to voice his concerns on behalf of his fellow students, said that these projects, among other things, have been impaired by the lack of paraeducators.

When the head of media at AITE isnt in the center, it shuts down completely.

Christofor said that a petition at AITE has been making the rounds, and he expects at least 90 percent of the student body to sign it. It will be sent to the Board of Education and the mayors office.

The petition is meant to put pressure on the Board of Education and superintendent, Christofor said. I feel like they dont understand the full importance of the paras, so we want to be persistent.

He said their goal is to get the paraeducators back before the spring.

Were hopeful, but were still going forward with this at 100 percent power, Christofor said.

tclark@stamfordadvocate.com; 203-964-2265; @TravClark2
Were on location in Venice Beach and Santa Monica; our first time here, just west of L.A., shooting some video coverage for Stark Insider.

Its a very pretty area. And, not unlike the San Francisco Bay Area, scenes of beautiful coastlines and swaying palms are juxtaposed with massive highway congestion and throngs of people, tourists and locals alike.

Needless to say its an inspiring place to help trigger creativity  which is something Loni Stark and I do about this time each year with a 10-day work/create getaway. Typically in the past weve gone to a small fishing village in the Baja called Loreto, talk about a change of pace from San Jose and San Francisco! A beautiful oasis with friendly people, no Starbucks or In-N-Outs, and without the touristy build up of better known destinations like Cabo. If you like outdoorsy adventure and serene landscape definitely and beautiful blue sea (Sea of Cortez) check out the town of Loreto and the resort of Loreto Bay about 20 minutes South on Highway 1 in Nopolo.

Our goals are always the same on these schedule hacks: to plug away on our regularly scheduled programming in the morning, and then to shift gears later in the day to brainstorm and create mode, taking a break from email, social media and any other distractions. Loni typically paints and I shoot and edit video (this time using footage from the wonderful and compact Panasonic GH5 mirrorless 4K camera). And we also set goals and timelines for the next 12 months of Stark Insider.

ICYMI we released the first ever SI short film collection. Who is Stark Insider? You can read about that here  if you dare. It was an interesting process. Once the shorts are done, theyre done, and we move to the next project. For better or worse. The beat goes on.

Next up, look for the long-promised 3 DAYS video series to roll-out. Sonoma. Paris. Iceland. Vancouver. We have a bunch of wanderlust to share Stark Insider style. We may even toss in a bit of David Lynch himself  and scenes from the 2nd annual Festival of Disruption  into the whole thing because who doesnt like alternative universes and cherry pie every now and then? Dont forget! Please be sure to follow us on YouTube and Vimeo to get notified of new video uploads.

Meantime, were exploring so-called hippy coffee culture here in Venice Beach (me in a Silicon Valley-ready hoodie). We could get used to this
The Ministry of Communications has not been asked for an opinion on the amendments to the Tax Code, and for the tax-exempt IT sector they would generate a loss of 4 percent, Minister of Communications and Information Society Lucian Sova told a specialist digital sector conference on Monday.

"Beyond the governmental solidarity I have to prove, as a rule, exceptions give rise to exceptions, such as the tax-exemption exception for IT&C workers. From this perspective, the Ministry of Communications has not been asked for an opinion on the bill amending the Tax Code. In addition, I want to say a few things about our responsibility. Once again, the ministry has not issued its opinion on the bill amending the Tax Code, nor has it contributed to the bill. I know that what was good has not changed and the tax exemption for the IT&C workers stays in place (...) Changing the Tax Code for the tax-exempt IT sector environment would generate a 4-percent loss. I think from the perspective of the minister of communications this is a subject I have to look at, but it still is a matter of taxation. The IT&C sector must contribute 10 percent to the formation of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and it should be encouraged not only by tax exemptions, but also by more encouraging regulations that would be more important than the four percentage points that those working in the field and qualify for tax exemptions are likely to lose," Sova said.He added that an order has been developed that extends the tax exemption to include software developers without a higher education background.On the other hand, Sova warned that the IT&C sector still needs correct administration that will enable all market players to enjoy equal rights and conditions.He pointed out that, as far as the 5G license is concerned, it is "natural to happen, but it is not a priority of the ministry."Governmental representatives of the IT&C sector, together with the most important local telecom operators, participate, November 13-14, in the 7th edition of the ZF Digital Summit 2017 in Bucharest. AGERPRES
Europe needs a relaunch of its institutions, policies promoted and to regain the citizens' trust, Gabriela Cretu, the head of the Committee for European Affairs of the Romanian Senate told a conference about Romania's accession to the eurozone.

"Europe is at a crossroads. Although it is not facing quite the disaster some grave-diggers, always reporting that "The Moor has done his duty, the Moor can go," say that it is facing. I am one of those who believe that Europe only needs a relaunch, an objective one, at institutional level and of the policies it promotes, and a subjective one, set to regain the citizens' trust, for as of lately it seems that Europe lost some of the charm that it used to have," stated Senator Gabriela Cretu at the conference "Romania and the accession to eurozone," organized at the Parliament Palace by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the European Institute in Romania.In her opinion, EU has a problem related to policies and functioning."I am one of those who don't believe that, the European Union's first problem is of a structural nature or democratic nature. I rather believe that it is one related to its policies and functioning. It's not about the different speeds, as some like to say, but a problem of direction. But, still, if Europe really has a institutional problem, as a structure, then this problem is called euro and the European Union, to which we have belonged for two years and we are part of the decision makers, so that Europe needs to make a choice and to an answer to a fundamental question: the Union must exist so as to help euro to survive or euro must be reformed, so that it helps the European construction," said Gabriela Cretu. AGERPRES
The Romanian National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) has indicted Liviu Dragnea, the leader of the Romanian Social Democrat Party (PSD), for fraud against European Union (EU) funds, for creating an organised criminal group, and for misusing his position for personal gain. Eight more persons have been indicted on similar charges.

The contribution of the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) to this outcome has been emphasised by the DNA. The DNA has explained that their case comes as a result of two investigations conducted by the OLAF into projects financed by the European Regional Development Fund for road construction in Romania, which were concluded in May and September 2016.

OLAF found evidence suggesting collusion between the beneficiary of the funds, public officials and the contractor, including falsification of documents during the procurement procedure. Some of these documents were also used in support of the claim which the beneficiary submitted to the Managing Authority, resulting in the payment of EUR 21 million from European Union funds.

OLAF's investigations were concluded with a financial recommendation to the Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy, to recover the full EUR 21 million, and with judicial recommendations to the Romanian National Anticorruption Directorate to initiate judicial actions into the matter. "This investigation is a perfect example of the positive cooperation between OLAF and national authorities," OLAF Acting Director-General Nicholas Ilett said. "OLAF conducted thorough investigations that we hope will have a strong deterrent effect," he added.

For more information, please see the press releases issued by the Romanian National Anticorruption Directorate (available in Romanian).

OLAF mission, mandate and competences:

OLAFs mission is to detect, investigate and stop fraud with EU funds.

OLAF fulfils its mission by:

 carrying out independent investigations into fraud and corruption involving EU funds, so as to ensure that all EU taxpayers money reaches projects that can create jobs and growth in Europe;

 contributing to strengthening citizens trust in the EU Institutions by investigating serious misconduct by EU staff and members of the EU Institutions;

 developing a sound EU anti-fraud policy.

In its independent investigative function, OLAF can investigate matters relating to fraud, corruption and other offences affecting the EU financial interests concerning:

 all EU expenditure: the main spending categories are Structural Funds, agricultural policy and rural development funds, direct expenditure and external aid;

 some areas of EU revenue, mainly customs duties;

 suspicions of serious misconduct by EU staff and members of the EU institutions.
KMG International continues to provide support to the Dobrogea Inspectorate for Emergency Situations (ISU Dobrogea) by purchasing a medical mannequin for first aid training in offering birth assistance.

"We understand the needs of the public health care system and we have the social responsibility to contribute to the country's development so that patients benefit from quality medical support. This initiative is part of the commitment we made 10 years ago, based on which we have made investments in the rehabilitation and endowment of ISU hospitals and ISU training centers in Romania worth over 4 million dollars," said Alexey Golovin, Vice President of KMG International.

"Preparing the staff for intervention is one of the priorities of ISU Constanta. In the past years, the number of requests from persons on their due date or in their last trimester of pregnancy increased exponentially, especially during the cold season, during frost or snow alerts. The procurement of a specialized mannequin is a real support for the professional training of firefighters ", Colonel Popa Daniel Gheorghe, Chief Inspector with ISU Constanta stated.

By November 1, SMURD first aid teams have intervened in Constanta County for approximately 100 pregnant women or women who had recently given birth, to assist with delivery or provide newborn care.

In Constanta there is a regional training center for qualified first aid and extrication, set up by KMG International in 2013, where paramedics from Constanta, as well as Calarasi, Tulcea and Ialomita counties, are being trained. Among the projects carried out with ISU at the national level, we mention: equipping the ISU / SMURD Bihor crews with a unique IT system in Romania to help with the decision-making process during emergency and extrication missions; in Neamt County - refurbishing the space where the Integrated Dispatch Center of ISU/Neamt County Ambulance operates and equipping it with furniture, electronic equipment, modern IT and communication systems for dispatching emergency calls and coordinating intervention actions, and so on.

Through the partnership with SMURD, signed in 2009, we have provided JetA1 fuel for aero-medical helicopters, uniforms for volunteers at national level, financial support for the construction of the heliport on the rooftop of the Emergency Hospital in Oradea, as well as medical equipment - a mobile ECMO device (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation).
Speaker of the Deputies Chamber Liviu Dragnea on Monday went to the National Anti-Corruption Directorate, being summoned by prosecutors in relation to a corruption case.

According to some judiciary sources, the Social Democratic Party (PSD) leader was summoned in the case related to the Tel Drum company. AGERPRES
Social Democratic Party (PSD) chairman Liviu Dragnea has left the National Anti-corruption Directorate (DNA) headquarters, where he was summoned for a hearing, being applauded by his supporters and members of the political party he leads.

Dragnea did not talk to the journalists.He refused to say whether he is subject of a criminal investigation and over what crime.The place was full of gendarmes - who were standing both at the entry into the institution, where the journalists were waiting - and on the opposite side, where there were standing Dragnea's supporters.Dragnea himself was flanked by gendarmes both when entering and exiting the institution, so journalists couldn't get too close to him to ask questions.Later on, one of the journalists has been identified by a gendarme, who said he only acted according to the law.According to some judiciary sources, the PSD leader was summoned in a corruption case having to do with Tel Drum company. AGERPRES
Oficiul European Antofrauda (OLAF) sustine intr-un comunicat de presa ca a gasit dovezi care demonstraza relatii nepotrivite intre functionarii publici si firmele contractante, dar si falsificarea de documente in timpul procedurilor de achizitii. Paguba ar fi de 21 de milioane de euro.

Liviu Dragnea spune ce sta in spatele ultimelor miscari ale DNA: 'E un atac violent. Miza e preluarea PSD' / VIDEO

"Aceasta investigatie este un exemplu perfect al cooperarii pozitive dintre OLAF si autoritatile nationale", a declarat directorul general al OLAF, Nicolae Ilett.

"OLAF a efectuat investigatii amanuntite, sperand ca va avea un efect disuasiv puternic", a adaugat el.

Ea este procuroarea DNA care l-a 'executat' pe Liviu Dragnea

The Romanian National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) has indicted Liviu Dragnea, the leader of the Romanian Social Democrat Party (PSD), for fraud against European Union (EU) funds, for creating an organised criminal group, and for misusing his position for personal gain. Eight more persons have been indicted on similar charges.

The contribution of the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) to this outcome has been emphasised by the DNA. The DNA has explained that their case comes as a result of two investigations conducted by the OLAF into projects financed by the European Regional Development Fund for road construction in Romania, which were concluded in May and September 2016.

OLAF found evidence suggesting collusion between the beneficiary of the funds, public officials and the contractor, including falsification of documents during the procurement procedure. Some of these documents were also used in support of the claim which the beneficiary submitted to the Managing Authority, resulting in the payment of EUR 21 million from European Union funds.

OLAF's investigations were concluded with a financial recommendation to the Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy, to recover the full EUR 21 million, and with judicial recommendations to the Romanian National Anticorruption Directorate to initiate judicial actions into the matter.

"This investigation is a perfect example of the positive cooperation between OLAF and national authorities," OLAF Acting Director-General Nicholas Ilett said. "OLAF conducted thorough investigations that we hope will have a strong deterrent effect," he added.

VEZI TOATE ACUZATIILE DNA////
Updated at 9:10 a.m.

NEW YORK  Qualcomm rejected an unsolicited, $103 billion offer from Broadcom, saying that the proposal is significantly undervalued and that a tie-up between the massive chipmakers would face substantial regulatory resistance.

Qualcomm said Monday that it's in a unique position to grow on its own.

"We are highly confident that the strategy (CEO Steve Mollenkopf) and his team are executing on provides far superior value to Qualcomm shareholders than the proposed offer," said Tom Horton, Qualcomm director.

Broadcom's bid last week represented a 28 percent premium over the closing price of Qualcomm shares on November 2, but analysts were expecting Qualcomm to reject the $70-per-share bid.

Qualcomm, which makes the Snapdragon chips found in smartphones and tablets, is the world's No. 3 chip supplier, according to research firm Gartner. A combination with Broadcom would not have propelled it past industry leaders Intel and Samsung.

Broadcom Ltd., also announced, in the company of President Donald Trump, that it would bring its corporate address back from Singapore, to Delaware.

which has corporate headquarters in San Jose, California but a home address in Singapore, is relocating the home address to Delaware. The company hopes the change will make it easier to get deals done and more specifically, help it avoid a cumbersome federal review process for a $5.5 billion deal for U.S. network provider Brocade Communications Systems. The deal has been delayed by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, which investigates proposed acquisitions of U.S. companies by foreign buyers on national security and intellectual property grounds.

Qualcomm has a pending $28.1 billion deal with NXP Semiconductor that's under regulatory review in Europe.

Qualcomm, based in San Diego, rode the boom in mobile. Today's Broadcom is the product of a $37 billion combination in 2016 between Avago, a Singapore-based company that was once part of a former unit of pioneering PC maker Hewlett-Packard, and Broadcom, another company with origins in Southern California which made chips for tablets, smartphones and other telecom and cable applications.

Shares in Broadcom and Qualcomm both dipped slightly as the market opened.
A retired priest from St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Sullivan, Mo., has been accused of sexually abusing a child in the late 1970s, the Archdiocese of St. Louis reported Monday.

Rev. Dennis B. Zacheis, 70, denies the allegations, according to the report.

The abuse was alleged to have happened at St. Margaret Mary Alacoque parish in Mehlville, where Zacheis served as an associate pastor from 1975 to 1979, according to the Archdiocese publication St. Louis Review.

The Archdiocese gave no details of the accusation and it was unclear whether the accuser had involved police.

Zacheis was assigned to St. Anthony's in 2005, after a stormy 17-month assignment at St. Alban Roe in Wildwood, and served there until going on medical leave in 2009. He retired over alleged financial indiscretions while serving as pastor at St. Anthonys. The Archidocese refunded $60,000 to the church for a budget shortfall. Zacheis spent church money on expenses related to his vacation home at the Lake of the Ozarks, according to an audit. Zacheis' lawyer at the time said the priest denied any wrongdoing.

After leaving St. Anthony's, Zacheis lived at an addiction treatment facility in Minnesota, according to the 2010 Post-Dispatch report. He now lives in a private home, according to the Archdiocese.

Anyone with questions is asked to contact Sandra Price, executive director of the Archdiocese Office of Child and Youth Protection at 314-792-7271 or sandraprice@archstl.org.

Zacheis' record of service in the Archdiocese:

1975  Associate pastor, St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, south St. Louis County

1979  Associate pastor, St. Mary Magdalen, south St. Louis

1985  Associate pastor, Christ, Prince of Peace, Manchester

1988  Associate pastor, St. Matthias, Lemay

1992  Administrator, St. Gertrude, Krakow

1994  Pastor, St. Gertrude, Krakow

2003  Pastor, St. Alban Roe, Wildwood

2004  Resigned as pastor, St. Alban Roe, Wildwood

2005  Pastor, St. Anthony's, Sullivan

2009  Medical leave (February)

2009  Retired  medical (December)
ST. LOUIS  Seven former inmates of the St. Louis Medium Security Institution, commonly known as the workhouse, sued the city Monday claiming that inadequate ventilation, medical care and sanitation create hellish and inhumane conditions and violate inmates constitutional rights.

The suit, filed by the nonprofit ArchCity Defenders law firm in U.S. District Court, says that St. Louis officials have ignored the problems for years. It seeks a judges order that would close the workhouse or fine the city $10,000 per day until problems are fixed.

St. Louis Corrections Commissioner Dale Glass declined to comment about pending litigation Monday. But he rejected claims about mold and infestations of insects or rodents, and said guards were not being bitten by snakes and inmates were not being bitten by spiders.

He acknowledged that the 51-year-old jail is showing signs of disrepair, but its clean. Glass said there have been many improvements since 2012, but also said hes never satisfied.

At a news conference Monday, James Cody, 43, of Jefferson City, said that there was typically only one working toilet, sink and shower for a 70-man dorm. He also complained of the heat, multiple cases of ringworm, a lack of fresh water and understaffing, but said his biggest fear was his safety at the workhouse.

Cody was held in the jail from Jan. 3 to Sept. 13 on a probation violation.

Diedre Wortham, 46, of St. Louis County, said being at the workhouse made me feel like an animal. Like I was worthless.

Wortham, who has high blood pressure, said she didnt receive her medicine until a week before she was released on Aug. 9, after 23 days.

The suit says that summertime heat creates intolerable conditions, both for inmates and employees. Some dormitories have windows that have been boarded up or blocked, preventing ventilation. In others, there are no window screens, making mosquitoes, birds, and squirrels a regular presence.

Ice and water is limited and that sparks conflicts among inmates, the suit says. Inmates, many of whom are too poor to afford bail, suffer dehydration, heat exhaustion, asthma attacks and heat rashes.

The suit does acknowledge that portable air conditioning units were supplied by the city this summer after a period of triple-digit heat indexes, but says officials have not come up with a permanent solution.

Glass said that another heat wave would trigger a return of temporary air conditioners, or a consideration of long-term solutions. But he said that a lack of air conditioning in local jails and state prisons is not unusual. He also said that windows were not boarded up when broken, but replaced with Plexiglass.

The suit says that mold is a constant presence, and sinks and toilets regularly overflow. Inmates are not provided enough cleaning supplies to combat the problem, the suit says.

Glass said that a health department inspection this year found no mold, even when inmates were given an opportunity during that visit to point out what they thought was mold. He said plumbing problems were repaired when they happened.

Cody found mouse feces on his food tray, the suit says, and mice would jump into inmates beds. One inmate tried luring rats into a bag with peanut butter so he could manually kill them, it says.

Inmates also face inadequate medical treatment, the suit says, and are without a law library to research their cases.

The suit says Jasmine Borden, 32, of St. Louis, recalls the jail running out of toilet paper and feminine hygiene products for days at a time. The suit says at least five pregnant inmates had complications they blamed on mold and two women were bitten on the face by brown recluse spiders.

Most of the inmates are awaiting trial and have not been convicted of any crimes, according to the suit.

Glass said the workhouse population, at 551, is almost half what it was in 2012, when he started. He said he knows some want to close the jail, but the former Baptist minister says his goal is to have no need for it, by addressing mental health, substance abuse, poverty, despair and other factors.

Jail conditions have sparked complaints for years.

In 2009, an American Civil Liberties Union report said the jail was overcrowded and unsanitary, and that staff and officials allowed inmates to assault each other, ignored sexual harassment, and provided negligent medical care.

In 2012, guards were accused of setting up gladiator-style fights between inmates.

This summer, protesters again demanded that the workhouse be shut down, in part because of the heat.

Among those raising concerns was Missouri state Rep. Joshua Peters, D-St. Louis, who has pushed for the Legislature to examine the conditions of the jail. Peters, who was also at the press conference along with other workhouse opponents, said that an April tour that he took with other legislators confirmed the inmate complaints in the suit. But he said he has been unable to get local or state officials to act.
Updated at 3:20 p.m. with statement from Sen. Roy Blunt

WASHINGTON  Add Roy Blunt to the list of Republican senators distancing themselves from embattled Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore.

"The women have a more credible story than Judge Moore," Blunt said, in a statement released Monday by his office. "Alabama voters should have a better choice and Judge Moore should have better answers to these charges."

NBC news reported that Blunt, R-Mo., had backed out of appearing at a fundraiser for Moore in Albertville, Ala., on Friday.

Moore has been under attack from both sides of the political aisle after a Washington Post report alleged that, as a man in his 30s roughly four decades ago, Moore had sexual contact with a 14-year-old girl, and dated teenaged girls. Moore and his defenders have dug in and attacked the Washington Post, but leading Republican senators, lead by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, have called on him to get out of the race.

Another woman stepped forward Monday to allege Moore had sexually assaulted her, leaving bruises, while she was 16 and he was in his 30s.

I believe he should step aside, McConnell told reporters Monday.

I believe the women, yes, McConnell added.

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, tweeted Monday afternoon that she also believed Moore should withdraw, saying that she "did not find his denials to be convincing."

Other Republican senators, including John McCain, R-Ariz., and Mike Lee, R-Utah, have said similar things.

Moore criticized McConnell in a response tweet, saying that the Kentucky Republican has failed conservatives and must be replaced.
JEFFERSON CITY  A Republican from Arnold will be the new majority floor leader in the Missouri House of Representatives.

In an election Monday by GOP members who control the chamber, Rep. Rob Vescovo was elevated to replace former Majority Floor Leader Mike Cierpiot, a Lees Summit Republican who won a special election last week to represent a Kansas City-area district in the Missouri Senate.

In the new post, Vescovo will control much of the flow of legislation on the floor by helping to choose which bills are heard by the body.

In the legislative session earlier this year, Vescovo sponsored a measure to ban local governments from giving preferential treatment to union contractors. Governments that allow project labor agreements would lose state funding and tax credits for two years.

In 2016, he was among those signing a letter urging former Gov. Jay Nixon to refuse to accept Syrian refugees who were fleeing the war torn country.

I do not ask this out of hatred for the Syrian refugees but out of love more for my fellow citizens, he wrote at the time.

In a statement issued Monday, Vescovo thanked his colleagues for the support and said he is excited to work with the leadership team.

We have an important session ahead of us and I am ready to work hand-in-hand with my fellow House members to advance the common sense reforms that will help working class Missouri families in all parts of our great state," he added.

Cierpiot ascended to the position in 2015 following the resignation of former House Speaker John Diehl, who left after being caught sending inappropriate text messages to a college intern. Diehl was replaced as speaker by former majority leader Todd Richardson.

Vescovo, 40, has served in the House since 2015 following a stint on the Jefferson County Port Authority. He is a graduate of Southeast Missouri State University where he studied public relations.

When the annual legislative session begins in January, Republicans will control the chamber by a 112-46 margin.
Missouri has taken great strides forward in restoring free-market approaches to our economy. Thanks to the efforts of a Republican Legislature and governor, Missouri is open for business. We have passed right-to-work legislation and have begun to challenge the stranglehold that union bosses hold over the labor market.

However, this development has not come without a fight; union organizers and bosses are angry because these changes upset the established order. While these union bosses argue that they best represent Missouri workers, they ignore their long history of excluding minority Americans from jobs and opportunities. Although labor unions have made some positive contributions, we must not forget their legacy of discrimination, prejudice and racism.

For decades, unions worked to exclude black Americans from jobs. White workers felt endangered by black Americans who were willing to work longer and harder, so labor unions used legislation to force blacks out of unions, and out of the labor market.

Herbert Hill, the labor director of the NAACP, wrote about this fact in 1959. In his seminal article Labor Unions and the Negro: The Record of Discrimination, he noted, the Negro workers historical experience with organized labor has not been a happy one. ... Trade unions practice either total exclusion of the Negro, segregation (in the form of Jim Crow locals or auxiliaries), or enforce separate, racial seniority lines which limit Negro employment to menial and unskilled classifications.

One such tool wielded against minorities was prevailing wage laws. In the 1930s, New York Congressman Robert Bacon, angry that black Americans were competing with white workers for jobs, introduced the Davis-Bacon Act, which requires contractors on federally funded construction projects to pay the local prevailing wage. This policy has been implemented in many states as well, including Missouri, to force governments to only negotiate with white-dominated unions. This policy remains as a vestige of a racist past, and it harms American workers and taxpayers to this day.

In addition, minimum wage laws were instituted a century ago in large part to prevent white workers from having to compete with cheaper labor from immigrants and African-Americans. Even though todays Fight for $15 effort to raise the minimum wage to $15/hour is supported by many minority groups with good intentions, it would likely have the unintended consequence of replacing young low-wage workers with older workers, disproportionately hurting minority youth.

Unfortunately, the days of union bosses fighting to protect their own interests over the interests of minority workers are not just in the past. According to a 2016 report prepared for the AFL-CIO, Whole sectors of workers have been ignored or neglected by the labor movement for shortsighted or xenophobic reasons. ... Those workers also tend to be largely people of color and women, further enlarging the racial and gender divide that makes up the labor movement.

And in Virginias recent election, unions made headlines for successfully demanding that the African-American candidate for lieutenant governor be deleted from the Democratic Partys campaign mailers and then excluding him from the unions sample ballot on Election Day. (The candidate, Justin Fairfax, won despite the unions opposition.)

Here in Missouri, union leaders have long clashed with African-American leaders because of a lack of inclusion on big union projects and a disparity in contributions to African-American political candidates, even when those candidates have pro-union voting records. Before her comments hoping for President Donald Trump to be assassinated thrust her into the national spotlight, state Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal, D-University City, made headlines last year with a speech on the Senate floor that highlighted the racism and inequality that exists in the labor movement and in which she read numerous racist and sexist comments from union members directed to her on social media.

Though the unions have formed various diversity councils and hired staffers to work on making their ranks more diverse, they still have a long way to go to produce the hoped-for results.

Systems designed to be discriminatory and anti-competitive should not be the basis for our economy: Prevailing wage, arbitrary minimum wages and forced union membership are examples of policies that unfairly exclude Americans from the workplace. For Missouri to move forward, we should not allow such misguided policies to determine employer/employee relations. Bold reform is needed, and the Republican Legislature is paving the way for just that.

State Rep. Shamed Dogan is a Republican from Ballwin.
70 years of short-term convenience



Earth League member and director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research Hans Joachim Schellnhuber says:



"Some crucial climate-change facts tend to get lost in the noise of daily deliberations - even at an event such as the UN climate summit. So, it is important to remind everyone of the very reasons why ten thousands of people meet in Bonn: unprecedented risk to humanity due to global warming, as revealed by science. This must be the starting point for re-thinking what in the past 70 years has become our culture of short-term convenience and consumption, a culture which eventually comes at the cost of the well-being of present and future generations accross the world."

Summary of The 10 Science Must Haves

1. Much evidence suggests that the planet has entered a new geologic epochcalled the Anthropocene. The rate of change of the Earth system is accelerating as a result of humans impact on the planets biology, chemistry, and physics. Earths climate has been remarkably stable since before the dawn of civilization. This stability is at risk.

2. Earth is approaching critical tipping points. By crossing these thresholds, the planet may see abrupt, and possibly irreversible, shifts in the workings of the Arctic, Amazon, and other parts of the globe.

3. The record-breaking 2017 Atlantic hurricane season provides a glimpse at the increased risks of extreme weather events that the planet may experience in the future. These events include severe flooding, heat waves and droughts.

4. Changes are occurring quickly in the ocean, with accelerating sea-level rise and ocean acidification.

5. The economic costs of climate change are already being felt, and some of the worlds poorest nations are bearing the heaviest burden.

6. Climate change will have a profound impact on human health by placing new pressures on the food and water security in nations around the world.

7. Climate change is likely to exacerbate migration, civil unrest and even conflict. In 2015, more than 19 million people globally were displaced by natural disasters and extreme weather events, and climate change will likely cause that number to grow.

8. The world needs to act fast: If humans continue to emit greenhouse gases at current rates, the remaining carbon budget to reduce risk of exceeding the 2 degrees Celsius target will be exhausted in around 20 years. Emissions should peak by 2020 and approach zero by around 2050 if the world is serious about reducing risk. As a simple rule of thumb, this means halving global emissions every decade.

9. A fossil-fuel free society is economically attractive: renewable energy sources increasingly compete with fossil fuels, even when these are priced at historic lows. Moreover, the estimated costs of inaction range from 2-10% of GDP by 2100 by some estimates, to a fall in projected global output by 23% in 2100 in others.

10. Even if the world meets the Paris Agreement targets, communities across the globe will still need to build resilience and adapt to the changes already under way.



Download the full statement here Pdf, 1.5 MB. (Pdf, 1.5 MB)
A powerful 7.3-magnitude earthquake has hit the border region between Iran and Iraq, killing at least 339 people, almost all of them in Iran.

The epicenter of the quake, which occurred at around 09:18 pm local time on Sunday (0010 GMT on Monday), was 32 kilometers south of the Iraqi city of Halabja, in Iraqi Kurdistan, and just across the border from Iran, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

But the highest casualties occurred in the town of Sarpol-e Zahab, in Irans Kermanshah Province.

According to the National Disaster Management Organization of Iran, 328 people were confirmed dead as of Monday noon. Some 3950 others were also injured.

The organization says power cuts have been reported in Kermanshah Province. A number of villages in western Iran have also seen destruction of varying degrees.

Leader orders swift rescue operations

Soon after the quake occurred, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei issued a message calling on all Iranian officials and institutions to rush to the aid of those affected in these early hours [after the incident].

The Leader said the countrys entire range of capabilities had to be used swiftly to prevent a further rise in the death toll.

Ayatollah Khamenei called on Irans Armed Forces to help with removing the rubble and transferring the injured to medical centers.

Separately, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani spoke on the phone with Iranian Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani-Fazli on Sunday night, who briefed the president on the latest updates. President Rouhani then issued the necessary directives to facilitate and accelerate rescue operations.

Three days of mourning have been announced in Kermanshah.

The earthquake was felt in cities in several other Iranian provinces, including as far away as in the capital, Tehran.

The quake also shook the Iranian provinces of Kordestan, Ilam, Khuzestan, Hamedan, West Azarbaijan, East Azarbaijan, Lorestan, Qazvin, Zanjan, and Qom.

The quake was also felt in other regional countries, including Turkey, Kuwait, Armenia, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Bahrain.

But the casualties and damage were limited to Iran and Iraq.

Government, military officials on ground zero

President Rouhani has been scheduled to travel to Kermanshah Province on Tuesday to oversee the rescue work.

Rahmani-Fazli, the Iranian interior minister, and Health Minister Hassan Ghazizadeh Hashemi have already flown to Kermanshah to personally supervise the rescue operations.

Commander of Irans Army Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi has also arrived in Sarpol-e Zahab, one of the worst-affected areas, to oversee Army rescue operations in the region.

The chief commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari, has also traveled there.

So has Irans Police chief, Brigadier General Hossein Ashtari.

Rescue work

First responders have been using sniffer dogs to look for potential survivors under the rubble.

Hospitals in Tehran have been put on alert to treat those of the wounded who are transferred to the capital. At least 43 ambulances, four ambulance buses, and 130 emergency technicians have been stationed in the Mehrabad Airport in Tehran for a quick transfer of the victims to hospitals.

At least 100 medics have also been dispatched to the affected areas. The Iranian Air Force, too, has deployed helicopters to accelerate the transfer of the wounded.

Iranian people have been flocking to the headquarters of the Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization to donate blood to the victims of the earthquake.

Foreign condolences

Meanwhile, foreign dignitaries have been offering condolences to and sympathies with the Iranian government and people over the earthquake.

Among them are German Ambassador to Iran Michael Klor-Berchtold, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, European Union (EU) High Representative Federica Mogherini, and the United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

In Iraq

Reports said 11 people had been killed in Iraq. Some 130 Iraqis were also injured.

In Iraq, the most extensive damage was in the town of Darbandikhan, 75 kilometers east of the city of Sulaymaniyah, in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region.

According to Kurdish Health Minister Rekawt Hama Rasheed, over 30 people were wounded in the town. The situation there is very critical, he said.
Budget 2018: More bouquets than brickbats View(s):

Sri Lankas first designer budget has been viewed as unconventional to some, confusing to others and long term visionary goals to pragmatists.

While the focus is on creating hundreds of new enterprises in a green economy and provide opportunities to school leavers and young entrepreneurs, sticking points in the 2018 budget are fears that foreign companies will invade the shipping sector and high taxes would result in a sharp hike in car prices.

Another matter of concern is whether the tax proposals can raise the required revenue, according to eminent economist Prof. Sirimal Abeyratne of the Colombo University.

Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera and his team made all the nice noises, pandering to the environmental lobby, the start-up lobby, the enterprises development lobby and the tourism lobby providing incentives to boost growth in these sectors. Education and school-leavers were also given pride of place.

However missing in the budget this time and the annexures (which are not normally read out) was the foreign debt repayment schedule, a tidy sum per year.

While the 2017 budget contained details of both the servicing of local and foreign debt, in Thursdays presentation only the schedule of servicing local debt is given.

According to this schedule, local domestic debt repayments amount to Rs. 2.2 trillion in 2018, rising up to Rs. 2.8 trillion in 2020.

The 2017 budget provided the foreign debt servicing schedule which said there was a clustering during 2019-2022 mainly due to maturing sovereign bonds as at end September 2016. According to that schedule, foreign debt repayments is US$2.2 billion in 2017, $2.4 billion in 2018, $3.7 billion in 2009, $3.2 billion in 2020, $3.3 billion in 2o21, $3.6 billion in 2022 and a high of $4 billion in 2035.

Prof. Abeyratne, while welcoming the progressive budget, said while it brought many expectations implementation was the key.
CB permits JKH/LOLC to hold excess shares in 2 banks By Duruthu Edirimuni Chandrasekera View(s): View(s):

The Central Bank has granted permission to two large firms holding shares in banks, in excess of regulators stipulated period, for two more years.

Director of Bank Supervision of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CB) has by letter informed the two banks  NTB and Seylan  that their major shareholders, John Keells Holdings (JKH) and LOLC Group owning in excess of the stipulated maximum shareholding by the regulator can hold these till 2020.

The NTB earlier this month said that the CB permitted the John Keells Group to retain its current shareholdings at NTB Bank till 31 December 2020 and to reduce it to 15 per cent with effect from that date. The same was communicated to LOLC, LOLC officials told the Business Times.

The Monetary Board has also required NTB to limit the voting rights of the John Keells Group (now at 29 per cent) and LOLC (now at 43.93 per cent) to 10 per cent with effect from 31 March 2018. In two years time they will have to shed these holding to 15 per cent.

The founder shareholders at NTB, including JKH, had written to the regulator requesting an extension of the deadline and were awaiting a response, which was conveyed last month. LOLC had also written to CB to extend this timeline to shed their holding.

JKH directly holds 20 per cent stake in NTB whilst related party Mackinnons Keells Ltd owns a further 9.9 per cent.
Electric tuk tuks for Sri Lanka By Bandula Sirimanna View(s): View(s):

Sri Lanka plans to bid farewell to fossil fuel three wheelers by increasing taxes on the import of tuk tuks while promoting electric three wheelers. It also planned to export the excess fossil fuel vehicles to Bangladesh.

Import taxes on a diesel three wheeler will rise by around Rs. 50,000 in order to encourage the transition to environmentally friendly electric three wheelers, 2018 budget proposal revealed.

The governments plan is to reduce carbon emissions to a considerable level by 2025 and completely go green by the year 2045, Minister Mangala Samarweera told a post budget meeting in Colombo on Thursday.

There are 1.5 million three wheelers on local roads and the governments intention is to take out all those three wheelers from operation by providing electric tuk tuks on easy payment terms, he disclosed.

The government will introduce 90 to 10 per cent ratio when purchasing electric tuk tusk on lease basis, he said adding that non-roadworthy three wheelers will be discarded and sold as scrap and other tuk tuks exported to countries like Bangladesh which is willing to purchase it at reasonable prices.

Bangladesh has already expressed willingness to buy Sri Lankas used tuk tuks, he disclosed.
New unit to monitor budget progress View(s):

The Finance Ministry has established a monitoring unit at the Treasury to keep a tab on progress in the implementation of the 2018 budget proposals.

This unit is headed by senior advisor to the Finance Minister Mano Tittawella, a veteran financial professional, and economist Deshal de Mel.

It will prepare a monthly report on the progress in the implementation of budget proposals which will be submitted to Minister Mangala Samaraweera, official sources said.

These reports will also be made available to the media to create awareness among the public, a senior Ministry official said adding that it will help to clear doubts as to whether those proposals are actually implemented or not.
SEC plagued with hate mail View(s):

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in recent months has been plagued by hate mail which informed sources say is precipitated by reopening of certain stock market fraud probes related to important personalities.

This mail is directed at frustrating the SEC officials in a bid of destabilise the institution, informed sources said. Therere vested interests within the SEC and outside who are trying their level best to make unfounded allegations through unsubstantiated letters copied to SEC officials and other higher authorities, a source told the Business Times. SEC never made the investigations public and that it was those being investigated who criticised the SEC in the media and via emails over the investigations, he said.

He explained that those within the SEC are still working hand in glove with the former mafia. Its a matter of time before these officials whose duties at SEC are now limited will be exposed, he said.

But the SEC now doesnt want to react to the hate mail and are channeling all their resources to work-at-hand, he added.

The public at large has been disappointed with the regulator for not taking action against market manipulators in the Colombo Stock Market in the 2011-2013 era.

Many have called out to the SEC to expose blatant manipulation and corrupt practices in the stock market and bring crooks to justice.

The SEC in its defense says that they need to start these probes from the beginning, hinting that what was done on these cases havent been adequate or certain important information is still at large. Time is what they need, but impatience of those who want justice is catching up fast. ((DEC)
Relations between SLFP and UNP further strained; one minister accused of blocking probes and informing Rajapaksas By Our Political Editor View(s): View(s):

Three senior ministers meet Sirisena to express concern over PM being summoned by the Bond Commission

Senior civil society activist attacks Government for delaying probes on major corruption

President also asks why action was not taken and says he is ready to quit at anytime

Arjuna, Dhammika widely blamed for petrol crisis; while minister blames Indian company, President and PM ask Modi for oil

A well-known Sinhala adage refers to the plight of those who went to seek solace at a temple but found the roof collapsing on their heads.

That in essence appeared to be the dilemma of a high-powered three-member United National Party (UNP) delegation which had a meeting with President Maithripala Sirisena just last week. It was brief but had the undesired effect.

Their purpose was to convey the partys deep disappointment that their leader and Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe was being summoned before the Commission of Inquiry probing the bond scandal at the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL). They opined that the move would give the impression to the country and to followers of the UNP, the main partner in the coalition Government with the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), that their leader was being arraigned for some suspicious activity.

The delegation comprised three Cabinet Ministers  UNP Chairman Malik Samarawickrema, General Secretary Kabir Hashim, and Mangala Samaraweera, now a senior member. The trio told Sirisena that asking Premier Wickremesinghe to testify before the Commission also appeared a witch-hunt by the leadership and created the impression that the Government was targeting its own people. Ahead of the meeting, the Sunday Times learnt that the three ministers had discussed the issues they were to raise with their leader Wickremesinghe.

The UNP trio had pointed out that even before the coalition was formed, they had pledged together to bring to book those in the previous Rajapaksa administration for alleged bribery and corruption. Instead, they pointed out that their leader and Prime Minister had become the focal point. That, they believed, would give a wrong message to the country.

Sirisena remained non-committal over the issues raised. He had, however, pointed out that he had given the Commission of Inquiry an extension of its term until December 8. This was essentially to write its report and hand it over to him. He had learnt that the Commission was completing its task and more witnesses were being called.

Premier Wickremesinghe declared on October 15 that he was prepared to offer clarifications to the Commission. A statement from his office said he was willing to do this at any time in view of the references to him during the proceedings of the Commission. Later, he handed in a sworn affidavit to the Commission in response to questions raised. The Commission announced in a statement thereafter that it would issue notice on him to appear. It is not clear why there is now a change in the stance though understandably the UNP leaders fear the political repercussions particularly with the local polls ahead.

As for high profile cases involving former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and members of his family, Sirisena replied in Sinhala dont blame me. He identified a UNP minister in the Cabinet by name and said he was responsible for passing information to members of the Rajapaksa family on matters relating to investigations. This minister had also allegedly brought pressure on the Police to slow down investigations.

This is not the first time that Sirisena made that disclosure. The first occasion was at a weekly Cabinet meeting on July 4. He pointedly accused the UNP of stalling investigations into allegations of bribery, corruption and other acts of fraud allegedly committed by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, his family members, close associates and top officials. Sirisena declared that if he were given the Police and the Attorney Generals Department, he would have produced results within three months. Sirisena referred at this ministerial meeting to an incident on January 9, 2015, just a day after the presidential polls. When the results were declared, he said, both the Prime Minister and Malik Samarawickrema had together arranged for an Air Force helicopter for Rajapaksa and his immediate family to fly to his ancestral southern home in Medamulana. He then referred to Samarawickrema by name but did not use Wickremesinghes name only referring to him as Prime Minister.

Thereafter, during his two-day visit to Qatar last month, the matter surfaced again as reported in the Sunday Times (Political Commentary) on October 29. The relevant reportage said: .In the Qatari capital of Doha, President Sirisena, on a two-day visit this week, was having breakfast at the five-star Sheraton Grand. Seated with him were most members of his entourage. During an informal talk, Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne noted that the situation would have been quite different if strong action was taken on investigations into high profile cases. There would have been no electoral threat. Senaratne, who himself has bribery charges against him pending, named a ministerial colleague who had allegedly been passing over details pertaining to investigations to the Rajapaksa family members. He named a member of the Rajapaksa family with whom the minister concerned was very close and had regular contacts with.

The remarks by Senaratne in Doha prompted Sirisena to recall the occasion where he raised this issue at a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers. The next morning, the minister in question and another important person (he named both during the conversation) called on him at his official residence at Paget Road and handed over two or three copies of files, he said.

The files contained details of investigations and the matters reportedly pending before the Attorney Generals Department. Thereafter, he had been surprised when he received a phone call from a person holding high office in a province. He (the person holding high office) had said that a lady member of the Rajapaksa family had spoken to him about the files the President had received earlier that day. He had been asked by the lady why he was rushing to pursue action and an appeal had been made not to go ahead. Sirisena noted that the files had been given to him at the same time, the information had been passed on to the other side (anith peththata). He had later queried from the important person concerned how this could happen but there had been only silence. Senaratne also strongly criticised a very high ranking Police officer for his tardy role in pursuing investigations

Quite clearly, the role of one UNP cabinet minister allegedly undoing the public pledges made during presidential and parliamentary elections, has pitched Sirisena against his coalition partner, the UNP. Perhaps, understandably in many respects. Most criticism is being levelled against Sirisena over this. Foremost is his loss of face within the SLFP that forced him in the recent weeks to desperately initiate peace moves to bring together the feuding factions. He feels if action was taken on the high profile investigations, this would not have been necessary. More importantly, he believes that the serious lapses allegedly caused by the influential minister in question, paved the way for Mahinda Rajapaksa and some family members to make a strong political comeback. They had now formed their own political party and were forming branches at grassroots level.

Unfulfilled promises, mounting bribery, corruption within the Government and a steep climb in living costs have all seen a marked shift in public support for Rajapaksa. This has been compounded by the Governments gross inefficiency in maintaining adequate buffer stocks of petrol leading to a massive shortage this week. All this has not been good news for Sirisena who seems boxed in largely due to the alleged misdemeanours of just one UNP minister. And that has also been the main cause for friction between the UNP and the SLFP.

That Sirisena is still livid was clearly demonstrated when he spoke at the second anniversary commemoration of Venerable Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera at Apey Gama (Our Village) at Battaramulla. The Thera was widely regarded as a champion of good governance and helped in the coalition between the two parties. Sirisena was a little late for the event on Thursday. Unexpectedly, Premier Wickremesinghe, who had prior knowledge of what was going to be said by another speaker at the event, told Sirisena he was unable to attend. He explained reasons including the fact that the intended remarks were to embarrass him, said an SLFP minister familiar with the discussion. He courteously excused himself, the minister said adding that Sirisena took note of the position but made no comments.

As expected by Wickremesinghe, the convenor of the National Movement for Social Justice, the body founded by the late prelate, Prof. Sarath Wijesooriya did make some remarks that referred to the Premier and his ministers. Here are excerpts from what he said: I prepared this speech in advance and was hoping to make it before an audience in which the Prime Minister was present. Though he is not in the audience, I hope to go ahead.

Prime Minister, you are a veteran politician with more than 40 years as a Member of Parliament. You did not engage in politics based on communalism or on religious differences. We have to honour the sacrifice you made at the January 8, 2015 presidential election (by not being a candidate). You have taken a bold step towards the formation of a consensual government and to go ahead with the Constitutional reforms. Though a section of the SLFP criticises you, the support extended to President Maithripala Sirsisena is laudable. But on behalf of the people who followed Ven Sobitha Thera, there is something I need to say.

You mentioned, prior to the 2015 change, that you will be committed to political reforms. It is true you played a key role towards that. It is sad to say that you have not been able to win the hearts of the public about political reforms. Due to actions of certain ministers of your party, there has been mistrust and fear among the public. It is an obstacle for political reforms. Do not take it lightly. It is your duty to dispel the mistrust and fear. The partys future will depend on your actions. Your political future will depend on your actions.

At times when you had an opportunity to be elected to govern the country the people did not give you a mandate. It may have been robbed from you. It is regrettable that you did not identify the reasons for that. You have become the Prime Minister, mainly because the law abiding citizens opposed the Rajapaksa regime. If not for the change, it should be accepted that you would not have become the Prime Minister. Mahinda Rajapaksas destruction of democracy was the main reason. In short, you were made the Prime Minister because of the dedication of a section of the public. Have you understood this? It seems not.

Ven Sobitha called for a mandate to vote for a corruption free country, to vote to create a country where people are not killed, to recover money which has been illegally acquired, for the freedom to live, to ensure justice. But what is the situation today? The persons who were accused of corruption then are now in turn making the same allegations. What fate is this? On an analysis of the January 8 revolution, this situation is bad for the government. Those who criticised the Rajapaksa Government had no right to live then. The present Government is not responsible for killing persons, but has failed to ensure justice for those murdered.

The campaign by Ms Sandya Ekneligoda on behalf of her husband, the revelations made regarding ruggerite Wasim Thajudeens killing, Journalist Lasantha Wickrematungas killing, the Welikada prison killings, the killing of youths in Navy custody, the Avant Garde issue and the MiG-27 deal are among some of the main cases which were highlighted. They disturbed the public. Most of these cases have been investigated by the CID and the FCID. For three years we have been awaiting the results. The affected parties are awaiting justice. The people are unhappy about the failure to complete investigations and take action in courts.

Our understanding is that the Rajapaksas are being protected. It is a crime. Anyone should get a mandate to implement the wishes of the masses, but not to take advantage of the poor or the uneducated. The Rajapaksas used wealth to gain power. But that was changed by law abiding citizens at the January 8 2015 presidential election. That methodology has no opportunity again.

Hope was created among the public by expediting the investigations regarding the murder of Bharatha Lakshaman and the Sil cloth case. But what is the message to the public by the transfer of the High Court judge who found guilty those responsible for the Bharatha Lakshaman killing? Is it through some divine power that the Rajapaksas can get their cases heard in the selected courts? Another former Minister charged in a case has said whatever judgement is given, he can resolve it in a higher court. Already Basil Rajapaksas attempt to get persons appointed to the Supreme Court according to his wishes is succeeding. Dates for cases are given a year later.

Doesnt it show that the law is not being implemented correctly? Why are the services of the efficient judges not being used? Is it not something similar to keeping away the efficient surgeons in smaller hospitals and giving over the serious operations to lesser qualified doctors? Going by what is happening is that persons charged for corruption and fraud are to be freed. Under this situation, the next leader could be a corrupt person and a murderer. If the judiciary is being misused, the situation should be changed. It is important to realise that the people gave a mandate to rule the country, but not to own the country.

What we require is to have a country which is run according to the laws, before making it a Singapore. If reforms are not made in the judiciary, the same fate that bell the Rajapaksas will hit this government also. Protecting close friends and enriching them should be ended. The masses should be enriched with knowledge. If the two main parties which united to work together do not achieve the objectives which they planned for, the country will go astray.

Sirisena who spoke later underscored his own thinking on the recent political developments. Here are relevant excerpts: We should be dedicated to social justice and the rule of law among other issues. If anyone has committed an offence, action should be taken. My question too is why action is not taken. The ministers are aware what I have said in the cabinet.

In the Government, a small section blames me for appointing the Commission of Inquiry to probe the Central Bank bond issue. A small section is giving a wrong interpretation. A small group in the Government is on a campaign against me on the Facebook and different websites. (Note: The Telecom Regulatory Authority last week blocked the website of the Lankaenews which has posted a number of highly critical stories on Sirisena). Money is spent to get stories written in weekend newspapers. Some people in the Government spend money to write against me for publications overseas.

Why is this? This is because I appointed a Commission to investigate the questionable bond transactions in the Central Bank. Even if Ven. Sobitha Thera was alive, he will concede what I did was correct. What is the objective of coming to this place? Why did we change the Government? Did we come to fill our pockets? Did we come to rob? In appointing the Commission I did not target a particular person in the government or any ministers.

We are well aware of the situation when the Commission was appointed. The public had voiced their concern. Political parties had raised concern that a serious case of corruption had taken place in bond issues. They called for the appointment of a Commission. Three months after I was sworn in, the bond issue took place. It is three months after the Government was formed this destruction took place. The persons responsible for that (bond issue) should also be responsible for this destruction. I am not greedy for positions. As I came in, I am waiting to leave. I am a person who came to leave, not to stay. I need the support to do what I am doing in the correct way.

Many question why I cannot act when certain issues are raised. But it is a consensual government. We need to strengthen this consensus. The public and even legal experts have not experienced this type of government. It is a new experience. The UNP selected the SLFP General Secretary as the Presidential candidate. The two parties were at loggerheads for 60 to 64 years in the past. I was chosen as the common candidate for the presidential election with some trust. I should maintain that trust. If anyone has committed any fault it should be considered as a fault, no matter whether that person is in the government or the opposition

After the event, Sirisena told an SLFP minister who queried him over why he made the remarks that he had agreed with the views expressed by Prof. Wijesuriya. He said he too had been entertaining the same views. Hence he had endorsed them when he spoke. However, the UNP leaders thought otherwise. A remark made by one of their backbench MPs, Chaminda Wijesiri, which was widely publicised on the front pages of newspapers Friday, called upon Sirisena to ascertain who in the Government had faulted him. They are seeking an appointment with him to clarify matters. Sources close to the presidency said such a meeting was not likely since the President had already raised issue over the matter with the Premier. He had alluded to a meeting at a resort hotel in Tangalle by a group of UNP MPs. It was arranged by former minister Ravi Karunanayake. They are reported to have levelled strong criticism against Sirisena. Thereafter, at a poorly attended UNP parliamentary group meeting the previous week, the Premier warned that there should be no such groups under his leadership. He said the MPs would require prior permission if they were to form any caucus or attend such events.

Adding to the UNPs discontent were moves by the SLFP leadership to make peace with the feuding faction. The task had been undertaken by Minister Susil Premajayantha who had met the leaders of the two factions in a bid to narrow down differences. The dialogue continues but there are increasing signs that talks between the two sides may not reach fruition soon. A main reason is the division among the dissidents with one influential group saying they should not support. This notwithstanding, the SLFP appears to have found a way out which, it believes, may reduce the embarrassment in the event of a bad defeat at the upcoming local council elections.

It will form a new front and contest under the symbol of a chair or betel leaf. This was formally announced at a news conference last Tuesday by SLFP General Secretary Duminda Dissanayake and UPFA General Secretary Mahinda Amaraweera. Interesting enough, this announcement comes just four days after a decision by SLFP MPs and Ministers at a meeting chaired by their leader President Sirisena declared that they should all contest under the Freedom Party ticket. The shift in the decision within four days, SLFP leaders believe, will obviate criticism of an SLFP loss. Furthermore, it is also likely that Sirisena may keep away from the local polls campaign.

It took another UNP backbencher to summon a news conference the previous Thursday. Speaking from Sri Kotha, the UNP headquarters at Kotte, Kurunegala District MP Thushara Indunil Amerasena said, Whilst being in this government, enjoying all the privileges of it and participating in Cabinet meetings, Premajayantha is exploding bombs at different times. He said the SAITM decision was wrong. He said Wimal Weerawansas remarks that Parliament should be bombed were misinterpreted by the Government. He holds opposing attitudes about the Constitution, too. I have to tell Mr Premajayantha that please do not do this dirty thing. I ask him to take a clear stand. If he wants to oppose the government, he could. If he wants to support, he could. He might have issues because his sons are also facing allegations. Those remarks made clear the UNP did not want the SLFP to re-unite thus relegating its role to one less important.

These developments have led to political estrangement between the two main coalition partners, so much so their leaders are not making public speeches on development activity or public needs. They have extended to other issues. Premier Wickremesinghe told the 25th anniversary Teachers Day celebration of Catholic Schools at the St Josephs College auditorium on November 4 that President Premadasa was educated at St Josephs, College Colombo. He told me that if he had not studied at this school, it would have been difficult for him to become the President. Since I worked with him, I know that, as like in Sinhala, he could prepare letters in English as well. He was able to correct the letters brought to him by officials. He used to point grammatical errors as well as mistakes in the use of words. He said that it is because of this school he got that ability. He entered politics from St Josephs. There are many others who developed in a similar manner.

President Sirisena who declared open a Divisional Secretarys office at Elahera (Matale District) the previous Saturday said, If the president steals, others below him also steal. When the Minister steals, others below him do the same thing. That flows to the bottom. Even the Provincial Councils and Pradeshiya Sabha Members and officials do the same thing. Therefore fraud, corruption, theft and wastage are not ethical for politicians. They are unethical things. They should not be done. It is only then a political campaign strengthens, the administration of the country strengthens and one can work with purity.

It is amidst this haggling that the Cabinet of Ministers met for their weekly session last Tuesday. The subject of discussion after the regular business on the agenda ended was about the countrywide shortage of petrol. Details of the public suffering appear elsewhere in this newspaper. Petroleum Minister Arjuna Ranatunga, who together with his brother Dhammika, who preside over matters relating to the countrys petroleum distribution, were in the spotlight. Ministers criticised Ranatunga after they learnt that the main cause for the worst embarrassment for the Government was their inability to ensure adequate buffer stocks.

Ranatunga had earlier blamed the shortage on the Lanka-India Oil Company (LIOC). His arguments were countered by two previous petroleum ministers, Chandima Weerakkody and Anura Priyadarshana Yapa. Both said there were no shortages during their tenure. It was the latter who suggested that President Sirisena speak to Indian Premier Narendra Modi and ask for help. He even named a company from which such help could be obtained. After the meeting ended, Sirisena went to his upstairs office at the Presidential Secretariat for a meeting with Indias Deputy High Commissioner Arindam Bagchi. High Commissioner Taranjit Singh Sandhu was away in New Delhi. Premier Wickremesinghe got in touch with him on the phone in New Delhi. `

To Bagchi, Sirisena conveyed his wish to speak with Premier Modi to make a fervent appeal for very urgent supply of petrol. Ironic enough, here is the head of state of Sri Lanka appealing for help from his counterpart in India whilst his Petroleum Minister is wrongly blaming an Indian company for causing a nationwide petrol shortage. It is no secret that the remarks have ruffled feathers in Indian Government circles in New Delhi. Questions have been raised whether the Ministers remarks were those of the Government. There were unconfirmed reports that India may seek clarification over the issue. Another Ranatunga remark that came as insult to the intelligence of Sri Lankans was his appeal for consumers to economise on the use of petrol. At least to him, it seemed petrol was a commodity of luxury. It was President Sirisena who asked him to tender a public apology for the shortage.

Ministers at their weekly meeting also decided to appoint a Cabinet Subcommittee to probe how the petrol shortage occurred. It is chaired by Sarath Amunugama and includes Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Patali Champika Ranawaka and Arjuna Ranatunga. On Wednesday, the Committee interviewed top officials of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation. They are expected to report their findings at next Tuesdays ministerial meeting. Yet, in a nation which has a record of not dealing with those for wrong doings that hurt peoples lives, whether there would be deterrent punishment is unlikely. Like in the case of the Meethotamulla garbage dump that killed 23 people, it will go into a limbo of forgotten things.

As the ministerial subcommittee continued the probe, details emerging present a clear picture. It has also bared some unusual co-incidences such as a power failure at the Oil Refinery at Sapugaskanda. That meant a further 500 metric tonnes more per day were required for the market. The LIOC had purchased a stock of around 36,000 metric tonnes of petrol (92/95) from Total (TOTAL) Trading Asia (Pvt.). It had arrived in Colombo on October 17 and was due for discharge in the ports of Colombo and Trincomalee.

Both the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) and the Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Ltd. (CPSTL) had carried out quality testing. They had discovered that the stock was found meeting chemical properties of petrol specification but contained some visible particles. Hence, the two organisations had refused to accept the stock. LIOC had then asked the supplier (TOTAL) to replace the stock.

Whilst this was going on, a stock due to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) was also delayed. Initially it was expected to arrive on November 2 but was delayed till November 8. The supplier (TOTAL) meanwhile flew in a representative to Colombo. He suggested that they can do ship to ship filtration and correct the stock. He explained that this was a standard practice

when particles, surfacing to the top when the ship is moving, are corrected.

This offer was discussed at the Technical Specifications Committee (TSC) meeting of the CPC and the CPSTL on October 25. It had been pointed out that once the product is clearly filtered from one ship to another, it will amount to a new product in a new ship with a new Bill of Lading. It had also been discussed that the stocks will be allowed to be discharged at the two ports in question subject to specifications of the product being certified by CPSTL.

Petroleum Minister Arjuna Ranatunga who chaired the meeting had declared that the stock will not be accepted. LIOC Managing Director Shyam Bohras appeals, explaining that previously such practice had been allowed were turned down by Minister Ranatunga. Thereafter, the Technical Specifications Committee (TSC) is alleged to have changed its earlier stance that the LIOC had agreed to go by the Ministers decision  reject the stock. However, the LIOC has strongly denied this assertion. By then, word had leaked and there was panic buying of petrol stocks. However, LIOC cancelled its contract with TOTAL and ordered another stock of 15,000 metric tonnes of petrol. This was due on November 9. The LIOC and Total are now in a court battle.

Did any local official try to create or seize the opportunity to make spot purchases of petrol, which is more costly? Would that mean more commissions? The matter is also now being examined. Making it worse was the fact that President Sirisena had not been briefed that there could be a shortage although some officials knew it. Nor was Premier Wickremesinghe briefed.

There is little doubt that this weeks petrol shortage, besides earning the wrath of the people, has other adverse effects. One is on the Governments repeated calls for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Would-be investors will be discouraged by the Governments failure making them believe fuel supplies could be interrupted at any time. Another is tourist arrivals with some of the tourists stranded in the outstations unable to visit Colombo for their departures. Utopian ideals of modernising Sri Lanka, venturing into state of the art communications, grandiose projects and promises of a million jobs among others are of no use if a Government cannot ensure there is no petrol shortage that badly disturbs the lives of almost every citizen. That it comes at a time when there is strained relations between the two coalition partners is even more worrying. More so, when one UNP minister had allegedly been responsible for most of the ills and no corrective action has been taken.

Big land transaction proposed by President, not by Malik President Maithripala Sirisena submitted a Cabinet Memorandum (dated July 19 2016) to obtain approval for the transfer of state land located at Baladaksha Mawatha) between Beira Lake and Shangri La Hotel on a 99 year lease to a Singapore based company. It was approved.The extent of three acres, three roods and five perches will go to Perennial Real Estate Holdings (PREH), a subsidiary of the Shangri La Group. Originally it was meant for a US$ 200 million mixed development project including a condominium unit. However, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Management (CCEM) thereafter decided in June last year that the Chief Government Valuer should revalue the project since the previous valuation had been done in June 2014. The Defence Ministrys then Secretary Karunasena Hettiaratchchi told the CCEM that it was the previous Government that had called for offers for the land in question and picked on Perennial Real Estate Holdings. There were some serious errors in references made to this land transaction in the box story on this page headlined Commission to probe Sri Lankan and Mihin Lanka. Malik Samarawickrema, Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade has sent in a letter where he says ,Please be informed that your statement that I submitted a proposal for three acres of state land to be sold outright at Galle Face Green is completely untrue. If a ministerial colleague of mine has given this wrong information to you, all I can say that it is a deliberate mischievous attempt on his part to create dissension among the Cabinet of Ministers and two main parties. For the record I wish to inform you that the original Cabinet Paper on this subject was presented by H.E. The President as Minister of Defence since the land was occupied by the Ministry of Defence. The Cabinet has already approved the proposal to give this land to the investor on a lease basis.. The error is deeply regretted. As confirmed by Minister Samarawickrema, President Sirisenas Cabinet Memorandum, a copy of which was seen by the Sunday Times, recommended that the Commissioner General of Lands be directed to transfer the block of land to the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka as a free outright grant within the provisions of the State Lands Ordinance. It was decided that the BOI would thereafter lease out the land on a 99-year lease subject to obtaining a fresh valuation from the Chief Government Valuer to the project company incorporated to implement the project. It was decided that the BOI should recover the lease premium upfront in a single instalment, based on the valuation by the Government Chief Valuer and remit the entire lease premium to the Consolidated Fund of the Treasury. The BOI comes under Minister Samarawickrema.When the subject came up for discussion at the weekly ministerial meeting on October 31, Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka expressed some reservations. As a result, President Sirisena sought a weeks time to respond. It came when the confirmation of minutes of the earlier Cabinet meeting was taken up.
So to our perpetual papers and perpetual promises View(s):

At first there was the Pentagon Papers. That is, of course, if you rightly dismiss Charles Dickens Pickwick Papers as belonging to a different genre.

The Pentagon Papers, as it was called, was a top secret study by the US Department of Defence of the countrys 20 years or more of military-political involvement in Vietnam up to 1967. It was scooped by the New York Times and published in 1971.

Many Sri Lankans of today would hardly have heard of the Pentagon Papers, let alone reading it. The only book many read today is Facebook.But some of them may have read or heard about the Panama Papers- the unprecedented leak of some 11.5 million files from the database of the fourth biggest off-shore law firm which an unnamed source provided to the southern German newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung which shared it with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists. Its members worked on it to unearth the multitude of ways by which the rich and powerful in the political and business worlds bury their assets, too frightened, I suppose, to keep under the mattress.

Early last year when the news broke and some named names of Sri Lankans on the list much was made of it. Let it be clear. Dumping assets in overseas tax havens is not necessarily illegal. It all depends on where the money came from and how it got into the hands of the person or persons who found a safe (it was hoped) place to stash it away from the prying eyes and noses of those following the money trails.

But many shady deals by even more shady people have been traced to some of these places which are not necessarily paradise islands. Some of that wealth that has been hidden, often in the name of companies buried in other companies some of which are shell companies has been put there not necessarily by political leaders but others lower down the totem pole and officials who have pilfered national assets.

Whether all the dirt in the Panama Papers and those involved have been meticulously studied and the guilty strung up from what in our school days we threatened to do to our rivals on the cadju puhulang tree I do not know. What we do know now is some zealous individual or group dropped another 13.4 million documents onto the laps of the overworked journalists of the same southern German newspaper, who, as previously, shared the precious documents with other members of the International Committee of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ).

That might give you some clue why political leaders in our country who had no qualms about receiving political support from the mainstream and social media not many years back are now picking on the media that expose them for what they are and how far removed they are from the promises they made. It will be some time before the journalists now targetting the big beasts with their hidden money bags, get round to naming others, the smaller ones who have been operating below the radar focused on the high and mighty and in their shadows.So far the Paradise Papers as this set of leaked documents are called because it involves several islands and sovereign states in the Atlantic and Indian Ocean, have not revealed any names except a few big and famous ones.

But those who stole our state assets and those who benefited from their connections with the wielders of power especially in the business community, must be thanking the multiple deities they turn to and the politicians they cling on to, for sparing them the ignominy of exposure and public punishment. Three years ago as the presidential election gathered momentum ending in an unexpected denouement most of what we heard on stage and screen consistently were harsh charges of corruption, kickbacks, commissions, bribery and assorted crimes of those in power and some of their dubious associates.

While Alice thought that things in Wonderland were turning curiouser and curiouser in our own wonderland they were getting murkier and murkier. Even after Maithripala Sirisena put on his presidential hat those in government threatened to bring the perpetrators to book and bring back the billions and trillions they were said to have robbed.

Less than two months after the opposition victory some of the Racecourse Avenue cabal met at the Central Bank not to discuss how to recover the stolen assets they had told the public of but how to get some assets to pay road development loans. Even the road to hell, it has been said, is paved with good intentions. Not too many believe this story of the country being in urgent need of money. Even if they did, subsequent events seemed to throw buckets of iced-water on this tale of woe.

It took almost two years before the president thought enough was enough and appointed a commission of inquiry. By that time the fat was virtually in the fire what with Racecourse Ave trying with cabalistic calculation to defeat the COPE inquiry. Eventually all their procrastination ended up as footnotes in the COPE report just as some of them could end up as footnotes in the pages of our political history, if they get a mention at all.

The nation waited with bated breath to see those who robbed the people, brought to justice and swinging from the cadju puhulang trees before they too are cut down by politicians and their henchmen. And they are waiting. Public anger grew and the various attempts to postpone local government elections by ruses such as half-baked legislation had to end before some of the Presidents Counsel who counsel the president with such schoolboy pranks were dragged up to any available tree.

So before the elections were upon us and public disquiet contained before votes are cast for elections and at a referendum on the constitutional changes, some have been brought before the courts and others are awaiting their turn. But the big beasts that have stolen the millions and billions are not even in the transit lounge. When President Sirisena attended the International anti-corruption conference in London summoned by Prime Minister Cameron (another pre-election ploy) in May last year the world-at least the 11 heads of state and government including Sirisena who attended and the 40 countries represented) heard our new leader say what steps had been taken to eliminate or at least minimise corruption and punish the guilty. That speech is still on the presidents website.

Cameron called corruption the cancer at the heart of so many of the worlds problems and one of the greatest enemies of progress in our time. I too listened to President Sirisena wondering when all the promises made by him before and after the elections and his main coalition partner will take the scalpels in hand and perform the surgery on the cancer that Cameron referred to.

But time is fast running out. One wonders whether he remembers the pledge that he and other participants at the London conference signed. That commitment was to expose corruption wherever it was found, to pursue and punish those who perpetrate, facilitate or are implicit in it and to ensure it does not fester in our governments, institutions, businesses and communities.

This message must surely have reached the other main coalition partner, the UNP which is controlling the countrys economic activity.The UNP also cannot forget the extremely valuable UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) which Sri Lanka ratified in March 2004, the second country to do so. Signing commitments and ratifying conventions is hardly implementing their core messages.

If Sri Lanka had been in the forefront of nations ratifying such an important convention such as UNCAC then surely it intended to faithfully fulfil its obligations under this convention. If that was the real intention and not a sham commitment to fight corruption, then it seems unfortunate that years later we appear to be backsliding.

The more we read or hear about the happenings round the world the more we realise how necessary it is that the international fight against this scourge needs to be strengthened so that public officials are not only prevented from accumulating ill-gotten gains but are held accountable for such mass-scale robbery.

The public was told foreign investigative agencies would help Sri Lanka in its quest to get its wealth back. One such agency was the World Banks State Assets Recovery (StAR) body. One is not certain whether they did and if so the result of these investigations.

The public perspective seems to be that the political class, especially in the higher echelons, is inter-linked and help each other out. President Sirisena himself was quite open about it at a cabinet meeting where he said that investigations were being blocked or delayed by some within the government itself. One curious story that was doing the rounds is of a person close to President Rajapaksa who is being investigated yet has been provided with official security on the orders or influence of one in the present government.

Stories of procrastination and delays in conducting investigations and filing charges by certain state institutions at the behest of some in the current or previous government are legion. Whether true or not the only way to erase such impressions is to act and act decisively. Appointing committee after committee makes little sense unless and until what emerges from them are implemented. A classic example of the worthlessness of committee findings is the Weliamuna report on Sri Lankan Airlines where the report of a committee appointed by the UNP coalition partner is discarded by the UNP appointed Chairman and other airline officials.

Earlier next month a Global Assets Recovery Forum (GFAR) will be held in Washington. The 3-day meeting starting on December 4 will focus on assistance to four countries including Sri Lanka. It would be interesting to know what Sri Lanka has to say on efforts at recovery so far and what the government intends to do to keep its promises as the deliverables for GFAR will include progress on cases achieved by the four focus countries, increased capacity through technical sessions, renewed commitment to advancing asset recovery cases, and increased collaboration among involved jurisdictions.

With local council elections a little over a month away will the public be treated to another dose of political rhetoric and an extra serving of perpetual promises?
SriLankan flight makes emergency landing at Kunming View(s):

A SriLankan Airlines flight (UL 829) doing its finals to land at the Kunming International Airport in China was forced to abort after the flaps malfunctioned.

After carrying out emergency drills, the Airbus A 320 pilot later made an emergency landing. Fire engines and rescue crew were on standby. Since then, the aircraft remained on ground until spares were flown down from a supplier in China. It returned to Colombo only on Thursday, that too without passengers. During its onward journey, the Airbus A 320 which could carry 150 passengers had only half that number.

The flaps are located at the edge of each wing, usually between the fuselage and ailerons and have to extend outward to be put into use. They are intended both to generate more lift at slower air speed for take-off and also more drag to slow down much faster upon landing. SriLankan authorities have decided that the Colomblo-Kunming sector should be terminated from March, next year. Kunming, Chinas southern Yunan Provinces modern capital city, is a transportation hub.

SriLankan is also to cancel flights from Colombo to the Gan Island, the southernmost Addu atoll in the Maldivian archipelago in March next year. A report in these columns about a flight on this route by seven passengers and nine crew members drew the attention of a Government VIP. He sought details of the flights conducted in the previous months and directed that the flight should be terminated.

One-sided picture in Parliament

It was censorship of a different sort. Though it is not clear who ordered it, it fell on the Police to enforce it when Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera was presenting his first budget.

Photographers who were assigned for coverage inside the Parliament gallery during the presentation on Thursday were in for a rude shock.

Once inside, they were told they could be restricted to a vantage point from where they could only get a frontal view of Government MPs. Despite efforts by them to get to the opposite side so that they could capture some on the opposition benches, they were prevented by the Police personnel on duty saying they had been instructed not to allow them to move to the other side.

It seems a new rule because just last month, when Parliament marked its 70th anniversary, photographers were allowed free movement inside the upper floor of the gallery so they could capture MPs on all sides. So much for parliamentary democracy.

Shockwaves over secret meeting

The results of a high profile investigation, now in public focus, have generated considerable controversy. This was after sleuths who were observing the movements of a key figure saw him making his way to the salubrious hills in the deep south.

That he met an influential politico there has sent shockwaves down sections of the coalition leadership. The news came as politicos of another section protested to their own boss during a meeting at the flowery abode. They were urging action to avoid further embarrassment.

Harsha leads team for UPR in Geneva

Harsha de Silva, Deputy Minister of Policy Planning and Economic Development, will lead a delegation that leaves tomorrow for Geneva to take part in the Universal Periodic Review.

The UPR, as it is called, is a review of human rights records of member countries. It is a state driven process under the UN Human Rights Council and provides an opportunity for each state to declare the actions it has taken to improve the human rights situation in the country.

Deputy Minister de Silva is being accompanied by Foreign Secretary Prasad Kariyawasam, the Foreign Ministrys UN Director Maheshini Colonne, Senior Director General Abdul Azeez and Nerin Pulle from the Attorney Generals Department. Ravinatha Ariyasinha, Sri Lankas Permanent Representative at the UN in Geneva, will join the delegation.

Foreign Ministry sources said more than a 100 countries have sought to speak on Sri Lanka during the three and a half hours allotted for the discussion.The UPR was created through the UN General Assembly on March 15, 2006 by resolution 60/251, which established the Human Rights Council itself. It is a cooperative process which, by October 2011, has reviewed the human rights records of all 193 UN Member States. Currently, no other universal mechanism of this kind exists.

PM, Malik in Singapore

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe left Thursday night for Singapore on a private visit. He was accompanied by Development Strategies and International Trade Minister Malik Samarawickrema.

CC rejects two nominees for top courts

Two nominees, one for the Supreme Court and the other for the Court of Appeal, have not been approved by the Constitutional Council.

The names came up for discussion at the CC meeting held on Friday. It was chaired by the Chairman, Speaker Karu Jayasuriya.

Official sources said the CC is to examine new names when it meets next.

Explore Sri Lanka: Guess what the second language was

Lankan readers of Explore Sri Lanka, the glossy travel magazine published by BT Options, might have been a tad confused at the pullout found in its November issue. The eight-page, neatly folded supplement titled Places & Shopping is in two languages. Any guesses which?

Right through the pullout, pages titled Explore the Island Wildlife, National Museums, and details provided on the map of the island on the middlespread, plus all information on places and shoppping are printed in English and Chinese. The advertisements too; only the captions to the photographs are unaccompanied by Chinese text.

No explanation is provided leaving readers mystified.

And the mass wedding for Chinese couples where President Maithripala Sirisena will be the chief guest will be held at the former Race Course Grounds on December 17.

Petrol crisis fuels social media

The birth and growth of social media, among them Facebook, WhatsApp et al, have taken Sri Lankan humour to a newer level.As the fuel stations went dry of petrol, the result of the state-owned Ceylon Petroleum Corporations (CPC) inability to maintain adequate buffer stocks,

audio and video clips went viral. Almost all of them were critical of the ruling coalition leaders.

Others carried comments from those who had spent hours outside fuel stations. How can the Government talk of distributing power to the periphery when it cannot even distribute petrol, declared one of them. Said another, I could not take my children to school today. Politicians, however, have their Prados and Pajeros with tanks filled to run around. Some of the remarks were unprintable.

Different videos ran as songs modelled on well-known reggae and Sinhala numbers played in the background. In one, the man sprinting with a burning torch, the logo of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation was replaced. It depicted what appeared to be a driver carrying an empty can. In another video clip, there was a crowd outside a fuel station where the pump was placed at the rear of a donkey.

Leading supermarkets realised the plight of their regular customers. The customers received SMS messages that until the petrol shortage lasts, they would deliver to their homes all their needs.
The blue-green Budget presented View(s):

My dear Mangala,

I thought I must write to you because you are in the news these days after delivering your mangala- or maiden  budget this week. Im sure there will be enough pundits who will analyse the pros and cons of the Budget in the days to come, but congratulations anyway for doing what is a thankless job.

Mangala, it must have felt great to follow in the footsteps of people like JR, NM and Ronnie although there have been some less illustrious predecessors of late as well. Who would have thought a fashion designer would one day fashion our economy, trying to tailor it to fit the needs of the modern age?

You looked smart in your suit and tie which had both blue and green stripes on it. Is it because you still have some ties to the Blue party although you left it ten years ago and are now tied to the Green party? And, being Finance Minister seems to have taken its toll on what was once a full head of hair!

It is interesting that you also called your budget a blue green budget. We know that, like you, the government has both blue and green shades to it. But I should warn you, Mangala, right now, with not a lot of money in their pockets and no petrol in the tank most people feel they are marooned!

I was intrigued by some of the price reductions you had ordered in the Budget. The prices of sprats, dried fish, potatoes and parippu have been reduced. This is what we will have to eat now  then we have to drown our sorrows in canned beer  because that is only other item with a price reduction!

I have a sneaking suspicion that you knew about the petrol shortage when you prepared the Budget, Mangala. Why else would you place all that emphasis on electric cars, electric three-wheelers and electric buses, reducing taxes on them and wanting all vehicles to be powered by electricity by 2040?

We are all fed up and frustrated these days, having to stay in queues for petrol, so electric cars sound like a good option. However, I hope you know what to do when there is a drought, the reservoirs dry up and there are power cuts. If we have only electric cars, we will be going nowhere then, would we?

I was happy that you had slapped a 25 cents charge on text messages sent in bulk, but I am not sure whether your friends in high places will be pleased. Remember those messages that Mahinda maama and Maithri send, wishing us for the New Year? I guess they will have to pay more for them now.

You have also imposed a tax of 20 cents on every 1,000 rupee bank transaction. You said it was to recover the debts taken during Mahinda maamas time and called it the Medamulana tax. Then, how about imposing a tax to recover monies lost from the bond scam? You could call it the Ravi tax!

I am surprised that you want to spend billions of rupees to set up three more medical faculties. Have you not learnt a lesson from recent events, Mangala? Do you seriously want more medical students blocking our roads, boycotting lectures and staging fasts and becoming members of the GMOA?

You have come a long way after losing your Innocence as a fashion designer. We first knew you as Satellites man managing the media. That was when you famously said that journalists can be bought for a bottle of arrack. Well, you will have to pay more then, because you have raised taxes on that!

We thought you would remain with Satellite forever but you knew which way the wind was blowing, which is why you switched loyalties to Mahinda maama, so much so that you were once his campaign manager. That honeymoon didnt last long and, after a few years you ended up with the Greens.

Old habits die hard, so even when you were with the Greens you were accused of obstructing a protest march in Matara that was being staged against the Green Man. Now, you must be a happy man because your two mentors, Satellite and the Green Man seem to see eye to eye on most matters!

Since then, you have gone from strength to strength and perhaps mellowed with age too. So, Mangala, while you bask in the glory of your first budget I hope you can spare a thought for Ravi too  who paid the price for staying in an apartment which his wife had rented without knowing who its owner was!

Yours truly,

Punchi Putha

PS: It was sad to see Mahinda maama and a few hangers-on cycle to Parliament to protest the fuel shortage. Sure, he looked fighting fit and like Rajinikanth in his heyday with his jet black hair and sunglasses, but if he was protesting a fuel shortage, what was his motorcade doing, following him?
Budget day contrasting scenes in Parliament View(s):

Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera being accompanied by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe leaving a tea party that followed the presentation of what was described as a designer budget for a Green and enterprising Sri Lanka. In the inset picture, Petroleum Minister Arjuna Ranatunga does not seem to be impressed or enterprising apparently in view of the fire he faced over the fuel crisis.

Pix by Amila Gamage and Indika Handuwala
e-NICs: FR petition on alleged invasion of privacy View(s):

The procedure for the issue of Sri Lankas new electronic national identity card (e-NIC)introduced in the absence of privacy or data protection lawsgrants wide powers to the Commissioner General of the Department of Registration of Persons, officials and other authorities to collect and record any personal details from all public and, potentially, private databases.

If we are to embrace technology, we must do so only with the soundest of legal safeguards in place, said Ravi Ratnasabapathy, a management accountant who has challenged the Governments e-NIC regulations in the Supreme Court. Without proper data protection laws in place the e-NIC project should not go ahead.

The greatest concern with Sri Lankas proposed system is the possibility it could be used as a general purpose surveillance system. While the relevant legislation specifies it will be applied for reasons of establishing identity, clear limitations on use are not in place. Published reports point to the e-NIC and database being an overarching solution for tax, property, banking as well as national security.

If allowed, any identification system that maintains location or transactions may allow police or other government agencies to track individuals, Mr Ratnasabapathy says. And any identification system runs the risk of becoming a general purpose surveillance system in the absence of clearly defined limits.

Mr Ratnasabapathys fundamental rights petition warns that the e-NIC regulations grant virtually unrestricted access to any information concerning any citizen recorded with any public authority. Up to now, privacy was protected (despite the absence of laws) by most data being held either in manual form or on isolated computer systems. Information was not shared. If needed for investigative or other purposes, it was provided through court order.

This will no longer be the case. And the use of biometrics in the new e-NIC poses new threats to privacy and security which can only be addressed through a strong legal framework based on Fair Information Practices (FIP) principles. Drafted by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the FIPs offer guidance on how to manage privacy implications of the e-NIC. They have become the foundation for most national laws governing data protection. In Sri Lanka, by contrast, they are being flouted openly.

The principles call for limits on the collection of personal data; for any such data to be obtained by lawful and fair means; and, where appropriate, with the knowledge or consent of the data subject. The less information is recorded the better. Each data element collected should be evaluated and debated. The casual inclusion of information that might be useful someday should be resisted.

The Sri Lankan e-NIC blatantly violates this, the petitioner says. Citizens must provide name, date of birth, gender, address, family details and numbers of national identity cards of parents, guardian, spouse, children and siblings. Divorcees are even required to specify the date of decree, case number and court in which the divorce decree was entered.If the system is about establishing ID, family details are unnecessary. An individuals identity is independent of the family. Our current IDs and passports carry no family details. Why is this necessary in the E-NIC?

The general policy of the FIPs is that data collected for one purpose should not be used for another purpose. And this is how the present manual systems in Sri Lanka work, Mr Ratnasabapathy said. We provide information to the Land Registry, the Registrar of Motor Vehicles or the Employees Provident Fund for a particular purpose. They use it for internal purposes only and do not share the data with other agencies, except when ordered by court.

But the proposed central database to be set up under the e-NIC initiative will share information with other agencies for a variety of purposes, including prevention or detection of crimes, without a court order. A biometric identification system can be used for a wide variety of identification activities. However, using an identification system for other unrelated purposes would likely violate the principles.

The FIPs state that personal data should be protected by reasonable security safeguards against such risks as loss or unauthorised access, destruction, use, modification or disclosure of data.

Sri Lankas system is shrouded in secrecy and even attempts to obtain basic information through Right to Information requests have not yielded results, said Mr Ratnasabapathy. Data may be shared amongst different agencies without the knowledge or consent of citizens.

The project is going ahead with no public consultation. Individuals dont have the right to know what data is held and to challenge incorrect data, he pointed out. There is no central authority to hold accountable for loss or misuse of data.
Loved ones of those killed while trying to escape melee seek justice Welikada prison killings By Chandani Kirinde View(s): View(s):

Five years on a family member recounts images that still haunt her from the day after the shootings

Lawyer representing families says uphill task to gain public sympathy for the cause of prisoners

By the time Manel Wijesinghe (54) received a call on the morning of November 10, 2012 from an official of the Prisons Department informing her that her nephew who was in remand custody had been injured in the unrest that took place the previous night at the Welikada Prison, neither she nor the rest of the country was aware of the magnitude of the unrest at the countrys largest prison facility.

By then 27 inmates lay dead and scores of others including prisoners, prison guards and police personnel injured and sections of the prison extensively damaged.

Manel rushed to the National Hospital only to be told that her nephew Sameera Wijesinghe (25) was among the 27 inmates killed in the incident and that she should proceed to the mortuary to identify his body.

Five years later, what she saw there is still etched in her memory and the images continue to haunt her. There were several bodies on iron trollies at the mortuary, some of them naked. Among them was Sameera with what looked like a bullet injury to his chest and neck. It was a ghastly sight. I was in shock that even though I wanted to cry out, I could not do so, she said.

The rest of her story is much like what happened to all the family members who lost their loved ones in the Welikada incident. They were sent the bodies with the death certificate and ordered to bury their loved ones. There was no one to answer their questions as to what had led to the deaths.

The Welikada prison incident, as it has come to be called, was initially passed off as a riot instigated by the prisoners, but a three-member committee of inquiry appointed after the present government came to power blamed the excessive use of force by law enforcement officers who were allowed to enter the prison premises with weapons and without proper authorisation for provoking the unrest by firing tear gas into the cells.

Sameera was in remand custody at Welikada and was among 11 who were shot dead while they allegedly attempted to flee the scene amidst the ensuing melee. Among those killed a majority were either convicted or in remand custody for drug related offences. Sameeras story is also a classic case of a young life lost by the misfortune of having been born on the wrong side of the track.

His father was my brother. His parents were not married but had four children out of wedlock and the mother was a drug user. I became their legal custodian as the parents did not live together and as he was the only boy, I did my best to keep him out of trouble, Manel said. Despite her best efforts, Sameera started using drugs in his late teens and it was not long after that he was in the clutches of drug dealers. He was in prison once earlier and was released without charge. I sent him to a rehabilitation center run by a church but after a few months there he returned and soon afterwards he was back to using drugs and keeping company with those involved in the trade, she said.

The second time he was arrested he was not so lucky. Even before charges could be framed against him, Sameera was caught up in the unrest that engulfed the Welikada prison on November 9, 2012 and was shot dead along with 11 others allegedly trying to escape in a three wheeler. I am not convinced that he was trying to flee. I have heard many versions of what happened that day and I am sure Ill never find out the real story. Whatever crime he may have committed, no one had the right to take away his life in this manner, Manel said.

Nirmala Atapattu (31) of Piliyandala who was also being held without charge on suspicion of involvement in deleaing with illicit drugs too died in the incident. For the past five years, his father Siripala Atapattu has been fighting to get justice for his son. My son was taken into custody and kept in remand for several months without charges. He was killed needlessly for no fault of his, Atapattu said.

Attorney Senaka Perera is among a group of lawyers who are exerting pressure on the government to hold an impartial inquiry into the incident and punish those responsible for it as well as get compensation for the family members of those killed in the incident. The Committee that inquired into the incident recommended compensation only for the next of kin of the 16 inmates killed inside the prison but not the 11 who died outside. This is grossly unfair. The prison was like a battlefield that day and it is a human instinct to want to run away from such a scene. Those including Sameera who ran outside were only trying to save their lives and were shot dead in cold blood. Their families too must be given compensation, he said.

Mr. Perera also spoke about the failure by successive governments to punish those responsible for causing the deaths of prisoners. The reality of this country is that no one has ever been punished for any of the incidents of violence in prisons that have taken place in the country. From the riots in 1983 when a large number of Tamil prisoners were killed in Welikada to the Bindunuwewa incident to this incident, no one has been charged for wrongdoing, he said.

The families of the dead inmates are now counting on legal action initiated by one of the witnesses to the incident to punish those responsible for the deaths, Mr Perera said. The Court of Appeal has fixed December 6 for support of the writ application filed by the eyewitness W.S. Nandimal Silva who is seeking an impartial investigation. On Thursday the family members and activists gathered at Galle Face and proceeded towards the Presidents office to appeal to President Maithripala Sirisena to ensure justice for those killed in the incident. However among them there were those who realised that public sympathy is not always on the side of the prisoners.

In our country, people think anyone who goes to prison is guilty of an offence. Trying to gain public support for the cause of prisoners is an uphill task,  said attorney Senaka Perera.

The three member committee that inquired into the Welikada incident noted that while the words written on the outer wall of the prison says prisoners are human beings, the Government needs to take cognizance of the accepted international principles governing prisoners to avoid similar incidents happening in the future.

In its concluding remarks, the Committee noted that people are sent to prison as punishment and not for punishment, and there was a need to change words into deeds by recognising that prisoners are humanbeings in its true spirit.
Malaysias AirAsia wants to set up budget carrier here By Namini Wijedasa Presentation made to Cabinet committee headed by PM, but Minister Hashim says he was bypassed View(s): View(s):

Malaysian low-cost airline AirAsia has made a strong pitch to set up a budget carrier in Colombo with a 51 percent stake for the Sri Lanka Government. But Public Enterprise Development Minister Kabir Hashim, in charge of SriLankan Airlines, claimed he was completely bypassed.

A team from AirAsia made an hour-long presentation to the Cabinet Committee on Economic Management (CCEM) on Wednesday. While Minister Hashim is a member of the group, he said he had neither been informed such a pitch would be made nor sent any background information. It had, however, been included in the agenda. He did not attend the meeting.

I am not opposing it but I am concerned, he told the Sunday Times. Proposals of this nature have to be carefully evaluated to determine the viability and ramifications on the bleeding national carrier.

The CCEM meeting was headed by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. Among the team that made the presentation was Dilhan Haradasa, who is AirAsias Group Head of Network and Regulatory Affairs. An attendee called the pitch impressive. The Malaysian carrier pledged substantial returns at no cost to the Sri Lankan Government.

Every button was pushed, he said, on condition of anonymity. Everything will be privately funded. They will bring in five aircraft in the first year, and twenty five in five years. There will be two in Jaffna and two in Mattala. They said they will bring in tourists to meet the Governments five million target and they showed glowing statistics of other places they operate in. Each tourist they flew in now had a daily spend of US$ 160. They promised to raise it to US$ 200 in two years.

The AirAsia presentation was heavy on numbers and showed huge potential inflows of capital into Sri Lanka via the airlines operation. It pledged low ticket prices, thereby making foreign travel accessible to middle class Sri Lankans. Civil Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva raised objection saying the Bandaranaike International Airport had no terminal space to support the number of aircraft AirAsia hoped to bring in. But the Malaysian company said low cost aircraft had different terminal requirements and that it was willing to commit to help build a terminal. The airline said it had the expertise and template to put up prefabricated structures within a few months, another source said.

In return for its investment, AirAsia Sri Lanka will have a Sri Lankan air operators certificate and exercise the unused bilateral rights out of the country. We have negotiated these pretty well and have unlimited rights to India, Male, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Bangkok, an aviation industry official said. This should be a wake-up call for SriLankan Airlines. There are reports that AirAsia has already started head-hunting SriLankan Airlines staff in a recruitment drive in preparation for a possible entry into the local market. At the same time, the prospect of attracting more tourists and running a budget carrier at zero Government investment is now under serious consideration.

They have the capital, the aircraft and the expertise, the official said. This will increase arrivals, foreign investment and allow Sri Lankans to travel while posing a massive threat to SriLankan Airlines. They will compete directly on many routes. Minister Hashim, meanwhile, told the Sunday Times he had not known about AirAsiasomething other sources speculated was unusual. The ministry was not informed, he maintained. Before going to the CCEM, they should have spoken to me. This has implications for SriLankan and it is worrying me.

SriLankans air operators certificate is important, he said. I use it as leverage whenever I try to partner the airline with another entity. When this happens, it can become a problem. They should have a proper process.

I will probably take it up at the next meeting but I dont even have a piece of paper to go on, the minister continued. They should have sent it to the line minister or ministry and I would have asked SriLankan for a note on the implications. I cant object without a piece of paper. The Minister reiterated that he was not writing off the AirAsia initiative but that it must be preceded by an evaluation, done jointly with SriLankan. The proposal also comes amid the ongoing liquidation of Mihin Lanka and a cabinet decision to absorb its towering debts. Its permit is also to be sold. Several other international budget carriers are servicing Sri Lanka.
On view: Wendts artistic world By Kaveesha Fernando His portrait hangs at the Lionel Wendt Theatre named after him; and now here is an opportunity to get a glimpse of the work of this legendary photographer and key cultural figure of Colombo in the 30s-40s View(s): View(s):

Theatre-goers and art lovers in Sri Lanka are familiar with the Lionel Wendt Art Centre, but few of the younger generation would have an inkling of the artistic genius it was named after. A versatile personality- Lionel Wendt was a photographer, musician and art collector who made a great contribution to the arts in Sri Lanka. This week, a curated selection of his photographs is on exhibition at the Harold Peiris Gallery of the Lionel Wendt offering the public a glimpse of his phenomenal talent.

The 30 selected photographs on display show his prowess as a photographer, as well as the various techniques he employed while taking and processing his photographs. A lecture was held yesterday (November 11) with veteran photographer Lal Hegoda giving his insights on the methodology behind Wendts work.

Born in 1900, Lionels father, Henry Lorensz was a Supreme Court judge, while his mother, Amelia de Saram was daughter of judge John Henricus de Saram. First educated at the Government Training College English School and later at S. Thomas College, Mutwal, when the latter was shifted to Mount Lavinia, he was one of the first students there.

Wendts interest in photography was most likely influenced by his father and maternal grandfather, both of whom were members of the Amateur Photographic Society (possibly the first society of photography in Ceylon). When his father took him to a photography studio where meetings of photographers and painters were often held, young Lionel could be found watching with interest the large cameras with wheels being used, which prompted the owner of the studio, A. W. Andree (Junior) to gift him a small box camera.

Wendt qualified as a barrister in London  where he also studied at the Royal Academy of Music. Following his return to Ceylon in 1924, he practised law for a short stint, his reputation as a musician and brilliant pianist meanwhile growing in Colombo. The poet Pablo Neruda, who was the Chilean Consul in Ceylon in 1929, would later write in his memoirs: A pianist, photographer, critic and cinematographer Lionel Wendt was the central figure of cultural life torn between the death rattles of the Empire and human appraisal of the untapped values of Ceylon.

By 1930, Lionel owned a Rolleiflex camera and later a 35 millimeter Leica camera, one of the first Ceylonese to own the latter. He started a studio at his home where negatives could be printed in 1933.

The Song of Ceylon, a documentary he voiced in 1934, is celebrated by the British Film Institute as award winning, and is still available for purchase as part of a documentary series.

In 1935, he launched the Photographic Society of Ceylon and held his first exhibition alongside 12 other photographers in the society. He held many exhibitions in Colombo, Jaffna, Galle, Panadura and also abroad, in several cities in Europe, Asia, the United States and South Africa. In 1938, he became the first Ceylonese to have a one-man photographic exhibition in England on the invitation and full sponsorship of Messrs Leitz (producers of the Leitz camera).

Following that exhibition, founder of the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon D.R. Wijewardene invited Wendt to open a photography studio at the Lake House complex, which was named Chitrafoto. The photo he took of D.R. Wijewardene still hangs at several places in the building. Wendt compiled the Sunday Observer Pictorial at this time, and the 1938 Observer Pictorial was the first time natural colour photographs were featured.

Wendt was also a key figure in the formation of the 43 Group, the pre-eminent group of local artists  the first meeting held in his home.

Lionel Wendt passed away in December 1944 in his sleep at the age of 44. His will stated that his house should be dedicated for the arts and following the death of his brother Harry within a year of Wendts death, the task was taken over by his friend Harold Peiris. Wendts house at No. 18, Guildford Crescent (the present premises of the Lionel Wendt Art Centre), named Alborada (the dawning of the day) was demolished in 1950 to build the theatre, which was opened in 1953. The Lionel Wendt Art Gallery was opened in 1959.

Recent years have seen a resurgence of interest in Wendts photographs in the West. Here in Sri Lanka a new book Lionel Wendt- Art and Life by Sampath Bandara was released recently.

Administrative Secretary of the Lionel Wendt Memorial Fund, Dilrukshi Rambukwelle hopes that the exhibition and lecture will help people understand and appreciate Lionel Wendt and his work. Most people do not know who Lionel Wendt is, especially the younger generation  which is why they organize such events to keep his memory alive. They are also working towards digitally archiving his work, which she feels will be of great interest to many, as they will then be able to view his work throughout the year.

The exhibition which opened yesterday will continue till November 18, at the Harold Peiris Gallery of the Lionel Wendt from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sumitra treads unknown territory in new film By Randima Attygalle View(s): View(s):

Osanda (played by Dumindu Dodanthenna), orphaned at childhood is brought up by his grandmother (Iranganie Serasinghe) and extended family. They are traditional puppet-makers from the South. A female puppet possessed by the tree spirit from the tree it is carved (played by Yashodha Wimaladharma), comes alive, bringing him physical and metaphysical experiences.

Set in the south, the heartland of traditional puppetry, Vaishnawee or Divine Messenger is the latest cinematic creation by celebrated movie-maker Sumitra Peries and will be premiered at the Kolkata Film Festival on November 16.

Watching Brigitte Bardot on the streets of St. Tropez where God created woman was being shot in the mid-50s was an unforgettable moment for 21-year-old Sumitra Gunawardene, before her marriage to the doyen of Sinhala cinema, Dr. Lester James Peries. For Sumitra, her French connection runs deep, so much so, her greatest inspiration as a film-maker is derived from the French, she says. Sumitra, the first Sri Lankan film-maker to qualify at Conservatoire Libre de Cinema Francais was conferred the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Government a few years back in recognition of her contribution to the arts. In terms of love, the French discuss it as part of genetic orientation and social factors which propel individuals to behave the way they do, says the pioneering woman film-maker in Asia who highlights the multi-dimensional aspects of love, impermanence of life, folklore and myth in Vaishnawee.Yet, none of these elements is ad hoc, Sumitra is quick to add. There is a poetic attribute to it and a kind of magical realism which weaves through the plot based in 1930s and 40s southern Sri Lanka.

The script based on a synopsis done by Lester long years ago was developed by the late artiste Tony Ranasinghe and is fuelled by extensive research done by Sumitra. The effort is chartering unknown territory, she says. Little did I know of the complexities of puppet-making as I embarked on this project and to give life to a puppet of stage or simply of tourist attraction, was no easy task. Lester and I together with Tony, toyed with several versions of the script. The research into ancient puppet-making of the island had even revealed that life-size puppets had not been uncommon says the film-maker. The Dehiwala Puppet Museum and puppet makers of the South have rendered their able assistance to the movie.

Interestingly a puppet replica of the actress Yashodha Wimaladharma was made by such an artisan. When this puppet is being carved by Osanda in the movie, it is possessed by the spirit of the tree which gives it life and it comes into his life as a woman, portrayed by Yashodha. Produced by Mano Nanayakkara, the musical score for the film was by the late Nimal Mendis. Donald Karunaratne is the talent behind the camera.The cast as Sumitra asserts, is huge including Iranganie Serasinghe, Jayalath Manoratne, Vasanthi Chaturani and Mahendra Perera.

For the celebrated film-maker of Ganga Addara, Gehenu lamai, Yahalu-yeheli and Loku Duwa fame, her latest is foraying into a territory unknown in her own words. Sumitra has navigated it all, from celluloid to digital medium- the latter which she calls little more electronic in visual imagery than the former. While the digital technology which she exploited for the first time with Vaishnawee, has enabled change and flexibility, at the same time it makes one a little bit complacent, she says.

A cinematic voice for the trials and tribulations faced by women and famed for her attention to detail, Sumitra bemoans the lack of precision in many contemporary Lankan films. She is also critical of spoon-feeding the audience without leaving space for individual interpretation. Every piece of lace on a frock, an earring or a chair matters in visual imagery, as image is formed not in isolation but as an entity, which would later speak of an era, adds the veteran.
Wowing judges with an artistic creation of Chicken Roulade Royston Ellis meets the Sri Lankan who has been acclaimed as the Best Young Chef in the Maldives View(s): View(s):

At the Food and Hospitality Asia Maldives International Culinary Challenge and Exhibition 2017 held in Male earlier this year, the award of Best Young Chef in the Maldives was won by K.Y.M. Gunesekera, 24, who comes from Nittambuwa.

There were 564 competitors from 67 resorts taking part in the Culinary Challenge, which makes Gunesekeras achievement remarkable, especially as other participants came from several regional countries as well as from the Maldives. The judging was by a panel of international chefs and the competition was run under the auspices of the World Association of Chefs.

Gunesekera has been employed for 30 months at Baros Maldives where he is one of the kitchen brigade of 40 working under the Executive Sous Chef, Upul Wijethilake, who is also from Sri Lanka. Baros Maldives is a boutique island resort with three gourmet-standard restaurants serving exquisite international cuisine as well as catering for off-island dining on a sandbank, lagoon deck or dhoni cruises and In Villa Meal Service for its 75 overwater and beachside villas.

For the competition, Gunesekera, known as Yasitha to the resorts guests, had to prepare and present within 90 minutes, one main course dish free style and dessert. All the ingredients had to be supplied by the competitor himself together with the recipe. Gunesekera stunned the judges with his own artistic creation of Chicken Roulade in three colours using natural ingredients. As well as being judged the Best Young Chef of the Year he also won a silver medal in a separate category with his Seafood Lasagne.

Gunesekera had no plans to become a chef when he left Junior School but a friend suggested he should enrol at the Sunray Hotel & Chefs Training Academy in Gampaha. He studied food and beverage there for 18 months including a six-month training period at the Green Paradise Hotel in Dambulla. He then joined Russels in Colombo where he spent 18 months as member of a team catering for private functions.

Keen to learn more about cooking, he accepted a job at a cafe in Male, the capital island of the Maldives, and worked there for 15 months. His career break came when he saw an advertisement for chefs to work at Baros Maldives and applied. After a rigorous interview he was accepted and began training under Chef Wijethilake.

It is thanks to the training I received from Chef Upul of Baros and from Anil Perera of the Sunray Hotel School that I was able to succeed in the competition, he says modestly.

Although he is only 24, Gunesekera has the broad smile and air of bonhomie that defines a mature chef. He exudes an air of confidence and commitment to create dishes that are a pleasure to the eye as well as the palate. When I asked him what is his favourite dish, he smiled a little sheepishly and replied: Chicken curry and coconut sambol.

Then he added that he likes to bring a contemporary touch to Sri Lankan cuisine and confessed that his ambition, after gaining more experience, is to open his own small restaurant in Sri Lanka. He plans to concentrate on fine dining using traditional Sri Lankan ingredients presented in an exciting, modern manner.

He happily recommends to young people in Sri Lanka to take up training to become chefs. He says that his job is not just cooking but involves artistry as well, together with cost control and minimising wastage. He is amazed that even though Baros is a small island, ingredients are imported from around the world for every type of cuisine.

He acknowledges that he is lucky in having an experienced Sri Lankan chef in Upul Wijethilake to work under. Several of his colleagues at Barosare are Sri Lankan too and they all work as a team to provide guests with the best. This young man from Nittambuwa, with his cheerful approach to his job, even under pressure during an international competition, seems destined for a great career as a Chef.
Entries are now open for the second year of the Trustpower Photographic Exhibition, with organisers expecting thousands of entries after the success of the inaugural year.

Downtown Tauranga Project Manager Sally Cooke is delighted the event is on again.

After an immensely successful inaugural event, with thousands of people making a trip to the city centre to see the winning photographs displayed along The Strand, we are thrilled to announce that entries are now open for the 2018 Trustpower Photographic Exhibition.

Sally is expecting the second year of the event to be even bigger than the first. We were overwhelmed with the success of the inaugural event - it exceeded all expectations with over 1740 entries and the quality and quantity of entries was astounding.

So we are absolutely delighted to be able to launch the second year of this initiative. It provides a unique opportunity to showcase both our creative talent and our region and it makes for a fantastic city centre exhibition.

This years prize pool is as impressive as the first, with $10,000 in prizes up for grabs. Once again we have some amazing prizes and profiling up for grabs for the winners, says Sally, including the supreme prize of the trip to London, Paris, New York or Rome worth up to $3000 thanks to the generosity of House of Travel Tauranga and Downtown Tauranga.

The Trustpower Photographic Exhibition was such a privilege to run last year because we did it in partnership with Trustpower, Downtown Tauranga, Media Works, UNO. Magazine and The Weekend Sun. It was a true partnership approach from planning to the staging.

We all owned it and proactively contributed to the success of it. That made it incredibly rewarding to be a part of. We were just delighted this year when Trustpower, as lead sponsors, confirmed they would be involved again.

Once again amateurs and professionals are encouraged to enter and this year under four new categories: Our people, Celebration, Nature & Landscapes and Digital Manipulation.

The competition section of the initiative is now open and entrants will have until January 9, 2018 to enter. A judging panel will then select the winning photos that will be displayed in a large outdoor photographic exhibition on The Strand from January 26 to March 25 next year.

Judges will be looking for entries from people of all ages, from amateur to professional and hope to see diversity in the photos.

Prizes will be awarded for first and second in the four categories, plus judges will award prizes for a Young Photographers section (18 and under). Once the exhibition opens, there will also be a Peoples Choice section, where the public will be asked to vote for their favourite photo.

Full details and entry can be found by visiting: www.downtowntauranga.co.nz/trustpower-photographic-competition
A multisport athlete and her teddy bear pal have made a fleeting stop in Tauranga, as part of a nationwide journey.

Athlete and diabetes ambassador Emily Wilson is on a mission to run, cycle, kayak and raft down the length of New Zealand in support of Diabetes Action Month this November.

The special month is part of an annual campaign to educate the public around diabetes as a major health issue that affects almost a quarter of a million New Zealanders.

Accompanying Emily on the trip will be Jerry the Bear, a special teddy bear who, like Emily, has type 1 diabetes.

Emily and Jerry started their trip on November 1 in Cape Reinga. They will also visit Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin and plan to reach Bluff around December 3.

Yesterday they celebrated World Diabetes Day at Yatton Park, Tauranga, with a teddy bear picnic organised by the local branch of Diabetes NZ.

"My diabetes message is that diabetes should not stop you. Any chronic illness should not stop you from doing what you want to do, says Emily.

In November 2014 Emily was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease that causes the body to attack its own insulin-producing cells.

She says she engages with the disease on a continuous basis to manage her blood sugar levels by balancing her food intake and insulin dosages, however this did not stop Emily from pursuing her interest in sport and adventure.

During her trip around New Zealand, Jerry the Bear will accompany her in a backpack all the way.

Jerry has been specially designed as a comfort and educational tool for kids with type 1 diabetes, and will be available through Diabetes NZ.

He has a number of embroidered patches that link with a smartphone app so that children can feed him, give him insulin and look after his wellbeing, all while learning how to manage their own condition.

For more information on Emilys timetable and fundraising details visit: https://wilem526.wixsite.com/jerrystour

Emily and Jerry the Bear with a young picnic guest.

Travel Plan for Emily Wilson

November 19 Wellington  Teddy Bear Picnic with Diabetes Youth Wellington

November 21 Nelson

November 26 Christchurch

December 3 Dunedin  Running Club with Diabetes Otago, family picnic and fun day from 11.30am-2.30pm

December 5 Invercargill
Todays weather forecast is for cloudy periods with a change of showers, and sea breezes.

Its a two-clothing layer day today with a high of 17 and an overnight low of 11 degrees.

Low tide is at 10am and high tide is at 4.20pm. Sea temperature is 17 degrees. Theres an average sea swell of about .3m and sunset tonight is at 7.59pm.

If youre going fishing today the best fish bite time is between 9 and 11pm.

This day in NZ history in 1973 the Domestic Purposes Benefit (DPB) legislation was enacted. The passage of the Social Security Amendment Act introduced the DPB to New Zealands social welfare system.

It was intended to help women with a dependent child or children who had lost the support of a husband, or were inadequately supported by him. It was also available to unmarried mothers and their children, and to women who were living alone and caring for incapacitated relatives.

While men could also claim the DPB, the vast majority of beneficiaries were women. A new and sometimes maligned category of New Zealander was created: the solo mum.

In world history on this day in 1851 Herman Melvilles novel Moby Dick was published in New York. In 1908 Albert Einstein presented his quantum theory of light. In 1963 Iceland got a new island when a volcano pushed its way up out of the sea five miles off the southern coast. In 1969 the United States launched Apollo 12, the second mission to the Moon, from Cape Kennedy.

Today is the birthday of French impressionist painter Claude Monet born in 1840, and the birthday of Prince Charles born in 1948.

Our quote for today is from Prince Charles who said My problem is that I become carried away by enthusiasm to try and improve things.

To get involved in whats happening please check out our Whats On page.

Have an awesome day!
This page no longer exists or may have been moved.If you believe this is a mistake please email
Ask anyone about the highlights of a recent holiday, and chances are theyll name the gorgeous weather, the sublime landscape, and then the taste of national delicacies as integral elements of their best experiences. There is nothing more evocative of a recent vacation than such sensuous snapshots; and it is the latter of these, food, which can be one of the most heavily lingering aspects of these memories. Though it so quickly perishes, it is the sumptuousness of this transience, and its irreplaceability, which so easily recreates a well-spent holiday: for me anyway, as a self-confessed gourmand, food is an innate part of any sojourn undertaken. Though I could reel off multitudes and multitudes of international dishes I heartily recommend, I want to focus on the top eight which, when thinking of them, never fail to conjure me an imaginary aeroplane and take me back to such delicious life experiences:

Granitas  Bam-Bar, Taormina, Sicily

It was a holiday tour guide who first told us about these utterly heartbreaking desserts  following her instructions after a hectic day of exploration, we stumbled from the hotel into the centre of Taormina, through the striking maze of streets of which the Sicilian town consists, and then into the brightly decorated Bam-Bar; where we were presented with three sun-coloured goblets; and, true to the guides words, we were immediately addicted. I so vividly remember my first taste: imagine a more sophisticated peach-flavoured slush-puppy, with a head of two inches of cream, served alongside a soft, golden brioche bun and all injected with a breath of Italian charm. There were other flavours too: I remember a piquant kiwi, and quenching lemon  but the peach variety had just the right combination of sweet and fruit alongside the velvet brioche. It was such a charming indulgence I have never savoured elsewhere; truly a taste of heaven.

Limoncello  anywhere in Italy

Head north, to the mainland of Italy, and youll find in every store multiple versions of an even more typically Italian delicacy: limoncello. According to some, this is the second-most popular liqueur in the country, and I can understand why: the dose of tart intoxication is summoned by a comforting cream-like texture; a perfect match to a day spent basking in the Italian sun. It is served as a digestive to Italians, but most tourists drink it like water and then take ample supplies home, which can be bought in various eclectically fashioned frosted glass bottles (some shapes of which may be too risque to mention in this article). But I am adamant that it is never as good back in Blighty: its sharp and refreshing nature is really in its element with a backdrop of heat, style and Italian magic.

Pierogi  Restauracja Ceprownia, Warsaw, Poland

Heading east brings me to my favourite city on the planet, Warsaw, and the national dish that even those who have never visited Poland know: pierogi. Of course, this is available in pretty much every restaurant under that sweet Polish sun  but I love Restauracja Ceprownias the most: its such a quaint and friendly place to eat, with such a wide range of divine flavours, and immaculate consistency of dumpling (trust me, it matters). One of my favourite memories of all time was sitting outside the restaurant in the August sun last summer, gazing at those flitting past me down the busting Krakowskie Przedmiescie street, with pierogi in hand  I think back to those moments like one would a dream, with such unapologetic adoration: I wanted it to last forever.

North Fish, Warsaw, Poland

I really am not a frequent fish eater, but this charming restaurant, nestled on the very top floor of Warsaws brightest and most modern shopping mall, might just convert me. It sells a wide range of fish dishes at the cheapest prices, and operates with a self-service, almost fast-food feel  but all is cooked to perfection, and served alongside a faultless complement of fresh salads, vegetables and regional dressings. No matter how large or small you want your portion to be, this place really does it all; it might be a bit of a trek to find, but is such a gem that all is worth it by the end.

Rose paczki (doughnut)  Blikle, Warsaw, Poland

This pastry is such a seductive complement to a sublime meal at Blikle; its light texture and delicate flavouring, complete with the vein of traditional rose jam inside, adds no unwanted density to food already consumed, but leaves just enough of a glimpse of sweetness on your tongue to satisfy. The dough is coated in a thin lilac icing, and sprinkled liberally with curls of candied orange peel: decadent, yes, but such a whisper of refined excellence that, really, no excuses need to be made to buy one immediately. Blikle itself has been a bulwark of the Varsovian confectionary scene since time immemorial; with a testament to the various renowned customers theyve served plastered in an array of photographs across the walls  but when it comes to sweet delicacies, they definitely know what they are doing, and they do it faultlessly.

La Maison Gourmand, Warsaw, Poland

However, equally elegant products are sold by one of the recent addition to Warsaws many patisseries, La Maison Gourmand, which boasts seemingly endless rows of vibrant sweet delights. Every time I have visited Warsaw, I have always dropped in here to pick up a coffee and one of their marvellous creations; which are often almost too photogenic to eat. Aside from standard decorated slices of flavoured sponge, the restaurant also serves small crafted apple-shaped cream cakes; lurid yet chic eclairs; and blossoming fruit tarts  an eclectic mixture of dazzling designs which never fail to brighten my day.

Milk Bars, Warsaws Praga District, Poland

Seen as bastions of Polands communist-era days, milk bars have regained popularity in recent years for their vintage appeal; though their innate ambition of acting as cafeterias to serve exceptionally cheap food remains. They are now mainly found in the up-and-coming Praga district of Warsaw, where the old way of life still lingers most clearly; but they are used by locals and tourists alike who want to eat traditional, hearty Polish meals for a minimal price. In some, knowledge of Polish is needed to be able to communicate with the figure at the counter; the servers in the kitchen will look down on you harshly if you take any photographs; and you will be seated often at a shared table with strangers  but I think all this adds to the simple charm. The food, of course, is satiating and delightful  and for less than 3 for a two-course meal, well worth a visit.

Cherry Danish  Croissant Moon Bakery, Universal Orlando, USA

For my last pick from the buffet of international cuisine, Im heading across the Atlantic to the small bakery which sits at the entrance to Universal Orlando. Of course, I remember how ecstatic I was about visiting the theme park, but my most intense memory from that vacation was of the moreish, calorifically delicious Cherry Danishes this cafe sold. The voluptuous whole cherries, sitting in the caress of rich smooth cherry jam which was smeared liberally across a bed of sweet pastry was a perfectly luxurious way to start each day  the parks were fun, but these were the cherry on the cake (pun intended).
Thank you for reading!

Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue.
Priced at only Php 16,990 and now available at all authorized retail channels nationwide, the all-new Sony Xperia XA1 Plus represents the company's strong entry into the on-going 2017 to early 2018 midrange Android smartphone war involving big international brands here in the Philippines.

Sure, the large 5.5-inch Full HD IPS display panel doesn't quite cover the entire face of the phone - unlike other mid-level Android phones this year - but its sides are near-bezel-less, giving it an updated look. This Matte Black version of the handset looks particularly sleek, I think, with the black bezels framing the screen, giving a cleaner look.

The loud speaker, which sits with the USB Type C port at the rear, also has good volume and likewise benefits from Sony's audio enhancement software.

TechPinas Smartphone Technical Specs Table (TSTST)

Sony Xperia XA1 Plus

Legendary Japanese tech giantalso has a cool(or below $400 USD) handset that you might want to consider.Having played with this model, I'd say it has five key strengths.First, as you can see, it looks simply gorgeous. To be completely honest, Sony Xperia XA1 Plus looks more expensive than it actually. In fact, I think it already looks similar to that of Xperia XZ releases which sell for more than twice its price.The smartphone flaunts a "flattened tube" look that fellow hardcore Sony fans call '' design language. The company has had this for years, improving on it incrementally with each new mobile device iteration.Second, needless to say, Xperia XA1 Plus has stellar imaging capabilities. It has a whopping 23 MegaPixel f/2.0 rear camera that delivers clear and brilliant photos in various lighting conditions.This main cam is complemented by an 8 MegaPixel f/2.0 front-facing shooter that delivers selfies that are instantly ready for sharing on Facebook or Instagram -- thanks to the built-in "Soft Skin" mode, which is Sony's version of a selfie beautification software.Sony makes the sensor for some of the most powerful cameraphones out there so - naturally - you can expect this model to come with above average imaging performance.Third, well, XA1 Plus is first midrange release from Sony to have a fingerprint scanner, which the company previously only put on top-of-the-line models.Unlike fingerprint sensors on other brands, this one is positioned on the side - something that's unique to Xperia phones currently - which makes it easier to access using the thumb when holding the phone if you're right handed or your pointer finger if you're left-handed.Most midrange Android smartphone these days come with a hybrid secondary nanoSIM slot that also supports microSD cards. This means that with these phones, you'd have to sacrifice Dual SIM Dual Standby connectivity to beef up your storage.What's nice about Sony Xperia XA1 Plus is that it has a dedicated microSD card slot hidden in the flap of plastic shown above along with the two nanoSIM card trays -- so you can get more space for your files and still be on a secondary network. That's the fourth thing I like about this phone.And finally, what's cool about release is that - just like all Xperia smartphones from then until now - it has stellar audio performance; Great for those who love listening to music tracks on the go.Just go to the settings and turn on ClearAudio+ and you can already enjoy instant high-quality sound experience through deeper basses and clearer trebles.Inside the phone's svelte policarbonate shell (with metallic sheen), Sony Xperia XA1 Plus runs its heavily skinned Android 7.0 Nougat operating system with a 64-Bit Octa-Core ARM Cortex A53 and Mali-T880MP2 GPU based Mediatek MT6757 Helio P20 chipset, has 4GB of RAM, and comes with 32GB of expandable onboard storage.In the limited amount of time that I played with this device, I didn't notice any annoying lags or stuttering when swiping through the phone's interface. I was told that the model can run any resource-intensive 3D games that are available for download at the Google Play Store.Powered by a non-removable 3,430 mAh Li-Ion battery pack, Sony Xperia XA1 Plus is available in four classy and elegant hues including Pink, Gold, Blue, and Black. You can check out how all of these versions look in the flesh via my exclusive hands-on video below, which also features my interview with Ms. Pamela Uy of Sony Mobile Philippines about this much-awaited release.Slate Form Factor (Full Touchscreen)Midrange155 x 75 x 8.7 mm189 gramsBlack, Blue, Pink, GoldAndroid 7.0 Nougat with Xperia UI5.5 inches (~71.7% screen-to-body ratio), 1080 x 1920 pixels (~401 ppi pixel density), IPS LCD, capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors, Corning Gorilla Glass 564-Bit Octa-Core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 + 4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53), Mali-T880MP2 GPU, Mediatek MT6757 Helio P20 chipset4GB32GB, expandable via dedicated microSD card slot up to 256GBBack: 23 MegaPixel, f/2.0 aperture, 24mm, phase detection autofocus (PDAF), LED flashFront: 8 MegaPixels, f/2.0 aperture, 24mm, autofocus, 1/4" sensor sizeBack - Full HD 1080p 30 frames per secondFront - 1080pMP3, WAV, eAAC+, FLAC, MP4, H.264USB Type C, 3.5 mm audio jackWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, Wi-Fi hotspot, Bluetooth v4.2 with A2DP, EDR, 3G HSPA+; 4G LTE-A Cat4, NFCA-GPS, GLONASSYesAccelerometer, Digital Compass, Proximity, Fingerprint Scanner2G bands GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 and SIM 2,3G HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100(TBC) 4G LTE band 1(2100), 2(1900), 3(1800), 4(1700/2100), 5(850), 7(2600), 8(900), 12(700), 13(700), 17(700), 18(800), 19(800), 20(800), 25(1900), 26(850), 27(800), 28(700), 29(700), 30(2300), 34(2000), 38(2600), 39(1900), 40(2300), 41(2500)Dual nanoSIMNon-removable 3,430 mAh Li-Ion batteryAll-Day Uptime with Regular Use (TBC)Aluminum Shell, Fingerprint Scanner, Xperia UI, 23MP CameraPhilippines - September 14, 2017Philippines - November 10, 2017Official SRP in PH:
Findings of a new study involving older adults have revealed that exposure to air pollution may raise the risk for osteoporosis and fractures.

Porous Bones

Osteoporosis, which means "porous bones," happens when the body makes too little bone, loses too much bone, or both, which may result in weaker bones that can break from fall or even from sneezing and minor bumps. The bone disease, marked by loss of height, back pain, and bent-over posture, affects more than 10 percent of older adults in the United States.

Exposure To Air Pollutants And Risk For Fractured Bones

In the new study, which was published in the Lancet Planetary Health on Nov. 9, Andrea Baccarelli, from Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health in New York City, looked at the data of more than 9 million Medicare enrollees who were admitted to the hospital for fractures between the years 2003 and 2010.

They found that even a slight increase in exposure to PM2.5, the inhalable air pollution particulate matter with a diameter of no bigger than 2.5 micrometers, was linked to an increased risk for fractures.

Researchers also found that individuals who live in areas marked by higher levels of PM2.5 and black carbon, which comes from vehicle exhaust, had lower levels of an important calcium and bone-related hormone, as well as showed reduction in bone mineral density, compared with individuals who were exposed to lower levels of these pollutants.

"Our results suggest that poor air quality is a modifiable risk factor for bone fractures and osteoporosis, especially in low-income communities," researchers wrote in their study.

Impact Of Polluted Air On Older Adults

The researchers noted that while the study found an association between air pollution and bone problems, their research did not prove a direct causal relationship. Nonetheless, a growing number of studies show the health dangers of dirty air, particularly on older members of the population.

"Decades of careful research has documented the health risks of air pollution, from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, to cancer, and impaired cognition, and now osteoporosis," Baccarelli said.

In a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in June 2017, researchers found that seniors are still at risk for premature death even when only exposed to levels of air pollution that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers safe.

In another study published in the Nature journal Translational Psychiatry in January 2017, researchers found that tiny air pollutants from vehicles and power plants can greatly raise the risk for dementia, which includes Alzheimer's Disease.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Satya Nadella, Microsoft's CEO, has been a crucial driving force of the company's Surface line of products, from tablets to 2-in-1s to an all-in-one desktop and full-fledged laptops.

The Surface line has become one of Microsoft's most recognizable brand this era, and it represents that Microsoft, during and well after the retirement of its Windows Phone business, has continued to be a hardware company despite lukewarm success with it. So it should come as no surprise that wherever Nadella goes, he's boasting about all things Surface, and that includes poking fun at people who use iPads instead of its own tablets.

Microsoft CEO Pokes Fun At iPads

Nadella is currently in the middle of a world tour to promote his book Hit Refresh, in which he talks about how he plans on reinventing one of the biggest companies in the world. At his stop in India, something pretty funny happened.

As TechRadar reports, Nadella was coming in to meet with journalists, some of whom at the time were using iPads. As he walked into the room along with Microsoft India head Anant Maheshwari, he couldn't help but chuckle after spotting that TechRadar's Sahil Mohan Gupta and a colleague were carrying iPads. He promptly said, "You need to get a real computer, my friend."

While Nadella dropped the remark in joking spirits, it was also an essence of what he was doing with Microsoft, said Gupta. He is evidently confident of Microsoft and its Surface line  certainly enough to make fun of Apple, which have perhaps the world's most recognizable tablets. Recognizable, however, doesn't mean powerful, and that's what Nadella seemed to be getting at when he says iPad aren't real computers.

The Microsoft And Apple Rivalry

It's not the first time Microsoft has come after Apple. Previously, it has insisted that Windows 10 computers can do a lot more than Macs, laughed at Apple's claim that the iPad is a computer, and suggested that the iPad is merely an example of Apple copying Microsoft.

Microsoft isn't alone in making fun of the Cupertino tech firm, either. Most recently, Samsung fired shots at the iPhone X in a new ad, insulting the phone's design while saying its new features have been on Galaxy phones for a long time.

Though Nadella's comments about the iPad can be chalked up to industry humor, he genuinely believes Microsoft is different from Apple and Google, the latter of which is fast rising as a hardware company.

"We are not some middleman in the marketplace. We are a tool creator, we are not a luxury good manufacturer. That's not who we are," said Nadella, adding that its products are tools that pave the way for others to create or be productive.

One has to wonder who that "luxury good manufacturer" refers to. Any guesses?

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Two of the most anticipated games coming to Sony's PlayStation VR headset won't be arriving this year as planned.

Supermassive Games, the developers behind 2015's Until Dawn for the PS4, has delayed both The Inpatient and Bravo Team, moving them to 2018 instead of their promised 2017 launch.

Supermassive Games Adjusts PSVR Release Dates

The developers announced the updated release dates on its official website.

The Inpatient, a horror game set in the same world of Until Dawn, is launching Jan. 23 in the United States and a day later in Europe and international markets. It was originally scheduled to launch on Nov. 21.

Bravo Team, a first-person co-op shooter, will launch March 6 in the United States initially as well, and then it will arrive in other international markets a day later. It was supposed to launch on Dec. 5.

Both games were announced during E3 earlier this year, along with Hidden Agenda, a gritty crime thriller for the PS4 that launched this past October in the United States and will head to other parts of the world come Nov. 22.

The Inpatient

Supermassive Games describes The Inpatient as "a horror game with psychological elements that takes you back to the Blackwood Sanatorium in the 1950s." It is set 60 years prior to the events of Until Dawn, where the protagonist wakes up in a strange medical facility having zero recollection of what happened.

"Make meaningful choices in a branching narrative that leads to different endings as you try to figure out who you are, and why you're here. But in a world where you can barely trust your own memories ... how can you truly trust anyone else?"

Bravo Team

Bravo Team, on the other hand, is an "immersive, first-person cover shooter built for co-op," according to SuperMassive games. Fittingly, it is compatible with the PlayStation aim controller, enabling players to experience the action firsthand.

"With precision tracking technology for deadly accuracy and vibration feedback for total immersion, you'll feel every shot."

PlayStation VR

Sony released the PSVR in October 2016, which sold over a million units, to the company's surprise. A year later, it launched a new $400 model with slight but welcome improvements.

It also recently announced a $450 Skyrim VR bundle that comes with The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim VR, a demo disc containing 13 VR games, and a pair of move controllers. It hit shelves Nov. 17.

Bummed about bumped release dates for The Inpatient and Bravo Team? As always, feel free to sound off in the comments section below!

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Google has conducted a study that delves deeper into how accounts get hacked, taken over, or hijacked.

In short, the threats online can be summed up to three MOs: keylogging, third-party breaches, and phishing, which has been discovered to be the biggest threat among the three.

Study: Phishing 'Posed The Greatest Threat'

To carry out the study, Google partnered up with the University of California, Berkeley, analyzing the online black market from March 2016 to March 2017.

Third-party breaches exposed 3.3 billion credentials, while keyloggers and phishing were responsible for stealing 788,000 and 12 million credentials respectively.

According to the Mountain View company, 12 percent of the exposed data via third-party breaches used Gmail addresses as usernames, and the passwords for 7 percent of those accounts were reused in other services, meaning that they were more vulnerable to hacks and other online attacks.

In Google's services, it has been becoming less common to access an account using only a password. As such, hackers have developed software to work around the added security measures for authentication purposes.

The study says that 82 percent of blackhat phishing tools and 74 percent of keyloggers would try to collect IP addresses. On the other hand, 18 percent targeted phone numbers and the device's make and model.

"By ranking the relative risk to users, we found that phishing posed the greatest threat, followed by keyloggers, and finally third-party breaches," Google says.

This study was demonstrated at the Conference on Computer and Communications Security or CCS, and it has been published on Google's Research website.

Online Safety Tips

To stay safe online, it's recommended to turn on two-factor authentication, or in Google's case, 2-Step Verification. For stronger security, there's also the company's Advanced Protection program that consists of three core defenses, including but not limited to Security Keys.

More importantly, though, the main takeaway here is to never use the same password across multiple accounts. Needless to say, that's because if a hacker manages to successfully steal one credential, then they can use it to access the victim's accounts on other websites.

To boil things down, Google has been taking numerous steps to keep users safe online, even going so far as to offer a $1,000 bounty to users who find malware or security issues on third-party apps on the Play Store.

The latest study highlights how important it is to always keep your account in check and away from would-be perpetrators by taking advantage of the company's security programs.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
North Korean soldiers, left, look at the South side while then-U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and South Korean Defense Minister Song Young-moo visit the truce village of Panmunjom in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) on the border between North and South Korea Friday, Oct. 27, 2017.
FILE - In this Dec. 13, 2016 file photo, Kenny Alphin, left, and John Rich, right, of the country music duo Big & Rich, perform a song during a taping for Dolly Parton's Smoky Mountain Rise Telethon in Nashville, Tenn. The mass shooting at a country music festival on Oct. 1, 2017, has rocked the tight-knit community of country musicians, but even in the renewed debate about gun control, many of those musicians have not weighed in, with a few exceptions. Country duo Big & Rich, who have performed at NRA sponsored events, were at the festival just hours before the shooting started. They said it wasnt the weapons that were the problem, but the man using them. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
In my Sunday column, I wrote about how a majority of Louisianans in 1991 found a line they would not cross and elected a deeply flawed Democrat, Edwin Edwards, over a much more flawed Republican, former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke, as governor.

Where, I wondered, was the line for national Republicans today, with disgraced judge and now accused child-molester Roy Moore on the ballot for U.S. Senate in Alabama?

Back then, national Republicans were adamant in their rejection of Duke as a representative of their party. Now, with the party struggling to pass any legislation at all and its slim Senate majority threatened, reaction has been more muddled.

Yes, most of Moore's possible future colleagues have voiced distress and said the allegations are disqualifying if true. But only a few have said the well-sourced accounts published last week in the Washington Post, including one centered on his alleged contact with a 14-year-old when he was a 32-year-old assistant district attorney, are enough to keep him from office. Moore has denied that particular accusation, although he didn't dispute that he'd dated girls as young as 16.

So, good for Louisiana U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy for being one of the first.

Cassidy kept his condemnation short and to the point. He took to Twitter over the weekend and wrote that, "based on the allegations against Roy Moore, his response and what is known, I withdraw support."

But it was enough. In that one sentence, Cassidy said that some things are more important than partisan advantage, and that Moore should not serve in the United States Senate even if the alternative is to cede a safe Republican seat to a Democrat (although he'd surely like the party to find another solution that would keep it in GOP hands). That the appropriate standard here is not guilt in a court of law  highly unlikely given how much time has passed  but moral fitness. And that women who come forward after many years of struggling with secrets like these have credibility.

(By Monday, more Republicans were falling in line, including Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who said he believed the women who spoke to the Post and called on Moore to step aside.)

Cassidy doesn't often get out front on contentious issues, which makes his outspokenness here all the more striking. If he can find the line, surely more of colleagues can, too.
Happy Tuesday. We're looking at a lovely 26 degrees today with a slight chance of a shower in the afternoon.

The ACT government has defended its decision to allow the owner of the Ainslie shops building to remove deadly Mr Fluffy asbestos insulation rather than demolishing the property.

Asbestos Response Taskforce executive director Chris Reynolds said the decision was made with cost in mind, citing the $307 million bill for the removal program in residential properties.

Mr Reynolds conceded there was no safe level of loose-fill asbestos in a property, but said the risk could be managed by the current health and safety laws governing workplaces and the handling of hazardous materials.

Read Katie Burgess's story here.

'I hope he's dead'
An inquest into the death of a man who went missing for three months after absconding from Calvary Hospital will scrutinise the police searches for him, court documents revealed on Monday.

Tahadesse 'Tad' Kahsai, 61, was receiving treatment for alcohol withdrawal when he walked from the hospital on December 30, 2015, reportedly agitated and disoriented.

Tahadesse Kahsai went missing while he was being treated at Calvary Hospital.

His family led a missing person campaign, pleading publicly for any information that would help find him.

But it was not until three months later when his body was discovered, in bushland about three kilometres from the hospital doors.
Ainslie shopowners whose staff develop health problems linked to loose-fill asbestos would likely be liable, not the ACT government, Planning Minister Mick Gentleman says.

Mr Gentleman and Asbestos Response Taskforce executive director Chris Reynolds appeared before annual reports hearings on Monday and defended the decision to allow the owner of the Ainslie shops building to remove the deadly Mr Fluffy asbestos insulation rather than demolishing the building.

Mr Fluffy asbestos removal in progress at Ainslie Shops. Credit:Jamila Toderas

Mr Reynolds said the decision to exclude the two known commercial properties that contained loose-fill asbestos had been made with cost in mind.

Both he and Mr Gentleman said there was no safe level of loose-fill asbestos in a property, but the risk could be managed by the current health and safety laws governing workplaces and the handling of hazardous materials.
The Australian Workers Union has applied to the Federal Court for all correspondence between the Registered Organisations Commission and Employment Minister Michaelia Cash's office over its concerns about alleged political interference with the independent agency's investigation.

Federal police raided the Sydney and Melbourne offices of Opposition Leader Bill Shorten's old union, the Australian Workers Union, last month as part of an investigation into donations made a decade ago to activist group GetUp!

Sally McManus and Daniel Walton speak to the media after AFP raided the Spencer Street offices of the AWU. last month. Credit:Chris Hopkins

The raids were linked to an investigation by the Registered Organisations Commission, which is also examining donations by the AWU to Labor campaigns in three seats at the 2007 election, including the seat of Maribyrnong, now held by Mr Shorten.

The AWU is seeking court orders to declare the police raid and ROC investigation unlawful.
It is now five months to the day that then-Greens Senator Scott Ludlam opened the pandora's box of citizenship with his resignation from the Upper House.

His citizenship, he wrote in a social media post at the time, "is a thing".

Five months on, that "thing" has seen prime minister Malcolm Turnbull's slim majority reduced to a minority government, forced several politicians to resign and brought a dark cloud over the entire parliament.

On Monday, Mr Turnbull and his opposite number Bill Shorten finally reached a deal to ensure all MPs declare their full hereditary background to parliament.
I completed year 12 when the ATAR was still called an ENTER. If you ended up with a score much below the high 80s at my supposedly progressive private girls' school, it usually meant your peers felt very, very sorry for you, and reminded you brightly that "TAFE is really good! I'd do TAFE if I wasn't doing arts/law/medicine at Melbourne Uni!"

So I was mortified when I logged onto the agonisingly slow VCAT website and discovered my score: 74.65. I probably cried a bit. And when I told a friend (while wallowing in self-loathing because she'd scored a heartbreaking 88.15), she responded, "But that's really good for you!" I think she thought she was being encouraging.

What I didn't realise at the time was that 74.65 was a score to be proud of. But I'd spent my entire VCE being told that without a score that hovered around the number of extreme old age, I would probably end up with very limited career options. I suspect someone like my media teacher had the sense to know it wouldn't make any difference, but the friends who were doing maths methods when they would have clearly been more comfortable doing studio arts certainly didn't. Either way, the general consensus was that a high score meant the good life.

And 16 years later it seems nothing has changed.
Sydney's long-suffering commuters are a patient bunch. They have learnt to be, the hard way. Stuck on the city's clogged roads or standing on overcrowded buses, grinding their teeth or scrolling their phones, they calmly await promised improvements to their lot.

As a Fairfax Media poll last year showed, the public demonstrates acceptance, even goodwill, towards the controversial WestConnex motorway project. The poll revealed just 12 per cent of NSW voters believe the project will be a bad outcome for Sydney.

Parramatta Road at Leichhardt.

WestConnex boss Dennis Cliche appears intent on trashing as much of that goodwill as he can, as quickly as he can. As reported in the Herald yesterday, Mr Cliche has had to retract a claim he made to a conference last week that NSW Chief Scientist Mary O'Kane had praised the motorway's planned exhaust ventilation stacks.

Mr Cliche also told the conference it was "very exciting" to be finally collecting tolls on the widened section of the M4. That is heart-warming, but it is unlikely the excitement is shared by Sydney's motorists. On the government's own estimates, they will be slugged as much as $8.60 to use WestConnex when it is finished.
The opposition is doing everything it can to exploit the uncertainty surrounding the Turnbull government following the High Court's decision on citizenship. More MPs have questions to answer about whether they complied with the constitution's requirements before being elected to Parliament. Parliament returns for the final sitting fortnight of the year on November 27 and the situation is ripe for mischief making. But what does it all mean?

How many MPs sit in the Parliament and which parties do they belong to?

There are 150 members of the House of Representatives.

At last year's federal election, the Coalition won 76 seats and Labor 69.
Turnbull government ministers have largely rejected a push by Coalition conservatives to overturn sections of anti-discrimination law in the event same-sex marriage is legalised.

Liberal MP James Paterson on Monday released a bill that would permit same-sex marriage but allow a wide range of service providers to discriminate against gay couples planning a wedding.

The exemptions would extend to any person or business refusing to co-operate with the staging of a same-sex wedding on religious or "conscientious" grounds, protecting them from civil litigation.

It would override existing state and territory anti-discrimination laws, stating plainly that when the two come into conflict, the federal law would prevail.
Having bombed in the public survey they so loudly demanded, Coalition reactionaries have hit upon a play that shows contempt for their leader and looms as the most brazen betrayal of voter sentiment in a century.

Not since the hawkish prime minister Billy Hughes unsuccessfully foisted two consecutive conscription plebiscites on the Australian people - the second of which was 100 years ago next month - has a mainstream political party schemed to affect such an immediate repudiation of the will of the people, once sought.

Backers of an alternative marriage bill under the name of the hardline Victorian Liberal senator James Paterson (who has actually voted 'yes' in the postal survey) display a triple contempt for the Australian people, for liberalism, and for the already tarnished prestige of Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull - tarnished, in large measure, because he had forsaken his own preference for change, in order to accommodate them.

Indeed, Turnbull suffered incalculable brand damage for adopting Tony Abbott's plebiscite process, which was viewed by many Australians as a betrayal in itself.
"At first I didn't know why the nurse was suggesting I talk to the doctor, but I'll never forget how kind she was," said Stewart, a mother-of-two and founder of Business Jump , which helps mothers create online businesses.

When she took her son for his six-month vaccinations the nurse took one look at her and suggested she speak to a doctor about her mental health. Stewart's doctor asked her to complete the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression test , a set of questions to gauge how parents are feeling.

Natasha Stewart thought she was a spectacular failure when it came to motherhood. Drawn and exhausted, with unwashed, scruffy hair, every day was a joyless and teary struggle.

She was prescribed antidepressants and, initially, this made Stewart feel even worse.

"I felt such guilt at the thought of having to take antidepressants just to function. I thought, 'everyone else can do it so easily, why do I need medication to do what they can do?'"

In reality, "everyone" is not doing parenthood "easily". More than one in seven new mothers and up to one in 10 new fathers experience postnatal depression each year in Australia, and according to Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia (PANDA), many of these new parents don't even realise it.

"We know that one of the key reasons many expecting and new parents struggling with perinatal anxiety or depression don't seek help is because they don't know what's happening to them," states the PANDA website for Perinatal Depression & Anxiety week. "Many people still don't know its signs and symptoms."

Not only did Stewart have a baby who barely slept, she also had a three-year-old daughter craving her mother's attention. Added to this was financial pressure that saw her working day and night on her clothing and graphic design businesses, and a husband who didn't understand that she was suffering from depression.
Ongoing industrial action will return to the Federal Court this week as staff walk off the job for the third time.

The main public service union has warned the Federal Court, Family Court, Federal Circuit Courts and the National Native Title Tribunal could see staff shortages until Friday as staff ramp up strike action.

The Federal Court could see delays because of ongoing strike action. Credit:Jessica Shapiro

Community and Public Sector Union deputy national president Rupert Evans said court staff had gone four years without a pay increase and faced cuts to workplace rights and conditions under EBA proposals.

During strikes at the start of November, court registries in Darwin, Adelaide and Melbourne were closed as workers walked off the job.
The parents of two boys with an intellectual disability say they can move on with their lives after reaching a settlement with a Sydney IVF clinic.

Leighee Eastbury sued Australian IVF provider Genea, formerly known as Sydney IVF, after failing identify she was a carrier of the Fragile X syndrome.

Leighee and Philip Eastbury outside court on Monday. Credit:AAP

The ABC reported Mrs Eastbury and her husband Philip reached a settlement on Monday evening with Genea saying they were "ecstatic".

"It just means now we can get on with looking after our boys and knowing we've got some financial security for the years to come," Mr Eastbury said.
LNP leader Tim Nicholls has again refused to publicly acknowledge the possibility he may have to form a minority government with One Nation after the upcoming state election.

Asked four times if he would accept One Nation support if the resurgent political force held the balance of power, Mr Nicholls said his focus was on gaining a majority.

Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls has repeatedly refused to acknowledge the possibility the LNP will not form government without the support of One Nation. Credit:Dan Paled/AAP

The LNP's refusal to acknowledge One Nation's potential impact at the November 25 poll was reminiscent of its insistence in the lead-up to the 2015 election that it would not retain government without its then-leader, Ashgrove MP Campbell Newman, so questions of post-election leadership were moot.

In the end, that scenario came periously close to being played out.
Queensland election campaigns often focus on big projects for the regions, such as for roads, power plants and mines. But research suggests that mega projects, such as in gas and coal, have not transformed skills or improved employment prospects in regional Queensland.

Take away the temporary booms from construction and other short-term jobs, and employment growth overall is no better than before the global financial crisis. Certainly Queenslands regions are no more resilient. Instead of these mega projects, whats needed are new sources of economic value in knowledge, services, and technology.

Most of the jobs in regional Queenslands mega projects are only temporary. Credit:Darren Pateman

Between 2010 and 2013 investment in coal mining surged 400% in the Bowen Basin. Further south, in the Surat Basin and at Gladstone, four international consortia spent more than A$70 billion fast-tracking a coal seam and liquid natural gas industry.

These projects fell far short of generating new skills and enduring businesses in the regions. Continuing dependence on resources and agriculture also creates its own vulnerabilities, as both are challenged by market and investment volatility, and increased climate risk.
A male cyclist has died after he was hit by a truck in Northcote in Melbourne's inner-north on Monday morning.

The accident occurred just after 8am on Victoria Road between Darebin Road and Separation Street.

It's understood the man was killed outside the Northcote Aquatic and Recreation Centre.

The cyclist, who died at the scene, is yet to be identified. The male truck driver is uninjured and is helping police with their inquiries.
Louisa O'Neill will never forget the first time she could kick a footy with her son. He was six. Until then, she had been in too much pain.

Since slipping while running to catch a train as a 16 year old, the Mornington mother has suffered chronic pain in her lower back.

Mornington woman Louisa O'Neill has lived with chronic pain for 30 years.

"It's a silent illness," she said. "No one can see your pain."

Ms O'Neill is not alone.
A former teacher and Catholic brother accused of 99 historical sex offences will be absent from a pre-trial committal hearing in Melbourne due to his age.

Lawrence Fitzpatrick, 90, appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Monday charged with abusing 18 victims, including children under 14, at Sale, Briagolong, Stratford and Rosedale between 1971 and 1977.

Lawrence Fitzpatrick, (right) leaves the Melbourne Magistrates Court after a hearing in March. Credit:Joe Armao

The court was told the Marist brother is unsteady on his feet, has recently fallen multiple times, suffers back pain, fatigue, confusion, and is hearing impaired.

The former teacher from St Patrick's College at Sale has been charged with more than 30 counts of buggery, with some alleged victims aged under 14.
The approval given to Crown casino to build Melbourne's tallest skyscraper was "bad planning" and an "unmitigated disaster", an Andrews government minister has said of his own party's decision.

Housing Minister Martin Foley lashed his cabinet colleague, Planning Minister Richard Wynne, who approved the 90-level tower for Crown last year without adhering to a standard process.

An artist's impression of the Crown proposal for Southbank. Credit:Melbourne City Council

Crown Resorts stands to save more than $60 million under the special deal.

The government argues the approval is justified because of the $1.75 billion tower's economic benefits.
After decades of retreat and loss of territory to the Greens, Victorian Labor is on the verge of a historic re-entry into Melbourne's local politics.

A formal decision to endorse and fund council candidates in key areas is likely in early 2018 following an internal review that saw an outpouring of frustration at Labor's disconnection from communities.

Labor's rethink coincides with this week's Northcote by-election and an analysis by The Age that shows how the Greens have supplanted the ALP as the dominant party in Melbourne's local politics, pouring hundreds of thousands of dollars into last year's council elections and colonising Labor's inner city heartland.

The analysis of the donations made to all council candidates at the 2016 local elections reveals the Greens party and its branches across Melbourne tipped almost $250,000 into their candidates.
There were warnings for thunderstorm asthma and flash floods.

And while Melbourne sweltered at a peak of 33 degrees on Monday afternoon, just 60 kilometres away in Macedon, there was hail.

Victoria dished up a four-season kind of day on Monday as Melburnians reacquainted themselves with the heat and other Victorians copped something much colder.

And there's more to come.
A Perth man wrongfully convicted of a burglary based on botched DNA evidence will receive compensation from the state government after having his conviction quashed in the Supreme Court of Western Australia on Monday.

Alan Staines was advised by his lawyer in 2005 to plead guilty to a home burglary he did not commit after police alleged they had recovered his DNA from a blood splatter found at the scene.

Alan Staines, with partner Megan Parsons, outside court after his burglary conviction was set aside. Credit:Heather McNeill

He received a 12 month jail sentence, suspended for 18 months.

Outside court on Monday, 12 years later, Mr Staines said he was relieved to finally be acquitted.
A group of church leaders protesting Australia's handling of the Manus Island crisis are set to be charged with trespassing after they conducted a sit-in at Social Services Minister Christian Porter's Perth office.

Pastors and priests, believed to be a part of the #LoveMakesAWay movement, entered Mr Porter's Ellenbrook office just before 2pm on Monday.

The group praying inside Mr Porter's office. Credit:Jarrod McKenna

They began to pray in a circle and insisted they were not interrupting the work of staff, but police arrived soon after to issue move-on notices.

A spokesman from the #LoveMakesAWay movement said the action was taken in solidarity with more than 400 men on Manus Island.
if the people of Biafra want Republic of Biafra, it will be a reality during my administration. ----Donald Trump Donald Trump I wi...
Monday 05 September, 2016 Reliable information reaching Biafra writers desk has it that the life of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indi...
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Katherine of Serbia, the wife of Crown Prince Alexander, may not have a throne, but her husbands royal family ties mean that she often attends tiara events. To celebrate her birthday, were taking a look at one of the small tiaras that she has worn on these occasions.

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

The tiara, which appears to be set with diamonds and small pearls, features scroll elements in its design. A cluster of small pearls is set inside each scroll element, and rows of pearls are set at the base. The tiara is very low in profile  so much so that it often disappears almost completely into Katherines hair. She generally pairs the tiara with the same chain necklace and earrings.

Ive seen speculation in the past that the tiara was borrowed from a jewelry firm. (Borrowing jewels isnt an uncommon thing in royal circles, especially when the family in question is no longer reigning.) But Katherine has been wearing the tiara for over a decade, so I think its fairly certain that she owns it. Above (although its difficult to see), she wears it during one of the pre-wedding events in Denmark in 2004. Six years later, she wore it for the wedding of Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden.

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

And here, she wears it at the pre-wedding gala in Luxembourg in 2012. (Again, it disappears almost completely in her hair.) Shes made at least one more public appearance in the tiara recently, donning it for the wedding reception for Prince Leka of Albania in 2016.
A visitor looks at an artwork during an exhibition at Changsha Normal University in Changsha, capital of Central China's Hunan province, Nov 11, 2017. An art exhibition was held at Changsha Normal University on Saturday, showcasing art creations by students from more than 30 universities and colleges. [Photo/Xinhua]
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (L) and Senator Ron Wyden speak in reaction to the Republican tax plan at the US Capitol in Washington, US, Nov 9, 2017. [Photo/VCG]

WASHINGTON - Republicans in the US Senate on Thursday unveiled their own version of tax reform legislation, which would seek to delay the corporate tax cut for a year and curb other tax reductions.

The Senate Finance Committee, the tax-writing committee, on Thursday unveiled the details of the tax legislation to Republican senators during a closed-door meeting, according to multiple US media reports.

The Senate measure would cut the corporate income tax rate to 20 percent from the current 35 percent, starting from 2019, one year later than the House proposal released last week.

The Senate plan would also keep seven individual income tax brackets and eliminate all state and local tax deductions, while the House version would reduce the number of personal income tax brackets to four and allow taxpayers to deduct some property taxes.

The differences reflected Senate Republicans' greater efforts to satisfy the parameters set by the budget resolution approved by Congress, which would only allow the tax legislation to increase the federal deficit by 1.5 trillion US dollars over 10 years.

The Senate Finance Committee plans to consider the tax legislation next week and send it to the Senate floor for a vote after Thanksgiving.

Meanwhile, the House Ways and Means Committee approved its tax bill on Thursday and would send it to the House floor for consideration as soon as next week.

"The House will pass its bill, the Senate will pass its bill and then we will get together and reconcile the differences, which is the legislative process. And that's how this process will continue," House Speaker Paul Ryan told reporters on Thursday.

It remains unknown whether the two chambers of Congress are able to bridge those differences. The Trump administration and congressional Republican leaders are under pressure to deliver a major legislative victory on tax reform before next year's congressional midterm elections, as they have failed to pass a bill to repeal and replace the controversial Obamacare earlier in the year.
WASHINGTON  Texas' two U.S. senators, John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, on Monday withdrew their support for Roy Moore, the embattled GOP nominee for Senate in Alabama.

"I believe the accusations against Roy Moore are disturbing and, if true, disqualifying," Cornyn said Monday, according to Politico. "The most appropriate course of action, in my view, is to leave the final judgment in the hands of Alabama voters  where it has always belonged  and withdraw my endorsement."

Last week, The Washington Post reported allegations that Moore pursued sexual or romantic relationships with four teenagers, one of whom was 14. The situation escalated over the weekend, and a fifth woman accused Moore of inappropriate conduct.

Cornyn's comment marked another escalation in Senate leadership against Moore's campaign. He is running in a special election to succeed Jeff Sessions, who is now the U.S. attorney general.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said earlier on Monday that he believed the previous four accusers and that Moore should "step aside." U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner, the chairman of the Senate Republican campaign arm, called Moore "unfit" to serve in the U.S. Senate and said the chamber should expel him should he win the December race. Their statements came on the same day that a fifth woman accused Moore of making sexual or romantic advances toward her when she was a teenager.

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, who had also endorsed Moore, had some tough words for the candidate on Monday evening after Senate votes.

"One of two things should happen: If these allegations are true, Judge Moore should drop out now. Today," Cruz told reporters. "The people of Alabama deserve to have the option of voting for a strong conservative who has not committed criminal conduct. Or two, if these allegations are not true, then Judge Moore needs to come forward with a strong, persuasive rebuttal demonstrating that they are untrue."

When asked if he was pulling his endorsement, Cruz responded: "I am not able to urge the people of Alabama to support his candidacy so long as these allegations remain un-refuted."

"Both last week and this week, there are serious charges of criminal conduct that if true, not only make him unfit to serve in the Senate but merit criminal prosecution," he added. "Judge Moore, like any American, is entitled to present a defense. He's entitled to put forth the facts demonstrating that the charges are not true, but as it stands, I can't urge the people of Alabama to support a campaign in the face of these charges without serious, persuasive demonstration that the charges are not true."

The political situation has escalated. Base supporters in Alabama are sticking with Moore, as is former Trump White House adviser Steve Bannon, who has pledged back primary opponents for all Republican Senate incumbents, save one: Cruz.
July 29, 1940 - November 10, 2017

Sheryl Hendrickson Pace died peacefully in her sleep early on November 10, 2017. She has a great family and many good friends who will miss her dearly.

Sheryl was born in Rupert, Idaho on July 29, 1940. She lived in Rupert until moving to Provo to attend BYU. She met Nick Pace at BYU, and in good Mormon fashion, they were married on August 1, 1959 at age 19 after their freshman year at BYU. Sheryl and Nick moved to B/CS in 1968.

She has three great children: Lori Maurice, married to Charles Maurice, Dennis Pat Pace, married to Joanie Fowler Pace, and Phillip Zane Pace, married to Linda Herd Pace. All three of her children graduated from Texas A&M. Sheryl has seven grandchildren who she enjoyed immensely: Mallory Maurice Parker, married to Colby Parker, Jordan Pace Cummings, married to Austin Cummings, Zane Pace, married to Lindsey Lopez, Brooke Pace Young, married to Matthew Young, Kurt Maurice, Chrysa Pace (soon to wed Caleb Bondurant), and Jenna Pace. She also loved her adopted grandchildren, Dallin and McKenna Jeffery. Several of her grandchildren also attended Texas A&M and Sheryl was always available to do their laundry and cook them a good meal. Sheryl has nine great-grandchildren who she cherished and loved to tend and guide: Kristine and Kameryn Young, Daphne and Theo Cummings, Colton and Mason Parker, Link Pace, and Savy and Tatum Jeffery.

Sheryl and Nick enjoyed traveling and Sheryl filled four passports over the years. Several of their trips were to photograph animals in the wild: Polar bears in Svalbard, Jaguars in Brazil, Lemurs in Madagascar, Tigers in India, Whales in Baja California, Turtles, Frigate Birds & Blue-Footed Boobies in the Galapagos, and many animals during three trips to Africa. She and Nick lived in Cambridge, England for a year during a sabbatical, and in Osaka, Japan for six months as part of a visiting professorship.

Sheryl was a great cook and loved to entertain her good friends. Sheryl's favorite hobby was duplicate bridge where she achieved the rank of Gold Life Master, with over 3,000 master points, and, in the process, many good friends. She loved all forms of Texas A&M sports, especially the Aggie ladies.

Sheryl loved to get together with family and friends on trips, especially in Park City, Utah. She loved her many trips with the Sagebrush Sisters, her high school classmates.

Sheryl was preceded in death by her parents Dennis and Ethlyn Hendrickson of Rupert, Idaho. She is survived by her sister Nancy Dozier and her niece and nephew Annette and Richard Dozier. On the Pace side, she is survived by dozens of relatives that she loved dearly including Syd and Howard Basset, Jill and Rob Droubay, Darhl Bova and Gary Mickens, Liz and Russell Webb, and Deb and Joe Bryant.

There will be a memorial service celebrating her life on Thursday November 16TH at 2:00 pm, followed by a reception at Hillier Funeral Home, 4080 State Highway 6, College Station, TX 77845 (979-985-2060). In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to Hospice of Brazos Valley (hospicebrazosvalley.org) or Angel Reach (angelreach.org).

Please visit Sheryl's tribute page at www.hillierfuneralhome.com to share stories and memories.
A forensic psychiatrist told Brazos County jurors Monday morning that a 35-year-old Tennessee Colony convicted last week of capital murder suffers from several mental illnesses, the symptoms of which became even worse after his father died almost a year before the killings.

William Mitchell Hudson was indicted on three counts of capital murder in connection with the slayings of Thomas Kamp, 45; Austin Kamp, 21; Nathan Kamp, 23; Kade Johnson, 6; Hannah Johnson, 40; and Carl Johnson, 76, at a campsite in Anderson County.

Jurors convicted Hudson after less than 20 minutes; Hudson faces life in prison without parole or death by lethal injection.

The Johnson and Kamp families met up on Nov. 14, 2015 at property that Thomas Kamp had just purchased from a distant relative of Hudsons family, a transaction that Hudson was not happy about, according to testimony during the trial.

Though the convictions deal with the deaths of Hannah Johnson, who was beaten to death, and her father, Carl Johnson, who was shot and beaten, evidence showed that Hudson also shot and killed the four others. He did so while taking them into the nearby woods while they were looking for firewood, shortly before he returned to the campsite to kill Hannah and Carl. Cynthia Johnson, Carl's wife and Hannah's mother, survived the ordeal by hiding overnight behind camping chairs as she was bit by fire ants; she was the last witness called by the state before jurors went into deliberations.

The case was moved to Brazos County because of pre-trial publicity in Anderson County, which is more than 100 miles northeast of Bryan.

Dr. David Self, forensic psychiatrist, testified Monday that Hudson has whats called a Cluster B personality disorder and he is dependent on alcohol as a coping mechanism to deal with his subconscious insecurity and inadequacy.

"These people are very unhappy, as a rule. They do not have happy lives," Self said before reflecting on the general decline of community mental health resources and the impact that can have on people suffering from such mental illnesses.

"People reach out asking for help, and our system is so broken at this point, they dont get much help," he said. Self diagnosed Hudson with borderline personality disorder, or BPD, and alcohol dependence. Self said Hudson has narcissistic personality traits, which mask a seething sense of inadequacy in order to protect the damaged ego, as well as a tendency to be quick to anger and recurring suicidal ideations.

Self said Mack Hudsons death greatly affected William, and the sale of the Hudson familys land to Thomas Kamp offended Hudson "beyond rationality."

"He had anticipated all his life that that little farm was going to be his," Self said. "William felt compelled to step into his fathers shoes. And he wasnt capable. The pressure ate him up."

Self said medications would help Hudson, but they arent a panacea for his mental illnesses.

"We cant treat it and put it in remission, but we can manage it with environment and medication," Self said of Hudsons illnesses, clarifying that the medications wouldnt completely alleviate Hudsons symptoms, but they would "tune down the tendency to rage."

"Theres no fixin him," said Self.

Lane Herklotz, a retired employee of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, testified before lunch about the classification of inmates in the state prison system. Under cross-examination by Anderson County District Attorney Allyson Mitchell, Herklotz acknowledged inmates have access to color televisions and can frequent the commissary for sweets.

Referencing a case she tried in the past, Mitchell said it was possible for someone who murdered six people to be assigned to share a cell with someone who was given a long sentence for a nonviolent offense, recalling a shoplifter who received a 75-year sentence.

The trial continues this afternoon in the Brazos County Courthouse in downtown Bryan.

To keep up with the trial, log onto Eagle reporter Kelan Lyon's live blog.
Seed production

This process is time consuming and labour intensive, but once the technique was mastered, Trees for Life expanded its work and in recent years has been growing up to 4,000 young aspens per year by this method in its tree nursery at Dundreggan Conservation Estate in Glenmoriston.

Propagation from root cuttings has a number of limitations though, making it a less than ideal method for growing aspens. Removal of root sections is damaging to the mature trees, so a period of at least five years is left between collections from an individual stand, to allow time for the trees to recover.

Another drawback is that all the propagated aspens are genetically identical to the parent tree they are grown from  the genetic variability that is the result of pollination and seed production is not achieved by this method.

Finally, because of the labour intensive nature of the work, propagation from root cuttings cannot produce enough young aspens to provide an adequate supply for tree planting projects, and the trees that are produced are much more expensive than most tree seedlings, making them less attractive for many forest restoration schemes.

For several years Trees for Life has been aiming to address this problem by encouraging aspens to flower, so that pollination and seed production can take place.

Newly-germinated seedlings

Working with the charity Coille Alba, a special aspen seed stand facility was established in the tree nursery at Dundreggan and aspen trees have been grown there using branches from parent trees that are known to have a greater propensity for flowering that have been grafted on to aspen rootstock grown from root cuttings.

In the controlled conditions of a polytunnel, these aspens have been stimulated in the hope that they would flower at an earlier age than they usually do.

In the spring of 2017 some of the trees did indeed flower, and pollination was achieved in a delicate and careful procedure, using an artists paintbrush to collect pollen from a male tree and transfer it to the catkins of female trees.

After pollination, the female catkins need to be watched carefully as the seeds ripen quickly and are only viable for a short period. Its important to collect them as soon as they are ready and sow them straightaway, as germination occurs normally within 24 hours.

The tiny newly-germinated seedlings need to stay moist, so they were kept in the polytunnel, and were grown on until they were large enough, after a few weeks, to be pricked out into individual root-trainer pots.

A crucial habitat

They continued to grow well and later in the summer were transferred outside, for hardening off, in preparation for planting out. As a result, we now have just over 1,000 young aspens that have been grown from seed this year, marking a real breakthrough for our work for this scarce species.

Having proved that the technique works, were now aiming to scale up this work in the years ahead. So far only a handful of the 72 aspens in the seed orchard have flowered, so when more do so in future we expect to significantly increase the volume of seed that we collect and the number of young aspens we can grow from them.

While the number of aspens grown from seed this year are fewer than those weve grown from root cuttings, we anticipate that this will change in future, with seedling production surpassing by a considerable margin the numbers of trees we are growing from root cuttings.

In comparable native forests elsewhere, such as those in southwest Norway, aspen is much more abundant than it is in the Highlands today.

It plays a key role in ecological succession, as well as providing a crucial habitat for many other organisms, from rare lichens and invertebrates to mammals such as the European beaver.

This success with propagating the tree from seeds means that it will be possible to produce many more aspens in future, so that the species can take its rightful place again, as an important part of our recovering forests.

This Author

Alan Watson Featherstone founded the award-winning conservation charity Trees for Life in 1986, and has been promoting the importance of the aspen tree for over 25 years.
Young fish have a few more places to hide with the addition of several shallow-water habitats placed throughout Smith Mountain Lake this year.

Dan Wilson, fisheries biologist with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, has been leading the effort as a way to increase the lake's fish population.

"It's been something I have been interested in for a long time," Wilson said.

Smith Mountain Lake is lacking in natural fish habitats, according to Wilson. He said because of the age of the lake and the large amount of shoreline that has been developed in recent years, there are fewer downed trees and brush in the water where fish can hide.

Structures and vegetation in the water provide a place for fish, especially young fish, to hide from predators. Bass, sunfish and crappie in the lake spend much of their early life near the shoreline, according to Wilson, and more protection means they have a better chance of reaching adulthood and adding to the overall population.

Wilson joined volunteers from the Smith Mountain Lake Association and Appalachian Power employees on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 in placing 105 fish habitat structures from Bull Run to the Anthony Ford Public Boat Ramp. The Mossback brand fish habitat structures were placed along the shoreline in between 4 and 10 feet of water.

The structures look similar to pine trees without needles. Several v-shaped branches jut out from the base. Wilson said the branches provide places for small fish to hide.

Appalachian Power employees placed the structures in the water with a barge the company uses primarily for debris removal. The power company also provided $25,000 to fund the program.

Wilson said the structures will last much longer than natural structures like downed trees. Trees or brush decompose in the water after a few years, he said. "These plastic structures will be there forever."

The 105 Mossback fish habitats will add to the more than 700 fish habitats Wilson installed with the help of local anglers earlier in the year. The habitats, primarily composed of milk crates zip-tied together, were placed under the docks of several homes around the lake over the summer.

Wilson said he has already received reports that the milk crate habitats are working. He said small fish have been seen using the structures as cover.

In addition to man-made structures, Wilson also worked with the SMLA recently in planting water willow along the shoreline in 50 locations around the lake. The plants provide another place for juvenile fish, and even some adult fish, to hide. Wilson said local anglers seek out aquatic vegetation like the water willow when bass fishing.

"Bass like to have something in the water to hang out by," Wilson said. "It makes fishing a lot easier."

Wilson said he plans to visit the new fish habitats placed around the lake next spring. Using underwater cameras and divers, Wilson will see how fish are using the habitats. He said he will use the information to "fine-tune" future efforts.

Wilson said he plans to place fish habitats in the lake every year for the foreseeable future. He said the limited number of habitats placed this year will do little to increase the overall fish population, but placing habitats each year for several years could make a significant difference.

"What we are trying to do is make a difference long-term," Wilson said.
Las Vegas is getting ready for the upcoming MJ Business Conference & Expo, which is expected to draw almost 17,000 attendees from businesses involved in the industry, from businesses that service the industry, investors looking to enter the industry, towell, just about anyone who has heard about how big the industry has become, and is looking for opportunities to get involved.

The B2B expo scene in the marijuana industry has been expanding continuously in a trend that will continue for many years ahead. As more states legalize marijuana, the industry will become organized in each state. Existing businesses providing services to the industry join todays expos to meet new license holders, businesses and tons of future prospects looking to start up in the industry -- new businesses are, by definition, all potential buyers.

Related: How Do We Measure the Statistical Significance of Legal Cannabis?

To meet this demand, there are now regional expos in Oakland, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Boston and Portland, among other cities, with others being launched continuously. Most of these regional expos offer a bit of everything for the attendee -- an overview of political developments, state regulation, discussions about compliance or lab testing, something for the marijuana grower, with a keynote speaker thrown in. They provide overviews of what the industry looks like for anyone who is thinking of getting involved. These Expos have been steadily increasing in size over the past few years.

As the industry moves from explosive growth in new states and matures into settled businesses, more targeted Expos have been launched, focusing only on single market segments and subject matters. There are now two annual conferences (the Cannabis Science Conference, and the Emerald Expo) dedicated to the scientific side of the marijuana industry from medical uses and scientific knowledge, to lab protocols for testing, to advances in analytics. Theres also an expo entirely focused on manufacturing, called Extraxx, being held at the LA Mart in Los Angeles January 24-26.

Related: 10 Ways the Cannabis Industry Is Rebranding to Meet Its Biggest Challenges

Manufacturing plus marijuana?

Both the product variety and delivery systems to ingest marijuana have evolved beyond the leafy buds we all know, into vape oils, food products, concentrated forms of marijuana, inhalers, gel caps, tinctures, drops, creams and even cosmetics. Theres the marijuana-infused equivalent of a nicotine patch. Some of these manufactured products address medical needs with high-dosages (although the wake & bake K-cup of infused coffee might not be one of them).

All manufactured goods go through a process of extraction -- a journey that starts by taking a flower and making it into a finished product, with refinements and processing, before filling and packaging and ending on store shelves. The manufactured segment of marijuana products is the fastest-growing segment of the industry, with more than 50 percent of total sales now coming from processed goods. As marijuana enters the mainstream and expands into new states, its the manufacturing segment that will drive it forward.

The future of the B2B expo scene will become more and more targeted as the marijuana industry matures, with events focused on the real business at hand. In the meantime, theres the Vegas event next week, which will break all previous records, and become a staggering mass of raw energy.

Related:

The Cannabis Industry Has Had Explosive Growth in Business Expos and It Isn't Slowing Down

Steep Taxes on Recreational Marijuana Are a Powerful Incentive for States to Legalize

Do Marijuana Users Have More Sex? Research Indicates They Do.



Copyright 2017 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved



This article originally appeared on entrepreneur.com


Its a part of who he is. For Grand Island Senior High junior Patrick Tum-Monge, that is helping people and giving back to the community.

In his involvements with the Community Youth Council, the Grand Island Senior High Air Force JROTC and the Islander band, Tum-Monge said he has been able to do just that.

He said hes been involved with CYC for two years now and joined after his brother, Diego, introduced him to the organization.

He introduced me to it and told me the basics of it, Tum-Monge said. I mainly joined it because I love helping people. I thought itd be a great experience for me to interact more with the community and to get more involved with it.

Tum-Monge said the activities in CYC have been community-focused as he was involved with the organizations State Fair committee and the spring committee.

Last year, for the spring committee, what we did was El Dia de Los Ninos, or Childrens Day, he said. It was basically a Hispanic cultural event at GISH. It was very fun. It helped me get to connect more kids.

There were a whole bunch of kids there with a whole bunch of kids there with smiles that had fun.

Tum-Monge added that as a Hispanic, it fascinated him to be able to educate children about his culture and to see them be introduced to other cultures. He said he has learned how to connect more with people.

CYC has helped me realize how much need we need in the community and how my voice can be portrayed through the program, Tum-Monge said. For me, I think if we put ourselves into it, we can accomplish basically anything. So my voice is whatever I want to do with it. Or whatever I want to show kids, adults or teenagers I can show them and make the community better.

Tum-Monge plays the trumpet in the Islander band, an instrument he said he has played since sixth grade. But he said he plays various other instruments besides the trumpet.

I play the drums and have been playing them since sixth grade as well, Tum-Monge said. I play the drums for my church and also play the bass for them. I taught myself how to play the piano and I am currently teaching myself how to play the guitar as well.

Tum-Monge said he will freestyle a new instrument to see what it sounds like, then see how he can improve from there.

Sometimes I go onto the Internet and try to see what I could do, he said. But most things are freestyling and playing with songs to get a feel for it.

Tum-Monge said the thing he enjoys most about marching, performing and playing in the Islander band is playing with the different instruments to create a lovely sound for the audience  the community  to hear.

As for ROTC, Tum-Monge said he hopes to eventually join the military after high school. I love helping, helping the country, and its about just bettering myself to do the best I can, he said.

He added he may attend college and study something in the medical field, possibly neurosurgery, and get a job in the medical-based job in the military.

It is all about saving lives and just doing the best I can to extend lives, he said. It is bringing the most out of my life, I guess.

Tum-Monge said his brother, Diego, attends Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., and he is looking at potentially go to school there, or at a similar-sized university.

Tum-Monge said he always pushes himself to be the best he can be.

There are going to be dozens of hard times and I have been through plenty of them, he said. But pushing myself and bringing out everything that I can has been one of my personality traits and characteristics.
Police are investigating a man who was allegedly carrying $3.2 million worth of cocaine in a truck tractor he was driving on Interstate 70 near Highland.

Juan Gabriel Ruiz, 53, of North Hills, California, was charged with controlled substance trafficking and delivery of more than 900 grams of cocaine. Both charges are class X felonies, punishable by up to 120 years in prison. Bail was set at $1 million.
The Edwardsville Rotary Club recently honored veterans by sponsoring Honor Flights for two area men.

Maurice Niehaus and Max Sullivan were the two men sponsored by the Rotary Club to take a day trip to Washington, D.C., to tour the war memorials and monuments.

The Honor Flight Network is a program that transports veterans, with a priority for senior citizens, to Washington, D.C., to visit and tour the military memorials.

Steve Grant, Edwardsville Rotary president, said the Honor Flight Program was a program Rotarians agreed to get involved with and the club raised the funds to pay for the flight of not just one, but two veterans.

Sullivan, a retired Army Chaplain, said the trip was very special.

I served as an Army Chaplain and was stationed in Washington, D.C., Sullivan said. I helped with the dedication of the Vietnam Memorial and it was great to get back there and see it.

The veterans also toured the Korean War Memorial and took a trip to Arlington National Cemetery.

I did more than 800 funerals at Arlington, Sullivan said. It was very special to go to Arlington.

Niehaus said his time in Washington, D.C., coincided with Memorial Day and the visit to Arlington National Cemetery was impressive.

It was amazing seeing every one of those graves marked with an American Flag, Niehaus said. The trip was a great feeling. It makes you realize that what you did in the service is appreciated by people.

The inaugural Honor Flight Tour took 12 World War II veterans to Washington, D.C.,. in May of 2006.

Since that first flight, more than 125,000 veterans have been flown to Washington, D.C.

Grant said the Honor Flight Program is one that the Rotary would like to stay involved in.

Sullivans daughter, Beverly Goff, accompanied her father on the trip.

The volunteers take care of everything and they are terrific, she said. I would encourage anyone who has a veteran in their family to apply for this program. Its amazing to see how the veterans light up.
President Xi Jinping arrives in Laos on Monday at the start of a state visit to the country. [Photo/Xinhua]

VIENTIANE -- China and Laos on Monday agreed to build a community of shared future with strategic importance during Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to the Southeast Asian country.

The two sides made the decision during a meeting between Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, and Bounnhang Vorachit, general secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and president of Laos.

It is the first visit in 11 years by a Chinese head of state and top CPC leader to Laos.

Speaking highly of each other's development achievements, the two sides agreed to strengthen exchanges and mutual learning, and push forward China's reform and opening up and Laos' reform and renewal.

The two countries will continue to hold the spirit of good neighbors, good friends, good comrades and good partners, consolidate the China-Laos traditional friendship, and strive to lift their long-standing and stable comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership to a new stage, they said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (L), also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, holds talks with Bounnhang Vorachit, general secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and president of Laos, in Vientiane, Laos, Nov. 13, 2017. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang)

Xi praised Laos for sticking to a socialist path with its national characteristics and the country's great achievements in economic and social development.

He stressed that he believes under the leadership of the LPRP Central Committee headed by Bounnhang, the Lao people will achieve greater achievements in their pursuit for comprehensive reform and renewal.

For his part, Bounnhang spoke highly of the elevation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era into the CPC's guiding principles during the 19th CPC National Congress.

Bounnhang said he believes that under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Xi at the core, the Chinese people will forge ahead smoothly towards the two centenary goals.

The achievements of the 19th CPC National Congress have greatly contributed to the development of socialist theories in a new era, and are conducive to peace, friendship, cooperation and development in the region and the world at large, he said.

The two leaders exchanged in-depth views on international and regional issues of common concern, and reached important consensuses.

The two sides noted that the two countries are socialist states led by Communist parties.

They agreed that jointly building a community of shared future with strategic importance based on mutual trust is in accordance with the fundamental interests and common expectations of the two parties, two countries and two peoples, and is also conducive to the noble cause of peace and development for mankind.
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin EDITORIAL (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, November 13, 2017 08:20 1829 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a28aedf0 4 Editorial #Editorial,climate-change,#Climate,#ClimateChange,carbon-emission,#CarbonEmission,#environment,environment,United-Nations,Paris-Agreement Free

Countries are gathering at the United Nations climate conference in Bonn, Germany, to discuss how to collectively put the Paris commitment into action.



Indonesia, which pledged to cut emissions by 29 percent by 2030 through its own efforts and by 41 percent with international cooperation, has chosen to focus its climate plans on forestry, planning to create a low-carbon, forest-based economy in which the government, local administrations, businesses and the people work together to benefit from forests while preserving them.



The plan sounds excellent on paper. The government has begun agrarian reform in which it grants ownership certificates to individuals and concessions for groups of locals, including the indigenous ones, to manage forests and degraded land. A set of legal framework has been established to recognize the rights of indigenous communities, dozens of which have received concessions to cultivate their ancestral lands through the social forestry program.



It has also worked together with farmers and the private sector to restore damaged peat forests that have been drained and turned into plantations through slash-and-burn practices. After the latest great fire in 2015, the government came together with businesses and local people to invent ways to restore the peat areas and cultivate the lands without burning them.



These achievements have put Indonesia among the progressive nations that have initiated serious efforts to create a path to zero emissions, as envisioned by the Paris Accord.



However, these efforts are not enough.



Although forest fires have decreased in the past two years, they still occur and companies continue to plant on peatland under their concessions, refusing to comply with restoration plans. This is despite the fact that the government issued regulations that restrict planting on the carbon-rich fields, which easily catch fire during the dry season.



From the target of 12.7 million hectares allocated for social forestry, only thousands of hectares have been distributed to local communities because of disputes with the concession holders and the slow pace of local administrations in registering indigenous communities in their areas.



What might worsen the scheme is the governments latest initiative to allow indigenous peoples to cultivate the damaged peat areas under the social forestry program, a move that seems inconsistent with the governments ban on companies planting on peatland.



Clear and consistent implementation of the policies is paramount in the process. All of the tussles and clamor at the international climate forum are futile if the authorities, along with the private sector and the people, fail to put the plan into action.



If Indonesia fails to show that it can be held accountable for its climate action plans, it might only wish to get support from the international community to meet the carbon cut target. This would be unfortunate since, as a developing country, it still needs assistance in technology and funding.



Indonesia is on the right track but it takes commitment from all stakeholders and consistency for the initiatives to produce the desired impact.
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Mariette Le Roux (Agence France-Presse) Bonn, Germany  Mon, November 13, 2017 19:37 1829 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a28d9ae5 2 Environment climate-change,global-warming,heritage-sites,environment,#environment Free

Climate change imperils one in four natural World Heritage sites, including coral reefs, glaciers, and wetlands -- nearly double the number from just three years ago, a report said Monday.

The number of sites at risk has grown to 62 from 35 in 2014, when one in seven were listed, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which released the report at UN climate talks in Bonn, Germany.

Among the ecosystems most threatened by global warming are coral reefs which bleach as oceans heat up, and glaciers which melt.

"Climate change acts fast and is not sparing the finest treasures of our planet," said IUCN director general Inger Andersen.

The report found that 29 percent of World Heritage sites faced "significant" climate change threats, and seven percent -- including the Everglades National Park in the United States and Lake Turkana in Kenya -- had a "critical" outlook.

"The scale and pace at which it (climate change) is damaging our natural heritage underline the need for urgent and ambitious national commitments and actions to implement the Paris Agreement," said Andersen.

Negotiators are gathered in Bonn to work out a nuts-and-bolts rulebook for executing the planet-rescue pact adopted by nearly 200 countries in the French capital in 2015.

The agreement seeks to limit average global warming caused by greenhouse gases from fossil-fuel burning to under two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) over pre-industrial levels, and to 1.5 C if possible.

The 1 C mark has already been passed, and scientists say that on current country pledges to cut emissions, the world is headed for a 3 C future.

Read also: Pope slams climate change deniers as 'stupid'

'Devastating'

The IUCN monitors more than 200 natural Heritage Sites listed by the UN Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Three World Heritage-listed coral reefs -- the Aldabra Atoll in the Indian Ocean, the Belize Barrier Reef in the Atlantic, and Australia's Great Barrier Reef, the biggest on Earth -- have been affected by "devastating" bleaching events over the last three years, said the IUCN report.

Corals "bleach" when they are stressed by environmental changes -- due to ocean warming or pollution.

The corals expel the colourful algae that live in them, and turn bone white.

"Retreating glaciers, also resulting from rising temperatures, threaten sites such as Kilimanjaro National Park, which boasts Africa's highest peak, and the Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch, home to the largest Alpine glacier," said the union.

Wetlands, low-lying deltas, permafrost and fire-sensitive ecosystems are also affected by changes to Earth's climate, it added.

Read also: What to Know: 2017 Asian additions to UNESCO World Heritage List

Harm to these natural sites endangers local economies and livelihoods, the IUCN report said.

"In Peru's Huascaran National Park, for example, melting glaciers affect water supplies and contaminate water and soil due to the release of heavy metals previously trapped under ice.

"This adds to the urgency of our challenge to protect these places."

Only invasive plant and animal species surpassed climate change as a risk to natural heritage sites, said the union. And climate change boosts their spread.

Tourism was the third-biggest threat, followed by infrastructure expansion, mining, and oil and gas exploitation.

Sites on the World Heritage list are earmarked for protection for future generations.

Countries assume responsibility under the World Heritage Convention to protect listed sites within their borders.

The report said the management of heritage sites has declined since 2014, "notably due to insufficient funding."

The Bonn meeting is the first of UN climate envoys since US President Donald Trump said he would pull America out of the hard-fought Paris Agreement, a move many fear will make the 2 C goal that much harder to reach.
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Sebastian Partogi (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, November 13, 2017 09:29 1829 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a28b18bb 4 Art & Culture sex,#sex,pop-culture,books,songs,movies,Christians,#Christians Free

Girls you have to know when its time to turn the page/When youre only wet because of the rain.  Northern Lad, Tori Amos

I happened to get rained on recently when I was walking in Depok, West Java, on a trip, after my umbrella had gotten blown away by the strong winds that day, and I had this song lyric playing over and over again in my head.

Basically, what Amos is saying between the lines in her song lyrics is that, when your man (or woman) cannot provide you with sexual satisfaction (that is, when you only get wet because of the rain instead of from your partner), you might want to move on from the relationship.

I remember a tale about unfulfilled sexuality I heard from an acquaintance. She was referring to a book by Muriel Maufroy called Rumis Daughter (2004). The young Kimya gets married to her fathers spiritual mentor, who refuses to have sexual intercourse with her and provide her with physical affection because the latter believes that love is a transcendental thing that cannot be expressed physically (Im sorry, but I cringe as I write this sentence). This leaves Kimya to experience constant sexual hunger pangs.

A similar theme is explored in Elizabeth Gilberts 2013 novel The Signature of All Things, in which a female botanist marries a man who will not touch her because he believes that a relationship should be focused on intellectual exchanges instead of sexual ones (again, I cringe at the snobbery).

A lot of single people yearn for a sexual partner. Many songs  Icicle by Tori Amos, I Touch Myself by Divinyls and Dancing with myself by Billy Idol, among other songs  celebrate the act of pleasuring oneself. The activity, unfortunately, is unable to quench the longing for a partner to do it with.

What is behind this lustful yearning? A number of evolutionary biology research studies have suggested that sexual activity, especially with a partner, must be pleasurable to give animals an incentive to pass on and preserve their genes. Pleasure soon turns to pain when it remains unfulfilled.

A friend told me, for instance, that she had neutered her female cat because she could not afford to have a male one in the house  which would ultimately mean having to deal with their kittens. Furthermore, she empathized with the cats incredible sense of pain when the latter was in heat during mating season, having no male cats to put out the female cats fire.

Talk about painful, I also recall watching a documentary on the Discovery Channel showing a male elephant running amok in a zoo, frantically destroying everything around him. The elephants raging because he is in his mating season but cannot find a female partner to copulate with, I recall the documentarys unseen narrator saying.

Obsessive sexuality is often referenced in pop culture: from books such as Paula Hawkins The Girl on the Train (2016) and the kinky 1987 film Fatal Attraction.

Bear with me as I write this: even terrorist attacks have a sexual lust dimension to them. In his 2003 book Terror in the Mind of God: The Global Rise of Religious Violence, writer Mark Juergensmeyer says most suicide bombers are male and aged between 17 and 20, having to deal with their raging hormones while being too poor to have sex with a prostitute, let alone marry a woman (think about the promise of 72 virgins in heaven for the fallen warriors). This raging lust, interwoven with socio-economic marginalization, creates a domino effect when radical religious teachings exploit this vacuum.

Talk about average people who do not engage in such extreme acts, unfulfilled lust does consume a lot of people, searching for the big O. Furthermore, our culture still has a strong single-shaming tendency, where single people are deemed to be unattractive or possessing poor social skills.

For me, anyway, many people often react with disbelief when they learn Im still a virgin at 28. They keep advising me to look for partners or even do a makeover to make myself look more attractive. A friend once vowed she would help me break my eggs before she headed off to the Netherlands.

This kind of obsession actually reaches beyond our hard-wired instinct to copulate to preserve our genes. Conventional marriage is no longer the norm, casual sex seems to have replaced it. We have somehow been misled by pop culture  music, literature, films  bombarding us with fantasies of how pleasurable sex can and should be. Many films and books have told us of how a broken person could mend and transform themselves through sex with a partner.

Furthermore, we are taught to believe that sex should always involve active engagement with a partner to make it complete. Gnostic Christian scholars insist Jesus must have done it with Mary Magdalene. How come a God who wants to experience life as a man does not involve himself in the most basic human act? So goes the argument of the authors of the 1982 book Holy Blood, Holy Grail. While I know they want to help Christians get rid of their sexual shame, their statement could make lots of single people, especially those who have not done it, insecure.

But, is it really that good? People cant be put into boxes, and the fantasies presented to us in pop culture do not always live up to reality. My friends first intercourse, when she was 25, left her disappointed because she said it was very painful, despite the fact she was doing it with a man she thought she loved.

As for me, my female friend did offer me a chicken, who turned out to be a predatory male, for me to date. My first kiss was not as pleasurable as I had imagined it to be. I felt awful afterward to have let a stranger violate my personal space and let myself be reduced to an object of desire. A few days later, I caught influenza from him, which just made me more disgusted at my first experience.

I also became aware of how fragile the human body is, how we can contract illnesses through our vanity and often superficial lust.

Amos also wrote a song called Cooling, dedicated to a friend who passed away after contracting hepatitis from her lover. And theres your place in heaven worth giving up these kisses, Amos writes.

Our bodies turn out to mean more than just a container of lust. While it is hard not to host a pity party when we look at people who already have stable partners, we can actually use our energy for something more constructive. Creative works such as literature are also frequently inspired by destroyed passion. Your special one may or may not come to you in the end, like in most fairytales, but the most important thing is for you to keep engaging yourself in activities that you love and that could make other people happy.
Indonesia may not yet have an unmanned establishment like Jack Mas Tao Cafe in Hangzhou, China, or driverless buses like those in France and Switzerland, but the impact of digitalization on employment in the country is becoming increasingly obvious. The Jakarta Post journalist Stefani Ribka examines how the digital revolution will continue robbing people of jobs but considerably improve business efficiency at the same time. by Stefani Ribka

Indonesia may not yet have an unmanned establishment like Jack Mas Tao Cafe in Hangzhou, China, or driverless buses like those in France and Switzerland, but the impact of digitalization on employment in the country is becoming increasingly obvious. The Jakarta Post journalist Stefani Ribka examines how the digital revolution will continue robbing people of jobs but considerably improve business efficiency at the same time. Nengsi Atmaja, the owner of photo shop Simpati Foto at Palmerah Market in Jakarta, vividly remembers she had seven competitors in the area back in 1977. Today, only two remain with, of course, far fewer attendants. In the heyday of the 1990s, Simpati employed 10 people. Now only four remain. People nowadays dont print as many photos as they used to, she says. Everyone can see images instantly on their smartphones a...
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin News Desk (AFP) Cairo, Egypt  Mon, November 13, 2017 08:15 1829 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a28ae148 2 World Arab-League,Iran,Saudi-Arabia,Qatar,Lebanon,Saad-Hariri Free

The Arab League will hold an extraordinary meeting next Sunday at the request of Saudi Arabia to discuss "violations" committed by Iran in the region, according to a memorandum.

Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates supported the Saudi request, which was also approved by Djibouti, the current chair of the pan-Arab bloc, said the document shown to AFP by diplomats on Sunday.

Tensions have been rising between Saudi Arabia and Iran, including over League members Qatar and Lebanon.

Sunni Muslim powerhouse Saudi Arabia and Iran, the predominant Shiite power, are long-standing rivals based as much in geostrategic interests as religious differences.

Facing off across the Gulf, the two energy-rich powers have for decades stood on opposing sides of conflicts in the Middle East.

According to the memo, the Saudi request for an Arab League meeting was based on a missile the Sunni-ruled kingdom says its air defences intercepted near Riyadh after being fired from Yemen on November 4.

A Saudi-led coalition has been battling Shiite Huthi rebels in Yemen, and it has accused the Iran-backed rebels of firing the missile.

Saudi Arabia's powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman later accused Iran of "direct military aggression" against the kingdom by supplying the rebels with ballistic missiles.

But Iran denied any involvement in the missile attack, with President Hassan Rouhani warning that the Islamic republic's "might" would fend off any challenge.

- Trading blame -

According to the memo, Saudi Arabia also decried what it described as "sabotage" and "terrorism" over a pipeline fire in Bahrain on Friday that temporarily halted oil supplies from its territory.

Bahrain's foreign minister blamed Iran for the fire.

"The attempt to blow up the Saudi-Bahraini pipeline is a dangerous escalation on Iran's part that aims to terrorise citizens and to harm the world oil industry," Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed al-Khalifa wrote on Twitter.

Tehran rejected any involvement in the incident, calling the allegation "childish".

In its request for the meeting of Arab foreign ministers, Saudi Arabia referred to those two incidents "in addition to the violations committed by Iran in the Arab region, which undermines security and peace, not only in the Arab region, but around the globe," according to the memo.

Saudi Arabia has been at the forefront of a dispute with Qatar since June 5, leading a group of nations including Bahrain, Egypt and the UAE in accusing Doha of supporting terrorism.

Riyadh has for its part been accused of being behind last weekend's resignation of Lebanese prime minister Saad Hariri, in a televised address from Riyadh.

In his broadcast, Hariri accused Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah of taking over Lebanon and destabilising the broader region, saying he feared for his life.

The Arab League has 22 members, but Syria's membership was suspended at the end of 2011 following months of brutal repression of anti-government demonstrations and an opposition movement supported by Gulf monarchies. (**)
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, November 13, 2017 17:49 1829 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a28d508a 1 City fire,Bekasi-regency,KPU Free

A storeroom at the Bekasi General Elections Commission (KPU Bekasi) office on Jl. Raya Rengas Bandung caught fire on Monday morning, burning ballots from the regency's 2017 gubernatorial election.

The fire started at 8:45 a.m. and was reportedly caused by a short circuit, KPU Bekasi head Idham Kholik said.

"Staff members reported that it was caused by a short circuit as some cables have been bitten by rats," Idham said as quoted by wartakota.tribunnews.com.

Four fire trucks extinguished the fire 30 minutes later.

Idham confirmed there were no casualties reported in the incident. However, the fire damaged documents from previous elections.

"The room stored old documents of the 2014 presidential election and 2017 gubernatorial election," Idham said.

The fire did not spread to other buildings, he added. (yon)
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Justina Lee and Yuji Nakamura (Bloomberg) New York  Mon, November 13, 2017 12:08 1829 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a28c2780 2 Business Bitcoin,decline,digital-currency-system Free

Bitcoin plunged as the cancellation of a technology upgrade prompted some users to switch out of the cryptocurrency, spooking speculators who had profited from a more than 800 percent surge this year.

The cryptocurrency has dropped 9.5 percent since late Friday, extending its slide from last weeks record to as much as 29 percent, according to data compiled by Coinmarketcap.com and Bloomberg. Bitcoin cash, a rival that split from the original bitcoin in August, has jumped nearly 40 percent since Friday.

Bitcoin cash is gaining popularity because of its larger block size, a characteristic that makes transactions cheaper and faster than the original. When a faction of the cryptocurrency community canceled plans to increase bitcoins block size on Wednesday -- a move that would have created another offshoot -- some supporters of bigger blocks rallied around bitcoin cash.

The resulting volatility has been extreme even by bitcoins wild standards and comes amid growing interest in cryptocurrencies among regulators, banks and fund managers. While skeptics have called bitcoins rapid advance a bubble, it has become too big for many on Wall Street to ignore. Even after shrinking by as much as $38 billion since Wednesday, bitcoin boasts a market value of $101 billion.

Supporters of bitcoins technology upgrade are now switching support to bitcoin cash, said Mike Kayamori, head of Tokyo-based Quoine, the worlds second most-active bitcoin exchange over the past day. Theres a panic about whats happening. People shouldnt panic. Just hold on to both coins until we see how it plays out.

Bitcoins slump dragged down shares of cryptocurrency-related companies, including Hong Kong-based PC Partner Group Ltd., maker of graphics cards that can be used in the mining of digital coins. But there were few signs of wider ripple effects. Asian stocks were mixed as investors awaited continuing talks on tax legislation in the U.S. this week.

The cancellation of last weeks bitcoin upgrade has left users to choose between the two versions of the cryptocurrency. On one side is the original bitcoin, powered by so-called SegWit technology, which aims to improve its performance by moving unessential data off of its underlying blockchain. On the other side is bitcoin cash, which allows its blockchain to handle eight times as much data as the original.

Proponents of bitcoin cash believe their approach is simpler and closer to the original goal of bitcoin, which was described primarily as a payment system in its white paper. Supporters of the original bitcoin say that vision is too limited, and that by improving the blockchain with SegWit technology, bitcoin can become a new digital asset class that not only supports payments but countless other functions.

While bitcoin cash has been around for months, it saw limited support as the community awaited last weeks technology upgrade for the original bitcoin, which promised similar features. Now that the upgrade has been called off, businesses that use the cryptocurrency primarily as a payment method are expected to increase adoption of bitcoin cash.

While bitcoin cash surged over the weekend, it hasnt been a straight line up. The cryptocurrency was trading at $1,325 at 11:53 a.m. in Hong Kong, down from a high of about $2,478 on Sunday, Coinmarketcap.com prices show.

Bitcoin has been similarly volatile; it initially rose after news that it would avoid another split, but the gains were short-lived. Its now trading at $5,948 after touching a record $7,882 on Wednesday.

Crypto trading is not for the novice investor, said John Spallanzani, chief macro strategist at GFI Securities LLC in New York.
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Kharishar Kahfi (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, November 13, 2017 12:02 1829 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a28c1d98 1 Politics Miryam-S-Haryani,Hanura,Hanura-Party,house-of-representatives,Jakarta-Corruption-Court,graft,corruption,e-ID Free

The Jakarta Corruption Court is to hand down the verdict in the perjury trial of former House of Representatives lawmaker Miryam S. Haryani.

Miryam was being tried for making untruthful statements during the investigation and trial of the high-profile electronic identity (e-ID) graft case.

Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) prosecutors had called for an eight-year sentence during a session on Oct. 24, if the ex-Hanura Party politician was found guilty of the crime.

They also asked that she be fined Rp 300 million (US$22,140.24) or serve an additional six months in prison.

The proposed sentence was supported by witnesses who testified that there were no indications that Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigators had pressured Miryam during their investigation into the e-ID graft case, as she had claimed.

It was also uncovered during Miryam's trial that fellow lawmakers, including Golkar Party politician Markus Nari, had tried to influence her to retract her statements.

Miryam told the court in March that she had retracted all statements she had made to KPK investigators, saying that she had made the statements under intimidation by the investigators. The KPK investigators dismissed her claim in their court testimony on March 30. (ebf)
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Stefani Ribka (The Jakarta Post) Karachi, Pakistan  Mon, November 13, 2017 10:31 1829 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a28b5925 1 Business Kadin,orange,imports,Pakistan Free

The Indonesian government needs to be selective in issuing import permits to traders buying Pakistani Kinnow oranges, as some companies may not be real importers because they sell its import quota to other companies, said the Indonesia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin).

"We must support real importers that buy Kinnow oranges from Pakistan," Mufti Hamka, Kadin, vice chairman for Middle Eastern countries' affairs, told The Jakarta Post recently.

He said some companies, which get an import quota, do not really import the oranges, but rather sell the quota to other companies, resulting in higher-priced oranges for end consumers.

The Indonesian government noted the concern from the Pakistani government on various non-tariff barriers that made it hard for Indonesian importers to obtain licenses. Both governments are discussing the issue to find a solution.

Pakistan booked a US$2 billion trade deficit in the past several years, despite the presence of a preferential trade agreement with Indonesia.

Nevertheless, two-way trade has improved in the first eight months this year. Imports from Pakistan to Indonesia increased by 39.7 percent to $128.9 million and exports from Indonesia were up by 28.2 percent to $1.6 billion. (bbn)

Topics : Kadin orange imports Pakistan
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin News Desk (AFP) The Haque, Netherlands  Mon, November 13, 2017 22:27 1829 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a28dd39c 2 World Dutch,Dutch-citizen,terrorism,Islamic-State Free

A Dutch court sentenced a young woman to two years in prison Monday for travelling to Syria to join the Islamic State group in one of the first such cases in the Netherlands.

"The court considers it proven that she planned to prepare and promote terrorist activities," the Rotterdam District Court said.

"Therefore she is sentenced to two years in jail of which 13 months are suspended for three years," the court said in a statement.

Because the woman, known only as Laura H. already spent another year in detention, she will effectively not go back to jail, the judges added.

She was also acquitted of belonging to the IS group, the Dutch news agency ANP said.

The 22-year-old convert to Islam was arrested when she flew back to Amsterdam's Schiphol airport in July 2016 after apparently fleeing the jihadists.

Laura H., her partner and two young children left The Netherlands in September 2015 to join the IS group where her husband wanted to join jihadist fighters.

"Judging from her statements, the accused knew even before her departure that her husband harboured sympathy for IS and that he wanted to travel to Syria," the judges said.

Originally from the town of Leidschendam, Laura H. told judges she was forced to travel to Raqa, in Syria, in September 2015 by her violent partner.

Months later though she fled with her children to a Kurdish-controlled area in Iraq with the help of her father in The Netherlands.

Prosecutors asked for a 35-month jail term with 24 months suspended under strict conditions.

Laura H. is now not allowed to come close to the Dutch borders or any airports and were ordered not to make contact with any current or former jihadists.

She met her partner, known as Ibrahim I., via the internet in 2013, when she was just 17 but had already converted to Islam, the public broadcaster NOS has said.

He was put to work making bombs for IS in Syria and his fate is unknown.

At least 280 people, a third of whom are women, are believed to have left The Netherlands to fight in Iraq and Syria for jihadist groups, according to Dutch counter-terrorism officials.

About 45 have been killed, 45 have returned home and another 190 are thought to still be in the region, although their exact fate remains unknown.

Experts told Dutch media Monday that Laura H.'s case was one of the first involving a woman travelling to Syria.
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin News Desk (AFP) Brussels, Belgium  Mon, November 13, 2017 09:00 1829 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a28b0968 2 World Brussels,catalan,Catalan-independence,EU,European-Union Free

Several hundred people rallied in Brussels on Sunday to back the independence push in Catalonia, slam the EU and demand Spain release jailed regional officials.

Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont, who is in self-imposed exile in Belgium, was a no-show at the demonstration that included pro-independence European Parliament members and several members of the exiled regional government.

"Democracy in Spain is not only sick, it is practically dead," Spanish MEP Josep-Maria Terricabras, who backs Catalan independence, told the demonstrators.

"I think that it is absolutely terrible that the European institutions don't understand that when you attack democracy you cannot applaud (Spanish Prime Minister Mariano) Rajoy and institutions in Spain that are outside the law," he added.

The protest, just metres from the European Union's main institutions, came a day after hundreds of thousands of Catalans protested the jailing of regional officials for their push for independence from Spain.

In Brussels, protesters held photos of the jailed officials, as well as signs saying "Shame on you" for the EU's failure to lend support to Catalonia.

Flags from Belgium's Dutch-speaking region of Flanders were also prevalent at the protest, with sympathy deep for the Catalonian cause among Flemish nationalists.

The EU was "founded to not see the return dictatorship and facsim in Europe," said the ousted Catalan Minister of Health Antoni Comin.

As Comin spoke, the crowd interrupted with chants of "Libertad (freedom)" and "All not here" in reference to the jailed regional officials in Spain.

Comin is one of five officials who fled to Belgium after Spain dismissed the Catalan executive and imposed direct rule on the semi-autonomous region following the declaration of independence by the parliament there last month.

Belgian judges are reviewing a European arrest warrant filed by Spain on charges of sedition and rebellion against the five Catalans. (**)
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, November 13, 2017 16:16 1829 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a28cbb5c 4 Business Indonesia,China,agreement,energy,electricity,ignasius-jonan Free

Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Ignasius Jonan signed an agreement with China to strengthen cooperation in the energy sector on the sidelines of the fifth Indonesia-China Energy Forum (ICEF V) in Jakarta on Monday.

China was represented by National Energy Administration director Nur Bekri.

We welcome foreign investment on the basis of the mutual benefit principle, Jonan said at the JW Marriot Hotel in Jakarta on Monday as reported by tempo.co.

Apart from signing an agreement, both countries also established two working groups, on oil, gas and coal as well as on renewable energy for electricity.

Meanwhile, the fifth Indonesia-China Energy Forum was attended by representatives of 96 energy firms from China and 40 firms from Indonesia.

We hope that will produce a formula that could be implemented in the near future, he said before Chinese and Indonesian businesspeople.

Currently, several Chinese companies, such as SINOPEC, Petrochina and CNOOC, have started investing in oil and gas in Indonesia.

Chinese companies have also been involved in the 35,000-megawatt electricity program through two engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) arrangements and an independent power producer (IPP).

Meanwhile, in minerals and coal, Corporation of China Ltd. (Chinalco), in cooperation with PT Aneka Tambang and PT Inalum, constructed a smelter in West Kalimantan with a total investment of between US$1.5 billion and $1.8 billion. (bbn)
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, November 13, 2017 17:25 1829 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a28d3d03 1 City Kolese-Kanisius,anniversary,anies-baswedan,ananda-sukarlan Free

The alumni of Kolese Kanisius, one of the oldest and most reputable all-male schools in Jakarta, have criticized organizers of the schools anniversary celebration for inviting Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan to the event, saying that his values did not align with those of the school.



During the schools 90th anniversary celebration on Saturday night at JIExpo Kemayoran in Central Jakarta, well-known pianist Ananda Sukarlan, an alumnus who received an award from the school for his achievements as a composer, said that he, along with other alumni, walked out when the newly elected governor delivered his remarks.



We were surprised to learn that Pak Anies was there, why was he [invited]? His values are not in line with the principles taught at the school, particularly on differences [between] pribumi [indigenous] and non-indigenous, Ananda told kompas.com on Monday.

He referred to Anies' remark during his first gubernatorial speech at City Hall last month in which he said pribumi people should be the leaders of the country. The remark triggered widespread criticism.

Ananda said that they returned to their seats after Anies finished his speech.

During his award speech, Ananda criticized the organizers of the event for inviting someone whose values he believed contradicted the schools principles.

Meanwhile, Anies said that he was not aware the walkout had taken place and that he respected Anandas stance.

I greet everyone and embrace all. If there was any negative reaction, thats just a bonus for me, Anies said on Monday. (fac)
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Lim Jeong-yeo (The Korea Herald/ANN) Seoul  Mon, November 13, 2017 15:51 1829 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a28cace3 2 World #SouthKorea,#marijuana,#drugs Free

Over 1,500 people joined an online petition calling for the legalization of marijuana via Cheong Wa Daes site, Monday.



The petition, launched on Oct. 30, has 15 days remaining until it expires on Nov. 29. A steady stream of people have signed to join in supporting the legalization of medical and recreational marijuana consumption.

The original petitioner is anonymous save for his introduction of himself as being in his mid-20s and under police probation for buying and carrying marijuana in Korea. The man writes how he first came across the substance in 2016 while traveling in a US state where marijuana is legalized for either medical or recreational purposes.



The man explains what marijuana is, its history in Korea and the abrupt prohibition of the popular drug in the 1970s under the Park Chung-hee administration. He argues how global trends are shifting toward embracing the positive effects of marijuana, taking examples from the US where 29 states have allowed the sales of medical marijuana, with some states also giving the green light for recreational use.



The US marijuana industry is on track to post $20.2 billion in sales by 2021, according to Business Insider.



The presidential office has made a rule for itself to issue an official reply to any petition that gathers 200,000 signatures within 30 days.

Topics :

This article appeared on The Korea Herald newspaper website, which is a member of Asia News Network and a media partner of The Jakarta Post
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, November 13, 2017 20:39 1829 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a28dc5c8 1 City killing,crime,family,Dispute Free

A 24-year-old man has been arrested in Tangerang, Banten, for allegedly killing his brother with a machete over a trivial personal dispute.

The suspect, identified as Rizal Arsyad, was apprehended on Monday, two days after he allegedly stabbed his brother Randi Syahputra, 25, near their home on Jl. Jomas in North Meruya, North Jakarta.

"[The murder] was caused by a trivial dispute. Rizal told Randi not to sleep in their mother's room, because she had already got home and was tired," Kembangan Police chief Comr. Supriadi said on Monday, as quoted by kompas.com.

Randi reportedly could not accept the warning and grabbed a machete, while Rizal armed himself with a bamboo stick.

After fighting for a while, Rizal reportedly ran out of the home onto Jl. Jomas, where Randi accidentally dropped the machete.

In that moment, Rizal took possession of the machete and stabbed his elder brother in the stomach, back and left hand. Randi died of his wounds on the scene.

After the incident, the perpetrator didnt return home until his arrest two days later.

"We asked the family to contact the perpetrator, and he was finally arrested on a sidewalk in Karang Tengah," Supriadi said. (yon)

Topics : killing crime family Dispute
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, November 13, 2017 19:00 1829 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a28d82bc 1 City shooting,crime,East-Jakarta Free

Ryan Helmi, a doctor alleged to have shot dead his wife, got his gun from a dealer he found on Facebook, police have said.

Jakarta Police violent crimes unit head Adj. Sr. Comr. Hendy F. Kurniawan said one of the two guns the suspect allegedly used to murder his wife, Letty Sultri, who was also a doctor, was bought from a dealer on the popular social media site.

Based on the suspects claims, he got a revolver through Facebook and a Makarov from an individual identified as S, Hendy said during a case reconstruction at the Az-Zahra medical clinic on Jl. Dewi Sartika in East Jakarta on Monday.

Hendy added that investigators were still trying to find out where S had acquired the Makarov, a pistol produced in Russia.

Letty, 46, was found dead at the Az-Zahra medical center in Cawang, East Jakarta, on Thursday afternoon. She was reportedly shot six times.

The alleged crime occurred at around 2 p.m. when Helmi arrived at the clinic and reportedly began to argue with Letty about their marriage.

Police said Helmi had rejected Lettys request for a divorce.

Helmi fled the clinic after shooting Letty, according to police, but turned himself in later that afternoon.

Police say Letty had previously reported Helmi for alleged domestic violence but later retracted her statement. (fac)
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Hwang Sunghee (AFP) Seoul  Mon, November 13, 2017 19:48 1829 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a28da9a2 2 World North-Korea,North-Korean-defector,South-Korea,kim-jong-un Free

A North Korean soldier was shot and injured by his own side Monday while defecting to South Korea at the border truce village of Panmunjom, the South's military said.

The soldier, thought to be low ranking, was shot in the shoulder and elbow and was picked up bleeding on the South side of a portion of the border known as the Joint Security Area (JSA).

It is rare for the North's troops to defect at the truce village, a major tourist attraction bisected by the borderline and the only part of the frontier where forces from the two sides come face-to-face.

"Our military has taken in a North Korean soldier after he crossed from a North Korea post towards our Freedom House," Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said in a statement, referring to a building on the South side of the village.

A JCS official quoted by Yonhap news agency said the South's soldiers heard a gunshot and then retrieved the unarmed soldier in the mid-afternoon.

He was evacuated to a private hospital by a UN helicopter, the official added, saying the solider had regained consciousness but declining to comment on whether his injuries were life-threatening.

No personal details have been released but the soldier's uniform suggested he was low-ranking, Yonhap said.

No tourists were in the Joint Security Area at the time because tours do not run on Mondays, a spokesman for United States Forces Korea, which approves the visits, said.

There was no exchange of gunfire between the two sides, but the South's military said it has raised its level of alertness against any North Korean provocations.

Also on Monday, South Korean police arrested an American for entering a restricted zone -- in a separate border area -- with the apparent intention of crossing to the North, Yonhap reported.

The man, identified only as a 58-year-old from Louisiana, had arrived in South Korea last week and wanted to enter the North for "political purposes", but was reported by a local villager, Yonhap said.

He is currently under questioning by the South's police, army and spy agency.

Tense relations

Relations on the peninsula have been tense for months as the North has stepped up its missile tests. In September, it carried out its sixth and largest nuclear test -- of what it described as "a hydrogen bomb".

Military officials from the North and South have used Panmunjom frequently in the past for talks. Unlike the rest of the frontier, Panmunjom is not fortified with minefields and barbed wire and the border is marked only by a low concrete divider.

Dozens of North Korean soldiers have fled to the South through the DMZ over the decades since the peninsula was divided, including two soldiers who crossed the frontier in June.

More than 30,000 North Korean civilians have also fled their homeland since the two nations came into being in 1948, but it is rare for civilians to cross the closely guarded border.

Most flee across the North's porous frontier with China and then move on to a third country to seek passage to South Korea.
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, November 13, 2017 17:26 1829 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a28d41fc 1 Politics setya,setya-novanto,KPK,graft,corruption,e-ID Free

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) said on Monday that the antigraft body did not need written permission from President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo to summons House of Representatives Speaker Setya Novanto for questioning in its investigation into the e-ID graft case.

The KPK made the statement in response to Setya's claim that the KPK must secure written permission from the President if it wanted to question him because he was a House member.

The Golkar Party chairman was scheduled to undergo questioning at the KPK on Monday as a witness in the high-profile graft case.

No, we don't need [such permission], KPK commissioner Saut Situmorang said as quoted by kompas.com after an event at the University of Indonesia in Depok, West Java, on Monday.

(Read also: KPK to question Setya Novanto as e-ID witness)

Setya sent a letter to the KPK on Monday morning informing the antigraft body that he would only submit to questioning after it obtained written permission from President Jokowi as stipulated in the Legislative Institutions (MD3) Law.

Many constitutional experts have said, however, that such a rule was not applicable for extraordinary crimes, such as corruption.

Setya was renamed a suspect in the e-ID case on Friday after winning a pretrial motion against the antigraft body.

Saut did say whether the KPK would forcefully summons Setya.

Who knows what tomorrow will bring. Maybe God will change his mind so that he will be willing to come and admit [his mistakes]. Everyone can repent, Saut said. (foy/ebf)
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Tama Salim (The Jakarta Post) Manila  Mon, November 13, 2017 10:32 1829 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a28b6722 1 World Retno-Marsudi,foreign-affairs,Foreign-Affairs-Ministry,Foreign-Minister-Retno-Marsudi,foreign-minister,South-China-Sea Free

Ten ASEAN member countries and China are expected to launch negotiations on Monday for a long-delayed maritime code-of-conduct (CoC) that will govern how countries should interact with one another in the disputed South China Sea, Indonesias top diplomat said ahead of a key meeting between the partners.

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi revealed late on Sunday that ASEANs focus for the ASEAN-China Summit on Monday was to begin negotiations on the CoC in the South China Sea.

We already have the framework of the [CoC] in the bag, so its time for us now to start the negotiations, Retno told The Jakarta Post after a bilateral meeting between Indonesia and Japan in Manila.

The minister said the announcement for the start of negotiations would be part of a statement, but fell short of saying which one.

The ASEAN-China Summit, just like all other ASEAN+1 meetings, will issue an ASEAN chairmans statement at its conclusion.

In the draft of the ASEAN chairmans statement for the 20th ASEAN-China Summit, a copy of which was obtained by the Post, leaders announced that as a next step, both sides would officially commence negotiations on the CoC.

The push for earnest talks on the CoC comes 15 years after the adoption of the 2002 Declaration of Conduct by ASEAN and China, which stipulated that both parties demonstrate goodwill by engaging in trust-building activities that aim to soften rivalry among claimant states.

China has made sweeping claims over the South China Sea, through which a significant amount of sea trade flows each year.

The claims, which Beijing has used as a basis for militarization of maritime features in the disputed waters, are contested by ASEAN members Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam and the Philippines.

Indonesia is a non-claimant in the dispute, but has been dragged into the fray after a move to rename Indonesian waters adjacent to the South China Sea angered the Chinese side.

However, following the adoption of the framework of the CoC by ASEAN and China in August, the sea that makes up Southeast Asias backyard has become significantly calmer.

Another paragraph in the leaked chairmans statement noted that the leaders agreed to continue to build confidence through practical maritime cooperation. China, as ASEANs largest trading partner in 2016, has set a target of US$1 trillion in two-way trade with the bloc by 2020. (ebf)
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Gemma Holliani Cahya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, November 13, 2017 18:14 1829 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a28d66b1 1 National IPW,Indonesia-Police-Watch,National-Police,Polri,separatism,separatists,Papua,hostage,hostage-taking Free

Indonesia Police Watch (IPW) presidium chairman Neta S. Pane has urged the National Police to take bolder measures to solve the ongoing hostage crisis in Papua.

More than 1,300 people have been taken hostage in Banti and Kimbely villages in Tembagapura district, Mimika regency, Papua, since Nov. 5 by armed separatists from the Free Papua Movement (OPM).

They have been taken hostage for a week. The police need to deploy Brimob [Mobile Brigade] and Densus 88 counterterrorism squad. They should also ask for help from the Indonesian Military [TNI] to free the hostages, Neta said on Monday.

He said taking hostages was a new method employed by the separatist group, pointing out that they have never taken hostages before.

IPW considers the hostage crisis as a more aggressive strategy taken by OPM. Citing its investigation, the watchdog said OPM had moved their headquarters from Australia to Suva, the capital of Fiji, a South Pacific island country.

Their shift in strategy is related to the changes in their headquarters and organization, Neta said. The government must anticipate the new maneuvers of these armed criminals.

Five shops owned by residents in Utikini village were set ablaze by an armed group on Nov. 5.

In late October, a Brimob officer was killed during a shoot-out with armed assailants in Utikini amid escalating attacks in the mining area.

TNI commander Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo said the military was ready to end the crisis the "hard" way if negotiations failed. (ebf)

In crisis: Police and military personnel unload on Sunday food packages that will be delivered to residents in Banti and Kimbely villages in Tembagapura, Mimika, Papua, who have been taken hostage by Free Papua Movement (OPM) members. (Courtesy of the Papua Police/File)
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Jerome Cartillier (AFP) Manila, Philippines  Mon, November 13, 2017 07:30 1829 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a28ad3ec 2 World DonaldTrump,Donald-Trump,Russia,Russia-meddling,Moscow,US-presidential-election,US-presidential-election-2016,North-Korea,kim-jong-un Free

Donald Trump said Sunday he backed the US intelligence agencies which concluded that Russia meddled in the 2016 US presidential election, but slammed "fools" who oppose better ties with Moscow.

Key former Trump aides are under US investigation for possible collaboration with the Kremlin, and the issue of whether Moscow interfered with last year's vote has overshadowed the tail end of the president's 12-day Asia tour.

Trump returned to the subject in a Twitter storm in Vietnam, which also saw him take a sarcastic dig at North Korea's "short and fat" leader Kim Jong-Un.

At a press conference in Hanoi, Trump was asked to clarify comments he had made the day before about Russian President Vladimir Putin's insistence that Moscow had never tried to affect the US vote.

"I believe he feels he and Russia did not meddle in the election," Trump said.

"As to whether or not I believe it or not, I'm with our agencies. I believe in our... intelligence agencies," he added.

But in his barrage of tweets, Trump slammed "haters and fools" who questioned his efforts to improve ties with Russia.

"There (sic) always playing politics - bad for our country. I want to solve North Korea, Syria, Ukraine, terrorism, and Russia can greatly help!" he said.

In May, US intelligence chiefs told Congress they agreed with their analysts' conclusion that Russia had interfered in the election, and on Saturday, CIA director Mike Pompeo, a Trump appointee, said he still held to that evaluation.

But after sticking to script through most of his high-profile Asia trip, Trump lashed out at three former US officials whose agencies helped produce the original intelligence finding of Russian interference. He called former CIA chief John Brennan, former director of national intelligence James Clapper and former FBI chief James Comey "political hacks."

Appearing later on CNN, Brennan denounced Trump's attack as "reprehensible," and Clapper said that for Trump to so minimize a Russian attempt to undermine the US system was "astounding and, in fact, poses a peril to this country."

- 'Short and fat' -

Trump's tour of Asia, which began its final leg in Manila on Sunday, has been dominated by the issue of North Korea and its ambitions to become a full-fledged nuclear state.

His public pronouncements on Pyongyang over the last week have veered from denouncing it as a "cruel dictatorship" to offering a hand of friendship to Kim.

On Sunday, his tone shifted back to one of hostility.

Citing descriptions by North Korean officials and state media of him as an "old" man, Trump suggested he was disappointed by what he took as a personal attack from the North's young leader.

"Why would Kim Jong-un insult me by calling me 'old,' when I would NEVER call him 'short and fat?'" Trump wrote.

"Oh well, I try so hard to be his friend -- and maybe someday that will happen!" he added.

He later insisted he hadn't been joking about eventually befriending a man he denounced last week as a "twisted" dictator.

"It's certainly a possibility. If that did happen, it would be a good thing," he told reporters.

North Korea is extremely sensitive to any remarks that might appear disrespectful to the country's ruling Kim dynasty, whose members are revered as near deities.

Since becoming president, Trump has engaged in an escalating war of words with Kim, trading personal insults and threats of military strikes, and raising concerns about an outbreak of hostilities.

Pyongyang hit back Saturday, calling his Asia trip "a warmonger's visit for confrontation" and saying it would only serve to accelerate Pyongyangs nuclear program.

- South China Sea support -

In another tweet Sunday, Trump said Chinese leader Xi Jinping had agreed to toughen sanctions against North Korea, whose impoverished economy is hugely reliant on trade with its giant neighbour.

"President Xi of China has stated that he is upping the sanctions against (North Korea). Said he wants them to denuclearize. Progress is being made," he wrote.

The US administration thinks China's economic leverage over North Korea is the key to strong-arming Pyongyang into halting its nuclear weapons and missile programmes.

Trump is in the Philippines for a gathering that includes leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which marked its 50th anniversary Sunday with a lavish dinner.

Several members of the group, including Hanoi and Manila, claim part of the resource-rich South China Sea, a key trade route over which Beijing says it has dominion and in which it has built militarised artificial islands.

Vietnam has sought support from Washington in the dispute, and dealmaker Trump said Sunday he could help solve the conflict.

"If I can help mediate or arbitrate, please let me know... I am a very good mediator," Trump told Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang.

In the past, China has reacted angrily to any suggestion of US mediation, saying Washington has no role in the dispute. (**)
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin News Desk (AFP) Manila, Philippines  Mon, November 13, 2017 06:36 1829 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a28abb47 2 World DonaldTrump,Donald-Trump,RodrigoDuterte,Rodrigo-Duterte,Manila,Philippines,drug-war,human-rights,North-Korea Free

Donald Trump sits down Monday with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who boasts about personally killing people and is waging a drug war that rights groups say involves mass murder.

The US president is in Manila with leaders of 18 other nations for two days of summits, the final leg of a headline-grabbing Asian tour dominated by the North Korean nuclear crisis.

Allegations of Russian meddling in last year's US presidential elections also hounded the second half of his 12-day trip, which took him from Japan to South Korea, China and Vietnam.

Rights groups have called on Trump to end his Asian journey with a strong statement against Duterte's drugs war, which has seen police and suspected vigilantes kill thousands of people.

But brief encounters between them in the lead-up, including at another regional summit in Vietnam and a banquet dinner in Manila on Sunday night, appeared to support Duterte's confidence that Trump was not concerned with the killings.

"I'm sure he will not take it up," Duterte said on Sunday when asked whether he expected Trump to raise the issue of alleged extra-judicial killings in the drugs war.

Duterte won elections last year after promising to eradicate illegal drugs with an unprecedented campaign that would see up to 100,000 people killed.

Since he took office, police have reported killing 3,967 people in the crackdown.

Another 2,290 people have been murdered in drug-related crimes, while thousands of other deaths remain unsolved, according to government data.

Many Filipinos back Duterte, believing he is taking necessary measures to fight crime, but rights groups warn he may be orchestrating a crime against humanity.

Amnesty International accuses police of shooting dead defenceless people and paying assassins to murder addicts.

- 'I already killed someone' -

When pressured over allegations of extra-judicial killings carried out by police, Duterte insists he has never told them to break the law.

But rights groups say police are following Duterte's incitements to kill, including comments made last year when he said he would be "happy to slaughter" three million addicts.

He has also repeatedly boasted about personally killing people, most recently on Thursday while in Vietnam for the Asia-Pacific economic summit.

"At the age of 16, I already killed someone. A real person, a rumble, a stabbing. I was just 16 years old. It was just over a look," Duterte said.

Duterte also said in December last year that he had personally shot dead criminal suspects when he was mayor of southern Davao city to set an example for the police.

Then-US president Barack Obama was one of many prominent critics of Duterte's handling of the drugs war. The Philippine leader responded last year by calling Obama a "son of a whore".

Trump has so far appeared to be a fan of Duterte, telling him in a telephone call in April that he was doing a "great job".

Duterte said on Sunday that Trump had offered him further "words of encouragement" during their brief chat in Vietnam the previous day.

And at the pre-summit banquet on Sunday, Duterte sang a Filipino love song in front of his audience, saying in a light-hearted fashion that he did so on the orders of the US president.

Duterte is hosting the world leaders because the Philippines holds the rotating chair of the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) bloc.

The events on Monday and Tuesday in Manila are two separate ASEAN-hosted summits, which also include China, Japan, Russia, South Korea, India, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Competing territorial claims in the South China Sea and fears that the Islamic State group is gaining a foothold in Southeast Asia are expected to be on the formal agendas of the talks. (**)
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin News Desk (AFP) Washington, United States  Mon, November 13, 2017 08:30 1829 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a28af85e 2 World Turkey,extradition,Recep-Tayyip-Erdogan,Fethullah-Gulen,White-House Free

Turkey has rejected as "ludicrous" allegations that it offered millions of dollars to former White House national security advisor Michael Flynn to arrange the extradition of a political rival to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

US media reported that investigators in Washington are probing whether Flynn discussed expelling Muslim preacher Fethullah Gulen from the US in exchange for a secret payout.

Ankara blames Gulen's movement for last year's failed coup against Erdogan, and has pressed for his extradition from the United States, where he has lived since 1999.

Gulen, who has a large Turkish following, strongly denies the charges.

"All allegations that Turkey would resort to means external to the rule of law for his extradition are utterly false, ludicrous and groundless", Turkey's embassy in Washington said on Twitter Saturday.

NBC News and the Wall Street Journal said Friday that US special prosecutor Robert Mueller is examining a meeting Flynn had with senior Turkish officials weeks after Donald Trump won the presidential race last year.

The meeting allegedly discussed a secret payout of up to $15 million (13 million euros) if, once in office, Flynn would engineer the deportation to Turkey of Gulen as well as help free Erdogan-linked Iranian-Turkish businessman Reza Zarrab from prison.

"We are not dealing with Michael Flynn. We are dealing with the government of United States", Prime Minister Binali Yildirim told CNN in an interview broadcast Sunday.

Yildirim, who made an official visit to the US this week, said discussions on Gulen's possible extradition are ongoing between Washington and Ankara.

NBC and the Journal both cited multiple people familiar with the probe by Mueller, who is leading the investigation into whether members of Trump's campaign colluded with Russian meddling in the election.

The Journal said it is not clear how far the proposal went and that there was no sign that any payments were made.

Lawyers for Flynn have labelled the allegations "outrageous" and "false".

According to the two reports, the discussions included details of how Gulen could be flown secretly by private jet to the isolated Turkish prison island of Imrali. (**)
TheJakartaPost

Please Update your browser

Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.

Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Anurag Kotoky (Bloomberg)  Mon, November 13, 2017 12:36 1829 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a28c2c9b 2 News Emirates,Airlines,#airlines,cabin,first-class Free

Emirates, which operates the worlds biggest fleet of long-haul aircraft, threw its weight behind the future of first-class travel, pouring millions into an upgrade of the ultra-luxury category on its Boeing 777 aircraft even as other carriers dispense of the biggest berths.

President Tim Clark showcased the new design on the opening day of the Dubai Air Show, with flourishes including hard-wood floors, multiple mood-lighting options and the benefits of a window even in the center-cabin suite, which is created by beaming the outside view through a set of mock windows. The suites, created in collaboration with Mercedes Benz, were built by Rockwell Collins Inc., and Clark said they cost many millions to create.

There is a view that many carriers are pursuing a response to the demise of first class by coming up with some better business class product, Clark said. I have to tell you that demand for first class on Emirates remains very strong. The new aircraft will initially be deployed on the Brussels and Geneva routes, with cities like Chicago or Perth likely to follow.

Our game changing, fully enclosed private suites in First Class are inspired by @MercedesBenz. https://t.co/mhNPdrCUzR pic.twitter.com/FPoKBdxOLg  Emirates airline (@emirates) November 12, 2017

First-class travel has become a rarefied luxury in todays aviation world focused more on fitting as many passengers as possible into a aircraft, and many airlines have seen their customers use them mainly via upgrades on miles they have collected. Clark pushed back on the notion that ultra-luxury is a dying vestige of a more elegant travel age, saying his aircraft are full in the most expensive seats, be it on routes from Paris or London or China.

Read also: Singapore Air's new cabins take luxury to another level

First-class travel has all but disappeared on trans-continental routes in the U.S., and many airlines have focused instead on upgrading the more modestly priced section of the cabin, adding premium economy options to tease passengers into more expensive seats.

To burnish the collaboration with Mercedes, Emirates will use the German companys cars on all its premium chauffeur services in the future. The airline also recruited automotive journalist Jeremy Clarkson, who is seen in a new ad rattling off the luxurious excesses of the new cabin wearing a tuxedo on a runway as the wide-body aircraft roars over his head.

The re-design introduced in Dubai is focused initially on the Boeing 777 aircraft, and Emirates will eventually harmonise the concept across its entire fleet, which includes more than 140 Airbus A380s, of which 100 have been delivered. That aircraft is bigger than the 777 and now boasts 14 first-class suites, which will shrink to 11 as the carrier increases the footprint of each berth.

Singapore Airlines Ltd. pioneered the enclosed suites on the A380 a decade ago, and Etihad Airways PJSC took the concept to the next level with its Residence design, which includes a butler service and living-room quarters. Emirates new layout is designed for single travelers, Clark said, though theres enough room for two people to meet in one of the cabins. The bed, however, is not big for two, Clark said, cautioning that the doors easily slide open and that crew members can look inside to check on the passengers status.

Generally, people behave, Clark said.
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin (Pesona Indonesia) Jakarta  Mon, November 13, 2017 13:01 1829 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a28c3d1f 2 News Tourism-Ministry-Pesona-Indonesia,tourism-ministry-wonderful-Indonesia,local-designer,Banyuwangi Free

Banyuwangi regency in East Java recently hosted Banyuwangi Ethno Carnival (BEC) on Nov. 11 that was attended by Tourism Minister Arief Yahya and Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs Puan Maharani.

What makes [BEC] different is everything is run by the people of Banyuwangi; from dance studio, musicians, dancers to the committee, said Banyuwangi Regent Azwar Anas.

Themed "Majestic Ijen", BEC presented a total of 160 local-designed costumes inspired by the beauty of Ijen Volcano.

Additionally, participating in BEC is a stepping-stone for these designers. One BEC alumni named Annisa Feby Chaurina who first gained recognition for her work at the event is currently an award-winning costume designer.

Read also: The lesser-known birthplace of Sukarno

Annisa was the mastermind behind the costume Barong Sunar Udara that won best national costume at the Miss Supermodel International 2016 in New Delhi, India. She also designed The Exotica of Gandrung Banyuwangi worn by Putri Indonesia Jawa Timur at the Putri Indonesia 2016, which was among the top three list of the pageant's best traditional costume category.

Banyuwangi Ethno Carnival shines the spotlight on local culture; it shows that BEC has become an art installation thats worth praising, told Puan.

BEC has always been consistent in highlighting the local culture. The previous six BEC events were themed Gandrung, Damarwulan and Kundaran, re- Barong Using, Kebo-Keboan, The Mystic Dance of Seblang, Kemanten Using and The Legend of Sritanjung Sidopekso, respectively. This year marks the seventh anniversary of the carnival.

BEC is one of the 72 events being held in Banyuwangi this year. Apart from BEC, other big events hosted by the regency include Gandrung Sewu and Tour de Ijen.

Banyuwangi is one of the cities with the most events; it hosts up to 72 events in a year, meaning that theres always a festival being held every week. The income per capita in Banyuwangi also went up from Rp 14 million to Rp 41 million, told Arief. (kes)
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin (Pesona Indonesia) Jakarta  Mon, November 13, 2017 14:04 1829 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a28c6176 2 News Tourism-Ministry-Pesona-Indonesia,tourism-ministry-wonderful-Indonesia,Banyuwangi Free

Tourism Minister Arief Yahya recently traveled to Banyuwangi in East Java on Nov. 11 to officiate the opening of Sahid Osing Resort Kemiran Banyuwangi.

To survive the competition, homestays should opt for the sharing economy approach. Sahid Osing should also be ready for digital revolution that is bound to happen, told Arief.

Banyuwangi tourism will improve and will be bigger if Banyuwangi Airport [Blimbingsari Airport] becomes an international airport. Hopefully it can be accomplished by October next year, Arief added.

Sahid Hotels and Resorts president director Hariyadi Sukamdani said the resort is a partnership project with Banyuwangi regional administration that serves as the owner of the place.

Read also: Ten must-visit places in Banyuwangi

Sahid Osing Kemiren Banyuwangi is a modern resort that emphasizes on local culture.

The place boasts a total area of 7,600 square meters and has 10 villas and 16 rooms located in Kemiren Tourist Village.

We offer the Osing Tribe  the indigenous people of Banyuwangi  experience in this place, told Hariyadi.

Banyuwangi Regent Abdullah Azwar Anas said the compound is owned by the regional administration and was built using APBD (regional budget). The management however, is run by a third party, which is the Sahid Hotels and Resorts.

Kemiren Village is an Osing Tribe traditional village that has been developed into one of the leading tourist attractions in Banyuwangi. Apart from its unique culture, Kemiren also hosts several festivals such as Ngopi Sepuluh Ewu Festival and Tumpeng Sewu Festival. (kes)
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin (Pesona Indonesia) Jakarta  Mon, November 13, 2017 15:04 1829 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a28c83e1 2 News Tourism-Ministry-Pesona-Indonesia,tourism-ministry-wonderful-Indonesia,Sawahlunto,anniversary Free

Thousands of people celebrated the 129th anniversary of Sawahlunto city in West Sumatra by attending the 5th Archipelago Wayang Festival held on Nov. 9 to 11.

The festival featured performances of Wayang Ajen supported by the Tourism Ministry, young female puppet master Kanastren Nareswara Darmanasti from Solo and Wayang Mbah Seoro, Sawahluntos shadow puppets.

Other than wayang, the festival also presented Reog Gamelan, Campur Sari, Keroncong and Kuda Kepang performances.

Read also: Places to visit in Surakarta after attending First Daughter's wedding

Archipelago Wayang Festival 2017 event drafter Yogi Andika H said the festival aimed to promote Sawahlunto as a leading destination in West Sumatra, As well as appreciating the fact that UNESCO has designated Indonesian wayang as a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, told Yogi.

Moreover, Sawahlunto Mayor Ali Yusuf said that through this event, the city administration wanted to make the local culture the main appeal of Sawahlunto tourism and to educate the young generation through wayang. (kes)
Steve Cuozzo says the oversaturated hotel market is ruining New York City. The new Hotel 50 Bowery, at that address, has a fine place to eat and a rooftop lounge with eye-popping views. But its 21-story glass facade looms like a wayward dragon over low-rise Chinatown. Its near-300 rooms will flood the compact, colorful district with big spenders certain to overwhelm its exotic but fragile chemistry. [New York Post]

David Eng, vice president at the Tenement Museum, tells his familys story. It was not until recently, as the political climate became heated and talk of limiting refugees and banning some altogether became a reality, that I was reminded I arrived in this country nearly 60 years ago as a refugee. [Vice]

Opinion: City Council member Rory Lancman says the City of New York should be funding local journalism. [Daily News]

This week in Brooklyn, John Cale will perform songs from the Velvet Undergrounds debut album. It was recorded in a rehearsal space on Ludlow Street in 1967. [The Guardian]

Ligaya Mishan traces the rise and triumph of Asian American cuisine. [New York Times]

Photos: The skateboarders of Tompkins Square Park. [New York Times]

Participant, the indispensable non-profit art space, has added seven new board members. [Art News]
My close friends and family were accepting, however, my school totally freaked out. I withdrew for a semester, took the summer to re-think my channel and what I wanted to do. People thought it was sexual and weird and I was ostracized at school because of it for some time.

You might at this point be wondering what Lily has done to warrant this response.

Lily Whispers ASMR Lilys channel,has over 170,000 subscribers with over 37 million views. She makes ASMR videos.

ASMR stands for Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response, and YouTube is awash by a growing community of artists and watchers.

These videos feature a variety of sounds that are intended to be relaxing and to cause tingles in the brain. Lily describes it as a wave of relaxation, tingles we call it, although I like to describe it as a warm shiver.

As for dropping out?

No one really knew that I dropped out. My parents were concerned so I went on mild antidepressants during this time and stayed on them until March 2016.

Lily had to take online summer courses to catch up.

I was very sad during this period of time. I felt like the whole school was now watching my videos so during the summer of 2014, you will notice that I did not really upload any roleplays or anything. I didn't want people thinking I was weirder than I already felt and I think that roleplays tend to stray on the stranger side of ASMR, even though they're my favourite types of videos to watch.



Lilys first video was uploaded on 14th July 2013 and is a make-up counter roleplay, featuring a wide variety of sounds. Rubbing, opening containers, all the sounds associated with cosmetics.

This video drew inspiration from an earlier video watched by Lily: I got suggested a video from AppreciateASMR's Lana Del Ray makeup video, she begins, once I put on headphones I was intrigued and fell asleep! I found it both entertaining and relaxing.

I had dabbled in YouTube before and thought hey - I could give back to the community too!

She says she began making videos because she wanted to find a corner of the internet that I could always escape to and call home.



With lots of different videos out there, it can be hard to think of original material. Lily tells me she just watches videos to stimulate her imagination and provide fresh ideas for her loyal following.

Lily has a wide variety of videos  you can find her telling crime stories, smoking hookah, making unintelligible mouth sounds, and performing in roleplays acting out as Kylie Jenner and Princess Kida.

Ricky Odriosola ASMR ASMR can seem rather strange at first glance, for example, a 2015 video fromfeatured the artist running a knife against his beard in front of his microphone. First-time viewers are often taken aback by the level of intimacy.

Indeed, some comments from viewers have also been unhelpful with people calling her, a slut, a whore and talking about my appearance. This means she has had to block people like it's my third job.

A lot of ASMR artists receive requests from viewers for video ideas, another way in which the videos can be interactive and intimate.

Lilys uploads feature six requested videos a mens shave roleplay, a shoe show n tell, one of her make-up collection, gum chewing, a girlfriend roleplay and some lip smacking.

quick trawl on Some requests can be strange. Areddit will show a rather specific one  Do a nurse RP where you flirt and congratulate an amateur MMA fighter that just won a debut fight from socal.

Lily has had some weird requests herself: A lot of feet stuff for sure, some guy asked me to do a video like I'm talking to a miniature person too.

ASMR is a growing industry with a lot of potential for the future, some artists get donations in order to buy recording equipment and this is due to the importance of it in the lives of some viewers.

This is shown in the comments below those videos.

older sister roleplays One commenter on one of Lilys, a fellow ASMR artist, Midnight Tingles ASMR wrote: 

Ur the best older sister I never had <3, whilst over users wrote 

They (Lilys older sister roleplays) inspire me to be a better older sister to my lil sis and Ive only watched about 48 seconds but I'm already in love.

She has encountered some of these followers in her daily life: It's really humbling, she begins I am so blessed to have people approach me and tell me how my videos impact them. People are always like, "OMG do you make ASMR videos?" I immediately blush when they say that though since I'm not too good on-the-spot.

She admits that shes also a lot less calm and relaxed in person because she has a lot of anxiety and I talk very fast.

But, she enjoys making ASMR as many viewers got positive results from watching it: I work from

8:30-5pm every day of the week and so I'll usually get home, eat something and then film. So usually start filming between 7-10pm then editing and exporting/uploading takes me usually until 12-2am.

I find comfort in helping people. It gives me a sense of purpose outside of my 9-5 that fuels a capitalist culture.
Pitch Perfect star Rebel Wilson claims she has been a victim of sexual harassment in Hollywood.

The Australian-born actress, 37, accused an unnamed male star who she said was in a position of power of asking her to go in a room with him and to penetrate him with her finger while his friends filmed the incident on their phones.

I've been away in a 'bubble' of sorts creating new comedy overseas but it's so hard to hear all these stories relating to sexual harassment and assault in Hollywood. As you guys know, I'm a pretty strong and confident person but even I have a story to tell.  Rebel Wilson (@RebelWilson) November 11, 2017

She also claimed she had a separate hotel room encounter with a top director, but said nothing physical happened after his wife called and shouted at him for sleeping with actresses.

Luckily she was yelling so loud that I could hear her and I bolted out of there immediately, she wrote in a series of posts on Twitter. I was so naive the thought of anything happening apart from work talk didnt even cross my mind, she added.

I called my agent immediately and my lawyer made a complaint with the studio  basically to protect myself that in the event something similar ever occurred I'd be able to walk out of the job and not obliged to return.  Rebel Wilson (@RebelWilson) November 11, 2017

Wilson said she had been working overseas recently but had found it so hard to hear all these stories relating to sexual harassment and assault in Hollywood.

She added: As you guys know, Im a pretty strong and confident person but even I have a story to tell. A male star, in a position of power asked me to go into a room with him and then asked me repeatedly to stick my finger up his ass.

Later I was threatened by one of the star's representatives to be nice and support the male star. I refused. The whole thing was disgusting.I've told hundreds of people in the industry the story in more graphic detail basically to warn them off this individual.  Rebel Wilson (@RebelWilson) November 11, 2017

All whilst his male friends tried to film the incident on their iPhones and laughed. I repeatedly said no and eventually got out of the room.

She said her agent secured a deal with the studio to protect herself if something similar ever occurred and had been threatened by the stars representative to be nice and support the male star.

I feel lucky that I grew up in a pro-female environment, going to an all-girls high school, and that I have such a strong sense of self and have taken self-defense classes. I had the ability to escape both incidents. I realize not everyone is as lucky.  Rebel Wilson (@RebelWilson) November 11, 2017

I feel lucky that I grew up in a pro-female environment, going to an all-girls high school, and that I have such a strong sense of self and have taken self-defence classes. I had the ability to escape both incidents. I realise not everyone is as lucky, Wilson added.

To hear how prevalent sexual harassment and assault is, is just so saddening. I know my stories arent as horrific as other women and men have described  but if youve ever experienced anything like this I feel for you and can relate on some level.

Dozens of actresses and actors have spoken out over sexual misconduct, harassment and assault across the film and TV industry in the past month.

It comes after a New York Times report in October alleged film producer Harvey Weinstein had sexually harassed or assaulted several women. He has since been accused by dozens of women, and is being investigated by police in the US and London.

House Of Cards star Kevin Spacey also faces police investigations in the UK amid harassment and assault accusations
Oxford and Cambridge universities have been revealed to have invested millions in offshore funds, following the leak of the Paradise Papers.

The Guardian reported that the elite universities have both invested significant funds to a private equity firms based in the Cayman Islands.

According to the leaked documents, in 2006 Oxford invested 2.6 million in Coller International, a Guernsey-based private equity firm. Cambridge joined the same scheme, investing and estimated of 1.3 million.

The arrangement allowed the universities to avoid a US tax on hedge-funds and receive dividends tax-free, by routing money through what is known as a blocker corporation usually executed through a partnership with a US-based fund.

It has also been revealed that 29 Oxford colleges have invested in oil-and-gas linked fund, managed by Coller as well as other offshore partnerships.

Trinity, the richest college in Cambridge, has invested nearly 10 million in different A and B funds.

Other Cambridge colleges involved include Clare, Downing, Gonville and Caius, Jesus, Murray Edwards Newnham, Pembroke, St Catharine's, St John's and Trinity Hall.

The list is extended by the Oxford colleges All Souls, Nuffield, Somerville, St Antony's, St Catherine's, Queen's, Trinity, University, Wolfson and Worcester.

Previously, there have been student and staff protests in both institutions over investments in the fossil fuel industry.

Prem Sikka, an accounting professor at the University of Essex, emphasised the importance of open-door policy when it comes to university investments. He told The Guardian: "All the Caymans offer is secrecy and tax avoidance. There is nothing else there.

"It's not as if this is a place actively engaged in advancing science, research or human knowledge. We need to know what they are doing with the cash."

A spokesman for Cambridge University said: "The Colleges and the University are charities and therefore their holdings in investments are tax-exempt in the UK, US and many other countries. This means there is normally no tax to pay.

"The fund arrangement, through which the University and Colleges invest, is standard for collective investments of this type.

"The fund is managed by a highly reputable investment advisor and, as is normal, the adviser makes the decisions about specific investments to be made by the fund.

A spokesman for Oxford University said: "'As charitable trusts, Oxford Universitys endowment is exempt from UK tax. The taxpayer therefore does not lose a penny from our investments.

"The investments generate some 80 million a year which is spent on key academic priorities in Oxford. These include the majority of our scholarships and bursaries for students, vital research across medicine, the sciences, social sciences and humanities and our globally outstanding teaching.

"That is 80m for UK education and research which the taxpayer does not have to fund."

The Paradise Papers is a special investigation by the Guardian and 95 media partners worldwide into a leak of 13.4m files from two offshore service providers and 19 tax havens' company registries. The files reveal the offshore financial affairs of some of the worlds biggest multinational companies and richest individuals.
Unfortunately, The Content Is Not Here

You have arrived at this page because the page or post you were looking for no longer exists. Please check our main navigation pages for other content: 

Home Page
Tentang Situs Slot Online Resmi MGS88 Nama Situs  MGS88 Minimal Deposit  Rp. 10.000,- (Sepuluh Ribu Rupiah) Proses Deposit   2 Menit Metode Deposit  Bank Transfer,  Pulsa,  E-Wallet Judi Online Terbaik  Slot Online,  Judi Bola,  Casino Online,  Togel Online,  Tembak Ikan Provider Slot Gacor Mudah Maxwin  Pragmatic Play,  PGSoft,  MicroGaming,  Habanero Slot Gacor Gampang Menang  Gates of Olympus,  Sweet Bonanza,  Wild West Gold,  Starlight Princess Win Rate 98%

RTP Live Slot Gacor Tertinggi Hari Ini Terbaru Terlengkap

Selamat datang di halaman RTP live dan informasi soal slot gacor hari ini dari situs MGS88 yang setiap hari selalu update. Berdasarkan RTP Live MGS88, Anda bisa mendapatkan informasi tentang slot online yang saat ini yang sedang Gacor atau onfire dengan persentase yang terbukti akurat, ini bisa menjadi rekomendasi anda sebelum memilih permainan slot online di situs MGS88. Cek RTP Slot sekarang juga bosku

Klik Provider Slot Untuk Mengetahui RTP Slot Secara Real Time

Selamat datang bagi kalian yang sedang mencari situs RTP Live terlengkap dan terkini hari ini. Sangat sesuai jika Anda mengunjungi website MGS88 RTP live untuk informasi tentang permainan slot yang lagi gacor dengan slot RTP yang terupdate. Persentase kemenangan yang kami berikan tentunya diambil dengan data yang sangat valid dan hanya untuk permainan slot yang tersedia di situs MGS88. RTP yang tersedia juga akan selalu diperbarui setiap hari berdasarkan level kemenangan yang diberikan kepada member kami.

Memang sih untuk bermain slot itu tergantung hoki dari setiap pemain, Namun RTP live atau bocoran slot dari yang kami sediakan ini adalah data autentik dari banyaknya pemain yang telah bermain dan mencapai kemenangan tinggi. Sederhananya, kalau banyak pemain yang menang di dalam 1 permainan slot, karena itu permainan slot tersebut akan mempunyai persentase RTP yang sangat tinggi.

Namun kami tegaskan sekali lagi, ini bukan sebuah paksaan kami situs MGS88 untuk anda bermain di game slot yang mana. Ini bisa dijadikan sebagai referensi atau tolok ukur, boleh dicoba kalau anda mempunyai feel yang kuat dalam memainkan permainan game slot. Anda dapat mengakses kapan saja dan di mana saja selama anda siap bermain. Jangan ragu untuk bertanya ya seputar pola putaran terhadap kami, sebab kami juga menyediakannya loh.

Apa itu RTP Live?

RTP Live ialah informasi mengenai persentase tertinggi saat ini dari hasil RTP Live dengan bocoran kemenangan pemain saat ini. RTP Live merupakan singkatan dari Return To Play atau bisa juga diartikan sebagai Return to Player. Karena itu, para pemain slot sekarang jika ingin mengetahui seberapa besar kemenangannya, bisa dengan memainkan permainan yang akan dimainkannya dan bisa untung dengan mudah dan tentunya maksimal.

Apa itu RTP Slot?

RTP Slot juga dikenal sebagai return to player atau pengembalian ke Pemain. RTP slot ialah persentase dari nilai pengembalian semua uang yang dipertaruhkan pemain dari waktu ke waktu. Dengan kata lain, RTP juga dianggap sebagai salah satu fitur slot yang mengembalikan uang pemain saat pemain kalah.

Persentase digunakan untuk menghitung RTP dalam permainan slot. Misalnya, jika slot memiliki RTP 97%, itu berarti untuk setiap 100.000 koin yang hilang di slot, slot dapat mengembalikan 97.000. Jika Anda mengetahui RTP sebuah permainan slot, Anda dapat memutuskan permainan slot mana yang akan dimainkan tanpa kerugian besar.

Apakah Angka Persentase RTP Slot Itu Penting?

Biasanya pemain slot itu tidak memperhatikan RTP dalam permainan yang akan dimainkan, biasanya setelah anda mengisi saldo utama anda akan langsung buru-buru memainkannya. Yang terakhir 90-96% mempengaruhi jumlah kemenangan. Semakin tinggi jumlah RTP yang digunakan, semakin luas peluang untuk mendapatkan keuntungan.

Akan namun itu segala tak secara 100% menjamin kemenangan kau dalam bermain, RTP itu cuma sebagai kalkulasi pengeluaran anda saja selama bermain slot.Dengan adanya RTP, kau dapat mengerjakan pengaturan atas uang yang akan kau pertaruhkan nanti pada ketika bermain.Untuk itu pada ketika kau bermain slot dan telah mengalami banyak kekalahan di satu permainan, direkomendasikan kau pindah ke permainan slot lainnya yang RTP nya lebih tinggi dari permainan yang tadi kau mainkan.

Keuntungan Menggunakan Bocoran RTP Slot Hari Ini

Situs MGS88 Akan dengan senang hati akan beberapa keuntungan yang didapatkan jika anda bermain slot dengan menggunakan RTP Live yang telah disediakan. Berikut Keuntungannya :

Peluang Kemenangan Meningkat Tentu saja, saat bermain slot online, menang adalah hal yang paling penting. Di sinilah RTP berperan sebagai metode atau metode baru yang akan membantu Anda memilih permainan slot persentase tinggi. Mendapat variasi dalam Memainkan Game Slot Pastinya banyak pemain slot online yang hanya memainkan 3-5 permainan slot saja. Namun dengan RTP Live slot akan memberikan banyak game slot lain yang bisa anda coba. Tentunya semua permainan slot memiliki potensi kemenangan yang besar, jadi jangan hanya mengandalkan beberapa permainan saja. Menambah Pengalaman Dalam Bermain Slot Keuntungan terakhir adalah Anda tentu saja menambah pengalaman dan keahlian dalam permainan slot online. Dengan berbagai macam permainan slot yang dimainkan, Anda pasti mengetahui karakteristik dari setiap permainan slot yang Anda mainkan. Akibatnya, Anda pasti bisa dianggap sebagai pemain slot yang andal, yang pasti akan meningkatkan peluang Anda untuk menang besar menggunakan RTP.

Daftar 8 Situs Dengan RTP Slot Live Tertinggi Hari Ini

Ada banyak penyedia mesin slot online di internet. Tetapi tidak semuanya memiliki peluang tinggi atau RTP Live Slot yang sangat tinggi. Tapi jangan khawatir, berikut ini adalah situs slot gacor yang akan memberikan bocoran slot dengan RTP Live Tertinggi:

RTP Live Slot Pragmatic Play (RTP Slot 97.85%) RTP Live Slot PG Soft (RTP Live 96.15%) RTP Live Slot Habanero (RTP Slot 95.89%) RTP Live Slot CQ9 (RTP Live 98.83%) RTP Live Slot Spade Gaming (RTP Live 94.99%) RTP Live Slot Micro Gaming (RTP Slot 95.39%) RTP Slot Live Top Trend Gaming (RTP Live 96.14%) RTP Slot Live JOKER123 (RTP Live 97.45%)

Itulah Daftar 8 Provider Slot Gacor dengan RTP Live teratas diatas tentunya kami analisa terlebih dahulu. Anda bisa membuktikannya langsung dengan mengklik banner atau meprovider game slot yang sudah tersedia di atas. Saran kami yaitu Anda harus memainkan semua penyedia slot di atas untuk mencapai peluang kemenangan terbaik.

Daftar Slot RTP Live Tertinggi Sering Kasih Jackpot

Selain mempertimbangkan RTP Slot Gacor yang ada, sebenarnya ada banyak faktor penting untuk menang dalam permainan judi online. Sebab ada banyak game yang memiliki fitur dan mekanisme unik dan bisa membantu anda meraih Jackpot yang sangat besar.

Berikut ini akan kami ulas daftar 5 game slot paling populer karena sering memberikan jackpot:

RTP Live Gates of Olympus Gates of Olympus adalah game slot teraneh dan terbaik di Indonesia. Karena permainan mesin slot ini paling populer karena kakek Zeus dapat mengizinkan pengganda x500. Selain itu, fitur dan mekanik Gates of Olympus juga sangat menguntungkan untuk memenangkan Grand Jackpot. Secara teoritis, RTP slot langsung Gates of Olympus bernilai 96,50%, yang berarti peluang Anda untuk memenangkan MaxWin cukup tinggi. RTP live Sweet Bonanza Sweet Bonanza adalah permainan slot terpopuler kedua. Game slot bertema buah dan permen yang lezat ini sepertinya akan menarik banyak perhatian karena tergolong slot gacor yang mudah menang. Secara teoritis, slot Sweet Bonanza RTP bernilai 96,48%, yang berarti peluang Anda cukup tinggi untuk memenangkan jackpot. RTP Live Wild West Gold Wild West Gold adalah permainan slot bertema koboi yang juga populer di kalangan penggemar konspirasi. Permainan slot Wild West Gold sendiri kerap menawarkan kejutan jackpot bagi para pemainnya. Selain itu, nilai RTP Live Slot menunjukkan indeks tertinggi hari ini, yang berarti sangat layak dan sangat direkomendasikan. RTP Live Starlight Princess Slot Starlight Princess ini memiliki gaya dan fitur yang mirip dengan Gates of Olympus. Perbedaannya hanya pada desain dan karakter gamenya saja, karena memiliki fitur dan mekanik yang sama tentunya RTP slot teoritis pada game slot ini sama yaitu 96,50%. RTP Live Cash Elevator Mungkin sebagian dari Anda baru mengenal slot Cash Elevator. Namun dari data benchmark yang diungkap, ternyata banyak sekali yang menikmati permainan slot ini. Dengan fitur dan mekanisme unik seperti Lift up and down asli, slot ini juga memiliki slot RTP Live dasar 96,64% yang juga memiliki mekanisme yang sangat menguntungkan untuk memperlancar tingkat kemenangan besar.

Bocoran Jam Main Slot Gacor Hari Ini

Dalam bermain permainan slot online itu tidak bisa dilakukan dengan sembarangan yah. Jadi, Jika anda bermain pada waktu tertentu seperti yang akan kita bahas sesaat lagi, ada kemungkinan anda untuk mendapatkan kemenangan lebih tinggi. Jam RTP Slot Gacor merupakan bocoran jam main slot yang akan memberikan anda kapan waktu yang pas dalam bermain game slot.

Tentu saja seluruh provider slot online memiliki jam tertentu dalam memberikan peluang kepada para pemainnya untuk mendapatkan kemenangan. Disini kami akan memberikan anda Bocoran Jam Slot Gacor yang Paling Akurat Hari ini:

Jam Slot Gacor Pragmatic Play 02:30 WIB - Jam 05:25 WIB Jam Slot Gacor Habanero 14:26 WIB - Jam 17:38 WIB Jam Slot Gacor CQ9 00:45 WIB - Jam 05:53 WIB Jam Slot Gacor PG SOFT 14:25 WIB - Jam 17:35 WIB Jam Slot Gacor Joker123 17:41 WIB - Jam 20:42 WIB Jam Slot Gacor Microgaming 22:30 WIB - Jam 00:35 WIB

MGS88: Situs Judi Slot Online Gacor Pay4D Resmi dan Terpercaya

MGS88 adalah situs game slot online Gacor terbaru yang bermitra dengan Pay4D, Pay4D sendiri merupakan daftar situs game slot online terpercaya dengan berbagai macam permainan judi yang mudah dimenangkan seperti Game Bola, Casino Online, Slot Pay4D, Tembak Ikan dan Pay4D Online Permainan togel seperti Singapura, Hongkong, Sydney dan lain-lain. Tujuan utama kami adalah menjadi situs judi online Pay4D yang menyediakan layanan judi online terbaik di Indonesia.

Kami juga salah satu situs resmi PAY4D di Indonesia yang pasti akan membayarkan semua kemenangan kepada semua member kami, karena kepercayaan dari semua member kami adalah prioritas utama kami sebagai mesin slot 4d Asia terbaik di Asia, khususnya di Indonesia.

Dalam melakukan sistem transaksi sistem simpanan dapat dilakukan dengan mudah melalui mobile banking dan electronic banking berupa bank BCA, BSI, BRI, BNI, Cimb Niaga, Permata dan Mandiri. Selain itu, transaksi e-wallet juga tersedia melalui Dana, Gopay, LinkAja dan Ovo serta dapat digunakan untuk pulsa tanpa dipotong.

Untuk mempermudah dan kenyamanan dalam melakukan registrasi atau melakukan setiap transaksi, MGS88 menyediakan layanan live chat dan Whatsapp terhubung langsung dengan customer service online 24 jam.

Mengenal Istilah Dalam RTP SLOT

Di slot RTP Live Anda akan melihat berbagai fitur yang mungkin tidak Anda pahami masing-masing. Namun jangan khawatir, disini sebagai situs slot gacor MGS88 kami akan memberikan penjelasan lengkap mengenai tentang istilah yang ada di RTP SLOT dibawah ini.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Monday said the ruling BJP will bite the dust in the upcoming urban body polls in Uttar Pradesh and termed its election manifesto a bunch of lies aimed at hoodwinking people.

Addressing a press conference in the state capital, AAP national spokesman Ashutosh said that a jittery BJP had come out with its Sankalp Patra, which had tried to copy the promises the AAP had already made to the people in its manifesto.

The party leader termed Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath as the most inefficient Chief Minister in the history of Uttar Pradesh.

Ashutosh said the fact that Adityanath is leading the campaign for the urban body polls while the big leaders of other parties have chosen not to, proves that the BJP is fighting a lost battle.

Under the watch of Yogi Adityanath more than five dozen children died in Gorakhpur due to paucity of oxygen, BJP workers are attacking policemen; girl students were cane charged in the Benaras Hindu UniversityIs this what the BJP is trying to replicate in urban bodies as well? Ashutosh questioned.

He alleged that both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the Centre and state had failed to keep the promises made to the people during elections. There is no investment coming, industry has been hit by recession and trade has collapsed post-GST, said the journalist-turned-politician, and said the BJP had also failed to provide security and safety to women.

The AAP leader also attacked the BJP on corruption and said that while it claimed to be a party with a difference, its actions had proved that it is a party in a hurry to embrace the corrupt. The BJP leadership has been shouting at the top of its voice on how it had waged a war against the people who are corrupt. Can it justify why it chose to assimilate leaders like Narayan Rane in Maharashtra, Mukul Roy in West Bengal and a convicted politician like Sukhram in Himachal Pradesh? the AAP leader asked.

State spokesman of the party, Vaibhav Maheshwari, said they had already proved through tangible evidence that the present Deputy Chief Minister and former Lucknow Mayor Dinesh Sharma had presided over serious financial bungling and scams running into crores of rupees.

We have all seen how the BJP has done in its previous tenures Now they are promising to deliver on their promises. We ask what have they done so far, now that they even have a central government, state government and the municipal corporation of their own? Maheshwari said.

The party also accused the state government, the central government and the Municipal Corporations ruled by the BJP of doing precious little on the sanitation front.

Chief Minister Adityanath on Sunday released the party manifesto at the BJP headquarters in Lucknow. The Sankalp Patra promises free WiFi at prominent public places and pink toilets for women. Adityanath said that 652 urban local bodies across the state are going to polls, which is the highest number so far. The number also includes 16 municipal corporations.

Uttar Pradesh will witness three-phase civic polls on November 22, 26 and 29. Counting will be held on December 1.
The finer details of the Congress  Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PASS) tie-up are now slowly coming out in the open and if sources are to be believed, Congress has given assurance to field weak candidates on seats where the Patidar contenders are more acceptable and the community has a sizeable population.

Hardik Patel on his part will not join Congress but will support the party throughout the state. In exchange, he expects the Congress to only put up token candidates from constituencies where PAAS core committee members will be fighting for seats against BJP.

The seats supposedly picked up by PAAS leader Hardik Patel for core committee members, include Surat for Alasesh Kathiria, Botad for Dilip Sabwah, Dhoraji for Lalit Vasoya, Mehsana for Lalji Patel, Morbi for Manoj Panara and Ahmedabads Vatva seat for Gita Patel. Meanwhile, Atul Patel will be nominated for the Sabarmati seat in Ahmedabad.

According to sources, the Congress has pledged to give Patidars quota of reservation under Article 31 and 38 (2) of the Constitution of India, without disbursing the existing 49% existing limit. In exchange for it, PAAS is likely to lend support to Congress in Gujarat without joining the party before next elections.

Gujarat Congress president Bharatsinh Solanki, after the meeting between Patidar leaders and Kapil Sibal, had said that Sibal had proposed various options under which Patidar and other communities could get the benefit of reservation.

He elaborated, Article 31 and 38 (2) of the Constitution cannot be challenged in any court as this particular section protects states decision relating the elimination of inequalities of specific groups or individuals at the social level and to ensure that they are providing equal opportunities and facilities.

The Patidar leadership has discussed the options provided by the Congress and after detailed discussions with the lawyers, retired judges and government officials on the issue of reservation, has arrived to this decision. This formula seems to be a win-win situation for both the PAAS and the Congress, in particular, as the party will be able to give proper representation to not only Patidar but also Vaishnav, Brahmin and Rajputs, who are otherwise a strong vote bank for the BJP.

The formula seems to be the culmination of talks between PAAS and Congress, where the PAAS core committee had kept five demands before the Congress, including taking back of cases against Patidar agitators and sedition case against Hardik Patel; the cases to be filed against policemen who took lives of 14 Patidar community people; the payment of Rs 35 lakh to the deceaseds family; giving government job to any one member of the deceased family; and the demand for reservation to the Patidars.

Congress had accepted all the demands except that of the reservation, for which it had asked for time and met the PAAS leadership later to offer three options to choose from. Now it seems things are finally settling down between the two as the parties are expected to formally announce the decision later in the evening on Monday.
Alpesh Thakor, the OBC Ekta Manch leader, who is considered as a big leader of OBCs, had announced in early October that he would join the Congress Party on October 23. And finally, after joining the Congress, he has sought a ticket from the party to contest for the Viramgam Vidhan Sabha assembly seat.

Viramgam is of much significance to Alpesh, as he hails from the same place and it has a strong dominance of Thakor, Dalits, and OBC. Besides, he will also be able to grab the Patidar votes, as Hardik Patel, the PAAS leader, too, belongs to Viramgam and is against the BJP.

It is also being speculated that in addition to Viramgam, he has also demanded 15 more seats for his followers and that the Congress is considering his request. These seats include Deesa, Radhanpur, Kankarej, Diyodar, Chansama, Siddhpur, Kheralu, Dhandhuka, Bayad, Gandhinagar South, Daskroi, Kapadvanj, Dasada, and Vav.

In the month of July, three senior Congress legislators  Balwantsinh Rajput, MLA from Siddhpur and chief whip of the party; Tejashree Patel from Viramgam; and Vijapur legislator PI Patel  had submitted their resignations from the party to speaker Ramanlal Vora. They had cited the reasons that the Congress was not keen on considering the demand of the Patidars for reservation in government jobs and educational institutions. They later joined the BJP stating that Modi is Vikas Purush and they wanted to be a part of Modis journey of development.

It is ironical that the Patidar community is not supporting the BJP for the same reason for which these senior leaders decided to quit the Congress.

It is also interesting to note that two out of these three seats might be given to the OBCs for contesting the upcoming assembly elections, as Alpesh has demanded the Viramgam seat for himself and 15 seats additional for his followers  Siddhpur and Viramgam seats are included in his demands.

However, senior and old Congress leaders have shown discontent as these leaders might have to sacrifice their seats. They have proposed to give only 8-9 seats to Alpesh.

As per sources, there is a feeling of dissatisfaction among many senior leaders of Gujarat Pradesh Congress, as Alpesh Thakor is directly interacting with Rahul Gandhi, bypassing the senior Congress leadership in Gujarat. The Congress OBC leaders and veterans, including Bharatsingh Solanki, Jagdish Thakor and Baldevji Thakor are not too happy with Alpeshs approach and have stated that this could have a bad impact on the partys election plans.

Meanwhile, the Congress is yet to decide on the number of seats they intend to allocate to the founder of the OSS (OBC, SC, and ST) Ekta March  Alpesh Thakor. He is a strong voice of the downtrodden community and forms about 40% vote chunk in Gujarat and that is what makes him an important contestant for the Congress in Gujarat assembly elections.
Ali Fazal, Pulkit Samrat starrer Fukrey Returns trailer is out, and it is super hilarious. Taking on from where the previous film left, this one will feature Bholi Punjaban aka Richa Chadha coming out of the jail and taking the story forward.

Zafar (Ali Fazal), Choocha (Varun Sharma), Hunny (Pulkit Samrat), Lali (Manjot Singh) take the spectators on a fun ride with their antics. Choocha has started seeing the future this time and Bholi is after them for her money. She seems revengeful and aggressive. The four friends keep landing in some or the other trouble, and Varun Sharma is still in love with Bholi.

From fighting each other, to running from Bholi and getting bitten by a snake; this one seems to be a fun watch. The trailer will leave you in splits.

Beginning the Fukramania, Varun Sharma posted the trailer on Twitter and wrote, Chaliye,shuru karte hai yeh kahaani with a bang!! Let the Fukramania begin. #FukreyReturnsTrailer out now!!

Chaliye,shuru karte hai yeh kahaani with a bang!! Let the Fukramania begin. #FukreyReturnsTrailer out now!! https://t.co/cmCQz9RLVe  VarunChoochaSharma (@varunsharma90) November 13, 2017

The Fukra gang is back with a bang and is all set to take everyone on a roller coaster ride. The trailer of the much-awaited film is entertaining and has raised the fans expectation.

After spreading their Fukrapan in 2013, the adventures of Laali, Choocha, Zafar and Hunny will surely take you on a hilarious ride with their latest offering.

This time they are going wilder, crazier, and more bizarre than ever.

The first film proved to be an underdog and became a sleeper hit, as it garnered a lot of attention for its comic timing and unique content.

The characters of the film have once again hit the right chord with the audience.

Directed by Mrighdeep Singh Lamba, the film will release on December 8.

READ ALSO: Fukrey Returns: Fukra gangs first trailer to release on November 13
Literate, aware and spirited voters of the tiny hill state of Himachal Pradesh always keep politicians on toes as their expectations are very high. The just concluded Assembly poll was no exception. In fact, this time the people broke all records and turned out in highest ever numbers ~ 74.6 per cent ~ to cast their vote, even in remote areas, on 9 November. Since 1982, the state has been recording over 70 per cent voter turnout, except for once in 1990, when it was around 68 per cent. The states literacy rate is around 83 per cent.

Himachal, which was traditionally Congress ruled till 1977, when it saw the Janata Party form the first non-Congress government, has settled for a twoparty system over the last three decades in the absence of any viable third alternative. The Congress and BJP have been alternating power in Himachal since 1985.

The BJP, however, could form government purely on its own only in 2007. In 1990, it came to power with a prepoll alliance with Janata Dal and in 1998, it struck a post-poll alliance with former Union minister, Sukh Rams Himachal Vikas Congress (HVC). In 1998, with Congress and BJP getting 31 seats each, the Congress had managed to form government with one independent just for 13 days.

In the 2012 polls, the ruling BJP was confident of repeating its performance based on development, but could not. It was limited to 26 seats, with Congress getting 36, Himachal Lokhit Party (HLP) one and independents five. The heavy polling coupled with the trend of change every five years has given much confidence to the BJP this time around. It is hoping to wrest power on the anti-incumbency plank.

The ruling Congress is hopeful of a repeat based on development and positive approach towards every section, mainly regular and contract employees and youth seeking jobs in government. Over 2.5 lakh employees in the public sector form a formidable chunk of the electorate with their families and they go with the party which facilitates them the most in every election.

The Congress is eyeing anti-incumbency against the Centre on issues of GST, price rise, too. Apart from issues that matter for the common man, the people in this small state are in close contact with their MLAs for day to day work. Even ministers and chief ministers here have been easily accessible, which raises expectations of people from them, and ultimately every government suffers, said BK Sharma, a political science expert from Kangra. He pointed out that with 60 sitting MLAs in the fray again (most of them having two, three or four terms in a row), they may face anti-incumbency at the constituency level, above party level. The poll results will, however, come after a long gap on 18 December.

The Congress was clear from the very beginning that six-time Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, 83, who has mass appeal, was the best bet for them even in 2017. But the BJP tried to experiment this time, on the lines of its electoral strategy in other states, which it could not sustain. The party first campaigned on the strength of Modis impact in Himachal, not projecting any CM candidate.

Ultimately, when it sensed that the Modi face had brought the central irritants like demonetisation, price rise and GST to focus in a state where local issues dominate polls, it suddenly declared two-time CM and popular leader, Prem Kumar Dhumal as its CMs face. It was based on feedback that people in Himachal are emotionally attached to their leader, explained state BJP vice president Ganesh Dutt. Dutt said issues like GST or demonetisation do not have much impact here as the people vote on local issues, including corruption and non-performance of the Congress government.

The Congress, however, dubs it as BJPs illusion. People of HP are happy with the Congress government in Himachal and unhappy with the BJP-led government at the Centre as it has made the life of common man tough. Thats why BJP chose to push Modi face back in Himachal, said state Congress general secretary Naresh Chauhan. All said and done, the BJP campaign in Himachal was aggressive with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP president Amit Shah and over a dozen central ministers making a beeline to the state to support their CM face, Dhumal.

Their main target was Virbhadra Singh and corruption. The Congress had Virbhadra as the lone warrior electioneering in the entire state. Undeterred, Singh moved on with his development agenda and made an emotional appeal to people to cash in on his personal connect with the grassroots. You all know how BJP-led Central government has victimised me in three years of their rule. Despite that I worked hard for states development. I appeal to you to support me in the last election of my political career, Singh urged people with folded hands at all meetings.
The two major Buddhist monasteries, Hemis and Likir in Ladakh, have refused to remove the out of bounds tag for the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) that has offered to undertake conservation of these tourist attractions. The ASI has for several years been trying to convince monks inhabiting these m monasteries to allow their scientific conservation as they are gradually decaying.

However, the monks have been resisting entry of the ASI in these living monuments that are maintained with offerings of tourists and funds provided by NGOs. Keeping in view the large number of ancient monasteries dotting Ladakh, the ASI has detached the area from the Srinagar circle and created a separate circle for the frontier region.

Tsering Phonchok, in-charge of the circle, confirmed that the ASI was not being allowed to undertake conservation work in the two monasteries. Efforts are being made to persuade the monks to allow expert staff of the ASI to undertake the work instead of engaging inexperienced local masons.

Around 40,000 foreign tourists visit Leh every year and the monasteries are on the top of their itinerary. The pre-eleventh century Hemis monastery is visited by almost every foreign and domestic tourist who comes to Leh. It is situated 45 km from Leh and comes alive in June when the annual Hemis festival to honour Padamasambhava is organised. The Likir Monastery is built on a hillock near the Indus river in Likir village. It belongs to the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism and was established in 1065 by Lama Duwang Chosje.

Its verandah has thangka paintings of the Guardians of the four directions and the wheel of life Mandala held by Yama. The courtyard has a large Jupiter tree. Some top Buddhist leaders, who do not want to be identified because of social pressures, said the artistic works in these monasteries are bound to get destroyed because of the inattention of the monks and the government. Monks made a lot of hue and cry when some time ago officials of the ASI went to a monastery to assess the level of damage.

Hundreds of small and big monasteries scattered all over Ladakh region require immediate attention as these might turn into ruins if timely action is not taken. The World Monuments Fund (WMF), New York, has listed Leh in its top 100 most endangered sites in the world. The priceless rich heritage of Ladakh in the form of its monasteries needs sustained preservation and conservation efforts involving both local people and monks in the monasteries, a top tourism expert in Jammu and Kashmir said here today.

Dotted with centuries-old Buddhist monasteries, murals, mud and clay stupas, Ladakh has over 35 Buddhist monasteries which attract a huge number of both domestic and international tourists. Archaeologists and historians in a seminar organised some time ago expressed concern over the decay of the valuable monuments in Ladakh.

They pointed out that the monasteries are crumbling and need a lot of sincere effort for their preservation but we, at the same time, cannot forget the fact that these monasteries are living temples where Lamas (monks or priests) live and meditate. So, it is every important to involve them in conservation efforts in the monasteries. The Hemis monastery had suffered major damage in 1992 when restoration was done by the tourism department with the support of monks and local residents.

Monks in several monasteries do not allow authorities to undertake documentation of the heritage in the form of pictures. Reports of managements of some monasteries building new structures instead of preserving the ancient ones have been received. The monasteries have a wealth of artefacts, Lamayuru, the oldest religious centre of Ladakh, beats all others in sheer grandeur. In its uniqueness of wood carving, statues and frescoes, Alchi offers the highest rewards.

The wealth of its possession and its annual summer festival make Hemis the most popular, while Thiksay rates high in terms of architectural impact and the beauty of the festival performances at Likir and Phyang with their proximity to Leh are great attractions while the accessibility of the Shey, Spituk and the Sankar monasteries make them suitable for visitors with time at a premium.
Bob Dylans song, Blowin in the Wind asks many critical questions and the chorus says, The answer my friend is blowin in the wind.This is exactly the answer to the question, when will the Framework Peace Agreement signed between the NSCN (IM) leaders and the Government of India on 3 August 2015 (its contents are yet to be made public) be wrapped up finally and what will be its outcome? According to government interlocutor, R N Ravi the final negotiated accord is expected any time now. But the big question is will it transform Nagaland and its political and bureaucratic class into more conscientious rulers? That answer too is blowin in the wind.

Any visitor to Nagaland agonises about its decrepit roads, which have not seen any improvement for decades. For a state that has the best and most expensive churches (the one opened recently in Zunheboto, reportedly cost a whopping Rs 30 crore) the visuals are stark. People dress up in their Sunday best; walk on dusty, dilapidated roads, covering their faces with masks or handkerchiefs. Then they enter a swanky church to pray and listen to endless preaching. And life goes on. The Centre continues to pump in money for a plethora of developmental projects, which are all hanging fire. Clearly, New Delhi is not bothered with what happens at its distant periphery.

Earlier, the Northeastern states, especially those bordering China, Bangladesh and Myanmar, were seen only from the prism of security. The states had to be held together to be a part of the nation. They needed to be controlled militarily since Nagaland and Manipur are notorious for their armed conflicts. Later, Assam and other states joined the bandwagon of militancy to assert their grievances. Its a different matter that militancy has now degenerated into large-scale extortion that is bleeding its own people in each of the afflicted states.

The Centre does not have effective mechanisms and does not care to monitor funds utilisation in the Northeastern states. The Comptroller and Auditor Generals reports repeatedly indict state governments but they dont care.

The Indian taxpayers money has only enriched the tribal elite that is co-opted into the Indian mainstream to help safeguard the borders. This outflow of funds into the region is not unintentional; its one way of legitimising the power of a central government, which is seen as the patron while the states are mere clients. This deadly cocktail of feudal and predator capitalism, under the direct patronage of a liberalised soft state, which allows its clients to go as they please, has entrenched corruption in every aspect of life. In fact, corruption is so organised that it is hard to break the circuit. Corruption has ravaged the moral and spiritual backbone of the people, particularly those at the cutting edge of governance and politics.

The long and tardy peace process that started in 1997 following the signing of the ceasefire between the NSCN (IM) leaders and the Centre, has taken a huge toll on the moral and social capital of the Naga people. Breakaway factions from the original armed groups have made a business of extortion. They control the entire trade and commerce of Nagaland and the hills of Manipur where their cadres dominate. Young and enterprising Naga men and women, who wish to do clean business, are frustrated. There is a mafia operating even in the second-hand clothes market. Naturally the youth are disillusioned. Those who own buildings in the swanky areas of Dimapur have chosen to take the easy way out and rent their premises to non-Naga, nontribals and in recent times to illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, although that term is a misnomer since all those with doubtful Indian identity have their papers issued from the Karimganj district of Assam. It appears that getting documents such as PAN cards, election photo identity cards and even Aadhaar is no big deal. Even in Dimapur there is a system in place where Aadhaar cards are issued in a jiffy.

The question is what happens to the Naga entrepreneurs if their opportunities are snatched away by the more enterprising people from across the Bangladesh border? What is shocking to learn is that there are as many as 20 madrassas in Dimapur alone. This is not a vacuous claim but has come out of diligent research. What does that tell us about Dimapur? Is this burgeoning financial hub of Nagaland still under the hegemony of the Nagas or has the economic control passed out of their hands? Many Nagas are in a state of denial. Others are more pragmatic.

The people of Mokokchung district, for instance, have decided not to rent out their premises to non-Nagas with doubtful identities. Others are beginning to discuss the matter very seriously. There is, however, a small minority that benefits from the benami trade where even taxi permits in the names of Nagas are run by the outsiders, as claimed by those who know. Several of those taxis are plying between Kohima and Dimapur. These beneficiaries deny that the outsiders are a threat to the larger Naga socioeconomic future! Already, the corruption levels in Nagaland are beggars description. One cannot recall ever driving on a good road in that state and roads are a good indicator of the governance in any of our states. Hence there is a sense of futility; of public cynicism, of complacency while some brazenly immerse themselves in their exclusive well- being. The youth, who see this and feel helpless, take to social media with a vengeance. Every now and again the discourse on social media platforms shifts to the outcomes of the peace negotiation, which is now pregnant deficient with hopes of a settlement. But will the settlement change the moral fibre of a people?

Peace talks are like a dish in a pot; everyone is stirring it without adding anything of substance to its contents. The discourse is emotionally charged but intellectually deficient. There are several civil society groups but they dont converge on some grounds. Each one is talking about the other but conversations that rise above tribal and group loyalties have not emerged.

Some of the more prominent organisations have lost credibility for taking their cue from the NSCN (IM) and speaking only what the outfit allows them to. No wonder the process is hamstrung. While we appreciate the fact that the NSCN (IM) has been on the quest for peace for the longest period and that senior leaders have made immense sacrifices to keep the movement going, it is now critical for those leaders to rise to the stature of statesmen and invite other voices to find place in the framework because the negotiated settlement, if it comes, will impinge on the Naga people in Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, even if territorial integrity is not affected.

The Nagas may have started out as tribes with their village principalities but today they have assimilated democracy and its virtues, no matter how flawed the present democratic system is. They will not wish to return to a dictatorial system where a few at the top of the hierarchy decide their fates. They want to be part of the peace process, no matter how weak their voices may seem. That is the essence of democracy.It is time for the NSCN (IM) leadership to take stock of these emerging realities.

Mount Hebron is not a democratic space. It is a place where prayers are held but the heart does not change. Once the armed groups come out of that safe zone, where only their voices count, they will have to learn to listen, live and let live.

For too long people have been silenced by the gun. But, for how long can this intimidation carry on? How much more fratricidal killings can the Naga people endure? These are questions that the NSCN (IM) leaders need to boldly face.

(The writer is Editor of the Shillong Times and can be contacted at [email protected])
At least 16 tourists, including nine women and two children, were killed and eight others went missing as a boat capsized in the Krishna river near here, in Andhra Pradeshs Krishna district on Sunday, officials said.

The boat overturned at Ibrahimpatnam Ferry Ghat around 5.20 p.m. There were 41 tourists on board belonging to a private operator and returning from Bhavani Island to Pavitra Sangam, or holy confluence of Krishna and Godavari rivers.

Locals and rescue workers rescued 15 people. Krishna District Collector B. Lakshmikantham said nine persons were admitted to hospitals. The condition of one of the injured is stated to be critical.

Home Minister N. Chinnarajappa, who rushed to the site, said 16 bodies had been recovered while the search was on for the missing.

The National Disaster Response Force personnel joined divers in the rescue operation, which was hampered due to the darkness after sunset.

The tourists, most of them hailing from Ongole town in Prakasam district of the state, were returning to Pavitra Sangam for performing some religious rituals at the end of their day-long trip to Bhavani Island.

Chinnarajappa said 32 members of the Ongole Walkers Club were among those on board. He announced Rs 8 lakh compensation each to the families of the deceased.

Overload is believed to be the cause of the accident, he said, adding that the private company also did not have permission to operate the boat.

Survivors said they boarded the private boat as the boats of the Tourism Department were not available. They also complained that there were no life jackets on the boat.

The District Collector said a case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder was booked against the company operating the boat.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has expressed shock over the accident and ordered a probe by a senior police officer.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) is likely to take a call on whether to exempt women drivers and two-wheelers from Delhi governments odd-even traffic rationing system, two days after the green court okayed the scheme but with only emergency vehicles exempted.

The Delhi government, which had exempted women and two-wheelers from the scheme in its last two runs, approached the tribunal opposing the ban on exemptions to the two groups this time.

The Tribunal disapproved all the exemptions that were given by the city government during the previous two phases of odd-even in January and April 2016. The exemptions were given to women, two-wheelers, vehicles carrying children in school uniforms and VVIPs.

The NGT gave the go ahead to the third odd-even scheme in smog-hit Delhi from November 13-17 and said there will be no exemptions for women, two-wheelers and government vehicles.

However, the Delhi government rolled it back after the NGT allowed exemptions only to CNG cars and emergency services. Schools in the city, meanwhile, reopened after a five-day break.

Delhi meanwhile continued to wrest with toxic air on Monday as the level of pollutants were in the severe category for the seventh successive day.

The NGT, in its order, also said that in future the odd-even scheme should automatically come into force if the PM2.5 and PM10, particles in air with diameter less than 2.5 and 10mm respectively, go above the 300 and 500 units for 48 hours.

The tribunal directed that odd-even should be implemented right away without waiting for 48 hours, in case PM2.5 and PM10 go beyond 400 and 700 units respectively.

The NGT also asked the city government to reconsider the four-times hike in the parking fee.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said India and the US were working together for the future interests of Asia as well as mankind.

Holding bilateral talks with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Manila, Modi said India will work hard to fulfill the expectations that the world has from her.

There are many areas where we are working together and our relations are strengthening rapidly. India and US will work together for the benefit of entire Asia and mankind, Modi said.

In the past few days wherever President Trump has travelled, he has expressed high opinion about India and I would like to assure you that whatever expectations the US and world has from India, we will work hard to fulfill them, he added.

Calling Modi a good friend, Trump said the prime minister was doing a fantastic job in bringing together different factions in India.

As per reports, both the leaders held talks on a range of issues including terror and trade.

PM Modi arrived in Manila on Sunday for the 15th India-Asean Summit, the 12th East Asia Summit and his bilateral meeting with President Rodrigo Dutertethe.

This year marks the 25th year of the India-Asean dialogue partnership and the golden jubilee of the formation of the Asean regional bloc.

Modi is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte as well and more such meetings with visiting leaders are being arranged on the sidelines of the summits.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tonight held separate pull-aside meetings with US President Donald Trump and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on the sidelines of a gala dinner to mark the 50th anniversary of the ASEAN.

Modi was also seen chit-chatting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak at the reception for the leaders who have arrived here for the 31st ASEAN summit and related meetings.

He also held brief interactions with several other leaders who attended the reception hosted by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte at the mega SMX Convention Centre in Pasay City here.

The prime minister as well as all other leaders wore Barong Tagalong, an embroidered shirt which is the national dress of the Philippines. Renowned Filipino designer Albert Andrada has designed the shirts.

Modi also tweeted pictures of his interaction with several leaders.

The menu of the gala dinner featured various Filipino cuisines including Filipino steak sushi.

The brief interaction between Modi and Trump came ahead of their scheduled bilateral meeting tomorrow. The two leaders are expected to deliberate on a number of key issues of mutual interest including the evolving security situation in the Indo-Pacific region where Washington favours a greater role by India.

There have been concerns over Chinas growing military presence in the Indo-Pacific and the issue was understood to have figured in a meeting of officials from India, the US, Japan and Australia today under the proposed Quadrilateral coalition of the four countries.

The discussions focused on cooperation based on their converging vision and values for promotion of peace, stability and prosperity in an increasingly inter-connected region that they share with each other and with other partners, the ministry of external affairs said in a statement.

They agreed that a free, open, prosperous and inclusive Indo-Pacific region serves the long-term interests of all countries in the region and of the world at large, it said.

On Tuesday, Modi will attend the ASEAN-India and East Asia summits where he is likely to reassert Indias push for crafting a global approach to deal with growing challenge of terrorism and radicalisation besides pitching for steps to boost regional trade.

Modi will hold bilateral meetings with Duterte tomorrow.

He also had a conversation with Li at the dinner.

PM @narendramodi had a warm and cordial conversation with the Chinese Premier Li Keqiang at the Gala Dinner, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted.
On the second day of his three-day election campaign tour  Navsarjan Yatra  in Gujarat that began on Saturday from Danta in Banaskantha, Rahul Gandhi reached Patan on Sunday evening. Through the tour route, he targeted the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Prime Minister Narendra Modi in particular, on alleged corruption. He said the party leaders were a mute spectator to corruption charges against Jay Shah, son of BJP President Amit Shah, and Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.

On Saturday, Rahul Gandhi took credit for forcing the government to reduce the GST on a number of items. He also advocated 18 per cent cap on the GST limit and assured to keep the pressure on the government on the issue. He blamed the government for haphazardly launching GST without actually evaluating its implications, resulting in causing losses to the small and medium scale businesses in Gujarat and other parts of the country.

Rahul raked up the Prime Minister Narendra Modis silence on the unprecedented rise in Jay Shahs wealth, which according to media reports showed a jump in its turnover from Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 80 crore in a few months.

Rahul took a swipe at the PM by questioning his earlier stance of being the custodian of peoples wealth chowkidar (watchman) to now being a bhagidar (collaborator) in crimes of his own people.

Rahul throughout his public meetings on Saturday and Sunday kept on repeating the above narratives, along with reminding the people of the alleged atrocities the BJP government has brought upon the Patidars, Dalits, OBCs, small-scale workers and farmers.

He visited Palanpur, Mota, Deesa, Wadinath, Thara, Totana, Roda, Kansada Darwaja, and reached Patan on Sunday evening.

Rahul Gandhi who lately has acquired a more aggressive tone during his rallies also questioned the PM on SEBI imposing penalty on the HUF of Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.

Rahul questioned the silence of the PM on these two high-profile cases of those working at senior positions in the BJP, saying Modi deserved an explanation to the people.

Rahul Gandhi further said that corruption, exploitation, and atrocities in Gujarat are sweeping through the BJP rule.

He said, in Gujarat, the farmers and tribals have been robbed of their land, water, electricity, as PM Modi was friends with the industrialists and the common mans rightful resource is being diverted to industries.

On unemployment, Rahul said China was employing 50,000 new people every day, whereas PM Modi was giving employment to only 450 youths.

Will Rahuls aggressive look work for the Congress? This will be known in the days to come.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said he wanted to make India a global manufacturing hub while the countrys youth too should become job creators.

Addressing the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit in Manila, Philippines, Modi said the government had simplified processes to set up new companies and the task of transforming India was proceeding at an unprecedented scale.

Keeping our emphasis on Minimum Government, Maximum Governance, about 1200 outdated laws have been repealed in the last three years, Modi said as he wooed global investors to set shop in India.

We have simplified processes to start companies and for other clearances as we want to make India a global manufacturing hub and we want to make our youngsters job creators, he added.

Stressing that most sectors of the Indian economy are open for foreign investment, Modi said he was working day and night towards easy, effective and transparent governance.

We are using technology to reach out to people Digital transactions have increased significantly and are up by 34 per cent in a year, Modi said.

Modi further said that large sections of Indias population did not have access to banking services and the Jan Dhan Yojana changed that in a matter of months while transforming the lives of millions
US President Donald Trump is currently on a tour of five Asian countries. While an important question to ask is what he can do for diplomacy, it is just as important to ask what diplomacy can do for Melania Trumps wardrobe.

The American First Lady started the tour bundled up in a thick coat in Tokyo, but had made a less conservative fashion choice by the time she got to their second stop, Seoul, choosing to wear a sheer dress to a state dinner. It remains to be seen what the 47-year-old will sport during her next few days in China, Vietnam and the Philippines.

Arriving in Japan, she stepped off the plane in a striped wool Fendi coat embellished with flowers. She paired it with nude Manolo Blahnik heels. In this ensemble, her activities included visiting luxury pearl retailer Mikimotos flagship Ginza store with Prime Minister Shinzo Abes wife Akie to learn about Japanese pearl cultivation.

For dinner with the Prime Minister and his wife at Ginza Ukai Tei restaurant, she wore a mid-length black coat and a black sash.

She attended a state dinner hosted by Prime Minister Abe, wearing a long, caped Valentino dress made of red silk.

To meet Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko at Tokyos Imperial Palace, as well as to attend a calligraphy class at an elementary school, she wore a navy Dior dress with flowing sleeves and a flared mid-length skirt. Uncharacteristically, she wore her hair in an up-do.

Arriving in Seoul, she wore a dark burgundy coat with exaggerated sleeves and a zip detail by Spanish brand Delpozo, paired with blue pumps. In this outfit, she also visited the presidential Blue House and interacted with South Korean school children at the American ambassadors residence.

For a visit to the South Korean National Assembly followed by a visit to the National Cemetery, she wore a long, flowing black coat cinched at the waist with a buckled belt.

She wore yet another black coat when she disembarked from Air Force One in Beijing on Wednesday (Nov 8) , making this her go-to play-it-safe dress code. Pairing the coat with black heels, she took a tour of the Forbidden City.

At a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People on Thursday, she stood out on the red carpet in this black Dolce & Gabbana dress with white flowers, which, with its floaty silhouette, made her look especially feminine.

The Straits Times/ANN
President Trump has threatened to punish Pakistan, if it continues to provide safe haven to the terrorists, particularly the Haqqani network that is operating in Afghanistan. The US reckons that sending more American troops to Afghanistan will be of no avail if the Afghan Taliban can safely operate from their sanctuaries in Pakistan.

Similar warnings have been issued to Pakistan by the US Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, and Defence Secretary Jim Mattis. It is unlikely that Pakistan will bend to American pressure and change its policy, but in its own self interest it may adopt token gestures, such as imposing curbs on the operations of the Taliban. These will be cosmetic in nature.

But its support for terrorist groups in India, notably Lashkar-eToiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, will continue. The Lashkar chief, Hafiz Saeed, is being released from detention and will be allowed to roam the country and make seditious incendiary speeches and rant against India which will have no respite from cross-border terrorism.

The Pakistan armys hatred and antagonism towards India is visceral. India is portrayed by it as an existential threat to Pakistan.

The Rawalpindi Army GHQ has thus far scuttled efforts by different civilian governments of Pakistan to mend fences with India. Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who was acutely aware of the limitations of civilian power, had tried to improve relations with India. His efforts had been vehemently resented by the Generals.

A judicial coup of sorts, which was reportedly backed by the Army, sealed his fate. The Army believes that it is Pakistans guardian and will remain its most important institution for years to come.

It alone has the professional ability to handle national security and other important issues. Opposition to India and obsession with Kashmir are at the core of Pakistans official policy, as formulated the army over the past 50 years. The majority of Pakistani soldiers have served in Kashmir at some point in their careers and this has influenced their worldview. Kashmir is an obsessive concern of the Pakistan army like Alsace-Lorraine with France after 1871, Tireste with Italy after 1886, and Serbia with Bosnia after 1879.

Daniel Markey, in a very perceptive article in Foreign Affairs, has pointed out that civilian rulers in Pakistan had to negotiate a working relationship with the army in which the Generals always held the whip-band and retained significant powers of decision-making. In the 18th century, Frederick the Greats Prussia was once referred to as not a state with an army but an army with a state.

This perhaps is the complex reality with todays Pakistan. Its army is the worlds largest after China, Russia and India which of course is the rub. It has approximately 480,000 men with another 304,000 serving in para military units. They are as large as the American and much larger than the British army. They are not the demoralised conscripts of Iraq in 2003 or the rag-tag Taliban militants in Afghanistan in 2001, but highly motivated volunteers.

Anatol Lieven says in his book Pakistan ~ a Hard Country that western fears of the fate of the nuclear missiles, if Pakistan collapses, are genuine. However, an immediate and absolutely inevitable result would be the flow of a large number of trained solders including explosives experts to terrorist groups. Further, the Pakistan military more than most militaries regards itself as a class apart. The army makes great and conscious efforts to inculcate the feeling that they belong to the military family different from and superior to the countrys civil society.

The middle-rank officers hold the feudal political class in contempt and consider themselves morally superior and better educated. They are proud of the army and are fiercely loyal. Rewards of loyal military service have helped to prevent military coups and mutinies by junior officers ~ an eventuality that would plunge Pakistan overnight into cataclysmic chaos and usher in civil war and Islamist revolts. Further, the army remains a popular institution and viewed by the majority of the populace as the defender of the countrys integrity against threats posed by India.

In 2009, a survey by the US Institute of Peace found that 84 per cent of Pakistanis feel that the army is doing an excellent job of defending the country and helping the nations growth. A year later, PEW Research Centre reported that the army chief was more popular than the elected President. It has also developed extensive commercial and financial interests and is involved in economic enterprises with thousands of employees.

Ayesha Siddique, in her well-researched book Military Inc., has examined the structure and value of these enterprises and has pointed out how the vast military conglomerate sometime functions without any oversight at all. The military constantly uses its might and mystique to protect its members and advance its interest. The civilian rulers have often joined hands with the army to settle scores against their political rivals. The army also has deftly played one against the other. In a weak democratic state like Pakistan the people are used to authoritarianism and hence any army takeover does not upset them much.

Today, the Rawalpindi GHQ is riding high on popular support. Its decision to launch an all-out offensive against the Pakistani Taliban has been greeted with strong public approval. It has hunted down the militants and recovered many areas in North Waziristan which had been under Taliban control. According to the Pakistan Institute of Peace Studies, militant violence has markedly declined. The army has also launched a drive against the militants and other criminal elements in Karachi through the para-military forces.

Military courts are functioning with very little judicial oversight. It does not want to formally seize power as it would have little to gain. A military coup will invite international sanctions which cash-strapped Pakistan can ill-afford. But the Pakistan army remains obdurately opposed to any rapprochement with India. A permanent adversarial position suits its interest perfectly.

Ashley Tellis, a distinguished expert on South-east Asia, in an incisive monograph, Are India-Pakistan Peace Talks Worth a Damn? has said that Pakistans hostile and irrational behaviour is intensified by its armys ambition to preserve its dominance in domestic politics. It seeks to subvert Indias emergence as a great power. Its ambition is to be treated on a par with India, despite differences in size, resources and capabilities.

Hence, Tellis feels that international appeals to India for talks with Pakistan can be counter-productive as they embolden Pakistan in its reckless strategies of aiding and abetting cross-border terrorism. Peace between India and Pakistan is possible if there is a structural change and alternation of the neighbours strategic praxis. Nuclear weapons provide it with the licence to support terrorism against India.

Tellis concludes that the USA today lacks the means to force Pakistan to change its strategic calculus and China wants to utilise Pakistan to keep India, its emerging regional competitor, off-balance. The situation may change if genuine civilian rule is established in Pakistan, but there is no possibility of such a development in the foreseeable future.

The Army will continue to call the shots in Pakistan. Its army is a powerful institution but this obsession with India will prove disastrous and may even destroy the country and its armed forces altogether.

( writer is Senior Fellow, Institute of Social Sciences; former Director-General, National Human Rights Commission; and former Director, National Police Academy)
A rather small section of the alumni of Kolkatas Presidency College/University has suddenly pulled up a chair to express concern over the vacant seats across disciplines in the born-again university. It needs to be underlined at the outset that theirs is not the voice of the august Alumni Association as a whole.

The sudden overdrive by a handful of ex-students must make us wonder whether the once omnipotent Mentor Group, not to forget the Vice-Chancellor, have been relegated to the sidelines. This tendency to meddle is of a piece with the umbra and the penumbra within which the Vice-Chancellor has been expected to function ever since the great college was needlessly upgraded to a university in 2010.

The praxis of a section of the alumni, if headed by the president of the association, is no different from that of the Mentor Group.

A panel discussion on Presidency at a prominent social club ~ hardly the venue, we must interject ~ has over the weekend been followed up with a proposal to meet the education minister ostensibly for a discussion on the issue of vacant seats. Mr Partha Chatterjee, as undistinguished in the sphere of education as he was in industries, has readily signalled his intent to conduct what he calls a special audit on the finances of Presidency University.

This is a new spin on the institutions functioning. Student vacancies and fiscal management are two very different propositions. No one denies that vacant seats are a matter of concern, but certain worthies among the alumni have, unwittingly or otherwise, prepared the recipe for direct government interference in the affairs of the university. Instead of discussing the matter with the VC and the Heads of Departments, they appear to have reposed greater confidence in the minister.

The education departments intervention can only serve to turn the clock back and make confusion worse confounded. In retrospect, former Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjees suggestion on an autonomous college ought to have been implemented. Sad to reflect, it was shot down by his partys education cell, which had its own axe to grind. Presidency University has at best been a halfway house ~ a far cry from a truly autonomous institution.

There is yet to be an earnest effort either by the Mentor Group or the Alumni Association or for that matter the university authorities to diagnose the problem of vacant seats. The risk of the government proposing a relaxation in the admission criteria is real.

Dereservation of seats, another proposal that has been floated, is thoroughly unfeasible given that the better part of the current semester is over. Both the minister and the alumni must realise that such proposals can only denude the concept of excellence.

Will two fundamental questions get to be asked and answered? Why are students not joining Presidency University at the under-graduate level? Why are they applying for migration certificates to pursue post-graduate studies elsewhere? Thus far, the Mentor Group has been muted in its response.
The veterans agitation over OROP at Jantar Mantar was in its initial stages a success as it compelled the government to act. It gained national sympathy when police targeted decorated veterans on the eve of Independence Day 2015. It forced a senior police officer to come to the site and apologise for police highhandedness.

After the OROP announcement, many veterans felt that the agitation did not merit continuation as the government had fulfilled a part of its promise, leaving only those some to continue agitating at Jantar Mantar. Between the initial release and now, a lot of water has flowed under the bridge impacting both the veteran and the serving.

There have been a series of actions by the bureaucracy, supported by the government, to degrade the militarys status. As per service protocol those in uniform are denied the right to complain or project perceived wrongdoings in the public domain.

Morale is impacted, but this is kept away from the public eye. Hence, it is the voice of the veterans alone that is heard. No bureaucracy can function without tacit support of the government. This is more so in India which as a rising superpower keeps the armed forces subservient to the Ministry of Defence (MoD) rather than amalgamating the two.

The MoD visualizes service HQs as competitors and seeks to downgrade them, desiring greater control over functioning. Ironic but true, the Indian armed forces are probably the only ones that expend more energy battling internal bureaucratic adversaries than external threats. The battle is not for ensuring national security, but for one-upmanship.

The forcible eviction of protesting veterans from Jantar Mantar was possibly done under government directions. This is evident as there was a near complete media blackout. It left the veteran community angry but also at a loss, with limited alternate options to continue the protest. Ram Lila Maidan, the proposed venue for future protests, involves high costs and would be away from the limelight.

Secondly, the national veterans leadership which led the OROP battle is facing internal strife and dissension and is also being accused of turning political, in contrast to the apolitical nature of the armed forces. Thus, the government succeeded in breaking the back of a protest which had embarrassed it. It is known that governments only act under pressure, mainly of vote banks. Veterans and the serving together can impact vote banks in many states.

The present BJP government gained maximum support from the military community post its veterans Rewari rally in 2014. The opposite happened in Punjab. But many of the promises have not been kept, and even OROP as implemented is half-baked. In the present environment, a strong veterans community is needed to support the serving. Some actions by the government against the serving include unilaterally seeking to lower the militarys status by re-evaluating equivalence, battling its own in courts to deny them Non-Functional Upgradation (NFU) and in many cases even family and war casualty pensions to widows.

It has refused to grant Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) an increased Military Service Pay (MSP), cancelled entitled rations for officers and is seeking to impose civilians in service HQs to further impact the functioning of the armed forces. Its anti-veteran actions include a poorly implemented OROP, way below what it had itself promised.

It has delayed release of the Reddy committee report for a year. Most importantly, the government has failed to ensure that percentages of reserved vacancies earmarked for veterans, released under central government orders, for Central Armed Police Forces, PSUs, central government offices and banks are made available to them. It has never instructed states to ensure this, so that even BJPrun states are ignoring veteran quotas.

Simultaneously, they have taken political advantage of armed forces operations, surgical strikes and anti-militancy, as also tasked the forces to undertake actions to assuage local anger against state governments under the BJP. These include compelling them to build foot over bridges in Mumbai, provide medical support during doctors strike in Rajasthan and clear garbage where others refuse to move. These shortcomings, impacting morale of the serving and veterans, need to be projected to veterans and armed forces supporters. The next major veteran versus government battle will be the 2019 general election.

Hence, the veterans need to reorganise and restructure their organisation and compel the government to act. The present central committee based in Delhi, now splintered and ineffective, needs to be reconstituted at local levels. For effective results, state level apolitical veteran committees, with representatives from rural areas, from every service and rank structure and employing social media as a tool of communication, can spread the word far and wide.

The main organisation at Delhi may be able to help in setting up committees, but should not intervene in their functioning. The Bonus agitation of the early 1920s had shaken the US government. The same can happen in India only if veterans unite. Creating an effective veterans organisation is the need of the hour.

While the Delhi group can deal with the Centre as also gain media coverage, the same at state levels can impact vote banks. With 2019 as the target, veterans leaders need to start thinking out of the box. It is only veterans who can and must support the serving in their battle for survival against the bureaucracy.

(The writer is a retired Major-General of the Indian Army)
The Turkish police on Sunday detained at least 34 Islamic State (IS) suspects in counter-terrorism operations across the city.

The suspects were reportedly planning to carry out attacks and had previously fought for the militant group, reports Xinhua news agency

Digital material and documents linked to the group were also seized in the operations.

The detainees will be deported following due procedures.

A total of 82 foreigners were captured in Istanbul as IS suspects on Friday.

On Thursday, 101 IS suspects were arrested in Turkeys capital Ankara following warrants issued for 245 people.

Between October 22 and November 1, the police has launched anti-IS operations in 25 provinces across Turkey detaining 283 IS militants and seizing 66 improvised explosive devices.

Since 2015, Turkey has suffered several deadly attacks that killed more than 300 people.

According to the Turkish Justice Ministry, at least 780 people, including 350 foreigners, remain in detention, some of whom have been convicted, for suspected links to the IS group.
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has said regional elections next month in Catalonia will help end separatist havoc in the northeastern region.

He addressed a campaign event on Sunday on his first visit there since imposing direct rule on the region a fortnight ago, BBC reported.

Defending his decision in Barcelona, he said he had exhausted all roads after the Catalan governments unilateral declaration of independence last month.

Several key Catalan leaders are currently being detained over the move.

The crisis was sparked by a disputed referendum held in Catalonia in October, which had been declared illegal by the Spanish courts.

Catalan officials said the independence campaign won 92 per cent of the vote, from a turnout of 43 per cent.

Many of those who were against independence did not cast votes, refusing to recognise the legitimacy of the referendum.

The Catalan government subsequently declared independence. In response, the Spanish government dissolved the regions parliament, imposed direct rule and called a snap regional election on December 21.

Speaking at a campaign event in Barcelona for his Popular Party (PP) on Sunday, Rajoy called on the participation of the silent majority to convert their voice into a vote.

We must reclaim Catalonia from the havoc of separatism, he added, saying: With democracy, we want to reclaim Catalonia for everyone.

He told PP supporters that the right result would boost Spains economic growth next year to above 3 per cent.

He called on companies not to leave the region, after hundreds of firms moved their headquarters away amid uncertainty over the region  which accounts for a fifth of Spains economy.

He also urged people in Spain to continue buying Catalan products.

For a short while, the man who ultimately runs Catalonia was in Catalonia. But Mariano Rajoys advisors made sure he would not run into vocal pro-independence opponents.

Instead, he spoke to the party faithful. Rajoys main campaign event was held inside a hotel ballroom, in front of mostly older supporters.

Spains prime minister came here in order to win the regional Catalan election hes called for December 21. His Peoples Party doesnt command widespread support in this region.

But the pro-Spain movement as a whole makes up about half the population of Catalonia. An election victory for this sector would make it much harder for pro-independence forces to make another attempt to break away from Spain.

After speaking for 25 minutes, Rajoy posed for pictures and made his way out of the hotel amid a crush of supporters.

Will you meet your opponents? I asked him. Yes, he said. But he didnt say where or when.

Since the crackdown by Madrid, Catalonias sacked President Carles Puigdemont has gone into self-imposed exile in Belgium, and many of his top allies have been remanded in custody.
US President Donald Trump said on Monday that he had a great relationship with his Philippines counterpart Rodrigo Duterte, who is accused of carrying out a brutal campaign of extrajudicial killings in his nations war on drugs.

The two leaders met for the first time briefly on Friday at an economic summit in Danang, Vietnam, and were photographed raising wine glasses together in a toast at the opening dinner of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) forum here on Sunday.

They declined to answer questions during brief remarks to reporters on the sidelines of the Asean Summit meeting in Manila on Monday. Sitting side by side, Trump and Duterte projected a friendly dynamic, ribbing the news media as they prepared to speak privately, the New York Times reported.

Weve had a great relationship, the US President told reporters. This has been very successful. He praised Dutertes handling of the summit and said, Ive really enjoyed being here.

When asked whether Trump would press Duterte on human rights, the Philippines President quickly silenced them. Whoa, whoa  this is not the press statement, Duterte said. We are in a bilateral meeting.

The Philippines leader at one point called reporters spies, prompting Trump to chuckle.

Later, Dutertes spokesperson Harry Roque said: The issue of human rights did not arise. It was not brought up.

On the streets of Manila, meanwhile, about a hundred anti-riot police officers with shields and truncheons clashed with about 300 protesters as they marched near the American Embassy.

The protesters carried anti-American placards and a likeness of Trump with a Hitler-like moustache. They were later pushed back with water cannons, the Times reported.

White House officials have said that Trump has a warm rapport with Duterte, with whom he has spoken and exchanged letters since taking office, and that he wants to mend the US-Philippines alliance after strains during the Obama administration.

Trump raised eyebrows in April by inviting Duterte to the White House. The Philippines leader has been accused of ordering thousands of extrajudicial killings of drug suspects in what human rights groups condemn as a bloody campaign that has targeted many who may have nothing to do with narcotics.

Trump and other leaders attending the Asean event had already met on Sunday evening at a gala dinner hosted by Duterte. During the event, the Philippines leader took to the stage to sing a Filipino hit love song, afterwards saying it had been on the orders of the commander-in-chief of the United States.
At least two soldiers of the Pakistan Army were killed in a suspected militant attack on a checkpoint near the Afghan border on Monday, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

Terrorists from the Afghanistan side attempted an attack on Pakistani posts along the Pak-Afghan border in Bajaur Agency. The attempt was effectively responded killing 8-10 fleeing terrorists, while many seen running back were injured, the ISPR said in a statement.

The deceased soldiers were identified as Captain Junaid Hafeez and Sepoy Raham, Dawn online reported. The banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan claimed responsibility for the attack.

Four soldiers were injured in the incident. The absence of Afghan (state) writ on (the) Afghan side of the border, like many other areas, facilitates terrorists to undertake such attempts, the ISPR said.

Officials said the militants who have fled to Afghanistan due to military operations in Pakistan operate from the border launching attacks on Pakistani posts.

Both the countries share a 2,600-kilometre border which the Pakistan Army is now fencing to stop cross-border movement of militants. It is the fourth such attack on Pakistani posts from the Afghan side of the border in two months.
Montreal, CA (H4T1V6)

Today

Periods of snow. Temps nearly steady in the low to mid 30s. Winds light and variable. Chance of snow 100%. Snowfall around one inch..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy skies. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low 29F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.
Organization: Centenary Bank

Duty Station: Kampala,

Uganda

Reports to: Manager Brand

& Marketing

About US:

Centenary Bank is the leading Commercial Micro Finance Bank in Uganda

serving over 1,300,000 clients (a quarter of the banking population) in 58

branches spread countrywide. We are one of Ugandas top three financial

organisations, employing more than 1,900 people. Joining Centenary Bank is an

opportunity to use your skills and experience in tackling real world problems.

Job Summary: The Financial

Inclusion Supervisor will mainly plan, coordinate and implement the

recruitment, training and performance monitoring of Centenary Bank agents in a

specific branch location.



Key Duties and Responsibilities:



The jobholder will drive Agent recruitment,

transaction and performance in a specific branch location. This will include

assessment of suitable agents for the Bank in line with set criteria, standards

and procedures.



The incumbent will also identify potential

agents in the assigned branch location and complete the application process



Draw a training program for the assigned agents

in a particular branch location in line with the Banks plan.



Carry out regular visits to agents to confirm

compliance with the Internal Bank/ External Regulators policies and

procedures.



Set targets and circulate them to agents and

monitor their performance.



Carry out first level maintenance of agency

banking equipment, eg Point of Sale and log books and Mobile phone trouble

shooting.



Handle first level of customer service to agents

and handle customer complaints arising from agents.



Ensure that agent premises are properly branded

and the Centenary Bank brand is visible at all agent premises.











Experience: Qualifications, Skills andExperience:



The ideal candidate for the Centenary Bank

Marketing Supervisor job placement should hold a Bachelors Degree in a

business- related course e.g. Economics, Business Administration, Social

Sciences /Marketing



At least three to four years experience in a

Banking or Lending / Credit role, two of these should have been in a direct

customer interfacing position.



Ability to drive and motivate recruitment of Agents

to undertake the Bank offering



Must be familiar with Banking practices,

policies and procedures



Excellent marketing and people management skills



Computer literacy skills



Good report writing skills and presentation

skills



Superior/articulate communication abilities,

preferably a trainer with ability to address and or train teams.



Exceptional negotiation and interpersonal skills



A team leader with self-drive



Supervisory exposure in banking or Telecom

industry an added advantage

Note: Pass degrees are not eligible

How to Apply:



applications by following the instructions below; downloading an application

form for employment, download

here, filling it and enclosing an application letter, Curriculum Vitae

(CV) with three professional referees and copies of academic

testimonials/certificates and send the application to: All candidates who desire to join Centenary Bank should send theirapplications by following the instructions below; downloading an applicationform for employment,, filling it and enclosing an application letter, Curriculum Vitae(CV) with three professional referees and copies of academictestimonials/certificates and send the application to:

General Manager Human Resources, Centenary Bank, P.O. Box 1892 

Kampala, Uganda.

Note: While we thank all

applicants for your interest. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

th November

2017 Deadline: 17November2017
The finance ministry is demanding millions of dollars in dividends from 12 reluctant state companies to make up for an expected tax revenue shortfall this fiscal year, as a slump in economic growth risks the Centre overshooting its fiscal deficit target.

The demand has been made following a finance ministry assessment on Oct 25 of the financial health of 14 state companies, including top miner NMDC Ltd and trading firm MMTC Ltd, according to a government document.

The ministry asked 12 of the companies to payout between 30 per cent and as much as 100 per cent of their 2016-17 or 2017-18 net profit in dividends, share buybacks or bonus shares. The other two companies were exempted.

All state companies evaluated by the government sought exemptions. The finance ministry, NMDC and MMTC did not reply to the emails seeking comment.

Indias federal budget is under pressure this year following an unexpected slump in economic growth, which slipped to its lowest level in three years in the three-months ending June, the first quarter of the 2017-18 fiscal year.

As of September, the half-way mark for the fiscal year, the budget deficit had reached Rs 4.99 trillion or more than 91 per cent of its full-year target.

Surjit Bhalla, a member of the prime ministers economic advisory council, said in an interview in October that the government wanted to stick with a budget deficit target of 3.2 per cent.

The governments revenues have also been hit by a sharply lower dividend from the central bank.

Demands

The assessment by the finance ministry did not specify the combined amount of payouts expected of the 12 companies.

But New Delhi has budgeted $21.86 billion in payouts from all state companies this fiscal year, slightly down on the previous fiscal year. Indian businesses have been disrupted by last years shock ban on high-value notes and the roll-out of a new national Goods and Services Tax.

Indian state firms will only finalise their full dividend payouts for the current 2017-18 fiscal year in September, 2018.

NMDC has told the finance ministry it would only be able to pay less than half of the Rs 25 billion in dividend payouts that the government is demanding for the current fiscal year of 2017-18, a senior company executive said. He declined to be identified because of the sensitivity of the matter.

Three senior government officials said NMDC is reluctant to comply with the governments demands because it already has to pay a penalty of Rs 30 billion to the eastern state of Odisha for illegal mining and needs cash for capital investments.

The senior company executive said a payment of 25 billion rupees to the government would mean paying out a further 35 billion rupees to other shareholders in the company.

Where will the money come from? the source said.

That would compare with NMDCs projected 2017-18 net profit, based on Thomson Reuters SmartEstimate data, of Rs 37.7 billion.

NMDC has also been asked to issue bonus shares before Sept 30, 2018, the document showed.

The government has asked MMTC to pay Rs 300 million in dividends and issue bonus shares for 2016-17. The firm is seeking exemptions from both.

The committee noted that MMTCs defined reserves and surplus is more than 10 times of its paid-up equity share capital, the document said.

Three unlisted companies from defence and railways were asked to pay a maximum 100 per cent of their net profit as dividend, the document showed.

A. Prasanna, an economist with ICICI Securities Primary Dealership in Mumbai, said the government had the right to seek higher dividends from cash-rich companies as long as the money was sitting idle.

But asking all public sector units to step up investments and dividends at the same time may become counterproductive, he said.

--Reuters


The government had set a stiff target to mop up Rs 72,500 crore from disinvestments in the financial year 2017-18. With just over four months left for the fiscal year to end, the government has now taken on the ETF (exchange traded fund) to reduce stakes in some of the central public sector undertakings as well as in some private firms like ITC and Larsen & Toubro, which are part of its strategic holdings in SUTTI (Specified undertakings of Unit Trust of India).

The government is looking to raise at least Rs 8,000 crore through the Bharat 22 ETF. However, if the fund receives good response from investors, the government is open to raising beyond that amount said Anuradha Thakur, joint secretary in the divestment department.

The overall size (of the issue) is Rs 8,000 crore. But, if we do get a good response, it has already been approved that we can go beyond that, she said.

ETFs are passively managed mutual fund schemes tracking a benchmark index and reflect the performance of that index.

ICICI Prudential, which is the country's largest mutual fund house, will be managing the ETF. As the name suggests, the fund will invest in 22 companies across energy, banking and financial services, consumer goods, utilities and capital goods sectors.

Some of the major companies in the ETF will be National Aluminium Co (Nalco), Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), petroleum refiner and retailer - Indian Oil, Coal India, State Bank of India - the country's largest lender, Axis Bank, Rural Electrification Corporation (REC), cigarettes to hotels major - ITC, engineering giant - Larsen & Toubro, state-owned construction major - NBCC, Bharat Electronics, NTPC and hydro power company - NHPC among others.

The new fund offer will open for subscription for anchor investors on November 14 and for others between Nov 15 to Nov 17. Those investing during the NFO period will be offered a 3 per cent discount on the reference market price of the underlying index shares of Bharat 22 ETF.

There will be a cap of 15 per cent on holding in an individual stock, apart from a 20 per cent sector level cap in the ETF.

This is the second time the government has taken the ETF route to disinvestment.

The government had launched the first CPSE (central public sector enterprises) ETF in March 2014. That fund consisted of 10 PSU stocks and it had managed to mop up Rs 8,500 crore through the issue.

According to a study, earnings growth of the S&P BSE Bharat 22 Index is seen around around 16 per cent over fiscal 2017 to fiscal 2019, compared with 14 per cent expected for the BSE Sensex and 13 per cent for the Nifty 50 index.

The ETF comes at a time equity markets are trading at near record highs. The Sensex closed 281 points or 0.8 per cent lower at 33,033 on Monday. It had hit a lifetime high of 33,865.95 on Nov 7.

Despite concerns over high valuations of India's stock markets, Nimesh Shah, MD and CEO of ICICI Prudential remains confident and noted that the companies in the Bharat 22 Index were reasonably valued, compared with the Sensex or the Nifty.

We believe the ETF offers an attractive long term investment opportunity to partake in the India growth story by way of a diversified blend of companies spread across several sectors and are available at attractive valuation and a good subscription discount, he said.

ETFs are treated just like any other mutual fund, and so if an investor is holding it for more than one year, there will be no long-term capital gains tax. Investors will only need to have a Demat account. The expense ratio of the Bharat 22 ETF will be 0.0095 per cent, up to a period of three years from the date the ETF is listed.

The ETF does include large cap dividend paying stocks, and could be suitable for investors, who don't want to take too many risks by directly investing in stocks. However, one must also note that some of the stocks in the ETF, particularly in the utility sector have struggled in the recent past.

Power producer NTPC, for instance, missed analysts expectations on Monday, reporting a 2.3 per cent drop in second quarter net profit at Rs 2,439 crore. Hydro power producer NHPC, last week, said quarterly net profit declined 34 per cent.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's efforts in building India's global appeal for investors seems to have finally yielded returns in terms of the country's performance in the World Bank's Ease of Doing Business rankings. India witnessed its highest-ever jump of 30 places in the rankings, reaching the 100th place among 190 countries. Subsequently, it also joined the list of top 10 improvers for the first time and became the first South Asian country to achieve the feat.



The World Bank measures this in terms of a Distance to Frontier (DTF) metric, which shows the distance of the economy from the best performer in each category on a scale of 0 to 100, with the latter representing the frontier. India has shown a drastic improvement of 4.71 points over the last year from 56.05 to 60.76. To put things in perspective, China has witnessed an increase of 0.40 points.



India's performance has been impressive by any standard. It has moved closer to the global standards in nine of the ten parameters on which the Ease of Doing Business rankings are based and has enforced reforms in eight of these categories over the last year. The three key reforms among these were resolving insolvency, ease of paying taxes online and protection of minority investors. Despite these improvements, the general sentiment has been to dismiss the rankings mainly for the flaws in its methodology.



First, the rankings are based on perception surveys of few entrepreneurs or professionals based on questions that are mostly subjective in nature. Second, they are not even based on the economic conditions of the entire economy but on one or two cities within a nation. For India, it is based on Delhi and Mumbai alone. However, the critics miss the point.



If India performs poorly even on such a limited study that chooses the best cities in the country, it speaks volumes of the business conditions across the country and is indicative of the scope of improvement that remains. Moreover, rankings are relative by definition and since the World Bank chooses a maximum of two cities for other countries as well, it should depict a near accurate performance of any country on a relative scale. Therefore, any improvement up the ladder cannot be summarily dismissed.



Further, reforms considered by the World Bank include a mix of central and state initiatives. Passing of central legislation like the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, that helped India jump from 136 to 103 in the "resolving insolvency" parameter have pan-India benefits and are not just limited to Delhi and Mumbai. Therefore, it would be incorrect to presume that merely focusing on a few cities is disassociated from reality even though the actions of state governments are not reflected.



Incidentally, India performs poorly in parameters where state government interference is maximum: Getting an electricity connection, starting a business and registering a property. This underlines the importance of policy coordination between the states and the Centre. Nevertheless, credit needs to be given where it is due for an improvement in rankings majorly driven by reforms undertaken by the central government over the last few years. It must be noted that the rankings have not taken into account the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST). Therefore, considerable potential remains for further improvement.



But it should also be kept in mind that these rankings are not an end in themselves and are far from perfect. A lot of it is based on policies which are on the books and do not necessarily capture the real experiences on the ground. After reforms are initiated to ease the business environment, the main task of implementation begins where the real problems emerge. For instance, the World Bank applauded India's efforts at increasing access to credit with the adoption of a new insolvency and bankruptcy code. However, the parameters fail to recognise the problem that India is going through one of its slowest phases of credit growth and that banks are wary of lending so easily.



Moreover, a lot more parameters, apart from the ones considered in the Ease of Doing Business rankings, need to be considered to understand the business environment in India. The country's dismal performance in the Heritage Foundation's Index of Economic Freedom (in which it is ranked 143, below most of its South Asian neighbours) and Transparency International's Corruption Perception Index (ranked 79th), reflect the areas that the country still needs to improve upon to better the business environment.



Therefore, the chest-thumping around the Ease of Doing Business ranking improvements needs to be seen in conjunction with these factors and worked upon to ease the problems faced by common businessmen. A premature celebration can be counter-productive.

--IANS
Rajput community members, under the aegis of 'Karni Sena', held massive protests in Gandhinagar and Surat demanding a ban on the release of Padmavati, alleging that the makers had distorted historical facts.

While over one lakh members of the community converged at a massive gathering at Gandhinagar, thousands took part in the protest march in Surat to raise their demand of staying the release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali-directed Bollywood film Padmavati.

The movie is scheduled to release on December 1.

According to Mansinh Rathod, who is leading the Gujarat chapter of 'Karni Sena', Bhansali has "distorted the historical facts in the movie".

"We have learnt that there is a dream sequence in the movie wherein Rani Padmavati has been shown romancing with 'Allaudin Khilji'. We condemn such a heinous portrayal our queen. 'Karni Sena' will never allow such movie to hit the theatres," Rathod said.

He said not just Gujarat, the movie must not be released anywhere in the country.

"To raise our demand, Karni Sena and other Rajput and Hindu organisations called a gathering in Gandhinagar. We had also organised a protest march in Surat. It is our clear warning that if this movie gets released on December 1, there will be violent protests and government will be responsible for the law and order situation," Rathod added.

In Gandhinagar, the mega gathering of the Rajput community saw the presence of senior Karni Sena leaders, such as its founder Lokendrasinh Kalvi and national president Mahipalsinh Makrana.

"Though the release has been scheduled on December 1, we will make sure that the movie does not see the light of the day," Kalvi claimed.

According to Virendrasinh Bhati of Karni Sena, Bhansali has backtracked from his promise of showing the movie to the Rajput community to get a clearance first.

"We are very much sure that there is dream sequence in the movie. If Bhansali claimed that the movie is as per the historical facts, then why he has not fulfilled his promise of showing it to us. We want the government to take a clear stand and ban the movie. If the movie gets released, Rajputs will show what they can do," said Bhati.

With the Assembly polls approaching in Gujarat, Rajput agitators also warned the ruling BJP to face consequences if the movie gets released.

"We want a complete ban on the movie. If the Centre or state government fails to step in, the BJP may have to face the ire of the community during the Gujarat polls," Rajput leader from Surat Yashwantsinh Vala said.

Last month, former Congress leader and Rajput strongman Shankersinh Vaghela demanded a pre-release screening of Padmavati for Hindu and Rajput community leaders to check if the makers have not distorted the facts.

He had also warned of violent protests by the people of Gujarat if the movie is released without showing it to community leaders.

Recently, Gujarat BJP had given a representation to the Election Commission opposing the release ahead of Gujarat elections next month, saying that distortion of facts in the movie will hurt the sentiments of the Kshatriya Rajput communities.

'Padmavati' has been facing a lot of trouble since early this year. Bhansali was assaulted by activists of a Rajput community group, Karni Sena, while shooting in Jaipur.
The death toll in Sunday's boat capsize in Andhra Pradesh's Krishna district rose to 19 as three more bodies were recovered from Krishna river on Monday, police said.

State disaster response and fire services department's director general N. Satyanarayana said while two bodies were recovered by teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), another was fished out by personnel of his department.

"There is suspicion that four more persons are missing. We are pressing scuba divers into service to trace the missing persons. Since there is lot of water movement because rescue teams are at work, the bodies, if any, could have floated away. We have intensified the operation," Satyanarayana said.

The overloaded boat of a private operator carrying 42 tourists capsized near Ibrahimpatnam Ferry Ghat near Vijayawada on Sunday evening.

The tourists, majority of them hailing from Ongole town, were coming from Bhavani Island to Pavitra Sangamam, or holy confluence of Krishna and Godavari rivers to witness 'Maha haarathi' ritual on the last Sunday of the auspicious month of 'Karthika'.

Local fishermen and rescue workers saved 21 people.

Krishna district collector B. Lakshmikantham said four of them were still undergoing treatment in a hospital.

Deputy Chief Minister N. Chinnarajappa, who rushed to the site along with some other cabinet colleagues on Sunday night, supervised the rescue and relief operations.

Chinnarajappa said 32 members of the Ongole Walkers' Club were among those on board. He announced Rs 8 lakh compensation each to the families of the deceased.

Overload is believed to be the cause of the accident, he said, adding that the private company also did not have permission to operate the boat.

Survivors said they boarded the private boat as the boats of the tourism department were not available. They also complained that there were no life jackets on the boat.

The collector said a case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder was booked against the company operating the boat.

One of the crew members has been arrested while three others were absconding.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu will visit the ferry ghat on Monday. He will also call on the injured.

PM condoles the tragedy

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday paid condolence to families who lost their loved ones in the Andhra Pradesh boat capsise incident.

The Prime Minister's Office posted on the micro-blogging incident: "Capsizing of a boat in the Krishna River is anguishing. My thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives in this tragedy. Andhra Pradesh Government and @NDRFHQ have been working on rescue operations: PM @narendramodi"
Continuing his attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Monday told a large gathering in this Gujarat village that just as demonetisation and the Goods and Services Tax (GST) were launched by the NDA government at midnight, Gabbar Singh, the notorious villain of popular film "Sholay", too attacked people at midnight.

"The drastic step of demonetisation was launched at midnight, the GST was also launched at the stroke of 12 midnight. Gabbar Singh too attacked villages at midnight," he said.

Interestingly, one of the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) members, Narendra Patel, was seen on the dais with him.

Gandhi continued, "During my visit to the state people have been pleading to me, with folded hands, saying please save us from Modiji. GST has crushed people. The present GST still needs to be restructured. The common man's day-to-day commodities should be exempted from GST. There should be one single GST."

The Gandhi scion, on the last day of his visit to north Gujarat, visited the World Heritage site of the step-well in Patan, Ran-ki-Vaav. On his way from Patan to Becharaji, he met farmers, farm labourers in Mela village, and also took some selfies with them.

In his Becharaji public meeting, Gandhi said, "Wherever Modiji goes, he brags about eliminating corruption in Gujarat. But when I went to Surat, many people came and told me that corruption is everywhere."

Rahul Gandhi said, "All over the world fuel prices are dropping whereas in India fuel prices are hiked."

Mentioning the 'Mann ki Baat' radio programme of Modi, Gandhi tried some words in Gujarati, "December Ma Congress Ni Sarkar Aave Che. Jyaare Amari Sarkar Aave i. (In December the Congress is coming to power. When our government formsi) we won't be telling our 'Mann Ki Baat' to you but listen to your 'Mann Ki Baat'. You won't have to agitate for anything in our government."

PAAS member Narendra Patel, who was seen on the dais with Rahul Gandhi, had recently alleged that the BJP state president had attempted to bribe him with an offer of Rs one lakh for joining the BJP.

This is the first time any PAAS leader was seen sharing the dais on any Congress function or event.

The All India Congress Committee (AICC) Vice President is on the last and fourth leg of his three-day visit to poll-bound Gujarat. He will conclude his Gujarat tour by visiting the BJP bastion and the home of Patidar agitations of Mehsana and Visnagar.

Earlier in Patan, Gandhi told the media that just like magicians perform tricks which are mere tricks and not real, similarly Prime Minister Modi has been performing tricks in Gujarat on the people.

On Monday, he began his tour of north Gujarat by visiting the Veer Meghmaya temple and had 'darshan' there. After that, he interacted with Dalit leaders of Patan. The Gandhi scion continued his attacks on Prime Minister Modi and lambasted the central government on various fronts like demonetization, the GST, unemployment and corruption.

He was warmly greeted by villagers on his visit to Kungher village in Patan district. He even mingled with the local children and offered them sweets. Later, he visited the native village of a BJP cabinet Minister in Gujarat, Dilip Thakore, in Harij. People turned up in huge numbers to greet the Congress leader, who broke the security barricades to meet them.

In Harij, he also became part of a magician's performance. Gandhi remarked, "Jadugars (magicians) have been earning money through tricks and Modiji too has been doing the same in 22 years."

While interacting with the denotified tribes and their leaders, Gandhi said that the Congress will prepare their poll manifesto after consulting the Gujarati people. "Unlike others who just make people listen to their 'Mann ki Baat', the Congress will listen to other's 'Mann ki Baat'" reiterated Gandhi.

At a public meeting in Varana in Patan, Gandhi said, "In Gujarat, there are five to 10 industrialists who are not agitating, whereas all others are doing 'andolan' (agitations)." Before his public address, he visited the temple of Goddess Khodiyar in Varana. He also offered a 'Chundadi' and 'Prasad' to the deity.

He is to address a large gathering in Mehsana, the hometown of Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat, Nitin Patel and also the district of the hometown Vadnagar of Modi. Mansa, the hometown of the BJP national president Amit Shah is also located in north Gujarat. The meeting is much-awaited as it is the epicentre of the Patidar agitation.
The class 11 student, arrested in connection with the murder of seven-year-old Ryan International School student Pradyuman Thakur, had googled for various types of poisons before carrying out the crime, the CBI probe revealed.

According to media reports, when the investigation team scrolled through the browsing history of the accused on his laptop and mobile phone, they saw that he had also searched for ways to remove fingerprints from a murder weapon.

According to sources, the accused threw the murder weapona knife he had purchased from a shopin the commode of the toilet where he committed the crime.

It has also come to light that the accused had no trouble convincing the murdered boy to come to the toilet as he knew Pradyuman personally. Media reports revealed that the two used to attend piano classes together.

According to sources, the accused revealed that after reaching the school on the day of murderSeptember 8he left his school bag in the classroom, and asked Pradyuman to accompany him to the toilet. The accused was in possession of the knife he had purchased from the market. He slit Pradyuman's throat and after the first cut, the seven-year-old vomitted blood and fell on the knife.

Meanwhile, the father of teenager had alleged that the CBI was torturing his son, which was strongly refuted by the agency.

Talking to media, father of the accused said, "My son is being tortured. He was hung upside down and brutally thrashed. He is completely innocent. Only one parents-teachers meet (PTM) had happened till now and all teachers had praised my son's performance and behaviour."

(With agency inputs)
On a day when the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti and Sardar Patel Group, spearheading the demand for reservation in Gujarat, had their core committee meetings, a video tape allegedly showing PAAS leader Hardik Patel along with a woman has gone viral on Internet.

The video, apparently shot in a hotel room, is dated May 16, 2017, around 9.20 pm. THE WEEK could not independently verify the authenticity of the video.

The PAAS meeting is being held in Gandhinagar to discuss the formula worked out by the Congress with regards to the Samiti's demands for reservation. The SPG, which Patel was associated with earlier, is also meeting in connection with the upcoming elections. A few days ago, PAAS' core committee had a meeting with Congress leaders including Kapil Sibal.

The latest video, which surfaced barely a month ahead of the assembly elections, can adversely affect Patel's campaign against the ruling BJP. Gujarat goes to polls in two phases on December 9 and 14.

Reacting to the developments, Patel said that he would take appropriate action. He alleged that the BJP was behind the video and that it was made in Bangkok. Patel said people who could bring out CD of BJP leader Sanjay Joshi could do anything.

In 2005, a video allegedly showing Joshi in a compromising position with a girl, had been circulated in Gujarat. Following the leak, Joshi had to resign from all BJP posts, but later it was found that the CD was doctored.

Patel said that at a time electioneering was picking up, allegations and counter allegations would be made. Many more things will come out, he said, adding that he would have to take it in a stride. He claimed that if he did anything, he would do it openly and would not hide anything.

A few days ago, Patel had expressed apprehension that the BJP might use his fake sex CD to defame him ahead of elections.

One of the spokespersons of the SPG said that the CD should be tested in a forensic laboratory.
The poll plank of the BJP for the last Uttar Pradesh assembly elections focused on how it wanted to fight corruption and usher change and development in the underdeveloped state and give a new fillip of hope and opportunity to its people. They won with an admirable two-thirds majority, almost decimating the opposition.

Seven months later, the people in the state who have suffered for years with bad politics dictating their lives, see that a saffron agenda is what is defining the Yogi Adityanath government.

The poster boy of Hindutva in the state who was a priest-turned-politician was a surprise choice as chief minister. Even BJP leaders were taken aback. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh were however pleased to see politics shape up the way they wanted as Adityanath, the chief priest of the Gorakhnath temple, was clearly their choice.

In his single-minded thrust to push the Hindutva agenda, the saffron draped monk has now declared Vrindavan and Barsana as pilgrimage sites. Vrindavan, with nearly 5,000 temples, is believed to be the place where Lord Krishna had grown up. Barsana is where his childhood friend, Radha, grew up. There are numerous colourful legends around both places.

What does this effectively mean? It means that non-vegetarian food and liquor cannot be served nor sold in these designated areas.

Obviously, it will push a lot of Muslims into unemployment as they singularly are into the meat business. As they would slide into consequent poverty, they will be forced to leave these towns to make a living.

Clearly, in course of time, more cities would get the pilgrimage tag. Hindutva activists are now demanding that Mathura be also declared as a pilgrimage site.

Sources indicate that actress-turned-politician and BJP MP from Mathura, Hema Malini, who has a mass appeal due to her histrionics in Bollywood films, is also demanding that the entire Braj region to be similarly declared as a religious shrine. The Braj region encompasses around 80km and has a fairly large Muslim population.

There are indications that other areas that may get the pilgrimage tag are likely to be Nandgaon, Gokul and Govardhan.

Obviously, all these moves are cleverly being engineered and vocalised keeping in view the upcoming civic elections starting on November 22. It will be an indicator of what people think of the BJP which has captured power in Uttar Pradesh after 15 years.

Already, there has been much hype over other polarising mechanisms in the form of whipping up passions over love jihad concerning inter-religious marriages, ghar wapsi that is related to reconversions back to Hinduism and moral policing that discourages young unmarried couples from moving around in public spaces.

It is not designating cities as pilgrimage sites alone that is being done by 44-year-old Adityanath who is seen as one of Indias youngest chief ministers. He has ensured that school bags distributed to students in government schools are orange. He has recently flagged off a series of new state transport buses painted saffron. His chair at both his office and residence is draped in saffron and now, he is getting the chief ministers office painted in his favourite colour that symbolises his political affiliation.

Adityanath spent his Diwali in Ayodhya last month clearly signalling the importance of the place where he is aggressively advocating the building of the Ram temple. He has nursed controversy for many years now. The BJP is wary of his influence and so does not crack down on him even if they do not agree with his views or style of functioning.

In 2002, he set up the Hindu Yuva Vahini, a right-wing outfit. Earlier, its activities that largely dealt with advocating the idea of Hindutva, was limited to Gorakhpur where Adityanath operated from. But now, it is growing elsewhere in the state and is making itself heard and discussed due to its aggressive cow vigilantism.

Of late, there have been many avoidable communal incidents involving the Vahini supporters. Donning saffron scarves, Vahini supporters aggressively push the Hindutva agenda in the countryside.

RSS leaders are worried with this as the BJP has to face general elections in another two years and do not see the growth of another Hindu outfit as a healthy one as it competes for attention.

Will just a saffron agenda help Adityanath to muster support in the next parliamentary elections and the state elections in another four and a half years? Most unlikely. Just closing down illegal slaughter houses is not enough. He will have to perform as his party was largely voted for change as the populace was fed up with the regional politics of Mulayam Singh Yadavs Samajwadi Party and Mayawatis Bahujan Samaj Party as both got embroiled in governance issues.

With his massive waiver of Rs 36,000 crore for small and marginal farmers, the exchequer is struggling to live up to the challenge of diverting money for development.

However, he has recently shown that he can take tough decisions like voluntarily retiring numerous top officials who were tainted with corruption charges. He will have to do much more and whip in a new culture in the state where it is not easy to get things done.

A White Paper released by him two months ago does not inspire any confidence. It mostly deals with how previous governments failed. We all know that. What he should have done is provide his new vision and dynamic thinking.

Seven months is not a long time in governance especially by a party that has not been in power for long. But it is enough to provide pointers on the shape of things to come. And, that does not seem promising.

UP is not an easy state to govern. It is known for rampant corruption, caste wars, misogyny, sluggish bureaucracy, narrow politics and poor development indices like health and education.

Adityanath has to change all that if he has to make good all the promises his party made before the elections.
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull slumped to a new low in a poll released on November 13 as his government cobbled together a deal with the main opposition party to stem a citizenship crisis that has left his government hanging precariously to power.

Turnbull has been heavily criticised for failing to act decisively in a crisis that has so far seen his deputy, along with six other lawmakers, ejected from parliament because they were dual citizens, leaving Turnbull presiding over a minority government.



In the latest twist in a drama that has played out over several months, independent lawmakers threatened over the weekend to use their new-found power in the lower house to push through controversial legislation that has been blocked by the government, including a Royal Commission into the banking sector.

The latest Newspoll, published by The Australian, showed the main opposition Labor Party leading Turnbull's Liberal-National party coalition on a two-party basis, marking a 23rd consecutive loss since Turnbull ousted Tony Abbott to become prime minister in September 2015.

Turnbull, then riding high in the polls, cited the fact that Abbott lost 30 consecutive Newspolls to justify the spill. On a personal basis, Turnbull's support crumbled from 41 precent to 36 percent.



At the time of becoming prime minister, his support was at an all-time high of 55 percent."He's probably had one of the fastest falls in personal standing in our history," former Liberal Party leader John Hewson told the media. "And worse still, no outcomes that really matter to the average voter."The citizenship saga has overshadowed Turnbull's attempts to turn the domestic agenda to voter-friendly issues like tax reform, infrastructure and housing affordability.



A contentious national survey on same-sex marriage and a chequered rollout of a multibillion dollar broadband network have added to perceptions of chaos in the country's leadership. With Turnbull in Vietnam for a meeting of Asia-Pacific leaders, his foreign minister and acting prime minister Julie Bishop told reporters the polls were "not surprising" and the government had a plan to resolve the dual citizenship issue.

Dual citizenship is banned for members of parliament under Australia's constitution in a bid to prevent split allegiances. But adherence to that rule has only come under the spotlight in the current crisis, with the High Court confirming a strict interpretation of the law.

With both sides of politics threatening to out lawmakers from the other side as dual citizens, the government and opposition agreed on November 13 to a deadline of December 1 for all politicians to disclose the birthplace of their parents and grandparents.

 Reuters
At least 134 people were killed and over thousands others injured after a powerful earthquake measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale struck an area near the Iran-Iraq border, media reports said on Monday.

According to Iran's state-run Press TV, 130 victims were killed in Kermanshah province.

Four other people were killed in Iraq's Darbandikhan town, Sulaimaniya province, Governor Omar Ahmad told the media early on November 13.

The death toll has gone up to 145. The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake measured magnitude 7.3. An Iraqi meteorology official put its magnitude at 6.5 with the epicentre in Penjwin in Sulaimaniyah province in the Kurdistan region close to the main border crossing with Iran.

It occurred at a depth of 33.9km, and tremors were felt in Turkey, Israel, Kuwait, Lebanon and as far as Pakistan.

Iraq's Meteorological Organisation has issued a warning urging citizens to stay away from buildings and to refrain from using elevators.

Iraq's Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi was closely following the situation of the country's citizens, a statement from his office said.

Over 20 Iranian villages in the area have been damaged and power and water flow have been disrupted.

On the Iraqi side, the most extensive damage was in the town of Darbandikhan, 75 km (47 miles) east of the city of Sulaimaniyah in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region.

More than 30 people were injured in the town, according to Kurdish Health Minister Rekawt Hama Rasheed.

The situation there is very critical, Rasheed said.

The districts main hospital was severely damaged and had no power, Rasheed said, so the injured were taken to Sulaimaniyah for treatment. Homes and buildings had extensive structural damage, he said.

In Halabja, local officials said a 12-year-old boy died of an electric shock from a falling electric cable.

Many residents in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, rushed from their houses and tall buildings in panic.

I was sitting with my kids having dinner and suddenly the building was just dancing in the air, said Majida Ameer, who ran out of her building in the capitals Salihiya district with her three children. I thought at first that it was a huge bomb. But then I heard everyone around me screaming: Earthquake!'

Similar scenes unfolded in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region, and across other cities in northern Iraq, close to the quakes epicentre.

Iraqs meteorology centre advised people to stay away from buildings and not to use elevators, in case of aftershocks.

Turkey

Residents of Turkeys southeastern city of Diyarbakir also reported feeling a strong tremor, but there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties in the city.

Turkish Red Crescent Chairman Kerem Kinik told broadcaster NTV that Red Crescent teams in Erbil were preparing to go to the site of the earthquake, and that Turkeys national disaster management agency, AFAD, and National Medical Rescue Teams (UMKE) were also preparing to head into Iraq. AFADs chairman said the organisation was waiting for a reply to its offer for help.

In a tweet, Kinik said the Turkish Red Crescent was gathering 3,000 tents and heaters, 10,000 beds and blankets and moving them towards the Iraqi border.

We are coordinating with Iranian and Iraqi Red Crescent groups. We are also getting prepared to make deliveries from our northern Iraq Erbil depot, he said.

Israeli media said the quake was felt in many parts of Israel as well.

 IANS, Reuters
The United States, known for attracting largest number of international students, is for the first time witnessing a decline in number of new foreign student enrolments.

While the overall number of international students studying in the United States has increased, the number of new international studentsthose enrolled at a US institution for the first time in fall 2016, declined by nearly 10,000 students to about 291,000a three per cent decrease from the previous year. The data was reported by Institute of International Education (IIE) in its Open Doors report. The Open Doors report is supported by a grant from the bureau of educational and cultural affairs, US department of State.

The factors driving the slowing of growth include a mix of global and local economic conditions, and in some cases expanded higher education opportunities at home and declining populations. The scaling back of large Saudi and Brazil government scholarship programs were a significant factor, as the number of students from those two countries showed the biggest decreases, particularly in non-degree study.

In 2016, international students brought $39 billion to the United States economy through their spending on tuition, room and board and living expenses, according to the US Department of Commerce.

Students from around the world who study in the United States also contribute to America's scientific and technical research and bring international perspectives into US classrooms, helping American students prepare for global careers, and often lead to longer-term business relationships and economic benefits.

For the third year in a row, the largest growth was in the number of students from India, primarily at the graduate level and in optional practical training (OPT). China remains the top sending country, with almost twice the number of students in the US as India, but Indias rate of growth outpaced that of China.

According to the report, institutions express concerns about recruiting students from the Middle East and North Africa (76 per cent), likely due to adjustments in the Saudi Arabian government's scholarship programme and potential concerns about travel restrictions to the US.

The report shows that 325,339 American students received academic credit last year at the home campus for study abroad in 2015-2016, an increase of four per cent from the previous year.

Study abroad by American students has more than tripled in the past two decades; however, the rate of growth had slowed following the financial crisis in 2008. The population of US students studying abroad continues to diversify, with greater inclusion of students from underrepresented racial and ethnic backgrounds.
CityFibre Infrastructure Holdings has stolen a march on BT in a David versus Goliath battle over Britains fibre network infrastructure.

The company, valued at less than 400million, has committed to spend between 500million and 700million building a new ultra-fast broadband network for five million homes and businesses in the UK.

The announcement of planned expenditure of that sort would normally result in the share price of a small cap diving, but the reverse happened, thanks to the involvement of mobile phone network giant Vodafone.

Fast internet: CityFibre has committed to spend between 500million and 700million building a new ultra-fast broadband network for five million homes and businesses in the UK

Phase one will see the construction in 12 cities of fibre-to-the-premises networks (FTTP) capable of carrying one gigabit per second of data to the door of users.

Vodafone has said Ill have some of that and effectively underwritten the project. It will have exclusive rights to market ultrafast consumer broadband services for 10 years, after which CityFibre will be free to lease out the network capacity to Vodafones rivals.

Over 20 years the first phase of the agreement to connect one million homes is estimated by the CityFibre to be worth more than 500million in total revenues, thanks to Vodafones commitment to a minimum volume guarantee of 20 per cent of the homes that could potentially connect to the network.

The agreement with Vodafone has an option to expand coverage to five million homes by 2025.

Vodafone said the partnership with CityFibre represented one of the most significant developments in UK telecommunications since the launch of ADSL broadband around 17 years ago.

The new network would deliver 50 per cent of the UK government's target of 'full fibre' to 10million homes and businesses as well as providing high-capacity backhaul connections required for the next generation of 5G mobile services.

Meanwhile, dear old BT  well, some would argue it is dear and it certainly is old  is still calling for support for its FTTP plans.

At the end of last month its Openreach broadband arm published the initial results from a major consultation process with the UKs broadband providers.

Openreach wants to build an FTTP network across the UK, and communications providers such as Sky, TalkTalk, Vodafone and Openreachs parent company BT broadly agree that this would safeguard the UKs position as a leading digital economy.

The catch is that Openreach would obviously want to make the proposition economically viable; to do so, it says a number of key enablers will need to be put in place through close co-operation among the communications industry, the industrys watchdog Ofcom and the government.

Openreach estimates that building FTTP connections all the way to ten million front doors would cost in the region of 3billion to 6billion, so deciding how that investment can be recovered fairly through wholesale pricing will be critical to making a commercial case work, it said.

CityFibre seems to have already found a way, though.

Greg Mesch, CityFibres chief executive, said the partnership would unlock the UK's full fibre future and establish an unassailable wholesale infrastructure position across 20 per cent of the UK broadband market.

'Significant': Vodafone has effectively underwritten the project

Nick Jeffery, Vodafone UK chief executive added: The UK has fallen far behind the rest of the world, trapped by the limited choice available on legacy networks.

CityFibres joint broker, Liberum Capital, has a target price of 80p for the London-based firm, which is currently trading at around 60p.

The partnership clearly positions CityFibre as the leading UK provider of full fibre infrastructure for home connectivity, while helping enhance its metro, business and mobile tower businesses. Phase one of the roll-out is expected to be largely financed with available funds and a new debt package to be secured next year, the broker said.

With both Vodafone and CityFibre clearly interested in pushing onwards towards 5million homes fairly soon, the total revenues from this partnership could be significantly higher during this period, the broker added.

Its a shot across BTs bows, and a neat riposte from Vodafone to BTs acquisition of EE, which saw the telecoms heavyweights return to the world of mobile phone networks.

Competition: Openreach

Whilst any large-scale fibre deployment is by nature a lengthy process, the equivalent of todays announcement, in telco time-terms, is that Vodafone is lighting a firework and preparing to enjoy the spectacle that unfolds  one which will reward on multiple fronts, suggested Deutsche Bank.

BTs acquisition of EE is seeing the UK market move towards convergence products which have proven popular (and deflationary) in other markets, Deutsche noted.

CityFibres nominated adviser finnCap was predictably effusive.

This is the execution of a consistent and very clear strategic direction, which will now deliver to a grateful UK starved of appropriate bandwidth, it said.

We expect Vodafone will be the first major service provider to sign up, and all others will follow. Notably, the deal is silent in mobile, which leaves another whole tranche of network utilisation to be explored, finnCap concluded.
The owner of department chain Selfridges has pocketed a 39 million windfall after a sales surge as foreign shoppers seized on the weaker pound.

Canadian tycoon Galen Weston, 77, reaped this years 38.5 million dividend thanks to a 16 per cent jump in sales to 1.6 billion during the year to January.

Galen Weston (left) received his dividend following a 16% boost in sales

The businessman snapped up the 109-year-old business for a reported 598 million in 2003.

This boom has partly been driven by the drop in the pound since the Brexit vote, which has driven a surge in visitors from China, the Middle East and America seeking luxury goods.

A 300 million effort to transform the companys flagship store in Oxford Street and revamp its online operation has also paid off.
Betting giant Ladbrokes Coral reported rising revenues in its third quarter as strong growth at its digital arm and in Europe offset falling sales at its UK stores.

The bookie said revenues rose 3 per cent in the four months to the end of October, with digital revenues increasing by 12 per cent.

However, revenues at Ladbrokes.com fell by 9 per cent, while Coral.co.uk saw a 13 per cent increase amid a competitive market.

Ladbrokes Coral has been increasingly shifting its focus online as betting shops are in decline

Ladbrokes Coral, like other betting companies, has been increasingly shifting its focus online. While falling sales at betting shops are an already known trend, poor performance at Ladbrokes' online platform is likely to have disappointed investors.

Shares in the FTSE 250 listed company fell 2 per cent to 134p in morning trading.

George Salmon, equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: 'On first glance, these results are pretty true to the form book. UK Retail continues to trend downwards, while the Digital business delivers strong growth.

'Dig a little deeper however, and one sees that growth at Coral, plus strong performances in Italy and Australia, have masked a weaker showing from Ladbrokes.com. A better performance here will be needed going forwards.'

Ladbrokes Coral, which was formed from the 2.3billion merger of Ladbrokes and Gala Coral last November, said revenues from betting shops in the UK fell 1 per cent, but European retail revenues rose by 17 per cent thanks to strong performance in Italy.

The third quarter results come as Ladbrokes Coral was fined 2.3million last week after 'failing to interact' with two customers who gambled away 1.3million playing its online games, some of which was stolen money.

The Gambling Commission said its investigations had revealed 'significant flaws' in the way Gala Interactive, a sub-brand of the group, dealt with punters displaying problem gambling behaviour such as the two customers.

Ladbrokes Coral, like other betting companies, is also awaiting a possible crackdown by the government on fixed-odd betting machines, which are considered highly addictive.

Rebecca O'Keeffe, Head of Investing at interactive investor said: 'Gambling companies have been making out like one armed bandits since the summer, as expectations grow that the Government will compromise on a much higher figure for fixed odds betting terminals than the 2 maximum suggested during this year's election campaign.

'However, while betting shops are the focus of attention for politicians, the real action can be found on smartphones and elsewhere  with surging revenues and profits being driven from online betting.

'Companies who have got their online strategy right are the significant winners and although Ladbrokes Coral has seen a 12% jump in digital revenues, the comparison against online competitors such as bet365 and Sky Bet, who both reported huge revenue growth last week, has left the market slightly disappointed and sent the share price lower.'
With Christmas just around the corner and card payments increasingly replacing cash payments, a mobile card reader could be key to boosting your sales.

It really pays for small and micro enterprises to keep up with the times and have card machines at the ready to take payments - or else you risk losing custom during the peak trading season.

However, accepting payments through traditional card terminals can be costly - with monthly terminal hire alone costing up to 40. The good news though is the advent of mobile card readers has reduced costs.

Featured on our list of the best four mobile card readers in market are iZettle, Square, SumUp Air and PayPal Here

They do away with the monthly charge and can be purchased for an upfront cost of as little as 29.

They're pretty nifty too - offering a way of trading on the go by allowing businesses to take payments immediately and securely via Wifi or mobile data, without having to handle cash.

It can also be argued they make a business seem more professional and credible to customers.

But with so many gadgets now available, each boasting unique features and charging structures, it can be tricky to work out which may suit your businesses.

To help you on your way, This is Money has teamed up Stephen Hart, chief executive of price comparison website for credit/debit card processing costs Cardswitcher, and Emma Jones, founder of small business support group Enterprise Nation, to create a list of the best card readers on the market. Here's how they compare.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU BUY While mobile card readers are clever tool, the trade-off is they often charge higher fees than dedicated payment processing companies, and not all merchants accept payments over the phone and online. They also rely on Wifi or mobile phone reception to work so if you're trading out in the sticks or anywhere else with a limited signal, you'll need to ensure you have an ample cash stockpile for when coverage is patchy. Featured on our list of the best card readers are iZettle, PayPal Here, Square and Sum Up Air. Users of these devices aren't required to sign a contract, so they can use them for as long or short a period as they like. The card readers also allow merchants to send receipts via email or SMS but receipt printers are extra. So if your customer doesn't have an email address or mobile number, or if you don't fancy shelling out on a compatible printer (which can cost north of 100), the only option you're left with is writing one by hand. What's more, they all offer an accompanying point of sale app allowing you to track real-time sales data, for example, at no extra cost - although some are more elaborate than others. SumUp Air for example offers a basic point of sale app as standard but users can upgrade to a 'complete' solution which provides a re-configured iPad, an iPad stand, a receipt printer, a cash drawer and a Wi-Fi router. This, however, will incur a fixed monthly cost.

This list is in no particular order. Scroll down for a comparison table of the card readers.

iZettle

Key Features

Accepts chip & pin, contactless and magnetic swipe payments  including Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and Android Pay

Vast array of cards accepted - including Amex

Sophisticated accompanying point of sale app and extensive range of add ons

Eight-hour battery life (approximately 100 transactions)

The iZettle card reader cost 29 and levies transaction fee of 1.75 per cent

Cost

You can get your hands on an iZettle reader for 29 (plus VAT) until the end of November. The price reverts back to 59 plus VAT thereafter. When it comes to transaction costs, the firm levies a flat fee of 1.75 per cent on each instance.

There is no contract with iZettle and customers can change their pricing plan that covers extra services (see below) at any time.

Add ons

iZettle offers a range of paid-for commerce tools from access to capital with iZettle Advance to an invoicing service. Here are some of the most noteworthy extras:

iZettle Advance: iZettle offers credit to its customers in the form of advances, to be repaid with each card transaction.

iZettle Go: A free point-of-sale app that allows customers to manage their sales and labour.

iZettle Pro: An electronic point-of-sale app designed specifically for the hospitality industry.

Summary

The iZettle reader is a solid choice. Its transaction fee is one of the cheapest on market, and payments are deposited into users' accounts within two business days.

The highs: The device most notably accepts a vast array of cards - more than the others in the list - and comes with a range of add-ons to grow your business.

The lows: The iZettle readers can't accept payments when the card is not present - so you can't take payments over the phone - and the device can't be used abroad.

'We charge for ice cream at festivals with our iZettle card reader' Henry Milroy, and Rob Huysinga, both 23, are the co-founders of Pan-n-Ice, which makes ice-cream instantly on frozen plates. Henry Milroy, right, and Rob Huysinga use the iZettle Reader for their ice cram business The business operates from stalls in the Westfield Stratford shopping centre in London, Selfridges in Manchester and Birmingham, as well as events and festivals on occasions. It uses the iZettle reader to take card payments. Milroy, said: 'We first started the business taking cash payments at different festivals. We didn't know that there was a way of taking card payments when you are out and about. 'Having one has been vital for our business and has undoubtedly contributed to a rise in sales. 'Our readers have a good back of house system that allows us to track peak sales times, what we made at different events and what the best selling product was. We use this information to make sure that there are enough members of staff to maximise sales during the busiest periods.' The experience has not been plain sailing however. Milroy said he has encountered issues with the reader and other card readers he has used in the past when trading in remote locations - at festivals, for example - as well as events where mobile signal is hard to come by because of the sheer amount of revellers using their phones.

PayPal Here

Key features

The PayPal Here device allows customers to add a tip directly on the card reader

Big and instantly recognisable brand

Accepts chip & pin, contactless and magnetic swipe payments  including Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and Android Pay

Enables payments where card is not present - eg over the phone

Sophisticated accompanying point of sale app and extensive range of add ons

Payments are deposited in businesss PayPal account within seconds

The device allows customers to add a tip directly on the card reader

Cost

There is a one-off charge of 35 (incl VAT) for the card reader until 30 November, after which time it will revert to the normal selling price of 75 (incl VAT). And the cost per transaction ranges from 2.75 per cent to as low as 1.5 per cent (when monthly transactions amount to 15,000 or more). The charge is 3.4 per cent + 20p for transactions where the card is not present.

Add ons

PayPal Here also offers integrated software tailored to specific industries including retail, transport, trade and health and beauty. For example, its range of partner accessories includes the 'Complete Cab' bundle - a TfL-approved payment system for mini-cabs.

Summary

PayPal may be one of the best-known payment processing brands but its mobile card reader is expensive compared to the others - and that's before the 35 promo price jumps to the normal 75 price. The 2.75 per cent transaction fee is steep too - although it does fall to 1.5 per cent if your monthly transactions are greater than 15,000.

The highs: PayPal is an instantly recognisable and a trusted brand, therefore, the reader may make merchant seem more credible. The device can be used to trade overseas, so long as its customer services team is informed in advance. It also allows customers to add a tip directly on the card reader, which could be of particular benefit for businesses in the hospitality industry.

The lows: Many SMEs are likely to be burnt by the higher transaction fee band. In addition, while PayPal can credit funds to your PayPal account instantly, there can be restrictions on accessing these funds depending on your business and its activities. This could cause cashflow problems. It also does not accept as many cards as the others - but as with all of the readers included in the top four, it accepts Visa, MasterCard and Amex.

WHY I USE PAYPAL HERE Gareth Walton of campervan accessories firm OLPRO uses the PayPal Here card reader at roadshows Gareth Walton, 38, is the operations manager at campervan accessories firm OLPRO. While the firm's online store is its main source of revenue, Gareth and his colleagues travel around the country to set up shop at industry roadshows. He and his colleagues use PayPal Here to take card payments at these events. Walton claims using a mobile card reader has been a boon for business - offering a preferred alternative to cash payments. 'We used to take substantial amounts of cash to roadshows back in the day but now we take card reader too - which is probably the safer thing to do.' He added: 'People often complain that these devices do not offer paper receipts but this not necessarily a big deal. People aren't as bothered about not being given a tangible receipt with their purchase. Besides, if you really want to offer paper receipts, you can buy a printer separately.'

Square

Key features

Sophisticated accompanying point of sale app and a good range of add ons

Enables payment where card is not present

Accepts chip & pin, contactless and magnetic swipe payments  including Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and Android Pay

Users can make around 500 payments before the battery depletes

Payments made via Square are transferred to the merchant's bank account within two days

Cost

The Square card machine costs 39 plus VAT, while a 1.75 per cent fee is applied on transactions using the card reader.

For transactions made over the phone, online or through invoicing and other instances where the card is not present, the charge is 2.5 per cent.

Add ons

Those operating larger businesses can purchase additional features such as employee management for 3 a month.

You can buy a charging dock for the Square Reader for 19 plus VAT.

Summary

Square is a good all rounder. It's cheap - with transaction fees levied at 1.75 per cent - can be used when a card is not present and users can make around 500 payments before the battery depletes.

The highs: Quick deposits is a notable feature of Square. Funds are transferred to the merchant's bank account within one or two business days as default. The battery life is also a plus point.

The lows: The device is notable for not having a dedicated PIN pad on the reader, so customers are required to enter their PIN on the smartphone or tablet running the Square app. UK customers are not used to such a system and may not trust it. Also, the machine can't be used abroad.

Exclusive Square offer for readers of This is Money This is Money has teamed up with Square to offer free processing on the first 1,000 of transactions with for new card reader customers. To get started, you have to create an account with Square and the free processing will be automatically credited to your account. Click here for more details.

SumUp Air

Key features

Competitive 1.69 per cent transaction fee

Enables payment where card is not present

Accepts chip & pin, contactless and magnetic swipe payments  including Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and Android Pay

Allows businesses to create separate SumUp accounts for employees

Sum Up Air boasts the cheapest transaction cost of all four card readers at 1.69 per cent

Costs

The reader itself costs 59 plus VAT. Transaction costs where payment is taken off a physical card are levied at 1.69 per cent, while virtual terminal and SMS payment transactions are charged at 2.95 per cent plus 25p.

Add ons

SumUp also offers a complete point of sale solution, which, if you opt for it, will incur a fixed monthly cost. It includes a re-configured iPad, an iPad stand, a receipt printer, a cash drawer and a Wi-Fi router.

Summary

Sum Up Air boasts the cheapest transaction cost of 1.69 per cent compared to the rest of the top four card readers listed but you have to purchase another add on for a more extensive point of sale solution.

The highs: The reader can take payments where the card is not present, be used abroad if customer services is notified beforehand and make 500 transactions before the battery dies.

The lows: The cost of the device is 59 plus VAT - more than double that of iZettle. It lacks add-on products that extend the usefulness of the reader. And it can take up to two or three business days for payments to be deposited.

The table below offers a brief summary of the key features of all four card readers.

Card reader comparison table iZettle PayPal Here Square Sum Up Air Solution Type Wireless Chip & PIN reader, contactless + mobile app Wireless Chip & PIN reader, contactless + mobile app Wireless Chip & PIN reader, contactless + mobile app Wireless Chip & PIN reader, contactless + mobile app Device cost From 29 + VAT until 30 November 2017. 59 + VAT thereafter 35 until 30 November 2017. 62.50 + VAT thereafter 39 + VAT 59 + VAT Cost per transaction 1.75% 2.75% to as low as 1.5% (when monthly transactions 15,000 or more).

3.4% + 20p where card is not present 1.75%. Where the card is not present, the charge is 2.5%. 1.69%. Where the card is not present, the charge is 2.95% + 25p Transaction limits 1 minimum and 200,000 per day max, with a 5,000 transaction limit per card and transaction Minimum 1 and maximum 5,500 per card and transaction Up to 250,000 1 minimum. Maximum varies individually Payment methods (touch, swipe, chip and pin) PIN, contactless tap and swipe PIN, contactless tap and swipe PIN, contactless tap and swipe PIN, contactless tap and swipe Transaction settlement delay Within 1-2 business days Within seconds to a PayPal account 1-2 days Up to 2-3 business days Supported cards MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Maestro, V pay, Visa Electron, JCB, Diners Club, China Union Pay Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Maestro, Visa Electron or Vpay Visa, Visa Electron, V Pay, MasterCard, Maestro, American Express Keyed transactions (when card is not present) No Yes Yes Yes Receipts Email, SMS or print Email, SMS or print Email, SMS or print Email, SMS or print Battery life Eight-hour battery life (100 transactions Up to 7 days (on standby) or up to 100 transactions Users can make around 500 payments before the battery depletes Users can make around 500 payments before the battery depletes Connection Bluetooth to smartphone/tablet with 3G/4G/Wifi Bluetooth to smartphone/tablet with 3G/4G/Wifi Bluetooth to smartphone/tablet with 3G/4G/Wifi Bluetooth to smartphone/tablet with 3G/4G/Wifi Use abroad No Can be activated if customer services is informed in advance No Can be activated if customer services is informed in advance

Which one should I get?

Of course, the most suitable card reader varies from business to business, but there are key metrics to consider to help you determine which one that is.

Cost is a key consideration, and the differences are clear to see. PayPal Here is the most expensive overall.

While all four featured readers have no fixed contract or monthly fees and no required transaction volumes, the transaction fees range from 1.69 per cent to 2.75 per cent. The figures are even higher for payments where the card is not present.

Meanwhile, the device cost is between 39 plus VAT for Square and 62.50 plus VAT for PayPal Here (once the iZettle and PayPal Here promotions expire at the end of November).

That said, cost isn't everything. It is important to look under the bonnet of each proposition to find out whether they align to the needs of your business.

All four devices accept Visa, MasterCard and Amex cards but it is worth double checking if there are other card types you think you need to accept, according to Stephen Hart from Cardswitcher.

You also need to check if the device is compatible with your smartphone/tablet, and, crucially, how long it takes before the card payments you take will be transferred into your accounts.

Emma Jones from Enterprise Nation says: 'In the early days of card readers, the money took many days or even a week to trickle into you bank account.

'Today there is no need to wait more than a day, two tops. This is also helpful for cash flow. It also saves you having to take a lot of cash home with you and then count it into bundles and bags and take it to the bank when it opens the next day.'

In addition, it is probably worth paying that little bit extra on a device that not only facilitates card payments but boasts features that can help drive up sales.

Hart adds: 'The biggest difference between devices is probably the reporting/ analytics tools on offer to help you run your business - these are now very sophisticated but do vary so check what's on offer from each for your business needs.

'All the websites have great videos showcasing their functionality. Finally, there's integration - some devices seamlessly integrate with popular accounting packages such as Xero.'

Traditional card terminals could still be the best solution

While mobile card readers have been a positive addition to the payment options available to merchants, traditional terminals should not be overlooked.

Yes devices are still pretty pricey. Terminal hire is typically levied between 15 and 20 a month - but can be up to 40 - and you can face another a minimum monthly charge if your transaction volume isnt high enough.

So for the smallest of merchants who take occasional take card payments, they may well be too expensive. But transaction rates have reduced significantly in the past 18 months, Hart says, adding: 'While the cheapest card reader option will charge a 1.69 per cent transaction fee, a traditional terminal package could be as low as 0.3 per cent for debit cards and 0.8 per cent for credit cards.

'When we do the maths, we estimate that the traditional terminals start to become cheaper overall at a monthly transaction volume of around 2,200 (26,400 per year), which isnt that high.

'So even if a mobile card reader is best for your business now, keep an eye on the costs as your business grows - at card payment turnover of around 50,000 per year, the mobile card readers are twice as expensive as traditional terminals.'
Security chiefs are concerned that free anti-virus software handed out by Barclays is spying on customers for the Russian government.

GCHQ officials have been concerned about the Kaspersky Lab, which is led by a former Soviet military intelligence expert and supplied the bank with the software, amid fears it may have been influenced by Vladimir Putin's Federal Security Service.

Kaspersky software has been sent out by Barclays to all customers who use its internet baking service since 2008, but is trying to cut ties with the Russian company.

Security chiefs are concerned that free anti-virus software handed out by Barclays is spying on customers for the Russian government

There are now fears that any Barclays customers who are in high-security jobs are at risk of having their personal files hacked.

However, both Barclays and GCHQ have confirmed that neither organisation has been in contact with the other about any potential breaches.

A spokesman for the relevant arm of GCHQ, the NCSC, told the Financial Times: 'The NCSC has never advised Barclays against the use of Kaspersky products.

'Any suggestion to the contrary is categorically untrue. The NCSC is not a regulator and does not mandate or ban any products.

'Our certification schemes do not currently cover anti-virus or anti-malware services.'

A Barclays spokesman corroborated this, adding: 'We have never received any advice or guidance from GCHQ or the National Cyber Security Centre in relation to Kaspersky.'

Kaspersky is based in Moscow and its founder, Eugene Kaspersky, is a former KGB-trained intelligence expert for the Soviet Union

Kaspersky is based in Moscow and its founder, Eugene Kaspersky, is a former KGB-trained intelligence expert for the Soviet Union.

A company spokesman told the Financial Times: 'No credible evidence has been presented publicly by anyone or any organisation.

'The accusations of any inappropriate ties with the Russian government are based on false allegations and inaccurate assumptions, including the claims about Russian regulations and policies impacting the company.'
The British boss who exposed a 1.1 billion scandal at Japanese manufacturer Olympus has won a deal to turn his battle into a TV drama.

Michael Woodford discovered shocking irregularities when he became chief executive of the camera and medical gear maker in 2011.

Michael Woodford has sold the rights of his experiences at Olympus to TV

When he tried to get to the bottom of what had happened, he was sacked and forced to flee the country.

Police back in Britain even warned the boss that he could face assassination attempts from Japans feared Yakuza crime clans.

Woodfords efforts eventually saw several directors quit in disgrace and led to a criminal inquiry. The 57-year-old has now sold the rights to his tale to New York TV producer Tenafly.
THE royal command from the sovereign His Majesty King Mswati III resolving the controversy over the shutdown of the Swaziland Christian University in Mbabane was welcomed with an audible sigh of relief from across the nation albeit in the long haul it might just turn out to be like the Sword of Damocles.



What matters is not the problem but how it is resolved hence the Sword of Damocles narrative.

In this specific case its immediate impact is to make certain institutions dysfunctional for fear of treading where the angels fear. Consequently, this ends up creating more problems than resolving one as the case of the SCU might well prove in the long term.

Ironically the government cannot be exonerated from culpability for the mess culminating in the closure of the SCU. While not being judgmental on the capacity of the SCU to fulfill its mandate as a tertiary institution to the Swazi child, it is governments impotence and inaction that over the years sprouted so-called tertiary institutions every square metre of Swazi soil that were largely owned by foreigners from across the continent.



It was open season with no one to reign them in.

A majority of these money-spinning ventures parading as tertiary institutions sprouted at a time when Swazis were timid to venture into such areas of business ostensibly because they were not business-savvy coupled to the ignorance driven belief that private persons and institutions could not own and operate institutions of learning, more especially tertiary institutions. This belief was evidently informed by a lack of exposure to what was happening elsewhere outside the borders of the Kingdom of Eswatini.



For decades government did nothing to control and regulate these largely foreign-owned pseudo tertiary institutions that were ripping off Swazi students in exchange for qualifications that could not assure them jobs anywhere. It is only yesterday that government seemingly woke up from her slumber and thereupon established the Swaziland Higher Education Council (SHEC) that is now responsible for overseeing and regulating tertiary institutions and whose mandate has since been compromised.



It is ironic that in the middle of often violent protests by students over the closure of SCU, government sought to pass the buck by claiming that it was not responsible for shutting down the institution.



This was akin to disowning SHEC, its very creation like parents disowning their offspring. Instead of abdicating its responsibilities government ought to have preoccupied itself with providing solutions to the problem. But then again, owing to the crude architecture of the obtaining political hegemony, government is not primarily serving people but only its benefactor hence it recoiled to its natural habitat of unleashing its only tool, the hammer, because it tends to see every problem involving the people as a nail.

On the sidelines government appointed a task team, or whatever you want to call it, to investigate  a time wasting exercise for which this government has become accomplished  to appear to be doing something.



Accumulatively this, and a very long list of other problems and challenges facing this nation - they include the question over the decriminalisation of cannabis, influx of alien nationals into the country, widespread unemployment of the youth, poverty alleviation/interventions, chronic problem of food security, reckless management of the fiscus etc., would have unravelled the government and, if it were accountable to the people as in under a multiparty democracy, would have long been sent packing.

As I see it, while not attempting to debate the pros and cons of the issues central to the closure of SCU, of concern is the composition of SHEC itself.



Reports that there were/are manoeuvres to incorporate SCU into the University of Swaziland somewhat support this position, which would mean some of the members were self-serving.



It would also be disturbing if there was credence to another swirling rumour that the closure of SCU had to do with shareholding.

It is difficult to dismiss this rumour since it is now currency that any major investor coming to these shores is demanded to cede free shareholding to the powers that be. This has inevitably led to capital flight hence the moribund economy encumbering the Kingdom of Eswatini.



But the heart of the matter in this issue are the implications of the much welcomed royal command resolution of the SCU self-made imbroglio that has been a balm to the hurting souls of the affected Swazi students and their parents.

But this is impossible under the political status quo because this would be harmful to the credibility of the overly protected but dysfunctional Tinkhundla Political System.

Hence problems and challenges are routinely papered over superficially by addressing the symptoms and ignoring the causal factors - themselves offshoots of a problematic political system.

Paradoxically the manner the SCU impasse was resolved is playing to the gallery, perpetuating the internationally held belief that the king is an absolute monarch.



Thus in a way, the solution to the problem becomes an own goal. That is the sum total of the ramifications of the resolution of the SCU saga that does not augur well for the kingdom especially in the furtherance of constitutionalism and the publicly peddled so-called democratic credentials of the Tinkhundla Political System. Repeated denials of the fact do not necessarily change perceptions let alone beliefs.

Typically, the narrative of whether head or tail you do not win holds true in this case!
MBABANE  Government admits that gospel artist Timothy Myenis brother was wrongfully arrested for an alleged rape incident.



The issue to be determined now is how much government is prepared to pay him for the humiliation he suffered at the hands of the police during his arrest and detention.



Sabelo Myeni, who was a furniture shop assistant manager, was arrested by members of the Royal Swaziland Police on October 25, 2007. He alleged that prior to his arrest the police went to his house where they harassed him and his wife

After being detained for two days at the Manzini Police Station, he was eventually released without having been charged or having appeared before a court of law.



He is now demanding E350 000 from government as compensation for the unlawful arrest. The money which is being demanded by the plaintiff (Sabelo) includes compensation for unlawful arrest and detention on two occasions, loss of dignity/deprivation of liberty, loss of consortium, humiliation and degradation of status.



In his particulars of claim, the plaintiff stated that on October 27, 2006 he was admitted to bail by Judge Qinisile Mabuza (now Principal Judge) on a charge of rape. He narrated that he was confronted by four police officers at his place of employment demanding to arrest him in respect of the same set of charges in which he had be released on bail for.



His lawyer from Robison Bertram, Derrick Jele, averred that the conduct of the police officers in seeking to effect a forcible arrest on his client at his workplace, in front of customers and in the presence of his subordinates were clearly unwarranted. Our client is an assistant manager of one of the big furniture shops, being Fun City Furnishers. He is also a brother to former Lubulini Member of Parliament Timothy Myeni. It is clear that our client is a person of high social standing, submitted Sabelos attorneys.



The lawyers further submitted that Sabelo spent two days in police cells under conditions which were not fit for human occupation, more so an innocent person; he was forced to mix with hardened criminals.
MANZINI  Each time he would rape two sisters, he would place a knife nearby, lock the door and further threaten to stab and kill them.



Rapist Bonginkhosi Shadrack Magagula (42) of Mankayane was arrested after the rape of two sisters who are aged 13 and 15, without protection at knife point. The rapist was charged with four rape offences before his arrest. He was tasked with cleaning the yard at the girls homestead and both sisters would be raped in the presence of the other.



One of the girls, *Lucie (13) told the court that she was first raped by the offender while her other sibling had gone to fetch stew from a neighbours house. She said Magagula pounced on her, put out the candle and attempted to stab her with the knife.



He then locked the door and ordered me not to make any noise as he would kill me by stabbing me. He hastily picked me up and threw me on the couch, stripping and raping me in the process. After he had finished, he dressed up and ordered me not to report the matter to anyone, the girl said.



*Lucie also revealed that the rapist returned the following day and found her studying with her sibling.

She said he gave her brother E5 and ordered him to leave the house.



Again, he blocked me while I attempted to go outside and locked the door. He again produced a knife and threatened to kill me if I shouted. After he had locked the door, he threw me on the three-seater couch and raped me without protection while my sister watched, *Lucie said.



She mentioned that her sister, *Thoko (15) also attested to have been raped by the same man and in the same house, while she was not present.


MANZINI  The association of human waste to witchcraft has gripped Masundvwini Primary School.



This, after teachers and pupils at the school found heaps of human waste on three occasions in some classrooms, raising suspicions that someone was trying to bewitch them.



The incidents allegedly took place on three different occasions within a space of about a fortnight; in both Grade IV and in a Grade VI classroom. In one classroom, the human waste was found on the floor while in the other incident, it was discovered in buckets, one of which was used to store the pupils food.



An inside source said the incidents had thrown the operations of the school into disarray as some of the terrified staff members were going to class just for the sake of attending though they were scared to step into the affected classrooms due to strong beliefs of witchcraft.



They are not totally boycotting the classrooms but they are not at ease when going there and in the teaching profession, one should be focused in order to deliver as expected, the insider said.



He said the first and the second incidents took place before a Grade II classroom was gutted by fire on Thursday afternoon. It still remains unknown who started the fire.



The third incident happened on the day of the fire incident.

The source said the matters were reported to the schools administration but it was deemed minor since nothing was done to address it.
MANZINI  Juba Juba is what led to the murder of an alleged rapist who was stabbed about 20 times all over the body allegedly by two teenage boys.



The boys are aged 16 and 15 respectively.

The gruesome incident is said to have occurred at Sicelwini near Fairview last Sunday at 1am.

*Ndoda (16) of Luve, a Grade V drop out at Enjabulweni Primary School and *Menzi (15), a Grade VII pupil at Manzini Central Primary School have been arrested by the police for the murder offence.



According to confessions from the Magistrates Court and Manzini Social Welfare Office, *Ndoda is said to have admitted to have brutally stabbed and killed the man, Andzile Makhanya with a knife, which he had been previously using to peel mangoes.

He had been seated around a fire at 1am, peeling and eating ripe mangoes when together with his co-accused, they saw a group of people, shouting, Inyandzaleyo, JubaJuba, nangulona u raper gogo -loosely translated, Get hold of this man, he has just raped an elderly woman.



*Ndoda added that while running towards them, they managed to catch the man. He told the officers at the welfare offices that they tripped the man and he fell to the ground.



The accused person also revealed that his co-accused, *Menzi allegedly took out the same knife they used for peeling the mangoes and stabbed the man in the back three times. He then left the incident scene.



I remained and turned over the man, stabbing him countless times in his chest. When I looked at myself a while later, my clothing was covered in blood as well as my hands.

That was when I decided to leave the man and escape as I knew I had committed a serious offence, *Ndoda revealed to the court.

He added that while stabbing Makhanya, another one of their friends said he had a bush knife, however, he did not participate in the commission of the offence.



On the following day, we were confronted by the police who said they were investigating a murder offence. We recorded statements and we were later arrested and charged with murder, the accused person said.

*Not real names to protect minors
MBABANE  It has now become impossible to administer the area because the community is defying my administrations authority.



This was one of the submissions made by Acting Chief of KoNtshingila, Inkhosatana Gelane Simelane, in her application to stop some of the residents of the area from calling any meeting without her authority. Through the office of the Attorney General the acting chief has filed an urgent application in the High Court.



She is also seeking an order restraining and interdicting some of the residents or anyone acting on their behest from intimidating and threatening the lawful administration of the area. The acting chief further wants the court to issue an order restraining the respondents (some of the residents) from running their illegal parallel administration at KoNtshingila Chiefdom.



Respondents in the matter are Langa Simelane, Mpompo Sibandze and Mphini Nhleko.

The national commissioner of police has been cited as the fourth respondent in the matter as he is expected to ensure effective compliance with the order of the court as well as maintain peace in the area.



In her founding affidavit the acting chief stated that on or around November 2, 2017, she was informed by some of her subjects at KoNtshingila that they had been called to a meeting at KaGodloza Royal Kraal. She highlighted that KaGodloza Royal Kraal was junior to the one at KaGwegwe.



She told the court that on hearing the news she then contacted some of her inner council members to ascertain the authenticity of the announcement of the meeting.

She alleged that she was then told that they did not know about the meeting and no one had informed them about it.



Information gathered upon enquiry was that the issue was reported by a resident of Encangosini area, who stated that they were called through mobile phones to attend the meeting at KaGodloza Umphakatsi, submitted the acting chief. She pointed out that the announcement was to the effect that Langa Simelane was calling all people of Encangosini who were employed to attend the meeting at KaGodloza.
DRIEKOPPIES  A leader of the Shongwe clan can fall in love with a lady of his choice but cannot marry anyone beside a Dlamini or Mamba woman.



This was revealed by Oscar Shongwe when he briefed about 1 000 people who attended the Shongwe Clan ummemo at Driekoppies last Saturday.

He said the Shongwe clan originates from Swaziland as it started during the time of King Matsafeni who married King Sobhuza Is first daughter; LaNgwane and got Matsamo, who established the tribe further.



He said from there, the clan cemented that a leader should marry a Dlamini or a woman from the Mamba clan because Bukhosi buciniswa ngalobunye. Like many men, a leader can have a girlfriend of his choice but the clan would only recognise a Dlamini or Mamba woman to be an Inkhosikati, he said.

On the same note, he warned the members of the clan not to name their children after their royalty. No one is expected to name their children as Matsafeni or Matsamo because those names are reserved for members of the royal family, he said. The current leader of the Shongwe Clan, Emmanuel, who is widely referred to as King EM Shongwe oversees about 11 chiefdoms in the Mpumalanga Province in South Africa. According to the South African statistics department, the current population in the chiefdoms is 141 374 with 75 403 women and 65 971 men.



About 1 000 people from Swaziland and South Africa, especially in the Mpumalanga Province braved the cold weather and attended the ceremony. They included high ranking government officials and chiefs while the Nkomazi Municipality was also represented. Also present were companies like ESKOM and Ligwalagwala FM among others.

The ceremony was heavily guarded by the South African Police.
European Union foreign ministers approved economic sanctions including an arms embargo on Venezuela on Monday, blaming regional elections last month for deepening the South American country\s crisis.

Anxious not to push Caracas any closer to economic and political collapse, EU governments held back from targeting any individuals, instead leaving names for a later stage to try to persuade President Nicholas Maduro to calm the situation.

"Everything we do it aimed at seeking dialogue between the government and the opposition to find a democratic and peaceful solution," Spain\s Foreign Minister Alfonso Dastis told reporters at a meeting with his counterparts where the sanctions decision was taken.

Spain has long pushed for sanctions on those close to Maduro, whom Washington accuses of installing a dictatorship, but the EU has been divided over whom to target.

In a joint statement, all 28 EU ministers said the legal basis for individual travel bans to the Europe Union and the freezing of any assets in the bloc "will be used in a gradual and flexible manner and can be expanded".

In the statement, ministers said Venezuela\s Oct. 15 regional elections were a turning point that had hardened the bloc\s position and saying they took place amid "reported numerous irregularities".

The results appeared to favor Maduro\s ruling Socialists last month, while polls had suggested the opposition would easily win a majority. In the end it won only a handful of governorships, according to the pro-government electoral board.

EU ministers will decide whom to target with sanctions at a later stage, but said they would focus on security forces and government ministers and institutions accused of human rights violations and "the non-respect of democratic principles or the rule of law".

SOURCE: REUTERS
At least 332 people were killed in Iran and Iraq when a magnitude 7.3 earthquake jolted the region on Sunday, state media in the two countries said, and rescuers were searching for dozens trapped under rubble in the mountainous area.

State television said more than 328 people were killed in Iran and at least 2,500 were injured. Local officials said the death toll would rise as search and rescue teams reached remote areas of Iran.

The earthquake was felt in several western provinces of Iran but the hardest hit province was Kermanshah, which announced three days of mourning. More than 236 of the victims were in Sarpol-e Zahab county in Kermanshah province, about 15 km (10 miles) from the Iraq border.

Iranian state television said the quake had caused heavy damage in some villages where houses were made of earthen bricks. Rescuers were laboring to find survivors trapped under collapsed buildings.

The quake also triggered landslides that hindered rescue efforts, officials told state television. At least 14 provinces in Iran had been affected, Iranian media reported.

Iran\s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei offered his condolences on Monday, urging all government agencies to do all they could to help those affected.

DANCING BUILDINGS

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake measured magnitude 7.3. An Iraqi meteorology official put its magnitude at 6.5 with the epicenter in Penjwin in Sulaimaniyah province in the Kurdistan region, close to the main border crossing with Iran.

Kurdish health officials said at least four people were killed in Iraq and at least 50 injured.

The quake was felt as far south as Baghdad, where many residents rushed from their houses and tall buildings when tremors shook the Iraqi capital.

"I was sitting with my kids having dinner and suddenly the building was just dancing in the air," said Majida Ameer, who ran out of her building in the capital\s Salihiya district with her three children.

"I thought at first that it was a huge bomb. But then I heard everyone around me screaming: \Earthquake!\"

Similar scenes unfolded in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region, and across other cities in northern Iraq, close to the quake\s epicenter.

COLD WEATHER

Electricity was cut off in several Iranian and Iraqi cities, and fears of aftershocks sent thousands of people in both countries out onto the streets and parks in cold weather.

The Iranian seismological center registered around 118 aftershocks and said more were expected. The head of Iranian Red Crescent said more than 70,000 people were in need of emergency shelter.

Hojjat Gharibian was one of hundreds of homeless Iranian survivors, who was huddled against the cold with his family in Qasr-e Shirin.

"My two children were sleeping when the house started to collapse because of the quake. I took them and ran to the street. We spent hours in the street until aid workers moved us into a school building," Gharibian told Reuters by telephone.

Iran\s police, the elite Revolutionary Guards and its affiliated Basij militia forces were dispatched to the quake-hit areas overnight, state TV reported.

Iranian Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli said some roads were blocked and authorities were worried about casualties in remote villages. An Iranian oil official said pipelines and refineries in the area remained intact.

Iran sits astride major fault lines and is prone to frequent tremors. A magnitude 6.6 quake on Dec. 26, 2003, devastated the historic city of Bam, 1,000 km southeast of Tehran, killing about 31,000 people.





HOSPITAL SEVERELY DAMAGED

On the Iraqi side, the most extensive damage was in the town of Darbandikhan, 75 km east of the city of Sulaimaniyah in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region.

More than 30 people were injured in the town, according to Kurdish Health Minister Rekawt Hama Rasheed.

"The situation there is very critical," Rasheed told Reuters.

The district\s main hospital was severely damaged and had no power, Rasheed said, so the injured were taken to Sulaimaniyah for treatment. Homes and buildings had extensive structural damage, he said.

In Halabja, local officials said a 12-year-old boy died of an electric shock from a falling electric cable.

Iraq\s meteorology center advised people to stay away from buildings and not to use elevators in case of aftershocks.

TURKEY AND ISRAEL

Residents of Turkey\s southeastern city of Diyarbakir also reported feeling a strong tremor, but there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties there.

Turkish Red Crescent Chairman Kerem Kinik told broadcaster NTV that Red Crescent teams in Erbil were preparing to go to the site of the earthquake and that Turkeys national disaster management agency, AFAD, and National Medical Rescue Teams (UMKE) were also preparing to head into Iraq.

AFADs chairman said the organization was waiting for a reply to its offer for help.

In a tweet, Kinik said the Turkish Red Crescent was gathering 3,000 tents and heaters, 10,000 beds and blankets and moving them towards the Iraqi border.

"We are coordinating with Iranian and Iraqi Red Crescent groups. We are also getting prepared to make deliveries from our northern Iraq Erbil depot," he said.

Israeli media said the quake was felt in many parts of Israel as well. In a statement, Israeli Intelligence Minister Israel Katz said, "My condolences to the people of Iran and Iraq over the loss of human life caused by the earthquake." Iran refuses to recognize Israel.

SOURCE: REUTERS
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

ALBANY  Over a year ago, Schenectady schoolteachers and administrators began trying something new. When a student acted out, instead of asking "What is wrong with you?" they started asking "What has happened to you?"

As soon as educators started to consider that trauma  a parent's death, a father in prison, physical or sexual abuse, homelessness, a parent with mental illness or addiction  may have something to do with a child's behavior, their response to that behavior changed.

Instead of seeking to punish, they sought to understand, and according to Schenectady Schools Superintendent Larry Spring, that caused disciplinary referrals and incidents to shrink by half from September 2016 to September 2017.

"It takes a lot of work to shift mindsets, but it can have a pretty profound result," Spring told state education policymakers Monday, as they met to review practices that could improve overall school climate.

Nearly one-third of children in New York have experienced at least one traumatic event, known in research circles as an adverse childhood experience (ACE), according to a 2016 national survey of children's health conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau. That's compared to one-quarter of children nationwide.

Trauma is more common in black and Hispanic children than it is in white children, the survey found, and in New York, more common in boys than in girls.

Researchers have begun collecting this data because of its impact on public health and even the economy. Studies show that children who experience trauma grow up with increased risk for diseases like emphysema, chronic bronchitis and heart disease, and are more prone to alcoholism, smoking, depression and suicide attempts.

But policymakers hope that identifying the trauma early on will help stymie its effects, and are increasingly turning to schools for help.

In New York, the state Education Department has partnered with BOCES, University at Albany's School of Social Welfare, the Brooklyn-based nonprofit Girls for Gender Equity and various state agencies to provide training to school staff in so-called trauma-informed practices. These can include anything from practicing mindfulness with students and creating "sensory rooms" and calm spaces, to referring misbehaving students to social services instead of the principal's office.

In addition, state education officials are working to develop guidance and technical assistance materials that will help schools become "trauma-sensitive" schools, the department said Monday.

"This is a major shift, I think, not just for school but for society," Spring told the Regents Monday. "I think way back in the day people used to think, well, just toughen up and get through it. But I think we're finding that really didn't work."

He noted the research that eventually came out on World War II and other veterans who suffered shell-shock and went on to experience high rates of alcoholism and suicide. Students who grow up in extreme poverty or dangerous inner cities experience their own kind of post-traumatic stress, he said, and respond to the world as a place of constant danger.

When someone is stressed their body releases the stress hormone cortisol, which science has long shown interferes with learning and memory, weakens the immune system, and increases blood pressure, cholesterol and heart disease. Chronic stress and elevated cortisol levels also increase a person's risk for depression, mental illness, heart disease and life expectancy in general.

"It really is insidious in terms of mental and physical health," said Spring, "and what we're finding is that many children in urban settings are dealing with more trauma than our military are when they're deployed. That should be startling."

As in adults, stress and cortisol in children produces the classic "fight, flight or freeze" response.

"Fight looks like misbehavior, flight looks like truancy or class skipping, freeze can look like a student who's lazy or who's sleepy, and all those behaviors can be misinterpreted and fed into a discipline system which we know can be the worst possible place for a kid who's experienced trauma," Spring said.

"We have to be thinking diagnostically," he continued. "Behavior tells us something. So what does it tell us? Our knee jerk reaction can't just be to discipline."
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

Schenectady

General Electric Co. CEO John Flannery says GE Power can stay, but it needs to slash its budget by $1 billion.

Flannery, who replaced Jeff Immelt as GE's leader over the summer, laid out his highly-anticipated vision for the company on Monday in a meeting with analysts that lasted nearly three hours.

As expected, Flannery said that GE would exit businesses such as lighting and locomotives while it focuses on core businesses such as aviation, health care and its power plant business, known as GE Power.

That's good news for downtown Schenectady, where GE has its power business headquarters and employs roughly 4,000 people.

It's also good for the additional 2,000 people that work for GE Global Research in Niskayuna. Flannery praised the Niskayuna lab in his remarks Thursday and just said that GE is looking to close some foreign labs, but Niskayuna will remain open.

Local officials praised Flannery's remarks, noting that he reaffirmed the importance of GE's local operations.

"GE's investor presentation today affirmed the important role played by GE's Global Research Center in Niskayuna and the fact that GE Power is an integral part of the company," Ray Gillen, chair of the Schenectady County Metroplex Development Authority said Monday. "Power is one of three core businesses that the company is focused on moving forward. While GE Power is facing a challenging global environment, today's presentation reaffirmed GE's commitment to being a world leader in the power business building on the fact that 30 percent of the world's electricity supply is produced by turbines and generators built by the company."

But the good news was also tempered by the news that Flannery wants to cut $1 billion in annual expenses from GE Power, a move that could spell job cuts in Schenectady, although the company has declined to provide any specific details on how the cost-cutting would be executed.

Flannery has not hidden his disappointment with GE Power, which posted disappointing third quarter results that dragged down GE's overall earnings during the period and continued years of disappointing performance by GE's stock.

"We have not performed well for our owners," Flannery said during the analyst meeting, held in New York City. "That is unacceptable."

Just a few hours before Flannery made his remarks, he also cut GE's dividend paid to stockholders in half, dropping it to 12 cents per share from 24 cents.

"We understand the importance of this decision to our shareowners and we have not made it lightly," Flannery said when he announced the dividend cut. "We are focused on driving total shareholder return and believe this is the right decision to align our dividend payout to cash flow generation."

During the third quarter, GE Power's revenue dropped 4 percent to $8.7 billion, and its operating profit was down 51 percent to $611 million as GE overall saw its profits drop 10 percent.

Flannery blamed the drop on poor execution and a buildup of excess inventory from overly optimistic sales projections.

As a result, GE Power CEO Russell Stokes is tasked with cutting $1 billion from GE Power's annual expenses.

Stokes, who is based in Atlanta, said some of the problems at GE Power had to do with GE's previous projections of capacity payments that power plants earn to have readily available electricity to send onto the grid. Because of that, fewer power plant owners are paying for upgrades to power plants that GE provides.

"The U.S. market is clearly softer than we (anticipated)," Stokes said.

Flannery's announcement on the dividend cut and his vision for GE's future rattled Wall Street and sent investors scrambling for the exits.

Shares of GE (GE:NYSE) fell $1.47, or 7.17 percent, to $19.02 a share, a five-year low for the company that has already been dogged by complaints about its sagging stock price.
Colonie

British American Development Corp. is seeking approval from the Colonie Town Board to build a hotel and several office buildings near Albany International Airport.

The commercial real estate developer hopes to construct a four-story, 48,000-square-foot hotel with 98 rooms and four office structures at 798 Albany Shaker Road, a 42-acre site that is currently vacant. The town board will listen to a presentation about the project on Tuesday.

The British American Plaza would included a combined 269,000 square feet of office space. Three of the four buildings would include a parking garage level.

The project would involve extending an existing access road from Albany Shaker Road and adding roadways, sidewalks, parking areas and utilities. It would add about 389 trips at peak time on weekday mornings and 343 trips at the peak hour on weekday evenings.

The design of the proposed buildings will be commercial but also consistent with the surrounding area, according to documents submitted by British American. Because the site is within a historic district meant to protect structures built by the Shakers, the Shaker Heritage Society would be consulted on the architecture and design.

British American first presented the proposal for site plan review of the plaza to town officials in 2006. At that time, the proposal did not include a hotel and added about 25,000 more square feet to the office space. The company was told it would have to consult with the Shaker Heritage Society in order to be granted approval by the planning board.

The project was granted concept approval in 2007 and again in 2010, but encountered mitigation problems with the Sand Creek Corridor. Those components were not completed until 2016.

British American designed Airport Park, a 350-acre site that includes 32 office buildings located between Albany Shaker and Troy-Schenectady roads.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

Saratoga Springs

Sidney Martin first fell in love with flowers while sweeping floors and answering phones at a mom-and-pop flower shop in Atlanta, Ga.

The store owners began teaching Martin, then a student at the Atlanta School of Art, about color, composition, movement and other aspects of floral design. He started dreaming of eventually opening his own flower shop.

"The skills I was learning in school transferred so easily to making floral arrangements, and I just loved learning how to do it," Martin said. "But opening my own store was always the goal."

On Friday, he will celebrate the opening of Simply Sidney, his floral design and home accents store in downtown Saratoga Springs. The shop at 268 Broadway will sell furniture, lamps, sculpture and other decor along with floral arrangements designed by Martin for weddings and other events.

"It's a dream come true," he said. "I'm just so excited."

Five years ago, Martin moved to Saratoga Springs from Los Angeles, Calif., where Martin was designing floral arrangements for film and televisions sets. He created floral designs for "Princess Diaries 2," "Spider-Man 2" and "Monster-In-Law," as well as shows like "The West Wing," "Desperate Housewives" and "The Office." His arrangements were also featured at film festivals and the 2002 Golden Globes.

Martin's husband is from Loudonville and the couple vacationed near Lake George nearly every year. They enjoyed spending time in upstate New York and eventually settled in Saratoga Springs permanently.

Since moving to the area, Martin has been creating arrangements for clients from a studio at his house, including the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Salt & Char and the Adelphi Hotel. He started looking for a physical space to open a store about two years ago.

Martin describes his floral designs as "approachable" and "classic," characteristics that are also reflected in his store's atmosphere. Couches and chairs with comfortable cushions are placed near the large windows at the front of the shop, in front of a full-length wall image of pink flowers. A counter where Martin develops his designs and a cooler for the blooms he uses are next to the register in view of customers.

"I want people to feel welcome to here," he said. "For me, this is a dream actualized."

miszler@timesunion.com  518-454-5018  @madisoniszler
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

It's no secret that millennials make up a large percentage of the consumer market, but what are they really buying?

Branding agency, Moosylvania has been looking into that question for five years.

WHERE TO WORK: The top jobs for millennials, according to U.S. News and World Report

According to their website, each year the company has been putting out a list of the brands millennials are most loyal to.

Now Playing: American millennials say they would rather live in a socialist or communist country than a capitalist democracy. Veuer's Nick Cardona (@nickcardona93) has that story. Video: Buzz 60

To get their results, Moosylvania asked over 1,000 millennials about their favorite brands taking into account values like "how the [consumer] views themselves, how they connect with brands, and what emotions their favorite brand evokes."

While some higher-end names on the list like Gucci, Audi and Kate Spade are somewhat surprising, it's easy to see millennials loving most of the other brands on the list, such as Apple, Target and Chipotle.

Take a look through the gallery above to see the top brands the millennial generation are loyal to.

Daniela Sternitzky-Di Napoli is a digital producer at Chron.com. You can read more of her stories here and follow her on twitter at @Dani_DiNapoli.




Between Amazon Prime, Netflix, Hulu and a whole list of cable TV stations in the mix, it can be hard to keep track of when your favorite shows return. Just go ahead and clear your evenings or set your DVRs now to make way for new seasons of "Divorce," "Search Party" and more.

Here, the dates you need to know:

November

"Search Party" (Season 2): How does a series about a missing woman return for round two? Dory (Alia Shawkat) and the group need some time to cope with the way the first "Search Party" ended, and so do we. The search continues Nov. 19 at 10 p.m. on TBS.

December

"Easy" (Season 2): Aubrey Plaza and Kate Berlant are among the new cast members who will pop up in Netflix's drama about couples (and singles) figuring out how to successfully fumble through modern relationships. The entire season will be available for streaming Dec. 1.

"The Crown" (Season 2): Netflix's period drama will return to the '60s with Michael C. Hall cast to play the late President John F. Kennedy and Jodi Balfour as first lady Jackie Kennedy. You'll be able to stream the royal new season Dec. 8.

January

"Divorce" (Season 2): A "Sex and the City 3" movie may not be happening, but SJP is returning to your TV screen for the second season of her HBO series. Her character, Frances, will start rebuilding and moving past that messy divorce from Robert (Thomas Haden Church) when the show premieres Jan. 14 at 10 p.m.

"Crashing" (Season 2): Chances are high comedian Pete Holmes will still be struggling to score a stand-up spot at NYC's The Boston Comedy Club in season 2. Hopefully, he'll have his own couch to crash on this time. "Crashing" will premiere Jan. 14 at 10:30 p.m. after "Divorce."

February

"UnReal" (Season 3): Lifetime's "Bachelor"-esque drama series is ready for a new suitress (Caitlin FitzGerald). This time, Rachel Goldberg (Shiri Appleby) and Quinn King (Constance Zimmer) have to learn how to deal (er, manipulate) an "Everlasting" star who doesn't fall for their mind games. "UnReal" will premiere Feb. 26 at 10 p.m.
The downfall of the constitutional convention vote last week was a big victory for organized labor.

Unions bet big on the convention vote going down, contributing $3.7 million to anti-convention coalition New Yorkers Against Corruption in the run up to Election Day, according to filings with the state Board of Elections. There also was union spending on "member to member" communication, which does not have to be disclosed.

The contributions paid off: The convention ultimately was rejected in a landslide.

The overwhelming rejection of a convention is a good narrative for the unions heading into 2018, when arguments and a decision are expected in what could be a landmark union dues case.

Janus v. AFSCME, which is before the U.S. Supreme Court, looks at a mandate that allows public sector unions in 22 states, including New York, to require that workers they represent pay union fees, even if they don't want to join the union. The fees apply to costs for collective bargaining and handling grievances but not to political or lobbying expenditures, which traditional membership dues help fund.

Getting rid of that obligation could deal a serious financial blow to the unions.

With Janus in mind, some see two benefits from last Tuesday's vote: It strengthened member outreach and it bolstered the case for how unions benefit paying members.

"In many ways, the organizing methods we used will serve us well if there is an adverse decision in Janus," New York State United Teachers union spokesman Carl Korn said, noting robust door-knocking and phone-banking operations.

"It showed NYSUT members how important it is to have a strong voice speaking up for them in the workplace," he added, "especially in an era when big-money, out-of-state interests want to privatize public education, destroy unions and tell teachers how to teach."

 Matthew Hamilton
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

Major Todd Balog of Saratoga Springs, an Afghanistan war veteran, took command of the New York Army National Guard's 369th Special Troops Battalion at Camp Smith Training Site, Peekskill.

Major Hank Padley of Armonk, Westchester County, an Iraq war veteran, is the new commander of the 501st Ordnance Battalion at the Glenville Armed Forces Reserve Center.

Balog replaced Lt. Col. Seth Morgulus, who has led the battalion since 2013.

The 369th Special Troops Battalion is part of the 369th Sustainment Brigade, which has elements across New York City and the Hudson Valley.

Balog currently serves full time in the New York Army National Guard as part of the Joint Staff in the New York National Guard Headquarters, Latham.

He received his commission as an Army second lieutenant in the Michigan State University Army ROTC program in 2001. He first served with the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment as a protocol officer in Fort Irwin, Calif.

Balog joined the New York Army National Guard in 2007 when he became an operations officer in the 42d Infantry Division. He has also served as aide-de-camp to the division commander, as company commander of Headquarters Company and division secretary of the General Staff.

In 2012, Balog deployed to Afghanistan for a combat tour with the Headquarters Company, 427th Brigade Support Battalion as a base closure team leader in Regional Command East. Afterward, Balog served as the 42nd Infantry Division Headquarters Battalion executive officer in Troy and then was assigned to the Joint Staff in the New York National Guard Headquarters.

He earned a bachelor of arts in criminal Justice from Michigan State University.

Balog has earned a Bronze Star Medal, a Meritorious Service Medal, an Army Commendation Medal, an Army Achievement Medal, an Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, a Combat Action Badge, an Arm Parachutist Badge and a U.S. Cavalry Spur Holder.

Padley replaces Lt. Col. Jason Souza, who has commanded the unit since 2015.

Padley joined the New Jersey Army National Guard in 1989. He had served as a paratrooper assigned to the 150th Infantry Detachment (Long Range Surveillance) before joining the New York Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 108th Infantry in 1994.

In 1996 Padley was commissioned as a second lieutenant through the Army ROTC program at Canisius College and entered the active Army as a chemical officer in the 82nd Airborne Division. In 2000 he joined the New York Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 105th Infantry.

Padley has served in a number of positions to include chemical platoon Leader, support platoon leader, military police platoon leader, infantry company executive officer, infantry company commander, and in staff officer positions at the division, and brigade level. He has been serving as the rear detachment commander, a full-time position, for the 369th Sustainment Brigade while that unit was deployed to Kuwait in 2016-2017.

Padley deployed to Iraq in 2004-2005 as a platoon leader in the 442nd Military Police Company.

He has also been involved in New York Army National Guard operations conducted in response the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center, Operation Noble Eagle-the National Guard airport security mission following the Sept. 11 attacks, Hurricane Irene and Superstorm Sandy.

Padley earned a Bachelor of Science in chemistry from Montclair State University and a master's degree in bioanalytical chemistry from the University of Buffalo. He is also a graduate of the Army's Airborne and Air Assault courses, and Command and General Staff College.

He has earned a Navy and Marine Corps Presidential Unit Award, a Meritorious Service Medal, an Army Commendation Medal, an Army Achievement Medal, an Army Parachutist Badge, tan Air Assault Badge and the Combat Action Badge.

The 501st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Battalion is a headquarters unit that is capable of controlling two to five Explosive Ordnance Disposal companies in a combat zone. The 501st is the higher headquarters for the New York Army National Guard's 1108th EOD Company, also based at the Glenville Armed Forces Reserve Center, along with EOD companies in Greenville, N.C.; Camp Edward, Mass.; Camp Dawson, W.Va.; and Camp Grayling, Mich.

News of your troops and units can be sent to Duty Calls, Terry Brown, Times Union, Box 15000, Albany, NY 12212 or brownt@timesunion.com.
SARATOGA SPRINGS - Despite anger from residents, a quorum of the City Council members who are against charter change voted unanimously to hire FitzGerald, Morris, Baker & Firth to oversee the absentee ballot count that will decide whether the city will change its form of government.

The cost, expected to be no higher than $5,000, was agreed upon by Commissioners John Franck, Michele Madigan and Anthony "Skip" Scirocco at Monday's special council meeting that was packed with residents who see the move as a political ploy so that the three can remain in power. Mayor Joanne Yepsen and Commissioner of Public Safety Chris Mathiesen were not initially informed about the meeting.

"This is a waste of taxpayer dollars," said David Bronner. "They are free to go down as observers to the Board of Elections. This is a group of desperate people grasping at straws."

Residents were also concerned that the city is hiring John Aspland's firm as ethics questions surround his activity as Queensbury town attorney and vice chair of the town's Republican committee. The Post-Star reported that Aspland has been accused of lying to the public about a Queensbury council candidate. The accusations have since led to his resignation as vice chair of the GOP committee. And on Oct. 24, the newspaper reported, the town of Queensbury discussed dropping Aspland as town attorney for what it called his "scheme." Emails allegedly revealed the plan was to put up a reluctant but popular candidate who would win and then resign. The committee could appoint its pick to the town board.

More for you Absentee votes fuel lawyer oversight

Commissioner John Franck, who broke protocol and scheduled the meeting without notifying Yepsen, said there are no ethics violations against Aspland.

"Even if I had hired Mother Teresa, they would say she's a bad woman," Franck said.

But Aspland's role is minor compared to the uproar over hiring an outside attorney to oversee the absentee ballot count. The absentee voters are critical this year as they will decide the outcome of the charter vote, which would either preserve the 100-year-old commission form of government or modernize it to one run by a city manager and an expanded city council of citizens. The current spread is 48 votes in favor of change.

The count, which will take place on Tuesday at the Saratoga County Board of Elections, might also decide the Commissioner of Public Safety seat, which now has a difference of 197 votes in favor of Democrat Peter Martin. But Republican Don Braim may edge ahead as there are more than 550 ballots to be opened and 53 of those are from Wesley Community, a senior center and nursing home, where Braim serves on the board.

Bob Turner, the former chair of the now defunct Charter Review Commission, which proposed and recommended the charter change, questions the move.

"The city doesn't have a standing in the process," Turner said. "The Board of Elections is a bipartisan institution. Don't they trust them? We do. The reason the gang of three consented to use taxpayer dollars is political."



Yepsen sent out a statement saying that she believe the city's paying for an attorney to oversee absentee ballots is illegal. She spoke by phone to Brian Quail of the state Board of Elections.

"The response from Mr. Quail was that in his 17 years of experience, no legislative body has ever hired an attorney for this purpose, and he expressed that it's probably unlawful," Yepsen said.

Lawful or no, citizens at the raucous meeting were unanimously opposed to the city paying for an outside attorney when there are two already in-house. Members of the audience clapped after each speaker, prompting Madigan to tell the audience there would be "no clapping." That inspired people to clap louder. Madigan countered by threatening to eject the clappers.

One man told the three that they were the reason why people voted for a change. Another said he voted for Scirocco because he is the most fair-minded, but that Scirocco won't go against Franck and Madigan for fear of losing funding for Public Works, Scirocco's domain. Scirocco denied it.

Franck said that he is protecting his reputation that has been smeared since the election. He also said that he is assuring every vote will be counted.

Madigan then called for a vote because "I'm not in the mood to have people yelling at me."

"If the Commissioners' real intent were to protect the city, they would have contacted me and the Commissioner of Public Safety for our availability," Yepsen said about Monday's meeting. "It has the optics of being biased and people don't like that."
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

COHOES  A city police captain who went to the residence of Mayor Shawn Morse to investigate a 911 call made by the mayors wife on Friday morning is a close friend of the Morse family.

Assistant police Chief Tom Ross said Capt. Todd Pucci was dispatched to the residence after three patrol officers, including a sergeant, had responded to the 911 call in which a dispatcher said Morses wife told them her husband had grabbed her throat and thrown her to the ground. Ross said Pucci determined there was no cause for arrest and that the allegations documented by dispatchers who fielded her call were discounted.

On Saturday evening, the day after the incident, the police captain and his wife were joined by Shawn and Brenda Morse at Rivers Casino and Resort for a social outing with other friends, according to a photo of the group that Shawn Morse and Pucci's wife both shared on Facebook.

"Tonight was a great night with my wife and friends," Morse wrote, "we needed it."

More for you Police answer call to Cohoes mayor's house

On Sunday, the assistant chief said it is not a problem that Pucci was involved in the investigation, which happened after Brenda Morse called 911 at 7:45 a.m. Friday to allege that her husband had grabbed her by the throat and threw her down, a police record of the incident states. Ross, who heads up the city's detective division, is serving as the police department's acting chief while Chief William Heslin is on medical leave.

When the three patrol officers who initially responded to the call arrived, Morse had left his residence. But the mayor returned around the same time as Pucci, who Ross said was working the 7 a.m. shift.

The assistant chief said it appears there was nothing physical that happened during the altercation, and that he believes other officers who responded to the scene agreed with Pucci's findings. On Saturday, Ross acknowledged there was a small scratch near Morse's left eye. In an interview with the Times Union Saturday, Morse denied he had a scratch on his face although it was visible when he attended an event dedicating a new city park that afternoon.

Pucci, who is also chief of the Altamont police department, could not be reached for comment Sunday.

"It's a small city, everybody is friends with everybody," Ross said about Pucci's relationship with Morse. "I've arrested relatives. If you're going to take the oath, you're going to take the oath, no matter who it is."

However, Ross said he is considering another matter that is a conflict of interest in the case: The Cohoes city charter says the mayor is the commissioner of public safety in the absence of someone else being hired in the position.

The assistant chief did not say what would happen if he determined Cohoes police could not be the department investigating the case; he said he would check into the matter further on Monday.

"I want to do the right thing by everybody," Ross said. "That's what I'm thinking about today."

Shawn Morse issued the following statement Sunday:

"The claims made in the Albany Times Union are patently false. As mayor of Cohoes  with the tremendous amount of positive development happening in our city, it is unfortunate that my private life and my family become gossip. And with any family, there are good times and there are challenging times. And during the challenging times, most families get the benefit of working through these difficult times in private. At this time, my family and I are requesting privacy during this challenging and personal time."

Morse, who shared the Times Union's story about the police call on his own Facebook page, wrote early Sunday morning that he and his wife had been up all night struggling over personal family problems. He wrote that his wife went into a bedroom when he refused to leave. He subsequently left and returned to find the police at his home.

"My heart is truly broken to read this artical (sic)," Morse wrote. "To think a news paper would use my families most difficult times to make a story about me and my family is just horrible."

He continued, "All of you who know me know I love this community and work tirelessly to help all people. I love my wife and my children and would NEVER HURT them in any way."

Brenda Morse wrote in a comment string on her husband's post that the incident was a "simple argument. She offered no explanation for why she called 911.

"When people are hurt, they say things that are taken out of context and thats obviously the case," she wrote.

Common Council member Democrat Randy Koniowka, a frequent Morse critic, said Sunday that the State Police should have been called immediately to handle the incident.

"He's the chief's boss. How can you have a situation where police are responding ... and conduct a proper investigation?" Koniowka said.

Democratic Common Council member Donald Russell said he knows the Morses are "at wits' end" over a family issue, but that he has never suspected abuse in their relationship.

As for the police department, Russell said,"They're going to do this thing by the book  especially because it's the mayor."

"They're not going to do something that puts the police department in jeopardy or that reflects badly on them," Russell said.
Developer Steve Aaron says he has reached an "agreement in principle" that would settle a legal dispute over the Birches at Schoharie, a 72-unit affordable housing project in the storm-ravaged village.

The project's opening has been delayed nearly two years.

In May, a spokeswoman for the state's affordable housing agency, Homes and Community Renewal, said the agency had transferred control to the lender on the project, Bank of America, in order to expedite its completion. The agency was also in active discussions about finding a replacement general contractor for Aaron.

But the transfer was blocked by a court injunction filed by Aaron, who is the principal of the Kingston-based firm Birchez Associates.

In an interview on Friday, Aaron said the legal settlement with Bank of America  which still had not been finalized  would keep his company in charge of day-to-day management as final steps are taken on the project.

The affordable housing development already has the sign-off from inspectors in the Village of Schoharie. In order to open, it simply awaits an inspection from Homes and Community Renewal as well as HCR's approval of rent prices, Aaron maintained.

Further details of what Aaron said was a framework settlement agreement were not available, and Bank of America representatives did not return a request for comment. The lawsuit has been before Judge James Gilmartin in Ulster County Supreme Court.

Aaron declined to say when the Birches at Schoharie  which was originally scheduled to open in January 2016  would be ready for residents to move in.

A spokeswoman for HCR, Charni Sochet, said on Friday the agency "was recently made aware of a settlement agreement between BoA and Mr. Aaron. The agency has requested information in order to assess the status of the project. To date, Mr. Aaron has not responded."

Sochet added that the project will not receive any taxpayer funding until it is completed to the agency's satisfaction.

Aaron has also gotten into legal fights with a slew of contractors on the site over payments, though he has maintained other factors  such as tough winter conditions and a request to raise the height of the project to prevent future flooding  are the dominant reasons why the project has been delayed.

Contractors who have worked at the project, however, have said the constant legal battles have had an impact.

The 72-unit development on Route 30 just south of the village was intended to aid a community decimated in 2011 by tropical storms Irene and Lee, which caused the nearby Schoharie Creek to jump its banks.

As the Times Union reported in 2015, the Birches at Schoharie received state support despite getting a low initial score from the staff of Homes and Community Renewal, which allocates competitive state and federal grants and tax benefits for affordable housing projects.

Of the four applications submitted in 2013 that sought lucrative tax credits in the Mohawk Valley Region, the Birches at Schoharie scored last. But it was the only one of the four that got funding. Agency leadership said the determining factor in choosing the project was to help a region devastated by the storms.

Aaron has been a generous donor to Gov. Andrew Cuomo's campaign, though his giving tends to flow through a complex set of limited liability companies controlled by him or his family members. Since 2010, these entities or individuals have given the governor at least $310,000.

Aaron insists that all of his political giving comports with state election law. Cuomo's campaign has repeatedly said that no donation has ever impacted an official action by the administration.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

TROY -- A judge delivered good news and bad news Monday for Rensselaer County prosecutors in their bid to convict Johnny Oquendo of the 2015 strangulation murder of his stepdaughter.

In dodging a major bullet, District Attorney Joel Abelove's office can still use three pieces of key evidence -- including Oquendo's alleged murder weapon and the suitcase they say he tossed into the Hudson River containing the remains of 21-year-old Noel Alkaramla.

But prosecutors cannot use the handle of that suitcase, at least for now, as evidence. And Assistant District Attorney Andrew Botts, the prosecutor trying the case, incurred the wrath of state Supreme Court Justice Andrew Ceresia.

The judge issued his decision after taking two recesses to consider the matter  and his patience was wearing thin.

The judge was clearly irked when Botts suggested Oquendo's defense attorney, Assistant Public Defender William Roberts, as a fellow officer of the court, should not question the prosecution's ability to preserve evidence in their office.

"That's not the way this works," Ceresia told Botts. "This isn't a mock trial."

Oquendo, 40, is on trial on allegations he used a plastic supermarket shopping bag to strangle Alkaramla in his third-floor apartment at 170 Third St. on Nov. 22, 2015. Prosecutors allege Oquendo stuffed Alkaramla's lifeless remains in a suitcase and tossed it in the Hudson River, where it was found near Albany on Dec. 30, 2015.

Police found the woman's remains inside the suitcase with the shopping bag wrapped around her neck, according to prosecutors. Botts has planned to introduce the four pieces of evidence at issue: The suitcase, the suitcase handle, the shopping bag and a section of the shopping bag that was tied into a knot and contained some of Alkaramla's hair.

To use those items in court, Botts needed to prove they were the same items used in the alleged crime. He spent days calling witnesses to try to establish that a chain of custody between the discovery and gathering of the evidence and the courtroom had been legally preserved.

By late Monday, Botts was making a failing argument. Botts made the second, last-ditch argument that the items should stay in the trial on the grounds that he had showed "reasonable assurances of identity and unchanged condition" of the four items.

And it worked.

The judge was mystified why the prosecutor spent days calling witnesses to support a chain-of-custody argument to save the evidence, only to make the "reasonable assurances" case. But citing the testimony of various witnesses, Ceresia agreed with Botts that he had successfully made the case for the suitcase, shopping bag and knot of hair.

The judge, citing a lack of supportive testimony, argued that Botts had not made the case for the suitcase handle.

The defense has acknowledged Oquendo had a sexual relationship with Alkaramla.

Earlier Monday, State Police DNA expert Mallory Gage testified that she found sperm consistent with Oquendo in the victim. She also testified she discovered the DNA of two males under the fingernails and genital area of Alkaramla. Gage told Roberts she could not positively identify the people whose DNA was found.

The trial continues Tuesday at 10 a.m. Prosecutors are still expected to re-call Amanda Whitman, an ex-girlfriend of Oquendo who is expected to testify that the suitcase found in the river belonged to Oquendo .

In her initial appearance Thursday, Roberts revealed allegations Whitman had sex with a dog and logged onto hundreds of bestiality sites. The judge assigned the witness a lawyer after Roberts threatened to play a video of her having a sexual encounter with a dog. It wasn't played.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

A Niskayuna man faces new charges in connection with the hazing death of a Pennsylvania State University fraternity pledge.

A prosecutor said Braxton Becker, 20, will face new counts for allegedly deleting video from a frat house security camera as police were seeking the footage in February.

More for you Criminal charge dropped against Niskayuna grad in hazing death

Investigators on Monday said they recovered deleted security camera footage taken inside a Penn State fraternity house and had filed dozens of new charges in the death of a pledge who consumed a dangerous amount of alcohol and suffered fatal injuries.

"We know exactly what time it was deleted," Centre County District Attorney Stacey Parks Miller told reporters at a news conference. "It was while police were in the house."

Parks Miller said detectives were finally able to recover the video from the hard drive on which it had been stored.

Centre County District Attorney Stacy Parks Miller said the new evidence enabled police to determine that Beta Theta Pi pledge Tim Piazza had been given at least 18 drinks in less than 90 minutes.

Piazza, a 19-year-old engineering student from Lebanon, N.J., was found to have suffered a fractured skull, shattered spleen and other injuries. His blood-alcohol content was estimated at several times the legal limit for adult drivers.

Miller said the new footage was the basis for charges against 10 additional defendants, as well as seven who had been charged previously. At least two dozen people now face charges in the case.

The house's security system captured many of the events the night Piazza was injured, footage that had already been played at a preliminary hearing for those charged previously. But until recently, that did not include the basement, where Piazza was found the next morning.

The lead detective had said the cameras in the basement did not record the night of Feb. 2-3, but Miller said the detective pursued the question further and got help from the FBI to restore the missing footage.

Piazza and other pledges convened in the basement, which housed a bar, for about an hour after completing what was called "the gauntlet," a series of stations inside the fraternity house where they were instructed to quickly down beer and wine.

Miller said the basement video "clearly depicts a continuation of the hazing activity previously captured upstairs at the gauntlet," including giving pledges beer, wine and vodka.

"In fact, on video, Tim Piazza does not obtain his own alcohol at any point  rather, every drink consumed was provided to him by a fraternity brother," she said in a news release.

As they returned to the first floor, the pledges appeared to show signs of intoxication, and Piazza had to be helped to a couch, according to the grand jury and witness testimony during a lengthy preliminary hearing.

Piazza subsequently stumbled toward the basement steps, then fell down them.

Over the rest of that evening, fraternity members were recorded pouring liquid on him, strapping a loaded backpack to him and taking other ineffective or counterproductive steps to deal with his condition.

After someone noticed his shoes were on the first floor the next morning, fraternity members located Piazza, unconscious, in the basement. It was another 40 minutes before an ambulance was summoned.

In September, Judge Allen Sinclair gutted the prosecution's case, throwing out the most serious felony charges against Becker and the other fraternity members, and saying prosecutors had not presented enough evidence to support them.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

COHOES  The New York State Police will take over the investigation of a domestic violence incident in which the wife of Cohoes Mayor Shawn Morse called 911 last week and reported that her husband grabbed her neck and threw her to the ground.

Cohoes police on Monday announced that inherent conflicts between the mayor's supervisory role and their official duties prompted them to turn the case over to the State Police.

The announcement came as the office of Albany County District Attorney David Soares also was gathering information related to the allegations and examining the response by Cohoes police.

"We are aware of the domestic violence allegations involving Mayor Shawn Morse and we are proceeding as we do with every matter presented to our office," said Heather Streeter Orth, a spokeswoman for Soares. "Any further comment would be premature at this time."

Cohoes Assistant Chief Tom Ross said Saturday that a police captain who went to the residence Friday morning, a couple hours after the initial three responding officers left, had "discounted" the allegations made in the 911 call, and no charges were filed.

The Times Union reported Sunday that Capt. Todd Pucci made the decision to not arrest Morse after he met the mayor at the residence. Pucci went to the residence after three patrol officers, including a sergeant, had already been there and interviewed Brenda Morse.

Pucci is a close friend of the mayor's and, according to a Facebook post, attended a social outing with the mayor and their wives on Saturday night at the Rivers Casino in Schenectady.

Cohoes police were called to the couple's Grandview Avenue residence when Brenda Morse called 911 at 7:45 a.m. Friday. She told a dispatcher that she had "scratches" and that her husband had thrown her to the ground when she stepped between him and their 19-year-old daughter, according to a police record and a person familiar with other details of the call.

Shawn Morse disputes that information and said no children were at the residence when he argued with his wife that morning.

The initial call was cut off. When Brenda Morse called back, she told a dispatcher she was using her daughter's phone because her husband had smashed her own device.

A police record of the calls states that Brenda Morse was using a "911-only" mobile phone when she called dispatchers back. Law enforcement agencies and domestic violence organizations often provide victims of abuse with "911-only" phones, but it's not clear if Brenda Morse had that type of device.

Shawn Morse on Monday said that his wife does not own a "911-only" phone and that she accidentally used a disabled phone  her old phone  to try and call him. Instead, he said, the phone dialed 911.

Dispatchers wrote in a record that Brenda Morse, who called 911 twice, stated "her husband is the mayor of Cohoes ... male grabbed her by the throat and threw her to the ground has scratches all over her and there's one child in (t)he residence."

In a telephone interview Saturday, Morse denied that his wife had told the dispatcher the things listed in the police record.

On Monday, Morse declined a request by the Times Union that he and his wife authorize the release of any 911 recordings from the incident.

"You guys have done enough damage to my family," he said in a text message.

Morse had what appeared to be a fresh scratch on his left cheek near his eye when he attended a ceremony Saturday afternoon for the dedication of the new Cohoes Veterans Memorial Park on Columbia Street. In a telephone interview later that day, Morse denied he had a scratch on his face.

Ross, the assistant chief, said in an interview Saturday that Pucci did not see any scratches or signs of "choking" on Brenda Morse, but that there "was a little scratch on Shawn's face under the eye."

In an interview Monday evening, Morse said he and his wife began arguing at 6 a.m. Friday and he left the residence 15 minutes later and did not return until after 8 a.m., about 25 minutes after she had made to 911 calls to police.

Morse said he returned to his residence when the patrol officers were still there interviewing his wife. He said there was no physical altercation and he is not sure what information his wife provided to the officers.

"I dont know what she said because my wife was very upset," Morse said. "I didnt run away; I didnt even know they were called."

The statement issued by Cohoes police said the decision to turn the case over to State Police was not related to the work of the three officers who initially responded to the call.

A person familiar with the case said the three patrol officers filed a domestic incident report that would have documented what they saw and any statements made by a victim, witness or suspect. Normally, a victim of domestic violence is asked to sign the incident report, but it's not known if that happened; the document has not been made public.

"In the interest of maintaining the integrity of the mayors office of Cohoes and the Cohoes Police Department, and in the spirit of full transparency, the investigation will be turned over to the New York State Police for investigation," the statement reads. "The transfer of the case was encouraged and embraced by the mayor."
Manila, Philippines

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has sanctioned a bloody drug war that features extrajudicial killing. He called Barack Obama a "son of a whore." This week, he boasted that he murdered a man with his own hands.

All that may well go unmentioned in public by President Donald Trump when the leaders hold talks Monday.

Breaking with his presidential predecessors, Trump has largely abandoned publicly pressing foreign leaders on human rights, instead showing a willingness to embrace international strongmen for strategic gain. He has cozied up to autocrats such as Saudi Arabia's King Salman, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi and Russian President Vladimir Putin. And earlier in this trip to Asia he made no mention of human rights during multiple appearances in Beijing with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

"Trump seems very comfortable with strongmen. It's not just that he won't criticize Duterte. I wouldn't be surprised if he patted him on the back," said Mike Chinoy, senior fellow at U.S.-China Institute at the University of Southern California.

Duterte's war on drugs has alarmed human rights advocates around the world who say it has allowed police officers and vigilantes to ignore due process and to take justice into their own hands. Government officials estimate that well over 3,000 people, mostly drug users and dealers, have died in the ongoing crackdown. Human rights groups believe the victim total is far higher, perhaps closer to 9,000.

"Human rights groups, I think, will be quite disappointed by the visit," said Amy Searight, director of the Southeast Asia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "It's unlikely that human rights or rule of law or due process are going to be topics that President Trump will raise."

Duterte has strenuously defended the violence.
Tech giants like Apple and Google have been change agents in the tech realm, but they now appear to be moving well beyond their original niches.

From the buzz on websites, Apple appears to be moving big time into self-driving automobiles, which would be a huge game-changer in our lifestyle. Google has cast its eyes beyond being a search engine to a wide range of challenges like ending dependence on fossil fuels. This is a pleasant change from the anti-climate change policy of our current American president.

One morning in October, I woke up to see my neighbor's front lawn filled with strange-looking trucks, equipment and uniformed workers. Our front lawns are not that large, only about 50 feet wide. I couldn't image what was going on, until my neighbors told me they were installing a geothermal heating and cooling system that included a 400-foot well.

I had imagined the notion of geothermal energy, but had never seen it installed or knew of a home that was heated and cooled using geothermal energy. Strangely enough, thanks in part to Google.org, a public-spirited division of Google.com designed to address "climate change, poverty and emerging disease," Google is focusing on drilling for renewable energy  and lots of it  right beneath our feet. Google is investing an arguably modest sum of $10 million on geothermal energy, but seems to be making a difference.

Geothermal technology is taking root in the Hudson Valley and Capital Region. Dandelion Energy Inc, a geothermal startup created at the research and development lab of Google's parent company, Alphabet, is partnering with Rhinebeck-based Hudson Solar, with the intent of servicing homes with renewable energy all the way from Dutchess and Ulster counties to Saratoga County. It has already scheduled installations of geothermal technology throughout the region.

Aztech Geothermal, another partner with Dandelion, has already participated in installing approximately 300 geothermal systems in the Capital Region. It primarily uses existing ductwork. Aztech Geothermal's president, John Ciovacco, is looking forward to an "all-in effort to promote the 'net zero' concept of local homes powered completely by renewable energy."

Ciovacco says approximately 2.5 million homes across New York state, including my home, do not have access to natural gas, and therefore, heat with oil, propane or electric. He sees geothermal as a viable option for us.

Water underground in New York state generally conforms to our average air temperature of 52 degrees. Pipes in the ground circulate a water solution and carry energy to a heat pump in the winter for heating and remove heat from a building into the ground in the summer. Forced-air or low-temperature hydronic systems distribute geothermal heating and air conditioning. Most systems use electric heat pumps capable of increasing the ground's thermal energy in the winter for heat and concentrating and depositing the building's thermal energy into the relatively cool ground in the summer for air conditioning.

At this time, geothermal energy is a bargain. Homeowners have an option of paying $20,000 up front with no subsequent costs or $150 per month over 20 years for installation of geothermal. Dandelion is making initial contact with homeowners and Aztech performs inspections and installation. These two companies are seeking to rapidly expand our regional market for geothermal power.

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.

Dandelion states it "is making geothermal heating and cooling affordable by introducing a number of process and technological innovations, including analytics-based marketing, fixed-system pricing, a low monthly payment option and innovative drilling method."

So don't be surprised if you see your neighbor harnessing the natural energy capabilities of the Earth itself to keep warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

Paul M. Bray's email is secsunday@aol.com.
A teenager remains fighting for his life in South Tipperary General Hospital following an incident on Thursday night in Tipperary town.

The fourteen year old was brutally attacked just yards from his school in the Roseanna Road/ Lakelands area of the town shortly before 11pm on Thursday night as he made his way home from a friend's house.

The teenager was placed in an induced coma and remains in a critical condition in the hospitals intensive care unit with his parents holding a vigil by his bedside.

Residents in the area say they are shocked at the incident which has shaken the entire community and that the whole town is praying for the young boy to pull through.

The Tipperary Star understands that the young boy was discovered by a woman shortly before 11pm who administered CPR while waiting for emergency services to arrive.

The boy was transferred to South Tipperary General Hospital with serious head injuries where he was placed in an induced coma. Plans were put in place to airlift the boy to University Hospital Cork however his injuries were too severe and he could not be moved.

The second year student at St. Ailbe's Secondary School is described as a very popular, well liked young man, who had a smile for everyone he met.

He is an extremely happy child, a lovely young man who was in the wrong place at the wrong time, one local told the Tipperary Star.

The young boy is also believed to have been targeted in a separate attack in recent weeks however it was not reported to Gardai.

Over the weekend prayers were offered for the boy and his family at mass services in the town. The family are very well known in the town.
[November 13, 2017] Adyen Rolls out Yandex.Checkout for its Merchants in Russia and the CIS

MOSCOW, November 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Adyen, payments platform of choice for the world's leading companies, expanded its partnership with Russia's largest payment service provider, Yandex.Checkout, to enable retailers worldwide to easily accept most popular payments methods in Russia and the CIS. Adyen merchants from all over the world can now offer Russian and CIS-consumers most popular online payment methods: e-wallets, online banking, and cash via mobile retailers and payment kiosks. This expanded partnership allows Russian users to pay for various goods and services without the need to change their existing payment habits. "Adyen has carved out a powerful place in the payment industry by laying down smooth payment rails for the biggest names in tech", says Anna Kuzmina, Yandex.Money Deputy CCO. "Russia has been one of the fastest growing e-commerce markets: its volume in the first half of 2017 grew by 22% (compared to the irst half of 2016) and reached 498 billion RUB (8,7 billion USD). There are more than 87 mln active Internet users, it's vital for global retailers to be able to adjust to people's needs."



Olivia Sicurani, Head of Local Payments at Adyen adds: "We see great potential in the Russian market, where local payment methods dominate and the e-commerce market is booming. It's very interesting for Adyen merchant base to start selling to Russia, world's largest country. Thanks to Yandex.Checkout, our merchants can now offer a variety of most popular local payment methods (not only cards) without the need to set up a local entity, via one simple integration with Adyen. About Adyen

Adyen is the technology company reinventing payments for the global economy. The only provider of a modern end-to-end infrastructure connecting directly to Visa, MasterCard, and consumers' globally preferred payment methods. With offices around the world, Adyen serves 4,500+ businesses, including 8 of the 10 largest U.S. Internet companies. Customers include Facebook, Uber, Netflix, Spotify, and L'Oreal.

About Yandex.Checkout

Yandex.Checkout is the leading service for accepting online payments in Russia, according to MARC 2017 survey. With this payment solution, merchants from all over the world can offer Russian consumers all online payment methods popular among Russians and CIS-citizens: bank cards, online banking, e-wallets, mobile phones, and cash via mobile retailers and payment kiosks. Currently, 76,000+ online stores across the globe use Yandex.Checkout. Clients include AliExpress, Next, JD.com, Renault, Tesla, iTunes, Skype, Blizzard and others.

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[November 13, 2017] Cubic to Showcase Integrated C4ISR Solutions at MilCIS 2017 in Australia

SAN DIEGO, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Cubic Corporation (NYSE: CUB) today announced that its Cubic Mission Solutions business division will feature its comprehensive Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) capabilities at the Military Communications and Information Systems (MilCIS) 2017 in Canberra, Australia from November 1416. MilCIS is Australia's only conference focusing strategically on the technologies, systems and services associated with military communications and information systems. The event brings together military, government organizations, academia and defense industries for an exposition featuring the latest technologies, panel discussions and industry briefings. "We look forward to the opportunity to showcase our fully integrated and deployable communications capabilities to the Asia-Pacific region," said Mike Twyman, president of Cubic Mission Solutions. "Our expeditionary C4ISR solutions improve resiliency in communications while offering xtreme modularity, reliability as well as power capabilities to ensure operational success at the tactical edge."



Cubic will present the following integrated solutions at booths #30-32 at the National Convention Centre: Secure Networking Solutions: Cubic designs and integrates deployable and tactical networking communications technologies that offer extreme modularity, redundancy, reliability and integrated power capabilities allowing the customer to communicate over any available networking technology or through tactical cloud solutions.

Cubic designs and integrates deployable and tactical networking communications technologies that offer extreme modularity, redundancy, reliability and integrated power capabilities allowing the customer to communicate over any available networking technology or through tactical cloud solutions. Satellite Communications (SATCOM): Cubic provides ultra-portable, inflatable antenna technology that enables comparable performance to rigid deployable antennas of similar size, but with up to 85 percent reduction in the logistical size/weight of those systems. This translates to a tremendous operational and transportability advantage for customers across both government and commercial industries.

Cubic provides ultra-portable, inflatable antenna technology that enables comparable performance to rigid deployable antennas of similar size, but with up to 85 percent reduction in the logistical size/weight of those systems. This translates to a tremendous operational and transportability advantage for customers across both government and commercial industries. Atlas Baseband Kit: Cubic's Atlas is a high-data rate, ruggedized Full Motion Video (FMV) baseband product that enables the reception, backhaul and management of real-time video and airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (AISR) sensor data, anywhere in the world. Follow Cubic Mission Solutions @Cubic_MS on Twitter and join the social conversation surrounding MilCIS with #MilCIS2017.

About Cubic Corporation Cubic Corporation designs, integrates and operates systems, products and services focused in the transportation, defense training and secure communications markets. Cubic Transportation Systems is a leading integrator of payment and information technology and services to create intelligent travel solutions for transportation authorities and operators. Cubic Global Defense is a leading provider of live, virtual, constructive and game-based training solutions, special operations and intelligence for the U.S. and allied forces. Cubic Mission Solutions provides networked Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) capabilities for defense, intelligence, security and commercial missions. For more information about Cubic, please visit the company's website at www.cubic.com or on Twitter @CubicCorp. View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cubic-to-showcase-integrated-c4isr-solutions-at-milcis-2017-in-australia-300553673.html SOURCE Cubic Corporation

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[November 13, 2017] Wall-Smart Collaborates With URC to Offer New Construction and Retrofit Mounts to Authorized URC Dealers in the United States

NEW YORK, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Wall-Smart LTD. is pleased to announce a new partnership with URC, offering new construction and retrofit mounts available through URC sales channels. The New Construction Flush mounts for URC TKP-7600, TKP-5600 and TKP-100 integrate into any wall for unobtrusive installations that preserve the room decor. These Flush mounts can simply be painted any color to truly appear to be part of the wall and create a uniform look and feel. The Retofit mounts for URC TKP-7600 and TKP-5600 offer a new kind of ease-of-installation, with a very quick and straightforward installation process. The revolutionary mounts allow easy upgrades from older touch screens, without the need to do any drywall or paintwork. The mounted touchscreen remains accessible for service and maintenance while maintaining a high level of aesthetics and integration.



"We are very excited to partner with URC, a leading brand in our industry, delivering cutting-edge retrofit solutions to their dealers," says Galia Ben-Dor, Co-CEO, and Founder at Wall-Smart. About Wall-Smart Ltd.

Wall-Smart presents a new practical design that combines functional control & aesthetics to seamlessly integrate into any wall by providing innovative, creative yet cost-effective solutions for all in-wall challenges. Our unique combination of Engineering, Interior Design & Production capabilities enables you to meet the demanding, continually transforming functional design needs of the modern-day integrated smart home and smart building. www.wall-smart.com Wall-Smart is a trademark of Wall-Smart Ltd., registered in the U.S. Media Contact:

Mrs. Galia Ben-Dor

Wall-Smart Ltd.

[email protected] View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wall-smart-collaborates-with-urc-to-offer-new-construction-and-retrofit-mounts-to-authorized-urc-dealers-in-the-united-states-300554626.html SOURCE Wall-Smart Ltd

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[November 13, 2017] United Technologies Named a Top Community Care Company in Asia for Green Shoots

Showcasing leadership in corporate social responsibility SINGAPORE, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX) was recently recognized as one of the 'Top Community Care Companies in Asia' at the Asia Corporate Excellence & Sustainability Awards (ACES) 2017. The honor comes in recognition of Green Shoots, a youth-focused community outreach program, led by UTC Climate, Controls & Security, a unit of United Technologies. Green Shoots aims to enhance students' experience and education by improving school infrastructure and encouraging young minds to think about sustainability at an early age. ACES recognizes successful companies and individuals in two categories: leadership and corporate responsibility. After rigorous evaluation by a panel of judges, the Green Shoots program stood out for advocating sustainability as an act of caring, standing out among more than 180 nominations across Asia. Initiated by MORS Group, the mission of ACES is to provide a platform for companies, leaders and industrialists to exhibit leadership and sustainability excellence, and to learn from experts around the world. "We are proud to receive this prestigious award for a program that is creating a positive impact across the communities we operate in and in helping to nurture a passion for sustainability in the next generation," said Gaurang Pandya, president, UTC Climate, Controls & Security, Asia Pacific. "Green Shoots is a perfect example of how the company walks the talk on corporate responsibility, by encouraging our employees to bring their expertise, creativity and enthusiasm to share our learnings on sustainability and revamping school facilities for our future thinkers, leaders and citizens."



Green Shoots in Action in Shanghai The award-winning Green Shoots program recently brought together more than 200 students at the Hongmei No. 2 Primary School in the Minhang District of Shanghai, China, and nearly 80 employee volunteers from UTC Climate, Controls & Security's Asia Pacific and China teams, who helped to enhance the educational infrastructure by decorating walls with posters and offering interactive lectures on science and the environment.

George Li, vice president, UTC Climate, Control & Security, China, said, "At United Technologies, we believe we can balance business development and community commitment. It is a shared responsibility between schools and businesses to support children's development by improving the educational infrastructure and sparking their interest in learning and innovation." Junfei Yu, principal of Hongmei No. 2 Primary School, gave high praise for this program, saying, "The smiles and laughter we've seen from students prove how well the Green Shoots program is received. We are deeply impressed by the commitment of United Technologies and all the volunteering employees, which reminds our teachers to continuously pass on care and hope to the students." Green Shoots Growing in Asian Communities Launched in 2011, the Green Shoots program brings together UTC employees as volunteers to support primary education in Asia. The program has helped to enhance the educational environment of students by improving school infrastructure, with the goal of raising student awareness of environmental stewardship and safety. The program has benefitted more than 40,200 children in primary schools throughout Asia including in China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. For more information about sustainability initiatives at United Technologies, visit www.NaturalLeader.com. About United Technologies United Technologies Corp., based in Farmington, Connecticut, provides high-technology systems and services to the building and aerospace industries worldwide. By combining a passion for science with precision engineering, the company is creating smart, sustainable solutions the world needs. To learn more about UTC, visit the website at www.utc.com or follow the company on Twitter: @UTC. Photo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20171113/1990613-1-a

Photo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20171113/1990613-1-b

Logo - http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20160105/8521508235logo SOURCE United Technologies Corporation

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[November 13, 2017] Commercial Telematics Market Size Worth USD 114.28 Billion By 2025: Hexa Research

FELTON, California, November 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The global commercial telematics market is expected to reach USD 114.28 billion by 2025 on account of to the rapid penetration of smart connectivity systems in passenger cars as well as commercial vehicles. Continuous software developments to link smartphones to the vehicle to improve drive quality, increase road safety, and monitor real-time positioning of automobiles to avoid congestions in case of any emergency situations are key parameters contributing to the growth of the market. Features such as vehicle tracking, fleet management, satellite navigation, and wireless vehicle safety ensure improved ride quality. Such features are expected to fuel the market over the forecast period. Solutions such as infotainment systems and services such as maintenance & training services are gaining momentum pertaining to rising awareness regarding driver and passenger safety. Furthermore, supporting government regulations regarding implementation of automotive telematics are expected to drive the market over the forecast period. For instance, in March 2016, the Japanese government joined hands with the U.S. and Europe for R&D on autonomous vehicles where commercial telematics have a wide scope. Insurance telematics accounted for 10.2% of the overall market share in 2016. The segment is anticipated to experience high demand for commercial telematics over the forthcoming years attributed to the need to increase safety and reduce the loss from accidents. Browse full research report with TOC on "Commercial Telematics Market Size & Forecast By Solution (Fleet/Asset Management, Navigation & Location Based, Infotainment, Insurance, Safety & Security, Remote Alarm & Incident Monitoring, V2X), By Service (Integration & Deployment, Consulting & Design, Maintenance & Training Services), By Vehicle Type, By Product (Hardware, Software), By Source (Aftermarket, OEM), & Analysis, 2014 - 2025" at: https://www.hexaresearch.com/research-report/commercial-telematics-market Integration and deployment have important features such as safety-related data, location-based data, diagnostic data, communication features and interactivity features. These features help the commercial vehicles to keep a complete track of the vehicle and are very useful in various instances such as breaking down of the vehicle, track fuel efficiency and radio communication. The segment is likely to grow at a 24.4% CAGR over the forecast period. North America and Europe together dominated the global market contributing to over 65% of the revenues generated in 2016. The rise in concern of security, driver safety, and the increase in the need for vehicle tracking are some of the key factors resulting in the technology establishing a strong foothold in the regions over the past few years.



PTC, Inc., TomTom Telematics, Zonar Systems, Inc., OCTO Telematics Ltd, Trimble Inc., Verizon Telematics, Inc., Mix Telematics International (PTY) Ltd, Koito Manufacturing, Omnitracs, LLC, Masternaut Limited, Inseego Corporation and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles are some of the key players in the market. Browse reports of similar category by Hexa Research:

Mobile Satellite Services Market - Global mobile satellite services market size is expected to reach USD 5.53 billion by 2024. The growing demand for communication devices which provide services such as sending and receiving data from any remote location is the key factor that has been driving the market.

- Global mobile satellite services market size is expected to reach by 2024. The growing demand for communication devices which provide services such as sending and receiving data from any remote location is the key factor that has been driving the market. Military Radar Systems Market - Global military radar systems market size was estimated at USD 11.45 billion in 2016 and is anticipated to witness growth. The rise in demand for hi-tech weaponry, national disputes, threats from adjoining countries, increasing safety concerns, and the growing investment in the defense sector by the governments of various countries.

- Global military radar systems market size was estimated at in 2016 and is anticipated to witness growth. The rise in demand for hi-tech weaponry, national disputes, threats from adjoining countries, increasing safety concerns, and the growing investment in the defense sector by the governments of various countries. Home Automation Market - Global home automation market size was USD 17.48 billion in 2016 and is expected to grow over the forecast period. The market is being primarily driven by increasing awareness for less energy consumption, the rise in electricity prices, and advancement in technology.

- Global home automation market size was in 2016 and is expected to grow over the forecast period. The market is being primarily driven by increasing awareness for less energy consumption, the rise in electricity prices, and advancement in technology. Automotive Infotainment Market - Global automotive infotainment market size was valued at USD 15.93 billion in the 2016 and is expected to register robust growth owing to factors such as a rise in the sales of integrated infotainment services including smartphone connection on demand music.

Hexa Research has segmented the global commercial telematics market on the basis of solution, services, vehicle type, product, source and region: Segmentation By Solution, 2014 - 2025 (USD Million)  Fleet/Asset Management  Navigation & Location Based Systems  Infotainment Systems  Insurance Telematics  Safety and Security  Remote Alarm and Incident Monitoring Solutions  V2X  Others Segmentation By Service, 2014 - 2025 (USD Million)  Integration & Deployment  Consulting & Design  Maintenance & Training Services Segmentation By Vehicle Type, 2014 - 2025 (USD Million)  Passenger Cars  Commercial Vehicles Segmentation By Product, 2014 - 2025 (USD Million)  Hardware  Software Segmentation By Source, 2014 - 2025 (USD Million)  Aftermarket  OEM Segmentation By Region, 2014 - 2025 (USD Million)  North America  U.S.  Canada  Europe  France  UK  Germany  Asia Pacific  India  South Korea  Japan  China  Central & South America  Brazil  Mexico  Middle East & Africa Key Players Analyzed  PTC, Inc.  TomTom Telematics  Zonar Systems, Inc.  Octo Telematics Ltd.  Trimble Inc.  Verizon  Mix Telematics  AirIQ Inc.  Omnitracs, LLC  Masternaut Limited  Inseego Corporation  Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles About Hexa Research Hexa Research is a market research and consulting organization, offering industry reports, custom research and consulting services to a host of key industries across the globe. We offer comprehensive business intelligence in the form of industry reports which help our clients obtain clarity about their business environment and enable them to undertake strategic growth initiatives. Contact:

Michelle T.

Corporate Sales Specialist

Hexa Research

Phone: +1-415-349-0058

Toll Free: 1-800-489-3075

Email: [email protected]

Web: https://www.hexaresearch.com/





[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[November 13, 2017] Lumos Launches Nationwide Solar Electricity Service in Cote d'Ivoire

ABIDJAN, Cote d'Ivoire, November 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Expansion to Cote d'Ivoire follows Lumos' rapid growth in Nigeria Lumos Global officially launched a new, nationwide solar electricity service for Cote d'Ivoire on November 11 at an event in the city of Divo. (Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/602469/Lumos_Logo.jpg )

(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/602468/Lumos_Cote_dIvoire.jpg )

The Lumos Mobile Electricity Service aims to bring power to millions of people who do not currently have access to an affordable, reliable or clean energy supply. The service is paid for using mobile phone credit and is available to all of the roughly 10.5 million MTN Cote d'Ivoire subscribers, through a partnership between Lumos and MTN. At the launch event, hosted by Cote d'Ivoire's Minister for Economic Infrastructure and Mayor of Divo Amede Koffi Kouakou, Lumos and MTN Cote d'Ivoire announced that the service will now be available in MTN stores across the country. The event was attended by hundreds of local residents, in a demonstration of th appeal of solar energy to ordinary Ivorians and the demand for reliable power, particularly outside of major urban centers. It is estimated that only around 40% of Ivorians are connected to the national electricity grid.



Lumos' service has been available in neighboring Nigeria since 2016 and has experienced rapid growth - over 65,000 systems have been sold, and 250,000 people have been provided with electricity. Many of Lumos' Nigerian customers are small businesses that use the power to stay open later hours, thereby increasing revenues. The service also is enabling thousands of children to study into the evening, and powers clinics and community centers across Nigeria. The service stands to have the same impact in Cote d'Ivoire. Lumos also has created over 1,100 jobs in Nigeria. With swift expansion planned throughout Cote d'Ivoire the company will be making a significant investment in creating new jobs for Ivorians.

At the launch event in Divo, Stephane Abrahams, CEO of Lumos Cote d'Ivoire said: "Today, the mobile energy revolution arrived in Cote d'Ivoire. Families and businesses across the country now have access to affordable solar electricity. We are honored to bring our technology here, and we look forward to working with the Government and stakeholders to increase energy access for all Ivorians." MTN Cote d'Ivoire representative Frank Logroan said: "Our vision has always been to make the lives of our communities brighter, and today we are proud to partner with Lumos to provide solar electricity using our technologies. We are confident that this new service will benefit our customers and communities with a quality, affordable alternative electricity solution." About Lumos Global

Lumos brings affordable, modern and clean electricity to communities that have been living off-grid. Lumos connects the dots between the mobile payment revolution and solar energy through its patented, self-deployable mobile energy system, with integrated cellular payment and advanced security mechanisms. With Lumos, households can replace kerosene, candles, batteries and flashlights with modern electricity that can power lights, cellphones, fans, laptops, TVs and other small electronic devices (all at once, every day), and all for the same cost spent today on kerosene - on a lease-to-own basis. For further information, visit our website: http://www.Lumos-global.com or contact Stephane Abrahams, CEO Lumos Cote d'Ivoire, [email protected] Press contact: [email protected], +44-2073197650

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[November 13, 2017] AbacusNext Expands Technology-as-a-Service Platform with Acquisition of HotDocs

SAN DIEGO, Nov. 13, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AbacusNext, the largest Technology-as-a- Service (TaaS) provider for the professional services industry, is pleased to announce the acquisition of HotDocs, the global leader in document automation. Integration of HotDocs into the existing technology solutions for legal, accounting, and business management makes AbacusNext the most complete technology provider to the professional services industry.

HotDocs



Highlights of Acquisition: HotDocs is the leading provider of document automation software, with customers in 60 different countries and a user-base, globally, that exceeds one million.

AbacusNext pioneered the only Compliance-Ready suite of technology solutions designed exclusively to cloud-enable desktop, mobile and SaaS applications in a single sign-on, secured and fully managed environment.

HotDocs is widely used in the legal, banking, insurance, government, public and corporate sectors for increasing accuracy, reducing cost, mitigating risk, and improving efficiency in the generation of complex documentation. Users can quickly and efficiently generate customized documents such as contracts, sales agreements, government forms, and loan documentation.

HotDocs Market, the standalone marketplace and publishing platform, gives professionals access to thousands of premium templates. Utilized by over 9,000 users, HotDocs Market is populated with content created by leading publishers and state bar associations.

AbacusNexts combined user base, 1.5 million worldwide, will benefit from the most compelling products and services portfolio in the industry, including case management and practice management software solutions, private cloud hosting, Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS), IT infrastructure management, security endpoint protection, and business automation. This caps a year of expansion for AbacusNextwhic saw acquisitions of Results Software, an award-winning CRM, OfficeTools, an industry leading practice management application, and Cloudnine Realtime, a hosting platform for accounting firms. The combination represents a unique opportunity to bring end-to-end technology services to existing clients, and AbacusNext will be positioned to capture significant market share in a highly fragmented market as the first company to provide a comprehensive suite of enterprise-level technology services and products.



In addition to core products, AbacusNext acquires HotDocs Market, an online ecommerce marketplace that allows clients to purchase and use HotDocs templates whenever and wherever they want. This unique, self-contained e-store built by HotDocs will ultimately allow on-demand access to products and templates across the unified AbacusNext portfolio. Incorporating HotDocs Market into the AbacusNext ecosystem will deliver yet another game-changing automation platform for clients. Today marks another milestone as we continue building on our unique technology services platform for our current and future clients, said Alessandra Lezama, CEO of AbacusNext. HotDocs document automation software is the perfect addition to our portfolio and will make an immediate impact for our client base of legal and accounting firms. By leveraging the HotDocs platform and support staff, well be able to offer organizations greater business efficiency than ever before, with the broadest value proposition to support customer growth. The combined company will have an unmatched position in serving clients by providing a complete end-to-end solution.

Rapid technology changes in recent years, together with increased pressure to reduce costs and increased mobility, is driving the movement to cloud-enable firms in the professional services industry to considerably reduce their costs and increase revenues. With this acquisition, AbacusNext builds HotDocs service offerings into its platform, allowing deeper relationships with business clients by providing the solutions they need to maximize operational efficiency and strengthen profit margins. HotDocs and AbacusNext work across many of the same markets and are a natural fit, said Russell Shepherd, outgoing CEO of HotDocs. I was looking for an acquirer with the same grand scale of ambition as the HotDocs team, and Abacus has the ambition to take the combined businesses on to even greater heights. HotDocs offers Abacus the opportunity to expand vertically and internationally in one bold strategic move, through the acquisition of a global, market leading brand, and I am delighted to be passing on the leadership and ownership of HotDocs to this successful and expanding company. Steve Spratt, COO at HotDocs, commented, HotDocs document automation technology will enhance the existing product suite that AbacusNext already provides to its impressive client base and the 11,500 existing HotDocs client organizations will now have access to new CRM, practice management and hosting services under one roof. We welcome this new partnership and I look forward to sharing the benefits it brings with existing and new customers across our key verticals of banking, legal and large enterprise. About HotDocs Since launching in the early 1990s, HotDocs has defined the concept of automated document assembly and has developed technology based on two decades of client feedback, resulting in the most powerful and versatile document automation solution available today. HotDocs is a pioneer and the global market leader, with over one million users in over 11,500 client organizations across more than sixty countries, and is headquartered in Edinburgh, UK. About AbacusNext As the largest Technology-as-a-Service (TaaS) provider for the professional services sector, AbacusNext helps legal and accounting professionals achieve ultimate success and peace of mind through the delivery of a complete suite of compliance-ready technology solutions designed to support a secure and cloud-enabled practice at a cost they can afford. Our portfolio of turnkey solutions include hardware, software and infrastructure on a pay as you go model; Practice Management, Client Resource Management (CRM), Payment Processing, Email, Desktop as a Service (DaaS) and Managed IT. Headquartered in San Diego, California, and backed by private investment with Providence Equity, AbacusNext delivers products and services to over 500,000 businesses worldwide. To sign up or learn more visit AbacusNext.com. About Providence Equity Providence is a premier global asset management firm with $45 billion in assets under management across complementary private equity and credit businesses. Providence pioneered a sector-focused approach to private equity investing with the vision that a dedicated team of industry experts could build exceptional companies of enduring value. Since the firm's inception in 1989, Providence has invested in more than 150 companies and is the leading equity investment firm focused on the media, communications, education and information industries. Providence is headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, and has offices in New York, London, Hong Kong, Singapore and New Delhi. For more information, please visit www.provequity.com. Legal: Teeple Hall LLP and Brodies LLP participated in this transaction. Contact: 858-529-0018

[email protected]

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[November 13, 2017] IoTNext2017 Awards Recognises Innovative Efforts and Contributions of Industry Dignitaries

BANGALORE, November 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- IoTNext 2017 Award winners included: Madhukar Khare, Founder at Wispero awarded for their contribution in making India a Safe Nation

Debashis Das , CEO at Bharati Robotics Systems recognised for their innovation in the field of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Internet of Things

Prajwal Sabnis , Co-Founder at Orxa Energies recognised for driving the New Age Mobility

Chetan Maini , Founder, Sun Mobility and Vishal Pandya , Co- founder and Director at Reconnect for their efforts in revamping the Industrial IoT The first day of IoTNext 2017 collaboratively organised by India Electronics & Semiconductor Association (IESA) and The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE), Bangalore concluded successfully on November 8th, 2017. Towards the end of the summit, industry dignitaries were felicitated with recognition at the IoTNext Awards for their innovative contribution to the IoT ecosystem. Introducing the awardees at the ceremony, Dr. Sandeep Garg, Ph.D, interim President IESA said, "The Indian industries across verticals have reached new heights when it comes to the acceptance and adaptation to the latest technological developments. With automation revolutionising the entire ecosystem and evolving the most basic functionalities, it is imperative to have industry stakeholders who are abreast with the situation and are transforming their strategy and approach to meet the industry requirements. IoT solutions should be looked to bridge the gap between the solution provider and end user to improve efficiency. We would like to congratulate all the proud winners of IoTNext Awards and encourage others to keep up with the momentum and keep innovating." Commenting on the awards, Ravi Gururaj, President, TiE Bangalore added, "The IoTNext Awards showcases excellence, and fosters the spirit of entrepreneurship across the IoT sector. It celebrates the astonishing levels of talent and product innovation and application in the country." Award Category Winners Safe Nation Madhukar Khare, Founder at Wispero Artificial Debashis Das, CEO at Bharati Robotic Systems Intelligence and Machine learning in Internet of Things New Age Mobility Prajwal Sabnis, Co-Founder at Orxa Energies Industrial IoT Chetan Maini, Founder SunMobility Vishal Pandya, Co-founder and Direcor at Reconnect



The core idea behind the awards was to recognise the efforts of the industry stakeholders and encourage others to continue with their efforts in taking the IoT industry to new heights. In addition to this, the ceremony was also focused on providing a right direction to the start-up ecosystem in the IoT space and encourage them to have a greater role to play in the development of the IoT industry in India. Follow #IoTNext on Social Media:

Twitter: @IoTNext (for events), @TiEBangalore (start-ups), @IoTforIndia (IoT Forum) @IESA_online (ESDM) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IoTNext/ Twitter handle of IoT chairs: @tiwary_ar, @venkate23736375, @sompalchoudhury www.iotnext.org About IESA (India Electronics and Semiconductor Association) IESA is the premier trade body representing the Indian Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) industry and has represented it since 2005. It has over 260 members - both domestic and multinational enterprises. IESA is committed towards building global awareness for the Indian ESDM industry and supporting its growth through focused initiatives in developing the ecosystem. This is achieved through publishing credible data, networking events and alliances with other international associations. IESA works closely with the Governments as a knowledge partner on the sector, both at the centre and at the state level. To learn more, please visit www.iesaonline.org Follow us on Twitter @IESA_Online Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iesaorg About TIE Bangalore TiE is a non-profit, global community welcoming entrepreneurs from all over the world. We believe in the power of ideas to change the face of entrepreneurship and growing business through our five pillars; mentoring, networking, education, incubating and funding. TiE Bangalore was the first step towards TiE's presence in the country. Started in 1999, the sole mission of the chapter has been to make Bangalore the "Start-Up Capital" of the country. TiE Bangalore has over 50+ Investors & VCs, 50+ mentors and 1000+ active start-ups in its network and each year impacts 100+ start-ups directly through its flagship mentoring and educational programs. For more details, visit http://bangalore.tie.org/ Follow us on Twitter: @TiEBangalore IoTForum IoTForum is a TiE Bangalore initiative started July 2014 as a special Interest group in Internet of Things (IoT). The IOTForum hosts events more focussed on IoT. From Sep 2014 to Nov 2017 IoTForum has ( in association with IESA, IEEE, CISO Platform ) hosted over 36 events and touched 3,300+ delegates and 420+ start-ups. With the rapid growth of IoT Start-ups from 120+ to 900+ in 3 years we are adopting the goal of Raising the IoT quotient of India. For more details, please visit www.iotforindia.org RSVP: IESA & TiE Bangalore

Suriya Kala / Kunal Kashyap

+919740984648 / +919880010019

[email protected] / [email protected] Text100, Bangalore

Anindita Sarkar

+91-9108458115

[email protected] Media Contact:

Priya Tyagi,

[email protected],

+91-9916745014,

Account Coordinator,

Text100

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[November 13, 2017] V1 Group's "Shaolin" Research Institute Aims to Serve Corporate Development in terms of Cutting-edge Technologies

HONG KONG, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- V1 Group Limited ("V1 Group" or the "Group"; Stock code: 82.HK) released its internal research report "Statements and Interpretations on the Digital Economy in China's latest policies". The report defines the digital economy, traces its history of development, predicts its developmental trends and outlook, and probes into its relationship with traditional industries. At the Alibaba Cloud Workshop held on October 11, 2017, CTO Jeff Zhang announced Alibaba was launching a new global research institute -- the Academy for Discovery, Adventure, Momentum, and Outlook, or the DAMO Academy for short. In popular Chinese novels, the DAMO Academy is a top martial arts institution. Less than one month later on November 4, Tencent inked a strategic cooperation agreement with Springer Nature, a world-renowned research, education and publishing group, in an attempt to recruit young scientists through the journal Nature and build a global platform for the latest technology. On the same day, which was the eve of the Symposium on the Source of Innovation organized by the Stanford Business Executive Education, the Technical Institute of V1 Group Limited ("Institute of V1") released its internal research report "Statements and Interpretations on the Digital Economy in China's Latest Policies". While discussing the report with other executives, Dr. Zhang Lijun, Chairman of V1 Group compared the Institute of V1 to the Shaolin Temple, another symbol of supremacy in Chinese martial arts novels. He went on to say that while Alibaba has the DAMO Academy, V1 Group's "Shaolin Temple" focuses more on the alignment of strategies and real work. V1 Group's "Shaolin Temple" Institute of V1 Founded in early 2017, Institute of V1 is committed to the R&D of cutting-edge technology, industrial research and product incubation regarding information technology and the Internet. Unlike Alibaba, who vows to "spend 100 billion yuan in three years" to "recruit top researchers from around the world" and "push technology boundaries forward," or Tencent, who aspires to build a platform of young scientists worldwide, V1 Group is focusing on making its research institute into a reliable technical support provider for its business development and strategic thinking in this era of the digital economy while actively engaging in technological innovation and international exchage.



Zhang explained, "In Chinese novels, the Shaolin Temple is the common origin of a great variety of martial art forms and represents the supreme level of martial arts. Institute of V1 works closely with top experts, other research institutes and prestigious universities around the globe in an inclusive, open, collaborative and mutually beneficial way to advance R&D in cloud computing, big data, security, video, artificial intelligence, the Internet of things and the block chain, etc. Our only mission is to serve corporate development. It's more practical." Aiming at commanding heights in human resources, information and technology

Upon its inception, the Institute of V1 was designed by Chairman Zhang to be "practical". He demanded the institute to concentrate resources and effort on human resources, information and technology, seizing commanding heights in these three aspects. Human resources come before everything else. Institute of V1 has recruited its researchers from other prestigious IT companies, research institutes and universities at home and abroad, including big names such as Microsoft, the Chinese Academy of Science, Tsinghua University, Peking University, Stanford University, Harvard University, Carnegie Mellon University and Nokia, and 70% of its researchers have a master's degree or above. Information leads us to the forefront of research. Zhang stressed the necessity to grasp the trend of technological development so that the group may keep pace with the world's most advanced levels. Technology is the core impetus for innovation and development. The mission of the research institute is to provide strong support for V1 Group's business lines in terms of cloud computing, the block chain, artificial intelligence and the practical application of technology. Liu Hu, former technology director for mobile device business at Microsoft Greater China who now serves as the head of the Institute of V1, said, "Our ongoing research projects cover the integration of videos and artificial intelligence, a high-speed video cloud and a smart allocation system, artificial intelligence, an end-to-end encrypted transmission system, medical data analysis platforms and block chain technology, and we have indeed made certain achievements in these areas. These cutting-edge technologies will be applied to V1 Group's ongoing and upcoming business projects." So far, the Institute of V1 has formed close R&D partnerships with research institutes at Microsoft, Alibaba, Tencent, Tsinghua University, Peking University and the Chinese Academy of Science, etc. Liu Hu has laid down three priorities for the research institute based on developmental trends of the Internet and other cutting-edge technologies at home and abroad as well asV1 Group's business development strategies. First, to produce substantial effects in technological application, data management and talent recruitment and training for the group while paving the way for the explosive growth of its business lines. Second, to form close partnerships and conduct technology exchanges with other research institutes in the Chinese Internet industry so as to jointly promote technological advancement and innovation. Third, to actively engage in exchange, research and exploration in the global Internet industry, establish extensive contacts with international technology innovation centers, manufacturing innovation centers and business mode innovation centers, and launch global technology exchanges. Amid the rapid progress of technology, the V1 Research Institute will focus on practical needs and build its technological prowess in a down-to-earth manner to distinguish itself from other research institutes and produce more tech professionals and innovation. About V1 Group Limited V1 Group was established in 2005, listed on the Main Board of Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2006, became the first Chinese video media enterprise listed in Hong Kong. V1 Group Limited was named the "China's Top 100 Internet Companies" three years in a row from year 2014 to 2016. After eleven years of rapid development, V1 Group's main businesses have been fully covered the Internet and mobile terminals. In 2016, V1 Group successfully transformed from the new media industry group into a new economy in the internet industry, with extensive layout in new media, online games, internet healthcare, internet travel, internet education, internet finance and many other fields, which strive to build an internet life circle to solve the basic needs for users. V1 Group is now become an integrated new industry group in internet plus life field. V1 Group IR website: http://ir.v1.cn SOURCE V1 Group Limited

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[November 13, 2017] Rolta's Q2 - FY-18 Cumulative Revenue Grows 3.4% Q-o-Q

MUMBAI, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Rolta India Limited (Rolta), a leading provider of innovative IP-led IT solutions for many vertical segments, including Defence and Security, today announced unaudited financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2017 (Q2 FY - 18). FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS Consolidated Revenue for Q2 FY-18 at Rs. 748.77 cr (Rs. 7.49 Billion) against Rs. 723.88 cr (Rs. 7.24 Billion) in Q1 FY-18, registering a growth of 3.4 % Q-o-Q.

Consolidated EBITDA for Q2 FY-18 at Rs. 246.89 cr (Rs. 2.47 Billion) against Rs. 251.63 cr (Rs. 2.52 Billion) in Q1 FY-18, registering a decline by 1.9% Q-o-Q.

Consolidated profit after tax for Q2 FY-18 at Rs. 33.30 cr (Rs. 0.33 Billion) against Rs. 32.91 cr (Rs. 0.33 Billion) in Q1 FY-18, registering a growth of 1.2% Q-o-Q. Mr. K. K. Singh, Chairman and Managing Director said, "The pace of technology and its rapid absorption together with the disruption it can bring in every walk of life is accelerating day by day. At Rolta our IP led solutions strategy and investments in the recent past have been focused on the Digital technologies for all our lines of business. This is ensuring Rolta remains resilient and relevant as it helps organisations to successfully embark on their Digital Transformation journey. This is helping the Company to forge long-term relationships with its customers, and create new opportunities that deliver significant value and returns." CORPORATE HIGHLIGHTS Rolta's persistent efforts at innovation and R&D continues unabated to augment and enrich its growing portfolio of software products and solutions addressing the growing demand for Digital transformation cutting across industries. As a result, Rolta is now able to venture into new solution areas while also judiciously treading into allied industry verticals. The Company's single-minded pursuit for developing innovative IP has also resulted in the grant of patent (No. US 20150331584 A1), by the US Patent & Trademark Office. This patent for 'Use of style sets to assist a user in digitizing GIS layers' provides a novel approach to restrict users working on digitizing GIS features to specific style parameters and thereby ensure creation of data that can be exported in a lossless manner to specific systems by mapping between styling systems of different products. Defence and Security C4ISR has been identified as a key component for modernisation of the armed forces, ushering Digitisation, Net-Centricity and synchronisation of intra and inter services military operations. Rolta's C4ISR solutions, deployed in hundreds of key operational sites along the land and maritime boundaries are being exploited for day to day operational activity. As a result, Rolta is poised to greatly benefit due to its track record and investments in creating indigenous products and solutions for the Indian Defence, over last two decades. In addition to the existing suit of C2 and ISR, Rolta is focussing on cutting edge technologies to develop a number of solutions like Rolta Operational Planning (ROP) Software Suite, War gaming for CI/CT and Conventional Ops. In the Aeronautical Domain Rolta is addressing Information Based Flight Planner and Air Force Overall Planning Solution for planning of complex aircraft missions. It is a highly versatile planning system with embedded war-gaming and decision support for optimal performance. Rolta Search & Rescue Solution provides analysis tools for the probable crash area thus saving precious time in critical situations where the ejected aircrew are in need of immediate medical attention. Rolta has successfully expanded its business into Military Security and Communications domain with focused approach on Software Defined Radio (SDR) and High Capacity Radio Relays in partnership with world leaders. Some of the new initiatives undertaken by Rolta Defense, envisage addressing the security and operational needs of the Central Armed Police Forces, in view of enhanced internal threats, border security and deteriorating law and order situation in the country. These include, situational awareness, Common Operating picture, Operational and intelligence planning tools and UAV Sensor data analysis. Rolta continues to play a strong role in the Defense Security market in India by providing a full range of solutions that cover Border management, Critical military infrastructure protection, Def Cyber security, Coastal security, Vessel Traffic Management Solution(VTMS) and Multi-agency integration and Emergency response systems. Rolta's indigenous field proven Defense security solutions, like Rolta Command and Control and Rolta Crime Analytics have been recognized for the significant value they bring to security programs across the nation. Rolta has successfully harnessed Geo BI and big data analytics technologies which provide Machine learning and Artificial Intelligence, Predicative and Prescriptive Analytics. We have invitation to bid in RFIs for the cutting-edge BI and Big Data Analytics Solution to deliver actionable insights and predictive analytics across diverse types of assets such as weapons & ammunition, vehicles, equipment, personnel, etc. The Battlefield Management Systems (BMS)aimed at ushering in Digital Transformation of the Indian Army, is a flagship Project for which the consortium of BEL and Rolta are fulfilling their responsibilities as a Development Agency. We continue to achieve major milestones within the stipulated timeframes with the active support and guidance of the Indian Army. Geospatial and Engineering Asset Information Management With decades of expertise and leadership in Geospatial technologies, Rolta has built a formidable track record and IP for replicable Smart City Solutions which include creation of rich digital geospatial repositories, Cloud based multi-agency data integration and collaboration as well as building citizen facing Geoportals with mobility. On the back of a very recent contract from Saudi GCS for a nationwide Digital Transformation program and their decision to standardise on the Geoportal solution developed by Rolta, Saudi Madinah Development Authority awarded a US $1.2M contract to establish their Digital Geospatial enabled repository, multi-agency integration and Smart City portal. This is also expected to encourage other agencies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to follow suit. Rolta's in-depth experience of building Asset Information Management (AIM) systems of Engineering assets continues to bring tremendous opportunities. Organisations require effective Asset Lifecycle Management for both strategic planning as well as tactical maintenance and analytics. In line with this, Rolta won a major extension from one of the largest green field Petrochemicals complex in the world, a longstanding customer, for structuring, organizing and managing their vast amounts of asset data. Similarly, a leading international engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) elected to engage Rolta for the engineering design of a leading Specialty Chemicals company which is also expected to grow into a multiyear multimillion dollar asset information management contract. Another example is that of a leading process technology company entrusting Rolta with a significant extension for creating an 'Intelligent Engineering Asset Information' solution as part of the modernization program of an Indian Refinery. Enterprise IT, Cloud, Mobility and Cyber Security Rolta addresses a variety of Enterprise IT, Converged System & Cloud Transformation, Mobility and Enterprise / Cyber Security requirements by combining its innovative IP and technical skills which is resulting in significant success and traction globally. For example, an American electric utility customer selected Rolta for their data centre transformation to improve productivity. Similarly, a Fortune 500 Health Services and Distribution company, a long-standing customer, awarded Rolta with an additional US $ 6.1 M contract to enhance their private Cloud infrastructure along with edge communication systems across their distribution network. A non-profit group of hospitals in North America chose Rolta's mobility and security solution to empower their doctors with mobile access across locations, while in the BFSI segment, a bank holding company in North America awarded Rolta with a US $ 1.9 M contract to address their mobility requirements. Having successfully deployed a multi-million-dollar multi-year unified Identity and Access Management project in the Middle-East for one of the largest Government authorities, Rolta has now been entrusted with an additional multi-million-dollar contract for multiyear support and enhancements. In India, Rolta won a multi-year Enterprise IT project worth US $ 1.5 M for the deployment of a robust cloud based ERP together with a high degree of automation by creating complex workflows for a newly formed government authority. The solution will enable them to manage their accounting, financials, costing, taxation, payroll, procure to pay cycle as well as capital budgeting amongst others. IoT and Big Data Analytics Rolta's rich heritage of creating and designing digital repositories enriched with Geospatial as well as Engineering data has uniquely positioned the Company to analyse intricate data patterns and thereby extract the deepest insights from the digital data. Rolta addresses the full spectrum of Big Data analytics maturity journey from initial advisory, data discovery, enablement of big data landscape, establishing an asset information model (AIM) to secure IoT integration and advanced analytics. This is enabling the company to address the emerging Industry 4.0 Digital Transformation programs that process manufacturing industries are embarking on. The Company continues to invest in its flagship Rolta OneView Enterprise Suite, a unique Big Data Analytics solution through innovations in the areas of IIoT, AI, Machine Learning, Data Lake, Enterprise Knowledge Hub, Self Service BI and Predictive Analytics. Rolta OneView Industry knowledge model is a powerful pillar of the converged solution. The Company continues to enhance its inherent technology differentiators such as multi-tenant architecture, globalization support, extensibility and scalability, logical data warehouse for enterprise data lake. Additionally, the Company is also investing in adding to its growing portfolio of Business Value Apps. For example, one of the world's largest LNP and integrated gas operations company in the Middle East having deployed an Enterprise wide solution spanning 14 business functions elected to enhance their solution. They engaged Rolta to deploy a Business Value App in order to automate their daily reporting and self-service analytics. Similarly, in the Utilities segment, Rolta won major extensions in UK from a water utilities as well as a power distribution company for their geospatially enabled Asset Information Management, reporting and analytics solution. About Rolta : Rolta is a leading provider of innovative IP-led IT solutions for many vertical segments, including Federal and State Governments, Utilities, Oil & Gas, Petrochemicals, Financial Services, Manufacturing, Retail, and Healthcare. Rolta is recognized for its extensive portfolio of solutions based on field-proven Rolta IP tailored for Indian Defence and Homeland Security. By uniquely combining its expertise in the IT, Engineering and Geospatial domains, Rolta develops State-of-the-Art Digital Solutions incorporating rich Rolta IP in the areas of Cloud, Mobility, IoT, BI and Big Data Analytics. Rolta is a multinational organization headquartered in India and the Company's shares have been publicly traded for more than 25 years in India. For additional information please visit http://www.rolta.com, or contact:







Preetha Pulusani Lt. Gen K.T. Parnaik Rajesh Ramachandran Ramakrishna Prabhu President  International Operations Member of the International Board JMD  Defense & Security Business Member of the Board JMD  Global Products & Technology Solutions Member of the Board Director  Finance & Corporate Affairs Member of the Board [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Tel: +1(678)942-5000 Tel: +91(22)2926-6666 Tel: +91(22)2926-6666 Tel: +91(22)2926-6666

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/roltas-q2---fy-18-cumulative-revenue-grows-34-q-o-q-300554482.html SOURCE Rolta India Ltd.

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[November 13, 2017] Security On-Demand Launches Next Generation of Its ThreatWatch Cyber-Threat Detection Platform

SAN DIEGO, Nov. 13, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Security On-Demand Inc., (SOD) the leading provider of advanced threat detection and Analytics-as-a-Service, announced today the availability of its new Version 5.0 ThreatWatch Platform, which will give customers and network security analysts the ability to quickly analyze billions of logs to uncover and act on cybersecurity threats in minutes.

SOD is the industrys first Managed Security Services Provider to use SuperScale Analytics the worlds first approximate query database engine used to conduct log queries across petabytes of log data, previously unfeasible. Cybersecurity technology will continue to transform over the next few years, and well start to see an integrated Security Operations and Analytics Platform Architecture (SOAPA) that will include integrated, security operations, multi-faceted analytics platforms, and tight interoperability between security operations and network security controls, said Jon Oltsik, senior principal analyst with Enterprise Strategy Group. The underlying technology was researched and developed over several years by a team of leading data scientists. By applying Rough Set Mathematics Theory, they developed the worlds first Approximate Query (AQ) data analytics engine, which has evolved into SODs SuperScale Analytics technology. The source code, patents, and intellectual property were acquired earlier this year from Infobright Corporation and have now been fully integrated into SODs Version 5.0 ThreatWatch cybersecurity analytics platform.



Thanks to our use of SuperScale Analytics, along with recent advancements in our machine learning capabilities, our new Version 5.0 platform detects threats and performs analyses in a matter of seconds or minutes instead of the days that it would take competing platforms to accomplish the same tasks, said Peter Bybee, CEO of Security On-Demand. SOD was able to use its updated technology to analyze threat data from the recent WannaCry Ransomware outbreak several months ago. One of the threat indicators in determining whether a customer was being attacked was high traffic volume on port 445. Counting traffic on this port across many hundreds of customers going back thirty days would require a database query that would take a week or more to scan across petabytes of log data, however using SODs SuperScale Analytics-based query engine, SOD performed the analysis in about twenty minutes. Said Bybee, We were able to immediately find multiple compromised customers that were in the beginning stages of the attack which allowed us to quickly notify and help protect them from hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of data damage and lost productivity.

As part of the upgraded Version 5.0 feature set, customers log into their portal and instantly see the top incidents (ranked by importance) requiring their attention without being distracted or burdened by alert fatigue from data that requires no action. Customers can also use a database search query feature to locate log data and alerts in a matter of seconds or minutes. Prior to version five, log data queries would take hours or days to produce because of the massive data lakes that had to be queried for a response. SODs Version 5.0 platform will be available for full production use by customers on December 1st. About Security On-Demand Founded in 2001, Security On-Demand (SOD) is a recognized industry pioneer and innovator in the MSSP industry. Security On-Demand is the creator of ThreatWatch, the industrys first threat detection, and machine-learning based behavioral analytics platform that utilizes patented Approximate Query (AQ) technology, speeding database log queries by well over ten times. The platform reduces time to detection, lowers labor costs of threat analysis due to false positives and speeds time to remediation. Headquartered in San Diego, California with R&D offices in Warsaw Poland, SOD services and protects hundreds of brands globally and is the winner of multiple awards. SOD subscription services include 24x7 threat monitoring, network protection, automated remediation, advanced threat detection, and regulatory compliance solutions. For more information about Security On-Demand, please visit www.securityondemand.com. Follow the firm via Twitter at @SecurityOnDmand. Contact: Jennifer Peranteau Marketing Director Security On-Demand E: [email protected]

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[November 13, 2017] Huawei Joins Hands with PCITC to Embrace Smart Factory 2.0

SHENZHEN, China, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Our Earth faces increasingly grave environmental problems. Although more people have realized the significance of environmental protection and have chosen shared bicycles and electric cars as part of their low-carbon lifestyles, yet we still rely heavily on non-renewable energy such as petroleum. How much oil is left and how long will it last? According to estimates from conservative experts, the sustained oil reserves left may last only 30 to 40 years at present rates of consumption, and the next oil crisis may happen much sooner than expected. Governments and socially-responsible companies worldwide are intensifying efforts to develop new energy and optimize technologies in order to improve the exploration, production, and utilization of energy such as oil. Traditional technologies no longer meet the needs of enterprises. However, the advent of the Industry 4.0 era and the rise of smart manufacturing are bringing great hopes for energy conservation and emission reduction for the Earth. Manufacturing is a traditional industry and it covers oil refining, automobile manufacturing, appliance manufacturing, power grids, steel mills, chemical plants, and others. ICT systems in the manufacturing industry used to function as support systems, but now they are shifting to work as production systems. Smart manufacturing, which comprises smart factories, smart logistics, and smart services, has become a new direction for digital transformation of the manufacturing industry. The successful implementation of smart manufacturing is impossible without the support of leading new ICT technologies such as cloud computing, Big Data, the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI). China Petrochemical Corporation (Sinopec Group) is China's largest integrated energy and chemical enterprise. It ranked No. 3 on the 2017 Global Fortune 500 list. In 2013, Sinopec Group started its smart plant initiatives and selected its Yanshan, Maoming, Zhenhai, and Jiujiang companies as pilot smart factories. Petro-CyberWorks Information Technology Company Limited (PCITC), a joint venture of Sinopec Group and Pacific Century CyberWorks Limited (PCCW), is the contractor for building these pilot smart factories. PCITC chose Huawei to make smart factories a reality. Big Data and machine-learning technologies are used in smart factories. By facilitating the gathering of refining and production information, these technologies help streamline the chemical reaction processes during refining and production, and dynamically adjust the volumes of crude oil, fuels, and catalysts necessary for the refining process. The benefits include optimal productivity at the lowest energy consumption, without compromising the oil quality. Additionally, experiential models for running equipment and Operations and Maintenance (O&M) are set up. These models help monitor equipment in real-time and anticipate the abnormal status of equipment to implement predictive maintenance, reduce O&M costs, and mitigate the risks of unplanned downtime. At present, these four pilot smart factories report remarkable results and constitute Smart Factory 1.0 in Sinopec Group. In the four pilot smart factories, the utilization rate of advanced control technology increases to over 90 percent; the automated production data collection rate reaches over 90 percent; and all pollution sources are automatically monitored. Production optimization used to be performed on a few processes and in offline mode, but now it is extended to all processes and conducted in online (in-service) mode. All these improvements increase labor productivity by over 10% and contribute to better quality and higher efficiency. ICT has brought tangible benefits to companies in the petroleum and petrochemical industry and helps them maximize Return on Investment. Key benefits include better production-to-consumption ratios, higher oil recovery rates, lower operating costs, higher labor productivity, andlong-time stable running of equipment.



Huawei Solutions Power Up Smart Factories Huawei, a leading global ICT solutions provider, offers a portfolio of market-proven solutions for the oil and gas sector, including digital oilfield, offshore oilfield communications, digital pipeline, smart refining, and intelligent sales solutions. These solutions are built upon Huawei's extensive range of products such as wireless eLTE, IoT, KunLun servers, OceanStor 9000 high-end storage systems, High-Performance Computing (HPC), cloud data centers, public clouds, and cloud-enabled enterprise communications products. Now, Huawei serves 60 percent of global TOP 20 oil and gas companies, and has worked on more than 38,000 km of oil and gas pipelines, which cover 41 percent of leading energy countries and regions.

With regard to Sinopec Group's smart factory initiatives, Huawei joined hands with PCITC to provide real-time communications, computing capabilities and architecture-wide security capabilities. Sinopec Jiujiang Company, a subsidiary of Sinopec Group, is located on the northern bank of the Yangtze River and to the south of Mountain Lushan. Every year, the company processes 10 million tons of crude oil and produces 300,000 tons of synthetic ammonia, 520,000 tons of urea, and 100,000 tons of polypropylene. The company has a total of 48 production units, most of which have industry-leading economic and technical specifications and outperform similar appliances in the industry. Sinopec Jiujiang Company deployed Huawei's eLTE Broadband Trunking Solution to meet the company's needs of a larger communications capacity and a multimedia trunking dispatch system. This solution helps the company easily deploy an audible and visual dispatch system. Additionally, this solution requires no wired transmission, greatly reducing the company's investments. Sinopec Jiujiang Company also chose Huawei's OceanStor high-end storage system, ensuring that core business systems, such as O&M and Enterprise Resource Planning, are stable. This new storage system is designed to be future-proof to support data center resource consolidation and service migration to the cloud in the future, which previously were impossible for original storage systems due to their limited scalability. Huawei's high-end storage system also enables Sinopec Jiujiang Company to build a unified Office Automation platform that involves email, office applications, and portal subsystems, and also centrally stores data. Sinopec Jiujiang Company uses Huawei's TE30 All-in-One HD Videoconferencing Endpoint system to enable video-assisted shift handover at work as well as internal and external communications -- all greatly improve communication efficiency. With TE30 video conferencing, users can easily hold meetings through calls. Sinopec Jiujiang Company adopted a series of advanced technologies and techniques, such as 4G wireless network applications, IoT-based smart warehouse and a whole-process integrated optimization platform. All these implementations are first-of-its-kind in refineries. The Smart Factory 2.0 Era Is Fast Approaching In April 2017, PCITC and Huawei jointly announced a smart manufacturing platform, which isn't only the two parties' first significant joint innovation since they inked strategic partnerships, but also the core part of Smart Factory 2.0 within the Sinopec Group. This platform has eight major capabilities: Centralized integration, IoT access, IT management and control, optimization, shared services, data processing and analysis, and AI. The platform will become a 'benchmarking operating system' for smart manufacturing. This smart manufacturing platform also has integrated new ICT technologies such as cloud computing, the IoT, Big Data, Virtual Reality, and machine learning. It is expected to become an industry-leading smart manufacturing platform in the process-centric industry. The eight capabilities of this platform are highlighted as follows: Centralized integration: This platform consolidates smart factory data and information, enables centralized management and control of data assets, and allows effective integration with application systems. IoT access: This platform provides ubiquitous, interoperable, smart converged communications services necessary for smart factories, and supports a wide range of service applications such as digital warehouse, tracking of hazardous chemicals, vibration and corrosion monitoring for key equipment, and environment monitoring. IT management and control: This platform implements cloud management, security management, O&M management, and unified development; and allows for centralized management, monitoring, and resource allocation of cloud nodes. Optimization: This platform comes with optimization tools and engines to streamline the entire production process, facilitate device operations, and improve energy efficiency. Shared services: This platform centrally manages and controls business and technology service components, and provides shared cloud services to facilitate unified development. Data processing and analysis: This platform unleashes the potential of Big Data and enables production exception analysis, equipment fault diagnosis, and product quality analysis. Artificial intelligence: This AI-capable platform helps institutionalize rules, models, and knowledge, and creates a 'smart brain' for petrochemical plants using deeply learning and reasoning data. Why Huawei Smart Manufacturing Solutions? Huawei and global partners join hands to launch a FusionCloud Smart Manufacturing Solution which features efficient management, agile dispatching, and open architecture. This solution is a good choice for customers in the production and manufacturing industries, meeting their needs of industrial automation, information convergence, service-centric manufacturing, and flexible production. This solution is the result of the collaborative efforts of Huawei and a group of industry partners such as SAP, Accenture, PCITC, Halliburton, and ForceCon. By enabling end-to-end management of the manufacturing processes that cover design, production, supply, logistics, and marketing, this full-stack cloud solution makes smart cloud-based and service-oriented manufacturing a reality. Big Data analytics and mining helps manufacturing companies resolve deep-rooted problems and pain points. All these benefits pave the way for building a cloud-enabled manufacturing platform characterized by intelligent management and unified architecture. The day when we run out of oil will come sooner or later. However, we believe that leading new ICT technologies such as cloud computing and Big Data can play an active role for petrochemical enterprises as they help utilize energy in more efficient and environmental-friendly ways and continue to explore more green new energy sources. To date, 197 companies on the Fortune Global 500 list and 45 of the top 100 enterprises have chosen Huawei as their partner for digital transformation. To know more about Huawei helping enterprises achieve digital transformation, please visit

http://e.huawei.com/topic/leading-new-ict-en/index.html?utm_campaign=lni17-minisiteen&utm_medium=hwdc&utm_source=ebghome-en&source=eebghq175155l View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/huawei-joins-hands-with-pcitc-to-embrace-smart-factory-20-300554568.html SOURCE Huawei

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
A meditation and sharing support group that brings together the practice of meditation, Buddhist teachings and the 12 steps of recovery integrating the basic sanity of the Dharma and the basic goodness of meditation.

The Heart of Recovery is a meditation and sharing support group with the purpose of bringing together the practice of meditation, the Shambhala and Buddhist teachings, and the Twelve Steps of Recovery with the goal of integrating the basic sanity of the Dharma and the basic goodness of meditation with our commitment to abstinence. We welcome all those who wish to share in these common interests.

There are no requirements to attend our meetings.

Suggested donation: $5

The Heart of Recovery is a meditation and sharing support group with the purpose of bringing together the practice of meditation, the Shambhala and Buddhist teachings, and the Twelve Steps of Recovery with the goal of integrating the basic sanity of the Dharma and the basic goodness of meditation with our commitment to abstinence. We welcome all those who wish to share in these common interests.

There are no requirements to attend our meetings.

Suggested donation: $5
[November 13, 2017] Organizations Around the World Take a Proactive Approach to Tackling Fraud for Fraud Week 2017

AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Hundreds of organizations, such as AIG, Maersk and Voya have pledged their support to spread fraud awareness during International Fraud Awareness Week, November 12-18, 2017. Fraud Week was founded by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), and is an opportunity for organizations and individuals to focus time, energy and resources into educating employees and community members about fraud. More than 350 organizations from six continents are supporting anti-fraud endeavors during the week. Corporations are holding live trainings for employees and inviting anti-fraud experts to speak to stakeholders. Universities have planned activities for students. Many groups are also educating their communities about how fraud can affect their neighbors and most vulnerable members. The Tucson Police Department and the Fisher's Police Department (Indiana) are holding seminars on fraud prevention for the public and seniors. Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton ssued a Fraud Week proclamation and both the Comptroller and Office of Inspector General of Massachusetts have pledged their support to fraud prevention as well.



"It seems that every day we see new headlines about large and small-scale fraud affecting people from all walks of life around the world. Whether someone's identity is stolen in a massive data breach, or a trusted employee steals from the small business they worked hard to build, the realities of being a victim of fraud hit close to home for most people," said ACFE President James D. Ratley, CFE. "That's why it's inspiring for me to see so many organizations coming together for Fraud Week. The first step in combating fraud is spreading education worldwide. It is a serious problem that requires a proactive approach toward preventing it." To see which organizations are supporting Fraud Week, and for more information about how to reduce the risk of fraud, visit FraudWeek.com.

About the ACFE

The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) is the world's largest anti-fraud organization and premier provider of anti-fraud training and education. Together with more than 80,000 members, the ACFE is reducing business fraud worldwide and inspiring public confidence in the integrity and objectivity within the profession. For more information, visit ACFE.com. View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/organizations-around-the-world-take-a-proactive-approach-to-tackling-fraud-for-fraud-week-2017-300554546.html SOURCE Association of Certified Fraud Examiners

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[November 13, 2017] BCN Selects Nexthink's Newest Digital Experience Platform to Gain Visibility, Analysis and Remediation of Enterprise-Wide Endpoint Issues

LAUSANNE, Switzerland, Nov. 13, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nexthink, a leader in digital experience management for enterprises, today announced that La Banque Cantonale Neuchateloise (BCN), a leading Swiss bank, has implemented the full portfolio of Nexthinks most recently introduced platform. The new platform, for the first time, brings endpoint analytics, end-user feedback and endpoint remediation together in one offering.

The Nexthink platform has given us an unprecedented ability to be proactive in how we support our enterprise end users and the endpoints they use, while ensuring compliance to the standards of use we have set, said Daniel Vulliemin, Banque Cantonale Neuchateloises CIO. Were confident that the new capabilities for automated remediation now being offered in the new version of Nexthink will bring the seamless availability of endpoints as business productivity tools to a whole new level. BCN has been using Nexthinks digital experience management platform for several years to better manage endpoint devices across the banks 14 branches and agencies throughout Switzerland. The platform has given it a real-time view and analytics into all endpoints, helping it monitor end-user related events such as changes in the IT infrastructure, application usage, bandwidth, error messages and potential security risks, as well as to ensure compliance to bank security policies, and obtain end-user feedback to improve the way IT supports end users. BCN has upgraded to the new version of exthink, which now includes Nexthink Act, providing the ability to not only see what is occurring across endpoint devices but to immediately take action to resolve any incidents within seconds. Additionally, the Nexthink Engage module will allow BCN to engage in conversations with users when they are experiencing a situation, to interact and gather unique contextual feedback and send targeted notifications in real time to quickly resolve issues.



BCN has been very pleased with the level of proactive IT management and support it is able to provide to its end-user staff with Nexthink, and were confident that the newest automation capabilities, will bring them even greater gains in seamless incident remediation, productivity and empowered IT staff and end users, said Pedro Bados, CEO of Nexthink. Key benefits that BCN will gain from the new Nexthink Act module, include:

Assisted Service: Which enables BCN support agents and operations teams to remediate problems quickly by pin-pointing the problem across endpoints assessing the impact and taking actions with one click during a troubleshooting session.

Which enables BCN support agents and operations teams to remediate problems quickly by pin-pointing the problem across endpoints assessing the impact and taking actions with one click during a troubleshooting session. Self-Help: So support staff can identify and bring issues to the attention of users so they can take action to remediate them on their own.

So support staff can identify and bring issues to the attention of users so they can take action to remediate them on their own. Self-Healing: Eliminating the burden on IT staff in ensuring that the desired state of computing is continuously maintained without user impact.

Eliminating the burden on IT staff in ensuring that the desired state of computing is continuously maintained without user impact. On-Demand Analytics: Provides greater insights through flexible and highly scalable custom, personalized data collection at the endpoint, instead of from a fixed set of metrics. About the Nexthink Platform Nexthinks new automation capabilities close the loop for IT teams looking to offer employees fast, flexible, innovative and secure services while continuously optimizing digital experience in the workplace. The overall platform now includes: Nexthink Analytics: To collect, analyze and visualize all information from endpoints in real time. Nexthink Act: To take action on endpoints to improve the user experience and resolve security issues in seconds. Nexthink Engage: To engage in conversations with users when they are experiencing a situation, to gather unique contextual interaction and feedback and send targeted notifications in real time. Nexthink Integrate: To take advantage of certified pre-built integrations with all the most popular tools in the IT ecosystem. Nexthink Enhance: To enhance analytics by comparing discovered data with cloud-based intelligence. About BCN

BCN is a regional bank whose goal is to contribute to Neuchatel Cantons economic and social development by providing its population and businesses with all the services of a universal bank (from asset management to retail banking), for the common good. Its headquarters are in Neuchatel, Switzerland and it has a branch at La Chaux-de-Fonds and 12 agencies throughout the canton. About Nexthink

Nexthink provides digital experience management for the enterprise. Leading global companies know that satisfied employees generate more satisfied customers. With Nexthink, organizations can deliver consumer-grade experiences to their employees to increase satisfaction and productivity. Nexthink combines data collection, monitoring, analysis, remediation, intelligence and communication, to engage with employees and gather the right context for continuous optimization. Nexthink is privately held with headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, and U.S. headquarters in Boston, Mass. Learn more at nexthink.com. Media contacts: Linda Pendergast-Savage Pendergast Consulting [email protected] 508-224-7905

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[November 13, 2017] Atera Named a Finalist in CRN's 2017 Tech Innovator's Award

NEW YORK, Nov. 13, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Atera, developer of the cloud-based IT automation platform that combines Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM), Professional Services Automation (PSA), and remote access into one powerful solution, today announced that CRN  , a brand of The Channel Company, has recognized the company as a finalist in the 2017 CRN Tech Innovator Awards. These annual awards honor standout hardware, software, or services that have helped to move the IT industry forward. In compiling the 2017 Tech Innovator Award list, CRN editors evaluated 216 products across 32 technology categories using several criteria, including technological advancements, uniqueness of features, and potential to help Managed Service Providers (MSPs), solution providers, and IT professionals solve ed users IT challenges. Ateras IT management platform took top honors in the MSP software category.



We are very proud of our technology and the ease of use it has brought to businesses throughout the world, said Gil Pekelman, chief executive officer at Atera. With IoT and cloud technology, Atera was custom-built to offer disruptive pricing, no contracts, and less hassle. Because of our innovative technology, channel partners are able to improve their quality of service, reduce costs, and increase profits dramatically. Atera is enabling MSPs and IT professionals to improve their business practices through its RMM software, services, and security. Its unmatched technology provides users with the Business Intelligence (BI) they require to succeed with its unique pricing model and a transformative billing dashboard that includes real-time statistics from The Benchmark.

The vendors and products on CRNs 2017 Tech Innovator list represent some of the most creative and forward-thinking achievements yet seen in the IT channel, said Robert Faletra, CEO of The Channel Company. We are honored to celebrate their ingenuity and the growth they are driving across the industry, from increased worker productivity and sales to expanded solutions for complex problems and trailblazing innovation. The Tech Innovator Awards will be featured in the December issue of CRN and can be viewed online at crn.com/techinnovators. To learn more about Atera, please call (877) 211-4666, or email [email protected]. Sign up for a 30-day free trial today via www.atera.com. About Atera

Atera is the developer of the cloud-based IT automation platform that combines RMM, PSA, and remote access into one powerful solution. Ateras all-in-one innovative platform offers MSPs improved operational efficiency, seamless integration, end-to-end management, and disruptive pricing. To learn more, visit www.atera.com. MEDIA CONTACT

Amanda Lee

ARL Strategic Communications

(727) 272-0781

[email protected]

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[November 13, 2017] Cool Technologies Receives Purchase Commitment for 234 Mobile Generation Systems

TAMPA, Fla., Nov. 13, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cool Technologies, Inc. (OTCQB:WARM), an innovator in efficient mobile power generation and thermal dispersion technologies, announced today that it has received a purchase commitment for 234 Mobile Generation (MG) systems from the National Union of Producers of Jatropha in Mexico (Jatropha).

Jatropha has established a center for processing oil from Jatropha seeds for biofuel production. Through their union of producers, Jatropha plans to introduce the MG and promote the product to their well-established supplier network. With an MG, farmers can tow and power a variety of machinery and equipment with a single truck. The systems weigh 50% less than tow-behind diesel generators which enable the trucks to easily reach distant fields over rough, unpaved roads. We intend to provide MG 30, 55, and 80 kVA systems installed on Class 3 and 4 trucks to our members, said Pedro Ramos, President of Jatropha. Utilizing efficient mobile power to pump, harvest and process mechanically will vastly improve our workers capabilities and transform their lives and communities. In addition, the MGs lower acquisition, operating and maintenance costs will help them compete in a global market. The purchase commitment follows common industry best practices by stipulating that CoolTech will furnish Jatropha with an MG80 retro-itted onto a Ford F-350 truck within 60 business days. To ensure the system is optimized to meet Jatrophas needs and build the remaining 233 units, CoolTech set the terms of the agreement to allow both teams to gather data and provide performance feedback another 30 to 60 days. Upon completion of this period, Jatropha will release the balance of the order and production will start no later than the second quarter of 2018. Payment terms require 50% down and 50% at time of shipment, FOB (Freight on Board) from Cool Technologies dock.



Our team of engineers in Pittsburgh and Colorado Springs have been diligently working toward this milestone since our demonstration at Craftsmen Industries last April, said Cool Technologies CEO, Tim Hassett. Full production system engineering and testing, including design failure mode effect analysis, have been completed to ensure the technology meets or exceeds the standards set for class 3 Ford F-350s to Class 7 International Durastars or Workstars. Mr. Hassett added, The value range of this revenue stream is expected to be between $17,000,000 and $22,000,000 US. We believe this represents a strong validation of our commercialization plan which we anticipate will drive a healthy backlog of domestic and international orders heading into 2018.

About Cool Technologies, Inc. Cool Technologies is an intellectual property and product development company commercializing patented thermal dispersion technology across multiple platforms. The Company has additional patents-pending for various OEM applications of its proprietary heat removal technologies. Tested and validated by two third parties, ESSCO Pumps and Nidec Corporation, the Companys cooling system eliminates the need for costly modifications while increasing power output of pumps, fans, compressors, batteries, motors, generators and bearings. Safe Harbor Statement. This 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. These statements are based on plans and expectations of management and are subject to uncertainties and risks that could affect the company's plans and expectations, as well as results of operations and financial condition. A listing of risk factors that may affect the company's business prospects and cause results to differ from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in company reports and documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. For more information, read the blog at cooltechnologiesinc.com or contact [email protected]

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[November 13, 2017] Cybint Solutions introduces cyber security and cyber intelligence certification programs for financial, business professionals and attorneys

NEW YORK, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- International cyber education and training leader Cybint Solutions, a BARBRI Group company, today introduced its Cyber Intelligence Certification (CIC) and Cyber Security ProtectionCertification (CSPC) Programs for individuals, companies and higher education institutions. These comprehensive certification programs, developed and taught by some of the world's foremost cyber security/intelligence experts, are designed to provide critical tools and training to foster cyber proficiency for individuals across professions such as finance, law, tech and law-enforcement. Additionally, the Programs are offered to organizations to help them bolster employee expertise, and higher education institutions for incorporating into curricula. "The cyber world today presents both threats and opportunities," said Roy Zur, Cybint CEO and global cyber security and intelligence expert. "On the one hand, there is virtually no industry unaffected by cyber breaches or intrusions. And unfortunately, 95 percent of all cyber breaches are due to human error. Workers are increasingly expected to have the skills to help protect themselves, their clients and their firms from cyber events. "At the same time, the breadth of information and data stored in the Internet seems limitless, with new information constantly generated. Most individuals are only able to access 5 percent of the online information they need for their work. We know that those who can successfully navigate the Web to find the right information and intelligence can avoid crucial mistakes, and gain a competitive edge individually and for their organizations. "The goal of our certification programs is to address both sides of the cyber world, preparing professionals to succeed and companies to benefit from this important infusion of talent and skill." Cybint's cyber intelligence program focuses on training individuals on how to find and collect intelligence from around the Web, gain access to crtical information that may be deleted or hidden deep in the Web, and then analyze their findings. The security program focuses on improving professional and personal online and mobile security practices to better keep individuals and organizations secure, and on recovery from cyber events.



Both the cyber security and intelligence certification programs consist of training modules, assessment, certification and post-program tools. Using a "micro-learning" concept with short five- to 10-minute learning units for maximum retention, each module is self-paced and interactive. Each program provides theory and background of the concept or skill, demonstrates its use, then provides practice opportunities using real-life scenarios. Student progress is tracked, and at the end of training, a final exam to earn the certification is offered. A suite of cyber tools, access to exclusive webinar content and other resources are available to participants after the course. The Cybint certification programs were developed by Zur and a cyber team with more than a decade of experience in cyber education and a background in military cyber training. Zur is a retired Major from the Israeli Cyber Unit, practicing attorney and past legal adviser in the Israeli Supreme Court. He provides training to the U.S. Department of Justice, the FBI, international companies and a number of the nation's leading financial institutions.

From now until of the month, Cyber Monday promotional pricing will be in effect for both programs. Individuals will receive a 60 percent discount when they type in cybermonday60 at checkout. Companies will receive a 30 percent discount per each employee signup by following this link and contacting a Cybint sales representative. About Cybint Solutions

Cybint Solutions is a collaboration between military-trained cyber security experts with more than a decade of experience, and the experts at leading legal education provider BARBRI. Cybint has created programs that address cyber security and intelligence at the individual and organizational level  creating a deep and powerful network of cyber expertise that goes far beyond typical technical expertise. Cybint is a trusted partner of private organizations and government agencies doing business around the world, including the U.S. government and some of the world's largest financial institutions. About The BARBRI Group

The BARBRI Group companies meet the legal education needs of law students and attorneys throughout their careers, and work to improve legal and professional learning by providing superior opportunities for law schools, law firms and law- and finance-related businesses. At the core of The BARBRI Group Companies is BARBRI Bar Review, which has helped more than 1.3 million lawyers around the world pass a U.S. bar exam. The company also provides online J.D., post-J.D. and international programs for U.S. law schools, and specialized ongoing training and certifications in areas such as financial crime prevention, eDiscovery and cyber awareness, security and protection. The BARBRI Group, founded in 1967, is a Leeds Equity Partners portfolio company headquartered in Dallas with offices throughout the United States and around the world. Contact: Cindy Parks

913-526-6912

[email protected] View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cybint-solutions-introduces-cyber-security-and-cyber-intelligence-certification-programs-for-financial-business-professionals-and-attorneys-300554838.html SOURCE Cybint Solutions

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[November 13, 2017] IGC Announces Results of Annual Shareholders Meeting

BETHESDA, Md., Nov. 13, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- India Globalization Capital, Inc. (NYSE American:IGC), announced that during its 2016-2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders scheduled for, and convened on November 8, 2017, voting on Proposals Three and Four was adjourned due to the lack of requisite quorum. Only stockholders of record on the record date October 5, 2017 are entitled to and are being requested to vote. At the Annual Meeting, the following proposals were approved: (i) the election of Sudhakar Shenoy and Ram Mukunda as Directors, (ii) the proposal to ratify AJSH & Company as the Companys independent registered public accounting firm for the 2018 fiscal year, (iii) the adoption of the Companys 2018 Omnibus Incentive Plan, (iv) a non-binding advisory resolution to approve the compensation of the Companys named executive officers, and (v) approval to adjourn the meeting.

With respect to the matters which were not approved, the voting has been adjourned to November 22, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. (Eastern Standard Time) to allow additional time for the stockholders to vote on the proposals Three and Four set forth in the Companys proxy statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 10, 2017, which is available at https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1326205/000118518517002130/0001185185-17-002130-index.htm . During the period of the adjournment, the Company will continue to solicit proxies from its stockholders with respect to the two proposals set forth in the Companys proxy statement that did not pass. Proxies peviously submitted in respect of the meeting will be voted at the adjourned meeting unless properly revoked.



The Company encourages all stockholders who have not yet voted to do so by November 21, 2017 at 11.59 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time). The stockholders may vote by internet at www.proxyvote.com , or by telephone at 800-454-8683, or by returning a properly executed proxy card to InvestorCom. No changes have been made in the proposals to be voted on by stockholders at the Annual Meeting. The Companys proxy statement and any other materials filed by the Company with the SEC remain unchanged and can be obtained free of charge at the SECs website at www.sec.gov.

During the past fiscal year we simplified our corporate structure, reduced costs, and sharply focused our resources. We have two businesses, continuing legacy operations and canna-pharmaceuticals. Our most advanced and promising canna-pharmaceutical formulation addresses patients with Alzheimers disease. Roughly 5.3 million individuals in the U.S. and 44 million worldwide suffer from this debilitating disease. Our formulation, Hyalolex, has shown to reduce the primary indicators of Alzheimers: senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, as well as alleviate several end points like anxiety, sleep disorder, and care giver distress. Importantly, this is achieved without the patient getting high, or suffering long-term damage to neurons, or suffering from side effects commonly associated with cannabis. We believe the market for Alzheimers disease represents tremendous potential for our cannabis-based product Hyalolex. Our longer-term goal, with appropriate financing, is to move Hyalolex through the FDA registered pre-clinical and clinical trials. Independent of the FDA process, our near-term goal is to commercialize our liquid Hyalolex formulation for Alzheimers as a Complimentary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), sold through licensed medical cannabis dispensaries in the U.S., and internationally in Canada and Germany. We expect to begin marketing Hyalolex in early 2018, states Ram Mukunda, IGC CEO. About IGC:

IGC is engaged in the development of cannabis based combination therapies to treat Alzheimers, pain, nausea, eating disorders, several end points of Parkinsons, and epilepsy in dogs and cats. IGC has assembled a portfolio of patent filings and four lead product candidates addressing these conditions. The company is based in Maryland, USA. For more information please visit www.igcinc.us

Follow us on Twitter @IGCIR and Facebook.com/IGCIR/ Forward-looking Statements:

Please see forward-looking statements and risk factors as discussed in detail in IGC's Form 10K for fiscal year ended March 31, 2017, and in other reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Contact at IGC:

Claudia Grimaldi

301-983-0998 Contact at InvestorCom, Inc.

Michelle Frosch

877-972-0090

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[November 13, 2017] GM Financial Provides Vehicle to Ronald McDonald House Houston

General Motors Financial Company, Inc. (GM Financial or the "Company") today announced the expansion of its Cool Cars for Remarkable Kids program in collaboration with Ronald McDonald House Houston, to address a unique mobility challenge for children and families visiting the House. The Company's Cool Cars program enables families - many of whom have traveled miles from their homes for medical treatment for their sick children - to have access to GM Financial late-model vehicles for transportation support during their stay. "We are pleased to extend our Cool Cars for Remarkable Kids program to the families of Ronald McDonald House Houston," said Dan Berce, President and CEO of GM Financial. "Our goal with this program is to ease the transportation challenges to and from treatment centers, including visitors who may have been impacted by Hurricane Harvey. We will also extend our support to the Ronald McDonald House of Galveston later this year." Ronald McDonald House Houston, which opened in late 1981, joins other Ronald McDonald House locations in Texas, North Carolina, Massachusetts and Michigan to receive a Cool Car - all regions where the Compay maintains a significant commercial or employment presence. In total, GM Financial plans to deliver approximately 30 vehicles nationwide through this program in 2017.



"As the Texas Medical Center's pediatric care centers continue to grow, there is an increased need for our services," said Rick Noriega, CEO, Ronald McDonald House Houston. "The Cool Cars for Remarkable Kids program helps support seamless transportation for children and their families between our Holcombe House flagship facility and their treatment hospitals - another way we can fulfill our mission of providing families with a place of comfort and support." Cool Cars for Remarkable Kids is one half of GM Financial's Mobility Initiative - a multifaceted effort focused on driving upward mobility in communities across North America. This platform also includes KEYSSM by GM Financial, which helps consumers unlock smarter financial futures by bridging the financial literacy gap through a combination of live community trainings and online financial education tools and resources.

About GM Financial General Motors (News - Alert) Financial Company, Inc. is the wholly-owned captive finance subsidiary of General Motors Company and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. For more information, visit www.gmfinancial.com. About Ronald McDonald House Houston For more than 30 years, Ronald McDonald House Houston has been helping families with seriously ill children stay close together during these difficult times. By providing a "home away from home" while their child receives the treatment they need, Ronald McDonald House Houston is able to meet families' most vital need for a place to stay while also providing opportunities to connect with other families facing similar crises. Together, we can continue to provide safety and comfort to these children and their families when they need it the most. To learn more, visit www.rmhhouston.org. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171113006148/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[November 13, 2017] Bulgaria - Telecoms Infrastructure, Operators, Regulations - Statistics and Analyses

LONDON, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/3365827







These factors have contributed to steadily declining revenue across the sector since 2008. Consumers continue to migrate from fixed-line voice telephony to mobile and VoIP alternatives, while there is increasing pressure on SMS and MMS services from the growing use of alternative OTT messaging services. Mobile network operators are also faced with reduced roaming revenue following the decision by the European Commission, which became effective from June 2017, to bring international roaming rates in line with domestic rates. Nevertheless, there are considerable opportunities for telcos to develop popular bundled packages.



The telecom sector has nevertheless benefitted from Bulgaria's adoption of EU regulatory measures, which has encouraged investment in the sector from other telcos as well as private equity firms. The incumbent Vivacom has been privatised, and the government no longer holds the golden share' which had eabled it to veto certain key decisions. Although the liberalised market has attracted new market entrants, Vivacom remains the dominant player.







This report provides an overview of Bulgaria's fixed-line telecom market, including data on regulatory developments, the strategies and performances of the major operators and an assessment of the evolution of fixed-line networks.



Key developments:

- Regulator introduces IP interconnection

- regulator signs MoU with Montenegrin telecom regulator to cooperate on reducing cost of telecom services

- amended Electronic Communications Act focused on enhancing regulator's powers

- Vestitel begins building second Greece - Bulgaria fibre link

- report update includes the regulator's market data for 2016, telcos' operating and financial data to Q3 2017, recent market developments.





Companies mentioned in this report:

Vivacom, Orbitel, Vestitel, MobilTel.



Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/3365827



About Reportbuyer

Reportbuyer is a leading industry intelligence solution that provides all market research reports from top publishers

https://www.reportbuyer.com



For more information:

Sarah Smith

Research Advisor at Reportbuyer.com

Email: [email protected]

Tel: +44 208 816 85 48

Website: www.reportbuyer.com View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bulgaria---telecoms-infrastructure-operators-regulations---statistics-and-analyses-300554897.html SOURCE ReportBuyer

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[November 13, 2017] OUTFRONT Media's Canadian Business Announces Activation Of The First Screens In Toronto's Yonge Dundas Square Multi-Screen Installation Project

NEW YORK, Nov. 13, 2017 /CNW/ -- OUTFRONT Media Inc. (NYSE: OUT) today announced the activation of the first screens within its multi-stage digital signage project in Yonge-Dundas Square, Toronto. The 10-year agreement includes the installation of 10 digital screens, 5 of which are exclusively for use by Yonge Dundas Square. These 5 screens will be used for community and event messaging that will augment the visitor experience at the popular city destination, one of the busiest intersections in the country. "This marks a truly unique relationship, enabling OUTFRONT to partner with this key community and event space within Toronto. This project will dramatically enhance the visitor experience at events, while providing a vehicle for ongoing communication during non-event periods," says Michele Erskine, CEO, Canada for OUTFRONT Media. "Yonge-Dundas Square is a unique space within the city and our project makes it possible for even the smallest community group to enhance its use of the square with an immersive digital display system. This is a unique collaboration between corporate and municipal partners that directly benefits the community. We're very proud to be breaking new ground in this way." The project is expected to be completed by February 2018, with the activation of a spectacular four-sided Media Tower that includes strong branding elements for Yonge-Dundas Square. Toronto can look forward to a busy 2018 event season that will be fully supported by this unique digital installation. About OUTFRONT Media Inc.

OUTFRONT Media connects brands with consumers outside of their homes through one of the largest and most diverse sets of billboard, transit, and mobile assets in North America. Through its ON Smart Media platform, OUTFRONT Media is implementing digital technology that will fundamentally change the ways advertisers engage people on-the-go.







Contacts:

OUTFRONT Media Canada:

Amanda Dorenberg

(416) 521-6439

[email protected]





Investors: Media: Gregory Lundberg Carly Zipp (212) 297-6441 (212) 297-6479 [email protected] [email protected]

SOURCE OUTFRONT Media Inc.

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[November 13, 2017] Horizon Global Appoints Jay Goldbaum as General Counsel

Horizon Global Corporation (NYSE: HZN), one of the world's leading manufacturers of branded towing and trailering equipment, today announced the promotion of Jay Goldbaum to the Company's general counsel. With his elevation to the general counsel role at Horizon Global, Goldbaum is now responsible for leading the Company's global corporate development function, and will continue to lead the Company's legal and compliance functions. He most recently served as Horizon Global's legal director and, prior to joining Horizon Global, Goldbaum served as associate general counsel - commercial law for TriMas Corporation. "I am exceptionally pleased to recognize Jay's contributions to the Company with his promotion to an expanded role with the Company," commented Mark Zeffiro, president and chief executive officer of Horizon Global. His dedication to moving the Company forward and leading the legal function at Horizon Global, paired with his in-house and outside counsel experience, make Jay the right leader for this important role. He is a well-rounded executive with a global perspective who has demonstrated an impressive track record executing against our global business strategy, driving our corporate development activity and protecting the Company's intellectual property. The entire Horizon Global management team and our Board of Directors look forward to workig closely with Jay in his expanded role as our Company continues to progress on its key financial priorities and furthers its focus on delivering shareholder value."



"Horizon Global is one of the very best towing and trailering companies in the world," commented Goldbaum. The Company's innovative products and technologies and its impressive portfolio of brands contribute to the global team's efforts to deliver products that perform for our customers around the globe. I am very pleased by the vote of confidence from Mark and our Board of Directors, and I am excited to accept this expanded role and look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead for our Company." Goldbaum earned his bachelor's degree in finance from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and his Juris Doctorate from Michigan State University College of Law in East Lansing, Michigan.

About Horizon Global Horizon Global is the #1 designer, manufacturer and distributor of a wide variety of high-quality, custom-engineered towing, trailering, cargo management and other related accessory products in North America, Australia and Europe. The Company serves OEMs, retailers, dealer networks and the end consumer as the category leader in the automotive, leisure and agricultural market segments. Horizon provides its customers with outstanding products and services that reflect the Company's commitment to market leadership, innovation and operational excellence. The Company's mission is to utilize forward-thinking technology to develop and deliver best-in-class products for our customers, engage with our employees and realize value creation for our shareholders. Horizon Global is home to some of the world's most recognized brands in the towing and trailering industry, including: BULLDOG, Draw-Tite, Fulton, Hayman Reese, Reese, ROLA, Tekonsha, and Westfalia. Horizon Global has approximately 4,700 employees in 67 facilities across 21 countries. For more information, please visit www.horizonglobal.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171113006309/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[November 13, 2017] Moncur Helps National Refrigeration Supplier Amerikooler Launch New Website and Branding

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Moncur, an award winning branding + digital agency, is proud to announce the launch of a new website and brand elements for Amerikooler, a Miami-based walk-in cooler and freezer manufacturing company. Amerikooler is one of the fastest growing walk-in cooler and freezer companies in the country, and the website marks a time of innovative evolution for the company. The new and completely redesigned www.amerikooler.com website focuses on presenting concise and clear information to visitors, no matter what type of cooling and/or freezing product they are looking for. The website's responsive design also ensures a flawless display for visitors from any devie.



Amerikooler tasked Moncur with creating a more contemporary solution for their website, where information could be accessed quickly. To do this, Moncur created a new dual-offering approach for the homepage, a split between Amerikooler's Quick Ship products and their more custom offerings. The clean presentation simplifies the options for visitors, with a no frills approach. Moncur also developed new messaging for Amerikooler, which is featured throughout the website. The messaging presents a new tone-of-voice that reflects the company's growth, success, and continued innovation as a company. Moncur also travelled to the company's Miami headquarters for a photoshoot with the Amerikooler staff and to document the manufacturing process, giving website visitors a more personal point of view inside the company's culture and belief in innovation.

Website visitors can also find a plethora of new detailed features and information on their extensive list of products offerings. Moncur also developed a new interactive timeline of their company's humble beginnings and family history. "Moncur was an amazing team to work with. Their creative approach to re-organizing and streamlining our content created a powerful new experience for visitors," said Amerikooler's Chief Executive Officer Gian Carlo Alonso. Moncur was successful in launching the website, and presenting a new Amerikooler brand with clean design, improved functionality and enhanced rich content that allows visitors to have an informative experience as the company continues to expand its offerings. About Moncur Moncur is a branding + digital agency based in Detroit, with offices in Miami and Austin. Moncur seamlessly integrates strategic communication and fluid technology to help companies brand, market and sell what they do online through beautiful communication. www.thinkmoncur.com View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/moncur-helps-national-refrigeration-supplier-amerikooler-launch-new-website-and-branding-300555020.html SOURCE Moncur

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[November 13, 2017] Murdock Trust Honors Northwest Educators and Students

This week, the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust announced the winners of two prestigious awards in the field of scientific research and education. Dr. William A. Mackie, Professor of Physics at Linfield College, has won the Lynwood W. Swanson Scientific Research Award. Dr. Tamily A. Weissman, Associate Professor of Biology at Lewis and Clark College, has won the Lynwood W. Swanson Promise for Scientific Research Award. Both awards were established in 2016 to honor the contributions and career of noted educator, entrepreneur, and former trustee Dr. Lynwood Swanson, upon his retirement from the Murdock Trust. The "Swanson Award" recognizes a senior faculty exemplar with an established, productive and nationally recognized research program, while the "Swanson Promise Award" highlights a junior faculty member who has demonstrated exceptional potential in these areas through early research and work with students. "Dr. Swanson has a deep passion for science, how it can inspire students and how it can solve real world challenges," said Steve Moore, executive director, Murdock Trust. "These two awards bring to light shining examples of educators in the Pacific Northwest who are investing in our collective future through their research and their mentorship of students. We are so proud to be able to honor Dr. Swanson's legacy and recognize the outstanding work of Dr. Mackie and Dr. Weissman." Dr. William Mackie will receive a $15,000 cash prize as part of his award and Dr. Tamily Weissman will receive a $7,500 cash prize. A portion of each financial award goes directly to the winner while a portion is earmarked to fund student research and supplies. Both awards were formally presented at the 2017 Murdock College Science Research Program (MCSRP) Conference in Spokane, WA. he Murdock Trust also honored nearly two dozen college students for research presentations delivered at the event. They include:



The 2017 John Van Zytveld Award in the Physical Sciences: Gabe Juul, Meghan Feldman, and S.J. van Enk (Whitman College)

The 2017 John Van Zytveld Award in the Life Sciences: Nicholas Bratt (Whitworth University)

2017 Murdock Poster Prizes: Ecology-Evolution-Biodiversity: Sam Levy, Peter Reinhardt (Seattle University) Ecology-Evolution-Biodiversity: Isabelle Cisneros (George Fox University) Molecular and Cell Biology: Vanessa Ramirez, Elaine Wong (Central Washington University) Molecular and Cell Biology: Simran Handa (Lewis and Clark College) Neuroscience-Psychology-Exercise Science: Andre Zamani (University of Puget Sound) Biochemistry: Hung Nguyen, Tia Uehara, Blessing Cao (Pacific University) Organic Chemistry: Annie Stefanides (Whitman College) Analytical-Inorganic-Physical Chemistry: Zach Armstrong (University of Puget Sound) Analytical-Inorganic-Physical Chemistry: Joshua Tsang (Reed College) Environmental Science-Geology: Natasha Dacic (The College of Idaho) Microbiology: Laurisa Ankley, Katherine Camp (Eastern Washington University) Physics and Engineering: Thomas Dale, Travis Widmer (Whitworth University)

For more information about the MCSRP Conference and how the Murdock Trust invests in science education and research, please visit www.murdocktrust.org. About the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust

The M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, created by the will of the late Melvin J. (Jack) Murdock, provides grants to organizations in five states of the Pacific Northwest-Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington-that seek to strengthen the region's educational and cultural base in creative and sustainable ways. For more information, find the Murdock Trust on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and the web. About Dr. Lynwood Swanson After starting his career as a professor and administrator at Linfield College, Dr. Swanson moved to Oregon Graduate Institute before co-founding FEI, a world-leader in electron optics and focused ion beam technologies in scanning and transmission electron microscopies. In conjunction with his extensive career in science education and research, Dr. Swanson served as a tireless advocate for these fields as a trustee for thirty years. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171113006383/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
Charge it while it is off, then try turning it on in "Safe Mode" and see if it will start. It will give you limited access, but if it works, then you know there is something that is on the tablet that needs to be removed. Bad app, virus, malware, etc.



To get into "Safe Mode" please do the following.



1. First turn off the tablet.



2. Next press and hold "Power" until you see the manufacturers logo on the screen, then release the power button.



3. "Quickly" press "Volume Down" and hold it for few seconds until you see the message "Safe mode: ON" or something similar.



4. If you wanted disable it, simply repeat the steps above, and you should see "Safe Mode: OFF" rather than on.


Why hide in the shadows, Kansas? State government is shrouded in secrecy Kansas must have more sunlight. That's the inescapable conclusion its citizens will reach this week, as an investigation by The Star is published. The stories reveal a concerted and disturbing effort by officials at all levels of Kansas government to keep the public's business secret. The Legislature. The executive branch and state agencies.

Here's the money line in a snoozy Sunday report from the local rag . . . Not sure this one will convince either side and it's mostly written from the angle of frustrated newsies laboring over Sunshine requests that don't earn as many social media shares as domestic drama broadcast on Fakebook. Read more:
Officials to give Shawnee shopping center a $113 million makeover Developers are proposing a $113 million development that would bring more than 500 high-end apartments to the Westbrooke Village Shopping Center. (KCTV5) Developments would also include green space, an amphitheater, retail stores and restaurants. (KCTV5)

Politicos were convinced that people don't buy most of their stuff from Amazon . . . Here are the consequences their uninformed decision:
Person of interest in Independence, KC homicides captured by KCPD A person of interest in connection with two area homicides has been captured in Kansas City. Jerome T. Roberson, 31, has been linked to two recent homicides. A man was found shot inside a pick-up truck early Thursday, November 2 near 25th and Quincy. He was rushed to an area hospital, but later died.

KCPD sent out special warning for this dude as "armed & dangerous" after two violent local incidents . . . Here's the aftermath report and possibly the only bit of good news for Sunday. Read more:
Municipal leaders meet to discuss controversial Buck O'Neil Bridge funding request Maintenance issues associated with Kansas City's 61-year-old Buck O'Neil Bridge continue to pit municipalities against each other for federal transportation dollars, as local officials meet Monday to discuss solutions. Area mayors and representatives from the Mid-America Regional Council will discuss ways to pay for a new bridge along Broadway.

Here's a transit crisis that's far more urgent than any scheme currently confronting Kansas City travelers . . . Sadly, politicos have put this one on hold as it approaches a crisis. Read more:
More deets: "Millers wife told Jacksonville (Fla.) police that he grabbed her hair and shoved her, pulling a braid out of the back of her head. At the time of the early Saturday morning incident, there were five kids in the house, four of them under 10 years old."
Deal signed by 23 of the 28 European Union member-states earlier on Monday for closer cooperation in security and defense

Greece's Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias welcomed a deal signed by 23 of the 28 European Union member-states earlier on Monday for closer cooperation in security and defence, during the EU foreign ministers' council.

"Today we discussed Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), in other words the shaping of a European defence industry," Kotzias noted, announcing the signature of a cooperation agreement.

The agreement was the first official step toward setting up PESCO, he pointed out, and 23 EU member-states had agree with the principles of PESCO. "PESCO is an ambitious, binding and non-exclusive European legal framework for investments in the defence sector and the security of EU territory and citizens," Kotzias said.

The 23 countries also signed a list of "ambitious and more binding shared obligations" that the member-states have undertaken, he continued, including "regularly increasing budgets for defence in real terms, in order to achieve agreed targets" and proposals for PESCO's governance.

The EU member-states that inked the agreement include: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain and Sweden. Other states are free to join at a later date.

Kotzias also referred to a meeting organized with his counterpart from the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) on the sidelines of the foreign ministers' council on Monday. He said their discussion had focused on issues relating to organisations and mechanisms for the media and information in the EU, with Kotzias stressing the need to have the right policy. "In Europe we need a policy that is based more on values, democracy, its social work and a vision for a different society," he added.

Read more here.

RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report

Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons Copyright: A.Savin License: CC-BY-SA

Source: ANA-MPA
The Cosco-appointed leadership of the port authority has nevertheless received dozens of business delegations from China

The Cosco-managed and owned Piraeus Port Authority (OLP) has emerged as a "must stop" for any Chinese delegation considering an investment or business move in Greece. The Chinese multinational's assumption of OLP's management in August 2016 along with the purchase of a majority stake in the previously state-owned and managed port - Greece's largest and busiest - figures as one of the biggest foreign direct investments in the country.

Despite shying away from publicity and media scrutiny during the past year, the Cosco-appointed leadership of the port authority has nevertheless received dozens of business delegations from China.

One of the Chinese investors that passed through the port authority's doors for a face-to-face briefing subsequently purchased around 100 apartments in the central Athens district of Exarchia. The neighborhood is often billed as the self-styled "anarchist" or "anti-state" quarter in the Greek capital, but which is within walking distance to Athens' historic and commercial centers, and close to mass transit networks.

Other would-be Chinese investors considering a foray into the Greek market include a major construction company, Air China - which recently inaugurated a direct Athens-Beijing-Athens route - as well as China Development Bank. The latter is reportedly eyeing the opening of a branch in Athens. Delegations from China-based tour operators, energy corporations and even high-flying e-retailer Alibaba have also had a meeting with the port authorities' executives.

Shanghai-based Cosco's subsidiaries are also examining possible investments affiliated with the shipping sector, with Cosco Shipyards closely following developments in Greece's troubled shipyards and repairs sector -- as the majority of units are located with a short sailing distance from the port of Piraeus.

As expected, questions start with Cosco's overall experience in doing business in recession-battered Greece, and then extend into details, such as the tax regime, Greece's often slow-moving bureaucracy and labor issues.

The latter often dominate talks, according to sources that spoke to "Naftemporiki", given that organized labor movements and a relevant framework, for instance, are utterly feeble or non-existent in China.

Another worry, according to reports, is the still imposed regime of capital controls in the country - a left over from disastrous negotiations between the Tsipras government and institutional creditors in the first half of 2015. Chinese delegations often broach the risk of their capital being "trapped" in Greece.

Right before the submission and ratification of a master plan by OLP to the relevant shipping ministry, the latter is already pushing through with new or maturing investments worth 63 million euros. A floating dry dock able to service vessels of up to 80K tons has already been ordered from China.

The large structure will be installed in the ship repair district of Perama, to the west of the port of Piraeus.

Read more here.

RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report

Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons Copyright: GeorgHH License: CC-BY-SA

Source: naftemporiki.gr
The World Arena Group, a leading conference organizer with offices in the UAE, the UK and the US, will host RegTech Mena, the first regulatory technology summit in Bahrain on November 21 and 22.



As an expanding segment of the broader FinTech universe, regulatory technology, or RegTech, intersects regulation with innovation and is set to revolutionize the financial services industry in 2017.



RegTech helps organizations to manage regulatory compliance, fight financial crime and mitigate risk by using disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain and big data for requirements related to customer on boarding, cyber security, fraud detection, regulatory reporting, risk data aggregation and stress testing.



Bahrain is on track to become the fintech capital of the Middle East and all the right elements are placed to achieve this goal, according to Khalid Al Rumaihi, chief executive, Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB).



The sandbox welcomed its first two entrants at the end of August 2017NOW Money, the Dubai-based account and remittance service for low-income workers in the GCC, and Tramonex, a London-based forex cash management solution for businesses.



The sandbox has gone a long way to provide a degree of comfort to the regulators in the Kingdom and to their credit; Al Rumaihi said they have been incredibly responsive. One of the issues regulators have with fintechs is being comfortable with an entity that launches a product that could negatively impact the consumer, the lender, or the borrower.



Ben Morgan, CEO of The World Arana Group said, We are pleased to bring the first RegTech conference in Bahrain as the concept is spreading to the rest of the world and is increasingly being embraced by regulators and financial institutions as a way to manage compliance challenges and improve data management while reducing costs.



RegTech Bahrain will explore the latest digital innovations in the regulatory technology and risk management landscape and provides a comprehensive understanding of the drivers behind the rapid rise of RegTech, what RegTech means for financial institutions in the GCC, and how the sector is likely to develop, Morgan added.



Renowned speakers from Bahrain Economic Development Board, Al Baraka Banking Group  Bahrain, HDFC BANK, Thomson Reuters, RFS Financial Crime, PWC, SAS Middle East and more will discuss the future of RegTech and digital compliance in the region.  TradeArabia News Service
Oman Ship Management Company (OSMC) recently staged a major conference in India enabling seafarers to share best practices and expand industry knowledge.



It comes as official OSMC figures reveal major growth in its managed fleet expanding from 27 to 38 in last two years, largely due to expansion in its chartering business.



More than 100 delegates joined the Officers Conference at the JW Marriot in Juhu, Mumbai. The two-day event involved seafarers from OSMC fleet vessels, office staff, crewing agencies and industry experts such as from Shell, P&I Clubs and Lloyds Register, said a statement.



It included a social gathering at gala dinner for the attendees and their families.



The event came shortly after OSMC received The Maritime Standard Safety & Security Award 2017, Dubai.



Chief operation officer of OSMC Captain David Stockley said the annual event provides a platform for seafarers to connect with the firms senior management to discuss a broad range of pressing maritime matters.



He said: The conference performs an extremely important role each year as OSMC strives to deliver best practice on all vessels within its fleet.



We selected Mumbai as the host location for a second year running. This is due to our large proportion of Indian seafarers, as well as the regions reputation as a major international shipping hub, he said.



The conference provides a unique opportunity for seafarers and companys top management to discuss a range of key issues for an extended period. This includes current and future trends in the maritime industry, regulatory development and practical problem solving at sea, he added.



Attention was devoted to matters including human resources management, oil pollution, technical faults and breakdowns, Stockley added.



He continued: This year we also received insightful presentations from Shell on resilience and dealing with crisis at sea as well as an outline of Shells criteria on ranking. Our delegates further benefitted from a fascinating presentation from Captain Tony Field of Lloyds Register on fuel oil testing.



Our valued seafarers were also given a fleet overview while addressing lessons learnt from incidents in the last year. A session dedicated to customers feedback and a reflective learning work shop also proved highly useful for staff development, he said.



OSMC is a subsidiary of Oman Shipping Company (OSC). OSC currently operates more than 50 ships of different types and sizes with a total cargo carrying capacity of about 8 million tonnes.



OSCs wide ranging fleet spans from very large crude carriers (VLCCs), liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers, product tankers, multi-purpose vessels, bulk carriers and container ships, to serve Omans oil and gas, petrochemical and other industries.



Stockley added: We look after of OSCs in-house ship management. We have strong experience in technical management and have formed effective working structures to enhance the link between vessels and offshore support through crew, operation and HSE departments. This event is a clear testimony of companys commitment to continually enhancing the safety culture.



However, we are always aiming to improve. This latest conference highlights OSMCs continuing and constant commitment to safety, best practice and environmental responsibility. Through shared knowledge and experience we are able to strive for the very highest safety standards and ensure continued development of all staff, at all levels, he concluded.  TradeArabia News Service
Iran and the European Union have signed agreements worth 10 billion ($11.65 billion) this year, according to a senior European Union official.



The current engagement between the EU and Iran has a positive view about the future of relations and further enhancement of ties, Phil Hogan, the EU commissioner for agriculture and rural development, was quoted as saying in an Iran Daily News report, citing IRNA.



He added that the union wants to encourage the US Congress to accept that the Iran nuclear deal, known also as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).



Hogan added that European Union wants to develop and deepen its cooperation with Iran, including its agricultural ties.



The conditions in Iran are unique and Europe is looking forward to witnessing further advancements in the country by facilitating cooperation.



The official, who is leading a 70-member delegation from 19 European countries to Iran, further noted that food trade between Iran and the EU has witnessed a 94 per cent growth since July 2015.



Speaking in a joint press conference with Iran's Minister of Agriculture Mahmoud Hojjati on Saturday, Hogan added that the Iran-EU cooperation will thrive and also that the EU is determined to continue economic interactions with Iran within the framework of JCPOA and the current mission hopes to increase bilateral ties to the benefit of both sides.



The official is accompanied by representatives of 40 European businesses who are willing to expand cooperation throughout the production chain in the fields of dairy, meat, vegetables, chocolate, oilseeds and livestock feed, added the report.
Iran-based Arvandan Shipbuilding Company and Damen Shipyards of the Netherlands have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the shipbuilding industry, said a report.



Arvandan Shipbuilding noted that the deal envisages cooperation in manufacturing advanced offshore vessels in Iran, added the Iran Daily News report, citing Trend News Agency.



The cooperation will include technology and the transfer of know-how to Iran while employing domestic capacities in shipbuilding, it said.



Arvandan Shipbuilding specialises in building vessels up to 2,500 dwt (deadweight tonnage), including crew boats, passenger ships, pilot boats, barges and multipurpose cargo vessels.



The company is also now looking to build a series of offshore support vessels, added the report.
Building on the success of the initial phase of their partnership, Emirates and flydubai today announced 16 additional destinations to which Emirates passengers will be able travel on a single ticket.



The new, expanded network now includes sought-after destinations such as Zanzibar, Kathmandu and Kilimanjaro.



Travellers can book on Emirates.com, through Emirates Contact Centres, or via travel agents for travel commencing from 8 November 2017.



Emirates president, Sir Tim Clark said: We are thrilled with the positive response from travellers. Nearly 14,000 sectors have been ticketed during the first week of operation, surpassing our expectations. We have witnessed strong demand for travel from Europe and the United States to South Asian destinations."



"This partnership is an unprecedented opportunity for both airlines to unleash the combined power of their networks, offering travellers greater choice and flexibility when planning their trips. We want to make exploring the world as friendly and as convenient as possible.



Flydubai chief executive officer, Ghaith Al Ghaith said: The many benefits of Dubais international aviation hub have been recognised by travellers who have already shown that they are keen to explore the world together. Todays announcement will allow them to discover another 16 destinations as well as enjoy the unique personality of each airline.



New codeshare destinations:

 Bratislava (Slovakia)

 Chittagong (Bangladesh)

 Djibouti (Djibouti)

 Dushanbe (Tajikistan)

 Hargeisa (Somalia)

 Istanbul  Sabiha Gokcen (Turkey)

 Kathmandu (Nepal)

 Kilimanjaro (Tanzania)

 Mattala Rajapaksa (Sri Lanka)

 Makhachkala (Russia)

 Podgorica (Montenegro)

 Sylhet (Bangladesh)

 Ufa (Russia)

 Voronezh (Russia)

 Yerevan (Armenia)

 Zanzibar (Tanzania)



Emirates and flydubai will continue to offer a travel experience reflective of each others brand. For bookings under the codeshare, Emirates passengers will receive complimentary meals and the Emirates checked baggage allowance on flights operated by flydubai in both Business and Economy.



Connecting via Dubais ultra-modern hub offers a smooth transfer experience and under the partnership, passengers will benefit from a reduced minimum connection time (MCT) between Emirates home in Terminal 3 and flydubais in Terminal 2 of 120 minutes.



More benefits for frequent flyers

Emirates Skywards members can earn Skywards miles and Skywards Tier Miles on codeshare flights as per the existing Skywards mileage programme.



In addition to the Emirates free checked baggage allowance, Skywards Premium members can also enjoy their extra checked baggage allowances of 20kg (Platinum members), 16kg (Gold members) and 12kg (Silver members) on codeshare flights operated by flydubai.



Skywards Silver, Gold and Platinum members travelling on codeshare flights can access flydubais Business Check-in counters and receive priority tags.



Further benefits for members of each airlines frequent flyer and loyalty programmes will be announced in due course. - TradeArabia News Service


Boeing and Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) have announced an order for five more 787-8 Dreamliners and a commitment to purchase two large freighters.

The agreement, announced at the 2017 Dubai Air Show, is valued at about $1.9 billion at current list prices. The freighter commitment will be finalised at a later time.

Azerbaijan Airlines also announced it will be the launch customer for the 787 Landing Gear Exchange Program whereby Boeing Global Services will provide the carrier with a lower-cost solution for overhauled and certified landing gears for its Dreamliner fleet, which now grows to seven airplanes.

"Ordering additional 787 Dreamliner airplanes will greatly expand our airline's capabilities, allowing us to serve new destinations and carry more passengers," said AZAL President Jahangir Askerov. "We are delighted to expand our partnership with The Boeing Company, which has been a reliable partner in supplying modern airplanes, and helping us operate and maintain the jets."

"We appreciate Azerbaijan Airlines' growing confidence in the Boeing 787 and the airplane's market-leading fuel efficiency and passenger-pleasing features," said Kevin McAllister, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "The 787 Dreamliner will play a key role in Azerbaijan's fleet modernization plan, help them open new routes, and contribute to their long-term success."

"Boeing is excited to launch the 787 landing gear exchange program with Azerbaijan Airlines," said Stan Deal, President and CEO of Boeing Global Services. "This program will keep the airline's 787s flying while providing a cost-effective and reliable alternative to buying new landing gear and performing equipment overhaul."

Azerbaijan Airlines is a major air carrier and industry leader in the Central Asia region, serving 40 destinations in 25 countries. The airline currently flies two 787 airplanes as well as a fleet of Boeing 757 and 767s.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is the fastest-selling twin-aisle airplane in history. More than 65 customers have ordered more than 1,275 Dreamliners to date thanks to the family's ultra-fuel efficiency and passenger-preferred experience. The 787 fleet has flown more than 200 million passengers while saving over 19 billion pounds of fuel, enabling airlines to open more than 170 new nonstop routes around the world.

Boeing's 787 Landing Gear Overhaul and Exchange Program provides a simple and economical solution for managing landing gear overhauls, while building on Boeing's successful history of exchange programs. Through the offering, a carrier can exchange landing gears that need to be repaired or overhauled for another set of certified landing gear from a pool that Boeing maintains. This service eliminates the need for operators to contract, schedule and manage the overhaul process. - TradeArabia News Service
Outstanding Package Performing Award from Expedia.com



(TRAVPR.COM) GREECE - November 13th, 2017 - Creta Maris Beach Resort located in Hersonissos, Crete, stood out among 610 hotels of Eastern Crete, by winning the "Outstanding Package Performing" award! This distinction, which comes from Expedia.com, proves once again that despite the difficult economic and political circumstances in Greece, Creta Maris Beach Resort continues to impress its partners and guests, promoting worthily the island of Crete.

The Outstanding Package Performing award was the result of Creta Maris' well-organized operation, the planned sales and booking policy, as well as the preference shown by the travelers to the resort, who chose the outstanding booking packages that it offers.

During the official awarding ceremony organized by Expedia.com, Nikos Vlassiadis, General Manager of Creta Maris Beach Resort and Michalis Roussakis, Assistant Manager, were proud to receive the award from Anna Tzenou, Market Manager of Expedia.com for the area of Heraklion.

About Creta Maris Beach Resort:

Creta Maris Beach Resort belongs to Metaxas Group of Companies and has been operating since 1975. It has a capacity of 680 rooms, suites and bungalows, 6 restaurants, 7 bars, 7 swimming pools, gym, Hammam spa, Asterias Childrens Club, and a great space for outdoor and indoor activities.

About Expedia.com:

Expedia, Inc. is the worlds largest online travel company, with an extensive brand portfolio that includes leading online travel brands, such as Expedia.com, a leading full service online travel company with localized sites in 33 countries.

###
We value your privacy.

Focus Taiwan (CNA) uses tracking technologies to provide better reading experiences, but it also respects readers' privacy. Click here to find out more about Focus Taiwan's privacy policy. When you close this window, it means you agree with this policy.
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 13

India and Canada have expressed their commitment for taking forward negotiations for the early conclusion of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the countries.

This was reiterated by both sides at the 4th India-Canada Ministerial Dialogue on Trade and Investment held here today. The Indian delegation was led by the Minister for Commerce and Industry Suresh Prabhu while the Canadian side was headed by Minister for International Trade Francois-Philippe Champagne.

The talks covered a host of trade and investment issues and both sides recognised that the current bilateral trade is much below the potential between the two worlds robust economies, despite the huge untapped potential for two-way trade and investment.

Both sides noted the progress made during the 10th Round of the India-Canada CEPA held in August, 2017, and expressed their strong commitment for taking forward negotiations for early conclusion.

According to an official statement, India also highlighted the importance of services component under CEPA. Both sides also noted the exchange of wish lists on the services front and India reiterated that the architecture for services under CEPA is a vital focus area and response from Canada on positive elements has to be mutually beneficial.
New Delhi, November 12

In a major move, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has decided not to pursue a proposal for the introduction of Islamic banking in the country.

Replying to an RTI query, the central bank said the decision was taken after considering the wider and equal opportunities available to all citizens to access banking and financial services.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

Islamic or Sharia banking is a finance system based on the principles of not charging interest, which is prohibited under Islam.

The issue of introduction of Islamic banking in India was examined by the RBI and the Government of India, it said.

Taking into account, the wider and equal opportunities available to all citizens to access banking and financial services, it has been decided not to pursue the proposal further, the central bank said in its reply to an RTI application.

The RBI was asked to provide details of steps being taken for the introduction of Islamic or interest-free banking in India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on August 28, 2014, launched the Jan Dhan Yojana, a national mission to bring about comprehensive financial inclusion of all households in the country.

In late 2008, a committee on financial sector reforms, headed by former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan, had stressed on the need for a closer look at the issue of interest-free banking in the country.

Certain faiths prohibit the use of financial instruments that pay interest. The non-availability of interest-free banking products results in some Indians, including those in the economically disadvantaged strata of society, not being able to access banking products and services due to reasons of faith, the committee had said.

Later, on the instruction of the Centre, an inter-departmental group (IDG) set up in the RBI examined the legal, technical and regulatory issues for introducing interest-free banking in India and submitted its report to the government.

In February last year, the RBI sent a copy of the IDG report to the Finance Ministry and recommended an Islamic window in conventional banks for gradual introduction of Sharia-compliant banking.

In our considered opinion, given the complexities of Islamic finance and various regulatory and supervisory challenges involved in the matter and also due to the fact that Indian banks have no experience in this field, Islamic banking may be introduced in India in a gradual manner, it had said in a letter to the ministry.  PTI
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 11

Residents and owners of hotels and restaurants in the tricity have welcomed the Centres decision to reduce the Goods and Services Tax (GST) rates for eateries. While earlier, the GST was 12 per cent on non-AC eateries and 18 per cent on air-conditioned eateries, it is now 5 per cent for all, except for five star hotels. Residents feel that it will boost the eating out culture in the region and traders feel that it will lead to better business.

Hoteliers, restaurateurs and owners of other eateries say that many customers felt that their bills were inflated due to high tax. This was leading to a decrease in footfall post-GST. However, the considerable drop will again boost their business as people will again start visiting them.

Residents, who frequently prefer eating out, say that they had started thinking twice before eating out post-GST as it was burning a huge hole in their pocket. However, the GST cut would again increase their outings.

Traders, residents welcome move

Mohali: Owners of restaurants and hotels in the city have welcomed the uniformed 5 per cent GST (without input tax credit) as announced by the Centre, terming it a win-win situation for customers. Earlier, it was 12 per cent for non-air conditioned restaurant and 18 per cent for air conditioned. The new slab will come into effect from November 15. However, it doesnt apply on the restaurants and hotels with a rent of Rs 7,500 and above and outdoor catering, which will continue to be charged at 18 per cent with input tax credit.

Sanjeev Vashisht from the Mohali Industries Association (MIA) hailed the GST Councils decision. The hotel sector will be benefited. It will boost the domestic spending which was curtailed due to high rate earlier, he said.

Sandeep Singh Narula, CEO, Tulip Hotel, Mohali, said, The rate cut is even better than the sales tax. If you add luxury tax to the service tax that was being charged earlier, the total tax rate was 19.2 per cent. Now, a person who goes out to eat will have to pay only Rs 5 instead of Rs 19 on a bill of Rs 100. The benefit would be passed on to consumers and the confusion regarding various slabs will end with the uniformity in the GST rate.

Mohali Industries Association (MIA) president Gagan Chabbra said the cost for the end user might not reduce significantly without the benefit of input tax credit.

Neeladri C, Indirect Tax Lawyer, said that the total cost for a customer would remain the same since hotels might pass the rising costs on to their customers. The rise may reflect in the menu prices, he added.

What they said...

It is a great news, especially for customers as it will also prevent price hike. As for us, the MRP included the GST, thus our prices remained unchanged.  Sahil Sharma, owner of Tikka Freakz, Sector 8, Chandigarh

This GST rate should have been adopted earlier. This equates the tax to the cascading effect of VAT without overcharging customers.  Indresh Bhardwaj, Chandigarh resident

Its a great move. Earlier, it wasnt the great tax regime as it was claimed. Affordability of things had come into question as 18 per cent was too much. Kriti Pahuja, Panchkula resident

Customer felt that 18 per cent was a lot, there was a negative feeling. We had to convince people that it is a tax imposed by the government.  R S Patial, administrative head, Pallavi hotels, Panchkula

It is a good move as there is a eating out culture and many complained that a large part of the bill is tax. This will also mean that spending will increase now.  Amarjeet Singh Bhullar, Mohali resident

Banquet hall bookings before GST was high for consumers, with GST cut it remained similar. Now, people will be happy and it will also boost business.  Anish Sharma, GM, Sarao hotel, Mohali
Pavneet Singh Chadha

Tribune News Service

Mohali, November 13

The Raen Basera at Phase 1 in Mohali, which until recently was being used by cops for lodging for months, remains locked, depriving the poor and the destitute of a shelter.

In the winter season, the urban homeless in the city will literally be left in the cold, with no provision for their accommodation.

Earlier, the shelter was being used as a temporary accommodation by cops posted in the district.

Chandigarh Tribune had reported on September 14 about the shelter being used by cops for lodging purposes. Till last week, when Chandigarh Tribune visited the Raen Basera, the six beds in the family room of the shelter had been occupied by cops and the adjacent room, meant for women, was cluttered with their personal belongings, including uniform and trunks.

According to sources, the shelter was vacated by cops for a few days, only to occupy it again. Asked, one of the constables said the Raen Basera had been allotted to policemen.

Seven cops were sharing this room for a few months, said the policeman. Another constable claimed that the Raen Basera served as a temporary lodge for police personnel posted at the Phase 1 police station. In 2012, the Municipal Corporation had renovated a few vacant rooms of the octroi naka adjacent the fire brigade office in Phase 1 and converted it into a night shelter at a cost of Rs 10 lakh.

However, the shelter could never be used for the intended purpose. Earlier, it was used by some officials of the fire brigade department, said a fire officer on condition of anonymity. He said, Cops had been staying here for the past five to six months. They put a lock on the room recently for fear of the matter being reported in the media again.

Kulwant Kaur, councillor from Phase 1, said the Raen Basera had not been built for lodging policemen, but for the welfare of the public. It was closed earlier since it was vacant and lying unutilised. During the winter, the homeless will require it. I will raise the matter and urge the authorities to appoint a caretaker at the shelter to avoid the premises from being misused by cops.

Mohali Mayor Kulwant Singh said no permission had been granted by the MC to policemen to permanently use the services of the Raen Basera. He said, The shelter was vacant. Cops may be using it for a short term when they are deployed for duty in the city. We will make sure the shelter is vacated and becomes operational in the winter for the needy.

In the absence of a night shelter, the urban homeless turn to the night shelter in Phase 6, which has a capacity of 43 beds with separate rooms for men, women and families and patients.

Ramji, the caretaker, said during winter, all beds at the shelter would be occupied. Many poor families whose acquaintances are undergoing treatment at the PGI or the Civil Hospital in Mohali seek accommodation here, he said. At present, 25 persons, including six patients, are staying here.

J Thakur, a resident of Himachal Pradesh who is staying at the shelter with his mother, said the Raen Basera offered a cheaper alternative.
Fali S. Nariman

Fali S. Nariman

IT was the best of times. It was the worst of times. It was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness." These now-famous opening lines in the novel of Charles Dickens (The Tale of Two Cities) accurately sum up the recent distressing events in India's Supreme Court.

On November 9, 'judicial indiscipline' was set in motion with an order, sought on behalf of a petitioner before a two-judge Bench  presided over by the current seniormost Judge of the Supreme Court, next only to the CJI. The order that was passed that day was reported on the front page of the November 10 issue of The Tribune, viz that Court No. 2 in the Supreme Court of India had issued notice on the plea of the writ petitioner for a probe by a Special Investigating Agency (SIA) in matters concerning admissions to medical colleges, and had also posted the writ petition for hearing on November 13, with the additional specific direction that the petition would be heard by a Constitution Bench consisting of the first five seniormost judges of the Supreme Court of India.

On Saturday November 11, The Tribune reported (again on its front page) events that occurred in Court No. 1 on Friday, November 10, before a Constitution Bench set up by, and presided over by, the CJI. The headline accurately described the details that were unfolded in the report: "Fissures in Judiciary as 'master of roster' CJI asserts authority: overturns 2-Judge order on Constitution Bench". The question in the minds of all readers was whether something had gone wrong in the Supreme Court. Yes - it had!

As was reported in another national daily, the Chief Justice of India, heading the Constitution Bench of the Court on November 10, had said: "There cannot be any kind of command directing the CJI to constitute a Bench. That authority is the CJI's domain. The CJI is master of the roster and any order passed by any judge allocating a matter to any Bench will not hold." The oral statement, as reported, is an accurate summing-up of the true legal position. Hearing this statement, senior counsel for the petitioners then reportedly said: "Your Lordships can pass an order without hearing me." In that opening sentence, Senior Counsel, too, had accurately stated the correct legal position! The order passed by the Bench of two judges, being entirely without legal authority, it could have been set aside even without hearing any one. It should have been, but it was not; hence the further complaint of Senior Counsel: "You have heard persons who are not parties in the case for an hour. If your Lordships want to pass an order without hearing me then do it.", after which Senior Counsel walked out of Court. What began as an exhibition of judicial indiscipline on November 9 ended in judicial chaos on November 10.

Courts in India, particularly the High Courts and the Supreme Court, euphemistically described as 'the higher judiciary', operate on the principle of precedent. A Bench of two judges, either in the high court or in the Supreme Court, cannot in law overrule or set aside a decision or an order passed by another Bench of two judges - that requires a three-judge Bench (or a Bench of more than three judges). This is because, unlike the US Supreme Court, our Supreme Court (as well as all our high courts) do not sit en banc (ie all together in full strength); they sit in Benches of two, three, five and so on; such Benches are constituted from time to time by administrative orders that are passed, and that can only be passed, by the Chief Justice of the Court (be it of a high court or of the Supreme Court of India). No other judge ('puisne judge', as he or she is described) has the power or authority to constitute a Bench, or to direct that a particular matter be heard by that or any other Bench. This is the prerogative and function solely of the Chief Justice of the Court.

As to the contention of the petitioner that the CJI should not participate in the hearing of the matter on merits because of conflict of interest, subsequent events have overtaken this plea. The contention has become irrelevant with the announcement on the evening of Saturday, November 11 by the office of the Supreme Court Registry that the petition (initially moved in Court No. 2) will be now listed for hearing on November 13 before a Bench of three judges constituted by the CJI, a Bench which does not include the CJI.

There remains however the all-pervading question on which the Editor has asked me to comment: "Was there not a marked absence of judicial temper and rectitude?" There was. In all these proceedings, whether on the first day or on the second day, there was definitely a marked absence of "judicial temper and rectitude", both on the part of lawyers as well as on the part of judges.

Thurgood Marshall, American Civil Rights Lawyer, writing in The Chicago Tribune (August 15, 1951)  long before he became the first African-American judge to sit on the US Supreme Court (from 1967 to 1991)  had said something extraordinarily wise, which all our judges (and lawyers) must always keep in mind:

"We must never forget that the only real source of power that Judges can tap is the respect of the people."

The incidents of November 9 and 10 (Black-letter days for the Supreme Court) have affected the respect the people have for the courts. If Judges and lawyers do not remember this, a vital institution of State will get undermined! WE  judges and lawyers together  must prevent this.

The writer is an eminent jurist and a former MP
Faizan Mustafa

Faizan Mustafa

Vice-Chancellor, NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad

The BJP believes in 'justice for all, appeasement of none' and, therefore, opposes minority rights. It still criticises Manmohan Singh for saying that the "minorities have the first claim to national resources" without realiaing that Hindus too are entitled to minority rights. Now BJP leader Ashwini Kumar Upadhaya has gone to the Supreme Court, seeking declaration of Hindus as minority in more than half a dozen states. Hindus too are religious minority in non-Hindu majority states. But what the BJP does not understand is that Hindus can also be a linguistic minority in other states, eg Tamil Hindus are entitled to the rights of minorities in all states other than Tamil Nadu.

The expression 'minorities' has been employed only at four places in the Constitution. The headnote of Article 29 uses it. Then, 'minorities or minority' have been employed in the headnote of Article 30 and clauses (1) and (2) of Article 30. Interestingly, no definition of the term minority is given in the Constitution.

A minority is a group that is numerically smaller than the majority in society. This basic definition is, however, not enough. Since the criterion of numbers, though essential but is not a sufficient for any definition of a minority, we need to go further. The second component of the definition is that the group concerned must be non-dominant in the given society. A group can be conceptualised as a minority, when its values and worldviews are either not reflected at all, or insufficiently reflected both in the public sphere and the constitution of societal norms. Both these factors reinforce each other. Thus, marginalisation and exclusion are most important yardsticks to determine minority status. The Sachar Committee, for instance, brought to fore the non-dominant status of Muslims. Yet, the Allahabad High Court in 2006 held that the Muslims are not a minority in UP.

Indeed, minorities are groups that possess distinct and stable ethnic, religious and linguistic characteristics. The crucial point is that (i) these characteristics differ from the rest of the population, and (ii) that these groups wish to preserve their distinctive identity. The definition of a minority is thus relational to the majority in terms of numbers, of domination or the lack of domination, of possessing distinctive characteristics, and in terms of its desire to preserve these characteristics even if they conflict with the sensibilities of the majority.

The Supreme Court has consistently maintained that minorities are to be defined on the basis of numerical inferiority only and it is the state in relation to which the minority status is to be determined. There has been no deviation from the above principle laid in the Kerala Education Bill case (1957). The 11-judge bench of the apex court in the TMA Pai Foundation (2002) case again explicitly held that in the absence of any special definition of "minorities", any community, religious or linguistic, which is numerically less than 50 per cent of the population of the state is entitled to recognition as minority. So, in the states of Nagaland, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab, Hindus on the basis of numerical inferiority test are entitled to religious minority status. In fact, in N. Ammad (1998), the apex court had held that minority status is a matter of fact and does not need state recognition or declaration. Thus, this petition is unnecessary. On November 10, the Bench headed by Justice Ranjan Gagoi dismissed the PIL seeking minority status for Hindus in eight states, including Punjab and J-K, and asked the petitioner to approach the National Commission for Minorities.

The Supreme Court in the DAV College case (1971) held the Hindus as minority in the state of Punjab. Punjab & Haryana did hold that Sikhs are not a minority in Punjab. When Jains who were already having the religious minority status in a number of states such as UP, Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, MP and Chhattisgarh and about whom the National Minority Commission had made positive recommendation for the conferment of minority status wanted such a status from the central government, the Supreme Court became highly regressive in the Bal Patil case (2005) and made certain observations which were nothing short of rewriting minority jurisprudence.

The three-judge Bench observed: "It was not in contemplation of the framers of the Constitution to add to the list of religious minorities....Ideal of a democratic society, which has adopted right of equality as its fundamental creed, should be elimination of majority and minority and so called forward and backward classes". The court directed the minority commission to eliminate minorities. In fact, when Jains protested their inclusion in definition of 'Hindu' in Article 25 on January 31, 1950, Pt Nehru had clarified in writing that Jains are a distinct religious minority.

The Constitution nowhere says that the minorities should assimilate with the majority. Appeasement of minorities was a motivated propaganda of rightist forces. All communities, including Hindus, are fully entitled to rights both as religious as well as linguistic minorities. The constitution does not believe in the 'melting pot' theory, but for a 'salad bowl' concept where distinctive identities of all groups are to be celebrated and preserved. Heterogeneity, not homogeneity, describes India. Unity in diversity is our cherished constitutional value. Let it not be diluted.

Definition of minority
MK Bhadrakumar, Former ambassador

MK Bhadrakumar

Former ambassador

The centennial of the Great October Socialist Revolution was observed on November 7. Marxists and non-Marxists alike will agree that the finest legacy of the October Revolution is that socialism came on the agenda of contemporary world politics and history. Socialism evolved for centuries from hypothesis to science, and from scientific theory to established systems. Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels transformed socialism from hypothesis to science. The October Revolution turned socialism from theory to practice.

Vladimir Lenin integrated the basic principles of Marxism with the specific situation facing the Russian Revolution to create Leninism. The Soviet modernisation encompassed all fields of national and daily life, which pitchforked Russia from a small peasant economy to a powerful industrial country. Under the influence of the October Revolution, socialism became an important choice for many countries to gain national independence, liberation and development. It altered the composition of the international order. The economic legacy of October Revolution is littered with conflicting opinions. Yet, Russia's victorious performance in the Second World War confirmed its 'superpower' status. This legacy was not without its pitfalls and excesses. Joseph Stalin's collectivisation and industrialisation took a horrific toll on human lives. However, the bottom line is that with so many questions in need of answers still, one thing is for sure: the Russian Revolution of October 1917 shook Russia to its core, and determined the path of its 20th century history.

Russian President Vladimir Putin recently remarked that the positive and negative features of the October Revolution are intertwined. Putin has made it clear that his main issue is with the violent seizure of power by the Bolsheviks. Putin has fetishised the sanctity of statehood. In his words, 'When we look at the lessons from a century ago, we see how ambiguous the results were, and how there were both negative and positive consequences of those events. We have to ask the question: was it really not possible to develop not through revolution but through evolution, without destroying statehood and mercilessly ruining the fate of millions, but through gradual, step-by-step progress?'

This, ultimately, is the Kremlin's key message: State collapse and violent protests are always to be condemned. Recently, a Russian pundit, Prof Oleg Ivanov at the foreign ministry's Diplomatic Academy in Moscow, wrote a piece under a provocative title, A Hundred Years On, Two Russian Revolutions Offer Many Lessons in History. Ivanov wrote: 'This year marks the 100th anniversary of two Russian Revolutions of February and October 1917 Historians are not one on which revolution was more important for Russia.' Ivanov drew certain conclusions. One, Russian politics should avoid any revolutionary shake-up. Politics, economy and society should develop without any radical revolutionary steps. Two, the use of violence is unacceptable for countering hurdles and political opposition. Three, Russian federalism is based on a complex composition and a split on the lines of class or nationality should be avoided. Four, preservation of the unity of the nation is an overarching priority; internal disagreements should be resolved through compromise.

Just a clutch of days before the centennial, Putin did a strange thing - unveiling of a Wall of Sorrow in Moscow as a monument to the Soviet history. He said in a televised ceremony, 'We and our successors must remember the tragedy of repressions and their causes. But it does not mean one must call for revenge. Nobody can push society to the dangerous line of confrontation.' Yet, this was the same Kremlin leader who 12 years ago deplored the collapse of the Soviet Union as 'the greatest geopolitical catastrophe' of the 20th century. Herein lies the great paradox: the Russian state is cherry-picking its continuities. The rulers fear dissent, especially revolution. The state is keeping the Russian Orthodox Church on its side and the latter, of course, takes a dim view of the murder of Tsar Nicholas II (who has been canonised as a saint). The Russian institutions are so obviously inherited from the Soviet era. Yet, the leadership prefers to claim the pedigree from imperial Russia.

In an individual's life, this would be like fudging the birth certificate. One can change the date, but what about the DNA? Through an admixture of obfuscation and oblivion, Russian identity is being recast. But it is not so simple. The former PM, the late Viktor Chernomyrdin, once said whatever political party was formed in post-Soviet era would inevitably end up resembling the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and whatever state emerged would always be a 'Tsarist empire' in its despotic dimension. Indeed, the Soviet man turned out to be an immutable construction. He didn't disappear although the USSR did. The Moscow Times carried a report on November 7 that the number of protests across Russia has sharply increased since the beginning of the centennial year, and the political slogans are rooted in long-standing, unresolved economic and social conflicts. Some Russians, including young ones, hope that the ideology of socialism could rise to the challenge of solving many problems of the poor and working class.

Meanwhile, socialism moved on and assumed local characteristics. The most consequential and long-lasting legacy of the revolution in Russia has to be that in 2017 China is still governed by the Communist Party. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) published in September an expanded edition of the Collected Works of Lenin to mark the centennial of the Russian Revolution. In a fascinating speech on the occasion, politburo member Liu Qibao said, 'A century ago, China was poor and weak, and it was bullied by big powers. Since then, our country has gone through many setbacks and hardships before rising up and achieving gloryThis tremendous change is attributed to the fact that we have chosen the path of socialismThe October Revolution brought Marxism-Leninism to China.

'The epoch-making historical feat of the October Revolution and the major achievements of the Soviet socialist system cannot be negated by the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The reasons behind the Soviet breakup are many, including rigidity and conservatism; yet, the root cause was its turning away from Marxism-Leninism and from the socialist path created by the October Revolution.'

From Liu's speech, the CCP is saying that because of the failure of the Soviet Union, the true legacy of the 1917 revolution today is to be found in China. In some sense, this is true. Because of China, the question of the legacy of the Great October Socialist Revolution is still very much a contemporary one.
Washington, November 13

The Hindu-American leaders in the US have called for active political engagement of the community in the country after the election of various members among them in the state and local elections recently.

Dozens (of Hindu Americans) are contesting elections and hundreds are following in their footsteps, said Kumar Bharve, the first Indian-American elected to any state legislature in the US, as he referred to the presence of four Hindus in the House of Representatives and the election of several people in states and local elections past week.

The US has granted incredible opportunities, said Aruna Miller, member of the Maryland State legislature.

This provides incredible responsibility to serve the society towards peace, said Miller, who is running for US House of Representatives next year.

Both were speaking at the first anniversary celebrations of the American Hindu Coalition (AHC).

Maryland State legislature in a citation recognised the first anniversary of American Hindu Coalition.

Wherever we are, we must pursue political power, said Shekhar Tiwari, chair of the American Hindu Coalition.

A political bipartisan organisation, AHCs mission is to promote a shared commitment of American Hindus for a prosperous, safer and a stronger America, said Harsh Sethi, AHC president.

Gurinder Singh Khalsa, from Indiana-based Sikhs Political Action Committee emphasised on the need to be engaged in politics.

According to some estimates, American-Hindus accounted for about 1 per cent of the total US population.

Hindus never thought that they are religious as such. But they are all humans, said Chinna Jeeyar Swami.

Diplomats from about a dozen countries participated in the event.

Mahbub Hassan Saleh, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Bangladesh to the US, the ultimate objectives of the organisations lie AHC is to build bridges among the communities and across the countries.

Bangladesh has the third largest Hindu community in the world.

Hindus and Buddhist communities are making significant contribution to the economic development of the US, said Soorooj Phooker Mauritius Ambassador, adding that they would help further strengthen ties between US and Mauritius.

The Trinidad and Tobago Ambassador Brig Gen (rtd) Anthony W J Philips Spencer, said 16 per cent of the countrys population are Hindus and the Caribbean nation boasts one of the diverse population in the region.

Diplomats from Myanmar, Guyana, India, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Indonesia were also present at the first anniversary celebration of AHC. PTI
New York, November 12

An 18-year-old Indian-American dental student was killed in the US in a hit-and-run case when the driver of a pick-up truck ran his vehicle over her after a minor collision.

Taranjit Parmar was on her way home when she got into a minor accident on Hempstead Turnpike in Levittown on Thursday, New York Daily News reported.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

Parmar and the truck driver pulled over into the parking lot of a nearby gas station after the collision, the police said. But when she got out to inspect the damage to her vehicle, the driver of the pickup truck took off  and ran over Parmar while speeding away, it added.

Parmar was on the phone with her mother when she was run over in the middle of rush-hour traffic, her father was quoted as saying by the report.

She had called my wife and said, Hi, Mom, Parmars father, Ranjit Parmar said. Then she said Oh, no, Stop! and the call got disconnected. There was no answer after that, he added. Medics rushed Parmar to Nassau University Medical Center, where she died from massive head and chest injuries.

Parmar, who was studying to be a dentist at Adelphi University, was 10 minutes from her home when the tragedy occurred, the report added.  PTI
For the first time, India seems to be punching above its weight at the annual summit of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) even though it only has an observer status. Even among ASEANs eight observers, it occupies the second rung (with New Zealand and Australia). China, South Korea and Japan are primus inter pares. But in this years ASEAN summit, India has stood in the limelight because of the revival of the Quadrilateral: an informal grouping of four democracies  India, the US, Japan and Australia  intended to maintain a free, open, prosperous and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. The concept is not new. It was aired in the form of week-long joint naval manoeuvres a decade back and quickly abandoned after China vigorously protested.

The unstated intention is to prepare for the day when China asserts itself in the South China Sea. At the moment the exercise has got off to a rather sedate start: Middle-level officials led the talks and any information about their future intentions was wrapped in boiler plate statements. What is striking is that both Australia and Japan are under the American military umbrella and therefore do not need this rubric. They have been conducting military manoeuvres and buying military hardware from the same source (the US) for over seven decades. None of the 10 ASEAN countries subscribe to this idea either.

In effect, India is seeking to deflect Chinas pressure on its land borders by making a show of confronting it in the South China Sea in concert with the US and its two junior military associates. It certainly feels exhilarating to be seen as playing big power games. But there will be costs and consequences attached. The troubles in Indias neighbourhood are bound to increase, its handful of naval assets will degrade and the pressure to buy US equipment is bound to mount. There will be no concomitant economic returns from this venture: the US is against imports, Japan is in stagnation and the business that can be transacted with Australia is getting done anyway. India does not seem to be getting its moneys worth by dealing its strategic cards in this fashion.
Smog and high pollution days highlight the need to find solutions to fuel-burning vehicles. More than two crore vehicles  two-wheelers, three-wheelers, commercial and passenger  are added every year. Besides polluting the atmosphere, there is the additional vulnerability of being dependent on imported oil to the extent of 80 per cent. Naturally, when Union Minister Nitin Gadkari told automobile manufacturers that the government was determined to make India an all-electric passenger vehicle market by 2030, everyone took note.

It would, thus, be logical to expect that the government would spare batteries  the most expensive part of the electric vehicles (EVs)  from high taxes, but this is not so. Batteries continue to attract taxes at the rate of 28 per cent, even as the tax on EVs is 12 per cent. Thus we have the case of components being taxed more than the product. Universally, EVs are subsidised by governments as they seek to mitigate the damage done to the environment by fuel-burning vehicles. Hybrid cars suffered more because of high taxes, leading to a substantial increase in prices and, consequently, loss in sales.

Indian manufacturers have made EVs of various kinds  two-wheelers, three-wheeler passenger and goods carriers are available, as are EV cars by Mahindra. There is an urgent need to develop community charging stations as well as facilities to swap batteries, and thus extend the range of such vehicles. Intra-city travel can be accomplished even with the existing EVs, whereas for long-distance travel, hybrids are more suitable. India imports hybrids from top manufacturers, who pay substantial taxes and import penalties, even as indigenous efforts are at a nascent stage. EV sales have shown a remarkable upward trajectory but that is largely because of a low consumer base. India needs clarity of vision, standards that allow interoperability, especially for charging between vehicles made by different manufacturers and above all, a tax regime that encourages its citizens to invest in what is still a technology that has not stood the test of time. Incentives, not punitive taxes, are needed to encourage the shift to a cleaner alternative.
Naveen S Garewal

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 13

Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has virtually snubbed his Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal for accusing the Haryana Government of not doing enough to help farmers get rid of stubble and being forced to burn it causing smog in Delhi. Kejriwal recently wrote a letter to Khattar, seeking time to discuss the issue.

With life in Delhi and the NCR getting paralyzed due to smog, Kejriwal dashed off a letter to Khattar and Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on November 8, seeking a meeting to resolve the issue, blaming the situation on stubble burning by farmers in Haryana and Punjab. Though the Punjab Chief Minister responded through a tweet, saying that It is not a matter for inter-state discussion, that wont help. It requires central governments intervention at the earliest.

Kejriwal had written: You are aware about the poor air quality in Delhi. It has become difficult to breath. Delhi has become a gas chamber and I had to order the closure of schools in Delhi to save young children from the adverse effects of poor air quality. He went on to write that the main reason for this was stubble burning by Punjab and Haryana farmers in the absence of any economically viable alternative.

His commentThe Governments have failed to provide them economically viable solutions did not go down well with Khattar who hit out saying that there are some 40,000 families who cultivate around 40,000 hectares in Delhi. What steps have you taken to keep them from stubble burning? In a subsequent paragraph, he has written, In fact, your reference to the helplessness of farmers in Punjab and Haryana in stubble-burning betrays inability to rise above short-term electoral interests,.

Hitting out at Kejriwal for putting the blame for Delhis poor air quality on Haryana, Khattar has written The Union Agriculture Ministry has informed the nation that while Punjab has not spent even a paisa out of its allocation of Rs 97.58 crore, Haryana has used Rs 39 crore of Rs 45 crore released for crop residue management.

While expressing openness to meeting Kejriwal anytime anywhere, Khattar, however, minced no words while saying that Kejriwal was just looking at electoral gains. Khattar opened his letter by writing I write this in response to your letter dated November 8. I believe no single person, organisation or government can improve the quality of air. Such collective problems require everyone to do their bit. And more importantly, a strong mechanism is needed to enhance the outcome of such constructive steps.

Quoting from Rabindranath Tagores poem, Where the Mind is without Fear, he said the bedrock of such a mechanism is a mindset where words come out from the depth of truth. Khattar wrote: Unfortunately, your letter contains no hint of such a mindset. In fact, your reference to the helplessness of farmers in Punjab and Haryana in stubble burning betrays inability to rise above short-term electoral gains.

Khattar has, however, told Kejriwal that he would be in Delhi on November 13 and 14 and after that at Chandigarh. Kejriwal, he said, should feel free to call and finetune a mutually convenient date, time and venue. At the same time, Khattar did not let go the opportunity of patting his own back by telling Kejriwal that he had made Haryana kerosene free and open defecation free. So, tackling stubble burning was not something that could not be solved.

Kejri tweet

Meanwhile, Kejriwal has tweeted, saying that Khattarji called. He is in Delhi till tomorrow but says he is very busy and cant meet me in Delhi. He has asked me to come to Chandigarh on Wednesday and I look forward to meeting him in Chandigarh on Wednesday.
Hisar, November 13

Congress leader and MLA from Tosham Kiran Choudhary has urged the state government to take measures to preserve the eco-system of the Aravalli ranges.

Talking to mediapersons in Bhiwani today, she alleged that illegal mining and felling of trees in the Aravalli ranges has been causing harm to the environment. She said the government had failed to provide alternative to farmers for crop residue management. Stubble burning can be resolved if the government ensures small-scale units for utilisation of stubble, she added.  TNS
Lalit Mohan

Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, November 13

The Himachal government has adopted exploitative practice of recruiting teachers in government colleges as guest faculty and via PTA route. While the regulatory commission of the state government was penalising the private colleges and universities for not paying proper scales to their teachers, it was turning a blind eye to developments in government colleges.

The Congress government during its stint from 2003-07 had recruited about 14,000 school and college teachers through PTA route. A lot of hue and cry was raised by the opposition regarding the mode of selection of candidates. The previous BJP government started the process of replacing the PTA teachers with regular appointments, which led to a prolonged agitation by the PTA teachers across the state.

However, still thousands of PTA teachers were still working in various government colleges of the state. Earlier these lecturers were paid a paltry sum of Rs 12,000 per month. The present Congress government has increased their salary to Rs 15,000 per month but even after 8 to 10 year service they are working on ad hoc basis.

The guest lecturers are those who serve almost on a permanent basis but are paid per a period of time by the state government. No salary is paid to these lecturers for holidays and they also do not enjoy any other facility given to regular employees.

Omkar Sharma, a former educationist, said the present government had been imposing heavy penalty on private colleges and universities for not recruiting regular teachers or paying them salaries. However, in its own institutions it has been adopting the policy of ad hocism in recruitment of teachers. In many government colleges the teachers are being recruited as guest faculty. They are teaching regularly but are being made payments on per period basis.

College teachers association was also against the recruitment of teachers on ad hoc basis. President of the association RK Kiastha said the RUSA stipulated that college teachers should be regular. There was no provision in RUSA for ad hoc appointments. In 2002, when the government had recruited teachers via PTA route we had moved court. The court had struck down the PTA appointments, he said.

As per the court order the teachers should be recruited through Himachal Public Service Commission.

The successive governments in the state have been ignoring merit and allowing backdoor entries of teachers. This has contributed to the declining academic standards in government schools.

Maximum and mass recruitments have been made in schools.

As per the data collected by The Tribune, the successive governments have created eight categories of teachers for making back-door entries into schools. The famous category is PTA teachers recruited by the Congress government during its previous stint.

The other categories through which teachers were recruited in violation of procedure include voluntary teachers, Vidya Upasaks, contract teachers, ad hoc teachers, stop-gap teachers, primary assistant teachers (PAT) and tenure teachers. Thousands of teachers were recruited in government schools under the categories.

In the case of contract, stop gap and tenure teachers, school principals were given the power to recruit candidates. Many teachers, who were recruited this way did not even fulfil the basic criteria laid down for teachers in government schools. The teachers were slowly absorbed in government schools after about eight years of service. However, it has lowered the standards in government schools.
Our Correspondent

Kullu, November 13

Residents of Devdhar village in Kharal valley today alleged that cracks had developed in their houses due to the four-laning of the national highway between Bhuntar and Ramshila.

Jai Narayan, Kamlesh Sharma and Onkar Sharma, all locals, said the company executing the project was excavating the hillside due to which the cracks had developed.

We have vacated our houses and are living in temporary sheds as the structures can collapse anytime, they stated.

The residents said cracks had developed in 12 houses, adding that they had approached the authorities concerned to fence the work site, but to no avail.

President of the Fourlane Sangharsh Samiti Brig Khushal Thakur (retd) said the work was being carried out haphazardly by the contractor without adhering to the norms. He said if the administration did not pay heed to their pleas, they would resort to agitation.

Kullu SDM Sunny Sharma said a team of officials had visited the spot and a report would be sent to the Deputy Commissioner. A team of NHAI officials would visit the spot tomorrow, Sharma added. The residents said if immediate solution was not worked out, they would take to roads and stop the project.
Rawalpindi/Muzaffarabad, November 13

The United Kashmir Peoples National Party (UKPNP) held a series of demonstrations and conventions against the kidnapping of political activists from the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

People held banners that said: Stop abductions and enforced disappearances in so-called Azad Kashmir, and carried out a rally in Rawalpindi. They shouted slogans for freedom from Pakistan and also asked China to leave their occupied territory.

A convention was also held at the Rawalpindi Press Club, wherein the speakers raised several issues concerning the people of PoK.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

In addition to this, a protest rally was organised in Muzaffarabad city of the PoK.

People chanted anti-Pakistan slogans and demanded an end to forcible occupation of the PoK and Gilgit Baltistan. They also called for an immediate withdrawal of Pakistani forces from their territory as per the United Nations Security Council resolution.

The residents of the PoK have been facing numerous issues as they allege they are treated as second-class citizens under the Pakistani occupation since 1947.

In recent days, several incidents have been reported where the Pakistani security forces kidnapped and tortured the political activists, especially the youth, who raised a voice against the Pakistani occupation and exploitation of their natural resources.

Earlier on November 5, government employees, working on contract basis in the PoK, staged a protest in Muzaffarabad demanding clearance of their monthly emoluments. It had been several months that these employees did not receive their salaries.

Blaming Islamabad for its discriminatory policies against them, the protesters, who were working in health, education and other government sectors in PoK, demanded regular jobs. ANI
Arteev Sharma

Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 13

In the midst of a political row over National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullahs controversial remarks, Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha and former Chief Minister of J&K Ghulam Nabi Azad today said Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) is a part of Jammu and Kashmir, which is an integral part of India and should remain that.

Each political party, be it the BJP or the RSS, has its own thinking and other political parties have their own thinking. As far as my party is concerned, I would like to say that PoK was a part of J&K and should remain with it. And J&K is an integral part of India, Azad told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.

Asked about the political killings and militants terrorising political workers, Azad said, The killing of political workers and civilians of other parties across the country is atrocious. This is happening in J&K, Kerala and across the country. It is most unfortunate that people are being targeted by militants. The atmosphere across the country is getting vicious.

On the video of terrorists torturing a Congress worker at gunpoint in Shopian, the senior Congress leader said, Terrorists are the most notorious class in J&K and across the country and globe. It is very sad and I strongly condemn it. Such things should not be tolerated and I am sure the security forces, sooner or later, will be able to apprehend such persons and take them to task. Unfortunately, this may be done not by terrorists but by other political parties.

A video has gone viral on the social media showing a Congress worker being held at gunpoint by terrorists, who are making him take a pledge that he would not work with any political party in future.
Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 13

The National Investigation Agency has zeroed in on dozens of politicians, bureaucrats and police officers who had allegedly illicitly exchanged demonetised money into the new currency after November 8 last year.

The NIA will also be investigating the role of a prominent bank of the state that had helped politicians, bureaucrats and police officers in the Valley to exchange the money on the instructions of some politically influential persons.

Each and every entry is under scrutiny and also how bundles of old currency were exchanged with the new under clear political patronage. The amount runs into several crores of rupees, a source said.

The modus operandi is being investigated as also the involvement of some high-ranking bank officials who became conduits in this illicit exchange of notes. That is one of the reasons that not many queues were seen outside a particular bank in Kashmir.

The NIA also suspects that the nexus between politicians, bureaucrats and the police was also funding separatists.

This investigation can start any moment, said the source, adding that top political functionaries have been told not to interfere in the investigation.
Satya Prakash

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 13

The Supreme Court on Monday reserved its verdict on a petition filed by advocate Kamini Jaiswal seeking setting up of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the supervision of a retired Chief Justice of India to probe allegations of bribery to procure judicial orders in medical college admissions case.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

The 90-minute hearing before a three-judge Bench of Justice RK Agrawal, Justice Arun Mishra and Justice AM Khanwilkar was not so volatile compared to what transpired before a Constitution Bench headed by CJI Dipak Misra on Friday afternoon when advocate Prashant Bhushan had stormed out of the court after being repeatedly interrupted by other lawyers and the Bench.

The three judges were also part of the five-judge Constitution Bench that on Friday reiterated supremacy of the CJI in setting up Benches and assigning cases to them after a hearing that was marred by ugly spat between lawyer Prashant Bhushan and CJI Misra.

Before reserving its verdict for pronouncement on Tuesday, the Bench made it clear that it would decide two only issues -- if filing of two identical petitions amounted to forum hunting and if the allegations made against the CJI amounted to contempt.

It refused to entertain arguments from senior counsel Shanti Bhushan, representing Jaiswal, against Fridays Constitution Bench that asserted CJIs authority as the master of the roster. We are bound by the five-judge Constitution Bench verdict, it said.

Shanti Bhushan pointed out that the order passed by a two-judge Bench headed by Justice J Chelameswar on Thursday was still valid and under Article 144 of the Constitution all civil and judicial authorities, including the CJI, were bound to obey it. Terming the allegations levelled in the petition as disturbing, Justice Chelameswar had referred it to a Constitution Bench of top five judges.

Shanti Bhushan and Prashant Bhushan  both defended Justice Chelameswars order on the ground that he had only referred the matter to the five senior most judges.

During the hearing, Justice Mishra  who did most of the talking  said prima facie the allegations amounted to a deliberate attempt to scandalise and denigrate the institution of CJI.

Justice Agrawal spoke only twice -- to ask for submissions on merits and then to reserve the verdict while Justice Khanwilkar did not speak at all, not even after the petitioner demanded his recusal.

On the Benchs comments that the averments in the petition against the CJI were contemptuous, Prashant Bhushan repeatedly clarified that there were no direct allegations against the CJI and that the petitions were filed due to seriousness of the allegations levelled in the CBI FIR that named a former Justice of Orissa High Court IM Quddusi and certain unnamed public servants.

Quddusi was arrested in September along with Lucknow-based Prasad Institute of Medical Sciences' chairman BP Yadav, his son Palash Yadav and three others for allegedly trying to settle a matter relating to a medical college barred from admitting new students. He is currently out on bail.

Prashant Bhushan said since CBI was in direct control of the government, the petitioner wanted this matter where allegations have been levelled about bench fixing to be probed by an SIT. Although it does not name any acting judge directly but talk of bribes to influence a pending caseits a serious matter, he said.

Attorney General KK Venugopal  who entered the court from using the judges entry while the court was in session -- said the two petitions and the events happened last week caused a serious damage to the institution of judiciary which would take a long time to heal. He suggested that the petitioner should withdraw her petition. He clarified that he was not representing the government and that it was his submission as a person occupying a constitutional position.

Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who represented the Centre during the proceedings, opposed the petition terming it scandalous.
Guwahati, November 13

Two Assam Rifles jawans were killed and six injured when an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded at Chandel town bordering Myanmar around 6.15 am today.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

Sources said the IED exploded while an Assam Rifles team was patrolling Maha Mani village, 64 km from the state capital.

The deceased were identified as riflemen Indra Singh and Sohan Lan. Those injured were N Shyam Kumar, S Sarkar, Tirendra Nath Das, Ram Govind Singh, Nirmal Roy and Lalnunpuia. No insurgent group has claimed responsibility so far.  TNS
Our Correspondent

Jaipur, November 13

Reacting on the alleged murder of one Umar of Bharatpur district, who was found dead at Govindgarh on November 10, Rajasthan Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria on Monday said the state police do not have enough manpower to pre-empt every situation and control such incidents well in time.

According to Alwar Superintendent of Police (SP) Rahul Prakash, two people have been detained and are being interrogated.

Alleging the role of cow vigilantes, a dozen NGOs have demanded that the probe be shifted from the Alwar police to an independent agency or an SIT be formed under the IGP.

In a jointly signed memorandum to the chief minister, the NGOs, including PUCL, MKSS, NFIW and BGVS, alleged that when Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje was in Alwar campaigning for the Lok Sabha bypoll (not yet announced) the ghastly murder of Umar Mohammed was taking place near Govindgarh in Alwar district.

Umar, a dairy farmer, was returning from Ramgarh with a few cows. His pick-up vehicle was stopped and the tyre was punctured and then attacked by gaurakshaks. Facts show that the police of Ramgarh was equally involved and the vigilantes tried to destroy evidence by throwing his body on the railway track.

The present state of his body shows the brutality that the police and the so called gaurakshaks can indulge in. One Tahir, who is critical and being treated in a hospital, is an eyewitness to the whole thing, the NGOs said.

They claimed that there were four such killings in past two years in Rajasthan, including Pehlu Khan in Behror, Abdul Gaffar Querishi in Birloka, Zafar Khan in Pratapgarh and Bhagatram Meena in Neem Ka Thana.

The NGOs demanded the arrest of one Rakesh, who was named by Tahir. They also demanded a compensation of Rs 25 lakh, land to the family and job to the deceaseds kin.

The NGOs demanded that SHO Ramgarh be dismissed and the SP Alwar be suspended for failing to prevent this incident.

Meanwhile, the post-mortem of Umar was now being done at SMS Hospital here as family members and relatives met the DGP.

Police have detained one person and are interrogating him in Govindgarh. The probe is handed over to the CO Alwar South Anil Beniwal.

Police would probe two cases lodged with the Govindgarh police station, one under the Rajasthan Bovine Act for illegal smuggling of cows, and the alleged murder of Umar, Beniwal told The Tribune.

Umar, 33, belonging to the Meo Muslim community, who was carrying six bovines in a pick-up vehicle, was found murdered in Govindgarh area of Alwar district on November 10/11.

He was a resident of Ghatmika village in Bharatpur district. His body was identified by his kin on Saturday night.
Smita Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 13

India on Monday asked Pakistan to end its illegal and forcible occupation of PoK. The Permanent Mission of India to UN in Geneva submitted its recommendations to the Universal Periodic Review Working Group.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

Delivering the statement at the 28th working group session, First Secretary in the Mission Sumit Seth urged the Pakistan government to stop targeting political dissidents and legitimate criticism in Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as well as to stop torture, enforced disappearances and unlawful killing, including that of journalists and activists, by its security agencies and prosecute perpetrators.

This was the 3rd Universal Periodic Review of Pakistan in which India also hit out at state sponsored terrorism by Pakistan. The Indian recommendations included: To dismantle special terrorist zones, safe havens and sanctuaries and take verifiable actions, including on terror financing.

Further in its 12-point recommendation to Pakistan to improve its human rights situation, India asked Islamabad to stop the systemic persecution and attacks on Shias, Ahmadiyas, Ismailia and Hazaras and to bar military courts from trying civilians and allow their monitoring by international observers and human rights organisations.

India called upon Pakistan to end forced conversions and marriages of minorities, including Hindus, Sikhs and Christian women.

In what can be seen as reference to the case of Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav sentenced to death and languishing in a Pakistani jail, the Indian diplomat reminded Pakistan of its international obligations to a allow consular access for foreign nationals without discrimination.

Earlier, Afghanistan in its review report stressed on the need to stop discrimination between good and bad terrorists and called for a sincere cooperation by Pakistan to combat terrorism.
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 13

India today asked Pakistan to end its illegal and forcible occupation of PoK. The Permanent Mission of India to the UN in Geneva submitted its recommendations to the Universal Periodic Review Working Group.

Delivering the statement at the 28th working group session, First Secretary in the Mission Sumit Seth urged the Pakistan government to stop targeting political dissidents and legitimate criticism in Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as well as to stop torture, enforced disappearances and unlawful killings, including that of journalists and activists, by its security agencies and prosecute perpetrators.

This was the 3rd Universal Periodic Review of Pakistan in which India also hit out at the state-sponsored terrorism by Pakistan.

The Indian recommendations included: Dismantle special terrorist zones, safe havens and sanctuaries, and take verifiable action, including that on terror financing.

In its 12-point recommendation to Pakistan to improve its human rights situation, India asked Islamabad to stop the systemic persecution and attacks on Shias, Ahmadiyas, Ismailia and Hazaras and to bar military courts from trying civilians and allow their monitoring by international observers and human rights organisations.

India called upon Pakistan to end forced conversions and marriages of minorities, including Hindu, Sikh and Christian women.

In what can be seen as a reference to Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav sentenced to death and languishing in a Pakistani jail, the Indian diplomat reminded Pakistan of its international obligations to allow consular access for foreign nationals without discrimination.

Earlier, Afghanistan in its review report stressed on the need to stop discrimination between good and bad terrorists and called for a sincere cooperation by Pakistan to combat terrorism.

12-point proposal
New Delhi, November 13

The Delhi government on Monday moved the National Green Tribunal (NGT) seeking amendment in its November 11 order on odd-even car rationing scheme.

The green panel said it would hear the plea on Tuesday.

The NGT had on November 11 given a conditional nod to the AAP governments decision to implement the odd-even car rationing scheme for five days from November 13, ordering that no exemption should be allowed to any person or officer and two-wheelers.

It had said that the odd-even scheme should be implemented without any default as and when PM (particulate matter) 10 level goes above 500 micrograms per cubic metre and PM 2.5 level crosses the limit of 300 micrograms per cubic metre during a span of 48 hours.

The government had on Saturday scrapped its plan to implement the odd-even vehicle rationing scheme it had slated to start from Monday, after the NGT said there would be no exemption for women, two-wheelers and government servants.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

Earlier in the day, Delhi minister Gopal Rai said his government would file a review petition before the NGT that two-wheelers and women be exempted from the odd-even scheme.

The national capital has been experiencing dense smog for about a week, forcing the authorities to enforce emergency measures such as banning construction activities and brick kilns in the National Capital Region.

The AAP dispensation was also in touch with environment scientists and continuously monitoring the alarming pollution level which has left people gasping for breath.

Movement of trucks and construction works are under scrutiny, water is being sprinkled, we are continuously monitoring the situation, Rai said, adding, There is a meeting with Pawan Hans officials on Monday to discuss the plan of aerial sprinkling of water.

The minister, who holds the transport portfolio along with several others, also hit out at the Haryana government for playing blame game on stubble burning instead of taking action in his own state.

The report for the last 48 hours given by the scientists is that the air quality is fluctuating. The report has been submitted to the Chief Minister and the cabinet, Rai said. PTI
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 13

With Armed Forces Flag Day being round the corner, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has issued an advisory to all Central ministries and departments directing that all government employees donate a minimum of Rs 200 out of their salaries for the month of November.

The Flag Day fund, generated out of donations from citizens, is a major source of funding for welfare and rehabilitation of war widows, ex-servicemen and dependants.

The Department of Personnel and Training advisory stems from an appeal from the Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare in this regard. December 7 is observed as the Armed Forces Flag Day to commemorate the sacrifices of men in uniform.

Last year, Rs 58.84 lakh were collected, a marginal dip over Rs 59.85 lakh collected in 2015, according to the Ministry of Defence figures. The fund has a corpus of about Rs 290 crore and out of the interest earned on this, 7.5 per cent is deposited back in the corpus and the remaining amount is used to fund welfare schemes.
Becharaji (Gujarat) November 13

Battling allegations of playing the soft Hindutva card by visiting temples during his election campaign in Gujarat, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Monday said he is a devotee of Lord Shiva.

Gandhi, who has visited a number of temples since he kicked off his campaign by offering prayer at Dwarkadhish temple Dwarka in September, today had darshan of Veer Meghmaya in Patan, Khodiyar Maa in Varana and Maa Bahuchar at Becharaji in Mehsana district.

I am a devotee of Lord Shiva. Let them say whatever they want to say. My truth is with me, Gandhi told reporters here when asked about the BJPs criticism of his visits to various temples.

The BJP, which has often accused the Congress of Muslim appeasement, termed Gandhis frequent temple visits an attempt to attract Hindu voters.

However, the Congress countered the charge, saying the saffron party does not have the patent on devotion.

Gandhi started his campaign today with a visit to the Veer Meghmaya temple, sacred to the members of the Dalit vankar community. Later, he visited Khodiyar Maa temple and Maa Bahuchar temple.

Gandhi had kicked off his tour of north Gujarat last Saturday after offering prayers at the Akshardham temple. He also offered prayer at the famous Ambaji temple. He visited two temples yesterday as well.

The Congress leader had climbed around 1,000 steps to seek the blessings of Maa Chamunda in Chotila a few weeks ago.

We are not against his temple visits. We wish that everybody goes to temples and follows our tradition. But I want to ask....he (Gandhi) lives in Delhi and there are many temples there. Has he ever gone to any temple in Delhi? Has he visited Delhi Akshardham (Delhi) temple? state BJP in-charge Bhupender Yadav said.

Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Nitin Patel had earlier said people can see through Gandhis visits to temples, which he termed a gimmick for votes.

Patel had also asked the Congress to shed its pseudo secularism and respect mainstream Hindutva.

The Congress had countered the charge, saying the BJP does not have the sole patent on devotion and visiting temples.

Rahul Gandhiji visited Jain temple and gurdwaras apart from Hindu temples. We believe in secularism, Congress leader Shaktisinh Gohil said.

The Congress is trying to form a bloc comprising Patidars, Dalits and OBCs to thwart the BJPs attempts to retain power in the state which it has ruled for close to two decades without a break.  PTI
Los Banos, November 13

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday contributed two Indian rice seed varieties to the gene bank of the international rice research centre in the Philippines which, he said, is working towards mitigating global poverty and hunger by improving the cultivation of the key grain.

The Prime Minister visited the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in Los Banos, an urban locality situated at a distance of around 65 km from Manila and interacted with a large number of Indian scientists working there.

A number of scientists at the IRRI briefed the Prime Minister on flood-tolerant rice varieties which, they said, could withstand 14-18 days of submergence and could provide 1-3 tonnes more yield per hectare in flood-affected areas.

A rice field laboratory named after Prime Minister Modi was also inaugurated by him at the institute.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

He unveiled a plaque marking the inauguration of the Shri Narendra Modi Resilient Rice Field Laboratory.

A contribution from India to IRRI...presented two Indian rice seed varieties to the IRRI gene bank, the Prime Minister tweeted.

The PM also undertook a symbolic groundbreaking for a new plot for submergence tolerant rice varieties.

Modi said he saw a detailed exhibition on rice varieties and the impressive work done by IRRI with women farming cooperatives.

My visit to IRRI was a great learning experience. Saw the exceptional work IRRI is doing towards mitigating poverty and hunger by improving rice cultivation. Their work benefits many farmers and consumers, particularly in Asia and Africa, he said.

The Indian government is also setting up a regional centre of the IRRI in Varanasi, the Prime Ministers constituency, to develop high-yielding rice varieties.

The IRRI, which has offices in 17 countries, is known for its work in developing rice varieties that contributed to the Green Revolution in 1960s.

The Varanasi Centre would help increase farmers income by enhancing and supporting rice productivity, reducing cost of production, value addition, diversification and enhancement of farmers skills, the Prime Ministers Office tweeted.

Spokesperson in the External Affairs Ministry Raveesh Kumar said the IRRI had successfully collaborated with Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR) to introduce drought- tolerant, flood-tolerant and salt-tolerant varieties of rice in India.

Interacted with Indian scientists, students, researchers working at IRRI. Indias ICAR and IRRI have been cooperating for four decades. India is also involved in helping IRRI in strategic planning, helping decide key goals and working to overcome hunger as well as poverty, Modi said.

Kumar said the IRRI and its partners had provided assistance to 2 lakh women farmers in Odisha which included providing capacity building programmes, and improved agriculture technology.

The IRRI centre in Varanasi will help in utilising the rich biodiversity of India to develop special rice varieties.

Modi arrived here on Sunday on a three-day visit to attend the ASEAN-India and the East Asia summits. PTI
Smita Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 13

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today held a 45-minute discussion with US President Donald Trump in Manila on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit.

Edit: Modi in Manila

In his opening remarks before the meeting, Modi said, India-US ties are becoming broader and deeper and you too can feel that ties can work together beyond the interest of India, for the future of Asia and for the welfare of humanity in the world. Modi added, I also assure that India will try its best to fulfil the expectations that the US and the world has from it.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

Donald Trump too struck an upbeat tone, calling Narendra Modi a friend. Weve had him at the White House, and hes become a friend of ours and a great gentleman doing a fantastic job in bringing around lots of factions in India  bringing them all together, Trump said.

The meeting comes a day after the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue between India, the US, Australia and Japan was revived officially with focus on the Indo-Pacific and Chinas aggression in the region.

The White House, in its official release, said, The two leaders discussed the comprehensive strategic partnership between the United States and India and their shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

Trump had earlier on Sunday praised the Indian Prime Minister on the sidelines of the APEC Summit in Vietnam as he spoke of Indias astounding growth and its middle class expansion.

Trade, economics, the Indo-Pacific region and the upcoming India visit of Trumps adviser and daughter Ivanka for the Global Entrepreneurship Summit were the key issues. Terrorism also came up, particularly in context of the region west of India, all the way till the Middle East, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar said. In the official release issued by the White House though, there was no mention of terrorism.

They pledged to enhance their cooperation as major defence partners, resolving that two of the worlds great democracies should also have the worlds greatest militaries, the White House release added.

Meanwhile, during his first official visit to Philippines, PM Modi also met Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte. The two agreed on the need to combat the scourge of terrorism and the two sides signed four agreements, including on defence and logistic cooperation.

Later, addressing the Indian diaspora, Modi spoke about the emotional and cultural ties that bind India and the ASEAN countries.

In a politically laced message, he promoted the governments initiatives like Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and Jan Dhan Yojana.

He also hit out at the Opposition back home, claiming that now when NRIs go to work in Philippines, they no longer fear the shame of negative news coming from India, as now India only makes positive news.
Manila, November 13

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday asked Indians to work hard to ensure that the 21st Century belongs to India and said his government was making every effort to transform the country and take it to new heights.

Addressing the Indian Diaspora in the Philippines capital, Modi said difficulties might be there but once it's crossed no one can stop India from achieving new heights.

"Our efforts are aimed at transforming India and ensuring everything in our nation matches global standards," Modi said in his nearly 35-minute speech.

Noting that 21st Century is described as Asia's Century, Modi told the cheering audience that it was duty of every Indian to work hard to make it a century of India.

"I say it is possible," Modi asserted.

The Prime Minister said India has always contributed to the world peace and more than 1.25 lakh Indian soldiers sacrificed their lives just for peace during the two world wars.

"Our contingent in the UN Peacekeeping Forces is among the biggest. India is the land of Mahatma Gandhi, peace is integral to our culture," he said, highlighting India's contribution to the world peace.

Modi also lauded his government's initiatives such as 'Swachh Bharat', 'Jan Dhan Yojna' and 'Ujjwala Yojana'.

"Which Indian doesn't want cleanliness? We have started from where Mahatma Gandhi left and till now over 2.25 lakh villages in India have become open defecation free," he said.

Stating that getting a LPG connection once used to be a big achievement, Modi said his government has provided free LPG connections to more than 3.5 crore families in over three years.

He also attacked the Opposition and said that before 2014 people used to ask how much money has gone to scams but now they ask how much has come.

Modi arrived here on Sunday on a three-day visit to attend the ASEAN-India and the East Asia summits. PTI
Tribune news service

Amritsar, November 13

Three girl students were injured when their school bus rammed into a stationary truck on Airport Road here on Monday morning.

According to information, the driver did not see the truck owing to the dense smog. However, eyewitnesses alleged that he was driving in a rash manner.

The injured were identified as Jasmeet Kaur, Robin and Pawandeep Kaur.

The bus belonged to Holy Heart Presidency School.

According to police, there were around 30 students in the bus. The incident occurred around 8 am.

The deputy commissioner has asked all schools, including private ones, to change the school timings so that they begin at 9.30 am.
Jupinderjit Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 13

A re-verification of records has belied the claim by Congress leaders that arms licences were issued arbitrarily by then SAD-BJP government at the behest of halqa chiefs. No discrepancy has been detected in at least eight police districts.

The exercise is being conducted by the Congress government to verify licences during the last six months of the previous government.

The deputy commissioners of eight police districts  Sangrur, Fatehgarh Sahib, Faridkot, Ferozepur, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Mansa and Ludhiana  have reported that all arms licences are valid.

In another nine police districts  Nawanshahr, Ludhiana (rural), Fazilka, Pathankot, Tarn Taran, Amritsar, Patiala, Mohali and Jalandhar (rural)  only 280 licences were found issued on non-existent addresses or on the name of dead persons.

These are the findings of the report on licences issued in 17 districts. About 30,000 licences were issued in these districts. Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh had ordered the verification after intelligence inputs pointed out that gangsters and other anti-social persons had got licences to carry arms.

The deputy commissioners of the remaining six districts have been given warning by the Home Department to furnish report by November 15. The Ropar DChas been asked to send report in two days as the first report was found incomplete. The process to cancel these 280 licences has been initiated and legal action will also be taken, said officials.

Of the 280 licences, 13 were found on the name of dead persons. Under the rules, the next of kin was supposed to deposit the licence with respective district office after the death of a licence holder. Nearly 100 licences were found on fake addresses while in the remaining cases, the standard procedure was not followed.

Tarn Taran district, home to some firebrand Akali leaders, issued maximum number of 7,735 licences. Of these, 72 were found to be wrongly issued. Amritsar issued 4,084 licences, out of which 42 were found to be issued in a suspicious manner. Fazilka, also home to top Akali leaders, issued 3,618 licences, of which 11 were found issued on fake addresses.

Besides, 78 licences were issued to defence personnel whose unit had shifted since then. The DC, Pathankot, is holding a separate inquiry.

Interpreting the results, police officials said the issuance of arms licence to even a single wrong person was dangerous for society.

Licences doubled to 4 lakh during 2007-17
PK Jaiswar

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, November 13

A Facebook post by gangster Saraj Singh Mintoo, prime accused in the killing of Hindu Sangharsh Sena leader Vipin Sharma, today left the police perplexed. In the post, he admitted to the crime, but said it was a revenge killing and should not be linked to any religion.

Police Commissioner SS Srivastava said they were ascertaining the origin of the message. How do we know that this was posted by Saraj Mintoo himself or by someone else? We are in touch with the intelligence wing for a probe into the matter, he pointed out.

He said the investigation carried out so far had brought forth the fact that the killing was the outcome of a gang rivalry between notorious gangsters Shubham Singh and Simarjit Singh. Mintoo is an accomplice of Shubham Singh.

In his post, Mintoo claimed that Sharma was behind the killing of Shubhams father and suspended cop Baljinder Singh Kalu. Shubham Singh is also an accused in Sharmas murder. Mintoo claimed that Sharma had arranged weapons for Kalus murder. He said the police should hold an inquiry which would reveal his relation with Kalus murderers.

The police have already made it clear that Vipins murder was not linked to any Sikh radical group. They had even pointed out that he was killed due to gang rivalry. Vipin was shot dead on October 30. One of the accused was identified as Mintoo on the basis of a CCTV footage. The police also named Shubham Singh and Dharminder Singh alias Goli Kazikot as accused in the case.
Rachna Khaira

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, November 13

Making a mockery of law, travel agent Resham Bhatti, who had sent Nakodar woman Paramjit Kaur to Saudi Arabia, today submitted through his lawyer a fake travel ticket to the police according to which the woman would return home on November 25. Paramjit is stranded in Saudi Arabia since July.

The agent, who is evading arrest, committed this fraud despite the fact that the matter is being monitored by Union Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj.

The ticket was shown to be booked online through a travel website and bears the name of Paramjit Kaur with no billing and delivery address. Booked for Jet Airways flight number (9W) 509, it mentions that Paramjit will depart from Riyadh International Airport terminal 1 at 2.50 am on November 25 and will arrive in New Delhi the same day at 5:05 am. It even carried the Jet Airways confirmation number.

Paramjits husband Malkiat Singh said the ticket was handed over to him by the Jalandhar Rural police, assuring him that his wife would be returning home on November 25.

We got the ticket verified with a local travel agent. To our horror, we found it fake, Malkiat said, demanding a stern action against the travel agent and his lawyer.

Nakodar DSP Mukesh Kumar said the ticket was handed over to the family by the agents lawyer. We are getting the ticket verified by the airlines authorities and if found fake, we will take stern action against the guilty, he said.

Sources said Bhatti had applied for bail twice, but it was rejected. He then forced the family to take the case back and he would ensure Paramjits safe return. And to prove his claim, he produced a fake ticket and provided a copy of it to Paramjit Kaur's family through the police.
Manu Moudgil

Two women in veils are pulling out a pitcher from a shallow well adorned by a yellow stone. The water is poured into leather bags carried by two donkeys. After a few minutes, the women start walking back home, a short distance away, with pitchers on their heads and donkeys in tow. We are at Dablapar, a small village around 80 km from the tourist town of Jaisalmer in Rajasthan. Till sometime back, the women of this village used to walk 12 km to get water from a pond. During drought years, they were forced to migrate with their livestock.

This change in fortune that literally has a well walking up to their doorsteps did not come from a new enterprise, but is a rediscovery of an ancient system that has been serving the Thar desert for centuries.

Shifting sands

Western Rajasthan is punctuated by ponds, many of these are fine examples of architectural geniuses and managed with religious reverence. Its not difficult to see why! Groundwater runs very deep and is often saline. This makes ponds holding sweet rainwater the most important enterprise here and wells the most neglected. In a few areas where geological conditions permit, however, sweet water trapped in layers of sand can be accessed through beris or small wells.

An impervious layer of gypsum running underground arrests rainwater, stopping it from mixing with the saline groundwater. This unique geological feature is the lifeline of desert, informs Chattar Singh, an experienced hand in natural and cultural landscape of this region. Even in years of scanty rainfall, this reserve gets replenished and remains safe from intense heat while pond water evaporates. Beris are also found in neighbouring Barmer district. There, the function of gypsum to arrest rainwater is done by an amalgam of sand and gravel. Usually this trapped water, called rejwani paani locally, can be found at 10-50 feet from the surface, but one needs a keen eye and skilled hands, both attributes not easily found in the modern age, to access it.

Not an easy job

Digging deep is the most dangerous job in the Thar. The loose desert soil can cave in easily. Traditionally, well-digging has invoked ingenuity of man to humour nature. A net or rope of shrubs, logs of wood from khejri tree (Prosopis Cineraria) and stones carved to fit into each other were some of the methods people used to strengthen the walls of a well.

In his widely popular book Rajasthan Ki Rajat Boondein (Radiant Raindrops of Rajasthan) published in 1995, late environmentalist Anupam Mishra describes in detail the process of digging a beri. Everyday, a little of the digging is done and soil removed. The walls have to be lined before digging further to prevent them from caving in... but at many places the walls have to be further arrested with ropes made of kheep, a local grass. Such would be the skill and patience invested with the grass that an onlooker may get confused if the main task is making rope or digging a well. At many places, where kheep is not available, wooden planks made from branches of local trees are used.

For a beri that goes very deep, a plaster of gypsum was fortified with big stones carved to fit into each other. Such beris are very durable as many of these are still running. However, many a times, sand would crawl in through the narrow gaps between the stones, thus affecting the water level. Every year, sand has to be removed from the bottom, informs Rajaram Ghedu, a social worker who has been promoting ancient water harvesting methods in Barmer.

From decline to revival

The promise of canal water supply made the new generation assume that beris would become redundant. Many of these structures went defunct and the skilled men became a rarity. Today, almost all the villages boast of big concrete tanks as a testimony to government plans to supply water from the Indira Gandhi canal. But ground realities contradict promises. Either most of these tanks remain empty or the quality of supply is very poor. It is not safe to drink this water, says Mohan Singh of Habur village.

In the last decade, people like Rajaram and Chattar Singh have refuelled the interest of locals in beris. Renovation of defunct structures and building of new ones with partial support from a philanthropic organisation has turned several villages self-sufficient in water supply.

The locals have also started generating their own funds to meet the expenses of such work. Our ancestors had been self-dependent in all respects but we fell into the trap of relying on government for our basic needs. Now self-reliance is again taking roots, says Chattar Singh.

With revival of demand for beris, skilled men have also increased. Jamaluddin, the oldest well digger in Barmers Bhakasar region, has trained around 15 young men in this trade. A new technique using cement and moulds to secure the walls has also reduced the risk associated with this job. Though the work still requires patience, the risks of getting buried have reduced. The demand is increasing and we also get requests from areas like Rann of Kutch, which no longer has trained people, he says.

The day a beri starts yielding water is not short of a festival. Gifts are bestowed on the skilled diggers, prayers made to the souls of ancestors and a feast organised in the evening. That water can be held with such reverence in the times of bore-wells and gigantic dams seems like an anomaly. Heres hoping for more such anomalies to sprout.
ATTENTION has been repeatedly drawn in these columns to the plight of thousands of men and women in Lahore who are feeling the severe pinch of high prices of foodstuffs, in particular of men of lower middle class who on scanty pay have to maintain families and to face the impossible task of keeping the wolf of gnawing hunger from the door. We have urged on Government the desirability of a prompt grant of a substantial war bonus or food allowance to enable the thousands of low paid clerks and other officials to tide over the present difficult times. We have also appealed to the authorities and the public regarding the urgency of taking measures to stamp out the plague.
Neena Sharma

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 13

The state government has decided to reimburse health insurance claims directly to the hospitals under the cashless Mukhya Mantra Swasthya Bima yojana (MSBY). The move will give respite to around 12 lakh patients who were unable to get medical treatment as the private firm had refused to honour the health cards after the state government failed to renew the contract. The Department of Health has also sent e-mails urging the empanelled hospitals in private and government sectors to honour the health cards.

As per the arrangement, the Chief Medical Officers of the district will oversee the registration of both the private and government hospitals under the MSBY and then pass on the information to the state nodal officer (Department of Health) for making payments to the hospitals, said Dr Archana Srivastav, DG, Health.

As the state government is still drawing out the plan, the scheme is not operational in the hospitals.

The government is also contemplating taking action against the company, which according to health officials was duty bound to honour the health cards as per the contract till November 30.

The government did not close the scheme, but an impression was given that the government had done it. The private partner should have continued honouring the health cards till the end of November, said Dr Navin Baluni, Health Advisor to the Chief Minister.

As many as 184 hospitals are empanelled in the state. Of these, 95 are empanelled in the government sector and 88 in the private sector. So far, the outstanding claims amount to Rs 43.68 lakh. Around 19 hospitals in Dehradun are empanelled under the scheme.
Lubumbashi, November 13

Thirty-three people riding on a fuel train in southeastern Democratic Republic of Congo were killed and 26 were injured when the train plunged down a ravine and caught fire, officials said.

The UNs radio Okapi said there had been 33 fatalities in the accident yesterday.

It occurred in the mining region of Katana, close to the border with Zambia and Angola, in the DRC province of Lualaba.

Thirty-three people were killed, Richard Muyej Mangez Mans, Governor of Lualaba province, said.

Twenty-six people who were seriously injured have been admitted to hospital. Doctors have been sent from Kolwezi to help those who are lightly injured.

Work is continuing to search for any survivors in the wreckage, he said.

Access to the site is difficult because of the poor state of the roads during the rainy season, he said.

The Red Cross said it was unable to give a toll.

The train, in which the victims were travelling illegally, was running between the countrys second city of Lubumbashi and Luena.

The train, transporting 13 oil tankers, derailed while climbing a slope at Buyofwe, a station 30 km from Lubudi. It fell into a ravine and the tankers caught fire, radio Okapi said.

Its a freight train that derailed and it wasnt supposed to be carrying passengers. If there were people on board, we consider them to be illegal travellers, said Sylvestre Ilunga Ilukamba, a senior official from the national railway company SNCC.  AP
ANKARA/BAGHDAD, November 13

More than 450 people were killed in Iran when a magnitude 7.3 earthquake jolted the country on Sunday late night, the state media said on Monday, and rescuers were searching for dozens trapped under rubble in the mountainous area. At least six have died in Iraq as well.

State television said more than 450 people were killed in Irans deadliest earthquake in more than a decade and at least 6,600 were injured. Officials said the death toll would rise as search and rescue teams reached remote areas of Iran.

The earthquake was felt in several western provinces of Iran but the hardest hit province was Kermanshah. More than 300 of the victims were in Sarpol-e Zahab county in Kermanshah province, about 15 km (10 miles) from the Iraq border.

Iranian state television said the quake had caused heavy damage in some villages where houses were made of earthen bricks. More than 500 villages in the region suffered massive damage, Mansoureh Bagheri, a spokeswoman for the Iranian Red Crescent in Tehran, said. Rescuers were labouring to find survivors trapped under collapsed buildings.

The quake also triggered landslides that hindered rescue efforts. At least 14 provinces in Iran had been affected. The US Geological Survey said the quake measured magnitude 7.3. An Iraqi meteorology official put its magnitude at 6.5, with the epicentre in Penjwin in Sulaimaniyah province in the Kurdistan region.

Tempers frayed in the quake-hit area as the search went on for survivors amidst the twisted rubble of collapsed buildings. Kurdish officials said at least six people were killed in Iraq and at least 68 injured, adding that in northern Iraq Kurdish districts seven were killed and 325 wounded. The quake was felt as far south as Baghdad, where many residents rushed from their houses and tall buildings when tremors shook the Iraqi capital.

I was sitting with my kids having dinner and suddenly the building was just dancing in the air," said Majida Ameer. who ran out of her building with her three children.

I thought at first that it was a huge bomb. But then I heard everyone around me screaming: Earthquake! Similar scenes unfolded in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region, and across other cities in northern Iraq, close to the quake's epicentre.

Iran sits astride major fault lines and is prone to frequent tremors. A magnitude 6.6 quake on December 26, 2003, devastated the historic city of Bam, 1,000 km from Tehran, killing about 31,000 people.

Electricity and water was cut off in several Iranian and Iraqi cities, and fears of aftershocks sent thousands of people in both countries out onto the streets and parks in cold weather.

Across the area, rescue workers and special teams using sniffer dogs and heat sensors searched wreckage. Blocked roads made it hard for rescue workers to reach some remote villages.

Iranian authorities acknowledged the relief effort was slow and patchy. Over 70,000 people needed emergency shelter, the Iranian Red Crescent said. Hojjat Gharibian, one of hundreds of homeless Iranian survivors, was huddled against the cold with his family in Qasr-e Shirin.

A local official said aftershocks slowed down erecting tents for homeless people but electricity had been restored in most of the quake-hit areas. Tasnim news agency said Iran's gas exports to Iraq was not interrupted because of the quake.  Reuters
ANKARA, November 13

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan expressed concern about US and Russian bases in Syria on Monday and said if countries truly believed a military solution was impossible they should withdraw their troops.

On Saturday, Putin and US President Donald Trump said in a joint statement they would continue to fight Islamic State in Syria, but agreed that there was no military solution to the country's wider, six-year-old conflict.

"I am having trouble understanding these comments," Erdogan told reporters before flying to Russia for talks with President Vladimir Putin. "If a military solution is out of the question, then those who say this should pull their troops out. Then a political method should be sought in Syria, ways to head into elections should be examined... We will discuss these with Putin," he said.

Erdogan said both Moscow and Washington, which armed Syrian YPG Kurdish forces Ankara sees as allied to separatists fighting in southeastern Turkey, had set up bases. He suggested neither country would be pulling out soon.

"The United States said it would completely leave Iraq, but it didn't. The world is not stupid, some realities are being told differently and practised differently," he said.

"The United States has 13 bases in Syria in total and Russia has five others."

The YPG has said Washington has established seven military bases in areas of northern Syria controlled by the YPG or US-backed forces fighting President Bashar al-Assad's troops.

The US-led coalition says it does not discuss the location of its forces.

Russia has been a strong supporter of Assad, whose removal Erdogan has demanded, and Moscow's military intervention two years ago helped turn the conflict in the Syrian president's favour.

Turkish troops have also fought in Syria to halt the advance of Kurdish YPG forces along its frontier. Reuters
Amsterdam, November 13

Over 300 people attended the remembrance day service organised by India in the Netherlands to honour the sacrifices made by Commonwealth forces during the two world wars. The event was organised by the Indian Embassy at the Westduin Cemetery in the Hague on Sunday, an official release said. Indian Ambassador Venu Rajamony laid a wreath on the memorial on behalf of the Commonwealth countries. Rajamony also read a poem, The Gift of India, by Sarojini Naidu and spoke about the contribution of Indian soldiers in the first and second World War.

He said that the forces of undivided India played a significant part in both world wars and 163,000 dead are buried and commemorated in war cemeteries spread across 60 countries.

Despite the harsh weather and myriad of obstacles, Indian soldiers fought bravely with a sense of duty towards their regiment and for izzat (honour), Rajamony said.

He was joined by Roelof van Ees Director of Protocol, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of the Netherlands, Ambassadors of Belgium, Ireland, Australia, Russia, New Zealand, Ghana and Venezuela and representatives of South Africa, Cyprus, Kenya, Canada and Saudi Arabia, the release said.

The ceremony was organised on behalf of Commonwealth- Netherlands Joint Committee of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

The committee organises the remembrance day ceremony annually and different embassies host the event in turns. This year it was the turn of the Embassy of India.  PTI
Washington, November 13

Amid pressure from within the Republican Party to step aside, GOP Senate nominee Roy Moore has called a newspaper report carrying allegations he had sexual contact with a 14-year-old girl four decades ago fake news and said a lawsuit would be filed in response.

Moores condemnation last night of a Washington Post story during a campaign speech in Huntsville, Alabama, came hours after another fellow Republican, Senator Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, urged him to drop out of a special election for one of Alabamas Senate seats.

Toomey said Moores explanations had been inadequate and that Republicans should consider Senator Luther Strange as a write-in candidate to run against Moore. Strange lost the Republican primary to Moore.

Moore tried to raise money from the controversy, writing in a fundraising pitch sent about midafternoon that the vicious and sleazy attacks against me are growing more vicious by the minute.

He told supporters, Im counting on you to stand with me at this critical moment by chipping in a donation to help me bust through the vicious lies and attacks and get the truth out to as many voters as possible before December 12. The Post story quoted four women by name, including the woman who alleged the sexual contact at 14, and had two dozen other sources.

In a Huntsville gym, Moore assured supporters that the Post story was a desperate attempt to stop my political campaign and that the allegations that he was involved with a minor child are completely unfalse and untrue and for which they will be sued, drawing a round of applause.

He also questioned why such allegations would be levelled for the first time just weeks before the special election in spite of his decades in public life.

Why would they come now? Because there are groups that dont want me in the United States Senate, he said, naming the Democratic Party and the Republican establishment and accusing them of working together. He added, We do not plan to let anybody deter us from this race.

Toomey did not rule out the possibility that Senate Republicans might work to unseat Moore if he wins the special election against Democrat Doug Jones.

You know, this is a terrible situation, nearly 40-year- old allegation, well probably never know for sure exactly what happened, Toomey said on Meet the Press on NBC. But from my point of view, I think the accusations have more credibility than the denial. I think it would be best if Roy would just step aside.

The White House, pointedly noting that President Donald Trump did not back Moore during the primary, said Trump will likely weigh in on the Senate race when he returns from Asia later this week. The White House has already made clear that Moore should step aside if the allegations are proven to be true.

I think theres a special place in hell for those who actually perpetrate these crimes, White House legislative aide Marc Short said yesterday.

But, having said that, he hasnt been proved guilty, Short added. We have to afford him the chance to defend himself.

Moore is an outspoken Christian conservative and former state Supreme Court judge. The Post reported last Thursday that he had sexual contact with a 14-year-old girl and pursued three other teenagers decades earlier.

While he called the allegations completely false and misleading, in an interview with conservative radio host Sean Hannity he did not wholly rule out dating teenage girls when he was in his early 30s. Asked if that would have been usual for him, Moore said, Not generally, no. The story stirred concern among anxious GOP officials in Washington in a key race to fill the Senate seat once held by Jeff Sessions, now the US attorney general. Losing the special election to a Democrat would imperil Republicans already slim 52-48 majority in the Senate, which is hoping to pass a tax overhaul later this year.  AP.
Baghdad/Ankara, November 13

A powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake near the Iraq-Iran border killed over 350 people across both countries, sent residents fleeing their homes into the night and was felt as far away as the Mediterranean coast, authorities said on Monday.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

Iran's western Kermanshah province bore the brunt of the temblor Sunday night, with authorities saying the quake killed 348 people in the country and injured 6,603. Kermanshah is a rural, mountainous region where residents rely mainly on farming.

In Iraq, the earthquake killed at least seven people and injured 535, all in the country's northern Kurdish region, according to Iraq's Interior Ministry.

The quake was centred 31 km outside the eastern Iraqi city of Halabja, according to the most recent measurements from the US Geological Survey. It struck at 9:48 pm Iran time, just as people began retiring for the night.

The earthquake struck 23.2 km below the surface, a shallow depth that can amplify damage. Magnitude 7 earthquakes can be highly destructive.

Iranian social media and news agencies showed images and videos of people fleeing their homes. More than 100 aftershocks followed.

The quake's worst damage appeared to be in the town of Sarpol-e-Zahab in Kermanshah province, which sits in the Zagros Mountains that divide Iran and Iraq.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei offered his condolences on Monday, urging all government agencies to do all they could to help those affected.

Dancing buildings

The US Geological Survey said the quake measured magnitude 7.3. An Iraqi meteorology official put its magnitude at 6.5 with the epicentre in Penjwin in Sulaimaniyah province in the Kurdistan region, close to the main border crossing with Iran.

Kurdish health officials said at least six people were killed in Iraq and at least 68 injured. Iraqs health and local officials said the worst-hit area was Darbandikham district, near the border with Iran, where at least 10 houses had collapsed and the districts only hospital was severely damaged.

The quake was felt as far south as Baghdad, where many residents rushed from their houses and tall buildings when tremors shook the Iraqi capital.

I was sitting with my kids having dinner and suddenly the building was just dancing in the air, said Majida Ameer, who ran out of her building in the capitals Salihiya district with her three children.

I thought at first that it was a huge bomb. But then I heard everyone around me screaming: Earthquake! Similar scenes unfolded in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region, and across other cities in northern Iraq, close to the quakes epicentre.

Cold weather

Electricity was cut off in several Iranian and Iraqi cities, and fears of aftershocks sent thousands of people in both countries out onto the streets and parks in cold weather.

The Iranian seismological centre registered around 118 aftershocks and said more were expected. The head of Iranian Red Crescent said more than 70,000 people were in need of emergency shelter.

Hojjat Gharibian was one of hundreds of homeless Iranian survivors, who was huddled against the cold with his family in Qasr-e Shirin.

My two children were sleeping when the house started to collapse because of the quake. I took them and ran to the street. We spent hours in the street until aid workers moved us into a school building, Gharibian told Reuters by telephone.

Irans police, the elite Revolutionary Guards and its affiliated Basij militia forces were dispatched to the quake-hit areas overnight, state TV reported.

Iranian Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli said some roads were blocked and authorities were worried about casualties in remote villages. An Iranian oil official said pipelines and refineries in the area remained intact.

Iran sits astride major fault lines and is prone to frequent tremors. A magnitude 6.6 quake on Dec. 26, 2003, devastated the historic city of Bam, 1,000 km southeast of Tehran, killing about 31,000 people.

Hospital severely damaged

On the Iraqi side, the most extensive damage was in the town of Darbandikhan, 75 km east of the city of Sulaimaniyah in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region.

More than 30 people were injured in the town, according to Kurdish Health Minister Rekawt Hama Rasheed.

The situation there is very critical, Rasheed told Reuters.

The districts main hospital was severely damaged and had no power, Rasheed said, so the injured were taken to Sulaimaniyah for treatment. Homes and buildings had extensive structural damage, he said.

In Halabja, local officials said a 12-year-old boy died of an electric shock from a falling electric cable.

Iraqs meteorology centre advised people to stay away from buildings and not to use elevators in case of aftershocks.

Turkey and Israel

Residents of Turkeys southeastern city of Diyarbakir also reported feeling a strong tremor, but there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties there.

Turkish Red Crescent Chairman Kerem Kinik told broadcaster NTV that Red Crescent teams in Erbil were preparing to go to the site of the earthquake and that Turkeys national disaster management agency, AFAD, and National Medical Rescue Teams were also preparing to head into Iraq.

AFADs chairman said the organisation was waiting for a reply to its offer for help.

In a tweet, Kinik said the Turkish Red Crescent was gathering 3,000 tents and heaters, 10,000 beds and blankets and moving them towards the Iraqi border.

We are coordinating with Iranian and Iraqi Red Crescent groups. We are also getting prepared to make deliveries from our northern Iraq Erbil depot, he said.

Israeli media said the quake was felt in many parts of Israel as well. In a statement, Israeli Intelligence Minister Israel Katz said, My condolences to the people of Iran and Iraq over the loss of human life caused by the earthquake. Iran refuses to recognise Israel. Reuters
Manila, November 13

US President Donald Trump raised North Koreas missile tests during talks on Monday with the prime ministers of Japan and Australia, and said a lot of progress had been made in negotiations on trade.

On the sidelines of a summit of East and Southeast Asian leaders in Manila, Trump met Japans Shinzo Abe and Australias Malcolm Turnbull, and said discussions at the meeting would include tensions on the Korean Peninsula and trade.

In brief remarks prior to media being ushered out of the meeting, Turnbull said North Koreas recklessness needed to be stopped, while Abe said the most immediate challenge was to ensure regional peace and stability. Reuters
For the fifth-grade robotics teams at Owasso Public Schools, there is no place more imaginative, and maybe no place more fun, than the classroom.

This fall, Owasso expanded its participation in the science and math-based First LEGO League (FLL) robotics competitions. A team of nine students from Barnes Elementary took first place in a regional competition at the University of Tulsa and will compete in the state event Saturday, Dec. 9 in Shawnee.

We call it the hardest fun youll ever have, Scott Taylor said.

As the volunteer leader of the Oklahoma Science and Engineering Foundation, Taylor has become a fond supporter of FLL in Oklahomas schools.

He watched as his daughter joined First Team 932 as a sophomore at Memorial High School and embraced the program, later earning a mechanical engineering degree on scholarship at Oklahoma and advancing to a promising career. Taylor, himself an engineer, volunteered to help with the teams robot and has been involved ever since.

He is a big believer  as are many teachers  in the programs ability to stretch a students imagination and self-belief.

Theyre encouraged to think outside the box, Taylor said. And they have opportunities to explore things they wouldnt explore any other way. Math or English homework presents one correct answer. Well, these students dont get an outlet for creativity in a lot of other places, and we give them another challenge.

This year, the FLL competition, named Hydro Dynamics, teaches students about practical uses of water and tasks them with solving common problems.

For example, Mrs. Brenda Busbys team at Barnes addressed the issue of lake-dwelling mussels clogging water pipes, an issue that was estimated to cost up to $250-300 million annually in areas around the Columbia River, according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

The water has to get through the pipes so people can drink it, clean themselves, brush their teeth  do daily things with water, fifth-grade Barnes student Jacob Fruend said. But when the mussels clogged it, the water couldnt get to people.

Busbys team made a newscast explaining the problem and their solution. They made a poster, they built a robot and competed with it, and they were voted Grand Champion for the best overall performance, even outdoing junior high teams.

Their proposed solution was a water-bound robofish. As fifth-grade team member Brighton Clifton explained, its not nearly as unusual as it may sound.

It stays on the dock near a pipe, Clifton said. Whenever touch sensors detect the mussels, the robot eats the mussels and uses them as fuel.

The students marketed their robot based on the recent popularity of drones. They took into account cost of materials and manufacturing, and came up with the price of $2,137 per unit.

Maintenance costs from keeping up with the mussels would outweigh the cost of the robofish, Fruend said.

And, if smaller companies werent interested in buying the robofish, students supposed they could sell bulk orders to larger water authorities, which could trickle the technology down to smaller municipalities.

Fifth-grade students with LEGOs.

I brag on these kids a lot, Busby said. Im proud of them, they have worked so, so hard.

From the first week of September until the Nov. 4 regional competition, Busbys team met twice a week after school, usually from 3:45 to 6:30 p.m., to practice with the equipment provided at the Sixth Grade Center.

Stone Canyon Elementary fielded two 10-person teams, led by Jennifer Emmons and Sharon Wills. Ator Elementary also sent a first-time team led by Angela Butler, and Northeast Elementary had a new team this fall under Robin Peyton.

Wills Stone Canyon team placed second in robot design and will compete at state, along with the Barnes team.

I think this is definitely the way to go for these kids, Wills said. I asked how many of them would want to continue in this, and nine out of 10 said they would. The STEM activities that theyre learning in the classroom now are going to benefit them tremendously.

The competition is judged on robot design, presentation, and core values, which could be summed up as teamwork. It takes place on a long table, about 3 feet high. Students build a LEGO robot and, using a program called Port View, cause it to navigate the surface of the table and perform certain tasks for points.

Busbys team also wore funny hats for the presentation. They were large clams, which were the closest they could find to mussels in hats. Busby figured it would make them a little more memorable. Seemed to work. So, too, did their little habit of pointing one finger to the sky during the presentation, which Mason Heinrichs helped explain.

We put it on our poster, too, he said. We point to the heavens because we need all the help we can get.

There were two other regional qualifiers, including one Nov. 11, wherein the Eighth Grade Center sent a team on to state. More Owasso teams could reach the state tournament. Regardless, educators in Owasso agreed the extra-curricular activity was worth the time. Teamwork, goal setting, and critical thinking make it an enriching learning activity, they said.

I think thats something we lost in a lot of schooling. Its the difference between giving them training and giving them an education, Taylor said. Training is about telling them how to do this problem or how to do that problem. But when you give them the freedom to solve their problems on their own, thats when youre giving them an education.
Finding a new job is never easy. It is even harder when the city and country are new, a fact that Jean-Claude Puati knows all too well.

He arrived in Montreal two years ago, after fleeing persecution in the Democratic Republic of the Congo  and subsequently South Africa  over his sexual orientation. After spending years on the run, he found work and stability elusive, even in the country that welcomed him.

It can be so difficult to find work when you first arrive, says Puati, who eventually found employment at a hospital, cooking hundreds of dishes each day for patients. But a job gives you a sense of autonomy and self-sufficiency. Only recently did Puatis employer realize he arrived as a refugee, seeing only a young man with intense work ethic and a sharp sense of humour.

It is a scenario that is all too common. And Abdullah Daoud wants to rectify it.

High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi met refugee Jean-Claude Puati (centre) and food services chef Jean-Marc Riverin, who hires refugees at Notre Dame Hospital in Montreal.  UNHCR/Michelle Siu

Standing behind a glowing screen in one of Montreals newest technology incubators, Daoud, the centres executive director, paces back and forth making his pitch  channelling the image of every tech maverick leading a high-profile product unveiling. Theres a mountain of opportunity here. People just need to be guided towards it.

In the past two years, the Refugee Centre has taken aim at a range of issues: housing, employment and access to education. Supported by student tuition fees, the centre does not just advocate for policy initiatives to help the resettlement of refugees in Canada  it aims to draw deeply on technology, harnessing the potential of young refugees arriving in the city.

More than 42,000 tech jobs were created in Montreal last year alone, says Daoud. We think weve pinpointed the future and we want refugees to be a part of that world.

"Learning a coding language is almost easier than a spoken language."

The centre joins the ranks of technology incubators across the globe turning their attention to refugees and displaced people. Europe already has a number of tech-centred mentorship programs.

Touring Montreal on the first leg of a four-day Canada visit, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi met young refugees and students to learn first hand about the ways they are rethinking and innovating the refugee resettlement experience.

Organizers at the centre see refugees as an untapped pool of potential in the tech world. Besides offering language classes in French and English, the centre also advertises an intensive boot camp to put those who have arrived recently through the paces of the tech world.

Learning a coding language is almost easier than a spoken language, says Daoud, whose parents were displaced from Palestine. The big tech companies are more interested in the skills youve acquired, not your education level. They have even modelled the space on a startup company. The walls are brightly painted, natural light pours in and art is scattered here and there to accent the open-plan work spaces.

While some of the applications produced by the centre are novel, for example a website for ordering custom hot sauces, much of the programming focuses on displacement. A pair of Syrian refugees are finalizing the development of a website to sell their desserts, a speciality in Aleppo, to the public and the centre is helping them add web functionality to allow for custom orders.

See also: UNHCR chief hails Canada and asks for even greater efforts

In November, the centre will team up with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, IBM and Google for a hack-a-thon, a competition in which the public (and tech-savvy participants) are challenged rethink and redevelop a way of safely storing information necessary to make an asylum claim on arrival in Canada.

Our skills are meaningless unless we share them with others."

Accompanied by Jean-Nicolas Beuze, UNHCRs Canada representative, Grandi also had the opportunity to watch one of the centres newest innovations in action. Still in its testing phase, LUNA AI is a chat application that interacts with people making an asylum claim. Unlike the standard process, in which claimants frequently make mistakes on their applications, LUNA guides newcomers through a series of questions to ensure information is accurate. Many refugees fleeing conflict have access to smartphones, devices that have fundamentally changed the way people communicate and have access to information.

It is great from every point of view," said Grandi after watching the demonstrations. "From the point of view of innovation, from the point of view of technology, usability and accessibility. It is great because it is done by refugees themselves.

The UN refugee chiefs visit also gave budding entrepreneurs Ahmed Saeed, a refugee from Eritrea, and Muhammed Idris the chance to showcase their work. The pair are in the process of building Compass, an app that helps refugees navigate medial appointments, language training and housing opportunities in a new city. Compass draws on Saeeds own experiences in Montreal, condensing useful information into an easily navigable interface. It also highlights the immense struggles new arrivals face in a new country and city.

Our skills are meaningless unless we share them with others, says Daoud.
People walk along a deserted road in east Aleppo, where some of the worst fighting of the Syrian conflict has taken place.  UNHCR/Bassam Diab

ALEPPO, Syria  The streets surrounding Aleppos medieval citadel still bear the scars of the years-long battle that reduced swathes of this ancient city to rubble. Yet amid the destruction, from a side street comes the sizzle of spitting fat and the aroma of grilling lamb  a sign that normal life is striving to return.

Abu Ahmads family has been selling skewers of barbecued meat to visitors and tourists from their shop in the shadow of the citadel for more than half a century. The family is synonymous with their trade, their name Al-Shawa meaning grill master in Arabic. He was displaced for four years during the worst of the fighting.

Business is still very slow, but a sense of pride for my familys business meant that I wanted to reopen as soon as it was safe, Abu Ahmad explained. With electricity supplies still unreliable or non-existent across much of the city, for now he grills his wares outdoors on a metal barbecue in front of his derelict shop.

Aleppo was Syrias most populous city before the conflict.

With a pre-conflict population of more than four million, Aleppo was Syrias most populous city and economic hub before the conflict. Years of fierce fighting have laid waste to much of the city, destroying vital infrastructure, flattening schools and hospitals and displacing hundreds of thousands from their homes.

Since the start of 2017, an estimated 440,000 displaced Aleppans have returned to the city and surrounding areas. Some 300,000 are thought to have returned to Eastern Aleppo, which witnessed some of the heaviest fighting of the entire Syrian conflict.

Many of those now returning have spent years on the move, and are going back to damaged homes in neighbourhoods without power or running water because they have no other option. The overall picture across the country remains grim. More than six million Syrians are still displaced, including more than a million forced to flee their homes in the past year alone.

Syrian baker brings back touch of sweetness (Antwan Chndkji, Dalal Mawad, producers / Hameed Maarouf, camera / Houssam Hariri, editor)

For those that have chosen to return to Aleppo since the fighting stopped, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and its partners are providing assistance to help people get back on their feet. Aid includes building materials to help rehabilitate homes, mobile medical services, distribution of mattresses and blankets and legal assistance with birth registrations and civil documentation.

In some of the most devastated neighbourhoods of Eastern Aleppo, residents reported infestations of rodents amongst the rubble, posing a public health risk. Our children were afraid to go outside because of all the rats and mice, one resident said.

UNHCR cooperates with local Namaa to provide residents with protective equipment, environmentally friendly pesticides and training to tackle the problem.

Another critical challenge across Syria is the high number of children missing out on education. It is estimated that as many as 1.75 million children of school age are currently out of school, with a further 1.35 million at risk of dropping out.

Abdullah is 17 years old from Al-Hader town in southern rural Aleppo, and was unable to attend classes for two years when heavy fighting forced schools in the area to close. I just want to finish my education so I have a chance of getting a good job and living with dignity, he said.

Abu Ahmad Al Shawa, in his 50s, has returned to Aleppo and reopened his restaurant in a totally destroyed building.  UNHCR/Vivian Tou'meh

A friend told him about one of 15 community centres funded by UNHCR in Eastern Aleppo that offers accelerated remedial classes in mathematics, physics and biology to help teenagers prepare for their public high school exams.

Three mornings a week, Abdullah takes a two-hour journey by minibus into the city to attend the classes, and hopes that by the end of the year he can pass his exams. After missing two years, I found the mathematics very difficult especially. I needed someone to explain it to me as my parents cannot teach me these subjects.

While the fighting in Aleppo may have ended, those returning know that it will take many years before normality is restored.

Standing outside his empty shop threading cubes of lamb onto a wooden skewer, Abu Ahmad waves a hand at the flattened houses surrounding the ancient citadel and sighs. Destruction is easy but rebuilding is hard. It will take a long time to bring Aleppo back from all this.
PARIS, France  Many hands are at work in Yasir Elamines pottery workshop in Paris. They cut, pound, squeeze, stencil and shape.

Yasir, a potter from Sudan, and his French students swap ideas and aesthetics. As a refugee, he thought his life as an artist was over. The work of La Fabrique Nomade, a UNHCR-supported NGO, helped change his mind.

La Fabrique Nomade encourages artisans among refugee and immigrant communities to retain and pass on their traditional crafts, from weaving and embroidery to pottery and woodworking.

The group promotes their work and showcases it at design fairs. It supports the artists themselves, helping them to make connections in the art and design scene in France. It helps equip them with basic job-seeking skills such as building a portfolio and CV.

Ablaye Mar, an embroiderer from Senegal, collaborates with Sabatina Leccia, a French artist and fashion designer.  UNHCR/Benjamin Loyseau

The founder of La Fabrique Nomade, Ines Mesmar, says the goal is not just to enable refugees to use their talents but also to share valuable skills with the local community. For refugees, she says, it is about changing attitudes, to allow them to transmit their knowledge, rather than being people who just receive help and assistance.

Yasir agrees. It has put him back in touch with a world he thought was lost to him forever.
By Nirendra Dev



Manila, Nov 13 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday India has no intention of grabbing or snatching others' land as all its energy is aimed at achieving a level-playing field with the world.

'History shows we did not do any wrong to anyone. We did not grab anyones land. We are not snatchers,

but givers,' Modi said at at a reception hosted by the Indian Ambassador here. And once Indians achieved a level playing field, nobody could stop it from surging ahead of all, he said.

'People are talking of 21st century belonging to Asia, but I say 21st century could be of India, and three years of my being in power give me confidence to say that this is quite possible,' Modi told the Indian community in Manila.

He said difficulties are encountered only in initial stages, and once that stage is crossed then there is no looking back.

"Our efforts are aimed at transforming India and ensuring everything in our nation matches global standards," he said, adding that the world looks at India with respect now. The Prime Minister said India has always contributed to the world peace and more than 1.25 lakh Indian soldiers sacrificed their lives just for peace during the two world wars.

"Our contingent in the UN Peacekeeping Forces is among the biggest. India is the land of Mahatma Gandhi, peace is integral to our culture," he said, highlighting India's contribution to the world peace. He said he was very happy that today Indians all over the world were being proud of being Indians.

Praising the Indian community in the Philippines, he said, non-resident Indians can do more than embassies.

UNI DEVN SRJ SHK 1925
Brazil resumes murder trial in Samarco mining disaster

RIO DE JANEIRO, Nov 13 (Reuters) A court in Brazil decided on Monday to resume criminal proceedings, including consideration of murder charges, related to the 2015 Samarco mine disaster, throwing out a challenge from two defendants claiming that evidence was illegally collected.

Vale SA and BHP Billiton Ltd, joint owners of the Samarco iron mine, are part of a group that includes 22 people and two other companies that stand accused of crimes related to a tailing dam that burst.

The burst unleashed a torrent of toxic mud that killed 19 people.
Iranian-backed militias routed in last Syrian militant stronghold

By Suleiman Al-Khalidi

AMMAN, Nov 13 (Reuters) Islamic State militants on Monday regained control of Albu Kamal city, their last stronghold in Syria, after Iranian-backed militias who captured the city a few days earlier were ambushed and forced to retreat, tribal leaders, residents and a war monitor said.

Fighters from Lebanese Shi'ite Hezbollah in Syria who joined forces with Iraqi Shi'ite fighters crossing the border into Syria were taken by surprise by militants hiding inside tunnels in the heart of the city they claimed to have taken on Wednesday, they said.
Kuwait banks told to examine Saudi accounts after arrests -sources

By Ahmed Hagagy and Tom Arnold

KUWAIT CITY/DUBAI, Nov 13 (Reuters) Kuwaiti banks have been told by the central bank to provide account details relating to some Saudi Arabian nationals, sources familiar with the situation told Reuters on Monday.

The move follows the freezing of more than 2,000 domestic bank accounts in Saudi Arabia after the detention of senior business figures and officials in a campaign against alleged graft.
India's first private rocket mission : Countdown likely to begin tomorrow 16 Nov 2022 | 11:09 PM Chennai, Nov 16 (UNI) The Countdown for India's first private

rocket launch mission Vikram-S by Skyroot Aerospace will begin

at the spaceport of Sriharikota tomorrow. see more..

SPO, 4 women among 9 killed, 3 hurt in road accidents across Jammu 16 Nov 2022 | 10:35 PM Jammu, Nov 16 (UNI) A Special Police Officer, four women among nine killed and three injured in separate road accidents across Jammu region on Wednesday. see more..

Indian Army commemorates 60 years of Battle of Walong 16 Nov 2022 | 10:31 PM Itanagar, Nov 16 (UNI) Indian Army has celebrated Diamond Jubilee of the Battle of Walong, an effulgent example of unique bravery, guts & sacrifice by the Indian Army against the Chinese aggression in Eastern Arunachal Pradesh. see more..

Jailed BJP leader freed, to contest polls against Meghalaya CM 16 Nov 2022 | 10:25 PM Shillong, Nov 16 (UN) Incarcerated Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and member of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council, Bernard N. Marak, on Wednesday walked out of the Tura district jail after he was granted bail by a local court, three months after he was arrested. see more..
Militants cross from Afghanistan, kill two Pakistani soldiers - army

By Asif Shahzad

ISLAMABAD, Nov 13 (Reuters) Militants have crossed into Pakistan from Afghanistan and killed a Pakistani army officer and a soldier, the Pakistani military said on Monday.

The uneasy neighbours, both of which are important U.S. allies, accuse each other of harbouring militants on either side of the border, and their two armies have exchanged fire across it during periods of tension over recent years.
Nepal scraps Budhi Gandaki deal with Chinese company

Kathmandu, Nov 13 (UNI) The government of Nepal has scrapped the contract awarded to Chinas Gejuwa Group for the construction of much awaited Budhi Gandaki Hydropower Project citing lack of transparency and legal requirements.

The Himalayan Times reported on Monday that a meeting of the Council of Ministers held in Singhadarbar on Sunday decided to scrap the construction contract of the 1,200 MW national pride project as per the direction by parliamentary committee earlier.

The project was supposed to be developed in Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Financing (EPCF) model, as per which, the concerned construction company itself generates the required fund for the project.
New Delhi, Nov 13 (UNI) Health and Family Welfare Minister JP Nadda on Monday said 35 new trauma centres with an outlay of Rs 554-crore will be established in the country.

Inaugurating the Global Transport Ministers Forum on Road Safety organised by International Road Federation (IRF) here, Mr Nadda said the proposal has been sent to the Cabinet for approval.

Stating that road accidents were a major global and public health problem which needs global attentions, the Minister said there was a need proper planning at all levels to reduce accidents.

Mr Nadda said the government had sanctioned 116 trauma units out of which 100 were functional. Moreover, the government was providing training to 25,000 truck drivers to give first aid to accident victims. The aim is to minimize casualties as far as possible.

The event was attended by Ministers from various countries including Canada, Finland, Russia and Burundi and state Transport Ministers from Rajasthan, Delhi, Goa and Kerala.

UNI RBE SNU 1418
New Delhi, Nov 13 (UNI) Describing the Indian Police Service (IPS) as one of the pillars of our national administrative system, President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday said that their mandate was to uphold a common concept of the rule of law and of our democratic polity.

Addressing a group of officer trainees of the 69 RR (2016 Batch) of the Indian Police Service, from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy, who called on him at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the President said, 'the Indian Police Service is one of the pillars of our national administrative system. As members of an All-India Service, they will no doubt serve in individual states  but they will represent a national idea. Their mandate is to uphold a common concept of the rule of law and of our democratic polity. In that sense, they are guardians of not just public order and honest conduct  but of the majesty of the law. '

The President called upon the officers to discharge their duties without fear or favour, and without time delays. He stated that as professional civil servants, they should be unafraid to give the political executive honest and unbiased advice. "Their holy book and their constant guide must be the Constitution,'he said.

The President said that technology is both a challenge and a tool for policing. 'While it expands avenues for crimes, technology also allows the police to do its duties with greater efficiency. It allows the citizen to interact with the police force  and even to lodge a complaint  from the comfort of his or her home and computer or mobile phone,'he said.

He called upon the officer trainees to encourage this process. He stated that the ideal police system is one where the citizen gets his due service from the police without needing to visit the police station.

UNI AR SNU 1430
Ukraine extends martial law, mobilization 16 Nov 2022 | 8:17 PM Kiev, Nov 16 (UNI) Ukraine extends the period of the martial law and mobilization for another 90 days until February 19, 2023, Ukrainian lawmaker Yaroslav Zheleznyak said on Wednesday. see more..

Modi talks trade, mobility, defence with UK PM 16 Nov 2022 | 5:50 PM Bali, Nov 16 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi met his United Kingdom counterpart Rishi Sunak on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit here. see more..

PM reviews progress of bilateral ties with Aussie counterpart 16 Nov 2022 | 5:45 PM Bali, Nov 16 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi met his Australia n counterpart Anthony Albanese on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit here in Indonesia. see more..

PM invites Singaporeans to invest in Green economy 16 Nov 2022 | 5:19 PM Bali, Nov 16 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday invited Singaporeans to invest in various sectors including Green economy, infrastructure and digitalisation. see more..
Panama's president to travel to China to meet Xi Jinping

PANAMA CITY, Nov 13 (Reuters) Panama's President Juan Carlos Varela will travel to China to meet with his counterpart Xi Jinping on Friday, the first official visit by a Panamanian leader to the Asian country coming five months after the nations established diplomatic relations.

The bilateral meeting will serve to "establish a new economic, trade, tourist and diplomatic outlook for the country, leading to more than a dozen agreements that will be signed" between nations, Panama's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

In June, Panama upgraded its commercial ties with China and established full diplomatic links with the second most important customer of its key shipping canal, giving Beijing a major victory as it broke formal relations with Taiwan.
Papua New Guinea to begin forceable removal of asylum seekers from detention centre

By Colin Packham

SYDNEY, Nov 13 (Reuters) Papua New Guinea Immigration Minister Petrus Thomas said authorities would take steps on Monday to forcibly remove around 450 men who remain in an abandoned Australian detention centre without food or running water.

Hundreds of men have barricaded themselves into the Manus Island centre for more than 13 days without regular food or water supplies, defying attempts by Australia and Papua New Guinea to close the facility.
Russia, India agree on delivery of 200 Ka-226 multi-role, Mi-171A2 helicopters: Official

Moscow, Nov 12 (UNI) Russia and India will sign a contract on the delivery of 200 Ka-226 multirole helicopters well as Mi-171A2 helicopter in several months.

"We will sign a contract on the delivery of 200 Ka-226 helicopters for the Indian Defence Ministry later this year, but most likely in early 2018," Russian Helicopters CEO Andrei Boginsky told RIA news agency.

Boginsky said an India-based joint venture which will provide the helicopter assembly and service maintenance, is currently operating successfully.
Saudi Arabia to host "expanded" Syrian opposition conference

DUBAI, Nov 13 (Reuters) Saudi Arabia will host what it called an "expanded" conference for the Syrian opposition this month, aiming to unify its position ahead of United Nations-backed peace talks, the state news agency SPA reported on Monday.

Saudi Arabia backs a grouping of opposition figures called the High Negotiations Committee (HNC) led by Riyad Hijab, a former Syrian prime minister under Assad. The HNC has represented the Syrian opposition at previous Geneva talks.

A number of other political opposition groups and figures backed by other countries including Russia and Egypt also exist.
World Diabetes Day: Around 382 million worldwide suffer from disease

Shimla, Nov 13 (UNI) Diabetes, considered as one of the major chronic disease, worldwide affects around 382 million (38 crore) people and the figure might rise to 592 million by 2035, experts has warned.

On the eve of World Diabetes day, Assistant Professor of Department of Endocrinology of Indira Gandhi Medical College Shimla, Dr Kush Dev Singh Jarial told UNI that India houses as many as 62.4 million(6.2) Crore people who are suffering with this disease and around 77.2 million are in pre-diabetic stage.

He said that diabetes is the ninth major case of death in women, globally causing 2.1 million death per year.
Yogi meets Thailand Ambassador

Lucknow, Nov 13 (UNI) Ambassador of Thailand Chutintorn Gongsakdi called on Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath here on Monday and had discussion about cultural links between Thailand and Uttar Pradesh and how religion, particularly Buddhism could be point of interest between the two.

The Government spokesman said Mr Yogi sought Thailands help in reviving UPs industrial scenario because the Southeast Asian country has emerged as an industrialised nation.

The link between Thailand and Uttar Pradesh is very old. It is believed that Buddhism has entered Thailand during the time of Great Ashoka. The Uttar Pradesh Government is ready to open its doors for the pilgrims from Thailand who wish to visit Kushinagar and Sarnath  two important Buddhist destinations, Mr Yogi said.
Taipei, Nov. 13 (CNA) The Republic of China (Taiwan) Air Force said Monday that it has detected a signal similar to what would be sent from the black box of the Mirage-2000 fighter jet that went missing off northeastern Taiwan last Tuesday and has yet to be found.
(Nov. 13, 2017) -- Bernard Arulanandam, interim vice president for research at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), and Arturo Molina, vice chancellor for research and tech transfer at the Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (ITESM)/Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish collaboration activities and facilitate long-term academic and economic cooperation between both institutions.

Monterrey Tec and UTSA will foster joint research and faculty exchanges in the areas of cybersecurity, big data analytics, cloud computing and nanotechnology, among others.

As we raise UTSAs profile and reputation around the world, our partnerships in Mexico and throughout Latin America are critical to creating a university that is truly world-engaged, said Rene Zenteno, vice provost for UTSA International Initiatives. We are pleased that this MOU will continue to strengthen our partnership with Monterrey Tec, one of Mexicos premier institutions.

In addition to signing the agreement, the UTSA delegation of Zenteno, Arulanandam and Jaclyn Shaw, UTSA director for research support, had the opportunity to present UTSAs research plan to Monterrey Tec leadership and faculty. Monterrey Tec will leverage UTSAs expertise in cybersecurity to further expand their research and education. The agreement will include organizing a one-day conference on the topic in Mexico City in spring of 2018.

Together, we can collaborate to address computational challenges, which are critical to the security of both countries. As the MOU evolves, there will be additional research areas for cross-collaboration, added Arulanandam.

UTSA has strong academic ties with Mexico. The university currently has 30 cooperation agreements with universities and organizations with our neighbor to the south. UTSAs relationship with Mexico is part of its Latin America initiative, which aims to increase partnerships through research and exchange.

Additionally, UTSA has had eight faculty-led study abroad programs in the first half of 2017 with 118 student participants. The UTSA Research Office has been hosting students from Monterrey Tec in a summer research internship program since 2014 and has hosted 27 students to date.

UTSA houses ConTex, a UT System collaboration with Mexicos National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT). ConTex connects researchers across disciplines to develop mutually beneficial ideas and solutions for the U.S. and Mexico. Funding supports Mexican doctoral students at UT System institutions, with the goal to create a total cohort of 150 Ph.D. students over the next five years. In 2017, ConTex awarded funding for 25 doctoral fellowships and 10 postdoctoral fellowships.

ConTex also funds collaborative research projects, to increase and enhance exchanges between faculty from UT System and Mexican universities, and serve as seed grants to pursue larger grants. In 2017, nine cross-border teams were awarded collaborative research grants across multiple disciplines.
Two Finalists for Director of Scholarships and Financial Aid to Visit UW This Week

Two finalists for the position of director of scholarships and financial aid at the University of Wyoming are scheduled to visit UW this week.

They are John Perry, director of financial aid for Governors State University; and Ralph Perri, director of scholarships and financial aid at Prairie View A&M University. A third candidate, Debra Hintz, director of financial aid at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, visited last week.

As part of their visits to campus, the candidates are scheduled to give public presentations on the topic, How Scholarship and Financial Aid Administration Contributes to Enrollment Growth.

Perry is scheduled to present Tuesday, Nov. 14, from 10:15-11:15 a.m. in the Wyoming Unions West Ballroom. To learn more about him, go here.

Perri is scheduled to present Friday, Nov. 17, from 9:15-10:15 a.m. in the College of Agriculture Building auditorium. That is a different location than previously announced. To learn more about him, go here.
Customers queue up for a free promotional drink at a Sharetea outlet in Ha Noi.  Photo kenh14.vn

When bubble tea, the Taiwanese tea-based beverage with chewy tapioca pearls in them, first burst on the scene in Viet Nam about 15 years ago, it was instant hit, especially among children and the youth.

But the thrill failed to last very long, and dogged by fears triggered by rumours of imported plastic bubbles being used by unscrupulous businesses, it soon became difficult to find the drink as some shops stopped serving them and some almost exclusive bubble tea outlets shut down.

Today, its one of the easiest drinks to find with an almost ubiquitous presence in major cities and several popular brands jostling for greater space in a highly competitive market.

The comeback has happened in fits and starts, but over the last two years, it has firmed its position and look set to stay. There are several factors that have helped bubble teas resurgence and strengthened its staying power this time around.

One is the products establishment packaging. There has been much heavier investment in the tea shops, showier displays and harder hitting promotions.

A boom in supporting services and products accompanying the bubble-tea wave has also helped. Some market observers say that bubble tea brands are expanding faster than other restaurant or coffee chains, especially in urban areas, thanks to their simple and franchise-friendly business model.

App promotions

The key demographic for bubble tea in Viet Nam are the youth and office workers, whose regular use of smart phones influence all aspects of their lives. Hence, many bubble tea brands have incorporated their promotions, including discount codes, into distribution applications on mobile platforms, aiming to increase brand awareness and sales.

Price reduction via discount codes has been the go to sales boosting method for almost every brand of bubble tea in the market, whether it is to push a new product or even a new brand.

Sellers can choose between short and specific periods of validation for their discount codes, aptly named golden hours, or apply such discounts during an opening week or even a whole month worth of promotion and free samples. These are designed to give customers the motivation to experience the newly introduced brands or products, which is key to hold ones own in an increasingly crowded and competitive market.

One familiar application is Jamja, a discount codes promoting search engine with nearly a million users. The company behind Jamja has been collaborating strategically with other startups specialising in restaurant reviews and food deliveries.

Bubble tea brands have also managed to take full advantage of their customer-base to spread their image via social media in exchange for further discounts. This form of advertising has contributes greatly to the industrys sudden surge, as it were.

Sales management

For food and beverage businesses in general and bubble tea chains in particular, cutting costs and controlling losses are extremely important, especially as the business develops into a franchise.

Without good management procedures and tools, total operational costs can be overwhelming.

With thousands of cups being sold per day, well known bubble tea brands like TocoToco, Goky, or Gongcha cannot use a manual billing service, nor any amateur, cumbersome software lacking in features like labels and bills printing, as lengthy waiting periods will lead to customers dissatisfaction and plummeting sale.

As these direct selling brands are increasingly competitive, they are constantly demanding more effective promotion means than their rivals by maximising positive customer experience and optimising revenues.

In response to this need, many technology companies have jumped into the fray, providing Point of Sale (POS) software to restaurants and coffee shops. With the explosion of bubble tea chains, it is an effective strategy for managers to work with such third parties to boost sales and business productivity.

One such software provider, iPOS.vn, is a partner for many big tea brands like GongCha, Tocotoco, and Royal Tea.

Additionally, more and more bubble tea brands are opting for multi-channel sales through their own websites or social media pages such as Facebook or Zalo, to varying degrees of success. The Tocotoco chain, for instance, saw the deployment of a mobile application increase daily online orders from approximately 100 to more than 1,700.

The rest

Other issues that come to focus are related to product and personnel, as bubble tea brands are currently being evaluated as being almost identical in terms of taste and presentation, and service provided by the staff fails to pull its weight.

This has lead to a demand for training centres and the use of higher quality ingredients, though few companies are looking to invest in research for creating pioneering products.

With white-collar workers who can afford higher quality drinks in sophisticated settings being the current target audience for bubble tea brands, sellers are prompted to invest strongly in both taste and presentation.

Thus raw materials and formulas are imported from Taiwan or reputable partners in Japan or Korea, and expensive central locations are chosen four bubble tea outlets. This has improved product quality and consumer safety.

The bubble tea market is now moving to its next development phase, expanding from central cities like Ha Noi or HCM City to suburban areas as well as other localities like Bac Ninh, Hai Phong and Can Tho.
Nguyen Manh Tien, senior sales manager of CBRE Vietnam, said Ho Chi Minh City was suffering an oversupply of high-end apartments and sales was slow although developers were directly offering customers incredible preferential support.



Hanois apartment market have also started performing signs similar to Ho Chi Minh Citys as supply has been fast increasing while the secondary market is becoming dormant and several high-end apartment projects are offering promotions.



A CBRE report released last week revealed that the new apartment supply in the second quarter was 4,587 units and in the latter half of the year, there would be around 10,000 new units launched, pushing the 2010 total new supply in Hanoi close to 20,000 units.



Several high-end projects such as Richland Southern, Mulberry Lane and Tricon Towers have started to offer discounts, bank financing support and favourable payment terms to quicken sales. However, Tien said Hanois property market had its own features and it was not likely to suffer an oversupply like Ho Chi Minh City.



Tien said many developers in Ho Chi Minh City were financially strong companies that led to the rapid construction of housing projects and the oversupply. However, the story is different in Hanoi. The present new supply in the capital can be large in comparison with the new supply of previous years but is still much smaller than Ho Chi Minh Citys. And it takes a long time for Hanoi to have the plentiful pipeline supply as in Ho Chi Minh City.



Besides that, customers in Ho Chi Minh City often borrow money from banks or mortgage property to invest into apartment market. Whenever the market has the fever, they pour all of money into, but ready to sell at lower prices to cut loses when the market has trouble, said Tien.



Hanoi-based customers with large available savings can contend much longer and not accept to sell their property at low prices, added Tien. The evidence can be shown by successful launching of apartment projects in the first half of 2010 in the primary market such Dang Xa new urban area in Gia Lam district, Ecopark in Van Giang district, Hung Yen province, The Pride in Ha Dong district.



The developers got good turnover as 99 units of Dang Xa new urban area was sold out within two days of launch, 90 per cent of nearly 600 units at Ecopark within one week and 50 per cent of total units in the first launch of The Pride was purchased.

By Thanh Thuy
Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong (R) and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands before their talks in Ha Noi on November 12, 2017. Photo: VGP

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made the statement at the talks with Chinese Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping in Ha Noi on November 12.

Party leader Trong affirmed Viet Nam attaches importance to and sincerely wishes to further strengthen the neighborly friendship and comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership with China in a stable and intensive manner.

He suggested both sides maintain regular high-level contacts and exchanges and improve the effectiveness of cooperation in order to contribute to enhancing political trust and direct the course of the bilateral ties.

The two countries need to promote the coordinating role of the Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation in supervising and speeding up the realization of signed agreements, especially those reached by their senior leaders and in settling timely differences in bilateral cooperation.

The two sides should beef up and improve the effectiveness of economic cooperation, expand investment and trade ties, and take effective measures to reduce Viet Nams trade deficit (with China), said Party chief Trong.

Regarding sea-related issues, Party leader Trong stressed that it is essential and beneficial to all parties, the region and the world to ensure sustainable peace and stability, reduce risks that may cause instability, and build trust.

All the relevant parties must exercise self-restraint, take no actions that may further complicate the situation or expand disputes, respect legitimate rights of each other, and focus on protecting peace and stability at sea.

Pary leader Trong urged the two sides to fully and fruitfully implement the Agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of sea-related issues signed between the two countries and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and soon start practical negotiations for an effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

Chinese President Xi informed the host about the major outcomes of the 19th National Party Congress, confirming that the Party and Government of China attach to consolidating and enhancing the comprehensive strategic comprehensive partnership with Viet Nam.

After the talks, the pair witnessed the signing of 12 cooperative documents between the two countries.

The same day, NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan met with Chinese President Xi who is on a two-day State visit to Viet Nam after touring to Da Nang City for the 2017 APEC Economic Leaders Week.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (right) receives General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and President Xi Jinping in the central city of a Nang on November 11. - VNA/VNS Photo

During a meeting with General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and President Xi Jinping in a Nang on November 11, PM Phuc applauded the Chinese leaders State visit to Viet Nam and his attendance at the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting in the central city.

He expressed his appreciation at the progress made in bilateral ties, stressing that China remained the largest trade and tourism partner of Viet Nam while the country remains the largest trade partner of China in ASEAN.

Regarding investment, the PM said Viet Nam welcomes and would do its best to create favourable conditions for Chinese firms to carry out large-scale projects using advanced and eco-friendly technologies, particularly in infrastructure, processing industry, clean energy and high-tech agriculture.

He suggested the two sides implement the Two Corridors, One Belt framework and Belt and Road initiative, and improve infrastructure, particularly in border areas.

On trade, PM Phuc took this occasion to urge China to take effective measures to reduce the trade deficit with Viet Nam and import more Vietnamese goods such as agro-forestry-aquatic products, striving to foster stable and balanced trade and achieve the bilateral trade target of US$200 billion in 2025.

The government leader called for the effective implementation of cooperation projects in finance, agriculture, environment, transport and science-technology.

He proposed China provide more preferential credits for Viet Nam and make it easier for the country to get access to soft loans within bilateral and multilateral frameworks.

PM Phuc also suggested stepping up studies on rice cross-breeding adapted to drought and saline intrusion, jointly dealing with issues arising in fishing at sea, increasing coordination in the use, management and protection of water resources across the border as well as fostering cooperation in tourism, transport, friendship exchanges and mutually-beneficial ties among localities.

On maritime issues, PM Phuc said both sides need to settle disputes via peaceful measures in line with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982. He proposed both sides strictly implement the Agreement on Basic Principles guiding the Settlement of Issues at Sea between Viet Nam and China, efficiently manage disputes, avoid actions that expand and further complicate disputes, maintain peace and stability in the East Sea, and accelerate demarcation and cooperation for mutual development in disputed waters.

For his part, CPC General Secretary and President Xi Jinping affirmed that the Party, government and people of China attach the utmost importance to strengthening friendly neighbourliness and comprehensive cooperation with Viet Nam, saying the stable and healthy development of bilateral relations is in line with the interests of both nations and aspirations of their people.

The Chinese leader stressed the need to increase high-level meetings to discuss major issues in bilateral relations, promote strategic connectivity for development, facilitate trade and investment ties, foster cooperation in key fields and major projects, enhance people-to-people friendship exchanges, strictly implement common perceptions reached by senior leaders and maintain peace and security at sea for the overall complexion of the bilateral relationship.

He spoke highly of Viet Nams thorough preparations for and congratulated Viet Nam on successfully hosting the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting.

The Chinese leader also extended his sympathy to the CPV, government and localities that were recently hit by natural disasters and declared that the Chinese government will offer 10 million yuan ($1.5 million) in aid to Viet Nam to help with post-disaster recovery efforts.
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy gives a speech during a meeting to support his Popular Party candidate in next month's vote, in Barcelona. (Pau Barrena/AFP)

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy gives a speech during a meeting to support his Popular Party candidate in next month's vote, in Barcelona. (Pau Barrena/AFP)

On his first visit to Catalonia since his government took direct control of the region in response to lawmakers declaring independence, Rajoy asked "all businesses that work or have worked in Catalonia not to go".

Rajoy last month dismissed Catalonia's government and parliament and called for new elections in the turbulent region for Dec 21.

"We have to recover the sensible, practical, enterprising and dynamic Catalonia ... that has contributed so much to the progress of Spain and Europe," Rajoy told members of his Popular Party in Barcelona.

Catalonia's independence crisis has pushed more than 2,400 firms to re-register their legal headquarters outside the wealthy northeastern region.

The International Monetary Fund last month warned that Catalonia could face recession were the uncertainty over secession to linger.

Hundreds of thousands of Catalans flooded Barcelona on Saturday to demand the release of dismissed regional lawmakers who were detained on the orders of a national judge over their independence bid.
An earthquake victim is aided at Sulaimaniyah Hospital in Sulaimaniyah, Iraq. (SHWAN MOHAMMED/AFP)

SULAIMANIYAH, Iraq: A strong earthquake that shook the Iran-Iraq border region on Sunday (Nov 12) killed at least 67 people, authorities and state media in the two countries said. The US Geological Survey said the magnitude 7.3 temblor was centred 30 kilometres southwest of Halabja, near the northeastern border with Iran. At least 61 people were killed and 300 injured by a quake in Iran's Kermanshah province on the Iraqi border on Sunday, state television reported. Meanwhile, Iraqi officials said the quake had killed six people in Sulaimaniyah province and injured around 150. Iran television quoted an emergency services official as saying that many of the victims were in the town of Sarpol-e Zahab, about 15 kilometres from the border. The US Geological Survey put the quake at 7.3 magnitude, which placed the epicentre southwest of the city of Halabja along the Iraq-Iran border.

The mayor of Darbandikhan, Iraq, told AFP four people were killed by the earthquake in the town.

Another two people were killed in another town in Iraq, Kalar, according to the director of the hospital in the town about 70 kilometres south of Darbandikhan.

The quake struck the mountainous area of Sulaimaniyah province at 9.18pm (2.18am Singapore time Monday) at a depth of 25 kilometres, the monitor said.

It was felt for about 20 seconds in Baghdad, and sometimes for longer in other provinces of Iraq, AFP journalists said.

In the province of Sulaimaniyah, located in Iraq's Kurdistan region, residents ran out onto the streets at the time of the quake and some minor property damage was recorded, an AFP reporter said.

In Iran, ISNA said the earthquake was felt in several cities in the west of the country including Tabriz.

In southeastern Turkey, the earthquake was felt "from Malatya to Van", an AFP correspondent said. In the town of Diyarbakir, residents also left their homes before returning.

Turkish Red Crescent Chairman Kerem Kinik told broadcaster NTV that Red Crescent teams in Erbil were preparing to go to the site of the earthquake, and that Turkeys national disaster management agency AFAD and National Medical Rescue Teams (UMKE) were also preparing to head into Iraq. AFADs chairman said the organisation was waiting for a reply to its offer for help.

In a tweet, Kinik said the Turkish Red Crescent was gathering 3,000 tents and heaters, 10,000 beds and blankets and moving them towards the Iraqi border.

"We are coordinating with Iranian and Iraqi Red Crescent groups. We are also getting prepared to make deliveries from our northern Iraq Erbil depot," he said.

Israeli media said the quake was felt in many parts of Israel too.

The quake took place along a 1,500 kilometre fault line between the Arabia and Eurasia tectonic plates, a belt extending through western Iran and into northeastern Iraq, the US Geological Survey said.

A 5.7-magnitude earthquake near Iran's border with Turkmenistan in May killed two people, injured hundreds and caused widespread damage, state media reported.

The last major earthquake to strike Iran was a 2003 tremor in Bam, in the southeastern province of Kerman, which killed at least 31,000 people and flattened the city.
Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang and US President Donald Trump witnessed the signing in Hanoi

This deal, which is valued at $600 million at listing price, includes a 12-year EngineWise Fleet Management Program for Vietjets ten new-age aircrafts. The two companies have so far reached a trade turnover of $3.7 billion.

The signing took place at a ceremony in Hanoi yesterday and was attended by President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Tran Dai Quang and US President Donald Trump, along with officials from Vietjet and Pratt & Whitney.

We are delighted to add ten additional GTF-powered new aircrafts to our fleet. We look forward to the proven performance and environmental benefits that they deliver, said Dinh Viet Phuong, Vietjet vice president.

Since entering into service in early 2016, the GTF engine has demonstrated its promised ability to reduce fuel usage by 16 per cent, regulated emissions by 50 per cent, and noise footprint by 75 per cent.

We were honoured to celebrate a new relationship with VietJet last year, and we are thrilled to extend this relationship now and into the future, said Rick Deurloo, senior vice president of sales, marketing, and customer support at Pratt & Whitney.

Since commencing operations in 2011, Vietjet has become the Asia-Pacifics fastest growing low-cost carrier. It has been operating profitably since its second year of operation, with over 73 domestic and international routes and technical reliability rate of 99.6 per cent, the highest rate among the airlines in the region who operate the same aircraft model.

Thai Vietjet opens new route to Dalat Thai Vietjet has announced opening a new route from Bangkok to Dalat this December. After that, Vietjet Group and the Thai affiliate will operate a total of six direct routes between Thailand and Vietnam, including Bangkok to Hanoi and Haiphong and Ho Chi Minh City, and Dalat and Phuket and Chiang Mai to Ho Chi Minh City.

Vietjet Thailand unveils new aircraft On November 1, 2017 Vietjet Thailand held the Amazing Thailand Tourism Year 2018 Take-Off event to unveil its new aircraft delivery on the first day of The Amazing Thailand Tourism Year 2018 campaign.
Photo Exhibition features Vietnam (Source: VNA)

The November 9 event was attended by representatives from the Association of Czech Travel Agents, large travel companies in the countries like Cedok, Eximtour, Blue Style, Marco Polo who are members of the famtrips to Vietnam in October, and reporters from local media.

Vietnamese Ambassador to the Czech Republic Ho Minh Tuan affirmed that Vietnam boasts huge potential and strength to develop tourism thanks to its diversified art culture and cuisine together with a treasure trove of tourist attractions comprising eight UNESCO world heritage sites.

The Government is working to complete legislative system and set up an appropriate strategy to make tourism become a spearhead economic sector, he said, adding that the country welcomed 10 million international visitors in 2016 and the figure is expected to surge 25-30 percent to 13 million in 2017.

Tuan stressed that there are large room for Vietnam and the Czech Republic to promote tourism cooperation as the number of Vietnamese arrivals to the European country is still limited due to the Czech Republics halt on visa issuance for Vietnamese as well as shortage of direct flights and effective tourism promotion programmes.

He hoped that members of the Czech famtrips will play a crucial role in bolstering tourism cooperation between the two countries in the coming time.

Expressing their impression on their experiences in Vietnam, the delegates lauded Vietnams potential to develop tourism with stable socio-economic situation, competitive tourism costs and alluring tourism products.

Ales Ruzicka from the Czech radio station told Vietnam News Agency correspondents that Vietnam is a beautiful and safe country with friendly local people and a wide range of specialties.
Investors watch share prices on electric boards at the Bao Viet Securities Company in Ha Noi. - VNS Photo Viet Thanh

On the HCM Stock Exchange, the VN-Index expanded 2.9 per cent last week, closing Friday at 868.21 points. This is the sixth straight week of gains for the VN-Index with cumulative growth of 8.2 per cent since October 2.

Liquidity hit a record high since the establishment of the southern bourse with an average of 195.4 million shares worth over VND8.5 trillion (US$374.5 million) being traded per session.

However, like what happened in the previous weeks, trading focused on large-cap stocks, especially newly-listed Vincom Retail (VRE) and dairy giant Vinamilk (VNM) last week.

Vincom Retail debuted over 1.9 million shares on the HCM Stock Exchange on November 6. With a gain of nearly 27 per cent in the first trading week, the company became the seventh largest company, valued at VND82.4 trillion ($3.63 billion).

Trading on this stock mainly happened through put-through (negotiated) transactions. On November 7 alone, foreign traders bought nearly 410 million VRE shares worth more than VND16.6 trillion while selling 286.8 million shares worth VND10.9 trillion.

According to market analysts, VRE may be the new factor helping the VN-Index continue its gains in the coming trading weeks.

Meanwhile, its parent company VinGroup (VIC) also increased for four consecutive sessions, up 9.6 per cent for the week.

Dairy firm Vinamilk also had four growing sessions last week with gains of 12 per cent. Especially, it hit the ceiling price of 7 per cent growth on Friday thanks to news of the successful auction of 3.33 per cent of capital by the State Capital Investment Corporation on the same day.

Foreign traders paid over VND1 trillion to purchase a net 6.6 million Vinamilk shares on Friday.

According to Sai Gon-Ha Noi Securities JSC (SHS), money flows still concentrated mainly in the large-cap group, helping push up prices of these shares and thereby lifting the VN-Index to new peaks.

However, market divergence continued to happen, causing profit-seeking opportunities to shrink for a large number of investors, SHS analysts wrote in a note.

In general, the uptrend may continue over the next week but a cautious view in this period is necessary, they said, predicting the VN-Index can cross the psychological threshold of 870 points.

On the Ha Noi Stock Exchange, the HNX-Index also increased over 1.9 per cent last week, ending Friday at 106.37 points. Without the support of major blue chips, liquidity was modest with about 38 million shares worth VND465 billion being traded per session.

Oil stocks

Energy stocks had positive trades last week when major stocks including PV Gas (GAS), Petrolimex (PLX), PetroVietnam Drilling and Well Services (PVD) and PetroVietnam Technical Services (PVS) gained between 4.5-6.9 per cent each.

Their growth was mainly driven by continuous increases in global oil prices which extended to five consecutive weeks of gains amid fears of instability in the Middle East.

Two major commodities  West Texas Intermediate (WTI) and Brent  rose by more than 2 per cent last week.

According to observers, oil price hikes in recent weeks are due to efforts to cut production of major oil producers.

At the meeting of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) on November 30, producers are expected to extend their expiration agreement to March 2018. Meanwhile, US crude production is expected to rise to 9.2 million barrels a day this year and 10 million barrels a day next year.

Analysts predict positive development in the global oil market will likely support domestic oil stocks in the near future.

Besides the oil sector, banking and rubber stocks also increased substantially last week. Major stocks in these groups saw growth of 4-14 per cent.
Thousands in Puerto Rico still have no running water. That's making people sick
The Ministry for Heritage has announced that three new interpretation panels have been placed within our Old Town in order to provide information on our Medieval History, namely our Islamic and Spanish Periods.
Isola Hosts Funds and Fintech Seminars in Switzerland

The Minister for Financial Services, the Hon Albert Isola, last week hosted two Funds and Fintech seminars and held related meetings in Geneva and Lausanne, Switzerland.

The events, a breakfast seminar at the Hotel Metropole in Geneva and an afternoon presentation and reception at the Beau Rivage in Lausanne, were organised by logistics and marketing personnel from Gibraltar Finance in partnership with the Gibraltar Funds and Investments Association (GFIA).

A number of GFIA member firms and others attended the events including, Hassans, Isolas, Triay & Triay, Finsbury Trust, Atlantic Capital, Velay, Grant Thornton, Logistable, PWC, North Atlantic Trust and Argon Financial.

The presentations delivered by Minister Isola and GFIA representatives covered latest developments in financial services generally in Gibraltar, new funds legislation being developed and the new regulatory regime for Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) including Blockchain and related matters. The attendees from Switzerland comprised of asset managers, lawyers, accountants and individuals involved in these areas.

Minister Isola said, Switzerland has and continues to be one of our key markets and we were particularly keen to demonstrate our determination to be at the forefront of regulating cutting edge financial technology.

The Minister was accompanied by the Finance Centre Director James Tipping, Senior Executive Timothy Haynes and Mrs Joanne Martinez and Mrs Nyoka Catania from Gibraltar Finance.

Minister Isola returned to Gibraltar last Wednesday to attend to existing diary commitments and the Finance Centre Director represented him and spoke at a third event held in Zurich on the Thursday. Before returning to Gibraltar, the Minister was also a guest of a leading Geneva law firm at a private dinner.
Michael Shannon in Pottersville. Photo: SP Distribution

Youve gotta hand it to the trailer for the newly released motion picture Pottersville: The concluding title card of In Theaters on November 10 is not, technically, a lie. This past Friday, the new holiday comedy made its grand debut, but nowhere in my home of New York City  the nearest publicly available screening was slated for a small movie house in the hamlet of Hamilton, a lovely college town a couple hundred miles upstate. Hamiltons proudest distinction has to be hosting the campus of Colgate University, but they also happen to have provided the backdrop for the principal photography of Pottersville. Consider the fact that local government backed this project as part of a coordinated effort to establish northern New York as a hot spot for film productions, and this might start to make a little more sense.

Dinky little movies live and die in silence all the time, so inquiring parties may be wondering what makes this one worthy of note. While Pottersville has the humble production values of a tax-funded boondoggle, director Seth Henrikson somehow wrangled a cast of beloved character actors for one of the more perplexing, deranged films it has ever been my pleasure to witness. Call it a Christmas miracle or call it blackmail, but that sure is Michael Shannon, Judy Greer, and Ian McShane right there on the screen, Christmas-hamming it up for the amusement of an audience that does not exist. (The poster is a hastily Photoshopped sight to behold.) Seemingly made for $32, boasting a whos who of actors that deserve better work, and all but exhibited in private, it is now essentially the most extravagantly cast home movie ever made. My morbid fascination piqued, I managed to track down a digital screener and gave it a watch this weekend. A viewer walks away from the experience with a few burning questions, which Ive now posed below:

What does Michael Shannon think alcohol does to the human body?

Academy Award nominee and red-carpet sensation Michael Shannon steps in for Pottersvilles lead role of kindly shop proprietor Maynard, the kind of swell who cant help but let a financially struggling mom make her purchases on credit. Hes pretty much George Bailey, but paired with the intense, unsettling visage of Michael Shannon. That generous streak  along with the dag-blasted economy, a Big Theme this film seems aware of in a vague, far-off sense  has left him in dire fiscal straits of his own, and all it takes is one bad day to drive him off the deep end.

The plot gets up and running when Maynard tucks into a bottle of hooch and starts wandering around town in a gorilla costume, as one does. If you read that sentence and thought, Hmm, Id have to be really, really drunk to dress up like an ape and start galavanting around my hometown, then Michael Shannons right there with you. At least, thats my only guess as to why he goes so far over the top that the top is barely visible to him as a pinprick from his gods-eye-view in the acting stratosphere. He plays his stupor as if alcohol contained a potent combination of psychedelics and sedatives, like hes a high-schooler who once had a glass of Champagne at their uncles wedding and now must make his best approximation of drunkenness. Its documented fact that hes not only a better actor than this, but a better drinker, and so the only remaining explanation would be that hes going for irony to compensate for the goofy script.

But what sort of day could be bad enough to drive Maynard to this dark night of the soul, and why would he go for the monkey suit? Both questions have the same answer.

Who is handling Christina Hendrickss career?

Hands down and without question, the most puzzling, disturbing sequence of the film is the one early on, when Maynard decides to come home early to surprise his wife, only to find her in flagrante delicto. The unexpected part is that shes wearing a bunny costume, and her man-piece is sporting a wolf getup. The really unexpected part hits when they pop off their heads and reveal that Christina Hendricks and Ron Perlman both agreed to be in this film.

In the years since Mad Men brought its run to a conclusion, Hendricks should have shot to the top of the A-list. Her stint as long-suffering secretary turned executive Joan Holloway proved that she wields an extensive arsenal of emotion, as she slid between cooing seduction and fiery anger, sometimes in the course of a single scene. But scan her filmography since 2015 and youll find Zoolander 2, Bad Santa 2 (in which she defines the term felching), a bit part in Nicolas Winding Refns latest, and dead-on-arrival studio comedy Fist Fight. At least shes been reliably hilarious on TVs Another Period, but still, its the same brand of sophomoric comedy. Its entirely possible that Christina Hendricks just has a strange and extremely specific sense of humor shes intent on pursuing, but it would make more sense to picture her and her agent in a sort of Brian WilsonEugene Landy situation.

Her role in Pottersville drags this recent streak to its nadir. Her character makes not a lick of sense, hysterically crying from inside a bunny suit that shes just so bored! and so she had to strike up a furry affair with the local sheriff! She seemingly exists to be mocked and to serve as a delivery system for various jokes about furries. And there are a lot of jokes about furries.

Has writer Daniel Meyer been wronged in some way by the furry community?

It would not be entirely inaccurate to describe Pottersville as a film centrally about furries, or at least more interested in the furry lifestyle than in Christmas. Maynard catching his wife red-handed  er, red-pawed  is just the beginning, as we soon learn that the town plays unwitting host to a thriving furry underground of approximately 35 members. The leader insists that their biweekly meet-ups are not sexual in nature, but much like the asexual computer repair from Nathan for You, denying it comes off as more suspicious than having said nothing at all. Judging from their portrayal in the film as conniving, unfaithful oddballs, Pottersville screenwriter Daniel Meyer doesnt hold the furry community in very high esteem.

In a production where everyones got that dead-eyed wheres my check? sort of look, Meyer may be the only one approaching this film as a personal project. The films baffling fixation on furry culture must be the result of some long-buried past trauma; Meyers working through something personal here, perhaps a girlfriend who kicked him to the curb for a strapping raccoon, or maybe a mother who ran away with a sexy hedgehog. These are the unanswerable mysteries of Pottersville, riddles only to be unraveled in the inevitable ten-year oral history.

Why arent there more erotically charged Christmas movies?

Instrumental as furries may be to this film, Christmas still factors in significantly. The story plays out during Yuletide, and the holiday spirit fuels every convoluted turn of the plot. This is a notable  valuable, even  film in that it does not let a commitment to spreading seasonal cheer get in the way of incorrigible horniness. Theres gotta be something in the water around Pottersville, because everyone in town, except for sweetly clueless Maynard, is down to clown. Judy Greer portrays a reserved helper at Maynards shop, and spends most of her time gazing longingly at a man who has the face of Michael Shannon. Pretty much every word that comes out of Hendrickss mouth relates to her eager furry experimentation. (Her first lines spoken to Thomas Lennon  who portrays a reality-TV personality with a fake Australian accent but only because, you know what, actually, dont worry about it  are gauging whether he might be interested in a little role play.)

This amounts to one bizarre juxtaposition with the schmaltzy sentimentality of the Christmas season, what with its wholesome emphasis on peace and goodwill. The final scene of the film attempts to have its cake and fuck it too, as the townspeople all band together to save Maynards shop through the spirit of good Christian generosity, while Maynard breaks it off with his perfidious wife so she may go and explore her most exotic sexual desires unencumbered by marriage. Its kind of like the last scene of Its a Wonderful Life, but the porn version.

Who, exactly, is this film for?

Only five people have logged Pottersville on movie-diary site Letterboxd. Im one of them, a colleague who took on the review assignment for Indiewire is another, and a third professes not to have actually seen the film. That means at least two people have watched this motion picture of their own volition (one of whom left the simple review of holy crap) and even that seems like a lot. Like Thomas Kinkades paintings, Pottersville is almost sickeningly saccharine, but like Thomas Kinkades personal life, it has been marred by a streak of queasy sexual deviancy. Its too mawkish for full-grown adults, and too full of people trying to bang in fur suits for children. The advertising tries to play Henriksens film off as family-friendly, and maybe thats true. This would probably receive a glowing reception on Bates family movie night.

Henriksen has succeeded in creating a film that is fundamentally incapable of being liked. In this respect, Pottersville is rare. Trash aficionados spend their whole lives rooting around in cinematic dumpsters for those orphaned Z-movies that hit the so bad its good sweet spot, but those pursuits often end up somewhere closer to the no-mans-land of so bad its boring. Pottersville occupies an entirely separate plane. Appraising this like any other work of art proves ineffective; aesthetic and narrative criteria have no use here. These 80 short minutes provide a window into a banal sort of madness removed from the full-bore insanity of the great disasterpieces. Its not a movie. Its Exhibit A.
Photo: Netflix

Alias Grace is a mystery story, and its end offers us a solution. The central question is whether Grace Marks was responsible for murdering her employer Thomas Kinnear and his housekeeper Nancy Montgomery. The answer? Yes and no. In the last episode, Grace undergoes hypnosis and appears to fall into a semiconscious state. Gathered observers hear a new voice come from her lips, and her words are suddenly cruel, abrupt, and vulgar. Grace, we learn, seems to have a multiple personality disorder. Sometimes shes Grace Marks, an innocent maid; sometimes shes Mary Whitney, the vengeful spirit of Graces deceased friend. Grace is not responsible for the murders. Mary Whitney is the perpetrator.

The solution fits neatly into Alias Graces thematic design. The mini-series, much like the Margaret Atwood novel, uses quilting as a dominant metaphor for all kinds of ideas: female labor, domesticity, patchwork pieces that fit together to make a bigger picture, symbolic images, and how to tell a story. Its appropriate that Graces own mind would be made up of separate pieces, and that the solution to the mystery would only be visible when you step back and look at all the discrete parts that make up who she is.

Maybe Grace Marks does have multiple personalities. Perhaps Mary Whitneys soul did enter Graces body after death, whispering, Let me in, and has been living there ever since. Maybe Grace really does suffer from amnesia and has no memory of committing the crimes, or of what happened in the missing periods of her life.

Or maybe the whole thing is nonsense.

Perhaps Grace and Jeremiah made up the Mary Whitney hypnosis performance together. We know Jeremiahs whole Dr. Jerome DuPont identity is a ruse. Mesmerism pays better than being a peddler, and thats the only reason hes doing it. How do we know he and Grace didnt concoct the whole Mary Whitney performance to suggest her innocence and bolster his career in one fell swoop?

Or maybe even more of the story is fabricated. Part of what makes the multiple-personality solution so appealing is the moment when Mary Whitney produces the all-important clue, astonishing Dr. Jordan and the viewer. Hypnotized, describing the crime as it happened, Whitneys voice tells the witnesses about strangling Montgomerys throat with a handkerchief. Her handkerchief. Its the handkerchief, in other words, that once belonged to Mary Whitneys mother, the same item Mary gave Grace for Christmas years before. Its so satisfying to have the clue appear in front of us like that. That click of recognition feels so rewarding. But the only reason we know about the handkerchief at all  the only reason we know about Mary Whitney at all  is because Grace Marks told us about her.

Most of the mini-series follows Graces life, including her childhood and all the events that led up to the murders. Except we dont get that story from the unbiased view that we use to watch Dr. Jordan when hes at home with his landlady. Graces entire story happens from within the frame of Graces voice-over; everything we know about Grace comes out of what she chooses to tell Dr. Jordan. Whos to say anything she tells him actually happened? How can we know if Mary Whitney even existed, or if shes entirely a figment of Graces imagination? (Conveniently, Mrs. Alderman Parkinson is dead, so Dr. Jordan never follows up to verify that part of Graces story.) Whos to say if any of the abuse Grace claims ever happened?

In the novel, the idea of Grace as an unreliable narrator of her own life feels closer to the surface: Its all written in the first person, and theres a disorienting lack of dialogue markers in her narration. Were primed to take everything she says with a grain of salt; everything she says feels uncertain, as though its built on shifting ground. Her thoughts and her spoken words all blend together, and it can be easy to lose track of whats real and whats imagined. In the show, though, its harder to remember that Grace might be making it all up. As viewers, were less trained to doubt something we watch with our own eyes unless its being actively undermined with noticeable visual clues. (Think Mr Robot, Legion, or a show like The Affair that gives us multiple versions of the same events.) The show doesnt prepare us to be on the lookout for narrative trickery.

But the possibility that Grace has been an unreliable narrator all along is absolutely alive in Mary Harron and Sarah Polleys adaptation. For one, the patchwork visual language of Graces story  all the bits and pieces that get intercut into her narrative, like Nancys death and Mary Whitneys life  suggests that were watching Grace tell her own story, not some omniscient, unbiased perspective. How else would we see those interrupting clips of an apple peel falling onto the floor, if not through Graces perspective? Where else would the eerie image of Nancy come from, with her forehead slowly opening like an overripe peach?

Most crucially, Grace herself tells us that we have no reason to trust what she says. Maybe the most honest, trustworthy thing Grace tells Dr. Jordan comes at the end of the series, in the letter she writes him after marrying Jamie Walsh. Walsh is kind to her, she says, but hes strangely preoccupied with what happened in her past. He likes to picture the suffering I have endured, she tells Dr. Jordan. He listens to it all like a child listening to a fairy tale. In order to satisfy his interest, she does the same thing for Walsh as she did for Jordan: I may have changed some of the details of my stories to suit what I thought you wanted to hear. It did make me feel I was of some use in this world. Grace knows shes unreliable, and she knows shes lying. Shes performing for an audience. And shes good at it.

In spite of her admission of unreliability, Alias Grace is not suggesting we should doubt Graces past, that we should brand her a liar and write her off, or that everything shes said has been false. In fact, the ending is barely even focused on Graces honesty, or on her innocence. The series final question is why, exactly, watching a woman in pain is something we find entertaining. What do we want from Grace Marks? What version of her life would we find most appalling, most spectacular, most unusual or alarming or remarkable? How can she perform in a way that will make her  a lowly, uneducated, poor, single housemaid  even visible to a wealthy, educated doctor? What would the life of a 19th-century housemaids life have to look like in order for us, her viewers, to find it interesting?

Alias Grace is a remarkable story. We dont know if Grace Marks killed Thomas Kinnear and Nancy Montgomery. But we do know at least one party being indicted for something they deserve  its us, the viewers. The charge is complete disinterest in womens lives unless theyre salacious and sensational. We are definitely guilty.
Photo: HBO

Before heading into a longer segment focused on President Trump, John Oliver recapped the weeks news last night and, as some late-night hosts did on their Thursday-night shows, included a brief swipe at Louis C.K. The New York Times reported Louis C.K.s gross sexual misconduct, Oliver said. Which is completely indefensible, and which inevitably resulted in the cancellation of his new film, Exhibit A If This Ever Goes to Trial. Oliver was referring to C.K.s I Love You, Daddy, which was dropped by its distributor. The film includes a scene in which a comedian mimes masturbation in an eerie echo of the sexual misconduct allegations against the comedian, which he has said are true.

After such lighthearted fare, Oliver launched into an in-depth discussion of how Trump has changed the norms surrounding the presidency. What a way to kick off the week.
I suspect that most of us who had a Dave phase will always look back fondly on our time with him, and the world of dancing nancies and tripping billies he conjured before we were self-aware enough to disavow them. Photo: Francesco Prandoni/Redferns/Getty Images

This essay originally ran in November 2017 around the release of Lady Bird. Were running it again today in light of Dave Matthews Bands controversial exclusion from the 2020 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class, despite winning the Fan Vote by over 1 million votes.

In the year 2000, it was certainly lost on me that Crash Into Me was about a stalker. I didnt have cable, so I wouldnt have seen Dave Matthews say as much on a 1999 episode of VH1 Storytellers. What I had was a CD copy of Dave Matthews Bands 1996 album Crash, along with the liner notes and lyrics printed out clear as daylight: Oh I watch you there through the window and I stare at you / wear nothing but you wear it so well. It probably didnt read as stalker to me because in high school every romance begins with an act of stalking; behavior like scrawling someones name on your belongings or following them home even though its not on your way are still socially acceptable acts. I figured that this lady Dave is singing about lives next door to him, and she knows he has a crush on her, and she kind of likes it. They flirt from afar, and its very sexy and adult, a grown-up version of Taylor Swifts You Belong to Me video.

I doubt it would ever dawn on Lady Bird, the titular heroine of Greta Gerwigs directorial debut, that the song is about stalking, either. I thought it was a really romantic song when I was a teenager, Gerwig told Noreen Malone in New Yorks profile of her last month. I couldnt imagine a world in which a guy would feel that way about me. Even those who have not yet had the delight of seeing Greta Gerwigs Lady Bird are probably already aware of its use of Crash Into Me, a song which has become a punch line even among people who at one time found themselves swept away by it. Gerwigs use of it is the best kind of revivification of a maligned artifact  at once sincere and knowing, and ultimately genuinely emotional. It is a song by a band that most would not admit to liking even as an adult trading embarrassing high-school anecdotes, which is why its use in this specific, intimate coming-of-age tale is so perfect.

In 2002 and 2003, the years that the film takes place, the song is at least six years old. Theres no mention of Napster in Lady Bird, but the possibilities opened up by file-sharing is an inescapable part of any early-aughts narrative about finding ones self. Thats at least how I, a one-time Dave Matthews devotee, can now make sense of the two or so years I was immersed in his music, which I listened to alongside random J-pop acts and the Human League and anything else that piqued my interest as a potential building block of my personality, with little regard for their currency or supposed relevance to my generation. In Lady Bird, the protagonist is a Sondheim aficionado who also has Sleater-Kinney and Bikini Kill stickers on her wall. Nothing is as tidy as it was for, say, the kids in John Carneys Sing Street, who are singularly, monolithically influenced by the New Wave bands of the time.

But my DMB phase was decidedly analog, borne of terrestrial radio and live shows. My most formative Dave Matthews Bandrelated memory is also the moment my fandom for them came to an abrupt end. In the summer between my sophomore and junior year of high school I begged and borrowed for a ticket to their concert at Soldier Field in Chicago; my friends mom drove us three hours for an overnight trip to see them. Our seats were high and to the left of the stage; with little visibility and horrible acoustics the majority of my first and last Dave Matthews concert were Dave Matthews fans: loud frat boys and scary neo-hippies, the cloud of pot smoke they generated, the flowing beer I could not drink. With a kind of violent jolt I realized that these were not my people. I remember my friend being terribly disrespectful to his mom during the trip despite her willingness to chaperone, and feeling sad and disinclined to grow up if this was what it was going to be like.

But thats kind of ironic, in retrospect, because my enjoyment of the sound and feeling of Dave Matthews Bands music was so thoroughly wrapped up in an idea of grown-upness. It sounded like the kind of free jazz, semi-world music that would be at the kinds of folk-art festivals my mom would take me to as a child; but it was not my moms music, it was mine. Listening to Dave Matthews Band transported me to a world of Zen bon vivant bohemia that couldnt be more removed from the awkward, anxious realities of adolescence, but which I aspired to nonetheless. My Crash Into Me, the DMB song into which I poured all my feelings of longing and unrequited love (about my gay theater crush, it turned out) was Crush, off 1998s Before These Crowded Streets. I laughed out loud when I listened to it again recently; with its smooth sax and seductive bass line, it sounds exactly like a tweens idea of late-night adult feelings. Its also still terribly romantic to me. In the climactic reprise, Matthews sings I mean to tell you all the things Ive been thinking / Deep inside, my friend / Each moment, the more I love you. So yes, like Crash Into Me, there couldnt be a better soundtrack for a 14-year-olds pining.

What must my mom thought of me, a freshman in high school, jamming to this wine-and-ganja music, requesting a specific DMB shirt off their online store for Christmas? I feel like at one point I played their Live at Red Rocks cover of All Along the Watchtower for her, trying to find some connectivity between her music and mine. (I dont think she was very impressed.) But by the next year, I had fully transitioned into my emo phase; the smooth sax and Kronos Quartet cameos had been replaced by young midwestern men howling about the women who had destroyed them. I had learned to tolerate the smell of marijuana, and to remove my DMB CDs from my shelf. I imagine that, thanks to the internet, the cycle of picking up and dropping the music that one wears like a sign, to attract the right people and keep the wrong people out, has only accelerated since 2003. But I suspect that most of us who had a Dave phase will always look back fondly on our time with him, and the world of dancing nancies and tripping billies he conjured before we were self-aware enough to disavow them.
Vulture Festival L.A. is being held at the Hollywood Roosevelt November 18 and 19. Tickets are available for Good One podcast live with special guest Paul Feig and the Clone High reunion, in which Will Forte is participating.

The legend goes that audiences in the 1920s found Charlie Chaplins dinner roll scene so funny that theyd make the projectionist stop the film and play it again. A similar thing happened to me the first time I saw MacGruber. Two thirds of the way through the movie, the film has a extremely stupid, hilarious sex scene that is followed by another sex scene thats even more stupid and more hilarious. And I couldnt believe it. I had to watch again. In the Apatowian 21st century where sex scenes seemingly are only used for comedy, nothing tops MacGruber.

This scene is the subject of this weeks episode of Good One, Vultures podcast about jokes and those who tell them. In the conversation, Will Forte discusses how both shoots were disgusting and uncomfortable in their own special ways. He also gives the most definitive answer yet that a second MacGruber will happen. Listen to the episode and read an excerpt from the talk below. Tune in to Good One every Monday on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Were the sex scenes in the original draft?

They were in the original draft. We knew Maya was going to be Casey and we had the idea for her getting blown up at our wedding, and we knew there had to be this tension between Kristen and I that suddenly blossomed. And I had an idea that I wanted to do those gross orgasm sounds. I had done this show called Campus Ladies with my friends from Groundlings, Christen Sussin and Carrie Aizley and they had an orgasm scene in there, so they said, Make the dumbest noises, and I did that. I asked if it was okay for me to steal from that, and they said it was totally cool.

The opening credits note that MacGruber is a skilled lover. Are we supposed to believe hes good at sex?

In the beginning scene where you first find me in the monastery, we wanted to pan around the room, but it was our second day of shooting and we couldnt get it in time. There was this painting  thats now in my living room  of me with the tiniest, tiny penis. A self-portrait that MacGruber did. That was supposed to be part of it! Hes good and bad all at the same time. Hes probably very, very bad, but just the perfect amount of bad for Vicki.

What was shooting the Kristen scene like?

We were in Albuquerque and it was the middle of August. It was the upstairs of the house, and you cant have the air conditioner on for sound reasons. Also, they had a bunch of lights they were trying to use to light it properly, so it was double hot in there. In that kind of situation, if I start making any kind of movement, Im a sweaty person, so I just start to sweat. I could hold it together if I was just sitting around, but with this, it was one or two thrusts and I was immediately lathered in sweat. I felt so bad for her because there was no place to go! Shes pinned beneath me! It was her birthday, by the way. When we were going through editing, there were so many takes with these huge beads of sweat, like if King Kong was sweating on her. She would just get pelted with them and between every take thered just be sweaty pieces of hair all over her! Since it was her birthday, they sent her off to Santa Fe for the weekend and got her a nice spa package.

What do you remember from shooting the scene with Maya?

A lot of interesting stuff went down in that cemetery that night. Number one, Maya Rudolph was maybe eight-and-a-half-months pregnant, so Im just thrusting into this baby bump! I feel so bad for that child. There were certain positions that were very hard for a pregnant woman, so we had, for some of the really wide shots, a body double. Its very weird to be naked when theres just a little coin purse over your penis and testicles. And its weird to be thrusting into one of your longtime friends! Its also weird to be thrusting into a complete stranger. And then its also weird to be thrusting into the open air!

Oh, and there was a point before we started where I turned around and saw Lorne with a camera trying to take a picture. I dont know when it was, but whenever we were doing press, I asked Lornes assistant if she would send me the picture he took so I could tell the story about turning around and seeing him trying to take a picture of me naked. She sent me like, 20 pictures! He likes my body! What can I say?

In comedy, you shoot more than you can use. Was there a much longer version of this? Were there different parts than what ended up onscreen?

There were probably lines we cut. Im always the guy pushing for the super-long version, so it was a real negotiation between the three of us, just trying to figure out what the right length should be. It would always be measured in pumps. We couldnt stop talking about pumps. I even feel like after test screenings, Id be like, Maybe we should remove two pumps. It wouldnt be one pump. It was a rhythm thing. So it was always adding two pumps, or taking away two pumps. Ive never used the word pumps so many times!

Were there any other debates about what should be kept in or taken out between the three of you?

The main fight that we had in editing was something that happens at the end of the cemetery scene. I grab my stuff and shes like, Go to Casey, tell her how you feel, and then I say, Casey, one more thing, and shes gone. During all the test screenings, we would just have me go, Thanks! which I like as well. But I did a take we always wanted to try out, and for some reason, Jorma kept forgetting to put it in. At this point, we were back in production at SNL, so he was still doing the final editing and we couldnt be in there like we used to be. We kept getting mad at him because we wanted him to try it. The thing was just, Casey, one more thing and then I turn around and shes gone, and then I have a little smile and I go, Smell ya later! It was so loving, but he thought it sounded disrespectful. I was like, No, Im saying it to a person I very obviously love! It was the closest we came to a fight, and obviously it was a playful fight.

The original draft was famously at least 177 pages. You were probably just like, Lets write this funny scene and figure it out later. Do you remember anything that was cut?

Yes. Theres a scene where, if we ever do a second one, we might do. He goes to see his dad and finds out that his name was actually MacGruder, with a D. Hes like, Ive been telling everybody my name is MacGruber! So, the rest of the movie wed have people going MacGruber! No, its MacGruder. Its a long story. At the end, we even actually got takes where, after the final explosion when I go, Classic MacGruber, we did do a Classic MacGruder  oh, MacGruber, MacGruber, with a B.

Speaking of a sequel, I know you started working on a script in some capacity. Would it still be an action parody or would you put MacGruber in a different situation?

God. It would probably be similar but we have talked about, Do we just pattern it after Mr. Hollands Opus this time? Really, we would be making this movie not because of popular demand. Were making this movie because we loved spending time with each other and its fun. So its really like, What makes us laugh? That was the thing about the first one. Not saying a lot of people liked it, but the people who did like it knew it was because it was not compromised in any way. They let us do whatever we wanted to, essentially. Wed want that same situation where we could really just go bonkers.

Are there any conversations about where or how youd actually get the movie made? Or is it like, We want to make this thing and well figure that out once we get there?

There are situations. This movie could get made. If we can write a script, this movie will get made. It is my opinion. Though, I thought that Hillary Clinton was going to win the election, so what do I know?
Frances McDormand. Photo: Merrick Morton/Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation.

With In Bruges, Seven Psychopaths, and now Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, Martin McDonagh has given us some of the funniest dialogue ever put to film. Hes also one of the deftest screenwriters in the business when it comes to deploying profanities and crude language. Here, we present some of the writer-directors best  and filthiest  lines.

From Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri:

On billboard etiquette:

 Whats the law on what you can and cannot say on a billboard? I assume you cant say nothing defamatory and you cant say fuck, piss, or cunt. That right?

 Or anus?

On being interrupted:

You goddamn asshole, Im in the middle of my goddamn Easter dinner.

On provenance:

 I checked it out in the book.

 What book, genius?

 Book called suck my ass, its none of your business.

On zoo employees:

Hes still shacked up with a chick smells of shit, though I dont know if it has anything to do with the zoo. Though Id hope so.

On taking sides:

 Why are you never on my side?

 I am on your side, when youre not being a cunt.

 There will be no more cunts in this house.

 What, are you moving out?

On afternoon delight:

 That was a real nice day. That was a real nice fuck. You got a real nice cock, Mr. Willoughby.

 Is that from a play? You got a real nice cock, Mr. Willoughby. I think I heard that in a Shakespeare one time.

On ongoing cases:

This doesnt put an end to shit, you fucking retard, this is just the fucking start. Why dont you put that on your Good Morning, Missouri fucking wake-up broadcast, bitch?

On misconceptions:

Youre a decent man. I know you dont think I think that, but I do, dipshit.

From Seven Psychopaths:

On relationship troubles:

 I dont remember doing anything to piss her off.

 Dont worry about it, shes probably pissed at you not for anything specific, more because, you know, shes a fucking bitch.

 Shes not a fucking bitch. Shes just got issues.

 Yeah, shes got issues, shes got being a fucking bitch issues.

On alcoholism:

 I dont have a drinking problem, I just like drinking.

 Of course you do. One, youre a writer. Two, youre from Ireland. Its part of your heritage. Youre fucked.

 Fuck off! Seriously, just fuck off, now, Im not in the fucking mood!

 Youre fucked, from birth!

On not snitching:

I dont know who you are, or why youre here, and I dont know if you do know where the shih tzu is or if you dont know where the shih tzu is, but either way, have some pride in yourself. Have some faith in Jesus Christ as your lord and savior, and dont tell these scum-sucking motherfuckers nothing.

On physical intimacy:

 Youre still screwing that mafia guy. God knows what shit that pricks giving you.

 Get the fuck off me!

 I didnt mean AIDS or nothin, honey. Honey, I meant like chlamydia or something.

On observing violence:

You! Youre there. Youre just there to observe, and thats alright! Nobody think youre a pussy.

On frustrating circumstances:

 Well, thats just fucking great. Oh, great! You know what that is? Dyou know what that is?

 Great?

 Thats just fucking great!

On hypocrisy:

This guy just telephoned a psycho killer to come down and psycho kill us. And this guys doubting a lifelong belief in the afterlife because of a psychedelic cactus he just ate. And you motherfuckers are telling me to behave?

On comparing misfortune:

Whats with your sour fucking puss? I couldve just killed you, now, couldnt I? Yeah, youve had your friend killed, and youre just about to have your other friend killed, but that still only makes two friends killed. Ive had four of my guys killed, and also my girlfriend killed, who I didnt like much, but thats still five friends killed. Thats three more friends killed than youve had friends killed, so dont give me that moan-y fucking face, okay?

On writing a screenplay:

I know you said, dream sequences are for fags, but I think it could work, dont you? We all kinda dream, dont we? Not just fags. By the way, I dont think they like being called fags anymore. I think nowadays, they prefer homos.

From In Bruges:

On Bruges:

 Bruges is a shithole.

 Bruges is not a shithole.

 Bruges is a shithole.

 Weve only just got off the fucking train. Could we reserve judgment on Bruges until weve seen the fucking place?

 I know its going to be a shithole.

On missing appointments:

Number one, why arent you in when I fucking told you to be in? Number two, why doesnt this hotel have phones with fucking voicemail and not I have to leave messages with the fucking receptionist? Number three, you better fucking be in tomorrow night when I fucking call again or therell be fucking hell to pay, Im fucking telling you.

On sightseeing:

 Im gonna go up in the queue and touch it, which is what you do. Are you coming?

 Do I have to?

 Do you have to? Of course you dont have to. Its Jesus fucking blood, isnt it? Of course you dont fucking have to. Of course you dont fucking have to.

On art:

I quite like this one. All the rest are rubbish by spastics, but this ones quite good.

On arguments:

 Fucking unbelievable.

 Whats fucking unbelievable?

 You talking to me?

 He pauses, even though he should just hit the cunt, and he repeats: Yes, I am talking to you. Whats fucking unbelievable?

On Bruges (part two):

Its a fairytale fucking town, isnt it? How can a fairytale town not be somebodys fucking thing? How can all those canals, and bridges, and cobblestone streets, and those churches, and all that beautiful fucking fairytale stuff  how can that not be somebodys fucking thing? Is the swan still there? How can fucking swans not fucking be somebodys fucking thing?

On phones:

 Its an inanimate fucking object.

 Youre an inanimate fucking object!

On depression:

Hes suicidal? Im suicidal, youre suicidal, everybodys fucking suicidal, we dont all keep going on about it. Has he killed himself yet? No. So hes not fucking suicidal, is he?

On personal character:

 Lets face it  and Im not being funny, I mean no disrespect. But youre a cunt. Youre a cunt now, youve always been a cunt. And the only thing thats gonna change, is that youre gonna become an even bigger cunt. Maybe have some more cunt kids.

 Leave my kids fucking out of it. What have they done? You fucking retract that bit about my cunt fucking kids.

 I retract that bit about your cunt fucking kids.

On nonviolence:

 Oh, like Im not gonna do nothing to you just because youre standing about like Robert fucking Powell?

 Like who?

 Like Robert fucking Powell, like Jesus of fucking Nazareth.
An announcement: I have decided to have literally zero sympathy for Claires Im not sure if we belong together hot takes. You have literally been drawn to each other VIA MAGIC across CENTURIES. You need to just accept it and work on your trust issues, girl. If anyone is destined to be together, its you and Jamie.

Jamie and Claire seem rather chill about embarking for the West Indies on a VERY small ship in pursuit of Young Ian, whos about to be sold into servitude by the Portuguese, or something. Comfortingly, we are informed that the kid is probably worth a whole 30 pounds, so as long as he doesnt Make Trouble, they wont hurt him. You may be thinking, Oh my God, what is Jenny going to say about this? but Jamie has wisely decided to just send a letter back to Lallybroch and let that whole thing take care of itself.

Jamies official position on the ship is supercargo, which is not the name of an Autobot so much as an actual thing. Hes got some hometown support from well-wishers from his prison days, too.

One of those well-wishers, unfortunately, is our lad Fergus, who has brought along his BRAND-NEW BRIDE, Marsali! That would be Laoghaires daughter, who, for the record, looks exactly like her. In a tremendously shocking turn of events, she thinks Claire is a whore and probably a witch. She and Fergus are not really married yet, having handfasted but not consummated their union, so Jamie decides to be the youthful sex police. But we dont have time for that right now.

As the episode opened, I thought to myself, Hmm, obviously everyone will have major issues with Claire that she will eventually overcome by drilling holes in someones skull or diagnosing diabetes, but what form will those objections take? Will Claire:

A) Just generally be a problem as a human woman on a ship, as sailors are a notoriously superstitious lot?

B) Try to invent feminism?

C) Try to interfere with someone getting flogged* and result in a whole True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle situation?

D) Do something excessively witchy, as she CONTINUALLY forgets that her weird futuristic ways come off as witchy?

(*Its not a naval vessel so apparently they cannot actually flog anyone, ruining my plan to call this recap Rum, Sodomy, and the Lash.)

To be fair to Claire, could Jamie have maybe taken ten minutes to prep her for any of this? And maybe not full-on make out with her in front of the crew? He KNOWS that she runs her mouth 24 hours a day and has never had a thought she didnt immediately share with everyone in her immediate vicinity. As it turns out, things get bananas so quickly (and from such unexpected directions) that Claire barely pings on the crews paranoia register. This voyage has all the bells and whistles, including a nice-enough captain who quotes Shakespeare and goes along with all the superstitions to keep the crew functioning. (Claire: Believing something doesnt make it real!)

Unfortunately, another thing this voyage has is a set of chimes the sound guys play whenever Yi Tien Cho (a.k.a. Mr. Willoughby) shows up. Gary Young puts his whole butt into the role, to his credit, and so far hes an improvement on the his counterpart from the novel (no foot fetish! score!) but its a lot of mystical junk so far and doesnt fill me with a ton of confidence for how well the Jamaican plotline will go. Period dramas are never sure how to handle people of color, and the usual lets just be super-weird around it method is on full alert so far. If the show werent tracking a very long series of novels very closely, Im confident they would have bypassed the entire West Indies sojourn and stuck to Anglo-Scottish skullduggery, but there they are and here we are and well see how it goes.

An extended period of time in the doldrums, resulting in the near-murder of a scapegoat crewmember, Yi Tien Cho gets a chance to flex his ability to read a room (a skill, as we know, that Claire has never acquired). Having spotted a particular seabird flying low enough to suggest a pressure change, he tells a very elaborate and flowery and What Would Edward Said Make of This story to the crew, distracting them from their pitchforks and torches just long enough for the wind to fill their sails and everyone to perk up.

This only gives us enough time for a very brief sexual encounter between Jamie and Claire  Jamies seasickness having been cured by acupuncture  before our next external obstacle to their union comes a callin. Were still very grateful for it, since shes been sharing a cabin with an extremely unenthused Marsali in a pointless attempt to keep that girl a virgin.

That aforementioned obstacle, a British man owar, is riddled with typhoid and in desperate need of a ships surgeon. Claire, having been vaccinated, is not worried for her own well-being, so she scoots right over to deliver her orders about boiling water and getting the sick dudes up on deck and so on and so forth  just as the ship sails off with her still on it. Weve got ourselves an old-fashioned legal kidnapping! All those things we learned about impressment in high school finally paid off. (Im not actually sure they can impress a woman, but lets not get all hung up on the details.)

HOW WILL OUR LOVERS FIND EACH OTHER AGAIN? Will they reunite in the New World? Is Young Ian okay? Should we just start calling him Ian because we may not loop back to Scotland for a few more years? Sounds like a plan to me.
Photo: Nicola Dove/Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation.

There was a time when fussy Belgian detective Hercule Poirot, the creation of English novelist Agatha Christie, was so famous that his death warranted an obituary. You read that correctly: A fictional characters final appearance (in the novel Curtain in September 1975), was given an obituary in the New York Times. Poirot, who first appeared in Christies 1920 novel The Mysterious Affair at Styles, was so prominent in popular culture that Thomas Last wrote, His death was confirmed by Dodd, Mead, Dame Agathas publishers, who will put out Curtain, the novel that chronicles his last days, on Oct. 15.

The fastidious sleuth is now returning to the public eye in the form of Kenneth Branagh, with his adaptation of one of Christies most famous mysteries, Murder on the Orient Express. Over the course of a nearly 100-year career, Poirot has appeared in various forms, such as radio drama, theater (played by Charles Laughton), anime (where he was joined by Christies other sleuth, Miss Marple), video games, television, and, of course, film.

Poirots screen history spans over 85 years, and hes been played by ten actors whose performances have ranged from deferential to parodic. (Well only be ranking nine of the actors, as the work of theater actor Austin Trevor, the first man to ever play Poirot onscreen, is lost. You can, however, see a very brief clip of him from 1935s Lord Edgware Dies, in the documentary profiling David Suchet called Being Poirot.) For the purpose of this suspect list, the actors will be evaluated on how well they measure up to the hallmarks of Poirots character: fastidiousness (as Poirots Watson, Captain Hastings, says of his preference for cleanliness in The Mysterious Affair at Styles, I believe a speck of dust would have caused him more pain than a bullet wound); mustache (upward curled, writes Christie in Murder on the Orient Express); little grey cells (how he regularly refers to his shrewd intuition); voice (hes Belgian, but constantly corrects people for mistakenly thinking him French); walk (a rapid, mincing gait, with his feet tightly and painfully enclosed within his patent leather boots, writes Christie in Halloween Party); and general appearance (a little man with enormous mustaches, writes Christie in Murder, with an egg-shaped head). In other words, the man who plays Poirot onscreen should be the epitome of refinement and intelligence  and more than a little quirky.

9. Andrew Sachs, Revenge of the Pink Panther, 1978

Andrew Sachs is perhaps best known for his role as the bumbling Spanish hotel staffer, Manuel, in the Britcom Fawlty Towers, created by John Cleese and Connie Booth. The role hasnt really aged well, as a good portion of the jokes are racist stereotypes about his inability to understand English. However gifted Sachs was as a comedian, Manuel comes off as broad and caricaturish, which is also true of Sachss Poirot. He appears in Blake Edwardss Revenge of the Pink Panther for a mere 32 seconds, escorted by the nurses at a psychiatric institution. Hes thin, small, balding on top, with a lazily upturned pencil-thin mustache, and wearing a wrinkled white jumpsuit. Even if Poirot were in the hospital, theres no doubt that he would never look anything less than pristine. Sachss brief performance is a failure on all counts: big, loud, and apathetic about knowing the character well enough to parody him in an interesting way. Most gallingly, he announces, You can call me Hercule! Straight-up nonsense: No one has ever called him Hercule. Mon dieu!

8. Tony Randall, The Alphabet Murders, 1965

Tony Randall, perhaps best remembered for his role as Felix Unger in The Odd Couple, had a one-time stint as Poirot in Frank Tashlins adaptation of The Alphabet Murders. His iteration of the detective (and the things hes detecting) is more parodic and comedic, so its almost as if hes playing Poirot in name only. (Christie herself objected to this movies script, which diverged from the novel.) Randall isnt really doing Poirot at all here, except for being condescending and having a fancy mustache (which isnt really that impressive to begin with). Hes skinny! He walks normally! Condescension is not the same as fastidiousness, so he doesnt really read as camp, and his accent is inconsistent. The film itself is fine, but Randall is too broad to really be considered a good Poirot. And as far as his detective skills go, theres barely a brain cell in there, never mind a little grey one.

7. Satomi Kotaro, Agatha Christies Great Detectives Poirot and Marple, 20042005

Leave it to a Japanese anime to bring the worlds of Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple together, with the young and rebellious Mabel West tying the two worlds together as Marples great-niece and Poirots new junior assistant. Theres something so quaint about Poirot that the animated form suits him well. But Satomis Poirot, even in its cultural relocation, never really feels like Poirot, instead fitting him into a more generic investigator archetype. Even when he mentions his little grey brain cells, as theyre referred to in this series, it doesnt feel quite right. None of his classic mannerisms are present  theres no fussiness, and his presentation of his solution is rudimentary. Hes framed as a sort of grandfather figure that also solves crimes, a complement to Miss Marples grandmother-like characterization. The series has its pleasures as a relatively faithful animated take on several of Christies short stories, but the Christie essence and sensibility is missing.

6. Peter Ustinov, Death on the Nile (1978), Evil Under the Sun (1982), Appointment With Death (1988), Thirteen at Dinner (1985), Dead Mans Folly (1986), Murder in Three Acts (1986)

David Suchet played Poirot for 24 years, but Ustinov comes in a close second for pure doggedness. A multi-award-winning actor with a long, established resume, Ustinovs portrayal of Poirot  beginning with Death on the Nile  is less of a tailored performance, and more of a generic precursor to Peter Falks Columbo, for no discernible reason. Ustinov plays Poirot as detective first, and a character second, hardly bothering to imbue the performance with any kind of idiosyncrasy typical of Poirot in the books or other screen adaptations. For better or worse, he fades into the background against the ensemble casts hes interrogating. Hes no more or less clean than other detectives, leaving that quirk entirely by the wayside. And his mustache is one of the more unremarkable in recorded mustache history. Ustinovs Hercule Poirot is distinctive in the history of Poirot portrayals because of how bland he is, how unmemorable.

5. Alfred Molina, Murder on the Orient Express, 2001

Most attempts to modernize Agatha Christie have still been period pieces, but with slight changes in tone, approach to storytelling, and production values; all of Christies mainstay detectives  Poirot, Marple, and Tommy and Tuppence  have reckoned with reboots and slight time shifts. In 2001, director Carl Schenkel (The Mighty Quinn) and writer Stephen Harrigan brought Hercule Poirot into the 21st century with a television adaptation of Murder on the Orient Express, starring Alfred Molina. Truly modernizing Poirot was not a good idea; attempts to graft Agatha Christies formulas into a more explicitly modern world were ill-advised. (For example, he nearly marries someone in the first ten minutes.) Molina seems to generally understand the pompousness of Poirots character, a self-assuredness that alienates a majority of the people he encounters. And hes an excellent actor, doing what he can with a script that struggles to transport the story into a contemporary context. Overall, Molina is much more serious about Poirot than some of the other actors on this list, which results in a performance that avoids making the character the punch line of a joke, but isnt very fun to watch. Maybe the biggest problem is that Molina mostly plays Poirot as any other detective, with an accent that sounds generically French, and doesnt have the specificity needed for the characters other attributes. And sadly, his mustache is not up to snuff  it looks like, well, a normal mustache.

4. Ian Holm, Murder by the Book (TV Movie), 1975

Not unlike Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie grew to detest her most famous creation, finding all the little idiosyncrasies that made him appealing to audiences rather insufferable. She had written the final Poirot mystery, Curtain: Poirots Last Case, three decades before its publication in 1975, primarily as a logistical move to ensure that there would be a degree of closure for the series  and also so, when the time came for possible publication, shed be ready. The TV movie Murder by the Book, directed by Lawrence Gordon Clark and written by Nick Evans, dramatizes the meeting between Christie and her agents, where her agents propose that its finally time to kill off Poirot. In a protoStranger Than Fiction turn of events, Hercule Poirot himself appears at the door, ready to fight for his life. Ian Holm (Alien, The Lord of the Rings) as Poirot is up against Peggy Ashcrofts Christie in a fairly fascinating little production, an interesting exploration between author and creation, artist and commerce. Holms mustache is sharp and Dali-esque, and he plays Poirot as if he has a wire wrapped around his body  stiff and with little flexibility. Its a shame that this performance has been forgotten, relegated to the rabbit hole of YouTube, as the film explores the relationship between Christie, her art, and her memory. (In one part of the film, Christie tells Poirot that no one onscreen has ever gotten Poirot right. She remarks, They always wanted him to be played by fat men  No one has ever had the right sense of superiority. He suggests maybe David Niven would be good.) Holms Poirot seems more furious and sad, as hes facing his death, and his theatrical presentation of his crime-solving is imbued with more pathos because of the meta-framework. This makes his performance less amusing, more a character worthy of serious consideration. His Poirot doesnt smile  but who would, knowing their end was near?

3. Kenneth Branagh, Murder on the Orient Express, 2017

His head is not especially egg-shaped, hes not very stout, and his mustache is out of control. And yet  Kenneth Branaghs Poirot is fairly delightful. Hes fastidious and fussy enough to make a big deal about the size of his hard-boiled eggs (Freudian joke, perhaps?), passionate enough to throw himself into a tizzy when he recognizes red herrings strewn across the train, smug enough to announce himself as one of the greatest detectives in the world to a bunch of strangers, and sustains an interesting balance of a classic Christie sensibility and a contemporary approach. Branagh plays Poirot just a little bit camp, too, embracing a sentimental side of the character that weve rarely seen without becoming too self-serious. A former female lover has been grafted onto his backstory, which Branagh, hilariously, cannot sell. But with Branaghs ocean blue eyes, hes the closest well get to Hot Poirot Who Fornicates. (You know, until the inevitable CW origin series.) Theres enough of a twinkle in this Poirots eyes for him to be an adequate introduction to the character, even if he isnt perfect.

2. Albert Finney, Murder on the Orient Express, 1974

Albert Finney is the only actor to play Poirot and garner an Academy Award nomination, and Sidney Lumets adaptation of Orient Express was proof that the public was still interested in Christies work. Finneys version of Hercule Poirot is a dream, in large part because he turns the character into a nightmare. Finneys Poirot is a real pain in the ass: he gets mad at bunk mates on the train, he wears a net for his meticulously kept mustache, he will hound a suspect if he thinks theyre hiding something, and he will loudly complain about service. Covered in makeup and padding to accentuate both the aesthetic and movement of the character, Finney appears to waddle across the titular train, and his Belgian accent is on point. (Surprisingly, though, Christie was a bit ambivalent about Finneys Poirots mustache.) All in all, Finney manages to make the character curmudgeonly in an enjoyable way. And his surroundings are just as joy-inducing: Lumets film featured a cast of stars so bright (including Lauren Bacall, Michael York, Sean Connery, Anthony Perkins, and Ingrid Bergman, who won her third Oscar for the film), you could go blind watching it.

1. David Suchet, Agatha Christies Poirot, 19892013

David Suchet played Poirot for longer than many of us have been alive. From 1989 to 2013, ITVs television series Agatha Christies Poirot was critically and culturally acknowledged as both the best presentation of Christies books and of her No. 1 detective. Suchet has come to be the only, the essential Poirot  he is to Poirot what Jeremy Brett was to his BBC version of Sherlock Holmes in the 1980s. The attention to detail to embodying this character is obsessive. His head is perfectly egg-shaped, he looks and walks a bit like a penguin, his accent is a perfect mix of French and Belgian, and he has an impeccable balance of smugness, tenderness, and childlike spirit. His no, no, mon ami is iconic in its own right. His dandified presentation  all of his clothing pristine and symmetrical, his mannerisms carefully calculated as if to preserve his sophisticated presence  is amusing without being condescending to the character. Poirots antics in the books always had a touch of queerness to them, a little dash of camp, and Suchet is able to bring that subtle element to life without making him the butt of the joke.

However, the series shifted gears around 2000-2004, transitioning from enjoyably straightforward mystery television episodes to feature-length episodes with high production value and tonal dread. Suchets performance, too, became less explicitly fun, with an explicit fury that reads as out of character. But up until his final episode, Curtain (2013), Suchets performance is so on point, so precise and loving that he remains the definitive Poirot. Hats off to Mr. Suchet  and good luck to Mr. Branagh, who has a big mustache to fill.
The Waco Federation of Womens Clubs is taking orders for red poinsettias through Wednesday.

Poinsettias will cost $12 and benefit the upkeep of the groups Clubhouse, which provides a place for womens clubs to meet. Contact Sue Ann Roesing at 751-3000 to order. Pickup will be Dec. 1 from 10 a.m. to noon and 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at 2900 Bosque Blvd., around back. Delivery is available for orders of 10 or more plants.

Rotary Club

Col. Hank Perry, U.S. Army Garrison-Fort Hood Commander, will be the featured speaker at the Rotary Clubs meeting at noon Monday at the Lions Den, 1716 N. 42nd St.

Lunch is $10. For more information, call 776-2115.

Griefshare program

Griefshare will present Surviving the Holidays on Tuesday at Peace Lutheran Church, 9301 Panther Way, in Hewitt.

The event starts with a free dinner at 5:30 p.m. For more information, call 857-9794 or email rjritz@earthlink.net.

Herbs and Meaning

The Waco Herb Society will meet at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday in the Whitehall Center at the Carleen Bright Arboretum.

Eolior Yokus will present a program titled Herbs and Meaning. For more information, call 772-4484.

Documentary screening

InterWaco-LGBT Community Group will screen a new documentary from Academy-Award nominated filmmaker David France, The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson, at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Waco Hippodrome Theatre, 724 Austin Ave.

Doors will open at 5:30. The Waco Community Race Relations Coalition, Equality Texas, Waco Friends of Peace/Climate, Tiempo Newspaper, and Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas are cosponsoring the event. Attendees will hear from two social justice leaders, the Rev. Valda Jean Combs and Ernesto Fraga.

Kiwanis Seniors

Mark Walsh, administrator and owner of Blue Bonnet Health Services, will be the featured speaker at the Kiwanis Club of Waco Seniors meeting from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Golden Corral on Valley Mills Drive.
A truck driver who sexually abused twin sisters in Waco over a five-year period was sentenced to life in prison plus 20 years on Monday.

Judge Ralph Strother of Wacos 19th State District Court sentenced Roque Alfonso Gonzales to three concurrent life prison terms and five concurrent 20-year prison terms, ordering Gonzales to serve one of the 20-year terms consecutively with one of the life terms.

Gonzales, 59, must serve at least 50 years in prison before he can seek parole. Gonzales pleaded guilty to three counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child and two counts of indecency with a child in one case and two counts of sexual assault of a child and three counts of indecency with a child in incidents involving the second girl.

Gonzales pleaded guilty to the judge without benefit of a plea bargain recommendation from prosecutors Hilary LaBorde and Christi Hunting Horse.

Gonzales sexually abused the girls beginning when they were 11 and continuing until they were 16.

The girls had a troubled home life and lived for a time with their grandmother. Many of the assaults occurred at their grandmothers home when she was away at work, court records show.

Both victims are now 19. One lives in Mexico with her husband and was unable to attend Mondays plea hearing.

Her sister, in an emotional victim-impact statement, told the judge about the trauma the sexual abuse put her through. She said Gonzales sexually assaulted her more times than she can count over the five-year period.

If he could have done it three times a day, he would have, she said.

Gonzales attorney, Francisco Maldonado, of Temple, declined comment on the case.
Baylor University is considering a new undergraduate and graduate program for training bilingual educators in an effort to fill an increasing need in McLennan County, School of Education officials said.

The Department of Curriculum and Instruction is in the midst of a search for a senior-level faculty member to get the program off the ground and hopes to have it up and running by next fall, department chairman Larry Browning said.

Its something weve been wanting to do for a while, so there has been some talk in the past of what we were going to do, Browning said. Its a big need. We dont serve it at all. We did in the 1970s. We used to prepare bilingual educators here, about two a year. But it was two a year, so it went defunct.

Browning has been with Baylor University for 41 years.

The program could also be the start of a larger vision for the School of Education, one that would build stronger partnerships with local school districts, including Waco ISD, by creating centers for social innovation focused on researching best practices in teaching and learning, associate curriculum and instruction chairwoman Brooke Blevins said.

These are conversations that havent been fully fleshed out with our Waco ISD partners, but we know poverty is an issue. We know English language learning is an issue. We know literacy is an issue, Blevins said. How do we take the resources we have at Baylor and go into our local schools create centers for research and innovation where were trying new things? Our faculty are researching, and kids are benefiting because all this time and effort is being poured into these spaces.  Thats ultimately what we see happening, but thats pipe dream. Its going to involve a lot of people coming together and working together.

Baylors student teachers already partner with Waco ISD, but to have a conversation about how to take that to the next level is difficult to when state officials tell school districts to close down struggling schools, Blevins said.

Waco ISD has five schools facing the possibility of closure this next year, if the schools dont pass state standards in May. State law also gives the district a chance to come up with an alternative plan by February to repurpose the five campuses to keep them open another two years. Administrators are evaluating their options.

Youve got these expectations, and were saying, Lets try some new stuff, because we think this might work.  Blevins said. Does the superintendent have time or energy, or the risk-taking to want to do that?

The five schools on the verge of closure are the same five schools Baylor is interested in working with, Browning said. Once Waco ISD finishes its discussion about the campuses later this school year, he hopes the School of Education can become involved in the next steps, Browning said.

Waco ISD started conversations with Baylor officials last year about the districts need for more bilingual educators and the potential for a partnership to start next fall, said Grace Benson, director of Waco ISDs English language learners department.

The district has 45 bilingual teachers, but that isnt enough, Benson said.

In the past, the district has had to recruit teachers and has had to go internationally (to do so), Benson said. If we had a program here, we wouldnt necessarily have to do that. Its always hard to find good bilingual teachers, but having that partnership means professors at Baylor can communicate with other scholars about education.

The number of bilingual students in Waco ISD has decreased since 2011, but the number of students studying English as a second language has steadily increased, Waco ISD demographic data shows. The district went from 1,562, or 10 percent, English-as-a-second-language students six years ago to 2,070, or 14 percent, English-as-a-second-language students as of last school year. The number of students classified as having limited English proficiency has hovered between about 2,700 and 2,800 students for the last six years, the data shows. The district has about 15,000 students.

By developing more bilingual educators, the program could eventually open doors to more dual language programs and opportunities at the elementary level, Baylor officials said. For now, because the McLennan County area doesnt offer a way to grow bilingual educators in its own backyard, the market for dual language programs isnt being served, Browning said.

There is a need. I have friends, neighbors, coworkers whose children dont speak Spanish, who would very much like their children to grow up speaking English and Spanish, and thats just one component of a bilingual program, Browning said. We talk a lot about the value to our society and to our economy of adults who are bilingual, but we dont do a lot to develop that.
WAHOO  A story of freedom, pioneer life and abolition of slavery will be coming to Christmas on the Prairie this year.

Dr. Sara Brandes Crook will present The Winding Road to Statehood: In the Footsteps of a Female Settler 2 p.m. on Dec. 2. The Humanities Nebraska speaker is one of the programs slated for the Dec. 2 and 3 Christmas on the Prairie at the Saunders County Museum in Wahoo.

Crook will share the story of pioneer woman Barbara Mayhew.

She has a great story, Crook said.

According to Crook, Mayhew was one of the first pioneer women to move to Nebraska.

She said Mayhew and her family moved to present-day Nebraska City in 1854, shortly after the region was organized as a territory. They built a cabin in 1855, and it was there Mayhew and her family played an active role in the Underground Railroad, providing food and refuge to runaway slaves escaping to Canada.

Mayhew died in 1882, having lived to see the end of slavery and Nebraska become a state.

Crook, a professor of political science and history at Peru State College in Peru, since 1984, said that she has been sharing Mayhews story for about 14 years.

Ive been doing this presentation since 2003, she said. Ive done it over 100 times.

She added that she performs eight to 10 times per year.

Crook got her start with this program when she was awarded an honors chair in humanities at Peru State. The college, she said, asked her to do something different as part of the ceremony.

Crook chose to portray Mayhew in order to leave more of an impression on her audience.

If you live it, it feels more real than hearing someone describe it in a secondhand fashion, Crook said.

To prepare for the presentation, Crook did many hours of research on Mayhew and the time period in which she lived. She also travelled to Mayhews original home state of Ohio and visited the Freedom Center in Cincinnati.

Ohio was the hotbed of the Underground Railroad, Crook said.

Crook added that one of her biggest influences in shaping her performance as Mayhew was fellow Humanities Nebraska Speaker Darrel Draper.

Draper was the person to inspire me to do it, Crook said.

Draper will also perform at Christmas on the Prairie, but on Dec. 3 at 2 p.m.

Crook has been sharing Mayhews stories through the Humanities Nebraska since 2003.

Crook said she hopes her performance will help others learn more about Nebraskas history and its role in the Underground Railroad.

I love Nebraska, I think its a great secret, she said. I think the Underground Railroad is one of those stories.

She added that she wants to convey her passion for the state and its past.

I want to share my passion for Nebraska with other people, Crook said.

For her, its about engaging the audience.

People love it because they feel like theyre in it, Crook said. Its not just information, its emotion that goes along with the facts that resonates with the audience.
Our guide to the civil documents required when registering births and deaths in Italy.

Life is filled with joys and sorrows, the happiness of a birth and the deep sadness on the death of a loved one. The last thing one needs on these occasions is to be bogged down by bureaucracy. We hope that the following guide to civil registrations in Italy will assist in navigating your way around these circumstances.In the event of a birth in Italy, no matter if the parents are citizens or non-citizens, all registrations take place first with the local civil authority. The hospital or clinic where the child is born will issue a certificate of assistance in birthing (certificato dassistenza al parto) and will inform the city hall of the birth within three days of the event.The parents have 10 days from the time of the birth to complete the dichiarazione di nascita (declaration of birth) and register the name of the child at the ufficio dellanagrafe (registry office). This may be carried out by one or both of the parents. The documents required are the certificato dassistenza al parto issued by the hospital and the identity documents of the parent/s and where applicable permesso di soggiorno residence permits. In Italy children may be given up to a limit of three first names.Parents wishing to register their childs birth in their country of origin should request an estratto per riassunto dellatto di nascita con generalita completa full birth certificate from the comune where the child is registered. If available, request the modello plurilingue, a certificate in multiple languages which will save you having the certificate translated into English. Then contact your country's consulate in Italy to make an appointment to apply for a consular report of birth abroad, which is equivalent to a birth certificate from your country of origin. Although consular rulings do differ, most countries will not register a birth in a foreign country after the child reaches his or her 18th birthday.On a more sombre note, even death has its bureaucracy. In the event of death in Italy, whether one is on holiday or resident here, the process to be followed is the same.Under Italian law 24 hours must pass from the time of death before the remains may be transported from the place of death for preparation for burial or shipment. In Italy, ambulances will not transport persons who are already deceased. In the case of road accidents ambulance staff will only load patients if they have vital signs and there is a chance of reanimation otherwise the police will contact the local mortuary services who will remove the body for an autopsy before being passed on to the private funeral services.The process to follow is to phone your allocated family doctor (medico di famiglia) or the guardia medica to certify the death and then to report it to the local ASL (local health authority) who will send a second doctor to confirm it.If the person has not been under the care of the family doctor for an illness or does not die in hospital, an autopsy may be necessary. You will require the services of a funeral agency for the removal of the body and any further permits of transportation as well as the registration of death with the comune and the issuing of the final death certificate.If you wish to transport the deceased back to the familys country of origin it is advisable to look on your consulate's website for funeral agents in Italy that service your country. After the initial 24 hours have passed local burials can be arranged within 48 hours, however generally it takes four to seven days to arrange shipment outside Italy. If the family wishes to bury the deceased in Italy it is worth knowing that burials take place in cemeteries belonging to the comune.The payment for a burial site is a concessioni cimeteriali (contract of use) for a limited period of time, not for ownership of the plot. The period of the concession varies but they normally last 40 to 60 years and are renewable subject to payment. Some comuni offer perpetual contracts valid for 99 years for extra payment. After the expiry date families often opt to move the remains into a smaller, less costly nicchia (niche) or have them cremated. Exhumation for transfer to another cemetery or country is permitted any time after a burial but only in the winter months  October until April  and under the supervision of the local health officer.A special authorisation is required for cremation in Italy. Most consulates will issue the necessary statement if there is evidence in a will or testament that the deceased wished to be cremated after death, or in the absence of such evidence a request from the deceaseds next of kin. Joining a cremation association is also deemed evidence of that wish.This authorisation can also be obtained from the local comune by the spouse or other family members of the first degree (under article 74 of the Italian civil code) if the deceased was resident in Italy. The authorisation is submitted to the funeral agency, which makes all the necessary arrangements. It is however not uncommon to have to wait several weeks for the ashes from the crematorium.All consular representatives in Italy can help in processing the consular report of death abroad, which is equivalent to a death certificate issued in your home country. Families returning to their country of origin after the death of a loved one may delegate an Italian law firm to carry out the succession of any assets in Italy on their behalf. (See related article ).Studio Legale Annino, website . This article was published originally in the April 2014 edition of Wanted in Rome magazine.
MASON CITY | A Mason City man had to cast a provisional ballot Tuesday because he had no proof of a change of address from the last time he voted.

The reason is the man is living temporarily at the Northern Lights men's homeless shelter, Cerro Gordo County Auditor Ken Kline said Thursday after a canvass of Tuesday's municipal election results.

"The man had no proof of his current address," said Kline. "We allowed him to cast a provisional ballot which means he can vote but it won't be counted until it can determined that he is an eligible voter."

Schickel elected mayor; two council races in runoffs MASON CITY | Bill Schickel won election to his fourth term as mayor Tuesday night, defeating

The man, who was not identified, came in Wednesday with papers and witnesses who verified he was living at the shelter. So his vote counted and was included in Thursday's canvass.

"The election was over. He already knew the results and yet he still came in," said Kline. "The vote didn't mean anything in terms of the outcome, but it meant something to him."

Also Thursday, Kline said Plymouth Mayor Jon Vrieze, who lost his re-election bid by one vote to Cecil Kuhlers, has asked for a recount.

The Board of Supervisors is expected to act on that request at its meeting Tuesday.
Wool prices are rising faster than Sydney house prices and farmers are rushing to cash in.

Fred Whitby has watched booms and busts come and go - first as a little baby in his father's arms in the shearing shed 94 seasons ago - but he's never seen anything like this last week.

Fred Whitby, 94,and his working dog, Snap, have never seen anything like this boom before. Credit:Andrew Meares

On Friday, wool reached an all-time high of 1681 cents per kilogram - up 58 cents in a week.

"They say it's even bigger than the 1951 boom," Mr Whitby said on his property in the hills behind Pambula on the NSW south coast.
Senior figures in the Turnbull government have blamed a "messy" few weeks focused on Parliament's citizenship fiasco for the horror numbers in a new poll, which would see the Coalition wiped out at an election.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's standing as preferred leader of the country has taken a beating  going from 41 per cent to 36 per cent  and Labor now commands 55 per cent of the two-party preferred vote, ten points ahead of the Coalition, according to a Newspoll published on Monday.

Mr Turnbull now finds himself only two points ahead of Opposition Leader Bill Shorten as preferred prime minister, and the Coalition's primary vote is four points lower than Labor's.

"There's no doubt that the last fortnight has been messy from the government's point of view because of this issue around dual citizenship," Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne told ABC radio.
Australia won't know the results of the same-sex marriage survey until 10am on Wednesday morning. But there has been a growing assumption over the course of the campaign that the "yes" camp will win.

Senior ministers such as Peter Dutton and Julie Bishop have said they think the "yes" vote will win. "Yes" campaigner Sarah Hanson-Young has said she's "very, very confident". And as voting closed last week, "no" spokesman Lyle Shelton conceded, "we're chasing down a big lead".

Poll after poll has also found support for same-sex marriage is at about two to one. Just before the survey closed last week, a Guardian Essential Poll found 64 per cent of people who voted say they ticked "yes". As pollster John Stirton recently told Fairfax Media, "it's very hard to see how the 'no' case could win from here unless an awful lot of people are straight-out lying to pollsters".

But is a "yes" result the sure bet people think it is?
I spent years working on my confidence, and knew the ins and outs of assertive communication. I was all about girl power. Apologise for taking up space? Not this lady.

But then I read Tara Mohr's book Playing Big: Practical Wisdom for Women Who Want to Speak Up, Create and Lead. Mohr argues that women constantly diminish their power with speech habits that make us appear apologetic, surprised or even uncertain about what we're saying. This means our ideas and opinions are unappreciated and not valued.

You may be unconsciously sabotaging your success with bad speech habits. Credit:SIMONE BECCHETTI/Stocksy

Studying Mohr's list of culprits, I realised I was guilty of letting more than one of them slip into my words. It was a humbling and disconcerting discovery. If Mohr was right, I'd been seriously undermining myself with the language I used. This did not gel with the confident, educated feminist image I thought I had cultivated. Yet it seems that a lot of women are walking around feeling powerful on the inside but presenting an entirely different picture to the outside world with how we communicate. So if you're like me, and in need of some speech-tweaking, here are some habits to ditch.

Just
A State Government implementation group to stop puppy farming and reduce the number of unwanted dogs in WA met for the first time today.

Speaking at the Dogs' Refuge Home in Shenton Park, Local Government Minister David Templeman said the group would look at issues such as the development of a centralised dog registration system, compulsory dog sterilisation for non-breeding dogs and pet shops being transitioned to adoption centres.

Dog breeding is currently an unregulated industry which is able to operate without scrutiny in WA.

"The McGowan Government is working with animal welfare organisations to deliver a State-wide strategy to help stop puppy farming and the unregulated over-breeding of dogs," he said.

"Dogs are an important part of many Western Australian families and this meeting is the first step in the State Government's commitment to improving the health, wellbeing and protection of dogs in WA."
A car lays smashed by debris from the earthquake at the city of Sarpol-e-Zahab in western Iran. Credit:ISNA/AP Tempers frayed in the quake-hit area as the search went on for survivors amidst the twisted rubble of collapsed buildings. "We need a shelter," a middle-aged man in Sarpol-e Zahab told state TV. "Where is the aid? Where is the help?" His family could not spend another night outside in cold weather, he said. People look at destroyed buildings after an earthquake at the city of Sarpol-e-Zahab in western Iran. Credit:Pouria Pakizeh/ Iranian Students News Agency An Iraqi meteorology official put the quake's magnitude at 6.5, with the epicentre in Penjwin in Iraq's Sulaimaniyah province in the Kurdistan region, close to the main border crossing with Iran.

Kurdish health officials said at least six people were killed in Iraq and at least 68 injured, adding that in northern Iraq Kurdish districts seven were killed and 325 wounded. People stand in the street after feeling aftershocks in Baghdad, Iraq. Credit:AP Iran sits astride major fault lines and is prone to frequent tremors. A magnitude 6.6 quake on December 26, 2003, devastated the historic city of Bam, 1000 km southeast of Tehran, killing about 31,000 people. Electricity and water was cut off in several Iranian and Iraqi cities, and fears of aftershocks sent thousands of people in both countries out onto the streets and parks in cold weather. Reuters

x Iranians have spent the night digging through rubble in a frantic search for survivors after a powerful earthquake struck near the Iraqi border, killing more than 300 people and injuring thousands of others. At least 407 people were killed and nearly 6,000 people in Iran were injured, according to officials and news agencies, and hundreds of people waited in line to donate blood in Tehran in response to a call from the government. The epicentre of the quake was near Ezgeleh, Iran, about 217 kiloemtres northeast of Baghdad, and had a preliminary magnitude of 7.3, according to the US Geological Survey. Local officials said the death toll would rise as search and rescue teams reached remote areas of Iran. "There are still people under the rubble. We hope the number of dead and injured won't rise too much, but it will rise," Mojtaba Nikkerdar said

The earthquake was felt in several western provinces of Iran but the hardest hit province was Kermanshah, which announced three days of mourning. More than 236 of the victims were in Sarpol-e Zahab county in Kermanshah province, about 15 kilometres from the Iraq border. Electricity was cut off in several Iranian and Iraqi cities, and fears of aftershocks sent thousands of people in both countries out onto the streets and parks in cold weather. Iranian state television said the quake had caused heavy damage in some villages where houses were made of earthen bricks. Rescuers were labouring to find survivors trapped under collapsed buildings. The quake also triggered landslides that hindered rescue efforts, officials told state television. At least 14 provinces in Iran had been affected, Iranian media reported. "The night has made it difficult for helicopters to fly to the affected areas and some roads are also cut off... we are worried about remote villages," Iranian Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli said in an interview on state television.

Farhad Tarji, a member of Parliament for Sarpol-e Zahab, told the semiofficial news agency ILNA that his family had been hit hard by the quake. "I've lost 15 people," he said. The Iranian government newspaper posted a video on its website in which a resident of Sarpol-e Zahab complained that no help had come. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei offered his condolences on Monday, urging all government agencies to do all they could to help those affected Meanwhile, a strong magnitude 6.5 quake struck the Pacific coast of Costa Rica near its capital city San Jose on Sunday night, but there were no initial reports of injuries or damage to infrastructure.

There was no Pacific-wide tsunami threat, the US National Weather Service said. Costa Rican President Luis Guillermo Solis said authorities were gathering information and asked residents to remain calm and to be prepared for any possible aftershocks. A witness said the quake was felt very briefly in San Jose, but it was enough to startle residents. "We're very scared. It's been years since we felt such a strong one," said Otto Vargas, a university professor in San Jose. The quake hit in a rural area near the touristic city of Jaco, where there are few tall buildings.
Jakarta: An Indonesian visual effects museum that encouraged visitors to take selfies with a waxwork of Adolf Hitler against a giant image of the Auschwitz extermination camp has removed the exhibit after protests.

Warli, the De Mata Trick Eye Museum's marketing officer, says the statue was removed the night following an Associated Press story highlighting outrage from Jewish and rights groups.

Visitors sit near the waxworks of World War II German dictator Adolf Hitler and Indonesian President Joko Widodo at De Mata Museum in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Credit:AP

Human Rights Watch had denounced the exhibit as "sickening" and the Los Angeles- based Simon Wiesenthal Centre which campaigns against Holocaust denial and anti-Semitism, had demanded its immediate removal.

The museum, which has waxworks of about 80 famous historical and contemporary figures, had the Hitler figure on display since 2014.
At the invitation of the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA), Mr. Foroud Asgari, WCO Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya visited Tehran, Iran on 11-12 November 2017 to appreciate the progress achieved in Customs reform.

At a meeting with President Asgari and his senior management team, Secretary General Mikuriya commended the outcome of the recent development of the Iranian Customs Single Window (CSW) system. After conducting a series of consultations with other government agencies and the Parliament, the legislation allowing Customs to host a single window was introduced in 2014. At the same time, in partnership with Tehran University, the IRICA re-engineered and simplified the clearance system and rolled out the CSW paperless clearance system. As a result, the clearance time has been reduced dramatically (from 26 to 3 days for import and from 7 to 1 day for export) and 27 government agencies are now connected to the CSW system.

Dr. Mikuriya met with the newly appointed Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance of Iran, Dr. Masoud Karbasian, who was previously the head of IRICA. Dr. Karbasian stated that his achievements at the IRICA owed much to the WCO's instruments such as the Revised Kyoto Convention and also the best practices. The CSW system is now being connected to Iran's neighbouring countries. He pledged his continuous support to the WCO.

During his visit, Dr. Mikuriya attended the inauguration ceremony of the Dog Training Center and visited the CSW center to observe how Customs provides services to other government agencies through the interoperability of its IT system and also how it addresses the concern of the business community through enhanced transparency. He also had the opportunity to appreciate the record seizures resulting from the fight against drug trafficking.

Secretary General Mikuriya also took the opportunity to visit Tabriz, the capital of East Azerbaijan, a historical cross-road of trade linking Asia and Europe. He met with the Governor of the Province who appreciated the contribution of Customs to promoting trade, including the export of the world-renowned carpets. Dr. Mikuriya met with Customs officials in this province and discussed about the potential for expanding trade through developing the cross-border transit system.
The EAC Committee on Customs took place from 09 to 10 November 2017 in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. Since 2015, the WCO-EAC CREATe project, which aims at supporting the EAC region with the its regional AEO Programme, has been included in the EAC CoC as a standing agenda item. This inclusion in the EAC Reporting structure ensures that the WCO-EAC CREATe project is fully mainstreamed at the EAC level and this mainstreaming contributed to both the regional ownership and sustainability of the programme.

At the occasion of this meeting, the EAC Secretariat, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and the WCO reviewed the progress of the regional AEO programme in 2017 and agreed on the annual work plan for 2018. Highlights of 2017 included the growth of the regional AEO Programme, the development of the regional Customs Risk Management and the update of the regional PCA Manual. In the first ten months of 2017, the 46 regional AEO have accounted for a total amount of 3.9 Billion USD in terms of value of trade or approximately 6% of regional trade.

The 2018 roadmap will particularly focus on supporting the EAC region with increasing the number of regional AEOs, with the undertaking of Mutual Recognition Agreement efforts with other trading partners, with the establishment of a critical mass of regional experts able to undertake AEO Validation as well as with the preparation of the Global AEO Conference to be held in March 2018 in Kampala, Uganda. The Global AEO Conference will provide a fitting platform for the EAC region to showcase its regional AEO Programme.

For more information about this activity in particular and the WCO-EAC CREATe project in general, please contact the WCO-EAC CREATe Project Regional Project Manager, Mr. Martin Ojok (martin.ojok@wcoomd.org).
As part of the West African Customs Administrations Modernization (WACAM) Project, funded by Sweden, the Republic of Guinea successfully conducted its first inter-agency enforcement operation from 20 to 30 October 2017, covering all means of transport by air, sea and road throughout the country.

Taking their cue from Guinean Customs, other border management agencies (the Air and Border Police, the Central Drug Enforcement Bureau, the Gendarmerie, and the Ministry of the Environment, Water and Forestry involved in implementing the Washington Convention) played an active part in Operation WACAM 1. This collaboration has thus resulted in a record number of findings and seizures being made.

These uncovered a substantial number of undeclared imports, excise duty fraud (relating to tobacco and mineral oils), infringements of the Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), drug-related offences involving the internal concealment (in corpore) of 800 g of cocaine and the seizure of 129 kg of cannabis, and infringements of legislation on the free movement of capital, and arms trafficking. Some of these cases have already been entrusted to the judicial authorities and should give rise to further developments.

The implementation of Operation WACAM 1 represents the culmination of a process of modernization and capacity building started in September 2016 by the Customs Administration of the Republic of Guinea as part of the WCO WACAM Project. Accordingly, since early 2017, Guinea's Customs officers and some of its partners have been provided with training in the conduct of enforcement operations and in the WCO COPES1 Programme, focusing on techniques for gathering evidence and for inter-agency cooperation so as to ensure reliable findings and effective legal consequences. The officers also received training in the use of CENcomm.

WACAM 1 also owes its success to the support of the Director General of Customs of the Republic of Guinea, General Toumany Sangare, who had urged his Customs services to make full use of the training provided by the WCO experts and to harness the commitment of all those involved at all levels.

For more information about this particular activity or the WACAM Project in general, please contact the WCO-Sweden Programme Director, Mr. Richard Chopra (richard.chopra@wcoomd.org).

For more information on the COPES Programme, please contact Mr. Gilles Thomas (gilles.thomas@wcoomd.org).
PRESS RELEASE

Immunocore Presents Single Agent IMCgp100 data in Metastatic Uveal Melanoma Showing Durability, Doubling in One-Year Overall Survival Rate

~ Data shows a 73% one-year survival rate for metastatic uveal melanoma patients treated in two Phase I studies of IMCgp100 ~

(Oxford, UK and Conshohocken, US, 13 November 2017) Immunocore Limited, the world's leading TCR company developing biological drugs to treat cancer and infectious diseases, today announces durable tumour responses and strong overall survival data from two Phase I clinical trials of its wholly owned, lead programme, IMCgp100, in metastatic uveal melanoma.

The data, which show a near doubling in the average rate of overall survival compared with studies of other agents, was presented at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) 32nd Annual Meeting on Saturday 11th November 2017, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland, USA.

Immunocore's intra-patient dose escalation Phase I IMCgp100 study in metastatic uveal melanoma patients demonstrates a one-year overall survival (OS) rate of 73% (95% confidence interval [46, 88]) and a one-year progression-free-survival (PFS) rate of 62% based on the irRC criteria as of the data cut-off in October 2017. Median OS has not been reached with median follow-up of 12.8 months in this cohort. The overall survival data from this study compare very favourably to studies with other agents, which show one-year OS rates of approximately 25-45%*.

Pharmacodynamic analysis demonstrated evidence of T cell infiltration and immune activation in tumours after IMCgp100 administration, with persistence of T cell infiltration in the setting of resistance, underpinning confidence in the efficacy observed with the T cell redirection technology of IMCgp100.

Commenting on the results, Dr Richard Carvajal, Head of Experimental Therapeutics at Columbia University, said: "Metastatic uveal melanoma is a condition with exceptionally high unmet medical need with no current standard of care in this setting. No therapies to date have shown survival benefits in trials. The exciting one-year overall survival and progression-free survival data we have observed with IMCgp100 have given us confidence to move into pivotal trials measuring survival in this disease setting."

Christina Coughlin, Chief Medical Officer at Immunocore, said: "We believe this therapy has the potential to be a game-changer for medical practice in this devastating condition. At Immunocore, we're optimistic that the exceptionally strong data we have seen with IMCgp100 in metastatic uveal melanoma have the potential to read across to other ImmTAC programmes, especially when addressing 'cold' tumours which are challenging for checkpoint inhibitors and other novel immuno-oncology agents to address. We believe that this underscores the broader applicability of Immunocore's soluble TCR technology in cancer and beyond."

The details of the clinical trial can be found on clinicaltrials.gov.

Poster Presentation Information

Title: Safety, efficacy and biology of the gp100 TCR-based bispecific T cell redirector, IMCgp100 in advanced uveal melanoma in two Phase 1 trials

Authors: Richard Carvajal, Takami Sato, Alexander N. Shoushtari, Joseph Sacco, Paul Nathan, Marlana Orloff, Pippa Corrie, Neil Steven, Jeff Evans, Jeffrey Infante, Mario Sznol, Clive Mulatero, Omid Hamid, Leonel Hernandez-Aya, Nicola Little, Cheryl McAlpine, David Krige, Namir J. Hassan, Sanjay Patel, Ann-Marie Hulstine, Christina M. Coughlin, Mark R. Middleton

Category: Clinical Trials (Completed)

Date: Saturday 11 November 2017

Time: 12:30 - 14:00 & 18:30 - 20:00

Abstract Number: P208

To view the abstract, please visit the SITC website at https://www.sitcancer.org/2017/abstracts/info

- Ends -

For more information, please contact:

Immunocore

Eva-Lotta Allan, Chief Business Officer

T: +44 (0)1235 438600

E: info@immunocore.com

Follow on Twitter: @Immunocore

Consilium Strategic Communications

Mary-Jane Elliott/Jessica Hodgson/Chris Welsh/Laura Thornton

T: +44 (0)203 709 5700

E: Immunocore@consilium-comms.com

Follow on Twitter: @ConsiliumHC

Notes for editors

About Immunocore

Immunocore is the world's leading T cell receptor (TCR) company, a global biotech striving to change medical practice in the most challenging disease areas. Immunocore is focused on delivering first-in-class biological therapies for patients, deploying its pioneering soluble TCR technology. This new class of TCR-based bi-functional drug with ultra-high affinity for intracellular cancer targets is based on synthetic, soluble TCRs that naturally recognize cells containing disease specific targets and selectively kill them. Unlike most biological treatment modalities, this technology can address both extra and intracellular disease targets. These TCR-based therapeutics can access up to nine-fold more targets than typical antibody-based therapies, including monoclonal antibodies. Immunocore's TCR technology has a broad applicability to a wide range of intracellular targets and disease indications including solid tumours, infectious diseases and autoimmune diseases.

Across the oncology pipeline, Immunocore has collaborations with Genentech, GlaxoSmithKline, MedImmune (the biologics division of AstraZeneca) and a co-discovery and co-development partnership with Lilly across a range of solid tumours. Immunocore's wholly-owned lead programme, IMCgp100, is in a pivotal monotherapy trial in patients with metastatic uveal melanoma. This study trial builds on the first ever demonstration of compelling single agent efficacy in a solid, 'cold', low mutation tumour, which is challenging for most currently available immuno-oncology agents to address. The Company has also entered into combination trials with IMCgp100 in metastatic cutaneous melanoma with MedImmune and in metastatic uveal melanoma with Lilly.

Immunocore is headquartered near Oxford, UK, with offices near Philadelphia, US. The Company is privately held by a broad international and private investor base. For more information, please visit www.immunocore.com .

About IMCgp100

IMCgp100 is a novel bispecific biologic, an ImmTAC which is capable of redirecting T cells against the melanocyte-associated antigen gp100. It has a molecular weight of 77 kilo Dalton (kD). IMCgp100 is manufactured in E. coli and scaled to commercial scale. The drug is administered on a weekly basis. In the first-in-human (FIH) clinical trial (IMCgp100-01), preliminary efficacy of IMCgp100 in advanced uveal and cutaneous melanoma was observed. IMCgp100 is the only novel agent that has initiated pivotal studies in metastatic uveal melanoma. IMCgp100 was granted orphan drug designation by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2016.

Immunocore is also conducting a clinical combination study with IMCgp100, combining it with MedImmune's checkpoint inhibitors durvalumab and tremelimumab in patients with metastatic cutaneous melanoma who are refractory to anti-PD-1 therapies.

In addition to the uveal melanoma study, IMCgp100 is currently in a clinical combination study with MedImmune's checkpoint inhibitors durvalumab (anti-PDL-1) and tremelimumab (anti-CTLA-4) in patients with metastatic cutaneous melanoma who no longer respond to anti-PD-1 therapies.

About Uveal Melanoma

Uveal melanoma is a rare and aggressive form of melanoma which affects the eye with a poor prognosis and no standard of care. Although uveal melanoma is the most common primary intraocular malignancy in adults, representing approximately 3-4% of all melanomas, the diagnosis is rare with approximately 4,000 new patients globally diagnosed per year (1,500 cases/year in US) all stages combined (Chattopadhyay, 2016). Despite aggressive local therapy with surgery and/or radiation therapy, the 5-year survival rate (76%) has not changed in over 30 years (Mahendraraj, 2017) and up to 50% of patients with local disease will develop metastates (Carvajal, 2017; Kujala, 2003). Despite extensive investigation of metastatic uveal melanoma in the clinic, to date no systemic treatment has demonstrated improved survival and no effective therapy has been identified in this disease setting (Carvajal, 2017).

Checkpoint inhibitors and other novel therapies that have transformed the management of cutaneous melanoma, only have limited efficacy in uveal melanoma with an overall response rate (ORR) of only ~5%. The median progressive free survival is no more than 3 months with a median overall survival (OS) ranging from 5 to 10 months. Consequently, there is a critical unmet need for new treatment approaches.

About ImmTAC Molecules

Immunocore's best in class proprietary TCR technology is focused on a small protein drug called the ImmTAC (Immune mobilising monoclonal TCRs Against Cancer) molecule that enables the immune system to recognise and kill cancerous cells. Immunocore's world-leading competitive advantage is its ImmTAC molecules, a new class of drug with ultra-high affinity for intracellular cancer targets, which is based on synthetic, soluble T cell receptors (TCRs) that naturally recognize cells containing disease specific targets and selectively kill them.

ImmTAC molecules can access up to nine-fold more targets than typical antibody-based therapies, including monoclonal antibodies. Immunocore's TCR technology has a broad applicability to a wide range of intracellular targets and disease indications including solid tumours and can expand into infectious diseases and autoimmune diseases. In oncology, the molecules have the unique ability to tackle solid "cold" low mutation rate tumours - the majority of tumours.

The technology has an encouraging safety profile and is highly scalable, with a low cost of goods.
Portuguese English French Italian Spanish German

Bio-on's Minerv Bio Cosmetics bioplastic obtains international NATRUE certification.







The special bioplastic, called Minerv Bio Cosmetics , is designed for the cosmetics of the future.



The 100% Natural Certification issued by NATRUE is a guarantee for human health, the environment and is recognised worldwide.



Minerv Bio Cosmetics respects the environment: like all PHAs bioplastics developed by Bio-on, it is 100% natural and biodegradable.





BOLOGNA, 13 November 2017 - The international organisation NATRUE, which promotes and certifies natural and organic cosmetics and ingredients, has issued "100% Natural" certification to Bio-on for its Minerv Bio Cosmetics micro plastics, the new type of PHAs bioplastic designed and developed by Bio-on for the cosmetics of the future. NATRUE certification is a guarantee for human health and the environment and is based on rigorous standards that have demonstrated the completely natural origin of the microbeads contained in Minerv Bio Cosmetics biopolymers which, like all the bioplastics developed by Bio-on, are 100% biocompatible and biodegradable.

The NATRUE certification standard, designed to enable consumers to recognise truly natural and organic cosmetics, is set out by an independent scientific committee and verified by certifiers known for their restrictive, rigorous approach, whose assessment does not stop with the raw materials but checks the entire origin and supply chain. Minerv Bio Cosmetics has been certified by NATRUE as a 100% natural product.

"We chose to certify our biopolymers with NATRUE," explains Bio-on Chairman and CEO Marco Astorri, "because it is a centre of global excellence. The certification issued by NATRUE rewards Bio-on's intuition in the cosmetics field and the scientific staff at our CNS division (Cosmetic, Nanomedicine and Smart materials). NATRUE certification confirms that Minerv Bio Cosmetics is one of the biggest innovations in the cosmetics sector in recent years. For us," concludes Astorri, "it's a major milestone ahead of the production set to begin in 2018 at new plants in Castel San Pietro Terme, Bologna."

"There are companies around the world," explains Paolo Saettone, head of the CNS Business Unit (Cosmetic, Nanomedicine and Smart materials), "offering so-called "natural" products that are actually only fractionally "green" or are labelled "biodegradable" while neglecting to point out that they biodegrade in an 'assisted way only'. Our great innovation," explains Saettone, "lies in replacing the polluting microbeads contained in many cosmetic formulations with a completely ecological material and simultaneously in improving performances thanks to exceptional oil absorption teamed with a smooth, soft focus effect."



All the PHAs bioplastics (polyhydroxyalkanoates) developed by Bio-on are made from renewable plant sources with no competition with food supply chains. They guarantee the same thermo-mechanical properties as conventional plastics with the advantage of being 100% eco-sustainable and naturally biodegradable. Minerv Bio Cosmetics will be manufactured by Bio-on at its new plant, under construction in Castel San Pietro Terme outside Bologna over an area of 30,000 m2. It will have 3,700 m2 covered space and 6,000 m2 land for development. When it becomes operational, in the first half of 2018, it will have a production capacity of 1,000 tons per year, rapidly expandable to 2,000. The plant, in which Bio-on is investing 20 million Euro, will be equipped with the very latest technologies and the most cutting-edge laboratories to meet the requirements of cosmetics companies around the world.

Links for further information:

All cosmetics (not just natural and organic ones) must comply with EU Regulation 1223/2009.

Organic cosmetics must comply with (EC) Regulation no. 834/2007.

The criteria of the NATRUE standard are summarised in the following document:

http://www.natrue.org/fileadmin/natrue/downloads/Criteria_3.6/IT-NATRUE-Label_Requirements_V3.6.pdf

Press information

Simona Vecchies +393351245190 - press@bio-on.it - Twitter @BioOnBioplastic

Bio-on S.p.A.

Bio-On S.p.A., an Italian Intellectual Property Company (IPC), operates in the bioplastic sector conducting applied research and development of modern bio-fermentation technologies in the field of eco-sustainable and completely naturally biodegradable materials. In particular, Bio-On develops industrial applications through the creation of product characterisations, components and plastic items. Since February 2015, Bio-On S.p.A. has also been operating in the development of natural and sustainable chemicals for the future. Bio-On has developed an exclusive process for the production of a family of polymers called PHAs (polyhydroxyalkanoates) from agricultural waste (including molasses and sugar cane and sugar beet syrups). The bioplastic produced in this way is able to replace the main families of conventional plastics in terms of performance, thermo-mechanical properties and versatility. Bio-On PHAs is a bioplastic that can be classified as 100% natural and completely biodegradable: this has been certified by Vincotte and by USDA (United States Department of Agriculture). The Issuer's strategy envisages the marketing of licenses for PHAs production and related ancillary services, the development of R&D (also through new collaborations with universities, research centres and industrial partners), as well as the realisation of industrial plants designed by Bio-On.
I must admit I am no fan of embargoes but I am left to question how the Cuban people in general, not the Castro regime, are better off under the terms of the Obama changes.

For example, could America not negotiate that businesses operating there pay their workers directly rather than paying the Cuban regime?

And thats just one aspect that is troubling.

But are things really better under the Socialist/Communist regime in Cuba?

Humberto Fontova shares some interesting statistics in his book Fidel: Hollywoods Favorite Tyrant :

In the late 1950s, Cuba had a political problem, not a socioeconomic one. Overall, Cuba was rich, her people healthy and well educated. The Cuban peso was always on par with the U.S. Dollar. Cubas gold reserves covered its monetary reserves to the lat penny. But thats only half the story, because Cuban labor laws were among the most advanced in the world. Cuban labor got a higher percentage of the national GNP than in Switzerland at the time. "in 1957, Cubas infant mortality rate was the lowest in Latin America and the thirteenth lowest in the world, for heavens sake! Cuba ranked ahead of France, Belgium, West Germany, Israel, Japan, Austria, Italy, Spain, and Portugal in that department. Now (and using Castros own inflated figures) its twenty-fourth in the world. And this with 60.4 percent of Cubas pregnancies ending in abortion (which skews infant mortality rates downward). In 1957, Cuba had twice as many physicians and teachers in relation to population as the U.S. It ranked first in Latin America in national income invested in education and its literacy rate was 80 percent. In 1958, Cuba even had more female college graduates (to scale) than the U.S." "Castros regime replaced a government where Cuban blacks served as president of the senate, minister of agriculture, chief of the army, and as head of state. Nowadays Cubas jail population is 80 percent black, its governmental hierarchy 100 percent white. Only 10 percent of the Communist Partys central committee is black (and Cubas most prominent political prisoner, Oscar Biscet, is black). In April 2003, three black Cubans hijacked a ferry and tried to escape to Florida. They were captured, given a summary trial, and executed by firing squads. Castro responded to the outrage of Cuban exiles with, Whats all this fuss about me shooting three little negritos? "The corruption and sporadic brutality of Batistas regime rankled Cubas middle and upper classes. We didnt care who overthrew Batista as long as somebody overthrew Batista, said pre-Castro Cubas wealthiest man, Julio Lobo. Ill take complete chaos over Batistas rule.

According to many Cubans Mr. Lobo got what he was asking for.

As compelling as Mr. Fontovas arguments are this article in Canadas Financial Post, "How Cuba Was Destroyed" is enlightening as is this opinion piece in Foreign Policy entitled Trump is Right to Reset U.S.-Cuba Policy"

If those two articles do not convince you to question the moral superiority of the Cuban Regime and Socialism/Communism maybe Cuba: A Cemetery of Hopes by Theodore Dalrymple will?

Even Bill Maher understands the lure and detrimental effects of Socialism.

To suggest that things are good in Cuba today is to live in denial.

Dalrymple put it better than I can in the article above:

"Wayne Smith. Interviewed by the newspaper, he was asked about human rights abuses in Cuba. The Cuban regime  he said  is not democratic. It is an authoritarian regime... But the policy of the United States hasnt helped. Each time Washington threatens the Cuban Revolution, the authorities react against opponents by accusing them of being American agents.



"Let us pass over the designation authoritarian, when what the professor meant, or ought to have meant, was totalitarian. What he seems to be implying is that, if only the Americans had been friendly towards Cuba, Castro would be a freedom-loving constitutionalist. If Cubans are now denied the most elementary of freedoms, the responsibility is shared between the Cuban and American governments. This is so preposterous (and, incidentally morally grandiose and deeply imperialistic, in that it seems to imply that not a sparrow falls but that our father in Washington is behind its death) that refutation is a waste of words.



"That a man can know as much as the professor and yet understand so little is perhaps a tribute to the complexity of the human psyche..."

All this proves - yet again - that government policies should be judged by the results not the stated intentions.
VanMeter to be next Kentucky chief justice as Minton retires
French English

Nanobiotix presented new clinical and pre-clinical data confirming NBTXR3's significant potential role in Immuno-Oncology at SITC Annual Meeting

NBTXR3 activated by radiotherapy induces a significant adaptive immune pattern versus radiotherapy alone in patients with soft tissue sarcoma

Patients treated with NBTXR3 and radiotherapy show a marked increase of PD1 and CD8 infiltration

Preclinical data on different animal models confirm broad potential of NBTXR3 as a primer of the immune response

Strong data to support the rational for the upcoming clinical trial in combination with check point inhibitors.



Paris, France and Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, November 13, 2017 - NANOBIOTIX (Euronext: NANO - ISIN: FR0011341205), a late clinical-stage nanomedicine company pioneering new approaches to the treatment of cancer, recently presented positive clinical and preclinical data from the ongoing immuno-oncology programs. These data were presented at the 32nd Annual Meeting of the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC), held from November 8 to 12, 2017 in National Harbor, Maryland, USA.

Nanobiotix's lead product, NBTXR3, has a universal physical mode of action which is designed for the local destruction of tumors. In addition to the physical destruction of cancer cells, recently published data suggested that NBTXR3 generates immunogenic cell death which could trigger a specific immune response to attack tumors.

The new clinical data and pre-clinical data indicate that NBTXR3 could play a key role in oncology and could become a backbone of immuno-oncology.

The data Nanobiotix recently presented at SITC from its immuno-oncology programs included:

"Antitumor immunity in patients with locally soft tissue sarcoma treated with hafnium oxide nanoparticles and radiation therapy" -- P 412

In this study, tumors from the ongoing two-arm Phase II/III clinical trial were examined both pre- and post-treatment in patients with locally advanced soft tissue sarcoma who had received either NBTXR3 with radiotherapy (more than 10 patients) or radiotherapy alone (more than 10 patients).

The results observed in the post-treatment examination of patients who received both NBTXR3 and radiotherapy showed a significant increase of CD8+ T cells and a marked increase of CD3+, PD-1 and CD103+ immune cell infiltration. In contrast, there was no difference observed between pre- and post-treatment examination when patients received radiotherapy alone.

Furthermore, a functional analysis of genes up-regulated in NBTXR3 plus Radiotherapy arm showed an enrichment of cytokines, immune checkpoints, T cell activation, and dendritic/macrophages markers.

These promising data confirm that NBTXR3 induces a specific adaptive immune pattern and brings substantial changes to the tumor immune profile in patients with soft tissue sarcoma. As such, it may convert the tumor immunologically and be effectively combined with immunotherapeutic agents across oncology.

These data strengthen the relevance of using NBTXR3 in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors. In September 2017, Nanobiotix announced the Company's plan to conduct its first clinical trial with NBTXR3 in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors in the U.S., with a multi-arm trial targeting a sub-population of advanced lung, and head and neck cancer patients.

"Transforming immunologically 'cold' tumor into 'hot' tumor with hafnium oxide nanoparticles and radiation therapy" -- P 413

These in vivo pre-clinical studies explored the ability of NBTXR3 to bring substantial immune cell infiltrations in colorectal cancer and breast cancer models, and convert immunologically "cold" tumors into "hot" tumors.

In mice bearing CT26 tumors (murine colorectal cancer cells), a marked increase of cytokine content and immune cell infiltrates was observed with NBTXR3 and radiotherapy compared to radiotherapy alone.

In mice inoculated with 4T1 cells (murine breast cancer model) previously treated with NBTXR3 and radiotherapy, a marked increase of CD8+ was observed in tumors when compared to those in mice inoculated with 4T1 cells treated only with radiotherapy.

Data generated from colorectal and breast cancer tumor models suggest that NBTXR3 triggers immunogenic conversion of the tumor microenvironment regardless of the molecular characteristics of the tumor. These data confirm the broad potential of NBTXR3 as a primer of the immune response.

***

About NANOBIOTIX's immuno-oncology research program

Many IO combination strategies focus on 'priming' the tumor, which is now becoming a prerequisite of turning a "cold" tumor into a "hot" tumor. Compared to other modalities that could be used for priming the tumor, NBTXR3 could have a number of advantages: the physical and universal mode of action that could be used widely across oncology, the one-time local injection and good fit within existing medical practice already used as a basis for cancer treatment, as well as a very good chronic safety profile and well-established manufacturing process.

After more than 18 months of development, the Company presented preclinical proof of concept demonstrating that NBTXR3 actively stimulates the host immune system to attack tumor cells.

Recently, Nanobiotix presented new translational data. Taken together, these non-clinical and preliminary clinical results confirm that NBTXR3 plus radiotherapy could efficiently prime an adaptive antitumor immune response, turning "cold" tumors in "hot" tumors. Additionally, these results suggest that the physically-induced response and subsequent immune activation triggered by the NBTXR3 treatment could be generic.

Results suggests that NBTXR3 with radiotherapy could transform tumors into an effective in situ vaccine, opening up very promising perspectives in the treatment of local cancer and metastases.

On top of the Company's core development activities, these findings could open new collaborations for NBTXR3 through combinations with other immuno-oncology drugs.

In September 2017, Nanobiotix announced its intention to start a new trial in the company's immuno-oncology (IO) program. The trial is aimed at expanding the potential of NBTXR3 to recurrent and metastatic disease.

About NANOBIOTIX: www.nanobiotix.com

Nanobiotix (Euronext: NANO / ISIN: FR0011341205) is a late clinical-stage nanomedicine company pioneering novel approaches for the treatment of cancer. The Company's first-in-class, proprietary technology, NanoXray, enhances radiotherapy energy with a view to providing a new, more efficient treatment for cancer patients.

NanoXray products are compatible with current radiotherapy treatments and are meant to treat potentially a wide variety of solid tumors including soft tissue sarcoma, head and neck cancers, liver cancers, prostate cancer, breast cancer, glioblastoma, etc., via multiple routes of administration.

NBTXR3 is being evaluated in: soft tissue sarcoma (STS), head and neck cancers, prostate cancer, and liver cancers (primary and metastases). Additionally, head and neck cancer and rectal cancer trials led by Nanobiotix's Taiwanese partner, PharmaEngine, are underway in the Asia Pacific region. The Company filed in August 2016 for market approval (CE Marking) in Europe for its lead product NBTXR3.

In 2016 the Company started a new preclinical research program in Immuno-oncology with its lead product NBTXR3, which could have the potential to bring a new dimension to cancer immunotherapies.

Nanobiotix is listed on the regulated market of Euronext in Paris (ISIN: FR0011341205, Euronext ticker: NANO, Bloomberg: NANO: FP). The Company's Headquarters is based in Paris, France, with a U.S. affiliate in Cambridge, MA.

Contact

Nanobiotix



Sarah Gaubert

Director, Communications & Public Affairs

+33 (0)1 40 26 07 55

sarah.gaubert@nanobiotix.com /

contact@nanobiotix.com







Noel Kurdi

Director, Investor Relations

+1 (646) 241-4400

noel.kurdi@nanobiotix.com / investors@nanobiotix.com Media relations



France - Springbok Consultants

Marina Rosoff

+33 (0)6 71 58 00 34

marina@springbok.fr



United States - RooneyPartners

Marion Janic

+1 (212) 223-4017

mjanic@rooneyco.com

Disclaimer

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements concerning Nanobiotix and its business. Such forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that Nanobiotix considers to be reasonable. However, there can be no assurance that the estimates contained in such forward-looking statements will be verified, which estimates are subject to numerous risks including the risks set forth in the reference document of Nanobiotix filed with the French Financial Markets Authority (Autorite des Marches Financiers) under number D.17-0470 on April 28, 2017 (a copy of which is available on www.nanobiotix.com) and to the development of economic conditions, financial markets and the markets in which Nanobiotix operates. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are also subject to risks not yet known to Nanobiotix or not currently considered material by Nanobiotix. The occurrence of all or part of such risks could cause actual results, financial conditions, performance or achievements of Nanobiotix to be materially different from such forward-looking statements.

This press release and the information that it contains do not constitute an offer to sell or subscribe for, or a solicitation of an offer to purchase or subscribe for, Nanobiotix shares in any country. At the moment NBTXR3 does not bear a CE mark and is not permitted to be placed on the market or put into service until NBTXR3 has obtained a CE mark.
By West Kentucky Star Staff Nov. 01, 2017 | 04:35 PM | PADUCAH, KY

The City of Paducah is inviting residents to another public meeting to discuss storm water flooding issues that have affected homes and businesses in the community.The purpose of the meeting tonight will be to support the completion of a Comprehensive Storm Water Master Plan for the city. The meeting will be from 4 to 7:30 p.m. at the Robert Cherry Civic Center located at 2701 Park Avenue.The citys consultant team will make a brief presentation about the study progress at 5:45 p.m.At the meeting, residents can look at maps and digital imagery that show the extent of flooding caused by rains on July 7, 2015. The map reportedly reflects modeling efforts underway to recreate Paducahs natural and manmade infrastructure including storm and combined sewer systems, topography, drainage basins, and river systems.Residents are encouraged to provide feedback on the maps accuracy. Terminals will also be set up so that residents can provide feedback to engineers.About 65 residents attended the city's first public storm water plan meeting on June 19.More information about Paducah's Comprehensive Storm Water Master Plan can be found at the link below.

On the Net:
Advertisement

By West Kentucky Star Staff

Nov. 13, 2017 | METROPOLIS, IL

By West Kentucky Star Staff Nov. 13, 2017 | 01:07 PM | METROPOLIS, IL

Two women have been charged with criminal trespassing, after they were found walking on a railroad bridge over the Ohio River at Metropolis as a train approached the area.



The Metropolis Police Department says a caller contacted officers Saturday about two women on the railroad bridge heading toward the Ohio River. Offices found the women and contacted the CN Railroad, who told them a train was scheduled to come through the area in 45 minutes. Metropolis officers notified McCracken County officials, and a rescue boat was launched. After 15 minutes the women were over the Ohio River, and the Metropolis Fire Department put a rescue boat on stand-by.



Railroad officials stopped the train, and about 30 minutes later the women came off the bridge.



Both women, 23-year-old Kristen D. Wildharber of Mayfield and 23-year-old Sarah Whitis of Paducah, were arrested and charged with criminal trespassing. They were taken to the Metropolis Police Department for processing and released on bond.
Email To : Multiple e-mail addresses must be separated with a comma character(maximum 200 characters) Email To is required.

Your Full Name: (optional)

Your Email Address: Your Email Address is required.
By The Associated Press Nov. 13, 2017 | 11:43 AM | FRANKFORT, KY

Sen. Rand Paul has returned to Capitol Hill following an attack at his Kentucky home that left him with six broken ribs.Paul entered the chamber, hands by his sides, to cast a vote Monday night. He chatted briefly with other senators, including Democratic Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawaii. Sen. Marco Rubio attempted to shake his hand, but Paul declined, explaining his condition to his colleague.Paul was attacked Nov. 3 while mowing his lawn, authorities said. Robert Porter, Paul's close friend of 20 years, said the senator had gotten off his riding lawn mower when he was tackled from behind. Porter said Paul was wearing ear protection, so he did not hear the attack coming.Police charged Rene Boucher with misdemeanor assault. Boucher pleaded not guilty last week in Bowling Green.President Donald Trump welcomed Paul's return to the Senate with a tweet from the Philippines.Trump tweeted, "Great to see @RandPaul looking well and back on the Senate floor." Trump says on the final day of his lengthy trip to Asia that Paul will "help us with TAX CUTS and REFORM!"The Republican senator declined to answer reporters' questions about the assault.Original Story:Sen. Rand Paul has returned to Capitol Hill following an attack at his Kentucky home that left him with six broken ribs.

Paul entered the chamber, hands by his sides, to cast a vote Monday night. He chatted briefly with other senators, including Democratic Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawaii.

Paul was attacked Nov. 3 while mowing his lawn, authorities said. Robert Porter, Paul's close friend of 20 years, said the senator had gotten off his riding lawn mower when he was tackled from behind. Porter said Paul was wearing ear protection, so he did not hear the attack coming.

Police charged Rene Boucher with misdemeanor assault. Boucher pleaded not guilty last week in Bowling Green.
By The Associated Press

By The Associated Press Nov. 12, 2017 | 05:27 PM | GLASGOW, KY

Police say four people have died in the crash of a small plane east of Bowling Green in south-central Kentucky.

The Federal Aviation Administration said that a Piper PA32 crashed near Glasgow at 2:21 p.m. Sunday. The FAA said the plane was heading to the Lake Cumberland Regional Airport in Somerset. The statement didn't say where the plane was coming from.

Kentucky State Police spokesman Trooper Jeremy Hodges told the Bowling Green Daily News that three people were pronounced dead at the scene and a fourth victim was later pronounced dead at a hospital in Bowling Green.

Hodges says part of the plane was lodged between large branches in a tree.

National Transportation Safety Board spokesman Terry Williams says NTSB investigators planned to arrive at the site on Monday.
Loading...

Sarah Crompton, WhatsOnStage



"This production, directed by rising star Sam Yates, doesn't dig very deep. It seems so in love with David Mamet's words, with the way they ebb and flow that it skates along the surface of them, losing their passionate meaning. When salesman Shelly pleads with office manager John to give him a break and is greeted with a brusque "F**k You", it should count for something. It is the harsh underside of the free market expressed in two phrases. Yet here in Townsend's oddly one-note performance it passes for nothing except a quick laugh."

"As Roma, the part Al Pacino played in the 1992 film, Slater has a lot of energy but he never seems to believe what he says. Roma should hold the audience, like his clients, in the palm of his seductive hand; Slater keeps it at bay with a breezy smile. The best performance comes from Robert Glenister who endows the floundering Moss with righteous fury and a pent-up rage. Don Warrington is quietly effective as the washed up George."

"But in the end, this is a lively but overly polite version of a great American play that pays it respect, without ever illuminating its dark and passionate heart."

Michael Billington, The Guardian



"Slater, seen in London in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and Swimming With Sharks, has exactly the measure of Roma. He hooks his client with a fake confidentiality yet in the office turns into a camel-coated diva with an unshakeable ego and a visible contempt for the desiccated desk wallah. Stanley Townsend matches him blow for blow as the over-the-hill Levene: it is a pleasure to see the twinkly-eyed Townsend springing around on the balls of his feet like a rejuvenated pugilist once he thinks he has landed a juicy contract.

The scene where Robert Glenister's manipulative Moss tries to cajole Don Warrington's apprehensive Aaronow into plundering the office leads also shows Mamet's mastery of language as a form of camouflage. "I mean are you actually talking about this?" asks Aaronow of the projected heist, to which Moss cagily replies: "We're just speaking about it." Kris Marshall, barely recognisable as the flat-haired, bespectacled manager, also exudes the caution of a man who has never been exposed to the dubious artistry of salesmanship.

Natasha Tripney, The Stage



"Sam Yates' polished production takes a while to find its feet. The opening duologues are a bit stiff, but they're necessary building blocks for what's to come as a robbery at the office piles the pressure on these already desperate men."

"The cast quickly gets to grips with Mamet's choppy tectonic dialogue. Yates has assembled quite a team here. Christian Slater plays the vulpine Ricky Roma with a razor wire smile. He's a weapon on legs, all tongue and teeth, with a slightly hollow quality that makes him all the more dangerous  though there's little sense of any underlying insecurity to him."

"Chiara Stephenson's set is striking and rich in detail, impressively transforming from a red lantern-bedecked Chinese restaurant complete with fish-tank to a convincingly grim sales office, recently ransacked and harshly lit, with uneven ceiling tiles and an ashtray-and-coffeepot aesthetic."

Ann Treneman, The Times



"It's like watching a Monopoly-themed stag do. The play, which won the Pulitzer in 1984, retains a racist tinge, with references to Indians (not the Native American kind) and Chinese and there's plenty of casual misogyny too. It's very much of its time. Yet the language here is the action  bombastic, desperate, agile, furious  and it's enlivening, if a bit raw, to see it done so well."

"Sam Yates directs and keeps it sharp and, at one hour and 45 mins including an interval, short. The first act seems a bit jerky but, by the second, everything is motoring as smooth as can be. The set, by Chiara Stephenson, captures those health-and-safety nightmare offices perfectly, right down to the stained ceiling tiles."

"'We are members of a dying breed!' shouts Ricky Roma. But, actually, they were the prototype for Wall Street's killer traders. These men are the real roots of the sub-prime boom. "I've got to get on that f*****g board!" shouts Shelley Levene. This really is the play that made asterisks what they are today."

Henry Hitchings, Evening Standard



"Mamet depicts a group of men nostalgic for a golden age of salesmanship when the job was synonymous with youth and virility. Those glory days never in fact existed, and instead, we're left with an impression of small men struggling beneath the weight of their delusions."

"The result is a vision of toxic masculinity, heartless greed and the way both these things seem to flourish in the marketplace. For the dazzlingly fraudulent Ricky Roma, you are what you sell, and Christian Slater does a fine job of showing how well slick talk can mask lies and viciousness."

Dominic Cavendish, The Telegraph



"What's missing, at least initially and a touch too glaringly, from Yates's production is a palpable sense of the clock ticking  a stomach-churning countdown to personal catastrophe. Those who pull the strings, agency owners Mitch and Murray (never seen), have concocted a brutal incentive scheme: the salesman who closes the most deals and gets on top of "the board" (a blackboard tally of winners and losers) will win a Cadillac; the two at the bottom get kicked out."

"When we see Stanley Townsend's old-timer Shelly Levene in the first of three establishing scenes in a Chinese restaurant begging and cajoling his young superior  the wintry Williamson  for the better 'leads' that will improve his chances on the doorstep  we should feel that he is at last-chance saloon."

Glengarry Glen Ross runs at Playhouse Theatre 3 February 2018.
Embed from Getty Images

Sunderland were rock bottom of the table when David Moyes drew deep from the well of his warrior ancestors to send a blood-curdling battle cry across the neighbouring valleys of the Premier League last January.

Knowing only a Herculean expenditure of guttural brawn would be enough to stave off the drop, Moyes stood astride a mighty windswept tor, undaunted, genitals exposed by flapping kilt, and roared forth unto his troops:

Ill be finding ways to try to balance the books the best I can.

The Black Cats were subsequently relegated after losing 12 of their remaining 16 fixtures, but Moyes departed the club knowing hed done all he could.

Embed from Getty Images

The Scot is now back in management at West Ham, whose league position looks similarly perilous to the one faced by Sunderland at around about this juncture last year.

And so, once again, its been left to the swivel-eyed lunatic of the lowlands to summon up the necessary visceral drive to haul the Hammers out of the mire.

Speaking to the Guardian ahead of his first game in charge (a march upon the gates of Watford this coming Sunday), Moyes assessed the lay of land stretched out afore him.

I dont think its a bad team, a bad squad. But I cant be bothered with any drivel. Im going to be direct with the players. If they dont like it, then Im sorry. Weve got to make sure we get through to them quickly.

Then, as if from the mouth of Hades very own unholy furnace, came a fiery blast of that ferocious, face-smelting motivational magniloquence weve come to expect from Moyes the Marauder:

If it works, great. If it doesnt, then Ill see the East End of London for seven months, then Ill go elsewhere.

Oh. Okay then.
LAS VEGAS, Nov. 13, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In Global Wireless Health Market, the traditional medicines are combined with wireless technology for diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of disease. Patients physiological condition can be determined by wireless healthcare devices. Markers of the chronic diseases can be monitored by wireless health which will lead to more effective management of these diseases. Wireless health can be useful in monitoring blood pressure, fluid stats and cardiac function of a patient for effective management. This reduces hospital stays and emergency room visits. Wireless health can also be used in communicating health information about a patient suffering from trauma present on field. Wireless health allows patient to live his life without restricting the interaction between the patient and clinician to a specific time and place. Wireless health helps in offering diagnosis, monitoring and treatment to patients in places where it is difficult to reach. It helps the clinical workforce to diagnose and monitor huge population by means of automated monitoring.



The software market will witness considerable growth during the forecast period as the awareness about the advantages of healthcare IT is on the rise across the world. Increasing adoption of software applications related to different healthcare processes such as diagnostics and patient monitoring will drive the growth of this market over the forecast period. The WPAN segment accounted for the majority of the wireless health market in 2016. The high security features of the technology along with low cost implementation have majorly contributed to the robust growth of this market.

Get sample of this report: http://www.crystalmarketresearch.com/report-sample/HC0632

Patient-specific application segment accounted for the largest share of the market in 2016, due to rise in adoption of patient specific products and need for quality healthcare. Services providers segment accounted for the major share of the overall market in 2016, due to large number of healthcare providers adopting wireless health solutions to deliver high quality health care.

U.S. held the major share of the North America wireless health market in 2016 owing to the huge spending on healthcare IT in the country. According to a survey conducted by the Department of Health and Human Services in May 2016, nearly all the hospitals in the U.S. are using certified Electronic Health Records to manage patients health records. Emerging countries such as China and India are aggressively adopting wireless health technologies.

Strategic collaborations and product development are the major strategies adopted by the companies operating in the global wireless health market. For instance, in August 2016, Philips Healthcare and Qualcomm Life Inc. collaborated to leverage Philips HealthSuite and Qualcomm Lifes 2net platform to advance personalized connected healthcare. Likewise, in October 2014, Philips Healthcare collaborated with Eseye, a global provider of M2M cellular connectivity, for supplying Multi-IMSI AnyNet connectivity for their telehealth platform, Philips Motiva. Moreover, in November 2016, Smiths Medical launched PharmGuard interoperability software for smart pump programming.

Major Market Players

AT &T Inc.

Cerner Corporation

Alcatel-Lucent

Omron Corporation

Verizon Communications Inc.

Qualcomm Inc.

Allscripts Healthcare Solutions Inc.

Aerohive Networks Inc.

Philips Healthcare

Vocera Communications Inc.

Buy Report: http://www.crystalmarketresearch.com/checkout/HC0632

Key Findings of the Research Study:

The software segment is expected to witness lucrative growth during the forecast period due to rapid adoption of healthcare IT software products by the industry.

The WPAN segment accounted for the largest share in the wireless health market in 2016 as it is widely used to link wireless healthcare devices with computers.

The Bluetooth segment accounted for the largest share of the WPAN market in 2016 owing to its low cost application.

North America accounted for the major share of the global wireless health market in 2016 due to the large scale adoption of wireless healthcare devices and software solutions in the countries such as U.S. and Canada.

Asia-Pacific market will experience robust growth during the forecast period due to rapidly increasing internet penetration and adoption of wireless medical devices.

About Crystal Market Research

Crystal 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 States

Toll Free: + 1-888-213-4282

Email: sales@crystalmarketresearch.com

Website: http://www.crystalmarketresearch.com
Williamson, WV (25661)

Today

Cloudy skies. A few flurries or snow showers possible. High around 40F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Some clouds. Low 27F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.
NEWPORT NEWS, Va., Nov. 13, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Huntington Ingalls Industries (NYSE:HII) announced today that Philip M. Bilden has been elected to its Board of Directors, effective Nov. 7.



Bilden retired last year as a co-founding member of the private equity firm HarbourVest Partners, a leading global private equity investment management firm with institutional assets under management in excess of $42 billion. He began his career in Boston in 1991 and relocated to Hong Kong in 1996 to establish the firms Asian subsidiary. Bilden was responsible for the firms investment strategy and execution, capital-raising, and client service activities throughout the Asia Pacific region, managing personnel and partnerships in multiple countries and cultures. Throughout his 25-year tenure at HarbourVest Partners, Bilden served in senior leadership roles in the firms global management, including the firms six-person executive committee responsible for governance.

We are very pleased to welcome Philip to the Board of HII, said Chairman of the Board Thomas B. Fargo. Philip brings a wide range of skills to the HII Board. His vast investment and diverse business background are combined with a keen knowledge of Asia-Pacific markets. Along with his experience and concentration in areas of intelligence and cyber, he will further our efforts to create value for our shareholders and customers. I am delighted to welcome him to an excellent group of directors and look forward to his contributions.

A photo of Bilden is available at: http://newsroom.huntingtoningalls.com/file?fid=5a09a4182cfac206564eedd0.

Bilden served on the advisory boards of several international private equity partnerships, including funds managed by Archer Capital (Australia), Bain Capital Asia, Brait Capital Partners (South Africa), Castle Harlan Australian Mezzanine Partners (CHAMP), KKR Asia, Latin American Enterprise Fund, Olympus Capital (Asia), Pacific Equity Partners (Australia), TPG Asia and Unitas Capital (Asia). He served as inaugural chairman of the Emerging Markets Private Equity Association from 2011-2012 and presently serves on the advisory board of Contrast Capital Management, LLC.

Bilden also serves on the Chief of Naval Operations Executive Panel; the Asia Pacific Advisory Board and the Deans Board of Advisors of Harvard Business School; the Board of Visitors of Georgetown Universitys School of Foreign Service; the Board of Directors of the United States Naval Academy Foundation; and the Board of Trustees and executive committee as vice chairman of the Naval War College Foundation. He also serves as the inaugural chairman of the Center for Cyber Conflict Studies Task Force at the Naval War College Foundation.

A 1986 graduate of Georgetown University, Bilden holds a Bachelor of Science degree in foreign service (magna cum laude). He is a Distinguished Military Graduate of Georgetowns Army Reserve Officer Training Corps and served in the U.S. Army Reserve as a military intelligence officer from 1986-1996. He received an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1991.

Huntington Ingalls Industries is Americas largest military shipbuilding company and a provider of professional services to partners in government and industry. For more than a century, HIIs Newport News and Ingalls shipbuilding divisions in Virginia and Mississippi have built more ships in more ship classes than any other U.S. naval shipbuilder. HIIs Technical Solutions division provides a wide range of professional services through its Fleet Support, Integrated Missions Solutions, Nuclear & Environmental, and Oil & Gas groups. Headquartered in Newport News, Virginia, HII employs nearly 37,000 people operating both domestically and internationally. For more information, visit:

HII on the web: www.huntingtoningalls.com

HII on Facebook: www.facebook.com/HuntingtonIngallsIndustries

HII on Twitter: twitter.com/hiindustries

Contact:

Beci Brenton

Beci.brenton@hii-co.com

(202) 264-7143
NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov. 13, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kings Pride Properties Limited, a Nairobi based real estate development and investment company, announced today that it has signed a financing term sheet of USD$450 million with Milost Global Inc, a New York based Private Equity Firm. This is a working capital and development facility for the company which is being provided as a combo of Debt and Equity, of which $150 million will be an equity facility and $300 million will be debt facility. Both the company and the investor are expected to sign a commitment letter by November 16th 2017.



The Chief Executive Officer of Kings Pride Properties Limited, Maj (Rtd) David Karau, stated, The best Solution the company has garnered this last quarter of 2017 is this key Partnership with Milost Global Inc. Players in our market know how securing financing locally has taken a twist and became very scarce and expensive. This went all the way into project execution lacking the business charisma expected by the market more so low ROI as well as unaffordability by the end user. We opened our finance and investments doors for this strategic partnership and we hope it comes in as a solution to our property development agenda.

The Senior Partner & President of Milost Global Africa, Solly Asibey, stated, The wealth of knowledge, track record and growth strategy of Kings Pride with regards to the real estate development market in Kenya has endeared Milost to partner with them. Our aim is to help grow Kings Pride into a formidable company in the East African region, whilst creating value for all our stakeholders in the process.

President and COO of Milost Global Inc., Mr. Bernard Yaw, added, Despite weaknesses in global economic performance, Kenyas GDP growth has remained consistently solid in the range of 5.3%-5.9% for the last six years, helped by FDI and private consumption. Under the 15th blueprint of the Kenya Economic Update, unlocking the affordable housing market is one of the key economic focus. With 61% of urban households still living in slums and an urbanization rate of 4.4%, Kings Pride Properties Limited is sitting in a huge market. We are proud to be associated with Kings Pride and together we hope to fund and expand into other sub-Saharan Africa with Kenya as our launching pad.

About Kings Pride Properties Limited

Kingspride Properties is a seasoned Property development company in Kenya currently eyeing the greater sub Saharan Africa as an expansion plan. The company has been a leading solution provider towards affordable housing in Kenya as well as top notch developments in the high end markets of Nairobi. Designing and building residential blocks and communities with international standards bench mark has been a business routine for us, says the Group CEO & Chairman  Maj (Rtd) D. Karau. To date, Kingspride Properties has delivered over 500 homes in the residential grid while in the current strategic plan has master developments that will include affordable residential properties, hotels, office complexes, shopping malls and business parks in Nairobi, Mombasa and other targeted cities in the continent all ear marked in the strategic expansion.

The economic forces rotating around both consumers and businesses are now eager to emerge from hibernation witnessed at the start of the electioneering period now past us. This is evident in the market with the group having five projects up and running with four mega & exciting others in the pipeline of execution in the coming year 2018. www.kingsprideproperties.co.ke for more information.

About MILOST GLOBAL, INC.

Milost Global, Inc. is an American Private Equity firm that is headquartered in New York City. With more than $25 billion in committed capital, Milost is at the intersection of creative investing and value creation. Milost is also a provider of alternative capital, mezzanine finance and alternative lending to a broad range of industries across the globe including Technology, Transport, Cannabis, Education, Distribution, Mining, Oil & Gas, Financial Services, Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals, Real Estate, Alternative Energy and Infrastructure Development.

www.milostglobal.com for more information

Mandy An

mandy.an@palewateradvisory.com

Tel: +1-212-709-8206

Fax: +1-212-943-2300
The ballot boxes closed at 8 p.m. Tuesday and by 8:45, Lewis and Clark County Sheriff Leo Dutton says he was already talking about next steps for funding made available for the detention center.

Im very grateful to the voters, and now I guess you can say the real work begins, he said.

On Tuesday, voters approved a 15-year, $4 million annual levy for operating a jail slated for $6.5 million in remodeling. Last November voters approved the $6.5 million construction bond but voted down an operations levy. With the levy passing by a nearly 10-point margin this year, Dutton and other county officials are pushing forward to bring the project to fruition.

Our voters have spoken and we feel that direction is clear, said Roger Baltz, the county administrator. Its absolutely crucial that we move forward exactly as we indicated to the voters.

Advocates for the levy and bond say the current detention center is unsafe due to overcrowding and outdated technology. The county also spends roughly $200,000 per year housing inmates in other counties due to lack of capacity.

A feasibility study provides an overview of turning the 80-bed facility into 154 beds on three floors. The levy funds an additional 33 detention officers, along with technology upgrades and diversion programming.

Remodeling means space currently occupied by the Helena Police Department and Sheriffs Office will become jail space, and both departments need to find a new home.

If we continue to co-locate, and I strongly encourage the Helena Police Department to do so, we need to find a building that meets both of those needs, Dutton said.

Prospective office buildings must meet certain security criteria to house evidence. Finding a location near the courthouse and detention center may be difficult, he said.

Multiple working groups will be in play for the relocation effort, construction and the new programming, Baltz said, and officials had begun those conversations in days following the election.

The morning after the election, county commissioners agreed to move forward deliberately and carefully, said Commission Chair Susan Good Geise.

Much of this levy will not be happening all at one time and most of the hiring will be after the additional beds are constructed, she said. This was such a big ask of voters so I want to make sure theyre spending every dime wisely. Id rather move slow and deliberate and get it right rather than have a misstep.

Officials were largely cautious on identifying a timeline for letting design and construction contracts and actual construction. Dutton did say he thought a year to 15 months seemed reasonable for completion, but cautioned that the estimate was a best guess.

Therell be a lot going on simultaneously between the bricks and mortar and the systemic changes were looking at, he said.

Hiring will be phased in over time, although inmates are not expected to be displaced during construction. Once completed, all county inmates will be housed in Helena.

One new position that has already been filled is the new director of restorative justice and court systems. Kellie Goodwin McBride will leave her post as head of YWCA to head up the program in December. She accepted the job, which is partially funded through the county and a grant, about a week before the election.

Ill be working with the sheriffs office, Helena police, county attorney, district judges, mental health providers, all looking at how we can reduce recidivism, she said. Recidivism refers to a criminals tendency to re-offend, and programming will include treatment and pretrial diversion, which operates similar to probation in allowing some of those awaiting trial to do so out of jail.

Geise noted that before the election, many of the plans remained in a conceptual phase and she and others recognize that they are under pressure to get detention officers and inmates into a safer facility. She says they look forward to working with interested groups and the public as the process moves along.

We are always looking for more participation rather than less, she said.
When Linda Diaz was planning a family vacation to Disney World four years ago, she called Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport to see what could be done to make flying a successful experience for her son, Andy, who has autism.

He doesnt like people to touch him and hes nonverbal, the White Bear Lake mother said. He can get aggressive.

The airport didnt have any programs available to familiarize Andy, now 13, with the TSA screening process or with flying, and airport tours were canceled after the Sept. 11 attacks. So Diaz canceled the familys flights and instead drove 1,500 miles to Orlando.

It was just easier to drive, she said.

Shortly after that long drive to Disney World, a program was launched at MSP to help make flying a reality for kids like Andy.

What started as a grass-roots effort in 2013 to ease the journey for individuals with autism spectrum disorder, the name for a group of developmental disorders that include autism, has evolved into Navigating MSP, monthly practice runs for anyone  special needs or otherwise  who has concerns about flying.

Volunteers with the Metropolitan Airports Commission, Fraser, which provides services for people with special needs, Delta Air Lines, and the Autism Society of Minnesota come together once a month to guide hopeful travelers through airport security, to their gates and onto an actual plane with pilots and flight attendants.

Shelly Lopez, the MACs administrative and emergency programs coordinator, helped develop the program after she saw similar programs in Atlanta and Boston.

Its easy to do this when you hear stories from families who have to drive to Disney World because theyre afraid to fly, she said.

Julie Tarshish was one of those parents.

Wed never flown before, just road trips, because of our fear of flying with them, the Golden Valley mother said.

Among her list of fears? Not knowing what to expect and if staff would be kind and accommodating, she said.

After completing the program twice with her 7-year-old twin sons, the Tarshish family had a smooth flying experience during a family vacation.

Theres a lot of fear and a lot of unknowns, especially for the kids who have sensory needs, said Delta captain Andrea Ratfield, who has a 7-year-old son with autism and volunteers for the Navigating MSP program. Loud noises, moving walkways  doing this tour give those children a visual reference so that when they come again, its not so overwhelming.

You will fly

Now that Andy is a few years older, his first plane ride is on the horizon with an upcoming trip to Panama for Thanksgiving. On a recent Saturday afternoon, alongside dozens of other families, Diaz checked in at a security desk at MSP with Andy and her daughter, Jaynie.

While some families checked bags, showed their passports or pet Getty, the comfort dog, Andy clung to two crucial carry-on items: an iPad and Toy Story Woody doll.

George Callow, a TSA officer, met the family to guide them through security.

Like others helping families that day, Callow is a volunteer with Navigating MSP as a passenger support specialist who is dedicated to improving the travel experience for passengers with special needs.

Although Navigating MSP started as a program for children with autism, Callow said people of all ages and abilities are finding value in a travel-day trial run.

A 50-year-old man with an intense fear of flying participated in Navigating MSP with his adult children to prepare for a family vacation. Another man was referred to the program when he was hesitant to fly with an ostomy bag.

Its the fear of the unknown. So many people dont think they can come through the airport, Callow said. We will screen you, but you will fly.

Callow said TSA agents are trained to handle every possible situation. Security is high for everyone, but there are procedures in place so that everyone who wants to fly is able to fly.

Since Andy wasnt able to go through the X-ray security system with his special needs stroller, a TSA agent completed a manual check of the chair and his hands.

With the hard part over, it was time for the highlight of the day: boarding a Boeing 737 jetliner.

After the final family arrived at the gate, Ratfield greeted the families over the loudspeaker: Welcome aboard our flight to nowhere.

Flight to nowhere

After greeting the pilot and flight attendants, 44 passengers made their way to their seats. Andy had other plans. Overwhelmed by his new surroundings, he barreled down the aisle of the plane, looking for a way out.

Navigating MSP volunteers sprung into action and defused the situation, wisely suggesting that Andy might be most comfortable in the front row. They were right. Once seated, Andy leaned in and kissed his mother on the cheek.

Other children practiced lowering the tables in front of them and opening their window shades. Parents listened intently as two Delta pilots  both with children on the autism spectrum  shared their personal travel tips.

I bring little chocolate treat bags for the people around me, and we spread autism awareness, Ratfield said. Then, God forbid my son has a hard time, which happens, people around us know. When you communicate with others, theyre so much more open to helping.

Before exiting the plane, passengers could flush the toilets in the bathroom and take photos on the flight deck with the captains.

Back inside the terminal, Diaz said she thought it would be a good idea for Andy to go through the program once more before their flight to Panama.

Well make sure we upgrade our seats to first class, she said. Now we know he likes the front row.
Winona National Bank has been named a 2017 Minnesota Keystone Honored Company by the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce. The bank was selected from nearly 200 companies statewide.

Three award winners are selected each year based on business size: small, medium and large. Winona National, the small business selection, was chosen for its generous contributions to the community and outstanding corporate giving program. The medium winner is The Opus Group, while the large honoree is Dorsey and Whitney, LLP.

Its truly an honor to receive this award, and I congratulate all of the recipients, Jack Richter, Winona National Bank president and CEO, said. The recognition is a true testament to our coworkers dedication to the communities we serve through their commitment to the banks mission and core values.

Winners will be honored at a luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 7, in Minneapolis.

Administered by the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Keystone Program is open to any Minnesota company that gives at least 2 percent of pre-tax earnings back to the community in any combination of volunteer time, in-kind or cash donations. Since its inception in 1976, the program has worked to recognize companies that enhance the quality of life in Minnesota.

The bank has been a program member for 22 years. In 2016 alone, 43 employees donated 1,460 hours of service to 78 local organizations. More than $320,000 was gifted in the areas of education and youth programs, fine arts and culture, health and wellness, and community service.
A pair of former US intelligence chiefs blasted President Donald Trump Sunday after he attacked them a day earlier while discussing his recent conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said Sunday on CNN"s "State of the Union" that Trump's downplaying of the threat posed by Russia's meddling in last year's election was dangerous to US national security and allows countries like Russia and China to "play" the President. Former CIA Director John Brennan said Trump is allowing Putin to get away with Russia's efforts to disrupt the presidential election.

Speaking alongside Brennan, Clapper said: "The threat posed by Russia, as John just said, is manifest and obvious. To try to paint it in any other way is, I think, astounding, and in fact, poses a peril to this country."

Clapper, a CNN analyst, was responding to Trump's mixed comments about alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election.

'Giving Putin a pass'

Brennan said Trump was in effect "giving Putin a pass," which invited other countries to seek to sway Trump.

Clapper concurred, saying, "I do think both the Chinese and the Russians think they can play him."

Brennan said Putin's apparent success with Trump was due to his use of flattery and Brennan's suspicion that Trump "for whatever reason" might be "intimidated" by Putin.

"It's either naivete, ignorance or fear in terms of what Mr. Trump is doing vis-a-vis the Russians," Brennan said.

President clarifies his Saturday statement on believing Putin

Trump, while speaking Sunday at a news conference in Hanoi, sought to clarify remarks he made a day earlier that suggested Russian President Vladimir Putin was being sincere in his denials that Moscow engaged in election meddling.

The President stressed he was not accepting Putin's denials at face value, instead saying he merely believed Putin was being genuine.

"I believe that he feels that he and Russia did not meddle in the election," Trump said. "As to whether I believe it or not, I am with our agencies, especially as currently constituted with the leadership."

But he again stopped short of stating explicitly that Russia was behind the interference in the 2016 presidential election, which US intelligence has determined was conducted to help Trump.

Trump on Saturday also dismissed former officials like Clapper, Brennan and former FBI Director James Comey as "political hacks."

The intelligence community released an unclassified version of its assessment in January, saying Putin ordered the election meddling to hurt Hillary Clinton's candidacy and bolster Trump's successful bid. Putin denies the accusations, and Trump has wavered publicly on his own stance.

Brennan said he considered Trump's attack on them as an attempt to undermine the credibility of that intelligence community report, which the former CIA director noted was written by intelligence and law enforcement officers, not himself, Clapper or Comey.

"He was referring to us as political hacks because he was trying to delegitimize the intelligence community assessment," Brennan said.

The Obama-era CIA chief added that he took the criticism from Trump with pride.

"Considering the source of the criticism, I consider that criticism a badge of honor," Brennan said.

Asked about his own knowledge of any potential collusion between Trump's associates and Russia, Brennan demurred, saying he had spoken with the congressional investigators, and went on later in the interview to praise former FBI Director Robert Mueller, who is leading the special counsel investigation.

Clapper said that although he had "no direct evidence of collusion" while still on the job, he did not know about former Trump foreign policy adviser George Papadopoulos' activities, which were revealed last month in unsealed court documents. Papadopoulos pleaded guilty last month to making a false statement to the FBI after he lied about his interactions with a foreign contact close to the Russian government.

Since leaving government, Clapper said more information had come out that raises at least "circumstantial questions" about potential connections between Trump's associates and Russia.
The city of Columbus, along with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, will host a public information meeting Wednesday, Nov. 15 to discuss the Highway 89 (Farnham Street) project.

The meeting, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., will be held at Columbus High School, 1164 Farnham Street. The session will feature an open house format with a short presentation at 6 p.m.

The meeting will introduce the preliminary planned improvements and project design schedule for the 2021 project. Conceptual plans will also be discussed. Input from residents and business owners will be encouraged. Attendees can also provide written comments to the DOT.

This project includes state-funded work along Farnham Street from Avalon Road to Park Avenue.

Residents unable to attend Wednesdays meeting can call Project Leader Steve Porter at 608-243-3366 with any questions or concerns.
Since hitting the road as Secretary of State in February this year, Rex Tillerson has visited 21 countries and covered some 95,000 miles.

He has rarely spoken to the media during those travels, frustrating the State Department press corps that usually accompanies the nation's top diplomat on his travels overseas.

But during a recent trip to Beijing he was uncharacteristically forthcoming, telling reporters that the US maintained "direct contact" with North Korea.

His candor was met with an agitated response -- not from the media, but from his boss back home.

Responding to questions about a diplomatic channel being opened, Tillerson said the US was not "in a dark situation or a blackout, we have a couple of direct channels to Pyongyang. We can talk to them. We do talk to them. Directly, through our own channels," CNN reported.

That Washington has such direct lines of communication with the Kim regime presented a rare moment of optimism that tensions might diminish, at a time when both leaders have aimed incendiary rhetoric in each other's direction.

But the revelation -- and the hope it might have encapsulated -- was quickly shot down by US President Donald Trump, who dismissed his Secretary of State's efforts as "wasting his time."

"Save your energy Rex, we'll do what has to be done!" Trump tweeted from his personal account on Sunday.

He followed up five hours later with another tweet, declaring that "Being nice to Rocket Man hasn't worked in 25 years, why would it work now?" referring to North Korea's Kim Jong-un, who inherited the mantle of leadership from his father in 2011. He said past White House administrations had been unsuccessful. "I won't fail," he declared.

But has Tillerson really been wasting his time? How effective can diplomacy be at this juncture of an increasingly tense standoff?

Channels, back channels and academic retreats

For a country that is largely isolated diplomatically, North Korea does have several means to communicate with even its adversaries.

A key avenue is the New York channel -- via the North Korean mission at the UN headquarters in Manhattan. The main contacts there are Ambassador Pak Song Il and Counselor Kwon Jong Geun, says CNN's Will Ripley, who regularly travels to North Korea. "The channel is always open on some level," he said. It was the avenue through which the US negotiated the release and return of American college student Otto Warmbier, sentenced to 15 years hard labor in North Korea for allegedly attempting to steal a political poster. He spent 17 months in detention and was returned to Ohio in June unresponsive with severe brain damage. He died less than a week after he arrived home.

Another communication method is within North Korea itself, where the government of Sweden represents US diplomatic interests. Sweden enjoys a particular status in North Korea for being the first Western European nation to establish diplomatic relations with the Hermit Kingdom, and set up its embassy in Pyongyang in 1975. It hosts and sponsors talks, distributes aid that comes in through the UN and the Red Cross, and is a member of the Neutral Nations Supervisory Committee, which was set up to oversee the armistice and "promote trust between the two sides." In May this year the North Koreans allowed the Swedish embassy to pay a consular visit to four Americans in custody.

Another avenue of contact? Along the de-militarized zone, or DMZ. North Korean military personnel communicate occasionally with duty officers on the other side of the demarcation line, among them South Korean and US military. There are small blue buildings that straddle the north and south with entrances on each side in the village of Panmunjom, located within the Joint Security Area of the DMZ, says Ripley. "It's not a regular occurrence, but talks do occasionally take place there," he said. "Each side would enter through their respective door and sit at the table."

There is also what is known as the "1.5 Track" talks, where former envoys meet with North Korean diplomats in low key meetings around the world. "They are not publicized and are used to transmit messages back and forth," said David Maxwell, associate director of the Center for Security Studies at the Walsh School for Foreign Service at Georgetown University. "So there's multiple ways to communicate."

Good cop bad cop?

The burgeoning contrast between the digital pronouncements coming out of the Oval Office and the taciturn assertions from Tillerson have many questioning whether Trump is adopting a "madman theory" in dealing with North Korea, the notion that the president was unhinged and capable of dangerous behavior, a technique President Richard Nixon tried to employ with the Soviet Union and the North Vietnamese.

"Clearly it is part of his management style, which seems to be to undermine his people at every turn," said Christopher Hill, who represented the US in negotiations with Pyongyang during the George W. Bush administration.

"Trump's tweets undermine Tillerson's visit, leaving his interlocutors wondering why they are wasting the time to speak with him," Hill said in comments to the New York Times.

State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert made no mention of Trump's statements, instead reiterating Tillerson's words hours after the president's tweets circled the Internet. "Diplomatic channels are open for #KimJongUn for now," she tweeted on Sunday, tagging Trump in her post. "They won't be open forever @StateDept @potus."

The US has been in contact with North Korea since at least February and there have been lower-level talks, though none with US government representatives, CNN has reported. The meetings, led by US Special Representative for North Korea Policy Joseph Yun, have focused on Americans detained in North Korea.

What can talks achieve?

Even as he confirmed that he'd asked North Korea: "Would you like to talk?" Tillerson acknowledged that it would be an "incremental process."

"You'd be foolish to think you're going to sit down and say: 'OK, done, nuclear weapons gone'," he told reporters in Beijing. "This is going to be a process of engagement with North Korea that will be step-wise."

The closest the US came to an actual agreement with North Korea on its nuclear ambitions was in 1994 during the Clinton administration.

That year, the two countries signed the Agreed Framework, which outlined steps to freeze and eventually dismantle the program in exchange for energy assistance and light-water reactors. It would also have opened the way to a full normalization of economic and political relations. In 2000 then-Secretary of State Madeleine Albright visited Pyongyang.

The framework broke down in late 2002 and talks stalled when US intelligence agencies said they'd discovered a covert nuclear program and found that North Korea had purchased technology and equipment overseas. There were secret deals with Pakistan. In January 2003, North Korea withdrew from the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

"North Korea has cheated, lied, and stolen and reneged on every agreement," said Maxwell of Georgetown University, who advocates not for a return to negotiations, but a military-to-military relationship that focuses on continued deterrence.

"There's only one solution to this," he said. "The problem is that as long as the Kim family regime exists, its nuclear program will continue, its crimes against humanity conducted against its people will continue. We have to be realistic in that there is nothing we can do diplomatically through coercion or co-opting that will result in North Korea de-nuclearizing. There are no carrots or sticks."

CNN's Will Ripley contributed to this report
Columbia County Board Chairman Vern Gove has joked that perhaps county supervisors should bring a picnic lunch, or a pillow, to Tuesdays meeting.

The agenda for the monthly meeting runs just two pages. But it includes a reminder to supervisors: Please bring your 2018 annual budget book.

Adoption of the proposed $76.6 million budget is the key agenda item, and its not likely to happen quickly.

The meeting starts at 9:45 a.m. Tuesday in the first-floor County Board meeting room in the Administration Building, 112 E. Edgewater St. At 10 a.m., a public hearing will be convened, during which anyone may comment on the proposed budget.

Only the 28 county supervisors, however, can propose and approve amendments to the budget before the vote on its adoption.

At least one of those amendments will be proposed by the County Boards Finance Committee  to fully fund the Columbia County Economic Development Corporation, to the tune of $121,070.

The Finance Committee had originally proposed placing about half that amount in the contingency fund, to be released for the last six months of 2018 only with Finance Committee recommendation and a County Board vote. On Thursday, however, the Finance Committee reversed that proposal. Committee members cautioned, however, that the economic development entity, which is fully funded by the county, must change its bylaws to offer more County Board oversight into its operations, if there is to be any hope of receiving county money in 2019.

For the fifth consecutive year, the proposed budget calls for dipping into general fund reserves to balance the budget. The amount of reserves proposed, $1.9 million, is less than the $2.8 million in reserves used to balance this years budget.

But a 26-page booklet on long-term county budget issues noted that such practices cannot continue indefinitely. The county must keep on hand at least enough reserves to operate the county for two three months; this year, the cost of operating Columbia County for three months comes to $18.5 million, according to the booklet, titled Making Cents: Columbia County Guide to Budget/Finances.

For 2016, the latest year for which reserve amounts are concrete, there was a little more than $22.6 million in undesignated general fund reserves.

The expected budget amendments arent all negative.

County Comptroller Lois Schepp noted that the cost of employee health insurance will be about $400,000 less than originally proposed in the budget, as a result of the Human Resources Committees decision to switch insurance carriers from Wisconsin Counties Association Group Health Trust to the Dean Health Plan.

Schepp also told the Finance Committee that a separate resolution would be needed to give Columbia County the authority to collect an additional $344,675 in property tax. The amount, she said, is computed on a state-established formula, and represents an adjustment for unused property tax levy carried forward from previous years.

All told, Columbia Countys proposed 2018 budget calls for levying up $27.178 million in property taxes. Of that, $380,162 is for debt service, including the $45.51 million building project and several older expenditures that still need to be paid off. The county also is eligible for a $265,850 increase in its levy due to new construction. (This does not include the new Administration and Health and Human Services buildings, as these are not on the tax rolls.)

Property taxes account for the largest single share of the countys revenues, 41 percent.

But if a property owners assessed valuation stayed the same, the county portion of the tax bill would go down slightly. The proposed mill rate for 2018 is 5.141 per $1,000 assessed valuation, down from 5.147 this year.

Flag presentation

Tuesdays County Board meeting will start with a presentation that is intended to honor veterans  in particular, a gift from veterans to the county.

Veterans Services Officer Richard Hasse said the countys American Legion Council has donated a set of flags to be displayed in a glass case just outside the Veterans Service office, on the first floor of the Administration Building.

The eight flags displayed there now, Hasse said, were flags that he acquired. The new ones are decorated with gold fringe and displayed with new bases and finials on the poles.

A representative from each local American Legion post in Columbia County will carry in the flags at the meetings beginning. Norm Bednarek, the adjutant for the Portage American Legion post  and one of three members of the countys Veterans Service Commission  will speak.

FLAG breakfast

A longstanding tradition of the countys Future Leaders Active in Government program, Breakfast With Your Supervisor, will be held at 8 a.m. Tuesday at the Columbia County Law Enforcement Center, 711 E. Cook St.

There are 22 high school juniors and seniors participating in FLAG this year, and not all of them live in Columbia County. But those who live in neighboring counties have invited their supervisors, too  to discuss, over breakfast, any number of topics related to government and citizenship.
PARDEEVILLE  As veterans and citizen gathered Saturday at the Angie Williams Cox Library to mark Veterans Day, they harked back 99 years.

On Sept. 9, 1918, a young man from Pardeeville died of wounds suffered in what was then called the Great War; its now referred to as World War I. His name was Harry D. Jerred  the namesake of Pardeevilles American Legion Post 215.

And, in quiet conversation before the Veterans Day ceremony, Betty Telvick, who came to the ceremony with her husband, Korean War veteran Marvin Telvick, recalled that next Veterans Day will mark the 100th anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I. It happened at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month  which is why Nov. 11, originally called Armistice Day, has been celebrated ever since.

In some nations, such as France and Belgium, its still known as Armistice Day; in the United States, however, Nov. 11 was renamed Veterans Day in 1954, and was set aside to honor all military veterans, living and dead.

In Pardeeville, members of the American Legion post marked Veterans Day by presenting the library a new flag, a gift from local veterans.

Tom Borgkvist, commander of American Legion Post 215, ceremonially presented the flag to Carol Ziehmke, president of the librarys Endowment Board, before the ceremony, then took it back briefly so that it could be raised outdoors in the librarys courtyard.

The outdoor portion of the ceremony  kept brief due to brisk winds and cold temperatures  included a rifle salute and the raising of the new flag, along with a Wisconsin state flag.

The flag-raising followed a brief ceremony on the librarys fifth floor, where Gerald Lueck, the posts chaplain, told the audience of about 50 people about Harry D. Jerred.

Don Silver, the posts historian, had compiled the story of the Marquette County-born Jerred. It was a relatively short story.

He was born Oct. 31, 1895, in Endeavor to Fred and Martha (Needham) Jerred. On Aug. 4, 1918, while he was serving with Company D, 127th Infantry Regiment in France, he suffered wounds during an attack on Fismes, and died a month later, at age 22, in Nantes, France. Hes buried in the Pardeeville Cemetery.

Lueck said Jerreds friends and relatives remembered him for his pluck and abundant spirit.

Most importantly, Lueck said, He was the first Pardeeville boy to give his life in the Great War.
RIO  Referendums and private-school vouchers are the symptoms of a broken funding system for public schools, the superintendent for Rio Community School District says.

In its three-year operational referendum, Rio will borrow $900,000 this year and $975,000 next year. Beyond that, the district is certain it will need to put another operational referendum on the ballot in April 2019, Mark McGuire said.

If we had an equitable funding system, we would not be looking at continual referendums every three years, McGuire said. Id like to see the revenue limit increase  thats where (the state) could really make a difference.

The school tax rate for Rio residents this year is $12.40 per $1,000 of equalized value, up from $12.03 last year.

The tax rate went up mostly because Rio utilized the states Act 32 Energy Efficiency legislation, which allows districts to exceed the revenue limit to address deferred maintenance, McGuire said. Rio is borrowing $2.26 million that will be paid back over a 15-year period to address building repairs, which have included new roofs, sealed air leaks, lighting retrofitting and a new heating control system.

Total revenue in Rios 2017-18 budget amounts to $6.14 million, with the districts expenses at $6.41 million. General state aid increased by $125,000 from last year.

Property values in Rio decreased 1.1 percent, while enrollment fell by 23 full-time-equivalent students. Rio has 419 FTE students enrolled this year.

Rios total tax levy is $2.87 million.

Including referendum dollars, Rios per-pupil spending this year is $12,570.

Teachers received a 1.26 percent increase in salaries, while support staff received a 3.72 percent increase.

Declining enrollment

Rio has three students using the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program, resulting in about $25,000 in lost state aid for the district, McGuire said. Even though taxpayers cover that amount so that the district will not spend less on its students than it otherwise would, McGuire said more discussions are needed regarding private-school vouchers and the long-term impact they could have.

I think its wrong that our public funds are going to private schools, he said. I just dont think its right. I think it takes away from what we do in public schools.

In our case we dont have a private school (in the district) so were paying for them, and they could be anywhere  they could be in Portage, Columbus or Beaver Dam.

Ongoing challenges for rural schools like Rio got a little easier with per-pupil categorical aid increases of $200. But boosting the revenue limit would help more, McGuire said.

As we look at state funding  were a district with declining enrollment that is trying to balance a budget. Declining enrollment has become very difficult (for rural schools).

At some point the Legislature needs to get its act together with the funding formula so that theres equity in funding for rural schools.
Madison College criminal justice student Devlin Hernke, of Wisconsin Dells, received a $1,000 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholarship. He is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society and serves in the Wisconsin Army National Guard.

The Leaders of Promise Scholarship, sponsored by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, recognizes 200 Phil Theta Kappa honor society members with awards totaling $200,000. Twenty-five of these scholarships are earmarked for Society members who are active personnel or veterans of the U.S. Military. A graduate of Wisconsin Dells High School, Hernke serves with the Wisconsin Army National Guard as a medic.

This scholarship will allow me to continue my studies and reduce the amount of debt Ill need to take on to make my educational and career goals happen, Hernke said. I appreciate being chosen to receive this honor, and will do my absolute best to live up the title, Leader of Promise.

Phi Theta Kappa is the worlds largest and most prestigious honor society for two-year college students. Any student is eligible to join after completing 12 credits and achieving at least a 3.5 cumulative grade-point average. Madison Colleges chapter of Phi Theta Kappa provides opportunities to develop leadership and service skills, exchange ideas and ideals in an intellectual climate, develop lively friendships between scholars, and stimulate interest in continued academic excellence.
DECATUR  The Bruce Rauner re-election campaign was in full force Monday morning at T/CCI Manufacturing.

The Republican governor met with employees of the business and laid out a bullet list of priorities he hopes to accomplish next year and into a prospective second term in office. Those items included reducing regulations on small businesses, freezing property taxes across the state and allowing local voters the chance to raise or lower taxes through referendums, setting term limits for all lawmakers and a rollback over time of the state income tax, which was raised this year as part of passing the first Illinois budget in over two years.

Weve got some things done, but now is the time to do transformative things, really large things, Rauner said during his visit to T/CCI, which manufactures compressors at a facility on North 22nd Street.

The pro-business, anti-establishment theme was similar to Rauner's past messaging, both as a candidate and as governor. In particular, Rauner targeted his frequent opponent, longtime House Speaker Michael Madigan, telling employees that they should not support any candidate who would not unequivocally oppose voting for the Chicago Democrat to remain speaker.

Rauner later told reporters that he would push for lawmakers to gradually roll back the recently passed income tax increase, which took the personal income tax rate to 4.95 percent from 3.75 percent. When asked, Rauner did not have an exact time frame for how long that would take, but said he believes it could gradually be lowered to at least 3 percent. To offset the loss of revenue, Rauner said he would push for pension or Medicaid reform, and that more money would flow into the states coffers if there if lawmakers pass workers compensation reform and other policies that would make the state more business-friendly.

Rauner also brushed aside a question about the amount of turmoil within the state Republican Party sparked by his signature of HB40, which provides government funding of abortions for state workers and women on Medicaid. Despite several lawmakers coming out against the governor and throwing their support behind a possible primary challenge from state Rep. Jeanne Ives of Wheaton, Rauner said reasonable people can disagree on certain issues, but that the points he laid out Monday should gather support from Democrats and Republicans.

What we have to do is unite around what we can agree on, and we can agree on these four things, Rauner said.

Us coming together, this is a movement ... This is about the people of Illinois pushing against the system.

The stop was part of Rauners Our Home, Our Fight Tour, which will see him visit businesses across the state, talk with employees and reiterate how he hopes to improve the states economy as he heads into what is likely to be a harsh re-election effort next year.

Rauner, joined by top officials from T/CCI, spent about 30 minutes touring the facility, stopping to talk with employees and try his hand with the companys 3D scanner, a device that digitally analyzes a real-world object to collect data on its shape and appearance.

While Rauner has struggled during his first term to pass his legislative agenda, T/CCI President Richard Demirjian said having a strong advocate for business in the governors mansion has helped his company.

Speaking to reporters after the tour, Demirjian said that since Rauner took office in 2015, T/CCI has invested more than $6 million to purchase new equipment and has grown its Illinois workforce, which includes about 125 employees at the Decatur facility. He credits part of that growth to knowing Rauner will have the company's back.

With his philosophies of wanting to lower taxes, wanting to make it easier for Illinois businesses to do business in Illinois, weve really taken hold of that when weve expanded our operations, Demirjian said.

Along with the possible primary challenge from Ives, Rauner could face stiff opposition from whomever wins the primary on the Democrats' side. Democratic candidates include state Sen. Daniel Biss, Madison County regional schools Superintendent Bob Daiber, community organizer Tio Hardiman, suburban engineer Alexander Paterakis and businessmen Chris Kennedy and J.B. Pritzker.
A 93-year-old North Carolina veteran of World War II has gone skydiving for the first time.

The News & Observer of Raleigh reports that Doug Gross joined the Army during the war in 1942 with plans to become a paratrooper, but instead was assigned to become an artilleryman.

Now, 75 years after he enlisted, Gross celebrated Veterans Day on Saturday by making his first jump from an airplane at Triangle North Executive Airport in Louisburg.

Gross served in North Africa, Italy and Germany and rose to the rank of technical sergeant. He also had a successful career as an agriculture professor at North Carolina State University.

Gross said after the jump that it was great and "worth the wait." He hopes to do it again soon with his 16-year-old grandson.

(Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
Community participation in Mining Charter Review opposed by Chamber of Mines

The Chamber of Mines complains the Mining Charter was developed without meaningful consultation, yet opposes community networks joining its review

On 24 October, three mining community networks launched an application in the Pretoria High Court to join a case brought by the Chamber of Mines against the Minister of Mineral Resources concerning the Mining Charter. The Chamber of Mines argues that the current Mining Charter was developed without adequately consulting them and its publication went beyond the powers of the Minister.

The Centre for Applied Legal Studies acts on behalf of the three mining community networks: Mining Affected Communities United in Action (MACUA), Women Affected by Mining United in Action (WAMUA), and the Mining and Environmental Justice Network of South Africa (MEJCON-SA). Together these groups represent over 150 activists and community-based organisations working on mining in the country.

For the past 15 years, negotiations around the Mining Charter have involved only three parties: the state, mining companies and trade unions. Despite the fact that the Mining Charter is intended to address inequality in the sector and benefit communities living in poverty bearing the burdens of mining, it has been developed largely without them. MACUA, WAMUA and MEJCON-SA have therefore asked the Court to admit them as parties in the case and order that mining affected communities are a key stakeholder who should be meaningfully engaged when reviewing and developing the Mining Charter.

While the Minister of Mineral Resources has recognised the importance of including community networks in the review, the Chamber of Mines is opposing our application. In their founding papers, the Chamber argues that the Mining Charter was developed in a way that was procedurally unfair because no meaningful consultation took place with them. Though they have brought a review showing concern for their own inclusion in the process of developing the Charter, they continue to insist on the exclusion of affected communities from being part of the conversation about laws and policies that impact them.

The Chamber of Mines has consistently failed to recognise community-based organisations as formal stakeholders, despite persistent attempts to be part of the Mining Charter process, says Meshack Mbangula, National Co-ordinator of MACUA. Precluding a community voice from being part of this case would further exclude community rights and interests in any new regime for transformation in the mining sector.

The procedural application for MACUA, WAMUA and MEJCON-SA to join the case between Chamber and the Minister of Mineral Resources is set down for hearing in the Pretoria High Court on 14 November 2017. The main review application is set to be heard on 13 and 14 December.

For inquiries, please contact:

From the mining community networks:

Thelma Nkosi (Chairperson, MEJCON-SA): 071 519 0133, thandekile2006@yahoo.com

Meshack Mbangula (National Co-ordinator, MACUA): 074 977 5588, mbangulam@gmail.com

Nester Ndebele (National Convenor, WAMUA): 083 269 5705, gladysndebele@gmail.com

From the Centre for Applied Legal Studies:

Wandisa Phama (Attorney): 011 717 8608 / 078 684 3140, Wandisa.Phama@wits.ac.za

Wandisa.Phama@wits.ac.za Louis Snyman (Attorney): 011 717 8629 / 083 355 6482, Louis.Snyman@wits.ac.za

Louis.Snyman@wits.ac.za Robert Krause (Researcher): 011 717 8615 / 081 427 7818, Robert.Krause@wits.ac.za

ABOUT MACUA

Mining Affected Communities United in Action (MACUA) is a co-ordinating body representing and advancing the rights and interests of mine-affected communities across eight provinces of South Africa. The network is made up of 50 community organisations and calls for communities to be granted a greater say in issues that affect their human rights and which they believe is denied to them in current regulations governing the mining sector.

ABOUT WAMUA

Women Affected by Mining United in Action (WAMUA) is an official national platform formed within MACUA with the purpose of advancing the rights and interests of women in mining affected communities. WAMUA aims to advance and support women in mining affected communities to strengthen their participation in community decision making processes and influencing local, provincial and national policy and legislative process in the mining sector.

ABOUT MEJCON-SA

The Mining and Environmental Justice Community Network of South Africa (MEJCON-SA) is a network of communities, community based organisations and community members whose environmental and human rights are affected, directly or indirectly, by mining and mining-related activities. Since its constitution on 17 October 2012, MEJCON-SAs membership has continued to grow and includes representatives of various individuals, community-based and civil-society organisations throughout South Africa.

ABOUT CALS

The Centre for Applied Legal Studies (CALS) is a public interest law organisation based at the School of Law at the University of the Witwatersrand. Founded in 1978 by Professor John Dugard, CALS continues to use a combination of research, advocacy and litigation to advance human rights and social justice. Read more about our work at https://www.wits.ac.za/cals/.
Law, undergrad students use GIS tools to redraw 11 Virginia House districts

Mapping: Students were tasked with using a GIS tool created specifically for the new course by CGA Fellow Kira Holmes to create maps that were compliant with state and federal constitutional and statutory law. Photo courtesy of W&M Law School Photo - of - Hide Caption

Students will present their maps at the Historic Triangle Community Services Center in Williamsburg, 312 Waller Mill Rd. in Williamsburg, at 7 p.m. on Nov. 15 in conjunction with the celebration of GIS Day. All are welcome. View details.



On Nov. 15, teams comprising undergraduate and law students from William & Mary will host a public presentation of maps of 11 Virginia House districts they created as their final projects for a new course titled "Legislative Redistricting and Geographic Information Systems (GIS)." Professor Rebecca Green, co-director of the law school's Election Law Program, and Robert Rose, director of William & Mary's Center for Geospatial Analysis (CGA) created this four-week, one-credit course.



In a few short years, every state in the country will use the 2020 U.S. Census to redraw their voting district maps. This redistricting process is often fraught with concerns that lines have been manipulated to protect or promote partisan interests and in some cases dilute the voting strength of minority interests. After last year's Redistricting Symposium at William & Mary Law School, Rose and Green decided to develop a course that would challenge students to learn districting software to create legislative maps. As the final project in the course, students were tasked with using a GIS tool created specifically for the course by CGA Fellow Kira Holmes to create maps that were compliant with state and federal constitutional and statutory law.

Green said they shared the idea with Brian Cannon '04, J.D. '11, who is executive director of OneVirginia2021, an organization that advocates for fair districting in Virginia. While in law school, Cannon was a member of one of the two William & Mary teams that took home top honors in a 2011 Redistricting Competition sponsored by the Watson Center for Public Policy at Christopher Newport University and the Public Mapping Project.



Cannon had the idea for students to map 11 districts in Virginia under scrutiny in Bethune-Hill v. Virginia State Board of Elections, a case alleging racial gerrymandering heard last term by the U.S. Supreme Court. In March, the Court found that a federal district court in Richmond had applied the wrong legal standard in its review of 11 Virginia districts. The professors decided to focus their course on those 11 districts, and, in a fortuitous coincidence, said Green, "the timing was perfect." Shortly after the class began in October, the federal district court in Richmond began re-examining the disputed districts using the new standard.



Rose and Green said they were initially concerned about whether it would be possible for students to learn how to use GIS tools and also gain an understanding of the legal complexities in a four-week course. They decided that limiting enrollment to a small group of 16 students arranged into four teams would help the class get up to speed in a compact timeframe. They made sure that each team included a law student who had taken Election Law and an undergraduate who had taken a GIS course at William & Mary or had other GIS experience. They also invited guest speakers from across the political spectrum to share insights into the wide array of factors that affect where district lines are drawn and the potential consequences if the process goes awry.



"We were pretty nervous going in to it, honestly," said Rose. "But what we had going for us was fantastic students, and we see this across the board at William & Mary. If you give them a task to do, they find ways to get it done. They really came through."



Kaitlyn Hudenburg '18 is an economics major minoring in environmental science and policy, and was among the four undergraduates in the class. She had taken Rose's Introduction to GIS class and was eager to get more practice using it in the new course.



She said she gained a deeper appreciation of the complexity and consequences of the legislative districting process when Del. Marcia Price of the 95th District visited the class and spoke to the students about her district's demographics.

"The difficulty of our task became even more evident when we took into account the various socioeconomic factors that came into play when creating districts," Hudenburg said. "[Price] made it apparent that changing a single block could have an impact on her district, and she wanted us to realize that these lines really can make a difference in the elections." Other guest speakers included former Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, Marc Elias, partner at Perkins Coie and the attorney who argued Bethune-Hill before the Supreme Court and Walter Olson, a senior fellow at the Cato Institute.



Ben Williams J.D. '18 had taken Green's Election Law course, and also had considerable knowledge about districting in Virginia that he gained through a two-semester externship at OneVirginia2021. He said he saw the new course as "an opportunity to get in the weeds of redistricting and actually do the things I'd been reading about, either in case law or in statutes, for nearly two years."



He said it was great to see the undergraduates and law students trading ideas as the course progressed. He and Hudenburg were members of the same team.

"The majority of Kaitlyn's contributions on our team were with GIS first  just as the majority of my contribution to the conversation was legal at first," he said. "But as I shared election law knowledge and she shared GIS knowledge, we ended up being much more well rounded as the process continued. By the time we finished our maps, the undergraduates and law students were all contributing both GIS and legal aspects to the drawing of each of the districts."



Green said she was delighted by the interesting array of approaches that the teams brought to their final projects.

"The students really exceeded our expectations," she said.

Hudenburg said that both professors "created a comfortable atmosphere where people from different disciplines could come together and simply learn from each other."



As 2020 nears, arming students with GIS skills and an appreciation for the legal complexities in legislative redistricting creates real opportunities for William & Mary students. Whether they help to educate fellow citizens as the 2020 process unfolds or get involved more directly in state mapping efforts, the class prepared students to play a meaningful role.

W&Ms Youth Mappers Chapter All Over the Map!, the Center for Geospatial Analysis (CGA), the U.S. State Departments MapGive Program and the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief will co-host "Mapping for Africa" at the CGA in Swem Library on Nov. 15 beginning at 5:30 p.m. Visit Facebook for more information.
I'm writing to encourage everyone in our community to re-elect Rodney Davis as U.S. Representative of the 13th Congressional District of Illinois.

Rodney graduated from Millikin University and presently resides in Taylorville with his wife and three children. He has 16 years experience in government under John Shimkis, helping Illinois citizens and communities cut through red tape and secure financial funding, and is serving his third term in Congress.

Rodney has established himself as an effective lawmaker who is able to work with his colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass legislation.

Rodney, for the 115th Congress, serves on the House Committee on Agriculture, the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure and the House Administration Committee.

Rodney's work on the Farm Bill helped Congress produce a five-year bill that provides certainty to our farmers, strengthens crop insurance and cuts $23 billion in spending. Rodney led the way to ensure farmers, who understand agriculture better than anyone, have a seat at the table when the EPA creates new rules and regulations impacting the agriculture industry.

Rodney has demonstrated his ability to lead even in a divided government. I believe the best person to fill Rodney's seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in Rodney Davis. I believe in the old adage "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

Phyllis Bradford, Decatur




China News on Women





Sorry, the page you requested was not found. If you're having trouble locating a destination on Womenofchina.cn, try visiting the Womenofchina Home page
Who Will Control Millions in Assets?

By Anonymous*

Hetq received the following letter from one Indian Armenian community resident regarding the November 12 election in Kolkata (Calcutta) to appoint a new committee tasked with managing community assets running into the millions of dollars. Elections are held every four years. Allegations of vote rigging, and pressure tactics voiced by some in the community, have marred this recent election. What follows are the views of one community member.

Dear readers and my countrymen! If you thought elections in Armenia are tainted with allegation and corruption think again!

Here in India, Armenians have existed on their own merits and the income generated by generous benevolent trust funds for over two centuries. They have always open doors to Armenians from all over the world, providing financial and moral support as and when required for the good and for the love and deep connection to their motherland.

But we all know how we are seeing our nation we all thought would live up to our dreams and expectations is now filled with injustice and corruption. But we still have not lost hope that one day it will be free of corruption and injustice!

Some of us followed the 2013 Armenian community election in India in the media, especially Hetq, and some of us hoped and prayed that it was last of its kind.

But guess what? This election has been worse than before, it is only a matter of time when we will see the once kind and generous community fade away due to corruption and injustice.

This year there were more than 15 Armenia nationals voting in the community elections.

Let me write this sentence again in full words- fifteen or more adults voted from Armenia who have just been here for a very short time.

One would ask again - Why are Armenians from Armenian voting in an Armenian community election in India. Leave the affairs of the Armenians in India to the Armenians of India. If it is not for financial gain, what else could the reason be?

These people from Armenia and the clergy have been invited just to come vote and after a few months or max a year, they will later leave with their gifts and gifts. I mean to write MONEY.

If you need proof ...none from Armenia who voted in 2013 were here this time. They came. did their jobs, and left after the elections were over. Their expenses  airfare, lodging, pocket money, etc.  amounted to 2 million rupees. Something of a holiday package! Once again, the trust funds are being used for the same purpose.

There are still many eligible voters of Indian origin who are not able to be in the committee due to the vote being fixed.

Shouldnt the first preference to vote be given to Armenian who are born in India and lived here for centuries with their families? Why do we need to deploy two dozen police to stop voters or any resident Armenians to come and visit their church on a Sunday? (Elections took place in the Holy Nazareth Church vestry office).

I would like the present committee to please call and have a No Police re-election and invite all the Armenians to at least come and witness a fair vote.

Let everyone see how elections take place...is that not normal?

I wish no offense to my brothers and sisters from Armenia, but they should not interfere in the domestic matters of the community. Rather, they should leave it to the Armenians in India handle the situation of a fair vote.

We have lost the Armenian College to Etchmiadzin, and I will not delve into how those funds are handled, as that is another story

Please leave the Church out of this vicious corruption circle, for it is the spiritual food for the faithful who have been keeping the flames of the Church and have been proud Armenians of India for 5 centuries.

We will survive. As Saroyan once wrote - burn their churches, send them to the desertSee if they don't make a New Armenia outside Armenia.

Just give us a chance. We may be few in numbers, but we are called Armenians.

*The author receives charity from the committee and says speaking out could jeopardize it.

Photo: www.armdiasporamuseum.com
The Rhode Island Convention Center was the place to be this weekend as Rhode Island Comic Con drew thousands for the three-day event, including some colorful characters.
First Fuqing 5 steam generator installed

13 November 2017

Share

The first of three steam generators has been installed at unit 5 at the Fuqing nuclear power plant. The unit - the first of two demonstration Hualong One units being built at the site in China's Fujian province - is expected to start up in 2019.

The first steam generator is moved into the containment building of Fuqing 5

(Image: China Nuclear Industry 23 Construction Co Ltd)

At 11.26am on 10 November, the first steam generator for the unit was successfully hoisted onto a horizontal gantry platform some 16.5 meters above the ground. The component was subsequently moved into reactor's containment building through the main equipment transportation channel. Once there, it was be lifted into the vertical position using a specially designed tool and put in place.

The ZH-65-type steam generator - weighing 365 tonnes and over 21m in length - was independently designed by the China Nuclear Power Institute and manufactured by Dongfang Electric.

China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) said installation of the first steam generator at Fuqing 5 has "laid a solid foundation for the start of work on the welding of the main pipe".

In November 2014, CNNC announced that the fifth and sixth units at Fuqing will use the domestically-developed Hualong One pressurised water reactor (PWR) design, marking its first deployment. The company had previously expected to use the ACP1000 design for those units, but plans were revised in line with a re-organisation of the Chinese nuclear industry. China's State Council gave final approval for construction of Fuqing units 5 and 6 in mid-April 2015.

The pouring of first concrete for Fuqing 5 began in May 2015, marking the official start of construction of the unit. Construction of unit 6 began in December 2015. The dome of unit 5 was installed on the containment building in May this year. Fuqing 5 and 6 are scheduled to be completed in 2019 and 2020, respectively.

Construction of two Hualong One units is also under way at China General Nuclear's Fangchenggang plant in Guangxi province. Those units are also expected to start up in 2019 and 2020, respectively.

The first of three steam generators was installed at Karachi unit 2 in September. The unit is the first of two Chinese-designed Hualong One nuclear power reactors being constructed at the site in Pakistan.

At that time, CNNC noted the main reactor equipment is being installed prior to the dome of the containment building being put in place. This approach, it said, can significantly reduce construction time, compared with the traditional method of installing equipment through a hatch in the containment.

Construction began on Karachi unit 2 in 2015 and unit 3 in 2016, with commercial operation planned for 2021 and 2022, respectively.

Pakistan's Karachi Coastal station is the first export of Hualong One units. The Hualong One design is also being promoted for use at the Bradwell site in the UK.

Researched and written

by World Nuclear News

Related topics
China and Vietnam to cooperate on nuclear safety

13 November 2017

Share

The nuclear safety regulators of China and Vietnam today signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation. The two countries signed an agreement to cooperate in nuclear energy in 2000.

The signing of the MoU (Image: VARANS)

Nguyen Tuan Khai, director general of Vietnam's Agency for Radiation and Nuclear Safety (VARANS), signed the MoU with Hong Xiaoming, Chinese ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary, representing China's National Nuclear Safety Administration.



The MoU was signed during a meeting of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Vietnam's General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

The agreement focuses mainly on cooperation in the field of: regulations on nuclear safety and security; training and development of human resources; safety inspection and evaluation; incident response; and environmental radiation observation technology.

VARANS noted this is the first document of cooperation between Vietnam and China in the field of nuclear safety since the two countries signed a nuclear energy cooperation agreement in December 2000. It added, the process of negotiating and agreeing on the contents of the cooperation agreement has been carried out by the two sides since October 2004 through bilateral exchanges, meetings and exchanges at international conferences and seminars.

That agreement was "a positive sign for the establishment of cooperative relations with China in the field of peaceful use of atomic energy", VARANS said. It not only provided a basis for cooperation with VARANS, but also a precondition for cooperation between the technical assistance agency of Vietnam and China's technical assistance agencies in the field of atomic energy, it added.

In August 2014, Lightbridge Corp became the first US company to work with the VARANS following their signing of an MoU to develop the administrative, legal and regulatory infrastructure required to support Vietnam's nuclear power programme. A USA-Vietnam agreement on civil nuclear energy cooperation entered into force two months later.

Researched and written

by World Nuclear News

Related topics
Flags, Symbols & Currency of Romania

The National Flag of Romania was officially adopted on December 27, 1989. The National Flag of Romania is a vertical tricolor and features three equal vertical bands of cobalt blue (hoist side), chrome yellow, and vermillion red. The colors are those of the principalities of Walachia (red and yellow) and Moldavia (red and blue), which united in 1862 to form Romania. The flag has a width-to-length proportion ratio of 2:3. History of the Flag of Romania The colors red, blue and yellow, that feature in modern Romanias national flag were used in the flag of the revolutionaries during the Wallachian uprising of 1821. In 1848, the Justice, Fraternity flag of the Wallachian revolutionaries was used as the first modern tricolor flag. According to historians, the blood red color represented fraternity, the field yellow color symbolized justice and the sky-blue color was a symbol of liberty. Later, the design of the flag was altered to get the yellow band to the center. Although the colors remained nearly constant, their orders and direction (vertical/horizontal) in the flag changed several times over the years. In 1859, Wallachia and Moldavia joined together, creating the United Principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia, and adopted the Romanian horizontal tricolor. The Kingdom of Romania was created under the monarchy of Carlo I in 1881. The tricolor flag used during this time featured blue-yellow-red colors. The monarchy ended with Michael Is abdication and on December 30, 1947, Romania was declared to be Communist Peoples Republic under the Romanian Communist Party. In 1965, Romania was subsequently renamed as the Socialist Republic of Romania. All the symbols that represented the former Kingdom of Romania were banned from use. A new flag was designed where the yellow band had an emblem of the country placed in the center. During the decades of Communist rule in Romania, the design of the coat of arms was also altered several times. Starting on December 1989, during the Romanian revolution, the revolutionaries at Timisoara started using flags with the Communist coat of arms, that were cut out from the flag. They used these flags with holes as a sign of protest against the existing regime. In the same year, when Romania gained independence from the Communist regime, the current national flag of modern-day Romania was adopted.

Historical Flags Flag of Romanian People's Republic Blue, yellow, and red vertical bands with seal (without red star) centered on yellow Flag of Romanian People's Republic Blue, yellow, and red vertical bands with seal (with a red star) centered on yellow Flag of Romania SSR Blue, yellow, and red vertical bands with seal (with a red star) centered on yellow, with the word

Symbols of Romania

The National Coat of Arms of Romania The National Coat of Arms of Romania was adopted on September 10, 1992. The main element in Romania's coat of arms is a golden eagle with a cross in its beak, a mace and sword in its talons, and a shield protecting its front. The five sections of the shield are representative of the five historical provinces of Romania, and each contains its traditional symbol. The eagle in the upper left corner is for Wallachia; the bull in the upper right for Moldavia; the lower middle dolphins for Dobrogea; the lion and bridge in the lower left section for Oltenia and Banat; finally, the black eagle, seven castles, a sun and moon in the lower right represent Transylvania.

National Anthem Anthem Title: "Desteapta-te, romane!" (Wake up, Romanian)

Music Composer: Anton Pann

Lyricist: Andrei Muresianu

Date of Adoption: April, 1990 "Desteapta-te, romane!" (Wake up, Romanian) is the national anthem of Romania. The music of the anthem have been composed by Anton Pann. The lyrics of the anthem have been authored by Andrei Muresianu. The anthem was officially adopted in April, 1990. Out of the full 11-stanza anthem, only the first, second, fourth, and last stanzas are sung in official ceremonies. However, the full anthem is sung in major National events. "Desteapta-te, romane!" (Romanian) 1. Desteapta-te, romane, din somnul cel de moarte, In care te-adancira barbarii de tirani! Acum ori niciodata, croieste-ti alta soarte, La care sa se-nchine si cruzii tai dusmani. 2. Acum ori niciodata sa dam dovezi la lume Ca-n aste mani mai curge un sange de roman, Si ca-n a noastre piepturi pastram cu fala-un nume Triumfator in lupte, un nume de Traian! 3. Inalta-ti lata frunte si cauta-n giur de tine, Cum stau ca brazi in munte voinici sute de mii; Un glas ei mai asteapta si sar ca lupi in stane, Batrani, barbati, juni, tineri, din munti si din campii! 4. Priviti, marete umbre, Mihai, Stefan, Corvine, Romana natiune, ai vostri stranepoti, Cu bratele armate, cu focul vostru-n vine, Viata-n libertate ori moarte! striga toti. 5. Pre voi va nimicira a pizmei rautate Si oarba neunire la Milcov si Carpati! Dar noi, patrunsi la suflet de sfanta libertate, Juram ca vom da mana, sa fim pururea frati! 6. O mama vaduvita de la Mihai cel Mare Pretinde de la fii-si azi mana d-ajutori, Si blastama cu lacrami in ochi pe orisicare, In astfel de pericul s-ar face vanzatori! 7. De fulgere sa piara, de trasnet si pucioasa, Oricare s-ar retrage din gloriosul loc, Cand patria sau mama, cu inima duioasa, Va cere ca sa trecem prin sabie si foc! 8. N-ajunse iataganul barbarei semilune, A carui plagi fatale si azi le mai simtim; Acum se vara cnuta in vetrele strabune, Dar martor ne e Domnul ca vii nu o primim! 9. N-ajunse despotismul cu-ntreaga lui orbie, Al carui jug din seculi ca vitele-l purtam; Acum se-ncearca cruzii, in oarba lor trufie, Sa ne rapeasca limba, dar morti numai o dam! 10. Romani din patru unghiuri, acum ori niciodata Uniti-va in cuget, uniti-va-n simtiri! Strigati in lumea larga ca Dunarea-i furata Prin intriga si sila, viclene uneltiri! 11. Preoti, cu crucea-n frunte caci oastea e crestina, Deviza-i libertate si scopul ei preasfant. Murim mai bine-n lupta, cu glorie deplina, Decat sa fim sclavi iarasi in vechiul nost pamant! Wake up, Romanian 1. Wake up, Romanian, from your sleep of death Into which you have been sunk by barbaric tyrants Now, or never, make a new fate for yourself, To which even your cruel enemies will bow. 2. Now or never let us give proof to the world That in these veins Roman blood still flows, That in our chests we hold a name with pride, Victorious in battles, the name of Trajan! 3. Raise your broad forehead and see around you How, like fir trees on a mountain, hundreds of thousands of strong men stand; Just waiting for a voice to pounce like wolves on sheep, Elders, men, youths, boys, from the mountains and from the plains. 4. Behold, great shadows, Michael, Stephen, Corvinus, The Romanian Nation, your great-grandchildren, With weapons in their arms, with your fire in their veins, "Life in freedom or death!" shout all. 5. You were vanquished by the evils of your envy And by your blind disunity, at Milcov and the Carpathians! But we, whose souls were pierced by holy liberty, Swear that for ever in brotherhood will join. 6. A widowed mother from the time of Michael the Great Claims from her sons today a helping hand, And with tears in her eyes curses whomsoever, In such great peril, a traitor would become. 7. Of thunder and of brimstone should they perish Anyone who would flee the glorious place When our land or our mother, with a sorrowful heart, Will ask us to cross through swords and blazing fire. 8. Didn't we have enough of the yatagan of the barbaric crescent Whose fatal wounds we still feel today; Now the knout, is intruding in our ancestral homes, But the Lord is our witness that we shall not accept it alive. 9. Didn't we have enough of the blinded despotism, Whose yoke, like cattle, for centuries we have carried? Now the cruel ones are trying, in their blind arrogance, To take away our language, but only dead will we surrender it. 10. Romanians from the four corners, now or never Unite in thought, unite in feeling Proclaim to the wide world that the Danube is stolen Through intrigue and coercion, sly machinations. 11. Priests, lead with your crucifixes, for our army is Christian, The motto is Liberty and its goal is holy, Better to die in battle, in full glory, Than to once again be slaves upon our ancient ground!

The Currency of Romania is the Romanian leu

The current official currency of Romania is the Romanian leu (RON). The name of the currency literally translates into "lion". The currency is further divided into 100 bani. Although Romania joined the European Union in January 2007, the leu has continued to be used as the official currency of the country. Coins In terms of coins of the Romanian leu, these were first issued right when the Romanian leu was introduced back in 1867. Right until 2005, these were issued with different compositions, most of which were in silver, nickel, and copper. The series of coins being used at the moment (5, 10, 50 bani) in the country was introduced in 2005, when the fourth iteration was introduced, even though the 50 bani coin has been put through several iterations during this time. Banknotes A number of banknotes were published in Romania from 1877 to 2005. By the year 2005, polymer-based notes were introduced in the country. The notes were for 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 500 lei. However, in 2006, lei notes worth 200 were issued for use for the very first time. What needs to be mentioned here is that the designs of these notes are based on that of several earlier lei notes starting from 10,000 to 1 million. The series of banknotes (1 leu, 5, 10, 50, 100, 200 lei) being used these days was introduced mostly in 2005. However, certain versions of a few banknotes were introduced later with different colors and value.

Historical currencies of Romania The history of the Romanian leu dates back to the mid-19th century. From what is known, it was derived from the Dutch thaler, a silver coin that had been used throughout Europe for almost four hundred years. With the passage of time, the currency has been through four different iterations. The very first iteration took place in 1947 where it was replaced at a value of 1 new leu being equal to 20,000 old. The second replacement could only last until 1952, after which it was again replaced without any warning as such, at values that varied depending on the type of exchange. With time, the currency remained stable and the third leu was not replaced until 2005. In 2005, however, it was replaced at a value of 1 new leu to 10,000 old. Throughout the years, the revaluation played a significant role in terms of bringing the leu more in sync with the currencies of other neighbouring countries.
Chirk nurse nominated for prestigious national award

This article is old - Published: Monday, Nov 13th, 2017

A nurse at Chirk Community Hospital has been announced as a finalist for the prestigious Royal College of Nursing Wales Awards for her work with nursing students and their mentors.

Staff nurse Pamela Warne, along with her team of mentors, designed an innovative programme of teaching for nursing students which is patient centred and focuses on real cases that the nurses will see in hospitals.

She also works with her group of mentors to improve the student nurse experience and hosts a Welcome Day that helps new students get over their nerves by introducing them to ward staff and patients and giving them an orientation tour.

As lead mentor at Chirk Community Hospital over the last eight years, she has managed her team of hospital mentors with passion for training the nurses of the future.

She said, When I first qualified as a student nurse I found it really difficult to relate theory to practice.

I think all training should relate directly to patient care as I thought that it was difficult for nurses to relate what they learn in theory to actual patient cases.

In our teaching we focus on specific patients we have got on the ward so the students can relate their academic learning to the actual patients that we have.

Pamela also spoke of the importance of getting the basics of nursing right, explaining: Ive always been interested in mentoring, its something I feel really passionate about.

If we provide student nurses with a good experience then we produce good nurses for the future.

What we provide here is good, basic nursing care and once youve cracked the basics you can go on in your career to do whatever you want.

Good nursing is about good communication with people and seeing the bigger picture.

I love my job and I want people to feel as passionate about nursing as I do. We need to instill passion in the nurses of the future too.

Its so amazing working in Chirk, we are like a family here we really are. The team are fantastic.

Commenting on Pamelas work, Grace Montgomery, first year Bangor nursing student said: Shes really good, she teaches you what to do, why youre doing it and what to look for with patients.

Its so good in Chirk, everyone is really friendly and welcoming. Pams induction day was brilliant, we got shown around, went through all the basics and so it was less daunting when we actually started our placement.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board nurse Pamela will travel down to Cardiff with her nominator Ward Manager Victoria Sheffield for the ceremony this week to find out if she has won the award.
Councils plans for new primary school are important step in ensuring that more parents are able to choose Welsh-medium education say campaign group

This article is old - Published: Monday, Nov 13th, 2017

A group campaigning for increased Welsh-medium provision in Wrexham have welcomed the councils plans to open a new school to help accomodate the increasing demand.

In September 2017 Wrexham.com reported that Wrexham Council had unveiled plans to set-up a new Welsh medium primary school with capacity for 210 pupils.

Initially a seed school accommodating 105 pupils would be based at the former and now vacant Hafod Y Wern Infant School in Caia Park. The school would then relocate to the infant school at Borras Park, once the the amalgamation of Borras Infants and Junior schools is complete.

The first year of entry would be September 2019 for nursery (15 places) and reception (15 places) classes only.

The proposals were put forward to help meet the growing demand for Welsh-medium education in the county borough.

Over the past six weeks Wrexham Council have been running a consultation to get feedback on the proposals for the new school. The consultation itself closed last week.

Further details on the plans are expected to be revealed at Decembers Executive Board, with the current Forward Work Programme stating that permission to publish statutory notices on the new Welsh medium primary school is on the agenda for the meeting on the 12th.

The proposed school has been welcomed by RhAG (Rhieni dros Addysg Gymraeg)  a society campaigning on behalf of parents, who have previously raised concerns with Wrexham Council about the lack of Welsh-medium school in the county.

Commenting on Wrexham Councils plans, Rhodri Davies, Chairman of Wrexham RhAG said the group had been calling for sometime to increase the Welsh Medium primary school provision in the area.

He continued: In recent years, many of the countys Welsh medium schools have been under great pressure  the reception class in four of the six schools were full in September 2017. This has meant that many parents have failed to secure a place at the nearest school to their home and that siblings have been separated.

We are very pleased that the Local Authority recognises the need to act in order to alleviate the increasing pressure in the north of the County and respond to the tremendous growth in the general demand for Welsh-medium education in the area.

Recent growth patterns prove that the demand for Welsh-medium education in Wrexham will increase in the next few years; developing this new provision will be an important step in ensuring that more parents are able to choose Welsh-medium education and that provision is more locally available.

However, the proposal does not address the immediate challenges that currently exist. We urge the Local Authority, as part of this proposal to put in place temporary measures, including increasing school admission numbers and temporary building provision, for September 2018.

The group are also calling on Wrexham Council to examine the implications another Welsh-medium primary school could have on Ysgol Morgan Llwyd, the only secondary school in Wrexham that provides education in Welsh.

Rhodri said: It is also time to consider establishing a second Welsh-medium secondary provision in Wrexham to ensure seamless continuity of provision for the increasing numbers that choose Welsh medium education in the area.

We strongly recommend that the Executive Board approves this proposal, in order to make further progress in terms of promoting the growth of Welsh medium education in the County as well as contributing to the Welsh Governments target of having a million Welsh speakers by 2050.
Surrender firearms during national two week campaign

This article is old - Published: Monday, Nov 13th, 2017

Police forces across the UK are appealing for people to hand over any unwanted guns with the launch of a two week surrender of firearms and ammunition.

It has been three years since the last national firearms surrender, and North Wales Police are asking members of the public to surrender unlawfully held or unwanted guns and ammunition to prevent them from getting into criminal hands.

Many firearms are held in innocence and ignorance of their illegality or are overlooked and forgotten in peoples homes. However others are acquired and distributed by criminal networks to threaten or harm their local communities.

The two-week surrender gives members of the public the chance to dispose of a firearm or ammunition by taking it to a local designated police station and handing it in.

Detective Superintendent Steve Williams, North Wales Police said: Given the largely rural setting of our area, it may well be that people hold unlicensed firearms that have been handed down to them from relatives for example.

In the past they may have been concerned as regards what to do with these weapons. Furthermore there may be people who, because of the change in legislation around possessing a firearm, now own a weapon they cannot legally hold. This surrender period allows them to dispose of these weapons in a manner that can allay those fears.

Fortunately North Wales does not have a significant gun crime problem, however we are not complacent about gun crime, which is why we are involved with the national surrender.

We want as many guns surrendered as possible and I would encourage the public to come forward in this manner.

The surrender, which is being co-ordinated by the National Ballistics Intelligence Service (NABIS), will run for two weeks from Monday 13th November to Sunday 26th November 2017.

During that period, those handing over firearms will not face prosecution for the illegal possession, at the point of surrender, and can remain anonymous. However, the history of each live weapon will be checked for evidence of its use in crimes.

National Police Chiefs Council Lead for Criminal Use of Firearms, Assistant Chief Constable Helen McMillan, said: I am urging anyone with an unwanted firearm to hand it over to police. You dont have to give your name or address; we just want more guns out of harms way.

Each firearm we retrieve has the potential to save a life so do the right thing and surrender your weapon.

Detective Chief Superintendent Jo Chilton, Head of NABIS, added: Surrendering unwanted or illegal firearms avoids the risk of them becoming involved in crime and means that members of the community can dispose of them in a safe place.

Perhaps you have a gun that has been handed down through the family or you have found a firearm in your loft or shed which has been gathering dust and you had forgotten about.

During the campaign this November you can contact your local force and hand in any unwanted or illegal firearms. This way you can be confident you have got rid of a firearm safely.

Latest crime figures released in October by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that crime involving firearms in England & Wales has increased by 27% (to 6,696). This is for year ending June 2017 compared with the previous year (5,269 offences)

Illegal possession of a firearm can mean five years behind bars and if you are found guilty of possession with intent to supply that can lead to a life sentence.

During the last national firearms surrender in 2014 more than 6,000 items were handed in to police. These included hand guns, rifles, shotguns, antique (obsolete calibre) guns and imitation firearms, as well as ammunition.

NABIS and police forces across the UK are working with partners such as the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and the Local Government Association (LGA), to ensure the surrender fortnight of action is a success.

You can hand in any unwanted guns and ammunition into the following stations:

 Wrexham Police Station. Opening times: 8:30am  7pm Mon to Sat. 9am  6pm Sundays

 Mold Police Station. Opening times: 9am  1pm & 3pm  6pm Monday to Sat

 Rhyl Police Station. 8:30am  7pm Mon to Sat. 9am  6pm Sundays

 Llandudno Police Station. 9am  1pm & 3pm  6pm Tues, Wed, Thursday, Friday & Saturday

 Colwyn Bay Police Station. 9am  1pm & 3pm  6pm Mondays

 Caernarfon Police Station. 9am  1pm & 3pm  6pm Monday, Wed, Fri & Saturday

 Bangor Police Station 8:30am  7pm Mon to Sat. 9am  6pm Sundays

 Holyhead Police Station 9am  1pm & 3pm  6pm Tuesdays & Thursdays

Anyone who unable to visit any of these stations is advised to contact North Wales Police on 101 to make alternative arrangements. To receive advice on how best to transport the weapon responsibly from home to their police station they are advised to phone 101 before travelling.

If you know of anyone involved with illegal firearms call police on 101 or independent charity Crimestoppers (anonymously) on 0800 555 111. If you are a licensed firearm holder who wants advice please contact the North Wales Police Firearms Licensing Team or follow them on Twitter @NWPFALicensing or Facebook

More information about NABIS can be found online or follow them on Twitter @NABIS_UK
Wrexham students organise campaign to collect pyjamas for vulnerable children

This article is old - Published: Monday, Nov 13th, 2017

A group of kind-hearted university students have organised a Christmas campaign to collect pyjamas for vulnerable children.

The students, from Wrexham Glyndwr Universitys Built Environment degree foundation year, will host a day-long appeal for Pyjama Party on Wednesday December 6th.

They are hoping for generous contributions from business people and retailers, along with nightwear donated by families and the wider north east Wales and North West community.

The students were asked to choose a charity and organise a fundraising event as part of their course, and decided on the Merseyside-based charity as it is a relatively new and smaller organisation looking to expand into the region.

Spokesman Rob Swift, from Liverpool, said they also wanted to give something back to children of all ages in the run up to the festive period.

Christmas is a time when most of us are happy and lucky to have our family and friends around us, but for others it can be very difficult, said Rob.

There are families out there who are struggling, and children who are going without, so we wanted to do something to help.

He added: We will be placing collection points in the University reception area and library, so anyone can come along and donate pyjamas over the coming months.

We are also asking students, staff and anyone else who comes to the University on December 6 to wear their pyjamas  even if its only for a few hours  to show their support on the big day.

Pyjama Party Liverpool spokesman Ash Downing thanked the students for their gesture.

We really appreciate your wonderful students supporting our appeal this year and are really excited to have them involved, he said.

Its amazing to see a how a small idea has grown bigger each year and were really grateful that they want to help  thank you to each and every one of them.

Pyjama Party Liverpool was set up in 2013 by Ashs mum Karen Downing and her two friends, in response to a Shelter poster that stated 80,000 children and young people would be homeless that Christmas in Britain.

Last year, the figure rose to 120,000 and is likely to be higher again this year.

Its heart-breaking to think of and, whilst we know we cant solve the problem, it was my mums intention to spread a little extra comfort and kindness to the children and young people in the local area, added Ash.

She originally planned to get family and friends involved and donate to the nearest hostel or shelter but once people heard about it they wanted to get involved too.

Last year we received over 3,000 new pairs of pyjamas that were donated to children and young people who are homeless or in need across Liverpool, Wirral, Sefton, Knowsley, St Helens and West Lancashire. It will be amazing to see that expand into North Wales.

For information and to donate to the Built Environment appeal, email d.cheesbrough@glyndwr.ac.uk. Donations for children up to 16.

You can also follow @pyjamapartyliv on Twitter or visit their Facebook page.
The National Australia Bank (NAB), one of the countrys big four banks, last week announced a restructuring that will cut 6,000 jobs over the next three years, while unveiling a record $6.642 billion profit. As of September 30, NAB employed 33,422 full-time staff, so the losses amount to nearly one in every five workers.

The job destruction is part of a broader transition throughout the financial sector, moving further away from over-the-customer service to automated and digitally-based operations. This has widespread implications. About 168,000 people are employed in banking across Australia, and finance and insurance sector as a whole is the countrys 11th largest employer.

NABs overall profit was up 2.5 percent from $6.483 billion last year. According to the Australian Financial Review, the rise was fuelled by continued growth in housing and business lending plus stronger margins on sales. Revenue rose 2.7 percent to $9 billion.

The redundancies are calculated to cut costs by more than $1 billion by 2020. The beneficiaries will be the major financial corporations that dominate the banks share register, although NABs stock price initially fell because of the feared expenses involved in the $1.5 billion three-year restructuring program.

The restructure aims to channel 60 percent of NABs business onto a digital platform, up from the current 10 percent. It also seeks to halve the number of financial products the company sells and reduce the number of IT applications by 20 percent.

CEO Andrew Thorburn attempted to ameliorate the shock by saying 2,000 new digitally-focused jobs would be created. He told the media, however, that the entire banking industry was coming under enormous pressure to reshape its workforce. NABs move, he declared, would put pressure on its main rivals to make similar cost cuts.

Bell Potter Securities analyst TS Lim told the Sydney Morning Herald, Australian banks still have too many branches and too many head office staff. If they were to remain competitive, banks would have to make deeper cuts, especially the Commonwealth Bank of Australia and Westpac, which have the largest branch networks.

A few days later, Westpac CEO Brian Hartzer unveiled an $8 billion profit, while indicating that banking jobs are becoming more precarious. Commenting on Westpacs results, Martin North, principal of Digital Financial Analytics, said the volume of transactions [face-to-face] across the branch network fell 23 percent in the last two years. The bank had closed 59 branches and sacked about 500 people.

On top of the technological shifts, the banks are vulnerable to any crash in the over-heated housing market. Already they are reportedly bracing for much slower growth in the market, which accounts for approximately 60 percent of their loans.

Ian Pollari, the head of banking at KPMG Australia, said slowing credit growth, long-term pressure on margins and competition from financial tech firms were all pushing banks to look hard at costs.

The redundancies at NAB are the latest in an endless series of job cuts. In November 2005, NAB carried out a three-year global restructure that destroyed 4,500 jobs, announcing an annual net profit of $4.13 billion that year.

Earlier this year, the once publicly-owned Commonwealth Bank cut 150 jobs from a processing centre in Brisbane as part of a broader restructure. Back in 2003, the Commonwealth Bank cut 3,700 jobs.

Similarly, ANZ bank is conducting an ongoing restructure which has seen 1,500 jobs lost over the past 12 months, following up 1,000 job losses in 2012.

The number of staff employed by banks is already well below the peak of 189,000 in 1991, despite a 40 percent increase in Australias population since then. That was the year in which the Keating Labor government began the privatisation of the Commonwealth Bank, laying the groundwork for the gutting of jobs and services.

The trade unions covering bank workers have been fully complicit in this process, both in backing Labor governments and smothering all resistance to redundancies. Typically, the Financial Sector Union (FSU) presented NABs latest cuts as a fait accompli. FSU national secretary Julia Angrisano said 80 of the 6,000 jobs had gone already and there will be more line ups along the way.

In a media statement, the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) restated its support for the Labor Partys call for a banking royal commission. ACTU president Ged Kearney said that the move to sack 6,000 workers came after countless scandals in the banking and finance sector.

Any such inquiry would cover-up the pivotal roles played by Labor governments and the unions in the carve-up of jobs and conditions of banking and finance workers, as well as the underlying driving forces in the corporate profit system.

The extraction of extraordinary profits by the banks at the expense of jobs highlights how capitalism subordinates all developments in technology and infrastructure to the interests of a wealthy elite, preventing them being used for the benefit all.
"I've got to tell you, I'm now, where I sit today, more optimistic about the future of the state than ive ever been before," Walker said in an interview ahead of his re-election campaign launch, set for Sunday in Waukesha.
Under a deal struck today between Australias two main political partiesthe governing Liberal-National Coalition and the opposition Labor Partyevery member of parliament must produce evidence by December 1 that they do not hold, or are entitled to, citizenship in another country. The declaration must cover entitlement by birth or via descent from parents and even grandparents.

The agreement takes a months-long nationalist witch-hunt to a new stage. John Alexander, a Liberal Party member of the House of Representatives, parliaments lower house, resigned on Saturday because he may hold dual citizenship in Britain. On November 1, Liberal Senator Stephen Parry, the president of the upper house, resigned for the same reason.

On October 27, the High Court ruled that four senators and one lower house memberDeputy Prime Minister and National Party leader Barnaby Joycewere ineligible to stand in the 2016 federal election because they held dual citizenship. The court enforced the most literal interpretation of the 1901 Constitution, which proscribes anyone from standing for parliament if they hold allegiance to a foreign power or are entitled to the rights and privileges of a foreign power.

After the ousting of Joyce and Alexander, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbulls Coalition government no longer has a majority in the House of Representatives.

Until by-elections are held for the vacant seats, the Coalition has 74 seats and the Labor opposition 69. The remaining five seats are held by the crossbench independents and minor parties. The government can pass legislation, and survive a no confidence motion, only with at least one crossbenchers support.

A crisis of far-reaching dimensions has developed. Desperate to regain a majority, Turnbull threatened on the weekend to refer four lower house Labor members to the High Court. They allegedly failed to renounce their eligibility for British citizenship before the cut-off date for candidates to nominate for last years election. Rebekha Sharkie, the only lower house MP of the populist Nick Xenophon Team, would be referred on the same grounds.

The Greens then pledged to provide the Coalition with the vote of its one lower house member to oust the four Labor MPs and Sharkie. Labor retaliated by vowing to go nuclear, naming five more Coalition members whom it demanded resign for possibly holding citizenship elsewhere.

As well as these 10, at least 21 further members of both houses of parliament could be referred to the court in a ferocious partisan purge on the parliamentary floor13 Labor, 4 Liberal, the leaders of the minor Conservative and Jacquie Lambie parties, and two One Nation members, including its leader Pauline Hanson.

The government and Labor struck their deal today to try to avoid this scenario. In a McCarthyite process, those MPs who cannot provide proof they do not hold dual citizenship will be expected to fall on their sword and resign.

The current parliament has been rendered dysfunctional. The Liberal Party is also wracked by internal in-fighting, including over the debacle facing the government, and relations between the Liberal and National parties are reportedly tense. New opinion polls show falling support for the Coalition.

Among possible outcomes being canvassed in the media are a leadership challenge to replace Turnbull; a split in the Liberal Party; the collapse of the Coalition; or an intervention by the unelected governor-general, who has vast reserve powers to dissolve both houses of parliament on the pretext that it cannot provide stable government. What is certainly looming is the prospect of an early general election.

The disqualification crisis is a direct outcome of an anti-democratic intervention by the High Courtone of the key arms of the state. The court has been used to destabilise and potentially bring down the government on the basis that people born overseas, or whose parents or grandparents were immigrants, have divided loyalties.

No parliamentary party denounced the ruling, even though it impacts on the rights of at least half the population of Australia, who, by birth or descent, are eligible for citizenship in another country.

If dual citizens cannot stand for parliament, it is not difficult to imagine which nationalist demands could be raised next, such as stripping them of the right to vote or barring them from employment in the public service. Then there are the migrants and their children from countries that do not provide for dual citizenship, such as China and India. What will be demanded of them? A special oath renouncing any lingering allegiance?

Millions of people are watching the spectacle unfold with a mixture of bewilderment and anger. The immense alienation from the parliamentary parties is not because of the family background of various politicians. It is due to the anti-working class policies implemented by successive Coalition and Labor governments, including their support for US military operations and a brutal regime against refugees seeking asylum in Australia.

The concerns of masses of workers and youth, over the danger of war, social inequality, falling wages, insecure work, the cost of energy, and the crisis of the health and education systems, find no expression in the political establishment. The organisations that once claimed to represent the working classLabor and the trade unionslong ago transformed into open appendages of the financial and corporate elite.

As social antagonisms mount, the citizenship witch-hunt is one means being used to divert and divide the population, and lurch official politics even further into anti-immigrant xenophobia. The campaign to unseat politicians over purported foreign allegiances was initiated amid a media-stoked campaign against alleged Chinese influence in Australian politics and society. The beneficiaries are the most right-wing tendencies and the advocates of unconditional Australian backing for a US-led military confrontation with China and, most immediately, war against North Korea.

While the Turnbull government limps toward collapse, preparations are afoot to consolidate a new right-wing party around the Australian Conservatives recently formed by Senator Cory Bernardi, and incorporating Liberal factions backing former Prime Minister Tony Abbott, as well as elements of the National Party, One Nation and even more extreme formations.

The potential break-up of the Liberal Partythe key conservative parliamentary party in Australia since World War IIparallels international developments. In the US and across Europe, new right-wing and even fascistic formations have emerged to centre-stage, seeking support from disorientated layers of the population by appeals on cultural issues such as religion, and blaming immigrants and foreign competition for the social distress that millions of people endure.

In Australia, as around the world, this process is being directly facilitated by the pro-capitalist and nationalist politics of Labor, the trade unions and the Greens. One of the most significant aspects of the citizenship witch-hunt has been the Greens vociferous and anti-democratic demands for a purge of all those with alleged divided loyalties. Greens leader Richard Di Natale has indicated he is seeking constitutional advice about whether he can petition the governor-general to intervene.

A Liberal Party split may occur as soon as this week, triggered by bitter opposition in conservative ranks to allowing same-sex couples to marry. The result of a government postal survey on the issue, which has been used as another political diversion and to galvanise a right-wing base, will be announced on Wednesday.

What is absent from the situation at present is an independent intervention of the working class, putting forward its interests and demands. Everything must be done to prepare for, and encourage, a mass political movement fighting for a socialist and internationalist perspective of genuine social equality and democratic rights for all.
The Kremlin oligarchy has greeted the centenary of the October Revolution with a mixture of fear and hostility, falsifying 1917 and attacking it on a nationalist and far-right basis.

There were virtually no official celebrations of the centenary. The Kremlin sponsored a military parade on Moscows Red Square that reenacted a 1941 event from the Second World War. The Communist Party (KPRF), a right-wing organization that glorifies the crimes of Stalinism and maintains ties to outlawed xenophobic groups, organized the only commemoration.

The extreme hostility of the oligarchy to 1917 found its sharpest expression in the state-financed TV campaign against the revolution and, most notably Leon Trotsky, who was not only, along with Lenin, the main leader of the uprising and founder of the Red Army, but also the central Marxist opponent of the nationalist betrayal of the revolution by the Stalinist bureaucracy.

An eight-part, high-budget series on Trotsky aired last week on Channel 1, Russias most widely viewed TV channel. It makes blatant use of anti-Semitic and far-right cliches, portraying Trotsky as a sex-addict and blood-thirsty egomaniac. Another documentary on Channel 1, The Demon of the Revolution, revives the old slander of the Bolsheviks as having been financed by the Germans.

President Vladimir Putin, himself by all accounts a multibillionaire, distanced himself from all public commemorations of the revolution. Last month, he expressed his hostility to the revolution, stating before a group of academics, Was it not possible to follow an evolutionary path rather than go through a revolution? Could we not have evolved by way of gradual and consistent forward movement rather than at the cost of destroying our statehood and the ruthless fracturing of millions of human lives?

Over the past period, the Kremlin has struggled to find a way to deal with the legacy of the Russian Revolution. In dealing with the events and their political implications, it has vacillated between three main tendencies.

The first, a neo-Stalinist campaign, has found expression in countless books praising Stalin and justifying crimes against the revolution, including the terror of the 1930s. The second, the propagation of far-right anti-Semitic attacks on the revolution and its leaders, has featured works denouncing Trotsky as an agent of the Rothschilds and calling him a man eater. The third and most recent has been an effort by the Kremlin to depict the revolution as essentially national eventa Great Russian Revolutionaimed at saving the Russian state. This falsification has been enshrined in a new history textbook assigned in schools throughout the country.

The assault on 1917, which in many instances revives attacks on the revolution and Trotsky that were the well-known stock in trade of the White counterrevolution, is a sign of the extreme economic and political weakness of the Russian oligarchy that has emerged out of capitalist restoration.

The re-imposition of the market in Russia has been an unmitigated disaster for the vast majority of the countrys population. It has created a parasitic layer of oligarchs who rule over an economy that is highly unequal and mostly dependent on energy exports.

According to a report from 2016, the countrys top decile owns a stunning 89 percent of all household wealth in Russia, up by 2 percent from 2015. This compares to 78 percent in the United States and 73 percent in China. No less than 122,000 individuals from Russia belong to the worlds wealthiest 1 percent; there are some 79,000 US-dollar millionaires and 96 billionaires living in Russia.

Some 56 percent of Russian workers make less than 31,000 rubles ($531) a month; 29.4 percent of the populationsome 43 million peopleare living on less than $256 a month.

Social despair and deprivation find acute expression in devastating epidemics of HIV and heroin addiction. Over 1 million people (about 1 percent of the population) in Russia are infected with HIV, a percentage topped in the world only by sub-Saharan Africa. In 2013, there were almost 2 million injected-drug users in the country. Since 1991, over 1 million people in Russia have committed suicide. The population has declined to now just over 140 million.

Russia faces the threat of carve-up by the imperialist powers and outright nuclear war. The countrys ruling elite vacillates between warmongering and desperate appeals for the imperialists to change course.

Under these conditions, the central ideals of the Russian Revolutionagainst imperialist war and social inequalityinevitably assume a new attraction for significant layers of the population. These sentiments, usually expressed in a vague nostalgia for the Soviet Union, are necessarily confused. After decades of historical falsifications and the crimes of Stalinismincluding above all the murder of the entire Bolshevik Party, much of the Comintern and Leon Trotsky himselfbasic facts about the Russian Revolution and the struggle of the Left Opposition against Stalinism are not known.

This is why the ruling oligarchy, the historical heir of the Stalinist bureaucracy, is doing everything it can to confuse people about the origins and program of the Russian Revolution, whip up Russian nationalism, and attack the one revolutionary who has been the most closely associated with the struggle against the nationalist betrayal of the RevolutionLeon Trotsky.

But this campaign of historical falsifications is based on extraordinarily shaky ground. Who will lend credibility to the cheap moralizing and attacks on the revolution and its leaders, coming as they do from a ruling class that is steeped in criminality and parasitism and as morally depraved as ever there was?

As the socioeconomic and war crisis intensifies, and as layers of the working class internationally are increasingly drawn into struggles, a new generation of youth and workers will turn to the most monumental event of Russian and world history of the 20th century.

We urge workers and youth in Russia to study the material produced by the International Committee of the Fourth International about the centenary of the October Revolution and join the struggle for the continuation of the world socialist revolution that was begun by the Bolsheviks in Russia in 1917.
One of the most significant developments to emerge from US President Donald Trumps current Asia tour is the extent to which far-reaching changes in the structure of the world economy have undermined the once unchallengeable dominance of US imperialism.

This shift has far-reaching geopolitical consequences. It is the essential driving force behind the ongoing efforts by the United States to reverse its decline by military means.

Washingtons increasing economic isolation was visible at every stage of Trumps visit.

In his address to the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit meeting in Da Nang, Vietnam, on Friday, Trump railed against the World Trade Organisation (WTO), saying it benefitted other countries at the expense of the US. Henceforth he would seek bilateral deals based on the principle of America First.

After days of wrangling, however, the APEC summit statement pledged to fight protectionism. It said ministers recognise the work of the WTO in ensuring international trade is rules-based, free, open, fair, transparent in predictable and inclusive. It committed members to cooperate to improve the functioning of the WTO.

A side meeting of the 11 remaining members of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)the economic bloc proposed by the Obama administration from which Trump withdrew immediately upon taking office in Januaryagreed to try to secure an agreement without the US.

Full TPP agreement had been expected to be announced on Saturday but Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau withdrew at the last minute. Canada is believed to have problems with sections of the agreement concerning cultural issues and proposed rules governing Japanese auto parts sales. The Canadian position is also complicated by negotiations with the US over changes demanded by the Trump administration to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

The proposed TPP deal remains alive, however. Following the Canadian move, the TPP 11, led by Japan, said they had reached agreement on core elements. Negotiations would continue on a Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, a title adopted at Canadas request.

Officials said they planned to sign a final agreement next year that would eliminate tariffs on 95 percent of goods traded in the bloc, covering 500 million people and $10 trillion in economic output.

In a clear sign of the divisions with the US, Japanese Economy Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said: This will send out a very strong message to the US and to other Asia-Pacific countries.

In Japan last week, Trump pointed to Americas $69 billion trade deficit with that country and called for more reciprocal trade. He suggested that Japanese automakers try building your cars in the United States instead of shipping them over. The Japanese Automobile Manufacturers Association responded by pointing out that 75 percent of Japanese-branded vehicles sold in the US are built in North America.

Following Trumps visit, Japanese Finance Minister Taro Aso pointedly issued a statement that Japan would not enter a bilateral agreement with the US to resolve the trade imbalance.

In China, Trump railed against out of kilter economic relationships between the two countries, reflected in the $347 billion trade surplus China enjoys with the US. Much of this surplus, however, results from US firms using China as a base for their global operations, as well as the supply of Chinese materials to US corporations.

Conscious of Trumps desire to present his visit as a success, the Chinese regime accorded him red carpet treatment and facilitated a signing ceremony for some $250 billion worth of corporate deals. It was largely an exercise in smoke and mirrors.

Bloomberg noted: The headline number is impressive. A quarter trillion dollars worth of deals from China that  Trump can use to show hes creating opportunities for US businesses and jobs for his base. The reality, however, is that the roughly 15 agreements unveiled on Thursday are mostly non-binding memorandums of understanding and could take years to materializeif they do at all.

Significantly, there was no agreement on giving US companies more access to Chinese markets or on opening up the Chinese financial system to the UStwo key demands Washington has pursued for years.

Summing up Trumps Asia visit, one business leader cited by the Financial Times said: I think everyone was polite to him and they want to make him think they are all chummy and willing to do things with him. But I have to think in some ways they are laughing behind his back, and certainly the Chinese are. I dont think any of them have any intention of getting into a deal with him, certainly not on the terms that he wants.

Michael Froman, the chief US negotiator for the TPP under the Obama administration, said the agreement of the TPP 11 to push ahead showed that our allies and partners continued to value tearing down trade barriers. Clearly, as the US retreats, the rest of the world is moving on.

Trumps Asia visit has underscored the mounting problems US imperialism confronts globally on the geo-economic front.

The multilateral trade framework the US put in place after World War II, now enshrined in the WTO, is increasingly seen as working against its interests. This assessment is not just that of the Trump administration. It was also the essential motivation for the TPP, which the Obama administration developed as part of its pivot to Asia to counter Chinas rise.

At the same time, Trumps demands for countries to enter bilateral trade arrangements with the US are not going to be met. No country wants to place its head in the jaws of the lion for it to be bitten off under Trumps America First program.

In others words, there is no economic avenue for the US to change its position within the present order. Hence the drive to assert its interests through military force.

Throughout Trumps Asia visit, the pressure continued against North Koreain the final analysis aimed at China. And Trumps continued references to the Indo-Pacific, rather than the Asia Pacific, began to acquire flesh. A meeting was convened in Manila on Sunday between US, Japanese, Australian and Indian officials for exploratory talks on a regional security architecture.

The proposal for such a quad was first raised in 2007 at Japans instigation but receded into the background. It has now bounced back with a vigour few would have expected just a year ago, according to Harsh V. Pany, professor of international relations at Kings College, London. The reason is simple: there is growing nervousness in the regional power centres in the Indo-Pacific about Chinas emergence as a major global power.

While the quad meeting was not at a ministerial level, the US is clearly pushing for a coalition of the regions supposed democracies as a strategic and military counterweight against China.

Notwithstanding its economic differences with the US, Tokyo evidently sees the quad as a means for pushing its strategic interests against China. India has similar motivations. Australia has been a frontline supporter of the US in every war over the past quarter century, both to promote its own interests in the region and because of its economic dependence on the US financial system.

The disintegration of the relations that regulated world capitalism, so palpably on display during Trumps Asia visit, mean that the US push to find a military solution to its mounting economic problems will accelerate in the coming period.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Theatre lovers rejoice! William Shakespeares The Taming of the Shrew is headed to Tallahassee Community College.

A riotous tale packed with outlandish characters, sparkling repartee, and bawdy humor. The tale pits strong-willed Kate against the wily Petruchio in a battle of wits.

It all kicks off Thursday, November 16th at 8 p.m. at TCCs Turner Auditorium. The show runs through December 2nd.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors, $7 for children and non-TCC students. For ticket purchase, visit www.tickets.fsu.edu.

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.

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for additional local news and hourly updates.

Copyright 2017 WTXL via Raycom News Network. All rights reserved.
MOULTRIE, Ga. (WTXL) - An Atlanta woman is dead and another woman is recovering after a Colquitt County crash involving a semi-truck.

This happened on Thigpen Trail at Highway 37 West in Moultrie on Friday.

Officials say the women's SUV pulled in front of the semi-truck.

The passenger Ashleigh Munro, 24, died while the unidentified driver of that SUV was flown to a Tallahassee hospital.

There's no word on whether the truck driver was hurt.

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.

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for additional local news and hourly updates.

Copyright 2017 WTXL via Raycom News Network. All rights reserved.
CORDELE, GA (WALB) - The Cordele Police department hosted a news conference Monday morning, and addressed the facts of a shooting incident that happened before dawn this morning.

Cordele Chief of Police Rob Rodriguez said that Quotavious 'Tip' Cochran, 26, is the suspect wanted in this shooting.

The chief said that around 4:00 this morning Cochran was stopped for a traffic violation, in his dark-colored Nissan Maxima by Cordele Police Officer Brian Lewis, in the 1200 block of South 7th Street.

Police say as Cochran's vehicle stopped, he jumped out of the car, and without being provoked, and fired multiple shots at Officer Lewis, but Lewis was not injured.

"This incident solidifies the dangers of the law enforcement profession," Chief Rodriguez. "However, this was purely a premeditated act of violence against one of my officers, and we will not rest contently until this young man is held accountable for his actions. We are asking that if anyone has seen Mr. Cochran or knows his whereabouts, to contact the Cordele Police Department or their local law enforcement agency immediately."

Lewis did not return fire, but left the scene for his own safety.

Cochran is wanted on an outstanding parole warrant.

The chief said he did not know if Cochran is considered armed and dangerous.

Copyright 2017 WALB. All rights reserved.

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.

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for additional local news and hourly updates.

Copyright 2017 WTXL via Raycom News Network. All rights reserved.
ORLANDO, Fla. (WTXL) - The deadline has been extended for filing requests for assistance to rebuild Florida's public infrastructure damaged during Hurricane Irma.

The deadline is November 21 for applicants to file their Requests Public Assistance (RPAs) with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Florida recommends that applicants submit their RPAs to the state Division of Emergency Management's Public Assistance portal (FloridaPA.org) no later than Nov. 18, 2017. Meeting that date would ensure the documentation is complete, a news release said, and the state can properly support applicant RPAs.

All 67 counties in Florida are eligible to receive federal funding through FEMA's PA program for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance.

In addition, local, county and state government infrastructure and certain private nonprofit organizations in 55 Florida counties may also be eligible to receive all categories of PA funding. The funding includes the repair and rebuilding of eligible disaster-damaged facilities.

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.

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for additional local news and hourly updates.

Copyright 2017 WTXL via Raycom News Network. All rights reserved.
EASTPOINT, Fla. (WTXL) - The Franklin County Sheriff's Office is urging residents to help make the area's youth happy on Christmas by providing them new toys.

The FCSO is asking the community to help gather Toys 4 Tots at selected places beginnning Monday, November 13, through Monday, November 20.

Dollar Stores in the county have placed boxes where residents can deposit gifts.

Ace Hardware in Carrabelle and Apalachicola will have the FCSO trailers for people to fill with toys, according to the FCSO Facebook post. The trailers will be there from November 13 - November 20.

"We will need new, unopened toys for both girls and boys (unwrapped please) from newborn to 14 years of age," the post said. "Any new toy, large or small, can help."

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.

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for additional local news and hourly updates.

Copyright 2017 WTXL via Raycom News Network. All rights reserved.
FRANKLIN COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) - A Georgia woman was rescued out on the water in Franklin County.

According the Franklin County Sheriff's Office, a woman fell into the water at the St. George Island Bridge on Sunday after losing her balance while fishing.

Officers say the woman could not swim but luckily she was able to tread water long enough for Deputy Wesley Creamer to come to her rescue.

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.

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for additional local news and hourly updates.

Copyright 2017 WTXL via Raycom News Network. All rights reserved.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Gov. Rick Scott says he supports a proposal to provide free college tuition to the families of first responders, state law enforcement officers and military members who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

The Florida governor announced that he will $178 million in total funding to support active military, veterans and their families in Florida as part of his 2018-2019 recommended budget.

He also said he supports a proposal being considered by the Constitution Revision Commission to provide free tuition to the families of fallen first responders, state law enforcement officers and military members who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

The proposal would make each family entitled to one four-year degree from a Florida state college, university or participating technical school.

I am a proud Navy veteran and my father served during World War II, and this Veterans Day, I was honored to remember the courageous people I had the opportunity to serve with," Governor Scott said. "We will never be able to repay our fallen officers or service members who have bravely given their lives, but it is our duty to ensure that their families are supported as if they were our own."

If passed by the CRC, the proposal will be on the ballot in 2018 and would require approval of 60 percent of Florida voters. You can find the full proposal here.

Governor Scotts says his $178 million investment for Floridas active military, veterans and their families includes:
On Wednesday, Madison announced the creation of The Progress Center for Black Women, an organization that will put her current projects under one roof and allow her to expand her efforts to empower African-American women and families.
Boeing 787s in various stages of completion at the final assembly line in Everett Washington. Boeing final assembly factory in Everett Washington includes the 747, 777, and the 787. (MIke Siegel / The Seattle Times)
Q&A: UW professor Jason Fletcher wants you to think before giving away your DNA
State Debate: Bruce Murphy not so sure Foxconn deal will help Scott Walker's 2018 election
Miki Ganor, state witness in the German submarine and seacraft affair , employed a private investigations firm that collected incriminating evidence against the other people involved, long before news first broke, purportedly to prepare for the eventual legal case.

Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter



Ganor told police interrogators he felt immense pressures were exerted on him, saying, "I felt I was being extorted."

State witness Ganor gathered incriminating evidence on other submarine affair suspects (Photo: Orel Cohen)

While the submarine probe, also known as Case 3,000, has been conducted mostly out of the public eye, materials Ganor provided police are gradually coming to light, with each piece of information provided by Ganorfrom text message and recordings to emailsproviding police investigators with new leads.

In the latest development, it emerged that Ganor was, in fact, preparing himself for the day the alleged crimes were discovered, and hired a well-known private investigations firm to collect information for him on the other suspects involved with procuring the submarines and sea vessels.

According to Ganor's testimony, at some point the other people involved requested to get their "due" after Ganor received 10 million euros from the Germans, as per their deal.

'Ganor prepared well for the moment it all broke open'

Ganor continued stalling for time and vacillated on divvying the funds, at which point he claimed he started receiving threats of extortion.

The pressure prompted Ganor to hire the investigations firm, to document his requests and "chronicle of pressures" he said were exerted on him by the other suspects in the case, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's cousin and personal attorney David Shimron, former Navy commander Vice Admiral (res.) Eliezer Marom and former National Security Council deputy chief Avriel Bar-Yosef.

Former Navy Commander Marom was one of the people Ganor had investigated (Photo: Elad Gershgoren)

"It appears Ganor prepared well for the day it all broke wide open. He kept stalling on providing the returns for the other people involved, and despite not transferring the big money he received in return for the submarine project, he collected some very strong evidence against the people involved," said sources familiar with the investigation.

The testimony, on which police have placed significant value, has has thus far been supported by external corroboration. Investigators are now greaing up to commence an additional round of interrogations with each of the other people involved.

According to police sources, the prime minister himself will then be their list of people to question in the case, after his confidant and special envoy Yitzhak Molcho was also investigated.

The affair's investigators focused on Molcho's international activities performed during his appointment as Netanyahu's envoy, and consider him to be a public servant for all intents and purposes, despite the fact he had performed those duties without pay.

Business partners Molcho (L) and Shimron are also allegedly involved in wrongdoing (Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg, Yariv Katz)

According to Ganor, Molchowho has strong business ties to Shimronleveraged his international stature to promote the submarine deal with German political figures. Police suspect this was Molcho's way of assisting Shimron, who represented Ganor in the deal.

Investigators presented Molcho with several events he'd attended overseas and asked for his comments. Molcho claimed his missions to Germany were solely on behalf of the state in accordance with Netanyahu's request. He added he had never worked to promote the submarine deal itself. He is not currently suspected of being directly compensated for his part.
AMMAN  Islamic State militants regained control of Albu Kamal, their last stronghold in Syria, after Iranian-backed militias who claimed to have captured the city a few days earlier were ambushed and forced to retreat, tribal leaders, residents and a war monitor said on Monday.

Fighters from Lebanese Shiite Hezbollah in Syria who joined forces with Iraqi Shiite fighters crossing the border into Syria were taken by surprise by militants hiding inside tunnels in the heart of the city they said they had taken on Wednesday, they said.

The Shiite fighters had launched a ground offensive on the city, in Syria's eastern Deir ez-Zor province where the Euphrates river meets, after months of mainly heavy Russian bombardment against the city that killed dozens of civilians and caused widespread destruction.
The Israel Police held a first ever community-police event over the weekend for students from the village of Ghajar, straddling boths sides of the Israeli and Lebanese borders.

Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter



The international border between the two countries runs through the village, whose northern sector falls inside Lebanon. However, the village's Alawi residents hold Israeli citizenships.

The village's partition has been the cause of numerous problems, including many which stem from security-related matters. Since the Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon in 2000, Ghajar was declared by the IDF chief of staff to be a closed military zone.

Police held a community event in Ghajar (Photo: Police Spokesperson's Unit)

Police said holding the event was made possible thanks to collaboration between the Kiryat Shmona police, the local council and administration of the local schools.

The Ghajar community event organized by the Israel Police (:  )

X

Some 650 local students from the first to twelfth grade participated in the community and police day events, in which fire fighters and Magen David Adom paramedics also participated.

The students were afforded the opportunity to visit stations showcasing various devices police regularly use in the line of duty. As part of the exhibit, participants were shown an explosive-neutralizing robot, various forensic tools and animals utilized in police operations, such as horses and sniffer dogs.

A robot used to neutralize explosives (Photo: Police Spokesperson's Unit)

"It was moving to see the students' enthusiasm and excitement. You could really see the smiles on their faces as they watched the display of police tools or pet the dogs and horses. We'll continue contributing and working for the village's residents," said police officers who participated.

A police sniffer dog (Photo: Police Spokesperson's Unit)

The council's village spokesman Najib Hatib said the event was extraordinary as many of its denizens don't usually venture outside its borders.

"Life is hard here and children aren't exposed to the outside world as they are elsewhere in Israel. We try to get as many things as we can to the village. Today, for instance, we're inaugurating a park erected by Mifal HaPayis, the most beautiful in the country," he said.

"The police day was a great success, providing a great extracurricular activity. We got positive feedback from both the kids and educational staff. It was very nice and informative watching the mounted police, demolition forces and students learning how the police conducts itself on the scene. On behalf of the council, we wish to thank the police and its chiefs," Hatib concluded.
The US astronaut Randolph Bresnik published a number of snaps of Israel taken from the International Space Station at the end of last week, capturing the scenic views both at night and day.

Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter



Bresnik, who publishes his photos on Twitter, also uploaded a few weeks ago night-time shots of Jerusalem from space.

Israel from space (Photo: Randolph Bresnik, NASA)

Night time shot (Photo: Randolph Bresnik, NASA)

The golden city of Jerusalem, Israel at night. A city of such importance to so many, he wrote on his Twitter account above his images.





Jerusalem of gold (Photo: Randolph Bresnik, NASA)

Accompanying the picture of Jerusalem taken at night, he also added photos of the Kotel, along with the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Dome of the Rock to symbolize the city's importance to the country's three main monotheistic faiths.









Copenhagen (Photo: Randolph Bresnik, NASA)

San Francisco (Photo: Randolph Bresnik, NASA)

New Zealand (Photo: Randolph Bresnik, NASA)

Paris (Photo: Randolph Bresnik, NASA)

Last year, NASA released new photos taken by astronauts at the International Space Station of the earth at nightamong them one featuring Israel, Egypt and other countries in the region.
ANKARA  At least 328 people were killed and over 2,500 injured by a quake in Iran's Kermanshah province. on the Iraqi border, the Students News agency ISNA reported on Monday.

ISNA quoted the coroner's office in the province as saying that the death toll was expected to increase.
The last two barriers putting off Islamic Jihads planned revenge for the recent detonation of a terrorist tunnel and the killing of 12 Palestinian terrorists have been removed in the past 48 hours.

Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter



The first barrier was breached over the weekend, when Islamic Jihad realized that four of its men who got trapped in the tunnel had been killed, and its attempts to reach the bodies or retrieve them from Israel would be unsuccessful. As soon as the hope to reach the bodies was removed, so was the barrier for carrying out an act of revenge.

The second barrier, the internal Palestinian reconciliation, has entered a slowdown to the point of paralysis. This faltering reconciliation, which still showed some signs of life up until a few days ago, has gotten caught in the rift between Iran and Saudi Arabia in Lebanon and in Yemen. The Saudis summoned Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas out of the blue and basically demanded that he put a stop to the reconciliation moves as long as Hamas keeps flirting with the Iranians.

Hamas forces search for bodies of terrorists killed in tunnel explosion (Photo: EPA)

The Saudis are concerned that Hamas military wing, which has moved from Qatar to Beirut, will take over the Palestinian military force in Lebanons refugee camps and make it available to the Iranian axis. The Iranians have not kept quiet either, forcing a Hamas delegation from Qatar to pay an official visit to the Lebanese president in Beirut. A paralysis in the reconciliation moves reduces Hamas motivation to curb Islamic Jihad and maintain the calm on the Gaza-Israel border at all costs.

The coordinator of the governments activities in the territories knew what he was doing Sunday, when he issued a direct warning to Islamic Jihad. Israel knows, according to reports, that the instructions for the act of revenge have already been issued by Islamic Jihad headquarters in Damascus.

Its quite likely that Israel has some idea about the intentions and preparations on the other side, but there could always be a surprise that would claim a heavy price. Israel is therefore still trying to use deterrence: Issuing public warnings, conveying secret messages and boosting its alertness and visible military presence, including a Southern Command drill in the Gaza Strip.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian media outlets in Gaza are inflaming the winds of war and claiming that Israel is trying to heat up the border, offering accounts allegedly taken from border observers reports. Israel, according to the reports, is operating unmanned vehicles, jeeps and Hummers, along the border. According to other reports, Israel has increased its use of pilot balloons, which are carrying unusually big electronic systems, and is operating an unusual number of UAVs in the sky. Furthermore, they say the IDF is building ramps for tanks, that the work on the security fence has been stopped and that so has the Israeli agricultural activity along the border.

The entire set is ready for a flare-up. Israel has no interest in the Palestinian reconciliation agreement, so its response to any attempted attack on communities or soldiersor an attack in any other area outside the Gaza Stripmight be perceived as disproportionate.

Islamic Jihads motivation for revenge is clear. Hamas believes that by starting a limited fire, it will spur American and Egyptian pressure on Israel to hold its fireand pressure on the Palestinian Authority to resume the reconciliation talks. And when all interests to start a fire come together, the fire will burn.
The state attorney's office indicted 25-year-old Hamas operative Ahmad Hassan, currently in prison for security offenses, Saad Abu Varda, a Gaza resident staying in Israel illegally, and Iman Salhab, 42, of Jerusalem. The indictment was made at the Nazareth District Court.

The three were charged with contact with a foreign agent, membership of a terrorist organization and money laundering.

The indictment alleges that while he was employed in Israel, Abu Varda transferred funds to his family in Gaza. Towards that end, he employed Salhab and with another person acting as mediator transferred funds to the West Bank, as restitution for a Hamas prisoner released as part of the Gilad Shalit prisoner swap.
Police has arrested seven Colombian nationals and one Mexican on suspicion of stealing from senior citizens on multiple occasions.

The men are suspected of coming to Israel during October and November and serially pickpocketing hundreds of thousands of shekels from senior citizens.

The eight men will be remanded at the Tel Aviv Magistrates' Court.
Israeli government officials are optimistic the country's citizens will one day be spared the anguish of filling out countless questionnaires, undergoing an embassy interview and paying hundreds of shekels for a travel visa to the United States, on the aftermath of a recent breakthrough in US-Israeli negotiations on a Preventing and Combating Serious Crime (PCSC) agreement allowing American law enforcement authorities to request information about Israelis suspected of serious crimes.

Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter



The two parties are expected to sign the agreement in the coming weeks, which should open the way for Israel to joinwithin three to five yearsthe American Visa Waiver Program (VWP).

The American embassy in Tel Aviv

Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit and Deputy Attorney General for International Law Dr. Roy Schondorf are to be credited for the breakthrough. The pair recently visited Washington, met with their Justice Department counterparts and reached an agreement ensuring flow of information to the US with minimal damage to Israelis' right to privacy.

The US has a similar agreement in place with 41 countriesincluding Germany, Britain, Australia and Japanand it's considered to be a basic prerequisite for joining the VWP. According to the agreement, American law enforcement agencies may contact any of the countries party to the deal to query whether a fingerprint found at the site of a serious crime is present in their national database.

The undersigned countries are then obliged to provide the US with information on the legal status of the person the fingerprint belongs to, but only if there's a reasonable doubt they were involved in major crimes.

Some voiced reservations about the aforementioned agreement, fearing it would constitute a serious endangerment of Israelis' right to privacy. However, a mechanism reducing the damage done to Israeli suspects' rights and privacy to a minimum was evetually agreed upon, in a vein similar to other states' agreements with the US.

AG Mandelblit was part of the legal team to negotiate with the US (Photo: Yoav Dudkevitch)

Specifically, the agreed terms stipulate no US agency will have direct access to Israel's information databases, and Americans will therefore need to query Israel on specific fingerprints collected in crime scenes.

The lack of any technological system capable of allowing police to provide answers on the legal status of Israelis involved in major crimes was hitherto a major impediment in Israel joining the VWP.

It was not the only impediment, however, as the US also demanded the rate of persons declined a visa will not exceed 3 percent annually. In 2016, the rate of Israelis declined a US visa was 4.1 percent. While the US will only publish 2017's data sometime during 2018, Israel fears the current trend will continue.

Most of the Israelis declined visas are youngsters recently discharged from the IDF, whose requests are almost automatically denied since American consuls suspect they intend to work in US shopping malls without permits.
The Tel Aviv Magistrates' Court sentenced Rabbi Avraham Yosef to a five-month suspended sentence and to pay NIS 75,000 in restitution after promoting the "Beit Yosef" kashrut certificate while he was Holon's municipal rabbi and obliged business owners interested in acquiring a kashrut certificate to only work with certain kashrut inspectors.

Yosef, the son of former Sephardic Chief Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, was convicted of two breach of trust offenses.
ANKARA  Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday that those who do not believe in a military solution in Syria should pull their troops out, after Russia and the United States said no military solution was possible in Syria.

"I am having trouble understanding these comments. If a military solution is out of the question, then those who say this should pull their troops out," Erdogan told reporters before flying to Russia.

He said he would discuss the issue with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as well as a political solution in Syria, joint steps with Russia in Syria's Afrin region, and details of an S-400 air defence missile system deal.
The Jerusalem District Attorney's Office notified Monday, after approval from the attorney general and state attorney, that Lehava leader Benzi Gopstein may face charges of incitement to violence, racism and terrorism, pending a hearing. Gopstein is also suspected of obstruction of justice.

Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter



Gopstein is suspected of making media statements over the past five years constituting a call inciting violence and published texts inciting to racism and support for the massacre committed by Jewish terrorist Baruch Goldstein at the Cave of the Patriarchs in 1994.

Lehava leader Gopstein may be indicted for inciting violence, racism and terrorism (Photo: Alex Kolomosiky)

In one of the instances described by the letter of suspicions Gopstein is said to have taken a microphone while attending a wedding in Modi'in Illit recently and sang a song glorifying Goldstein's actions. The song purportedly said, "Baruch the man, entered the cave, drew his weapon and fired." Shortly thereafter, Gopstein is said to have uttered the phrase, "Muhammad is dead, Muhammad is dead."

In another instance a video was published showing Gopstein speaking at a memorial for the late Rabbi Meir Kahane. "The enemies within are a cancer and if we don't rid ourselves of that cancer, we won't be able to carry on existing and Jews will die daily."

"The cancer's epicenter and zenith is at the head, and the head is on the Temple Mount. The Temple Mount is the biggest cancerous tumor we have, and so long as the Israeli government doesn't come to its senses and excises that tumor from the Temple Mount we won't be able to achieve full salvation for our country," Gopstein is said to have added.

Speaking in another interview, Gopstein said, "The first condition whenever I'm invited to a wedding is for no Palestinians to be present. No Arabs either. We seek only unadulterated Hebrew labor. Let's say if an Arab waiter were here he wouldn't be serving food."

Gopstein during one of his previous arrests (Photo: AFP)

When asked what he would have done, Gopstein said, "He would be looking for the nearest hospital."

In a different incident Gopstein was asked by the media about violence perpetrated against Arabs as part of the struggle against assimilation. "I'm not a pacifist. Some people deserve to have violence visited upon them. An Arab hitting on a Jewish woman shouldn't be allowed to parade in the street with his Jewess," he replied.

Gopstein: 'Fighting for Jewish girls is not racism'

"Once again it turns out the attorney general and state attorney's office are on the Reform Movement's payroll and are susceptible to pressures. For years the state attorney's office found no criminality in my actions, but when the Reform people petition them they suddenly stand at attention. I'll continue combating assimilation and the state attorney's office should be aware that fighting for Jewish girls is not racism and freedom of speech should also be afforded to right-wingers," Gopstein said Monday.

Gopstein's attorney Ben-Gvir said he believes that if indicted, his client will be acquitted (Photo: EPA)

Gopstein's attorney Itamar Ben-Gvir added, "I expect that similarly to the countless acquittals in other cases, my client will once again be acquitted should the state attorney's office decide to indict him. We have dozens of examples of Arabs and left-wingers making statements far graver than Gopstein's, but the attorney's office always closed their cases."

"It's also regrettable I learned of the hearing from the media and was not properly informed. Once again, the state attorney's office proves it conducts itself in a populist, media-centric fashion and is pressured by Reform organizations," Ben-Gvir complained.
PARIS  France's foreign ministry suggested on Monday that new sanctions could be imposed on Iran if needed over its ballistic missile program.

Iran rejected on Sunday a call by French President Emmanuel Macron for talks on Tehran's ballistic missiles, saying they were defensive and unrelated to a nuclear agreement with world powers.

"As you know, the European Union has already placed sanctions on Iranian entities involved in the ballistic program," foreign ministry spokeswoman Agnes Romatet-Espagne said.
COPENHAGEN  Authorities at Copenhagen airport said they closed nine gates on Monday after being informed by police of a threat against all of Turkish airline Atlasglobal's European planes.

Copenhagen police said they investigating a suspicious incident at the airport.

A Copenhagen Airports spokesman said one airplane was prevented from taking off back by police while the situation was being investigated.
Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency is reporting that 445 people were killed and 7,370 injured in the Sunday earthquake along the Iran-Iraq border.

Official reports had put death toll at 407. There was elaboration on the discrepancy in Tasnim's report, though double-counting is common in the aftermath of such emergency situations in Iran.

More than half of the casualties are from Kurdish-majority town of Sarpol-e Zahab in Kermansh province. The only hospital in the town was heavily damaged and the army set field hospitals.

The magnitude 7.3 quake was centered 19 miles (31 kilometers) outside the eastern Iraqi city of Halabja, according to the most recent measurements from the US Geological Survey.

Iran's government declared Tuesday as a national mourning day.
The IDF upped its alertness on Monday, after already issung a statement on on Sunday, warning that the Iran-backed terror group in Gaza, Islamic Jihad, is planning to retaliate for the IDF's blasting of the group's terror tunnel in late October, killing 14 terrorists belonging to Islamic Jihad and Hamas. As part of this move, the IDF rolled out the Iron Dome defense system for the center of Israel.

Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter



Two weeks after Israel blew up the tunnel, which had penetrated into its territory from Gaza, Israel promised on Sunday to respond to any revenge attack with power and determination.

Earlier the same day, a senior Islamic Jihad official in Gaza, Khaled al-Batash, said his terror organization will have no other choice to punish Israel for killing its members.

Smoke rising from the IDF's blast of the terror tunnel

X

Israel has killed 12 Palestinians in Gaza and another one in the West (Bank) over the last two weeks () When they kill men of the resistance, and especially from Islamic Jihad, we have no other choice but to punish the occupier, and continue to strengthen the buildup of forces from a conflict, al-Batash said.

Readiness upped over Islamic Jihad threats (Photo: AFP)

Among those killed were senior commanders of terror groups while another 11 were wounded in the explosions.





IDF soldiers training in light of increased tension (Photo: EPA)

Warning Islamic Jihad in Arabic that it is playing with fire in a video uploaded on Saturday night, Maj. Gen. Yoav (Poli) Mordechai stressed that Israel would respond to any attack against the group itself and Hamas. We will respond with force against Hamas, Mordechai said.

IDF vehicles prepare due to heightened alert (Photo: EPA)

Israel exploded a terror tunnel two weeks ago inside its territory under the sovereignty of the State of Israel. We are aware of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad's plot that is being formed against Israel, he said in Arabic.

It is playing with fire at the expense of the residents of the Gaza Strip, at the expense of the Palestinian reconciliation agreements and the entire region.

"It should be clear: any response by Islamic Jihad, whatever it may be, will be responded to by Israel with power and determination, not only against Islamic Jihad but also against Hamas. We advise the Islamic Jihad leadership in Damascus to be careful and get things under control, he continued.

Hamas forces look for survivors following terror tunnel blast (Photo: EPA)

Leaders of Islamic Jihad in DamascusRamadan Shalah Ziad Nakhalehget your hands around this quickly because you are the ones who will be held responsible.





Islamic Jihad, for its part, said on Sunday that the Mordechai's promise to target its leadership in the event of any revenge attacks launched against Israel is tantamount to a declaration of war.





Israeli security forces building underground barrier along Gaza border (Photo: EPA)

We will not weaken the the leadership of our people and of our land. The threat by the enemy to harm the leadership is on the border of a declaration of war and we will deal with them, the organization said in a statement.
North Korea warned Monday that the unprecedented deployment of three US aircraft carrier groups "taking up a strike posture" around the Korean peninsula is making it impossible to predict when nuclear war will break out.

North Korea's UN Ambassador Ja Song Nam said in a letter to Secretary-General Antonio Gutteres Monday that the joint military exercises with South Korea are creating "the worst ever situation prevailing in and around the Korean peninsula."

Along with the three carrier groups, he said the US has reactivated round-the-clock sorties with nuclear-capable B-52 strategic bombers "which existed during the Cold War times."

He also said the US is maintaining "a surprise strike posture with frequent flight of B-1B and B-2 formations to the airspace of South Korea."
Saudi Arabia will host what it called an "expanded" conference for the Syrian opposition this month, aiming to unify its position ahead of United Nations-backed peace talks, the state news agency SPA reported on Monday.

Saudi Arabia backs a grouping of opposition figures called the High Negotiations Committee (HNC) led by Riyad Hijab, a former Syrian prime minister under Assad. The HNC has represented the Syrian opposition at previous Geneva talks.

A number of other political opposition groups and figures backed by other countries including Russia and Egypt also exist.
Lebanese politicians and bankers believe Saudi Arabia intends to do to their country what it did to Qatarcorral Arab allies into enforcing an economic blockade unless its demands are met.

Unlike Qatar, the world's biggest supplier of liquefied natural gas with a population of just 300,000, Lebanon has neither the natural nor financial resources to ride it out, and people there are worried.

Up to 400,000 Lebanese work in the Gulf region, and remittances flowing back into the country, estimated at between $7-8 billion a year, are a vital source of cash to keep the economy afloat and the heavily-indebted government functioning.

"These are serious threats to the Lebanese economy which is already dire. If they cut the transfer of remittances, that will be a disaster," a senior Lebanese official told Reuters.
Hadas Klein, personal assistant of businessmen Arnon Milchan and James Packer, said in her testimony in the illicit gifts affair (also known as Case 1000) that the gifts were never offered by the two billionaires, but were asked for by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara, It was revealed Monday on Channel 2 and 10's news programs.

Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter



"Sara would ask for boxes of six or 12 bottles of champagne," she said. "Bibi (Netanyahu) would ask for cigars and also know about the quantities of champagne his wife received. The driver of the company would travel especially to Jerusalem to supply the cigars and champagnes."

By virtue of the friendship between the two businessmen and the Netanyahu couple, Klein developed a close relationship with the prime minister and his wife. Her testimony, therefore, is considered key by the police.





Milchan (L) and Netanyahu (Photo: Getty Images)

Klein provided the investigators with examples of unusual requests. For instance, when a leak needed repairing at the prime minister's house, she said Sara called demanding that a construction supervisor hired by the two billionaires come and direct PMO staff on how to handle the leak.

"It was a difficult conversation. Sara yelled at me," she said. "(Sara) Netanyahu wanted the construction supervisor who works with Packer and Milchan to come to advise the professional staff of the Prime Minister's Office about the leak.

"I did not approve of it, and then she shouted that I and Milchan humiliate her and Bibi by not approving things that are supposedly permitted to them.

Hadas Klein (Photo: Facebook)

"After a few hours, Netanyahu called himself, said that it was not right what they (Packer and Milchan) were doing to (Sara), that they need to understand what she is going through because of the media, and that they checked it with a legal consultant and 'it is all allowed.'"

Inquired about Sara's behavior and mental state, Klein said that "Sara was afraid of wire-tapping, and whenever she asked for things, she asked to speak only by landline or to meet face to face," adding Mrs. Netanyahu "shouted at me several times about the gifts."

Packer (L) and Sara Netanyahu (Photo: Gettyimages)

As for the question of payment and its distribution, Klein said that Milchan set a cost distribution for gifts between him and Packer. She also testified on the widespread use of Packer's home by Netanyahu and his family.

"The Netanyahu family used to use Packer's pool and asked his household manager to prepare food for them, even when he was not there," she stated.

Klein's testimony is central to the investigation of Case 1000 due to her being in charge of the distribution of the gifts to the Netanyahus and her close relationship with them, and the police view it as highly reliable, as she is not suspected of any crime.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced a lengthy barrage of attacks from the Left and Center during a special Knesset session on Monday, and when it was over, he went up to answer them.

Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter



While sitting through the session, which dealt with "the Israeli government's political challenge in light of new opportunities that have been created", Netanyahu heard MKs from Meretz, the Joint List, the Zionist Union and Yesh Atid accuse him of ignoring the chance for regional cooperation, being distracted in the face of multiple investigations, failing to represent Israel's prerogative in the recently negotiated ceasefire in Syria and generally preferring an Israeli apartheid over peace.

Netanyahu began his rebuttal by saying, "Gentlemen, let's agree once and for all the there is no diplomatic tsunami or diplomatic isolation, but a diplomatic renaissance. And to touch upon what's going on in our regionwe don't miss diplomatic opportunities, we create opportunities.

Netanyahu during his speech (Photo: Alex Kolomoisky)

"We'll talk about the challenges and respond to the admonitions in a moment, but regarding the diplomatic opportunities that have been createdhave these diplomatic opportunities created on their own? The achievements, if there some, fell from heaven?

"Let me tell you something about a few other opportunities," he continued. "This morning I was visited in my office by a special emissary from my friend, Japanese Prime Minister Shinz o Abe, who was reelected. The emissary delivered an invitation to visit Japan, if possible by the end of the year. He also informed me that over the past three years, Japanese investments in Israel have grown 20 times over, due to the meetings and encouragement that Abe and myself give each otherof course, with the help of ministers and MKs and others."

"Yesterday I received a warm letter from another friend, US President Donald Trump, thanking me for the support we've given to the US stance against the Iran nuclear deal, which basically says either fix it or nix it. For those MKs who haven't been followingthis was the position I presented before Congress, then to the UN, and then during a phone conversation with Trump.

Trump and Netanyahu

"A week ago, I got another letter, a warm letter from Chinese President Xi Jinping, who praised the relationship building between China and Israel. I'd like to mention here the importance of a technological cooperation agreement.

"Two weeks earlier, I had a conversation with another friend, Russian President Vladimir Putin, on a matter of importance to Israeli security.

"In a few weeks, I'll be heading to India at the invitation of a friend, Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Another opportunity.

Netanyahu and Modi (Photo: Shaul Golan)

"This weekend, I spoke on the phone with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi," said Netanyahu, referring to the conversation as "important."

He added that "countries are lining up to strengthen ties with us. This is happening everyday.

"For obvious reasons, I cannot divulge the details of everything we're doing to tighten relations with various entities around us." He stated that "we stand shoulder to shoulder with moderate nations in the Arab world, be it against Iran or ISIS. This coming closer is good for security, and I believe it will eventually also be good for peace.

"My friends in the opposition," said Netanyahu from the Knesset podium. "Hearing your speeches of admonishment, I have to tell you that honestly, there's nothing new here. You've wanted me to leave this position from the first day after I was elected. That's how it was the first time, the second, the third and the fourth. I wonder what it'll be like the fifth time. What excuse will it be? So really, there's nothing new here, only the excuse changes. But what can you do? Prime ministers are only replaced at the voting booths."

(Photo: Alex Kolomoisky)

Netanyahu also mentioned improving Israel's economy and successfully bridging the socio-economic gaps among members of Israeli society."The interesting thing is that you can see a steady, continuous decline (in inequalityed), year after year, from 2009. And who was elected in 2009?" It was Netanyahu. "The gaps in Israeli society are shrinking year after year, and why? Because we've been creating growth, which in turn creates jobs, leading to lower unemployment and people making a living.

"We've been nurturing military and intelligence power," said Netanyahu toward the end of his speech. "This necessitates a great deal of money, which also comes from growth. The combination of technological-economic power, with military-intelligence power, create the third power that is international powera great international, diplomatic power the likes of which Israel has never had."
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.

Happy shootin' my friends!

Buying Guides:

Firearms

Firearm Accessories

Ammunition

Gun Safes

Scopes & Optics

Hunting

Air Rifles

Best AR-15

Best AR 15 Scope

Best Hunting Rifle

Best Gun Safe

Best AK 47

Best AR 10

Best Glock Triggers

Best Glock

Best Home Defense Shotgun
A new car dealership being built on the site of the former Badger Bowl along the Beltline at Rimrock Road is to open in June, according to the dealership.

Fields Jaguar Land Rover Volvo of Madison had announced in January that it planned to open its new $6.5 million dealership in February 2018. But Sharon Klietsch, general manager of the business that has operated at 6624 Seybold Road since 2006, said her company closed on the property later than expected, which pushed back construction and the dealerships opening.

Everything is going as scheduled after we closed, Klietsch said. The service department will be bigger and well have three separate showrooms. Were really excited about the lot because it will be more convenient for customers.

The project will include 33,000 square feet of showroom space, room for 184 vehicles outside and 32 customer parking spots, and it will greatly increase the size of the service department to 14 service bays, compared to eight at the existing dealership, Klietsch said.

The new home for Fields places it in close proximity to other high-end vehicle brands operated by Zimbrick Automotive Group of Madison, which sells Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Audi and BMW, and provides easier access from the Beltline, Klietsch said.

Kevin Carey, co-owner of Badger Bowl and Village Lanes, 208 Owen Road, Monona, announced in August that he and his partners were in negotiations with Fields to sell the property at 506 E. Badger Road. Carey and his partners  which include his wife, Lynn, and Laurie Slinde  operated the bowling alley and music venue for over 21 years. Badger Bowl opened in 1977.
Arizona News

Phoenix, Arizona - Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced a serial litigant organization will soon be permanently barred from filing frivolous disability lawsuits against Arizona businesses. The settlement comes after Judge David M. Talamante dismissed more than 1,000 lawsuits filed by Advocates for Individuals with Disabilities (AID). Under the settlement, AID agrees to a number of significant concessions, including:

AID will drop their appeal of the order dismissing the Consolidated Cases for lack of standing, thereby ending these lawsuits (other than any fee requests); AID, their affiliates, and successors will be permanently enjoined from filing any new actions in Arizona State Courts alleging violations of either the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or the Arizonans with Disabilities Act (AzDA); AID LLC and AID Foundation have agreed to have judgment entered against them for reasonable attorneys fees and costs in each consolidated case in which they were a party; and Plaintiffs will pay $25,000 to the Arizona Attorney Generals Office, which will be used to educate businesses regarding ADA/AzDA compliance and create a fund to which businesses can apply to help pay for ADA/AzDA parking lot compliance measures.

The settlement will allow small businesses to seek an award of reasonable attorneys fees and costs based on AIDs conduct.

Todays settlement is a victory for Arizona consumers and small businesses, said Attorney General Mark Brnovich. Arizona is not going to tolerate serial litigants who try to shake down small hardworking businesses by exploiting the disability community.

The settlement resolves the Arizona Attorney Generals Office request for sanctions against AID and must be approved by Judge Talamante. Advocates for Individuals with Disabilities (AID) flooded state courts with more than 1,700 lawsuits against Valley businesses in 2016. The copy-and-paste lawsuits alleged that businesses parking lots did not comply with regulations related to persons with disabilities. Many of the issues were minor and easily fixable, but the lawsuits sought thousands of dollars in damages and attorneys fees.

This case was handled by Matthew du Mee, Unit Chief Counsel of the Arizona Attorney Generals Office Consumer Litigation Unit and Deputy Division Chief Brunn Beau Roysden III.
Health News

Rochester, Minnesota - A new Mayo Clinic book  Mayo Clinic: The Integrative Guide to Good Health  is now available. This book highlights the importance of mental and spiritual wellness when maintaining an individuals overall health.

Mayo Clinics Brent Bauer, M.D., professor of General Internal Medicine; Cindy Kermott, M.D., assistant professor of Preventive Medicine; and Martha Millman, M.D., emeritus assistant professor of Preventive Medicine wrote the book, which addresses all aspects of health, including mind, body and spirit. These experts in integrative and preventive medicine explain what works when treating common ailments, including headaches, allergies and sprains. They also discuss what complementary techniques, such as aromatherapy, acupuncture and reflexology, can enhance conventional medicine.

Considering that many healthy people are engaging in integrative practices, it isnt surprising to find out that theyre returning to these treatments in terms of illness, as well, says Dr. Bauer, research chair, Mayo Clinic Integrative Medicine and Health.

The ailments covered in Mayo Clinic: The Integrative Guide to Good Health list when medical attention may or may not be necessary. Also, the authors detail how to apply dozens of therapies, such as progressive muscle relaxation, Pilates and guided imagery.

Integrative medicine is used to help people cope with medical conditions in many facets, says Dr. Bauer. Meditation can help manage the anxiety and discomfort of medical procedures. Massage has been shown to improve recovery rates after heart surgery. And gentle tai chi or yoga can assist the transition back to an active life after illness or surgery.

Mayo Clinic: The Integrative Guide to Good Health covers home solutions to help manage common issues, such as high blood pressure, osteoporosis, hives and stress. Steps for administering first aid in home emergencies, such as bleeding, choking and heart attack, also are listed.

Published by Oxmoor House, a division of Time Inc. Books, Mayo Clinic: The Integrative Guide to Good Health ($26.99, ISBN: 9780-0-8487-5218-7) is available online and in retail outlets nationwide. Mayo Clinics proceeds from the book will support medical education and research at Mayo Clinic.
Health News

Scottsdale, Arizona - Antibiotics are commonly prescribed during pregnancy. The specific medication must be chosen carefully, however. Some antibiotics are OK to take during pregnancy, while others are not. Safety depends on various factors, including the type of antibiotic, when in your pregnancy you take the antibiotic, how much you take, what possible effects it might have on your pregnancy and for how long you're on antibiotics.

Here's a sampling of antibiotics generally considered safe during pregnancy:

Penicillins, including amoxicillin, ampicillin

Cephalosporins, including cefaclor, cephalexin

Erythromycin

Clindamycin

Certain other antibiotics are believed to pose risks during pregnancy. For example, tetracyclines can discolor a developing baby's teeth. Tetracyclines aren't recommended for use after the 15th week of pregnancy.

If an antibiotic is the best way to treat your condition, your health care provider will prescribe the safest antibiotic at the safest dosage. If you have questions or concerns about the use of an antibiotic during pregnancy, talk to your health care provider.

What about taking aspirin during pregnancy?

Generally, aspirin isn't recommended during pregnancy unless you have certain medical conditions.

Low-dose aspirin - 60 to 100 milligrams daily - is sometimes recommended for pregnant women with recurrent pregnancy loss, clotting disorders and preeclampsia.

However, use of higher doses of aspirin poses various risks depending on the stage of pregnancy. During the first trimester, use of higher doses of aspirin poses a concern for pregnancy loss and congenital defects. Taking higher doses of aspirin during the third trimester increases the risk of the premature closure of a vessel in the fetus's heart. Use of high-dose aspirin for long periods in pregnancy also increases the risk of bleeding in the brain of premature infants.

If you need to take aspirin during your third trimester of pregnancy, your health care provider will likely closely monitor you and your baby.

If you need to take a pain reliever during pregnancy, talk to your health care provider about the options. He or she might suggest occasional use of acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) instead of aspirin.
Stiri pe aceeasi tema

- Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Marcel Ciolacu, the national leader of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), said on Monday that he told PSD's ruling coalition partners that completing energy legislation and repealing special pensions are priorities, so that the finance minister may then build the

- Pe retelele de socializare circula o inregistrare in care romanii ar protesta impotriva desfasurarii de trupe NATO pe teritoriul tarii noastre si impotriva ajutorului oferit Ucrainei de catre guvernul de la Bucuresti. Mai multe conturi de Twitter de propaganda lanseaza informatii false despre asa-zise

- The Embassy of the United States of America, in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the AGERPRES National News Agency, also in collaboration with the University of Craiova, opens, on Wednesday, in the University Square, the traveling photography exhibition "We, the People: 25th Anniversary

- The documentary film Phoenix - The Story will have its gala premiere, on Sunday, at the Palace Hall in Bucharest, informs a press release sent to AGERPRES on Tuesday. Fii la curent cu cele mai noi stiri. Urmareste stiripesurse.ro pe Facebook stiripesurse.ro  Help your

- The General Inspectorate of the Border Police informs that on Monday, 75,059 people entered Romania through border points throughout the country, of which 8,171 were Ukrainian citizens, down by about 8% compared to the previous day, told Agerpres. Fii la curent cu cele mai noi stiri. Urmareste

- A new edition of Asia Fest will take place, from Friday to Sunday, in the National Park in Bucharest, and the organizers have prepared shows, films, workshops and exhibitions, a press release from the organizers, sent to AGERPRES reads. Fii la curent cu cele mai noi stiri. Urmareste

- The art collection of a Bucharest resident with heritage works of art, estimated at several hundred thousand euro, is put up for auction by Artmark, a press release sent to AGERPRES informs. Fii la curent cu cele mai noi stiri. Urmareste stiripesurse.ro pe Facebook stiripesurse.ro

- Nature is Romania's gift to Europe, said British ambassador in Bucharest, Andrew Noble, who visited Vacaresti Park, which he considers "an ecological success". Fii la curent cu cele mai noi stiri. Urmareste stiripesurse.ro pe Facebook stiripesurse.ro  Help your friends
Vijayawada: The death toll in Sunday`s boat capsize in Andhra Pradesh`s Krishna district rose to 21 on Monday as more bodies were recovered from Krishna river and one of the injured succumbed, police said.



The overloaded boat of a private operator carrying 45 tourists, including three crew members, capsized near Ibrahimpatnam Ferry Ghat near here on Sunday evening.



The tourists, majority of them hailing from Ongole town, were coming from Bhavani Island to Pavitra Sangamam, or holy confluence of Krishna and Godavari rivers to witness `Maha haarathi` ritual on the last Sunday of the auspicious month of `Karthika`.



Local fishermen and rescue workers saved 21 persons. The deceased included nine women and two children.



Making a statement in the state Assembly, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said 20 bodies had been recovered and the bodies have been handed over to their relatives.



He said out of 21 rescued and admitted to hospitals, 17 were discharged and four were still undergoing treatment.



He announced Rs five lakh reward for two fishermen, who rescued 17 people.



Naidu, who also visited the scene of the accident, said the whereabouts of three crew members were not known. He said the private boat had no licence to operate.



The tourists had boarded a boat of the tourism department, but when told that the time for ferrying passengers was already over they boarded the private boat.



The Chief Minister said the driver was inexperienced and unfamiliar with the area. He suddenly lost control of the overloaded boat, which capsized.



The police has registered a criminal case against the boat operator.



Naidu announced compensation of Rs 10 lakh each for the families of the dead.



Terming the incident unfortunate, the Chief Minister said a committee comprising of IAS and IPS officers has been formed to prevent such incidents in future.



Except for three, all the victims were from Ongole town of Prakasam district.



As many as 32 members of the Ongole Walkers` Club were on board. The deceased include three relatives of Communist Party of India (CPI) national secretary K. Narayana, a relative each of Director General of Police Sambasiva Rao and intelligence official Rama Rao.
Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday asserted that entire Kashmir, including the areas occupied by Pakistan, was an integral part of India.

"We have always held that Kashmir is an integral part of India. This has been our unequivocal stand on the issue. We hold that the whole of Kashmir, including the areas occupied by Pakistan, is an integral part of the country," he told reporters on the sidelines of his weekly "Lok Samvad" (public interaction) programme.

Kumar was responding to a query on a statement of National Conference leader and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah that Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) belonged to Pakistan.

Kumar is also the national president of the JD(U), which is a coalition partner of the BJP in the Bihar government.

Abdullah had, on Saturday, said talks of an independent Kashmir were "wrong" as the landlocked valley was surrounded by three nuclear powers -- China, Pakistan and India.

He had also claimed that PoK belonged to Pakistan and that "this will not change", no matter how many wars India and Pakistan fought against each other.

The remarks had kicked up storm with the BJP and its NDA allies reacting sharply against it.
WAUNAKEEAs Waunakee High School students walked a five-acre section of the Westport Drumlin Preserve to spread seeds on a bitterly cold day, they had to envision how the barren former soybean field will look full of prairie grasses and wildflowers in several years.

Once the prairie is fully restored, maybe one of them will go back to visit, said Tony Abate, conservation specialist with Groundswell Conservancy, which was formerly Natural Heritage Land Trust.

He hopes last weeks experience, which was part of the Ecosystems of Southern Wisconsin class at the high school, will help grow the next generation of conservationists.

The land that makes up Westport Drumlin Preserve was once part of the Empire Prairie, one of Wisconsins great historic natural landscapes that may have been as large as 150,000 acres, stretching from northern Dane County through southern Columbia County, Abate said. Today, less than 100 acres remain, scattered across the landscape, he said.

Currently the 227-acre preserve consists of 18 acres of remnant, or undisturbed, prairie and the rest is mostly farmland. In order to restore the original landscape, Groundswell Conservancy is working with partners like Waunakee High School, The Prairie Enthusiasts and the Wisconsin DNR. Theyre collecting and planting prairie seeds from the remnants, which give clues to how the historic landscape once looked. As more prairie is restored, more seed can be collected.

After this growth, it really will benefit animals that are here, especially the endangered species, junior Nathan Miller said.

The 18 acres of remnant Empire Prairie includes some of the finest prairie and oak savanna remnants in Dane County, Abate said. The drumlin also hosts the states largest population of prairie bush clover, a federally threatened and state-endangered plant, and other rare plant and animal species.

The students were working in an area that was part of the old Koltes farmstead along Bong Road and serves as a buffer to the remnant prairie that was never farmed. Eventually it will serve as the gateway to the drumlin and feature walking trails, interpretive signs and places to park.

First the students had to divide the area into quadrants to make it easier to plant the larger area. That exercise and the windy, cold weather were the hardest parts of the exercise, some of the students said. Madalyn Breunig, a junior, said the students had to pace with their feet to measure the distances.

Its interesting figuring out the quadrants but also learning about the history of the seeds and the grasses where were planting, she said.

Todd Shucha teaches the semester-long eco systems class and a similar one next semester called Environment and You, which has a different focus and field trips.

The class description kind of summarizes what I was looking for, said Lucas Aiello, a senior who is interested in studying geology and environmental sciences in college. Ever since Ive been little Ive been interested in this area and like being outside.

The goal of the ecology curriculum is not only to expand the students understanding of their local ecosystems, partly through real-life applications, but also to gain an appreciation for and understanding of how they are connected to these ecosystems and provide information for making decisions, Shucha said.

I would like nothing better than for those students to walk back five years from now and stand at the top of the drumlin and say, I made that,  he said. This is going to be a part of the curriculum until I retire.
Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday made it clear that the guilty will not be spared in the recently unearthed multi-crore scam in construction of toilets in the state.

"The guilty will not be spared. Strict action will be taken against all those who are found guilty of having embezzled public money. This has been our policy", Kumar told reporters here on the sidelines of his weekly "Lok Samvad" programme.

Kumar was responding to queries about the scam, wherein crores of rupees were fraudulently transferred into the accounts of NGOs. A number of persons have been arrested in connection with the alleged irregularities so far.

The Chief Minister also said "we have always been very cautious about claims made with regard to sanitation. Recently, a proposal had come from Sasaram to declare the district ODF (open defecation free). But we decided to first verify the claim through a third-party, independent agency".

Replying to another query, the Chief Minister, who was speaking in the presence of state's DGP P K Thakur, said "no complainant should be asked to bring along stationery at a police station for lodging of a complaint. We have allocated separate funds to the police stations for the purpose. If any police official is found to be violating this rule, he must face strictest possible action".

On a question related to Jammu and Kashmir, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar asserted "the whole of Kashmir,including those areas which are occupied by Pakistan" was an integral part of India.

"We have always held that Kashmir is an integral part of India. This has been our unequivocal stand on the issue. We hold that the whole of Kashmir, including those areas which are occupied by Pakistan, are an integral part of the country", he told reporters here.

Kumar was responding to a query on the statement by National Conference leader and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah that Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) belonged to Pakistan.
New Delhi: The quintessential B-Town Begum Kareena Kapoor Khan is making her grand comeback to the big screens with Veere Di Wedding. She will be back to the cinemas after her brief maternity sabbatical.

Although the actress was practically never off work. She made red carpet appearances, sizzled the rampyou name it and she has done it all. So now her fans are all excited about Veere Di Wedding which stars Sonam Kapoor, Swara Bhaskar and Shikha Talsania besides Bebo in the lead.

The girl gang looked smothering in the fun first look of the film which was unveiled some time back. Rhea Kapoor, who is the producer of Veere Di Wedding shared a picture probably taken on the sets.

The gang of girls had recently flown to Thailand for the latest shoot sched and this picture announces the wrap!

Almost at the finish line!!!! That's a wrap on Phuket! @vdwthefilm see you MAY 18! A post shared by Rhea Kapoor (@rheakapoor) on Nov 12, 2017 at 11:00pm PST

Kareena looks super goofy in the click and reminds us of our one friend in a group who almost all the time does something similar. The naughty expression on Bebo's face makes us want to have that one buddy who sassy yet classy!

Veere Di Wedding is scheduled to hit the screens on May 18, 2018.
Bengaluru: A Rajput outfit today warned that it would not allow upcoming Hindi film "Padmavati" to be screened in Karnataka, claiming that the film distorted historical facts and portrayed royal characters of yore in a poor light.

The Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena (RRKS) would take out a 'Swabhimaan Padyatra', a protest rally, on November 15 here, condemning the attempt to distort history, the outfit's Bengaluru president Bhanwar Singh said at a press?conference today.

The rally would start from the Town Hall here and culminate at the Freedom Park, where the leaders of the Rajput community would address the gathering, he added.

Uday Singh, a member of the outfit, demanded that the censor board not clear the film as it "distorts history and hurts the sentiments of people".

He also raised an objection over releasing the trailer of the film.

"Sanjay Leela Bhansali produced this film with a?single- point agenda of making money. Such films are an assault on Hinduism. We will go to every corner of the country to protest against it," Singh said.

To a question, he said, "Let there be a screening of the film for a select members of the community. Whatever the elders decide, will be accepted by all."

The film starring Deepika Padukone as Padmavati, Shahid Kapoor as Maharawal Ratan Singh and Ranveer Singh as Alauddin Khalji, is based on the legend of Rajput queen Padmavati.

Bhansali, also the director of "Padmavati", had been assaulted by the activists of the Karni Sena, another Rajput outfit, during the shooting of the film in Jaipur in January.

The Karni Sena has been seeking a ban on the film, claiming that it "distorts" history.

"Padmavati" is set to hit the screens on December 1.
CHENNAI: Schools in Chennai, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur districts of Tamil Nadu will remain closed as heavy rains are likely to continue on Monday.

The three cities have witnessed a heavy rainfall on Sunday, forcing the authorities to order the closure of schools until Monday.

According to ANI, the Indian Meteorological the department has forecast ''heavy to very heavy'' rainfall in the coastal districts of Tamil Nadu due to a low pressure in the Bay of Bengal.

Parts of interior and south Tamil Nadu may receive isolated rainfall, the Met officials said.

For the next 48 hours, the sky condition is likely to be overcast. A few spells of rain or thundershowers are likely to occur. The maximum and minimum temperature is likely to be around 28 and 24 degree Celsius respectively, it said.

In the last 21 hours starting 8.30 am on Sunday, Chennai's Nungambakkam observatory has recorded 6.6 cm of rain.

Schools in Chennai and a few other coastal districts of Tamil Nadu reopened last Tuesday after a week's rain holidays.

Meanwhile, Chennai Municipal Corporation's control room will remain functional throughout the north-east monsoon period.

It's helpline 1913 received three complaints on Sunday.

Residents are requested to call 044-2536 7823, 2538 4965, 2538 3694 for any rain-related assistance from the civic body.
New Delhi: Concerned over NPAs crossing Rs 7 lakh crore, the finance ministry has asked public sector banks (PSBs) to take swift and firm action to deal with the bad loan problem, a banker said.

The issue came up for deliberation during the two-day PSB Manthan ended yesterday during which the finance ministry expressed urgency to deal with the mounting non-performing assets.

One of the focus areas of the meeting was effective monitoring to ensure better recoveries from the stressed assets, a senior public sector banker said.

During the two-day meeting, the banker said it was also discussed as to how a better value can be realised from the resolution process of NPAs.

Banks were also advised to look at cases where settlement can be done as part of lowering the burden.

Besides, the finance ministry also asked banks to look at a differentiated approach so as to create niche for them, another banker said.

The differentiated approach would also help them strengthen their financials.

It is to be noted that NPAs of PSBs have increased to Rs 7.33 lakh crore as of June 2017, from Rs 2.78 lakh crore in March 2015.

As a result, the provisioning for expected losses grew substantially. From 2014-15 to first quarter if 2017-18, Rs 3.79 lakh crore provisioning was made, whereas during the preceding ten years total provisioning was Rs 1.96 lakh crore.

To deal with the rising NPAs, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) earlier this year asked banks to refer 12 big cases for insolvency proceedings under the the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC).

These accounts together owe debt of about Rs 1.75 lakh crore to various banks. These are accounts with fund and non- fund based outstanding amount greater than Rs 5,000 crore, with 60 percent or more classified as non-performing by banks as of March 31, 2016.
NEW DELHI: Days after Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh lashed out at his Delhi counterpart calling him a 'peculiar' person, Haryana's Manohar Lal Khattar too has a few words for Arvind Kejriwal.

What steps did Kejriwal take for stubble burning over 40000 hectares of land in Delhi, asked Khattar in a letter addressed to Kejriwal through a letter.

Khattar further said that his government spent over Rs 39 crore out of the sanctioned Rs 45 crore to tackle the issue of crop burning, whereas neighbour state Punjab has not used any fund of its allotted Rs 98 crores to check crop burning.

Accusing the Delhi CM of playing politics for vote-bank, he said, "I will be in Delhi on Monday and Tuesday. There is no response from your office on meeting."

The Delhi CM has earlier alleged that both Punjab and Haryana CMs have no time to discuss the crop burning issue.

"My office continuously trying to take time from CMs of Punjab n Haryana for me to meet the two CMs. Its an emergency(sic)," Kejriwal tweeted hours after he sent a letter to Captain Amarinder Singh and Manohar Lal Khattar.

"Setting politics aside, Centre, Haryana, Punjab and Delhi should come together to find a solution to stubble burning which causes high pollution level during this time every year. I have been seeking a meeting with both Haryana and Punjab chief ministers since yesterday, but I have not received any response," Kejriwal had said.

Responding to this, the Punjab CM had said, "Mr Kejriwal is a peculiar person who has views on everything without understanding the situation. There is 20 million ton of paddy straw, where do I ask farmers to store? So Mr. Kejriwal doesn't understand this problem."

The CMs of Delhi and Punjab took to Twitter to discuss crop burning where Kejriwal had asked Amarinder to meet to find a solution to the problem but the latter said the issue can only be solved by the Central Government.




New Delhi: With a negligible improvement in the air quality in Delhi, the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP government will on Monday move the National Green Tribunal (NGT) requesting a review of its order that no exemption of any kind should be given to anyone while implementing the odd-even traffic rationing system in the national capital.

According to reports, the air quality in Delhi had deteriorated on Sunday after a sharp rise in presence of pollutants.

Both PM 2.5 and PM 10 levels, measured at 480 and 712 micrograms per cubic metre, respectively, were back at the "emergency" threshold of the Graded Response Action Plan.

The NGT had on Saturday had given a go-ahead to the odd-even scheme from November 13-17.

The Green Tribunal also directed that odd-even should be implemented "right away" without waiting for 48 hours, in case PM2.5 and PM10 go beyond 400 and 700 units respectively.

However, not pleased with the NGT order, the Delhi government has decided to file a review petition in the tribunal today, asking the green court to take a re-look at exemptions for both women and two-wheelers.

The Delhi government is in favour of exemptions for women drivers and two-wheelers.

The schools across Delhi are set to re-open on Monday, but the All India Parents' Association advised parents not to send their wards to schools until Wednesday.

The AAP government had earlier decided to implement the odd-even scheme for five days from November 13 to 17.

After a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot had announced that the measure, which was to be implemented between November 13 and 17, was being "called off" as the number of buses were inadequate and women's safety could not be compromised.

The NGT, in its order, also said that in future the odd-even scheme should automatically come into force if the PM2.5 and PM10, particles in air with diameter less than 2.5 and 10mm respectively, go above the 300 and 500 units for 48 hours.

Pollution level remains high

Pollution levels sky-rocketed in Delhi on Sunday with the air quality becoming hazardous, which environmental agencies consider unfit for inhalation even by healthy people.

The pollution monitoring authorities said there may be some respite from Monday evening as surface winds will gain momentum.

SAFAR (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research) said there is possibility of rains in the evening of November 14.

However, experts say rain brings temporary relief, but also leads to accumulation of particulates due to high levels of moisture.
New Delhi: Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, who has been aggressively raking up issues of utmost concern to people these days, took to Twitter on Monday to express his concerns over rising air pollution in Delhi.

Taking inspiration from an old hit Bollywood number, the Gandhi scion also questioned the inaction and failure of the concerned authorities to address the issue.

  ,      



        ?



  ,     ? https://t.co/XZLqsWD0CO  Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) November 13, 2017

The reactions from Rahul Gandhi came on a day when the National Green Tribunal (NGT) slammed the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP government in Delhi for failing to file a review petition on its highly popular odd-even plan to curb air pollution.

However, AAP leader Gopal Rai, later addressing a press briefing, informed that the Delhi government will soon file a review petition in this regard.

The air quality in Delhi had further deteriorated on Sunday after a sharp rise in pollutant levels.

Both PM 2.5 and PM 10 levels, measured at 480 and 712 micrograms per cubic metre, respectively, were back at the "emergency" threshold of the Graded Response Action Plan.

On Saturday, the NGT had given a go-ahead to the odd-even scheme from November 13-17.

The Green Tribunal also directed that odd-even should be implemented "right away" without waiting for 48 hours, in case PM2.5 and PM10 go beyond 400 and 700 units respectively.

Interestingly, the Congress vice president had on Sunday asserted that his party will sweep the Gujarat state polls in December, as a "tsunami is coming and the (ruling) BJP is scared of it".

He even exhorted his party leader and workers not to speak low of the Office of Prime Minister even while criticising the government.

He said the electoral battle between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress was a "battle of truth versus lies", but asked his party to exercise restraint even while criticising the government's policies and not get personal.

"(Prime Minister Narendra) Modi may say anything about us, but we will not indulge in any loose talks about him and maintain the decorum of the office of Prime Minister, " he said.

Gandhi was apparently referring to some Congress leaders, who during the election campaign had termed Modi as "feku (one who makes baseless claims)" or "gappabaaz (a big liar)".

In the fourth leg of his three-day pitched region-wise campaigns, Gandhi exhorted the people to demonstrate their anger through votes.

Rahul Gandhi had in the recent past attacked the Prime Minister and the BJP government at the Centre over notes ban and the GST, which he said have ''ruined the economy''.
New Delhi: The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2017 mock test has been released.

In order to download it, candidates can visit the official website - iimcat.ac.in - and click on the link - 'CAT 2017 mock test.

Mock test for CAT 2017 is available on website under Quick Tour option.

They will have to login ID and password. The mock test will appear once the details are submitted.

Candidates can download their Admit Cards for CAT 2017 from 25th October 2017 to 26th November 2017.

The duration of the exams is 180 minutes.

Some questions in each section may not be of multiple choice type

It will be held in around 140 test cities.
Gov. Scott Walker on Monday called on U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore to step aside  a shift from Friday, when Walker compared allegations that Moore initiated a sexual encounter with a 14-year-old girl to an unfounded claim five years ago that Walker fathered a love child.

Democrats pounced on Walkers initial comparison, calling it an affront to victims of sexual assault and harassment.

Then Monday, a new accuser of Moore came forward. The woman, Beverly Young Nelson, said at a press conference that Moore sexually assaulted her when she was 16.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said Monday that I believe the women accusing Moore of sexual misconduct. McConnell also said Moore should leave Alabamas special election race for U.S. Senate, in which he is the GOP nominee.

Walker followed those developments with a one-sentence statement late Monday: I believe Roy Moore should step aside.

For Walker, it was a shift from his comments in a Friday WISN-TV interview that aired Sunday. Asked if Moore should bow out, he said then: If its true  I mean thats the great qualifier. I dont know all the facts.

Acknowledging it was different circumstances, Walker cited the unsubstantiated love child claim about him that was made public on a progressive citizen journalism web site, just before the 2012 recall election.

A reporter said to me: What do you think of these online reports that say you had a love child in college? Well, it wasnt true, Walker said. You look at things like that that come out at the last minute and you think, Well, of course that wasnt true.

The Democratic leader of the state Senate, Jennifer Shilling of La Crosse, said Walkers comments to WISN-TV were an insult to anyone that has experienced sexual assault and harassment.

It is unacceptable for Gov. Walker to undermine victims of sexual misconduct in an effort to protect the Republican Party from further embarrassment, Shilling said in a statement.

State Rep. Chris Taylor, D-Madison, said in a statement that its outrageous that Gov. Walker didnt take the opportunity to denounce sexual abuse and exploitation of teenage girls by any adult, especially in the case of Roy Moore.

The Washington Post broke the initial allegations against Moore last week, rocking the U.S. Senate race in Alabama. The special election is to fill the seat vacated by Jeff Sessions, who left the Senate to become President Donald Trumps Attorney General.

The Post report was based in part on an interview with Leigh Corfman, who said she was 14 and Moore 32 when he initiated a sexual encounter. It also featured interviews with three other women who said Moore pursued them while he was in his 30s and they were between 16 and 18  though none of the other three say he initiated sexual contact, as Corfman did. The report also drew from interviews with more than 30 people who knew Moore at the time of the alleged encounters, from 1977 to 1982.

Moore has denied the allegations against him.

U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, told CNN on Monday that she believes Moores accusers.

It seems to be a very carefully researched story, Baldwin said. I sometimes wonder, how much does it take for people to believe women in these instances?

U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Oshkosh, late Monday also said Moore shouldnt run for the Senate seat. Itd be nice if (Moore) would step aside and we could come up with some system for electing a different Republican, Johnson said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
AHMEDABAD: Patidar quota agitation leader Hardik Patel on Monday hit back at the ruling BJP in Gujarat and accused it of playing dirty politics after his alleged sex tape became viral on the social media.

The Patel community leader took to Twitter to attack BJP over the issue.

              ,           Hardik Patel (@HardikPatel_) November 13, 2017

Patel, who is expected to forge an alliance with the Congress ahead of the assembly polls in Gujarat, further said that the alleged sex video is morphed.

He also accused the BJP of falsely trying to defame him.

Accusing BJP of playing dirty politics, Patel said that the ruling party had done the same in the past too.

The BJP had done that earlier too in order to make electoral gains.

In 2015 too, an alleged sex tape featuring Hardik Patel had hit the internet.

However, the authenticity of the tape could not be verified.

Just recently, the Congress party gave three options to the Hardik Patel-led Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) with respect to latter's quota demand for its community.

However, the PAAS members said that they would consult their leaders and legal experts before taking a decision.

The options were conveyed to the PAAS members by senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal at the meeting which took place recently.

Meanwhile, Union Minister Uma Bharti had on Tuesday termed Hardik Patel and former Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union president Kanhaiya Kumar as "fighters" who failed to garner mass support due to their criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
New Delhi: Shatrughan Sinha, the BJP MP from Patna who is virtually sidelined these days, has called for an in-camera interrogation of all accused persons in connection with the murder of a seven-year-old student Pradyuman Thakur at Ryan International School in Gurgaon.

The actor-turned-politician took to Twitter and demanded all interrogation in the case must be done under "camera surveillance" with no "third-degree torture".

"High time and right time that now on, any and every interrogation by police or the CBI must be conducted under CCTV camera... to stop the inhuman torture of people like Ashok Kumar...No more third degree," he said.

...to Khattar Govt., different state govt., & Centre...

High time & right time that now on, any & every interrogation by police or CBI must be conducted under CCTV camera...to stop the inhuman torture of people like Ashok Kumar...No more 3rd degree.  Shatrughan Sinha (@ShatruganSinha) November 13, 2017

The BJP MP also came down heavily on the Gurgaon Police, which today admitted that there serious lapses on its part in its investigation into the case.

"If the poor common man, Ashok Kumar (conductor), accused of our child Pradhuman's murder, is let off by the CBI, then Gurugram police or whoever participated in framing him to divert attention, deserves no mercy and must be punished most severely and appropriately," Sinha said in a series of tweets.

If the poor common man Ashok Kumar, accused of our child Pradyuman's murder, is let off by CBI, then Gurgaon police or whoever participated in framing him to divert attention, deserves no mercy & must be punished most severely & appropriately...Humble request to Judiciary...1>2 November 13, 2017

Sinha requested the judiciary, Haryana government and also the Centre to ensure that "justice prevailed".

Pradyuman Thakur, the Class 2 student of Ryan International school, was found with his throat slit inside the Gurugram school washroom on September 8, minutes after he was dropped by his father.

Haryana Police had earlier arrested bus conductor Ashok Kumar in connection with the child's murder.

Sinha's remarks came in the wake of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) bringing a new twist in the murder case by claiming that he was killed by a senior schoolmate, a 16-year-old Class 11 student.

On September 22, the CBI took over the murder investigation from the Haryana Police.

The CBI arrested the Class 11 student on Tuesday.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday said it would hear next month the pleas of the four death row convicts of the December 16, 2012 gang-rape and murder case, seeking review of its verdict upholding the death sentence awarded to them.

One of the convicts has filed a review petition so far, though the counsel for the other three convicts told a bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra that he would file the application seeking review of the apex court's judgement within three weeks.

The court said it would hear the pleas on December 12.

The apex court had on May 5 upheld the death penalty to the four convicts - Mukesh (29), Pawan (22), Vinay Sharma (23) and Akshay Kumar Singh (31), saying the "brutal, barbaric and diabolic nature" of the crime could create a "tsunami of shock" to destroy a civilised society.

A 23-year-old paramedic student was gang-raped on the intervening night of December 16-17, 2012 inside a moving bus in South Delhi by a gang of six persons and severely assaulted before being thrown out naked. She succumbed to her injuries on December 29, 2012 at Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore.

During the hearing, advocate M L Sharma, representing convict Mukesh, told the bench that there were certain issues which were not considered by the apex court while upholding the capital punishment awarded to him.

He claimed before the bench, also comprising Justices R Banumathi and Ashok Bhushan, that there were discrepencies in the prosecution's version about Mukesh's presence in the bus on that night and one of the key witness had improved his statement in the court in this regard.

He also alleged that the convict was tortured by the police and he had filed application on this issue before the trial court as well as the Delhi High Court.

The bench asked advocate A P Singh, who represents the other three convicts, whether he had filed an application seeking review of the verdict on behalf of Pawan, Vinay and Akshay.

Singh told the court that he was in touch with the jail authorities to get the documents signed from the convicts and would file the review petition on their behalf later.

When Sharma urged the bench to seek a reply from the Delhi Police on the review petition, the court referred to a constitution bench judgement and said a review plea has to be heard within 30 minutes and there was no need of issuing notice on the plea. Sharma then sought some time to argue the matter.

"Advocate M L Sharma, appearing for Mukesh, prays for some time to argue the matter. Advocate A P Singh, appearing for Akshay, Pawan and Vinay says that review applications on their behalf will be filed within three weeks from hence. Let all the review petitions be listed for hearing on December 12," the bench said.

Another accused in the case, Ram Singh, had allegedly committed suicide in Tihar Jail, while a convicted juvenile has come out of the reformation home after serving a three- year term.
KOLKATA: Several women activists lashed out at the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) professor who recently gave triple talaq to his wife via WhatsApp and text message, despite Supreme Court declaring the practice illegal.

"If educated people like professors from respectable universities act do such things, then how regressive that can be. Irrespective of how educated a person is, they have basic religious fanaticism inside," said women activist Nilanjana Chakraborty.

National Commission for Women or NCW chief Rekha Sharma has demanded action against the senior professor.

AMU professor Khalid Bin Yusuf Khan allegedly divorced his wife Yasmeen Khalid on WhatsApp and a text message. He later gave her a verbal divorce when the later came home with their three children.

The victim has threatened to commit suicide and kill her three children in front of Vice Chancellor Tariq Mansoor's residence if she doesn't get justice by December 11.

"He was probably finding an excuse to do it. It is very surprising that how can a professor defy the diktat of the apex court. This is something that needs to be seen and strict proceedings are required to be taken against him, so that in future there are no such incidents. One has to abide by the law," added Chakraborty.

In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court on August 22 by a 3-2 decision struck down the centuries-old practice of instant triple talaq among Indian Muslims as unconstitutional, manifestly arbitrary and void in law.

With ANI inputs
Manila: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Tuesday hold a series of bilateral meetings with heads of states.

He will attend Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership meet comprising 10-member ASEAN bloc and six other countries.

PM Modi is also expected to meet his Australian counterpart Malcolm Turnbull, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Japanese PM Shinzo Abe among others.

Meanwhile, on Monday he said that India never harmed anyone and always believed in giving.

Addressing a gathering of Indian community in Manila, PM Modi said India had never taken anything from anyone in its history and rather sacrificed a lot, seen as a veiled message to China which has been ramping up its assertiveness in the resource-rich South China Sea.

"If you go to our history, you will see we have never taken anything from anyone. We sacrificed 1.5 lakh soldiers in the first and second World Wars but never believed in snatching," he said on a day the leaders of 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations began a two-day long summit talks which primarily focused China's expansionist military posturing in the South China Sea.

(With PTI inputs)
New Delhi: On a heavily polluted Monday morning when children coughed their way to schools, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) said that it was still awaiting a review petition on the odd-even plan from the Delhi government.

The odd-even traffic management plan was scheduled for five days in Delhi starting Monday before being shelved by the Arvind Kejriwal government because of exemptions given. The NGT had said no exemptions must be given leading to Delhi government highlighting pressure on public transportation and safety for women. It said it would file a review petition to allow exemptions to be made. None had been made at the time of filing this report.

The NGT - which has come down on the Delhi government with a heavy hand for the toxic air quality in the city - said that it was yet to receive any petition. It also questioned if plans for such a review petition was only for media consumption. "Delhi Government has still not moved modification application on NGT on the issue of odd-even," the NGT said. "Is the government approaching us or was its minister's statement for press only?"

Delhi's Transport Minister had, on Saturday, said that the review petition would be filed.

The NGT had also previously questioned the effectiveness of implementing the odd-even plan. It had said it is a step too late and that benefits from its first two rounds must be elaborated upon.

Meanwhile, after a minor dip in high pollutants in Delhi air, AQI levels across the city once again began climbing. While schools across NCR were shut for most parts of last week, most reopened on Monday despite the high PM2.5 levels. At 1100hrs, almost every monitoring station across NCR recorded the levels at above 500 - 10 times the 'safe' level.
Patna: A Bihar court on Saturday ordered filing of an FIR against National Conference supremo Farooq Abdullah on charges of treason for his comments on Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK).

The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister on November 11 claimed that PoK belonged to Pakistan and that "this will not change", no matter how many wars India and Pakistan fought against each other.

"Both India and Pakistan must sit together with the people of both parts of Kashmir and work out internal autonomy for both parts within the existing borders, Abdullah had said.

The court order came on a petition filed by a lawyer in Bettiah district.

Abdullah's remarks had kicked up storm with the BJP and its NDA allies reacting sharply against it.

His statement came days after Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi had rejected the idea of an "independent Kashmir", saying it was not based on "reality".

Earlier, Abdullah had said he does not have any expectations from newly-appointed J&K interlocutor Dineshwar Sharma and the only way forward in Kashmir is restoration of autonomy to the state.

Notably, the separatist leaders like the Hurriyat hawk Syed Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and others have been asking the Indian government to involve Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir issue.

Meanwhile, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday asserted that entire Kashmir, including the areas occupied by Pakistan, was an integral part of India.

"We have always held that Kashmir is an integral part of India. This has been our unequivocal stand on the issue. We hold that the whole of Kashmir, including the areas occupied by Pakistan, is an integral part of the country," he told reporters on the sidelines of his weekly "Lok Samvad" (public interaction) programme.
Geneva: India on Monday said that Pakistan should dismantle its 'special terrorist zones' and end its illegal and forcible occupation of PoK, as the third Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Pakistan was presented before the Human Rights Council (HRC).



The UPR is a unique process which involves a review of the human rights records of all UN member states. It is a state-driven process, under the auspices of the UNHRC, which provides the opportunity for each state to declare what actions have been taken to improve the human rights situations in their countries and to fulfill their human rights obligations.

The UPR was created through the UN General Assembly on March 15, 2006, by resolution 60/251, which established the UNHRC itself.



This is the third UPR of Pakistan, being undertaken in the course of the 28th Session of the UPR Working Group.

India, in its recommendation, said the Pakistan government should "provide freedom to the people of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) by ending its illegal and forcible occupation."

It also recommended that Pakistan take action on terror financing.

India's Statement

on the Universal Periodic Review of Pakistan pic.twitter.com/LXEgO2SFom  India at UN, Geneva (@IndiaUNGeneva) November 13, 2017

At the same time, First Secretary in the Mission Sumit Seth urged Pakistan to stop the targeting of political dissidents and illegitimate criticism in Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, stop torture, enforced disappearance and unlawful killings, including that of journalists and activists by its security agencies.

India further said that Pakistan should end harassment of minorities, and place procedural and institutional safeguards to stop misuse of the blasphemy law, and end forceful conversions and marriages of minorities, including Hindus, Sikh and Christian women.



India also said that Pakistan should stop persecution of Muslim minorities such as Shias, Ahmadiyas, Ismailia and Hazaras.



(With IANS inputs)
Manila: India on Monday signed four agreements, including one to step up cooperation in the defence sector, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte here to boost bilateral ties.

Modi, the first Indian prime minister to visit the Philippines in 36 years, had a very warm and cordial meeting with president Duterte, Secretary East, Ministry of External Affairs, Preeti Saran said.

She said the two countries signed an agreement to boost bilateral cooperation in defence and logistics.

The two sides also signed an agreement on enhancing cooperation in agriculture, small and medium enterprises and Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) and the Philippines Foreign Service Institute, Saran said.

Duterte expressed interest in acquiring fast offshore patrol vessels and welcomed Indian pharmaceutical companies to invest in his country to make good quality and cheaper drugs.

He also said Indian infrastructure companies could explore opportunities in his country.

Prime Minister Modi expressed interest in expanding cooperation with the Philippines in the renewable energy sector and welcomed the country to join the Solar Alliance.

He also invited Duterte to visit India to take part in the 25th anniversary of India-ASEAN relations which will be celebrated next year.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday reserved its order on the maintainability of a petition in which the issue of alleged bribing of judges has been raised.

A three-judge bench headed by Justic RK Agrawal said it was likely to pass an order in the matter on Tuesday.

During the hearing, the bench questioned advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for petitioner Kamini Jaiswal, whether filing of two identically-worded petition was not a matter of propriety and would it not tantamount to forum shopping if it is sought to be listed before a particular bench.

Meanwhile, Attorney General K K Venugopal said the petitioner should withdraw the plea as it has cost the reputation of the institution.

"The order is reserved on the maintainability of the plea," the bench then said.

A bench of Justices J Chelameswar and S Abdul Nazeer had ordered on November 9 that the plea should be heard by a five-judge constitution bench of the senior-most judges of the apex court.

However, on November 10, in an unprecedented hearing, a five-judge constitution bench headed by CJI Dipak Misra had ruled that "no judge can take up a matter on his own, unless allocated by the chief justice of India, as he is the master of the roster".

It had over-ruled the order of Justice Chelameswar directing a constitution bench hearing, saying "if any such order has been passed by any bench, that cannot hold the field as that will be running counter to the order passed by the constitution bench."

The showdown over the issue of supremacy of constituting a bench in which the authority of CJI was allegedly undermined by a bench headed by Justice Chelameswar.

Justice Chelameswar, who is the senior-most judge after the CJI, had termed as "disturbing" the allegations levelled in a CBI FIR and ordered setting up a bench of five top judges of the court as a petition by Jaiswal had alleged there were allegations against Justice Misra.

The CBI, in its FIR, lodged on September 19, has named several persons, including former Orissa High Court judge Ishrat Masroor Quddusi, as accused in an alleged corruption case.

Quddusi, who had also served as a judge in the Chhattisgarh High Court, was arrested along with Lucknow-based Prasad Institute of Medical Sciences' chairman B P Yadav, his son Palash Yadav and three others, for allegedly trying to settle a matter relating to a medical college barred from admitting new students. The judge had later been released on bail.
We are gathering information for the 2022 general election. On desktop, click "election information" on the right side of this pag...
In 1912, Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore spent a few months in a house in London, and translated his famous Gitanjali. The house is no less than a mecca for those who love Tagore and his work, and the latest to join the brigade is West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

If reports are to be believed, the Trinamool Congress chief is interested in buying Heath Villas in Hamstead Heath, north London, and convert it into a museum-cum-memorial.

The West Bengal Chief Minister met acting Indian High Commissioner to Britain, Dinesh Patnaik, in this regard for over an hour in London. She expressed her interest in buying the house.

The house reportedly costs more than 2.7 million pound, and it was at this place that Tagore translated his collection of poems, Gitanjali, which fetched the author a Nobel prize in Literature in 1913.

Meanwhile, heritage status has been given to Sister Niveditas house in Wimbledon in Britain. The ceremony for the same was held on Sunday and Banerjee was the chief guest for the event.
Manila: Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the Asean Summit in Philippines on Monday and discussed issues of mutual interest.

Divulging the details of the meet, Foreign Secretray S Jaishankar the bilateral talks between PM Modi and President Trump was mainly on economic issues, trade and investment.

The thrust of the discussion was how to grow trade and investment between the two countries, Jaishankar said.

The issue of terrorism also cropped out at the meeting.

President Trump shared impressions of his Asian visit. Terrorism also came up, particularly in context of the region west of India, all the way till the middle-East, the Foreign Secretary said.

The Trump-Modi met lasted for 45 minutes, with the US President saying that there is a lot of good report coming from India on the economic front, the Indian diplomat added.

PM held wide-ranging talks with the US President and told him that both nations can rise beyond bilateral ties and work jointly for the future of Asia, reflecting their growing convergence on strategic issues in the Indo-Pacific region.

In the meeting which took place on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in the Philippines, Modi also assured Trump that India will try to "live up to the expectations" of the US and the world and thanked the US President for speaking "highly" about India during his trips.

The meeting also comes a day after India, US, Japan and Australia held talks to begin the quadrilateral process for greater cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.

This was the second Modi-Trump meeting after the Indian leader's visit to Washington in June.

Modi arrived here on Sunday on a three-day visit to the Philippines during which he will attend the 15th India-Asean Summit and the 12th East Asia Summit on Tuesday.
New Delhi: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Monday capped the number of devotees allowed to visit Vaishno Devi shrine to 50,000 a day.

The NGT said that only 50,000 devotees would be allowed to make their way to the shrine everyday and that other devotees would be stopped either at Ardhkumari or Katra. It also stayed new constructions taking place inside the shrine complex.

The green panel's directions came during the hearing of a plea filed by an activist seeking directions to stop the use of horses and ponies in Vaishno Devi shrine premises in Jammu, prompting the green panel to seek response from the government on the issue.

The petitioner had expressed concern over the "pollution and danger to public health" caused by indiscriminate use of horses, ponies, mules and donkeys, to carry pilgrims and goods from Katra to the Vaishno Devi temple.

Meanwhile, the NGT has been taking a close look at the impact on areas adjoining the approach road for the shrine and at the religious site as well. Last year, it had directed the CEO of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board to furnish a report giving details of the municipal solid waste (MSW) and sewage treatment plants (STPs) installed there.
As he began his three-day Gujarat visit on Saturday, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi sparked a war of words between the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with his visit to Akshardham and Ambaji temple in the poll-bound state.

But the political bickering failed to deter the Gandhi scion, as he visited another temple in Gujarat on Monday. On the last day of his visit, Rahul Gandhi offered prayers the Vir Meghmaya temple in Patan.

The day begins with Darshan at Vir Meghmaya Temple, Patan. #GarvSeGujarati_GarvSeCongressi pic.twitter.com/dSjgNGnqzT  Congress (@INCIndia) November 13, 2017

After arriving in Gujarat on Saturday, the Congress leader went straight to Swaminarayan Akshardham temple in Gandhinagar. A video of his praying at the temple was also shared on social media.

Rahulji at Swaminarayan Mandir (BAPS), Gandhinagar pic.twitter.com/bXcrL6iBUr  Shaktisinh Gohil (@shaktisinhgohil) November 11, 2017

The Gandhi scion also made a visit to Ambaji temple on the first day of his visit.

His visit to the temples did not go down well the ruling BJP, which claimed that the visits were aimed at garnering Hindu votes.

Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel had said, "Why is Rahul Gandhi visiting temples only ahead of elections? People know their intention that they want to get votes through such gimmicks. They have no inclination for devotion as during Rahul Gandhi's earlier trips, he never visited any temple."

"We wish that Congress sheds its pseudo-secularism and respects mainstream Hindutva. But their gimmicks to get votes will not work in Gujarat," Patel added.

The Congress party hit back at the BJP, saying people would teach the ruling party a lesson as it was opposing a visit to temple.

"Does anybody have a patent on devotion? They are opposing a visit to the temple. People of Gujarat will teach them a lesson," Congress leader Shaktisinh Gohil said.

"Rahul Gandhiji has visited a Jain temple and gurudwaras apart from Hindu temples. We believe in secularism," he had said.

The assembly elections in Gujarat are slated to be held next month on December 9 and 14.
MANILA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday attended the opening ceremony of the 31st ASEAN Summit here.

"Photo session & Handshake by leaders during the Opening Ceremony of the #ASEANSummit in #Manila, #Philippines," Indian public broadcaster Doordarshan posted on Twitter along with a video in which Modi was seen sharing the stage with world leaders and shaking hands with them.

Earlier on Sunday, Modi interacted with world leaders, including US President Donald Trump, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, at a gala dinner reception hosted by Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte ahead of this year`s India-Asean and East Asia Summits.

Ahead of the summits, Modi will hold a bilateral meeting with Duterte, and the Prime Minister is also scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Trump.

Modi would also speak at the Asean Business and Investment Summit and attend an Indian community reception to be hosted by the Ambassador of India to the Philippines

This year marks the 25th year of the India-Asean dialogue partnership and the golden jubilee of the formation of the Asean regional bloc.

The Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
NEW DELHI / GURUGRAM: Life has been a far from a bed of roses for the family of Ashok Kumar, former bus conductor at Ryan International School in Gurugram.

On September 9, Kumar was arrested by Haryana police for the murder of seven-year-old Pradyuman Thakur. At the time, both Pradyuman's family and conductor's family, alleged he's being falsely implicated.

But Haryana police, who called Kumar a pedophile, insisted on possessing solid proof to incriminate him.

Two months later, the CBI gave a clean chit to Kumar. The agency is currently is probing the angle of cops 'planting evidence' in form of blood-soaked knife in Ashoks possession and also tortured bus driver Saurav Raghav.

Admitting their mistake in Pradyuman's murder probe, the red-faced Haryana Police said that they have erred.

For Mamata, wife of bus conductor Ashok Kumar, it's been a long struggle.

"We have been asserting for long that he is innocent. This is a conspiracy hatched by the school administration and the police. My husband was tortured by the police to extract the confession. We want proper investigation and justice," Mamata told ANI.

On September 8, Pradyuman was found dead inside the school premises with his throat slit. In the CCTV footage, the boy was seen crawling out of a toilet, leaving a trail of blood behind.

Last week, in a surprise move, the CBI arrested a 16-year-old Class 11 student of the same school.

The minor accused has confessed to killing Pradyuman, CBI said.

He has been sent to an observation home in Faridabad, where he will be kept until the next hearing in the case on November 22.
NEW DELHI: Admitting their mistake in the murder probe of seven-year-old Pradyuman Thakur, the Haryana Police said that they have erred.

Gurugram Police Commissioner Sandeep Khirwar called a meeting of the first investigating team to reprimand the officers. The team, which arrested bus conductor Ashok Kumar and declared him a paedophile, admitted that they made mistakes. The officers also confessed that they did not view the closed circuit television (CCTV) footage carefully.

The initial eight seconds of the CCTV footage shows alleged accused minor calling Pradyuman to the washroom.

The cops, however, remained mum on exactly how they missed this crucial evidence.

Meanwhile, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is probing the angle of cops 'planting evidence' in form of blood-soaked knife in Ashoks possession and also tortured bus driver Saurav Raghav.

Slamming the investigative team, Khirwar sought an explanation for the botched-up probe and an inquiry report on the matter which will include details of cops who analysed the CCTV footage. He also questioned what circumstantial evidence led the team to declare Ashok as the murderer.

In a sudden turn of events last week, the CBI arrested a 16-year-old Class 11 student of Ryan International School Gurugram in connection with the killing of Pradyuman Thakur. The agency also gave a clean chit to bus conductor Ashok Kumar.

The accused minor was taken to the crime scene, where the entire incident was recreated. Another student, teachers, and staff were also called to the scene.

"The CBI team used a giant stuffed teddy bear in place of Pradyuman and directed the accused student to recreate the entire sequence of events," a senior CBI officer said, adding that teachers and staff members were interrogated about the murder, reported DNA.

A Gurugram juvenile court has sent the minor accused to a correction home in Faridabad for 11 days. The next date of hearing is on November 22.

Pradhuman was found near the toilet of Ryan International School with his throat slit on September 8 morning within an hour of his father leaving him at the school.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court will pronounce its order on Tuesday on a petition seeking a SIT probe into allegations of graft against a retired Orissa High Court judge that has cast a shadow on the top court.



Reserving the order to be pronounced on Tuesday, the bench of Justice R.K. Agrawal, Justice Arun Mishra and Justice A.M. Khanwilkar on Monday described the conduct of the petition lawyer Kamini Jaiswal as "reckless and short on propriety which has damaged the institution".



"Damage has been done. Everybody is doubting this court," said Justice Arun Mishra, taking exception to the "urgency" and the "haste" with sending a petition with exactly the same wording as was filed earlier.



The question is "How to repair the damage", Justice Mishra asked in a poser to the counsel present in the court room.



The situation can be redeemed, Attorney General K.K. Venugopal said, by the "unconditional withdrawal of the petition" by the petitioner advocate.



The hearing lasted for an hour-and-a-half.



Referring to the petition filed by Jaiswal, the bench said, "It was a deliberate attempt to scandalise the judiciary."



Telling noted lawyer Prashant Bhushan that no FIR can be filed against a judge of a High Court or that of the top court without the consent of the Chief Justice of India and no FIR can be filed against the Chief Justice of India without a nod from the President, the bench said: "These kind of allegations are reckless and per say contemptuous", referring to an earlier three-judge bench judgment.



"We are very much concerned with the conduct and the propriety of the person who insisted that the case be heard by the bench headed by Justice J. Chelameswar."



The court on Monday told Bhushan that he was aggravating the situation, as he later tried to defend the filing of the second petition and the prayer seeking probe by a SIT headed by a former Chief Justice of India and that Chief Justice Dipak Misra should not deal with the case both in his administrative and judicial authority.



Both senior counsel Shanti Bhushan and son Prashant Bhushan on Monday defended the order passed by the bench headed by Justice Chelameswar, saying that "heavens would not have fallen" if a constitution bench of the five senior-most judges of the top court had heard the petition by Jaiswal.



Apparently contesting the position that CJI alone was the `Master of Rolls`, Shanti Bhushan said that any order passed by any bench of the top court was binding on everyone.



The NGO Campaign for Judicial Accountability and Reforms had moved the top court on November 8 seeking probe by a SIT headed by a former Chief Justice of the top court to probe the allegation of graft involving retired judge of the Orissa High Court, I.M. Quddusi, and middlemen for getting a favourable order to a Lucknow-based medical college.



The college was barred from admitting students for two academic years. Quddusi, who was Orissa High Court judge between 2004 and 2010, is alleged to have helped the private medical college admit students to MBBS courses despite the Supreme Court barring the institutes from doing so.



The petition by NGO Campaign for Judicial Accountability and Reforms was mentioned before the bench headed by Justice J. Chelameswar for an early hearing on November 8. Directing the listing of the matter on November 10 (Friday), Justice Chelameswar assigned the matter to himself.



However, by afternoon on November 8, he was informed that Chief Justice Dipak Misra had already assigned the matter to the bench of Justice A.K. Sikri and Justice Ashok Bhushan for hearing on November 10.



On November 9, another petition was filed by advocate Kamini Jaiswal which was mentioned for an early hearing by senior counsel Dushyant Dave. The said petition was taken up by the bench headed by Justice Chelameswar for hearing on November 9 itself at 12.45 p.m. and the court passed an order referring the entire matter to a constitution bench of five senior-most judges of the top court for hearing on November 13.



The order of the bench headed by Justice Chelameswar was annulled by a five-judge constitution bench that sat on Friday afternoon and ruled that the Chief Justice was the `Master of Rolls` and he alone can decide on the composition of the different benches and the matters to be assigned to them.



It said that any order contrary to this was inactive in law and not binding on the Chief Justice of India.
Jammu: Over 50 residents of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) travelled by a cross-LoC bus to reach Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district on Monday, officials said.

The bus service had on November 6 resumed operations after remaining suspended for nearly four months owing to heavy shelling by Pakistani troops along the Line of Control in Poonch district.

"As many as 54 PoK residents travelled to this side through Chakan-Da-Bagh. The bus plied empty from this side," the officials said.

After resumption of the service last week, only 20 PoK residents had travelled by the bus.

The bus service was suspended on July 10 after heavy shelling by Pakistan which also forced suspension of the trade which usually takes place for four days a week beginning Tuesday.

The trade also resumed between the two sides last week following a meeting between senior civil officials from Poonch and PoK near on November 3.

The bus service was started along the Srinagar- Muzaffarabad road in April 2005 and the Poonch-Rawalakot route on June 20, 2006 to facilitate trade and travel between Jammu and Kashmir and PoK.

The trade between the two parts of Kashmir started in October 2008 on the barter system.
Srinagar: Two terrorists were killed by security forces after they opened fire at a police check post in the Handwara area.

The gunfight broke out after terrorists attacked a police check post at Sultanpora in the Zachaldara area of Handwara area of Kupwara district in Jammu and Kashmir.

The identity and group affiliation of the slain terrorists is being ascertained, a police official said.

The attack comes two days after terrorists on Friday targeted a police vehicle on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway at Qazigund.

No one was injured in the attack.
. 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.
BENGALURU: A Bengaluru-bound Indigo Airlines flight was forced to make an emergency landing after 'smoke' and 'spark' scare inside the cabin on Saturday.

The cabin crew of flight 6E-445, from Thiruvananthapuram to Bengaluru, noticed the smell of smoke inside the cabin.

They further identified minor sparks coming from hat-rack of seat 24RH and immediately informed the Pilot-in-Command, said the airlines.

On investigating, it was found that the smoke was coming out of a black laptop placed inside hand baggage. It was immediately extinguished.

Taking precautionary measures, the cabin crew on priority relocated all passengers from adjacent seats, said Indigo in a statement.

The aircraft landed at Bengaluru airport.

All passengers were deplaned as per normal procedure and the DGCA was voluntarily informed, said Indigo.

Over the past few weeks, Indigo has been hitting the headlines for a host of wrong reasons.

At first, the airlines faced flak for a leaked video that showed an employee manhandling a passenger.

On Saturday, a passenger fell-off from her wheelchair at Lucknow airport while being assisted by IndiGo staff.

The airline has apologised for both the incidents.




Mask fools Apple iPhone X's Face ID

At iPhone X launch event, Apple`s Senior Vice President Phil Schiller had claimed that Face ID can distinguish human`s real face from masks, thanks to its artificial intelligence (AI).
While there may be different versions of the incident of a car being towed away with a woman breastfeeding her child inside it, the Mumbai Police is not leaving any stone unturned to escape any possible embarrassment.

The Mumbai Traffic Police department has decided to give lessons to cops on how to deal with women and minors. The cops will also be trained on taking right decisions at crucial moments.

According to a police officer, Following the Malad incident, instructions have been given to all the traffic senior police officers to brief their staff on how to behave with citizens and how to deal with women and minors. We hope such incidents will not repeat.

A video had gone viral on social media that showed a car being towed away in Mumbai's Malad West while a woman was breastfeeding her seven-month-old baby inside it.

This sparked an uproar on social media with people slamming the Mumbai Police for the alleged insensitivity.

The woman inside the car, Jyoti Male, had claimed that the policemen did not even ask her to get down before towing the car, even when she told them that she was breastfeeding.

National Commission for Women (NCW) also took cognizance of the video with its chairperson Rekha Sharma demanding strict action should against the policeman. She, however, added that if the woman acted irresponsibly, a case should be registered against her as well.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had also condemned the incident, terming it as unfortunate and absolutely insensitive. He had also asked the police department to sensitize traffic cops to avoid such incidents.

However, a second video that emerged gave a different picture to the story.

The new video shot on a mobile phone shows that the seven-month-old baby was not inside the car but in the arms of another family member when the Mumbai Traffic Police warned to tow it away. The infant was taken inside, thereafter, indicating that situation could have been averted, as part of the parent.

(With DNA inputs)
Chandigarh: A dreaded gangster's recent confession of a murder committed by him in Amritsar, on social networking website Facebook, has now come as a major embarrassment for the Punjab Police.

According to IANS, in a chilling Facebook post, gangster Saraj Sandhu had recently admitted to killing Hindu Sangharsh Sena leader Vipan Sharma.

Not only this, the gangster, who is wanted by the Punjab Police in connection with the murder, also appeared to be suggesting that the "killing should not be linked to religion".

Sharma was killed on October 30 and Sandhu has been on the run since then.

Left red-faced over the gangster's candid Facebook post, the Punjab Police is said to have started an investigation into the matter.

"We are verifying whether the gangster has uploaded the post or someone else has done it for him. He must be in touch with some people," IANS quoted a police source as saying.

Justifying the killing in his Facebook post, Sandhu had claimed that it was carried out to seek revenge.

The gangster further claimed that Sharma was involved in a conspiracy to kill his friend's father.

The Punjab Police had, last week, arrested Sukhraj Kaur, Sandhu's mother, from her home in Sultanwind near Amritsar on charges of harbouring her son and other criminals.

In the chilling CCTV footage obtained by the Punjab Police in connection with the case, Sandhu can be seen pumping seven bullets into Sharma.

A close aide of Sandhu was also seen firing at Sharma. He had his face covered.

Sharma was killed in broad daylight on October 30. Since both killers were wearing turbans and bearded, the police were working on the angle of Sharma being targeted by Sikh radicals.

In the past two years, a number of Hindu leaders have been targeted by pro-Khalistan elements trying to re-emerge in Punjab.

Sharma, who was the district president of Hindu Sangharsh Sena in Amritsar, was shot dead in the Bharat Nagar area near Batala Road.

At least four assailants were involved in the attack, the police said later.

Last week, the police busted a terror module operating in Punjab which was being linked to the killing of Hindu leaders in the state.

Five members of the module were arrested and weapons were recovered from them.

More arrests are likely to be made in this connection.

The terror module is being linked to pro-Khalistan elements based in Britain, Italy and Canada.

With IANS inputs
Jaipur: Despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi's stern warning, a group of cow vigilantes have again killed a member of the minority community in Rajasthan's Alwar district.

The fresh incident of killing by alleged cow vigilantes took place in Govindgarh in Alwar district on Friday.

The man was allegedly killed on the suspicion of cow smuggling. Two other persons were also injured in the incident, IANS said.

Meanwhile, Gulab Chand Kataria, Rajasthan Home Minister, today said that the matter is being investigated and the culprits will be arrested soon.

The minister, however, regretted, that the state government does not enough manpower to control every situation in all cities in time.

We don't have enough manpower to control every situation in all cities in time. Police is investigating and other culprits will soon be arrested: Gulab Chand Kataria, Rajasthan Home Minister on man allegedly shot at in Alwar while he was transporting cows pic.twitter.com/ZIimnpGm3V  ANI (@ANI) November 13, 2017

The deceased has been identified as Umar, 35. He reportedly died in the firing while the others sustained bullet injuries. They were rushed to a Haryana hospital for treatment.

According to the victim's family, three persons were transporting some cows from Alwar to a village in Bharatpur. When they reached near Govindgarh, they were stopped by some "gau rakshaks" (cow vigilantes) and attacked with firearms.

Though the police, which initially remained tight-lipped about the incident, has registered an FIR in this connection and started a probe into the matter.

"The body has been referred to a hospital in Jaipur for post-mortem examination. Only after that, we will be able to know the real cause of death. We have filed an FIR against unidentified persons for murder," Anil Beniwal, Circle Office, Alwar said.

He said the body of the deceased was found near a railway track on Friday morning, and as it was not identified, it was kept in an Alwar hospital mortuary.

Umar's body was identified by the relatives on Sunday morning.

Later, Alwar Superintendent of Police Rahul Prakash said that a case of cow smuggling had also been filed.

"We have also detained one person on charges of murder. Investigations are going on," he added.

Earlier in April, Pehlu Khan was allegedly beaten to death on suspicion of cow smuggling by cow vigilantes in Alwar district.

In view of the growing public outcry over mob lynching and alleged killing by cow vigilantes, the Prime Minister had sometimes back issued a stern warning, saying there was no place for such things in a tolerant society like India.
New Delhi: Every year, there are numerous celestial events to look forward to and 2017 was brimming with them.

The latest celestial spectacle presented itself to sky-gazers and space enthusiasts in the wee hours of Monday morning, when right before sunrise, Venus and Jupiter made an appearance in the clear skies.

Both the planets appeared in conjunction in the south-east, giving an impression of a single bright star.

They were visible to the naked eye across the UK and countries in the mid-northern latitudes, including parts of the US.

According to a report in BBC, the best viewing time in the UK was 40 minutes before sunrise, but the planets began appearing before dawn.

While many saw the planets with the naked eye, those with telescopes were also able to see Jupiter's four Galilean moons.

Of course, many kept their camera's handy and took to Twitter to share their view of the event. Take a look!

Jupiter and Venus in conjunction, taken from Birmingham this morning #Astrophotography #Birmingham pic.twitter.com/01Zix8OT5y  Tim Cornbill (@timcornbill) November 13, 2017

thats Jupiter and Venus btw how rare and beautiful it truly is that we exist pic.twitter.com/Hsbuhk8qRk  morningstar (@luxidecker) November 13, 2017

Is this Jupiter and Venus anyone? pic.twitter.com/0aY9CVxEPb  Rich (@ChaoticGloom) November 13, 2017

The planets are coming into alignment! Jupiter and Venus this morning just before dawn. pic.twitter.com/ct7OKx58eX November 13, 2017

Observers have had an uninterrupted view to the South East as the planets have been very low in the sky. Those on high ground have had the best chance of seeing the conjunction, BBC reported.
Chennai: Income Tax sleuths have detected undisclosed income of Rs 1,430 crore in respect of ten assessee groups which included those linked to jailed AIADMK leader V K Sasikala, her kin and their associates.

Income Tax (I-T) department sleuths last Thursday carried out simultaneous multi-city raids on 187 premises including those linked to Sasikala and her nephew and deposed AIADMK general secretary TTV Dhinakaran and Tamil television channel Jaya TV over suspected tax evasion.

The searches at some premises continued for days.

The searches were conducted in connection with the unexplained routing of cash post-demonetisation through shell companies allegedly connected to Sasikala and her nephew.

The places raided included the residence of M Natarajan, Sasikala`s husband, in Thanjavur; Kodanad Tea Estate belonging to Jayalalithaa, Jazz Cinemas, Midas Distilleries, Sharada Paper and Boards, Senthil Group of Companies, Nilgiri Furniture in Coimbatore, Jaya TV, Namadhu MGR and several other premises in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Hyderabad and Bengaluru.

A top tax investigation official in Chennai said that more than Rs 7 crore in cash and jewellery worth over Rs 5 crore were seized during the searches. As many as 15 bank lockers and diamond jewellery were kept under "prohibitory orders" under which access to them is denied, he added.

"A lot of incriminating documents were found and prima facie we have detected undisclosed income of Rs 1,430 crore," the official, who did not want to be named, told PTI.

In Delhi, a senior I-T official said undisclosed income of around Rs 1,500 crore was detected during the multi-city searches that were carried out mostly in Tamil Nadu.

Stating that Rs 30 crore of undisclosed income was "detected already", the Chennai-based official said a "lot more materials" are being looked into.

The official said the undisclosed income was in respect of the ten assessee groups, which includes Jaya TV and Midas Distilleries that are reportedly linked to Sasikala.

Sasikala is serving a four-year jail term in a disproportionate assets case. Late Tamil Nadu CM J Jayalalithaa was also an accused in the case.

The trial court in Bengaluru had convicted Sasikala along with Jayalalithaa, Sudhakaran and Elavarasi in the case for amassing assets disproportionate to their known sources of income.



On February 14, Sasikala was convicted in the case by the apex court, dashing her ambition to become the Tamil Nadu CM.



Consequently, she was not able to enter into electoral politics for a period of six years after serving the four-year jail term.

(With Agency inputs)
New Delhi: The second phase of BharatNet project with an outlay of Rs 31,000 crore and a mandate to provide high-speed broadband to all panchayats by March 2019 got off the block on Monday.

Additionally, the Department of Telecom requested all states to provide a list of unconnected villages so that all of them can be connected with telecom services by 2020.

Telecom Minister Manoj Sinha, along with Law and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar and Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi were present at the launch of the second phase of the project.

"Under the project, we will provide 1 gbps (gigabuit per second) bandwidth capacity at panchayat level. The Cabinet in July 2017 approved a modified implementation strategy for BharatNet which include...Project completion for all 2.5 lakh panchayats by March 2019," Sinha said at the launch.

The telecom ministry expects to complete the first phase of the project covering over 1 lakh panchayats by the end of December. As per official data, broadband services have already been started in more than 48,000 panchayats and over 75,000 panchayats are ready for the services.

"The progress of service readiness has picked up to such an extent that in October 2017 around 25,000 gram panchayats have already been made service ready. All 1 lakh panchayats under first phase will be ready for broadband by the end of December," Sinha said.

Javadekar said that broadband connectivity in all panchayats will be key growth enabler specially in the field of education.

"We want to bring revolution in schools, like there was operation blackboard in 1970s. We are now dreaming of digital board and the connectivity (through BharatNet) will transform entire nation," he said.

Prasad suggested that all government offices should be connected with BharatNet.

The project, then called the National Optical Fibre Network, was approved by the previous UPA government in October 2011. However, only about three hundred kilometres out of 3 lakh kilometres of optical fibre were laid across the country, Sinha said.

"When it was launched previously it was actually no fun for any one. Little or no progress had been made...Ever since I have taken charge, I have personally been invested in this project and have made sure that all the updated timelines are met," he added.

The total project cost is around Rs 42,000 crore of which around Rs 11,000 crore have been invested in the first phase.

Under the phase 2, the government aims to connect 1.5 lakh panchayats through 10 lakh kilometres of additional optical fibre and give bandwidth to telecom players at nearly 75 percent cheaper price for broadband and wifi services in rural areas.

Reliance Jio paid the highest advance subscription fee of Rs 13 crore to provide broadband services at 30,000 gram panchayats, with a commitment to buy bandwidth in every panchayat from the government as it expands the project.

Bharti Airtel shelled out Rs 5 crore for bandwidth buy to cover 30,500 village panchayats, Vodafone Rs 11 lakh and Idea Cellular Rs 5 lakh.

The government signed agreement with seven states -- Maharashtra, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Jharkhand -- which will roll out the project on their own with partial funding from the central government. The Centre will provide total fund support of around Rs 10,000 crore to the state governments.

Telecom Secretary Aruna Sundararajan further asked state government to send list of unconnected villages in their jurisdiction so that all of them can be connected by 2020.
Allahabad: The Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad on Monday hammered out an agreement with the UP Shia Waqf board on the Ram temple-Babri Masjid land issue which will "very soon" submit to the Supreme Court, leaders of both the organisations said.

The Supreme Court had on August 11 said it would commence the final hearing in the dispute from December 5.

The UP Shia Waqf Board is drafting the terms and conditions of the agreement, its chief Waseem Rizvi said.

"It has been amicably decided that no new mosque will be built in Ayodhya or Faizabad. The Shia Waqf board will identify a piece of land in a Muslim-dominated area and inform the government," he said.

The Parishad had objected to the construction of a mosque in Ayodhya or Faizabad. This issue was resolved by UP Shia Waqf Board chief Rizvi during discussions, Parishad President Narendra Giri told mediapersons after a meeting here.

Ram Janambhoomi Trust president Mahant Nritya Gopal Das was also present in the meeting.

"We had a discussion with main party Dharma Das and others also. After signing of the agreement, it will be very soon submitted in the apex court," Giri said.

Mediation is not required in the case now, he said.

"Those in favour of temple construction and the Shia Waqf Board have completely agreed on this. We had discussed it with almost all the parties in the case," he said.

The decision will be conveyed to the Supreme Court by December 5, a day before the 25th anniversary of the demolition of the medieval-era structure.

Rizvi claimed as the Sunni Waqf Board has lost the case of its registration in several courts, only the Shia Waqf board has a right to the mosque.

Since it is for an amicable solution of the temple-mosque issue, people from any community, including Sunni organisations, can participate in the talks but those with "negative approach" will not be allowed, the Shia Waqf board chief said.

"We do not want to complicate this issue any more," Rizvi said.

The Sunni Waqf board was registered in 1944, he said.

The Supreme Court, a High Court and a civil court had declared its registration as invalid, he added.

"Since their registration has been declared invalid, they (Sunni board) have no right over the mosque," Rizvi said.

The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court had in 2010 ruled a three-way division of the disputed 2.77-acre area at the Ram Janambhoomi-Babri masjid site in Ayodhya.

The three-judge bench of the high court, by a 2:1 majority, had said the land be partitioned equally among three parties -- the Sunni Waqf Board, the Nirmohi Akhara and Ram Lalla.

The Supreme Court on March 21 suggested an out-of-court settlement of the land dispute at Ayodhya, observing that issues of "religion and sentiments" can be best resolved through talks.

The Shia Central Waqf Board has impleaded itself as a party in the Ayodhya case by submitting a 30-page affidavit to the Supreme Court on August 8. It has staked claim to the Babri mosque, maintaining that it was a Shia mosque.

On August 11, the Supreme Court had said it will commence the final hearing in the long-standing Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title dispute from December 5.
ALIGARH: Refuting allegations of divorcing his wife, the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) professor on Monday claimed that he never gave the third talaq or divorce.

I have not given her a triple talaq. I divorced her verbally, sent the same via post and WhatsApp. After a month, I divorced her verbally and sent it via SMS, said Khalid Bin Yusuf Khan, professor of Sanskrit.

She is still my wife. There was never a third divorce, he added.

Khan's wife Yasmeen Khalid alleged that the professor gave her a triple talaq  first via WhatsApp, then a text message and finally a verbal divorce when she came home with their three children. She threatened to commit suicide and kill her three children in front of Vice Chancellor Tariq Mansoor's residence if she doesn't get justice by December 11.

Earlier this year, the Supreme Court struck down the centuries-old practice of instant triple talaq among Indian Muslims as unconstitutional, manifestly arbitrary and void in law.

Several women activists lashed out at the AMU professor.

"If educated people like professors from respectable universities act do such things, then how regressive that can be. Irrespective of how educated a person is, they have basic religious fanaticism inside," said women activist Nilanjana Chakraborty.
LUCKNOW: The father and two brothers of Martina Gupta  the 28-year-old woman who died of gunshots wounds in Lucknow, have been arrested following a registered complaint by the victim's mother.

Gupta, an MBA graduate, was rushed to the hospital on Sunday morning with multiple bullet injuries. She later succumbed to her injuries, said the police.

"We were suspecting the role of her family members. Her father Rakesh Gupta has been arrested in the case. Further probe is on and a licenced weapon of Gupta has been sent for forensic examination," Deepak Kumar, Senior Superintendent of Police, said.

The police also questioned the role of women family members in the case, calling it 'dubious', after they failed to inform the police about the incident on time.

Rakesh Gupta, suspected of filicide, is a former health department employee.

The Guptas lived in Eldeco-II, an upmarket colony off Rae Bareli Road. The family has claimed that the MBA graduate committed suicide due to personal issues.
LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will kick off the campaign for urban local body polls from the temple town of Ayodhya tomorrow.

The civic polls, to be held in three phases from November 22, are seen as a litmus test for the Yogi Adityanath government's popularity. The BJP came to the power in March after a landslide victory.

"UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will address a rally each in all the 16 poll-bound municipal corporations. The chief minister will start his campaign from Ayodhya on November 14. On the same day, he is likely to visit districts of Gonda and Bahraich," a senior UP BJP leader told PTI.

As many as 652 urban local bodies across the state are going to polls, the highest number so far.

Adityanath yesterday expressed happiness that Ayodhya and Mathura-Vrindavan municipal corporations, constituted by his government, were going to polls for the first time.

On May 9, the Uttar Pradesh Cabinet had given its approval for constitution of two new municipal corporations for Ayodhya and Mathura-Vrindavan. The idea behind the decision was to provide better amenities to pilgrims.

The Ayodhya Municipal Corporation will cover the twin cities of Faizabad and Ayodhya, while Mathura-Vrindavan Municipal Corporation will look after the civic needs in the two pilgrim towns.

Adityanath had visited the disputed Ram Janmabhoomi site after the mega pre-Diwali celebrations organised by his government in Ayodhya last month leading to criticism from rivals who accused him of playing the communal card.

During his visit, Adityanath had said that Ayodhya represented his personal beliefs and opposition parties had no right to question him on this matter.

Facing criticism on the grand Diwali celebrations, the UP chief minister had said, "By celebrating grand Diwali in Ayodhya, I have not started a new practice but it is an age-old tradition here to celebrate the homecoming of Lord Rama."

Besides the Ram Janmabhumi site, Adityanath had also visited Hanumangharhi, Digambar Akhara and Sugreev Qila temple during that visit.
Beijing: Skirting any direct response to the first quadrilateral meeting of India, US, Japan and Australia, China on Monday questioned its exclusion from the group.

At the same time, it expressed hope that the new concept of 'Indo-Pacific' is not directed against it.

"The relevant proposals should be open and inclusive and should be conducive to win-win cooperation and avoid politicising or excluding the relevant parties," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said at a media briefing.

He was answering a spate of questions on the Indo-Pacific concept and the quadrilateral meeting held yesterday in Manila.

Asked whether he meant "exclusion of the relevant parties" referred to omission of China, Geng said China welcomes the development of friendly cooperation between relevant countries.

"We hope this kind of relations will not be directed at a third party and conducive to the regional peace and stability. This is the general concept and I think this kind of position applies to any proposal," he said, PTI reported.

Responding to a question about persistent references of Indo-Pacific by the US and Japan saying that they want to establish leaders' dialogue mechanism between India, US, Japan and Australia and Tokyo's willingness to conduct cooperation with China under the new concept, Geng said China has noted the Japanese statement in this regard.

"Promoting the stability and the development of the Asia Pacific region is the common responsibility of the regional countries. We hope the policies made and the action taken by the relevant parties can correspond with the trend of times featuring, peace, cooperation, friendship and development and can be conducive to upholding peace, prosperity and stability," he said.

Asked how China viewed the Indo-Pacific concept, Geng said peace and win-win cooperation is the trend of the times.

"It is also the trend of the world. The development of Any country, any region should correspond with the trend of the times and trend of the world," he said.

Officials from India, the US, Japan, and Australia on Sunday held extensive talks to pursue common interests in the strategically important Indo-Pacific region.

In the meeting, seen as the first major move in the formation of the quadrilateral security dialogue or 'quad', the officials deliberated on evolving security scenario in the Indo-Pacific region besides delving into effectively combating the threat of terrorism and other security challenges.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement that the consultations were held on issues of common interest in the Indo-Pacific region with a focus on cooperation based on converging vision and values for the promotion of peace, stability and prosperity in the area.

Following is the full statement by the MEA:

"Officials from Indias Ministry of External Affairs, Australias Department of Foreign Affairs, Japans Ministry of Foreign Affairs and United States Department of State met in Manila on November 12, 2017 for consultations on issues of common interest in the Indo-Pacific region. The discussions focused on cooperation based on their converging vision and values for promotion of peace, stability and prosperity in an increasingly inter-connected region that they share with each other and with other partners. They agreed that a free, open, prosperous and inclusive Indo-Pacific region serves the long-term interests of all countries in the region and of the world at large. The officials also exchanged views on addressing common challenges of terrorism and proliferation linkages impacting the region as well as on enhancing connectivity. The Indian side highlighted Indias Act East Policy as the cornerstone of its engagement in the Indo-Pacific region."

India-Australia-Japan-U.S. Consultations on Indo-Pacific held in Manila on November 12. Press release at https://t.co/lRgOBdHpEU November 12, 2017

The move is seen as counter to China's aggressive behaviour in the area.

Meanwhile, a senior White House official had said earlier that "we have strong and growing ties with India. We talk about 'Indo- Pacific' in part because that phrase captures the importance of India's rise".

And the strategy is "certainly not" to contain China, he had added.

Indo-Pacific broadly refers to the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean regions, which also includes the disputed South China Sea where Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Brunei question China's claims over almost the entire waterway.

The Indo-Pacific concept has figured prominently during the recent visit by President Donald Trump to the region including to Japan and China.

(With PTI inputs)
New Delhi: Despite several reports of attacks on minority communities and just days after local police blamed Jamaat-e-Islami for torching a Hindu-majority village near Dhaka, Bangladesh's law minister has bragged that Hindus are the safest in his country.

Anisul Haq claimed that Hindus in Bangladesh are safer than anywhere else in the entire subcontinent. "The minority community in Bangladesh is safer than anywhere in the subcontinent at the present point in time," he said in a recent interview. Activists, however, have debunked Haq's statement and have said the ground reality in the country is that minorities are being targeted and persecuted.

On Saturday, a mob torched an entire village in Rangpur - about 300 kilometres from Dhaka - after rumours about a 'defamatory' post on Facebook. According to Dhaka Tribune, 30 Hindu houses were set ablaze by the rampaging mob and there was widespread looting and vandalism as well.

While the police eventually arrested 50 people in the aftermath of the incident, many feel not enough is being done to deter violence against minority communities - especially Hindus. "The government is always cooperating verbally, they say they are taking action. But the result is zero," said Ripon Dey, International Secretary of Hindu Mohajote - an organisation formed in 2006 with the aim of addressing the needs of the community in Bangladesh.

Gobinda Pramanik, another representative of the Hindu community in the country, also says that incidents like the one in Rangpur are not isolated or sporadic outbursts. "There have been several incidents like the one in Rangpur in the past. What happens is that a reason is artificially created to target Hindu homes. Violence and anarchy follow and it is often seen that the government usually takes no action against those who participate in these sort of incidents," he said.



Pramanik adds that the Hindu community - especially in rural areas of the country - live in constant fear of being victimised and those who have been wronged in the past usually never get justice.

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Chairman Kazi Reazul Hoque also recently blamed local authorities for 'incompetence'. "It is shameful that local authorities are unable to predict and prevent incidents like the one in Rangpur," he was quoted as saying by local media outlets.

It is little wonder then that by some estimates, the population of Hindus in Bangladesh is a little over 10 per cent in recent years - dropping from over 40 per cent in 1947. Prominent faces of the community are especially vulnerable - a fact established when journalist Utpal Das went missing over a month ago. Even as Sheikh Hasina-led government faces an increasing number of questions on the matter, answers remain elusive.
A groom from the United Kingdom was told that he had 'weeks to live'. To everyone's surprise, it came under light that he is not dying at all.

23-year-old Jack Kane, from UK's Middlesbrough was told that he had terminal cancer and would only be living for weeks.

Earlier this year, Kane suffered from severe back pain and his health consistently deteriorated. Following this, he was diagnosed a fatal tumour on his spine on 13 October.

However, it was later revealed that 23-year-old was misdiagnosed.

Kane instead has a condition called neuromyelitis optica (NMO) which is also termed as Devics disease, said a media report.

The condition reportedly causes inflammation of the spine and optic nerve.

Disheartened Kane decided to propose his girlfriend Emma Clarke for marriage. The couple tied the knot after eight days at the hospital's chapel.

"When we were told Jack was going to die we thought lets just go for it and planned the wedding in eight days," Clarke said.

Kane being afraid decided to wait until his wedding day to announce the good news.

"It took me so long to digest the news that I wasnt dying. I had prepared myself for the worst. It wasnt until a few days later that it really hit me. During my speech at the reception the room just exploded when I made the announcement," he told INDEPENDENT.

"When we found out that Jack wasnt terminal it was a bittersweet emotion. We thought that it would be better to share this good news face-to-face with everyone," Clarke added.

"We had always prayed that a miracle might happen, but when we were told his condition was no longer terminal we didnt want to get our hopes up too much."

Kane is currently being treated for NMO and is likely to get back home in a month.
Beijing: China on Monday said the US, Japan, India and Australia should not target Beijing, a day after the leaders of four nations met on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Manila and decided to work for a "free, open, prosperous and inclusive Indo-Pacific region".

China also said the US-brokered proposal of these countries to ensure free and open "Indo-Pacific ... should avoid politicising or excluding some relevant parties".

"The relevant proposal should be open and inclusive and should be conducive to the win-win cooperation and avoid politicising or excluding some relevant parties," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said.

"From China's persistent foreign policy, we welcome the development of friendly cooperation between the relevant countries and we hope this kind of relation is not directed against any third party and we hope this kind of relations will be conducive to the regional peace and stability," Geng added.

US President Donald Trump has been increasingly using the term "Indo-Pacific" for Asia-Pacific to clearly signal the inclusion of India in the Indian Ocean.

Some experts say the US wants to contain China with help from India, Australia and Japan.

"Peace, development and win-win cooperation is the trend of the times... I think the development in any country, any region should correspond to the trend of the times and the trend of the world," Geng said

"I think all relevant parties can put forward their vision and proposal on how to develop cooperation between the countries and regions. I hope this kind of proposal and vision can correspond to with the trend and correspond with the trend of the world," he added.

The representatives of the four countries met for the first time on the sidelines of the Asean Summit on Sunday.

Later, India's External Affairs Ministry said: "The discussions focused on cooperation based on their converging vision and values for promotion of peace, stability, and prosperity in an increasingly inter-connected region that they share with each other and with other partners."
Ankara/Baghdad: More than 400 people were killed in Iran when a magnitude 7.3 earthquake jolted the country, state media said on Monday, and rescuers were searching for dozens trapped under rubble in the mountainous area.

At least six have died in Iraq as well.

State television said more than 407 people were killed in Iran`s deadliest earthquake in more than a decade and at least 6,600 were injured. Local officials said the death toll would rise as search and rescue teams reached remote areas of Iran.

The earthquake, which struck on Sunday, was felt in several western provinces of Iran but the hardest hit province was Kermanshah. More than 300 of the victims were in Sarpol-e Zahab county in Kermanshah province, about 15 km (10 miles) from the Iraq border.

Iranian state television said the quake had caused heavy damage in some villages where houses were made of earthen bricks. Rescuers were labouring to find survivors trapped under collapsed buildings.

Iranian media reported that a woman and her baby were pulled out alive from the rubble on Monday in Sarpol-e Zahab, the worst hit area with a population of 85,000.

The quake also triggered landslides that hindered rescue efforts, officials told state television. At least 14 provinces in Iran had been affected, Iranian media reported.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei offered his condolences on Monday, urging all government agencies to do all they could to help those affected. State TV appealed for blood donations.

The US Geological Survey said the quake measured magnitude 7.3. An Iraqi meteorology official put its magnitude at 6.5, with the epicentre in Penjwin in Sulaimaniyah province in the Kurdistan region, close to the main border crossing with Iran.

Tempers frayed in the quake-hit area as the search went on for survivors amidst the twisted rubble of collapsed buildings. State TV aired footage of damaged buildings, vehicles under rubble and wounded people wrapped in blankets.

"We need a shelter," a middle-aged man in Sarpol-e Zahab told state TV. "Where is the aid? Where is the help?" His family could not spend another night outside in cold weather, he said.

Kurdish health officials said at least six people were killed in Iraq and at least 68 injured, adding that in northern Iraq Kurdish districts seven were killed and 325 wounded.

Iraq`s health and local officials said the worst-hit area was Darbandikham district, near the border with Iran, where at least 10 houses had collapsed and the district`s only hospital was severely damaged.

"The situation there is very critical," Kurdish Health Minister Rekawt Hama Rasheed told Reuters.

The district`s main hospital was damaged and had no power, Rasheed said, so the injured were taken to Sulaimaniyah for treatment. Homes and buildings had extensive structural damage, he said.

The quake was felt as far south as Baghdad, where many residents rushed from their houses and tall buildings when tremors shook the Iraqi capital.

"I was sitting with my kids having dinner and suddenly the building was just dancing in the air," said Majida Ameer. who ran out of her building with her three children.

"I thought at first that it was a huge bomb. But then I heard everyone around me screaming: `Earthquake!`"

Similar scenes unfolded in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region, and across other cities in northern Iraq, close to the quake`s epicentre.

Iran sits astride major fault lines and is prone to frequent tremors. A magnitude 6.6 quake on Dec. 26, 2003, devastated the historic city of Bam, 1,000 km southeast of Tehran, killing about 31,000 people.

Electricity and water was cut off in several Iranian and Iraqi cities, and fears of aftershocks sent thousands of people in both countries out onto the streets and parks in cold weather.

Across the area, rescue workers and special teams using sniffer dogs and heat sensors searched wreckage. Blocked roads made it hard for rescue workers to reach some remote villages.

Iranian authorities acknowledged the relief effort was still slow and patchy. More than 70,000 people needed emergency shelter, the head of Iranian Red Crescent said.

Hojjat Gharibian, one of hundreds of homeless Iranian survivors, was huddled against the cold with his family in Qasr-e Shirin.

"My two children were sleeping when the house started to collapse because of the quake. I took them and ran to the street. We spent hours in the street until aid workers moved us into a school building," Gharibian told Reuters by telephone.

Iran`s police, Revolutionary Guards and Basij militia forces were sent to quake-hit areas overnight, state TV reported.

Aid workers handed out water to people, while bulldozers worked to clear the streets in damaged areas.

A local official said aftershocks slowed down erecting tents for homeless people but electricity had been restored in most of the quake-hit areas.

"The main problem is sheltering people at this cold weather. We need more tents," Qasr-e Shririn governor Faramarz Akbari told TV. Tasnim news agency said Iran`s gas exports to Iraq was not interrupted because of the quake.

Turkish Red Crescent Chairman Kerem Kinik told broadcaster NTV that Red Crescent teams in Erbil were preparing to go to the site of the earthquake and that Turkey`s national disaster management agency, AFAD, and National Medical Rescue Teams were also preparing to head into Iraq.

Kinik said the Turkish Red Crescent was gathering 3,000 tents and heaters, 10,000 beds and blankets and moving them towards the Iraqi border.

"We are coordinating with Iranian and Iraqi Red Crescent groups. We are also getting prepared to make deliveries from our northern Iraq Erbil depot," he said.

Israeli media said the quake was felt in many parts of Israel as well.
Sochi: Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan met in Sochi on Monday, with efforts to bring peace to Syria set to dominate their talks at the Black Sea resort.

Despite being on opposing sides of the Syrian conflict, Russia and Turkey have been working together since a 2016 reconciliation deal ended a crisis caused by the shooting down of a Russian war plane.

"Our relationship has been restored almost to its full capacity," Putin said ahead of the talks, adding that he was glad to see the Turkish leader.

"I am sure our meeting today will be very effective," Erdogan said.

"The main talking point will be the situation in Syria -- the functioning of de-escalation zones and the continuation of the process of political settlement," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said before the meeting.

The pair last met in Ankara in September, when they agreed to push for the creation of a "de-escalation" zone in Syria`s key northern province of Idlib, in addition to others already proposed.

Russia, along with Iran, is the key backer of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Moscow`s military intervention in Syria is widely seen as tipping the balance in the conflict.

Turkey, however, has backed the rebels seeking Assad`s ouster.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told journalists at the meeting that Ankara was seeking a political solution to the crisis.

"Without a ceasefire we cannot talk about a political solution. Now we have made a lot of achievements and we can pay more attention to the political process," he said.

Moscow and Ankara have supported negotiations in Kazakhstan`s capital Astana from the start of the year, which have run parallel to talks taking place in Geneva with the backing of the United Nations.

Alexei Malashenko, director of research at the Dialogue of Civilizations institute, said Putin and Erdogan had a "mutual need".

"Russia, which is in a very difficult position (in Syria), simply cannot lose allies there -- they can`t even lose partners, let alone allies," he told AFP.

Meanwhile Erdogan is dissatisfied with the West`s attitude towards him, Malashenko said, pointing to a deal Ankara has signed to buy S-400 air defence systems from Russia.

The deal, reportedly worth $2 billion (1.7 billion euros), has shocked Turkey`s NATO allies.

Malashenko said the economy could also be on the agenda at the talks, as Turkey seeks to regain a leading role in the construction business in Russia.

"It`s a meeting of two charismatic people, two people with a very high opinion of themselves, two leaders," Malashenko added, stressing the strength of the two presidents` personal relationship.

An apparent agreement at the last talks between Putin and Erdogan saw the release of two leading Crimean Tatar activists who had been sentenced by Russian authorities for their political activities in the peninsula annexed from Ukraine.

Erdogan has pledged to support Crimea`s Turkish-speaking Tatar minority.

Russia and Turkey have a record of struggling to overcome a regional rivalry that goes back to the Ottoman Empire and the Romanov dynasty.

Ties between the two countries went through their worst crisis since the end of the Cold War when the Turkish air force shot down a Russian warplane over Syria in November 2015.
Ironically, China could step in to resurrect the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), which could result in a deal that somewhat contradicts its original purpose of weakening the countrys influence in the region.



Chinas increasing prominence on the global trade stage is creating a dilemma for multi-national companies: How does a large enterprise balance reacting to short-term changes with planning for the long term?

One can make the case that China booked this role without having to audition for it. Just seven years ago, China was operating in the shadows of global trades macro environment. Today, the countrys appetite to be a main driver of long-term global trade policy is increasingly visible.

In 2010, careful analysis of Chinas currency practices brought the country under broad scrutiny.

China buys dollars and other foreign currenciesworth several hundred billion dollars a yearby selling more of its own currency, which then depresses its value, the New York Times reported at the time. That intervention helped Chinese exports to surge 46 percent in February compared with a year earlier.

A series of reports in the same newspaper provided additional context. In late 2009, when much of the world was still in the throes of the Great Recession, the G-20 countries agreed to share their proactive economic plans with one another in order to coordinate how their respective stimulus programs might play out once dominant economies returned to growth and stability. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) was to act as an intermediary for this objective, with U.S. President Obama and President Hu Jintao of China playing leading roles.

The deadline came and went for China.

[T]he Chinese government missed the November deadline and then submitted a vague document containing mostly historical data, the NYT reported, quoting

sources familiar with Chinas response to the agreement. And because the IMF lacked the teeth for aggressive enforcement, the global community could do little to respond.

This is just a blip in the history of Chinas approach to trade policy, but it is a useful illustration of how, in a sense, positions have shifted, principally among China and the United States. If having the negotiating prowess to forge ambitious agreements that reflect its unique interests is a position of strength for a country, then passing on those agreements if they become inconvenient is also an admission of weakness.

China assumed a passive role in 2010, but fast-forward to 2017. By withdrawing from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), the United States created a reason for the global community to cast another actor as the leading voice of ambitious approaches to liberalizing trade. The country that seizes this opportunity will be in a position to export goods, services, and perhaps more importantly, its ideology.

As we wrote in the March 2017 issue of American Shipper (Trade Trends: What now? U.S. trade without TPP, pg. 23), China could step in to resurrect the TPP, which would make the deal a principally pan-Asian agreement. This could potentially result in a deal that somewhat contradicts its original purpose of weakening Chinas influence in the region.

And there are other pending examples of Chinas increasing standing, namely the countrys proposed export reform measures and its role in the proposed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Chinas Ministry of Commerce on June 16 released a draft of Chinas Export Control Law, which would be the first law in the country to address export controls while demonstrating a tangible commitment to non-proliferation. Based on the wording of the draft, exporters and their customers may face additional burdens, such as on-site inspections of end-users, as well as strict licensing review processes, if they export certain items or technologies, the law firm Covington & Burling said in a recent client note. The firm expects the law to be introduced in 2018. Although China is not a member of the Australia Group, the Missile Technology Control Regime, the Nuclear Suppliers Group, or the Wassenaar Arrangement, the proposed changes, if enacted, would move China closer to adopting the provisions contained within these agreements.

Separately, China plays a crucial role in the RCEP, an ambitious effort to consolidate the free trade agreements that the ASEAN bloc has with six counterparties. Joining Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam with Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand, the agreement would cover nearly 40 percent of global gross domestic product (GDP).

Because the Southeast Asia region is heavily featured in both agreements, the U.S. withdrawal from the TPP increased the likelihood that the RCEP will be completed, thereby creating powerful new trade linkages for China. Despite murmurings of a recent TPP revival, the RCEP still seems by far the more likely of the two to reach ratification and implementation, especially given that China has been a force since RCEP negotiations began in 2012.

Regardless of whether the TPP moves forward with China or simply dies on its own and gives way to another agreement with a similarly historic reach, China stands to significantly boost its free trade linkages in the near term.

But the story goes deeper. Today, influential trade powers generally seek to bundle security dependency and economic dependency, and there is a high degree of brinksmanship on both sides of the U.S.-China relationship. This is creating significant long-term uncertainty for global companies because regional stability is a key factor in trade operations.

China could use the capital and influence it is accumulating by leading on trade to integrate economically with smaller Asian countries in order to gradually push them away from tight relations with the United States, thereby destabilizing the habits companies have formed for doing business globally. While this may not necessarily be bad in the short term for those Asian countries, given that the Trump administrations actions may eventually match its protectionist rhetoric, it may not be wise for other stakeholders to assume this state of play is permanent.

Broadly, this isnt just about the import and export of goods and services. Its about what nations are able to export their values and underlying philosophies regarding important topics like climate change and human rights by influencing trade policy. Trade agreements increasingly have non-duty components, so there is a serious need for them to serve the interests of both businesses and human beings alike.

Keith Haurie is vice president of business development for ONESOURCE Global Trade at Thomson Reuters. He can be contacted at [email protected]
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 10, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian gave an interview to the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation talking about the expectations on the official recognition of the Armenian Genocide by Israel, the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, the relations with Iran and Israel, as well as Armenias expectations from Israel on receiving a military aid or military exports.

ARMENPRESS presents the full interview:

-This visit of yours, which I would say is very rare for Armenian Foreign Minister to visit Israel.

-I would rather say, this is very rare to receive Israeli Foreign Minister in Armenia. All Foreign Ministers of Armenia paid visits to Israel. I served for almost 10 years as Armenias Ambassador to Israel. That is why it is not my first visit to Israel. I am always very glad to be back to Jerusalem.

It was a new opportunity to be here on the invitation of the Prime-Minister and Foreign Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. It was a short visit but very intensive one. I had meetings with the Prime-Minister Netanyahu, with Minister for Regional Cooperation Hanegbi, with Minister of Jerusalem Affairs Elkin, with Chairman of your Parliament Mr. Edelstein and also with the Vice-Chairman of Parliament, Tali Ploskov, who is also Chair of the Armenia-Israel Parliamentary Friendship Group.

I had an opportunity to see the Armenian Patriarch. We have very important, centuries-old Armenian presence in Jerusalem. As always, I used the opportunity to visit Yad Vashem and to pay tribute to the memory of the victims of the Holocaust.

Visiting Yad Vashem, as I said, is not the first time. Yad Vashem in Jerusalem and Tsitsernakaberd in Yerevan, teach us, especially such nations, like the Jewish and Armenian nations, who suffered, passed through the horrors of genocide, we have moral obligation to join our efforts to fight against new genocides, new crimes against humanity.

-I wanted to ask you regarding this issue. What is your expectations from Israel regarding the recognition of the Armenian Genocide? Are you satisfied with the current situation? Has it been a topic during your meetings here in Israel?

-It was and it is always a topic of our dialogue. As I said, two nations passed through the horrors of genocide. Many scholars, many politicians consider that in case of adequate condemnation of the Armenian Genocide maybe could be possible to prevent Shoah and other genocides. That is why of course, we are expecting that Israel will recognize officially the Armenian Genocide. We feel that in the public opinion of Israel more and more people are in favor of the recognition, including in the Parliament. Yesterday I had a meeting with the Chairman of the Knesset. He again expressed his very clear position of the importance of the recognition by Knesset of the Armenian Genocide.

-I would assume that one of the issues that are being raised between Israel and Armenia is the relations between Armenia and Iran. How do you view the Iranian position in the Middle East and in the region? Is it a positive player in your view?

-We have good relations with neighbouring Iran, we cooperate in different fields. Taking into consideration that we have closed borders with other two neighbours, with Turkey and Azerbaijan, so you have to understand that Iran and Georgia are the two neighbours with whom we have not just normal relations, but good cooperation. And we are deploying efforts with the aim to develop our bilateral cooperation and partnership.

-Is it an obstacle to the relations between Israel and Armenia?

-I dont think this is an obstacle in our bilateral relations with Israel as the relations of Israel with any neighbouring country of Armenia is not an obstacle.

-We dont see an Ambassador of Armenia in Israel and we dont see an Israeli Ambassador in Yerevan. Whats the reason of not exchanging the Ambassadors directly?

-Our position was very clear: as soon as Israel will open an embassy in Armenia, we will reciprocate and open an Embassy in Israel.

-I would assume one of the difficulties in relationship between Armenia and Israel is the issue of your neighbour, Azerbaijan. The Azerbaijanis are claiming that in the past few months there have been difficulties with ceasefire through violations of the ceasefire. Whats your comment on that: is Armenia violating the ceasefire?

-We are never asking our friendly, partner countries to support Armenia against anybody and including against Azerbaijan. On Nagorno-Karabakh issue our expectation is to support and to be in line with the position of the international community. The international community gave a mandate to the three co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group- the United States, Russia and France - to mediate the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement. This is the unique situation that the United States, Russia and France, on the level of the Presidents of those countries, adopted five statements on how the conflict could be resolved in a very detailed way with concrete principles and concrete elements elaborated as an integrated whole. And Armenias position is in line with the position of the Co-Chair countries, so with the position of the international community.

-The position of the international community is that those territories are Azerbaijani basically, isnt it?

-This is not the position of the international community. The position of the international community, as I said, is expressed in the five statements of the three Co-Chair countries presidents, and its very clearly said that the final status of the Nagorno-Karabakh has to be decided by the free expression of will of the population of Nagorno-Karabakh, which will have an internationally legally binding force, including for Azerbaijan. This is the position of the international community and we are expressing our support to this position, but Azerbaijan doesnt.

Concerning the ceasefire violations, and by the way this is also the position of the three Co-Chair countries, so of the international community, including Armenia, that we have to respect the trilateral ceasefire agreements reached between Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan and Armenia in 1994-1995 without time limitations, three agreements about the ceasefire and about the consolidation of the ceasefire. Azerbaijan is always trying not to respect ceasefire agreements, and even to put under the question that those agreements are in force.

This is the difference between our position and the position of Azerbaijan. Even more, the international community through three co-chairs come up with the proposals to create investigation mechanism of violations of the ceasefire agreements. Armenia supports the proposal on the creation of mechanism of investigation of ceasefire violations which could serve as a mechanism of prevention. Azerbaijan is rejecting to creation of this mechanism, so the position of the three Co-Chair countries, of course they are mediators and could not always express their opinion about it openly and publicly. Nevertheless, they are always saying that the side, which is rejecting to create this mechanism of prevention takes the responsibility for all the violations of ceasefire.

-Whats your expectations from Israel regarding the military aid or military exports because I know it has been an issue between the two countries.

-The trade of arms is not a trade of vegetables and such kind of trade always has its black side, which could have some negative consequences. Which is important in Armenias relations with Israel that we have no taboo for discussing all the questions, even sensitive questions we are discussing openly and we are trying to find ways out.

-Whats your expectation from Israel in that regard?

-I said what I could say to you. We are discussing in very open and very positive way.
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 13, ARMENPRESS. Currently about 200 Armenians live in New Zealand. They are mainly from Iraq, Iran, Lebanon and partly from Armenia. The local Armenians mostly live in Auckland and Wellington cities. The Armenian Union of New Zealand operates since 1996 which aims at preserving the Armenian identity and the Armenian upbringing of children.

Head of the Armenian Union Nubar Yaghubian told Armenpress that they spare no efforts for preserving the Armenian identity. The Armenian community of New Zealand is small and scattered. The Armenian school was operating since 1996, but it closed due to lack of new students. The preservation of the Armenian language is a major issue. There are mixed marriages. At the moment the community makes efforts to re-open the Armenian Sunday school in Auckland, Nubar Yaghubian said, adding that they try to keep contact with Armenia for organizing the educational processes. Online training for teachers is being organized. When the school is re-opened, the classes will also be online so that the Armenians living in other cities of New Zealand will be able to join. Specialists from Armenia will also join during the online classes.

The Armenian community celebrates the holidays connected with Armenia, as well as the remembrance days. Every year events are being organized dedicated to Armenias Independence, the Army Day and etc. Commemoration events are being held on the anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

Despite being small in number, the local Armenians are actively engaged in different spheres. There are leading doctors, teachers, banking and IT field specialists among them.

In line with the preservation of the Armenian identity, the Armenian community also tries to make Armenia more recognizable within the public through various measures.

Because of the small community, few people know about Armenia. We are trying to invite the local people as much as possible to our events. We have a Facebook page where we post the list of events, as well as information about Armenia, he said.

A special attention is paid to the process of spreading the smell and taste of the Armenian cuisine. Quite often the Armenian women cook and sell Armenian dishes. Nubar Yaghubian noted that the people of New Zealand have started to highly appreciate the Armenian dishes after testing them.
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 13, ARMENPRESS. At least 141 people have been killed and more than 1000 have been injured as a powerful earthquake hit the Iranian-Iraqi border on November 12.

The epicenter of the quake that was felt deep in Iran was located in the depth of 11km in an area 45.9 degrees in longitude and 34.84 degrees in latitude across the border from Iran's Western provinces of Kermanshah and Kurdistan, Fars News Agency reported.

Irans President Hassan Rouhani has ordered assistance to all the victims. Additional emergency and rescue personnel have been dispatched to the disaster zone.

More than 20 military helicopters are on standby to airlift the injured to Tehran.

Residents who left their homes remain in the streets overnight, fearing aftershocks.

The powerful 7,2 magnitude earthquake was followed by dozens of aftershocks ranging from 3,6 to 4,7 magnitude.
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 13, ARMENPRESS. The national security service of Armenia issed a statement regarding the heroin smuggling attempt from Iran, in response to media requests.

The NSS said a criminal case was launched on July 10, 2017.

The NSS said the 105kg 100g brutto and 101kg 830g 160g netto weight heroin was packaged in 204 bricks in Iran, hidden in a cargo vehicle. Later, three ethnic Kurdish people hired a Turkish national, a driver engaged in international transportations, to ship the narcotics to Georgia through Armenia.

On July 9, 2017, the cargo vehicle entered the Armenian border, however the attempted smuggling was prevented by border officers.

According to initial information, the heroin was planned to be further shipped to Europe by ship, in a destination controlled by a transnational drug trafficking organization.

The driver has been charged and detained.

The investigation is still ongoing.

In addition to the abovementioned cases, the NSS has investigated 8 criminal cases on drug trafficking  confiscating 2kg of heroin, 3kg meth, and 14kg apion.

The smuggling attempts were made from Iran, USA, Turkey, Netherlands.
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 13, ARMENPRESS. A new Turkish political party, called Iyi partisi  meaning Good Party, the founder of which is former defense minister Meral Aksener, is seriously contending for entering the parliament in the upcoming elections. Many have withdrawn from the Nationalist Movement party to join the ranks of this new party.

Turkish media have recently focused on the fact that two Armenians are among the founding members of the party.

One of them is Elmas Kirakos, member of the founding council of the party. In an interview to a local media, he said: I go to church, I know my God. I am Armenian and I will never hide my identity. I am a citizen of Turkey, however my ethnicity is Armenians.

Turkish media have focused particularly on the Armenian origin of the other founding member, mentioning that his ethnicity has been attempted to be hidden. According to Turkish media, Taylan Yildiz, the co-chair of the party, has Armenian ethnicity. Yildiz has worked for Google and is known as the genius son of Google.

Meral Aksener is expected to the main rival of president Erdogan during the upcoming elections.
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 13, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan sent a letter of condolences to First Vice-President of Iran Eshaq Jahangiri on the devastating earthquake that claimed hundreds of lives in the province of Kermanshah, press service of the government told Armenpress.

The letter says:

Dear Mr. Jahangiri,

I was informed with a deep sorrow about dozens of casualties and destructions caused by the devastating earthquake in the Iranian province of Kermanshah.

On behalf of the Armenian government and personally myself I would like to extend our deepest condolences to you and the good people of Iran expressing our readiness to be involved in rescue operations.
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 13, ARMENPRESS. Newly-appointed Ambassador of Brazil to Armenia Agemar de Mendonca Sanctos presented the copy of his credentials to foreign minister Edward Nalbandian on November 13, press service of the ministry told Armenpress.

The Armenian FM congratulated the Ambassador and expressed hope that his activity will contribute to further expanding and deepening the Armenian-Brazilian relations.

The Ambassador thanked for the reception and said he will make the maximum efforts to boost the bilateral cooperation in different spheres during his tenure.

During the meeting the officials exchanged views on several issues of bilateral agenda, such as organizing high-level visits, deepening the cooperation in international structures, boosting the commercial ties, expanding the legal framework, as well as holding consultations between the foreign ministries.

The sides also discussed a number of urgent regional and international issues at the meeting.
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 13, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian ministry of emergency situations has contacted with the Iranian authorities through the Iranian Embassy in Armenia and the Armenian Embassy in Iran expressing readiness to provide assistance to the process of eliminating the consequences of the devastating earthquake.

Nana Gndoyan, emergency situations ministry spokesperson, told ARMENPRESS that the internationally qualified rescue team is highly prepared and waits for Irans response. After receiving a response our rescuers will depart for assistance, she said.

More than 200 people have died in a devastating earthquake that hit the Iran-Iraq border on November 12. 2500 have been affected by the quake, and 70.000 are homeless.

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan sent condolence letter to his Iranian counterpart. Armenian Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan expressed readiness to assist the rescue operations.
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 13, ARMENPRESS. Turkeys ruling Justice and Development party has released the name of its candidate for the post of the Speaker of the Parliament, Milliyet reports.

The party nominated the candidacy of current Parliament Speaker Ismail Kahraman to the post.

Earlier the Kemalist Republican Democratic and Nationalist Movement parties have also nominated their candidates for the post.

Ismail Kahraman has been elected Speaker of the Parliament on November 22, 2015 after the parliamentary election.

It is expected the election will be held on November 20.

The first and second rounds of election of the Parliament Speaker require 367 votes, and the third round requires 276 votes.
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 13, ARMENPRESS. The Council of the European Union appointed Toivo Klaar as EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia during the November 13 session, the EU Council told Armenpress.

His task will be to contribute to a peaceful settlement of conflicts in the region, namely the crisis in Georgia and the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, as well as to encourage regional cooperation. In particular, the Special Representative co-chairs and participates on behalf of the EU in the Geneva International Discussions on the consequences of the 2008 conflict in Georgia.

Toivo Klaar is currently Head of the Central Asia Division at the European External Action Service (EEAS) and prior to this appointment served as Head of the EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia. He is a senior diplomat with extensive experience both in the EEAS and in the Estonian diplomatic service. Toivo Klaar succeeds Ambassador Herbert Salber (of German nationality), who had held the post since 8 July 2014.

EU Special Representatives promote the EU's policies and interests in certain regions and countries as well as issues of particular concern or interest for the EU. They play an active role in efforts to consolidate peace, stability and the rule of law. The first EU Special Representatives were appointed in 1996. Currently, eight EU Special Representatives support the work of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini.
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 13, ARMENPRESS. Tashir Group of Companies is planning to invest more than 1 billion dollars in Armenias energy branch with Armenias Investors Club and international financial organizations.

Vice President of Tashir Karen Darbinyan said the investment program includes two directions  distribution networks and energy production.

Speaking at an event dedicated to the companys activities, he said the most important investments is the construction of the Shnogh HPP, with approximately 200 million dollars worth.

Soon 900 million dollars will be directed for the installation of electricity calculation devices and reconstruction of electric-energy infrastructures in Armenias Distribution Networks, he said.
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 13, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Ambassador to Iran Artashes Tumanyan and Iranian minister of Information and Communication Technology Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi had a meeting on November 13, press service of the Armenian foreign ministry told Armenpress.

The Armenian Ambassador extended his condolences over the devastating earthquake in Irans east which claimed hundreds of lives.

The officials discussed the Armenian-Iranian cooperation in telecommunication and information technologies field.

Taking into account the ongoing joint programs, the sides stated that the two countries have great potential and broad opportunities for cooperation.

Ambassador Tumanyan proposed to discuss the issue of holding a joint business forum in Tehran in 2018 with the participation of Armenian and Iranian IT companies.

The Iranian minister welcomed the Ambassadors proposals and expressed readiness to assist holding the forum.
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 13, ARMENPRESS. 2500 jobs are planned to be created in the upcoming 1 year in the energy sector as result of 1 billion dollar investment, Tashir Group of Companies Vice-President Karen Darbinyan said during an event dedicated to the companys activities.

Speaking about the principles at the foundation of the investment programs, Darbinyan said they sought to solve issues of ecological and social nature.

The production of nearly 80 percent of devices which will be used as part of the investment program will be implemented in Armenia. According to preliminary evaluation, we are talking about 2500 new jobs, Darbinyan said.

He said Tashir is engaged in negotiations since 2016 with several international financial organizations to implement the investment program, talks were particularly conducted with the Asian Development Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

An agreement on involving nearly 160 million dollars was signed, today a memorandum of mutual understanding will also be signed with the Eurasian Development Bank on involving 100 million dollars, he said.
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 13, ARMENPRESS. Vice President of the National Assembly of Armenia Eduard Sharmazanov assesses drawing parallels between Nagorno Karabakh conflict and the processes in Kurdistan and Catalonia illogical. In an interview with ARMENPRESS Sharmazanov, commenting on the statement of the deputy speaker of the Azerbaijani parliament Bahar Muradova, saying that the international community should display one and the same approach towards the mentioned three processes instead of applying double standards, emphasized that they are totally different cases and its a sign of being uneducated to draw parallels between Nagorno Karabakh conflict and the processes in Kurdistan and Catalonia.

How can one draw parallels between those three processes? They are three totally different cases. The process of self-determination of Nagorno Karabakh is fully legal and legitimate. It fully complies with both the Constitution of the Soviet Union and the norms of the international right. Years ago Nagorno Karabakh used its right to self-determination in compliance with the same legal norms of the USSR Constitution that were used by the other 15 republics. The USSR Constitution allowed autonomous subjects to decide their own fates by a referendum, something that Nagorno Karabakh did. And today if Azerbaijan is questioning the legitimacy of Artsakhs right to self-determination, it puts the legitimacy of its own and the other post-Soviet states independence under doubt Sharmazanov said.

As refers to Muradovas discontent over the activities of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs, and her opinion about the necessity to change the negotiation format, the Vice President of the parliament of Armenia stressed that Azerbaijan pours water into Turkey's watermill, which tries to become a mediator in Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement process by all means. But that will never happen. Turkey has no place in OSCE MG format since that country overtly supports one of the conflicting sides, Azerbaijan  something that questions Turkeys impartiality as a mediator. Besides, Ankara is famous in the region for its unconstructive polices. And not only I speak about that, but also Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who emphasized following the April war that Turkey makes calls for war but not for peace, Sharmazanov said.
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 13, ARMENPRESS.The President of the National Assembly of Armenia Ara Babloyan received the Member of the Senate of the Republic of France Christophe-Andre Frassa on November 13.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the Nation al Assembly of Armenia, welcoming the Senator's visit to Armenia, Ara Babloyan touched upon the Armenian-French relations, and the historical-cultural centuries-old ties between the two peoples laid in its basis.

Ara Babloyan documented with satisfaction the development of the inter-parliamentary relations existing between the two countries, underlining the significant contribution of the Friendship Groups to that issue.

The Head of the parliament touched upon the problems of the fight against terrorism, the issues regarding the strengthening of peace in the world and uniting the efforts of Francophone countries in these problems.

Christophe-Andre Frassa noted that the National Assembly of Armenia and the two Chambers of the French Parliament closely and dynamically cooperate.

By the Senator's assessment, the two peoples' friendship has a centuries-old history and today is at high level.

Christophe-Andre Frassa referred to the Summit of the Francophonie International Organisation to be held in Armenia next year, emphasizing that event for both France and Armenia.

The French Senator especially underlined the importance of the meetings of the Francophone countries' heads which should go on in parallel with the very Summit.

At the end of the meeting Ara Babloyan and Christophe-Andre Frassa discussed organisational issues concerning the holding of the Summit of the Francophonie International Organisation.

The Head of the Armenian Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of La Francophonie (APF) Margarit Yesayan also took part in the meeting.
YEREVAN, 13 NOVEMBER, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 13 November, USD exchange rate is up by 0.28 drams to 487.57 drams. EUR exchange rate is down by 0.45 drams to 567.63 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate is down by 0.03 drams to 8.20 drams. GBP exchange rate is down by 3.14 drams to 637.55 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price is up by 3.73 drams to 20132.35 drams. Silver price is down by 1.41 drams to 266.49 drams. Platinum price is up by 55.44 drams to 14688.17 drams.
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 13, ARMENPRESS. 30% of the investments to be made in the Electric Networks of Armenia company in the coming 10 years will be directed at the modernization of the equipment in voltage networks, ARMENPRESS reports ENAs Director General Karen Harutyunyan informed during the presentation of the investment program of Tashir Group. The investment program of the Electric Networks of Armenia for the period of 2018-2027 amounts to 248 billion and 224.9 million AMD, of which , of which 6 billion and 276.1 million in 2018.

According to ENAs Director General, as a result of the modernization of the network the electricity loss will be decreased by 4.6 percentage point. Karen Harutyunyan also noted that expenditures of the company will also be decreased by up to 50%.
Bakery equipment supplier Spooner Industries has been awarded the Yorkshire Post Excellence in Business award for its apprenticeship scheme.

The award was presented to Spooners longest-serving employee Brian Stockdale, who joined the company as an apprentice in 1962 earning 2 6s 8d a week. Now aged 70, he has worked his way through the company to become a commissioning engineer.

Based in West Yorkshire, Spooner currently employs 12 apprentices who joined as part of the annual intake. Successful candidates are employed on permanent contracts and undertake a tour of duty, working across all areas of the business as part of the two-year scheme.

Most of the managers at Spooner began their working life as apprentices, said marketing manager Kate Thompson. We are very proud of our apprenticeship scheme and winning this award shows the culture of investing in our people and the future generations of Spooner is paying off.

The business provides industrial process machinery such as tunnel ovens, air flotation dryers, coolers and provers.
Global bakery business Aryzta has appointed Tony Murphy as its first chief people officer (CPO).

Murphy, who has 21 years experience in senior HR positions for food and drink companies, takes up the role on 1 December 2017.

As CPO, Murphy will work with the groups operating regions to set up centralised HR to supports its employees and strategic growth objectives.

Murphy has previously held senior HR roles with Diageo in the UK and North America, been people capability director for Cadbury in the UK, HR vice president of snacks and confectionery for Kraft Foods in North America and had a similar role for Mondelez.

Im delighted to announce the appointment of Tony Murphy as our chief people officer. The establishment of this key executive position is an integral step to creating a strong, cohesive and collaborative team culture within the group, said Kevin Toland, Aryzta CEO.

With senior executive involvement in managing people, culture change, stabilisation programmes, and growth strategies in leading companies in the global FMCG sector, Tony brings significant international experience to our human resource and business management functions.

Murphys appointment follows the recent news that Frederic Pflanz is to join Aryzta as the groups chief financial officer in January 2018, and the appointment of Toland as CEO in May of this year.
The Democrat leadership has made constant, profound and incredible pronouncements that one's supportive vote for Republicans is tantamount to surrendering Democracy forever. Understanding their sincere thinking in their extreme position: How will you still vote on this election day?

Democrat; because the continuance of this Democracy from the existential threat of extreme Republicans is paramount.

Republican; the process of having a choice is the democratic method within what so called "Democracy" does exists.
When Alabama GOP Senate nominee Roy Moore was accused of sexually molesting children as young as 14, his fellow hardcore evangelicals shrugged at the scandal  it was "common knowledge" that Moore had a fondness for young teens.

Moore isn't alone in liking very young girls as sexual partners. The grooming of children to marry adult men is a common practice in American evangelical circles, and infamous child-bride advocates are celebrated on the lecture circuit, especially among home schoolers.

These "courting" experts counsel parents to encourage their children to seek marriage with adult men, advocating for marriage in the "middle-teens."

It's a widespread view among the hard right evangelical world, mainstream enough that Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson has publicly advised his fans to marry 15- or 16-year-old girls, because "you wait until they get to be 20 years old, the only picking that's going to take place is your pocket." This view was defended by mainstream Republicans, and Robertson has continued to enjoy success in right-wing media, with a new show on CRTV.

Predictably, adult men who are caught having sex with children blame the children for "seducing" them, and in the Independent Fundamentalist Baptist sect, these children are forced to repent for having "sinned" by tempting adults to commit statutory rape, making public confessions to their congregations.



As a teenager, I attended a lecture on courtship by a home-school speaker who was popular at the time. He praised the idea of "early courtship" so the girl could be molded into the best possible helpmeet for her future husband. The girl's father was expected to direct her education after the courtship began so she could help her future husband in his work. In retrospect, I understand what the speaker was really describing: Adult men selecting and grooming girls who were too young to have life experience. Another word for that is "predation." Much of the sexual abuse that takes place in Independent Fundamentalist Baptist, or IFB, churches involves adult men targeting 14- to 16-year-old girls. If caught, the teenage victim may be forced to repent the "sin" of having seduced an adult man. Former IFB megachurch pastor Jack Schaap argued that he should be released from prison after being convicted of molesting a 16-year-old girl, asserting that the "aggressiveness" of his victim "inhibited [his] impulse control." In the wake of the Schaap case, numerous other stories emerged of sexual abuse cover-ups involving teenage girls at IFB churches. In another high-profile case, pregnant 15-year-old Tina Anderson, who was raped by a church deacon twice her age, was forced to confess her "sin" to the congregation.

Roy Moore's alleged pursuit of a young girl is the symptom of a larger problem in evangelical circles

[Kathryn Brightbill/LA Times]

(via Naked Capitalism)
The Vietnamese security company Bkav says that a prototype mask costing $150 can reliably defeat Apple's Face ID authentication system. However, the company (which has a good track record for defeating facial recognition systems) has not released technical details for the defeat and says that it was able to accomplish the task "Because we are the leading cyber security firm ;)."



The mask combines 3D printed elements, a silicone nose, makeup, 2D images, and "special processing" on the cheeks.



A: The 1st point is, everything went much more easily than you expect. You can try it out with your own iPhone X, the phone shall recognize you even when you cover a half of your face. It means the recognition mechanism is not as strict as you think, Apple seems to rely too much on Face ID's AI. We just need a half face to create the mask. It was even simpler than we ourselves had thought. Apple has done this not so well. I remember reading an article on Mashable, in which Apple told that iPhone X had been planned to be rolled out in 2018, but the company then decided to release it one year earlier. This shows that they haven't carried out scientific and serious estimation before deciding to replace Touch ID with Face ID.

Face ID beaten by mask, not an effective security measure

[Bkav]

This $150 mask beat Face ID on the iPhone X

[Thuy Ong/The Verge]
The Sackler Family are best known for philanthropy, but their real legacy is the opioid epidemic, which they engineered through their family firm, Purdue Pharmaceutical, which used a variety of front organizations that paved the way for massive overprescription of the company's painkillers, while covering up the flaws in the drug-testing for Purdue's products and the false claims about their safety and efficacy.

Sackler philanthropy sometimes supports research, museums, and other traditional "good causes," but the family's philanthropic efforts also include titanic sums of cash spent to promote pet political causes, including the destruction of public education and its replacement by charter schools.

Jonathan Sackler is the nephew of Arthur Sackler, a Medical Advertising Hall of Famer who effectively invented modern pharmaceutical advertising and marketing. Jonathan Sackler uses the family money to fund an ecosystem of organizations that spread critical messages about teachers' unions and public schools and promote private charter schools in their places.

These include "nonpartisan" news sources that are uniformly critical of public schools and teachers' unions.

This is the kind of vertical integration that made Purdue's opioid marketing so devastatingly effective. By fronting advocacy organizations, media organizations, lobbyists, and astroturf operations, the super-rich are able to turn their self-serving ideological projects into reality the rest of the world.



In Massachusetts, Families for Excellent Schools-Advocacy (FESA) recently had to cough up more than $425,000 to the Massachusetts general fund as part of a legal settlement with the Office of Campaign and Political Finance, the largest civil forfeiture in the agency's 44-year history. Massachusetts officials concluded that FESA violated the campaign finance law by receiving contributions from individuals and then contributing those funds to the Great Schools Massachusetts Ballot Question Committee, which sought to lift the cap on the number of charter schools in the state, in a manner intended to disguise the true source of the money. As part of the settlement, the group was ordered to reveal the names of its secret donors. Jonathan Sackler was one of them. Patrick Riccards, a former CEO of ConnCan, the pro-charter group that Sackler founded in 2005, told me, "Jon went to Berkeley and in many ways fits into that idealistic mold. But at the same time it was he who made it clear to me that one of the reasons ConnCan existed was to leverage the investment in the charter community, in Achievement First, which is still the dominant charter school network in the state. [CT] The venture capital community  has put tons of money into seeing Achievement First grow, first in Connecticut, then in New York, then in Rhode Island." It's all part of the model, concluded Riccards. "While you have a public vision of great public schools for all, ConnCan's focus was: how does the charter industry continue to grow? Every year, ConnCan's fight was how do we increase the number of seats, and how do we increase the per pupil expenditure?"

The Super Wealthy Oxycontin Family Supports School Privatization With Tactics Similar to Those That Fueled the Opioid Epidemic

[Sarah Darer Littman/Alternet]





(Image: Dean, CC-BY)





(via Naked Capitalism)
By PTI: Peshawar, Nov 13 (PTI) Two security personnel, including a captain, and 10 terrorists were killed today in exchange of fire during an attack on a security check post in Pakistans restive northwest Bajaur Agency, bordering Afghanistan.

Two security personnel were killed and four others were injured when suspected terrorists from across the border in Kunar province of Afghanistan attacked a security check post in Mamond tehisl, along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border area, officials said.

advertisement

The two security officials identified as captain Junaid Hafeez and Sepoy Raham were killed while four soldiers were also wounded in the attack.

According to the officials, the security forces successfully responded to the attack, killing at least 10 terrorists while they were trying to escape after carrying out the attack.

Pakistan military has also confirmed the attack on security check post in Bajaur Agency.

According to the statement issued today, a group of terrorists from the Afghanistan side attacked Pakistani posts along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border region in Bajaur Agency.

However, the statement stated that the forces effectively responded to the attack and killed 10 fleeing terrorist and wounded several others. PTI AYZ MRJ

--- ENDS ---
Justin Trudeau charms Manila while ordering fast food

Justin Trudeau is in Manila for the East Asia Summit, where Canada has been invited for the first time as an observer.

The forum is an annual event held by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in which countries discuss regional and global security concerns. Canadas observer status means the prime minister will be included in talks about North Korea, among other key topics.

A meeting with controversial Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is on the prime ministers agenda for the event. Federal officials say Duterte went on a limb to invite Trudeau to the security event. Duterte is facing heated criticism for extrajudicial killings by his government that have left thousands dead in the Philippines violent drug war. Trudeau is facing pressure to confront Duterte over the killings.

The invite to the event, to which permanent membership has only been expanded a few times since the ASEAN was created, shows Canada has returned to the world stage, Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland says.

Canada has never been there before, so when the prime minister says Canada is back, the fact that he has been invited  is a very, very important sign of that, she says.

Our government is acting on our pledge that Canada is back, and the world is recognizing that.

This isnt the first time the phrase Canada is back  or something similar to it  has been used to describe Canadas presence in international affairs under the Trudeau government.

Trudeau himself said were back in October 2015 after his Liberals won the federal election.

In a thinly veiled insult directed at the then-outgoing Conservative government headed by Stephen Harper, Trudeau commented that many in the country had worried that Canada has lost its compassionate and constructive vote in the world over the past 10 years on Oct. 20, 2015.

But more than two years on, Trudeau frequently draws criticism for his public persona, with some labelling him PM Selfie due to his habit of not only posing for photos with admirers, but the media attention hes drawn, which has included landing on the cover of Rolling Stone and wearing flashy socks at diplomatic events.

Story continues

An Angus Reid poll conducted last month shows many Canadians have mixed feelings about the prime ministers image.

When asked if they thought his celebrity was good for the country, 54 per cent agreed, while only 19 per cent did not.

The poll also asked Canadians to describe Trudeau using one word. While exactly half went with charismatic, more than a quarter (26 per cent) used arrogant. Words like flaky (23 per cent) and weak (22 per cent) also rated high.

So, has Trudeau improved Canadas image abroad? Or do you think is his image is getting a bit old? Let us know what you think by voting in the poll above.

With files from The Canadian Press
A Winnipeg high school student who put pen to paper to tell the story of Viola Desmond's struggle for justice after being arrested for sitting in the whites-only section of a Nova Scotia movie theatre has earned a Governor General's History Award for her work.

Elly Hooker, 15, is one of two young Canadians heading to Ottawa this week to be honoured with the Kayak Kids' Illustrated History Challenge, a prize meant to foster the artistic talents and historic knowledge of students between the ages of seven and 14.

Hooker, who is now in Grade 10 at Linden Christian School, told Desmond's story through an eight-page comic she wrote and illustrated for a social studies project last year.

"I think she's got guts  she was a black woman and she was a really successful business woman which was not common in that time period  so I think she's a really cool figure in history because she had all these accomplishments but they treated her so horribly just because she was black," said Hooker, who says she first learned about Desmond through an exhibit at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. "I wanted to learn more about what her story was all about  especially because she's going to be on the 10 dollar bill soon."

Sparking a movement

Desmond, who found success running a beauty school and marketing a line of beauty products catered especially to women with darker skin tones, helped to start the modern civil rights movement in Canada after refusing to leave her seat in a racially segregated New Glasgow, N.S. movie theatre in November 1946.

Only white people were allowed to sit on the main floor, but Desmond refused to sit in the balcony section and was forcibly removed from the theatre, arrested, and kept in jail overnight.

She was convicted of tax evasion for not paying the one-cent difference in tax between the main floor and balcony seat.

Desmond spent the rest of her life trying to clear her name, but died in 1965. Her sister kept up the fight and in 2010 Desmond was granted a posthumous pardon by the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia.

Story continues

Last December Desmond was chosen to be the first Canadian woman to appear on the $10 note.

"It ended up sparking a movement in Nova Scotia to raise awareness about segregation laws and rights for black people," said Hooker, who says she connected with Desmond's story because she feels it's important Canadians take responsibility for our history  both the good and the bad.

"This was still less than 100 years ago  I think it's important that we acknowledge that and learn more about it."

After spending weeks working on her comic  and asking for an extension to get it done over her spring break  Hooker's teacher suggested she enter the work into the Governor General's History Award competition.

Hooker says she was shocked to learn she'd won.

"Obviously it was a huge honour," she told CBC. "I could hardly even say anything, honestly."

Eight-year-old Isaac Landry of Murdochville, Quebec was also selected to win the prize for his French-language comic depicting the voyage of Jacques Cartier in 1534. In brightly coloured pencil crayon, Landry explores his arrival on the continent  but also highlights Cartier's kidnapping of the Iroquois people.

Hooker and Landry will both be presented their prize, which includes a $1,000 RESP, at a special ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa Nov. 22.
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.

.

..Honest Reporting..11 November '17..An initially positive feature on the BBC Travel website focuses on the Israel city of Caesarea, specifically the discovery of 2,000 gold coins on the ocean floor, the largest stash ever found in the region.The author of the piece covers Caesareas fascinating ancient history, referring to Phoenicians and Greeks and eventually the Romans:By 6AD, Caesarea was the capital of the Roman province of Judea and was not known as Roman Palestine or Palestine. It was only later, following the suppression of the Bar-Kokhba Revolt in the year 135AD that the Romans changed the name of the province to Syria Palaestina.And who were the native people who revolted against Roman rule between 66 and 70AD?
MONDAY, Nov. 13, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- Getting kids to drink water with their school lunches could help keep their weight in check and save the United States billions in obesity-related costs, a new study contends.

Researchers calculated the effects of going nationwide with a program piloted in 1,200 New York City schools between 2009 and 2013.

Placing water dispensers in school cafeterias led kids to drink three times more water at lunch, which was linked to a small but significant decline in their risk of being overweight a year later.

Doing the same nationwide could prevent more than a half-million kids from becoming overweight or obese, the researchers said.

The cost of expanding the program to all public and private schools in the United States would be small -- about $18 per student between kindergarten and 12th grade. Over each child's lifetime, that would save society $174 in medical and indirect costs. Total savings: $13 billion, the researchers said.

"The nutrition profile doesn't change much when people increase their plain-water intake, but we do see a significant drop in their saturated fat and sugar intake," said study author Ruopeng An. He is a professor of kinesiology and community health at the University of Illinois.

"While there might potentially be some problems if children consume less whole milk, I would say those are probably minor in comparison with the costs associated with the skyrocketing rates of childhood overweight and obesity in the U.S," he added in a university news release.

An went on to say that the long-term savings would compare well with other large-scale strategies to prevent obesity, including taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages.

More information

The American Heart Association has more on preventing childhood obesity.
Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

LinkedIn

Email

Telegram



New York, November 13, 2017The Russian government-funded international news network RT, formerly Russia Today, said that it complied today with a U.S. Department of Justice order for it to register as a foreign agent. Ordering foreign outlets to register could set a troubling precedent, the Committee to Protect Journalists said.

RT said in a statement on its website on November 9 that it intended to challenge the U.S. Department of Justices order in court. The public affairs office of the Justice Department told CPJ via email that the department would decline to comment.

Compelling RT to register under FARA is a bad idea. This is a shift in how the law has been applied in recent decades, so we have little information about how its reporting requirements might affect individual journalists, said CPJ North America Program Coordinator Alexandra Ellerbeck. Were uncomfortable with governments deciding what constitutes journalism or propaganda.

FARA was passed in 1938 to combat Nazi propaganda, but amendments added in 1966 shifted its focus primarily to political activities, such as lobbying, according to the Justice Department website.

RT previously reported that it received a letter in September from the Justice Department asking it to register under FARA. RT has not made the letter public. The head of RT, Margarita Simonyan, told the station that if the U.S. division refused to register it could face arrests or seizure of assets.

According to records on the Justice Departments website, three media companies are currently registered under FARA: the American arm of the South Korean state-funded Korean Broadcasting System, KBS America, Inc., the Chinese state-funded China Daily, and the Japanese Radio and TVs NHK Cosmomedia.

Entities registered under FARA are supposed to include a public disclaimer on any information that they send out and must also file a version with the Justice Department within 48 hours of transmission. This could technically include individual social media posts, text messages, and broadcasts. A report by the Justice Departments Office of the Inspector General acknowledged that the rule could pose an unrealistic burden for entities that post regularly on social media. Individuals registered as agents of foreign principals also need to disclose any contact they have had with government officials or the U.S. media.

Criminal prosecutions under FARA are rare. Between 1966 and 2015, the Justice Department brought only seven criminal cases, the inspector generals report said.

The focus on RT comes at a time of intense scrutiny of Russian efforts to influence last Novembers presidential elections. Facebook, Google, and Twitter have all been called before the Senate Judiciary Committee in recent weeks. In January, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence released a report alleging that RT and the Russian state-funded outlet Sputnik played a role in a Kremlin-directed information campaign. RT issued a statement denying the allegation, and a Sputnik report described the claim as groundless.

RT and Sputnik cover news from a pro-Russia, often anti-West, editorial stance.

The Russian government has reacted by threatening retaliatory measures. Its lawmakers announced on November 10 that they were amending the countrys foreign agent law to include media organizations, according to the English-language daily The Moscow Times.

Its outrageous that the Russian government, which has attacked, undermined, and stifled independent media, and failed to properly investigate the murders of leading independent journalists in the country, is now threatening measures to curtail the work of international media organizations, said CPJ Europe and Central Asia Program Coordinator Nina Ognianova said. While we believe the U.S. actions on FARA are ill advised, we urge Russia not to use it as a pretext to justify punitive action.

Russia is not the only country that has proposed or used foreign agent laws to register civil society organizations or media. According to the International Center for Not-For-Profit Law, Hungary, Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine, and Israel have debated or passed similar laws.
       :   MLA ,        41 
The GST Council brought the biggest restructuring of in the newly rolled out taxation regime last week at its 23rd meeting in Guwahati. But, there are still few things that the government should do to make GST more effective.

By India Today Web Desk: The 23rd meeting of the GST Council in Guwahati last week brought sweeping changes in tax rates and eased compliance burden of the businesses, particularly on the smaller players.

In the biggest GST restructuring, the GST Council reduced tax rates on over 200 items, ranging from chewing gum to chocolates to beauty products, wigs and wrist watches. This move is expected to provide major relief to both consumers and businesses.

advertisement

However, many feel that the decisions taken at Guwahati meet of the GST Council are only a step towards the kind of overhaul that the new tax regime requires. Much more is expected of the Narendra Modi government on GST front.

Here are some of the steps that the Modi government may consider in future to make GST more effective to the extent of making "good and simple tax".

SIMPLER TAX STRUCTURE

Announcing the GST Council's decision, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had said, as many as 178 items of daily use were shifted from the top tax bracket of 28 per cent to 18 per cent, while a uniform 5 per cent tax was prescribed for all restaurants, both air-conditioned and non-AC.

With the latest rejig, the number of goods and services in the 28 per cent tax bracket has come down from 228 to just 50.

Many tax observers feel that the Guwahati streamlining was the first step towards removing the 28 per cent tax slab from the revamped taxation regime. The government may consider a simpler three-tier tax structure with GST rates of 5, 12 and 18 per cent.

EXPANDING SCOPE OF GST

Due to certain political and economic compulsions, certain items like petrol, diesel and other petroleum products, electricity, real estate and liquor have been kept out of the purview of the GST.

Keeping them outside GST regime not only means that the consumers are paying more taxes on these items but it also deprives businesses operating in these segments of the benefit of input tax credit. This is a loss for these businesses.

Further, the existing system for these businesses puts them at the mercy of the state government and their variable VAT regime. Demands have come out of the industry sectors like oil and gas saying that these should be brought under the ambit of GST regime.

QUARTERLY GST RETURN FILING

GST compliance has been a major problem area for businesses ever since the new taxation regime was rolled out with a gong at the stroke of midnight on July 1. After the latest GST revamp, the Council has exempted taxpayers from filing GSTR 2 and GSTR 3 till March 2018.

advertisement

However, it falls short of the principal demand of the industry to allow quarterly GST returns filing for businesses. Currently businesses having less than Rs 1.5 crore turnover are allowed quarterly return filings. The industry is demanding similar concession for businesses revenue of more than Rs 1.5 crore.

At Guwahati, the GST Council remained silent on allowing for quarterly filings for all businesses. But, the GST Council may do well to consider the demand as the industry feels that existing regulations are not conducive for businesses. The government may consider its stand as and when the invoice matching concept kicks in after March 2018.

DOING AWAY MANDATORY E-WAY BILL

Despite the fact that India has more mobile phones than toilets, doing businesses and keeping electronic records of the same are difficult as handling trade online requires a different skill set than necessary for using internet or an app on mobile phones.

The industry, especially those in the rural areas and smaller cities, seem to be practical in demanding that the government should do away with e-way bill. This is an electronically generated document for movement of goods worth Rs 50,000 or more.

advertisement

The government, too, looks sympathetic towards their concern as the implementation of e-way bill has been deferred till April 2018. But, experts are of the opinion that for a consumption tax like GST, there is no need for a check on movement of goods and hence e-way bills are redundant.

However, GST Council has maintained silence on the matter. But, the GST Network is running a pilot in Karnataka for e-way bill. The GSTN looks keen on expanding the same in other states.

This may not go down well with the industry, which considers it to be another technology mess in the business. If it is redundant, as experts say, the government may favour businesses by doing away with the condition altogether.

INPUT TAX CREDIT FOR COMPOSITION SCHEME

The concept of input tax credit has done away with the old practice of levying tax on tax. But, the existing rules don't allow businesses availing composition schemes to claim input tax credit.

Many feel that this could be a dampener for many businesses availing this scheme. As the government is likely to increase the composition threshold, allowing input tax credit for businesses availing composition scheme may it more attractive.

--- ENDS ---

advertisement
JUST OVER SIX MONTHS have passed since the disturbing execution of Kenneth Williams, but as far as the state of Arkansas is concerned, it might as well be ancient history. No sooner did media witnesses return to the press room on the night of April 27 to describe how Williams coughed and convulsed on the gurney than officials acted like nothing had happened. Never mind the veteran reporter who said it was unlike any execution he had ever seen. Gov. Asa Hutchinson dismissed calls for an investigation. My goal was to make sure that we had justice in Arkansas in a way that reflected well on the state, he said the next day, and I think that was accomplished.





In reality, the apparently botched execution was the culmination of an ugly ordeal that had put Arkansas at the center of international controversy for weeks. Hutchinson had originally scheduled execution dates for eight men to take place over 11 days last spring, in a rush to use drugs set to expire at the end of April. The plan sparked chaos, with defense attorneys scrambling to write clemency petitions, state lawyers beating back legal challenges, and prison staff preparing to try out a questionable sedative, midazolam, never previously used in Arkansas. The drug has been linked to several executions gone awry, and many observers warned something was bound to go wrong. Of the four executions that proceeded, Williamss fulfilled the worst predictions. One attorney called it horrifying.





Yet there has been no reckoning; no meaningful look at how the drugs were administered or whether Williams was tortured to death. Shielded by the states secrecy law , there has been no sanction for state officials who were willing to buy drugs by any means necessary, including by misleading drug manufacturers who did not wish their products to be used to kill. In fact, just this week Arkansas was poised to execute another man, Jack Gordon Greene, until his execution was stayed by the Arkansas Supreme Court over concerns about his severe mental illness.





Today, the only public official held accountable for any potential misconduct during the states execution spree is a man who stood briefly in the way. Pulaski County Circuit Court Judge Wendell Griffen issued a temporary restraining order after a pharmaceutical corporation sued the Arkansas Department of Correction, charging officials with buying drugs under false pretenses and then refusing to return them. That same day, Griffen, a Baptist minister, took part in a dramatic Good Friday protest outside the governors mansion, playing the condemned in a mock execution. Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge cried foul  and the consequences were swift: The Arkansas Supreme Court ordered a disciplinary review and announced it would reassign all of Griffens death penalty cases. In a special session, state legislators voted to implement rules that would allow for his impeachment.





Griffen defended himself, citing his First Amendment rights. But his fight with what he calls Arkansass white power structure has exposed a deeper divide. In the history of Arkansas, no white member of the Arkansas judiciary has ever been summarily banned from hearing an entire category of cases based on his or her exercise of the First Amendment protected freedoms of speech, peaceful assembly, religion, and exercise of religion, Griffen argues in a lawsuit filed against the Arkansas Supreme Court last month. He cites multiple white judges in Arkansas who admitted to engaging in criminal behavior have been treated more favorably.





Among them is a judge who led police officers on a high-speed chase after blowing through a sobriety checkpoint. That man pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated, on same day Griffen took part in the demonstration in Little Rock. The white judge will go back to presiding over DWI cases next month. African-American Judge Griffen, on the other hand, is barred for life from presiding over any cases involving the death penalty, his lawsuit argues.





Racism has always helped decide who gets punished in Arkansas, and how.





Griffen is 65 years old, raised by sharecroppers in the rural town of Delight, Arkansas. He may never have become a judge if not for a lawsuit brought in 1989, which exposed how black voters were being disenfranchised from judicial elections, in violation of the Voting Rights Act. In 1991, just as executions were returning to Arkansas, a consent decree forced the state to create new electoral subdistricts. Several black judges would be elected in years to come, among them Griffen, voted onto the bench in 2010.





Griffen is no stranger to controversy. He is outspoken against racism on his blog , sometimes using his sermons to point out ways in which Arkansas has not abandoned the white supremacy of its past, but has reinvented it. He has been open about his moral opposition to the death penalty, while also issuing legal rulings against people facing execution. Griffin argues he is perfectly capable of following the law even when it conflicts with his personal views. Others decry him as an activist judge.





Yet his critics own controversies have raised questions about how fairly they approach questions of law and order. Chief among them is Rutledge, who continues to lead the charge to carry out executions. A Donald Trump supporter whose father was the drug czar under former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, she came under criticism a few years ago after sending a shockingly racist email mocking black people in 2014. There were no consequences.





Racism has always helped decide who gets punished in Arkansas, and how. Three black men and one white man died in the Arkansas death house last April. Of all of them, Kenneth Williams undoubtedly had the most blood on his hands. But if no one cares to consider how he died, it is also because whitewashing torture has a long tradition in Arkansas prisons. State officials ignored their own grim history in their rush to execute last spring. By absolving itself of wrongdoing, Arkansas continues to repeat it.




Mauritanian prosecutors on Friday said they had appealed against a 2-year prison term served on a blogger who had earlier received a death sentence for blasphemy.





Cheikh Ould Mohamed Ould Mkheitir was given the 2-year term on Thursday by an appeals court in the northwest town of Nouadhibou.





"The prosecutors immediately filed an appeal to the Supreme Court" to ensure "a sound and rigorous application of the law," prosecutors there said in a statement.





Mkheitir has been in custody since January 2014 and thus was eligible for immediate release after Thursday's ruling . He was also fined $169. His whereabouts are not known.





A Muslim in his thirties, Mkheitir was sentenced to death in December 2014 over a blog which questioned decisions taken by the Prophet Mohammed and his companions during holy wars in the 7th century.





He also attacked the mistreatment of Mauritania's black population, blasting "an iniquitous social order" with an underclass that was "marginalised and discriminated against from birth."





His case has sparked outrage from rights activists but also fuelled demands for the death sentence to be carried out in the deeply conservative Muslim country.





On April 21 2016, the court of appeal confirmed the death penalty, but reclassified the crime from blasphemy to "unbelieving," for which the punishment is less if the defendant repents.





The case was then sent to the Supreme Court, which on January 31 this year sent it back to the appeals court "in order to correct mistakes made," without elaboration.





Thursday's decision in favour of a jail term sparked scenes of outrage in court and fresh demands for the blogger to be executed.





Appeals were launched on social media for Friday to be observed as a "day of anger."





Security was beefed up in sensitive areas in the capital Nouakchott after weekly Friday afternoon prayers.





Capital punishment in Mauritania, a vast, mainly desert state in west Africa, is usually reserved for murder and acts of terrorism.





According to Amnesty, Mauritania last executed a prisoner in 1987.





Mkheitir on Wednesday told judges that he had "uncovered mistakes in his article" which he "immediately corrected in another article.





He also expressed "every repentance and apologies" and assured the court of his "faith in Allah and his prophet".

 | Report an error, an omission, a typo; suggest a story or a new angle to an existing story; submit a piece, a comment; recommend a resource; contact the webmaster, contact us: deathpenaltynews@gmail.com



Opposed to Capital Punishment? Help us keep this blog up and running! DONATE!





"One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed,

but by the punishments that the good have inflicted." -- Oscar Wilde

news24.com, November 11, 2017
The spotlight is on digital and CIOs are uniquely positioned to lead this digital change. How can they up their game and play a pivotal role in shaping their organizations digital agendas?

Introduction

Learn More Explore the CIO Insider collection

Digital technologies impact nearly every organization, regardless of industry, market, or geography. Two-thirds (67 percent) of the 1,217 CIOs who participated in Deloittes 20162017 Global CIO Survey say that digital is the technology area that will have the most impact on their businesses in the next two years.1

Some organizations are disrupting through digital, while others are being disrupted. Three times as many participants in the 2017 MIT Sloan Management Review/Deloitte Digital Business Global Executive Studywhich surveys more than 3,500 participantssay they are using digital to do business in fundamentally new and different ways rather than to simply do what weve always done, but faster and cheaper.2 Each organizations response to digital disruption will be unique to their business strategy.

CIOs technology experience can position them to lead digital change if they can also contribute to business strategy development, leverage ecosystems, create talent and culture models that disrupt the status quo, and use technology to change long-standing revenue models and operational structures across business functions. Yet CIOs are not always the only digital leaders in an organizationcomplex environments can require them to support or partner with others.

This CIO Insider explores the CIOs role in leading, shaping, and managing the digital business. Leveraging Deloittes 2017 Global Human Capital Trends report, which identifies three types of digital leaders,3 we surmise that CIOs can contribute to the organizations digital agenda by stepping up in one or more of three areas, depending on business priorities: strategy, ecosystem, and transformation.

CIOs are uniquely positioned to drive digital

CIOs are uniquely positioned to balance the demands of business transformation and constraints of technology capabilities. Yet, many are often too busy to give digital change the attention it needs to be successful.

CIOs have the technology expertise, but to drive and support their organizations digital agendas, they likely will also need the skills to build cross-functional teams; keep people connected and engaged; and create cultures of innovation, risk tolerance, and continuous improvement. CIOs have the appropriate personality traits and work styles to take on the digital leader role, as an analysis of data from two separate studies shows. Participants in the 2017 Digital Business Study identified the top leadership attributes needed to drive digital business transformations as an experimentation mind-set (61 percent), risk-taking attitude (55 percent), and willingness to speak out (36 percent).4 These characteristics track closely with CIO personality traits and business acumen identified in the 20162017 Global CIO Survey81 percent of CIOs are early technology adopters, 75 percent are risk tolerant, and 75 percent tolerate confrontation (figure 1).5

CIOs are uniquely positioned to balance the demands of business transformation and constraints of technology capabilities.

CIOs tasked with leading digital agendas leverage these traitsin combination with their considerable technology expertiseto think, act, and react differently and help their organizations succeed.6 By applying Deloittes digital leadership model7 to CIOs and their role in the digital agenda, we find that CIOs can emerge as digital leaders in their organizations by stepping up and demonstrating that they can:

Drive strategy by leading or significantly contributing to their organizations digital business strategies. CIOs can be disrupters who understand the business context deeply and are instrumental in developing digital capabilities to enhance top-line growth and revenue. Their experience may enable them to lead emerging business functions or strategic innovation initiatives. Build ecosystems and embrace the venture capital mind-set by uncovering opportunities, forging partnerships, and building business ecosystems that foster innovation. CIOs can invest in building digital capabilities by going beyond in-house resources. They orchestrate capabilities from across the ecosystem, which can include a diverse mix of small-scale organizations, such as venture capital and private equity firms, start-ups, innovation hubs, and business schools. Transform business and help their organizations deal with radical changes and complex business transformation efforts by supplying the technologies and capabilities to enable those change efforts. Often, the majority of a CIOs digital responsibilities fall in this area, which can be difficult to manage because of the cultural change required not only in IT, but also within the enterprise.

Drive strategy to navigate around the digital iceberg

Some business leaders mistakenly believe digital is their business strategy. In reality, although digital efforts support and enable business strategy, they cannot replace it. Thirty-nine percent of participants in the 2017 Digital Business Study say their organization needs to improve strategy and innovation to reach its ideal digital state. 8

However, a majority of CIOs are still not focusing on strategy. According to the 20162017 Global CIO Survey, only 34 percent of CIOs say they are currently playing a strategic role in their organizations. These CIOs spend a majority of their time driving business strategy, leading innovation initiatives, and enabling business change to help ensure effective strategy execution. Perhaps because they are focused on developing and executing strategy, they are also able to influence and establish strong relationships with other C-suite and functional leaders across the enterprise to drive a cohesive cross-functional digital strategy. One of their primary goals is to fuse technology with business strategy.9

Only 34 percent of CIOs say they are currently playing a strategic role in their organizations.10

Research has shown the importance of establishing and maintaining a cross-functional digital strategy. Nearly half (47 percent) of those surveyed in the 2017 Digital Business Study agree or strongly agree that management structure and practices interfere with the organizations ability to engage in digital business successfully.11 For example, within a single organization, many business leaders may have different expectations of the businesss digital agenda, framed in the context of the expectations and priorities of their individual business functions: The chief operating officer (COO) wants to digitize the supply chain through the Internet of Things (IoT); the chief marketing officer (CMO) makes digital bets on artificial intelligence (AI) and omnichannel customer engagement; the chief financial officers (CFOs) digital wish list includes financial analytics and blockchain; and so on. These discrete user-facing digital tools and technologies can be thought of as the tip of the digital iceberg (see the sidebar, The digital iceberg for more details).

CIOs valuable technology perspective provides them with the unique opportunity to proactively focus on an enterprise-wide digital strategy. The VP of marketing of a financial services organization that is working on a horizontal digital approach told us, Within the C-suite, we realize that you have to have an end-to-end view of digital across all the different functional areas and theres a sense of urgency around that. Each one of the functional leaders needs to look at their role differently, and you need to have a good strategy that clearly lays out goals and objectives.12

As president of emerging business technologies and global CIO at Merck, Clark Golestani is responsible for the biopharmaceutical companys portfolio of digital health services and solutions companies, including its venture and equity funds. Golestanis previous experience in venture investment enables him to be deeply involved in the oversight of Mercks venture fund, which has invested in more than 40 health tech companies. Fundamentally Merck is a biopharma company driven by therapeutics, but there is a recognition that the business of the future is going to be more health tech-enabled than not, he says. We have opportunities in other spaces that can help us leverage health technology and prepare for future disruption.13

Build ecosystems to foster rapid innovation

To execute their digital strategies, some organizations may require capabilities and resources that cannot be quickly cultivated internally. Ecosystems can create scale when IT has a resource deficiency, and their support can often help CIOs shift their attention to more strategic activities.

CIOs can contribute to the digital agenda by building capabilities in concert with ecosystem partners. To do this, the CIO focuses on investing in and orchestrating the business ecosystem to drive and support the digital agenda. This likely requires the business ecosystem to expand beyond traditional vendors, suppliers, and other collaboratorsalthough these relationships remain criticalto include innovation labs, technology hubs, business incubators and accelerators, venture capitalist and private equity firms, start-ups, universities, and other organizations that foster rapid innovation.

For example, one large health insurer collaborated with a local health technology incubator to assist health tech start-ups. Through mentoring, roundtable discussions, and other engagement opportunities, the insurer helps entrepreneurs and start-ups design and launch products that tackle some of health cares most vexing challenges. In exchange, the insurer gains access to technologies that can help its customers.14

Irelands Ulster Bank partnered with a provider of co-working space and other companies to create a Dublin-based innovation hub and business accelerator that supports fintech and other start-ups. Ulster Bank uses the environment to integrate with the broader technology ecosystem, including partnering with others to build new products and solutions for the banking sector.15 The bank recently validated a blockchain pilot project there.16 From an ecosystem point of view, weve placed a stake in the ground, deliberately positioning ourselves in the center of Dublins fintech ecosystem, says Robin Marshall, CIO of Ulster Bank. It has created a lot of advocacy for what Ulster Bank is trying to do in fintech, and I believe it will help us on the talent front moving forward.17

In some organizations, the CIOs ecosystem includes end users. For example, global health care services and products company Cardinal Health established Fuse, an innovation center near its Ohio headquarters where its engineers, creative designers, and scientists work together with pharmacists, physicians, and even patients to understand issues and design and test solutions. Both customers and employees suggest ideas that are screened and tested using agile one-week sprints. Its not just about bringing people in, says Brent Stutz, senior vice president of commercial technologies and chief technology officer of Fuse at Cardinal Health. It is about getting them out and observing.18

A set of collaborators with diverse skills and capabilities is likely critical. CIOs may be challenged to think past traditional external ecosystem members. Those who are uncertain about collaborating with small, emerging, or low-profile organizations may need to extend beyond their comfort zone by seeking new ecosystem partners to discover new ideas, source or acquire new capabilities, and build out digital skills.

One CIO who had in the past relied on a single vendor as a one-stop shop to assist in project execution recalibrated his ecosystem to include multiple collaborators. Now we have a wider range of suppliers and partners and a much broader set of capabilities to choose from, he says. Weve made room at the table for many more voices and ideas.19

CIOs have a lot of room for growth in developing ecosystems, according to the 20162017 Global CIO Survey. Less than a third (31 percent) of those surveyed say that leveraging ecosystems and partners is a core organizational capability that is essential to their success,20 and about the same percentage (32 percent) describe their IT teams capability in this area as leading or excellent.21

Thirty-one percent of CIOs surveyed say that leveraging ecosystems and partners is a key ability of a successful technology leader.22

Transform business to support digital business

Often CIOs must manage massive change to support digital change. It would be a mistake to categorize this change as operational. On the contrary, CIOs who support business transformation only spend 18 percent of their time on operations; about 41 percent of their time is spent leading change efforts.23 Although this is likely the most common digital leadership scenario that CIOs will face, only 11 percent of participants in the 20162017 Global CIO Survey say that they have taken on this role. Sixty-one percent of these transformation-focused CIOs say they took on the role to deliver digital capabilities to their organizations.24

Valvolines CIO and chief digital officer (CDO) Victor Rios is responsible for all of the companys IT initiatives, as well as digital marketing, e-commerce, mobile technologies, and the digital ecosystem. Since he took on the role in June 2016, Rios has been heads-down driving internal transformation to support the consumer goods companys digital strategy. Projects include the standardization and automation of platforms across the corporate organization and its retailers and an upgrade of capabilities for e-commerce, customer e-learning, and security. These capabilities arent always considered digital, but theyre required for digital strategy to be successful, he says. Even these types of foundational changes require cross-functional cultural acceptance and change. Many companies, especially those that didnt grow up during the age of the Internet, have to make a very big mind shift.25

Only 11 percent of participants in the 20162017 Global CIO Survey say they spend their time leading change efforts.26

Because the digital agenda likely has multiple owners, CIOs often must cultivate strong collaborative relationships with other business and functional leaders. CIOs are responsible for delivering technologies to help these leaders transform work processes that are often decades oldfor example, connecting with CMOs to enable customer-centric technologies or COOs to implement the IoT. CIOs also typically provide business transformation and collaboration tools to all business areas to improve information access and decision-making across the enterprise.

At Johnson & Johnsons Consumer Products Division, CIO Jeff Steinhorn and CMO Alison Lewis work in close partnership on digital strategy. Theres so much technology thats driving marketing, says Steinhorn. Between the digital evolution and the analytics evolution, [the CMO and CIO] have to work together to leapfrog ahead.27 Lewis concurs. Very early in my career, IT represented the people who fixed your computer. Now IT is a competitive advantage, she says. We are dealing with disruption from e-commerce and technology. So the CIO and I partner more closely than ever before.28

As Debora Tomlin, CMO of CSAA Insurance Group explains, Ill never be the person who makes decisions or purchases for technology or manufacturingthats the CIO. But when it comes to user experience requirements, customer perspective, channel capability, etc., there needs to be a partnership between the CMO, someone in the business, and the CIO.29
The ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine must be brought to an end, said U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations Kurt Volker. More than ten thousand people have been killed and two million more have been displaced since Russian-led forces attempted to take over eastern Ukraine in 2014.

Over the past several months, the U.S. has been deeply engaged in figuring out ways to implement the Minsk agreements which laid out a path for the parties to end the conflict.

The problem has been a stalemate, said Mr. Volker, with the Russian side saying the Ukrainians are not implementing the political steps required under Minsk, and the Ukrainians saying that with the continuing violence, the ceasefire violations and the occupation of the territory, they cannot physically do so.

Special Representative Volker said there are two key building blocks to a possible resolution which the U.S. is exploring, along with the countries in the so-called Normandy process  Germany, France, Russia, and Ukraine. The first is that Russia says it supports the restoration of Ukraines territorial integrity and sovereignty through the Minsk agreements. The second is the proposal the Russians made in September for a UN peacekeeping force in eastern Ukraine.

The Russian proposal was to deploy UN peacekeepers only on the line of conflict and only to protect the OSCE monitors. Mr. Volker said the Russian initiative must be developed further in order for a peacekeeping force to be effective: It would really need to control the entire contested area, to be responsible for the cantonment and the monitoring of heavy weapons, and to control the Ukrainian side of the Ukraine-Russia border.

If the peacekeeping force could truly oversee security in the territory, Mr. Volker said, that would be a way forward to then get back on track with Minsk implementation, which is the objective.

The Russians seem to be exploring the option of such a force. But it does not mean they have come to a decision, said Mr. Volker. If they want to get out [of eastern Ukraine]We would be happy to help. We want to see this resolved. What stands, he added, are the U.S. objectives regarding Ukraine: the restoration of Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity and the safety and security of all Ukrainian citizens regardless of nationality, ethnicity or religion.
About 2.7 million students have chosen to learn Spanish as a second language in the past decade. CRAIG ABRAHAM (GETTY IMAGES)

Australia needs Spanish teachers. The Spanish embassy in the country made a call for teaching staff on October 29, with the intention of filling a series of vacancies for non-permanent positions, both full-time and as substitute teachers, during the 2017/2018 academic year. Educators who meet the requirements must send in applications by early afternoon November 13.

Teachers who meet the requirements may send applications until November 13

Centers are looking for teachers who specialize in elementary school, early childhood education, foreign languages, music and physical education. Those wishing to teach high school are required to have a specialization in physics and chemistry, math, English, technology and electronic systems. The embassy also made a call for vocational training teachers with specializations in electronics.

In addition, applicants must meet a series of requirements, such as having Spanish nationality or being a native of any of the member states of the European Union, not being currently employed by the government, having at least one year of experience, and being fluent in English.

Spanish has been expanding globally in an evident way. By 2050, the United States will have the largest number of Spanish speakers of any country. As a result, a growing number of countries are demanding more Spanish teachers in their classrooms. In France for example, in September of last year, following a high school education reform, the demand for Spanish-speaking educators skyrocketed. The country needed an additional 1,000 teachers to cover the increasing demand.

Throughout the world, about 2.7 million students have chosen to learn Spanish as a second language in the past decade

Throughout the world, about 2.7 million students have chosen to learn Spanish as a second language in the past decade. The number of Spanish nationals in France is approaching a quarter of a million. There are only 20,000 Spaniards in Australia, but there has been a 5% increase in the last year, according to the latest data published by Spains National Institute for Statistics (INE). In terms of fluent Spanish speakers in Australia, the number surpasses 100,000 people, according to the Cervantes Institute.

Interested parties can apply via the Ministry of Educations website until Tuesday November 13 at 2pm, Spanish mainland time.

English version by Debora Almeida.
Soler and Grinyo leaving the Ecuadorian embassy in London on November 9.

Oriol Soler, a Catalan entrepreneur and publisher who has been one of the leading ideologues of the secessionist movement, met with Julian Assange on November 9.

Soler himself has confirmed to EL PAIS that the four-hour meeting with the WikiLeaks founder took place inside the Ecuadorian embassy in London, where the activist has been taking refuge for more than five years to avoid extradition to the United States.

Through social media, Assange has disseminated thousands of messages and disinformation supporting the Catalan independence drive.

The goal of the WikiLeaks founder is not so much helping Catalonia achieve independence as using it as a destabilizing tool

Spanish Foreign Minister Alfonso Dastis said there is plenty of evidence that Soler and other individuals are trying to intervene, manipulate and affect what should be the natural democratic course of events in Catalonia.

Dastis made this statement right before walking into a meeting of ministers in Brussels to discuss, among other things, Russian interference in European democratic processes.

Soler denied that his meeting with the highly influential cyberactivist was meant to pave the way for the communication campaign ahead of the December 21 election in Catalonia. Even though secessionists have described this early election as illegitimate, based on the fact that it was called by Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy using emergency powers under Article 155 of the Constitution, they have nevertheless embraced it in a bid to turn the vote into a show of force.

Assanges name cropped up in connection with Catalonia in late August, when he began to post tweets criticizing Enric Hernandez, the editor of the Catalan daily El Periodico, which ran an exclusive revealing that US intelligence services had warned the Catalan government about the risk of a Jihadist attack on Barcelonas popular Rambla thoroughfare  where an act of terrorism took place on August 17.

Since then, the cyber-activist has been intensely involved in the secessionist crisis, posting disinformation supporting the independence drive and attacking the Spanish government.

On November 9, Soler walked into 3, Hans Crescent, which is the world-famous hideout of a man wanted by the US justice system for leaking thousands of secret diplomatic cables through the website WikiLeaks. Soler was in the company of Andreu Grinyo, who is marketing director for the online supermarket Ulabox, an expert in online communication campaigns, and a supporter of the Catalan independence movement.

All three talked for around four hours, between 5pm and 9pm Spanish time.

Asked about the content of the meeting, Soler gave the following answer: We Catalans have also suffered electronic and physical espionage, censorship, judicial irregularities, arrests, extradition attempts, prison, exile, financial blockades, fake news, counter-propaganda, just like Julian Assange, and we shared our vision of the moment.

Soler has had intense ties with the Catalan secessionist movement for many years. He was one of the founders of a newspaper called Ara  which he currently has no link to  and he heads SOM, a cultural cooperative that owns a producer named Batabat. It was Batabat that came up with the Help Catalonia. Save Europe video that was shared on social media by the pro-independence civic association Omnium Cultural. In it, an actress adopted a melodramatic tone to make a series of inaccurate statements about police action during the unconstitutional referendum of October 1. The video has since been widely parodied by everyone ranging from Catalan non-nationalists to Andalusians.

Destroying the institutions

Soler is a key member of a group that has been working behind the scenes to design secessionist strategy in Catalonia. It was he who led the communication campaign for the non-binding referendum held on November 9, 2014, and it was also Soler who headed the promotional work for the October 1 vote this year.

He is also credited with the effort of bringing together disparate political forces under the shared goal of secession: the center-right PDeCAT, the Catalan Republican Left (ERC) and the far-left, anti-establishment CUP.

The goal of the WikiLeaks founder is not so much helping Catalonia achieve independence as using it as a destabilizing tool to further his own goal of triggering a generalized social revolution that will destroy national state institutions and lead to a new model of society. Assange described it himself on September 26 in a video conference that was organized by pro-independence university movements and by young political activists at Barcelona University.

This clash of Catalans with the Spanish state is a determining factor in the history of the West, he said to an audience of around 300. Where Catalonia goes, other states will follow.

English version by Susana Urra.
Educational exposure of ideas, assumptions or hypotheses, based on proven facts" (which need not be strictly current affairs) Value in judgments are excluded, and the text comes close to an opinion article, without judging or making forecasts , just formulating hypotheses, giving motivated explanations and bringing together a variety of data

Demonstration in Barcelona calling for sacked Catalan ministers to be released. Massimiliano Minocri

Ivan (@Ivan226622) is smiling in his Twitter profile picture. He is seated at a table in a busy restaurant with three women. By way of introduction, he says: I love technology and business news...please join me now! :)

Since signing up to the social media platform in November 2012, Ivan has tweeted 597,000 times, or an average of 326 times a day. He has 1,323 followers. Then there is Rick (@rickrick888). Rick describes himself as the Lion Of Judah; he joined Twitter in March 2009 and has tweeted an average of 198 messages a day since then. He has 1,905 followers. Finally, there is Bobbit (@bobbit2266) who says he lives in The Universe, and who joined Twitter back in October 2009. He has 1,473 followers and sends out an average of 143 tweets a day.

But theres a hitch. Although Ivan, Rick and Bobbit all look like different people with real lives, they all tweet about the same thing at the same times. Their messages go out 24 hours a day and their sources are always the same: mainly the Russian news outlets RT and Sputnik. And from September 29 to October 9, the three Twitter profiles each tweeted out 139 news items about Catalonia created by RT and Sputnik, the majority of them attacking the institutions of the Spanish state.

The advent of social media has caused a political earthquake, the consequences of which are worrying and still impossible to predict

Ivan, Rick and Bobbit are all "zombies." They are part of an online army of robot profiles, who, armed with gasoline canisters brimming with fake news, stalk social media and fan the flames of debate as ordered by their generals. At the beginning of October, this army went to work on the issue of Catalan independence. Evidence shows a total of 87% of the 65 accounts who most shared RT and Sputnik content were automated. Those accounts helped ensure that Russian news outlets were the fourth most influential in the digital conversation about Catalonia.

The economic and institutional crisis that struck  above all  Europe, the Middle East and the United States in 2008 led to traumatic damage to the social contract that linked citizens with their public institutions and it seriously damaged public trust in traditional media.

Over three years, ISIS communicated more, and better, than any other public institution or multilateral organization

This understandable and justifiable citizen discontent provoked by the economic crisis, the cuts to public services and the emergence of countless cases of political corruption coincided with a technological revolution that changed the way public opinion was created.

Institutions, governments, and traditional media outlets have lost the monopoly on the creation and distribution of effective, hegemonic messages aimed at citizens. Any person, organization, group or movement can now compete with governments and established media groups when it comes to the design and distribution of messages and feelings, and even new identity alignments.

However, the many positive consequences of the democratization of public debate are being overshadowed by the systematic, deceitful and undercover use being made of the new communication platforms to deliberately cause negative disruption in the systems of government, in institutions and even in businesses: all of this is being done to deepen the crisis of confidence among citizens and accelerate the collapse of the social contract on which the legitimacy of nation states is founded.

States and businesses must ensure the drug of disinformation does not alter the basic rules of the democratic system

In the same way that the invention of the printing press in the 15th century led to radical changes in governance and gave birth to the modern age, the advent of new information technologies and of social media has caused a political earthquake, the consequences of which are worrying and still impossible to predict.

The legitimate frustration of millions of citizens with their institutions, the collapse of the social contract and the telecommunications revolution have created a perfect storm that has led, at the beginning of the 21st century, to the resurgence of nationalism, populism and religious extremism in the heart of liberal democracies.

It is impossible to explain, for example, the astonishing rise of the so-called Islamic State (ISIS) without analyzing the campaign of digital disruption that saw 35,000 young people from 100 countries around the world seduced by an emotional and culturally familiar narrative  a message given mass distribution and targeted at different audience segments. The campaign involved the distribution of 1,500 professional videos in three years. Some 35 audiovisual producers were involved as were hundreds of thousands of troll accounts on social media. Over the course of three years, the Caliphate communicated more, and better, than any other public institution or multilateral organization.

The elite units of a global confrontation heading toward war are scriptwriters and community managers. The resurgence of new extremisms, nationalisms and populisms is based on the creation of epic, Manichean, and sentimental narratives where the idea of victim-hood is critical. At the same time, they are based on half-truths that channel and provide simple answers to the legitimate discontent felt by people. These narratives  more focused on boosting discontent than providing solutions  are published on networks with little credibility and then distributed by digital profiles that are often working in the trenches of anonymity or form part of the legion of zombies controlled by robots.

The elite units of a global confrontation heading toward war are scriptwriters and community managers

The scenario sketched by the Chinese generals Qiao Liang and Wang Xiangsui in their definition of unrestricted warfare is now coming true, even down to the fine print.

We can mention a series of means and news methods used to carry out a non-military war. Some of these methods already exist, but others will exist in the future," the two generals write. These new means and methods include psychological warfare (spreading rumors that intimidate the enemy and destroy their spirit) and communication warfare (manipulating what people see and hear to lead public opinion), they add.

The survival of the modern nation state and liberal democracies depends above all on the public institutions regaining the trust of citizens and reinstating the social contract. Political parties and governments must take a brave and effective lead in the fight on corruption and make sure that progress leaves no citizen behind. At the same time, governments and civil society must prepare themselves to fight the unrestricted warfare of misinformation carried out by zombies such as Ivan, Rick and Bobbit.

The citizen discontent provoked by the economic crisis coincided with a technological revolution that changed the way public opinion was created

The former director of the CIA James Woolsey, in Ion Mihai Pacepas book Disinformation, quotes words ascribed to former KGB director Yuri Andropov: Disinformation is like cocaine  sniff once or twice, it may not change your life. If you use it every day, though, it will make you an addict  a different man.

State institutions, states and businesses must adapt to ensure that the drug of disinformation does not contaminate and alter the basic rules of the democratic system. The supervising, monitoring and counteracting of external actions designed to erode confidence in public institutions through half-truths, hoaxes, confusion and the use of false or non-existent sources is also a priority.

Javier Lesaca is a visiting scholar at the School of Media and Public Affairs at George Washington University.
By PTI: Jammu, Nov 13 (PTI) Over 50 residents of Pakistan- occupied Kashmir (PoK) travelled by a cross-LoC bus to reach Jammu and Kashmirs Poonch district today, officials said.

The bus service had on November 6 resumed operations after remaining suspended for nearly four months owing to heavy shelling by Pakistani troops along the Line of Control in Poonch district.

advertisement

"As many as 54 PoK residents travelled to this side through Chakan-Da-Bagh. The bus plied empty from this side," the officials said.

After resumption of the service last week, only 20 PoK residents had travelled by the bus.

The bus service was suspended on July 10 after heavy shelling by Pakistan which also forced suspension of the trade which usually takes place for four days a week beginning Tuesday.

The trade also resumed between the two sides last week following a meeting between senior civil officials from Poonch and PoK near on November 3.

The bus service was started along the Srinagar- Muzaffarabad road in April 2005 and the Poonch-Rawalakot route on June 20, 2006 to facilitate trade and travel between Jammu and Kashmir and PoK.

The trade between the two parts of Kashmir started in October 2008 on the barter system. PTI TAS AB HMB GVS

--- ENDS ---
France's foreign ministry suggested on Monday that new sanctions could be imposed on Iran if needed over its ballistic missile program, Reuters reports.

Iran rejected on Sunday a call by French President Emmanuel Macron for talks on Tehran's ballistic missiles, saying they were defensive and unrelated to a nuclear agreement with world powers.

"As you know, the European Union has already placed sanctions on Iranian entities involved in the ballistic program," foreign ministry spokeswoman Agnes Romatet-Espagne said.

She was responding when asked to clarify comments made by Macron during a trip to the United Arab Emirates last week about the prospects of possible sanctions with regard to those activities.

"If needed, new sanctions could be taken," she said.

During his visit to the region on, Macron accused Iran on November 9 of supplying the missile fired at Saudi Arabia days earlier. "There are extremely strong concerns about Iran. There are negotiations we need to start on Iran's ballistic missiles" Macron had said.

The United States had already accused Iran on of supplying Yemen's Houthi rebels with the missile that was fired into Saudi Arabia in July and called for the United Nations to hold Tehran accountable for violating two U.N. Security Council resolutions.

The U.S. Air Force also announced last week that the missile fired at Riyadh recently was an Iranian missile.

Saudi Arabia and its allies accuse Iran of supplying missiles and other weapons to the Houthis, saying the arms were not present in Yemen before conflict broke out there in 2015. Iran denies the charges and blames the conflict on Riyadh.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian will be in the Saudi capital later this week and intends to travel to Iran before the end of the month.

"The political dialogue between France and Iran is active and makes it possible to address all topics, including strategic and regional issues," Romatet-Espagne said. "Mr Le Drian will have a firm dialogue when he goes to Iran."

Reporting by Reuters
Imprisoned labor rights activist Mahmoud Salehi was transferred to the central prison in the city of Saqqez on November 11 despite doctors saying his health is too fragile.

Salehis wife, Najiba, who acts as the spokeswoman for the committee petitioning for his freedom, has accused Irans justice department and Intelligence Ministry of joining hands to do their best to stop granting Salehi medical furlough.

Security agents arrested Salehi on October 29 to commence his one-year prison sentence but five days later he was taken to the hospital in Saqqez for heart failure.

Meanwhile, Salehis family, citing local cardiologists, say the labor activist needs an advanced medical facility and should be transferred to a better-equipped hospital in Tabriz, Tehran, or Urmia.

Salehis son, Sarmand, had earlier told Radio Farda that his 45-year-old father has had two previous heart operations this year.

Salehi is a baker from the city of Saqqez in Kurdestan Province. He is one of the founders of the Coordinating Committee of Labor Organization and has been arrested several times for allegedly organizing strikes and launching labor rights movements.

My father lost his kidneys during the last detention in 2015, but now we are really worried for his life, Sarmand told the Iran Human Rights Monitor.

Iranian officials have not yet responded to the allegation.

Reportedly, Salehi was watched by three prison guards who had shackled and handcuffed him as he was bedbound in the hospital.

Salehi, who suffers from diabetes and lost his kidneys while imprisoned at the Intelligence Ministrys detention center in the city of Sanandaj, regularly needs dialysis.

Seven Iranian labor associations have joined international human rights institutions in condemning the humiliating treatment. In a joint statement, they called upon the Iranian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release the labor activist.

The topmost executive and judiciary authorities will be responsible for any possible harm to Salehis health, they said.

Meanwhile, 536 Iranian labor, teachers, and social activists signed a statement protesting what they call inhuman behavior.

Pictures of Salehi and another prisoner of conscience, Mohammad Nazari, handcuffed and shackled on their hospital beds triggered a widespread wave of criticism on social media.

It is regrettable that Iranian officials, instead of immediately releasing Salehi and Nazari, have treated them as criminals, persecuting, humiliating, and tying them to their beds, AIs researcher for Iran-related cases, Raha Bahreini, told Radio Farda.

In a letter to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) General-Secretary Sharan Burrow also voiced her deep concern over Salehis deteriorating health.

Salehi should not be returned to prison and all charges against him must be canceled, she wrote.

In an interview with Radio Farda, ITUC Iranian consultant Mehdi Kouhestaninejad insisted Salehis case is being watched closely.

Referring to the pictures of Salehi in his hospital bed, Kouhestaninejad criticized what he branded as Irans boundless cruelty toward labor activists.

Despite the ruling systems constant attempts to scare off workers and labor activists from demanding their absolute rights, we have recently witnessed a significant increase in the number of labor protest rallies, he said.

Kouhestaninejad said the number of attempts to launch independent and nongovernmental labor unions in Iran has also increased in recent months, which, by itself, shows that Iran has failed in its systematic efforts to scare off workers.

Irans government has apparently decided to avoid commenting on the recent labor developments so far.
Saudi Arabia is set to host what it has called an expanded conference for the Syrian opposition this month, aiming to unify its position ahead of United Nations-backed peace talks, the state news agency SPA reported on Monday, November 13.

Apparently, Riyadh has already gained Moscows support for holding the three-day conference on 22-24 November, in Riyadh.

Earlier on November 8, the Russian foreign ministry had announced that Moscow supports Saudi Riyadhs efforts to form a unified delegation from the Syrian opposition to participate in the Geneva talks, the Russian news agency, TASS reported.

Saudi Arabia backs a grouping of anti-Assad figures called the High Negotiations Committee (HNC) led by Riyad Hijab, a former Syrian prime minister under Assad, Reuters reported on Monday.

The HNC has represented the Syrian opposition at previous Geneva talks. A number of other political opposition groups and figures backed by other countries including Russia and Egypt also exist.

The kingdom, a leading backer of Syrian rebels, supports an international agreement on the future of Syria but insists that President Bashar al-Assad should have no role in any transition to bring the war there to an end.

However, several rounds of U.N. talks in Geneva between the Damascus government and the opposition have made little progress, so far.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested on Monday that Israel would take military action in Syria whenever it sees fit as it seeks to ensure Iran-backed forces stay away from its territory.

Israel has long accused the Islamic Republic, its main enemy, of taking advantage of Syria's civil war to send its Islamic Revolution Guard Corps forces and its Lebanese Shiite ally Hezbollah into southern Syria, close to the border with the Jewish state.

While it has sought to avoid being dragged into the fighting in Syria, Israel has carried out dozens of air strikes aimed at what it has called preventing arms deliveries [from Iran] to Lebanese Hezbollah, which fights alongside Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces.

Israel was reportedly demanding a buffer zone in southern Syria near Israeli territory of some fifty kilometers (thirty miles), but an agreement reached last week between the United States, Russia and Jordan fell short of that demand, Israeli media said.

"I have made it clear to our friends, first of all in Washington and also to our friends in Moscow, that Israel will act in Syria -- including in southern Syria -- according to our understanding and according to our security needs," Netanyahu told senior members of his Likud party, according to a party statement. "This is what is happening, and this is what will continue to happen", Netanyahu cautioned.

The November 8 agreement between Jordan, the United States and Russia seeks to build on a ceasefire already in place in southwestern Syria.

On Saturday the Israeli military said it shot down a Syrian drone carrying out a reconnaissance mission over the Golan Heights, AFP reported.

"We will not allow the consolidation of a Shiite axis in Syria" as a base for operations against Israel, Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman said in a statement after the incident.

Later Monday, Netanyahu echoed his defense ministers position, while insisting that some of Israel's moderate Arab neighbors shared its concerns.

"We stand side by side with countries of the moderate camp in the Arab world, confronting radical Islam, no matter where it comes from, be it Iran, the Islamic State group or elsewhere," he asserted, without naming the countries.

"I think that this growing closeness and consultation is first and foremost good for security and ultimately for peace," he added.

"Iran knows very well, and everyone else should be aware, that we shall not agree to nor accept its military deployment in Syria," Netanyahu noted.

Based on reporting by Reuters and DPA
Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 13

By Elchin Mehdiyev  Trend:

Vice Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament Bahar Muradova told Trend Nov. 13 that the results of the OSCE Minsk Group's activity cannot be considered satisfactory.

"It looks like the OSCE Minsk Group is busy fulfilling its mission, since much is said about the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, numerous trips and meetings are organized, however, if one evaluates the results of the groups activity, for sure it cannot be considered satisfactory," she said.

Muradova stressed that if no concrete result is achieved in the conflict settlement, Azerbaijan will naturally be dissatisfied with the activity of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs.

Therefore, the Azerbaijani delegation to the OSCE PA once more specifically expressed its position at a meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council, Muradova said.

She noted that the relevance of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict attracts even more attention after the developments around the Kurdish autonomy of Iraq as well as Spain's Catalonia.

It should be noted that during a regular meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council, the Azerbaijani delegation made a statement that Azerbaijan expects the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs to take effective steps to intensify the negotiations on settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

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, Nov. 13

By Rufiz Hafizoglu  Trend:

The settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict may be included in the agenda of the bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Turkish media quoted countrys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as saying Nov. 13.

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 the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu
Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 13

Trend:

Representatives of the International Eurasia Press Fund (IEPF) have exposed the lies of Armenians as they attended the discussions held on the sidelines of the Geneva Peace Week at the UN Office in Geneva, the Fund said Nov. 13.

The peace building ideas, conflict resolution and the role of civil society in this process were the key topics for discussion.

The IEPF President Umud Mirzayev, Vice President Ramil Azizov, Assistant to the President of the IEPF Anastasia Lavrina and the IEPF permanent representative in Geneva Michael Montafi provided an insight into the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace Platform.

During his stay at the UN headquarters in Geneva, the IEPF President Mirzayev held various meetings on the prospects of strengthening the role of civil society in the peaceful settlement of the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The IEPF representatives shared information about the peace platform with different audiences.

The conference titled "The Ravages of War in Syria on Refugees" organized by the "Armenian Relief Society" was one of the events organized as part of the Geneva Peace Week. Using the theme about the problems of women-refugees from Syria, the organizers traditionally spoke of the murders of Armenians during the Ottoman Empire, violence and the so-called Armenian "genocide". Moderators were trying to draw the audience's attention to the false facts, such as that they are incredibly sensitive to aggression, that they recognize the rights of all minorities for justice restoration; however, their arguments have not received support of the audience.

After the moderator announced the beginning of discussion about the Syrian refugees, the assistant to the president of the IEPF Anastasia Lavrina mentioned the dirty intentions of Armenia to move refugees from Syria to more sensitive conflict zone, to Nagorno-Karabakh, which is contrary to the norms of international law. "What is the necessity of placing the Syrian Armenians, not in Armenia itself, but in the region of Nagorno-Karabakh?" she asked. Representatives of the so-called "Armenian Relief Society" rejected this question, saying: "We are not aware of these facts, our organization is located in New York and we do not interfere in the policy of the Armenian government."

Their unreasonable arguments were met with irony in the hall.

If one surfs the official website of this organization, one can see that the "Armenian Relief Society" calls Azerbaijan as an occupier, invader, aggressor and deadly enemy, despite the fact that it was the Armenian armed forces who in fact occupied 20 percent of the territory of Azerbaijan, which resulted in 1.2 million Azerbaijanis' becoming refugees and internally displaced persons. Since 1988, 270,000 Azerbaijanis have been deported from Armenia. Representatives of "Armenian Relief Society" urge the Armenian diaspora to render financial support to the separatists of Nagorno-Karabakh.

This organization basically supports extremism and separatism. What really interesting is why they were allowed to hold this meeting during Geneva Peace Week? Then it's all because of Armenian lobby. Armenians claim about their support to Syrian refugees, ask for money and pretend to be "peace supporters". In the "Armenian Relief Society" there are Armenians who represent them in Europe, Lebanon, the US, Armenia, Syria and Canada. Their activities are not aimed at peace building, but lead to the emergence of tension and inflaming of contradictions in the international law.

One of the head office coordinators is the head of the organization titled "Kindergaten in Artsakh"; however, during the conference, held in Geneva, they said that they do not know about the Syrian refugees being settled in Nagorno-Karabakh. How is this possible?

The international activity of the "Armenian Relief Society" is supervised by the ARS, Inc. Central Executive Board with personnel working in the International Office in Boston, USA, and by staff responsible for specific programs in New York, the Republic of Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.

Lala Demirchian Attarian is a daughter of the former head of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Ara Demirchian, known as "Dashnaktsutyun" nationalist party operating under the influence of Armenian Diaspora. This is the party that committed massacres in the 20th century against the people living in Azerbaijan.

The organization spreads out the militants' nationalist ideas in Javakheti, Akhalkalaki, Akhaltskha regions of Georgia as well as among the Armenian children under the umbrella of humanitarian assistance.

The contrast turns out: while the representatives of the International Eurasia Press Fund (IEPF), the organization based in Azerbaijan, spoke of supporting the peace platform between Armenia and Azerbaijan for the conflict resolution, the Armenian organization tried to promote its own interests and hide an important factor about the illegal resettlement of Syrian Armenian on the lands of Azerbaijan, occupied by the Armenian armed forces.

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, Nov. 13

Trend:

Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev has sent condolences to President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Hassan Rouhani.

"I was deeply saddened by the news of numerous human casualties and destructions as a result of a powerful earthquake in the west of your country," reads the message.

"I sincerely express my deepest condolences to the families and relatives of the victims, to all the people of Iran on behalf of myself and the people of Azerbaijan, wish recovery to the wounded and injured, and wish the immediate removal of consequences of the natural disaster. May Allah rest the souls of the dead in peace!" said Ilham Aliyev.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 13

Trend:

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a letter of condolences to Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq Haider al-Abadi.

I was deeply saddened by the news of heavy casualties and destructions as a result of a terrible earthquake that hit your country, President Aliyev told Iraqi PM in his letter.

On the occasion of this tragedy, on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan and on my own behalf, I extend my deepest condolences to you, families and loved ones of those who died, and all the people of Iraq, and wish those injured the swiftest possible recovery, and the soonest elimination of the consequences of the natural disaster. May Allah rest the souls of the dead in peace! added the president.
Shopping festivals are necessary for both young and experienced people involved in applied arts, said member of the Union of Artists of Azerbaijan, Honorable member of the Union of Artists of Georgia, laureate of the Union of Draughtsmen of Azerbaijan, laureate of the International Symposium on Ceramics Mir-Teymur Mammadov in his interview with the Baku Shopping Festivals website (www.bakushopfest.com).

He noted that the positive impact of this kind of festivals is the attraction of tourists to qualitative and inexpensive products.

The artist said that competently thought out event, carried out by professionals can bring financial profit.

And, of course, it can be developed in attracting tourists from all countries, he added.

Mir-Teymur Mammadov said that despite the fact that he does not personally participate in such events, he tries to help the organizers of such events in every possible way.

Only as an exception I can give my products for charitable purposes. In every possible way I help the organizers of such exhibitions with a charitable purpose with advice and involving young performers, said Mammadov.
Issues of further strengthening cooperation between Baku Higher Oil School (BHOS) and Halliburton company were discussed at a meeting of BHOS Rector Elmar Gasimov with Halliburton Senior Area Manager for Caspian West Darrell Lancaster. The company Government Relations Manager Anar Aliyev also attended the meeting.

Having welcomed the guests, the Rector told about main activities of the Higher School and said that this year was marked by a number of important events including inauguration of the BHOS new campus with participation of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and the first graduation ceremony. The Higher School also became a record holder for the number of Presidential scholars and students who earned 700 points at the entrance exams. As Elmar Gasimov reported, most of the graduates were already accepted for employment at leading international oil and gas companies including Halliburton. In his words, this would contribute to enhancement of cooperation between the Higher School and the company. The Rector also invited Darrell Lancaster to visit BHOS again and make a presentation on his professional career and management experience for the Higher School students.

As Halliburton Senior Area Manager for Caspian West Darrell Lancaster emphasized, the company attaches great importance to deepening partnership relations with the Baku Higher Oil School. The guests told that the BHOS students actively participated in the internship programs at Halliburton and the Higher School graduates proved to be talented young specialists. In their words, both BHOS interns and graduates are distinguished by deep professional knowledge, good practical skills, business qualities and responsible attitude to the work. Darrell Lancaster said that Halliburton is interested in enhancing mutually beneficial cooperation with the Higher School. He also expressed his gratitude to BHOS management for training highly qualified engineers for oil and gas industry in accordance with modern international standards.
By Parmita Uniyal: Hina Khan, TV's favourite bahu and one of the favourites to win Bigg Boss 11 has been making the right moves on the show ever since its premiere. From acing tasks, solving disputes to formulating strategies, she knows how to remain in the spotlight.

Of late, the actress has been facing a lot of criticism, and not without a reason. We feel that the Miss right of the house is going absolutely wrong, as far as her interactions with the female contestants in the house are going.

advertisement

Her misogynistic remarks are on the rise with each passing day.

Last night, when Shilpa remarked that Hina puts on a lot of makeup, the latter's retort didn't go unnoticed. "Hamare profession mein zaroorat padti hai. Aapki aadat chhoot gayi hogi shayad," (In our profession, it is a necessity. Maybe, you are not used to it anymore) she said, taking a jibe at Shilpa, who's out of work these days.

This is not the only statement Hina Khan has made against a female housemate. Here are some of the nasty things she has said against women on the show.

Mehzabi Siddiqui: When Mehzabi and Hina had a heated discussion on whether or not she had said that--aam aadmi have entered the house for free, that that's the reason they are not doing enough to save the prize money--Hina at one point of time refused to take the argument further by saying--"It's not my standard. I can't stoop to your level."

Shilpa Shinde: When Shilpa said that Hina uses a lot of makeup. Hina said this--"Hamare profession mein zaroorat padti hai. Aapki aadat chhoot gayi hogi shayad."

Arshi Khan: Hina made this shocking statement during a fight that the only way Arshi would get work outside the house is by tearing off her clothes.

Shilpa Shinde: When Shilpa couldn't read out the details of a task, Hina took a jibe at her poor English.

On South Indian heroines: This is what she said--"I know the South filmmakers want their heroines to gain weight and flaunt their bulging figures. I was offered two films which I refused because they asked me to gain weight."

Also when Dhinchak Pooja, the cringe pop sensation entered the house, Hina Khan was seen making fun of her in front of other housemates.

It's time Hina Khan realised that disrespecting the women in Bigg Boss 11 house could land her in deep trouble in the outside world.

--- ENDS ---
Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 13

By Anvar Mammadov  Trend:

Fuad Muradov, chairman of Azerbaijans parliamentary committee of youth and sports, has proposed to increase funding of political parties in the country.

Muradov was speaking Nov. 13 at a joint meeting of five parliamentary committees within discussion of Azerbaijans draft state budget for 2018 and the next three years.

He said that at present, it is necessary to revise the volume of funding of the parties represented in the Azerbaijani Parliament.

Today, the volume of funding of some non-governmental organizations working against Azerbaijan exceeds the volume of funding of political parties by five times, Muradov said.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 13

By Anvar Mammadov  Trend:

It is necessary to increase the number of judges in Azerbaijan, Gudrat Hasanguliyev, the countrys MP, said.

He was speaking Nov. 13 at a joint meeting of five parliamentary committees within discussion of Azerbaijans draft state budget for 2018 and the next three years.

He said that the number of judges in Azerbaijan should be doubled, and this measure can be financed at the expense of funds allocated for other spheres.

Today, the staff of judges in Azerbaijan totals 555 seats, 49 of which are currently vacant, said Hasanguliyev. The number of judges per 1,000 capita in Azerbaijan is significantly lower than in European countries.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 13

By Elchin Mehdiyev  Trend:

Budgetary financing of Azerbaijans cultural sphere in 2018 should be increased, Rafael Huseynov, chairman of the parliamentary committee for culture, said.

He was speaking Nov. 13 at a joint meeting of five parliamentary committees to discuss Azerbaijans draft state budget for 2018 and the next three years.

Huseynov added that the task of the state funding is not to save the cultural sphere from decay, but to further develop it.

The fate of music schools, theaters, in particular those in regions, depends on these funds, the MP noted. There are more than 2,800 libraries, the activity of which should be restored, and we must turn them into cultural centers."

"Attention to cultural sphere should be strengthened and this needs to be taken into account in the budget, Huseynov added.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 13

By Leyla Abdullayeva - Trend:

The Baku Transport Agency under the Azerbaijani Cabinet of Ministers has announced an open tender for maintenance and technical support services for a period of one year.

The cost of participation in the tender is 1,300 manats.

Account: AZ88CTRE00000000000008147701 Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) 1503112971 Bank: State Treasury Agency Code: 210005 TIN: 1401555071 Correspondent account: AZ41NABZ01360100000000003944 SWIFT: CTREAZ22

Bidders should submit the following documents:

- a written application for participation in the tender;

- a bank check on transfer of participation fee;

- tender proposal (must be valid for 30 days from the date of opening of the envelope);

- a one-percent bank guarantee (must be valid for 60 banking days from the date of opening of the envelope);

- a certificate on absence of tax arrears and other overdue obligations from the Ministry of Taxes of Azerbaijan;

- a copy of financial statement for the last one year of activity confirmed by tax authorities;

- a bank statement on financial condition for 2016;

- companys full name, legal status, charter, country of registration and details;

- certificates of origin and conformity to relevant goods;

- other documents.

Bidders must submit the abovementioned documents (excluding the tender proposal and bank guarantee) until 12:00 (GMT +4), November 21, 2017, and the tender proposal and a bank guarantee in a sealed envelope until 12:00, November 29, 2017 to: 111 Ziya Bunyadov Street, Baku, Azerbaijan.

Tender envelopes will be opened at 12:00 on Nov. 30, 2017.

For additional information please call: (+994 12) 404-41-20 (ext. 4785)

Contact person: Tural Mahmudov

(1.7002 manats = 1 USD on Nov. 13)
Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 13

Trend:

A delegation led by Mr. Oscar Stenstrom, State Secretary to the Minister for EU Affairs and Trade, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Sweden visited the leading mobile communication provider of Azerbaijan  Azercell Telecom LLC on November 8th, 2017. The main intention of the visit was comprehensive insight into the business and development perspectives of Azercell- the company, which represents the largest Swedish investment in Azerbaijan.

The State Secretary Mr. Oscar Stenstrom and Ms. Ingrid Tersman, Ambassador of Sweden to the Republic of Azerbaijan met with Azerell management team, led by Mr. Vahid Mursaliyev, CEO of Azercell Telecom LLC.

Azercells CEO, Mr. V. Mursaliyev expressed his gratitude for the visit of official delegation and stressed the importance of strong business ties and work experience between Azercell and its main investors Telia Comany, which contributed a lot in the sustainable development of the company. Swedish telecom giant and Azercells main investor Telia Company was represented on the meeting by Mr. Kjell Lindstrom, Senior Advicer at the CEO office of Telia Company

The delegation was briefed on Azercell history, overall business performance, investments to the telecom sector of the country and innovations that Company had introduced to Azerbaijani market, as well as perspective plans in accordance to the latest trends of the industry. Discussions also covered Azercells contribution to culture of Responsible Business Conduct, Ethics and Compliance, Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility, with focus on broadening cooperation in the sphere of innovative technologies, entrepreneurship and human resources.

Mr. Oscar Stenstrom, State Secretary to the Minister for EU Affairs and Trade, thanked Azercell team for the warm welcome and emphasized that Azercell successfully demonstrates exemplary of the Company developing business in the most demanded field of the future- telecommunications, proposing end-users Data, which is the new great resource of the global economy.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 13

By Maksim Tsurkov  Trend:

The US aid for the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway project was blocked by congressmen in Washington, D.C., who were heavily lobbied by the Armenian lobby, Raoul Lowery Contreras, the author of a book titled Murder in the Mountains. War Crime in Khojaly and the Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict, wrote in an article posted on The Hill.

On Oct. 30 the world awakened to a new Orient Express railroad - and it wasnt a movie. It is a real railroad, the author wrote.

A 20-year-old dream now carries goods and people from China to Europe, Europe to China, without using a square inch of Russian territory, Contreras noted.

Azerbaijans President Ilham Aliyev, Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili and Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met in Baku, Azerbaijan, for the opening ceremony of the 500-mile-long rail line, said the article. Starting at the newly constructed Baku-area harbor, it runs north to the Republic of Georgia, west through the Georgian capital of Tbilisi and west to Kars, in eastern Turkey.

Funding for the track-laying came mostly from Azerbaijans State Oil Fund (SOFAZ) and Turkey, according to the article. Azerbaijan loaned Georgia interest-discounted millions for its share of the project, the author said.

Despite no American aid in its construction, the US should be ecstatic over the BTK railway for three reasons, reads the article.

European allies of the US were punished by Russia for imposing trade sanctions, the author said, adding that in response, Russia prohibited transit of European goods through Russia to China and Asia by the only railway from Europe to China.

Certain petrochemical products can be shipped by rail to complement natural gas through the Southern Gas Corridor that will deliver natural gas to Greece, Albania and Italy, the author noted, adding that the new railway eliminates expensive ocean shipping to and from Asia, costs half the price of air freight, and bypasses economic and political interference from Russia.

The Armenian lobby claimed the project would further isolate landlocked, poverty-stricken Armenia, cause it heavy economic damage, and was "a waste of money" because existing Soviet-era railways in Armenia could be used between Azerbaijan and Turkey, according to the article.

Those railways were shut down in 1992 when Armenia invaded Azerbaijan and occupied Azerbaijans Nagorno-Karabakh region as well as seven bordering Azerbaijani regions, reads the article.

It still occupies one-fifth of Azerbaijan, adds Contreras.

The Armenian government also heavily pressured next-door Republic of Georgia using its alliance with Georgias northern neighbor, Russia, but failed, said the author.

Cheering for the railways inauguration are millions of Chinese, as well as the people of Central Asias Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, Contreras noted. Joining the Chinese and Central Asians are Western Europeans and the US.

The railway can carry one million passengers and 6.5 million tons of freight in its first year, the author added. Future double-tracking at key locations will increase annual passenger capacity to 3 million passengers and up to 17 million tons of freight by 2034.

Economic benefits and progress for Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey from the new railway can and will make life better for the three nations; additionally, it can benefit millions of others beyond measure, the article reads. Left out is the one South Caucasus country - Armenia - that has, since the 1990s, illegally occupied 20 percent of its neighbor Azerbaijan with military forces. The US should be politically euphoric beyond imagination. The new East/West, West/East Silk Route is as important to the world as was the completed Transcontinental Railroad in the US 150 years ago.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 13

By Gulgiz Muradova- Trend:

Kazakhstan is interested in ensuring the uninterrupted supply of oil and oil products to world markets, including through the territory of Azerbaijan, Kazakh Deputy Energy Minister Magzum Mirzagaliyev told Trend.

He noted that cooperation in the oil and gas industry is strategically important for Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan.

"In late 2016 Kazakhstan achieved commercial production in the Kashagan field, so Kazakhstan is interested in ensuring uninterrupted delivery of oil and oil products to world markets, including through the territory of Azerbaijan. In case of transshipping Kashagan oil through Azerbaijan the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline is viewed as an alternative route," Mirzagaliyev said.

He noted that BTC has not been used since the second half of 2015 due to the expansion of the CPC [Caspian Pipeline Consortium] system.

"The prospect of resuming the transportation of Kazakh oil via the Aktau port through Azerbaijan via the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline system will depend on the economic attractiveness of this route for Kazakhstan's oil-producing companies," the vice minister said.

He went on to say that one of the main issues of the Kazakh-Azerbaijani cooperation in the oil sector is the transportation of Kazakh oil through the territory of Azerbaijan in the direction of the Batumi Oil Terminal (BNT) in Georgia.

"The transportation of Kazakh oil to the Batumi oil terminal is carried out via the multimodal Aktau-Baku-Batumi scheme: Aktau-Baku is a tanker transportation and Baku-Batumi is a railway transportation In 2016 the volume of transportation of oil and oil products through the Batumi oil terminal amounted to about 3.4 million tons, and for the first nine months of this year it was 1.599 million tons. For further loading of the terminal, KazTransOil JSC conducts appropriate work with all the participants of the transport corridor on an ongoing basis, including with the Azerbaijani side and potential shippers," Mirzagaliyev said.

The total length of the B is 1,768 kilometers, including a 443-kilometer section running through Azerbaijan, a 249-kilometer section in Georgia and a 1,076-kilometer section in Turkey

The shareholders of BTC Co, which was established on 1 August 2002 for the implementation of the project, are BP (30.1 percent), AzBTC (25 percent), Chevron (8.9 percent), Statoil (8.71 percent), TRAO (6 , 53 percent), Eni (five percent), Total (five percent), Itochu (3.4 percent), Inpex (2.5 percent), CIECO (2.5 percent) and ONGC (2.36 percent).
Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 13

By Rufiz Hafizoglu  Trend:

Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Berat Albayrak will discuss the Ankara-Moscow energy issues during the visit to Sochi, Russia Nov. 13, the Turkish Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources told Trend.

Those discussions will be held within Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogans visit to Sochi Nov. 13 where he will meet with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

During the visit, Albayrak is expected to hold talks with Russian Minister of Energy Alexander Novak.

"The details of the construction of the Turkish Stream gas pipeline and Turkeys Akkuyu nuclear power plant are planned to be discussed during the visit," the ministry said.

Earlier it was reported that Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation hopes to obtain a license for the construction of the Akkuyu plant in Turkey no later than March 2018 to commission the first unit of Akkuyu plant on October 29, 2023 on the centennial anniversary of the Turkish Republic.

An intergovernmental agreement between Russia and Turkey on cooperation in construction and operation of the Akkuyu plant was signed in 2010.

Meanwhile, Turkish Stream gas pipeline project envisages construction of two branches of the main gas pipeline under the Black Sea, the capacity of each branch being 15.75 billion cubic meters of gas.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu
Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 13

By Ali Mustafayev  Trend:

Kazakhstans Kostanay region still doesn't get enough of gasoline since late September because of low level of supply form the countrys Pavlodar and Atyrau oil refineries.

Nearly 155 filling stations function in Kostanay region, and they all depend on the fuel supplies from Pavlodar and Atyrau region, said Murat Shaimov, Head of Entrepreneurship and Industrial Innovation Development Department of the Kostanay region during the meeting of the local executive body, Kazakh media outlets reported.

The official stressed that the current situation may lead to Kazakhstans import of AI-80 and diesel fuel from Russia, which would be damaging to the countrys fuel market, because of high price of Russian fuel.

Previously, Kazakhstan started to import AI-92 gasoline from Russia, because of the delay of the modernization of the countrys oil refineries. This led to an increase of the gasoline price on the Kazakh market and still remains an issue for the country, since the refineries dont function at their full capacity.

The Ministry of Energy supplied 500 tons of gasoline to the market, in order to compensate the shortage, but the demand is at least twice higher, according to Shaimov.

He also stressed that the price of Russian AI-92 gasoline is 16 percent higher than the local price in Kazakhstan.

The modernization of Kazakhstans Pavlodar oil refinery was finished in early November. However the additional renovation delayed the plants work at its full capacity. The gasoline shortage on Kazakh fuel market is expected to be eliminated as soon as the countrys three oil refineries Pavlodar, Atyrau and Shymkent start to operate.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 13

By Maksim Tsurkov  Trend:

President of Azerbaijans state oil company SOCAR Rovnag Abdullayev along with the heads of 25 other leading world oil and gas companies took part in the Abu Dhabi CEO Roundtable, SOCAR said in a message Nov. 13.

Abu Dhabi CEO Roundtable has been recently organized in Abu Dhabi by the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC). More than 2,000 companies from 135 countries have been represented at the exhibition and conference.

According to the message, global problems, namely, energy transformation and a new dynamics of supply and demand, were discussed during a high-level meeting held at the headquarters of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company.

"The main topic of the roundtable discussion was the impact of modern technologies and the spread of new energy sources worldwide, the message said.

Following the roundtable discussion, Abdullayev held face-to-face meetings and meetings in expanded format with the heads of BP, Total, Statoil, Petronas and Saudi Aramco and discussed the current issues within the existing partnership.

Abdullayev stressed that such platforms are necessary for an exchange of views among leading companies to better manage rapidly changing processes in the global energy sector and appreciated the organization of such discussions.

"The processes, which we are discussing here, affect all countries, including Azerbaijan, he said. The role of alternative energy sources is growing due to new technologies.

However, oil and gas products will continue to play an important role in the future not only as fuel, but also in the production of various polymer products, fertilizers and food products, he said. From this point of view, SOCAR's strategy of investing in new oil and gas refining projects has been recently justifying itself."

"SOCAR has become a company that plays an important role not only in Azerbaijan but worldwide upon Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyevs instructions, he said. By using this position, the company will continue to make its contribution to the country's revenues and coordination of global problems."
By PTI: Imphal, Nov 13 (PTI) Manipur Governor Najma Heptulla today asked former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah to apologise to the country for his "irresponsible" statement that PoK belongs to Pakistan.

Abdullah, who is the president of National conference, on Saturday had claimed that Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) belongs to Pakistan and "this wont change" no matter how many wars India and Pakistan fight against each other.

advertisement

His statement comes days after Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi had rejected the idea of an "independent Kashmir", saying it was not based on "reality".

Heptulla told PTI that "Pakistan had occupied PoK illegally in 1948. Kashmir belongs to India both legally, constitutionally and morally. The agenda of our country is to liberate the PoK."

Union Minorities Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi had yesterday criticised Abdullah, saying that the National Conference president "talks irrationally sometimes". PTI COR RG DIP

--- ENDS ---
Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 13

By Maksim Tsurkov  Trend:

Azerbaijans state oil company SOCAR is interested in purchasing the ISAB refinery in Italy, which is owned by Russias LUKOIL PJSC, Russian media quoted LUKOIL President Vagit Alekperov as saying Nov. 13.

Alekperov said that along with SOCAR, national companies of Iran and Algeria are also interested in purchasing the ISAB refinery.

He noted that LUKOIL has received many proposals and today the company is considering all options.

Today the refinery is in very good condition. All installations operate, even new facilities have been introduced after modernization, said LUKOIL head. We are negotiating with interested parties, especially with those who could give us the opportunity to integrate into new projects.

Earlier, Alekperov said that big refiners of the United States, international investment funds and the national company of one of the Persian Gulf states are interested in buying the ISAB oil refining complex.

Currently, SOCAR is the sole producer of petroleum products in Azerbaijan. The company owns the Heydar Aliyev Baku Oil Refinery and is already also completing the construction of Star Refinery in Turkeys Izmir.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 13

By Maksim Tsurkov  Trend:

Azerbaijan can take advantage of the US experience in the development of renewable energy sources and increasing energy efficiency, Azerbaijani Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov said at a meeting with US Ambassador to Azerbaijan Robert Cekuta, the Azerbaijani Energy Ministry said Nov. 13.

Shahbazov said diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and the US contributed greatly to the energy cooperation.

The Azerbaijani minister stressed the US' high role in the export of hydrocarbon resources to the world's markets.

"The US continues to render support which it once rendered for the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline project, the Southern Gas Corridor, as well as its component - the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), the minister said. At present, the work on the Southern Gas Corridor, which will ensure the diversification of energy supplies to Europe, is being carried out successfully.

The minister added that energy security plays an important role in the Azerbaijan-US strategic relations.

"There is a great potential for cooperation in renewable energy sources and increasing energy efficiency in the future, he said. The US experience in introduction of new technologies can be used in the measures taken in this direction."

In his turn, Cekuta said that energy issues play an important role in the Azerbaijan-US relations.

The ambassador added that the US focuses on Azerbaijan as it is implementing the projects aimed at ensuring global energy security.

The letters sent by US President Donald Trump on the occasion of the Republic Day celebrated by Azerbaijan on May 28 and the 24th International Caspian Oil & Gas Exhibition and Conference, as well as the letter sent by US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on the occasion of the Third Ministerial Meeting of the Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council in Baku testify to the US attention towards Azerbaijan, Cekuta said.

Speaking about the strategic importance of the Southern Gas Corridor, the ambassador added that the project will also provide opportunities for gas supply to the Balkans.

The ambassador said the US will remain a long-term partner of Azerbaijan following the signing of a new agreement on the joint development of the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli (ACG) block of oil and gas fields.

Cekuta is confident that new projects will further strengthen the partnership between the two countries.

The US is interested in cooperation by participating in projects that meet the interests of Azerbaijan, the ambassador added.

Cekuta said the necessary support will be rendered to the Azerbaijani Energy Ministry in the preparation of the Bill on the Electricity Market of Azerbaijan.

The meeting also discussed the upcoming meeting of OPEC and non-OPEC countries in Vienna, trends in the development of the oil market, as well as other aspects of energy cooperation.
Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Nov. 13

By Diana Aliyeva  Trend:

A memorandum of cooperation was signed between the State Committee for Competition of Uzbekistan and the Commissioner under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan for the protection of the rights and legal interests of business entities (business ombudsman).

The document concerns the sphere of development of entrepreneurial activity, protection of rights and legitimate interests of business entities.

According to the State Committee, the main goal of this memorandum is comprehensive support for the restoration of production activities and increasing the efficiency of privatized enterprises, ensuring a stable growth of populations incomes through creation of new jobs, and ensuring the protection of rights and guarantees of private property.

The parties plan to create a working group to improve legislation in the field of entrepreneurial activity, as well as holding seminars, round tables and conferences with the participation of entrepreneurs in order to implement the tasks envisaged in the memorandum.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 13

By Nigar Guliyeva - Trend:

The turnover of the North-Kazakhstan region with three Russian regions increased to $ 213 million, or 30 percent for 8 months of 2017.

The Kazakh region mainly cooperates with the Omsk, Tyumen and Kurgan regions,Kazakh media reports referring to the business administration.

North Kazakhstan imported products for $184.6 million, while exports exceeded $ 28.4 million. The Kazakh export to the border regions of Russia included wheat, flour, meat and processed products.

As for the east of Kazakhstan, the regions trade turnover with the Russian Federation increased by 8 percent.

The region supplies processed metals and high-tech equipment to the neighboring country, namely capacitors and ball valves. The East Kazakhstan is one of Russia's strategic partners in the field of cross-border cooperation. Only this year the foreign trade turnover of the region with the neighboring country amounted to $656 million.

The trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Russia for the eight months of 2017 amounted to $ 10 billion, which is 31 percent more than in the same period in 2016.

The Russian Federation ranks first among the trade partners of Kazakhstan with the share of 20 percent in the trade turnover.

Kazakhstan today occupies the second place in the trade turnover of Russia among the CIS countries, and among the countries of the world it is in the top ten.

The Russian Federation invests more than $ 1 billion annually in the economy of Kazakhstan. In 2016 Russia invested more than $ 1 billion in the Kazakhstan economy, and Kazakhstan invested about $ 700 million in the Russian Federation.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 13

By Nigar Guliyeva - Trend:

Uzbek companies concluded cooperation agreements worth $ 10.5 million at the 'Made in Uzbekistan' expo showcasing achievements of the country's economy.

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry reported that the contracts were signed with companies from Kuwait, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan.

Some 220 domestic producers of quality and export-oriented products of all industrial sectors took part in the event held in Tashkent Nov.7-9.

The companies presented more than 10,000 goods and products of automobile, light, electrical, chemical, mining and metallurgy, furniture industry, construction industry, pharmaceutical industry, education and other spheres.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 13

By Nigar Guliyeva - Trend:

Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev has signed a law ratifying the letter-agreement between Kazakhstan and the Asian Development Bank on amendments to the loan agreement, the press service of Akorda (official residence of Kazakh president) said in a statement.



Nazarbayev signed the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On ratification of the Letter of Agreement between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Asian Development Bank on amendments to the Loan Agreement No. 2967-KAZ (Conventional Transactions) (CAREC Corridor 2 (Mangystau Oblast Section) Investment Program - Project 2) between the Republic Kazakhstan and the Asian Development Bank."



The Law on loan agreement between Kazakhstan and ADB was ratified Dec. 26, 2013 for the reconstruction of the 170-km long Shetpe-Aktau section, following the realization of which, funds were saved.



The government decided to use the savings worth $ 73.7 million for the reconstruction of the neighboring section "Zhetybai - Zhanaozen".

In this regard, a letter-agreement between the Republic of Kazakhstan and ADB was signed June 20, 2017. The project implementation period is 3 years - from 2017 to 2021 years.
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Nov. 13

By Huseyn Hasanov - Trend:

Turkmenistan and the EU discussed prospects for cooperation in political, economic and trade spheres, the Turkmen Foreign Ministry said in a message Nov. 13.

According to the message, Turkmen Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov has recently met with High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

The meeting was held on the sidelines of the conference "Central Asia: One Past and a Common Future, Cooperation for Sustainable Development and Mutual Prosperity" held under the auspices of the United Nations and European Union - Central Asia Foreign Ministers Meeting.

Talks on the supplies of Turkmen gas to Europe have been conducted since 2011. The Southern Gas Corridor, which includes the Trans-Caspian project, remains a priority for the EU.

In May 2015, Ashgabat declaration on energy was signed by energy ministers of Azerbaijan, Turkey and Turkmenistan and European Commission Vice-President for Energy Union Maros Sefcovic.

The Trans-Caspian Gas Pipeline Project involving laying of a 300-km gas pipeline along the bottom of the Caspian Sea to the coast of Azerbaijan, is optimal for the delivery of Turkmen energy resources to the European market. Further, Turkmen gas can be pumped to Turkey through existing pipelines, which has mutual borders with European countries.
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Nov. 13

By Huseyn Hasanov  Trend:

Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan exchanged instruments on ratification of the strategic partnership agreement between the two countries, the Turkmen Foreign Ministry said in a message Nov. 13.

The document was signed on March 6, 2017 in Ashgabat following high-level negotiations.

The message says that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov recently met with Uzbekistans Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the EU-Central Asia ministerial meeting, held in Samarkand under the auspices of the United Nations.

Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, which have impressive reserves of hydrocarbon resources, stand for diversifying of energy flows. A good example of this is the implementation of a project to construct the Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan-Kazakhstan-China gas pipeline, which was commissioned in 2009.

Recently, Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov invited Uzbek businessmen to participate in the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project.

Construction of the Turkmen section of TAPI started in 2015 and is scheduled to be finished in late 2018.

Total length of the TAPI pipeline will be 1,814 kilometers. A 214-kilometer section of the pipeline will run through Turkmenistan, a 774-kilometer section will run through Afghanistan and an 826-kilometer section will run through Pakistan to Fazilka settlement on the border with India. The pipelines annual capacity will be 33 billion cubic meters of gas.
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Nov. 13

By Huseyn Hasanov  Trend:

A meeting with the delegation of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), headed by the Secretary-General, Mukhisa Kituyi was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, the Turkmen Foreign Ministry said in a message Nov. 13.

During the meeting, the Turkmen side stressed that cooperation with the UN and its specialized agencies remains an important direction for the country's foreign policy. It was noted the importance of Turkmenistan's cooperation with UNCTAD in the light of the exploration the possibilities of starting the process of accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

It was noted that with the support of the President of Turkmenistan, special government commission was established in the country to study this issue.

At the end of the meeting, the Memorandum of Cooperation between the Government of Turkmenistan and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development on priority areas of cooperation was signed.

The document outlined three main vectors of cooperation, namely: investment promotion; modernization of customs, transport and logistics; Facilitating the study of the question of accession to the WTO.
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Nov. 13

By Huseyn Hasanov  Trend:

The meeting with the new Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Republic of Mali in Turkmenistan (with residence in Moscow) Tiyefing Konate took place in Ashgabat, the Turkmen Foreign Ministry said in a message Nov. 13.

The Ambassador presented copies of his credentials.

During the talks, the sides discussed issues of mutual interest.

"During the consideration of the prospects for cooperation in various fields, the parties expressed their commitment to the development of cooperation in the political and diplomatic sphere, as well as within the framework of international organizations," said in a message.

Discussing the trade and economic cooperation bloc, the sides noted the need to expand the legal framework between the two countries and agreed to consider the possibilities for intensifying contacts between the business structures of the two countries.

They also voiced mutual interest in the development of relations in the fields of culture and sport, as well as between the scientific circles of the two countries.

Noting the focus on fruitful and effective cooperation, the Turkmen side expressed its readiness to render all assistance and support to the Ambassador's activities in the expansion of the Turkmen-Malian relations.
By PTI: to prevent every incident

Jaipur, Nov 13 (PTI) Police have detained one person in connection with the killing of 35-year-old Umar Khan by alleged cow vigilantes in Rajasthans Alwar district.

Reacting to the incident, Rajasthan Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria said today that the state did not have enough manpower everywhere to "control" every situation well in time.

advertisement

Umar Khans body was found near railway tracks in Ramgarh on November 11, with his family members and activists alleging that he was shot dead by cow vigilantes when he was ferrying cattle in a vehicle the day before.

The incident, which came months after the lynching of dairy farmer Pehlu Khan by suspected cow vigilantes in Alwar, has triggered an outrage.

"The incident took place at night and police are acting on the case. One person has been detained," Kataria said and expressed hope that the case would be cracked soon.

He said strict action would be taken against the culprits irrespective of their religion.

"We dont have so much manpower to enable us to control every situation at all places, even before an incident is reported (hamare pass itni manpower nahin hai, ki har jagah, har sthiti ko samay se pehle control kar saken)," he said.

Deputy Superintendent of Police, Alwar (South), Anil Beniwal said the detained person was being interrogated.

An FIR has been registered at Govindgarh police station under IPC sections 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder) and 201 (causing disappearance of evidence) against unidentified people, based on a complaint lodged by Umar Khans family members.

Umar Khans family members have demanded immediate arrest of the accused and compensation.

A post-mortem on Umar Khans body was yet to be conducted at the SMS Hospital in Jaipur where the body was referred from Alwar yesterday.

Hospital superintendent D S Meena said that post-mortem would be conducted by a medical board constituted in the case.

Social worker Maulana Haneef claimed yesterday that Khan, along with two others, was ferrying cattle in a vehicle when unidentified men opened fire at them. Khan died on the spot, while another suffered bullet injuries.

In April this year, 55-year-old Pehlu Khan was lynched by suspected cow vigilantes in Alwar while he was transporting cattle.

The incident comes ahead of Chief Minister Vasundhara Rajes scheduled visit to Alwar. Raje has been visiting various areas under the Alwar Lok Sabha constituency which is gearing up for a bypoll, necessitated following the death of sitting BJP MP Mahant Chandnath. PTI AG SMN SMN

--- ENDS ---

advertisement
Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Nov. 13

By Diana Aliyeva  Trend:

Leading firms of oil and gas industry of Uzbekistan and Russia will take part in the international conference Training and development of national personnel in international companies, which will be held in Tashkent on November 14.

The conference was initiated by LLC LUKOIL Uzbekistan Operating Company, Uzbekneftegaz JSC and the Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas.

The main topics of the conference, according to the organizers, will be the study of interaction of universities in the training and development of personnel, the definition of the role of corporate training centers in the training and development of personnel in companies.

The conference will be attended by leading firms of oil and gas industry, ministries and state organizations, big international companies, educational and training companies of Uzbekistan and Russia, as well as other foreign countries.
Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Nov. 13

By Diana Aliyeva  Trend:

Inha University in Tashkent (IUT) is currently working on creating International Innovation Center for Physical and Technical Research.

This center should become a key platform for the implementation of various projects together with the worlds leading universities, including the Australias Curtin University, which has already been invited to cooperate.

Recently, IUT and Curtin University signed a memorandum of understanding for the development of cooperation in the development of research in the field of information technologies and other fields of science.

Under the document, the universities intend to conduct joint research, training and development projects.

Meanwhile, the parties plan to organize the exchange of students and teachers for their training.

In particular, the parties intend to open a masters program according to the 1+1 scheme, that is, students will study for one year at IUT and one year at Curtin University. Meanwhile, Curtin Universitys professors will be invited to Tashkent.

One of the important areas of cooperation between IUT and Curtin University will be joint research in such areas as computer physics, nuclear astrophysics, computer science and information technologies and others.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 12

By Fatih Karimov  Trend:

Romania is interested to buy natural gas from Iran, Amir Hossein Zamaninia, the Islamic Republic's deputy oil minister for International Affairs, said.

Zamaninia made the remarks following a meeting with Virgil-Daniel Popescu, chairman of Iran-Romania Parliamentary Friendship Group in Tehran on Nov. 12.

The two sides discussed boosting cooperation in energy sector, Zamaninia said, the oil ministrys official website reported.

Romanian companies are interested to involve in Irans oil industry projects, he said, adding that the companies have expressed readiness to cooperate with Iranian counterparts in manufacturing oil and gas industry equipments.

With 33.5 trillion cubic meters of natural gas, Iran has the largest conventional gas reserves in the world.

Back in May, Zamaninia told Trend that the EUs gas market is oversupplied and exporting Iranian gas to that market would not be profitable. Zamaninia noted that it would rather be in Irans interest if nearby markets were sought.

The Romanian MP also met with Hossein Amirabdollahian, Iranian parliament speaker advisor for international affairs on Nov. 12.

In the meeting, Amirabdollahian called for removing visa requirements between Iran and Romania and facilitating banking cooperation between the two countries.

Popescu, for his turn, welcomed holding negotiations between Iran and Romania chambers of commerce and private sectors.

He referred to visa waiver for the two countries, saying fruitful talks are under way in Romania to solve this problem for the Iranian businessmen and students.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 13

By Fatih Karimov  Trend:

Iran has exported alumina to Azerbaijan for the first time, Touraj Zare, managing director of Iran Alumina Company, said.

Previously, Tajikistan was the only costumer of Irans alumina, but beginning from the current fiscal year (March 2017) Azerbaijan also has started the imports, Zare said, the press office of Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization (IMIDRO) reported.

The Islamic Republic has exported 20,000 tons of alumina to Azerbaijan and Tajikistan during the current fiscal year, he added.

Alumina is a refined version of the raw ore bauxite. The material is mainly used in aluminum metallurgy, industrial ceramics, and chemical processing.

Iran Alumina Company has produced 154,000 tons of alumina during the current fiscal year, which is 3.3 percent more compared to the preceding year, Zare said.

He added that the companys annual output is planed to reach 245,000 tons by March 2018.

He further said that country's biggest proven reserve for bauxite is Jajaram bauxite mine in North Khorasan province, which has about 36 million tons of bauxite.

Zare added that the figure is expected to increase to 50 million tons once the ongoing exploration operations by the company in the region are finalized.

Every four kilograms of bauxite yields 1.93 kilograms of alumina; while it takes 1.93 kilograms of alumina to produce one kilogram of aluminum.

Based on Iran's 20-Year Vision Plan, as much as 1.5 million tons of aluminum should be annually produced by 2025.

According to a report released in 2014 by Iran Parliament's Research Center, the most serious challenge facing the country's aluminum industry is supplying the raw material, bauxite.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 13

By Fatih Karimov  Trend:

State Printing Office of Iran (SPOI)  intends to hold an international tender to purchase two double head sheet counting machines and a tab inserter machine.

Tender No.: 200961065000008

All those interested in the tender should first register the tender documents until Nov. 14, 2017 on the government portal at www.setadiran.ir and submit envelopes A, B and C in person to the SPOI Secretariat before 12:00 (GMT+3:30) on Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017.

For more information, please contact the portal via:

Telephone: +9821 88969737 and +9821  85193768.

Address: State Printing Office of Iran (SPOI), adjacent to Khayyam Park, Eqbal Lahoori Ave., Imam Hussein Sq., Tehran, Iran.

Tel: +9821 33349070-5
The Iranian Cabinet in a statement on Monday declared Nov 14 (Tuesday) as a day of public mourning for the victims of the Sunday night devastating quake which hit western Iran near its borders with Iraq, IRNA reported.

The statement reads that the bitter and sorrowful incident of quake in western Iran which killed hundreds of fellow Iranians and wounded thousands more has grieved the Iranian nation.

Expressing condolences to the Supreme Leader, Iranian nation, especially devoted people of Kermanshah province and all survivors of the tragic event the cabinet wished for swift recovery of the injured and announced Tuesday as a day of public mourning as a sign of respect for all the victims. The Cabinet also sympathizes with the bereaved families as well as those affected in the fatal incident.

The Iranian Cabinet also appreciated all relief workers who are operating in the quake affected areas, calling on all ministries and state institutes to provide services to the quake-hit people.

A 7.3-magnitude earthquake shook the western province of Kermanshah and the regions bordering Iraq on Sunday night.

Based on the latest statistics, at least 430 people have been reported killed and over 7,156 injured in quake-stricken areas in Iran.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 13

By Rufiz Hafizoglu  Trend:

The upcoming Sochi meeting of Russian President Vladimir Putin with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Egdogan is a message to the West amid the attempts to destabilize the region, Naciye Selin Senocak, UNESCO Cultural Diplomacy, Governance and Education Chair Holder at Istanbul Aydin University, told Trend Nov. 13.

Senocak, who is also the director of the Center for Diplomatic and Strategic Studies (CEDS) in Paris, was commenting on the upcoming visit of the Turkish president to Sochi.

Recently, the region has witnessed attempts of power change in some countries, including Saudi Arabia, and this may lead to serious problems, Senocak said.

Turkey and Russia are the two states that can provide stability in the region, the expert said.

Senocak believes that Turkeys purchase of Russian-made S-400 missile defense systems may also be considered as a signal to the West and NATO.

The acquisition of S-400 missile defense systems by Turkey is an important indicator of relations between Ankara and Moscow, Senocak said.

She noted that although Turkey is a member of NATO, it was the alliance who inflicted the country the biggest blow.

One of the founders of NATO - the US - instead of supporting its ally Turkey, provides support to terrorist groups by arming them, the expert said.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will visit Russia Nov. 13. The current situation in Syria will be the main topic of discussions between Turkey and Russia.

Syria has been suffering from an armed conflict since March 2011, which, according to the UN, has claimed more than 500,000 lives. Militants from various armed groups are confronting the Syrian government troops. The Islamic State, the Kurdish Peoples Protection Units (YPG) and the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) are the most active terrorist groups in Syria.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu
Police say a second person has died and two more were injured after a shooting at the Masquerade in Downtown Atlanta. Police say all four victims were men attending a concert at the venue in Underground Atlanta, 11 Alive reports.

According to Atlanta Police spokesperson Sgt. John Chafee, officers responded to 50 Lower Alabama St., near Georgia State University for reports of a person shot call.

When they got there, they found four people shot. One of those was pronounced dead and another was in serious condition. That person later died at the hospital. The two remaining victims were bystanders and were shot in their legs. They are stable and expected to be OK.

According to the venue's website, Cousin Stizz, Levi Carter, Big Leano and Givon were the acts scheduled to play for Sunday. At this time, police believe an argument broke out inside during at some point during the night, which led to the shooting.

Officials don't yet have a description of the suspect and they are interviewing witnesses to gather more information. Police are asking that anyone who was at the concert or nearby and witnessed this, call Atlanta Police Department or Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS.
China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will start consultations on the text of the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said here on Monday, XINHUANET reports.

Li made the remarks when attending the 20th China-ASEAN (10+1) leaders' meeting in the Philippine capital Manila.

China hopes that the COC could be adopted at an early date and could serve as a "stabilizer" of peace in the South China Sea, the Chinese premier said.

China, which has most of its freight of foreign trade passing through the South China Sea, wants peace and stability for that area more than any other country, Li noted.

The Chinese premier said his country is committed to maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea and resolving territorial and maritime rights disputes with parties directly involved through negotiations and in a peaceful manner.

Such a stance would never change, he added.

At the ASEAN foreign ministers' meetings in August, China and ASEAN countries drew up and approved the framework of the COC, saying they would initiate substantive consultations on the code's text within the year.

Li arrived in the Philippines on Sunday for an official visit to the country and for a series of leaders' meetings on East Asian cooperation.

In Manila, he will also attend the 20th ASEAN-China, Japan and South Korea (10+3) leaders' meeting, as well as the 12th East Asia Summit.
Billionaire and co-founder of Microsoft Bill Gates has pledged around $100 million in the fight against brain-wasting diseases, earmarking half of that for start-ups researching treatments for Alzheimers disease, Newsweek reports.

Its a huge problem, a growing problem, and the scale of the tragedyeven for the people who stay aliveis very high, he said. I hope that in the next 10 years that we have some powerful drugs, but its possible that wont be achieved.

Of the total sum, around half is set to be donated to the Dementia Discovery Fund, while the rest will go to other organisations, focusing on new approaches to Alzheimers research.

Trending: Trump Chuckles as Duterte Calls Journalists 'Spies' in Manila Meeting

Gates announced the move on his blog, where he explained his personal reasons for joining the effort on tackling Alzheimers disease. I know how awful it is to watch people you love struggle as the disease robs them of their mental capacity... It feels a lot like youre experiencing a gradual death of the person that you knew, he wrote.

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, speaks at the Bloomberg Global Business Forum in New York City, U.S., September 20. Brendan McDermid/Reuters

Some of the men in my family have suffered from Alzheimers, Gates wrote, noting that his family history of the disease informed his insights into it but that isn't the sole reason why he is setting millions aside for finding treatment.
By PTI: Jaipur, Nov 13 (PTI) The killing of 35-year-old Umar Khan by alleged cow vigilantes in Alwar district of Rajasthan has drawn strong criticism from the Opposition and social activists.

Opposition Congress has blamed the state government for its "lawlessness", while the activists have demanded immediate arrest of the culprits and adequate compensation for the affected family members.

advertisement

Rajasthan Congress chief Sachin Pilot said it was extremely worrying that lynching and mob violence were becoming a norm in the desert state.

"Saddened to see wilful neglect and meek response of the government," he tweeted.

AICC general secretary and former chief minister Ashok Gehlot called for a fair investigation in the case.

Peoples Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) activists staged a protest in Jaipur.

"Murder of Umar is a complete failure of the government in protecting Muslims, particularly dairy farmers, from cow vigilantes. Are there any plans to stop this bloody madness of (vigilantes) who have tasted blood and have support of the police and administration," PUCL said in a release.

The activists have demanded a compensation of Rs 25 lakh and land to the affected family, and a government job to Khans kin.

They also demanded Tahir, who was accompanying Khan, be given protection and a compensation of Rs 10 lakhs as well as dropping charges of cow smuggling against him. PTI AG SRY

--- ENDS ---
Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 13

By Rufiz Hafizoglu  Trend:

The Turkish Air Force attacked the positions of terrorists in northern Iraq, the Turkish General Staff said in a message Nov. 13.

The message says that air operations against the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) are held in the Zab region in northern Iraq.

PKK strongholds were destroyed during the operations, said the General Staff.

The conflict between Turkey and the PKK, which demands the creation of an independent Kurdish state, has continued for more than 30 years and has claimed more than 40,000 lives.

The UN and the European Union list the PKK as a terrorist organization.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu
Turkey rushed to help victims of Iraq's earthquake, 7.3 on the Richter scale, late Sunday with thousands of supplies and humanitarian aid, Anadolu reported.

At least 129 people died and 1000 more injured in Iran's Kermanshah province after the earthquake hit across Iraq and Iran border.

Turkey's Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag said a total of 3,000 tents, 3,000 blankets and a food rig were sent by the Turkish Red Crescent to Iraq's north "immediately".

He also added that 4,000 more blankets from Turkey's southeastern provinces Mus and Diyarbakir were directed to the Habur border gate.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry issued a statement at offered condolences to Iraq and said Turkey is 'ready to help' with aid agencies AFAD (Turkey's Disaster Management Agency) and Kizilay (Turkish Red Crescent).

Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu also wrote on Twitter: "Turkey stands ready to provide search and rescue teams & send humanitarian aid for earthquake victims in Iraq. Our thoughts and prayers are with our Iraqi brothers and sisters."

Deputy Prime Minister Recep Akdag told local broadcaster 24 TV that a paramedic team and rescue teams would be dispatched to the disaster area by a military cargo plane in a few hours.

Another team has been en route from Silopi district of Turkeys Sirnak province to take tents to the area, Akdag added.

AFAD's 30-men rescue team has reached Habur border gate to help quake-victims, the disaster management agency said to Anadolu Agency.

Turkish Health Minister Ahmet Demircan has offered assistance to northern Iraq.

A total of 316 members of the National Medical Rescue Team (UMKE) and emergency response teams are ready to aid northern Iraq, Turkish Health Minister Ahmet Demircan told Anadolu Agency.

We have made arrangements and we are ready to offer assistance to northern Iraq, in case of a demand for aid, he said, adding Turkey was attempting contact northern Iraq.

The health minister also said that a total of 40 ambulances were also ready to help, with 4,200 sickbeds and 217 intense care units are organized in various Turkish hospitals in case.

Turkish Red Crescent head Kerem Kinik also told Anadolu Agency that a team in Erbil are at the earthquake-hit region.

Turkey was the first country to help Iraqi victims right after the earthquake happened.

- No casualties in Turkey caused by quake

Although the earthquake was also felt by several provinces in Turkey's east and southeast, no casualties were reported, head of Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) told Anadolu Agency.

We havent received any reports about damaged buildings or casualties in Turkey. Thats good news for our country, Gulluoglu said, adding that AFAD was in constant communication with Iraqi authorities.

Turkey's southeastern and eastern regions, including the Diyarbakir, Batman, Mardin, Hakkari, Van, Mus, and Sirnak provinces were affected.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 13

By Rufiz Hafizoglu  Trend:

Turkey is ready to help the brotherly people of Iran to eliminate the consequences of the earthquake, said the Turkish Foreign Ministry in a message Nov. 13.

Turkey expresses its condolences in connection with the loss of human life as a result of the earthquake that occurred on Sunday evening, says the message.

The earthquake in Iran hit large parts of Iraq and Iran including the Iraqi capital Baghdad on Sunday evening. The earthquake death toll in western Iran has reached 207 people, local media outlets reported Nov. 13.

The US Geological Survey put the quake at 7.3 magnitudes, which placed the epicenter southwest of the city of Halabja along the Iraq-Iran border, Reuters reported.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu
Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 13

By Rufiz Hafizoglu  Trend:

Iran has not requested help from Turkey for dealing with the aftermath of the devastating earthquake, according to the Turkish Ministry of Health.

The Ministry of Health said in a message Nov. 13 that following the earthquake on the Iran-Iraq border, Turkey declared its readiness to provide the necessary support to all the affected countries.

Earlier in the day, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in its message that Ankara is ready to help the brotherly people of Iran to eliminate the consequences of the earthquake.

The earthquake hit large parts of Iraq and Iran, including the Iraqi capital Baghdad on Sunday evening. Death toll in the earthquake in western Iran has reached 328. Meanwhile, over 3,900 people were injured, local media outlets reported Nov. 13.

The US Geological Survey put the quake at 7.3 magnitude, placing the epicenter southwest of the city of Halabja along the Iraq-Iran border, Reuters reported.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu
Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 13

By Rufiz Hafizoglu  Trend:

The current situation in Syria will be the main topic of discussions between Turkey and Russia, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said before leaving for Russia, the Turkish media reported Nov. 13.

The discussions will be held Nov. 13 within the Turkish presidents visit to Russias Sochi, where he will meet with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

Erdogan noted that it is expected to discuss regional, as well as energy issues, at the meeting.

Turkey and Russia intend to strengthen relations in all spheres, Erdogan said.

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

Militants from various armed groups are confronting the Syrian government troops. The Islamic State, the Kurdish Peoples Protection Units (YPG) and the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) are the most active terrorist groups in Syria.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu
KYODO NEWS - Nov 13, 2017 - 21:23 | World, All

A North Korean soldier was shot and wounded by fellow soldiers Monday while defecting to South Korea at the border village of Panmunjeom, located in the demilitarized zone that divides the two countries, according to the South Korean military.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff said the soldier defected from a guard post in front of Panmungak, North Korea's main building in the Joint Security Area, a small strip of land in the truce village where troops from both sides stand face-to-face.

The incident, which occurred at 3:31 p.m., is extremely rare as North Korean troops stationed in the JSA are believed to be chosen for their loyalty, sometimes being children of the elite.

Local media said South Korean soldiers found the defector collapsed and bleeding from gunshot wounds to the elbow and shoulder about 25 minutes later, some 50 meters south of the military demarcation line near Freedom House, South Korea's main building there, and dragged him to safety.

The defector, unarmed and wearing a uniform of low rank, was then rushed to hospital by a helicopter of the United Nations Command, which oversees the armistice on the Korean Peninsula.

Media published photographs of a patient, presumed to be the wounded soldier, being transferred to the operation room at Ajou University Medical Center in Suwon, just south of Seoul, on Monday evening.

There was reportedly no exchange of gunfire between the Koreas since the defector was shot while still on the North Korean side of the military demarcation line and the bullets did not cross over to the South Korean side.

South Korea's military has strengthened vigilance in the wake of the incident and remains prepared for any situation, the Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

In February 1998, a North Korean soldier, reportedly with the rank of captain, similarly crossed the military demarcation line into South Korea at Panmunjeom.

Also Monday, a U.S. citizen was arrested by South Korean police in a military-controlled area just south of the 250-kilometer-long, 4-km-wide demilitarized zone between the two Koreas, in what appears to be an attempt to enter North Korea, Yonhap News Agency reported.

It said the 58-year-old man from Louisiana, only identified as "A," was seized at 9:55 a.m. in the border county of Yeoncheon, 62 km north of Seoul after a villager alerted the army to his presence north of the Civilian Control Line.

Broadcaster Arirang reported that he had arrived in South Korea three days earlier and was attempting to enter North Korea for what are being described as "political purposes."
Ummar Khan, around 42, was shot dead by the cow vigilantes after they stopped three persons who were allegedly transporting some cows.

By India Today Web Desk: In Rajasthan's Alwar district, yet another Muslim man was shot dead allegedly by self-proclaimed 'gau rakshaks' (cow vigilantes) on the suspicion of cow smuggling while another person was badly beaten up on Friday. Rajasthan's Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria today said his government cannot stop every incident.

Ummar Khan, around 42, was shot dead by the cow vigilantes after they stopped three persons who were allegedly transporting some cows from Alwar to a village in Bharatpur. As they reached near Govindgarh, they were stopped by the 'gau rakshaks' and attacked with firearms.

advertisement

WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR:

The killing comes seven months after dairy farm owner Pehlu Khan was beaten to death in a similar manner in Alwar. One person has been detained for the murder of Khan. "The body has been referred to a hospital in Jaipur for post-mortem examination. Only after that we will be able to know the real cause of death. We have filed an FIR against unidentified persons for murder," Circle Officer Anil Beniwal told news agency IANS. Beniwal said the body of the deceased was found near a railway track on Friday morning, and as it was not identified, it was kept in an Alwar hospital mortuary. The body was identified by the relatives on Sunday morning "I don't know who killed him, but he was not a cow smuggler. He had three cows of his own. We want justice for him. He was killed brutally," Khan's uncle told news agency ANI in Alwar. Alwar Superintendent of Police Rahul Prakash said a case of cow smuggling had also been filed. "We have also detained one person on charges of murder. Investigations are going on," he added. Another person, who was with Umar Khan and attacked, has sustained bullet injuries. He has been admitted to a Haryana hospital. When questioned on second such death in Rajasthan this year, Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria said, "It can't yet be said what is actually the case." Kataria said the government does not "have enough manpower to control every situation in all cities in time". He said action will be taken, "whether the accused is a Muslim or Hindu". Kataria said "six cows were found in their vehicle, including a dead one". He said a case was lodged and later, a body was found which a family claimed belonged to its member. Saying there is a "sense of lawlessness" in BJP-ruled Rajasthan, senior Congress leader Sachin Pilot said, "I am told that the Chief Minister (Vasundhara Raje) was in the same district when this incident happened. It is not for the first time that people are breaking the law with impunity. The fact that you can attack, kill someone and literally get away with murder is something that is happening in Rajasthan unabated."

--- ENDS ---
The AMU professor, at the centre of WhatsApp talaq controversy of Aligarh, has denied having pronounced instant triple talaq through the messaging app.

By India Today Web Desk: Another twist was today seen in the WhatsApp triple talaq controversy involving a professor of the Aligargh Mulsim University. A day after his wife Yasmeen alleged that Professor Khalid Khan pronounced triple talaq on WhatsApp, he has denied the charge.

Khalid Khan today said that he did not give her instant triple talaq. "I have not given her triple talaq. I divorced her verbally and sent the same via post and WhatsApp. After a month, I divorced her verbally and sent it via SMS. She is still my wife. There was never a third divorce," news agency ANI quoted Khalid Khan as saying.

advertisement

The incident came to light yesterday, when Yasmeen approached the police complaining against Khalid Khan. The Supreme Court earlier this year declared instant triple talaq as unconstitutional. Yasmeen claimed that Khalid Khan pronounced triple talaq through the messaging app.

Yasmeen has also alleged that Khan is not cooperating with the police. She has also written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath contending that her husband acted against the Supreme Court judgment on triple talaq.

Responding to Yasmeen's allegations and taking matter to authorities, Khalid Khan said, "I haven't given her talaq, she is exaggerating this matter."

WHAT KHALID KHAN SAYS?

Speaking to India Today, Khalid Khan said he is the department head of Sanskrit at AMU. He has been married to Yasmeen since 1995. He said that the marriage took place through an advertisement where Yasmeen mentioned that she was a graduate and had diploma in fashion designing and is unmarried.

"Later, we got to know that she was not a graduate. It was like cheating, but I ignored all this. She did her BA and MA with my help. Few days ago, we got to know that she was already married to a man named Rashid from Kashmir," said Khalid Khan.

Khalid Khan also said that there were tensions in the family and that he had warned Yasmeen once in 2007 over frequent quarrels. But, things did not improve, he said adding, he was forced to move to a rented apartment along with his daughter.

When asked if there was any instance of domestic violence, Khalid Khan said that he was 80 per cent handicapped and never indulged in abuse. He further said that Yasmeen was bold and independent woman, who served as the president of Samajwadi Party's women's wing in Aligarh.

--- ENDS ---
The logo of Anheuser-Busch InBev is pictured outside the brewer's headquarters in Leuven, Belgium February 25, 2016. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo (Reuters)

By Martinne Geller and Philip Blenkinsop

LONDON/BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The world's biggest brewer, Anheuser-Busch InBev <ABI.BR>, is replacing its North American chief to stem a years-long sales decline in its largest market.

The maker of Budweiser and Bud Light said on Monday that Joao Castro Neves would be succeeded on Jan. 1 by another Brazilian company veteran, Michel Doukeris, currently chief sales officer of the global business.

"Neves had been viewed as a potential successor to Brito. If Doukeris can deliver on growth in the U.S., this would boost his chances for the top spot," Jefferies analysts said.

Other contenders identified by the analysts are David Almeida, chief integration officer, and Ricardo Tadeu, president of African operations.

Brito said it was too early to speculate on CEO succession.

"It's up to the board to make that decision. But for me, I've been here 20-plus years and I'll be here another 20."

Brito said he had discussed the departure of Neves with him for nearly a year and that it was a "personal decision".

Doukeris, a 44-year-old Brazilian citizen with Greek heritage, last year moved his family to New York, the de facto headquarters of what is one of Europe's biggest companies with a market value of about $200 billion.

The biggest challenge in the coming years will be to lift sales in the United States, where Bud Light is the largest brand with 19 percent of the market but has been in steady decline alongside mainstream lager rivals as U.S. consumers increasingly embrace wine and spirits.

BEER SHIFT

When they do drink beer, they are choosing more unusual craft beers made by smaller producers or imported beers, particularly from Mexico.

AB InBev has sold less beer in North America each year since 2014, with a steep 6.2 percent drop in the third quarter of this year.

"People are trading up," said Liberum analyst Nico von Stackelberg. "I don't think anyone is really hoping for dramatic volume turnarounds. Just stopping the bleeding is the hope."

Story continues

Sales volume for the U.S. beer industry was down 1.8 percent for the first nine months of the year and has been down for the past decade, according to Wells Fargo analysts. Per capita beer consumption is down 20 percent in the past 35 years.

Doukeris, who joined the company in 1996, has run its Chinese and Asia Pacific operations, helping to expand Budweiser globally, and launched its "High End" business strategy focused on growing imported and craft beers. AB InBev has acquired nearly a dozen craft beers in recent years.

Brito, who has run the company for 12 years, said the United States is the company's most important market and that Doukeris is the ideal person to lead it.

The CEO cited Doukeris's sales background, which differs from the likes of former U.S. chiefs Luiz Edmond, who excelled at cost-cutting, and Neves, who strengthened relationships with wholesalers.

"He's very consumer-centric, he has a great commercial mind," Brito told Reuters, adding that the company will focus more on category expansion and category management, approaches learned from SABMiller, which AB InBev bought a year ago for $100 billion.

SALES AND MARKETING FOCUS

Under Doukeris, analysts said they expected an approach that would prioritise pulling in consumers rather than pushing distribution.

Doukeris said "the real opportunities" are in how to better organise the portfolio for growth, adding that he would supplement a national strategy with identification of pockets within the U.S. where he could boost sales of Budweiser and Bud Light.

Separately on Monday the company announced five other North American appointments, including the promotion of Brendan Whitworth, a veteran of PepsiCo and the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, to vice president of sales.

AB InBev shares closed little changed at 100.50 euros in Brusssels.

The company's high-end strategy was launched in China and expanded to 22 countries while Doukeris ran the sales division, garnering the business more than $5 billion in global sales. But in September the unit announced a reorganization that included the loss of roughly 2 percent of its workforce, about 300 jobs.

Craft beer is off its double-digit growth rates but is still expected to grow at about 6 percent this year, compared with an overall beer sector that could be down as much as 1.5 percent, Susquehanna analysts said.

Brito said AB InBev would continue to look at acquisition opportunities in craft beer but at present he is "very happy" with the portfolio.

(Reporting by Philip Blenkinsop; Additional reporting by Martinne Geller; Editing by Tom Pfeiffer and David Goodman)
By India Today Web Desk: Anil Kapoor is one busy man. After signing Fanney Khan with his Taal co-actor Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Bollywood's jhakaas Kapoor will now share screen space with dhak-dhak girl Madhuri Dixit. One of the most popular jodis of the 90s, Anil and Madhuri gave some of the biggest hits to their credit. And after 17 years, the two have collaborated for a project.

advertisement

Earlier there was speculation that the two might reunite for a project. And now director Indra Kumar confirmed the news to Mumbai Mirror, "Yes, Anil Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit have been paired in Total Dhamaal which goes on the floors in January in Mumbai."

But this time there won't be any dhak dhak, as Madhuri and Anil have been roped in for a comedy. "This film is essentially a comedy so don't expect any 'dhak dhak' but I promise total dhamaal. Anil and Madhuri have always been a great pair to work with and getting them together again is a dream," added the director.

The filmmaker has scored a hattrick with Madhuri- Dil, Beta and Raja, and Kumar is excited to work with the diva once again. "I approached her a couple of months ago and the script worked its dhamaal on her and everybody else," said Kumar.

Apart from Anil and Madhuri, Total Dhamaal also has Ajay Devgn as a new entrant in the franchise. The director, who will begin shooting for the film in January 2018, is looking for a Diwali release next year. "Of course, the final decision on the release date will be taken by the studio we tie up with but it would be great to have a dhamaal Diwali next year," added Kumar.

The film will also star Riteish Deshmukh, Arshad Warsi and Javed Jafferi.

ALSO WATCH: 90s hearthrobs Anil Kapoor, Madhuri Dixit light up the red carpet

--- ENDS ---
FILE PHOTO - The logo of Dow Jones Industrial Average stock market index listed company Boeing (BA) is seen in Los Angeles, California, United States, April 22, 2016. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson/File Photo

By Tim Hepher and Alexander Cornwell

DUBAI (Reuters) - Emirates unveiled a preliminary order worth $15 billion for 40 Boeing jets on Sunday, but kept Europe's Airbus waiting for a lifeline order for A380 superjumbos as the Dubai Airshow opened amid worries over tensions in the Middle East.

The largest Middle East carrier signed a draft deal for the largest version of Boeing's Dreamliner, the 787-10, watched by Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, credited for the launch of Emirates more than 30 years ago.

Reuters earlier reported Boeing was close to clinching a deal for 787-10s, upstaging expectations of an early Airbus deal for the larger A380.

Emirates chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al-Maktoum said the carrier had chosen the latest version of Boeing's mid-sized wide-body jet after comparing it with the Airbus A350.

Delegates said that comparison delivered a blow to Airbus which had been competing to win back Dubai's endorsement for its mid-sized A350 after Emirates cancelled an order for 70 in 2014.

Its problems did not end there as an anticipated order for A380 superjumbos worth $16 billion failed to materialise at the last moment, forcing it into further talks to finalise a deal.

Airbus has been looking for a boost to the A380 superjumbo, which after a decade in service has seen sales decline in favour of smaller but highly efficient long-haul jets.

Emirates had been expected to announce deals worth $30 billion shared between Airbus and Boeing, whose envoys unusually found themselves rubbing elbows while waiting for deals to pop.

But in a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the $100 billion industry, some Airbus officials stepped into the packed room for a joint announcement, only to see Boeing take the honours.

Top Airbus executives extended their stay as talks continued.

"Emirates are still talking to Airbus about it. There are no promises," a Gulf source said.

TRADE-INS

A key to the deal could be the extent to which Airbus is prepared to buy back A380s due to leave the Emirates fleet.

Story continues

"A few trade-ins will be involved," a person familiar with the matter said.

Day one of the show brought $17 billion of civil orders even as business confidence in the region wobbles, but business remained relatively modest compared to the show's peak in 2013.

A rift emerged in the summer between Qatar and Arab nations, including the United Arab Emirates.

That dispute has kept Qatar Airways, which four years ago ordered planes jointly with Emirates, away from the show.

Tensions deepened this month when Saudi Arabia, the region's biggest economy, detained dozens of top officials in an unprecedented, sweeping corruption crackdown.

But Sheikh Ahmed said the Emirates 787 deal was proof that the region's hub aviation model was working.

He highlighted the impact on jobs in the United States, where Gulf airlines are engaged in a dispute with domestic carriers who accuse them of using subsidies: a charge they deny.

"This is a long-term commitment that supports hundreds of thousands of jobs, not only at Boeing but throughout the aviation supply chain," Sheikh Ahmed said.

"Our announcement today also speaks to our confidence in the future of aviation in the UAE and the region."

In a sign of confidence in demand from premium travellers, Emirates unveiled first-class suites developed in co-operation with luxury car maker Mercedes-Benz.

Azerbaijan Airlines announced an order for five Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner jets and two freighters.

In exhibition halls, defence firms were bullish about their ability to bag contracts with the UAE and its Gulf Arab neighbours given rapidly escalating tensions with Iran.

"We have good chances of closing more contracts with forces here," said Gabriel Ducroizet, sales manager with French firm Rafaut -- which produces racks connecting bombs to warplanes.

The UAE announced a $1.6 billion deal with Lockheed Martin to upgrade 80 F-16 jet fighters.

(Additional reporting by Aziz El Yaakoubi, Noah Browning, Stanley Carvalho; Editing by Catherine Evans)
Boeing (NYSE: BA) is enjoying a healthy lead over rival plane-maker Airbus (Euronext Paris: AIR-FR) as the two firms head to the Dubai Airshow. Boeing's year-to-date orders stand at 605. Meanwhile, Airbus' overall net orders so far this year totaled 288 jetliners. Both figures include for cancelations.It means for 2017, Boeing has logged 68 percent of new plane orders. Traditionally, the big two aircraft manufacturers split new orders almost equally.The vast majority of the Boeing orders are for its narrow body 737 model, for which it has inked 442 deals this year. The next most popular plane coming out of the U.S. firm's factory is the 787 Dreamliner, with a total of 96 orders for 2017. On Thursday, the China Aviation Supplies Holding Company announced an order for 260 narrow-body Boeing jets and 40 wide-bodied planes. This was part of a suite of deals unveiled during President Donald Trump 's visit to China, but it is understood to have been already logged on Boeing's books. Airbus states it has a current backlog of 6,645 aircraft while Boeing's undelivered order pile sits at 5,651. At the show, Boeing will showcase its 787-10 Dreamliner and its smaller 737 MAX while Airbus will attempt to entice new buyers with its long-range A350 and smaller A320 NEO. All of Airbus' new orders in October came from its A320 family, made up of 23 commercial jets and one CJ320ceo corporate jet.The European firm delivered 63 jets in October, including 22 from the A320 NEO line that has been hampered by engine supplier delays.It is reported that Airbus will use the Dubai Airshow to announce a deal to sell 30 more A380 superjumbo jets to Dubai's Emirates airline. Boeing (NYSE: BA) is enjoying a healthy lead over rival plane-maker Airbus (Euronext Paris: AIR-FR) as the two firms head to the Dubai Airshow. Boeing's year-to-date orders stand at 605. Meanwhile, Airbus' overall net orders so far this year totaled 288 jetliners. Both figures include for cancelations. It means for 2017, Boeing has logged 68 percent of new plane orders. Traditionally, the big two aircraft manufacturers split new orders almost equally. The vast majority of the Boeing orders are for its narrow body 737 model, for which it has inked 442 deals this year. The next most popular plane coming out of the U.S. firm's factory is the 787 Dreamliner, with a total of 96 orders for 2017. On Thursday, the China Aviation Supplies Holding Company announced an order for 260 narrow-body Boeing jets and 40 wide-bodied planes. This was part of a suite of deals unveiled during President Donald Trump 's visit to China, but it is understood to have been already logged on Boeing's books. Airbus states it has a current backlog of 6,645 aircraft while Boeing's undelivered order pile sits at 5,651. At the show, Boeing will showcase its 787-10 Dreamliner and its smaller 737 MAX while Airbus will attempt to entice new buyers with its long-range A350 and smaller A320 NEO. All of Airbus' new orders in October came from its A320 family, made up of 23 commercial jets and one CJ320ceo corporate jet. The European firm delivered 63 jets in October, including 22 from the A320 NEO line that has been hampered by engine supplier delays. It is reported that Airbus will use the Dubai Airshow to announce a deal to sell 30 more A380 superjumbo jets to Dubai's Emirates airline.



More From CNBC


Saudi oil giant Aramco said it had resumed operations at its Bahrain pipeline, days after it was shut down over a fire which Manama called a "terrorist" act (AFP Photo/HASSAN AMMAR) (AFP/File)

Riyadh (AFP) - Saudi oil giant Aramco on Monday said it had resumed operations at its Bahrain pipeline, days after it was shut down over a fire which Manama called a "terrorist" act.

"Operations in the pipeline between the Dhahran pumping station and the Bapco refinery, in the Kingdom of Bahrain, have resumed," the official Saudi SPA news agency quoted the oil giant as saying.

Saudi Aramco linked the fire to "vandalism".

Bahrain blamed a "terrorist" act for Saturday's fire near the capital Manama, and Foreign Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed al-Khalifa accused Iran of responsibility.-

A spokesman for the Iranian foreign ministry rejected the accusation.

Bahrain, a Shiite-majority kingdom ruled by a Sunni dynasty, has seen sporadic violence since the repression in 2011 of a protest movement demanding a constitutional monarchy and an elected prime minister.

Authorities have increasingly tightened their grip on dissent, jailing hundreds of protesters and stripping a string of high-profile activists and clerics of citizenship.

The government denies it discriminates against Shiites and accuses neighbouring Iran, the predominant Shiite power and main rival of regional powerbroker Saudi Arabia, of stirring up tensions.

Tehran refutes the accusation.

Bahrain relies on its Abu Safa field, which it shares with neighbouring Saudi Arabia, for much of its oil, pumped in via a 230,000-barrel-per-day pipeline.

The kingdom is a key ally of the United States and home to Washington's Fifth Fleet.
Emirates Airline says it is ordering 40 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners. (Emirates Airline Photo)

The Boeing Co. and Emirates Airline wowed the 2017 Dubai Airshow today with a commitment for the purchase of 40 787-10 Dreamliners, valued at $15.1 billion at current list prices.

The planes will be delivered starting in 2022, said Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and CEO of Emirates Airline and Group.

Observers said the orders came as a surprise, especially considering that Airbus has been negotiating with Emirates for a large order of jets.

The Associated Press quoted Sheikh Ahmed as saying the 787 was the best option  given its maintenance and so on. Emirates may still announce an order for Airbus larger A380 jets later in the week.

Both Boeing and Emirates emphasized the impact of todays deal on U.S. employment, which has been a key theme for the Trump administration.

This is a long-term commitment that supports hundreds of thousands of jobs, not only at Boeing but also throughout the aviation supply chain, Sheikh Ahmed said.

Boeing cited a Department of Commerce formula for employment impact that suggests the $15.1 billion deal would support more than 75,000 direct and indirect U.S. jobs.

Today Boeing also announced an order from Azerbaijan Airlines for five 787-8 Dreamliners, plus a commitment to purchase two large freighters and participate in Boeings 787 landing gear exchange program. The Azerbaijan deal carries a list-price value of about $1.9 billion.

Emirates, meanwhile, used the air show as an opportunity to highlight its move toward enclosed first-class suites in its Boeing 777 fleet:

More from GeekWire:
Between Oct. 15 and Dec. 7, Medicare's annual open enrollment period, millions of Medicare beneficiaries have a chance to make changes to their coverage for the upcoming year.

There are a few things you can do during this period.

You can change from one Medicare Advantage or prescription drug plan to another. People currently enrolled in Original Medicare can also switch to a private Medicare Advantage plan, or they can drop their existing Medicare Advantage coverage to return to Original Medicare.

Making sense of Medicare, the government-run health insurance plan for people with disabilities and people age 65 and older, isn't easy. "It's like root canal every year having to get yourself up to speed on what's covered by your plan and what's not," admits Bob Hurley, president of eHealthMedicare.com. But by focusing on a few key areas and knowing where to turn for help if you need it, you can identify a plan that will work for you.

Here are six things to consider when shopping for your Medicare coverage options.

1. Take the time to shop and compare.

Although experts encourage people to shop around and weigh their options each year during this time, Medicare beneficiaries have a tendency to stick with their existing coverage and avoid making changes. A study by the Kaiser Family Foundation, for example, found that only about 13 percent of people with a Medicare Part D plan change their plan each year. That can be a costly mistake, experts say.

In fact, a recent survey of 30,000 people using eHealthMedicare.com found that only 10 were enrolled in the Medicare prescription drug coverage plan that covered their prescription drugs at the lowest possible price, and that by switching plans they could have saved an average of $541 over the course of 2017.

[See: How to Pick a Health Insurance Plan.]

2. Look beyond monthly premiums.

The monthly price of Medicare Advantage or Part D plans varies widely both across the country and within a particular market. Next year, however, the average premium for a Part D drug plan nationwide will decline to $33.50, the first time Part D average premiums have declined since 2012.

Story continues

Medicare Advantage plans will come with an average price of $30 per month -- a decline of 6 percent from 2017. And many people will have access to a Medicare Advantage plan that comes with no premium at all.

But beware: Low monthly premiums can mask higher out-of-pocket costs. "Plans can increase the cost-sharing," says Elaine Wong Eakin, executive director of California Health Advocates, a Medicare advocacy organization. And they will. For example, according to the health care consulting firm Avalere Health, fewer Medicare beneficiaries will have access to a Medicare Advantage plan with an out-of-pocket limit below $4,000.

A plan with a low monthly premium may end up being pricier in the long run. You need to pay close attention to a plan's copays, coinsurance and deductibles to get a sense of what your total spending could be for the year.

3. Check for your medications.

Wong Eakin cautions people about commonly used "preferred pharmacy networks." You'll pay less for your medications at a preferred pharmacy than you will even at those that participate with your plan but don't have this special designation.

[Read: 6 Health Care Expenses Medicare Won't Pay For.]

4. Confirm your doctor's affiliation.

Provider networks change all the time, so you can't count on your doctor participating with your plan in 2018 even if he or she did this year. Be sure to confirm that your doctor is still in your plan because seeing a nonparticipating physician will leave you on the hook for higher out-of-pocket costs.

"Plans are required to give beneficiaries 30 days notice if their doctor's contract is terminated," Wong Eakin says. In addition, she says, insurers must help you find a new physician who does participate.

5. Reach for the stars.

Medicare has a quality rating system in which Medicare Advantage and Part D plans are given anywhere from one to five stars to indicate quality. Five stars are the most a plan can receive, and one is the least.

"The star ratings are underrated and underused, but I think they're really important," Hurley says. "I personally wouldn't enroll in a plan with three stars or less."

[See: How to Help Aging Parents Manage Medications.]

6. Get help with your decision.

Consumers should know about free assistance available online, by telephone and in person to help them wade through the details.

You can find and compare Medicare Advantage and prescription-drug plans available in your area by inputting your zip code on the Plan Finder tool at Medicare.gov. You can also compare and purchase plans at eHealthMedicare.com.

Counselors are also available, free of charge, to provide you with personalized assistance through State Health Insurance Assistance Programs. You can find your local program by visiting the Medicare.gov Medicare Helpful Contacts page or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
The quadrilateral meeting of officials of the four countries in Manila has been followed closely by Beijing and strategic experts in China.

By Ananth Krishnan: China on Monday said that regional cooperation groupings should "avoid politicising or excluding" countries, reacting warily to the first ever meeting of officials from India, United States, Japan and Australia in a decade.

The quadrilateral meeting of officials of the four countries in Manila - their leaders decided to have lower-level diplomats meet in a cautious beginning - has been followed closely by Beijing and strategic experts in China, coming on the heels of the Donald Trump administration rolling out an "Indo-Pacific" strategy that suggests a more broad approach to the region.

advertisement

None of the four countries mentioned China in their readouts of the meeting. A statement from India on Sunday said the meeting focused on "issues of common interest in the Indo-Pacific region".

"The discussions focused on cooperation based on their converging vision and values for promotion of peace, stability and prosperity in an increasingly inter-connected region that they share with each other and with other partners," the statement said.

"They agreed that a free, open, prosperous and inclusive Indo-Pacific region serves the long-term interests of all countries in the region and of the world at large. The officials also exchanged views on addressing common challenges of terrorism and proliferation linkages impacting the region as well as on enhancing connectivity."

Japan said the meeting "discussed measures to ensure a free and open international order based on the rule of law in the Indo-Pacific", while the United States said "the officials examined ways to achieve common goals and address common challenges in the region, such as upholding the rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific, including freedom of navigation and overflight, respect for international law, and the peaceful resolution of disputes."

In a measured reaction, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said that in Beijing's view "whether the region is [called] Asia-Pacific or Indo-Pacific, it should correspond with the trend of the times and the trend of the world."

"The relevant proposals should be open and inclusive and conducive to win-win cooperation, and should avoid politicising or excluding relevant parties," Geng added.

Beijing has reacted warily to the "Indo-Pacific" approach, viewing it as aimed at supporting a more prominent role for India in an interconnected region and, some Chinese analysts say, also aimed at diluting China's influence.

Geng said China hoped "policies made and actions taken by relevant parties can correspond with the trend of the times, featuring peace, cooperation, friendship and development and be conducive to upholding regional peace, prosperity and stability."

He added that it was China's "consistent foreign policy" that it would "welcome development of friendly cooperation between relevant countries, and we hope this will not be directed at a third party."

--- ENDS ---
LONDON (Reuters) - Forty members of parliament from Prime Minister Theresa May's Conservative Party have agreed to sign a letter of no-confidence in her, the Sunday Times newspaper reported.

That is eight short of the number needed to trigger a party leadership contest, the mechanism through which May could be forced from office and replaced by another Conservative.

May has been struggling to maintain her authority over her party since a snap election on June 8 which she called thinking she would win by a wide margin but instead resulted in her losing her parliamentary majority.

Divided over how to extricate Britain from the European Union and hit by multiple scandals involving ministers, May's government has failed to assert control over a chaotic political situation that is weakening London's hand in Brexit talks.

An earlier attempt to unseat May in the wake of her disastrous speech at the annual party conference fizzled out, but many Conservatives remain unhappy with the prime minister's performance and talk of a leadership contest has not gone away.

May has lost two cabinet ministers in as many weeks: Michael Fallon stepped down as defence secretary after becoming implicated in a wider scandal about sexual misconduct in parliament, while Priti Patel resigned as aid minister after she was found to have had secret meetings with top Israeli officials.

In the event of a leadership contest, if a challenger defeated May he or she would take over as Conservative leader and as prime minister. A national election is not necessary for that to happen.

(Reporting by Estelle Shirbon; Editing by James Dalgleish)
By Alwyn Scott and Ankit Ajmera (Reuters) - General Electric Co's new Chief Executive John Flannery on Monday outlined steps that will turn the biggest U.S. industrial conglomerate into a smaller, more focused company, surprising some investors who sold the company's shares to a five-year low. Flannery's plan to shrink GE's multi-industry array of businesses was a reversal of the deal-driven empire building of his predecessors, Jeff Immelt and Jack Welch, and potentially a milestone in the decline of the conglomerate as a business strategy. Other companies that once emulated the GE model of spreading bets among diverse industries are now unwinding their portfolios as well, something Immelt also did throughout his 16 years as CEO, even as he made acquisitions. Flannery said he will pare GE down to three core businesses: power, aviation and healthcare. He will keep Immelt's strategy of building software to complement GE's machinery, albeit with a narrower focus and reduced budget. For investors, Flannery's decision to cut both the dividend and the 2018 earnings forecast by half added up to a whole that was less than they judged GE be worth last week. GE shares fell to their lowest level in more than five years as investors worried the years-long overhaul would not pare down enough expenses or generate as much cash as they hoped. They closed off the day's lows, down 7.2 percent to $19.02. "They need to cut more cost," said Scott Davis, an analyst at Melius Research. "GE is still a bloated company with duplicate costs up and down the organization." GE stock has effectively been dead money since September 2001, when Immelt took over, posting a negative total return even after reinvesting its juicy dividends. Once the most valuable U.S. publicly traded company, GE now has a market value of $168 billion, less than a fifth of Apple Inc . "You have pessimism around its portfolio of businesses mixed with a pretty harsh cut in the dividend," said John Augustine, chief investment officer at Huntington Private Bank. "It took them years to get into this mess and it will take them several years to right the ship and get back into a stronger position. 'SOUL OF THE COMPANY' Flannery, who took over as CEO on Aug. 1, said he was "looking for the soul of the company again" and would focus on "restoring the oxygen of cash and earnings to the company." He will cut its board to 12 from 18 members, and bring on three new directors early next year. GE said it already has shed 25 percent of its corporate staff, meaning 1,500 jobs around the world, including some at its Boston headquarters. It is aiming to reduce overhead cost by $2 billion next year, half of that at its troubled power unit that sells electrical generation equipment. The transition includes GE getting rid of at least $20 billion of assets through sales, spin-offs or other means. GE will jettison businesses with "a very dispassionate eye," Flannery said, keeping only units that offer growth, a leading market position and a large installed base. GE said it would exit its lighting, transportation, industrial solutions and electrical grid businesses, all of which were widely expected, closing factories around the globe. But it was vague about other disposals. It plans to get rid of its 62.5-percent stake in oilfield services company Baker Hughes , only months after making the multi-billion dollar investment. Baker Hughes shares lost 3.2 percent. Flannery offered no quick fixes for investors. He said power, one of the businesses GE would focus on, was "challenged," but could be turned around in one to two years. GE's Digital unit, on which Immelt bet billions of dollars, would focus on selling apps to customers in its core businesses, Flannery said. He confirmed that the shift meant sales staff were being let go, as Reuters reported last week. GE also will cut spending on the digital unit to $1.1 billion in 2018 from $1.5 billion in 2017. GE had previously said it would invest $2.1 billion in its digital unit in 2017, but that tally included money not tied to Predix, GE's industrial-internet platform, GE said. Flannery said there is "no retreat on the idea" of GE providing both applications and the Predix platform to connect industrial equipment to computers that can make machines run better. However, getting one of its key applications to run on Predix could take two more years. Flannery added that some of its healthcare IT business, such as software for imaging and hospital staff scheduling, were still critical to the company and not likely to be divested. DIVIDEND CUT The dividend cut, to 48 cents from 96 cents next year, is only the third in the company's 125-year history and the first not during a broader financial crisis. It is expected to save about $4 billion in cash annually. "This dividend cut will be a major disappointment to GE's (roughly 40 percent) retail shareholder base," said RBC Capital Markets analyst Deane Dray. The cut will be the eighth-biggest dividend cut in history among S&P 500 companies, according to Howard Silverblatt, senior index analyst of S&P Dow Jones Indices. GE also had the biggest cut when it slashed its dividend by $8.87 billion in 2009, Silverblatt said. GE forecast 2018 adjusted earnings of $1 to $1.07 a share, compared with its earlier estimate of $2 per share. Wall Street was expecting $1.16, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. Industrial free cash flow will total just $6 billion to $7 billion next year, up from an estimated $3 billion in 2017, but far below earlier targets of $12 billion for 2017. GE said the weak power business had largely prompted the dividend cut and lowered earnings forecast. Demand for new power plants will remain slow through 2019, Flannery predicted. But GE also was to blame, he said. "We did not manage the (power) business well," he said. "That's a fundamental change we need to make and that's going to take some time. This is not a magic wand." (For a graphic on 'Top five dividend yields in the Dow 30' click http://reut.rs/2zx3aoR) (Reporting by Alwyn Scott in New York and Ankit Ajmera in Bengaluru; Additional reporting by Lewis Krauskopf and David Randall; Writing by Sayantani Ghosh and Bill Rigby; Editing by Saumyadeb Chakrabarty and Nick Zieminski)
Heres a look at some of the stocks the Yahoo Finance team will be watching for you today.

General Electric (GE) announced some big changes Monday morning. The struggling industrial giant and Dow component is cutting its dividend by half, to $0.12 a share, as it looks for ways to hold onto cash. GE also lowered its earnings target for 2018 and announced a broad restructuring, in which it will keep its health care, aviation and energy units. This as new Chief Executive John Flannery laid out a new strategy for the company during its investor day.

Mattel (MAT) shares surged following new reports that Hasbro (HAS) made a takeover offer for its rival. Analysts are skeptical about the deal because of antitrust issues. The buy would also put Hasbro back into the business of owning toy factories which hasnt been the case for many years. Hasbro is also higher on the news in early trading.

Brookfield Property Partners (BPY) is buying mall owner GGP (GGP). Brookfield will pay $14.8 billion, or $23 a share, for the remainder of GGP it doesnt already own in a half-cash, half-stock deal. The acquisition is expected to help GGP add features to its malls to attract foot traffic. Shareholders must still sign off on the buyout.

Qualcomm (QCOM) has rejected Broadcoms (AVGO) $103 billion bid after saying the offer undervalues the company. Qualcomms CEO said this morning he believes his company can create significant value for shareholders on its own. For its part, Broadcom has said its open to launching a proxy battle.

Boeing (BA) has wrapped up its deal with Emirates. The Dubai-based carrier has committed to buying 40 of Boeings Dreamliner 787s in a deal worth more than $15 billion. Its seen as a major blow to rival Airbus. This is the second time Airbus has lost out on selling its jumbo jet to Emirates.
FILE PHOTO: The ticker and logo for General Electric Co. is displayed on a screen at the post where it's traded on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., June 30, 2016. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo

By Alwyn Scott and Ankit Ajmera

(Reuters) - General Electric Co's (GE.N) new Chief Executive John Flannery on Monday outlined steps that will turn the biggest U.S. industrial conglomerate into a smaller, more focussed company, surprising some investors who sold the company's shares to a five-year low.

Flannery's plan to shrink GE's multi-industry array of businesses was a reversal of the deal-driven empire building of his predecessors, Jeff Immelt and Jack Welch, and potentially a milestone in the decline of the conglomerate as a business strategy.

Other companies that once emulated the GE model of spreading bets among diverse industries are now unwinding their portfolios as well, something Immelt also did throughout his 16 years as CEO, even as he made acquisitions.

Flannery said he will pare GE down to three core businesses: power, aviation and healthcare. He will keep Immelt's strategy of building software to complement GE's machinery, albeit with a narrower focus and reduced budget.

For investors, Flannery's decision to cut both the dividend and the 2018 earnings forecast by half added up to a whole that was less than they judged GE be worth last week.

GE shares fell to their lowest level in more than five years as investors worried the years-long overhaul would not pare down enough expenses or generate as much cash as they hoped. They closed off the day's lows, down 7.2 percent to $19.02.

"They need to cut more cost," said Scott Davis, an analyst at Melius Research. "GE is still a bloated company with duplicate costs up and down the organisation."

GRAPHIC-Top five dividend yields in the Dow 30: http://reut.rs/2zx3aoR

GE stock has effectively been dead money since September 2001, when Immelt took over, posting a negative total return even after reinvesting its juicy dividends. Once the most valuable U.S. publicly traded company, GE now has a market value of $168 billion, less than a fifth of Apple Inc (AAPL.O).

"You have pessimism around its portfolio of businesses mixed with a pretty harsh cut in the dividend," said John Augustine, chief investment officer at Huntington Private Bank. "It took them years to get into this mess and it will take them several years to right the ship and get back into a stronger position.

Story continues

'SOUL OF THE COMPANY'

Flannery, who took over as CEO on Aug. 1, said he was "looking for the soul of the company again" and would focus on "restoring the oxygen of cash and earnings to the company."

He will cut its board to 12 from 18 members, and bring on three new directors early next year.

GE said it already has shed 25 percent of its corporate staff, meaning 1,500 jobs around the world, including some at its Boston headquarters. It is aiming to reduce overhead cost by $2 billion next year, half of that at its troubled power unit that sells electrical generation equipment.

The transition includes GE getting rid of at least $20 billion of assets through sales, spin-offs or other means. GE will jettison businesses with "a very dispassionate eye," Flannery said, keeping only units that offer growth, a leading market position and a large installed base.

GE said it would exit its lighting, transportation, industrial solutions and electrical grid businesses, all of which were widely expected, closing factories around the globe. But it was vague about other disposals.

It plans to get rid of its 62.5-percent stake in oilfield services company Baker Hughes (BHGE.N), only months after making the multi-billion dollar investment. Baker Hughes shares lost 3.2 percent.

Flannery offered no quick fixes for investors. He said power, one of the businesses GE would focus on, was "challenged," but could be turned around in one to two years.

GE's Digital unit, on which Immelt bet billions of dollars, would focus on selling apps to customers in its core businesses, Flannery said. He confirmed that the shift meant sales staff were being let go, as Reuters reported last week.

GE also will cut spending on the digital unit to $1.1 billion in 2018 from $1.5 billion in 2017. GE had previously said it would invest $2.1 billion in its digital unit in 2017, but that tally included money not tied to Predix, GE's industrial-internet platform, GE said.

Flannery said there is "no retreat on the idea" of GE providing both applications and the Predix platform to connect industrial equipment to computers that can make machines run better. However, getting one of its key applications to run on Predix could take two more years.

Flannery added that some of its healthcare IT business, such as software for imaging and hospital staff scheduling, were still critical to the company and not likely to be divested.

DIVIDEND CUT

The dividend cut, to 48 cents from 96 cents next year, is only the third in the company's 125-year history and the first not during a broader financial crisis. It is expected to save about $4 billion in cash annually.

"This dividend cut will be a major disappointment to GE's (roughly 40 percent) retail shareholder base," said RBC Capital Markets analyst Deane Dray.

The cut will be the eighth-biggest dividend cut in history among S&P 500 companies, according to Howard Silverblatt, senior index analyst of S&P Dow Jones Indices. GE also had the biggest cut when it slashed its dividend by $8.87 billion in 2009, Silverblatt said.

GE forecast 2018 adjusted earnings of $1 to $1.07 a share, compared with its earlier estimate of $2 per share. Wall Street was expecting $1.16, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

Industrial free cash flow will total just $6 billion to $7 billion next year, up from an estimated $3 billion in 2017, but far below earlier targets of $12 billion for 2017.

GE said the weak power business had largely prompted the dividend cut and lowered earnings forecast. Demand for new power plants will remain slow through 2019, Flannery predicted.

But GE also was to blame, he said.

"We did not manage the (power) business well," he said. "That's a fundamental change we need to make and that's going to take some time. This is not a magic wand."

(Reporting by Alwyn Scott in New York and Ankit Ajmera in Bengaluru; Additional reporting by Lewis Krauskopf and David Randall; Writing by Sayantani Ghosh and Bill Rigby; Editing by Saumyadeb Chakrabarty and Nick Zieminski)
(Adds quotes and context)

By Kwasi Kpodo

ACCRA, Nov 13 (Reuters) - Ghana has opened talks with Exxon Mobil Corp to allow the U.S. oil firm to undertake deepwater exploration off its coast, a deputy energy minister said on Monday.

"The negotiations are ongoing according to our current laws ... so far so good," Mohamed Amin Adam told Reuters on the sidelines of an Africa oil conference in Accra.

Adam said the government had opted for direct negotiation with Exxon Mobil without open competitive tendering due to the peculiar nature of the field, and because Ghana has yet to pass regulations to back open competitive tendering.

A new petroleum law requires that oil contracts should be awarded through open and competitive tender. It also allows direct negotiation when necessary and justifiable.

Exxon Mobil signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Ghana in 2015 to assess its Deepwater Cape Three Point (DCTP) region, 150 km (100 miles) off the coast with water depth ranging between 2,000 and 4,000 metres (6,500 and 13,000 feet).

The government said two firms had separately opted not to seek to explore the field because of its depth and high risk levels.

Adam said the government considered the ExxonMobil bid important, given the firm's experience and capability in deepwater operations. "Ultra-deepwater exploration is beyond the reach of current technology and we believe operators with strong research and development capability such as ExxonMobil are needed to unlock the potentials," Adam said.

The DCTP interest is the second attempt by Exxon Mobil to acquire oil assets in Ghana after the government blocked its 2009 bid to take over Kosmos' stake in the flagship Jubilee field.

Ghana, which also produces cocoa and gold, expects to ramp up oil production to around 250,000 barrels per day by 2019 from four oil fields including Jubilee whose current combined average annual output is around 100,000 bpd. (Reporting by Kwasi Kpodo; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
Toys 'R' Us may not be the only major casualty of technology's influence on the toy industry. Wall Street Journal sources claim that Hasbro recently made an offer to buy Mattel. It's not clear what terms Hasbro offered or how receptive Mattel was, but it would put two of the best-known kids' brands together -- My Little Pony and Hot Wheels would exist side-by-side. Neither side is commenting on the apparent leak.

Hasbro is likely taking advantage of Mattel's relative weakness. While Hasbro has been riding high on sales of Disney-themed toys (including Star Wars) as well as licenses for movies and TV, Mattel is in the midst of turning around years of failed toy lines that weighed it down. Also, the two are complementary: where Hasbro ditched its manufacturing facilities a while ago, it would get some back with a Mattel deal. There are concerns that a Hasbro/Mattel pact could violate US antitrust law by creating a dominant toy maker, but it's not certain that a union would face scrutiny as tough as for, say, a telecom.

If a deal did go ahead, it would reflect the tech industry's increasingly firm grip on kids' free time. Although Hasbro clearly has the upper hand, both it and Mattel have to compete with consoles and tablets -- how do you get parents to buy Barbie playhouses when video games beckon? It could have long-term consequences for connected toys, too. Hasbro would have a larger stable of tech-driven toys, and could fold Mattel's know-how into its own projects.
The House of Representatives is committed to preserving some of the deductions for state and local taxes that Americans can claim on their federal taxes, House Ways and Means Committee Chair Kevin Brady (R-TX) said while speaking to Chris Wallace on Fox News Sunday. That highlights some distance between the House and Senate on one of the most contentious components of the GOP tax reform package, but its not quite as dramatic as it might sound.

Both Brady and Wallace seemed to have chosen their words carefully in the exchange. The House version of the tax reform bill preserves a $10,000 deduction for state and local property taxes, while the Senate bill preserves no deductions. Wallace only asked Brady if the House bill will include the total elimination of the deductions, so the tightly capped property tax deduction is enough to allow Brady to say no. But Brady did not mention state and local income tax deductions, which recent versions of the House bill do not preserve.

Get CEO Daily, Fortunes newsletter for leaders.

Taxpayers in liberal havens such as New York and California claim the majority of the total state and local tax deductions taken each year, while more conservative states such as Texas generally have fewer regional taxes, including state income taxes. Conservatives often see that as an unfair advantage to the mostly Democratic locales with higher local taxes, a position President Donald Trump articulated in October  though states with high local taxes also tend to be net contributors to the federal budget.

Those states do also have Republican lawmakers, and at least one of them  Long Island Republican Representative Peter King  is committed to opposing the current House bill. King also appeared on Fox News this Sunday, and said he is opposing the current bill because of the elimination of the state and local tax deductions. King described the change as a tax hike on the middle class, and as class warfare against hard-working people who are going to get screwed by this bill.

Story continues

That sort of talk from Republicans is making investors nervous about GOP reforms, which promised large cuts to corporate tax rates that they say will in turn raise wages. Those cuts need to be funded by hikes elsewhere, but rising dissent over issues like state and local deductions is conjuring visions of the failed push for health care reform.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the aisle, Democrats are showing a united front on opposing the tax plan. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) Sunday described the proposed deduction changes as a dagger to the heart of New York and New Jersey. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) has lambasted the corporate tax cuts, which would bring U.S. rates in line with those of other advanced economies, as corporate welfare.
The Missouri attorney general's office is investigating whether Google (GOOGL) has run afoul of consumer protection or antitrust laws in the state. Attorney General Josh Hawley's office said on Monday that it issued a subpoena to investigate if Google's use of information that it collects about consumers is appropriate and if the company stifles competing websites in search results. Google has largely steered clear of antitrust problems in the U.S. That's not the case in Europe, where the company faces a fine of about $2.7 billion over the display of its shopping ads. Google has challenged the decision in Europe, citing competitors like Amazon (AMZN) and eBay (EBAY) and arguing that its process doesn't favor "ourselves, or any particular site or seller" but rather is "the result of hard work and constant innovation, based on user feedback." The Federal Trade Commission has come to rely more heavily on states attorneys general for enforcement. The FTC sometimes comments on state regulations or coordinates a joint investigation, and state attorneys general can bring federal antitrust suits on behalf of a citizen of their state. Google Spokesperson Patrick Lenihan told CNBC that Google has not yet received the subpoena. "[W]e have strong privacy protections in place for our users and continue to operate in a highly competitive and dynamic environment," Lenihan said.



More From CNBC


The four-nation coalition proposed by Japanese PM Shinzo Abe originally in 2007 seems to be taking shape in Manila on the sidelines of ASEAN Summit.

By Prabhash K Dutta: Manila, the venue for 31st ASEAN Summit and capital city of the Philippines, has signaled emergence of a new world order and renewed efforts on the sidelines of the meet to keep the balance of power steady in Indo-Pacific region.

Though the top leaders of Australia, India, Japan and the US are yet to formally engage in what is being called as quadrilateral alliance or coalition, the talks between the four nations have begun at level of foreign office officials. This indicates widening of their security cooperation under Japan-proposed quadrilateral alliance.

advertisement

The meeting between the officials of the four nations at Manila yesterday is being seen as the first major move towards formation of the quadrilateral security dialogue or 'quad'. The deliberations were focused on "common" interests in the region.

"The officials also exchanged views on addressing common challenges of terrorism and proliferation linkages (read China-North Korea connection) impacting the region as well as on enhancing connectivity," the MEA statement said.

WHAT IS QUADRILATERAL ALLIANCE?

With the rising might of China in Asia and its assertiveness on global issues, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had proposed the idea of quadrilateral security dialogue (QSD) by widening the scope of the trilateral strategic dialogue (TSD) involving Australia, Japan and the US.

The TSD began with a series of meetings from 2002 between the three countries with the stated objectives of fighting global terrorism and containing nuclear proliferation. But, the grouping was ostensibly intended to keep a check on Chinese emergence as a dominant world power and a bullying force in the Pacific Ocean region especially in the South China Sea.

The TSD was elevated to ministerial level talks in 2005 and two years later Shinzo Abe proposed to include India as the fourth partner and change the nature of the dialogue from strategic to security interests.

WHAT HAPPENED IN LAST 10 YEARS?

Shinzo Abe's proposal to hold the quadrilateral security dialogue involving Australia, India, Japan and the US kicked off in 2007 with the support from the then US Vice-President Dick Cheney, former Australian Prime Minister John Howard and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The quadrilateral dialogue also saw joint military exercises of unprecedented scale under Exercise Malabar. The diplomatic engagement too gained momentum making China nervous about the new grouping in the region of its ambitious expansion plans.

China registered formal protests with each of the quad member countries. China was the lone power in the region left in isolation. But, the Japan PM's idea could not take off to formalisation of a coalition. With the change of leadership in Australia, the quad was junked.

Kevin Rudd replaced Howard in Australia in 2007 and by 2008, he had unilaterally announced departure from the quadrilateral security dialogue. The QSD ceased. But, Exercise Malabar continued with India, Japan and the US. There is renewed interest shown by Australia joining the annual naval exercise.

advertisement

With another change of government in Australia in 2010 when Julia Gillard replaced Rudd as the Prime Minister, things moved favourably for the quad. Julia Gillard favoured enhanced military cooperation with Japan and the US.

The India question seems to have been answered now under Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who is also in Manila to attend the ASEAN Summit. Finding conditions favourable, Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono in October again mooted the idea of quadrilateral dialogue. Taro Kono had indicated that Japan would take efforts for the QSD talks in Manila.

WHAT NOW?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is meeting US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on the sidelines of ASEAN Summit. A meeting with Malcolm Turnbull is not yet on the cards, but its possibility cannot be rejected.

During Modi -Trump and Modi-Abe talks, the issues of "common challenges" are expected to feature prominently. Both, Trump and Abe have been pushing for greater role for India in the Indo-Pacific region.

Reports suggest that the issue of China's aggressive build up in the South China Sea figured in the meeting of the quad officials yesterday. China's global ambitions and its rapid expansion in the Indian Ocean have been a cause for alarm for all the big geostrategic players.

advertisement

India and China are already engaged in rivalry on many fronts including territorial claims and counter-claims. India has perceived China's assertiveness on including the China-Pakistan-Economic-Corridor in its One Belt, One Road (OBOR) initiative as a direct challenge to its sovereignty as it passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

China has recently acquired a couple of ports at strategic locations in the Indian Ocean warranting a review by India of its naval strategic policy. On the other hand, President Trump has been insisting on deepening India's role in Indo-Pacific region.

Trump uses the "Indo-Pacific" term so often that it has led to speculations that the US has already prepared its plan to have the quadrilateral security dialogue in place before much long. Only the Narendra Modi government, it seems, has to make up its mind and join, as part of its 'Act East Policy', what could be an effective counter-China block.

--- ENDS ---
A flame shoots out of a chimney at a petro-industrial factory in Kawasaki near Tokyo December 18, 2014. REUTERS/Thomas Peter/Files (Reuters)

By Jessica Resnick-Ault

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices held steady in a tight range Monday after briefly testing lower, with support from Middle East tensions and record long bets by fund managers balanced by rising U.S. production.

Brent crude futures <LCOc1> settled down 36 cents, or 0.6 percent, at $63.16 a barrel while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures <CLc1> settled up 2 cents a barrel at $56.76.

Last week, Brent rose to $64.65, its highest since June 2015, and WTI hit $57.92, its highest since July 2015.

Middle East tensions have supported the market, despite concerns that output could rise further.

"The rise by Saudi Arabia to produce more than 10 million barrels per day would have registered more," said John Kilduff Partner at Again Capital. "This is a new level of geopolitical risk," he said. Additionally, the market has less supply overhang than it did a year ago, he said.

On the supply side, tensions in the Middle East raised the prospect of disruptions, traders said. A purge this month of Saudi Arabia's leadership by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is one of the key factors raising concerns about political stability of the region's largest oil producer.

Other regional concerns include war in Yemen and growing tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran is a concern to investors too.

Additionally, traders said it was unclear whether a strong earthquake that hit Iran and Iraq on Sunday had affected the region's oil production.

Bahrain said at the weekend that an explosion that caused a fire at its main oil pipeline on Friday was caused by sabotage, linking the attack to Iran, which denied any role.

Traders said crude prices were well supported as output cuts led by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and Russia have contributed to a reduction in excess supply that had dogged markets since 2014.

OPEC forecast higher demand for its oil in 2018 and said its production-cutting deal with rival producers was reducing excess oil in storage, pointing to an even tighter global market next year. However, it also pointed out that Saudi output had risen above 10 million barrels per day.

Story continues

The level of inventories held by industrialised above the five-year average "has fallen by more than 50 percent in 2017, with inventories currently at around 160 million barrels," consultancy Timera Energy said.

"If current trends continue, inventories are likely to return to the five-year average at some stage in 2018," it said, adding that strong demand had also helped reduce the glut.

OPEC has sought to push stocks to the five-year average.

Hedge funds and other money managers raised their bullish wagers on U.S. crude futures and options positions in the week to Nov. 7, data showed on Monday. The speculator group raised its combined futures and options position in New York and London by 37,960 contracts to 381,666 during the period, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) said. That maintained the highest level since mid-April. [L1N1NJ1OQ]

Hedge funds also increased holdings of Brent futures and options in the latest week, extending their bet on a rally to the highest on record. Managers now hold net long positions equivalent to nearly 544 million barrels of oil.

"Overall, there are a few reasons for confidence - compliance from OPEC - and it seems likely they'll extend the cut," said Jasper Lawler, a market strategist at London Capital Group, referring to the output deal due to expire in March.

U.S. producers added nine oil rigs last week, the biggest jump since June, raising the count to 738, energy services firm Baker Hughes said on Friday.

The rig count <RIG-OL-USA-BHI> fell in August, September and October, but last week's rise was the second in three weeks, indicating that the U.S. oil industry was comfortable operating at current prices.

(Additional reporting by Amanda Cooper in London; Editing by Marguerita Choy and Edmund Blair)
OPEC President Saudi Arabia's Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih talks to journalists before the beginning of a meeting of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in Vienna, Austria, on May 25, 2017. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger/Files

By Rania El Gamal and Maha El Dahan

ABU DHABI (Reuters) - OPEC and non-OPEC oil producers are moving towards deciding at their Nov. 30 meeting whether to extend a global agreement to curb oil supply further into 2018, two ministers said on Monday, a quicker time frame than previously indicated.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, plus Russia and nine other producers, are cutting output by about 1.8 million barrels per day until March in an attempt to eradicate a glut, and are considering extending the deal for longer.

Reuters reported last month, citing OPEC sources, that producers were leaning towards prolonging the agreement until the end of 2018, though the decision could be postponed until early next year depending on the market.

But United Arab Emirates Energy Minister Suhail bin Mohammed al-Mazroui said on Monday he saw no need for the decision to be delayed beyond the Nov. 30 meeting in Vienna. His Omani counterpart voiced confidence there would be an agreement this month.

"I don't see the need to delay the decision until March ... We are not going to meet in that quarter unless it is extraordinary," Mazroui said at an energy industry conference.

If there is a decision to extend the supply cut it will be until the end of 2018, said the Omani oil minister, Mohammed bin Hamad al-Rumhi, adding that he did not think producers would agree to deepen the curbs.

Mazroui, whose country next year holds the rotating OPEC presidency, said that while the UAE backed an extension, he could not say yet whether it would support maintaining the supply cut until the end of 2018.

In its November oil market report, OPEC increased the forecast for 2018 demand for its crude by 360,000 bpd from last month's report to 33.42 million bpd.

It also said industrialised countries' September commercial oil inventories, a key marker OPEC uses to measure market balance, fall by 23.6 million barrels to 2.985 billion barrels.

Story continues

Stocks were 154 million barrels above the five-year average, the excess that OPEC aims to eliminate.

OPEC Secretary-General Mohammad Barkindo, speaking at the same event, said participants in the deal are committed to achieving market stability.

(Additional reporting by Aziz El Yaakoubi and Stanley Carvalho; Writing by Andrew Torchia, Alex Lawler and Ahmad Ghaddar; Editing by Dale Hudson and Adrian Croft)
PayPal Holdings, Inc. PYPL is the latest company to dive into the fast-growing digital payments market in India.

The payment processor company recently announced the launch of its domestic operations in India in a bid to expand its presence in the country.

The companys price performance looks impressive. On a year-to-date-basis, the company has outperformed the industry. Shares of PayPal have gained 87.5% compared with the industrys growth of 29.2%.

More to the Headlines

With the launch of PayPals domestic services, Indian customers can now use PayPal to shop online at some of Indias popular businesses. Merchants who will offer PayPal can process both local and global payments for PayPals 218 customer accounts through the payment gateway.

Reportedly, in this regard, the company is partnering with Government and state-owned banks on a number of initiatives including digital financial literacy program and eTourist Visa (eTV).

In order to carry out its operations effectively, PayPal has set up a customer service centre in India with multi-lingual support capabilities. It has also provided an on-ground sales team which will help in driving customer engagement and education.

Why India?

The question should be, why not India!

Firstly, the country has huge growth potential. According to the trade body GSMA and the Boston Consulting Group (some websites say the study was done not by GSMA but Google), the digital payment market in India will grow rapidly over the next few years and touch $500 billion, constituting 15% of Indias GDP by 2020. By then, non-cash payment methods (cheques, demand drafts, net-banking, credit/debit cards, mobile wallets and UPI) will double to 40% of total consumer payments.

With 81% of Indian digital payment users preferring it to other payment methods, its currently expected that 90% of Indian consumers will are likely to use digital payments for both online as well as offline transactions. So it isnt surprising that not just technology companies with their mobile wallets, but also telecoms, banks and e-commerce companies are jumping into the digital payment market in India.

Story continues

Secondly, Narendra Modi, the prime minister of India, has attracted many global business leaders, namely Facebook.com FB Alphabet GOOGL, Amazon.com AMZN and Alibaba Group Holding Ltd toward India. Since his appointment as the countrys prime minister, Modi has taken a number of steps to realize his Digital India dream.

Thirdly, the country has favorable demographics. India is home to around 1.25 billion people, or 18% of the global population. With only 26% of the Indian population accessing the Internet in 2016, the country was one of the biggest online markets with more than 348 million Internet users, second only to China. By 2021, the Indian Internet user base is expected to reach 555.3 million, or a 44% penetration. (Euromonitor estimates)

Increasing Competition in This Space

The Indian digital payments market is already crowded with Alibaba-backed Paytm being one of the dominant players in the country.

Apart from established players, a number of smaller players are also eyeing this lucrative market. These include Tencent-backed Hike Messenger, MobiKwik, Flipkarts PhonePe, FreeCharge, Oxigen, Citrus Pay, PayU, ItzCash, Reliances Jio Money and Ola Money.

In September, Alphabets Google also launched a localized payments app for India, trying to gain a foothold in the country's rapidly-growing digital payments space.

There are also international players like Truecaller, Uber and Amazon Pay. Additionally, Facebook and WhatsApp are working with the NPCI for a UPI-enabled payments platform.

Bottom Line

Although this industry is becoming highly competitive, PayPal is gearing up to make a mark for itself in the fast-growing digital payment space.

Strength in PayPals core business and growth of Venmo will help the company to cash in on the future of transactions. While Venmo is not a major money-maker for the company yet, it has gained popularity in the last few years and should help solidify PayPal as the mobile transactions company of today. Also, PayPal continues to ride on partnerships and mobile centrism. The companys ongoing strategic partnership with Visa provides enhanced consumer choice, point of sale acceptance, instant money withdrawal facility and data quality.

We believe the continuous rise in demand for mobile payment solutions will help PayPal to grow and expand internationally, now in India too.

PayPal Holdings, Inc. Price and Consensus

PayPal Holdings, Inc. Price and Consensus | PayPal Holdings, Inc. Quote

Zacks Rank

PayPal carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Will You Make a Fortune on the Shift to Electric Cars?

Here's another stock idea to consider. Much like petroleum 150 years ago, lithium power may soon shake the world, creating millionaires and reshaping geo-politics. Soon electric vehicles (EVs) may be cheaper than gas guzzlers. Some are already reaching 265 miles on a single charge.

With battery prices plummeting and charging stations set to multiply, one company stands out as the #1 stock to buy according to Zacks research.

It's not the one you think.

See This Ticker Free >>



Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report



Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN) : Free Stock Analysis Report



Facebook, Inc. (FB) : Free Stock Analysis Report



Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL) : Free Stock Analysis Report



PayPal Holdings, Inc. (PYPL) : Free Stock Analysis Report



To read this article on Zacks.com click here.



Zacks Investment Research
New York (AFP) - Global stocks opened the week with a bout of unease on Monday as European stocks drifted downwards and Wall Street narrowly eked out a positive finish amid fears over the long-awaited corporate tax cuts.

Meanwhile, the British pound sank on uncertainty surrounding Prime Minister Theresa May's political future, dealers said.

The pressure on sterling came after reports that dozens of MPs in the ruling Conservative Party were backing a move to oust May, whose leadership has been battered by scandals and crises.

In New York, the major indices finished essentially flat, ending a two-day losing streak but showing the bullish attitudes have dimmed as complications mount in Republican efforts to enact a sweeping tax overhaul eagerly anticipated by Wall Street.

"I don't think investors are expecting a lot from this Congress," Maris Ogg of Tower Bridge Advisors told AFP. "I don't think we're going to get tax reform."

Market players got a bit of a boost from news the Senate Banking Committee reached a bipartisan agreement to ease the regulatory burdens on smaller community banks.

But investors also soured on a restructuring plan unveiled by embattled industrial giant General Electric, which cut dividends in half. The company's stock nosedived more than seven percent to its lowest price in more than five years.

- A weakened British premier -

The pound fell as far as $1.3062 in the European morning -- dangerously close to the $1.3050 level that pessimists believe would trigger a sustained sell-off. But the currency managed to claw back some of its losses by the end of the day.

London's benchmark FTSE 100 index of blue-chip firms got an early boost from the weaker pound, seen to be positive for multinationals, but eventually joined Europe's downward drift, losing 0.2 percent.

Frankfurt and Paris finished down 0.4 percent and 0.7 percent, respectively.

London is under pressure to meet a two-week deadline set Friday by the EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier for a deal on exit terms ahead of a December EU summit.

Story continues

"Clearly the Brexit negotiations are at a crucial juncture," noted Rabobank analyst Jane Foley. "However, without a majority May's leadership has been weakened and she appears unable to rally her cabinet behind her."

In recent weeks, many major world markets have surged -- with Wall Street hitting several records and Tokyo touching a 26-year high -- on optimism about the global economy and a series of strong corporate earnings.

But investors have started to cash in as worries begin to emerge about high share valuations and the fate of the US tax cuts.

- Key figures around 2200 GMT -

New York - DOW: FLAT at 23,439.55 (close)

New York - S&P 500: UP 0.1 percent 2,584.84 (close)

New York - Nasdaq: UP 0.1 percent 6,757.60 (close)

London - FTSE 100: DOWN 0.2 percent at 7,415.18 points (close)

Frankfurt - DAX 30: DOWN 0.4 percent at 13,074.42 (close)

Paris - CAC 40: DOWN 0.7 percent at 5,341.63 (close)

EURO STOXX 50: DOWN 0.5 percent at 3,574.52 (close)

Tokyo - Nikkei 225: DOWN 1.3 percent at 22,380.99 (close)

Hong Kong - Hang Seng: UP 0.2 percent at 29,182.18 (close)

Shanghai - Composite: UP 0.4 percent at 3,447.84 (close)

Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.3116 from $1.3193 at 2200 GMT Friday

Euro/dollar: FLAT at $1.1665

Dollar/yen: UP at 113.63 yen from 113.50 yen

Oil - Brent North Sea: DOWN 36 cents at $63.16 per barrel

Oil - West Texas Intermediate: UP two cents at $56.76

burs-dg/hs
SAN JOSE, CA - NOVEMBER 01: A sign is posted at a Qualcomm office on November 1, 2017 in San Jose, California. As Apple and Qualcomm remain locked in a lengthy legal battle over patents and royalties held by Qualcomm, Apple is beginning to design prototypes of iPhones and iPads that will use Intel modems instead of Qualcomm modems. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Qualcomm's board of directors has unanimously voted to reject an acquisition offer from rival chipmaker Broadcom.

Broadcom made a formal public offer last week of $70 per share, valuing Qualcomm at $130BN. Although analysts suggested the offer would be too low to win the backing of the company's board -- and so it has proved. In a statement today the board said the offer "dramatically undervalues Qualcomm" and is "not in the best interests of shareholders".

"It is the boards unanimous belief that Broadcoms proposal significantly undervalues Qualcomm relative to the companys leadership position in mobile technology and our future growth prospects, said Paul Jacobs, executive chairman and chairman of the board, in a statement.

No company is better positioned in mobile, IoT, automotive, edge computing and networking within the semiconductor industry. We are confident in our ability to create significant additional value for our stockholders as we continue our growth in these attractive segments and lead the transition to 5G, added Qualcomm CEO Steve Mollenkopf.

In another supporting statement Tom Horton, presiding director, added that the offer "comes with significant regulatory uncertainty" -- suggesting consolidation of two major semiconductor companies may well draw close scrutiny from competition authorities.

It's not clear how Broadcom will respond. Yesterday Reuters suggests it might be considering raising its offer if it were rejected, citing unnamed sources.

The news agency's sources also suggested Broadcom could seek to pursue a hostile takeover by submitting directors for election to Qualcomm's board to force it to engage, should the latter's shareholders back its director candidates.

At the time of writing Broadcom could not be reached for comment.

The company's interest in Qualcomm centers on the latter's leadership in modems, says analyst Strategy Analytics analyst Stephen Entwistle.

Story continues

"For a company like Broadcom, Qualcomms modem leadership completes the wireless picture," he noted in a statement. "Can Broadcom develop a 5G baseband on its own? Yes, of course. But, it will take a huge R&D budget and multiple years to get customer acceptance and Broadcoms lack of experience in 4G basebands further complicates the process as backward compatibility is a key requirement for network operators. So, the only option is to look for an acquisition to fill this gap and Qualcomm fits the bill perfectly."

In Entwistle's view were Qualcomm to accept the acquisition offer it would increase its dependence on the smartphone market -- at a time when it has been working to expand beyond smartphones, such as via a long-in-the-works acquisition of chipmaker NXP, which has a focus on car-related applications, security-based identification and IoT.

"As Qualcomm has already patiently worked for an extended period and is close to acquiring NXP to kick start its ambitious journey we weigh more towards a Qualcomm-NXP only combination rather than a Broadcom-NXP-Qualcomm or simply a Qualcomm-Broadcom combination. Integration with Broadcom means more delays and execution risks," he added.
According to reports, an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) went off when a team of jawans from the Assam Rifles 18 battalion were conducting a routine patrol in the area.

By Indrajit Kundu: Two Assam Rifles jawans have been killed in a blast in Manipur's Chandel district on Monday morning.

According to reports, an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) went off when a team of jawans from the Assam Rifles 18 battalion were conducting a routine patrol in the area.

While two personnel died on the spot, four other injured were rushed to the army camp in Leimakhong for treatment.

advertisement

Additional security forces have been rushed to the spot and search operations are on.

--- ENDS ---
By Supantha Mukherjee and Munsif Vengattil

(Reuters) - Mobile chipmaker Qualcomm Inc on Monday rejected rival Broadcom Ltd's $103-billion takeover bid, saying the offer undervalued the company and would face regulatory hurdles.

Shares of Qualcomm were up 1.8 percent at $65.74 in early afternoon trading, while those of Broadcom were down 0.4 percent at $263.95.

Broadcom said it would seek to engage with Qualcomm's board and management, adding that it had received positive feedback from key customers and stockholders.

"We continue to believe our proposal represents the most attractive, value-enhancing alternative available to Qualcomm stockholders and we are encouraged by their reaction," the company said.

Both companies count Apple among their top customers. Analysts have said a deal between the two would help Qualcomm settle its legal battle with the iPhone maker as Broadcom has a closer relationship with Apple.

Broadcom made an unsolicited bid last week to buy Qualcomm in an effort to become the dominant supplier of chips used in the 1.5 billion or so smartphones expected to be sold around the world this year.

Analysts said Broadcom can now raise its bid, go for a proxy fight or launch a hostile exchange offer.

"Qualcomm's 'thanks, but no thanks' response to the unsolicited bid by Broadcom isn't surprising and we would be surprised if at this point, Broadcom didn't move forward with a proxy fight," Loop Capital analyst Betsy Van Hees told Reuters.

If Broadcom makes a hostile bid, Qualcomm's governance rules would allow the rival to submit its own slate for the entire 11-member board by the Dec. 8 nomination deadline.

The easiest option, however, would be to talk to Qualcomm's board and agree on a higher price.

"We are well-advised and know what our options are, and we have not eliminated any of those options," Broadcom Chief Executive Hock Tan told Reuters last week.

The right price for Qualcomm could be between $80 and $85 per share, and Broadcom could go up to $90, Susquehanna analyst Christopher Rolland told Reuters.

Story continues

Any deal would face scrutiny from the antitrust regulators as the combined company would own the high-end WiFi business globally, analysts said.

Regulators are already scrutinizing Qualcomm's $38-billion acquisition of automotive chipmaker NXP Semiconductors NV.

Broadcom has indicated it is willing to buy Qualcomm irrespective of whether it closes the NXP deal.

Qualcomm now needs to convince investors that they can create more shareholder value independently, Raymond James analyst Chris Caso said.

(Reporting by Supantha Mukherjee in Bengaluru; additional reporting by Sonam Rai; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila and Arun Koyyur)
By Supantha Mukherjee and Munsif Vengattil (Reuters) - Mobile chipmaker Qualcomm Inc on Monday rejected rival Broadcom Ltd's $103-billion takeover bid, saying the offer undervalued the company and would face regulatory hurdles. Shares of Qualcomm rose as much as 2.5 percent to $66.17, while those of Broadcom fell as much as 1.3 percent to $261.55. "The Board has concluded that Broadcom's proposal dramatically undervalues Qualcomm and comes with significant regulatory uncertainty," Qualcomm's Presiding Director Tom Horton said in a statement. Broadcom said it would seek to engage with Qualcomm's board and management, adding that it had received positive feedback from key customers and stockholders. "We continue to believe our proposal represents the most attractive, value-enhancing alternative available to Qualcomm stockholders and we are encouraged by their reaction," the company said. Both companies count Apple among their top customers. Analysts have said a deal between the two would help Qualcomm settle its legal battle with the iPhone maker as Broadcom has a closer relationship with Apple. Broadcom made an unsolicited bid last week to buy Qualcomm in an effort to become the dominant supplier of chips used in the 1.5 billion or so smartphones expected to be sold around the world this year. Analysts said Broadcom can now raise its bid, go for a proxy fight or launch a hostile exchange offer. "Qualcomm's 'thanks, but no thanks' response to the unsolicited bid by Broadcom isn't surprising and we would be surprised if at this point, Broadcom didn't move forward with a proxy fight," Loop Capital analyst Betsy Van Hees told Reuters. If Broadcom makes a hostile bid, Qualcomm's governance rules would allow the rival to submit its own slate for the entire 11-member board by the Dec. 8 nomination deadline. The easiest option, however, would be to talk to Qualcomm's board and agree on a higher price. "We are well-advised and know what our options are, and we have not eliminated any of those options," Broadcom Chief Executive Hock Tan told Reuters last week. The right price for Qualcomm could be between $80 and $85 per share, and Broadcom could go up to $90, Susquehanna analyst Christopher Rolland told Reuters. Any deal would face scrutiny from the antitrust regulators as the combined company would own the high-end WiFi business globally, analysts said. Regulators are already scrutinizing Qualcomm's $38-billion acquisition of automotive chipmaker NXP Semiconductors NV. Broadcom has indicated it is willing to buy Qualcomm irrespective of whether it closes the NXP deal. Qualcomm now needs to convince investors that they can create more shareholder value independently, Raymond James analyst Chris Caso said. (This version of the story corrects paragraph 10 to say Qualcomm board has 11 directors, not 10) (Reporting by Supantha Mukherjee in Bengaluru; additional reporting by Sonam Rai; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila and Arun Koyyur)
Republican Sen. John Barrasso told CNBC on Monday that sexual misconduct allegations against Roy Moore are "disturbing," and said Moore should drop out of Alabama's race if true. Moore, the Republican nominee for a special Senate race in Alabama, was accused by a woman of initiating a sexual encounter when she was 14 years old and he was a 32-year-old. Three other women said he pursued them when they were between the ages of 16 and 18."These charges seem very credible, they're very disturbing," said Barrasso, the fourth-ranking member in the Senate Republican leadership. "If true, he should move aside." "There's a month between now and the election," the Wyoming senator told " Squawk Box ." "Ultimately, the people of Alabama are going to have to make that decision." When asked whether Republicans would need Moore's vote to pass tax reform, Barrasso only said, "You can get into the issues of when one senator leaves and another comes in. We need 50 votes and the vice president to break a tie."Moore has denied any wrongdoing, calling allegations "completely false and misleading." He's reportedly threatened to sue the Washington Post over its report on the allegations. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump believes Moore should "step aside" if the allegations are true, the White House says. Other Republicans, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , have called on Moore to withdraw from the race if the claims are found accurate. GOP Sen. Pat Toomey urged Moore to drop out now, saying on NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday that Moore's explanations had been inadequate and Republicans should consider Sen. Luther Strange as a write-in candidate to run against Moore. Strange lost the Republican primary to Moore in September. Reuters and AP contributed to this report. Republican Sen. John Barrasso told CNBC on Monday that sexual misconduct allegations against Roy Moore are "disturbing," and said Moore should drop out of Alabama's race if true. Moore, the Republican nominee for a special Senate race in Alabama, was accused by a woman of initiating a sexual encounter when she was 14 years old and he was a 32-year-old. Three other women said he pursued them when they were between the ages of 16 and 18. "These charges seem very credible, they're very disturbing," said Barrasso, the fourth-ranking member in the Senate Republican leadership. "If true, he should move aside." "There's a month between now and the election," the Wyoming senator told " Squawk Box ." "Ultimately, the people of Alabama are going to have to make that decision." When asked whether Republicans would need Moore's vote to pass tax reform, Barrasso only said, "You can get into the issues of when one senator leaves and another comes in. We need 50 votes and the vice president to break a tie." Moore has denied any wrongdoing, calling allegations "completely false and misleading." He's reportedly threatened to sue the Washington Post over its report on the allegations. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump believes Moore should "step aside" if the allegations are true, the White House says. Other Republicans, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , have called on Moore to withdraw from the race if the claims are found accurate. GOP Sen. Pat Toomey urged Moore to drop out now, saying on NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday that Moore's explanations had been inadequate and Republicans should consider Sen. Luther Strange as a write-in candidate to run against Moore. Strange lost the Republican primary to Moore in September. Reuters and AP contributed to this report.



More From CNBC


Trump was surprisingly upbeat during his China visit, how has this tone affected the markets? The outcome of Trumps discussions with the Chinese Premier was certainly a positive for the markets and particularly for the Asian markets who are dependent upon demand from China and global demand for Chinas goods and services. Talk of trade tariffs  Continue reading Trump-China Effect, Pound and Euro Hold Ahead of Brexit and the Catalan Elections

Trump was surprisingly upbeat during his China visit, how has this tone affected the markets? The outcome of Trumps discussions with the Chinese Premier was certainly a positive for the markets and particularly for the Asian markets who are dependent upon demand from China and global demand for Chinas goods and services.

Talk of trade tariffs would have been particularly negative for the markets and even more so with the markets already jittery over the U.S tax reform bill.

The positive news was overshadowed by the negative sentiment towards the likely progress of the tax reform bill, but Trumps willingness to have dialogue and not just impose punitive tariffs on China is positive news. Some of the U.S. multinationals will likely be breathing a sigh of relief when considering reliance on Chinese goods, not to mention ever-increasing sales volumes in China.

Its quite a turnaround from Trumps campaign trail, where he had dubbed China the trade devil. One does wonder how much this has to do with North Korea. If Trump took the old tact, China could well have stepped back from dealing with North Korea during the current crisis. Well see whether Trump begins on talking about trade tariffs once the North Korea issue is resolved.

For now a positive effect on the markets.

A quieter week for the GBP this week, however with Brexit talks resuming, how do you expect Sterling to react?

Its not looking too good for the Pound or the UK economy for that matter. The Conservative Partys far right continue to push for a hard Brexit and some may even be looking for a no deal outcome. With Theresa May having lost considerable support, negotiating power has certainly weakened, giving Tory Party rebels more voice.

With the British Prime Minister has officially set the time and date of Britains departure from the EU, 11 pm GMT, 29 March 2019, were going to need to start seeing some progress in the coming weeks.

A lack of progress will weigh heavily, not only on the Pound but also on the UK economy. We will expect the Pound to be particularly sensitive to updates on the Brexit negotiations and lets see how the UK government has progressed over the last two days.

Story continues

Finally, here are new Catalan elections coming up in December, how do you expect the Euro to react to this?

The EUR has managed to hold up pretty well. The upcoming elections are likely to go to a pro-independence party with the parties within the coalition going it alone in these elections. Such an outcome is not going to help the Spanish government quash the continued calls for independence.

We could see a pro-independence movement rise in Spain, which would disrupt the Spanish economy, particularly if the movement becomes widespread. Calls for democracy and the growing number of parties facing the demand for sovereignty could spread beyond Spain, which would be a negative for the EUR, especially with the upcoming elections. And weve seen whats happened to Merkel in Germany.

While such events would be a negative for the EUR, I wouldnt expect too much impact until protests become more widespread.

Spain is the Eurozones 4th largest economy and, while the ECB is upbeat about the economy, any soft numbers out of Spain will likely impact the EUR and the Eurozone economy.

So neutral for now, but negative should we see the rise of a pro-independent movement.

This article was originally posted on FX Empire

More From FXEMPIRE:
U.S. President Donald Trump, center, reacts as he does the "ASEAN-way handshake" with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, left, and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on stage during the opening ceremony at the ASEAN Summit at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Monday, Nov. 13, 2017, in Manila, Philippines. Trump initially did the handshake incorrectly. Trump is on a five-country trip through Asia traveling to Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam and the Philippines.

Perhaps Donald Trump wanted to act like a teenager to counter North Korean leader Kim Jong-un calling him an old lunatic. Whatever the case, a tweet by the US president from over the weekend is being compared to something a child might might compose.

Why would Kim Jong-un insult me by calling me "old," when I would NEVER call him "short and fat?" Oh well, I try so hard to be his friend  and maybe someday that will happen!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 12, 2017

The clever bit, of course, is that, in a roundabout way, he called Kim short and fat. The question is why the president of the United States is trying to come up with zingers in the first place. As president, Trump has access the US nuclear codesa situation described as pretty damn scary by James Clapper, former director of national intelligence, in August. Trump thinking it acceptable to use Twitter to taunt a foreign leader also capable of sparking a nuclear conflict will do nothing to allay such fears. US lawmakers will meet tomorrow (Nov. 14) to reassess Trumps nuclear authority.

In the meantime, Twitter users had a field day noting how juvenile Trumps insult was:

Reminds me of my school days watching the mean girls in class fight ! Good job little girl Trump. You scored !  Mathews Vincent (@matvin) November 13, 2017

Youre old. And I dont wanna be your friend! pic.twitter.com/NXWjXyQB1F  Rob (@robertcarrick27) November 13, 2017

Why don't you try "I know you are but what am I?". That'll get him.  Bruce Schwartz (@SchwartzReps) November 13, 2017

History will remember this prophetic tweet. I think it truly reflects your childish ego perfectly. Thanks for sharing such a stupid thought. #DotardDonnie  Ben Lomond (@benlomond88) November 13, 2017

Youre not in elementary school.. wait yes you are,Trying so hard to be his friend, Grow up!  Janice Long (@true_travel22) November 13, 2017

Is this a throwback from 6th grade  Zee (@amazeeeeeeng) November 13, 2017

I think a teenager hacked your account.  Tara Janssen Cate (@TaraJean76) November 13, 2017

All that's missing is "Dear Diary" at the beginning  Patrick Dunn (@w_patrickdunn) November 13, 2017

No way please god let this be a parody account how embarrassing  Annie Sullivan! (@Annimal_Planet_) November 13, 2017

Jesus Christ, are you in frigging kindergarten?! Act like a grown up  you're the President of the United States.  Rob Rafn (@RobRafn) November 13, 2017

I swear, I thought I was reading a tweet from a troll account.  Marek Balaban (@Ludbudd) November 13, 2017

Lmao this guy has the nuclear launch codes  Will Archer (@quantumthingy) November 13, 2017

Is this for real? Its like a kid is tweeting!  U.MD (@ulisesmatad) November 13, 2017

a potus should be above grade school pettiness. you insult the job. arent there a few more important things on which to focus? plz resign  jackiegadd (@jaxgadd) November 13, 2017

Why do you want to be Kim Jong-un's friend? Are you literally guilt tripping the leader of North Korea? This is also exactly what a 10 year old child would say after they get insulted by their sibling  Mobel (@vaarsuviu) November 13, 2017

What is he, five? Oh wait.. yes.  Holly Stiles (@HollyStiles7) November 13, 2017

Sign up for the Quartz Daily Brief, our free daily newsletter with the worlds most important and interesting news.

More stories from Quartz:
The unique installation has left hikers wondering who did this deed, and why.

By India Today Web Desk: Every time you think you have witnessed all kinds of wonders that the world has to offer, something extraordinary crops up.

We are talking about a new specimen of art, located on the Australian Alps, which definitely demands its addition to your travel bucket-list.

As if the magnetic beauty of the Australian Alps was not enough to attract tourists to the destination, now, you would also find a huge wooden structure of the male genitalia standing tall on the Otscher peak.

Picture courtesy: Facebook/Maritza Ulrych

advertisement

Before you draw conclusions, let us inform you that this phallic sculpture is not any natural wonder. In fact, some artist actually took the pain of erecting the structure on the top of the peak.

Also Read: This unique museum's purpose is to cater to people's sexual fantasies

The phallic structure is several feet tall, with a bed of rocks forming its base.

The phallic installation, which stands at a height of 6200 ft, has now left visitors wondering about its creator and the possible reason behind such an odd placement of the wooden piece.

Apparently, it was first spotted by a long-time hiker, who declared it as the ''peak's new mascot'', reported The Indian Express.

So, if you are planning to take a look at this phallic structure, make sure you visit the destination before the next storm hits.

--- ENDS ---
Google will be opening a large new campus in Manhattan and doubling its New York City workforce to 14,000 over the next decade (AFP Photo/PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA) (AFP/File)

Chicago (AFP) - Google was facing a broad investigation into its business practices Monday, with American officials planning to examine how the internet giant handles user data and offers up search results.

Attorney General Josh Hawley of the state of Missouri issued an investigative subpoena to determine whether the company's actions violated state antitrust and consumer protection laws.

The subpoena seeks information about Google's use of the vast trove of data it collects, including information harvested from devices, online queries and credit card transactions.

The investigation is the latest probe of the search giant, with European regulators pursuing multiple investigations.

The European Union in June issued a $2.7 billion (2.4 billion euro) antitrust fine, which Google has appealed, for unfairly highlighting its own shopping service in search results.

"There is strong reason to believe that Google has not been acting with the best interest of Missourians in mind," said Hawley, a Republican running for a US Senate seat in 2018.

National regulators last probed Google in 2013, when the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reached a settlement with the internet company. Google agreed to change some business practices the FTC said were stifling competition in certain markets.

A Google spokesman said that the company had not yet received Missouri's subpoena, but that it has "strong privacy protections in place for our users."

The company operates "in a highly competitive and dynamic environment," Patrick Lenihan said in an emailed statement.
President Nicolas Maduro insists Venezuela will never default on its debt but ratings agency Standard and Poors says the country is in "selective default" (AFP Photo/FEDERICO PARRA)

Caracas (AFP) - Venezuela hosted a brief meeting of creditors on Monday as the struggling yet oil-rich country sought to stave off a default seen as inevitable by experts, while the EU stepped up the pressure with new sanctions on Caracas.

However, the 25-minute closed-door gathering in a government building across from the presidential palace ended with no agreement and no plan broached, several participants said. Another meeting was promised, but no date was given.

Vice President Tareck El Aissami chaired the meeting, during which he read a statement blaming US sanctions for delays to Venezuela's debt repayments.

His presence was problematic for some, as the US has designated him a drug kingpin with whom US entities are barred from dealing.

"They said they are going to form working groups to evaluate short- and mid-term debt-renegotiation proposals," Geronimo Mansutti, from the Rendivalores brokerage, told AFP.

"But they didn't give any concrete details on their plans, on what they hope to get."

He said there had been around 300 investors or their representatives at the meeting.

Venezuelan authorities had said 414 creditors representing 91 percent of its traded debt had responded to President Nicolas Maduro's invitation to attend.

Maduro said early this month he was seeking a refinancing and restructuring of Venezuela's debt, which is estimated at $150 billion, including bonds issued by the government and state oil company PDVSA as well as direct loans from China and Russia.

The country has less than $10 billion left in hard-currency reserves.

The financial news agency Bloomberg said that none of the foreign investors it had contacted last week planned to travel to Caracas.

About 70 percent of Venezuelan bondholders are North American, according to government figures.

Major credit rating agencies say that default on Venezuela's debt will happen, though they don't know precisely when.

The country has repayments of $1.4 billion to make before the end of the year, and another $8 billion next year.

Story continues

- Decision postponed in New York -

Venezuelan economist Luis Vicente Leon said Maduro called the creditors' meeting to try to get them to pressure the US government to allow a restructing to go ahead, despite a ban on US entities buying new Venezuelan debt.

A committee of the International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) is already weighing whether holders of PDVSA debt with default insurance -- credit default swaps -- can collect payment.

The Maduro government had said it would make a $1.2 billion payment on a PDVSA bond on November 2, but it was unclear if the funds ever reached creditors.

The so-called Determinations Committee for the Americas, comprised of 15 financial firms, met in New York following an initial gathering last Friday, "to discuss whether a Failure to Pay Credit Event had occurred" with respect to PDVSA, according to the ISDA.

It ended up deciding to again postpone a decision until Tuesday.

Tightening the squeeze on Maduro was the European Union's announcement of sanctions, including an embargo on arms and equipment that could be used for political repression.

Restrictions include a prohibition on US entities buying any new Venezuela debt issues -- usually a required step in any restructuring.

- Maduro defiant -

Late Sunday, Maduro struck a defiant tone, insisting that his country would "never" default and pointing to ongoing negotiations with China and Russia.

But his options are very limited.

A default can be declared in several ways: by the major ratings agencies, big debt-holders or by the government itself.

News on Friday that a state-owned utility, Electricidad de Venezuela, failed to make a $650 million payment within a one-month grace period bolstered creditors' wariness that a default was unfolding.

As rough as the ride has been regarding debt, Maduro is also being buffeted by international accusations that he is acting as an autocrat -- stomping on democracy by marginalizing the opposition, which controls the parliament, and stifling independent media.

- US criticism -

Adding to the political pressure against Maduro, the UN Security Council met on Venezuela at the behest of the United States.

During the informal session, US Ambassador Nikki Haley slammed Venezuela as an "increasingly violent narco-state" that poses a threat to world security.

Permanent council members Russia and China boycotted the meeting, as did non-permanent members Bolivia and Egypt.

Venezuela's envoy to the UN, Rafael Ramirez, called the meeting "illegal."

"This is a hostile act by the United States and clearly an act of interference," he said.
What happened

Shares of BP (NYSE: BP) and Total SA (NYSE: TOT) jumped in late October to finish the month up 5.8% and 4.1%, respectively. That handily beat the performance of their U.S.-based peers ExxonMobil (NYSE: XOM), which finished up just 1.7%, and Chevron (NYSE: CVX), which actually finished down 1.4%.

Luckily for investors, the reasons are pretty straightforward.

Bills explode from an oil drum as a smiling man holds his arms in the air.

In October, the stock market was kinder to oil majors from overseas than to their U.S. industry counterparts. Image source: Getty Images.

So what

Crude prices rose throughout the month. The spot price of Brent crude rose 7.6% for the month, while West Texas Intermediate crude spot prices were up 5.2%. A chart of BP's and Total's October performances plus the oil spot prices shows a pretty strong correlation:

BP Chart

BP data by YCharts

BP reported third-quarter earnings on Oct. 31 and pleased investors with the announcement it would begin share buybacks, while Total posted strong Q3 earnings on Oct. 27, so combined with improvements in oil prices, it's pretty obvious why their shares would move higher.

As for Exxon and Chevron, you can probably guess what happened: Both released earnings that concerned investors. For Chevron, lower sequential quarterly production spooked Wall Street, causing the stock to sharply tumble. Exxon also reported lower sequential quarterly production, but solid across-the-board performance from all three of its business units may have helped to prevent its stock from dropping like Chevron's.

Now what

Chevron's and Exxon's lackluster post-earnings stock performances make sense, to a point. With oil prices finally seeming to be on the rise, companies that are pumping out less oil should make less profit. However, that overlooks Exxon's improving fundamentals and exciting offshore discoveries in Guyana. It also perhaps underestimates Chevron's Permian Basin potential.

But for BP and Total, the market seems right to be bullish. Even after October's price gains, both companies yield excellent dividends (BP's yield is a best-in-class 5.9%, while Total's 4.9% is also excellent) and have shown they can keep costs in check while expanding production. If oil prices continue to cooperate -- and that's a big "if" -- investors should expect continued outstanding results from both companies.

Story continues

More From The Motley Fool

John Bromels owns shares of BP. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Amsterdam - 13 November 2017 - Intertrust N.V. ("Intertrust" or the "Company") [ticker symbol INTER], a leading global provider of high-value trust, corporate and fund services, today announces the appointment of Sara Jonker-Douwes as Managing Director Intertrust Netherlands and member of the Executive Committee of Intertrust Group, subject to regulatory approval.

Sara brings more than 15 years of experience in the financial services industry, particularly within trust and corporate services. She is currently CEO Corporate Services Continental Europe and Managing Director Netherlands at Link Group, an Australia stock listed fund and corporate services provider. Sara joined Link through its acquisition of Capita Asset Services, where she worked since 2013. Earlier in her career, Sara held various commercial and managerial roles at SGG Group, Orangefield and ING.

"Sara has an excellent reputation and a strong track record in our industry" said David de Buck, CEO of Intertrust. "Her entrepreneurial spirit and proven ability to enable business growth will be of great value to our Netherlands' operations. We look forward to welcoming her to Intertrust."

Sara succeeds Dick Niezing, who announced earlier to step down at the end of this year. Dick has been with Intertrust since 2012 when he re-joined the company as Managing Director of the Netherlands.

For further information

Intertrust N.V. marieke.palstra@intertrustgroup.com

Marieke Palstra Tel: +31 20 577 1157

Director of Investor Relations, Marketing & Communications

About Intertrust

Intertrust is a leading global provider of high-value trust, corporate and fund services, with approximately 2,500 employees located throughout a network of 39 offices in 28 jurisdictions across Europe, the Americas, Asia and the Middle-East. The Company delivers high-quality, tailored services to its clients with a view to building long-term relationships. Intertrust's business services offering is comprised of corporate services, fund services, capital market services, and private wealth services. Intertrust has leading market positions in selected key geographic markets of its industry, including the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Jersey, and the Cayman Islands. Intertrust works with global law firms and accountancy firms, multi-national corporations, financial institutions, fund managers, high net worth individuals and family offices.
Bunuel wrote:

Constructed with the finest Italian marble, the floor of the church is its greatest attraction and is more attractive to tourists than are its ornate stained-glass windows .





(A) attraction and is more attractive to tourists than are its ornate stained-glass windows



(B) attraction, itself more attractive to tourists than are its ornate stained-glass windows



(C) attraction, itself more attractive to tourists as are its ornate stained-glass windows



(D) attraction, being more attractive to tourists than its ornate stained-glass windows are



(E) attraction as it more is attractive to tourists than are the church's stained- glass windows

IMO it must be B.See there are two main attractions in Church:1)its floor2)its windowsbut floor is more attractive to tourists than windows are.(A) attraction and is more attractive to tourists than are its ornate stained-glass windowsA is proper in meaning but its not proper construction.See we say :Burj Khalifa is tallest building in the world,taller than any other building.if our intention is to focus on tallness of Burj khalifa we use above sentence.We wont sayBurj Khalifa is tallest building in the world and it is taller than any other building."and " makes these two unrelated clauses having no relation.Its like citing two features of building without emphasizing any of the features.(B) attraction, itself more attractive to tourists than are its ornate stained-glass windowshere itself refers to floor ,cant refer to church as church cannot be more attractive than windows.we are comparing two characteristics/two features of church.Itself here emphasizes that floor is itself more attractive than windows are.(C) attraction, itself more attractive to tourists as are its ornate stained-glass windowsCorrect idiom is More ..Than not More ...asAlso wrong meaning.it means both floor and windows are equally attractive.(D) attraction, being more attractive to tourists than its ornate stained-glass windows arebeing here is modifying floor (contextually) but being can never be a modifier.So wrong.(E) attraction as it more is attractive to tourists than are the church's stained- glass windowswrong meaningIt is like sayingfloor is greatest attraction because it more is attractive to tourists than are the church's stained- glass windows.We are not giving reason for church having greatest attraction ,we are concerned with emphasizing that church's floor has greatest attraction.Pizza is the most consumed food because it is eaten more than burger.Does not make sense.So B is the answer.
guerrero25 wrote:

In New York today, Italians account for more than 14 percent of the population, compared with ten years ago, when it was about 16 percent.



A) In New York today, Italians account for more than 14 percent of the population, compared with ten years ago, when it was about 16 percent.

B) Of the New Yorkers, today more than 14 percent of them are Italian, compared with ten years ago, when it was about 16 percent.

C) Today, more than 14 percent of New Yorkers are Italian, compared with about 16 percent ten years ago.

D) Today, compared with 10 years ago, New Yorkers who are Italian account for more than 14 percent of the population, whereas it was about 16 percent.

E) Today, Italians in New York account for more than 14 percent of the population, unlike ten years ago, when the number was about 16 percent.



guerrero25

(A)

(B)

(C)

(D)

(E)

unlike

(A)

of the population

compared with

14 percent

14 percent

ten years ago

(A)

P compared with Q

more than 14%



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 help.I would be intrigued to see what the source for this is: it strikes me as somewhat strange for a GMAT SC question.have modifier problems ---- the modifier "compared with" doesn't touch what it modifies. The double preposition in (C) "with about" is a GMAT no-no.has a very awkward and wordy structure.Arguably, in, the modifier "" doesn't touch what it modifies either.Probably the closest to correct is. If we view "" as a vital modifier, which is reasonable, then "" modifies "", but the problem there is we are not comparing "" to "." A better version ofwould be:In New York today, Italians account for more than 14 percent of the population, compared with 16 percent ten years ago.The structuredemands that P & Q are comparable.I am going to say that, according to the high standards held by the GMAT SC, none of the five answers here is acceptable. The subject matter is also funny --- it is talking about a big change from 16% to "". The contrast of the sentence hinges on that difference, but arguably, that's a statistical anomaly, not even a meaningful difference. This is a poor question on several counts.Let me know if anyone has any more questions.Mike_________________
Vikas Gupta and Shilpa Shinde were seen complimenting each other in the Weekend ka Vaar episode.

By India Today Web Desk: The Weekend ka Vaar episodes with host and actor Salman Khan are always exciting, and last night was no different. The show started with the host showing the viewers a segment of special guest Vidya Balan's radio bit with contestants.

Vidya, who was there to promote her upcoming movie Tumhari Sulu, played a fun song-and-dance round with the participants. Accompanying Vidya were Shilpa Shinde and Vikas Gupta. Together the trio asked slightly uncomfortable questions to the housemates.

advertisement

Puneesh was asked why he loved Bandgi the best, to which he replied that Bandgi had a wonderful heart, and a beautiful face which is why he is mad about her. The response was met with applause from the gharwale, and later the two even danced to a romantic number, dedicated to them by Vidya.

However, everyone was shocked, when during a fun conversation, Shilpa passed a comment about Hina's make-up. Hina's response was a little rude as she told Shilpa that make-up was an important part of an actress' life, her profession, but Hina added that she doesn't blame Shilpa for not remembering this fact as it has been a while since Shilpa worked on screen.

The most hilarious response was from Hiten, who was asked when he would propose to Arshi, to which Hiten said that he will never say those precious three words to Arshi, as she is his sister.

Later, Sapna and Arshi had a a dance battle at the request of Vidya Balan. Naturally, Sapna upstaged Arshi, as she stunned the housemates with her dance moves.

Sapna and Vikas had a spat over the questions put to her during the RJ round. Sapna was asked about her lack of contribution to the household. Sapna presumed that the question was put to her by Vikas, and the two had a hot debate over it.

Salman asked Priyank and Vikas to compete in the Sultani Akhada, which was won by Vikas.

Towards the end of the episode, Priyank and Arshi forgave each other and vowed never to fight again. While Shilpa and Vikas had a moment of their own, as Vikas was seen consoling Shilpa, and telling her that she is a strong woman.

Salman announced that Sabyasachi and Mehjabi were evicted because they had received the least number of votes. Sapna broke down as Sabya was leaving the house, while Bandgi and Hina shed tears as they hugged him for the last time on the show.

--- ENDS ---
As of August 26th, 2021 Yahoo India will no longer be publishing content. Your Yahoo Account Mail and Search experiences will not be affected in any way and will operate as usual. We thank you for your support and readership. For more information on Yahoo India, please visit the FAQ
According to reports, the Iranian regime called Hariris resignation a Saudi-backed plot, and accused Riyadh of having taken the Lebanese Premier as hostage.

The government assembled in Lebanon 11 months ago, granted premiership to Hariri but gave political advantages to Hezbollah.

According to an article in Riyadh Daily, by political analyst Shahriar Kia, This had given Iran a seemingly legitimate political facade to increase its violent meddling in the country and to boost its intervention in neighboring Syria, where it has been propping up the Assad regime against democratic opposition forces. Without Hariri, the entire Iran-backed government loses its legitimacy and its real nature becomes clear to everyone.

He adds that this is especially significant as Tehran faces setbacks on the international front, such as The U.S. Congress recently ratifying three measures against Hezbollah by voice vote and without opposition. The third resolution calls on the European Union to designate Hezbollah in its entirety as a terrorist entity. The U.S. placed the Hezbollah in its list of foreign terrorist organizations in 1997.

Kia writes that Hezbollah was founded and nurtured by Irans Revolutionary Guards (IRGC), and has been Tehrans main implement in its regional forays in the past four decades. It is responsible for carrying out many terrorist attacks against Irans opponents and has also played an active role in on fighting on Irans behalf Syria.

Another important factor is that last month, U.S. President Trump declared Washingtons new Iran policy which will adopt a multi-pronged approach that will counter the multitude of threats the Iran poses to regional and global peace and security.

This included imposing new sanctions against the IRGC and designating it as a terrorist organization.

The IRGC is responsible for Irans nuclear program, its ballistic missile development, coordinating its regional agendas and the crackdown on domestic dissenters and opposition members. The IRGC is the arm that funds and arms Irans proxies such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Popular Mobilization Forces in Iraq and the Houthis in Yemen. Stricter sanctions will make it considerably more difficult for the entity to carry out those functions, writes Kia.

Inside Iran, the Iranian people are becoming bolder in voicing their protests against the regime and voicing their support for Maryam Rajavi who leads the Iranian opposition, the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI).

Kia writes, The tides are turning, and the Iranian regime is on the losing end.
A Bihar court has ordered registering of a treason case against former Jammu & Kashmir CM and President of National Conference, Farooq Abdullah for his comments where he said that Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) belonged to Pakistan.

By Rohit Kumar Singh: A Bihar court has ordered registering of a treason case against former Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister and President of National Conference, Farooq Abdullah for his comments where he said that Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) belonged to Pakistan.

The court of Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), Jairam Prasad in Bettiah took cognizance of a complaint case filed by a local lawyer Muraad Ali where he had petitioned that the comment made by Farooq Abdullah was not only anti-national in nature but also divisive. The Court has directed the Town police station to register an FIR against the former J&K CM and investigate.

advertisement

Muraad Ali supported his petition against Farooq Abdullah with television recordings and newspaper articles as evidence.

Farooq Abdullah had created a stir on last Saturday when he remarked that independent Kashmir was not a reality and Pakistan occupied Kashmir belonged to Pakistan and existing Jammu and Kashmir to India.

It is notable that Faruq Abdullah's comment came just days after Pakistan PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi had rejected the idea of an independent Kashmir.

--- ENDS ---
In order to continue enjoying our site, we ask you enter in the text you see in the image below so we can confirm your identity as a human. Thank you very much for your cooperation.




This is Whats Trending Today

Billionaire Bill Gates has made a $100-million investment to help researchers find a cure for Alzheimers. The brain disease causes people to slowly lose their memory and mental abilities as they grow old.

Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft, said Monday he has given $50 million to the Dementia Discovery Fund. The London-based fund aims to bring business and government together to seek treatments for the brain-wasting disease.

Another $50 million will go to start-up groups working in Alzheimers research, Gates said.

The money is a personal donation and not from his charitable organization, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Bill Gates trended worldwide on social media Monday.



Dementia, of which Alzheimers is the most common form, affects close to 50 million people worldwide. It is expected to affect more than 131 million by the year 2050, the Alzheimers Disease International group says.

Its a huge problem, a growing problem, and the scale of the tragedy - even for the people who stay alive - is very high, Gates told the Reuters news agency.

Despite many years of research, scientists have not found a treatment that can slow the progression of Alzheimers. Current drugs can do no more than ease some of the effects.

But Gates said he is hopeful that treatments can be found, even if they might still be more than 10 years away.

Gates usual health focus is on helping fight infectious diseases in poorer countries.

He said Alzheimers became his mission partly for personal reasons, and partly because it has been so difficult to find effective treatment. Some men in his family have suffered from Alzheimers, he said.

In a blog post about the investments, Gates wrote, I know how awful it is to watch people you love struggle as the disease robs them of their mental capacity. It feels a lot like youre experiencing a gradual death of the person that you knew.

And thats Whats Trending Today

Im Ashley Thompson.

Reuters reported this story. Ashley Thompson adapted it for Learning English. Hai Do was the editor.

________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

dementia - n. a mental illness that causes someone to be unable to think clearly or to understand what is real and what is not real

fund - n. an amount of money that is used for a special purpose

start-up - adj. a new business

charitable - adj. done or designed to help people who are poor, sick, etc.

scale - n. the size or level of something especially in comparison to something else

capacity - n. the ability to do something : a mental, emotional, or physical ability

gradual - adj. happening in a slow way over a long period of time
More than 400,000 people have fled Burundi to neighboring African countries because of political unrest and violence.

The refugees have relocated mostly to Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania.

Burundi and other central African countries have asked the refugees to leave their camps and return home. But Burundian political refugees say it is not safe.

Refugees who spoke to VOA said they fear they will be harmed by the government of Burundis President Pierre Nkurunziza. In 2015, Nkurunziza began his third term as president although local and international organizations called on him to step down.

Jacqueline Nduwayezu is a former school teacher who lives with her six children in the Mahama refugee camp in eastern Rwanda.

She spoke to a VOA reporter who recently visited the camp. She said, We are here because there is no security in our country.

She added that the threat of violence was real. People were being killed and are still being killed and dumped in mass graves and rivers."

Eloge Rugemangabo is the head of the refugee community in Mahama. He said men from the Pro-government Imbonerakure militia beat him because he was a member of the opposition MSD party.

"I was tortured and discriminated against at work. I slept outside for three days for fear of being killed," he said.

He said things must change before refugees will return.

"We left our parents, houses, brothers and sisters, he said. He added that he will return when he is sure conditions are safe.

On a visit to Nakivale refugee camp in Uganda, Burundis Home Affairs Minister asked Burundian refugees to come back. The country, he said, was ready to welcome back its citizens. He also said many of the refugees are afraid or fled rumors of violence.

President Nkurunziza made the same request on a visit to Tanzania in July.

Today I want to tell Tanzanians and Burundians that Burundi is now peaceful, and I am inviting all Burundi refugees to return home, he said.

Tanzanian President John Magufuli called Burundi calm.

However, Amnesty International disagrees.

The human rights group released a report in September that said returning refugees are at risk of violence or death from security forces and pro-government militia.

The report also said the Imbonerakure continues to commit human rights crimes against anyone believed to oppose the presidents party, the CNDD-FDD.

One man told Amnesty, If you are not CNDD-FDD, you are considered their enemy.

Amnesty's Burundi researcher, Rachel Nicholson, said in the report that Burundi has not yet returned to normality. She also said that attempts to deny abuses should not be believed.

The United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, warns that political and human rights conditions in Burundi continue to cause increasing numbers of refugees to flee to neighboring countries in search of asylum.

Earlier this year, UNHCR and other human rights agencies made an urgent appeal for $429 million to meet the needs of Burundian refugees across the area. But, less than $85 million has been provided.

In camps like Nakivale, refugees live in overcrowded shelters and there is not enough food, water or health services.

Felicien Habumugisha has lived in Nakivale for nearly 10 years, after fleeing an earlier time of difficulties in Burundi.

He explained there was not enough food, no education for the children, no assistance and no chance of leaving.

The 52-year-old said he will not go back to Burundi until it is safe. His parents were killed after being involved in politics, and he was arrested several times before he left.

The politics of Burundi itself is not stable. We dont feel that Burundi is safe today for us to go back," he told VOA.

I'm Susan Shand. And I'm Dorothy Gundy.

Susan Shand adapted this story for Learning English based on a story VOA Story by Edward Rwema. Mario Ritter was the editor.

Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.

_______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

relocate - v. to move to a new place

abandon - v. to leave and never return to

rumors --n. information passed from person to person that is not proved to be true

overcrowded  adj. filled with too many people

stable  adj. in a good state or condition that is not easily changed or likely to change
Iranian officials say more than 400 people are dead after a powerful earthquake struck along the countrys border with Iraq Sunday night.

A spokesman for Irans crisis management headquarters spoke to reporters on Monday. He said that about 6,700 people were injured in the earthquake.

At least seven people were killed in Iraq, the Associated Press (AP) reported.

In the United States, scientists described the quake as being 7.3 in magnitude  a measurement of its relative size. The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake was centered near the city of Halabja in eastern Iraq. But small tremors were felt as far west as the Mediterranean coast.

Reports say the worst damage appeared to be in Irans western province of Kermanshah.

Damage spread over a large area

In Iraq, health officials said that, in Kurdish areas, the quake killed seven people and injured more than 500 others.

The quake also is believed to have damaged a dam on the Diyala River in Iraq. The dams director told the AP that the dam was built in 1961. He said it was very strong, but had very clear damage.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said he has directed health and aid agencies to provide assistance.

Electricity and water were cut off in several cities in both Iraq and Iran.

Media reports from Iran say the quake has affected at least 14 provinces. Iranian state media appealed for blood donations.

In Iran, blocked roads have made it difficult for rescue workers to reach distant villages. Officials say rescue efforts have been slow.

The head of the Iranian Red Crescent said that more than 70,000 people need emergency shelter.

International aid efforts have begun.

The vice president of the Turkish Red Crescent told the AP that 33 aid trucks were being sent to the Iraqi city of Sulaimaniyah.

Three thousand tents and heaters, 10,000 beds, blankets and food are among the aid items being sent.

Turkey also said it would help Iran if aid is requested.

Major earthquake fault lines run through Iran, causing quakes. Some of them are very powerful.

In 2003, a magnitude 6.6 earthquake destroyed the historic city of Bam and killed 26,000 people.

More recently, in 2012, a major earthquake centered in East Azerbaijan province killed 300 people.

Im Mario Ritter.

Mario Ritter adapted his report for Learning English with information from VOA, the Associated Press, and Reuters news agencies. George Grow was the editor.

______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

management  n. the process of dealing with and controlling a group or organization

tremor  n. shaking movement of the ground

items  n. a thing of a certain kind, usually among a group or list

fault  n. a break in the earths crust

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.


North Korean soldiers shot at and wounded another soldier who was crossing the border between the North and South.

The South Korean military said Monday the soldier was trying to defect in the Joint Security Area of the Demilitarized Zone, or DMZ.

North Korean soldiers have crossed the border to defect at times. But it is rare for a North Korean soldier to defect by crossing the DMZ. North and South Korean soldiers stand meters away from each other.

The North Korean soldier left from a guard post at the northern side of Panmunjom village to the southern side of the village. He was shot in the shoulder and elbow and was taken to a South Korean hospital, said the Souths Defense Ministry.

It was not immediately known how serious his injuries were or why he decided to defect.

South Korean troops found the injured soldier south of the border after hearing the sound of gunfire. South Korean troops did not fire at Northern soldiers, a South Korean Defense Ministry official said.

The defection came at a time of heightened tension over North Koreas nuclear weapons program. North Korea has normally accused South Korea of enticing its citizens to defect, something the South denies.

Panmunjom and other DMZ areas are guarded by hundreds of thousands of troops from North Korea and the United Nations Command. The command includes troops from the United States and South Korea.

The area is a popular stop for visitors from both sides. American presidents often visit the DMZ during their trips to South Korea. President Donald Trump planned to visit the DMZ during his visit to South Korea. But bad weather prevented his helicopter from landing near the border area.

It is estimated that about 30,000 North Koreans have defected to South Korea since the end of the Korean War in 1953. But most of them travel through China.

In 1998, a North Korean soldier fled to the South through the DMZ, but there have been few incidents in recent years.

Earlier in 1976, North Korean soldiers with axes and knives attacked a group of soldiers in the DMZ, killing two American soldiers and injuring five South Korean soldiers. The U.S. then flew nuclear-capable B-52 bombers toward the DMZ as a warning to North Korea.

In 1984, North Korean and U.N. Command soldiers exchanged gunfire after a Soviet citizen defected by sprinting to the South Korean side of the village. Three North Korean soldiers and one South Korean soldier died in the gunfire.

Im Jonathan Evans.

Hai Do adapted this story for Learning English based on AP news reports. Mario Ritter was the editor.

Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.

______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

defect v. to leave a group or country and go to another one that is a competitor or enemy

entice v. to attract someone by offering something or showing something that is appealing or interesting
Your Ultimate Investing Toolkit

Sign up for MarketBeat All Access to gain access to MarketBeat's full suite of research tools:

Portfolio Monitoring

Top Stock Lists

Premium Reports

Stock Screeners

Live News Feed

Premium Support

Free for your first month.
By PTI: New Delhi, Nov 13 (PTI) Railway Minister Piyush Goyal today defended the Centres decision to launch bullet train project in India, stating that it was part of the countrys developmental plans.

He was replying to a query on Quora, a website where users ask questions and invite answers from the online community - "Does India actually need a bullet train"?

advertisement

Goyal, who has an active presence on social media, gave a 884-word defence of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR), popularly known as the Bullet Train. He also included several graphics with pictures of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to illustrate his point.

"India is a rapidly developing economy with numerous developmental needs. A major component of Indias developmental plan is the upgradation of current rail networks as well as the development of new high speed rail corridors popularly known as bullet trains.

"The Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail project is a visionary project by the NDA government which will herald a new era of safety, speed and service for the people, and help the Indian Railways become an international leader in scale, speed and skill," Goyal said.

He said although introduction of a technology is often met with resistance but it eventually goes on to usher in change.

"New technology has not always been adopted easily, and has at most times seen resistance. However, history shows us that new technology and advancements are highly beneficial for the country," he said.

The railway minister cited the example of the start of the Rajdhani Trains in 1968 which was opposed by many including the chairman of the railway board.

"Such things keep India backward. But today, they are the trains that everyone wishes to travel in," the minister said.

Giving another example, Goyal argued that many thought India was not ready for new technology like mobile phones, but today India is the second largest market for such phones in the world with almost every Indian owning a mobile phone set.

"Similarly, the bullet train project will also help railways revolutionise every passengers journey," he said.

Goyal also gave a detailed report of how bullet train is a "low-cost project", how it will promote Modis Make in India doctrine, work with cutting edge Japanese technology and usher in economic growth by creating thousands of jobs. PTI ASG ENM SRY

--- ENDS ---
Assured Guaranty Ltd., through its subsidiaries, provides credit protection products to public finance, infrastructure, and structured finance markets in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Insurance and Asset Management. It offers financial guaranty insurance that protects holders of debt instruments and other monetary obligations from defaults in scheduled payments. The company insures and reinsures various debt obligations, including bonds issued by the United States state governmental authorities; and notes issued to finance infrastructure projects. It also insures and reinsures various the U.S. public finance obligations, such as general obligation, tax-backed, municipal utility, transportation, healthcare, higher education, infrastructure, housing revenue, investor-owned utility, renewable energy, and other public finance bonds. Further, it is involved in insuring and reinsuring of non-U.S. public finance obligations comprising regulated utilities, infrastructure finance, sovereign and sub-sovereign, renewable energy bonds, pooled infrastructure, and other public finance obligations; and the U.S. and non-U.S. Structured finance obligations, including residential mortgage-backed securities, life insurance transactions, consumer receivables securities, pooled corporate obligations, financial products, and other structured finance securities. Additionally, the company offers specialty insurance and reinsurance that include life and aircraft residual value insurance transactions; and asset management services comprising investment advisory services, including management of collateralized loan obligations, and opportunity and liquid strategy funds. It markets its financial guaranty insurance directly to issuers and underwriters of public finance and structured finance securities, as well as to investors in such obligations. Assured Guaranty Ltd. was incorporated in 2003 and is headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda.
Chennai is likely to experience more rainfall till Wednesday due to an off was declared in Chennai schools.

By India Today Web Desk: As rains continue to lash Tamil Nadu, schools in Chennai, Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram districts will remain closed today. The announcement was made by collectors of the respective districts following the heavy showers on Sunday.

Chennai is likely to get more rains till Wednesday according to the meteorological department.

Since Sunday night, Chennai's Nungambakkam observatory has recorded 6.6cm of rains.

advertisement

Incidentally, schools in Chennai and surrounding districts had reopened last week after holidays following heavy rains.

Chennai Corporation that is actively working towards helping its citizens have has requested them to call 044-2536 7823, 2538 4965, 2538 3694 for any rain-related assistance.

--- ENDS ---
The following companies are subsidiares of Ingersoll Rand: 13125882 Canada Inc., 211 E. Russell Road LLC, 4458664 Canada Inc., ACCUDYNE INDUSTRIES ASIA PTE. LTD., ACCUDYNE INDUSTRIES BORROWER S.C.A., ACCUDYNE INDUSTRIES INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED, ACCUDYNE INDUSTRIES LLC, ACCUDYNE INDUSTRIES MIDDLE EAST FZE, ACCUDYNE INDUSTRIES SERVICES LIMITED, ASTRUM IT GmbH, Accudyne Industries Acquisition S.A r.l, Accudyne Industries Canada Inc., Accudyne Industries S.A r.l., Air Dimensions, Air Dimensions Inc., Albin Pump SAS, BOC Edwards Global Low pressure Air business, CISA S.p.A., Cameron-Centrifugal Compression, Comercial Ingersoll-Rand (Chile) Limitada, Comingersoll-Comercio E Industria De Equipamentos S.A., CompAir, CompAir (Hankook) Korea Co. Ltd., CompAir Acquisition (No. 2) Ltd., CompAir Acquisition Ltd., CompAir BroomWade Ltd., CompAir Finance Ltd., CompAir GmbH, CompAir Holdings Limited, CompAir International Trading (Shanghai) Co Ltd, CompAir Korea Ltd, CompAir South Africa (SA) (Pty) Ltd., Consolidated Distribution Holdings Ltd., DV Systems Inc., Dosatron International SAS, Emco Wheaton Gmbh, Emco Wheaton USA Inc, Enza Air Proprietary Limited, FlexEnergy Holdings LLC, Frigoblock Grosskopf Gmbh, GD Aria Holdings Limited, GD Aria Holdings Limited, GD Aria Investments Limited, GD First (UK) Ltd, GD German Holdings GmbH, GD German Holdings I Gmbh, GD German Holdings II GmbH, GD German Investments GmbH, GD Global Holdings II Inc., GD Global Holdings Inc., GD Global Holdings UK II Ltd., GD Global Ventures I B.V., GD Global Ventures II B.V., GD Global Ventures III B.V., GD Industrial Products Malaysia SDN. BHD., GD Investment KY, GD UK Finance Ltd., GPS Industries, Gardner Denver (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Gardner Denver Austria GmbH, Gardner Denver Bad Neustadt Real Estate GmbH & Co KG, Gardner Denver Belgium NV, Gardner Denver Brasil Industria E Comercio de Maquinas Ltda., Gardner Denver CZ + SK sro, Gardner Denver Canada Corp (Canada), Gardner Denver Cyprus Investments II Limited, Gardner Denver Cyprus Investments Limited, Gardner Denver Deutschland GmbH, Gardner Denver Engineered Products India Private Limited, Gardner Denver FZE, Gardner Denver Finance II LLC, Gardner Denver Finance Inc & Co KG, Gardner Denver France SAS, Gardner Denver Group Svcs Ltd, Gardner Denver Holdings Limited, Gardner Denver Hong Kong Investments Limited, Gardner Denver Hong Kong Ltd, Gardner Denver Iberica SL, Gardner Denver Inc., Gardner Denver Industries Ltd., Gardner Denver Industries Pty Ltd., Gardner Denver International Inc., Gardner Denver International Ltd., Gardner Denver Investments Inc., Gardner Denver Italy Holdings S.r.L., Gardner Denver Japan Ltd., Gardner Denver Kirchhain Real Estate GmbH & Co KG, Gardner Denver Korea Ltd., Gardner Denver Ltd., Gardner Denver Machinery (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Gardner Denver Nash Brasil Industria E Comercio De Bombas Ltda, Gardner Denver Nash LLC, Gardner Denver Nash Machinery Ltd., Gardner Denver Nederland BV, Gardner Denver Nederland Investments B.V., Gardner Denver Oy, Gardner Denver Polska Sp z.o.o., Gardner Denver Pte. Ltd., Gardner Denver S.r.l., Gardner Denver Schopfheim GmbH, Gardner Denver Schopfheim Real Estate GmbH & Co KG, Gardner Denver Schweiz AG, Gardner Denver Slovakia s.r.o., Gardner Denver Sweden AB, Gardner Denver Taiwan Ltd., Gardner Denver Thomas GmbH (f/k/a ILMVAC GmbH), Gardner Denver Thomas Inc., Gardner Denver Thomas Pneumatic Systems (Wuxi) Co. Ltd., Gardner Denver Thomas Real Estate GmbH & Co KG, Garo Dott. Ing. Roberto Gabbioneta S.r.l., Ghh-Rand Schraubenkompressoren Gmbh, HASKEL EUROPE LTD., HASKEL HOLDINGS UK LIMITED, HASKEL INTERNATIONAL LLC, Hamworthy Belliss & Morcom, Haskel France SAS, Haskel Sistemas de Fluidos Espana S.R.L., Hibon Inc., Highspeed Newco LLC, Hingerose Limited, ILMVAC (UK) Ltd., ILS Innovative Labor Systeme, ILS Inovative Laborsysteme GmbH, INGERSOLL RAND ITS JAPAN LTD., INGERSOLL-RAND (CHANG ZHOU) TOOLS CO. LTD., INGERSOLL-RAND (CHINA) INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURING CO. LTD., INGERSOLL-RAND CHINA LLC, INGERSOLL-RAND COMERCIO E SERVICOS DE MAQUINAS E EQUIPAMENTOS INDUSTRIAIS LTDA., INGERSOLL-RAND DE PUERTO RICO INC., INGERSOLL-RAND INDUSTRIAL COMPANY B.V., INGERSOLL-RAND INDUSTRIAL SP. Z O.O., INGERSOLL-RAND INDUSTRIAL U.S. INC., INGERSOLL-RAND PHILIPPINES INC., INGERSOLL-RAND SPAIN S.A., INGERSOLL-RAND U.S. HOLDCO INC., IR HPS Holdco. Inc., ITO Emniyet, Ingersoll Rand Cyprus Investments Ltd., Ingersoll Rand Finance LLC, Ingersoll Rand Global Investments LLC, Ingersoll Rand Global Ventures LLC, Ingersoll Rand Hong Kong Investments Limited, Ingersoll Rand Inc., Ingersoll Rand Investments (SG) Pte. Ltd., Ingersoll Rand Investments B.V., Ingersoll Rand Schweiz Investments Gmbh, Ingersoll Rand Technology R&D (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Ingersoll-Rand (Australia) Ltd., Ingersoll-Rand (China) Investment Company Limited, Ingersoll-Rand (Guilin) Tools Company Limited, Ingersoll-Rand (Hong Kong) Holding Company Limited, Ingersoll-Rand (India) Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Ab, Ingersoll-Rand Air Solutions Hibon Sarl, Ingersoll-Rand Beteiligungs Und Grundstucksverwaltungs Gmbh, Ingersoll-Rand Colombia S.A.S., Ingersoll-Rand Company Limited (Uk), Ingersoll-Rand Company South Africa (Pty) Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Cz S.R.O., Ingersoll-Rand De Mexico S.A. De C.V., Ingersoll-Rand Equipements De Production S.A.S., Ingersoll-Rand Holdings Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Industrial Ireland Limited, Ingersoll-Rand International (India) Private Limited, Ingersoll-Rand International Holding Llc, Ingersoll-Rand Italia S.R.L., Ingersoll-Rand Italiana Manufacturing S.R.L., Ingersoll-Rand Korea Holding Llc, Ingersoll-Rand Korea Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Lux Investments II S.A R.I., Ingersoll-Rand Lux Investments S.A R.L., Ingersoll-Rand Luxembourg Industrial Company S.A R.L., Ingersoll-Rand Machinery (Shanghai) Company Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Malaysia Co. Sdn. Bhd., Ingersoll-Rand S.A. De C.V., Ingersoll-Rand Services And Trading Limited Liability Company, Ingersoll-Rand Services Company, Ingersoll-Rand Services Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Singapore Enterprises Pte. Ltd., Ingersoll-Rand South East Asia (Pte.) Ltd., Ingersoll-Rand Superay Holdings Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Technical And Services S.A.R.L., Ingersoll-Rand Technologies And Services Private Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Technology R&D (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Ingersoll-Rand Tool Holdings Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Trading Gmbh, Ingersoll-Rand Vietnam Company Limited, Instrum Rand JSC, Interflex Datensysteme, Ir Canada Holdings Ulc, Ir Canada Sales & Service Ulc, Ir France Sas, Kryptonite corp, Lawrence Factor Inc., LeROI, LeRoi International Inc, MILTON ROY (HONG KONG) LIMITED, MILTON ROY (UK) LIMITED, MILTON ROY EUROPA B.V., MILTON ROY EUROPE SAS, MILTON ROY INDUSTRIAL (SHANGHAI) CO. LTD., MILTON ROY LLC, MILTON ROY US PURCHASER INC., MP Pumps Inc., Maximum AG Technologies Inc., Maximus Solutions, Mb Air Systems Limited, Nash Elmo, Officina Meccaniche Industriali Srl, Oina VV, Oina VV Aktiebolag, Plurifilter D.O.O., Pt Ingersoll-Rand Indonesia, Robuschi, Runtech Systems, Runtech Systems (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Runtech Systems Inc., Runtech Systems OY, SEEPEX, Seepex (M) SDN, Seepex Australia Pty Ltd, Seepex Beteiligungs-Gesellschaft mit Beschrankter Haftung, Seepex France S.a.r.l., Seepex GmbH, Seepex Inc., Seepex India Private Ltd., Seepex Italia SRL, Seepex Japan Co. Ltd., Seepex Nordic A/S, Seepex OOO, Seepex Pumps (Shanghia) Co. Ltd., Seepex UK Ltd., Shanghai CompAir Compressors Co Ltd, Shanghai Compressors & Blowers Ltd., Shanghai Ingersoll-Rand Compressor Limited, Shenzhen Bocom System Engineering Co., Superay, Syltone, TIWR Real Estate GmbH & Co. KG, Tamrotor Marine Comp AS Norway, Tecno Matic Europe s.r.o., Thomas Industries Inc., Trane Technologies, Tri-Continent Scientific Inc., Vacuum and Blower Systems division, Welch Vacuum Equipment (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Zaxe Technologies Inc., Zeks Compressed Air Solutions Llc, Zinsser Analytic, Zinsser Analytik GmbH, Zinsser NA Inc., and crayon interface.

Read More
There was a major scramble at Cochin airport today after a passenger allegedly tried to hijack Jet Airways flight 9W 825. The man has been detained by the CISF.

By India Today Web Desk: A man was detained today for allegedly threatening to hijack a Mumbai-bound Jet Airways flight at the Cochin International Airport, forcing a security scare and delay in the departure.

There was a major scramble at Cochin airport today after a passenger allegedly tried to hijack Jet Airways flight 9W 825.

The man has been detained by the CISF. In a statement, Jet Airways said the flight was rescheduled to depart Cochin at 2 pm now.

advertisement

"Jet Airways flight 9W 825 Cochin - Mumbai was rescheduled to depart Cochin at 14O2 hrs., with a delay of 2 hours on account of a security related matter. The airline has informed the relevant authority of the same for further necessary action and has offered full cooperation as required," it said.

More details are awaited.

--- ENDS ---
One of Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbulls lawmakers resigned from parliament, saying he may be a dual citizen, leaving the government at least temporarily in minority status.

John Alexander, speaking to reporters, said its possible he also holds British citizenship through his father. Therefore it is my obligation that I must resign, the 66-year- old said in Sydney on Saturday.

The citizenship scandal has already claimed five lawmakers, including former Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce, with the High Court ruling last month they were ineligible to sit in parliament. Joyce had been the only lower house lawmaker caught up in the affair, and the court ruling cost the prime minister his one-seat majority.

Joyce, who has since renounced his New Zealand citizenship, is seeking to regain his seat in a special election on Dec. 2, which hes expected to win. Alexander confirmed he intends to recontest his seat of Bennelong, and theres a good chance of reclaiming it as he won with a 9.7 percent margin last year.

Turnbull, speaking from Vietnam after the announcement, rejected suggestions a general election should be held, and said Alexander had done the right thing. As Ive said publicly and privately, if members believe that they are ineligible to sit in the parliament, they shouldnt sit in the parliament, he said.

Independent lawmakers have agreed to support the government so it remains in office. Still, the issue appears set to drag on into 2018 amid questions about the origins of several other lawmakers  distracting the government and potentially stalling its legislative agenda, including company tax cuts.

The Liberals leader in the Senate, Stephen Parry, quit parliament on Nov. 1 after it was confirmed he was a British citizen. Two independent senators, Rebekha Sharkie and Jacqui Lambie, have also said theyre looking into whether they could be dual citizens.

The government hasnt ruled out referring four lawmakers from the main opposition Labor party to the High Court. Labor has so far skirted the scandal, with leader Bill Shorten saying his party has proper vetting procedures to ensure would-be lawmakers renounce any dual citizenships before they nominate as a candidate, as required by the constitution. Bloomberg
Cambodias leader is destroying a political opposition movement that threatens his three-decade grip on power and hes accusing America of plotting his downfall. An influential opposition figure is in Washington wondering if shell get any help at all.

Prime Minister Hun Sen talks about nefarious U.S. designs to unseat him, but the United States rejects that claim as baseless and experts say his attacks are driven by a fear of losing elections next year.

Opposition leader Kem Sokha is imprisoned and his party seems likely to be dissolved this week by Cambodias highest court. His daughter, a spokeswoman for the Cambodia National Rescue Party, is urging President Donald Trumps administration to act quickly and try to salvage democracy in the Southeast Asian nation.

Hun Sen thinks the world is not paying attention and that nobody is prepared to do anything about it, said Monovithya Kem, who wants the United States to impose sanctions on Cambodian officials complicit in the crackdown.

Monovithya said about 20 lawmakers, out of the partys 55 in the 123-member National Assembly, have fled Cambodia since Kem Sokha was arrested Sept. 3 and charged with treason, which carries a sentence of up to 30 years in prison. Monovithya and her sister also fled, fearing arrest. The government accuses them of conspiring with the CIA.

Its not unusual for Cambodian politicians to demonize the U.S. Theres fertile history to draw on.

U.S. secret bombing during the Vietnam War is often blamed for the rise of the Khmer Rouge, whose late 1970s genocidal rule killed one-quarter of the Cambodian population. After a Vietnamese invasion toppled the Khmer Rouge, the U.S. voted for a coalition including the former rulers to retain Cambodias U.N. seat instead of giving it to the Vietnam-backed government.

Since Cambodia emerged from civil war in the 1990s, however, the U.S. has been a more benign presence. Since 1991, it has provided USD1.8 billion in aid for development and democracy promotion and $60 million in military assistance, U.S. government data show. Hun Sens eldest son was even educated at West Point.

But in recent years, the Cambodian leaders relationship with Washington has become increasingly acrimonious. In that time, Cambodias reliance on nearby China, which avoids criticizing others human rights records, has intensified.

U.S. influence in Cambodia is at an all-time low, said John Sifton, Asia advocacy director for Human Rights Watch in Washington.

He said the U.S. retains some power and leverage, particularly through voting rights at the World Bank and Asian Development Bank that provide aid for the impoverished country. America also is a big market for Cambodian textiles. Still, U.S. officials arent sure they can change Hun Sens calculus.

Authoritarians dont give up power easily, Sifton said. He still has China. He still has Vietnam. He still has ASEAN members who will stand beside him. There are 10 members in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, whose leaders Trump met at a summit in the Philippines yesterday.

Through 32 years in power, Hun Sen has mastered how to sideline political opponents. In 1997, he ousted a co-prime minister in a bloody coup. In recent years, hes used Cambodias pliant judicial system.

To avoid international reprisals, hes often struck last-minute political compromises. He allowed former opposition leader Sam Rainsy to contest the last national elections in 2013 when Hun Sen narrowly retained power in a flawed vote. Rainsy now lives in exile.

As Hun Sen now looks ahead to a July vote, hes mounting perhaps his biggest assault on Cambodian democracy since the coup. The government filed a lawsuit with the Supreme Court for the opposition party to be dissolved, alleging it conspired to topple his administration. The court is due to rule on Thursday.

Hun Sen said last week he was willing to wager 100-to-1 that the party will be dissolved.

Speaking to The Associated Press, government spokesman Phay Siphan claimed to have evidence proving American agents have conspired with the opposition. The government has previously publicized a video clip showing Kem Sokha giving a speech in which he describes a grass-roots political strategy to challenge Hun Sen with U.S. support.

U.S. Ambassador William Heidt has dismissed the allegation as intentionally inaccurate, misleading and baseless.

Heidt was summoned to Washington this past week for consultations amid calls from U.S. lawmakers for visa bans and possible financial sanctions on Cambodian officials involved in the crackdown. Its a course supported by Human Rights Watch and other activists.

Cambodias government also has targeted civil society and media, shuttering radio stations with programming from U.S.-funded Radio Free Asia and Voice of America. The National Democratic Institute, which helped train political parties and election monitors, was kicked out of the country.

Convicting Kem Sokha and dissolving his party would set back the relationship between Washington and Phnom Penh further. But its unclear whether that would be the step leading to American sanctions.

The fence-sitting frustrates Monovithya Kem as she lobbies for U.S. action now, not after a court ruling that dismantles the opposition.

If the party is dissolved, she said, there is absolutely no way the elections next year will be free and fair. Matthew Pennington, Washington, AP
About 20,000 people are feared dead after a volcanic eruption in northern Colombia.

Four towns in the Andes region are reported to have been buried when ash spewed out of the volcano, Nevado del Ruiz, causing a mudslide.

The worst-affected was Armero, the province of Tolimas second largest city, about 50 miles from the Colombian capital, Bogota.

Armero, which lay in a valley below the 4,937m volcano, was virtually destroyed  buried by mud and rubble swept down on to it. The fatal eruption happened during the night when most of the towns 27,000 residents were in bed.

Nevado del Ruiz, known locally as the Sleeping Lion, had not erupted for nearly 150 years.

Even though it is located only 310 miles 500 km from the equator, the volcanos summit is covered with snow.

It had given some warning of increased activity  in recent months there had been some rumblings from the crater  but the authorities had told Armero residents it was safe to remain in the city.

The initial blast began on Wednesday afternoon when ash came showering down. An evacuation was ordered but abandoned when the volcano went quiet at about 1900 local time.

However, just after 2100 a more serious eruption began causing the summits icecap to melt and carry mud and debris down the mountain at speeds of up to 50 km per hour.

The town of Armero lay in the so-called Ring of Fire, an unstable area of the earths crust encircling the Pacific Ocean which includes most of the worlds active volcanoes.

The Colombian government has appealed to the United Nations for help. However, rescue efforts are being hampered by fallen bridges and impassable roads..

Courtesy BBC News

In context

The final death toll was estimated at 23,000. It was the second most deadly eruption in the 20th century after the 1902 eruption of Mont Pelee on the Caribbean island of Martinique which killed 29,000 people.

Following the 1985 eruption, Nevado del Ruiz remained active for several more years, culminating in eruptions in 1991 and 1992. It was not the first time the volcano had caused deaths.

In 1595, 636 people were killed after a mudflow swept down the mountainside. Another eruption in 1845 led to 1,000 deaths.

Around 50 years later settlers began to build the city of Armero directly on top of the hardened mudflow deposits. After the 1985 disaster the government declared the site of the buried city to be holy ground.
The biennial Dubai Air Show opened yesterday with hometown long- haul carrier Emirates making a USD15.1 billion buy of American-made Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners, as the worlds biggest defense companies promoted their weapons amid heightened tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Other airlines also are taking part, but missing from the trade show this year is one of the regions largest long-haul carriers, Qatar Airways, amid diplomatic fallout between Qatar and four Arab nations.

The Boeing announcement came after over an hour and a half of delays by Emirates amid rumors of a possible Airbus sale involving its A380 aircraft, a major workhorse for the airline. Journalists asked Emirates CEO and Chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum about Boeings European competitor Airbus, specifically its A350.

We were comparing the two apples, he said, but found that the Boeing 787 is the best option for Emirates given its maintenance and so on.

The Boeing 787-10 typically lists for $312.8 million. Delivery will begin in 2022.

Chicago-based Boeing Co. already has 171 787-10s on order. Among those waiting for the aircraft are Abu Dhabi-based Etihad. Boeing builds the 787 at its plant in North Charleston, South Carolina, which U.S. President Donald Trump visited in February.

Last week, the U.S. plane manufacturer secured an order valued at more than $37 billion at list price for 300 of its single- aisle and double-aisle planes during Trumps visit to China. Trump also was present for the signing ceremony last month between Boeing and Singapore Airlines for 39 new aircraft, including 19 of the 787 Dreamliner, in a deal worth up to $14 billion.

Sheikh Ahmed made a point to say the deal will help create more jobs, long a mantra of Trump. The deal was signed in the presence of Dubais ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who also serves as the United Arab Emirates prime minister and vice president.

The order will take Emirates total [number of] wide body aircraft of the Boeing to 204 aircrafts, units worth over $90 billion, Sheikh Ahmed said. This is a long-term commitment that supports hundreds of thousands of jobs, not only at Boeing but also throughout the aviation supply chain.

The airlines business has suffered under Trumps travel bans affecting predominantly Muslim nations, as well as the recent ban on laptops in airplane cabins. Emirates said it slashed 20 percent of its flights to the U.S. in the wake of the restrictions. Thats in turn hurt Dubai International Airport, the home of Emirates and the worlds busiest international travel hub.

Emirates is the worlds largest Boeing 777 operator, with 165 in service today

The air show comes as the Qatar dispute is now in its fifth month with no resolution in sight. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain cut ties with Qatar in June over its ties with Iran and its support of Islamist groups, accusing the small Gulf state of supporting extremists, charges it denies. The Arab quartet cut direct flights with Qatar and closed their airspace to Qatari aircraft.

Qatar Airways previously had played a big role in the Dubai Air Show, reserving a large pavilion and displaying its latest aircraft to visitors.

At the start of the air show, Dubai-based Emirates, the Middle Easts largest carrier, unveiled new, state-of-the-art, first class private suites.

In an industry first, passenger suites in the middle aisle without windows will be fitted with virtual windows relaying the sky outside via fiber optic cameras on the plane. Theres also a video call feature in the suites that connects passengers to the cabin crew, as well as temperature control and various mood lighting settings.

Emirates President Tim Clark declined to say how much a ticket in the 40 square-foot (3.7-square-meter) private suite will cost. The private suites will be available on the airlines Boeing 777.

In previous years, major Mideast carriers have flexed their spending power at the Dubai Air Show, including $140 billion in new orders announced in 2013 before the collapse of oil prices. Prices have rebounded recently to around $60 a barrel.

Regional tensions have spiked further since Lebanons Prime Minister Saad Hariri announced his resignation last week in a pre-

recorded video on a Saudi television station from Saudi Arabia. His surprise resignation has raised questions about whether the kingdom forced Hariri to resign in order to wreck the government and pressure the Iranian-

backed Hezbollah group.

Saudi Arabia also has tightened its blockade on Yemen after Iranian-allied rebels there launched a missile at the Saudi capital, Riyadh, last week. The Saudi-led war in Yemen, which began in March 2015, has killed at least 10,000 civilians and pushed millions to the brink of famine. The United Nations and aid groups warn that the blockade could bring millions of people closer to starvation and death.Aya Batrawy, Jon Gambrell, AP
Hong Kong signed a free-trade agreement and an investment deal yesterday with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in pacts that it said are a vote against protectionism elsewhere.

ASEAN officials said the free-trade agreement they signed with Hong Kong in Manila is the sixth such deal forged by the 10-nation bloc after concluding similar pacts with China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand.

The Philippines is hosting an annual summit of ASEAN heads of state with Asian and Western leaders that opens Monday.

Hong Kong Commerce Secretary Edward Yau Tang-wah said the new free-trade accord is a loud and clear vote from all of us here for freer and more open trade amid protectionist tendencies in other parts of the world.

He said ASEAN is Hong Kongs second-

largest merchandise trading partner and fourth-largest partner in services trade but the best is yet to come, with the agreements expected to fuel new investment opportunities and boost trade flows.

Philippine Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, this years chairman of the ASEAN Economic Ministers, said the signing of the two agreements marks the commitment toward shared prosperity and inclusive growth in the region.

We send a strong message to the world of our outward oriented drive and economic resolve toward cooperation, he said. AP
The 17th Macau Food Festival kicked off last Friday at the Sai Van Lake Square, with the Japanese Village food area returning to Macau as one of the highlights of the popular event.

The 17-day festival, which ends November 26, invited more than 150 catering entities, including 25 from Japan.

This year offers food streets with various themes, such as Asian food, European food and desserts, among some other specialties.

This years main attraction, Japanese food, will be available at the unique Japanese Village, where traditional Japanese performances will take place.

Masanori Yamato, vice-director of Edosan-Yamatoya Japan Yamato Group Co., Ltd. and director of the Kansai Foods Export Promotion Cooperative Association (KFEPCA), told the Times that KFEPCA had cooperated with the United Association of Food and Beverage Merchants of Macau to bring the exhibition of Japanese cuisine to Macau.

This is our second time here. Last time was in 2014. The United Association of Food and Beverage Merchants of Macau invited us again to come, said Masanori Yamato, aided by a translator.

All our food products are famous back in the Kansai region. We selected them from a great variety of products which are typical of Kansai, revealed Masanori Yamato, who then emphasized that we want Macau people to experience Japanese food and we would love to come back again.

We transported most of the food ingredients from Japan to Macau, which is a quite difficult process [] Now, we are shipping food from Japan every day, said Hayato Shingu, Director of the Cargo Development Group, Aviation Sales and Marketing Development of Kansai Airports.

Hayato Shingu also said that despite the difficulties of bringing food from Japan to Macau, they persisted because they want to provide the Macau public with exceptional Japanese food.

Ryoma Suminaga, Chief Operating Officer of Misawa Shoten, a Japanese vegetable and fruit supplier, brought fresh fruits from Japan to the festival. He stated that his company was invited by Macaus importers to be at the festival to provide fresh Japanese fruits to the Macau public. He also told the Times that Misawa Shoten supplies fruit to Wynn, and that the company exports about 500 kg of fruit to Macau every week.

Daisy Zhang, a tourist from Shenzhen, came to Macau specifically for the food festival.

We have been coming to the food festival every edition for the past three years. This time we came specifically for the opening. The crowds are a lot smaller than last year, but I think it may be because its [still] the opening. Last year, we skipped the opening day, said Zhang, adding that today, the experience has been better, but tomorrow it might change [] Nevertheless, the transportation around is terrible.

As she works in the tourism industry, Zhang learnt about the festival from several sources.

There is a great variety of food, with food from all kinds of places. I have a friend who loves Japanese food. However, when she arrived here, she was a little bit disappointed because the variety of Japanese food was not as diverse as she had imagined. When asked about the festivals prices and hygiene, Zhang had mostly good things to say.

The prices are very reasonable. I think the Japanese food might be slightly above average in terms of prices. The hygiene is also fine. You can hear them announcing hygiene tips and suggestions through the speakers, mainly for people to not throw out trash indiscriminately.

We have been coming every year also because we are quite fond of the festival and we want see what differences were implemented between consecutive editions, she continued.

When discussing possible improvements, Zhang suggested that there could be shuttle buses at the ferry terminal, which might be a bit more convenient for tourists.

The transportation should be better. I noticed that there are no instructions at the bus terminal. The festival is at night, its dark, and people are just crossing the streets [from the bus terminal straight to the festival]. I hope the [logistics] can be upgraded, said Zhang.
David Chows Macau Legend Development Ltd has announced in a filing to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange its intention to dispose of 100 percent equity in the Landmark Macau casino-hotel for some HKD4.6 billion.

The buyers are a group of four entities led by Dong Lap Hong Investment Company. Controlling a 58 percent stake in the acquisition, Dong Lap Hong is owned by Chong Sio King according to the commercial registry, who is also the president of the board of the Macau General Association of Real Estate.

Ben Lee, managing partner of IGamiX Management & Consulting, told the Times that the deal was unusual given that the expertise of the buyer lies in the real estate market.

Its unusual as the buyers dont appear to have any background in the casino or junket industry, he said yesterday. This close to the concession billing process, it relies on quite a few assumptions on the surety of SJMs concession being [renewed].

Lee said that the valuation shows that buyers have not been deterred by the possibility of a non-renewal in the upcoming license negotiations. The license [issue] doesnt seem to impact the price all that much, he said, comparing it to earlier property acquisitions.

Located along the Amizade strip in ZAPE, the Landmark Macau is owned by New Macau Landmark Management Ltd, a subsidiary of David Chows group, while its gaming services are provided by another subsidiary, Hong Hock Development Company, which also services the Babylon Casino and Legend Palace Casino.

As of June 2017, the Pharaohs Palace Casino in The Landmark Macau included 60 mass market gaming tables, 17 VIP gaming tables and 141 slot machines in operation, all provided by gaming concessionaire SJM Holdings. In 2016, the audited revenue for the company amounted to HKD274.8 million, posting a loss of about HKD84 million.

Macau Legend said that the disposal will enable the Group to streamline its operation.

The HKD4.6 billion deal, struck on Thursday after the HKSE had closed, was followed a day later by a 3.2 percent uptick in Macau Legends share price.

According to the filing, the sale is pursuant to an opinion issued by a local legal advisor to Macau Legend Development, clarifying that the deal does not violate any of Macaus laws. Under Macau law, casino operators must be endowed with a license from the government, however gaming concessionaires can lease gambling operations to third parties under management contracts.

SJM Holdings is responsible for the 67 gaming tables currently in operation at The Landmark and its approval of the deal is still pending, according to Thursdays filing. It is believed that the MSAR government will also need to give its tacit approval for the deal to complete.

Its a straightforward property deal, but the gaming part is always subject to government approval, said gaming analyst Lee. I dont expect there to be any pushback from the government [ as] the satellite casino system has been in place for a while and it is a market-recognized value. [ That is,] the value of the casino is inseparable from the property.

To this end, the filing states that both SJM and the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau will be notified of the terms of the deal as soon as practicable.

What is known is that the deal will see SJM will pay a service fee to Hong Hock of about 15 percent of gross gaming income in exchange for the operational expenses of running the casino. Moreover, Hong Hock will be entitled to receive 0.5 percent of total monthly gross gaming income generated from the Gaming Tables, to be paid by New Macau Landmark.

In addition, agreements with existing gaming promoters will be shortly terminated, except for Neptune VIP Room.

A document containing more information on the disposal, as required under the listing rules of the HKSE, is expected to be circulated to shareholders on or before November 30.
The regions total population was 648,500 by the end of September, up by 100 quarter-to-quarter, according to information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC).

Non-resident workers totaled 176,666 at the end of the third quarter, a decrease of 2,028 over the previous quarter.

In the third quarter of 2017, Chinese immigrants (1,274) and individuals granted the right of abode (387) rose by 498 and 5, respectively, on a quarter-to-quarter basis.

Meanwhile, the bureau indicated that the female population (343,400) accounted for 53 percent of the total.

813 cases of marriage registration were recorded in the third quarter, down by 120 quarter-to-quarter. In the first three quarters of 2017, there were 2,840 cases of marriage registration, down by 72 year-on-year.

1,690 live births were delivered in the third quarter of 2017, up by 94 quarter-to-quarter. Male babies totaled 900 and the sex ratio at birth stood at 113.9, corresponding to 113.9 male babies per 100 female babies.

In the first three quarters of 2017, the number of live births dropped by 343 year-on- year to 4,846.

Mortality totaled 529, an increase of 7 quarter-to-quarter. The top three underlying causes of death were neoplasms (162), diseases of the circulatory system (118) and diseases of the respiratory system (113).

In the first three quarters of 2017, mortality dropped by 152 year- on-year to 1,558.
Trade ministers from 11 Pacific Rim countries said they reached an agreement Saturday to proceed with the free-trade Trans-Pacific Partnership deal that was in doubt after President Donald Trump abandoned it. However, an immediate formal endorsement by the countries leaders meeting in Vietnam appeared unlikely.

A statement issued in the early hours Saturday said an accord was reached on core elements of the 11-member pact. The compromise was delayed by last-minute disagreements that prevented the TPP leaders from meeting to endorse a plan on Friday.

Ministers are pleased to announce that they have agreed on the core elements of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, the 11 nations said in a statement.

A news conference was scheduled for later Saturday morning Vietnam time.

Japans delegate to the talks, Economy Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, told reporters that disagreements that cropped up Friday had been resolved in five hours of talks that stretched late into the night.

We have confirmed there was no mistake about us having reached a basic agreement, Motegi said.

Asked by reporters if the deal had the support of Canada, whose Prime Minister Justin Trudeau did not show up for the meeting planned for Friday, Motegi said yes.

Canada did agree, and that means the top also agreed, he said. Japanese media reported that the Japanese and Vietnamese co-chairs of the ministerial meetings would hold a news conference Saturday on the sidelines of the summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, which wraps up later Saturday.

Canadas Minister for International Commerce Francois-P Champagne said in a tweet Saturday that after lots of work, big progress was made on the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Trudeau said days earlier that Canada would not be rushed into an agreement.

New Zealands Trade Minister David Parker told reporters that leaders who gathered for Fridays meeting expecting a final report on the talks were surprised by Trudeaus absence. Late Thursday, there had been no distance between the parties, he said.

Despite enthusiasm for sticking with the plan following the U.S. withdrawal under Trump in January, criticism over various issues persists. Detractors of the TPP say it favors corporate interests over labor and other rights. Trudeau said days before arriving in Danang that he would not be rushed into signing an agreement that did not suit Canadas interests.

Aspects of the trade pact have raised hackles also over a requirement that companies be allowed to sue governments for lack of enforcement of related laws.

The proposed basic agreement reached in Danang said that the ministers maintained the high standards, overall balance and integrity of the TPP while ensuring the commercial and other interests of all participants and preserving our inherent right to regulate, including the flexibility of the parties to set legislative and regulatory priorities.

The TPP member countries are trying to find a way forward without the U.S., the biggest economy and, before Trump took office, one of its most assertive supporters. Trump has said he prefers country-to-country deals and is seeking to renegotiate several major trade agreements to, as he says, put America first.

Trump reiterated his markedly different stance on trade before the 21-member APEC summit convened late Friday with a gala banquet.

The U.S. president told an APEC business conference that we are not going to let the United States be taken advantage of anymore. He lambasted the World Trade Organization and other trade forums as unfair to the United States and reiterated his preference for bilateral trade deals, saying I am always going to put America first.

Trump said he would not enter into large trade agreements, alluding to U.S. involvement in the North American Free Trade Agreement and the TPP.

In contrast, Chinese President Xi Jinping told the same group that nations need to stay committed to economic openness or risk being left behind.

The Chinese president drew loud applause when he urged support for the multilateral trading regime and progress toward a free-trade zone in the Asia-Pacific. China is not part of the TPP.

APEC operates by consensus and customarily issues nonbinding statements. TPP commitments would eventually be ratified and enforced by its members.

But even talks this week on a declaration to cap the APEC summit had to be extended for an extra half day as ministers haggled over wording. Its unclear what the exact sticking points were, but officials have alluded to differences over the unequal impact more open trade has had on workers and concerns over automation in manufacturing that could leave many millions in a wide array of industries with no work to do.

As a developing country with a fast-growing export sector, this years host country, Vietnam, has a strong interest in open trade and access for its exports to consumers in the West. The summit is an occasion for its leaders to showcase the progress its economy has made thanks largely to foreign investment and trade. Danang, Vietnams third largest city, is in the midst of a construction boom as dozens of resorts and smaller hotels pop up along its scenic coastline.

APECs members are Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, the U.S. and Vietnam. Tran Van Minh, Elaine Kurtenbach, AP
In a surprise move, the tainted left minister Thomas Chandy has roped in senior Supreme Court lawyer to appear for him in the Kerala High Court.

By P S Gopikrishnan Unnithan: In a surprise move, the tainted left minister Thomas Chandy has roped in senior Supreme Court lawyer to appear for him in the Kerala High Court.

The entry of Vivek Thankha, who is also Congress MP in Rajya Sabha has pushed the state faction into trouble. Congress in Kerala has been spearheading the protest against the minister who has been alleged of encroaching government land and levelling paddy fields.

advertisement

Thomas Chandy, the NCP nominee in the left cabinet has been facing the heat after Alappuzha district collector T U Anupama submitted an enquiry report confirming the allegations.

Owing to immense pressure from the opposition and CPI in the coalition, LDF had to call for an emergency meeting in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday. The meeting which turned to be a verbal spat between NCP and other party representatives, LDF left the decision to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to take final call on the fate of the tainted minister.

It was learned that Vijayan asked Thomas Chandy and NCP leaders to inform their decision at the earliest. If the minister was not willing to step down, CM would have to ask for his resignation causing huge damage to the reputation of the party and coalition.

However, NCP managed to convince the Chief Minister to wait till Tuesday as the case would be heard in Kerala High Court. On Tuesday, Kerala High Court will consider all petitions regarding this case.

Thomas Chandy and Lake Palace Resort have filed a petition challenging the findings of district collector. This will be crucial for Thomas Chandy because if the high court makes any negative remarks against the minister, that would well be the last nail in the coffin.

Thomas Chandy has now roped in one of the leading Supreme Court lawyers to ensure that the case is well handled in the High Court. But, Vivek Thankha has pushed Congress state faction into dilemma already. Senior Congress leader V M Sudheeran said that, "Vivek should not appear for a corrupt minister."

--- ENDS ---
On a calm, clear morning, historic wooden fishing boats float tranquilly on the glassy waters of the Dutch harbor of Spakenburg. Yet just over a century ago, they were slamming through the houses lining the harbor as a powerful storm unleashed flooding that devastated this picturesque fishing village.

These days, an innovative new self-raising dike protects the village on the edge of Eemmeer Lake, 50 kilometers southeast of Amsterdam. The 300-meter long barrier is concealed in the sidewalk when not in use, and is lifted up to 80 centimeters by the very floodwaters it is designed to keep out.

Its just the latest example of Dutch ingenuity and planning in this low-lying nations constant battle with water  and increasingly, technology like it is becoming a lucrative Dutch export.

We live here in a very vulnerable place, said Roeland Hillen, director of the Dutch Flood Protection Program. We have to adapt to survive.

That message resonates with many other flood-prone countries now attending climate change talks in Bonn, where delegates from some 195 nations have gathered to discuss rules for implementing the 2015 Paris climate accord. The meeting in the former German capital, which runs until Friday, is being presided over by Fiji, one of the many small island nations threatened by rising sea levels.

We will feel the impact of climate change all over the world most profoundly through water, said Henk Ovink, the Netherlands Special Envoy for International Water Affairs, who is at the Bonn conference.

The Dutch government teamed up earlier this year with Japan and the U. N. Environment Program to create a Global Center of Excellence on Climate Adaptation in the Netherlands that will be formally launched Tuesday on the sidelines of the Bonn conference.

The center aims to support those who struggle to put climate adaptation effectively into practice in all parts of the world, the government said.

Housing the water expertise center in the Netherlands was a no-brainer. Some 26 percent of this nation of 17 million people lies below sea level and 29 percent is vulnerable to river flooding. The Dutch struggle to keep the country dry has been a constant fact of life for centuries.

The center will have bases in the northern city of Groningen and in a new floating office in the port city of Rotterdam.

The Dutch government earmarks 1 billion euros (USD1.16 billion) per year to keep up its defenses against high water. The money is spent on maintaining and strengthening dikes and levees and on other water mitigation measures. By 2050, the country aims to reinforce some 1,900 kilometers of dikes and levees, Hillen said.

But while the costs are high, expertise and technology developed by the Dutch are becoming increasingly valuable commodities. Annual exports of Dutch water technology and expertise have doubled since 2000 to just under 8 billion euros ($9.3 billion) a year. Water is an asset and a threat, said Ovink.

Recent contracts involving Dutch companies include Netherlands-based Arcadis being selected as part of a consortium involved in a 10-year seawall resiliency project to strengthen a century-old San Francisco harbor wall that protects an area including the citys beloved Fishermans Wharf.

Back in Spakenburg, experts say the self-raising dike is a good example not only of new techniques for holding back rising tides, but also how to integrate such barriers in spatial planning. Sinking the wall into the sidewalk means that it does not spoil views of the picturesque harbor for tourists or locals. The technology already is being put to use in projects in England, Vietnam and China.

Ovink stresses that it is just one of a multitude of defenses the Dutch have developed to hold water at bay.

There is no [single] fix, he said. Its a culture of living with water. Mike Corder, Spakenburg, AP
Vietnam gave Chinese President Xi Jinping the red carpet treatment yesterday at the start of a state visit, as the two communist neighbors try to broaden their economic ties and work on resolving territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

Xi and Nguyen Phu Trong, general secretary of the Vietnamese Communist Party, reviewed an honor guard and headed for talks behind closed doors. It was Xis first overseas trip since consolidating his power at a party congress last month.

Xi and U.S. President Donald Trump, among others, just finished an Asia-Pacific economic summit in the Vietnamese coastal city of Danang.

Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang said that his country wants to end disputes in the South China Sea through peaceful means.

Its our policy to settle disputes in the East Sea through peaceful negotiations and with respect for diplomatic and legal process in accordance with international law, including the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea, he said, referring to the South China Sea.

Quang made the comments during a joint news conference with Trump. Trump had offered during a meeting earlier yesterday with Quang to serve as a mediator on the South China Sea disputes.

Vietnam and China, along with four other governments, claim all or parts of the South China Sea, which is believed to sit atop rich natural resources and occupies one of the worlds busiest sea lanes.

China in recent years has built artificial islands and increased its militarization there, drawing criticism from Washington, which argues that the U.S. has a national interest in freedom of navigation in sea lanes critical for world trade.

Vietnam has become the most vocal opponent of Chinas moves after Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte softened his countrys stance on China.

Tran Viet Thai of the Vietnam Diplomatic Academy said Xis visit is important to build mutual trust.

The visit marks a new step forward in Vietnam-China relations, he said. Hopefully the relations will continue to stabilize, because the two sides currently share great interests in broadening their cooperation and maintaining stability.

Bilateral relations plunged to their lowest level in years when China in 2014 parked a giant oil rig in an area claimed by Vietnam. The incident sparked deadly anti-China protests for several weeks.

The two communist neighbors have in recent months experienced spats over the South China Sea. In July, Vietnam had to suspend an oil and gas exploration project conducted by Spains Repsol company, under apparent pressure from China. In September, Vietnam protested live-fire drills by China near the Paracel islands. AP
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates announced Monday that he is investing $50 million to fund research into treatment for Alzheimer's disease.

Gates, in an entry on his blog, said he was making the investment from his personal fortune and not with his charitable Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

"Of all the disorders that plague us late in life, one stands out as a particularly big threat to society: Alzheimer's disease," Gates said.

"Scientists have yet to figure out what exactly causes Alzheimer's or how to stop the disease from destroying the brain," he said. "In the United States, it is the only cause of death in the top 10 without any meaningful treatments."

Gates said he was investing $50 million in the London-based Dementia Discovery Fund, a private-public venture that supports innovative research into dementia.

The multi-billionaire philanthropist said finding treatment for Alzheimer's, which affects nearly 50 million people worldwide, was particularly urgent since improved medical care meant people were living longer.

He noted that his own father would soon celebrate his 92nd birthday"a milestone that was practically unimaginable when he was born."

Gates said there is a nearly 50 percent chance of developing Alzheimer's for people who live into their mid-80s.

"If you get the disease in your 60s or 70s, you might require expensive care for decades," he said.

"Absent a major breakthrough, expenditures will continue to squeeze healthcare budgets in the years and decades to come," Gates said.

Gates acknowledged that making progress against Alzheimer's would be a long-term project.

"The first Alzheimer's treatments might not come to fruition for another decade or more, and they will be very expensive at first," he said.

"Once that day comes, our foundation might look at how we can expand access in poor countries," he said.

But Gates said he was optimistic.

"We've seen scientific innovation turn once-guaranteed killers like HIV into chronic illnesses that can be held in check with medication," he said. "I believe we can do the same (or better) with Alzheimer's."

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has concentrated mainly on fighting communicable diseases such as malaria and polio in poor countries.

 2017 AFP
Treatments commonly used to prevent acute kidney failure and its complications arising from common angiography procedures make no difference to health outcomes, a major new study has found.

A team of international researchers studied the effectiveness of two common treatments used to prevent serious harm to patients undergoing angiography.

The worldwide study published in the New England Journal of Medicine investigated the effects of sodium bicarbonate and -N-acetylcysteine and found that neither were any better than using saline alone. These treatments were thought to reduce the impact of the contrast agents used in angiography upon kidney function, having been studied and used for over 15 years.

Lead author Dr. Steven Weisbord, of the Veteran's Administration, said: "Both of these treatments are used in hospitals all over the world with the belief that they are helping patients. The scientific evidence to support such practice has been confusing, so the use of these treatments varies between hospitals and individual doctors.

Co-author Assoc Prof Martin Gallagher, of The George Institute for Global Health, added: "This definitive study has shown that these treatments are not helping people avoid acute kidney failure nor the other poor outcomes that result from this complication. In addition, they are adding unnecessary complexity and cost."

Millions of these angiograms are performed around the world annually, with some 76,000 heart-related angiograms done in Australia every year. Patients who have a history of kidney disease, heart failure or diabetes have a higher risk of these complications, which are associated with longer hospital stay, higher mortality and worsening of kidney function.

Dr Weisbord said: "Whilst these treatments do not appear to cause harm, our results suggest that patients should instead just be treated with saline which is both cheaper and more readily available."
Zika virus has spread to many countries where dengue virus is endemic. Credit: La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology

Manifestations of Zika virus (ZIKV) infection differ drastically. Sometimes they are catastrophic, most notably when they cause microcephaly in some babies born to infected mothers. At other times, they are mild and fleeting, suggesting that unknown factors temper Zika infections' severity. Recently, dengue virus emerged as a prime suspect because it shares many genetic and structural characteristics with ZIKV and is endemic in most of the regions affected by Zika's global spread.

A study published the November 13, 2017, issue of Nature Communications by La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology (LJI) investigator Sujan Shresta, Ph.D., now addresses interplay between dengue and ZIKV infections. It reports that mice rendered immune to dengue show "cross-protection" from subsequent Zika infection and then identifies specific types of immune T-cells capable of defending against both viruses. These revelations have profound implications for efforts to build a potent anti-Zika vaccine.

"In some parts of the world Zika is almost like a secondary infection. It has spread into Brazil/Latin America and is moving into places in Asia where people previously had dengue," says Shresta, an associate professor in LJI's Center for Infectious Disease. "Our new work suggests that vaccines targeting either virus could be engineered to induce both T cell and antibody responses effective to protect people in these areas."

When one encounters a pathogen in real life, two arms of the immune system spring into action to neutralize it. In the so-called humoral response, B-cells begin to secrete specific antibody proteins, which latch onto and neutralize pathogens in tissue or blood. Simultaneously, a cell-mediated immunity system also becomes active, deploying cytotoxic T-cells to directly recognize and kill pathogen-infected cells.

In theory, the ideal vaccine might mimic both antibody and T cell responses to block an infectious disease. But in truth, most (26 of 28 vaccines currently licensed for human use) stimulate primarily a B-cell or antibody response, which in many cases is sufficient. But Shresta's new work confirms what many vaccinologists are beginning to suspect, namely that protection against thus far intractable pathogens will likely require rallying both B-cells and T-cells.

Specifically, Shresta's team created the first "sequential" mouse model mimicking dengue-then-Zika infection. To do that, they first infected mice genetically vulnerable to to this family of viruses with dengue virus. Those mice became sick, recovered from infection, and hence acquired immunity to dengue, presumably because viral infection had mobilized their immune B-cells, T-cells or both. The group then inoculated the same mice with ZIKV and waited to see if mice showed ZIKV symptoms. But overall, mice that had previously acquired dengue immunity showed protection against Zika, as evidenced by a reduced burden of ZIKV in blood and tissues, such as brain, liver or testis, compared to control mice not "pre-inoculated" against dengue.

"These experiments suggest that the reason that some people infected with Zika do not come down with disease is due to prior exposure to dengue," says Shresta. "This may explain why Zika is not passed to the unborn child of every pregnant woman in dengue-endemic countries exposed to virus."

In a different experiment, the scientists isolated cytotoxic T cells from the blood of dengue-immune mice and infused them into normal mice, a procedure known as adoptive T-cell transfer. When infused mice were then infected with ZIKV, they also showed disease resistance, supporting the idea that the T-cell arm of the immune system can do the heavy lifting against ZIKV infection.

Jinsheng Wen, Ph.D., a professor at Wenzhou Medical University in Wenzhou City, China, was the study's first author. Wen says the results from this work are a powerful lesson to vaccinologists currently wrestling with how to design an effective Zika vaccine: "Our work strongly suggests that a successful vaccine would need to include components to induce not only a B-cell response but also a T-cell response." Today, anti-dengue vaccines that primarily evoke antibody responses are in clinical trials or starting to be licensed in certain countries but show only moderate success. And, there are no approved Zika vaccines, although the US government is partnering with pharmaceutical companies to develop candidates.

Shresta hopes work like hers will guide those efforts. "Approved vaccines for many diseases work by inducing antibody responses. But now we are dealing with problematic diseases, like dengue and Zika for which we cannot rely solely on raising antibodies. Certain pathogens are likely to also require a T-cell response."

More information: Jinsheng Wen et al, Dengue virus-reactive CD8+ T cells mediate cross-protection against subsequent Zika virus challenge, Nature Communications (2017). Journal information: Nature Communications Jinsheng Wen et al, Dengue virus-reactive CD8+ T cells mediate cross-protection against subsequent Zika virus challenge,(2017). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-01669-z
Credit: public domain

The convergence of artificial intelligence and brain-computer interfaces may soon restore sight to the blind, allow the paralyzed to move robotic limbs and cure any number of brain and nervous system disorders.

But without regulation, this flurry of innovation spells trouble for humanity, warns a team of researchers led by Columbia University neuroscientist Rafael Yuste and University of Washington bioethicist Sara Goering. In a new essay in Nature, Yuste and Goering join more than two dozen physicians, ethicists, neuroscientists, and computer scientists, in calling for ethical guidelines to cover the evolving use of computer hardware and software to enhance or restore human capabilities.

"We just want to ensure that this new technology which is so exciting, and which could revolutionize our lives, is used for the good of mankind," said Yuste, director of Columbia's Neurotechnology Center and a member of the Data Science Institute.

Long the stuff of science fiction, the melding of computers with the human mind to augment or restore brain function is moving closer to reality. The authors estimate that the for-profit brain implant industry is now worth $100 million, led by Bryan Johnson's startup Kernel, and Elon Musk's Neuralink. Under President Obama's BRAIN Initiative alone, The U.S. government has spent another $500 million since 2013, they write.

As these investments bear fruit, the authors see four main threats: the loss of individual privacy, identity and autonomy, and the potential for social inequalities to widen, as corporations, governments, and hackers gain added power to exploit and manipulate people.

To protect privacy, the authors recommend that individuals be required to opt in, as organ donors do, to sharing their brain data from their devices, and that the sale and commercial use of personal data be strictly regulated.

To protect autonomy and identity, the authors recommend that an international convention be created to define what actions would be prohibited, and to educate people about the possible effects on mood, personality and sense of self.

Finally, to address the potential for a brain-enhancement arms race pitting people with super-human intelligence and endurance against everyone else, they suggest creating culture-specific commissions to establish norms and regulations. They also recommend that military use of brain technologies be controlled, much as chemical and biological weapons are already under the Geneva Protocol.

In an earlier essay in the journal Cell, Yuste and Goering laid out similar arguments for integrating ethics into brain technologies, citing the 1970s Belmont Report which set ethical principles and guidelines for research involving human subjects.

More information: Rafael Yuste et al, Four ethical priorities for neurotechnologies and AI, Nature (2017). Journal information: Cell , Nature Rafael Yuste et al, Four ethical priorities for neurotechnologies and AI,(2017). DOI: 10.1038/551159a
Scientists have discovered the 'genetic signatures' of the most common form of bladder cancer - and it could open up the possibility of better-targeted treatment, according to research published today (13 November).

The study looked at non-invasive bladder cancer tumours which form in the lining of the bladder and have not spread to the bladder muscle.

According to the NHS, there are 10,000 new cases of bladder cancer diagnosed in the UK every year, more than half of which are non-invasive.

The researchers from the University of Leeds, who were funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research, found that there are two genetic variants or subtypes of these tumours.

At the moment, all patients with non-invasive bladder cancer are treated similarly but scientists believe by understanding the genetic mutations involved in each of the subtypes, more targeted therapies can be offered.

Lead investigator Professor Margaret Knowles, from the Leeds Institute of Cancer and Pathology, said: "We have already identified a vulnerability in the cancer cells of one of the genetic subtypes. Our aim is to see if we can develop an experimental compound that could exploit this vulnerability, with the eventual aim of developing a drug that would kill the cancer cells.

"Although these tumours are not usually life-threatening, they frequently recur and patients require long-term invasive monitoring and repeated surgery.

"Our improved ability to identify these specific molecular features of individual tumours should allow a more personalised approach to therapy and disease management in future."

The research found that many of the genetic mutations in these tumours disrupt so-called tumour suppressor genes, which normally act to prevent cancers.

The genetic flaws that contribute to the development of the tumours are not inherited but accumulate throughout life, largely through exposure to environmental factors, including cigarette smoking.

Dr Kathryn Scott, Chief Executive at Yorkshire Cancer Research, commenting on the research findings, said: "This is a fantastic discovery that could change the way we treat bladder cancer. Personalised treatment is a particularly exciting area of cancer research.

"If we can understand the exact genetic make-up of a tumour, we can give patients specific treatments that could have a greater chance of success. By tailoring therapies to a patient's personal needs, we can avoid prescribing unnecessary treatment that can severely affect their quality of life."

Some gene mutations linked to gender

The study, published in the journal Cancer Cell, also found that women were more likely to have a defect on a specific tumour suppressor gene. Three-quarters of the tumour samples from women, 20 out of 27, had the defect - compared to 42 per cent of the samples from men (23 out of 55).

Professor Knowles says further research is needed to see why women are more likely to have this genetic fault, to discover whether they are more likely to be exposed to a particular cancer-causing agent or whether it relates to differences in the biology of male and female bladders.

This is one of the first studies to look at the genetics of early-stage bladder cancer. Most research focuses on aggressive bladder cancers but a lot of urology practice involves treating and monitoring people with non-invasive bladder cancer.
Polydactyly, or having an extra finger, is fairly common, occurring in 1 in every 1,000 peopleamong African-Americans, 1 in 150. Children with supernumerary digits are usually treated within the first months of infancy. According to a case report and review in The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, the standard technique for removing extra fingers is not supported by evidence and frequently causes complications.

Suture ligation is the process of tying a thread around the extra digit to cut off circulation. Once necrosis sets in, the dead tissue can be easily removed. The technique is preferred by physicians for being simple and less expensive than surgery. However, ligation is not always successful on the first attempt and is prone to result in painful neuromas, infection, slow healing and cosmetically unpleasant residual tissue. Surgery is often required to correct such issues.

"Suture ligation remains a common practice despite other options that are available," says lead study author Nicholas A. Rathjen, DO, a U.S. Army Captain and physician at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center in Fort Gordon, Georgia. "Physicians have begun to question its usage but there hasn't been strong evidence to support or disprove its efficacy."

Dr. Rathjen and his colleagues conducted a case report and literature review to compile and compare data on suture ligation and surgical excision outcomes. Their findings suggest that, while more research is needed to thoroughly validate surgical excision, there is ample evidence of the complications common to ligation.

The authors of the study believe surgical excision is the more effective treatment option as it is completed in one visit, typically creates little scarring and rarely leaves painful or unsightly residual tissue. They believe parents should be informed of their options prior to any procedure and understand the risks and benefits associated with each.

More information: Nicholas A. Rathjen et al, Management of Postaxial Polydactyly in the Neonatal Unit, The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association (2017). Nicholas A. Rathjen et al, Management of Postaxial Polydactyly in the Neonatal Unit,(2017). DOI: 10.7556/jaoa.2017.138

Provided by American Osteopathic Association
Call intercepts obtained by India Today have provided stunning insights into Bollywood's most sensational murder ever.

By Arvind Ojha: Rattled by the Modi government's hot pursuit of India's extradition pleas for fugitives overseas, terror don Dawood Ibrahim might have thrown his protection cover around music composer Nadeem Saifi in London, wanted in connection with the 1997 murder of Gulshan Kumar, his call intercepts accessed by India Today reveal.

Saifi has been living in exile in the UK since being named a co-suspect in the shooting death of the music baron by a hit squad in Mumbai on August 12, 1997. Three assailants fired 16 gunshots into Kumar, killing him instantly outside a temple.

advertisement

Call intercepts, obtained by India Today, have provided stunning insights into the case, Bollywood's most sensational murder ever.

'LONDON FRIEND'

In a conversation tapped as early as 2015, Dawood Ibrahim can be heard sharing concerns regarding what highly-placed intelligence sources have identified as Saifi.

Intercepts reveal how a henchman informed the don about potential legal trouble for the wanted music director apparently in the light of New Delhi's renewed efforts to secure his extradition from the UK.

Both can be heard using trademark underworld codes -- such as "London friend", and "Ustad" -- while referring to Saifi. But top intelligence officials, who cracked their coded language, identified the "London Ustad" under discussion as none other than the absconding music director.

"Sir, that London friend is in danger. We have ordered the 'preparation' to pick him up in two days," Dawood's henchman is heard informing his boss about their plan to move Saifi underground in the face of a possible arrest in the UK.

"Which one?" asks the don.

"That big Ustad, Sir," replies his underworld agent in Dubai. "I thought this news was worth sharing with you. The situation might worsen so we have ordered the 'preparation'... two, three days. He has been told to tighten his security."

"Yes, yes. You are talking about that goggled man, right?" prods Dawood.

"Yes, the Karachi man, Chana Mursh," answered his Dubai operative in codes.

Soon, Dawood endorsed the plan, saying he would order his men to act accordingly. "Okay, okay. I'll issue instructions."

CONFIRMATION

In what appeared to be the most clinching evidence in recent memory of the fugitive terrorist's whereabouts, top intelligence officials confirmed to India Today that his call intercepts had been traced to his ISI safe-house in Karachi.

The conversations, they said, provided a glaring testimony of Dawood Ibrahim's Dawood's possible nexus with Nadeem Saifi, who has denied any wrongdoing in the Gulshan Kumar case.

The music composer, who has been able to avoid extradition so far, has maintained evidence gathered against him by the Mumbai police is flawed.

Intercepts scooped by India Today also debunk speculations that the fugitive terrorist might be dying from a critical illness.

When his phone rang around Eid this year, Dawood Ibrahim was instead heard cautioning the caller over fears their location might be tracked down by India's intelligence establishment, the communications reveal.

advertisement

"Why are you calling from there?" the crime lord asked his Dubai-based nephew. "Don't call from there. Talk later, okay."

India Today ran the intercepts past some of the country's ace investigators with a sterling record of operations against Dawood Ibrahim's underworld.

Former Delhi police commissioner Neeraj Kumar, who recorded his conversations with the wanted terror mastermind in his book Dial D for Don, concluded it was Dawood himself speaking in the intercepts accessed by India Today.

ACP N.T. Kadam, another decorated officer now posted with Thane's anti-extortion cell, shared the same opinion after hearing the audio clips. "The voice seems to be of Dawood Ibrahim," said Kadam, who had spent eight years with Maharashtra's anti-terror squad.

With inputs from Divyesh Singh in Mumbai

WATCH VIDEO | This is Dawood Ibrahim's voice!

--- ENDS ---
Scientists have created mini biological models of human primary liver cancers, known as organoids, in the lab for the first time. In a paper published today in Nature Medicine, the tiny laboratory models of tumours were used to identify a new drug that could potentially treat certain types of liver cancer.

Primary liver cancer is the second most lethal cancer worldwide. To better understand the biology of the disease and develop potential treatments, researchers need models that can grow in the lab and accurately reflect how the tumours behave in patients. Previously, cultures of cells had been used but these are hard to maintain and fail to recreate the 3D structure and tissue architecture of human tumours.

The researchers created the mini tumours (up to 0.5mm) - termed tumouroids - to mimic the three most common forms of primary liver cancer. The tumour cells were surgically removed from eight patients and grown in a solution containing specific nutrients and substances which prevent healthy cells out-competing the tumour cells. The team, from the Wellcome/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute in Cambridge, used the tumouroids to test the efficacy of 29 different drugs, including those currently used in treatment and drugs in development. One compound, a type of protein inhibitor, was found to inhibit the activation of a protein called ERK in two of the three types of tumouroids, a crucial step in the development of liver cancer.

The researchers then tested this compound in vivo, transplanting two types of tumouroids into mice and treating them with the drug. A marked reduction in tumour growth was seen in mice treated with the drug, identifying a potential novel treatment for some types of primary liver cancer.

The tumouroids were able to preserve tissue structure as well as the gene expression patterns of the original human tumours from which they were derived. The individual subtypes of three different types of liver cancer, as well as the different tumour tissues which they came from, were all still distinguishable even after they had been grown in a dish for a long time. As the tumouroids retain the biological features of their parent tumour, they could play an important role in developing personalised medicine for patients.

The creation of biologically accurate models of tumours will also reduce the number of animals needed in certain experiments. Animal studies will still be required to validate findings, but the tumouroids will allow scientists to explore key questions about the biology of liver cancer in cultures rather than mice.

Lead researcher Dr Meritxell Huch, a Wellcome Sir Henry Dale Fellow from the Gurdon Institute, said: "We had previously created organoids from healthy liver tissue, but the creation of liver tumouroids is a big step forward for cancer research. They will allow us to understand much more about the biology of liver cancer and, with further work, could be used to test drugs for individual patients to create personalised treatment plans."

Dr Andrew Chisholm, Head of Cellular and Developmental Sciences at Wellcome said: "This work shows the power of organoid cultures to model human cancers. It is impressive to see just how well the organoids are able to mimic the biology of different liver tumour types, giving researchers a new way of investigating this disease. These models are vital for the next generation of cancer research, and should allow scientists to minimise the numbers of animals used in research."

Dr Vicky Robinson, Chief Executive of the NC3Rs which partially funded the work, said: "We are pleased to see that the funds from our annual 3Rs prize, sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline, have furthered Dr Huch's research. Each year the prize recognises exceptional science which furthers the 3Rs, and the work being conducted by Meri and her team is continuing to make progress in this area. This new breakthrough involving liver cancer organoids has the potential to reduce the number of animals required in the early stages of liver cancer research, and provide more biologically accurate models of human tumours."

More information: Human primary liver cancerderived organoid cultures for disease modeling and drug screening, Nature Medicine (2017). Journal information: Nature Medicine Human primary liver cancerderived organoid cultures for disease modeling and drug screening,(2017). nature.com/articles/doi:10.1038/nm.4438
Resistin (red, yellow, cyan) binds to Toll-like Receptor 4 (blue) and prevents lipopolysaccharide binding and pathogenesis. Credit: Nair lab, UC Riverside.

A research team led by a biomedical scientist at the University of California, Riverside has discovered that the human protein resistin could be used to treat sepsis, the body's extreme and uncontrolled immune response to an infection.

Sepsis kills about one in five affected people. Without timely treatment, this medical emergency can rapidly damage tissue and lead to organ failure. Using a transgenic mouse model expressing this hormone, the researchers found that mice expressing resistin had a 100 percent survival rate from a sepsis-like infection when compared to wild-type mice with the same infection.

"A lot of scientific literature has posited that resistin is harmful," said Meera G. Nair, an assistant professor of biomedical sciences at UCR's School of Medicine and lead author of the paper that appears in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. "But we may have misunderstood this secreted protein in our blood. My lab was intrigued by why we make so much of a substance that is, supposedly, not good for us. Resistin, we have now found, has a benefit: it is protective in sepsis. Further, because our bodies make this therapeutic, there is no fear of it being rejected."

Nair and her team found that human resistin decreases the number of pro-inflammatory cytokinessmall secreted proteins that aid cell-to-cell communication in immune responsesby binding to "Toll-like receptor 4" (TLR4), its receptor. This binding blocks TLR4 signaling in immune and inflammatory cells.

TLR4, a molecule found on the surface of cells, is the innate receptor of our immune system and recognizes danger from foreign pathogens. During sepsis, for example, it recognizes lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the major component in the cell wall of the sepsis-causing bacteria. Too much LPS results in an overstimulation of TLR4, and the immune system goes into overdrive. Nair and her colleagues have found that when resistin binds to TLR4 it prevents TLR4 from recognizing LPS, eventually minimizing the immune response.

"Sepsis is a consequence of bacterial infection," Nair said. "Patients can be treated with antibiotics to kill bacteria. But even if the bacteria are killed, LPS is left behind. As a result, the immune system goes into overdrive even with no infection still around. That's when other means become necessary to kill the bacteria and calm the immune system down. If we can stop the excessive immune response, we can stop sepsis."

William Harnett, a professor of molecular immunology at the University of Strathclyde in the United Kingdom, explained that in spite of representing a very common medical emergency, sepsis remains difficult to treat, with newly tested strategies proving disappointing.

"Using state-of-the-art experimental procedures, Meera Nair and colleagues now suggest a new approach, an intriguing development given this human resistin was previously considered to contribute to sepsis," said Harnett, who was not involved in the research. "The novel data they present reveal how resistin, by interacting with TLR4, can block the inflammatory responses induced by bacterial products that lead to sepsis. This is certainly an exciting finding and a noteworthy development in the drive to find new treatments for sepsis."

Therapeutic treatment of mice with resistin prevents fatal septic shock. PBS refers to phosphate-buffered saline. PBS-mice served as the control group. Credit: Nair lab, UC Riverside.

Nair's team also worked with blood cells donated by healthy people and found that resistin bound to TLR4 even in these cells. In collaboration with clinicians at the Riverside University Health System Medical Center, the team will soon test blood cells from septic patients. The School of Medicine Dean's Research Innovation Fund will support these preliminary sepsis studies focusing on clinical samples.

Nair noted that other labs have infected mice with worms to alleviate sepsis.

"Worms can infect an estimated two-billion people worldwide," she said. "Worms have evolved with us for millions of years. They have adapted and can reside in us long term. To live inside us, they turn down our immune system. How do they accomplish this? It's possible that resistin is involved."

"It's always been puzzling why worms living in the gut don't cause more problems with sepsis, as they cause tissue damage in the gut and the gut is full of bacteria," said P'ng Loke, an associate professor of microbiology at New York University, who was not involved in the research. "The results from Dr. Nair's study identify resistin as an important molecule induced by worms that could help prevent sepsis."

Nair is also excited about the prospects for a new therapeutic sepsis treatment developed in her lab. Called Retn N-pep, this new compound was made in collaboration with Maurizio Pellecchia, a professor of biomedical sciences at UCR, director of the Center for Molecular and Translational Medicine (MOLMED), and a co-author on the research paper.

Meera Nair (left) and Jessica Jang in the Nair laboratory at the UCR School of Medicine. Credit: Ross French, UC Riverside.

"Retn N-pep blocked TLR4," said Nair, who is a member of MOLMED. "It is smaller and more effective than human resistin in blocking inflammation in human blood cells. Potentially, it could inhibit any inflammatory disease involving TLR4. Dr. Pellecchia is now optimizing Retn N-pep to fold better and be more effective. Fortunately, all the chips fell into place at UCR to allow for this clinical collaboration, placing the university at the forefront of translational, therapeutic research."

Pellecchia, who holds the Daniel Hays Endowed Chair in Cancer Research at UCR, said the project is the fruit of Nair's ingenuity and perseverance.

"I am confident that Retn N-pep, based entirely on Dr. Nair's pivotal discoveries, can be translated into an effective and innovative treatment for sepsis," he said.

While the research from Nair's lab focused only on sepsis, human resistin may be useful in modulating inflammation in TLR4-mediated diseases and treating conditions that involve overactive TLR4 activation, such as autoimmune diseases and inflammatory bowel disease.

More information: Jessica C. Jang el al., "Human resistin protects against endotoxic shock by blocking LPSTLR4 interaction," PNAS (2017). Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Jessica C. Jang el al., "Human resistin protects against endotoxic shock by blocking LPSTLR4 interaction,"(2017). www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.1716015114
A headband that measures brainwaves and transmits these to peripheral devices that then control the auditory stimulation of the sleeping brain  this is design student Pascal Hirt's application vision for SleepLoop. Credit: Pascal Hirt, www.fhnw.ch

On Wednesday, the University Medicine Zurich research network presented its new flagship project SleepLoop. With this project, the researchers want to tackle one of the most widespread health challenges of our times  a lack of restful sleep and its negative consequences on society and the economy.

Sleep disorders have become endemic in our society over the past few decades. It is not uncommon to hear complaints about poor sleep, to lie awake at night for hours, and not getting any rest at night.

Every third person in the western world suffers from a lack of sleep. This can have serious consequences for society and the economy  as shown, for example, by the Chernobyl disaster. The security team on duty were overtired and did not respond adequately to events.

Researchers and medical specialists want to get to the root of the problem and have launched the SleepLoop project in a bid to improve sleep quality using technology. The project was presented to the public at the annual meeting of University Medicine Zurich, a network of Zurich-based university institutions that are active in the field of medical research.

Stimulation of the brain

The idea behind SleepLoop is to measure the brainwaves of a person during sleep and use this information to stimulate the brain by playing sounds, which are tailored to each individual. This will better synchronise the nerve cells, thus deepening sleep and improving sleep quality.

The project is the brainchild of sleep researcher Reto Huber from the Interdisciplinary Centre for Sleep Medicine at University Children's Hospital Zurich and Christian Baumann from the Department of Neurology at University Hospital Zurich. Walter Karlen, Head of ETH Zurich's Mobile Health Systems Laboratory, is taking the lead on the technological development. A total of 16 research groups from ETH and the University of Zurich are involved in the project.

Auditory stimulation is nothing new  in fact, scientists at the University of Zurich's sleep laboratory have been experimenting with it for some time. However, at present, researchers have to constantly monitor the test subjects' EEGs throughout the night to identify the precise sleep phases and then adapt the stimulating sounds so that the subject does not wake up.

"This is both difficult and time-consuming," says Karlen, Professor of Mobile Health Systems. It's also arduous for the study participants, as they have to spend the night in the sleep laboratory  which is equipped to accommodate only a few people.

As part of his sub-project, Karlen would therefore like to develop a portable device that measures the brainwaves, analyses them automatically, and then stimulates the user's brain with the sounds at the appropriate time. The device needs to be practical and user-friendly, so that subjects can take it home with them and use it over the course of several days or weeks; it also needs to be high-quality, so that the data can be used for clinical research.

In the first phase of the project, Karlen and his team will investigate the sleep behaviour of people over the age of 65. "Older people in particular often complain that they have trouble sleeping," says Karlen, "so we want to find out whether auditory stimulation will benefit them too." From the beginning of January, the ETH researchers will begin to recruit subjects for their study and equip them with the SleepLoop devices.

Optimise the devices' usability

This sub-project aims not only to collect data on the sleep of older people, but also to test and optimise the devices' usability. "It's important that people can use the devices as independently as possible without the need for constant technical support," explains Karlen.

"Sleep research has a long tradition in Zurich and has been a real source of inspiration for me in my research," Karlen says. But many questions remain unanswered. And so, with SleepLoop, he hopes to push the boundaries of existing sleep research.
Inflammatory bowel disease is common amongst older people and there are big differences in the choice of treatment for different age groups. Patients over the age of 60 often receive cortisone drugs instead of more modern medicines that target the immune system. This according to a large registry study from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden published in Gastroenterology.

Inflammatory bowel disease includes Crohn's disease, which can affect the whole intestine, and ulcerative colitis, which affects the colon and rectum. Symptoms include blood in the stool, diarrhoea and stomach pain. Treatment consists of anti-inflammatory drugs and surgery to remove the damaged part of the intestines. The most common age of onset is 20-30, and previous studies have claimed that it is uncommon for the disease to debut over the age of 60 and when it does, it is less severe.

"We therefore sought to ascertain the incidence of inflammatory bowel disease in older age groups and if there is any difference in how they are treated and how they use the healthcare services," says Asa Hallqvist Everhov, researcher at Karolinska Institutet's Department of Clinical Research and Education, Stockholm South General (Soder) Hospital (KI SOS) and colorectal surgeon at the same hospital.

The study included all new cases of inflammatory bowel disease in Sweden between 2006 and 2014. The resulting group of just under 28,000 patients was split into three sub-groups depending on year of onset: childhood (<18), adult (18-59) and old adult (?60). Data were sourced from the National Board of Health and Welfare's patients and prescribed drugs registers, subject to a maximum monitoring period of nine years. The researchers compared the patients' healthcare consumption with that of a matched group selected from the general population.

Just over one fifth of the participants were over 60. The study also shows that this group consumed more healthcare than the two younger groups and more than their matched peers without inflammatory bowel disease. They were also operated on more often and sooner after disease onset, often already within the first year.

"It's common, in other words, for the disease to onset after the age of 60 and we found no evidence that when it does, the disease progress is milder," says Dr Hallqvist Everhov.

One important finding was the big difference in medication between the age groups. More younger patients received modern immunomodulating drugs and TNF inhibitors, whereas older cortisone drugs were more commonly given to the older patients.

"We don't know the reason for this, but it could be due either to under-prescription to older sufferers or to prudent choice, since the newer drugs carry certain risks and side-effects," continues Dr. Hallqvist Everhov. "Older patients often already have other potent drugs."

The researchers plan to examine the causes of the treatment discrepancies in a new study.

More information: Asa H. Everhov et al, Incidence and Treatment of Patients Diagnosed With Inflammatory Bowel Diseases at 60 Years or Older in Sweden, Gastroenterology (2017). Journal information: Gastroenterology Asa H. Everhov et al, Incidence and Treatment of Patients Diagnosed With Inflammatory Bowel Diseases at 60 Years or Older in Sweden,(2017). DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2017.10.034
When low-income parents enroll in Medicaid through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) state expansion program, their children have considerably better odds of receiving annual preventive care pediatrician visits, according to a new analysis by the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health and Johns Hopkins University.

This "spillover effect," explained in a study published online today and scheduled for the December issue of the journal Pediatrics, demonstrates that the potential benefits of Medicaid expansion extend beyond the newly covered adults.

"These findings are of great significance given the current uncertainty surrounding the future of the ACA and Medicaid expansions authorized by the law," said senior author Eric T. Roberts, Ph.D., assistant professor in Pitt Public Health's Department of Health Policy and Management. "Lawmakers crafting policy proposals that could curtail Medicaid benefits or eligibility should recognize that such efforts would not just limit the receipt of health care services by low-income adults, but also by their children."

The ACA provided states the opportunity to expand Medicaid coverage to all low-income people at or below 138 percent of the federal poverty level. So far, 31 states and the District of Columbia have expanded Medicaid coverage.

Roberts and his colleagues identified 50,622 parent-child pairs from data collected in the 2001 through 2013 Medical Expenditure Panel Surveys, a nationally representative survey administered by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services that includes detailed information on family structure and demographics, including health insurance status and health care use.

They discovered that children of parents who had recently enrolled in Medicaid had a 29 percent higher probability than children of unenrolled parents of receiving their well child visit, which is recommended annually for children age 3 and older, and more frequently for infants and toddlers.

During the visits, the children are examined for growth and development and given immunizations, and their caregivers are guided on proper nutrition and child behaviors. Studies have shown that children who get well child visits are more likely to receive all their immunizations and less likely to have avoidable hospitalizations. The U.S. has persistently low rates of well child visits, particularly in low-income families.

"There are many reasons that parental Medicaid coverage increases the likelihood of well child visits for their children," said Roberts. "It could be that insurance enhances the parents' ability to navigate the health care system for themselves and their children, increasing their comfort in scheduling well child visits. Medicaid enrollment could be a sort of 'welcome mat,' in which eligible but previously uninsured children are enrolled after their parents gain coverage. It also could be that parental Medicaid coverage frees up more money to provide preventive services to their children, because even copays can be a deterrent to medical care among low-income people."

More information: Maya Venkataramani et al, Spillover Effects of Adult Medicaid Expansions on Children's Use of Preventive Services, Pediatrics (2017). Journal information: Pediatrics Maya Venkataramani et al, Spillover Effects of Adult Medicaid Expansions on Children's Use of Preventive Services,(2017). DOI: 10.1542/peds.2017-0953
For more than a year, NeDina Brocks-Capla avoided one room in her large, brightly colored San Francisco house - the bathroom on the second floor.

"It was really hard to bathe in here, and I found myself not wanting to touch the walls," she explained. The bathroom is where Brocks-Capla's son Kareem Jones died in 2013 at age 36, from sickle cell disease.

It's not just the loss of her son that upsets Brocks-Capla; she believes that if Jones had gotten the proper medical care, he might still be alive today.

Sickle cell disease is an inherited disorder that causes some red blood cells to bend into a crescent shape. The misshapen, inflexible cells clog the blood vessels, preventing blood from circulating oxygen properly, which can cause chronic pain, multi-organ failure and stroke.

About 100,000 people in the United States have sickle cell disease, and most of them are African-American.

Patients and experts alike say it's no surprise, then, that while life expectancy for almost every major malady is improving, patients with sickle cell disease can expect to die younger than they did 20 years ago. In 1994, life expectancy for sickle cell patients was 42 for men and 48 for women. By 2005, life expectancy had dipped to 38 for men and 42 for women.

Sickle cell disease is "a microcosm of how issues of race, ethnicity and identity come into conflict with issues of health care," said Keith Wailoo, a professor at Princeton University who writes about the history of the disease.

It is also an example of the broader discrimination experienced by African-Americans in the medical system. Nearly a third report that they have experienced discrimination when going to the doctor, according to a poll by NPR, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

"One of the national crises in health care is the care for adult sickle cell," said leading researcher and physician Dr. Elliott Vichinsky, who started the sickle cell center at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland in 1978. "This group of people can live much longer with the management we have, and they're dying because we don't have access to care."

Indeed, with the proper care, Vichinsky's center and the handful of other specialty clinics like it across the country have been able to increase life expectancy for sickle cell patients well into their 60s.

Vichinsky's patient Derek Perkins, 45, knows he has already beaten the odds. He sits in an exam room decorated with cartoon characters at Children's Hospital Oakland, but this is the adult sickle cell clinic. He's been Vichinsky's patient since childhood.

"Without the sickle cell clinic here in Oakland, I don't know what I would do. I don't know anywhere else I could go," Perkins said.

When Perkins was 27, he once ended up at a different hospital where doctors misdiagnosed his crisis. He went into a coma and was near death before his mother insisted he be transferred.

"Dr. Vichinsky was able to get me here to Children's Hospital, and he found out what was wrong and within 18 hours - all I needed was an emergency blood transfusion and I was awake," Perkins recalls.

Kareem Jones lived just across the bay from Perkins, but he had a profoundly different experience.

Jones' mother, Brocks-Capla, said her son received excellent medical care as a child, but once he turned 18 and aged out of his pediatric program, it felt like falling off a cliff. Jones was sent to a clinic at San Francisco General Hospital, but it was open only for a half-day, one day each week. If he was sick any other day, he had two options: leave a voicemail for a clinic nurse or go to the emergency room. "That's not comprehensive care - that's not consistent care for a disease of this type," said Brocks-Capla.

Brocks-Capla is a retired supervisor at a worker's compensation firm. She knew how to navigate the health care system, but she couldn't get her son the care he needed. Like most sickle cell patients, Jones had frequent pain crises. Usually he ended up in the emergency room where, Brocks-Capla said, the doctors didn't seem to know much about sickle cell disease.

When she tried to explain her son's pain to the doctors and nurses, she recalled, "they say have a seat. 'He can't have a seat! Can't you see him?'"

Studies have found that sickle cell patients have to wait up to 50 percent longer for help in the emergency department than other pain patients. The opioid crisis has made things even worse, Vichinsky added, as patients in terrible pain are likely to be seen as drug seekers with addiction problems rather than patients in need.

Despite his illness, Jones fought to have a normal life. He lived with his girlfriend, had a daughter and worked as much as he could between pain crises. He was an avid San Francisco Giants fan.

For years, he took a drug called hydroxyurea, but it had side effects, and after a while Jones had to stop taking it. "And that was it, because you know there isn't any other medication out there," said Brocks-Capla.

Indeed, hydroxyurea, which the FDA first approved in 1967 as a cancer drug, was the only drug on the market to treat sickle cell during Jones' lifetime. In July, the FDA approved a second drug, Endari, specifically to treat patients with sickle cell disease.

Funding by the federal government and private foundations for the disease pales in comparison to other disorders. Cystic fibrosis offers a good comparison. It is another inherited disorder that requires complex care and most often occurs in Caucasians. Cystic fibrosis gets seven to 11 times more funding per patient than sickle cell disease, according to a 2013 study in the journal Blood. From 2010 to 2013 alone, the FDA approved five new drugs for the treatment of cystic fibrosis.

"There's no question in my mind that class and color are major factors in impairing their survival. Without question," Vichinsky said of sickle cell patients. "The death rate is increasing. The quality of care is going down."

Without a new medication, Jones got progressively worse. At 36, his kidneys began to fail, and he had to go on dialysis. He ended up in the hospital, with the worst pain of his life. The doctors stabilized him and gave him pain meds but did not diagnose the underlying cause of the crisis. He was released to his mother's care, still in incredible pain.

At home, Brocks-Capla ran him a warm bath to try to soothe his pain and went downstairs to get him a change of clothes. As she came back up the stairs, she heard loud banging against the bathroom walls.

"So I run into the bathroom and he's having a seizure. And I didn't know what to do. I was like, 'Oh come on, come on. Don't do this. Don't do this to me.'"

She called 911. The paramedics came but couldn't revive him. "He died here with me," she said.

It turned out Jones had a series of small strokes. His organs were in failure, something Brocks-Capla said the hospital missed. She believes his death could have been prevented with consistent care - the kind he got as a child. Vichinsky thinks she is probably right.

"I would say 40 percent or more of the deaths I've had recently have been preventable - I mean totally preventable," he said, but he got to the cases too late. "It makes me so angry. I've spent my life trying to help these people, and the harder part is you can change this - this isn't a knowledge issue. It's an access issue."

Vichinsky's center and others like it have made major advances in screening patients for the early signs of organ failure and intervening to prevent premature death. Patients at these clinics live two decades longer than the average sickle cell patient.

Good care for sickle cell requires time and training for physicians, but it often doesn't pay well, because many patients are on Medicaid or other government insurance programs. The result is that most adult sickle cell patients still struggle even to access treatments that have been around for decades, Vichinsky said.

The phenomenon is nothing new - the disease that used to be known as sickle cell anemia has had a long and sordid past. It was first identified in 1910 and helped launch the field of molecular biology. But most of the research was used to study science rather than improving care for sickle cell patients, Vichinsky said.

In the 1960s and '70s, sickle cell became a lightning rod for the civil rights movement. At the time, the average patient died before age 20. The Black Panther Party took up the cause and began testing people at their "survival conferences" across the country.

"I'm sure we tested over four-and-a-half-thousand people for sickle cell anemia last night - and I think that the voter registration is running neck and neck with it," Black Panther Party Chairman Bobby Seale told news crews at an event in Oakland in 1972.

The movement grew, and Washington listened. "It is a sad and shameful fact that the causes of this disease have been largely neglected throughout our history," President Richard Nixon told Congress in 1971. "We cannot rewrite this record of neglect, but we can reverse it. To this end, this administration is increasing its budget for research and treatment of sickle cell disease."

For a while, funding did increase, newborn screening took hold and by the 1990s, life expectancy had doubled, with patients living into their 40s. But over time, funding waned, clinics closed, and life expectancy started dropping again.

Vichinsky pushes against that trend for patients like Derek Perkins. The father of four looks healthy and robust, but like most sickle cell patients, he has episodes of extreme pain and has problems with his kidneys, heart, hips and breathing. Keeping him thriving requires regular checkups and constant monitoring for potential problems.

"The program Dr. Vichinsky is running here, I feel I owe my life to (it)," said Perkins. "If it wasn't for him and the things that he did for me, my family wouldn't have me."

2017 Kaiser Health News

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Children and young adults with diabetes may be seven times more likely to die from sudden cardiac death compared to children and young adults without diabetes, according to preliminary research from Denmark presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2017, a premier global exchange of the latest advances in cardiovascular science for researchers and clinicians.

Sudden cardiac death is defined as a sudden, unexpected death that occurs instantly or shortly after symptoms appear. It is often caused by malfunctions in the heart's electrical system. The study, which was conducted in Denmark, also found that overall, compared to those without diabetes, children and young adults, ages 1-49, with diabetes were eight times more likely to die from any kind of heart disease, such as heart failure or the chronic narrowing of arteries known as atherosclerosis, compared to children and young adults without diabetes.

Young people with diabetes may be at increased risk for sudden cardiac death because of abnormalities in their blood vessels caused by the disease.

"Although we have become better at helping people manage both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, it is still associated with increased risk of death, especially among young people," said Jesper Svane, B.M., a research student at Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Cardiovascular diseases are a common complication of diabetes and the leading cause of death among people with diabetes. Previous studies have demonstrated that intensive management of risk factors had significant beneficial effects on cardiovascular-related death in persons with diabetes. Therefore, it is of important to monitor people with diabetes in order to identify those at high risk of cardiovascular death.

The study is one of the first to examine causes of death and cause-specific death rates among children and young adults with diabetes in a nationwide setting.

Svane said that because the Danish study population was 89 percent Caucasian, the findings may not be applicable to other western countries, due to differences in demographics and in the organization of the healthcare systems of Denmark and the United States. Other studies have shown that death patterns, especially regarding sudden cardiac death, are heavily influenced by ethnicity, so the findings cannot directly be extended to other countries with more ethnically diverse populations.

The study population consisted of all persons in Denmark age 1 to 35 in 2000-09 and age 36 to 49 in 2007-09. During the 10-year study period 14,294 deaths occurred, and cause of death was established based on information from death certificates and autopsy reports. The Danish Register of Medicinal Product Statistics, which holds information on all prescriptions dispensed from Danish pharmacies, was used to identify persons with either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. Among those who died, 669 (5 percent) had diabetes, of which 471 (70 percent) had Type 1 and 198 (30 percent) had Type 2.

"In light of the results from this study, tight control and effective treatment of blood lipids, blood pressure, and blood glucose is also important among children and young persons with diabetes," said Svane.

"Our study shows the importance of early and continuous cardiovascular risk monitoring in children and young adults with diabetes," Svane said. "Healthcare providers need to be aware that even young patients with diabetes have elevated risk of mortality and that this is mainly explained by increased risk of sudden cardiac death."
DANANG, Vietnam  President Trump has issued two starkly contradictory calls on his trip to Asia this past week: The nations of the world must rally behind the United States to confront the nuclear threat from North Korea, but they should expect America to go its own way on trade.

Reconciling those messages will be hard, and it may determine the near-term fate of the United States as a Pacific power.

In South Korea on Wednesday, Mr. Trump put on the mantle of a superpower leader. In a speech that crackled with the urgency of a Cold War manifesto, he told lawmakers there, It is our responsibility and our duty to confront this danger together, because the longer we wait, the greater the danger grows, and the fewer the options become.

Two days later, in the Vietnamese resort city of Danang, where American troops once came ashore to fight Communist insurgents, Mr. Trump reverted to the protectionist themes of his presidential campaign. There is no place like home, he told Pacific Rim leaders, warning them that the United States would never again sign a regionwide trade agreement.
Vodacoms results for the six months ended 30 September 2017 show that its earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) margin in South Africa has declined.

According to Vodacom, the companys EBIT margin contracted by 2.9% to 29.2%.

The EBIT margin contraction was influenced by two main factors:

Higher contribution from low-margin equipment sales.

The cost of its new roaming agreement with WBS (Rain).

The 2.9% decline in EBIT margin has seen the companys EBIT in the country decline from R10.101 billion to R9.882 billion for the period.

This decline, however, does not mean the company is not performing well.

Vodacom South Africas revenue growth was stronger, reaching R33.9 billion  boosted by equipment revenue growth of 18.4%.

Service revenue increased by 4.7% to R26.7 billion, which was supported by strong customer gains and growth in data and enterprise services.

Data revenue grew by 15.0% to R11.4 billion, contributing 42.6% of service revenue.

Now read: Vodacom hits 40 million for the first time
Luno recently added support for the Ethereum blockchain, allowing South Africans to buy and sell in rand.

The company also added an Ethereum wallet to its cryptocurrency storage portal, meaning users can send and receive Ethereum to and from other Ethereum addresses.

MyBroadband spoke to Luno about the features and limitations of its Ethereum service, and whether it will expand its Ethereum support in the future.

Ethereum wallet

Luno is primarily a cryptocurrency-to-fiat exchange, and like most exchanges, its Ethereum wallet does not support ERC20 tokens.

Many cryptocurrencies which are built on Ethereum, such as OMG and Augur, can be sent to an Ethereum address and accessed from supported wallet software.

As Luno users do not hold their own private keys, they will not be able to recover ERC20 tokens  even if they download a standalone wallet client.

If someone wants to participate in a token sale, they should send their ETH from Luno to an ERC20 compatible wallet, said Lunos Werner van Rooyen.

Customers should also not send any unsupported currencies or ICO tokens to their Luno account.

Users who want to add an Ethereum wallet to their Luno account must:

Access their Luno menu, and select Wallets.

Select the add wallet (+) icon.

Select Add ETH wallet.

Security and adoption

Lunos Ethereum wallet service functions on the same architecture as its Bitcoin wallets.

This means that user private keys and funds are stored in cold wallets, with a certain amount of funds circulated in exchange-operated hot wallets.

While this is a secure way to prevent customers private keys from being compromised, it also means users do not officially own their cryptocurrency.

Instead, Luno owns the private keys and holds the cryptocurrency on the users behalf.

Van Rooyen told MyBroadband that the Luno exchange has become increasingly popular throughout the year, with around 738 Bitcoin currently being traded on the platform each day.

He said the launch of Ethereum support has seen a great response from the South African cryptocurrency community.

Ethereum has been a huge success already and the feedback from our customers on social media and in private messages has been very positive, said van Rooyen.

We saw nearly 40% of our active users in South Africa enable Ethereum wallets in their Luno accounts during the first day of the announcement.
Call intercepts obtained by India Today show how Dawood Ibrahim's wife Mehajabin Shaikh asked a D-company man to get her a Chanel handbag from Dubai.

It appears Dawood Ibrahim's wife Mehajabin Shaikh is a fan of Chanel handbags

By Arvind Ojha: Chanel handbags, those luxurious products emblazoned with the iconic interwoved Cs, have many admirers.

One of them, it turns out, is global terrorist and Bombay blasts accused Dawood Ibrahim's wife, Mehajabin Shaikh.

Call intercepts obtained by India Today show how she asked a D-company man to get her a Chanel handbag from Dubai, even as Ibrahim gave her "angry looks." (That's what she herself says during the conversation!)

advertisement

At the time, both Ibrahim and Shaikh are in his villa in Karachi.

Mehajabin Shaikh asks one Javed Chutani to head to a Chanel showroom, and tell "Tariq bhai" she has ordered a black handbag.

"I was told it's being shipped (to the store). It might have arrived by now," she tells him.

And Dawood Ibrahim's henchman promises her that it will be done.

To learn how Dawood Ibrahim may be protecting 1997 Gulshan Kumar murder accused Nadeem Saifi, click here.

LISTEN | Dawood Ibrahim's wife Mehajabin Shaikh orders a Chanel handbag

--- ENDS ---
Leading pan-African telecoms group Liquid Telecom, a subsidiary of Econet Global, has partnered with Huawei, the leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider, to deliver 100G upgrades to its network in South Africa.

The upgrade to 100G wavelengths will take advantage of the latest DWDM technology from Huawei, enabling Liquid Telecom to offer additional capacity, faster speeds and greater redundancy to customers across South Africa.

The first phase of the project will see Liquid Telecom deploy Huaweis OptiX OSN Solution along 1200km of its long-haul network connecting Johannesburg and Cape Town.

The 100G link will support growing demand for cloud-based services and provide customers with high-speed access to Liquid Telecoms data centres in Johannesburg and Cape Town, which are currently undergoing major expansions to meet the needs of global cloud players and enterprise customers.

In the second and third phase of the project, the DWDM core network will be extended to the north west then north east regions of South Africa, providing more enterprise and wholesale customers in South Africa with high bandwidth connectivity.

In addition, the network upgrades will support Liquid Telecoms new CloudConnect for Microsoft Azure ExpressRoute service, which enables customers to create private, predictable, high performance, SLA-based connections between Azure data centres and infrastructure on their premises or in a colocation environment.

Higher networks speeds and bandwidth will play an integral role in supporting the rise of the African cloud. Through our partnership with Huawei, Liquid Telecom is ensuring that its network is ready to meet the increasing demand from businesses for cloud-based services, said Nic Rudnick, Group CEO: Liquid Telecom.

OptiX OSN Solution is Huaweis next-generation core packet-optical OTN platform for 100G/400G/1T and beyond, which is used for building high-performance backbone and metro networks. It integrates Huaweis advanced Packet, OTN, and SDN-oriented Optics Transport technologies, and offers a high-density architecture with ultra-low power consumption per bit.

We are delighted to be supporting Liquid Telecom with next-generation network technologies that are ready for the new cloud era, said Li Peng, president of Huawei Southern Africa region.

The deployment of our OptiX OSN solution in South Africa further demonstrates our technology expertise and commitment to deliver innovative optical transmission solutions,  he concluded.




The three new designs: MS200, S600 and S1100 form a new family of submarines to address a range of operational needs and submarine sizes of potential customers. Except for the midget submarine (MS200), CSIC now offers a range of Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) SSKs. According to a corporate video of the Chinese group, several countries have already shown interest in their submarine designs, including Algeria, Cuba, Egypt, Libya, Burma, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Venezuela.



All three submarines feature single hull designs. The Chinese appear to have parted ways with their traditional double hull architecture, likely an heritage from soviet times. This shows the progress made in recent years by the country in terms of materials and related technologies. The sail of these three new Chinese submarines also seems to have benefited from the latest research in hydrodynamics and acoustics of the 701 Institute, CSIC group's main research bureau. These sails are in line with the trapezoidal shape already observed on the new ships of the last batch of Chinese Navy Type 039B attack diesel submarine. This further reduces underwater noise. CSIC recently sold 8 S20 submarines to Pakistan and 3 S26T SSKs to Thailand.The three new designs: MS200, S600 and S1100 form a new family of submarines to address a range of operational needs and submarine sizes of potential customers. Except for the midget submarine (MS200), CSIC now offers a range of Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) SSKs. According to a corporate video of the Chinese group, several countries have already shown interest in their submarine designs, including Algeria, Cuba, Egypt, Libya, Burma, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Venezuela.All three submarines feature single hull designs. The Chinese appear to have parted ways with their traditional double hull architecture, likely an heritage from soviet times. This shows the progress made in recent years by the country in terms of materials and related technologies. The sail of these three new Chinese submarines also seems to have benefited from the latest research in hydrodynamics and acoustics of the 701 Institute, CSIC group's main research bureau. These sails are in line with the trapezoidal shape already observed on the new ships of the last batch of Chinese Navy Type 039B attack diesel submarine. This further reduces underwater noise.
PIRIOU has partnered with NGOM & FRERES- represented by Mr Ababacar NGOM as Managing Director- a major Senegalese actor of the maritime sector for over 20 years.



Together they have created PIRIOU NGOM SENEGAL. The new company offers services for naval repair and building, especially in the fields of fishing, service vessels and defence.



This new establishment is part of PIRIOUs strategy aimed at getting closer to its customers thanks to local implantation and alliance with a strong local partner, thanks to technical and logistic support in France and above all thanks to local staff.



Pascal PIRIOU, President of the PIRIOU Group declares: There have been vessels from PIRIOU in West Africa since 1979 and we have always considered this country to be very promising. In the light of our successful experiences in Nigeria and Algeria, our implantation in Senegal has become obvious if we consider its diversified potential. If we add services vessels and vessels of the Senegalese Navy to the fishing fleet -including the pirogue fleet- there is a true potential for local development. As in Nigeria where we have 200 employees, well rely on Senegalese staff and subcontractors. We are setting up in Dakar very humbly but with great confidence thanks to our partner NGOM & FRERES with whom we share the same values: efficiency and neighbourhood.



Ababacar NGOM, NGOM FRERES C.E.O. adds: Following Nigeria in 2004, Vietnam in 2006 and Algeria in 2013, we welcome PIRIOU with honour and pleasure. Formidable honour, if any, as PIRIOU has built up a reputation of seriousness and we share values as efficiency and neighbourhood. We believe PIRIOU NGOM SENEGAL will meet the challenge of the Senegalese maritime-oriented strategies, as they are described in the Plan for an Emerging Senegal (PES) of the president of the Republic of Senegal-his excellency Mr Macky SALL.
Austin: U.S. intends to continue supplying weapons and aid to Ukraine during winter

Head of Portugal's Finance Ministry: EU countries must work faster on energy intervention

Kuwait executes 7 prisoners

Czech Republic plans to train up to 4,000 Ukrainian servicemen next year

Ukraine once again asks US for powerful drones

Belarusian border guards shoot down drone intruding into airspace from Ukraine

Armenian Deputy PM: Regional electricity export opportunities significantly increased

Greek authorities temporarily ban export of firewood from country

Azerbaijan protests to France in connection with Senate resolution

Blinken calls on Aliyev to observe ceasefire and limit provocations

Pashinyan: We're advancing rights of Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Pashinyan: Armenia invites Azerbaijan to sign framework agreement on peace

Pashinyan: Most of the arable land of 4 villages in Tavush Province is occupied by Azerbaijanis

Armenian Prime Minister: Let the opposition loudly reject Russia's proposals

Pashinyan: 2023 budget growth in social protection compared to 2018 is 56%

Inflation in UK up to 41-year high of 11.1% in October

Pashinyan: We don't want to provoke war between CSTO and Azerbaijan

Pashinyan's explanation: How should we fight inflation?

Pashinyan: Armenia submitted its proposals for peace treaty to Azerbaijan, we are waiting for a response

Pashinyan: Army budget 2023 more than doubled compared to 2018

CNN: CIA director visits Kyiv

Macron urges Iran to calm down and respect the French

IRGC forces detain Mossad spy in southern Iran

Iranian Foreign Minister expresses dissatisfaction with number of 'unrealistic comments' by Azerbaijani officials

Parliament Vice-Speaker: Armenian military-industrial complex able to establish serial production of military products

Armen Grigoryan receives Major General Daniel Lasica

Ivanka Trump says she will not participate in her father's presidential campaign

KGB of Belarus states about 'threat of intervention' from Baltic States, Ukraine, and Poland

Belarus says AFU blew up bridges in direction of Gomel and Mozyr

22-year-old soldier dies in accident with army truck in Armenia

Indonesian president hands over G20 presidency to India

Azerbaijani Ombudswoman's distorted perception of reality: French Senate Resolution 'will undermine peace in the region'

Nikol Pashinyan holds telephone conversation with Irakli Garibashvili

Four explosions blow up in sky over Belgorod

NATO Secretary General to hold meeting of alliance on incident in Poland

Finnish Foreign Ministry: Many in NATO believe that Turkey has created an awkward situation for the alliance

Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem receives group of wounded participants of 44-day Karabakh war

AP: Drone with explosives attacks oil tanker off the coast of Oman

LPR announces attack by AFU from Popasna to Kharkiv Oblast

Toyota reveals next-generation Toyota Prius hybrid

Central Bank head: State Budget deficit in Armenia to grow to 3.1% of GDP in 2023

Erdogan believes Russia had nothing to do with the missile incident in Poland

Thanasis Bakolas shares concerns that Armenian politician banned from leaving Armenia

Biden and Sunak discuss missile incident in Poland at G20 summit

Russian Defense Ministry: Elements of the Ukrainian S-300 system fell in Poland

Erdogan: Biden administration is determined to sell F-16s to Turkey

Gold price remains stable

Copper falls in price

Microsoft to leave Azerbaijan

G7 and NATO leaders say they are ready to support Poland in investigation of bombings

Joe Biden asks Congress for new funding for Ukraine

Finance Minister: Capital expenses will greatly increase in Armenia in 2023

Azerbaijani MFA accuses French Senate of undermining relations normalization process between Baku and Yerevan

Armen Grigoryan to pay working visit to India

AP: Missile falls in Poland may have been fired by Ukraine to shoot down Russian missile

Erdogan plans to discuss fertilizer transportation and grain deal with Putin

Oil price falls

Blinken calls on Armenian Prime Minister to maintain momentum of peace talks with Azerbaijan

CNN: NATO aircraft tracked the trajectory of the missile that fell in eastern Poland

Armenian FM to visit Tunisia

Yerevan draft budget 2023 revealed

U.S. Embassy: Major General Daniel Lasica arrives in Armenia

Armenian MOD refutes another misinformation of Azerbaijani MOD

Media: Fire in Istanbul is caused by several explosions, not just one

Drone 'allegedly' blows up oil depot in Oryol Oblast

Trump officially announces that he will run for president in 2024

Anwar Gargash: UAE has no interest in choosing sides between great powers

Ukraine suspends oil pumping through Druzhba pipeline towards Hungary

Germany urgently needs gas turbines to stabilize power grids

Polish media report on fall of two missiles on country's territory

Economic downturn worsens in eastern EU due to a spike in inflation

U.S. believes that meeting between Biden and Jinping was strong signal to rest of world

Karabakh MFA welcomes resolution adopted by French Senate

Italy bans facial recognition technology and smart glasses

Germany to establish maintenance center in Slovakia for weapons supplied to Ukraine

Energy Ministry: Russia carried out most massive shooting of Ukraine's energy system since war starts

French Senate passes resolution calling for sanctions against Azerbaijan

Rishi Sunak hints that he will abandon plans to declare China 'threat' to national security

EU supports any call to phase out fossil fuel use

Secretary of Security Council of Armenia receives delegation of EU special envoys, member states

Armenian President Vahagn Khachatryan receives newly appointed ambassador of Cyprus

Zelenskyy's adviser: The situation after Russian shelling is critical

Newly appointed ambassador of Cyprus visits Armenian Genocide memorial

Borrell: EU countries must work together to replenish their military stocks

French Senator: Are the lives of Armenians worth less than the lives of Ukrainians?

Turkey plans to strike targets in northern Syria

Emergency power outages in Kyiv due to explosions

Lavrov calls Zelenskyy's speech at G20 summit performance beyond all regulations and decency

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince embarks on Asian tour

Ukrainian media report missile strikes in number of areas

Chinese 50-year-old man runs marathon smoking

Pashinyan receives delegation of EU special envoys, EU member states on Eastern Partnership

Bloomberg: Paris overtakes London to become Europe's largest stock market

Anti-Iranian rally held in Baku

Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin: Pashinyan's approaches and wordings do not contribute to solving urgent problems

Borrell announces appearance of EU rapid reaction force in 2023

Norwegian Defense Minister pledges $30 million to NATO fund for Ukraine

Italy auctioned biggest truffle for record 184 thousand euros

Serviceman kills fellow soldier in Armenia

Kyodo: 67-year-old Japanese princess diagnosed with breast cancer
YEREVAN.  The National Security Service (NSS) of Armenia has informed that it has filed a criminal case into the attempt to smuggle a large amount of heroin into the country from Iran, and a respective investigation is underway.

According to the NSS statement, the said heroinwith a gross weight of 105.1 kg and net weight of 101. 830,160 kgwas packed in 204 packages in Iran, and hidden in a secret compartment of a truck driven by a Turkish citizen, who was ordered to transport this heroin to Georgia via Armenia for a corresponding payment.

But the attempted smuggling of this drug was prevented on July 9, at Armenias Meghri checkpoint on the border with Iran.

According to preliminary information, this heroin was intended to be transported to Europe by sea.

Criminal charges have been filed against the said truck driver, he is arrested, and Turkish authorities have been informed of this development.

The defendant pleaded guilty and gave relevant testimony.

An investigation is in progress to verify the information obtained during the examination and to find out all others who are involved in this drug smuggling attempt.

Law enforcement agencies of the countries involved in this smuggling case have been asked to provide legal assistance.

The investigation into the criminal case continues.
The European Union banned the supply of weapons and equipment that might be used for internal repression to Venezuela on Monday, EU said in a statement.

The Council has today decided by unanimity to adopt restrictive measures, underscoring its concerns with the situation in the country. These consist of an embargo on arms and on related material that might be used for internal repression, as well as a legal framework for a travel ban and assets freeze, said in the statement adopted by Foreign Affairs Council.

The statement notes that these measures will be used in a gradual and flexible manner and can be expanded, by targeting those involved in the non-respect of democratic principles or the rule of law and the violation of human rights. The measures can be reversed depending on the evolution of the situation in the country, in particular the holding of credible and meaningful negotiations, the respect for democratic institutions, the adoption of a full electoral calendar and the liberation of all political prisoners.

More than 120 people have died in four months of protests in Venezuela against the policy of President Nicolas Maduro this year.
The Supreme Court has entered a plea seeking immediate measures to curb the alarming level of pollution in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR)

By India Today Web Desk: Following the National Green Tribunal's (NGT) objections over the Odd-Even traffic scheme, the Delhi government had deferred the plan last weekend and moved the green court again, requesting a review of its order.

As the NGT met again today, there was no lawyer from the Delhi government's side present at the hearing that the latter had itself requested.

advertisement

This forced the NGT to wonder if all the objections raised by the AAP are for grandstanding before the media.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has entered a plea seeking immediate measures to curb the alarming level of pollution in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR).

THE LATEST UPDATES FROM 'GAS CHAMBER' DELHI: On Saturday, the Delhi government said the third phase of the Odd-Even scheme is not returning on Monday, saying it is unable to enforce the measure after the NGT ordered the withdrawal of exemptions given to women drivers and two-wheelers. After a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday, Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot had announced that the Odd-Even measure, which was to be implemented between November 13-17, was being "called off" as the number of buses were inadequate and women's safety could not be compromised. The NGT, which had given a conditional nod to the Odd-Even scheme, said that it should be implemented as and when PM (particulate matter) 10 level goes above 500 micrograms per cubic metre and PM 2.5 level crosses the limit of 300 micrograms per cubic metre and persist for 48 hours at a stretch. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court today agreed to hear a petition filed by advocate RK Kapoor which seeks "immediate measures" to check the rising pollution in Delhi and its surrounding areas, which has become an international headline for a week now. The plea seeks directions to the Centre and the states on stubble burning, road dust and effective implementation of the Odd-Even car rationing scheme. A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud considered the submission that rise in dust particles on roads, and stubble burning in Delhi's neighbouring states like Haryana and Punjab have led to an alarming rise in pollution levels in the NCR and its adjoining areas. "We cannot ignore the pollution," the Supreme Court bench said, adding that it will hear the plea today itself after finishing the matters listed on its board. Haryana Chief Minister ML Khattar today replied to his Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal's letter, seeking time to meet and discuss pollution and stubble burning. "No single person, government or organisation can improve the air quality of Delhi," Khattar wrote to Kejriwal, also asking him what steps has the AAP taken to check stubble burning within the national capital. Meanwhile, the nearly week-long spell of toxic smog enveloping the national capital continued today, with reduced visibility in some areas leading to cancellation of trains in Delhi. The MeT department has predicted light rains on November 14-15, which might intensify the fog but could clear the smog. The minimum temperature dropped to 12.4 degrees Celsius today, a notch below the season's average.

VIDEO | Odd-Even traffic rule set to return to Delhi for five-day from November 13-17

--- ENDS ---
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Amid reports that Department of Justice Special Counsel Robert Mueller will be filing new indictments after probing a potential quid pro quo scheme, whereby then National Security Adviser Michael Flynn would be paid $15 million to secretly carry out Turkey's bidding, the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) calls for thorough public Congressional hearings to fully expose these matters.

Flynn was already paid $530,000 last year for work the Justice Department says benefited the government of Turkey, and did not register as a foreign agent at the time.

The Assembly has repeatedly highlighted Turkey's attempts to gain surreptitious influence over U.S. officials and media to the detriment of U.S. national security, and has urged investigations therein. House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Member, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), in a June 2017 op-ed in The Hill titled "Did Turkey's payments to Michael Flynn delay our military operations against ISIS?" stated that questions regarding Turkey, however, reveal most clearly how personal considerations may have overridden our national interests. In addition, the Assembly has also highlighted Azerbaijan's attempts to undermine western democratic values and institutions through the billions it has spent in the Laundromat scheme to buy silence. Investigations are now bearing fruit. The Assembly has also urged with some success those Representatives who joined the Turkish and Azeri Caucuses to withdraw.

The latest news regarding secret payments to Michael Flynn to carry out Turkey's bidding are just the tip of the iceberg, stated Assembly Co-Chairs Anthony Barsamian and Van Krikorian. Illegal Turkish and Azerbaijani money has been flowing into D.C. and we have an obligation to immediately stop these corrupting practices. Beyond thorough investigations and indictments, exposure through public hearings and legislative reform to increase reporting and penalties are necessary to stop officials who can be bought by the Erdogans and Aliyevs of the world from hijacking the American government, they added. Members ought not to associate themselves with such corrupt and authoritarian regimes. Given Turkey's treatment of Christians, dangerously rogue behavior, denial of the Armenian Genocide and support for Azerbaijan's ISIS-style beheadings and other attacks, it is well past time for Members of Congress to withdraw their membership from the Turkish and Azeri Congressional Caucuses.
YEREVAN.  Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman al Saud is playing such a dangerous game that no one can guess the consequences, Russian political analyst Yevgeny Satanovsky believes.

Satanovsky, President of the Institute of the Middle East of Russia, said the recent developments could lead to a war with Iran.

Will it lead to the split of Saudi Arabia once the heir takes power? Who knows? Everything is possible. Nothing can be ruled out in this world, Satanovsky told Armenian News-NEWS.am correspondent, adding that if Mohammed bin Salman al Saud decides to bomb any country, he will do it exactly as he did it in Yemen.

According to the expert, now he decided to tackle the problem of Lebanon, because, according to Mohammed bin Salman al Saud, it will be possible to clash Israel and Iran there.

Who can understand the logic of a thirty-year-old man who is ready to become a king opposite to the wish of the rest in his kingdom?" Arrests or confiscations can be an option for him. Who knows what can happen there, he wonders.

Earlier, Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri announced his resignation when being in Saudi Arabia, as he feared for his life. He has not returned to his homeland yet. Relations between Lebanon and some Arab states deteriorated sharply following his resignation. Saudi Arabia and Kuwait urged their citizens to leave Lebanon, while Lebanese President Michel Aoun said that they had not accepted Hariri's resignation and would wait for his explanations upon his arrival in Beirut.
Delhi Police today arrested a man for opening fire near Rohini Court Complex. Sources said that the incident was an outcome of a rivalry between two gangs.

By India Today Web Desk: Delhi Police today arrested a man for opening fire near Rohini Court Complex. Another man who suffered bullet injuries was rushed to the nearest hospital.

Police arrested the accused from the spot immediately after the incident. Sources said that the incident was an outcome of a rivalry between two gangs.

More details awaited.

--- ENDS ---

advertisement
Two Armenian men and a 17-year-old were arrested in Glendale earlier this week and charged for a burglary in which the two adults allegedly wore Ronald Reagan masks, authorities said.

Gagik Sarkisjan, 20, Narek Martirosyan, 18, and the male teen, all from Glendale, were arrested on suspicion of the burglary, according to the Glendale Police Department.

On November 6, officers were called to the 300 block of N. Kenwood Street after a report that two men wearing masks were spotted climbing onto the first floor of an apartment balcony and entering the residence.

As officers responded, a witness reported the suspects fled the scene and ran to an awaiting car, described as a white, four-door 2018 Mercedes C300 with no license plates, authorities said.

Officers found the car at Glendale Avenue and Lexington Drive.

The 17-year-old driver and the two men were detained and two masks of the 40th president and a replica firearm were recovered, along with jewelry and credit cards belonging to the victim, police said.

Sarkisjan and Martirosyan were arrested and booked for burglary, while the teen boy was taken to Eastlake Juvenile Hall and booked for the same crime, according to police.
IS Claims Killing 20 Iraqi Soldiers in 6-Man Suicide Raid in Tikrit, Bombing Oil Pipeline to Baghdad
There's no coincidence that the marijuana industry is known as the "green rush." If you look at the sales figures behind legal weed, they've been soaring at an incredible pace. Cannabis research firm ArcView is estimating that compound annual growth in North America through the year 2021 could come in at 26%, leading to a nearly $22 billion market. This growth has been instrumental in attracting marijuana stock investors and pumping up valuations into the stratosphere.

We've also witnessed a steady shift in the way the public looks at cannabis. Both national pollster Gallup's and CBS News' most recent polls show support for legalizing recreational marijuana at an all-time high. Gallup's Oct. 2017 poll showed that 64% favor legalizing adult-use weed. CBS News' April 2017 survey showed similar support at 61%. Presumably, the more people there are in favor of marijuana's expansion, the more pressure that'll be placed on lawmakers in Washington to make changes to its scheduling, or risk being voted out of office.

A person holding cannabis leaves in their cupped hands.

Image source: Getty Images.

During the Nov. 2016 elections, we witnessed residents in nine states vote on a pot initiative or amendment in their state -- and it wound up passing in eight states. With the exception of a narrow defeat (48% to 52%) in Arizona for a recreational marijuana proposition, every other weed vote passed. This included the recreational approval of pot for California, Nevada, Massachusetts, and even Maine, the latter of which was by the narrowest of margins (about 4,000 votes).

Of these four states, Nevada began selling legal recreational weed in licensed stores in July 2017. Meanwhile, California, Massachusetts, and Maine are expected to begin selling legal cannabis to adults next year. Or are they?

Maine's governor just vetoed his state's recreational weed bill

This past week, Maine's Governor, Paul LePage (R), vetoed a bill sent to him by the state's legislature last month that would have officially legalized the sale of recreational marijuana. Once again, while this bill barely passed by 3,995 votes, it nevertheless did pass, and thus represents the desires of Maine's residents.

Story continues

A drug free zone street sign in a quiet neighborhood.

Image source: Getty Images.

The primary reason for LePage's veto is the bifurcation of interests it would create between Maine and the federal government. As a reminder, marijuana is still a schedule I, and therefore illicit drug, at the federal level. LePage feels it wouldn't be prudent to invest time and money in developing Maine's recreational weed industry if the federal government decided to clamp down on the industry's expansion. Said LePage:

Until I clearly understand how the federal government intends to treat states that seek to legalize marijuana, I cannot in good conscience support any scheme in state law to implement expansion of legal marijuana in Maine. We need assurances that a change in policy or administration at the federal level will not nullify those investments.

Additionally, the governor leaned on the growing opioid crisis within Maine as reason to be skeptical about adult-use marijuana. Opioid-related overdose deaths rose nearly 40% in 2016 to 378, according to the Washington Post. Interestingly enough, though, cannabis has often been touted as a solution to the opioid crisis since no cannabis overdoses in 2015 or 2016 led to the patient dying.

But what's particularly noteworthy about LePage's veto is that it came after the governor consulted with U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, the most ardent opponent of marijuana's expansion. Sessions has intimated that a crackdown on the marijuana industry may be imminent, and LePage's reluctance to move forward with a bill his state's residents voted in favor of could provide one more shred of evidence that tighter regulations are indeed coming from the Trump administration.

A book on federal and state marijuana laws next to a judge's gavel.

Image source: Getty Images.

The case against domestic marijuana stocks is growing

While LePage's veto might anger pro-legalization advocates, this isn't the only instance we've seen of a popular cannabis bill being shelved at the last minute. In May, Gov. Phil Scott (R) vetoed a recreational marijuana bill in Vermont that overwhelmingly passed in the state's House and Senate, and which would have likely received strong support among its residents. At the time, Scott noted his concerns about inadequate laws in place to curb and punish those who drive while under the influence of cannabis. However, Scott insisted he had no moral obligation to legal cannabis, which does seem at odds with LePage's view for the time being.

Though Gallup's latest survey did show that Republicans favor legalization for the first time ever (51% in favor), the GOP remains one of the greatest stumbling blocks for the legal marijuana movement. With Republicans so focused on tax reform and healthcare reform, there's no room left on the docket for considering marijuana reforms at the federal level.

A continuation of the current policy is bad news for investors looking to benefit from domestic pot stocks. As long as weed remains a schedule I substance, marijuana-based companies won't be able to take corporate income-tax deductions, and they'll have virtually no access to lines of credit, or even something as simple as a checking account. The deck is very much stacked against the retail investor succeeding in the domestic marijuana industry until we have a clearer idea from Sessions as to what he plans to do, or not do, with the budding legal weed industry.

More From The Motley Fool

The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Colombo (AFP) - Sri Lanka Monday detained a senior aide to former strongman president Mahinda Rajapakse on allegations of fraud, the second official close to the ex-leader swept up in a blitz on corruption.

Gamini Senarath turned himself in to authorities on Monday and will face court over allegations of fraud involving the construction of the Hyatt Hotel in Colombo.

Police told a court last month that Senarath was wanted in connection with the disappearance of $27 million in state funds earmarked for the hotel building.

"He surrendered to the Colombo Fort magistrate's court and was remanded till Wednesday when another hearing will take place," a court official said.

In September another close aide of Rajapakse was jailed for three years for redirecting $4 million of government money toward Rajapakse's unsuccessful 2015 re-election bid.

The former top civil servant, Lalith Weeratunga, has since appealed the conviction.

Current President Maithripala Sirisena has vowed to investigate allegations that Rajapakse's family and friends siphoned billions from Sri Lanka's coffers during his nearly 10-year rule.

Two of Rajapakse's three sons, including legislator Namal, have been charged with money-laundering. Those cases are still pending.

Other family members face allegations of corruption. The former president himself is not under investigation.

Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera recently announced the freezing of $33 million in bank deposits belonging to members of the former regime, pending money-laundering investigations.
Dutch artist Daan Roosegaarde's Smog Free Tower cleans about 30,000 cubic metres of air per hour and uses no more electricity thana water boiler.

By India Today Web Desk: At a time when smog has become a part and parcel of life with the residents suffering day in and day out and visibility being affected drastically, a Dutch artist has come up with an idea to cleanse the atmosphere of the PM2.5 pollutant particle.Even as the Delhi government is tinkering with the idea of bringing in odd-even plans and being criticised by the National Green Tribunal, it is perhaps time the government took a look at Dutch artist Daan Roosegaarde's Smog Free Project which could possibly help the city cleanse its air and make it breatheable again.

advertisement

As part of his "Smog Free Project" Roosegaarde and his team designed what they call the Smog Free Tower and set it up in Beijing. The Smog Free Tower is nothing more than the world's largest air purifier. The seven-metre tall tower was set up in a public park where it clearend more than 30,000 cubic metres of air every hour, making the air around it purer.

The Smog Free Tower being opened to clean its filters.

Roosegaarde's 7-metre tall Smog Free Tower uses patented positive ionisation technology to produce smog free air in public spaces, allowing people to breathe and experience clean air for free. Equipped with environment-friendly technology, it cleans 30,000 m3 per hour and uses no more electricity than a water boiler (1170 watts). The Smog Free Tower provides a local solution for clean air such as in parks.

As part of the cleasing of the air, the smog particles collected from the tower are compressed and converted into a smog-free jewellery line.

A Smog Free Tower which was set up in one of the parks in Beijing.

In an earlier interview with IndiaToday, Roosegaarde had said, "I want to start with building the cleanest park in India...You know, a public park where people can enjoy the clean air. I think that's step one...the second is the smog-free bicycle...but maybe new ideas can also come up," he says. Daan has travelled across India, and the entrepreneurial spirit in the country has heartened him.

Smog particles collected from the Smog Free Tower in Beijing.

"There's a new generation (in India) which is not waiting for permission, or waiting for acceptance. But there's a sort of bottom-up approach to improve life. And that's, I think, incredibly fascinating," Daan adds.

Watch the full interview with Daan Roosegaarde, here:

--- ENDS ---
This is as bad as Spacey's messy statement. Yikes.



Also it's like he continues to ignore the Howard Stern audio.

Reply

Thread

Link

Which howard stern audio?

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Theres also video footage and gifs of him grabbing a mans penis



The gif was posted in a previous post w/o a trigger warning/behind spoiler text 

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

Lol. This are new kinds of reaching.

Reply

Thread

Link

I was refreshing his fb page for curiosity and his followers are dropping like flies lol

Reply

Thread

Link

WHat was he at before and what is he at now bb?

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Ahh sorry I didnt reply back to you immediately. But when I was checking and refreshing, he was losing 5 or so followers a second. His page is freckled by so many ppl who want to defend him in the comments. I'm guessing hes lost thousands by now.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

I used to follow him on FB but unfollowed after this happened. I should've removed him sooner, most of the time he posted stuff on clickbait articles instead of posting directly to the source material they copied from. His comment section is always a mess too.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

made that exact face

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Take sis is your wig on too tight?

Reply

Thread

Link

Even if bots are involved in reposting the stories, that doesn't prove innocence or guilt. He better come up with better than this.

Reply

Thread

Link

wtf

Reply

Thread

Link

sure jan

Reply

Thread

Link

i believe that russian bots are targeting him and i also believe that he's a piece of shit that deserves it

Reply

Thread

Link

lmao how embarrassing

Reply

Thread

Link

lmao biiiiitch please

Reply

Thread

Link

it's a no from me

Reply

Thread

Link

Porthoooooooosssssss!











... sorry I just watched the show so I'm late

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Sure George. lol

Reply

Thread

Link

there are some 'woke' famous men I'm worried about -- like that they're so into it that they might be using it as cover.



I actually have come to trust men who use the 'wrong' language - but with positive actions and the right spirit - more than trendy so-called feminist dudes who know what sounds good to progressives.

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

i know what you mean

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

sentiment > semantics, never forget

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

same. I've recently realised that both of my brothers are exactly the kind of men you're worried about, they say all the right things but treat the women in their lives (including me to an extent) like garbage. it's so disappointing.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Totally

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link
jesus christ

Reply

Thread

Link

BULLY is one of my favorite movies, I can't believe all of this.



However, Daniel is lucky he got to make out with Brad, what a hot piece of ass he was, especially in Bully.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

you really must be started for attention

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

Im not shocked.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

both she and her rapist husband have always seemed like awful people. david miscaviage should let shelley go and put those two in the hole.

Reply

Thread

Link

Pretty much all of the Phillips daughters are basket cases



Edited at 2017-11-13 03:48 am (UTC)

Reply

Thread

Link

oh, I didn't know she was related to them.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

You leave the one from cougar town alone!!

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Busy's not related to them, lol

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

Does Chynna have issues? I know she has addiction issues and is married to a Baldwin, but she always seemed the most normal of the three.

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

I just can't imagine why Mackenzie would be emotionally unwell...

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

bijou and her rapist husband are both scum, best of luck to their kids



let us not forget the time she called mackenzie a liar w/ regards to their rapist father as well

Reply

Thread

Link

It's disturbing, but I thought it aged better than Kids

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Yeah, Ive watched much more graphic movies but Bully affected me a lot more. It weirdly made me super nauseous actually.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Ugh, these older guys I hung out with as a cool teen played it on a loop at their house. It really is a one and done film, idk how anyone could sit and watch it forever. RIP BRAD



Edited at 2017-11-13 04:16 am (UTC)

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Wtf! I saw it once years ago when blockbuster was still a thing and have no desire to revisit that movie. Which is not to say that its a bad movie, its just very hard to watch.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Wut in the world

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Ugh I knew guys who did this with America History X too. Wtf is wrong with people?

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

Bully is...too fucking real for me. Like it just has this rawness to it and they really went for it. The scenes don't feel like a movie. It feels like youre seeing a real assault take place.

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

Bully was the first true crime book I ever read and I've never seen the movie because the book was so disturbing.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

I had a friend who wrote on OTH and was totally traumatized and sexually harassed by the showrunner Mike Schawahn. So he can fuck off and die with his shit television.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

the original commenter deleted but i am NOT surprised at all. he always seemed like such a fucking creep, especially around hilarie burton in the first few seasons. i'm so sorry for your friend. is something coming out about him now?

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

Can someone tell me what the comment said? I was huge oth Stan when I was younger and even flew to Wilmington with Friends to be an extra. (I still cringe thinking about it)



I'm so sorry your friend had to endure that. So horrible. Fuck that ugly fucker Mark.

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

damn wtf, I loved that show in HS



was it just him or any of the actors on the show too?

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

ugh omg that's awful. I'm so sorry :(

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Just saw the Mark Schwan stuff. Shit.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

shes unhinged.



fuck her and her rapist husband.

Reply

Thread

Link

basically

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

yup i remember seeing her on howard stern like 20 years ago and she said she was at a club once and literally cut some guys finger off b/c he was stupid enough to put it in the cigar cutter she was holding, and she literally was like "if you put your finger in a cigar cutter i'm gonna cut it off!" like so non-chalantly

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

What a horrible person Bijou is :(



Edited at 2017-11-13 04:00 am (UTC)

Reply

Thread

Link

I know Daniel is trying to give her the benefit of the doubt that she may have changed because shes religious and is married with kids, but her husband is a rapist and scientologist is known for being homophobic. Leahs show went into detail in an episode this season about all of the homophobic shit in that cult (I think it was the second episode with Paul Haggis, who left the scientology because of Prop 8 (one of his daughters is a lesbian). And also the abuses, but he didnt find out about that until after he had decided to leave the church.

Reply

Thread

Link

That certainly explains Bronson Pinchot's weird story about Tom Cruise not having ice cream around gays

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Risky Business was filmed 8 years before Tom joined Scientology

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

WHAT? I think I have to look up this story

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

what kind of channelling the movie title hell?



what complete and utter trash of a person, and poor daniel

Reply

Thread

Link

If she tries to excuse her behavior by claiming it was method acting...

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

i didnt know if her character was the bully so i changed my comment but that was my first thought, i got so mad i could feel my face heat up

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

nah, she'll say it was the drugs.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

her and her rapist husband can go to hell

Reply

Thread

Link

DOES NOT SHOCK ME IN THE SLIGHTEST

Reply

Thread

Link

Also, how sweet was Brad Renfro. I teared up. I wish he wa still with us.

Reply

Thread

Link

Same :(

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

he was sooo young when he died. i didn't realize. such a loss.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

I know omg. :(

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

he remains one of my favorite actors and first crushes. every time i remember his death and all that caused his pain it wrecks me all over again

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

He died around the same time as heath didnt he?

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

God, the huge crush I had on him when he played Huck. He seemed like such a sweet guy. And poor Daniel. Hollywood/acting is just such a horrible environment for young ppl.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

he's an angel. we did not deserve him.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

I'm still so sad about his death. He was so talented.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

yup :(

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

he really was a kind soul

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

I went back and looked at his pictures from when he was younger and wow I didn't realize how sexualized a lot of them were. There is one shoot he did with his pants slung low, no shirt, pushing his hair back, and he looks wet. He had to have been like 15ish in that shoot. He never stood a chance tbh.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

I know. :(

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

End her.

Reply

Thread

Link

Unfortunately, she got her kidney transplant in April. Fucking universe, wasting a good kidney on someone like her

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

that first sentence has me cracking up

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

scientology paid for it, or took it from someone in the hole i guess

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

My dad died from organ failure and these bitches keep getting transplants. This bitch, Selena Gomez who can't even wait a few months before going back to coke. Fuck themmmmmmmm fuck it ugh

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

lmao

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Later on in the production I had a scene where my character had to take his shirt off. It was an extremely vulnerable moment for me because I was not at all the type of guy comfortable with taking my clothes off in front of anyone at that point in my life. I was the chubby kid who wore his shirt in the pool. So I take my shirt off in the scene and she breaks character and she pointed at my body and at the top of her lungs yelled Ewwww gross!!!



She laughed and pointed at me and continued to berate me. they call cut and I had to walk off set to collect myself. Brad Renfro (RIP) started crying and he followed me off set grabbed my face and kissed me. He told me not to listen to her that I was beautiful and such a great actor etc and i loved him and respected him so much for that moment. We continued on with my scene and she made taunting faces during all of our camera coverage prompting Brad to yell Someone give me a real actress!



:(

Reply

Thread

Link

This legit made me tear up. What a horrible person she is, and what a sweetheart Brad Renfro was.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Fuck. Why do good people have to die young while these awful people will live forever 

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

evil is a black hole that sucks life from everyone else.

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

It sounds like Brad was the only one who stood up to her in front of everyone.





Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

This reminded me of what Jim Carrey said when Phillip Seymour Hoffman died - "for the most sensitive among us the noise can be too much." :( RIP Brad. And poor Daniel.



Edited at 2017-11-13 04:12 am (UTC)

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

brad sounds like he was a beautiful human.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

oh man, right in the feels. I loved brad

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Such a sweetheart

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Beautiful moment amid the ugliness. Sigh.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link
u g h

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Kiki was also robbed for an emmy for her AMAZING performance in Fargo.



/forever pressed

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

MTE

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

A lot of the times I see groping reported in these exposes but the sources seldom call it sexual assault. Groping is sexual assault. I wish these sources would hammer that home more often.

Reply

Thread

Link

I feel like people think its not as bad. Its still sexual assault and can cause PTSD in people.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Seriously. It's so enraging that it's so minimized. And sometimes people even have the nerve to say something like "well, at least you weren't [insert other form of sexual assault]." There's not fucking a ranking system. All sexual assault is bad.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

mte, don't water it down to simply harassment.

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

I agree with your point and Im glad to see it made. A semantic question thats been bothering me for a while, even before Weinstein broke: Does the phrase sexual abuse now include rape, or are they still two entirely different concepts? Can anyone clear that up for me?

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

I agree and yet some subconscious part of my brain tries not to accept it, because I've been groped by men pm constantly my whole lie and I don't want to add that to the list because I've had four sexual assaults that were more violent and I feel like ppl don't believe me because four is already a big number and if I added the groping it'd probably be 30 lmao I hate.... everything because then I start going "Well, if it happens to you so often it's probably your fault!" @ myself



Edited at 2017-11-14 06:22 pm (UTC)

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Was the gif from where he said he was a Nazi who understood Hitler?

Reply

Thread

Link

Yes

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

What the ever loving fuck is that response?!?!?!?!?

Reply

Thread

Link

holy shit. not even surprised tho.

Reply

Thread

Link

IKR

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

For fucking real.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

anyone who says they're interested in testing people's boundaries is guaranteed to be a predatory piece of shit

Reply

Thread

Link









What's good "a danish director " ?

Reply

Thread

Link

Oh yeah, let me add that to the post

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

He's a douchebag

Reply

Thread

Link

Wouldn't surprise me in the least. I've seen a lot of Von Trier's movies- they're beautiful, always have a great score- but his women are always portrayed in a really problematic way. The theme always seems to be that women are hysterical.



The Nymphomaniac series was too much for me. ***SPOILERS*** I actually liked the first one and it was interesting to see a woman talking about her sexuality, pretty unashamed, to this asexual caretaker. I liked how he would weave her experiences in with his non-sexual experiences of like, fly fishing and classical music. Then of course, the caretaker tries to rape her at the end. WHY??? Completely unnecessary and didn't even fit with the character.

Reply

Thread

Link

My favorite film of his is Dogville because, SPOILER the female lead actually gets revenge on those that abused her.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

I mean, I thought the end was more of a statement about how inherently predatory men are, even the ones who seem otherwise, and how much they still see every woman they encounter from the perspective of a Madonna/whore dichotomy (like how he says "what's the matter? you've fucked 1000s of guys.") Von Trier is weird in that he seems like a v self-aware creep in a way.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Yeah, that's true and explains why I felt so betrayed. Still, it just felt bad watching it. After watching this woman's sexual journey (good AND bad, obv) for like FIVE hours, it ended with "just kidding! You thought women have any autonomy?"

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

It reminded me of Louis CK's "apology" where the problem was that the women ~admired him~ so much. It's almost laughable how similar all these men are.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

it's rampantly narcissistic. Never trust a man who seems too into themselves





Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

The I me I me admired me I admired stuff in CKs awful apology blew my mind. I still cant believe he thought that was a good idea. Made him look like a fucking narcissistic scumbag rather than just a regular scumbag.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

That statement makes me feel like I'm tripping.

Reply

Thread

Link

I have read a book about Hollywood in the 1970's (Easy Ryders, Raging Bulls), almost all the directors seemed to be very mean and dangerous, I think Lars seems to be like this

Reply

Thread

Link

Ive been listening to you must remember this and the way Otto Preminger treated Jean Seberg was fucked up (although this was in the late 50s)



I understand Kubrick was awful too.



Edited at 2017-11-13 05:15 pm (UTC)

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

I think the worst is William Friedkin when he was filming "The Exorcist", in a scene Ellen Burstyn was throwed, she asked him to pull her "not so hard" because it was hurting her, the director agreed to "pull her softer" but then ask to people to "pull her harder", she broke her back

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

Preminger was absolutely monstrous to Dorothy Dandridge.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link
"my comments were misinterpreted..." statement in 3...2...1...

Reply

Thread

Link

me @ everything i overshared at game night last night.

you doing this pr shit for me pro bono right?

k

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

were you drunk at game night? (genuine question)

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

karl hardly apologizes lol

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

karl would never!

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

lol yeah right. He doesn't care that much.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

wait, the young syrian said that or the german said that? either way, disgusting but his comment was a little unclear.

Reply

Thread

Link

Je connais quelqu'un en Allemagne qui a pris un jeune Syrien qui parlait un peu anglais, au bout de quatre jours, vous savez ce qu'il a dit a la dame? "La meilleure invention de l'Allemagne, c'est l'Holocauste". Il etait dans la rue la minute qui suit je vous le dis tout de suite.



If my french is still good enough the Syrian said it to the German and she kicked him out.

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

The oranizers of the march on Saturday have been in a frenzy since yesterday since a spokesperson for one of the right wing movements that co-organizes it said they are racist separatists and talked about how ethnicisties shouldn't mix in an authorized interview and whoever was in charge of their Twitter replied that a black person couldn't be polish. With each tweet and with each statement they are making bigger fools of themselves and cause people to critisize them even more.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

My country, so beautiful.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

I wanted to go to the anti-fascist march but I felt so bad, I stayed in bed all day.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

I once got into a discussion with a Polish girl who kept insisting Pinochet was the best thing that happened to Chile. I told her about the many atrocities he and other latin-american dictators had committed and how many people are still suffering because of it and she kept insisting that it was good, otherwise Allende would have turned Chile into another Venezuela (????). I was baffled and she just wouldnt hear it, just kept saying she wished there was a Pinochet in Poland. It its to this day the craziest dinner conversations I ever had and I often wonder if I had been drugged because is was just so surreal.



Edited at 2017-11-13 06:27 pm (UTC)

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

sf depressing. And enraging. And then depressing again.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

independence day is cancelled for me fuck that shit

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Omigod, what other great Christoph icons do you have?

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

stick to hilariously bitchy one liners, mr lagerfeld

Reply

Thread

Link

Wow. Just... wow. No words. He is unbelievably ignorant. He is even wrong about who invented the Holocaust.

Reply

Thread

Link

They're referring to the American Holocaust that resulted in the deaths of over 100 Million Native Americans and that was a big influence of Hitler's.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

And who did it? The Holocaust isn't a normal genocide because Germans invented an apparatus of state to kill them.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Inform me please

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

wat

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

under no circumstances is a Holocaust a 'good thing'. Bye.

Reply

Thread

Link

its not him who said that...

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

the jews greatest enemies are the syrians fleeing gassing and terror in their native land??! really, my guy?





Reply

Thread

Link

It was the Syrian who said it was the greatest invention.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

my comment had nothing to do with that alleged comment from "the syrian"

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

What the fucking hell is wrong with this douche?



Holocaust = BAD. There are no other options. JFC

Reply

Thread

Link

He didn't say it wasn't.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Oh dear god, are we really gonna have to have a lesson on how using an anecdote like this to back up a ignorant, racist view very much makes it sound like that?





Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

The Syrian said it to the woman who took him in according to the original French. His statement is still all kinds of fucked up, but what hes implying is that these refugees hate Jews/are enemies of Jewish people and now Germans have to take them in.

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

Migrant crisis eh? The media is still trying to steer shit.



Literally havent noticed much of a difference and i live in Stuttgart. The media is trying to get people scared as usual

Reply

Thread

Link

lol fellow stuttgarter here

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

and another one :D

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

"The media is trying to get people scared as usual" and it's working, if you consider the election. and my ever charming landlord, who last month told me that he would never let "one of these dirty muslims rent one of his flats" :-( but he lets people who smoke in the hallways and illegally use other peoples washers rent in my house. ok then...

god, i hate it here sometimes

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

I live in the north and I have noticed a difference. The numbers of refugees are rising and especially the attacks on women.

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

I live in Cologne. While I have noticed a change, it's definitely not as bad as media makes it sound (about Cologne). Not talking about NYE, because that was just awful. However, what I do notice even more are all those "alt rights" coming here to demonstrate and "protect their German women". Whenever they are here, I avoid the city altogether, because they can get violent real quick.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

In the outskirts of Bremen and Dusseldorf it's been very noticeable, particularly in the villages that suffered during the economic crisis and haven't found their footing yet. The number of refugees is staggering, but it definitely doesn't look that way when you are close to the city center.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

is stuttgart a rich area?

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

there are definitely refugees here (kaiserslautern) but there hasn't been too many issues, mostly in the schools where they dump refugee kids with no education into a gymnasium that they are not ready for. most of the problems in this area are moron american military guys getting drunk and fist fighting/crashing their cars/breaking stuff.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

haha, stuttgart :D but yeah havent noticed a difference...

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

this vile mummified cheeto corpse

Reply

Thread

Link

How is this talentless mummy still alive?

Reply

Thread

Link

when will this crypt keeper drop dead?

Reply

Thread

Link

ontd can't read

Reply

Thread

Link

Lol right? Hes quoting someone, now whether he shares the same belief thats another matter

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

i mean he said this One cannot, even if there are decades between them, kill millions of Jews so you can bring millions of their worst enemies in their place.

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

he's quoting someone to reinforce the point he's making. what are you talking about??

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

srsly

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

yep

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

in fairness, the quote isn't clear at all. if i wasn't francophone & hadn't read the original quote, i'd prob have interpreted it the same way.

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

Im reading a book about Europe after WWII, and one of the authors theories is that the war basically reset a lot of increasingly nationalist agendas in Europe both due to the Holocaust and people being shuffled around decreasing non-native populations in countries. What were seeing now is attitudes that have been simmering for a long, long time.

Reply

Thread

Link

That sounds interesting and i think i've heard that idea before, would you mind telling me what book it is?

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Its called Postwar: A History of Europe Since 1945 by Tony Judt.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Wait, so if I get this straight, this book says that Europe became less open, also in a literal sense, after WWII?

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link
A lawyer tried to speak for Ella. @CustomsBorder didn't want to hear it, and deported a deserving asylum seeker. Read Ella's story in her own words. #BringEllaBack https://t.co/9PuOdFveyH @HMAesq  Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) November 13, 2017

What can you do? This: pic.twitter.com/b8V1B1PuXL  Melissa Walker  (@melissacwalker) November 13, 2017

#BringEllaBack She had no access to counsel @ border, trauma prevents articulation of fear, leaving most vulnerable even more vulnerable, the lack of judicial review over expedited removal, intolerance of LGBTQ as policy + what it can lead to #HerToo @RepCardenas @KamalaHarris  Brooke Smith (@Iam_BrookeSmith) November 13, 2017

Have you all read this article?? Its Ellas story!! She needs asylum here!! She got here on a student visa but was turned away. She will die if sent back to Uganda for being GAY!! #BringEllaBack https://t.co/y028Sq5EF8  Rena Sofer (@RenaSofer) November 13, 2017

If you need to call me a dimwit to get you to help then Im all good with that. Thanks!! #BringEllaBack  Rena Sofer (@RenaSofer) November 13, 2017

Please take a minute to read this devastating story! Imagine what it must feel like to be her, to try to escape to safety in the place known for having the American dream and being sent back to the place you tried to escape from.#BringEllaBack

https://t.co/tlRhbKO9iu  Linsey Godfrey (@linseygodfrey) November 12, 2017

She thought the new president does not like gay people, and if I told the officer I was gay, she would deport me on the spot." https://t.co/D3UwtICrbh #BringEllaBack  Sara Ramirez (@SaraRamirez) November 13, 2017

The 10-year-old girl ICE detained after her surgery was finally reunited with her family pic.twitter.com/Z6zmJ9C2GG  NowThis (@nowthisnews) November 9, 2017
fuck this dude



but to answer the question i like the story of the red shoes

Reply

Thread

Link





There is a red shoes movie! It's only loosely based on the fairy tale but it's AMAZING.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

this looks beautiful!!! imma put it on my list

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

The Red Shoes is one of my like, top 3 fav movies of all times. It's amazing

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

fuck this dude

damn what happened?

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

tg this isn't happening. i shudder to think of what he would've done with the donkey children scene smdh

Reply

Thread

Link

I attended a discussion about sex trafficking, and the speaker said that the organization shows the trafficked children the film specifically for that scene.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

why on earth would they do that? oop it scared the shit out of me.

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

this comment just made me realize what this scene meant for the first time ever o___o;;;;;;;;;

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

mmhm I REALLY wanted his At the Mountains of Madness :(

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

I'm still bitter we aren't getting a Sofia Coppola version of the little mermaid.



Also why are there no good adaptations of Little Red Riding Hood?

Reply

Thread

Link

bc theyd turn into something like twilight meets snow white and the huntsman haha

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

So the Amanda Seyfried movie

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link





Excuse you!

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

there's an exquisite adaptation of little red riding hood! it was an indie animated version of the story that didn't get much recognition when it came out, but it's gained a reputation as a masterpiece since then.

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

tbh i don't think she was the right person to direct it, but i'm still bitter too lol

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

I mean Red Riding Hood with Amanda Seyfried isn't top-notch but it's fun scenery/costume porn

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

In the Company of Wolves though

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Because the Into The Woods movie ruined everything.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

I haven't finished reading it yet but Brom's The Child Thief could be a cool adaptation.

Reply

Thread

Link

*BUSTS IN THROUGH THE DOOR* YEEEEEEEESSSSSS MY MAN BROM AND HIS FLAWLESS ART/WRITING!!!



Peter Pan is one of my favorite characters and I loved how he twisted it all up. I also read Krampus on a yearly basis for x-mas ever since it was released. Lost Gods was gr9 too as well as all the art and stuff of Plucker. I just love him and his art the man is amazing.



Edited at 2017-11-13 11:06 pm (UTC)

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

I'm still sad about his haunted mansion movie

Reply

Thread

Link

Me too! What happened?

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

I theorize he was told by Disney his vision was too dark and he went off thinking "Too dark? I'll show them! I'll show them ALL how family unfriendly I can make a haunted mansion concept!!" and then we got Crimson Peak



Edited at 2017-11-13 10:26 pm (UTC)

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

it's possible it's what the other commenter said, Disney are notorious for killing projects they think may have content that could be damaging to their image/brand, it made me really sad though 'cause the HM is my fave ride lol

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

how does this dude always manage to get all his projects cancelled



i'll never be over silent hills

Reply

Thread

Link

it's a curse tbh, wouldn't surprise me if death stranding is next lmao

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

don't even put that thought out there!!!!!!!

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

And yet that still wouldn't turn out as bad as Geppetto





Reply

Thread

Link

this looks like a movie theyd show in middle school when your music teacher is away

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

lmao accurate

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

OMFG THIS RELATABLE IMAGE

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

I'm crying and dying.



I love how they used to rip on Drew for doing this on Whose Line all the time.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

I'm screaming, I had no idea Julia Louise Dreyfus was in this movie

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

the nostalgia is strong with this one

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

I used to LOVE that live action with Jonathan Taylor Thomas when I was a kid, I liked it more than the Disney animation.

Reply

Thread

Link

The vhs cover of that movie scared the shit out of me. I had nightmares about Jonathn Taylor Thomas as Pinocchio.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

omg yes. it was nightmare fuel!

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Lmao same!

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

tbh, i'd love to see a lot of fairytale adaptations that take out the romanticized crap and pull no punches. I'd have Sleeping Beauty be about rape. Snow White about pedophilia. Red Riding Hood about rape culture and victim blaming. The Little Mermaid about fetishizing other cultures.

Reply

Thread

Link

on that last point i have on my to-read list a little mermaid au fanfic on those topics, i was shocked when i first read the synopsis and the tags for it but i thought abt it and like you said i think it could be a good take

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

so your little mermaid adaptation would basically be about rachel dolezal?

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

hahaha! I was thinking about the rich 'Eat Pray Love' people who go to India to ~~find themselves

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

i have a lot of thoughts & feelings abt andersen's little mermaid but i def don't think it's abt fetishizing other cultures. to me it's abt dissatisfaction and restlessness, reality vs fiction (or idealized versions of reality), the nature of human life, and how love doesn't conquer all & sometimes taking a chance doesn't guarantee success at all. i think the disney adaptation is almost offensive in how it distorts the message/meaning of the original story. /bitter

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

have you read bill willingham's fables? the guy is a real piece of work, but the first few volumes of his comic give a really interesting take on fairytale characters.

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

The Emily Browning Sleeping Beauty movie was pretty disturbing

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

Idk if you've ever read the witcher books but they reference a ton classic fairy tales, usually involving a dark twist

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

danggggg i never knew about this but i woulda been about it and now i can't be. oh well. the disney version is still trippy and terrifying af

Reply

Thread

Link











also, it needs to be directed by a woman. my 1st pick would be andrea arnold. i want a proper, faithfully adapted version of the little mermaid without the bullshit disney ending, preferably with an aesthetic resembling that of rusalochka:also, it needs to be directed by a woman. my 1st pick would be andrea arnold.

Reply

Thread

Link

I ADORE this movie. Russian adaptations are always the best. Although...the one Beauty and the Beast version I saw was...odd. Instead of a Beast, he was a TREE, and he slowly became moss as time went on.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

that sounds amazing

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link





there's a czech version from the same period that's supposedly really good too! i dled a while ago but still haven't watched it it's fantastic, right?! so underrated. it's by far the best little mermaid movie i've ever seen, animated films included.there's a czech version from the same period that's supposedly really good too! i dled a while ago but still haven't watched it http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0074846/

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

omg what's it called? all i can find is news on russia trying to ban batb or porn...

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

mte, i barely remember what happens but thinking abt it makes me feel scared so thats enough

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

the entire pleasure island sequence scared me so much as a child

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Wasn't there supposed to be a third spiritual successor to Devil's Backbone / Pan's Labyrinth.

Reply

Thread

Link

My heart weeps for this Polanski supporter.

Reply

Thread

Link

Oh no, are you serious? I love him? What happened?

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

he signed the polanski petition 

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

He signed the Polanski petition: http://www.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2009/10/01/the-polanski-petition

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link
Coast Guard Commissions Hawaii's First Fast Response Cutter

USCG will be acquiring 58 FRCs to conduct missions that include search and rescue; fisheries enforcement; drug and migrant interdiction; ports, waterways, and coastal security; and national defense.

The U.S. Coast Guard has commissioned the first of three 154-foot fast response cutters that will be patrolling Hawaiian waters and will be stationed at Base Honolulu by the spring of 2019, Chief Petty Officer Sara Muir reported Nov. 1. USCG will be acquiring 58 FRCs to replace the 110-foot Island-class patrol boats; the new vessels will conduct missions that include search and rescue; fisheries enforcement; drug and migrant interdiction; ports, waterways, and coastal security; and national defense.

The Coast Guard took delivery of Oliver Berry in June 2017 in Key West, Fla., and the ship arrived in Hawaii on Sept. 22, according to her report.

Muir reported that the new vessels "will make the waters around the main Hawaiian Islands a much safer place for recreational boaters and users of the waterway. They greatly improve our on water presence with each providing over 7,500 operational hours, a 40 percent increase over the existing 110-foot patrol boats."

The FRCs are the Sentinel class and are named for Coast Guard enlisted heroes, she reported, adding that the first cutter is named for Chief Petty Officer Oliver Fuller Berry, a South Carolina native and skilled mechanic who was a pioneer in the field of helicopter maintenance working on early Coast Guard aircraft. "Berry is considered one of the worlds first experts on the maintenance of helicopters, serving as lead instructor at the first military helicopter training unit, the Rotary Wing Development Unit established at Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina, in 1946. He also helped develop the helicopter rescue hoist," she explained.
Doctors said the footfall of patients has gone up multiple times at OPDs, with majority complaining of breathlessness.

By Priyanka Sharma: Delhi's dirty air has also choked intensive care units at hospitals.

Over the past week, dozens of respiratory patients who were grappling with the hazardous pollution in the Capital have caught pneumonia, or are suffering from severe asthma attacks and other lifethreatening conditions.

So, respiratory ICUs across city hospitals are swarming, forcing doctors to accommodate patients in medical ICUs.

advertisement

The emergency in the air became apparent when experts recorded fine particulate matter (PM) 2.5 level at 999, which is equivalent to smoking 50 cigarettes in a day. The prescribed standard for PM2.5 is 60ug/m3 and 100ug/m3 for PM10.

Illegal crop burning in states ringing Delhi, vehicle exhausts and swirling construction dust have contributed to what has become an annual crisis.

Mail Today spoke with top health experts in the city and collected data from hospitals to assess the state of patients. Doctors said they have noticed a nearly threefold rise in the number of people suffering from respiratory problems.

"Just in 48 hours, we had to admit three patients who were doing absolutely fine earlier and these patients were not on medication for years. Since last week they started to complain of breathing difficulty which we were managing with inhalers and nebulisers. However, their condition became worse as they caught pneumonia. So we had to admit them in the ICU," said Dr Arvind Kumar, chairman of the centre for chest surgery at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.

He also told Mail Today that none of the 49 dedicated ICU beds for respiratory patients is now vacant. "The air outside is so toxic that it has a kind of acidic and metallic quality to it. This hazardous air has made our lungs so weak that people with low immunity are catching illnesses quickly," he said.

According to a study by the Lancet medical journal, every minute two Indians die because of air pollution. Explaining the number of ICU admissions which doctors are attributing to pollution, Dr Sandeep Nayar, head of respiratory medicine at BLK Hospital, said, "This trend was never seen in the past. We have 24 beds ICU which are all occupied by chest patients. At this time, other sick patients who require intensive care are being referred to ICUs of various departments."

The situation is the same at AIIMS, as well as Safdarjung, Lok Nayak, Max, Fortis and Apollo hospitals. Dr (Prof) GC Khilani, head of pulmonary medicine at AIIMS, told Mail Today, "It is for the first time that we are getting such a huge number of respiratory patients. Many are coming in after acute asthma and bronchitis attacks. They need ICU care. At AIIMS, we have nine respiratory ICU beds that are full. But needy patients are treated in other ICUs. Patients are in panic but we are trying to help them through inhalers and nebulisers."

advertisement

Safdarjung Hospital has an eight-bed ICU for respiratory patients, which is flooded. Doctors here too are managing the rush by sharing ICUs of other departments.

"There is a nearly 40 per cent spurt in the number of patients coming for treatment in the last one week," informed Dr JC Suri, head of the respiratory medicine division at the hospital.

"We are trying to treat patients with medicines. Some are also being shifted to medical ICU." Apart from breathing difficulties, Delhiites are also complaining of itching and redness in the eyes due to constant exposure to the deadly air.

Most of the sufferers are those who travel outside throughout the day, along with the elderly and children, say doctors. Dr Vikas Maurya, head of respiratory medicine at Fortis Healthcare, said, "It definitely is a tough time for patients. Lack of oxygen supply into their lungs can create life-threatening conditions. Outside, the quality of air is fatal for respiratory patients and even normal people. We have a 30-bed ICU for pulmonary patients, but it is full. Other needy patients are put on invasive ventilator support."

--- ENDS ---

advertisement
Check in early and stay late during OnMilwaukee's "Hotel Week" sponsored by VISIT Milwaukee. These seven days will be packed with stories about historic area hotels, reviews, history, food and drink, staycations and more. Find out what it's like to be a tourist in this town. (Chocolate on your pillow not included.)

Almost exactly a year ago, we went inside the building that now hosts Bay Views first hotel, the Kinn Guesthouse at 2535 S. Kinnickinnic Ave. to see its progress.

Kinn and Kindred opened just a few months later and because its hotel week here at OnMilwaukee, we went back to see and experience the finished product.

The hotel may be small  it only has eight guest rooms  but it offers a big experience. Its the kind of place guests will remember long after visiting.

A prominent home

First of all, its housed in a stately two-story building on a corner  giving it even more prominence, as does the fact that its built atop an elevated lot  that was erected in 1895 as a home for the Masonic Lake Lodge.

When the lodge moved to a new building on Howard Avenue in the 1960s, the KK Avenue place went through a variety of incarnations, housing, among other things, a Chinese restaurant, a music club and a tavern.

Bay Views first hotel

Kinn is, almost amazingly, the first hotel to rise in the ever-expanding Bay View neighborhood. Its a two-minute walk to at least three guitar shops; a Colectivo; Tip Top Atomic Shop vintage shop and Luv Unlimited; Acme and RushMor Records; Odd Duck, Cafe Lulu and a host of other great restaurants; Burnhearts, Tonic, The Highbury and many other great taverns; the Avalon Theater; Voyageur Bookshop; and much much more.

Why wouldnt anyone visiting Milwaukee want to spend their nights in Bay View?

Communal space

While Kinn couldve easily added another revenue-generating guest room with a view over Kinnickinnic Avenue, owners Charles and Connie Bailey opted instead to create a communal space that is like a living room, with a fireplace, comfortable seating, shelves lined with books and a flat-screen TV.

"Increasingly people don't mind living among other people," Charles Bailey told me last year. "I just took it one step further and designed a space for that was specifically for that kind of demographic. We have the bar and restaurant downstairs, if they want to go downstairs for lunch or dinner or a cocktail, they can do that. But if they want to stay up here and just chill ... when's the last time you were at a party and you weren't hanging out in the kitchen? There's something about a kitchen. This to me just felt like home.

"There is a different sort of conversation that might take place in an environment like this as opposed to sitting down next to somebody in a bar. This is like bumping into somebody in your own family room. That, to me, is a really appealing thing."

The space gives the hotel a really open, welcoming vibe and offers a chance to avoid the anonymity that shrouds a stay in a large hotel where, at best, you might nod at another guest when passing in the corridor. At Kinn, youll likely share morning coffee or an evening cocktail with at least one  but likely more  of your fellow guests.

Kitchen and laundry



Central Waters Brewing's Anello Mollica and Kinn's Charles Bailey at a beer and cheese tasting event at the hotel.

Part of the communal space is given over to a full kitchen, which allows guests to make their own meals. It is also used for guest-only events, like the incredible beer and cheese tasting the night I stayed that found more than a dozen of us gathered around the kitchen island sampling Wisconsin-made brews and cheeses with Bailey and Central Waters Brewery owner Anello Mollica.

Theres also a laundry room with free-use, large-size washers and dryers.

Intimate rooms

If youre like me, while you enjoy the social aspect of a place like Kinn, you likely also want some time to unwind, maybe with a book, maybe with the TV and a glass of wine. And the rooms at Kinn offer that respite.

Theyre a decent size, though not huge, but the ceilings are high and the windows expansive, creating what feels like a much larger space. Bright and airy and tastefully appointed  and, man, the beds are comfortable (something you cant always say of a hotel)  the Kinn rooms are the kind you might not ever want to leave.

A Kindred spirit



(PHOTO: Lori Fredrich)

Of course, Bay View is full of great restaurants, and one of them is located right below the hotel. Kindred  run by sister Marija and Vesna Madunic, who also own Firefly in Wauwatosa and Gracious Events catering  is a cozy, dimly lit place with great cocktails and an inventive menu created by former Le Reve chef Patrick Murphy, who recently returned to Milwaukee after a globe-trotting stint.

Like Kinn, Kindred offers a communal dining experience at a long wooden table given pride of place in the heart of the dining room, or a more intimate evening at a two- or four-top table on the periphery.

When dinners over, your commute back home is just up a few stairs.

For a preview peek at Kinn, check out this cool 3-D feature.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed Monday on the need to boost efforts to achieve a lasting political settlement in Syria. Despite being on opposing sides of the Syrian conflict, Russia and Turkey have been working together since a 2016 reconciliation deal ended a crisis caused by the shooting down of a Russian warplane. During four hours of talks at the Black Sea resort of Sochi, in southwest Russia. the two sides agreed on the need to do more to stabilise Syria, Putin said. "We are united in the need to increase efforts to ensure the long-term stabilisation (of Syria), above all to advance the process of a political settlement," the Russian leader told reporters after the meeting. "We agreed that there is now a base which allows us to focus on the political process," said Erdogan. The pair last met in Ankara in September, when they agreed to push for the creation of a "de-escalation" zone in Syria's key northern province of Idlib, in addition to others already proposed. Russia, along with Iran, is the key backer of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Moscow's military intervention in Syria is widely seen as tipping the balance in the conflict. Turkey, however, has backed the rebels seeking Assad's ouster "Our relationship has been restored almost to its full capacity," Putin said ahead of the talks, adding that he was glad to see the Turkish leader. - 'Mutual need' - Their efforts have helped bring about a de-escalation of violence in parts of Syria, though fighting continues. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told journalists earlier that Ankara was seeking a political solution to the crisis. "Without a ceasefire we cannot talk about a political solution. Now we have made a lot of achievements and we can pay more attention to the political process," he said. Moscow and Ankara have supported negotiations in Kazakhstan's capital Astana from the start of the year, which have run parallel to talks taking place in Geneva with the backing of the United Nations. Alexei Malashenko, director of research at the Dialogue of Civilizations institute, said Putin and Erdogan had a "mutual need". "Russia, which is in a very difficult position (in Syria), simply cannot lose allies there -- they can't even lose partners, let alone allies," he told AFP. - 'High opinions of themselves' - Meanwhile Erdogan is dissatisfied with the West's attitude towards him, Malashenko said, pointing to a deal Ankara has signed to buy S-400 air defence systems from Russia. The deal, reportedly worth $2 billion (1.7 billion euros), has shocked Turkey's NATO allies. "It's a meeting of two charismatic people, two people with a very high opinion of themselves, two leaders," Malashenko added, An apparent agreement at the last talks between Putin and Erdogan saw the release of two leading Crimean Tatar activists who had been sentenced by Russian authorities for their political activities in the peninsula annexed from Ukraine. Erdogan has pledged to support Crimea's Turkish-speaking Tatar minority. Russia and Turkey have a record of struggling to overcome a regional rivalry that goes back to the Ottoman Empire and the Romanov dynasty. Ties between the two countries went through their worst crisis since the end of the Cold War when the Turkish air force shot down a Russian warplane over Syria in November 2015. More than 330,000 people have been killed in Syria since the conflict began in March 2011 with anti-government protests.
VLA 9 GHz image of GX 1+4. The black cross shows the most accurate position of GX 1+4, from 2MASS (nearinfrared), which is accurate to 0.1 arcsec. The half-power contour of the synthesized beam is shown in the bottom left corner. Credit: Van den Eijnden et al., 2017.

(Phys.org)Using the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA), an international group of researchers has detected radio emissions from the accreting X-ray pulsar and symbiotic X-ray binary system designated GX 1+4. It is the first discovery of radio emissions from a symbiotic X-ray binary and the first indication of a jet from an accreting X-ray pulsar with a strong magnetic field. The findings are reported November 6 in a paper published on arXiv.org.

Discovered in 1970, GX 1+4 is an accreting X-ray pulsar some 14,000 light years away with a relatively long rotation period of about 120 seconds. It accretes matter from its companion M6III-type red giant, V2116 Oph, which is circling the pulsar every 1,161 days. Therefore, the system was classified as a symbiotic X-ray binary (SyXRB) as it consists of a neutron star low-mass X-ray binary accreting from the stellar wind of a M-type giant donor.

GX 1+4's long-term spin has been a subject of interest for astronomers observing this system for many years. More recently, a team of astronomers led by Jakob van den Eijnden of the University of Amsterdam, Netherlands, has used the VLA observatory in New Mexico to conduct radio observations of GX 1+4 as part of larger program studying persistent low-mass X-ray binaries. As a result, they detected radio emissions from this pulsar.

"We report on the discovery of radio emission from the SyXRB GX 1+4 using the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (hereafter VLA). This detection constitutes both the first radio detection of a SyXRB and the first hints of a jet from an accreting X-ray pulsar with a strong magnetic field," the researchers wrote in the paper.

VLA allowed the astronomers to detect radio emission at 9.0 GHz with a flux density of about 105.3 Jy. However, the origin of this emission remains uncertain and the team takes into account several hypothesis that could explain this activity.

The scientists argue that the detected emission could be most likely caused by one of the three mechanisms: shocks in the interaction of the accretion flow with the magnetosphere, a synchrotron-emitting jet, or a propeller-driven outflow. They exclude the possibility that it is due the stellar wind from the red giant companion.

"We might observe radio emission from shocks as the accretion flow interacts with the magnetosphere. () Such shocks are compatible with the properties of GX 1+4 if the magnetic field is indeed as high as about 1014 G," the paper reads.

The researchers added that the shock scenario could be invalid if GX 1+4 has weaker magnetic field than estimated.

When it comes to the second possibility, the radio emission could also be synchrotron emission from a collimated jet. The authors noted that the luminosity of GX 1+4 is in agreement with the radio and X-ray luminosities in a large sample of low-magnetic field accreting neutron stars, where radio emission originates from such jets. They added that if this hypothesis is true, it would show that strong magnetic fields (above one trillion G) do not necessarily suppress jet formation.

Finally, the researchers suggest that the radio emission could be explained by a magnetic propeller. They emphasized that such an outflow has been inferred from previous X-ray observations in two other high magnetic field X-ray pulsars.

All in all, more observations of GX 1+4 are needed, especially simultaneously at radio and X-ray wavelengths, in order to choose the most plausible theory and to better understand the nature of its radio emission.

More information: Discovery of radio emission from the symbiotic X-ray binary system GX 1+4, arXiv:1711.01958 [astro-ph.HE] arxiv.org/abs/1711.01958 Abstract

We report the discovery of radio emission from the accreting X-ray pulsar and symbiotic X-ray binary GX 1+4 with the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array. This is the first radio detection of such a system, wherein a strongly magnetized neutron star accretes from the stellar wind of an M-type giant companion. We measure a 9 GHz radio flux density of 105.37.3 Jy, but cannot place meaningful constraints on the spectral index due to a limited frequency range. We consider several emission mechanisms that could be responsible for the observed radio source. We conclude that the observed properties are consistent with shocks in the interaction of the accretion flow with the magnetosphere, a synchrotron-emitting jet, or a propeller-driven outflow. The stellar wind from the companion is unlikely to be the origin of the radio emission. If the detected radio emission originates from a jet, it would show that that strong magnetic fields (1012 G) do not necessarily suppress jet formation.

 2017 Phys.org
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

The transparency of spending money depends on the mode of payment used: cash, single-function cards that offer only a payment function, or multifunctional cards which may also include bonus programmes, user identification or other functions. A recent study has shown that the recall accuracy associated with the act of paying is lower for both card formats than it is for cash transactions.

According to current estimates, approximately 3 billion new so-called smart cards will be issued across the globe in 2017. Smart cards conveniently combine the payment function with additional types of functionality. Since 2000, the number of smart cards that are carried in users' wallets has grown by around 20 per cent annually. It is anticipated that these types of functions will be made available directly through smartphones or smart watches in the future.

Intrigued by this boom, researchers at the University of Cologne and the Alpen-Adria-Universitat Klagenfurt have recently examined the effect these shifting payment methods are having on the customers. Rufina Gafeeva, Erik Hoelzl and Holger Roschk have carried out a field study, as part of Rufina Gafeeva's PhD-thesis, to determine recall accuracy in relation to recently made payments. Data were gathered at two separate time points in cafeterias at a German university; the first time point was during the summer of 2015 (prior to the introduction of a multifunctional card on campus), and the second time point was during the summer of 2016 (following the introduction of the multifunctional card). Researchers were able to analyse guided interviews, which were conducted with a total of 496 students immediately after the act of paying.

"We were able to show that individuals who pay by card have a less accurate recall of the amount paid than individuals who settle their bill with cash", the research team summarises the findings. In addition, regarding the multifunctional card, the individual patterns of use play a critical role: "Individuals who use the non-payment functions of the multifunctional card are less likely to remember the transaction details accurately."

According to the authors of the study, these results are relevant for the financial wellbeing of everyone. After all: "A precise recollection of past spending has an effect on the willingness to spend money in the future", the researchers explain. Efforts to encourage the customer to adopt a financially healthy behaviour require increased transparency. "To heighten our awareness we need designs that separate the payment function from other functions, or that visualise the act of spending money, such as immediate payment information or transaction summaries."

More information: Rufina Gafeeva et al. What else can your payment card do? Multifunctionality of payment modes can reduce payment transparency, Marketing Letters (2017). DOI: 10.1007/s11002-017-9445-2

Provided by Alpen-Adria-Universitat Klagenfurt
Significant changes to both the current UK and European Union (EU) constitutional frameworks are "almost unavoidable" in order to accommodate the very different aspirations of Scotland and Northern Ireland post-Brexit.

In the referendum of June 2016, people in England and Wales voted to leave the EU, while those in Scotland and Northern Ireland voted to remain. There has since been debate about how to achieve the continuing presence in the single market of the UK constituent nations when their political leaders have declared that they do not wish to be taken out of the EU against their will.

In a new study, Dr Nikos Skoutaris of the University of East Anglia (UEA) explores two options for Scotland and Northern Ireland to remain in the EU and/or the single market. Writing in the Cambridge Yearbook of European Legal Studies, he argues that the EU has the necessary legal mechanisms to accommodate their differing aspirations.

The first option involves the achievement of Scottish independence and the reunification of Ireland through democratic referendums. However, Dr Skoutaris says that while Northern Ireland enjoys such a constitutional right, Scotland would have to reach an arrangement similar to the one that led to the organisation of the 2014 independence referendum.

The second option would see Scotland and Northern Ireland remaining in the EU and/or the single market even without leaving the UK. Dr Skoutaris, a lecturer in EU law, reviews previous examples of territorial differentiation including Greenland, the Faroe Islands and Cyprus, showing there are a number of legally defensible solutions that would enable this to happen.

Dr Skoutaris said: "Especially with regard to Northern Ireland, such imaginative solutions can better protect the fragile peace process and the social and economic integration of the island of Ireland."

If England and Wales withdraw from the single market and the customs union while Scotland and Northern Ireland remain, it would entail the existence of a customs border and border checks within the territory of the UK.

In addition, a major constitutional amendment to the devolution arrangement would have to take place in order for both regions to take part effectively in the political and constitutional life of the EU and the European Economic Area.

While acknowledging the significant changes that such an arrangement would make to the constitutional status quo of the UK, Dr Skoutaris suggests that for the Government, the biggest incentive to offer this option to Scotland and Northern Ireland is that it represents a tangible alternative to leaving the UK.

"The UK might become almost a confederation but it would still be one recognised State under international law," said Dr Skoutaris. "In other words, it could save the Union. The devolved administrations could also avoid the tensions and divisions that would be caused if they were to leave the UK. In particular, such a solution presents fewer threats to the fragile Belfast Agreement than Brexit itself or a referendum for the reunification of Ireland.

"Even if neither the UK nor the devolved administrations opt for such an arrangement, it could still prove useful. It could be used transitionally until there is a renegotiation and a resettlement of the constitutional status of those two nations, ensuring that they do not find themselves outside the single market even for a minute.

"In any case, both the current UK and EU constitutional frameworks somehow seem to be unable to accommodate the very different aspirations of the UK constituent nations. In this sense, their significant amendment is almost unavoidable."

More information: 'Territorial differentiation in EU law: can Scotland and Northern Ireland remain in the EU and/or the single market?', Nikos Skoutaris, is published in the Cambridge Yearbook of European Legal Studies.
In the holey battle of Aussie bushlands, smelly birds get their feathers ruffled.

Crimson rosellas are colourful and cute parrots, native to eastern and south eastern Australia. They are also very smelly birds.

"They smell like an old jumper, which has been drenched in really cheap and old perfume," says Dr Milla Mihailova, a former doctoral student at Deakin University's Centre for Integrative Ecology.

But their musky smell is not a reminder of an overdue bath (like for some of us).

For crimson rosellas, feather odour is important for their nesting behaviour.

"Feather odour influences how much time females spend at their nest. For example, if a female can smell that a male or the same subspecies has been around, she will arrive back to the nest quicker and stay at the nest for longer," says Milla.

And it is not just about nesting.

Birds of a feather smell together

For these colourful parrots, the smell of their feathers is a way of communication. They can learn all sorts of things from a sniff. Like what kind of individual was around, if it was a male or female or what subspecies or species it was.

This information may even help the birds choose their mate or weigh up their competition, Milla explains. "And if that is the case, then the odour may be giving the birds clues on, say, the genetic diversity or the health of an individual," she adds.

But their smelly way of communication comes at a high cost. Some predators have figured out that their musky smell is the smell of dinner.

Ruffled feathers

Birds are constantly wary of their surroundings, mostly because predators are always lurking around.

Likewise, predators are always on the lookout for any signs of a potential prey. A lost feather, a tweet or chirp, or anything that may guide them to a treat.

In her new study, Milla found that the smell of a crimson rosella's feathers is an important clue followed by ringtail possums. This clever possum is both a predator of crimson rosella eggs and nestlings and a competitor for their nesting holes.

Milla's research showed that ringtail possums could detect the smell of parrots just from sniffing a nesting site where the birds had been.

"Ringtail possums returned to nests quicker when they got a whiff of a crimson rosella from inside the nest," Milla explains. "This suggests that the ringtails use feather odour to help detect avian prey or to adjust their vigilance at nest hollows against parrots who also want the nest," she adds.

"This is a really interesting finding. We expect an arms race between predators and prey, and here there seems to be one involving the feather odour," says Professor Andy Bennett from the Centre for Integrative Ecology at Deakin University, who co-authored the study.

A holely battle

This study is the first to show that the smell of feathers affects the behaviour of a wild mammal that predates on birds. The only comparable example reported before is that of a cane toad able to track down a bird's nest by their smell. But up until now, it was not known whether wild mammals used feather odour in the same way.

"It's an exciting finding for a couple of reasons. We know that it can be very valuable to be smelly, because then you can communicate with your species without having to physically be there," says Milla. "But now it turns out that there could be trade-offs and side effects for birds, especially if those birds are predated by mammals or have to compete with mammals," she adds.

For birds, this means that their clever strategy of using smell to communicate needs some careful planning. "Birds may need to adjust their smell, depending on the contexthow dangerous the situation is compared with the benefits of sending out information to their species," says Milla.

"Natural hollows are an extremely valuable resource for a range of bird and mammal species. Our works shows that feather smells mediate the interactions around who gains and wins in this holey battle," adds Andy.

Provided by Particle

This article first appeared on Particle, a science news website based at Scitech, Perth, Australia. Read the original article.
Coming to a forest near you? Dendroctonus frontalis, one of a host of pests whose distributions are changing in the Anthropocene. Credit: Erich Vallery, Southern Research Station, USDA Forest Service.

A set of fundamental tactics ranging from the theoretical to the practical can be used to combat the challenges brought on by pests in rapidly changing forests, according to a research paper from Dartmouth College and the University of Santiago de Compostela.

With forests under pressure worldwide due to human activities in what is now often referred to as the Anthropocene era, the researchers analyzed why forests around the world are being impacted by new pests and what can be done about it.

"Forests around the world are under withering fire from myriad threats associated with human activity," said Matthew Ayres, a professor of biological sciences at Dartmouth College. "It is crucial that we understand these pressures and rapidly adapt pest management strategies if we are to maintain healthy forests and all that they provide."

According to the research, global trade is generating waves of accidental introductions of tree-eating insects from one continent to another. This is compounded by a changing climate that permits the expansion of pest populations into regions that were previously protected by cold winters. An increasing number of forests with non-native trees and novel pest problems further aggravate the problems.

Bark beetles, wood-boring beetles, defoliating caterpillars and leaf-sucking insects provide scores of dramatic examples of pests that have recently expanded their ranges and are now killing trees, changing forests, and impacting people in places where forest managers lack experience with the new pests.

"Forest managers working in isolation and learning by trial and error cannot possibly keep up with the rapidly changing challenges. We hope that this research can serve as a guidebook for pest management in the Anthropocene," said Ayres.

The authors identified eight tactics for adapting to the challenges from new forest pests. Number one on the list was the use of practical scientific theory.

One example of a practical theory presented in the paper is that "insect metabolism goes faster when it is warmer," which leads to increased consumption, growth, movement and dispersal.

"Climate warming means that insects begin feeding earlier in the summer, eat more per day, grow faster, and have fewer days when they are exposed to predators," said Ayres. "Understanding the general effects of temperature on insects gives us certainty that continued warming will produce continued changes in where we find pests. In some cases, we can make detailed predictions of where pests will be in coming years under different climate scenarios."

While the relevant theories vary in generality and empirical maturity, the authors argue that "there is nothing more practical than good theory" for adaptation of forest management practices to a rapidly changing world.

The eight general tactics for improved pest management in the Anthropocene include:

1) growth of practical theory that is transportable among forests and regions;

2) improved biosecurity against future human-aided invasions;

3) improved monitoring, prediction, and mitigation of established pests;

4) increased sharing of knowledge among regions, countries, and continents;

5) management plans that anticipate continuing change;

6) improved assessment of costs, benefits, and risks of possible responses to new potential pests;

7) assessment of outcomes from pest management decisions to help with the next decisions;

8) improved understanding of relations among forests, forest management, and socioeconomic systems.

Even with the challenges to forests, there is optimism that forest pestilence can be managed. The authors note that forestry has been making adaptive adjustments for centuries, and that forestry is already a field where scientists, managers, shareholders, administrators, legislators, and voters have experience working together.

The paper identifies how people from all of these groups can contribute to forest management in the Anthropocene.

"Examples of success in forestry could inspire adaptive adjustments in agriculture, pastoralism, fisheries, and other human endeavours that are similarly important to our environmental security and similarly challenged by global change," said Ayres.

More information: Matthew P. Ayres et al, Forest pests and their management in the Anthropocene, Canadian Journal of Forest Research (2017). DOI: 10.1139/cjfr-2017-0033
After a brief plateau, 2017s emissions are forecast to hit a new high. Credit: Global Carbon Project, Author provided

Global greenhouse emissions from fossil fuels and industry are on track to grow by 2% in 2017, reaching a new record high of 37 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide, according to the 2017 Global Carbon Budget, released today.

The rise follows a remarkable three-year period during which global CO emissions barely grew, despite strong global economic growth.

But this year's figures suggest that the keenly anticipated global peak in emissions  after which greenhouse emissions would ultimately begin to decline  has yet to arrive.

The Global Carbon Budget, now in its 12th year, brings together scientists and climate data from around the world to develop the most complete picture available of global greenhouse gas emissions.

In a series of three papers, the Global Carbon Project's 2017 report card assesses changes in Earth's sources and sinks of CO, both natural and human-induced. All excess CO remaining in the atmosphere leads to global warming.

We believe society is unlikely to return to the high emissions growth rates of recent decades, given continued improvements in energy efficiency and rapid growth in low-carbon energies. Nevertheless, our results are a reminder that there is no room for complacency if we are to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, which calls for temperatures to be stabilised at "well below 2 above pre-industrial levels". This requires net zero global emissions soon after 2050.

Trends for the biggest emitters, and everyone else. Credit: Global Carbon Project, Author provided

National trends

The most significant factor in the resumption of global emissions growth is the projected 3.5% increase in China's emissions. This is the result of higher energy demand, particularly from the industrial sector, along with a decline in hydro power use because of below-average rainfall. China's coal consumption grew by 3%, while oil (5%) and gas (12%) continued rising. The 2017 growth may result from economic stimulus from the Chinese government, and may not continue in the years ahead.

The United States and Europe, the second and third top emitters, continued their decade-long decline in emissions, but at a reduced pace in 2017.

For the US, the slowdown comes from a decline in the use of natural gas because of higher prices, with the loss of its market share taken by renewables and to a lesser extent coal. Importantly, 2017 will be the first time in five years that US coal consumption is projected to rise slightly (by about 0.5%).

The EU has now had three years (including 2017) with little or no decline in emissions, as declines in coal consumption have been offset by growth in oil and gas.

Unexpectedly, India's CO emissions will grow only about 2% this year, compared with an average 6% per year over the past decade. This reduced growth rate is likely to be short-lived, as it was linked to reduced exports, lower consumer demand, and a temporary fall in currency circulation attributable to demonetisation late in 2016.

Yet despite this year's uptick, economies are now decarbonising with a momentum that was difficult to imagine just a decade ago. There are now 22 countries, for example, for which CO emissions have declined over the past decade while their economies have continued to grow.

Concerns have been raised in the past about countries simply moving their emissions outside their borders. But since 2007, the total emissions outsourced by countries with emissions targets under the Kyoto Protocol (that is, developed countries, including the US) has declined.

Contrasting fortunes among some of the worlds biggest economies. Credit: Nigel Hawtin/Future Earth Media Lab/Global Carbon Project, Author provided

This suggests that the downward trends in emissions of the past decade are driven by real changes to economies and energy systems, and not just to offshoring emissions.

Other countries, such as Russia, Mexico, Japan, and Australia have shown more recent signs of slowdowns, flat growth, and somewhat volatile emissions trajectories as they pursue a range of different climate and energy policies in recent years.

Still, the pressure is on. In 101 countries, representing 50% of global CO emissions, emissions increased as economies grew. Many of these countries will be pursuing economic development for years to come.

A peek into the future

During the three-year emissions "plateau"  and specifically in 2015-16  the accumulation of CO in the atmosphere grew at a record high that had not previously been observed in the half-century for which measurements exist.

It is well known that during El Nino years such as 2015-16, when global temperatures are higher, the capacity of terrestrial ecosystems to take up CO (the "land sink") diminishes, and atmospheric CO growth increases as a result.

The El Nino boosted temperatures by roughly a further 0.2. Combined with record high levels of fossil fuel emissions, the atmospheric CO concentration grew at a record rate of nearly 3 parts per million per year.

This event illustrates the sensitivity of natural systems to global warming. Although a hot El Nino might not be the same as a sustained warmer climate, it nevertheless serves as a warning of the global warming in store, and underscores the importance of continuing to monitor changes in the Earth system.

The effect of the strong 2015-16 El Nino on the growth of atmospheric CO can clearly be seen. Credit: Nigel Hawtin/Future Earth Media Lab/Global Carbon Project, based on Peters et al., Nature Climate Change 2017, Author provided

No room for complacency

There is no doubt that progress has been made in decoupling economic activity from CO emissions. A number of central and northern European countries and the US have shown how it is indeed possible to grow an economy while reducing emissions.

Other positive signs from our analysis include the 14% per year growth of global renewable energy (largely solar and wind)  albeit from a low base  and the fact that global coal consumption is still below its 2014 peak.

These trends, and the resolute commitment of many countries to make the Paris Agreement a success, suggest that CO emissions may not return to the high-growth rates experienced in the 2000s. However, an actual decline in global emissions might still be beyond our immediate reach, especially given projections for stronger economic growth in 2018.

To stabilise our climate at well below 2 of global warming, the elusive peak in global emissions needs to be reached as soon as possible, before quickly setting into motion the great decline in emissions needed to reach zero net emissions by around 2050.

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.
Female of the paper wasp species Polistes dominula on its nest. Credit: Gerd Reder

The European and Mediterranean species of the paper wasp genus Polistes were recently revised by scientists at the SNSB-Zoologische Staatssammlung Munchen (ZSM).

For the first time for this group scientists applied an integrative taxonomic approach which combines traditional morphological methods with modern DNA barcoding.

As a result, the researchers were able to identify a new species from Morocco. For this well-researched wasp group, this is an actual sensation.

The study is published in the open access journal ZooKeys.

The Munich researchers analysed more than 260 wasp specimens collected from across the study area with the help of DNA barcoding.

They managed to identify all species and determine their distribution. In addition, based on the genetic data, they were able to evaluate morphological characters for each species and created a completely new key for identification.

The wasps of the genus Polistes belong to the family Vespidae. The genus is represented by 17 species in Europe and the Mediterranean, with four species occurring in Germany. Within the genus, 13 species are social, with the queen overwintering and founding a new nest with up to 200 workers. Four species are parasitic and have no workers.

Although Polistes has been well-known in Central Europe for more than 200 years, knowledge of Mediterranean species has so far been scarce. Many species of the genus exhibit only subtle morphological differences and show high levels of colour variation, further complicating their identification.

An important result of this research is the separation of species of the Polistes gallicus species complex into three distinct species. Moreover, the genetic data led to the discovery of a new species, represented by a single specimen from the High Atlas Mountains in Morocco. This was an unexpected result for the researchers. The species was named Polistes maroccanus.

Another very surprising result was the discovery of high levels of genetic variation within Polistes dominula, a species commonly found in Central Europe, indicating the presence of up to three different and hitherto unrecognized species - a case requiring further investigation.

Integrative taxonomy is an approach that combines different scientific methods to reliably differentiate species. In particular, DNA barcoding has proven to be a useful technique for the identification of species and for the discovery of new species. The method allows to identify most species quickly and accurately, even those species that are difficult to identify using traditional methods based on morphological characters.

DNA barcoding uses a short gene fragment that differs in almost all species worldwide. The sequences are stored in an online database and can be used for identification. The method derives its name for being reminiscent of the barcodes similar to those found on products in supermarkets that allow quick and error-free identification at the checkout.

DNA barcoding is part of a global research initiative led by the Canadian scientist Paul Hebert from the University of Guelph. The ZSM is a project partner and involved in assembling DNA barcodes of the German animal species. In addition to ZSM researchers, scientists from Switzerland and the Netherlands contributed to the Polistes project.

More information: Christian Schmid-Egger et al, Revision of the West Palaearctic Polistes Latreille, with the descriptions of two species  an integrative approach using morphology and DNA barcodes (Hymenoptera, Vespidae), ZooKeys (2017). DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.713.11335 Journal information: ZooKeys
Key data from the 2017 global carbon budget. Credit: Future Earth/Global Carbon Project

By the end of 2017, global emissions of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels and industry are projected to rise by about 2% compared with the preceding year, with an uncertainty range between 0.8% and 3%. The news follows three years of emissions staying relatively flat.

That's the conclusion of the 2017 Global Carbon Budget, published 13 November by the Global Carbon Project (GCP) in the journals Nature Climate Change, Environmental Research Letters and Earth System Science Data Discussions.

The announcement comes as nations meet in Bonn, Germany, for the annual United Nations climate negotiations (COP23).

Lead researcher Prof Corinne Le Quere, director of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research at the University of East Anglia, said: "Global carbon dioxide emissions appear to be going up strongly once again after a three-year stable period. This is very disappointing."

"With global carbon dioxide emissions from all human activities estimated at 41 billion tonnes for 2017, time is running out on our ability to keep warming well below 2 C let alone 1.5 C."

"This year we have seen how climate change can amplify the impacts of hurricanes with stronger downpours of rain, higher sea levels and warmer ocean conditions favouring more powerful storms. This is a window into the future. We need to reach a peak in global emissions in the next few years and drive emissions down rapidly afterwards to address climate change and limit its impacts."

China's emissions account for 28% of global emissions. Budget co-author Glen Peters, research director at CICERO in Oslo, who led one of the studies, said: "The return to growth in global emissions in 2017 is largely due to a return to growth in Chinese emissions, projected to grow by 3.5% in 2017 after two years with declining emissions. The use of coal, the main fuel source in China, may rise by 3% due to stronger growth in industrial production and lower hydro-power generation due to less rainfall."

"Several factors point to a continued rise in 2018," said Robert Jackson, a co-author of the report, co-chair of GCP and a professor in Earth system science at Stanford University. "That's a real concern."

"The global economy is picking up slowly. As GDP rises, we produce more goods, which, by design, produces more emissions."

Yet the team said that despite the growth in 2017, it is too early to say whether this is a one-off event on the way to a global peak in emissions, or the beginning of a new period with upward pressure on global emissions growth.

In the long term, emissions are unlikely to return to the persistent high growth rates seen during the 2000s of over 3% per year. It is more likely that emissions will plateau or have slight positive growth, broadly in line with national emission pledges submitted to the Paris Agreement.

The 2017 carbon budget at a glance

Global carbon dioxide emissions from all human activities (fossil fuels, industry and land-use change) will reach around 41 billion tonnes carbon dioxide in 2017.

Global carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels and industry will reach around 37 billion tonnes carbon dioxide in 2017.

In 2017, carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels and industry are projected to grow by 2% (0.8% to 3%). This follows three years of nearly no growth (2014-2016) (GDP to rise 3.6% according to figures from the International Monetary Fund).

Chinese emissions are projected to rise 3.5% (+0.7 to +5.4%) in 2017 (GDP up about 6.8%).

U.S. emissions are projected to decline 0.4% (-2.7% to +1.9%) in 2017, lower than the decline of 1.2% per year averaged over the previous decade, with an unexpected rise in coal consumption (GDP up about 2.2% in 2017).

Indian emissions are projected to grow 2% (+0.2% to +3.8%) in 2017, compared to 6% per year averaged over the previous decade, due to significant government interventions in the economy (GDP up 6.7%).

European emissions are tentatively expected to decline by 0.2% (-2% to +1.6%) in 2017, lower than the decline of 2.2% per year averaged over the previous decade (GDP up about 2.3%).

The remaining countries' emissions, representing about 40% of the global total, are expected to increase around 2.3% (+0.5% to +4%) in 2017.

Renewable energy has increased rapidly at 14% per year over the last five years - albeit from a low base.

The Global Carbon Budget is produced by 76 scientists from 57 research institutions in 15 countries working under the umbrella of the Global Carbon Project (GCP). The budget, now in its 12th year, provides an in-depth look at the amount of fossil fuels that nations around the world burn and where it ends up.

GCP is sponsored by Future Earth and the World Climate Research Programme.

Future Earth's executive director Amy Luers said, "This year's carbon budget news is a step back for humankind."

"We must reverse this trend and start to accelerate toward a safe and prosperous world for all. This means prioritising providing access to clean reliable energy to the hundreds of millions of people across the world without access to what many of us take for granted every day - electricity. Fortunately, now it is not only possible, but in most cases makes simple financial sense, to meet these electricity needs with renewable energy sources."

Emissions decreasing in 22 countries

There was also some good news in the report: In the last decade (2007-2016), emissions in 22 countries (representing 20% of global emissions) decreased even as their economies grew. Technologies like wind and solar power have expanded across the globe by about 14% annually in recent years, according to the report.

Jackson said that he's "cautiously optimistic" that the transition from fossil fuel burning to renewable energy will continue in the United States - even as the Trump administration rolls back policies aimed at tackling the nation's greenhouse gas emissions.

"The federal government can slow the development of renewables and low-carbon technologies, but it can't stop it," Jackson said. "That transition is being driven by the low cost of new renewable infrastructure, and it's being driven by new consumer preferences."

However, in 101 countries (representing 50% of global emissions) emissions increased in the presence of growing GDP.

Persistent uncertainties

Persistent uncertainties exist in scientists' ability to estimate recent changes in emissions, particularly when there are unexpected changes as in the last few years.

"When there are unexpected changes in carbon dioxide emissions or atmospheric concentrations, there are questions raised about our ability to independently verify reported emissions," Peters said.

Even though researchers may start to detect a change in emission trends early, it may take as much as 10 years to confidently and independently verify a sustained change in emissions using measurements of atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide.

"The Global Stocktake under the Paris Agreement will occur every five years, and this puts immense pressure on the scientific community to develop methods and perform measurements that can truly verify changes in emissions within this five-yearly cycle," Le Quere said.

Provided by Future Earth
The development came after Khattar wrote to Kejriwal, saying he was likely to be in Delhi on November 13 and 14.

By Mail Today Bureau: As the smog cover over Delhi-NCR refuses to leave, politicians, in the absence of constructive ideas, have realised that it is far more convenient to blame rivals for the mess.

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted details of his impending meeting with his Haryana counterpart Manohar Lal Khattar, saying, "I look forward to meeting him in Chandigarh on Wednesday." The tweet came as state transport minister Gopal Rai was conveniently passing the buck on the BJP leader at a press conference in the city.

advertisement

Rai taunted, "We didn't know that the chief minister of Haryana has renounced all his responsibilities (towards curbing crop burning)."

Meanwhile, Sunita Narain, D-G, Centre for Science and Environment, also posted an editorial touching on the issue.

She wrote on her website, "The only issue on which everybody agrees is that farmers in Punjab and Haryana are to blame. They are responsible, says our chief minister (Kejriwal), and he goes on indulging in the worst political catfight with his counterparts."

"Here, the solution is to provide alternatives to farmers so that they do not burn stubble," said Narain, also a member of the Supreme Court-mandated Environment Pollution Control Authority. Earlier in the day, Kejriwal said his office was constantly trying to fix a meeting with Khattar.

The development came after Khattar wrote to Kejriwal, saying he was likely to be in Delhi on November 13 and 14.

"You may feel free to call me to fine tune a mutually convenient date, time and venue for the meeting," Khattar had said in the letter.

On Monday, Kejriwal tweeted, "Khattar ji called. He is in Delhi till tomorrow. Says he is very busy and can't meet me in Delhi. He has asked me to come to Chandigarh on Wednesday. I look forward to meeting him in Chandigarh on Wednesday."

--- ENDS ---
Dr Meganne Christian (CNR). Credit: Graphene Flagship/CNR

After a long summer of hard work in the laboratories, researchers in the Graphene Flagship are ready for two experiments this week, testing graphene technologies for space-related applications in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA).

Two teams of researchers will explore the benefits of graphene as a light-propulsion material in solar sails, and as a smart coating in loop heat pipes for satellites. Both experiments will be performed in microgravity conditions, to simulate the extreme conditions in space. The solar sails will float in microgravity in a drop tower experiment, while the research team investigating heat pipes will experience weightlessness onboard a parabolic flight.

The Graphene Flagship is a pan-European research consortium committed to bringing graphene technologies through research laboratories to mature applications. Graphene, the single-atom thick carbon sheet, is promising for a range of applications thanks to its excellent electrical, mechanical and thermal properties. These properties will now be tested in extreme microgravity conditions, expanding graphene's potential into new areas.

Loop heat pipes are cooling systems used extensively in satellites and aerospace applications. Cooling is achieved by converting a working liquid into gas inside a wick, drawing energy from the hot instrument to be cooled. Following promising results on the ground, a team of researchers from the Graphene Flagship aim to demonstrate that coating the wicks with graphene can improve the effectiveness of the heat pipe even in microgravity conditions.

To test the graphene-coated wicks in microgravity conditions, the researchers will take part in a low-gravity parabolic flight operated by ESA in partnership with Novespace. By performing a series of parabolic manoeuvres, microgravity is simulated in the flight, and the researchers will experience weightlessness.

Graphene for satellite heat pipes experiment. Credit: Graphene Flagship

"I'm really excited, I've never done anything like this before," said Dr Meganne Christian, a researcher at CNR. "Getting to see these materials that we've been working on for so long, finally work in the conditions that we want them to is really exciting."

"I am excited about the experiment and looking forward to experiencing low gravity," said Dr Yarjan Samad, a researcher at the University of Cambridge. "Performing the experiments in microgravity will be a challenge, but we have all done a lot of work and I think we will get great results in improving the performance."

The experiment is a collaboration between Graphene Flagship partners at the Microgravity Research Centre, Universite libre de Bruxelles, Belgium; the Cambridge Graphene Centre, University of Cambridge, UK; Institute for Organic Synthesis and Photoreactivity and Institute for Microelectronics and Microsystems, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Italy; and Leonardo Spa, Italy, a global leader in aerospace, operating in space systems and high-tech instrument manufacturing and in the management of launch and in-orbit services and satellite services.

Dr Marco Molina (Leonardo), said "We are happy to take part in the experiment and test the use of graphene for satellite loop heap pipes for the first time. Mastering emerging technologies like graphene, and using them to develop of cutting-edge products is of prime importance for a company like Leonardo, which bases its competitiveness on innovation."

Light sails can propel objects in space using pressure from light shining on a reflective surface. GrapheneX, a team of PhD students from Delft Technical University (TU Delft), Netherlands, have developed an experiment to test graphene's potential for use in light propulsion, by shining laser light onto free-floating graphene membranes in microgravity. The TU Delft Space Institute, Netherlands, is also providing support to the GrapheneX project.

Yarjan Samad and Lucia Lombardi UCAM Satellite heat pipes experiment. Credit: Graphene Flagship

"If you want to make a solar sail it's very important that the materials you make the sail out of is very light," said Vera Janssen (TU Delft), a PhD student involved in the GrapheneX project. "The ultimate lightness and the strength are really the main advantages of using graphene,"

The experiment will be performed at the ZARM Drop Tower in Bremen, Germany as part of ESA Education's Drop Your Thesis! programme, which invites students to propose ideas for microgravity experiments. To create extreme microgravity conditions, down to one millionth of the Earth's gravitational force, a capsule containing the experiment is catapulted up and down the 146 metre tower, leading to 9.3 seconds of weightlessness.

"Facilities like the ZARM Drop Tower are something impressive, in the scale they are and the number of things that have to work together to be able to function properly. I'm very honoured to go there," said Rocco Gaudenzi (TU Delft), another PhD student who is part of the GrapheneX team.

These two ambitious experiments are an excellent demonstration of graphene's diverse potential, and will lay the groundwork to expand the frontiers of graphene research.

Prof. Jari Kinaret (Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden), Director of the Graphene Flagship, said "These two projects exemplify the two-fold character of the Graphene Flagship: the loop heat pipe project is targeting a specific application, while the light sail project is firmly linked to basic research and builds upon the unique combination of properties that only graphene can offer. I am particularly proud of the fact that one of these projects was initiated by students working on area completely disconnected from space applications: this demonstrates the creativity of the next generation of researchers, and shows the sometimes-surprising links between different parts of our Flagship - or maybe I should say spaceship?"

Prof. Andrea Ferrari (University of Cambridge), Science and Technology Officer of the Graphene Flagship and Chair of its Management Panel added "These are the first experiments where graphene is tested in near zero gravity conditions for space applications, and the first collaboration between the Graphene Flagship and the European Space Agency, with a clear path to applications, thanks to the Flagship Partner Leonardo, a world leading aerospace industry. We have already a roadmap to take graphene further in the space industry across the next two to four years, with an additional two zero gravity campaigns already confirmed."

Provided by Graphene Flagship
The Perseus galaxy cluster, located about 240 million light-years away, is shown in this composite of visible light (green and red) and near-infrared images from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. Unseen here is a thin, hot, X-ray-emitting gas that fills the cluster. Credit: Robert Lupton and the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Consortium

Before its brief mission ended unexpectedly in March 2016, Japan's Hitomi X-ray observatory captured exceptional information about the motions of hot gas in the Perseus galaxy cluster. Now, thanks to unprecedented detail provided by an instrument developed jointly by NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), scientists have been able to analyze more deeply the chemical make-up of this gas, providing new insights into the stellar explosions that formed most of these elements and cast them into space.

The Perseus cluster, located 240 million light-years away in its namesake constellation, is the brightest galaxy cluster in X-rays and among the most massive near Earth. It contains thousands of galaxies orbiting within a thin hot gas, all bound together by gravity. The gas averages 90 million degrees Fahrenheit (50 million degrees Celsius) and is the source of the cluster's X-ray emission.

Using Hitomi's high-resolution Soft X-ray Spectrometer (SXS) instrument, researchers observed the cluster between Feb. 25 and March 6, 2016, acquiring a total exposure of nearly 3.4 days. The SXS observed an unprecedented spectrum, revealing a landscape of X-ray peaks emitted from various chemical elements with a resolution some 30 times better than previously seen.

In a paper published online in the journal Nature on Nov. 13, the science team shows that the proportions of elements found in the cluster are nearly identical to what astronomers see in the Sun.

"There was no reason to expect that initially," said coauthor Michael Loewenstein, a University of Maryland research scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. "The Perseus cluster is a different environment with a different history from our Sun's. After all, clusters represent an average chemical distribution from many types of stars in many types of galaxies that formed long before the Sun."

One group of elements is closely tied to a particular class of stellar explosion, called Type Ia supernovas. These blasts are thought to be responsible for producing most of the universe's chromium, manganese, iron and nickelmetals collectively known as "iron-peak" elements.

Hitomi's Soft X-ray Spectrometer (SXS) instrument captured data from two overlapping areas of the Perseus galaxy cluster (blue outlines, upper right) in February and March 2016. The resulting spectrum has 30 times the detail of any previously captured, revealing many X-ray peaks associated with chromium, manganese, nickel and iron. Dark blue lines in the insets indicate the actual X-ray data points and their uncertainties. Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center

Type Ia supernovas entail the total destruction of a white dwarf, a compact remnant produced by stars like the Sun. Although stable on its own, a white dwarf can undergo a runaway thermonuclear explosion if it's paired with another object as part of a binary system. This occurs either by merging with a companion white dwarf or, when paired with a nearby normal star, by stealing some of partner's gas. The transferred matter can accumulate on the white dwarf, gradually increasing its mass until it becomes unstable and explodes.

An important open question has been whether the exploding white dwarf is close to this stability limitabout 1.4 solar massesregardless of its origins. Different masses produce different amounts of iron-peak metals, so a detailed tally of these elements over a large region of space, like the Perseus galaxy cluster, could indicate which kinds of white dwarfs blew up more often.

"It turns out you need a combination of Type Ia supernovas with different masses at the moment of the explosion to produce the chemical abundances we see in the gas at the middle of the Perseus cluster," said Hiroya Yamaguchi, the paper's lead author and a UMD research scientist at Goddard. "We confirm that at least about half of Type Ia supernovas must have reached nearly 1.4 solar masses."

Taken together, the findings suggest that the same combination of Type Ia supernovas producing iron-peak elements in our solar system also produced these metals in the cluster's gas. This means both the solar system and the Perseus cluster experienced broadly similar chemical evolution, suggesting that the processes forming starsand the systems that became Type Ia supernovaswere comparable in both locations.

"Although this is just one example, there's no reason to doubt that this similarity could extend beyond our Sun and the Perseus cluster to other galaxies with different properties," said coauthor Kyoko Matsushita, a professor of physics at the Tokyo University of Science.

Although short-lived, the Hitomi mission and its revolutionary SXS instrument developed and built by Goddard scientists working closely with colleagues from several institutions in the United States, Japan and the Netherlandshave demonstrated the promise of high-resolution X-ray spectrometry.

Illustration of Hitomi, an X-ray astronomy observatory. Credit: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)

"Hitomi has permitted us to delve deeper into the history of one of the largest structures in the universe, the Perseus galaxy cluster, and explore how particles and materials behave in the extreme conditions there," said Goddard's Richard Kelley, the U.S. principal investigator for the Hitomi collaboration. "Our most recent calculations have provided a glimpse into how and why certain chemical elements are distributed throughout galaxies beyond our own."

JAXA and NASA scientists are now working to regain the science capabilities lost in the Hitomi mishap by collaborating on the X-ray Astronomy Recovery Mission (XARM), expected to launch in 2021. One of its instruments will have capabilities similar to the SXS flown on Hitomi.

Hitomi launched on Feb. 17, 2016, and suffered a mission-ending spacecraft anomaly 38 days later. Hitomi, which translates to "pupil of the eye," was known before launch as ASTRO-H. The mission was developed by the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, a division of JAXA. It was built jointly by an international collaboration led by JAXA, with contributions from Goddard and other institutions in the United States, Japan, Canada and Europe.

More information: Felix Aharonian et al. Solar abundance ratios of the iron-peak elements in the Perseus cluster, Nature (2017). DOI: 10.1038/nature24301 Journal information: Nature
More than one-third of Latinos interviewed in a recent study believe science education may have a negative impact on the religious faith of their children, according to new research from sociologists at Rice University.

The study examined the relationship between STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education and religious faith from the perspective of blacks and Latinos, two groups that are among the most religious in the U.S. Study authors Daniel Bolger, a Rice Ph.D. student, and Elaine Howard Ecklund, founding director of the Religion and Public Life Program and the Herbert S. Autrey Chair in Social Sciences, conducted the study to investigate what impact parents think science education will have on their children's faith.

"Despite notable gains over the past 50 years, blacks and Latinos remain less likely than whites and most groups of Asians to pursue STEM careers," Bolger said. "However, previous research also suggests that churches help promote positive educational outcomes. We were very interested in examining the connection between science education and faith for individuals who attend black and Latino churches to see if we could understand more about why these disparities in pursuit of STEM careers persist."

Key findings from the study include:

Forty-three percent of Latinos interviewed believe science education could have a negative effect on a child's religious faith, compared with just 8 percent of African-Americans.

Nineteen percent of African-Americans interviewed believe science education could have a positive effect on a child's religious faith, compared with 14 percent of Latino respondents.

More than half (54 percent) of African-Americans interviewed said that the effect of science education on a child's religious faith depends on the influence of the family and the religious community, compared with just 21 percent of Latinos.

Nineteen percent of African-Americans interviewed said they were unconcerned about education affecting the faith of their children in any way, compared with 21 percent of Latinos.

Ecklund, the study's principal investigator, said that while these interview findings are not representative of the entire population, they do uncover important relationships that ought to be studied further in larger studies that are more representative.

"They also start an important move to take seriously the opinions of black and Latino congregants in the religion and science debates," Ecklund said.

Both Bolger and Ecklund hope that the research will help move discussions of religion and science education beyond debates about curriculum to exploring how perceptions of bias might shape the educational aspirations of religious students in black and Latino communities.

The researchers conducted qualitative interviews with 40 study participants (14 Latinos and 26 African-Americans) from four religious congregations in two urban areas. These people were selected from the larger Religious Understandings of Science study, which included a survey of over 10,000 people and in-depth interviews with 319 participants. The study focused on how both religious and nonreligious people perceive science.

More information: Daniel Bolger et al, Whose Authority? Perceptions of Science Education in Black and Latino Churches, Review of Religious Research (2017). DOI: 10.1007/s13644-017-0313-6
Fig. 1. Schematic diagram of the bacterial flagellar motor and a typical AFM image of purified MotPS complex. Credit: Osaka University

Bacteria swim in many different ways, and the motors that drive their swimming are widely varied, implying an adaptive response to an environment. One of the most commonly identified of such motors is flagella. Although providing motility is a primary feature of flagella, adhesive and other properties have also been attributed to them.

The flagellar motor consists of a rotor and a dozen stator units, and is driven by the energy created by ions when they migrate across the cell membrane. While the flagellar motor of some freshwater and enteric bacteria, such as Salmonella, is powered by protons (hydrogen ions, H+), which consists of four copies of the protein MotA and two copies of MotB, motors of other bacteria that live in salt water environments are powered by sodium ions (Na+).

In the case of Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) , a bacterium commonly found in the soil, the flagellar motor has two distinct types of stator units: H+-type MotAB and Na+-type MotPS. While the components are identified, the mechanism that powers the flagellar motor remains unknown. This mystery is further compounded by the fact that flagella are not clearly visible under the light microscope. These challenges set a team of Osaka University-centered researchers on a quest to elucidate the unknown mechanism. They reported their findings in Science Advances.

"Precise analyses of structural dynamics of the flagellar motor using high-speed atomic force microscopy (HS-AFM) combined with mutational analysis provided insights into the torque generation mechanism of the flagellar motor," the first author of the study Naoya Terahara says. "We made real-time observations of the Na+-induced structural changes to the domain of MotS that binds peptidoglycan, a polymer consisting of sugars and amino acids in bacteria."

Fig. 2. Real-time imaging of Na+-induced structural transitions of the MotPS complex by HS-AFM. Credit: Osaka University

To understand how the MotPS protein complex responds to changes in the environment, the researchers first characterized the torque-speed relationship of the B. subtilis motor over a wide range of Na+ concentrations. The maximum speed of the motor was decreased from about 200 to 80 Hz when the external Na+ concentration was increased from 0 to 200 mM, although the stall torque was not changed at all.

Notably, when the domain of MotB that binds to peptidoglycan was replaced by that of MotS, the chimeric motor maintained the same torque-speed curve as the MotAB motor in the presence of Na+ ions but not in the absence. This means that Na+ is the main driver of the assembly and activation of flagellar motor, regardless of its composition.

"In the absence of sodium ions, MotPS exists as an inactive form in the cytoplasmic membrane because MotSc, the C-terminal periplasmic domain of MotS, adopts an unfolded conformation. When the concentration of sodium ions is increased, the binding of the ions to MotSc induces the folding of the PGB domain and facilitates its dimerization in a highly cooperative manner," corresponding author Tohru Minamino says.

Through this study, the team has also demonstrated the feasibility of using HS-AFM combined with mutational analysis to study intricate bacterial structures, which can provide valuable insights for industrial production of commercially viable products, such as proteases and therapeutics, as in the case of the B. subtilis.

Fig. 3. Model for the Na+-induced assembly and disassembly of the MotPS stator complex. Credit: Osaka University

More information: Naoya Terahara et al. Na + -induced structural transition of MotPS for stator assembly of the Bacillus flagellar motor, Science Advances (2017). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aao4119 Journal information: Science Advances
Peruvian farmer Saul Luciano Lliuya stands outside the higher regional court of Hamm, western Germany

A Peruvian farmer won a small but significant legal victory Monday when a German court said his appeal against energy giant RWE, which he accuses of contributing to climate change that is threatening his Andean home, had merit.

After hearing oral arguments from both sides, the higher regional court in the western city of Hamm said Saul Luciano Lliuya's demand for damages from RWE was "admissible", paving the way for the case to proceed.

Luciano argues that RWE, as one of the world's top emitters of climate-altering carbon dioxide, must share in the cost of protecting his hometown Huaraz from a swollen glacier lake at risk of overflowing from melting snow and ice.

The appeal court's decision not to throw out the case immediately, as a lower court had done in the first instance last December, was hailed as a win by climate change activists.

The court in Hamm has written "legal history", said Klaus Milke, chairman of the pressure group Germanwatch that is advising Luciano.

"It's good news for the many potential plaintiffs worldwide who will be emboldened to take action themselves," he told AFP.

The Hamm court said it would give both sides until November 30 to provide further arguments before deciding on the next steps, but that it was "likely" the case would proceed to hearing evidence.

David vs Goliath

After the decision, RWE reiterated its view that the complaint was "not acceptable" and was even "unjustified," arguing that a single company cannot be held liable for specific consequences of climate change.

A lower court in the German city of Essen, where RWE is based, initially found that the lawsuit against RWE was unfounded.

Luciano, who is also a mountain guide, was all smiles as he left the court building. German media have likened his fight against RWE to a "David versus Goliath" battle.

"I would like to return home to the mountains and tell the people that I was able to do something for them," the father-of-two told reporters ahead of Monday's hearing.

Members of environmentalist organisation "Fossil Free" hold up a poster reading, "RWE should pay for climate damages" in front of a court in Hamm, western Germany

Luciano wants RWE to pay 17,000 euros ($20,000) to help pay for flood defences for his community in Peru's northern Ancash region.

The 37-year-old also wants the German company to reimburse him for the 6,384 euros he himself has spent on protective measures.

Luciano bases his claims on a 2013 climate study which found that RWE was responsible for 0.5 percent of global emissions "since the beginning of industrialisation".

He says this makes the firm at least partly responsible for his plight.

Climate in spotlight

RWE, Germany's second-largest electricity producer, has long insisted the Peruvian's case has no legal basis.

RWE has in the past said it did not understand why it has been singled out for legal action, stressing the efforts the company had made to become more environmentally friendly.

As well as modernising its coal-fired power plants to reduce CO2 emissions, RWE has invested billions in renewable energy as part of Germany's move away from fossil fuels, it says.

Luciano's lawyer Roda Verheyen said earlier Monday that she believes her client has a winnable case that could set a precedent for so-called "climate justice" cases.

The case comes as climate change is once again in the global spotlight with the UN climate talks taking place in Bonn, a two-hour drive away from the Hamm courthouse.

Thousands of diplomats from around the world have gathered there to negotiate the "rulebook" for the 2015 Paris climate agreement, which goes into effect in 2020.

The pact calls for capping global warming at "well under" two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels, and 1.5 C if possible.

 2017 AFP
Survivors sit in front of buildings damaged by an earthquake, in Sarpol-e-Zahab, western Iran, Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. A powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake that struck the Iraq-Iran border region killed more than three hundred people in both countries, sent people fleeing their homes into the night and was felt as far west as the Mediterranean coast, authorities reported on Monday. (AP Photo/Omid Salehi)

Rescuers dug with their bare hands Monday through the debris of buildings brought down by a powerful earthquake that killed more than 400 people in the once-contested mountainous border region between Iraq and Iran, with nearly all of the victims in an area rebuilt since the end of the ruinous 1980s war.

Sunday night's magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck about 19 miles (31 kilometers) outside the eastern Iraqi city of Halabja, according to the most recent measurements from the U.S. Geological Survey. It hit at 9:48 p.m. Iran time, just as people were going to bed.

The worst damage appeared to be in the Kurdish town of Sarpol-e-Zahab in the western Iranian province of Kermanshah, which sits in the Zagros Mountains that divide Iran and Iraq.

Residents fled into the streets as the quake struck, without time to grab their possessions, as apartment complexes collapsed into rubble. Outside walls of some complexes were sheared off by the quake, power and water lines were severed, and telephone service was disrupted.

Residents dug frantically through wrecked buildings for survivors as they wailed. Firefighters from Tehran joined other rescuers in the desperate search, using dogs to inspect the rubble.

The hospital in Sarpol-e-Zahab was heavily damaged, and the army set up field hospitals, although many of the injured were moved to other cities, including Tehran.

In this photo provided by Tasnim News Agency, relatives weep over the bodies of earthquake victims, in Sarpol-e-Zahab, in western Iran, Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. Authorities reported that a powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck the Iraq-Iran border region on Monday and killed more than three hundred people in both countries, sent people fleeing their homes into the night and was felt as far west as the Mediterranean coast. (Farzad Menati/Tasnim News Agency via AP)

It also damaged an army garrison and buildings in the border city and killed an unspecified number of soldiers, according to reports.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei immediately dispatched all government and military forces to aid those affected.

Many of the heavily damaged complexes in Sarpol-e-Zahab were part of construction projects under former hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The newly homeless slept outside in cold, huddled around makeshift fires for warmth, wrapped in blanketsas were the dead.

The quake killed 407 people in Iran and injured 7,156 others, Iran's crisis management headquarters spokesman Behnam Saeedi told state TV. He said most were treated for minor injuries and released, with fewer than 1,000 still hospitalized.

The number of dead came from the provincial forensic department based on death certificates issued. Some reports said authorities warned that unauthorized burials without certification could mean the death toll was higher.

A woman mourns as she holds the body of her daughter, who died in an earthquake, in Sarpol-e-Zahab, western Iran, Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. Authorities reported that a powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck the Iraq-Iran border region on Monday and killed more than three hundred people in both countries, sent people fleeing their homes into the night and was felt as far west as the Mediterranean coast. (Mosleh Pirkhezranian/Islamic Republic News Agency, via AP)

In Iraq, the earthquake killed at least seven people and injured 535 others, all in the country's northern, semiautonomous Kurdish region, according to its Interior Ministry.

The disparity in the fatality figures immediately drew questions from Iranians, especially because so much of the town was new.

The earthquake struck 14.4 miles (23.2 kilometers) below the surface, a shallow depth that can have broader damage. Magnitude 7 earthquakes on their own are capable of widespread, heavy damage.

The quake caused Dubai's skyscrapers to sway and could be felt 1,060 kilometers (660 miles) away on the Mediterranean coast. Nearly 120 aftershocks followed.

Kokab Fard, a 49-year-old housewife in Sarpol-e-Zahab, said she could only flee empty-handed when her apartment complex collapsed.

In this photo provided by the Iranian Students News Agency, ISNA, a rescue worker searches debris for survivors with his sniffing dog after an earthquake at the city of Sarpol-e-Zahab in western Iran, Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. A powerful earthquake shook the Iran-Iraq border late Sunday, killing more than two hundreds people, Iranian state media said. (Pouria Pakizeh/ISNA via AP)

"Immediately after I managed to get out, the building collapsed," Fard said. "I have no access to my belongings."

Reza Mohammadi, 51, said he and his family ran into the alley following the first shock.

"I tried to get back to pick some stuff, but it totally collapsed in the second wave," Mohammadi said.

Khamenei offered his condolences as President Hassan Rouhani's office said Iran's elected leader would tour the damaged areas Tuesday. Authorities also set up relief camps and hundreds lined up to donate blood in Tehran, though some on state television complained about the slowness of aid coming.

Sarpol-e-Zahab fell to the Iraqi troops of dictator Saddam Hussein during his 1980 invasion of Iran, which sparked the eight-year war between the two countries that killed 1 million people. Though clawed back by Iran seven months later, the area remained a war zone that suffered through Saddam's missile attacks and chemical weapons.

In this photo provided by Tasnim News Agency, relatives weep over the body of an earthquake victim, in Sarpol-e-Zahab, western Iran, Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. Authorities reported that a powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck the Iraq-Iran border region on Monday and killed more than three hundred people in both countries, sent people fleeing their homes into the night and was felt as far west as the Mediterranean coast. (Farzad Menati/Tasnim News Agency via AP)

After the war, Iran began rebuilding the town. It also was part of Ahmadinejad's low-income housing project, which aided the Holocaust-questioning hard-liner's populist credentials but also saw homes cheaply constructed.

Under the plan dubbed as Mehr or "kindness" in Farsi, some 2 million units were built across the country, including hundreds in Sarpol-e Zahab. Many criticized the plan, warning that the low-quality construction could lead to a disaster.

"Before its 10-year anniversary, Mehr buildings have turned into coffins for its inhabitants," the reformist Fararu news website wrote Monday.

In Iraq, the quake shook buildings from Irbil to the capital of Baghdad, where people fled into the streets.

Iraqi seismologist Abdul-Karim Abdullah Taqi, who runs the earthquake monitoring group at the state-run Meteorological Department, said the main reason for the lower casualty figure in Iraq was the angle and direction of the fault line in this particular quake, as well as the nature of the Iraqi geological formations that could better absorb the shocks.

In this photo provided by the Iranian Students News Agency, ISNA, a rescue worker searches debris for survivors with his sniffing dog after an earthquake at the city of Sarpol-e-Zahab in western Iran, Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. A powerful earthquake shook the Iran-Iraq border late Sunday, killing more than two hundreds people, Iranian state media said. (Pouria Pakizeh/ISNA via AP)

Amina Mohammed of Darbandikhan, Iraq, said she and her sons escaped their home as it collapsed around them.

"I think it was only God that saved us," she said. "I screamed to God and it must have been him to stop the stairs from entirely collapsing on us."

Residents were clearing the rubble from the streets of Darbandikhan, about 10 kilometers from the Iranian border.

The quake did visible damage to a dam at Darbandikhan that holds back the Diyala River.

"There are horizontal and vertical cracks on the road and in the body of the dam and parts of the dam sank lower," said Rahman Hani, the director of the dam.

In this photo provided by the Iranian Students News Agency, ISNA, destroyed buildings and a car are seen after an earthquake at the city of Sarpol-e-Zahab in western Iran, Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. A powerful earthquake shook the Iran-Iraq border late Sunday, killing more than one hundred people and injuring some 800 in the mountainous region of Iran alone, state media there said. (Pouria Pakizeh/ISNA via AP)

No dams were damaged in Iran, the government in Tehran said.

Halabja, closest to the epicenter, is notorious for the 1988 chemical attack in which Saddam killed some 5,000 people with mustard gasthe deadliest chemical weapons attack ever against civilians.

Turkey dispatched emergency aid to northern Iraq as officials expressed their "deep sadness" at the disaster. Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said his country acted immediately to provide medical and food aid to northern Iraq.

Kerem Kinik, the Turkish Red Crescent's vice president, told The Associated Press from the Habur border crossing that 33 aid trucks were en route to Sulaimaniyah, Iraq, carrying 3,000 tents and heaters, 10,000 beds and blankets, as well as food.

Relations between Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdish region and Turkey were strained following the Iraqi Kurds' September independence referendum.

In this photo provided by the Iranian Students News Agency, ISNA, survivors of the earthquake warm themselves in front of destroyed buildings at the city of Sarpol-e-Zahab in western Iran, Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. A powerful earthquake shook the Iran-Iraq border late Sunday, killing more than one hundred people and injuring some 800 in the mountainous region of Iran alone, state media there said. (Pouria Pakizeh/ISNA via AP)

Pakistan's government also extended condolences for the loss of life and injuries suffered by "our Iranian and Iraqi brethren."

Pope Francis offered prayers for the dead and urged strength to rescue crews looking for survivors.

Iran sits on many major fault lines and is prone to near-daily quakes. In 2003, a magnitude 6.6 earthquake flattened the historic city of Bam, killing 26,000 people. The last major casualty earthquake in Iran struck in East Azerbaijan province in August 2012, killing over 300 people.

In this photo provided by the Iranian Students News Agency, ISNA, people look at destroyed buildings after an earthquake at the city of Sarpol-e-Zahab in western Iran, Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. A powerful earthquake shook the Iran-Iraq border late Sunday, killing more than one hundred people and injuring some 800 in the mountainous region of Iran alone, state media there said. (Pouria Pakizeh/ISNA via AP)

In this photo provided by the Iranian Students News Agency, ISNA, a car lays smashed by debris from the earthquake at the city of Sarpol-e-Zahab in western Iran, Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. A powerful earthquake shook the Iran-Iraq border late Sunday, killing more than one hundred people and injuring some 800 in the mountainous region of Iran alone, state media there said. (Pouria Pakizeh/ISNA via AP)

People sit on the roof of a destroyed house after an earthquake, in the city of Darbandikhan, northern Iraq, Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. A powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake near the Iraq-Iran border has killed over 350 people across both countries, sent residents fleeing their homes into the night and was felt as far away as the Mediterranean coast. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

People stand in the street after feeling aftershocks from an earthquake in Baghdad, Iraq, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017. The deadly earthquake hit the region along the border between Iran and Iraq on Sunday. The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake was centered 19 miles (31 kilometers) outside the eastern Iraqi city of Halabja. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)

People stand in the street after feeling aftershocks from an earthquake in Baghdad, Iraq, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017. The deadly earthquake hit the region along the border between Iran and Iraq on Sunday. The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake was centered 19 miles (31 kilometers) outside the eastern Iraqi city of Halabja. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)

People stand in the street after feeling aftershocks from an earthquake in Baghdad, Iraq, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017. The deadly earthquake hit the region along the border between Iran and Iraq on Sunday. The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake was centered 19 miles (31 kilometers) outside the eastern Iraqi city of Halabja. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)

In this photo provided by Tasnim News Agency, people carry their belongings in Sarpol-e-Zahab, western Iran, Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. Authorities reported that a powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck the Iraq-Iran border region on Monday and killed more than three hundred people in both countries, sent people fleeing their homes into the night and was felt as far west as the Mediterranean coast. (Farzad Menati/Tasnim News Agency via AP)

A man takes a picture on the rubble of a destroyed structure near Darbandikhan Lake after an earthquake, in the city of Darbandikhan, northern Iraq, Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. A powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake near the Iraq-Iran border has killed over 350 people across both countries, sent residents fleeing their homes into the night and was felt as far away as the Mediterranean coast. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Researchers were surprised to find a rare, wild alligator snapping turtle in a creek in southern Illinois, the first found in the state since 1984. Credit: Eva Kwiatek

Researchers report the first sighting in 30 years of a wild alligator snapping turtle in Illinois. The discovery may be a sign of hope for this state-endangered species, or the animal could be the last of its kind to have survived in Illinois without human intervention, the researchers say.

The team reports the find in the journal Southeastern Naturalist.

In October 2014, when Illinois Natural History Survey herpetologist Chris Phillips donned a wetsuit and dove to the bottom of Clear Creek in Union County, Illinois, he was looking for a young male alligator snapping turtle with a radio transmitter on its back. That turtle had recently been released in the area to bolster the state-endangered turtle population in southwest Illinois.

"I was just about out of breath when I felt the turtle shell," Phillips said. "I thought I had found the male turtle I knew was there because I detected its radio signal. I felt along its back to where I thought the shell should end, but my hand just kept going."

Phillips plucked from the water a 22-pound, 15-inch long female alligator snapping turtle that was twice as long as the one he was looking for, and at least 18 years old. Since she had no tracking device, she was not one of the turtles that had been released into the area. DNA tests showed that she belonged at the site and was not a lone traveler from a southern state. Southern Illinois is at the northern end of the turtle species' range.

For years, INHS researchers have conducted extensive trapping, and have called for citizen observations along Clear Creek for signs of wild alligator snapping turtles, but to no avail. Populations of this state-endangered species have declined because of habitat changes including dams, drained swamps and river dredging. Only Union and Jackson counties offer the habitat that the turtles need to reproduce and thrive. Locating any wild turtles in these counties will help determine the next steps - whether to preserve a population or reintroduce more alligator snapping turtles in Illinois.

"Bolstering a hidden population of an endangered species is better than starting a new population in the area," said Ethan Kessler, a graduate student of natural resources and environmental sciences at the University of Illinois and a co-author of the study. "However, since no wild alligator snapping turtles have been found in Illinois since 1984, reintroduction efforts make sense."

U. of I. graduate student Ethan Kessler holds a 18-year-old alligator snapping turtle discovered in southern Illinois. Credit: Eva Kwiatek

For several years, researchers have purchased turtles reared in a facility and released them at ages 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6. They also released about 90 adult turtles. Most of the animals go into creeks with radio transmitters attached to their backs so they can be relocated and tracked.

Researchers were conducting their biannual catch-and-release program when they found the wild turtle, close to the same spot and 30 years, almost to the day, after their last wild alligator snapping turtle was found.

"Finding this individual does not indicate that there is a functional, stable population of wild alligator snapping turtles in Southern Illinois," Kessler said. "When a population dies out, a single turtle may wander around like a zombie waiting for the end of its days."

Alligator snapping turtles can live 100 years, so the researchers working on this project today likely will not witness the advancing seasons of this female's life. After finding her, the team marked her shell with a notch and attached a radio transmitter to her back for tracking. The transmitter battery died, however, and finding her again in the sediment-filled depths of Clear Creek or elsewhere would be like finding a needle in a haystack, Phillips said.

"She is marked, so in case of an incidental encounter, we will know it's her," he said.

One of the challenges of tracking turtles that have been introduced in Illinois is that they disappear underwater and may not be seen again until divers retrieve them.

"If we succeed with our project in introducing a new, viable population of alligator snapping turtles, it's likely that no one will see them," Phillips said. "It's not as if we're studying bald eagles that soar above us. I may never know the fate of these turtles, but it's cool to know that this wild space exists in Illinois."

The alligator snapping turtle is listed as threatened in the U.S.

More information: Ethan J. Kessler et al, The First Record of an Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) in Illinois in 30 Years, Southeastern Naturalist (2017). DOI: 10.1656/058.016.0316
The package worth Rs 3,000 crore was recommended by a task force set up under CII-NITI Aayog Cleaner Air initiative earlier this year.

The smog is blamed on crop burning in Punjab & Haryana

By Harish V Nair: Hearing a plea seeking an urgent ban on stubble burning, believed to be the main cause of worsening smog, the Supreme Court on Monday said an "emergency-like situation" existed in Delhi and surrounding areas. A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra issued notices to the Centre and the state governments of Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi seeking steps taken to address the crisis. Some expeditious action in the matter is called for... the prevailing condition is like an emergency," the Bench said.

advertisement

Misra made the remarks as SC lawyer RK Kapoor mentioned the matter before the CJI bench seeking its direction to control pollution in Delhi and NCR.

Kapoor said rise in dust particles on roads and stubble burning in neighbouring Haryana and Punjab have led to an alarming rise in pollution levels.

Kapoor argued that stubble burning could have been avoided if the Centre and states concerned had agreed on a formula to share the burden of a newly finalised financial incentive package to dissuade farmers from burning crop waste.

The package worth Rs 3,000 crore was recommended by a task force set up under CII-NITI Aayog Cleaner Air initiative earlier this year.

In its report, the task force had argued that farmers needed financial help in shifting to alternative ways of dealing with the agricultural waste.

"Satellite images indicate enforcement of ban on stubble burning in Punjab, Haryana and UP has not been implemented fully and there has been significant level of stubble burning," Kapoor's petition said.

"Incidents of stubble burning increase during post harvesting period as farmers prepare their fields for the next sowing season."

The CPCB has blamed the smog on fall in temperature, increased cloud cover, lower wind speed and winds at higher altitudes carrying pollutants from neighbouring states.

--- ENDS ---
Singapore is slowly becoming a financial technology hub. The country has emerged as a worthy competitor to the likes of London when it comes to drawing intellectual and funding capital. Efforts by the Monetary Authority of Singapore  geared towards enhancing new technology and innovation  has helped the country zip into the pole position in the Fintech space.

MASs Fintech Focus

The countrys central bank has already published an Industry Transformation Map (ITM) that it says will cement the countrys status as a leading financial sector in Asia. The primary goal is to make the country a leading international wealth management hub as well as a fund management and domiciliation hub.

To achieve this goal, MAS plans to build private market funding platforms and make the country an Asian infrastructure financing hub. There are also plans to create centralized blockchain platforms. 4,000 new jobs should come into being by 2020, thanks to efforts put in place to shore up the financial services and Fintech sectors.

Blockchain To Curb Fraud & Enhance Trade

MAS has also already inked a Fintech collaboration deal with Hong Kong to foster collaboration on business referrals, joint innovation projects as well as information sharing. The countrys central bank is also paying close watch to blockchain technologies as it looks for ways to expand interbank payments to create cross-border payment systems.

Blockchain holds the promise of reducing risks of fraud in invoice financing, something that could be of great help to the trade-dependent Singapore economy.

Singapore is also planning to create a digital marketplace where Asean banks will be able to access Fintech services to boost the level of financial inclusion. The plan involves creating a cloud-based platform that traditional banks can use to access Fintech solutions.

Focusing on the entire financial sector rather one new development is essential, if MAS is to succeed in transforming the countrys entire financial services market.

Story continues

ASEAN Interconnectivity

Enhancing interconnectivity of the financial sector in the region should help Asian growth companies get access to a wider network of investors. Infrastructure projects should in return be able to gain funding more broadly, which should accelerate growth in the region.

Singapore could likely have the most number of Fintech partnerships in the world as MAS continues to pursue more agreements to strengthen the countrys financial and technology sectors. Payment projects with the ability to connect all countries in the Asean block are slowly coming up as part of an effort that seeks to enhance e-commerce and person to person transfers.

Financial Sector Digital Transformations

In addition to encouraging the development and usage of blockchain technologies, MAS is also planning to shore up the banking sector. In the future, bank staff will be equipped with new skills such as sales quality and assurance and analytics. The role of data scientists, on the other hand, will go beyond preparing data sets and making decisions based on data.

Digital transformations are poised to erode some jobs in the financial sector. For instance, the use of robotics advisers is already threatening the role of financial advisers. However, for Singapore to strengthen its position in the Fintech space there is a price to be paid. Amidst stiff competition from China and other countries in the region, Singapore would have to pay the ultimate price to stay ahead.

Sim S Lim, DBS Singapore Country Head, said: We already are a leading financial center, but have to continue to innovate to stay ahead. If we dont adapt, we could be marginalized.

The Most Highly Anticipated Fintech Event of the year  Singapore Fintech Festival





Source: Singapore Fintech Festival

As a highlight to how far Singapore has come in the fintech space, the Swiss Pavilion will play host to the second edition of the Singapore Fintech Festival from November 13 to 17. This years event will bring together startups, investors, financial institutions and government agencies under one roof to discuss and showcase developments in the Fintech space.

Startups in attendance will participate in the Hackcelerator and learn more from industry leaders and experts. They will also be able to visit innovation labs to share ideas. Investors, on the other hand, will be able to source for deals and listen to pitches at the Hackcelerator Demo Day. They will also be able to share knowledge with fellow industry leaders.

The FinTech Festival provides a great platform for fintech startups to engage with and learn from thought leaders and disruptive Fintech companies (from across the globe), said Kelvin Teo, CEO and Co-founder of fintech startup Funding Societies.

Fintech Awards

Financial institutions in attendance will also be submitting implemented solutions for the Fintech Awards in addition to hearing from various financial regulators in the conferences.

To be sure, the inaugural Fintech Awards last year was a resounding success, and was particularly helpful for fintech startups like Funding Societies. The P2P digital funding startup was awarded the third place in the Singapore SME category in 2016, and received a $50,000 cash prize.

The MAS FinTech Award was a major recognition and encouragement to FinTech startups, Teo told ZUU Online. It differentiated us from an increasingly crowded peer-to-peer (P2P) digital financing space in Singapore. It was also a stepping stone to the global stage, as we were subsequently recognised as Top 250 FinTech firms globally by CB Insights and our Indonesia sister company Modalku received the Global SME Excellence Award at the United Nations ITU Telecom World in Korea.

Exhibitors

Six Swiss exhibitors will make presentations at this years event. The six will make presentations touching on digital offers, security solutions as well as personalized technology

Gate B, a data consultancy firm, will make presentations on how clients can visualize customer data to make personalized business decisions. Smart Valor on the other hand is a blockchain based marketplace that is to showcase how to offer security in open network.

NetGuardians, a leading Fintech company that uses a unique approach to detect fraud and risk assurance solutions, will also be in attendance. The firms proprietary solution leverages the power of big data to correlate and analyse behaviour across the entire banking system. The Swiss Fintech company is to make a presentation touching on ways to detect fraud before it happens.

FORCS Singapore, a leader in e-Form enterprise reporting, will roll out its latest chatbot e-form at this years Fintech event. The new feature for tablet banking system is designed to woo banks and financial institutions that are yet to deploy the latest customer interaction methods.

The chatbot e-form is expected to boost FORCS existing tablet banking system, by allowing users to input data with voice into an eform without having to key anything. The new system seeks to take advantage of the fact that more customers are using their mobile devices to perform banking transactions.

Fintech investments are set to hit fresh records this years according to a report by CB insights. Venture-backed startups raised more than $5 billion in new investments for the first nine months of the year, fast closing in on $6.3 billion raised the entire of last year.

However, support from MAS may continue to be crucial to the development in the industry for some years to come. Since its push to Fintech in 2015, Singapore has become a destination of choice to many homegrown and foreign FinTech startups. However, many huge regional tech companies are not keen to partner our local FinTech startups who are still very young, said Funding Societies Teo.

FinTech cuts across multiple areas and FinTech startups can use all the support it can get from related government agencies. Both take significant effort and dialogues which likely only MAS can facilitate, until the industry matures.

This article first appeared on ZUUOnline.Sg.

(By Neha Gupta)

Related Articles

- CFD Platforms And Their Features  A Comparison

- Warning to Beginners: Avoid the Indicator Trap

- Volume Spread Analysis  Spotting the Hidden Clues in Volume
A poster depicting Saad al-Hariri, who has resigned as Lebanon's prime minister is seen in Beirut, Lebanon, November 13, 2017. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir

By Samia Nakhoul

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanese politicians and bankers believe Saudi Arabia intends to do to their country what it did to Qatar - corral Arab allies into enforcing an economic blockade unless its demands are met.

Unlike Qatar, the world's biggest supplier of liquefied natural gas with a population of just 300,000, Lebanon has neither the natural nor financial resources to ride it out, and people there are worried.

Up to 400,000 Lebanese work in the Gulf region, and remittances flowing back into the country, estimated at between $7-8 billion a year, are a vital source of cash to keep the economy afloat and the heavily-indebted government functioning.

"These are serious threats to the Lebanese economy which is already dire. If they cut the transfer of remittances, that will be a disaster," a senior Lebanese official told Reuters.

Those threats came from Lebanon's former prime minister, Saad al-Hariri, who resigned on Nov. 4 in a shock broadcast from Riyadh that Lebanese political leaders have ascribed to pressure from the Saudis.

Hariri, an ally of Saudi Arabia, on Sunday warned of possible Arab sanctions and a danger to the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of Lebanese living in the Gulf.

And he spelled out Saudi conditions for Lebanon to avoid sanctions: Hezbollah, the Iran-backed group that is Lebanon's main political power and part of the ruling coalition, must stop meddling in regional conflicts, particularly Yemen.

According to a Lebanese source familiar with Saudi thinking, Hariri's interview "gave an indication of what might be waiting for us if a real compromise is not reached. The playbook is there in Qatar."

Hariri's resignation has thrust Lebanon to the centre of an escalating rivalry between Sunni Saudi Arabia and Shi'ite Iran.

The non-confrontational Saudi policy of the past towards Lebanon has gone, analysts say, under the new leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, 32-year-old son of King Salman.

Story continues

He is now the de facto ruler of the kingdom, running its military, political and economic affairs.

Whether Iran and Hezbollah are willing to make significant concessions to Riyadh is doubtful, sources said.

"They (Hezbollah) might make some cosmetic concessions, but they won't submit to the Saudi conditions," a source familiar with Hezbollah thinking said.

"BALL IN HEZBOLLAH'S COURT"

Lebanese analyst Sarkis Naoum said Riyadh wanted Hariri to return to Lebanon and press President Michel Aoun to open dialogue and address their conditions on Hezbollah's regional interventions.

"They need to come up with a position that will be satisfactory to the Saudis ... If the Saudis decide on sanctions they will do it," Naoum said.

A source close to Hariri said he had "put the ball in the court of Aoun, Hezbollah and its allies, by saying 'business cannot continue as usual.'

"There was no sugar-coating. The sanctions were spelled out clearly. They want Lebanon to be disassociated from Hezbollah".

Aoun has welcomed comments that the former premier planned to return home soon, palace sources said on Monday.

Saudi frustration with Lebanon seems to have boiled over after a string of setbacks to its foreign policy.

Riyadh has been bogged down in the war it launched against Iran-allied Houthi rebels in Yemen in 2015.

Saudi Arabia has accused Iran and Hezbollah of backing the Houthis, and also said Hezbollah had a role in firing a ballistic missile from Yemen towards Riyadh earlier this month.

Hezbollah and Iran's involvement in Syria has also transformed the war in favour of President Bashar al-Assad, while Saudi support for Sunni rebels in Syria's civil war have amounted to little.

Hezbollah, a movement with a heavily armed fighting force in addition to seats in parliament and government, is Iran's spearhead in the region.

Tehran's Revolutionary Guard looks to be trying to replicate it by building coalitions of militia groups in Iraq and Syria, according to some analysts.

The list of potential sanctions against Lebanon, political sources there say, could include a ban on flights, visas, exports and transfer of remittances.

Some of those have been imposed on Qatar, but that blockade, initiated in June, has had limited effect on the emirate so far, beyond driving it closer to Iran.

NEW SAUDI POLICY

Allegiance to foreign backers is not new to Lebanon. Sunnis have always looked to Saudi Arabia for support and funding while Shi'ite Lebanese tended to turn to Tehran and Hezbollah.

"The Lebanese have always been agents of foreign powers. They take their money, make promises, commitments and alliances," Naoum said. But while Hezbollah fulfilled its promises to Iran, Sunni factions let Riyadh down, he said.

Thanks in part to Iranian investment in the group, Hezbollah now calls the shots in the Lebanese capital as well as playing a pivotal role in Syria and elsewhere in the Middle East.

Riyadh has historically channelled billions of dollars to Lebanon to help its reconstruction after the 1975-90 civil war and following massive Israeli incursions of south Lebanon.

Now it appears ready to do serious economic damage to Lebanon that could weaken Hezbollah's standing at home and in the region, should its demands not be met.

The Saudi conditions are causing alarm among some Lebanese, who have long viewed Hezbollah as a "state-within-a-state". Many believe the solution is outside the control of local players.

"Lebanon will pay the price," a top Lebanese banker told Reuters. "The only pressure the Saudis have is economic ... they can put pressure by imposing sanctions that can hurt."

(Additional reporting by Ellen Francis and Laila Bassam; Editing by Mike Collett-White)
Li Shengwu in the US in August 2017. Photo: Reuters

The Attorney-Generals Chambers (AGC) has followed through with contempt of court proceedings against Li Shengwu, the eldest son of Lee Hsien Yang and nephew of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

The first pre-trial conference took place on Monday (13 November) at the Supreme Court. Yahoo News Singapore first reported that the AGC was proceeding with the case last week, citing sources familiar with the matter.

Abraham Vergis of Providence Law told Yahoo News Singapore that he had been engaged to represent Li, 32, a junior fellow at Harvard University.

Vergis said that no charges against Li were mentioned at the pre-trial conference, but that the specific charge was in the originating summons that had been filed by the AGC earlier.

He added that he informed the court that he needed time to review the court papers and that Senior Counsel Francis Ng had no objection to that. The case has therefore been adjourned to 4 December, where there will be another pre-trial conference to update the court about the status.

The case stems from a Facebook post Li made in July this year, relating to the dispute over his late grandfather Lee Kuan Yews home at 38 Oxley Road. The private post included a line that the Singapore government is very litigious and has a pliant court system. The AGC called the post an egregious and baseless attack on the judiciary.

Li later clarified that his post was not an attack on the judiciary. Rather, he said it was intended to criticise the litigious nature of the Singapore government and its effect on media freedom.

In August, AGC filed an application in the High Court to commence committal proceedings against Li for contempt of court over the post.

Li later amended the post, and he said the AGC had conceded that he did not need to delete the Facebook post after that.

Related articles:
ANA has opened the first overseas Japan Gourmet Hall at Changi Airport T2. (Photos: Japan Gourmet Hall SORA/Facebook)

Fans of Japanese food are in for a treat, as the much-anticipated Japan Gourmet Hall SORA will officially open at Changi Airport Terminal 2 on Tuesday (14 November).

Occupying 7,760 sq ft of space, this will be the largest restaurant across all four terminals of Changi Airport. The 300-seater food hall will house six Japanese restaurant brands that serve dishes such as ramen, sashimi, tendon, okonomiyaki, and fusion Japanese food, desserts and beverages.

The six restaurant brands include Tendon Kohaku, Menya Takeichi, Kuro Maguro, Tokyo Sundubu, Tsuruhasi Fugetsu and Japoli Kitchen.

SORA Bar at Japan gourmet food hall SORA. (Photo: Yahoo Lifestyle Singapore)

There is also a bar, SORA Bar, where customers can order desserts, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages such as sake and the Singapore Sling.

All the tables at the food hall come with charging points, and for those who want to immerse themselves further in Japanese culture while dining, there are tatami seating options available.

Tatami seating options are available at the new Japan gourmet food hall SORA. (Photo: Yahoo Lifestyle Singapore)

Earlier in August, Yahoo Lifestyle Singapore reported that Japan Gourmet Hall Sora is a joint venture between SG Retail Partners, ANA Trading and Komars Group, who are also behind the multi-concept dining enclave, Eat At Seven, at Suntec City.

This is the first time that ANA Trading  the trading arm of Japanese airline company, All Nippon Airways, is operating a food hall outside of Japan. The name, SORA, translates to sky in Japanese.

According to Kazuhiro Nakao, project director of retail business development for ANA Trading and director of SG Retail Partners, the new food hall is part of the companys strategy to expand its business in the South East Asia region.

James Fong, vice president of Landside Concessions at Changi Airport Group, said, We are pleased that ANA Trading has chosen Changi Airport as the worlds first airport outside Japan to launch SORA, bringing together the best of Japanese cuisine, ambience and service.

Heres a preview of the new eatery:



Other stories:

Follow Yahoo Lifestyle Singapore on Facebook.
In a recent discovery with the European Union project, scientists found an 80 million year old Dinosaur-Era Shark.

By India Today Television, India Today Web Desk: Scientists have recently discovered a shark from the Dinosaur era with 300 teeth at the Algarve coast .

Scientists believed it to be a living fossil with a body like a snake but the jaws of a terrifying sea predator. The discovery was made by researchers who were working on a European Union project in the area as reported by the BBC.

advertisement

The research was originally meant to minimize unwanted catches in commercial fishing," the researchers told SIC Noticisas TV.

However, unknowingly scientists unearthed one of the most ancient animals to have lived on the surface of this planet.

The existence of this sea predator dates back to 80 million years.

According to the scientists, the species is said to have remained unevolved since the Cretaceous Period, when the Tyrannosaurus Rex and Triceratops roamed the planet.

The scientists named the Shark "Chlamydoselachus anguineus". The Shark is said to get its name from the frilled arrangement of its 300 teeth.

According to the Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere, the male fish measured 1.5 meters in length and was captured at a depth of 701 meters.

Professor Margarida Castro of the University of the Algarve told Sic Noticias that the shark has 300 teeth, "which allows it to trap squid, fish and other sharks in sudden lunges".

Scientists on the other hand are still unable to understand the reason behind the survival of this species when other prehistoric creatures have become completely extinct.

Scientists however believe that 90 per cent of the world's deep waters still remain unexplored. It has also been speculated that the frilled shark influenced 19th century sailors stories of sea serpents.

--- ENDS ---
By John O'Donnell FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Europe's top markets regulator has warned investors about the pitfalls of buying newly issued crypto coins, an experimental and unregulated form of online crowd funding particularly used by start-up businesses. The European Securities and Markets Watchdog (ESMA) said on Monday such Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) were unregulated, volatile, not transparent and technologically untested. "ICOs are extremely risky and highly speculative investments," the agency said, adding there was a risk of "the total loss of your investment". "Many of the coins or tokens ... have no intrinsic value other than ... to use them to access or use a service/product," said the agency, warning coin issuers they may be subject to existing regulations. After Swiss and Wall Street regulators, ESMA is the latest to demand tighter scrutiny of cryptocurrencies. China has banned ICOs. By creating and issuing digital tokens, entrepreneurs can sometimes raise tens of millions of dollars within hours - with little regulatory oversight. Token holders are generally not given a share in a project or security. ICOs have fueled a rapid rise in the value of all cryptocurrencies, from about $17 billion at the start of the year to a record high of close to $180 billion in early September. (Reporting by John O'Donnell; Editing by Mark Potter)
Photo: Mummy and Daddy Daycare

Back in May, we posted about our visit to Legoland Malaysia, where we said we wished we had more time to sit on more rides. Our 4.5-year-old (nicknamed Barnacles) enjoyed himself so much during our first visit that he had repeatedly been asking whether we could head up to Legoland again in the near future. Just around the same time, Daddy was given the chance to try The Great LEGO Race VR Coaster  the worlds first Lego virtual reality roller coaster ride  and we decided to take a drive up.

What you can expect to see at the entry to The Great Lego Race. Photo: LEGOLAND Malaysia

If you are an adrenaline junkie who loves roller coasters, or just love Lego and racing vehicles, you and your kids might like the latest VR coaster that replaces Legolands three existing Project X roller coasters. The provided VR headset helps to conjure up a magical imaginary world to bring the ride to life, pitting the rider against five other Lego Minifigure competitors that were launched during different time periods since 2010 (Pharaoh/10, Surfer Girl/11, Pirate Captain/12, Trendsetter/13, and Wizard/14), driving cool Lego-built race cars.

What we found cool about incorporating VR into a roller coaster ride was that having the headset on eliminates the external environment, but allows the rider to anticipate the roller coasters next turn or drop, and this particular one has 15 turns in total  the most corners in any Legoland ride.

A sneak peek of your view when riding with the VR headset on. Photo: LEGOLAND Malaysia

While the ride itself only lasts three minutes, the entire experience right from the admission point is a fully immersive one  you will hear roaring engine sounds once entering to psyche riders up. Youre also unlikely to hear When is it our turn? -type comments from your children, as the queue area has hands-on interactive elements to entertain riders waiting for their turn to ride. Youll also get a race briefing before putting on the virtual reality headset. If you are a Formula 1 racing fan who likes Lego, you are sure to enjoy the experience.

Ever since we had children, we have become quite the pair of germophobes, always carrying a small bottle of sanitiser around with us. We find that our children tend to stick their fingers into the dirtiest spaces! We were thus a tad concerned about the cleanliness of the VR headsets, given that they would be worn by many people throughout the day. Our fears were assuaged as we found out that every headset is wiped down with sanitiser after every use, and given a thorough cleaning at the end of every day.

Story continues

We found out that Legoland Malaysia is the first in the world to launch the VR ride, with the next launch only in 2018 in Legoland Florida and Legoland Deutschland Resort  not exactly a stones throw from our sunny shores. The ride is suitable for children aged six onwards, so if you have primary school-going children, its well worth the effort to take the drive up!

While our two children (who in 2018 will be 5 and 2, respectively) did not get the chance to take the VR ride, they had a ball of a time in Legoland. The weather was thankfully kind to us, wit our one-and-a-half-day visit there seeing only a few light drizzles, which cooled the air and made it pleasant to walk around. The kids loved the Shipyard playground and the Lego Duplo playground (which is thankfully sheltered). Our 4.5-year-old also loved the live Lego Ninjago show  another worlds first  in the fully air-conditioned theatre so much that he requested to go back to watch the show a second time the following day. The light effects were spectacular, with the show featuring six handcrafted Lego puppets with 32 different parts and standing 1.2m in height, controlled by one to two people.

Needless to say, Ninjago is his new favourite Lego series and, even before leaving on our second day, he was pestering us to ask when we were going back again, and whether we would be able to stay in the Ninjago-themed room the next time around. Looks like purchasing a Legoland annual pass may possibly be on the cards in the near future  in fact, we might go back just for the awesome breakfast and dinner buffets at the Legoland Hotel!

Photo: Mummy and Daddy Daycare

Part of the buffet spread at Legoland Hotel. Photo: Mummy and Daddy Daycare

Mummy and Daddy Daycare are the pseudonyms of a Singaporean husband and wife who are raising two young boys aged four and one, nicknamed Barnacles and Kwazii from the childrens Octonauts series. Get into the minds of this couple who describe parenthood as a lifetime adventure  you are always learning something new! Whoever said parenting was a walk in the park?



Other articles by Mummy and Daddy Daycare:
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro insisted on Sunday that his cash-strapped country would "never" default, as he prepared to meet with creditors in Caracas to discuss rescheduling part of the country's massive $150 billion debt. "Never, default will never reach Venezuela," he declared on his weekly television show. "Our strategy is to renegotiate and refinance all the debt." Maduro pointed to ongoing negotiations with his allies China and Russia, to which Venezuela owes, respectively, $28 billion and $8 billion. He said talks with China were "moving along perfectly" and noted that agreement had been reached this week with Moscow to restructure roughly $3 billion in loans. That was seen to give Caracas at least a few weeks' breathing room to make other upcoming payments. But sanctions imposed by the United States in August -- the White House cited the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, the creation of "an illegitimate Constituent Assembly" and "rampant public corruption" -- have made it hard for the country to raise money from international investors. Venezuela's huge levels of debt have left it in a desperate state, unable to import badly needed food, medicine and other goods. Maduro accused the financial rating agencies, which this week lowered Venezuela's debt rating, of being part of a "financial war" waged by the United States, a favorite target of his. The downgrading of Venezuela's ratings by Standard and Poor's and Fitch was seen as increasing the likelihood of a default.
By Jeffrey Heller

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday he has put the United States and Russia on notice that Israel will continue to take military action across the frontier in Syria, even as the two powers try to build up a ceasefire there.

"We are controlling our borders, we are protecting our country and we will continue to do so," Netanyahu said in public remarks to members of his right-wing Likud party in parliament.

"I have also informed our friends, firstly in Washington and also our friends in Moscow, that Israel will act in Syria, including in southern Syria, according to our understanding and according to our security needs."

U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday affirmed joint efforts to stabilise Syria as its civil war wanes, including with the expansion of a July 7 truce in the southwestern triangle bordering Israel and Jordan.

Israel has been lobbying both leaders to deny Iran, Lebanon's Hezbollah and other Shi'ite militias any permanent bases in Syria, and to keep them away from the Golan Heights frontier, as they gain ground while helping Damascus beat back Sunni-led rebels.

"RED LINES"

Netanyahu's remarks echoed those on Sunday by Israel's regional cooperation minister, Tzachi Hanegbi, who sounded circumspect about the ceasefire deal and said Israel has "set red lines and will stand firm on this".

Israel's military has said it has carried out around 100 strikes in Syria. Attacks have targeted suspected Hezbollah or Iranian arms depots or have come in retaliation for shelling from the Syrian-held Golan.

A U.S. State Department official has said Russia had agreed "to work with the Syrian regime to remove Iranian-backed forces a defined distance" from the Golan Heights frontier with Israel, which captured the plateau in the 1967 Middle East war.

The move, according to one Israeli official briefed on the arrangement, is meant to keep rival factions inside Syria away from each other, but it would effectively keep Iranian-linked forces at various distances from the Israel-held Golan as well.

Those distances would range from as little as 5-7 kilometres (3-4 miles) and up to around 30 km (18 miles) depending on current rebel positions on the Syrian Golan, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue.

(Additional reporting by Dan Williams; Editing by Ori Lewis and Richard Balmforth)
Italian police announced Monday the arrest of 13 suspected counterfeiters and the seizure of more than 900,000 high-quality fake banknotes with a value of more than 28 million euros. "During the investigation three underground printworks, including one in Romania, were discovered equipped with the machines and instruments needed to manufacture counterfeit notes," police said in a statement. "More than 28 million euros ($33 million) in counterfeit notes were seized -- 939,775 notes of 10, 20 and 50 euros -- and 13 people were caught in the act and arrested." The two alleged ringleaders of the gang are Neapolitans with "long experience" in the area of counterfeiting, police said. They are suspected of setting up the facilities and forging links with Italians living in Romania to print fake cash. Police said the counterfeiters found buildings that did not arouse suspicion, before setting up short-term presses to make counterfeit notes for 10 to 15 days. "During that time, they were able to print more than 15 million euros in counterfeit notes. "Then they stopped the operation, and sometimes transferred the whole print shop to another building," police said. Italy remains the leading producer of counterfeit banknotes, with the Camorra -- the Neapolitan mafia -- controlling the vast majority.
Former Syrian Prime Minister Riyad Hijab talks with Arab League head Nabil El-Arabi (not in picture) during their meeting in Cairo February 11, 2013. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany (EGYPT - Tags: POLITICS) (Reuters)

DUBAI (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia will host what it called an "expanded" conference for the Syrian opposition this month, aiming to unify its position ahead of United Nations-backed peace talks, the state news agency SPA reported on Monday.

Saudi Arabia backs a grouping of opposition figures called the High Negotiations Committee (HNC) led by Riyad Hijab, a former Syrian prime minister under Assad. The HNC has represented the Syrian opposition at previous Geneva talks.

A number of other political opposition groups and figures backed by other countries including Russia and Egypt also exist.

It was not clear from SPA's statement which Syrian opposition members would participate in the conference.

The kingdom, a leading backer of Syrian rebels, supports an international agreement on the future of Syria but maintains that President Bashar al-Assad should have no role in any transition to bring the war there to an end.

Assad, whose Syrian army forces have been backed by Saudi arch-foes Iran and Hezbollah, has made major gains against opposition forces and Islamic State militants.

"Based on the policy of the Kingdom in support of the efforts to establish peace and counter terrorism, and in response to the request of the Syrian opposition, an expanded meeting will be held in the city of Riyadh," SPA said.

Talks set for November 22-24 aim "to bring its parties and platforms closer together and unite its negotiating delegation to resume direct negotiations in Geneva under the auspices of the U.N."

Several rounds of U.N. talks in Geneva between the Damascus government and the opposition have made little progress.

(Reporting By Mostafa Hashem and Noah Browning, Editing by William Maclean)
MANILA (Reuters) - A draft of the statement to be issued after a Southeast Asian summit makes no mention of the exodus of Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar's Rakhine state following a military crackdown that has been described by the United Nations as ethnic cleansing.

One paragraph of the communique, seen by Reuters on Monday, mentions the importance of humanitarian relief provided for victims of natural disasters in Vietnam and a recent urban battle with Islamist militants in the Philippines, as well as "affected communities" in northern Rakhine state.

The statement was drawn up by the Philippines, current chair of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) - which includes Myanmar - whose leaders met for a plenary session in Manila on Monday.

The draft did not give any details of the situation in northern Rakhine or use the term Rohingya for the persecuted Muslim minority, which Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi has asked foreign leaders to avoid.

The government in mostly-Buddhist Myanmar regards the Rohingya as illegal migrants from Bangladesh and does not recognise the term.

Well over 600,000 Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh to find shelter in refugee camps after military clearance operations were launched in response to attacks by Rohingya militants on security posts on Aug. 25.

The plight of the Rohingya has brought outrage from around the world and there have been calls for democracy champion Suu Kyi to be stripped of the Nobel peace prize she won in 1991 because she has not condemned the Myanmar military's actions.

In September, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the situation in Rakhine was best described as ethnic cleansing.

Some members of ASEAN, particularly Muslim-majority Malaysia, have voiced concern. However, in keeping with ASEAN's principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of one another, the issue appears to have been put aside at the summit.

In September, Malaysia disavowed a statement issued by the Philippines on behalf of ASEAN's foreign ministers as misrepresenting "the reality" because it did not identify the Rohingya as an affected community in Rakhine state.

Story continues

Suu Kyi, who did not mention the crisis in a speech after arriving in Manila on Sunday, criticised ASEAN's principle of non-interference herself in 1999 when she was fighting for democracy in a country then ruled by a military junta.

"This policy of non-interference is just an excuse for not helping," she wrote in an opinion column in the Thai daily the Nation at the time. "In this day and age, you cannot avoid interference in the matters of other countries."

Roberto Romulo, a former Philippine foreign minister, told the Philippine news channel ANC that there appeared to be no discussion about the Rohingya at the ASEAN summit.

"They're treating with a great deal of respect a discredited Nobel Peace Prize winner like Aung San Suu Kyi," he said.

Amnesty International Philippines representative Wilnor Papa told ANC that the ASEAN leaders would talk about "terrorism and peace and order ... but there are a whole lot of elephants in the room they won't be talking about, that people are trying to ignore."

(Reporting by John Chalmers; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan)
By PTI: Bengaluru, Nov 13 (PTI) Health services were partially hit in Karnataka today as several private hospitals and nursing homes did not function following protests by doctors against proposed amendments to an act governing the medical profession. The doctors are opposing the proposed amendments to the Karnataka Private Medical Establishments Act, 2007, to make private hospitals and nursing homes accountable, stating that they are detrimental to the medical profession. The proposed amendments were based on the recommendations madeAby retired Supreme Court judge, Justice Vikramajit Sen. At Belagavi, over 10,000 private practice doctors assembled near Suvarna Vidhana Soudha, housing both houses of legislature and staged a protest against the proposed Karnataka Private Medical Establishment Bill, which they said contained "harsh" provisions. The proposed amendment intends to make privateAdoctors accountable and recommends stringent action for theirA negligence, including imprisonment. A A Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was quoted as requesting a delegation of doctors, who met him at Belagavi, to withdraw their protest, saying the governments intention to bring the amendments to the Act was not to trouble them. Siddaramaiah also told them that there was noAneed to harbour any fear about the proposed bill and that the government has not drafted it with an intention to trouble the doctors. A A AHe said that before the bill is tabled, he would have discussions with the health minister and office-bearers of the doctors association, according to officials. A A ASpeaking to PTI at Belagavi, national president of Indian Medical Association, Dr

advertisement

Ravi Wankhedakar said that there was anguish among doctors about the bill. PTI GMS KSU RA RC SRY

--- ENDS ---
The White House will host an event defending fossil fuel use Monday at UN climate talks in Germany, in a move blasted by green energy campaigners and conference president Fiji. The meeting will be addressed by President Donald Trump's special assistant on energy and environment, George David Banks, the US embassy in Berlin announced. The Trump administration's hosting of the event -- entitled "The Role of Cleaner and More Efficient Fossil Fuels and Nuclear Power in Climate Mitigation" -- is perceived as an affront by many attending the annual round of climate talks. Hosted in Bonn this year, the negotiations are tasked with designing a nuts-and-bolts rulebook for executing the Paris Agreement adopted by nearly 200 countries in 2015. Its goal is to limit average global warming to under two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit), or 1.5 C if possible, so as to avert calamitous storms, drought and sea-level rise. To global outrage, Trump announced in June he would pull the United States out of the hard-fought global pact, which aims to reduce reliance on coal, oil and natural gas. - Central role - America is now the only country in the world that has opted to be outside the agreement. "As the world seeks to reduce emissions while promoting economic prosperity, fossil fuels will continue to play a central role in the energy mix," the embassy statement said on Monday. "Given the importance of energy access and security... the United States endeavours to continue working closely with others to help them access and use fossil fuels more cleanly and efficiently." Francis Brooke from the office of vice president Mike Pence will also attend Monday's "side event", along with Barry Worthington, executive director of the US Energy Association which gathers corporations and government agencies. From the private sector, the attendance list includes executives of gas giant Tellurian, the world's largest private coal company, Peabody, and nuclear company NuScale Power. Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama of Fiji, which presides over this year's UN climate conference, said the role of coal in climate change was undisputable. "I really don't want to get into an argument with the United States of America, but we all know what coal does, and the effects of coal mining and of course the burning of coal," he told journalists on Sunday. "There's really no need to talk anymore about coal because we all know what coal does with regard to climate change." - 'A slap in the face' - Karen Orenstein of environmental group Friends of the Earth described the event as "a slap in the face to countries that are party to the Paris Agreement -- literally every nation on Earth except the United States". Trump's actions, she added, showed "callous disregard -- and possibly even genuine malevolence -- toward people in poor countries whose lives and livelihoods have been threatened, diminished, and in some cases destroyed by the devastating effects of climate change". Piers Forster, a climate change professor at the University of Leeds, insisted there was no such thing as "clean coal". "Coal is not clean -- it is dangerous," he said via the Science Media Centre in London. New data showed that China and the US together emitted about 12 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide from coal burning, a number that needs to "rapidly reduce" for any chance at reaching the 1.5 C target, he said. "Currently, less than 0.1 percent of these carbon emissions from coal are captured and stored. Those who argue coal has a future are putting the planet under real risk."
Venezuela hosted a brief meeting of creditors on Monday as the struggling yet oil-rich country sought to stave off a default seen as inevitable by experts, while the EU stepped up the pressure with new sanctions on Caracas. However, the 25-minute closed-door gathering in a government building across from the presidential palace ended with no agreement and no plan broached, several participants said. Another meeting was promised, but no date was given. Vice President Tareck El Aissami chaired the meeting, during which he read a statement blaming US sanctions for delays to Venezuela's debt repayments. His presence was problematic for some, as the US has designated him a drug kingpin with whom US entities are barred from dealing. "They said they are going to form working groups to evaluate short- and mid-term debt-renegotiation proposals," Geronimo Mansutti, from the Rendivalores brokerage, told AFP. "But they didn't give any concrete details on their plans, on what they hope to get." He said there had been around 300 investors or their representatives at the meeting. Venezuelan authorities had said 414 creditors representing 91 percent of its traded debt had responded to President Nicolas Maduro's invitation to attend. Maduro said early this month he was seeking a refinancing and restructuring of Venezuela's debt, which is estimated at $150 billion, including bonds issued by the government and state oil company PDVSA as well as direct loans from China and Russia. The country has less than $10 billion left in hard-currency reserves. The financial news agency Bloomberg said that none of the foreign investors it had contacted last week planned to travel to Caracas. About 70 percent of Venezuelan bondholders are North American, according to government figures. Major credit rating agencies say that default on Venezuela's debt will happen, though they don't know precisely when. The country has repayments of $1.4 billion to make before the end of the year, and another $8 billion next year. - Decision postponed in New York - Venezuelan economist Luis Vicente Leon said Maduro called the creditors' meeting to try to get them to pressure the US government to allow a restructing to go ahead, despite a ban on US entities buying new Venezuelan debt. A committee of the International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) is already weighing whether holders of PDVSA debt with default insurance -- credit default swaps -- can collect payment. The Maduro government had said it would make a $1.2 billion payment on a PDVSA bond on November 2, but it was unclear if the funds ever reached creditors. The so-called Determinations Committee for the Americas, comprised of 15 financial firms, met in New York following an initial gathering last Friday, "to discuss whether a Failure to Pay Credit Event had occurred" with respect to PDVSA, according to the ISDA. It ended up deciding to again postpone a decision until Tuesday. Tightening the squeeze on Maduro was the European Union's announcement of sanctions, including an embargo on arms and equipment that could be used for political repression. Restrictions include a prohibition on US entities buying any new Venezuela debt issues -- usually a required step in any restructuring. - Maduro defiant - Late Sunday, Maduro struck a defiant tone, insisting that his country would "never" default and pointing to ongoing negotiations with China and Russia. But his options are very limited. A default can be declared in several ways: by the major ratings agencies, big debt-holders or by the government itself. News on Friday that a state-owned utility, Electricidad de Venezuela, failed to make a $650 million payment within a one-month grace period bolstered creditors' wariness that a default was unfolding. As rough as the ride has been regarding debt, Maduro is also being buffeted by international accusations that he is acting as an autocrat -- stomping on democracy by marginalizing the opposition, which controls the parliament, and stifling independent media. - US criticism - Adding to the political pressure against Maduro, the UN Security Council met on Venezuela at the behest of the United States. During the informal session, US Ambassador Nikki Haley slammed Venezuela as an "increasingly violent narco-state" that poses a threat to world security. Permanent council members Russia and China boycotted the meeting, as did non-permanent members Bolivia and Egypt. Venezuela's envoy to the UN, Rafael Ramirez, called the meeting "illegal." "This is a hostile act by the United States and clearly an act of interference," he said.
Monday looks like crunch day for Venezuela, with a planned Caracas meeting for creditors to discuss debt restructuring, a New York bondholders' meeting that could lead to a default announcement, and new EU sanctions. Combined, the events point to a day of reckoning for the OPEC-member nation, and a tighter squeeze on its beleaguered President Nicolas Maduro and his socialist government. But when it comes to the technical world of debt trading, things remain unclear. Monday may be the day that Venezuela's house of cards comes tumbling down. Or, judgment day may be pushed off again -- though not very far by most accounts. The Caracas meeting of foreign bondholders, called to talk over debt refinancing and restructuring Maduro wants, could bring some clarity. Yet it's not yet clear who will be attending, what possible terms of engagement could be set, or even if a restructuring can be brought about. To encourage attendance, Venezuela has reportedly said Vice President Tareck el-Aissami won't physically be there -- despite being put in charge of the restructuring. US sanctions designate him a drug kingpin, with whom American entities are barred from doing business. - Default inevitable, but when? - Maduro's aim is to establish a rescheduling of repayments of the public part of Venezuela's total debt mountain -- estimated at up to $150 billion, counting sovereign bonds, debt issued by state oil company PDVSA and debt directly taken on by China and Russia. A default can be declared in several ways: by the major ratings agencies, big debtholders, or by the government itself. A significant step in that direction could come in a meeting of creditors in New York under the International Swaps and Derivatives Association. Those creditors, represented by 15 financial firms which make up a Determinations Committee, started a meeting Friday and decided to continue it on Monday. The decision before them is whether to declare conditions are met for default insurance -- known as credit default swaps -- have been met. By Monday, it should be known whether most or all of $1.2 billion meant to have been paid by PDVSA last week has made it to bondholders' accounts. As of Friday, information on that was incomplete and contradictory. The rating agencies all forecast a Venezuelan default as inevitable, but differ on when it might occur. With less than $10 billion in hard-currency reserves, though, it cannot be far off. - Creditors' hopes - Several in the bond-trading industry are holding out hope that Venezuela will keep up with payments, even belatedly, as it doesn't make sense to lose liquidity by paying out the $1.2 billion if a default is going to happen anyway. However, news on Friday that a state-owned utility, Electricidad de Venezuela, failed to make a $650 million payment within a one-month grace period bolstered creditors' wariness that a default was unfolding. As rough as the ride has been regarding debt, Maduro is also being buffeted by international accusations that he is acting as an autocrat -- stomping on democracy by marginalizing the opposition, which controls the parliament, and stifling independent media. The United States has imposed successive rounds of sanctions on Venezuela for that reason, most recently last week. The European Union is poised to officially unveil its own measures on Monday, EU sources have told AFP and other media. They are to take the form of an arms embargo meant to prevent Venezuela buying weapons, such as water cannon, and surveillance equipment that could be used for repression. A blacklist for sanctioned Venezuelan individuals and entities would also be created, the EU sources said, though for the moment it will be empty. "It's a gradual, flexible and reversible tool," one diplomatic source said. Claudio Salerno, Venezuela's ambassador to the EU, said in imposing sanctions the EU is "bowing to the call of the head of the empire" -- President Donald Trump -- adding Venezuela sees itself as a "victim." "The Venezuelan people will decide next year if they want to continue with this model or if they want to take another route," she said. "It has to be decided through the polls, not through international pressure." The EU move, after those of the US, comes on top of widespread criticism across Latin America of Maduro's actions -- especially his appointment in August of a chamber of loyalists that has usurped parliamentary powers. Adding to the political pressure against Maduro, Monday will also see a UN Security Council meeting called by the United States. "As the Venezuelan economy continues to crumble, the situation will likely only worsen especially as the country is at risk of defaulting on its debt," the US delegation said in a document calling the meeting.
Seafood Hunter offers up to 25 different types of ready-to-eat seafood items with a majority of them priced at a dollar each. Other premium seafoods are affordably priced, such as the crab at $5.90 each. (Photo: Nurul Azliah/Yahoo Lifestyle Singapore)

Singapores pasar malam has a newcomer and its already attracting a long line of foodies seeking affordable seafood.

Seafood Hunter offers up to 25 different types of ready-to-eat seafood items with a majority of them priced at a dollar each. Other premium seafoods, such as the crab, are affordably priced at $5.90 each.

After launching the food concept two months ago at a pasar malam in Yishun, the stall attracted a long queue and usually sold out by 9pm. The stall is currently located at a pasar malam in Choa Chu Kang from 4 to 19 November and will also run its business at another pasar malam in Bishan from 11 to 26 November.

When this reporter visited the stall during one of the late afternoons earlier this week, the Australian mini lobsters and crabs were sold out. At the same time, the grilled oysters  served with either melted Mozzarella cheese or garlic butter  were waiting to be replenished. Despite the light rain at the time, hungry customers continued to queue at the stall, which was located along one of the edges, leaving customers to wait outside the shelter.

Its hard to miss the stall given its striking storefront consisting of a professionally-designed banner and a bright $1 cut-out pasted at the centre of the stall front. The smart design was the brainchild of the man behind the business, a former art director turned seafood supplier.

Louis Stan Lee once owned a creative agency before joining an events company. After months of working 18-hour shifts each day, he decided to ditch the hectic corporate life and return to Malaysia, where he owned a fish farm. The Malaysia-born 41-year-old has lived in Singapore for more than 20 years and is now a citizen here.

I supplied seafood to hotels and caterers in Singapore and saw the expensive prices these places would charge for seafood, said Lee, who ran a fish farm from 2014 to 2017. He still runs a seafood supply company, mainly dealing with imports from Southeast Asia and Australia.

Story continues

Everybody thinks that seafood has to be expensive when it shouldnt be. Im able to keep the prices low because theres no middleman. The food at Seafood Hunter comes straight from the supplier  and thats me, he added.

The father of three admits that many customers are sceptical of the quality of the seafood he sells given the cheap price tag. Yahoo Lifestyle Singapore tried one of the oysters, at $1.50 apiece, and they tasted really fresh and juicy.

People ask, Are you sure that crab is $5.90? or How come your oyster is $1.50? Is the quality okay?, Lee said. I try to explain to everybody that Im a seafood supplier and we can keep the price low because we go for volume.

Seeing the positive response of his new business, Lee hopes to open a central kitchen and a permanent food kiosk in Singapore. Pasar malams are great at helping me test the market. I will still join pasar malams because its good for business, said Lee.

Related stories:

Follow Yahoo Lifestyle Singapore on Facebook.
Slovak companies see lower local wages to be one of a few competitive advantages.

The number of workers sent from Slovakia to other EU countries is increasing. (Source: TASR)

Font size: A - | A +

Established members of the European Union see in the posting of workers from eastern Europe an instrument of social dumping and unfair pressure on the wages of local workers. On the other hand, new member countries consider the lower wage level as one of their last main competitive advantages when providing services across borders.

Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement

Read also:

Read also: Richter: Revision on posted workers is a compromise Read more

The possibility to post workers abroad is an important part of the convergence process, Martin Hostak of the National Union of Employers (RUZ) told The Slovak Spectator. He explained that demand creates pressure on higher wages also in Slovakia, for instance, when French companies demand Slovak suppliers and thus their workers this creates pressure on higher wages also in Slovakia. This is because the only sustainable and real source of wage growth is the competition of employers for employees.

Hostak points to the automotive industry, where producers fight for workers leads to higher wages, which consequently pushes the wage level up, as a textbook example of this effect.

This positive convergence process is only possible thanks to strong demand for Slovak products, said Hostak, adding it is no surprise that the basis for calculation of social insurance of posted workers is much higher than the average wage in Slovakia.

Definition A posted worker is an employee sent by his employer to another EU country to carry out a service on a temporary basis.

While the former was 1,325.3, the latter stood at 912.

Yet, the Labour Ministry points to a negative trend in the development in remuneration of posted Slovak workers.

Statistics data show that posting itself has only a limited impact on increasing the incomes of posted workers, said Labour Minister Jan Richter. Most employers prefer minimum obligatory remuneration. The annual comparison even shows that the remuneration of Slovak posted workers has been worsening which, under the condition of the general increase of wages, cannot be defended.

Though in 2016 an average basis for calculating the social insurance contribution of posted workers was 1,325.29, this number decreased to 1,216.02 in 2017.

(Source: European Parliament)

Posting of workers

Posting of workers occurs when services are provided across borders within the single market. A posted worker is legally employed in a given member country and is sent by their employer to work temporarily in another EU member country.

Posted workers benefit from the same rules regarding health and safety as the host countrys employees, while the employer is obliged to pay them at least the minimum wage set by the host country.
The verdict of Trencin Regional Court cites the Convention on the Rights of the Child but the argument based on religious belief surprises experts.

Muslims in Slovakia have a hard time seeing their children during Christmas, illustrative stock photo. (Source: Sme - Gabriel Kuchta)

Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled

She comes from Partizanske and like so many other Slovak women she left to work in the UK several years ago. Apart from finding a job there, she also found a partner who is from Turkey and had a child with him. Three years ago, she returned to Slovakia after experiencing problems with the relationship and this has resulted in disputes concerning the child.

Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement

Surprisingly, the Regional Court in Trencin has recently granted the mother the right to have her daughter every Christmas, as well as at other times. It pointed to the fact that the father is an active Muslim who probably does not observe Christian holidays and so for him, unlike his ex-partner, the festive season merely equates to common days.

The minor, being brought up by her mother in Slovakia where celebrating Christmas is usual, would thus be deprived of this holiday, the three-member panel, Denis Vekony, Erika Zajacova and Maria Vrtochova, stated.

By doing so, the Regional Court overturned the verdict of the District Court which originally proposed that the child spend every other Christmas with the mother, a common practice within the legal system. The new decision suggests that each parent has a right to spend the Christmas holidays with their child. The courts have also started to consider religious belief when making such rulings, trainee barrister Filip Grznarik wrote on the pravnelisty.sk website.

The court opinion could also be perceived as discrimination against the other parent, Jozef Tinka from the Council for Childrens Rights of the Child Civic Association noted.
By PTI: Hyderabad, Nov 13 (PTI) The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) today said they have seized 636 kgs of cannabis worth Rs 63.6 lakh in Visakhapatnam district of neighbouring Andhra Pradesh and nabbed two persons.

Based on specific information that prohibited narcotic drugs were being illegally transported, the DRI officers launched an operation and intercepted a four-wheeler in Anakapalli, a suburb of Visakhapatnam, on November 11 and found 636 kgs of cannabis in the vehicle.

advertisement

The DRI Hyderabad Zonal Unit said in a release the contraband was destined to Tamil Nadu.

They seized the contraband under the provisions of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

"Two persons, including the driver of the vehicle, found involved in the illegal transport of the ganja have been apprehended and further investigation is on," the release added. PTI VVK NSK RDS

--- ENDS ---
The company Panasonic expands the production of parts for Daimler and BMW in northern Slovakia.

Font size: A - | A +

The Slovak plant of the Japanese company Panasonic has expanded the production of parts for automotive industry in the town of Trstena in the northern-Slovak region of Orava. The investment will exceed 30 million and the Trstena town-hall is already preparing flats for new workers, the website of the Trend economic weekly wrote on November 9.

Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement

The electro-technical plant of Panasonic plans to build a new production hall on an area of 9,000 square metres, the company revealed in the environmental impact assessment (EIA).

These are only plans for now, CEO of Panasonic Industrial Devices Slovakia Stanislav Vojtas told Etrend.sk.

The production shall be directed mostly to Daimler and BMW car plants, he added. The systems of battery control and voltage changers for electro-mobiles will be made there. After the full production is launched and added to the current production capacity of 216 million, the plant will rank among the top three electro-technical producers in Slovakia.

New people and accommodation

For the new production, a three-shift operation is proposed which will gradually aquire 450 employees; of that 450, 380 will be involved in production. Some will be hired, while others will be shifted from current production which is now completely automatic. Panasonic Industrial Devices Slovakia currently employs more than in 1,000 people at its Trstena and more than 600 in Stara Lubovna.

This is positive news that will help the whole region and its development, town mayor Magdalena Zmarzlakova said, adding that the city council already plans to create 35 new flats for necessary accommodation.
PESCO membership will present an opportunity for Slovakia to bolster its defence capabilities

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, centre, poses with EU foreign and defense ministers after signing the notification on Permanent Structure Cooperation (PESCO) on November 13 in Brussels. (Source: AP/TASR)

Font size: A - | A +

Membership of the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) initiative will present an opportunity for Slovakia to bolster its defence capabilities, both for national purposes and in meeting its international commitments, said Defence Minister Peter Gajdos (a Slovak National Party/SNS nominee) who signed an intention for Slovakia to join PESCO along with State Secretary for Foreign and European Affairs, Ivan Korcok, in Brussels on November 13.

Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement

PESCO membership will also bring closer cooperation with the militaries of other EU members. Gajdos and Korcok received a mandate to sign the agreement from the government on November 8, the TASR newswire reported.

A total of 23 EU-member states have joined PESCO so far, with membership optional. Whereas Ireland, Portugal and Malta have not yet decided whether to join the initiative, Denmark and the United Kingdom are not expected to participate.

The Slovak Armed Forces are currently preparing a number of important modernisation projects, an endeavour that will call for great determination on our part, said Gajdos as cited by TASR. PESCO creates leeway for using these forces in a more streamlined manner, such as in research and development and the joint procurement of military equipment.

Gajdos believes that PESCO also provides opportunities for the Slovak defence industry to become more involved in international projects.

The first project that Slovakia would like to develop via PESCO is indirect fire support, which is slated to be presented as early as this week at an expert seminar in Brussels.

It has clear outlines, so were confident that it will garner significant support, said Gajdos, who hopes to draw resources from the newly created European Defence Fund for its budgeting, with an eye towards cutting the financial onus that it will put on Bratislava.

The creation of PESCO is said to represent the greatest improvement in EU defence policy in recent decades, with the benefit being shared costs of EU military operations, joint investments in procuring military capacities and the modernisation of military infrastructure.

PESCO will not compete with NATO, as the latter specialises in collective defence, whereas bolstered defence cooperation among Europeans is designed to ensure that the EU can respond to various situations abroad in a more prompt and efficient manner, claim European diplomats.
The plan is to dispatch as many as 500 such trains next year

Font size: A - | A +

The first trial train with containers from China arrived on Monday, November 13, at the cargo port in Bratislava. The trains 11,000-km journey from the Chinese town of Dalian via Russia and the Ukraine to Slovakia lasted 17 days. The train was welcomed by Transport Minister Arpad Ersek (Most-Hid), State Secretary for Finance and Government Proxy for the Silk Road initiative Dana Meager and Chinese Ambassador to Slovakia Lin Lin. The number of such trains should gradually increase and next year their number might be as high as 500.

Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement

The fact that the goods travelling across Asia will be transported via the territory of Slovakia in order that they get further into Europe is a huge success and an excellent commercial opportunity, said Minister Ersek. The transport capacities of Slovakia are today far from being fully utilised. I firmly believe that we are only at the beginning of successful cooperation.

The train carried the goods in dozens of containers, destined for customers throughout the whole of central Europe. Before they arrived in Bratislava, the containers needed to be re-loaded from wide-gauge rails to narrow-gauge rails at the Dobra terminal in the Kosice Region, near the Slovak-Ukrainian border. The containers will now be transported to their destinations via rail or road transport.

Rail-freight transport from China to Slovakia has been resumed after a break of over one year. The train is the first one ever whose route will cross almost the whole of Slovak territory.

Naturally, these trains should not go back to China empty. We need to think it over, said Ersek. We have the option to fill these trains on their way back.

As of next year, trains between the Chinese city of Dalian and Bratislavas cargo port will operate once a week and twice a week from the second half of 2018.

Rail transport from China to Europe via Slovakia so far has proven that this route is not only fast but also safe, said Meager, adding that not only the transport itself but also the so-called economic corridors are being mentioned, within which significant movements in the field of investments can be expected in the upcoming years. I view the Silk Road project as one of the most important pillars for the further development of Slovakias national economy.

Ambassador Lin said that the length of this new route is shorter and more efficient than the original one.

I believe this trains operation will enhance even more Slovak-Chinese cooperation in the field of transport and logistics, he said.

The Chinese Communications-Transport Association estimates that around 500 trains will run from China to Europe via Slovakia in 2018. In 2020, China plans to dispatch 5,000 such trains a year, of which around 2,000 might cross Slovakia.

Projects for building logistics and commercial facilities for cargo trains have been prepared in eastern Slovakia. In addition to increased employment, this should also lead to more trade and income for Slovakia.
He promised to play a game against the winner of Bratislavas chess tournament

Russian chess legend Anatoly Karpov was the guest of the Jenewein Chess tournament in Bratislava in 2008. (Source: TASR)

Font size: A - | A +

Russian chess grandmaster Anatoly Karpov will come to Bratislava in mid-December to attend a Christmas chess tournament that will be held as part of the citys Christmas markets. Speaker of Parliament Andrej Danko (Slovak National Party/SNS) announced the visit after meeting Karpov in Moscow on November 13.

Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement

Im looking forward to organising a Christmas [chess] tournament to go with this years Christmas markets in Bratislava, said Danko as cited by the TASR newswire. I would like to ... re-establish the chess tradition in Slovakia, as following the revolution in 1989 some Slovaks not only stopped learning Russian, they also stopped playing chess completely.

The chess champion, who is currently serving as vice-chairman of the committee for the State Dumas international relations, at a private meeting with Danko later in the afternoon, promised to play a game against the winner of Bratislavas chess tournament.
The following companies are subsidiares of Molina Healthcare: Aetna & Humana - Medicare Advantage, Affinity Health Plan, AmericanWork Inc., Better Health Network, Camelot Care Centers Inc, Children's Behavioral Health Inc., Choices Group Inc., College Community Services, Dockside Services Inc, Family Preservation Services Inc., Family Preservation Services of Florida Inc., Family Preservation Services of North Carolina Inc., Family Preservation Services of Washington D.C. Inc., Family Preservation Services of West Virginia Inc., Florida NetPASS LLC, Hclb Inc., Magellan Complete Care, Maple Star Nevada Inc., Maple Star Oregon Inc., Mercy CarePlus, Molina Clinical Services LLC, Molina Healthcare Data Center Inc., Molina Healthcare of Arizona Inc., Molina Healthcare of California, Molina Healthcare of Florida Inc., Molina Healthcare of Georgia Inc., Molina Healthcare of Illinois Inc., Molina Healthcare of Iowa Inc., Molina Healthcare of Louisiana Inc., Molina Healthcare of Maryland Inc., Molina Healthcare of Michigan Inc., Molina Healthcare of Mississippi Inc., Molina Healthcare of Nevada Inc., Molina Healthcare of New Mexico Inc., Molina Healthcare of New York Inc., Molina Healthcare of North Carolina Inc., Molina Healthcare of Ohio Inc., Molina Healthcare of Oklahoma Inc., Molina Healthcare of Pennsylvania Inc., Molina Healthcare of Puerto Rico Inc., Molina Healthcare of South Carolina LLC, Molina Healthcare of Texas Inc., Molina Healthcare of Texas Insurance Company, Molina Healthcare of Utah Inc., Molina Healthcare of Virginia Inc., Molina Healthcare of Washington Inc., Molina Healthcare of Wisconsin Inc., Molina Holdings Corporation, Molina Hospital Management LLC, Molina Information Systems LLC dba Molina Medicaid Solutions, Molina Medical Management Inc., Molina Pathways LLC, Molina Pathways of Texas Inc., Molina Youth Academy, NextLevel Health Illinois, Pathways Community Corrections Inc., Pathways Community Services LLC, Pathways Community Support of Texas Inc., Pathways Health and Community Support LLC, Pathways Human Services LLC., Pathways of Arizona Inc., Pathways of Delaware Inc., Pathways of Idaho LLC, Pathways of Maine Inc., Pathways of Massachusetts LLC, Pathways of Oklahoma Inc., Pathways of Washington Inc., Providence Community Services, Providence Human Services, Raystown Developmental Services Inc., The Game of Work LLC, The RedCo Group Inc., Total Care Medicaid plan, Transitional Family Services Inc., Unisys -Health Information Management, and YourCare Health Plan.

Read More
By PTI: Kishanganj, Nov 13 (PTI) A joint team of Sashashtra Seema Bal (SSB) and Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) today seized 10 packets of drugs worth about Rs one crore from three smugglers in Bihars Kishanganj district.

Acting on a tip off, a joint team of SSB and DRI conducted a raid and seized the 10 packets of Methaqualone, a sedative equivalent to cocaine - each weighing 100 gm from Khagra overbridge area, SSB 12th battalion Deputy Commandant Kumar Sundaram said.

advertisement

The team arrested the smugglers the moment they alighted from a bus with the drugs near Potato market on NH 31 and were later handed over to Kishanganj police.

The value of the seized drug is estimated to be around Rs one crore in the international market, he said.

The smugglers have been identified as residents of Pakur district of Jharkhand, the deputy commandant said adding that they had come to deliver the drugs from West Bengals Murshidabad district.

DRI of Purnea, Vinod Mandal said that Methaqualone is equivalent to cocaine which are used in parties. PTI COR AR KK

--- ENDS ---
Aegean Marine Petroleum Network Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a marine fuel logistics company that markets and supplies refined marine fuel and lubricants to vessels in port, at sea, and on rivers worldwide. The company offers fueling services to ocean-going and a range of coastal vessels, including oil tankers, container ships, drybulk carriers, cruise ships, reefers, LNG/LPG carriers, car carriers, and ferries, as well as to marine fuel traders, brokers, and other end-users of marine fuel and lubricants. It also markets and distributes marine lubricants under the Alfa Marine Lubricants brand; and provides a range of shipping services, such as technical support and maintenance, insurance arrangement and handling, financial administration, and accounting services. As of December 31, 2016, the company owned and operated a fleet of 46 bunkering vessels, including 45 double hulls and 1 single hull special purpose vehicle; 15 double hull bunkering vessels with an aggregate carrying capacity of approximately 292,400 deadweight ton (dwt); operated 10 land-based storage facilities with an aggregate storage capacity of approximately 1,075,000 cubic meters; and operated 2 vessels as floating storage facility with a cargo carrying capacity of approximately 86,800 dwt. Aegean Marine Petroleum Network Inc. was founded in 1995 and is headquartered in Athens, Greece.
By PTI: (Eds: Updating with more inputs)

New Delhi, Nov 13 (PTI) Tejashwi Yadav, son of RJD leader Lalu Prasad, was today grilled forAover nine hours for the second time by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a money laundering probe in the railway hotels allotment corruption case, official sources said.

They said the statement of the former Bihar deputy chief minister was recorded by the investigating officer of the case at the ED office after he arrived there around 11 AM. Tejashwi Yadav left the ED office around 8:45 PM.

advertisement

This is the second time Tejashwi was questioned by the central probe agency in this case.

Sources said Tejashwi Yadav was asked about three dozen questions in connection with the case.

He was last questioned by the agency on October 10 and was grilled for over nine hours.

Since then, Tejashwi has skipped four appearances and appeared today on a fresh summon, they said.

The agency has registered a case against Lalu Prasad, his family members and others under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Tejashwis mother and former Bihar chief minister Rabri has skipped the ED summonses at least six times till now.

In July, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had registered an FIR and conducted multiple searches on the properties of Lalu Prasad, who is also a former Bihar chief minister, and others.

The CBI FIR has alleged that Lalu Prasad, during his tenure as the railway minister, handed over the maintenance of two Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) hotels to a company in 2004 after receiving a bribe in the form of a prime land in Patna through a benami company owned by Sarla Gupta, wife of Prem Chand Gupta, a former Union minister.

The ED had registered a criminal case against his family members and others under the PMLA, based on the CBI FIR.

The CBI recently recorded the statements of Tejashwi and Lalu Prasad in this case.

The ED is investigating the alleged "proceeds of crime" generated by the accused, purportedly through shell companies, according to officials.

Others named in the CBI FIR include Vijay Kochhar, Vinay Kochhar (both directors of Sujata Hotels), Delight Marketing company, now known as Lara Projects, and the then IRCTC managing director P K Goel.

The CBI FIR was registered on July 5 in connection with favours allegedly extended to Sujata Hotels in awarding a contract for the upkeep of the hotels in Ranchi and Puri and receiving premium land as quid pro quo. PTI NES ASK ASK

--- ENDS ---

advertisement
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.
Royal Bank of Canada operates as a diversified financial service company worldwide. The company's Personal & Commercial Banking segment offers checking and savings accounts, home equity financing, personal lending, private banking, indirect lending, including auto financing, mutual funds and self-directed brokerage accounts, guaranteed investment certificates, credit cards, and payment products and solutions; and lending, leasing, deposit, investment, foreign exchange, cash management, auto dealer financing, trade products, and services to small and medium-sized commercial businesses. This segment offers financial products and services through branches, automated teller machines, and mobile sales network. Its Wealth Management segment provides a suite of advice-based solutions and strategies to high net worth and ultra-high net worth individuals, and institutional clients. The company's Insurance segment offers life, health, home, auto, travel, wealth, annuities, and reinsurance advice and solutions; and business insurance services to individual, business, and group clients through its advice centers, RBC insurance stores, and mobile advisors; digital, mobile, and social platforms; independent brokers; and travel partners. Its Investor & Treasury Services segment provides asset servicing, custody, payments, and treasury services to financial and other investors; and fund and investment administration, shareholder, private capital, performance measurement and compliance monitoring, distribution, transaction banking, cash and liquidity management, foreign exchange, and global securities finance services. The company's Capital Markets segment offers corporate and investment banking, as well as equity and debt origination, distribution, advisory services, sale, and trading services for corporations, institutional investors, asset managers, private equity firms, and governments. The company was founded in 1864 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.
Coeur Mining, Inc. explores for precious metals in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The company primarily explores for gold, silver, zinc, and lead properties. It holds 100% interests in the Palmarejo gold and silver mine covering an area of approximately 67,296 net acres located in the State of Chihuahua in Northern Mexico; the Rochester silver and gold mine that covers an area of approximately 43,441net acres situated in northwestern Nevada; the Kensington gold mine comprising 3,972 net acres located to the north of Juneau, Alaska; the Wharf gold mine covering an area of approximately 3,243 net acres situated in the northern Black Hills of western South Dakota; and the Silvertip silver-zinc-lead mine comprising 97,298 net acres located in northern British Columbia, Canada. In addition, the company owns interests in the Crown and Sterling projects located in southern Nevada; and the La Preciosa project located in Mexico. Further, it markets and sells its concentrates to third-party customers, smelters, under off-take agreements. The company was formerly known as Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation and changed its name to Coeur Mining, Inc. in May 2013.Coeur Mining, Inc. was incorporated in 1928 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.
(Tech Xplore)The notion that a sucker is born every minute may have originated in the 19th century but resonates in 2017.

Evidently, humans have not evolved as quickly as technology. "$12 billion is lost globally to phishing scams every year," said New Zealand company Netsafe. "It's time we fought back."

A man of royal lineage just needs half your rent money to access an account to collect his inheritance and you get a reward big enough to buy your apartment building.

An agency you never heard of informs you there is an enormous refund awaiting and you need to respond now.

A communique ablaze with multiple exclamation points tells you your system is at risk and to respond immediately.

Sure. They just need your particulars, such as birth date, address, and bank numbers.

Netsafe has devised a way to play their game via Re:scam, an AI program designed to seem as if it is biting the bait but responds with time-stalling and frustrating questions.

"Re:scam," said Geek.com, is "a chatbot that wastes scammer's time so you don't have to."

(The stalling tactics are particularly funny.)

How it works:

If you get a scam email, you forward it to Re:scam (me@rescam.org). The AI starts its conversation with the scammer.

"When you forward a scam to me I adopt one of my many personas and I engage them in conversation, so they waste their time talking to a computer instead of targeting real people."

The chatbot takes on multiple personalities and assumes male or female genders and voices, different accents (We heard elderly, younger voices, different accents including American English, British, and a vague hybrid of European and British speech via the video.) The chatbot can continue for as long as possible.

Your email address is not included when they engage with the scammer. They use their own. The company FAQ explained the mail is sent from a proxy account opened for the purpose of replying to scammers.

Here is where the fun starts for observers but pain all the way for the hapless scammers. Jordan Minor, Geek.com, said Re:scam "acts almost like a fly trap for shady online characters." The AI gives a scammer false hope but instead lets loose with questions, anecdotes and jokes to waste the scammer's time.

If time is money, then the time-wasting tactics by the bot means the less time the scammers have to chase real people.

Sample exchange:

Dear Illuminati, what a wonderful surprise! I would love to join your secret club. Do you do a Bingo Night?"

"There is no Bingo Night. Please complete attached form with bank details for your receipt"

Some might question, wait, why go to the bother when all one has to do is delete the fishy-sounding email, and you're done; no need to rope in any special tool?

That's easy. Maybe too easy. Jordan Minor, Geek.com: "Ignoring and deleting a scam email is an easy way to avoid some personal headaches, but it just kicks the can down the road instead of solving the bigger problem. The scammer will then just immediately target someone else."

The chatbot collects information and keeps learning, according to video notes, and can share what it has learned to help people avoid becoming the next victim.

Actually, though, it would be unfair to call all the scam victims hopelessly naive. Scam techniques unleashed online have become more sophisticated and more credible since the "inheritance" pleas of yesteryear.

When you may be told you have a refund waiting, won a prize, or have a bill you need to pay, or your computer has a serious infection and the so-called fixers need remote access to your machine, the wording is such that you may be unsure if you should reply or not.

"Re:scam is an initiative aimed at helping people from becoming fraud victims by occupying the time and resources of scammers through deploying a well-educated artificially intelligent chat bot. Instead of junking or deleting a scam email, you can now forward it to Re:scam who will continue the conversation indefinitely  or until the scammer stops replying," said Netsafe.

"Re:scam will turn the table on scammers by wasting their time, and ultimately damage the profits for scammers."

 2017 Tech Xplore
A fire broke out on a film set at the Tollywood's famous Annapurna Studios on Monday evening.

By PTI: A fire broke out on a film set at the Tollywood's famous Annapurna Studios in Banjara Hills on Monday evening.

"A film set caught fire at around 6.15 P.M, following which four fire tenders were pressed into service. Though flames were very high, the blaze was completely extinguished within two hours," Hyderabad Assistant District Fire Officer Y Prabhakar Reddy told PTI.

advertisement

He said no casualties are reported in the incident.

According to another Fire official, the exact cause of the blaze was being ascertained.

However, prima facie short circuit is suspected to be the cause, he said.

Annapurna Studios, promoted by noted film actor Akkineni Nagarjuna , is one of the oldest studios in South India.

Annapurna Studios was established in 1975 by the late Telugu actor Nageswara Rao Akkineni.

It mainly produces and distributes Telugu films and also provides various production facilities, including sound stages for set construction, outdoor sets, editing, dubbing and digital intermediate suites.

ALSO WATCH: I share my success with people, says Nagarjuna

--- ENDS ---
Ed Tech Events

February TCEA Conference Drawing Thousands to Texas

Alongside an estimated thousand other presentations, two media stars and activists will headline next year's TCEA conference and exposition, taking place in Austin, TX from Feb. 5 through Feb. 9.

Opening keynoter Marlee Matlin, Oscar-winning actress and author of four books, has spent three decades speaking out for ensuring better accessibility for children and adults in all endeavors. Judge Glenda Hatchett, known for her popular, nationally syndicated show, as well as two best-selling books, advocates for troubled children and teens. In the closing keynote Hatchett will speak about encouraging young people to reach their greatest potential.

The Texas Computer Education Association is a global, non-profit, member-based organization that supports the use of technology in education. The event draws international attendance of education people primarily from K-12 but also higher education.

Presentations, workshops, panel discussions, poster sessions, "solution circles" and exhibits will cover a multitude of education subjects, including these, pulled at random from just one day of the schedule:

Blended learning in elementary

1-to-1 device repair: a student-based solution;

Dive into the shark tank with PBL;

Empowering parents 2.0;

Exploring the world through virtual field trips;

Fake news and high school students: land mines abound!;

Finding free and open educational resources for the classroom;

Four essential steps to personalized learning pathways;

iLearn: one district's journey to successful PD;

Leveraging video in the classroom;

Mars mission specialist: payload design challenges (grades 3-8);

Mind mapping gone digital 1.0;

Super secrets of G Suite; and

Top 25 techs for the teacher-librarian.

A premium registration (for an additional $90) grants entry to about 450 additional sessions beyond those available to attendees with basic registration. Most of Monday's session are set as premium. Premium sessions include "academies," sets of sessions on focused areas, including: English as a second-language and English language learning; math and science; Google; Minecraft; and technology leadership, among others. There are also bring-your-own-device premium sessions delivered in smaller, more collaborative settings

While hundreds of TCEA's presenters come from Texas-based school districts and districts in other states, plenty of other educations experts are also on hand:

A Tuesday night reception in the exhibit hall will give educators access to hundreds of vendors sharing their education tech solutions.

A Wednesday advocacy panel will address legislative changes in Texas intended to assist districts in delivering authentic learning to all students through the use of technology.

New this year is a Friday focus on new teachers. Content will cover classroom management tactics, free and easy-to-implement tech tools and additional topics intended to provide attendees with insights and resources to help them grow in the field.

Registration for this year's TCEA event is open on the conference website. The price of registration goes up beginning Jan. 11, 2018.
Singapore-listed Jardine Cycle and Carriage Ltd said on Monday one of its units has agreed to buy a 5.53 percent stake in Vietnamese dairy firm Vinamilk, the countrys biggest listed company, for $616.6 million.

Vinamilk is among a handful of state assets to attract significant interest from foreign investors as the government works to reform state-owned enterprises.

Jardine Cycle, part of the diversified Jardine Matheson group, said it bought the shares through the open market and participation in an auction by the State Capital Investment Commission of Vietnam.

The taking of this relevant interest in Vinamilk is in line with the JC&C groups strategy of investing in market leading companies in Southeast Asia, it said in a filing to the Singapore bourse on Monday.

The deal increases Jardine Cycles exposure to the Vietnamese economy, and it remained open to making further such investments, it added.

The Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange said last week that an overseas institutional investor had bought a stake in Vinamilk, but did not name the investor.

Last year, SCIC offered to sell 9 percent of Vinamilk but sold only 5.4 percent. Investors looking to gain a degree of control over Vinamilk had been partly deterred by the size of stake on offer.

Vinamilk shares rose nearly 4 percent on Monday to hit a record 181,500 dong.
Editors note: Jonathan L. Moreno, chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam, has asserted that the American business community still encourages Vietnam to continue moving forward with high standard FTAs, in an email interview with Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper, despite the U.S. having pulled out of a free trade pact, the consensus on which has just been reached by trade ministers in 11 Asia-Pacific countries.

Trade ministers from Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam agreed on the "core elements" of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) accord, now known as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), during a business summit in Da Nang on the weekend.

The TPP, which was meant to ease flows of goods and commerce between the member economies. onces included the U.S. but President Donald Trump withdrew Washington from it in January upon taking office.

The CPTPP, 20 provisions of which are pending further negotiations, needs formal approval from lawmakers in each country before it can take any effect.

AmCham once talked about a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the U.S. Now that the U.S. has withdrawn from the TPP, what are your expectations for this FTA?

I believe it is probably pre-mature to begin discussing a U.S.-VN FTA. The U.S. is currently very busy renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and might look to revisit another existing deal before starting a new trade deal.

I believe any country looking to enter into a trade deal with the U.S. will want to see how these renegotiations work out first. When the time is right, AmCham believes Vietnam would be an attractive candidate.

In the meantime, Vietnam will greatly benefit from its continued integration with the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and implementing reforms per the recent Bali WTO trade facilitation agreement.

Vietnam is also wisely engaged in multiple free trade agreements (FTAs) such as the EU-Vietnam FTA. We encourage Vietnam to continue moving forward with high standard FTAs such as the so-called TPP-11 [now named CPTPP].

Although the U.S. might miss out on some of the benefits having pulled out of TPP, American businesses will recognize the importance of investing in Vietnam and other countries party to these agreements so that they can stay competitive within these markets.

It seems there will be challenges ahead for U.S. companies with plans to expand their businesses in Vietnam. What do you think?

We like to remind people that the U.S. is Vietnams second largest trading partner. The U.S. and Vietnams trade relationship has seen remarkable growth from around $1 billion in 2000 to more than $52 billion in 2016. Vietnam is the U.S.s fastest growing export market.

The trade relationship is significant, will continue to grow, and investments by American companies in Vietnam will continue to be a sound business decision.

Likewise, Vietnam will continue to experience quality and value benefits as it embraces increased American goods and services.
Vietnamese taxicab firm Mai Linh has been testing an app-based xe om (motorbike taxi) service and is set to officially put it to use in response to the success of ride-hailing apps GrabBike and UberMoto.

The service, M.Bike, will be launched in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and the central city of Da Nang on November 20, a company representative said on Sunday.

Mai Linh has had its drivers and staff test M.Bike over the last month and are making their final evaluations of the service before its official launch.

The firm already offers an app for passengers to hail a cab via their mobile device, modeling platforms like Uber and Grab, which are said to be stealing customers from traditional taxicab companies.

The Mai Linh app has now been added with the Mai Linh Bike and Premium Bike icons, allowing users to hail a xe om.

Mai Linh is also inviting people to sign up and join its list of xe om drivers.

Grab is dominating the popular xe om market in Vietnam, with UberMoto grabbing a certain share.

As Uber and Grab continue to increase their footprint in Vietnam, local taxi firms have been forced to develop their own ride-hailing apps to stay competitive.

Besides Mai Linh, Vinasun, and other taxi operators have introduced their own apps, however, local passengers still seem to prefer using the incumbents.
A number of trade deals totaling more than US$12 billion were signed between U.S. and Vietnamese companies during President Donald Trump's state visit to the Southeast Asian country.

In a joint statement issued on Sunday by President Trump and his Vietnamese counterpart Tran Dai Quang, the leaders welcomed the new commercial agreements as they pledged to deepen and expand the bilateral trade and investment relationship through formal mechanisms, including the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA).

Among other initiatives, both leaders welcomed the granting of access to the Vietnamese market to U.S. distillers and new market access for Vietnamese star apples in the U.S.

The presidents are committed to seeking "resolution for remaining agricultural trade issues to promote free and fair trade and investment in priority areas, including electronic payment services, automobiles and intellectual property rights enforcement, an official statement reads.

President Trump, who was in Hanoi on November 11 and 12 for an official state visit, at the invitation of President Quang, wrote on Twitter that he had had a wonderful visit to Vietnam and expressed his gratitude toward his Vietnamese counterpart.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-cards="hidden" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We had a wonderful visit to Vietnam, thank you President Tran Dai Quang! Heading to the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ASEANSummit?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ASEANSummit</a> 50th Anniv Gala in the Philippines now. <a href="https://t.co/WfSd8EE3Nm">pic.twitter.com/WfSd8EE3Nm</a></p> Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/929670192434745344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 12, 2017</a></blockquote>

<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Before arriving in Hanoi, the U.S. leader had been in Da Nang to attend the annual APEC summit, a regional economic forum comprised of 21 Pacific Rim member economies that work to promote free trade in the region.

Among the deals signed on Trumps visit was a $1.5 billion agreement between Vietnam Airlines and Pratt & Whitney, according to which the state-owned flag carrier would use the American aerospace manufacturers PurePower Geared Turbofan (GTF) engine for its order of 20 new Airbus A321neo aircraft.

The Vietnamese airline promises to buy 44 GTF engines from Pratt & Whitney to be used on the new jets, while the American company will provide maintenance on its engines.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Vietnamese State President Tran Dai Quang preside over the signing ceremony of a $600 million deal between Vietjet and Pratt & Whitney in Hanoi, November 12, 2017. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Vietnam Airlines order is scheduled for arrival by no later than 2019.

Low-cost carrier Vietjet closed a similar agreement with Pratt & Whitney, according to which the airline will use the American companys GTF engines for its order of ten new aircraft in a deal worth $600 million.

The two companies have so far impacted trade turnover by $3.7 billion.

Since entering into service in early 2016, the GTF engine has demonstrated its promised ability to reduce fuel burn by 16 percent, regulate emissions by 50 percent and reduce planes noise footprint by 75 percent, according to a press release by Vietjet.

Vietjet currently operates over 73 domestic and international routes, while Vietnam Airlines operates 90 routes in total.

President Trump is the fourth consecutive U.S. President to conduct a state visit to Vietnam following the normalization of diplomatic relations in 1995.

His predecessors were Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama, who visited Vietnam in 2002, 2006 and 2016, respectively.

Vietnam is Trumps fourth destination in his 12-day Asia visit, including stops in Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam and the Philippines.

It is estimated to be the longest Asia trip ever made by a sitting U.S. President.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Hanoi and Washington have agreed over a free and open East Vietnam Sea for the international community, looking forward to a plan that a U.S. aircraft carrier will visit Vietnam for the first time next year.

U.S. President Donald Trump paid a state visit to Vietnam on Saturday and Sunday.

At the end of this visit, the two sides issued a joint statement, in which they emphasized the importance of free and open access to the East Vietnam Sea, as well as freedom of navigation and over-flight in the maritime area.

China now claims most of the East Vietnam Sea without providing any legal ground.

Beijing even militarizes some reclaimed geographical features it seized from Vietnam in the past.

Vietnamese State President Tran Dai Quang and U.S. President Trump underscored their commitment to deepen defense cooperation and shared resolve to address regional security challenges.

Both leaders welcomed the plan for the first visit to a Vietnamese port by a United States aircraft carrier in 2018, according to the joint statement.

President Quang thanked the U.S. government for the transfer of a Hamilton-class Coast Guard cutter to help improve Vietnams maritime security and law enforcement capabilities.

Hanoi and Washington also expressed their concerns over North Koreas nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs and tests, which violate United Nations Security Council resolutions and threaten international peace and security.

President Quang and U.S. President Trump both reaffirmed the importance of continued cooperation to address the legacies of war, including dioxin remediation at Da Nang Airport in central Vietnam and remediation at Bien Hoa Airport in the southern region.

The two leaders committed to cooperation in the removal of explosive remnants of war, the joint statement reads.

Below is the full text of the joint statement:

1. At the invitation of President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam Tran Dai Quang, President of the United States of America Donald J. Trump paid a State visit to Ha Noi, November 11  12, 2017. The two leaders discussed measures to strengthen and expand the Comprehensive Partnership between the two countries based on mutual understanding, shared interests, and a common desire to promote peace, cooperation, prosperity and security in the Indo-Pacific. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deepening ties on the basis of previous Joint Statements between the two sides, respect for the United Nations Charter and international law, and each others independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and respective political systems.

2. President Trump congratulated Viet Nam on hosting a successful Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders Meeting in Da Nang. The two leaders reaffirmed their intent to continue high-level contacts and exchanges of delegations, and to strengthen existing dialogue mechanisms, including party-to-party dialogues. Both sides highlighted the expanding and mutually-beneficial economic relations between the United States and Viet Nam, and underscored their shared desire to create jobs and favorable conditions for commerce and business in both countries.

3. The two leaders pledged to deepen and expand the bilateral trade and investment relationship through formal mechanisms, including the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA). They welcomed the return of market access for U.S. distillers dried grains into the Vietnamese market and new market access for Vietnamese star apples into the US market. They committed to seek resolution for remaining agricultural trade issues, including siluriformes, shrimp, mangos, and to promote free and fair trade and investment in priority areas, including electronic payment services, automobiles and intellectual property rights enforcement.

4. The two leaders welcomed the announcement of more than US$12 billion in new commercial agreements during President Trumps visit. Both leaders also welcomed expanding bilateral energy ties, including discussions between companies from both sides on Viet Nams import of liquefied natural gas from the United States, as well as steps by Viet Nam to enhance its capacity for solar power generation with the support of the United States.

5. The two leaders underscored their commitment to deepen defense cooperation and shared resolve to address regional security challenges. President Tran Dai Quang thanked the United States government for the transfer of a Hamilton-class Coast Guard cutter to help improve Viet Nams maritime security and law enforcement capabilities. Both leaders welcomed the plan for the first visit to a Vietnamese port by a United States aircraft carrier in 2018. They affirmed the 2018  2020 Plan of Action for US  Viet Nam Defense Cooperation to implement the 2011 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Advancing Bilateral Defense Cooperation and the 2015 Joint Vision Statement on Defense Relations, strengthening bilateral defense relations in areas of maritime security, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, peacekeeping operations, and overcoming war legacy issues. In this regard, the two leaders welcomed the early visit of the US Secretary of Defense to Viet Nam.

6. The two leaders underscored that the two countries would deepen and gradually expand security and intelligence cooperation, enhancing information sharing and joint training on issues of mutual concern. The leaders expressed the intent to strengthen cooperation on cyber security through increased exchanges of delegations and information sharing, in order to promote an open and secure cyberspace. President Tran Dai Quang expressed interest in closer collaboration on aviation safety and security and counterterrorism.

7. Both leaders reaffirmed the importance of continued cooperation to address the legacies of war. In this regard, President Tran Dai Quang expressed appreciation for the United States contribution to the successful dioxin remediation at Da Nang Airport and welcomed the United States commitment to contribute to remediation at Bien Hoa Airport. He welcomed further US assistance for persons with disabilities. President Trump expressed his appreciation for Vietnams full and continued cooperation in accounting for U.S. personnel still missing from the war, and pledged to cooperate with Viet Nam in its efforts to locate its missing soldiers. The two leaders committed to cooperation in the removal of explosive remnants of war.

8. Both leaders affirmed their support for enhancing people-to-people ties to strengthen mutual understanding, cooperation and friendship between the two peoples, including through professional and academic exchanges, the launch of the Fulbright University Viet Nam, US$500.000 in Vietnam Education Foundation (VEF) alumni grants, and the arrival of the first ever Peace Corps volunteers in Viet Nam.

9. President Donald Trump and President Tran Dai Quang welcomed the exchange of agreed minutes on the intent of the United States to acquire the D30 site in Ha Noi for the construction of a new Embassy facility, in accordance with the laws of both countries. President Donald Trump reiterated U.S. support for Viet Nam to acquire better diplomatic and consular facilities in the United States.

10. The two leaders recognized the importance of protecting and promoting human rights.

11. The two leaders discussed and welcomed initiatives to preserve peace and stability and to advance cooperation and development in the Indo-Pacific. They recognized the central role of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the region, and pledged to respect and to support the centrality and unity of ASEAN in the evolving regional architecture. [Both sides expressed support for ASEAN to play a stronger role in addressing traditional and non-traditional security issues, such as terrorism, natural disasters and humanitarian crises, illegal drugs, and transnational criminal organizations]. Both sides committed to deepening the US  ASEAN Strategic Partnership based on the principles outlined in the 2016 Sunnylands Declaration. They welcomed the 50th anniversary of ASEANs founding and the 40th anniversary of ASEAN  US relations, and looked forward to commemorative activities, including the ASEAN  US Commemorative Summit in Manila on November 13, 2017.

12. Both leaders expressed grave concern over the DPRKs nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs and tests, which violate United Nations Security Council resolutions and threaten international peace and security. They urged all countries around the world to fully and strictly implement all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, and agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation to ensure their effective enforcement. The two leaders agreed on the importance of the peaceful denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

13. The two leaders underscored the strategic importance to the international community of free and open access to the South China Sea, the importance of unimpeded lawful commerce, and the need to respect freedom of navigation and over-flight, and other lawful uses of the sea. The two sides reiterated the stance on the South China Sea in the previous Viet Nam  U.S. and ASEAN  U.S. Joint statements, including their call on parties to refrain from escalatory actions, the militarization of disputed features, and unlawful restrictions on freedom of the seas. They reaffirmed their shared commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with international law, including full respect for legal and diplomatic processes. They called for the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), and an early conclusion to an effective, legally binding Code of Conduct for the South China Sea (COC). They further called for all South China Sea claimants to clarify and comport their maritime claims in accordance with the international law of the sea as reflected in 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and to implement their international legal obligations in good faith in managing or resolving these disputes.

14. The leaders noted that, as a partner of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) and a founding member of the Lower Mekong Initiative (LMI), the United States supports the efforts of the Lower Mekong countries to sustainably manage the regions water and environmental resources for the benefit of all. President Tran Dai Quang acknowledged the United States leading role in reducing global carbon emissions and innovating clean energy technologies, and thanked the United States for its assistance to Viet Nam in advancing climate mitigation and adaptation.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
U.S. President Donald Trump said it was his honor to meet with Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, according to remarks posted on the White Houses website.

Well, thank you very much. You are a man of great honor and respect, and it's an honor to be with you, Trump said right before a meeting with Trong in Hanoi during his state visit on Sunday.

And we want to thank Vietnam and the Vietnamese people. They have been so terrific. They greeted us with such respect and, really, such affection. The relationship is so healed.

This was his first visit to Vietnam since formally assuming office in January this year.

And to think where we were and where we've come is a tribute to both countries, Trump said.

He added that trade was his focus when visiting Vietnam, believing it would thrive in the years to come.

Trade has become a very important element of our relationship and it will continue onward, he said. And again, I want to thank you very much for this. It is a true honor to be with you.

Vietnamese State President Tran Dai Quang (R) shakes hands with U.S. President Donald Trump in Hanoi, Vietnam, November 12, 2017. Photo: Tuoi Tre

The U.S. president had met with Vietnamese State President Tran Dai Quang earlier the same day.

We also want to thank you for helping us with the U.S. embassy site where we have a new embassy. And it will be something that, I think, will be very good for the future and the future of our two countries, he said.

Trump mentioned North Korea as a continual problem and expressed his belief that China and Russia would help in this case.

The North Korean situation continues to be a problem. I think that China  as you know, we saw  we were in China yesterday and the day before. And President Xi, I think, is going to be a tremendous help. I hope Russia, likewise, will be a tremendous help. I think they can make a big difference, he said, referring to his trip to China from November 8 to 10.

He arrived in Vietnam on Friday for a CEO summit in Da Nang and left for Hanoi for a state visit on Saturday before concluding it on Sunday.

The U.S. billionaire-turned-president also offered to mediate when it comes to East Vietnam Sea issues with China.

If I could help mediate or arbitrate, please let me know. I know we've had a dispute for quite a while with China. If I can help in any way, I'm a very good mediator and a very good arbitrator. I have done plenty of it from both sides. So if I can help you, let me know, he said.

China claims most of the East Vietnam Sea and has reclaimed land in the areas it had seized from Vietnam, while militarizing these geographical features at the same time.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) walks hand in hand with U.S. President Donald Trump in Hanoi, Vietnam, November 12, 2017. Photo: Tuoi Tre

When meeting Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc the same day, Trump underlined a trade deficit with Vietnam, expressing his wish to get that straightened out promptly.

Important to me is trade, because right now we have a very substantial trade imbalance with Vietnam  approximately $32 billion, which is a tremendous amount of money, he said.

So we want to get that straightened out very quickly.

Trump added that Vietnam and the U.S. are going to have a fantastic relationship, and [he looks] forward to it for many years to come.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Vietnam and China have consented to strive for stable and sustainable cooperation during the state visit of General Secretary Xi Jinping.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and State President Xi joined talks with the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong in Hanoi on Sunday afternoon.

The Chinese leader is on an official state visit to Vietnam, scheduled for November 12 and 13, following his attendance at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders Week in the central city of Da Nang from November 6 to 11.

During the conversation, both parties reached consensus on empowering the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic partnership and developing stable and sustainable cooperation.

According to General Secretary Trong, Vietnam treasures its relationship with China and wants to deepen the two nations friendship and partnership.

Hanoi has backed Beijings efforts to contribute positively to peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world, he stated.

Replying to his host, General Secretary Xi said that the Chinese Party and government will continue to focus on reinforcing and developing the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership with Vietnam, developing a stable, healthy and sustainable relationship to benefit the people and contribute to peace, stability, development and prosperity in the region.

He also referred to promoting the efficiency of cooperative mechanisms on trade, infrastructure, and money-finance, and connecting development strategies to achieve a goal of US$100 billion in bilateral trade in 2017.

He promised that China would continue providing non-refundable aid worth CNY600 million ($90.2 million) over the next three years in order to improve social security in Vietnams northern regions.

A meeting between Vietnamese and Chinese delegations in Hanoi. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Building trust

During the talks, General Secretary Trong underscored the necessity to safeguard peace and stability, as well as build trust in the settlement of issues regarding the East Vietnam Sea.

All parties should exercise restraint and avoid complicating the situation, while respecting the legitimate and legal rights of each other, and focusing on maintaining peace and stability at sea so as to prioritize socio-economic development.

He proposed that Vietnam and China effectively implement an agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of sea-related issues, and that the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Vietnam Sea (DOC) be used in parallel with the negotiations on building a Code of Conduct (COC) for the maritime area.

General Secretary Xi agreed that both nations should properly manage disputes in the East Vietnam Sea to preserve peace and stability.

China wants to work with ASEAN to implement the DOC comprehensively and negotiate and build the COC for the sea, the Chinese leader said.

Following the meeting, the two leaders witnessed the signing of 12 important cooperative documents between the two countries.

Prior to the talks, General Secretary Xi joined Chairwoman of the Vietnamese National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan at the inauguration of the Vietnam-China Friendship Palace in Hanoi.

He was slated to meet State President Tran Dai Quang on Monday.

General Secretary Xi Jiinping and Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan at the inauguration of the Vietnam-China Friendship Palace in Hanoi. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
The ASEAN Coordinating Council approved the appointment of seasoned Vietnamese diplomat Hoang Anh Tuan to the office of Deputy Secretary General for its Political-Security Community on Sunday.

Tuan will hold office for four years between 2018 and 2021, replacing outgoing Singaporean diplomat Hirubalan V P, who will conclude his tenure on February 14, 2018.

The decision was made at a meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers in Manila, the Philippines on Sunday morning, approving Vietnams nomination of Tuan for the post.

Hoang Anh Tuan, who holds a PhD in international relations, currently serves as Vietnams Ambassador to Indonesia.

ASEAN, or the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, is a regional intergovernmental organization comprising ten Southeast Asian states, which are Vietnam, Brunei, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Singapore, the Philippines, Myanmar, Indonesia and Malaysia.

The bloc works to facilitates economic, political, military, educational and cultural integration amongst its members as well as with other countries.

The ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC), established in 2009, aims to ensure that countries in the region live at peace with one another and with the world in a just, democratic and harmonious environment, according to its blueprint.

When he takes office in 2018, Tuan will be tasked with supporting the Secretary General in strengthening relations with ASEAN Dialogue Partners and the international community.

I am ready to take on a new job, a new challenge as a Deputy Secretary General of ASEAN, Tuan wrote in a Facebook post on Sunday after learning of his appointment.

Tuan, 52, stepped into diplomacy in 1991 as a research fellow at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Diplomatic Academy in Hanoi.

He earned his PhD in international relations in 2003 at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, in the U.S.

During his tenure in Indonesia, Ambassador Tuan has played a crucial role in the release of thousands of Vietnamese fishermen held captive for fishing in Indonesian waters since 2015.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) has announced the first panellists for its series of Meet the Nominees events.

These intimate events provide the opportunity to hear personal insights from select nominees from those for the 7th AACTA Awards: Th Writers, The Cinematographers, the Directors, The Editors, The Producers, & Sound.

Presented by the Australian Film, Television and Radio School and co-hosted with screen guilds and societies, these will be held at the AFTRS Theatre in Sydney on Sunday 3rd and Tuesday 5th December.

Following his first feature film nomination, AACTA Award winning director Jeffrey Walker (Alis Wedding), will provide his perspective on making the switch from television to feature film during The Directors event. He will be joined by first  time AACTA nominee Ben Young (Hounds of Love) as well as television director and AFI Award winner Glendyn Ivin (Seven Types of Ambiguity).

The Writers event will provide a unique insight into adapted screenplays, featuring Oscar nominated and BAFTA Award winning writer Luke Davies (Lion), dual Best Adapted Screenplay nominee Shaun Grant (Berlin Syndrome, Jasper Jones), two  time AFI Award winner Jacquelin Perske (Seven Types of Ambiguity) and first time AACTA nominee James Greville (Dont Tell). First  time AACTA nominee Priscilla Cameron (The Butterfly Tree) will also speak at The Writers event, sharing her experience as a writer  director on her feature film debut.

The Editors and The Cinematographers events will feature a number of highly  acclaimed practitioners , including: Emmy nominated and AACTA Award winning editor Alexandre de Franceschi (Lion); Sundance Film Festival Award winning cinematographer Germain McMicking (Top of the Lake: China Girl); Emmy nominated and AACTA Award winning cinematographer Jon Shaw (Blue); and AFI Award winning editor and seven  time nominee Nick Meyers (Australia Day).

Neil Peplow, CEO of AFTRS said  Were thrilled to be partnering with AACTA again to present the 2017 Meet the Nominee s events; this is an exclusive opportunity to hear the best of Australian film, television and documentary makers give insights into how they approach their craft.

Attendance is complimentary for members of AFI (open to all), AACTA (industry professionals) and Guild members. Those who arent members but wish to attend the events, can join AFI | AACTA today.

Further panellist and moderator announcements will be made in the coming weeks.

Sunday December 3

11.45am

Sound

in association with ASSG

Moderator and panellists to be announced soon.

3.00pm

The Editors

in association with ASE

Moderator: Jane St Vincent Welch

Panellists: Rodrigo Balart (Seven Types Of Ambiguity), Merlin Eden (Hounds Of Love), Alexandre de Franceschi (Lion), Nick Meyers (Australia Day), Toby Trappel (Masterchef Australia)

3.15pm

The Cinematographers

in association with ACS

Moderator: Kim Batterham ACS

Panellists: Stefan Duscio (Jungle), Bonnie Elliott (Seven Types Of Ambiguity), Abraham Joffe (Tales By Light), Germain McMicking (Top Of The Lake: China Girl), Simon Morris (Deep Water: The Real Story), Jon Shaw (Blue), Bruce Young ACS (Blue Murder: Killer Cop)

Tuesday 5 December

11.30am

The Writers

in association with AWG

Panellists: Priscilla Cameron (The Butterfly Tree), Luke Davies (Lion), Shaun Grant (Berlin

Syndrome and Jasper Jones), James Greville (Dont Tell), Jacquelin Perske (Seven Types Of Ambiguity)

1.15pm

The Directors

in association with ADG

Panellists: Glendyn Ivin (Seven Types Of Ambiguity), Jeffrey Walker (Alis Wedding), Ben Young (Hounds Of Love)

5.00pm

The Producers

in association with SPA

Moderator and panellists to be announced soon.

AFI | AACTA Whats On.

Sponsored post. TV Tonight is a partner of the 2017 AACTA Awards.
As chief minister of Gujarat, Narendra Modi faced a Patel rebellion in almost every election in the state. Can Hardik Patel make this year's Gujarat election different?

By Prabhash K Dutta: With election campaign picking up for Gujarat Assembly election, an old video of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is doing rounds on social media. Originally shot for 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the video has a message from the then prime ministerial candidate and it is like: "cast your vote, don't vote your caste."

Reports say that the Gujarat BJP leaders attributed the vigorous re-circulation of the video to party workers preparing for state Assembly election. It assumes significance in the view that the BJP is facing serious challenges from three young and formidable caste-based leaders in Gujarat.

advertisement

Hardik Patel of Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS), Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani and OBC leader Alpesh Thakor, who has now joined the Congress, have been campaigning for their respective communities and attacking the BJP government for past three years.

Together the three leaders claim to represent over 70 per cent of voters in Gujarat. This has been a cause of concern for the BJP, PM Narendra Modi and party president Amit Shah, who have managed to come better of caste-based electioneering in the state for long.

ELECTION CAST IN CASTE

The first consolidation of castes for an election was seen in Gujarat during 1970s under Madhavsinh Solanki - the father of current Gujarat Congress chief Bharatsinh Solanki. Madhavsinh Solanki etched together a winning caste alliance as under KHAM - standing for Kshatriya, Dalit (then called Harijan), Adivasi (the tribals) and Muslim. The KHAM alliance challenged hitherto dominant Patels in Gujarat politics after they moved away from the Congress during JP movement and emergency period. A power Patel leader, Chimanbhai Patel even joined the BJP. Patels have been the backbone of the BJP in Gujarat ever since.

The KHAM largely remained with the Congress till the end of last century even though the Congress lost elections after 1995 in Gujarat. The caste calculations gave way to politics of polarisation after Gujarat riots in 2002, when Narendra Modi was the chief minister of the state. But, Modi also had to beat some kind Patel rebellion in all the elections that he fought as the Gujarat chief minister.

PATEL REBELLION SAGA

Gujarat riots took place in February and March while the election to the state Assembly was held in December 2002. The polls were held under polarised environment and the BJP secured its highest ever tally of 127 in the 182-seat Assembly under Narendra Modi, who had resigned in July eight months ahead of his tenure.

Modi came from OBC community and was made chief minister by a Patel-dominated party. Before Modi became the chief minister of the state which did not have history of a CM lasting his full term of five years. So, by the time of the Lok Sabha elections in 2004, the Patels in the BJP had started raising revolt.

The disgruntled faction of the BJP was led by former Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel, who enjoyed backing of some of the senior leaders of the party in Patel dominated Saurashtra and also Kutch. Narendra Modi not only overcame Keshubhai Patel's rebellion but also made moves to break KHAM alliance. In 2004 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP secured 14 of 26 Lok Sabha seats from Gujarat.

advertisement

2007 AND 2012 GUJARAT POLLS

In the run up to the 2007 Gujarat Assembly election, Patel leaders including powerful Gordhan Zadaphia, who was the state home minister during the 2002 riots. Zadaphia had active support of Keshubhai Patel and Congress leaders, some of whom attended the meetings called by the rebel BJP Patel leader.

The BJP won 117, 10 less than the previous tally in 2007 Gujarat Assembly election. But, by now, Modi had succeeded in breaking the KHAM alliance. He had wooed a section of Kshatriyas with Hindutva politics, tribals with rural development and electrification schemes and presented himself as the icon of Gujarati pride. Assault on Modi was deflected by the BJP under him as attack on Gujarati pride.

Ahead of 2012 Gujarat Assembly polls, Keshubhai Patel rebelled again. He quit the BJP to form his own the Gujarat Parivartan Party. The Patels seemed to consolidate again against Narendra Modi.

advertisement

Modi, who had by now teamed with Amit Shah as election winning machine, returned as the Gujarat chief minister with almost identical number of seats as 2007. The BJP got 116 seats while Keshubhai Patel's party secured less than 4 per cent votes.

2017 GUJARAT ELECTION

Hardik Patel is challenging Modi-Shah combination on their home turf this time around. Unlike Keshubhai Patel and Gordhan Zadaphia, Hardik Patel is untested in election. But, he has been pulling huge crowds for two years.

Challenge to Narendra Modi-Amit Shah looks bigger in the context of similar caste agitation led by Alpesh Thakor and Jignesh Mevani. While after joining Congress, Alpesh Thakor might have lost his appeal in the OBC community, which PM Modi, himself comes from, Dalits seem to be rallying behind Jignesh Mevani with the same solidarity.

To make matter worse, Karadia Rajputs have raised the banner against Gujarat BJP president Jitu Vaghani alleging that he is deliberately targeting the community leaders. The BJP is finding it hard to pacify the community, which is demanding a public apology from Vaghani.

WHAT MODI IS DOING DIFFERENT?

Apparently Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not doing anything different in Gujarat election campaign. The template for Gujarat polls seems to be the same as far as the BJP and Modi are concerned. Modi is back as the face of the BJP for Assembly election.

advertisement

Busy with the affairs of the Centre and international commitments, which have kept PM Modi out of Gujarat for almost past two weeks, he recently wrote an open letter to the voters in the state. The BJP began distributing his letters last week with Amit Shah's door-to-door campaign - Gujarat Gaurav Mahasampark Abhiyan.

Modi is again seeking votes for development referring to the stage of development under the Congress rule 22 years back. PM Modi has reemphasised the BJP's poll slogan in his letter, "Darek Gujarati No Ek Hi Awaaz: Hun Chhoon Vikas, Hun Chhoon Gujarat (One voice of all Gujaratis: I am Vikas, I am Gujarat)" to counter Opposition's "Vikas has gone crazy" campaign.

This is a sort of repeat of Modi's "Sauno Saath, Sauno Vikas" (Together with all, development for all) slogan that he used during his tenure as the Gujarat chief minister. His successor Anandiben Patel improved it to "Gatisheel Gujarat" (Dynamic Gujarat), which incumbent CM Vijay Rupani turned into "Pragatisheel Gujarat" (Progressive Gujarat). But, on the BJP posters in Gujarat, it is all over Narendra Modi.

--- ENDS ---
ABCs primary channel was the most-viewed channel last night, landing ahead of the commercial competition once more.

Drama doctors won key timeslots, albeit boosted by older viewers.

The Wall may have been winning from 7pm with 669,000 viewers but it was soon eclipsed once Doc Martin began around 7:40pm with 978,000 as the nights top show. Family Food Fight, Bull and Secrets of the Pyramids followed.

Around 8:30pm, the last-ever Doctor Blake Mysteries on ABC finally law Lucien & Jean wed, as well as a major character bumped off. It wrapped to the tune of 891,000 ahead of 60 Minutes on 667,000. Seven staggered its programming but the Craig McLachlan-led drama still beat both Sunday Night and a Star Wars movie, while TEN trailed well behind.

Seven News won the 6pm battle against Nine however Nine News topped the demos.

Although ABCs primary channel topped the night Seven network won overall with 30.8% then Nine 25.6%, ABC 25.3%, TEN 12.1% and SBS 6.3%.

Seven News was best for Seven with 901,000 then The Wall (669,000), Sunday Night (589,000) and movie: Star Wars: The Force Awakens (416,000).

Nine News (862,000) led for Nine then 60 Minutes (667,000), Family Food Fight (570,000) and Australian Crime Stories (346,000).

Doc Martin was #1 with 978,000 for ABC followed by The Doctor Blake Mysteries (891,000) and ABC News (858,000). Classic Countdown drew 210,000.

The Sunday Project (345,000 / 216,000) was best for TEN then Bull (269,000), Wisdom of the Crowd (255,000), TEN Eyewitness News (266,000), NCIS: New Orleans (195,000 / 128,000) and Family Feud (184,000).

On SBS it was Secrets of the Pyramids (243,000), SBS World News (145,000) and The Nineties (142,000).

7TWOs Border Security topped multichannels with 193,000.

OzTAM Overnights: Sunday 12 November 2017
Media Watch has been extending its audience reach thanks to its Media Bites videos, added online every Thursday.

Since its launch the show, with a much cheekier Paul Barry, is drawing in younger eyeballs through social media.

Running two or three minutes, the show is made in two days, scripted and shot on Wednesdays, with graphics & editing on Thursdays.

We knew when we launched Media Bites we had a solid show  something short, sharp and unique that engaged with audiences, writes producer Anna Klauzner.

But weve been quite excited by the response.

Weve built a solid social media audience with hundreds of thousands of Facebook views every week and people are genuinely engaged, commenting and reflecting on the issues.

The bulk of our audience is 25-44-year-olds and weve noticed that since we launched Media Bites, Media Watch has seen growth in its younger demographic.

You can read more on making Media Bites here.
Theres no specific show in the TV review this week on Screen Time, which will instead tackle the genre of Slow TV.

Over to you Scandinavia.

Chris Taylor along with panellists Judith Lucy, Benjamin Law, Zan Rowe and Sami Shah discuss the film Detroit; TV: the new genre of Slow TV, and this weeks Not On My Watch is Instant Hotel.

8pm Tuesday on ABC.
GUATEMALA CITY (Reuters) - The Guatemalan unit of telecommunications firm Telefonica SA suspended its customer service operations and closed its shops over the weekend after three of its employees were shot to death in the Central American nation.

The three killings and the wounding of a fourth employee occurred in four separate attacks on Friday.

"This is a typical case of extortion in business areas in dangerous parts of the country," a company representative, who asked not to be named because of safety concerns, told Reuters on Sunday.

"For the safety of our employees, we decided to suspend customer service but will restart tomorrow (Monday) and gradually recover normal operation," the representative said.

Local media published the transcripts of two supposed conversations between an employee of Movistar, Telefonica's local unit, and a man attempting to extort $13,600.

Police spokesman Pablo Castillo said authorities were investigating the killings.

Guatemala is struggling with endemic gang violence, especially from the powerful Mara Salvatrucha, also known as MS-13, and its rival, Calle 18.

Movistar has 4 million clients in Guatemala.

(Reporting by Sofia Menchu; Writing by Anthony Esposito; Editing by Peter Cooney)

See Also:
Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro speaks during his weekly radio and TV broadcast

Thomson Reuters

By Deisy Buitrago

CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said on Sunday the country would never default on its debt, a day before debt talks with creditors that will be overseen by two officials under sanction by the United States.

Vice President Tareck El Aissami and Economy Minister Simon Zerpa will meet with creditors in Caracas on Monday, Maduro said, contradicting earlier reports that sanctioned officials would skip the meeting to reduce investor anxiety about attendance.

"People have bet on Venezuela declaring default - never," Maduro said during his weekly Sunday broadcast. "Default will never reach Venezuela. (We) will always have a clear strategy and right now that strategy is to renegotiate and refinance the foreign debt."

The talks are aimed at beginning to restructure about $60 billion in bonds.

U.S. sanctions have made it practically impossible for Venezuela to refinance debt because U.S. banks cannot buy newly issued Venezuelan bonds. Restructuring talks are equally problematic because the sanctions bar investors from dealings with several officials on the newly appointed debt commission.

Maduro's vow to restructure and refinance in such an environment has left investors wondering if he is in fact preparing the groundwork for default.

"Tomorrow we begin the first round of renegotiation and refinancing of Venezuela's debt. It will be presided by our companion Tareck El Aissami ... and the presidential commission that I have assigned to this task," he said.

He said 414 investors had confirmed their attendance, describing that as "91 percent of all holders of Venezuelan foreign debt." That figured seemed to contrast with the overwhelming response of investors contacted by Reuters, who said they were unlikely to attend.

Market sources said last week they had been told that officials sanctioned by U.S. President Donald Trump's administration would not appear at the meeting.

Story continues

Trump's administration has imposed several rounds of sanctions this year, accusing Maduro's government of undermining democracy and violating human rights.

Investors last week were optimistic about the meeting.

Bonds issued by Venezuela and state oil company PDVSA rallied on Friday as efforts to keep current on obligations fueled optimism ahead of the meeting.

(Reporting by Deisy Buitrago; Writing by Brian Ellsworth; Editing by Peter Cooney)

See Also:
By Tim Hepher and Alexander Cornwell

DUBAI (Reuters) - Emirates unveiled a preliminary order worth $15 billion for 40 Boeing <BA.N> jets on Sunday, but kept Europe's Airbus <AIR.PA> waiting for a lifeline order for A380 superjumbos as the Dubai Airshow opened amid worries over tensions in the Middle East.

The largest Middle East carrier signed a draft deal for the largest version of Boeing's Dreamliner, the 787-10, watched by Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, credited for the launch of Emirates more than 30 years ago.

Reuters earlier reported Boeing was close to clinching a deal for 787-10s, upstaging expectations of an early Airbus deal for the larger A380.

Emirates chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al-Maktoum said the carrier had chosen the latest version of Boeing's mid-sized wide-body jet after comparing it with the Airbus A350.

Delegates said that comparison delivered a blow to Airbus which had been competing to win back Dubai's endorsement for its mid-sized A350 after Emirates cancelled an order for 70 in 2014.

Its problems did not end there as an anticipated order for A380 superjumbos worth $16 billion failed to materialise at the last moment, forcing it into further talks to finalise a deal.

Airbus has been looking for a boost to the A380 superjumbo, which after a decade in service has seen sales decline in favour of smaller but highly efficient long-haul jets.

Emirates had been expected to announce deals worth $30 billion shared between Airbus and Boeing, whose envoys unusually found themselves rubbing elbows while waiting for deals to pop.

But in a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the $100 billion industry, some Airbus officials stepped into the packed room for a joint announcement, only to see Boeing take the honours.

Top Airbus executives extended their stay as talks continued.

"Emirates are still talking to Airbus about it. There are no promises," a Gulf source said.

Story continues

TRADE-INS

A key to the deal could be the extent to which Airbus is prepared to buy back A380s due to leave the Emirates fleet.

"A few trade-ins will be involved," a person familiar with the matter said.

Day one of the show brought $17 billion of civil orders even as business confidence in the region wobbles, but business remained relatively modest compared to the show's peak in 2013.

A rift emerged in the summer between Qatar and Arab nations, including the United Arab Emirates.

That dispute has kept Qatar Airways, which four years ago ordered planes jointly with Emirates, away from the show.

Tensions deepened this month when Saudi Arabia, the region's biggest economy, detained dozens of top officials in an unprecedented, sweeping corruption crackdown.

But Sheikh Ahmed said the Emirates 787 deal was proof that the region's hub aviation model was working.

He highlighted the impact on jobs in the United States, where Gulf airlines are engaged in a dispute with domestic carriers who accuse them of using subsidies: a charge they deny.

"This is a long-term commitment that supports hundreds of thousands of jobs, not only at Boeing but throughout the aviation supply chain," Sheikh Ahmed said.

"Our announcement today also speaks to our confidence in the future of aviation in the UAE and the region."

In a sign of confidence in demand from premium travellers, Emirates unveiled first-class suites developed in co-operation with luxury car maker Mercedes-Benz.

Azerbaijan Airlines announced an order for five Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner jets and two freighters.

In exhibition halls, defence firms were bullish about their ability to bag contracts with the UAE and its Gulf Arab neighbours given rapidly escalating tensions with Iran.

"We have good chances of closing more contracts with forces here," said Gabriel Ducroizet, sales manager with French firm Rafaut -- which produces racks connecting bombs to warplanes.

The UAE announced a $1.6 billion deal with Lockheed Martin <LMT.N> to upgrade 80 F-16 jet fighters.

(Additional reporting by Aziz El Yaakoubi, Noah Browning, Stanley Carvalho; Editing by Catherine Evans)
FILE PHOTO: A combination of file photos showing French President Emmanuel Macron attending a meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, May 23, 2017, and Iran President Hassan Rouhani looking on at the Campidoglio palace in Rome, Italy, January 25, 2016. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer/Alessandro Bianchi/File Photos (Reuters)

PARIS (Reuters) - France's foreign ministry suggested on Monday that new sanctions could be imposed on Iran if needed over its ballistic missile programme.

Iran rejected on Sunday a call by French President Emmanuel Macron for talks on Tehran's ballistic missiles, saying they were defensive and unrelated to a nuclear agreement with world powers.

"As you know, the European Union has already placed sanctions on Iranian entities involved in the ballistic programme," foreign ministry spokeswoman Agnes Romatet-Espagne said.

She was responding when asked to clarify comments made by Macron during a trip to the United Arab Emirates last week about the prospects of possible sanctions with regard to those activities.

"If needed, new sanctions could be taken," she said.

The United States accused Iran on Tuesday of supplying Yemen's Houthi rebels with a missile that was fired into Saudi Arabia in July and called for the United Nations to hold Tehran accountable for violating two U.N. Security Council resolutions.

Saudi Arabia and its allies accuse Iran of supplying missiles and other weapons to the Houthis, saying the arms were not present in Yemen before conflict broke out there in 2015. Iran denies the charges and blames the conflict on Riyadh.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian will be in the Saudi capital later this week and intends to travel to Iran before the end of the month.

"The political dialogue between France and Iran is active and makes it possible to address all topics, including strategic and regional issues," Romatet-Espagne said. "Mr Le Drian will have a firm dialogue when he goes to Iran."

(Reporting by John Irish; Editing by Richard Balmforth)
Members of the police Mobile Brigade carry the body of a fallen comrade killed in a shootout with gunmen in Tembagapura, Papua, during his funeral in Bengkulu, Bengkulu province, Indonesia October 24, 2017 in this photo taken by Antara Foto. Picture taken October 24, 2017. Antara Foto/David Muharmansyah/ via REUTERS (Reuters)

By Fergus Jensen

JAKARTA (Reuters) - The Indonesian unit of Freeport-McMoRan Inc has reopened the main supply route to its huge copper mine in Papua, the company said on Monday, after the road was closed on Sunday following a shooting incident in the area.

No one was reported injured when shots were fired at an escort vehicle travelling from the lowlands, but Freeport cancelled all convoys along the road on Sunday afternoon while the security situation was assessed.

Freeport Indonesia spokesman Riza Pratama said the temporary closure has had no impact on production at the world's second-biggest copper mine.

The incident was the latest in a string of shootings near the mine since mid-August that have killed one police officer and wounded at least six others. Authorities have declared a state of emergency and stepped up security in the area around Tembagapura village, about 10 km from the mine.

The separatist West Papua National Liberation Army (TPN-OPM), a group linked to the Free Papua Movement, has said it is at war with police, military and Freeport. It was not immediately clear if TPN-OPM was behind Sunday's shooting.

Police in Indonesia's eastern-most province on Sunday said they would issue a notice to an "armed criminal group" that authorities say are occupying villages in Mimika regency, where Freeport's Grasberg mine is located, and demand that rebels surrender their weapons and turn themselves in.

"DEEPLY CONCERNED"

Timika Police chief Victor Mackbon said they were investigating reports that an employee of PT Freeport had been kidnapped by an armed criminal group.

Freeport spokesman Pratama said he could not confirm the reports of a kidnapping. He also said he could not confirm police reports that a Freeport excavator had been used by the group to dig up a road to Banti, one of the villages authorities said was occupied by the rebel group.

Freeport is "deeply concerned" about the escalation of violence, Pratama said, adding that the company was working with authorities to ensure the safety of its workers and the local community.

Story continues

Grasberg workers have become "uneasy" amid the security concerns, union representative Tri Puspital told Reuters, urging police to handle the matter more carefully.

Despite a long history of shooting incidents in the region, efforts to end the violence had been "sporadic, and not effective," Puspital said, but warned that a "hard" approach could further escalation.

Part of the problem is a perception locally that most of the benefits from Grasberg go to the "political elite", he said.

About 200 officers were standing by to secure the area by force if necessary, police officials said.

Papua has had a long-running, and sometimes violent, separatist movement since the province was incorporated into Indonesia after a widely criticised 1969 U.N.-backed referendum.

Foreign journalists have in the past required special permission to report in Papua, and once there, have had security forces restrict their movement and work.

President Joko Widodo has pledged to make the region more accessible to foreign media by inviting reporters on government-sponsored trips, although coverage remains difficult.

(Reporting by Fergus Jensen; Additional reporting by Agustinus Beo Da Costa; Editing by Richard Pullin and Tom Hogue)
By PTI: (Eds: Rephrasing intro; minor correction in para 9)

By Lalit K Jha

Washington, Nov 13 (PTI) Hindu-American leaders in the US have called for active political engagement of the community in the country after the election of some of them in the state and local polls recently.

"Dozens (of Hindu-Americans) are contesting elections and hundreds are following in their footsteps," said Kumar Bharve, the first Indian-American elected to any state legislature in the US, as he referred to the presence of four Hindus in the House of Representatives and the election of several people in states and local elections past week.

advertisement

The US has granted incredible opportunities, said Aruna Miller, member of the Maryland State legislature.

This provides incredible responsibility to serve the society towards peace, said Miller, who is running for the House next year. Both were speaking at the first anniversary celebrations of the American Hindu Coalition (AHC).

Maryland State legislature in a citation recognised the first anniversary of American Hindu Coalition.

"Wherever we are, we must pursue political power," said Shekhar Tiwari, chair of the American Hindu Coalition.

A political bipartisan organisation, AHCs mission is to promote a shared commitment of American-Hindus for a prosperous, safer and a stronger America, said Harsh Sethi, AHC president.

Gurinder Singh Khalsa from Indiana-based Sikhs Political Action Committee emphasised on the need to be engaged in politics.

According to some estimates, American-Hindus accounted for about one per cent of the total US population.

Hindus never thought that they are religious as such. But they are all humans, said Chinna Jeeyar Swami.

Diplomats from about a dozen countries participated in the event.

Mahbub Hassan Saleh, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Bangladesh to the US, said the ultimate objective of the organisations like AHC is to build bridges among the communities and across the countries.

Bangladesh has the third largest Hindu community in the world.

Hindu and Buddhist communities are making significant contribution to the economic development of the US, Soorooj Phokeer, Mauritius Ambassador said, adding that they would help further strengthen ties between US and Mauritius.

The Trinidad and Tobago Ambassador Brig Gen (rtd) Anthony W J Philips Spencer said 16 per cent of the countrys population are Hindus and the Caribbean nation boasts one of the diverse population in the region.

Diplomats from Myanmar, Guyana, India, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Indonesia were also present at the first anniversary celebration of AHC. PTI LKJ AJR CPS

--- ENDS ---
FILE PHOTO: An employee looks at equipment in a new facility at a nuclear waste disposal plant in the town of Fokino in Russia's far-eastern Primorsky region June 24, 2014. REUTERS/Yuri Maltsev

Thomson Reuters

By Geert De Clercq

PARIS (Reuters) - A cloud of radioactive pollution over Europe in recent weeks indicates that an accident has happened in a nuclear facility in Russia or Kazakhstan in the last week of September, French nuclear safety institute IRSN said on Thursday.

The IRSN ruled out an accident in a nuclear reactor, saying it was likely to be in a nuclear fuel treatment site or center for radioactive medicine. There has been no impact on human health or the environment in Europe, the IRSN said.

IRSN, the technical arm of French nuclear regulator ASN, said in a statement it could not pinpoint the location of the release of radioactive material but that based on weather patterns, the most plausible zone lay south of the Ural mountains, between the Urals and the Volga river.

This could indicate Russia or possibly Kazakhstan, an IRSN official said.

"Russian authorities have said they are not aware of an accident on their territory," IRSN director Jean-Marc Peres told Reuters. He added that the institute had not yet been in contact with Kazakh authorities.

A spokeswoman for the Russian Emergencies Ministry said she could not immediately comment. It was not immediately possible to reach authorities in Kazakhstan or the Kazakh embassy in Moscow.

Peres said that in recent weeks IRSN and several other nuclear safety institutes in Europe had measured high levels of levels of ruthenium 106, a radioactive nuclide that is the product of splitting atoms in a nuclear reactor and which does not occur naturally.

IRSN estimates that the quantity of ruthenium 106 released was major, between 100 and 300 teraBecquerels, and that if an accident of this magnitude had happened in France it would have required the evacuation or sheltering of people in a radius of a few kilometers around the accident site.

The ruthenium 106 was probably released in a nuclear fuel treatment site or center for radioactive medicine, Peres said. Because of its short half-life of about a year, ruthenium 106 is used in nuclear medicine.

Story continues

The IRSN ruled out an accident in a nuclear reactor, as that would have led to contamination with other radionuclides too. It also ruled out the crash of a ruthenium-powered satellite as an IAEA investigation has concluded that no ruthenium-containing satellite has fallen back on earth during this period.

Measurement from European stations showed high levels of ruthenium 106 in the atmosphere of the majority of European countries, at the beginning of October, with a steady decrease from Oct. 6 onwards.

The IRSN said that the concentrations of ruthenium 106 in the air that have been recorded in Europe were of no consequence for human health and the environment.

The institute also said that the probability of importation into France of foodstuffs, notably mushrooms, contaminated by ruthenium 106 near the site of the accident is extremely low.

(Reporting by Geert De Clercq in Paris, additional reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin in Moscow; Editing by Alison Williams)

See Also:
By Ahmed Hagagy and Tom Arnold

KUWAIT CITY/DUBAI (Reuters) - Kuwaiti banks have been told by the central bank to provide account details relating to some Saudi Arabian nationals, sources familiar with the situation told Reuters on Monday.

The move follows the freezing of more than 2,000 domestic bank accounts in Saudi Arabia after the detention of senior business figures and officials in a campaign against alleged graft.

Kuwait's central bank had asked its banks if they had exposure to any of the Saudi citizens who were arrested, one of the sources said, without providing further information.

Banks had also been asked to provide information about the companies linked to the individuals, the source added.

So far, the information received by the Kuwaiti regulator showed the exposure of Kuwaiti banks to the individuals detained and their companies was limited, the source said.

Reuters reported last week that the central bank in the United Arab Emirates had asked banks to provide details of the accounts of 19 Saudis, including billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, who was among those detained.

Some banks in the Gulf Cooperation Council have close links to Saudi Arabia, the largest economy in the six-nation bloc, with a number of Saudi individuals and companies doing business in the neighbouring nations and holding bank accounts there.

A second Kuwaiti banking source said some Kuwaiti banks had been asked by the regulator to provide details on their total exposure to Saudi Arabia.

Some banks in Bahrain had also been asked to provide information on any accounts held by Saudi citizens caught up in the anti-graft campaign, a third source said.

Nobody was available to comment from the Bahrain central bank.

(Editing by Alexander Smith)
By Fumbuka Ng'wanakilala

DAR ES SALAAM (Reuters) - Tanzania's tourism minister ordered a corruption investigation into his predecessor on Monday, just two weeks after the former post-holder quit the ruling party and joined the opposition.

Hamisi Kigwangalla, in charge of regulating one of Tanzania's most lucrative sectors, told parliament he had asked the anti-corruption watchdog to look into allegations of abuse of office by Lazaro Nyalandu.

Nyalandu took to Twitter to deny any wrongdoing and called the announcement a smear campaign meant to stop anyone else jumping ship.

He quit the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi party on Oct 30 and joined the main opposition CHADEMA, citing rights abuses and a weakening of democracy in the east African nation. Rights groups have accused President John Magufuli's government of cracking down on opposition voices, something it denies.

Earlier, the government threatened to disband an opposition-controlled municipal council after the body decided to stay in a pro-democracy organisation that the country as a whole had left.

The northwestern Kigoma Ujiji Municipal Council, run by the relatively small ACT-Wazalendo party, has decided to remain in the Washington-based Open Government Partnership (OGP) despite the central government's withdrawal.

Tanzania joined the OGP in 2011 to promote transparency and accountability in government spending, but withdrew in July, saying it wanted to focus on participation in APRM, a similar peer review system for African governments.

At the time it said it wanted to cut down on the time and paperwork involved in taking part in two initiatives.

"If they (the council) continue to communicate with OGP as they are doing now, the government will take stern measures ... which may include disbanding the municipal council. Don't force us to go there," Tanzania's Good Governance Minister, George Mkuchika, said in parliament.

The leader of ACT-Wazalendo criticised the announcement.

"Forcing it (the municipal council) to withdraw... is unconstitutional because the central government is interfering in the affairs of local government," he said in a statement.

(Editing by Duncan Miriri and Andrew Heavens)
FILE PHOTO - Rohingya refugees walk on the shore as they arrive on a makeshift boat after crossing the Bangladesh-Myanmar border, at Shah Porir Dwip near Cox's Bazar November 9, 2017. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar (Reuters)

By Serajul Quadir

DHAKA (Reuters) - A senior United Nations official said on Sunday she would raise the issue of persecution of Myanmar's Rohingya minority, especially sexual violence and torture, with the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Pramila Patten, Special Representative of the Secretary- General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, also said around $10 million (7.58 million pounds) is needed immediately to deliver specialist services for survivors of gender-based violence.

Patten was speaking in the Bangladeshi capital after a three-day visit to the Cox's Bazar region, near the border with Myanmar. There she met women and girls who are among hundreds of thousands of Rohingya that have sought refuge in Bangladesh following a crackdown by Myanmar's military on the predominantly Muslim minority.

"When I return to New York I will brief and raise the issue with the prosecutor and president of the ICC whether they (Myanmar's military) can be held responsible for these atrocities," Patten said after visiting several camps.

"Sexual violence is being commanded, orchestrated and perpetrated by the Armed Forces of Myanmar, otherwise known as the Tatmadaw."

"Rape is an act and a weapon of genocide."

She said she would brief the U.N. secretary-general on the situation in Cox's Bazar and that her office's annual report, to be presented to the Security Council in March, would include a dedicated section on Myanmar.

Patten said brutal acts of sexual violence had occurred in the context of collective persecution that included the killing of adults and children, torture, mutilation and the burning and looting of villages.

"The widespread threat and use of sexual violence was a driver and 'push factor' for forced displacement on a massive scale, and a calculated tool of terror aimed at the extermination and removal of the Rohingya as a group," she said.

"The forms of sexual violence we consistently heard about from survivors include gang-rape by multiple soldiers, forced public nudity and humiliation, and sexual slavery in military captivity. One survivor was in captivity for 45 days by the Myanmar army."

Story continues

Patten said that since the first mass influx of refugees into Bangladesh in August, gender-based violence specialists had delivered services to 1,644 survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, "although this is only the tip of the iceberg".

"We need full funding for this humanitarian crisis from the international donor community. The burden is too heavy to be borne by the government of Bangladesh alone," she added, calling for about $10 million of international funding.

Patten said she had been denied access to Myanmar itself.

Myanmar warned on Wednesday that a scolding delivered by the U.N. Security Council could "seriously harm" its talks with Bangladesh over repatriating more than 600,000 Rohingya who have fled Myanmar's Rakhine state since Aug. 25.

The United Nations has denounced the violence during the past 10 weeks as a classic example of ethnic cleansing to drive the Rohingya Muslims out of Buddhist majority Myanmar, an accusation Myanmar rejects.

(Reporting By Serajul Quadir; Editing by Catherine Evans)
DAKAR, Senegal (AP)  The U.S. Africa Command says it has sent a joint team with the Niger military to the village of Tongo Tongo to investigate the Oct. 4 attack by extremists that left four American and four Nigerien soldiers dead.

AFRICOM said Sunday that the on-site investigation is part of a wider review across the U.S., Africa and Europe and by multiple agencies to determine how the attack took place.

The U.S. command team is interviewing residents around Tonga Tonga, visiting relevant areas and retracing steps taken before the ambush.

The Pentagon has said its investigation won't be finished until at least January.

Questions have arisen over whether the soldiers' commando unit was carrying out its assigned mission when it was ambushed about 200 kilometers (120 miles) north of Niamey.

See Also:
By PTI: Washington, Nov 13 (PTI) Scientists have found how HIV propagates itself through the body paving the way for new drugs to combat the infection.

A key part of HIVs success is a trick to propagate itself inside the body, researchers said.

Once HIV has infected a cell, it forces the cell to make a little capsule out of its own membrane, filled with the virus, according to the study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

advertisement

The capsule pinches off - a process called "buddin" - and floats away to infect more cells. Once inside another unsuspecting cell, the capsule coating falls apart, and the HIV RNA gets to work.

Scientists knew that budding involves an HIV protein complex called Gag protein, but the details of the molecular process were murky.

"For a while now we have had an idea of what the final assembled structure looks like, but all the details in between remained largely unknown," said Gregory Voth, from the University of Chicago in the US.

Since it has been difficult to get a good molecular - level snapshot of the protein complex with imaging techniques, Voth and his team built a computer model to simulate Gag in action.

Simulations allowed them to tweak the model until they arrived at the most likely configurations for the molecular process.

They built a model of missing parts of the Gag protein complex, and tweaked it until they could see how the proteins assemble by taking advantage of cellular infrastructure in preparation for the budding process.

"It really demonstrates the power of modern computing for simulating viruses," said Voth. PTI SNE MHN SNE

--- ENDS ---
Technology-focussed investing company Blue Star Capital announced on Monday that its investee company, SatoshiPay , has agreed to partner with the Stellar Development Foundation (SDF) as the underlying cryptocurrency ledger for SatoshiPay's settlement system.

The AIM-traded Blue Star owns approximately 31% of the equity in SatoshiPay.

It said that, since its 2015 initial product launch, SatoshiPay has relied on the Bitcoin network to settle nano payments, adding that initially Bitcoin transaction fees were negligible, however due to Bitcoin's rising popularity in 2017, combined with stalling scalability improvements, it had become clear that Bitcoin's original vision of a peer-to-peer electronic cash system was no longer viable for everyday transactions.

To sustain and enhance SatoshiPay's business model based on frequent low-value payments, SatoshiPay has been exploring alternatives to replace Bitcoin with a more suitable distributed ledger technology, Blue Stars board explained in the statement.

During the process of designing the software architecture for a switch to a new ledger technology, it said it had become evident that hardwiring a new cryptocurrency to SatoshiPay's updated system was potentially inefficient, and instead they started abstracting all cryptocurrency ledger operations - like wallet creation - into a layer between SatoshiPay's business logic and the underlying ledger.

Using that layered approach, the switch from one default ledger to another would reportedly become relatively easy, and SatoshiPay would no longer be locked into a specific ledger or blockchain.

This multiple ledger approach should ultimately allow SatoshiPay to use different ledgers depending on the requirements of corporate clients or industry verticals of its nano payment settlement platform.

Having carried out extensive testing on alternative ledgers, Blue Star said SatoshiPay concluded that Stellar would be the preferred default ledger.

Stellar was founded in 2014, and is headquartered in San Francisco, having received initial funding through credit card payment processor Stripe, with IBM recently announcing that it was to use Stellar in its blockchain banking platform.

Blue Star said Stellar's cryptocurrency Lumen had a current market capitalisation of approximately 423m.

SatoshiPay's decision to chose Stellar was based on its extremely low fees - currently 0.00003 cents per operation - and fast settlement - approximately 5 seconds to confirmation - allowing SatoshiPay to settle all transactions in real-time and directly on the distributed ledger, the Blue Star board explained.

This should mean that in the future, publishers using the SatoshiPay network will receive funds within seconds after a consumer pays for content.

Starting in 2018, all of SatoshiPay's transactions are expected to be via the Stellar network.

As part of its marketing program, SDF has pledged to credit the first 100,000 users creating a wallet through SatoshiPay with 500 Lumens each which have a current value of approximately 13 euros.

SatoshiPay's business model continues to evolve and the upcoming launch of the new ledger technology through Stellar is further evidence of the company's ability to evolve in a fast changing environment and to attract strong partners, said Blue Star Capital CEO Tony Fabrizi.

The ability to switch between different ledgers depending upon the requirements should provide significant benefits and allow SatoshiPay the widest possible flexibility to meet customer requirements.

SatoshiPay CEO Meinhard Benn added that the company was thrilled to be working with Stellar's technology to deliver its updated product to market, in what the board believed was the fastest way possible.

We expect the generous 50 million Lumen which Stellar is giving to be a significant help in growing our user and client base, Benn added.

Jed McCaleb, cofounder of Stellar, also commented that the business was excited that SatoshiPay had selected Stellar as its primary ledger technology, and looked forward to inviting SatoshiPay users to the Stellar community.

Cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology are facilitating open innovation and revolutionising the payments space, and we're thrilled to be working with SatoshiPay to help lead the way by making micropayments much faster and less costly than ever before, explained McCaleb.
PM Theresa May met with business leaders from the UK and the EU on Monday, with a top European representative saying she is extremely concerned with the progress made thus far on Brexit .

BusinessEurope President Emma Marcegaglia and CBI Director General Carolyn Fairbairn met with May to discuss how talks between her government and EU negotiators had evolved in recent months.

Following the meeting, Marcegaglia said she was worried about the lack of progress ahead of a key meeting of European leaders in December.

Business is extremely concerned with the slow pace of negotiations and the lack of progress only one month before the decisive December European Council, Marcegaglia said.

She added that business leaders were keen to avoid a 'cliff edge' scenario, which would see the UK leave the bloc in March 2019 without an exit deal.

"We urge the UK Government to make good on its Florence commitments by providing concrete proposals on the three issues critical for talks to move to the next phase including citizens rights, the situation of Ireland and the financial settlement."

Also in attendance at the meeting at Downing Street was the Confederation of British Industry, with Fairbairn calling for a transition period whereby businesses would be able to adjust to the new arrangement.

"A transition period reflecting the current arrangements remains the priority on both sides of the Channel. While businesses welcomed the Prime Ministers Florence speech, we now need to move beyond warm words if jobs, investment and living standards are to be protected," Fairbairn said.

European leaders will meet next month at a crucial summit in which they will decide whether 'sufficient progress' has been made on the key issues in order to advance talks to the second phase.

Comments thus far from the EU suggest that that threshold has not been reached yet, requiring further moves from the UK side over the next two weeks.
Royal Dutch Shell gushed higher as it said that following strong demand from institutional investors, it has now agreed to sell its entire holding in Woodside Petroleum.

The oil giant said earlier in the day that it had agreed to sell 71.6m shares in Woodside to two investment banks, cuttings its holding to 4.8%.However, it announced later that a total of 111.8m shares were agreed to be sold, representing subsidiary Shell Energy Holdings Australia Limiteds entire interest in Woodside, for total pre-tax proceeds of $2.8bn.

On the downside, Babcock International, BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce were all under the cosh following a warning from Ultra Electronics. Ultra said on Monday that it expects a tougher second half, as it announced that Rakesh Sharma has stepped down as chief executive with immediate effect.

Pointing to mounting pressures in the funding of UK defence programmes which have resulted in the UK Ministry of Defence pausing, cancelling or delaying a number of programmes, the group said it now expects full year total revenue to be around 770m, down from 785m last year, and for organic revenue to drop by around 4%. It expects profit for the full year of approximately 120m versus Bloomberg consensus of 128m.

Coca-Cola HBC was also weaker as JPMorgan Cazenove cut the stock to neutral from overweight.

Fundamentals remain strong but CCBA could be less accretive than initially expected, it said.

Distribution and outsourcing company Bunzl was in the red. Shore Capital noted that the stock fell noticeably on Friday in response to published market analysis suggesting that the companys business model might be undermined by the ramp-up of Amazons activities in B2B distribution activities: potentially taking revenue and undermining margins.

Risers

AstraZeneca (AZN) 4,940.00p 1.44%

British American Tobacco (BATS) 4,959.50p 1.01%

Carnival (CCL) 4,911.00p 0.97%

United Utilities Group (UU.) 839.50p 0.78%

Royal Dutch Shell 'B' (RDSB) 2,476.00p 0.75%

Royal Dutch Shell 'A' (RDSA) 2,436.00p 0.74%

Relx plc (REL) 1,730.00p 0.58%

Worldpay Group (WPG) 406.20p 0.54%

Unilever (ULVR) 4,246.00p 0.52%

Prudential (PRU) 1,854.00p 0.46%

Fallers

Babcock International Group (BAB) 756.50p -6.89%

Coca-Cola HBC AG (CDI) (CCH) 2,480.00p -4.06%

NMC Health (NMC) 2,804.00p -3.91%

Kingfisher (KGF) 299.00p -3.49%

BAE Systems (BA.) 538.00p -3.24%

Rolls-Royce Holdings (RR.) 905.50p -2.42%

Bunzl (BNZL) 2,108.00p -2.27%

St James's Place (STJ) 1,120.00p -2.27%

GKN (GKN) 313.20p -2.13%

International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (CDI) (IAG) 584.50p -2.09%
Among the many attendees at the University of North Georgia (UNG) second annual security symposium, "Civil-Military Cooperation and International Collaboration in Cyber Operations" held Nov. 8-9 on the Dahlonega Campus were a 10 uniformed men and women from around the world who literally grew up with the internet.

The cadets, all in their early 20s, attended the conference to learn more from presenters and each other on how to better deal with the rising rate of cyber threats.

Vinicius Chitolina, 23, a fourth-year cadet graduating in military sciences from Agulhas Negras Military Academy, Resende, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was selected by his commanding officer from a group of his classmates to attend the conference after winning an essay-writing competition.

Chitolina was also part of a group of cadets who presented posters based on topics related to the conference. His poster outlined "Use of force in cyberspace under Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter: an analysis of stuxnet virus based on "Schmitt Criteria" in cyber-attacks."

"I was excited about being able to come here and learn about how to better defend my country's cyber network," Chitolina said. "These cyberattacks and terrorists will only get worse, and we are my country's next line of defense in this kind of a war."

Presented by UNG's Institute for Leadership and Strategic Studies (ILSS), Center for Cyber Operations Education at the Mike Cottrell School of Business, College of Arts and Letters, and UNG Press, the symposium featured a number of guest speakers, panel discussions which included scholarly paper presentations and poster sessions.

Cadet Luri Khijakadze, 21, a "junker" (cadet) at the National Defence Academy of Georgia, said his interest in IT and cyber issues has led to an increased desire to learn more in those fields.

"There are a number of people from other nations here, they can talk about different ways to fight cyber terrorists," Khijakadze said, standing next to his poster. It outlined a 2008 cyberattack that halted all electronic communications in the Republic of Georgia for two days. "Talking to others that have a higher level of knowledge on these subjects, I can get better ideas to help my country fight in cyberspace."

The symposium's keynote speaker was UNG alumnus Maj. Gen. Stephen Fogarty, chief of staff of the U.S. Cyber Command. Fogarty has a bachelor's degree in history from UNG, and is a graduate of the U.S. Army War College with a master's of science degree in strategic studies. He also holds a master's of science degree in administration from Central Michigan University.

Fogarty's message to attendees that included UNG faculty and students, government agency leaders and active military personnel, spanned a broad range of cyber-related topics, threats and challenges facing the U.S. and our allies, both now and in the future. He reinforced the importance of the symposium's theme of civil-military cooperation and international collaboration in cyber operations. He emphasized that the U.S. Army is making much progress in the cyber domain fight.

"For the first time in its history, you can join the army, enter the cyber corps from the very beginning of your enlistment, and stay there your entire military career," Fogarty said.

Fogarty went on to say that this is a unique period in the history of the world, where one "bad actor," with a laptop can take over or cripple a nation's entire cyber network. To combat that threat, nations must go on the offensive.

"You better have game," Fogarty said. "You absolutely need to employ it if necessary, to not be afraid to use it."

Other speakers included:

Bill Smullen, director of National Security Studies at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University

Jeffrey Collins, director of Air Force Cyber Worx, U.S. Air Force Academy

Leo Scanlon, deputy chief information security officer, U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services

Laszlo Kovacs, professor, National University of Public Service, Budapest, Hungary

The Civil-Military Symposium was an excellent opportunity for our students and cadets to meet their colleagues from three other senior military colleges in the U.S. and from 10 international military universities, and for all the participants to hear from government, military and academic thought leaders from around the world on the important questions surrounding cyber operations in an increasingly complex global environment," said Dr. Bryson Payne, director of the UNG's Center for Cyber Operations Education. "The international connections that were formed this week are a crucial step toward solving problems in the cyber domain for the generation ahead of us.

For more information on the UNG Security Symposium, visit the website.
Hanoi, November 12 (VNA)  General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong has highly valued the significance of the current Vietnam visit by US President Donald Trump, saying it contributes to promoting the bilateral ties and the success of the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting hosted by Vietnam.



During his meeting in Hanoi on November 12, General Secretary Trong highlighted the development of relations between the two countries since the normalisation of their ties, saying that there is room for both sides to expand cooperation.



He proposed the two sides, together with improving cooperations effectiveness in economics and trade, continue strengthening political trust and high-level contacts while boosting collaboration in education, human resources development and science-technology and coordination at multilateral forums.



He express his belief in the further development of the Vietnam-US relations in the future for the benefits of the two countries people, the region and the world.



He thanked the US President for his good sentiment on Vietnam and sharing toward people in central Vietnam who are suffering flood aftermath.



President Trump, for his part, expressed his pleasure to meet Party General Secretary Trong and congratulated Vietnam on successfully hosting the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting. He also expressed his impression on the land, people and achievements of Vietnam.



He said the US and Vietnam boast common benefits to increase cooperation in the time to come.



The President informed his host of the outcomes of his talks with President Tran Dai Quang, saying that Vietnams trade surplus shows that Vietnam has manifested effectiveness in bilateral cooperation in recent years.



He expressed his wish that Vietnam increases the import of products that are the USs strength as an effort towards a balance in trade, and boost cooperation in other fields in the coming time.

VNA/VNP
Hanoi, November 12 (VNA)  General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong held talks with General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and State President Xi Jinping on November 12.



Trong congratulated the Chinese top leader on the success of the CPCs 19th National Congress and on his re-election as the General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, the 19th tenure.



He said he believed that under the leadership of the CPC headed by Xi, Chinese people will achieve all targets set by the CPCs 19th National Congress and turn China into a strong, democratic, civilised, modern and beautiful socialist nation.



He also appreciated Chinas participation in and contributions to the success of the 2017 APEC Economic Leaders Meeting.



Xi expressed his delight at visiting Vietnam again right after the CPCs 19th National Congress. He congratulated Vietnam on successfully organising the 2017 APEC Economic Leaders Meeting as well as the meetings outcomes in fostering development in the region and the world.



He showed his sympathy over losses caused by recent disasters in Vietnam.



During their talks, the two Party chiefs informed each other of their respective countrys situation, discussing and agreeing on major orientations and measures to boost the relations between the Parties and countries in the time ahead.



They said they are delighted at positive developments in the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, as evidenced by the regular high-level meetings, and intensified cooperation between ministries, localities and peoples. The two countries remain each others important economic partner, while trade, investment and tourism ties have enjoyed growth, and border situations on land and in the Gulf of Tonkin have basically been stable.



Both agreed to uphold the achieved results, and work actively to solve existing difficulties and shortcomings so as to develop the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership stably and sustainably.



Party General Secretary Trong affirmed Vietnam treasures and wants to boost its friendship and neighbourliness and the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership with China in a stable and deeper fashion, and back Chinas efforts to grow further and contribute positively to peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world.



He emphasised several main points to strengthen the friendship and cooperation between the two Parties and countries.



Firstly, he asked the countries to intensify delegation exchanges, increase the efficiency of collaboration between the two Parties, and strengthen cooperation between the Vietnamese National Assembly and the National Peoples Congress of China, between the Vietnam Fatherland Front and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and between the two countries ministries and peoples, particularly young generations.



He stressed the need to promote the coordinating role of the Steering Committee on Bilateral Cooperation in supervising and speeding up the implementation of signed agreements, especially high-level ones, and step up cooperation in diplomacy, defence, security and law enforcement.



It is essential to well implement the declaration on joint vision on defence cooperation by 2025, organise border defence exchanges and strategic defence dialogues, and share experience in Party work, political affairs, health, joining United Nations peacekeeping missions, and combating crimes.



The Vietnamese Party chief requested the two sides to maintain coordination between the two Foreign Ministries in boosting the bilateral ties as well as at multilateral forums, and direct press agencies to expand reporting each countrys land, people, and socio-economic development achievements as well as the bilateral relations, so as to enhance mutual understanding and consolidate the social foundation for the bilateral ties.



Secondly, the two sides should improve the effectiveness of cooperation in economy and other fields, he said, suggesting that both countries continue efficiently implementing high-level agreements and common perceptions, focusing on expanding investment and trade scale and applying measures to reduce Vietnams trade deficit.



Vietnam and China should boost win-win partnership in areas of Chinas strength and Vietnams demand, including agriculture, environment, climate change response, science-technology and transportation, especially in seeking new rice varieties adapting to salinity condition in the Mekong Delta region, he said.



Trong proposed that the two countries properly settle issues related to fishing vessels and fishermen; manage, protect and use water resources along shared border in a sustainable manner, while working closely in preventing and coping with flood, ensuring nuclear safety, and creating optimal conditions for road, railway and airway transportation.



Thirdly, Vietnam and China should maintain peace and stability and deal with problems at sea smoothly, he stated.



The Party leader also underscored the necessity of safeguarding lasting peace and stability to minimize risks of instability, and building trust in the settlement of East Sea issues between countries concerned, saying this will benefit all sides involved as well as the region and the world.



All parties should exercise restraint and take no moves to complicate the situation or expand disputes, while respecting legitimate and legal rights of each other, and focusing efforts on maintaining peace and stability at sea to prioritize socio-economic development tasks.



He proposed that Vietnam and China fully and effectively implement the agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of sea-related issues and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), in parallel with soon conducting the practical negotiation for the building of an effective and efficient Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).



The two countries should consider the application of suitable cooperation forms in some areas with real overlapping in line with international law, he said, adding that they should stick to carrying out the agreed roadmap, and utilize the experience gained in sea delineation and cooperation inside the Gulf of Tonkin to make progress in the delineation and collaboration in the waters off the mouth of the Gulf of Tonkin.



At the same time, they should consider the possibility and plans of cooperation among relevant parties as well as between ASEAN and China in some less sensitive areas with shared interest, including the management of fishing and protection of the maritime ecology and environment, said Trong.



For his part, Xi briefed his host on the major outcomes of the CPCs 19th National Congress.



He declared that the Party and Government of China always give great attention to unceasingly reinforcing and developing the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership with Vietnam under the motto Friendly neighbours, comprehensive cooperation, long-term stability, looking toward the future and in the spirit of Good neighbors, good friends, good comrades, and good partners.



He showed support for major orientations and measures to develop partnership between the two Parties and countries proposed by Party General Secretary Trong, while affirming that China attaches importance to maintaining and promoting bilateral traditional friendship with Vietnam.



He held that both sides should view the bilateral ties with a strategic and long-term vision, thus developing a stable, healthy and sustainable relationship to benefit people of both countries and contribute to peace, stability, development and prosperity of the region.



Xi suggested that the two countries continue maintaining regular high-level contacts and enhancing strategic exchanges and political trust; deepen the Party exchange channel and increase exchanges and cooperation in the fields of diplomacy, security, and defence; and promote substantial cooperation in service of each countrys renovation and reform, by bringing into full play the coordinating role of the Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation.



He also referred to promoting the efficiency of cooperative mechanisms on trade, infrastructure, and monetary-finance, and connecting development strategies of Two Corridors, One Belt framework and Belt and Road initiative to grow the countries economic-trade ties in a balanced and sustainable manner towards the 100-billion-USD goal in 2017.



He also suggested the two sides support and facilitate cooperation between localities and border areas of the two countries, increase people-to-people exchange, and ratchet up affiliations in social security to improve peoples life.



He vowed that China will continue providing a non-refundable aid worth 600 million CNY in three years to improve social security in Vietnams northern localities.



China will spare no effort to soundly manage conflicts at sea to maintain peace and stability in the East Sea, Xi stressed, affirming that China wants to work with ASEAN to implement comprehensively and efficiently the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and negotiate and build the Code of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (COC).





He also suggested the two sides boost coordination at multilateral mechanisms like the United Nations, APEC, China-ASEAN, and Lancang-Mekong, contributing to maintaining peace, prosperity and development in the region and the world at large.



After their talks, the leaders witnessed the signing of cooperative documents between the two countries.

VNA/VNP
By PTI: Srinagar, Nov 13 (PTI) Hitting out at hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani for criticising Farooq Abdullah over his recent comment on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, National Conference working president Omar Abdullah today said, "Hypocrisy is a Geelani trait."

Farooq Abdullah had on Saturday said that PoK belongs to Pakistan and "this wont change" no matter how many wars India and Pakistan fight. His statement came a few days after Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi rejected the idea of an "independent Kashmir", saying it was not based on "reality".

advertisement

Reacting to it, Geelani had yesterday said, "These power-hungry politicians always played deceit. These irresponsible and short-sighted people have always served the interests of their masters. They are barefaced, follow their treacherous politics and are never ashamed of their absurd statements."

In a sharp reaction to the separatist leaders comments, Omar Abdullah, in a series of tweets, said, "Can Geelani show me his reaction to the Pak PM who has repeated many times recently that Azadi is not an option for Kashmir. Hypocrisy is a Geelani trait."

"Its not surprising that the Separatist camp has chosen to react to what the @JKNC_President (Farooq Abdullah) has said & not to what the Pak PM said," he tweeted.

"Yes, while Farooq Abdullahs ancestors were engaged in a struggle this man was fighting elections & cosying up to Janata Party," the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister wrote on Twitter.

Meanwhile, National Conference General Secretary A M Sagar, in a statement, said Geelanis "double standards" stood exposed in his silence over the Pakistan prime ministers statement as compared to his "selective and uninformed outrage" over party president Farooq Abdullahs remarks.

"Geelani should introspect and stop leasing his voice out to a mainstream political party over a purely personal political agenda that was based on distortion and prejudice," he said.

Sagar claimed that the National Conference is the only political institution that has consistently and bravely fought to safeguard the states political identity and honour in all circumstances.

"Even today, it is the National Conference alone which is standing between various intrigues against the states special status and the rights of the people.

"This role will be noted in history and no amount of selective press statements and distortion of truth will change it," he said. PTI MIJ NSD

--- ENDS ---
A group of Virginia Tech students is seeking support through the universitys crowdfunding platform for various humanitarian service projects in developing countries that are part of their senior design coursework.

The humanitarian service design program brings mechanical engineering design students to communities in developing countries. During this undergraduate research opportunity, student teams work with community members to develop sustainable engineering solutions to problems that range from water and sanitation to health care and transportation.

According to Kevin Kochersberger, associate professor of mechanical engineering in the College of Engineering and faculty advisor to the humanitarian projects teams, the students involved in the projects are making an enormous difference to the lives of people all over the world.

We have had 16 projects in four countries, Kochersberger said. This year well travel to three of those  Peru, Rwanda, and Malawi.

The work ranges from building agricultural-based devices, such as a grass chopper that helps farmers in Senegal make silage feed for livestock, to a project that created a strong, light, and portable table to help doctors providing cervical cancer screenings to women in remote villages of the Peruvian Andes.

While building a table may seem simple, the results of the project are long-lasting and go beyond the results of the screening. For CerviCusco, a Peruvian nongovernmental agency trying to provide health screenings to women in rural communities, a table can be the difference between efficient, dignified exams, and exams where doctors are using their shoulders to support cervical cancer screenings.

We traveled with a team of doctors to two very remote clinics in Peru; one had no proper exam table while the other could double patient screening with the addition of our table, Kochersberger said. It is not uncommon for doctors working with CerviCusco, the group doing the screenings, to hike several hours to a village, making the lightweight, backpackable table indispensable in remote medicine.

The crowdfunding campaign for the senior design humanitarian projects team hopes to raise $10,000 for travel expenses to the three countries. The campaign, supported by the Virginia Tech Department of Mechanical Engineering and the Office of International Research, Education, and Development, part of Outreach and International Affairs, runs through the month of November. Supporters can contribute a gift of any amount and are encouraged to help promote the campaign on social media by visiting the projects homepage.

Written by Rosaire Bushey


Mehjabi Siddiqui had a spat with Hina Khan on the show a while ago.

By Anvita Singh: Mehjabi Siddiqui, who was introduced as a padosi contestant, was evicted in the Weekend ka Vaar episode. Recently, Mehjabi spoke to India Today Online about her experience in the Bigg Boss house, and revealed what she actually thinks about Hina Khan.

Why do you think you were evicted this week?

I don't know, no clue. I guess the house was packed with people, they had to let someone go, so here I am (laughs).

advertisement

People said you were not active in the show. Your comments on the subject...

I think by active, they mean I was not needlessly fighting with people. I was not trying to wash my dirty laundry in public, I was being my polite and civilized self. Anyway, this season is probably the worst one in the history of the show, thanks to the contestants and their stupid fights.

And as far as being active in the house is concerned, I was more active in Bigg Boss 11 than Bandgi, Benafsha, and Sapna. It is just luck, maybe, that is working in their favour.

Mehjabi Siddiqui gets evicted from the #BB11 housemates did you expect that? Watch what happens next on #WeekendKaVaar. pic.twitter.com/oK6OKa8XCo- COLORS (@ColorsTV) November 12, 2017

Who are these people who are responsible for the fights in the house? Who is making it uncomfortable for people to live normal lives?

Arshi and Akash do pick up fights with housemates. And if we are talking about uncomfortable, then we have to take Bandgi and Puneesh's name. They are making things awkward for everyone in the house. I understand that people behave a certain way when they are in love, but they are operating on another level altogether. That is not right, I feel.

And then to spoil things further, there is Hina Khan, who never fails to instigate people, never fails to spread chaos.

Talking about Hina, you had a little spat with her recently. What was the issue?

The issue is that Hina needs to be taught a lesson. But it is okay, Arshi is there to take care of things. She (Hina) needs to hold her tongue, she can be quite rude at times.

Do you think things have changed in the house since Priyank's wildcard entry?

Priyank is a big monkey, and Hina is the one who controls him. He cannot function on his own.

Who do you think is going to make it to the finale?

Shilpa, Vikas, Hiten, maybe Arshi. Hina should not win.

--- ENDS ---
The following companies are subsidiares of PepsiCo: Alimentos Quaker Oats y Compania Limitada, Alimentos del Istmo S.A., Amavale Agricola Ltda., Anderson Hill Insurance Limited, Asia Bottlers Limited, BAESA Capital Corporation Ltd., BFY Brands, BFY Brands LLC, BFY Brands Limited, BUG de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Balmoral Industries LLC, Bare Foods Co., Barrhead LLC, Be & Cheery, Beaman Bottling Company, Bebidas Sudamerica S.A., Beech Limited, Bell Taco Funding Syndicate, Bendler Investments II Ltd, Bendler Investments S.a r.l, Beverage Services Limited, Beverages Foods & Service Industries Inc., Bishkeksut OJSC, Blaue NC S. de R.L. de C.V., Blue Cloud Distribution Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Arizona Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Arkansas Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Colorado Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Florida Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Georgia Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Illinois Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Indiana Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Iowa Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Kentucky Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Louisiana Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Minnesota Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Mississippi Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Missouri Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Nebraska Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Nevada Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of North Carolina Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Ohio Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Oklahoma Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Pennsylvania Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of South Carolina Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Tennessee Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Texas Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Virginia Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Wisconsin Inc., Blue Ridge Sales LLC, Bluebird Foods Limited, Bluecan Holdings Unlimited Company, Bokomo Zambia Limited, Bolsherechensky Molkombinat JSC, Boquitas Fiestas LLC, Boquitas Fiestas S.R.L., Bottling Group Financing LLC, Bottling Group Holdings LLC, Bottling Group LLC, Bronte Industries Ltd, C & I Leasing Inc., CB Manufacturing Company Inc., CEME Holdings LLC, CMC Investment Company, Caroni Investments LLC, Centro-Mediterranea de Bebidas Carbonicas PepsiCo S.L., Ceres Fruit Juices Pty Ltd, ChampBev Inc., China Concentrate Holdings Hong Kong Limited, Chipsy International for Food Industries S.A.E., Chipsy for Food Industries S.A.E., Chitos Internacional y Cia Ltda, Cipa Industrial de Produtos Alimentares Ltda., Cipa Nordeste Industrial de Produtos Alimentares Ltda., Cocina Autentica Inc., Comercializadora CMC Investment y Compania Limitada, Comercializadora Nacional SAS Ltda., Comercializadora PepsiCo Mexico S de R.L. de C.V., Compania de Bebidas PepsiCo S.L., Concentrate Holding Uruguay Pte. Ltd., Concentrate Manufacturing Singapore Pte. Ltd., Confiteria Alegro S. de R.L. de C.V., Copella Fruit Juices Limited, Copper Beech International LLC, Corina Snacks Limited, Corporativo Internacional Mexicano S. de R.L. de C.V., CytoSport Holdings Inc., CytoSport Inc., Davlyn Realty Corporation, Defosto Holdings Limited, Desarrollo Inmobiliario Gamesa S. de R.L. de C.V., Dilexis S.A., Donon Holdings Limited, Drinkfinity USA Inc., Drinkstation Inc., Drinkstation Innovation Co. Ltd., Drinkstation Limited, Dutch Snacks Holding S.A. de C.V., Duyvis Production B.V., EPIC Enterprises Inc., Echo Bay Holdings Inc., Elaboradora Argentina de Cereales S.R.L., Enter Logistica LLC, Environ at Inverrary Partnership, Environ of Inverrary Inc., Eridanus Investments S.a r.l, Evercrisp Snack Productos de Chile S.A., FL Transportation Inc., FLI Andean LLC, FLI Colombia LLC, FLI Snacks Andean GP LLC, Fabrica PepsiCo Mexicali S. de R.L. de C.V., Fabrica de Productos Alimenticios Rene y Cia S.C.A., Fairlight International SRL, Far East Bottlers Hong Kong Limited, Food Concepts Pioneer Ltd., Forest Akers Nederland B.V., Forty-Six Peaks Holding Inc., Fovarosi Asvanyviz es Uditoipari Zartkoruen Mukodo Reszvenytarsasag, Freshwater International B.V., Frito Lay Gida Sanayi Ve Ticaret Anonim Sirketi, Frito Lay Poland Sp. z o.o., Frito Lay Sp. z o.o., Frito Lay de Guatemala y Compania Limitada, Frito-Lay Australia Holdings Pty Limited, Frito-Lay Dip Company Inc., Frito-Lay Dominicana S.A., Frito-Lay Global Investments B.V., Frito-Lay Inc., Frito-Lay Investments B.V., Frito-Lay Manufacturing LLC, Frito-Lay Netherlands Holding B.V., Frito-Lay North America Inc., Frito-Lay Sales Inc., Frito-Lay Trading Company Europe GmbH, Frito-Lay Trading Company GmbH, Frito-Lay Trading Company Poland GmbH, Frito-Lay Trinidad Unlimited, Fruko Mesrubat Sanayi Limited Sirketi, GB Czech LLC, GB International Inc., GB Russia LLC, GB Slovak LLC, GMP Manufacturing Inc., Gambrinus Investments Limited, Gamesa LLC, Gamesa S. de R.L. de C.V., Gas Natural de Merida S. A. de C. V., Gatorade Puerto Rico Company, General Bottlers of Hungary Inc., Golden Grain Company, Goveh S.R.L., Grayhawk Leasing LLC, Green Hemlock International LLC, Grupo Frito Lay y Compania Limitada, Grupo Gamesa S. de R.L. de C.V., Grupo Mabel, Grupo Sabritas S. de R.L. de C.V., Gulkevichskiy Maslozavod JSC, Hangzhou Baicaowei Corporate Management Consulting Co. Ltd., Hangzhou Haomusi Food Co, Hangzhou Haomusi Food Co. Ltd., Hangzhou Tao Dao Technology Co. Ltd., Health Warrior, Health Warrior Inc., Heathland LP, Helioscope Limited, Hillbrook Inc., Hillgrove Inc., Hillwood Bottling LLC, Hogganfield Limited Partnership, Holding Company "Opolie" JSC, Homefinding Company of Texas, Hudson Valley Insurance Company, IC Equities Inc., IZZE Beverage Co., Inmobiliaria Interamericana S.A. De C.V., Integrated Beverage Services Bangladesh Limited, Integrated Foods & Beverages Pvt. Ltd., International Bottlers Management Co. LLC, International KAS Aktiengesellschaft, Inversiones Borneo S.R.L., Inversiones PFI Chile Limitada, Inviting Foods Holdings Inc., Inviting Foods LLC, KAS Anorthosis S.a r.l, KAS S.L., KFC, Kevita Inc., Kinvara LLC, Kungursky Molkombinat JSC, Larragana S.L., Latin American Holdings Ltd., Latin American Snack Foods ApS, Latin Foods International LLC, Lebedyansky, Lebedyansky Holdings LLC, Lebedyansky LLC, Limited Liability Company "Sandora", Linkbay Limited, Lithuanian Snacks UAB, Mabel, Marbo Product d.o.o. Beograd, Marbo d.o.o. Laktasi, Matudis - Comercio de Produtos Alimentares Limitada, Matutano - Sociedade de Produtos Alimentares Lda., Mid-America Improvement Corporation, Mountainview Insurance Company Inc., Muscle Milk, NCJV LLC, New Bern Transport Corporation, New Century Beverage Company LLC, Noble Leasing LLC, Northeast Hot-Fill Co-op Inc., Office at Solyanka LLC, Onbiso Inversiones S.L., One World Enterprises LLC, One World Investors Inc., P-A Barbados Bottling Company LLC, P-A Bottlers Barbados SRL, P-Americas LLC, PAS Luxembourg S.a r.l, PAS Netherlands B.V., PBG Canada Holdings II LLC, PBG Canada Holdings Inc., PBG Cyprus Holdings Limited, PBG Investment Partnership, PBG Midwest Holdings S.a r.l, PBG Soda Can Holdings S.a r.l, PCBL LLC, PCNA Manufacturing Inc., PR Beverages Cyprus Holding Limited, PR Beverages Cyprus Russia Holding Limited, PRB Luxembourg S.a r.l, PRS Inc., PSAS Inversiones LLC, PSE Logistica S.R.L., PT Quaker Indonesia, Papas Chips S.A., Pei N.V., Pep Trade LLC, Pepsi B.V., Pepsi Beverages Holdings Inc., Pepsi Bottling Group Global Finance LLC, Pepsi Bottling Group GmbH, Pepsi Bottling Group Hoosiers B.V., Pepsi Bottling Holdings Inc., Pepsi Bugshan Investments S.A.E., Pepsi Cola Colombia Ltda, Pepsi Cola Egypt S.A.E., Pepsi Cola Panamericana S.R.L., Pepsi Cola Servis Ve Dagitim Limited Sirketi, Pepsi Cola Trading Ireland, Pepsi Logistics Company Inc., Pepsi Northwest Beverages LLC, Pepsi Overseas Investments Partnership, Pepsi Promotions Inc., Pepsi-Cola Advertising and Marketing Inc., Pepsi-Cola Bermuda Limited, Pepsi-Cola Bottlers Holding C.V., Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company Of St. Louis Inc., Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company of Ft. Lauderdale-Palm Beach LLC, Pepsi-Cola Company, Pepsi-Cola Ecuador Cia. Ltda., Pepsi-Cola Far East Trade Development Co. Inc., Pepsi-Cola Finance LLC, Pepsi-Cola General Bottlers Poland Sp. z o.o., Pepsi-Cola Industrial da Amazonia Ltda., Pepsi-Cola International Cork, Pepsi-Cola International LLC, Pepsi-Cola International Limited, Pepsi-Cola International Limited U.S.A., Pepsi-Cola International Private Limited, Pepsi-Cola Korea Co. Ltd., Pepsi-Cola Management and Administrative Services Inc., Pepsi-Cola Manufacturing Company Of Uruguay S.R.L., Pepsi-Cola Manufacturing International Limited, Pepsi-Cola Manufacturing Mediterranean Limited, Pepsi-Cola Marketing Corp. Of P.R. Inc., Pepsi-Cola Mediterranean Ltd., Pepsi-Cola Metropolitan Bottling Company Inc., Pepsi-Cola Mexicana Holdings LLC, Pepsi-Cola Mexicana S. de R.L. de C.V., Pepsi-Cola National Marketing LLC, Pepsi-Cola Operating Company Of Chesapeake And Indianapolis, Pepsi-Cola Sales and Distribution Inc., Pepsi-Cola Technical Operations Inc., Pepsi-Cola Thai Trading Co. Ltd., Pepsi-Cola de Honduras S.R.L., Pepsi-Cola of Corvallis Inc., PepsiAmericas Nemzetkozi Szolgaltato Korlatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag, PepsiCo ANZ Holdings Pty Ltd, PepsiCo Alimentos Antioquia Ltda., PepsiCo Alimentos Colombia Ltda., PepsiCo Alimentos Ecuador Cia. Ltda., PepsiCo Alimentos Z.F. Ltda., PepsiCo Alimentos de Bolivia S.R.L., PepsiCo Amacoco Bebidas Do Brasil Ltda., PepsiCo Asia Research & Development Center Company Limited, PepsiCo Australia Financing Cyprus Limited, PepsiCo Australia Financing Limited Partnership, PepsiCo Australia Financing Partner 1 LLC, PepsiCo Australia Financing Partner 2 LLC, PepsiCo Australia Financing Pty Ltd, PepsiCo Australia Holdings Pty Limited, PepsiCo Australia International, PepsiCo Austria Services GmbH, PepsiCo Azerbaijan Limited Liability Company, PepsiCo BeLux BV, PepsiCo Beverage Sales LLC, PepsiCo Beverage Singapore Pty Ltd, PepsiCo Beverages Bermuda Limited, PepsiCo Beverages Hong Kong Limited, PepsiCo Beverages International Limited, PepsiCo Beverages Italia Societa' A Responsabilita' Limitata, PepsiCo Canada Finance LLC, PepsiCo Canada Holdings ULC, PepsiCo Canada Investment ULC, PepsiCo Canada ULC, PepsiCo Captive Holdings Inc., PepsiCo Caribbean Inc., PepsiCo China Limited, PepsiCo Consulting Polska Sp. z o.o., PepsiCo De Bolivia S.R.L., PepsiCo Del Paraguay S.R.L., PepsiCo Deutschland GmbH, PepsiCo Eesti AS, PepsiCo Euro Bermuda Limited, PepsiCo Euro Finance Antilles B.V., PepsiCo Europe Support Center S.L., PepsiCo Finance Americas Company, PepsiCo Finance Antilles A N.V., PepsiCo Finance Antilles B N.V., PepsiCo Finance South Africa Proprietary Limited, PepsiCo Financial Shared Services Inc., PepsiCo Food & Beverage Holdings Hong Kong Limited, PepsiCo Foods A.I.E., PepsiCo Foods China Company Limited, PepsiCo Foods Group Pty Ltd, PepsiCo Foods Guangdong Co. Ltd., PepsiCo Foods Nigeria Limited, PepsiCo Foods Private Limited, PepsiCo Foods Sichuan Co. Ltd., PepsiCo Foods Taiwan Co. Ltd., PepsiCo Foods Vietnam Company, PepsiCo France SAS, PepsiCo Global Business Services India LLP, PepsiCo Global Business Services Poland Sp. z o.o., PepsiCo Global Holdings Limited, PepsiCo Global Investments B.V., PepsiCo Global Investments S.a r.l, PepsiCo Global Mobility LLC, PepsiCo Global Real Estate Inc., PepsiCo Global Trading Solutions Unlimited Company, PepsiCo Golden Holdings Inc., PepsiCo Group Finance International B.V., PepsiCo Group Holdings International B.V., PepsiCo Group Spotswood Holdings S.a r.l, PepsiCo Gulf International FZE, PepsiCo Hellas Single Member Industrial and Commercial Societe Anonyme, PepsiCo Holding de Espana S.L., PepsiCo Holdings, PepsiCo Holdings LLC, PepsiCo Holdings Toshkent LLC, PepsiCo Hong Kong LLC, PepsiCo Iberia Servicios Centrales S.L., PepsiCo India Holdings Private Limited, PepsiCo India Sales Private Limited, PepsiCo Internacional Mexico S. de R. L. de C. V., PepsiCo International Hong Kong Limited, PepsiCo International Limited, PepsiCo International Pte Ltd., PepsiCo Investments Europe I B.V., PepsiCo Investments Ltd., PepsiCo Ireland Food & Beverages Unlimited Company, PepsiCo Japan Co. Ltd., PepsiCo Light B.V., PepsiCo Logistyka Sp. z o.o., PepsiCo Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., PepsiCo Management Services SAS, PepsiCo Manufacturing A.I.E., PepsiCo Max B.V., PepsiCo Mexico Holdings S. de R.L. de C.V., PepsiCo Nederland B.V., PepsiCo Nordic Denmark ApS, PepsiCo Nordic Finland Oy, PepsiCo Nordic Norway AS, PepsiCo Nutrition Trading DMCC, PepsiCo One B.V., PepsiCo Overseas Corporation, PepsiCo Overseas Financing Partnership, PepsiCo Panimex Inc, PepsiCo Products B.V., PepsiCo Products FLLC, PepsiCo Puerto Rico Inc., PepsiCo Sales Inc., PepsiCo Sales LLC, PepsiCo Services Asia Ltd., PepsiCo Services CZ s.r.o., PepsiCo Services LLC, PepsiCo Twist B.V., PepsiCo UK Pension Plan Trustee Limited, PepsiCo Ventures B.V., PepsiCo Wave Holdings LLC, PepsiCo World Trading Company Inc., PepsiCo Y LLC, PepsiCo de Argentina S.R.L., PepsiCo de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., PepsiCo do Brasil Industria e Comercio de Alimentos Ltda., PepsiCo do Brasil Ltda., PepsiCola Interamericana de Guatemala S.A., Pet Iberia S.L., Pete & Johnny Limited, Pine International LLC, Pine International Limited, Pinstripe Leasing LLC, Pioneer Food Group Pty Ltd, Pioneer Foods Groceries Pty Ltd, Pioneer Foods Group Ltd., Pioneer Foods Holdings Pty Ltd, Pioneer Foods Pty Ltd, Pioneer Foods UK Ltd, Pioneer Foods Wellingtons Pty Ltd, Pipers Crisps Limited, PlayCo Inc., Pop corners, PopCorners Holdings Inc., Portfolio Concentrate Solutions Unlimited Company, Premier Nutrition Trading L.L.C., Prestwick LLC, Prev PepsiCo Sociedade Previdenciaria, Productos Alimenticios Rene LLC, Productos S.A.S. C.V., Productos SAS Management B.V., Punch N.V., Punica Getranke GmbH, Q O Puerto Rico Inc., QFL OHQ Sdn. Bhd., QTG Development Inc., QTG Services Inc., Quadrant - Amroq Beverages S.R.L., Quaker Development B.V., Quaker European Beverages LLC, Quaker European Investments B.V., Quaker Foods, Quaker Global Investments B.V., Quaker Holdings UK Limited, Quaker Manufacturing LLC, Quaker Oats Asia Inc., Quaker Oats Australia Pty Ltd, Quaker Oats B.V., Quaker Oats Capital Corporation, Quaker Oats Europe Inc., Quaker Oats Europe LLC, Quaker Oats Limited, Quaker Sales & Distribution Inc, Raptas Finance S.a r.l., Rare Fare Foods LLC, Rare Fare Holdings Inc., Reading Industries Ltd, Real Estate Holdings LLC, Rockstar Energy Drink, Rolling Frito-Lay Sales LP, S & T of Mississippi Inc., SIH International LLC, SVC Logistics Inc., SVC Manufacturing Inc., SVE Russia Holdings GmbH, Sabritas LLC, Sabritas S. de R.L. de C.V., Sabritas Snacks America Latina de Nicaragua y Cia Ltda, Sabritas de Costa Rica S. de R.L., Sabritas y Cia. S en C de C.V., Sakata Rice Snacks Australia Pty Ltd, Sandora Holdings B.V., Saudi Snack Foods Company Limited, Sea Eagle International SRL, Seepoint Holdings Ltd., Senselet Food Processing PLC, Senselet Holding B.V., Servicios GBF Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada, Servicios GFLG y Compania Limitada, Servicios Gamesa Puerto Rico L.L.C., Servicios SYC S. de R.L. de C.V., Seven-Up Asia Inc., Seven-Up Light B.V., Seven-Up Nederland B.V., Shanghai PepsiCo Snack Company Limited, Shanghai YuHo Agricultural Development Co. Ltd, Shoebill LLC, Simba (Proprietary) Limited, Simba Proprietary Limited, Sitka Spruce, Smartfoods Inc., Smiles and Bites Holdings S.de R.L. de C.V., Smiths Crisps Limited, Snack Food Investments GmbH, Snack Food Investments II GmbH, Snack Food Investments Limited, Snack Food-Beverage Asia Products Limited, Snacks America Latina S.R.L., Snacks Guatemala Ltd., So Spark Ltd., Soda-Club CO2 Atlantic GmbH, Soda-Club CO2 GmbH, Soda-Club CO2 Ltd., Soda-Club Switzerland GmbH, Soda-Club Worldwide B.V., SodaStream, SodaStream Australia Pty Ltd, SodaStream CO2 SA, SodaStream Canada Ltd., SodaStream Enterprises N.V., SodaStream France SAS, SodaStream GmbH, SodaStream Iberia S.L., SodaStream Industries Ltd., SodaStream International B.V., SodaStream International Ltd., SodaStream Israel Ltd., SodaStream K.K., SodaStream New Zealand Ltd., SodaStream Nordics AB, SodaStream Poland Sp. z o.o., SodaStream SA Pty Ltd., SodaStream Switzerland GmbH, SodaStream USA Inc., SodaStream Osterreich GmbH, South Beach Beverage Company Inc., South Properties Inc., Spitz International Inc., Sportmex Internacional S.A. de C.V., Springboig Industries Ltd, Spruce Limited, Stacy's Pita Chip Company Incorporated, Star Foods E.M. S.R.L., Stokely-Van Camp Inc., Stratosphere Communications Pty Ltd, Stratosphere Holdings 2018 Limited, Streamfoods Ltd, TFL Holdings LLC, Tasman Finance S.a r.l, The Gatorade Company, The Good Carb Food Company Ltd., The Pepsi Bottling Group Canada ULC, The Quaker Oats Company, The Smith's Snackfood Company Pty Limited, Thomond Group Holdings Limited, Tobago Snack Holdings LLC, Tropicana Alvalle S.L., Tropicana Beverages Limited, Tropicana Europe N.V., Tropicana United Kingdom Limited, Troya-Ultra LLC, United Foods Companies Restaurantes S.A., V-Water, VentureCo Israel Ltd, Veurne Snack Foods BV, Vitamin Brands Ltd., Walkers Crisps Limited, Walkers Group Limited, Walkers Snack Foods Limited, Walkers Snacks Distribution Limited, Walkers Snacks Limited, Whitman Corporation, Whitman Insurance Co. Ltd., Wimm-Bill-Dann Beverages JSC, Wimm-Bill-Dann Brands Co. Ltd., Wimm-Bill-Dann Central Asia-Almaty LLP, Wimm-Bill-Dann Foods LLC, Wimm-Bill-Dann Georgia Ltd., Wimm-Bill-Dann JSC, and Wimm-Bill-Dann Ukraine PJSC.

Read More
The Toronto-Dominion Bank, together with its subsidiaries, provides various financial products and services in Canada, the United States, and internationally. It operates through Canadian Personal and Commercial Banking, U.S. Retail, Wealth Management and Insurance, and Wholesale Banking segments. The company offers personal deposits, such as checking, savings, and investment products; financing, investment, cash management, international trade, and day-to-day banking services to businesses; and financing options to customers at point of sale for automotive and recreational vehicle purchases. It also provides credit cards and payments; real estate secured lending, auto finance, and consumer lending services; point-of-sale payment solutions for large and small businesses; wealth and asset management products, and advice to retail and institutional clients through direct investing, advice-based, and asset management businesses; and property and casualty insurance, as well as life and health insurance products. The company also provides capital markets, and corporate and investment banking products and services, including underwriting and distribution of new debt and equity issues; advice on strategic acquisitions and divestitures; and trading, funding, and investment services to corporations, governments, and institutions. It offers its products and services under the TD Bank and America's Most Convenient Bank brand names. The company operates through a network of 1,061 branches and 3,381 automated teller machines (ATMs) in Canada, and 1,148 stores and 2,701 ATMs in the United States, as well as offers telephone, digital, and mobile banking services. It has a strategic alliance with Canada Post Corporation. The Toronto-Dominion Bank was founded in 1855 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.
Former IAS officer Vinay Kumar, who had been entrusted by the State Government to investigate into the allegations made by DIG Roopa in what happened within Bangalore Jail, has submitted his report to the Chief Secretary of Karnataka.

By Rohini Swamy: Former IAS officer Vinay Kumar, who had been entrusted by the State Government to investigate into the allegations made by DIG Roopa in what happened within Bangalore Jail, has submitted his report to the Chief Secretary of Karnataka.

DIG Rupa, the then prisons-in-charge made allegations that bribes were given by V K Sasikala to provide her VIP treatment. Roopa had also detailed her observations on smuggling of drugs and money into the prisons.

advertisement

Sources say that Vinay Kumar has not touched upon the bribe allegations made by Rupa in her report but has submitted his detailed report on how there are lot of illegal activities within the jail.

Speaking exclusively to India Today, DIG Roopa said, "The former IAS officer Vinay Kumar had been asked to submit a report to the government based on my observations. He is not a quasi-judicial body and so, I am given to understand that he has not looked into the corruption charges I have mentioned where Sasikala allegedly paid Rs 2 crores to jail authorities for VIP treatment . But Vinay Kumar's report is very much in line with what I had mentioned in mine."

Roopa had submitted two detailed reports to the then DGP Prisons, H N S Rao, on illegal activities within Bangalore jail. One was VIP treatment given to V K Sasikala and Abdul Delgi within the jail and the other report was about the smuggling of drugs and mobile phones for convicts.

Based on her report, the Karnataka Chief Minister Siddharamiah had set up a one-man committee headed by former officer Vinay Kumar to look into the matter.

Sources say that the bribery case has not been touched upon as it would need to involve agencies such as the anti-corruption and an internal inquiry by the police department itself.

The ball is now in the state government's court to initiate further probes on the bribery charges that Roopa had mentioned in her reports.

WATCH VIDEO | Was Sasikala allowed a day out of prison by Bengaluru jail officials?

--- ENDS ---
Valvoline Inc. manufactures, markets, and supplies, engine and automotive maintenance products and services. It operates through two segments, Retail Services and Global Products. The company offers lubricants for passenger car, light duty, and heavy duty; antifreeze/coolants for original equipment manufacturers; functional and maintenance chemicals, such as brake fluids and power steering fluids, as well as specialty coatings for automotive and industrial applications; and oil and air filters for light-duty vehicles. It also provides batteries, windshield wiper blades, light bulbs, serpentine belts, and drain plugs. In addition, the company operates Valvoline instant oil change service centers. As of September 30, 2021, it operated and franchised approximately 1,594 quick-lube locations under the Valvoline Instant Oil Change brand in the United States and the Great Canadian Oil Change brand in Canada. The company also serves car dealers, general repair shops, and third-party quick lube locations, as well as through distributors and licensees. It has operations in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and Latin America. The company was founded in 1866 and is headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky.
How to watch and what to know about Northern Iowa at South Dakota

The Coyotes' season will end Saturday, win or lose. They'll hope to make it a win against a Panthers squad still technically alive for the playoffs.
NEW YORK  Before the holiday season, employees at Andrea Correales catering business get an email reminder that in December, we need all hands on deck.

Elegant Affairs Caterers often has 12 events in a single day during the holidays, so Correale needs her staff of 230 to show up for work. Her email puts everyone on notice that during the two weeks when most clients have holiday parties, work needs to be the priority.

If its crunch week and were not covered, everyone gets stressed out, says Correale, whose Glen Cove, N.Y.-based company caters events on Long Island and in New York City.

The holiday season is prime time at many small businesses, and they may not have enough staff to accommodate the extra work as well as the time off many employees want. Retailers, caterers and even many companies whose work isnt connected with holiday celebrations have to find ways to keep their staffers happy, along with their customers. Many find that advance notice  even before a worker is hired  helps set expectations and limit disappointments. Bosses also find that they do need to be flexible.

Correale recognizes that even on the busiest days, some staffers want to attend their childrens concerts and other holiday events. She requires them to ask in advance. And she uses flexible scheduling: If employees need to leave early for an event, they can come in a few hours early to make up the time. And if theres a last-minute request, we usually get aggravated, but you figure something out, says Correale.

Rob Basso deals with holiday issues from two perspectives  his company, Advantage Payroll Services, provides human resources consulting along with paycheck processing.

His small-business clients ask for guidance about how to get work done while also letting staffers have time off. He recommends being as flexible as possible, although a companys size and line of work will dictate how generous a boss can be.

A company may have 400 employees and some are not critical day-to-day, so it may not be necessary for all of them to be there. But if there are five people in a bakery, its not going to be so easy, says Basso, whose company is based in Freeport, N.Y.

Basso also tends to get many new clients at the end of the year. So when he hires staffers, he lets them know that most of December is blacked out for vacations. He does give employees the flexibility to leave early or come in late as long as they make up their hours. And rather than granting requests by seniority, he has a lottery to let about a fifth of his staff leave at noon on either Christmas Eve or New Years Eve.

Just because you worked for me a few extra years, I dont see how its fair to always give the same people time off, Basso says.

Human-resources consultant Crystal Barnett says its in a companys best interest to be flexible.

Its a fine line you need to walk because you need to take care of whatever your business requirements are, but you also want to recognize that the person who works for you is not a robot, says Barnett, who works in the Atlanta office of Houston-based HR provider Insperity.

Employees expectations, especially among younger people, have changed from a generation ago, and companies that want to attract and retain good workers need a culture that accommodates their desire for a balance between work and personal time, Barnett says.

Owners should also look for ways to make the atmosphere more fun even as staffers are working harder, Basso says. He caters breakfast or lunch for his employees at least once a week during the holiday season.

Everyone takes a break, he says. And its not expensive for me to do it.

The weeks leading up to New Years Day are critical at LogicPrep, whose services include advising high-school students during the college admissions process. Many seniors must have their applications in by Jan. 1, and juniors are preparing for the SATs and other college entrance exams.

We make it clear during the interview process what our calendar cycle is and why its important to prioritize during the holiday season, co-founder Lindsay Tanne says. She does get some last-minute requests for time off, but her 40 staffers know that work generally must come first.

They build their lives around the knowledge of what we do, says Tanne, whose company is based in Armonk, N.Y.

At Super Suds Car Wash in Midlothian, Va., owner Jeremy Critton follows the example of retailers and package delivery services during the busy season.

I usually try to staff up a couple extra employees to be on the safe side and just spend a little more on labor to make sure Im covered in any sort of a bind, Critton says. He gets more business during the holidays from people who want their cars to look spiffy when they visit friends and family.

Critton also lets his staffers know ahead of time they need to work during the holidays. Hes occasionally had to let employees go when they asked too often to take time off with little or no notice.

Some companies that go full tilt during the holidays find that with no time to plan or take off, a party for their own staffers is likely to occur after New Years Day.

In our world, the year-end is like the Super Bowl, Basso says. So in mid-January, maybe later, we have a big blowout.
With New Mexicos decades-old reliance on massive coal-fired generating plants winding down, Public Service Company of New Mexico is facing a prolonged battle with local groups over the future of the states electric grid.

The company filed a new integrated resource plan, or IRP, with the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission last summer that calls for shutting down the San Juan Generating Station near Farmington by 2022, and pulling out of the nearby Four Corners Power Plant by 2031. It proposes replacing nearly 700 megawatts of lost coal-fired generation from those plants with a lot more natural gas, nuclear power and renewables like solar and wind.

The utility files an integrated resource plan with the PRC every three years to determine the most cost-effective, reliable and environmentally friendly mix of energy resources for the electric grid looking out 20 years, with an immediate, four-year action plan to begin moving forward. That provides a guideline for the future thats adjusted every three years to reflect new changes in energy markets and generation technologies.

The plan always causes heated debate as different groups push for their preferred energy options, especially with renewable resources and natural gas emerging as cost-effective alternatives to coal over the last decade.

But this time, debate is giving way to confrontation because of the major decisions at stake  choices that could help define New Mexicos energy future for the next two decades. That battle will unfold in an open public hearing at the PRC in the next few months.

Coals inevitable demise

An end to coal is at the heart of everything, something environmental groups have aggressively pushed for over a decade. But even PNM now says thats virtually inevitable, despite ongoing resistance from some groups.

Its where the whole industry is going, in New Mexico and elsewhere, said PNM Director of Planning and Resources Pat OConnell.

Its a matter of market economics, including the emergence of abundant supplies of cheap natural gas, low-cost renewables, radical changes in public electric consumption through energy efficiency programs that have cut demand, and broad deployment of individual solar systems to power homes and businesses independent of the grid. All those things have combined to make massive, centralized coal plants that run around the clock a thing of the past, OConnell said.

In fact, those market fundamentals limit the importance of federal policy, including efforts by President Donald Trumps administration to roll back Obama-era environmental mandates to move away from fossil fuels, said PNM Vice President for Public Policy Ron Darnell.

Indeed, utilities have announced the closure of 17 more coal plants this year alone, including three last month in Texas. With the latest announcements, more than half the U.S. coal fleet has either already been retired or is now slated for closure.

I dont believe federal policy will change what were seeing in the marketplace, Darnell said. We have supplies of natural gas like weve never seen before, coupled with declining demand for electricity from energy efficiency and the deployment of solar systems. Those driving trends have been under way a long time, and its hard to imagine any federal policy that reverses it.

Thats still a hard pill to swallow for many, particularly for communities in the Four Corners Area that have depended on coal mining and coal-fired power plants for jobs and income.

Six state legislators from San Juan County are opposing PNMs integrated resource plan given the immense economic costs for their communities. They say San Juans closure alone would throw about 1,500 people out of work and eliminate about $50 million in local and state taxes annually.

New Mexico Industrial Energy Consumers also opposes the San Juan closure. It warns that hundreds of millions of dollars in stranded costs, or unrecovered investments, left behind after abandoning the coal plants, plus the price for environmental remediation and building new natural-gas and renewable generation, could lead to rate shock over the next decade. It says PNM has not shown that ending its coal generation is cheaper than continuing to run the plants for another 20 years or more, particularly since the utility invested in environmental controls at those facilities in recent years to continue operating in compliance with federal mandates.

PNM sold us on those environmental improvements as long-term investments for the foreseeable future, said Peter Gould, chief counsel for Industrial Energy Consumers. We want to see a glide path to eventually getting out of coal that takes advantage of the 20 or 30 years of life left in those plants, not just jump off a cliff.

Environmental agenda

On the other side are environmental groups, all of whom support the pullout from coal.

One group, Santa Fe-based New Energy Economy, wants an immediate departure from Four Corners rather than waiting until 2031. It also wants PNM to absorb the costs for its stranded assets, foreshadowing a bitter fight with PNM, which assumes full cost recovery in the integrated resource plan. And the group opposes the utilitys plan to gain ownership over another 114 MW of power from the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station in Arizona as partial replacement for lost coal-generation.

Most environmental groups are focused on limiting the amount of natural gas generation that PNM will add to the grid after pulling out from coal, since gas is also a carbon-emitting fossil fuel. They want more solar and wind energy instead, plus new battery storage systems to keep electricity flowing when theres no sun or wind.

But PNMs plan calls for adding 11 new natural gas plants to the grid by 2036 that can rapidly ramp up and down to meet electric demand, offsetting the intermittence of solar and wind.

Were concerned about using gas plants to replace the coal plants, said Chuck Noble, attorney for the Coalition for Clean Affordable Energy. We could eventually get to 100 percent renewable energy on the grid by using new storage technologies, especially as that technology improves. Under PNMs plan, we could end up building gas plants that we no longer need in a few years.

PNM issued a request for proposals in late October for 456 MW of new electric resources to replace coal generation going forward. Thats an all-inclusive RFP that welcomes proposals for battery storage and renewables, apart from natural gas, OConnell said.

But choosing the right energy mix will likely become highly contentious, not just in hearings on the integrated resource plan, but in future PRC proceedings to approve new additions to the grid. PNM says it must guarantee the reliability of all new systems, making 24/7 resources like nuclear power and natural gas critical compared with as-yet-unproven technologies like battery storage.

We need flexible, dispatchable resources that can provide electricity around the clock, OConnell said.

Those issues will be debated for years to come as PNM constructs a new, coal-free electric system, said Steve Michel, chief counsel for Western Resource Advocates.

We cant allow all this crossfire to turn the IRP into some mega proceeding, Michel said. At the end of the day, all these issues will continue to be litigated in future cases.
Co-developers MorningStar Senior Living and Confluent Senior Living have broken ground on a new senior living community in Santa Fe. The 71,000-square-foot development will deliver 85 units for assisted-living and memory-care residents.

MorningStar of Santa Fe will be situated on four acres within a mixed-use neighborhood along the St. Francis Drive corridor. The project will feature 56 suites dedicated to assisted living and 29 suites devoted to the individualized care of residents with memory impairment in a mix of studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom suites.

The anticipated completion will be fall 2018.

The development marks the second MorningStar Senior Living community in New Mexico, with MorningStar and Confluent completing the $17 million MorningStar of Albuquerque in February 2016.

Rosemann & Associates is serving as the architect for the new development, and New Mexico-based Bradbury Stamm Construction is the general contractor.

Construction costs for the Santa Fe MorningStar were not disclosed.

More Markana

The developer of the Markana Apartments, a high-end multifamily complex near San Pedro and Alameda NE, is in the early stages of an expansion.

A request has come before the Environmental Planning Commission to change the zoning to high-density residential, which will allow 26 dwelling units per acre on an vacant 4.8-acre parcel. The zoning change was requested by owner Legacy Hospitality, which is the company behind the first phase of a 232-unit complex. It is shooting for a fall 2018 opening, according to its website.

The first phase of the project showed a value of $17 million, according to one site permit pulled with the city. ORB Architecture designed the apartments.

The Markana website said the highly amenity-equipped complex will offer one-, two- and three-bedroom units ranging in size from 807 to 1,307 square feet. The pet-friendly complex will feature well-designed, spacious floor plans with high-end finishes, simple elegance, clean lines and sophisticated styling, with rents ranging from $1,100 to $1,450.

Demand for high-end rentals in the Alameda corridor has not gone unnoticed by other developers.

Titan Development and Alliance Residential Co. are co-developers of Broadstone Northpoint, a 226-unit infill community north of Alameda, on Modesto NE between San Mateo and I-25. The developers said future tenants will benefit from the proximity to I-25, the Journal Center Business Park and access to the retailers along Paseo del Norte. The project broke ground in November 2016, and construction will be completed next year, according to Titan.

This n that

 A new Pizza Hut is in the works for the busy Coors Boulevard thoroughfare near Central Avenue. A site development plan for a building permit before the EPC says the Pizza Hut project at the northeast corner of Coors and Avalon NW will comprise a one-story, 3,000-square-foot building intended for two separate restaurant tenants. Applicant Palo Alto Inc. said one space is earmarked for a Pizza Hut carry out-only business, with a drive-up service window.

 The 104-room Holiday Inn Express Albuquerque is now under the management umbrella of Hospitality Management Corp. Dallas-based HMC will collaborate with new ownership group Newstream Commercial. The property is off Interstate 40 at exit 165.

We are delighted to be joining efforts with Scott and his team from Newstream Commercial, said Patrick Bajdek, HMCs vice president of development. Our goal is to create a welcoming environment for visitors to the Albuquerque area, whether for business or to enjoy the numerous activities the surrounding community offers. By providing the highest level of training and motivation to the current hotel staff, we will increase sales, customer service and overall profitability for the property.

Dallas-based HMC is ranked in the top 40 of U.S. third-party hotel management corporations.

Steve Sinovic is the Journals real estate reporter. He can be reached at ssinovic@abqjournal.com or by calling 505-823-3919.
The ancient epic is celebrated not only in India but in other South Asian countries as well.

By India Today Web Desk: A musical version of the epic Ramayana was one of the key attractions at the grand opening ceremony of the two-day ASEAN summit.

Leaders of the world are attending the ASEAN Summit in Manila, Philippines. Among the numerous cultural programs taking place during the summit, Rama Hari, a ballet company presented the story of Ramayana in the form of a musical.

Inspired by our Epics. The ballet company Rama Hari presents musical version of #Ramayana, an epic narrative that is a shared heritage among the ASEAN member states. pic.twitter.com/g7y54xJC48- Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) November 13, 2017

advertisement

The ancient epic is celebrated not only in India but in other South Asian countries as well. Around 300 versions of the epic poem are known to exist. Generally, the oldest version of Ramayana is attributed to Valmiki. Apart from India, versions of the Ramayana can be found in Burma, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, Mongolia, Vietnam and China.

Though most versions revolve around the version written by Sage Valmiki, many versions also focus of peripheral characters and their stories.

Ramayana in other religions:

Buddhist Ramayana

The Buddhist version of Ramayana is known as Dasarata Jataka. The story is more or less the same. A major difference between the Sanskrit Ramayana and the Buddhist version of Ramayana is that Rama, Sita and Lakshaman were sent by Dasaratha to live in the forest to protect them from his ambitious third wife. This version of the Ramayana has no mention of Sita's abduction.

Ramayana in Jainism

The epic poem of Ramayana is very famous in Jainism in which the characters are all Jains. Paumachariyam, the most influential versions of Ramayana under Jainism asserts that all characters are mere mortals and do not possess any superhuman powers. The characters visit Jain pilgrimage sites during their stay in the forest. The version also shows that Rama was non-violent and thus Lakshaman is the one who kills Ravana. Ravana and Lakshaman, both go to hell while Rama becomes a Jain monk and attains Moksha.

Ramayana in other regions:

Thailand's version

The Thai version of the Ramayana is called Ramakien. Ramakein existed in Thai oral culture until King Rama I penned it. There are several differences in the various adaptations of the epic majorly because of the different cultures. Clothes, weapons, topography and elements of nature differ due to the difference of culture and places where the story takes place.

Ramakein gives more importance to Hanuman's character.

Laos version

The Phra Lak Phra Ram is considered to be the national epic by the people of Lao. Taken from the Sanskrit Ramayana, the version has been adapted according to the culture and tradition of Laos. It is considered as a Jataka story, that is the story of a previous life of Lord Buddha.

advertisement

Malay version

In Ramayana's Malay version, which is known as Hikayat Seri Rama, Lakshaman's character is given more importance than the others. The Malay writers have produced versions of the story where Lakshaman is shown as a more central character rather than Rama.

Myanmar version

Yama Zatdaw, is the unofficial national epic of Myanmar. The story is mostly the same while names of places and characters have been changed according to Burmese language.

Apart from the above mentioned versions, Ramayana is also a famous epic in:

Nepal - Siddhi Ramayan

Sri Lanka - Janakiharan

Indonesia - Ramakavaca

Surprisingly, the Ramayana is also found in Iran and is known by the name Dastan-e-Ram.

--- ENDS ---
In November 2008, Albuquerques Eclipse Aviation declared bankruptcy. Within the small world of private jet manufacturing, the companys failure was stunning news. Flying Magazine reported that there had never been a financial failure of this scale in the entire history of general aviation. The companys assets were eventually acquired by a successor corporation, which remains in business today.

Nine years might seem like enough time to turn the final page on the history of a defunct company, but Eclipse Aviation continues to make news. In August, the federal 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals issued a ruling in the bankruptcy case that affects everybody who was working for Eclipse when its board finally pulled the plug.

The federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act requires all companies of 100 or more employees to provide 60 days notice before instituting a mass layoff. When Eclipse laid off its entire workforce, it provided no notice at all. Or, rather, it provided negative notice: Workers were first furloughed and then, six days later, informed the furloughs had been retroactively converted into layoffs.

A company that violates the WARN Act must pay its laid-off workers back pay, including benefits, for the entire period of the violation. In Eclipses case, that would have meant a full 60 days of wages and benefits for its entire workforce.

But the WARN Act has exceptions. The notice period can be shortened or even eliminated if the mass layoffs result from business circumstances that were not reasonably foreseeable. Even then, however, the company must give as much notice as is practicable under the circumstances.

Eclipse Aviation claimed its abrupt closing was the result of unforeseeable business circumstances and prior notice was impracticable. When it initially declared bankruptcy, it did so under Chapter 11, seeking reorganization, with no mass layoffs contemplated. Its largest shareholder was the European Technology and Investment Research Center, or ETIRC, which was also a distributor of Eclipses aircraft. The plan was for ETIRC to buy the companys assets at a bankruptcy auction and continue its operations, allowing the going concern to emerge from bankruptcy relieved of its debt load.

ETIRC believed it had the capital to complete the purchase because of agreements it had with certain Russian businesses. ETIRC had contracted to sell Eclipse aircraft kits to a Russian assembly plant, a deal that was to be financed by a state-owned Russian bank known by the acronym VEB. After Eclipse Aviations initial bankruptcy filing, VEB additionally agreed to loan ETIRC $205 million to purchase Eclipses assets.

The only hitch to the plan was VEBs insolvency. Admittedly, insolvency wasnt an unusual condition for banks during the 2008-09 period, but it still posed the problem of lack of funds. The Russians repeatedly assured ETIRC that the government was just about to recapitalize the bank. The banks vaults would be refilled with government money as soon as the prime minister signed off. For weeks ETIRC was told, and its executives chose to believe, that the prime ministers approval could be expected any day. But the prime minister never acted.

Eclipse Aviations collapse had many causes. But the final straw was placed on the camels back by then-Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.

While the Russians strung ETIRC along, Eclipse ran out of money. On Feb. 18, 2009, it furloughed its workers. Six days later, the board converted the Chapter 11 reorganization into a Chapter 7 liquidation and informed its workers they no longer had jobs. It was a mass layoff without any notice at all.

The question before the 3rd Circuit was whether the layoffs were reasonably foreseeable at any time during the 60 days leading up to Feb. 24. The court determined that the reasonably foreseeable standard is met only when the possibility of layoffs grows into a probability. Accordingly, the legal duty to provide notice is triggered when the likelihood of mass layoffs crosses the 50-50 mark. To determine the precise moment when that occurred, the judges embarked on mental time travel, ignoring the lessons of hindsight and looking back to evaluate what Eclipses board members would have predicted during the crucial 60 days. The judges concluded that a reasonable board member wouldnt have considered layoffs probable so long as the Russians were making their sweet-sounding promises, which they did right up to the bitter end.

Because the layoffs were not reasonably foreseeable before they happened, Eclipses workers, many of them Albuquerque residents, werent entitled to notice. And because the company didnt violate the WARN Act, the workers werent entitled to back pay. The workers were first furloughed, then laid off, and finally left empty-handed.

Joel Jacobsen is an author and has recently retired from a 29-year legal career. If there are topics you would like to see covered in future columns, please write him at legal.column.tips@gmail.com.
Many of Albuquerque Public Schools bus drivers and attendants could be unionized by December.

The American Federation of Teachers-New Mexico has advocated for the union over the past month. Last week, the APS Board of Education unanimously approved a timeline for the process.

AFT-NM still has to meet a number of requirements, including a card check to demonstrate that at least 60 percent of the 234 eligible drivers and attendants have signed union cards.

Wendy York, a retired 2nd Judicial District judge, will verify whether the threshold has been met, then the APS board can vote to allow the workers to organize.

APS board President Dave Peercy said he hopes the board can sign off during its Dec. 15 meeting.

Stephanie Ly, AFT-NM president, told the Journal that more than 60 percent of the eligible drivers and attendants have already supported the union, so the process should go smoothly.

I give Dr. Peercy a lot of credit because he has had to deal with a lot of phone calls, Ly said. We do have a good relationship with the district and the board.

The union effort has been two years in the making.

In 2015, roughly 230 APS bus drivers and attendants started working directly for the district, rather than private firms, making them eligible to unionize.

APS still contracts with independent bus companies, which provide roughly 300 drivers and 65 attendants. These employees will not be able to join the union.

Ly said she is receiving daily calls from APS transportation workers who are eager to take part in the union.

In October, dozens of bus drivers and attendances pushed for the card check during the public comment period at two board meetings.

AFT-NM has helped unionize transportation workers in a number of other New Mexico districts. Teachers, educational assistants, secretaries and maintenance workers are also organized.

When employees decide they want a union, they want a voice in the workplace, Ly said.
Copyright  2017 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  The corruption trial of former state Sen. Phil Griego has put the spotlight on New Mexicos system of citizen legislators  where lawmakers arent paid a salary but instead have day jobs or other careers.

Jurors last week heard Griego himself, in a recorded interview, explain why he didnt believe it was a conflict for him to earn a $50,000 commission on the sale of an historic state building  a transaction that was made possible after his colleagues voted to authorize it.

This is what I do for a living, bro, the ex-lawmaker said in a 2014 interview with Peter St. Cyr, the journalist who broke the story in the Santa Fe Reporter. If they dont want us to do business, pass a constitutional amendment to allow the Legislature to be paid.

The potential for conflicts between legislators private jobs and their public office is, of course, a major theme of the trial.

Prosecutors for the state Attorney Generals Office allege that Griego used his influence as a legislator to push for the sale, then collect the $50,000 commission as a real-estate broker. He is charged with violating laws on bribery, fraud and ethical misconduct.

Griego and his attorneys, in turn, say he didnt commit a crime  that its natural for lawmakers with day jobs to face potential conflicts.

In any case, they say, Griego didnt actually vote on the legislation or apply any political pressure. And his role as a broker didnt come about until later, after the legislative session concluded, they say.

Potential conflicts

New Mexico is the only state in the nation where legislators dont draw a salary.

Were not professional politicians, Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe, told the jury when prosecutors called him as a witness in the Griego trial.

New Mexico lawmakers do, however, receive per diem payments for each day attending the legislative session or committee meetings between sessions, mileage traveling to and from meetings, and other expenses.

They receive about $160 a day for lodging, meals and incidental expenses, based on the federal reimbursement rate for work in Santa Fe.

Over the course of a year, lawmakers can end up taking home $20,000, though it varies widely, depending on a members committee assignments and how far their home district is from the Capitol.

This system  where lawmakers are generally either retirees or working regular jobs when the Legislature isnt in session  inevitably leads to questions about potential conflicts, legislators say.

Wirth, who works as a lawyer, said its important to err on the side of disclosure. He told jurors, for example, that he once announced in a committee meeting that he wouldnt vote on a measure because a client of his law firm was advocating in favor of it.

And he said he has seen other senators who are lawyers ask to be excused from participation in floor votes because they have a client or pending case that might be affected.

Ive always taken the position of disclosure first, and then figuring out where to go once that disclosure has happened, Wirth said.

As for Griego, Wirth said he would have asked a lot more questions and slowed down the approval process for the building legislation if hed known his colleague would later make a commission on the transaction.

Griego, a San Jose Democrat, was on the Senate floor during the debate but left before the vote, without disclosing any involvement in the deal.

His defense contends he didnt have a role in the deal at that point  that it was only later that he would become a broker for the company buying the building.

Under questioning from Griegos defense team, Wirth and state Rep. Jim Trujillo, D-Santa Fe, acknowledged to the jury that individual legislators may interpret the need for disclosure differently.

Its kind of subjective, said Trujillo, a retiree who once owned a convenience store and also worked for the state.

Wirth said disclosure is obvious in some cases, such as a direct financial stake in a vote.

I think theres necessarily some judgment involved in each senators response to how they (interpret) the rules, he said. Its up to each senator to make that disclosure.

Public trust

In the Senate, where Griego served for 18 years, members are required to vote on every question theyre present for, unless they have a personal or monetary interest in the outcome. Theres also a provision allowing a senator to ask for permission to be excused, with an explanation of why.

But in practice, it isnt uncommon for a lawmaker to take a walk and avoid voting on something, whether for a legitimate reason or not.

Theres also a lengthy rule outlining a variety of ethical responsibilities, including the treatment of the office as a public trust  a rule Griego acknowledged violating.

Shortly before his resignation in 2015, he signed a four-page agreement that says he agreed to help the company that wanted to buy the state building before the 2014 legislative session and that he initiated the legislative approval process by getting someone else to introduce a resolution to authorize the sale. The company eventually paid $50,000 to the company Griego worked for as a real-estate agent.

The agreement also says Griego had never before been accused of ethical misconduct and that he was unaware of a provision in the state Constitution prohibiting lawmakers from having an interest in any state contract authorized by laws passed during their tenure.

His attorneys have suggested that Griego signed the agreement so he could move on from the controversy, and they steadfastly argue that he didnt commit a crime.

The state Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department wanted to sell the building  without any political pressure from Griego  and the sale was vetted by other agencies, the Griego defense team has argued.

Public vs. private

Griego, in the recorded interview played for the jury, said lawmakers cant entirely separate their public and private lives.

Public school teachers and administrators and lawyers serve in the Legislature, he pointed out.

And educators typically vote on the state budget, which provides money for schools, while lawyers vote on statutes that affect their law practices, Griego said.

That isnt so different from his own work as a real-estate agent, he told St. Cyr, then a freelance writer for the Santa Fe Reporter.

Whats the difference? They benefit from that, Griego said. This is a citizen Legislature, my friend.

The question will soon be in the hands of jurors. The trial, which began on Halloween, is expected to end this week.
Copyright  2017 Albuquerque Journal

The doctors who founded the New Mexico Cancer Center in Albuquerque at one point provided treatment for cancer patients in the Presbyterian Healthcare hospital system.

That ended after they built the New Mexico Cancer Center in 2002, and they allege in a federal antitrust lawsuit that Presbyterian retaliated by waging a campaign designed to put them out of business.

The five-year-old legal battle between two of the states best known health care organizations was set to go before a jury this fall after settlement talks failed, but it has been put on hold as lawyers wrangle over legal arguments.

New Mexico Oncology and Hematology Consultants Ltd., founded in 1987 by doctors Barbara McAneny and Clark Haskins, have offered a laundry list of what they contend are retaliatory and anti-competitive acts by Presbyterian  which operates both the states biggest health insurance company and health care system. Presbyterian denies those claims.

New Mexico Oncology and Hematology Consultants owns the New Mexico Cancer Center.

The relationship soured after the cancer group built offices and a treatment center near Paseo del Norte and I-25 in 2002.

After that happened, Presbyterian created its own in-house oncology department and entered into a relationship with the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

Presbyterian responded by threatening to put NMOHC (New Mexico Oncology and Hematology Consultants) out of business, the lawsuit alleges.

When Presbyterian could effectuate that threat, it began an anti competitive campaign  designed to put NMOHC out of business and to force its physicians to either become Presbyterian employees or leave Albuquerque.

Eliminating NMOHC from the market would give Presbyterian a monopoly over the various oncology services provided by NMOHC and its physicians.

The plaintiffs lay out a litany of allegations against Presbyterian to put them out of business and corner the market. Among them:

* Pressured patients to switch to Presbyterian Hospital doctors.

* Lowered monetary reimbursement to the New Mexico Cancer Center.

* Threatened to terminate the centers provider contract with Presbyterian.

* Entered into a contract with United HealthCare that allowed Presbyterian to limit or obstruct referrals to the cancer center.

* Obtained and sold drugs through a federal Medicare program in an unlawful manner.

* Mandated that cancer center patients buy their chemotherapy and support drugs through Presbyterians pharmacy instead of the Cancer Centers pharmacy.

* Told one patient that the cancer center was not an approved provider.

In denying the charges, Presbyterians attorneys claim the cancer center portrays as sinister the way in which PHS conducts its business as an integrated health care delivery system.

Presbyterians attorneys also claim in court documents that the cancer center is trying to use the lawsuit as part of a demand for higher reimbursements and more patient referrals from the Presbyterian system when the center is already the largest provider of oncology services in the Albuquerque area.

Neither side would comment for this story.

Big law firms

The case has been mired in the discovery process, with fights over what documents Presbyterian would have to turn over to the cancer centers attorneys before trial and what witnesses would be allowed to testify.

Both sides have brought in heavyweight law firms.

Presbyterian is represented by Jones Day, one of the largest law firms in the world, and the Rodey Law Firm is local counsel.

The cancer center is represented by the George M. Sanders law firm out of Chicago, which specializes in representing doctors in antitrust cases, and Foster, Rieder & Jackson P.C. is local counsel.

The latest delay in the case before U.S. District Judge Martha Vazquez is a fight over whether McAneny and Haskins will be allowed to testify as experts who can offer opinions for a jury to consider, or whether they will be limited to being fact witnesses.

McAneny is the president-elect of the American Medical Association and has held many leadership roles in the local and national medical community, including president of the New Mexico Medical Society, president of the Greater Albuquerque Medical Association and president of the New Mexico Chapter of the American College of Physicians.

The stakes are high.

Presbyterians for-profit health insurance company insures more than 700,000 New Mexicans and the not-for-profit hospital and health care delivery system is the states largest.

The New Mexico Cancer Center has established several satellite offices around the state and McAneny said recently that the center had seen 87,000 patients since it opened offering on-site oncology care, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, imaging, laboratory and rheumatology services.

Four organizations provide medical oncology services in the Albuquerque area.

In addition to the New Mexico Cancer Center, which is owned by New Mexico Oncology and Hematology Consultants Ltd., and Presbyterian Healthcare Services, the other two are University of New Mexico Hospital Cancer Center and Hematology Oncology Associates.

The lawsuit doesnt ask for specific money damages. Instead, the cancer center is seeking three times the amount of lost profits it can prove at trial, plus punitive damages.

It is also seeking court orders to stop Presbyterian from engaging in alleged anti-competitive activities including refusing to contract with the cancer center, interfering with patient referrals, paying doctors to steer patients away from the cancer center and to stop Presbyterian from requiring cancer center patients with Presbyterian insurance to buy chemotherapy drugs from Presbyterians pharmacy.

Enough allegations

Vazquez threw out portions of the cancer centers anti-trust lawsuit in 2014, but allowed most of it to proceed.

She concluded that the U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, which covers New Mexico, has interpreted antitrust laws more broadly than other appellate courts.

Vazquez ruled that the cancer center had alleged enough facts that a jury should decide whether there was a dangerous probability that Presbyterian Hospital was in a position to achieve monopoly power in the treatment of privately insured cancer patients.

A special master had to be appointed by the court to oversee the lengthy and highly disputed discovery process.

There were allegations that Presbyterians attorneys had failed to turn over internal emails, including those from employees who had left Presbyterian years ago.

It took more than a year for the special master to settle those conflicts and the case appeared to be headed to trial after a settlement conference in August failed to end the lawsuit.

There are also sealed court documents filed in the last year that could impact the case.

Then the issue of whether the cancer centers founders, McAneny and Haskins, would be able to testify as experts and not just fact witnesses arose.

That issue has to be settled before a trial can be held, and no new date has been set.
The degree to which negative campaigning tactics have taken hold in the Albuquerque mayoral election is nothing short of appalling. Starting in mid-September, a number of disturbing ads began airing on local television, and popping up on billboards around the city. The negative attacks have been toxic to the campaigns, to voters, and in a deeper sense, to our democracy. Its easy to imagine whats in store between now and the Nov. 14 election.

We saw this clearly during the mayoral debate of Oct. 15  Gloves come off in mayoral debate  and even more so on the televised debate Oct. 29  Slugfest: Mayoral candidates go on the attack in TV debate. These debates quickly devolved into wild allegations and personal attacks, which were met by attempts to counter these. The result was that the candidates were unable to present their vision, offer their perspective and propose solutions to the citys challenges.

How do the voters benefit from this behavior? They dont. Substance too often falls by the wayside. This kind of negative campaigning is a disservice and, frankly, an insult to the intelligence of the voters. Unfortunately though, this type of behavior from candidates is strongly encouraged by our current system. The way you win an election is by discrediting your opponent.

Given this political reality, it is hardly a surprise that many voters are disillusioned and disengaged from the political process. Albuquerque saw a greater than usual voter turnout during the Oct. 3 election, with almost 30 percent of registered voters showing up to the polls. Still, this means that 70 percent of voters did not. And voter turnout is likely to go down for the run-off election

A simple electoral reform, called ranked choice voting (RCV), could profoundly change the way political campaigning happens in Albuquerque. Already slated to be used for Santa Fe elections in 2020 and possibly as soon as 2018, RCV is now a built-in option with our states voting equipment that is ready to be used with essentially the flip of a switch. Hotly contested but largely civil RCV elections for mayor this fall in the Minnesota cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis underscore how better rules can promote better politics.

RCV eliminates the runoff election as we know it, saving hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars and instead creating an instant runoff in one higher-turnout election. Rather than a voter going to the ballot and selecting one candidate and then being asked to come back to vote six weeks later in a runoff, voters are given the freedom to rank candidates in order of preference. All first choices are counted, and if a candidate has a majority, then they win, just like any other election.

However, if nobody has a majority, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and those voters have their ballot instantly count for their next choice. The process continues until a candidate receives a majority of votes, and is declared the winner.

Significantly, with regard to negative campaigning, RCV elections encourage candidates to be less divisive and seek the backing among the other candidates supporters. They need to ask voters to consider them as their second- or third-choice candidate, even if the voter prefers another candidate as their first choice. Candidates are thus incentivized to talk about their vision and substantively compare and contrast to that of their opponents.

A more civil discourse leads to less negative campaigning and reduces negative ads and personal attacks as we have so painfully been experiencing during this election cycle. It is time for Albuquerque to consider adopting RCV. The voters deserve better than this.

Equal Voice New Mexico is a nonpartisan organization working to bring about policy reforms that give families a greater choice, a stronger voice and a representative democracy that works for all Americans.
If they havent already, candidates Tim Keller and Dan Lewis can get a chilling education on the crime problem that awaits the new mayor by reading the front page of last Mondays Albuquerque Journal.

On Aug. 1, 74-year-old Bob Haagensens unlocked locker at a public swimming pool was ransacked. Among the missing items were his wallet, phone and car keys. His 2005 Mazda station wagon was gone from the parking lot. He filed a report at a police substation, but instead of waiting on the chronically understaffed Albuquerque Police Department, he struck out on his own.

His daughter posted the theft on Facebook, and someone reported seeing the station wagon parked outside an apartment complex near Gibson and Girard SE. Haagensen drove to the complex, found his car, and called police. They never showed up.

The next day, Haagensens daughter was contacted via social media by someone who had her fathers stolen phone and was willing to sell it back. Haagensen and his daughter met the man in a parking lot and bought the phone back for $40.

The thieves used documents inside Haagensens car to open several bank and credit card accounts, and went to his home and stole his outgoing mail, including checks. Things went from bad to worse when Haagensen went to close one of the fraudulent accounts and there was an armed robbery taking place at the bank.

Haagensen kept APD detectives informed each step of the way.

Social media eventually helped Haagensen and police recover his abandoned car. Inside were numerous syringes, some of his stolen mail and, incredibly, jail inmate bracelets with the names and photos of Emma Chinana and Daniel Centeno. The duo was arrested Sept. 12 during a sting at a bank as they attempted to open yet another account in Haagensens name.

Five days earlier, the duo had been in jail, charged in another stolen car case striking similar to Haagensens. Both were released without bond in that case.

To add some context to Haagensens case:

 Metro Albuquerque had the highest per-capita rate of auto theft in the nation in 2016, with more than 10,000 vehicles stolen that year.

 New Mexico had the highest per capita property crime rate in the nation in 2016, and the second-highest per capita rate of violent crime. (Property crimes include larceny, auto theft and burglary; violent crimes include aggravated assault, robbery, rape and murder.)

 And now, APD is reporting the city is on track to have the highest number of murders in more than two decades  63 as of Nov. 2 this year. Despite those numbers, APD has just five homicide detectives who have solved only 37 of this years homicides.

Haagensens is an interesting, disturbing saga that speaks to the severe understaffing at APD and officers inability to respond quickly to minor crimes, which quickly add up to a major problem; the revolving door at the county-run Metro Detention Center; judicial hesitance to set bond or hold repeat offenders to stop their sprees; and citizens who, as a last resort, feel compelled to do their own crime fighting.

While its tempting to applaud social media for assisting citizens simply fed up with crime in getting their stuff back, it could be just a matter of time before one of those citizens encounters an armed and violent offender who does not appreciate their involvement. That parking lot phone buy-back could have gone horribly wrong.

Keller and Lewis have outlined plans to address the crime rate, both relying heavily on hiring hundreds of more police officers. With practically every other metropolitan area in the nation hoping to hire more cops, that will be a daunting task  especially with the Department of Justice looking over APDs shoulder for however long it takes to reform the department from its pattern and practice of abuse of force.

Haagensen is not alone: City voters overwhelmingly list crime as their No. 1 concern, and it must be addressed as part of any city plan for economic development, job creation, capital improvement, etc.

After tomorrows mayoral runoff election, the victor must try to answer Haagensens question about Albuquerque crime: Holy moly! Where are we?

And just as importantly, how do we get somewhere else?

This editorial first appeared in the Albuquerque Journal. It was written by members of the editorial board and is unsigned as it represents the opinion of the newspaper rather than the writers.
I-25 GETTING WIDER: Today, the New Mexico Department of Transportation kicks off a seven-month project to widen the interstate and its ramps from San Antonio to just south of Jefferson.

Kimberly Gallegos, who handles information for the District 3 office of NMDOT, says in a news release the project will add a southbound lane to the highway on this section as well as a second lane to the northbound off-ramp at San Antonio. The first phase will focus on widening the highway and its bridges.

Drivers are being told to expect lane and shoulder restrictions at the northbound and southbound exits at San Mateo from now through May 31. In fact, the southbound exit at San Mateo is now closed, and drivers will be alerted to exit at San Antonio or Jefferson instead. The southbound frontage road will also have a lane closed for the length of the project.

Gallegos says there will also be periodic lane and shoulder restrictions on San Mateo/Osuna throughout the work, as well as nightime closures of the interstate and San Mateo/Osuna.

PRISON PROMPTS NO HITCHING SIGNS: Eric Weinstein has a question about the signs near Los Lunas that say, dont pick up hitchhikers in this area. I realize there is a prison in the immediate area, but am perplexed by the signs.

Is it because they have that many escapes from the prison? Is it because when inmates are released they just go to the highway to try to get a ride? Something else entirely?

Just wondering if you could ask the DOT about the rationale for those signs.

Done. And they seem to be more a general warning than to address a specific problem.

Gallegos says these signs are places for public safety and awareness to advise drivers and alert motorists that may be unfamiliar with the area that there is a correctional facility nearby. The NMDOT encourages awareness and safety for the traveling public.

IF I HAD A SPARE, I COULDNT CHANGE IT: And in the news-of-the-weird category, AAA New Mexico sent out a news release recently announcing nearly one-third  28 percent  of 2017 model year vehicles do not come with a spare tire as standard equipment, creating an unnecessary hassle and expense for drivers. Last year alone, AAA came to the rescue to more than 450,000 members faced with a flat tire whose cars did not have a spare tire. The news release counsels to avoid a roadside surprise, AAA urges drivers to check their trunk for a spare tire before trouble strikes.

The follow-up data shows that many drivers who do have a spare dont know what to do with it. Even if drivers do have a spare tire, they are often reaching for their cellphones to call for roadside assistance rather than changing the tire themselves. According to a previous AAA survey, nearly 20 percent  39 million  of U.S. drivers do not know how to change a flat tire.

Editorial page editor DVal Westphal tackles commuter issues for the Metro area on Mondays. Reach her at 823-3858; dwestphal@abqjournal.com; or P.O. Drawer J, Albuquerque, N.M. 87103.
TEHRAN, Iran  Rescuers dug with their bare hands Monday through the debris of buildings felled by an earthquake that killed more than 430 people in the border region of Iran and Iraq, with nearly all the casualties occurring in an area rebuilt after their ruinous 1980s war.

The magnitude-7.3 earthquake struck Sunday at 9:48 p.m. Iran time, just as people were going to bed. The worst damage appeared to be in the Kurdish town of Sarpol-e-Zahab in the western Iranian province of Kermanshah, which sits in the Zagros Mountains that divide the two countries.

Residents fled without time to grab their possessions as apartment complexes collapsed into rubble. Outside walls of some buildings were sheared off, power and water lines were severed, and telephone service was disrupted. Residents dug frantically through wrecked buildings for survivors as they wailed. Firefighters from Tehran joined other rescuers in the desperate search, using dogs to inspect the rubble.

The hospital in Sarpol-e-Zahab was heavily damaged, and the army set up field hospitals, although many of the injured were moved to other cities, including Tehran.

The quake also damaged an army garrison and buildings in the border city and killed an unspecified number of soldiers, according to reports.

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei immediately dispatched all government and military forces to aid those affected.

Many of the heavily damaged complexes in Sarpol-e-Zahab were part of construction projects under former hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The newly homeless slept outside in cold, huddled around makeshift fires for warmth, wrapped in blankets  as were the dead.

The quake killed 430 people in Iran and injured 7,156, the state-run IRNA news agency reported Tuesday. Most of the injuries were minor with fewer than 1,000 still hospitalized, Irans crisis management headquarters spokesman Behnam Saeedi told state TV.

The official death toll came from provincial forensic authorities based on death certificates issued. Some reports said unauthorized burials without certification could mean the death toll was actually higher.

The quake was centered about 19 miles (31 kilometers) outside the eastern Iraqi city of Halabja, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, and struck 14.4 miles (23.2 kilometers) below the surface, a somewhat shallow depth that can cause broader damage. The quake caused Dubais skyscrapers to sway and could be felt 1,060 kilometers (660 miles) away on the Mediterranean coast.

Seven deaths occurred in Iraq and 535 people were injured, all in the countrys northern, semiautonomous Kurdish region, according to its Interior Ministry.

The disparity in casualty tolls immediately drew questions from Iranians, especially because so much of the town was new.

Kokab Fard, a 49-year-old housewife in Sarpol-e-Zahab, said she could only flee empty-handed when her apartment complex collapsed.

Immediately after I managed to get out, the building collapsed, Fard said. I have no access to my belongings.

Reza Mohammadi, 51, said he and his family ran into the alley following the first shock.

I tried to get back to pick some stuff, but it totally collapsed in the second wave, Mohammadi said.

Khamenei offered his condolences as President Hassan Rouhanis office said Irans elected leader would tour the damaged areas Tuesday, which was declared a national day of mourning. Authorities also set up relief camps and hundreds lined up to donate blood in Tehran, though some on state TV complained about the slowness of aid coming.

Sarpol-e-Zahab fell to the troops of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein during his 1980 invasion of Iran, which sparked the eight-year war between the two countries that killed 1 million people. Though clawed back by Iran seven months later, the area remained a war zone that suffered through Saddams missile attacks and chemical weapons.

After the war, Iran began rebuilding the town. It also was part of Ahmadinejads low-income housing project, which aided the Holocaust-questioning hard-liners populist credentials but also saw cheap construction.

Under the plan dubbed as Mehr or kindness in Farsi, some 2 million units were built in Iran, including hundreds in Sarpol-e Zahab. Many criticized the plan, warning that the low-quality construction could lead to a disaster.

Before its 10-year anniversary, Mehr buildings have turned into coffins for its inhabitants, the reformist Fararu news website wrote Monday.

Seismologist Abdul-Karim Abdullah Taqi, who runs the earthquake monitoring group at Iraqs Meteorological Department, said the main reason for the lower casualty figure in Iraq was the angle and direction of the fault line in this particular quake, as well as the nature of the Iraqi geological formations that could better absorb the shocks.

University of Colorado geological scientist Roger Bilham said earthquakes in the Zagros range, where there are more than 20 different faults, have killed more than 100,000 people in the last 1,000 years.

Because there are so many earthquakes in the region, proper construction is critical, but it doesnt trickle down to the villages, Bilham said.

In Darbandikhan, Iraq, Amina Mohammed said she and her sons escaped their home as it collapsed around them.

I think it was only God that saved us, she said. I screamed to God and it must have been him to stop the stairs from entirely collapsing on us.

Residents were clearing the rubble from the streets of Darbandikhan, about 10 kilometers from the Iranian border.

The quake caused visible damage to a dam at Darbandikhan that holds back the Diyala River.

There are horizontal and vertical cracks on the road and in the body of the dam and parts of the dam sank lower, said Rahman Hani, the director of the dam.

No dams were damaged in Iran, the government in Tehran said.

Halabja, closest to the epicenter, is notorious for the 1988 chemical attack in which Saddam killed some 5,000 people with mustard gas  the deadliest chemical weapons attack ever against civilians.

Turkey dispatched emergency aid to northern Iraq as officials expressed deep sadness at the disaster. Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said his country acted immediately to provide medical and food aid to northern Iraq.

Kerem Kinik, the Turkish Red Crescents vice president, told The Associated Press from the Habur border crossing that 33 aid trucks were en route to Sulaimaniyah, Iraq, carrying 3,000 tents and heaters, 10,000 beds and blankets, as well as food.

Relations between Iraqs semi-autonomous Kurdish region and Turkey were strained following the Iraqi Kurds September independence referendum.

Pakistan also extended condolences for the loss of life and injuries suffered by our Iranian and Iraqi brethren.

Pope Francis offered prayers for the dead and urged rescue crews to stay strong.

Iran sits on many major fault lines and is prone to near-daily quakes. In 2003, a magnitude 6.6 earthquake flattened the historic city of Bam, killing 26,000 people. The last major casualty earthquake in Iran struck in East Azerbaijan province in August 2012, killing over 300.

___

Associated Press writers Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Susannah George in Irbil, Iraq; Balint Szlanko and Salar Salim in Darbandikhan, Iraq; Zeynep Bilginsoy in Istanbul; Zarar Khan in Islamabad; Sinan Salaheddin in Baghdad; and Science Writer Seth Borenstein in Washington contributed.
MANILA, Philippines  Wrapping up his extensive tour of Asia, President Donald Trump on Tuesday hailed tremendous amounts of work on trade and said nations around the globe have been put on notice that the U.S. will demand improved trading conditions.

Trump told reporters in Manila that the fruits of our labor are going to be incredible. He was closing a nearly two-week trip through Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam and the Philippines that included one-on-one meetings with the leaders of those nations during which he stressed trade.

The president, who campaigned on shredding multilateral trade agreements he has deemed unfair, insisted during his travels that multibillion-dollar deficits that favor U.S. trading partners will be reduced to zero, and that trade overall must be fair and mutually beneficial.

The United States has to be treated fairly and in a reciprocal fashion, Trump tweeted before heading back to Washington, where he is scheduled to arrive later Tuesday. The massive TRADE deficits must go down quickly!

Trump told reporters before departing an international summit, Weve had a tremendously successful trip. Tremendous amounts of work was done on trade.

The president spoke along the sidelines of the annual East Asia Summit of leaders from throughout the Asia-Pacific region, his final summit after attending a gathering of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on Monday. Trump said he planned to make a major statement about his trip from the White House later this week, and spoke of the many good friends he made during the trip.

Among Trumps newest friends in the region is Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, whom Trump repeatedly praised and joked around with on Monday. Duterte has overseen a bloody crackdown on domestic drug dealing that has featured extrajudicial killings, earning him scorn from human rights advocates.

Trump did not publicly take Duterte to task for the crackdown. Instead, Trump said he and Duterte have had a great relationship and avoided questions about whether hed raise human rights concerns with the Filipino leader during a private meeting.

The White House later said they discussed the Islamic State group, illegal drugs and trade during the 40-minute meeting. Press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said human rights came up briefly in the context of the Philippines fight against illegal drugs. She did not say if Trump was critical of Dutertes program.

Her readout appeared to conflict with the Filipino version of the meeting. Harry Roque, a spokesman for Duterte, said: There was no mention of human rights. There was no mention of extralegal killings. There was only a rather lengthy discussion of the Philippine war on drugs with President Duterte doing most of the explaining.

Despite all that, they later issued a joint statement saying they underscored that human rights and the dignity of human life are essential, and agreed to continue mainstreaming the human rights agenda in their national programs.

Dutertes war on drugs has alarmed human rights advocates around the world who say it has allowed police officers and vigilantes to ignore due process and to take justice into their own hands. Government officials estimate that well over 3,000 people, mostly drug users and dealers, have died in the ongoing crackdown. Human rights groups believe the victim total is far higher, perhaps closer to 9,000.

In Manila for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations conference, and the subsequent East Asia Summit, Trump looked to strengthen ties with Pacific Rim allies, aiming to strike one-on-one trade deals rather than multinational trade agreements, and increase pressure on North Korea to abandon its nuclear program.

He met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and highlighted their two nations deeper and more comprehensive ties, looking to strengthen a relationship that is vital to the U.S. vision of an Indo-Pacific region that attempts to de-emphasize Chinas influence.

He jointly met with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, with whom he had a contentious phone call last winter, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who hosted the president in Tokyo earlier in the trip. Trump raved about his accomplishments on his five-nation journey, particularly on trade and on North Korea, which the White House has suggested may be designated a state sponsor of terror.

Trump said he would wait until he was back in Washington to elaborate with a major statement on those two topics, but hinted at progress while in Manila.

Weve made some very big steps with regard to trade  far bigger than anything you know, Trump told reporters, pointing to business deals forged between U.S. and foreign companies.

Trump also said the trip had been very fruitful for the United States and pointed to the warm welcomes he had received in capitals like Tokyo, Seoul and Beijing.

It was red carpet like nobody, I think, has probably ever received, Trump said. And that really is a sign of respect, perhaps for me a little, but really for our country. And Im really proud of that.

___

Associated Press writers Ken Thomas, Laurie Kellman and Darlene Superville in Washington contributed to this report.

___

Follow Lemire on Twitter at http://twitter.com///twitter.com/@Colvinj
WASHINGTON  A second woman emerged Monday to accuse Roy Moore of sexually assaulting her as a teenager in the late 1970s, this time in a locked car, further roiling the Alabama Republicans candidacy for an open Senate seat. Moore strongly denied it, even as his own partys leaders intensified their efforts to push him out of the race.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell took a remarkably personal swipe at his partys candidate for a Senate seat the GOP cannot afford to lose. I believe the women, he said, marking an intensified effort by leaders to ditch Moore before a Dec. 12 special election that has swung from an assured GOP victory to one that Democrats could conceivably swipe.

Moore abruptly called a news conference in Gallant, Alabama, after a tearful Beverly Young Nelsons detailed the new allegations to reporters in New York.

I can tell you without hesitation this is absolutely false. I never did what she said I did. I dont even know the woman, Moore said.

He signaled he has no intention of ending his candidacy, calling the latest charges a political maneuver and launching a fundraising appeal to God-fearing conservatives to counter his abandonment by Washington Republicans.

In the latest day of jarring events, McConnell, R-Ky., and Moore essentially declared open war on each other. McConnell said the former judge should quit the race over a series of recent allegations of past improper relationships with teenage girls. No, said Moore, the Kentucky senator is the one who should get out.

Cory Gardner of Colorado, who heads the Senate GOPs campaign organization, said not only should Moore step aside but if he should win the Senate should vote to expel him because he does not meet the ethical and moral requirements of the United States Senate.

Moore, an outspoken Christian conservative and former state Supreme Court judge, fired back at McConnell on Twitter.

The person who should step aside is @SenateMajLdr Mitch McConnell. He has failed conservatives and must be replaced. #DrainTheSwamp, Moore wrote.

Nelsons news conference came after that exchange and injected a new, sensational accusation in the story.

She said Moore was a regular customer at the restaurant where she worked after school in Gadsden, Alabama.

One night when she was 16, Moore offered to drive her home, she said, but instead parked behind the restaurant and touched her breasts and locked the door to keep her inside. She said he squeezed her neck while trying to push her head toward his crotch and tried to pull her shirt off.

I thought that he was going to rape me, she said.

Moore finally stopped and as she got out of the car, he warned that no one would believe her because he was a county prosecutor, Nelson said. She said her neck was black and blue and purple the next morning and she immediately quit her job.

Nelson said that shortly before that, days before Christmas, shed brought her high school yearbook to the restaurant and Moore signed it. A copy of her statement distributed at the news conference included a picture of what she said was his signature and a message saying, To a sweeter more beautiful girl I could not say, Merry Christmas.'

Nelson said she told her younger sister about the incident two years later, told her mother four years ago and told her husband before they married. She said she and her husband supported Donald Trump for president.

Last Thursday, The Washington Post reported that in 1979 when he was 32, Moore had sexual contact with a 14-year-old girl and pursued romantic relationships with three other teenage girls around the same period. The women made their allegations on the record and the Post cited two dozen other sources.

Moore has called the allegations completely false and misleading, but in an interview last week he did not unequivocally rule out dating teenage girls when he was in his early 30s. Asked by conservative radio host Sean Hannity if that would have been usual for him, Moore said, It would have been out of my customary behavior.

McConnell, speaking Monday at an event in Louisville, Kentucky, said Moore should step aside and acknowledged that a write-in effort by another candidate was possible. He said, Well see, when asked if the Republican alternative could be Sen. Luther Strange, whom Moore ousted in a September party primary.

But Strange told reporters late Monday a write-in candidacy is highly unlikely.

I made my case during the election, Strange said. So now, its really going to be up to the people of our state to sort this out.

McConnells comment pushed him further than hed gone last Thursday, when he said Moore should exit the race if the allegations were true.

McConnell and Moore have had an openly antagonistic history. Moore was backed during his primary campaign by Steve Bannon, President Donald Trumps former chief White House adviser who is openly seeking GOP Senate challengers who will pledge to dump McConnell. A political action committee linked to McConnell spent heavily but unsuccessfully on Stranges behalf.

Trump, who is traveling in Asia, has told people he wanted to wait to get back to Washington until he weighed in, according to a White House official who would not be named discussing private conversations. Trump is slated to return late Tuesday.

Bannon did not respond to a question Monday night about whether he still supported Moore.

The tumult comes with Republicans holding a scant 52-48 Senate majority as the GOP rushes to push a massive tax cut through Congress by Christmas. Facing near-certain unanimous opposition by Democrats, Republicans can lose just two GOP senators, and a Democratic pickup in Alabama would narrow their margin of error to just one.

On the other hand, a Moore victory would open the party to relentless Democratic attacks in next years midterm elections, when Republicans will be defending their House and Senate majorities.

No. 2 Senate GOP leader John Cornyn and his Texas Republican colleague, Sen. Ted Cruz, both withdrew their endorsements of Moore. Numerous others said he should exit the race.

He should not be a United States senator, no matter what it takes, said Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. And Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., whos not seeking re-election after criticizing Trump, said hed vote for the Democrat if he were an Alabaman and had to choose between Moore and Democrat Doug Jones.

By Monday afternoon, Moore was showing no signs of folding.

He assured supporters Sunday night at a Huntsville, Alabama, gym that the Post article was fake news and a desperate attempt to stop my political campaign.

He said allegations that he was involved with a minor are untrue and the newspaper will be sued. The former judge also questioned why such allegations would be leveled for the first time so close to the special election in spite of his decades in public life.

Democrats in Washington seemed content to keep their distance from their Jones.

If they ask us for things, were going to try to help them, but its an Alabama race, and the Jones campaign is running it on its own, said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York.

The Jones campaign released a statement Monday saying: We applaud the courage of these women. Roy Moore will be held accountable by the people of Alabama for his actions.

___

Schreiner reported from Louisville, Kentucky. Associated Press writers Kimberly Chandler in Montgomery, Alabama, Steve Peoples in New York and Rhonda Shafner at the AP News Research Center contributed.
Award-winning documentary filmmaker and fine-art photographer Miguel Gandert shows his work highlighting his mestizaje heritage, and the fusion and tension of the relationship between Spanish Colonial and Native Cultures of the Americas. Runs through 12/29.

Querer means to want, to desire, to be in a place, with its people. In folk terminology, querencia is such a place, the center space of desire, the root of belonging and yearning to belong, that vicinity where you first beheld the light. Querencia, in collective terms, is homeland. ~Enrique Lamadrid, Nuevo Mexico Profundo

Miguel Gandert tells stories. He tells stories of his homeland, New Mexico (and beyond), its people and the cultural practices that distinguish communities from each other while simultaneously revealing their kinship. You will have to form your own words, however. Ganderts stories are told through penetrating, black and white photos. A primary focus of his work is his own mestizaje heritage and the fusion and tension of the relationship between Spanish Colonial and Native Cultures of the Americas.

Miguel Gandert, a native of Espanola, NM, is an award-winning documentary and fine-art photographer and filmmaker. His photographs have been shown in galleries and museums throughout the world and are in numerous public collections including the Smithsonian Museum of American Art, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and the National Museum of American History and Art at the Smithsonian.

Querencia: Rituals of the Rio Arriba opens Friday, October 6 at the New Mexico Humanities Council, 4115 Silver Ave SE, Albuquerque. An artists reception will be 6:00 pm  8:00 pm with an artist's discussion at 7:00 pm. The exhibit closes December 29, 2017.
After a woman was injured after she fell from a wheelchair while being ferried by airliner staff, Indigo has offered an apology.

By PTI, Press Trust of India: A woman passenger of IndiGo was injured after she fell from a wheelchair while being ferried by the airline staffer at the Lucknow airport, a "mishap" that has triggered a spat between the carrier and the AAI.

The incident took place at 2000 hours on Saturday and IndiGo has claimed that the mishap happened due to crack in the floor at the airport even as the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has said it all happened because of "gross negligence of IndiGo staff".

advertisement

The latest incident comes days after IndiGo came under fire and apologised following the surfacing of a video of a passenger being manhandled at the Delhi airport.

In a statement, an IndiGo spokesperson apologised for the mishap involving the passenger, Urvashi Parikh Viren.

"Our IndiGo representative was pushing her wheelchair towards the arrival hall. As he was guiding her wheelchair through a vehicular lane, which was dimly lit at that time of the night, her wheelchair got stuck in a deep crack on the tarmac and lost balance and she fell off her wheelchair," the spokesperson said.

According to the airline, the passenger was "injured" and was immediately rushed to the doctor of the AAI and was administered first aid. The state-owned AAI, which is operating the Lucknow airport, in a statement today said that as per investigations, it all happened due to "gross negligence of IndiGo staff as he chose the wrong path on the tarmac and mishandled the passenger".

In response to the airlines claim that the particular lane was dimly lit, the AAI said the whole area is "having sufficient illumination".

Detailed investigation is in progress and the CCTV footage is also being looked into, an AAI spokesperson said in the statement. A source at the Lucknow airport said the incident cannot be blamed on alleged poor airport infrastructure.

The airline has been using the lane and there has never been any complaint till this incident happened, the source said. Dhruv Jyoti Mukherjee, terminal manager of the AAI and IndiGo representative, profusely apologised to Viren, the statement said.

Further, the airline claimed, "she (Viren) was kind enough to say that it wasnt a human error and we should deal with the staff with empathy, when we de-brief our loader".

It could not be immediately ascertained whether the passenger has filed a complaint. On Saturday night, a relative of the woman passenger had tweeted about the incident.

--- ENDS ---

advertisement
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.  Attorneys for the family of a man who died in the Fremont County jail say inmates were abruptly cut off from certain prescription drugs in spite of policies against such actions.

The Gazette of Colorado Springs reports the allegations were made in a lawsuit over the death of 53-year-old John Patrick Walker. Walker died in custody in 2014 after being booked on suspicion of felony assault.

Attorneys for Walkers estate say hed been taking an antianxiety drug for years with a doctors permission.

But they say staff at the jail followed an unwritten policy to immediately discontinue inmates prescriptions even though such actions could be dangerous.

The lawsuit accuses guards of injuring Walter while trying to restrain him as he went through withdrawal.

___

Information from: The Gazette, http://www.gazette.com
DENVER  The district attorney who prosecuted the Aurora theater shooting case on Monday ended his campaign to become Colorados next governor so he could instead run for state attorney general.

Republican George Brauchler made the decision after current Attorney General Cynthia Coffman, also a Republican, announced her gubernatorial campaign last week. In an email to supporters on Monday he said that activists and donors had been pleading with him to switch races to keep the top law enforcement post in the party.

I have been asked to redirect my passion for improving Colorado as governor to instead protecting Colorado by fighting for the position of attorney general, Brauchler wrote.

Brauchlers gubernatorial campaign had struggled to raise money and stand out in a crowded field that includes former Rep. Tom Tancredo, state treasurer Walker Stapleton and businessman Doug Robinson. In his email, Brauchler quipped that any day now, I expect John Elway, Todd Helton, Wonder Woman, and Santa Claus to jump into this race.

Democrats have a similarly crowded gubernatorial field with Rep. Jared Polis, former state treasurer Cary Kennedy, Lt. Gov Donna Lynne and former State Senator Mike Johnston vying for the partys nomination. Several Democrats are also running for attorney general, including State Rep. Joe Salazar, prosecutor Michael Dougherty and former University of Colorado law school dean Phil Weiser.

Brauchler, who is district attorney for the 18th Judicial District that includes Arapahoe and Douglas counties, told KOA-AM that he would help rural areas fight black market marijuana and battle the opioid crisis if elected.
At the U.S. Capitol and in most statehouses nationwide, supporters of LGBT rights are unable to make major gains these days. Instead, theyre notching victories in seemingly unlikely venues, such as Morgantown, West Virginia, and Birmingham, Alabama.

They are among scores of cities and towns in Republican-governed states that have acted on their own, passing resolutions and ordinances pledging nondiscrimination protections for gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people in the absence of comparable statewide laws.

De Pere, Wisconsin  a Green Bay suburb not noted for LGBT activism  took a big step last week toward joining the movement. After an intense public meeting, its city council gave preliminary approval on a 5-4 vote to a measure that would broaden the local nondiscrimination ordinance to cover transgender people. The measure would prohibit businesses, employers and landlords from discriminating against people due to their gender identify.

Alderman Casey Nelson, who introduced the measure, said he wasnt sure if anti-transgender bias was a problem in De Pere, but he wanted to send a message that the city of about 25,000 was welcoming and tolerant.

Can you imagine living in a community that refuses to accept you for who you are? Nelson asked.

Advocacy groups say several hundred municipalities across the country have LGBT-inclusive anti-bias measures  many of them in the 31 states that lack fully inclusive statewide laws.

Skeptics say the local laws, in some cases, are mostly symbolic and not zealously enforced. Yet LGBT activists view them as a heartening barometer of nationwide support at a time when President Donald Trumps administration has taken multiple steps that jeopardize LGBT rights  including weakening protections for transgender students and seeking to ban transgender people from military service.

Morgantown, home to West Virginia University, was among the most recent additions to the list of communities taking LGBT-friendly action. Its seven-member city council voted unanimously on Oct. 17 to extend nondiscrimination protections to LGBT people.

Mayor Bill Kawecki says the action simply verbalized the kind of community I really hope that we are.

Earlier in the year, two big cities in South, GOP-led states  Jacksonville, Florida, and Birmingham  adopted similar ordinances. Birmingham became the first Alabama city to take the step; Jacksonville had been one of the most populous U.S. cities that lacked such a law.

In contrast, majority Republicans in Congress have shown no interest in considering a Democratic-backed bill called the Equality Act that would extend nondiscrimination protections to LGBT people nationwide. Companion bills in the House and Senate have a total of two GOP co-sponsors.

The congressional impasse leaves it up to individual states to set their own policies, but there has been little action recently. Since 2009, Utah is the only state where lawmakers have voted to join the minority of other states which extend nondiscrimination protections to LGBT people. And Utah went only part way  applying the protections to employment and housing but not public accommodations.

In states such as Pennsylvania, Michigan and Florida, where the electorate is closely divided between Democrats and Republicans, efforts to enact inclusive anti-bias laws have been rebuffed by the GOP-dominated legislatures.

The GOP-led legislatures in Arkansas and Tennessee have gone a step further  enacting laws barring municipalities from passing their own LGBT-inclusive ordinances. In Arkansas, the attorney general is asking the state Supreme Court to prevent the city of Fayetteville from enforcing an ordinance of that nature that it passed in 2015.

Attorney Matt Sharp, senior counsel with the conservative Alliance Defending Freedom, said laws like those in Arkansas and Tennessee are designed to spare businesses from having to comply with a patchwork of different anti-bias laws from one city to another.

Allen Whitt, president of the conservative Family Policy Council of West Virginia, predicted that legislators in his state would propose laws next year that would emulate Arkansas and Tennessee and strike down the local LGBT-friendly ordinances.

Whitt was on hand when Morgantown passed its anti-bias ordinance, and spoke against it.

These ordinances should be rejected by every city and state because they discriminate against diversity of thought, Whitt said later in an email. They are examples of political bullying and liberal city council thuggery at its worst.

LGBT advocacy groups point out what they see as hypocrisy by conservative Republicans on the issue.

Its ironic that the party of small government wants to interfere with cities which want to provide common sense protections for all their citizens, said Sarah Warbelow, legal director for the Human Rights Campaign, a national LGBT-rights group.

In When De Peres health board discussed the ordinance in October, supporters in the audience included Annette and John Grunseth from the neighboring town of Allouez, whose adult daughter is transgender.

Are you concerned about somebody attacking you because of your gender identity? John Grunseth asked the board. I bet most of us dont even think about that, but this is constantly on our daughters mind.

Wisconsin is one of two states, along with New Hampshire, that extend nondiscrimination protections to gays and lesbians, but not to transgender people. A transgender-inclusive statewide bill is backed by Wisconsin Democrats but has dim prospects due to opposition from majority Republicans.

___

This story has been updated to correct a misspelled instance of Allen Whitts last name from White.
GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo.  A man accused of leading a major illegal marijuana grow in western Colorado has been arrested in connection with another grow nearby.

The Glenwood Springs Post Independent reports that about 2,420 marijuana plants were found last year at Hueng Yu Wongs property near Rifle, prompting an investigation by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration. Investigators found that Wong also owned property south of New Castle, where federal and local authorities say they found about 250 pounds (113 kilograms) of recently harvested marijuana.

Wong was arrested Nov. 2 on suspicion of violating state law at the property near New Castle. Garfield County Sheriff Lou Vallario says he isnt facing any state charges in the Rifle case, which is being handled by the DEA.

Wong is being held in jail. No attorney is listed for him in court records.

___

Information from: Post Independent, http://www.postindependent.com/
SANTA FE, N.M.  Records show nearly half of all bears captured by game wardens across New Mexico over the last three years have been released to one northern New Mexico county.

According to documents obtained by the Santa Fe New Mexican under an open-records request, the state Department of Game and Fish has captured 68 bears across New Mexico since 2015k, and 32 were released in the mountains of Rio Arriba County.

Northern New Mexico ranchers and others have long believed that the area has become a dumping ground for bears captured in other parts of the state, causing the death of livestock and other property damage.

Of course its an issue because bears, theyre predators, said Carlos Salazar, president of the Northern New Mexico Stockmans Association. Theyre going to go after sheep. Theyre going to go after goats. Theyre going to go after calves.

Dan Williams, a spokesman for the Department of Game and Fish, said there is no evidence that relocated bears are causing abnormal livestock predation in Rio Arriba County.

Rio Arriba County provides an ideal habitat for bears, he said. The county stretches from the Colorado border on the north to Espanola on the south and from the Jicarilla Apache Nation on the west to Tres Piedras on the east.

Rio Arriba County contains a large area of remote forest land that is suitable bear habitat, much of it with low bear densities, Williams said.

He added that bears are relocated to areas a good distance from the capture site, areas known to have suitable bear habitat, and areas with bear densities low enough to preclude territorial disputes among bears.

Rio Arriba County Commissioner Alex Naranjo said the 12 additional bears released in the county when compared with the number captured there over the past three years didnt seem like a big deal because the area has a lot of forest.

Still, Naranjo questioned why the department captured seven bears in Bernalillo County but released only one back into the wild in that county.

The capture and relocation of bears is increasing. Game and Fish captured 19 bears in 2015, 16 last year and 33 so far this year.

Williams said 2015 and 2016 had high reproduction and survival rates for bears statewide as a result of increased spring moisture and good forage conditions that allowed female bears to raise multiple cubs.

___

Information from: The Santa Fe New Mexican, http://www.sfnewmexican.com
After a woman called police to report that bullets were flying through her apartment Monday morning, officers found a man shot to death in the unit next door.

Officer Simon Drobik, a spokesman for the Albuquerque Police Department, said that around 11 a.m. the woman told police a bullet had been fired into her home from a neighboring apartment in a fourplex on the 200 block of Texas NE, near Chico.

The officers that arrived on scene checked the adjacent apartment and there was a deceased male inside, Drobik said.

He said detectives believe the mans death is a homicide. But, he said, it was still too early to know if the man was the intended target of the shooting or why he was killed.

Drobik did not identify the victim or know how old he was. He said detectives dont know yet who may have killed him, but have several leads and are serving search warrants.

There are no suspects at this time, but these guys are working on it, Drobik said. They are talking to neighbors to see if they saw any cars or have any suspect information.

Investigators could be seen going in and out of a small apartment complex on the west side of Texas.

This is the second fatal shooting in the area in three days. On Friday, a man was shot and killed in a house on the 200 block of Utah, which is one block to the east of Mondays scene.

No one has been arrested in that mans death and police have not released his identity.
TUCSON, Ariz.  A Mexican man has been sentenced to nearly 17 years in federal prison in Arizona for his fourth drug trafficking conviction.

Federal prosecutors say 35-year-old Bernardo Romo-Ramos of Sonoyta, Sonora, received a 200-month prison term after pleading guilty to importation of more than 500 grams of methamphetamine.

He was arrested last August in southern Arizona for driving a truck across the Mexican border with 22 kilograms of methamphetamine and 1.2 kilograms of heroin.

Authorities say 47 packages of narcotics were found in compartments under the floorboards of the truck.

Romo-Ramos entered the United States from Mexico through the Papago Gate on the Tohono Oodham Indian Nation.
In a 4-2 vote, the Albuquerque Public Schools Board of Education appointed a South Valley native and long-time government employee to the District 1 board seat.

Yolanda Montoya-Cordova defeated Lee Romero and Claudia Benavidez, to win the position on Monday.

Benavidez, a community activist and Mexican immigrant, earned votes from board members Barbara Petersen and Candy Patterson.

Board President Dave Peercy said Montoya-Cordova had an edge because she received strong support at a candidate community forum last week  the vast majority of the roughly 100 audience feedback forms endorsed her.

Peercy told the Journal, I think  the forum itself was kind of a deciding point for me.

Board member Peggy Muller-Aragon opted to vote for Montoya-Cordova based on the community feedback. Its important for us to include the public, she said.

A 1976 graduate of Rio Grande High School, Montoya-Cordova said she is happy to use her background in public policy and social work to serve the community.

Over the past 30 years, Montoya-Cordova has worked in adolescent development, education, mental health, career and college readiness, and developmental disabilities.

Currently, she is a New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions state administrator overseeing the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, which includes coordinating with schools to expand career exploration programs.

Montoya-Cordova said one of her top priorities will be trying to ensure that all APS graduates are ready to succeed in college or on the job.

If our economy is going to grow in New Mexico, we really need to rely on the types of educational experiences and opportunities that are given to young people so they can be competitive, she said. I really want us to have a growing economy, and I think schools are a key part of that.

Montoya-Cordova will be sworn in Wednesday to serve until 2019, finishing out Analee Maestas term.

Maestas stepped down last month after State Auditor Tim Keller uncovered questionable transactions at the charter school she founded, La Promesa Early Learning Center.

Under state statute, the board must fill such vacancies by appointment within 45 days or the decision passes to the New Mexico Public Education Department. During Mondays meeting, Muller-Aragon advocated for a statutory change to allow for special public elections, rather than appointments, in these cases.

Yolanda Montoya-Cordovas APS questionnaire by Albuquerque Journal on Scribd
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico  Puerto Ricos government scored a big win in court Monday when a judge rejected the appointment of a former military officer to oversee the U.S. territorys troubled power company.

A federal control board overseeing Puerto Ricos finances had sought to appoint retired Air Force Col. Noel Zamot to supervise the reconstruction and operations of Puerto Ricos Electric Power Authority after Hurricane Maria caused an island-wide blackout Sept. 20. The utility has been plagued by accusations of mismanagement and is generating only 48 percent of its normal output nearly two months after the Category 4 storm.

U.S. District Judge Laura Taylor Swain said the Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico cannot unilaterally seize control of the territorys government agencies.

The ruling was a significant win for the administration of Gov. Ricardo Rossello and others who have argued that no independent official should oversee a local government agency.

Our position has been validated and it has been recognized that the administration and public management of Puerto Rico remains with the democratically elected government, Rossello said.

It was unclear if the board planned to appeal the ruling. Board spokesman Jose Luis Cedeno did not return a message for comment.

The ruling comes as Puerto Rico struggles to recover from Maria, with many people still without power after the storm battered the island with winds of up to 154 mph, causing the longest blackout in U.S history.

The Electric Power Authority is $9 billion in debt and continues to face scrutiny after signing a $300 million contract with Montana-based Whitefish Energy Holdings. The contract was canceled Oct. 29 at Rossellos request but is undergoing federal and local audits. Both Rossello and power company director Ricardo Ramos are scheduled to testify Tuesday at a hearing by the U.S. Senates Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

Economist Vicente Feliciano said Mondays decision could prompt the control boards members to lobby Congress to obtain more power over Puerto Ricos government as it seeks to restructure a portion of its $73 billion public debt load amid an 11-year recession.

It is an important ruling, he said. It certainly draws a more clear line in terms of powers and responsibilities of both the board and the Puerto Rican government.

Both sides have clashed in recent weeks as the board announced it would review local government contracts worth $10 million or more.
It seems demand for seafood boil specialties at one Downtown spot has been decidely lukewarm.

So in order to boost business, the owners of Albuquerques three-store Crackin Crab are going dark for a few weeks to convert just their Imperial Building location into a sushi/ramen/ceviche place.

The owners of the seafood boil restaurant plan to relaunch at the same spot under the new business name Don Sushi.

The Downtown area was a rough place to do business with a seafood boil menu, said Richard Gallegos, a commercial real estate broker with Sperry Van Ness Team Southwest, who described the Crackin Crab cuisine as Cajun meets Asian boil.

Downtown diners, many of them busy office workers are time-starved, and Millenials are more on-the-go eaters, said Gallegos. Hence the rebrand for the eatery, which is located at 205 Silver Avenue SW, Suite H said Gallegos.

Opened less than a year on the ground floor of the Imperial, the eatery will reopen with a more streamlined menu, said Gallegos, who has represented owners Rack and Vanh Mingkhamsavath , who run several other Crackin Crab locations  one on the West Side at the McMahon Marketplace and another in Northeast Avenue near the Century Rio 24 movie theater.

Both of these stores are going great guns, said Gallegos. It takes the right fit of demographics in an area for a restaurant like this to succeed, said Gallegos.

This new place will be a little more price friendly and fast casual, said Gallegos of the Don Sushi menu, which also will include noodle dishes and poke, which is a raw fish salad served as an appetizer in Hawaiian cuisine, and sometimes as a main course.

Crackin Crab is one of a number of seafood boil eateries doing business around the metro area. The choices include Down N Dirty in the Northeast Heights and 99 Degrees Seafood Kitchen on Central Avenue.
Around 50 aftershocks were experienced after the earthquake leading to a feeling of discomfort among the citizens. The earthquake also triggered landslides in many areas, Iranian state media said.

Survivors of the earthquake warm themselves in front of destroyed buildings at the city of Sarpol-e-Zahab in western Iran. Photo: Pouria Pakizeh/ISNA via AP

By India Today Web Desk: 332 people were killed while atleast 2,500 were injured when a 7.3 magnitude earthquake hit regions near the Iran-Iraq border on Sunday. Rescue operations are currently underway and the number of deaths and injured people might go up, the officials said.

Kermanshah province in Iran was hit the hardest. Iran has announced three days of mourning for the hundreds of people who have died due to the natural calamity.

advertisement

According to Iranian media, rescuers are having trouble finding the trapped people due to houses built by earthen bricks. 14 provinces of Iran have been affected by the earthquake.

Around 50 aftershocks were experienced after the earthquake leading to a feeling of discomfort among the citizens. The earthquake also triggered landslides in many areas, Iranian state media said.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei paid condolences to the dead and urged all government agencies to do the best they could to ensure safety of the citizens of Iran.

Kurdish officials said that atleast 4 people were killed and 50 injured due to the earthquake. Tremors were felt as far as Baghdad forcing people out of their houses in the cold weather.

Strong tremors were also felt in the Turkish city of Diyarbakir but no immediate casualties were reported.

(With inputs from Agencies)

--- ENDS ---
AdFest has roped in Joyce King Thomas, Chairman and Chief Creative Officer of McCann XBC in New York, as Grand Jury President for next years festival. She will also lead the Branded Content Lotus and Integrated Lotus panels as Jury President.

Thomas is the mastermind behind Mastercards infamous Priceless campaign, which has been spoofed by everyone from Ralph Nader to Bart Simpson and has launched in more than 100 markets around the world. She was also involved in the creation of Fearless Girl for State Street Global Advisors  a defiant statue symbolising the power of women in leadership, which took a herculean effort to create, before winning hearts all over the world.

Thomas now leads XBC (which stands for ExtraBoldCondensed), a unit of McCann that leads all of MasterCards global marketing efforts, from advertising to digital and events.

Im excited to be joining AdFest as so much meaningful work is being done in Asia. Last years Lotus winners were truly inspiring, so I am sure the standard of entries will be very high. I am also looking forward to spending time in Asia  always an enlightening experience, said Thomas, who first joined McCann Erickson New York in 1995, rising to the role of Chief Creative Officer.

Under her leadership, the agency won over a billion dollars in new business, from brands like the US Army, Verizon, Nikon and Weight Watchers. In 2010, she took a two-year hiatus to become a partner at Longreads, also joining the board of the Nurse Family Partnership, a group that teaches parenting skills to young mothers living in poverty, returning to McCann in 2012.

Jimmy Lam, President of AdFest, said, It is a true honour to welcome Joyce to AdFest  an accomplished leader and visionary creative, who has helped to create some of the worlds most talked about and loved campaigns. Her experience and talent will be invaluable in guiding next years judges of the AdFest Lotus Awards.

Thomas has won numerous awards, judged countless award shows, and spoken at numerous industry events. In 2012, Advertising Age named her one of the 100 most influential women in advertising.

AdFest 2018 runs from March 21 to 24, 2018 at the Peach Royal Cliff Resort, Pattaya, Thailand with the theme Transform. The festival is now accepting entries to the 2018 AdFest Lotus Awards.
Radico Khaitan has brought on board ADK-Fortune as their creative agency. The agency will lead the development of brand campaigns for Magic Moments Vodka portfolio, Morpheus Brandy and Rampur Single Malt. The account will be handled out of the agencys Gurgaon office.

Commenting on the association, Amar Sinha, CEO, Radico Khaitan, said, We are happy to bring on board ADK-Fortune to drive the advertising and communication strategy of our premium brands portfolio. We currently hold market leadership position in the Premium Vodka and Brandy Segments. We also hold dominant position in the defence business, besides exporting our flagship brands to more than 70 countries globally. We are sure that the combination of Radicos think tank and ADKs strong creative and communication team backed with a track record of successful campaigns for some of the most admired brands of India will take the company to the next level.

Reacting to the win, Subroto Pradhan, Managing Partner, ADK-Fortune, said, Radico is interesting case of an Indian company leading the turf against a slew of multinationals in a highly competitive Vodka and Brandy category. We are absolutely delighted to further the agenda on their premium portfolio and hope to come up with some outstanding engagement ideas.

One of the largest players in the Indian spirits industry, Radico Khaitan was formerly known as Rampur Distillery, which was established in 1943. Radico Khaitan became the first company to conceptualise the innovative idea of offering scotch blended whisky and the first company to position 8PM as Indias premium whisky. Today, Radico Khaitan operates three distilleries and one JV with total capacity of 150 million litres. It also has 33 bottling units spread across the country. The companys brands include 8PM, Magic Moments, Verve, Contessa, Morpheus, Old Admiral, and Rampur Single Malt, among others.

ADK-Fortune in India is an equal partnership between Asatsu-DK of Japan and WPP Group. ADK is Japans third largest agency with a strong presence in South East Asia and China. ADK-Fortune has two offices in India  Delhi and Bangalore. The agencys client roster includes quite a few brands of Honda two-wheelers, MRF Tyers, Mankind Pharma, RSPL, and Ashok Leyland, to name a few.
November 13, 2017

Egypt has summoned the representatives of the two major Palestinian factions, Fatah and Hamas, to another round of reconciliation talks in Cairo on Nov. 21. The leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Yahya Sinwar, will head the delegation from Gaza. Saleh al-Arouri, the deputy head of the Hamas political bureau, will arrive in Cairo from his current exile in Beirut. The Fatah delegation from the West Bank will consist of the representatives who signed the agreement in principle with Hamas in Cairo a month ago, led by the senior Fatah official and envoy of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Azzam al-Ahmed. Palestinian intelligence chief Majid Faraj will be joining the delegation this time.

As reported here on Oct. 6, Hamas-Fatah discussions now focus on an Egyptian proposal designed to bypass one of the thorniest disputes between the two organizations: control over the Palestinian security forces. Its thrust is the creation of a type of national security council in which Hamas and the Palestinian Authority (PA) will have equal representation, with oversight by Egyptian officials who will also cast the deciding vote in case of a tie.

A Palestinian security source in Ramallah told Al-Monitor that disarming Hamas and dismantling its armed wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, is no longer on the agenda. The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the PA no longer insists even on rounding up the massive amounts of weapons held by the many militant groups active in the Gaza Strip. Abbas now realizes better than ever that the slogan he coined  One law, one weapon, under one authority  will not materialize overnight. Nonetheless, he hopes a system can be created to enable PA control over the military and civilian centers of power in Gaza. Although Hamas is unlikely to accede to such an arrangement, for now, both sides are playing make-believe for public consumption. The goal is to help Abbas get down from the high tree he climbed when he announced that he would not allow Hamas to set up in Gaza a Hezbollah-style model of the kind that undermines Lebanons government.

This is the crux of the matter: how to achieve Hamas-Fatah unity even as Irans interests and involvement in Beirut and Gaza grow daily. These are going to be crucial talks, the security source told Al-Monitor. They will be taking place while Saudi Arabia and Egypt are busy, mostly in Lebanon, coordinating their moves vis-a-vis Irans involvement in the region.

While on a visit to Cairo Nov. 6, Abbas was summoned unexpectedly to an urgent meeting with Saudi King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He immediately flew to Riyadh in the same dramatic week that Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri resigned. Issuing a dramatic statement from his location in Saudi Arabia, Hariri described the situation in his country as an Iranian takeover through the Shiite Hezbollah organization. The Iran-Hezbollah-Hamas trio cooperate openly. None of the three sides bother to deny their links, and they even take pride in them. Arouri visited Iran at least three times in recent months. He boasts of the alliance that his organization now enjoys with Iran, which has promised to provide for all of its needs. Arouris ties with Hezbollah are not secret, either. On Oct. 31, he met in Beirut with Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah for the first time since ties between the two groups were severed in 2011. The two television channels identified with Hezbollah, Al-Mayadeen and Al-Manar, reported after the meeting that Nasrallah and Arouri underscored their common interests and the solidarity between their two organizations in the face of what they termed Zionist aggression. The coordination between them will clearly not remain on a declaratory level. When the Hamas political bureau was headquartered in Damascus, Hamas and Hezbollah conducted full military cooperation, including joint exercises in Iran and Lebanon, adoption of an identical military doctrine and concerted efforts to smuggle weapons into Gaza.

Arouri is the main advocate in Hamas for accepting Tehrans warm and assuring embrace and for expanding the relationship with Hezbollah. This is his ideological and operational model. The Saudis dislike the Hamas-Tehran relationship and are greatly concerned that Abbas is being drawn into this entanglement. That is why they summoned him with such urgency and presented him with red lines: yes to reconciliation with Hamas, and no to an Iranian and Hezbollah foothold in Gaza.

Abbas would not have been invited to the palace at the height of the crisis in Lebanon and the direct Saudi involvement in it were it not for the monarchs fears over the repercussions of the emerging Hamas-Fatah reconciliation.

Between the lines of the warm and welcoming phrases in the announcement that followed the kings meeting with Abbas is a barely veiled threat. Salman pledged full backing in all international forums for the PAs efforts to establish an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital, as well as broad economic support, as long as the Palestinians pick the right side.

As aforementioned, on Nov. 21, the Hamas-Fatah delegations will descend on Cairo from Gaza, Ramallah and Beirut. Arouri realizes that when the talks turn to the issue of unified security control, the principle involved will be more than just One law, one weapon, under one authority. He will have to choose whether Hamas will ally itself with Iran or with Saudi Arabia and Egypt. The Palestinians will try to decide whether to form one body that adheres to the principles of resistance and jihad, as Hamas wishes, or an authority that operates through diplomatic channels to mobilize broad Arab support in international forums for the creation of a Palestinian state, as Fatah desires. Bridging this chasm will be a major engineering feat.
November 13, 2017

The word meze refers to a selection of cold and hot appetizers served in the Middle East, the Balkans and parts of Central Asia. While meze was part of all the cuisines in the Ottoman Empire, the word does not originate from one of the languages used in the Empire  Turkish, Arabic or even Greek  but has its roots in the neighboring Persian Empire. The Persian word maze means taste or snack, and mazidan means to taste."

It is not known exactly how mezes spread across the region or where the first meze was served, but it is a shared cultural heritage that can be traced back to different countries. Mezes often complement the consumption of alcoholic drinks, such as the popular anise-flavored drink known as raki, rakia, arak, ouzo, tsipouro or mastika, depending on the country where it is served. Cold and hot mezes are served as a starter or as a full meal.

In mid-September, the first international Meze Festival of Turkey took place in the southwestern city of Antalya, bringing together around 50 cooks and 25 restaurants from Turkey, Greece and Lebanon to display the large number of mezes served in the region.

The Barut family, which runs the Akra Barut Hotels, organized the festival in order to put Antalya on the culinary map and show how gastronomy can bring together neighboring countries. Antalya, whose historic city center, Kaleici, is on UNESCO's tentative World Heritage List, has a rich history of agriculture. The city, an important port since Roman times, has been the intersection of many cultures and a point of exchange, through its port, for different foodstuffs.

Nurettin Tolga Atalay, a food and beverage consultant and the owner of the Solid Consulting Group who selected and organized the participating restaurants for the festival, told Al-Monitor, Meze culture is a culinary heritage of the lands where religions and civilizations were born; a shared language of all the peoples in this region; a cornucopia of simple and satisfying tastes steeped in history enduring all the turmoil of the past.

The one-day Meze Festival held at the Akra Barut Hotel in Antalya Sept. 14 explored the potential of cultural exchange between countries and cities and also revealed the city's past. More than 100 mezes were served, from all-time classics and regional specialties to more daring creations. Antalya-based participant Tirmisci Bilo only offered one meze: "tirmis," or lupin beans, also known as the Jewish fava bean or atramus in the Ladino language. The earliest records of this highly toxic bean date back to the Egyptian Pharaohs. A popular snack of the Romans, today it is still enjoyed in Italy. Only edible after detoxing the beans in brine for several days, in Turkey the beans are only consumed in Antalya, bearing the name of the Arabic origin termes.

The other bean variations in the mezes were indicative of many historic interactions. Trendy Athens restaurant Gaspar offered another kind of bean meze, also known as "fava," but quite different from the fava bean puree found in Turkey  both in taste and texture, likely due to the use of split peas. Bodrum restaurant Komodor served "gambilya favasi," which is a rarity in Turkey, because the dish is made of split peas instead of fava beans. This dish is similar to the Greek one, lacking the usual distinctive flavor of the fava beans, but bearing the blandness of the split peas used in Greece.

Baklaci Ibrahim, a festival participant from Hatay in southern Turkey, offered "bakla," stewed fava beans ("ful medames"), and Lebanese-style hummus, both dishes indicating a strong tie with Middle Eastern and Egyptian territory. The hummus served by Kasr Fakhreddine, a traditional Lebanese food restaurant in Beirut, was very different from the Turkish hummus, though this is no surprise, as the local recipe for this chickpea and tahini dip differs widely across the region. Kasr Fakhreddine also offered "yaprak sarma, or mahshi waraq, known as dolmades in Greece, which Turks call Istanbul-style stuffed vine leaves, a dish that is found from Algiers to Armenia, from the Balkans to the Middle East.

Festival participant Tusba, one of the most famous delicatessen shops in Istanbul renowned for its mezes and in particular Armenian specialties, offered three mezes: "muhammara," an Arabic meze made of pepper paste, bread crumbs, walnuts and spices; "topik," an Armenian dish of vegetable balls now served as a meze; and "cerkez tavugu," an Ottoman dish known as Circassian chicken, which is shredded chicken served cold in a walnut sauce.

All these meze variations show that food culture is beyond borders and food has the bonding power that unites the peoples of the Mediterranean.

What else can bring countries together? Atalay asked.
The quake was felt as far west as the Mediterranean coast. Its worst damage appeared to be in Iran's western Kermanshah province, which sits in the Zagros Mountains that divide Iran and Iraq. Residents in the rural area rely mainly on farming to make a living.

By AP, India Today Web Desk: The death toll in the Iran-Iraq earthquake has gone up to 200, while 1,686 people have been injured, the Iranian state TV reported.

The powerful magnitude 7.2 earthquake hit the border region of Iran and Iraq on Sunday, the epicenter was detected near the Iraqi city of Halabja.

Thousands of Iranian and Iraqi citizens flocked to the streets due to fear of aftershocks.

advertisement

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake was centered 19 miles (31 kilometers) outside the eastern Iraqi city of Halabja.

The quake was felt as far west as the Mediterranean coast. Its worst damage appeared to be in Iran's western Kermanshah province, which sits in the Zagros Mountains that divide Iran and Iraq. Residents in the rural area rely mainly on farming to make a living.

Iraq's PM Haider al-Abadi has reassured the Iraqi citizens and said that the concerned authorities are working towards ensuring safety of citizens in the country. Al-Abadi adds in his written statement: "God save Iraq and the Iraqi people."

Official figures of casualities have still not been released by Iraq, but Iranian state TV also said Iraqi officials reported at least six people dead inside Iraq, along with more than 50 people injured in Sulaymaniyah province and about 150 in Khanaquin city.

The earthquake knocked out electricity in Iran's western cities of Mehran and Ilam. He also said 35 rescue teams were providing assistance.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in a phone call with the Interior Ministry emphasized the need for maximum effort from officials.

Iranian social media was abuzz Sunday night with posts of people evacuating their homes, particularly in Kermanshah and Ghasr-e Shirin.

The semi-official Iranian ILNA news agency said at least 14 provinces in Iran had been affected by the earthquake.

Officials announced that schools in Kermanshah and Ilam provinces would be closed Monday because of the tremor.

Iran sits on many major fault lines and is prone to near-daily quakes. In 2003, a magnitude 6.6 earthquake flattened the historic city of Bam, killing 26,000 people.

(With inputs from Associated Press)

--- ENDS ---
November 11, 2017

QAIM, Iraq  Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi raised the Iraqi flag Nov. 5 after climbing a sandy berm from which Islamic State (IS) flags could be seen about 200 meters (656 feet) away on the Syrian side of the border.

Al-Monitors reporter was the only Western journalist reporting from the border area at Qaim with the Iraqi forces in the first few days after the town's liberation, according to several officers on the front. No Western media were present during the actual operation, they said, during which access to even the surrounding area was severely restricted.

The city of Qaim, along Iraqs westernmost edge, was proclaimed liberated Nov. 3, even though some of the nearby areas were not cleared until the following day.

The Iraqi army, counterterrorism forces and local tribal fighters trained by the international anti-IS coalition and non-local Popular Mobilization Units took part in the fighting.

Al-Monitor saw no civilians in the central areas or near the Syrian border while driving through the dusty, heavily damaged wasteland of Qaims streets Nov. 5. In the days following the liberation, Al-Monitor visited the only three families said to have remained in one area of the city.

A Nov. 6 sandstorm covered Qaim with a copper-colored layer of dust, severely limiting the visibility in the town and along the entire road toward it from the Jazeera operations headquarters in Haditha, roughly 150 kilometers (93 miles) away along a road torn up by improvised explosive devices (IEDs) that dips through wadis and passes by destroyed bridges.

A long string of knocked-down electricity transmission towers, still seemingly fully intact otherwise, can be seen from the road. There is no cellphone reception of any kind in the area. Frequent firing could be heard from the Iraqi side of the border at Qaim toward al-Bukamal in Syria on Nov. 6.

One officer near the Husaybah border crossing at Qaim told Al-Monitor, "It is normal  they are still shooting at us from over there," while another, tasked with accompanying Al-Monitor, said, "They are just testing their weapons. It is not actually fighting."

An officer and soldiers deployed in the area told Al-Monitor that numerous mortar shells were still being fired at Iraqi frontline positions from across the border in the days following the victory announcement. No mortar attacks occurred while the reporter was in the area.

Col. Ali Fendi, an Iraqi army commander of the 28th Brigade's 1st Regiment, told Al-Monitor, "But none of our men have been injured [in the cross-border mortar attacks]. We have been fighting IS for many years. We know how they operate."

The troops were stationed at a home with a damaged satellite dish on the roof, despite IS having banned these. Syrian territory could be seen from the roof through binoculars.

The border city, inhabited only in the past century, lies in an area of highly fertile land alongside the Euphrates River and is strategic for several reasons. It was where Iraq reportedly extracted uranium for its nuclear weapons program in the 1980s, though the site was destroyed by bombings in 1991. A compound continued to produce fertilizer using phosphates from the nearby Akashat mine in subsequent years.

Prior to the IS invasion, Qaim had an estimated population of 150,000 and was long seen as a major entry point for foreign fighters into Iraq from Syria during prior insurgency movements.

Shortly after the citys liberation Nov. 3, IS drones dropped a bomb on a local Sunni force fighting alongside the Iraqi army, killing one fighter as he was getting out of an armored vehicle and injuring several others.

Fendi told Al-Monitor on Nov. 6 that eight IS drones had attacked the Iraqi joint forces but that international coalition forces had managed to thwart subsequent attempts by conducting surveillance and destroying the drones via airstrikes in Syria.

In the nearby Obeidi district, mostly inhabited by the Albu Mahal tribe and located farther east along the road toward the now-besieged and IS-held town of Rawa and the recently liberated city of Anah, Col. Ali al-Jabouri told Al-Monitor that four suicide bombers had been discovered Nov. 6 just as they were about to carry out attacks. Three were reportedly killed and one was injured.

An officer who had been in charge of Qaim and the surrounding area in 2006, when there was a heavy al-Qaeda presence, told Al-Monitor in an interview in September that the Obeidi district was the most difficult for his forces to deal with.

Parliamentarian Adel al-Mahalawi, who lives in Mohammedi but is from the powerful Albu Mahal tribe, visited Obeidi on Nov. 5. In between meeting with a number of local dignitaries and public officials who had spent years outside the area while IS was in control, he told Al-Monitor that he felt the most urgent issue to be addressed in the area was access to education, if Iraq wanted to avoid similar catastrophes in the future. Children whose families had been unable or unwilling to pay smugglers to get them out of the area have not attended schools for several years.

The entire area south of the Euphrates River to the Syrian border, including Qaim, has now been liberated by Iraqi forces working in tandem with coalition airstrikes, while parts of the desert area north of the river and the town of Rawa are still under IS control.

The clearing of Rawa is not expected to pose major difficulties, Fendi said, adding that it was mostly a matter of clearing IEDs around the city to enable troops to access it safely.

Staff Brig. Gen. Qutaiba Muwafiq Asaad, interviewed by Al-Monitor in the Obeidi area, said his troops were ready, whenever the decision comes.

Whether the area is left ripe for any IS remnants to put down roots and what happens on the other side of the border  where US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces have been racing the Syrian regime and its allied militias, many of them foreign and Iran-backed, to take over the remaining bits of land there under IS control  will determine what comes next.
November 10, 2017

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip  Israel has agreed to suspend on Jan. 1 the Gaza Reconstruction Mechanism (GRM), a deal Palestinian contractors say has put many of them out of business and cost the Contractors Union millions of dollars a month, according to a representative of the new consensus government.

We received a positive response from the Israeli government regarding our demand for the suspension of the GRM," Mufid al-Hasayneh, the minister of public works and housing for the new consensus government and a representative of the Palestinian presidency, told Al-Monitor.

"We were promised, as representatives of the consensus government, that this mechanism will no longer be adopted as of 2018," he said. "[In the meantime], technical and legal committees will be formed between the Palestinian consensus government and the Palestinian Contractors Union to distribute the shares of construction materials to contractors as part of the government's responsibility to compensate for the losses the private sector sustained under the GRM.

On Nov. 1, the Palestinian Authority (PA) took over the Gaza Strip border crossings, which had been administered by Hamas. This step came within the scope of the Palestinian reconciliation agreement, signed Oct. 12 in Cairo. One of the PA's first decisions after taking control of the Rafah crossing on the Egyptian border was to stop imposing taxes Hamas had levied on goods entering the Gaza Strip.

The GRM allows Israel to restrict construction materials entering the Gaza Strip. It has been in place since September 2014, under UN supervision, following the war between Israel and Hamas that summer. The agreement established a system of inspections and monitoring of imports into Gaza, ostensibly to enable the Palestinian government to lead reconstruction efforts, empower the private sector in Gaza, reassure donors that their investments in reconstruction work in Gaza would be implemented without delay and address Israeli security concerns about potential dual use materials, to prevent the Palestinian resistance from getting its hand on any of the materials.

Under the GRM, builders present a list of all their reconstruction requirements to the PA Ministry of Works. The UN then supervises as Israeli authorities hand the materials over to Gaza. However, Israel sometimes takes up to three months to provide entry permits, resulting in heavy losses for the contractors. In addition, the quantities of construction material Israel allows to pass through are insufficient.

Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip from the Fatah-dominated PA in 2007. Now that the PA is again administering the area, the PA believes the GRM is no longer needed.

Hasayneh said the consensus government has also discussed the matter with the UN delegation overseeing control of the crossings. "The consensus government is fully prepared to follow up on and control the mechanisms of reconstruction through our competent authorities represented by the ministries of economy, public works and housing and finance, without the need for UN supervision.

Between September 2014 and the beginning of this month, 2.57 million metric tons of construction materials entered Gaza under the GRM. Some 1,276 large projects were registered with the GRM; 319 projects are active and receiving supplies. The average daily quantity of cement supplied since the GRM was implemented was 1,147 tons per day, with rebar averaging 179 tons per day. In that time, the GRM registered 101 vendors, 259 contractors, 30 concrete factories and 193 block factories.

An Oct. 4, 2016, statement by the Contractors Union blamed the GRM for putting 240 block factories and more than 70 contractors out of business.

Since the PA took over the Gaza crossings [on Nov. 1], it must answer our demands and suspend the GRM," Alaa al-Aaraj, the head of the Contractors Union in Gaza, told Al-Monitor. "We addressed Prime Minister Rami al-Hamdallah during his visit to Gaza on Oct. 2 and threatened to take escalatory steps if this mechanism is not stopped. In this context, the Contractors Union could stop cooperating with the consensus government. The mechanism has caused us about $15 million per month in losses, and this is why it needs to be suspended.

Mohammed Abu Jayyab, the editor of Gaza's Al-Eqtisadiah newspaper, told Al-Monitor, The GRM was one of the obstacles blocking the reconstruction process. It is the main reason why contractors went bankrupt, since the mechanism can control every detail in the reconstruction process and exclude and dismiss contractors.  This mechanism has [also] wasted tens of millions of dollars of donor funds, which should have gone to help families affected by war.

He added, This is why the PAs effort to suspend the GRM will help revive the construction sector in Gaza, which means the private sector as a whole in Gaza can finally get back on its feet.

Perhaps the coming days will show whether Israel will live up to its promise to suspend the GRM, and the consensus government will reveal details of its plans to expedite the flow of construction materials as it monitors the reconstruction in Gaza.
November 13, 2017

Setting aside its wrath over Iraqi Kurdistans ill-fated referendum on independence, Turkey was the first foreign country to respond with aid for thousands of victims of a massive earthquake that struck near Iraqs border with Iran on Sunday.

A military cargo plane carrying medical supplies, doctors and a search-and-rescue team arrived in the Iraqi Kurdish city of Sulaimaniyah today, and an aid convoy of 50 trucks crossed through the Habur border gate.

I wish a speedy recovery to the people of Iraq.  I offer my condolences, said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan before setting off for the Russian city of Sochi, where he is scheduled to hold talks with President Vladimir Putin. As you know, in such times of difficulty, Turkey always rushes to the side of its brothers in the region, he added.

Some Iraqi Kurdish leaders appear to entertain hopes that the earthquake may lead to a thaw with Turkey. The prime minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), Nechirvan Barzani, acknowledged Turkeys help during a news conference today. An Iraqi Kurdish official told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity that contacts with Erdogans office had resumed. More critically, the official added, Ankara has said that the military drills it has been conducting, widely seen as a show of force against Iraqi Kurdistans independence moves, have now been concluded. That is huge, the official said.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu suggested, however, that Turkeys feelings on the Kurdistan referendum remained unchanged. Our position is obvious. Other than that, we have always helped the people of Iraq without discrimination. From the very beginning we are the country that has helped the Iraqi [Kurdistan] regional government. The referendum is another matter; this a humanitarian matter, he said.

At least 400 people were killed and nearly 7,000 people were hurt in the 7.2-magnitude trembler. The US Geological Survey said it hit at 21:18 local time about 20 miles (32 kilometers) southwest of the Iraqi Kurdish town of Halabja, scene to a deadly chemical attack by Saddam Hussein in 1988. The tremors were felt in Turkeys southeastern province of Hakkari and as far afield as Israel and Kuwait.

Many of the victims were in the Iranian town of Sarpol-e Zahab, about 10 miles (16 kilometers) from the Iraqi border. On the Iraqi side, the worst damage was in Darbandikhan in the Kurdistan Region, according to the BBC, where at least seven people were reported killed. The US-designed Darbandikhan dam on the Diyala River in Sulaimaniyah was also damaged, with cracks appearing in the structure and the roads around it, reported the Iraqi Kurdish online news portal Rudaw.

Iraqi Kurdistan has been bogged down in crisis in the aftermath of the Sept. 25 independence referendum that was held over the objections of Baghdad, Washington and regional heavyweights Iran and Turkey, who fear Kurdish independence in Iraq would infect their own restive Kurds with similar desires.

Massoud Barzani, the president of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, is being blamed for the aftermath of the referendum that saw Iraqi security forces and Shiite militias regain full control over the disputed province of Kirkuk and other areas both the Kurds and Baghdad claim as their own. He stepped down on Nov. 1, handing the reins over to his nephew, Nechirvan. Presidential and parliamentary elections that were meant to be held on that date have been postponed and no new date set, adding to the political uncertainty that is gripping the cash-strapped Kurdish enclave.

Baghdad is now demanding that the Kurds allow federal government officials to monitor the Kurdistan Region's main crossing with Turkey, together with an oil pipeline that carries Kurdish crude to the Turkish Mediterranean port of Ceyhan. US-brokered talks aimed at establishing a joint monitoring mechanism being held between KRG Interior Minister Karim Sinjari and Iraqi Chief of General Staff Othman al-Ghanimi have failed to produce any results so far.

Hemin Hawrami, a senior assistant to Massoud Barzani, griped in a tweet, Even in response to the earthquake which hit Kurdistan last night, [Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi] has not uttered a word for casualties & wounded people in Kurdistan region & not offered any help or even a condolences message. This is another force of pulling Iraq apart."

KRG Foreign Minister Falah Mustafa is in Washington, where he is scheduled to meet, among others, with US Deputy Secretary of State for Iraq Joseph Pennington, acting Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Satterfield and Brett McGurk, the US presidential envoy to the anti-Islamic State coalition, to press for their support in the dispute and to continue to raise the alarm over what they say is growing Iranian influence throughout Iraq.

Former Iraqi foreign minister and current top Barzani aide Hoshyar Zebari is expected in Washington soon to make a similar pitch.

Turkey, however, continues to rebuff Iraqi Kurdish requests for top-level meetings and has been backing Baghdads moves to reassert full control over its borders and oil pipelines. But a senior KRG official told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity that he detects a shift. Turkey is now saying they will welcome the Iraqis if they can make their way to the border. In other words, that [Turkey] wont help them to get there. The official was alluding to widespread speculation that Turkish forces would help the Iraqis move into Fish Khabur, the strategic wedge of territory that sits between Iraq, Syria and Turkey. The official claimed, "Turkey has woken up to the reality that Iran poses a threat to them, too."
November 10, 2017

The phrase "state of emergency" sort of loses its urgency after more than a year. Yet Turkeys National Security Council met under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the end of October and recommended extending the state of emergency for three months  for the fifth time.

Although officials have relaxed some rules on foreign travel, commercial activities and appointments and affairs of civil servants, nobody expects emergency rule to be abandoned before the summer of 2018.

It has become a way of life in Turkey. People are used to hearing odd explanations for it. The latest strange utterance came in a statement by Minister of Environment and Urbanization Mehmet Ozhaseki, who said national security threats posed by earthquake risks can best be handled under emergency rule, and highly technical urban transformation  which is a priority issue for the country  will proceed most efficiently by issuing government decrees instead of enacting laws. He's not the only senior official in Ankara who thinks this way.

Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag said that initially, emergency rule was thought necessary only for cleansing the state bureaucracy and the society of Gulenist networks. But then the emergency rule was also needed in the struggle against the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and other terror groups. Of course when that struggle ends, the emergency rule will be lifted, he said.

As Turkey has been in an armed struggle with the PKK for 34 years, perhaps Bozdag was implying we should expect emergency rule for many years to come.

Quiet dissent has in recent weeks grown louder in the state bureaucracy  and even in the security apparatus  against the routine extension of emergency rule and the undemocratic practice of governing by decree. State legal and security bureaucracies are struggling under the major burdens of appointments made by simple decree and of being denied access to the Constitutional Court to appeal rulings by decree. The bureaucracies also must deal with the obscure definitions of judicial process related to expulsions and suspensions from duties. These bureaucracies risk having their reputations tarnished.

The Emergency Rule Appeals Commission was established Jan. 23 and began accepting applications July 17 to study and determine the legality of emergency decisions. Within the first month of its inception, more than 100,00 appeals were filed.

In the aftermath of the July 2016 coup attempt, 26 decrees were issued, 111,240 public servants were discharged and 32,180 were suspended with or without pay. In the same period, hundreds of organizations and companies were seized by the state.

The majority of state employees discharged or suspended were police, gendarmerie and soldiers. The initially popular slogan Traitors should fear the status of emergency rule has lost its appeal under the complications of appointments, long delays in hiring new personnel, postponed legal processes and questions of morale and motivation among security personnel.

Security sources told Al-Monitor that there is extreme confusion about new appointments to fill vacancies and reassignments.

In the past, our appointments and reassignments were all perfectly organized by the book. Now, however, we start the day by checking [to see] if we are still on duty or if we have been discharged or suspended. We have to check our official email traffic because we can easily be assigned to another city with an email message. We are told to report to our new duty station within 15 days. Just think of the problems we have to deal with [regarding] our families, especially with children going to school, a police official in Istanbul told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity.

There is also discord about the authority and functions of officials and their regional jurisdictions  for example, whether the periphery of towns in the southeast will be under police or gendarmerie jurisdiction.

The workload of the security forces has increased beyond reason. Not only has the workforce been decimated by mass discharges, detentions and suspensions from duty, but the amount of effort required for the struggle against Gulenist networks, the PKK, violent Salafi-jihadi networks and radical leftist armed groups is staggering. Another security official told Al-Monitor that the number of people in his unit has dropped to seven people  from 12 before the coup attempt  even as the workload has gone up fourfold. New hires still have to be vetted, even municipal administrative workers. Vetting is supposed to be concluded within 60 days, but now it sometimes takes as long as six months. This colossal problem of filling the vacancies further amplifies the workload of intelligence and security personnel.

Emergency rule was declared to enable rapid restructuring of state bodies after the July 2016 military uprising and for cleansing the state and society from Gulenists. But it's clear the strategy is backfiring. Instead of being a solution, the emergency rule itself is now becoming the problem.
November 12, 2017

Lebanese call for Hariri's return

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman may have the impression that the United States, and perhaps Israel, has his back in his recent statements and actions, which are increasing the risk of miscalculation or conflict. Absent some clear red lines, the Trump administration may find itself on a slippery slope toward confrontation with Iran or unrest in Lebanon because of decisions made in Riyadh, not Washington.

The actions of the past week, including claims of two "acts of war" against Saudi Arabia from Yemen and Lebanon, and the arrests and asset seizures of over 200 prominent Saudi princes and businessmen, come as "the kingdom is at a crossroads," as Bruce Riedel writes. "Its economy has flatlined with low oil prices; the war in Yemen is a quagmire; the blockade of Qatar is a failure; Iranian influence is rampant in Lebanon, Syria and Iraq; and the succession is a question mark. It is the most volatile period in Saudi history in over a half-century."

Despite this volatility and checkered record, US President Donald Trump expressed "great confidence" that King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud and the crown prince "know exactly what they are doing" when news of the purge broke. Mohammed may have been emboldened when the White House blamed Iran for the introduction of missiles, and more, in Yemen, which the United States will raise with the UN Security Council. In Lebanon, Mohammed probably hoped that Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri's resignation would back the charge that the country is Hezbollah-occupied territory. Thus, the kingdom would capitalize on the Trump administration's increased focus on Hezbollah as a terrorist organization, including sanctions legislation making its way through the Congress, as Jack Detsch reports. Israel, preoccupied with Hezbollah's expanded capabilities as a result of the war in Syria, would also be a silent partner in Saudi efforts to isolate and pressure Hezbollah.

But the seemingly contrived crisis in Lebanon may have been a bridge too far, even for the Trump administration. The scripted nature of Hariri's resignation made his claims of a threat on his life ring hollow. Many believe he is being held in Riyadh against his will, along with the princes and business leaders who have also been detained. The international community did not rally around the crown prince. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres instead warned of potential "devastating consequences" if there is a new conflict in the region. French President Emmanuel Macron, who traveled to Riyadh to meet with Hariri and Mohammed, said he did not share the kingdom's "very harsh opinions of Iran."

The United States may also have stepped back from the initial claims of "great confidence" in Saudi actions. While US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson blamed Iran for much of the turmoil in the region, he said, All the parties need to be careful about characterizing the start of yet another new war. My input would be lets be a little more cautious about what we say. The State Department warned of using Lebanon as a base for "proxy conflicts" that could contribute to instability.

The Trump administration should send a clear signal to the crown prince that the United States does not necessarily have his back in any and all confrontations with Iran, while urging a try at diplomacy between Tehran and Riyadh, which is essential and long overdue. The US return to the Middle East should not be at the behest of Mohammed. Without American or Israeli muscle to count on, the crown prince might think twice. Iran  by backing the Houthi rebels  reveals daily, at relatively low cost, the limits of the kingdoms military and diplomatic capabilities in settling the conflict in the poorest country in the region, right on the Saudi border.

In regard to Lebanon, we have been writing here since 2014 about the emergence of a new "social contract" in Lebanon that aims for good governance and that considers diversity as a source of strength, not weakness. As we wrote here last year, the arrangement that led to Hariri's return as prime minister presented a "rare opportunity." It hasn't been perfect, but it has been a step forward. The Lebanese across the political spectrum aren't buying what Mohammed is selling in this crisis  a further sign that this progress continues. Hariri could revive and indeed energize his, and his country's, political fortunes by returning to Lebanon  if he is able to do so.

Israel, Assad back Syrias Druze

Ben Caspit reports, Added to Israel's firm red line on a Syrian transfer of tiebreaking weapons to Hezbollah, the world has now learned of another no less firm boundary: Dont touch the Druze.

On Nov. 3, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that they were prepared and ready to help the residents of the village [of Hader].  It will prevent the occupation of the village or any attempts to harm it, out of a commitment to its Druze population."

That Israel has not been sucked into the Syrian war, which has raged across its northern border for the past six years, is a first-rate strategic achievement, Caspit explains. Israel's government has somehow managed to remain outside the circle of bloodletting despite the frequent drizzle of mortar and artillery fire onto the Israeli side of the Golan Heights, despite the veritable War of Armageddon being fought along the border of the Golan Heights between various rebel groups, despite the reported increase in Israeli aerial attacks on arms convoys from Syria to Hezbollah, and despite at least two attempts by Hezbollah to open a second front against Israel on the Golan Heights. It did this while maintaining its capacity for deterrence on the one hand and by sticking to the red lines that it established on the other. That is no small feat.

The residents of Hader are loyal to the Assad regime, Caspit continues. The Druze constitute a small minority in many Middle Eastern states, and their strategy for survival has been simple: loyalty to the central government. The Druze in Israel have a blood alliance with the Zionist state, which considers them its most loyal citizens and its bravest soldiers.  Rebel forces, mainly from Jabhat Fatah al-Sham, the al-Qaeda affiliate formerly called Jabhat al-Nusra, attacked Hader on Nov. 3.  The public statement [by the IDF] had the desired effect. The Jabhat Fatah al-Sham assault was blocked and dispersed by local fighters, and Hader residents were able to regain control of the routes leading to the village. Tensions have since decreased, but the Golan Heights front is still seething, and the Assad regime is trying to establish control along the Israeli border.
Qualcomm rejected Broadcoms unsolicited bid to acquire its operations for $130 billion including $25 billion in debt, the San Diego, California-based company said Monday. In a prepared statement, the semiconductor giant revealed that the decision to dismiss the offer was made by its Board of Directors in a unanimous manner, stating that the offer significantly undervalues Qualcomm, both in terms of its existing performance and future prospects in the mobile and other segments. Qualcomm Chief Executive Officer Steve Mollenkopf hailed the successes of the firms smartphone, Internet of Things, networking, automotive, and general computing divisions, stating that this unique mix of historically strong units makes Qualcomm much more valuable than the figure cited by Broadcom.

The proposal included paying a relatively small premium on Qualcomm stock which was worth north of $61 when Broadcom publicized its intentions to attempt acquiring the company last week, offering $70 per share which it would mostly pay in cash, with $10 being given to existing investors as shares of the combined entity. While the semiconductor company was largely expected to reject the bid, the sole existence of a high-profile suitor drove up its stock to $64.57 when trading ended on Friday, with some industry watchers expecting its value to go up in the aftermath of the decision. Besides saying the offer undervalues the company, Qualcomm also described the proposal as having significant regulatory uncertainty attached to it, referring to numerous antitrust probes the deal would be subjected to even if the two managed to come to an agreement.

Qualcomm provided no further comments on the matter and explicitly stated it will not reflect on the bid for the second time in the future. The new development doesnt necessarily mark the end of the matter, with Qualcomms move only being expected to stall Broadcoms acquisition attempt thats likely to lead to a proxy fight between the two technology giants. Should Broadcom be able to convince enough minor investors to sell, Qualcomms board wouldnt be able to stop the move from going through. A major stock buyback may be the first step in the semiconductor companys efforts to resist the bid which proposes the largest tech acquisition ever, though no official confirmation of such a move has been provided by the firm.
The first camera comparison of the OnePlus 5 and OnePlus 5T appeared online yesterday, having been posted by German website Heise which appears to have already obtained the latest Android flagship from the Chinese original equipment manufacturer. The images seen in the gallery below show side-by-side photo samples taken by the OnePlus 5 on the right and OnePlus 5T on the left. As suggested by Heises initial findings, the two imaging systems appear to be largely similar in terms of real-world performance despite their mechanical differences, being able to produce nearly identical results in almost all scenarios.

The OnePlus 5T still appears to be more capable of performing in low-light conditions, with this particular aspect of the flagship being previously teased by the BBK Electronics-owned company. The successor to the OnePlus 5 seems to be better equipped for excelling in the context of nighttime photography, having demonstrated the ability to capture more details in the shadows while still delivering accurate color balance and a low amount of image noise. Virtually all specifications of the OnePlus 5T leaked online over the weekend, having seemingly confirmed a wide variety of previous rumors about the handset. While the upcoming smartphone is set to feature a dual-camera setup that appears to be similar to the one found on the OnePlus 5, its apparently set to ditch its 20-megapixel (f/2.6) module in favor of a similar sensor mounted behind an f/1.7 lens. In practice, this should make the imaging system more capable of capturing light in a given period, consequently improving its low-light performance. The same setup also comes with some limitations, most notably in terms of natural bokeh it can produce.

The OnePlus 5T will be officially announced on Thursday and is set to go on sale next Tuesday, November 21st. Following its commercial debut in North America and Europe, the high-end handset is scheduled to be released in India and China on November 28th a December 1st, respectively. No concrete pricing details have yet been mentioned by the Chinese company, though recent rumors suggest that no new price hikes are to be expected from the next iteration of the firms Android flagship lineup.
MediaTek seems to be shifting its focus to manufacturing chipsets for mid-range Android mobile devices, drifting away from the companys long history of competing in the high-end processor segment. The companys general manager for international sales, Finbarr Moynihan, said in an interview with Gearburn that MediaTek has decided to pause its efforts dedicated to building chips for flagship handsets as part of a move to invest more resources in what he described as a new kind of premium devices, apparently referring to the mid-range segment.

Several factors might have contributed to the Taiwanese fabless semiconductor firms decision to depart from the high-range chipset category, including the lackluster market performance of its deca-core Helio X30 processor. Announced last February, the Helio X30 is based on two ARM Cortex-A73 cores clocked at 2.5GHz, four ARM Cortex-A53 cores running at 2.2GHz, and four ARM Cortex-A35 cores operating at 1.9GHz. These are coupled with a category 10 4G LTE modem and support for three downlink carrier aggregation and two uplink carrier aggregation, providing a premium chipset powerful enough for high-end devices. However, the Helio X30 has not gained much traction among high-end devices launched this year, having only been implemented into a few flagship devices like the Meizu PRO 7 Plus. Earlier this year, MediaTek hoped to strike a major supply deal with several Chinese phone manufacturers. However, in the lead-up to the chip makers second-quarter earnings call, the Helio X30 still saw a lower-than-expected demand from customers. LeEco withdrew its plan to purchase chipsets from MediaTek due to financial constraints, while Xiaomi simply dropped its pursuit for the chip makers processor because it wanted a chipset of its own, in addition to using Qualcomms Snapdragon-branded offerings.

Commenting on the poor reception of the Helio X30, Moynihan said the processor was far from the level required to fulfill the modem demands of the European, American, Asian and African markets together, adding that the chipset fell short of the standards needed by Chinese mid-range phones in particular. While declining to specify when MediaTek exactly plans to resume manufacturing high-end chipsets, Moynihan suggested the company is not seeking to produce premium SoCs for at least two years, indicating that the Helio X40 or however the successor to the Helio X30 might end up being called wont debut before 2019.
Samsung has acknowledged the freezing issue with its Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus flagship phones, a problem that adds to the number of bug complaints coming from Galaxy users who also previously reported that their Galaxy Note 8 device, specifically the units with model numbers SM-N950U and SM-N950/DS, froze once the Contacts app is opened. The bug was reported a few days ago via Samsungs official forums. The South Korean company has then confirmed the problem and recommended that users resolve the issue by updating their apps in the Samsung Galaxy Store and Google Play Store.

However, the freezing issue did not seem to be limited only the Galaxy Note 8, as some owners of the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus have started complaining about their devices freezing and restarting spontaneously. Unlike with the Galaxy Note 8 freezing issue, the reason behind the bug with the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus could not be immediately known. Nonetheless, Samsung has recently admitted the problem and is quick to provide a procedure on how to address it, stating that in order to prevent their phones from freezing, Galaxy S8/S8 Plus users must update their apps as well by opening the Galaxy app, clicking on the Navigate to Update, and then tapping on the Update icon situated next to Personalization Service. It is important to remember that the updated version must not be older than 1.2.00.

While the freezing bug thats been hitting the Galaxy Note 8 device seemed to have come to light earlier this month, the Galaxy S8/S8 Plus issue is likely to have originated from April of this year when a similar trouble was reported by some owners of this device, lamenting that their handsets were suffering from severe bugs that randomly froze and rebooted their devices. That problem in particular appeared to have been caused by an issue with the biometric sensors of the smartphones, as some members of the XDA Developers boards reported seeing a sort of graphical glitches for a short period on the bottom of the display before the device started to reboot. It is likely that the latest bug affecting the Galaxy S8/S8 Plus devices are caused by a number of factors as well, and affected owners are urged to contact 1-800-SAMSUNG for assistance.
Samsung has taken the wraps off of its own Black Friday sale, and like many other retailers, a number of Samsungs deals start next Sunday, on November 19th. Theres a small set of deals for November 19th, and the rest of the deals go live on November 23rd or Thanksgiving and will last through Black Friday. Now the deals that Samsung has already announced are likely only a handful of the sales that Samsung will have for Black Friday. As most retailers will throw out some more deals on the day itself.

Topping the list for November 19ths round of deals is the Samsung Gear S3 Frontier for $279. Samsung is also offering up to a $300 credit for the Galaxy Note 8 when you trade in your current smartphone. The price of the Galaxy Note 8 is still $950 though, so its not much of a sale, but more of a way for you to easily get rid of your old phone and make some extra cash. Samsungs 65-inch 4K TV (the MU6290 model) is on sale for $849. Thats $250 off of its regular price. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 with S Pen is $229, good for $120 off of its regular price. The Samsung Gear Fit2 Pro is also on sale for $149, which is good for $50 off of its regular price, among many other deals.

Now for the actual Black Friday deals, the Galaxy Note 8, Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus will get up to $400 off when you trade in your current smartphone. Thats a decent deal if you do have a somewhat new smartphone, but these smartphones will still be at their regular prices. The Samsung Gear 360 actually isnt on sale, its listed at its regular price of $229, but Samsung is offering up a free Gear VR when you purchase the Gear 360, which is a pretty good deal since that headset is $129. Samsungs 256GB EVO Plus micro SD card is on sale for $129, which is $70 off of its current price. Samsung is also discounting its line of QLED TVs, its 55-inch is $1499, 65-inch for $2199 and then the curved variants are $1699 for the 55-inch and $2299 for the 65-inch. These are nearly 50% off, and makes it a great time to pick up a new QLED TV if youre looking to grab one.

Advertisement

The deals weve highlighted here are not all of what Samsung will have on sale during its Black Friday sales, but some of the more popular products. Remember that these prices will only be good while supplies last. So if youre looking to pick one up, youll want to do it quickly.
By PTI: Ahmedabad, Nov 13 (PTI) Five persons associated with news portal The Wire, who were made accused in a defamation case by BJP chief Amit Shahs son Jay over a report about his companys soaring fortunes after the saffron party came to power at the Centre, today appeared before a city court.

Those who appeared before Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate S K Gadhvi were author of the article, Rohini Singh, founding editors Siddarth Varadarajan, Sidharth Bhatia and M K Venu, and managing editor Monobina Gupta.

advertisement

Two others - public editor Pamela Philipose and a representative of the Foundation for Independent Journalism, the non-profit company that publishes The Wire, could not appear citing different reasons.

They were subsequently served summonses by the court and asked to appear before it on December 16, the next date of hearing.

During todays hearing, the first after the court issued summonses to all the seven accused last month, they were given various documents related to the case to prepare their defence.

The court had exempted Jay Shah from appearing in person today owning to some social obligations.

Jay Shah had filed a criminal defamation case against The Wire last month over a report that claimed the turnover of his firm grew exponentially after the BJP came to power at the Centre in 2014.

Jay Shah prayed for criminal action against the respondents for "defaming and tarnishing" his reputation by publishing the article, which was "scandalous, frivolous, misleading, derogatory, libelous and consisting of several defamatory statements".

The case was filed under IPC sections 500 (defamation), 109 (abetment), 39 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt) and 120 B (criminal conspiracy).

A person guilty of criminal defamation faces simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or both.

His lawyer S V Raju had earlier submitted before the court that the purpose of the article was not to give a bonafide account of the company or his client but to defame him keeping in mind the upcoming Gujarat assembly elections.

He said there was "something fishy about the article" as it was "published hurriedly to make it an issue for the elections".

The Wire had claimed in its report that the turnover of Temple Enterprise Pvt Ltd, the company owned by Jay Shah, grew from a measly Rs 50,000 to over Rs 80 crore in a single year.

A political storm erupted after the article titled Golden touch of Jay Amit Shah was published.

The Congress demanded sacking of Amit Shah as BJP chief and institution of a judicial inquiry into the entire episode, while the BJP called the article "defamatory". PTI PJT PD RSY SK

--- ENDS ---

advertisement
Samsungs share of the smartphone market in China amounted to only two percentage points in the third quarter of the year and will drop to approximately 1.6 percent during Q4 2017, Strategy Analytics reported earlier this month. The Seoul-based original equipment manufacturer is currently estimated to be the ninth largest phone vendor in the Far Eastern country, the biggest smartphone market on the planet, with the company seemingly not being able to endure tough competition from local OEMs and Apple.

Samsung opted for some major restructurings of its China-based operations over the course of this year, having decided to change its leadership and close a number of retail locations while opening other brick-and-mortar stores. None of the companys efforts appear to have yielded any significant results in the near term, with its prospects in China remaining grim. According to some estimates and Samsungs previous statements on the matter, the tech giant laid off around 20,000 employees in China since 2015 and may be forced to make additional cuts if its local performance doesnt improve going forward. Samsung traditionally insists on healthy profit margins on all kinds of consumer electronics  smartphones included  but that strategy proved to be one of the main inhibitors of its prospects in China where aggressively priced mobile devices that offer good value for money are in abundance.

Another factor detrimental to the companys commercial performance in China is the anti-South Korean sentiment that became prevalent in the Far Eastern country in recent times, being largely prompted by tensions over American-made THAAD anti-missile system that Seoul voted to set up alongside the border with North Korea. This state of affairs is believed to have prompted Beijing to lead a major campaign against Korean companies through state-sponsored media, many of which went as far as to openly mock Samsung and its products over the course of this year. The largest phone maker in the world held a fifth of the Chinese market in 2013 but has been steadily declining ever since, with its local issues seemingly having no end in sight. Samsung is still unwilling to give up China due to the sheer volume of the market and its potential impact on the companys bottom line, though its currently unclear how the OEM is planning to attempt reviving its local operations in 2018 and beyond.
Prior to Samsungs official unveiling of the next series of its Galaxy A devices, a listing for the upcoming Galaxy A5 (2018) has popped up on the South Korean phone makers website, and the phone is bearing the model number SM-A530N. That is the same model number that was spotted last week in a regulatory listing that contained the devices basic profile, published by the South Korean National Radio Research Agency. The listing indicated that the next mid-range handset coming from Samsung will have the model number SM-A530, with the SM-A530N being one of the variants for that device. The sighting of the Galaxy A5 (2018) on Samsungs website does not reveal much, however.

The Galaxy A5 (2018) has been making the rounds on the web in recent times, though. Previous rumors had it that Samsung plans to squeeze some of the features that launched along with its 2017 flagship devices into the Galaxy A5 (2018) and other members of the Galaxy A (2018) series. More specifically, a number of unofficial renders that popped up last month on Chinas Weibo social network supposedly showing the Galaxy A5 (2018) suggested the upcoming mid-range handset will feature a full-screen design, also known as the Infinity Display. It is interesting to note that the Infinity Display panel is also found on the Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8 Plus, and the Galaxy Note 8. Furthermore, it is hard to rule out the possibility that the upcoming Galaxy A5 (2018) will adopt such a display panel, as previous reports suggested that Samsung has been seeking to apply the bezel-less design signature inherent in its high-end phones to its mid-range series.

As for the other key specs of the smartphone, earlier reports indicated that the device would be powered by a Samsung-made System-on-Chip (SoC), possibly the as yet unannounced Exynos 7885. That chipset has been reportedly built on a 10nm FinFET process and it supposedly includes a total of six CPU cores and the Mali-G71 graphics chip. A recent Geekbench benchmark listing also revealed other specs and features of the phone, including 4GB of RAM and Android 7.1.1 Nougat, though it is highly likely the Galaxy A5 (2018) will see some significant changes on the software side of things once it hits the shelves. It remains to be seen when Samsung plans to launch the next generation of Galaxy A series, with industry watchers speculating that it could be in early 2018, January, most probably.
The Best Places In The World To Propose

Stage The Perfect Proposal At One Of These 10 Unforgettable Destinations

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.

A marriage proposal is without a doubt one of the biggest life decisions you will ever make. Once youve made up your mind and picked the perfect ring, youre probably left asking yourself how to propose in a memorable way. So why not ask her to marry you while on a special trip? Its a classic for a reason: Picking a scenic and romantic location practically guarantees an unforgettable experience that will sweep your partner off their feet. If youre looking for the perfect spot to pop the question, weve got you covered. From urban escapes to lush islands and fairytale-like destinations, here are the 10 best places in the world to stage a proposal.

RELATED: How To Buy An Engagement Ring

1.Santorini, Greece

Getty Images

Expense Meter: Luxury

One of the most unique and romantic spots in the world, the Greek island of Santorini will undoubtedly make for a memorable proposal. One of the Cyclades islands, Santorini is situated in the Aegean Sea and is whats left of a massive volcanic eruption that occurred some 3,000 years ago. A natural spectacle, the crescent-shaped island is renowned for its magical sunsets. Consider taking a vineyard tour and get a taste for some of Greeces much lauded wines. Take your lover for a hike along the Caldera, from Fira to Oia, and revel in the breathtaking views. As the sun goes down, slip the ring into a glass of Santorinis finest wine and seal the deal.

Want to pull all the stops and make it a truly extraordinary experience? Stay at San Antonio Boutique Hotel located in the village of Imerovigli. Built into a natural cave formation, this lavish hotel offers incredible caldera views and the ultimate relaxing experience. In between your planned activities, enjoy a well-deserved pampering session at the hotels volcanic spa, an intimate and romantic dinner overlooking the Caldera and soak up the breathtaking vista from San Antonios infinity pool. Youre in for the treat of a lifetime.

2. Iceland

Getty Images

Expense Meter: Moderate

With scenery practically out of a fairytale, Iceland has no shortage of stunning landscapes that will make for a proposal of epic proportions. Fly with WOW Air to save on expenses  dining out in Iceland can get very expensive and youll definitely want to splurge on a romantic dinner  and start your travels on a good note. The airline offers prices as low as $99.99 per person for a roundtrip New York to Reykjavik flight. And with friendly service, comfy seats and a nice amount of legroom, you wont compromise on comfort (though you can upgrade to WOW Plus or WOW Biz fares for added perks such as checked bags, priority boarding and in-flight meals).

If youve only got a few days to spend in Iceland, stay in Reykjavik and rent an Airbnb, and take as many daily road trips as you can. Bring her breakfast in bed before heading out by surprising her with a fresh, buttery cinnamon bun from Brau & Co, arguably the best cinnamon buns in the world, with a side of champagne. Our advice? Pick it up at the duty free like the locals do, where its both tax- and duty-free.

On day one, we recommend driving the popular Golden Circle route, including stops at Thingvellir National Park, Geysir, and the Gullfoss waterfall. Grab lunch at Friheimar farm to enjoy a truly unique food experience in a tomato greenhouse. On day two, make the scenic drive from Reykjavik to Vik, where you will come across incredible lava fields and the breathtaking Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls. Once in Vik, youll encounter Reynisfjara, the world-famous black sand beach. Consider splurging on a night at the upscale Hotel Ranga on the way  its awe-inspiring location is perfect to pop the question. Of course, it would be ideal to see the Northern Lights when asking her to marry you, but it's extremely hard to plan as Iceland tends to be cloudy and you need clear skies to spot them (travel between October and March for your best chances). On day three, head to the magical Snaefellsnes peninsula area and take in the stunning and diverse landscapes of Western Iceland along the way. Stop in the scenic fishing village of Arnastapi, and dont miss the Bjarnarfoss waterfall, where the two of you can easily find yourselves alone. Both spots are great backdrops for a memorable proposal.

3. Glacier Park, Montana

Getty Images

Expense Meter: Budget

Glacier National Park, also referred to as The Crown Of The Continent, is home to some of the last glaciers left in the country, making it one of our most precious natural wonders. For those of you who take pleasure in wandering the wilderness, Glacier is the perfect place for a marriage proposal. There are no shortages of amazing places to see, ways to explore and adventures to be had here during all four seasons. Lodging options are plenty, you can either set up camp at one of the parks many campgrounds or stay at one of the historic lodges or backcountry chalets for a couple of days. If camping isnt your thing, consider booking a room at the Many Glacier Hotel if you want to enjoy one of the most spectacular views in all of Glacier Park. Pack a bottle of champagne and suggest going for a stroll around Swiftcurrent Lake. Lead her to the edge of one of the docks to take some pictures, and when shes least expecting it, pop the question. If you can, hire a photographer to capture it all go down.

4. New York City, NY

Getty Images

Expense Meter: Moderate

Ah, the city that never sleeps. If youre looking to plan something closer to home, consider a long weekend getaway to the Big Apple. It is full of spots that can make for the perfect proposal. Not gonna lie, some are a bit cliche but that doesnt diminish their splendor. If youre looking to go big or go home, consider asking her to marry you atop the Empire State Building following a romantic dinner. The dazzling city lights will make for a beautiful backdrop to your rooftop proposal. For an equally memorable experience, suggest a relaxing stroll through Brooklyn Bridge Park and when you feel the moment is right, get your proposal on right there on the boardwalk. With the Brooklyn Bridge in the background, set up a tripod and tell her youre setting up for a selfie. Once youre ready, get down on one knee and let the camera capture the magic. If youre looking for a prime location, stay at the Williamsburg Hotel, conveniently situated in North Brooklyn. It features three bars, a rooftop pool and lounge, and half of the eclectic hotels rooms and suites come with epic private terraces overlooking Brooklyn.

5. Bali

Getty Images

Expense Meter: Luxury

Wanting to get a taste of paradise? If youre aiming for an exotic proposal, plan a romantic getaway to the small Indonesian Island of Bali. Its been long acclaimed as heaven on earth, with its magnificent beaches, iconic and beautiful rice fields and unbeatable diving experiences. Whether you are an avid beachgoers, wish to simply relax and unwind, or prefer to head out on a backpacking adventure, there really is something for everyone.

If youre looking for a truly one of a kind experience, consider booking a room at Capella Hotel and Resorts latest luxury tented camp. Slated to open by the end of the year, Ubud Capella is located on the sacred Wos River, surrounded by lush forest and scenic rice paddies. The luxury tent resort offers 22 spacious tents and two-bedroom lodges, each featuring a private salt-water Jacuzzi pool, indoor and outdoor bathrooms and two outdoor decks which are perfect for romantic candle lit dinners. There is no reason for you to even leave the resort as you are invited to spoil yourself at the culinary tent which features two restaurants and bespoke gourmet experiences, pamper yourself at the Auriga Spa, and workout at the Armory, a tented gym. Whats even better is that personal assistants are on hand to help you get the most out of your stay, from arrival through departure.



6. Paris

Getty Images

Expense Meter: Moderate

It is known as the City Of Love after all. Our advice? Forget the Eiffel Tower. Think outside the box. Chances are if youre travelling to Paris together, she might expect a proposal. That, or shell be completely taken by surprise. If youre aiming for the shock factor, make it seem like shes planning most of the trip. Casually suggest a picnic at dusk by the banks of the Seine River, with a nice bottle of wine, a baguette, and a selection of fine French cheese.

For an out of the ordinary experience, suggest booking accommodation on the river itself, at OFF Seine, the French capitals first floating hotel. It is docked by the Gare de lAusterlitz and boasts 54 rooms, four suites, a cocktail bar, a plunge pool and a marina.

That said, if shes prone to motion sickness, opt for something inland like the famed and newly-revamped Hotel Plaza Athenee. Overlooking the Eiffel Tower, it is home to five restaurants, including the Michelin-starred Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athenee. If your partner is crazy for iconic designer brands, shell be over the moon when she discovers the Dior Institut, the hotels lavish spa. If youre curious at all, it could be a nice experience for you two to share together. Not to worry, you can still easily pull off your River-side proposal seeing as the Seine is located just a few steps away.

7. Croatia

Getty Images

Expense Meter: Moderate

With its dazzling Mediterranean coastline and mountainous landscapes, Croatia is an ideal destination for a romantic and unforgettable marriage proposal. Seeing as Croatia is home to over 1,000 stunning islands, you might want to consider going on an island-hopping adventure, visiting Split, Hvar, BraA, and KorAula and any other islets you can fit into your schedule. If that sounds too hectic, consider spending your holiday relaxing in Croatias second largest city. Located on the sparkling Adriatic Sea and straight out of a Game of Thrones scene, you will fall in love with Dubrovnik.

Enjoy a spectacular view of Lapad Bays clear waters by booking a room at Hotel Kompas Dubrovnik, conveniently situated nearby the medieval city center. This elegant seafront hotel features room and suites for all preferences, a restaurant, two bars, a full-service wellness and spa area, fitness equipment and a beautiful outdoor pool. Consider taking the cable car up to Mount Srd to enjoy amazing views of the Old Towns Renaissance and Baroque architecture, and while atop the stony hill, drop down on one knee to pop the question. Were rooting for ya.

8. Amalfi Coast, Italy

Getty Images

Expense Meter: Luxury

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the 30-mile Italian shoreline is famous for its instagram-worthy scenery. Pastel-colored buildings and charming fishing villages are perched on plunging cliffs giving way to spectacular views.

One of Europes most seductive and romantic destinations, Italys Amalfi Coast is the ultimate backdrop for a romantic marriage proposal. Overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, it offers plenty of opportunities for ultimate relaxation, hiking, boating and fine dining. You can have it all.

Looking to experience the dolce vita? Book a room at Le Sirenuse in Positano, one of Italys most iconic hotels. This eclectic oasis of peace features 58 uniquely decorated rooms, most of them offering breathtaking views of Positano Bay. Set out to discover neighboring towns and villages and make sure to head to the sea while youre visiting. Spend an afternoon walking the Path of the Gods and enjoy amazing up-in-the cloud views of the coastline. Once youve made your back to Positano, take your soon-to-be fiancee to La Sirenuses Michelin-starred restaurant, La Sponda, for a romantic dinner and likely the best seafood you will ever have. Wait until dessert to pop the question, it will be the sweetest end to the day. Make sure to call in advance to make your reservation and see what kind of services they provide that can help you enhance your proposal. Ask for a table with a view and schedule your reservation around sunset for the perfect ambiance  shell be swept off her feet.



9. Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco

Getty Images

Expense Meter: Moderate

With its numerous steep hills, magnificent panoramas and rich history, San Francisco is a city thats always reinventing itself. The Golden Gate Bridge, one of the worlds most celebrated icons is a classic backdrop for a proposal. Consider booking a room at the centrally located Axiom Hotel for a tech-forward and innovative experience. Suggest a walk across the Golden Gate Bridge, pack a warm jacket and head over to Sausalito. Once youve made it to the other end, head over to Battery Spencer, considered one of the best points to view the Golden Gate and the City by the bay. After youve soaked up the panoramic views and are on youre way to leave, drop down on one knee to pop the question. For a post-engagement festivities, head over to Pacific Cocktail Haven for some celebratory drinks.

10. Isle of Skye, Scotland

Getty Images

Expense Meter: Budget

Take her to the edge of the world. Skye is the northernmost island of the Hebrides of Scotland, and arguably the most picturesque. Skyes magical landscape is made up of towering peaks, sea cliffs, and sparkling lochs. Its the ultimate treat for nature lovers and has no shortage of spots to choose from if you are opting for a peaceful and intimate marriage proposal. Its best to explore the Misty Isle by foot and to pack for changeable weather. Consider a visit to the small village of Elgol to enjoy breathtaking views of the ocean and the of the famed Cuillins Hills. For a truly unique experience, take in Skyes fairy tale like scenery from a sea kayak, and pop the question right there in the middle of the calm waters. If you can pull it off, hire a professional photographer to act like a tourist to tag along, so that he can capture the special moment.

Where To Book Your Trip

Planning a proposal can be stressful enough  why not book your trip now? Here are our picks for the best options for making your engagement happen:

Book now with Expedia

Book now with Hotels.com

AskMen may get paid if you click a link in this article and buy a product or service. To find out more, please read our complete terms of use.
Delhi's air quality remained in the emergency category for the second straight day today.

By India Today Web Desk: Delhi's air quality remained in the emergency category for the second straight day today. However, monitoring agencies have forecast a gradual clean-up from tomorrow.

Chief Minister of Haryana, Manohar Lal Khattar tweeted this on the issue of pollution: "My letter to Delhi CM @ArvindKejriwal regarding stubble burning & pollution."

My letter to Delhi CM @ArvindKejriwal regarding stubble burning & pollution. pic.twitter.com/3rd9Qvi5RQ- Manohar Lal (@mlkhattar) November 13, 2017

advertisement

To this tweet, Kejriwal tweeted back his reply that Khattar was unable to make time for him in Delhi. "Khattar ji called. He is in Del till tomo. Says he is v busy n can't meet me in Del. He has asked me to come to Chandigarh on Wed. I look forward to meeting him in Chandigarh on Wed," he tweeted.

Khattar ji called. He is in Del till tomo. Says he is v busy n can't meet me in Del. He has asked me to come to Chandigarh on Wed. I look forward to meeting him in Chandigarh on Wed- Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) November 13, 2017

Amongst this Twitter conversation of making plans to discuss the pressing issue of pollution, a Supreme Court bench comprising of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachudon on Monday, sought responses from the Centre and Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab state governments on an emergency like situation in the region.

Both the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and SAFAR predicted that air quality will start improving tomorrow and may turn 'very poor', which is a notch better than 'severe'.

Air quality will be out of the emergency category, as per the Centre-notified Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) once these levels fall below 500 and 300 respectively.

The impact of smoke from stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana has come down substantially, both the CPCB and SAFAR said, explaining that the wind direction has changed to southeast (through western Uttar Pradesh).

"Very light rain/drizzle is likely to occur on November 15. Under the above scenario, atmospheric circulation over Delhi will become favourable for reduction of air pollutants from this evening," the CPCB said.

A 'very poor' AQI comes with the warning that people may develop respiratory illness on prolonged exposure while exposure to 'severe' air affects healthy people and seriously impacts those with existing respiratory or cardiovascular diseases.

With inputs from agencies

--- ENDS ---
Free newsletter

Subscribe to our FREE newsletter service and well keep you up-to-date with the latest breaking news, cutting edge opinion, and expert analysis affecting both your business and the industry as whole.

Please enter your email address below and click on Sign Up for daily newsletters from Australasian Lawyer.
The global economy is improving, and geopolitical risks have broadly eased, which should set the scene for a strong year for deals in 2018.A positive outlook for M&A is forecast by Baker McKenzie in a new report which acknowledges that 2017 has been impacted by apprehension amid fear of a cliff-edge  which never came despite a slowdown in the global economy.Next year though should see M&A deals exceed U$3 trillion, and IPO value to surge 50% compared to 2017 to reach $300 billion.We see an uplift in both M&A and IPO activity as dealmakers and investors gain greater confidence in the business prospects of acquisition targets and newly-listed businesses," said Paul Rawlinson, Baker McKenzie's global chair. "However it's not a done deal, with the threat of a Hard Brexit and a NAFTA collapse both still very real. Business will need to continue to make the case for liberal trade and investment frameworks."For Asia Pacific the high numbers may be further out with the report, compiled in association with Oxford Economics, expecting the regional peak to be in 2019 along with Latin America, Africa and the Middle East. North America and Europe will dominate deals in 2018.The first stage of the development of a wind farm in South Australia has utilised the talents of four law firms.The $300 million Lincoln Gap wind farm is being developed by Nexif Energy and will eventually comprise 59 turbines located around 15km west of Port Augusta. The first stage will be 35 turbines and a battery storage facility. Herbert Smith Freehills advised Nexif on the procurement (EPC and O&M), long term asset management, grid connection, corporate, planning, land and due diligence aspects of the project.Norton Rose Fullbright acted for CEFC, White and Case acted for Nexif Energy for the financing, and Finlaysons acted for Nexif Energy on South Australian land aspects.Ashurst in Germany has celebrated 20 years since opening its first office in the country.The firms Frankfurt office opened in 1997 with Munich following four years later, growing since from a team of just 10 lawyers to become one of the leaders in the German market."Over the last 20 years we have seen major market changes in Germany and internationally and we have seen our own firm transform over that period, commented Ashursts managing partner of Germany Tobias Krug.He added that the market continues to evolve, making it a very exciting time for the industry.
By PTI: New Delhi, Nov 13 (PTI) A Kuwait-bound passenger has been apprehended at the Delhi airport for allegedly carrying four live bullets in his bag without authorisation, official sources said today.

The man, identified as S Siddiqui, was going through security checks at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport yesterday when a Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel detected bullet-like objects in his hand baggage, they said.

advertisement

Four live bullets were recovered from his bag, they said, adding Siddqui was travelling to Kuwait.

He was handed over to the police as he could not produce valid documents for carrying the bullets, they said.

Carrying arms and ammunition on board an aircraft without authorisation is banned. PTI NES SMN

--- ENDS ---
Since we can't stand the wait and we're convinced many of you feel the same, we've decided to keep an eye out for any online appearance of the 2018 Porsche 911 GT3 Touring Package and deliver the resulting media to you.The freshest example of this comes from the Zuffenahusen animal in the images we have here. We're looking at a GT3 TP example that comes dressed in Guards Red - this happened to be the launch color for the non-TP 991.2 GT3.The pics, which come from Autogespot , show the red devil in German traffic, with the 500 hp wonder having been caught on camera in Karlsruhe. And, as we mentioned in the intro, we are talking about a manufacturer-owned vehicle.As far as the optional extras go, the pictures we have here allo us to notice a few sweet bits. We're referring to the full bucket seats, which are shared with the 918 Spyder - these racetrack-orientated seats seem a bit extreme for a daily driver such as the Touring Package.Then we have the full-LED headlights and the Sport Chrono package, with the latter ensuring that the driver can keep track of his activities... on the track.When it comes to the brakes, the red calipers signal the presence of the standard steel brakes. These are arguably more suitable for street use compared to the PCCB (Porsche Carbon Ceramic Brakes) hardware, simply because they are quieter in operation.With the first Paint To Sample examples of the (non-TP) 2018 Porsche 911 GT3 now being almost ready to reach their owners, we'll remind you we recently spotted such aero-sculpted speeding tools.
EV

It is Tesla's first foray into the mass market segment, which is the only one that can provide the needed magnitude for a company to grow on a global scale. Small boutique manufacturers can survive just fine, but they are restricted to one small factory in their homeland and will never break sales of a few thousands of units a year. Tesla is already beyond that, but Musk is dreaming bigger. He's planning on opening a new Gigafactory in China, the world's current biggestmarket, while the one in Nevada is still operating at a fraction of its capacity. Tesla wants to become a big-league player in the automotive industry, and the Model 3 is its ticket.However, things haven't been going as planned so far with the electric sedan's production taking a slower start than anyone involved with Tesla would have liked - not to mention the 400,000 reservation holders most of whom have placed their orders over 18 months ago.But Musk seems to think the worst is in the past and the only way to go for the Model 3 production is up. He says they've been to Level 9 of production hell and have now ascended to Level 8, with the next one just in sight. He claims the plant will reach an output of 5,000 units per week by the end of March next year and the promised 10,000 units per week by the end of 2018.And yet meeting demand is not the company's only worry. Consumer Reports has recently emitted an "average" reliability prediction for the Model 3, something Tesla did not agree with. Now, though, a much more worrying report comes from Bernstein analyst Toni Sacconaghi via CNBC After a hands-on experience with the EV, Sacconaghi came out saying "fit and finish on the two demo cars we saw  perhaps not surprisingly  was relatively poor." He goes on to notice that most buyers won't probably care, but he does make a valid note about the company's already strained service system not being able to deal with the increased volume.The analyst says Tesla officials acknowledged some of the fit problems, but defended by saying the Model 3 is in a much better position than the Model S and X were during this stage of their development. Well, we guess replicating the Model X disaster would be hard even for Tesla.
The U.S. Forest Service clearly doesnt want to use the so-called super tanker firefighting aircraft that have emerged in the last decade but the Government Accountability Office says it has to come up with better reasons for barring them from the battle. Last May, the Forest Service limited the size of retardant tanks on aircraft it leases for firefighting to between 3,000 and 5,000 gallons. According to Wildfire Today, it was the first time such restrictions had been put in place and it barred so-called Very Large Air Tankers from being included on the Forest Services call-when-needed list of aviation assets. Global Super Tanker, which operates a converted Boeing 747 with a 19,200-gallon tank, challenged the new rule with moral support from 10 Tanker Air Carrier, which has three DC-10 tankers (11,600 gallons).

The GAO said the Forest Service failed to provide reasonable justifications for the challenged specification, such that we are unable to conclude that the challenged specification is reasonably necessary for the agency to meet its needs. The GAO said the Forest Services defense of the tank restriction essentially didnt make any sense and the documentation it provided didnt support the unprecedented limits. The DC-10s and 747 did get some work in the horrific 2017 fire season but they were hired by states outside of the Forest Service contracts. The GAO recommended the Forest Service reimburse Global Super Tanker for the costs incurred in challenging its decision.
Coming off of a stellar first earnings report as a public company, Roku CEO Anthony Wood says the future of Roku is smart TV software, not its connected TV hardware product that it's most commonly known for. Per eMarketer, more Americans use Roku's connected TV device than any other similar device, like Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV or Apple TV.

Why it matters: Just as mobile hardware companies like LG and Samsung eventually migrated off of their own software platforms to market leaders' like Android and iOS, the smart TV industry is going through the same evolution. Roku is priming itself to be the next big software platform for smart TVs. The shift creates new revenue streams for Roku that can be scaled very quickly, including software licensing and digital TV advertising.

"Our hardware business is meant to drive scale to our software platform," Wood told Axios. "We make most of our gross profit from our platform business." One in five of all all smart TVs sold were powered by Roku's operating system last quarter.

Wood told Axios. "We make most of our gross profit from our platform business." One in five of all all smart TVs sold were powered by Roku's operating system last quarter. A whopping two-thirds of Roku's platform revenue last quarter came from video advertising served on ad-supported channels."TV advertising compared to the tech and techniques in digital is stuck in stone ages," Wood says. "We have a very advanced ad platform that gives advertisers the ability to use digital targeting techniques while leveraging the benefits of a TV advertising big screen."

served on ad-supported channels."TV advertising compared to the tech and techniques in digital is stuck in stone ages," Wood says. "We have a very advanced ad platform that gives advertisers the ability to use digital targeting techniques while leveraging the benefits of a TV advertising big screen." The Roku Channel, an ad-supported movie and TV show network, just launched to support ads. A lot of people think streaming is about ad avoidance, but 40% of streamed viewing has ads in it," Wood says.

an ad-supported movie and TV show network, just launched to support ads. A lot of people think streaming is about ad avoidance, but 40% of streamed viewing has ads in it," Wood says. "Consumers looking for free content," says Wood. "People move to streaming to save money. We don't believe that they're going to replicate the amount they paid for cable with streaming. Rather, it will be a mix of SVOD (streaming video on demand) like Netflix, and free streaming options."

Note: This post has been clarified to show that two-thirds of Roku's platform revenue (not overall revenue) is from video advertising last quarter.
The Al-Omar oil field in Rmeilan, in northeast Syria, was captured from ISIS control by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces on October 22, 2017. Photo: Hussein Malla / AP

Oil has been a key revenue source for ISIS, yet new data shows that production has steadily declined in areas under the group's control.

Historically, it has been difficult to get an accurate measure of ISIS's oil production. Past estimates extrapolated from chance observations at a small number of production sites  typically wherever journalists have had a source or intelligence documents have been seized. But that is like counting employees at a few McDonalds locations to draw conclusions about the number of workers across the fast food industry.

To arrive at a more precise figure, my colleagues and I developed a tool, as reported in a recent paper, that uses satellite imagery to evaluate in real time all 42 of the oil production sites once controlled by ISIS. The results show that production levels were approximately 56,000 barrels per day from July to December 2014. Production dropped to an average of 35,000 barrels per day throughout 2015, before declining further to approximately 16,000 barrels per day in 2016.

Why it matters: Our study shows that ISIS has been highly ineffective in managing its oil fields, limiting its revenue from these valuable assets and forcing it to fall back on taxation and extortion for funding. This data can also help to shape plans for rebuilding areas liberated from ISIS control by setting priorities for needed repairs and providing revenue projections for local economies.
In the new issue of New York magazine, Frank Rich cautions liberals about getting too ecstatic over last week's election. As we've been telling you, this is Trump's GOP. The full article publishes at 8am ET, but we've got a few early excerpts:

"Old-line Establishment Republicans in the Senate and the House, even very conservative ones like [Arizona's Sen. Jeff] Flake, are engaging in self-deportation, as Mitt Romney might say, rather than face a firing squad in the primaries."

"By illuminating a pathway to power that no one had thought possible, and demolishing the civic guardrails that we assumed protected us, ... Trump has paved the way for far slicker opportunists."

"The idea that the pre-Trump GOP will make a post-Trump comeback to vanquish these forces is laughable."

"The remains of Establishment Republicanism are at best a Potemkin village."
13 November 2017 18:07 (UTC+04:00)

By Rashid Shirinov

Today Armenian economists and experts are very worried about the future of the country, which is likely to be worse than Armenias today. The state debt increases but there is no recovery of economy and the well-being of population is considerably low.

Head of the Center for Innovative and Institutional Research Atom Markaryan and former Chairman of the Central Bank of Armenia Bagrat Asatryan made a particular accent on Armenias external debt at a press conference on November 8.

Asatryan noted that the external debt is becoming evil for the economic development of the country.

Over the past 10 years, our debt is accumulating, but the economy is not growing. Today we are in a money pit, and we pay one-tenth of the income for arrears  this is the legacy that we pass on to our generations, he said.

Margaryan also believes that the foreign debt of Armenia is alarming as it reaches the prescribed threshold, and there are already talks about modernization of fiscal rules, which means raising this threshold.

"Of course, they say that this is done for the case of a force majeure, but we all know that our country, in fact, has been in force majeure for 25 years, the economist said.

Previously, Armenias Zhamanak newspaper reported that the government intends to amend the law on state debt before the end of this year. Under the current law, the state debt of Armenia cannot exceed 60 percent of GDP, but it will obviously exceed it by the end of this year. As of the end of August this year, it amounted to $6.259 billion, and continues to grow by tens of million dollars every month.

Under the proposed amendment, Armenia will be able to attract more debt if needed. In particular, the government notes these loans will be needed in case of a military situation or global and regional economic crises that may affect the country.

However, it is clear that the authorities are lying again. The state debt of Armenia has been constantly increasing for decades even if there were no crises or wars. The government is just unable to stop borrowing  thats why the only thing it can do is to raise the debt threshold, thus further killing Armenia's economy.

---

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

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
13 November 2017 10:34 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

Over the past 24 hours, Armenias armed forces have 126 times violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said on November 13.

Armenians were using large-caliber machine guns.

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
13 November 2017 14:27 (UTC+04:00)

By Kamila Aliyeva

Armenian students who oppose the abolition of the right to defer from the army that is stipulated in the draft law "On military service and the status of serviceman" resumed their protest actions in Yerevan on November 13, Armenian media outlets reported.

The new legislation is expected to abolish temporary exemptions from military service that many students of state-run universities have long enjoyed. In addition, the new law would limit educational opportunities for Armenian people.

Armenias National Assembly (NA) adopted the draft law in the first reading on October 27.

The bill caused a wide wave of public disapproval and discontent in the Armenian society. Moreover, students from the initiative "For the Development of Science" went out to protest and boycotted classes for a week.

The students gathered in front of the Yerevan State University (YSU) building from the very morning and it has already been announced that today another protest march will take place.

The representatives of the initiative "For the Development of Science" handed an official letter to parliamentarians on November 10 requesting to allow them to participate in the hearing of the bill, which was set to be held at the standing parliamentary committee on defense and security issues on the same day.

Due to the lack of quorum, the meeting was postponed to Monday, November 13. After that, the students stated that they would meet again in front of the Armenian National Assembly building on Monday and try to take part in the meeting.

However, the meeting of the commission on defense and security issues was held on November 10 at 9:00 pm. The commission approved the bill. A small group of students, despite the late hour, gathered near the National Assembly building to show their solidarity and interest in the bill under discussion. They also stated that they would continue the protests.

The new bill provides for compulsory military service for all categories of students. The postponement of the army for educational purposes will be given only to those students who will sign a civil legal contract with the Defense Ministry.

Under the new legislation, after completing studies in a bachelor's degree or through an integrated education system in accredited universities in Armenia, students undertake to perform military service in the designated units of the Armenian Armed Forces. At the same time, during their study period they must undergo military training. The service life in this case will last for three years, unlike the usual two.

Thus, the ruling regime has taken another step towards the militarization of the Armenian society.

Currently, Armenia is the third most militarized country in the world, and it seems that the countrys government seeks to advance to the first place in this ranking. If Armenia wants to strengthen its armed forces, then it should work on the quality of its military personnel, but not on the quantity, as the terrible hazing and lack of discipline are reigning in the countrys armed forces.

---

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

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
By PTI: New Delhi, Nov 13 (PTI) Delhi Lt Governor Anil Baijal today directed officers to devise a mechanism with active participation of all stakeholders to weed out the "menace" of illegal storage and sale of acid in the city.

He said the Global Positioning System (GPS) in all public transport was a must and a time line should be drawn to ensure the same.

advertisement

Installation of GPS in all modes of public transport is mandatory in the national capital.

The directions were issued at a meeting of the Task Force on Women Safety, chaired by the Lt Governor.

The governor said all the stake holders should devise mechanisms for analysing the causes of acquittal in sexual assault cases, the L-G office said in a statement.

"The governor directed to formulate a procedure with active participation of all stakeholders for a coordinated approach to weed out the menace of illegal storage and sale of acid," L-Gs office said in a statement.

Baijal emphasised that all stakeholders must adopt a focused and coordinated strategy to make Delhi a safe city for women, it said. PTI BUN SRY

--- ENDS ---
13 November 2017 13:00 (UTC+04:00)

By Robert Watson

With the United Nations climate change conference underway in Bonn, Germany, rising global temperatures are once again at the top of the worlds agenda. But why care about the increase in temperature, if not because of its impact on life on Earth, including human life?

That is an important question to consider, in view of the relative lack of attention devoted to a closely related and equally important threat to human survival: the startling pace of global biodiversity loss.

The availability of food, water, and energy  fundamental building blocks of every countrys security  depends on healthy, robust, and diverse ecosystems, and on the life that inhabits them. But, as a result of human activities, planetary biodiversity is now declining faster than at any point in history. Many policymakers, however, have yet to recognize that biodiversity loss is just as serious a threat as rising sea levels and increasingly frequent extreme weather events.

This lack of sufficient attention comes despite international commitments to protect biodiversity. In October 2010, global leaders met in Aichi, Japan, where they produced the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020, which included 20 ambitious targets  such as halving global habitat loss and ending overfishing  that signatories agreed to meet by 2020. Safeguarding biodiversity is also specifically includedin the UNs Sustainable Development Goals. Yet progress toward these global biodiversity goals is likely to fall dangerously short of what is needed to ensure an acceptable future for all.

Policymakers have largely agreed on the importance of holding the increase in global temperature to less than 2C above pre-industrial levels  the goal of the Paris climate agreement. But too few leaders have shown any sense of urgency about stemming biodiversity losses. The sustainable future we want depends on ending this indifference.

Toward that end, the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), which I chair, will release a series of landmark reports next March on the implications of biodiversity decline. Prepared over three years by more than 550 experts from some 100 countries, these expert assessments will cover four world regions: the Americas, Asia and the Pacific, Africa, and Europe and Central Asia. A fifth report will address the state of land degradation and restoration at regional and global levels.

The reports will highlight trends and plausible futures, outlining the best policy options available to slow the degradation of ecosystems, from coral reefs to rainforests. Taken together, the IPBES assessments will represent the global scientific communitys consensus view on the state of biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Moreover, the reports will highlight the close links between biodiversity loss and climate change, which should be addressed simultaneously. The world will not be able to meet the goals of the Paris agreement  or many of the SDGs, for that matter  unless it takes into account the state of biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Today, most governments separate their environmental authorities from those focusing on energy, agriculture, and planning. This makes it difficult to address climate change or biodiversity losses in a holistic way. New types of innovative governance structures are needed to bridge these policy silos.

After the release of IPBES regional reports next year, a global assessment building on them will be published in 2019. This will be the first global overview of biodiversity and ecosystem services since the authoritative Millennium Ecosystem Assessment of 2005. It will examine the health of terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems, and the impact of factors including acidification, rising sea surface temperatures, trade, invasive species, overfishing, pollution, and land use changes.

The success of efforts to reverse unsustainable uses of the worlds natural assets will require policymakers to reconsider the value of biodiversity for their people, environments, and economies. But the first step is ensuring that we have the best peer-reviewed knowledge available to make sound decisions; the forthcoming IPBES assessments will move us in that direction.

If the full consequences of climate change are to be addressed in our lifetime, we must recognize that human activity is doing more than just adding a few degrees of temperature to the annual forecast. By early next year, we will have the data on biodiversity and ecosystem services to prove it, and the policy options to change course.

Copyright: Project Syndicate: Sounding the Alarm on Biodiversity Loss

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
13 November 2017 17:33 (UTC+04:00)

By Kamila Aliyeva

The state has set the goal that future development of Azerbaijan should be connected with the development of industry. So, the country attracts significant amount of public investment in industrial sectors that are of strategic importance for republic.

Creation of industrial cluster, a regional concentration of related industries in a particular location, is one of these measures, which can attract all the key players from both home and abroad. Such clusters are actively established in many cities around the world.

The first industrial clusters in Azerbaijan will appear in Sumgayit and Balakhani settlement.

The clusters will be formed around the SOCAR Polymer petrochemical complex in the Sumgayit Chemical Industrial Park and the Balakhani landfill for the disposal of solid domestic waste, the director of the Research Institute of Economic Reforms, Vilayat Veliyev, told journalists on November 13.

"With the advent of clusters in Azerbaijan, a new stage in the development of industry will begin," he added.

Director of the Institute noted that, in particular, SOCAR Polymer will produce about 200 types of raw materials and semi-finished products on the basis of which small and medium-sized enterprises will be able to produce a large number of goods - from household appliances to complex machinery and machines.

"The creation of clusters will provide an opportunity for small and medium-sized businesses to unite around SOCAR Polymer and the Balakhani landfill for solid domestic waste utilization, and create their own production chain based on raw materials produced at these enterprises," Veliyev said.

He added that at present the government is working on the formation of a legal basis for the creation of industrial clusters, in connection with which various studies have been conducted and foreign experience has been studied.

The total cost of the SOCAR Polymer project is $750 million. In the first quarter of 2018, it is planned to put into operation a plant for the production of polypropylene, and in the third quarter - a polyethylene plant. At the first stage, the production capacity will amount to 120,000 tons of polyethylene and 180,000 tons of polypropylene. By 2021, the total capacity can reach 570,000 tons of products. The petrochemical complex will sell its products both inside the country and abroad - in Turkey, Europe and CIS countries.

The Balakhani landfill for solid domestic waste utilization was established in the 1960s, and since 2009 it has been transferred to the balance of Temir Shr OJSC. Since that time, the implementation of the project on integrated waste management in Baku jointly with the World Bank, which allowed the activities of the landfill to be brought into line with international standards, has been launched.

---

Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
13 November 2017 18:00 (UTC+04:00)

By Kamila Aliyeva

Sumgayit Chemical Industrial Park continues to attract new players and very soon four more residents will start operating in the Park.

Azerbaijani Deputy Economy Minister Niyazi Safarov told reporters that until the new residents will start to operate until the end of 2017 .

He said that currently, 5,600 people work in the industrial park and once the new residents begin to operate, the number of new jobs will also increase.

In general, 12 residents invest about $1.4 billion in Sumgayit Chemical Industrial Park, the deputy minister noted.

The Park established in 2011 covers an area of 167.66 hectares and resides nearby Sumgayit city that is 32.5 km away from Baku. The Park is able to accommodate 35-40 companies, which provides the opening of thousands new jobs.

He added that 35 residents have been registered in all five industrial parks and three industrial zones in Azerbaijan.

Safarov reminded that very serious preferences are provided to residents of industrial parks and zones.

Meanwhile, the deputy minister added, other businessmen who do not work in industrial parks and zones can also take advantage of these benefits (mechanisms for promotion of investments and exports).

The official also spoke about the construction of other industrial zones. He said that currently, the construction of two such zones is underway at an accelerated pace in the Masalli and Hajigabul districts.

We plan to complete the infrastructure work by the end of the year in the Masalli industrial zone. We hold regular meetings with the entrepreneurs of this region and the surrounding regions and to date, we have already received 30 different projects that can be implemented in this zone, Safarov said.

As for the Hajigabul industrial zone, the work there, as well as in other industrial parks and zones, is carried out promptly and efficiently. Currently, organizational work is conducted in Hajigabul industrial zone, and the holding of first tender has already started, he added.

The deputy minister noted that the creation of industrial parks, the support of their residents, and the general industrialization of the regions contribute not only to the development of the country, but also to improving the competitiveness of the economy and employment.

Currently, Neftchala Industrial Zone operates in the country and next such a zone is planned to be created in Hajigabul district. A total of 4 million manats ($2.35 million) is allocated from the Presidential Contingency Fund for the establishment of the Hajigabul Industrial Zone.

In addition to industrial zones, five industrial parks have been established in the republic: the Sumgait Chemical Industrial Park, Balakhani, Garadagh, Mingachevir and Pirallahi industrial parks.

Main purpose of the establishment of such parks in the country are the creation of favorable conditions in the country for further development of industrial production, provision of support to entrepreneurs, and increasing employment of population in the sphere.

---

Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
13 November 2017 17:57 (UTC+04:00)

A delegation led by Mr. Oscar Stenstrom, State Secretary to the Minister for EU Affairs and Trade, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Sweden visited the leading mobile communication provider of Azerbaijan  Azercell Telecom LLC on November 8th, 2017. The main intention of the visit was comprehensive insight into the business and development perspectives of Azercell- the company, which represents the largest Swedish investment in Azerbaijan.

The State Secretary Mr. Oscar Stenstrom and Ms. Ingrid Tersman, Ambassador of Sweden to the Republic of Azerbaijan met with Azerell management team, led by Mr. Vahid Mursaliyev, CEO of Azercell Telecom LLC.

Azercells CEO, Mr. V. Mursaliyev expressed his gratitude for the visit of official delegation and stressed the importance of strong business ties and work experience between Azercell and its main investors Telia Comany, which contributed a lot in the sustainable development of the company. Swedish telecom giant and Azercells main investor Telia Company was represented on the meeting by Mr. Kjell Lindstrom, Senior Advicer at the CEO office of Telia Company

The delegation was briefed on Azercell history, overall business performance, investments to the telecom sector of the country and innovations that Company had introduced to Azerbaijani market, as well as perspective plans in accordance to the latest trends of the industry. Discussions also covered Azercells contribution to culture of Responsible Business Conduct, Ethics and Compliance, Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility, with focus on broadening cooperation in the sphere of innovative technologies, entrepreneurship and human resources.

Mr. Oscar Stenstrom, State Secretary to the Minister for EU Affairs and Trade, thanked Azercell team for the warm welcome and emphasized that Azercell successfully demonstrates exemplary of the Company developing business in the most demanded field of the future- telecommunications, proposing end-users Data, which is the new great resource of the global economy.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
10 November 2017 11:45 (UTC+04:00)

By Aygul Salmanova

As a result of elections held in the subsidiary bodies of UNESCO within the framework of the 39th session of the General Conference in Paris, Azerbaijan was elected as a member of the Intergovernmental Bioethics Committee of UNESCO for a period of 4 years.

Membership in the IGBC will help inform international scientific circles about the achievements of the country in the field of bioethics, as well as on cooperation with scientists from other countries and the exchange of experience.

The Intergovernmental Bioethics Committee (IGBC) was created in 1998, under Article 11 of the Statutes of the International Bioethics Committee (IBC). It is comprised of 36 Member States whose representatives meet at least once every two years to examine the advice and recommendations of the IBC.

The Member States are elected by UNESCO's General Conference taking into account cultural diversity and balanced geographical representation. Members serve for terms of about four years, from the end of the ordinary session of the General Conference in which they are elected until the end of the second subsequent ordinary session.

Azerbaijan became member of UNESCO on June 3 1992, after restoration of its independence. In 2003, Azerbaijan and UNESCO signed the framework agreement on cooperation in the areas of culture, science, education and communication, which allowed Azerbaijan to become one of the donors of UNESCO.

Meanwhile the country is an active member of five UNESCO committees. Five national committees on various programs of the organization operate in Azerbaijan.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
13 November 2017 14:56 (UTC+04:00)

By Aygul Salmanova

Azerbaijani cinema, considered a significant part of cultural sector, moves to the next level of cinematography as it will be introduced to the world cinema audience via foreign online platforms.

National films will be presented on popular foreign online-cinema platforms, said the project manager of Myvideo Ali Aliyev.

This will allow to present national cinema to the world cinema audience, giving it a second life after the cinema rental, said the manager.

Some time ago we launched in Azerbaijan a joint project of KATV1 and Azercell - the kinoserial.az platform, through which high-quality video content from Russian partner Amediateka can be viewed through computers, tablets and smartphones. At the next stage of the development of this project, we plan to present the content of leading manufacturers, translated into the Azerbaijani language as well. We plan to launch several more such projects in Azerbaijan with other domestic mobile operators, Aliyev said.

Television and film screening in the world, including in Azerbaijan, according to Aliyev, are becoming more internet-based. People are increasingly using laptops, tablets and smartphones to access the video content.

Everything that is realized in Azerbaijan corresponds to the world trends. Though we do not yet have Netflix and Amazon Prime Video projects, when Internet platforms themselves produce content. But I think that in the next five years we will see such projects in Azerbaijan. For example, in neighboring Turkey, one television series was filmed and launched exclusively for viewing through the Internet, and it became extremely popular, Aliyev said. In Azerbaijan, the question of monetization of content is relevant, and I think there will be a time when we will pay for Internet content. It is the Internet that can give the national film industry a new push in development, as this segment has a huge financial potential. I believe that some consolidation is needed to create successful projects, which can ensure success.

Azerbaijan is one of the few countries in the world with a cinema history dating back to the 19th century.

For the entire period of its existence the Azerbaijani cinematography has produced over 300 feature films, 1,200 documentaries and hundreds of animated films.

Today, the Azerbaijani cinema has come to be an internationally recognized modern art enjoying a huge popularity and recognition at international film festivals, which frequently award the national films.

The government of Azerbaijan backs the development of filmmaking as a significant cultural sector. In this context, some legal changes are expected to facilitate the cinema production in the country.

Azerbaijani movies have been screened in many countries so far. The feature film "Nabat" by Azerbaijani film director Elchin Musaoglu, and Films like The Steppe Man, directed by national filmmaker Shamil Aliyev for instance, were screened in many prestigious international film festivals and won a number of significant awards.

Recently, Azerbaijans "Pomegranate Orchard" movie by Ilgar Najaf has been screened at the Asian World Film Festival in Los Angeles. Notably, movie is included in the long list of applicants for the Oscar 2017 in the nomination "The best film in a foreign language".

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
13 November 2017 16:26 (UTC+04:00)

By Laman Ismayilova

The bright event of Azerbaijan Fashion Week spring / summer 2018 (AFW) was the fashion show of the world-famous French designer Patrick Boffa.

It was the first visit of French designer to Azerbaijan's capital-Baku, Trend Life reported.

In an interview, he expressed admiration for a modern appearance of Baku, which contrasts harmoniously with the ancient monuments. The designer emphasized the beauty and style of fashion lovers in the City of Winds.

Guests of Azerbaijan Fashion Week Patrick Boffa presented a collection inspired by the works of Yves Saint Laurent.

Azerbaijan Fashion Week took place in a luxury Fairmont Baku Hotel, Flame Towers on November 7-10.

The project aims to unite talented designers from Azerbaijan and foreign countries and create a platform to demonstrate their creations.

Besides fashion shows, AFW showrooms were available for the guests.

At the same time, Wedding Fair was also organized for brides as part of the event.

Notably, the official car of the Week - the Audi brand.

Azerbaijan Fashion Week is held twice a year in November and May. The event is organized by Fashion Consulting Group and supported by Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Media partners of the event are Trend.az, Day.az, Milli.az, Azernews.az

---

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

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
13 November 2017 16:42 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

The settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict may be included in the agenda of the bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Turkish media quoted countrys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as saying on November 13.

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
13 November 2017 12:00 (UTC+04:00)

By Aygul Salmanova

The earthquake in western Iran is unlikely to cause any quake hits in Azerbaijan, Gurban Yetirmishli, Head of the Republican Seismological Service Center of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences told Trend.

The earthquake death toll in western Iran has reached 207 people with more than 164 injured, local media outlets reported.

Yetirmishli added that although weak tremors are registered every day in Azerbaijan, there is no danger of a powerful, destructive earthquake.

The earthquake in Iran hit large parts of Iraq and Iran including the Iraqi capital Baghdad on Sunday evening.

The U.S. Geological Survey put the quake at 7.3 magnitudes, which placed the epicenter southwest of the city of Halabja along the Iraq-Iran border.

Characterized by high seismic activity and situated in the active collision zone of Arabian plate with Eurasian, the territory of Azerbaijan has complicated block structures differing from each other by the level of seismic activity.

The seismogenic zones with potential to produce dangerous force cover the whole country as the Alpine-Himalayan seismic belt passes through Azerbaijan. Strong and catastrophic earthquakes that took place several times in this area from ancient times till now caused huge destructions..

Therefore, Azerbaijan is considered to be a seismically active region  a lot of earthquakes occur here every year, however, majority of them are not felt.

Over 800 earthquakes were registered in Azerbaijan since the beginning of the year, only part of the which, that is, the ones measuring 3-4 on the Richter scale were felt.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
13 November 2017 10:15 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

From early 2001 to November 1, 2017, the State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ) has received more than $127.3 billion as part of the project on developing the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli (ACG) block of oil and gas fields in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea, a source in SOFAZ told Trend.

"In January-October 2017, SOFAZ received over $5.195 billion within the ACG project," said the source.

The contract for developing the ACG field was signed in 1994. The proven oil reserves of the block near 1 billion tons.



The shareholders of the project are BP (35.78 percent), Chevron (11.27 percent), Inpex (10.96 percent), AzACG (SOCAR) (11.65 percent), Statoil (8.55 percent), ExxonMobil (8 percent), TP (6.75 percent), Itochu (4.3 percent) and ONGC Videsh Limited (OVL) (2.72 percent).

The signing ceremony of a new contract on development of ACG block of oil and gas fields was held in Baku Sept. 14.

Following the ratification of the contract, the new ACG participating interests will be as follows: BP - 30.37 percent; AzACG (SOCAR) - 25.00 percent; Chevron - 9.57 percent; Inpex - 9.31 percent; Statoil - 7.27 percent; ExxonMobil - 6.79 percent; TP - 5.73 percent; Itochu - 3.65 percent; and ONGC Videsh Limited (OVL) - 2.31 percent.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
By PTI: Colombo, Nov 13 (PTI) Civil society groups in Sri Lanka have expressed concern over the governments decision to block a website and called for its immediate unblocking, saying the move mirrors the tactics adopted by the previous Rajapaksa regime to quell "dissent".

The Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) and Transparency International of Sri Lanka (TISL) noted with concern the inaccessibility of online news website Lanka E News from within Sri Lanka since November 8.

advertisement

The website was reportedly blocked a day after it published an "expose" alleging corruption within the office of President Maithripala Sirisena in the procurement of state vehicles.

The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) had ordered internet service providers "to block Lanka E News", the two organisations alleged.

"The recent action and statements by government officials and ministers constitute a direct and real threat to the open questioning of political leadership and official policies, the very foundation of good governance.

"The renewed extra-judicial blocking of websites sadly mirrors the awful tactics adopted by the Rajapaksa regime to quell dissent and suppress inconvenient truths," the CPA said in a statement.

"Domestic and international media watchdogs at the time regularly flagged online censorship as a means through which the Rajapaksa regime controlled the flow of news and information, in addition to other more violent means," the not-for-profit policy, research and advocacy organisation said.

The TISL, the national chapter of Transparency International (TI), a global movement against corruption, said it was "deeply concerned" by the blocking of the website purportedly by TRCSL.

"The TISL calls on the TRCSL and the government to immediately provide clarity on the arbitrary blocking of the Lanka E News website and the legal provisions under which such a step has been taken," it said. PTI COR KIS KIS

--- ENDS ---
13 November 2017 19:13 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

Azerbaijans state oil company SOCAR is interested in purchasing the ISAB refinery in Italy, which is owned by Russias LUKOIL PJSC, Russian media quoted LUKOIL President Vagit Alekperov as saying on November 13.

Alekperov said that along with SOCAR, national companies of Iran and Algeria are also interested in purchasing the ISAB refinery.

He noted that LUKOIL has received many proposals and today the company is considering all options.

Today the refinery is in very good condition. All installations operate, even new facilities have been introduced after modernization, said LUKOIL head. We are negotiating with interested parties, especially with those who could give us the opportunity to integrate into new projects.

Earlier, Alekperov said that big refiners of the United States, international investment funds and the national company of one of the Persian Gulf states are interested in buying the ISAB oil refining complex.

Currently, SOCAR is the sole producer of petroleum products in Azerbaijan. The company owns the Heydar Aliyev Baku Oil Refinery and is already also completing the construction of Star Refinery in Turkeys Izmir.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
13 November 2017 17:56 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

President of Azerbaijans state oil company SOCAR Rovnag Abdullayev along with the heads of 25 other leading world oil and gas companies took part in the Abu Dhabi CEO Roundtable, SOCAR said in a message on November 13.

Abu Dhabi CEO Roundtable has been recently organized in Abu Dhabi by the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC). More than 2,000 companies from 135 countries have been represented at the exhibition and conference.

According to the message, global problems, namely, energy transformation and a new dynamics of supply and demand, were discussed during a high-level meeting held at the headquarters of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company.

"The main topic of the roundtable discussion was the impact of modern technologies and the spread of new energy sources worldwide, the message said.

Following the roundtable discussion, Abdullayev held face-to-face meetings and meetings in expanded format with the heads of BP, Total, Statoil, Petronas and Saudi Aramco and discussed the current issues within the existing partnership.

Abdullayev stressed that such platforms are necessary for an exchange of views among leading companies to better manage rapidly changing processes in the global energy sector and appreciated the organization of such discussions.

"The processes, which we are discussing here, affect all countries, including Azerbaijan, he said. The role of alternative energy sources is growing due to new technologies.

However, oil and gas products will continue to play an important role in the future not only as fuel, but also in the production of various polymer products, fertilizers and food products, he said. From this point of view, SOCAR's strategy of investing in new oil and gas refining projects has been recently justifying itself."

"SOCAR has become a company that plays an important role not only in Azerbaijan but worldwide upon Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyevs instructions, he said. By using this position, the company will continue to make its contribution to the country's revenues and coordination of global problems."

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
13 November 2017 11:15 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

Last Sunday new comments regarding almost one-year-old Iran-Turkmenistan gas dispute have appeared. Managing Director of National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC) Hamidreza Araqi told ISNA that negotiations were underway and expressed hope to conclude the dispute through a dialog.

Why have the comments been made just on the threshold of winter and which side of the dispute is more interested in finding a prompt and peaceful solution?

Iran has produced a great amount of natural gas, raising its output continuously from year to year within more than a decade, but several factors prevent it from completely solving a serious problem concerning provision of its north-eastern regions with gas in cold seasons.

Irans rapidly growing domestic gas consumption is almost equal to the production level. In 2016, Iran produced 202.4 bcm of natural gas (a growth rate of 6.6 percent), while consumption was 200.8 bcm with growth rate being 5 percent (data from BP).

In addition, Iran has to perform its international obligations. The Islamic Republic has had a long-term gas export agreement with Turkey. In 2016 it exported about 8 bcm of gas to the neighboring country, according to the latest BP Statistical Review.

In June, Iraq became a new destination for Irans gas export. Exports started at approximately 2.5 bcm per year and would eventually reach 12.8 bcm, according to Iranian officials.

Iran itself presents data even exceeding those of BP. Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh said last week that Iran currently sells nearly 15 bcm of gas annually, more than 90% of which go to Turkey and Iraq.

He also indicated that 98% of the urban population and over 70% of people in small towns and villages in Iran are connected to the national gas grid, according to Irans Financial Tribune.

Iran used to deliver designated amount of its own gas to Turkey at its western borders in exchange of importing the Turkmen gas from its eastern borders for provision of households in the north-eastern regions in cold seasons.

On January 1, 2017, at the height of cold weather, Ashgabat halted gas supply putting Iran into predicament.

At once the sides began to hurl reciprocal accusations at each other.

Turkmenistans Foreign Ministry said that starting from 2013 Iran's national gas company had not shown appropriate efforts to pay off the debts for Turkmen gas which has been previously supplied to the Islamic Republic.

Turkmenistan claims Iran has to pay $1.8 billion due payment for gas it received in 2007-2008. At that period of time, Turkmenistan reportedly increased the gas price for Iran from $40 to $360 per 1,000 cubic meters, despite a 20-year deal.

During the year 2016, the Iranian side was officially informed about possible limitation in supply of gas, the Foreign Ministry said.

"The lack of positive reaction from NIGC to the constructive initiatives of Turkmenistan and inactivity in the search of mutually acceptable alternatives resulted in forced limitation of Turkmen gas supplies to Iran as of January 1, 2017."

Iran, in its turn, repeatedly threatened Ashgabat with taking the matter to international arbitration court due to violation of terms of the contract, including unauthorized change in gas price and unilateral cut of gas supply despite the other side has unpaid debt.

Although Tehran talks a lot about taking the matter to international arbitration, it actually avoids following a hard line in the dispute, preferring to sort it out in tete-a-tete negotiations.

Irans gas consumption in winter usually triples as compared with warm seasons. Iran cant help taking account of needs of about 15 million people living in the north-east, where temperature falls sometimes to 14-16 degrees below zero.

By launching on August 1 the 170-km Damghan-Sari pipeline with the capacity of 40 mcm/d, transporting gas to six north-eastern regions, Iran managed to partially ease the problem. However, Irans gas production capacity in those regions stands at about 14 bcm/y, which is still less than the demand.

As it was said above, in early 2017 gas export to Iran from Turkmenistan was completely stopped. Since early 2016 Russia cancelled gas import agreement with Ashgabat and is no more the buyer of Turkmen gas in near future. Currently, China is the only buyer of the Turkmen gas. Ashgabat realizes the potential risks of having a single gas customer. Undoubtedly, it would welcome new ones.

In addition, the Turkmen economy is facing serious difficulties.

In June, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov ordered the Government to look into the issue of withdrawal of all social preferences for the population who have been benefiting from them for about 25 years. From November 1, 2017 new tariffs have been introduced for gas, electricity, road transportation and communications services.

The conclusion is that for the time being, Iran will hardly progress in full provision of the north-eastern regions simultaneously with its international export obligations without the Turkmen gas import. On the other hand, for the Turkmen economy, which is going through hardships, it will be a good and in-time financial injection to make profit from exporting some 5 bcm or more of gas to Iran.

Therefore, the sides have to come to an agreement. Common sense suggests that.
13 November 2017 14:27 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

Uzbek companies concluded cooperation agreements worth $ 10.5 million at the 'Made in Uzbekistan' expo showcasing achievements of the country's economy.

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry reported that the contracts were signed with companies from Kuwait, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan.

Some 220 domestic producers of quality and export-oriented products of all industrial sectors took part in the event held in Tashkent on November 7-9.

The companies presented more than 10,000 goods and products of automobile, light, electrical, chemical, mining and metallurgy, furniture industry, construction industry, pharmaceutical industry, education and other spheres.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
13 November 2017 13:15 (UTC+04:00)

By Kamila Aliyeva

Russia is interested in creating efficient routes for transit of cargo between Europe and Asia.

This was stated by Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev at the ASEAN business and investment summit in Manila, Philippines, on November 13, TASS reported.

"The main goal of these efforts is to make the transit of goods along the Asia-Europe route as fast as possible, economically viable and to form a powerful transport hub in the Russian Far East, which will help meet the needs of the entire Asia-Pacific region," he said.

The prime minister noted that the trade turnover between Russia and the ASEAN economic community so far amounts to around $15 billion per year.

"The potential can be much larger, more at times and potentially dozens of times," Medvedev said.

ASEAN  Russia dialogue was launched in July 1991 when Russian representatives were invited to attend an ASEAN Ministerial Meeting. Russia was subsequently elevated to a full Dialogue Partner of ASEAN in July 1996 at the 29th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in Jakarta.

The Russia  ASEAN Business Council was established in 1998 to promote economic cooperation. The council's experts monitor the economic environment in regional countries, assess priority cooperation avenues and facilitate the creation of negotiation venues. The council members also help select business partners and assist the work of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the region.

The Business Council also attracts professional investors from ASEAN member states to Russia and selects investment projects in ASEAN member states on favourable terms for Russian companies.

In 2014, the ASEAN  Russia trade turnover reached $22.5 billion, while Russia's foreign direct investment in the region came in at $698 million in 2012-2014.

---

Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
13 November 2017 15:28 (UTC+04:00)

By Kamila Aliyeva

The volume of industrial production in Kazakhstan in January-October 2017 increased by 7.5 percent compared to the same period in 2016, the Committee on Statistics of the Kazakh National Economy Ministry reported.

In the reporting period, mining and quarrying indicators increased by 10.2 percent, manufacturing - by 5.2 percent, electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning - by 4.8 percent.

In the water supply, sewage system, control over the collection and distribution of waste, the indicator fell by 0.3 percent.

In January-October 2017, compared with the same period last year, crude oil, natural gas, metal ore and coal production increased.

The production of food products, oil refining, products of pharmaceutical, metallurgical industry and machine building also increased. At the same time, the production of tobacco products, rubber and plastic products, computers, electronic and optical products showed a decrease.

In particular, the volume of oil production, including gas condensate, amounted to 71.2 million tons (an increase of 11.4 percent compared to the same period last year), copper ore - 81.2 million tons (+ 24.7 percent).

The volume of gasoline output stood at the level of 2.6 million tons (+ 7.1 percent), gasoil - 3.7 million tons (-4 percent). The volume of flat steel production reached 2.4 million tons (-4.7 percent), refined copper - 0.3 million tons (+ 2.8 percent), Portland cement - 8.4 million tons (+ 2.3 percent), electricity - 83.7 billion kWh (+ 10 percent) and flour - 3.4 million tons (+ 6.7 percent).

The increase in production of industrial products was observed in 14 regions of the republic.

Currently, Kazakhstan's manufacturing products are exported to 110 countries and new markets are being opened.

As a result of the implementation of the Industrialization Program, the contribution of the manufacturing sector to the development of the economy (GDP) increased from 10.1 percent in 2015 to 11.9 percent in the first half of 2017, in industry from 31.8 percent in 2010 to 40.7 percent for the nine months of 2017, in exports - from 27.9 percent in 2010 to 32.7 percent for 8 months in 2017.

---

Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
13 November 2017 16:11 (UTC+04:00)

By Kamila Aliyeva

The National Bank of Tajikistan asked for assistance from international financial institutions in reforming the banking sector and attracting foreign consultants.

This was announced last week at the meeting of the Chairman of the National Bank Jamoliddin Nuraliyev with representatives of international financial institutions - the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the Asian Development Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, etc., Tajik media outlets reported.

Mavjuda Hasanova, a spokeswoman for the National Bank, said earlier that over the past two years, domestic banks have faced a crisis. She added that the National Bank intends to attract foreign consultants to solve problems in this area.

"There is a structure in the National Bank that is engaged in working in this direction. But we need consultants who have experience in these matters abroad. We suggested that Tajik specialists adopt the experience of foreign colleagues," she said.

Attraction of experienced foreign specialists was highly assessed by a number of Tajik officials.

The banking crisis in Tajikistan began last year, when four credit institutions - Tochiksodirotbank, Agroinvestbank, Togzhprombank and Fononbank - failed to repay debts to depositors and partners.

The National Bank then said that the crisis in banks occurred because of improper management and outstanding loans, which ultimately led to a shortage of cash.

As a result, Togzhprombank and Fononbank were declared bankrupt, and the other two were able to continue their activities at the states expense. Tochiksodirotbank, the second-largest commercial bank in Tajikistan, received support from the state in the amount of 2.2 billion somoni, while Agroinvestbank - 1.7 billion somoni.

However, even now the situation in these two credit institutions has not changed.

At present, 16 commercial banks operate in Tajikistan, three of which are representative offices of foreign banks of Pakistan, Iran and Kazakhstan.

---

Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
13 November 2017 19:00 (UTC+04:00)

By Kamila Aliyeva

Iran aims to bring more international investors in the county after a long break when foreign investment in the republic was hindered by unfavorable regulations and international sanctions.

As many as 31 new foreign investment projects with overall amount of $712 million have been approved by Organization for Investment, Economic and Technical Assistance of Iran (OIETAI), Iranian media outlets reported.

According to the sixth five-year national development plan (2016-2021), the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs and the Central Bank should attract $3 billion of foreign investments per year, OIETAI Managing Director Mohammad Khazaei said on November 12.

Since the first tenure of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in August 2013, $21.8 billion of foreign investments plans have been ratified, the official said.

Within this framework, $14 billion of investment has been attracted, he added.

Iran, following the removal of a range of international sanctions linked to the implementation of the nuclear deal, known as JCPOA, has received credit lines and finance from different countries including India, Russia, South Korea, China, Austria, and Denmark, according to Khazaei.

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.

Following this historic agreement, Iran became open to international business after almost a decade of economic isolation. Iran has concluded several agreements to attract foreign investments and loans from the world so far.

In this period, South Koreas Exim Bank has agreed to allocate eight billion euros credit line to Iran. Several Chinese banks have also concluded a $35 billion financial deal with Iran, of which $10 billion account for Chinas CITIC. Austrias Oberbank became the first European bank to sign an investment deal with Iran worth of one billion euros. Denmark's Danske Bank signed a 500 million euro contract with 10 Iranian banks in late September, thus becoming the second European lender to ink such an agreement with the republic.

These agreements stand among main economic achievements in the post-sanction era, Khazaei added.

Moreover, relief from sanctions focused the attention of foreign investors on Irans huge potentials, especially in oil and gas sector. Iran had so far signed memorandums of understanding for 28 different projects with companies including Total, Eni and Shell, Russian firms Rosneft and Lukoil, and China's Sinopec and China National Petroleum (CNPC), etc. Moreover, this years deal between Iran and Frances TOTAL is noteworthy as it became the first one with a European oil company in more than a decade. Irans restored oil cooperation with Europe is only a piece of a series of deals concluded between EU states and Iran since the abolition of sanctions.

The country is capable to attract $3,500 billion worth of foreign investment in the next two decades due to its unique geopolitical and economic conditions, according to the Central Bank's official Valiollah Seif.

---

Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
13 November 2017 16:41 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

The current situation in Syria will be the main topic of discussions between Turkey and Russia, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said before leaving for Russia, the Turkish media reported on November 13.

The discussions will be held on November 13 within the Turkish presidents visit to Russias Sochi, where he will meet with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

Erdogan noted that it is expected to discuss regional, as well as energy issues, at the meeting.

Turkey and Russia intend to strengthen relations in all spheres, Erdogan said.

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

Militants from various armed groups are confronting the Syrian government troops. The Islamic State, the Kurdish Peoples Protection Units (YPG) and the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) are the most active terrorist groups in Syria.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
13 November 2017 15:43 (UTC+04:00)

By Aygul Salmanova

Gobustan stands impressively as a prehistoric monument of unique importance, a World Heritage Site, surrounded by primitive monuments of art reflecting the culture, worldview, customs and traditions of ancient people.

Located on the territory of Azerbaijan, 60 kilometers from Baku, Gobustan is one of the famous archeological and historical reserves of the world.

This monumental ensemble is somewhat reminiscent of Stonehenge: huge stone statues depicting ancient periods of history. Not surprisingly, the place is firmly held in the list of popular places among tourists. Therefore, if you want to get to know this wonderful country, you should necessarily visit Gobustan.

Gobustan is especially famous for its rock paintings made during the Mesolithic period. Annually tourists from all over the world come to see the numerous works of art that were once made by primitive artists. All the rock paintings in Gobustan appeared at different times and belong to different epochs - from 10-8 millennium BC up to the Middle Ages. The images differ from each other in the variety of themes, style, structure, technique of performance.

The reserve has become a center that not only local scientists but also foreign archaeologists want to study and explore.

The well-known Norwegian explorer and traveler Thor Heyerdahl, who repeatedly visited Azerbaijan, after studying the Gobustan petroglyphs came to a sensational conclusion about the kinship of Norwegians and Azerbaijanis. He discovered the similarity of the ships depicted on the rocks to the vessels used by the Vikings, and concluded that the Vikings had begun their journey westward from here. He devoted the article "Communications of Azerbaijan" to this topic, which published in the English-language magazine "Azerbaijan International" (New York).

For many visitors acquaintance with the reserve begins with a museum in which the history of not only Gobustan but also the main stages of the development of human civilization are presented in an engaging and informative way. The museum consists of various exposition halls - sections equipped with interactive stands, touch screens, educational games, 3D video, etc.

The monuments of Gobustan are divided into two groups: rock paintings and ancient sites and other objects.

The first archaeological excavations on the territory of the reserve began in the 1930s. In 1939-1940, the Azerbaijani archaeologist Iskhak Jafarzade discovered here about 3,500 rock paintings, drawings and signs, as well as man-made pits, holes in rocks, etc. Since 1965, a special scientific expedition has been engaged in investigating the monuments of Gobustan. Archaeological research of more than 20 dwellings and shelters, more than 40 burial mounds was carried out.

Attention is drawn to the presence of solar symbols in the Gobustan petroglyphs. According to experts, during the Bronze Age, among the tribes inhabiting the territory of Azerbaijan, the cult of the sun was widespread, which is reflected in the petroglyphs of Gobustan. The solar signs are engraved in the form of a circle with rays or a crosshair. With solar mythology, are also associated with the second millennium BC the drawings of boats with a shining solar disk on the nose.

The subject of great interest of tourists is the Roman inscription - a record about the presence of the Legion XII Fulminata. On the territory of the reserve at the foot of the Boyuk-dash mountain there is a stone slab with a Latin inscription belonging to the 1st century AD. E., between 84 and 96 years, left by the Roman legion of Emperor Domitian with the nickname "Fulminata" (lightning), which recorded the stay of the XII Lightning Legion in the 1st century AD.

The inscription on the stone slab includes the following information: Imp Domitiano Caesare avg Germanic L Julius Maximus> Leg XII Ful.

The meaning of the inscription is: The time of Emperor Domitian Caesar Augustus of Germany, Lucius Julius Maximus, Centurion XII Legion of Lightning. It is believed that in the Gobustan inscription, a detachment of the XII legion is mentioned, which was exterminated by the local inhabitants of Absheron.

Another attraction of Gobustan, which cannot be ignored by any tourist, is avaldash, an original tambourine stone, which is an established huge plate. From it one can tap rhythmically clear motifs. The sound of a gavaladash is similar to the sound of gaval. There are two gavaldashs in Gobustan: at the northern foot of the mountain Chingirdag and on the mountain Beyukdash.

Gavaldash consists of shell limestone and is a flat piece of limestone. It produces various sounds in different places, depending on the density of the shells in the composition of the limestone. The reason for this distinction of sounds is the emptiness and porosity of the shells.

If you take a look around, you can see the Caspian Sea on the one side and the cliffs on the other side, which makes it worth of visiting. Once the sea splashed right at the foot of these mountains, but then it retreated, leaving characteristic relief marks on the polished boulder rocks.

Now Gobustan is a real open-air museum. Every year this amazing art gallery is visited by thousands of people from all over the world.

--

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
Over various audio clips, Dawood is heard talking to members of his sprawling underworld and terrorist network and conducting business.

By India Today Web Desk: What does Dawood Ibrahim's voice sound like? You can find out for yourself. India Today TV today aired recordings of phone calls the fugitive underworld don made and received.

Over various audio clips, Dawood is heard talking to members of his sprawling underworld and terrorist network. The boss of the D-Company, as his underworld gang is famously known, can be heard conducting business.

advertisement

In one of the clips, Dawood Ibrahim is heard discussing arrangements for one 'London Ustaad'. 'London Ustaad', top intelligence sources confirmed, is nothing but a code-name used for Nadeem Saifi, a Bollywood music composer wanted in connection with the 1997 sensational murder of fellow music producer Gulshan Kumar.

In another clip, Dawood is heard talking to Javed Chutani, the bridge between the D-Company and Indian bookies. Interestingly, in the same audio clip Chutani is also heard talking to Dawood's wife Mehajabin Shaikh, who demands he go to a Chanel showroom to pick up a bag that she has ordered.

#DawoodSpeaks There is no doubt that Dawood is in Pakistan: AA Khan, former IPS officer Live: https://t.co/4fqxBVUizL pic.twitter.com/ggQvGuJtx9- India Today (@IndiaToday) November 13, 2017

Notably, top intelligence officials, aware of the intercepts, have confirmed that the phone calls had been traced to a safe-house in Karachi, where Dawood is believed to be hiding. The safehouse is believed to be operated by the Inter-Services Intelligence, Pakistan's top spy agency.

The phone intercepts also come at a time when reports did the round of Dawood's ill-health. The underworld don was said to be a critical condition and almost on his death bed.

However, one of the audio clips, which is from this year, suggests that Dawood is hale and hearty. In a phone call from around Eid this year, Dawood can be heard cautioning the caller over fears his location may be tracked down by India's intelligence establishment.

#DawoodSpeaksIt is clear that Don is in Pakistan: Mahesh Jethmalani, Senior Advocate https://t.co/4fqxBVUizL pic.twitter.com/ykP7j1iQpE- India Today (@IndiaToday) November 13, 2017

Top police officials who have previously been involved in cases connected to Dawood Ibrahim have confirmed that the voice was likely that of the underworld don.

Former Delhi police commissioner Neeraj Kumar, who recorded his conversations with the wanted terror mastermind in his book Dial D for Don, concluded it was Dawood himself speaking in the intercepts accessed by India Today.

ACP N.T. Kadam, another decorated officer now posted with Thane's anti-extortion cell in Maharashtra, shared the same opinion after hearing the audio clips. "The voice seems to be of Dawood Ibrahim," said Kadam, who had spent eight years with Maharashtra's anti-terror squad.

advertisement

Listen | This is Dawood Ibrahim's voice

--- ENDS ---
Spring Township, Pa.-based Berks Plastic Surgery celebrated 25 years since opening its doors, according to Reading Eagle.

Here are four things to know:

1. Pamela Ellenberger, MD, founded the center in 1992 and added Brian Reedy, MD, to the practice five years later. Dr. Reedy is currently running the practice following Dr. Ellenberger's retirement.

2. Alongside Dr. Reedy, Scott Lindsay, MD, is a key leader at the ASC.

3. The surgery center has 55 employees, with the surgery center offering cosmetic procedures, non-surgical procedures and dermatological care.

4. To succeed, the ASC employs "the Ritz-Carlton principles of service" through establishing an "inviting environment and concierge-like medical service."
Mercy Hospital Springfield (Mo.) will keep its Medicare funding for now, while a state agency continues to investigate if the hospital resolved issues of non-compliance, according to Ozarks First.

CMS placed Mercy Hospital Springfield on immediate jeopardy status following an Aug. 25 probe that revealed the hospital was not in compliance with federal standards, including issues with patient rights and nursing services. The move put Mercy Hospital's Medicare funding at risk Sept. 22.

In late September, CMS pushed back the deadline to Nov. 5 for deciding if the Missouri hospital would lose its Medicare funding. Now, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, the state agency responsible for the investigation, is still deciding if Mercy Hospital Springfield has sufficiently addressed CMS' concerns, according to the report.

With its federal reimbursement in question, Mercy Hospital Springfield fired 12 employees Sept. 7 for failing to act with "dignity and compassion" in "highly tense situations," hospital spokesperson Sonya Kullmann told Becker's Hospital Review. In addition, Mercy Hospital's president was removed from his leadership role less than a week after firing the employees. The hospital also implemented training programs for employees to better handle tense situations.

"Co-workers have completed hours of hands-on training in handling tense situations," Mercy Hospital Springfield spokesperson told Ozarks First. "That education will continue on a regular basis, along with the utilization of co-workers who are specially trained in advanced de-escalation techniques."
Stay in the know with Becker's Hospital Review's weekly roundup of the nation's biggest healthcare news. Here's what you need to know this week.

1. Texas hospital closes following extensive hurricane damage

East Houston Regional Medical Center revealed plans to permanently close Nov. 9 after suffering extensive water damage caused by Hurricane Harvey in August.

2. United Medical Center to cut ties with hospital operator Veritas

The D.C. Council voted 7-6 Tuesday to sever its relationship with Veritas, which operates Washington, D.C.-based United Medical Center, and turned down a one-year, $4.2 million management contract extension with the consulting firm.

3. UPMC CEO Jeffrey Romoff: We want to become the 'Amazon of healthcare'

Pittsburgh-based UPMC President and CEO Jeffrey A. Romoff said during an announcement Nov. 3 he wants the health system to "become the Amazon of healthcare."

4. Kentucky physician allegedly assaults Sen. Rand Paul, breaks 5 of his ribs

A spokesperson for Sen. Rand Paul, MD, R-Ky., confirmed Nov. 5 the senator was assaulted by a physician in Kentucky Friday and suffered five rib fractures and lung contusions. The alleged attacker, Rene Boucher, MD, pleaded not guilty during a court hearing Thursday.

5. 10 most obese states in America

Several southeastern states were listed among WalletHub's 2016 Fattest States in America, with Mississippi housing the largest percentage of obese and overweight residents.

6. 600K enroll for ACA plans in first 4 days, nearly doubling last year's sign-ups

The first four days of ACA open enrollment saw 601,000 people register for coverage, almost double the amount of sign-ups from the same period last year.

7. How Aetna, Anthem, Humana, Cigna and UnitedHealth fared in Q3

Five of America's largest commercial payers  Aetna, Anthem, Humana, Cigna and UnitedHealth Group  reported strong earnings in the third quarter of fiscal year 2017.

8. Chicago hospital sues Leapfrog for defamation

Saint Anthony Hospital in Chicago is suing Leapfrog for defamation, alleging the hospital ratings agency knowingly used incorrect information to lower the hospital's letter grade for patient safety.

9. Humana to lay off 1,300 employees

Louisville, Ky.-based Humana will lay off 1,300 employees in early 2018.

10. Tenet's net loss balloons to $367M as investor agitation builds

Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare, which operates 77 hospitals, saw revenue decrease and its net loss widen in the third quarter of this year.

11. 93-year-old California hospital to close over inability to meet new seismic standards

Community Medical Center Long Beach (Calif.), which opened in 1924 and is part of Fountain Valley, Calif.-based MemorialCare Health System, will close in the near future due to the inability to retrofit the hospital to meet California's seismic standards.

12. SSM Health lays off 350 employees

St. Louis-based SSM Health laid off 350 employees, or about 1 percent of its 35,000-person workforce, on Wednesday.

13. Quorum Health sees net loss widen to $29.2M, plans to sell more hospitals

Brentwood, Tenn.-based Quorum Health ended the third quarter of 2017 with a net loss, but the company hopes to improve its financial picture by continuing to restructure its portfolio.
Ten years ago, researchers and medical professionals headed to Cleveland to find and employ the workers and space they needed to pursue their healthcare passions. Cleveland has since become home to the Cleveland Clinic, one of the United States' largest healthcare systems, as well as a plethora of medical technology offshoots. However, healthcare experts wonder which city will house the next "boom" in healthcare, and if that city could be Rochester, Minn., according to MPR News.

Here are five ways Rochester stacks up to Cleveland, in terms of its healthcare environment.

1. Thus far in 2017, Minnesota has raised roughly $337 million toward investments in biotech and device companies, with $331 million of the funding centered in Minneapolis. In contrast, Ohio has raised $294 million toward similar investments thus far in 2017, with $65 million centered in Cleveland.

2. Growth in Cleveland's biotech industry is fueled by massive state subsidies, according to the report. For example, Ohio committed $2.1 billion in 2002 to grow and keep technology companies in the state, contributing more than $250 million toward the cause during the past decade. The region now houses 700-plus biomedical companies.

3. A significant amount of state and local funding has also gone toward revamping downtown Cleveland, making it a destination for millennials.

4. Rochester officials are similarly attempting to draw more biotech and healthcare startups to the area. Officials are in the midst of constructing a tech campus in downtown Rochester, a move that will allegedly play a vital role in making the city a medical-technology destination, according to the report.

5. Rochester's largest health system, Mayo Clinic, has also contributed significantly to the city's growth. The health system created a business accelerator initiative in downtown Rochester, and created a joint $1 million investment fund with the city to invest in local healthcare startups. Approximately 78 startups have emerged directly from Mayo Clinic during the last five years, the report states.

To read the full report, click here.
Multiple hospitals treated victims of a weekend shooting at an Indiana nightclub, according to The Times of Northwest Indiana.

Police said seven people  four male and three female were shot Sunday morning at the Dirtty's Jazz and Blues Club in Gary, according to the report, which also cites information from the Associated Press. Another victim was also injured while en route to safety.

Most victims are believed to be in stable condition at local hospitals and receiving treatment, but one with more serious injuries went to a Chicago hospital, police said, according to the report.

According to police, one person is in custody and efforts were ongoing to locate another person of interest.

Police have indicated Sunday's shooting appears to be an isolated incident and have not yet revealed a motive.
An Ohio paramedic-firefighter began experiencing overdose symptoms while driving an ambulance containing a female overdose patient to the hospital Thursday night, according to WKEF.

The paramedic and his partner responded to a 911 call in Fairborn, Ohio, around 7 p.m. Thursday night, where they encountered a 49-year-old woman with a suspected opioid overdose. While en route to Beavercreek, Ohio-based Soin Medical Center, the paramedic started to feel sick.

"He was not feeling right. He was having issues seeing the speedometer controls," David Reichert, division chief for the Fairborn Fire Department, told Dayton Daily News. The paramedic stopped the ambulance and sought treatment from his partner, who gave him two doses of Narcan.

Police believe the paramedic was exposed to a narcotic while treating the patient and cleaning up the overdose scene. Several other paramedics and police were also exposed to the drug, although their symptoms were minimal, according to WKEF.

The patient and paramedic both recovered. The Fairborn Police Department sent evidence collected at the scene to a crime lab to identify what substance caused the overdoses.

More articles on opioids:

DEA issues emergency action to crack down on spread of synthetic opioid

Insurers: Addiction should be treated with same urgency as cancer

New York state physician indicted on charges linked to 6 opioid overdose deaths
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates invested $100 million to combat Alzheimer's disease, according to Reuters.

The investment  a personal donation separate from the Bill and Melida Gates Foundation  will include $50 million to the Dementia Discovery Fund and $50 million to start-up companies focused on Alzheimer's research.

The Dementia Discovery Fund is a venture capital fund that brings together government entities and pharmaceutical companies to advance research and find treatments for dementia.

"[Dementia] is a huge problem, a growing problem, and the scale of the tragedy  even for the people who stay alive  is very high," Mr. Gates told Reuters.

Mr. Gates said he is optimistic about finding a treatment with focused and well-funded innovation.
Smith & Nephew reported the first successful robotic-assisted bi-cruciate retaining total knee replacement procedures with the NAVIO system.

Here are five insights:

1. Smith & Nephew offers NAVIO, the world's first and only commercially available robotics-assisted bi-cruciate retaining knee procedure.

2. The NAVIO robotics-assisted system helps surgeons implant the JOURNEY II XR.

3. A total knee design, the JOURNEY II XR permits ACL retention.

4. Vivek Neginhal, MD, of Huntington, W.Va.; David Rovinsky, MD, of Lihue, Hawaii; and David Fabi, MD, of San Diego, performed the first procedures with this NAVIO system.

5. The surgeons praised NAVIO's ability to accurately place tibial implants.

"We are proud to be the only company to offer the unique combination of NAVIO robotics-assistance and the JOURNEY II XR Knee System," said Mike Donoghue, senior vice president of global marketing, orthopedics, at Smith & Nephew.
The Medicrea Group filed a lawsuit Nov. 8 against K2M Spine in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.

Here are four key points:

1. Medicrea also filed the lawsuit against "several other defendants," according to the press release.

2. The case regards the defendants' alleged unlawful acts, occurring during the past year.

3. Medicrea reported it plans to "aggressively pursue all available legal rights" to protect its business, according to the press release.

4. Medicrea develops the UNiD Adaptive Spine Intelligence technology.
Patient visits for opioid prescriptions dropped significantly in 2015 and have stayed low, according to a new report from Medscape.

Here are five things to know:

1. Although the data varies by age group, region and state, research shows significantly fewer people nationwide are receiving opioid prescriptions at the physician's office. The data comes from the National Center for Health Statistics in Hyattsville, Md.

2. From 2006 to 2015, the researchers gathered data on more than 307,000 adult visits to a physician's office, finding 30,170 included a prescription for opioids. The percentage of opioid-related visits increased from 7.8 percent in 2006 to 12.6 percent in 2014 before dropping to 10.5 percent in 2015.

3. The rate of opioid-related visits was twice as high for younger patients, 35 to 44 year olds, than middle-aged patients, 55 to 64 years old. The rate of opioid-related office visits was higher in rural areas than metropolitan areas.

4. The opioid prescription rate was the highest for primary care physicians seeing established patients  13 percent. Among new patients visiting primary care physicians, the opioid prescription rate was 9.6 percent.

5. States with the lowest opioid-related office visits were Illinois, Virginia, Massachusetts and New York.
Through a message that was widely circulated on WhatsApp and other social media platforms, the BJP cyber army claimed that their candidate Shankar Dayal Tripathi who lost to Neelanshu Chaturvedi of the Congress by over 14,000 votes was never the first choice of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

By Hemender Sharma: The cyber warriors of the Bhartiya Janta Party in Madhya Pradesh went into overdrive as results of the by elections to the Chitrakoot Vidhan Sabha started trickling in on Sunday.

Through a message that was widely circulated on WhatsApp and other social media platforms, they claimed that BJP candidate Shankar Dayal Tripathi who lost to Neelanshu Chaturvedi of the Congress by over 14,000 votes was never the first choice of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

advertisement

The cyber warriors pulled out past election results and said the BJP had won the seat only once, that too with a very thin margin. So it was no big deal for the Congress to win the seat that traditionally belonged to the grand old party.

"Also the Congress should not read too much into the results as the state assembly elections were still a year away and Chitrakoot by no stretch of imagination can reflect the mood of state," they warned.

However, notably, Shivraj Singh Chouhan made seven visits to Chitrakoot in the run up to the elections and addressed more than 60 big and small rallies. Twice he stayed overnight in Chitrakoot, first time at the forest guest house in Sarbanhga, where he played a common man by publicising the Rs 200 that he gave as room rent and the second time he stayed at the house of a Gond Tribal Banke Bihari where a separate toilet was built for him. The toilet was later dismantled and the seat taken away by BJP workers. Chouhan also made 79 promises that included construction of an ITI and a dam on the Payawami river.

But the question arises that why would CM Chouhan put his name at stake for a candidate who was not of his choice?

It seems Chouhan and the BJP tried every trick in the bag to win Chitrakoot. BJP state president Nand Kumar Chouhan even went to the house of Mangal Singh, the nephew of the late Prem Singh of the Congress whose death necessitated the by election and presented him with a BJP flag and claimed before the media that he had joined the BJP.

Mangal Singh the next day addressed a press conference alongside Ajay Singh of the Congress and announced that he had nothing to do with the BJP and that he accepted the flag because Nand Kumar Chouhan had come at his door. Besides this, over one dozen ministers of the Shivraj cabinet campaigned at Chitrakoot. Also, the BJP flew in Uttar Pradesh deputy chief minister Keshaw Prasad Maurya who asked for votes from his community members. In the end, the election results showed all this was not enough.

The Congress on the other hand allowed Ajay Singh, the leader of opposition in the state Vidhan Sabha to lead the campaign. His focus was the promises that Chouhan had made in the past and the impact of demonetisation and GST on the common man.

advertisement

The BJP leadership in MP may not openly accept it but after the results even die hard BJP fans are also silently acknowledging the winds of change that appear to be blowing across the state.

--- ENDS ---
A film directed and produced by Belfast-based production company Below The Radar will screen at QFT Belfast this month.

Rocky Ros Muc, which has been long-listed for an Academy Award, will open in Belfast on November 24.

The Irish language documentary premiered in Boston in March and the prestigious Galway Film Fleadh in July.

The film has already been released in cinemas in New York, LA and Boston and is now set to open to audiences in Ireland.

Rocky Ros Muc tells the story of Galway man Sean Mannion, a world-class boxer who left the Irish-speaking village of Ros Muc in Galway, for Boston, in the 1970s.

The film examines Mannions life inside the ring as a professional boxer, as well as outside the ring where his sparring partners and friends at the time were at the heart of Whitey Bulgers notorious Winter Hill gang and the South Boston criminal underworld.

Director, Michael Fanning, said: We are really excited that finally, after several months on the film festival circuit, Irish audiences will be able to go and see Rocky Ros Muc in the cinema.

The film has had a phenomenal response already in the US, and we know Irish audiences will be similarly gripped by the heart-breaking story of Sean Mannion.

The film has also been long listed for an Oscar which has been a dream come true for all of us who have worked on the film, as well as Sean Mannion himself. Being the first Irish language feature documentary to qualify in this way is a real honour.

QFT Belfast will host a special screening of Rocky Ros Muc on Sunday 26 November followed by an Irish language Q&A. The film will screen until November 30.
Jeff Lynnes ELO have announced a new tour for 2018, including a date at Belfast's SSE Arena.

The Electric Light Orchestra will perform at the venue on Friday, October 26.

Ticket are on sale on Friday, November 17 at 9am from all usual Ticketmaster outlets.

Looking ahead to the new shows, Lynne said: Our audiences are amazing. Its like theyre in the group. We cant wait to play for them again.

Jeff Lynnes ELO are well known for their epic live shows and with a distinct style that seamlessly and innovatively blends rock, pop and classical.

We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference

The Birmingham band has had twenty six UK Top 40 singles, making Lynne's sweeping productions some of the most recognisable music of the last forty years and helping sell over 50 million records worldwide.

Widely agreed upon as one of the greatest record producers in music history, Lynne was a co-founder and member of The Travelling Wilburys together with Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, George Harrison and Tom Petty.

He was also a producer and collaborator with some of the biggest names in music including The Beatles, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Joe Walsh, and most recently, Bryan Adams.
Dinosaurs are set to roam the SSE Arena in Belfast next year with the globally-acclaimed production Walking With Dinosaurs.

Based on the award-winning BBC TV series, the massive show will take to the Belfast stage from August 31 - September 2.

The live show will star well-known TV presenter Michaela Strachan as Huxley the paleontologist.

Walking With Dinosaurs - The Arena Spectacular has been watched by over 9million people in more than 250 cities around the world.

The $20 million production features new, state of the art technology and will showcase spectacular and colourful changes to the dinosaurs based on the latest scientific research including the likely feathering of some species.

Produced by Global Creatures, chief executive Carmen Pavlovic said: A new generation is ready to experience these lifesize beasts in this awe-inspiring spectacle, which has still not been matched in terms of scale and quality.

"Many of our creatures have evolved since the last tour, now featuring distinctive display feathers, head crests and tail fans, reflecting recent discoveries about the physical nature of these massive creatures. This show remains a must-see for audiences of all ages.

The one-hour, 40-minute show depicts the dinosaurs evolution with almost cinematic realism, including scenes of the interactions between dinosaurs, how carnivorous dinosaurs evolved to walk on two legs, and how the herbivores fended off their more agile predators.

Nine species are represented from the entire 200million year reign of the dinosaurs.

The production includes the Tyrannosaurus Rex, the terror of the ancient terrain, as well as the Plateosaurus and Liliensternus from the Triassic period, the Stegosaurus and Allosaurus from the Jurassic period and Torosaurus and Utahraptor from the awesome Cretaceous period.

The largest of them, the Brachiosaurus, is 11 metres tall and 17 metres from nose to tail.

It took a team of 50 - including engineers, fabricators, skin makers, artists, painters, and animatronic experts - a year to build the production.

The history of the world is played out with the splitting of the earths continents, and the transition from the arid desert of the Triassic period is given over to the lush green prairies and forces of the later Jurassic.

Oceans form, volcanoes erupt, a forest catches fire -- all leading to the impact of the massive comet, which struck the earth, and forced the extinction of the dinosaurs.

Tickets for Walking With Dinosaurs - The Arena Spectacular are on sale from Friday, November 17 from 9am.
There are 25 closed schools lying vacant - in some cases on prime development land - across Northern Ireland, it can be revealed.

Three of the sites have been allowed to languish for half a century, while others belong to schools that have been closed between the 1980s and 2000s.

Two have been closed in the last two years, the Belfast Telegraph has discovered following a Freedom Of Information Act request to the Education Authority (EA).

However, the EA defended it's record, saying it has successfully disposed of 11 former schools, and also pointed out that some of the properties can be complex in terms of legal titles around them.

The oldest site still owned by the EA is the Causeway School, Bushmills, which closed its doors as a school in 1962. The school building, which opened in 1915, had been operated as a living history experience from 1987 but closed in 2013.

It was given in trust to the former North Eastern Education and Library Board to be used for educational purposes.

However, in 2013 the board said it cannot continue to run the service due to budget constraints and it has now passed into the ownership of the EA, which replaced the five former education and library boards.

Just two of the school sites are currently being used by the EA while the remaining 23 are lying vacant.

The EA said the former Vere Foster Primary School in west Belfast is currently being used, while the former Orangefield High School site in east Belfast is being held for "future education provision".

In 2015 the derelict Orangefield buildings were used for filming by the gritty BBC drama The Fall.

Three of the school sites are currently on the market, including Minterburn Primary School, Caledon, which was closed in 2008, Derriaghy Primary School, Lisburn, which was closed in 2011 and Faughan Valley High School in Londonderry which was closed in 2007.

Meanwhile, the site where the former Kindle Primary School in Ballykinler once stood may be acquired by Newry, Mourne and Down Council, with plans to build a new community centre.

In 2011, the Belfast Telegraph revealed there were then 43 former schools in the ownership of the former education and library boards, which have since been replaced by a single body, the Education Authority.

Since the EA was formed in 2015, it has raised almost 3m in funding from selling old school buildings, which was passed to the Department of Education.

The biggest sale price netted was 1.7m for land to the rear of Clifton Special School.

Six figure sums were also secured for the former Keady Primary School site (468,750) and the former Maghera High School site (400,000) which was purchased by the former Mid-Ulster Council in 2015.

It includes 24 acres of prime industrial land.

Other sites sold for more modest amounts, including just 60,000 for Ballypriormore Primary School in Islandmagee.

The latter is set to become a home after planning permission was granted in 2014 for conversion into a detached house.

An Education Authority spokesperson said: "When an EA property becomes vacant, it may be put to alternative use, retained for a future educational use or disposed of in line with current guidance from Land and Property Services.

"In the last two years, EA has successfully disposed of 11 closed schools.

"In some cases there are reasons why disposing of properties can take an extended period of time like a complex legal title.

"In all cases, EA manages expenditure on vacant properties by reducing all associated costs to a minimum ensuring buildings are safe and secure."

THE 25 SCHOOL SITES WHICH ARE LYING VACANT IN NORTHERN IRELAND

Collone Primary School, Armagh

Toberlane Primary School, Cookstown

Minterburn Primary School, Caledon

Dromore Central Primary School

Annaghmore Primary School, Portadown

Buslee Primary School, Ballyclare

Causeway School, Bushmills

Tullybane Primary School, Cloughmills

Tullygawley Primary School, Ballymena

Upper Buckna Primary School, Broughshane

Brookfield Special School, Moira

Ballykeigle Primary School, Comber

Derriaghy Primary School, Lisburn

O'Neill Memorial Primary School, Crossnacreevy

Ravernette Primary School, Lisburn

Kindle Primary School, Ballykinler

Faughan Valley High School, Londonderry

Former Ebrington Primary School site, Londonderry

School of Music, Donegall Pass, Belfast

Ballygolan Primary School, Newtownabbey

Mount Gilbert College (land only), Belfast

Vere Foster Primary School (land only), Belfast

Orangefield High School (land only), Belfast

Suffolk Primary School (land only), Belfast

Former Cavehill Primary School (land only), Belfast
One of the UK's biggest private health insurance companies has withdrawn from all hospitals in Northern Ireland, it can be revealed today

One of the UK's biggest private health insurance companies has withdrawn from all NHS hospitals in Northern Ireland, it can be revealed today.

Northern Ireland people paying Bupa upwards of 3,500 a year for cover may now have to travel outside the province even for routine operations, such as hip and knee replacements.

Last month it was revealed that Bupa stopped sending patients to the Belfast Health Trust in April this year as the trust did not have the medical negligence cover required.

However, it has now emerged that Bupa is not sending any patients to any of Northern Ireland's NHS hospitals. The health insurance company said it stopped referring patients to the remaining four trusts as they did not offer the level of service wanted by its customers.

James Sherwood, Bupa's director of health and benefits management, said: "The vast majority of our customers in Northern Ireland have always chosen to receive treatment at private facilities, so very few were using any of the NHS trust hospitals."

As a result of the situation, any Bupa customer who may require an intensive care bed after surgery will no longer be able to have their procedure done here, as none of the private hospitals have an ICU.

This means anyone having routine cardiac surgery, such as cardiac catheterisation, will have to travel to England for the diagnostic procedure.

Scans to grade cancer are no longer available to patients living in Northern Ireland.

Meanwhile, Bupa customers who are deemed to be obese cannot have any operations here, as they are more likely to suffer complications as a result of having a general anaesthetic.

It is a devastating blow for Bupa customers, coming at a time when hospital waiting times are spiralling out of control and an increasing number of people are using private health insurance to pay for procedures, such as hip and knee replacements.

NHS waiting times for these procedures can be as long as five years from the time a patient goes to their GP and finally goes under the knife.

At the same time, official statistics released last month revealed the startling number of people in Northern Ireland who are overweight or obese.

According to statistics from the Department of Health, 36% of people here are now classed as obese - which increases the likelihood of suffering from joint conditions that will require surgery.

Bupa patients classed as obese by private hospitals here will now have to lose weight or travel to England for such operations.

It is understood that all five health trusts continue to treat patients using other private health insurance companies.

Private healthcare companies such as Bupa only pay for treatments if customers attend approved hospitals and see approved consultants.

In order to be approved, a hospital must fulfil a number of requirements, including meeting hygiene standards and having indemnity insurance in place.

They normally ask clients to choose from a list of approved doctors and hospitals ahead of any treatment being carried out.

Speaking last month, Bupa said the decision to withdraw approval from the Belfast Trust was a temporary measure and it was working to ensure the necessary medical negligence insurance - believed to be in the region of 20m - was put in place once more.

However, it is now six months since approval was removed and the trust has not said whether it intends to acquire the necessary cover.

In the meantime Bupa said it paid the travel costs of any people travelling to England for surgery.

However, it is not known whether it covers additional costs, such as accommodation or travel costs of a family member to accompany a patient during their treatment.
A Co Down woman has spoken out about watching her mother die in severe pain as a new report slams current laws prohibiting assisted dying in the UK as flawed.

Caroline Villar (39) said that when her mum Margaret received a terminal diagnosis of cancer she considered an assisted death in Switzerland, but feared the legal implications for her family if they helped.

The Bangor woman ended up suffering a painful passing at home.

Caroline explained: "My mother had permanent radiation damage so experienced constant stinging pain in the last month of her life. The drugs that she was on couldn't reduce this pain.

"Mum was in agony and didn't want to be there at that point in time. I think that most people believe that modern medicine will stop you suffering, but my mum was crying out for painkillers at the end, and they couldn't increase the dose because they said if they gave her any more it would push her over into death.

"We were all happy for that to happen, to finally end her suffering, but they couldn't do it."

New research released today finds that current laws are failing terminally ill people and their loved ones.

The report, The True Cost: How The UK Outsources Death To Dignitas, is based on research commissioned by Dignity in Dying, which campaigns for a change in the law to allow terminally ill, mentally competent adults the option of an assisted death.

Due to a lack of meaningful choice at the end of life at home, many dying people feel forced to investigate having an assisted death overseas.

However, as the report uncovers, the financial, logistical, physical and emotional costs mean that this option is out of reach for many terminally ill people.

Dying UK people who are unable to obtain an assisted death abroad can go on to endure unbearable suffering and painful deaths.

Independent researchers conducted in-depth interviews with three groups of people: those with a terminal illness who are considering an assisted death in Switzerland; those who have helped a loved one to have an assisted death in Switzerland; and those whose loved one considered an assisted death in Switzerland, but died in the UK.

Dignity in Dying also carried out research on the financial costs involved in arranging an assisted death in Switzerland and analysed the enquiries the organisation has received from people seeking information on how to control their deaths.

The report finds that one of the greatest obstacles to arranging an assisted death overseas is the cost, which Dignity in Dying estimates at 10,000 on average, including fees from the organisations providing the service, travel and accommodation.

A lack of direct flights from Northern Ireland to Zurich, where Dignitas is based, or Basel, where a similar facility called Eternal Spirit is based, can further increase costs for terminally ill people from here.

The report also reveals logistical challenges that make obtaining an assisted death abroad impossible for many.

The process is complex and time-consuming, meaning many people require help from family and friends to make arrangements and travel there, yet any assistance provided to someone seeking an assisted death is against the law.

Many terminally ill people may therefore be stranded without the necessary legal or personal support to obtain an assisted death abroad.

Another obstacle is the requirement to be physically able to travel to Switzerland.

This often has the perverse effect of forcing terminally ill people to die earlier than they would have otherwise wanted to, or being unable to travel at all.

The report finds that dying people seeking an assisted death abroad also face a postcode lottery when it comes to co-operation from healthcare professionals.

Medical bodies are failing to provide clear guidance on how to effectively respond to requests for help in obtaining an assisted death overseas.

Reactions from healthcare professionals vary widely from point-blank refusal to discuss their patients' plans for an assisted death abroad, to implicit co-operation in making arrangements.

The report further highlights that the current law does not protect vulnerable people. Figures from Dignitas show that every eight days a Briton is travelling there for an assisted death.

Yet there are currently no legal mechanisms to trigger an advance investigation if someone is considering doing so and only a minority of cases are investigated after the fact, meaning malicious or coercive behaviour could go undetected.

The criminalisation of assisted dying in the UK also means that the process of seeking one overseas often happens behind closed doors, sometimes leading people to investigate more dangerous and traumatic methods to end their own lives at home.

Sarah Wootton, chief executive of Dignity in Dying, said: "This report exposes the unacceptable reality that is faced by so many dying people in this country.

"By denying terminally ill people the option of an assisted death at home, we are not solving the problem, just outsourcing it to Switzerland, and dying people and their families are the ones paying the price.

"We urge our Parliamentarians to examine the evidence before them and act to provide terminally ill Britons with the option of an assisted death in their final months in the country they call home.

"Change is the solution to our broken law - not Switzerland."
The scene of the crash on the Scarva Road near Banbridge in Co Down

Two adults and a baby are in a critical condition in hospital following separate road crashes which left one woman dead.

The woman was killed and the baby injured in a three-vehicle collision on the A2 between Belfast and Bangor on Friday.

The smash happened at around 3.50pm on the busy road near the Ballyrobert junction.

A man travelling in a different car was taken to the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald for treatment to his injuries.

On Saturday a 50-year-old woman was arrested after a pensioner was seriously injured in a two-car collision in Co Down.

The elderly woman was airlifted to the Royal Victoria Hospital, where she remained in critical condition last night.

The crash happened on the Scarva Road near Banbridge at 11.30am.

Meanwhile, a pedestrian was left critically injured after being struck by a car in Co Armagh on Thursday. The male victim, understood to be a foreign national, is aged in his 30s.

He was struck by a white Citreon C3 vehicle at around 9pm while walking on the Dobbin Road.

It is believed that the driver of the car alerted the emergency services and the injured man was taken to hospital.

PSNI Inspector John Allen said the driver of the car involved was spoken to by officers at the scene. He appealed for witnesses to contact police.

Rev Roy Patton opened Ballygilbert Presbyterian church's doors on Friday to some of those affected by the collision near Bangor.

"We invited in some of the people who were caught up in the crash. When we noticed that the traffic had stopped in the road we realised something had happened," he said.

"Our youth worker went out to them with cups of tea and invited some of the people into the church and gave them tea and coffee to help keep them warm.

"They were in shock. It happened very quickly for them, so it took some time for them to deal with the shock."

North Down MLA Alan Chambers called for increased safety measures to be put in place following the tragedy.

He said: "It's very sad to hear about the fatality and I hope that the child who was injured makes a full recovery."
By PTI: flight, detained

Kochi, Nov 13 (PTI) A man was today taken into custody after he was overheard talking about a "happy bomb" by a worker of Jet Airways at the Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) here, an airport official said.

A Jet Airways worker overheard Clince Varghese from Thrissur district saying he had a "happy bomb". The ground staff told the supervisory officers who in turn informed the CISF and the domestic terminal manager, he said.

advertisement

He was to take flight 9W 825 Cochin-Mumbai of Jet Airways.

Subsequently, Varghese was offloaded and his baggage was checked throughly.

He was later handed over to the police. During questioning, he told officials he was expressing happiness to his friend in Mumbai on Facebook chat, the official said.

Another person accompanying him was also detained and questioned, he said.

An airport spokesperson said that after the incident, all passengers were offloaded for completing security procedures.

The flight was scheduled to leave at 12.05 pm, he said.

Jet Airways spokesperson in a statement said the flight was rescheduled to take off at 1402 hours, "with a delay of two hours on account of a security-related matter".

"The airline has informed the authority concerned of the same for further necessary action and has offered full cooperation as required," the spokeperson said. PTI TGB IAS NES BN GVS

--- ENDS ---
The father of a young Northern Ireland woman who was held hostage in Nigeria for three weeks has said his daughter went through a "terrible ordeal".

Alanna Carson (23), an optometrist from Ballymoney in Co Antrim, had been working with the New Foundations Christian medical charity in the Niger Delta region of the west African country when she was abducted in mid-October with three other UK colleagues.

One of the hostages, Ian Squire, died, reportedly from an asthma attack, before Alanna, along with Dr David Donovan (57) and Shirley Donovan (57) were released earlier this month.

It's understood a ransom was demanded, but it is not known if it was paid.

It was reported that the kidnappers were a criminal gang who had recently kidnapped the mother of a local politician.

Two suspects have since been arrested while a third was killed in a shoot-out. State police spokesman Andrew Aniamaka said on Thursday that the suspects were arrested in Nigeria's oil hub of Warri on Wednesday.

Alanna's father Alan said his daughter is recovering at their family farm and is not yet ready to speak publicly.

But he said he wanted the world to know it was "God's grace" that brought her home safely.

"What I will say, is that if it wasn't for God's grace it could have been much worse and we may never have got her home," he told the Sunday World.

"As a committed Christian I would want to get that message out on Alanna's behalf, but of course I'm very glad to have her home. She has been through a terrible ordeal."

Alanna works full-time as an optometrist at Specsavers in Leven, Fife, Scotland.

Alan said she had been helping to give eye tests to people during her work in Nigeria.

A statement issued on behalf of the families of all four hostages said: "We are grateful for the support received by the British High Commission and help from the Nigerian authorities in negotiating their release.

"We are delighted and relieved that Alanna, David and Shirley have returned home safely.

"Our thoughts are now with the family and friends of Ian as we come to terms with his sad death. This has been a traumatic time for our loved ones who were kidnapped and for their families and friends here in the UK."
A Co Tyrone bride who fell seriously ill just after exchanging vows and had to be rushed to hospital before her reception has finally completed her wedding day festivities.

Ciara Keenan's dream wedding to John Cowan on September 16 went seriously awry after stomach ulcers left her in excruciating pain and vomiting blood - all over her new husband and beautiful wedding dress.

Ciara began to feel unwell the night before her big day and struggled through the ceremony at Derryloran Parish Church in Cookstown.

The couple missed out on their reception celebrations with their guests at Annahavil Farm in Moneymore when it became clear her condition was serious and needed immediate medical attention. After being rushed by ambulance to hospital, where she spent three days, Ciara recovered enough to allow the couple to enjoy their honeymoon in the Seychelles.

Thanks to a fundraising page set up by Ciara's sister-in-law and the generosity of The Ivory restaurant and bar in Belfast's Victoria Square, as well as hair and make-up artists, a suit hire company, photographer and videographer, the couple enjoyed the wedding reception they missed out on first time around.

Speaking ahead of the long-awaited party, Ciara said she and John were immensely grateful to everyone who made last night's festivities a possibility.

"It has been incredible how generous so many people have been to us and helped us be able to enjoy the wedding reception we missed out on because I was ill," said Ciara.

"The Ivory in Belfast gave us the venue free of charge and our photographer and a videographer have offered their services free to us, and I have had my hair and make-up done too.

"The gofundme page set up by my sister-in-law has raised the money to cover the food and drink, so thanks to the kindness of so many people we were able to join our guests for the wedding party we missed out on last time.

"The suit hire company John used for our wedding has donated its services free this time, and I have had my dress cleaned, so everything is perfect for the party.

"We are so excited to be able to finally celebrate our wedding, have our first dance as a married couple, cut our wedding cake which has been in the freezer, and the thing I am most looking forward to is John's speech where he says lots of lovely things about me!"

Ciara's stomach ulcer eruption that forced the couple to miss out on their reception is now well under control thanks to medication.

Ciara explained: "I will be on medication for the rest of my life but that's a small price to pay when you consider how much worse things could have been, especially if it had happened when we were out in the Seychelles on honeymoon.

"It might be a few weeks after our wedding day but being able to have the reception we missed out on and party the night away with our family and friends will be just as special to both of us."
The PSNI has said it is "horrified" at footage of a driver using the hard shoulder to undertake a lorry.

The incident on a busy road on the outskirts of Belfast was posted on the Facebook page 'Idiot Drivers Northern Ireland'.

The car, a silver Vauxhall Corsa, can be seen behind the lorry weaving in and out on the inside before eventually pulling onto the hard shoulder and undertaking the lorry.

Since being posted it has been viewed almost 100,000 times.

The PSNI's Sergeant McKendry said: "We have seen the footage on Facebook and are horrified by the drivers actions. We are appealing for anyone who was driving in the area and saw this car to get in touch using the telephone number 101. Information can also be given anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

"Driving on public roads brings with it certain responsibilities for drivers and passengers; for their families and friends and to the community as a whole. These responsibilities should not be taken lightly.

"It is important to point out that drivers should expect to receive a fine or worse, prosecution through the courts, should they be detected engaging in careless or dangerous driving, or modifying their vehicle illegally.

"Our message is bad driving standards will not be tolerated. They need to realise if they are taken to court, their licences may be at risk and the loss of a licence could impact on their entire futures.

"We want these drivers to realise the dangers they are causing to themselves and other road users. The last thing police want is to be knocking on doors of relatives following a fatal crash caused by someone showing off in a car."

The footage was captured by the driver of a car behind the vehicle over the weekend on the main Moira to Nutts Corner road.

An administrator for the Idiot Drivers Northern Ireland page described the manoeuvre as "crazy".

"Had there been anyone on the inside they would have been killed. This is just nothing but impatience and the driver needs to slow down and think about what they are doing."

"With winter the roads are getting worse, visibility is poor and surfaces are slippy. You can not get away with the likes of this."

He added: "That is a busy road lots of people use it to avoid the city and then there is the airport traffic. You'll not be long on it before you hit something slow moving and you just have to wait it out."

"People just need to slow down and take their time."

In June a teenager was banned from driving after she used the hard shoulder on the opposite side of the carriageway to overtake traffic near the crest of a hill on a road between Coleraine and Limavady.
An otter is seen escaping the scene

The scene on Drumragh Avenue, beside the memorial to the Omagh bomb victims

A man who survived the Poppy Day massacre 30 years ago revealed that news a bomb had been planted close to the Cenotaph in Omagh gave him distressing flashbacks.

Stephen Gault saw his father Samuel killed in Enniskillen in 1987 when the no warning IRA device exploded during the Remembrance Day ceremony in the town.

Read More

He heard about a security alert suspending the Co Tyrone Remembrance event yesterday as he was preparing to attend his own local service, and later went into a panic after a fire alarm went off in his church.

"We got the news as we were going to the Cenotaph," he told the Belfast Telegraph last night.

"It was very ironic in the church, the fire alarm went off suddenly.

Read More

"For me personally I took a panic attack because that was the noise I heard on the day the bomb went off. After I had heard the news about Omagh earlier that day, it took me right back to the bomb, I felt like it was happening again."

Mr Gault said those who planted what police said was a pipe bomb were "totally disgraceful".

"We are supposed to be in a society that has moved on, you would almost have got the impression it was 30 years ago, it's like the bombers are saying: 'We haven't gone away you know'," he added.

The security alert at Drumragh Avenue resulted in the cancellation of the wreath-laying ceremony.

Chief Constable George Hamilton said the device was left to cause the "maximum amount of disruption".

He said: "This is the actions of a small and callous group of violent people who have nothing to offer the communities other than fear and intimidation.

"Whilst our investigation is still at a very early stage, one strong line of enquiry is that violent dissident republicans are responsible. Their actions have demonstrated the disregard and disrespect they have for this community which has already suffered so much pain and heartache at the hands of terrorists.

"It was a sickening and appalling act."

A Remembrance service was held at Omagh Academy, but wreaths will be laid at the Cenotaph next Sunday instead.

Brian Maguire, the Royal British Legion area manager for Ireland, said: "We are shocked and deeply saddened by the disruption to the Remembrance service in Omagh.

"War memorials honour the memory of the members of the armed forces who have made the ultimate sacrifice and those who defend the freedom we enjoy.

"They deserve to be treated with the utmost respect."

DUP MLA Tom Buchanan said: "Had this deadly device not been discovered we could very well have been looking at a repeat of the terrible atrocity in Enniskillen exactly 30 years ago, which is a chilling thought.

"It is disgusting that anyone would target a war memorial at any time, but on Remembrance Sunday it is an act of particular hatred."

Ulster Unionist, Sinn Fein, SDLP, Alliance and Green Party representatives also condemned it.
Sinn Fein MP Chris Hazzard is set to meet with BBC officials over coverage of Loughinisland massacre documentary No Stone Unturned.

The film - directed by Oscar winner Alex Gibney - makes claims that the wife of a chief suspect named him as one of the killers in a letter to a nationalist councillor.

It also claims the chief suspect was a serving soldier with ties to a number of loyalist murders.

Mr Hazzard has said he will meet with the broadcaster over its coverage of the film.

"People are genuinely dumbfounded that BBC News has not covered this story when other media outlets have focused on the documentary and its revelations.

As the MP for South Down I will meet with the BBC and challenge this editorial approach.

It is beyond belief that there should be such a glaring omission."

Responding to comment from Mr Hazzard, a BBC spokesperson told the Irish News: "The tragedy of Loughinisland is a story BBC NI remains committed to covering and we will continue to make our own editorial judgments as to when we report any developments."
Victims of institutional abuse are set to take their campaign for compensation to Westminster today.

As Secretary of State James Brokenshire prepares to announce details of the Northern Ireland budget, Survivors and Victims of Institutional Abuse (SAVIA) will press for the release of an interim compensation payment to the 524 individuals who gave evidence to a public enquiry led by Sir Anthony Hart.

Sir Anthony's final report was published in January 2017, just before the Assembly collapsed, and recommended redress. However, in the absence of an Executive, there has since been no way to take recommendations forward.

In July of this year a letter was sent to the head of the Civil Service, which was signed by five party leaders, calling for him to commence proceedings to put in place a redress scheme. Since then neither the Secretary of State nor the head of the Civil Service have taken any steps to move the process on.

However, with a budget to be delivered today, SAVIA is urging Mr Brokenshire to include an interim payment to victims and survivors in advance of compensation, which will require legislation. SAVIA spokeswoman Margaret McGuckin said that survivors had waited too long already for the Secretary of State to put in place the necessary steps which were recommended in Sir Anthony's report.

"How many more victims must die before they are even 'considered' or thought about?" she asked. "We cannot afford to wait for political solutions to a wider problem, and we know that decisions can be taken to initiate compensation - and so we are urging those with the power to act so that we are not revictimised through a wider political problem."
Sinn Fein will this week debate a motion calling for an "urgent review" of its membership policies as party bosses continue to grapple with allegations of a bullying culture.

The clar for the ard fheis contains just a single motion that points to some of the difficulties that the party has endured in relation to losing members over alleged bullying and harassment.

"This ard fheis calls for the ard chomhairle to initiate an urgent review (into) the current membership policies including recruitment, education and retention of new members, with a view to protecting the integrity of the party and the commitment of its members," the motion from the Cork City cumann states.

"That this review should consider staged membership or associate membership, probationary periods, rights and responsibilities and allow for participation from cumainn and the wider membership. The objectives of this review would be to create a more robust party, inclusive of all, where membership rights and responsibilities are clearly defined, making the party fit for purpose in our new and dynamic, ever changing Irish society."

Sinn Fein sources say the party hierarchy is keen to avoid any focus being placed on the issue of bullying at the ard fheis, which kicks off in the RDS on Friday.

Party president Gerry Adams is also expected to outline a timeline for his retirement - which will effectively kick off the competition to succeed him. TDs Pearse Doherty, Eoin O Broin and Mary Lou McDonald in particular are the favourites to succeed him.
DUP leader Arlene Foster has warned that greater intervention from London may be inevitable as the Secretary of State sets a budget for Northern Ireland at Westminster today.

Mrs Foster told the Belfast Telegraph that James Brokenshire was right to step in to ensure "good governance". He is taking action before public services here run out of money.

"If there continues to be a refusal to restore devolution, then there will be greater intervention from London," Mrs Foster said.

The DUP has called for direct rule ministers to be appointed "within a few short weeks" if a deal can't be reached to restore power-sharing.

The party leader said the public wanted devolution restored, but "not at any price".

On the prospects of a deal, she said there were still "significant differences" to overcome but she believed her party and Sinn Fein could "work together to make an agreement that is good for unionism and for nationalism".

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar claimed a deal could be reached in early 2018. "The gap between the parties in terms of substance is not huge. It is really a matter now of political willingness and trust and it is possible to come to an agreement, if not in the next few weeks then perhaps early in the new year," he said.

Mr Varadkar met Mrs Foster and Mr Brokenshire over the weekend and will hold discussions with Sinn Fein this week.

Sinn Fein Northern Ireland leader Michelle O'Neill yesterday said the British Government's priority was to sustain its political pact with the DUP.

"Theresa May and her party have acquiesced in their own self-interests to the DUP blocking the equality agenda and denying rights which are the norm in all other parts of our islands," she said.

If the DUP wanted to exercise political power in Stormont, "then the cost is to embrace a rights-based society and equal partnership government which works for everyone," she added. Mrs O'Neill insisted the DUP had to move on an Irish Language Act, a Bill of Rights, equal marriage, and the right to coroners' inquests. "The unionist state is gone. Citizens do not want majorities or minorities - they want equality," she added.

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood accused Sinn Fein and the DUP of abandoning their voters to "British direct rule".

Passing a Northern Ireland budget at Westminster was "a dark day, particularly for those who worked hard to see power in the hands of Irish people," he said.

He said it was the budget Sinn Fein Finance Minister Mairtin O Muilleoir had failed to set when he was in office, "the budget that will leave the North frozen in failure with no ambition and no creative thinking on how we take our society forward".

Alliance deputy leader Stephen Farry said a budget set at Westminster was a "sad but inevitable consequence" of political dysfunction.

"Even at the 11th hour we can arrest this slippery slope towards full direct rule. There are interventions around an external mediator, a different format for the talks, and reform to structures and mechanisms that can better incentivise progress," he said.

Meanwhile, Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams told The Sunday Times it was "very unlikely" an Executive would be formed by Christmas.

He revealed that the night before Martin McGuinness resigned as Deputy First Minister he had received tiring and invasive hospital treatment.

Mr Adams said he'd advised his colleague to resign from Derry, but Mr McGuinness had insisted on travelling to Stormont to meet Mrs Foster face-to-face.

He also revealed that the nature of Mr McGuinness's religious faith had changed in recent years.

"Like many of us who came from a Catholic background, he may have moved a bit away from the rituals of all that. That isn't to say he didn't go to Mass. He did regularly, but I think he'd have described himself as spiritual in recent years," Mr Adams added.
By PTI: friend

(Eds: Updating with details)

Kochi, Nov 13 (PTI) A music channel anchor today set off a hijack and bomb scare on board a Mumbai-bound Jet Airways flight from here carrying 170 passengers and crew after which he was taken into custody along with his male friend, police said.

advertisement

A spokesman of Cochin International Airport Limited(CIAL) said the man was detained for allegedly shooting a video of the Jet aircraft using a mobile phone and writing a message to say he was going to hijack the plane using a happy bomb.

Police said the Mumbai-based man identified as Clince Varghese, 26, and hailing from Thrissur district was an anchor of a popular music channel and he was detained for questioning along with his 27-year-old male friend. The two men were booked on the flight(9W 825) that was delayed by two hours following the incident, an airport official said.

Varghese shot the video and typed out the hijack threat message when he reached near the aircraft ladder for boarding the flight which was scheduled to leave at 12.05 PM today, the spokesman said.

"Varghese shot the video and wrote the message that he will hijack the plane using happy bomb when he was about to board the flight," he said.

He also informed his friend, who had already boarded the flight, about the message, the spokesman said.

"Suspicious over his activities, Varghese was apprehended by the security staff at the airport," he said. Subsequently, Varghese was offloaded and his baggage was checked throughly.

Varghese was later handed over to the police and he is in police custody, he said. An airport official said a Jet Airways worker overheard Varghese saying he had a happy bomb. The ground staff then told the supervisory officers who in turn informed a personnel of the Central Industrial Security Force(CISF) and the domestic terminal manager, he said. During preliminary questioning, Varghese told officials he was expressing his happiness to his friend in Mumbai on Facebook chat, the official said.

Vargheses friend was not allowed to travel in the aircraft, the official said, adding that he was also taken into custody for questioning.

A police officer, who did not want to be named, said that during questioning Varghese claimed that he had said, "Let us hijack the plane with happy vibes but did not elaborate. He said the two men had come to Alappuzha to attend a wedding.

advertisement

According to the police, Varghese was an "update maniac" who regularly shared pictures on Facebook.

Jet Airways spokesperson in a statement said the flight took off 2.05 PM "with a delay of two hours on account of a security-related matter".

"The airline has informed the authority concerned of the same for further necessary action and has offered full cooperation as required," the spokeperson said.PTI TGB IAS NES BN GSN GSN

--- ENDS ---
Lawyers for Ivor Bell, who has been diagnosed with dementia, claimed a trial "could be harmful to his physical and mental health"

A veteran republican charged in connection with the IRA's murder of Jean McConville is not medically fit to stand trial, a court has heard.

Lawyers for Ivor Bell, 80, who has been diagnosed with dementia, claimed that a trial "could be harmful to his physical and mental health".

Bell faces two counts of soliciting the IRA abduction and killing of the Belfast mother of 10 in 1972.

On Monday at Belfast Crown Court his defence team launched a legal bid to have the case against him thrown out.

Defence barrister Barry MacDonald QC said it was inevitable that the court would find Bell was unfit to face a criminal trial by reason of his dementia.

He told the court that to continue legal action in the form of a trial of facts was "likely to exacerbate this condition".

A trial of facts can be held to determine the truth of the allegations against a defendant, as opposed to their guilt or innocence of a crime.

"He cannot have a fair trial. It would be oppressive and unfair to seek to try him in the circumstances," said Mr MacDonald.

"His dementia is likely to be affected by stress. (A trial) might lead to the deterioration of Mr Bell's dementia. It is likely proceedings could have a harmful effect," he added.

Mr MacDonald also told the court that any trial would be "complex, complicated and time consuming" and likely to result in an absolute discharge.

Ciaran Murphy QC, for the Public Prosecution Service, said a trial of facts was in the public interest.

"(The case) has been the subject of great public interest throughout Ireland. That element of the public interest cannot and should not be ignored," said Mr Murphy.

He added: "There is nothing that makes it impossible for Mr Bell to have a fair trial."

Judge Mr Justice Colton granted both parties one week to make further written submissions.

He said he would reserve his judgment until after he received the submissions.

Mrs McConville, 37, was dragged from her home in Belfast's Divis flats complex by an IRA gang of up to 12 men and women, and accused of passing information to the British Army - an allegation later discredited by the Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman.

She was shot in the back of the head and secretly buried 50 miles from her home, becoming one of the "Disappeared" victims of the Troubles.

Her remains were eventually found on Shelling Hill beach in Co Louth by a member of the public in August 2003.

Nobody has been convicted of her murder.

The case against Bell is based on the content of tapes police secured from an oral history archive collated by Boston College in the United States.

Academics interviewed a series of former republican and loyalist paramilitaries for their Belfast Project on the understanding that the accounts of the Troubles would remain unpublished until their deaths.

But that undertaking was rendered meaningless when Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) detectives investigating Mrs McConville's death won a court battle in the US to secure the recordings.
Mrs O'Neill has urged the British and Irish governments to help resolve the issue

A Budget has been brought forward at Westminster in the absence of a powersharing agreement in Northern Ireland, leaving the future of devolution in a new phase of uncertainty.

Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire moved the bill in the House of Commons, telling MPs he was "reluctant" to do it but that the region would soon run out of funds as the political impasse entered its 11th month.

Mr Brokenshire said: "This is a measure I have deferred for as long as possible."

He said: "Passing this Budget does not mean direct rule."

However shadow Northern Ireland Secretary Owen Smith countered that many in Northern Ireland would not agree with that assessment, particularly those in the nationalist community.

During debate on the budget bill, Mr Brokenshire said that he has commissioned an independent review of whether MLAs' salaries could or should be stopped while Stormont does not sit.

Mr Brokenshire said the work would be undertaken by Trevor Reaney, a former clerk of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

"He will provide an independent assessment of the case for action and the steps he would consider to be appropriate and will report back to me by December 15."

At present, MLAs continue to receive their 49,950 salary despite the devolved administration not functioning properly since January.

Mr Brokenshire also disclosed plans for a 50m cash injection to be spent on education and health in Northern Ireland, which MPs will vote on in a separate debate.

DUP MP Nigel Dodds welcomed the money, telling the chamber that it was the first slice of the 1bn deal brokered between his party and the Conservatives in June in exchange for supporting Theresa May's minority government on a confidence and supply basis.

Earlier, Sinn Fein's northern leader Michelle O'Neill had said the current phase of talks between her party and the DUP were now over.

She called on the Irish and British governments to facilitate an urgent meeting in which they could discuss whether the two governments could implement "outstanding" issues in the absence of a powersharing deal at Stormont.

Powersharing collapsed in January when then Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness resigned in protest at how his counterparts in the DUP handled allegations of mismanaging a green energy scheme.

Since then, the DUP and Sinn Fein have engaged in multiple rounds of negotiations aimed at returning to government, all of which have failed to produce a deal.

The parties have said disagreements remain primarily around language and cultural issues, including whether to implement a standalone Irish language act.
James Brokenshire will introduce Westminster legislation to pass a budget to run public services in the absence of a devolved government in Belfast

A deal to restore powersharing in Northern Ireland could be clinched early next year, the Taoiseach said.

On Monday Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire will introduce Westminster legislation to pass a budget to run public services in the absence of a devolved government in Belfast.

Leo Varadkar said he discussed Northern Ireland with the Prime Minister every fortnight.

"It is my firm view that it is possible to come to an agreement to re-establish the Executive and Assembly, to get devolution working again and to ensure that Northern Ireland has a unique voice at this important time.

"The gap between the parties in terms of substance is not huge, it is really a matter now of political willingness and trust and it is possible to come to an agreement, if not in the next few weeks then perhaps early in the new year.

"I am very much involved in that."

He met DUP leader Arlene Foster and Mr Brokenshire over the weekend and will be meeting Sinn Fein this week.

Mr Brokenshire said he was firmly focused on bringing the parties at Stormont together and the budget should not be seen as some sort of move towards direct rule from London.

Gerry Adams has called for a British/Irish inter-governmental conference on Northern Ireland.

The sticking points between the DUP and Sinn Fein include an Irish language act.

Sinn Fein's leader in Northern Ireland Michelle O'Neill said a deal was only possible if the DUP and British government upheld equality.

"Sinn Fein remains committed to the restoration of the institutions and the Executive.

"However, they only have value if they enjoy the confidence and support of the people they were established to serve.

"They only have meaning if they are delivering fairly for all our people based on the principles of equality and mutual respect on which they were founded.

"If the DUP or anyone else wish to exercise political power in Government in the north of Ireland now or in the future, then the cost is to embrace a rights-based society and equal partnership government, which works for everyone."

Mrs Foster said they must get on with bringing back devolved government to Northern Ireland.

She said Mr Brokenshire's budget would bring certainty but it would not be long before the next budget would have to be decided.

"We really must get on and bring devolution back."

She said they could come to a good agreement for nationalists and unionists.

"We want to see devolution back and we want to see government back because I am very clear that is what people in Northern Ireland want.

"Not at any price it has to be said, but they want it back and they want government back.

"There are still significant differences there, but do I think those can be overcome? I certainly think we can work together to make an agreement that is good for unionism and for nationalism."
Boris Johnson is to meet the husband of jailed British mother Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe on Wednesday to discuss the possibility of her being offered diplomatic protection as part of Government efforts to secure her return from Iran.

Downing Street confirmed that the Foreign Office is looking into the possible use of the status after Richard Ratcliffe spoke with the Foreign Secretary by phone at the weekend.

It is thought that legal advice will have to be taken before determining whether the status  which would raise Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffes plight from a consular case to a formal dispute between the two countries  is the best method for speeding her release.

Mr Johnson returned from Brussels to answer an urgent question on the case in the House of Commons, amid continuing concern that his suggestion to a parliamentary committee that Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe was training journalists in Iran has exposed her to the threat of the doubling of her five-year jail sentence.

Expand Close Richard Ratcliffe holding a portrait of his wife and daughter (Dominic Lipinski/PA) PA / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Richard Ratcliffe holding a portrait of his wife and daughter (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

Mr Johnson came under fire in the Commons over his suggestion that his comments may have been misinterpreted or taken out of context, with his Labour shadow Emily Thornberry telling him they were simply inaccurate.

It is not good enough, said Ms Thornberry. If it is a matter of pride that the Foreign Secretary is refusing to admit simply that he has made a mistake, I feel bound to say to him that his pride matters not one ounce compared to Nazanins freedom.

In response, the Foreign Secretary made his fullest apology yet, telling MPs: Of course I apologise for the distress and suffering that has been caused by the impression that I gave that the Government believe, and I believe, that she was there in a professional capacity. She was there on holiday.

I do apologise, and of course I retract any suggestion that she was there in a professional capacity.

Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe was arrested last year on a visit to her parents in Iran, and was handed a five-year sentence on spying allegations.

Her husband, who says his wife is on the verge of a nervous breakdown, has appealed to be allowed to join Mr Johnson on a trip to Iran planned by the end of the year, and to visit her in jail with the Foreign Secretary.

We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference

Mr Johnson told MPs the case had cast a shadow over Britains relationship with Tehran and said he would use his visit to drive home the strength of public and parliamentary feeling about Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffes plight.

Mr Ratcliffe declined to join calls for Mr Johnson to resign over his gaffe, which was seized on by Iranian judicial authorities as an admission of Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffes guilt.

But he urged the Foreign Office to ensure that all ministers know that the Government position is that his wife was on holiday at the time of her arrest, after Environment Secretary Michael Gove said in a TV interview that he did not know what she was doing in Iran.

We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference

We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference

Mr Ratcliffe said it would not be helpful for the Foreign Secretary to resign over his handling of the case.

He told BBC Radio 4s Today. I dont think its helpful also in terms of how that looks in Iran for me to be looking like Im playing politics. Its very important that the Iranians can see that this is just a family who are battling to bring Nazanin home, and not get the sort of sense that we are some sort of great Machiavellian power. We are not.

Urging Iran once more to release Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe on humanitarian grounds, Mr Johnson told MPs: The House should bear in mind that Irans regime and no-one else has chosen to separate this mother from her infant daughter for reasons that even they find it difficult to explain or describe.

Expand Close Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe (Gareth Fuller/PA) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe (Gareth Fuller/PA)

I shall travel to Iran myself later this year to review the full state of our bilateral relations and to drive home the strength of feeling in this House and the country at large about the plight of Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe and other consular cases.

Despite the threat of a further jail term made by an Iranian court days after Mr Johnsons gaffe, the Foreign Secretary told MPs there was no evidence she had faced any additional charges or penalties since her initial sentencing in September last year.
David Davis said the new legislation will provide "certainty and clarity" as Britain leaves the EU (PA)

MPs will be given a take it or leave it vote on any Brexit deal covering citizens rights, the so-called divorce bill and a transition period, David Davis has announced.

The Brexit Secretary said any withdrawal agreement the Government reaches with the EU will only hold if MPs and peers approve a new piece of legislation to put it into British law.

But he also confirmed that if the Withdrawal Agreement and Implementation Bill is voted down by MPs, the UK will still leave the EU on March 29 2019, without a deal.

Expand Close (PA graphic) Press Association Images / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp (PA graphic)

The move was seen as an attempted concession to Tory rebels ahead of votes this week on the separate EU (Withdrawal) Bill, also known as the repeal bill, with the Government facing potential defeat on plans to guarantee MPs a meaningful vote on the deal.

But it triggered an immediate backlash from potential Tory rebels.

Heidi Allen said Mr Daviss attempt at a concession was pointless as the Government is trying to amend the Withdrawal Bill to say Britains membership of the EU will formally end at 11pm GMT on March 29 2019.

Reacting to the Brexit Secretarys announcement, Ms Allen tweeted: Pointless if we have enshrined a drop dead date in the Bill, & get a deal at 11th hour! Thered be no time! And also offers no safeguard if no deal is reached. Unacceptable.

We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference

Antoinette Sandbach told the Press Association: The announcement is meaningless if, for any reason, the timetable slips beyond March 2019.

In a House of Commons statement, Mr Davis announced: Its clear that we need to take further steps to provide clarity and certainty both in the negotiations and at home, regarding the implementation of any agreement into United Kingdom law.

I can now confirm that once we have reached an agreement we will bring forward a specific piece of primary legislation to implement the agreement.

Expand Close David Davis speaks in the Commons (PA) / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp David Davis speaks in the Commons (PA)

He added: This confirms that the major policy set out in the withdrawal agreement will be directly implemented into UK law by primary legislation, not by secondary legislation with the Withdrawal Bill.

This also means that Parliament will be given time to debate, scrutinise and vote on the final agreement we strike with the European Union. This agreement will only hold if Parliament approves it.

He confirmed in an answer to Tory former cabinet minister Owen Paterson that Britain will leave the EU on March 29 2019 with no deal if MPs vote down the new piece of legislation.

And in a separate answer, he added: Its a meaningful vote, but not meaningful in the sense that some believe meaningful (is), which is that you can reverse the whole thing (Brexit).

We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference

Pro-EU Labour MP and Open Britain campaign supporter Chris Leslie said: What could have been a very welcome concession by the Government instead looks like a sham that pretends to respect the sovereignty of Parliament but falls well short of what is required.

Its a transparent and fairly desperate attempt at the eleventh hour to save face and avoid losing votes in the House.

Ministers need to do much better. It is crucial that this meaningful vote takes place well before we leave, that defeat for the Governments legislation will not imply leaving the EU with no deal, and that Parliament has the same role in the event of a disastrous no deal outcome.

Earlier, European business leaders warned Theresa May that jobs and investment in the UK could be lost unless urgent progress is made in the Brexit negotiations with Brussels.

Following a meeting with the Prime Minister at Downing Street, Emma Marcegaglia, president of the lobbying group BusinessEurope, said: We know that if companies dont see certainty probably they will have a contingency plan and probably they will leave the UK, or they will invest less.
Boris Johnson warned Lebanon should not be used as a "tool for proxy conflicts" (Chris J Ratcliffe/PA)

Britain has offered its full support to Lebanon following the shock resignation of Prime Minister Saad Hariri amid claims he is being held against his will in Saudi Arabia.

The Lebanese prime minister said on Sunday he would return to his country very soon, in his first interview after quitting last week while in Riyadh.

Mr Hariri insisted he was free but said he decided to resign to save the country from imminent danger.

Lebanon fears it is being dragged into growing tensions between Sunni Saudi Arabia and Shia-led Iran.

Tehran backs the Shia Hezbollah group in Lebanon, which has a powerful military wing. It has been claimed Mr Hariri was being held because he failed to confront the organisation.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson warned Lebanon should not be used as a tool for proxy conflicts.

Expand Close A Lebanese woman holds a placard supporting Saad Hariri (Hassan Ammar/AP/PA) / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp A Lebanese woman holds a placard supporting Saad Hariri (Hassan Ammar/AP/PA)

He said: I spoke today to foreign minister (Gebran) Bassil on the latest developments in Lebanon. I reiterated to him the United Kingdoms full support for the sovereignty and independence of Lebanon.

Prime Minister Hariri has been a good and trusted partner for the UK, and we hope that he will return to Beirut without further delay, not least in the interests of Lebanons political stability.

We urge all parties with an interest in Lebanon to do all they can to encourage this and to work more broadly to reduce recent tensions.

I reassured the foreign minister that the UK will continue to support the people and institutions of Lebanon at this challenging time.

The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) is the only legitimate authority within Lebanon and no militia groups or foreign forces should aim to challenge the LAF as the ultimate guarantor of the Lebanese peoples security.

We echo the concerns of the United States and our European partners that Lebanon should not be used as a tool for proxy conflicts and that its independence and integrity should be respected by all parties  within the country and beyond.

Mr Hariri, a dual Lebanese-Saudi national, unexpectedly announced he was quitting in a clip broadcast on Saudi TV.
The story of imprisoned Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe dominates the front pages as the fallout of Boris Johnsons comments continues.

Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe has been held in Iran since April 2016 and was sentenced to five years in jail.

Earlier this month, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said she was simply teaching people journalism.

The Daily Telegraph reports her husband Richard Ratcliffe thinks Mr Johnson should keep his job, with the paper reporting any further political repercussions could make the situation worse.

We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference

Meanwhile, the Times leads on Cabinet colleague Michael Gove who stood up for Mr Johnson, casting doubt on Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffes account.

We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference

The i also leads on Mr Gove, and reports on worries for the Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffes health.

Elsewhere, the Guardian leads on a memo reportedly written by Mr Gove and Mr Johnson and sent to Theresa May over what it calls a secret set of demands about Brexit.

We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference

The Daily Mail carries a picture of the Queen watching the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph, with its main story saying boys should be allowed to wear tiaras at school as part of efforts to curb transgender bullying.

We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference

Meanwhile, the Daily Mirror tells the story of Ron Sheppard, who was hoping to marry his ninth wife until she reportedly left him for another partner.
A woman has claimed George HW Bush groped her during a photo shoot

Another woman has stepped forward to accuse former US president George HW Bush of inappropriately touching her.

Roslyn Corrigan told Time magazine that she posed for a photo with Mr Bush at a gathering of CIA officers north of Houston in 2003.

She was 16 at the time and attended the event with her mother and father, who was an intelligence analyst.

Ms Corrigan said as the photo was being taken, Mr Bush dropped his hand to her bottom and squeezed.

Time spoke with seven people who said they had been told by Ms Corrigan about the encounter in the years afterwards.

A spokesman for the former president, Jim McGrath, said Mr Bush has apologised "to anyone he may have offended during a photo op".

Ms Corrigan is at least the fifth woman to claim Mr Bush groped her.

AP
A few hawker organisations have unofficially started a wing called the Mumbai Ferivala Sena, but Shiv Sena leaders say the party hasn't officially floated any such organisation.

By Mayuresh Ganapatye: Mumbai hawkers who are being targeted by Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) are looking for strong leadership. The Congress is supporting them, but a few voices want a party like the Shiv Sena to lead them to directly confront the MNS.

A few hawker organisations have unofficially started a wing called the Mumbai Ferivala Sena, but Shiv Sena leaders say the party hasn't officially floated any such organisation.

advertisement

"Yes there is (a) demand that Bhartiya Kamgar Sena (the party's workers' wing) should start (a) hawkers' association or lead them, but we haven't got any clearance from our party chief Uddhav Thackeray," said BKS president Suryakant Mahadik.

"No one has officially contacted me and if someone contacts us, our party chief Uddhav Thackeray will take (a) final decision on this," Mahadik said.

MUMBAI FERIVALA SENA RALLY

On Sunday, the 'Mumbai Ferivala Sena' held a small rally to unite Marathi and non-Marathi hawkers. They printed the Shiv Sena symbol and the names of Shiv Sena supremo Balasaheb Thackery, Uddhav Thackeray, and Shiv Sena MLA Suresh Prabhu on a pamphlet.

They mentioned on the pamphlet that they were yet to officially convey this to the Shiv Sena.

India Today tried to contact Ashok Dehere, a BMC Hawkers Committee member who leads this organisation, but there was no response from him.

The Bombay High Court recently ruled that hawking would be permitted only in designated zones, and wouldn't be allowed on foot over-bridges and rail over-bridges within 150 metres of railway stations.

STREET PLAY

The MNS organised a street play in Dadar today to explain why the hawkers issue was serious, and how the common man is troubled by them.

After the Elphinstone Road station stampede, the MNS has been attacking hawkers in the vicinity of railway stations. This comes after MNS chief Raj Thackeray's protest march, and his warning to the railway administration that his workers would evict hawkers MNS-style if they didn't clear access to stations in 15 days.

"If Shiv Sena is going to support the hawkers, then we want to ask them...why they were silent on this issue and...(did not do) anything for hawkers in (the) last 25 years. It is nothing but (a) political stunt of Shiv Sena," said MNS leader Yashvant Killedar.

WATCH | Mumbai: MNS workers clash with hawkers in Malad

--- ENDS ---
Eight people have been killed and five other bodies found in a clandestine grave in Acapulco on a particularly bloody day for the violence-plagued Pacific coast resort.

"It was a horrible day," said Roberto Alvarez, security spokesman for Guerrero state, which is home to Acapulco.

The violence began early when police were alerted to the dead bodies of three young men found with tourniquets around their necks and signs of torture in the San Agustin neighbourhood on Acapulco's northern outskirts.

Later in the morning, a gun battle broke out between police and armed men on a central avenue, setting off a chase that ended with one suspect killed and three arrested.

Still before noon, two gunmen stormed into a bar and shot dead a man and a woman who were drinking there. Police patrolling nearby responded and caught the aggressors.

The suspects told police the bar contained a clandestine grave, and an excavation by authorities turned up the bodies of four men and one woman.

Authorities later resumed the search in the belief that more bodies could be hidden on at least two adjacent properties.

On Sunday afternoon, gunmen killed two men two blocks from the same central avenue where the police chase had taken place earlier. Neighbours found the bodies and notified police.

Guerrero has been among Mexico's worst hotspots for drug gang violence in recent years.

The state recorded 1,726 homicides from January to September, according to federal statistics, up slightly from 1,654 during the same period last year and well more than any other state in the country.

Elsewhere in Guerrero, residents of the municipality of Copanatoyac reported four dead bodies had been found dumped in a gully.

Mr Alvarez said officials were also working to confirm reports of murders in Iguala, Taxco and Tlapa.

AP
In picking Alex Azar, Donald Trump turned to an industry he has rebuked

US President Donald Trump has picked a former top pharmaceutical and government executive to be his health and human services (HHS) secretary.

If confirmed by the Senate, Alex Azar will oversee a one trillion US dollar (760 billion) department responsible for major health insurance programmes, medical research, food and drug safety, and public health.

In making the pick, Mr Trump turned to an industry he has rebuked.

The Azar nomination is unusual because HHS secretaries have tended to come from the ranks of elected officials such as governors - not industries regulated by the department.

Mr Azar, 50, a lawyer by training, has spent the last 10 years with pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly, rising to president of its key US affiliate before leaving in January to start his own consulting firm.

He is seen as an expert on government healthcare regulation.

"He will be a star for better healthcare and lower drug prices!" Mr Trump tweeted in announcing the nomination on Monday morning.

As HHS secretary, Mr Azar would have to avoid conflicts with Lilly's far-reaching interests, from drug approval to Medicare reimbursement.

The drugmaker has drawn criticism from patient advocacy groups for price increases to one of its biggest products: insulin.

Americans consistently rank the high cost of prescription drugs as one of their top healthcare priorities, putting it ahead of divisive issues like repealing "Obamacare" in public opinion polls.

Mr Trump has been a sharp critic of the industry.

"The drug companies, frankly, are getting away with murder," he said at a Cabinet meeting this autumn.

Prices are "out of control" and "have gone through the roof", Mr Trump said.

In the spring, a Trump tweet sent drug stocks tumbling after he said he was working on a new system that would foster competition and lead to much lower prices.

In meetings with industry executives, however, Mr Trump has focused on speeding up drug approvals, a cost-reducing tactic they would back.

Professionally, Mr Azar has another set of skills that may be valuable to Mr Trump.

As a top HHS official during the George W Bush administration, the Yale law graduate developed an insider's familiarity with the complex world of federal healthcare regulation, serving first as the department's chief lawyer and later as deputy secretary.

Frustrated by fruitless efforts to overturn the Affordable Care Act in Congress, Mr Trump might see the regulatory route as his best chance to make a mark on healthcare.

Congressional Democrats are likely to pounce on Mr Azar's drug ties, reminding Mr Trump of his promise to "drain the swamp" of Washington influence peddling.

Azar admirers say his industry experience should be considered an asset, not a liability.

"To the extent that the Trump administration has talked about lowering drug prices, here's a guy who understands how it works," said Tevi Troy, who served with Mr Azar in the Bush administration and now leads the American Health Policy Institute, a think tank focused on employer health insurance.

"Would (Azar) have been better off if he had been meditating in an ashram after serving as deputy secretary?" he added.

If confirmed, Mr Azar would be Mr Trump's second HHS secretary, replacing former Georgia congressman Tom Price, who stepped down after just seven months, when his use of private charter planes for government travel created a public controversy that displeased the president.

AP
People stand in the street after feeling aftershocks in Baghdad, Iraq, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017. A deadly earthquake hit the region along the border between Iran and Iraq on Sunday. The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake was centered 19 miles (31 kilometers) outside the eastern Iraqi city of Halabja. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)

Rescuers are digging with their bare hands through the debris of buildings brought down by a powerful earthquake that killed more than 400 people in the once-contested mountainous border region between Iraq and Iran.

Sunday night's magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck about 19 miles outside the eastern Iraqi city of Halabja, according to the most recent measurements from the US Geological Survey.

The worst damage appeared to be in the Kurdish town of Sarpol-e-Zahab in the western Iranian province of Kermanshah, which sits in the Zagros Mountains that divide Iran and Iraq.

Residents fled into the streets as the quake struck, without time to grab possessions, as apartment complexes collapsed into rubble.

Residents dug frantically through wrecked buildings for survivors, and firefighters from Tehran joined other rescuers in the desperate search, using dogs to inspect the rubble.

The hospital in Sarpol-e-Zahab was heavily damaged, and the army set up field hospitals, although many of the injured were moved to other cities including Tehran.

The tremor also damaged an army garrison and buildings in the border city and killed an unspecified number of soldiers, according to reports.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei immediately dispatched all government and military forces to aid those affected.

Many of the heavily damaged complexes in Sarpol-e-Zahab were part of construction projects under former hardline president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

The quake killed 407 people in Iran and injured 7,156 others, crisis management spokesman Behnam Saeedi told state TV. Most of the injuries were minor, he said, with fewer than 1,000 still in hospital.

The semi-official Tasnim news agency reported 445 dead and 7,370 injured. There was no immediate explanation of the discrepancy, although double-counting of victims is common during such disasters in Iran.

The official death toll came from provincial forensic authorities based on death certificates issued. Some reports said authorities have warned that unauthorised burials without certification could mean the death toll was higher.

In Iraq, the earthquake killed at least seven people and injured 535, all in the country's northern, semi-autonomous Kurdish region, according to its Interior Ministry.

The earthquake struck 14.4 miles below the surface, a shallow depth that can cause broader damage. Magnitude 7 earthquakes on their own are capable of widespread, heavy damage.

The quake caused Dubai's skyscrapers to sway and could be felt 660 miles away on the Mediterranean coast. Nearly 120 aftershocks followed.

Ayatollah Khamenei offered his condolences as President Hassan Rouhani's office said Iran's elected leader would tour the damaged areas on Tuesday, which was declared a national day of mourning.

Authorities also set up relief camps and hundreds lined up to donate blood in Tehran, though some on state TV complained about the slowness of aid coming.

Sarpol-e-Zahab fell to the Iraqi troops of dictator Saddam Hussein during his 1980 invasion of Iran, which sparked the eight-year war between the two countries that killed a million people. Though clawed back by Iran seven months later, the area remained a war zone that suffered through Saddam's missile attacks and chemical weapons.

After the war, Iran began rebuilding the town. It also was part of Mr Ahmadinejad's low-income housing project, which aided the hardliner's populist credentials but also saw cheap construction.

AP
Lebanon's Prime Minister Saad Hariri has said he will return to his country "within days" amid a political crisis that erupted when he announced his sudden resignation on November 4 in Saudi Arabia.

In a live interview shown on Future TV, Mr Hariri said he had resigned to protect Lebanon from imminent danger, although he did not specify who was threatening the country.

He said he would return to submit his resignation and seek a settlement with his rivals in the coalition government, the militant group Hezbollah.

But Mr Hariri said withdrawing his resignation would be conditional on the Iranian-backed Hezbollah committing to remaining neutral on regional conflicts.

Hezbollah has sent thousands of fighters to neighbouring Syria to support the forces of Syria's President Bashar Assad.

Mr Hariri looked tired and sad in the interview from Saudi Arabia on his Future TV channel that lasted more than an hour.

He held back tears as he spoke and repeated several times that he resigned to cause a "positive shock" and draw attention to the danger of siding with Iran in regional conflicts.

"We are in the eye of the storm," Mr Hariri said.

He said the unity government he formed a year ago was supposed to stick to an agreement not to interfere in regional affairs, but that Hezbollah had not kept up its end of the deal.

Apparently seeking to show he was not being detained by the Saudis, Mr Hariri told the interviewer: "I am free."

He said his resignation was his own decision, dismissing reports he was forced into it. But he also said he was looking into security arrangements before returning to Lebanon, suggesting his life was in danger.

"I saw what happened ... when my father was martyred. I don't want the same thing to happen to me," Mr Hariri said.

His father, former prime minister Rafik Hariri, was killed by a car bomb in Beirut in 2005.

The interview followed pressure from Lebanese officials, who said Mr Hariri's resignation was not accepted because it was declared in Saudi Arabia.

Many Lebanese have suspected Mr Hariri was placed under house arrest as part of a Saudi plan to unravel a coalition government he had formed last year with Hezbollah.

Lebanon President Michel Aoun said before the interview that the "mysterious circumstances for Hariri's stay in the Saudi capital of Riyadh makes all his positions questionable and in doubt and not of his own volition".

A dual Lebanese-Saudi national, the Saudi-allied Hariri unexpectedly announced his resignation on November 4 in a pre-recorded message on Saudi TV, criticising Iran and Hezbollah, and saying he feared for his safety. Mr Hariri's family lives in Riyadh.

Mr Hariri had not been heard from since but met foreign diplomats, and appeared with Saudi royalty and in Abu Dhabi.

Saudi Arabia has stepped up its rhetoric against Hezbollah and its patron, Iran, accusing both of supporting Shiite rebels in Yemen known as Houthis. A Saudi-led coalition has been at war with the Houthis since March 2015.

Mr Hariri said relations between Saudi Arabia and Hezbollah soured after the conflict began in Yemen.

Saudi Arabia has asked its citizens to leave Lebanon, and many Lebanese fear further economic sanctions or even military action against their country.

Mr Hariri, 47, first held the post of prime minister in November 2009 for nearly two years before Hezbollah forced the collapse of his government. Hezbollah ministers withdrew because of differences over a UN-backed tribunal investigating his father's assassination.

Mr Hariri was appointed prime minister in late 2016 and headed a 30-member coalition government that included Hezbollah.

But it has been an uneasy partnership between Mr Hariri, who heads a Sunni-led camp loyal to Saudi Arabia, and Hezbollah, which represents a faction loyal to Shiite Iran.

AP
ein Google-Unternehmen

Google-Dienste anzubieten und zu betreiben

Ausfalle zu prufen und Manahmen gegen Spam, Betrug und Missbrauch zu ergreifen

Daten zu Zielgruppeninteraktionen und Websitestatistiken zu erheben. Mit den gewonnenen Informationen mochten wir verstehen, wie unsere Dienste verwendet werden, und die Qualitat dieser Dienste verbessern.

neue Dienste zu entwickeln und zu verbessern

Werbung auszuliefern und ihre Wirkung zu messen

personalisierte Inhalte anzuzeigen, abhangig von Ihren Einstellungen

personalisierte Werbung anzuzeigen, abhangig von Ihren Einstellungen

Wenn Sie Alle ablehnen auswahlen, verwenden wir Cookies nicht fur diese zusatzlichen Zwecke.

Nicht personalisierte Inhalte und Werbung werden u. a. von Inhalten, die Sie sich gerade ansehen, und Ihrem Standort beeinflusst (welche Werbung Sie sehen, basiert auf Ihrem ungefahren Standort). Personalisierte Inhalte und Werbung konnen auch Videoempfehlungen, eine individuelle YouTube-Startseite und individuelle Werbung enthalten, die auf fruheren Aktivitaten wie auf YouTube angesehenen Videos und Suchanfragen auf YouTube beruhen. Sofern relevant, verwenden wir Cookies und Daten auerdem, um Inhalte und Werbung altersgerecht zu gestalten.

Wir verwenden Cookies und Daten, umWenn Sie Alle akzeptieren auswahlen, verwenden wir Cookies und Daten auch, umWahlen Sie Weitere Optionen aus, um sich zusatzliche Informationen anzusehen, einschlielich Details zum Verwalten Ihrer Datenschutzeinstellungen. Sie konnen auch jederzeit g.co/privacytools besuchen.
Trump said Modi was "a great gentleman" who had become a friend of the US. The US President's remarks came ahead of a bilateral meet with Modi in the Phillipines capital, Manila.

By India Today Web Desk: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is bringing "lots of factions" together in India and doing a "fantastic job," US President Donald Trump said Monday in Manila.

Trump said Modi was "a great gentleman" who had become a friend of the US.

The US President's remarks came ahead of a bilateral meet with Modi. The leaders of the two largest democracies in the world, Modi and Trump discussed trade, investment and other issues.

advertisement

The US and India were "working together for the interest of the future of Asia and for humanity as a whole in the world," Modi said before the meeting.

Meeting lasted for about 45 minutes. Started with President Trump saying that there is a lot of good report coming from India, he was talking mainly in economic terms: Foreign Secy S.Jaishankar on Modi-Trump meeting pic.twitter.com/SHHbxB2R8o- ANI (@ANI) November 13, 2017

Modi is in Manila to attend the 15th India-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and the 12th East Asia Summit. 2017 marks the silver jubilee of the India-ASEAN dialogue partnership and the golden jubilee of the regional bloc's formation.

Today, Modi addressed both a business meet and a community program, where he said his government's efforts were "aimed at transforming India and ensuring everything in our nation matches global standards."

WATCH | PM Narendra Modi, US President Donald Trump meet in Manila

--- ENDS ---
Nepal cancelled the 1200 mega watt Budhi Gandaki hydropower project with a Chinese firm over allegations of irregularities and lack of transparency.

By India Today Web Desk: Nepal today cancelled the 1200 mega watt Budhi Gandaki hydropower project with a Chinese firm over allegations of irregularities and lack of transparency.

Nepal's Deputy Prime Minister Kamal Thapa took to Twitter to inform that the project has been scrapped by the government on the directions of a parliamentary committee.

"The agreement, marred by irregularities with the Chinese company - Gejuwa Group regarding the construction of Budhi Gandaki hydropower project, has been scrapped in a cabinet meeting as directed by the parliamentary committee," (Translation), Thapa tweeted.

advertisement

Budhi Gandaki Hydropower Project is a storage-type project, located in the central and the western region of the Himayalan nation along the Budhi Gandaki river.

The project was granted to China's Gezhouba Water and Power (Group) Co Ltd (CGGC) over a year ago by the then Maoist-led government, headed by former Prime Minsiter Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda).

--- ENDS ---
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 13/11/2017 (1829 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Crown combed through hundreds of text messages, phone conversations and audio recordings obtained covertly by police during a sentencing hearing on Friday for Leslie Gerald Bisson  the primary target of a major drug investigation, Project Derringer.

Bisson has pleaded guilty to trafficking cocaine, possessing a firearm while prohibited and possessing proceeds from a crime.

Whats contested, defence lawyer Eric Wach said in Brandon provincial court, is Bissons level of involvement within the elaborate drug trafficking scheme that Manitobas Integrated Organized Crime Task Force (MIOCTF) investigated for nearly a year.

Crown attorney Erin Magas called an expert witness to the stand, Cpl. Jonathan Morrisseau of MIOCTF, to decode text messages and phone calls brought forward, as well as educate the court on different phrases in the drug trade and how it generally works.

He is clearly running his organization. Theres been nothing Ive seen that suggests he has to answer to anyone, Morrisseau said. I believe that (Bisson) is a high-level trafficker, one of the more significant players in the Brandon trade.

Through Project Derringer, an investigation into the large-scale shipment of kilograms of illegal drugs into Brandon, police obtained warrants that allowed them to place Bisson under surveillance, Magas said, using tactics such as tracers, bugs and sneak peeks into homes to collect evidence.

As a result, police were able to identify Bissons drug customers and his supplier  a courier from Toronto who would deliver multi-kilogram amounts of cocaine to Bisson every five to seven weeks.

Detailed discussions through texts and phone calls between Bisson, his supplier and customers were highlighted in court, with drug dealings veiled as chatter about paint jobs and delivering meat.

I just wanted to let you know your buddys paint job wasnt the best, one dealer told Bisson over the phone, discussing what, Morrisseau said, was a bad batch of cocaine.

Ive heard that from a couple of guys, Bisson replied. Its not great, but at least its something you can pass on.

The two men laugh, and Bisson tells the dealer they should be rockin and rollin soon.

A dealer knows when hes giving somebody good product, or something they call bunk, like crappy product  theyre laughing at the fact that this stuff might not be good, but people will still buy it.

Bisson also had multiple interactions with a prominent Hells Angels member from Winnipeg, working out a payment plan for a significant drug debt owed to Bisson.

In order to have a payment plan, it has to be a significant amount of debt, Morrisseau said. Even to call it a payment plan implies its a significant amount of money.

Mages also detailed evidence police found through numerous sneak peeks into Bissons three stash locations.

In August 2016, police entered the 10th Street apartment and found a hydraulic press with a homemade mould contaminated with cocaine and benzocaine, a cutting agent.

They also found scales, grinders and a blue duffel bag with Bissons name on it filled with a large amount of packaging materials, such as Ziploc bags.

A bag of Ziploc baggies in your kitchen is not a big deal, if you have a duffel bag full of these things, youre using them for drug trafficking, Magas said. All of this is tools of the trade for drug repackaging and using.

During a later sneak peek, police found four kilograms of vacuum-sealed cocaine with a street value of $260,000, four pounds of marijuana with a street value of $8,000, and two pounds of psilocybin  often known as magic mushrooms  worth $4,000.

Mr. Bisson is happy to provide to his suppliers any variety of things. Hes a little bit of a one stop shop in this city, Magas said.

Police were able to track the transport of drugs and equipment through surveillance as Bisson moved it from the apartment to the church, and then to his property in Griswold, where he stored it in a metal quonset.

It was during a sneak peek at this location that police discovered six guns  a semi-automatic rifle, two shotguns and three rifles  unsecured in the trunk of a car.

In October 2016, police monitoring Bisson gathered information that his supplier was on his way to Brandon with a delivery, and the decision was made to pull the trigger on the investigation.

Audio recordings from Bissons truck  which was bugged  reveals Bisson and his supplier discussing a drug deal when they are interrupted with blaring sirens and police yelling to step out of the vehicle.

Part of the reason the investigation was taken down was because of the concerns of the violence that was occurring in Brandon at that point and time, Magas said. It was taken down early.

Due to time constraints, the defence requested a further date be scheduled for cross-examination of the expert, which will happen in December.

Arguments and sentencing was already scheduled to take place in January.

 edebooy@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @erindebooy
Two companies have each been fined $36,000 after underpaying a Melbourne bicycle courier more than $7000 as a contractor when he should have been paid higher rates as an employee.

Federal Circuit Court judge Grant Riethmuller found the contraventions were deliberate because the Fair Work Ombudsman in 2012 had made it clear to the companies, Z Transport and Boxbay, that their bicycle couriers were employees and not contractors.

The Fair Work Ombudsman has secured $72,000 in penalties against two companies for alleged sham contracting, which resulted in a bicycle courier being underpaid. Credit:Quentin Jones

The Fair Work Ombudsman took legal action against Z Transport Pty Ltd and Boxbay Pty Ltd after a bicycle courier n his late 20s complained about not getting his proper entitlements.

Fair Work Inspectors found the courier was allegedly paid a low contract rate based on the jobs he performed instead of a higher pay rate and entitlements as an employee. As an employee, he was entitled to receive minimum wages and paid leave under the Road Transport and Distribution Award.
The amount of cash flowing out of China into property has halved within a year but Australia is still the preferred destination for Chinese investors able to get their money out.

In its latest report, real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield and Real Capital Analytics (RCA) says mainland China's third quarter total outbound real estate investment plunged 51 per cent year-on-year to US$2.5 billion, the lowest total in 14 quarters, or since the last quarter of 2013.

The steep fall in investment is the result of tougher Chinese government regulations.

Dominic Brown, head of research, Australia and New Zealand, at Cushman & Wakefield, said Australia jumped into first place by overseas destination with US$783 million in deals coming in for the September quarter.
Uber is required to notify the Tax Office of drivers registered with their service, which can result in a please explain letter from the regulator asking why the driver has not registered for GST when it is compulsory.

This means self-employed drivers for Uber, because the service Uber provides is classified as being a taxi service, must register for GST. Drivers thinking that they can escape registering for GST, thus avoiding being involved in the paper warfare associated with the GST system, should think again.

Anyone operating within the taxi industry must register for GST, despite them earning only relatively minor amounts that are well below the $75,000 income limit. Credit:Ryan Stuart

The industry selected for special treatment is the taxi industry. This means anyone operating within the taxi industry must register for GST, despite them earning only relatively minor amounts that are well below the $75,000 income limit, resulting in them having to pay one-eleventh of the income they earn to the Tax Office.

When the GST system was introduced the income threshold that required a business to compulsorily register was $50,000. This income threshold was later increased to $75,000. In addition to the income threshold, businesses operating in one industry must register for GST, no matter what income they generate, and if a business wants to claim fuel tax credits it also must register for GST.

Q. I am a courier driver who doesn't own the vehicle I use. I also earn about $52,000 a year. I have an ABN but want to know if I have to register for GST? If I do have to register, can I claim the petrol expenses? If I don't have to register, but I register anyway, what are the consequences and the benefits for me?

A. From your question it would appear you are operating as a sole trader using an ABN. As your business income is less than the $75,000 income threshold you are not required to register for GST. The ability to claim a tax deduction for petrol used to earn your income does not depend on you being registered for GST.

The ability to claim any expense against income earned, under income tax laws, depends on there being a link between the expense and the income. If you are receiving courier driver income, and are responsible for the petrol costs related to the vehicle you use, you can claim the petrol costs related to the income you earn is a courier driver.

If you were registered for GST you would get the benefit of claiming an input tax credit for the GST included in the petrol expenses, and also claim for input tax credits included in any other business expenses related to earning your income.

If you are using a vehicle owned by the company that you provide courier services to, and not paying a hire fee for the use of the vehicle, you may be classed as not running a business and are an employee. This may not have a major tax impact on you, but if the Tax Office classed you as an employee the business you contract to would be liable for superannuation guarantee contributions and workers' compensation insurance.
By PTI: By Shirish B Pradhan

Kathmandu, Nov 13 (PTI) Nepal will host a three-day summit to strengthen economic integration in the sub-region for attaining inclusive and sustainable development.

The tenth South Asia Economic Summit which will start tomorrow

will be attended by more than 200 delegates, including ministers, members of Parliament, planners, senior government officials and leading think tanks and researchers from South Asian countries.

advertisement

The main theme of the summit will be strengthening economic integration in the sub-region for attaining inclusive and sustainable development, according to a press release issued by National Planning Commission.

It is being organised at the joint initiative of National Planning Commission and Ministry of Commerce, Nepal in collaboration with South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics and Environment (SAWTEE).

The summit consists of 18 sessions in which a wide range of issues, including regional trade potentials, cooperation on power trade, collaboration for reducing disaster impacts, intellectual property relating to herbs, employment generation, trade facilitation, collaborate on climate change, international labour migration etc.

Established in 2008 the regional economic platform has initiated debate and discussions on various issues relating to South Asian development challenges and succeeded in developing itself as an effective medium of regional integration and economic collaboration in less than a decade, said Vice Chairman of National Planning Commission Swornim Wagley.

The main objective of the summit is to help the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) process on economic development. PTI SBP AMS AKJ AMS

--- ENDS ---
A 25-year-old man is recovering in hospital after fighting off a shark on the NSW Central Coast.

British doctor Charlie Fry was surfing with two friends at Avoca Beach when a two-metre shark jumped out of the water and hit him in the right shoulder about 4pm on Monday.

Mr Fry said the shark bit his arm and shoulder after he missed a wave.

"I saw a shark's head come out of the water with it's teeth and I just punched it in the face," he told Nine News.
Lubo Jack Raskovic exits his car. Credit:Nick Moir According to corporate records the company had "nil" assets when it was wound up. But just 10 months earlier Mr Raskovic bought a $3 million mansion in Bella Vista - described by real estate agents as "one of the Hills district's finest homes" - and purchased a new $100,000 black Porsche Cayenne station wagon, under a separate business entity. He works for a different company, All Borders Pty Limited - set up just weeks before Global Skills went broke - and operates from the same office under a similar business model. It's owned by his partner, Neo Tau, who shares his Bella Vista mansion. Ankur now drives an Uber to earn back the $50,000 he said he paid to Lubo Jack Raskovic. Credit:SBS Television Forced to return to India

Suneel Kumar Kocherla, 41, said he lost around $30,000 to Global Skills, which promised to help him find a regional job. He was desperate to find a way to remain in the country two years ago and searched for recruitment companies. He accepted a contract with Global Skills and agreed to pay $40,000. Lubo Jack Raskovic placed his business into liquidation with debts of around $2.5 million, leaving 45 creditors, mostly Indian migrants, out of pocket in October. Credit:Nick Moir In return, Global Skills agreed to provide "recruitment services" that included "gathering CVs and requesting references", "facilitating interviews and placement opportunities" and "supporting the offer and acceptance process". A job is not guaranteed, however clients are entitled to a refund of their fees paid less reasonable expenses if employment lasts for less than 12 months. In April 2015, he received a written job offer from the chief executive of a landscaping company on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.

A "letter of engagement" sighted by SBS and Fairfax Media purports to show the landscaping business offering him a job. The company's boss said he had never heard of Mr Raskovic or his company Global Skills. "Never have I entered into an agreement with anyone to do with that stuff," the firm's boss said. Asked to respond to the allegations, Mr Raskovic said he had advice not to talk. He did not respond to written questions. After several other jobs failed to eventuate, Mr Kocherla, who has two young children, was forced to leave Australia and return to India. Clients, employers in the same boat Clients aren't the only ones angry at Mr Raskovic. Employers claim they were offered cash payments in exchange for either taking on a migrant worker or sponsoring a visa outcome, but never received them.

Under new laws introduced in December 2015, it is illegal to offer or provide money in exchange for a sponsored work-visa arrangement. Maximum penalties for individuals are up to $50,400 per offence which rises to $252,000 for bodies corporate. Mr Raskovic declined to answer questions on the payment of fees, however internal documents seen by SBS and Fairfax Media refer on one occasion to a "training fee" of $10,000 offered to employers. Mr Olm said the $10,000 he was promised would only be handed over after the visa had been granted. "Once they get approved, we are supposed to get 10 grand," he said. When he met the worker he said he didn't have the necessary experience, but kept him on anyway.

"I was happy to keep him, I mean they siphoned 50 grand out of the kid," he said. After the worker received his visa, Mr Olm rang Mr Raskovic to collect his payment. But Mr Olm said he never received the money and is now considering legal action. Another business owner, Garry Rogers, who runs the Noosaville Meat Markets, north of Brisbane, said he was offered as much as $10,000 to take on a migrant worker. "I was told I could get five grand, maybe 10, if he stayed on," he said.

A former client, Vanni (not her real name), said Mr Raskovic targets the desire of migrants to stay in Australia. "He tells you, if you start this job then of course you will settle down here permanently, because there's a few visas where you can get sponsorship," she said. "And he used to show all the business completing  immigration requirements, like the business is good enough to sponsor a student. That's how he tricks [you]." One former client, Ankur, not his full name, now drives an Uber to earn back the $50,000 he said he paid to Mr Raskovic. He borrowed money from his father, who had to take out a loan. "If Jack doesn't give me my money back what am I going to say my dad," he said. "The money which he earned in his entire life?"

'I took a big risk' Clients say the effect has been devastating. Harmandeep Brar, a trained mechanic said he paid $45,000 for a mechanics job at a waste services company called We Kando Pty Ltd in Chinchilla. "I took a big risk in my life. It was small town," he said. He was eventually fired after two months. He claims that the job was primarily a manual labour role despite the employment contract describing it as a mechanic role.

"I told them 'you find the wrong job for us' ... I haven't worked with a diesel machine," he said. He demanded his money back from Mr Raskovic's company but said he has received nothing. Another claims he is owed $35,000 on the promise of a managerial position. He does not want to be identified because his parents in India still do not know he lost the money. He ended up driving between Brisbane and Roma - a 500-kilometre journey - going door-to-door looking for work. "I slept in the car and I went town to town," he said.

'A more legal way of doing his business' Schon Condon was appointed as the liquidator of Global Skills and met with Mr Raskovic last month. "He said he had lost a legal action and was looking at reinventing a better way - and presumably a more legal way - of doing his business," Mr Condon said. At the meeting Mr Raskovic indicated the company had no assets. But the joint SBS-Fairfax Media investigation has uncovered text messages and emails from January 2017 from Raskovic's company asking clients to pay money into a Westpac account. According to invoices obtained by SBS and Fairfax Media, in the six months before Global Skills was put into liquidation, two companies linked to Mr Raskovic sought payment for almost $1 million for services including rent, management fees and consultants fees for Mr Raskovic himself.

While the company was still solvent, clients were told to deposit their money into an account linked to a separate entity owned by Mr Raskovic, which holds the title for his $3 million Bella Vista Waters home, and a number of cars including a Black Porsche station wagon purchased earlier this year. Already disqualified Mr Raskovic has previously been disqualified from managing companies for four years from 2008 after the Australian Securities and Investments Commission found he allowed three companies to trade while insolvent. Global Skills and Business Services Pty Ltd also continues to be identified as operating another recruitment website - www.rsms457.com - which promises to connect job seekers with employers who "in many cases are able to provide Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme and 457 [visa] sponsorships." According to contracts seen by SBS and Fairfax Media, a company linked to Mr Raskovic would offer job-spotters a $2000 payment for finding work for migrants that would lead to a visa application. Instalments would be paid upon job placement with the remainder "upon completion, lodgement and approval of all requisite employer sponsorship documentation".
Two men have been charged after more than 20 kilograms of cocaine was seized during a joint-agency investigation into international drug trafficking by NSW Police and the Australian Border Force.

A joint investigation into the importation and supply of cocaine was established by police detectives from the drug squad and investigators from the ABF in September, called Strike Force Brundson.

As part of their joint inquiries, ABF officers inspected a large consignment from Spain on Monday, October 9, where they located and seized 21 kilograms of cocaine concealed in tiles.

The cocaine has an estimated street value of $6.3 million.
Jera Munya Van-Davis was riding his bicycle home from school when he was clipped by a semi-trailer and yanked beneath it.

The 15-year-old was turning onto Geelong Road from Sunshine Road in West Footscray, when he was dragged under the vehicle for about 10 metres, then spat out onto the kerb.

The boy's femur, tibia and fibula had all broken, but it was the sight of his leg that made him scream.
Melburnians have woken to another steamy day with the warm weather expected to continue, causing train delays and possible flash flooding on the city's outskirts.

A top of 34 degrees is forecast for Melbourne on Tuesday and it will be even warmer in other parts of the state.

Geelong V/Line has already warned of heat delays, which come into effect when the temperature hits 36 degrees.
Crisis? What crisis? Now that the Turnbull government has lost its parliamentary majority, and with the media talking non-stop of a constitutional crisis, the common question is how serious is Australia's situation.

The first point is that the government has not fallen. Nor is it likely to. Greens leader Richard Di Natale claims Malcolm Turnbull won't survive till Christmas. That's wishful thinking, not hard analysis.

Turnbull's majority would be restored if his government wins both the looming byelections. But even if it doesn't, even if Barnaby Joyce and John Alexander lose their byelections, Turnbull will simply continue as the leader of a minority government. As the Gillard government did for three years.

Minority government in most democracies worldwide is normal, and in most of Australia's states. Turnbull would be in trouble only if he lost the backing of the two crossbench MPs who have given undertakings to support the government on the survival votes  confidence and supply.
One Nation has lost a member in the Senate after the man replacing Malcolm Roberts - Queensland publican Fraser Anning - quit the party on his first morning on the job.

Party leader Pauline Hanson issued a press release on Monday confirming Senator Anning had "abandoned" the party to stand as an independent.

The move comes after weeks of behind-the-scenes friction between Senator Hanson - a strong backer of Mr Roberts - and members of Mr Anning's incoming staff.

Senior former staffers for Mr Roberts are now on Senator Anning's staff - and have been working with him for some time, including while Mr Roberts was still a senator.
By PTI: New Delhi, Nov 13 (PTI) The number of Indians studying in the US increased by 12.3 per cent in 2016-17, according to a report released by the US Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs today.

The number of foreign students in the US increased by 3 per cent over the previous year and the number of Americans studying abroad grew by 4 percent, according to the 2017 Open Doors Report on international exchange data.

advertisement

India is the second leading place of origin for students coming to the US. Indians account for 17.3 per cent of the total foreign students in America, it said.

36.2 per cent of the Indian students in America are enrolled in engineering courses, while 35.4 per cent of them are pursuing maths and computer science. 56 per cent of the Indian students are studying at the graduate level.

In 2016-17, US colleges and universities hosted a record 1.08 million foreign students.

The number of students from the US to India to study for academic credit at their home university decreased by 5.8 per cent during the period, the report said.

"American universities provide unparallelled access to instructors and a wide variety of internship and research opportunities.

"We strongly support educational exchanges because of shared benefits, not just in economic terms but in our mutual understanding of each other," said Karl M Adam, Deputy Cultural Affairs Officer at the US Embassy here. PTI GJS GVS

--- ENDS ---
Washington: Donald Trump jnr has confirmed he had multiple online conversations during the 2016 presidential campaign with WikiLeaks, which last year released a hacked trove of Democrats' emails.

WikiLeaks sent a series of requests  some acted upon  to Donald Trump jnr in the run-up the 2016 US election, according to a report in The Atlantic.

Julian Assange Credit:AP

The article says the private messages reveal a number of "increasingly bold requests" by the "radical transparency" group to the son of the then presidential candidate.

WikiLeaks, led by Australian Julian Assange, suggested stories for candidate Donald Trump to comment on Twitter, the messages show.
Sign up for our amNY Sports email newsletter to get insights and game coverage for your favorite teams

They got a new lease on a new life.

A Syrian refugee family who made it into the U.S. while President Trumps travel ban was blocked by the courts is starting a new life in Bay Ridge with the help of a local organization that helps immigrants. The family, which arrived in the Ridge this past spring, is grateful for the chance to live in peace, largely thanks to the citys first and largest Arabic-speaking social service agency, according to its youngest daughter.

Theyre so nice and friendly, said 22-year-old Souzan Jwan Kanj of the staffers and volunteers at the Arab American Family Support Center.

The center, which was started in 1994 in Downtown, aims to help newly arrived refugees become self-sufficient and active members of their communities. The group launched a New Immigrants and Refugees Fund in July with the goal of supporting displaced individuals who settle in the New York area by helping to pay off their airfare costs  which all refugees must pay back to the State Department within three years  and providing them with mental health treatment services, English language courses, and job training, according to the head of the organization, who said that all donations to the fund go directly to services for the families.

These are peoples neighbors and future contributors to society, said Rawaa Nancy Albilal. They have gone through so much and they deserve the best.

The fund has helped 16 families so far  more than 65 people  including the Jwan Kanj clan, which paid back more than $1,200 of the $3,600-plus in airfare costs it owes the U.S. government with aid from its coffers. But the fund still needs to raise about $150,000 to relieve the rest of the families of their airfare debts.

The U.N. refugee agency gave the Jwan Kanj family about $4,100 upon arrival, but the family of four is still struggling, since refugees do not receive subsidized or discounted housing. Instead, they get help from relatives to pay $1,500 every month for their two-bedroom Ridge apartment, where their mother, Sadika, sleeps on the pullout couch in the living room.

The family had a fraught, five-year journey across three countries to reach the U.S., but its members never imagined they would have to uproot their lives and leave their home country, according to the oldest daughter.

We were living a normal life, before the war, said 26-year-old Amina.

The family first fled Syria for Turkey in October 2012, about a year after its only boy, the now 24-year-old Shirwan, started peacefully protesting against the oppressive regime with other students at his university in Aleppo. The group of kin fled Aleppo when Sadika began worrying that the protests would make her son a target of the regime.

Once they arrived in Istanbul, Shirwan supported his mother and two sisters by working at a factory while the matriarch applied for asylum in the U.S. through the United Nations. For the next four years, the family lived and worked in Turkey, slowly losing hope they would ever be approved to migrate to America. They even spent three days and nights lost in a forest in November 2013 after a smuggler swindled them out of hundreds of dollars, promising them that the wooded area would lead to the Bulgarian border  which was actually almost 200 miles away.

Once they made it out of the forest and returned to Istanbul, the family was in such a desperate state that they were prepared to make the perilous  and illegal  journey to Greece by sea. But as they made preparations for the trip, they finally received a long-awaited call from the United Nations with their approval to come to America.

Almost three-and-a-half years passed before the Jwan Kanj family was finally able to make the trip to the U.S., however, where the group arrived in New York on April 5  despite thinking they would be barred from entering due to President Trumps latest travel ban signed on March 6, according to Souzan.

We had lost hope to come here, she said.

Her sister added that they began losing hope last November, when President Trump was elected.

I started to cry when Trump won, Amina said. We thought, well never go there. 

And even though they were able to make it into the U.S. after President Trumps two attempts at instituting a so-called anti-Muslim travel ban, the presidents inflammatory rhetoric about Muslims, refugees, and immigrants gave many Americans incorrect impressions of Syrians as well as a limited understanding of the significant challenges refugees face back in their home countries, according to Shirwan.

After the ban, a lot of Americans think that all Syrians are terrorists, he said.

Amina added that refugees are overwhelmingly innocent people who are trying to flee political strife, oppressive regimes, and dangerous living conditions in order to live in peace.

Most of these countries need someone to help [refugees], because theres a lot of people from these countries that deserve to leave, she said.

And Albilal said that many refugees arrive in the U.S. with almost nothing but emotional wounds from tough journeys.

Many fled overnight with just a bag and the clothes on their backs, she said.

Shirwan, Amina, and Souzan are focused on finding jobs that can they can do while studying, because Shirwan and his sister, Amina, both want to go back to school in the U.S. Shirwan wants to study architecture, and Amina dreams of studying computer science at Columbia or New York University. Souzan, the youngest, is taking an English-as-a-second-language course at Kingsborough College in Manhattan Beach and eventually hopes to pursue a liberal arts education.

The family found flavors of its home country in the form of native treats and foods at Bay Ridge markets, thanks to the large Arab population in the nabe and the borough  which has the third-largest population of Arabs in the U.S., according to Albilal. And even though many of the New Yorkers the family has met have been kind and understanding, its members said they would also like to meet more Syrian people, to feel like theyre part of a community that can help them get through the tough times, according to Souzan.

We want to meet more Syrian people, she said. Its so hard to find Syrian people just to remind you of your country.

But even though they miss parts of their old life in Syria, the resettled refugees know they cannot go back to their hometown  and they dont want to, Shirwan added.

Its an impossible choice, he said. I dont want to go back to that city. I hate it now.

To donate to the Arab American Family Support Center and help the Jwan Kanj family and others like them, visit www.aafscny.org/ donate and choose The New Immigrants and Refugees Fund from the drop-down menu.
Irish mortgage lender permanent tsb (PTSB), which has reduced the size of its loan book, will not have to hold an extra buffer of capital from 2019 because it is no longer large enough to be considered a systemically important bank, Ireland's Central Bank said on Friday.

Like other European banks, Irish lenders identified as systemically important to the domestic economy due to their size and market share have to hold additional capital to increase their ability to withstand losses on their lending.

The Central Bank began applying the new rules in 2015 and last year added PTSB to its list, setting the amount of extra capital it had to set aside at 0.25% of risk-weighted assets from July 2019, rising to 0.5% a year later.

PTSB, the smallest of Ireland's three domestically-owned lenders which is more exposed to the cost of regulation than its rivals, completed a deleveraging programme last year by selling the remains of its mortgage book in the United Kingdom.

The Central Bank kept the mark for the other two larger domestic banks, Allied Irish Banks and Bank of Ireland , at 1.5 percent, to be phased in at a rate of 0.5% per year from July 2019.

It also increased the buffer set to be applied to Citigroup by 2021 to 1% from 0.5% previously due to "its increased importance". It will be introduced at 0.25% in 2019 and 0.5% in 2020.

Citigroup shifted the head office of its European retail banking operation to Dublin from London in 2015.

The buffers for RBS's Irish retail unit Ulster Bank and UniCredit's Irish subsidiary, which is primarily involved in structured finance and treasury activities, were unchanged at 0.5% and 0.25% respectively.

The buffers for Other Systemically Important Institutions (O-SIIs) can be set at between 0 and 2.5% and are aimed at protecting lenders from potential losses related to excessive credit growth.

Ireland's banks required the euro zone's costliest state bailout following a 2008 property crash, with inadequate regulation identified as one of the causes. (Reuters)

Source: www.businessworld.ie
American direct investment in financial services that would normally head for Britain will be diverted in part to Dublin because of Brexit, Ireland's financial services minister Michael D'Arcy said on Friday.

Dublin's financial services sector is being boosted by banks, insurers and asset managers in London who are applying for licenses for a new EU hub in the Irish capital to serve customers in the bloc after Britain leaves in 2019.

There is also a second "pipeline" of financial firms with a Dublin base already that want to expand their Irish operations by shifting more products, activities and staff from London, D'Arcy said.

Irish agencies are now dealing with 100 UK-based companies - funds, banks and insurers - seeking authorisation or extension of existing licenses due to Brexit, he said.

"We have a substantial pipeline," D'Arcy said.

"But there is another pipeline that is going unnoticed, which is from the United States in particular," D'Arcy told Reuters during a visit to London.

"We are certainly seeing from the United States the opportunity to increase that pipeline. It's a process that's happening. It's the bigger pipeline ... longer term."

The volume of investment in financial services from this source will be "multiple times bigger" than business coming from Britain, said D'Arcy, just back from visiting "household named" banks in New York.

"We expect more traffic from American institutions."

While Brexit will create opportunities for Dublin, the bloc's loss of a major market-friendly country that had a huge influence on financial regulation is a source of concern for Ireland.

The bloc is speeding up efforts to create a capital markets union by strengthening EU control at the expense of national securities regulators.

"One of those with the same mindset as ourselves is leaving the room. There are other countries that are more protectionist," D'Arcy said.

"It's important that those of us with a similar non-protectionist view, a similar mindset, that they don't allow themselves to be diluted. I certainly get a sense that is happening currently," D'Arcy said. (Reuters)

Source: www.businessworld.ie
Billionaire Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates is to invest $50 million in the Dementia Discovery Fund, a venture capital fund that brings together industry and government to seek treatments for the brain-wasting disease.

The investment - a personal one and not part of Gates' philanthropic Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation - will be followed by another $50 million in start-up ventures working in Alzheimer's research, Gates said.

With rapidly rising numbers of people suffering from Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia, the disease is taking a growing emotional and financial toll as people live longer, Gates told Reuters in an interview.

"It's a huge problem, a growing problem, and the scale of the tragedy - even for the people who stay alive - is very high," he said.

Despite decades of scientific research, there is no treatment that can slow the progression of Alzheimer's. Current drugs can do no more than ease some of the symptoms.

Gates said, however, that with focused and well-funded innovation, he's "optimistic" treatments can be found, even if they might be more than a decade away.

"It'll take probably 10 years before new theories are tried enough times to give them a high chance of success. So it's very hard to hazard a guess (when an effective drug might be developed).

"I hope that in the next 10 years that we have some powerful drugs, but it's possible that won't be achieved."

Dementia, of which Alzheimer's is the most common form, affects close to 50 million people worldwide and is expected to affect more than 131 million by 2050, according to the non-profit campaign group Alzheimers Disease International.

The DDF, which was launched in 2015 and involves drugmakers GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson & Johnson, Eli Lilly, Pfizer and Biogen Idec as well as the UK government, has already invested in at least nine start-up companies investigating potential ways to stop or reverse the biological processes that lead to dementia.

Gates told Reuters the additional $50 million would be put into start-ups working on some "less mainstream" approaches to the disease, but said he had not yet identified these companies.

The philanthropist, whose usual focus is on infectious diseases in poorer countries, said Alzheimer's caught his interest partly for personal reasons, and partly because it has so far proved such a tough nut to crack.

"I know how awful it is to watch people you love struggle as the disease robs them of their mental capacity ... It feels a lot like you're experiencing a gradual death of the person that you knew," he said in a blog post about the dementia investments.

"Some of the men in my family have suffered from Alzheimer's, but I wouldn't say that's the sole reason" (for this investment)," he added.

Jeremy Hughes, chief executive of the Alzheimer's Society charity, welcomed Gates' "significant personal investment," saying it would speed up progress towards a cure and help reduce stigma around dementia: "With Bill Gates now joining all those already united against dementia, there is new hope for advances in the care and cure of dementia," he said in a statement.

Through talking to experts in the field over the past year, Gates said he had identified five areas of need: Understanding better how Alzheimer's unfolds, detecting and diagnosing it earlier, pursuing multiple approaches to trying to halt the disease, making it easier for people to take part in clinical trials of potential new medicines, and using data better.

"My background at Microsoft and my (Gates) Foundation background say to me that a data-driven contribution might be an area where I can help add some value," he said.

Alongside the $50 million investment in DDF and the additional $50 million planned for start-ups, Gates said he would like to award a grant to build a global dementia data platform. This would make it easier for researchers to look for patterns and identify new pathways for treatment, he said. (Reuters)

Source: www.businessworld.ie
Automakers are looking to take advantage of internet companies' big data and mapping expertise. Changan has partnered with firms such as Huawei, Baidu, Tencent, Alibaba and Intel to build 'smart cars.' Pictured is a Changan engineer road-testing a driverless car on a Beijing highway. Photo: Visual China

Chinese automaker Changan has received clearance to test autonomous vehicles on public roads in California, a company executive said over the weekend.

Californias regulations for road-testing unmanned cars took effect in September 2014. As of last month, the states transportation department had issued 43 road-testing licenses.

Manufacturers that apply for a license need to undergo simulations of complex traffic scenarios to ensure they can safely operate on public roads, according to the states compliance authority. In addition, manufacturers are also required to put down a $5 million security deposit with the government.

Early in 2016, Changan Automobile (Group) Co. Ltd. completed a 2,000 kilometer (1,240 mile) road test from the southwestern metropolis of Chongqing to Beijing, said Li Wei, one of the companys vice presidents.

Much like the electric vehicle industry, which has benefited from government incentives, autonomous driving has also been identified by the central government as an industry it wants to support so domestic companies can leapfrog their Western competitors.

Internet titans including Baidu Inc., Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. and Tencent Holdings Ltd. have sought closer ties with traditional automakers to break into the business. In August, Baidu and Anhui Jianghuai Automobile announced plans to roll out a semi-autonomous car by the second half of 2019.

For their part, the automakers want to take advantage of the internet companies technological expertise, particularly with big data and mapping. Changan has formed partnerships up with technology giants such as Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., Baidu, Tencent, Alibaba and Intel Corp. to develop smart cars, Li said.

Despite the government push, China remains in the slow lane of road-testing driverless vehicles because the countrys existing laws dont allow it.

In July, a video of Baidu CEO Robin Li testing an autonomous vehicle on Beijings Fifth Ring Road  with his hands off the wheel  set off a debate about whether the excursion was legal.

However, in September, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said that it was working on regulations to give the green light for driverless car companies to conduct tests on public roadways in the future.

A source close to the ministry has told Caixin that an outline of road-testing rules for unmanned vehicles has been completed, though there was not yet a clear timetable.

Industry experts have called on Beijing to remove more obstacles in existing laws to speed up the development of autonomous driving. There are more than 20 regulations holding back the development of the technology, according to Wu Xuebin, a Baidu executive.

Wu said autonomous driving technology should be a priority on par with artificial intelligence. He predicted 2025 would be a turning point for the technology, which would then enter mass production around 2050.

Contact reporter Mo Yelin (yelinmo@caixin.com)
Most Southeast Asian countries pledged to reduce customs duties on Hong Kong goods over the next decade. In return, Hong Kong, home to one of the worlds busiest ports, will allow tariff-free access for all products originating from member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Photo: Visual China

(Hong Kong)  Hong Kong has signed a landmark free trade deal with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), in a move the citys commerce secretary says could further integrate Hong Kong into Chinas Belt and Road initiative.

The free trade agreement, along with a related investment agreement, was signed on Sunday in the Philippines by representatives from Hong Kong and the 10 member states of the association.

The agreement covers tariff reductions for Hong Kong exports, as well as a dispute settlement mechanism.

All ASEAN member states are also economies along the Belt & Road, said Edward Yau, Hong Kongs Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, in an official statement by the Hong Kong government. The deals will cater for our strategy to tap the business opportunities offered by the Belt and Road Initiative, Yau said.

Singapore, Hong Kongs biggest trading partner in ASEAN, will commit to keeping its customs duties on Hong Kong goods at zero. Other ASEAN countries pledged to reduce customs duties for certain tariff lines over the next decade. In return, Hong Kong will allow tariff-free access for all products originating from ASEAN member states.

The deal, which was negotiated over three years and is still subject to the completion of necessary procedures, could come into effect as early as 2019, according to the statement.

The Special Administrative Region has lately been expanding its participation in Chinas Belt and Road initiative, launched by President Xi Jinping in 2013 to promote international trade links.

In January, then-Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying announced the expansion of Hong Kongs Belt and Road office. In September, commerce chief Yau said at a summit that Hong Kong would prioritize bilateral trade agreements with Belt and Road countries. A cooperation agreement between Hong Kong and Chinas National Development and Reform Commission is also in the works.

The ASEAN member states are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Contact reporter Teng Jing Xuan (jingxuanteng@caixin.com)
Hohhot, capital of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, has canceled construction on its subway Lines 3 and 4. Work on subway Lines 1 and 2, scheduled for completion in 2020, won't be affected. Above, Hohhot Deputy Mayor Sun Jianhua discusses the design of the city's proposed subway on Aug. 20, 2015, in Hohhot. Photo: Visual China

Another city in northern Chinas Inner Mongolia autonomous region has halted construction of subway projects worth billions of dollars, as the central government tightens scrutiny of local authorities infrastructure financing.

Separate sources from banks and regulatory bodies told Caixin that Hohhot, the capital city of Inner Mongolia, scrapped plans to build two subway lines and one expressway linking the city with Ordos, a mining city in southwest Inner Mongolia.

The abandoned construction in Hohhot followed similar moves in neighboring Baotou, also in Inner Mongolia. Caixin learned from sources close to the matter that the central government called off a 30 billion yuan ($4.5 billion) subway construction project in Baotou in August because of concerns over the drain on city coffers.

The cancellation of the Inner Mongolia subway projects is having a ripple effect in other cities. Several city governments, including those of Xianyang in Shaanxi province and Wuhan in Hubei province, said in statements that their subway plan are unlikely to win immediate approval under the central governments crackdown on financial risks related to borrowing for such projects.

In Hohhot, the canceled subway Lines 3 and 4, involving a total investment of 27 billion yuan, were to be part of an urban subway network project approved by the State Council in April 2014. Hohhot planned to build 54.9 kilometers (34.1 miles) of subway lines to serve the citys 3 million people with investment totaling 95 billion yuan by 2023.

Construction of subway Lines 1 and 2, which began in 2015 and scheduled to be completed by 2020, will not be affected, according to a source from Inner Mongolia Communications Investment Co., a government-backed infrastructure contractor.

Hohhot also halted a 26.4 billion yuan plan to build a 181-kilometer expressway to Ordos, as approved by the regional government in July.

While new city-rail projects have been encouraged in China since 2015 to boost economic growth, the construction halts in Inner Mongolia reflect tightening scrutiny by the central government as part of efforts to contain local-government borrowing risks, sources told Caixin. The central government noticed the heavy spending plans in Baotou and Hohhot in August and told the cities to halt the projects and use the money to support business development and peoples livelihood instead, sources told Caixin.

The sources from Inner Mongolia Communications Investment said regional and city governments have since issued policies to reassess local infrastructure investment projects and related financing plans.

Contact reporter Han Wei (weihan@caixin.com)
By PTI: New Delhi, Nov 13 (PTI) Norway would extend its full cooperation to India in improving maternal and newborn child healthcare as inequitable mortality across states in this area here remains a challenge, its envoy said.

Observing that Indias success in achieving sustainable development goals (SDG) has a huge impact on global goal achievement, Norwegian Ambsassador to India Nils Ragnar Kamsvag said that his countrys cooperation will continue to focus on global health issues of common interest.

advertisement

"The main challenge in the field of maternal, newborn and child health is that mortality continues to be inequitable across states and districts.

"The data from the 2015-2016 national family health survey demonstrates this clearly," he told PTI.

He also commended the Indian governments decision to focus efforts on the 102 high priority districts that account for 86 per cent of total maternal and 70 per cent of total child deaths in the country.

Norway, he said, is a partner of the Indian government, and take the objectives, as outlined in the National Health Policy 2017 for achievement of sustainable development goals, as the common point of departure.

"More concretely, our future cooperation will focus on supporting the government in the implementation of the District Implementation Plan for Improving Maternal and Child Health Outcomes in India from September 2017," he said.

A letter of Intent was signed on the September 28 between the Indian MInistry of Health and Family Welfare and Norways foreign affairs ministry through which both the nations affirmed to work together to improve reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health in India.

Also, Norway India partnership Initiative (NIPI) designs and tests innovations, that, if found successful, are taken over and scaled up by the Indian government.

It also provides strategic and catalytic support to the state and national health mission.

Kamsvag said he has visited Bihar, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Jammu and Kashmir, the five states where NIPI is working, in the last 12 months and these visits have given him a variety of insights and experiences.

"The main success factor of NIPI is the fact that we have provided innovative, catalytic and strategic techno-managerial support to the government, based on the latters own priority areas.

"The future cooperation in health will continue to run on this key strength, whilst also extending our cooperation to other global health areas of common interest," he said.

The envoy said both the countries are already working together on health research projects, and are partners in the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI).

advertisement

"I believe that there is scope for even stronger collaboration," he said.

The Norwaygian Ambassador said he has been overwhelmed by the sheer complexity of India, and the strides it is making towards improving its healthcare quotient.

"For a country 200 times more populated than Norway, and having distinctly different lifestyle cultures in each of its states, challenges are natural and inevitable," he said.

He however said that he was optimistic that the Indian leadership will continue to invest in better information management systems and effective cross sectoral working between various departments to enhance the existing usefulness of healthcare delivery provisions. PTI TDS DIP

--- ENDS ---
Published On Nov 13, 2017 06:18 PM By Raunak

The new MQB-based SUV will sit between VW's upcoming T-Cross compact SUV and the Tiguan in the South American market and will see the light of the day in 2020

German conglomerate Volkswagen Group has announced yet another SUV based on its popular MQB platform (Modularer Quer Baukasten a.k.a Modular Transverse Matrix) in the South American region. The SUV will roll out in Argentina in 2020 for the entire continent. Is it India-bound? Let us find out!

Pictured: Skoda Karoq

According to the media there, this new SUV, which is yet to get an official name, will sit between the yet to be revealed Polo-based compact SUV, the T-Cross, and the Tiguan, similar to the Skoda Karoq. For the uninitiated, the Skoda Karoq is the Yetis replacement and is likely India-bound in 2018 and has already been spotted in the country. Further, VW currently retails the Tiguan (Rs 27.49 lakh - 30.87 lakh) in India and the T-Cross compact SUV is expected to be introduced here as a rival to the Hyundai Creta (Rs 9.29 lakh - 14.55 lakh, all prices, ex-showroom, New Delhi). So, theres vast space left between the two for a midsize SUV to drive in and breathe comfortably in VW's lineup.

While the T-Cross will be based on the MQB A0 platform, which is a smaller avatar of the MQB, same as the new Polo, the new SUV will underpin the MQB platform like the Skoda Karoq, Kodiaq, and the VW Tiguan among others.

Check out: VW T-Cross Spied For The First Time

In South America, this new VW SUV will primarily compete with the Jeep Compass. Brazil was the first country to manufacture and sell the Compass last November and till now Jeep has retailed over 45,000 SUVs there, making it the bestselling model in the midsize SUV space there.

Launched earlier this year in India, the Compass is the bestselling model in its segment here as well (averages around 2500 units monthly) thanks to its cut-throat pricing (Rs 15.16 lakh - 21.37 lakh ex-showroom, New Delhi). This indicates that the midsize SUV segment is on a boom. And while Skoda is likely to launch the Karoq soon in this segment, this new SUV could be VWs answer for the same.

Pictured: Skoda Karoq

At the recent launch of the VW Passat, Steffen Knapp Director, Volkswagen Passenger Cars India, told us that they are unlikely to bring the newly introduced T-Roc midsize SUV here mainly because it would cannibalise the Tiguan, which is priced between Rs 27.49 lakh - 30.87 lakh. Now, since the new SUV in question is believed to be loosely based on the Skoda Karoq, which is anticipated to be locally assembled in Aurangabad and is likely be competitively priced, VW India could mull over introducing the same as well. If launched, both the SUVs will largely go up against the Jeep Compass.

Pictured: Skoda Karoq

Check out: Meet India-Bound Skoda Karoq, Yetis Replacement
This op-ed written by Gro Harlem Brundtland and Jimmy Carter was published by Time.

Gro Harlem Brundtland is a former Prime Minister of Norway and former Director-General of the World Health Organisation. Jimmy Carter is a former President of the United States of America. Both are members of The Elders, a group of independent leaders, founded by Nelson Mandela ten years ago, who work together for peace, justice and human rights. The Elders are campaigning with civil society partners for UHC as part of the #WalkTogether initiative, highlighting courageous moral leadership in communities around the world. Dr Brundtland is Deputy Chair of The Elders. President Carter is an Elder Emeritus.

"Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" are the inalienable rights at the heart of the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America. The text is as dear today to the hearts of the American people as it was when Thomas Jefferson first penned his words nearly two and a half centuries ago.

But these fundamental rights are denied to millions of Americans because they do not enjoy one of the essential foundations of a fair society: the right to health.

Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is a target defined in the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and it is achieved when everybody receives the health care they need without suffering financial hardship.

Twice in the last five years, all countries of the world have gathered in New York and committed themselves to achieve this noble goal, and it is the explicit health priority of the World Bank and the World Health Organization.

The Elders  the group of independent former leaders founded by Nelson Mandela, of which we have the honor to be members  has been campaigning for UHC at a global and national level for the past two years. We believe that it is as vital an issue for the US as it is for any other country in the world, and that with bold leadership from national and state leaders, it could and should become a reality.

Even after the Affordable Care Act slashed the number of uninsured Americans by about 20 million, another 28 million still lack any health insurance coverage. Many millions more who do have insurance still face unaffordable co-payments whenever they use health services.

In 2010, before the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, an estimated 26,000 Americans died prematurely due to their lack of health coverage.

This represents a violation of basic human rights. Millions of Americans cannot live healthy lives, or protect their children from illness or disease.

In a country as rich as the United States, blessed with talented medical professionals, world-class hospitals and research institutes, and an almost unparalleled capacity for technological innovation, the lack of universal health coverage should be a national scandal.

It is all the more scandalous given the extremely high cost of the US health care system, which takes up 17.1 percent of Gross National Product. This is 40 percent higher than the average for high-income countries, but the heavy reliance on private financing leads to severe inefficiencies and inequalities within the system. Around a third of health expenditure is spent on administrative costs rather than infrastructure or patient care.

None of this is inevitable, and a viable alternative is close at hand. For US neighbors and allies such as Canada and the United Kingdom, UHC has been a cherished element of the social contract between government and citizens for decades. UHC is also now an explicit Sustainable Development Goal of all countries, and some developing countries such as Thailand and Sri Lanka are already covering their entire populations.

Why should Americans not enjoy the same health rights as citizens of other countries around the globe? Why does the US have a lower life expectancy than Costa Rica (which has UHC), and a higher maternal mortality rate than Kazakhstan? Why should health care costs remain the biggest cause of bankruptcy in the US, thwarting the hopes and ambitions of hardworking families?

The answer is quite simple: commercial self-interest.

The US healthcare industry, pharmaceutical companies and private insurance firms have assiduously lobbied for decades at state and federal levels to protect their business interests. Their spokespeople and spin doctors distort arguments, so that concepts that are commonplace in almost every other industrialized country are portrayed as outlandish and dangerous.

Challenging this consensus takes political courage and commitment.

President Obamas health reforms were a step in the right direction, especially in making health insurance mandatory, and not allowing insurance companies to exclude people with pre-existing conditions. Millions of American women also benefited from accessing free family planning services on their health insurance plans thanks to the Affordable Care Act.

But the tide has turned in the White House over the past twelve months, leading the health care debate into treacherous waters. President Trump seems intent on dismantling his predecessors reforms, through successive executive orders, including a halt on federal funding to provide health insurance coverage for nine million vulnerable children.

What gives us hope, however, is that the American people do not agree with this approach. A recent poll in The Economist shows that 60 percent of Americans want to see publicly-funded Medicare expanded to cover all citizens, and some political leaders are beginning to respond to their voters concerns.

States including California, Ohio, Colorado, Vermont and New York are all seeing moves to bring publicly-financed UHC at a state level. We urge them to lead the way.

The chaos and paralysis surrounding health reform on Capitol Hill must not be an excuse for vested interests to regain the initiative and block progress. Responsible leaders and citizens must come together and demand Americans enjoy the same rights to health as their fellow global citizens.

The Elders will stand in solidarity with you to make Jeffersons dream a reality.

#####
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: In Atlanta, Soyia Ellison, soyia.ellison@cartercenter.org

In Kathmandu, Carlos Valenzuela, carlos.valenzuela@cartercenter.org

g]kfnLdf k9\g'xf];

Kathmandu, NEPAL  The Carter Center has launched an international election observation mission to Nepals Nov. 26 and Dec. 7 parliamentary and provincial elections.

This week, 14 long-term observers will join a core team of five experts led by Field Office Director Carlos Valenzuela. Together, the Carter Centers observer team represents 13 countries. Observers will meet regularly with representatives of the Election Commission of Nepal, political parties and candidates, civil society organizations, domestic observers, the international community, and members of the media. They will assess electoral preparations and the pre-electoral environment, including election administration, campaigning, voter education, and other issues.

The long-term observation team will assess the first phase of elections on Nov. 26 and will be joined for the Dec. 7 second phase of elections by a larger delegation of observers, who will assess the voting, counting, and tabulation processes.

"The Carter Center has a long history in Nepal, and we are honored to be present for the first national-level elections since the adoption of the constitution, said Ambassador (ret.) Mary Ann Peters, the Carter Centers CEO. We trust the elections will be peaceful and will help consolidate Nepals democracy."

The Carter Center will assess the electoral process based on Nepals national legal framework and its obligations for democratic elections contained in regional and international agreements. The Center previously observed Constituent Assembly elections in Nepal in 2008 and 2013. The Center has observed 105 elections in 39 countries and conducts its observation mission in accordance with the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation and Code of Conduct for International Election Observers.

###

"Waging Peace. Fighting Disease. Building Hope."

A not-for-profit, nongovernmental organization, The Carter Center has helped to improve life for people in over 80 countries by resolving conflicts; advancing democracy, human rights, and economic opportunity; preventing diseases; and improving mental health care. The Carter Center was founded in 1982 by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, in partnership with Emory University, to advance peace and health worldwide.
If you have just started your journey in an online casino or are looking for a new site to play,...
By PTI: New Delhi, Nov 13 (PTI) More than eight lakh foreign tourists visited India in October 2017, 18 per cent higher than the same period last year, the tourism ministry said in a statement today.

The number of foreign tourist arrivals (FTA) in India last month was 8.76 lakh as compared to FTAs of 7.42 lakh in October 2016 and 6.83 lakh in October 2015.

advertisement

"The growth rate in FTAs in October 2017 over October 2016 has increased to 18.1 per cent, compared to 8.6 per cent in October 2016 over October 2015," the ministry statement said.

Most tourists came from Bangladesh (21.66 per cent) followed by the US (11.57 per cent), the UK (10.23 per cent), Sri Lanka (3.79 per cent), Canada (3.36 per cent), Germany (3.17 per cent), Australia (3.07 per cent), France (2.81 per cent) and Russian Federation (2.81 per cent) among others.

With almost 33 per cent share of FTAs, Delhi airport remained the busiest followed by Mumbai (14.02 per cent), Haridaspur Land Check Post (between Bangladesh and India, (11.29 per cent) and Chennai airport (6.10 per cent).

The ministry compiles monthly estimates of FTAs, including those with e-tourist visas, on the basis of their nationality and port. The estimates are based on data received from the Bureau of Immigration (BOI).

October 2017 also saw a substantial rise in the number of tourists arriving on e-visas.

During October 2017, 1.76 lakh foreign tourists arrived on e-tourist visas as compared to 1.05 lakh during October 2016, registering a growth of 67.3 per cent, the statement said.

During January-October 2017, 12.43 lakh foreign tourists arrived on e-tourist visas against 7.81 lakh during January- October 2016, registering a growth of 59.2 per cent.

Most tourists with e-visas used the Delhi airport (53 per cent) as their port of arrival, followed by Mumbai airport. Tourists from UK (18.2 per cent) availed the e-visa facility the most. PTI ASG MIN

--- ENDS ---
By PTI: Dhaka, Nov 13 (PTI) Over 400 cases of measles have been reported among the newly-arrived Rohingya refugees in southern Bangladesh, prompting the government and the UN partners to step up their immunisation effort, the WHO has said.

As on November 4, one death and 412 suspected cases of measles have been reported among the refugees living in the overcrowded camps and makeshift shelters in Coxs Bazar in Bangladesh, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said in a statement.

advertisement

Of the total cases, 352 are from Ukhia, 46 from Teknaf sub-districts and 11 have been reported from the district hospital.

Majority of the cases ? 398 ? are among the new arrivals and 14 among the host communities, the statement said, adding that as many as 82 per cent of the cases are among children under five years of age.

"Children are especially at risk from outbreaks of measles and other communicable diseases that result from the crowded living conditions, malnutrition and severe lack of water and sanitation in the camps and other sites," said Edouard Beigbeder, UNICEF Bangladesh Representative.

"To halt any wider outbreak, its essential that coordinated efforts begin immediately to protect as many children as possible," Beigbeder said.

"These efforts are aimed at protecting and preventing the spread of measles among the vulnerable population," said N Paranietharan, WHO Representative to Bangladesh.

More than 600,000 Rohingyas have fled to Bangladesh from Myanmar after the outbreak of violence in the countrys Rakhine State. PTI PLB MRJ

--- ENDS ---
By PTI: Hyderabad, Nov 13 (PTI) The Rajasthan government must conduct an "impartial" inquiry into the killing of a man allegedly by cow vigilantes in Alwar district of the state, AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi said here today.

"What is required by the BJP-led Rajasthan government is that an impartial inquiry should be done immediately; and if these Gaurakshaks are involved, it is high time the government take stern action against them," he told reporters.

advertisement

Owaisi said prime ministers statements on incidents involving cow vigilantes were not having the desired impact.

"...I have been stating from day one that whatever the prime minister says, it is not having the desired impact...," he said.

Talking about Rajasthan minister Gulab Chand Katarias comments that the state government did not have enough manpower everywhere to control every situation well in time, Owaisi said it was the governments responsibility to stop such incidents.

"It is their constitutional duty to stop every incident...Unless and until the BJP leaves its ideology wherein a cow is placed above human life, these incidents will continue to happen," the Lok Sabha member from Hyderabad said.

Police have detained a person in connection with the killing of 35-year-old Umar Khan by alleged cow vigilantes in Rajasthans Alwar district.

Reacting to the incident, home minister Gulab Chand Kataria today said the state did not have enough manpower everywhere to "control" every situation well in time.

Asked about the effort of Sri Sri Ravi Shankars efforts vis-a-vis Ayodhya issue, Owaisi said All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) General Secretary, Maulana Wali Rehmani, had stated in a letter that it did not make an offer on the issue.

"...Muslim Personal Law Board has clearly stated that it will not accept him, whatever his offer is there. The letter is there on record which the general secretary has sent to each and every member of the personal law board. So he should not indulge in such kite-flying," he said.

Owaisi also claimed that the demonetisation move did not have the desired effect on checking terror incidents in Jammu and Kashmir. PTI SJR NRB SRY

--- ENDS ---
State Bank forecasts strong cement demand for Pakistan producers

13 November 2017

Pakistan's 11 cement manufacturers are aggressively investing in production capacity, increasing output potential by 30.3Mta (60 per cent) through expansion projectsat a cost of over US$2.225bn in FY17-19 in anticipation of strong domestic demand and improved export potential.

Manufacturers are exploring new markets, such as the Philippines, Qatar, Yemen and Sri Lanka to boost their exports following a recent decline, according to a recently-published annual report of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).



The report added that despite a continued fall in exports, the cement production increased by 4.5 per cent to 37.1Mt in FY17 (following 10.1 per cent rise in FY16), primarily due to higher local dispatches.

Recently, cement manufacturers in the northern regions of the country have slashed prices by around PKR10-25 (US$0.09- US$0.23) per 50kg. This was probably the result of both, a decline in exports to Afghanistan as well as capacity expansions.

The slowdown in construction activities in China has forced cement producers to resort to international markets to export their surplus. Chinese producers, who considerably benefit from economies of scale, present a challenge to Pakistani manufacturers. Furthermore, the lifting of sanctions has also opened up room for Iran to return to cement exports market, with ample surplus capacity available.

Cement exports to India, which began in 2010, have grown by 26.3 per cent in FY17. India has now become the second-largest export market for Pakistani cement exporters, with a 27 per cent share in their total exports. In some cities in the Indian Punjab, such as Amritsar and Ludhiana, Pakistani cement is relatively cheaper than the local manufactured product. This is because imports from plants located in Pakistans northern region are subject to lower transportation cost compared to those in south India, where a third of Indian cement capacities are installed.

Published under
Consortium applies to build 1Mta grinding unit in Athi River

ICR Newsroom By 13 November 2017

A consortium of local quarry operators and institutional investors are planning to establish a KES5bn (US$48.3m) cement plant in Athi River, Kenya.

Global Choice Ltd will build a 1Mta grinding unit at the location. Roller press technology will be used to produce 3000tpd of cement. Clinker for the plan will be imported and transported via the standard gauge railway while pozzolana and gypsum will be locally sourced, creating new revenues for the quarry operators.



The company is currently awaiting approval from the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to build the proposed 1Mta grinding plant and will start making payments for the importation of equipment as soon as NEMA signals the go-ahead. At present, the environment agency has invited written comments and oral submissions in the next 30 days to determine the need for a new factory at the location. The Athi River area currently hosts six cement factories, including Bamburi, ARM Cement, Savannah, National Cement, East African Portland Cement Co Ltd and Mombasa Cement.

Published under
I have never been to Disney World. There, I said it. My parents took my older brother as a youngster while I was in my mothers womb. So I guess I was there in spirit. Nevertheless, I dont feel like I missed out on much, and based on some peoples standards I ended up alright. For some reason, parents at large feel that a Disney World vacation is the ultimate benchmark. Im here to tell you that its not.

Rest assured, I was in no way deprived of Disney productions. Cinderella and The Little Mermaid were my favorite Disney movies as a child. But when I asked my parents why they never brought me back post-womb, they quickly stated that it was because they didnt feel like it was worth it. Plus, my mom said that the long lines were a complete suffer fest.

Financially, Disney World can be quite the undertaking. I gave the folks at Disney a call to price out a six-night, middle-of-the-road Disney World vacation for a family of four. The cost on average was $4,500, not including flights. A fair all-in estimate with flights would be about $7,000 to $8,000, depending on where you live. So the question at hand: Is it worth it? No, its not. And heres why.

1. There are better theme parks

Spending over $100 for a single day pass to the Magic Kingdom is tough to stomach. It may sound ludicrous, but there are theme parks sprinkled all across the United States that are just as fun. For instance, theres Cedar Point, the roller coaster capital boasting 18 roller coasters and 71 rides. And the cost? Less than $60 for the day. Other noteworthy parks that are still cheaper than Disney include Six Flags Great Adventure, Hersheypark, and Knotts Berry Farm to name a few.

Next: Paying $12 for this is basically robbery.

2. Do I really need to explain a $12 hot dog?

All theme park food gets expensive. But $12 for a hot dog? No thanks. The sheer cost of eating within the boundaries of Disney territory is absurd. From reviewer opinions, the quality of the food is mediocre, and for the price of one meal at Disney, you could have a solid grocery run at your favorite store. While it is common knowledge that you can now bring in a cooler of your own food, who wants to lug around a cooler all over Disney? As if wrangling children is not taxing enough.

Next: Your kids wont appreciate this now, but its a far better use of the money.

3. You can invest that money into a college fund

Lets get down to brass tacks. Taking those thousand of dollars you would be spending on a Disney vacation, and throwing it into an investment account for your growing kiddo will be much more beneficial. I guarantee that your child would much rather a semester or two of paid college over a Disney trip that he or she will barely remember. Consider a 529 Plan, which is similar to a 401k or an IRA. Youll be investing your money into mutual funds or the like. When college comes knocking on the door, youll be happy you set aside that extra cash.

Next: Your kids can have just as much fun with this type of vacation.

4. Your kids will have just as much fun camping

You think Im crazy, dont you? Instead of my parents returning to Disney with me and my brother, they opted for road trips, camping, and trips to the mountains. The amount of freedom and independence gained through exposing your children to Mother Nature and all of her possibilities will greatly outweigh hugging a make believe princess actress. Life skills are gained, lessons are learned, and a true understanding of the real world are but a few of the benefits that come from exposing your child to nature. And to boot, there is zero resentment toward my parents for taking us on awesome camping trips!

Next: Disney is a villain to Mother Earth.

5. Disney is an environmentalists nightmare

If the environment is at the top of your list of things you care about, Disney will make you cringe. From the mouse-eared toiletries to the Styrofoam products, there is a ton of waste. While Disney has made conscious efforts to reduce waste across all of their parks, its inevitable that the majority of the souvenirs and purchases made at Disney will end up in the dump. Voting with your dollar is now more important than ever.

Next: Disney isnt exactly the gold standard for vacations.

6. Disney World is not the pinnacle vacation

Its true, folks. Disney World is by no means the ultimate vacation to work towards. For the price of spending one week at Disney, you could spend a week exposing yourself and your children to an entirely different country, learn how to ski, or even pick up surfing. These are the experiences that last a lifetime. Learning a potential new hobby that can be enjoyed for a lifetime is well-worth avoiding a week at Disney.

Next: You just know at some point your kids will do this.

7. Your children will have a meltdown

No matter how much fun could be had at Disney World, your child should be considered a full-on saint if he or she didnt have a meltdown. Of course we all know that kiddos can have unpredictable meltdowns anywhere, but somehow the potential is heightened at Disney. Ive received numerous photos and texts from friends at Disney suffering through their childs complete meltdown. Maybe its the lack of naps, overstimulation, too much sugar, constant walking or a combination of them all, nevertheless keeping up with the fast pace of Disney is tough on everyone.

Next: Are the rides even that great?

8. Many of the rides are disappointing

If you dont do your research, you run a high risk of being disappointed with several of the rides. Considering how much a Disney trip costs and how much time you can spend in line for a simple spinning ride, there are much cheaper ways to get a bigger thrill on vacation.

Next: Why would you pay money to torture yourself?

9. Dont pay thousands to torture yourself

Here we are at the ultimate reason why Disney is a total waste of your money. If you dread the idea of walking past the candy aisle at the grocery store with your children, the last thing you need to do is take them to Disney World. Besides that, if your dream of an ultimate family vacation is sitting on a beach in Costa Rica watching the kids play in the waves and build sand castles while you sip on some sort of frozen fancy cocktail, you should do that instead. Do yourself and your sanity a favor and put your money towards experiences that will enhance the lives of all parties involved.

Next: What people really mean when they complain about crazy prices.

10. The extras are over the top

Disney ticket prices are steep, but what some people are really complaining about when they lament the high cost of visiting the Magic Kingdom is all the extras. Were talking about dinners with costumed characters, pirate cruises, special photos, princess tea parties, and special backstage tours.

All of these enchanting extras can add hundreds of dollars to the cost of your Disney vacation. Yes, they are totally optional. But parents might feel pressure to splurge on a princess makeover at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique (starting at $59.95) or a pirate adventure cruise ($39 to $49). Want to experience a fairy tale breakfast at Cinderellas Castle with appearances by Disney princesses? That will be $60 per adult and $35 per child. The proliferation of these add-on experiences has helped turn Disney World into a playground for the rich and their kids, critics have said.

Even families who say no to high-priced extras might find a Disney trip is out of reach once they consider all the other costs.

Check out The Cheat Sheet on Facebook!
British missionary's death mourned by hundreds in Nigeria

Residents of an isolated Nigerian village are mourning the death of a British missionary who died after being kidnapped by vigilantes.

Hundreds of villagers from Enokhora, an impoverished community in the southern Delta region, dressed in black to parade in honour of Ian Squire, 57, according to local media.

Three other missionaries were also kidnapped but returned alive and are currently in talks with Foreign Office officials in London after their capture.

But Squire, an optician in Surrey, is thought to have died after being unable to access medication for an asthma condition, according to Nigerian press.

The four ran an eye clinic and other medical facilities in the remote area of southern Nigeria for a decade before their kidnap on October 13.

'These people have come all the way from the UK to help us and because of the kidnapping by the Karowei, this led to the death of Doctor Ian,' one community leader said, according to Nigerian media.

'We want to the world to see that we are not happy with the activities of this gang, and to appeal to the federal government to make sure that the Karowei should be brought to book. The loss of Doctor Ian has led to the closure of this clinic.'

Another local, Comrade Michael Ogobiri, said the missionaries had refused to have security guards in spite of previous threats.

'We had set up a local vigilante for them before, but they rejected it because they said they believed in God and they're missionaries,' Mr Ogobiri told the Nigerian Tribune. 'We never believed such could happen. They've been here since 2007.'

Squire was kidnapped alongside former Cambridgeshire GP David Donovan and his wife Shirley, both 57, and Alanna Carson, of Fife.

They have so far refused to comment on their ordeal.
'Chicago PD' season 5 episode 7 preview: Halstead goes undercover

Facebook/NBCChicagoPD

American police procedural drama television series from NBC "Chicago PD" returns for this week with the fifth season's seventh episode titled "Care Under Fire." In the upcoming installment, the team tracks and pursuits a former Army Ranger who is suspected to have kidnapped a boy in the wake of several gang-related child abductions. Voight (Jason Beghe) sends Halstead undercover (Jesse Lee Soffer) to get information from the inside with his experience as a former Ranger.

The promo shows the kidnapped boy being blindfolded and tied to a chair. It also reveals that the abductor is a former friend of Halstead, but no further information is disclosed.

There are a of couple reasons to worry about Halstead as he chases the child abductor. First off, he could still be hurting after losing Lindsay (Sophia Bush). Although this has not been mentioned as of late, it does not necessarily mean that he has gotten over it and is fine already. Second, the Chicago Police Department is still in the process of changing, which means that a lot of eyes are on them, and could spell danger for some of its members.

The episode gives Jesse Lee Soffer a chance to play a character who is different from himself as he goes undercover, giving him an opportunity to show what he can bring to the table as an actor. "Care Under Fire" also centers on his character's past as an Army Ranger, which allows him to have more screen time.

Meanwhile, Sophia Bush had recently disclosed her reasons for leaving the show. She said that it was her personal decision to quit the show. Bush responded to an Instagram user who seemed to insinuate that she was forced to resign. She added that it took her a lot of work to get out of the show, and asked that her capabilities not be demeaned and her position degraded.

"Chicago PD" season 5 episode 7 will air on Wednesday, Nov. 15 at 10 p.m. EST on NBC.
Denzel Washington displays deep faith while filming 'Roman J. Israel, Esq.'

Hollywood isn't the easiest place to showcase Christianity, but Academy Award-winning actor Denzel Washington is defying the norm by praying and reading the Bible every day while filming "Roman J. Israel, Esq." together with producer and writer Dan Gilroy.

"God put us together," Washington told the Gospel Herald about their shared faith on set. "We prayed every day, we read the daily Word every day. Dan and I have been prayer partners in this whole collaboration... We were on the same page from day one. We know Who we work for, and we're just trying to do our best work."

Roman J. Israel, Esq.," which also stars Colin Farrell and Carmen Ejogo, tells the story of a defense attorney named Roman (Washington) whose beliefs are put to the test when an unexpected series of events gets in the way of his mission of helping the poor.

"He is Old Testament, he knows the law, but, not to say he doesn't have faith, but he has faith in the law," Washington shared about his character. "His conviction was through the law."

The film isn't faith-based, but Washington said it's filled with biblical themes such as sacrifice, honor, and faith in the unseen. The actor is proud that he gets to tell that story and encourage people to dedicate their lives to God. "I speak now and I'm doing what God told me to do from the beginning," Washington said. "It was prophesied that I would travel the world and preach to millions of people. It was prophesied when I was 20. I thought it was through my work and it has been."

"My mother said to me when I was 59, she said, 'Denzel, you do a lot of good. You have to do good the right way and you know what I'm talking about,'" Washington continued. "I don't drink anymore, I don't do any of those things. I'm all about the message, to the degree that I know it, and I'm unashamed and unafraid to share it!"

Meanwhile, in a separate interview with CBN News, Washington said that faith without action amounts to nothing. "So, not everybody has to be an activist," he explained. "A woman prophesied years and years ago that I would travel the world and preach to millions of people. I asked my pastor, 'Does that mean I am supposed to be a preacher?' He says, 'No you already have a pulpit.'"

That pulpit, according to Washington, is filmmaking. "That's what I'm all about now. I'm in the service business," he said.
'I pray for you': Pope Francis sends handwritten letter to blind soldier

Pope Francis has sent a handwritten letter to a Colombian soldier who lost his sight during the country's civil war.

The Pope met Edwin Restrepo, a retired marine, during his visit to Colombia in September. Now it has emerged that on November 9, Restrepo received the letter, in which the Pope thanked him for his sacrifice during Colombia's armed conflict, and told the veteran he was still holding on to his 'touching' gift.

When Francis visited a Colombian airbase in September, he greeted soldiers and police officers who had been maimed during the war. As the Pope walked by Restrepo and shook his hand, the marine bent his head forward, asked for the Pope's blessing and asked him to take his military cap. Their conversation lasted only a minute.

Restrepo recalled: 'He gave me a rosary. So I told him I wanted to give him something that represents our military forces, and there was nothing better I could think of than my cap.'

Pope Francis said in his letter that he held on to the cap during his trip to Colombia because it reminded him of the 'sacrifice' and 'patriotism' of Colombian soldiers who have fought in the country's war with Marxist guerrillas that has only recently concluded.

The Pope added that he now keeps the hat above an altar in his small office in Rome, and included a picture of the hat and the altar.

'I often pray there,' the Pope wrote in the letter. 'And every time I do, I pray for you, and for your fallen and injured colleagues.'

At the age of 19, Restrepo lost his sight along with his left leg and part of his right hand in 2004, when he stepped on a land mine during a patrol in rural Colombia while completing compulsory military service.

The former marine said he was taken aback by the pontiff's gesture, especially because he never told the Pope his name  Pope Francis had reportedly tracked down Restrepo with the help of Colombian church officials.

Restrepo told the Catholic News Service: 'I never expected this. I think it is one of the most beautiful gestures that I've experienced.'

Restrepo added that he will frame the letter and place it in his small studio along with the rosary that the Pope gave him. Restrepo now reads in Braille and is completing a law degree.

'I want to keep helping the members of our military,' he said. 'There are many who haven't received proper pensions, and I want to litigate on their behalf.'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today shared the stage with world leaders at the 31st Asean Summit in Manila, Philippines.

By India Today Web Desk: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today attended the opening ceremony of the 31st Asean Summit here.

"Photo session & Handshake by leaders during the Opening Ceremony of the ASEAN Summit in Manila, Philippines," Indian public broadcaster Doordarshan posted on Twitter along with a video in which PM Modi was seen sharing the stage with world leaders and shaking hands with them.

advertisement

Earlier on Sunday, Modi interacted with world leaders, including US President Donald Trump, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, at a gala dinner reception hosted by Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte ahead of this year's India-Asean and East Asia Summits.

Ahead of the summits, Modi will hold a bilateral meeting with Duterte, and the Prime Minister is also scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Trump.

Interacting with world leaders in Manila. pic.twitter.com/qh0pdcFyXP- Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 12, 2017

Modi would also speak at the Asean Business and Investment Summit and attend an Indian community reception to be hosted by the Ambassador of India to the Philippines

This year marks the 25th year of the India-Asean dialogue partnership and the golden jubilee of the formation of the Asean regional bloc.

The Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

SOUTH CHINA SEA ISSUE TO DOMINATE SUMMIT

With China's controversial military buildup in the South China Sea likely to be a major issue at the summit, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang today clearly reiterated Beijing's long-held position that it wants to bilaterally resolve its disputes on the issue with its neighbours.

In an article published in leading newspapers here, Li admitted that the bilateral relationship between China and the Philippines had "encountered a setback" due to the South China Sea issue but it was back on track due to appropriate handling of the issue by the two sides.

The Chinese premier, who will be here for the ASEAN and East Asia summits, said Beijing will actively explore joint development of the South China sea to make it a "sea of cooperation and friendship" for the benefit of the two countries.

"China will work with the Philippines to continue to properly handle the maritime issues through friendly bilateral consultation by giving full play to such mechanisms as the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea," Li wrote.

advertisement

Ahead of the annual summit of the ASEAN, an influential grouping of 10 South East Asian countries, a number of diplomats said the thorny issue of China's aggressive military buildup in the South China Sea may be one of the focus areas of the deliberations on Tuesday.

China claims sovereignty over all of South China Sea, a huge source of hydrocarbons. However, several ASEAN member countries including Vietnam, the Philippines and Brunei have counter claims.

INDIA BACKS FREEDOM OF NAVIGATION

India has been supporting freedom of navigation and access to resources in the South China Sea in accordance with principles of international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The ASEAN has been pushing for a legally binding code of conduct for all stakeholders in the South China Sea but Beijing has opposed such a framework asserting it will resolve the dispute with respective countries under a bilateral mechanism.

"The two sides returned to the track of appropriately handling the South China Sea issue through dialogue and consultation, thus removing the stumbling block that has held back our bilateral relations for several years," Li said.

advertisement

The controversial issue was also understood to have figured in a meeting of officials from India, the US, Japan, and Australia under the proposed Quadrilateral coalition of the four countries.

"The discussions focused on cooperation based on their converging vision and values for promotion of peace, stability and prosperity in an increasingly inter-connected region that they share with each other and with other partners," the ministry of external affairs (MEA) said.

"They agreed that a free, open, prosperous and inclusive Indo-Pacific region serves the long-term interests of all countries in the region and of the world at large," it said.

With PTI inputs

--- ENDS ---
Prince Charles blamed 'influx of foreign Jews' for Middle East unrest

Prince Charles has been criticised after it emerged that he blamed 'the influx of foreign Jews' for causing unrest in the Middle East and hoped that the US would 'take on the Jewish lobby'.

The Mail on Sunday revealed the comments in a letter from Charles to his close friend Laurens van der Post from 1986.

In the letter, written after a tour of Arab countries, the Prince argues it was the exodus of European Jews in the middle of the last century that 'helped to cause the great problems' and goes on to say that terrorism in the region will only end when its causes are eliminated.

He then expresses the hope a US President will find the 'courage' to stand up to the American 'Jewish lobby'.

Stephen Pollard, the editor of The Jewish Chronicle, said: 'To me this is the most astonishing element of the Prince's letter. The "Jewish lobby" is one of the anti-Semitic themes that have endured for centuries. It is this myth there are these very powerful Jews who control foreign policy or the media or banks or whatever.'

Pollard described the letter as 'jaw-droppingly shocking', adding: 'That they [the Prince's comments] come from the heir to the throne is unsettling, to put it mildly.'

It has been reported in the past that the Prince is privately critical of US policy in the Middle East, with one diplomatic source accusing him of having 'fairly dodgy views on Israel'.

The letter, which surfaced in a public archive, was written on November 24, 1986, immediately after an official visit the then 38-year-old Prince made to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Qatar with Princess Diana.

He notes that the tour was 'fascinating' and that he learned 'a lot about the Middle East and Arab outlook'.

He continues: 'Tried to read bit of Koran on way out and it gave me some insight into way they [Arabs] think and operate. Don't think they could understand us through reading Bible though!

'Also I now begin to understand better their [Arabs'] point of view about Israel. Never realised they see it as a US colony.

'I now appreciate that Arabs and Jews were all a Semitic people originally and it is the influx of foreign, European Jews (especially from Poland, they say) which has helped to cause great problems. I know there are so many complex issues, but how can there ever be an end to terrorism unless the causes are eliminated?

'Surely some US president has to have the courage to stand up and take on the Jewish lobby in US? I must be naive, I suppose!'
Governance & Leadership magazine is proud to be the media partner for the first Charities Against Fraud Awards, hosted by accountancy firm Moore Stephens and supported by the Charity Commission and Fraud Advisory Panel. The words fraud and charity are not easy bedfellows; it is tempting for any charity to bury their heads in the sand, pretend that fraud is not a problem for them and hope it goes away. But as the Commissions Alan Bryce, head of development and operational intelligence, points out in our news analysis, the charities that claim to have no problem with fraud are likely to be at the highest risk of falling victim to it. After all, committing cyber-based crime is low cost, low risk and reasonably easy and no matter how good your defences, a determined fraudster will find a way through.

And charities are at no less risk than any other type of organisation, as new figures from City of London Police demonstrate. In the last six months alone there have been 823 cases of employee fraud at UK charities, including one trustee who stole 1.2m, as well as 298 victim donation cases  instances where donors have given money in good faith to fundraisers only for it not to reach the charity.

In this context, congratulations to Macmillan Cancer Support, winner of the Large Charity category at the Charities Against Fraud Awards. They had the foresight two years ago to hire a dedicated counter-fraud manager, who instigated a civil recovery process which has so far successfully recouped nearly 169,000 for Macmillan from such fraudsters.

It is important, says Alan Bryce, to report all cases of fraud that you find or suspect, examine how they occurred and plug those gaps. While charities are not currently required by law to report frauds to the Commission or police, they are strongly encouraged to do so by the serious incident reporting regime. As Bryce says: If five charities in the same area are hit by the same type of fraud in a short space of time, if we know about it straight away we can warn other charities in the area. But if we dont know, we cant. So while there may not be a legal duty to report fraud cases within your organisation, there is a moral duty. Take a cue from British Transport Police: See it, say it, sort it.

More diversity, please

Its now nearly a year since this magazine featured board diversity as its cover theme, espousing the benefits that diversity of gender, ethnicity, age, experience, background and skills can bring to a trustee board. A few days ago, out of interest, I put charity trustee into the LinkedIn search bar, and had to scroll for ages before I came across a single person who wasnt white. This is not a good state of affairs, and something the sector needs to address.

At our 11th annual Trustee Exchange conference next April, we have convened a panel to explore what charities can learn from other sectors about improving diversity, with representatives from business, the Civil Service and the NHS sharing their expertise and experiences. The full programme and booking details can be found here. We very much hope you will join us.

Tania Mason is editor of Governance & Leadership magazine
Everyone needs a Willie was the famous comment attributed to Margaret Thatcher, commending the role and value of her Deputy Prime Minister, Willie Whitelaw. Patrician and genial, he was never a rival for Number Ten but was Thatchers wise counsellor, friend, guardian and safety net, encouraging or cautioning at just the right moments.

Vice chair is not a required role, but one I personally see as helpful on any board. Yet I keep coming across charities that havent got one, havent thought about it, or actively resist it. Its interesting that some people have drawn comparison with the slightly different role that has been formalised in the private sector as the senior independent director, someone to keep an eye on the chair and governance, and act as intermediary with shareholders and sometimes regulators. But independent is the key word.
The lack of diversity on trustee boards leaves the sector at risk from myopic decision-making, warns a new report into trusteeship, published today by the Charity Commission.

The regulator has warned that trustees must do more to promote diversity, with its chief executive, Helen Stephenson, saying that trustees do not reflect the communities charities serve.

The report, Taken on Trust: The Awareness and Effectiveness of Charity Trustees in England & Wales, finds that 92 per cent of trustees are white, 64 per cent are male, 75 per cent are richer than average, and 51 per cent are retired, with an average age of 61. It is based on a survey of 3,500 trustees.

Men outnumber women on trustee boards by a ratio of 2 to 1. Two thirds of chairs and treasurers are also men.

The breakdown shows that 60 per cent of trustees have a professional qualification, with 30 per cent also having a postgraduate qualification.

More than 8,000 trustee boards, 5 per cent of the total, have an average age above 75. The report states that while it is encouraging to note that many people beyond normal retirement age are contributing their time as trustees, it is perhaps a little concerning that over 8,000 boards have an average age of over 75 years.

The report adds that trustees are drawn from a narrow cross section of the communities they serve, with the vast majority are White British, older and above average income and education. It states that there is clearly a need to promote greater diversity within charity trustee boards.

It also finds that most board members are recruited informally from trustees personal networks, and that most trustees do not access any external support other than the Commission website.

Only 5 per cent of trustees are recruited in a formal, public process via an advert. In contrast 71 per cent are recruited through a profoundly informal process based on personal friendships and connections, the report finds.

The report concludes: Recruitment processes are informal and largely closed. This can only further contribute to the narrowness in diversity achieved in trustee boards, to self-replication in their membership and to an inward perhaps even myopic approach to their role.

Recommendations

The Charity Commission recommends that the diversity deficit in both demographics and in the representation of specific skills amongst trustees should be addressed jointly by government, voluntary sector umbrella bodies, and the regulator itself.

The Commission also recommends that it captures additional information on charity trustees, but says more work needs to be done to encourage trustee boards, and particularly their chairs, to actively embrace different people, new ideas, skills and experience to trustee boards.
Lord Grade has clarified that the Fundraising Regulator is "not looking to stop charities from issuing unaddressed mail" and said a "biro ban" is not in the works, in an article for this website.

In an exlcusive article written by Lord Grade for Civil Society Voices, the chair of the Fundraising Regulator further clarified certain points picked up following his interview with the Daily Telegraph which appeared over the weekend. Grade said the regulator was not looking to stop charities sending unaddressed mail, nor ban any "enclosures" within addressed direct mailings to supporters.

The Fundraising Regulator had already issued a "clarifying statement" issued on Saturday. The regulator said over the weekend it "does not seek to ban enclosures in addressed mail, although we recognise that they are an issue for some people and we are speaking to charities about the concerns revealed in our Complaints Report".

It also clarified that "nor do we believe that charities are dodging rules in this respect".

The clarifications come after the Telegraph said on the front page of its 11 November edition, under the headline Charities dodge begging ban, that Lord Grade, chair of the Fundraising Regulator had set out plans to stop charities sending free pens and cards to attract donations.

A spokesman for the Fundraising Regulator said that Lord Grade told the Daily Telegraph that it was looking at enclosures within addressed mailings, but said any notion of an outright ban on the practice is incorrect.

The spokesman said that the digital article has been amended to say charities could be asked to review why the send unsolicited free pens, badges and Christmas cards. Although, one piece on the Telegraphs website still says that charities will be asked to review the practice.

Full statement

The Fundraising Regulator statement in full reads: The Fundraising Regulator does not seek to ban enclosures in addressed mail, although we recognise that they are an issue for some people and we are speaking to charities about the concerns revealed in our Complaints Report; nor do we believe that charities are dodging rules in this respect.

If a member of the public wants to stop receiving mail from named charities they can register with the Fundraising Preference Service which is available online at public.fundraisingpreference.org.uk or via 0300 3033 517.

We are grateful to charities for their speedy adoption of the Fundraising Preference Service, which enables individuals to suppress texts, addressed mail, phone call and emails.

The Royal Mail also has a service which allows someone to opt out of receiving unaddressed mail. The page can be found here.

Institute of Fundraising criticises misleading headline in Telegraph story

The Institute of Fundraising has criticised the Daily Telegraph for its Charities dodge begging ban story, saying the headline is misleading and does not reflect the high standards in the way charities raise vital funds.

The IoF statement said that the figures seized upon by the Daily Telegraph, and taken from the Fundraising Regulators complaints report, show a very low proportion of complaints compared to contact with the public from fundraising charities.

It also said that, when issues or concerns were raised by the public, individual charities respond rapidly and the fundraising community works collectively to address these.

The IoFs response can be read in full here.

Karl Wilding, policy director at NCVO, is quoted in the Daily Telegraph defending charities right to send mail to addresses in a specific area.

Wilding said this was important, as charities need to be able to get in touch with people in order to attract new supporters, and writing to addresses in a specific area is an efficient way for them to do that.

Wilding also tweeted about the coverage over the weekend.

1/ If you don't mind, following exchanges with people in these parts, a conversation with @FundrRegulator staff and an interview with @SkyNews, Ive got a few more thoughts on todays #bobbins headlines about charities and fundraising. pic.twitter.com/D12tZpglTz  Karl Wilding (@karlwilding) November 11, 2017
Oxfam GB has transferred half of the country offices it previously owned to the charitys affiliates and plans to sign over the remainder by next year, according to its latest accounts.

This process has led to the closure of three regional centres with 126 redundancies, 13 of which were in the UK.

The charity provided 10.4m to its International Secretariat in 2016/17, up from 8m the previous year, for it to manage the transfer of resources from Oxfam GB to other affiliates.

The number of countries that report directly to Oxfam GB reduced from 45 to 35 in 2016/17.

During the year it transferred Oxfam GB staff and assets to management by Oxfam Netherlands in Cambodia, Vietnam, Niger and Nigeria; and Oxfam Spain in Honduras, Bolivia and Guatemala.

Redundancies

It closed three Oxfam GB regional centres in Latin America and the Caribbean, Southern Africa and Asia during 2016/17. In the first half of 2017/18, meanwhile, it closed regional centres covering the Middle East and North Africa, the Horn, East and Central Africa and West Africa.

Oxfam GB cut its workforce by 177, 3.3 per cent, during 2016/17. Redundancy costs were 2.6m, almost double the 1.4m spent the previous year when it cut its workforce by 57.

A spokeswoman for the charity said 113 international staff and 13 UK-based staff were made redundant as part of the charitys reorganisation.

She said: We closed our Oxfam GB regional centres and reduced the number of Oxfam GB staff within countries, which required us to make some staff redundant at a cost of 2.6m. These are one-off costs and will save money in the long-term.

In an introduction to the report, Oxfam GB says: This internationalisation process has been a challenging journey, as it involves Oxfam GB giving up power.

In the past, we managed, spent and accounted for the money we raised from the British public and institutions. Now, we share this responsibility with others, and act as a partner rather than a manager. Despite the challenges, we are making significant progress.

Income

Oxfam GBs income decreased by 1.5 per cent to 408.6m in 2016/17 from its highest ever level of 414.7m the previous year.

Part of the reason for this drop was a 17.7m reduction in funding from the UK government, partly as a result of the ending of its Partnership Programme Arrangement with the Department for International Development.

Oxfam GBs EU funding rose by 2.9m, meanwhile, and its income from trading sales increased by 4.6m.

Shops

The charity plans to invest in its retail function, which reported a 22 per cent increase in online sales in 2016/17, including recruiting more than 200 deputy shop managers to help manage the increasing demands placed upon our shop managers.

Oxfam GB also plans to increase the frequency and quality of its training for shops staff and volunteers.

It has developed a network strategy to ensure its shops are located in the right places and will develop new shop formats to help grow sales.

The charity will also invest in new technology to develop its shops online sales and work to increase gift aid revenue from donated sales, an area where other large charity shop chains have performed better.

Mark Goldring, Oxfam GB chief executive, said: E-commerce is an exciting area of growth for Oxfam. We have seen a spike in sales as more and more of our high street shops list products for sale online  growth which looks set to increase even further this year and raise even more vital funds to fight poverty and injustice around the world.
Read other Survival Stories from around the country.

I became a broadcast meteorologist for WRAL-TV in Raleigh, North Carolina, in 1981, and have worked there ever since. At that time, the topic of global warming had begun to receive some minor attention, even though the science behind it went back to the 1800s. I was also undergoing a political transformation at the time, from Democrat to Republicanwhich, I believe, played an unfortunate role in my thought processes for years to come.

ICYMI: Breitbarts sinister response to Washington Posts recent bombshell

Though Id been educated as a scientist at Pennsylvania State University, my opinions were increasingly dictated by my burgeoning conservative political ideology. I rarely conversed with anyone who had a different opinion. I had just enough scientific arguments in my possession to make my positions on climate change sound credible, or so I thought. And I enjoyed poking fun at the very industry in which I found employment, by accusing reporters of not being balanced in their coverage, and always equating the worst-case scenario with the most likely scenario.

When I spoke about global warming on WRAL, for example, I would point to the satellite temperature record showing little or no warming, and that what little warming there was had been detected only in the polar regions at night. Why was that a bad thing? Finally, Id posture that plants love carbon dioxide, and so more CO2 would actually green up the planet!

But if Im truly honest with myself, little by little and over a period of several years, I began to wonder if I was being fair and objective in my assessment of global warming. I wanted others to admit they were wrong, but was I willing to do the same? Finally, around 2005, everything came to a head. I woke up one morning convinced of my own confirmation bias. I felt Id abandoned my work as a scientist to be an ideologue. I had always embraced science. I was a space program junky in the 60s and early 70s. I attended Penn State University to get a degree in Meteorology. Why with this one issue was I so willing to abandon science?

Sign up for weekly emails from the United States Project

ICYMI: The shocking observation a HuffPost editor made about recent sexual harassment stories

I didnt change my mind about global warming that day. Instead, I committed to talking with scientists who were actually involved in research and who published peer-reviewed literature in respected scientific journals. I also read many of those papers, and went back to my old Penn State textbooks and reviewed topics like how visible and infrared radiation were emitted and absorbed by various gases in the atmosphere. My argument that global warming had nothing to do with human activity was, I realized, an argument I would lose in the scientific court of law. In fact, it would probably be thrown out. Perhaps I could debate how much of an effect humans were having, but no effect? I was just plain wrong. It was time I admitted it publicly.

I didnt make a big splash at first. I simply made a few comments during my weather broadcasts and participated in a 2007 WRAL-TV documentary on climate change. I nursed my interest in climate science for another seven years before I took my first substantial approach to the subject: I suggested to our management that I produce my own documentary on climate change. I have been fortunate over the years to work for Capitol Broadcasting Company CEO Jim Goodmon, the forward-thinking and risk-taking owner of WRAL. He liked the idea and told me to go ahead with it.

I visited Barrow, Alaska, which is one of the locations where greenhouse gas concentrations are measured daily by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. I also traveled to the National Center for Atmospheric Research, and NOAAs Earth System Research Laboratory, both in Boulder, Colorado, where I interviewed prominent climate scientists Kevin Trenberth and Pieter Tans. Both of these scientists provided me with a wealth of information that assisted me in my search for scientific truth.

But this search sparked a flurry of other questions. Why was the country so polarized on issues of science, and why did it appear that religion was at war with science? I argued vehemently that we discuss politics and religion within our documentary. Ill never forget the look on our producers face when I first made the pitch. But we did it.

Out of that research and filming, one primary culprit for this polarization emerged: unconditional loyalty to ones tribe, a quality that is remarkably common. We believe what the people we align ourselves with believe, and rather than look for common ground with those who fall outside of that tribe, we seek the disparities.

When the documentary aired in May 2015, I was accused of drinking the liberal Kool-Aid, as well as being a Marxist and a Socialistinteresting labels to apply to someone who was a registered Republican for 30 years.

RELATED: The story BuzzFeed, The New York Times and more didnt want to publish

Now, Im proudly unaffiliated. When I speak to audiences, I urge them to test their hypotheses, and to develop a willingness to be wrong. I try to encourage them to find solutions to issues that can appease groups with very different priorities. When speaking with people of faith, I advise them to think of science as a tool for discovering more about their community, rather than threatening it.

I have to be willing to be wrong again and again. If Im not, then Ive fallen into the same trap I existed in before. Tribal loyalty has no place in science, but reporters will inevitably confront such loyalties in their audiences. I have to risk speaking to folks who dont agree with me. And if I cant make them change their minds, then the best I can do is provide them with ways of thinking that will empower them to change their minds on their own, when they encounter their own doubts.

Survival Stories is a series of local climate change dispatches.

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

Greg Fishel is the chief meteorologist at WRAL-TV in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Days after The Washington Post reported that Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore had initiated sexual encounters with several teenagers when he was in his early 30s, Moores media backers are working overtime to discredit the story. According to Axioss Jonathan Swan, Breitbart chairman Steve Bannon has dispatched two reporters to Alabama to dig up dirt on the Posts work. Breitbarts latest attempt sees Aaron Klein catching the Posts reporters red-handed in the act of committing journalism.

The mother of Leigh Corfman, who says that Alabama Senatorial Candidate Roy Moore tried to engage in a sexual encounter with her when she was 14, told Breitbart News that The Washington Post worked to convince her daughter to give an interview about the allegations against Moore, Klein writes. Of course, anyone who actually read the Posts story would have known that neither Corfman nor any of the other women sought out The Post.All were initially reluctant to speak publicly but chose to do so after multiple interviews.

ICYMI: The shocking observation a HuffPost editor made about recent sexual harassment stories

It's called journalism. Breitbart might want to try it some time  pic.twitter.com/m8x7gTLHUv  Karen Tumulty (@ktumulty) November 12, 2017

What Breitbart is doing with this type of reporting is, of course, in bad faith. But for those unfamiliar with the process of working with sources to go on the record or inclined to distrust anything written in the mainstream press, the story casts a sinister light on the hard work of Post reporters Stephanie McCrummen, Beth Reinhard, and Alice Crites.

Sign up for CJR 's daily email

A charged political race, allegations of partisan attacks, a national outlet viewed with distrust by many in the state (and around the country): the Moore story serves as a microcosm for our parallel media universes. In one, diligent reporting by a reputable outlet has led to serious concerns about the character of a potential US Senator, leading some within his own party to call for him to withdraw from the race. In another, a liberal billionaire has sent journalists on his payroll out into the country to discredit a politician disliked by the establishment. As Axioss Swan writes, This story is about to get even uglier, if thats imaginable.

RELATED: The story BuzzFeed, The New York Times and more didnt want to publish

Below, more on Roy Moore and the media.

Empty threat?: coms Paul Gattis reports Moore claimed on Sunday that he plans to sue The Washington Post. As with all threats of litigation against outlets that publish damaging stories, Ill believe it when I see it.

coms Paul Gattis reports Moore claimed on Sunday that he plans to sue The Washington Post. As with all threats of litigation against outlets that publish damaging stories, Ill believe it when I see it. Moores response: In his first public appearance after the news broke, Moore called the allegations a charade.

In his first public appearance after the news broke, Moore called the allegations a charade. How the story plays locally: CNNs Brian Stelter looks at how Alabama newspapers are framing the allegations against Moore.

CNNs Brian Stelter looks at how Alabama newspapers are framing the allegations against Moore. Fox Newss rightward tilt and ratings surge: The New York Timess Michael M. Grynbaum leads his piece on Foxs resurgence with examples of its primetime hosts squirming to sow doubt about the Posts reporting on Moore.

The New York Timess Michael M. Grynbaum leads his piece on Foxs resurgence with examples of its primetime hosts squirming to sow doubt about the Posts reporting on Moore. Hannity facing a(nother) backlash: CNBCs Sarah Whitten reports that five companies have said they will no longer advertise their products during Sean Hannitys Fox News show in response to his coverage of the allegations against Moore.

ICYMI: NYTimes reporters thought about media coverage of mass shootings goes viral

Other notable stories

Legendary New York gossip columnist Liz Smith died at the age of 94. In The New York Timess obituary, Robert D. McFadden writes that Smith captivated millions with her tattletale chitchat and, over time, ascended to fame and wealth that rivaled those of the celebrities she covered.

The New York Timess Sydney Ember scoops that Radhika Jones, the editorial director of the books department at the Times and a former top editor at Time magazine, will succeed Graydon Carter as editor of Vanity Fair.

For CJR, former Alaska Dispatch News business reporter Jeannette Lee Falsey explains how her states biggest paper went bankrupt.

After Virginia Democrat Ralph Northam outperformed his polls, The Washington Posts Margaret Sullivan asks whether the numbers are off, or if journalists and pundits are misinterpreting them.

With President Trump abroad, The Washington Posts David Nakamura looks at the battle for access by photojournalists.

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

Pete Vernon is a former CJR staff writer. Follow him on Twitter @ByPeteVernon.
By PTI: its gene bank

(Eds: Updating with fresh inputs)

By Manash Pratim Bhuyan

Los Banos, Nov 13 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi today contributed two Indian rice seed varieties to the gene bank of the international rice research centre in the Philippines which he said is working towards mitigating global poverty and hunger by improving the cultivation of the key grain.

advertisement

The prime minister visited the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in Los Banos, an urban locality situated at a distance of around 65 kms from Manila -- the capital of the Philippines -- and interacted with a large number of Indian scientists working there.

A number of scientists at the IRRI briefed the prime minister on flood-tolerant rice varieties which they said can withstand 14-18 days of submergence and can provide 1-3 tonnes more yield per hectare in flood affected areas.

A rice field laboratory named after Prime Minister Modi was also inaugurated by him at the institute.

He unveiled a plaque marking the inauguration of the Shri Narendra Modi Resilient Rice Field Laboratory.

"A contribution from India to IRRI...presented two Indian rice seed varieties to the IRRI gene bank," the prime minister tweeted.

The prime minister also undertook a symbolic groundbreaking for a new plot for submergence tolerant rice varieties.

Modi said he saw a detailed exhibition on rice varieties and the impressive work done by IRRI with women farming cooperatives.

"My visit to IRRI was a great learning experience. Saw the exceptional work IRRI is doing towards mitigating poverty and hunger by improving rice cultivation. Their work benefits many farmers and consumers, particularly in Asia and Africa," he said.

The Indian government is also setting up a regional centre of the IRRI in Varanasi, the Prime Minister?s constituency, to develop high-yielding rice varieties.

The IRRI, which has offices in 17 countries, is known for its work in developing rice varieties that contributed to the Green Revolution in 1960s.

"The Varanasi Centre would help increase farmers income by enhancing and supporting rice productivity, reducing cost of production, value addition, diversification and enhancement of farmers skills," the Prime Ministers Office tweeted.

Spokesperson in the external affairs ministry Raveesh Kumar said the IRRI has successfully collaborated with Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR) to introduce drought- tolerant, flood-tolerant and salt-tolerant varieties of rice in India.

"Interacted with Indian scientists, students, researchers working at IRRI. Indias ICAR and IRRI have been cooperating for four decades. India is also involved in helping IRRI in strategic planning, helping decide key goals and working to overcome hunger as well as poverty," Modi said.

advertisement

Kumar said the IRRI and its partners have provided assistance to 2,00,000 women farmers in Odisha which included providing capacity building programmes, and improved agriculture technology.

The IRRI centre in Varanasi will help in utilising the rich biodiversity of India to develop special rice varieties.

Modi arrived here yesterday on a three-day visit to attend the ASEAN-India and the East Asia summits. PTI MPB NSA AKJ NSA

--- ENDS ---
The question of whether attorneys fees awarded under Minnesotas insurance unreasonable denial statute could exceed the policy limits of the policy was recently addressed by the Minnesota Supreme Court in Wilbur v. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co., 892 NW2d 521 (2017). Under Minnesota statute, Minn. Stat. 604.18 (2016) courts were authorized to award taxable costs when an insurance company denies insurance benefits without a reasonable basis. The issue of whether the taxable cost award was kept by the insurance policy limit recently came before the Minnesota Supreme Court. The court in Wilbur concluded that 604.18 unambiguously capped proceeds awarded at the amount recoverable under the insurance policy and were therefore capped by the policy limit.

The issue turned on whether the phrase proceeds awarded referenced in 604.18 referred to an amount capped by the insurance policy limit or not. The insured claimant argued that no policy limit cap was contemplated by the statute. The court began its analysis of 604.18 by noting that the statute provided a remedy for an insured when an insurer denied a first party claim without a reasonable basis. Under the statute, courts in Minnesota were authorized to award taxable costs to an insured who could demonstrate that there was an absence of a reasonable basis for denying the benefits together with proof that the insured knew of the lack of a reasonable basis or active and reckless disregard. If the insured was able to establish that proof, the court was authorized to award under the statute as taxable costs an amount equal to one-half of the proceeds awarded on coverage that were in excess of the amount offered by the insurer at least ten days before the trial began or $250,000, whichever was less. For three reasons, the Minnesota Supreme Court held that 604.18 referred to an amount that was capped by the insurance policy limit.

First, the court noted that the statutes use of the word proceeds to refer to insurance policies in two other subdivisions of the statute demonstrated that the phrase proceeds awarded was constrained by the defined limits of the insurance policy. Second, the court noted that subdivision 3(a)(1) of the statute contemplated a capped settlement offer, which indicated to the court that the phrase proceeds awarded was capped by the insurance policy limit. The connection between the phrase proceeds awarded and the amount offered by an insurer before trial was telling to the court. Insurance companies settlement offers before trial were almost always capped by the insurance policys limit according to the observation of the Minnesota Supreme Court.

Third, the court found that the timing of the 604.18 proceeding suggested to the court that the phrase proceeds awarded were capped by the insurance policy limit. Under the statute, subdivision 4(b) states an award of taxable costs under this section shall be determined by the court in a proceeding subsequent to any determination by a factfinder of the amount an insured is entitled to under the insurance policy . . . Minn. Stat. 604.18, subdivision 4(b). Thus, proceeds could be awarded under 604.18 only subsequent to a jurys determination of the benefits to be paid under the insurance policy. The benefits paid under the insurance policy were capped by the insurance policys limits. This provided a link in establishing that taxable costs awarded under 604.18 could not exceed the policys limit.
Former Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer told lawmakers Wednesday that the threat from state-sponsored hackers has changed the playing field so dramatically that even the best-defended companies can fall victim.

Mayer joined former and current CEOs of Equifax in testifying before a Senate committee examining recent data breaches that affected millions of Americans. Lawmakers said they hoped to use the information learned to shape future legislation.

In Yahoos case, stolen information for billions of users included names, email addresses, phone numbers, birthdates and security questions and answers. Mayer said the thefts occurred during her nearly five-year tenure and she wants to sincerely apologize to each and every one of our users.

As we all have witnessed: no company, individual or even government agency is immune from these threats, Mayer said.

Mayer said Yahoo successfully defended itself against a barrage of state-sponsored and private hacks over the years and even employed hackers to test the companys defenses. In the end, she said Russian agents intruded on our systems and stole our users data.

Mayer is part of a long line of company executives and former executives who have made their way to Capitol Hill in recent years to explain how their company fell victim to a cyberattack. She was joined by the interim CEO of Equifax, Paulino Barros, Jr., who took over after hackers exposed the personal information of 145 million Americans.

Barros told the committee he has focused on improving customer service and revising the companys structure so that the companys chief security officer reports directly to him. He also said the company is on schedule to release a computer app in January that will allow consumers to lock and unlock their credit data.

Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., the committee chairman, said 48 states have separate laws governing how and when companies must notify consumers of a breach. He said a federal law should replace that patchwork of laws.

A single federal standard would ensure all consumers are treated the same with regard to notification of data breaches that might cause them harm, Thune said.

Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., said lawmakers need to have the political will to hold corporations more accountable for breaches.

Only stiffer enforcement and stringent penalties will help incentivize companies to properly safeguard consumer information and promptly notify them when their data has been compromised, Nelson said.

Some of the most pointed questioning came from Thune when he asked Mayer how the company for so long failed to recognize that data for all 3 billion of its user accounts were compromised. She said Yahoo still has not been able to identify the intrusion that led to that theft.

We dont exactly understand how the act was perpetrated, which explains why there are some gaps in information, she said.

(Associated Press writer Matt OBrien contributed to this report from Providence, Rhode Island.)

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
This fall a child care center moved into a building in Astoria that Oregon State Police had left because it was in the tsunami inundation zone.

This summer, Patrick Corcoran, a coastal hazards specialist with Oregon State Universitys Sea Grant program, circled articles in an issue of Warrentons weekly newspaper about apartment complexes planned in the inundation zone in Warrenton.

One day, an event that hasnt happened since 1700 will shake much of the West Coast. The Big One  the Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake and tsunami.

But the North Coast is already in motion. Large apartment complexes are going up, permits are in process. Theres more development on the way.

City officials in Astoria and Warrenton are working to answer questions about livability. What should the cities look like in 10 or 20 years? What needs to be preserved? What needs to be built? What are the best locations for certain types of businesses?

One question remains unanswered, Corcoran said: What does and doesnt belong in the areas we know will be underwater?

When communities attempt to answer that question, its a scattershot approach, he said. This (Cascadia event) is something that will happen to everybody, but until it does, nobody is in charge.

A MOVING CAR

Last year, 65 percent of voters in the Seaside School District approved a $99.7 million bond to move three Seaside schools out of the inundation zone.

In Astoria, the city is updating its emergency response plans, researching resources and equipment. The Oregon State Police opted to move from their Astoria office, out of the inundation zone, and into a new building when the opportunity arose. But then a child care center moved in.

Warrenton updated its evacuation maps, but the citys Planning Commission approved developments in areas that will be underwater when the tsunami hits.

Meanwhile, in Hammond and Warrentons neighborhoods, Community Emergency Response Team volunteer Sylvia Stephens passes out blue plastic bags filled with pamphlets and maps to help people prepare for emergency situations. Much of the information is specific to tsunamis and earthquakes.

For many years, Cannon Beach has committed resources to planning for a Cascadia event and is looking at its sand dunes, asking how these natural features could protect the community but also create a space to use in the meantime.

Clatsop County maintains a robust Emergency Management Division.

Still, large grocery stores are already established in the inundation zone, as are schools, neighborhoods new and old, fire stations, police stations, all of Astoria and Warrentons pharmacies  with the exception of the pharmacy at Costco. All the liquor stores.

Cities cant just press a pause button, and they cant hit rewind.

At a work session in October, Astoria City Councilor Bruce Jones said even looking into routine strategic planning or community visioning questions in Astoria right now is like changing a tire on a moving car.

The (North Coast) community knows the tsunami and earthquake are a big hazard and a part of living here, said Hannah Dankbar, a coastal planner with the Columbia River Estuary Study Taskforce.

But, she said, the tension is this: The town is developed, so where are we going to move things?

WHERE WE LIVE

Astoria Fire Chief Ted Ames has suggested establishing a secondary fire station at the top of the hill. The two existing fire stations are located downtown, in the inundation zone.

Not only would a hilltop location shorten the departments response time  volunteers who live on Astorias South Slope have to come downtown to board an engine and then drive back over the hill to fight a fire in their own neighborhood  it would move important resources onto stable ground.

Police, Fire, 911 Dispatch and Public Works are the citys premier emergency response agencies, a memo to Astoria city councilors in September stated.

All of these facilities are located in the inundation zone, a situation that is not conducive to building disaster resilience for the city of Astoria.

When the Shooting Stars Child Development Center announced it was moving to the building on Gateway Avenue, the same building Oregon State Police had left behind, some parents were concerned, said Denise Giliga, the centers director.

When the president of the local longshore union chapter appealed the Astoria Planning Commissions decision to let the center operate out of the building, he referenced the tsunami hazards.

Giliga had also considered them.

It was one of the points that was steering me away (from the Gateway building) at the beginning, she said.

But of the few options in front of her, the Gateway building remained the best. And the parents who were concerned about the new location? They realize this is where we live, and this is almost every area, Giliga said.

She and her staff have established several evacuation plans and evacuation sites for the Gateway building. They have emergency cribs equipped with monster wheels. Every month, they hold fire and other emergency drills. They can quickly communicate with parents through FlashAlerts for events as benign as snow days and as serious as an earthquake or tsunami evacuation.

They have teamed up with neighboring businesses to provide nearby evacuation sites in the case of a large fire. Another evacuation site is at a park on Alameda Avenue, in the shadow of the Astoria Bridge.

But I hate that idea in an earthquake, Giliga said.

They are actively looking for another site.

SMALL CHANGES

The next Cascadia event will affect every community differently. In Seaside, tsunami waves carry real menace, and they will destroy parts of Warrenton. In Astoria, the earthquake will do the most damage.

To Corcoran and others involved in tsunami preparations, there are small changes that could be made now.

The choices are not: Shutting down development in the tsunami inundation zones. Or: Doing whatever we want, Corcoran said. The question the experience is begging is to ask what kind of additional thinking can we do about development in the tsunami inundation zones now, especially the worst of the inundation zones, those areas that we know will get inundated versus those that might.

He suggests an inventory of buildings in downtown Astoria so people renting a space know the structure, what is likely to hold up and what might be problematic. There are small fixes like replacing glass skylights with plastic bubble windows so falling glass doesnt injure someone below.

We will learn to thrive here in Cascadia, I am confident, Corcoran said. But the next Big One is going to be our big learning curve.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
By PTI: its gene bank

(Eds: Adding PMs fresh quotes)

By Manash Pratim Bhuyan

Los Banos, Nov 13 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi today contributed two Indian rice seed varieties to the gene bank of the international rice research centre in the Philippines which he said is working towards mitigating global poverty and hunger by improving the cultivation of the key grain.

advertisement

The prime minister visited the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in Los Banos, an urban locality situated at a distance of around 65 kms from Manila -- the capital of the Philippines -- and interacted with a large number of Indian scientists working there.

A number of scientists at the IRRI briefed the prime minister on flood-tolerant rice varieties which they said can withstand 14-18 days of submergence and can provide 1-3 tonnes more yield per hectare in flood affected areas.

Modi said the flood resistant rice varieties which can withstand 14-18 days of submergence would help farmers and enhance their income.

"Salinity tolerant rice varieties will help farmers where the soil is saline, for example Kutch. I also saw a drought tolerant rice variety that can help farmers in times of droughts," Modi tweeted.

Modi said he was also shown drones that could be used in the agriculture sector and help farmers.

A rice field laboratory named after Prime Minister Modi was also inaugurated by him at the institute.

He unveiled a plaque marking the inauguration of the Shri Narendra Modi Resilient Rice Field Laboratory.

"A contribution from India to IRRI...presented two Indian rice seed varieties to the IRRI gene bank," the prime minister tweeted.

The prime minister also undertook a symbolic groundbreaking for a new plot for submergence tolerant rice varieties.

Modi said he saw a detailed exhibition on rice varieties and the impressive work done by IRRI with women farming cooperatives.

"My visit to IRRI was a great learning experience. Saw the exceptional work IRRI is doing towards mitigating poverty and hunger by improving rice cultivation. Their work benefits many farmers and consumers, particularly in Asia and Africa," he said.

Modi said India is also involved in helping IRRI in strategic planning, helping decide key goals and working to overcome hunger as well as poverty.

The Indian government is also setting up a regional centre of the IRRI in Varanasi, the Prime Minister?s constituency, to develop high-yielding rice varieties.

advertisement

The IRRI, which has offices in 17 countries, is known for its work in developing rice varieties that contributed to the Green Revolution in 1960s.

"The Varanasi Centre would help increase farmers income by enhancing and supporting rice productivity, reducing cost of production, value addition, diversification and enhancement of farmers skills," the Prime Ministers Office tweeted.

Spokesperson in the external affairs ministry Raveesh Kumar said the IRRI has successfully collaborated with Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR) to introduce drought- tolerant, flood-tolerant and salt-tolerant varieties of rice in India.

"Interacted with Indian scientists, students, researchers working at IRRI. Indias ICAR and IRRI have been cooperating for four decades. India is also involved in helping IRRI in strategic planning, helping decide key goals and working to overcome hunger as well as poverty," Modi said.

Kumar said the IRRI and its partners have provided assistance to 2,00,000 women farmers in Odisha which included providing capacity building programmes, and improved agriculture technology.

The IRRI centre in Varanasi will help in utilising the rich biodiversity of India to develop special rice varieties.

Modi arrived here yesterday on a three-day visit to attend the ASEAN-India and the East Asia summits. PTI MPB NSA AKJ AMS

--- ENDS ---

advertisement
Replacing New York Fed President Bill Dudley may be one of the most controversial Fed appointments in recent memory.

Dudley, who is in his mid-60s, announced his retirement last week, likely by the spring or summer, and speculation is already rife in markets about who will get his job.

Some call it the second-most important job in the Federal Reserve system. It's so critical that during the creation of the Dodd-Frank financial reform legislation, some in Congress proposed to make it a presidential appointment.

The head of the NY Fed oversees supervision of the big money center New York banks and executes the market trades needed for the Fed to hit its benchmark funds-rate target. It was the bank that did most of the heavy lifting for the Fed to acquire the trillions in assets under the quantitative easing program, and it will be on the front line of selling those assets as the Fed now unwinds its balance sheet.

Most important, the NY Fed president is first among equals of the 12 regional bank presidents. The president serves as the vice chairman of the Federal Open Market Committee, which sets monetary policy, and always has a vote. The other regional presidents rotate as voters.

Dudley was part of a triumvirate with Fed Chair Janet Yellen and recently departed Vice Chairman Stanley Fischer who were at the core of Fed policymaking.

The opening comes at a time when the Fed is under pressure to appoint more diverse presidents. Of 135 regional bank presidents, six have been women (three from the Cleveland Federal Reserve) and three have been nonwhites (two from Minneapolis), according to Aaron Klein of the Brookings Institution. Eleven regional banks have never had a nonwhite president and eight of 12 have never been led by a woman.
Buoyed by China's plans to build a ubiquitous CCTV surveillance network, Chinese and some foreign investors are pouring money into start-up technology firms that specialize in facial recognition software.

At stake for firms such as SenseTime Group, Face++ and DeepGlint, is a multi-billion dollar global public and private market for facial recognition technology that can quickly identify individuals by measuring major elements of their faces, such as the distance between the eyes and the curve of the cheekbones.

With the use of artificial intelligence (AI) the technology can recognise and track those wanted by the authorities by seeking a match from a database of photographs. In the commercial world it can be used for security at homes, workplaces and ATM machines, and as a part of payments systems at stores and restaurants.

According to estimates from IHS Markit , video surveillance  including the equipment and video management software  was a $6.4 billion market in China in 2016, with 176 million surveillance cameras already installed by the authorities or private companies.

That market, the largest in the world, is set for a compound annual growth rate of 12.4 percent through 2021, according to IHS. By comparison, the US market was estimated to be worth only $2.9 billion and growing at just 0.7 percent a year.

In China, though, the supercharged growth has added to concerns about controls on dissidents or activists by the government of President Xi Jinping, especially when combined with the potential for the Chinese authorities to track phones being increasingly used for electronic payments and their stepped up monitoring of Internet traffic.

That hasn't appeared to deter investors, who include leading U.S. venture capital firms such as the China arm of Sequoia Capital, which is one of the best-known Silicon Valley venture capital firms.
Safiya Miller had her pick of job offers from big technology companies after earning an MBA from Cornells Johnson Graduate School of Management in New York state.

In the end, she chose Microsoft , becoming an account executive in its Bay Area offices in 2015. Her decision was clinched by the companys legacy, and the long and varied experience of colleagues. If I was going to move all the way out west, I wanted a team where I could learn and grow, says Ms Miller, who until then had worked on the US East Coast and Brazil. I wanted to learn next to [people] who have not only been in the industry for years but were also experiencing this refresh, rebirth of the company, she says.

Few tech companies have the staying power of Microsoft. Established in 1975 before many of todays tech founders were even born, the company is among the top-five tech hirers of MBA students from leading business schools, including Insead, the Stanford Graduate School of Business and the University of Pennsylvanias Wharton School.

It appeals to graduates such as Ms Miller because it is good at reinventing itself. No longer seen as tied to the fate of the PC market, under Satya Nadella, its chief executive since 2014, the company has focused on offering broader services such as cloud platforms, enterprise software and artificial intelligence.

That means a wider selection of jobs for business school graduates, says Chuck Edward, Microsofts head of global talent acquisition. MBAs are typically ambitious, technologically proficient and trained in data and analytics. They also tend to have some experience of working life  all valuable to the changing Microsoft.

With MBAs, we know what were going to get, says Mr Edward. Our demand [for MBA talent] has gone up significantly in the past two or three years.

The company says it hires several hundred MBAs a year from nearly 150 different schools in 40 countries. About two-thirds are from the US and Canada. They are sent all over the world to work in divisions from business development and finance to marketing and human resources.

Median starting salaries and signing bonuses for MBA graduates at the Redmond, Washington-based headquarters are just over $160,000 for finance managers, product marketing managers and business programme and strategy managers, according to Transparent Career, a start-up that collects MBA graduates self-reported salary data.

Microsofts reinvention has also led to redundancies. This year the company laid off 3,000-4,000 employees, mostly sales staff outside the US, according to the New York Times. This came after job losses three years earlier, following Microsofts acquisition of Nokias mobile business. Then, Microsoft laid off 18,000 employees, 14 per cent of its workforce, the deepest cuts in the companys history.

Mr Edward says recent job losses do not affect demand for MBA talent. This year, Microsoft hired about 30 per cent more MBAs than last, and plans to hire more. Many will be recruited from its summer internship programme. Our goal is to convert, Mr Edward says. When we bring in an intern, [we want them to] become a full-time hire.

Those who want to stand out at interview should reflect Microsofts leadership principles  to create clarity, generate energy and deliver success, Mr Edward says. That process begins with a phone interview and those who make the next round are invited to the companys headquarters, or another of its large office sites. They meet current employees and have a full day of interviews.

The process usually lasts three to four weeks, according to Microsoft, although that can vary to fit in with business schools recruiting timeframes.

The company visits campuses in students second year to recruit additional, full-time employees  a move not all big recruiters make, says Michelle Hopping, director of MBA career management at the Wharton School. Ms Hopping says Microsoft not only seeks out Wharton students at recruiting events, but also offers extracurricular activities, such as competitions and educational opportunities in the classroom.

Once MBA graduates have joined the company, most participate in the Microsoft Academy for College Hires. Ms Miller was assigned two mentors through this programme when she joined. In addition to two or three big training events a year, Mach MBA members and alumni have local get-togethers every month. Ms Miller attributes many of the opportunities she received as a new hire to the Mach programme. At the end of her first year she used company funding and facilities to bring together 150 recent MBA hires from 10 tech Silicon Valley companies for a diversity event.

Theres a spirit to want to give back and do service and have a larger conversation across the company, Ms Miller says.

More from The Financial Times:

Zuckerberg says he worked out why US is so divided

UK chipmaker Graphcore raises $50m from Sequoia

Silicon Valley sets sights on disrupting meat industry
Hong Kong Exchanges Chief Executive Charles Li, wearing Razer headphones, poses with Min-Liang Tan, CEO of Razer, during the debut of the company at the Hong Kong Exchanges in Hong Kong on Nov. 13, 2017.

Gaming hardware company Razer saw its stock jump around 40 percent in its debut on the Hong Kong Exchange on Monday.

The company, backed by Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing, priced its initial public offering at HK$3.88 ($0.50) a share, it said in a filing on Friday. The company said it raised around HK$3.9 billion ($500 million) from the 1.06 billion primary shares offered.

Shares of Razer, which is best known for its gaming laptops and computer mice, traded at HK$4.69 ($0.60) by 3:22 p.m. HK/SIN, more than 20 percent above the company's issue price.

Prior to its debut, retail demand for Razer's IPO had exceeded the number of shares offered to the public by 291.24 times, the company said last week.

Singapore wealth fund GIC and Davinia Investment are among Razer's five cornerstone investors, the company's prospectus said.

Razer CEO Min-Liang told CNBC earlier this year that going public would give the company a war chest to make further investments in research and development, and to develop more new products. It released its first smartphone on Nov. 1.

The IPO market in Hong Kong has boomed of late because investors are optimistic over "new economy" companies and their potential, said Edmond Hui, the chief executive officer of brokerage Bright Smart Securities.

Hui cited the "outstanding performance" of recently-listed names ZhongAn Online and China Literature as reasons for the positive sentiment over Razer among retail investors.

"Additionally, most of the 'new economy' companies are backed up by very well-known business giants who have good track records," he added.

Razer's debut followed China Literature's public offering on the Hong Kong Exchange last Wednesday, which saw the online literature and e-book platform close up nearly 90 percent on a stellar first day of trade. Online-only insurer ZhongAn Online P&C Insurance , which listed in September in Hong Kong, rose 18 percent on its first day of trade.

The recent slew of high-profile listings came after the number of listings on mainland exchanges exceeded the number of those in Hong Kong, according to EY. Hong Kong had topped the IPO rankings in 2016.
At Florida Christian School (FCS), a small private school in Miami, Florida, students can buy a wide range of items from the school website. Those items now include bulletproof panels. George Gulla, dean of students and head of school security at FCS, told CNN that the ballistic panels can be inserted inside of backpacks to provide students in preschool through high school "another level of protection in the event of an active shooter." Even though FCS has never had a shooting incident on campus, Gulla explains that the school is taking no chances. He told CNN, "The teachers are trained to instruct the students to use their backpacks as a shield to protect themselves."

Sandy Huffaker/Corbis | Getty Images

Ten of the deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history have occurred since 1984, including the school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, which killed 27, including 20 children. "It's just a tool," Gulla told the Miami Herald. "I'd rather be prepared for the worst than be stuck after saying 'Wow, I wish we would've done that.'" Gulla hopes this product will give parents, teachers and administrators confidence in the safety of their students. "We thought, yeah, let's offer it to anyone who wants it," he said. "It's not required. But if it gives you extra peace of mind" The online order form shows that each panel costs $120. According to the Miami Herald, the panels are the size of a binder and can withstand .44 Magnum and .357 SIG bullets. The panels cannot protect against rifles.
Chipotle Mexican Grill's stock price sank 2.7 percent Monday after "Supergirl" actor Jeremy Jordan said he had "almost died" from eating at one of the chain's restaurants.

Chipotle has been struggling for two years to move on from a string of high-profile foodborne illness outbreaks.

"I know I've advocated for them in the past, but they're terrible," Jordan said in the now-expired Instagram story, according to People magazine. "I, as you can see, am in the hospital and I have fluids in my arm because the food did not agree with me and I almost died."

"We were sorry to hear Jeremy was sick and were able to get in touch with him directly regarding where and when he ate," Chris Arnold, Chipotle's spokesman, told CNBC. "There have been no other reported claims of illness at the restaurant where he dined. We take all claims seriously, but we can't confirm any link to Chipotle given the details he shared with us."

It has been two years since a string of food safety incidents first battered sales and scared away diners. While the beleaguered burrito chain was able to return to profitability and its same-store sales have begun trending in a positive direction, its successes have been overshadowed by more recent incidents.

In July, reports surfaced that customers were sickened by norovirus at a location in Sterling, Virginia. Then, a few days later, a viral cellphone video was released that showed rodents falling from the ceiling at a restaurant near Dallas.

Both restaurants addressed these issues: The Virginia location shuttered briefly to sanitize, and the Texas restaurant sealed up the rodents' entry point.

Now, Chipotle's food safety policies are once again up for debate.

"If this is true then it is another potential PR disaster for Chipotle," Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData, told CNBC via email. "The chain has had a run of back luck with health scares and does not seem to be capable of getting back on an even keel. Each new issue reminds consumers of past problems and makes the prospect of a full recovery ever more distant."
Workers distribute express parcels at a logistics centre of China Post during Alibaba Group's Singles' Day global shopping festival on November 11, 2016 in Ganyu, China.

Singles Day has become the world's largest shopping event as Alibaba announced its sales hit $25.4 billion this weekend. The figure not only surpassed the Chinese e-commerce giant's own record, but is also topped Black Friday and Cyber Monday U.S. sales combined.

But Singles Day, marked on Nov. 11, is not just for the Chinese anymore.

Lazada, Southeast Asia's e-commerce platform backed by Alibaba, pushed Singles Day aggressively in the region.

This year, the event generated $123 million of gross merchandise value for Lazada, representing a 171 percent increase since last year's Singles Day. Shoppers on the company's Southeast Asian marketplaces ordered 6.5 million items, which was 191 percent more than last year.

Popular items included electronics, diapers and women's fashion items.

In Thailand, Lazada hosted a massive televised gala with celebrities counting down until the shopping deals began at midnight. The program aired online and on one of Thailand's most popular television channels.

In Singapore, Lazada partnered with Expedia to sponsor a trip to NASA facilities in Florida in an effort to promote the sales.

"Our key success metric is how engaged everyone has been during the day," Aimone Ripa di Meana, Lazada's chief marketplace officer and co-founder, told CNBC.

"Campaigns happen throughout the year, but this is really the one we have invested the most in and we're creating an engagement and a buzz that is absolutely unique," he added, addressing the saturation of other promotional days like Oct. 10, Dec. 12, Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
By PTI: By Manash Pratim Bhuyan

Manila, Nov 13 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi today visited a philanthropist organisation in the Philippines that provides free Indian-made prosthesis Jaipur Foot to needy amputees.

The Mahaveer Philippine Foundation, a long-running humanitarian cooperation programme between India and the Philippines, was set up by highly regarded Indian?origin Mayor of Manila Dr Ramon Bagatsing in 1985.

advertisement

The foundation has been instrumental in the fitment of the Jaipur Foot to needy amputees.

About 757 amputees benefited from the programme this year.

"Wonderful visit to the Mahaveer Philippine Foundation. Their efforts of fitting the Jaipur Foot on needy amputees have touched several lives. During my visit, saw a series of exhibits and interacted with amputees," Modi tweeted.

The Prime Minister also interacted with a number of children at the foundation.

"I want to be a policeman my young friend told me... glad to see the Jaipur Foot giving wings to the aspirations of many youngsters like him," said Modi in another tweet.

Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted: "Sharing expertise to intensify humanitarian cooperation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Mahaveer Philippine Foundation, which has rehabilitated million lives with the Indian-made Jaipur Foot".

The Mahaveer Philippines Foundation is an associated centre of Jaipur-based Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti which is the worlds largest organisation rehabilitating over 1.55 million differently-able people through Jaipur Foot.

Modi arrived here yesterday on a three-day visit to attend the ASEAN-India and East Asia summits. PTI MPB CPS AKJ CPS

--- ENDS ---
It's been a wild ride for bitcoin investors in the last week.

The news that the CME Group would launch a futures contract on the first and most highly valued cryptocurrency in the market sent the price of each bitcoin flying to a record high of $7,879 last week  more than 10 times its price of just a year ago.

On Wednesday, however, sentiment reversed sharply, as a plan to make the bitcoin network more practical for users fell apart. It was reason enough for scores of hedge funds now trading the digital currency to take some profits. Bitcoin was down 30 percent by Saturday.

"Bitcoin [and other cryptocurrencies] are not for the faint of heart," said Ian Weinberg, CEO of Family Wealth & Pension Management. "I expect a lot more upside and downside volatility.

"It's getting on the radar screen of Wall Street now, but this is speculation. I don't consider it an investable asset class yet," he added.

Neither does Amy Hubble, a certified financial planner and founder of Radix Financial. Like Weinberg, she is fascinated with the potential of bitcoin and the blockchain technology underlying it. The run-up in price hasn't escaped her notice, either.

"Advisors should not stick their head in the sand about an asset class that returns over 800 percent in a year," said Hubble. "As a fiduciary, I have a responsibility to research and be conversant on emerging investment opportunities."

More from Smart Investing:

Bitcoin too risky for "serious" investing, say advisors

Millennials lack confidence to invest: Bank executive

What investors should do before market gets gored

Hubble, however, has gone deep enough into the weeds on bitcoin to know that she's not yet ready to invest in it. "Bitcoin and other protocol tokens don't have any cash flows, they don't pay dividends, there is no way to systematically determine demand growth for them, and I don't have the technical expertise to determine the value of one cryptocurrency over another," she said.

The investment story for bitcoin and cryptocurrencies is attractive to more than just techies and libertarians, however. The blockchain technology employed by cryptocurrencies is a major innovation. It offers a secure way to execute transactions worldwide without intermediaries taking their pounds of flesh: no central bank, no clearing firm, no "trusted" third party. It has the potential to lower costs and improve security by cutting out financial middlemen for all sorts of transactions in a wide range of markets.

"It's an alternative currency with no third-party mediator audited on a daily basis by its own users," said Samuel Boyd, an advisor with Capital Asset Management Group. "If cryptocurrencies become widely accepted, bitcoin is the gold standard."

Bitcoin: The pros and cons Pros  Volatility

 Big gains

 Interesting topic for cocktail parties Cons  Volatility

 Manipulation of the ledger

 Government regulation

 Total loss of money

The so-called blockchain underlying cryptocurrencies essentially constructs a public ledger of transactions and replicates it across all the computers in a network, making it virtually impossible for people to reverse transactions or to double-spend currency. Bitcoin owners have a continuously updated record of every transaction in the currency since it was created by the mysterious Satoshi Nakamoto in 2009. Every 10 minutes a new block of transactions is added to the chain and transmitted across the network.

Theoretically, people with enough computing power  such as a coalition of bitcoin miners, who help maintain the integrity of the network and get rewarded with new bitcoins  could manipulate the blockchain, but it would likely not be in their best interest to do so.

"There could be malicious actors, but as bitcoin owners, they would probably hurt themselves more than anyone else," said Matt Green, a professor of computer science at Johns Hopkins University.

As a medium of exchange, bitcoin has thus far been a flop. While plenty of companies will accept bitcoin as payment for their products and services, few consumers have taken advantage. It takes a lot of computing power and is inconvenient for small-value transactions.
A firm tied to Bill Gates is involved in an $80 million investment in a "smart" city in Arizona, according to property records viewed by the Arizona Republic.

The yet-to-be developed community on the west side of Phoenix would have a freeway running to Reno, Nevada, and would be developed around "solar power and electric distribution systems, autonomous auto testing, broadband, and data centers," according to a press release.

A press release from real estate investment group Belmont Partners only names the investor as "Mt. Lemmon Holdings."

The Republic discovered the connection to Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates through property records. The records showed that the attorney for a company called Cascade Investment was involved in the sale of the stake in the development. SEC filings list Gates as the "reporting person" of that investment firm. An office for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is also listed as a mailing address on the property records, the Republic reported.

Yount's attorney did not immediately reply to a request for comment. A representative of the ownership of the project declined to comment.

For more on the development, see the story in the Arizona Republic.
The infiltration of the Internet into modern life changed everything from how we communicate to how we shop to how we learn information. The forthcoming permeation of robots into our world of the future will cause an even more significant change in modern life and business than the Internet already has, according to a prominent roboticist. "I happen to believe that robotics will be bigger than the Internet," says Marc Raibert, the CEO and founder of robotics company Boston Dynamics.

"The Internet lets every person reach out and touch all the information in the world. But robotics lets you reach out and touch and manipulate all the stuff in the world  and so it is not just restricted to information, it is everything," says Raibert, who spoke from the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, at the end of October. Indeed, Raibert is building that reality. Boston Dynamics, which was bought by SoftBank from Alphabet in June, builds robots that look like humans and animals. "When we have robots that can do what people and animals do, they will be incredibly useful," Raibert says.

For a robot to be able to operate like people and animals requires sophisticated skills: mobility, or the ability to move around; dexterity, the ability to use your hands and fine-finger manipulation; and autonomous perception, the ability to see objects even as the seer is moving around, says Raibert. When robots have these three capacities, they will be able to entertain us, deliver packages and help with security functions, emergency response and construction, says Raibert. "I think one of the most important applications will be taking care of people. They will help you take care of your parents, so that you don't have to spend so much time doing that," says Raibert. At the same conference in Saudi Arabia, SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son painted a future where robots are increasingly capable.

Son said the moment where robots become as smart as humans  known as the singularity  will happen in this century, "for sure." He predicts in three decades robots will have an IQ score of 10,000. By comparison, Son says an average person's IQ is 100 and a genius has an IQ of 200. Mensa, "the High IQ society," starts accepting members with an IQ score of 130. "We mankind created tools, the premise was mankind were always smarter than the tool we invented so we control," Son says. "This is the first time ... the tool becomes smarter than ourselves." The future that both Raibert and Son are in their own ways describing  where machine intelligence becomes increasingly capable and embedded in human life  elicits opposing viewpoints from top technology leaders in the United States. In July, Tesla and SpaceX boss Elon Musk said "robots will be able to do everything better than us," and that is a future that frightened him. "I am not sure exactly what to do about this. This is really the scariest problem to me, I will tell you."
watch now

Despite the instability in the Middle East, the biggest risk for the oil industry is Venezuela, the CEO of BP told CNBC Monday. "I think most people would say the Gulf region, I actually say Venezuela," Bob Dudley, CEO of BP told CNBC at the Abu Dhabi Petroleum Exhibition & Conference, when asked about geopolitics and the oil sector. "I think Venezuela is just defying economic gravity and I think that's a real wild card," he added. Venezuela, an OPEC nation and one of the biggest oil producers in the world, is starting a debt renegotiation with foreign investors on Monday. However, it is not clear that President Nicolas Maduro will succeed in these talks, increasing the risk of debt default. According to Reuters, Maduro said Sunday that "default will never reach Venezuela" and the country has "a clear strategy"  to renegotiate and refinance the foreign debt. Venezuela aims to restructure about $60 billion in bonds. Caracas has struggled to refinance its debt because U.S. banks cannot buy new Venezuelan bonds due to sanctions imposed by U.S.

Bob Dudley Karen Stern | CNBC

The Venezuelan economy has been in recession for four years, where food shortages, the lack of U.S. dollars and the depreciation of its own currency, has sent inflation soaring. According to Reuters, using data from the opposition-led congress, prices quickened to 248.6 percent in the first seven months of 2017. There is no published official data. Dudley from BP believes that this situation deserves more of a spotlight than the instability in the Middle East, where the Saudi Arabia-Iran relationship has become more fragile. The former has in fact urged the international community to slap fresh sanctions on Iran, accusing it of supporting terrorism.



Also on Monday, the European Union imposed new sanctions on Venezuela, prohibiting arms sales, setting up a system for freezing assets and announcing new travel restrictions on some government officials. The EU said that the sanctions could be reversed if Venezuela returns to greater democracy.

Mexico-US relationship
The four hottest years on record were 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018, according to government institutions including NOAA and NASA.

The coalition plans to promote "a level playing field for all forms of energy production," embracing a holistic approach that includes natural gas, fossil fuels, nuclear energy and renewables. In that vein, the ACC is hoping to reclaim the mantle of President Theodore Roosevelt, the Republican president lionized for his conservationist bona fides .

As nations around the world bolster their efforts to address environmental degradation, the ACC announced the support of college Republican chairs from 10 more states, bringing to 30 the total number of state chairs voicing support for "a clean energy future," the ACC stated in a press release this week. Signatories include college Republicans from states such as Texas, Oklahoma, Michigan, Vermont, Kansas, Idaho and Utah.

The American Conservation Coalition  a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization  is a right-leaning advocacy group that is partnering with young GOP campus activists to advocate market-friendly clean energy policies.

With the help of a right-leaning nonprofit, dozens of college Republicans are tackling what might appear to be a mission impossible enough for Tom Cruise: Persuading GOP elders to embrace environmentally friendly policy.

To be sure, the group has its work cut out for it in trying to sway opinions in a major party that is often viewed as skeptical about  if not outwardly hostile toward  environmental issues. In June, a Gallup poll showed only 18 percent support among Republicans for addressing climate change.

"Compared to how the Republican Party has been diminishing the issue for the last few years, we are encouraging them to make it a priority," Benjamin Backer, the ACC's 19-year-old president, told CNBC in an interview this week.

At least in principle, the Trump administration has advocated for striking a balance for energy development and conservation. In his "America First Energy Plan" blueprint, the president said the federal government would simultaneously embrace the shale revolution while pushing for energy solutions like clean coal.

"Our need for energy must go hand-in-hand with responsible stewardship of the environment," the plan states. "Protecting clean air and clean water, conserving our natural habitats, and preserving our natural reserves and resources will remain a high priority," the document read, adding that Trump would "refocus the EPA on its essential mission of protecting our air and water."

Backer told CNBC that "clean energy is an issue that brings both sides together and creates a lot of jobs if it's done the right way," said the sophomore at the University of Washington. "We need the national movement to make it a priority."

The effort comes at an auspicious time, with the United States remaining the lone holdout among countries that have signed on to the Paris climate accord.

Earlier this year, President Donald Trump announced the U.S. would cease participation in the agreement, and has vowed to renegotiate its terms  even as nearly 200 nations assembled in Europe on Saturday in a show of support for the 2015 deal.

According to the ACC's Backer, the Paris agreement has "a lot of flaws  and America can meet pro-environmental goals without being a part of it. The problem, however, is that America should be involved in the discussions and decision-making" in order to improve on its goals, he told CNBC.

The divergence of environmental views between millennial Republicans and their elders mirrors a dynamic reflected in a 2016 Pew Research opinion survey. The study cited the "polarized views" that characterize the debate over the environment, noting that the climate skepticism demonstrated by Trump runs deep among the GOP rank and file.

With the ACC's efforts, college Republicans intend to serve notice on the GOP's senior leadership, Backer insisted. "The Republican Party really values their young activists  and this will send a really strong message that things need to change," he told CNBC.

"We also want to send a really strong message to the RNC [Republican National Committee]. We want to say, 'Hey, guys, we really need this to be a message for 2020," Backer said. As polls show that millennials are widely disillusioned with both Democrats and the GOP, "Republicans will continue to lose the youth vote if they don't embrace the environment in a massive way," he added.

The RNC did not respond to CNBC's request for comment.

Correction: The ACC's full name is the American Conservation Coalition.
watch now

Concorde-style supersonic flight could be legal across the United States as early as next year. Boom Supersonic is developing a 55-seat plane which it claims will be able to more than halve the flight time from San Francisco to Washington DC to just two-and-a-half hours. The company is aiming for commercial entry by 2023. One stumbling block to trans-American routes is federal sonic boom regulation which has prevented supersonic travel over U.S. skies since 1973. Speaking at the Dubai Airshow Monday, Boom Chief Executive Blake Scholl said that could soon change as laws set out by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are currently up for renegotiation.

Source: Boom Supersonic

"Both the House and Senate versions of the FAA re-authorization bill have very positive language on supersonics. The senate bill in particular would repeal the speed limit," Scholl added. Scholl said the bill would definitely address the issue of sonic booms overland but predicting the timeline was tricky. "When will that happen? Probably early next year," he said. "That is the current timeline, but it's Congress, right?" Scholl claimed the impact of a sonic boom on people on the ground had been greatly exaggerated and that stories of broken windows were not based on reality. The chief executive also revealed that the main production site for the new plane would be based in the United States, although a satellite facility may also be needed elsewhere. Scholl said Boom is aiming for entry into the market by 2023 and is looking for a site big enough to produce 100 planes a year. So far there has been 76 pre-orders including 10 options to buy from Virgin Atlantic.
Courtney Mishoe and her husband are making more than $180,000 a year, three times as much as the median annual income in the United States. Still, the suburban Georgia couple doesn't "feel wealthy," Mishoe told Todd C. Frankel of the Washington Post, who is calling attention to the people in the upper middle class worried about losing out under the GOP's proposed tax overhaul.

"I don't have a bunch of money stashed away anywhere," Mishoe says.

The Mishoes, who have a mortgage and three kids, live in North Fulton, an area where homes sell for $500,000 to $800,000 and property taxes are relatively high, the Post reports.

They aren't the only residents earning six figures and struggling to set aside money for retirement, college and other major expenses. Some living in the area who earn $100,000 "are living paycheck to paycheck," the Post reports, and even families earning up to $250,000 "don't consider themselves to be high-earners."
Usually, CNBC's Jim Cramer is a big fan of corporate takeovers.

"When one company buys another, it can create so much value that you want to slap yourself in the face, wondering why the heck they didn't merge years ago," the "Mad Money" host said. "Then there's the pin action: whenever you get a deal, it tends to boost the value of all stocks in the same sector, which in turn drives up the entire market."

That's why Cramer was so bullish on Hasbro's offer to buy competing toymaker Mattel, which was reported by the Wall Street Journal over the weekend.

Not only would the deal create plenty of powerful synergies, but it would be a smart move by Hasbro, which would be taking advantage of Mattel's declines after the Toys R Us bankruptcy, he said.

Or take the now-dissolved deal between semiconductor giants Broadcom and Qualcomm, which was unanimously rejected by Qualcomm's board on Monday.

Cramer agreed with the board's reasoning  that the $103 billion bid undervalued Qualcomm  but said he would advise holding shares of Qualcomm in case its dispute with Apple ended sourly and the Broadcom "safety net" would have to be put to use.

But then there's the fallen-from-grace General Electric , a company Cramer said has "become the poster child for bad acquisitions."

Shares of GE tanked 7 percent on Monday after the industrial giant announced a company overhaul replete with a 50 percent dividend cut and slashed guidance.

Not long after on CNBC's "Squawk on the Street," Cramer called his investment in GE "one of the biggest mistakes of my career."

After all, GE spent billions buying into the energy and power markets at their peaks, Cramer said. At the same time, it sold NBC to Comcast and let go of some solid financial businesses.

"It's like they were deliberately trying to get everything wrong," the "Mad Money" host said.

That said, Cramer had some faith in GE's new CEO, John Flannery, who vowed on Monday to sell parts of the company to raise money and bring new faces to the board of directors, which was partially accountable for many of GE's unsuccessful decisions.

"Is GE the stock a buy down here? That's a rough one. Flannery said today that next year is a 'massive heavy lift.' I don't know, I don't like to lift massively," Cramer said.

But if Flannery is at all successful in his major restructuring plans, Cramer said the stock would end up being too cheap to ignore.

"But Flannery has to act fast. There can be no sacred cows. No more hype. No more unfulfilled promises," Cramer said. "Out-of-control expenses must be reduced, divisions have to be separated, and, if necessary, GE may need to to disappear. Why? ... Because the previous management wrecked this once great American industrial."

"I often talk about how important management is to the value of a company," the "Mad Money" host continued. "But if you want to know the damage bad management can do to an enterprise, just look at GE, the only industrial of this whole era that's actually gone backwards during a renaissance of American manufacturing."
On June 26, 2013, LGBT Americans across the country were celebrating the historic Supreme Court opinion issued by Justice Anthony Kennedy overturning the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), the pernicious law signed by President Bill Clinton in 1996 that prevented the federal government from recognizing same-sex civil marriages.

The LGBT conservatives of Log Cabin Republicans were among the revelers  not only because the decision affirmed our organization's longstanding constitutional commitment to marriage equality, and not only because the decision was authored by a Justice appointed to the nation's highest court by the rightly lionized conservative legend President Ronald Reagan; but also because in enumerating the reasons why DOMA was wrong, Justice Kennedy shined a spotlight on what is perhaps one of the greatest inequalities in the federal tax code: the estate tax  more euphemistically (and rightly) known as the "death tax".

It's time to repeal this monstrosity once and for all.

Edith Windsor's standing in court was due to her unfair treatment by the Internal Revenue Service  specifically, a $363,053 tax invoice she was issued following the passing of her longtime wife Thea Spyer in 2009. At the time, New York State recognized their same-sex union, but the federal government did not. And even then, because New York's estate tax rules followed federal guidelines, Ms. Windsor was required to pony up an additional $275,000 to the taxman in the Empire State. The total bill came to $638,000. Pure applesauce!

Thus started four years of lawyering  all because of a tax rooted in inequality, unfairness, and  in the case of Edith Windsor  discrimination.

Log Cabin Republicans opposition to the death tax goes back over a decade. In general, anything that makes taxes simpler, fairer, and lower is in line with our principles as LGBT conservatives and straight allies, but the death tax in particular has been a centerpiece of Log Cabin Republicans advocacy for reasons the Windsor case made abundantly clear.

Ours is not an outlier position. A Fox News poll from only two years ago showed a resounding 71% of the general public is opposed to the death tax  citing their view that what amounts to double-taxing of family income by the federal government is "unfair." When asked by the Kaiser Family Foundation, National Public Radio, and Harvard University, "Do you favor or oppose completely eliminating the estate tax, that is, the tax on property left by people who die," 60% responded, "Yes!" With numbers like that, it shouldn't be difficult for politicians in Congress of all partisan persuasions to see that repeal of the death tax (much like support for marriage equality) is a political winner.

The current plan under consideration by Republicans in the House of Representatives, dubbed the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act," calls for gradually euthanizing the death tax by phasing in an increased exemption rate in advance of a total repeal by 2024. Some in the GOP believe that doing away with the death tax would be better achieved by immediate repeal rather than measured elimination, but now is not the time to make the perfect the enemy of the good. Anything that moves the country closer to finishing off this malevolent mess is something good conservatives should welcome.

Justice Kennedy's opinion relegating DOMA to the dustbin included an order to the Treasury Department "to pay money that it would not disburse but for the court's order." Including interest, that final amount represented over $680,000 reimbursed to Edith Windsor that should never have been absent from her bank account in the first place.

It's been more than a century since the enactment of the death tax. In that time it has done exactly one good thing: compelled the federal government to recognize same-sex unions  an unintended, though welcome, consequence of its passage. But the days of the death tax paying dividends to the LGBT community are a thing of the past.

It's time to make the death tax a thing of the past, too.

Commentary by Gregory T. Angelo, the national president of Log Cabin Republicans.

For more insight from CNBC contributors, follow @CNBCopinion on Twitter.
Spacecraft builder Sierra Nevada Corporation completed a critical flight test of its Dream Chaser orbital vehicle on Saturday, moving a step closer to supplying the International Space Station.

Launched unpowered from a Chinook helicopter above the California desert, Dream Chaser flew autonomously on a planned path before landing at Edwards Air Force Base.

Dream Chaser proved "its atmospheric flight performance along with its return and landing capability," Mark Sirangelo, a vice president at SNC, said in a statement. "The Dream Chaser flight test demonstrated excellent performance of the spacecraft's aerodynamic design and the data shows that we are firmly on the path for safe, reliable orbital flight."

Sirangelo told reporters on a conference call that the free flight test version of the aircraft "is a full-scale version of what we will fly to orbit." When asked about plans for the manned variant of the craft, Sirangelo said the current cargo program's testing "makes those other options more viable."

Former NASA astronaut and SNC senior director Steve Lindsey said on the call that the test included not only orbital vehicle designs and processes, but also specific orbital vehicle equipment.
By PTI: (Eds: Updating with additional input)

By Manash Pratim Bhuyan

Manila, Nov 13 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi today visited a philanthropist organisation in the Philippines that provides free Indian-made prosthesis Jaipur Foot to needy amputees and donated USD 2,00,000 to it for its activities.

The Mahaveer Philippine Foundation, a long-running humanitarian cooperation programme between India and the Philippines, was set up by highly regarded Indian?origin Mayor of Manila Dr Ramon Bagatsing in 1985.

advertisement

The foundation has been instrumental in the fitment of the Jaipur Foot to needy amputees.

About 757 amputees benefited from the programme this year.

"Wonderful visit to the Mahaveer Philippine Foundation. Their efforts of fitting the Jaipur Foot on needy amputees have touched several lives. During my visit, saw a series of exhibits and interacted with amputees," Modi tweeted.

The Prime Minister also interacted with a number of children at the foundation.

"I want to be a policeman my young friend told me... glad to see the Jaipur Foot giving wings to the aspirations of many youngsters like him," said Modi in another tweet.

Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted: "Sharing expertise to intensify humanitarian cooperation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Mahaveer Philippine Foundation, which has rehabilitated million lives with the Indian-made Jaipur Foot".

The Prime Minister donated USD 2,00,000 to the Mahaveer Philippines Foundation so that it can carry out its activities, Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs, Preeti Saran told reporters.

The Mahaveer Philippines Foundation is an associated centre of Jaipur-based Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti which is the worlds largest organisation rehabilitating over 1.55 million differently-able people through Jaipur Foot.

Modi arrived here yesterday on a three-day visit to attend the ASEAN-India and East Asia summits. PTI MPB CPS AKJ SMJ

--- ENDS ---
watch now

Emirates has not ruled out buying more Airbus A380s in future but the aircraft maker would have to guarantee it could keep its production line going, Emirates' chief executive told CNBC Monday. Emirates was expected to announce a deal to buy another tranche of Airbus A380s on Sunday at the Dubai Airshow. But the airline issued a surprise by swooping for 40 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners from Airbus' main rival in a provisional order worth $15.1 billion. The Gulf's largest carrier says deliveries will begin in 2022, bringing its total commitment with Boeing to over 200 units. Emirates Chief Executive Tim Clark said Monday that he wouldn't rule out buying more Airbus A380s in future, however, telling CNBC that he would tell Airbus to "keep the (production) line going." "We need copper-bottom (trustworthy) undertakings so if we do order some more that they will not cancel the program, so getting them across the line with regard to the commitments they would have to make to support the line over the next ten, fifteen years is vital to us," he said.

Emirates President Tim Clark. Daniel Munoz | Reuters

"The ownership, my bosses here, will not sanction any further acquisitions unless they know the line is going to be continued and they have a full understanding of what would happen if there was a cancellation," he added. Clark said Airbus needed to revitalize its sales efforts amid a more uncertain global economy and geopolitical landscape, saying that management boards were far more risk averse now, worried about their commercial teams being able to fill aircraft. Emirates Chairman, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al-Maktoum, said on Sunday that the carrier had chosen the latest version of Boeing's mid-sized wide-body jet after comparing it with the Airbus A350, according to Reuters.
European markets



Financial services was the worst-performing sector, closing down 1.58 percent, as investors showed signs of concern over the future of tax reform plans in the U.S. Consequently, U.S. equities struggled to post gains around the European close, as market-watchers fretted that tax reform may not arrive this year. Food and Beverage, however, outperformed fellow sectors, closing up 0.3 percent as a sector, with Swiss chocolatier Barry Callebaut leading the sector, finishing up over 3 percent. The FTSE 100 was the standout gainer in mid-morning deals boosted by sterling weakness, but closed slightly lower, dragged down by financial, retail and industrial stocks. Nonetheless, sterling has remained under pressure on growing concerns over the future of Theresa May as prime minister. A report published by the U.K.'s Sunday Times newspaper showed that a group of 40 Conservative members of parliament had agreed to sign a letter of no-confidence in the U.K. leader. The British currency was 0.61 percent down against the dollar at the European market close.

EDF tumbles over 10 percent

In individual stocks news, EDF hit the bottom of the European benchmark, ending down by 10.39 percent after the group lowered its core earnings and cash flow guidance for 2018. In other energy news, Shell agreed to sell almost two-thirds of its stake in Woodside Petroleum for $1.7 billion. Building materials group Kingspan dropped 6.5 percent, after it pointed out that it had seen recent evidence of "a slowdown in U.K. commercial and industrial activity." This comes after the company saw sales rise 19 percent during the first nine months of 2017, compared to the same period in 2016. Sticking with the U.K., several British retailers sank to the bottom of the sector. This follows a Visa survey that revealed Monday that overall spending by British consumers in October had fallen at its fastest rate in over four years. Meanwhile, Sonova shares fell 2.4 percent after the Swiss hearing aid maker reported first-half results that missed analyst expectations.
The General Electric logo on a GE Aviation CF6-80C jet engine as it hangs from the wing.

General Electric's Chief Executive John Flannery plans to disclose a roadmap for the company on Monday that will focus on three of its biggest business lines  aviation, power and health care, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing a person familiar with the matter.

The report also says the plan stops short of a breakup or more radical restructuring of the 125-year-old company, but Flannery will look to exit most of its other operations.

GE announced Monday it plans to slash its quarterly dividend by 50 percent to 12 cents a share from 24 cents a share.

The Boston-based company also plans to shed its majority stake in Baker Hughes , which became a separate public company in July after merging with GE's oil and gas operations, the report said.

"We don't have a comment until the presentation is released at 8:30 a.m. ET," GE spokeswoman Deirdre Latour said in an email when contacted by Reuters.

GE was reported to be laying off sales staff and other employees in its software division, according to sources, last week, ahead of Flannery's expected announcement on Monday of a plan to slash costs and jettison units in an effort to improve the company's profits.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai takes the stage during the presentation of new Google hardware in San Francisco on Oct. 4, 2016.

The Missouri attorney general's office is investigating whether Google has run afoul of consumer protection or antitrust laws in the state.

Attorney General Josh Hawley's office said on Monday that it issued a subpoena to investigate if Google's use of information that it collects about consumers is appropriate and if the company stifles competing websites in search results.

Google has largely steered clear of antitrust problems in the U.S. That's not the case in Europe, where the company faces a fine of about $2.7 billion over the display of its shopping ads. Google has challenged the decision in Europe, citing competitors like Amazon and eBay and arguing that its process doesn't favor "ourselves, or any particular site or seller" but rather is "the result of hard work and constant innovation, based on user feedback."

The Federal Trade Commission has come to rely more heavily on states attorneys general for enforcement. The FTC sometimes comments on state regulations or coordinates a joint investigation, and state attorneys general can bring federal antitrust suits on behalf of a citizen of their state.

Google Spokesperson Patrick Lenihan told CNBC that Google has not yet received the subpoena.

"[W]e have strong privacy protections in place for our users and continue to operate in a highly competitive and dynamic environment," Lenihan said.
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush on Monday said it would be "stupid" for Republicans to pass only temporary tax cuts.

Lower tax rates, part of the GOP push to overhaul the American tax system this year, may have to last only for a few years to comply with Senate rules.

"That is really stupid because it creates uncertainty," Bush, a 2016 presidential candidate, told CNBC's "Power Lunch" in Florida. "The Byrd Rule should be modified. If you want to create long-term economic growth, you've got to think beyond 10 years in my mind. So maybe  I mean, the rule's not going to change. But it does create a real problem."

Under Senate rules Republicans aim to use to approve a tax-reform plan, a bill cannot increase budget deficits after 10 years. The current congressional GOP proposals to chop corporate and household taxes are projected to significantly expand deficits.

To stay within the rules, Republicans may have to consider changes, like adding more provisions to raise revenue or making tax cuts expire within the decade.

Bush on Monday said a lack of consistent policy could discourage business actions that would boost job opportunities and wages.

"We're very short-term oriented in how we go about business these days and the net effect is we're not training people and we're not creating higher wage jobs. And income has really lagged behind," he added.

House Republicans aim to pass their tax plan this week. The Senate starts marking up, or debating and amending, a slightly different tax proposal on Monday afternoon.

If the chambers approve separate bills, they will have to reconcile the plans before passing unified legislation.

The Congressional Budget Office projected that an earlier version of the House plan would add $1.7 trillion to budget deficits over 10 years.

The plans would get rid of some deductions and other measures to offset the tax cuts. But the plans are not expected to fully cancel out the lost revenue with other money-raising measures.

Many Republicans argue that economic growth sparked by the tax changes will either largely or fully make up for the cuts.
Joe Biden will not tip his hand on 2020.

On Monday, the former vice president told NBC's "Today" show that he is "not closing the door" on running for the Democratic nomination for president. Biden, who decided not to run in 2016 following the death of his son Beau, said he "honest to God" does not know if he will seek the White House.

Biden, 74, cast some doubts on the prospect in a separate interview with Snapchat's "Good Luck America," which is not yet released but was seen by The Associated Press.

"I've done it a long time," the former senator from Delaware said, "and I'm just not sure it's the appropriate thing for me to do."

Biden made the comments while promoting a new book, "Promise Me, Dad: A Year of Hope, Hardship and Purpose." It chronicles Biden's life around the time of his son's death.

Biden has said he could have beaten President Donald Trump in last year's election.

The former vice president is a popular Democratic politician who may appeal to the working class voters in traditionally blue states that helped to elect Trump. However, many in the party will likely seek a younger candidate who is not seen as a so-called establishment Democrat.

Disclosure: NBC and CNBC are owned by NBCUniversal, a division of Comcast.
into the burgeoning satellite industry.

Loft Orbital is the latest entrant, offering a "rideshare service" of buying satellites and then leasing space onboard to multiple customers. The company announced Monday it raised $3.2 million in a recent seed funding round led by Uncork Capital.

"We want to make the experience of accessing space as easy as buying cloud services from Amazon Web Services," CEO Antoine de Chassy told CNBC. "Instead of building or buying a satellite for your sensor, just lease space onboard one of our satellites and fly with us."

With its first satellite launch planned for 2019, de Chassy says Loft will now focus on purchasing satellites from manufacturing partners and bringing on more customers. He says Loft is tapping into an underserved market, due to the traditionally complex and capital-heavy requirements for launching a satellite.

"We're targeting the smaller, more fragmented landscape of smaller sensors  roughly $1 million to $2 million per year deal size for us," de Chassy said. "It's similar to how Boeing and Airbus sell aircraft directly to large customers ... but also sell to aircraft leasing companies who lease aircraft to smaller airlines."

One of the investors in the most recent round, MDI Ventures, is an arm of Telkom Indonesia  the largest telecom company in the southeast Asian country. CEO Nicko Widjaja says his venture capital group has been looking to invest in the space industry for two years, looking at over half a dozen companies throughout the San Francisco bay area and Texas.

"While most are still in early deployment, Loft has already attracted customers and it's related to what we do at Telkom Indonesia," Widjaja said. "What Loft offers makes sense for our corporate customers."

Loft aims to fly 12 to 15 satellites per year, negotiating the launch contracts with rocket companies for its customers and operating the units once in orbit. While recent buzz has focused on the development of smaller cubesats, Loft will fly "washing machine-sized satellites."

"We want to use standard satellites because it enables us to create a USB-like interface," de Chassy added. "Our interface will ultimately be able to accommodate any sensor looking for a ride to space  [which] dramatically reduces the cost and time to integrate and test the satellite."
The ride-hailing war between Uber and Lyft is moving international for the first time, with Lyft soon offering rides in Toronto, its first expansion outside the U.S.

Lyft announced plans on Monday to expand its service to Toronto in time to "help ring in the holidays."

"From brunch in Bloordale and belly laughs on Mercer St to polishing off some late-night poutine at your favourite burger joint out in Woodbridge, we know Toronto is the place to be," the company said in a statement, employing Canadian spellings to mark the occasion.

Lyft has long been trying to carve out an equal share of the American ride-hailing market, but has struggled to match up against Uber.

Both companies have been eyeing IPOs, which could provide another frontier for competition as Wall Street weighs in on valuations.

Uber this weekend announced a plan to sell a stake to Japanese investment firm Softbank, potentially expediting the public offering.
Escalating retail headwinds aren't only impacting retailers these days  just take a look at their landlords.

General Growth Properties , one of the largest publicly traded U.S. mall owners, received a nearly $15 billion bid on Saturday from Brookfield Property Partners to acquire the shares it currently doesn't own in the real estate investment trust. The news comes after reports that Brookfield had held "preliminary discussions" with GGP about taking the company private.

Chicago-based GGP is often considered top of its peer group, with a real estate portfolio consisting mainly of "Class A" malls, or those that draw the most sales per square foot. To be sure, like its REIT rivals, GGP has still struggled with retail bankruptcies, store closures and a shift in spending to online platforms.

"We believe GGP is negotiating a privatization transaction from a position of weakness," Wells Fargo analyst Jeff Donnelly wrote in a note to clients.

Brookfield has offered to pay $23 per share for the remaining 66 percent of GGP  split between cash and equity. The Wall Street Journal first reported on the proposal Sunday evening.

"Brookfield's access to large-scale capital and deep operating expertise across multiple real estate sectors combined with GGP's high-quality retail asset base will allow us to maximize the value of these irreplaceable assets," Brookfield CEO Brian Kingston said in a statement.

GGP said it formed a special committee of independent directors to review the bid, bringing on Goldman Sachs as a financial advisor.

GGP shares surged 6.7 percent Monday to $23.69  above the offer price, implying the pot could get even sweeter. According to analysts, a $14.8 billion price tag likely won't be enough for GGP.

"The $23 price should set a floor for GGP shares," Boenning & Scattergood analyst Floris van Dijkum said. "We believe this initial offer is too low while [Brookfield] has a history of raising its offer for takeover candidates."

Dijkum said he's expects an offer closer to $30 per share.

"While the offer is encouraging, cementing BPY's rumored interest and the recent M&A euphoria, it falls short of GGP private market value estimates and investor expectations," Mizuho analyst Haendel St. Juste said. "This is just 'round one' of a fluid situation."

Brookfield's 34 percent stake in GGP has a market value of roughly $21 billion.

GGP shares were down more than 25 percent for the year before surging last week on buyout chatter. Now, Wall Street is rallying behind a potential take private, and short sellers are seen fleeing.

Brookfield took its first stake in GGP as part of an agreement to bring the REIT out of bankruptcy in 2010. It acquired more GGP warrants in early 2013, filings show, and agreed to maintain its stake in the company below a 45 percent threshold through last January.

A year earlier, Brookfield reportedly was considering acquiring the REIT, which at the time had a market value of $24 billion. The two were also in talks prior to GGP seeking bankruptcy protection in 2009, as it prepared to restructure its $27 billion debt load.

This year, GGP has focused efforts around renovating locations and filling vacated spaces within its malls. The REIT has reduced its exposure to apparel tenants, for example, and added more food options.

"One of the key tenets of our business plan is capitalizing on the embedded opportunity with our portfolio to redevelop anchor boxes," CEO Sandeep Mathrani said on a recent conference call with analysts and investors.

In October alone, GGP acquired two Sears locations  in Pennsylvania and Louisiana. To date, GGP has invested more than $2 billion in redeveloping 115 of its properties, reaping "very attractive returns," Mathrani said.

A tie-up with Brookfield could give GGP the opportunity to pursue a more mixed-use strategy, incorporating apartments and office buildings into its properties, something Mathrani has expressed interest in doing.

Brookfield has a much more diversified real estate portfolio that includes office properties, retail boxes, multifamily housing units, student housing and self-storage centers. The proposed transaction with GGP would allot Brookfield ownership interest in roughly $100 billion of real estate assets globally.

As retailers face more challenges from online competitors like Amazon , their landlords are increasingly of interest. Other retail REITs are being targeted by activist investors who demand change at a more rapid clip.

Just last week, Dan Loeb's Third Point hedge fund revealed it had built a position in mall owner Macerich . Loeb could push for a potential sale of the company over time, according to reports.

One of the biggest activists in the real estate industry is Jonathan Litt, a former managing director at Citigroup. He founded the hedge fund Land and Buildings in 2008 and has recently pressured Taubman Centers to explore strategic options.

Taubman's portfolio consists mainly of U.S. shopping centers, but the REIT also has a small presence in China and South Korea.

In a separate attack, Litt is urging Hudson's Bay  the parent company to Lord & Taylor and Saks Fifth Avenue  to consider being taken private by management or consider other uses for its real estate.

Mall owners including GGP, Taubman, Macerich, Simon Property Group , CBL Properties , Washington Prime Group , Seritage , and Pennsylvania REIT have seen their stocks fall in 2017, some by more than 40 percent.
Here's how it works: First, people go on the company's website to upload a bit of information about themselves, like age, height and medical history. Then the person is matched with researchers who may be interested in their DNA. If researchers choose you, a collection kit with a plastic tube is sent, the donor swabs their cheek, sends the sample in and collects $50. And according to the company, the whole process is anonymous .

"We are paying you for spitting in a tube," Noel says. The stipend is $50 and can be done over and over again.

The idea comes from Olivier Noel, the CEO of DNA Simple , who explains how it works during a pitch on ABC's " Shark Tank " on Sunday, while asking the sharks to invest $100,000 in exchange for a 12.5 percent stake in the company.

If you're short on cash , there is a new way to earn a bit of spending money while helping to advance disease research: selling your spit to science.

"I used to sell my blood all the time," investor Mark Cuban says after hearing the pitch. "This is just a new-age version of that."

As long as there are research organizations interested in your samples, you can keep sending them in and keep getting paid.

"Normally, it is an extremely expensive and very long process for researchers to get enough samples for studies," Noel explains. He adds that a typical study at an academic institution could require between 30,000 and 100,000 participants  meaning a lot of DNA. "Our company is basically making it simple: We pay you for your spit, researchers get the samples they need and we get paid for making it all happen."

For that coordination, research companies are willing to fork up money. Typically, DNA Simple gets paid $155 for each sample they bring in, Noel says on the show. It is costing him $12.50 to make each collection kit, in addition to each $50 cash pay out the company is sending participants. Since the company's inception in 2015, it has matched over 500 spit donors to studies, bringing in $30,000.

Noel, 29, himself has experience doing research. He is currently studying at Pennsylvania State University's College of Medicine for an M.D. and Ph.D. But his success today is far from where he started.

"I grew up in Haiti, but in Haiti, we had the earthquake," he says. "So, after high school, I moved to New York because I had a lot of family there, and that is where opportunities took me."

While living in Queens, he began studying at Queens College and tackled challenges as they came.

"I worked up to five jobs in college majoring in chemistry and biochemistry and graduated with honors," he explains on the show. "I tutored French, Spanish, math, chemistry and biology to private students. I was selling bags and watches at Fossil, and I was working also next door selling jeans and shirts at American Eagle."

During his time studying the medical field, he noticed challenges in research for recruiting study participants.

"Some researchers, in a five-year grant, you spend three to four years to recruit people," he explains. "Literally there are studies that die because  let's say you're doing a study where you need 1,000 blacks or Hispanics. I'm in Hershey, Pa. No offense, it would take about 100 years to get those people."

That too, is a bigger problem he hopes to alleviate.

"Less than 5 percent of clinical trials have minorities in them," Noel continues. "Some people are hard to find, and so this idea, that is our competitive advantage."

The idea struck a cord with both billionaire investors Richard Branson and Mark Cuban.

Branson offered $100,000 for 25 percent, but Cuban upped the pressure, offering $200,000 for 20 percent. And, Cuban had another condition: "I'll make you an offer, but I want you to say yes or no right now."

Noel quickly made Cuban a counter offer, asking for the $200,000 for 15 percent.

Cuban's answer? "Sure. Done."

For Noel, the deal marked an inspiring moment.

"I was this little kid, 18 years old, coming from Haiti with no money, and no directions and no plans, and now I'm striking a deal with a shark," Noel says. "This is the American dream."

Don't miss: This ex-NFL player had 4 'Shark Tank' investors fighting over his new kind of foam roller  and walked away with $250,000

Like this story? Like CNBC Make It on Facebook!

Disclaimer: CNBC owns the exclusive off-network cable rights to "Shark Tank."
By PTI: By Anisur Rahman

Dhaka, Nov 13 (PTI) Bangladesh police today rescued two pairs of lion and tiger cubs from the countrys western Jessore district, as they were allegedly being smuggled to India, officials said.

The poachers were carrying the cubs to West Bengal in two cartons in a jeep, Anisur Rahman, district police chief said.

Two people were arrested in this connection and the initial police investigations revealed that the wild animals were brought from Dhaka and the jeep was supposed to reach a house in a bordering village for the planned smuggling.

advertisement

Police said they were investigating whether the tiger cubs were poached from the Sundarbans, the worlds largest mangrove forest, which has a significant population of the endangered Bengal tigers.

The cubs were handed over to the forest department.

Forest officials said they had planned to release them at Bangabandhu Safari Park on the outskirts of the capital.

Bangladesh brought in new laws in 2010 to protect wildlife, but poaching remains rampant.

A 2015 census found the number of Bengal tigers in the 10,000 sq-km Sunderbans to be just over 100 while the figure was estimated at 440 a decade ago. PTI AR DPB KUN DPB

--- ENDS ---
One of the defining actions of President Donald Trump's tenure in the White House so far is his decision to withdraw the U.S. from a 12-nation trade pact that would have had wide-ranging implications for the global economy.

Now that deal  the Trans-Pacific Partnership  looks like it's going to be settled without the U.S.. That may mean American farmers and small business owners will soon regret Washington's exit.

"The U.S. business community that's going to get hit the hardest when TPP happens is going to be agriculture and small and medium-sized enterprises," said Steve Okun, senior advisor at international trade consultancy McLarty Associates and a former deputy general counsel at the U.S. transportation department.

Progress on the agreement, now known as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, hit a milestone over the weekend as the 11 remaining members agreed on core elements for a new framework without the U.S.

Once the new deal is implemented, American farmers could be left at a disadvantage: The agreement seeks lower tariffs for goods traded among members, the bulk of which are Asia-Pacific nations. That means non-member countries, such as the U.S., will still face high rates when shipping to Asia-Pacific.

"It's going to really benefit farmers and agricultural producers here in Asia-Pacific and not the U.S.," Okun told CNBC.
Wall Street rarely talks about its mistakes, but BMO Capital Markets admitted in a note to clients that it messed up with its bearish call for Nvidia shares.

The firm's analyst raised his rating for the chipmaker to market perform from underperform, saying his predictions and forecasts were way off base.

"We have been reluctant to change our view, but now recognize that our underperform call did not work out," BMO's Ambrish Srivastava wrote in a note to clients Sunday.

"Our negative stance to date was based largely on our view that the gaming business would see a marked deceleration in CY17 vs. CY16. However, the diversity in the business with wins at Nintendo, and help from the cryptocurrency market, has enabled the business to sustain at a higher level than what we were modeling."



Nvidia shares closed at an all-time high Friday, a day after it reported stronger-than-expected third-quarter earnings results. The stock is up 102.5 percent year to date through Friday compared with the S&P 500's 15 percent gain. That performance ranks No. 4 in the entire S&P 500.

Srivastava raised his price target for Nvidia shares to $200 from $135. The new target is 7.5 percent below Friday's closing price.

About 19 percent of Nvidia's sales are in its data center segment, where its cards are used for machine learning and artificial intelligence applications.

"NVIDIA has done a very good job in capitalizing on the demand for AI/ML, and primarily on the training side, where the company really has no competition," Srivastava wrote. "While we are ourselves believers in the secular trend to heterogeneous computing, we have been wrong on the tailwind for NVIDIA's business in this market."

Srivastava lowered his rating for the company's shares to underperform from market perform on Feb. 23. Nvidia stock is up 115 percent since the downgrade through Friday.

"Additionally, NVIDIA has also demonstrated a far higher amount of leverage in its model than we had been anticipating. The recently-reported quarter was an example of the earnings power in the model," he wrote.

Nvidia stock traded down 1.3 percent on Monday.
OPEC sees no reason for investors to expect oil to hit peak demand before 2040, the organization's secretary general said Monday.

Speaking at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition Conference (ADIPEC), General Mohammed Barkindo said that the cartel's projections did not foresee oil demand cresting over the coming decades.

Instead, he argued, a dramatic increase in global population would likely result in even more people living without access to electricity, cooking gas or heating. "These parameters suggest there will not be peak oil demand before this time (2040)," Barkindo said.

In contrast to OPEC's projections, Shell CEO Ben van Beurden told CNBC in July that he expected demand for oil to peak by the late 2020s or early 2030s in a best-case scenario.

In offering a faster timeline than other closely followed oil market prognosticators, van Beurden said while it was not the oil major's base case scenario, policy and technology developments in the industry could result in peak demand in the medium-term.

Meanwhile, OPEC on Monday forecast higher demand for its oil in 2018 and said its production-cutting deal with rival producers was reducing excess oil in storage, pointing to an even tighter global market next year.



In a monthly report released shortly after Barkindo addressed an energy industry conference, OPEC said the world would need 33.42 million barrels per day (bpd) of OPEC crude next year, up 360,000 bpd from its previous forecast.
The chief brand officer at Procter & Gamble has said he worried about racial bias at work and previously downplayed the fact that he is half-Mexican. Speaking at a conference in Miami, Florida, last week, P&G's most senior marketer Marc Pritchard explained that his father was Mexican-American, but was adopted by a man with an English name. "Growing up, I had the ability to move between white and Latino cultures. But when entering the workforce, I suppressed my Mexican heritage, for fear of being labeled, because I had heard these denigrating terms used many times in my life," he said at the Association of National Advertisers (ANA) 2017 multicultural marketing and diversity conference.

Procter & Gamble's Marc Pritchard speaking at the Olympic Pride event in Washington, DC, in September 2016 Paul Morigi | Getty Images

"I came to grips with my own biases to change my attitudes and behavior. I recognized the privilege of being viewed as white, with a name like Pritchard, and decided to share my personal story and open up a dialogue within our company," he said in a transcript of his speech seen by CNBC.

Prejudice in society

Pritchard, who has worked at P&G since 1982, said that people of black, Asian and Latino ethnicity, as well as people of mixed race, are the fastest-growing segment of the population in the U.S., and will soon become the majority. "They're growing in economic and political power, with ever-expanding purchasing power. On the other hand, the forces of prejudice and bigotry are openly coming to the surface again, creating divisiveness and conflict, and threatening progress that has been made for decades." Geoffrey Precourt, U.S. editor at research consultancy WARC, who attended the conference, agreed that bias was coming to the forefront in some parts of society. "Even as multicultural audiences are growing in size and affluence, they are also witnessing renewed push-back from the less-progressive corners of American society." Pritchard urged marketers to break the myths around marketing to multicultural audiences, such as putting it into a separate division or assuming that advertising will broadly appeal to every ethnic group.

He also outlined ways that P&G is tackling bias, including "dramatically increasing" the diversity shown in its advertising and removing stereotypes; new products such as its Pantene Gold for African-American women; and launching a website to "start a conversation around racial bias." He added that P&G has ensured that ads for soap products Swiffer and Dawn and diaper brand Luvs feature doting African-American fathers. "Black fathers are often unfairly stereotyped as being absent or inattentive. We view our advertising right with black families as the highest bar to clear," Pritchard said. Laundry detergent Tide has a U.S. market share of 43 percent, Pritchard said, adding that it is the most popular among different groups, including Latinos and baby boomers. The brand also helped increase P&G's household division's net sales by 2 percent according to first fiscal quarter results.

Agency diversity
watch now

Defense company Raytheon is seeing a growth market in missile defense systems in Europe and the Middle East due to increased "threat dynamics," the company's international chief executive told CNBC at the Dubai Airshow. "There is (a growth market in Europe) as a direct result of the threat dynamic that our customers are seeing. They want to have the ability to protect their sovereignty," Raytheon International Chief Executive John Harris said Monday. Last week, the Swedish government said it was going to start negotiations to spend over $1 billion for Raytheon's U.S.-made Patriot surface-to-air defense missile system that it expects to be operational by 2025 at the latest. The purchase comes amid increasing tensions near the Baltic Sea. The Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania) have fears over possible aggression from their neighbor Russia. Nordic countries, such as Sweden, have reportedly looked to deepen their defense cooperation with these Baltic states in response to this aggression.

The patriot missile is manufactured at Raytheon's Integrated Air Defense Center in Andover, Mass. John Tlumacki | The Boston Globe | Getty Images

Remarking on the deal, Harris said that the Patriot system was "the world's only combat-proven integrated air missile defense system" and that he was "really proud" to be able to supply the system to the Swedish government. He added that there had also been an increase in interest for Raytheon's defense systems in the Middle East amid increasing instability in the region, particularly between Saudi Arabia and Iran. "There's been demand signals because of the threat dynamic in our core competencies which are integrated air missile defense, precision-guided munitions, cyber, mission support, all areas that give our allied nations the ability to protect their sovereignty."

Criticism

Despite the increased interest in missile defense systems from national governments, there is widespread criticism of arms manufacturers such as Raytheon and BAE Systems in the U.K., for their arms sales to countries like Saudi Arabia, which has led airstrikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen. More than 10,000 people have died during the conflict, according to the United Nations, and a humanitarian disaster is ongoing in the country. Harris rebutted criticism, however, saying Raytheon sought to train its customers on how to use its systems "appropriately." "We do the hard work of making sure that the countries that employ our systems have the very best training and the ability to use the system in an appropriate manner and that's a thing that we're very interested in making sure we do."

North Korean threat
Republican Sen. John Barrasso told CNBC on Monday that sexual misconduct allegations against Roy Moore are "disturbing," and Moore should drop out of Alabama's race if true.

Moore, the 70-year-old GOP nominee for a special Senate race in Alabama, was accused by a woman of initiating a sexual encounter when she was 14 years old and he was 32. Three other women said he pursued them when they were 16 to 18. Their accounts were published last week by The Washington Post.

"These charges seem very credible, they're very disturbing," said Barrasso, the fourth-ranking member in the Senate Republican leadership. "If true, he should move aside."

"There's a month between now and the election," the Wyoming senator told "Squawk Box." "Ultimately, the people of Alabama are going to have to make that decision."

When asked whether Republicans would need Moore's vote to pass tax reform, Barrasso only said, "You can get into the issues of when one senator leaves and another comes in. We need 50 votes and the vice president to break a tie."

Moore has denied any wrongdoing, calling allegations "completely false and misleading." He has threatened to sue the Post.

Other Republicans, including President Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, have called on Moore to withdraw from the race if the claims are found true.

GOP Sen. Pat Toomey urged Moore to drop out now, saying on NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday that Moore's explanations had been inadequate and Republicans should consider Sen. Luther Strange as a write-in candidate to run against Moore. Strange lost the Republican primary to Moore in September. Moore was backed by former top Trump aide Steve Bannon. Strange was backed by Trump and McConnell.

Reuters and AP contributed to this report.
Trump has been traveling through Asia trying to rally global pressure against North Korea 's nuclear program, among other things.

"While we appreciate this maximum pressure and engagement policy, this time he has been showing some sense of flexibility in addressing this issue. He has shown some possibility of addressing this issue through diplomatic means," the South Korean diplomat said in an interview with " Power Lunch ."

President Donald Trump found some "common strategy" with Japan, South Korea and China on his trip to Asia when it comes to dealing with North Korea, former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told CNBC on Monday.

President Donald Trump shares a toast during a state dinner hosted by South Korea's President Moon Jae-in at the Blue House in Seoul, South Korea November 7, 2017.

During a speech delivered in South Korea last week, Trump called North Korean leader Kim Jong Un a "tyrant." Kim's government responded by calling Trump an "old lunatic."

Ban believes the only way to deal with North Korea is through diplomatic means.

"There is no military solution," he said. "Military means sometimes may be effective for a time being but it's not sustainable. You have seen such cases in Iraq and Afghanistan and in Syria."

He is also optimistic that the sanctions against North Korea are working.

Chinese President Xi Jinping "has made it clear that they will faithfully implement the Security Council resolution, and it seems that they are now doing it. That's why North Korea recently has been criticizing China by calling them names," he said. "That means the sanctions seem to be working."

 The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Sources from the CBI said that the agency is suspecting evidence was destroyed by school management before Haryana Police reached the spot.

By India Today Web Desk: A day after CBI revealed destruction of evidence by Haryana Police, the agency will now interrogate staff and management at Gurgaon's Ryan International School.

Sources from the CBI said that the agency is suspecting evidence was destroyed by the school management before Haryana Police reached the spot.

However, Haryana Police officials too are on the CBI radar for the destruction of evidence.

advertisement

Few well wishers of the school are also on the CBI radar, as sources revealed that several calls were made to senior police officers and politicians immediately after the incident.

"The manner in which the top officials of Haryana Police are clearly involved to botch up and to frame an innocent person by hatching criminal conspiracy, destructing evidence is absolutely unfortunate," said Pradyuman's family lawyer Sushil Tekriwal.

On Sunday, CBI's investigation of the murder of Ryan International School student Pradyuman Thakur has revealed that the Gurgaon Police destroyed evidence, and that it made a false arrest when it said a bus conductor killed the boy.

Whether the evidence was destroyed on purpose (and a knife deliberately 'planted' on the bus conductor), or whether it was just poor policing, needs to be determined by further investigation, sources added.

Four policemen from the city police's special investigation team are under the scanner. Their call records are being analysed, and a departmental enquiry has been recommended.

VIDEO | Major lapses found in Pradyuman murder investigation, CBI arrests Class 11 boy

--- ENDS ---
Boeing's international president has told CNBC that Saudi Arabia was a "very important market" for the company.

Marc Allen said Sunday that the airline manufacturer would continue to operate in the region despite increasing political instability and concerns over a conflict between the Kingdom and arch-rival Iran.

"Saudi Arabia is a very important market. We've been in Saudi Arabia for 70 years and we fully expect to be there for the next 100 years," Allen told CNBC.

"So the way that we approach the market as we do in most places is around partnership and it's about creating a deeply interwoven fabric of our capabilities and the customers' needs and then helping the customer grow in their capability so we're growing together."

He added: "So that's the model, that's what we've been doing and it's been working well. And we think it will be a very important part of the business going forward."

Boeing has said previously that it views Saudi Arabia's "Vision 2030," a program of economic and social reform, as an opportunity.
The national priority in education can be summed up in a four-letter acronym: STEM. And that's understandable. A country's proficiency in science, technology, engineering and mathematics is vital in generating economic growth, advancing scientific innovation and creating good jobs. The STEM campaign has been underway for years, championed by policymakers across the ideological spectrum, embraced in schools everywhere and by organizations ranging from the YWCA to the Boy Scouts. By now, the term  first popularized and promoted by the National Science Foundation  is used as a descriptive identifier. "She's a STEM," usually meant as a compliment, suggests someone who has a leg up in the college admissions sweepstakes. More from The New York Times:

'Victim Feminism' and sexual assault on campus

Saying farewell to education life

The disappearing American grad student Much of the public enthusiasm for STEM education rests on the assumption that these fields are rich in job opportunity. Some are, some aren't. STEM is an expansive category, spanning many disciplines and occupations, from software engineers and data scientists to geologists, astronomers and physicists.

What recent studies have made increasingly apparent is that the greatest number of high-paying STEM jobs are in the "T" (specifically, computing). Earlier this year, Glassdoor, a jobs listing website, ranked the median base salary of workers in their first five years of employment by undergraduate major. Computer science topped the list ($70,000), followed by electrical engineering ($68,438). Biochemistry ($46,406) and biotechnology ($48,442) were among the lowest paying majors in the study, which also confirmed that women are generally underrepresented in STEM majors. "There is a huge divide between the computing technology roles and the traditional sciences," said Andrew Chamberlain, Glassdoor's chief economist. At LinkedIn, researchers identified the skills most in demand. The top 10 last year were all computer skills, including expertise in cloud computing, data mining and statistical analysis, and writing smartphone applications. In a recent analysis, Edward Lazowska, a professor of computer science at the University of Washington, focused on the Bureau of Labor Statistics employment forecasts in STEM categories. In the decade ending in 2024, 73 percent of STEM job growth will be in computer occupations, but only 3 percent will be in the physical sciences and 3 percent in the life sciences. A working grasp of the principles of science and math should be essential knowledge for all Americans, said Michael S. Teitelbaum, an expert on science education and policy. But he believes that STEM advocates, often executives and lobbyists for technology companies, do a disservice when they raise the alarm that America is facing a worrying shortfall of STEM workers, based on shortages in a relative handful of fast-growing fields like data analytics, artificial intelligence, cloud computing and computer security. "When it gets generalized to all of STEM, it's misleading," said Mr. Teitelbaum, a senior research associate in the Labor and Worklife Program at Harvard Law School. "We're misleading a lot of young people." Unemployment rates for STEM majors may be low, but not all of those with undergraduate degrees end up in their field of study  only 13 percent in life sciences and 17 percent in physical sciences, according to a 2013 National Science Foundation survey. Computer science is the only STEM field where more than half of graduates are employed in their field. If physicists and biologists want to enjoy the boom times in the digital economy, a few specialist start-ups will train them and find them jobs as data scientists and artificial intelligence programmers.

Insight Data Science Fellows Program, which has offices in New York, Boston, Seattle and Palo Alto, Calif., began its first training program five years ago and now has 900 alumni working at companies like Facebook, LinkedIn, Airbnb, Amazon and Microsoft. Jake Klamka, a physicist who founded the program, kept hearing from Silicon Valley executives that they had considered hiring traditional scientists, but converting them to technologists seemed time-consuming and risky. So Mr. Klamka decided he would start a company to provide scientists a smoother pathway into the tech industry. Carlos Faham made that passage. He had an impressive academic career, with a string of grant awards and fellowships. His Ph.D. from Brown University was in dark-matter physics. After Brown, he was a postdoctoral fellow at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Dr. Faham loved the research, but after nearly two years he was feeling the strain of that life. By then, he had spent 12 years in college, graduate school and postgraduate research. His next step would be to compete for a handful of tenure-track teaching openings across the country. For the pricey Bay Area, he wasn't making enough. A postdoc researcher typically makes $40,000 to $60,000 a year. Dr. Faham had done serious programming for his physics research. He applied to tech companies, figuring they would be eager to hire someone with his intellectual firepower. He couldn't get an in-person interview. He was told his background was too academic. He fumbled a couple of phone screening interviews because the statistical and machine-learning problems were unfamiliar to him. "It was like hitting a wall running at full speed, really humbling," he recalled. Dr. Faham joined the seven-week Insight Data Science Fellows program in 2015. There was no formal course work. Other than a few tutorials by industry people, the time was spent creating a product  his was software for recognizing and tracking faces in video  and training for interviews. That involved solving a programming problem on a white board and explaining his thinking. "Interviewing is a muscle and you have to exercise it again and again," he said. After the program, he received six job offers. He accepted the offer from LinkedIn. (Insight is free for participants; hiring companies pay an undisclosed fee.) Today, Dr. Faham, 33, is a senior data scientist, working on a team that uses machine learning and statistical models to detect illicit activity on the social network, including fake job listings, ad fraud, spam and bot attacks.
Whenever I get an email from LinkedIn telling me about all the new jobs I could apply for, I usually click delete. But last week, desperate to put off filling in a long tax form, I started trawling through the site's latest job openings, and discovered something disturbing. One of the most annoying fads to come out of Silicon Valley in the past few years  the unlimited vacation policy  has spread. More from the Financial Times:

China considers launch of carbon trading scheme

Bloomberg can afford to be virtuous

Outmoded 'Mad Men' result in ad campaign misfires It does not seem that long ago that boundless time off was a novelty promised by the likes of Netflix, LinkedIn itself and Virgin's Richard Branson, who said he got the idea from Netflix. Now it is being offered by law firms in London, loan companies in Latvia, recruiters in Berlin and electronics outfits in Taipei. "Work hard and take time off when you need it," chirped a typical advert I spotted from Taiwan's Tomofun, a company that makes a camera for watching housebound pets from your desk.

The contagion is no real surprise. It is hard to think of another work perk that promises so much and delivers so little  to workers. It is a different story for companies. A big firm that ditches fixed paid leave for open vacations can wipe millions of dollars worth of unused leave liabilities from its books that would otherwise be paid to departing employees. At the same time, it can safely offer bottomless holidays knowing most employees will never take them, especially in the U.S., the only major advanced economy in the world that does not guarantee workers paid vacation time. American workers took an average of 16.8 vacation days last year, according to one report I read recently, and often fail to use up all their leave, largely because they "fear returning to a mountain of work." In Europe, where workers are guaranteed at least four weeks' paid leave, the thought of this American import creeping into more and more offices is awful. I can think of one or two people who would charge off for six weeks in Goa if they could. But I know more who would feel too pressured to try it, especially if they had to justify time off that was once ordained. Sure enough, evidence is already rolling in showing that people end up taking fewer days off at companies that have abandoned firm rules on holidays in favor of open schemes.
A woman on Monday alleged that Roy Moore, the Republican nominee for Senate in Alabama, sexually assaulted her when she was a minor.

Beverly Young Nelson said Moore groped her and tried to force her to perform oral sex when she was 16 and she worked at a restaurant that Moore frequented.

In a statement, Nelson said that Moore attacked her in his car after offering her a ride home.

According to Nelson, instead of driving her home, Moore parked in a lot behind the restaurant.

"Mr. Moore began groping me, putting his hands on my breasts. I tried fighting him off, while yelling at him to stop, but instead of stopping he began squeezing my neck attempting to force my head into his crotch. I continued to struggle. I was determined that I was not going to allow him to force me to have sex with him. I was terrified. He was also trying to pull my shirt off. I thought that he was going to rape me. I was twisting and struggling and begging him to stop. I had tears running down my face."

Nelson said Moore eventually gave up and then told her, "You are a child. I am the District Attorney of Etowah County. If you tell anyone about this, no one will believe you." After that, Nelson said, she either fell or was pushed out of his car and onto the pavement, and he drove away.

Attorney Gloria Allred and Nelson called on the Senate Judiciary Committee to subpoena Moore and hold a hearing on the allegations against him within the next weeks.

The event followed a stunning report Thursday by The Washington Post, which documented the accounts of four women who said Moore had pursued sexual relationships with them when they were in their teens. Moore was in his early 30s at the time.

The youngest of the four women, Leigh Corfman, said Moore initiated multiple sexual encounters with her when she was 14 years old. In an interview Friday afternoon with Sean Hannity, Moore denied ever having met Corfman but said he may have dated at least two of the women who spoke to the Post.

Moore did not immediately respond to the new allegations on Monday.

Since the first allegations were published on Thursday, a growing list of Republican senators have called on Moore to step aside, culminating on Monday with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who said, "I think he should step aside," in response to a question about Moore's next steps. McConnell was also asked whether he believed the allegations by Corfman and the three other women. "I believe the women, yes," he said.

Alabama will hold a special election on Dec. 12 to fill the Senate seat vacated by Attorney General Jeff Sessions. In September, Moore defeated Luther Strange, the Republican senator who had been appointed to fill Sessions' seat, in a Republican primary. Moore will face Democrat Doug Jones in the general election.

The first wave of polls released Monday in the wake of the allegations showed Moore and Jones locked in a tight race.
Cllr James Fredrickson is the Cabinet Member for Public Health on West Berkshire Council.

Sajid Javid does not have an easy task ahead of him. Since taking on the role of Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government in July last year, he has set himself the target of kick-starting a housing market that, by his own admission, is in crisis. His comments last week mark a welcome step change; announcing that the governments goal is shifting to expanding housing supply rather than boosting demand. Yet some backbench MPs have baulked at Mr Javids request for 50 billion of borrowing to fund an expansion of social and affordable housing. Whilst any support to enable local authorities to provide affordable housing should be lauded, Jacob Rees-Mogg is right to highlight that it is supply, rather than capital, that the housing market needs. Unfortunately this a far more difficult issue to tackle.

The first hurdle is historic planning policy. Supply is tightly restrained by a plethora of planning restrictions. The approval process itself is also conflicted. Many residents are homeowners and will not want to see their house values fall through a sudden expansion of the local housing supply, on top of fearing a sudden spike in infrastructure congestion that can follow large scale development. As for the local authorities, they are resource-constrained and tied in procedural red tape. They then often prefer fewer larger sites within their local plan rather than having to handle many smaller incremental applications.

Previous policy decisions have also inflated demand. Whilst the Help to Buy scheme has lifted many first-time buyers into home ownership, this benefit is relative. Whilst the policy expands the credit supply to young first-time buyers, it functions to increases the funds chasing a relatively static supply of goods. This then inflates prices. The first-time buyers comparative gain is then a loss to everyone else looking to purchase a property. Meanwhile, homeowners have reaped the rewards of holding on to their property and watching its value increase.

As a first step, liberalising planning rules to incentivise private sector investment would be an effective means to motivate build. Javid has rightly pointed to Londons density being considerably lower than that of other European major cities. Reviewing build height restrictions is then a clear step in the right direction.

As for expanding the supply of available land, there is a growing call for reviewing access to the green belt. Even a three per cent reduction in green belt space around London would deliver enough space for one million homes.

Both of these options are contentious. Many would not want to see high-rise buildings creeping ever upwards, nor previously public open spaces being turned into building sites. But with a housing market inaccessible for the majority of 25-34 year olds  long held resistance to such ideas may need to change.

In my own ward of Victoria in central Newbury, similar debates are ever present. By a slim majority, Vodafone was permitted to develop its global headquarters on greenfield land just outside the town centre. Whilst contentious at the time, that development stimulated the growth of the areas tech economy, which as a sector is now the areas largest employer. On the other side of the town, another once contentious housing build adjacent to Newburys racecourse has received a national award for integrating public open space into the wider development.

A contentious build is not then always a bad one; nothing worth doing comes easy. I hope that Javid takes the same approach to policy when reflecting on how the private sector can lead the expansion of our countrys housing supply in the years ahead.
By PTI: Noida, Nov 13 (PTI) A pregnant woman died and her husband was injured after they were hit by a car in a parking area near Sector 18 in Noida, a police official said today.

The incident happened around 9 pm last night, when a parking attendant was trying to park the car, the official said.

The attendant lost control over the wheel and hit Mansi (27) and Pratik. He then crashed the vehicle into an electric pole, the official added.

advertisement

The woman was declared dead by doctors at a hospital here and the man was stated to be critical.

The attendant has been arrested. PTI CORR ABH AAR

--- ENDS ---
Nadhim Zahawi is a member of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee and is the MP for Stratford On Avon.

A series of truly dramatic events occurred in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia the weekend before last. First, the Prime Minister of Lebanon, Saad Hariri, was reportedly summoned to Riyadh, and once he arrived he quickly resigned from his post. Just hours later, and possibly coincidentally, a missile launched by Iranian-backed rebels in Yemen was fired at the Saudi capital, and was apparently destroyed. And during the same weekend, the young Crown Prince, Mohammad bin Salman (commonly referred to as MBS), arrested around 200 people and eleven senior government officials in a new push against corruption.

These moves appear to be a sign that bin Salman is looking to change how things are done in his kingdom, and to exert greater influence across the wider region. He was only elevated to the position of Crown Prince and heir apparent to his fathers throne in June, but he has quickly sought to stamp his authority.

He was already the progenitor of the Vision 2030 plan to diversify the Saudi economy and encourage private economic growth in a country still largely run by oil money, and which will see the initital public offering of Aramco scheduled for next year. Now he is seen to be pushing domestic reforms, including the ending of the ban on female drivers in September and has seemingly added a drive to reduce corruption. In an interview with the Guardian in October, he said that the ultra-conservative culture of his country for the last 30 years has not been normal. Change is clearly coming as MBS gathers power towards himself, and a lot of this change is to be welcomed.

The Middle East is an impenetrably complicated mix of ethnic, national and religious ties and conflicts that defies simple explanations. However, one of the key themes of recent years has been the pseudo Cold War between Iran and Saudi Arabia  Shia and Sunni. The evidence is gathering that bin Salman is concerned about the current state of affairs, and is keen for his nation to exert greater influence in the region.

Saad Hariri, as Prime Minister of Lebanon, had to work with Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed terrorist group, while he was in post. Anyone who hopes to have any form of control of the nation must do so, due to the sheer amount of territory the group de facto controls and administers. It remains to be seen what the true reasons Hariri had for resigning his post so unexpectedly. However, he made reference to the control Iran had in his country through Hezbollah, and that he feared for his life.

We should not kid ourselves about Iranian ambitions in the Middle East. There is a reason for Iranian involvement in Iraq, its firm backing of Bashar Al-Assad in Syria and its funding of Hezbollah in Lebanon. Iran wants its sphere of influence to stretch from Tehran to the Mediterranean Sea. However, Irans true danger is that it makes these moves through destabilisation, not just by funding terrorist groups like Hezbollah and Hamas, or backing Houthi rebels against the Yemeni government, but also by raising and maintaining huge Shia militias in Syria and Iran which are not going anywhere soon. The Middle East is a region that could hardly do with this wilful destabilisation caused by the Iranian march for influence.

It is in this context that Saudis are seen as such vital regional counterweights. And many have perceived them as withdrawing slightly in recent years just as Iran expands their ambitions. We should therefore cautiously welcome signs that bin Salman might be more proactively engaging his country with the region. However, this caution must be reciprocated in his actions too.

Many commentators have suggested that the Crown Princes actions in arresting those he deemed guilty of corruption as evidence of how determined and impatient he is to reform Saudi Arabia and bring his country further into the twenty-firsr century. However, impatience might not be rewarded in the wider regional politics. Any impatience that leads to rash action could be disastrous. The news that Saudi Arabia ordered its citizens to leave Lebanon on Thursday could be an economic protest against Hezbollah, or a worrying precursor to war.

Bin Salman has a difficult job to do, bringing economic and social modernisation at home, while challenging Iranian intentions in the broader region. We should remember that both goals are broadly in line with those of Britain and our allies. But while we should welcome progress on both of these aims, we should be urging calm thinking and cool heads. No one will win if the cold war between Iran and Saudi Arabia turns hot.
Why did Boris Johnson give the incorrect answer about what Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was doing in Iran? To quote Michael Gove, I dont know. Whatever the reason  a misreading, winging it, or anything else  its obvious that the Foreign Secretary made a serious mistake which could well have severe consequences for a British citizen who is already in a dire situation.

The ultimate responsibility for Zaghari-Ratcliffes suffering lies with the murderous theocracy which has imprisoned and mistreated her, but Johnson has given the Iranians an excuse to extend that nightmare. Excuses are the essential fuel for any given tyrants propaganda effort. Anything to muddy the waters, to cast suspicion, to deploy smokescreens, or to imply a false moral equivalence between a tyrannical regime and its democratic critics. The Foreign Secretarys error helped our enemies and harmed an innocent victim of tyranny.

Its perfectly reasonable and merited to criticise Johnson for that failing. That doesnt mean we should indulge every demand and attack on him, however. Theres a deal of political game-playing underway, despite the seriousness of the situation.

Jeremy Corbyn, displaying further signs of his evolution into a politician, is making hay on the story with opportunistic gusto. Frankly, a man who was paid thousands of pounds by the propaganda wing of the regime torturing Zaghari-Ratcliffe is in no position to lecture others about undermining our country or putting our citizens at risk. But nonetheless, he persists.

More than a few others who had previously taken no notice whatsoever of Zaghari-Ratcliffes plight are now in full outraged mob mode. That is not due to a belated flowering of interest in human rights in Iran. Rather, some see an opportunity to score points on the issue they actually care about, and for which they cannot forgive Johnson: Brexit. Thats life for a prominent politician  theres always somebody out to get you  but it doesnt mean their words should be obeyed automatically.

We must be clear-sighted and rational about what comes next. Consider how Iran would most like this situation to develop, then try to do the opposite.

Richard Ratcliffe is of the view that Tehran is using his wife as a bargaining chip. Hes right, of course  the theocracy has a long history of taking hostages and prisoners on trumped-up grounds, and effectively bartering them for prestige or political advantage.

So far, Irans exploitation of Zaghari-Ratcliffe has broadly served their purposes. Johnsons error has undeniably handed them a bonus, ramping up the political value of their captive by creating a greater demand in the UK that the matter be resolved.

Theres now a danger for the UK  the risk that the scale of the political response at home could effectively give Iran the final say over the British Foreign Secretarys future. Thats what Michael Gove was driving at yesterday when he cautioned against shift[ing] the blame away from Iran and onto a democratically elected politician. If that happens, not only could it make things even worse for Zaghari-Ratcliffe by incentivising Iran to further mistreat her, but it would effectively grant far greater power to a deeply unpleasant, hostile state.
CORNWALL, Ontario  The City of Cornwall has been selected by the Korean Embassy as a site for this years Village Visit Program.

Representatives from the Korean Embassy will be visiting Cornwall on Friday, Dec. 1.

The Village Visit Program is one of the Korean Embassys public outreach (public diplomacy) programs aimed at building awareness of Korea and Korean culture in Canadian communities who may not have opportunities to experience and engage with Korean culture, as well as to forge bilateral ties and relations with municipal governments outside of the capital city in the hopes of exploiting and supporting areas (political, economic, social, cultural, etc) of mutual interest and benefit, the Korean Embassy said in a statement to Seaway News.

The Embassy stated that they planned on touring the city and visiting at least one school.

The main purpose of the program is to extend Koreas public diplomacy reaching out to the residents near the countrys capital city in order to enhance cultural, economical and people-to-people ties between Korea and Canada, the Korean statement went on to say. Considering the City of Cornwall would welcome an opportunity to contribute to supporting Canadians to have a better understanding of Korea and strengthening cooperation between the two countries, the Embassy reached out to the City to co-host the event.

The Embassy plans on meeting with City officials and the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce during their visit.

We are excited for this opportunity, said Cornwall Mayor Leslie OShaughnessy. You never know what can come out of a visit like this, but it is a great opportunity for us to showcase our city to another country.

Brent Stang, the instructor of SD&G Tae Kwon Do in Cornwall states that he was the one who originally approached the Korean Embassy with the idea of coming to Cornwall. Tae Kwon Do is a Korean martial art.
CORNWALL, Ontario  As the college faculty strike enters its fifth week, student concern is mounting.

Several St. Lawrence College students spoke to Seaway News on Friday, Nov. 10. They were gathered in a meeting at the school and were outlining ways that the strike had negatively been affecting them.

The white board in the room where they were meeting was covered in words like depression, financial concern, stress, uncertainty and anxiety all brought on by the ongoing strike.

The students wanted to convey these concerns to the faculty before they vote on the latest deal from the College Employers Council. The vote was scheduled to take place from Nov. 14 to 16, but OPSEU, the union representing the faculty has called on them to reject the deal.

I know several students in programs who have considered dropping out, said SSW student Ashley Skidders.

Schools, like St. Lawrence College, are considering extending semesters into the Christmas break to make up for time lost to the strike. Many students cannot advance to the next semester until their first semester classes are complete and this includes students in programs with a co-op component.

In addition to the worry about grades, assignments and classes, there is also a real financial pressure on students. Many are not able to get a job during the strike because of uncertainty around when it will end. International Students cannot get extra work during the strike at all in many cases.

Ontario Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development Deb Matthews stated on Friday that she would require colleges to setup a fund for students who have taken a financial hit because of the strike.
The Government of Ontario and Damen Shipyards Group have signed a contract for the design, build and delivery for two road ferries to operate in the Canadian waters of the Great Lakes.

The ferries will be a 68-meter Damen Road Ferry 6819 and a 98-meter Damen Road Ferry 9819. Although one vessel is 30 metres longer than the other they will share many design features and equipment specifications. Both will also be hybrid-ready, enabling them to be fitted with batteries when required. Both vessels are being designed in-house by Damen and will be fully customised for the local infrastructure.

The ferries will be based in Kingston and Loyalist Township, Ontario, at the north-eastern end of Lake Ontario. The new ferries will be significantly larger than the existing vessels. The larger of the two new ferries will serve the nearby Wolfe Island while the smaller will serve Amherst Island, just a few kilometers to the west.

The new ferries are expected to make crossings faster for the one million passengers and 500,000 vehicles which travel annually between Wolfe Island and Kingston, and the 270,000 passengers and 130,000 vehicles which travel to and from Amherst Island each year.

The ferries are scheduled for delivery at the end of 2019 (Amherst) and at the end of 2020 (Wolfe).
A massive expansion plan for Genting Hong Kong now includes eventual deployment in Europe and North America, sourced by the company in Asia and specifically, China, according to Colin Au, group president, speaking at China Cruise Shipping in Sanya.

Au said the company will expand its footprint into Europe, specifically the Mediterranean, and also Alaska in North America, catering to the needs of Asian and Chinese tourists.

Au did not mention what brand would be positioned into the markets, but said Star Cruises plans to cut steel for the first of two Global-class ships in early 2018, with delivery expected by the end of 2020 for the 5,000-passenger vessel. Dream Cruises would also be a candidate, offering a luxury and premium experience to Asian guests.

Genting also owns and operates Crystal Cruises.

He said that going forward, Genting expects China, Southeast Asia and India to play major sourcing roles for the company.

By buying up a consortium of shipyards in Europe, Genting will build one to two cruise ships a year going forward, he continued.

For China, Au added guests prefer itineraries of four to five-nights with two or three port calls, and most guests are focused on shopping in ports.

"All of these issues are typical for the initial stages of market development," Au noted.
Well, this is disturbing.

The Texas National Guard spent over $373,000 for two cellphone spying devices that are capable of intercepting calls and hoovering up content such as text messages and photos. Then they installed the devices on two surveillance planes, but they wont say how the cell-site simulators are being used or if they get a warrant before using them.

The Texas Observer managed to obtain contract documents showing that Maryland-based Digital Receiver Technology Inc. (DRT) installed two DRT 1301C cellphone surveillance boxes in two Texas National Guard RC-26 surveillance planes last year. Those aircraft reportedly used to operate under the front company Air Cerberus, but they now have military registrations to mask their flight routes and unique tail numbers.

The contract between the National Guard and DRT specified that the deal was done in partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration. The two dirt boxes were purchased with state drug-asset forfeiture money and are for investigative case analytical support in counternarcotic operations.

How cell-site simulators work, what they hear

Cell-site simulators mimic cellphone towers and trick phones within one-third of a mile into connecting to the surveillance devices. They can be used to eavesdrop on calls, intercept phone numbers dialed and obtain users locations. But these are not Stingrays by Harris Corp.

In fact, according to attorney Scott McCollough, who serves on the board of the Austin chapter of EFF, These DRT boxes are far more capable than the old Stingrays. The old-style Stingrays were not able to capture content. Guess what? The DRT box is.  These newer ones get everything.

In a previously leaked surveillance catalogue, the EFFs Jennifer Lynch explained that DRT 1301C devices can locate up to 10,000 targets and can process multiple analog and digital wireless devices all at the same time. Theyre even capable of intercepting and recording digital voice data. The best thing about the devices is the fact that no one may ever know youve used one.

Although the Texas National Guard has participated in Texas-Mexico border security and counternarcotic missions for 28 years, it claimed the dirt boxes were not being used for that.

In regard to your questions, the items you are asking about are not associated with the Operation Secure Texas mission, the National Guard told the Texas Observer.

What is the Texas National Guard using the spying devices for?

If the dirt boxes arent being used at the border, then where are they being used? Since the National Guard is military and not law enforcement, the Texas Observer wants to know under what legal authorities the State Guard would be operating to conduct electronic eavesdropping? The Texas National Guard refused to explain if it obtains a probable cause warrant before using the spy tech or even where the dirt boxes are being used.

When former Navy intelligence analyst and Texas Rep. Cesar Blanco was asked about the dirt boxes, he said he didnt know anything about the purchases. And Blanco is vice chairman of the committee that oversees the Texas National Guard.

There are really big privacy and constitutional due-process concerns with the use of this technology, Blanco told the Texas Observer. If its useful to authorities, then I completely understand that.  [But] if the Texas National Guard want to get into the business of surveillance and utilizing intelligence and classifying intelligence, theres got to be an oversight body that responds to the citizens of Texas.

EFF staff attorney Stephanie Lacambra added, Without a clear public policy posted on how theyre going to be allowed to use these kinds of devices, theres nothing to stop them from using a cell-site simulator in a suburb of Dallas any more than at the border. And people should be legitimately concerned about that.
You don't have to be a rocket scientist to fill jobs. But it takes one to figure out how the world will fill its 3.5 million cybersecurity jobs that are predicted to be open by 2021.

Sylvia Acevedo, a former rocket scientist for the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California  and now CEO of Girl Scouts of the United States of America, has partnered with Palo Alto Networks on a stroke of genius: training young girls on cybersecurity.

With the introduction of 18 new cybersecurity badges in 2018, Girls Scouts of all ages (K-12) will be able to explore opportunities in STEM while developing problem-solving and leadership skills, according to a press release announcing the program.

The growing cybersecurity workforce shortage

The cybersecurity workforce shortage is expected to grow from 1 million job openings in 2014 to 3.5 times that number between 2017 and 2021, according to a report by Cybersecurity Ventures.

Currently, the U.S. employs nearly 780,000 people in cybersecurity positions, with approximately 350,000 current cybersecurity openings, according to CyberSeek, a project supported by the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE), a program of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Technology leaders and academia are exploring all conceivable options to try and close the cyber skills gap. CIOs are attempting to cross-train their IT teams. Universities are creating new two-year, bachelor's, online, and master's degrees in cybersecurity programs. But there's no single, large organized (and receptive) talent pool for the colleges and cybersecurity industry from which to recruit.

Through cybersecurity, Girl Scouts can help make the world a better place

Acevedo leads the 100-year-old corps of 2.8 million Girls Scouts made up of 1.8 million girl members and 800,000 adult volunteers  with a mission that builds girls courage, confidence, and character with the goal to make the world a better place.

The cybersecurity field is an opportunity for girls to make a measurable difference in the world. Cybercriminal activity is one of the biggest challenges that humanity will face in the next two decades. The U.S., and the rest of the world, needs to get young people thinking about how they can help society  digitally.

If Girls Scouts of the USA is successful  and there's every reason to believe they will be  then the girl members will grow up to view working in cybersecurity the same as being police officers, firefighters and other occupations that serve communities.

There are Girl Scout groups and troops in more than 92 countries around the world. Girl Scouts of the USA is also affiliated with the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS)  which numbers 10 million girls and adults globally.

At Girl Scouts of the USA, we recognize that in our increasingly tech-driven world, future generations must possess the skills to navigate the complexities and inherent challenges of the cyber realm," said Acevedo.

"From arming our older girls with the tools to address this reality to helping younger girls protect their identities via internet safety, the launch of our national cybersecurity badge initiative represents our advocacy of cyber preparedness  and our partnership with Palo Alto Networks makes a natural fit for our efforts. It is our hope that our collaboration will serve to cultivate our troops budding interest in cybersecurity by providing access to invaluable knowledge that may otherwise not be available to girls  in communities across the United States, she said.

Girl Scouts partner with Palo Alto Networks

Palo Alto Networks deserves credit for collaborating with the head of the Girl Scouts and throwing their weight behind the new program.

Our mission to prevent cyber attacks and restore trust in the digital age is only achievable if we make meaningful investments not just in technology, but also in people," said Mark D. McLaughlin, chairman and CEO of Palo Alto Networks, in the company's press release. "Our collaboration with Girl Scouts of the USA to develop curriculum for the first-ever national cybersecurity badges will positively influence the future of our industry by helping build tomorrows diverse and innovative team of problem solvers equipped to counter emerging cyber threats.

If the Boy Scouts of America are paying attention to their counterparts, then credit the Girl Scouts of the USA for lighting a fire underneath them.

In a decade from now and beyond, society will owe a debt of gratitude to Acevedo, Girl Scouts of the USA, and Palo Alto Networks.

Visit SteveOnCyber.com to read all of my blogs and articles covering cybersecurity.

Follow me on Twitter @CybersecuritySF, or connect with me on LinkedIn. Send story tips, feedback and suggestions to me here.
"Relations between India and US are growing. Our relations go beyond; we are working for future interests of Asia and humanity," Modi said in his bilateral meeting with Trump.

PM Modi and Donald Trump meet on the sidelines of the ASEAN-India Summit (Twitter/NarendraModi)

By India Today Web Desk: In his meeting with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Philippines capital Manila, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said India and the US are working for the "future interests of Asia and humanity".

"Relations between India and US are growing. Our relations go beyond; we are working for future interests of Asia and humanity," Modi said in his bilateral meeting with Trump.

advertisement

LATEST UPDATES FROM ASEAN SUMMIT IN MANILA:

India has always contributed to world peace. Our contingent in the UN Peacekeeping Forces is among the biggest. India is the land of Mahatma Gandhi, peace is integral to our culture: PM Modi

Our efforts are aimed at transforming India and ensuring everything in our nation matches global standards: PM Modi

I've come to a nation and a region that is very important for India, says PM Modi at a community program in Manila

Speaking at the business meeting in Manila, PM Modi also touted some of his government's major initiatives such as the Jan Dhan Yojna and the focus on digital transactions.

Large sections of India's population did not have access to banking services. The Jan Dhan Yojana changed that in a matter of months and transformed the lives of millions: PM @narendramodi- PMO India (@PMOIndia) November 13, 2017

"Most sectors of the Indian economy are open for foreign investment," PM Modi said at the business meeting. "Task of transforming India is proceeding at an unprecedented scale. We are working day and night towards easy, effective and transparent governance."

Addressing a business meet in Manila, PM Modi strongly pitched the Make in India project, saying he wants to make the country a "global manufacturing hub".

Want to make India a Global Manufacturing Hub and we want to make our youngsters job creators: PM @narendramodi- PMO India (@PMOIndia) November 13, 2017

The move to set up the quadrilateral alliance comes in the backdrop of growing Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea. The US has been favouring a larger role for India in the strategically important Indo-Pacific region.

The two leaders are understood to have discussed the security scenario in the region besides several other issues of mutual interests, including ways to further boost bilateral trade.

The meeting in the Philippines capital came a day after officials of India, the US, Japan and Australia held talks to give shape to the much talked about quadrilateral alliance to keep the strategically important Indo-Pacific region free, open and inclusive.

The two leaders discussed a range of key issues including defence and security.

Prime Minister @narendramodi and President @realDonaldTrump held talks in Manila. pic.twitter.com/GLkiYJZgMk- PMO India (@PMOIndia) November 13, 2017

Trump on Saturday praised India's "astounding" growth after it opened up its economy and also lauded Modi, saying he has been working successfully to bring the vast country and its people together.

With an eye on an aggressive China, both India and the US are giving final shape to their security cooperation under the proposed quadrilateral coalition that also includes Japan and Australia.

India, the US, Japan and Australia on Sunday held their first official-level talks with a focus on keeping the Indo-Pacific region "free and open", seen as a move to counter China in the area.

Modi arrived in Manila on Sunday on a three-day visit to the Philippines during the course of which he will attend the 15th India-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and the 12th East Asia Summit on Tuesday.

This year marks the 25th year of the India-Asean dialogue partnership and the golden jubilee of the formation of the Asean regional bloc.

--- ENDS ---
Just because you are watching your money closely, doesnt mean you cant travel to a luxury resort without breaking the bank. My husband and I recently traveled to Turks and Caicos Islands and although the resort and its amenities were quite pricey, we were able to fully enjoy our trip because of a variety of smart money choices we made while there. From our experience, here are a few ways you can have a luxury tropical vacation (or an incredible honeymoon) without going broke.

Go to the grocery

We immediately learned from other travelers that stopping by the local grocery store for food and beverages was critical to saving money. Like many other locales, resorts in the Caribbean are known to be extremely pricey. We learned this the hard way after spending over $100 on our first lunch on the property upon our arrival. We quickly made plans to bike ride to the store and we saved tremendously on necessities for our week stay. For example, instead of eating every meal at expensive restaurants, because our room had a full kitchen, we bought items to cook for lunch and planned to eat dinners out instead.

Walk (or bike) dont ride

Instead of paying for taxis every time we needed to travel around town, we decided early on we would either walk or ride the bikes provided by the resort. Also, we learned quickly that renting a car for getting around town was also pricey. So, by walking and biking instead of riding, we not only saved money but also got some much-needed exercise.

Listen to the locals

One of our favorite evenings during our week stay was the night of the local fish fry. Locals working at the resort informed us of the event, hosted by the local tourism department. At the event, we not only found great food at low prices, but also inexpensive souvenirs handmade by local merchants. So, by listening to suggestions from those from the area, we were able to get a glimpse of the local culture, meet Turks natives, all while saving greatly on food, drinks, and gifts.
'Pa. women were scared': Abortion ranked as top issue during midterm

Before Election Day, polls suggested the economy had eclipsed abortion as a voting issue. But that's not what Pennsylvania exit polls show.
Talking Points:

US Dollar reclaims haven bid as most AsiaPac stocks follow Wall St lower

British Pound down as Tory MPs mount challenge to UK PM Theresa May

NZ Dollar under pressure as Greens and Labour clash on TPP ratification

The US Dollar returned to the offensive in Asia Pacific trade, rising alongside 10-year Treasury bonds while most regional stock exchanges slumped. The MSCI Asia Pacific equities benchmark shed 0.4 percent in a move that seemed to echo Fridays drop on Wall Street. That move reportedly reflecting ebbing confidence in US lawmakers ability to deliver on corporate tax cut legislation.

Seeing the greenback playing a safe haven role is somewhat unusual in recent months, especially in response to fading fiscal stimulus hopes. Indeed, an underwhelming Senate tax reform proposal was a major headwind last week. It will be curious to see if this dynamic continues to hold now that a Fed rate hike is all but completely priced in for Decembers policy meeting.

The British Pound traded broadly lower as markets reacted to news of a brewing revolt within the ruling UK Conservative party. As many as 40 members of Parliament reportedly signed a letter saying they have lost confidence in Prime Minister Theresa May. That is nearly enough to trigger a leadership challenge, complicating already sluggish Brexit negotiations.

The New Zealand Dollar also faced selling pressure. Here too, politics seemed to be culprit after reports that the Green Party will not support ruling Labour in voting to ratify a revised Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement. That will force Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to seek the support of the opposition National party, exposing potentially lasting fissures within the newly-minted governing coalition.

Looking ahead, a quiet economic calendar in European and North American trading hours leaves sentiment trends at the forefront. S&P 500 index futures are pointing cautiously higher, hinting that a bit of recovery in risk appetite might be ahead. Overnight moves imply that might bode ill for USD, although it is arguably premature to conclude that it is trading as a pure risk-off asset at this point.

What is the #1 mistake that traders make, and how can you fix it? Find out here !

Asia Session

European Session

** All times listed in GMT. See the full DailyFX economic calendar here.

--- Written by Ilya Spivak, Currency Strategist for DailyFX.com

To receive Ilya's analysis directly via email, please SIGN UP HERE

Contact and follow Ilya on Twitter: @IlyaSpivak
Get the Asia AM Digest every day before Tokyo equity markets open  sign up here !

The British Pound is facing broad-based selling pressure at the start of the trading week following a report that as many as 40 Conservative Party MPs agreed to sign a letter of no confidence in Prime Minister Theresa May. That is almost enough to trigger a leadership challenge and casts a cloud of uncertainly around already stalled Brexit negotiations.

Meanwhile, the US Dollar is tracking broadly higher having mounted a recovery after hitting a one-week low on Friday. The currency is rising alongside benchmark 10-year Treasury bonds while yields are falling, hinting that the greenback has reclaimed a degree of safe-haven appeal as sentiment sours across Asia Pacific bourses. Regional shares are trading broadly lower.

DailyFX Economic Calendar: Asia Pacific (all times in GMT)

DailyFX Webinar Calendar  CLICK HERE to register

IG Client Sentiment Index Chart of the Day: GBP/USD

CLICK HERE to learn more about the IG Client Sentiment Index

Retail trader data shows 51.6% of traders are net-long GBP/USD, with the ratio of traders long to short at 1.07 to 1. In fact, traders have remained net-long since Nov 01 when GBP/USD traded near 1.30522; price has moved 1.2% higher since then. The percentage of traders net-long is now its lowest since Nov 02 when GBP/USD traded near 1.30522. The number of traders net-long is 19.1% lower than yesterday and 33.5% lower from last week, while the number of traders net-short is 6.0% higher than yesterday and 29.7% higher from last week.

We typically take a contrarian view to crowd sentiment, and the fact traders are net-long suggests GBP/USD prices may continue to fall. Yet traders are less net-long than yesterday and compared with last week. Recent changes in sentiment warn that the current GBP/USD price trend may soon reverse higher despite the fact traders remain net-long.

Five Things Traders are Reading

To get the Asia AM Digest every day before the Tokyo cash equity open, sign up here

To get the US AM Digest every day before the US cash equity open, sign up here

To get both reports daily, sign up here
We have always prided ourselves on having the most powerful institution in India - the judiciary - to act as a bulwark against the other two pillars of our democracy - the legislature and the executive.

While, we the people are reconciled to falling standards of the other two pillars, we felt comforted that the Supreme Court was there to function as a moral compass to charter the vessel of political India in the wobbly waters.

There is near unanimity that with the other two institutions repeatedly yielding space, the apex court was there to fill the void. Even when the Supreme Court invented the collegium in the Second Judges Case and then let it stay by consigning the National Judicial Appointments Commission Act, to history, as unconstitutional, it was acquiesced in.

In no other polity, we have the spectacle of judges appointing themselves to the higher courts. All this and more, the apex court has been able to accomplish without any moral or legal demur. It is the fallen standards of the other two estates that has enabled this scenario. That, dear reader, was the prime reason that despite a sure and certain judicial overreach, beyond all known cannons of jurisprudence across continents in a democratic polity, the citizen was not unduly worried when politicos complained of "unelected tyranny" from the top court.

CJI Dipak Misra and justice J Chelameswar

But, of late, we have more than anecdotal evidence of the constitutional court/s on a downward spiral, which is terribly worrisome. Judges may come. Judges may go. The institution goes on forever and it alone matters. Lying at the core of this precept and practice, is institutional integrity and judicial discipline. If these faculties are frayed even at the edges - the confidence of the citizen in the institution is shattered, and that bodes ill for our democratic and republican ethos. And, if it impacts not the edges but the very core, then it is a wake-up call.

We had the spectacle of a "leaked" verdict on the day of retirement of the late chief justice Altamas Kabir in the infamous NEET verdict. Though the damaging order was reversed, on review, damage to the institution was never undone. The incoming chief justice P Sathasivam promised inquiry and 'action", and it has all remained under wraps, eating into the nobility of the institution till date.

Then, one is reminded of the imbroglio involving a sitting judge of the Madras High Court, which after a continuing saga of not-so-healthy developments - landed in the lap of a bench of seven judges led by the then chief justice JS Khehar himself.

Initiating contempt action suo motu, the court directed incarceration for six months of a sitting high court judge - unheard of across any free judicial domain - and sadly the contemnor is still serving term, when we are now witness to possibly the most unprecedented judicial transgressions and equally stunning corrective measures.

Incidentally, justice J Chelameswar was himself a party to the seven-judge bench order that restored the primacy of the chief justice of Madras High Court in the matter of roster control.

The judiciary represents, academically the bar and bench. Both the bar and bench have not cornered themselves with glory in this episode. Justice Chelameswar - of the "principled dissent" fame in the National Judicial Appointments Commission judgment - followed by his recusal from collegium proceedings- confirming the best kept secret of opaqueness in deliberations and decisions - has suffered a huge dent from his halcyon days, by ordering the constitution of a larger bench of five of the senior most judges to hear the challenge from an NGO that a special investigation team be constituted to go into the FIR filed by the CBI against a retired judge of Orissa High Court, and suggesting that the chief justice of India was an "accused" by implication, as he was handling the litigation relating to medical college seats.

Justice Chelameswar, sitting with a brother judge, arrogated to himself the power of chief justice, for in the present roll call of seniority, he may not become one, it seems, by directing constitution of a five-judge bench to hear the petition.

It is a settled law that while the chief justice was the first among equals, he was still the master of the roster in the allotment of portfolios and cases to his brother judges. In a telling blow to the rule of law, senior advocates, who were well aware of these principles, obtained an order slighting the office of the chief justice in a direct assault on the institution. Most unbecoming of senior members of the bar.

The confrontational attitude adopted by well-informed advocates to tap into possible cleavage in the views of the senior judges, makes sad viewing, reading and experience. In a fast and furious response, another bench of justice AK Sikri refused to toe the line of justice Chelameswar bench, in the second case of same genre and opening the genie for a reference to a constitution bench of seven judges, and within minutes altered as five judges.

During the hearing, a hot under the collar senior advocate Prashant Bhushan - after a loud - near loud-mouthed- exchange chose to walk out of the court hall of the chief justice. Most unfair and shameful episode epitomising the institutional damage that is coming from within the institution itself. A sad and shocking spectacle of immense proportions, never before enacted.

In fact, reports suggest that the Supreme Court Bar Association members and office-bearers were present in good number, questioning the conduct of Bhushan, who refused to budge and in the face of an unyielding bench - he did a walk out, which surely was not a principled one and did not add to the majesty of the institution.

Surely, he was not setting any moral standards for the younger professionals to emulate. Rather, ironically, he may have been indulging in teaching them the very opposite.

In the meanwhile, the five-judge bench restored the roster power to the chief justice, where it belongs. But it is not an "all is well that ends well" storyline. And to complete the circle, the chief justice has since directed that all "mentioning" shall only be before the first court, presided over by the chief justice, in respect of fresh cases and listing of cases afresh.

The sequenced happenings in the past few years, flagged, are more than anecdotal evidence, symptomatic of a larger malaise. Many more instances could be cited. But quite unnecessary, as the trajectory is obvious, in the latest instance.

It is time for introspection, both the bar and bench to lean on the other, to enhance institutional integrity and judicial discipline, worthy of the institution.

There have been a few eminent voices suggesting that the chief justice of India, Dipak Misra, could have magnanimously allowed the order of justice Chelameswar to stay, even while pointing out the foundational flaw of a second judge usurping the roster right of the chief justice, to demonstrate that the chief had "nothing to hide". That view, though appealing, was not advisable for the chief justice had to restore constitutional dharma of exerting his roster jurisdiction and not allow the hierarchical discipline to be upset.

Even a recusal by the chief justice of India, had to be argued before him, as a matter of judicial protocol. Chief justice Dipak Misra owed it to his office to assert its authority, and not his, in declaring his imprimatur. It was a matter of institutional dharma set right, and individuals mattered little.

The chief justice did well not to gag the press, as urged by some, and made public, what deserves to be in the open. There is no better disinfectant than sunlight.

Hopefully, we can only pray that the can of worms let out in the recent past, would be scorched by the sunlight let loose.
As the news of the boat tragedy in Vijayawada flashed across TV screens on November 12, one was reminded of the Rajahmundry stampede in 2015 during the Godavari Prushkaralu (akin to the Kumbh Mela) which claimed 29 lives. Like the disaster during the auspicious Pushkaralu  an integral part of Telugu culture  the Vijayawada tragedy too occurred on the last Sunday of the holy month of Kartheeka Masam (the Kartheeka month of the Hindu calendar) during which most Telugu people practise the tenet of piety.

The government, therefore, ought to have anticipated the throngs of devotees they would have to attend to. It, however, seems to have learnt no lesson from the Rajahmundry disaster. While it announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh for the victims in Rajahmundry and ordered an inquiry by the state CID, the home minister, N Chinna Rajappa declared that the victims of Vijayawada will be given Rs 5 lakh. It is likely that they will order yet another inquiry.

As the tragedy and the apathy of the government sinks in, the theatre of the absurd being played out in the politics of Andhra Pradesh goes unnoticed. Miffed by many MLAs of the principal opposition party defecting to the ruling TDP, the YSR Congress party chief, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has called for a boycott of the Assembly session.

The defectors include the tourism minister Bhuma Akhila Priya under whose watch the tragedy at Vijayawada occurred. There will, therefore, be no hard questions posed to the government except, perhaps, by one BJP (TDPs ally in the government) MLA who says he is willing to "play" the part of the Opposition.

video of ill fated boat of #KrishnaRiverTragedy emerged where Tourist Officer seen directing the boat operator to stop operation. The boat capsized due to overcrowding was operating without license and had no life jackets, which resulted into death of over 20 people#AndhraPradesh pic.twitter.com/cnDd1O3lWk  Aashish (@Ashi_IndiaToday) November 13, 2017

operation at krishna river in AP pic.twitter.com/Sn3fqOJ28b  NDRF (@NDRFHQ) November 12, 2017

This is not the first instance when the ruling and the main Opposition party have let the people of Andhra Pradesh down. Despite both of them extending support for the bifurcation of the state and the subsequent announcement of the Special Category Status, they have both not been able to convince the BJP to honour the electoral promise which the BJP too made. It is, perhaps, this lack of opposition that has led the CM to display his insolent streak when, in June 2017, he said that those who criticise his administration should not use the roads laid by the TDP government or claim pension.

If the lack of opposition wasnt enough, the Naidu administration has gone on to airbrush its image by outsourcing the publicity work of the government to journalists. Perhaps, in a first for any state in India, the government of Andhra Pradesh in December 2016, (with retrospective effect from September 2016) appointed 25 journalists to cater to the publicity work of the government. The financial implication of this decision is felt by the state exchequer which bears about Rs 12,86,000 a month.

Fiscal indiscipline sticks out like a sore thumb in a state whose finance minister is considering a reduction of 10-15 percent in revenue expenditure. Yet, the government of Andhra Pradesh  after scrapping the Vijayawada metro project  has signed a deal for the futuristic Hyperloop Transportation Technology.

The cost of its six-month feasibility study hasnt been disclosed. Meanwhile, the secretariat that the government built in the new capital at a cost of Rs 512 crore developed leaks in the very first year during the monsoon, leading many to joke that Naidu delivered Venice after promising to make Amaravathi another Singapore.

The TDP administration appears to be living in a bubble of grandiose fantasies of hyperloops while looking down upon revenue expenditure with contempt. What it needs to realise is that if tragedies like Rajahmundry and Vijayawada are to be avoided, the state needs to spend on enhancing administration even if it incurs revenue expenditure.

An efficient administration should be treated as an asset as it creates the ecosystem for the capital expenditure to realise its full potential. Of what use is a glittering capital, if it is built on the sorrows of its citizens? If Nero played the fiddle as Rome burned, Naidu is fiddling with finances as Andhra drowns.

The globetrotting Naidu, who often claims that he will make Amaravathi the best city in the world, should visit Paris the next time he is in Europe and take a walk down the catacombs beneath the city. Perhaps, he will then realise that for all its beauty and romance, Paris holds a macabre secret in its underground tunnels.
By Kamaljit Kaur Sandhu: The Union Home Minister on Monday chaired a high-level meet on cyber security. The meeting was held in the North Block. It was attended by MHA officials with a primary focus on security of payment gateways like PayTM and other e-wallets.

The meeting was to review steps to check cyber crimes in the financial sector, emanating from the increased usage of cards and e-wallets.

advertisement

Digital payments in India have increased manifold especially after the Digital India push and demonetisation by the Modi government.

With the use of digital payments spreading to farthest corners of the country, the need for creating a uniform monitoring and law enforcement mechanism is considered to be the need of the hour. The broad contour of this is being worked out in the home ministry.

Integration and inclusion of KYC norms to keep an eye on digital slush funds is also said to be part of the meeting's agenda.

Data access from global servers also remains a key issue in keeping a watch over the payments and use of financial gateways.

WATCH VIDEO | Rajnath Singh to India Today: Action against Popular Front soon, guilty won't be spared

--- ENDS ---
Deutsche Telekom AG, together with its subsidiaries, provides integrated telecommunication services. The company operates through five segments: Germany, United States, Europe, Systems Solutions, and Group Development. It offers fixed-network services, including voice and data communication services based on fixed-network and broadband technology; and sells terminal equipment and other hardware products, as well as services to resellers. The company also provides mobile voice and data services to consumers and business customers; sells mobile devices and other hardware products; and sells mobile services to resellers and to companies that purchases and markets network services to third parties, such as mobile virtual network operators. In addition, it offers internet services; internet-based TV products and services; and information and communication technology systems for multinational corporations and public sector institutions with an infrastructure of data centers and networks under the T-Systems brand, as well as call center services. The company has 242 million mobile customers and 22 million broadband customers, as well as 27 million fixed-network lines. Deutsche Telekom AG has a collaboration with VMware, Inc. on cloud-based open and intelligent virtual RAN platform to bring agility to radio access networks for existing LTE and future 5G networks; and partnership with Microsoft to deliver high-performance cloud computing experiences. The company was founded in 1995 and is headquartered in Bonn, Germany.
The following companies are subsidiares of UnitedHealth Group: 1070715 B.C. Unlimited Liability Company, 1st Avenue Pharmacy Inc., 310 Canyon Medical LLC, 4C MSO LLC, 4C Medical Group PLC, 5995 Minnetonka LLC, ABCO International Holdings LLC, ACN Group IPA of New York Inc., ACN Group of California Inc., AHN Accountable Care Organization LLC, AHN Central Services LLC, AHN Target Holdings LLC, AMIL International S.a.r.l., APS  Assistencia Personalizada a Saude Ltda., ASC Holdings of New Jersey LLC, ASC Network LLC, ASC Operators-East Bay LLC, ASC Operators-San Francisco LLC, ASC Operators-San Luis Obispo LLC, ASC Operators-Santa Rosa LLC, ASC Operators-South Bay LLC, ASV-HOPCo-SCA Cornerstone LLC, ASV-HOPCo-SCA Florida LLC, AbleTo Behavioral Health Services P.C., AbleTo Inc., Accurate Rx Pharmacy Consulting LLC, Administradora Clinica La Colina S.A.S., Administradora Country S.A.S., Administradora Medica Centromed S.A., Advanced Surgery Center of Clifton LLC, Advanced Surgical Center LLC, Advanced Surgical Hospital LLC, Advocate Condell Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, Advocate Southwest Ambulatory Surgery Center L.L.C., Advocate-SCA Partners LLC, Aliansalud Entidad Promotora de Salud S.A., All Savers Insurance Company, All Savers Life Insurance Company of California, Alliance Surgical Center LLC, Allina Health Heart and Vascular Surgery Center LLC, Allina Health Surgery Center-Brooklyn Park LLC, Aloha Surgical Center LLC, Ambient Healthcare Inc., Ambient Holdings Inc., AmeriChoice, AmeriChoice Corporation, AmeriChoice of New Jersey Inc., American Health Network of Indiana Care Organization LLC, American Health Network of Indiana II LLC, American Health Network of Indiana LLC, American Health Network of Kentucky LLC, American Health Network of Ohio Care Organization LLC, American Health Network of Ohio II LLC, American Health Network of Ohio LLC, American Physicians Inc., Amico Saude Ltda., Amil, Amil Assistencia Medica Internacional S.A., Angiografia e Hemodinamica Madre Theodora Ltda., Anne Arundel-SCA Holdings LLC, Anne Arundel-SCA Surgicenter LLC, Antelope Valley Surgery Center L.P., Analisis Clinicos ML S.A.C., Apothecary Holdings Inc., AppleCare Medical Management LLC, Aquitania Chilean Holding SpA, Arcadia JV Holdings LLC, Arcadia Outpatient Surgery Center L.P., ArchWell Health LLC, ArchWell Health MSO LLC, ArchWell Health Professional Services Holding Co., ArchWell Health Professional Services of Alabama LLC, ArchWell Health Professional Services of North Carolina P.C., ArchWell Health Professional Services of Oklahoma LLC, Archwell Health Professional Services of Arizona LLC, Archwell Health Professional Services of Nebraska LLC, Arise Physician Group, Arizona Physicians IPA Inc., Arlington Surgery Center LLC, Aspectus Inc., Associacao Lusiadas Knowledge Center  Health Education and Research, Audax Health Solutions LLC, Aurora Hospitalist P.C., Austin Center for Outpatient Surgery L.P., Avella Specialty Pharmacy, Aventura Medical Tower Surgery Center LLC, Avery Parent Holdings Inc., Aveta Inc., AxelaCare Intermediate Holdings LLC, AxelaCare LLC, B.R.A.S.S. Partnership in Commendam, BOSC Holdings LLC, BSC Holdings LLC, Ball Outpatient Surgery Center LLC, Banmedica Colombia S.A.S., Banmedica Internacional SpA, Banmedica S.A., Barranca Surgery Center LLC, Beach Surgical Holdings II LLC, Beach Surgical Holdings III LLC, Beach Surgical Holdings LLC, Beaver Medical Group P.C., Bedford Physicians Risk Retention Group Inc., Behavioral Healthcare Options Inc., Beltway Surgery Centers L.L.C., Benefit Administration for the Self Employed L.L.C., Benefitter Insurance Solutions Inc., Bergan Mercy Surgery Center LLC, Bergen-Passaic Cataract Laser and Surgery Center LLC, Bessler MD PLLC, Bind Benefits Inc., Bind LH Holdings Inc., Bind Re Inc., Birmingham Outpatient Surgery Center Ltd., Birmingham Outpatient Surgical Center LLC, Bloomfield ASC LLC, Blue Ridge Day Surgery Center L.P., Blue Ridge GP LLC, Blue Ridge Properties LLC, Boca Raton Outpatient Surgery & Laser Center LTD., Bordeaux Barbados Holdings I SRL, Bordeaux Barbados Holdings II SRL, Bordeaux Barbados Holdings III S.r.l., Bordeaux Holding SpA, Bordeaux International Holdings Inc., Bordeaux UK Holdings I Limited, Bordeaux UK Holdings II Limited, Bordeaux UK Holdings III Limited, Bosque Medical Center Ltda., Brandon Ambulatory Surgery Center LC, BriovaRx Infusion Services 102 LLC, BriovaRx of Florida Inc., BriovaRx of Maine Inc., BriovaRx of Massachusetts LLC, CCEC Anesthesia Management LLC, CDC Holdings Colombia S.A.S., CLISA  Clinica de Santo Antonio S.A., CMO  Centro Medico de Oftalmologia S/S Ltda., CMS  Central de Manipulacao e Servicos Farmaceuticos Ltda., COI  Clinicas Oncologicas Integradas S.A., Cabin Enterprises LLC, Cabin Holdings LLC, California Medical Group Insurance Company Risk Retention Group, Camp Hill Ambulatory Centers, Camp Hill-SCA Centers LLC, Capital City Medical Group L.L.C., Cardinal Holding Company LLC, Care Improvement Plus Group Management LLC, Care Improvement Plus South Central Insurance Company, Care Improvement Plus Wisconsin Insurance Company, Care Improvement Plus of Texas Insurance Company, Care Logistics LLC, CareMount Dental Member LLC, CareMount Health Solutions ACO LLC, CareMount Health Solutions Employer LLC, CareMount Health Solutions LLC, CareMount Holding LLC, CareMount Medical Foundation Inc., CareMount Value Partners IPA LLC, Carr PLLC, Casa de Saude Santa Therezinha Ltda., Castle Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, Castle Rock SurgiCenter LLC, Catalyst360 LLC, Catamaran 2 Unlimited Company, Catamaran Finance Ireland Unlimited Company, Catamaran S.a.r.l., Cedar Park JV Partners LLC, Cedar Park Surgery Center LLC, Cemed Care  Empresa de Atendimento Clinico Geral Ltda., Center for Quality Improvement LLC, Center for Restorative Surgery at Maple Grove LLC, Center for Surgery of North Coast L.P., Central Indiana Care Organization LLC, Central Ohio Care Organization LLC, CentriHealth Corporation, CentrifyHealth LLC, Centro Medico Hospitalar Pitangueiras Ltda., Centro Odontologico Americano S.A.C., Centro de Entrenamiento Capacitacion en Reanimacion y Prevencion Limitada, Centro de Servicios Compartidos Banmedica SpA, Centromed Quilpue S.A., Centros Medicos y Dentales Multimed Ltda., Centura-SCA Holdings LLC, Centurion Casualty Company, Channel Islands Surgicenter L.P., Channel Islands Surgicenter Properties LLC, Charleston Surgery Center Limited Partnership, Charleston Surgery Properties LLC, Charlotte Surgery Center LLC, Charlotte Surgery Properties LTD., Charlotte-SC LLC, Chatham Orthopaedic ASC LLC, Childrens Surgery Center LLC, Citrus Regional Surgery Center L.P., Claims Management Systems Inc., Cleburne Surgical Center LLC, Clinical Partners of Colorado Springs LLC, Clinton Partners LLC, Clinica Alameda SpA, Clinica Bio Bio SpA, Clinica Ciudad del Mar S.A., Clinica Davila y Servicios Medicos S.p.A., Clinica Iquique S.A., Clinica Medico Cirurgica de Santa Tecla S.A., Clinica Portoazul S.A., Clinica San Felipe S.A., Clinica Santa Maria S.p.A., Clinica Sanchez Ferrer S.A., Clinica Vespucio S.A., Clinica del Country S.A.S., Coachella Valley Physicians of PrimeCare Inc., Coalition for Advanced Pharmacy Services Inc., Cobranzas Banmedica SpA, Cogent Healthcare IPA of New York Inc., Cogent Healthcare Inc., Cogent Healthcare Management of New York Inc., Cogent Healthcare of Arizona P.C., Cogent Healthcare of California Prof. Corp., Cogent Healthcare of Georgia P.C., Cogent Healthcare of Illinois LLC, Cogent Healthcare of Iowa P.C., Cogent Healthcare of Jackson MS LLC, Cogent Healthcare of Jacksonville LLC, Cogent Healthcare of Mississippi Inc., Cogent Healthcare of Missouri Inc., Cogent Healthcare of Montana P.C., Cogent Healthcare of New Jersey P.C., Cogent Healthcare of North Carolina P.C., Cogent Healthcare of Oregon P.C., Cogent Healthcare of Pennsylvania Inc., Cogent Healthcare of Pensacola L.L.C., Cogent Healthcare of Tennessee P.C., Cogent Healthcare of Virginia Inc., Cogent Healthcare of Washington P.C., Cogent Medical Care P.C., Cogent Patient Safety Organization Inc., Cogent/Endion Medical Care of New York P.C., Collaborative Care Holdings LLC, Collaborative Care Services Inc., Collaborative Realty LLC, Colmedica Medicina Prepagada S.A., Colonial Outpatient Surgery Center LLC, Colorado Innovative Physician Solutions Inc., Colorado Springs Surgery Center Ltd., Comfort Care Transportation LLC, Comprehensive Hospital Physicians of Florida Inc., ConnectYourCare Inc., ConnectYourCare LLC, Connecticut Surgery Center Limited Partnership, Connecticut Surgery Properties LLC, Connecticut Surgical Center LLC, Consorcio Regenero S.A., Constructora Inmobiliaria Magapoq S.A., Consumer Wellness Solutions Inc., Continuum Physicians Group Inc., Continuum Physicians Group of Washington PLLC, Cornell Surgicenter LLC, Cornerstone Surgery Center LLC, Cornerstone Surgicare LLC, Corpus Christi Endoscopy Center L.L.P., Country Scan Ltda., Critical Care Physician of New York P.C., Critical Care Physicians of Illinois LLC, Critical Care Physicians of New Jersey PC, Critical Care Physicians of Pennsylvania P.C., Cross Timbers Surgery Center LLC, Cypress Care Inc., DBP Services of New York IPA Inc., DSP Flint Real Estate LLC, DSP-Building C LLC, DTC Surgery Center LLC, DWIC of Tampa Bay Inc., Dallas Inpatient Specialist PLLC, Danbury Surgical Center L.P., Day-Op Surgery Consulting Company LLC, Definity Health, Dental Benefit Providers Inc., Dental Benefit Providers of California Inc., Dental Benefit Providers of Illinois Inc., Denton Endoscopy Surgery Center LLC, Denton Surgery Center LLC, Derry Surgical Center LLC, Diagnostico Ecotomografico Centromed Ltda., Diasnostico por Imagenes Centromed Ltda., Digestive Disease Center L.P., Dilab Medicina Nuclear Ltda., Diplomat Blocker LLC, Diplomat Corporate Properties LLC, Diplomat Pharmacy, Diplomat Pharmacy Inc., Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy Great Lakes Distribution Center LLC, Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy of Chicago LLC, Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy of Ft. Lauderdale LLC, Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy of Los Angeles County LLC, Distance Learning Network Inc., Divisadero Holdings LLC, DocASAP Inc., DocASAP India Technologies Private Limited, DocASAP US LLC, Doctor + S.A.C., Dry Creek Surgery Center LLC, Dublin Surgery Center LLC, Duluth Surgical Suites LLC, Durable Medical Equipment Inc., E Street Endoscopy LLC, EM Orange Tree LLC, EP Campus I LLC, EPIC Health Plan, EPIC Management Services LLC, East Bay Endoscopy Center L.P., East Brunswick Surgery Center LLC, Echo Locum Tenens Inc., Electronic Network Systems Inc., Elual Participacoes S.A., Emerald Coast Surgery Center L.P., Emisar Pharma Services LLC, Emmaus Holdings LLC, Emmaus Surgical Center LLC, Empire Physician Management Company LLC, Empremedica S. A., Endion Hospitalist North P.C., Endion Hospitalist of Western New York P.C., Endion Medical Healthcare P.C., Endion Medical Services P.C., Endoscopy Center Affiliates Inc., Enterprise Life Insurance Company, Equian, Equian LLC, Equian Parent Corp., Esho  Empresa de Servicos Hospitalares S.A., Everett MSO Inc., Excelsior Insurance Brokerage Inc., Executive Health Resources Inc., Executive Surgery Center L.L.C., Eye Clinic Oftalmologia Clinico Cirurgica e Diagnostico Ltda., Eye Specialists Surgery Centers LLC, FMG Holdings LLC, Family Health Care Services, Family Home Hospice Inc., Ferrell Physician Services P.C., Fideicomiso Clinica Barranquilla Portoazul FA-517, First Coast Orthopedic Center LLC, First Family Insurance LLC, Florence Surgery Center L.P., For Health Inc., For Health of Arizona Inc., Fort Sutter Medical Building a California Limited Partnership, Fort Worth Endoscopy Centers LLC, Fortified Provider Network Inc., Foundation Surgery Affiliate General of Huntingdon Valley LLC, Foundation Surgery Affiliate of Huntingdon Valley L.P., Franklin Surgical Center LLC, Freedom Life Insurance Company of America, Freeway Surgicenter of Houston LLC, Frontier Medex Tanzania Limited, FrontierMEDEX Inc., FrontierMEDEX Kenya Limited, FrontierMEDEX US Inc., Fundacion Banmedica, GLBESC LLC, GRANTS PASS SURGERY CENTER LLC, Gadsden Surgery Center LLC, Gainesville Surgery Center L.P., Gainesville Surgery Properties LLC, Genoa, Genoa Healthcare Inc., Genoa QoL Wholesale LLC, Genoa Technology Canada Inc., Genoa Technology Inc., Genoa Telepsychiatry Inc., Genoa of Arkansas LLC, Gladiolus Surgery Center L.L.C., Glenwood Surgical Center L.P., Glenwood-SC Inc., Global One Ventures LLC, Golden Gate Endoscopy Center LLC, Golden Outlook Inc., Golden Rule Financial Corporation, Golden Rule Insurance Company, Golden Triangle Surgicenter L.P., Grandview Surgery Center LTD., Greater New Haven ASC LLC, Greensboro Specialty Surgery Center LLC, Greenville Surgery Center LLC, Greenway Surgical Suites LLC, Grossmont Surgery Center L.P., Grove Place Surgery Center L.L.C., H&W Indemnity SPC Ltd., H.I. Investments Holding Company LLC, HCP ACO California LLC, HCentive Technology India Private Limited, HFHS-SCA Holdings LLC, HMG Holding Corporation, HMG Holdings LLC, HMP of Baltimore  USH P.C., Harken Health Insurance Company, Harrison Endo Surgical Center LLC, Hawthorn Place Outpatient Surgery Center L.P., Hays JV Partners LLC, Hays Surgery Center LLC, Health Care-ONE Insurance Agency Inc., Health Inventures Employment Solutions LLC, Health Inventures LLC, Health Plan of Nevada Inc., HealthCare Partners ASC-LB LLC, HealthCare Partners Affiliates Medical Group, HealthCare Partners Management Services California LLC, HealthCare Partners RE LLC, HealthEast Surgery Center-Maplewood LLC, HealthFirst IPA Inc., HealthMarkets Group Inc., HealthMarkets Inc., HealthMarkets Insurance Agency Inc., HealthMarkets LLC, HealthMarkets Services Inc., HealthSCOPE Holdings Inc., HealthScope Benefits Inc., Healthcare Solutions Inc., Healthplex America LLC, Healthplex Dental Services Inc., Healthplex I.P.A. Inc., Healthplex Inc., Healthplex Insurance Company, Healthplex of CT Inc., Healthplex of DC Inc., Healthplex of MD Inc., Healthplex of ME Inc., Healthplex of NC Inc., Healthplex of NJ Inc., Healthplex of TX Inc., Heartland Heart and Vascular LLC, Help Seguros de Vida S.A., Help Service S.A., Help SpA, Hemonefro  Hemodialise e Nefrologia Ltda, Highlands Ranch Healthcare LLC, Home Medical S.A., Honodav SpA, Hospice Inspiris Holdings Inc., Hospitais Associados de Pernambuco Ltda., Hospital Alvorada Taguatinga Ltda., Hospital Ana Costa S.A., Hospital Santa Helena S.A., Hospital de Clinicas de Jacarepagua Ltda., Hospitalist Medicine Physician of Broome County PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physician of New York - Binghamton P.C., Hospitalist Medicine Physician of New York - Buffalo P.C., Hospitalist Medicine Physician of New York - Newburgh P.C., Hospitalist Medicine Physician of New York - Nyack P.C., Hospitalist Medicine Physician of New York - Patchogue P.C., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Alabama  TCG Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Alabama  TCS Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Alaska  TCG LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Alaska  TCS LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Arizona - Goodyear Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Arizona - Nogales Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Arizona - Phoenix II Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Arizona - Phoenix Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Arizona - Sierra Vista Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Arizona - Tucson II Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Arizona - Tucson Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Arizona  TCG Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Arizona  TCS Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Arkansas  TCG PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Arkansas  TCS PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Buncombe County PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California - Apple Valley PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California - Bakersfield PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California - Camarillo PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California - Crescent City PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California - Fairfield PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California - Fremont PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California - Grass Valley PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California - Jackson PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California - Oceanside PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California - Oxnard PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California - Salinas PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California - San Bernardino II PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California - San Bernardino PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California - San Leandro PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California - Sonoma PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California - Stockton II PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California - Stockton PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California - Thousand Oaks PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California - Vacaville PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California  TCG PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California  TCS PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Colorado - Brighton PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Colorado - Denver PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Colorado  TCG PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Colorado  TCS PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Connecticut - Manchester LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Connecticut - Rockville LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Connecticut - Wallingford LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Connecticut LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Connecticut  TCG LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Connecticut  TCS LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of DC PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of DC  TCG PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of DC  TCS PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Delaware  TCG LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Delaware  TCS LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Florida - Ft. Lauderdale LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Florida - Jacksonville II LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Florida - Jacksonville LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Florida - Palm Coast LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Florida  TCG LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Florida  TCS LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Fredericksburg LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Georgia - Atlanta PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Georgia - East Point PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Georgia - Lavonia PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Georgia - Savannah PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Georgia  TCG PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Georgia  TCS PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Hawaii - Kealakekua Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Hawaii  TCG Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Hawaii  TCS Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Idaho - Nampa PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Idaho  TCG PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Idaho  TCS PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Illinois - Downers Grove LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Illinois - Elmhurst LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Illinois - Rockford LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Illinois - Winfield LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Illinois  TCG LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Illinois  TCS LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Indiana - Clinton LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Indiana - Mishawaka LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Indiana - Terre Haute LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Indiana LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Indiana  TCG LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Indiana  TCS LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Iowa - Cedar Rapids PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Iowa - Mason City PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Iowa PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Iowa  TCG PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Iowa  TCS PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Kansas - Topeka LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Kansas - Wichita II LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Kansas - Wichita LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Kansas  TCG LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Kansas  TCS LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Louisiana - Alexandria Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Louisiana - Bossier City Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Louisiana - Lake Charles Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Louisiana - Shreveport Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Louisiana  TCG Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Louisiana  TCS Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Maine - Bangor PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Maine - Lewiston PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Maine  TCG PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Maine  TCS PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Maryland - Cheverly PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Maryland - Cumberland PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Maryland - Frederick PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Maryland - Laurel PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Maryland - Rockville PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Maryland P.C., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Maryland  TCG PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Maryland  TCS PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Massachusetts - Brockton PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Massachusetts - Dorchester PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Massachusetts - Framingham PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Massachusetts - Holyoke PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Massachusetts - Natick PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Massachusetts - Norwood PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Massachusetts - Springfield PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Massachusetts - Stoughton PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Massachusetts - Taunton PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Massachusetts - Worcester PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Massachusetts  TCG PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Massachusetts  TCS PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Michigan - Alpena PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Michigan - Dowagiac PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Michigan - Escanaba PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Michigan - Grand Blanc PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Michigan - Grayling PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Michigan - Kalamazoo PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Michigan - Plainwell PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Michigan - Port Huron PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Michigan - Saginaw PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Michigan - Tawas City PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Michigan PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Michigan  TCG PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Michigan  TCS PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Minnesota  TCG LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Minnesota  TCS LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Mississippi LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Mississippi  TCG Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Mississippi  TCS Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Missouri - Bridgeton Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Missouri - Richmond Heights Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Missouri  TCG Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Missouri  TCS Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Montana - Billings PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Montana - Butte PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Montana - Miles City PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Montana - Missoula PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Montana  TCG PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Montana  TCS PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Multiple Practice Sites LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Nebraska  TCG LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Nebraska  TCS LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Nevada - Henderson Bessler PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Nevada - Henderson II Bessler PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Nevada - Las Vegas Bessler PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Nevada - Las Vegas II Bessler PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Nevada  TCG Bessler PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Nevada  TCS Bessler PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of New Hampshire  TCG PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of New Hampshire  TCS PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of New Jersey - Hackensack PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of New Jersey - Paterson PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of New Jersey - TCG PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of New Jersey  TCS PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of New Mexico - Clovis LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of New Mexico - Rio Rancho LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of New Mexico - TCG LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of New Mexico - TCS LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of New York PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of North Carolina - Burlington PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of North Carolina - Clyde PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of North Carolina - Elizabeth City PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of North Carolina - Jacksonville PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of North Carolina - New Bern PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of North Carolina - Rocky Mount PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of North Carolina PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of North Carolina  TCG PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of North Carolina  TCS PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of North Dakota  TCG PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of North Dakota  TCS PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Ohio - Akron Professional Corporation, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Ohio - Batavia Professional Corporation, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Ohio - Canton Professional Corporation, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Ohio - Cincinnati II Professional Corporation, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Ohio - Cincinnati III Professional Corporation, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Ohio - Cincinnati Professional Corporation, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Ohio - Circleville Professional Corporation, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Ohio - Columbus II Professional Corporation, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Ohio - Columbus Professional Corporation, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Ohio - Dover Professional Corporation, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Ohio - East Liverpool Professional Corporation, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Ohio - Fairfield Professional Corporation, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Ohio - Martins Ferry Professional Corporation, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Ohio - Westerville Professional Corporation, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Ohio - Youngstown Professional Corporation, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Ohio Professional Corporation, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Ohio  TCG Professional Corporation, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Ohio  TCS Professional Corporation, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Oklahoma - Oklahoma City LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Oklahoma  TCG LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Oklahoma  TCS LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Oregon - Portland PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Oregon  TCG PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Oregon  TCS PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Pennsylvania P.C., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Pennsylvania  TCG PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Pennsylvania  TCS PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Rhode Island  TCG LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Rhode Island  TCS LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Richland County Ltd., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of San Luis Obispo County Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of South Carolina - Aiken LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of South Carolina - Rock Hill LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of South Carolina  TCG LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of South Carolina  TCS LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of South Dakota  TCG LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of South Dakota  TCS LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Tennessee  Columbia PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Tennessee  Franklin PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Tennessee  TCG PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Tennessee  TCS PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Amarillo PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Atlanta PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Austin II PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Austin PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Bryan PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Burnet PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Corpus Christi II PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Corpus Christi PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Cypress PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Dallas PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - El Paso II PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - El Paso III PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - El Paso PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Fort Worth II PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Fort Worth PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Fredericksburg PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Houston PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Humble PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Kerrville PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Kyle PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Livingston PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Lubbock PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Lufkin PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Mount Pleasant PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Plainview PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Rockwall PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Round Rock PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - San Antonio II PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - San Antonio III PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - San Antonio IV PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - San Antonio PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - San Antonio V PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - San Antonio VI PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - San Antonio VII PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - San Marcos PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Texarkana PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Tyler PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas  TCG PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas  TCS PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Utah  TCG LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Utah  TCS LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Vermont  TCG LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Vermont  TCS LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Virginia - Alexandria LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Virginia - Front Royal II LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Virginia - Front Royal LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Virginia - Mechanicsville LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Virginia - Midlothian LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Virginia - Richmond II LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Virginia - Richmond LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Virginia - Winchester LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Virginia LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Virginia  TCG LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Virginia  TCS LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Washington - Arlington PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Washington - Auburn PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Washington - Bellingham PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Washington - Bremerton PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Washington - Burien PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Washington - Coupeville PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Washington - Enumclaw PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Washington - Federal Way PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Washington - Gig Harbor PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Washington - Lakewood PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Washington - Mount Vernon PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Washington - Puyallup PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Washington - Tacoma II PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Washington - Tacoma III PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Washington - Tacoma PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Washington - Vancouver PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Washington County LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Washington  TCG PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Washington  TCS PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of West Virginia PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of West Virginia  Martinsburg PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of West Virginia  South Charleston PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of West Virginia  TCG PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of West Virginia  TCS PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of West Virginia  Wheeling PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Wisconsin Ltd., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Wyoming - Casper LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Wyoming  TCG LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Wyoming  TCS LLC, Hospitalists Management Group LLC, Humedica, Humedica Inc., Hygeia Corporation, Hygeia Corporation Ontario, IEC Holdings LLC, IHD Holdings LLC, INOV8 Surgical at Memorial City LLC, INSPIRIS of Texas Physician Group, Illinois Independent Care Network LLC, Imagen Technologies Inc., Impel Consulting Experts L.L.C., Impel Management Services L.L.C., InTouch Pharmacy LLC, Indiana Care Organization LLC, Indiana Endoscopy Centers LLC, Inland Surgery Center L.P., Inmobiliaria Apoquindo 3001 S.A., Inmobiliaria Apoquindo 3600 Ltda., Inmobiliaria Apoquindo S.A., Inmobiliaria Clinica Santa Maria S.A., Inmobiliaria Vinamed Ltda., Inmobiliaria e Inversiones Alameda S.A., Inpatient Services P.C., Inpatient Specialists of California P.C., Inspiris, Inspiris Inc., Instituto Radium de Cammpinas Ltda, Inter-Hospital Physicians Association Inc., International Healthcare Services Inc., Inversiones Clinicas Santa Maria SpA, Ironman Holdco Inc., Ironman Intermediate Holdco LLC, Isapre Banmedica S.A., JPM Healthcare LLC, Johnston Surgicare L.P., Joliet Surgery Center Limited Partnership, Jordan Ridge Family Medicine LLC, Joyable Inc., Kansal Inc. A Professional Corporation, Knox Diagnostic Imaging Center LLC, Kokomo Outpatient Surgery Center LLC, LDI Holding Company LLC, LDI Management Services LLC, LGH-A/Golf ASTC L.L.C., LHC Group, La Esperanza del Peru S.A., Laboratorio ROE S.A., Laboratorios Medicos Amed Quilpue S.A., Landmark Group Holdings LLC, Landmark Health Holdings LLC, Landmark Health LLC, Landmark Health NY IPA LLC, Landmark Health NY PO LLC, Landmark Health Technologies Private Limited, Landmark Health of California LLC, Landmark Health of Massachusetts LLC, Landmark Health of North Carolina LLC, Landmark Health of Oregon LLC, Landmark Health of Pennsylvania LLC, Landmark Health of Washington LLC, Landmark India LLC, Landmark Intermediate Holdings LLC, Landmark MSO LLC, Landmark Medical of Idaho PC, Landmark Medical of Massachusetts PLLC, Landmark Medical of Tennessee PC, Landmark Primary Care LLC, Laser Acquisition Holdings III LLC, Leehar Distributors LLC, Lemhi Ventures Fund I LP, Lemhi Ventures Fund II LP, Level2 Medical Services P.C. Alaska, Lexington Surgery Center Ltd., Liberty Anesthesia Services LLC, LifePrint Health Inc., LifeWell. Ltd. Co., Lifeprint Accountable Care Organization LLC, Limestone Medical Center LLC, Litomedica S.A., Logan Surgical Suites LLC, Lotten-Eyes Oftalmologia Clinica e Cirurgica Ltda., Louisville S.C. Ltd., Louisville-SC Properties Inc., Loyola Ambulatory Surgery Center at Oakbrook Inc., Loyola Ambulatory Surgery Center at Oakbrook L.P., Lusiadas - Parcerias Cascais S.A., Lusiadas A.C.E., Lusiadas Algarve S.A., Lusiadas S.A., Lusiadas SGPS S.A., Lutheran Campus ASC LLC, MAMSI Life and Health Insurance Company, MCNA Health Care Holdings LLC, MCNA Insurance Company, MCNA Systems Corp., MD Ops Inc., MD-Individual Practice Association Inc., ME AHS UC LLC, MGH/SCA LLC, MHC Real Estate Holdings LLC, MIAMI SURGERY CENTER LLC, MSLA Management LLC, Main Line Spine Surgery Center LLC, Managed Care of North America Inc., Managed Physical Network Inc., Mansfield Endoscopy Center LLC, March Holdings Inc., March Vision Care IPA Inc., March Vision Care Inc., March Vision Care of Texas Inc., Marin Health Ventures LLC, Marin Specialty Surgery Center LLC, Marin Surgery Holdings Inc., Marlin Holding Company LLC, Maryland Ambulatory Centers LLC, Maryland-SCA Centers LLC, Massachusetts Assurance Company Ltd. PIC, Massachusetts Avenue Surgery Center LLC, McKenzie Surgery Center L.P., MedExpress Primary Care West Virginia Inc., MedExpress Urgent Care Alabama LLC, MedExpress Urgent Care Inc. - Ohio, MedExpress Urgent Care Maine Inc., MedExpress Urgent Care New Hampshire Inc., MedExpress Urgent Care of Boynton Beach LLC, MedSynergies, MedSynergies LLC, Medical Clinic of North Texas PLLC, Medical Hilfe S.A., Medical Support Los Angeles Inc., Medical Surgical Centers of America Inc., Medical Transportation Services LLC, Melbourne Surgery Center LLC, Memorial City Holdings LLC, Memorial City Partners LLC, Memorial Houston Surgery Center LLC, MemorialCare Surgical Center at Orange Coast LLC, MemorialCare Surgical Center at Saddleback LLC, Mesquite Liberty LLC, Metro I Stone Management Ltd., Mid Atlantic Medical Services, Mid-West National Life Insurance Company of Tennessee, Midlands Orthopaedics Surgery Center LLC, Midwest Center for Day Surgery LLC, Mile High SurgiCenter LLC, Mississippi Medical Plaza L.C., Mobile Medical Services of New Jersey PC, Mobile-SC LTD., Modality Accountable Care Organisation Limited, Moen M.D. P.C., Mohawk Surgery Center LLC, Monarch Management Services Inc., Montgomery Surgery Center Limited Partnership, Monument Health LLC, Moore Orthopaedic Clinic Outpatient Surgery Center LLC, Morris County Surgical Center LLC, Mt. Pleasant Surgery Center L.P., Multiangio Ltda., Murrells Inlet ASC LLC, Muskogee Surgical Investors LLC, Mustang Razorback Holdings Inc., My Wellness Solutions LLC, NAMM Holdings Inc., NPN IPA Washington PLLC, NSC Channel Islands LLC, NSC Greensboro LLC, NSC Greensboro West LLC, NSC Lancaster LLC, NSC Seattle Inc., NSC Upland LLC, Naperville Surgical Centre LLC, National Foundation Life Insurance Company, National Pacific Dental Inc., National Surgery Centers LLC, Navigator Health Inc., Nebraska Spine Hospital LLC, Neighborhood Health Partnership Inc., Netwerkes LLC, Nevada Pacific Dental, New Orleans Regional Physician Hospital Organization L.L.C., New West Physicians Inc., New York Proton Management LLC, Newton Holdings LLC, Niagara Hospitalist P.C., Nomad Buyer Inc., North American Medical Management California Inc., North Coast Surgery Center Ltd. a California Limited Partnership, North Dallas Surgical Center LLC, North Kitsap Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, North Puget Sound Oncology Equipment Leasing Company LLC, Northern Nevada Health Network Inc., Northern Rockies Surgery Center L.P., Northern Rockies Surgicenter Inc., Northern Utah Surgery Center LLC, Northwest Hills JV Partners LLC, Northwest Medical Group Alliance LLC, Northwest Spine and Laser Surgery Center LLC, Northwest Surgicare LLC, Northwest Surgicare Ltd. an Illinois Limited Partnership, OC Cardiology Practice Partners LLC, OCC MSO LLC, OSB  Tecnologia e Servicos de Suporte Lda., Omesa SpA, OmniClaim LLC, Oncocare S.A.C., One World Surgery, Ophthalmology Surgery Center of Dallas LLC, Optimum Choice Inc., Optum Bank Inc., Optum Biometrics Inc., Optum Care Inc., Optum Care Networks Inc., Optum Care Services Company, Optum Care of New York Management Inc., Optum Clinics Holdings Inc., Optum Clinics Intermediate Holdings Inc., Optum Compounding Services LLC, Optum Digital Health Holdings LLC, Optum Direct To Consumer Inc., Optum Financial Inc., Optum Frontier Therapies Holdings LLC, Optum Frontier Therapies II LLC, Optum Frontier Therapies LLC, Optum Genomics Inc., Optum Global Solutions Colombia S.A.S., Optum Global Solutions India Private Limited, Optum Global Solutions International B.V., Optum Global Solutions Philippines Inc., Optum Government Solutions Inc., Optum Growth Partners Holdings Inc., Optum Growth Partners LLC, Optum Health & Technology Holdings US Inc., Optum Health & Technology Hong Kong Limited, Optum Health & Technology India Private Limited, Optum Health & Technology Servicos do Brasil Ltda., Optum Health & Technology Singapore Pte. Ltd., Optum Health & Technology US LLC, Optum Health Plan of California, Optum Health Services Canada Ltd., Optum Health Solutions Australia Pty Ltd, Optum Health Solutions UK Limited, Optum Health and Technology FZ-LLC, Optum Healthcare of Illinois Inc., Optum Hospice Pharmacy Services LLC, Optum Inc., Optum Infusion Services 100 Inc., Optum Infusion Services 101 Inc., Optum Infusion Services 103 LLC, Optum Infusion Services 200 Inc., Optum Infusion Services 201 Inc., Optum Infusion Services 202 Inc., Optum Infusion Services 203 Inc., Optum Infusion Services 204 Inc., Optum Infusion Services 205 Inc., Optum Infusion Services 206 Inc., Optum Infusion Services 207 Inc., Optum Infusion Services 208 Inc., Optum Infusion Services 209 Inc., Optum Infusion Services 301 LP, Optum Infusion Services 302 LLC, Optum Infusion Services 305 LLC, Optum Infusion Services 308 LLC, Optum Infusion Services 401 LLC, Optum Infusion Services 402 LLC, Optum Infusion Services 403 LLC, Optum Infusion Services 404 LLC, Optum Infusion Services 500 Inc., Optum Infusion Services 501 Inc., Optum Infusion Services 550 LLC, Optum Infusion Services 551 LLC, Optum Infusion Services 553 LLC, Optum Infusion Services 554 Inc., Optum Insurance of Ohio Inc., Optum Labs Inc., Optum Labs LLC, Optum Life Sciences Canada Inc., Optum Management Consulting Shanghai Co. Ltd., Optum Networks of New Jersey Inc., Optum Operations Ireland Unlimited Company, Optum Oregon MSO LLC, Optum Palliative and Hospice Care of Pennsylvania Inc., Optum Palliative and Hospice Care of Texas Inc., Optum Perks LLC, Optum Pharma Services Holdings Inc., Optum Pharmacy 601 LLC, Optum Pharmacy 700 LLC, Optum Pharmacy 701 LLC, Optum Pharmacy 702 LLC, Optum Pharmacy 704 Inc., Optum Pharmacy 705 LLC, Optum Pharmacy 706 Inc., Optum Pharmacy 707 Inc., Optum Pharmacy 800 Inc., Optum Pharmacy 803 Inc., Optum Pharmacy 805 Inc., Optum Pharmacy 806 Inc., Optum Public Sector Solutions Inc., Optum Rocket LLC, Optum SCA CS JV Holdings LLC, Optum Senior Services LLC, Optum Services Inc., Optum Services Ireland Limited, Optum Services Puerto Rico LLC, Optum Solutions UK Holdings Limited, Optum Technology LLC, Optum UK Solutions Group Limited, Optum Venture Global Partners II LP, Optum Venture Global Partners LP, Optum Venture Partners II LP, Optum Venture Partners III LP, Optum Venture Partners LP, Optum Washington Network LLC, Optum Women's and Children's Health LLC, Optum of New York Inc., Optum360 LLC, Optum360 Services Inc., Optum360 Solutions LLC, OptumCare ACO New Mexico LLC, OptumCare ACO West LLC, OptumCare Clinical Trials LLC, OptumCare Colorado ASC LLC, OptumCare Colorado LLC, OptumCare Colorado Springs LLC, OptumCare Endoscopy Center New Mexico LLC, OptumCare Florida CI LLC, OptumCare Florida LLC, OptumCare Holdings Colorado LLC, OptumCare Holdings LLC, OptumCare Management LLC, OptumCare New Mexico LLC, OptumCare New York IPA Inc., OptumCare Portland LLC, OptumCare South Florida LLC, OptumCare Specialty Practices LLC, OptumHealth Care Solutions LLC, OptumHealth Holdings LLC, OptumHealth International B.V., OptumInsight Holdings LLC, OptumInsight Inc., OptumInsight India Private Limited, OptumInsight Life Sciences Inc., OptumRx Administrative Services LLC, OptumRx Discount Card Services LLC, OptumRx Group Holdings Inc., OptumRx Health Solutions LLC, OptumRx Holdings I LLC, OptumRx Holdings LLC, OptumRx Home Delivery of Ohio LLC, OptumRx IPA III Inc., OptumRx Inc., OptumRx NY IPA Inc., OptumRx PBM of Illinois Inc., OptumRx PBM of Maryland LLC, OptumRx PBM of Pennsylvania LLC, OptumRx PBM of Wisconsin LLC, OptumRx PD of Pennsylvania LLC, OptumRx Pharmacy Inc., OptumRx Pharmacy of Nevada Inc., OptumRx of Pennsylvania LLC, OptumServe Technology Services Inc., Oregon Healthcare Resources LLC, Oregon Outpatient Surgery Center LLC, Orlando Center for Outpatient Surgery L.P., OrthoNet Holdings Inc., OrthoNet LLC, OrthoNet New York IPA Inc., OrthoNet West Inc., OrthoNet of the South Inc., OrthoWest MSO LLC, Orthology Inc., Orthopedic Center of Palm Beach County LLC, Orthopedic Surgery Center of Palm Beach County LLC, Orthopro Management LLC, Ovations Inc., Owensboro Ambulatory Surgical Facility Ltd., Oxford Benefit Management Inc., Oxford Health Insurance Inc., Oxford Health Plans CT Inc., Oxford Health Plans LLC, Oxford Health Plans NJ Inc., Oxford Health Plans NY Inc., P2P Link LLC, PCCCV Inc., PHC Subsidiary Holdings LLC, PHYSICIANS DAY SURGERY CENTER LLC, PMI Acquisition LLC, PMSI Holdings LLC, PMSI Settlement Solutions LLC, POMCO Inc., POMCO Network Inc., PPH Holdings LLC, PPH Management Company L.L.C., PPH-Columbia Inc., PPH-Gardendale Inc., PS Center LLC, PacifiCare Health Systems, PacifiCare Life Assurance Company, PacifiCare Life and Health Insurance Company, PacifiCare of Arizona Inc., PacifiCare of Colorado Inc., Pacific Cardiovascular Associates Medical Group Inc., Pacific Casualty Company Inc., Pacifico S.A. Entidad Prestadora de Salud, Panama City Surgery Center LLC, Park Hill Surgery Center LLC, Parkway Surgery Center LLC, Patient Care Associates L.L.C., PatientsLikeMe, Patrimonio Autonomo Nueva Clinica, Payment Resolution Services LLC, Peninsula Eye Surgery Center LLC, Penzo Enterprises LLC, Peoples Health, Peoples Health Inc., Perham Physical Therapy LTD, Perimeter Center for Outpatient Surgery L.P., Pharmaceutical Technologies LLC, Physician Alliance of the Rockies LLC, Physicians Health Choice of Texas LLC, Physicians Health Plan of Maryland Inc., Physicians' Surgery Center of Downey LLC, Pinnacle III LLC, Plano de Saude Ana Costa Ltda., Plus One Health Management Puerto Rico Inc., Plus One Holdings Inc., Pocono Ambulatory Surgery Center Limited, Polar II Fundo de Investimento em Participacoes Multiestrategia, Polo Holdco LLC, Pomerado Outpatient Surgical Center Inc., Pomerado Outpatient Surgical Center L.P., Post-Acute Care Center for Research LLC, Practice Partners in Healthcare LLC, Preferred Care Network Inc., Preferred Care Network of Florida Inc., Preferred Care Partners Holding Corp., Preferred Care Partners Inc., Preferred Care Partners Medical Group Inc., PreferredOne, PreferredOne Administrative Services Inc., PreferredOne Insurance Company, Premier Choice ACO Inc., Premier Surgery Center of Louisville L.P., Premiere Medical Resources LLC, Presidio Surgery Center LLC, Prime Health Inc., PrimeCare Medical Network Inc., PrimeCare of Citrus Valley Inc., PrimeCare of Corona Inc., PrimeCare of Hemet Valley Inc., PrimeCare of Inland Valley Inc., PrimeCare of Moreno Valley Inc., PrimeCare of Redlands Inc., PrimeCare of Riverside Inc., PrimeCare of San Bernardino Inc., PrimeCare of Sun City Inc., PrimeCare of Temecula Inc., PrimeDoc St. Francis P.C., PrimeDoc of Richmond P.C., ProHEALTH Care Associates L.L.P., ProHEALTH Care Associates of New Jersey LLP, ProHEALTH Medical Management LLC, ProHealth Physicians ACO LLC, ProHealth Physicians Inc., ProHealth Proton Center Management LLC, ProHealth/CareMount Dental Management LLC, Procura Management Inc., Professional Coverage Services PLLC, Progressive Enterprises Holdings Inc., Progressive Medical LLC, Promotora Country S.A., Pronounced Health Solutions Inc., Prosemedic S.A.C., Prospero Benefits Management LLC, Prospero Care Management LLC, Prospero Management Services LLC, Providence & SCA Development LLC, Providence & SCA Off-Campus Holdings LLC, Providence & SCA On-Campus Holdings LLC, Providence & SCA Outreach Markets Holdings LLC, Pulse Platform LLC, QoL Acquisition Holdings Corp., R Cubed Inc., RABessler M.D. P.C., ROC Surgery LLC, ROCS Holdings LLC, RX Ricardo Campos Ltda., Rally Health Inc., ReMedics LLC, Real Appeal Inc., Redding Surgery Center LLC, Redlands Ambulatory Surgery Center, Redlands-SCA Surgery Centers Inc., Reliant MSO LLC, Reliant Medical Group Inc., Reliant Medical Group The Endoscopy Center LLC, Research Surgical Center LLC, Resonancia Magnetica de Colombia Ltda., Resonancia Magnetica del Country S.A., RightCare Solutions Inc., River Valley ASC LLC, Riverside Corporate Wellness LLC, Riverside Electronic Healthcare Resources Inc., Riverside Medical Management LLC, Riverside Surgical Center of Meadowlands LLC, Riverside Surgical Center of Newark LLC, Robert A. Bessler MD PLLC, Rockville Eye Surgery Center LLC, Rocky Mountain Health Maintenance Organization Incorporated, Rush Oak Brook Surgery Center LLC, SC Affiliates LLC, SCA AHN JV Holdings LLC, SCA Alaska Surgery Center inc., SCA Athens LLC, SCA Austin Holdings LLC, SCA Austin Medical Center Holdings LLC, SCA Aventura Holdings LLC, SCA BOSC Holdings LLC, SCA Bloomfield Holdings LLC, SCA Cedar Park Holdings LLC, SCA Clifton LLC, SCA Colorado Springs Holdings LLC, SCA Community Service Foundation, SCA Cottonwood Holdings LLC, SCA Danbury Surgical Center LLC, SCA Denver Holdings LLC, SCA Development LLC, SCA Duluth Holdings LLC, SCA Duncanville Holdings LLC, SCA Duncanville MSO LLC, SCA ESSC Holdings LLC, SCA Englewood Holdings LLC, SCA Global One Holdings LLC, SCA Greenway Holdings LLC, SCA Grove Creek Holdings LLC, SCA Guilford Holdings LLC, SCA Hays Holdings LLC, SCA Health Value Enterprise LLC, SCA Heartland Holdings LLC, SCA High Point Holdings LLC, SCA HoldCo Inc., SCA Holding Company Inc., SCA Holdings Inc., SCA IEC Holdings LLC, SCA Indiana Holdings LLC, SCA Lutheran Holdings LLC, SCA Maple Grove Holdings LLC, SCA Mohawk Holdings LLC, SCA Murrells Inlet LLC, SCA Northern Utah Holdings LLC, SCA Northwest Holdings LLC, SCA Outside New Jersey LLC, SCA Pacific Holdings Inc., SCA Pacific Surgery Holdings LLC, SCA Palisades Holdings LLC, SCA Pennsylvania Holdings LLC, SCA Pinnacle Holdings LLC, SCA Premier Surgery Center of Louisville LLC, SCA Providence Holdings LLC, SCA ROCS Holdings LLC, SCA Rockledge JV LLC, SCA Rush Oak Brook Holdings LLC, SCA SSSC Holdings LLC, SCA Sage Medical LLC, SCA Sage Medical MSO LLC, SCA San Diego Holdings LLC, SCA Skyway Holdings LLC, SCA South Ogden Holdings LLC, SCA Southwestern PA LLC, SCA Specialists of Florida LLC, SCA Specialty Holdings of Connecticut LLC, SCA Stonegate Holdings LLC, SCA Surgery Holdings LLC, SCA Surgicare of Laguna Hills LLC, SCA Teammate Support Network, SCA West Health Holdings LLC, SCA Westgreen Holdings LLC, SCA Woodbury Holdings LLC, SCA eCode Solutions Private Limited, SCA of Clarksville Inc., SCA-Albuquerque Surgery Properties Inc., SCA-Alliance LLC, SCA-Anne Arundel LLC, SCA-Applecare Partners LLC, SCA-Bethesda LLC, SCA-Blue Ridge LLC, SCA-Bonita Springs LLC, SCA-Brandon LLC, SCA-Castle Rock LLC, SCA-Central Florida LLC, SCA-Charleston LLC, SCA-Chatham LLC, SCA-Chevy Chase LLC, SCA-Citrus Inc., SCA-Colonial Partners LLC, SCA-Colorado Springs LLC, SCA-Connecticut Partners LLC, SCA-DRY CREEK LLC, SCA-Davenport LLC, SCA-Denver LLC, SCA-Denver Physicians Holdings LLC, SCA-Derry LLC, SCA-Doral LLC, SCA-Downey LLC, SCA-Dublin LLC, SCA-Encinitas Inc., SCA-Eugene Inc., SCA-First Coast LLC, SCA-Florence LLC, SCA-Fort Collins Inc., SCA-Fort Walton Inc., SCA-Franklin LLC, SCA-Frederick LLC, SCA-Freeway Holdings LLC, SCA-Ft. Myers LLC, SCA-GRANTS PASS LLC, SCA-Gainesville LLC, SCA-Gladiolus LLC, SCA-Glenwood Holdings LLC, SCA-Grove Place LLC, SCA-Hagerstown LLC, SCA-Hamden LLC, SCA-Hilton Head LLC, SCA-Honolulu LLC, SCA-Houston Executive LLC, SCA-IT Holdings LLC, SCA-Illinois LLC, SCA-JPM Holdings LLC, SCA-Kissing Camels Holdings LLC, SCA-MC VBP Inc., SCA-Main Street LLC, SCA-Marina del Rey LLC, SCA-Mecklenburg Development Corp., SCA-Memorial City LLC, SCA-Memorial LLC, SCA-Merritt LLC, SCA-Midlands LLC, SCA-Midway Management LLC, SCA-Mobile LLC, SCA-Mokena LLC, SCA-Morris Avenue LLC, SCA-Morris County LLC, SCA-Mt. Pleasant LLC, SCA-Naperville LLC, SCA-Naples LLC, SCA-New Jersey LLC, SCA-Newport Beach LLC, SCA-Northeast Georgia Health LLC, SCA-PORTLAND LLC, SCA-Palm Beach LLC, SCA-Palm Beach MSO Holdings LLC, SCA-Panama City Holdings LLC, SCA-Paoli LLC, SCA-Phoenix LLC, SCA-Pocono LLC, SCA-Practice Partners Holdings LLC, SCA-River Valley LLC, SCA-Riverside LLC, SCA-Riverside Partners LLC, SCA-Rockville LLC, SCA-Sacred Heart Holdings LLC, SCA-San Diego Inc., SCA-San Luis Obispo LLC, SCA-Sand Lake LLC, SCA-Santa Rosa Inc., SCA-Somerset LLC, SCA-South Jersey LLC, SCA-Sparta LLC, SCA-Spartanburg Holdings LLC, SCA-St. Louis Holdings LLC, SCA-St. Louis LLC, SCA-St. Lucie LLC, SCA-SurgiCare LLC, SCA-Swiftpath LLC, SCA-VERTA LLC, SCA-VLR Holdings Company LLC, SCA-Wake Forest LLC, SCA-Western Connecticut LLC, SCA-Westover Hills LLC, SCA-Winchester LLC, SCA-Winter Park Inc., SCA-Woodlands Holdings LLC, SCAI Holdings LLC, SCLHS-SCA Holdings LLC, SCP Specialty Infusion LLC, SHC Atlanta LLC, SHC Austin Inc., SHC Hawthorn Inc., SHC Melbourne Inc., SJ East Campus ASC LLC, SRPS LLC, SSSC Holdings LLC, SVHS-SCA Florida JV LLC, Sacred Heart ASC LLC, Saden S.A., Sage Medical Prof. LLC, Salem JV Holdings LLC, Salem Surgery Center LLC, Salveo Specialty Pharmacy Inc., San Diego Endoscopy Center, San Diego Sports and Minimally Invasive Surgery Center LLC, San Francisco Endoscopy Center LLC, San Luis Obispo Surgery Center a California Limited Partnership, Sand Lake SurgiCenter LLC, Santa Barbara Endoscopy Center LLC, Santa Cruz Endoscopy Center LLC, Santa Helena Assistencia Medica S.A., Santa Rosa Surgery Center L.P., Santos Administracao e Participacoes S.A., Sanvello Health Holdings LLC, Sanvello Health Inc., Sanvello Health Limited, Scanner Centromed S.A., Seashore Surgical Institute L.L.C., Seisa Servicos Integrados de Saude Ltda., Senate Street Surgery Center LLC, Senior Benefits L.L.C., Serquinox Holdings LLC, Servicios Integrados de Salud Ltda., Servicios Medicos Amed Quilpue S.A., Servicios Medicos Bio Bio Ltda., Servicios Medicos Ciudad del Mar Ltda., Servicios Medicos Santa Maria Ltda., Servicios Medicos Vespucio Ltda., Servicios de Entrenamiento en Competencias Clinicas Ltda., Serviclinica Inmobiliaria S.A., Serviclinica S.A. Ex Los Leones La Calera, Servisalud Inmobiliaria S.A., Servisalud S.A. Ex Los Carrera Quilpue, Shark Holdings P.C., Sierra Dental Plan Inc., Sierra Health Services Inc, Sierra Health Services Inc., Sierra Health and Life Insurance Company Inc., Sierra Health-Care Options Inc., Sierra Home Medical Products Inc., Sierra Nevada Administrators Inc., Sistema de Administracion Hospitalaria S.A.C., Small Business Insurance Advisors Inc., Sobam  Centro Medico Hospitalar S.A., Sociedad de Inversiones Santa Maria SpA, Solstice Administration Services Inc., Solstice Administrators Inc., Solstice Administrators of Alabama Inc., Solstice Administrators of Arizona Inc., Solstice Administrators of Missouri Inc., Solstice Administrators of North Carolina Inc., Solstice Administrators of Texas Inc., Solstice Benefit Services Inc., Solstice Benefits Inc., Solstice Health Insurance Company, Solstice Healthplans Inc., Solstice Healthplans of Arizona Inc., Solstice Healthplans of Colorado Inc., Solstice Healthplans of New Jersey Inc., Solstice Healthplans of Ohio Inc., Solstice Healthplans of Tennessee Inc., Solstice Healthplans of Texas Inc., Solstice of Illinois Inc., Solstice of Minnesota Inc., Solstice of New York Inc., Solutran LLC, Somerset Outpatient Surgery L.L.C., Sound Inpatient Physicians Inc., Sound Inpatient Physicians Medical Group Inc., Sound Inpatient Physicians of Ohio LLC, Sound Inpatient Physicians of Texas I Inc., Sound Inpatient Physicians  Michigan PLLC, Sound Intensivists of Nevada RBessler M.D. PLLC, Sound Kenwood Hospitalists of Cincinnati Inc., Sound Kenwood Hospitalists of Cincinnati LLC, Sound Physicians Advisory Services Inc., Sound Physicians Alaska Hospitalist Group LLC, Sound Physicians Anesthesiology of Texas PLLC, Sound Physicians Emergency Medicine of Arizona Inc., Sound Physicians Emergency Medicine of Georgia P.C., Sound Physicians Emergency Medicine of Illinois LLC, Sound Physicians Emergency Medicine of Kansas LLC, Sound Physicians Emergency Medicine of Kentucky PLLC, Sound Physicians Emergency Medicine of Louisiana Inc., Sound Physicians Emergency Medicine of Michigan PLLC, Sound Physicians Emergency Medicine of Nevada Bessler PLLC, Sound Physicians Emergency Medicine of South Carolina LLC, Sound Physicians Emergency Medicine of Southern California P.C., Sound Physicians Emergency Medicine of Texas PLLC, Sound Physicians Emergency Medicine of Washington PLLC, Sound Physicians Emergency Medicine of West Virginia PLLC, Sound Physicians Holdings LLC, Sound Physicians Intensivists of Arizona Inc., Sound Physicians Intensivists of Georgia PC, Sound Physicians Intensivists of South Carolina LLC, Sound Physicians Intensivists of Virginia LLC, Sound Physicians Intensivists of Washington PLLC, Sound Physicians Palliative Care of Maryland P.C., Sound Physicians Telemedicine Inc., Sound Physicians of Florida IV LLC, Sound Physicians of Georgia III P.C., Sound Physicians of Hawaii Inc., Sound Physicians of Idaho PLLC, Sound Physicians of Illinois LLC, Sound Physicians of Indiana LLC, Sound Physicians of Iowa PLLC, Sound Physicians of Kankakee Illinois LLC, Sound Physicians of Massachusetts II P.C., Sound Physicians of Massachusetts Inc., Sound Physicians of New Jersey LLC, Sound Physicians of New York PLLC, Sound Physicians of North Carolina PLLC, Sound Physicians of South Carolina LLC, Sound Physicians of Wyoming LLC, South Arlington Surgical Providers LLC, South County Surgical Center LLC, South Sound Inpatient Physicians PLLC, Southern California Medical Practice Concepts LLC, Southland Hospitalists P.C., Southwest Medical Associates Inc., Southwest Michigan Health Network Inc., Southwest Surgery Center LLC, Southwest Surgical Center LLC, Space Coast Surgical Center Ltd., Spartanburg Surgery Center LLC, Specialists in Urology Surgery Center LLC, Specialized Pharmaceuticals Inc., Specialty Benefits LLC, Specialty Billing Solutions LLC, Specialty Surgical Center LLC, Spectera Inc., Spectera of New York IPA Inc., Sports and Spinal Physical Therapy Inc., St. Cloud Outpatient Surgery Ltd. a Minnesota Limited Partnership, St. Cloud Surgical Center LLC, St. Louis Cardiovascular Institute LLC, St. Louis Specialty Surgical Center LLC, Stonegate JV Partners LLC, Stonegate Surgery Center L.P., Summer Street ASC LLC, SunSurgery LLC, Surgery Center Holding LLC, Surgery Center at Cherry Creek LLC, Surgery Center at Cottonwood LLC, Surgery Center at Grove Creek LLC, Surgery Center at Kissing Camels LLC, Surgery Center at South Ogden LLC, Surgery Center at St. Vincent LLC, Surgery Center of Boca Raton Inc., Surgery Center of Colorado Springs LLC, Surgery Center of Des Moines LLC, Surgery Center of Easton LLC, Surgery Center of Ellicott City Inc., Surgery Center of Fairfield County LLC, Surgery Center of Fort Collins LLC, Surgery Center of Lexington LLC, Surgery Center of Louisville LLC, Surgery Center of Maui LLC, Surgery Center of Mt. Scott LLC, Surgery Center of Muskogee LLC, Surgery Center of Rockville L.L.C., Surgery Center of Southern Pines LLC, Surgery Center of The Woodlands LLC, Surgery Centers of Des Moines Ltd. an Iowa Limited Partnership, Surgery Centers-West Holdings LLC, Surgical Care Affiliates, Surgical Care Affiliates LLC, Surgical Care Affiliates Political Action Committee, Surgical Care Partners of Melbourne LLC, Surgical Caregivers of Fort Worth LLC, Surgical Center of Greensboro LLC, Surgical Center of San Diego LLC, Surgical Center of South Jersey Limited Partnership, Surgical Center of Tuscaloosa Holdings LLC, Surgical Eye Experts LLC, Surgical Health LLC, Surgical Health of Orlando LLC, Surgical Hospital Holdings of Oklahoma LLC, Surgical Management Solutions LLC, Surgicare LLC, Surgicare of Central Jersey LLC, Surgicare of Jackson LLC, Surgicare of Jackson Ltd. a Mississippi Limited Partnership, Surgicare of Joliet Inc., Surgicare of La Veta Inc., Surgicare of La Veta Ltd. a California Limited Partnership, Surgicare of Minneapolis LLC, Surgicare of Minneapolis Ltd. a Minnesota Limited Partnership, Surgicare of Mobile LLC, Surgicare of Mobile Ltd., Surgicare of Oceanside Inc., Surgicare of Owensboro LLC, Surgicare of Salem LLC, Surgicenters of Southern California Inc., Symphonix Health Holdings LLC, T.M. Carr M.D. P.C., THE SURGICAL CENTER OF THE TREASURE COAST L.L.C., THR-SCA Holdings LLC, TeamMD Holdings Inc., TeamMD Iowa Inc., TeamMD Physicians of Texas Inc., TeamUP Insurance Services Inc., Tecnologia de Informacion en Salud S.A., Texas Health Craig Ranch Surgery Center LLC, Texas Health Flower Mound Orthopedic Surgery Center LLC, Texas Health Orthopedic Surgery Center Alliance LLC, Texas Health Surgery Center Alliance LLC, Texas Health Surgery Center Bedford LLC, Texas Health Surgery Center Chisholm Trail LLC, Texas Health Surgery Center Irving LLC, Texas Health Surgery Center Las Colinas LLC, Texas Health Surgery Center Preston Plaza LLC, Texas Health Surgery Center Rockwall LLC, Texas Health Surgery Center Southwest Fort Worth LLC, Texas Health Surgery Center Waxahachie LLC, Texas Health Surgery Center Willow Park LLC, The Advisory Board Company, The Alaska Hospitalist Group LLC, The Chesapeake Life Insurance Company, The Eye Surgery Center of the Carolinas L.P., The Intensivist Group of Langhorne LLC, The Lewin Group Inc., The Outpatient Surgery Center of Hilton Head LLC, The Polyclinic MSO LLC, The Surgery Center of Easton L.P., The Surgical Center of Connecticut LLC, Thomas Johnson Surgery Center LLC, Three Rivers Holdings Inc., Three Rivers Surgical Care L.P., Tmesys LLC, Topimagem Diagnostico por Imagem Ltda., Touchpoint Health Plan, Trails Edge Surgery Center LLC, Trauma Surgery Affiliates LLC, Travel Express Incorporated, Treasure Valley Emerald Properties LLC, Treasure Valley Hospital Limited Partnership, Tri-City Medical Center ASC Operators LLC, Tri-County Surgery Center LLC, Trinity Cardiovascular Care PLLC, Tufts Health Freedom Insurance Company, Tufts Health Freedom Plans Inc., Tuscaloosa Surgical Center L.P., U.S. Behavioral Health Plan California, UCSD Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, UCSD Center for Surgery of Encinitas L.P., UCSD Surgical Center of San Diego LLC, UCSD-SCA Holdings I LLC, UCSD-SCA Holdings II LLC, UHC Finance Ireland Unlimited Company, UHC International Services Inc., UHC of California, UHCG Holdings Ireland Limited, UHCG Services Ireland Limited, UHCG  FZE, UHG Brasil Participacoes S.A., UHG Holdings UK IV Limited, UHG Holdings UK V Limited, UHG Holdings UK VI Limited, UHIC Holdings Inc., UMR Inc., UPHT-SCA Holdings LLC, USHEALTH Academy Inc., USHEALTH Administrators LLC, USHEALTH Advisors LLC, USHEALTH Career Agency Inc., USHEALTH Funding Inc., USHEALTH Group Inc., USMD ASC IV1 LLC, USMD ASC IV2 LLC, USMD Administrative Services L.L.C., USMD Affiliated Services, USMD Holdings Inc., USMD Hospital at Arlington L.P., USMD Hospital at Fort Worth L.P., USMD Inc., USMD PPM LLC, Unidad Medica Diagnostico S.A., Unimerica Insurance Company, Unimerica Life Insurance Company of New York, Unison Health Plan of Delaware Inc., United Behavioral Health, United Behavioral Health of New York I.P.A. Inc., United Group Reinsurance Inc., United Health Foundation, United HealthCare Services Inc., United Medical Park ASC LLC, United Resource Networks IPA of New York Inc., United in Advancing Health Equity Foundation, UnitedHealth Advisors LLC, UnitedHealth Group Employee Assistance Fund, UnitedHealth Group Incorporated, UnitedHealth Group International Finance Ireland Unlimited Company, UnitedHealth International Inc., UnitedHealth Military & Veterans Services LLC, UnitedHealthcare Benefits Plan of California, UnitedHealthcare Benefits of Texas Inc., UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation Inc., UnitedHealthcare Community Plan Inc., UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of California Inc., UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Georgia Inc., UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Ohio Inc., UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Texas L.L.C., UnitedHealthcare Consulting & Assistance Service Beijing Co. Ltd., UnitedHealthcare Europe S.a r.l., UnitedHealthcare Global Medical UK Limited, UnitedHealthcare Inc., UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company, UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company of America, UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company of Illinois, UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company of New York, UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company of the River Valley, UnitedHealthcare Insurance Designated Activity Company, UnitedHealthcare Integrated Services Inc., UnitedHealthcare International Asia LLC, UnitedHealthcare International I B.V., UnitedHealthcare International II S.a r.l., UnitedHealthcare International III B.V., UnitedHealthcare International III S.a r.l., UnitedHealthcare International IV S.a r.l., UnitedHealthcare International VII S.a r.l., UnitedHealthcare International VIII S.a r.l., UnitedHealthcare International X S.a r.l., UnitedHealthcare Life Insurance Company, UnitedHealthcare Parekh Insurance TPA Private Limited, UnitedHealthcare Plan of the River Valley Inc., UnitedHealthcare Service LLC, UnitedHealthcare Specialty Benefits LLC, UnitedHealthcare of Alabama Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Arizona Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Arkansas Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Colorado Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Florida Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Georgia Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Illinois Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Kentucky Ltd., UnitedHealthcare of Louisiana Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Mississippi Inc., UnitedHealthcare of New England Inc., UnitedHealthcare of New Mexico Inc., UnitedHealthcare of New York Inc., UnitedHealthcare of North Carolina Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Ohio Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Oklahoma Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Oregon Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Pennsylvania Inc., UnitedHealthcare of South Carolina Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Texas Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Utah Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Washington Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Wisconsin Inc., UnitedHealthcare of the Mid-Atlantic Inc., UnitedHealthcare of the Midlands Inc., UnitedHealthcare of the Midwest Inc., UnitedHealthcare of the Rockies Inc., Unity Health Network LLC, Upland Holdings LLC, Upland Outpatient Surgical Center L.P., Urgent Care Holdings Inc., Urgent Care MSO LLC, Urology Associates of North Texas P.L.L.C., VERTA MANAGEMENT SERVICES LLC, VPay Benefits Corporation, VPay Inc., VPay Intermediate Holdings LLC, Valley Hospital L.L.C., Valley Physicians Network Inc., Vascular Labs of the Rockies ASC LLC, Vascular Labs of the Rockies PLLC, Via Vitae MSO LLC, Vida Integra S.p.A., Vida Tres S.A., Virtua-SCA Holdings II LLC, Virtua-SCA Holdings LLC, Vivify Health Canada Inc., Vivify Health Inc., WESTMED Practice Partners LLC, Wake Forest Ambulatory Ventures LLC, Walnut Creek Endoscopy Center LLC, Walnut Hill Surgery Center LLC, Wauwatosa Outpatient Surgery Center LLC, Wauwatosa Surgery Center LLC, Wayland Square Surgicare Acquisition L.P., Wayland Square Surgicare GP Inc., Waypoint Minnesota PC, WellMed Medical Management Inc., WellMed Medical Management of Florida Inc., West Coast Endoscopy Holdings LLC, WestHealth JV Holdings LLC, WestHealth Surgery Center LLC, Western Connecticut Orthopedic Surgical Center LLC, Westgreen Surgical Center LLC, Wilson Creek Surgical Center LLC, Winchester Endoscopy LLC, Winter Park LLC, Winter Park Surgery Center L.P., Woodbury Surgery Center LLC, XAS Infusion Suites Inc., XLHealth Corporation, XLHealth Corporation India Private Limited, divvyDOSE, divvyMED LLC, eCode Solutions LLC, gethealthinsurance.com Agency Inc., hCentive Inc., inPharmative Inc., naviHealth Care at Home LLC, naviHealth Coordinated Care LLC, naviHealth Coordinated Care SC P.C., naviHealth Holdings LLC, naviHealth Inc., naviHealth Michigan HBPC P.C., and naviHealth SM Holdings Inc..

Read More
Conagra Brands, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a consumer packaged goods food company in North America. The company operates in four segments: Grocery & Snacks, Refrigerated & Frozen, International, and Foodservice. The Grocery & Snacks segment primarily offers shelf stable food products through various retail channels in the United States. The Refrigerated & Frozen segment provides temperature-controlled food products through various retail channels in the United States. The International segment offers food products in various temperature states through retail and foodservice channels outside of the United States. The Foodservice segment offers branded and customized food products, including meals, entrees, sauces, and various custom-manufactured culinary products packaged for restaurants and other foodservice establishments in the United States. The company sells its products under the Birds Eye, Duncan Hines, Healthy Choice, Marie Callender's, Reddi-wip, Slim Jim, Angie's BOOMCHICKAPOP, Duke's, Earth Balance, Gardein, and Frontera brands. The company was formerly known as ConAgra Foods, Inc. and changed its name to Conagra Brands, Inc. in November 2016. Conagra Brands, Inc. was founded in 1919 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.
The robbers had mapped the entire area and executed the crime with proper planning, keeping the entire neighbourhood in the dark.

By Uphar Pandey, India Today Web Desk: They came, they saw, they dug up a hole in the ground.

Yes, this is how filmy this robbery was. A group of robbers in Maharashtra dug up a 25-feet tunnel to rob Juinagar branch of Bank of Baroda. They stole Rs 1 crore cash and about 30 lockers, police said on Monday.

The officials investigated that the tunnel was dug from a shop adjoining the bank's store locker room.

advertisement

However, the robbers could not break open the main safe housing the bank's cash reserves.

The robbery, reminiscent of the British-Hollywood flick "The Bank Job", created a sensation and hundreds of locals gathered there to see the unfolding drama.

A police official said it could be the work of expert criminals and a new modus operandi had been revealed which may need to be factored in by security agencies manning such banks.

Photo: Uphar Pandey Photo: Uphar Pandey

"The thieves had rented out the adjoining shop since May 2017. The culprits have dug an underground tunnel of 25 feet long to the locker room of the bank," Navi Mumbai Police Commissioner Hemant Nagrale said in a brief statement.

The robbers were able to rob 30 out of 225 lockers.

Nagrale said the police had found some leads and teams of officers and men were working on them.

Though the loss could run into several crores of rupees, the process of assessment was still on. The bank had called all its customers and was verifying other records.

Despite repeated attempts, Bank of Baroda officials declined to comment on the incident or the losses suffered by the branch.

The robbery came to light around 11 a.m. when a customer approached the bank to operate his locker and was escorted to the safe vault by a staffer.

They were shocked to see many lockers broken open and also the tunnel through which the thieves had entered and exited.

Initial reports revealed the robbers had recced the area many times and were familiar with the construction and architecture of the bank as well the locker room.

They had also mapped the entire area and executed the crime with proper planning, keeping the entire neighbourhood in the dark.

Well, guess this is what we call a good 'Bank Job'.

Inputs from IANS

--- ENDS ---
Ryder System, Inc. operates as a logistics and transportation company worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Fleet Management Solutions (FMS), Supply Chain Solutions (SCS), and Dedicated Transportation Solutions (DTS). The FMS segment offers full service leasing and leasing with flexible maintenance options, as well as maintenance services, supplies, and related equipment for operation of the vehicles; commercial vehicle rental services; and contract or transactional maintenance services of trucks, tractors, and trailers, as well as fleet support services. This segment also provides access to diesel fuel; offers fuel planning and tax reporting, cards, and monitoring services, and centralized billing; and sells used vehicles through its 63 retail sales centers and www.ryder.com/used-trucks website. The DTS segment offers equipment, maintenance, drivers, administrative, and additional services, as well as routing and scheduling, fleet sizing, safety, regulatory compliance, risk management, and technology and communication systems support services. The SCS segment comprises distribution management services, such as designing and managing customer's distribution network and facilities; coordinating warehousing and transportation for inbound and outbound material flows; handling import and export for international shipments; coordinating just-in-time replenishment of component parts to manufacturing and final assembly; and offering shipments to customer distribution centers or end customer delivery points, as well as other value added services, such as light assembly of components. This segment also offers transportation management services, such as shipment optimization, load scheduling, and delivery confirmation services; knowledge-based professional services; and e-commerce and last mile services. Ryder System, Inc. was founded in 1933 and is headquartered in Miami, Florida.
Income Tax officials last week raided over 150 places linked to jailed AIADMK leader Sasikala, her nephew TTV Dhinakaran, and Tamil news channel Jaya TV.

By India Today Web Desk: Rs 1400 crore in unaccounted wealth has been unearthed during raids carried out on premises owned by family members of jailed AIADMK leader VK Sasikala and of Jaya TV, news agency ANI reported citing Income Tax department officials.

The I-T department conducted raids on the Sasikala clan and premises of Jaya TV, whose CEO and Managing Director Vivek Jayaraman is the nephew of the AIADMK leader, earlier last week.

advertisement

In a report today, news agency PTI quoted a top tax investigation official in Chennai as saying that more than Rs 7 crore in cash and jewellery worth over Rs 5 crore was seized during the searches. As many as 15 bank lockers and diamond jewellery were kept under "prohibitory orders" under which access to them is denied, the official reportedly added.

"A lot of incriminating documents were found and prima facie we have detected undisclosed income of Rs 1,430 crore," the unnamed official told PTI.

The PTI report also quoted another I-T official, this one in Delhi, as saying undisclosed income of around Rs 1500 crore was detected during the multi-city searches were carried out mostly in Tamil Nadu.

The Chennai-based official, responding to a question on the nature of undisclosed income, further told PTI it relates to unexplained cash and unexplained cash introduced for acquiring several businesses. The issue of shell companies was a separate matter, he said, but did not elaborate, the agency reported.

Meanwhile, tax authorities summoned Vivek Jayaraman, head of Jaya TV (Mavis Satcom Limited) for questioning following conclusion of searches in the premises of the channel, PTI reported.

RAIDS

On November 9, Income Tax sleuths raided 187 premises across multiple cities, mostly in Tamil Nadu.

All the premises were linked either to Sasikala, her nephew TTV Dhinakaran or Jaya TV. The raids were carried out over suspected tax evasion, news agency PTI reported then.

Some of the places raided included the residence of M Natarajan, Sasikala's husband, in Thanjavur; the Kodanad Tea Estate belonging to late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa; Jazz Cinemas; Midas Distilleries; Sharada Paper and Boards; Senthil Group of Companies; Nilgiri Furniture in Coimbatore; and Namadhu MGR, a Tamil newspaper.

According to a PTI report from November 10, the Income Tax department raids were carried out in connection with allegations related to shell companies, dubious investments, suspicious fund flow and its transfers and fudging of accounts. The report added that the I-T officials had received inputs from the Finance Ministry's Financial Intelligence Unit.

On the day of the raids, Dhinakaran condemned the searches as a "conspiracy" and criticised the Centre. The deposed AIADMK deputy general secretary claimed the raids were part of a plot to oust him and his jailed aunt from politics.

advertisement

--- ENDS ---
The biggest Muslim organisation of the country, Jamiat Ulama I Hind, has warned that any attempt to sabotage the ongoing updation of National Register of Citizens in Assam will create a situation like Myanmar.

By Anand Patel: The biggest Muslim organisation of the country, Jamiat Ulama I Hind, has warned that any attempt to sabotage the ongoing updation of National Register of Citizens in Assam will create a situation like Myanmar.

National President of Jamiat Ulama I Hind Maulana Arshad Madni was addressing the media during a seminar organised by the Assam Action Committee fighting for the citizenship rights of the Muslims in the state.

advertisement

He said that,"There is an attempt to remove 48 lakh married Muslim women from the voting registry in Assam, they will lose all rights, their children will have no education and these people will be thrown out of the country, this is going to create a situation Myanmar is going through."

The Assam Action Committee has said that the decision of Guwahati High Court to strike down validity of the certificate issued by village panchayat secretary as a supporting document which indicates the residential status of a married woman has put a question mark on the nationality of some 48 lakh married women of Assam.

Jamiat chief said that it is necessary for the Government to respect the Assam Accord and strictly follow its terms and conditions. He has challenged Guwahati HC decision in the Supreme Court.

Professor Hiren Gohain, one of the delegate said that, "Assam is the only state where updation of National Register of Citizens is going on, but certain political forces are trying to disrupt updation. An intelligence report has said that updation may lead to law and order situation in some areas."

"The rise in Muslim population can be attributed to poverty, illiteracy and their aversion to birth control measures but to claim that most have been pushed into Assam from Bangladesh for political gains is certainly a figment of imagination," he added.

Leaders from Congress and CPM were also present on the occasion to show solidarity with the cause of Assam Action Committee.

--- ENDS ---
Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. provides investor communications and technology-driven solutions for the financial services industry. The company's Investor Communication Solutions segment processes and distributes proxy materials to investors in equity securities and mutual funds, as well as facilitates related vote processing services; and distributes regulatory reports, class action, and corporate action/reorganization event information, as well as tax reporting solutions. It also offers ProxyEdge, an electronic proxy delivery and voting solution; data-driven solutions and an end-to-end platform for content management, composition, and omni-channel distribution of regulatory, marketing, and transactional information, as well as mutual fund trade processing services; data and analytics solutions; solutions for public corporations and mutual funds; SEC filing and capital markets transaction services; registrar, stock transfer, and record-keeping services; and omni-channel customer communications solutions, as well as operates Broadridge Communications Cloud platform that creates, delivers, and manages communications and customer engagement activities. The company's Global Technology and Operations segment provides solutions that automate the front-to-back transaction lifecycle of equity, mutual fund, fixed income, foreign exchange and exchange-traded derivatives, order capture and execution, trade confirmation, margin, cash management, clearance and settlement, reference data management, reconciliations, securities financing and collateral management, asset servicing, compliance and regulatory reporting, portfolio accounting, and custody-related services. This segment also offers business process outsourcing services; technology solutions, such portfolio management, compliance, fee billing, and operational support solutions; and capital market and wealth management solutions. The company was founded in 1962 and is headquartered in Lake Success, New York.
MasTec, Inc., an infrastructure construction company, provides engineering, building, installation, maintenance, and upgrade services for communications, energy, utility, and other infrastructure primarily in the United States and Canada. It operates through Communications, Clean Energy and Infrastructure, Oil and Gas, Power Delivery, and Other segments. The company builds underground and overhead distribution systems, including trenches, conduits, cell towers, cable, and power lines, which provide wireless and wireline/fiber communications; clean energy infrastructure comprising renewable energy; natural gas, product transport; electrical and gas transmission, and distribution systems; heavy industrial plants; compressor and pump stations, and treatment plants; water and sewer infrastructure, including water pipelines; and other civil construction infrastructure. It also installs electrical and other gas distribution and transmission systems, power generation facilities, buried and aerial fiber optic and other cables, as well as home automation and energy management solutions. In addition, the company offers maintenance and upgrade support services comprising maintenance of customers' distribution facilities, networks, and infrastructure, including communications, power generation, pipeline, electrical distribution and transmission, and heavy civil infrastructure; service restoration for natural disasters and accidents; and routine replacements and upgrades to overhauls. Its customers include public and private energy providers, pipeline operators, wireless and wireline/fiber service providers, broadband operators, install-to-the-home service providers, and government entities. MasTec, Inc. was founded in 1929 and is headquartered in Coral Gables, Florida.
The Smugglers and Foreign Exchange Manipulators (Forfeiture of Property) Act (SAFEMA) is all set to conduct an auction of six controversial properties in Mumbai and few other places in Maharashtra.

By Virendrasingh Ghunawat: The Smugglers and Foreign Exchange Manipulators (Forfeiture of Property) Act (SAFEMA) is all set to conduct an auction of six controversial properties in Mumbai and few other places in Maharashtra. The auction will take place on Tuesday at Indian Merchants' Chambers. Out of which three properties belonged to underworld don Dawood Ibrahim , with reserve price of nearly Rs 5 crore.

advertisement

Sources within SAFEMA confirmed indiatoday.in that till date, "sufficient bidders" have shown interest in purchasing these properties. "As per the rules, all interested parties have already deposited their earnest money (which is 40 pc of the total reserve price) before SAFEMA", the source said.

SAFEMA declined to share the names, due to "secrecy clause" in the tender process. But if sources are believed than, around 10-12 bidders are named in the list.

Few of them are "real estate builders, advocates and private entities". In addition, Saifee Burhani Upliftment Trust's (SBUT) has also bid for all three properties of Dawood, located at Bhendi Bazaar in South Mumbai.

R N D'Souza, joint commissioner of SAFEMA would lead the bidding process and P Selvaganesh, competent authority; SAFEMA (from Chennai) would monitor the entire process, making sure "the auction remains fair and non-controversial".

Learning from its earlier auction, especially in the case of Ronak Afroz property (also known as: Delhi Zaika), first time ever, SAFEMA officials are geared up with stringent law in hand.

"If we found frivolous bidders participated in the process, in order to hamper the auction of all six properties, without any delay SAFEMA would go for prosecution action under Section 186 of Indian Penal Code (IPC) against those concerned persons/entities", one official said.

SAFEMA is not ruling out "frivolous bidding" by unknown entities on Tuesday, hence, it has sought maximum police deployment from Mumbai police to handle the situation, if arise.

"Those parties, who have paid the earnest money to SAFEMA, would be allowed inside the auction room, with one more extra person (total two persons per bidder). We are not expecting more than 20-25 persons for the bidding process," the source said. The result is expected to be announced by 3 pm, on the same day.

As per the publish reports, one Swami Chakrapani, chief of Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha has bid for Ronak Afroz i.e. Delhi Zaika. When asked, SAFEMA did not confirmed his name, but gave an indication that he may not be directly involved in this process.

advertisement

Out of Dawood's three properties, the first property would go under hammer is Building No. 24, Shabnam Guest House, at the reserve price of Rs 1,21,43,00. Second property i.e. Damarwala building (tenanted) with reserve price of Rs 1,55,76,000 and third property (tenanted) i.e. Ronak Afroz with reserve price of Rs 1,18,63,000 would be auctioned.

The whole intention to auction these properties at this minimum reserve price is because of its dilapidated conditions. "It's like playing with the life of tenants. SAFEMA would like to complete the auction process at the earliest and hand it over the new owner, so that these tenants could live a better life", the official said.

Once the result is out, the new owner of these properties needs to pay 25 per cent of hammered price in 30 days and the remaining amount in 90 days. These 90 days would be quite crucial for SAFEMA to analyse the genuineness of these bidders.

WATCH VIDEO | In conversation with Former Delhi Police Commissioner talking underworld

--- ENDS ---
By PTI: New Delhi, Nov 13 (PTI) The South Delhi Municipal Corporation has granted toll tax exemption to the trucks entering the national capital with food items such as vegetables and fruits, the civic body today said.

"South Delhi Mayor Kamaljeet Sehrawat has decided to grant exemption of toll tax for three days starting midnight today (November 13) up till midnight of November 15," the civic body said.

advertisement

The exemption is for those trucks entering into the city from nearby states, carrying food articles, including vegetables and fruits.

"It is understood that such trucks and other commercial vehicles, not destined to Delhi, are waiting for entry in to Delhi. As per the information from the Delhi Police, more than 70,000 commercial vehicles have gathered at the border, awaiting entry into Delhi," the SDMC said in a statement.

Apart from these vehicles, there are other heavy and medium-sized trucks loaded with food articles.

"If toll tax is collected from all the vehicles, the borders will face unprecedented traffic jam, resulting in problems on arrival of food articles in Delhi.

"Keeping in view the apprehension of scarcity of food items in Delhi, it is essential to have free flow of trucks carrying food items into the capital," the statement said.

"As per the direction of the Lt Governor, the mayor has granted the exemption. In view of suffocating pollution, the entry of heavy and medium trucks to Delhi was prohibited, with an exception of trucks carrying food items," it said. PTI KND ASK ASK

--- ENDS ---
By India Today Web Desk: Ever since the birth of Misha, Shahid Kapoor has been busy playing a doting dad to his darling daughter. If her father is a popular actor, Misha too has a fan following. The one-year-old has already become a hit with netizens. If her cute videos on Instagram melt many hearts, her pictures with Shahid and mom Mira Rajput go viral. And one such photo that has grabbed eyeballs is a selfie shared by the Padmavati actor.

advertisement

Shahid shared an adorable selfie with his beautiful angel, and the picture will definitely wipe off your Monday blues.

Best times with my angel. A post shared by Shahid Kapoor (@shahidkapoor) on Nov 12, 2017 at 12:25am PST

The 36-year-old actor had said at the India Today Woman Summit 2017 in March that Misha's birth brought him closer to his wife, Mira Rajput, because their daughter was their "first project together."

He added that fatherhood was an "enriching, empowering and beautiful experience" for him and called Misha a "wonderful package of positivity." Shahid also said that Misha never fails to make him smile, even on his worst days.

On the work front, Shahid is awaiting the release of Padmavati. The period drama, which is at the centre of a storm for allegedly distorting history, is set to hit the screens on December 1.

ALSO WATCH: Misha's smelly diapers come to me, says Shahid Kapoor

--- ENDS ---
As the United Kingdom uses its privilege of being a permanent member of the Security Council to stall the will of the majority of the General Assembly of the United Nations, Shashi Tharoor slammed UK in seven tweets.

By India Today Web Desk: Shashi Tharoor, now Congress MP from Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram and former United Nations diplomat, called out the United Kingdom, accusing the country -- a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council -- of stalling the will of the majority of General Assembly with reference the election of India's nominee Justice Dalveer Bhandari as the judge of the International Court of Justice.

advertisement

Bhandari is facing off against Christopher Greenwood, who is the United Kingdom's candidate for the world court.

As per the laid down UN policy, a candidate should secure a majority of 97 votes in the General Assembly and a majority of eight votes in the Security Council to be elected as the judge of the ICJ, said a report in The Indian Express. Since India is not a permanent member of the UN Security Council and UK is, it is easy for UK to influence the choice of the candidate. And, that's exactly what happened on Friday.

In seven tweets, Shashi Tharoor called for a reform in the UN policy regarding the election of the judge of the ICJ. Saying the voice of the General Assembly has been ignored for long, Tharoor, in his first tweet, said, "As the UN Security Council and General Assembly vote to choose a judge for the International Court of Justice between Indian and UK candidates, the legitimacy and defectiveness of the UN are at stake."

[Thread starts here] As the @UN SecurityCouncil (SC) & GeneralAssembly (GA) vote to choose a judge for the InternationalCourtOfJustice (#ICJ) between Indian& UK candidates, the legitimacy & effectiveness of the UN are at stake. The voice of the GA has been ignored too long.- Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) November 13, 2017

Hitting out against the United Kingdom, Shashi Tharoor, in his second tweet, said, "GA vote turned into a protest against an unwarranted extension of privilege of 70 plus years," explaining how the United Kingdom, a permanent SC member, failed to get an absolute majority of the GA.

2. This time a nominee of a Permanent member of the SC has failed to get an absolute majority of the GA, for the first time in a direct contest to a major @UN organ. GA vote has turned into a protest against an unwarranted extension of privilege for 70+ years. P5 lost by 40votes! https://t.co/hG3HRdFhWP- Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) November 13, 2017

In his third tweet, Shashi Tharoor accused UK of stalling the will of the majority of the General Assembly by putting into play its 'privilege'. He said, "The election is no longer about the judge or the country he hails from but about the GA standing up against a member of a privileged club who has lost comprehensively among the Members at large but still needs 9-6 in the Security Council."

3. The election is no longer about the judge or the country he hails from but about the GA standing up against a member of a privileged club who has lost comprehensively among the Members at large but still leads 9-6 in the SC. UK trying to stall the will of the majority of theGA https://t.co/dGGlGpIucr- Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) November 13, 2017

4. Deeply entrenched interests of a tiny select group cannot be allowed to prevail in areas where such privileges are not based in law. Judges to the WorldCourt must represent the majority of the UN membership. The cosy PermanentMembers club at theSC cannot keep getting its way. https://t.co/jqooUK9ml7- Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) November 13, 2017 Tharoor, who once served in the United Nations, went on to say there are "deeply entrenched interests" of a "tiny select group" at play at the world boy and that cannot be allowed to "prevail in areas where such privileges are not based in law".

5. Decisions at the UN must reflect the voice of the majority of Members & cannot continue to be decided by a few states with long-held privileges. Only that kind of multilateralism will inspire confidence among the international community, especially the younger generation. https://t.co/dvet1sC0EH- Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) November 13, 2017 The majority of the members' views must be reflected in the decision that are taken at the UN, Tharoor went on to say, adding, "Only that kind of multilateralism will inspire confidence among the international community, especially the younger generation."

In his sixth tweet, the Congress leader clarifies that his arguments are not just to advance Indian interests or that of any single country. "It is about the idea of justice, of equality & fairness. It is about the future we envisage for the United Nations & the conduct of multilateralism," he said as he called on the UN Security Council's members to vote for India's candidate in today's election at the International Court of Justice.

6. This is not about India or any single country. It is about the idea of justice, of equality & fairness. It is about the future we envisage for the United Nations & the conduct of multilateralism. The time for reform is now. I call on SC members to vote for India's candidate. https://t.co/nS7vKf1Opc- Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) November 13, 2017

In his last tweet, Tharoor said that India has "always shouldered collective responsibilities w/(with) our partners in our quest for a more just global order..." "Vote4 India!" Tharoor ended what he himself said was a "tweetstorm".

7. Aside from these points of principle, India has always shouldered collective responsibilities w/our partners in our quest for a more just global order, Our ethos also leads us towards genuine&constructive rule-based multilateralism&peaceful settlement of disputes. Vote4 India! https://t.co/XWqBNsVNO5- Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) November 13, 2017

--- ENDS ---
KeyCorp operates as the holding company for KeyBank National Association that provides various retail and commercial banking products and services in the United States. It operates in two segments, Consumer Bank and Commercial Bank. The company offers various deposits, investment products and services; and personal finance and financial wellness, student loan refinancing, mortgage and home equity, lending, credit card, treasury, business advisory, wealth management, asset management, investment, cash management, portfolio management, and trust and related services to individuals and small and medium-sized businesses. It also provides a suite of banking and capital market products, such as syndicated finance, debt and equity capital market products, commercial payments, equipment finance, commercial mortgage banking, derivatives, foreign exchange, financial advisory, and public finance, as well as commercial mortgage loans comprising consumer, energy, healthcare, industrial, public sector, real estate, and technology loans for middle market clients. In addition, the company offers community development financing, securities underwriting, brokerage, and investment banking services. As of December 31, 2021, it operated through a network of approximately 999 branches and 1,317 ATMs in 15 states, as well as additional offices, online and mobile banking capabilities, and a telephone banking call center. KeyCorp was founded in 1849 and is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio.
The following companies are subsidiares of Abbott Laboratories: 3A Nutrition (Vietnam) Company Limited, ABON Biopharm (Hangzhou) Co. Ltd., AGA Medical Belgium, AGA Medical Corporation, AGA Medical Holdings Inc., ALR Holdings, AML Medical LLC, APK Advanced Medical Technologies LLC, ATS Bermuda Holdings Limited, ATS Laboratories Inc., Abbott, Abbott (Jiaxing) Nutrition Co. Ltd., Abbott (UK) Finance Limited, Abbott (UK) Holdings Limited, Abbott AG, Abbott Asia Holdings Limited, Abbott Asia Investments Limited, Abbott Australasia Holdings Limited, Abbott Australasia Pty Ltd, Abbott B.V., Abbott Bahamas Overseas Businesses Corporation, Abbott Belgian Investments, Abbott Bermuda Holding Ltd., Abbott Biologicals B.V., Abbott Biologicals LLC, Abbott Bulgaria Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Capital India Limited, Abbott Cardiovascular Inc., Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc., Abbott Delaware LLC, Abbott Diabetes Care Inc., Abbott Diabetes Care Limited, Abbott Diabetes Care Sales Corporation, Abbott Diagnostics GmbH, Abbott Diagnostics International Ltd., Abbott Diagnostics Technologies AS, Abbott Doral Investments S.L., Abbott Equity Holdings Unlimited, Abbott Equity Investments LLC, Abbott Established Products Holdings (Gibraltar) Limited, Abbott Finance Company SA, Abbott Financial Holdings SRL, Abbott France S.A.S., Abbott Fund Tanzania Limited, Abbott Gesellschaft m.b.H., Abbott GmbH & Co. KG, Abbott Health Products LLC, Abbott Healthcare (Puerto Rico) Ltd., Abbott Healthcare B.V., Abbott Healthcare Costa Rica S.A., Abbott Healthcare LLC, Abbott Healthcare Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Healthcare Private Limited, Abbott Healthcare Products B.V., Abbott Healthcare Products Ltd, Abbott Holding (Gibraltar) Limited, Abbott Holding GmbH, Abbott Holding Subsidiary (Gibraltar) Limited, Abbott Holding Subsidiary (Gibraltar) Limited Luxembourg S.C.S., Abbott Holdings B.V., Abbott Holdings LLC, Abbott Holdings Limited, Abbott Holdings Poland Spoka z ograniczona odpowiedzialnoscia, Abbott Hungary Korlatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag, Abbott Iberian Investments (2) Limited, Abbott Iberian Investments Limited, Abbott India Limited, Abbott Informatics Asia Pacific Limited, Abbott Informatics Canada Inc, Abbott Informatics Corporation, Abbott Informatics Europe Limited, Abbott Informatics France, Abbott Informatics Germany GmbH, Abbott Informatics Netherlands B.V., Abbott Informatics Singapore Pte. Limited, Abbott Informatics Spain S.A., Abbott Informatics Technologies Ltd, Abbott International Corporation, Abbott International Enterprises Ltd., Abbott International Holdings Limited, Abbott International LLC, Abbott International Luxembourg S.ar.l., Abbott Investments Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Ireland, Abbott Ireland Financing Designated Activity Company, Abbott Ireland Limited, Abbott Japan Co. Ltd., Abbott Kazakhstan Limited Liability Partnership, Abbott Knoll Investments B.V., Abbott Korea Limited, Abbott Laboratories (Bangladesh) Limited, Abbott Laboratories (Chile) Holdco (Dos) SpA, Abbott Laboratories (Chile) Holdco SpA, Abbott Laboratories (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Abbott Laboratories (Mozambique) Limitada, Abbott Laboratories (Pakistan) Limited, Abbott Laboratories (Philippines), Abbott Laboratories (Puerto Rico) Incorporated, Abbott Laboratories (Singapore) Private Limited, Abbott Laboratories A/S, Abbott Laboratories Argentina Sociedad Anonima, Abbott Laboratories B.V., Abbott Laboratories C.A., Abbott Laboratories Finance B.V., Abbott Laboratories GmbH, Abbott Laboratories Inc., Abbott Laboratories International LLC, Abbott Laboratories Ireland Limited, Abbott Laboratories Limited, Abbott Laboratories Limited - Laboratoires Abbott Limitee, Abbott Laboratories NZ Limited, Abbott Laboratories Pacific Ltd., Abbott Laboratories Poland Spoka z ograniczona odpowiedzialnoscia, Abbott Laboratories Products B.V., Abbott Laboratories Residential Development Fund Inc., Abbott Laboratories S.A., Abbott Laboratories SA, Abbott Laboratories Services Corp., Abbott Laboratories Slovakia s.r.o., Abbott Laboratories South Africa (Pty) Ltd., Abbott Laboratories Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Abbott Laboratories Trustee Company Limited, Abbott Laboratories Uruguay S.A., Abbott Laboratories Vascular Enterprises, Abbott Laboratories d.o.o., Abbott Laboratories de Chile Limitada, Abbott Laboratories de Colombia S.A., Abbott Laboratories de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Abbott Laboratories druzba za farmacijo in diagnostiko d.o.o., Abbott Laboratories s.r.o., Abbott Laboratories(Hellas) Societe Anonyme, Abbott Laboratorios S.A., Abbott Laboratorios S.A., Abbott Laboratorios del Ecuador Cia. Ltda., Abbott Laboratuarlari Ithalat Ihracat ve Ticaret Ltd.Sti, Abbott Laboratorios Lda, Abbott Laboratorios do Brasil Ltda., Abbott Limited Egypt LLC, Abbott Logistics B.V., Abbott Management GmbH, Abbott Management LLC, Abbott Manufacturing Singapore Private Limited, Abbott Mature Products International Unlimited Company, Abbott Mature Products Management Limited, Abbott Medical (Hong Kong) Limited, Abbott Medical (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Abbott Medical (Portugal) Distribuicao de Produtos Medicos Lda, Abbott Medical (Schweiz) AG, Abbott Medical (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Abbott Medical (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Abbott Medical (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Abbott Medical Australia Pty. Ltd., Abbott Medical Austria Ges.m.b.H., Abbott Medical Balkan d.o.o. Beograd (Novi Beograd), Abbott Medical Belgium, Abbott Medical Canada Inc./ Medicale Abbott Canada Inc., Abbott Medical Danmark A/S, Abbott Medical Devices Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Abbott Medical Espana S.A., Abbott Medical Estonia OU, Abbott Medical Finland Oy, Abbott Medical France SAS, Abbott Medical GmbH, Abbott Medical Hellas Limited Liability Trading Company, Abbott Medical Ireland Limited, Abbott Medical Italia S.p.A., Abbott Medical Japan Co. Ltd., Abbott Medical Korea Limited, Abbott Medical Korlatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag, Abbott Medical Laboratories LTD, Abbott Medical Nederland B.V., Abbott Medical New Zealand Limited, Abbott Medical Norway AS, Abbott Medical Overseas Cyprus Limited, Abbott Medical Sweden AB, Abbott Medical Taiwan Co., Abbott Medical U.K. Limited, Abbott Medical spoka z ograniczona odpowiedzialnoscia, Abbott Middle East S.A.R.L., Abbott Molecular Inc., Abbott Morocco SARL, Abbott Nederland C.V., Abbott Nederland Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Netherlands Investments B.V., Abbott Norge AS, Abbott Nutrition Limited, Abbott Nutrition Manufacturing Inc., Abbott Operations Singapore Pte. Ltd., Abbott Operations Uruguay S.R.L., Abbott Overseas Cyprus Limited, Abbott Overseas Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Overseas S.A., Abbott Oy, Abbott Point of Care Canada Limited, Abbott Point of Care Inc., Abbott Poland Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Procurement LLC, Abbott Products (Philippines) Inc., Abbott Products (Spain) S.L., Abbott Products Algerie EURL, Abbott Products B.V., Abbott Products Distribution SAS, Abbott Products Egypt LLC, Abbott Products Limited, Abbott Products Limited Liability Company, Abbott Products Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Products Operations AG, Abbott Products Operations LLC, Abbott Products Romania S.R.L., Abbott Products Tunisie S.A.R.L., Abbott Products Unlimited Company, Abbott Resources Inc., Abbott Resources International Inc., Abbott S.r.l., Abbott Saudi Arabia Trading Company, Abbott Scandinavia Aktiebolag, Abbott Sociedad Anonima de Capital Variable, Abbott South Africa Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Strategic Opportunities Limited, Abbott Trading Company Inc., Abbott Universal LLC, Abbott Vascular Devices (2) Limited, Abbott Vascular Devices Limited, Abbott Vascular Inc., Abbott Vascular Instruments Deutschland GmbH, Abbott Vascular International, Abbott Vascular Japan Co. Ltd, Abbott Vascular Limitada, Abbott Vascular Netherlands B.V., Abbott Vascular Solutions Inc., Abbott Ventures Inc., Abbott West Indies Limited, Abbott drustvo sa ogranicenom odgovornoscu za trgovinu i usluge, Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Inc., Alere, Alere (Shanghai) Diagnostics Co. Ltd., Alere (Shanghai) Healthcare Management Co. Ltd., Alere (Shanghai) Medical Sales Co. Ltd., Alere (Shanghai) Technology Co. Ltd., Alere A/S, Alere AB, Alere AS, Alere AS Holdings Limited, Alere BBI Holdings Limited, Alere Bangladesh Limited, Alere China Co. Ltd., Alere Colombia S.A., Alere Connect LLC, Alere Connected Health Limited, Alere Connected Health Ltd., Alere Diagnostics GmbH, Alere DoA Holding GmbH, Alere GmbH, Alere GmbH (Austria), Alere GmbH (Germany), Alere HK Holdings Ltd., Alere Health B.V., Alere Health BVBA, Alere Health Corp., Alere Health Sdn Bhd, Alere Health Services B.V., Alere Healthcare (Pty) Limited, Alere Healthcare Connections Limited, Alere Healthcare Inc., Alere Healthcare Nigeria Limited, Alere Healthcare S.L., Alere Holdco Inc., Alere Holding GmbH, Alere Holdings Bermuda Limited, Alere Holdings Pty Limited, Alere Home Monitoring Inc., Alere Inc., Alere Informatics Inc., Alere International Holding Corp., Alere International Limited, Alere Lda, Alere Limited, Alere Limited (New Zealand), Alere Medical BVBA, Alere Medical Co. Ltd., Alere Medical Pakistan (Private) Limited, Alere Medical Private Limited, Alere North America LLC, Alere Oy Ab, Alere Philippines Inc., Alere Phoenix ACQ Inc., Alere Pte Ltd, Alere S.A., Alere S.r.l., Alere S/A, Alere SAS, Alere San Diego Inc., Alere Scarborough Inc., Alere Spain S.L., Alere Switzerland GmbH, Alere Technologies GmbH, Alere Technologies Holdings Limited, Alere Technologies Limited, Alere Toxicology AB, Alere Toxicology Inc., Alere Toxicology S.r.l., Alere Toxicology Services Inc., Alere Toxicology plc, Alere UK Holdings Limited, Alere UK Subco Limited, Alere ULC, Alere US Holdings LLC, Alere s.r.o., Alisoc Investment & Co, Amedica Biotech Inc., Ameditech Inc., American Generics S.A.S., American Medical Supplies Inc., American Pharmacist Inc., Antares S.A., Apica Cardiovascular Limited, Aquagestion Capacitacion S.A., Aquagestion S.A., Arriva Medical LLC, Arriva Medical Philippines Inc., Arvis Investments Limited, Atlas Farmaceutica S.A., Avee Laboratories Inc., Axis-Shield AD III AS, Axis-Shield AD IV AS, Axis-Shield AS, Axis-Shield Diagnostics Limited, Axis-Shield Ltd., BBI Animal Health Limited, BBI Diagnostics Group 2 Public Limited Company, Banco de Vida S.A., Bioabsorbable Vascular Solutions Inc., Bioalgae S.A., Biohealth LLC, Biosite Incorporated, Bosque Bonito S.A., Branan Medical Corporation, Brandex Europe C.V., British Colloids Limited, CFR Chile S.A., CFR Interamericas EL Salvador Sociedad Anonima de Capital Variable, CFR Interamericas Nicaragua Sociedad Anonima, CFR Interamericas Panama S.A., CFR Pharmaceuticals, California Property Holdings III LLC, CardioMEMS LLC, Caripharm Inc., Cephea Valve Technologies, Cephea Valve Technologies Inc., Colibri Medical Aktiebolag, Comercializadora y Distribuidora CFR Interamericas Honduras S.A., Concateno South Limited, Concateno UK Limited, Consorcio Tecnologico en Biomedicina Clinico-Molecular S.A., Continuum Services LLC, Cozart Limited, Dextech S.A., Diagnostik Nord GmbH, Distribuciones Uquifa S.A.S., Domesco Medical Import-Export Joint-Stock Corporation, Duphar International Research B.V., Endocardial Solutions, Epocal (US) Inc, Esprit de Vie S.A., European Chemicals & Co, European Drug Testing Service EDTS AB, European Services S.A., Evalve Inc., Evalve International Inc., FARMINDUSTRIA S.A., Fada Pharma Paraguay Sociedad Anonima, Fadapharma del Ecuador S.A., Farmaceutica Mont Blanc S.L., Farmacologia Em Aquicultura Veterinaria Ltda., Farmacologia en Aquacultura Veterinaria FAV Ecuador S.A., Farmacologia en Aquacultura Veterinaria FAV S.A., Fernwood Investment S.A., First Check Diagnostics LLC, Focus Pharmaceutical S.A.S., Forensics Limited, Forestcreek Overseas S.A., Fournier Pharma Corp., Fournier Pharma GmbH, Fournier Pharmaceuticals Limited, Framed B.V., Gabmed GmbH, Garden Hills LLC, Global Analytical Development LLC, Globapharm & CO LP, Glomed Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Golnorth Investments S.A., Gynocare Limited, Gynopharm Sociedad Anonima, Gynopharm de Centroamerica S.A., Gynopharm de Venezuela C.A., Hi-Tronics Designs Inc., IDEV Technologies Inc., IG Innovations Limited, IMTC Finance B.V., IMTC Holdings B.V., IMTC Technologies Inc., Ibis Biosciences LLC, Igloo Zone Chile S.A., Igloo Zone S.L., Inmobiliaria Naknek S.A.C., Innovacon Inc., Instant Tech Subsidiary Acquisition Inc., Instant Technologies Inc., Instituto de Criopreservacion de Chile S.A., Integrated Vascular Systems Inc., Inverness Canadian Acquisition Corporation, Inverness Medical (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Inverness Medical Innovations Australia Pty Ltd., Inverness Medical Innovations Hong Kong Limited, Inverness Medical Innovations SK LLC, Inverness Medical Investments LLC, Inverness Medical LLC, Inverness Medical Shimla Private Limited, Inversiones K2 SpA, Inversiones Komodo S.R.L., Ionian Technologies LLC, Irvine Biomedical Inc., Kalila Medical, Kangshenyunga S.A., Knoll UK Investments Unlimited, LLC VeroInPharm, Laboratoires Fournier S.A.S., Laboratorio Franco Colombiano Lafrancol S.A.S., Laboratorio Franco Colombiano del Ecuador S.A., Laboratorio Internacional Argentino S.A., Laboratorio Synthesis S.A.S., Laboratorios Lafi Limitada, Laboratorios Naturmedik S.A.S., Laboratorios Pauly Pharmaceutical S.A.S., Laboratorios Recalcine S.A., Laboratorios Transpharm S.A., Laboratory Specialists of America Inc., Lafrancol Dominicana S.A.S., Lafrancol Guatemala S.A. Sociedad Anonima, Lafrancol Internacional S.A.S, Lafrancol Peru S.R.L, Lake Forest Investments LLC, Lightlab Imaging Inc., Limited Liability Company Abbott Laboratories, Limited Liability Company Abbott Ukraine, Limited Liability Company VEROPHARM, Lung Fung Hong (China) Limited, Mansbridge Pharmaceuticals Limited, MediGuide LLC, MediGuide Ltd., Medscreen Holdings Limited, Metropolitana Farmaceutica S.A., Midwest Properties LLC, Murex Argentina S.A., Murex Biotech Limited, Murex Biotech South Africa, Murex Diagnostics Inc., Murex Diagnostics International Inc., Natural Supplement Association LLC, Negocios Denia Sociedad Anonima, Neosalud S.A.C., Nether Pharma N.P. C.V., NeuroTherm LLC, Normann Pharma-Handels GmbH, North Shore Properties Inc., Novamedi S.A., Novasalud.com S.A., Nutravida S.A., OJSC Voronezhkhimpharm, Omnilab Iberia Sociedad Limitada, OptiMedica, Orgenics France SAS, Orgenics International Holdings B.V., Orgenics Ltd., PBM-Selfcare LLC, PDD II LLC, PDD LLC, PT Alere Health, PT. Abbott Indonesia, PT. Abbott Products Indonesia, Pacesetter Inc., Pantech (RF) (PTY) LTD, Pembrooke Occupational Health Inc., Penagos S.A., Pharma International Sociedad Anonima, Pharmaceutical Technologies (Pharmatech) S.A., Pharmatech Boliviana S.A., Polygon Labs S.A., Quality Assured Services Inc., RF Medical Holdings LLC, RTL Holdings Inc., Ramses Business Corp., Recben Xenerics Farmaceutica Limitada, Redwood Toxicology Laboratory Inc., Rich Horizons International Limited, SC VEROPHARM, SJ Medical Mexico S de R.L. de C.V., SJM International Inc., SJM Thunder Holding Company, SPDH Inc., Saboya Enterprises Corporation, Salviac Limited, Scanax AS, Sealing Solutions Inc., Selfcare Technology Inc., Shandong Abbott Dairy Product Co. Ltd., Shanghai Abbott Medical Devices Science and Technology Co. Ltd., Shanghai Abbott Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Shanghai Si Fa Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Sinensix & Co., Spinal Modulation LLC, St. Jude Medical, St. Jude Medical AB, St. Jude Medical ATG Inc., St. Jude Medical Argentina S.A., St. Jude Medical Asia Pacific Holdings GK, St. Jude Medical Atrial Fibrillation Division Inc., St. Jude Medical Brasil Ltda., St. Jude Medical Business Services Inc., St. Jude Medical Cardiology Division Inc., St. Jude Medical Colombia Ltda., St. Jude Medical Coordination Center, St. Jude Medical Costa Rica Limitada, St. Jude Medical Europe Inc., St. Jude Medical Export Ges.m.b.H., St. Jude Medical GVA Sarl, St. Jude Medical Holdings B.V., St. Jude Medical India Private Limited, St. Jude Medical International Holding, St. Jude Medical LLC, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings II, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings NT, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings SMI S.a r.l., St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings TC S.a r.l., St. Jude Medical Mexico Business Services S. de R.L. de C.V., St. Jude Medical Middle East DMCC, St. Jude Medical Operations (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., St. Jude Medical Puerto Rico LLC, St. Jude Medical S.C. Inc., St. Jude Medical Systems AB, St. Jude Medical Turkey Medikal Urunler Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Standard Diagnostics Inc., Standing Stone LLC, Swan-Myers Incorporated, TC1 LLC, Tendyne Holdings Inc., Tendyne Medical Inc., Thoratec Delaware LLC, Thoratec Europe Limited, Thoratec LLC, Thoratec Switzerland GmbH, Tobal Products Incorporated, Topera GmbH in Liquidation, Topera Inc., Tremora S.A., Tuenir S.A., TwistDx, UAB Abbott Laboratories, UAB Abbott Medical Lithuania, Union-Madison Realty Company Inc., Unipath Limited (dba Alere International/aka Cranfield), Unipath Management Limited, Unipath Pension Trustee Limited, Veropharm, Veropharm Limited Liability Partnership, Vida Cell Inversiones S.A., Vida Cell S.A., Vivalsol, W&R Pharma Handels GmbH, Western Pharmaceuticals S.A., X Technologies Inc., Yissum Holding Limited, ZonePerfect Nutrition Company, eScreen Canada ULC, eScreen Inc.,      ( ), and Abbott Laboratories Baltics.

Read More
"Deep inside, there is compassion in every heart. Such events will enliven that aspect and make one realise that neither violence nor blame game lead anywhere," he said.

By Mail Today: Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar at the Art of Living International Centre in Bengaluru said " By healing the pain and nurturing a new relationship based on compassion and brotherhood, we can break the channel of violence."

Bringing Kashmiris, families of slain militants and army personnel under one roof, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar marked the celebrations for 'Paigam-e-Mohabaat' - a unique gathering of 200 affected families, including women and children from Kashmir.

advertisement

"Deep inside, there is compassion in every heart. Such events will enliven that aspect and make one realise that neither violence nor blame game lead anywhere," he said.

The programme brought together family members of slain militants and victims of cross-firing from Kashmir and families of defence and security personnel from all over India who have been martyred in the Valley.

Representatives from over 200 affected families, including 60 women, travelled all the way from remote places in Kashmir to attend it.

Commenting on the initiative, Gurudev said, "When the families affected by violence come together in a spirit of forgiveness, a new vision for a nonviolent society will emerge. I am confident that this would inspire many youths to take that path."

--- ENDS ---
NextEra Energy, Inc. is the largest electric utility holding company in the US. It operates a network of power generation and distribution facilities that include fossil-fuel-generated and green energy. As of mid-2022, the company was capable of generating 58 GW of electricity with nearly 60% of the load produced by green sources including wind and solar. In their view, going green isnt an option, its the solution. NextEra Energy has been recognized multiple times as a leader in clean energy and ESG practices and was ranked the #1 electric and gas utility on the Forbes list of Most Admired Companies.

The company is the result of several mergers that begin with FPL Group. FPL Group is now a subsidiary of NextEra Energy and the third-largest provider of electricity in the US servicing nearly half of Florida. FPL and its affiliates are the single largest provider of renewable energy generated from wind and sun. The group changed its name in 2010 following a decision to shift focus onto renewable energy sources.

Today, NextEra Energy, Inc through its subsidiary FPL serves about 12 million people in eastern and southwestern Florida. The company employs nearly 14,900 people who service 5.8 million accounts. The company is in business to generate, transmit, and distribute electricity to retail and wholesale clients. Electricity is generated through wind, solar, nuclear, natural gas, and coal-fired facilities.

The company is also engaged in the construction and operation of new facilities, specifically renewable power generation, storage, and delivery facilities, and can offer custom solutions tailored to any need. Offerings include tailored services to assist businesses with their transition to clean energy.

NextEra Energy also owns and operates 7 nuclear power stations in Florida, New Hampshire, and Wisconsin generating power for the wholesale market.

Unlike other companies that are targeting net-zero emissions, NextEra Energy has a plan to reach real zero and is investing heavily to reach that goal by 2045. The company had invested nearly $50 billion in green energy infrastructure and initiatives by mid-2022. The plan is to first work on reducing its own emissions and then take its knowledge and expertise to the world.
Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi has flayed RJD Chief Lalu Prasad Yadav as he is all set to be re-elected as the national president of RJD for the 10th consecutive term.

By Rohit Kumar Singh: Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi has flayed RJD Chief Lalu Prasad Yadav as he is all set to be re-elected as the national president of RJD for the 10th consecutive term.

Terming the ongoing organizational polls in the RJD as "nautanki" (drama), Modi said that he should be declared as the life president of his party. Lalu filed his nomination papers for the president post on Sunday which was the last day of filing nomination papers. Since no other except Lalu has field nominations for the president post, his re-election as national president of the party was certain.

advertisement

"RJD should make amendment in its party constitution and make a provision to make Lalu as life term President of the party and his son Tejaswi as life term working president. This will at least ensure that people's time is not wasted in the organizational polls of RJD which is nothing but a nautanki", said Sushil Kumar Modi, deputy Chief Minister.

He further took a jibe at the organizational polls of RJD maintaining that both Lalu and son Tejaswi, who allegedly have amassed benami properties to the tune of more than 1000 crores will be kept busy in days to come as they will be facing the investigating agencies and judiciary in the corruption cases going against them and therefore RJD should make an amendment in its Constitution providing for Lalu as life term president and Tejaswi as life term working president.

The deputy CM also took jibes at the RJD President for being ignored by the Congress for campaigning in the upcoming Gujarat polls.

Modi said that, in order to save its image in Gujarat, Congress has been forced to negotiate with youth leaders like Hardik Patel. He maintained that the party should also try using Lalu to give a flip to their poll prospects.

"Lalu is waiting for an invite from Rahul to campaign in Gujarat for a very long time. The Congress should try using him to boost their chance to win elections", said Sushil kumar Modi, deputy CM.

--- ENDS ---
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.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj once again fast tracked medical visa to the family of a boy carrying rare heart disease.

By India Today Web Desk: It seems to have become a routine for External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to ignore the sharp differences between India and Pakistan over a host of issues and facilitate medical visa request from the neighbouring country with utmost urgency.

Within 12 hours of receiving a medical visa request by a Dubai-based Pakistani national, Sushma Swaraj directed the Indian embassy in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to grant visas to the family whose son has a rare heart disease.

advertisement

"Ma'm our Son has CCTGA which is very rare in nature n needs open heart surgery. There's no such surgery done in pak ever, hardly a case in UAE but India is specialist in it. We're really in need of help of India. Visa applied on 18 Sep thru @cgidubai (sic)," Touqeer tweeted at little past 11 pm on November 11.

@SushmaSwaraj Ma'm our Son has CCTGA which is very rare in nature n needs open heart surgery. There's no such surgery done in pak ever, hardly a case in UAE but India is specialist in it. We're really in need of help of India. Visa applied on 18 Sep thru @cgidubai- Touqeer Ali (@TouqeerAli85) November 11, 2017

The next morning at 9.09 am, Sushma Swaraj responded to his tweet writing, "Please do not worry. I [Sushma Swaraj] have asked to grant visa for the open heart surgery of your child to India."

Pls do not worry. I have asked @cgidubai to grant visa for the open heart surgery of your child in India. pic.twitter.com/UgLFtPLtIV https://t.co/49kIcBXx9b- Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) November 12, 2017

Ali referred to a rare heart disease that his son is carrying. It is called Congenitally Corrected Transposition of the Great Arteries [CCTGA]. In patients with CCTGA, the heart's lower half is reversed and requires a complex surgery to correct it.

Touqeer thanked Sushma Swaraj for issuing direction to grant medical visa to the family. He said, "Thank you so much Ma'm. Your response is such a relieve for us. Yakenan Allah ny apko hamaray jaisay logon ki help k liye bhaija hai. God Bless you always (sic)."

Thank you so much Ma'm. Your response is such a relieve for us. Yakenan Allah ny apko hamaray jaisay logon ki help k liye bhaija hai. God Bless you always.- Touqeer Ali (@TouqeerAli85) November 12, 2017

Sushma Swaraj seems to have used her discretion in giving direction for granting medical visa. According to existing practice, if a Pakistani national applies for visa in a third country the case is referred to the Ministry of Home Affairs for clearance.

In a similar case last month, Sushma Swaraj had directed the Indian embassy in Indonesia to grant visa to a Pakistani woman named Shafiqa Bano, who had sought medical for treatment of her husband.

advertisement

Shafiqa Bano made her request to Sushma Swaraj saying that her husband needed urgent liver transplant. Sushma Swaraj had immediately issued direction for the same.

--- ENDS ---
General Mills, Inc. manufactures and markets branded consumer foods worldwide. The company operates in five segments: North America Retail; Convenience Stores & Foodservice; Europe & Australia; Asia & Latin America; and Pet. It offers ready-to-eat cereals, refrigerated yogurt, soup, meal kits, refrigerated and frozen dough products, dessert and baking mixes, bakery flour, frozen pizza and pizza snacks, snack bars, fruit and salty snacks, ice cream, nutrition bars, wellness beverages, and savory and grain snacks, as well as various organic products, including frozen and shelf-stable vegetables. It also supplies branded and unbranded food products to the North American foodservice and commercial baking industries; and manufactures and markets pet food products, including dog and cat food. The company markets its products under the Annie's, Betty Crocker, Bisquick, Blue Buffalo, Blue Basics, Blue Freedom, Bugles, Cascadian Farm, Cheerios, Chex, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Cocoa Puffs, Cookie Crisp, EPIC, Fiber One, Food Should Taste Good, Fruit by the Foot, Fruit Gushers, Fruit Roll-Ups, Gardetto's, Go-Gurt, Gold Medal, Golden Grahams, Haagen-Dazs, Helpers, Jus-Rol, Kitano, Kix, Larabar, Latina, Liberte, Lucky Charms, Muir Glen, Nature Valley, Oatmeal Crisp, Old El Paso, Oui, Pillsbury, Progresso, Raisin Nut Bran, Total, Totino's, Trix, Wanchai Ferry, Wheaties, Wilderness, Yoki, and Yoplait trademarks. It sells its products directly, as well as through broker and distribution arrangements to grocery stores, mass merchandisers, membership stores, natural food chains, e-commerce retailers, commercial and noncommercial foodservice distributors and operators, restaurants, convenience stores, and pet specialty stores, as well as drug, dollar, and discount chains. The company operates 466 leased and 392 franchise ice cream parlors. General Mills, Inc. was founded in 1866 and is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
TrueBlue, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides specialized workforce solutions in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. It operates through three segments: PeopleReady, PeopleManagement, and PeopleScout. The PeopleReady segment offers contingent staffing solutions for blue-collar, on-demand, and skilled labor in construction, manufacturing and logistics, warehousing and distribution, waste and recycling, energy, retail, hospitality, and general labor industries. The PeopleManagement segment provides contingent labor and outsourced industrial workforce solutions. This segment also offers on-site management and recruitment for the contingent industrial workforce of manufacturing, warehouse, and distribution facilities; and recruitment and management of contingent and dedicated commercial drivers to the transportation and distribution industries under the Staff Management, SIMOS Insourcing Solutions, and Centerline Drivers brands. The PeopleScout segment offers permanent employee recruitment process outsourcing services; and manages clients' contingent labor programs comprising vendor selection, performance management, compliance monitoring, and risk management. The company was formerly known as Labor Ready, Inc. and changed its name to TrueBlue, Inc. in December 2007. TrueBlue, Inc. was incorporated in 1985 and is headquartered in Tacoma, Washington.
Authorities said that they have received an unexpected number of bids through the e-auctioning website and the usual manual process.

Hardline Hindu leader Swami Chakrapani (above), who wants to acquire Dawood Ibrahim's eatery in an auction, said Chhota Shakeel threatened him.

By Mail Today Bureau: Hardline Hindu leader Swami Chakrapani, who claims to be "against the auctioning of properties", is all set to acquire an eatery owned by gangster Dawood Ibrahim at Bhendi Bazaar in Mumbai and build a public toilet in its place.

Chakrapani is the president of All India Hindu Mahasabha and has received several death threats from Dawood's D-Company.

advertisement

He said that over the years Indian government has glamourised the gangster and due to his fear, no one ever dared to buy his property. "I have no personal enmity with Dawood but I want to end the fear of terrorists by taking their properties and putting them to good public use. People like Dawood are cowards and no one should fear them," he told Mail Today.

The Centre has invited bids for the eatery, two years after a failed attempt to auction it. Hotel Rounaq Afroz, also known as Delhi Zaika, and five other properties owned by Dawood will go under the hammer on November 14.

Authorities said that they have received an unexpected number of bids through the e-auctioning website and the usual manual process. The successful bids will be announced by the authorities on Tuesday.

The Hindu leader said he will not only buy one of Dawood properties himself but will also help other participants in the purchase. He added that he will give them 10 percent of the total amount of the auctioned property.

This is not the first time that Chakrapani is interested in buying Dawood's property. In a 2015 auction, Chakrapani had bought Dawood's car for `32,000 and later torched it in Ghaziabad in full public view. Swami told Mail Today that he has received a series of threats from gangster Dawood.

He received an SMS that reads, "I play with my targets like video games. Don't be too happy. Wait." He claims the message came from a phone number belonging to Chhota Shakeel, a key aide of Dawood's. He had earlier received threats in the form of telephone calls from an unidentified caller.

Delhi Police Special Cell last year arrested four people for allegedly plotting to kill Chakrapani. Interrogation revealed that they were in constant contact with Shakeel as they planned to eliminate Swami. Home ministry has already provided Swami with Z-category security.

WATCH VIDEO | In conversation with Former Delhi Police Commissioner and writer Neeraj Kumar and journalist and writer S. Husain Zaidi

--- ENDS ---

advertisement
VMware, Inc. provides software solutions in the areas of modern applications, cloud management and infrastructure, networking, security, and digital workspaces in the United States and internationally. It offers VMware multi-cloud solutions, including VMware vSphere, a data center infrastructure that provides the fundamental compute layer; vSAN and VxRail, which offers holistic data storage and protection options to applications running on vSphere; and vRealize Cloud Management solutions that manages hybrid and multi-cloud environments running in virtual machines and containers, as well as VMware Cloud Foundation, a cloud platform that combines its vSphere, vSAN, and NSX with vRealize Cloud Management into an integrated stack and delivers enterprise-ready cloud infrastructure for private and public clouds. The company also provides networking solutions, such as VMware NSX, NSX Distributed and Gateway Firewalls, NSX Network Detection and Response Engine, NSX Advanced Load Balancer, Tanzu Service Mesh, and VMware SASE; security solutions consisting of VMware Carbon Black Endpoint, Workload, and Container; and digital workspace solutions comprising Workspace ONE Unified Endpoint Management, Access, Intelligent Hub, and Horizon. In addition, it offers application modernization solutions, such as Tanzu Application and Operations Platform, Tanzu Application Service Platform, Tanzu Observability, Tanzu Community Edition, and Tanzu Labs; and cloud management solutions, including vRealize Cloud Management, vCloud Suite, and CloudHealth by VMware Suite. The company sells its products through distributors, resellers, system vendors, and systems integrators. VMware, Inc. has a strategic alliance with Amazon Web Services to build and deliver an integrated hybrid solution. The company was incorporated in 1998 and is headquartered in Palo Alto, California.
Barnes Group Inc. provides engineered products, industrial technologies, and solutions in the United States and internationally. It operates in two segments: Industrial and Aerospace. The Industrial segment offers precision components, products, and systems used by various customers in end-markets, such as mobility, industrial equipment, automation, personal care, packaging, electronics, and medical devices. This segment also designs and manufactures hot runner systems, mold cavity sensors and process control systems, and precision high cavitation mold assemblies for injection molding applications; provides force and motion control solutions for various metal forming and other industrial markets; and designs and develops robotic grippers, end-of-arm tooling systems, sensors, and other automation components for intelligent robotic handling solutions and industrial automation applications. In addition, it manufactures and supplies precision mechanical products, including mechanical springs, and high-precision punched and fine-blanked components used in transportation and industrial applications. This segment sells its products primarily through its direct sales force and distribution channels. The Aerospace segment produces fabricated and precision machined components and assemblies for turbine engines; and nacelles and structures for commercial and defense-related aircraft. It also provides aircraft engine component maintenance, repair, and overhaul services for turbine engine manufacturers, commercial airlines, and defense market; and manufactures and delivers aerospace aftermarket spare parts. This segment serves original equipment manufacturing industry. Barnes Group Inc. was founded in 1857 and is headquartered in Bristol, Connecticut.
By PTI: Colombo, Nov 13 (PTI) Sri Lankas main Tamil party the TNA appears to be headed for a split ahead of the local elections in the Northern Province, which is considered a stronghold of the ethnic community.

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) comprises the Eelam Peoples Revolutionary Liberation Front, Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi, Peoples Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam and Tamil Eelam Liberation Organisation. It controls the provincial government in the Northern Province.

advertisement

The moderate and the nationalist factions of the TNA held separate meetings over the weekend in Vanuviya and Jaffna to discuss their course of action, political sources said.

Veteran Tamil politician Suresh Premachandran said his Eelam Peoples Revolutionary Liberation Front (EPRLF) has decided not to work with the TNA.

"It (TNA) is running a one man show, taking arbitrary decisions," he remarked.

Premachandran said it was wrong for the TNA to support the interim report of the constitutional assembly, which is expected to lead to the new Constitution.

The interim report is expected to lead to a new draft Constitution offering a solution acceptable to the minority Tamils.

He said the EPRLF would team up with the Tamil Peoples Council (TPC) to contest the local election, which is likely to be held by January end.

A meeting of the TNA in Vavuniya was meant to discuss apparent discontent among its constituent parties and on the need to resolve internal disagreement through dialogue.

"We did not discuss any differences. There arent many differences. We discussed the stance to be taken on the government budget, we are yet to make a decision on whether to support the government in the budget," M A Sumanthiran, a leading TNA legislator from the moderate group, said.

The other faction of the TNA, which is led by the northern chief minister C V Wigneswaran, met in Jaffna.

Wigneswaran, the nationalist hardliner, does not see eye to eye with the moderate TNA faction headed by the main opposition leader R Sampanthan.

Wigneswaran has been promoting the TPC as an alternative to the TNA. At the Jaffna parley, he appealed for capable, qualified young Tamil men to come forward to contest the election.

"If they dont give a reasonable solution to ethnic issue it would lead to a more complained situation," Wigneswaran reportedly said.

Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mannar, Mullaitivu and Vavuniya are the five districts that constitute the Northern Province, which was the main theatre of the Sri Lankan civil war.

advertisement

Sri Lanka has a population of 18.5 million of whom the majority are Sinhalese (74 per cent). Other ethnic groups are made up of Sri Lankan Tamils (12.6 per cent), Indian Tamils (5.5 per cent).

According to the government figures, around 20,000 people are missing due to various conflicts including the civil war with Lankan Tamils in the north and east which claimed at least 100,000 lives. PTI COR KIS AKJ KIS MVV

--- ENDS ---
By PTI: Hyderabad, Nov 13 (PTI) The Telangana government has proposed to inaugurate the first phase of Hyderabad metro rail project on November 28 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, state Municipal Administration Minister K T Rama Rao told the Legislative Assembly today.

The state government wants the Prime Minister to inaugurate the project when he visits the city for the the opening of Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) on November 28, he said in reply to a query by BJP MLAs.

advertisement

The government is keen on the Prime Minister inaugurating the project as Hyderabad Metro is the biggest metro rail project in the world in Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode, he said.

Official communication on Prime Ministers participation is awaited, he said, hoping that it would come soon.

The state government has sanctioned Rs 3,000 crore to the Hyderabad Metro rail project of which Rs 2,240 crore has been spent so far.

The Centre is providing Viability Gap Funding of Rs 1,458 crore and has so far released an amount of Rs 958 crore, he said.

The projects concessionaire L&T has written to the state government on cost overruns, but the state government has not made any commitment on the matter, he said.

Noting that the agreement for the project was signed in July, 2012 for completion in five years, he said there has been no "unusual delay".

The metro could have been started in eight kms one year ago, but the state government wanted an "end to end solution" in the interest of projects success, he said, adding the metro is proposed to be started on 30-kms this month-end.

On the second phase of metro, he said the state government is examining the matter.

The Union Urban Development Ministry officials recently suggested a model of taking a loan for 60 per cent as externally aided project with the Centre and state bearing 20 per cent each, he said.

The government is taking steps for initiating the project in old city of Hyderabad also, he said.

Alleging that the minister did not reply satisfactorily on issues concerning the old city and additional financial burden and others, the BJP legislators walked out in protest. PTI SJR RS NRB BAS

--- ENDS ---
By PTI: ties

New Delhi, Nov 13 (PTI) A top ranking official of the Vietnam Peoples Army today held talks with Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to strengthen the bilateral defence ties.

Senior Lt. Gen. Luong Cuong, who is the chief of the General Political Department of the Vietnam Peoples Army, also held taks with defence secretary Sanjay Mitra.

advertisement

Both the nations have been working to ramp up cooperation in the defence sector. In the past, Hanoi has expressed interest in procuring the BrahMos supersonic missile from New Delhi.

In December last year, Vietnamese Defence Minister Ngo Xuan Lich also visited India and held talks with his then Indian counterpart Manohar Parrikar to bolster defence ties.

Last month, Navy chief Sunil Lanba, who is also the Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee, was on a four-day visit to Vietnam to "consolidate" cooperation between the Armed Forces of India and Vietnam and also to explore new avenues of defence cooperation.

In the same month, Birender Singh Dhanoa, Chief of the Air Staff, also paid a five-day visit to the Southeast Asian nation to boost defence ties. PTI PR ASK ASK

--- ENDS ---
By PTI: (Eds: Updating with details)

Imphal, Nov 13 (PTI) Two Assam Rifles jawans were killed and six injured when a suspected improvised explosive device (IED) exploded early this morning at Chandel Town in Manipurs Chandel district, police said.

The IED exploded when an Assam Rifles team was patrolling Maha Mani village of Chandel Town, about 64 km from the state capital.

advertisement

One jawan died on the spot while seven others were injured in the blast. An injured jawan succumbed to injuries on way to hospital, the police said.

The deceased were identified as riflemen Indra Singh and Sohan Lan. The injured were N Shyam Kumar, S Sarkar, Tirendra Nath Das, Ram Govind Singh, Nirmal Roy and Lalnunpuia, they said.PTI COR RG DV

--- ENDS ---
This article shares the experience and lessons learned from Intel and JD teams in building a large-scale image feature extraction framework using deep learning on Apache Spark* and BigDL*.

Background

Image feature extraction is widely used in image-similarity search, picture deduplication, and so on. Before adopting BigDL1, the JD team tried very hard to build the feature extraction application on both multi-graphics processing unit (GPU) servers and GPU cluster settings; however, our experience shows that there are many disadvantages in the above GPU solutions, including:

The resource management and allocation of individual GPU cards in the GPU cluster is very complex and error-prone (for example, frequent out of memory (OOM) errors and program crashes due to insufficient GPU memory).

In multi-GPU servers, developers need to put a lot of effort into manually managing data partitioning, task balancing, fault tolerance, and so on.

Applications that are based on GPU solutions (for example, Caffe*) have many dependencies, such as CUDA*, which greatly increases the complexities in production deployment and operations; for instance, one often needs to rebuild the entire environment for different versions of operating systems or different versions of the GNU Compiler Collection (GCC).

As a result, there are many architectural and technical challenges in building the GPU application pipelines.

Lets examine the architecture of the image feature extraction application. As the background of many images can be very complex, and the main object in the image is often small, the main object needs to be separated from the pictures background for correct feature extraction. Naturally, the framework of image feature extraction can be divided into two steps. First, the object detection algorithm is used to detect the main object, and then the feature extraction algorithm is used to extract the features of the identified object. Here, we use the Single Shot MultiBox Detector* (SSD)2 for object detection, and the DeepBit* model3 for feature extraction.

JD has a massive number (hundreds of millions) of merchandise pictures, which are stored in mainstream open-source distributed database storage; therefore, efficient data retrieval and processing on this large-scale, distributed infrastructure is a key requirement of the image feature extraction pipeline.

GPU-based solutions have some additional challenges to meeting the requirement:

Reading out the image data takes a very long time, which cannot be easily optimized in the GPU solutions.

The image preprocessing on distributed database storage can be very complex in the GPU solutions, as in this case no existing software frameworks can be used for resource management, data processing, fault tolerance, and so on.

It is challenging to scale out the GPU solutions to analyze the massive number of pictures due to the software and hardware infrastructure constraints.

BigDL* Solutions

In the production environment, using existing software and hardware infrastructure can substantially improve efficiency (for example, time-to-product) and reduce cost. As the image data are already stored in the big data cluster (distributed database storage) in this case, the challenges mentioned above can be easily addressed if existing big data clusters (such as Hadoop* or Spark clusters) can be reused for deep learning applications.

BigDL1, an open source, distributed, deep learning framework from Intel, provides comprehensive deep learning algorithm support on Apache Spark. Built on the highly scalable Apache Spark platform, BigDL can be easily scaled out to hundreds or thousands of servers. In addition, BigDL uses Intel Math Kernel Library (Intel MKL) and parallel computing techniques to achieve very high performance on Intel Xeon processor-based servers (comparable to mainstream GPU performance).

In this use case, BigDL can provide support for various deep learning models (for example, object detection, classification, and so on); in addition, it also lets us reuse and migrate pre-trained models (in Caffe, Torch*, TensorFlow*, and so on), which were previously tied to specific frameworks and platforms, to the general purpose big data analytics platform through BigDL. As a result, the entire application pipeline can be fully optimized to deliver significantly accelerated performance.

We built the end-to-end image feature extraction pipeline in Apache Spark and BigDL as follows (see Figure 1):

1. Read hundreds of millions of pictures from a distributed database in Spark as resilient distributed datasets (RDD) .

2. Preprocess the RDD of images (including resizing, normalization, and batching) in Spark.

3. Use BigDL to load the SSD model for large scale, distributed object detection on Spark, which will generate the coordinates and scores for the detected objects in the images.

4. Keep the object with highest score as the target, and crop the original picture based on the object coordinates to get the target picture.

5. Preprocess the RDD of target images (including resizing and batching).

6. Use BigDL to load the DeepBit model for distributed feature extraction of the target images on Spark, which will generate the corresponding features.

7. Store the result (RDD of extracted object features) in the Hadoop Distributed File System (HDFS).

Figure 1:Image feature extraction pipeline based on BigDL.

The entire data analytics pipeline, including data loading, partitioning, preprocessing, prediction, and storing the results, can be easily implemented on Spark and BigDL. By using BigDL, users can directly use existing big data (Hadoop/Spark) clusters to run deep learning applications without any changes to the cluster; in addition, the BigDL applications can easily take advantage of the scalability of the Spark platform to scale out to a large number of nodes and tasks, to greatly speed up the data analytics process.

In addition to distributed deep learning support, BigDL also provides a number of useful tools, such as image preprocessing libraries, model loading utilities (including loading models from third-party, deep learning frameworks), which make it convenient for users to build the entire deep learning pipeline.

Image Preprocessing

BigDL provides an image preprocessing library4 built on top of OpenCV*5, which provides support for common image transformation and augmentation operations, so that the users can easily construct an image-preprocessing pipeline using these operations. In addition, users can also build customized image transformation functions with OpenCV operations provided in the library.

The sample image preprocessing pipeline above converts a raw RDD of byte arrays through a series of transformations. Among them, ByteToMat transforms the byte picture into Mat (the storage format used in OpenCV), Resize adjusts the picture size to 300 x 300, MatToFloats transforms the pixels of Mat into Float array format and subtracts the corresponding channel mean. Finally, RoiImageToBatch batches the data as the input to the model prediction or training.

Load the Model

Users can easily use BigDL to load pretrained models, which can then be directly used in the Spark program. Given a BigDL model file, one can call Module.load to load the model:

val model = Module.load[Float](bigdlModelPath)

In addition, BigDL also allows users to load models from third-party deep learning frameworks such as Caffe, Torch, and TensorFlow.

Users can easily load pretrained models for data prediction, feature extraction, fine-tuning, and so on. For instance, a Caffe model consists of two files, namely, the model prototxt definition file and the model parameter file. Users easily load pretrained Caffe models into the Spark and BigDL program as follows:

val model = Module.loadCaffeModel(caffeDefPath, caffeModelPath)

Performance

Performance benchmarking for both the Caffe-based GPU solutions and BigDL-based Intel Xeon processor solutions were conducted in JDs internal clusters.

Test Process

The end-to-end image processing and analytics pipeline includes:

1. Reading the pictures from the distributed database storage.

2. Inputting to the object detection model and feature extraction model for feature extraction.

3. Saving the results (image paths and features) to the distributed file system.

Note that the first step (reading the pictures from the distributed database storage) can take a lot of time in the end-to-end performance measurement. In this case, the first step takes about half of the total processing time (including image reading, object detection, and feature extraction) in GPU solutions, which cannot be easily optimized on multi-GPU servers or GPU clusters.

Test Environment

GPU: 20 * NVIDIA Tesla* K40

CPU: Intel Xeon processor E5-2650 v4 @ 2.20GHz, 1200 logical cores (each server has 24 physical cores with Intel Hyper-Threading Technology (Intel HT Technology) enabled, and is configured to support 50 logical cores in Yet Another Resource Negotiator (YARN).

Test Result

Figure 2 shows that the image processing throughput of Caffe on 20 * K40 is about 540 images per second, while the throughput of BigDL is about 2070 pictures per second in a YARN using an Intel Xeon processor cluster with 1200 logical cores. The throughput of BigDL on the Intel Xeon processor cluster is ~3.83X of the GPU cluster, which greatly speeds up the image processing and analytics tasks.

The test results show that BigDL provides much better support for the large-scale image feature extraction application. The high scalability, high performance, and ease of use of BigDL-based solutions make it easy for JD to deal with the massive and ever-growing number of images. As a result, JD is in the process of upgrading the GPU solution to the BigDL on the Intel Xeon processor solution, and deploying it to the production Spark cluster in JD.

Figure 2:Compares the throughput of K40 and Intel Xeon processors in the image feature extraction pipeline.

Conclusion

The high scalability, high performance, and ease of use of BigDL make it easy for JD6 to analyze the massive number of images using deep learning technologies. JD will continue to apply BigDL to a wider range of deep learning applications, including distributed model training.

For more such intel IoT resources and tools from Intel, please visit the Intel Developer Zone

Source:https://software.intel.com/en-us/articles/building-large-scale-image-feature-extraction-with-bigdl-at-jdcom
BharatNet Phase I is 90 percent complete, says Aruna Sundarajan, Telecom secretary. The first phase will be finished by end of this year.

The government on Monday launched Phase II of BharatNet project through which it aims to provide high-speed broadband connections to all panchayats by the end of 2019. Major telecom players like Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, Idea Cellular and Vodafone India have given cheques to the government to hire infrastructure in gram panchayats (GPs) to provide broadband services Jio has given over Rs 13.19 crore, Airtel Rs 5 crore, Idea Cellular Rs 5 lakh and Vodafone Rs 11 lakh to take connectivity to villages in rural India. "We are truly moving towards a digital future. BharatNet is an intergral part of Digital India. With BharatNet we hope to touch several lives," Communications Minister Manoj Sinha said while addressing the people during the launch.

The government is starting the Phase II with an outlay of Rs 34,000 crore. Telecom secretary Aruna Sundararajan said BharatNet Phase I is 90 per cent completed. It will be fully completed by December 2017. Under Phase I, one lakh GPs or 3 lakh villages were connected. Phase II of BharatNet is expected to connect 1.5 lakh Gps. The Telecom Ministry has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with seven states -- Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Jharkhand. These states will roll out the project on their own with partial funding from the Central government.



State-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) will roll out optical fibre in eight states -- Assam, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Jammu and Kashmir and Sikkim, and Power Grid Corporation of India in three states -- Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Odisha. "With BharatNet India is expecting to double fibre optic connectivity across the country from 1 million kilometre to 2 million kilometres," Sundararajan said. She said all the equipment -- fibre, electronics -- used in this project were indigenous.



"With this programme we expect link 25 lakh government institutions and 50 lakh households," she added.

Saying that the key objective of this project is to provide developmental services, Sundararajan said this project will trigger service revolution. "This project has the potential to contribute 3.3 per cent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country, which is Rs 3 lakh crore," she added. Phase II of the project will set up Wi-Fi in every village, for which tender will be floated soon.
A team from Google worked alongside researchers from the University of California, Berkeley, tracking password breachers and more.

Phishing attacks via fake emails pose the greatest threat to people, followed by keyloggers and third-party breaches as account hacking increases globally, a new Google study has revealed. Keystroke logging is a type of surveillance software that once installed on a system, has the capability to record every keystroke made on that system. The recording is saved in an encrypted log file.



According to Google, enterprising hijackers are constantly searching for, and are able to find billions of different platforms' usernames and passwords on black markets. A Google team, along with the University of California, Berkeley, tracked several black markets that traded third-party password breaches as well as 25,000 blackhat tools used for phishing and keylogging. "In total, these sources helped us identify 788,000 credentials stolen via keyloggers, 12 million credentials stolen via phishing, and 3.3 billion credentials exposed by third-party breaches," Google said in a blog post late on Friday.



Account takeover, or 'hijacking', is a common problem for users across the web. More than 15 per cent of Internet users have reported experiencing the takeover of an email or social networking account. "From March 2016 to March 2017, we analysed several black markets to see how hijackers steal passwords and other sensitive data," said Kurt Thomas from Anti-Abuse Research and Angelika Moscicki from Account Security teams at Google.



The tech giant then applied the insights to its existing protections and secured 67 million Google accounts before they were abused. "While our study focused on Google, these password stealing tactics pose a risk to all account-based online services. In the case of third-party data breaches, 12 per cent of the exposed records included a Gmail address serving as a username and a password," the blog post read. Of those passwords, 7 per cent were valid due to reuse. When it comes to phishing and keyloggers, attackers frequently target Google accounts to varying success: 12-25 per cent of attacks yield a valid password.



However, because a password alone is rarely sufficient for gaining access to a Google account, increasingly sophisticated attackers also try to collect sensitive data that we may request when verifying an account holder's identity. "We found 82 per cent of blackhat phishing tools and 74 per cent of keyloggers attempted to collect a user's IP address and location, while another 18 per cent of tools collected phone numbers and device make and model," Google noted. "While we have already applied these insights to our existing protections, our findings are yet another reminder that we must continuously evolve our defenses in order to stay ahead of these bad actors and keep users safe," it added.



There are some simple steps people can take that make these defenses even stronger. "Visit Google's Security Checkup to make sure you have recovery information associated with your account, like a phone number, and allow Chrome to automatically generate passwords for your accounts and save them via Smart Lock," Google cautioned.
YU Yunicorn was launched in May 2016 & runs on Android 5.1 OS. The Smartphone is available in three color options i.e. Silver, Graphite, Gold & has a built in fingerprint sensor as the primary security feature, along with the host of connectivity options in terms of 3G, 4G, GPS, Wifi Bluetooth capabilities. Priced at Rs. 6449 the phone is available with 32 GB of internal storage.

The Smartphone is powered by 1.8 GHz Octa core Mediatek MT6755 Processor. A 4
A massive earthquake has struck near the border between Iran and Iraq , leaving 348 people dead.

The powerful 7.3 magnitude quake hit the Kermanshah region at 9.20pm local time on Sunday, and authorities have said they expect the death toll to rise.

The town of Sarpol-e Zahab appears to have been the worst-affected by the tremor, with 236 fatalities reported. Its main hospital was left severely damaged impeding treatment for hundreds of people from surrounding areas.

According to the Iranian Red Crescent, more than 70,000 people have had to be relocated to emergency shelter.

The disaster was also felt in neighbouring countries, including Turkey, Kuwait and Israel.

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei offered his condolences on Monday, urging government agencies to do everything required to aid those affected by the quake.

Sundays disaster is the deadliest to hit Iran since 2012, with the region being particularly susceptible to earthquakes due to the movement of tectonic plates in the country.
Profitable fintech operator Beeks Financial Cloud Group is expecting to raise 7m when it floats on London's AIM junior market at the end of this month.

Beeks, which was founded in 2010 and is being brought to market by nominated adviser and broker Cenkos, provides computing and connectivity services for automated trading in futures and forex financial products.

By no means a cockamamie-cigar-smoke AIM hopeful, the company's expected market capitalisation of 24.5m is predicated on a robust business that has delivered revenue growth since 2014 and generated an operating profit in each financial year since birth.

For the year to 30 June 2017, Beeks recorded revenue of 4.0m, up 48% from the 2.7m a year earlier, primarily driven by institutional client wins and additional upselling to existing clients.

Having moved its head office and network operations centre in the UK, after being founded with a single site in New Jersey in the USA, Beeks has developed a technology platform specifically designed for latency-sensitive automated trading environments and provides on-demand low-latency computing resources to clients through direct connectivity to various global financial exchanges.

Clients include approximately 165 financial institutions and over 6,000 direct/indirect virtual private server clients worldwide, with more than 30 forex brokers using the Beeks platform as a 'white label' product for their own clients.

Gordon McArthur, founder and chief executive, has so far grown the business organically and through two acquisitions so far.

"We believe there is a clear opportunity to accelerate this growth with additional funding and see the capital markets as an obvious choice, given the nature of our business. I am excited about the prospects that lie ahead.

He said as a leading technology provider in automated trading in forex and futures, Beeks was operating in a growing niche market.

"By accessing our cloud-based platform, which has direct connections to major trading centres around the world, our customers are able to trade quickly and at a fraction of the cost of building their own capability."

The Beeks platform uses a cloud computing model, which enables clients to access and manage the trading services they need via the internet on month to month commitments. Clients use an on-demand or 'pay for what you use' model which provides low latency trading capability on a large scale and is quicker and cheaper than building their own bespoke physical server platform and obtaining network connectivity themselves, which could take several weeks by which time the clients trading advantage could be obsolete.
Ummar Khan, 42, was shot dead by the cow vigilantes after they stopped three people who were allegedly transporting some cows from Alwar to a village in Bharatpur. The Alwar Police has detained a minor person in this murder case.

By Dev Ankur Wadhawan: The Alwar Police has detained a minor person in the murder case of Ummar Khan, the man allegedly killed by cow vigilantes in the Rajasthan district on November 10. The minor is considered to be the mastermind behind the attack.

The police are on the lookout for the remaining five accused. Alwar superintendent of police (SP) Rahul Prakash told India Today that the two different cases have been registered in the case.

advertisement

"Two cases have been registered by the police - one is under the Rajasthan Bovine Act and the other is a murder case registered on the basis of complaint registered by Ummar's relative. The police have detained one of the accused who is a minor. We have been searching for the other accused," he said.

Ummar Khan, 42, was shot dead by the cow vigilantes after they stopped three people who were allegedly transporting some cows from Alwar to a village in Bharatpur.

The killing comes seven months after dairy farm owner Pehlu Khan was beaten to death in a similar manner in Alwar.

Another person, Tahir, who was with Ummar Khan at the time the ghastly incident took place, sustained bullet injuries. He has been admitted to a Haryana hospital.

The family of Ummar Khan had registered a strong protest November 12 at the Alwar hospital where his body was kept. Later, his body was taken to Jaipur's Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital for post mortem.

According to the police, it appeared that Ummar and Tahir were taking the cows in the pick up van with smuggling as the motive.

"The FSL (forensic science laboratory) report is yet to come. It can establish whether Ummar actually sustained gunshot or not. Tahir (one of the men taking the cows) is a cow smuggler. Cases have been registered against him in Dausa and Bharatpur. He and Ummar were apparently taking the cows for smuggling," the Alwar SP said.

--- ENDS ---
By PTI: New Delhi, Nov 13 (PTI) An undertrial was shot dead inside the Rohini court complex here today, the police said.

The incident happened near the canteen area, triggering chaos in court premises.

The victim, Vinod alias Balle, was produced by the staff of Third Battalion in Rohini Court, said Rishi Pal, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Rohini).

advertisement

While he was being taken back, he was shot at by an assailant at 11.20 am. The accused was arrested from the spot and the weapon of offence seized, he said.

It is suspected that the accused posed as a litigant.

Vinod was taken to Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hospital where he was declared brought dead, said the officer.

This is the second such incident near the court complex. In April, a 38-year-old undertrial was shot dead there. PTI SLB DV

--- ENDS ---
The tribunal said that more people found proceeding towards the shrine would be stopped either at Ardhkumari or Katra.

By India Today Web Desk: Only 50,000 pilgrims will be allowed to visit the Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu to avoid any untoward incident, the National Green Tribunal directed today.

The green panel also said that a new path to the shrine exclusively for pedestrians and battery-operated cars will be opened from November 24.

The NGT directed that no horses or mules shall be allowed on the new route to the shrine and these anmimals shall be removed slowly from the old path as well.

advertisement

It also directed the authorities to impose a fine (environment compensation) of Rs 2,000 on anyone found littering the roads as well as the bus stop at the nearby Katra town.

The NGT bench headed by chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar made it clear that if the number of pilgrims exceeds the prescribed 50,000 cap, they will be stopped at Ardhkuwari or Katra town, considering that the Vaishno Devi Bhawan structure cannot accomodate more than 50,000 persons.

The green panels directions came during the hearing of a plea filed by an activist seeking directions to stop the use of horses and ponies in Vaishno Devi shrine premises in Jammu, prompting the green panel to seek response from the government on the issue.

The petitioner had expressed concern over the "pollution and danger to public health" caused by indiscriminate use of horses, ponies, mules and donkeys, to carry pilgrims and goods from Katra to the Vaishno Devi temple.

The directions came while NGT was hearing a plea filed by activist Gauri Maulekhi seeking to remove horses and mules from the path to the shrine, saying it was dangerous for the pedestrians, especially the senior citizens.

"The new path which was constructed for Rs 40 crore should be positevely opened to public by November 24. No further time will be granted and, in default, appropriate action will be taken against the concerned authorities.," it said.

CAP ON PEOPLE VISITING VAISHNO DEVI

Only 50,000 pilgrims will be allowed to visit the Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu to avoid any untoward incident, the National Green Tribunal directed today.

The green panel also said that a new path to the shrine exclusively for pedestrians and battery-operated cars will be opened from November 24.

The NGT directed that no horses or mules shall be allowed on the new route to the shrine and these animals shall be removed slowly from the old path as well.

It also directed the authorities to impose a fine (environment compensation) of Rs 2,000 on anyone found littering the roads as well as the bus stop at the nearby Katra town.

The NGT bench headed by chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar made it clear that if the number of pilgrims exceeds the prescribed 50,000 cap, they will be stopped at Ardhkuwari or Katra town, considering that the Vaishno Devi Bhawan structure cannot accommodate more than 50,000 persons.

advertisement

The green panels directions came during the hearing of a plea filed by an activist seeking directions to stop the use of horses and ponies in Vaishno Devi shrine premises in Jammu, prompting the green panel to seek response from the government on the issue.

The petitioner had expressed concern over the "pollution and danger to public health" caused by indiscriminate use of horses, ponies, mules and donkeys, to carry pilgrims and goods from Katra to the Vaishno Devi temple.

The directions came while NGT was hearing a plea filed by activist Gauri Maulekhi seeking to remove horses and mules from the path to the shrine, saying it was dangerous for the pedestrians, especially the senior citizens.

"The new path which was constructed for Rs 40 crore should be positively opened to public by November 24. No further time will be granted and, in default, appropriate action will be taken against the concerned authorities.," it said.

(With inputs from PTI)

--- ENDS ---

advertisement
By Michael Jasny

On Thursday, the House Natural Resources Committee passed a bill, called the SECURE American Energy Act (H.R. 4239), that can only be described as an oil industry wish-list. The bills purpose is to mow down environmental concerns that stand in the way of the complete exploitation of fossil fuels in this country. For the oceans, this would mean an end to national monument designation and to some of those pesky safety regulations that were put in place after the Deepwater spill, among other things. And although it hasnt received much attentionyetone late addition to the bill targets marine mammals in a very big way.

H.R. 4239 would eviscerate one of the core provisions of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), the law that for more than 45 years has been the bulwark of conservation for many of our most iconic ocean species. The Protection Act works by placing safeguards on human activities, like offshore oil exploration, that harm whales, dolphins and other marine mammals. Simply put, H.R. 4239 would gut a whole lot of those safeguards.

What would this mean for marine mammal protection? For starters:

H.R. 4239 would allow industry to harm huge numbers of marine mammals, by killing the safeguard limiting its impacts to small numbers.

It would eliminate the requirement that activities have the least practicable impact on marine mammals, allowing industry to proceed without attempting to minimize harm.

It would prevent the wildlife agencies from requiring industry to monitor the long-term consequences of its actions.

It would establish an impossibly short timeline for the wildlife agencies to review industry activities for their marine mammal impacts, and automatically permit those activities if the agencies fail to meet it.

And, having turned much of our marine mammal law into a dead letter, it would exempt industry from having to comply with Endangered Species Act protections for marine mammals as well.

Destroying the Marine Mammal Protection Act would pave the way for seismic blastingthe first big step in oil and gas developmentoff the East Coast. As my colleagues and I have written, the industrys blasting is known to seriously compromise marine life from zooplankton to fish to the great baleen whales, and scientists have warned of significant, long-lasting and widespread impacts on entire species and populations if the oil industry gets the green light. Blasting the Atlantic is broadly opposed by more than 120 coastal communities from southern New Jersey to Florida, by more than 40,000 coastal businesses, by fishing associations, Chambers of Commerce, and more. But the oil industry doesnt care what the coast thinks.

Nor, of course, does it care about the love that people in this country have for whales and other marine mammals. In a recent poll, some 76 percent of Americans said they want to protect marine mammals from threats, including from offshore oil and gas exploration, and 73 percent said they support the Marine Mammal Protection Act. When the Committee released its bill, there was no mention of its bid to gut the Act in its press release, and thats not surprising. If I were them, I wouldnt want to let folks know what I was doing here either.

The SECURE American Energy Act (H.R. 4239) may come to a vote on the House floor this week. Please demand that your representatives strongly oppose this legislation and its attack on marine mammals. You can sign our petition here; and you can go here to find the office number of your Congressional representative and give them a call.
By Danielle Corcione

I thought I knew what garbage looked like. Then I arrived in Bangalore, the third-largest city in India.

There was trash almost everywhere you looked. Plastic bottles, food packaging and other waste that couldve potentially been recycled contaminated the landscape, even in peoples front- and backyards. When Id ride into the city from the ashram where I was staying in the countryside, Id inhale toxic fumes of garbage piles burning and observe wild animals rummaging through fields of trash.

During my first day on Commercial Street, one of the citys busiest thoroughfares, I could feel the pollution sink into my pores and ignite oils on my face. The ground was no better. While wearing only flimsy flip-flops, I nearly stepped on a rat with a candy wrapper in its mouth.

My experiences werent just anecdotal. According to a 2016 study by the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore generates 5,000 metric tons of garbage a day, of which only 10 percent on average is recycled. The citys landfills, however, can only handle 2,100 tons of waste per day.

When I returned home, I quickly learned that Bangalore was not alone, and how the U.S. plastic lobby keeps its waste pollution behind closed doors. New York Citywhich has a population 1.5 million fewer people than Bangalorethrows away twice as much garbage; according to GrowNYC, residents of the Big Apple produce 12,000 tons of solid waste a day.

My experiences inspired a radical belief in me, going beyond plastic-bag bans and littering fines: Plastic should be illegal.

Communities around the world have taken action to ban single-use plastic bags. I began to wonder, could we ever take things a step further by banning plastic altogether? Thats not an easy question, I quickly learned, because not all plastics are createdand therefore, disposed ofequally.

When we explore the possibility of banning plastic, we need to be specific about which kinds. The base of all plastic is resins, which are composed of polymers. Different chemicals are required to make the many different types of resin. According to the American Chemistry Council, some common types include:

Polyethylene terephthalate, found in water bottles;

High-density polyethylene, included in bags for grocery and retail purchases;

Low-density polyethylene, used for food packaging and shrink wrap;

Polypropylene, utilized for medicine bottles and bottle caps; and

Polystyrene, typically in the form of Styrofoam.

Each of those types of plastic comes with different potential environmental costs. The plastics of greatest concern from an environmental health perspective are polyvinyl chloride (vinyl), polystyrene, polycarbonate, and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, said Mike Schade, Mind the Store campaign director of Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families. Using vinyl products exposes consumers to hormone-disrupting phthalates, which are dangerous at very low levels of exposure. Even getting rid of vinyl is dangerous, he said, because when incinerated, its one of the most toxic man-made chemicals.

Additionally, I found that not all plastics are regulated equally. Although there hasnt been any federal U.S. legislation yet banning vinyl, or any other type of plastic, cities and states have successfully passed and adopted measures to ban plastic bags. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Austin, Cambridge, Los Angeles, Chicago, Seattle and San Francisco are among the cities to implement straight bans as opposed to fees. Meanwhile, statewide bans have passed in California and Hawaii.

When it comes to high density polyethylene and other [types of] plastic bags, the biggest issues are with them clogging up landfills, polluting parks, and waterways, Schade said. Plastic bags are a huge solid waste problem and a waste of precious resources.

According to the Earth Policy Institute, the U.S. consumes 100 billion plastic bags each year, which is enough to circle the equator 1,330 times.

What if plastic bags were to be banned in the U.S., as they were in Kenya earlier this year? Unfortunately that legal battle would require likely copious amounts of money to fight the plastic industry, most notably the American Progressive Bag Alliance, a pro-plastic lobbying group run by the American Chemistry Council. In her documentary Plastic Patch: The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, which I initially watched after returning from India, journalist Angela Sun revealed that the council is an umbrella organization for Dow Chemical Company, DuPont and ExxonMobil.

According to a recent report in The Huffington Post, the group is the moneybag behind legislation to ban the banning of plastic bags. These types of laws have already passed in states like Florida and Arizona. As depicted in Suns film, the American Progressive Bag Alliance ran negative, untruthful commercials urging Californians to vote against that states proposed plastic bag ban years ago. This year, the Iowa became the most recent state to ban plastic bag bans following a push from the organization and the American Legislative Exchange Council.

Ironically, experts tell me that plastic-bag bans can actually endanger municipalities by instigating lawsuits from big plastic.

Cities potentially expose themselves to lawsuits over environmental claims if they only ban plastic bags, but allow other bags to be given away for free, explained Jennie Romer, a New York City-based attorney and founder of Plastic Bag Laws. Romer works with grassroots organizations in New York City to push for plastic-bag fees; according to The New York Times, Gov. Cuomo quashed a measure to implement a 5-cent fee on plastic bags earlier this year.

Theres a reason why conversations about the plastics industry revolve around plastic bags: its a gateway to other environmental issues. Romer explained that once people get accustomed to having certain plastics banned, the plastic industry becomes concerned about the potential of all plastic products being banned rather than just bags. In other words, I realized that plastic bag legislation isnt really about plastic bags; its about what other types of plastic can be potentially banned in the future.

While governments can regulate the plastics industry, ultimately, the effort to reduce plastic consumption comes down to shifting consumer behavior, Romer said. She adds that implementing fees encourage consumers to be more mindful compared to straight bans.

People just dont get a bag when they get an item or two or they bring a bag when they dont want to pay a fee, Romer explained.

While plastic bags are her focus, Romer also consults on expanded polystyrene, found in Styrofoam. She believes this type of plastic requires a straight ban because it breaks up more easily and cannot be recycled, unlike high-density polyethylene in plastic bags.

Sun told me the government should have a role in regulating the labeling of plastic products. Just because Bisphenol A [or BPA] is a buzz word and in social consciousness, the chemical industry can easily make a slight change and call it something else and still have a BPA-free label on it because its technically free of BPA, she said. Putting a BPA label on a baby bottle doesnt mean its necessarily OK to be used.

Sun also stresses that while governments should implement policies to reduce plastic consumption systematically, its up to individual people to raise awareness about the issue. No matter how much policy can influence our everyday lives, reducing plastic ultimately falls usas individual consumersto take action. This both inspires me and disappoints me, because its difficult to fight against a culture specifically designed to consume plastic. After all, bringing your own reusable bag doesnt go very far when most of the products you purchase are packaged in plastic.

Social change is hard to do, but it can be done little by little, explained Sun. Empowered citizens in different realms have pushed and lobbied for this change. Its power to the people.

While bans, whether they are for plastic bags or certain types of resin, seem to be the best idealistic policy for the environment, I learned that they can make governments vulnerable to lawsuits by the plastic lobby. While fees can inspire a change in consumer behavior without the potential of legal action, even those are difficult to just get passed. If we seriously consider banning plastic, not only do we have to specify which kinds, but we also need to work around a system heavily influenced by plastic manufacturers. Otherwise the U.S. garbage problem could start to look a lot more like Bangalores.

Reposted with permission from our media associate The Revelator.
A group of U.S. leaders, including California Gov. Jerry Brown and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, reaffirmed the countrys commitment to its Paris agreement targets this weekend at the COP23 talks in Bonn, Germany. U.S. senators, governors, mayors, state senators and business leaders reiterated at the U.S. Climate Action Center that the U.S. is still in the Paris agreement.

Some senators also met with international officials to assure them that they, along with state elected leaders, will not only challenge Trumps agenda, but that cities and states are making progress on their own. On Saturday, Bloomberg and Brown presented Americas Pledge, which will capture and quantify emissions reductions by cities, states, universities and businesses.

The group of American cities, states, and businesses who remain committed to the Paris agreement represents a bigger economy than any nation outside the U.S. and China, Bloomberg said in a statement. Together they are helping deliver on the promise of the agreement and ensuring the U.S. remains a global leader in the fight against climate change.

As reported by POLITICO:

When Bloomberg mentioned Saturday that the official U.S. delegation to the conference under Trump was preparing to host a controversial panel on Monday on the use of fossil fuels, the crowd booed.

The Trump administration did send a delegation here to Bonn, and it might be the first climate conference wherethis is not a joke, folkscoal is being promoted as an example of sustainability, Bloomberg said.

He added, It will also likely be the last. The world is moving on, and so is the United States.'

U.S. Now the Only Country Not in Paris Climate Agreement https://t.co/XBYj1lZu7x @ecowatch #COP23  Sierra Club (@SierraClub) November 7, 2017

As reported by the Guardian.

Brian Schatz, a Democratic senator from Hawaii who is attending the Bonn talks, said members of Congress, including Republicans, were concerned over how the withdrawal has hurt Americas standing in the world.

If you show up at a climate conference to talk about coal, youre likely to be ignored, he said. I think the We Are Still In delegation will get more attention than the executive branch.

Weve gone from the indispensable leader to being the only country not engaged in climate change. Many people in Congress are troubled not only from a climate standpoint but a geopolitical standpoint. China is happy to take that leadership from us.'

For a deeper dive:

New York Times, Politico, Reuters, USA Today, AP, The Guardian, PBS NewsHour, The Hill, AFP, ClimateHome. Commentary: MinnPost, Leigh Currie op-ed

For more climate change and clean energy news, you can follow Climate Nexus on Twitter and Facebook, and sign up for daily Hot News.
From giving over Rs 200 crore to bring water to villages to managing sick cow shelters, Rajasthan CM is taking her rivals by surprise to make sure she's on the top.

By Rohit Parihar: During the past one week, Rajasthan Chief Minister has spent four days in different parts of Alwar interacting with different sections of society, even staying with them overnight. She met different people from different caste groups who sought better representation in governance, representatives of farmers who asked for a better supply of power and people whose land is being acquired for Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, public transport for villages off the Delhi-Jaipur highway.

advertisement

She heard every grievance and spent most time making calls to ministers and senior bureaucrats to act according to her deadlines. In return, she asked locals about what they think about a better candidate for Alwar parliamentary constituency by-elections to be held shortly. Even though, Election Commission is yet to decide the date for Alwar, Ajmer parliamentary and Mandalgarh assembly polls, Raje wants to be ahead of everyone and is in no mood to take risks.

For the past one month, she has been as busy as a chief minister would be, before assembly polls. She has made a dozen visits to the other two, staying overnight at times in Ajmer, which borders Jaipur as Alwar does where she held executive committee meeting of the BJP to mobilise party set up there in October. The three seats were in BJP and fell vacant following deaths of incumbents.

Raje has gone into an overdrive taking her main rivals by surprise by carpet bombing of announcements, launching new projects and inaugurating completed ones. The way she has been taking decisions, pushing officials to meet deadlines and interacting with masses and grassroots party workers to order solutions of their problems right there reminds one of Raje's first tenure between 2008 and 2013.

This dynamic and direct governance has always been Raje's strong point, erstwhile Maharani of Dholpur and a veteran in Indian politics but her current tenure has mellowed down making her incompetent and lethargic as political observers feel here. Yunus Khan, Public Works and Transport Minister insists that Chief Minister's two-week presence in Ajmer, for example, have made people and MLAs take care of their grievances. "It takes interaction to a different level when she herself interacts with thousands of people from every walk of life to offer solutions right there,'' he explains.

"We will earn the victory because we have worked hard and delivered," Raje told India Today. She is leading from the front because the results will set the ball rolling for assembly polls in December next year letting her call shots in the selection of candidates.

advertisement

What makes Raje's political style different from her previous tenure is her taking along RSS despite speculations about her wavering equation with Narendra Modi, Prime Minister and Amit Shah, BJP president. She had a successful meeting with Mohan Bhagwat, RSS supremo in September that was followed by his visit for a massive display of presence of the organisation in Jaipur through Swar Govind function on November 5. Raje spent hours at RSS' functions sending signals to RSS cadre to give their best in the by-polls. To some extent, resentment over GST among voters and results of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh Polls will affect the by-polls but Raje has been trying to keep poll issues shifted to local governance.

Her strategy has been to tell voters what she has delivered and what more they could expect in next year. For example, in Ajmer, PCC president Sachin Pilot's home constituency that he lost in 2014, Raje made centre push for quick completion of Airport at Kishangarh the marble town and brought in Union Minister for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha to inaugurate it at a very short notice on October 11. She ordered setting up of municipality at Naseerabad, a cantonment town excluding four wards from cantonment area by personally ensuring permission for it from Defence Minister Nirmala Sitaraman, launched Rs 44 crore town development plan for Pushkar having got its master plan already done and 15 thousand LED lights and massive development and repair of rural and urban roads for Ajmer to name a few of over a hundred announcements made.

advertisement

"Government has put a lot of work already but Chief Minister has now personally set deadlines for each to be met as early,'' said Vasudev Devnani, Minister of State for Education who represents Ajmer (North). Here only, Raje on October 15, relaxed deadlines to have water harvesting structures in industries by a few months after declaring a ceramic hub for Ajmer during her meeting at Ajmer (South).

For Mandalgarh, she has given Rs 283 crores to ensure that 315 villages get Chambal River's water within next ten months. On October 28, when she held a meeting with IT cell of the party to mobilise it to effectively use social media late evening in Jaipur, she had already taken care of religious agenda by signing a MoU with Akshay Patra Foundation to manage a sick cow rescue shelter in Hingonia near Jaipur for 19 years, inaugurated residential blocks of medical college at sprawling campus of Rajasthan University of Health Sciences and announced start of flights from Jaipur to Varanasi and Jaisalmer from the next day.

advertisement

Pilot attributes her hyper mode to lure voters through polls promises and populism having failed to deliver in her four years.

"She woke from sleep mode and inaugurated an incomplete airport," he points out citing it her desperation to make up for lost four years in power. Raje is using her charisma to convey that her governance is still the best. That should worry Congress.

--- ENDS ---
For a while, the Common Core State Standards seemed to teeter on the brink of the abyss. State lawmakers were defecting left and right, convening committees to rewrite the standards.

But a review released on Monday of 24 states revisions show that they have largely preserved the common cores most important features.

The report from Achieve, a Washington-based nonprofit that supports states efforts to improve their academic standards, does not explicitly compare old and new standards. But most of the nonprofits review criteria come directly out of the standardssuch as a focus on text complexity, or ensuring that students encounter progressively more difficult reading at each grade level.

In essence, the core of the core is maintained in most states new English/language arts standards. In math, Achieve found that five states were missing elements that it deems necessary to set up students for later success. But states resisted the temptation to revert back to earlier standards, which were roundly criticized by math experts as overstuffed and incoherent.

This is a good-news story; by and large, states do have strong college- and career-ready standards, said Michael Cohen, the president of Achieve, which helped lead the common-core push.

Whats more, he said, most of the states revisions were aimed at providing more guidance and clarity to teachers. You could tell some thought went into these revisions, he said.

Core of the Core Preserved

The common-core standards, unveiled in 2010, were developed by groups representing the nations governors and state education chiefs with the goal of readying high school graduates for college or the workforce. At their peak, 45 states and the District of Columbia had signed up. But the standards became a political liability after the U.S. Department of Education gave states financial incentives to adopt themand as teachers scrambled to find matching curricula and fretted about new exams linked to the expectations.

Many states subsequently tweaked the standards, renamed them, or replaced them. The Achieve report is probably the most comprehensive look at the post-common core landscape, and provides insights into the challenges other states will face as they revise their student expectations. (Most states do so every seven to 10 years.)

The study examines changes in 24 states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, and West Virginia.

Six reviewers conducted the review against the criteria set out in the report.

In ELA, 20 of the 24 states included all of the markers Achieve looked for, including foundational reading skills; working with literature and nonfiction texts; and having students cite evidence from text when analyzing and making arguments.

Many states made additional clarifications or explanations to broaden features of the standards, the report notes. South Carolina, for example, includes standards on fluency all the way through 12th grade, while Alabama has students write poetry as early as grade 2.

Weaker in Math?

The report found more variation among the states math standards.

Every state still outlines expectations through Algebra II, and most preserved references to the mathematical practiceseight core ways students should grapple with math, such as being able to reason quantitatively. But it also found some gaps. Twelve of the states, for example, did not emphasize mathematical modeling in high school math; six also lacked statistics topics for high school.

Achieve deemed Oklahomas and Pennsylvanias standards to be missing the most benchmarks, judging that they did not, for instance, sufficiently emphasize arithmetic in grades K-5 or require students to know single-digit sums and products by heart.

It is no surprise that Oklahoma standards for English/language arts and mathematics would score differently than other states on indicators aligned to common core, Tiffany Neill, the executive director of curriculum and instruction at the Oklahoma education department, said in a statement. After repealing common core in 2014, Oklahoma was tasked with developing comprehensive standards and chose to engage thousands of Oklahoma educators and education stakeholders in every stage of their development. Our inclusive design process, and the final standards themselves received constructive and favorable reviews by Oklahomans, experts, and other evaluators.

The state has also developed curriculum frameworks to help flesh out the standards, she added.

While the report aims at objectivity, it contains a strong viewpoint about what standards for students should contain. For example, it critiques states that added language expecting students to relate what theyve read to their own lives, a common teaching practice in the pre-common core era.

And states were downgraded for not giving enough guidance on how to help teachers understand and use gauges of text complexity.

Both of those features wade into continuing debates over the best way to teach reading. Some critics of the common core have questioned whether its appropriate to have students of varying reading levels grapple with the same piece of text, for instance.

States received the report late last week, and due to the Veterans Day holiday, were still digesting the findings on Monday.
The Democratic gains in this weeks New Jersey, Virginia, and Washington elections will have repercussions in all three states in their long-simmering debates over the expansion of charter schools, school funding, testing, and other K-12 issues.

And the political maneuvers used by education policy advocates to animate moderate voters over those issues could provide a script for other states next year when 38 governorships and four-fifths of state legislative seats are up for election.

Currently, more than 25 state capitals are completely controlled by Republicans, while Democrats hold both the governorships and legislatures in just seven states.

That control will have big implications for K-12 in coming years, with governors and state lawmakers taking on added power to shape their states education agendas in the era of the Every Student Succeeds Act.

Were really feeling good about our momentum as we head into a suite of equally critical races in 2018, said Carrie Pugh, politics director for the National Education Association, which represents three million teachers nationwide. We are in a build-back moment [for Democrats]. We have a lot of ground to make up for going into 2018.

State-Level Battles

In the New Jersey governors race, Democrat Phil Murphy, a financier and diplomat who has promised to pull the state out of the PARCC testing consortium, beat the GOP nominee, Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno. Democrats also took full control of the states legislature.

And in Washington state, Democrats took control of that state Senate, which has for years been a singular force opposed to raising taxes in order to comply with a 2012 state supreme court order to increase the states minimum teacher salaries. Democrats hold control of the House and the governorship now. The state also has been in a protracted legal battle over the expansion of charter schools.

In Virginia, Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam, a fierce charter school opponent, beat former Republican party Chairman Ed Gillespie, while Democrats gained 14 seats to put them just a few seats shy of controlling the House of Delegates. Recounts are expected.

The Virginia race, in particular, drew national attention as a proxy referendum on President Donald Trump. Closer to home, school choice and the states accountability system both found their way into that states gubernatorial debates. Northam said he wanted to roll back the states role in improving schools and Gillespie said he wanted to crack down on underperforming schools and expand enrollment options for students at those schools.

As governor, Northam will appoint both an education secretary, who serves in an advisory capacity, and a state superintendent. But Republican control of Virginias House of Delegates has stalled Democrats efforts to permanently increase school funding in recent years, said Jim Livingston, the president of the Virginia Education Association.

When Gillespie received a $100,000 donation from Dick DeVos, U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos husband, it provided an opportunity for the teachers union to link Gillespies priorities to the DeVos agenda"a point the union emphasized over and over on flyers and in TV ads.

That will make the conversation a little more difficult, but overall its not a huge change, said Caleb Taylor, the director of policy for the Virginia Institute for Public Policy which supports tax-credit scholarships and education savings accounts.

Northam also could make changes to the states ESSA plan which awaits federal approval. He said on the campaign trail that he thought the state was too reliant on test scores to rate its schools and put too heavy a hand on local school districts.

In New Jersey, Gov.-elect Murphy will be tasked with repairing a fraught relationship between the New Jersey Education Association, the states historically powerful teachers union, and the states education department. In recent years, the states appointed commissioners of education implemented several of outgoing Republican Gov. Chris Christies controversial teacher quality measures. Christie appointed five commissioners in seven years. Kimberley Harrington, the current commissioner who designed the states federally-approved ESSA plan is appointed and will likely be replaced.

The state also has been under pressure to upend its decades-old school funding formula, which has led to increased property taxes. Murphy said he will seek to keep intact the funding formula in the coming years. And Murphy also promised to pull the state out of the PARCC testing consortium and hand back control to several of the states urban districts.

Down-Ballot Drama

Among the down-ballot races in New Jersey, State Senate President Steve Sweeney, a Democrat, beat back opposition from the teachers union. The union, which typically backs Democrats, spent at least $5 million on a campaign to defeat Sweeney, who has fallen out with the union over, among other things, how the state should pay down pension funds. The union instead supported Republican Fran Grenier, a Gloucester County commissioner who backed Trump in the presidential race.

The unions opposition to Sweeney will have repercussions down the line, said Janellen Duffy, the executive director of New Jerseys JerseyCan, a 50Can affiliate that advocates for school choice and more school funding.

It was an intense feud, said Duffy. I think theres going to be a new dynamic in Trenton. The union has been extremely powerful and because of the strong position that they took and the extensive amount of money they put into the race, their aura of invincibility is going to be changed.
Asrin Property Developers have broken ground and construction has begun at their 98 unit Cedar Place development in Grassy Park, with handovers expected to begin on 31 October 2018.

Cedar Place units have been taken up faster than expected. Since the release of this development to the market in May, 80% of the units have been sold and Asrin anticipate that the remainder will be sold soon, says Asrins project manager Ali Mohamed.

The quick take-up could be due to a huge demand for reasonably priced homes in the southern suburbs and the fact that this development is very centrally located, he said.

Cedar Place is sited on Fifth Avenue, Grassy Park, which benefits from being on a public transport route and has numerous retail stores within easy walking distance. It is also within close proximity to good schools and a medical centre, and is a five-minute drive from major retail chain stores.

There is direct access from Fifth Avenue to the M5 highway, which will make commuting to Cape Towns CBD fairly easy, but this area is also well located for those who work further south as they will drive against the traffic flow in peak times.

The apartments still available are two bedroom, one bathroom units priced from R659 000, including VAT and transfer fees.

All the units in Cedar Place have superior finishes (which is usually unheard of in this price bracket)  with granite countertops, ceramic tiles and laminated wood flooring, stainless steel ovens, hobs and extractor hoods, and anodised aluminium windows and sliding doors. Units will have solar panel water heating, which will help in keeping residents electricity bills low. In addition, all apartments are Wi-Fi and DStv enabled, which is slowly becoming the norm as demand for these facilities is high.

The complex will have a refuse room, laundry drying yards, perimeter electric fencing and paved and landscaped open areas. There will be a guardhouse and the development will be made as secure as possible with full access control at the entrance and exit.

Parking has been allocated at one bay per unit in the complex as well as there being ample visitors bays, which is a huge plus  many sectional title schemes charge extra for these or rent them to occupants.

Whether youre a first-time home buyer, a young family starting out, retired and looking to downscale, or a buy-to-let investor, this development offers all the convenience and luxury that the southern suburbs has to offer, said Mohamed.
One of the components of synthetic T-cells entails molecular antennae protruding well outside the membrane. Also embedded within the cell membrane are antibodies with specific docking sites, which can sense the target structures of the cancer cell and bind to them. The third component is a gene network that generates a molecule complex.

This molecule complex comprises a molecular warhead that penetrates the membrane of the target cell. It is linked to a converter molecule that activates an anti-cancer substance in the tumour cells interior.

The precursor of this active substance needs to be added to the system externally. Cancer cells absorb this substance, and the converter module transforms it from an inactive to an active state. The cancer cells bursts, the active substance is released and destroys other tumour cells in the death zone around the synthetic T-cell. This bystander effect makes our synthetic T-cells even more effective, Professor Fussenegger explains.

Mechanical trigger

The mechanism triggering the signal cascade leading to the destruction of the cancer cell is new, and has a physical function: as the synthetic T-cell moves closer towards the target cell, the antennae proteins buckle. The antennaes anchorage deep within the cell therefore loses contact with a molecular switch that it had previously blocked. As a response to the ON command, a signal cascade is initiated which actuates the production of the molecule complex.

The new type of artificial T-cell has several advantages over current cancer treatments. Whereas during chemotherapy the body is flooded with active substances in order to kill as many rapidly dividing cells as possible in a very unselective manner, only a few artificial T-cells are needed in the new therapy. Whats more, these are only deployed locally and in a carefully targeted fashion. Our innovative T-cells may detect and kill metastasising cancer cells at a very early stage, when other treatments are not effective, Professor Fussenegger says. Another benefit: The artificial T-cells operate totally independently from the bodys immune system, enabling it to continue to function perfectly normally, so that fewer side-effects are likely.

In addition, the modular design of the system allows it to be expanded. Researchers can equip the artificial killer cells with different types of docking sites that bond to other types of cancer cells. For the current study, just published in the journal external pageNature Chemical Biologycall_made, scientists used docking sites that detect only one specific type of mammalian cancer cell. This technology provides us with an enormous degree of generalisation that cannot be achieved with the genuine T-cells used in current cancer therapies, Fussenegger stresses.

Its still not clear whether  and how  this system will function in the human body. So far, ETH researchers have only tested their new cells in cell cultures. At present our new system is still a long way from a therapeutic application, says the ETH professor. But I believe we have opened up a new front in the battle against cancer.
BEER-SHEVA, Israel, November 13, 2017 - Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) researchers have achieved a breakthrough in manipulating light to render an object, such as an optical chip, invisible.

According to the recent study published in Nature Scientific Reports, the researchers conceived a new method that deflects and scatters light away from a "cloaking" chip surface so it is not detected.

An operational cloaking chip can be an extension of the basic technologies such as radar-absorbing dark paint used on stealth aircraft, local optical camouflage, surface cooling to minimize electromagnetic infrared emissions, or electromagnetic wave scattering.

"These results open the door to new integrated photonic devices, harnessing electromagnetic fields of light at nanoscale for a variety of applications from on-chip optical devices to all-optical processing," says Dr. Alina Karabchevsky, head of BGU's Light-on-a-Chip Group and a member of the BGU Unit of Electro-Optical Engineering and the Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology. "We showed that it is possible to bend the light around an object located on the cloak on an optical chip. The light does not interact with the object, thus resulting in the object's invisibility."

The next step is for researchers to overcome the significant challenge of developing a prototype.

###

Other group researchers who contributed to the study, Invisibility Cloaking Scheme by Evanescent Fields Distortion on Composite Plasmonic Waveguides with Si Nano-Spacer, include Yakov Galutin, an MSc student and a member of the BGU Electro-Optical Engineering Unit and the Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, and Eran Falek, a student in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

About American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (AABGU) plays a vital role in sustaining David Ben-Gurion's vision: creating a world-class institution of education and research in the Israeli desert, nurturing the Negev community and sharing the University's expertise locally and around the globe. As Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) looks ahead to turning 50 in 2020, AABGU imagines a future that goes beyond the walls of academia. It is a future where BGU invents a new world and inspires a vision for a stronger Israel and its next generation of leaders. Together with supporters, AABGU will help the University foster excellence in teaching, research and outreach to the communities of the Negev for the next 50 years and beyond. Visit vision.aabgu.org to learn more.

AABGU, which is headquartered in Manhattan, has nine regional offices throughout the United States. For more information, visit http://www.aabgu.org.

Contact:

Andrew Lavin

A. Lavin Communications

516-944-4486

alc@alavin.com
A new Tel Aviv University study finds that people often project their own experiences with stress onto their colleagues and employees, causing miscommunication and, often, missed opportunities.

"This study is the first to show that our own psychological mindset determines how we judge other peoples' responses to stress -- specifically, whether we perceive stress as positive or negative," said principal investigator Prof. Sharon Toker of TAU's Coller School of Management.

The research was published online in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology.

The positives and negatives of stress

"This research informs the way managers assess their employees' ability to take on different workloads. It may also inform our relationships with our spouses -- or with our children," Prof. Toker says. "For example, a typical 'tiger mom' is sure that stress is a good thing. She may simply not see how burned out her child may be."

Experiments conducted by Prof. Toker and researchers Prof. Daniel Heller and Nili Ben-Avi, also of TAU's Coller School of Management, found that a person's individual stress mindset colors the way he or she will perceive a colleague or employee's health, work productivity and degree of burnout.

"If a manager perceives that a certain employee doesn't suffer from stress, that manager will be more likely to consider the employee worthy of promotion," Prof. Toker says. "But because the manager believes that stress is a positive quality that leads to self-sufficiency, the manager will also be less likely to offer assistance if the employee needs it," Prof. Toker says.

Prof. Toker and her colleagues recruited 377 American employees for an online "stress-at-work" questionnaire. Participants were asked to read a description of "Ben," a fictitious employee who works long hours, has a managerial position and needs to multitask. The employees then rated his burnout levels and completed a stress mindset questionnaire about Ben.

"The more participants saw stress as positive and enhancing, the more they perceived Ben as experiencing less burnout and consequently rated him as more worthy of being promoted," Prof. Toker says.

Changing minds

The researchers also wanted to see whether they could change people's perceptions of stress and consequently change the way they perceive other peoples' stress. They conducted a series of further experiments among 600 employed Israelis and Americans to determine whether their stress mindset can be cultivated or changed.

The researchers randomly assigned the employees to "enhancing" or "debilitating" stress mindset groups of 120-350 people. Using a technique called "priming" -- prompting participants to think of the word "stress" in either positive or negative terms -- the participants were asked to write about past stress experiences in either a "positive/enhancing" or "negative/debilitating" way. They were then asked to read a description of Ben's workload and assess Ben's burnout, rate of productivity and psychosomatic symptoms.

Participants were also asked whether Ben should be promoted and whether they would be willing to help him with his workload.

"Study participants who were primed to have a positive/enhancing stress mindset rated Ben as suffering less from stress-related symptoms and were consequently more likely to recommend Ben for promotion. They were also less likely to offer him help," Prof. Heller says. "But those primed to feel as though stress was debilitating/negative felt that Ben was more burned out and consequently less fit to be promoted."

"Your stress mindset will affect your judgement of other people's stress responses," Ben-Avi concludes. "But we have shown that even if stress affects you positively, it can distort the way you see your colleagues, your employees, your spouses, even your own children. We should be very careful about assessing other people's stress levels."

###

American Friends of Tel Aviv University (AFTAU) supports Israel's most influential, comprehensive and sought-after center of higher learning, Tel Aviv University (TAU). TAU is recognized and celebrated internationally for creating an innovative, entrepreneurial culture on campus that generates inventions, startups and economic development in Israel. For three years in a row, TAU ranked 9th in the world, and first in Israel, for alumni going on to become successful entrepreneurs backed by significant venture capital, a ranking that surpassed several Ivy League universities. To date, 2,400 patents have been filed out of the University, making TAU 29th in the world for patents among academic institutions.
ANAHEIM, California, Nov. 13, 2017 -- The majority of patients without health insurance who were hospitalized for heart attack, stroke or coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery experienced catastrophic healthcare expenses before passage of the Affordable Care Act, according to preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2017, a premier global exchange of the latest advances in cardiovascular science for researchers and clinicians.

Using data from the National Inpatient Sample, the largest publicly available all-payer inpatient healthcare database in the United States, research reported in presentation 293 found that 15 percent of all heart attack and stroke patients were uninsured during the study period 2008-2012. Using the same data set, research reported in poster presentation T5082 found that 9 percent of patients who underwent CABG were uninsured during the study period 2008-2012. The researchers, who collaborated on the studies, found that among this group of uninsured people, hospital bills exceeded the threshold for a catastrophic health expenses for:

85 percent of heart attack patients;

75 percent of stroke patients; and

83 percent of CABG patients.

During the years of the study, the median hospitalization charges for heart attacks were $53,384; strokes were $31,218. The cost for coronary artery bypass surgeries ranged from $85,891-$177,546.

Catastrophic health expenditures were defined as hospitalization expenses that exceeded 40 percent of annual income after eliminating the cost of food. For many these medical costs make it difficult to pay for housing, transportation and other essential expenses. Annual patient income was determined using data from the U.S. Census and food costs were estimated from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

"Medical bankruptcy is the leading cause of bankruptcy in the United States," said Rohan Khera, M.D., first author of the study that examined hospitalization expenses of heart attack and stroke patients and a cardiology fellow at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. "Until there is universal insurance coverage, a catastrophic health experience is very likely to turn into a catastrophic financial experience as well."

Heart attacks, strokes, and CABG -- a surgery that reroutes blood around clogged coronary arteries and improves the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart muscle-- are major, unanticipated healthcare events that require immediate and often costly treatment. The financial burden of heart disease treatment is well documented for patients with health insurance, but little is known about the financial implications for uninsured patients who need care.

"Catastrophic health expenses are an important factor for physicians to consider, and should be thought of as an adverse effect when hospitalization is required for uninsured patients in the United States," said Jonathan C. Hong, M.D., first author of the study that analyzed hospitalization expenses for CABG and a cardiac surgery resident at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada.

"The majority of uninsured patients undergoing CABG will experience significant financial hardships that are often unexpected and difficult to plan for," Hong said. "Health policy that expands insurance coverage can help mitigate the economic burden for this life-saving procedure among this patient population."

"Although there is still a substantial number of people who are uninsured, the Affordable Care Act increased the number of people who do have insurance. Therefore, the number of people at risk for catastrophic healthcare expenses may have declined. The law also improves the ability to get insurance for people with medical illnesses given its protections for patients with pre-existing conditions," said Khera

###

Co-authors of the heart attack and stroke study are Hong, Anshul Saxena, Ph.D., M.P.H., Alejandro Arrieta, Ph.D., Salim S. Virani, Ph.D., Ron Blankstein, M.D., James A. de Lemos, M.D., Harlan M. Krumholz, M.D. and Khurram Nasir, M.D.

Co-authors of the CABG study are Khera, Anshul Saxena, Ph.D., M.P.H., Alejandro Arrieta, Ph.D., Salim S. Virani, Ph.D., Ron Blankstein, M.D., Glenn J.R. Whitman, M.D., Harlan M. Krumholz, M.D., and Khurram Nasir, M.D. Author disclosures are on the abstracts.

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences funded the heart attack and stroke study.

Note: Scientific presentation time for Dr. Khera's study (293) is at 5:45 p.m. PT, Monday, Nov. 13, 2017 in room 213B (Main Building). Scientific presentation time for Dr. Hong's study (T5082) is at 1:30 p.m. PT, Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2017 in the Clinical III Section, Science and Technology Hall

Additional Resources:

Available downloadable video/audio interviews, B-roll, animation and images related to this news release are on the right column of the release link https://newsroom.heart.org/news/catastrophic-costs-for-hospitalization-expenses-common-among-uninsured-heart-and-stroke-patients?preview=102bc2639382f5858d0663062c9e9f2a

About Heart Attacks

About Stroke

Cardiac Procedures and Surgeries

For more news at AHA Scientific Sessions 2017, follow us on Twitter @HeartNews #AHA17.

Statements and conclusions of study authors that are presented at American Heart Association scientific meetings are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect association policy or position. The association makes no representation or warranty as to their accuracy or reliability. The association receives funding primarily from individuals; foundations and corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations and fund specific association programs and events. The association has strict policies to prevent these relationships from influencing the science content. Revenues from pharmaceutical and device corporations are available at http://www.heart.org/corporatefunding.

About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke - the two leading causes of death in the world. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat these diseases. The Dallas-based association is the nation's oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. To learn more or to get involved, call 1-800-AHA-USA1, visit heart.org or call any of our offices around the country. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

For Media Inquiries and AHA Spokesperson Perspective:

AHA News Media in Dallas: 214-706-1173

AHA News Media Office, Nov. 11-16, 2017 at the Anaheim Convention Center: (714) 765-2004

For Public Inquiries: 800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)

heart.org and strokeassociation.org
ANAHEIM, California, Nov. 13 -- The American Heart Association awarded its Clinical Research Prize for 2017 to Robert A. Harrington., M.D., of Stanford University School of Medicine, "for his leadership of research initiatives leading to the development of new anti-thrombotic agents that have dramatically improved everyday medical practice."

Harrington received the prize during Sunday's opening ceremony of the AHA Scientific Sessions 2017, a premier global exchange of the latest advances in cardiovascular science for researchers and clinicians, which was held at the Anaheim Convention Center. Association President John Warner, M.D., of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas presented the prize, a citation and $5,000 honorarium, awarded annually for outstanding achievement in clinical cardiovascular science.

In presenting the prize, Warner lauded the California interventional cardiologist "for his creative development of novel approaches to the design and conduct of clinical trials focused on improving care of patients with coronary artery disease and its complications."

Harrington is considered one of the most innovative investigators applying effective new approaches to the design and conduct of clinical trials.

"He has focused his investigative efforts on improving the care of coronary heart disease patients with blood-clotting complications, through a series of landmark studies that have become pivotal to gaining regulatory approval of anti-thrombotic medications across multiple indications," Warner said.

"Dr. Harrington played a critical role in guiding the clinical development of these new programs, which have substantially increased our understanding of the use of a number of agents that are now part of routine medical practice."

The prize winner is chairman of the Department of Medicine and the Arthur L. Bloomfield Professor of Medicine at Stanford University in Stanford, California.

###

Additional Resources:

For more news at AHA Scientific Sessions 2017, follow us on Twitter @HeartNews #AHA17.

Statements and conclusions of study authors that are presented at American Heart Association scientific meetings are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect association policy or position. The association makes no representation or warranty as to their accuracy or reliability. The association receives funding primarily from individuals; foundations and corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations and fund specific association programs and events. The association has strict policies to prevent these relationships from influencing the science content. Revenues from pharmaceutical and device corporations are available at http://www.heart.org/corporatefunding.

About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke - the two leading causes of death in the world. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat these diseases. The Dallas-based association is the nation's oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. To learn more or to get involved, call 1-800-AHA-USA1, visit heart.org or call any of our offices around the country. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
We need to pay more attention to the health of the planet to save lives, and improve global health, now and in the future, Dr Samuel Myers will say at The Academy of Medical Sciences & The Lancet International Health Lecture1 today (Monday 13 November, 18:00-20:00).

Dr Samuel Myers, Principal Research Scientist at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Director of the Planetary Health Alliance, will stress that human impacts, such as pollution and overconsumption on Earth's natural resources, are already intensifying almost exponentially. Action is needed to prevent this having an increasingly negative effect on human health.

Speaking at 'The Academy of Medical Sciences & The Lancet International Health Lecture', with the lecture published in The Lancet to coincide with the event, Dr Myers will call for increased funding for planetary health science. This important area of research involves the investigation of the impacts of human activity, including pollution, overconsumption and climate change, on the health of the planet and its corresponding impacts on human health.

Dr Myers will give alarming examples of how our changing planet may pose serious risks to human health in the future, including:

Staple food crops growing in fields which have an environment of higher carbon dioxide levels can contain lower quantities of iron, zinc and protein. This is likely to push 150-200 million people into the onset of zinc deficiency, and a similar number into protein deficiency.

The decline of insect pollinators could increase global disease burden as a result of reduced intake of vitamin A, folate, and food groups such as fruit and vegetables that protect against diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease and stroke. A total collapse of animal pollination could result in 1.4 million excess deaths annually.

More frequent and dramatic extreme weather events, such as heatwaves and droughts, will likely increase forced displacement of people, increasing risk of malnutrition, infectious disease, trauma and mental illness to large populations.

Dr Myers will stress that current research funding levels are inadequate to deal with the seriousness of the issues facing us. He will also say that, currently, what funding is available is distributed via disciplinary siloes or for study of individual diseases, and that this limits the ability of science to look at the bigger picture.

Dr Samuel Myers, Principal Research Scientist at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Director of the Planetary Health Alliance said:

"We are already seeing significant impacts on human health from our changing planet, and this will only get worse as pollution, climate change and overconsumption increases. The challenges we face are quite unlike anything scientists have had to deal with before.

"To deal with such pressing and urgent challenges we may need a whole new science, where researchers work across traditional boundaries. Land use planners, urban designers, ecologists, civil engineers and agronomists are just as important to solve these problems as scientists, doctors, nurses and epidemiologists.

"The next generation of planetary health researchers will need to turn away from purely academic questions, looking instead to create new partnerships to address the complex challenges facing society."

Professor Sir Robert Lechler PMedSci, President of the Academy of Medical Sciences, said:

"Humans have disrupted the natural systems of the Earth for thousands of years, but the scale of population growth and consumption in our recent history is putting an irreversible strain on our planet.

"We must open our eyes to the impact environmental pressures are already having on our health, and prepare now for what the future will bring.

"Medical science cannot act alone to solve the problems we face, we need a new breed of researcher who can work across boundaries and in large collaborations. We will need to think and work differently to deal with the health problems our changing planet is creating."

Dr Richard Horton, Editor in Chief of The Lancet, said:

"The challenge for our species is one of survival. We have created the conditions for extraordinary human flourishing and success. But we have also sown the seeds for planetary catastrophe. Do we have the ingenuity to change course and protect the future for our children and grandchildren? The answer to that question is not certain. And time is running out to discover the answer."

Dr Myers will describe how planetary health research can be deployed to solve major health challenges. For example, new decision support tools could allow policy makers in Indonesia to make better decisions about how they use land, potentially preventing deaths linked to pollution from fires used to clear peatlands. In another project, the reintroduction of native river prawns to dammed rivers in West Africa is helping control the parasitic disease schistosomiasis while also providing a nutritious food and income for local people.

Dr Samuel Myers, concluded: "Planet Earth is both awe-inspiring and fragile. It nurtures us and all living things, but it also requires our care."

###

For a copy Dr Samuel Myer's piece in The Lancet, further information, or to arrange an interview, please contact:

Naomi Clarke, Communications Officer, Academy of Medical Sciences 020 3141 3208 naomi.clarke@acmedsci.ac.uk

Notes for Editors

1. The Academy of Medical Sciences & The Lancet International Health Lecture, held on Monday 13 November 2017 at the Wellcome Collection from 18:00-20:00 provides a platform for leaders in global health to discuss topics of international significance, promoting debate, discussion and the exchange of ideas on current research. These high-profile lectures are aimed at attracting a diverse audience, and are attended by the Academy's Fellows, academics, policymakers, the media, stakeholder groups and members of the public. This year's lecture is presented by Dr Samuel Myers, Principal Research Scientist at Harvard T.H. Chan of School of Public Health and Director of the Planetary Health Alliance, under the title: Planetary Health: Protecting Global Health on a Rapidly Changing Planet.

The Academy of Medical Sciences is the independent body in the UK representing the diversity of medical science. Our elected Fellows are the UK's leading medical scientists from hospitals, academia, industry and the public service. Our mission is to advance biomedical and health research and its translation into benefits for society. We are working to secure a future in which:

UK and global health is improved by the best research.

The UK leads the world in biomedical and health research, and is renowned for the quality of its research outputs, talent and collaborations.

Independent, high quality medical science advice informs the decisions that affect society.

More people have a say in the future of health and research.

Our work focusses on four key objectives, promoting excellence, developing talented researchers, influencing research and policy and engaging patients, the public and professionals. http://www.acmedsci.ac.uk
New analysis from CANTOS finds that measuring hsCRP levels after one dose of canakinumab can identify individuals likely to see greatest improvements from continued treatment

A new analysis seeks to answer the question of which patients are likely to gain the greatest cardiovascular benefit when treated with the anti-inflammatory agent canakinumab. At the 2017 American Heart Association Scientific Sessions, Paul M. Ridker, MD, director of the Center for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention at Brigham and Women's Hospital, presented a pre-specified analysis on CANTOS (Canakinumab Anti-inflammatory Thrombosis Outcomes Study) that identifies a simple, clinical method to define patient groups most likely to benefit from long-term canakinumab treatment. The results of this analysis, published simultaneously in The Lancet, could have a major impact not only on patient selection and cost-effectiveness of canakinumab, but also on the future development of anti-inflammatory agents for cardiovascular disease.

"We believe the clinical approach of targeting treatment to those who truly benefit on the basis of biologic response represents an elegant step toward personalized medicine and rational resource utilization," said Ridker. "Figuring out which patients with residual inflammatory risk benefit the most will allow us to get the right drug to the right patient, greatly reducing costs as well as hazards."

Major findings from the CANTOS trial were presented earlier this year. The trial was designed to test whether canakinumab, which lowers inflammation independent of lipid levels, could reduce risk of a future cardiovascular event by reducing inflammation among people who have had a prior heart attack and who have persistently elevated levels of the inflammatory biomarker high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) despite aggressive care. Overall, the trial found a significant fifteen percent reduction in risk of recurrent heart attacks, strokes and cardiovascular death among participants who received canakinumab at doses of either 150mg or 300mg, given once every three months. The critical question Ridker and colleagues have further investigated is whether reductions in the magnitude of inflammation achieved after a single treatment with canakinumab can predict greater or lesser clinical benefit for individual patients.

In the new analysis, the team found that baseline characteristics did not modify the effect of canakinumab on clinical outcomes. However, the magnitude of decrease in hsCRP with canakinumab related directly to the magnitude of clinical benefit associated with continued long-term therapy. For those treated with canakinumab who achieved hsCRP levels below 2mg/L after one dose, cardiovascular and all-cause mortality were both reduced by 31 percent with prolonged treatment. By contrast, no statistically significant reduction in these endpoints was observed among those treated with canakinumab who achieved hsCRP levels equal to or above 2mg/L. Similar large differences in all major cardiovascular outcomes were observed among those who did and did not have robust responses to initial therapy.

"The magnitude of hsCRP reduction following a single dose of canakinumab may provide a simple clinical method to identify individuals most likely to accrue the largest benefit from continued treatment. These data further suggest that 'lower is better' for inflammation reduction with canakinumab," said Brendan Everett, MD, an investigator in CANTOS and director of the General Cardiology Inpatient Service at BWH.

"While prior analyses have examined hsCRP as a predictive biomarker in the context of statin therapy, which both lowers cholesterol and lowers inflammation, our study is the first to analyze outcome data for an agent that only reduces inflammation without concomitant effects on cholesterol," Ridker said. "Our work suggests that patients with 'residual inflammatory risk' represent a separate and distinct group from patients with 'residual cholesterol risk' who likely require different personalized approaches to treatment."

The authors note that their findings could have implications for patient selection, cost-effectiveness and drug design and development going forward, with the potential to increase canakinumab's benefit to risk ratio. For example, the five-year number needed to treat (NNT) is 16 for among those treated with canakinumab who achieved hsCRP concentrations less than 2mg/L. By contrast, the five-year NNT was 57 for those who did not achieve this on-treatment hsCRP threshold. The occurrence of fatal infection observed in CANTOS among approximately one in every 1,000 patients treated was not related to the magnitude of inflammation reduction.

"The new analyses will be quite relevant to physicians, regulators, and payers who are all trying to understand how to achieve the greatest efficacy with the minimal hazard," said Peter Libby, MD, a CANTOS investigator with long-standing interests in inflammation biology.

"Reaching goals is critical for patients and physicians," said Roger Blumenthal, MD, the Kenneth J. Pollin Professor of Cardiology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. "The new CANTOS analysis makes it clear that biologic response matters greatly. Reaching on-treatment hsCRP goals after taking canakinumab is a strong marker for long-term success."

More details about the cardiovascular findings from CANTOS can be found here. In CANTOS, cancer deaths were cut in half by canakinumab. Details about findings related to cancer death reductions can be found here. Ridker is also the principal investigator of the NHLBI-funded Cardiovascular Inflammation Reduction Trial that seeks to find out if low-dose methotrexate, an inexpensive generic anti-inflammatory agent, might have similar effects. That trial will complete in two to three years.

###

CANTOS was proposed and designed by investigators in the Center for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention at BWH, in collaboration with Novartis Pharmaceuticals. In addition to Ridker, Everett, and Libby, other Brigham and Women's Hospital researchers who contributed critically to this work include Jean MacFadyen, BA and Robert J. Glynn, ScD. Ridker and Glynn received financial support for clinical research from Novartis Pharmaceuticals to conduct the CANTOS. Ridker has served as a consultant to Novartis Pharmaceuticals and is listed as a co-inventor on patents held by BWH that relate to the use of inflammatory biomarkers in cardiovascular disease and diabetes that have been licensed to AstraZeneca and Siemens.

Paper cited: Ridker et al. "Relationship of C-Reactive Protein Reduction to Cardiovascular Event Reduction Following Treatment with Canak
Researchers are investigating how best to attract and retain women in traditionally male-dominated science fields

To retain more undergraduate women in geoscience majors, a supportive network that includes faculty mentorship seems to be a key driver, according to a new study led by Colorado State University.

The study, published earlier this month in the journal PLOS ONE, is the first official result from an ongoing effort led by Emily Fischer, assistant professor of atmospheric science.

Fischer and colleagues from seven universities across the Front Range, Wyoming and the Carolinas are in the fourth year of a five-year, $1.7 million National Science Foundation grant for a program called PROGRESS (PROmoting Geoscience Research, Education and Success). They are investigating how best to attract and retain women in traditionally male-dominated science fields, particularly earth and environmental sciences.

"Our program seems to be helping students better identify as scientists, and giving them a stronger intention to remain in the earth and environmental sciences," said Fischer, who led the rollout of PROGRESS in 2015 at CSU.

About 150 women across the seven participating universities, including about 30 at CSU, are involved in PROGRESS. The program includes an introductory weekend workshop and pairing students with female mentors, typically graduate students or postdocs. For the study, the PROGRESS women's outcomes were compared with a separate group not participating in PROGRESS.

Results show that a program like PROGRESS can expand a student's network of support by connecting them with people, particularly other women, they view as role models. The students are then more inclined to further expand those networks on their own, notably with faculty in earth and environmental sciences.

"As part of our mentoring and professional development activities, we are not always directly connecting our PROGRESS students with faculty, but there is something about their interaction with faculty members that is an important predictor in their intention to stay in the earth and environmental sciences," Fischer said. "That surprised us; we didn't expect this to be so important."

The aim of PROGRESS is to reduce the attrition of women who begin college as science majors but don't stay there, said paper first author Paul Hernandez, assistant professor in the Department of Learning Sciences and Human Development at West Virginia University. "We focus on women in STEM majors within their first or second year of college and work to support those women through to graduation."

The program was born out of the need to increase diversity among professionals in the geosciences, Hernandez said. This is based on the premise that higher diversity yields more scientific innovation. PROGRESS is largely modeled after a peer mentoring program for professionals involved in the Earth Science Women's Network.

PROGRESS leaders are continuing to track their participants and learn more about how the program influencing their academic and career paths.

"It's promising to have a tangible, doable thing that appears to make a big difference in women's retention in the sciences," Fischer said.

###

Learn more: https://geosciencewomen.org/materials/
Researchers from Duke-NUS Medical School (Duke-NUS) and the National Heart Centre Singapore (NHCS) have discovered that a critical protein, known as interleukin 11 (IL11) is responsible for fibrosis and causes organ damage. While it is surprising that the importance of IL11 has been overlooked and misunderstood for so long, it has now been very clearly demonstrated by this work.

A protein known as transforming growth factor beta 12 ("TGFB1") has long been known as the major cause of fibrosis and scarring of body organs, but treatments based on switching off the protein have severe side effects. The scientists discovered that IL11, is even more important than TGFB1 for fibrosis and that IL11 is a much better drug target than TGFB1.

Fibrosis is the formation of excessive connective tissue, causing scarring and failure of bodily organs and the skin. It is a very common cause of cardiovascular and renal disease, where excessive connective tissue destroys the structure and function of the organ with scar tissue. Compared to other Asians, American, and Europeans, Singaporeans have a higher prevalence of coronary artery disease, hypertension, and diabetes, the three most common diseases that lead to heart failure. In addition, kidney failure is an epidemic in Singapore and around the world. Fibrosis of the heart and kidney eventually leads to heart and kidney failure, thus this breakthrough discovery -- that inhibiting IL11 can prevent heart and kidney fibrosis -- has the potential to transform the treatment of millions of people around the world.

The international team, led by Professor Stuart Cook, Tanoto Foundation Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine, along with Assistant Professor Sebastian Schafer, both from NHCS and Duke-NUS' Programme in Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders, carried out the translational research to identify the key drivers of chronic fibrotic disease in heart, kidney, and other tissues. The team also includes researchers from Harvard University and University of California, San Diego/UCSD (USA), Max Delbruck Center for Molecular Medicine/MDC-Berlin (Germany), London Institute of Medical Sciences/MRC-LMS and Imperial College London (the UK), and the University of Melbourne (Australia).

"Fibrotic diseases represent a major cause of illness and death around the world. The discovery that IL11 is a critical fibrotic factor represents a breakthrough for the field and for drug development. It is an incredibly exciting discovery," explained the study's senior author, Professor Cook, who is also Director, National Heart Research Institute Singapore.

"Currently, more than 225 million people worldwide suffer from heart and kidney failure and there is no treatment to prevent fibrosis. The team is at the stage of developing first-in-class therapies to inhibit IL11 and this offers hope to patients with heart and kidney disease," shared Professor Terrance Chua, Medical Director, National Heart Centre Singapore.

"This therapeutic target for fibrotic diseases of the heart, kidney and other organs may be exactly what we need to fill the unmet pressing clinical gap for preventing fibrosis in patients. We are proud to announce that the suite of intellectual property arising from this research has been licensed to a newly launched Singapore-funded biotechnology start-up Enleofen Bio Pte Ltd, which is co-founded by Professor Cook and Assistant Professor Schafer," said Professor Thomas Coffman, Dean of Duke-NUS Medical School.

###

The research was supported by the National Medical Research Council under its Singapore Translational Research award (NMRC/STaR/0011/2012), the National Research Council Singapore Centre Grant to the NHCS, Goh Foundation, Tanoto Foundation, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, UK (NHLBI 5R01HL080494), Howard Hughes Medical Institute, USA (HHMI), and the Fondation Leducq.
A research team led by Kathleen McKeown, founding director of the Data Science Institute, is designing a computer system that can process, translate and summarize documents from different languages into English.

The system, called SCRIPTS, which stands for System for Cross Language Information Processing,Translation and Summarization, will be capable of transcribing speech from sources such as videos, news broadcasts, and video content from social media. It will also transcribe text documents such as newspapers, reports and social media posts. Given a query, the human-language technology system will retrieve documents in languages with relatively low presence on the internet (called low-resource languages) such as Hausa and Uyghur. It will find and translate the documents into English while producing short summaries of relevant portions for the user.

The team will develop automatic speech-recognition components that will work across a range of languages and fields. An English query can be submitted and it will be translated into a foreign language and matched against the stored foreign language documents. Relevant documents will then be retrieved, translated and summarized into English. The system will also use other strategies such as matching an English query against translated documents or summarizing foreign-language documents and then translating the summary.

The research is supported by a $14 million grant from Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA), the federal organization that invests in research to support the U.S. intelligence community through the MATERIAL program. Intelligence analysts study activity in countries all around the world and must read copious documents in many foreign languages. As it is now, analysts must wade through documents manually or use a computer system unable to translate uncommonly spoken languages into English. And current software systems don't provide good translations of low-resource languages. SCRIPTS, however, will provide a full end-to-end system for information retrieval, translation and summarization. In so doing, it will be of immense help to intelligence analysts, says McKeown, who is the principal investigator on the project.

"Intelligence analysts have come to meetings and told us precisely the kind of system they need to be more efficient," adds McKeown, a professor of Computer Science in Columbia Engineering and an affiliate of the Data Science Institute. "We are designing this computer system to help analysts, who work in every corner of the world, translate and wade through an immense amount of documents related to their work, allowing them to do their research faster and more effectively. It's an exciting project that combines many overlapping technologies."

Some of those technologies include machine learning, cross-language information retrieval (CLIR), neural networks, text summarization and machine translation. Other aspects of the system, such as machine translation, will be based upon translation systems that won first place in both the 2016 Conference on Machine Translation and the International Workshop on Spoken Language Translation. The approaches to CLIR and summarization, moreover, will be designed to optimally work with whatever cross-lingual resources are available, from cross-lingual phrases to full translations. In terms of computational efficiency, some 750 million words a day can be translated.

The members of the research team assembled by McKeown to develop SCRIPTS are all leading experts in their respective fields. The international team is comprised of researchers from Cambridge University, the University of Maryland, Edinburgh University, Yale and Columbia. Team leaders from Columbia include McKeown, Julia Hirschberg, Michael Collins and Smaranda Muresan; Hal Daume III, Doug Oard, Marine Carpuat and Philip Resnik from the University of Maryland; Dragomir Radev from Yale; Steve Renals, Kenneth Heafield, Peter Bell, Rick Sennrich and Barry Haddow from the University of Edinburgh; as well as Mark Gales from Cambridge University.

"I'm humbled to have assembled such a great team," says McKeown, who is prominent in the field of natural-language processing.

McKeown also has vast experience in developing computer systems, and is especially known for developing Columbia Newsblaster. Created in 2001, Newsblaster is an online system that automatically tracks the day's news and offers multi-document summarization, clustering and text categorization. In 2010, she received the Anita Borg Women of Vision Award in Innovation for her work on Newsblaster. And as founding director of the Data Science Institute, she led large research projects such as DARPA GALE, IARPA FUSE, and NSF Digital Libraries. Having led all these teams, she knows a good research project when she sees one, and she has high hopes for her latest project: SCRIPTS.

"The international research team has top-notch people in their respective fields," says McKeown. "I'm certain the team will make a significant advance in developing a state-of-the-art human language technology system that will help millions of researchers."

###
NAFLD is not only linked to hepatocellular carcinoma, but also to cancers outside the liver, report investigators in the Journal of Hepatology

Amsterdam, November 14, 2017 - Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the more common chronic liver diseases worldwide. It is associated with metabolic syndrome (i.e. insulin resistance and diabetes) and predisposes to cardiovascular disease. In a new study published in the Journal of Hepatology, researchers identified links not only between NAFLD and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which have been well established, but also to cancers outside the liver, including colorectal and breast cancer.

"NAFLD is a very important multisystem disease to which much attention should be paid," explained lead author Gi-Ae Kim, of the Health Screening and Promotion Center, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan, College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea. "Despite its strong relationship with HCC development, little attention has been paid to the association of NAFLD with the development of other extrahepatic cancers. Our study presents statistical evidence that NAFLD is associated with extrahepatic cancers. We hope this study will raise awareness of the increased cancer potential that NAFLD might have."

This retrospective study evaluated the records of almost 26,000 Korean individuals who underwent health checkups from September 2004 through December 2005, who had no cancer diagnosis within one year of the checkup, and were followed for an average of 7.5 years.

Data revealed that 8,721 (33.6%) of individuals in the study were diagnosed with NAFLD, and cancer incidence in that group was 32% higher than in the non-NAFLD group. Once the data were adjusted for demographic and metabolic factors, significant risks for specific cancers became evident. Specifically, patients with NAFLD were 16.73 times more likely to develop HCC, twice as likely to develop colorectal cancer (men), and almost twice as likely to develop breast cancer (women).

High scores on two measurements of liver fibrosis, the NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS) and the FIB-4 score, were also associated with a higher risk for all cancers, and especially HCC. A high NFS score indicated an 87% increase in risk and high FIB-4 score a 74% increase in risk. These scores serve as a predictor of cancers and of HCC in particular.

Principal investigator Han Chu Lee, MD, of the Department of Gastroenterology, Asan Liver Center, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea, noted, "Our results suggest that patients with NAFLD require multidisciplinary evaluation with particular attention to the development of cancers. Further studies are needed to specify which high-risk groups among patients with NAFLD carry a greater risk of developing specific cancers, including HCC, colorectal cancer, and breast cancer and that we should pay more attention to the cancer potential of NAFLD in clinical practice."

In an accompanying editorial, Peter Jepsen, PhD, of the Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology and Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark, and co-authors add perspective. "NAFLD is likely to become the most prevalent liver disease in many countries, yet clinicians are struggling to determine exactly why they should care about NAFLD. Is it merely a bystander--a manifestation of the metabolic syndrome resulting in cardiovascular disease--or is it a liver disease in its own right?"

Dr. Jepsen concludes that despite a number of open issues, the Korean cohort study by Kim et al provides relevant and valid information on the association between NAFLD and cancer risk, and definite evidence on its strong association with HCC.

###
LUGANO, Switzerland, 13 November, 2017 - ESMO, the leading professional organisation for medical oncology, is pleased to announce the publication of the ESMO Precision Medicine Glossary in the Annals of Oncology. (1) The 43 definitions are set to pave the way for consistent communication on precision medicine between oncologists, reseachers and patients by standardising the language in the field.

ESMO has been a leading authority on shaping the paradigm shift in cancer treatment towards precision medicine, which tailors therapeutic interventions to the individual molecular features of a patient and/or their disease. (2) The field of precision medicine has brought many new concepts and terminologies that are often poorly defined when first introduced, and may subsequently lead to miscommunication.

ESMO is committed to promoting clarity in precision medicine and ensuring that it is accessible to all cancer patients. This novel glossary is an example of ESMO's ongoing dedication to supporting oncologists in a fast-changing professional environment which increasingly demands highly specialised expertise and a grasp of complex concepts in molecular biology, as stated in the ESMO 2020 Vision. (3)

Prof Fabrice Andre, corresponding author of the paper, said: "The glossary is all about providing those working in oncology with common terminology. It is an important tool for improving understanding and communication in this field and should be essential reading for every oncologist."

The terms included are those identified in an ESMO member survey, as causing oncologists the most confusion. Each term was defined by a consensus of experts in the field. The definitions are grouped into five main themes: mechanisms of decision; characteristics of molecular alterations; tumour characteristics; clinical trials and statistics; and new research tools.

"This is not a glossary of scientific terms," said Dr Lucy Yates, first author of the paper. "ESMO already has the Glossaries in Molecular Biology of Cancer and Molecular Techniques, which cover the technical terminology in the area. (4) This latest glossary is different in that it deals with all the new concepts in precision medicine that have emerged in the last 5-10 years. I am not aware of anything similar to the ESMO Precision Medicine Glossary being available elsewhere."

Andre said: "This glossary should go a long way towards making sure that we are all speaking the same language in precision medicine. Oncologists can feel confident that they are using the correct terms when speaking to colleagues and patients and this will maximise our use of precision medicine to benefit patients with cancer."

###

Notes to Editors

Video with Dr Lucy Yates on the ESMO Precision Medicine Glossary: https://youtu.be/R9Jqbx27th0

References

(1) Yates LR, Seoane J, Le Tourneau C, et al. The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Precision Medicine Glossary. Ann Oncol. 2018, DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdx707, https://doi.org/10.1093/annonc/mdx707, [epub ahead of print]

(2) Ciardiello F, Arnold D, Casali PG, et al. Delivering precision medicine in oncology today and in future-the promise and challenges of personalised cancer medicine: a position paper by the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO). Ann Oncol. 2014; 25:1673-1678, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/annonc/mdu217

(3) ESMO 2020 Vision

(4) The Glossary in Molecular Biology of Cancer and the Glossary in Molecular Techniques is a publication offered to ESMO members

About the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO)

ESMO is the leading professional organisation for medical oncology. With 17,000 members representing oncology professionals from 150 countries worldwide, ESMO is the society of reference for oncology education and information. We are committed to supporting our members to develop and advance in a fast-evolving professional environment.

http://www.esmo.org

Twitter: @myESMO

Facebook: esmo.org

Youtube: ESMOchannel
'Collision course' with Earth's climatic tipping points avoidable but political will to act missing, warn scientists

What: This Earth statement will be officially launched at a briefing event with the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Patricia Espinosa. Organized by Future Earth and the Earth League.

When: Mon, 13 Nov 2017, 1330 CET

Where: Conference Room 1 (Bula Zone), Bonn COP23 conference

BONN, Nov 13 - As global temperatures climb higher, Earth is approaching tipping points that threaten human security, warn scientists in a new statement to national representatives meeting in Bonn for the annual climate talks. Their warning comes as global emissions are projected to rise after three stable years.

Professor Johan Rockstrom, executive director of the Stockholm Resilience Centre and Chair of the Earth League an international network of scientist that co-produced the statement says: "There is no room for complacency. Climate change is here. It is dangerous. And it is about to get much worse."

"In the last two years evidence has accumulated that we are now on a collision course with tipping points in the Earth system," he says, underscoring the need for rapid action.

The statement, "the 10 Science 'Must Knows' on Climate Change", will be presented to the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Patricia Espinosa, on 13 November and distributed to negotiators in Bonn. It is published by Future Earth and the Earth League, two major international organizations representing networks of global sustainability scientists, and summarizes recent Earth-system science and economic research.

Dr. Amy Luers executive director of Future Earth says, "The news that emissions are rising after the three year hiatus is a giant leap backwards for humankind."

"Pushing Earth closer to tipping points is deeply concerning. Emissions need to peak soon and approach zero by 2050. Fortunately, we now have the tools to transition to a low carbon world while increasing energy security, improving human health, and strengthening economies," Luers adds.

Earth League member and director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research Hans Joachim Schellnhuber say:

"Some crucial climate-change facts of climate change tend to get lost in the noise of daily deliberations - even at an event such as the UN climate summit. So, it is important to remind everyone of the very reasons why ten thousands of people meet in Bonn: unprecedented risk to humanity due to global warming, as revealed by science. This must be the starting point for re-thinking what in the past 70 years has become our culture of short-term convenience and consumption, a culture which eventually comes at the cost of the well-being of present and futures generations accross the world."

Summary of "The 10 Science Must Have's"

1. Much evidence suggests that the planet has entered a new geologic epoch--called the Anthropocene. The rate of change of the Earth system is accelerating as a result of humans' impact on the planet's biology, chemistry, and physics. Earth's climate has been remarkably stable since before the dawn of civilization. This stability is at risk. 2. Earth is approaching critical "tipping points". By crossing these thresholds, the planet may see abrupt, and possibly irreversible, shifts in the workings of the Arctic, Amazon, and other parts of the globe. 3. The record-breaking 2017 Atlantic hurricane season provides a glimpse at the increased risks of extreme weather events that the planet may experience in the future. These events include severe flooding, heat waves and droughts. 4. Changes are occurring quickly in the ocean, with accelerating sea-level rise and ocean acidification. 5. The economic costs of climate change are already being felt, and the some of the world's poorest nations are bearing the heaviest burden. 6. Climate change will have a profound impact on human health by placing new pressures on the food and water security in nations around the world. 7. Climate change is likely to exacerbate migration, civil unrest and even conflict. In 2015, more than 19 million people globally were displaced by natural disasters and extreme weather events, and climate change will likely cause that number to grow. 8. The world needs to act fast: If humans continue to emit greenhouse gases at current rates, the remaining carbon budget to reduce risk of exceeding the 2 degrees Celsius target will be exhausted in around 20 years. Emissions should peak by 2020 and approach zero by around 2050 if the world is serious about reducing risk. As a simple rule of thumb, this means halving global emissions every decade. 9. A fossil-fuel free society is economically attractive: renewable energy sources increasingly compete with fossil fuels, even when these are priced at historic lows. Moreover, the estimated costs of inaction range from 2-10% of GDP by 2100 by some estimates, to a fall in projected global output by 23% in 2100 in others. 10. Even if the world meets the Paris Agreement targets, communities across the globe will still need to build resilience and adapt to the changes already under way.

###

REPORT:

The 10 Science 'Must Knows' on Climate Change: See websites of http://www.futureearth.org and http://www.the-earth-league.org

INTERVIEWS

Johan Rockstrom, Executive Director, Stockholm Resilience Centre and Chair of the Earth League

Amy Luers, Executive Director, Future Earth

Hans Joachim Schellnhuber, Director, Potsdam Institute of Climate Impact Research

Wendy Broadgate, Swedish hub director Future Earth

MEDIA QUERIES

Alistair Scrutton, Future Earth, Director of Communications,

alistair.scrutton@futureearth.org

+46 707 211098

Owen Gaffney, Future Earth, Sweden:

owen.gaffney@futureearth.org

+46 73 460 4833

Daniel Strain, Future Earth, USA:

daniel.strain@futureearth.org

+1 831 238 3383
By the end of 2017, global emissions of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels and industry are projected to rise by about 2% compared with the preceding year, with an uncertainty range between 0.8% and 3%. The news follows three years of emissions staying relatively flat.

That's the conclusion of the 2017 Global Carbon Budget, published 13 November by the Global Carbon Project (GCP) in the journals Nature Climate Change, Environmental Research Letters and Earth System Science Data Discussions.

The announcement comes as nations meet in Bonn, Germany, for the annual United Nations climate negotiations (COP23).

Lead researcher Prof Corinne Le Quere, director of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research at the University of East Anglia, said: "Global carbon dioxide emissions appear to be going up strongly once again after a three-year stable period. This is very disappointing."

"With global carbon dioxide emissions from all human activities estimated at 41 billion tonnes for 2017, time is running out on our ability to keep warming well below 2 C let alone 1.5 C."

"This year we have seen how climate change can amplify the impacts of hurricanes with stronger downpours of rain, higher sea levels and warmer ocean conditions favouring more powerful storms. This is a window into the future. We need to reach a peak in global emissions in the next few years and drive emissions down rapidly afterwards to address climate change and limit its impacts."

China's emissions account for 28% of global emissions. Budget co-author Glen Peters, research director at CICERO in Oslo, who led one of the studies, said: "The return to growth in global emissions in 2017 is largely due to a return to growth in Chinese emissions, projected to grow by 3.5% in 2017 after two years with declining emissions. The use of coal, the main fuel source in China, may rise by 3% due to stronger growth in industrial production and lower hydro-power generation due to less rainfall."

"Several factors point to a continued rise in 2018," said Robert Jackson, a co-author of the report, co-chair of GCP and a professor in Earth system science at Stanford University. "That's a real concern."

"The global economy is picking up slowly. As GDP rises, we produce more goods, which, by design, produces more emissions."

Yet the team said that despite the growth in 2017, it is too early to say whether this is a one-off event on the way to a global peak in emissions, or the beginning of a new period with upward pressure on global emissions growth.

In the long term, emissions are unlikely to return to the persistent high growth rates seen during the 2000s of over 3% per year. It is more likely that emissions will plateau or have slight positive growth, broadly in line with national emission pledges submitted to the Paris Agreement.

The 2017 carbon budget at a glance

Global carbon dioxide emissions from all human activities (fossil fuels, industry and land-use change) will reach around 41 billion tonnes carbon dioxide in 2017.

Global carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels and industry will reach around 37 billion tonnes carbon dioxide in 2017.

In 2017, carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels and industry are projected to grow by 2% (0.8% to 3%). This follows three years of nearly no growth (2014-2016) (GDP to rise 3.6% according to figures from the International Monetary Fund).

Chinese emissions are projected to rise 3.5% (+0.7 to +5.4%) in 2017 (GDP up about 6.8%).

U.S. emissions are projected to decline 0.4% (-2.7% to +1.9%) in 2017, lower than the decline of 1.2% per year averaged over the previous decade, with an unexpected rise in coal consumption (GDP up about 2.2% in 2017).

Indian emissions are projected to grow 2% (+0.2% to +3.8%) in 2017, compared to 6% per year averaged over the previous decade, due to significant government interventions in the economy (GDP up 6.7%).

European emissions are tentatively expected to decline by 0.2% (-2% to +1.6%) in 2017, lower than the decline of 2.2% per year averaged over the previous decade (GDP up about 2.3%).

The remaining countries' emissions, representing about 40% of the global total, are expected to increase around 2.3% (+0.5% to +4%) in 2017.

Renewable energy has increased rapidly at 14% per year over the last five years - albeit from a low base.

The Global Carbon Budget is produced by 76 scientists from 57 research institutions in 15 countries working under the umbrella of the Global Carbon Project (GCP). The budget, now in its 12th year, provides an in-depth look at the amount of fossil fuels that nations around the world burn and where it ends up.

GCP is sponsored by Future Earth and the World Climate Research Programme.

Future Earth's executive director Amy Luers said, "This year's carbon budget news is a step back for humankind."

"We must reverse this trend and start to accelerate toward a safe and prosperous world for all. This means prioritising providing access to clean reliable energy to the hundreds of millions of people across the world without access to what many of us take for granted every day - electricity. Fortunately, now it is not only possible, but in most cases makes simple financial sense, to meet these electricity needs with renewable energy sources."

Emissions decreasing in 22 countries

There was also some good news in the report: In the last decade (2007-2016), emissions in 22 countries (representing 20% of global emissions) decreased even as their economies grew. Technologies like wind and solar power have expanded across the globe by about 14% annually in recent years, according to the report.

Jackson said that he's "cautiously optimistic" that the transition from fossil fuel burning to renewable energy will continue in the United States - even as the Trump administration rolls back policies aimed at tackling the nation's greenhouse gas emissions.

"The federal government can slow the development of renewables and low-carbon technologies, but it can't stop it," Jackson said. "That transition is being driven by the low cost of new renewable infrastructure, and it's being driven by new consumer preferences."

However, in 101 countries (representing 50% of global emissions) emissions increased in the presence of growing GDP.

Persistent uncertainties

Persistent uncertainties exist in scientists' ability to estimate recent changes in emissions, particularly when there are unexpected changes as in the last few years.

"When there are unexpected changes in carbon dioxide emissions or atmospheric concentrations, there are questions raised about our ability to independently verify reported emissions," Peters said.

Even though researchers may start to detect a change in emission trends early, it may take as much as 10 years to confidently and independently verify a sustained change in emissions using measurements of atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide.

"The Global Stocktake under the Paris Agreement will occur every five years, and this puts immense pressure on the scientific community to develop methods and perform measurements that can truly verify changes in emissions within this five-yearly cycle," Le Quere said.

###

NOTES

This media release is part of the Global Carbon Budget 2017, the annual update by the Global Carbon Project. It is based on the analyses published here:

Le Quere et al. (2017) Global Carbon Budget 2017. Earth System Science Data Discussions. https://doi.org/10.5194/essdd-2017-123

Peters et al. (2017) Towards real time verification of CO2 emissions. Nature Climate Change. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-017-0013-9

Jackson et al. (2017) Warning signs for stabilizing global CO2 emissions, Environmental Research Letters. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/aa9662

DATA & MULTIMEDIA

A full media package, including full papers, infographics and a video is available here: https://stockholmuniversity.box.com/s/th0jrm1koopkvt4zpzh2wawvv06s0nek

Data and figures: http://www.globalcarbonproject.org/carbonbudget

Data interface for exploring data: http://www.globalcarbonatlas.org

Before embargo lifts:

Request ESSD paper and infographics: press@uea.ac.uk

Global Carbon Atlas with country data: bit.ly/Emissions2017

User name: media

Password: fromLSCE2017

INTERVIEWS

Glen Peters

CICERO

Norway

glen.peters@cicero.oslo.no

47-9289-1638

Corinne Le Quere

Tyndall Centre

UK

l.horton@uea.ac.uk

44-0-1603-592764

GLOBAL CARBON BUDGET AT COP23

Press conference:

Monday, 13 November; 9:30 to 10:00; Bula Zone, Bula 3 - Press conference Room 2

The panel will include Prof Corinne Le Quere, Dr Glen Peters and Owen Gaffney (chair).

The focus of this event will be for media questions - therefore please do familiarise yourself with the paper and press materials ahead of time.

Side event:

Monday, 13 November; 15:00 to 16:15; WWF Pavilion (65 seats)

The panel will include Prof Corinne Le Quere, Dr Glen Peters, Prof Kevin Anderson and Dr Youba Sokona (chair).

MEDIA QUERIES

Alistair Scrutton, Future Earth, Sweden: alistair.scrutton@futureearth.org, +46 707 211098

Owen Gaffney

Future Earth

Sweden

owen.gaffney@futureearth.org

46-73-460-4833

Daniel Stain

Future Earth

USA

daniel.stain@futureearth.org

1-831-238-3383
Researchers at LMU and TUM in Munich are up for best paper at SC17 after simulating one of the largest, most violent earthquakes in history.

Just before 8:00 a.m. local time on December 26, 2004, people in southeast Asia were starting their days when the third strongest recorded earthquake in history ripped a 1,500-kilometer tear in the ocean floor off the coast of the Indonesian island of Sumatra.

The earthquake lasted between 8 and 10 minutes (one of the longest ever recorded), and lifted the ocean floor several meters, creating a tsunami with 30-meter waves that devastated whole communities. The event caused nearly 200,000 deaths across 15 countries, and released as much energy above and below ground as multiple centuries of US energy usage.

The Sumatra-Andaman Earthquake, as it is called, was as surprising as it was violent. Despite major advancements in earthquake monitoring and warning systems over the last 50 years, earth scientists were unable to predict it because relatively little data exists about such large-scale seismological events. Researchers have a wealth of information related to semi-regular, lower-to-medium-strength earthquakes, but disasters such as the Sumatra-Andaman--events that only happen every couple hundred years--are too rare to create reliable data sets.

In order to more fully understand these events, and hopefully provide better prediction and mitigation methods, a team of researchers from the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat Munich (LMU) and Technical University of Munich (TUM) is using supercomputing resources at the Leibniz Supercomputing Centre (LRZ) to better understand these rare, extremely dangerous seismic phenomena.

"Our general motivation is to better understand the entire process of why some earthquakes and resulting tsunamis are so much bigger than others," said TUM Professor Dr. Michael Bader. "Sometimes we see relatively small tsunamis when earthquakes are large, or surprisingly large tsunamis connected with relatively small earthquakes. Simulation is one of the tools to get insight into these events."

The team strives for "coupled" simulations of both earthquakes and subsequent tsunamis. It recently completed its largest earthquake simulation yet. Using the SuperMUC supercomputer at LRZ, the team was able to simulate 1,500 kilometers of non-linear fracture mechanics--the earthquake source--coupled to seismic waves traveling up to India and Thailand over a little more than 8 minutes of the Sumatra-Andaman earthquake. Through several in-house computational innovations, the team achieved a 13-fold improvement in time to solution. In recognition of this achievement, the project was nominated for the best paper award at SC17, one of the world's premier supercomputing conferences, held this year on November 12-17 in Denver, Colorado.

Megathrust earthquakes, massive scale simulations

Earthquakes happen as rock below Earth's surface breaks suddenly, often as a result of the slow movement of tectonic plates.

One rough predictor of an ocean-based earthquake's ability to unleash a large tsunami is whether plates are grinding against one another or colliding head-on. If two or more plates collide, one plate will often force the other below it. Regions where this process occurs are called subduction zones and can host very large, shallowly dipping faults--so called "megathrusts." Energy release across such huge zones of weakness tends to create violent tsunamis, as the ocean floor rises a significant amount, temporarily displacing large amounts of water.

Until recently, though, researchers doing computational geophysics had great difficulties simulating subduction earthquakes at the necessary level of detail and accuracy. Large-scale earthquake simulations are difficult generally, but subduction events are even more complex.

"Modeling earthquakes is a multiscale problem in both space and time," said Dr. Alice Gabriel, the lead researcher from the LMU side of the team. "Reality is complex, meaning that incorporating the observed complexity of earthquake sources invariably involves the use of numerical methods, highly efficient simulation software, and, of course, high-performance computing (HPC). Only by exploiting HPC can we create models that can both resolve the dynamic stress release and ruptures happening with an earthquake while also simulating seafloor displacement over thousands of kilometers."

When researchers simulate an earthquake, they use a computational grid to divide the simulation into many small pieces. They then compute specific equations for various aspects of the simulation, such as generated seismic shaking or ocean floor displacement, among others, over "time steps," or simulation snapshots over time that help put it in motion, much like a flip book.

The finer the grid, the more accurate the simulation, but the more computationally demanding it becomes. In addition, the more complex the geometry of the earthquake, the more complex the grid becomes, further complicating the computation. To simulate subduction earthquakes, computational scientists have to create a large grid that can also accurately represent the very shallow angles at which the two continental plates meet. This requires the grid cells around the subduction area to be extra small, and often slim in shape.

Unlike continental earthquakes, which have been better documented through computation and observation, subduction events often happen deep in the ocean, meaning that it is much more difficult to constrain a simulation by ground shaking observations and detailed, reliable data from direct observation and laboratory experiments.

Furthermore, computing a coupled, large-scale earthquake-tsunami simulation requires using data from a wide variety of sources. Researchers must take into account the seafloor shape, the shape and strength of the plate boundary ruptured by the earthquake and the material behaviour of Earth's crust at each level, among other aspects. The team has spent the last several years developing methods to more efficiently integrate these disparate data sources into a consistent model.

To reduce the enormous computing time, the team exploited a method called "local time stepping." In areas where the simulations require much more spatial detail, researchers also must "slow down" the simulation by performing more time steps in these areas. Other sections that require less detail may execute much bigger--and thus--far fewer time steps.

If the team had to run its entire simulation at a uniform small time step, it would have required roughly 3 million individual iterations. However, only few cells of the computational grid required this time step size. Major parts could be computed with much larger time steps, some requiring only 3000 time steps. This reduced the computational demand significantly and led to much of the team's 13-fold speedup. This advancement also led to the team's simulation being the largest, longest first-principles simulation of an earthquake of this type.

Forward motion

Due to its close collaboration with LRZ staff, the team had opportunities to use the entire SuperMUC machine for its simulations. Bader indicated that these extremely large-scale runs are invaluable for the team to gain deeper insights in its research. "There is a big difference if you run on a quarter of a machine or a full machine, as that last factor of 4 often reveals the critical bottlenecks," he said.

The team's ability to take full advantage of current-generation supercomputing resources has it excited about the future. It's not necessarily important that next-generation machines offer the opportunity for the LMU-TUM researchers to run "larger" simulations--current simulations can effectively simulate a large enough geographic area. Rather, the team is excited about the opportunity to modify the input data and run many more iterations during a set amount of computing time.

"We have been doing one individual simulation, trying to accurately guess the starting configuration, such as the initial stresses and forces, but all of these are still uncertain," Bader said. "So we would like to run our simulation with many different settings to see how slight changes in the fault system or other factors would impact the study. These would be larger parameter studies, which is another layer of performance that a computer would need to provide."

Gabriel also mentioned that next-generation machines will hopefully be able to simulate urgent, real-time scenarios that can help predict hazards as they relate to likely aftershock regions. The team is excited to see the next-generation architectures at LRZ and the other Gauss Centre for Supercomputing centres, the High-Performance Computing Center Stuttgart and the Julich Supercomputing Centre.

In Bader's view, the team's recent work not only represents its largest-scale simulation to date, but also the increasingly strong collaboration between the domain scientists and computational scientists in the group. "This paper has a strong seismology component and a strong HPC component," he said. "This is really a 50-50 paper for us. Our collaboration has been going nicely, and it is because it isn't about getting ours or theirs. Both groups profit, and this is really nice joint work."

###

This work was carried out using Gauss Centre for Supercomputing resources based at the Leibniz Supercomputing Centre.
Treatments commonly used to prevent acute kidney failure and its complications arising from common angiography procedures make no difference to health outcomes, a major new study has found.

A team of international researchers studied the effectiveness of two common treatments used to prevent serious harm to patients undergoing angiography.

The worldwide study published in the New England Journal of Medicine investigated the effects of sodium bicarbonate and -N-acetylcysteine and found that neither were any better than using saline alone. These treatments were thought to reduce the impact of the contrast agents used in angiography upon kidney function, having been studied and used for over 15 years.

Lead author Dr. Steven Weisbord, of the Veteran's Administration, said: "Both of these treatments are used in hospitals all over the world with the belief that they are helping patients. The scientific evidence to support such practice has been confusing, so the use of these treatments varies between hospitals and individual doctors.

Co-author Assoc Prof Martin Gallagher, of The George Institute for Global Health, added: "This definitive study has shown that these treatments are not helping people avoid acute kidney failure nor the other poor outcomes that result from this complication. In addition, they are adding unnecessary complexity and cost."

Millions of these angiograms are performed around the world annually, with some 76,000 heart-related angiograms done in Australia every year. Patients who have a history of kidney disease, heart failure or diabetes have a higher risk of these complications, which are associated with longer hospital stay, higher mortality and worsening of kidney function.

Dr Weisbord said: "Whilst these treatments do not appear to cause harm, our results suggest that patients should instead just be treated with saline which is both cheaper and more readily available."

###

The study is an international collaboration with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and involved 5,000 patients from the US, Australia, New Zealand and Malaysia.

Journal New England Journal of Medicine

The results from this research, which were also presented at the AHA Scientific Sessions 2017, will inform and shape worldwide clinical guidelines.
'Three-eyed' insect could help reveal self-organizing mechanism behind the evolution of new complex traits

On "Game of Thrones," a three-eyed raven holds the secrets of the past, present and future in a vast fantasy kingdom. But for real-world biologists, a "three-eyed beetle" may offer a true glimpse into the future of studying evolutionary development.

Using a simple genetic tool, IU scientists have intentionally grown a fully functional extra eye in the center of the forehead of the common beetle. Unraveling the biological mechanisms behind this occurrence could help researchers understand how evolution draws upon pre-existing developmental and genetic "building blocks" to create novel complex traits, or "old" traits in novel places.

The study's results appear in the journal of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The work also provides deeper insights into an earlier experiment that accidentally produced an extra eye as part of a study to understand how the insect head develops.

"Developmental biology is beautifully complex in part because there's no single gene for an eye, a brain, a butterfly's wing or a turtle's shell," said Armin P. Moczek, a professor in the IU Bloomington College of Arts and Sciences' Department of Biology. "Instead, thousands of individual genes and dozens of developmental processes come together to enable the formation of each of these traits.

"We've also learned that evolving a novel physical trait is much like building a novel structure out of Legos, by re-using and recombining 'old' genes and developmental processes within new contexts."

As a consequence, the evolution of novel features often requires many fewer genetic changes than biologists originally thought.

But unlike rearranging and combining toy plastic bricks to form a new structure, Moczek said it's unclear what biological mechanisms guide the construction of new physical traits under some circumstances but not others.

"You can make new things over and over or in new places using the same old set of 'bricks,'" he said. "But in Legos, we know the rules of assembly: which pieces go together and which things don't. In biology, we still struggle to understand the respective counterparts."

One of the ways that scientists have sought to get a clearer view of this process is by coaxing the growth of "ectopic" organs - or organs that form on the wrong part of the body. Early work in the field has focused on the formation of fruit fly eyes in the wrong place, such as on the wing or leg. However, these experiments required activating major regulatory genes in the new location, a technique that is limited to only a few study organisms. The resulting "eyes" were also never fully functional.

By contrast, the new IU-led study reports on the formation of an extra functional eye -- technically, a "fusion" of two sets of extra eyes -- following the knockdown of a single gene, a technique widely available to scientists in most organisms. The unexpected formation of a complex, functional eye in a novel location in the process is "a remarkable example of the ability of developmental systems to channel massive perturbations toward orderly and functional outcomes," Moczek said.

To create a fully functional eye in the center of a beetle's head, Moczek's team deactivated a single gene called orthodenticle, or odt, which their research has previously shown to play a role in instructing the formation of the head during development.

"This study experimentally disrupts the function of a single, major gene," Moczek said. "And, in response to this disruption, the remainder of head development reorganizes itself to produce a highly complex trait in a new place: a compound eye in the middle of the head.

"Moreover, the darn thing actually works!"

To confirm the eye was a true extra eye, the IU team conducted multiple tests to prove the structure had the same cell types, expressed the same genes, grew proper nerve connections and elicited the same behavioral response as a normal eye. What makes the results so exciting -- beyond the eye's Frankenstein novelty -- is the relatively simple genetic technique used to achieve the gene knockdown, said IU postdoctoral researcher Eduardo E. Zattara, who is lead author on the study.

Moczek said the findings also go beyond this application to help address fundamental questions in development, evolution and medicine. For example, understanding how complex organs organize their growth and integration into the body are central challenges medical sciences must overcome to develop artificial organs for research and transplantation.

"The use of ectopic eyes is a highly accessible paradigm to study all of this, across many types of organisms," Zattara said. "We regard this study as really opening the door to new avenues of investigation in multiple disciplines."

###

Additional authors on the study are Anna L. M. Macagno, a research associate, and Hannah A. Busey, an undergraduate student, in the IU Bloomington Department of Biology.

This study was supported in part by the National Science Foundation.
A world-leading Norfolk plant scientist is today named as a 2018 L'Oreal-UNESCO For Women in Science laureate.

Professor Dame Caroline Dean OBE, from the John Innes Centre, receives the prestigious award for her, "ground-breaking research on how plants adapt to their surroundings and climate change, leading to new ways for crop improvement."

The L'Oreal Foundation and UNESCO announce the names of five outstanding scientists - one from each continent - who will receive the 2018 L'Oreal-UNESCO For Women in Science Awards in life sciences.

The independent jury selected the five outstanding scientists, all of whom are global leaders in their field. The award will be presented at a ceremony on the 22 March 2018 in Paris, on the 20th anniversary of the L'Oreal-UNESCO For Women in Science programme.

Professor Dean says, "It's a great honour to be recognised by the L'Oreal Foundation with this award. I look forward to an exciting year ahead and hope that I can continue to inspire girls and female scientists to follow their curiosity."

Director of the John Innes Centre, Professor Dale Sanders says "Caroline is an excellent role model and ambassador for women in science. Her passion and drive for her science is inspiring and she works with outstanding enthusiasm to encourage more women to aspire to be scientists and to reach their full potential. She is a shining example to us all."

The L'Oreal-UNESCO for Women in Science Awards celebrate the many eminent women in science all over the world, and in particular they expose the under-representation of women in prestigious awards.

This year they highlight that all nine of the Nobel Prizes for science in 2017 were awarded to men, and since the creation of the Nobel Prizes in science, fewer than 3% have been awarded to women. Yet, eminent women in science are numerous as this award demonstrates.

For almost 20 years, the L'Oreal Foundation, in partnership with UNESCO, has celebrated 5 exceptional female researchers every year.

###

Background information & links:

* Caroline Dean's Webpage

* https://www.womeninscience.co.uk/ Notes for Editors Contacts

Press Contact: Felicity Perry - Felicity.Perry@jic.ac.uk

Tel: 01603 450269 Out of Hours Tel: 07881 255193

About the John Innes Centre

The John Innes Centre is an independent, international centre of excellence in plant science and microbiology.

Our mission is to generate knowledge of plants and microbes through innovative research, to train scientists for the future, to apply our knowledge of nature's diversity to benefit agriculture, the environment, human health, and wellbeing, and engage with policy makers and the public.

To achieve these goals we establish pioneering long-term research objectives in plant and microbial science, with a focus on genetics. These objectives include promoting the translation of research through partnerships to develop improved crops and to make new products from microbes and plants for human health and other applications. We also create new approaches, technologies and resources that enable research advances and help industry to make new products. The knowledge, resources and trained researchers we generate help global societies address important challenges including providing sufficient and affordable food, making new products for human health and industrial applications, and developing sustainable bio-based manufacturing.

This provides a fertile environment for training the next generation of plant and microbial scientists, many of whom go on to careers in industry and academia, around the world.

The John Innes Centre is strategically funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). In 2015-2016 the John Innes Centre received a total of 30.1 million from the BBSRC.

The John Innes Centre is also supported by the John Innes Foundation through provision of research accommodation and long-term support of the Rotation PhD programme.

The John Innes Centre is the winner of the BBSRC's 2013 - 2016 Excellence with Impact award.

For more information about the John Innes Centre visit our website http://www.jic.ac.uk About the BBSRC

The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) invests in world-class bioscience research and training on behalf of the UK public. Our aim is to further scientific knowledge, to promote economic growth, wealth and job creation and to improve quality of life in the UK and beyond.

Funded by Government, BBSRC invested over 473M in world-class bioscience in 2015-16. We support research and training in universities and strategically funded institutes. BBSRC research and the people we fund are helping society to meet major challenges, including food security, green energy and healthier, longer lives. Our investments underpin important UK economic sectors, such as farming, food, industrial biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.

For more information about BBSRC, our science and our impact see: http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk

For more information about BBSRC strategically funded institutes see: http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/institutes

Felicity Perry | Head of Communications and Engagement

John Innes Centre and The Sainsbury Laboratory

+44 1603 450269 | +44 7881 255193
NOVEMBER 13, 2017, NEW YORK - Ludwig Cancer Research has released the scope of its participation at this year's Annual Meeting and Education Day of the Society for Neuro-Oncology in San Francisco, California, November 16-19. Research by Ludwig scientists will be presented in sunrise, plenary and concurrent sessions.

Ludwig scientists will share new insights on cancer cell metabolism and resistance to cancer therapy, the tumor microenvironment, potential therapeutic targets and the molecular signaling that drives brain tumor progression. Researchers will also present findings on the use of immunotherapy to treat brain cancer, including results of a Phase 2 clinical trial to evaluate a checkpoint blockade immunotherapy as a treatment for bevacizumab-refractory recurrent glioblastoma.

The meeting will be co-chaired by Frank Furnari, a member of Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, San Diego, whose research focuses on the pathways that drive initiation and progression of glioblastomas. Exploration of glioblastoma biology and the development of new treatments for glioblastomas have long been core elements of Ludwig's research program. Ludwig's Director of Strategic Alliances in Central Nervous System Cancers Webster Cavenee, who has contributed enormously to this work, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the meeting.

###

Click here for a comprehensive list of Ludwig scientists' activities at the meeting.

About Ludwig Cancer Research

Ludwig Cancer Research is an international collaborative network of acclaimed scientists that has pioneered cancer research and landmark discovery for more than 40 years. Ludwig combines basic science with the ability to translate its discoveries and conduct clinical trials to accelerate the development of new cancer diagnostics and therapies. Since 1971, Ludwig has invested $2.7 billion in life-changing science through the not-for-profit Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research and the six U.S.-based Ludwig Centers. To learn more, visit http://www.ludwigcancerresearch.org.

For further information please contact Rachel Steinhardt, rsteinhardt@licr.org or 1-212-450-1582.
Before its brief mission ended unexpectedly in March 2016, Japan's Hitomi X-ray observatory captured exceptional information about the motions of hot gas in the Perseus galaxy cluster. Now, thanks to unprecedented detail provided by an instrument developed jointly by NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), scientists have been able to analyze more deeply the chemical make-up of this gas, providing new insights into the stellar explosions that formed most of these elements and cast them into space.

The Perseus cluster, located 240 million light-years away in its namesake constellation, is the brightest galaxy cluster in X-rays and among the most massive near Earth. It contains thousands of galaxies orbiting within a thin hot gas, all bound together by gravity. The gas averages 90 million degrees Fahrenheit (50 million degrees Celsius) and is the source of the cluster's X-ray emission.

Using Hitomi's high-resolution Soft X-ray Spectrometer (SXS) instrument, researchers observed the cluster between Feb. 25 and March 6, 2016, acquiring a total exposure of nearly 3.4 days. The SXS observed an unprecedented spectrum, revealing a landscape of X-ray peaks emitted from various chemical elements with a resolution some 30 times better than previously seen.

In a paper published online in the journal Nature on Nov. 13, the science team shows that the proportions of elements found in the cluster are nearly identical to what astronomers see in the Sun.

"There was no reason to expect that initially," said coauthor Michael Loewenstein, a University of Maryland research scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. "The Perseus cluster is a different environment with a different history from our Sun's. After all, clusters represent an average chemical distribution from many types of stars in many types of galaxies that formed long before the Sun."

One group of elements is closely tied to a particular class of stellar explosion, called Type Ia supernovas. These blasts are thought to be responsible for producing most of the universe's chromium, manganese, iron and nickel -- metals collectively known as "iron-peak" elements.

Type Ia supernovas entail the total destruction of a white dwarf, a compact remnant produced by stars like the Sun. Although stable on its own, a white dwarf can undergo a runaway thermonuclear explosion if it's paired with another object as part of a binary system. This occurs either by merging with a companion white dwarf or, when paired with a nearby normal star, by stealing some of partner's gas. The transferred matter can accumulate on the white dwarf, gradually increasing its mass until it becomes unstable and explodes.

An important open question has been whether the exploding white dwarf is close to this stability limit -- about 1.4 solar masses -- regardless of its origins. Different masses produce different amounts of iron-peak metals, so a detailed tally of these elements over a large region of space, like the Perseus galaxy cluster, could indicate which kinds of white dwarfs blew up more often.

"It turns out you need a combination of Type Ia supernovas with different masses at the moment of the explosion to produce the chemical abundances we see in the gas at the middle of the Perseus cluster," said Hiroya Yamaguchi, the paper's lead author and a UMD research scientist at Goddard. "We confirm that at least about half of Type Ia supernovas must have reached nearly 1.4 solar masses."

Taken together, the findings suggest that the same combination of Type Ia supernovas producing iron-peak elements in our solar system also produced these metals in the cluster's gas. This means both the solar system and the Perseus cluster experienced broadly similar chemical evolution, suggesting that the processes forming stars -- and the systems that became Type Ia supernovas -- were comparable in both locations.

"Although this is just one example, there's no reason to doubt that this similarity could extend beyond our Sun and the Perseus cluster to other galaxies with different properties," said coauthor Kyoko Matsushita, a professor of physics at the Tokyo University of Science.

Although short-lived, the Hitomi mission and its revolutionary SXS instrument --developed and built by Goddard scientists working closely with colleagues from several institutions in the United States, Japan and the Netherlands -- have demonstrated the promise of high-resolution X-ray spectrometry.

"Hitomi has permitted us to delve deeper into the history of one of the largest structures in the universe, the Perseus galaxy cluster, and explore how particles and materials behave in the extreme conditions there," said Goddard's Richard Kelley, the U.S. principal investigator for the Hitomi collaboration. "Our most recent calculations have provided a glimpse into how and why certain chemical elements are distributed throughout galaxies beyond our own."

JAXA and NASA scientists are now working to regain the science capabilities lost in the Hitomi mishap by collaborating on the X-ray Astronomy Recovery Mission (XARM), expected to launch in 2021. One of its instruments will have capabilities similar to the SXS flown on Hitomi.

Hitomi launched on Feb. 17, 2016, and suffered a mission-ending spacecraft anomaly 38 days later. Hitomi, which translates to "pupil of the eye," was known before launch as ASTRO-H. The mission was developed by the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, a division of JAXA. It was built jointly by an international collaboration led by JAXA, with contributions from Goddard and other institutions in the United States, Japan, Canada and Europe.

For more information about ASTRO-H, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/astro-h

###
A team from the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (NUS Medicine) has invented a fundamentally new way of folding and protecting recombinant proteins. Sourced from the rapidly expanding field of synthetic biology, this protein-in-a-protein technology can improve functional protein yields by 100-fold and protect recombinant proteins from heat, harsh chemicals and proteolysis.

The expression and stabilisation of recombinant proteins is the cornerstone of the biologics and pharmaceutical industries. The costs and complexity associated with manufacturing difficult-to-fold recombinant proteins at an industrial scale are a significant limiting factor to their use in clinical and industrial applications.

The study led by Dr Chester Drum, Assistant Professor at the Departments of Medicine and Biochemistry, NUS Medicine was published in the journal Nature Communications on 13 November 2017. Dr Drum and colleagues engineered a 12-nanometre diameter exoshell and wrapped it around a protein of interest (POI). They showed for the first time that this technology can be used to fold and protect a variety of proteins within engineered cavities that are less than 1:10,000 the width of a human hair.

The researchers developed this protein-within-a-protein technology with the help of Archeoglobus fulgidus, a hardy bacteria that is naturally found in hydrothermal vents. These hyper-thermophilic bacteria have evolved unique solutions for protein folding and stabilisation due to the extreme environments in which they live.

In particular, the researchers made use of an iron-carrying, 24-subunit protein in A. fulgidus called ferritin, whose natural function is to store and carry iron in the blood. Ferritin from A. fulgidus has two unique properties: first, four tiny pores in its shell provide small molecules access into the cavity; second, unlike human ferritin which is stable at low salt concentrations, the engineered A. fulgidus ferritin dissociates at low salt concentrations, allowing the contents of the cavity to be released by a simple pH switch from 8.0 to 5.8. Once dissociated, the POI can be released enzymatically.

To demonstrate the wide versatility of their technology, the researchers tested their exoshell technology by fusing one of the 24 ferritin subunits around three POIs with diverse properties -- green fluorescent protein, horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and Renilla luciferase.

Not only did the exoshell help increase the yields of all three POIs, the researchers were also able to deliver cofactors heme and calcium, in addition to oxidising conditions, to ensure that complex POIs such as HRP protein could fold and function properly.

Besides helping to fold the POIs correctly, the exoshells were also protective against a wide range of denaturants, including high concentration trypsin; organic solvents such as acetonitrile and methanol; and denaturants such as urea, guanidine hydrochloric acid, and heat.

"We hypothesise that the significant increase in functional protein yield may be due to the complementation between the negatively charged proteins and the positively charged exoshell internal surface. Our findings highlight the potential of using highly engineered nanometer-sized shells as a synthetic biology tool to dramatically affect the production and stability of recombinant proteins," said Dr Drum, who is also a consultant cardiologist at the National University Hospital and director of the Clinical Trial Innovation Lab at TLGM, A*STAR.

Recruited to the National University of Singapore in 2011, he has since received funding from the Singapore MIT Alliance for Research and Technology, National Medical Research Council, Biomedical Research Council, A*STAR and NUS Medicine.

Dr Drum's current research bridges the gap between basic biochemistry and clinical care. He is currently the primary investigator on a multi-institutional, 3,000-person observational trial in Singapore that studies how personalised drug metabolism affects drug response.

###
Osaka - Bacteria swim in many different ways, and the motors that drive their swimming are widely varied, implying an adaptive response to an environment. One of the most commonly identified of such motors is flagella. Although providing motility is a primary feature of flagella, adhesive and other properties have also been attributed to them.

The flagellar motor consists of a rotor and a dozen stator units, and is driven by the energy created by ions when they migrate across the cell membrane. While the flagellar motor of some freshwater and enteric bacteria, such as Salmonella, is powered by protons (hydrogen ions, H+), which consists of four copies of the protein MotA and two copies of MotB, motors of other bacteria that live in salt water environments are powered by sodium ions (Na+).

In the case of Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) , a bacterium commonly found in the soil, the flagellar motor has two distinct types of stator units: H+-type MotAB and Na+-type MotPS. While the components are identified, the mechanism that powers the flagellar motor remains unknown. This mystery is further compounded by the fact that flagella are not clearly visible under the light microscope. These challenges set a team of Osaka University-centered researchers on a quest to elucidate the unknown mechanism. They reported their findings in Science Advances.

"Precise analyses of structural dynamics of the flagellar motor using high-speed atomic force microscopy (HS-AFM) combined with mutational analysis provided insights into the torque generation mechanism of the flagellar motor," the first author of the study Naoya Terahara says. "We made real-time observations of the Na+-induced structural changes to the domain of MotS that binds peptidoglycan, a polymer consisting of sugars and amino acids in bacteria."

To understand how the MotPS protein complex responds to changes in the environment, the researchers first characterized the torque-speed relationship of the B. subtilis motor over a wide range of Na+ concentrations. The maximum speed of the motor was decreased from about 200 to 80 Hz when the external Na+ concentration was increased from 0 to 200 mM, although the stall torque was not changed at all.

Notably, when the domain of MotB that binds to peptidoglycan was replaced by that of MotS, the chimeric motor maintained the same torque-speed curve as the MotAB motor in the presence of Na+ ions but not in the absence. This means that Na+ is the main driver of the assembly and activation of flagellar motor, regardless of its composition.

"In the absence of sodium ions, MotPS exists as an inactive form in the cytoplasmic membrane because MotS c , the C-terminal periplasmic domain of MotS, adopts an unfolded conformation. When the concentration of sodium ions is increased, the binding of the ions to MotS c induces the folding of the PGB domain and facilitates its dimerization in a highly cooperative manner," corresponding author Tohru Minamino says.

Through this study, the team has also demonstrated the feasibility of using HS-AFM combined with mutational analysis to study intricate bacterial structures, which can provide valuable insights for industrial production of commercially viable products, such as proteases and therapeutics, as in the case of the B. subtilis.

###
The European and Mediterranean species of the paper wasp genus Polistes were recently revised by scientists at the SNSB-Zoologische Staatssammlung Munchen (ZSM).

For the first time for this group scientists applied an integrative taxonomic approach which combines traditional morphological methods with modern DNA barcoding.

As a result, the researchers were able to identify a new species from Morocco. For this well-researched wasp group, this is an actual sensation.

The study is published in the open access journal ZooKeys.

The Munich researchers analysed more than 260 wasp specimens collected from across the study area with the help of DNA barcoding.

They managed to identify all species and determine their distribution. In addition, based on the genetic data, they were able to evaluate morphological characters for each species and created a completely new key for identification.

The wasps of the genus Polistes belong to the family Vespidae. The genus is represented by 17 species in Europe and the Mediterranean, with four species occurring in Germany. Within the genus, 13 species are social, with the queen overwintering and founding a new nest with up to 200 workers. Four species are parasitic and have no workers.

Although Polistes has been well-known in Central Europe for more than 200 years, knowledge of Mediterranean species has so far been scarce. Many species of the genus exhibit only subtle morphological differences and show high levels of colour variation, further complicating their identification.

An important result of this research is the separation of species of the Polistes gallicus species complex into three distinct species. Moreover, the genetic data led to the discovery of a new species, represented by a single specimen from the High Atlas Mountains in Morocco. This was an unexpected result for the researchers. The species was named Polistes maroccanus.

Another very surprising result was the discovery of high levels of genetic variation within Polistes dominula, a species commonly found in Central Europe, indicating the presence of up to three different and hitherto unrecognized species - a case requiring further investigation.

Integrative taxonomy is an approach that combines different scientific methods to reliably differentiate species. In particular, DNA barcoding has proven to be a useful technique for the identification of species and for the discovery of new species. The method allows to identify most species quickly and accurately, even those species that are difficult to identify using traditional methods based on morphological characters.

DNA barcoding uses a short gene fragment that differs in almost all species worldwide. The sequences are stored in an online database and can be used for identification. The method derives its name for being reminiscent of the barcodes similar to those found on products in supermarkets that allow quick and error-free identification at the checkout.

DNA barcoding is part of a global research initiative led by the Canadian scientist Paul Hebert from the University of Guelph. The ZSM is a project partner and involved in assembling DNA barcodes of the German animal species. In addition to ZSM researchers, scientists from Switzerland and the Netherlands contributed to the Polistes project.

###

Original source:

Schmid-Egger C, van Achterberg K, Neumeyer R, Moriniere J, Schmidt S (2017) Revision of the West Palaearctic Polistes Latreille, with the descriptions of two species - an integrative approach using morphology and DNA barcodes (Hymenoptera, Vespidae). ZooKeys 713: 53-112. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.713.11335
Dozens of studies have looked at the effects of Japanese knotweed on natural communities in Europe and North America. Yet Bucknell University professor Chris Martine still felt there was something important to learn about what the plant was doing along the river in his own backyard.

"The more time I spent in the forests along the Susquehanna River, the more it seemed like something was really going wrong there," said Martine. "In addition to the prevalence of this single invasive species, it looked like the very existence of these forests was under threat."

What Martine noticed was similar to what local nature lovers and biologists with the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program were also starting to see: these forests, specifically those classified as Silver Maple Floodplain Forests, were not regenerating themselves where knotweed had taken a foothold.

In a new study published in the open access Biodiversity Data Journal, Martine and two recent Bucknell alumni conclude that Japanese knotweed has not only excluded nearly all of the native understory plant species in these forests, but it has prevented the trees already established in the canopy from leaving behind more of themselves.

"If you were to fly over these forests, or even look at a Google Earth image, you'd see a nice green canopy along the river consisting of mature silver maples, river birches, and sycamores," explained Martine. "But below that canopy there is almost nothing for tens of feet before you reach an eight-to-twelve-foot-tall thicket of knotweed. Few new trees have been able to grow through that in the last 50-60 years and our surveys found that seedlings of these species are quite rare."

The authors suggest that as mature trees die of natural causes over the next several decades and are not replaced, these systems will shift from tree-dominated riverbank habitats to "knotweed-dominated herbaceous shrublands" incapable of supporting a rich diversity of insects, birds, and other wildlife. Loss of trees in these habitats could likely also lead to riverbank erosion and increase the severity of flood events.

The few places where knotweed has not taken over offer a bit of hope, however, from an unlikely hero: poison-ivy, which Martine calls "perhaps the least popular plant in America."

"What we see in the data is that poison-ivy often trades understory dominance with knotweed. That is, when knotweed isn't the big boss, poison-ivy usually is. The difference is that whereas knotweed knocks everyone else out of the system, poison-ivy is more of a team player. Many other native plants can co-occur with it and it even seems to create microhabitats that help tree seedlings get established."

The prevalence of poison-ivy in these sites didn't go unnoticed by undergraduate Anna Freundlich, who collected most of the plant community data -- more than 1,000 data points -- in a single summer as a research fellow.

"Anna developed a pretty serious methodology for avoiding a poison-ivy rash that included long sleeves, long pants, gloves, duct tape, and an intense wash-down protocol," said her research advisor, "and even after crawling through the plant for weeks she managed to never once get a rash."

Martine cautions against too much optimism regarding the chances of one itch-inducing native plant saving the day, however.

"Righting this ship is going to require eradicating knotweed from some of these sites, and that won't be easy work. It will take some hard manual labor. But it's worth doing if we want to avoid the imminent ecological catastrophe. These forests really can't afford another half-century of us letting knotweed run wild."

###

Freundlich is a now pursuing a Master's degree in plant ecology at the University of Northern Colorado. Lead author Matt Wilson, a Bucknell Master's student at the time of the study who analyzed the dataset, now works for the Friends of the Verde River in Cottonwood, AZ.

Original source:

Wilson M, Freundlich A, Martine C (2017) Understory dominance and the new climax: Impacts of Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) invasion on native plant diversity and recruitment in a riparian woodland. Biodiversity Data Journal 5: e20577. https://doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.5.e20577
More than one-third of Latinos interviewed in a recent study believe science education may have a negative impact on the religious faith of their children, according to new research from sociologists at Rice University.

The study examined the relationship between STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education and religious faith from the perspective of blacks and Latinos, two groups that are among the most religious in the U.S. Study authors Daniel Bolger, a Rice Ph.D. student, and Elaine Howard Ecklund, founding director of the Religion and Public Life Program and the Herbert S. Autrey Chair in Social Sciences, conducted the study to investigate what impact parents think science education will have on their children's faith.

"Despite notable gains over the past 50 years, blacks and Latinos remain less likely than whites and most groups of Asians to pursue STEM careers," Bolger said. "However, previous research also suggests that churches help promote positive educational outcomes. We were very interested in examining the connection between science education and faith for individuals who attend black and Latino churches to see if we could understand more about why these disparities in pursuit of STEM careers persist."

Key findings from the study include:

Forty-three percent of Latinos interviewed believe science education could have a negative effect on a child's religious faith, compared with just 8 percent of African-Americans.

Nineteen percent of African-Americans interviewed believe science education could have a positive effect on a child's religious faith, compared with 14 percent of Latino respondents.

More than half (54 percent) of African-Americans interviewed said that the effect of science education on a child's religious faith depends on the influence of the family and the religious community, compared with just 21 percent of Latinos.

Nineteen percent of African-Americans interviewed said they were unconcerned about education affecting the faith of their children in any way, compared with 21 percent of Latinos.

Ecklund, the study's principal investigator, said that while these interview findings are not representative of the entire population, they do uncover important relationships that ought to be studied further in larger studies that are more representative.

"They also start an important move to take seriously the opinions of black and Latino congregants in the religion and science debates," Ecklund said.

Both Bolger and Ecklund hope that the research will help move discussions of religion and science education beyond debates about curriculum to exploring how perceptions of bias might shape the educational aspirations of religious students in black and Latino communities.

The researchers conducted qualitative interviews with 40 study participants (14 Latinos and 26 African-Americans) from four religious congregations in two urban areas. These people were selected from the larger Religious Understandings of Science study, which included a survey of over 10,000 people and in-depth interviews with 319 participants. The study focused on how both religious and nonreligious people perceive science.

###

"Whose Authority? Perceptions of Science Education in Black and Latino Churches" will appear in an upcoming edition of Review of Religious Research. The research was funded by the John Templeton Foundation and is available online at https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007%2Fs13644-017-0313-6.pdf.

This news release can be found online at http://news.rice.edu.

Follow Rice News and Media Relations via Twitter @RiceUNews.

Related materials:

Rice University Religion and Public Life Program: https://rplp.rice.edu

Elaine Howard Ecklund website: http://www.elainehowardecklund.com/

Located on a 300-acre forested campus in Houston, Rice University is consistently ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has highly respected schools of Architecture, Business, Continuing Studies, Engineering, Humanities, Music, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences and is home to the Baker Institute for Public Policy. With 3,879 undergraduates and 2,861 graduate students, Rice's undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio is 6-to-1. Its residential college system builds close-knit communities and lifelong friendships, just one reason why Rice is ranked No. 1 for quality of life and for lots of race/class interaction and No. 2 for happiest students by the Princeton Review. Rice is also rated as a best value among private universities by Kiplinger's Personal Finance. To read "What they're saying about Rice," go to http://tinyurl.com/RiceUniversityoverview.
Survey of fast-spinning pulsar stars offers better estimate of when astronomers will first detect the strongest gravitational waves in the universe, which dwarf those previously detected from black hole mergers

New York City -- Astronomers won't have to wait much longer for their first glimpse of one of the biggest types of unions in the cosmos. New research published November 13 in Nature Astronomy predicts that gravitational waves generated by the merger of two supermassive black holes will be detected within 10 years. The study is the first to use real data, rather than computer simulations, to predict when such an observation will be made.

"The gravitational waves from these supermassive black hole binary mergers are the most powerful in the universe," says study lead author Chiara Mingarelli, a research fellow at the Center for Computational Astrophysics at the Flatiron Institute in New York City. "They absolutely dwarf the black hole mergers detected by LIGO," or the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory, which first detected gravitational waves from colliding black holes in February 2016.

The detection of a supermassive black hole merger would offer new insights into how massive galaxies and black holes evolve, Mingarelli says. A lack of any such a sighting within the 10-year timeframe, on the other hand, would necessitate a rethink of whether and how supermassive black holes merge, she says.

Supermassive black holes live in the heart of large galaxies, including our own Milky Way, and can be millions or even billions of times the mass of the sun. For comparison, the merging black holes detected so far by gravitational wave detectors have been only a few dozen times the sun's mass.

When two galaxies collide and combine, their supermassive black holes drift to the center of the newly unified galaxy. Scientists predict that the supermassive black holes will then close in together and merge over time. That get-together produces intense gravitational waves that ripple through the fabric of space and time.

While those gravitational waves are strong, they lie outside the wavelengths currently observable by ongoing experiments such as LIGO and Virgo. The new hunt for gravitational waves formed by merging supermassive black holes will instead leverage stars called pulsars that act like cosmic metronomes. The rapidly spinning stars send out a steady rhythm of radio wave pulses. As passing gravitational waves stretch and compress the space between Earth and the pulsar, the rhythm slightly changes. Those changes are then monitored by pulsar-watching projects on Earth.

Three projects currently read the timing of radio waves arriving from nearby pulsars: the Parkes Pulsar Timing Array in Australia, North American Nanohertz Observatory for Gravitational Waves and the European Pulsar Timing Array. Together, the trio forms the International Pulsar Timing Array.

Mingarelli and colleagues estimated how long those projects will take to spot their first supermassive black hole merger. The team cataloged nearby galaxies that may host pairs of supermassive black holes. The researchers then combined that information with a map of nearby pulsars to find -- for the first time -- the probability of a definitive detection over time.

"If you take into account the positions of the pulsars in the sky, you basically have a 100 percent chance of detecting something in 10 years," Mingarelli says. "The bottom line is that you're guaranteed to select at least one local supermassive black hole binary."

One surprise from the results was which galaxies are most likely to offer the first glimpse of supermassive black hole merger. Bigger galaxies mean bigger black holes and therefore stronger gravitational waves. But bigger black holes also merge faster, reducing the window during which gravitational waves may be detected. A black hole merger in a massive galaxy like M87 would yield detectable gravitational waves for 4 million years, for instance, while a more modest galaxy such as the Sombrero Galaxy would offer a 160-million-year window.

A successful detection would give astrophysicists a better understanding of the astrophysics at the hearts of galaxy mergers, Mingarelli says, and provide a new avenue to study fundamental physics not accessible by any other means. The number of individual supermassive black hole binaries seen also offers a measure of how often galaxies merge, which is an important measure of how the universe evolved over time.

If a supermassive black hole merger isn't seen, it could be because the black holes stall at around three light-years (or one parsec) of separation. This conundrum is known as the Final Parsec Problem. The two black holes close together gradually over time as their orbits degrade as energy is lost generating gravitational waves, but the process can take longer than the current age of the universe.

As to whether astronomers will detect a supermassive black hole merger, "it'll be interesting either way," Mingarelli says.

###

ABOUT THE FLATIRON INSTITUTE

The Flatiron Institute is the research division of the Simons Foundation. Its mission is to advance scientific research through computational methods, including data analysis, modeling and simulation. The institute's Center for Computational Astrophysics creates new computational frameworks that allow scientists to analyze big astronomical datasets and to understand complex, multi-scale physics in a cosmological context.
PHILADELPHIA -- (Nov. 13, 2017) -- Researchers from The Wistar Institute discovered a novel form of crosstalk among tumor cells and other cell types in the tumor microenvironment, elucidating the mechanism of action of an immunotherapeutic strategy that inhibits tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and instructing a more effective use of this therapeutic approach. This work was published online in Cancer Cell.

TAMs make up a prominent immune cell population present in the tumor microenvironment. Because of their ability to promote tumor cell proliferation and invasion and inhibit antitumor immune response mediated by T cells, TAMs are considered a potential therapeutic target. Inhibition of the CSF-1 receptor (CSF-1R), which mediates the functions and survival of TAMs, has received interest as a potential strategy to eliminate these cells. However, despite being effective at depleting the TAMs in various tumor models, this strategy has failed to achieve the expected antitumor effects.

"Our findings revealed new aspects of the intricate cellular network that involves tumor cells, TAMs and cancer associated fibroblasts that talk to each other via production of chemical messengers," said Dmitry I. Gabrilovich, M.D., Ph.D., Christopher M. Davis Professor and program leader of the Immunology, Microenvironment and Metastasis Program at Wistar. "We discovered an additional effect of CSF-1R inhibition that brings into play other immunosuppressive cells that sustain tumor progression."

Gabrilovich and colleagues found that, besides depleting TAMs from the tumor site, CSF-1R inhibition also resulted in the unexpected recruitment of polymorphonuclear myeloid-derived suppressor cells (PMN-MDSCs), which favor tumor progression and mediate resistance to immunotherapy approaches. The presence of these cells may explain the lack of antitumor effect by CSF1R inhibition.

The researchers investigated the mechanism of PMN-MDSC recruitment to the tumor site and uncovered an intricate crosstalk that resulted in increased production of signaling proteins responsible for attracting PMN-MDSCs in response to CSF-1R inhibition. In particular, they observed higher levels of Cxcl-1, in this context produced by cancer-associated fibroblasts.

"In order to achieve a therapeutic effect, we realized that we needed to reduce the presence of both immunosuppressive populations, TAM and PMN-MDSC," added Gabrilovich.

By combining the CSF-1R inhibitor with a selective inhibitor of CXCR2, which is the receptor for Cxcl-1 and other molecules whose levels are increased as a consequence of CSF-1R inhibition, they observed significant reduction in tumor growth. In addition, the combination of the two inhibitors together with an immune checkpoint inhibitor resulted in a dramatic antitumor effect, providing additional therapeutic benefits.

###

This work was supported by National Institutes of Health grants P01 CA 140043, P50 CA168536, and P01 CA114046. Core support for The Wistar Institute was provided by the Cancer Center Support Grant P30 CA010815.

Vinit Kumar from the Wistar Institute is the first author of this study. Laxminarasimha Donthireddy, Douglas Marvel, and Thomas Condamine from The Wistar Institute made major contribution to this study. Other contributors from The Wistar Institute include: Fang Wang, Sergio Lavilla-Alonso, Ayumi Hashimoto, Prashanthi Vonteddu, Reeti Behera, David W. Speicher, Ashani T. Weeraratna, and Qin Liu. Other co-authors include: Marlee Goins, Charles Mulligan, Brian Nam, Neil Hockstein, Fred Denstman, and Shanti Shakamuri from Helen F. Graham Cancer Center at Christiana Care Health System, Wilmington, Del.; Timothy Chao, Robert H. Vonderheide, Xiaowei Xu, Albert Lo, and Ellen Pure? from University of Pennsylvania; Lucia R. Languino from Thomas Jefferson University; Peter Ordentlich from Syndax Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Waltham, Mass.; Chunsheng Zhang and Andrey Loboda from Merck & Co., Inc., Boston, Mass.; Manuel A. Sepulveda and Linda A. Snyder from Janssen R&D, Spring House, Pa.

The Wistar Institute is an international leader in biomedical research with special expertise in cancer research and vaccine development. Founded in 1892 as the first independent nonprofit biomedical research institute in the United States, Wistar has held the prestigious Cancer Center designation from the National Cancer Institute since 1972. The Institute works actively to ensure that research advances move from the laboratory to the clinic as quickly as possible. wistar.org.
Chemists from Ural Federal University (UrFU, Ekaterinburg) have suggested a new technique for synthesizing thiophene derivatives and studied their fluorescent properties experimentally as well as theoretically. Many organic compounds containing thiophene rings exhibit a significant pharmacological activity. Thanks to their unusual electronic nature and low aromaticity, thiophenes are an ideal molecule for synthesizing photoactive polymers, liquid crystals, and organic dyes for solar cells. The researchers described their discovery on the pages of the Chemistry - An Asian Journal.

A research group from the UrFU Institute of Chemical Engineering, in collaboration with an Italian scientist (Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa; present affiliation, Nazarbaev University, Astana, Kazakhstan), has published the results of a joint research, showing a new, convenient, and effective two-step procedure for producing new thiophene derivatives from simple and easy to obtain starting materials. They have determined the features of the mechanism of this reaction using quantum mechanical calculations to compute the reaction thermodynamic parameters, as well as to compare the electronic structure of active centers, to plot the structure of intermediate substances, and to investigate their intramolecular interactions.

The proposed method is promising due to its safe reaction conditions, suggesting that this protocol may provide a valid alternative to previously reported protocols, which are tedious, time consuming, and result in poor yields using dangerous harsh conditions. Moreover, the new procedure can be used to synthetize libraries of new thiophene derivatives, whose structures will include new combinations of substituents, depending on the requirements of specific applications.

The compounds obtained possess important photophysical properties, in particular fluorescence (the emission of light by a substance that has absorbed light or other electromagnetic radiation). Molecules and materials with fluorescent properties are of great interest to the field of organic photonics, when creating luminescent (OLEDs and displays, luminescent probes and labels) and photovoltaic devices (photodetectors, color-sensitized solar cells). State-of-the-art quantum mechanical methods were used to interpret the experimental results and study the characteristics of the ground and excited states of these new compounds. Due to their photophysical properties and sensitivity to the environment, these synthesized compounds may found applications in many areas, especially in biology, because of their structural similarity with biologically active thiophenes.

The article published in the Chemistry - An Asian Journal is the fourth paper published in 2017 by the team of chemists from UrFU and dedicated to new heterocyclic fluorophores. Previously, they developed a procedure for synthesizing 2-aryl-1,2,3-triazoles, as well as discovered and studied their fluorescent properties. In addition, they have proposed a new technique for the synthesis of 4,5-dihydro-1,2,4-triazoles and showed that such qualities as accessibility, synthetic simplicity, stability and high sensitivity to the microenvironment make these compounds a convenient platform for creating new sensors. The editorial staff of the European Journal of Organic Chemistry noted the subsequent article about synthesis and fluorescent properties of di- and trisubstituted thiazoles as very important. In each publication, new and original substances are presented, which also have unusual optical properties in solution, solid crystalline state, or suspension (nanoparticles).

Based on the results obtained, the researchers prepare to proceed to designing, synthesizing and investigating the fluorescent properties of compounds that are promising candidates for practical use in biology or medicine.

"Our work would not be possible without the funding we received under the UrFU development program and the competitiveness enhancement program (UrFU is a participant in the 5-100 Project). In conference on organic chemistry, we met the theoretical physicist Enrico Benassi, who became an important member of our team. In order to measure the fluorescence spectra and determine the optical characteristics of synthesized compounds, we had to travel to other institutes in Russia and even to the Nankai University (China). Concrete and effective results appeared only when our institute has purchased new high quality equipment (a UV spectrophotometer and two Japanese fluorimeters). Thanks to this equipment, our studies have reached the world-level quality and importance of the problems being solved in them, and we have managed to produce publications with high impact factor", - says the lead author of the articles, Dr. Nataliya Belskaya, Doctor of Chemistry.

###
CINCINNATI -- After decades of individual attempts to identify the structure of the main building block of HDL (high-density lipoproteins), the so-called "good" cholesterol that associates with protection from cardiovascular disease, a research team representing eight academic institutions across the U.S. and Australia has come to agreement on a predictive model.

Their study, "A Consensus Model of Human Apolipoprotein A-I in its Monomeric and Lipid-Free State" is currently available online in the journal Nature Structure and Molecular Biology.

"We are excited to finally have a robust picture of what this protein looks like," says Sean Davidson, PhD, professor and vice chair in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of Cincinnati (UC) College of Medicine, and the corresponding author on the study.

Davidson and John Melchior, PhD, a UC postdoctoral fellow, organized a working group of leading lipid structural biologists to attack a fundamental issue in the field of fat metabolism. "All of us, including myself, have been chipping away at the edges of this problem for decades," says Davidson, adding that the protein simply doesn't respond to the typical methods used to model other protein structures.

Thus, the working group took a novel approach: they combined data from a variety of indirect experimental techniques from different laboratories to develop a consensus model. The breakthrough took over a year of intense cooperation among scientists who are normally in friendly competition. "This study was a unique collaborative experience for me. People from all over the U.S. and Australia freely shared what amounts to a couple of centuries (or more) of collective expertise and knowhow to come up with a definitive insight into apoA-I structure." says Kerry Anne-Rye, PhD, a co-author from the University of New South Wales in Australia.

A second factor, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), has been called "bad" cholesterol and can be harmful. While the body needs some cholesterol to function, when levels of LDL get too high, fatty deposits can accumulate in blood vessels. This causes them to narrow, leading to heart attacks, strokes or other serious vascular problems. HDL is thought to work against this accumulation.

Anchored by work that was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1985, the metabolism of LDL is well understood. This spurred the development of a class of drugs called statins which reduce "bad" cholesterol. However, the biology of HDL has been more elusive and this has complicated the development of HDL targeted drugs, says Davidson. "Our work, combined with the structure of a critical cell protein that helps assemble HDL published earlier this year, finally gives us the tools to propose and test hypotheses on how HDL is generated."

###

Also participating in the study were researchers Allison Cooke, Mark Castleberry and Jamie Morris from Davidson's laboratory. The working group included Ryan Walker and Tom Thompson, PhD, from the Department of Molecular Genetics Biochemistry and Microbiology at UC; Martin Jones, Hyun Song, PhD, and Jere Segrest, MD, PhD, from Vanderbilt University; Michael Oda, PhD, from Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute; Mary Sorci-Thomas, PhD, and Michael Thomas, PhD, from the Medical College of Wisconsin; Jay Heinecke, MD, from the University of Washington; Xiaohu Mei, PhD, and David Atkinson, PhD, from Boston University; and Michael Phillips, PhD, and Sissel Lund-Katz, PhD, from the University of Pennsylvania.

This work was supported by an American Heart Association postdoctoral fellowship grant (16POST27710016 to Melchior), the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded pre-doctoral fellowship to Castleberry (HL125204-03), R01 HL127649 to Davidson, R01 HL127649 to Sorci-Thomas, P01 HL026335 and R01 HL116518 to Atkinson, P01 HL12803 to Davidson, Segrest and Heinecke. The mass spectrometry data was acquired in the UC Proteomics Laboratory under the direction of Ken Greis, PhD, on a mass spectrometer funded in part through an NIH S10 shared instrumentation grant (RR027015 Gries).

The authors have no conflicts of interest to report for this work
University of Delaware alumna Susan Trumbore has been selected to receive the 2018 Benjamin Franklin Medal in Earth and Environmental Sciences, the Franklin Institute announced on Tuesday, Nov. 7.

Since 1824, the Franklin Institute has honored the greatest men and women of science. The endowed Benjamin Franklin Medals are given annually in the following seven science disciplines: chemistry, civil and mechanical engineering, computer and cognitive science, earth and environmental science, electrical engineering, life science, and physics.

Trumbore, who earned her bachelor's degree in geology at UD in 1981, was selected for helping to pioneer a technique to measure the levels of carbon in plants and soil. As The Philadelphia Inquirer noted in its story on the awards, that is an important tool in understanding the role of greenhouse-gas emissions in climate change.

Currently, Trumbore directs the prestigious Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry in Jena, Germany. Her research centers on studying soils and plant life to understand how human activity alters the Earth's natural exchanges of carbon among ocean, land and atmosphere.

She is the second UD alumnus to earn the Franklin Medal in the last three years. Brian Atwater earned the award in 2016 for his pioneering study of coastal sediments and the natural disasters that affect their distribution, such as earthquakes and tsunamis.

"It's wonderful that University of Delaware, and geological sciences in particular, has generated two Franklin laureates in just three years," said Estella Atekwana, dean of the College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment (CEOE). "This is just the type of example our students need of what is possible with a UD education."

In addition to directing the Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry, Trumbore is a professor of earth system science at University of California, Irvine. She also co-directs the W.M. Keck Carbon Cycle Accelerator Mass Spectrometry Facility at UCI and directs the UCI branch of the UC Institute for Geophysics and Planetary Physics.

Trumbore was named a fellow of the American Geophysical Union and the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 2005 and 2006, respectively. Other career honors include membership in the National Academy of Sciences (2010) the National Science Foundation's National Young Investigator award and UD's Presidential Citation for Outstanding Achievement award, both in 1993.

Trumbore completed post-doctoral research at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology and the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory, before joining University of California, Irvine, in 1991. She earned her doctoral degree in geology and geochemistry from Columbia University in 1989.

UD's College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment and Department of Geological Sciences will host a symposium to honor Trumbore in 2018, with support from the Delaware Environmental Institute (DENIN) and the Franklin Institute.

###
Guang Gao, a Distinguished Professor Emeritus of electrical and computer engineering at the University of Delaware, has received the 2017 B. Ramakrishna (Bob) Rau Award from the IEEE Computer Society. He received the award on Tuesday, Oct. 17 at the society's MICRO-50 Conference in Boston. IEEE stands for the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

This award was established in 2010 to honor the late B. Ramakrishna (Bob) Rau, and it is awarded annually for an outstanding, innovative contribution to microarchitecture, use of novel microarchitectural techniques or compiler/architecture interfacing. It is the most prestigious award given at this symposium -- the premier meeting for experts who develop and study microarchitecture, compilers, chips, and systems for advanced computing and communication systems.

Gao is being recognized for significant contributions to the field of computer microarchitecture and compiler code generation.

"Prof. Gao's expertise has been a great asset to the College of Engineering for decades," said Babatunde Ogunnaike, dean of the UD's College of Engineering. "As advancements in computing accelerate, his pioneering work will influence a growing number of students, academics, and professionals. We are so pleased that the IEEE Computer Society has recognized him with this prestigious award."

Gao, who founded the Computer Architectures and Parallel Systems Laboratory (CAPSL) at UD, has developed innovative data flow models, programming paradigms, architecture features, and system software technology. He has also applied these methods to real-world applications and played a key role in the development of the IBM Cyclops-64 Supercomputer.

"For the past 30 years, Guang Gao has been nothing short of a pioneer in the field of computer microarchitecture," said Ken Barner, chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. "He is both a scholar and an entrepreneur who continuously innovates in areas such as compilers, parallel programming and data flow."

Gao has published more than 63 papers, 240 refereed conference proceedings, and 11 books or book chapters. He holds 10 patents. He has been invited to give seminars at many industrial and academic organizations, such as multiple IBM labs, AT&T Bell Laboratories, HP Labs, Intel, Microsoft, Argonne National Lab, Oak Ridge National Lab, Los Alamos National Lab, NASA Ames Research Center, Stanford University, NYU, MIT, UC Berkeley, University of Illinois (Urbana Champaign), and many more distinguished institutions throughout the world.

Gao is also the founder of E.T. International, which provides advanced computing systems and software to analyze big data.

Kemal Ebcioglu, president of Global Supercomputing Corporation, presented Gao with the award, noting: "The totality of Prof. Gao's publications has significantly impacted research in the field of compiler techniques and microarchitectures for instruction-level and thread-level parallelism." Ebcioglu won the award himself in 2013.

Erik Altman, program director at the Thomas J. Watson Research Center at IBM, said: "It was deeply edifying to see Prof Gao recognized at the Rau Award ceremonies. There was a full house, and the audience paid close attention to Gao's remarks. Those remarks reflected Gao's erudition -- thoughtfully tying personal history, key technical contributions, the impact of other luminaries in the field, and even a discussion of 18th century Chinese literature. Leaving the event I felt even more grateful to have worked with Gao and been his student."

Doug Burger, a Distinguished Engineer at Microsoft, attended Micro-50, where he delivered a keynote speech titled "Specialization and Accelerated AI at Hyperscale." After attending the Micro Awards Lunch, he said "I am very pleased to see the 2017 Bob Rau award given to Prof. Guang R. Gao - a world renowned leader in the field of dataflow model of computation and its application to the field of microarchitecture and compiler technology. This award recognizes Gao's tireless dedication and contributions to mainstreaming dataflow technology, which I believe will become increasingly important given the end of Moore's Law. I view a transformation of computer architecture by dataflow to be inevitable; a North Star which has been inspired in part by Gao's seminal contributions."

Others in attendance said the award was overdue and praised Gao as a patient, passionate thinker.

The awards committee was composed of leaders in the field, including: Ebcioglu, Wen-Mei Hwu, a professor of electrical and computer engineering at the University of Illinois, Natalie Enright-Jerger, a professor of electrical and computer engineering at the University of Toronto, Bill Mangione-Smith, sole proprietor of Phase Two LLC, Gurindar Sohi, a professor of computer sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Andrew Wolfe, founder of Wolfe Consulting.

Gao has been on the UD faculty since 1996 and is an ACM Fellow and an IEEE Fellow. In 2011, he won the Gauss Award, given for the most outstanding paper in scalable supercomputing.

In 1986, Gao was the first person from mainland China to earn a doctoral degree in computer science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He earned his bachelor's degree at Tsinghua University in Beijing.

###
People in treatment for eating disorders are poorly served when it comes to addressing the cultural aspects of eating problems, according to new research from the University of East Anglia (UEA).

This emerges as part of an overall set of findings that suggest contemporary eating disorder (ED) treatment in the UK pays little attention to the cultural contexts for eating problems, such as gender. Although EDs affect people across different genders, ethnicities and ages, women and girls are disproportionately affected by eating problems.

But this quite obvious connection between eating disorders and cultural expectations surrounding femininity is woefully neglected in much treatment, said lead researcher Dr Su Holmes, a reader in UEA's School of Art, Media and American Studies. The research is published today in the journal Eating Disorders.

Dr Holmes said that although there is now extensive evidence on how EDs are bound up with cultural ideas surrounding gender, the contemporary focus on evidence-based treatment, and particularly the rise of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), has all but forced these issues off the agenda. If cultural elements are addressed, it is through a limited focus on 'body image' work, which often invokes the significance of the media in perpetuating unattainable images of the body.

The paper said more culturally-focused perspectives on eating problems have argued that 'disordered eating may not necessarily be motivated by the drive for pursuit of thinness or any "distortion" of body image, but rather by wider experiences' of gender expectations and pressures.'

Dr Holmes' previous research with people who had received treatment for an ED showed that even when a patient specifically asks to talk about questions of gender, their request may be ignored - either because such issues are seen as a low priority, or because health professionals have little training in this sphere.

In response to this, Dr Holmes and Ms Sarah Drake, an occupational therapist and lecturer in the School of Health and Social Care at UEA, devised and ran a new treatment intervention at an inpatient clinic that specialises in the treatment of EDs.

The group, which was run over 10 weeks at Newmarket House clinic Norwich, was called 'Cultural Approaches to Eating Disorders', and included all the patients who were resident in the clinic at the time. These were all female, with a diagnosis of anorexia, and their ages ranged from 19-51.

Each week, the programme examined what role culture might play in EDs, including:

Gendered constructions of appetite

Cultural expectations surrounding female emotion and anger

'Reading' the starved body in relation to cultural prescriptions of femininity

The dynamics of 'healthy' eating/living and fitness cultures' aimed at women

The group used media, such as television adverts, Disney films, press articles, image bank photography to social media, to stimulate debate about the particular issue being explored. But the media were not consistently positioned as the 'cause' of anorexia, as so often happens in suggestions of how society influences eating problems. The study found that people living with EDs find that the tendency to portray women with anorexia as the passive victims of media influence is often seen as patronising and simplistic by those living with the illness.

One patient said that suggesting seeing "a skinny model in a magazine" influenced the development of EDs "completely trivialises" the many reasons people develop body- and eating distress.

Looking at the wider contexts that shape ideas about gender in society - such as beliefs about 'appetite' - was seen as helpful by the participants. This focus took in food advertising aimed at women as well as wider ideas about 'appetite', such as the ways in which girls and women are still expected to exercise more restraint in sexual appetite than boys and men - and are sex- or slut-shamed if they don't.

Participants in the group said they found it useful to situate their problem within society, thus moving away from the more individualised focus of medical perspectives that may encourage self-blame - but it also raised questions about recovery.

One patient said: "But then, as the groups went on it's like OK, maybe this society's norms are quite disordered. But then it's like ... if society's norms are disordered ... then ... I don't know, how am I meant to change kind of things?"

Dr Holmes said: "The medical framework may offer the patient a greater sense of personal agency when it comes to feelings of control in recovery. Given that anorexia in particular is seen to be tightly intertwined with issues of control, this is clearly worth some thought."

The research shows, however, that there is room for more work and exploration in this area, and the group is now being re-run with the hope of adapting it for other services in the region.

Dr Holmes said: "It is important to stress that the study does not work on the assumption that issues concerning gender identity are only relevant to the experience and treatment of eating disorders in girls and women. The focus on how eating- and body distress may be used to negotiate dominant ideas about gender and sexuality is similarly applicable to male patients, as well as gender minorities, even whilst the cultural constructions at stake may be different."

Indeed, she said, given that recent research indicates how transgender individuals may be particularly at risk from developing eating problems, this arguably adds credence to the idea that EDs may be bound up with the pressures and difficulties posed by dominant gender norms.

Dr Holmes said: "The bottom line is that, although eating disorders are now widely recognised as being shaped by biological, psychological and social factors, the social aspect of the equation is poorly served."

###

The article, 'Feminist approaches to anorexia: a qualitative study of a treatment group', by Dr Su Holmes, Ms Sarah Drake, Miss Kelsey Odgers and Dr Jonathan Wilson, is published on Nov 13, 2017 in the journal Eating Disorders.
Significant changes to both the current UK and European Union (EU) constitutional frameworks are "almost unavoidable" in order to accommodate the very different aspirations of Scotland and Northern Ireland post-Brexit.

In the referendum of June 2016, people in England and Wales voted to leave the EU, while those in Scotland and Northern Ireland voted to remain. There has since been debate about how to achieve the continuing presence in the single market of the UK constituent nations when their political leaders have declared that they do not wish to be taken out of the EU against their will.

In a new study, Dr Nikos Skoutaris of the University of East Anglia (UEA) explores two options for Scotland and Northern Ireland to remain in the EU and/or the single market. Writing in the Cambridge Yearbook of European Legal Studies, he argues that the EU has the necessary legal mechanisms to accommodate their differing aspirations.

The first option involves the achievement of Scottish independence and the reunification of Ireland through democratic referendums. However, Dr Skoutaris says that while Northern Ireland enjoys such a constitutional right, Scotland would have to reach an arrangement similar to the one that led to the organisation of the 2014 independence referendum.

The second option would see Scotland and Northern Ireland remaining in the EU and/or the single market even without leaving the UK. Dr Skoutaris, a lecturer in EU law, reviews previous examples of territorial differentiation including Greenland, the Faroe Islands and Cyprus, showing there are a number of legally defensible solutions that would enable this to happen.

Dr Skoutaris said: "Especially with regard to Northern Ireland, such imaginative solutions can better protect the fragile peace process and the social and economic integration of the island of Ireland."

If England and Wales withdraw from the single market and the customs union while Scotland and Northern Ireland remain, it would entail the existence of a customs border and border checks within the territory of the UK.

In addition, a major constitutional amendment to the devolution arrangement would have to take place in order for both regions to take part effectively in the political and constitutional life of the EU and the European Economic Area.

While acknowledging the significant changes that such an arrangement would make to the constitutional status quo of the UK, Dr Skoutaris suggests that for the Government, the biggest incentive to offer this option to Scotland and Northern Ireland is that it represents a tangible alternative to leaving the UK.

"The UK might become almost a confederation but it would still be one recognised State under international law," said Dr Skoutaris. "In other words, it could save the Union. The devolved administrations could also avoid the tensions and divisions that would be caused if they were to leave the UK. In particular, such a solution presents fewer threats to the fragile Belfast Agreement than Brexit itself or a referendum for the reunification of Ireland.

"Even if neither the UK nor the devolved administrations opt for such an arrangement, it could still prove useful. It could be used transitionally until there is a renegotiation and a resettlement of the constitutional status of those two nations, ensuring that they do not find themselves outside the single market even for a minute.

"In any case, both the current UK and EU constitutional frameworks somehow seem to be unable to accommodate the very different aspirations of the UK constituent nations. In this sense, their significant amendment is almost unavoidable."

###

'Territorial differentiation in EU law: can Scotland and Northern Ireland remain in the EU and/or the single market?', Nikos Skoutaris, is published in the Cambridge Yearbook of European Legal Studies.
A NEW sensor system developed by University of Huddersfield researchers could ensure that the UK's largest steel plant gains better advanced warning of problems in its electricity substations, allowing ample time for troubleshooting.

Tata Steel, which operates the giant plant at Port Talbot, has already installed a prototype of the Partial Discharge Wireless Sensor Network that is being developed by Professor Ian Glover and his colleagues.

The system consists of radio sensors deployed around a substation. They report the levels of partial discharge to a central hub that is connected via a gateway to the internet. This means that the status of the insulation can be monitored remotely and instantly at any time, via devices that include smartphones.

"Partial discharges are very small sparks that occur within insulation in high voltage equipment," explained Professor Glover. "These discharges radiate electro-magnetic radio waves and our system picks these up with broadband radio receivers and therefore constantly monitors the insulation health in a substation."

Ian Glover is Professor of Radio Science and Wireless Systems Engineering at the University of Huddersfield and has been lead investigator for a 670,000 project - funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) - that has developed the principle of wireless sensor networks.

The Partial Discharge Wireless Sensor Network was first tested at the Power Network Demonstration Centre run by Strathclyde University - where Professor Glover was once based. Then, Romanian-born University of Huddersfield student Horia Ilie, who was spending a year on work placement with Tata Steel as part of his BEng degree, alerted his supervisor Simon Oglesby to the potential of the technology as a way of improving partial discharge monitoring at the two large substations that provide the Port Talbot plant with its electrical power.

The company already utilised a number of monitoring technologies, but was eager to give a trial to the new system. Two of Professor Glover's research collaborators, Dr Pavlos Lazaridis and Dr Bakhtiar Saeed, went to the steel plant and installed nine sensors. Results have been encouraging.

"Now we are hoping to work with Tata Steel in order to extend the number of sensors so that the network covers all of their high-voltage assets," said Professor Glover. He estimates that some 100 sensors will be required for the two substations and other switchgear on the site, which is one of the biggest steelworks in Europe.

If Tata Steel fully embraces the new technology, it would be pioneering a highly adaptable monitoring system which could be used in a vast range of industries.

"It is pioneering technology," said Professor Glover. "As far as we are aware, there are no other partial discharge sensing networks that are as scalable as this system.

"Tata Steel in Wales have shown great vision in sensing the potential of the Partial Discharge Wireless Sensor Network and we are very proud that this major company has been the first real-world testing ground for technology that has global potential."

###
Four physicians from Cuba are working in Chicago to improve maternal health and birth outcomes in Englewood.

Through a partnership with the University of Illinois at Chicago, the physicians have been observing clinical care at Mile Square Health Center, UI Health's network of federally qualified clinics. They have also met with community leaders, including elected officials, nonprofit groups and others, to develop a picture of how health care is delivered in under-resourced communities, and how their expertise may help fill gaps in care.

"The Cuban health system does preventive health very, very well, and they do it without a lot of money," said Dr. Robert Winn, associate vice chancellor of community-based practice at UIC and director of the University of Illinois Cancer Center.

Per capita, Cuba spent roughly $600 on health expenditures in 2010. In the U.S., this figure is above $8,000 for the same year, but life expectancy in the two countries was the same, at 79 years.

For the past year, doctors from Cuba and researchers from the cancer center have traveled between the two countries to observe practices and exchange ideas. During the exchange, the team identified a key difference between the two countries: doctors in the U.S. do not know as much about their patients' home life and environment. In Cuba, doctors have more insight into how the home and neighborhood affects their patients' health.

"In Cuba, we visit every home and we ask health-related questions for every individual in the household," said Dr. Jose Armando Arronte Villamarin, one of the physicians from Cuba who has been in Chicago since August. "The assessment we use gives us a comprehensive picture of overall health and health risk in different communities, and it helps us focus on addressing community level public health concerns."

The health situation assessment tool is the cornerstone of preventive health throughout Cuban communities.

In Cuba, the assessment includes questions about health -- weight, exercise and medical symptoms, for example -- but also an environmental analysis. Physicians in Cuba want to know if their communities have access to clean drinking water and affordable food and transportation, for example. While in the homes, doctors and nurses, with the help of medical students, can quickly assess for other factors that impact health -- like allergens and dust that may trigger respiratory conditions in children, such as asthma or SIDS -- or affect risk of accidents.

Based on the assessment, physicians allocate their limited resources accordingly. If a community is composed of primarily young families, physicians may invest in vaccination and family-planning resources; if a significant population of the community is older, physicians may bring in resources to help minimize falls, fight cancer or facilitate transportation to medical appointments. If a community has an overabundance of standing water, mosquito remediation spraying may be ordered for that location.

Kathy Tossas-Milligan, an epidemiologist, says that there is no process or individual-level assessment like this in the U.S.

"In the U.S., we rely on random epidemiologic samples that aggregate community-level data," said Tossas-Milligan, director of global assets and innovative approaches at the UI Cancer Center. "While this is good information for academic and provider reporting, it does not provide adequate information for addressing barriers and taking action."

Learning from the Cubans and their successful experience with the health assessment, the cancer center team at UI Health is adapting the questionnaire to a U.S. audience and testing it in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood, which is home to roughly 25,000 Chicagoans.

In Englewood, life expectancy is well below the national average at only 72 years, based on 2014 data. The average in Chicago is 77 years, and 79 years in the U.S.

Englewood is a predominantly black community with most households headed by single females. Compared with citywide rates, residents of Englewood experience four times the homicide rate and double the rate of infant mortality. Infant mortality rates are already three times higher for black babies in the U.S. than white or Latino babies.

The pilot project will test the adapted health situation analysis with up to 100 reproductive age women (ages 18 to 49) and their families in Englewood. Researchers will connect with women through the Mile Square Health Center clinic in Englewood or community organizations. Women engaged in the pilot will be scheduled for a home health analysis visit, the first of its kind in the U.S. The Cuban physicians will consult with the researchers, who have been working with the Cubans since their arrival in early fall.

The researchers will use the assessment to get an individual- and community-level picture of overall health, and to note the social and environmental factors that affect health and health behavior.

The goal is to use the information as a foundation for enhancing provider awareness of home life and environments, and for addressing maternal health and infant mortality outcomes, such as low birth rate and pre-term births. The researchers plan to attach the information to the electronic health record and use it as the catalysts for a community debate.

Following the assessment, women and families in the pilot will be stratified into one of four groups based on health risk. As practiced in Cuba, they will be recommended for a range of home and office visits based on their health assessments. For example, those assigned to a group of participants who are presumed healthy, will be recommended for one office consult. Up to three home or office visits will be recommended based on risk factors, diseases and disabilities.

Villamarin, Dr. Berta Maria Bello Rodriguez, Dr. Sonia Maria Gonzalez Vega and Nemesis Perez Martinez, a nurse, are scheduled to be in Chicago through December.

A $1 million grant from the Kellogg Foundation funds the project.

###
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Researchers report the first sighting in 30 years of a wild alligator snapping turtle in Illinois. The discovery may be a sign of hope for this state-endangered species, or the animal could be the last of its kind to have survived in Illinois without human intervention, the researchers say.

The team reports the find in the journal Southeastern Naturalist.

In October 2014, when Illinois Natural History Survey herpetologist Chris Phillips donned a wetsuit and dove to the bottom of Clear Creek in Union County, Illinois, he was looking for a young male alligator snapping turtle with a radio transmitter on its back. That turtle had recently been released in the area to bolster the state-endangered turtle population in southwest Illinois.

"I was just about out of breath when I felt the turtle shell," Phillips said. "I thought I had found the male turtle I knew was there because I detected its radio signal. I felt along its back to where I thought the shell should end, but my hand just kept going."

Phillips plucked from the water a 22-pound, 15-inch long female alligator snapping turtle that was twice as long as the one he was looking for, and at least 18 years old. Since she had no tracking device, she was not one of the turtles that had been released into the area. DNA tests showed that she belonged at the site and was not a lone traveler from a southern state. Southern Illinois is at the northern end of the turtle species' range.

For years, INHS researchers have conducted extensive trapping, and have called for citizen observations along Clear Creek for signs of wild alligator snapping turtles, but to no avail. Populations of this state-endangered species have declined because of habitat changes including dams, drained swamps and river dredging. Only Union and Jackson counties offer the habitat that the turtles need to reproduce and thrive. Locating any wild turtles in these counties will help determine the next steps - whether to preserve a population or reintroduce more alligator snapping turtles in Illinois.

"Bolstering a hidden population of an endangered species is better than starting a new population in the area," said Ethan Kessler, a graduate student of natural resources and environmental sciences at the University of Illinois and a co-author of the study. "However, since no wild alligator snapping turtles have been found in Illinois since 1984, reintroduction efforts make sense."

For several years, researchers have purchased turtles reared in a facility and released them at ages 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6. They also released about 90 adult turtles. Most of the animals go into creeks with radio transmitters attached to their backs so they can be relocated and tracked.

Researchers were conducting their biannual catch-and-release program when they found the wild turtle, close to the same spot and 30 years, almost to the day, after their last wild alligator snapping turtle was found.

"Finding this individual does not indicate that there is a functional, stable population of wild alligator snapping turtles in Southern Illinois," Kessler said. "When a population dies out, a single turtle may wander around like a zombie waiting for the end of its days."

Alligator snapping turtles can live 100 years, so the researchers working on this project today likely will not witness the advancing seasons of this female's life. After finding her, the team marked her shell with a notch and attached a radio transmitter to her back for tracking. The transmitter battery died, however, and finding her again in the sediment-filled depths of Clear Creek or elsewhere would be like finding a needle in a haystack, Phillips said.

"She is marked, so in case of an incidental encounter, we will know it's her," he said.

One of the challenges of tracking turtles that have been introduced in Illinois is that they disappear underwater and may not be seen again until divers retrieve them.

"If we succeed with our project in introducing a new, viable population of alligator snapping turtles, it's likely that no one will see them," Phillips said. "It's not as if we're studying bald eagles that soar above us. I may never know the fate of these turtles, but it's cool to know that this wild space exists in Illinois."

The alligator snapping turtle is listed as threatened in the U.S.

###

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources funded this research. Mike Dreslik of the INHS and Scott Ballard of IDNR are co-authors of the article. The INHS is a division of the Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois.

Editor's notes:

To reach Chris Phillips, call 217-244-7077; email caphilli@illinois.edu.

To reach Ethan Kessler, email ekessle2@illinois.edu.

The paper "The first record of an alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) in Illinois in 30 years" is available online and from the U. of I. News Bureau.
ANN ARBOR--A federal program that has been shown to reduce hospital readmissions may not have been as successful as it appears, University of Michigan researchers report in the latest issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association Internal Medicine.

The researchers from the U-M Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation and the School of Public Health, found that 63 percent of the reduction in patients heading back to the hospital, as reported under the Hospital Readmission Reduction Program, could be attributed to the way diagnoses were coded.

"While there is clear evidence that readmission rates dropped after the HRRP, the amount may not be as much as we initially thought," said first author Andrew Ibrahim, house officer in the Department of Surgery at Michigan Medicine. "A large proportion of the observed reductions appear to be attributable to increases in how hospitals document the severity of admitted patients."

The Hospital Readmission Reduction Program, part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, was established in 2010. It penalizes hospitals for higher-than-expected rates of readmission within 30 days for Medicare patients with heart attack, heart failure or pneumonia.

When patients are admitted to the hospital, physicians document their primary and any secondary diagnoses. Coding of diagnoses is intended to signify the status of patients at the time of admission to third-party payers. For example, a patient admitted for a heart attack may also have secondary diagnoses of obesity and hypertension (high blood pressure). More secondary documented diagnoses tend to translate into a higher level of severity.

Previous research on the program showed readmission rates began to fall in 2012 and have continued to drop, suggesting that the interventions hospitals put in place to improve care quality were working.

The U-M researchers found an increase in the coding of secondary diagnoses after the Hospital Readmission Reduction Program was initiated, which impacted risk-adjusted coding severity. The number of coded secondary diagnoses increased by 20 percent at control hospitals, but went up by 39 percent at hospitals subject to the Hospital Readmission Reduction Program.

The researchers said it's hard to know how much their results reflect efforts to game the system by altering coded-severity or represent a real increase in the severity of patients.

"Risk-adjustment is a common and necessary practice. However, because risk is determined by providers' coding practices, it has the potential to be manipulated." said Andrew Ryan, associate professor of health management and policy at the U-M School of Public Health. "It is possible that hospitals exposed to the HRRP undercoded severity prior to the HRRP, rather than overcoding severity after the program. Nonetheless, there is a long history of health care providers and health plans, increasing the coded severity of patients when it is to their advantage to do so."

The team looked at 6,302,389 admissions from 2008 to 2014 at 3,259 hospitals subject to HRRP and 1,115 control hospitals.

###
What can Twitter reveal about people with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD? Quite a bit about what life is like for someone with the condition, according to findings published by University of Pennsylvania researchers Sharath Chandra Guntuku and Lyle Ungar in the Journal of Attention Disorders. Twitter data might also provide clues to help facilitate more effective treatments.

"On social media, where you can post your mental state freely, you get a lot of insight into what these people are going through, which might be rare in a clinical setting," said Guntuku, a postdoctoral researcher working with the World Well-Being Project in the School of Arts and Sciences and the Penn Medicine Center for Digital Health. "In brief 30- or 60-minute sessions with patients, clinicians might not get all manifestations of the condition, but on social media you have the full spectrum."

Guntuku and Ungar, a professor of computer and information science with appointments in the School of Engineering and Applied Science, the School of Arts and Sciences, the Wharton School and Penn Medicine, turned to Twitter to try to understand what people with ADHD spend their time talking about. The researchers collected 1.3 million publicly available tweets posted by almost 1,400 users who had self-reported diagnoses of ADHD, plus an equivalent control set that matched the original group in age, gender and duration of overall social-media activity. They then ran models looking at factors like personality and posting frequency.

"Some of the findings are in line with what's already known in the ADHD literature," Guntuku said. For example, social-media posters in the experimental group often talked about using marijuana for medicinal purposes. "Our coauthor, Russell Ramsay, who treats people with ADHD, said this is something he's observed in conversations with patients," Guntuku added.

The researchers also found that people with ADHD tended to post messages related to lack of focus, self-regulation, intention and failure, as well as expressions of mental, physical and emotional exhaustion. They often used words like "hate," "disappointed," "cry" and "sad" more frequently than the control group and often posted during hours of the day when the majority of people sleep, from midnight to 6 a.m.

"People with ADHD are experiencing more mood swings and more negativity," Ungar said. "They tend to have problems self-regulating."

This could partially explain why they enjoy social media's quick feedback loop, he said. A well-timed or intriguing tweet could yield a positive response within minutes, propelling continued use of the online outlet.

Using information gleaned from this study and others, Ungar and Guntuku said they plan to build condition-specific apps that offer insight into several conditions, including ADHD, stress, anxiety, depression and opioid addiction. They aim to factor in facets of individuals, their personality or how severe their ADHD is, for instance, as well as what triggers particular symptoms.

The applications will also include mini-interventions. A recommendation for someone who can't sleep might be to turn off the phone an hour before going to bed. If anxiety or stress is the major factor, the app might suggest an easy exercise like taking a deep breath, then counting to 10 and back to zero.

"If you're prone to certain problems, certain things set you off; the idea is to help set you back on track," Ungar said.

Better understanding ADHD has the potential to help clinicians treat such patients more successfully, but having this information also has a downside: It can reveal aspects of a person's personality unintentionally, simply by analyzing words posted on Twitter. The researchers also acknowledge that the 50-50 split of ADHD to non-ADHD study participants isn't true to life; only about 8 percent of adults in the U.S. have the disorder, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. In addition, people in this study self-reported an ADHD diagnosis rather than having such a determination come from a physician interaction or medical record.

Despite these limitations, the researchers say the work has strong potential to help clinicians understand the varying manifestations of ADHD, and it could be used as a complementary feedback tool to give ADHD sufferers personal insights.

"The facets of better-studied conditions like depression are pretty well understood," Ungar said. "ADHD is less well studied. Understanding the components that some people have or don't have, the range of coping mechanisms that people use -- that all leads to a better understanding of the condition."

###

J. Russell Ramsay, co-director of the Adult ADHD Treatment and Research Program and an associate professor of clinical psychology in psychiatry in Penn Medicine, and Raina M. Merchant, director of the Center for Digital Health and an associate professor of emergency medicine, also participated in the research.
ATLANTA, Nov. 7, 2017 - Although studies and surveys have shown that using information technology to analyze big health datasets and guide public health decisions can improve health equity, the majority of community health center leaders and staff report receiving little to no training in health informatics.

Today at the American Public Health Association Annual Meeting in Atlanta, the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health will share a training protocol designed to remedy this gap and be replicated nationwide.

"There is so much information collected by community health centers, health departments, hospitals and other public health services - ranging from vaccination records to blood pressure screenings - that could give us insights about the public health needs of a community," said Elizabeth Van Nostrand, J.D., associate director for law and policy in Pitt Public Health's Center for Public Health Practice. "But it can be difficult for these types of health agencies, which often provide a safety net for the nation's most vulnerable populations, to make this data work for them and the people they serve. That's where we hope to help."

Van Nostrand directs the Mid-Atlantic Regional Public Health Training Center, which is a member of a national network funded by the U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) and serves public health practitioners in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Delaware, Washington, D.C., and Maryland. The Mid-Atlantic Regional Public Health Training Center was selected to lead all 10 national training centers in providing a digital destination for the public health workforce to understand and train in the use of health informatics.

The training center's protocol teaches public health providers to assess their needs when it comes to health informatics, and then guides them through a vetted list of more than 100 training programs, webinars and tools that can address those needs.

"Our goal isn't to tell a center, 'This is the best informatics tool for you.' Our goal is to help them recognize their needs and learn how informatics can serve them," Van Nostrand explained.

Also at the American Public Health Association Annual Meeting, Van Nostrand shared four free, open-access public health informatics tools developed at Pitt Public Health that can aid the public health workforce in preparing for and responding to emergencies and disasters:

A Framework for Reconstructing Epidemiological Dynamics (FRED), which aids the public health workforce in preparing for and responding to disasters.

LEgal Network Analyzer (LENA), which assists with analyzing and comparing emergency laws, regulations and policies, and determines which public health agencies are legally directed to work together in emergency preparedness, response and recovery.

Project TYCHO, which is a repository of data from all weekly disease reports for the U.S. dating back to 1888.

Emergency Law Inventory (ELI), which contains more than 1,500 laws, searchable by profession and jurisdiction, that impede or facilitate volunteer response to disasters.

"By sharing these resources, and helping the public health professionals who work in our communities to understand what resources are out there and how they may be useful, I hope that we'll be able to move the needle on data sharing," said Van Nostrand. "And that will ultimately allow us to make more informed decisions about allocating public health resources."

###

About the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health

The University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, founded in 1948 and now one of the top-ranked schools of public health in the United States, conducts research on public health and medical care that improves the lives of millions of people around the world. Pitt Public Health is a leader in devising new methods to prevent and treat cardiovascular diseases, HIV/AIDS, cancer and other important public health problems. For more information about Pitt Public Health, visit the school's Web site at http://www.publichealth.pitt.edu. http://www.upmc.com/media

Contact:

Allison HydzikOffice: 412-647-9975Mobile: 412-559-2431

Wendy Zellner

Office: 412-586-9777

Mobile: 412-973-7266

ZellnerWL@upmc.edu
PITTSBURGH, Nov. 13, 2017 - When low-income parents enroll in Medicaid through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) state expansion program, their children have considerably better odds of receiving annual preventive care pediatrician visits, according to a new analysis by the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health and Johns Hopkins University.

This "spillover effect," explained in a study published online today and scheduled for the December issue of the journal Pediatrics, demonstrates that the potential benefits of Medicaid expansion extend beyond the newly covered adults.

"These findings are of great significance given the current uncertainty surrounding the future of the ACA and Medicaid expansions authorized by the law," said senior author Eric T. Roberts, Ph.D., assistant professor in Pitt Public Health's Department of Health Policy and Management. "Lawmakers crafting policy proposals that could curtail Medicaid benefits or eligibility should recognize that such efforts would not just limit the receipt of health care services by low-income adults, but also by their children."

The ACA provided states the opportunity to expand Medicaid coverage to all low-income people at or below 138 percent of the federal poverty level. So far, 31 states and the District of Columbia have expanded Medicaid coverage.

Roberts and his colleagues identified 50,622 parent-child pairs from data collected in the 2001 through 2013 Medical Expenditure Panel Surveys, a nationally representative survey administered by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services that includes detailed information on family structure and demographics, including health insurance status and health care use.

They discovered that children of parents who had recently enrolled in Medicaid had a 29 percent higher probability than children of unenrolled parents of receiving their well child visit, which is recommended annually for children age 3 and older, and more frequently for infants and toddlers.

During the visits, the children are examined for growth and development and given immunizations, and their caregivers are guided on proper nutrition and child behaviors. Studies have shown that children who get well child visits are more likely to receive all their immunizations and less likely to have avoidable hospitalizations. The U.S. has persistently low rates of well child visits, particularly in low-income families.

"There are many reasons that parental Medicaid coverage increases the likelihood of well child visits for their children," said Roberts. "It could be that insurance enhances the parents' ability to navigate the health care system for themselves and their children, increasing their comfort in scheduling well child visits. Medicaid enrollment could be a sort of 'welcome mat,' in which eligible but previously uninsured children are enrolled after their parents gain coverage. It also could be that parental Medicaid coverage frees up more money to provide preventive services to their children, because even copays can be a deterrent to medical care among low-income people."

###

Maya Venkataramani, M.D., is lead author on this research, and Craig Evan Pollack, M.D., M.H.S., is a coauthor. Both are from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

This research was supported by National Institutes of Health National Research Service Award T32HP10025B0.

About the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health

The University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, founded in 1948 and now one of the top-ranked schools of public health in the United States, conducts research on public health and medical care that improves the lives of millions of people around the world. Pitt Public Health is a leader in devising new methods to prevent and treat cardiovascular diseases, HIV/AIDS, cancer and other important public health problems. For more information about Pitt Public Health, visit the school's Web site at http://www.publichealth.pitt.edu.

http://www.upmc.com/media
At first glance, the movie "Frozen" might seem to have two strong female protagonists -- Elsa, the elder princess with unruly powers over snow and ice, and her sister, Anna, who spends much of the film on a quest to save their kingdom.

But the two princesses actually exert very different levels of power and control over their own destinies, according to new research from University of Washington computer scientists.

The team used machine-learning-based tools to analyze the language in nearly 800 movie scripts, quantifying how much power and agency those scripts give to individual characters. In their study, recently presented in Denmark at the 2017 Conference on Empirical Methods in Natural Language Processing, the researchers found subtle but widespread gender bias in the way male and female characters are portrayed.

"'Frozen' is an interesting example because Elsa really does make her own decisions and is able to drive her own destiny forward, while Anna consistently fails in trying to rescue her sister and often needs the help of a man," said lead author and Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering doctoral student Maarten Sap, whose team also applied the tool to Wikipedia plot summaries of several classic Disney princess movies.

"Anna is actually portrayed with the same low levels of power and agency as Cinderella, which is a movie that came out more than 60 years ago. That's a pretty sad finding," Sap said.

The team also created a searchable online database showing the subtle gender biases in hundreds of Hollywood movie scripts, which range from late 80s cult classics like "Heathers" to romantic comedies like "500 Days of Summer" to war films like "Apocalypse Now."

In their analysis, the researchers found that women were consistently portrayed in ways that reinforce gender stereotypes, such as in more submissive positions and with less agency than men. For example, male characters spoke more in imperative sentences ("Bring me my horse") while female characters tended to hedge their statements ("Maybe I am wrong"). However, the bias is not just in the words these characters speak, but also in the way they are portrayed through narratives.

To study the nuanced biases in narratives, the UW researchers expanded prior work presented in 2016 on "connotation frames" that give insights into how different verbs can empower or weaken different characters through their connotative meanings. The study evaluated the power and agency implicit in 2,000 commonly used verbs, where the connotative meanings were obtained from Amazon Mechanical Turk crowdsourcing experiments.

The power dimension denotes whether a character has authority over another character, while the agency dimension denotes whether a character has control over his or her own life or storyline. For each verb, turkers were asked to rank the implied level of power differentials and agency on a scale of 1 to 3.

"For example, if a female character 'implores' her husband, that implies the husband has a stance where he can say no. If she 'instructs' her husband, that implies she has more power," said co-author Ari Holtzman, an Allen School doctoral student. "What we found was that men systematically have more power and agency in the film script universe."

Verbs that imply low power or agency include words like ask, experience, happen, wait, relax, need or apologize. Verbs that confer high power or agency include words like finish, prepare, betray, construct, destroy, assign or compose.

Using the movie scripts, the researchers automatically identified genders of 21,000 characters based on names and descriptions. Using natural language processing tools, which employ machine learning, they looked at which characters appeared as a verb's subject and object. They then computed how much agency and power were ascribed to these characters, using their crowdsourced connotation frames. The researchers also accounted for the fact that male actors spent more time on screen than female actors and also spoke more, accounting for 71.8 percent of the words spoken across all movies.

The team calculated separate power and agency scores for male and female characters in each movie. They also created scores based on words that the characters spoke in dialogue and on words that were used in narration or stage direction to describe those characters -- exposing subtle differences and biases.

In 2010's "Black Swan," a movie centered around a female lead -- a perfectionist ballerina who slowly loses grip on reality -- the movie's dialogue gives more agency to female characters. But the language used to describe the characters in stage direction and narration gave male characters more power and agency in that film.

In the 2007 movie "Juno," about an offbeat young woman who unexpectedly gets pregnant, male characters' scene descriptions and narratives also consistently score higher in power and agency, though the two genders come closer in their dialogue.

The UW team's tool yields a much more nuanced analysis of gender bias in fictional works than the Bechdel Test, which only evaluates whether at least two female characters have a conversation about something other than a man.

The tendency for male characters to score higher on both power and agency dimensions held true throughout all genres: comedy, drama, horror, sci-fi, thrillers. Interestingly, the team found the same gender bias even for movies with female casting directors or script writers.

"We controlled for this. Even when women play a significant role in shaping a film, implicit gender biases are still there in the script," said co-author and Allen School doctoral student Hannah Rashkin.

Next steps for the team include broadening the tool to not only identify gender bias in texts but also to correct for it by offering rephrasing suggestions or ways to make language more equal across characters of different genders. The methodology isn't limited to movies, but could be applied to books, plays or any other texts.

"We developed this tool to help people understand how they may be perpetuating these subtle but prevalent biases that are deeply integrated in our language," said senior author Yejin Choi, an associate professor in the Allen School. "We believe it will help to have this diagnostic tool that can tell writers how much power they are implicitly giving to women versus men."

###

The research was funded by the National Science Foundation, Google and Facebook. The other co-author is former UW Allen School undergraduate Marcella Cindy Prasetio.

See how nearly 800 different movie scripts rank on gender bias here: https://homes.cs.washington.edu/~msap/movie-bias/

For more information, contact the research team at debiasing-ai@cs.washington.edu.

Grant numbers: NSF: IIS - 1524371, NSF: IIS - 1714566, NSF: DGE - 1256082
(BOSTON) -- With every heartbeat, a gallon and a half of blood pulses through the body's network of veins and arteries. The force of that blood flow helps keep the cells that line the blood vessels, called endothelial cells, healthy; when blood flow is disrupted, such as during surgical procedures or a stroke, the vessels start to leak, which can cause a host of inflammatory responses that lead to cell damage and disease. Scientists at the Wyss Institute at Harvard University set out to solve the mystery of how blood flow keeps the vessels intact and, to their surprise, discovered a completely new cell signaling pathway that is a promising target for drugs to treat a variety of debilitating conditions.

"We found that the well-known Notch protein is responsible for keeping blood vessels from becoming leaky, and does so through a secondary signaling pathway that operates in a completely different manner than its known transcription-based pathway," says Chris Chen, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Faculty member of the Wyss Institute and Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Boston University, who is the corresponding author of the paper. "Not only is this new pathway exciting from a discovery perspective, it could ameliorate some of the side effects of cancer and cardiovascular drugs to make them safer and more effective." The study is published today in Nature.

The endothelial cells that line blood vessels are linked tightly together through connections called adherens junctions to form a barrier that keeps the blood inside the vessel and regulates how easily other substances can pass in and out of it. To study this barrier and determine why a lack of blood flow causes it to leak, the researchers built a blood-vessel-on-a-chip model consisting of a channel lined with a layer of human endothelial cells surrounded by extracellular matrix within a microfluidic device, which allowed them to easily simulate and control the flow of blood through a vessel and evaluate the cells' responses.

Endothelial cells that experienced blood flow displayed increased activity of the transmembrane protein Notch1, while cells exposed to static blood did not. When the researchers added a chemical that blocks Notch1 activation, they observed that the vessel started to leak, which they determined to be caused by the disruption of adherens junctions between neighboring endothelial cells and the reorganization of actin fibers within each cell, confirming that activation of Notch1 by blood flow is necessary for the formation and maintenance of blood vessels' endothelial barrier.

Curiously, blocking Notch1's known mechanism of action - the detachment of its intracellular domain from the rest of the protein - did not make the vessels leak, which implied that some other part of the protein was responding to blood flow. This suspicion was strengthened by in vivo experiments in which the scientists injected mice with a chemical that blocked Notch1 activation along with blue dye, and saw that the dye leaked out of the blood vessels of treated mice at a much faster rate than expected. "[The intracellular domain's function of] transcribing a gene into a protein that then performs some function within the cell generally takes about two hours, but we were seeing leakage within 30 minutes of blocking Notch1, further suggesting that whatever process controls the permeability of the barrier is operating via a completely different mechanism," says Bill Polacheck, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fellow at the Wyss Institute and co-first author of the paper.

Once they established that the intracellular domain was not involved in regulating the endothelial barrier, the scientists scanned other parts of Notch1 for activity. They used CRISPR/Cas-9 to delete various sections of the Notch1 gene, and found that deleting the section that codes for the intracellular domain had no effect on permeability, while deleting the section that codes for the tiny transmembrane domain (TMD) caused vessel leakage to increase under flow conditions. "This is the first time the biological function of the Notch TMD has ever been evaluated," says Matthew Kutys, Ph.D., a Visiting Fellow at the Wyss Institute and co-first author. "It was largely assumed to be inert and just kind of disappear after activation, and most textbooks and research papers don't even show it as a distinct portion of Notch receptors." Through further testing, they figured out that when Notch1 is activated and its intracellular domain is released, its TMD assembles a complex in the membrane with the proteins VE-cadherin, Rac1, LAR, and Trio, which collectively assemble and maintain the adherens junctions between cells and distribute actin fibers against the cell membrane to support those junctions.

"In retrospect, we rolled the dice with this project, because by choosing to investigate Notch we were entering one of the most crowded research areas in biology. But our engineering-based approach let us study it in a new way, without the influence or bias of past work, which I think is what made us open-minded enough to observe and characterize this new, unexpected pathway," says Polacheck. "Knowing that Notch1 regulates cell adhesion [through the new TMD-controlled pathway] in addition to cell differentiation [through its previously described transcription pathway] also offers a new framework for understanding the coordination of complex cellular processes, in that single molecules like Notch can play multiple roles," adds Kutys.

The revelation that Notch1 serves different functions, and knowing which parts of the protein govern each function, allows for the development of new drugs that are both more effective and less toxic. "Notch is a target for some cancer therapies, but those drugs are known to cause edema [the collection of fluid in the body] and other problems. Now, we're actively working on separating Notch's two pathways so that we can create drugs that target the intracellular domain alone, sparing the TMD and thus preserving the integrity of the blood vessels," says Karen Hirschi, Ph.D., Professor of Medicine and Genetics at the Yale School of Medicine, who collaborated on the study. Knowing that Notch governs vessel permeability makes it a candidate for new drugs to treat cardiovascular diseases as well, and the team is also investigating the TMD as a potential therapeutic agent itself, as cell models that were exposed to leak-inducing inflammation displayed a dramatic reduction in leakage when they were engineered to express the TMD.

"The collaborations that the Wyss Institute enables and nurtures between disparate fields, like mechanical engineering and molecular biology, foster new approaches to old problems that can lead to truly paradigm-shifting results," says Donald Ingber, M.D. Ph.D., the Founding Director of the Wyss Institute and the Judah Folkman Professor of Vascular Biology at Harvard Medical School and the Vascular Biology Program at Boston Children's Hospital, who is also a Professor of Bioengineering at the Harvard Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS). "This study is a prime example of the benefits these types of partnerships can provide to science and society."

###

This research was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a Ruth L. Kirchstein National Research Service Award, The Hartwell Foundation, and the Wyss Institute at Harvard University.

The Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University uses Nature's design principles to develop bioinspired materials and devices that will transform medicine and create a more sustainable world. Wyss researchers are developing innovative new engineering solutions for healthcare, energy, architecture, robotics, and manufacturing that are translated into commercial products and therapies through collaborations with clinical investigators, corporate alliances, and formation of new startups. The Wyss Institute creates transformative technological breakthroughs by engaging in high risk research, and crosses disciplinary and institutional barriers, working as an alliance that includes Harvard's Schools of Medicine, Engineering, Arts & Sciences and Design, and in partnership with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston Children's Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Boston University, Tufts University, Charite - Universitatsmedizin Berlin, University of Zurich and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Founded in 1839, Boston University is an internationally recognized institution of higher education and research. With more than 33,000 students, it is the fourth-largest independent university in the United States. BU consists of 17 schools and colleges, along with a number of multi-disciplinary centers and institutes integral to the University's research and teaching mission. In 2012, BU joined the Association of American Universities (AAU), a consortium of 62 leading research universities in the United States and Canada.
Scientists have created mini biological models of human primary liver cancers, known as organoids, in the lab for the first time. In a paper published today in Nature Medicine, the tiny laboratory models of tumours were used to identify a new drug that could potentially treat certain types of liver cancer.

Primary liver cancer is the second most lethal cancer worldwide. To better understand the biology of the disease and develop potential treatments, researchers need models that can grow in the lab and accurately reflect how the tumours behave in patients. Previously, cultures of cells had been used but these are hard to maintain and fail to recreate the 3D structure and tissue architecture of human tumours.

The researchers created the mini tumours (up to 0.5mm) - termed tumouroids - to mimic the three most common forms of primary liver cancer. The tumour cells were surgically removed from eight patients and grown in a solution containing specific nutrients and substances which prevent healthy cells out-competing the tumour cells. The team, from the Wellcome/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute in Cambridge, used the tumouroids to test the efficacy of 29 different drugs, including those currently used in treatment and drugs in development. One compound, a type of protein inhibitor, was found to inhibit the activation of a protein called ERK in two of the three types of tumouroids, a crucial step in the development of liver cancer.

The researchers then tested this compound in vivo, transplanting two types of tumouroids into mice and treating them with the drug. A marked reduction in tumour growth was seen in mice treated with the drug, identifying a potential novel treatment for some types of primary liver cancer.

The tumouroids were able to preserve tissue structure as well as the gene expression patterns of the original human tumours from which they were derived. The individual subtypes of three different types of liver cancer, as well as the different tumour tissues which they came from, were all still distinguishable even after they had been grown in a dish for a long time. As the tumouroids retain the biological features of their parent tumour, they could play an important role in developing personalised medicine for patients.

The creation of biologically accurate models of tumours will also reduce the number of animals needed in certain experiments. Animal studies will still be required to validate findings, but the tumouroids will allow scientists to explore key questions about the biology of liver cancer in cultures rather than mice.

Lead researcher Dr Meritxell Huch, a Wellcome Sir Henry Dale Fellow from the Gurdon Institute, said: "We had previously created organoids from healthy liver tissue, but the creation of liver tumouroids is a big step forward for cancer research. They will allow us to understand much more about the biology of liver cancer and, with further work, could be used to test drugs for individual patients to create personalised treatment plans."

Dr Andrew Chisholm, Head of Cellular and Developmental Sciences at Wellcome said: "This work shows the power of organoid cultures to model human cancers. It is impressive to see just how well the organoids are able to mimic the biology of different liver tumour types, giving researchers a new way of investigating this disease. These models are vital for the next generation of cancer research, and should allow scientists to minimise the numbers of animals used in research."

Dr Vicky Robinson, Chief Executive of the NC3Rs which partially funded the work, said: "We are pleased to see that the funds from our annual 3Rs prize, sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline, have furthered Dr Huch's research. Each year the prize recognises exceptional science which furthers the 3Rs, and the work being conducted by Meri and her team is continuing to make progress in this area. This new breakthrough involving liver cancer organoids has the potential to reduce the number of animals required in the early stages of liver cancer research, and provide more biologically accurate models of human tumours."

###

This work was funded by a National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs) research prize, Wellcome and Cancer Research UK Cambridge Centre.

Notes to editors

Contact

Emily Pritchard, Wellcome

E: e.pritchard@wellcome.ac.uk

T: 020-7611-8248

The paper Human primary liver cancer-derived organoid cultures for disease modelling and drug screening is published in Nature Medicine http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nm.4438 (URL will go live after embargo lifts)

About the Wellcome/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute

Named after its co-founder, Nobel Laureate Sir John Gurdon, the Gurdon Institute is a world-leading centre for research into the fundamental processes of biology and development, and how these go wrong in diseases such as cancer. More than 240 scientists work in the Institute's purpose-built laboratories on projects ranging from breast cancer and brain development to liver regeneration and leukaemia. Many have made pioneering contributions to the fields of basic cell biology, cellular reprogramming, epigenetics and DNA repair. Institute scientists use a range of model systems such as yeast, nematode worms, fruit flies, frogs, mammalian cells and organoids to study development and disease at the level of molecules, cells and tissues. Research conducted at the Institute has so far led to 11 spin-out companies (including Abcam, CellCentric, MISSION Therapeutics and Gen2 Neuroscience) and several candidate therapeutics have entered clinical trials. One of these, olaparib (Lynparza), has been approved in the UK, Europe and the USA for use against ovarian cancers. http://www.gurdon.cam.ac.uk

About the NC3Rs

The National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs) is a leading independent scientific organisation dedicated to replacing, refining and reducing the use of animals in research and testing (the 3Rs). It supports the UK science base by driving and funding innovation and technological developments that minimise the need for animals in research and testing, and lead to improvements in welfare where animals continue to be used. It funds research, supports training and development, and stimulates changes in regulations and practice. Primarily funded by Government, the NC3Rs is also supported by the charitable and private sectors. It works with scientists in universities and industry in the UK and internationally. http://www.nc3rs.org.uk

About Cancer Research UK Cambridge Centre

The Cancer Research UK Cambridge Centre is a dynamic collaboration of over 600 academic researchers, clinicians, and scientists in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, based in the Cambridge area. The Centre combines world-class science and technology with excellent patient care to pioneer new ways to prevent, detect, diagnose and treat cancer. By working together across different disciplines, the Centre is breaking down the barriers between the laboratory and the clinic, enabling patients to benefit from the latest innovations in cancer science faster. The formal partners of the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Centre are Cancer Research UK, the University of Cambridge and Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. http://www.crukcambridgecentre.org.uk

About Wellcome

Wellcome exists to improve health for everyone by helping great ideas to thrive. We're a global charitable foundation, both politically and financially independent. We support scientists and researchers, take on big problems, fuel imaginations and spark debate. Wellcome.ac.uk
From: American Evaluation Association (AEA) For Immediate Release: Dateline: Washington , DC Monday, November 13, 2017

Libby Smith, I work at the University of Wisconsin-Stout, where I am fortunate enough to work in evaluation in multiple capacities. Today Id like to share with you some of the lessons Ive learned from being a member of Milwaukee Evaluation! First, Nicole Robinson and the rest of the executive board are tireless promoters of our mission both in and outside of our state. They have truly taught me the value of building connections across long distances and being part of a network that shares a common goal. Second, I have learned that infusing social justice into my work is not optional or occasional.

Lessons Learned:

From participating in webinars on using racial equity in evaluation to participating in last springs Social Justice and Evaluation Conference, the professional development I have received as a member has been consistent, effective, and incredibly valuable to my growth as an evaluator. I was honored to be asked to present an Eval 101 session at the spring conference, but the lessons learned through listening to the people who attended my session were incredibly valuable. The organizations commitment to promoting social justice within evaluation sets it apart from the other groups that I belong to.

My connection to Milwaukee Evaluation! led to the most professionally satisfying work of my career. In 2015, I began collaborating with the Annie E. Casey Foundation as they established the

The American Evaluation Association is celebrating Milwaukee Evaluation! Week with our colleagues in the Wisconsin statewide AEA Affiliate. The contributions all this week to aea365 come from our Milwaukee Evaluation! members. Do you have questions, concerns, kudos, or content to extend this aea365 contribution? Please add them in the comments section for this post on the

About AEA The American Evaluation Association is an international professional association and the largest in its field. Evaluation involves assessing the strengths and weaknesses of programs, policies, personnel, products and organizations to improve their effectiveness. AEAs mission is to improve evaluation practices and methods worldwide, to increase evaluation use, promote evaluation as a profession and support the contribution of evaluation to the generation of theory and knowledge about effective human action. For more information about AEA, visit www.eval.org. Hello! My name is, I work at the University of Wisconsin-Stout, where I am fortunate enough to work in evaluation in multiple capacities. Today Id like to share with you some of the lessons Ive learned from being a member of Milwaukee Evaluation! First, Nicole Robinson and the rest of the executive board are tireless promoters of our mission both in and outside of our state. They have truly taught me the value of building connections across long distances and being part of a network that shares a common goal. Second, I have learned that infusing social justice into my work is not optional or occasional.From participating in webinars on using racial equity in evaluation to participating in last springs Social Justice and Evaluation Conference, the professional development I have received as a member has been consistent, effective, and incredibly valuable to my growth as an evaluator. I was honored to be asked to present an Eval 101 session at the spring conference, but the lessons learned through listening to the people who attended my session were incredibly valuable. The organizations commitment to promoting social justice within evaluation sets it apart from the other groups that I belong to.My connection to Milwaukee Evaluation! led to the most professionally satisfying work of my career. In 2015, I began collaborating with the Annie E. Casey Foundation as they established the Leaders in Equitable Evaluation and Diversity (LEEAD) program, an effort to increase the number of underrepresented evaluators of color, a mission directly aligned with our goals. Through our Graduate Certificate in Evaluation Studies , we provide evaluation training to the early-career scholars in the LEEAD program. I am so proud of the work that we are doing, knowing that we are exponentially expanding our ability to bring change to the field of evaluation and to the communities we work in as evaluators.The American Evaluation Association is celebrating with our colleagues in theThe contributions all this week to aea365 come from our members. Do you have questions, concerns, kudos, or content to extend this aea365 contribution? Please add them in the comments section for this post on the aea365 webpage so that we may enrich our community of practice. Would you like to submit an aea365 Tip? Please send a note of interest to aea365@eval.org. aea365 is sponsored by the American Evaluation Association and provides a Tip-a-Day by and for evaluators.


Farming Minister George Eustice has expressed keen commitment to include agroforestry in future domestic agricultural policy post-Brexit at a meeting last week.

The news follows the launch of a new EU funded project, which is being led by the Organic Research Centre and Abacus Agriculture, which aims to boost agroforestry throughout Europe and encourage more planting of trees on farmland.

The UK currently ranks the lowest for woodland density in Europe.

The ministerial meeting with Mr Eustice comes at a time when agroforestry farming systems are receiving considerable recognition for their economic, environmental and livestock welfare benefits.

This is reflected in a new European-funded research project called AFINET (AgroForestry Innovation NETworks) which is being led in the UK by the Organic Research Centre and Abacus Agriculture.

AFINET has attracted 2,000,000 Euros under the European Commissions H2020 programme, involving 13 partners from nine European regions. The project aims to promote agroforestry implementation throughout Europe by improving knowledge on the management and design of agroforestry systems.

Dr Jo Smith, from the Organic Research Centre who is leading AFINET in the UK with Abacus Agriculture in collaboration with the Farm Woodland Forum said: In 2016 the UK missed its target for planting woodland by 93% and we rank the lowest for woodland density in Europe. However, this figure could be significantly reduced by incorporating agroforestry into the farmed landscape.

Dr Smith continues: The UK currently undervalues agroforestry although there is substantial potential to be unleashed in terms of climate change, enhancing biodiversity and improving water quality. Agroforestry also offers considerable welfare benefits for livestock and can help to keep agriculture competitive.

We have been impressed by the interest in agroforestry by farmers in the UK, but there are knowledge gaps that that we need to resolve. Our new AFINET project aims to bridge these gaps to help farmers overcome perceived obstacles to agroforestry for the benefit of their farming business, environment and productivity.

'Benefits of trees'

Stephen Briggs, from Abacus Agriculture attended the meeting with George Eustice together with Mike Strachan and Dr Paul Burgess representing the Farm Woodland Forum.

He said: Our meeting with the Minister was extremely positive. Coming from a farming family in Cornwall he could appreciate the benefits of incorporating trees into agricultural production and he showed a genuine desire to look at ways to join up forestry and agroforestry.

In the past this has fallen down a crack in the middle and government recognises that the current agri-environment framework stifles innovation in this field. However, we do need to develop workable business models for agroforestry to increase its adoption by the farming community. The AFINET project will act as a catalyst to do this.

The newly launched EU AFINET project proposes an innovative approach by setting up Regional Agroforestry Innovation Networks (RAINS). These are working groups formed by a balanced representation of farmers, foresters, government services and advisers who will gather together to share their knowledge and experiences about agroforestry to increase and improve current uptake.

In the meantime, the Organic Research Centre and Abacus Agriculture will be setting up a UK RAIN with a series of practical stakeholder events to discuss and learn from each other.

These events will be held on farms and will focus on gathering together existing expertise, identifying gaps, promoting practices and finding solutions.
A Welsh farmer has shot a dog dead which ran havoc on his land and savaged six of his sheep.

A German Shepherd dog was shot dead by the farmer during the killing of 6 sheep in Llay, Wrexham over the weekend.

By law, dogs must be controlled so that they do not scare or disturb livestock or wildlife.

The National Sheep Association said it recommends that farmers only shoot dogs as a last resort, as the legality of a shooting depends on whether a farmer had a lawful excuse for shooting the dog in that individual circumstance.

(Photo: RuralCrimeTeam)

According to a tweet by North Wales Rural Police Team: "So, so sad and an action that the farmer didn't want to do but had no choice."

Twitter user Michele tweeted: "This is truly heartbreaking. Owners PLEASE keep your dogs on a lead. I don't blame the dog at all it's natural instinct but sadly it's lost it's life due to irresponsible owners."

Lisa Tanner said: "No farmer wants to shoot a dog but its the grim reality we have to face when we have to protect our stock and theres no other way. Sad for all involved. Please keep dogs on leads near stock."

Tim Jones replied: "No doubt the dog won't be micro chipped making it difficult to trace & prosecute the owners who are the biggest problem in this scenario."

Previous cases

In June, a Wiltshire farmer shot dead a dog which ran havoc and savaged two of his sheep. The farmer said the whole incident had been 'deeply upsetting'.

Earlier this year, a further two farmers shot dead loose dogs attacking their livestock. A farmer from Aberdeenshire shot dead a dog which killed two of his sheep, and a farmer from Fife shot dead a loose dog which attacked his livestock.

A farmer from Hertfordshire said due to the recent rises in sheep worrying cases, he said that he won't 'hesitate in shooting in future'.

On 2 May, it was reported that out of control dogs massacred thirty lambs on-farm in Wales, prompting the farmer to share a picture of the incident as a warning to others.

Dog owners are being reminded to keep their pets under control and on a lead whilst walking in or near fields with livestock in them.
Summary

Company Announcement Date: November 09, 2017 FDA Publish Date: December 29, 2017 Product Type: Food & Beverages

Allergens

Food & Beverage Safety Reason for Announcement: Recall Reason Description Undeclared Allergens egg, milk, soy, and wheat Company Name: Nestle USA Brand Name: Brand Name(s) Hot Pockets Product Description: Product Description Cheese Pizza Snack Bites

Company Announcement

Nestle USA has initiated a recall of Hot Pockets Four Cheese Pizza Snack Bites due to misbranding and undeclared allergens. The product was donated to a charitable organization in Missouri and was not sold in retail. The product contain the known allergens egg, milk, soy, and wheat, which are not declared. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to eggs, milk, soy or wheat run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.

The frozen triangular-shaped, snack-sized Hot Pocket item was donated on June 22, 2017 in 600lb totes and may have later been repackaged in resealable plastic bags and further distributed and sold to food banks in Missouri. Consumers who have received or purchased the repackaged product should not consume it. The product should be discarded or returned to the place of receipt/purchase.



No Hot Pockets items of any variety sold through retail supermarkets are subject to this recall .

There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products to date. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.

Consumers with questions about the recall can contact Nestle Consumer Engagement Services at (800) 681-1676 or at nestleproductinquiry@casupport.com . Media with questions about the recall can contact Roz OHearn, Nestle USA Corporate & Brand Affairs, at (440) 264-5170 (M-F 9:00AM4:00PM EST) or at roz.ohearn@us.nestle.com .
Total Dhamaal For Anil- Madhuri

Yes, you heard that right. Indra Kumar has roped in this super-hit jodi for Total Dhamaal. The filmmaker confirmed this development to Mumbai Mirror and was quoted as saying, "Yes, Anil Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit have been paired in Total Dhamaal which goes on the floors in January in Mumbai."

But Sorry, No Dhak-Dhak Moment

When quizzed if we would get to see a repeat of the iconic 'Dhak-dhak' moment, Indra quipped, "This film is essentially a comedy so don't expect any 'Dhak Dhak' but I promise total dhamaal. Anil and Madhuri have always been a great pair to work with and getting them together again is a dream."

How Madhuri Entered Into The Picture

Talking about it, the director said, ""I approached her a couple of months ago and the script worked its dhamaal on her and everybody else."

'The Lucky Tree'

The Mumbai Mirror report further reads, 'Madhuri had once admitted that almost 95 per cent of her films were shot in picture perfect Ooty. Indra Kumar was superstitious about one particular tree and always managing to get it in the frame with his leading lady. Will he shoot with the 'lucky' tree again?' To this, the filmmaker added, "I can't because someone chopped it. Thank God they couldn't axe my dreams of working with Madhuri again."

A Diwali Dhamaka?

Kumar further added that he would love Total Dhamaal to release in Diwali 2018. He signed off saying, "Of course, the final decision on the release date will be taken by the studio we tie up with but it would be great to have a dhamaal Diwali next year."
Awww!

Sanju was quoted as saying by HT Brunch, "When Maanayata was pregnant, I always thought I would be a damn strict dad. But with them, I just can't be that!"

Daddy's Love

The 'Bhoomi' actor was quoted as saying, "Although I do spoil them a bit, I make sure that when Maanayata is scolding them, I don't become the peace broker.

I don't interfere. It is wrong to play good cop/bad cop. But yes, after two three hours, dad might get them a box of chocolates."

Does His Wife Maanayata Agree With This?

Sanju said, "Shahraan reminds me of my father . From certain angles he looks a lot like dad. And Iqra has my droopy eyes."

He Admits He Missed A Part Of His Kid's Infancy

"The case dragged on for 23 long years. It bogged me down," he says. "But I was really lucky that when I started my jail term, the twins were about two years old and they don't have any memory of it. And I am glad that I came out just when they were becoming aware of their surroundings. Now I am always there for them, always around," said Dutt.

The Twins Had No Idea That Their Father Had Been Jailed

Dutt added, "They are still too young to understand what happened. Shahraan's dad is his hero, his role model, he idolises him. I worry for two things. First, it could be too much of a shock for him; he might not be able to justify what had happened or understand why it happened. Second, he might start thinking whatever his dad did back then was cool. We don't want either to happen. They should know that their father was wrong and he has paid a heavy price for that.

Not many people would have the courage to own up to what they had done and face the consequences. I want them to understand how it happened, why it happened, and how Sanju took it in his stride. But they are still too young for all that and we don't want to burden their childhood."
After Baadshaho, all eyes are set towards Vidyut Jammwal's Junglee. The film is in the lot of news for it will be helmed by ace Hollywood filmmaker Chuck Russell who is known for films like Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors', 'The Mask', 'Eraser' and 'The Scorpion King'.

The film is touted to be an action-adventure thriller and will go on floors early next year. Junglee unfolds in the Jungles of Kerala and will be shot in the state's elephant reserve.The action thriller is about a unique relationship between man and elephants.

Vidyut essays the role of a vet who, on his homecoming to his elephant reserve , encounters and fights an international poachers racket.

The actor who has lived in Kerala, learnt Kalaripayattu there, grown up in the midst of nature and with cats, dogs and elephants as friends, connected with the subject instantly.

We now have it that Junglee will be hitting the big screens on Dussehra i.e 19th October, 2018.

Priti Shahani of Junglee Pictures had earlier said, "The stunning location of Kerala is a part of the storytelling and from the research perspective, the poaching trail in India starts from Kerala, passes through Orissa and Kolkata in West Bengal to head to Thailand.

She also quickly added that the animals will not be expected to perform any tricks, rather the makers are working closely with animal handlers to understand how elephants behave in their natural habitat and in their interaction with humans

Stay tuned for more interesting updates on this flick.
After the stupendous success of Bareilly Ki Barfi, Kriti Sanon appeared on a hit television show hosted by Farah Khan. She was accompanied by her Bareilly Ki Barfi co-star Rajkummar Rao.

She was dressed as her favorite childhood actress Madhuri Dixit and grooved on Madhuri's famous songs on the show. While fans were bowled over by Kriti's performance, Kriti on the other hand, was bowled over by the appearance of her childhood crush, Hrithik Roshan.

The show featured a very special guest, Hrithik to double the fun. When presented with an opportunity, Hrithik being the perfect gentleman shook a leg with Kriti on one of his most famous song Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai. Aww...isn't that cute?

Their on-screen chemistry was visible as they danced their heart out. Their fresh pairing and the interaction won the hearts of fans.

Soon after the show aired, fans of Kriti flooded her social media account with them fawning over the Jodi. Fans have been expressing their wish to see them working in a film together.

Most of the tweets read how they want to see these two beautiful stars working together. "Please do a movie with Hrithik Roshan" and similar tweets were making round on Kriti's account.

We exactly hope for the same! It will be a visual treat to see Hrithik Roshan and Kriti Sanon star together.

Meanwhile on the work front, Hrithik Roshan will be next seen in Super 30 and YRF's next co-starring Tiger Shroff and Vaani Kapoor. On the other hand, Kriti Sanon recently signed Arjun Patiala opposite Diljit Dosanjh.
Naga Chaitanya and Samantha is now the most celebrated couple of the South Indian film industry. Both of them are big stars of the South Indian industry and their marriage was bound to be a big affair.

It was on October 6, 2017 that Naga Chaitanya and Samantha entered the wedlock. The cute couple tied the knot at the midnight and the ceremony, which was attended by the near and dear ones of the couple was held at Vagator Beach in Goa.

The celebration did not end there and Naga Chaitanya and Samantha hosted a reception in Hyderabad on November 12, 2017. The Naga Chaitanya-Samantha reception was attended by many big names of the industry and it was indeed a star-studded affair.

While Naga Chaitanya looked suave and stylish in his blue suit, Samantha looked absolutely gorgeous in her lavender coloured gown..

Keep scrolling down to see Naga Chaitanya-Samantha reception photos..

The Mega Director... The mega director of the South Indian film industry too made it a point to grace the big occasion. Yes, we are talking about SS Rajamouli, who attended the big occasion with his wife, Rama Rajamouli. The Megastar.. Well, such a big function would have been incomplete without the presence of Chiranjeevi, The Megastar. The popular actor made the occasion a special one with his big presence. The Young Superstars.. The wedding reception of Naga Chaitanya and Samantha was also attended by Ram Charan Teja, another young superstar of Tollywood. In this picture, Ram Charan could be seen posing with the couple and Akhil Akkineni could also be seen in the frame. IN PICS! Naga Chaitanya-Samantha Reception Turns Out To Be A Star-Studded One! Prabhu and family were among the representatives of the Tamil film industry. Vikram Prabhu, who is one of the best friends of Naga Chaitanya made it a point to attend the big function. Venkatesh Well, Venkatesh looked as stylish as ever during the Naga Chaitanya-Samantha wedding reception. In this picture, Venkatesh could be seen posing with Akhil Akkineni, Nagarjuna and the cute couple. Nani Nani, who is fondly called as the Natural Star of Tollywood attended the function, along with his family. In this picture, Nani and his wife Anjana could be seen posing with the couple. Allu Arjun The stylish star of Tollywood, Allu Arjun was also present for the big function. He and his wife, Sneha posed for a click with the couple. Raashi Khanna With The Couple.. In the above picture, Raashi Khanna could be seen posing with Naga Chaitanya and Samantha. Raashi Khanna is one of the top actresses of the present day Telugu film industry.

MORE PICTURES: Naga Chaitanya-Samantha Wedding Reception!
The government has set up a 5m grant scheme for farmers to create and restore native woodlands along the HS2 high-speed railink between London and Birmingham.

The first 1m of the pot, provided through HS2 funds and administered by the Forestry Commission, will be available to applications from January 2018.

Grants will cover up to 100% of the costs to a maximum of 8,500/ha (3,440/acre) for new woodland and 4,000/ha (1,620/acre) for replanting ancient woodland after felling.

See also: Farmers urged to apply for woodland creation grant

Oliver Thompson, senior forestry manager with land agent Savills, said that the sums offered were based on Forestry Commission standard costs.

These standard costs are up to 1.28 to plant a tree and 7/m to put up rabbit fencing, and all work will have to be paid for upfront before funding is released, Mr Thompson said.

Unique opportunity

There are also additional payments available for fencing and other capital items as well as 10-year maintenance payments for woodland creation.

Mr Thompson urged farmers within the 25-mile buffer area of the HS2 route to make use of the grant.

It is a unique opportunity which allows landowners to expand their native woodland cover and enhance biodiversity using this newly created funding stream through HS2, he said.

But he warned any interested parties to apply quickly. The funding is expected to close in April 2020 and will be subject to remaining budget availability.

Details of when the remaining 4m of the total 5m funding pot will become available have yet to be released.
Coolpad inaugurates its second experience center in India News oi -Samden Sherpa Prospective buyers will now be able to get a hands-on experience of Coolpad products at the experience zones before purchasing them.

As competition among top smartphone manufacturers gets stiffer, many Chinese handset makers are now looking to expand their offline channel in the Indian market. While most of the sales have been made through online channel partners like Amazon and Flipkart brands like Xiaomi and Vivo are now focusing on the offline segment as well.

Joining the bandwagon, Coolpad another Chinese player has now opened its new experience zone-plus service center in India. However, this is the second store that the company has set up in the country. After launching the first experience center in Delhi, the company is excited to open the second one in Hyderabad. The expansion will continue to other parts of the country the company has said.

As it is with experience stores, prospective buyers will now be able to get a hands-on experience of Coolpad products at the experience zones before purchasing them.

"With the positive sentiment around Indian smartphone market, the country is preparing for the biggest growth," said Syed Tajuddin, CEO, Coolpad India, in a statement. "We expect that our customers receive the best services at all our exclusive experience centers across India by the end of this year."

Meanwhile, the company is planning to launch four exclusive experience zones in the coming months. Coolpad has collaborated with "MARS e-services" as a service partner for expanding its service network across the country. As such, MARS e-services will open three experience centers in Delhi and one in Bengaluru by the end of 2017.

Best Mobiles in India

Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications
Exclusive Offers

As a result of the exclusive partnership, Flipkart will be offering an additional exchange discount of Rs. 3,000, no-cost EMIs starting at Rs. 1,916, and a Buyback Guarantee of 50 percent of the smartphone's value.

Moreover, customers with HDFC Bank debit and credit cards will receive an additional five percent discount. Further, the online marketplace is offering a free 3-month Hotstar Premium subscription as well.

Originally, the F3 Plus was launched in the Indian market with 4GB RAM back in March at a price of Rs. 30,990. However, the new Oppo F3 Plus now offers 6GB of RAM, 2GB more memory than the original handset.

Apart from the RAM upgrade, the new handset will come with similar specs and features as the older one.

Key Highlight of Oppo F3 Plus

Talking about the main USP of the smartphone, the Oppo F3 Plus is equipped with a 16-megapixel primary camera sensor on the rear along with an LED flash. There is a dual camera setup on the front with 16-megapixel and 8-megapixel sensors.

Oppo has provided preloaded software-enabled features such as Beautify 4.0, Selfie Panorama, Screen Flash, and Palm Shutter to enhance the camera capabilities of the F3 Plus. Oppo smartphones are designed to be camera-centric smartphones and are generally targeted towards photography and selfie enthusiasts.

Other Features and Specs

Oppo F3 Plus comes with a 6-inch full-HD (1080x1920 pixels) JDI In-Cell display and 2.5D Curved Glass on top. The smartphone is powered by an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 653 chipset paired with Adreno 510 GPU and either 4GB or 6GB of RAM. It also offers 64GB of inbuilt storage which is expandable up to 256GB via microSD card.

The handset is backed by a 4000mAh battery and supports Ultra-Fast VOOC Charging technology. As for the software, Oppo F3 Plus runs on ColorOS 3.0. based on Android Marshmallow-based.

The dual-SIM device offers connectivity options like 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth v4.1, GPS/ A-GPS, 3.mm audio jack and Micro-USB with OTG. Sensors onboard include an accelerometer, ambient light sensor, gyroscope, magnetometer, and proximity sensor. The smartphone measures 163.63x80.8x7.35mm and weighs 185 grams.
Support page for the new Galaxy A5

Samsung's official website for South Korea has listed the new Galaxy A5 (2018) via a support page. The support page mentions the model number Samsung SM-A530, which remains to be unannounced. This specific device is said to be the Galaxy A5 (2018) as its predecessors such as Galaxy A5 (2017), Galaxy A5 (2016) and Galaxy A5 (2015) have the model numbers - SM-A520, SM-A510 and SM-A500 respectively.

Full-screen design with thin bezels

Besides the model number, the support page for the SM-A530 on the official South Korean website of Samsung does not reveal any further information. However, going by the previous speculations, we can expect the Galaxy A5 (2018) to feature a 5.5-inch FHD+ 2160 x 1080 pixel display with thin bezels. This display demands that the fingerprint sensor is placed at the rear as there is not much space to house it at the front. Eventually, the device appears to have a contemporary look.

Key specs of Galaxy A5 (2018)

The Galaxy A5 (2018) is believed to be launched with a mid-range Exynos 7885 SoC paired with 4GB RAM. The device is likely to run the latest Android 8.0 Oreo out of the box but we don't know how far this piece of information is authentic. It will feature a water-resistant build too.

Early 2018 launch expected

Given that the Galaxy A5 (2017) was unveiled in January this year, we can expect the Galaxy A5 (2018) to be officially unveiled early next year. To be precise it is believed see the light of the day in January 2018 alongside the other models in the lineup such as Galaxy A3 (2018) and Galaxy A7 (2018).
Qualcomm files suit against Apple alleging breach of contract News oi -Chandrika The legal battle between Qualcomm and Apple doesn't seem to get over anytime soon.

The legal battle between Qualcomm and Apple doesn't seem to get over anytime soon. As reported by Reuters, the former has now filed a lawsuit against Apple, alleging that the Cupertino-giant took advantage of its "unprecedented access" to Qualcomm's code to aid Intel.

The lawsuit, filed in a San Diego court, claims that Apple used its leverage in obtaining certain confidential information about Qualcomm's modem chip that it intended on passing along to Intel. Qualcomm further said, as per the contract between two companies, the iPhone maker was duty-bound to ensure that Apple's engineers didn't receive any information about the Qualcomm's modem chips.

In other words, Apple employees who worked with Qualcomm components were not supposed to share information about them with employees working with the Intel chip.

The suit claims that in July this year, Apple requested information from Qualcomm on how the company's modem chips worked on an unidentified wireless carrier. According to the suit, the reply sent by Qualcomm in respond to the mail was shared with an Intel engineer.

From the looks of it, the latest suit will do Qualcomm more harm than good. Despite making superior modem chipsets, the company remains the unsung hero as people hardly care about the chipset inside their iPhones.

Moreover, Apple has already decided that its upcoming devices won't feature Qualcomm's chips, which will cause Qualcomm to lose 20 percent of its modem chip business.

This is why Qualcomm is currently in hot water as its profits dropped 90 percent year-over-year. These statistics were revealed yesterday when the company announced its earnings.

Best Mobiles in India
Qualcomm will reportedly turn down Broadcom's $100 billion offer News oi -Chandrika Looks like Qualcomm is not too happy with what Broadcom has to offer.

Earlier this month, a report came up claiming that Broadcom is planning to buy Qualcomm for $100 billion. Last week, the company had confirmed the news that it had received a non-binding, unsolicited proposal from Broadcom Limited.

The company wanted to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Qualcomm for per share consideration of $60.00 in cash and $10.00 in Broadcom stock. However, looks like Qualcomm is not too happy with what Broadcom has to offer. As reported by Reuters, the California-based chipset maker will turn it down. This significant piece of information comes from people who are familiar with the matter.

The people also revealed that Qualcomm's Board of Directors met yesterday and they will reject the offer from Broadcom in an announcement expected to take place today. Another thing that has come to light is that Broadcom is planning to challenge Qualcomm's sitting board members at the next stockholder's vote.

Truthfully speaking, that is not a very reasonable deal even if Broadcom eventually convinces Qualcomm. We believe that Broadcom should make a deal where the price of the bid will be raised.

Moreover, the deal doesn't depend solely on Qualcomm. Even after Qualcomm agreeing to the deal, regulatory authorities would have to approve it as well as the stockholders of both firms. Let's look at the positive things that the deal would bring for Qualcomm.

As some of you are aware, the company is currently not in a good position due to the legal fights against Apple. So if the deal works out, it will be a nice distraction, especially for the Qualcomm stockholders.

Best Mobiles in India

Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications
BharatNet 2: Central government will sign MoUs with the states News oi -Priyanka Telcos like Airtel, Reliance Jio, Vodafone, and Idea have expressed interest in providing last mile connectivity on BharatNet Infrastructure

With an aim to provide high-speed broadband in all panchayats by March 2019, Department of Telecom is organizing a National Conference with the State Governments and Service Providers on Today.

With optical fibre connectivity now available at 1 lakh gram panchayats under Phase I of the project, the Central government will sign MoUs with the states for staring BharatNet Phase II.

"The national conference on the signing of MoU with states and utilization of network will be held in New Delhi on November 13 with states and service providers.

"DoT (Department of Telecom) will sign Memoranda of Understanding with states for implementation of BharatNet Phase II during the conference," it said.

Telcos like Airtel, Reliance Jio, Vodafone, and Idea have expressed interest in providing last mile connectivity on BharatNet Infrastructure, DOT said.

The DoT had significantly increased the pace of implementation during the last six months to complete Phase I. Under BharatNet Phase I, Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) connectivity has reached in over 1, 00, 000 Gram Panchayats (GPs) across different States in the country.

By December 2017, all 1, 00, 000 GPs will be operational on the BharatNet infrastructure. As of today, almost 90,000 installations have been completed and Services are expected to commence in 80,000 GPs shortly.

DoT will also sign Memorandum of Understanding with States for the implementation of BharatNet Phase II during the Conference.

Best Mobiles in India

Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications
Bahrain Says Pipeline Fire Caused By Iran-Backed Militants

November 11, 2017

Bahrain says an oil pipeline that exploded overnight was attacked by militants linked to its arch-foe Iran.

Bahrain's Interior Ministry said in a statement on November 11 that the incident was a "dangerous act of terrorism."

"Terrorist acts witnessed by the country in the recent period are carried out through direct contacts and instructions from Iran," the statement said.

No group has claimed the attack. There was no immediate comment from Tehran.

The explosion and fire hit near the village of Buri late on November 10, damaging nearby buildings.

Bahrain relies on the Abu Safa field for much of its oil, pumped in via a 230,000 barrel-per-day pipeline.

Bahrain, a Shi'a-majority kingdom ruled by a Sunni dynasty, faces occasional attacks from local Shi'ite militant groups as it continues a crackdown on all dissent, imprisoning or forcing opponents into exile.

The government denies it discriminates against Shi'a and accuses neighboring Iran of stirring up tensions. Iran rejects the accusation.

Bahrain is home to the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet and a British military base is currently under construction.

Based on reporting by AFP, AP, and Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/bahrain-says-pipeline- fire-caused-by-iran-backed-militants/28848563.html

Copyright (c) 2017. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Saudi Arabia requests urgent Arab League meeting amid regional tensions

Iran Press TV

Sun Nov 12, 2017 07:10PM

The Arab League is set to hold an extraordinary meeting of foreign ministers in Cairo next week at the request of Saudi Arabia amid tensions with Iran and Qatar.

According to a document shown to AFP by diplomats, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) supported the Saudi request, which was also approved by Djibouti, the current chair of the pan-Arab bloc.

According to the memo, the Saudi request came in the wake of a November 4 incident where the kingdom said a missile had been intercepted by its air defense near Riyadh after being fired from Yemen.

Yemeni forces, backed by the Houthi Ansarullah movement, had launched a Borkan H2 long-range missile at the King Khalid International Airport in northeastern Riyadh, the first to reach the Saudi capital.

The US and Saudi Arabia accused Tehran and the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah of helping the Yemenis against the Saudi-led coalition that has been bombing the impoverished Arab country since March 2015.

Tehran has dismissed the accusations as baseless, with President Hassan Rouhani warning that the Islamic Republic's "might" would fend off any challenge.

In its request for the meeting of the Arab foreign ministers, Saudi Arabia also decried what it described as "sabotage" over a pipeline fire in Bahrain on Friday that temporarily halted oil supplies from its territory.

Iran has dismissed Bahrain's allegation linking the Islamic Republic to the oil pipeline fire near the capital, Manama.

On Sunday, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi vehemently dismissed the accusation as "delusional."

The plan for the extraordinary Arab League meeting comes as Riyadh has for its part been accused of being behind last weekend's resignation of Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri, which took place during a televised address from Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia has also been at the forefront of a dispute with Qatar. Back in June, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain, and the UAE imposed a trade and diplomatic embargo on Qatar, accusing Doha of supporting terrorism, an allegation strongly denied by Doha.

The Saudi-led quartet presented Qatar with a list of demands and gave it an ultimatum to comply with them or face consequences.

Qatar, however, refused to meet the demands and denounced them as unreasonable.

The Arab League also suspended Syria's membership in November 2011, citing an alleged crackdown by Damascus on opposition protests. Syria denounced the move as "illegal and a violation of the organization's charter."

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Houthis threaten to target Saudi-led coalition's warships, oil tankers

Iran Press TV

Sun Nov 12, 2017 06:57PM

Yemen's Houthi Ansarullah movement has threatened that it could strike warships and oil tankers of the Saudi-led coalition in retaliation for the blockade the military alliance has imposed on the Yemeni ports, particularly the southwestern port of Hudaydah.

"The battleships and oil tankers of the aggression and their movements will not be safe from the fire of Yemeni naval forces if they are directed by the senior leadership (to attack)," Yemen's Arabic-language al-Masirah television network quoted a Houthi military commander as saying on Sunday.

According to the news channel, the decision on targeting enemy vessels was made after a meeting of naval officials who had discussed the possible response to the closure of ports in the impoverished country.

Back in September, Abdel-Malek al-Houthi, the leader of the movement, said that his fighters could target Saudi oil tankers should the invading alliance attack the vital port of Hudaydah.

Meanwhile, the head of the Houthi supreme revolutionary committee, Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, also said that his fighters would target oil installations in Saudi Arabia with missiles if the coalition attacked Hudaydah.

On November 4, the Saudi military announced that it had intercepted a missile launched by the Houthis over an airport near the Saudi capital, prompting Riyadh to close all land, air and sea ports in Yemen. The strike appeared to be the deepest yet within the Saudi territory.

The Saudi-led coalition further alleged that Iran had been behind the strike through its support of the Houthis, saying it could be "considered as an act of war." Iran was quick in dismissing the Saudi allegations as a "lie," saying Riyadh was resorting to "destructive, irresponsible, provocative and baseless" allegations after failing to achieve its "ominous aims" in Yemen.

Since March 2015, the Saudi regime has been heavily bombarding Yemen as part of a brutal campaign against its impoverished southern neighbor in an attempt to reinstall Yemen's former President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, a staunch ally of Riyadh, and crush the Houthi movement, which is in control of large parts of Yemen, including the capital Sana'a. The Saudi campaign, however, has failed to achieve its goals.

Over the past two years, the Houthis have been running the state affairs and defending the people against the Saudi aggression.

Latest figures show that the war has so far killed over 12,000 Yemenis and wounded thousands more. The military campaign has also taken a heavy toll on the country's facilities and infrastructure, destroying many hospitals, schools, and factories.

Saudi Arabia has also imposed a total embargo on Yemen, causing severe food and medicine shortages and a cholera epidemic that has so far claimed the lives of nearly 2,200 people. After nearly three years of the imposed war, the impoverished nation has seven million people on the verge of famine and has had 900,000 suspected cholera cases in the past six months.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Sheikh Salman to be tried later this month on 'espionage' charges: Bahrain's judiciary

Iran Press TV

Sun Nov 12, 2017 06:12PM

The Bahraini judiciary says it will try prominent Shia cleric and opposition figure Sheikh Ali Salman later this month on a charge of "spying" for neighboring Qatar.

The Bahraini Public Prosecutor's Office said in a statement on Sunday that Salman, the secretary-general of the country's now-dissolved al-Wefaq National Islamic Society, would be tried alongside two of his colleagues, Hassan Sultan and Ali Mahdi. The trial starts from November 27.

"The prosecution has referred the case in which Ali Salman, Hassan Sultan and Ali Mahdi are accused of spying for the state of Qatar to the High Criminal Court," the state prosecution said in a Twitter posting.

On November 1, the trio was charged with "spying on behalf of a foreign country ... with the aim of carrying out subversive acts against Bahrain and harming its national interests."

The 52-year-old Shia clergyman was also charged with "revealing defense secrets to a foreign country and disseminating information that would harm Bahrain's status and reputation."

The opposition chief has been in jail on a nine-year prison sentence since late 2014 for what the Manama regime has called "insulting" government officials, "inciting" unrest through his speeches targeting the authorities during the 2011 uprising, attempting to overthrow the regime and collaborating with foreign powers.

Sheikh Salman denies all the charges, saying he has merely been seeking reforms in the country through peaceful means.

Amnesty International and other human rights groups have already censured his arrest and called for his release.

Al-Wefaq was the largest group in Bahrain's parliament before its legislators resigned en masse to voice their strong dissent against the pervasive crushing of demonstrations in 2011 that called for an elected government.

Thousands of anti-regime protesters belonging to the Shia majority have been holding demonstrations in Bahrain on an almost daily basis ever since a popular uprising began in the kingdom in early 2011.

Manama has spared no effort to clamp down on dissent and human rights activists. On March 14, 2011, troops from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were deployed to Bahrain to assist Manama in its crackdown.

Scores of people have lost their lives and hundreds of others sustained injuries or got arrested as a result of the Al Khalifah regime's crackdown.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Hariri lives in mysterious circumstances with restricted freedom: Aoun

Iran Press TV

Sun Nov 12, 2017 05:05PM

Lebanese President Michel Aoun says Prime Minister Saad Hariri, who announced his resignation in a broadcast from Saudi Arabia, is living in "mysterious circumstances" with restricted freedom in Riyadh.

Aoun said Hariri was living in "mysterious circumstances" in Riyadh, which had "reached the degree of restricting (his) freedom" and Riyadh had imposed "conditions on his residency and on contact with him even by members of his family," Lebanon's presidency said in a statement on Sunday.

He added that this threw doubt over anything that Hariri has said, or will say, and emphasized that the premier's statements could not be considered as an expression of his full free will.

Hariri announced his resignation on November 4, citing several reasons, including the security situation in Lebanon, for his sudden decision. He also said that he realized a plot being hatched against his life.

Hariri also accused Iran and the Lebanese resistance movement, Hezbollah, of meddling in the Arab countries' affairs; an allegation the two have rejected.

The Lebanese prime minister announced his resignation following his visit to Saudi Arabia.

In a meeting with foreign ambassadors in Beirut, the Lebanese president said Hariri had been "kidnapped" and must have immunity, a senior unnamed Lebanese official told Reuters on Saturday.

Aoun has also called on Riyadh to clarify why Hariri has not returned home since announcing his resignation in the kingdom last week.

Hariri is expected to give a televised interview later on Sunday.

Iran said Hariri's resignation and rehashing of the "unfounded and baseless" allegations regularly leveled by Zionists, Saudis and the US were another scenario aimed at creating new tensions in Lebanon and elsewhere in the Middle East.

Many authorities in Lebanon have insisted on the return of Hariri from Saudi Arabia. Several sources believe that Saudi Arabia is holding Hariri against his will, a claim the kingdom has rejected.

Secretary general of the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah said on Friday that Saudi authorities had clearly and openly declared war on Lebanon by holding Hariri hostage in the oil-rich kingdom and forcing him to quit his post.

"Hariri is a prisoner in Saudi Arabia, and cannot return to his own country. Saudi Arabia is seeking to impose its will on the Lebanese government. It is trying to sow the seeds of discord among various political factions here and pit them against each other," Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah added.

He emphasized that Saudi Arabia wanted to destroy Lebanon under the pretext of combating Hezbollah, noting that Riyadh "was the main architect of Israel's war on Lebanon in the summer of 2006."

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Spain PM urges Catalans to shun separatists in elections

Iran Press TV

Sun Nov 12, 2017 03:27PM

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has urged people in the northeastern Catalonia region to reject the notable figures of a secession movement and vote them out of office in December 21 elections.

"The threat of the separatists is destructive, sad and agonizing. Secessionism has created insecurity and uncertainty," said Rajoy Sunday while in a first visit to Catalonia's main city of Barcelona after a controversial declaration of independence in the region later last month sparked a crackdown by his government in the region.

Rajoy's government called the elections in Catalonia after it dismantled the regional government on October 28, a day after Carles Puigdemont, the region's leader, declared independence from Madrid during a speech in the regional parliament.

Rajoy said his administration was seeking "a massive turnout" in the upcoming elections "to open up a new period of normalcy" in Catalonia.

"It's urgent to return a sense of normality to Catalonia and do so as soon as possible to lower the social and economic tensions," he told members of his conservative Popular Party in Barcelona.

Pro- and anti-independence parties have all declared their intentions to contest the vote despite Spain's ongoing crackdown against those who contributed to a referendum of independence in Catalonia earlier in October. Polls suggest a tight race is being formed between the two camps while some separatist parties have nominated jailed figures for the parliamentary votes. Rajoy's PP, a dominant party in national elections since 2011, has a grim chance of capturing around 10 percent of the votes, the polls indicate.

Anti-government sentiments still run deep in Catalonia as people favoring independence stage back-to-back rallies on the streets and urge Madrid to free jailed leaders and activists. Puigdemont, who is wanted by Madrid as the main figure behind the independence push, is in Brussels with four former ministers of his cabinet and awaits a hearing on Spain's extradition request.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Trump rolls back rhetoric on Russia meddling after criticism

Iran Press TV

Sun Nov 12, 2017 09:33AM

US President Donald Trump has expressed confidence in the US intelligence agencies' conclusions over alleged Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, only hours after saying he believed the words of his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on the issue.

Trump made the remarks during a press conference in Hanoi, Vietnam, on Sunday.

The US president met briefly with Putin at the APEC summit in Vietnam during which the Russian president rejected the accusations of Moscow's meddling in the 2016 US presidential vote.

"Every time he sees me he says, 'I didn't do that,' and I really believe that when he tells me that. He means it," Trump said on Saturday.

However, US intelligence chiefs insist that Russia played a role in determining the outcome of the race for the White House.

American intelligence agencies claimed in January that Russia interfered in the 2016 US presidential election to try to help Trump defeat Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.

The intelligence agencies said Moscow's interference included a campaign of hacking and releasing embarrassing emails, and disseminating propaganda via social media to discredit her campaign.

On Sunday, Trump was asked to clarify comments he had made the day before about Putin's insistence that Moscow had never tried to influence the US presidential election.

"I believe he feels he and Russia did not meddle in the election," Trump said.

"As to whether or not I believe it or not, I'm with our agencies. I believe in our... intelligence agencies," he added.

Trump is haunted by an investigation into accusations of his campaign's collusion with Russia.

Trump's election campaign manager Paul Manafort and campaign aide Rick Gates have already been indicted on Russian-involved financial charges. Trump has rejected the allegations as a hoax.

Justice Department special counsel Robert Mueller, a former director of the FBI, is investigating whether Trump election officials cooperated with those Russian efforts.

Sources familiar with Mueller's investigation said he has used his broad authority to investigate links between Trump associates and foreign governments, as well as to determine whether the president or any of his aides tried to obstruct justice.

Trump has repeatedly denied allegations that his campaign colluded with Russians and has condemned the investigations. Putin has also denied the allegations.

Trump has denounced the federal investigation led by Mueller as a "witch hunt."

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Trump Hails Relations With Russia, Says Moscow 'Very Heavily Sanctioned'

RFE/RL November 12, 2017

U.S. President Donald Trump, in a stream of Twitter postings, has said having a positive relationship with Russia is "a good thing" and that Moscow can "greatly help" solve crises in Ukraine, North Korea, and Syria, and with global terrorism.

Trump, in Hanoi as part of a 13-day Asia trip, at a later news conference on November 12 brought up sanctions against Russia, saying Moscow had been "very heavily sanctioned" and that "it's now time to get back to healing a world that is shattered and broken."

The United States has placed sanctions on Russia for its alleged interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election and has joined with other Western countries in imposing them against Moscow for its aggression in Ukraine.

He did not explain his sanctions comments further or specifically suggest any easing of them.

He also attempted to clarify earlier statements he made about Russian tampering in the U.S. election, saying he believed U.S. intelligence agencies' assessment but that he also believed Russian President Vladimir Putin was sincere in his denials about the meddling.

In his Twitter comments, Trump attacked "all the haters and fools" who have criticized his attempt to improve relations with Russia and Putin in particular.

"When will all the haters and fools out there realize that having a good relationship with Russia is a good thing, not a bad thing," he wrote.

"There [sic] always playing politics -- bad for our country. I want to solve North Korea, Syria, Ukraine, terrorism, and Russia can greatly help!"

In another tweet, Trump asserted that his 2016 presidential election rival, Hillary Clinton "was begging Russia to be our friend" when she was secretary of state, and that President Barack Obama also tried to improve ties with Moscow but "had zero chemistry with Putin."

Trump also wrote that China had agreed to help pressure North Korea over its nuclear-weapons program.

Trump tweeted that Chinese President Xi Jinping "has stated that he is upping the sanctions against [North Korea]. Said he wants them to denuclearize. Progress is being made."

Trump also responded to comments made by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who had called him a "lunatic old man."

"Why would Kim Jong-un insult me by calling me 'old,' when I would NEVER call him 'short and fat?' Oh well, I try so hard to be his friend -- and maybe someday that will happen!" he wrote.

'Very Important' Agreement On Syria

Trump a day earlier said an agreement with Putin on Syria would save many lives after the two met at a summit of Asia-Pacific leaders in Danang, Vietnam.

"We agreed very quickly," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One as he flew from Danang to Vietnam's capital, Hanoi.

"It's going to save tremendous numbers of lives," he said of the agreement announced by the Kremlin in a joint statement on its website.

Separately, Putin told journalists at the end of the summit that the joint statement "is extraordinarily important" and confirmed the principles of the antiterrorism fight.

The statement said Trump and Putin had agreed on the sidelines of the APEC summit that a political solution was needed on Syria and that they would continue efforts to fight the Islamic State (IS) militant group.

Russia and the United States agree there is no military solution to the Syrian conflict, the joint statement said.

Trump: Putin 'Didn't Meddle'

Trump publicly sitting down with Putin also brought attention back to the issue of Russian meddling in last year's election, which remains under investigation.

Trump's former campaign manager, Paul Manafort, has been indicted in the probe along with his former deputy, Rick Gates.

Putin told the journalists in Danang that an alleged link between Manafort and Russia was being fabricated by Trump's opponents as a weapon against Trump. Manafort "has nothing to do with us," Putin said.

Speaking to journalists on the plane on November 11, Trump said Putin told him he didn't interfere in the U.S. elections.

"He said he didn't meddle. He said he didn't meddle. I asked him again," he said.

"Every time he sees me, he said: 'I didn't do that.' And I believe -- I really believe -- that when he tells me that, he means it," Trump said.

"You can only ask so many times.... He said he absolutely did not meddle in our election."

'KGB Colonel Vs. U.S. Intelligence'

In response to Trump's comments, Ben Cardin, one of the U.S. Senate's harshest critics of Russia, issued a statement saying Trump's "denial of facts is troubling."

"President Trump believes a former KGB agent over 17 U.S. intelligence agencies. That is outrageous," said Cardin, the senior Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Republican Senator John McCain, also often a sharp critic of the president, issued a statement saying that "there's is nothing 'America First' about taking the word of a KGB colonel over that of the American intelligence community."

Trump later attempted to clarify his comments about Russian meddling.

During a news conference with Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang in Hanoi, he said he agreed with U.S. intelligence agencies' assessment that Russia interfered in the election.

"As to whether or not I believe it or not, I'm with our agencies. I believe in our...intelligence agencies," Trump said.

He added that what he had said earlier was that he believed Putin was sincere in his denials, not that he, Trump, necessarily believed what Putin said.

"What he believes, he believes," Trump said of Putin.

When asked about his Twitter post suggesting that he and North Korea's Kim could become friends, Trump said he thought it would be a "good thing" for the world and for Pyongyang, although he downplayed the chances.

It "might be a strange thing to happen, but it's certainly a possibility," he added.

With reporting by Reuters and AFP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-putin- russia-united-states-china-north-korea -ukraine-vietnam/28848972.html

Copyright (c) 2017. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Iran Denies Involvement In Bahrain Pipeline Blast

RFE/RL November 12, 2017

Iran has rejected claims that it was behind an explosion that caused a fire at Bahrain's main oil pipeline as "baseless and cheap."

Bahraini authorities "should know that the era of making such absurd and false statements and the time of playing such childish blame-games has come to an end," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi said in a statement on November 12.

Bahrain's Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid bin Abdullah al-Khalifa earlier said that the explosion at the oil pipeline near the village of Buri late on November 10 was a "dangerous act of terrorism."

"Terrorist acts witnessed by the country in the recent period are carried out through direct contacts and instructions from Iran," Khalifa said in November 11 statement.

No group has claimed the explosion, which damaged several buildings.

Bahrain's Interior Ministry said the authorities closed the flow of oil to the stricken pipeline and brought the fire under control.

Saudi Arabia's Energy Ministry said that the kingdom was increasing security precautions at all its facilities.

Bahrain relies on the pipeline running between the Persian Gulf island state and neighboring Saudi Arabia for much of its oil.

Bahrain, a Shi'a-majority kingdom ruled by a Sunni dynasty, is home to the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet and a British military base is currently under construction.

The island faces occasional attacks from local Shi'ite militant groups as it continues a crackdown on dissent, imprisoning or forcing opponents into exile.

The government denies it discriminates against Shi'a and accuses neighboring Iran of stirring up tensions -- an accusation rejected by Iran.

Tensions in the region intensified after a ballistic missile fired from Yemen was intercepted earlier this month near the Saudi capital, Riyadh.

Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman accused Iran of "direct military aggression" by supplying missiles to Huthi Shi'ite rebels in Yemen. Tehran denies any involvement.

With reporting by AFP, AP, and Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/irn-denies-involved- bahrain-pipeline-blast/28849177.html

Copyright (c) 2017. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Riyadh Calls for Emergency Arab League Meeting Over 'Iran's Interference'

Sputnik News

21:21 12.11.2017(updated 21:48 12.11.2017)

The tensions in the Middle East have exacerbated recently, as the Saudi forces intercepted a missile fired from Yemen by Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

CAIRO (Sputnik)  Saudi Arabia on Sunday demanded an emergency meeting of foreign ministers of the Arab League over Iran's "interference" in domestic affairs of the region's countries, Sky News Arabia reported.

Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates supported the Saudi request, which was also approved by Djibouti, the current chair of the pan-Arab bloc, said the document shown to AFP by diplomats on Sunday.

The Saudi government said earlier in November it destroyed a missile launched by Houthi rebels in Yemen before it landed at the airport in the Saudi capital of Riyadh. Saudi Arabia blamed the incident on Iran, which allegedly supports the Houthi movement. Riyadh called Tehran's alleged involvement in supplying Houthis with missiles "an act of war against the kingdom" and, relying on the right to self-defense, reserved the right to respond to Iran. The Iranian Foreign Ministry refuted these claims.

Yemen has been engulfed in a violent conflict between the government headed by President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi and the Shiite Houthi movement, also known as Ansar Allah, backed by army units loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, since 2015.

The Saudi-led coalition supporting the Yemeni government forces began carrying out airstrikes against the Houthis at Hadi's request in March 2015. Saudi Arabia has claimed on numerous occasions that Iran has been supplying weapons to the Yemeni rebels, violating UN Security Council resolutions.

 Sputnik

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Trump Criticized for Putin Meddling Comments

By Steve Herman November 12, 2017

Two former U.S. intelligence officials slammed President Trump Sunday for saying believes that Russian President Vladimir Putin "feels that he and Russia did not meddle" in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

Former CIA director John Brennan, in an appearance on CNN with James Clapper, the former director of national intelligence, said Trump's initial indication that he believed Putin shows "that Donald Trump can be played by foreign leaders who are going to appeal to his ego and try to play upon his insecurities, which is very, very worrisome from a national security standpoint."

Clapper said Russia poses and obvious threat to the U.S., and to suggest otherwise "poses a peril to this country."

Trump was asked Saturday whether the issue of Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election came up in conversations with Putin in Vietnam where the two leaders attended an Asia-Pacific summit. Trump replied, "He said he didn't meddle, he said he didn't meddle. I asked him again. You can only ask so many times."

Trump went on to say, "That whole thing was set up by the Democrats" - slamming former United States intelligence leaders, including Brennan and Clapper.

"They're political hacks. So you look at it, and then you have Brennan, you have Clapper and you have [James] Comey. Comey's proven now to be a liar and he's proven to be a leaker," he said, referring to the FBI's former director, who was fired early in Trump's presidency amid much controversy.

"So you look at that. And you have President Putin very strongly, vehemently says he had nothing to do with that," Trump said.

Taking issue

Trump's remarks brought immediate criticism on Saturday.

In a statement, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), a frequent critic of the president from his own party, said, "There's nothing 'America First' about taking the word of a KGB colonel over that of the American intelligence community.  Vladimir Putin does not have America's interests at heart. To believe otherwise is not only naive but also places our national security at risk."

But Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), the Ranking Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, said Saturday the president understands the truth about Russian interference, and is simply choosing to "accept" Putin's denials "over the solid evidence of our own intelligence agencies."

"He understands all this and more. He just doesn't understand how to put country over self. Or to put it in terms he is more familiar with - Mr. Trump simply can't bring himself to put America first," Schiff said in a statement.

And Gen. Michael Hayden, former director of the National Security Agency (NSA) tweeted Saturday, "So my question is: which is the position of the U.S. government? POTUS or CIA?"

Hayden then tweeted, "CIA just told me: The Dir stands by and has always stood by the January 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment entitled: Assessing Russian Activities and Intentions in Recent U.S. Elections. The intelligence assessment with regard to Russian election meddling has not changed."

On Sunday, President Trump clarified that he meant Putin was sincere when denying that Russia did not meddle in the election.

"As to whether I believe it, I'm with our agencies," Trump said. "As currently led by fine people, I believe very much in our intelligence agencies."

Cooperation with Russia

Trump also reiterated his stance Sunday that "having Russians in a friendly posture, as opposed to always fighting with them, is an asset to the world and an asset to our country, not a liability."

Earlier Sunday, on his Twitter account, the president wrote: "Does the Fake News Media remember when Crooked Hillary Clinton, as Secretary of State, was begging Russia to be our friend with the misspelled reset button. Obama tried also, but he had zero chemistry with Putin."

Trump told reporters on Air Force One as it flew from Danang to the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi Saturday that a joint statement on Syria he agreed to issue with Putin is "going to save a tremendous number of lives."

The statement, first released by the Kremlin, says the two leaders "confirmed the importance of de-escalation areas as an interim step to reduce violence in Syria, enforce cease-fire agreements, facilitate unhindered humanitarian access, and set the conditions for the ultimate political solution to the conflict."

It also says that Putin and Trump "agreed to maintain open military channels of communication between military professionals to help ensure the safety of both U.S. and Russian forces and de-confliction of partnered forces engaged in the fight against ISIS."

'A very good relationship'

Putin told reporters in Danang Saturday the joint statement is one of extraordinary importance, confirming the principles of the fight against terrorism.

Trump said of the Russian leader "we seem to have a very good feeling for each other, a good relationship considering we don't know each other well. I think it's a very good relationship."

Trump also said the United States could be helped a lot by Russia on the North Korean nuclear issue.

"You know, you are talking about millions and millions of lives. This isn't baby stuff, this is the real deal. And if Russia helped us in addition to China, that problem would go away a lot faster."

But Trump said, concerning the North Korea nuclear and ballistic missile issue, "I did not speak to President Putin about it, because we just had these little segments where we were talking about Syria."

Putin, in his remarks to the media, said, "We discussed all we wanted" at the APEC Summit, but unfortunately there was little time to speak in detail. He added that it would be good for Russian and American teams to sit down to talk about the whole breadth of the bilateral relationship.

Putin described Trump as a comfortable person, educated, and said he and the U.S. president were highly civil in their interactions.

RT retribution

The Russian leader warned, however, that action is likely to be taken against U.S. media in response to an American requirement that Russia's RT media outlet register as a foreign agent in the United States.

Putin termed it an attack on free speech by the U.S. government, and he warned retaliatory measures will be proportionate and reciprocal.

CNN, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and the Voice of America have been mentioned by Russian officials and media reports as the most likely targets of the retaliation.

VOA National Security Correspondent Jeff Seldin and VOA House Correspondent Katherine Gypson contributed to this report.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Trump in Manila for ASEAN Summits

By Ralph Jennings, Steve Herman November 12, 2017

U.S. President Donald Trump landed in Manila Sunday for summits with eager but suspicious Southeast Asian leaders.

Trump's Air Force One reached Manila shortly before 6 p.m. local time after about 3,500 Filipino protesters tried to march on the U.S. Embassy. The protesters shouted for Trump to leave and accused the U.S. government, a former Philippine colonizer of about 50 years, of looking for overseas wars.

U.S. President Donald Trump landed in Manila Sunday for summits with eager but suspicious Southeast Asian leaders.

Trump's Air Force One reached Manila shortly before 6 p.m. local time after about 3,500 Filipino protesters tried to march on the U.S. Embassy. The protesters shouted for Trump to leave and accused the U.S. government, a former Philippine colonizer of about 50 years, of looking for overseas wars.

Thousands of riot police blocked protesters, who were organized in part by a minor left-leaning political party, from reaching the embassy or any venues where Trump is scheduled to attend summits organized by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations through Tuesday.

"Literally the government of the Philippines does not serve its Filipino people," Cabardo said. "Even the soldiers and the Philippine National Police are not there to protect and serve. They serve and protect the status quo, the U.S.-Duterte regime, the puppet regime of this government."

Momentum in Vietnam

Before arriving in Manila Trump met in Hanoi with Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang, and afterwards Trump told a joint press conference, "For trade to work, all countries must play by the rules. I am encouraged that Vietnam has recently become the fastest growing export market to the United States. Mr. President, I applaud your efforts to implement economic reforms and increase Vietnam's trade and investment in all directions. The United States is enthusiastic about reforms that promote economic prosperity for all Vietnamese citizens."

He added "We just had a great discussion about American goods and services coming into Vietnam. Two-way street. I am confident that American energy, agriculture, financial services, aviation, digital commerce, and defense products are able to meet all of your many commercial needs. And, in fact, not only meet them but what we do is better than anybody else."

"We are opening up and you are opening up and it's going to even out," Trump told Communist Party General-Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in Hanoi. "And to think where we are and where we have come, it's a tribute to both countries. Trade has become a very important element of our relationship."

Speaking through a translator, Quang described his meeting with Trump as fruitful, saying, "The president's state visit to Vietnam marks a milestone in Vietnam-U.S. relations, creating strong momentum for the substantive, effective, and stable development of the bilateral, comprehensive partnership."

North Korea

Trump and Quang also discussed North Korea and the South China Sea.

Trump repeated his warning that North Korea represents a major threat to peace and stability in the region.

"As I said in my speech to the Republic of Korea's national assembly, all responsible nations must act now to ensure that North Korea's rogue regime stops threatening the world with unthinkable loss of life. Safety and security are goals that we can progress, not provocation. I mean, we have been provoked, the world has been provoked. We don't want that. We want stability not chaos and we want peace, not war."

In a Tweet earlier Sunday, Trump hit back at North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who had again called him a dotard, a term that describes an elderly person who is losing his mental abilities.

On Twitter, Trump, who has frequently called Kim "Little Rocket Man,", said, "Why would Kim Jong-un insult me by calling me "old," when I would NEVER call him "short and fat?" Oh well, I try so hard to be his friend - and maybe someday that will happen!"

During his bilateral meeting with Quang, Trump also offered his services as a mediator for the South China Sea dispute. When asked about the offer at the press conference, Quang would only say Vietnam seeks a peaceful resolution to the issue through negotiations and in line with international law.

APEC

Prior to his arrival in Hanoi, Trump was in the central Vietnamese city of Danang, where he attended the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.

En route to Hanoi aboard Air Force One, Trump reiterated to reporters traveling with him that he discussed with APEC leaders bilateral agreements that have resulted in trade imbalances he says are disadvantageous to the U.S.

"It's disgraceful. And I don't blame any of those countries. I blame the people we had representing us who didn't know what they were doing because they should have never let that happen."

At the close of the APEC meeting, the 21 member nations issued a statement expressing support for free trade and closer regional ties, without any mention of Trump's "America First" doctrine.

Trump joins 17 other heads of state in Manila for discussions likely to cover North Korea, the South China Sea and terrorism from a Southeast Asian angle. Many hope Trump will offer stronger trade and security ties to Southeast Asia but doubt he will announce deliverables this week.

China

On Friday, Trump and his Chinese counterpart, President Xi Jinping, offered starkly contrasting views of the direction for trade in Asia in separate speeches to regional business leaders

Trump told the APEC CEO Summit that he is willing to make bilateral trade agreements with any country in the Indo-Pacific region, but he firmly rejected multi-national deals such as the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership, which was quickly abandoned in the first days of his administration.

"I will make bilateral trade agreements with any Indo-Pacific nation that wants to be our partner and that will abide by the principles of fair and reciprocal trade," Trump said. "What we will no longer do is enter into large agreements that tie our hands, surrender our sovereignty, and make meaningful enforcement practically impossible."

The U.S. president said that in the past when his country "lowered market barriers, other countries didn't open their markets to us."

From now on, however, Trump warned the United States will, "expect that our partners will faithfully follow the rules. We expect that markets will be open to an equal degree on both sides and that private investment, not government planners, will direct investment."

President Xi, whose country's rise has been driven by large-scale government-planning, immediately followed Trump on the stage in Danang.

Xi embraced the multilateral concept, in particular calling for support for a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP), which would harmonize regional and bilateral economic pacts.

China was left out of the TPP, which had been led by the United States and Japan, and was meant in great part as a bulwark against China's strategic ambitions.

The speeches came just hours after Trump left China where he and Xi met several times on Wednesday and Thursday.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Rajoy Visits Catalonia, First Time Since Imposed Rule

By VOA News November 12, 2017

In his first visit to Catalonia since imposing direct rule, Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy called for a strong turnout in the December 21 Catalan elections.

"We want to bring back the Catalonia that belongs to everyone with democracy and freedom, we will achieve this if the silent majority turns its voice into a vote," he said Sunday.

His visit to Barcelona comes one day after Catalonia's battered independence movement staged a massive protest in the city, demanding the release of jailed leaders and recognition of a separate Catalan Republic.

Rajoy is expected to make a campaign appearance in Barcelona for his conservative Popular Party, ahead of regional elections next month.

Spain's central government imposed direct rule on Catalonia immediately after its regional parliament voted for independence on October 27. It arrested dozens of secessionist politicians, causing the head of the regional government, Carles Puigdemont, to flee to Belgium.

Eight members of the dissolved regional government and two prominent activists are in jail.

Those imprisoned without bail include Catalan Vice President Oriol Junqueras.

The head of the regional parliament who presided over the independence vote, Carmen Forcadell, was released from prison Friday after retracting her secessionist stance before Spanish judges. She said the independence vote had been "symbolic."

A bail of $165,000 was posted for her by the pro-independence Catalan National Assembly (ANC), which was one the main organizers of Saturday's march.

Even though Madrid's virtual decapitation of the Catalonian secessionist leadership has left the independence movement badly split, the ANC and another organization called Omnium Cultural managed to turn out more than 700,000 protesters Saturday, according to Barcelona's local police. Other estimates put the figure between 500,000 to 600,000.

"We must not allow ourselves to be scared or coerced by those who want to want to cut our liberties and annihilate and humiliate our institutions," Puigdemont said in a prerecorded video from Brussels, which was played on a large screen before the crowds.

"We never expected the government to react quite so hard," ANC activist Doria Asina told VOA. "We calculated that the chances of the Madrid imprisoning our leaders was no more than 10 percent. It's all come as something of a shock."

The secessionist coalition itself also is fractured.

Heads of the separatist PEdeCAT, Catalan Republican Left and the extreme leftist CUP have traveled to Brussels for meetings with Puigdemont, who is trying to cobble together a united front for independence to contest the December 21 regional elections called by Prime Minister Rajoy.

Spanish government analysts fear that a disconnect could develop between the politicians and radical activists, who may opt for more violent tactics.





NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Killing With Kindness: Saudis Starving Millions in Yemen - UN Report

Sputnik News

00:07 13.11.2017

A Saudi-led blockade of aid and food supplies to Yemen will see the country experience "the largest famine the world has seen for many decades," according to the United Nations undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs in a Wednesday statement warning of millions of deaths if the embargo is kept in place.

On Monday, Saudi Arabia announced that it would temporarily close all ports in Yemen, the gateways through which some 70 percent of the country's population receive food, medical aid and other supplies delivered.

The Saudi-led blockade is a result of the Houthis  a predominantly Shia political opposition faction in Yemen who revolted against the country's government three years ago and who Saudi Arabia claims is a proxy for Iran  launch of a ballistic missile aimed at Saudi Arabia's capital. The missile was intercepted, but Saudi leaders consider the attack to be an act of war by Iran, which they claim supplied the weapon.

The lives of millions of Yemen civilians are now on the line.

"Food merchants immediately doubled all their prices. Fuel, in one moment, disappeared from the markets and the price of what remains is insanely high," according to Yemeni civil rights activist Baraa Shaiban, cited by the Los Angeles Times.

"And those who are sick, who need to travel for treatment, they're the worst hit," Shaiban added.

According to Mark Lowcock, United Nations undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs, a continuation of the blockade will lead to unprecedented damage and loss of life. "It will not be like the famine that we saw in South Sudan earlier in the year where tens of thousands of people were affected. It will not be like the famine which cost 250,000 people their lives in Somalia in 2011."

On Wednesday, there were reports that Saudi Arabia would allow limited activity to resume at the southern port of Aden, however, it remains unclear whether boats transporting supplies and food have been able to dock.

The Red Cross announced on Tuesday that the blockade prevented a shipment of chlorine tablets needed to prevent cholera, and that it may not be able to deliver 50,000 vials of insulin.

Saudi Arabia "is killing Yemenis not only with cluster bombs, but with starvation and disease," according to Nasser Arrabyee, a Sana'a-based journalist, in a phone interview Thursday cited by the Los Angeles Times.

"It's a matter of life and death for us," Arrabyee said.

The Saudi monarchy claimed in a letter sent to the UN on Wednesday that Houthis' "continued resort to violence, refusal to return to legitimacy and abide by the relevant Security Council resolutions, have resulted in the catastrophic humanitarian situation and is obstructing the political solution to the conflict."

In its letter, the Saudis claimed that Iran was ultimately responsible for the manufacturing of the missile launched by the Houthis. A move many noted would make the US responsible for every death in the Middle East caused by a weapon purchased from the Pentagon.

"Iran's continued role in smuggling weapons to the Houthis is a clear sign of its complete disregard for international obligations," according to the Saudi monarchy.

The blockade comes after Saudi officials deposed and, some say kidnapped, Saad Hariri, Lebanon's prime minister, in an effort to weaken the Iran-backed Hezbollah group, Lebanon's primary political organization.

 Sputnik

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Chinese, ROK presidents meet on ties, peninsula situation

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 10:18, November 12, 2017

President Xi Jinping met here Saturday with the Republic of Korea's President Moon Jae-in on bilateral ties and the Korean Peninsula situation.

During the meeting on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting, Xi told Moon that China and ROK are close neighbors that can not move away and are natural cooperation partners.

The two countries share broad common interests in promoting their economic and social progress, and in realizing regional peace, stability and prosperity, said Xi.

He added that friendly exchanges and win-win cooperation have always been the main theme of China-ROK diplomatic relations since they were forged 25 years ago, while China places importance on its relations with ROK.

China stands ready to join hands with ROK to push for the healthy and steady development of bilateral ties, Xi said, as good bilateral ties are in accordance with the trend of history and time, as well as the common expectation of the two peoples.

Noting that the China-ROK relations are at a crucial stage, Xi said both sides need to respect each other's core interests and major concern, maintain political mutual trust, and enhance communication and coordination.

Xi reiterated China's stance on the issue of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD).

He stressed that on such high-stake issues, the two sides should take an attitude that is responsible to history, to bilateral ties and to both peoples, and make decisions that can stand the test of history, so as to steadily move forward bilateral relations in the right direction.

Noting the important leading role of high-level interactions on bilateral ties, Xi welcomed ROK's foreign minister to visit China this month.

Xi said the two countries need to make an over-all plan for developing bilateral ties in the next stage and discuss how to expand cooperation in international and regional affairs.

He urged both sides to deepen practical cooperation and communication in various fields, so as to better serve the interests of the two peoples.

Moon congratulated Xi on the successful conclusion of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and his re-election as general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, saying he supports Xi's vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind.

ROK supports the Belt and Road Initiative and is willing to actively participate in its implementation, he said, while calling for concerted efforts to resume bilateral high-level exchanges and cooperation in various fields as soon as possible.

ROK attaches importance to China's concern on the THAAD issue, and has no intention to harm China's interests of strategic security, Moon said.

The two leaders also exchanged views on the Korean Peninsula situation.

Xi told Moon that China sincerely hopes for the best for the peninsula, and encourages ROK to resume contact and dialogue with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and restart cooperation for reconciliation.

China is willing to maintain communication with ROK on promoting peace, stability and talks, as well as avoiding conflicts on the peninsula, said Xi.

ROK appreciates China's positive role on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, stands ready to maintain close communication and coordination with China, and insists on solving the issue in a peaceful manner to protect peace on the peninsula, said Moon.

Last month, China and ROK agreed to bring bilateral cooperation back to normal "as soon as possible."

"Enhancing communication and cooperation is in accordance with the common interests of China and ROK. Both sides agree to return communication and cooperation in various fields to the normal track as soon as possible," the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Moon said days earlier that ROK should rapidly develop relations with China, in accordance with the size of bilateral trade and beyond the issue on the US THAAD missile interception system.

After attending the APEC meeting in Vietnam's Da Nang on Nov 10-11, Xi will pay state visits to Vietnam and Laos on Nov 12-14.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Trump exchanges school yard taunts with North Korean leader

Iran Press TV

Sun Nov 12, 2017 03:16PM

US President Donald Trump has again traded barbs with North Korean leader, complaining about being called "old" by North Korea's foreign ministry.

"Why would [North Korea leader] Kim Jong-un insult me by calling me 'old,' when I would NEVER call him 'short and fat?' Oh well, I try so hard to be his friend  and maybe someday that will happen!" Trump wrote sarcastically on Sunday.

Trump, 71, made the remarks after attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Vietnam, part of his 12-day tour of Asia to rally pressure against Pyongyang's nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs.

Shortly after the tweet, Trump told reporters in the Vietnamese capital Hanoi that friendship with Kim although "strange," is still a "certain possibility."

"If that did happen it would be a good thing for, I can tell you, for North Korea  but it would also be good for lots of other places and it would be good for the world," Trump said.

Earlier in the day, the North's Foreign Ministry blasted "old lunatic" Trump for his aggressive remarks in South Korea last week, where he warned Pyongyang about the consequences of "underestimating" Washington.

"Reckless remarks by an old lunatic like Trump will never scare us or stop our advance," the North's foreign ministry said. "On the contrary, all this makes us more sure that our choice to promote economic construction at the same time as building up our nuclear force is all the more righteous, and it pushes us to speed up the effort to complete our nuclear force."

In a separate interview, North Korea's Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho told reporters that the country might conduct a hydrogen bomb test in the Pacific in response to Trump's speech.

"It could be the most powerful detonation of an H-bomb in the Pacific," he warned.

Trump, a businessman-turned-president, has often deviated from diplomatic protocols and attacked leaders of other nations by calling them names.

He stirred controversy a few months back by deriding Kim as "rocket man," a move that experts said was unbecoming of a president.

Kim responded by calling Trump a "dotard"  an arcane term for a senile or weak-minded elderly personand a "gangster fond of playing with fire."

The war of words continued after Trump threatened to "totally destroy" North Korea as he gave his debut speech at the United Nations General Assembly.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Iran will astound JCPOA parties if nuclear deal collapses: Salehi

Iran Press TV

Sun Nov 12, 2017 03:37PM

Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali Akbar Salehi says if the 2015 nuclear agreement with the P5+1 group of countries falls apart, the Islamic Republic will take measures that will "astound" other parties to the deal.

Addressing a ceremony on Sunday, Salehi added that if the deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), collapses, no other international convention would be considered strong enough and "we hope this will not happen."

However, Iran's nuclear chief added, "if it falls through, we will [take appropriate measures that will] astound them."

He emphasized that the JCPOA has been beneficial to all its signatories, saying that the accord was beneficial to Iran and the international community, while being helpful for further strengthening of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

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

Under the JCPOA, Iran undertook to put limits on its nuclear program in exchange for the removal of nuclear-related sanctions imposed against Tehran.

Eight reports by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have confirmed Iran's full compliance with the agreement.

However, US President Donald Trump delivered an anti-Iran speech on October 13, in which he said he would not continue to certify Iran's compliance with the terms of the JCPOA, reached under his predecessor, Barack Obama, and warned that he might ultimately terminate the agreement.

The US Congress now has less than 60 days to decide whether to reimpose economic sanctions on Tehran that were lifted under the nuclear accord.

The other parties to the accord - Britain, Germany, France, Russia, China and the European Union - have all reaffirmed their commitment to it and urged the United States not to back out.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Salehi said Iran was planning to build two more nuclear power plants with an investment of 10 billion dollars.

The AEOI chief noted that Iran was negotiating the plan with China and a number of other countries, adding that big power plants must be constructed in southern or northern parts of the country due to special climatic conditions, but small power plants could be built wherever necessary.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Iran Says Nuclear Deal 'Not Negotiable' Following Macron Visit To Region

RFE/RL November 12, 2017

Iran's Foreign Ministry says the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers is "not negotiable" after French President Emmanuel Macron said during a trip to the region that it was important to "remain firm" with Tehran over its missile program.

"We have told French leaders on several occasions that the Iran nuclear deal is not negotiable and that no other issues can be included in the text" of the agreement, the semiofficial Mehr news agency quoted ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi as saying on November 11.

France is "fully aware of our country's intangible position concerning the issue of Iran's defensive affairs, which are not negotiable," he added.

During a visit to the Persian Gulf, Macron blamed Iran for a ballistic-missile launch by Yemeni rebels targeting Saudi Arabia last weekend.

He said it illustrated the need for negotiations with Tehran over its missile development. He added, though, that France was committed to the landmark nuclear deal with Iran, which puts restrictions on Iran's nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief.

"The missile that was intercepted by Saudi Arabia launched from Yemen, which obviously is an Iranian missile, shows precisely the strength of their" weapons program, Macron said on November 9.

"Like what was done in 2015 for the nuclear activities, it's necessary to put a framework in place for Iran's ballistic activities and open a process, with sanctions if needed, of negotiation that would enable [an agreement]," he added.

France has been trying to salvage the 2015 nuclear that Iran signed with Britain, China, Germany, France, Russia, and the United States.

U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to pull out of the deal, refusing to recertify that Iran is complying with its obligations and violating the "spirit" of the accord.

Trump and his administration have accused Iran of using the ballistic-missile program to further development of its nuclear weapons.

U.S. officials also accuse Tehran of supporting extremists and terrorists in the region.

Iran denies the allegations and says its missiles are needed for self-defense and that its nuclear program has purely peaceful aims.

With reporting by RFE/RL's Radio Farda, AFP, Mehr, and Samaa TV

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-france-missile-nuclear- accord-saudi-yemen-huthi/28848971.html

Copyright (c) 2017. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






'It's Not Negotiable': Tehran on Macron's Call for Talks on Its Missile Program

Sputnik News

11:30 12.11.2017(updated 12:17 12.11.2017)

The Iranian Foreign Ministry has responded to the call of the French President to hold talks on the country's ballistic missile program, firmly rejecting the idea and noting that it is solely defensive in nature.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi has rejected any possibility of negotiations on the country's ballistic missiles. The diplomat stressed that the country's missile program is designed for its defense and has no relation to a nuclear agreement with the world powers.

"France is fully aware of our country's firm position that Iran's defense affairs are not negotiable," he said in a statement posted on the ministry's website on Sunday.

"We have told French officials repeatedly that the nuclear deal is not negotiable and other issues will not be allowed to be added to it."

The comments come in response to French President Emmanuel Macron, who said that there is a need to start negotiations regarding Iran's ballistic missiles. During his visit to Dubai on Thursday, he referred to a missile which was fired from Yemen and intercepted by Saudi Arabia earlier this month.

The French leader alleged that it was "obviously an Iranian missile," which "shows precisely the strength of their program." He then mentioned that "there are extremely strong concerns about Iran" among its Arab neighbors in the Persian Gulf.

The National Security and Foreign Policy Committee of the Majlis, the Iranian parliament, also responded to the French President.

On Friday, Hossein Naqavi Hosseini, the spokesman of the committee, said that Macron's remarks were an example of intervention in the internal affairs of Iran, according to the Tehran Times newspaper.

Iran is being accused by the US, Saudi Arabia and its allies of allegedly supplying missiles and other weapons to Yemen's Houthi rebels.

The US Air Force has recently claimed that it was Tehran that had provided Yemen's Houthi rebels with their missile capabilities before the launched an attack on Saudi Arabia on November 4.

Tehran denies the charges and blames the conflict on Riyadh.

 Sputnik

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






US setting up new military base in western Iraq: Report

Iran Press TV

Sun Nov 12, 2017 05:27PM

A recent report has revealed that several hundred US Marines are currently building a new American base in Iraq's western province of Anbar as government forces, supported by allied fighters from Popular Mobilization Units, are driving the extremists out of their last redoubt in the country.

Arabic-language Baghdad News website, citing a report published by Israeli military intelligence website, DEBKAfile, said the military site was being constructed about 20 kilometers (12.42 miles) from the recently liberated town of al-Qa'im.

The report added that the US Marines were tasked with purging the Euphrates Valley, which straddles the Iraqi-Syrian border, from the last remnants of Daesh Takfiri terrorist group.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi visited al-Qa'im and the nearby Husaybah border crossing in far western Iraq on November 5, and raised the Iraqi flag at the border crossing.

On Saturday, Iraq's state-run al-Iraqiya television network reported that security forces had managed to fully recapture Rumana subdistrict in Anbar province from Daesh.

Iraqi army soldiers, supported by pro-government fighters from the Popular Mobilization Units, launched a major operation early in the day to retake the town of Rawah, located about 300 kilometers northwest of the capital Baghdad.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), in a statement released on November 8, announced that Daesh had taken about 2,500 families, equivalent to some 10,000 individuals, hostage in Rawah.

The OHCHR also appealed to the Iraqi government and security forces involved in the Rawah liberation operation to open safe exit routes for civilians to frustrate terrorist schemes aimed at using ordinary people as human shields.

Late last month, the Iraqi prime minister formally ordered the launch of operations to purge Daesh terrorists from the towns of Rawah and al-Qa'im.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Iraqi army chopper crashes, seven killed

Iran Press TV

Sun Nov 12, 2017 11:09AM

An army helicopter has crashed in central Iraq, killing all the seven military personnel on board.

A statement by Iraq's Defense Ministry said the Russian-made Mi-17 utility helicopter crashed in the early hours of Sunday during a training exercise in the central Wasit Province.

The statement added that the cause of the accident was not immediately known.

Iraqi air force officers were separately quoted by Reuters as saying that two pilots and five army officers had been on board the army helicopter and had been killed in the incident.

They cited technical malfunction as the cause of the crash.

Iraqi army helicopters have played an effective role in the fight against Daesh, supporting forces on the ground in their push to drive the Takfiri terrorist group out of occupied Iraqi territory.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






28 bodies recovered after clashes near Libya capital

Iran Press TV

Sun Nov 12, 2017 06:37PM

A recent round of armed clashes between rival Libyan factions have left nearly 30 people dead as a local human rights group recovers bodies bearing gunshot wounds and signs of torture at the site of the confrontation near the capital Tripoli.

Libya's National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) said Sunday that locals had found 28 bodies near a road in the town of Alhira, 60 kilometers (37 miles) southwest of the capital Tripoli.

Ahmad Hamza, from the NCHR, said the victims were from the groups opposed to the government-aligned coalition forces. He said the victims had been arrested before they were tortured and killed.

"According to the fact-finding, monitoring and documentation section of NCHR, there are signs of torture and they (the victims) were shot in the chest and head," said Hamza, adding that families of the victims were not allowed to receive the bodies for "reasons that are not known".

The recovery of bodies comes a week after forces aligned with Libya's internationally-recognized government launched an operation against the rival armed groups in the Wershafana, an area largely cut off from the capital for several years and a major hub for militancy and criminal activity.

One of the major groups contributing to the coalition attacks, which is based in the town of Zintan southwest of Tripoli, had said that the operation was meant to put an end to "murder, kidnapping and acts of barbarism" in Wershafana. The military council of Zintan, however, has yet to comment on the discovery of bodies in the region.

Local authorities say around 500 families were displaced by the recent bout of violence although some 100 families have returned to their homes in recent days.

Libya has been mired in a devastating conflict since the fall of the former dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The country is effectively divided between forces loyal to Tripoli's UN-backed government, who are aligned with North African countries to the west of Libya, and those forces who rule territories in east of the country and enjoy massive support from Persian Gulf Arab countries and are supported diplomatically by Egypt.



NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Myanmar's soldiers targeted Rohingya Muslim women for gang rape: UN official

Iran Press TV

Sun Nov 12, 2017 05:23PM

Myanmar's soldiers have "systematically targeted" Rohingya Muslim women for gang rape in Rakhine state, says a UN official.

Pramila Patten, the special representative of the UN Secretary-General on sexual violence in conflict, said many of the atrocities committed by the troops "could be crimes against humanity."

The UN official made the remarks during a press briefing in the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka, on Sunday, after visiting the southeastern district of Cox's Bazar, which is located near the border with Myanmar.

"I heard horrific stories of rape and gang rape, with many of the women and girls who died as a result of the rape," Patten said, adding, "My observations point to a pattern of widespread atrocities, including sexual violence against Rohingya women and girls who have been systematically targeted on account of their ethnicity and religion."

The sexual violence in Rakhine was "commanded, orchestrated and perpetrated by the armed forces of Myanmar," the special representative said.

"The forms of sexual violence we consistently heard about from survivors include gang rape by multiple soldiers, forced public nudity and humiliation and sexual slavery in military captivity."

"One survivor described being held in captivity by the Myanmar armed forces for 45 days, during which time she was repeatedly raped. Others still bore visible scars, bruises and bite marks attesting to their ordeal," Patten stated.

The UN official added that the sexual violence was a key reason behind the exodus of the Rohingya and occurred in the context of "collective persecution" of the minority.

"The widespread threat and use of sexual violence was clearly a driver and push factor for forced displacement on a massive scale and a calculated tool of terror aimed at the extermination and the removal of the Rohingya as a group."

Patten earlier met women and girls who were among thousands of Rohingya Muslims that have sought refuge in Bangladesh.

More than 600,000 Rohingya have fled the predominantly-Buddhist country of Myanmar to Bangladesh since August 25, when a crackdown on the Rohingya intensified in Rakhine. The government has been engaged in a campaign against the minority, which the UN and human rights groups have called "a textbook example of ethnic cleansing."

Elsewhere in her remarks, Patten said she would raise the issue of the persecution of the Rohingya, especially sexual violence and torture, with the International Criminal Court (ICC).

"When I return to New York I will brief and raise the issue with the prosecutor and president of the ICC whether they (Myanmar's military) can be held responsible for these atrocities."

International rights groups have already called on world leaders to address the plight of the Rohingya.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






It'll Be Two Times More Efficient: Russia Crafts New Air Defense System

Sputnik News

15:59 12.11.2017

Russia has created several prototypes of advanced surface-to-air missile and anti-aircraft artillery weapon system, the Pantsir-SM.

Rossiyskaya Gazeta newspaper cited Alexander Denisov, general director of the Russian company High Precision Complex, as saying that state tests of the country's state-of-the-art air defense system Pantsir-SM are already under way.

He said that research and development work pertaining to the Pantsir-SM is due to be completed in 2019.

Denisov touted the Pantsir-SM a "completely new system" which he said will exceed the previous version, the Pantsir-S1, by up to two times in terms of combat capability.

Rossiyskaya Gazeta also cited open sources as saying that the Pantsir-SM is due to be equipped with a new high-speed missile and that the range of detection and destruction of targets will increased by about a half.

The Pantsir-SM is expected to be capable of detecting a target at a distance of 75 kilometers and destroying it at a distance of 40 kilometers. As for the Pantsir-S1, these figures stand at 40 kilometers and 20 kilometers, respectively.

As for the Pantsir-SM's new missile, it will have "good" characteristics and can even be used by previous Pantsir versions, according to Denisov.

The Pantsir-S1, codenamed by NATO as SA-22 Greyhound, is a short-to-medium range surface-to-air missile/gun system that first entered service with the Russian army in 2012.

 Sputnik

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Saudi Officials Deny Reports of King's Abdication Plan

By Noor Zahid November 12, 2017

Saudi Arabia has denied reports that King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud is planning to relinquish the throne in favor of his son, Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman.

"There is no possibility whatsoever that the king will abdicate," a senior Saudi official told Bloomberg news on condition of anonymity, noting that Saudi kings usually stay in power even when bad health prevents them from carrying out their job.

There is one precedent of a Saudi monarch stepping down while still alive. King Saud bin Abdulaziz abdicated in favor of his brother and heir, Prince Faisal, in the mid-1960s after pressure from ruling family members. The prince had already claimed broad powers to counter a financial crisis that engulfed the kingdom at the time.

Speculation of King Salman's possible abdication surfaced last week after an Iranian news channel, Press TV, reported that the crown prince would soon ascend to the throne and King Salman would make a decision within "the next two nights."

The Saudi official told Bloomberg that King Salman, 81, enjoys "perfect" physical and mental powers and that abdication is unthinkable.

Media reports about the monarch's possible abdication emerged days after the Saudi government detained over 200 people, including powerful princes, businessmen and sitting ministers, in a sweep that investigators say has uncovered at least $100 billion in corruption.

Saudi experts have called the purge of top princes a move by the crown prince, Mohammad, 32, aimed at consolidating power. The purge has sidelined potential rivals as he keeps an eye on the throne. Many of the princes detained in the corruption probe were reported to have voted against Mohammad rising to crown prince in the allegiance council  a state body established in 2007 by former King Abdullah responsible for determining future succession to the throne in the Kingdom, analysts say.

Moves towards absolute monarchy?

"The Saudis have denied any abdication in pretty strong terms. But most outside observers say that the aim is to have Salman abdicate once Crown Prince Mohammad is secure enough to rule in his own right," David Des Roches, an associate professor at the National Defense University in Washington, told VOA. "People who are skeptical of Salman  and of Saudi Arabia  think the aim of an abdication would be to bypass the allegiance council of senior princes and ensure the crown prince takes over."

Des Roches, however, believes that given that every credible rival to the crown prince has now been sidelined or arrested, there may not be a need to rush to abdicate.

"By now, Mohammad bin Salman has control over all the levels of power. There won't be a popular upswing in favor of the old guys who got rich. So he can wait for his dad to die and then take over the state in title as well as in practice," Des Roches said.

The National Defense University professor warned that while reforms are badly needed in Saudi Arabia and the "old guys who got rich off the old ways of doing business" are less likely to introduce reforms, the purge of top princes might move the country toward stricter rule.

"The concern is that the Kingdom is now shifting from Saudi Arabia to Salmani Arabia. If the crown passes down through the house of Salman, a lot of princes who have been exercising power  and getting money  will be cut off," Des Roches said. "Instead of a constitutional monarchy  for the princes, not the commoners  the Kingdom will become an absolute monarchy."

The move against top princes and businessmen came as Saudi Arabia has stepped up its rhetoric against Hezbollah and its patron, Iran, accusing both of meddling in the Arab region affairs and supporting Shi'ite Houthi rebels in Yemen. A Saudi-led coalition has been at war with the Houthis since March 2015.

Saudi Arabia last week accused Iran of committing an "act of war" when the Houthi rebels fired a ballistic missile at the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Trump, Putin say military communications improving in Syria

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 15:09, November 12, 2017

U.S. President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin said on Saturday they are satisfied with the communication between their militaries, which has "dramatically" accelerated the losses of the Islamic State (IS) on the battlefield in recent months.

In a joint statement issued after their meeting on the margins of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting in Da Nang, Vietnam on Saturday, the two leaders confirmed their determination to defeat IS in Syria.

According to the statement, which is posted on the website of the U.S. State Department, they agreed to maintain open channels of communication between the two militaries to help ensure the safety of U.S. and Russian forces engaged in the fight against the IS until its final defeat.

"There is no military solution to the conflict in Syria," read the statement, adding that the two leaders confirmed that "the ultimate political solution to the conflict must be forged through the Geneva process."

They affirmed that these steps must include the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2254, constitutional reform and free and fair elections under UN supervision, "with all Syrians, including members of the diaspora, eligible to participate."

Trump and Putin also affirmed their commitment to Syria's sovereignty, unity, independence, territorial integrity and non-sectarian character, urging all Syrian parties to actively participate in the Geneva political process and to support efforts to ensure its success.

They also confirmed the importance of de-escalation areas as an "interim" step to reduce violence in Syria, enforce ceasefire agreements, facilitate unhindered humanitarian access, and set the conditions for the ultimate political solution to the conflict.

In the statement, Trump noted that "he had a good meeting with" Putin, adding that the successful implementation of the agreements "will save thousands of lives."

Earlier on Saturday, Trump told the media en route to Hanoi that he and Putin could have a great relationship.

Trump said that Putin rejected any involvement in last year's U.S. presidential election up in his face, saying that "all he (Putin) said is he never did that, he didn't do that. I think he's very insulted by it, which is not a good thing for our country."

"There's an artificial barrier that (was) put in the way by the Democrats. It's a fake barrier. There was no collusion," said Trump. "The Democrats wanted to have a good relationship with Russia, but they couldn't do it because they didn't have the talent to do it. They didn't have the chemistry to do it."

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Syria: UN health agency calls for immediate and unimpeded access to save lives in Ghouta

12 November 2017  Amid worsening humanitarian, health and security situation in Syria's besieged eastern Ghouta, the United Nations health agency has demanded that all parties to the conflict stop attacks on civilians, facilitate immediate medical evacuations, and allow safe passage of medical supplies.

"The situation is heartbreaking," said Elizabeth Hoff, the head of the UN World Health Organization (WHO) operations in Syria, in a news release Sunday.

"We have now reached a critical point, where the lives of hundreds of people, including many children, are at stake. If they do not immediately get the medical care they urgently need, they will most likely die."

Severe food and medical shortages are reported in eastern Ghouta, rural Damascus, where as many as 400,000 people remain besieged and cut-off from life-saving assistance. Among them, over 240 people require urgent advanced medical care, including 29 "priority" patients  mostly children  in critical condition who need immediate medical evacuation.

According to the UN agency, plans are in place for medical evacuations from Ghouta to hospitals and medical facilities in the capital, Damascus, and elsewhere. Medicines have also been prepared for immediate dispatch.

"At this stage, however, no formal approval for evacuations has been received from the responsible national authorities," added WHO in the release.

In addition to the medical necessities in the region, malnutrition  especially among children  is reported to be rising, leaving them at a higher risk of life-threatening infectious diseases.

Safe drinking water is also reportedly hard to find and diseases like Brucellosis, Hepatitis A and tuberculosis have reappeared.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Turkey buys Russia's S-400 systems, mulls own missile system: Minister

Iran Press TV

Sun Nov 12, 2017 02:20PM

Turkish Defense Minister Nurettin Canikli says the country has completed the process of purchasing Russia's S-400 surface-to-air missile systems and is in talks with a European consortium to help it develop its own missile defense system.

"It is finished, the S-400 missiles have been bought. The rest is just details now," the Turkish defense minister said in televised comments in the Black Sea town of Giresun on Sunday.

In September, Ankara and Moscow reached an agreement on the delivery of the S-400 systems to Turkey. At the time, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said a deposit had already been made for two batteries of the advanced missile systems.

Under the deal, Russia would send two systems to Turkey within the next year and then help the country domestically produce two more batteries. The deal is said to be worth around $2.5 billion.

The S-400, whose full name is the Triumf Mobile Multiple Anti-Aircraft Missile System (AAMS), is an advanced Russian missile system designed to detect, track, and destroy planes, drones, or missiles as far as 402 kilometers away. It has previously been sold only to China and India.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Canikli, however, noted that Turkey was not content with the S-400 deal alone.

"We are also making preliminary agreements with the EUROSAM consortium to have this technology to develop, produce and use our own sources for air defense systems," the minister said, referring to a joint Franco-Italian defense project.

Ankara is discussing another deal with the European consortium to help it develop its own missile defense system.

Sources in the Turkish Defense Ministry said last week that Canikli had signed a letter of intent with France and Italy in the Belgian city of Brussels to strengthen cooperation in defense projects, including missiles.

Purchase of S-400 snubs NATO

The decision by Turkey to buy the S-400 systems from Moscow has been seen by some of its Western allies as a snub.

Turkey, being a NATO member state with the second-largest army in the military alliance, drew an outpouring of criticism from the US and other members of the bloc, which criticized Ankara for drifting toward Moscow.

The deal has also raised concern because the weapons cannot be integrated into the NATO defense.

A senior NATO commander said last week that the alliance would continue to press Ankara to buy weapons that could work together with NATO systems.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Turkey denies planning to kidnap US-based cleric Gulen

Iran Press TV

Sun Nov 12, 2017 02:05PM

Turkey has denied reports in the US media that it has discussed a plan with former US intelligence officials to have opposition figure Fethullah Gulen abducted in the US.

Turkey's embassy in Washington said Sunday that Ankara was still pursuing legal channels to urge Washington to hand over Gulen so that he could stand trial over accusations of masterminding the last year coup attempt.

The embassy said in its statement on Twitter that "allegations that Turkey would resort to means external to the rule of law" were rejected.

It called the Friday report in The Wall Street Journal about a secret plan for kidnapping Gulen as "ludicrous and groundless". The US newspaper said in its report that an investigation was underway by Special Counsel Robert Mueller into an alleged plot to forcibly remove Gulen and hand over him to Ankara in return for as much as $15 million. It said Turkish authorities had allegedly discussed the matter with former US National Security Adviser Michael Flynn and his son.

Gulen and people involved in his global network of education and religious activities are blamed for the July 15, 2016 coup in Turkey that left some 250 people dead. Some 50,000 people have been jailed on suspicions of links to Gulen while 150,000 more have been discharged from their jobs in the government and the military over same allegations.

Since Turkey launched its crackdown right after the coup, Gulen denied the accusations and said that the purges could be a show by the government to muzzle the dissent and consolidate the power at the hands of the ruling Justice and Development Party.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






We Need Real Defense: Turkish PM Justifies Purchase of Russian S-400 Systems

Sputnik News

18:10 12.11.2017(updated 18:35 12.11.2017)

Despite opposition from its fellow NATO members and the threat of US sanctions, Ankara signed an agreement with Moscow on the delivery of the Russian S-400 advanced air defense system.

The Hurriyet newspaper quoted Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim as saying that Ankara wanted to get its air defense systems from NATO member countries, but that it "could not get the necessary support from the US."

"The fact that we have entered defense cooperation with Russia does not downplay the importance of our obligations as a NATO member. We do not intend to abandon NATO. We only need such cooperation with Russia in order to eliminate the looming threats to Turkey," Yildirim said.

He added that Turkey had no other choice because due to the lack of modern air defense systems, the Turkish Air Force failed to destroy 71 missiles earlier fired on Turkey from Syria. At least 29 people were killed in the strikes, according to Yildirim.

The Russia-Turkey talks on the delivery of the S-400 systems kicked off last year. On September 12, 2017, Moscow and Ankara announced that a deal had been signed.

Shortly after, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Ankara had made its first payment for the air defense systems, with Moscow confirming receipt of the advance payment in late September.

The S-400 Triumf (NATO reporting name: SA-21 Growler) is Russia's next-generation mobile surface-to-air missile system equipped with three different types of missiles capable of destroying aerial targets at a short-to-extremely-long range.

 Sputnik

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Boat tragedy: Jagan absence felt in assembly

The tragic death of 21 passengers in boat capsize in Krishna river near Vijayawada has thoroughly exposed the callousness of the Chandrababu Naidu government in checking the illegal operation of private boats.

But Naidu managed to get away in the state assembly without his governments negligence being exposed, thanks to the absence of only opposition party, YSR Congress.

The chief minister did not face any grilling by the members, as the YSRC MLAs boycotted the House on the pretext of Naidu encouraging defection of 21 MLAs from YSRC into the ruling Telugu Desam Party, though the actual reason was the padayatra of their party president Y S Jaganmohan Reddy.

For the first time, the absence of YSRC MLAs and particularly Jagan was felt in the assembly. Though the BJP members tried to raise a couple of issues, Naidu answered them before making an official statement.

Finally, when Naidu announced reward to the fishermen who saved 14 lives, the TDP applauded him by thumping desks.

There was none who could grill Naidu on the irregularities in the tourism department.

Though YSRC leaders tried to create some ruckus at the Pavitra Sangamam ghat, they did not get enough media attention as everybody was focussing on the tragedy. Thus, the YSRC MLAs missed a golden opportunity to grill the chief minister.
The Nokia 3 gets a much needed camera update

Nokia has updated its Camera app in the Play store citing a "New Camera release for Nokia 3" which should address the latter's poor performance, although Nokia doesn't share specifics.

We found the Nokia 3 camera had decent detail levels but otherwise it disappointed with corner softness, noise and severe autofocus inconsistency.

So if you own a Nokia 3, go and update the Camera app and leave us a line down in the comments if you notice an improvement.

Thanks for the tip!

App
Arts and Sciences dean Jeremy R. Knowles starts his annual letter to faculty colleagues, issued in January, with a literary hat trick. The first two pages quote John Adams, A.B. 1755, LL.D. 1781 (charging the Commonwealths legislature to cherish the interests of literature and the sciences, and all seminaries of them: especially the university at Cambridge); the vice-chancellor of Oxford (on the danger of entrenched success); and, as a counter-indicator of FASs present condition, Fiorello La Guardia (There are three reasons why I cant do this. The first is that we have no money. And the other two dont matter.). Literary flourishes aside, Knowles discusses many substantive matters reported on elsewhere in this section: planning for the libraries, the graduate school, a possible new natural-science and anthropology museum, and the condition of the College.

His overall theme might be deemed focused expansiveness. With FAS entering an era of endowment-funded prosperity (running annual surpluses in the tens of millions of dollars, and retaining resources to pay for future initiatives), its dean considers the time ripe to transform the educational experience of our undergraduates and graduate students and to improve the scholarly lives of the faculty. But rather than entertain innumerable proposals toward these worthy ends, his agenda emphasizes a single priority: increasing the number of professors. To do so, he directs attention to our largest challengespace.

A striking chart (adapted here) demonstrates that FAS ranks expanded dramatically in the halcyon postwar 1950s and 1960s. In that era, largely during Nathan M. Puseys presidency, federal research dollars were at flood tide and buildings proliferated, particularly for the sciences. Since then, the number of professors has grown imperceptibly.

To accommodate his goal of adding 60 faculty positions10 percent growthin this decade, Knowles unveils a sweeping construction agenda for the North Precinct. This area, bounded by Kirkland, Oxford, and Hammond Streets and Kirkland Place, encompasses the chemistry, earth and planetary sciences, and biology and biochemistry facilities; the Museum of Comparative Zoology and the Peabody Museum; the cyclotron and parking areas near the Divinity School; and, on its eastern edge, the Yenching Library and William James Hall, where several social-sciences departments are housed.

A planning exercise now under way, Knowles writes, aims at avoiding higgledy-piggledy construction in order to achieve an efficient, coherent multi-building complex encompassing underground parking and some 500,000 square feet of new academic space. Although specific proposals are well off in the future, one can imagine attempts to site there a consolidated research library for the sciences (see page 63), andalongside the relocation of the public museums and reuse of the present space for research facilities (see page 55)several new laboratory buildings.

Combined with other FAS priorities (graduate-student housing, student performance space, other planned renovations, and the slowly advancing center for government and international studies), Knowles writes, The cost of all these projects, when they are added up, amounts to a very large number. Preliminary estimates of at least several hundred million dollars are heard.

Facing such expenditures, plus the costs of recruiting new professors, paying the existing ones, and sustaining financial aid (Princeton recently announced it would be replacing loans with larger grants for undergraduate financial-aid packages), Knowles sketches things FAS ought not to do. He is skeptical, for example, of the sirensof conceivably profitable distance-learning collaborations not tightly tied to educational purposes. He does not favor increasing the size of the student body. And he wants the growth of the faculty to reflect the opportunities presented by a changing intellectual landscape, rather than mere proportional expansion of departments.

With proper planning, with carefully targeted fund-raising, and with a cautious eye on our priorities, we can make this a redefining moment for the Faculty, Knowles concludes. Part of that redefinition clearly will be worked in steel, brick, and stone, as new facilities house new faculty members pursuing new fields of knowledge.
Crime boss John Gilligan and his wife Geraldine bought the house on the Kildare-Meath border in 1987

Criminal John Gilligan's former seven-bedroomed Jessbrook home could soon have a new owner after a prospective buyer came forward to hammer out a deal on the 120,000 bargain.

The property, which sits on more than five acres of land and which was seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) from the convicted drug trafficker in February, was put on the market in August at the low guide guide price.

Now, after the house was viewed by more than 40 interested parties, one is in negotiations with estate agents REA McDonald in Lucan to see if they can close a deal.

"The property is under negotiation," said estate agent Fiachra McGrath, who would give no details on who was interested in the property, whether they were local or not or if they were negotiating on a figure higher or lower than the guide price.

Gilligan (65) and his wife, Geraldine, bought the small farm bungalow in the remote townland of Mucklon near Enfield on the Kildare and Meath border in 1987.

From the day they moved in, their plans for the Jessbrook equestrian centre was evident, and a thick file of planning applications to Kildare County Council began to form.

The first application the couple made was even before transfer of ownership was registered.

They wanted to demolish the existing building on the site and replace it with a two-storey house complete with sauna, jacuzzi, sun room and games room as well as five bedrooms.

Bareback

The application was made under the name of Geraldine Gilligan, who gave her address at the time as 13 Corduff Avenue in Dublin.

The Corduff property, which was retained by the Gilligans after they moved to Jessbrook, was also seized by the CAB in February, as was a third property in Lucan.

On the planning application, Geraldine Gilligan wanted an existing building on the Jessbrook site to be retained as stables.

She had long had an interest in horses. Old friends of hers remember her at the age of 15 riding bareback on a piebald pony up Loch Conn Road in Ballyfermot to meet then-boyfriend John.

The planning application failed but the Gilligans stayed, adding to and expanding the house over the years while also building the massive Jessbrook equestrian centre beside it.

The centre was the first property seized from the Gilligans by the CAB, which found a buyer for it in 2013.

The Gilligan family were left homeless after the CAB succeeded in stripping them of the properties in a battle that was fought over a 20-year period.

The family are now renting a house in Co Roscommon, while Gilligan has also been spotted spending time in Clon- dalkin and in Spain, where his daughter Tracey used to run the family-owned The Judges Chamber pub near Torrevieja in Alicante province.

REA McDonald's website says the Jessbrook home has seven bedrooms, four bathrooms and oil-fired central heating and offers "extensive views of rural landscape".

The bungalow is officially the property of Finance and Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe, and the proceeds of the sale will be deposited in state coffers.

Gilligan, who served 17 years for drug trafficking and was the boss of the gang that murdered journalist Veronica Guerin in 1996, used the Jessbrook house to hide in following two attempts to murder him after he was released from jail in 2013.
'Giving evidence, Gda Sheanagh Carroll said the incident happened on Bedford Row in Temple Bar at 7.55pm last May 9' Stock photo: PA Archive

A man was arrested for shouting obscenities at passing girls on a Temple Bar street that a judge said was "well-known for nefarious activities".

Father-of-one Daryl Hoey (27) was ordered to carry out 120 hours of community service to avoid being jailed for two months for his obscene remarks to the girls as they walked past.

A court heard Hoey was working to turn his life around after having struggled with an alcohol addiction and homelessness.

Hoey, with an address at Rossmore Road, Ballyfermot, pleaded guilty at Dublin District Court to threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour.

He also admitted a charge of offensive conduct in the same incident.

Giving evidence, Gda Sheanagh Carroll said the incident happened on Bedford Row in Temple Bar at 7.55pm last May 9.

She arrested the accused under the Public Order Act and took him to Pearse Street Garda Station where he made no reply to the charges.

He had a large number of previous convictions for offences including public order breaches, theft and assault.

Elaborate

Judge Michael Walsh asked the garda to "elaborate further" on what had happened.

"There was a group of girls passing by and he shouted obscenities at them," Gda Carroll replied.

The judge said: "The incident happened at Bedford Row, a well-known street for nefarious activities in the city, and he was shouting obscenities at passers-by."

Hoey had a difficult relationship with his father and had to leave the family home, finding himself homeless at the age of 18, his solicitor Danica Kinane said.

He had fallen into alcohol addiction and was working to address that addiction now.

Hoey was prioritising being a father to his six year-old son, who he saw regularly, Ms Kinane continued.

He acknowledged that he had a bad history of criminal offences.

Judge Walsh said that if the accused was fit and well and was trying to turn his life around, he would impose a community service order.

He confirmed the order after Hoey was found suitable by the probation service.
Evan Keogh is also charged with criminal damage

A young man has been sent for trial accused of producing a knife, assaulting a woman and threatening to kill her at a house in Dublin.

Evan Keogh (21) had a book of evidence served on him when he appeared before Blanch- ardstown District Court.

Mr Keogh, with an address at Alpine Heights, Clondalkin, was remanded on continuing bail until his next appearance in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

He is charged with assault causing harm to a woman and producing a knife while committing or appearing to be about to commit the offence of assault.

He is also charged with threatening to kill or cause serious harm to the same woman and with causing criminal damage to her mobile phone.

The offences are all alleged to have happened at an address at Castlegate Park, Adamstown, last April 17.

Warning

A garda said the accused made no reply when he was arrested and charged.

State solicitor Jonathan Antoniotti said the DPP was directing trial on indictment on all four charges.

Judge Ann Ryan gave Mr Keogh the formal warning that he must provide any alibi details to the prosecution within 14 days.

She returned him for trial to the current sittings of the circuit court on a date next month.

Judge Ryan made an order for the accused's garda interview video to be furnished to the defence and also granted free legal aid after Mr Keogh's solicitor, Terence Hanahoe, made an application.

There were no garda objections.

Judge Ryan remanded the acc- used on continuing bail, under existing terms and conditions.
Friends of Anne Colomines have launched a fundraising drive to raise money to support her family.

Ms Colomines (37), who was originally from France, was found dead in her home on Gardiner Street, in north inner city Dublin, on October 24.

The financial executive had suffered from apparent stab wounds.

Ms Colomines' husband, Brazilian national Renato Gehlen (35), is expected to appear in court this morning charged in connection with the case.

Ms Colomines was from Charente-Maritime, on the south-west coast of France, and it is understood she moved to Dublin in 2013.

She had been working with PayPal as a financial executive at its Dublin base at the time of her death.

In a page set up on the crowdfunding website Leetchi, in both English and French, her friends said they wanted to honour Ms Colomines's memory.

"With the sudden death of Anne, her family face a cataclysm, but also must honour her memory and ensure that justice will be done," the message said.

"This involves a solicitor in Ireland and other expenses related to a future procedure that may be long and costly.

"Her family needs our support for this, friends of Anne of Charente-Maritime, Dublin or elsewhere."

While the site does not give a figure for the total amount raised, there have been 79 contributions from donors so far.

Tribute

Following her death, friends and colleagues paid tribute to Ms Colomines.

"She was a very kind person," said one friend, who asked not to be identified.

"At work, she was very hardworking and always happy to help others.

"I didn't know anyone who disliked her.

"Anne spent a lot of time volunteering with homeless cats. She loved her cat, Kitty, with all her heart.

"She was quiet and worked a lot but enjoyed going out for dinner with friends. Her friends and her family made her really happy.

"Anne was such a kind, fun-loving friend, who wore her heart on her sleeve. She'll be missed so much."

Ms Colomines was an animal lover and on several occasions she referenced the Phibsboro Cat Rescue charity on her social media account.

The charity confirmed she had been in touch with it in the past with a view to volunteering and carrying out fundraising activities.

"She was a really kind lady. We are very sad to hear what has happened," said a spokeswoman for the charity.
Feared gangland criminal James 'Nellie' Walsh is recovering after being the victim of a serious assault behind bars.

The hitman (31), who is currently serving a sentence for shooting businessman Michael Frazer, is understood to have been slashed in the face over the weekend.

The violent attack occurred in Mountjoy Prison, and officials believe that a criminal from the Crumlin area was behind the attack.

This man, who is in his early 30s, is linked to one of the country's largest and most prolific car theft gangs.

Prison authorities believe that the thug slashed Walsh across the face with a shiv (razor), leaving him with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

The incident is now the subject of an investigation by jail officials.

Walsh is linked to an ongoing feud in west Dublin, which recently saw two "blood brothers" killed.

Darragh Nugent (36) and John Gibson (28) were shot dead a week apart in the Clondalkin and Citywest areas respectively.

Gardai believe their murders were carried out due to both men being closely associated with Nellie.

The hitman was involved in a feud with a west Dublin crime gang, which has very close links to the Kinahan cartel.

Gardai believe the murders of Nugent and Gibson were carried out by a west Dublin crime group intent on "wiping out" Walsh's gang.

The attack has sparked fears in west Dublin, and behind bars Walsh is said to have been livid at the murder of two close associates.

Walsh's associates may now attempt to strike back and the gang is understood to have the backing of some south Dublin criminals.

The feud ignited when Nellie's rivals murdered innocent Dean Johnson (21), leading to their leader being shot dead in a revenge attack five days later.

Jason 'Jay' Carroll (39) was fatally shot once in the face and twice in the arm at his home at Cherrywood Drive, Clondalkin, in August 2013.

Following this, Nellie's associates attempted to enlist five people to murder five of their rivals at the same time.

Arrested

While this did not happen, Nellie's intended targets are suspected of being behind this month's murder spree.

One of these is a burly thug (36), who was arrested at Dublin Airport by gardai investigating a separate feud-related plot. He was released without charge.

Another mobster in the suspected murder gang is a convicted crack cocaine dealer, who was one of 13 people arrested by gardai investigating the murder of Dean Johnson, who was shot dead in Harelawn Green, Clondalkin, in August 2013 - the first murder in a feud that has now claimed four lives.

In December, Nellie was sentenced to 10 years in jail in connection with a botched hit, during which he shot himself in the leg. He pleaded guilty to possession of a pistol with intent to endanger life at the Church of the Transfiguration, Bawnogue Road, Clondalkin, and attempted murder charges against him were dropped.
Police Accountability Boards starting work in most Maryland counties

Mandated by state law after the killing of George Floyd, Police Accountability Boards have begun work in the majority of Maryland counties.
Sacramento, CA  After more than a decade of constructive civic engagement with the California Department of Education, the Hindu American community won a significant victory on 9th November in its quest for an accurate, equitable, and culturally competent portrayal of Hinduism and India in California textbooks.

In its final public hearing, the Departments State Board of Education (SBE) voted unanimously to approve positive edits submitted by Hindu American community groups to improve the portrayal of Hinduism and India in 10 textbooks. The board also voted to reject two deeply problematic textbook programs from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (Grades K-6 and Grades 6-8) for adversely reflecting on Hinduism and other diverse communities.

(Congratulations to Hindu American community groups for this success ! Hindus in India should learn from them and raise their voice against the school textbooks that gives distorted history as it glorifies the cruel Mughal emperors who tortured the Hindus, but gives little information on Valiant Hindu King and Freedom fighters !  Editor, Hindujagruti.org)

Also Read : News related to Distortion of History

This is truly historic. After many years of civic engagement, Hindu-Americans have started to make themselves heard, said Shantharam Nekkar of Hindu Education Foundation USA, an organization dedicated to enriching the understanding of Indian civilization and Hinduism in America. We will continue to engage constructively and fight biases and prejudices against Hinduism and India.

The SBEs decision came after hearing testimonies and receiving letters from thousands of Hindu American parents, children, educators and community members from across California, including immigrant Hindus from Fiji, Caribbean and India, as well as letters from a broad coalition of more than 75 interfaith and community groups, 17 state and federal elected officials, and 38 leading academics.

Throughout the day, several public officials across the country also sent social media messages of support, applauding the communitys efforts in ensuring that Hinduism is presented accurately in California textbooks.

The Board rebuffed last minute attempts to disrupt the process by a group calling itself South Asian Histories for All, which made vitriolic, bigoted, and Hinduphobic statements about Hinduism in public testimony and on social media, and threatened to sue the SBE.

Despite the false claims of SAHFA, our broad interfaith coalition that represents individuals from all communities including Dalits, never tried to erase any community, caste, or religions history, and believe that all groups should be represented fairly in textbooks, said Samir Kalra, Esq., Senior Director at the Hindu American Foundation, a nonprofit advocacy group for the Hindu American community. In fact, we asked that the contributions of Hindus of all backgrounds, including the spiritual traditions of Dalit Hindus, be acknowledged in textbooks. Most of the changes that SAHFA submitted were hateful and violate California law and the textbook framework.

The Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Association (APAPA), a leading coalition partner, released the following statement:

We are grateful for the testimonies from NAACP representatives and the Hispanic Chamber, along with strong letters of support from over 17 public officials. Together, we rallied over 1000 people to rally in this amazing showing of civic engagement and empowerment. Our voices were heard!

CC Yin, Founder and Chairman of APAPA, added, When we work together, we will win.

Source : Hindu American Foundation
T he number of homes for sale with reduced asking prices is at the highest level in five years. More than a third of home sellers across England and Wales have dropped prices, making it a good time for buyers to secure a deal in the run-up to Christmas.

The proportion of reduced properties is even higher in London, with 43 per cent of sellers dropping the price by an average of seven per cent.

Reductions in new seller asking prices are to be expected at this time of year, with prices set at about 1,400 less than they were this time last month in London and 2,400 less nationwide.

"In the run-up to the festive season, many sellers are trying to tempt distracted buyers to look at their property by dangling the bauble of more attractive pricing given the quieter time of year and more challenging market," says Rightmove director Miles Shipside.

"The effect is an impromptu Autumn Sale with the largest proportion of sellers on the market having reduced their initial asking prices at this time of year since 2012."

Loading....

LONDON ASKING PRICES

Over the past year, the average asking price for a London home has fallen 2.4 per cent to 628,000. Prices are lower across two thirds of London boroughs, with Islington seeing the highest price falls of 13 per cent.

The more affordable boroughs on the fringes of the capital are seeing modest price growth, especially in east London. Barking and Dagenham, London's cheapest borough, has seen price rises of 3.3 per cent to 313,000 over the past 12 months.

NATIONWIDE ASKING PRICES

Asking prices have cooled across England and Wales over the last month to settle at an average of 311,000 in every region except for Yorkshire and The Humber.

However, prices are still up in most regions by an average of 1.8 per cent on this time last year, apart from across the North East and London, so this fluctuation is in line with seasonal trends.

Head of lending for the Mortgage Advice Bureau, Brian Murphy, says: "As weve been seeing for over a year now, in many areas of the country there still isnt enough stock to service buyer demand and there are regions, such as the East Midlands, South West and many parts of the North, where prices have seen higher increases than the in the last few months, in part as a consequence of low supply, but also due to better affordability."

PRICING RIGHT

The Rightmove data indicates that buyer demand has cooled. Shipside believes that despite lower asking prices, many of this month's sellers have not priced their properties low enough to entice more cautious buyers.

Analysis of 100,000 sold properties shows that houses which typically generate 40 per cent more interest in the first three weeks have a higher chance of selling than those that do not.

He says: "The danger of going too high at the outset is that you jeopardise that vital initial three-week period, and may have to start of a series of price reductions while potential buyers watch and assume that no-one is buying your property because something is wrong with it other than the price."

"A reduction should be in the order of at least five per cent if you want to drive substantial interest," advises co-founder director of James Pendleton estate agent, Lucy Pendleton.
Visit expo > BMP Whole Blood Analyzer: GEM Premier ChemSTAT Gold Supplier Tenfly Phoenix Blot Analyzer Automatic Western Blot Analyzer New Gold Supplier Nova Primary Blood Glucose Reference Analyzer New CapitalBio BioMixer II Microarray Hybridization Station

China's healthcare market is projected to grow at a whopping CAGR of about 12% from USD 357 billion in 2011 to USD 1 trillion by 2020, driven by the countrys favorable demographic trends, continued urbanization, growing disease burden, economic expansion, and rising income levels providing access to treatments. These are the latest findings of McKinsey & Company (USA), a global management consulting firm.According to McKinsey, China's healthcare market is shaped by three macrotrends, namely continued economic and demographic development, healthcare reforms, and the direction of the 12th five-year plan.Continued economic and demographic development: The growth in demand for healthcare will be driven by the rapid proliferation of chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension due to Chinas aging population, shift in population to the cities, and changes in lifestyle. The demand for healthcare will be further fueled by rising income levels and more extensive insurance coverage, thereby improving the ability of patients to pay for healthcare. Additionally, conditions such as cancer, depression, and respiratory illness are highly prevalent in China, and still remain underdiagnosed and undertreated. As a result, early and improved diagnosis, coupled with higher rates of treatment and compliance with therapies, will drive a significant increase in the number of patients and lead to an improvement in the clinical benefits of drugs.Healthcare reforms: Chinas healthcare reforms, which commenced in 2009, is expected to be completed by 2020, resulting in far-reaching transformation of the countrys healthcare system. The next stage of reform is expected to significantly impact the Chinese healthcare system, including extended insurance coverage and development of primary care infrastructure. The Chinese governments insurance programs already cover more than 95 percent of the countrys population, and it will now focus on improving the quality of its provision to patients. The government also aims to develop a primary-care infrastructure, including community health centers and community health stations, along with a three-tier rural medical network comprised of county hospitals, township health centers, and village clinics. It will also focus on improving the service standards and quality of primary care institutions (primarily by educating and training general practitioners) and establishing a two-way referral system between primary-care facilities and hospitals.Direction of the 12th five-year plan: In the 12th five-year plan published by the State Council in March 2011, the Chinese government has identified the biomedical industry among seven strategic industries. The biomedical industry includes biologics and small-molecule pharmaceuticals and vaccines, medical devices, diagnostics, and traditional Chinese medicine. The biomedical industry is poised for rapid growth over the coming decades, as the central government remains strongly committed to its development, with local governments expected to quickly follow suit.All these factors will have positive implications for multinational companies, although increased government intervention, higher business complexity, and intensifying local competition will have negative implications. In order to succeed, multinationals will need to increase their investments across the value chain, step up their core capabilities, and explore how they can reach new customer segments in a more creative manner through partnerships.
Bob Shelley joins Aparium Hotel Group as the General Manager of St. Jane Chicago as well as Vice President of Hotel Operations for Aparium Hotel Group. St. Jane is currently slated to open in Spring 2018 at the historic Carbide and Carbon building on Michigan Avenue. Bob brings a wealth of business, brand and marketing experience to St. Jane. Prior to joining Aparium Hotel Group, Bob served as the General Manager of Radisson Blu in Chicago, and the Area Managing Director for Commune Hotels + Resorts in San Francisco, where he oversaw multiple lifestyle hotels in various West Coast and Mexico markets. Bob is an avid traveler and skier with Paris and Telluride among his favorite destinations. Weekends you can find him foraging through local farmers market and cooking for friends and family.
453 Room Crowne Plaza Fiji Wailoaloa Beach Annnounced for 2020

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG has signed a management agreement with Quantum Hi-Tech Group Limited to develop the largest hotel in Fiji, Crowne Plaza Fiji Wailoaloa Beach.

Opening in 2020, the new 453-room Crowne Plaza Fiji Wailoaloa Beach will boast tranquil ocean views and feature direct access to the beach. The Crowne Plaza Fiji Wailoaloa Beach is located just a short ten-minute drive from Fiji's main airport, Nadi International Airport.

With its prime beachfront location, leisure travellers will be able to unwind while enjoying unparalleled sunset views from one of the island's finest beaches, right at their doorstep. Guests can also choose to relax and dine at any of the five restaurant and bar offerings at the resort, including a pool bar and a beach club. The resort will also feature one of the largest conference centres in Fiji, a fully-equipped 24-hour fitness centre, two swimming pools and a Kid's Club among other exclusive resort facilities.

Rajit Sukumaran, Chief Development Officer, Asia, Middle East and Africa (AMEA), IHG said: "As the most popular travel destination in the South Pacific, the islands of Fiji accounts for close to 40 percent of travel to the South Pacific, a figure that continues to grow annually. In 2017 alone, Fiji recorded an increase of 7.8 percent in the number of international travellers visiting the country. This strong growth potential represents a key opportunity for us to introduce the Crowne Plaza brand to Fiji."

"As the first resort in Fiji for the brand, Crowne Plaza Fiji Wailoaloa Beach complements IHG's existing portfolio of brands in the South Pacific, allowing us to better meet the different needs of travellers visiting the Fiji. Guests can look forward to a truly immersive travel experience with the Crowne Plaza Fiji Wailoaloa Beach, with such vast, pristine natural beauty that Wailoaloa offers. With panoramic ocean views, we invite guests to take in the exquisite wonders of the island from the comfort of the resort, whether in their rooms or in and around the resort."
Moxy Tokyo Kinshicho and Moxy Osaka Honmachi Hotels Open in Japan

Marriott International today announced the openings of two fresh new additions to its Moxy Hotels brand: Moxy Tokyo Kinshicho and Moxy Osaka Honmachi.

Owned by Tokyo-based Pacifica Capital K.K., the 205-room Moxy Tokyo Kinshicho features the brand's industrial-chic DNA with stylish exposed brick walls, polished concrete floors and fun collaborative spaces. The hotel is located in the urban Kinshicho district, close to some of the city's coolest tourist attractions such as the Tokyo Skytree, Tokyo Dome and the historic Asakusa Sensoji Temple, so exploring the city is easy. Kinshicho station is only a five-minute walk away, making access a breeze from Narita and Haneda international airports.

"Today's consumer is less desirous of a cookie cutter experience and in fact wants to discover something new, take in the city, the food, the local scene, whether he/she is there for a day or a week," says Hisashi Oinuma, Captain, Moxy Tokyo Kinshicho.

In Osaka, Moxy Osaka Honmachi is owned by EGW Asset Management Inc., and is located just steps away from Honmachi Station, one of Osaka's main train stations. This 155-room Moxy is the perfect playground for modern urban explorers in Osaka. The hotel is located within easy distance of Osaka Castle, the food and nightlife of the Shinsaibashi quarter and the amazing shopping of Namba district.

"Moxy is specifically designed for this new generation of travelers  we call them Fun Hunters  who are looking for a hotel environment that allows them to have an experience on their terms," says Shigeki Nakagawa, Captain, Moxy Osaka Honmachi. "They want a hotel that is wired to their specific needs, a place to stay that is affordable, fun, and awesome".

Advertisement



Moxy is a fun, vibrant and stylish hotel designed to give guests everything they want and nothing they don't, at an affordable price. No boring front desks here: guests can access their bedrooms via keyless entry with the Marriott Mobile App or check in with a crew member at the bar, where they will be greeted with a complimentary 'Got Moxy' cocktail upon arrival.

Say hello to fellow travellers in Moxy's living rooms designed as highly-social communal areas, complete with foosball tables and board games. The Moxy Digital Guestbook is the source for everything that's going on, who's around in town, as well as a social media wall for guests to post their own #AttheMoxy Instas. At the Moxy, lifts double as selfie-friendly photo booths with locally inspired props for inspiration.

Moxy's NOW + WOW communal spaces will come alive with thoughtfully crafted happenings designed by the hotels' crew to cater to travelers and locals who like to hang-out with their friends and meet new ones, without having to empty their pockets. At Moxy Osaka Honmachi and Moxy Tokyo Kinshicho, these events will take the form of jam sessions, tarot card readings, classic film screenings, beer pong competitions, scavenger hunts, trivia nights, high-intensity workouts and more.

Bedrooms are minimalist yet multifunctional, with folding workspace desks and chairs, flat screen TVs, USB ports, motion sensor lighting, walk-in rain showers and furiously fast and free WiFi. The hotels' 24/7 self-service grab-and-go concept, called Moxy Pickups, has cereals, fresh fruit, yogurt and noodles at breakfast, and soups, wraps and salads for lunch and dinner. Fresh coffee is available in the lobby, along with soft drinks, bottled juices, sodas, wine and beer.

The bar serves up Moxy's signature cocktails and naans with savoury or sweet fillings: bacon, teriyaki chicken, pepperoni and jack, eggplant, cream cheese, nutella, strawberries and marshmallows. And, in Moxy hotels in Asia, guests can 'pimp their noodles' with a selection of instant noodles and condiment stations to customise their own flavours.

"We threw out the rule book for conventional hotel models to create Moxy's Moxy Tokyo Kinshicho and Moxy Osaka Honmachi," says Mike Fulkerson, vice president, Brand & Marketing, Marriott International. "These two new brand additions will continue to show the world what "moxie" really means and encourage our guests to play on."
Residence Inn By Marriott Aberdeen Opens in Scotland

Marriott International, Inc. has announced the opening of Residence Inn Aberdeen, marking a debut in the Scottish city for the company's extended-stay brand.

Marriott International, Inc. has announced the opening of Residence Inn Aberdeen, marking a debut in the Scottish city for the company's extended-stay brand.

With a prime city-centre location in Marischal Square, Residence Inn Aberdeen offers 126 well-appointed studio and one-bedroom suites featuring fully equipped kitchen facilities, with fridge, hob, microwave and dishwasher, in addition to comfortable living and sleeping areas, catering perfectly to longer stays.

Guests looking for a home-from-home experience are catered to with upscale design and amenities such as a 24-hour lobby, buffet breakfast, restaurant and WIFI access, as well as extra perks such as an on-site Grab'n Go market, shopping delivery service, and a free self-service laundry facility. An onsite, state-of-the-art fitness centre is available 24/7 and custom running routes can be accessed via MapMyFitness, thanks to the brand's global partnership with Under Armour Connected Fitness.

For those looking to socialise and network, regular Residence In Mix nights with drinks and canapes in the reception area will create a welcoming atmosphere for the guest community.

"Globally the extended stay category makes up one third of all business travel room nights, with 34% of those room nights spent in Europe," said John Licence, VP Premium & Select Brands Europe at Marriott International. "We are delighted to respond to this growing demand with the introduction of the Residence Inn by Marriott brand to such a strategic long-stay destination as Aberdeen."

Residence Inn Aberdeen, alongside the recently opened Residence Inn  London Bridge, is expected to be joined by a third UK property in early 2018 with the opening of Residence Inn London  Kensington. The 307-suite property is expected to be situated on Warwick Road in Earls Court, with easy access to The Kensington Olympia Exhibition Centre as well as The Victoria and Albert museum, the Science Museum, Royal Albert Hall, and the Natural History museum.
At the top of the month, Miami-based rapper Justin Snow dropped off the third release of his relatively short career, and kicked off a new series in the same stride.

In lieu of a traditional full-length project, Snow, who broke out around this time last year with his debut White on White single, has instead decided to launch his Body Count series, a collection of episodes that all tie into the greater plot that his Justin Snows persona: a social media slasher of sorts.

This time around, hes setting the scene with S1E2: Repoman, as he maintains his theme of essentially swiping someone elses girl right from under them, an element present at the inception of Body Count with S1E1.

Tell your man Im sorry, but I gotta do it/If he aint paying you no mind you know I gotta tow it, he declares on the track, once again flipping original concepts into a double meaning.

Quotable Lyrics:



I been on the liq, wanna sip,

Just dont drink it all

I don want you lit, when I hit,

I want you involved




There was a time in hip-hop history, a little more than ten years ago, when Jeezy was an up-and-comer, looking to the big dogs like Jay-Z and others for advice and inspiration. In the time since, hes blossomed into not only one of the most respected emcees even to come out of the ATL scene, but also into a savvy business man who has made his fortune more from his behind-the-scenes ventures than he has selling records. Now, Jeezy finds himself in the privileged position of being the rock that younger rappers count on for his expertise and wealth of knowledge about the industry in general. In a recent interview with Billboard, he revealed that hes not only been sharing some pearls of wisdom with the likes of Kodak Black, Tee Grizzley and Lil Durk, but also that his advice is always pretty straightforward.

When asked by the interviewer what hes told Tee Grizz and Durk in private conversation, the message has been simple. Theres a lot of things going on in the streets, Jeezy explained. And if you wanna be here 10 years later, it has a lot to do with mind state. Whether theyre looking for you to be like, Yo, lets go smoke some weed or go f**k some bitches, Im like, Nah, n***a. Look, yall got some good things going on. I like the fact that yall staying out of these cities right now until youre able to go and get back, but you gotta really be serious about that because youre one of us now.' Apparently, the rap veteran has also given similar advice to Kodak Black.

I talk to Kodak Black every other day, Jeezy continued, and thats my advice to him; any advice he needs, because this is the streets. The Atlanta rapper went on to talk about how, even if youre physically off the streets, consequences for dumb behavior could yield the same outcome in the music industry. When getting out the streets and you get into the music industry, you gotta understand how that goes, he said. You can still suffer the same consequences. Now youre a public person. People have the right to have an opinion, or they get the right to look at your past and say, Yeah, he is a criminal.'

Do you think Jeezys advice is solid? Let us know in the comments.

Jeezy
Meek Mills recent prison sentence certainly hasnt been a decision that has sat well with the hip-hop community. In fact, Meeks lawyer has been pretty vocal about his displeasure in not only the decision, but also the judge who made it. Hes previously gone on record as saying that the controversial figure had asked Mill not only for a shout-out in a personalized song, but also allegedly tried to coerce the rapper to bolt from his Roc Nation deal and sign with a local Philly label. For these reasons, among several others, Meeks lawyer is now taking steps to have the judge removed from this case altogether.

According to a new report from TMZ, Mills legal counsel Joe Tacopina is aiming to get judge Genece Brinkley booted off this particular set of proceedings. Besides the fact that she acted unprofessionally in the lawyers eyes, she is also apparently denying that she received important documents when it has since been proven that she has seen and responded to them. As a result, Tacopina is complaining to the judicial conduct board and also filing a motion for Brinkley to remove herself from Meeks case. He also said that his client is angling for a pardon from the state of Pennsylvania. That option seems like a long shot, since the process can usually take more than a year to complete.

The support for Meek Mill both in the music industry and beyond has been heard loud and clear over the past week or so, with the co-owner of the Philadelphia 76ers, Michael Rubin even writing a long letter to Brinkley, outlining the reasons why Meek should not do any time in prison. I have rarely met someone as interesting as him, he wrote. I quickly saw that he had a genuine desire to learn, grow, and advance his career and find a way to have a positive impact on his community. At the time of this writing, a petition that has been circulating online, calling for Pennsylvania governor Tom Wolf to have the unjust sentenced rescinded, has gained over 300,000 signatures. Hopefully all of these efforts will result in Meek Mill ending up on the right side of the law for once.

Meek Mill
Last week, the industry and internet alike were sent into a frenzy following Meek Mills sentencing of 2-4 years in prison following multiple probation violations. In its wake came an outpouring of support from heavy-hitters throughout Hip-Hop and its community if fans after the likes of JAY-Z and Rick Ross extended their criticism of what they perceive t be harsh sentencing.

A Justice For Meek petition was also started and addressed to Pennsylvanias Governor Tom Wolf in an effort to have Meeks sentence reduced or pardoned. Nonetheless, it seems that the fight for justice is only just getting started as a rally has now been organized in support of the Philadelphia-bred rapper in his hometown in the citys Criminal Justice Center on Monday, November 13th at 5 PM.

Meeks recent sentencing stems from a decade-old case in which a then 19-year old Meek Mill caught a conviction on gun and drug charges. Since that conviction, Meek has violated his probation at least three times in the last two years. Earlier in the year, he was hit with a reckless driving charge after getting caught popping wheelies on his dirt bike in New York. The charge was dropped on the condition that he stay out of trouble for the next six months. He also faced an assault charge after being part of an airport scuffle in St. Louisa charge that was also later dropped.

All the while, the fact that his probation was violated in the first place still stands, leading to his eventual sentencing last week. Since his sentencing, reports have surfaced with Meeks lawyer alleging that the judge presiding over the case was biased in her treatment because of a past encounter in which Meek Mill refused to leave Roc Nation to join her colleagues management company.

Meek Mill
This Big Indian Joint Family Has 72 Members Living in The Same House in Maharashtra
Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

IndyArts email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

Intimate conversations are woven into the very fabric of Tate Modern, dont you find? This morning a senior staffer and I were roughly at mid-point in a new exhibition about the history of the visual culture of the Soviet Union, when a rather personal question emerged: what was your first love? Various faces swum into view, only to fade again. Then one of us blurted it out, as if on cue: the Russian Revolution! We then went on to talk, somewhat dispiritingly, about the present-day difficulties of trying to off-load multi-volume, English-language editions of the collected works of Marx, Engels and Trotsky to unsympathetic, right-leaning second-hand book dealers. Blackguards all.

This exhibition, then, is exactly for the likes of we old-guard pinkish nostalgists. And perhaps it is for the likes of you too. It consists of a mountain of visual stuff amassed over decades by a designer called David King who, in addition to his passion for collecting the visual memorabilia of the Soviet Union  postcards, photographs, posters, books, letters, etc  also had a wish to forge a new visual style for the Left. Did he succeed? Goodness knows.

Yevgeny Khaldei, Soviet soldiers raising the red flag over the Reichstag, May 1945 (The David King Collection at the Tate) (The David King Collection at Tate)

This exhibition is the story of how the Soviets strove to create a new visual identity in the service of the revolution, and it contains many, many objects, mainly small to medium in size. The walls are a furious flurry of visual stimulation. There are very striking posters, run-of-the-mill posters, and much in-between. There is much fist-shaking, much hollering, much sloganeering  Send Your Son to the Red Army, the Best and Foremost  and much thrusting forward of red bayonets in the general direction of a roseate future. There is also interesting photographic evidence of useful, humdrum work undertaken by the many on behalf of the revolutionary ideal: the making of banners, for example.

Many of the best works here are by a handful of excellent artists and designers such as El Lissitzky and Rodchenko, who put their talents to the service of what they hoped would become a transformative collective endeavour, issuing in the birth of a new kind of creature altogether: Soviet Man (and Soviet Woman). Unfortunately, human nastiness crept in  bloody rivalries, brutal and brutish enforcement, pogroms, enforced collectivisation. It all ended in tears. Idealists such as Mayakovsky were driven to suicide. Trotsky was air-brushed out of the picture, then, years later, assassinated in Mexico. We can watch a splicing together of archival film which shows how he first strides the stage as a cultural commissar. By 1927, he had disappeared from the official record altogether. Enforced forgetfulness. There was much of that.

Nina Vatolina, Dont Chatter! Gossiping Borders on Treason 1941 (The David King Collection at the Tate) (The David King Collection at Tate)

The largest single object is in fourth room, where the eye-catching Soviet Pavilion of 1937, raised at the International Exposition of Art and Technology in Paris, is remembered. We see an image of the pavilion soaring up skyward, part modernist, part socialist-realist, beside the Seine in a grainy photograph, topped by a steel sculpture of two workers who walk side by side, arms raised, one carrying a sickle, the other a hammer. The all-records-breaking Stakhanovite worker-families in a painting by Aleksandr Deneika look as emotionally unconvincing as they are dull and wooden in execution. Fabricating the truth comes at a price.

Red Star Over Russia: a revolution in visual culture, Tate Modern, until 18 February 2018 (tate.org.uk)
Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

Denmark has a term for people who don't graduate in the normal five-year track: eternity students.

Because Danish students receive a monthly grant and pay no tuition, some feel compelled to move through their studies without thinking about the future.

A 2015 amendment made it easier for universities to push students through, but the trend still exists.

As one of a handful of countries that offers free tuition to college students, Denmark grants students enormous freedom from debt and the pressure to declare a major right away.

But some Danes, especially older citizens already in the labor force, say the extra freedom can eliminate a crucial sense of urgency for 20-somethings to become adults. The country now deals with "eternity students"  people who stick around at college for six years or more without any plans of graduating, solely because they don't have any financial incentive to leave.

"With education being free, the Danish word 'evighedsstuderende' has risen," Daniel Borup Jakobsen, a 24-year-old recent graduate and current vice president at the software company Plecto, told Business Insider. "It refers to a person who never finishes his studies but continuously keeps changing study program year after year."

A 2015 amendment tries to motivate the eternity student

For years, Denmark has had a program that allots students a monthly grant of around $1,000 to cover living expenses. According to Jakobsen, the freedom enables people to float in a kind of listless state, only half-considering their options for the future.

The country has made some headway to counter eternity students. In 2015, the Danish government proposed and passed an amendment to the Study Progress Reform giving universities more power to hurry students toward graduation.

Thousands of students protested the measure at the time, criticizing it as a way to remove their freedoms. Those in favor of the amendment claimed it would add more tax dollars to the economy  some $266 million, according to government estimates  and make the university system more efficient.

"It has expanded over the years, so university students, when this reform was decided, were spending a year and a half more [enrolled in school] than they were supposed to," Sren Nedergaard, an official in Denmark's Ministry of Higher Education and Science, told The Atlantic. "The conception was: This was more than enough. It didn't need to be this long."

The trend is waning but nowhere near close to disappearing

Jakobsen said the amendment has definitely reduced the trend of eternity students, but they're still present on college campuses. Danes even have the word fjumrear, or "the year of goofing around," during which they take few classes and travel abroad.

In any case, Jakobsen rejected the idea that free tuition was a bad thing because it created the side effect of students waiting too long to graduate.

"Someone looking from the outside may raise the question whether students provided with free university education are as motivated to study hard as those who pay for it," he said. "My impression is that those two things aren't correlated. My belief is that your motivation to succeed in your studies is in no way linked to whether you're paying for your tuition or not."

Read more:

 This chart is easy to interpret: It says we're screwed

 How Uber became the world's most valuable startup

 These 4 things could trigger the next crisis in Europe

Read the original article on Business Insider UK.  2016. Follow Business Insider UK on Twitter.
Sign up to the Inside Politics email for your free daily briefing on the biggest stories in UK politics Get our free Inside Politics email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Inside Politics email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

Downing Street has said the actions of military forces in Burma against the Rohingya people looks like ethnic cleansing.

Theresa Mays spokesman made the comments as hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims are fleeing to Bangladesh following an army operation in their homeland in Myanmar.

It came as Burmese government announced that the army general in charge of operations in Rakhine state has been replaced.

Theresa Mays spokesman said: Weve been appalled by the inhumane violence thats taking place in Rakhine state.

Its a major humanitarian crisis. Its been created by the Burmese military and it looks like ethnic cleansing.

The intervention follows a brutal crackdown on the community by ethnic Rakhines and the Burmese military.

An estimated 600,000 Rohingya are already believed to have fled to the neighbouring Bangladesh since the start of the crackdown in late August.

It began when a group of Rohingya militants, which called themselves the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army, carried out simultaneous attacks on 20 police posts in Rakhine state  killing 12 officers.

Rohingya refugees  in pictures Show all 15 1 /15 Rohingya refugees  in pictures Rohingya refugees  in pictures A young girl and a baby wade through mud after arriving in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh from Burma on 10 September Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Rohingya refugees  in pictures Rohingya refugees walk through a camp in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh after arriving from Burma Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Rohingya refugees  in pictures A young Rohingya refugee gathers firewood after arriving in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh from Burma Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Rohingya refugees  in pictures Rohingya refugees wait for sacks of rice to be distributed in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Rohingya refugees  in pictures Rohingya Muslim refugees arrive on a boat in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh after crossing from Burma on 8 September Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Rohingya refugees  in pictures Rohingya Muslim refugees react after being re-united with each other after arriving in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh on a boat from Burma Getty Rohingya refugees  in pictures Rohingya Muslim refugees walk along the remains of a road after arriving in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh on a boat from Burma Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Rohingya refugees  in pictures Rohingya Muslim refugees wade through water after arriving in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh by boat from Burma Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Rohingya refugees  in pictures Rohingya Muslim refugees wade through water after arriving in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh by boat from Myanmar Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Rohingya refugees  in pictures Rohingya Muslim refugees stand in the rain after arriving in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh by boat from Burma Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Rohingya refugees  in pictures Indian children hold placards and shout slogans during a protest against the alleged persecution of the Rohingya Muslims in Burma EPA/Raminder Pal Singh Rohingya refugees  in pictures Supporters of the Difa-e-Pakistan Council (DPC), an Islamic organisation, listen to their leaders' speeches against Burma's persecution of Rohingya Muslims, during a demonstration in Karachi Reuters/Akhtar Soomro Rohingya refugees  in pictures Hundreds of Iranians take part in a protest against violence in Myanmar after weekly Friday prayers, in Tehran EPA/Abedin Taherkenareh Rohingya refugees  in pictures Indonesian Muslim activists hold placards and shout slogans during a protest against the alleged persecution of the Rohingya minority in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia EPA/Ali Lutfi Rohingya refugees  in pictures Members of an Islamic organisation shout slogans against the Burma government during a protest in Dhaka, Bangladesh EPA

According to UN estimates, around 1,000 people have died but the Burmese military has claimed the figure is closer to 400.

The UN has already condemned the violence, saying it is a textbook example of ethnic cleansing.

The government claims they are the descents of illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, and refers to them as Bengalis, who arrived in the country after Partition in 1947 and has denied them citizenship  making them stateless.

But the Rohingya say they are indigenous to the area, claiming descent from the precolonial Arakan civilisation.

Burmese leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been condemned by the international community for her failure to stand up for the Rohingya.

Recommended Aung San Suu Kyi is not worthy of her Nobel Peace Prize

She has faced calls for her to be stripped of the numerous humanitarian honours and awards, including the Nobel Peace Prize, she received during her years under house arrest for challenging the countrys ruling military junta.

Last month she was stripped of her Freedom of Oxford award, which she received in 1997 for her struggle for democracy, and musician Bob Geldof has announced he is returning his Freedom of Dublin over Ms Suu Kyi having the same prize.

At the beginning of this latest wave of violence, the Ministry of Defence announced it would suspend its education programme where it trains the Burmese military until there is an acceptable resolution to the current situation.

A spokesman for the MoD told The Independent in September: We call on the Burmese Armed Forces to take immediate steps to stop the violence in Rakhine and ensure the protection of all civilians, to allow full access for humanitarian aid and to facilitate the civilian governments implementation of the Rakhine Advisory Commissions recommendations in full.
Health chiefs have been told to consider a charity funded air ambulance to fly seriously ill children to British hospitals for transplants.

The Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) also advised that the best option for night-time cover for life-saving transfers in the next six months is to negotiate new 12-hour rosters to keep Irish Coast Guard pilots in the skies.

The watchdog suggested that the Department of Health seeks changes to aviation rules to allow crews to operate as an air ambulance again while on 24 hour shifts.

Hiqa's deputy chief executive Dr Mairin Ryan said ideally there should be an integrated aeromedical service rather than one designed for priority one patients who need surgery within eight hours.

"We realise the deep concern that the families of children awaiting heart and liver transplants must feel about how their loved ones can travel to the UK for a transplant," she said.

"We believe that the advice we have provided to the minister and the HSE offers the best possible solutions in both the immediate future and in the longer term."

Search and rescue crews have not been flying patients to Britain since September 5 as aviation rules dictate they should only carry out the duties when on 12-hour shifts.

The Air Corps took on the role on an almost full-time basis but last Monday it stopped covering from 7pm to 7.30am due to a lack of pilots.

A private air ambulance and crew has been based at Dublin Airport on standby since then to cover the shortfall.

Hiqa said three quarters of priority one transfers occur roughly during the night where transplant patients have four hours to get to a hospital after a donor heart becomes available and six hours for a liver.

It is understood no transfers of transplant patients were carried out at night in the last week and there were no delays or cancellations of proposed flights.

In its report for the Department of Health, Hiqa said the immediate solution is for a private firm to deliver a dedicated night-time service.

But it said its preferred long-term solution is for the Irish Coast Guard or the Air Corps to be given the role.

The next contract for coast guard services is due to run from 2022.

Hiqa said this could provide for an additional aircraft and crew to act as an air ambulance.

In September limitations were placed on Irish Coast Guard crews who doubled up to cover hospital transfers while on 24 hour search and rescue shifts.

The restrictions were enforced as the Irish Aviation Authority continues its investigation into the cause of the Rescue 116 crash off the coast of Mayo in March where four crew died.

Last year Irish Coast Guard crews flew eight patients to British hospitals, including seven children for a liver transplant and one for a combined liver and kidney transplant.

They also flew three of the first four transfers this year.

From September 5 the Air Corps carried out four priority one transfers, including three night-time flights, two of which were on the same evening.
In a major coup for the Dublin office market, Google is to acquire the Treasury Building for over 120m

Google is understood to be close to finalising a deal to acquire the Treasury Building on Dublin's Grand Canal Street for a figure in excess of 120m, the Sunday Independent can reveal.

The proposed transaction marks the conclusion of a process which kicked off with informal talks at the beginning of this year.

It is understood that Google had from the outset been prepared to pay up to 125m to secure ownership of the building, which currently serves as the headquarters of the NTMA and a number of its subsidiaries, including Nama.

That figure amounts to a premium of approximately 25m on the property's estimated valuation of 100m.

A spokeswoman for Google declined to comment on the matter when contacted by the Sunday Independent.

Google's intended purchase of the Treasury Building represents a spectacular coup for its owners, developers Johnny Ronan and Paddy McKillen, and Percy Nominees.

Expand Close LinkedIn has agreed to pre-let 130,000 sq ft at One Wilton / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp LinkedIn has agreed to pre-let 130,000 sq ft at One Wilton

It also serves as a statement of the web giant's intent to continue with, and deepen its investment in Dublin.

Google's decision to buy the Treasury Building outright is in keeping with its preference for owning its own premises.

In terms of its Irish operations, this was already evidenced by the company's purchase of its European headquarters on Barrow Street and the nearby Montevetro building for 100m and 99m respectively in 2011.

Both buildings were developed by Treasury Holdings, the company headed up by Johnny Ronan and Richard Barrett. Google isn't the only US tech giant intent on expanding its Dublin presence however.

In another piece of very welcome news for the capital and for the wider economy, LinkedIn is understood to have agreed to pre-let 130,000 sq ft of office space at One Wilton, a new 150,000 sq ft building to be developed by Iput on the site of Fitzwilton House at Wilton Terrace.

In its latest annual report, Iput indicated that One Wilton would be completed by mid 2019 subject to the agreement of a pre-let this year.

The Sunday Independent understands that Iput has already reached agreement with the Australian embassy and the Revenue Commissioners to move from Fitzwilton House by an agreed date to allow for its demolition and redevelopment.

A spokesman for Iput declined to make any comment on the company's pre-letting agreement with LinkedIn for One Wilton when contacted by the Sunday Independent. It is understood that LinkedIn will pay a rent in the region of 60 per sq ft for its new premises, which will be located immediately adjacent to its recently-opened European headquarters at Wilton Place.

Since arriving here in 2010, LinkedIn has grown its Irish workforce from just three employees to 1,200.

Google, for its part, already has a 6,100-strong Dublin workforce. Its acquisition of the Treasury Building suggests that it intends to grow its existing headcount significantly in the near to medium term. The building's current occupier, the NTMA, is poised to move shortly to its new headquarters at Dublin Landings, which is currently being developed by Sean Mulryan's Ballymore and Singapore-headquartered Oxley Holdings in the north docks.

The NTMA's new premises is expected to be ready for fit out by next February or March, leaving open the possibility that the State agency may move from its current location towards the middle or end of 2018.

Quite apart from its intended purchase and move into the Treasury Building, Google already increased its presence on Grand Canal Street this year with its agreement to lease 51,096 sq ft from Irish Life at the recently-constructed Velasco Building. The property sits directly across the road from the Treasury Building.

Both properties meanwhile are located within a five-minute walk of Google's Barrow Street offices, the home of its European headquarters and the acknowledged heart of an area now commonly known as 'Googletown'.

Outside of the city centre, Google reached an agreement last August to lease space for several hundred additional employees at the Blackthorn Building in the newly-branded Sandyford Business District (SBD). Elsewhere in the SBD, the company is also reported to be in advanced talks with US real estate giant Kennedy Wilson to take space at the Chase Building and with the owners of the Atrium, which was formerly occupied by Microsoft.

Quite apart from Dublin's Central Business District and Sandyford, the US web giant entered into a 10-year lease on Block L at Freeman House in East Point Business Park in 2013.
Reduced tariffs and increased access to Japan is good news for Irish beef exports, but persuading Japan's 126m people to eat Irish beef may prove difficult.

Japan is home to 125m people and watermelon bread. The country that is credited with coming up with growing square watermelons - because they are easier to store and cut up - then came up with watermelon bread.

Suika Pan as it's known in Japan looks and tastes like watermelon and for Japanese people, with a long-known fondness for all kinds of cute and kitsch, watermelon bread is a winner. It remains to be seen if Irish beef can be a similar hit with Japan's consumers who want innovation, convenience, single portions and health benefits from their food choices.

Watermelon bread looks good on Instagram, is certainly cute can be sold in single servings and could possibly claim some 'healthy' fruit links. How Irish beef could position itself in such a market remains to be seen, and it may have to think beyond a 'clean, green image'.

Under the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement tariffs on Irish beef will be reduced over the coming years from the current 38.5pc and the Department of Agriculture is currently leading a trade mission to Japan and South Korea to promote Irish exports.

This is good news for beef exporters looking to find and develop new markets for beef exports in light of the looming Brexit threat and with 50pc of Irish beef exports currently going to the UK, exports to countries further afield may prove vital for the sector.

Japan, while a considerable distance away, is in many ways an ideal market for Irish beef. The South East Asia region is home to 600m people and 50pc of the world's middle classes live in Asia and there is not enough meat production in all of South America to feed the demand for beef from South East Asia.

And Japan is key to Asian markets. It is considered by many as the key Asian influencer for culture and food. Tokyo is home to 20m people and it's a population that likes to eat out. Tokyo has 160,000 restaurants, compared to 40,000 in Paris, and Bord Bia's Ciaran Gallagher says Japanese consumers are some of the most exacting in the world and it takes a long time to grow business in Japan.

According to research by Japanese market research company Sugata, Ireland as a food nation is not a message that has reached Japan. Further, Dave Perry, General Manager with Sugata, said beef is still a 'special occasion' meat that is not eaten at home and beef remains a niche and expensive meat for many Japanese consumers.

Even Japan's world famous Wagyu beef is suffering some 'bad press' as it's high fat marbling is considered by a health-conscious Japanese consumer as unhealthy and consumers are looking to imports as it's cheaper and less fatty. The marbling of Wagyu can be so intense through the meat that not only is it impossible to cut the fat out, but the meat can be up to 25pc fat.

So, beef imports from Europe could be an attractive offering for Japanese consumers.

For Ireland, though it remains a virtually unknown country to the Japanese consumer. Beyond Guinness, there is little recognition of Ireland.

But Dave Perry said this presents Ireland with a unique opportunity to tell it's story about Irish beef. Japanese consumers, he said, could listen to a story about their food and how it is produced and the job now for Irish beef exporters and Bord Bia is to tell that story.

But getting a message to 125m people in a country rich on tradition yet big on 'cute' is not straightforward. Single-serve portions of every food are standard and health benefit claims are almost standard in some food sectors, Irish beef will have to tell a story that encompasses heritage, provenance and healthiness. At the same time, it will have to be packaged conveniently, be small serving sizes and Instagram friendly.

Japan offers a vast consumer market for Irish beef, but telling the story of Irish beef may be a very costly exercise if the Japanese consumer doesn't buy the message.
On day one of the Government of Ireland, Agri-Food Trade Mission to Asia, the Minister for Agriculture Food & Marine, Michael Creed TD, met with Japans Minister for Health Labour and Welfare Minister Katsunobu Kato.

Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed held high-level discussions with Japans Minister for Health Labour and Welfare Minister Katsunobo Kato an access for Irish meat.

The meeting was part of day one of an Agri Food Trade Mission to Asia this week. Minister Creed said that at todays meeting he took the opportunity to request that the 30 month age limit on our beef exports be raised and also undertook to begin the process of gaining market access for Irish sheepmeat to Japan.
The prospect of hardy Galloway cattle controlling vegetation on Irelands uplands is being actively considered by hill farmers.

Much of the hill and mountain commonage has been deemed ineligible for the ANC and Basic Payment Scheme in recent years because of unrestrained growth of wooded heather and purple moor grass.

Hill farmers blame the prevalence of this vegetation on the Department of Agricultures policy of destocking the uplands in the 1990s.

However, the INHFA are looking at the option of putting Galloway cattle back on the hills as a way of bringing vegetation growth under control.

Last week a group of 21 farmers visited the Galloway region of southeast Scotland to view how farmers there managed the stock on the hills.

In order to get our hills back to the condition they were in previously famers are going to have to be allowed to graze our uplands under a different set of regulations. One way of achieving this could be by grazing cattle all year round on the hills, Sean Martin of the INHFA maintained.

In 2011 after some research and in consultation with the Department I decided to introduce Galloway cattle to my own commonage. I chose the Galloway breed because of their hardiness and their ability to graze on heather and molina grass (purple moor grass), he pointed out.

Native to Scotland, Galloways are a hardy breed with a thicker skin and double coat of hair that means they can live outdoors all year around and thrive on the tough mountain grasses.

On hill and upland pastures, the Galloway breed will graze down purple moor grass and heather, which improves the natural herbage for sheep, wildlife and game through the removal of this roughage.

The Galloway cow is a hardy, low-cost animal. She is generally fertile, easy calving, and has a good supply of milk. In addition, Mr Martin said there is a good demand for the finished stock.

Vincent Roddy of the INHFA said that while the Nitrates Directive had effectively pushed cattle off the hills, there was now a growing realisation that keeping cattle on uplands was necessary to better control the heather. I believe there wasnt an understanding of all-year-round grazing, but now there is an acceptance that it has a role to play in hill farming, Mr Roddy claimed.

He said the INHFA visit to Scotland examined how the Galloway cattle were kept on the hills through the winter, and the end market for the stock.
Elgin Energy is seeking permission for a major 100-acre solar photovoltaic (PV) farm in Kilkenny, adding to its Midlands-wide solar power play.

The application is just the latest in a slew of proposals by developers for solar farms on sites right across the country over the past year, following a significant fall in the cost of solar PV technology.

Elgin - in which Superquinn founder Feargal Quinn was an early investor - has applied to build the power installation at a 39.6-hectare site close to the village of Ballyragget. Quinn is no longer involved in the business but the energy company is seeking permission to build similar farms at a number of other sites across the Midlands.

The company has received permission to build a 35-acre solar farm in Carlow. It has also been given the green light for farms in Laois, Offaly and Westmeath. It is also seeking permission for a development close to Athboy, Co Meath, while it was refused permission on a 28-hectare site near Courtown, Co Wexford.

The proposed solar farm will provide 25mw of power to the national grid and "will assist in the secure supply of energy for local businesses and the region as a destination for investment by large energy users through the supply of green energy", said the company in a submission to the planning authority.

Elgin said that the proposed project in Ballyragget could power 6,500 homes in the region or could provide enough power to meet 25pc of the nearby Glanbia factory's current annual electricity requirements. The project would eliminate 300,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions over its lifespan.

A decision on the latest Kilkenny project, which would be operational for 30 years, is due on December 5 according to Kilkenny's planning department.

In its latest submission to the planning authorities, Elgin claimed that solar PV will become "the most prevalent source of renewable technology over the coming years".

Globally, installed PV capacity is reported at around 300 gigawatts but this is expected to rise to around 1700 gigawatts by 2030. More than 12,000mw of the technology has been installed in the UK but, while proposals have risen sharply in Ireland, not many projects have yet been constructed.

In August, this newspaper reported analysis of planning applications that showed 225 applications had been received by local authorities since June 2015 and that no applications were in the system before then.

In some areas where solar farms have been proposed objectors have highlighted the fact that there are currently no national planning guidelines for the technology.

The consultation period on a proposed new renewable energy support scheme was closed on Friday.

Industry insiders said that the scheme could potentially have a major impact on the solar industry and its development in Ireland.
An animal rights activist was left hospitalised after she clashed with a man while she filmed a nearby hunt.

The woman and her friend, who are both part of West Midlands Hunt Saboteurs, were approached by the furious man after they has spent more than two hours trying to disrupt the Warwickshire hunt.

The man was captured on camera shoving the women to the ground as she attempted to leave.

Although the hunt did not publish video of the woman being smacked by the hunt supporter, they posted several photos of the incident. Still of the activist with blood at the side of her face.

After the incident, she can be heard on a radio saying: "I have just been assaulted. I've just be slapped in the face."

Once she left the hunt area, the activist was brought by her group to Warwickshire Hospital A&E for treatment.

Read More: 'Get off my land': Crazy footage shows farmer using quad bike to confront hunt protesters

The video, originally posted on the West Midlands Hunt Saboteurs Facebook page, has been viewed more than 250k times since it was uploaded on Saturday.

A spokesman for the hunt saboteurs told the Mirror that this incident shows the type of people that some fox hunters are.

"We were concerned that the hunt were hunting a fox and that the hounds were heading towards a busy main road. Suddenly two hunt supporters approach us and start shouting aggressively before attacking us.

"It shows what type of people fox hunters are that they think it acceptable for men to attack women, punch them and then shove them over from behind."

A spokesperson for the Warwickshire Hunt told the paper that hunt organisers comply with the UK's hunting act.

"The Hunt does not condone any form of violence, even when faced with extreme provocation, personal harassment and other serial offences."

This is the second time in recent weeks that West Midlands Hunt Saboteurs made the headlines.

Last month, a farmer used his quad bike to confront other saboteurs, before pushing one member of the group into a nearby ditch.

Later, the man's quad bike knocked another member of the group off his feet and into a ditch.
Brexit will leave an annual 10bn hole in the EU budget, a European Parliament report has found, with cuts of around 3bn a year to the Common Agricultural Policy.

The research, carried out for agriculture MEPs by the Jacques Delors Institute, says the gap will need to be filled by higher contributions, spending cuts, a combination of both, or new EU taxes.

The report says cuts to the CAP could rise beyond 3bn - its estimate of the UK's net contribution to the CAP budget - "if other EU programmes are prioritised".

Agriculture minister Michael Creed said "new money" should be raised to meet rising challenges such as migration, security and youth unemployment, and that the CAP budget should not be touched.

"New challenges require new money," Mr Creed told the Farming Independent. "It is not a reason to raid the budget of the Common Agricultural Policy."

The Parliament report said a request for new money "disproportionally affects some of the EU's largest net contributors such as Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden". They are also three of the countries, along with France, leading the EU's increasingly hardline stance on the UK's Brexit bill, and are unlikely to agree to higher budget contributions in future.

Fine Gael MEP and Parliament vice-president Mairead McGuinness said money remained the main sticking point in the Brexit talks, and called out the UK's attempts "to link its financial commitments" to a future trade deal post-Brexit.

Mr Creed said Ireland and the rest of the EU would soon have to "face up" to the CAP budget hole. "It's entirely understandable that no state is running around now with its hand up and saying 'We'll contribute more or we'll take less'," Mr Creed said. "But I think Europe - and indeed Ireland - may, at a later stage, have to face up to the issue of how do we fund the Common Agricultural Policy into the future given the UK's contribution is gone from it."

Meanwhile, a new study for the Chatham House think tank found that EU budget pressures from Brexit, migration and security are likely to reduce the CAP budget and "could trigger some policy changes".

However, the report said there was "no real prospect of substantial reform" of the CAP in the next 10 years and warned of a "risk of a regression away from its current 'decoupled' approach towards a more protective and distortive one".
Mark Ryan has been appointed as a non-executive director at DCC

Diversified Irish logistics and sales support group DCC has announced the appointment of Mr Mark Ryan as a non-executive director with immediate effect.

In a statement today, the DCC described Mr Ryan as a highly experienced board director and business leader who has operated successfully at senior management level both in Ireland and internationally.

Between 2005 and 2014 Mr Ryan was country managing director of Accenture in Ireland, during which time he led the development of a business that expanded its services and grew the number of employees to over 1,650 highly skilled consultants, technology and business operations personnel.

During his time at Accenture Mr Ryan served in numerous management and executive roles in delivering major strategy, IT and business change programmes for the companys clients locally and internationally.

A science graduate of Trinity College Dublin and a member of the Institute of Directors, Mr Ryan currently serves as a non-executive director on a number of boards including Well Fargo Bank International, Immedis, Econiq and The Abbey Theatre.

"I would like to welcome Mark to the board. His management expertise in business strategy development and IT solutions as well as his wide-ranging board experience including at risk, audit and strategy sub-committee level make him a very good fit for our board," John Moloney, chairman of DCC, said.

Last week the DCC announced that it had entered into the US market after it agreed to buy a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) business headquartered in Illinois.

The deal places a $200m (173m) enterprise value on Retail West LPG and provides DCC with a platform for further expansion in America.

In a busy year of expansion for the company, in April DCC announced that it had made its first ever acquisition outside Europe, agreeing to buy Shell's LPG distribution business in Hong Kong and Macau.
Worth over 4.1bn to the Irish economy, Ireland's aerospace and aviation industry is soaring to new heights. Irish lessors manage 80bn in assets worldwide and there are more than 250 companies involved in the aerospace, aviation and space sectors in Ireland, providing employment for around 42,000 full-time workers.

That number is set to grow further, as Dublin Aerospace, Ireland's largest independent aircraft maintenance provider, has announced that it will create 150 new jobs over the next three years. Supported by Enterprise Ireland, the expansion of Dublin Aerospace's workforce is part of the company's strategy to double its turnover by 2023.

With over 50pc of the industry's global spend managed by aircraft leasing companies based in Ireland, the country is uniquely positioned to drive the industry's innovation.

Sean Phelan, director at QCD Solutions, a global sourcing supply chain and Lean consulting company, describes the opportunity: "The world fleet of commercial aircraft is forecast to nearly double to 40,000 aircraft by 2036, with a projected value of $5.5trn.

"There is additional demand for 35,000 aircraft over the next 20 years, to replace existing aircraft and support new aircraft requirements. That creates significant opportunities for Irish aerospace supply-chain companies to secure long-term contracts on the aircraft programmes that will meet this demand.

"As of September, the aerospace industry has a backlog of firm orders for 6991 Airbus aircraft and 5659 Boeing aircraft already placed. Bombardier's potential deal with Airbus also promises additional opportunities to the Irish aerospace supply chain."

Ireland has around 115 active Enterprise Ireland-backed companies within the sector, including CAE Parc Aviation, The Botany Weaving Mill, Ohshima, Eirtech Aviation Services, Inflight Audio, Takumi Precision Engineering, Dawnlough, DPF and Eirecomposites, paving the way for other startups to consider Ireland as a location to conduct business. At the Dublin Aerospace announcement, Tanaiste and Business, Enterprise and Innovation Minister Frances Fitzgerald affirmed the national importance of the sector,

Ireland has a growing reputation for innovation and service excellence within the aerospace and aviation industry which is itself experiencing rapid growth. Its established supply chain includes both prime and tier 1 companies, including Bombardier, Rockwell Collins, and Thales. The growth of the aviation and aerospace sector has been driven by the unique strengths Irish companies offer, including a continuous investment in developing the skills of a highly-educated and adaptable workforce, and a focus on research, development and innovation.

These strengths are central to what Enterprise Ireland defines as the Irish Advantage and help companies within the sector to win business.

David Quin, Supply Chain Director at Rockwell Collins, echoes the advantages of working with companies in Ireland. "At Rockwell Collins in Kilkeel, we procure over 20m from our Irish supply base. This success is based on a responsive and collaborative approach to our supply chain solutions and the reliable delivery of high-quality parts."

There is significant potential for Irish exporters to further build ambitious and successful partnerships in key international markets.

Enterprise Ireland supports that work with presences at the world-renowned Farnborough, Dubai and Paris Air Shows, including a dedicated Aviation Aerospace Ireland pavilion. To support the development of Irish aerospace supply chain programmes, Irish companies are encouraged to expand their quality processes, procedures and management styles in line with established international aerospace standards such as SC21 and AS9100, endorsed by mentoring programmes from key prime and tier 1 companies, such as Bombardier and Rockwell Collins.

Sean Long is Senior UK Market Adviser Engineering and Electronics at Enterprise Ireland
Xi Jinping, China's president, speaks during the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (Apec) CEO Summit in Da Nang, Vietnam, at the weekend Photo: SeongJoon Cho/Bloomberg

China is letting outside investors join the front line in its war on debt.

The government will let foreigners control financial-sector joint ventures, and says it will eliminate ownership caps completely in a few years.

Western financiers have been burned by such promises before. But the $10tn (8.5tn) in uninvested savings languishing in local banks, plus a burgeoning wealth management industry, should encourage experienced players to take a second swing.

Foreign interest in securities joint ventures involving Chinese partners has steadily waned over the past decade, due to lacklustre performance and differences over strategy - the latter aggravated by the lack of control. At the same time, overseas interest in mainland stocks and bonds has faded in the face of volatility, policy opacity, and the difficulty of repatriating profits.

China has gone without foreign money that would have helped it meet its own goal of cutting overall indebtedness.

The relaxation of the rules marks a diplomatic solemnification of a process already under way.

In June, UK-based HSBC was allowed to set up a majority-owned securities joint venture.

Foreign asset managers have been launching wholly owned entities in anticipation of the full opening of China's mutual fund industry, which experts estimates to have $1.7tn under management.

It's the second-largest market of its kind in the region, growing at a rollicking compound growth rate of 29pc.

It's true, local competitors look intimidating. Domestic giants like CITIC and Haitong Securities have moved up league tables, and the fund management industry is cut-throat.

Distortions in Chinese stock, bond and derivatives markets are unresolved. But as execution and efficiency become more important than plain old access to cheap capital, the Western players ought to have an advantage.

Foreign institutions have another selling point: they have big businesses outside of the People's Republic.

There's a massive pile of cash held uninvested by the Chinese middle class that could be put to more productive use. As Chinese warm to overseas stocks and bonds, foreign firms who jump in now will be well-positioned to sell into the trend. That's worth the effort.

The Chinese government on Saturday said it will raise foreign ownership limits in domestic financial firms, a long-anticipated step allowing foreign partners to take more control.

The changes include raising the limit on foreign ownership in joint-venture firms in the futures, securities and funds markets to 51pc from 49pc.

Full foreign ownership of local firms involved in the futures, securities and funds markets will be permitted after three years, while full overseas ownership of insurance firms will be allowed after five years.

The foreign ownership limit of 20pc on a single entity basis and 25pc on an aggregate basis of any Chinese owned bank and financial asset management company will be removed.
Israeli actress Gal Gadot poses at a photocall for the film 'Justice League' in central London on November 4, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Tolga AKMENTOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images

Wonder Woman star Gal Gadot has reportedly refused to return for the superhero sequel unless executive producer Brett Ratner is taken off the project.

Ratner has been accused of sexual misconduct by several women including the actress Ellen Page who said she was 'outed' by Ratner on the set of X-Men: The Last Stand when she was just 18.

Expand Close Gal Gadot / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Gal Gadot

Fellow star Anna Paquin has backed up her claims. Ratner denies the allegations against him.

Page Six reports that Gadot, who starred in the hugely successful DC film Wonder Woman last year, has threated to walk unless executive producer Ratner departs.

Expand Close Brett Ratner / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Brett Ratner

"A Hollywood source tells Page Six that Gadot  who last month backed out of a dinner honoring Ratner, where she was due to present him with an award  is taking a strong stance on sexual harassment in Hollywood and doesnt want her hit 'Wonder Woman' franchise to benefit a man accused of sexual misconduct," reports Page Six.

Ratner's deal with the studio does not expire until 2018 so the studio is faced with a tough decision.

A Warner Bros insider reportedly told Page Six, Brett made a lot of money from the success of 'Wonder Woman,' thanks to his company having helped finance the first movie.

"Now Gadot is saying she won't sign for the sequel unless Warner Bros. buys Brett out [of his financing deal] and gets rid of him.

The allegations against Ratner come after several weeks of similar allegations leveled at producer Harvey Weinstein among others.
It looks like Taylor Swift may well be gracing the Croke Park stage next year.

The 26 year old star has just dropped her new album, Reputation, and fans are eagerly awaiting the announcement of a tour, which Billboard reports may come on her birthday in December.

Speaking on The Pat Kenny Show on Monday morning Peter McKenna, commercial and stadium director with the GAA and Croke Park, did not deny Swift would play the 80,000 capacity venue when asked.

Although he said "nothing is confirmed as of yet," he replied, "I'm not somebody to tell lies on radio Pat," when asked if he would deny a date would be announced.

Swift previously played two sold out shows on her 1989 tour in the 3Arena in 2015 and fans are eager for her return.

Recently fans who pre-ordered her new album Reputation were reportedly given a code which gives them pre-sale preference for her 2018 UK and Ireland shows.

The Sun reported that an email sent to fans read, Do you want to get advanced access to pre-sale tickets to the forthcoming soon to be announced Taylor Swift UK & Ireland 2018 concert dates?

"Pre-order reputation from the Official Taylor Swift-UK & Ireland store and you will get a unique code that grants you exclusive access to the forthcoming pre-sales for the UK and Ireland 2018 concert dates!"

U2 played a date at Croker on The Joshua Tree tour earlier this year while Coldplay also played a sold out date at the iconic Dublin venue. Although a third concert is allowed no third concert took place this year.

Today it was announced that Michael Buble will play a fully seated concert at the Dublin city centre venue on Saturday July 7 next year.
Emmerdale actor Tony Audenshaw has told of the pain of losing his wife to cancer in a tragedy which echoed his soap storyline.

Audenshaws Emmerdale alter-ego, cafe owner Bob Hope, helped his on-screen wife Brenda fight a brain tumour in 2013.

The actor told the Daily Mirror how, away from the cameras, his familys life turned upside down when his wife Ruth was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer two years ago.

The cancer spread to her liver and the cognitive behaviour therapist died in April this year, aged 43.

We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference

Audenshaw, 53, told the newspaper that he wanted to talk about his wifes illness to raise awareness of the disease, as well as charities like Pancreatic Cancer UK.

I remember being very quiet as we walked to the hospital car park, then breaking down in the car, he said.

Before, we worried about forgetting to put the bin out. Now Ruth was going to be dead within a year after a horrible illness.

The father-of-two said: She knew it was too late for her, but she wanted to help others. Two weeks before she died she had some of her cells harvested to be used in research trials. They might be pivotal in some kind of breakthrough. I have to hope so.

Thats what Ruth was all about. She was a brilliant person. She was so brave.
An Irish toy company has made the worlds first doll with a cochlear implant.

Mia the wildlife photographer wears a cochlear implant. But this is just one part of her story, the manufacturers Arklu say. She also is on a mission to encourage children to take an interest in nature and wildlife.

Isla McGuckin, creative director at Arku, told independent.ie that the doll is intended to be representative of children with disabilities, and has attracted media attention as far away as Australia.

We have a series of books and Mia is a character in our books and when we developed the doll we kept really closely to her character."

"We wanted to make sure we got the tone of the doll right. Actually on the packaging we dont mention the implant. We say that shes a wildlife photographer, and talk about the things shes interested in.

The doll received an honourable mention in the International Design Awards.

Were a small toy company based up in Donegal and our vision was always to be as representative as possible of real life children, so our dolls wear wellies and jeans and raincoats, Ms McGuckin added.

One element of this is about being representative of children with a disability. For children without a disability theres a huge benefit to playing with dolls with a disability. It helps with skills like empathy.
A bachelor died from two stab wounds to the neck while he was drunk in his own home, a barrister told a murder trial this afternoon.

Paul Murray SC opened the trial of 30-year-old Keith Brady of Cartron Estate, Sligo who pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Martin Kivlehan (59) at New Apartments, Holborn St, Sligo on August 2/3 2015. The plea was not accepted and he is on trial at the Central Criminal Court.

Mr Murray told the jury that the deceased was a bachelor and people would often visit his house for a drink. On the Sunday night of August 2 and the following Bank Holiday Monday Keith Brady and his sister Janice Brady were in Mr Kivlehan's house and while they were there Mr Kivlehan died.

His body was found the next day and a pathologist's report showed that he had two stab wounds on either side of his neck. The pathologist's report, Mr Murray said, would show that one of the wounds went to a depth of 7.8cm while the other was 9cm deep. Death was not immediate but would have been rapid, brought on by blood haemorrhage.

Counsel added that a toxicology report would show that the deceased had high levels of alcohol in his system and that there will be evidence of "gross intoxication" on his part.

Mr Murray further told the jury that the accused has offered a plea of guilty to manslaughter which was not accepted by the State.

Therefore the jury must decide whether Mr Kivlehan's death amounted to murder or manslaughter. He explained that in order for them to bring a verdict of murder the prosecution must prove beyond reasonable doubt that the accused intended to kill or cause serious injury to Mr Kivlehan.

Under Irish law, he explained, an accused person is presumed to intend the natural and probable consequences of their actions. He then asked: "What are the natural and probable consequences of stabbing a person, not once, but twice, on either side of the neck?"

The jury then heard from Detective Garda Brian Cleary who developed maps of the area in Sligo where Mr Kivlehan lived. Detective Garda Eoin Conway told Mr Murray that he took photos of the house where Mr Kivlehan's body was found. He said the apartment was in a "general state of untidiness".

He identified an armchair which had blood staining and was surrounded by "rubbish" and beer cans. A duvet visible in one of the photos had been covering Mr Kivlehan's body.

The trial will continue tomorrow in front of Justice Paul McDermott and a jury of five men and seven women.
Eight youths are to face trial accused of arson and causing 3.5m worth of damage during a stand-off at the Oberstown detention campus for young offenders.

Seven of the teens, aged 17 and 18, appeared at the Dublin Childrens Court on Monday facing criminal damage, arson and violent disorder charges.

Five of them are from Dublin while the remaining three are from Co Limerick, Co Cork and Co Mayo.

It has been heard that the case is too serious to be heard in the juvenile court.

They are to be tried in the circuit court which has tougher sentencing powers and six of them had their cases adjourned for four weeks weeks to allow time for the Director of Public Prosecution to complete books of evidence.

Several units of the Dublin Fire Brigade were called out to fight a blaze at the detention in north Dublin when trouble broke on August 29 last year.

Gardai were also called out to help respond to the incidents which took place after inmates climbed onto a roof to stage a protest as staff at the centre were engaged in industrial action. The 48-bed facility in Lusk, in north Co Dublin is the States main detention centre for young people dealt with through the criminal justice system.

In an outline of allegations given in the case of a 17-year-old defendant, the Childrens Court was told that some of them got out of their units, released the others and they went onto the roof of a building throwing missiles.

A fire was started and 3.5m worth of damage was caused. One of the units at the campus was completely destroyed.

The eighth youths case was adjourned in his absence because he could not attend the hearing today having been detained in Castlerea Prison. A body warrant was issued for him to be brought before the court next week.

All of them are on bail on the charges before the court and most were accompanied to court by lawyers and family members. However, most of them remain in custody in connection with other charges.

They have not yet indicated how they will plead to the charges.
THE husband of a French woman found stabbed to death at their Dublin home has been charged with her murder.

Renato Gehlen (35) appeared in Dublin District Court today accused of murdering Anne Colomines (37), a financial executive, who was found dead at their apartment in the north of the city.

The court heard Mr Gehlen made no reply to the charge when it was put to him by gardai after caution.

Judge Anthony Halpin remanded him in custody until Thursday.

Mr Gehlen, a Brazilian national, is charged with murdering Ms Colomines at Dorset Square Apartments, Gardiner Street on October 24 last.

Ms Colomines was found with multiple stab wounds at around 11.30pm that night and emergency workers pronounced her dead at the scene.

Mr Gehlen was himself treated for serious injuries before he was arrested and charged.

Today, Garda Seargeant Kenneth Hoare said he arrested the defendant for the purpose of charging him at 9.54am on October 11 at Mountjoy Garda Station.

He was charged at 10.10pm that night and in reply to the charge after caution he had no reply to make, Sgt Hoare said.

Mr Gehlen was handed a copy of the charge sheet.

Judge Halpin asked Sgt Hoare if the directions of the DPP were available yet.

Not yet, judge, he replied.

Defence solicitor Philip Hannon said he did not require a Portuguese interpreter for the court hearing but would need one for consultations.

He asked Judge Halpin to certify for an interpreter.

No bail application was made as bail in a murder case can only be granted at the High Court.

Judge Halpin directed that the accused receives all necessary medical attention, following an application by Mr Hannon.

He also granted free legal aid after Mr Hannon handed a statement of the accuseds financial means in to court.

Sgt Hoare said there was no garda objection to legal aid.

Judge Halpin remanded the defendant in custody to appear in Cloverhill District Court Court on November 16.

The accused, wearing a white jumper, grey tracksuit bottoms and runners with no laces did not address the court during the brief hearing and has not yet indicated how he intends to plead to the charge.

Ms Colomines, who is from La Rochelle in south western France, had been living in Ireland for five years and worked at tech company Pay Pal.
The high-profile family feud between the mother and son who run the multi-million euro Kilkenny Group will revert back to the High Court after painstaking five-month mediation talks failed.

The row erupted last year when Marian O'Gorman, the chief executive of the Cork-based family business, terminated the employment of her son Greg.

Mr O'Gorman was marketing director for the Kilkenny luxury goods group for 13 years and played a key role in the expansion of retail operations. Mr O'Gorman immediately took legal action to stop his dismissal and require his mother to honour a deal to hold the group in trust for him and his siblings.

A series of high-profile High Court submissions eventually resulted in both sides agreeing to a mediation process last June.

However, it has now been confirmed that mediation failed and the matter will revert to the High Court for full hearing. The discovery process, which involves all relevant company and legal documentation being inspected by both sides, has now commenced.

The legal battle between the mother and son will reach full hearing in mid-2018.

Last night, Mr O'Gorman said in a statement that it was "unfortunate" meditation had failed.

The Kilkenny Group, which employs 300 people, increased its turnover under Mr O'Gorman's watch from 18m in 2010 to approximately 30m in 2016, and saw profits rise from 300,000 to 1.5m over the same period.

Mr O'Gorman claimed his dismissal, signalled in a letter delivered to his Cork home on July 8, 2016, was with "no suggestion of misconduct or non-performance".

He also claimed that the manner of his dismissal was "demeaning and humiliating".

Mr O'Gorman said the dismissal had left him, his wife and three children "financially destitute".

"Myself and my family have been put through 16 months of hurt and pain and I have been stripped of my career and reputation as a result of my mother's actions. I have now been left with no choice but to proceed with my case. This is a fight for what is right and fair," he said.

Mrs O'Gorman has not publicly commented on the two-year dispute with her son.

Mr O'Gorman described his mother in court filings as "by nature a domineering, aggressive and belligerent person".
A raider jailed for his role in the theft of an ATM machine from a petrol station, which was dislodged using a JCB, has had his jail term cut on appeal.

Joseph Berry (30), with an address at Closh Pump, Staplestown Road, in Carlow, had pleaded guilty to theft and linked offences at a Maxol/Mace service station on the Bellefield Road, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford on July 24, 2009.

He was sentenced to four years imprisonment at Wexford Circuit Criminal Court by Judge Barry Hickson on June 28, 2016.

Berry successfully appealed his sentence today with the three-judge Court of Appeal holding that the Circuit Court judge gave insufficient credit for strong mitigating factors before suspending the final nine months of a new for year term.

The Court of Appeal heard that construction work was underway at the Maxol/Mace service station and there was a JCB digger on site.

One of the gang got into the JCB, hotwired it and drove it at the ATM several times in order to dislodge it from the wall.

A number of the gang succeeded in pushing the ATM into the bucket of the JCB and it was then manoeuvred by the JCB onto a stolen trailer, after which, the gang proceeded to make good their escape.

The ATM was owned by Ulster Bank and computerised records indicated that a sum of 205,100 had been in the machine when it was removed.

Mr Justice Alan Mahon said Joseph Berry was the younger cousin of two of the gang members and the only one without previous convictions. Berry's cousins were convicted after a lengthy trial and another accomplice went into the garda witness protection programme. His two cousins received sentences of six years and five years and nine months.

Mr Justice Mahon said the disparity between Joseph Berry's sentence and those of his older cousins warranted intervention.

He said Joseph Berry could not accurately be described as a fugitive, as was suggested by the sentencing judge, because he did not contest the surrender request.

It was also the case that he had pleaded guilty in circumstances where there was at least the potential to contest the charges. Had the trial proceeded in the absence of a guilty plea, Mr Justice Mahon said the prosecution would have had to depend on the uncorroborated evidence of an accomplice.

Counsel for Berry, Giollaiosa O Lideadha SC, said there was nothing to support the accomplice's evidence and there were masses of material with which to attack the prosecution witness.

Mr Justice Mahon said the Circuit Court judge erred in not sufficiently discounting Joseph Berry's sentence to allow for strong mitigating factors. There were his relative youth, guilty plea and previous conviction-free record.

The Court of Appeal also had regard to requirements under the European Arrest Warrant Act that Berry was entitled to have his sentence backdated to take account of time spent in custody in Germany while awaiting extradition.

Mr Justice Mahon, who sat with Mr Justice Michael Peart and Mr Justice George Birmingham, resentenced Joseph Berry to four years imprisonment with the final nine months suspended. The sentence was backdated to December 9, 2015.
A home care worker who attacked a man in a bar, fracturing his oesophagus and causing him to be placed in an induced coma, has avoided a jail sentence.

Oleksander Zavhorodniy (42) punched Guillaune Demarest several times following a verbal altercation in Cafe En Seine, Dawson Street, Dublin 2 on June 11, 2016.

Zavhorodiny, of Moreen Park, Sandyford, Dublin pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing serious harm.

The court heard that during the 20-second attack, Zavhorodiny struck Mr Demarest in the head and the throat, fracturing his oesophagus and causing an injury to his forehead that required eight stitches.

Judge Patricia Ryan said that the very serious assault left the victim with no memory of the night in question and necessitated doctors putting him in a medically-induced coma for 16 days.

Eamonn O'Moore BL, defending, said that Zavhorodiny had brought 4,000 to court by way of compensation to the victim, and that this had been accepted by Mr Demarest.

Sentencing Zavhorodiny today, Judge Ryan said he must be given credit for remaining at the bar until gardai arrived, for his genuine remorse and the fact he had no previous convictions.

She said his guilty plea and the fact he acted completely out of character must also be taken into account when deciding an appropriate punishment.

However, she said Zavhorodiny committed a very serious offence that caused substantial injury and financial loss to Mr Demarest, a French national.

Judge Ryan sentenced the defendant to two years in prison, which she suspended for a period of two years on a number of conditions.

She instructed him to be of good behaviour and warned that he should endeavour not to come to the attention of the gardai during this time.
A teenager has been charged with assault causing harm to a 14-year-old boy who remains in a critical condition in hospital.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared before a special sitting of Cashel District Court in Co Tipperary.

The charge followed the discovery of a 14-year-old boy lying unconscious in the Lakelands area of Tipperary Town shortly before 11pm on Thursday.

Locals rushed to help the injured teen, who was lying by the side of the road.

He was rushed by paramedics to South Tipperary General Hospital in Clonmel with serious head injuries.

The boy remains in a critical but stable condition with his family by his bedside.

Gardai arrested the 17-year-old a short time later and he was questioned at Tipperary Town garda station.

He was brought before a special district court sitting on the instructions of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Evidence of arrest, caution and charge was offered before the State asked for the teen to be remanded in custody.

Judge Terence Finn granted the application and remanded the teen to appear again before the district court in Tipperary on Thursday.

A small crowd of people had gathered at Cashel courthouse for the brief hearing.

Gardai have again renewed their appeal for anyone who may have spotted suspicious activity in the Lakelands area to contact them to help their inquiries.

The scene was sealed off after the 14-year-old was found.

A full forensic examination of the scene was conducted by members of the Garda Technical Bureau.

Gardai also conducted door-to-door inquiries in the area to determine if local residents saw or heard anything suspicious.

While the area involved is not covered by CCTV security camera footage, officers are checking CCTV cameras from business premises in the area to determine the movements of persons of interest to them.

The 14-year-old is from a highly respected family in Tipperary Town and his parents have been flooded with messages of sympathy and support.

Prayers were offered for the safe recovery of the teen at all Masses in Tipperary Town over the weekend.

The teen is a student at a secondary school located just a short distance from where he was found on Thursday night.
A Bulgarian truck driver has admitted careless driving causing the death of a young Irishman.

Ivan Gochev (40) c/o Walton's Transport, Kilkenny pleaded guilty before Cork Circuit Criminal Court to a single charge arising from an accident last year.

Gochev admitted careless driving causing the death of Brian Fahy (24) at Lisnacunna, Enniskeane in west Cork on May 25 2016 contrary to Section 52 of the Road Traffic Act, 1961.

The collision involved the truck being driven by the defendant and a car travelling in the opposite direction with two occupants.

Mr Fahy, who was from South Douglas Road in Cork city, was a front seat passenger in the car.

The young man suffered multiple injuries in the collision and tragically died despite desperate efforts to save him at the scene.

The young man was engaged and due to get married.

Judge Gerard O'Brien agreed to adjourn the matter for sentencing to allow for the preparation of various expert reports.

Donal O'Sullivan BL, for the State, said there was no objection to the defendant being remanded on continuing bail.

Judge O'Brien adjourned the matter for sentencing to Thursday November 23 next.
A coroner has returned a verdict of medical misadventure in the death of a newborn baby who died after her heart was pierced as she underwent a procedure in the Coombe Hospital.

Baby Laoise Ni Scolai and her twin brother Cuan were born premature at 28 weeks on January 22, 2015, at Dublins Coombe Hospital.

Both babies were diagnosed as suffering from respiratory distress syndrome and Cuan was the first to undergo a chest drain procedure to remove air trapped in his chest cavity.

The same procedure, where a needle is inserted into the chest and air is released, was later performed on Laoise when an x-ray revealed she too was suffering from a tension pneumothorax.

However during the procedure on January 24 Laoises heart was pierced.

She was transferred to Our Ladys Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

A post mortem revealed her death was due to a rupture of the heart due to a penetrating injury by a catheter. A contributing factor was her prematurity.

Pathologist Professor John OLeary said he could not be definitive as to whether the injury was due to the needle being inserted too far, or whether it was due to the heart shifting back following the air being released from the chest cavity by the insertion of the drain.

Expand Close Laoise Ni Scolai's parents Irene Kavanagh and Coilin OScolai at the inquest today / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Laoise Ni Scolai's parents Irene Kavanagh and Coilin OScolai at the inquest today

Neonatal registrar, Dr Muhammad Islam, who carried out the procedure on Laoise, became tearful as he expressed his deepest sympathies to Laoises parents, Coilin O Scolai and Irene Kavanagh from Comeragh Road, Drimnagh, at Dublin Coroners Court today.

He told the inquest he had previously carried out between 30 and 35 of the chest drain procedures.

He suggested one explanation for the piercing of the babys heart could have been a sudden release of air following the insertion of the chest tube that may have moved the heart.

Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane said the Coombes baby unit had begun using a new technique for chest drain insertions in the previous 12-18 months before Laoises death and was moving away from using a wide-bore insertion. However there were no written guidelines at the time in the baby unit in relation to the newer technique.

She pointed that a new document covering this was introduced by the hospital in February 2015.

Solicitor for the family, Daniel Hughes, said they welcomed the verdict that Laoises death was due to medical misadventure and her recommendation that guidelines for chest drain procedures be drawn to the attention of staff at the Coombe.

If one other child can be saved, it gives the family some solace after three years of grief, he added.

Mr O Scolai said, as a family, they had been left devastated and broken by the death of their daughter.

We want to ensure this never happens to any other family. We have been left shattered and broken.

Her siblings have lost us for the last two-and-a-half years because we have been devastated by this.
The rate of attempted suicide among school-age teenagers could be as high as one child per class, according to disturbing new research highlighted by the Children's Ombudsman who has demanded that more help be given to at-risk youngsters.

The study - carried out on over 1,000 children with an average age of 13 - found that 14pc of teenagers had depressive symptoms, 24pc had anxiety and up to 20pc had attempted self-harm.

Young Lives in Ireland, a school-based study of mental health and suicide prevention, was carried out by the National Suicide Research Foundation to identify risk and protective factors for adolescents between the ages of 13 and 16.

A total of 1,096 students - 600 boys and 496 girls - took part from 17 mainstream, mixed-sex public secondary schools across Cork and Kerry.

The research also showed that 7pc of teens had had some type of suicidal thoughts.

Almost 4pc had attempted suicide.

Ombudsman for Children, Dr Niall Muldoon, said that while Ireland had made progress in removing the stigma of suicide, we were putting young people at risk by not giving teenagers the help they needed.

"We are bringing them out of the shadows - and then leaving them exposed in sunlight without the proper services," said Dr Muldoon, who is a psychologist.

"Sometimes, children are going into adult A&Es and haven't been able to get services.

"Children's rights are being damaged all the time in that situation; they need help immediately and it is not being provided for them."

Dr Muldoon said identifying mental health problems early was key to reducing the incidence of suicide and suicide attempts - but if it does happen, we need to make a swift response.

"If we can prevent it, fantastic. But if it does happen, we need to be there to pick up the pieces," he said.

The ombudsman spoke out to support the pioneering partnership between the St John of God mental health hospital and Youth Advocate Programmes Ireland (YAP).

In the first initiative of its kind in Ireland, adolescents in mental health care will have access to an independent advocate, who can listen to their concerns, inform them of their rights and accompany them to appointments.

"There are a lot of people making a lot of decisions in a mental health setting and it is important the children receiving care have their voices heard and valued," Dr Muldoon added.

"This allows another independent voice with no ties to therapy or direction. It's a really strong asset."
A top garda has credited a revamped specialist crime unit, boosted by 185 extra officers, for a string of crackdowns on the Kinahan crime syndicate, culminating in the arrests last week of four gangland figures suspected of plotting a hit on a rival.

The arrests were hailed as a "game changer" by some Garda sources last week, who said most of the crime gang's operators in Dublin had been forced out of the country for months, significantly depleting the cartel's presence in the capital.

However, Assistant Commissioner John O'Driscoll indicated that the Kinahan syndicate was still supplying drugs into the country.

"I wouldn't be claiming success to the extent that crime gangs we are targeting at the moment are not conducting business. I wouldn't say that scenario has been arrived at yet," he said.

"All we would say is we believe we are very much heading in the right direction in causing the maximum possible impact on these crime gangs, in terms of their ability to plan and to continue business in the way they have done in the past."

Last Monday's operation was more than two months in the planning, and involved dozens of detectives. It was launched on foot of intelligence, which led to a decision to mount a lengthy surveillance operation.

The intelligence pointed to a potential hit on a man associated with the rival Hutch gang, allegedly organised by one of the Kinahan cartel's most senior figures in Ireland.

At 8pm last Monday, the Garda's Emergency Response Unit surrounded two men in a van in Marino, and recovered a loaded Beretta pistol, a silencer and ammunition in Fairview, north Dublin.

Simultaneously, armed gardai arrested a suspected hitman for the cartel elsewhere in Dublin. Separately a suspected senior Kinahan figure was arrested in the south inner city.

All four suspects are being held under anti-gangland legislation on suspicion of conspiracy to murder and can be held for seven days. Searches connected with the operation continued over the following days, with several homes and premises being raided.

Mr O'Driscoll said last week that the operation was "probably one of the most significant" of its type, and credited its success to a new restructured specialist crime unit, boosted by 185 additional gardai, and intelligence.

"We are targeting organised crime in a more comprehensive manner. We have restructured how we are organised and we now have what is called Special Crime Operations, which I am in charge of," Mr O'Driscoll said.

There are also "enhanced links" with policing organisations abroad, he added.

However, the big push has been in intelligence gathering, with increased resources adding to the Garda's capacity to avail of the bugging and surveillance measures contained in the Criminal Justice Act of 2009.

A report earlier this year recorded a spike in bugging operations in 2016, the year the feud between the Kinahan and Hutch gangs erupted in a gun attack at the Regency Hotel in Dublin in which a Kinahan associate, David Byrne, was murdered.

The number of surveillance operations more than doubled, and the authorisations for tracking devices jumped to 83 from just 12 the previous year.

It is believed that a number of those operations related to the crackdown on the Kinahan gang.

Gardai say they prevented over 40 threat-to-life incidents, with numerous "teams" of suspected criminals taken out of operation, which has further diminished the Kinahan cartel's capacity. The feud between the rival gangs has claimed 11 lives, including two innocent victims murdered in cases of mistaken identity.

The cartel is believed to scaled back its drugs operations here after a string of seizures and arrests sparked fears of a mole within its ranks. The gang is believed to have lost millions of euro in potential drugs earnings here, as a result of disruption to its activities and a string of cash and drug seizures.

The Criminal Assets Bureau is preparing actions to confiscate houses, jewellery and luxury cars belonging to suspected gang members. The Kinahan cartel remains ranked as one of the biggest in Europe.
Rocker Bob Geldof plans to hand back his Freedom of the City of Dublin this morning in protest against Burmese leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

The Live Aid founder last night attacked the actions of the Burmese Nobel peace laureate, who has faced widespread criticism over her country's treatment of its Rohingya Muslim people.

In a statement he said: "Her association with our city shames us all and we should have no truck with it, even by default. We honoured her, now she appals and shames us."

Mr Geldof said he would hand back his award at Dublin's City Hall this morning. Ms Suu Kyi (inset) got her honour in 1999.

Dublin Lord Mayor Micheal MacDonncha last night hit out at Mr Geldof's decision, saying: "To be honest I am surprised he even knows where City Hall is." He said he wouldn't accept it back from him.

"I think it's ironic that Mr Geldof is giving back this honour.

"This is a man who accepted the knighthood from the queen of England. He didn't return that honour during the Gulf War or any other wars Britain has been involved in, including in Ireland.

"Personally I would not have, at the time, been in favour of granting him the Freedom of the City."

The Lord Mayor also reiterated his condemnation on the stance of Aung San Suu Kyi on the plight of the Rohingya people.

More than 600,000 of the minority group have fled the northern Rakhine state into neighbouring Bangladesh since August, leading to a major humanitarian crisis.

It is not the first time Mr Geldof has spoken out against Ms Suu Kyi. Last month at a summit in Colombia he described her as "one of the great ethnic cleansers of our planet".

In his statement last night he added: "The moment she is stripped of her Dublin Freedom, perhaps the council would see fit to restore to me that which I take such pride in. If not, so be it."
Over 30,000 students face the challenge of only speaking Irish for a total of 24 hours tomorrow.

More than 320 schools will take part in the challenge for this year's Gaeilge24 challenge, coordinated by Conradh na Gaeilge.

For the first time ever, at least one school in each of the 32 counties in Ireland will be involved.

President of Conradh na Gaeilge Dr Niall Comer said the challenge aims to give young people a positive experience with the language.

"The Gaeilge24 challenge helps to open the minds of young people to the language in a relevant and enjoyable way, and gives them a positive experience of using Irish in their own lives, says Dr Comer said.

"We have students the length and breadth of Ireland all taking part in Conradh na Gaeilges latest Gaeilge24 challenge, from primary schools and post-primary schools, English-medium and Irish-medium schools, Gaeltacht schools and non-Gaeltacht schools.

"More importantly, it is the Gaeilge24 participants themselves  the students  that promote and spread the use of the Irish language within their own communities, encouraging other people to talk to them in Irish and supporting all those around them to use whatever few words of Irish that they might have throughout the day."

The students raise money to pay for the support packs that they receive on the day, and any profit from the day goes towards the registered charity Conradh na Gaeilge to support the promotion of Irish throughout Ireland.

It is now the fifth year of the challenge. Every student involved will receive a certificate of achievement.
Trumbull, CTNovember 13, 2017  TMC, Enterprise Integration Group and GM Voices announced an IVR and Speech Recognition Training course as a part of ITEXPO being held February 13-16, 2018 at the Greater Ft. Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The hands-on training workshop will take pace Tuesday, February 13th through Wednesday, February 14th and will help attendees gain the skills and knowledge required to plan, design and implement effective tough-tone and speech recognition systems. ITEXPO is the leading communications and business transformation event where influential buyers gather to make their purchase decisions annually.

When it comes to learning about IVR and Speech Recognition, there is no better education than one provided by EIG and GM Voices who have been running training workshops for over 20 years, said Rich Tehrani, TMC CEO and conference chairman. We are excited to work with this team and offer a hands- on, highly interactive program that will give attendee practical skills they can bring back to the office and can quickly implement.

The IVR and Speech Recognition Training will teach attendees how to:

Design a customer-focused voice user interface that really works.

Effectively mix simple touch-tone menus with natural language and directed dialogue speech recognition for maximum coverage and minimum errors.

Evolve traditional IVR self-service to accommodate Smartphones, Chat, Siri, Alexa, and other Intelligent Assistants

Take advantage of artificial intelligence to design more predictive user experiences

For more information or to register contact [email protected] .

For the latest ITEXPO news, updates and information follow the event on Twitter at @ITEXPO.

About Enterprise Integration Group

Enterprise Integration Group is a leading independent consulting firm specializing in improvement of interactive voice response self-service solutions for both touch-tone and speech recognition. Design specialists at EIG address client needs from the customer's perspectiveensuring that processes and systems get the right information to the right person at the right time in a convenient and cost-effective manner. The company is headquartered in San Ramon, California, with offices in the United

Kingdom and Switzerland. Contact EIG by telephone at +1 888-344-4487 or outside the U.S. at +1 925-735-1700. The website is www.eiginc.com.

About GM Voices

Since 1985, GM Voices, Inc. has emerged as the global leader in professionally-recorded voice-overs and voice persona solutions for IVR, speech recognition, and other telephony and voice applications. Dozens of voice actors record in their studios each week, providing clients an engaging, brand-consistent sound for any technology or media. Voice recording, translation and localization services are offered in more than 100 languages and dialects. GM Voices invented the term and concept of Voice Branding, the development of a one-voice customer experience aligned with a companys brand image. For more information, visit www.gmvoices.com.

About TMC

Global buyers rely on TMCs content-driven marketplaces to make purchase decisions and navigate markets. This presents branding, thought leadership and lead generation opportunities for vendors/sellers.

TMCs Marketplaces:

Unique, turnkey Online Communities boost search results, establish market validation, elevate brands and thought leadership, while minimizing ad-blocking.

Custom Lead Programs uncover sales opportunities and build databases.

In-Person and Online Events boost brands, enhance thought leadership and generate leads.

Publications, Display Advertising and Newsletters bolster brand reputations.

Custom Content provides expertly ghost-crafted blogs, press releases, articles and marketing collateral to help with SEO, branding, and

overall marketing efforts.

overall marketing efforts. Comprehensive Event and Road Show Management Services help companies meet potential clients and generate leads face-to-face.

For more information about TMC and to learn how we can help you reach your marketing goals, please visit www.tmcnet.com.

Media and Analyst Contact:

Jessica Seabrook

Marketing Director

TMC

203-852-6800 x 170

[email protected]

Share this Page

Edited by Mandi Nowitz
Bob Geldof returns his Freedom of Dublin city scroll to City Hall Dublin today along side Gerard Mannix Flynn. Pic: Justin Farrelly.

Bob Geldof returns his Freedom of Dublin city scroll to City Hall Dublin today along side Gerard Mannix Flynn. Pic: Justin Farrelly.

Bob Geldof returns his Freedom of Dublin city scroll to City Hall Dublin today along side Gerard Mannix Flynn. Pic: Justin Farrelly.

Bob Geldof said he regrets having to hand back his Freedom of the City of Dublin, but he does not to be on a list with 'killer' and 'pariah' Burmese Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi .

Ms Suu Kyi, Burma's civilian leader, has faced widespread criticism and anger over the country's violence against the Rohingya Muslim minority, described by the UN as "textbook ethnic cleansing".

The Live Aid founder and musician blasted the Burmese leader, saying she was a "handmaiden to genocide" whose association with the capital "shames us all".

He handed back his Freedom of the City of Dublin accolade in protest at the Burmese politician holding the same accolade.

Expand Close Bob Geldof returns his Freedom of Dublin city scroll to City Hall Dublin today. Pic: Justin Farrelly. / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Bob Geldof returns his Freedom of Dublin city scroll to City Hall Dublin today. Pic: Justin Farrelly.

Speaking on RTE Radio One's Today with Sean O'Rourke this morning, Mr Geldof said he feels "duped".

"I know this sounds pious, and I don't know how to make it not sounds pious, but I don't want to be on a very select roll of wonderful people and be honoured, thus myself... I don't want to be on it with a killer, at best a handmaiden to genocide and accomplice.

"I don't want to do this," he continued.

"I was very proud of that specific award. She was lauded by Dublin when she arrived, the city welcomed her.

Expand Close Bob Geldof returns his Freedom of Dublin city scroll to City Hall Dublin today. Pic: Justin Farrelly. / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Bob Geldof returns his Freedom of Dublin city scroll to City Hall Dublin today. Pic: Justin Farrelly.

"They asked me to make a speech... you seem duped, you know, you feel chumped, like you've been taken for a ride.

"It seems very petty in the face of 600,000 people being bombed out of their strawed homes, the killing of the males and being forced to cross borders into another country, but it's all I can do.

Expand Close Bob Geldof returns his Freedom of Dublin city scroll to City Hall Dublin today. Pic: Justin Farrelly. / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Bob Geldof returns his Freedom of Dublin city scroll to City Hall Dublin today. Pic: Justin Farrelly.

"And of course it's not enough."

Geldof asked the city of Dublin to remove Aung San Suu Kyi from the scroll of freedom.

Expand Close Bob Geldof returns his Freedom of Dublin city scroll to City Hall Dublin today. Pic: Justin Farrelly. / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Bob Geldof returns his Freedom of Dublin city scroll to City Hall Dublin today. Pic: Justin Farrelly.

He said the leader has refused to attend the UN General Assembly "that every leader goes to" because she is "afraid, or whatever, ashamed"

"She's changed," Geldof continued.

Expand Close Bob Geldof returns his Freedom of Dublin city scroll to City Hall Dublin today along side Gerard Mannix Flynn. Pic: Justin Farrelly. / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Bob Geldof returns his Freedom of Dublin city scroll to City Hall Dublin today along side Gerard Mannix Flynn. Pic: Justin Farrelly.

"The power has corrupted her absolutely. It's a bizarre situation.

"You become even more fragile when you kill your own people, you become a non-state.

"She is now a pariah."

When questioned by Sean O'Rourke as to what the next step was in removing your name from the scroll, Geldof replied;

"I sort of make these things up as I go along. I spoke to Owen [Dublin City Chief Executive Owen Keegan], I said was this okay.

"He explained it's very difficult to do as there is no constitutional mechanism for doing it.

"Nobody has given their freedom back.

"If you give me a felt tip pen, I'll show you how to remove her from the city scroll, I'll scratch her name out."

Criticism

In a statement today, Lord Mayor of Dublin Micheal MacDonncha has hit back at the Boomtown Rats frontman, calling into question his retention of the Knighthood awarded to him in 1985 by Queen Elizabeth II for his humanitarian work.

"Bob Geldof is entitled to return his award if he wishes to do so," the Lord Mayor says. "It should be pointed out that as Ardmheara I have condemned the persecution of the Rohingya people and their expulsion from their homes by the military in Myanmar and the failure of Aung San Suu Kyi to even acknowledge, let alone condemn, what the UN has described as ethnic cleansing. I have met Rohingya representatives in Ireland and I am pledged to assist them.

"When I raised the issue of removing the Freedom of the City from the Myanmar leader, consensus was not reached among the groups on the City Council, though all have condemned the persecution of the Rohingya people, and the matter is not closed.

The Sinn Fein member went on: "Regarding Mr Geldof himself, I find it ironic that he makes this gesture while proudly retaining his title as Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire, given the shameful record of British imperialism across the globe. Mr Geldof last year grossly insulted the men and women of the 1916 Rising in the centenary year when he compared them to so-called 'Islamic State' (IS), causing offence to Dubliners and Irish people generally."

In his statement Mr Geldof said he would hand the award back at City Hall on Monday morning, because while he was a "proud Dubliner" he did not want the ceremonial title while Ms Suu Kyi also held it.

He said: "Her association with our city shames us all and we should have no truck with it, even by default. We honoured her, now she appalls and shames us.

"In short, I do not wish to be associated in any way with an individual currently engaged in the mass ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya people of north-west Burma.

"I am a founding patron of The Aegis Trust, who are concerned with genocide prevention and studies. Its founders built and maintain the National Holocaust Museum of the UK.

"I spoke at the inaugural National Holocaust Memorial Day at Westminster and in my time, I have walked amongst peoples who were sectionally targeted with ethnic cleansing.

"I would be a hypocrite now were I to share honours with one who has become at best an accomplice to murder, complicit in ethnic cleansing and a handmaiden to genocide."
The deadly build-up of the silent killer gas, radon, in Irish homes is linked to 250 cases of lung cancer every year.

One non-smoking couple from Kerry both lost their lives to lung cancer because of the fatal levels of the invisible gas in their home.

Over-exposure to naturally occurring radioactive gas is second only to smoking as the leading cause of lung cancer in Ireland.

RTE's new flagship science show, 10 Things to Know About, investigates how the invisible, odourless gas occurs naturally in soil and generally dissipates harmlessly outdoors. However, in some places, it can leak into the house through the foundations and build, unseen, to potentially deadly degrees.

Senior scientist at the Environmental Protection Agency, Dr David Fenton, said the naturally occurring radioactive gas can be fatal. "Radon gas in homes is linked to 250 lung cancer cases each year, so it is something people need to be concerned about."

He told how one Kerry couple lost their lives while unknowingly living in their carcinogenic home which had deadly levels of the gas.

"It's a tragic story because the householders unfortunately died of lung cancer.

"One of the doctors treating them felt it was so unusual for two non-smoking people living in the same house to have lung cancer, so he said to get the radon levels checked. We found this huge level of radon in the house."

He said their North Kerry house had the highest levels ever measured by the EPA in a home in Ireland.

"It (had) 49,000 units of radon. Bearing in mind a safe level is below 200, this house had very, very high levels of radon in it."

The World Health Organisation has categorised radon as a carcinogen, in the same group as asbestos and tobacco smoke. The cancer-causing gas has no colour, taste or smell.

He said: "Your senses are blind to it. Radioactivity is quite natural. It exists in nature. You get doses from the sun and from space when you fly in aircraft.

"The radon is coming from radioactive elements in the ground called uranium and radium. It comes naturally out of the ground and can build up in people's houses to high concentrations."

Radon levels can be checked by buying a test kit for your home. If the levels are over 200 units then action should be taken. Radon levels can be cut easily by installing a pump which sucks the gas from under the floorboards and expels it outside.

Grandmother Christine Keaney in Galway told how she was shocked to discover a reading eight times the advised safe level when she tested her home for the gas on the advice of her son-in-law.

She said: "It was equal to eight chest X-rays per day. I had no idea. It was frightening."

On advice from the EPA, she used a sump pump to suck the gas out and expel it outside. When she re-tested the levels, they were back to the safe level.

'10 Things to Know About' will be shown on RTE One tomorrow at 8.30pm
Bob Geldof is to hand back his Freedom of the City of Dublin, saying he does not want to be associated with the award while it is also held by Aung San Suu Kyi.

The Live Aid founder and musician blasted the Burmese Nobel peace laureate, who has faced widespread criticism over her country's treatment of its Rohingya Muslim minority.

In a statement he said: "Her association with our city shames us all and we should have no truck with it, even by default. We honoured her, now she appals and shames us.

Mr Geldof said he would hand back the freedom at City Hall in the Irish capital on Monday morning.

Irish-born Mr Geldof, who received an honorary knighthood from the Queen for his charity work, said he was a "proud Dubliner" but could not continue to hold the freedom while Ms Suu Kyi also held it.

He added: "In short, I do not wish to be associated in any way with an individual currently engaged in the mass ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya people of north-west Burma.

"I am a founding patron of The Aegis Trust, who are concerned with genocide prevention and studies. Its founders built and maintain the National Holocaust Museum of the UK.

"I spoke at the inaugural National Holocaust Memorial Day at Westminster and in my time, I have walked amongst peoples who were sectionally targeted with ethnic cleansing.

"I would be a hypocrite now were I to share honours with one who has become at best an accomplice to murder, complicit in ethnic cleansing and a handmaiden to genocide."

More than 600,000 of the minority group have fled the northern Rakhine state into neighbouring Bangladesh since August, leading to a major humanitarian crisis.

It is not the first time Mr Geldof has spoken out against Ms Suu Kyi. Last month at a summit in Colombia he described her as "one of the great ethnic cleansers of our planet".

In his Sunday statement Mr Geldof added: "The moment she is stripped of her Dublin Freedom perhaps the council would see fit to restore to me that which I take such pride in. If not, so be it."
A GALWAY community has rallied around the family of a young hurling fan who sustained devastating injuries as he celebrated his countys All Ireland appearance - raising over 40,000 for his care.

Jason McGann remains in a critical condition in St James hospital more than two months after he was pulled unconscious from the Grand Canal on the eve of the All Ireland Hurling Final on September 2.

While he was taken out of his induced coma in September, Jason remains unable to communicate with his family and must be fed through a tube.

He has only limited movement in his hands and one foot.

The 23-year-old from Bullaun in Loughrea will need extensive treatment and rehabilitation in the coming months.

While hes conscious we dont know how much brain damage he may have suffered. Hes unable to speak at the moment and we dont think he can see. Were hopeful, but he has a long road ahead and a very uncertain future, said Tommy Fox, a member of the Friends of Jason McGann fundraising committee.

As a result his local community have dug deep to support Jason and his family.

We got an absolutely massive response to our fundraising. We had a fundraising dance over the weekend and raised 20,000, added Mr Fox.

Read More

Members of the victorious Galway senior hurling team attended the event including Joe Canning, David Burke, Cathal and Padraic Mannion, John Hanbury, Eanna Burke, James Skehill and Joseph Cooney.

The committee had previously held a door to door collection in the community raising a further 20,000.

Hell need every cent of the money we raise. He was in an induced coma for the first two weeks and since hes come out of that somebody needs to be with him 24/7 because he becomes restless and pulls out his tubes, added Mr Fox.

Jasons parents Dermot and Tina and sister Chloe along with aunts and uncles have been taking it in turns to stay with him while his younger brothers Keith and Ian are being cared for by their grandmother in Galway.

The family have also paid tribute to the couple who pulled Jason from the water at Portobello.

This couple are heroes to the McGann family. They heard a cry and a splash and she jumped in and managed to pull Jason out and the man performed CPR. His heart had stopped but they brought him back, added Mr Fox.
Pilot William Hillick who was killed in Longford crash on March 20, 2016

A 47-year-old pilot died when performing acrobatic manoeuvres in a plane he had received just seven days earlier, an investigation into his death has found.

Father-of-five William Hillick, owner of CQ Communications shop in Dublin city centre, was killed when his aircraft crashed into a field beside the runway at Abbeyshrule Airport Co Longford on March 20 2016 at around 17.45.

He was flying in a Laser Z200 single-seat, aerobatic aircraft which he had received week prior to the accident. It was his second flight in the plane.

According to an Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) report, eight people witnessed the flight which ended in tragedy.

During the flight the pilot performed a so-called wing-waggle manoeuvres which involves banking quickly to the left and right. This move is often used as a method of acknowledging people watching from the ground according to officials.

Following this Mr Hillick, who was fully licensed, and an experienced flyer, went on to perform a number of circuits with various manoeuvres including inverted flying and low-level aerobatics. These were done at around 800ft off the ground.

However during the eighth circuit the aircraft was seen descending rapidly towards the ground according to witnesses.

It hit the ground nose first, fatally injuring the pilot.

The flight lasted just over 13 minutes.

Footage of the flight was examined by Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) officials in a bid to determine the cause of the accident.

Investigators concluded that the pilot may carried out the moves at an insufficient height which did not allow a safe recovery from the final 'aileron rolls'. An aileron roll refers to a 360 degree spin.

AAIU officials also stated in their findings that "the pilot was aware that people were watching the flight from the ground, and that this may have influenced the pilots decision to attempt aerobatics at circuit height".

"The pilot attempted a Split-S manoeuvre as a recovery technique, by pulling through a vertical nose-down attitude until facing southwards. This was an unsuitable manoeuvre given the height of the aircraft at that time," the report states.

Investigators concluded that the likely contributory causes to the accident were that the plane was not high enough to provide an adequate safety margin, the pilot was also deemed to be inexperienced on the Laser Z200 aircraft type and inexperienced when it came to conducting aerobatic manoeuvres in a competition aerobatic aircraft with the performance capabilities of the plane.

The report also found that there was inappropriate control inputs when conducting aileron rolls resulting in a significant loss of altitude.

Meanwhile, investigators also found that there is an absence of uniform regulatory requirements to complete formal training in the conduct of aerobatic flying in aircraft such as the plane involved in this crash.

The AAIU has now recommended that the Director General of Mobility and Transport should consult with EASA in order to define common minimum aerobatic training requirements for pilots wishing to operate, for the purposes of aerobatic flight, aircraft such as this.

Mr Hillick lived with his mother Margaret Hillick at Knockmant, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath.

The day after the tragedy, she said "He was passionate about being in the air.

"Every time he went flying I would worry about him. I felt so happy when he would walk through the door, but now he's not coming home."
Sinn Fein will this week debate a motion calling for an "urgent review" of its membership policies as party bosses continue to grapple with allegations of a bullying culture.

The clar for the Ard Fheis contains just a single motion that points to some of the difficulties that the party has endured in relation to losing members over alleged bullying and harassment.

"This Ard Fheis calls for the Ard Chomhairle to initiate an urgent review [into] the current membership policies including recruitment, education and retention of new members, with a view to protecting the integrity of the party and the commitment of its members," the motion from the Cork City cumann states.

"That this review should consider staged membership or associate membership, probationary periods, rights and responsibilities and allow for participation from cumainn and the wider membership.

"The objectives of this review would be to create a more robust party, inclusive of all, where membership rights and responsibilities are clearly defined, making the party fit for purpose in our new and dynamic, ever-changing Irish society," the motion states.

Sinn Fein sources said the party hierarchy was keen to avoid any focus being placed on the issue of bullying at the Ard Fheis, which kicks off in the RDS, Dublin, on Friday.

Party president Gerry Adams is expected to outline a timeline for his retirement - which will effectively kick off the competition to succeed him.

TDs Pearse Doherty, Eoin O Broin and Mary Lou McDonald in particular are the favourites to become the next Sinn Fein leader.

As revealed by the Irish Independent on Saturday, Ms McDonald's former driver has become embroiled in a fresh bullying row.

The woman, who is highly respected within Sinn Fein, claims she was branded a "c***" during a row over printing.

She has also enlisted a legal team amid claims that she was accused of compiling a "file" on Ms McDonald. The Dublin Central TD says she does not believe the claim.

Abortion

Separately, the issue of abortion is likely to prove divisive at the Ard Fheis.

A raft of Sinn Fein cumanns in the homebase of Meath West TD Peadar Toibin have signed a motion calling for members to be given a free vote on the issue of the Eighth Amendment.

Some 19 separate cumanns, the majority in Meath, have put their names to two motions calling for a free vote on the issue, which will be the subject of a referendum in May or June.

Mr Toibin was the only TD stripped of the Sinn Fein whip in 2013 for voting against the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill. He was readmitted to the party within months, despite speculation he could join Fianna Fail.

Mr Adams has ruled out allowing a free vote on the issue, although this could change depending on the outcome of the Ard Fheis.

Two motions will make the proposal for a free vote.

"This Ard Fheis agrees that all Sinn Fein members be allowed to articulate and vote on the issue of abortion according to their conscience," states one of the motions.

"This Ard Fheis believes that all Sinn Fein elected representatives should be allowed to vote on the issue of abortion according to their conscience or personal opinion and should not be bound by party policy," states the other.

There are several other motions calling for the repeal of the Eighth Amendment in circumstances such as fatal foetal abnormality, rape and when a woman's health is at risk.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar took the advice of the Housing Agency before claiming Ireland has one of the lowest levels of homelessness by international standards.

Mr Varadkar suggested over the weekend that Ireland's rate of homelessness was not as serious as it is in other countries.

He made the comment after his speech at the Fine Gael national conference in Ballyconnell, Co Cavan.

Mr Varadkar's spokesman said the Taoiseach was sticking by what he said, adding he was guided by the chairman of the Housing Agency, Conor Skehan.

He also referenced two reports, one released earlier this year by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the other by Feantsa, a European federation of national organisations working with the homeless.

The OECD report contained figures from 2015 when Ireland had 3,625 people recorded as homeless.

The most recent statistics showed there were more than 8,350 people homeless in September this year.

That figure would put Ireland's homeless rate at around 0.17pc, which would be the 13th highest on the OECD list.

The report from Feantsa also contained a warning that the statistics it presented were not comparable.

Speaking to the Irish Independent, Mr Skehan stressed the difficulty in obtaining a comparison in international homeless statistics.

"It's definitely not possible," said. "You'll never be able to have a moment in time when you can lay it all out and see it."

However, he said the trend towards homelessness across Europe was much the same and updated statistics would show our rate of homelessness was low by international comparison.

Mr Skehan said the Taoiseach's claim was "not wrong".

He also said statistics from some Eastern European countries, such as Poland, may not be entirely reliable. The OECD report put Poland's percentage of homelessness at 0.10pc.

Mr Varadkar's spokesman said both reports stressed the difficulty in making direct comparisons due to differing definitions in different countries. "Each have different advantages," he said.

Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy, speaking last week at the launch of the Peter McVerry Trust's annual report, also said Ireland had a low rate of homelessness by international standards.

"At 0.17pc, the rate is still well below many European countries," a spokesman for Mr Murphy said last night.

Fr Peter McVerry, of the trust, said nobody knows the full extent of the homeless crisis.

"I'm in total despair with this Government," he said.

He pointed out that official homeless statistics only included people who engage with homeless services such as those seeking emergency shelter.

Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan rejected suggestions Mr Varadkar's comments could have been misleading.

"I don't accept that at all," he said.

Sinn Fein deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald accused the Taoiseach of "thoughtless remarks" and of trying to "minimise" the housing and homeless "emergency".
You might hate Monday, but you'll love our weekly pick of top travel offers...

248pp: Last-minute Canary Islands

Wanna quick winter sun holiday? GoHop.ie has five nights in Tenerife from 247.50pp. The deal includes Aer Lingus flights from Dublin, the 3-star DC Xibana Park Hotel in Puerto de la Cruz, and departs on Saturday, December 2. 01 241-2389; gohop.ie.

338pp: Leaving Cert Holidays in the Algarve

ITAA member Arrow Tours has the perfect escape after months of hard study... return flights from Dublin plus seven nights at the Club Praia da Rocha from 338pp, based on four sharing in a one-bed, self-catering apartment. 041 983-1177; arrowtours.ie; itaa.ie/offers.

349pp: Ski in the French Alps

Directski.com has a ski sale, with seven-night packages from 349pp. The price is available at the 3-star Residence La Riviere in Aiglons, Chamonix, based on a January 6 departure with four adults sharing. See 01 254-6300; directski.com.

435pp: Winter in Orlando

Direct return flights from Dublin to Florida, plus seven nights in a 3-star hotel from 435pp? That's the offer from American Holidays, based on two adults and two children sharing based in January 2018 (Ref: 1532892). 01 960-9346; americanholidays.com.

979pp: 10 nights in Thailand

Trailfinders, voted Ireland's Favourite Tour Operator in last year's Reader Travel Awards, has return flights plus 10 nights in two different 3-star West Coast resorts from 979pp. The deal is based on travel in May 2018. 01 677-7888; trailfinders.ie.

NB: All travel deals subject to availability/change.
Paisley's Town Hall, which was funded by the Clarks, owners of the Anchor thread mill. At one time, Paisley produced 90pc of the worlds sewing thread

Millennials might not believe this, but there was a time when fast fashion did not exist.

Instead, many people made their own clothes - or were lucky enough, as I was, to have an obliging mother to run something up.

A shirt she crafted stands out in my mind's eye because of the exotic nature of the fabric's design: a swirl of twirly, leaf-like shapes, known as Paisley pattern.

I've no idea where that shirt is now, but its timeless design would still pass muster today, and, almost 30 years later, it was a special thrill to find myself in Paisley town, source of the iconic pattern; and, at one time, of 90pc of the world's thread, manufactured by the Clark and Coats families.

Paisley, which is bidding to be UK City of Culture 2021, has - along with the largest number of listed buildings outside of Edinburgh - a proud legacy proclaimed in its street names that bear testament to the town's textile history: Gauze, Cotton and Silk Streets, to name but a few.

There are plans afoot for a 42m transformation of Paisley Museum, in existence since 1871 thanks to the munificence of philanthropist and thread baron Sir Peter Coats (statue pictured above). Carlow man Dr Dan Coughlan, the museum's curator of textiles, showed me some of its priceless treasures, including the world's largest collection of Paisley shawls (and a Galway shawl; these were, fascinatingly, all made in Paisley). The work was highly skilled - the weavers were a well read and radical lot - and Paisley shawls, being cheaper than Indian cashmere, were coveted as a fashion item. Until, that is, the advent of the bustle, which did not combine with the Paisley shawl to make for a flattering silhouette.

Expand Close Gemma Fullam in Scotland / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Gemma Fullam in Scotland

Another of the museum's gems - viewing must be arranged in advance - is Audubon's work of ornithological art Birds of America, donated by Sir Peter. One of its life-size paintings (barn owls) inspired an album cover of Paisley-born Gerry Rafferty. Other famous Paisley 'Buddies' (a colloquial term for locals) include Paolo Nutini and actor Gerald Butler.

Many urban areas would love to have a measure of the pedigree that this post-industrial conurbation boasts. Aside from its textile legacy, and illustrious denizens - including 'Braveheart' William Wallace, who was educated here - Paisley, on the River Cart, has an incredible architectural heritage, from the 12th-Century Abbey, with its glorious Edward Burne-Jones windows, to its Victorian Observatory, to the stunning Art Deco Russell Institute. The decline of industry saw Paisley diminish from a proud centre of excellence to a place that suffered significant deprivation.

As with so many UK towns, the demise of the traditional High Street contributed to Paisley's slide, which, with the UK City of Culture bid, is now on the turn, through helping Paisleyites appreciate and cherish their considerable heritage, and reposition it proudly on a global stage.

Paisley is less than 10 minutes by train from Glasgow, and the adjacent municipalities make for a delightful twin-centre cultural break.

Our base for the duration was Glasgow's trendy, centrally located citizenM hotel, the rooms of which boast a room-control iPad, which allows one to customise one's room to one's own taste.

Glasgow, on the River Clyde, has a wealth of culture, but arguably its most famous son - after Billy Connolly - is artist, architect and designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh, father of the Glasgow Style: a unique Scottish interpretation of Art Nouveau.

Expand Close Kelvingrove Gallery & Museum / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Kelvingrove Gallery & Museum

A dashingly handsome man, his work went largely unappreciated at home during his lifetime, but is rightly celebrated today. His beautiful buildings dot the Glasgow cityscape, and include the Willow Tea Rooms, in which he and his wife, Margaret Macdonald, also one of the acclaimed Glasgow Four, designed everything down to the forks; and the new Glasgow School of Art, now the Mackintosh Building, recognised as perhaps his finest work.

We also took in the Mackintosh-designed Lighthouse, formerly home of the Glasgow Herald, and now a Mackintosh Interpretation Centre. Sadly, Mackintosh died a pauper in 1928; 86 years later, a pair of his iconic 'ladder back' chairs sold for 109,250.

Haggis was never going to be entertained by two veggies, but we found a delightful lunch stop in Chaakoo, an Irani cafe style establishment - dark wood, green leather banquettes, brass fittings - which had a mouthwatering selection of curries on offer.

The City Sightseeing Glasgow Hop-On Hop-Off tour provides easy access to the sights and many free-entry museums, with live commentary.

An unmissable stop is Glasgow Cathedral, home to the tomb of Glasgow founder and patron saint St Kentigern, aka St Mungo (it means 'dear one'). The ancient cathedral is the only one in Scotland to survive the Reformation intact. Mungo was bishop during the 6th century, and the city's coat of arms bears symbols of his four miracles: a bird, tree, bell and fish.

Indeed nearby, on the Glasgow Mural Trail, there is a beautiful depiction by street artist Smug of a modern-day Mungo, with a robin; the bird of his miracles. We came across several other of the murals on the trail, and no less than three 15m-high efforts commemorating the Big Yin, who is 75 later this month. We felt compelled to hop off the bus for a wee warming dram in his honour at the Old Scotia Bar, where, almost 40 years ago, the comedian played a regular gig with The Humblebums, along with aforementioned Paisley native, Gerry Rafferty of Stealers Wheel fame.

You'd need a week to enjoy all Glasgow's museums, but the Kelvingrove is a must-see. Situated in a leafy city district, it is one of the world's most visited museums. We cooed over the Van Gogh of Alexander Reid, a Glasgow art dealer and flatmate to the famous painter; and Turner's The Pifferari, showcasing his trademark mastery of light.

Dinner was in Glasgow institution City Merchant, where we feasted on a fabulous-value three course gourmet dinner (including neeps and tatties), along with wine; a mere 49.50 for the two of us.

Next day, it was back to Paisley to take in more historical sights, including Paisley Arts Centre, a former kirk (church), of which John Witherspoon was a former reverend. Having moved to the US, the preacher was the sole active clergyman to sign the American Declaration of Independence in 1776. We also popped into the Bull Inn, an Art Nouveau pub, the oldest in Paisley, which has featured in detective drama Taggart.

All too soon, it was time to head to Glasgow Airport, a mere hop from Paisley, but not before a spot of souvenir shopping at InCube Shop, a retail outlet for local start-ups. The merchandise included gorgeous Harris Tweed cushions by the Canny Squirrel (Harris Tweed had its genesis in Paisley), and Dainty Dora's cuter-than-cute Paisley Pins, a jewellery line that honours the iconic leaf shape of its town's eponymous pattern - which is about to blossom again, and become a vital symbol of a town reborn.

Getting there

Aer Lingus Regional operate flights between Dublin and Glasgow up to six times daily; lead-in fares from 29.99 one way, including taxes and charges (aerlingus.com).

Double rooms at citizenM Glasgow start from around 79 (breakfast not included; citizenm.com).

Regular trains run between Glasgow Central Station and Paisley Gilmour Street. Paisley is one of five destinations currently shortlisted to become UK City of Culture 2021.

Paisleys bid for UK City of Culture 2021 will use the towns unique, fascinating story to transform its future, by putting the town in the international spotlight, attracting visitors, creating jobs and using culture to make peoples lives better. The winner will be announced in December 2017.

For further information on Paisleys UK City of Culture 2021 bid, see paisley2021.co.uk. For further information on Glasgow, see peoplemakeglasgow.com.

Read more:
Dublin: What can reboot the city as a tourist attraction?

Derelict buildings on Moss Street, just yards from the IFSC.

A pint and a packet of crisps cost 8.75 at a Temple Bar pub this summer. Photo: Pol O Conghaile

Derelict buildings on Moss St., Dublin - just yards from the IFSC.

Pictured launching the 10 Leap Family Card was Anne Graham, CEO of the National Transport Authority with Megan Cronin age 7 and Darragh McCormick age 7. Picture Jason Clarke.

Capel Street: Is this Dublin's most surprising street?

A pint and a packet of crisps cost 8.75 at a Temple Bar pub this summer. Photo: Pol O Conghaile

Critics say Dublin is expensive, dirty and trading on former glories. What can be done to reboot it for a new generation?

Tourism is booming in Ireland, but Dublin is in danger.

The city clocked 4.5 million visitors last year. But prices are rising. There's a shortage of hotel rooms. Brexit has hit the spending power of our biggest visitor market.

Failte Ireland, Dublin City Council and others are working hard to develop the city and its brand, but there's a lack of investment in new visitor attractions, and decision makers don't always connect with a dynamic younger generation.

If Dublin stands still, similarly-sized (but cheaper) cities like Amsterdam, Valencia and Prague will storm ahead. Visitors will vote with their feet.

Here are ten suggestions for change.

1. Stop the rip-offs

Expand Close A pint and a packet of crisps cost 8.75 at a Temple Bar pub this summer. Photo: Pol O Conghaile / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp A pint and a packet of crisps cost 8.75 at a Temple Bar pub this summer. Photo: Pol O Conghaile



A pub receipt from Temple Bar.

It's a free market, right?

Maybe. But a free market in which you can pay 7.25 for a bog standard pint of Heineken in a Temple Bar pub (above) doesn't exactly scream 'value'.

The same pint rises to 7.60 after 12am, staff confirmed. The Temple Bar did not respond to several messages and requests for a comment.

It's not alone. In 2013, another pub receipt showing Oliver St. John Gogarty's charging 7.15 for a pint went viral after it said customers "rarely complain".

A recent survey comparing the cost of food, drink and accommodation in European cities found Dublin to be more expensive than Oslo or Reykjavik.

For sustainable tourism, we need to stay competitive.

2. Get a night mayor

Expand Close Composite Image: Dublin City. Photo: Paul O'Connell / Getty / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Composite Image: Dublin City. Photo: Paul O'Connell / Getty



Amsterdam and Paris have night mayors. What about Dublin?

Dublin has very different needs by day and night.

The capital is a buzzing after-dark, but can also be messy and dangerous, especially when clubs end at the same time and revellers spill out onto the streets.

Amsterdam, Zurich, Paris and Toulouse have all benefited from the services of a night mayor - a go-between who recognises that nightlife is important but must be balanced with the community's need for safety, peace and quiet.

Dublin DJ and event curator Niall Byrne (Nialler9) explains:

"Night-time culture is a neglected part of the city - often ignored, often misunderstood or only thought of in negative terms. A night mayor would act as a mediator between clubs, venues and council, understanding both sides.

"He or she could also highlight the value of nightlife economy and oversee strategy, i.e. closing times, late licensing in certain areas, city patrols, tourist information volunteers with a knowledge of nightlife, increasing night safety, spotting trends and opportunities to grow creatively and economically."

Dublin City Council is considering a night mayor. Could it be fast-tracked?

3. Go North

Expand Close Capel Street: Is this Dublin's most surprising street? / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Capel Street: Is this Dublin's most surprising street?



Capel Street - Dublin's most surprising street?

A great Dublin needs a great northside.

Arguably, it already has one - with highlights ranging from Croke Park to Chapter One, Glasnevin Cemetery to Georgian set-pieces like Henrietta Street. But there has been a singular failure to inspire visitors (not to mind locals) to give it a go.

Heck, if people wont even make the 50m trek from Temple Bar to Capel Street, one of the citys most exciting strips, what hope is there for Phibsborough or Stoneybatter?

The Dublin Northside Attractions Alliance is a major step forward, and the Victorian fruit and vegetable market could turn into a real catalyst for change (Dublin City Council aspires to have a redeveloped facility open by 2018).

But key northside streets need more grassroots investment.

What about start-up grants to give cafes, restaurants and other businesses the confidence to move north, drawing some of the footfall and momentum?

Think of it as Europe's hippest 'hood, just waiting to happen.

4. Build something brilliant

Expand Close The Guggenheim museum in Bilbao / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp The Guggenheim museum in Bilbao



The Guggenheim Effect in Bilbao.

The Guggenheim in Bilbao (above) turned around a down-at-heel industrial city, creating a 'Guggenheim effect' that is felt to this day.

Dublin has a new brand (' Dublin - A Breath of Fresh Air'), decades of visitor goodwill and an engaged tourism bureau (Visit Dublin), but it hasn't unveiled a genuinely inspiring, ambitiously-scaled, world-class capital project in years.

Sure, EPIC Ireland (see inside here) and GPO Witness History are welcome new openings, but they are subtler, softer additions to the cityscape.

Imagine a bold, brilliantly designed gallery or museum that would put the city on front covers of magazines all over the world. Picture a legacy building, like Titanic Belfast or Eli & Edythe Broad's contemporary art museum in Downtown LA.

Of course, the process and spend would be divisive (Dubliners wouldn't have it any other way). But the results could be epic.

5. Add more pedestrianised zones

Expand Close Rue des Bouchers, Brussels. Photo: Arpad Benedek/Getty / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Rue des Bouchers, Brussels. Photo: Arpad Benedek/Getty



Rue des Bouchers, Brussels: Could this be South William Street?

Dublin lacks the plazas and piazzas of many European cities - open spaces that come alive at night, with summer crowds or Christmas markets.

But what about after-hours pedestrianised zones? Couldn't areas like the Creative Quarter (Drury Street, Exchequer Street, South William Street and Wicklow Street) or Capel Street could be closed off to motorists after, say, 7pm?

At night, these places could pulsate with markets, street food, entertainers, live music and pop-up bars. Sure, we don't have a Mediterranean climate - but awnings and outdoor heaters could protect punters from the rain and cold.

It can be done. Last year, a swathe of Brussels city centre was closed permanently to traffic, creating Europe's largest urban pedestrian area after Venice.

A new wave of no-car zones would offer something for all ages.

6. Make food the new drink

Expand Close Green Bench Cafe, Dublin. Photo: Cathal Austin / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Green Bench Cafe, Dublin. Photo: Cathal Austin



Great sandwiches at the Green Bench Cafe.

Once upon a time, Lima was a city people bypassed. Today, it's one of the world's most exciting cities, with three eateries in the World's Top 50 restaurants.

The reason? Food.

Dublin can be the next Lima. Irish produce and chefs are that good.

Sure, price can be a problem, the city lacks a cracking street food scene, and it's still as easy to find a bad meal as a good one. But Dublin can be Europe's next hot food city - it just needs belief, and a marketing budget to shout it from the rooftops.

Alcohol offers brilliant images of Ireland, but also a host of embarrassing stereotypes. It's time for Dublin's grub to take its place alongside the pubs.

Read More

7. Join up public transport

Expand Close Pictured launching the 10 Leap Family Card was Anne Graham, CEO of the National Transport Authority with Megan Cronin age 7 and Darragh McCormick age 7. Picture Jason Clarke. / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Pictured launching the 10 Leap Family Card was Anne Graham, CEO of the National Transport Authority with Megan Cronin age 7 and Darragh McCormick age 7. Picture Jason Clarke.



There's a family Leap Card. But what can tourists buy online?

Picture a visitor trying to figure out Dublin's public transport.

How do the city's bus, DART and Luas services join up? Dublin has no airport rail link ( Metro North? 2026, at the earliest), and that's not even starting on cycle lanes.

A tourist version of the Leap Card (the city's integrated transport ticket) exists, but can't be bought online - unlike London's Oyster Card, for example.

Dublin needs a card that can be downloaded to mobile devices (Copenhagen's Citypass can be sent direct to mobile), and can be easily topped up without having to visit vending machines or specific physical locations.

Younger visitors expect it. Let's just do it.

8. It's the youth, stupid

Expand Close A street sign outside The Berdard Shaw advertising Bodytonic's Beatyard festival. Photo: Bodytonic Facebook / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp A street sign outside The Berdard Shaw advertising Bodytonic's Beatyard festival. Photo: Bodytonic Facebook



A street sign outside The Bernard Shaw for Bodytonic's Beatyard festival.

There's more to Dublin than U2, trad music and the Book of Kells.

Right now, the city's cultural scene is being transformed by collectives and artists' groups, by young people doing things differently.

Independent music promoters and bloggers like Choice Cuts, Bodytonic, Happenings, Homebeat, Nialler9, GoldenPlec and more have filled the cultural vacuum created by recession, breathing life into Dublin through niche events, festivals and gigs.

The excitement and energy is palpable. So why aren't most visitors (and even locals) aware of our multi-layered offerings? And what can we do to change that?

We need to amplify the voice of Dublin culture, and raise awareness of more authentic and lesser-known places through local and international media. We need to tell fresh stories and put culture centre stage.

Juxtaposing the old and new could be a big selling point to tourists who are looking for more than just tick-the-box attractions. It would be fun, too.

9. Fix the streets

Expand Close The former City Arts Centre, City Quay, Dublin / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp The former City Arts Centre, City Quay, Dublin



City Quay: The view just a few hundred yards from O'Connell Bridge.

Cities like Berlin, London, Madrid and New York are famed for their creative communal spaces; off the beaten track venues that act as cultural complexes.

In Dublin, most of these places have disappeared.

Since July 2014, eight studios and/or art spaces have closed in the city, including Block T, Mabos Project, Bio Space, Broadstone Studios, The Joinery, Market Studios and Basic Space Moxie Studios. The Iveagh Market is derelict since the mid-90s.

Can abandoned eyesores be developed for local communities and tourism?

Expand Close Derelict buildings on Moss St., Dublin - just yards from the IFSC. / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Derelict buildings on Moss St., Dublin - just yards from the IFSC.



Victorian flats on Moss Street, in Dublin's City Centre.

Sure, vacant lots can be legal minefields. But short-term projects like the Dominick Street pop-up park or long-term developments like a buzzing Epicurean Food Hall - along the lines of the Mercado de Ribeira in Lisbon - are needed.

Street art could also radically transform the appearance of the city's derelict spaces with adventurous design and powerful social commentary.

Dublin needs to introduce a more intelligent, forward-thinking way of viewing the city. It should be cultural hub, not just a commodity.

10. Think beyond hotels

Expand Close A 'punk bunk' at Dublin's Dean Hotel. / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp A 'punk bunk' at Dublin's Dean Hotel.



Punk bunks at The Dean.

Dublin has a hotel shortage. In the last five years, according to a recent Failte Ireland report, tourist arrivals grew 33pc, but hotel space fell 6pc.

If nothing is done, the city faces a shortage of 5,500 rooms by 2020.

Building new hotels is one solution, but it's time to think outside the box. Pop-up hotels. B&B and guesthouse reboots. Luxury hostels. Smaller rooms (see The Dean's ' Punk Bunks', above). The fast-tracked transformation of existing buildings. A concerted decision to either work with, or against, Airbnb.

The last thing we need is for room rates to rise even further, earning Dublin a San Francisco-style reputation as one of Europe's most expensive cities.

"Dublin is in danger of standing still," according to Destination Dublin - A Collective Strategy for Tourism Growth to 2020, a 2014 report published by the Grow Dublin Taskforce. Its brand, Failte Ireland has noted, is a bit stale.

Here's another opportunity to change that.

Agree or disagree with our suggestions? Let us know! Post your comments below, email travel@independent.ie or get in touch on Facebook here.
Voting is now live for our 2018 Reader Travel Awards - but what does it take to win?

From whipping up off-menu dishes and hand-delivering gifts to mastering customer feedback and perfecting a distinctive social networking 'voice', we caught up with previous winners to find out just what it takes to impress our readers and stand out from the crowd.

Their tips are below - and you can vote for your favourite places to travel here. Every reader who enters could win one of seven bucket list travel prizes!

What does it take to be Ireland's best hotel?

Expand Close Cliff House Hotel / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Cliff House Hotel

Supporting and engaging with local businesses is just one of the things Honor Byrne, group director of sales, feels has fuelled the success of the Cliff House Hotel in Ardmore, Co. Waterford - voted Ireland's Favourite Place to Stay in our last Reader Travel Awards.

"Local business is very important to us and we do support whenever we can," she explains. "Most especially in food sourcing. Even before the hotel was open, our team was seeking out the best suppliers in the area and many of those relationships still stand."

International guests in particular are wowed by the fact that so much produce is locally-sourced, adding to their overall 'Irish' experience.

"We also partner with and co-promote many local hospitality, retail and tourism experiences," adds Honor. "We realise that we do not succeed by competing, only through collaboration."

What does it take to be Ireland's tastiest food experience?

Expand Close MacNean House and Restaurant, Blacklion, Co.Cavan. Photo: Paul Sherwood / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp MacNean House and Restaurant, Blacklion, Co.Cavan. Photo: Paul Sherwood

The Michelin-listed MacNean House and Restaurant was voted Ireland's Tastiest Food Experience in our last awards. Owner Neven Maguire reckons staff, ambience and above all listening to the customer helps make his winning eatery a hit with diners.

"For all our staff, each customer is special to us, and we want them to leave having had a memorable experience and a good one," reveals the award-winning chef. He also highlights the importance of a sensible guests-to-staff ratio.

"There's nothing worse than having a special night out and feeling that the staff are under pressure," says Neven. "Every customer needs to be given time - it's no good having great food if the atmosphere is not conducive to the whole experience."

It also pays to listen to customer feedback, he says. "I remember once we took off the 'chocolate sensation' but customers kept asking for it so it wasn't long before it was back on again!" laughs Neven.

"Mind you, even when it was off the menu, we always made it if a customer asked for it. It's their night out and it's a small thing to be able to do."

What does it take to be Ireland's favourite cruise line?

Expand Close Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas

In 2016, nearly half of Royal Caribbean's Irish guests were new to cruising and, with 24 innovative ships visiting 250 destinations, the line - voted Ireland's Favourite Cruise Line in our last awards - now commands a 40pc share of the Irish market.

Jennifer Callister, its head of Ireland, reckons it's not just enough to meet expectations - you have to surpass them.

"It's the 'wow' factor that sets us apart," she reveals. Think robotic bartenders, 50ft giraffes, ski-diving at sea "We're enthusiastic, full of determination and offer our Irish guests a jaw-dropping world of play, a journey like no other where nothing's ordinary and the everyday is spectacular."

What does it take to be Ireland's favourite airline?

Expand Close Pictured striking her 'Rocky' pose, from the film synonymous with Philadelphia City, was Mae McGreevy, Aer Lingus Cabin Crew. Picture Jason Clarke / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Pictured striking her 'Rocky' pose, from the film synonymous with Philadelphia City, was Mae McGreevy, Aer Lingus Cabin Crew. Picture Jason Clarke

Increasingly, social media is a vital point of interaction between brand and customer. Declan Kearney, director of communications, believes Aer Lingus has created a voice that resonates with the public.

"Our social media team has been very innovative in creating engaging content," he says. "We adopt a friendly and approachable tone and show our sense of humour when possible. Even when we have a swipe at our competitors, it's done with an element of craic and always without malice. That tends to draw positive responses."

As an airline carrying 12 million guests every year, the company - which you voted Ireland's Favourite Airline last year - also places a premium on customer feedback, surveying thousands of guests each year to inform investment decisions.

And rewarding those customers matters. "Half a million members have joined our AerClub loyalty programme and we're enhancing benefits for those members all the time," Declan says.

Read More

What does it take to be Ireland's top overseas destination?

Expand Close Sa Coma in Majorca, Spain / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Sa Coma in Majorca, Spain

Weather, proximity, an abundance of destinations, cost and familiarity. These are the top five things that help make Spain Ireland's Favourite Overseas Destination as voted by you, according to Teresa Gancedo, managing director at the Spanish Tourism Office in Dublin.

But you can't rest on your laurels. What Teresa reckons keeps Spain in the must-visit lists is the continued commitment to promoting the destination (the tourism board has just launched a massive new advertising campaign: 'Spain is a part of You'), and particularly lesser known locations.

"With over one in four Irish people visiting Spain at the moment it's safe to say it's a popular destination," says Teresa. "But rather than take that for granted, we're keen to show and highlight areas people may not have visited, such as inland, like the vast region of Andalucia, north of Madrid and the north of Spain, which is just an hour-and-a-half from Dublin."

What does it take to run a great family-friendly hotel?

Expand Close Kellys Resort Hotel & Spa, Rosslare / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Kellys Resort Hotel & Spa, Rosslare

That's just one mantra that Laura Kelly feels has stood her family's hotel, Kelly's of Rosslare - voted Best Family-Friendly Stay in our last awards - in good stead.

"Coming from a large family ourselves - my father comes from a family of seven children and then he went on to have six daughters - we like to think we understand what children want and enjoy," she laughs.

She's a firm believer in providing little 'wow' moments too, like making sure a rain-soaked guest gets their clothes whisked away to be dried or presenting families celebrating a special occasion with a camera which the hotel then uses to create a special holiday photo album for them.

"We recently had a guest that mentioned her curtains were not blacked out enough, so we took them down that morning, organised new linings to be put in and had them back in the room before bedtime," reveals Laura.

What does it take to be Ireland's top tour operator?

Expand Close Machu Picchu. Photo: Deposit / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Machu Picchu. Photo: Deposit

The holiday market runs 24/7 and it's a big plus for customers if tour operators do too, says Jonathan Bridge, PR and marketing executive for Trailfinders, voted as Best Tour Operator/Travel Agent by readers in our last awards.

"Our availability is unmatched in the Irish travel industry," he explains. "We are open seven days a week [including New Year's Day!] and have a team on hand to handle any urgent matters when our offices are closed, thereby providing 24-hour assistance to our customers."

What does he think are the top traits in an award-winning operator?

"Our helpful, professional and well-travelled staff, our attention to detail and our unrivalled consumer protection," says Jonathan.

Read More

What does it take to be Ireland's best spa?

Expand Close Monart, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Monart, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford

Carving out your own niche is a powerful marketing tool.

"There are spas all over Ireland that have been developed to be part of another functioning business," says Liam Anthony Griffin, director at the Griffin Hotel Group which Monart - your choice last year for Ireland's Favourite Spa - is part of.

"Monart was created to be an adult-only environment and to focus on our customers solely from the point of view of relaxation and rejuvenation. Therefore Monart is Ireland's only true destination spa property."

Continuous investment in new technology and training are all important, but so too are the little details like gender-neutral decor to help make both men and women feel comfortable.

"We always try and go the extra mile where we can," adds Liam. "Even quite literally, as on one occasion we had to hop into the car and drive to a customer's home in order to hand-deliver a voucher and gift, just to ensure it got there on time for a very special occasion of theirs!"

What does it take to be a top tourist attraction?

Expand Close Cliffs of Moher. Photo: Deposit / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Cliffs of Moher. Photo: Deposit

"First and foremost the Cliffs of Moher are an amazing natural spectacle," says Geraldine Enright, marketing manager at the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre, which you voted Ireland's Top Tourist attraction in our last awards.

But she believes a successful visitor experience goes beyond relying on the site's natural beauty.

"There are lots of special moments that visitors love, from getting the first view of a puffin to the locals busking, singing groups, guided tours, meeting our very own Cornelius O'Brien in O'Brien's Tower, sheltering from the elements, getting a hot drink, a bite to eat, buying a trinket or learning a bit more," she explains.

"Staff and management are constantly looking at ways to improve the overall visit even before the visitor sets foot at the cliffs, encouraging them to plan their visit, allow enough time, stay overnight in the villages and book in advance to guarantee entry."

What does it take to be Ireland's best adventure?

Expand Close Group Kayaking at Dalkey Islands, Dublin / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Group Kayaking at Dalkey Islands, Dublin

Our last Reader Travel Awards saw sea kayaking voted Ireland's Best Adventure.

Jim Kennedy, from Atlantic Sea Kayaking in Cork which got a notable mention in the vote, reckons personal touches are crucial in building customer confidence in the adventure market.

"We give attention to detail," Jim explains. "We make sure that we get to personally talk to each individual on the trip, down to even trying to pick correct-size equipment for clients before they try it on, which saves embarrassment.

"Customer feedback is really important. We brought in extra gear in reaction to cold hands, slowed down our presentations for non-English speakers and introduced an option to have pictures at the end of the trip."

Return customers are also offered a 10pc discount. "Our philosophy is 'we want each client to say that this is the best thing I've ever done'," says Jim.

What does it take to be Ireland's best beach?

Expand Close Inchydoney Beach: Your favourite for 2017! / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Inchydoney Beach: Your favourite for 2017!

Little additions like Inchydoney Island Lodge and Spa's webcam, broadcasting live images of the beach, have helped fuel Inchydoney's popularity, but it's the monumental work done by dedicated local groups and the council that deserves praise for keeping the shore - voted Ireland's Favourite Beach in our last awards - pristine and setting it apart from other strands.

"Colin Cashman, our local fisherman, regularly and on a voluntary basis checks the beach," reveals Des O'Dowd, owner of Inchydoney Island Lodge and Spa.

"There are regular voluntary beach cleans, in conjunction with Clean Coast Ireland, by hotel staff and local volunteers, including an annual beach clean with Clonakilty Tidy Towns, GAA and the rugby club, with up to 80 people taking part. On a daily basis, regular visitors collect rubbish and bring it off the beach."

Read More

What does it take to make Ireland's best breakfast?

Expand Close Pancakes at Castlewood House, Dingle. Photo: Don MacMonagle / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Pancakes at Castlewood House, Dingle. Photo: Don MacMonagle

Opening Castlewood House - last year's winner of Ireland's Best Breakfast - in 2005 was the realisation of a dream for Helen and Brian Heaton, but in order to make the dream a success, Helen believes you have to work hard and have a genuine passion for it.

"As any small business owner knows, when you have your own business you have to become master of all trades and be prepared to work very long hours - but we just love it and really get a great buzz from it," says Helen. "It's what drives us every day and we are incredibly lucky in that we get to live in such a lovely place."

Their hands-on approach means guests often go on to become friends. "When they leave, we always say 'see you again soon' - because we always do!" beams Helen. "We've many, many repeat guests including one lovely couple from the US who'll celebrate their 10th stay next year."

Read more:
Premium Economy Cabin on the new AA 787

There's more to life than low-cost transatlantic travel, as American Airlines' ongoing, $3 billion investment in its travel experience shows.

The world's largest airline has already poured resources into new, fully lie-flat premium seating and Wi-Fi accessibility on all long-haul aircraft.

Now comes a new Premium Economy experience between Ireland and the US.

A halfway house between economy and business, Premium Economy seats are available to purchase for travel from January 15, 2018, on Americans daily service from Dublin to Philadelphia, and from May 4 on its daily service to Charlotte Douglas.

Set in a dedicated space directly behind Business Class, it offers 38-inch seat pitches (larger than economy, at around 32-inches), leather seats, bigger touchscreen monitors and noise-reducing headphones for passengers.

Lead-in rates start from 689 return to Philadelphia, as opposed to 439 return in economy class and 1,726 return in American's business class cabin.

Expand Close American's Permium Economy amenity kit / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp American's Permium Economy amenity kit

Premium Economy customers may also board the aircraft earlier and enjoy an enhanced meal service, an amenity kit, as well as complimentary wine, beer and spirits.

Both routes will be operated by Airbus A330-200 aircraft featuring 21 Premium Economy seats.

The service enhancements come just weeks after Aer Lingus announced that it would launch a competing route between Dublin and Philadelphia, a four-times weekly service set to take off on March 25 next.

American has been flying from Dublin since 2003 and currently operates up to four flights a day between Dublin and Chicago OHare (ORD), New York (JFK) Philadelphia and Charlotte, as well as a seasonal service from Shannon (SNN) to Philadelphia.

Read more:
My first trip to Amsterdam was many years ago, for a carefree and fairly hedonistic weekend. I love its 'anything goes' attitude.

One of the great things about Amsterdam is the easy accessibility. KLM have five daily flights from Dublin, and Schiphol Airport is a pleasure.

The canals are a huge attraction, and the Jordaan area is a wonderful trip back in time, with its brightly shuttered warehouses that have now been turned into apartments. People live on houseboats all along the canals, some boats are B&Bs, and there is even a Houseboat Museum.

Noordermarkt on a Saturday and a Monday is a must, with an abundance of antiques, jewellery and vintage clothes. The Saturday Boerenmarkt Farmers' Market is a feast for the senses, while the whole market area features cafes, bars and restaurants.

Lots of river cruises start and finish in Amsterdam. Sunway Travel very kindly invited me on board the AmaPrima River Cruiser to enjoy a fabulous lunch of Dutch food, such as herring and Dutch meatballs.

Cafe Nol on Westerstraat is a great bar, with pink lights, crystal chandeliers and older bartenders; it hasn't changed in decades. Happy memories evoked.

Eleanor travelled with Sunway and KLM airlines to Amsterdam to sample the flavours of a 5-star luxury River Cruise with AmaWaterways. Prices from just 1,350pp, including flights, 7-night cruise, full board with most drinks and shore excursions, tel: (01) 236-6800, or see sunway.ie
Four challenges to freedom of speech require immediate attention. They are: state censorship; the power of social media platforms; state propaganda and misdirection; and fake news. Reform of the law to meet these challenges must assert traditional free speech values in the new contexts and must be supported by other practical responses.

The first modern challenge to freedom of speech is plain old-fashioned censorship, where a state's laws restrict disfavoured speech.

States do this directly, where the law simply bans speech (for example, the crime of blasphemy appears in the Defamation Act 2009 because of the reference to blasphemy in the Constitution). States also do this indirectly, where the law allows private actions to restrict speech (for example, crippling damages in defamation cases encourage self-censorship by journalists and editors).

Recent online commentary around high-profile trials raises the question whether protections to ensure fair trials (for example, the rules around contempt of court) are capable of applying online. In theory, these laws apply equally offline and online. In practice, since they were designed for the former, they struggle to regulate the latter.

We have got the balance wrong here, tolerating too little speech offline, and enabling too much online. But, in response, we must not make the mistake of over-regulating online speech, simply because we've already made the mistake of over-regulating offline speech.

Instead, reform of the law would reassert traditional speech values and support more speech - offline as well as online.

Expand Close SPEAKING OUT: Irish Independent Editor Fionnan Sheahan addresses last weeks symposium at Trinity College, Dublin. Photo: Arthur Carron / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp SPEAKING OUT: Irish Independent Editor Fionnan Sheahan addresses last weeks symposium at Trinity College, Dublin. Photo: Arthur Carron

We will have a golden opportunity to do so when there is a referendum on removing blasphemy from the Constitution. This will allow its repeal from the Defamation Act.

Indeed, the Department of Justice is currently undertaking a review of that Act - and that review should repeal the legal rules that underpin the highest defamation damages in Europe. Other current reviews looking at online commentary about criminal trials must guard against the extension of plain old-fashioned censorship from the analogue world to the digital.

The second modern challenge to freedom of speech is posed by the size and power of social media platforms.

The social media companies are so large that their decisions to restrict the speech of their users is functionally the same as when a state decides to censor speech. This is so where platforms suspend or delete accounts, prevent searching for specific hashtags, remove content, or implement policies that make anonymous speech difficult, if not impossible.

Some regulators are alive to the problems of platform power. Privacy watchdogs in France and Spain have recently fined Facebook for data protection breaches. The EU Commission recently fined Google for manipulating search results. But these are piecemeal responses. Proper reform of the law here would ensure that the standards we apply against plain, old-fashioned state censorship would also apply against newer private censorship exercised by the social media platforms.

Although this is problematic in the US, it is more than possible under the Irish and German constitutions.

The third modern challenge to freedom of speech arises where a state uses every means at its disposal - especially new media channels - to discredit and drown out disfavoured speech. Technological blocking, pervasive online propaganda, and weaponised social media misdirection have all been pioneered by China and Russia to supplement plain old-fashioned censorship.

The Great Firewall of China is a potent combination of technology, legislation and policy that blocks or marginalises disfavoured websites, internet services, and mobile apps. Turkey's internet censorship machine is increasingly effective. Meanwhile, Russia has incorporated many elements of the Great Firewall into its equivalent Red Web. Moreover, its web brigades of fake accounts push government propaganda on an industrial scale. In China, many social media posts are made by public employees at the government's behest, timed to overwhelm dissent at key moments.

Like a conjuror waving one hand to distract attention from the trick being done by the other, the really nefarious Russian and Chinese censorship doesn't ban disfavoured speech so much as effectively drown it out.

These techniques are sophisticated and widespread - and are now favoured by Trump's White House as much as by the world's dictators.

Reform of the law would assert traditional speech values in these new contexts.

Propaganda and misdirection require the active connivance of the state and rely on the passive complicity of the citizen. To prevent this state action, we need robust interpretation of constitutional limitations upon it, especially of constitutional speech guarantees.

Even if this is no longer possible in China, Russia, Turkey and their ilk, it is nevertheless still possible - and necessary - in Western constitutional democracies. Indeed, the Supreme Court here has shown the way, in its repeated holdings that the State cannot spend money supporting one side of a referendum.

Hand in hand with these legal developments, we must work to prevent the passive complicity of the citizen, by providing the social and educational tools to understand and deal with such propaganda and misdirection. Now that we have had a glimpse behind the curtain at insidious modern censorship, we must learn from the experience - or suffer the consequences.

The fourth modern challenge to freedom of speech is posed by the online armies of bots and trolls spreading hate speech and fake news.

Legislators are increasingly saying that the platforms must do something about it. German law now requires them to do more to take down illegal content. They have recently agreed a code of conduct against hate speech with the EU.

The United States is close to adopting legislation to make it easier to penalise websites that facilitate online sex trafficking. And, in the face of mounting concern about Russian influence in last year's US presidential election, the platforms have promised more transparency about political advertising, even as US senators scrambled to introduce legislation requiring them to do so.

Nevertheless, the assertion of traditional speech values here suggest that we must not over-legislate against the platforms, making them liable, simply out of frustration at not being able to reach the real bad guys.

The primary legal responsibility for posting illegal content is with whoever posts it - and US and EU law currently says that the platforms are responsible for it only once they have notice of it.

This balance is one of the legal foundations upon which the internet has been constructed - and if too much responsibility is moved from the poster to the platform, the disruption of this balance would be catastrophic for the internet.

Practical responses will also be crucial here. The Paradise Papers revelation of questionable offshore tax practices and RTE's undercover investigation into substandard accommodation make the case for traditional journalism and public service broadcasting.

The law should not make it more difficult for them to meet online challenges. But a blunt levy on online news (such as the EU is about to introduce) is not the answer: digital innovation around news will suffer as a consequence.

Freedom of speech faces many challenges in the modern world. The legal reforms and practical responses necessary to meet these challenges will not be easy. But they are essential to ensure that freedom of speech survives - both offline and online.

Dr Eoin O'Dell is an Associate Professor of Law, Trinity College. He blogs at www.cearta.ie and tweets at @cearta
Premium

Colm McCarthy Opinion Free money is not the way to head off a crisis

Managing the macro economy involves three perspectives. These are the short-term  the next six months or a year; the medium-term  the next four or five years; and the long-term  the issues that demand to be addressed decades in advance. From the perspective of Irish governments in recent times, only the short-term merits attention, with the medium-term left to the civil service and the long-term to sporadic commissions and academic worrywarts.
Premium

Dan O'Brien Opinion While we catastrophise about Covid, we ignore risk of running out of cash

We Irish view the world in an increasingly strange and unhealthy way. We catastrophise about Covid in a way other European countries do not. We focus on how bad the effects of the virus could get, on how many more restrictions might be imposed by Government and how helpless we are in the face of the virus.
Just over 30 minutes after Leo Varadkar delivered his first address at a Fine Gael party conference as Taoiseach, a video appeared on his Twitter account. The 21-second video showed the Taoiseach surrounded by half-a-dozen party members asking people to "join the conversation" and tell him what they thought of his speech.

After he finishes speaking, there is a brief pause before the party members, clearly acting on instruction, cheer feebly. One member even makes an unfortunate hand gesture during the forced excitement. As they cheer, the Taoiseach looks sheepishly at the ground and tries his best to hold in a grimace. It was all very awkward and naturally social media had great fun mocking it.

In years to come, historians might pinpoint this video as the exact moment Leo Varadkar lost his soul to spin.

The video is unfortunate as his conference speech was quite good. It was delivered with sincerity despite lacking any real passion and he also hammered home his ''aspire to be middle- class'' message. He also steered away from the usual partisan attacks we are used to in these televised political addresses and instead noted what can be done when the parties work together.

The video, his advisers will argue, was aimed at bringing this message to a new generation of voters who were not sitting down to watch last Friday evening at 8.30pm. However, the Government's relentless efforts to emulate the communications tactics of their international counterparts could eventually backfire.

Irish voters are more sophisticated than this Government thinks. People are not easily fooled by their constant barrage of social media content or carefully crafted messaging.

But there is no sign of the Government moving away from this strategy any time soon. In fact, we are lucky we are not being subjected to even more spin than is currently the case.

Freedom of Information documents released to the Sunday Independent last week showed the Taoiseach wanted 1m in taxpayer funding to pay for the salaries of those working in his controversial strategic communications unit. This wage bill was on top of the 5m he requested for the upkeep of his State-sponsored spin-machine.

The salaries of the supposedly cost-eutral unit were to be funded by stripping other departments of communications funding so the Taoiseach's Office could improve the Government's overall public relations output.

For instance, it was proposed that 100,000 was taken from the health budget. As we know, the Taoiseach was granted his 5m budget to run the unit but he didn't the get 1m he wanted to fork out on salaries for his high-powered sultans of spin.

Instead he was given an extra 1m to spend on additional staffing cost across his department. This included the spin unit but also additional staff working on Brexit, data protection and the Citizens' Assembly.

Of course, all this communications spending will eventually result in savings for the taxpayer if the Taoiseach's advisers are to be believed.

But back to social media. Another Freedom of Information request, this time provided to Fianna Fail Meath East TD Thomas Byrne, showed the Government spent 6,520 on advertising and videos on social media for days leading up to and after October's Budget.

You may remember the video of Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe going to the printing room to print his Budget books on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. That's what that money paid for. Mr Byrne believes in a Irish political context that's a "huge amount of money" to spend on a few days' worth of videos. It should be noted this is government funding and not Fine Gael money which was used this weekend to host their party conference in the plush surrounds of the Slieve Russell Hotel in County Cavan.

Mr Byrne's own party leader Micheal Martin is not as obsessed with spin as his counterpart. In fact, he seems to actively avoid the media at times. There are constant grumblings around Leinster House about Martin's refusal to appear before the press pack to answer questions while the Taoiseach is happy to do near daily doorstep interviews with reporters. Martin is not good in big groups and tends to get flustered when he is pushed on an issue. Radio studios out in Montrose are his preferred form of communicating with the public.

Martin also prefers to spend his time knocking on doors and pressing the flesh to win over the electorate. Every week he comes to Dublin for his Dail duties he will spend at least one evening canvassing with a TD or a potential candidate for the next election.

He is convinced this is the way to build on the success of the last election - personal interaction over social media engagement. Fianna Failers have been hearing on the doors that voters are beginning to see through Varadkar's carefully crafted image and messaging. Voters want a genuine leader who is more than just a soundbite in a 20-second social media video.

This is all very worthy and feeds into Martin's brand as a honest broker who cares little for spin but he would be acting recklessly to totally disregard modern political weapons of war. Just look at what Russia was able to achieve during the US presidential election last year.

Fianna Fail's social media output is the weakest of all the main political parties. The party's official account tweeted just three times during the Taoiseach's conference speech and there was nothing on its Facebook page.

TDs were also noticeably quiet online during the speech. Fine Gael, as the biggest party in the country has more money than Fianna Fail to spend on honing their message. It also has at its disposal the mechanics of Government, including the Taoiseach's strategic communications unit.

Fianna Fail's obsession with the unit is partly due to fears that it could be used to spin votes away from Micheal Martin.

But it is also seen as a vulnerable target in Varadkar's political arsenal. The more people believe the Taoiseach is a disingenuous product of focus groups and long discussions between PR gurus the more likely they are to buy into the idea that Martin is an authentic and real politician.

Varadkar undoubtedly has his strengths and his rebuttals to political attacks have impressed his party colleagues and Martin is clearly finding the pace of political debate in the wake of Enda Kenny's departure from the Taoiseach's seat in the lower house of parliament more difficult than he expected.

On the other side, senior Fine Gael figures believe Fianna Fail is winning the ground war in constituencies. Fianna Fail's membership is growing and constituency offices are opening up to meet local demands.

Meanwhile, Varadkar will continue to tweet, spin and forcibly smile when he signs off on his weekly video message. But as the months, or - if things do go his way - years wear on, people will catch more glimpses of the Taoiseach's discomfort with the finely tuned world of spin where he now lives.
There's something about watching grown men cry or struggle to contain their emotions that hits your inner core.

When it is the architects and elder statesmen of the Good Friday Agreement (GFA) who struggle to maintain their composure as they recall the dark days of the Troubles, it hits you even more.

There were audible gasps, including my own, last Thursday night when Seamus Mallon recalled how his life had been saved on several occasions by his Protestant friends and neighbours in the predominantly Unionist village of Markethill, Co Armagh, where the 81-year-old titan of the peace process still lives.

One thing about Markethill, Mallon told a small audience that included the Attorney General Seamus Woulfe and Belfast-born Supreme Court Judge Mr Justice Donal O'Donnell, is that there are no hiding places, no comfort zones, no places you can sneak into after dark.

"I was among friends," said Mallon, the former deputy leader of the SDLP and the first Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland.

Fighting back a surge of emotion that appeared to catch him by surprise, Mallon continued: "Those friends were my brothers and neighbours. And I can tell you that on a number of occasions, I would not have been here now had it not been for my Protestant friends."

David Trimble, the former UUP leader, first First Minister of Northern Ireland and Nobel Peace Prize winner - who is an ardent Brexiteer - also struggled with his emotions at an event on mediation organised by the Bar of Ireland to mark the honorary benching, by the Kings Inns, of Mallon, Trimble and former Labour leader and Tanaiste Dick Spring.

The voice of the British peer, who said he still doesn't know who nominated him for his Nobel, broke when he recalled that Mallon had attended the funeral of the late UUP deputy leader Harold McCusker, whose death at an early age from cancer paved the way for Trimble to lead the UUP for 15 years and secure his place in the history books.

"People will remember you at that funeral," Trimble said to Mallon, noting that Mallon's attendance at McCusker's funeral in 1990 - which followed one of the deadliest years of the conflict - was hugely respected by the Unionist community.

The two men broke the emotive atmosphere when Trimble said to Mallon: "I think I better follow your example," a reference to speaking briefly at the podium.

"For the first time," quipped Mallon in reply, prompting warm laughter in the room.

But the political impasse in Northern Ireland is no laughing matter.

Despite the GFA, whose 20th anniversary falls next year, the two communities in Northern Ireland are more polarised than ever.

The middle ground, so vital to stability and cohesion, has been obliterated by Sinn Fein and the DUP, whose only unity is their hardline stances.

Those infamous peace walls? There are more now than at any time during the conflict. Twenty years after the GFA, more than nine out of 10 schoolchildren are educated in segregated schools.

In an area with high and persistent levels of social deprivation - Northern Ireland requires an annual 10bn subvention from London as well as critical EU funding to support the communities most at risk - more than nine out of 10 recipients of social housing are segregated along religious/sectarian lines.

It is a most fragile peace.

And it's hard to disagree with Duncan Morrow, the University of Ulster politics lecturer and conflict resolution expert. Morrow recently told the All-Island Civic Dialogue on Brexit that Northern Ireland could not, in its present guise, survive either a United Ireland or a Hard Brexit, the greatest existentialist crisis to hit the island of Ireland, arguably since partition.

Catholics and Protestants have lived cheek by jowl in Northern Ireland for more than 400 years and will continue to do so for the next 400 years, despite the chasms between 'them' and 'us'.

Mallon, taking inspiration from the Belfast poet, John Hewitt, says we have gained something from that inevitable proximity.

"It is a horror of violence," he told the Bar of Ireland, before taking a sideswipe at Sinn Fein's use of an Irish language act to stall talks in the North.

"It is my conviction that the hiatus, the failure, is more than just about the Irish language or anything else," said Mallon. "And by the way, the Irish language doesn't belong to Sinn Fein or to any political party. It belongs to the Irish people. Why should we allow them [Sinn Fein] to act like a cudgel to beat others around the head with?"

Mallon, who despite his age and frailty, is still an outstanding and commanding orator, is angry at those who say the Good Friday Agreement has failed. "It has not failed," he said, urging that victory, the kind that leads to an impasse unless either side can claim one does not - along with trophy hunting and staged handshakes in front of international media - belong in Northern Ireland anymore.

"It [the GFA] has brought peace of a kind. And anything that brings peace of a kind is successful," said Mallon, who appealed for help to deal with what he describes as the complexities of a simple problem. "People have failed it. And they are continuing to fail it."

As it slowly dawns on the British Government that the principle of consent to British sovereignty [Northern Ireland voted to remain] and an open border lie at the heart of the GFA, we desperately need to return to that landmark document whose preamble - always worth re-reading - reminds us how interlocking and interdependent the lives and livelihoods of all on this island are. Brexit poses new threats to the GFA including a border - hard or soft - that will play into the idle hands of extremists.

The prospect of a return to violence, even of a minor kind, is a price we simply cannot afford to pay.
The most relevant question this weekend is whether a terrorist attack is imminent in Ireland, or whether some form of threat to national security exists. I ask this not to alarm - although we should be told if there is - but to draw attention to the Taoiseach's increasingly questionable use of his Twitter account.

What other conclusion can be drawn from his posting on that medium on Thursday of a photograph captioned: "Cabinet Committee F meeting for the second time today: bringing together heads of Irish security to discuss ongoing work in national security."

It was not immediately clear whether this was the second time on the same day that Leo Varadkar had met with the heads of national security, in which case there may be genuine cause for alarm; or whether this was his second Cabinet sub-committee meeting in that office that day. It is at such meetings that the real work is done, before it is signed off on at a subsequent full meeting of the Cabinet.

Either way, for the first time in the history of the State, insofar as I am aware, a Taoiseach has published a photograph with all of the heads of national security, and other clearly identifiable related figures, at a meeting, in an image not unlike the occasional publication when a US President or UK Prime Minister releases a strictly controlled war-time or 'situation room' photograph for historical record.

Such photographs were not published on any medium when, say, the security of the State was under threat throughout the Provisional IRA campaign of terrorism, or at any other time when there was a risk to the safety and wellbeing of citizens.

So, why now; is there a threat to national security?

If not, we need to be told why last week Leo Varadkar deemed it necessary to post a photograph of a meeting which he attended in his capacity as Taoiseach, with the Minister for Defence and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, and others ministers, along with the Secretary General to the Government. They were in serious mid-discussion on an apparently serious matter with the heads of national security, at least two of whom, including the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, were in uniform and with paperwork on the desk in front of them, in one case, on a lap closest to camera, which would not be beyond the expertise of a technical expert to refocus and read.

This is a most serious matter, a potential breach of national security no less, which has been passed over with an apparent collective shrug as if to say 'That's Leo', or 'That's transparency' or even 'That's modern communications for you' when it is anything but. It is much more than that. It is, as I say, a potential breach of national security.

But let us leave aside that appalling vista for a moment, and speculate as to what else the publication of this photograph tells us. It may tell us that there is currently a potential security threat to the State, certainly; or alternatively, it tells us that Leo Varadkar is prepared either to (a) potentially place in jeopardy, or compromise the security of the State for his own political purposes, or (b) use the heads of national security for his own political purposes. There can be no other plausible explanation.

So now we get closer to the nub of the matter, and that nub is 'spin'.

You can be sure that the heads of national security will not publicly make an issue of this clear breach of either security and/or protocol, and my sources in that area are not good enough to establish their true views on the matter, but experience tells me that such serious figures would be far from happy, indeed concerned, indeed deeply perturbed to be so used in what is, at a minimum, an evident breach of what is surely the assumed confidentiality of such meetings.

I also note from Twitter that Fianna Fail's Defence spokeswoman Lisa Chambers has re-tweeted the image under the hashtags #reckless and #spinpriority.

In my view the Taoiseach's tweeting of this photograph was certainly reckless, but if you do not agree with that, there can be no doubt that his doing so clearly speaks to his narcissistic desire to present himself in a certain light to citizens, one of an authoritative figure at the centre of serious State security issues as he would have it; but conversely, I feel, as somebody who has so far failed to internalise the responsibilities of the high office he holds on our behalf, which requires sensitive handling and tactile management of people and issues rather than placing himself up front and centre in every situation wherein that office places him as if to say 'Look at me!'.

Donald Trump aside, the other (national) politician to use Twitter in this manner is the Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams, who to my mind should be remembered, among other things, for his use of that medium to philosophise on the merits of lollipops: "When u come 2 the end of a lollipop. 2 the end. 2 the end of a lollipop. When u come 2 the end of a lollipop. Pop goes ur heart. Xo TGBE."

Leo Varadkar's use of 'spin', his apparent superego desire to place himself at the centre of all of our lives, tells us that if the Taoiseach were a lollipop he would lick himself.

But such a statement would be to minimise his publication on Twitter of this photograph, of a national security briefing, and I have no desire to do that. This publication is a serious matter, an undoubted error, yet another one even more serious than his use of Twitter to blather on about the 20th anniversary of the death of Princess Diana on a day when two homeless people had died on the streets of Dublin.

More than anything, this publication shows that the Taoiseach knows no bounds, or is prepared to extend all pre-existing boundaries to a dangerous level, to use senior national security chiefs solely for his own political gratification.

It is time to be concerned folks - really concerned about the pressing issue of Leo Varadkar and his insatiable desire to 'spin'.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar waves on stage with colleagues after his opening address of the Fine Gael national party conference in Ballyconnell, Ireland. Photo: REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

Some parents may recall reading the much-loved 'Winnie the Pooh' bedtime stories, by the English writer AA Milne, to their children. These featured the loving mother kangaroo, Kanga, and her vulnerable little baby, Roo.

And, since it is something of a mouthful, there was no great surprise to find Taoiseach Leo Varadkar's lieutenants calling the 'Republic of Opportunity' draft document by its initials 'RoO'.

Similarly, Mr Varadkar's 'RoO', as it was first unveiled, seemed rather small and helpless in a political sense. The Fine Gael policy wonks like to call it "a rolling political programme", which will, ideally and in fullness of time, be honed into party policies aimed at changing citizens' lives for the better.

In a sense, we are being invited behind the scenes to see policy and election manifestos being made. Now, that runs the same practical risks as public visits to a sausage factory have for future sales.

Mr Varadkar has been talking about "RoO-making" since he first used the term in his successful quest last April and May to lead Fine Gael. He deserves credit, and some forbearance, as he promises to think beyond the next general election, and do the so-called "vision thing" by thinking a decade ahead.

Yet this first draft of Mr Varadkar's big idea is a mixture of the vague and aspirational, the old, and the politically obvious. So far, it remains a slogan seeking a policy.

A long overdue honour for five brave gardai

Back in a recent and very dark time, a small group of people in our security forces stood in the breach to defend Ireland's imperilled democracy. Some of them, and their families, paid a very high price.

As the years fly in, too many of these selfless people are forgotten. The memory of five gardai - one of whom was brutally murdered, the others badly hurt - in a particularly cowardly IRA ambush at Garryhinch, Co Laois, in 1976, has been especially shamefully disregarded.

This goes back to a very dangerous time in our history. A hoax caller, warning of plans to murder the then-prominent national politician Oliver J Flanagan, lured the gardai to a lonely bungalow.

A massive bomb killed 24-year-old Garda Michael Clerkin, from Co Monaghan, and injured his colleagues. It was undoubtedly the murderous work of the Provisional IRA, despite a formal condemnation from its political wing, Provisional Sinn Fein, at the time.

It breached the IRA's own so-called 'Standing Order No 8' banning attacks on gardai. Nobody was ever charged or convicted, despite extensive investigations.

But at last, there will be some very belated recognition for the gardai concerned. The prestigious Scott Medal will next month be awarded at a ceremony in the Garda Training College.

Credit is due to Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan, who lobbied on the issue since first elected as a TD in 1987, and whose father was the subject of the hoax threat. Some senior gardai also worked for this, including the former Garda commissioner Noirin O'Sullivan.

Honouring Michael Clerkin and his dutiful colleagues must remind us all that our democratic institutions cannot ever be taken for granted.
Subscribe to The Ready Business show, in association with Vodafone via iTunes or SoundCloud.

On this week's show, Brian Purcell meets the man who, because he failed to get his dream job at Google, went from delivering pizzas at night to pay the rent, to doing it himself by setting up his own digital agency.

I never wanted a job more in my life, says Alan Coleman. I was devastated when I didnt get it and took it quite hard but then I said, feck it, Ill do it myself. I was delivering pizzas at night to pay the rent and it just went from there.

Wolfgang Digital has now grown to a staff of 40+ and its founder and MD, Alan Coleman reveals the secret to his success and explains how one door slamming shut on you can open up a world of unforeseen opportunities.

Plus, he has tips and advice to help your business become a success online.

The Ready Business show, in association with Vodafone , is available via iTunes , SoundCloud and Stitcher or subscribe to the RSS feed of the Ready Business Podcast using your favourite podcatcher.

You can check out the full Ready Business Podcast series here .

Sponsored by:
Anne Cleary and Denis Connolly, who collaborate as Cleary Connolly, with their scooters at the Rue de Mont Cenis steps leading up to Montmartre from their home on Boulevard Barbes

The artworks in the bedroom are by Anne and Denis, and the silk kimono on the back of the door is from Japan; Anne and Denis brought it back after a trip when they were exhibiting there in 2005. An apple tree grows on the balcony

The galley kitchen is typical of French apartments, and despite its compact size, the couple love to cook and entertain. The glass blocks throw light into the bathroom next door

The two gorgeous sets of French doors leading on to the balcony allow the living room to be filled with light. The dining table dates from the 1970s and was originally a work table

The sofa in the Cleary Connollys' apartment is from the Steiner Shop in Paris. The painting is by the couple themselves

Motion-capture artists Denis and Anne in their spacious living room. The mantelpiece is original to the apartment, which is in a Haussmann building and dates from 1882. The artwork is by the couple and their twin girls, Bo and Lottie. The helmet on the mantlepiece is the Cyclops Helmet from their exhibition 'Bizarro' at Saint-Germain-des-Pres in September 2016

In any guide to Paris, the Sacre-Coeur, the massive white-domed basilica that looms over the city, makes it into the top 10 highlights. There's hardly a visitor to Paris who leaves without trekking up to Montmartre and climbing the 300-plus steps to the dome.

There are, of course, the exceptions. Artists Denis Connolly and Anne Cleary have been living in Paris for over 20 years, yet they admit, unapologetically, that they haven't been to the top. And this despite the fact that they live a 10-minute walk from the iconic monument. They're not even sure that their teenage twin girls, Bo and Lottie, who were born in Paris, have been up.

They all do get to see it every day however - its dome is just visible from the balcony of their cool apartment in Boulevard Barbes. However, it's not that the couple don't explore their adopted city. They know every inch of its boulevards and back lanes, because they travel everywhere on their scooters - or trottinettes as they're called in French - so much so that they've become synonymous with them. "People in the area call us la famille trottinette," Anne explains.

The scooters are not just a mode of transport. Anne says they've done some of their best work while negotiating the busy streets. "I used to say all our ideas came on our trottinettes," she says. "We'd bring the girls to school, and on the way back we chat and have a coffee, and that's how the ideas came about."

Denis and Anne are known worldwide for their art: they specialise in what's called motion-capture art, and they've exhibited in many international galleries including the Pompidou Centre. Their work can currently be seen in London's Barbican - they've done an installation based on the movements of the conductor Sir Simon Rattle; and they are working on a project with David Byrne of Talking Heads in New York; a project called the Theatre of the Mind - "a travelling show to explore different aspects of perception".

Their work involves video, computers, movement, human psychology and, more importantly, ideas. They work together on every project.

They're together 24 hours of every day, and it's been like this virtually since they met - on their first day at college, when they both started studying architecture. "We both wanted to do art, but both our families were practical and said, 'architecture is close to art, so study architecture'," Anne says.

Interestingly, they first began to notice each other in an art gallery. "We really met in the Hugh Lane on the first day of college. We were told to meet up there as a group. I was sitting in the entrance hall looking at a Warhol painting and waiting for people to turn up, and next thing I turned around and there was this big, sweaty bloke with a shaved head and bicycle chain," Anne recalls.

Denis adds, "I wasn't sure if I had the right gallery, so before locking my bike, I thought, 'You know what, I'll dash in and see if I'm in the right place'. I was wearing combats and pouring sweat after the cycle. Then I realised I wouldn't recognise anyone from the class, but Anne had made herself noticeable by buying a T-square that you use for drawing off the year master that morning for five pounds, so I said, 'I'm in the right place: there's the five-pound girl'."

They became firm friends, then a few months later they got together, and have been together ever since.

After finishing their studies, they headed off to Paris and worked in their field for the first decade. "Paris was going through a mini-boom, whereas there was no work in London or Dublin. We initially worked for French architecture firms, but eventually we did perspectives for other architects - these were people who wanted to enter competitions, but didn't have time to do their own entries.

"We were really well trained in drawing from architecture school in Ireland. The work was well paid, and that was how we earned our living," Denis says."We did that for 10 years, while doing our art as well. In fact, our daughters point out that, insanely, we stopped the year they were born - when any other parents would have been taking on a sensible day job to pay for the arrival of twins."

Fortunately, by this stage, their art was taking off; they had worked together in college, then they did the perspectives together, so it seemed right to collaborate on their artwork too.

"We got involved with a group doing performance art. They were interested in ideas like flux and Dada; ideas basically exploring sense and non-sense. As part of that, Denis and I developed performance-art ideas and we also needed to film them, so we invested in a video camera and did video art," Anne explains.

"By the mid-1990s, we would have been focussing a lot on video, and then we started to introduce computers into the work. The moment we started to have identity as artists was when we started to work with computers. Round about then, a lot of people were interested in new technology, so we got invitations to show in Prague and Japan. It was interactive, and interactive art was very happening, and we were to the forefront of that movement," Denis says.

Their projects are wide-ranging. In the mid-2000s, they spent two years looking at how people move about Dublin. It was commissioned by South Dublin County Council and involved several films and a book. "It was called Moving Dublin. A lot of local people, they make choices by the way they move. We were quite at the forefront of being critics of ghost estates," Denis says.

Denis and Anne themselves are firm fans of city dwelling and bought their apartment in 1999, just before the arrival of their twins. "We always said, didn't we Denny," Anne says, "that we'd have children when we were 35. So in 1999, we were 34. I said, 'If we're going to have them at 35, we better start now, and we need an apartment big enough'. And we had the twins exactly a year later."

Luckily, by the time of the twins' arrival, they had the two-bedroomed apartment in a Haussmann building dating from the late 1800s. "It's very hard to buy in Paris, and we were looking for some time," Anne says. "One apartment we looked at was a cube and had no windows. Anyway, we saw this - the people selling it put the plans online. We could see it was south-facing, had two bedrooms, and a good living room. It was very nice. We came to look at it, went for a quick coffee, then came back and signed it there and then."

At the time, according to Denis, there were disadvantages: it was on a main traffic artery, and was so noisy that they rarely opened their windows. However, that has changed drastically - the traffic lanes have been reduced, a cycle path has been added and the amount of trees has doubled.

It hasn't become a trendy area yet, but who knows? "It's surrounded by up-and-coming areas, but Boulevard Barbes itself is stubbornly refusing to change," Denis says with a laugh.

There's a strong sense that they love their area; that it's very much home. "Paris is a very easy city to live in," Denis says. "It's very upbeat creatively, and socially it's very easy to get to know people, particularly when we were younger."

Anne adds: "The only time we thought of going back was during the Celtic Tiger, but we couldn't afford to." Denis's dreams say it all: "I had dreams we'd moved back to Ireland and then I'd wake up and be so relieved that we hadn't."

See connolly-cleary.com

Edited by Mary O'Sullivan

Photography by Tony Gavin
TV Personality Amanda Byram arrives at the 11th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Exposition Center on February 5, 2005 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Getty Images)

Irish television presenter Amanda Byram poses on the red carpet upon arrival to attend the annual BAFTA British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Opera House in London on February 10, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ANDREW COWIE

Amanda Byram is one of the most famous women on the small screen: we know her as a successful tv presenter who has lived and worked around the world, but shes also a symbol of strength whose unflinching honesty is a rarity in celebrity interviews.

In the first of our series, Byram recalls cancelling her 2011 wedding to former rugby player Craig McMullen and the knock-on effects it had on her life, shaping her into the woman she is today.

What is it about that moment?

I cancelled a wedding, it was the most difficult thing Ive ever done my life, I hurt him and let people down. I was 38 at that point, I didnt have children, I had never married and I had all these emotions whishing through my head," she tells Independent.ie Style.

Expand Close Amanda Byram and ex fiance Craig McMullen in 2009 / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Amanda Byram and ex fiance Craig McMullen in 2009

At the time when he proposed, when we were together, I was very happy but I think I was really searching for companionship. I was successful in my career and happy in my life I was at a place at 36 where I thought, Its maybe time to meet a guy'.

She had ended a long-term relationship before meeting Craig, a former rugby player, and describes their time together as fantastic.

In a way, I thought I knew what I wanted but obviously I didnt, she says.

After McMullen popped the question, Byram began working straight away on what she described as a picture perfect wedding in the South of France, but she couldnt get rid of a nagging feeling in her gut that he maybe he wasnt The One.

I got so caught up in the flowers and dress, the wedding was in the South of France and people were flying in from America, Australia, I had friends from LA coming over. It was going to be a four day affair  the most beautiful day, picture perfect event with 45 people, she describes.

Something struck me a month and a half before the wedding and its very hard to put into words. I just thought I wasnt sure.

Expand Close Amanda Byram / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Amanda Byram

Video of the Day

"I thought, it doesnt make sense that Im not sure - here is a great guy who is kind, caring, loving, intelligent, he would be a great father and husband, but there was something in my heart. I couldnt put my finger on it.

She turned to her parents Betty and Denny for counsel weeks before the big day and they gave her the courage to listen to her heart  and gut  ultimately for her own happiness. It was because of their unwavering support that she found the strength to call it off one month before.

I said it to my mum and dad, and they said, You know what, its a long time if youre in an unhappy marriage.

I remember when I was a kid, the first time when I was in college in third year, I was unhappy because I wanted to take a different subject and focus on photography, but they wouldn't let me. I thought that was it: youre born, go to school, get married and die, thats the way of the world.

Expand Close Support: Amanda Byram and boyfriend Julian Okines / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Support: Amanda Byram and boyfriend Julian Okines

They said, If youre unhappy, walk away'. That was a huge pivot and made me do what I do. I thought, I can do whatever I want, my parents are so supportive, which brings me to this moment.

They said, You dont have to do anything, its only money. If anyone complains then theyre not your friends.

The following months were tough on her: she and Craig stayed together after the wedding was cancelled, but split by January 2012.

It was so impactive on me - it was a really difficult time, I went through a really bad patch, she explains.

I cancelled a wedding, it was the most difficult thing Ive ever done my life, I hurt him and let people down. I was 38 at that point, I didnt have children, I had never married and I had all these emotions whishing through my head.

Others suggested she should have gone through with it and divorced him later, something she said would have been so much easier and less painful at the time, but it would have been a short-sighted tactic. Now, women approach her from all walks of life, praising her decision.

I was quite low for six months after. We stayed together, but I just wasnt happy. It turned me into a completely different person, she says. I became brave, empowered and strong. Sometimes you have to do things to help yourself and not others.

When I speak to women about it, they say, oh Christ, if only I listened to my heart on my wedding day. Its something that should be talked about more. I mistakenly thought I wanted something - I was seeking something that everybody else had. I wanted the guy, the nice guy, but I was settling.

The following six to eight months were filled with feelings of doubt, which she describes as being quite low. But the positive effects began pouring in when I realised I did the right thing.

She grew newfound confidence and turned to self-help, crediting Neuro-linguistic programming with her positive outlook on life. And after three years of being single and learning to love her own company, she was open to the idea of a new relationship.

I got to a point where I thought Im ready to meet someone, she said.

Expand Close Amanda Byram pictured in Flyefit Gym Georges St launching her Body By Byram Active wear range. Picture: Kyran O'Brien / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Amanda Byram pictured in Flyefit Gym Georges St launching her Body By Byram Active wear range. Picture: Kyran O'Brien

I really think I was very lucky that I got the chance in my late 30s early 40s to get to know myself. And you know what? Im not with someone because Im lonely or desperate or feel like its time; Im not settling and if that means being alone, so be it.

And thats when I met my husband.

Amanda met tv producer Julian Okines in 2014 and they wed in London last year. He says it was love at first sight.

In years gone past, I would have been afraid that something would go wrong, I was very cautious about guys - before Id done all that self-help, she explains. If I met a guy who I thought was the one, I would act a certain way around them, but I was so totally relaxed and not needing to impress him, I thought, If you dont like me, Ive got myself.

I was going on a trip to Italy with mum to Puglia  at this stage, I was single for a solid year, it was three years in total, but one year since I touched a man  I said to my mum, I met this cute guy and we really hit it off. Will I ask him to come to Italy with me? Is he going to think Im too full on?

And he said it was one of the things made him fall for me: there was no bullshit, he said, you werent wrapped in your own head. Her mother missed out on the Italy trip for Julian, but she gained a son-in-law in the process.

That was really it, then our relationship blossomed. I was in a place where I knew if it doesnt work out, so what? Prior to that, I cared so much about what if what if I messed it up, but because of what Id been through, I was so comfortable with myself and my decisions. Its truly why we've lasted the test of time.

Amanda has recently launched a line of activewear Body By Byram which is available at Arnotts and Pamela Scott stores nationwide. Catch Amanda in Pamela Scott in the Cork and Tralee stores on Friday, December 8th and in Limerick and Ennis on Saturday, December 9th.
Kate Middleton and the Countess of Wessex (right), stand in a balcony during the annual Remembrance Sunday Service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall, central London. Photo: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge arrives at the annual Royal Festival of Remembrance to commemorate all those who have lost their lives in conflicts at the Royal Albert Hall on November 11, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Stefan Rousseau - WPA Pool / Getty Images)

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attends the annual Royal Festival of Remembrance to commemorate all those who have lost their lives in conflicts at the Royal Albert Hall on November 11, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Stefan Rousseau - WPA Pool / Getty Images)

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge during the annual Remembrance Sunday memorial on November 12, 2017 in London, England

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Sophie, Countess of Wessex during the annual Remembrance Sunday memorial on November 12, 2017 in London, England

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge during the annual Remembrance Sunday memorial on November 12, 2017 in London, England

Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, arrives for the the annual Royal Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall in London on November 11, 2017 on Armistice Day

Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attends the Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph on Whitehall in central London, on November 12, 2017

Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, (C), Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy (L) and Britain's Sophie, Countess of Wessex (R) attend the Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph on Whitehall in central London, on November 12, 2017

Kate Middleton with Sophie, Countess of Wessex (right) as they stand in silence at the Remembrance Sunday Cenotaph service in London, Britain, November 12, 2017. Reuters/Toby Melville

Kate Middleton stands in a balcony during the annual Remembrance Sunday Service in London. Photo: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge during the annual Remembrance Sunday memorial on November 12, 2017 in London, England

Kate Middleton joined other members of Britain's Royal family today to honour the war dead on Remembrance Sunday.

Kate, who is expecting her third child, joined Queen Elizabeth at the Foreign Office balconies of the Whitehall memorial in London.

Expand Close Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attends the Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph on Whitehall in central London, on November 12, 2017 / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attends the Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph on Whitehall in central London, on November 12, 2017

The mother-of-two wore a black coat and matching hat, as she bowed her head during a two-minute silence at 11am.

Princes William and Harry joined their father Charles, and others, in laying wreaths to remember the war dead.

Kate has been stepping back into the limelight after suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe form of morning sickness.

She is in her second trimester, with the royal baby due in April.

Expand Close Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, (C), Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy (L) and Britain's Sophie, Countess of Wessex (R) attend the Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph on Whitehall in central London, on November 12, 2017 / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, (C), Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy (L) and Britain's Sophie, Countess of Wessex (R) attend the Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph on Whitehall in central London, on November 12, 2017

Last night, she attended the annual Royal Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall, in London, siimilarly attired in black.

Earlier this week, Kate made another public appearance where she spoke about taking Prince George to school and the importance of supporting young children.
Back row from l to r, are Claire Byrne, aisling O'Neill, Aoibheann McGarrity, Sophie Robinson, Mairead Farrell and Mary Kennedy. Front row, Una Foden, beth McNulty, kelly Thornton and Sinead Kennedy. Photo: Damien Eagers

Mary Kennedy and her daughter Eva Foster graduating from DIT in 2012

Mary Kennedy at the VIP Style Awards 2014 at The Marker Hotel

RTE presenter Mary Kennedy has spoken candidly about her life, loneliness and finding love again.

The popular broadcaster (60) has released her fourth book, What Matters: Reflections On Important Things in Life, and revealed she "no longer thinks" about love.

Kennedy, who has four children with her ex-husband Ronan Foster, said she is "content" with her life right now.

"I'm quite content, quite," she said.

Expand Close Mary Kennedy at the VIP Style Awards 2014 at The Marker Hotel / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Mary Kennedy at the VIP Style Awards 2014 at The Marker Hotel

"I don't think about it. I have wonderful holidays with groups, with girlfriends, daughters. There's plenty going in my life.

"I regret the breakdown of my marriage. I don't go into detail about it because it's not just about me. But I just accept," she told the Irish Daily Mail.

Read More

"I don't think anybody goes up the aisle other than for this to last forever. Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesnt. Yeah, it is a regret, it's sad; but it's fine."

Expand Close Mary Kennedy and her daughter Eva Foster graduating from DIT in 2012 / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Mary Kennedy and her daughter Eva Foster graduating from DIT in 2012

She is one of the most famous women on our screens, but Kennedy said she also combats loneliess.

"I think the thing to do if you can is to get out, that definitely changes your mindset," she added.

Video of the Day

"It's a bit like when you haw anxious thoughts at night and when you wake up and the day is there, they're gone.

"It's the same with loneliness and the low feelings."
Vogue Williams (L) and Spencer Matthews (R) attends the Dolce & Gabbana show during Milan Men's Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2018 on June 17, 2017 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Venturelli/WireImage)

Vogue Williams and Brian McFadden attend the Lavazza marquee on Crown Oaks Day at Flemington Racecourse on November 8, 2012 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

Vogue Williams seen at the ITV Studios on October 2, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by HGL/GC Images)

Vogue Williams attends the House of Holland show during London Fashion Week September 2017 on September 16, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Darren Gerrish/WireImage)

Vogue Williams suffers from such bad anxiety that she sometimes can't leave her house.

The 32-year-old model and DJ - who recently moved in with her reality TV star boyfriend Spencer Matthews, 28 - was diagnosed with the condition almost a decade ago but says it was at its worst during her split from Brian McFadden in 2015.

Expand Close Vogue Williams seen at the ITV Studios on October 2, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by HGL/GC Images) / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Vogue Williams seen at the ITV Studios on October 2, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by HGL/GC Images)

She told the Sunday Mirror: "It is horrible. Sometimes I wouldn't want to go out. I keep myself to myself and I am not one for going out with huge groups of people any more.

"I have started wearing gum shields again because I grind my teeth really badly when I go to bed. It is really weird and hard to explain to people.

"I will get a racing heart and my whole body is tense. I will get knackered after a day if I have been anxious. I've had it since my early 20s."

Speaking about dealing with the illness during her split from Brian, she said: "I had it before but going through that made it so much worse. I had a really bad back for a while and had to go on medication, so that made it worse.

Expand Close Vogue Williams and Brian McFadden attend the Lavazza marquee on Crown Oaks Day at Flemington Racecourse on November 8, 2012 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images) / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Vogue Williams and Brian McFadden attend the Lavazza marquee on Crown Oaks Day at Flemington Racecourse on November 8, 2012 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

"That was when I was at my lowest. I was on a beta-blocker  it blocks the symptoms of anxiety. I wasn't sleeping... or I was getting an hour a night."

Vogue also opened up about her relationship with Spencer, praising the star as her "best friend".

She said: "We moved in together. He was away for five weeks for a show so I am glad he is back. He is my best pal. I remember thinking we would be best friends forever. It is the first relationship where I don't have fights with people. We have disagreements, but that's okay."
PARIS -- During National Nurse Practitioner Week from Nov. 12-18, Paris Community Hospital/Family Medical Center recognizes the valuable service that its nurse practitioners (NPs) provide to the community as the profession celebrates more than 50 years.

NPs at PCH/FMC are certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. PCH/FMC has 11 NPs practicing at various locations:

Casey Anderson, FNP-C, family medicine at Oakland Family Medical Center.

Susan Arp, FNP-C, nursing home care in Paris, Chrisman, and Newman.

Ann Bogue, FNP-C, nursing home care in Paris, Chrisman, and Newman.

Debbie Griffin, FNP-C, CDE, family medicine at Paris Family Medical Center.

Angela Hamilton, FNP-C, orthopedics and dermatology at Paris Family Medical Center.

Danielle Ireland, FNP-C, family medicine at Chrisman Family Medical Center.

Sneha Patel, FNP-BC, EZ Care walk-in clinic and nursing home care.

Sara Spesard, FNP-C, PCH/FMC Occupational Health Clinic.

Tiffany Turner, FNP-C, PCH/FMC Occupational Health Clinic, where she also serves as department manager.

Samantha Volstorf, FNP-BC, EZ Care walk-in clinic.

Crystal White, FNP-C, family medicine and the Medical Weight Loss Clinic at Paris Family Medical Center.

NPs have graduate level, advanced education and clinical training beyond their registered nurse preparation. An NP practice offers a unique combination of nursing and healthcare service to patients. Focusing not only on diagnosing and managing acute and chronic illnesses, NPs integrate health promotion, disease prevention, counseling, and patient education to help patients understand their complete health picture.

The workforce of nurse practitioners is growing. According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, there are approximately 234,000 NPs nationwide with 23,000 new NP students graduating each year.
Hundreds of women, men and children took part in a protest against sexual harassment in Hollywood on Sunday a rmed with signs, catchy phrases and a motivation to take #MeToo beyond the internet and into real life.

The Take Back the Workplace March and the #MeToo Survivors March joined forces in the heart of Hollywood, near the entrance to the Dolby Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard where the Academy Awards takes place.

They walked side by side past the tourists, costume shops, strip clubs and a man wearing a "Whiskey Made Me Do It" T-shirt to gather for a rally of rousing speeches from the likes of Harvey Weinstein accuser Lauren Sivan and Oscar-winning producer Cathy Schulman.

"Not in pots, not in plants, keep your junk inside your pants," the crowd chanted for a few minutes, before shifting gears to: "Harvey Weinstein is a joke, women workers just got woke."

Other chants included, "Survivors united, we'll never be divided" and "Whatever we wear, wherever we go, 'yes' means 'yes' and 'no' means 'no'."

Nancy Allen, 52, from Los Angeles, attended the march, and said: "We've been silent too long. A lot of people have kept this inside us for years and years."

Howard Kim, a 68-year-old Los Angeles resident, came out to support the march.

"I'm just a little sorry there aren't more people out here," he said. "I was hoping there would be."

Event organisers estimated there were about 200 to 300 attendees. But they also acknowledged that it was "difficult to tell" with the normal Hollywood Boulevard crowds.

The protesters walked about a mile to the corner of Sunset Boulevard and Cole Place, the site of the CNN headquarters, where a podium was set up for the Take Back the Workplace rally.

Sivan, a TV journalist who alleged sexual harassment from Weinstein and served as the "celebrity chair" of the Take Back the Workplace event, said that the time was ripe for a re-ordering of power.

"We want our daughters and sons to be able to go to a workplace and never have to take a meeting with a dude in a bathrobe," she said. "They will never have to choose to put out or keep their job."

Schulman said: " I've seen it all. I've seen every bit of harassment.

"However, I've produced 20 movies, I've supervised over 150 movies, I've won an Academy Award. I've even raised a 17-year-old daughter.

"Do not let them destroy us. We can win this war. It's a game. It's a game of power that we can win."

Although there were not many celebrities at the march, some supported the protest from afar.

"To all my sisters and brothers out there marching today in L.A Sending you love and support from thousands of miles away!" said Patricia Arquette on Twitter.

AP
Revenues at Ladbrokes Coral have bounced back as strong growth from the digital business offset a drop in takings at the betting giants retail stores.

The FTSE 250 firm said group net revenue had grown 3% for the four months to October 29, with the digital arm clocking a 12% rise thanks to an 18% jump from online gaming firm Sportsbook.

It proved a brighter performance compared to the second quarter and the half year when revenues fell 2% and rose 1% respectively.

While the digital business recorded a double-digit jump over the period, revenues at the retail stores fell by 1% as like-for-like revenue from betting machines came in flat.

Shares were down more than 1% in morning trading, as the firm said its performance was in line with its annual targets.

Chief executive Jim Mullen said: Our digital performance is strong and the Ladbrokes brand in Australia and the Eurobet brand in Italy continue to post very strong revenue growth.

In the UK, the Coral and Gala brands also posted very pleasing growth, and we continue to transition our approach to customer acquisition and retention in Ladbrokes.com to focus on improved profit conversion.

In UK Retail, performance improved in line with our expectations primarily driven by the return of all horse-racing content to our shops.

Ladbrokes Coral  created from the 2.3 billion merger of Ladbrokes and Gala Coral  said European retail revenues rose 17% as win margins across Italy returned to normal levels.

It said revenues at Coral.co.uk had grown by 13% amid a competitive UK market, while Ladbrokes.com fell by 9%.

The update comes after the firm agreed to a 2.3 million penalty package from the Gambling Commission last week for failings which saw two high-spending customers gamble away around 1.3 million of stolen money.

The company was sanctioned after an investigation into sub-brand Gala Interactive found significant flaws in the way it deals with punters displaying problem gambling behaviour.
A poster of resigned Lebanese prime minister Saad Hariri which says "we are all with you" hangs on a street in Beirut (AP)

The head of Lebanon's Maronite Catholic community has arrived in Saudi Arabia in the first public visit by a Lebanese official since prime minister Saad Hariri announced his sudden resignation nine days ago.

Cardinal Bechara el-Rai's visit, the first by a Maronite patriarch to the kingdom according to the cardinal, has taken on special significance since Mr Hariri announced his resignation in a surprise statement broadcast from Riyadh on November 4.

The prime minister has not returned to Lebanon since.

Cardinal el-Rai is expected to meet Mr Hariri, as well as Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammad, during his two-day visit.

Mr Hariri's shock resignation after less than a year as premier mystified Lebanon and led to speculation by some media outlets and politicians that he was forced into it by Saudi Arabia.

Mr Hariri said on Sunday he would return to Lebanon "within days" to resolve issues with the militant group Hezbollah, his rivals in a coalition government formed last year.

The comments came in his first TV interview since his resignation announcement, in which he lashed out at Hezbollah and its patron Iran.

He struck a more conciliatory tone in the Sunday interview, denying that he was being held against his will in the kingdom and repeating that he feared for his safety in Lebanon.

Lebanon's top security agencies say they have no information to share about possible plots against his life.

Mr Hariri acknowledged in the interview that his resignation was unconventional, adding that he was ready to return to Lebanon to formally submit it and seek a settlement with Hezbollah.

Lebanese President Michel Aoun welcomed his statements and said he hoped the prime minister would return to Lebanon soon. Once he returns, Mr Aoun tweeted, "we will listen to him about all circumstances, topics and concerns that need addressing".

A statement released by Mr Aoun's office later said that the national and diplomatic campaign in the country over the past days demanding Mr Hariri's return "has produced positive results".

Cardinal el-Rai told reporters at Beirut's international airport that Mr Hariri's return would restore normality in Lebanon.

He heads the Maronite sect, Lebanon's largest Christian community and the Middle East's largest Catholic church, which enjoys wide influence in the country.

"The Lebanese people have been waiting for him (Hariri) to return because the situation has come to a stop and the Lebanese people have been unsettled," Cardinal el-Rai said.

"They (the Lebanese) will not rest until he returns so that life returns to normal.

"We will carry these concerns to the king and crown prince and wish well."

Saudi Arabia has been demanding that Hezbollah play no role in future government, accusing the group of supporting anti-Saudi Yemen rebels known as Houthis.

Hezbollah and the Houthis deny that the Lebanese group is carrying out anti-Saudi activities in Yemen.

The US, France and Britain have all expressed strong support for Lebanon's stability and sovereignty.

AP
More than 300 people were killed in Iran when a magnitude 7.3 earthquake jolted the country on Sunday, state media said, and rescuers were searching for dozens trapped under rubble in the mountainous area. At least six have died in Iraq as well.

State television said more than 336 people were killed in Iran and at least 3,950 were injured. Local officials said the death toll would rise as search and rescue teams reached remote areas of Iran.

The earthquake was felt in several western provinces of Iran, but the hardest hit province was Kermanshah, which announced three days of mourning. More than 236 of the victims were in Sarpol-e Zahab county in Kermanshah province, about 15 km (10 miles) from the Iraq border.

Iranian state television said the quake had caused heavy damage in some villages where houses were made of earthen bricks. Rescuers were labouring to find survivors trapped under collapsed buildings.

The quake also triggered landslides that hindered rescue efforts, officials told state television. At least 14 provinces in Iran had been affected, Iranian media reported.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei offered his condolences on Monday, urging all government agencies to do all they could to help those affected.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake measured magnitude 7.3. An Iraqi meteorology official put its magnitude at 6.5 with the epicentre in Penjwin in Sulaimaniyah province in the Kurdistan region, close to the main border crossing with Iran.

Kurdish health officials said at least six people were killed in Iraq and at least 68 injured. Iraq's health and local officials said the worst-hit area was Darbandikham district, near the border with Iran, where at least 10 houses had collapsed and the district's only hospital was severely damaged.

Expand Close People sit on the rubble of a destroyed house after an earthquake in the city of Darbandikhan, northern Iraq, Monday, Nov. 13, 2017.(AP Photo/Felipe Dana) / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp People sit on the rubble of a destroyed house after an earthquake in the city of Darbandikhan, northern Iraq, Monday, Nov. 13, 2017.(AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

The quake was felt as far south as Baghdad, where many residents rushed from their houses and tall buildings when tremors shook the Iraqi capital.

"I was sitting with my kids having dinner and suddenly the building was just dancing in the air," said Majida Ameer, who ran out of her building in the capital's Salihiya district with her three children.

Expand Close In this photo provided by Tasnim News Agency, relatives weep over the body of an earthquake victim, in Sarpol-e-Zahab, western Iran, Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. (Farzad Menati/Tasnim News Agency via AP) / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp In this photo provided by Tasnim News Agency, relatives weep over the body of an earthquake victim, in Sarpol-e-Zahab, western Iran, Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. (Farzad Menati/Tasnim News Agency via AP)

"I thought at first that it was a huge bomb. But then I heard everyone around me screaming: 'Earthquake!'"

Similar scenes unfolded in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region, and across other cities in northern Iraq, close to the quake's epicentre.

Expand Close A crack is seen on a road after an earthquake at the Darbandikhan Dam, near the city of Sulaimaniyah, in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, Iraq November 13, 2017. REUTERS/Ako Rasheed / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp A crack is seen on a road after an earthquake at the Darbandikhan Dam, near the city of Sulaimaniyah, in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, Iraq November 13, 2017. REUTERS/Ako Rasheed

Electricity was cut off in several Iranian and Iraqi cities, and fears of aftershocks sent thousands of people in both countries out onto the streets and parks in cold weather.

The Iranian seismological centre registered around 118 aftershocks and said more were expected. The head of Iranian Red Crescent said more than 70,000 people were in need of emergency shelter.

Expand Close A man rides a motorcycle past a damaged building following an earthquake in the town of Darbandikhan, near the city of Sulaimaniyah, in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, Iraq November 13, 2017. REUTERS/Ako Rasheed / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp A man rides a motorcycle past a damaged building following an earthquake in the town of Darbandikhan, near the city of Sulaimaniyah, in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, Iraq November 13, 2017. REUTERS/Ako Rasheed

Hojjat Gharibian was one of hundreds of homeless Iranian survivors, who was huddled against the cold with his family in Qasr-e Shirin.

"My two children were sleeping when the house started to collapse because of the quake. I took them and ran to the street. We spent hours in the street until aid workers moved us into a school building," Gharibian told Reuters by telephone.

Iran's police, the elite Revolutionary Guards and its affiliated Basij militia forces were dispatched to the quake-hit areas overnight, state TV reported.

Iranian Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli said some roads were blocked and authorities were worried about casualties in remote villages. An Iranian oil official said pipelines and refineries in the area remained intact.

Iran sits astride major fault lines and is prone to frequent tremors. A magnitude 6.6 quake on Dec. 26, 2003, devastated the historic city of Bam, 1,000 km southeast of Tehran, killing about 31,000 people.

On the Iraqi side, the most extensive damage was in the town of Darbandikhan, 75 km east of the city of Sulaimaniyah in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region.

More than 30 people were injured in the town, according to Kurdish Health Minister Rekawt Hama Rasheed.

"The situation there is very critical," Rasheed told Reuters.

The district's main hospital was severely damaged and had no power, Rasheed said, so the injured were taken to Sulaimaniyah for treatment. Homes and buildings had extensive structural damage, he said.

In Halabja, local officials said a 12-year-old boy died of an electric shock from a falling electric cable.

Iraq's meteorology centre advised people to stay away from buildings and not to use elevators in case of aftershocks.

Residents of Turkey's southeastern city of Diyarbakir also reported feeling a strong tremor, but there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties there.

Turkish Red Crescent Chairman Kerem Kinik told broadcaster NTV that Red Crescent teams in Erbil were preparing to go to the site of the earthquake and that Turkeys national disaster management agency, AFAD, and National Medical Rescue Teams were also preparing to head into Iraq.

AFAD's chairman said the organisation was waiting for a reply to its offer for help.

In a tweet, Kinik said the Turkish Red Crescent was gathering 3,000 tents and heaters, 10,000 beds and blankets and moving them towards the Iraqi border.

"We are coordinating with Iranian and Iraqi Red Crescent groups. We are also getting prepared to make deliveries from our northern Iraq Erbil depot," he said.

Israeli media said the quake was felt in many parts of Israel as well. In a statement, Israeli Intelligence Minister Israel Katz said, "My condolences to the people of Iran and Iraq over the loss of human life caused by the earthquake." Iran refuses to recognise Israel.
Donald Trump and Rodrigo Duterte hold a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Manila (Rolex dela Pena/Pool Photo via AP)

Donald Trump has pushed for equitable trade deals and opted to prioritise strategic interests over human rights during a meeting with Philippines leader Rodrigo Duterte in Manila.

The US president repeatedly praised Mr Duterte, pointedly calling him by his first name, sharing a joke about the media and even complimenting Manila's weather.

What he did not do was what many predecessors have done before: highlight human rights abuses while overseas.

Mr Duterte has overseen a bloody drug war that has featured extrajudicial killings, and has boasted about killing people with his own hands.

However, during brief remarks to reporters, Mr Trump said he and Mr Duterte have "had a great relationship" but avoided questions on whether he would raise human rights issues.

The White House later said the two leaders discussed Islamic State, illegal drugs and trade during the 40-minute meeting.

Spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said human rights came up "briefly" in the context of the Philippines' fight against illegal drugs.

She did not say whether Mr Trump was critical of Mr Duterte's programme.

That appeared to conflict with the Philippines' version of the meeting.

Harry Roque, a spokesman for Mr Duterte, said "there was no mention of human rights. There was no mention of extralegal killings. There was only a rather lengthy discussion of the Philippine war on drugs with President Duterte doing most of the explaining."

On the sidelines of an international summit, Mr Trump looked to strengthen ties with Pacific Rim allies, aiming to strike bilateral rather than multinational trade agreements, and increase pressure on North Korea to abandon its nuclear programme.

He met India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday and touted their two nations' "deeper and more comprehensive" ties, looking to strengthen a relationship that is vital to the US vision of an Indo-Pacific region that attempts to de-emphasise China's influence.

He jointly met Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, with whom he had a contentious phone call last winter, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who hosted the president in Tokyo earlier in the trip.

Mr Trump raved about his accomplishments on his five-nation journey, including on trade and on North Korea, which the White House has suggested may be designated a state sponsor of terror.

He said he would wait until his return to Washington on Wednesday to elaborate with a "major statement" on those two topics but hinted at progress while in Manila.

"We've made some very big steps with regard to trade - far bigger than anything you know," Mr Trump told reporters, touting business deals forged between US and foreign companies.

"We've made a lot of big progress on trade. We have deficits with almost everybody. Those deficits are going to be cut very quickly and very substantially," he said.

"Except us," Mr Turnbull chimed in, to laughs.

"You're the only one," Mr Trump responded.

He also said the trip had been "very fruitful" for the United States and pointed to the warm welcomes he had received in capitals like Tokyo, Seoul and Beijing.

"It was red carpet like nobody, I think, has probably ever received," Mr Trump said. "And that really is a sigh of respect, perhaps for me a little, but really for our country. And I'm really proud of that."

AP
A South Korean army soldier gestures at the border village of Panmunjom in Paju, South Korea (Stock image - AP)

North Korean soldiers have shot and wounded a comrade who was crossing a jointly controlled area at the heavily guarded border to defect to South Korea, the South's military said.

Soldiers from the North have occasionally defected to South Korea across the border.

However, it is rare for a North Korean soldier to defect via the Joint Security Area, where border guards of the rival Koreas stand facing each other just metres apart, and be shot by fellow North Korean soldiers.

The soldier bolted from a guard post at the northern side of Panmunjom village in the Joint Security Area to the southern side of the village, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement.

He was shot in the shoulder and elbow and was taken to a South Korean hospital, the Defence Ministry said.

It was not immediately known how serious the soldier's injuries were or why he decided to defect.

South Korean troops found the injured soldier south of the border after hearing sounds of gunfire, a Defence Ministry official said.

South Korean troops did not fire at the North, he said.

The defection came at a time of heightened tension over North Korea's nuclear weapons programme, and could escalate animosities between the rival countries.

North Korea has typically accused South Korea of enticing its citizens to defect, something the South denies.

About 30,000 North Koreans have defected to South Korea since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War, but most travel through China.

Panmunjom, once an obscure farming village inside the four kilometre-wide Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) that separates the two Koreas, is where an armistice was signed to pause the Korean War.

Jointly controlled by the American-led UN Command and North Korea, the DMZ is guarded on both sides by hundreds of thousands of combat-ready troops, razor-wire fences and tank traps.

More than a million mines are believed to be buried inside the zone.

American presidents often visit Panmunjom and other DMZ areas during their trips to South Korea to reaffirm their security commitment to the South.

US President Donald Trump planned to visit the DMZ to underscore his stance against North Korea's nuclear programme when he came to South Korea last week as part of an Asian tour, but his plans were thwarted by heavy fog that prevented his helicopter from landing at the border area.

At Panmunjom, North Korean soldiers wearing lapel pins with the images of late North Korean leaders often use binoculars to monitor visitors from the South.

They stand only several metres away from South Korean soldiers wearing aviator sunglasses while adopting taekwondo stances. This makes the area a popular stop for visitors from both sides.

Areas around Panmunjom were the site of bloodshed and defection attempts by North Koreans in the past, but there have been no such incidents in recent years.

AP
MATTOON -- The Lake Land College Board of Trustees is scheduled tonight to consider accepting the donation of two robots from the former General Electric Mattoon Lamp Plant.

Jacqueline Joines, executive director for College Advancement, reported in a memo to the board that one of the robots is a 2008 Adept S800 valued at $10,000 and the other is a 1997 Fanuc F 34128 valued at $1,850.

These gifts were received by the (Lake Land) Foundation thanks to the efforts of Bonnie Moore, director to Center for Business & Industry, Joines said. This equipment will be used for training purposes.

The Mattoon Lamp Plant, 1501 S. 19th St., used a variety of Lake Land workforce training programs over the years prior to GE Lighting closing this facility on Aug. 11.

GE Lighting spokeswoman Andrea Vullo wrote in a letter to Joines that given the long-standing relationship with Lake Land, the plant wished to donate the two robots. She said the intent is for the robots to help educate students and promote manufacturing and technology.

The GE Lighting team appreciates your workforce development partnership over the years, and hopes this in-kind contribution can continue to drive innovation at Lake Land into the future, Vullo said.

In other matters, the board will considering renewing the colleges workers compensation policy for 2018. Bryan Gleckler, vice president for business services, reported in a memo that the college recently received the renewal rates for its policy with Illinois Public Risk Fund for 2018.

The renewal rate reflects a 7.28 percent increase in premium costs to the college as compared to the expiring rate, Gleckler said. However, if the expiring rate was adjusted to our current payroll levels, the increase is only 2.16 percent.

As part of this renewal, the college also qualifies for a $13,000 safety grant from the Illinois Public Risk Fund. The grant can be used to enhance safety throughout campus.

Tonights meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. in Webb Hall 081 Other actions that the board will consider taking include:

-- Purchasing a med dispense machine for $31,116 from Pocket Nurse Enterprises of Monaca, Penn for the Allied Health Division associates degree and practical nurse programs.

-- Hiring Dean Drainage of Mattoon for $18,350 to install a 30-foot tile pattern in the 11 acre Field F on the west side of the colleges land lab.

-- Abating real estate taxes related to an enterprise zone extension for Fayette County. The in-district communities that would be included in this extension application are Brownstown, St. Elmo and Ramsey.

-- Approving the creation of a Collegiate Farm Bureau club on campus.

-- Accepting a $14,000 Growing Agricultural Science Teachers Grant from the Illinois State Board of Education to promote the profession of agriculture education through recruitment and retention activities.
The pound took a hit on Monday amid fears surrounding Theresa Mays future as Prime Minister following weekend reports that she is facing a rebellion from Conservative backbenchers.

Sterling fell as much as 0.8% against the US dollar at one point, but was trading nearer 1.310, down more than 0.6% in late afternoon trading.

Its performance against the euro was also impacted, dropping 0.6% to trade at 1.123.

Investors were reacting to a Sunday Times report that a group of around 40 MPs had signed a letter of no confidence in the Prime Minister.

Mrs Mays fragile grip on power, relying on DUP votes for a Commons majority, means the Government is vulnerable to any Tory rebellion.

David Madden, a market analyst at CMC Markets UK, said the rising political uncertainty was the talk of the City.

Prime Minister May is still secure in her position, and the Tory rebels would need to round-up more signatures before they could actually push for this. Nonetheless, the very fact that members of her own party are looking to oust her, severely weakens her position.

However, Mr Madden noted that in a roundabout way Mrs Mays political troubles were helping FTSE 100, which ended the day down around only 0.24% or 17.81 points at 7,415.18 points.

The remainder of Europe is firmly in the red, but the weakness in sterling has cushioned the fall in the British index.

Continental Europe is being hit by the sell-off that begun last Thursday. The shock sell-off in Japan in the latter-half of last week is still being felt around the world, Mr Madden added.

Across Europe, the French Cac 40 was down 0.73% while the German Dax fell 0.4%.

Brent crude prices were down 0.6% at $63.24, edging away from its highest level since June 2015, as traders remained uncertain about the future of global supply levels, which have yet to recover from a multi-year glut.

In UK stocks, Ladbrokes fell 3.3p to 133.6p despite posting a 3% rise in net revenue for the four months to October 29, aided by a 12% rise in its digital business which offset a drop in takings at the betting giants retail stores.

Revenues at the retail stores fell by 1% as like-for-like revenue from betting machines came in flat.

Expand Close Ladbrokes / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Ladbrokes

Taylor Wimpey shares were nearly flat, down just 0.1p at 192.8p, having reported a slight drop in its order book at 8,751 homes and 2.2 billion for the second half of its 2017 financial year, down from 8,981 and 2.3 billion over the same period last year.

But the housebuilder struck a positive note, saying UK housing market was positive during the period and that central London was stable.

Ultra Electronics plunged 297p to 1,230p after the defence firm warned over profits as its chief executive stepped down.

Ultra said weaker financial results came following the Ministry of Defence pausing, cancelling or delaying numerous programmes, which had hit company orders.

The biggest risers on the FTSE 100 were Carnival up 83p to 4,947p, Astrazeneca up 60p to 4,930p, Diageo up 21p to 2,580.5p, and Royal Dutch Shells B shares up 20p to 2,477.5p.

The biggest fallers on the FTSE 100 were Babcock International Group down 59.5p to 753p, Coca-Cola HBC down 115p to 2, 470p, NMC Health down 118p to 2,800p, and BAE Systems down 19p to 537p.
Image: twitter.com/NDRFHQ

Hyderabad, Nov 13 (IBNS): At least 16 people were killed after a boat carrying tourists in the Krishna river in Andhra Pradesh capsized on Sunday evening, reports said.

The accident took place near Vijaywada, some 275 kilometres from Hyderabad.

Police said that the boat belonged to a private company and even though it was ferrying around 35 people, it did not have the licence to operate.

A rescued person later said that the boat did not have any life jackets.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is presently visiting Philippines to attend the ASEAN Summit, condoled the loss.



A statement from the official Twitter account of PMO India read: "Capsizing of a boat in the Krishna River is anguishing. My thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives in this tragedy. Andhra Pradesh Government and @NDRFHQ have been working on rescue operations: PM @narendramodi."

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has called it an 'unfortunate' incident and said that the victims will be backed by the government.

He has also ordered senior officials to investigate the issue and take actions.

At least 60 members of National Disaster Response Force, along with 45 members of State Disaster Relief Forces and the fire service teams carried out the rescue operations.



Image: twitter.com/NDRFHQ


Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 13 (IBNS): Continuing the political violence in Kerala, a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) activist was killed in Guruvayur on Sunday, media reports said.

The deceased has been identified as Nenmini Anand (28), who was knocked down by a car and the assailants, who came out of the car, later hacked the activist to death.

Anand was knocked down by the car near Nenmini Balaraman temple.

Anand was the second accused in the murder of DYFI activist Faizal, who was killed in 2013.

According to the reports, the assailants could not get into the car due to the fear of being caught. Later the accused persons took a bike by pushing down its rider.

The Bharatiya Janata Party, as a mark of protest, called a strike in Guruvayur on Monday.

As a reaction to the incident, BJP president Amit Shah tweeted: "I condemn the brutal killing of a young RSS Swayamsevak K Anand in Guruvayur,Kerala. The continuous violence by CPM workers & the protection to such political killings is now before the nation. CM Pinarayi must explain what his govt is doing to curb criminal elements in his rank."

I condemn the brutal killing of a young RSS Swayamsevak K Anand in Guruvayur,Kerala. The continuous violence by CPM workers & the protection to such political killings is now before the nation. CM Pinarayi must explain what his govt is doing to curb criminal elements in his rank. https://t.co/n8Q72tvk2l  Amit Shah (@AmitShah) November 12, 2017

In one of the recent incidents, in August, an RSS worker was hacked to death by a group of assailants. While police had said that there was personal enmity, the BJP alleged the hand of the CPI(M).

The family of Rajesh, the slain RSS activist, had blamed the ruling CPI(M) for his death.
Image: twitter.com/narendramodi

Manila, Nov 13 (IBNS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the performance of Rama Hari, a musical based on the Ramayana, after he watched it live during the opening ceremony of ASEAN summit in Manila.

The Prime Minister took to Twitter to share his experience.

"You would be happy to know that the @ASEAN opening ceremony included excerpts from the musical Rama Hari, based on the Ramayana. Various parts of the Ramayana were beautifully highlighted in the Rama Hari. This shows our deep historical bonds and shared heritage,"he tweeted.

"The Ramayana is widely popular among ASEAN nations. I compliment the cast and crew of Rama Hari for their stupendous performance at the ASEAN Summit," an ensuing tweet read.

Ramayana, one of the two main Vedic epics, originally written by the sage Valmiki, revolves around Lord Rama, an incarnation of Vedic God Vishnu, the preserver.

Image: twitter.com/narendramodi
Guwahati, Nov 13 (IBNS): A powerful Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast killed two Assam Rifles jawans and severely injured six others in Manipurs Chandel district near Indo-Myanmar border on Monday morning.

According to the reports, the suspected militants had triggered the explosion at around 6.10 a.m. on a 18 Assam Rifles patrolling party.

The incident took place near the foot hill road at Maha Moni village in Chandel district.

The deceased jawans were identified as Rifleman Indra Singh and Sohan Lal.

The injured jawans Rifleman S.Sarkar, N. Shyam Kumar, Tirendra Nath Das, Govind Singh, Nirmal Roy were rushed to a hospital.

Meanwhile, army chopper has been called in to evacuate the area.

The suspected militants had triggered the explosion targeting the security personnel.

Militants had carried out a series of attacks in the north eastern Indian state on security forces this year.

On June 30 last, one Assam Rifles jawan was killed and three others were injured in an IED blast in Ukhrul district.

One jawan was killed and four others were injured in another blast on June 15 last in the state.



(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
Image: twitter.com/NDRFHQ

Hyderabad, Nov 13 (IBNS) : The toll in the boat capsize incident in Krishna River near Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh rose to 19 following the recovery of three more bodies on Monday morning, reports said.

Bodies of nineteen tourists have been recovered so far after the boat capsized in Krishna river late on Sunday.

State disaster response and fire services departments director general N Satyanarayana said while two bodies were recovered by teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), another was fished out by personnel of his department.

Police said that the boat belonged to a private company and even though it was ferrying around 35 people, it did not have the licence to operate.

A rescued person later said that the boat did not have any life jackets.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is presently visiting Philippines to attend the ASEAN Summit, condoled the loss.



A statement from the official Twitter account of PMO India read: "Capsizing of a boat in the Krishna River is anguishing. My thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives in this tragedy. Andhra Pradesh Government and @NDRFHQ have been working on rescue operations: PM @narendramodi."

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has called it an 'unfortunate' incident and said that the victims will be backed by the government.

He has also ordered senior officials to investigate the issue and take actions.

At least 60 members of National Disaster Response Force, along with 45 members of State Disaster Relief Forces and the fire service teams carried out the rescue operations.

Image: twitter.com/NDRFHQ
Manila, Nov 13 (IBNS) : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday visited the Mahaveer Philippine Foundation in Manila which has rehabilitated million lives with the India made 'Jaipur foot.'

He visited the place on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit being held there.

"Wonderful visit to the Mahaveer Philippine Foundation. Their efforts of fitting the Jaipur Foot on needy .amputees have touched several lives. During my visit, saw a series of exhibits and interacted with amputees," the PM tweeted.

Modi also met a nine-year-old Philippino boy, Carlo Migel Silvano, who is one of thousands fitted with the 'Jaipur Foot', a rubber-based prosthetic leg for people having gone through below-knee amputation

"I want to be a policeman my young friend told meglad to see the Jaipur Foot giving wings to the aspirations of many youngsters like him," the PM tweeted.
Srinagar, Nov 13 (IBNS): At least two militants were killed in a brief encounter with security forces in Handwara area of Kupwara a frontier district in North Kashmir, police said on Monday.

According to police, two militants were killed when they fired upon joint party of police and army in Zachaldara village of Handwara town in North Kashmir.

"We killed both militants after they attacked search party. Bodies of militants have been recovered along with arms and ammunitions," Senior Police official told IBNS.

More details are awaited.

(Reporting by Saleem Iqbal Qadri)


GREENUP (JG-TC) -- A driver and passenger in one vehicle were both killed in an accident involving two pickup trucks south of Greenup Sunday afternoon.

Jessica L. Shutts, 35, of Greenup and Anthony J. Scheiner, 30, of Paris were pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, according to a news release from Illinois State Police.

The news release said the accident took place just after 1 p.m. Sunday on Illinois Route 130 at Cumberland County Road 500N south of Greenup.

It said Shutts was driving southbound and lost control of her pickup truck and it crossed into the northbound lane.

It was then struck in the passenger side by the northbound pickup truck driving by Tony M. Guffey, 60, of New Harmony, Ind., causing both trucks to leave the road and come to rest in a ditch.
Mumbai, Nov 13 (IBNS): Bollywood music sensation Arijit Singh created magic on Sunday evening in Mumbai with his Bollywood hits-Channa Mereya, Zaalima, Tum Hi Ho for the GenM music concert by Mpower.

The MMRDA Grounds in Mumbai reverberated with energy and excitement as he took the stage and charmed the audience with his pleasing, energetic personality and his soulful music.

The Mpower movement, the brainchild of Neerja Birla, brought together the city of dreams  Mumbai for a cause that encourages dialogue to stamp out stigma associated with mental health.

Kumar Mangalam Birla, Ananya Birla, Dino Morea, Kanika Kapoor, Arman Mallik, Anjali Tendulkar, Sharmila Thackarey, were present for the concert and lent their support for a noble cause  mental health in India at the GenM music concert with Arijit Singh.

Arijit Singh, a champion of mental health said, I'm extremely thrilled to be a part of this initiative. With everything happening in the world right now, I believe that we all need to come together and stand up for causes that truly affect us. Every voice matters and I'm lending mine too. Our entire team is showcased a new live set. The GenM concert is special. More importantly, I witnessed people standing with me in support of the Mental Health #EarForYou movement. It was a beautiful experience for everyone involved.

Neerja Birla, Founder, Mpower said, It is widely known that music as a universal language has a positive, calming, soothing effect on mental health. Seeped in melody and rhythm, GenM is a vibrant attempt to bring together our young change makers - the youth - to join the movement and stamp out stigma. We are very happy that so many champions of mental health enjoyed their evening with Arijit Singh at the GenM music concert.

Mpower aims to be The Movement to affect change and end any and all stigma through dialogue around mental health.

The Mpower Centre and Foundation can be visited by individuals, regardless of socio-economic status, gender, disability, age, religion, caste, or sexual orientation to benefit from the professional mental health services provided. Because, every individual has the right to quality mental health care.
This years festival includes three out-of-the-box children who are not exactly like the children we conceive of but react to the environment they live in and therefore, their childhood is not as it normally should be.



These are Icelands Swan (2017) directed by Asa Helga Hjorleifstdottir, the French film Son of Sofia (2017) directed by Elina Psykou and Ishu from India directed by Utpal Borpujari.



Swan is a fascinating film featuring the nine-year-old Olga who is packed off by her parents to an elderly couple to learn to work as a farmhand as a reformatory process because she was caught thieving. The delivery of a calf she helps in, becomes a life-changing incident for her. The film is filled with her surrealistic dreams that give us a different perspective of childhood that finds peace and joy in Nature.





Son of Sofia is a French film rooted in Greece in a strange family where the husband is Greek but his wife is Russian. Misha is this womans son from an earlier marriage who is brought to Greece by his mother. Misha hardly talks but allows his eyes, his silence, his body language to do the talking. The film spills over with metaphors drawn from fairy tales that the little boy internalises and constantly dreams about. The film is set against the summer of 2004, as the Summer Olympics pervade all casual conversations and the ever-popular winning song of the Eurovision Song Contest plays in the background.



Ishu in Assamese marks the debut of Utpal Borpujari, a National Award-winning journalist. Ishu is a big screen adaptation of Manikuntala Bhattacharjyas childrens novel of the same name. The film reflects the rural ambience of western Assam in its truest sense, and it will instantly take the viewer to a world of a kid whose innocent and happy-go-lucky world turns topsy turvy thanks to the superstitious society of adults around him.

The Childrens Screening section covers three Indian films. These are  Pinti Ka Sabun (Hindi) directed by Pramod Pathak, Putani Safari directed by Ravindra Venshi and Swanam (Malayalam) directed by Dipesh T. Swanam spins a contemporary tale of the bonding between two school boys one of who is blind while the other one has normal vision. The two begin by being at loggerheads but as time moves on, they move towards a harmonious end that only children can make possible.



Putani Safari is also about friendship that evolves between two boys, one of who is a tribal boy and the other is from the village nearby. Trapped in a forest for 36 hours, they finally make their way to safety. Pinti Ka Sabun revolves around a pahadi boy, who wins a bar of luxury soap at the village fair which reminds him of Pinti, an army officer's daughter he used to play with. As the soap begin to melt and shrink, the boy feels that his world too is crumbling.



The sole entry from China this year is Ballad from Tibet. It is the story of 4 visually impaired kids from Tibet who want to compete in a singing contest in a city on the southeast coast of China and covers their trials and tribulations to get there. Inspired by true people and real events in 2010, it is a charming film with beautiful Tibetan folk music.



Most of these films raise questions about the adult worlds understanding and mistaken perceptions about the needs, desires and problems of children.



Happy Childrens Day.
Baghdad/Tehran, Nov 13 (IBNS): At least 130 people have died after a 7.3 magnitude earthquake hit the border region between Iraq and Iran, reports said.

While the US Geological Survey placed the reading at magnitude 7.3, local meteorological officials put it at magnitude 6.5.

The epicentre has been deemed to be in Penjwin in Sulaimaniyah province in the Kurdistan region.

Iranian interior minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli told state TV, "The night has made it difficult for helicopters to fly to the affected areas and some roads are also cut off... we are worried about remote villages."

The deputy governor of Irans Kermanshah province, Mojtaba Nikkerdar, said that the death toll is expected to rise.

"There are still people under the rubble. We hope the number of dead and injured wont rise too much, but it will rise," he said.




Baghdad/Tehran, Nov 13 (IBNS): Over 200 people have died after a quake with magnitude 7.3 struck the border region of Iraq and Iran, local Mehr news agency reported.

Iran's Sarpol-e Zahab region was the worst affected, accounted for more than 100 victims.

While the US Geological Survey placed the reading at magnitude 7.3, local meteorological officials put it at magnitude 6.5.

The epicentre has been deemed to be in Penjwin in Sulaimaniyah province in the Kurdistan region.

Iranian interior minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli told state TV, "The night has made it difficult for helicopters to fly to the affected areas and some roads are also cut off... we are worried about remote villages."

According to officials, more than 1,700 people have sustained injuries.

The deputy governor of Irans Kermanshah province, Mojtaba Nikkerdar, said that the government is setting up emergency camps.

Tremors were also felt in parts of Turkey and Israel.
New York, Nov 13(Just Earth News): With the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 23), in Bonn, Germany, entering its final week of negotiations, the Fiji Presidency on Monday announced an agreement on a Gender Action Plan, highlighting the role of women in climate action.

At a press conference, President of COP 23 and Prime Minister of Fiji, Frank Bainimarama, announced that the Parties had finalized the plan, which still has to be adopted.

This recognizes the role of women in climate action, he said.

It is about integration of gender into all the work around climate policy  both nationally and internationally, added Nazhat Shameen Khan, the Chief Negotiator for the COP 23 Presidency.

Heads of State and Government, Ministers, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will be attending the high-level segment of COP 23, on 15-16 November.

New national and corporate climate action on forests

Also Sunday, countries and corporations announced new initiatives to cut emissions from forest use and establish sustainable forestry management programmes.

The efforts include an Ecuadorean initiative to reduce 15 million tons of CO2 emissions in the forest sector; a commitment to deforestation-free commodities by Walmart; Mars Inc.'s new policy to reduce their carbon footprint 27 per cent by 2025 and 67 per cent by 2050 through addressing deforestation throughout their corporate value chain; and Gabon's National Park Service efforts to combat illegal logging.

The forests have this incredible ability to store carbon and we have underinvested in that, said Inger Andersen, Director-General of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), at a press conference.

Protecting and restoring the forests is absolutely key to achieving the Paris Agreement [as well as] the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Hundreds of companies commit to climate action

Also on Monday in Boon, the industry sector said that it is set to deliver much of the emissions reductions needed to achieve the Paris Agreement goal but added that closer national and international policy and implementation strategy partnerships together with governments will help business take further, faster action.

Industry is taking action on climate change like no other period in history, said Peter Bakker, President and CEO of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD, a global, business leaders-led organization of over 200 leading businesses working on sustainable development).

The transition to the low-carbon economy is inevitable, and business will continue to implement the solutions necessary for fulfilling the Paris Agreement, he added.

Since 2015, over 600 companies with combined revenues of more than $15 trillion have made over 1,000 commitments to climate action through 'We Mean Business,' a global non-profit coalition. Many are going 100 percent renewable, are implementing science-based targets and are collaborating across sectors through the Low Carbon Technology Partnership initiative (LCTPi).

Local, regional leaders sign Commitment for faster climate action

Local and regional leaders from around the world signed the Bonn-Fiji Commitment Sunday, pledging action to deliver on the Paris Agreement.

Cities are responsible for as much as 70 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels used for energy and transport, and with more than half the global population living in urban centres and this figure expected to approach two-thirds by 2050, the Bonn-Fiji Commitment pushes efforts to advance sustainable urban development.

The Commitment encompasses 19 initiatives, including The European Covenant of Mayors and Compact of Mayors joining forces to create the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy  the largest coalition of over 7,400 cities from six continents and 121 countries to reduce emissions and make societies and economies resilient to climate change.

Similarly, the UN World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with the UN Climate Change secretariat (UNFCCC) and in partnership with the Fijian Presidency launched an initiative to protect people living in small island developing States from the health impacts of climate change.

The vision is that, by 2030, all small island developing States will have health systems that are resilient to climate change.

Photo: FAO

Source: www.justearthnews.com
New York, Nov 13(Just Earth News): The United Nations stands ready to assist efforts to respond to the earthquake that struck Iran and Iraq on Sunday, the Organization's top official has said.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is deeply saddened by the loss of life and damage following the quake that struck the border regions of the two countries, said a statement issued by his Spokesman, Stephane Dujarric.

The statement said the Secretary-General conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families and to the Governments and people of Iran and Iraq, and wished those injured a speedy recovery. He also commended the local response efforts underway.

The United Nations stands ready to assist if required, read the statement.

UN Photo/Rick Bajornas

Source: www.justearthnews.com
New York, Nov 14(Just Earth News): Addressing the ninth Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN)-United Nations Summit in Manila, the Philippines, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for collective global and regional action to combat the challenges facing the world, in particular, those related to climate change.

Globalisation is delivering new opportunities  but increasing economic and social inequalities, heightening citizens' anxieties and putting pressure on social cohesion; climate change is exacerbating severe weather events like hurricanes and storms, said Guterres, adding: The international community must raise the level of its response to all these complex threats; multilateralism and regional cooperation will be critical to a peaceful and prosperous future.

In his remarks, the UN chief, also voiced deep concern over the displacement of hundreds of thousands of refugees from Myanmar to Bangladesh and said that it is a worrying escalation in a protracted tragedy, a potential source of instability in the region, as well as radicalization.

Addressing the underlying issues by implementing the recommendations of the Advisory Commission on Rakhine will also be critical to reverse this tragedy, he stressed, highlighting that sustainable and inclusive development is the best way to prevent both conflict and violent extremism.

That is at the heart of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, our blueprint for a safe and prosperous future on a healthy planet, and central to the ASEAN Community Vision 2025, he added.

Further in his remarks, the UN chief noted the region's economic growth has lifted millions out of extreme poverty, recalled its performance on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and expressed hope that the region would continue to bring shared prosperity to millions more.

Strengthened partnerships with regional organizations, including ASEAN, are a priority for me, and a critical pillar of my proposals to reform the UN, he stated, adding that the UN stands ready to cooperate with the region to strengthen human rights.

UN chief meets with ASEAN leaders

Also today, Secretary-General Guterres held a meeting with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the State Counsellor of Myanmar, where they discussed, the situation in the country's Rakhine state.

According to a read out issued by Guterres' spokesperson, the UN chief highlighted that strengthened efforts to ensure humanitarian access, safe, dignified, voluntary and sustained returns, as well as true reconciliation between communities, would be essential.

The Secretary-General also stressed the importance of implementing the Rakhine Advisory Commission recommendations.

Guterres also met Monday with the Prime Ministers of the Lao People's Democratic Republic and Viet Nam, and with the President of Indonesia.

Photo: UNIC/Maria Teresa Debuque

Source: www.justearthnews.com
New York, Nov 14(Just Earth News): The urgent need to raise the finances to meet the funding goals of the Paris Agreement, especially to support action by developing countries, took center stage Monday at the UN Climate Conference (COP23) in Bonn, Germany.

The urgent need to raise the finances to meet the funding goals of the Paris Agreement, especially to support action by developing countries, took center stage Monday at the UN Climate Conference (COP23) in Bonn, Germany.

We need all financial players  public, private, domestic, international  and including markets and regulators, to work together effectively to mobilize at least $1.5 trillion in climate finance that is needed every year, said Eric Usher, Head of Finance Initiative at the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).

As part of Finance for Climate Day at COP23, high-level representatives from across the sector highlighted their efforts to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement of keeping the average global temperature rise well below 2 degrees Celsius and as close as possible to 1.5 Celsius.

They stressed that every dollar invested in cutting greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change gets double the bang for the buck because it directly supports the international communitys 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

According to the UN Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat, finance for climate is flowing at a greater pace than ever, with vibrant and growing markets for renewable energy, electric vehicles, green buildings and climate-smart agriculture seeing aggressive growth, backed by exponential advances in innovative green financial instruments, indices and markets.

Equally, the finance sector is recognizing to a much greater degree where and how climate change presents risks to its existing investments and the need to adjust their portfolios away from carbon-intensive assets to reduce that risk.

However, much more is needed to secure finance and investment at the scale required to deliver a fully de-carbonized and climate-resilient global economy by 2050.

The potential for climate friendly investment in areas such as clean energy and climate-smart agriculture is enormous, said Laura Tuck, Vice-President Sustainable Development at the World Bank. The key is to get the funding to flow so that everyone everywhere can benefit from low-carbon and climate resilient investments.

Peter Damgaard Jensen, CEO of the Danish Pension provider PKA and Chair of the Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (IIGCC) said at a press conference that it is extremely important that there is a significant increase of investor awareness and action with regards to supporting the transition [] to a low carbon economy. Strong investment signals from policy makers across carbon trading, energy, transport and buildings, are essential to unlock the necessary capital, he added.

Members of African civil society and members of Parliament spoke on Monday on the urgency of climate finance as a prerequisite to ambitious action in African countries.

Africa is the continent that pollutes the least, but it is Africa which suffers the effect of climate change, said at a press conference Roger Nkodo Dang, President of the Pan-African Parliament, which is the legislative body of the African Union.

In an interview with UN News, he added that developed countries have a duty to provide additional support to Africans for their green development. If you tell us 'do not cut the wood, we say, you bring us electricity, he said. Its not a favor; its a compensation.

Photo: World Bank/Dominic Sansoni

Source: www.justearthnews.com
Kabul, Nov 13 (IBNS): At least five passenger were killed as the vehicle in which they were travelling flipped over in Afghanistan's southern Kandahar province on Monday, media reports said.

The mishap reportedly left 37 others injured.

Qudratullah Khoshbakht, the governors spokesman, told country's Pajhwok Afghan News the accident took place when a 303-bus overturned in Panjwai district on the Kandahar-Herat highway at around 6am.

The spokesman linked the mishap to the negligence on the part of the driver of the bus.

The injured people were rushed to hospital after the incident.
Things are nowhere close to normalcy for Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Padmavati. The film is all set to release on 1st December and massive protests have already broken out in a couple of cities. Reports claim that the biggest protest to date for the film happened in Surat. The protest was carried by Shri Rajput Karni Sena, BJP, and VHP. Clad with saffron flags and shouting slogans against the film, the protesters were massive in number.

(Also read: 20 Times SLBs Padmavati Landed Into Trouble & Amassed Controversies Before Its Release)

Agencies

More than one lakh members of the community converged at a massive gathering at Gandhinagar and several thousand took part in the protest march in Surat to raise their demand of staying the release of Padmavati.

#Gujarat: Rajput Community, Vishva Hindu Parishad, Bajarang Dal and Karni Sena held joint protest against #Padmavati film in Surat. pic.twitter.com/DeYwzn1v7g  ANI (@ANI) November 12, 2017

Apart from Surat, similar protests were carried in Mumbai where 15 members of the Akhand Rajputana Seva Sangh were detained by the police in the city during the protest.

The troubles for Padmavati began since early this year when Bhansali was assaulted by activists of a Rajput community group, Karni Sena, while shooting in Jaipur. These shocking details come just a few weeks after vandals destroyed a huge rangoli of Deepika Padukone as Padmavati and police had arrested 5 people in the case.

Agencies

The main reason why these protests have been triggered is that some section has a problem with the depiction of Rani Padmini in the film, the role played by Deepika.

It is not a film, it is history. You cannot just show anything in the name of a film: Lokendra Singh Kalvi, Rajput Karni Sena President in #Gujarat's Gandhinagar #Padmavati pic.twitter.com/EItmNH9PS5  ANI (@ANI) November 12, 2017

In Gandhinagar, the mega-gathering of the Rajput community saw the presence of senior Karni Sena leaders, such as its founder Lokendrasinh Kalvi and national president Mahipalsinh Makrana. Kalvi spoke to media and said,

Agencies

Though the release has been scheduled for December 1, we will make sure that the movie does not see the light of the day."

Agencies

Virendrasinh Bhati of Karni Sena further claimed that Bhansali has backtracked from his promise of showing the movie to the Rajput community to get a clearance first.

(Also read: Padmavati Hits Another Roadblock, Hindu Activists In Agra Threaten Violence On Films Release)

Agencies

These protests are on even when the makers of Padmavati have assured that they are ready to screen the movie for anyone before the release, provided the film gets certified.
Prosecutors on Monday added a motor-vehicle homicide charge against the woman accused of speeding and swerving to throw her aunt off an SUV last week in central Lincoln.

Kacie Alatoree, 21, is accused of leaving the scene of a crash involving serious injury or death and motor vehicle homicide by willful reckless driving, a felony, in the death of Autumn Rodriguez Hernandez.

The 36-year-old Lincoln woman died at a local hospital Sunday. She hit her head on a curb after falling from the SUV at 29th and M streets Nov. 7, Lincoln police have said.

Doctors declared Rodriguez Hernandez brain dead Wednesday, and she died after donating her organs, Lincoln Police Officer Angela Sands said.

Police say Rodriguez Hernandez loaned Alatoree her boyfriend's 1999 Isuzu Rodeo over the summer, and Alatoree kept it for three months. Around 4:45 p.m. Nov. 7, Rodriguez Hernandez saw Alatoree driving and demanded she roll down the window and hand over the keys.

Alatoree refused and began driving off, police said, so Rodriguez Hernandez climbed onto the vehicle.

Alatoree accelerated to 45 mph and swerved left and right until her aunt fell off, suffering a skull fracture, police said.

On Monday, Alatoree appeared in court where prosecutors added the felony charge.

A judge set her bond at $125,000 and has ordered her not to drive if she's released from prison. She would need to post $12,500 bail to get out of jail.

Alatoree's attorney has declined to comment on the allegations but called the incident a "sad situation."

Attempts to reach Rodriguez Hernandez's family have not been successful.
Maharaja Ranjit Singh was the leader of the Sikh Empire - his reign lasted from 1801 to 1839. He was born on 13th November 1780 in Gujranwala, Pakistan and became the "Maharaja of Punjab" at the age of 21.

Also read: Punjab Govt Honours Its French Connection By Installing A Bust Of Maharaja Ranjit Singh In This Small French Village

Here are fifteen facts about him.

1. Ranjit Singh lost sight in his left eye after, as an infant, he contracted smallpox.

maharajaranjitsingh.com

2. Loss of eyesight and a lack of education, however, didn't stop him from becoming one of the greatest strategists of his times.

wikipedia

3. He was adept in martial arts and was well groomed in the Sikh tradition of fighting.

wikipedia

4. He fought his first battle at the age of 10, alongside his father and went on to fight many battles against the Afghans.

wikipedia

5. On 12 April 1801 - which was Baisakhi day - Ranjit Singh won the title of 'Maharaja' after uniting many fringe Sikh groups into one state.

sikhhistory

6. Ranjit Singh was a secular leader. His army included talented Hindus, Muslim and European warriors and generals.

wikipedia

7. He hired European mercenaries to train his army. His first modern Indian Army was called the Sikh Khalsa Army, which helped prevent the British from colonizing Punjab during his lifetime.

sikhhistory

8. Ranjit Singh never wore a crown when he sat on his throne since everyone is considered equal before God in Sikhism.

wikipedia

9. Ranjit Singh had many wives of Sikh, Muslim, and Hindu faith. Maharani Jindan (Jind Kaur) was his favorite wife who played an important role after his passing.

info-sikh

10. He set up historic gurudwaras - Takht Sri Patna Sahib, where the 10th Sikh guru was born, and Takht Sri Hazur Zahib, the place where he died.

tripadvisor

11. The gold and marble work of the iconic Golden Temple in Amritsar was also done under his patronage.

afp

12. The Kohinoor diamond, which is currently in the possession of the Queen of England, was once a part of Ranjit Singh's treasure.

AP

wikinut

14. Ranjit Singh also built 'Pul Moran' - Punjab's own 'Taj Mahal' - a memorial that he dedicated to his favourite dancer Moran.

AMRITSARONLINE.IN

Also read: Punjab Has Its Own 'Taj Mahal' Called 'Pul Moran', A Memorial Of Maharaja Ranjit Singh's Love For Moran, A Dancer

15. It was only after his death that the British were able to invade Punjab. Ranjit Singh was a 'thorn' that they couldn't pluck while he was alive.

holiday plans via flickr
Worried perhaps of what Ivanka Trump might get to see on Hyderabad's streets during her visit later this month, the police have banned begging on the streets. The Hyderabad police are busy doing the last minute sweep to get beggars off the street.

Ahead of the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES), for which hundreds of foreign dignitaries are are likely to turn up, in the city, authorities are replacing manholes, repairing roads and giving a fresh coat of paint to the venue in HiTech City.

reuters

But the biggest surprise came in the form of a written order by Hyderabad police commissioner M Mahendar Reddy, who issued a notification prohibiting begging in the city. Ivanka, advisor and daughter of the United States President Donald Trump, will address a session during the November 28-30 global summit.

reuters/representational image

After the GES gets over, thousands of NRI Telugus will converge in the city for a five-day World Telugu Conference from December 15. Interestingly, the ban order shall be in force from 6 am on Wednesday to 6 am on January 7, 2018.

In the notification, which was issued for the first time in recent times, the commissioner said: Begging alms and also employing children and handicapped for begging in public places and at the main road junctions in the city of Hyderabad by causing inconvenience, annoyance, danger and safety of the vehicular traffic and pedestrians, is prohibited.

"They are also employing children and handicapped persons to seek alms at the main junctions of roads. Such acts are causing annoyance and awkwardness by exposing in an indecent manner to divert the attention of the vehicular traffic as well as pedestrians and public in genes to induce them to give I alms. These acts are dangerous to the safety of the vehicular traffic and public in general,'' the notification says.Officials cited Section 144 of CrPc to prohibit begging.

reuters

"Any person viola, ting this order shall be liable for punishment under Section 188 of the Indian penal code and as per the provisions of Hyderabad City Police Act, 1348 Fasli, TS Prevention of Begging Act, 1977 and J.J. Act 2000," the officials said.

A similar rule was en, forced in the city several years ago, when then US President Bill Clinton arrived, with the then municipal authorities shifting beggars away from the road junctions across the city.
When global leaders such as Narendra Modi, Donald Trump, Shinzo Abe, Justin Trudeau and others met at the 50th ASEAN summit in Manila, there was a striking similarity among all of them.

Also read: Donald Trump Gets Baffled By The Group Handshake At ASEAN Summit

narendra modi/twitter

The leaders were dressed in an embroidered shirt known as Barong Tagalong, which is the national dress of Phillippines.

Also read: Ramayana's Musical Version At ASEAN Leaves Everyone Amazed, Here's How It Shares Historic Connection With Philippines

Modi, a social media buff himself, tweeted photos from the event.

Interacting with world leaders in Manila. pic.twitter.com/qh0pdcFyXP  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 12, 2017

Soon, Twitterati latched on to these images and the jokes they unleashed were hilarious.

#1

Guys, sabko apne apne step yaad hai na,

5th line ke baad tujhe moonwalk karna hai. pic.twitter.com/eAhlNYgOFZ  Godman Chikna (@Madan_Chikna) November 12, 2017

#2

Tere liye Khakhra laya hoon, mera iPhone X laya hai na tu? pic.twitter.com/N1nRc7ZpGv  Godman Chikna (@Madan_Chikna) November 12, 2017

#3

"Oh ho ho" pe jo na naacha saalo udhr hi maarunga... pic.twitter.com/Wi0H4XMDYU  Dr. Gill (@ikpsgill1) November 12, 2017

#4

Sir you are blocking the corridor sir... Justin Trudeau badly needs to rush to the restroom.  Roflindian (@Roflindian) November 12, 2017

#5

700 ki? bhai lutt gaya na maine Janpath se 250 mei li same shirt. pic.twitter.com/OjmO4BVJeg  Pakchikpak Raja Babu (@HaramiParindey) November 12, 2017

#6

Photo dekh k feel aa rhi h

ModiG to Trump: "Toh yeh rishta pakka samjhey"

  Rohini Singh (@RohiniSing_Wire) November 12, 2017

#7

Modi : Ek baat bata, yeh kaisa naam hai, Mitron Mahadev

Russian PM : Bhai Mera naam Dmitry Medvedev hai#ASEANSummit #Manila pic.twitter.com/hgy40QxXv1  Sunny (@sunil_ss7) November 12, 2017

#8

Ek baar jo maine aapki country aane ki commitment kar di, to fir main apne aap ki bhi nahi sunta pic.twitter.com/du2gb5xHrx  The-Lying-Lama (@KyaUkhaadLega) November 12, 2017

#9

Modi : Tu tension mat le, ek din tere desh bhi aaunga main !! pic.twitter.com/64SXHNcmCH  Yo Yo Funny Singh (@moronhumor) November 12, 2017

#10

Kya aap me se koi aisa hai jiske desh main ab tak nahi aaya hoon.  pic.twitter.com/GnTczUMfKD  Bhrustrated (@AnupamUncl) November 12, 2017

#11

Sattar minute hai tumhare paas.

Aaj tum achcha khelo ya bura, yeh sattar minute tumhe zindagi bhar yaad rahenge (2017) pic.twitter.com/5aoYNHpK8U  Angoor stark  (@ladywithflaws) November 12, 2017

#12

ek baar tum sab se personally milne tumhare desh fir se aaunga. pic.twitter.com/A0H2mnsxNG  Kuptaan (@Kuptaan) November 12, 2017

#13

Aaj Gadi tera bhai chalayega Party ke baad pic.twitter.com/lp6lCkZ3oQ  Dhaval Patel (@dhaval241086) November 12, 2017

Twitterati also picked up another photo of Modi striking out.

O tenu

Suit Suit Kurta pic.twitter.com/fxpdCqXdy6  mohit ghune (@Ghunegaar) November 13, 2017

Percentage of Black Money holders vs White Money holders in India. pic.twitter.com/792XiG4TMM  Godman Chikna (@Madan_Chikna) November 13, 2017

When you think its ethnic Day at office but it isnt. pic.twitter.com/xY5uJJEVVB  Pakchikpak Raja Babu (@HaramiParindey) November 13, 2017

When it's the reception and you thought it was the wedding. pic.twitter.com/BPB0EPl0oI  Sahil Shah (@SahilBulla) November 13, 2017

How hard are you laughing?
It may sound light, but reports from Pakistan suggest that the officials of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the Earthquake Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Authority (ERRA) were alarmed following a prediction by a man from Kerala based on his extra-sensory perception or sixth sense.

It was apparently a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi from an extrasensory perception (ESP) organisation in Kerala that kicked off alarm bells in Pakistan about a possible earthquake, according to Pakistani media reports.

reuters/representational image

On Saturday, a document from Pakistan's Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA) quoted an "Information Report" from the country's intelligence agency, ISI, predicting the likelihood of a high-intensity earthquake in the Asian continental region.

It now appears that the "informational report" from Pakistan's intelligence agency was based on a letter written by an organisation called 'B.K. Research Association for E.S.P.' in Kerala. The letter, riddled with grammatical and spelling mistakes, was written by the company's director, one Babu Kalayil, and it issues "a warning for precaution" to Prime Minister Modi.

According to a report published in Pakistan daily The Express Tribune, which in turn quoted a BBC Urdu report, the letter warns about the possibility of an earthquake before December 31, 2017.

The letter adds that the impact of the earthquake would be felt in 11 countries and will alter the "boundaries of sea shore." It also predicts the possibility of a storm, "SEESHMA," "which exist for about 120km to 180km with mighty power."

afp/representational image

The Kerala-based organization is known for making "predictions" based on ESP and on the movement of planetary bodies and unusual rises in temperatures. According to a post on Kalayil's Facebook account, he has made similar predictions in the past about - "Thunder sounds coming out of Saturn's Satellite" and "Smoke Layers flowing out from planet Jupiter."

On Saturday, Pakistan's Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority, based on the ISI report, issued a circular asking for the immediate enforcement of SOPs and designated a team of officers for the task.

A copy of the circular was tweeted by the former Pakistan ambassador to the US, Husain Haqqani.
Other than living, the favourite pastime for humans is to ponder over the arrival of doomsday. How will this earth end? What calamities will devour our existence?

Also read: 5 Times Humans Predicted That The World Was Coming To An End

But there are a few people who study this subject as science, one of them being David Meade, the man behind the most recent apocalypse theories.

Commons

David is the person who predicted that earth will be destroyed by a planet that will smash into its surface on September 23. However, his predictions did not turn out to be true. But that's not the only thing he has to say about it.

Also read: 11 Times We Humans Thought That The World Was Ending

David claims that Planet X / Niburu is still out there and might bring us more bad luck than we initially thought. In his opinion, this planet will issue a series of earthquakes, hurricanes and tsunamis on earth post October 15.

NatGeo

He says that Irma and Harvey were a sign that things have already kicked off.

"It's the beginning. Ever since the Great American Solar Eclipse of August 21 we have been hit by a continued series of judgements," he said, quotes LadBible.

Also read: 10 Times The World Took Going Nuclear To A Whole New Level

But climate change isn't the only thing that will responsible for our end. Apparently, countries like US, Britain, North Korea, Russia and China will contribute a great deal in this haywire with their nuclear wars.

Ladking

But NASA has nullified the existence of Nibiru and said it doesn't exist. In a statement, it said: "The planet in question, Nibiru, doesn't exist, so there will be no collision. The story of Nibiru has been around for years... and is periodically recycled into new apocalyptic fables."
President Donald Trump is known for his long, at times aggressive, handshakes with world leaders. But tables turned for him when he had to shake hand in a different style at the ASEAN summit in the Philippines on Monday. He actually struggled briefly with a different kind of handshake.

afp

Trump, in Manila, attended the opening ceremonies of the Association for Southeast Asian Nations conference, which began with pageantry and a group photo of the leaders. Then, the announcer intoned that it was time for the leaders to take part in the "traditional" ASEAN handshake. It's a cross-body exercise, during which each leader extends their right arm over their left and shakes the opposite hands of those next to him, reported AP.

The announcer's instructions briefly baffled Trump, who at first simply crossed his hands in front of him.

reuters

Then, looking around, he turned to the leaders and simply extended his arms outward, only to find that wasn't quite right either.

Then he laughed, crossed his arms and reached to the correct sides. He grimaced at first, particularly when bending down to reach the hands of the shorter leaders next to him, including Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte.

And then, with an exaggerated smile, he vigorously gripped the leaders' hands.

afp

Handshakes have become a Trump trademark in his first year in office. He often pulls the other person toward him and pats or yanks in a sign meant to set a tone for the meeting ahead.

He pulled Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's hand toward him and then held onto it for a long time, prompting an eye roll from Abe as Trump looked away. Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron engaged in a white-knuckle handshake. And Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, meanwhile, short-circuited Trump's attempt at dominance, using his left arm to hold onto to Trump to prevent being pulled toward him.
Over 400 people were killed in Iraq and Iran when a massive magnitude 7.3 earthquake hit the region on Sunday. The earthquake was felt in several provinces of Iran but the hardest hit province was Kermanshah. Electricity was also cut off in several Iranian and Iraqi cities, and fears of aftershocks sent thousands of people in both countries out onto the streets and parks in cold weather. The Iranian seismological centre registered around 50 aftershocks and said more were expected.

Here are 10 images that show the scale of destruction:

1.

Officials expected the casualty toll to rise when search and rescue teams reached remote areas of Iran. (Source: AFP photo)

2.

The main hospital in the capital of the county was severely damaged and could not treat hundreds of injured people who were taken there. (Source: AFP photo)

3.

The head of Iranian Red Crescent said more than 70,000 people were in need of emergency shelter. (Source: AFP photo)

4.

Iranian Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli said some roads were blocked and were worried about casualties in remote villages. (Source: AFP photo)

5.

The Iranian armed forces have been deployed to help the emergency services. (Source: AFP photo)

6.

A damaged building is seen following an earthquake in Sarpol-e Zahab county in Kermanshah, Iran. (Source: AFP photo)

7.

People being taken to hospitals for treatment after they were trapped for hours in the rubble (Source: AFP photo)

8.

A child injured in the earthquake waits for aid at Sulaimaniyah Hospital. (Source: AFP photo)

9.

Survivors warm themselves in front of destroyed buildings after an earthquake in the city of Sarpol-e-Zahab in western Iran. (Source: AFP photo)

10.

People are still being rescued by the disaster control personnel. (Source: AFP photo)
Who doesn't dream of a perfect bachelor's party with friends, booze and possibly some strippers? Well, most people certainly do. But what this Egyptian groom guy got at his bachelor's party is nothing like anything that ever happened.

Also read: 10 Ideas To Throw A Kickass Bachelorette For Your BFF That She'd Want To Stay Single Forever!

Mashable

An Egyptian groom will now have a memory of his life as one of his overexcited friends shot him in the genitals. 28-year-old groom Omar al-Alsaied was then immediately rushed to the hospital.

His friend was firing shots to mark the celebration, but just didn't plan it through and ended up firing at his friend. The groom has suffered severe wounds to his testicles, thigh and hand.

Yuchins bachelorette party:) #tokyo#taipei#bacheloretteparty#bridetobe#bunnies#bunny#girls#loveyou#instadaily#instaphoto#instalife#potd#picoftheday A post shared by sharonchingyunhsu (@sharonchingyunhsu) on Nov 11, 2017 at 11:45pm PST

It is not known as of now how the groom will recover from the loss, neither is it clear whether the groom's fiance will marry him or not, all we know that he is in a poor condition and in hospital. The friend who shot him initially fled the spot, however, was caught by the police later.
As far as space travel is concerned, Mars is the next frontier on the horizon for humans. Space agencies, both government and private, across the world are planning for future trips to the Red Planet, and NASAs HiRISE camera on board the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) has been gathering data on it for years in preparation.

Now, NASA has released another 2,054 images from the Mars probe over the last three months, to drum up hype in the public. So here are our top 20 picks for the photos that best show just how beautiful our possible future home can be.

All images courtesy NASA/JPL/University of Arizona

1. A Transition from Depressed to Inverted Channels in Gorgonum Basin

2. Layers in Buttes in West Arabia Region

3. Candidate ExoMars Landing Site in Oxia Palus

4. Layered Sediments in Cerberus Palus Crater

5. Floor of East Candor Chasma

6. Cerberus Fossae Traverse

7. Crater with Distinct Infrared Signature

8. Very Recent Small Impact Crater

9. North Polar Dunes with Variable Packing

10. Excellent Bedrock Exposures in South Wall of Capri Chasma

11. Eos Chasma

12. Ridge in Labeatis Fossae

13. Steep Slope in Eastern Noctis Labyrinthus

14. Terrain North of Coprates Chasma

15. Russell Crater Dunes

16. Dunes with Fans in Charlier Crater

17. Dust Ridges in Daedalia Planum

18. Spider Terrain

19. Southern Noachis Terra

20. Candidate Landing Site for 2020 Mission in Firsoff Crater
A biotechnology firm in the US has developed an intriguing new way to deal with the spread of mosquito-borne diseases like dengue, yellow fever, and the Zika virus. They want to weaponise other mosquitoes into biological countermeasures.

Kentucky-based MosquitoMate just received approval from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to release bacteria-infected male mosquitoes in several locations in the country. The project has been registered as biopesticide, with the company receiving a license to sell it in 20 states for five years.

What the company is doing is hatching male Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes, which are responsible for transmitting yellow fever and other diseases, in a lab. They infect them with the Wolbachia bacteria, one thats naturally occurring in a lot of other insects but not the mosquito. When these infected males mate with healthy females, they result in eggs that dont hatch. In addition, these infected mosquitoes are also less likely to spread disease.

The best part is that, though it might be alarming to release so many of these annoying pests into the environment, these lab-grown insects dont bite. So no, people wont be kept awake at night. The company has already proven its projects effectiveness when it released 20,000 of these male mosquitoes across Stock Island in Florida.
The city is considering banning smoking on four blocks of Centennial Mall in conjunction with the University of Nebraska-Lincolns total smoking ban that begins in January.

But before that decision is made, the Parks and Recreation Departments Advisory Board wants input from the public through email or letters.

Board member Bob Ripley said his nonsmoking friends will applaud the ban, while his smoking friends will point to the dwindling public places where people can smoke.

UNL will become a smoke-free campus in January. Since the northern part of Centennial Mall is bordered on three sides by campus property, it makes sense to make it smoke-free also, said Lynn Johnson, Parks and Recreation director.

Banning smoking will also help curb cigarette litter in the mall, he noted.

That area of the mall is also bordered by St. Marys Catholic School and the Lincoln Childrens Museum, he pointed out.

The ban would apply to four blocks of Centennial Mall, between K and M streets and between P and R streets.

Mayor Chris Beutler made portions of the citys parks tobacco-free in 2011, including areas frequently used by children and families and areas used for public gatherings.

People can smoke at Tower Square, Iron Horse Park and government square in downtown Lincoln, Johnson said.

The department's tobacco ban in parks is self-regulating, said Johnson. You cannot be cited by police for breaking what is a guideline.

Hopefully someone offended by smoking will point out the signs, he said.

That is the same method UNL is going to use to enforce its tobacco ban, he said.

Though she acknowledged the public benefits of a smoke-free area, Councilwoman Leirion Gaylor Baird suggested the board seek public input before making a final recommendation to the mayor at a mid-December meeting.

The department may also be able to put a sign up on the mall, telling people about the potential tobacco ban, and seek input, much like a zoning action in progress.
A protest was held on 11/13/17 at an San Francisco ADL conference called "Summit On Anti-Semitism" which was really a plan to increase the attacks on professors and students who are critical of Israel and also collude with tech companies to to use the internet to censor and frame-up opponents of apartheid Israel and supporters of BDS.

Protest ADL Terrorism Against Professors Critical Of Israel & Training Of US Police By Israeli Racist Police Apparatus-Stop This Racist Reactionary Organization Now!Monday November 13, 2017 8:00 AMGrand Hyatt On San Fracisco Union Square345 Stockton St, San Francisco, CA 94108On Monday November 13, 2017, the ADL is having a "Summit On Anti-Semitism" to supposedly oppose anti-semitism and discriminationo supposedly stop anti-Semitism and discrimination.The Anti-Defamation League ADL presents itself as an organization fighting anti-Semitism and discrimination however the reality is far from their claims. During the rise of the Nazis, the B'nai Brith which established the ADL opposed the boycott of Nazi Germany and organized in the US against actions to demand the entry of Jews into the US who were escaping the Nazis.This of course is at the same time that the Zionists in Palestine were inviting war criminals like Eichmann to support the establishment of a Jewish state which is what the Nazis wanted as well. The Nazis actually made a metal honoring the Zionists for their racist ideology of Jewish only state.During the McCarthy witch hunts in the 50s, the ADL collaborated with McCarthy and the witch hunters and helped him get witnesses to testify against Communists and Leftists. They also were big supporters of the apartheid regime in South Africa. In Sasha Polakow-Suransky's book The Unspoken Alliance: Israel's Secret Relationship with Apartheid South Africa is exposed and the ADL played an important role in supporting the apartheid regime. It illegally used police information in San Francisco to target anti-apartheid activists and critics of Isreal. The ADLs special investigator/agent Roy Bullock was not only spying for ADL and Israel but the South African apartheid regime. On April 8, 1993, the San Francisco police raided the ADL office here because it was illegally spying on Americans and South African anti-apartheid activists and getting confidential information from a police detective Inspector Tom Gerard. They were also spying on groups like NAACP, ACLU, Greenpeace, ACT UP!, National Lawyers Guild, Mother Jones founder Adam Hochschild, reporters from the Los Angeles Times and KQED public television, and scores of local labor unions including the United Auto Works and Cesar Chavezs United Farm Workers.They had to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars for their illegal activity because of a lawsuit but none of their leaders went to jail.Targeting of Palestinian Professors, African American Professors and College Critics of IsraelWhat was also discovered as well during the case against them is that they had a black list of hundred of professors who were critical of Israel including African American professors. Using their national Zionist network and tens of millions of dollars they targeted professors from the US and Canada for harassment and firing by college administrators. This terrorism continues. They now are working with facebook to frame-up professors like Anthony Hall at Lethbridge University in Canada and they are harassing and terrorizing Palestinian students throughout the country charging that they are anti-semitic. The harassment of professors including San Francisco State professor Rabab Abdulhadi by the ADL and other Zionist organization continues along with her students who have been targeted with propaganda accusing them of being terrorists.On top of this they are also pushing US police departments to get proper training to fight terrorists by the use of Israeli police. Of course the racist police in apartheid Israel have a record of murder and terrorism against the Palestinian people, supporters of Palestinian rights and also supporters of the boycott of Israel for its racist discriminatory treatment of Palestinians.When ILWU Local 10 members decided to boycott a Israeli owned Zim ship when a picket was put up by community supporters and other unionists, the ADL demanded that the ILWU members cross the line. The ILWU should publicly disassociate itself from their hateful rhetoric about Zionists and Jews and the goal of the BDS campaign that is far outside the scope of ILWU policy.We demand that no government agency collaborate with the ADL and that they be stopped from targeting critics of Israel." Their support for the apartheid regime gives a lie to their propaganda that they are against discrimination. They are also working to pass laws throughout the US that illegally discriminate against Americans who want to support the boycott of Israel. This obviously continues their record of also opposing the boycott of apartheid South Africa because it was being supported by Israel military equipment through the Israeli trade union federation the Histadrut. They continue their dirty work here and around the world.Sponsored byUnited Public Workers For ActionISRAEL SECURITY FORCES ARE TRAINING AMERICAN COPS DESPITE HISTORY OF RIGHTS ABUSESAlice SperiSeptember 15 2017, 4:30 a.m.ITS NOT UNCOMMON for residents of Americas most heavily policed neighborhoods to describe their local cops as an occupying force. Judging by where many U.S. police forces get their training, the description seems apt.Thousands of American law enforcement officers frequently travel for training to one of the few countries where policing and militarism are even more deeply intertwined than they are here: Israel.In the aftermath of 9/11, Israel seized on its decades-long experience as an occupying force to brand itself as a world leader in counterterrorism. U.S. law enforcement agencies took the Jewish state up on its expertise by participating in exchange programs sponsored by an array of pro-Israel groups, like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs, and the Anti-Defamation League. Over the past decade and a half, scores of top federal, state, and local police officers from dozens of departments from across the U.S. have gone to Israel to learn about its terrorism-focused policing.Yet Israels policing prowess is marred by its primary purpose: occupation. Israel has carried out a half-century of military rule in the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and Gaza, an occupation rife with abuses. The countrys police and security forces also regularly violate the rights of Palestinians and immigrants inside of Israels 1967 borders.A lot of the policing that folks are observing and being talked to about in these trips is policing that happens in a nondemocratic context, said Alex Vitale, a sociology professor at Brooklyn College and author of a forthcoming book on global policing. It involves either military policing, border control policing, or policing of folks in the occupied territories who arent full legal subjects in the Israeli legal system.While attention on the militarization of American police forces has intensified in recent years, spurring some reforms that the Trump administration has already undone, U.S.-Israel police exchange programs have carried on without much public scrutiny.This week, a delegation of top American law enforcement officers is in Israel for the ADLs National Counter-Terrorism Seminar, which includes training on topics, such as leadership in a time of terror and balancing the fight against crime and terrorism, according to literature by the group advertising the trip. More than 200 law enforcement executives from over 100 departments in the U.S. and abroad, immigration enforcement agencies, and even campus police have participated in the ADL program since it launched in 2004.Among this years participants in the seminar is D.C. Metropolitan Police Commander Morgan Kane, whose attendance at the training earned the department a public rebuke from D.C. Councilmember David Grosso. I am concerned that we are not doing enough to prevent the militarization of law enforcement in the District of Columbia, he wrote in a letter to Metropolitan Police Department Chief Peter Newsham. Learning from military advisors is not what local law enforcement needs.<09072017-Grosso-Letter-to-Newsham-on-Training-p1-normal.gif>09072017 Grosso Letter to Newsham on Training1 pageIt just occurs to me that it isnt a good idea, whether in Israel or another place, to go and train with a military or national police  in essence, learning from people who are better at the violent approach to conflict resolution, Grosso told The Intercept. Thats not appropriate for what were trying to do here in D.C.We already have the FBI, the CIA, the Secret Service, we have so many national police here, heavily armed, he added. We dont need more of that, we need more of a community-based approach.A spokesperson for the D.C. police told The Intercept in an email statement that the department is participating in the training to learn best strategies in combatting terrorism.Expanding our knowledge on counterterrorism and gaining valuable experience for the next generation of MPD leadership is critical to the safety and well-being of the residents and visitors of D.C., the spokesperson wrote. This opportunity will not allow us to deviate from our commitment to providing fair, unbiased, and constitutional policing.In addition to meeting with their Israeli counterparts, American police on the delegations also visit representatives of the Israeli Defense Forces, as well as border security and intelligence services  essentially taking lessons from agencies that enforce military rule rather than civil law.It fits in with this ideology of police as warriors, said Vitale.The focus of this training is on riot suppression, counterinsurgency, and counterterrorism  all of which are essentially irrelevant or should be irrelevant to the vast majority of police departments, he added. They shouldnt be suppressing protest, they shouldnt be engaging in counterinsurgency, and almost none of them face any real threat from terrorism.The trainings in Israel also fit within a broader militarization of U.S. law enforcement that is well underway back home. Last month, President Donald Trump issued an executive order rescinding limitations imposed by former President Barack Obama on a military program, known as 1033, that allowed police departments to make discounted purchases of excess military equipment, like armored vehicles and grenade launchers.Obama ordered the restrictions in 2015 after public outrage at the deployment of some of that equipment during protests against police abuse in Ferguson, Missouri, and elsewhere. Announcing the new measures in a speech to the Fraternal Order of Police, the largest police union in the country, Attorney General Jeff Sessions called that equipment lifesaving, dismissing criticisms of police militarization as superficial concerns.Israeli forces arrest a Palestinian youth during clashes between demonstrators and security forces in the city of Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, on July 28, 2017. Photo: Hazem Bader/AFP/Getty ImagesMarketing the OccupationTHE POLICE EXCHANGES WITH U.S. officers are premised on Israels experiences with terrorism and its security forces handling of continued risks. But Israels record in carrying out its counterterror policies is checked with allegations of grave abuses. Founded amid a campaign of ethnic cleansing in 1948, Israel seized the West Bank and Gaza in 1967s Six-Day War and has since maintained its occupation  including by building civilian Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory, itself a violation of international law. Now, the same security forces accused of mistreating citizens and stateless Palestinian subjugates are training American cops.Last year, the ADLs training included meetings with officials from Israels internal security service, known as Shin Bet. The security agency was allegedly behind the surveillance, as well as the torture and targeted assassinations, of Palestinians in both Israel and the occupied territories.The U.S. law enforcement officials on tour with the ADL also met with Israeli police special patrol units known as Yasam  paramilitary riot police whose excessive force and abuse of Palestinians is well-documented  and traveled to checkpoints, prisons, and Hebron. In Hebron, a city in the West Bank, some 200,000 Palestinians are barred from entering the old city center, where fewer than 1,000 Jewish settlers are protected by the same number of Israeli soldiers.The ADL, a group with a nominal mission to oppose bigotry that has instead expended much of its energies on advocating for Israel, failed to devote much attention to Palestinian law enforcement. In 2016, the groups itinerary included a single meeting with a Palestinian police officer  from the Bethlehem Tourist Police.A spokesperson for the ADL said in a statement to The Intercept that critics suggestions that its programs contribute to police brutality and racism is false and defamatory.On the contrary, ADLs law enforcement missions have a goal of doing exactly the opposite, by strengthening law enforcements connection to the communities they serve, the spokesperson said.In the past, the group condemned those drawing parallels between police abuse in the U.S. and Israels occupation of Palestine. There is a long history of using legitimate American social justice issues to undermine the Jewish state, a top official from the group wrote in the aftermath of the Ferguson protests. There is no rational connection between the challenge of racism in America and the situation facing the Palestinians, the ADL official added.Yet the criticism persists. The group Jewish Voice for Peace recently launched a campaign to bring greater public scrutiny to U.S.-Israel police exchange programs.These programs transform Israels 70 years of dispossession and 50 years of occupation into a marketing brochure for successful policing.These programs transform Israels 70 years of dispossession and 50 years of occupation into a marketing brochure for successful policing, Stefanie Fox, JVPs deputy director, wrote in an email to The Intercept. Under the banner of counterterrorism training, high-ranking police and immigration officials visit checkpoints, prisons, settlements, police stations, and other key sites that are central to Israels policies of occupation and apartheid.Law enforcement exchanges are marketed as an opportunity for American police to learn about counterterrorism from the fields self-appointed leader, but, for Israels advocates, they are also seen as a way to sell a particular audience on pro-Israel ideology.[They] come back and they are Zionists, then-ADL regional director David Friedman said of the delegations impact in 2015. They understand Israel and its security needs in ways a lot of audiences dont.That may just be the intended outcome.They are trying to get the U.S. to see the world as divided into these camps of good and evil, and they want to tighten the U.S. commitment to Israel on the basis of it being on the front lines fighting terror, said Vitale, referring to the groups behind the trips. The whole project is a political project, which uses the police to answer a particular analysis of international affairs.To date, Israel has already been an inspiration to some controversial police initiatives, like the infamous NYPD Muslim surveillance program, which was modeled in part on the surveillance of Palestinians in the West Bank. Thomas Galati, the chief of the NYPD Intelligence Division at the time, had participated in one of the ADL trainings in Israel.Israeli police and security forces may also be learning a thing or two from their American counterparts. In 2016, for instance, Israel passed a stop and frisk law modeled after its American equivalent, allowing police to search anyone, regardless of behavior, in a location that is thought to be a target for hostile destructive actions.Palestinian residents of Jerusalem said the legislation is applied with blatant racism.We see Israeli police taking on U.S. stop-and-frisk policies, further adding to the state violence already facing Palestinians, Fox said. This deadly exchange goes both ways and encourages worst practices, such as racial profiling, mass surveillance, police brutality, and suppression of political dissent that already exist in both countries.Top photo: Israeli police forces hold stun-grenade launchers following Friday noon prayer outside Jerusalems old city on July 28, 2017.51 Documents: Zionist Collaboration with the Nazisby LENNI BRENNERADL WatchSpy vs SpiteADL SpiesAnti-Defamation League List Tars Human Rights GroupsThe Internet, Facebook, Defamation & Retaliation With Canadian Lethridge Professor Anthony Hall"The Internet, Facebook, Defamation & Retaliation" was the title of a presentation by Professor Anthony Hall of the University of Lethbridge in Alberta Canada. Prof. Hall talked about how a reprehensible image and text was placed on his Facebook wall for a few hours on August 26, 2016 and then deployed to target him professionally in what amounts an organized political frame-up. B'nai Brith Canada, the Canadian branch of the US and Israeli-based Anti-Defamation League, conducted the initial smear campaign based on publicizing the maliciously engineered content of the planted Facebook post put on Prof. Hall's Facebook wall without his knowlewdge or consent for a few hours on Aug. 26. When Prof. Hall later became aware of the post's reprehensible contents, he condemned the post's outrageous statements about Jewish people.The result of this operation was that in early October of 2016, Prof. Hall was suspended, initially without pay, and without any process of independent adjudication as required by the collective agreement between the University Administration and the University of Lethbridge Faculty Association (ULFA). ULFA and the 68,000 member-strong Canadian Association of University Teachers are both demanding that Prof. Hall's case must be returned to the procedures outlined in the collective agreement. They are demanding that University Administration cease and desist defaming the Canadian professor along the same lines as those initiated by B'nai Brith Canada.Professor Hall talks about the possibility that Facebook Inc. was a party to the conspiracy to ruin the career of this critic of Israeli policies and actions. He points to negotiations between Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu aimed at engineering Facebook content to favor the Israeli side in the conflict between the Israeli state and the Palestinian people. He also highlights his insistence on addressing the evidence pointing to the role of Israel First partisans in the notorious lies and crimes of 9/11.This talk was at LaborTech 2017 in San Francisco with the title The Internet, Technology, The Gig Economy and the Future of Labor.For more media:Production of Labor Video ProjectZionist ADL To Meeting In SF On Monday at Grand HyattTopics & Panels9:00am - Welcome Remarks and ADL Opening VideoJonathan A. Greenblatt, ADL CEONo Platform for Hate: A Conversation with the Tech CommunityMonika Bickert, Director of Global Policy Management, FacebookJuniper Downs, Global Head of Public Policy and Government Relations, YouTubeMelissa Tidwell, General Counsel, RedditModerator, Nellie Bowles, NY Times JournalistAnnouncement of Center on Technology & SocietyJonathan Greenblatt, ADL CEOAnti-Semitism in the Bay AreaMarc Dollinger, Jewish Studies & Goldman Chair of Social Responsibility, San Francisco State UniversityOllie Benn, Executive Director, San Francisco HillelAbby Porth, Executive Director, San Francisco JCRCModerator: Seth Brysk, Regional Director, ADL San Francisco11:55am  1:00pm Breakout Panels  choose onePANEL 1  Investing in Social Responsibilities and Jewish ValuesPamela David, Executive Director, Walter & Elise Haas FundEran Gilad  Scopus VenturesJulie Hammerman, Executive Director, JLens NetworkAaron Katler, CEO, UpstartMichael Masserman, Head of Global Policy & Strategy, LyftModerator: Lucy Bernholz, Director, Digital Civil Society Lab, Stanford Center on Philanthropy and Civil SocietyPanel 2  What are young Jews Saying About Israel and Why We Need to ListenRabbi Adam Naftalin-Kelman, Executive Director, UC Berkeley HillelFern Oppenheim, Co-Founder, Brand Israel Group & President, AppliedMarketing InnovationsModerator: Susan Heller Pinto, Director, International Affairs  Middle EastPANEL 3 - Misinformation and the Battle for the TruthIn Conversation with SNOPES Founder and CEO David Mikkelsonand Ari Ratner, Founder and CEO, Inside RevolutionPANEL 4  Community Partnerships in the Fight Against Anti-Semitism, Racism, & BigotryDelia de la Vara, Senior Vice President, Development & Strategic Initiatives, UnidosUSRev. Eric Metoyer, Associate, Congressional Ministries & Canon to the OrdinaryMichael Pappas, Executive Director, San Francisco Interfaith CouncilModerator: David Sandmel, Director of Inter-religious Engagement, ADLPANEL 5  Reviving Jewish CommunitiesJonathan Ornstein, Executive Director, JCC KrakowShana Penn, Executive Director, Taube PhilanthropiesBen-Dror Yemini, Israeli Columnist, Author, Industry of LiesModerator: Andrew Srulevitch, Director of European Affairs | Assistant Director of International AffairsCollege and Student Symposium - Anti-Semitism: From the Left and the Right(For Students Only)Marc Dollinger, Jewish Studies Goldman Chair of Social Responsibility, SFSU1:00pm-1:15pm Lunch1:15pm-2:25pm Breakout Panels  choose onePANEL 1- Where the Real and Virtual Intersect: Re-thinking Techs RoleCharlotte Willner, Pinterst, Safety ManagerChris Wolf, ADL Lay LeaderPANEL 2  Israeli Perspectives on BDS - a conversationBen-Dror Yemini, Israeli Columnist, Author, Industry of LiesSharon Nazarian, ADL Senior Vice President, International AffairsPANEL 3  Artificial Intelligence and New Avenues - a fireside chatClaudia Vacano, Executive Director of the D-Lab and the Digital Humanities at BerkeleyBrittan Heller, ADL Director of Technology and SocietyPANEL 4  Disrupting the Narrative on Race: Asserting Jewish Diversity to Combat New Forms of Anti-SemitismIlana Kaufman, Public Affairs and Civic Engagement Director, JCRC East BayDiane Tobin, CEO, Institute for Jewish & Community ResearchPANEL 5  How to talk to kids about HateBrianna Moffitt, ADL Director of Development, Santa BarbaraCollege and Student Symposium  Safe and on the Sidelines: Jewish Students and the Conflict on Campus(For Students Only)Ari Y Kelman, Jim Joseph Professorship in Education and Jewish Studies & Director,Taube Center for Jewish Studies, Stanford Graduate School of Education2:40pm-5:15pm Afternoon SessionPersonal Stories: Empowerment in the Face of HateTaylor Dumpson, President, Student Government, American UniversityChristian Picciolini, Former White Supremacist/Founder, ExitusRabbi Francine Green Rosten, Glacier Jewish CommunityOren Segal, ADL Director, Center on ExtremismPresentation of the Daniel Pearl AwardCombatting Hate: Your Role in the Good FightEric P. Liu, Writer and Founder, Citizen UniversityNew PowerJeremy Heimans, Co-Founder and CEO, PurposeClosingJonathan Greenblatt, ADL CEOFacebook Complying With 95% of Israeli Requests to Remove Inciting Content, Minister SaysYouTube, however, has been removing 80% of content cited by government, Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked says.Sharon Pulwer and Elihay Vidal Sep 12, 2016 10:48 PM3comments Zen Subscribe6976share on facebook Tweet send via email reddit stumbleuponFacebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg. BloombergIsraeli bill to fine Facebook for disseminating incitement to terror advancesIsraels anti-Facebook spin is latest excuse to ignore the occupationJustice Minister Ayelet Shaked said on Monday that Facebook and YouTube had been complying in recent months with up to 95% of Israels requests for taking down content that the government says incites Palestinian violence.She said that Facebook, which has a delegation in Israel right now meeting with Shaked and other officials, had complied with 95% of the 158 requests made by Israel made from May to August this year. YouTube, which is a subsidiary of Google, had complied with 80% of 13 requests. She said the figure was up from 50% previously.That is an impressive statistic. Nevertheless, we understand that the amount of incitement on the internet is much higher and we must keep exerting the pressure, which we will do, Shaked told the Annual International Conference on Counter-Terrorism at the Herzilya Interdisciplinary Center.Shaked and Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan, both of whom have been at the forefront of a campaign to force social media companies to crack down on incitement, met with Facebook executives visiting Israel on Monday.The meeting comes amid growing concerns in Israel about so-called lone-wolf terrorists who are unaffiliated with formal organizations but are encouraged to acts of violence over the social media.Israeli Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked delivers a speech during a conference in Budapest, Hungary, June 6, 2016.Tamas Kovacs, MTI via APYedioth Ahronoth on Monday reported that Shaked and Erdan had proposed to the Facebook executives that the company treat words like intifada, stabbing, Nazis and expressions such as death to Jews and death to Arabs as grounds for removing content. They also called for the same policy toward videos inciting viewers to stabbing attacks or containing anti-Semitic caricatures.Facebook didnt respond to the requests, Yedioth said. Reuters reported that neither Facebook nor YouTube would comment on Shakeds figures for compliance on removing inflammatory content.Although the Facebook visit comes amid growing pressure from Israel to crack down on incitement, the company said the visit by executives  Joel Kaplan, vice president of global public policy and a former deputy chief of staff for policy at the White House, and Monika Bickert, head of product policy  was part of a dialog it is having with governments worldwide.Online extremism can only be tackled with a strong partnership between policymakers, civil society, academia and companies, and this is true in Israel and around the world, Facebook said in a statement Monday.The company also said its community standards make it clear there is no place for terrorists or content that promotes terrorism on Facebook. It called the meeting constructive, but offered no details about its conclusions.The Facebook team also met with opposition MK Revital Swid (Zionist Union), who has submitted legislation that would force social networks to self-monitor or face a fine. Swid said she didnt hold social media platforms responsible for terror but that they had an obligation to do more to fight it.With reporting from Reuters.read more: http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/business/1.741728?v=C108E9B69DB3DE823E171D9972BEC71B FBI files reveal Anti-Defamation League spied on Arab studentsGrant F. Smith The Electronic Intifada Washington, DC 14 May 2013In 1969, the Anti-Defamation League infiltrated and spied on a national gathering of Arab students in the United States, newly released Federal Bureau of Investigation documents show.Obtained in April after an Institute for Research: Middle Eastern Policy (IRMEP) freedom of information request, and reviewed by The Electronic Intifada, one declassified file [PDF] contains Anti-Defamation League reports held by the FBI.The documents reveal how ADL surveillance against the Organization of Arab Students (OAS) in 1969 coalesced into plans for infiltrating the OAS national organization in New York. The files also give an insight into why the entire effort eventually backfired, ultimately leading to raids on ADL offices involved in intelligence-gathering through illegal means, and a lawsuit against ADL in the early 1990s  ultimately settled out of court in 2002.The FBI responded to the IRMEP request that it at one time possessed up to 10,800 pages of information about the ADL, but that some of these had been destroyed. So far approximately 1,000 pages have been released (see The FBIs Anti-Defamation League File on the IRMEP site).Organization of Arab StudentsIn the late 1960s, the OAS worked hard to unite visiting Arab international students studying in the US with Arab-American counterparts interested in connecting to developments in the region, primarily in Palestine. Formed in 1952 as the nonprofit Organization of Arab Students of United States and Canada, by the late 1960s OAS was hosting its eighteenth annual national conference with a reported 200 participants. OAS was not at all shy about criticizing US media coverage of the region or issuing direct challenges to the propaganda of the Israel lobby.The ADL agents talk of alleged OAS links to armed Palestinian group Fatah, seemingly skeptical of one OAS spokespersons claim that there was no real relationship between them, that the OAS was merely letting them sell their literature there. The name of the spokesperson has been redacted by the FBI, along with most other names in the file.The OASs growing capacity to organize major events eventually sounded alarm bells at the ADL, which dispatched undercover investigators to penetrate the OAS national convention held in 1969 at Ohio State University.The ADLs agents assigned to the convention filed reports under the codenames Buckeye, Adam and Eve. Buckeye tirelessly worked the entire seven days of the event presenting himself as a reporter, often for the Spectator newspaper. He claimed to be sympathetic to OAS objectives in order to gain access to events and high officials and have a pretext for inquiring about back office issues and OAS finances.Buckeyes reports sounded an ADL red alert: The political activity of Arab students in the US will increase significantly in the coming school year (1969-1970) with increasing effectiveness. They are beginning to display a much greater understanding of how to present their arguments to the various levels of the American public (church groups, new left, lower middle class, etc); and any successes are certain to increase their confidence and, hence, their activity.Buckeye recommended this threat had to be confronted directly as growing numbers of OAS chapters achieved and shared successes with other student groups, especially those on the left.Fake journalistIn those pre-Internet days, Buckeye had to manually compile information on the location, officers, phone numbers and membership strength of each OAS chapter. To ingratiate himself with a group of Buffalo University students, Buckeye claimed all his questions were for a future Columbus Citizen Journal story.Even so, students were candid in telling Buckeye they increasingly viewed such major media with skepticism. They claimed The Christian Science Monitor and The New York Times were biased in their coverage of the Middle East, and the OAS attendees urged Buckeye to read The Guardian and Le Monde to get a more balanced view of regional issues.Buckeye carefully noted the most effective Arab public relations strategies, the main points of Arab media critic presentations, counter-strategies to negative media and each session speech from Palestine Liberation Organization and Arab Information Office representatives.AIPAC envyBuckeye reported competition and enviously noted that the attached article from the Near East Report indicates that the American Israel Public Affairs Committee had somebody on the inside of the OAS who covered the convention. Buckeye recommended that the ADL recruit an Arabic-speaking agent from the nonprofit Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society to work inside the OAS national headquarters in New York, in order to be privy to important national OAS information.On his own, Buckeye had a hard time penetrating closed OAS sessions. Security at the 1969 OAS conference was tighter than previous years. Only Arab students who had been members of a local OAS chapter for one year could attend closed sessions. Non-Arab members needed the recommendation of five Arab chapter members to enter closed sessions. Buckeyes wife attempted to enter closed OAS convention meetings posing as a Canadian divorcee and assumed an alias for which she had proper identification.But the spies also saw such security mechanisms as an opportunity to wage an attack on OAS chapters: On many campuses there are rules against discriminating on the basis of race, etc. Therefore it is illegal for the OAS to require its membership to be of Arab descent. In these places pro-Israeli forces could join and take over the machinery of the organization, its funds, etc. and at the same time dismantle it as a base for dissemination of propaganda.The recommended strategy was to concentrate on getting an Arabic-speaking Jew into the national machinery of the OAS. At the recent convention, for example, we had difficulty finding anyone who could attend and understand the arabic [sic] sessions where finances, policy, etc. were discussed. This is a crucial factor in combating the students.By the late 1980s, coordinated OAS media pronouncements, sharing and national organizing waned as chapters dedicated themselves more toward social and education functions than politics and opened up to all students claiming an interest in Arab culture. Many OAS chapters even passed individual charters renaming their organizations, presenting new logos and severing national affiliations. Few conducted any major political events, particularly beyond the campus boundaries.Our official friendsBut even as OAS power waned, FBI interest in the ADL gradually intensified.After obtaining the ADLs OAS report in 1969, the FBI  which had also surveilled the conference  came to its own more objective conclusions. The FBI felt not only that the ADL report was biased, but such ADL-sanctioned activity possibly represents a violation of the Foreign Agents Registration Act.The FBI, based on its own long term observations of the ADL, felt it would be incredible to assume it [the ADLs report on the OAS] is not furnished to an official of the government of Israel due to the extremely close ties between ADL and Israel. Buckeye had indeed suggested in his report that this information may be of interest to our official friends. Though it could be that this was a reference to US law enforcement, the FBIs suspicion of Israeli involvement seems credible.The FBI also seemed to resent the ADLs self-appointed authority as a competing counter-intelligence agency  even though the ADL had long fought to ingratiate itself with the FBI and form liaisons. This report shows investigation conducted by the ADL, using codename sources, pretexts such as local news reporters  recruiting of [Arabic speaking] Jewish refugees  to infiltrate the OAS in New York.When hard evidence surfaced that the ADL was illegally obtaining confidential information about pro-Palestinian and anti-apartheid activists, the police raided the ADLs major California offices, after FBI investigations. Covert ADL agent Roy Bullock had also worked closely with apartheid South African intelligence services (Robert I. Friedman, The Enemy Within: How the Anti-Defamation League turned the notion of human rights on its head, The Village Voice, 11 May 1993).According to Friedman in 1993: Investigations by the FBI and police in San Francisco have revealed that the ADL has shared at least some of its spy gathering material with Israeli government officials. Whats more, Israel apparently used tips from the ADL to detain Palestinian Americans who traveled there.Civil suits against Bullock and the ADL in the 1990s were eventually settled out of court in 2002 for tens of thousands. But the ADL never admitted to doing anything wrong, and never had to face any serious penalty. Palestine solidarity activists may well wonder what the ADL is doing in secret today.Although confidentiality agreements are normal in such settlements, the plaintiffs did not agree to keep quiet. IRMEP has now published depositions and files from this investigation and successful lawsuit, so they are available online for the first time.Grant F. Smith is director of the nonprofit Institute for Research: Middle Eastern Policy, Inc. in Washington.
Apache Spark defined

Apache Spark is a data processing framework that can quickly perform processing tasks on very large data sets, and can also distribute data processing tasks across multiple computers, either on its own or in tandem with other distributed computing tools. These two qualities are key to the worlds of big data and machine learning, which require the marshalling of massive computing power to crunch through large data stores. Spark also takes some of the programming burdens of these tasks off the shoulders of developers with an easy-to-use API that abstracts away much of the grunt work of distributed computing and big data processing.

From its humble beginnings in the AMPLab at U.C. Berkeley in 2009, Apache Spark has become one of the key big data distributed processing frameworks in the world. Spark can be deployed in a variety of ways, provides native bindings for the Java, Scala, Python, and R programming languages, and supports SQL, streaming data, machine learning, and graph processing. Youll find it used by banks, telecommunications companies, games companies, governments, and all of the major tech giants such as Apple, Facebook, IBM, and Microsoft.

Apache Spark architecture

At a fundamental level, an Apache Spark application consists of two main components: a driver, which converts the user's code into multiple tasks that can be distributed across worker nodes, and executors, which run on those nodes and execute the tasks assigned to them. Some form of cluster manager is necessary to mediate between the two.

Out of the box, Spark can run in a standalone cluster mode that simply requires the Apache Spark framework and a JVM on each machine in your cluster. However, its more likely youll want to take advantage of a more robust resource or cluster management system to take care of allocating workers on demand for you. In the enterprise, this will normally mean running on Hadoop YARN (this is how the Cloudera and Hortonworks distributions run Spark jobs), but Apache Spark can also run on Apache Mesos, Kubernetes, and Docker Swarm.

If you seek a managed solution, then Apache Spark can be found as part of Amazon EMR, Google Cloud Dataproc, and Microsoft Azure HDInsight. Databricks, the company that employs the founders of Apache Spark, also offers the Databricks Unified Analytics Platform, which is a comprehensive managed service that offers Apache Spark clusters, streaming support, integrated web-based notebook development, and optimized cloud I/O performance over a standard Apache Spark distribution.

Apache Spark builds the users data processing commands into a Directed Acyclic Graph, or DAG. The DAG is Apache Sparks scheduling layer; it determines what tasks are executed on what nodes and in what sequence.

Spark vs. Hadoop: Why use Apache Spark?

Its worth pointing out that Apache Spark vs. Apache Hadoop is a bit of a misnomer. Youll find Spark included in most Hadoop distributions these days. But due to two big advantages, Spark has become the framework of choice when processing big data, overtaking the old MapReduce paradigm that brought Hadoop to prominence.

The first advantage is speed. Sparks in-memory data engine means that it can perform tasks up to one hundred times faster than MapReduce in certain situations, particularly when compared with multi-stage jobs that require the writing of state back out to disk between stages. In essence, MapReduce creates a two-stage execution graph consisting of data mapping and reducing, whereas Apache Sparks DAG has multiple stages that can be distributed more efficiently. Even Apache Spark jobs where the data cannot be completely contained within memory tend to be around 10 times faster than their MapReduce counterpart.

The second advantage is the developer-friendly Spark API. As important as Sparks speedup is, one could argue that the friendliness of the Spark API is even more important.

Spark Core

In comparison to MapReduce and other Apache Hadoop components, the Apache Spark API is very friendly to developers, hiding much of the complexity of a distributed processing engine behind simple method calls. The canonical example of this is how almost 50 lines of MapReduce code to count words in a document can be reduced to just a few lines of Apache Spark (here shown in Scala):

val textFile = sparkSession.sparkContext.textFile(hdfs:///tmp/words)

val counts = textFile.flatMap(line => line.split( ))

.map(word => (word, 1))

.reduceByKey(_ + _)

counts.saveAsTextFile(hdfs:///tmp/words_agg)

By providing bindings to popular languages for data analysis like Python and R, as well as the more enterprise-friendly Java and Scala, Apache Spark allows everybody from application developers to data scientists to harness its scalability and speed in an accessible manner.

Spark RDD

At the heart of Apache Spark is the concept of the Resilient Distributed Dataset (RDD), a programming abstraction that represents an immutable collection of objects that can be split across a computing cluster. Operations on the RDDs can also be split across the cluster and executed in a parallel batch process, leading to fast and scalable parallel processing.

RDDs can be created from simple text files, SQL databases, NoSQL stores (such as Cassandra and MongoDB), Amazon S3 buckets, and much more besides. Much of the Spark Core API is built on this RDD concept, enabling traditional map and reduce functionality, but also providing built-in support for joining data sets, filtering, sampling, and aggregation.

Spark runs in a distributed fashion by combining a driver core process that splits a Spark application into tasks and distributes them among many executor processes that do the work. These executors can be scaled up and down as required for the applications needs.

Spark SQL

Originally known as Shark, Spark SQL has become more and more important to the Apache Spark project. It is likely the interface most commonly used by todays developers when creating applications. Spark SQL is focused on the processing of structured data, using a dataframe approach borrowed from R and Python (in Pandas). But as the name suggests, Spark SQL also provides a SQL2003-compliant interface for querying data, bringing the power of Apache Spark to analysts as well as developers.

Alongside standard SQL support, Spark SQL provides a standard interface for reading from and writing to other datastores including JSON, HDFS, Apache Hive, JDBC, Apache ORC, and Apache Parquet, all of which are supported out of the box. Other popular storesApache Cassandra, MongoDB, Apache HBase, and many otherscan be used by pulling in separate connectors from the Spark Packages ecosystem.

Selecting some columns from a dataframe is as simple as this line:

citiesDF.select(name, pop)

Using the SQL interface, we register the dataframe as a temporary table, after which we can issue SQL queries against it:

citiesDF.createOrReplaceTempView(cities)

spark.sql(SELECT name, pop FROM cities)

Behind the scenes, Apache Spark uses a query optimizer called Catalyst that examines data and queries in order to produce an efficient query plan for data locality and computation that will perform the required calculations across the cluster. In the Apache Spark 2.x era, the Spark SQL interface of dataframes and datasets (essentially a typed dataframe that can be checked at compile time for correctness and take advantage of further memory and compute optimizations at run time) is the recommended approach for development. The RDD interface is still available, but recommended only if your needs cannot be addressed within the Spark SQL paradigm.

Spark 2.4 introduced a set of built-in higher-order functions for manipulating arrays and other higher-order data types directly.

Spark MLlib

Apache Spark also bundles libraries for applying machine learning and graph analysis techniques to data at scale. Spark MLlib includes a framework for creating machine learning pipelines, allowing for easy implementation of feature extraction, selections, and transformations on any structured dataset. MLlib comes with distributed implementations of clustering and classification algorithms such as k-means clustering and random forests that can be swapped in and out of custom pipelines with ease. Models can be trained by data scientists in Apache Spark using R or Python, saved using MLlib, and then imported into a Java-based or Scala-based pipeline for production use.

Note that while Spark MLlib covers basic machine learning including classification, regression, clustering, and filtering, it does not include facilities for modeling and training deep neural networks (for details see InfoWorlds Spark MLlib review). However, Deep Learning Pipelines are in the works.

Spark GraphX

Spark GraphX comes with a selection of distributed algorithms for processing graph structures including an implementation of Googles PageRank. These algorithms use Spark Cores RDD approach to modeling data; the GraphFrames package allows you to do graph operations on dataframes, including taking advantage of the Catalyst optimizer for graph queries.

Spark Streaming

Spark Streaming was an early addition to Apache Spark that helped it gain traction in environments that required real-time or near real-time processing. Previously, batch and stream processing in the world of Apache Hadoop were separate things. You would write MapReduce code for your batch processing needs and use something like Apache Storm for your real-time streaming requirements. This obviously leads to disparate codebases that need to be kept in sync for the application domain despite being based on completely different frameworks, requiring different resources, and involving different operational concerns for running them.

Spark Streaming extended the Apache Spark concept of batch processing into streaming by breaking the stream down into a continuous series of microbatches, which could then be manipulated using the Apache Spark API. In this way, code in batch and streaming operations can share (mostly) the same code, running on the same framework, thus reducing both developer and operator overhead. Everybody wins.

A criticism of the Spark Streaming approach is that microbatching, in scenarios where a low-latency response to incoming data is required, may not be able to match the performance of other streaming-capable frameworks like Apache Storm, Apache Flink, and Apache Apex, all of which use a pure streaming method rather than microbatches.

Structured Streaming

Structured Streaming (added in Spark 2.x) is to Spark Streaming what Spark SQL was to the Spark Core APIs: A higher-level API and easier abstraction for writing applications. In the case of Structure Streaming, the higher-level API essentially allows developers to create infinite streaming dataframes and datasets. It also solves some very real pain points that users have struggled with in the earlier framework, especially concerning dealing with event-time aggregations and late delivery of messages. All queries on structured streams go through the Catalyst query optimizer, and can even be run in an interactive manner, allowing users to perform SQL queries against live streaming data.

Structured Streaming originally relied on Spark Streamings microbatching scheme of handling streaming data. But in Spark 2.3, the Apache Spark team added a low-latency Continuous Processing Mode to Structured Streaming, allowing it to handle responses with latencies as low as 1ms, which is very impressive. As of Spark 2.4, Continuous Processing is still considered experimental. While Structured Streaming is built on top of the Spark SQL engine, Continuous Streaming supports only a restricted set of queries.

Structured Streaming is the future of streaming applications with the platform, so if youre building a new streaming application, you should use Structured Streaming. The legacy Spark Streaming APIs will continue to be supported, but the project recommends porting over to Structured Streaming, as the new method makes writing and maintaining streaming code a lot more bearable.

Deep Learning Pipelines

Apache Spark supports deep learning via Deep Learning Pipelines. Using the existing pipeline structure of MLlib, you can call into lower-level deep learning libraries and construct classifiers in just a few lines of code, as well as apply custom TensorFlow graphs or Keras models to incoming data. These graphs and models can even be registered as custom Spark SQL UDFs (user-defined functions) so that the deep learning models can be applied to data as part of SQL statements.

Apache Spark tutorials

Ready to dive in and learn Apache Spark? We highly recommend Evan Heitmans A Neanderthals Guide to Apache Spark in Python, which not only lays out the basics of how Apache Spark works in relatively simple terms, but also guides you through the process of writing a simple Python application that makes use of the framework. The article is written from a data scientists perspective, which makes sense as data science is a world in which big data and machine learning are increasingly critical.

If youre looking for some Apache Spark examples to give you a sense of what the platform can do and how it does it, check out Spark By {Examples}. There is plenty of sample code here for a number of the basic tasks that make up the building blocks of Spark programming, so you can see the components that make up the larger tasks that Apache Spark is made for.

Need to go deeper? DZone has what it modestly refers to as The Complete Apache Spark Collection, which consists of a slew of helpful tutorials on many Apache Spark topics. Happy learning!
Cotton Adding to Gains Barchart - 8 minutes ago Midweek cotton futures are adding 47 to 78 points to the triple digit gains from yesterday. Dec 22 is up by 52 points so far, but is off the 91.85 cent high from earlier in the session. NOAAs 7-day... CTZ22 : 89.41 (+0.76%) CTH23 : 87.58 (+0.70%) CTK23 : 86.38 (+0.63%)

Red Midday for Hog Market Barchart - 8 minutes ago Front month lean hog futures are trading 25 to 57 cents weaker so far today, save for an UNCH May 23 contract. The USDA National Average Base Hog Price was $85.52 on Wednesday morning, up by $1.07.... HEZ22 : 85.200 (-0.15%) HEJ23 : 95.200 (-0.31%) KMZ22 : 95.600 (-0.31%)

Cattle Higher through Midday Barchart - 8 minutes ago Live cattle futures are trading 32 cents to $1.07 in the black so far  led by the Feb contract. The weekly FCE auction saw no sales for the 887 head listed. Bids were $149.50-$150.50, but asks were... LEZ22 : 152.025 (+0.50%) LEG23 : 154.300 (+0.82%) LEJ23 : 157.775 (+0.67%) GFX22 : 176.050 (+0.21%) GFF23 : 177.525 (+0.28%)

Wheats Fade Back on Wednesday Barchart - 8 minutes ago After the uncertainty of the Poland / Black Sea conflict left wheat in the black yesterday, the midweek trade is reversing by double digits as the story unfolds. SRW is down by 14 to 14 3/4 cents so far.... ZWZ22 : 814-4 (-1.66%) ZWH23 : 834-4 (-1.59%) ZWPAES.CM : 7.4866 (-1.80%) KEZ22 : 954-4 (-0.88%) KEPAWS.CM : 9.1279 (-0.93%) MWZ22 : 962-6 (-1.16%)

Corn Off Lows at Midday Barchart - 8 minutes ago After a red start to the midweek session (removing uncertainty premium from the Poland / Black Sea war news), futures have rebounded to just 1 to 2 3/4 cents in the red. New crop December corn is trading... ZCZ22 : 664-6 (-0.30%) ZCPAUS.CM : 6.6655 (-0.06%) ZCH23 : 666-6 (-0.37%) ZCK23 : 666-0 (-0.26%)

Sharp Losses in Beans Barchart - 8 minutes ago After the double digit gains on Tuesday, midweek soybean futures are back down by 16 3/4 to 29 cents so far. That has the Jan contract working at a wk/wk loss of 21 3/4 cents, but the contract is still... ZSF23 : 1429-4 (-1.90%) ZSPAUS.CM : 14.0379 (-1.90%) ZSH23 : 1435-2 (-1.81%) ZSK23 : 1441-2 (-1.76%)

Musk testifies in lawsuit over Tesla compensation package AP - 1 hour ago Tesla CEO Elon Musk is defending himself in a shareholder lawsuit challenging a compensation package he was awarded by the companys board of directors that is potentially worth more than $55 billion... TSLA : 188.92 (-2.83%) $SPX : 3,971.43 (-0.51%) $DOWI : 33,658.50 (+0.20%) $IUXX : 11,745.38 (-1.06%)
Hub International Northeast, a subsidiary of global insurance brokerage Hub International Limited, has hired Terrance Farrell as vice president of marketing and Vaughan Reale as vice president, responsible for employee benefits brokering and consulting.

Based out of the New York City office, Farrell is responsible for maintaining relationships with Hubs key insurance carriers and working directly with clients to ensure they are placed with the appropriate market.

Prior to joining Hub in October 2017, he served as an assistant vice president with Willis Towers Watson in New York City. In that role, he worked in the Middle Market Property Marketing Group, focusing on real estate and manufacturing clients. Prior to Willis, Farrell was an insurance broker at Aon.

In his new role, Reale will be working with employers to deliver customized and comprehensive benefits programs.

With more than 30 years of industry knowledge and experience, he will be working in the Philadelphia Metro and Southern New Jersey marketplace. Previously, Reale has served as an executive for a variety of benefits-related companies, including health insurance carriers, a pharmaceutical benefit management company and benefit consulting firms. He has also served four years as the mayor of the city of Margate, N.J.

Hub Northeast is a full-service insurance brokerage firm with approximately 700 employees working in 16 regional offices located throughout New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island.

Source: Hub International Northeast

Topics New York
Satellite Agency Network Group Inc. (SAN), a Hampton, N.H.-based alliance of independent insurance agencies in the Northeast, recently hired Karen Landry as commercial lines placement specialist for its AccessPlus department.

Reporting to AccessPlus Manager Sarah Bassett, Landry is responsible for the placement of new commercial business accounts on behalf of SAN member agencies and will work closely with member agents and insurance carriers to streamline the delivery of information on new and renewal insurance policies.

Landry brings experience in account management, sales, client service and marketing to the AccessPlus team, Bassett said in a company press release.

Prior to joining SAN Group, Landry served as a commercial lines account manager with an independent insurance agency headquartered in New England. She was responsible for all aspects of consultative client interaction for service and sales, maintaining a book of more than $500,000 in revenue. Landry has additional training in personal lines, life and health and bookkeeping.

Source: Satellite Agency Network Group Inc.

Topics New Hampshire
Colgate-Palmolive Co. agreed to settle a lawsuit claiming its talcum powder products caused a Pennsylvania woman to develop mesothelioma, a fatal lung disease tied to asbestos exposure.

New York-based Colgate-Palmolive moved to resolve Carol Schoenigers lawsuit to avoid a trial in a New Jersey state court, according to court filings. Financial terms of the deal werent made public.

The settlement comes as a growing number of talc users accuse manufacturers such as Colgate-Palmolive and Johnson & Johnson of failing to warn consumers that their body powders pose a cancer threat. Some suits contend the talc-based products are contaminated with asbestos, a mineral often found in talc deposits.

J&J is facing more than 5,500 claims that its iconic Baby Powder caused ovarian cancer in women, according to court filings. Colgate-Palmolive said it faces more than 170 cases accusing it of selling asbestos-laced powder, according to filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. So far this year the company said 43 cases have been resolved.

Imerys firm position is that talc is safe, and that position is backed by the consensus of government agencies and professional scientific organizations that have reviewed the safety of talc, Gwen Myers, a spokeswoman for Imerys Talc North America, said Friday in an emailed statement. Imerys mines talc sold to companies.

Tom Dipiazza, a Colgate-Palmolive spokesman, said he couldnt immediately comment on the Oct. 30 settlement.

Defendants manage their litigation in different ways, Chris Panatier, one of Schoenigers lawyers, said Thursday in an emailed statement. Colgate settles some and tries other cases alleging injury from asbestos-laced talc, he added.

California Settlement

After a California jury ordered the consumer products maker in 2015 to pay a woman $13 million over her mesothelioma claims tied to Cashmere Bouquet, the company agreed to a confidential settlement.

In her suit, Schoeniger alleged she used Cashmere Bouquet for more than 20 years before being diagnosed with mesothelioma. The company failed to warn her of the risks, dangers and harm to which she would be exposed through inhalation or ingestion of the asbestos dust in the body powders, according to the 2016 suit.

A California jury in Los Angeles currently is hearing evidence in a lawsuit in which a woman who used Johnson & Johnsons Baby Powder for more than 30 years claims she developed mesothelioma from inhaling talc dust laced with asbestos.

The case is Schoeniger v. Brenntag North America Inc., No. L-5869-16-A3, Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division-Middlesex County. The California case is Herford v. Johnson & Johnson, No. BC64631, Superior Court for the State of California (Los Angeles).

Copyright 2022 Bloomberg.

Topics Lawsuits California
As the threat from hackers and cybercriminals intensifies, a growing number of states are buying cyber insurance to protect themselves  and taxpayers.

Its expensive. Its a big budget item for us. But its absolutely worth it, said Michael Hussey, Utahs chief information officer. Youre seeing breaches now that cost companies and states millions and millions of dollars.

More than a dozen states now have cyber insurance policies, which cover losses and expenses if a computer network is hacked. Insurers typically pick up the cost of investigating and restoring data, notifying those whose information may have been compromised, and providing legal and public relations services and credit monitoring.

This story is republished with permission of Stateline, an initiative of The Pew Charitable Trusts.

More than a dozen states now have cyber insurance policies.

Hussey said Utah first bought a policy in 2015, three years after a data breach of a Department of Health server exposed 780,000 residents personal information to hackers. The state wound up spending millions of dollars to deal with the aftermath, including paying for credit monitoring and legal fees and conducting a security assessment of all state servers.

Utah now pays $230,000 a year for $10 million in cyber coverage and has a $1 million deductible. The policy covers every agency in the executive branch.

So far, the state hasnt had any big data breaches that would require filing a claim, but that doesnt mean it wont happen in the future, Hussey said.

We check what were supposed to be checking, he said. But with cyber, if one little thing is overlooked or you have bad luck and leave something undone, youd hate to be left holding the bag to cover that.

A Growing Market

In the wake of massive data breaches like those involving Yahoo last year and Anthem the year before, many businesses have scrambled to buy cyber insurance. Last year, insurers wrote $1.35 billion in premiums, a 35 percent jump from 2015, according to Fitch Ratings.

States have been following in their footsteps. In a survey of state CIOs this year, 38 percent reported having some type of cyber insurance, compared to 20 percent in 2015.

Even some small cities, such as Cody, Wyoming, have purchased cyber coverage this year.

Hackers and cybercriminals in recent years have taken aim at state and local government networks, which contain information such as Social Security, bank account and credit card numbers on millions of people and businesses. And online activists have hijacked government computer systems, defaced websites, and hacked into data or email and released it online.

In 2016, state information technology officers ranked cybersecurity as their top priority for the third year in a row.

James Lynch, chief actuary for the Insurance Information Institute, an industry trade group, said selling cyber insurance to states is especially challenging.

What states do is so diffuse and sprawling, and they deal with so many types of people and circumstances that its difficult for an insurance company to fully get a grasp on what those risks are and underwrite them all, he said.

It can be equally challenging for those purchasing cyber insurance, he added.

When you buy an auto policy, you have a pretty good idea whats in it. The terminology is highly standardized. Its been vetted through the courts, Lynch said. You dont have that in cyber because the product is so new. The actual things being covered also vary greatly from policy to policy.

And government agencies sometimes dont understand the risks or what kind of coverage theyll need, cyber experts say.

Some states and local governments dont even know where their data is or what theyve got, said Dan Lohrmann, chief security officer for Security Mentor, a national security training firm that works with states. So when you start having to give the insurer a list of how many servers you have and what systems are included, it gets pretty complicated.

Lohrmann said many state IT security officials initially were wary of cyber insurance, figuring theyd rather spend their limited resources on prevention. But many now take a different view, he said, because they realize that having the insurance will ensure that they are keeping their security programs up to snuff. Insurers wont sell states policies unless they meet certain standards, including regularly training staff, encrypting sensitive data and updating servers.

In Georgia, Chief Technology Officer Steve Nichols said he was skeptical about cyber insurance at first, but when he saw how many giant companies had breaches and the financial impact, he changed his mind.

In July, Georgia bought comprehensive cyber insurance, which covers about a hundred state agencies, he said.

Nichols said he thinks Georgia has the largest amount of cyber coverage of any state  $100 million. It pays a $1.8 million-a-year premium and has a $250,000 deductible per incident.

The state relied on a broker to guide it through the very confusing and complicated process and put together a deal with a consortium of insurers, he said.

Using Cyber Insurance

Montana was the first state to get cyber insurance, in 2011, said Lynne Pizzini, chief IT security officer. And its glad it did.

Three years later, hackers gained access to a server that contained Department of Public Health and Human Services data, including clients names and Social Security numbers and some health information. The state mailed letters about the incident to more than a million people who could have been affected.

Pizzini said the insurance company helped with the mailings, set up a call center, and provided forensic investigation, legal and communications assistance, and credit monitoring.

We used all of the services in our insurance policy, she said. It would have cost us a ton more than the premium we pay.

The state has a $2 million policy, which covers all agencies, including the university system, she said. It pays an $88,200 annual premium and has a $100,000 deductible per incident and a 10 percent copayment for credit monitoring.

But Pizzini and IT officials in other states caution that having cyber insurance shouldnt make states complacent and view it as a substitute for a comprehensive security program. While the coverage can be a big help after the fact, they say, states need to invest in security, keep their technology updated, and be prepared for hackers and cybercriminals.

Its like brushing your teeth, Georgias Nichols said. You need to do it every day.

Source: This story is republished with permission of Stateline, an initiative of The Pew Charitable Trusts.

Topics Carriers Cyber Georgia
A federal grand jury in Houston has returned a, indictment against three people, including two siblings, charging them with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, kickbacks and money laundering connected with an alleged federal workers compensation fraud scheme, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Texas.

A grand jury returned the 27-count indictment on Nov. 2, 2017, against Anukul Dass aka Andy Dass, 41, and his sister Anurag Dass aka Anna Dass, 46, both of Houston, along with Stephen Vincent Hunt, 67, formerly of Houston and now of Waxahachie.

Anukul and Anurag Dass operated A&A Pain and Wellness Center Inc. at 6600 Harwin Drive in Southwest Houston. From 2010 to 2017, the indictment alleges they filed false claims with the Office of Worker Compensation Programs (OWCP) for patients that Hunt directed to the clinic. Hunt was allegedly a former injured employee with the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) who filed his own injury claim with OWCP.

The Dass siblings allegedly conspired with Hunt for him to direct injured federal workers to A&A Pain and Wellness Center for medical treatment and health care services. In return, the indictment alleges Hunt would receive a fee as payment from the center for each claim OWCP paid. Hunt also allegedly charged injured federal workers he referred a fee for his representation and services through a company he controlled under the name Zentec.

Anna Dass was the manager of Clinical Operations at A&A, while Anukul Dass was the director, according to the indictment. Anna Dass allegedly filed false claims for services which were not performed or were upcoded and billed at a higher rate than services actually performed. From 2010 to 2017, A&A billed OWCP for more than $9.1 million. OWCP allegedly paid $7.2 million for those claims according to the allegations.

If convicted of the conspiracy or the kickback allegations, each faces a penalty of up to five years in prison. The wire fraud carries a possible 20-year maximum sentence, while a conviction for money laundering could result in as much as 10 years imprisonment. All of the charges also carry a possible fine of $250,000.

The indictment was announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez along with Special Agent in Charge Scott Pierce of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) Office of Inspector General (OIG)  Contract Fraud Investigations Division and Special Agent in Charge Steven Grell of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)-OIG.

USPS-OIG and DOL-OIG conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cedric L. Joubert is prosecuting this case.

Source: U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Texas

Topics USA Workers' Compensation Fraud
Florida Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier has issued a final order granting approval to the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) for a statewide overall rate level decrease of 9.5 percent and premium level decrease of 9.8 percent. This applies to both new and renewal workers compensation insurance policies effective in Florida as of Jan. 1, 2018.

I am pleased that todays approval of NCCIs rate filing will translate into a decrease in workers compensation rates for many Florida employers, stated Commissioner Altmaier. The Office will continue to monitor the marketplace and support reforms that provide additional cost savings for Floridas businesses.

The rate decrease is especially welcome after last years increase of 14.5 percent. Businesses were expecting additional rate increases in response to two 2016 Florida Supreme Court decisions  Castellanos v. Next Door Company and Westphal v. City of St. Petersburg  that led to the double digit increase this year.

NCCI said declining loss ratios, with a significant reduction in the lost-time claim frequency between 2001 and 2015, helped contribute to the rate decrease.

Still, workers comp experts say the impact of these decisions has not yet been felt by insurers, and workers comp reforms are needed.

Im pleased to see the cost of business going down, and as the Legislature looks at our workers compensation system, I will be working with them on proposals to lock in these lowering rates, said Floridas Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis.

NCCI received this approval after submitting an amended rate filing to the Office on Nov. 7, 2017, which met the stipulations of an order issued by Altmaier on Oct. 31, 2017.

For more information about the NCCI public hearing and rate filing, visit OIRs NCCI Public Rate Hearing webpage.

Topics Trends Florida Workers' Compensation Pricing Trends
A former Alabama stockbroker is accused of embezzling over $200,000 from BBVA Compass Bank.

The U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Alabama said in a news release that 30-year-old Eric Scott Darty agreed to plead guilty to a charge of bank embezzlement and sign a plea agreement.

Authorities say Darty was a bank employee when he began manipulating customer cashiers checks that were intended to purchase insurance products. At times between 2015 and 2016, hes accused of renegotiating customers original cashiers checks into ones for lesser amounts and pocketing the remaining cash.

Darty admitted the scheme involved 47 unauthorized transactions in 13 accounts belonging to nine customers.

Darty faces a potential prison sentence of up to 30 years and a fine of up to $1 million.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Alabama
A look at control of Congress. What will happen if Republicans win a majority in either chamber  and if they don't.
Authorities say a series of fires damaged five structures in Alabama and three teenagers have been charged.

Sylacauga Police Chief Kelley Johnson told news outlets that authorities started receiving reports of fires Tuesday night.

Johnson says the first reported fire happened at a vacant, single-family structure. That fire was followed by two more at other vacant structures. All three structures were damaged, but werent a total loss.

Another fire was reported at an occupied mobile home. The resident escaped with minor injuries. Authorities say an adjoining neighbors garbage can was also destroyed. Johnson says the final fire happened at an abandoned home.

The suspects  three males ages 17, 16 and 14  were in custody by Wednesday and charged with offenses including first-degree arson. Its unclear if they have lawyers.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Alabama
The deadliest of last months wildfires in Californias wine country may have been started by electrical equipment not owned or installed by Pacific Gas and Electric Co., the utility said in a court filing.

PG&E said in a legal filing Thursday that a preliminary investigation suggests that a private power line may have started the blaze that killed 21 people and destroyed more than 4,400 homes in Sonoma County. Another 22 people were killed and at least 4,500 more structures were destroyed in Northern California wildfires that began Oct. 8.

Although the cause of the fire that decimated a Santa Rosa neighborhood has not been determined, preliminary investigations suggest that this fire might have been caused by electrical equipment that was owned, installed and maintained by a third party, PG&E attorneys wrote in the filing with the Judicial Council of California, the policymaking body of California courts.

PG&E did not name the third party but referenced a location in neighboring Napa County where CalFire investigators have zeroed in as they try to determine the cause of the blaze.

Lynn Tolmachoff, a spokeswoman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, said she couldnt comment on the filing due to the ongoing investigation, but well take anything that PG&E submits to us as part of that investigation.

The filing comes in response to 15 wildfire-related lawsuits against PG&E. It gives no supporting evidence other than referring to an electric incident report that the utility submitted to state regulators on Nov. 2 where it documented 10 cases in Sonoma and Napa counties of toppled trees, downed lines and other damaged equipment. The report does not say whether those incidents may have caused or contributed to the fires.

In that report, the utility noted CalFire investigators took possession of equipment at a fire damaged home near Calistoga, including a secondary service line that had detached from the fire-damaged home.

Cal Fire also took possession of multiple sections of customer-owned overhead conductor that served multiple pieces of customer-owned equipment on the property, PG&E said.

Earlier this year, the California Public Utilities Commission fined PG&E $8.3 million for failing to maintain a power line that sparked a massive blaze in 2015 Amador County that destroyed 549 homes and killed two people. A state fire investigation found the utility and its contractors failed to maintain a gray pine tree that slumped into a power line igniting the fire.

On Wednesday, the commission proposed a new set of tougher safety rules for power lines, phone lines and utility poles in parts of the state prone to fires.

According to the proposed rules, tree branches would have to be kept farther away from power lines, newly installed lines would have to be spaced farther apart from each other and utility companies would have to fix many safety problems in areas of high fire risk before making repairs in lower-risk zones. Those repairs would have to follow a set timetable, taking no longer than six months in extreme fire-risk zones.

The commission could vote on the new rules as early as Dec. 14.

Related:

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics California Catastrophe Natural Disasters Wildfire
Monday, Nov 13th, 2017 (8:35 am) - Score 798

The National Housing Federation has warned that a combination of factors (e.g. poor broadband, few jobs, expensive housing, closed post offices and an ageing population etc.) is contributing to a rise in the movement of people out of rural areas and into cities (especially younger people).

The NHFs Rural Life Monitor 2017 report notes that 1 in 5 English households live in rural areas and such places have a lot to offer, such as better life expectancy and a higher proportion of pupils leaving school with five GCSEs graded A*-C2. However, the make-up of rural communities is changing and by 2039 nearly half of rural households could be aged over 65, but thats not all.

Over the last five years, 52 rural schools shut their doors to pupils (roughly one a month) and Post offices are closing at a similar rate. Meanwhile, between March 2013 and December 2016, some 1,365 rural pubs are said to have closed. Rural shops and hotels are also suffering as a result. Another contributing factor is said to be that of poor broadband connectivity.

Rural Life Monitor 2017 Quote We know that many people choose to leave rural areas and commute to nearby towns and cities to work, with some choosing to move out altogether for that reason. Young members of the rural population move to urban areas for university, and do not return. Rural connectivity to broadband and public transport limits the number of people willing to start and run businesses from rural areas. By 2039, the number of working age households in England is projected to fall by 1% in rural areas while increasing in urban areas by nearly 11%.

Sadly the new report doesnt include any statistics to support their statement about broadband, although the impact of poor internet connectivity is quite easy for most people to understand. On the other hand the Governments Broadband Delivery UK programme is continuing to rollout superfast broadband (24Mbps+) services and these are on target to reach about 95% coverage of the UK by the end of this year, before rising to 98% by around 2020.

Put another way, broadband connectivity is still improving but it does take a lot of time, and money, to reach such remote areas and sparse communities (operators often struggle to get a return on their investment without state aid). As a result quite a few people still have to wait a lot of years for something better than bog standard ADSL or usage restrained Satellite, which isnt going to be solved overnight.

The Government is also trying to introduce a legally-binding 10Mbps minimum broadband speed via a new Universal Service Obligation (USO), which could help to tackle poor connectivity for the final 2% of UK premises. But there is some frustration that the UK has been unable to complement this by setting a softer 100% coverage commitment for superfast broadband (almost every other EU member state has already set one).

However the proposed plan for a 10Mbps USO (here) still faces some tedious regulatory and competition concerns (example), which will need to be resolved before it can move forward. The Government hopes to set out their final decision before the end of this year.

Meanwhile the NHF is understandably more focused on helping to solve the underlying problem by encouraging the construction of affordable homes, although this is clearly only one part of a bigger problem.

David Orr, Chief Executive at the National Housing Federation, said: Make no mistake, rural life as we know it is disappearing fast. Families and young people wanting to settle, work and grow in rural England are being priced out of areas theyve known all their lives. The impact of this is huge. A lack of truly affordable housing is putting a huge strain on rural economies, populations and vital community services  schools are closing their doors forever to pupils and pubs are serving their last ever orders to locals. Housing associations are intervening to stem this tide. They are proving that just a handful of high quality and affordable new homes can transform rural communities, and ensure that our villages and market towns can thrive for generations to come.

Last year, housing associations built 3,030 homes in rural areas of England, and started building 3,769. Building homes enables families to remain within the communities they have been in for generations, and this can support rural services by allowing them to remain open, said the NHF.
Huawei's flagship global corporate social responsibility programme is called "Seeds for the Future". It takes top students to China for a three-week work experience programme, and the 2017 list has been announced.

The leading ICT students have been selected from Australian Technology Network of University institutions  RMIT, The University of South Australia, Queensland University of Technology, University of Technology Sydney and Curtin University; and also from James Cook University. Forty percent of the students are women.

The students will join senior ICT lecturers on a three-week, hands-on learning experience across Beijing and Shenzhen, departing on 25 November.

In collaboration with the federal government and the ATN, Huawei selected top performing students to travel to China and learn about the next generation of technology transforming the global economy including 5G, Internet of Things, and cloud computing.

iTWire was lucky enough to travel to China with Huawei in 2016 to see part of that year's Seeds of the Future programme in action, with the trip and a series of video interviews documented in an article entitled: " VIDEOS 2016: Huaweis Seeds for the Future reap rich harvests.

As noted in that article, Huawei is a very impressive R&D world leader, spending US$46 billion on R&D over the last decade and having a richly varied list of products and services for telcos, businesses, governments and consumers to show for it, as well as massive sales that have propelled it from a bit player into a global powerhouse up there with the top brands worldwide, even battling Apple for smartphone supremacy.

The Seeds for the Future programme is yet another impressive aspect of Huawei, and with support from the "Australian Governments New Colombo Plan Mobility programme, the ATN and Huawei will increase the total number of students travelling over the next three years to 75, allowing more students to experience working life at a global ICT giant".

Huawei Australia chairman John Lord said: Through Huaweis Seeds for the Future program, students will gain first hand multinational experience within the ICT sector, while learning how to be effective in a multicultural environment like Shenzhen.

We hope this investment in Australias high-tech future will inspire these bright young minds to drive the industry of tomorrow. Were extremely proud to be working with ATN and the Federal Government in an effort to identify tomorrows leaders within the Australian ICT sector."

ATN executive director Renee Hindmarsh said: "The ATNs five Universities, one door approach to industry collaboration has allowed for students to engage and fully immerse themselves in a multi-faceted programme. Our partnership with Huawei and the Australian Government will give these high achievers invaluable hands-on experience within their chosen disciplines and assist them in their future careers."

Since 2013, Huawei Australia notes having "provided over 50 Australian undergraduates with the opportunity to learn about China and to experience Huaweis dynamic global business  an invaluable opportunity to any tertiary student wanting to gain international experience."

Programme alumnus Grant Kennedy, one of the 12 selected students in 2016, said, "This trip allowed me to experience China first-hand and has provided me with a greater understanding of Chinese culture and customs. I am also grateful for the opportunity to gain experience in the fields of networking and telecommunications with Huawei.

"The training of fixed and mobile networking, with the resources provided by Huawei, is unobtainable at university. I leave China with new ICT skills which I would not have been able to gain otherwise. I believe that this valuable experience will give me an edge over other engineers in what has become an increasingly competitive scene."

The full list of students selected to participate in Huaweis 2017 Seeds for the Future delegation includes:

Aditya Prabhakara (RMIT)

Alex Case (RMIT)

Genevieve Houghton (RMIT)

Joshua Schoenmaker (RMIT)

Tanan Hawkins (RMIT)

Marcela Klocher (RMIT)

Sammie Duong (RMIT)

Nikil Kathiravan (UniSA)

Oliver Cavies (UniSA)

Eloise LEstrange (QUT)

Emma Anderson (QUT)

Jenny Nguyen (QUT)

James Skidmore (QUT)

Christopher Doran (QUT)

Thomas Reidy (QUT)

Sweeta Chand (UTS)

Johny Young Li (UTS)

Matthew Rabjones (Curtin University)

Stanley Su (Curtin University)

Herman Oliver (Curtin University)

Corey Smith (JCU)

Keisha Battistin (JCU)

Wilson Bow (JCU)

Aliesha Smith (JCU)

More information about Huaweis Seeds for the Future programme is at Huawei's global website here.
eftpos payments are now available on Android Pay, with ANZ and Cuscal being "the first Australian financial institutions to make the service available to eftpos-only cardholders".

eftpos acting chief executive Paul Jennings said eftpos on Android Pay would "provide eftpos mobile payments to cardholders, with secure access to their own money in real time and less likelihood of being surcharged".

The service will use "Australias first domestic Token Service Provider (TSP) for increased security, by removing confidential consumer card data from the eftpos payment network and replacing it with a unique payment token".

The eftpos TSP, which was built in partnership with Rambus, "enables eftpos to generate and manage its own payment tokens, facilitating secure digital payment experiences for eftpos cardholders".

We're told that the technology provides "additional benefits to consumers when faced with a lost or stolen mobile phone or card. The user is able to disable mobile payments quickly, without needing to cancel the physical card itself".

ANZ and eight Cuscal-sponsored credit unions and banks are offering customers the choice of using eftpos on Android Pay, including Peoples Choice Credit Union, Sydney Credit Union, Woolworths Employees Credit Union, CUA, Nexus Mutual, and FCCS.

Jennings said: Almost two million cardholders will now have the capability to make eftpos payments on their Android mobile devices. This will bring the convenience of secure, in store mobile payments to many Australians for the first time.

We are thrilled to team up with Google, ANZ and Cuscal to provide customers with access to their own money via their Android mobiles at the shops, with added benefits such as the ability to track their bank balances in real time.

So, how do you use the service?

Cardholders simply need to download Android Pay at the Google Play Store and follow the prompts.

Pali Bhat, vice-president of Product Management, Payments, Google, said: "We're excited to bring the security and simplicity of mobile payments via eftpos for Android device owners in Australia.

"Using Android Pay is more secure  and much faster  than rummaging through your wallet for a plastic card. Thats why we've worked with eftpos to enable Android Pay at almost 800,000 contactless payment terminals in Australia where people can seamlessly Tap & Pay with eftpos using their Android devices."

Adding his comments on the new mobile payment option is ANZ managing director of Products, Bob Belan, who said: This is great news for our eftpos cards customers who can now also use Android Pay to easily make secure payments at contactless terminals.

Our customers are using mobile payments in growing numbers, and we are pleased be working with eftpos in offering this capability to even more ANZ cardholders before the end of the year.

Cuscals general manager Product and Service, Robert Bell, said: Weve partnered with eftpos and Google to ensure that our clients eftpos cardholders now have the convenience of paying via their Android phones.

"This adds to our large portfolio of leading digital payment solutions. Cuscal enables multiple financial institutions to compete and lead in payments solutions. We provide our clients customers choice in the way they want to pay.
Explosive allegations by the whistleblower website WikiLeaks that the CIA had devised a means to impersonate exfiltration attempts from computers infected with its malware implants as being from Kaspersky Lab have been largely ignored by the mainstream US and tech media.

Organisations like The New York Times  the so-called newspaper of record  the Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal, all of which ran stories in October linking Kaspersky Lab to Russian government hackers based on anonymous sources made no mention of the WikiLeaks disclosure which was made on Thursday US time.

There was no mystery about the source here  it was all laid out neatly by an organisation that has never had to retract any material it has released over many years because it was incorrect.

Tech sites like ZDNet, CNET and Ars Technica also steered clear of the story. Sites like Motherboard and Bleeping Computer covered the WikiLeaks release of the source code for a CIA malware control application, part of the release about Kaspersky, but ignored the Kaspersky angle altogether.

The Register, a British site, was one of the better-known sites tothe story and focus on the Kaspersky angle. Beta News was

The fact that the CIA is trying to pin its infiltration attempts on a private company  which has been made a scapegoat for the current reds-under-the-bed scare in the US  was ignored by these media outlets because it does not serve the narrative that they seek to spread.

Though journalists are often claimed to be following stories because of the news angle, this case has exposed many among both the general and tech media who make such claims.

Instead, they have been exposed as partisan hacks who are inclined to follow a yarn only when it matches their jingoistic narrative.

Had WikiLeaks released anything claiming that the FSB, Russia's replacement for the KGB, was doing anything similar, we would have been drowned in headlines, social media posts and broadcasts, both on TV and radio. Not to mention YouTube and other streaming media sites. Every politician, including those who have been living on government pensions for the last 10 years, would have issued a statement.

In the end, what a senator from Russia said proved to be true. Konstantin Kosachev, chairman of the International Affairs Committee of the Federation Council, the upper chamber of the Russian parliament, was quoted as saying: "This was supposed to be a worldwide sensation. But it never will. All [officials] and the media will keep their mouths shut."

It doesn't speak very highly of so-called liberal publications in allegedly democratic countries when a Russian politician's criticism proves to be prophetic.
The Australian arm of global technology infrastructure for audio on demand and podcasts provider Acast has appointed Guy Scott-Wilson to the role of content director.

Scott-Wilson, a trained journalist, joins Acast Australia with 10 years experience working in the commercial side of the industry, firstly at London's Dennis Publishing and more recently as Partnership Director at Allure Media in Sydney.

Acast, which launched in Australia in February 2017 and claims more than two million listens, says Scott-Wilson will be instrumental in leading its content strategy to help set the foundations for future growth.

Henrik Isaksson, country manager, Acast Australia said, After a robust search and selection process, Im delighted to announce Guy is joining our team at Acast in Australia. Guy brings a high level of global and local expertise in the content development and publishing field and will be an asset as we head into this exciting era.

Guy will play an important role in our business because, above all, were focused on helping local Aussie podcast providers monetise content and give listeners an enjoyable place to discover it.

Isaksson said the role would see Scott-Wilson help Acast continue to expand the platforms presence and build its content strategy locally to replicate the leadership the business holds in other markets.

Guy will ensure local content creators can tap into rich data to help them grow and monetise their audiences.

Im thrilled to be joining Acast, such an exciting platform in this rapidly growing content channel. I'm fortunate enough to have spent my entire career in businesses that care deeply about the quality of their content. And in joining Acast, I'm joining a platform that is going to lead the industry for many years to come," said Scott-Wilson.

In a world where so much content competes for our attention and finds us via social media, podcasts offer an opt-in experience that still emphasises great storytelling, and for me that is extremely exciting.

Australia has some unique voices and amazing stories to tell, which will resonate with both local and global audiences. I cant wait to start working with Australias many excellent podcasters and help them to find new audiences and monetise their content more effectively.
There has been a call for a new Australian cyber military industrial strategy, independent of the United States, so that Australia can be prepared for major war.

The call comes from UNSW Canberra Professor Greg Austin, acting director of the Australian Centre for Cyber Security at the University of New South Wales, who warns that Australia cannot count on significant operational support from its major ally to defend against a complex cyber attack in wartime.

Professor Austins comments come in the wake of a report on the economic impact of rapidly changing geopolitical events launched by Christopher Pyne, Federal Minister for Defence Industry, on Monday.

"A number of specialists agree that the Americans will be too busy defending not only their own networks, but tens of thousands of unique computerised systems in deployed weapons platforms, and in outer space, Professor Austin explains.

In the report, Professor Austin writes notes that the Australian Defence Force is on the cusp of a revolution as it prepares to reorganise for cyber-enabled warfare; and the Australian cyber security industry is set for significant growth.

But, in a criticism, Professor Austin says that the military shake-up comes two decades late, and the country faces some security penalties because of the delay.

He calls for a national innovation strategy which he says is needed to keep Australia at the forefront of international best practice in cyber technologies that can be applied in war.

According to the UNSW academic, this includes not only a military strategy for cyber-enabled warfare, but a strategy for sovereign cyber war capability and cyber survivability in a time of direct military confrontation with a major power.

Professor Austin highlights the need for a renovation of military institutions, training and education for cyber warfare to achieve this, as well as necessary investments in niche technologies and research capabilities".

The world is at the dawn of the cyber age and highly consequential military technologies are continuing to emerge at fast speed, he says.

Professor Austins complete assessment is contained in the CEDA publication, "Australias Place in the World".
NBN Co chief executive Bill Morrow is about to address the Global Broadband Futures conference in Sydney, which brings together an acclaimed line-up of international telecom executives.

iTWire is at the Global Broadband Futures conference this morning, and is recording all of the presentations, and these will be published during the course of the day.

UPDATE: All the presentations on the day have been recorded on video and can be seen here.

Speakers at the event include: Mike McTighe, chairman of UK network operator Openreach; Bruno Jacobfeuerborn, chief technology officer of Deutsche Telekom; Byungki Oh, vice-president of Global Development at Korea Telecom; and Jeff Finkelstein, executive director of Advanced Technology of US cable operator Cox Communications.

We're told that these companies "will discuss how they are delivering next-generation broadband networks in their countries to meet the growing demands of end users".

As you'd expect, NBN Co says it has "a unique view to share in terms of the complexity of its build and the technology it will use to deliver universal access to every Australian by 2020".

Morrow said: We are very proud to be part of the Global Broadband Futures conference, this is a really important event for the local broadband industry.

"We continue to learn from our peers around the world and share our insights. Having these experts in the country allows us to learn from one another and make sure we deliver for Australia in the best way possible.

It is so important for Australians to hear the facts about what is going on in the rest of the global broadband market.

The reality is that the vast majority of countries around the world are adopting the same approach as nbn and deploying a range of technologies to deliver improved services, the significant difference being scale.

For Australians to be able to hear that message from some of the leading telecom operators in the world will be extremely valuable in a noisy, often misinformed environment.
Blockchain sounds like a way to keep boats anchored, which isn't a bad analogy, considering what the technology purports to do.

While some IT experts herald it as a groundbreaking way of creating a distributed, unchangeable record of transactions, others question the nascent technology's usefulness in the enterprise, which has traditionally relied on centrally-administered databases to secure digital records.

Even so, companies are moving fast to try and figure out how they can use it to save time and money. And IT vendors are responding to customers calls for info, with some already looking to include it as part of their services.

What is blockchain? First and foremost, Blockchain is a public electronic ledger -- similar to a relational database -- that can be openly shared among disparate users and that creates an unchangeable record of their transactions, each one time-stamped and linked to the previous one.

Each digital record or transaction in the thread is called a block (hence the name), and it allows either an open or controlled set of users to participate in the electronic ledger. Each block is linked to a specific participant.

Blockchain can only be updated by consensus between participants in the system, and when new data is entered, it can never be erased. The blockchain contains a true and verifiable record of each and every transaction ever made in the system.

Why is blockchain suddenly getting so much buzz? In a word, Bitcoin. Bitcoin is a wildly hyped cryptocurrency, a method of transacting payments over an open network using digital bits and encryption. It was the first ever decentralized one when it was created in 2009.

The term bitcoin was first... well, coined in 2008 when Satoshi Nakamoto wrote a paper about a "peer-to-peer version of electronic cash [that] would allow online payments to be sent directly from one party to another without going through a financial institution."

OK, so what exactly does blockchain do? As a peer-to-peer network, combined with a distributed time-stamping server, blockchain databases can be managed autonomously. There's no need for an administrator. In effect, the users are the administrator.

What industries are using it? According to Angus Champion de Crespigny, Ersnt & Young's Blockchain Leader, the technology is seen has being well suited to propagate security policies and identity access management.

The fact that each blockchain record contains a unique cryptographic hash that is used to track that block, as well as others in the associated chain, means the data cannot be modified, making it perfect for record keeping and auditing purposes.

Financial services (see Bitcoin) has been the first industry to jump on board the blockchain wagon. But other industries -- such as healthcare -- have been quick to explore its use, too.

For example, IBM Watson Health and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are exploring using blockchain for secure patient data exchange, including sensitive electronic medical records, clinical trials and data culled from mobile devices and wearables.

While its still early days, de Crespigny noted that more vendors are producing business-specific products, "which is really what's needed."

How can it help those industries? Blockchain eliminates huge amounts of recordkeeping, which can get very confusing when there are multiple parties involved on a transaction, according to Saurabh Gupta, vice president of strategy at IT services company Genpact. "Blockchain and distributed ledgers may eventually be the method for integrating the entire commercial world's record keeping," Gupta said in an email to Computerworld.

Genpact, for example, just released a service for finance and accounting that leverages blockchain-based smart contracts to capture all terms and conditions between a customer and an organization for an order.

Accenture recently released a report that claimed blockchain technology could reduce infrastructure costs for eight of the world's 10 largest investment banks by an average of 30%, "translating to $8 billion to $12 billion in annual cost savings for those banks."

The Bank of England is considering ways that it can use blockchain for payments, clearing and settlement.

In another example, Acronis introduced blockchain technology in its True Image 2017 data backup software. The blockchain platform is used as a data certification and verification element -- a type of electronic document signing or notary service.

Are there drawbacks to using it? The same thing that makes blockchain attractive, its distributed nature, also makes it a potential security threat. In the enterprise, centralized control can translate into security. With blockchain, which is decentralized, the technology works best when information sharing is a necessity across multiple, often disparate, parties.

Central control, as in a single administrator, can also be a double-edged sword since a single point of control is also a single point of failure, according to Serguei Beloussov, CEO of Acronis. While Beloussov himself believes blockchain is secure, he has several computer scientists on his staff that believe it's not -- and say it can be penetrated.

Then there's Satoshi Nakamoto. That could be one person's name or a pseudonym for a group of developers -- no one appears to know for sure. But Nakamoto holds one million bitcoins, or the equivalent to $1.1 billion. That has led some in Beloussov's company to speculate that the whole thing could be a giant Ponzi scheme, though there's no evidence to indicate that.

Has the encryption ever been broken? No. "That's not how this sort of thing will get broken. It'll get broken because of some insecurity in the software," said Bruce Schneier, a cryptographer and security expert. Schneier was referring to the fact that that there are many versions of blockchain, such as Ethereum, a custom-built platform that was introduced in 2013 by then 19-year-old developer Vitalik Buterin. Additionally, vendors such as Microsoft and IBM have introduced blockchain capabilities in their software and services.

Alex Tapscott, the CEO and founder of Northwest Passage Ventures, a venture capital firm that invests in blockchain technology companies, said while no system is "unhackable," blockchain's simple topology is the most secure today.

"In order to move anything of value over any kind of blockchain, the network [of nodes] must first agree that that transaction is valid, which means no single entity can go in and say one way or the other whether or not a transaction happened. To hack it you wouldnt just have to hack one system like in a bank youd have to hack every single computer on that network, which is fighting against you doing that."

The computing resources of most blockchains are tremendous, Tapscott pointed out in an online interview, because its not just one computer but many computers. For example, the Bitcoin blockchain harnesses anywhere between 10 and 100 times as much computing power compared with all of Googles serving farms put together.

"So again, not unhackable, but significantly better than anything weve come up with today," Tapscott said.

Are there different blockchain permutations? Yes. There are several general uses for blockchain platforms. There are public blockchains, which allow anyone to see or send transactions as long as they're part of the consensus process There are consortium blockchains, where only a pre-selected number of nodes are authorized to use the ledger. For example, a group of banks and their clearinghouse might use blockchain as part of the trade-clearing where each node is associated with a step in the verification process.

And there are private blockchains, where the ability to write to a ledger is restricted to a single organization.

Where does it go from here? Regardless of who developed it, businesses should always take a pragmatic approach when adopting any new technology, according to Gupta.

"You can't ignore it, but you can't just blindly adopt a new technology. The key is to see if it makes sense for your business problem," Gupta said.

Blockchain is currently emerging from concept to reality as products that use it are just now coming to market.

There are, however, more than 15 blockchain distributed ledger platforms being developed in parallel, with specialist applications on top of them, according to Gupta. The industry will need some standardization to encourage widespread adoption.

"Such challenges are common with new technologies," he said, "and even with this concerns, blockchain is seeing a lot of interest."

This story, "FAQ: What is blockchain and how can it help business?" was originally published by Computerworld .
The European Unions General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) goes into effect in May 2018, which means that any organization doing business in or with the EU has six months from this writing to comply with the strict new privacy law. The GDPR applies to any organization holding or processing personal data of E.U. citizens, and the penalties for noncompliance can be stiff: up to 20 million (about $24 million) or 4 percent of annual global turnover, whichever is greater. Organizations must be able to identify, protect, and manage all personally identifiable information (PII) of EU residents even if those organizations are not based in the EU.

Some vendors are offering tools to help you prepare for and comply with the GDPR. What follows is a representative sample of tools to assess what you need to do for compliance, implement measures to meet requirements, and maintain compliance once you reach it.

GDPR assessment tools

Snow Software GDPR Risk Assessment identifies more than 23,000 application versions that hold or transmit personal data. It also provides visibility of devices, users and applications, whether on premises, in the cloud or mobile. Passive scanning means agents do not have to be installed on endpoints. It can flag devices that do not have appropriate GDPR security controls so that the organization knows where its data is, who is using it and how it is protected.

The International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) and TRUSTe GDPR Readiness Assessment tool is available as a special single-user version of the TRUSTe Assessment Manager. Created for IAPP members, it contains more than 60 questions mapped to key GDPR requirements and produces a gap analysis with recommended steps for remediation. The assessment tool is cloud-based and does not require a software download; IAPP members can activate a free account. It integrates with a variety of existing applications and hosting environments, including Amazon Web Services and Alibaba Cloud.

The DB Networks DBN-6300 is a security appliance using artificial intelligence and deep protocol analysis to give visibility into database infrastructure activities. It also non-intrusively discovers databases containing PII and connected applications, and automatically maps how the information is being processed. The DBN-6300 performs passive scanning on a network terminal access point rather than using active scanning, which can miss undocumented databases. It is available as a physical appliance or in an Open Virtualization Format (OVF) and supports database management systems including Oracle server, Microsoft SQL Server, and SAP Sybase ASE. The virtual machine supports VMware vSwitch, dvSwitch, and a software-defined network (SDN) platform configured to allow network tapping.

Opus Globals Third-Party Compliance software as a service (SaaS) solution moves assessment into the supply chain by identifying third parties with whom their customers personal data is shared. Questionnaires about data security controls are automatically sent to third-party users. The tool analyzes responses to determine whether they comply with GDPR requirements and provides recommendations for remediation. This allows the organization to fully document who has access to covered data and how it is protected. This SaaS solution requires no hardware, software, or IT infrastructure.

GDPR implementation tools

Secureprivacy.ai is an automated consent management solution to make websites compliant with GDPR requirements for obtaining informed consent from users for collection and use of data. It also allows them to opt out. Once installed, the Secureprivacy.ai script provides granular page-by-page notifications for the appropriate opt-in and opt-out requirements. Screenshots are saved to document user consent and are available through a dashboard. The solution is formatted for both desktop and mobile devices and includes a plugin for users of WordPress. Documentation includes the user IP address and location and can be easily exported for business and regulatory uses.

Datum Information Value Management for GDPR is a special edition of its information governance software that is preconfigured with GDPR base processes, rules, standards, templates, and frameworks. It aligns an organizations data with regulatory requirements, identifying the data that is covered under the EU privacy rules and the capabilities and controls that are required. The tool discovers the data and how it is used and maps it to the organizations governance process. This allows data to be used and shared with stakeholders across the organization within the requirements of the privacy regulations, and documents compliance for regulators.

SAS for Personal Data Protection creates a unified environment with a single user interface for accessing and managing data. It allows organizations to access, identify, govern, protect, and audit personal data so that they can comply with GDPR requirements that personal data must not only be protected, but must be removed upon request. This combination of SAS software and services allows organizations to blend data types from multiple sources such as Oracle, Apache, and Hadoop, identifying personal data in structured and unstructured sources. Its data governance features enforce policies and protect data through role-based masking and encryption that secures sensitive information while at rest and in use.

Neupart Secure GDPR is based on the companys Secure ISMS security management system. Added features designed for companies to implement and maintain GDPR processes include templates, data protection and impact assessment tools, data breach notification capability, and gap analysis to track your current compliance status. It also provides a data protection officer (DPO) dashboard so DPOs have a single view of key compliance areas.

Neo4j is a graph solution that provides visibility into the organizations data and the connections between and among data. Personal data can reside in many applications at many locations across the enterprise and in the cloud, and must be protected and managed in all locations. Organizations must be able to track data through its lifecycle, from its acquisition through use to removal. To track and control the data, connections among multiple systems and data silos must be understood. The Neo4j native graph database provides this visibility, together with analytics and data integration. It is available either as a download or an online tool.

Aircloak Insights allows organizations to make use of protected data by anonymizing it for analysis so that the results can be shared without restrictions under GDPR. The solution consists of two pieces of software (the Air web frontend and the Cloak anonymization engine) running on two Docker containers for virtualization on Windows and Linux. It works with most popular databases, including a large set of SQL databases.

GDPR maintenance tools

BigID BigOps is a scanning tool that uses machine learning to continuously track changes in PII across the production and development environments in the data center or cloud. Machine learning allows the software to understand known personal data and its contexts, and then discover and catalog all personal data across the data stores. It integrates with automation frameworks such as Jenkins to monitor changes to the data across the development lifecycle, helping to ensure that it remains in compliance with GDPR requirements. It also helps with requirements for data breach response by allowing an organization to compare its data with that in a purloined data dump to determine within minutes if there has been a breach.

OneTrust privacy management software platform automates tasks to enable continued compliance with GDPR requirements for website cookies and maintenance of subject request portals. OneTrust conducts ongoing scans of an organizations web pages to identify and categorize cookies and provides a transparent mechanism for obtaining required cookie consents. The cookie compliance solution includes continuous scanning against a database of 5.5 million cookies. Organizations also can use OneTrust to create a portal and branded web form to deal with user requests for managing PII under GDPR. It can track and document user requests and the organizations response.

FileCloud is known as a enterprise file sharing and syncing platform. It now offers features to ease tasks associated with some GDPR requirements. Privacy settings make it easier to ask users for consent while accessing content from the cloud. Administrator tools allow for the deletion or anonymization of PII for right to be forgotten requests, or to reply to requests for PII that a company has on an individual. FileCloud also addresses the data portability requirement with the ability to export in standard formats.

Loom Systems Sophie for GDPR, which Loom describes as an algorithmic IT operations (AIOps) tool, uses artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze logs and unstructured machine data for immediate visibility into the IT environments. The product has a Find my PII feature that automates the collection of sensitive logs. This makes it easier to comply with GDPRs right to be forgotten mandate, as it allows you to quickly locate and delete personal data when a request to remove is received.
For some people, Google controls most of their identity online, and losing access to that critical account could be devastating. A recent study from Google and UC Berkeley examined the various ways accounts are compromised, and determined that phishing attacks  not data breaches  pose the most risk to users when it comes to lost access.

Google's study lasted a year, from March 2016 until March 2017, and looked to better understand how attackers take over accounts. While phishing, keylogging, and data breaches impact everyone, Google focused on themselves as the case study.

[ Check out these 11 phishing prevention tips for best technology practices, employee education and social media smarts. | Get the latest from CSO by signing up for our newsletters. ]

"What we learned from the research proved to be immediately useful," two of the study's authors, Kurt Thomas and Angelika Moscicki, explained. In fact, the data helped secure some 67 million Google accounts before they could be abused.

Google's study includes data taken from 25,000 malicious tools used for phishing and keylogging, which enabled the researchers to identify 788,000 compromised credentials due to keyloggers; 12 million credentials compromised via phishing; and 3.3 billion credentials exposed due to data breaches.

Google said the majority of those using phishing kits and keyloggers to compromise credentials are concentrated in Nigeria, followed by the United States, Morocco, South Africa, United Kingdom, and Malaysia.

That finding hits close to home. Recently, CSO has been tracking a number of Office 365 phishing attacks, which use compromised accounts to further their reach. Many of the attacks that landed in our inboxes can be sourced back to Nigeria.

While some phishing kits are basic, they serve an essential function; namely, they often lead users to believe there is a problem, and look just convincing enough to fool someone into sharing their password and other identifying information.

Some of the phishing kits observed by Google were collecting additional details, including IP address, device make and model, phone numbers, and location  things Google might request for ID verification.

Data collected by Google shows that 80-percent of all the phishing kits observed targeted usernames, passwords, and geolocation; followed by phone numbers and device details. A smaller subset of the phishing kits also targeted secret questions, full names, credit card data, and Social Security Numbers.

For this reason, Google explained, it was determined that phishing posed the greatest threat, followed closely by keylogging.

Based on the data, Google said that only seven percent of the passwords exposed by a data breach were still being used by their users, compared to 12 or 25-percent of the passwords exposed by phishing or keylogging.

As such, in the grand scheme of things, while having a large impact on services where password reuse is common, data breaches ranked last.

During the study's timeline, Google determined that, unfortunately, most users who fell victim to a phishing attack remained unaware that their account was at risk. However, one upside to the data collected is that most victims are only impacted once, as only two percent of those in the dataset were successfully phished a second time.

Taking all of the data into account, Gmail, followed by Yahoo and Hotmail respectively, were the top three domains for phishing and keylogging victims. A majority of the phishing victims reside in the United States, while the keylogging victims are mostly in Brazil and India.

Ranked in order, Google's study shows that Gmail, Yahoo, and Hotmail were the top brands impersonated, followed by workspace email accounts, Dropbox, Google Drive, DocuSign, ZoomInfo, Office 365, and AOL.

The study also makes note that while two-factor authentication would help mitigate problems associated with phishing, there are serious hurdles to wide-adoption, including ease of use, recovery from loss, and getting consumers to trust third-parties.

Google presented their findings during the Conference on Computer and Communications Security (CCS), a full copy is available online.
Despite a state budget crunch and a push to lower property taxes, Nebraska lawmakers will likely face another debate over income taxes in next year's session.

Key lawmakers say they're hopeful they can reach a compromise on a package and overcome the sharp divide that kept them from passing any major tax measures earlier this year.

A proposal to reduce income tax rates and slow the growth of property taxes stalled this year after rural senators argued that it didn't provide enough benefit to agricultural landowners. Some urban lawmakers noted most of the savings would go to the wealthy and warned it could harm future budgets. Supporters noted that the income tax cuts would only apply following years in which the state collected excess revenue.

"There's no room for 'My way or the highway,'" said Sen. Jim Smith of Papillion, the Revenue Committee chairman who has advocated for income tax cuts. "Unless we can find compromise, the votes are simply not going to be there."

Smith said he's concerned that the state relies too heavily on agriculture to drive its economy and needs to diversify with other industries. State officials say low commodity prices are partially to blame for state revenue that has fallen short of expectations, leaving the state with a projected $195 million shortfall.

The plan lawmakers debated this year would have lowered Nebraska's top personal and corporate income tax brackets, adjusted the way agricultural land is valued for tax purposes, capped statewide property tax growth and expanded the earned income tax credit for low-income residents.

Some groups question whether lawmakers will pass anything this year. One leading business organization, the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry, will advocate for income tax cuts, but a spokesman said they're more likely to score victories on job training legislation.

Many residents have a stronger negative reaction to property taxes because they pay them directly, whereas most income taxes are deducted from paychecks and aren't as readily noticed, said Jamie Karl, the group's vice president for public affairs and policy.

"Part of what we're facing here is an education process," he said. "I can tell you to the penny how much I paid in property taxes on my house for the last three years. I can't tell you what my income tax was."

Karl said his group has hosted more than two dozen fall forums throughout the state for businesses, and the state's tax rates ranked as a top concern, second only to a workforce shortage. Workforce problems are a longer-term issue, he said.

Sen. Curt Friesen of Henderson, a farmer and Revenue Committee member, said he's optimistic lawmakers will find an agreement, but argued that any income tax package would also have to reduce property taxes. Property taxes on agricultural land increased nearly 164 percent between 2006 and 2016, according to the Nebraska Department of Revenue.

Friesen said any changes will likely have to be phased in over years.

"If I can get a property tax deal, I'll take it any way I can get it," he said.

Speaker of the Legislature Jim Scheer said he will continue to enforce his requirement that senators disclose how they plan to pay for any measures that cost money or reduce state revenue.

Scheer, of Norfolk, said lawmakers may be willing to approve a tax cut that goes into effect once revenues improve, but next year's expected shortfall will make it difficult to pass anything more ambitious.

"My best guess would be that if they bring legislation with an immediate impact, it would not have an opportunity to pass," he said. "I don't know how you'd fund it."
Reddit Email 58 Shares

By Alfred W. McCoy | ( Tomdispatch.com) |  

After nine months of confusion, chaos, and cascading tweets, Donald Trumps White House has finally made one thing crystal clear: the U.S. is staying in Afghanistan to fight and  so they insist  win. The killers need to know they have nowhere to hide, that no place is beyond the reach of American might, said the president in August, trumpeting his virtual declaration of war on the Taliban. Overturning Barack Obamas planned (and stalled) drawdown in Afghanistan, Secretary of Defense James Mattis announced that the Pentagon would send 4,000 more soldiers to fight there, bringing American troop strength to nearly 15,000.

In October, as that new mini-escalation was ramping up, the CIA leaked to the New York Times news of a complementary covert surge with lethal drone strikes and highly experienced Agency paramilitary teams being dispatched to hunt and kill Taliban guerrillas, both ordinary fighters and top officials. This is unforgiving, relentless, intoned CIA Director Mike Pompeo, promising a wave of extrajudicial killings reminiscent of the Agencys notorious Phoenix Program during the Vietnam War. CIA paramilitary officers, reported the Times, will lead Special Forces operatives, both Afghan and American, in expanded counterterrorism operations that, in the past, have been accused of indiscriminately killing Afghan civilians. In short, its game on in Afghanistan.

After 16 years of continuous war in that country, the obvious question is: Does this new campaign have any realistic chance of success, no less victory? To answer that, another question must be asked: How has the Taliban managed to expand in recent years despite intensive U.S. operations and a massive air campaign, as well as the endless and endlessly expensive training of Afghan security forces? After all, the Afghan War is not only the longest in U.S. history, but also one of the largest, peaking at 101,000 American troops in country during President Obamas surge of 2010-2011.

Thinking About the Taliban

Americans have been hearing about the Taliban for so long that most fail to appreciate just how relentless that movements growth has been in recent years. In the wake of the 9/11 terror attacks, the Bush White House unleashed a lethal combination of U.S. airpower and CIA-funded Afghan warlords to crush the fundamentalist Taliban and capture the Afghan capital, Kabul, with stunning speed. Not only was that Islamist movement and its government defeated, but it lost so many dedicated militants to those devastating air attacks that it was seemingly smashed beyond repair or revival. Nonetheless, within five years, the Taliban was back in force, already fielding 25,000 fighters. By 2015, it was in control of more than half the countryside, had captured district capitals, and was even pounding at the gates of major provincial cities like Kunduz.

As with any movement, there are multiple reasons for the Talibans success, including the failure of the government in Kabul  a cesspit of corruption  to deliver anything like rural prosperity, the countrys martial tradition of fighting foreign occupiers, and Pakistans sub-rosa support, as well as the wide-open sanctuaries in its tribal backlands along the Afghan border. But there is one other factor, more fundamental than all the rest: the opium poppy.

The Taliban guerrillas are, like many insurgent armies, largely made up of teenagers who fight, at least in part, for cash to feed their families. Every spring for the past 15 years, as snow melts from mountain slopes across that country, new crops of such teenage recruits emerge from impoverished villages ready to take up arms for the rebel cause. Each of them reportedly makes at least $300 a month, far more than they could possibly hope to earn from the usual agricultural wages. In other words, it takes an estimated $90 million in salaries alone for the Taliban to field its 25,000 strong guerrilla army for a single fighting season. With an overall budget approaching a billion dollars annually, the cost of the insurgencys 15-year war rings in at something close to $15 billion.

So where, in that impoverished, arid land, has the Taliban been getting nearly a billion dollars a year? According to the U.S. commander in Afghanistan, General John Nicholson, a single Afghan province, Helmand, produces a significant amount of the opium globally that turns into heroin and provides about 60 percent of the Taliban funding. The countrys president, Ashraf Ghani, a former World Bank official, agrees. Without drugs, hes said, this war would have been long over. The heroin is a very important driver of this war.

The Talibans rise has paralleled the relentless growth of Afghanistans opium production from a mere 185 tons when the U.S. invaded in October 2001 to a still-unequalled yield of 8,200 tons in 2008, a harvest that provided an unprecedented 53% of the countrys gross domestic product and 93% of the worlds illicit heroin supply. That same year, the U.N. stated that Taliban guerrillas were extracting from the drug economy resources for arms, logistics, and militia pay. A study for the U.S. Institute of Peace also found that, in 2009, the Taliban already had 50 heroin labs in its territory and controlled 98% of the countrys poppy fields, collecting $425 million in taxes levied on the opium traffic.

By the time Obamas 2010 surge segued into an exit strategy four years later, observers were unanimous in their assessment that opium had become central to the Talibans survival. Despite a succession of drug eradication programs sponsored and funded by Washington, the Pentagons Special Inspector for Afghanistan Reconstruction, John Sopko, concluded in 2014 that, by every conceivable metric, weve failed. Production and cultivation are up, interdiction and eradication are down, financial support to the insurgency is up, and addiction and abuse are at unprecedented levels in Afghanistan.

The 2013 opium crop covered a record area of 209,000 hectares, bringing the harvest back up to a substantial 5,500 tons. This massive crop generated some $3 billion in illicit income, of which the Talibans tax alone took an estimated $320 million  almost half that movements revenues. The U.S. Embassy corroborated this dismal assessment, calling the illicit income a windfall for the insurgency, which profits from the drug trade at almost every level.

The Failure of Antinarcotics Efforts

As 2017 ends, with the White House poised for another four-year plunge into the Afghan abyss, has anything changed that might weaken the Taliban and so spare Washington from a defeat foretold? To answer this question, John Sopko has been armed with a Congressional mandate to probe all forms of failure there and already has five years of experience in this difficult mission. Recently, he drafted a scathing review of Washingtons failed 15-year effort to reduce Afghan opium production and thereby defeat the Taliban. This 150-page draft report, Counternarcotics: Lessons from Afghanistan, 2002-2016, depicts a drug-policy disaster only likely to ensure an ever-increasing income for the Taliban to fight an endless war. When read in tandem with the U.N.s annual opium surveys, Sopko provides ample evidence that Trumps decision to double down in that country is almost certainly doomed to failure.

Over the past 15 years, all counter-narcotics efforts by the U.S., Great Britain, and the U.N. have failed to slow the countrys drug production. Opium remains the countrys most valuable cash crop, says Sopko, worth around $3 billion per year at border prices. It provides, he adds, up to 411,000 full time equivalent jobs, more than the number of people employed by the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces.

Despite the expenditure of nearly $9 billion on its counter-narcotics efforts in Afghanistan, Washington has presided over what Sopko calls a dramatic expansion of opium poppy cultivation from less than 8,000 hectares grown in 2001 to 200,000 hectares in 2016. By then, the opium crop represented more than two-thirds of the countrys agricultural output. Meanwhile, 11% of the population is now estimated to be using illicit drugs, one of the worlds highest addiction rates.

The U.N.s crop survey for 2016, compiled by hundreds of Afghan enumerators who regularly walked through the poppy fields  and corroborated by sophisticated satellite imagery  adds yet more somber strokes to this picture. That year, at 5,600 tons the opium harvest was again up substantially (by 43%). In the same period, opium eradication efforts fell by 91% to a mere 355 hectares of the crop destroyed, or less than 2% of all illegal poppy fields in the country.

Since the start of its intervention in 2001, Washington and its drug war allies have tried every possible counter-narcotics option. All, without exception, have failed. The bulk of the U.S. budget ($4.3 billion) was allocated to interdiction efforts, but ample funds were left for more experimental approaches, none of which seem to have worked.

As much as Washingtons drug policies failed, the U.N. efforts were, in Inspector Sopkos view, even less effective. During the first decade following its 2001 invasion, Washington was obsessed with counterterror operations and so outsourced the drug war to others. It delegated opium suppression to the British and police training for interdiction to the Germans. In this critical period, the U.N. Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) maneuvered to fill the leadership void.

In what was then seen as a clever political gambit, the U.N. argued, according to Sopkos report, that it was necessary to destroy 25 percent of the standing poppy crop each year in order to deter future planting, in the process justifying the employment of thousands of Afghan peasants to pull up poppy plants. Defending that crop suppression program, Antonio Maria Costa, the Soviet-trained Italian economist who then headed UNODC, declared, according to Sopko, that there was no relationship between poppy cultivation and poverty. From his high modernist headquarters in Vienna, Costa pledged to reduce poppy cultivation by 70 percent in five years and eliminate the crop altogether in ten years  a claim that soon proved laughable.

Near the start of Washingtons Afghan adventure in 2002, the U.S. military, the CIA, and the countrys American-supported president, Hamid Karzai, had little interest in or next to no knowledge of the drug problem. Other actors with far less power  the U.S. embassy in Kabul, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, the World Bank, and the European Commission, among others  all made periodic forays into antinarcotics work. Funds for such operations ebbed and flowed, while new initiatives were regularly launched without significant analysis of or thought about past policies.

In this chaotic process, as Sopko points out, interdiction efforts failed to fundamentally alter or impact the Afghan drug trade in a meaningful way. In 2017, poppy cultivation and opium production seemed destined to reach a record high and the Taliban continued to derive funding from the drug trade.

A Short-Lived Military Solution

Amid this succession of policy failures, only one program, in Sopkos view, had a discernible impact on drug production: the launching of a massive occupation of the countrys key southern opium districts by the U.S. military and the Afghans they were training. Checkpoints were set up at almost every road crossing. In Marjah, he reports, located in the opium poppy heartland of Helmand Province, the share of agricultural land dedicated to poppy was almost 60 percent prior to the major influx of U.S. and Afghan forces. After Operation Moshtarak, in which 15,000 U.S. Marines and the ANDSF [Afghan National Defense and Security Forces] occupied the district in February 2010, the amount of land dedicated to poppy fell to less than 5 percent. By the end of that year, 20,000 leathernecks in 50 fortified bases, backed by 10,000 British troops, had temporarily wrested control of the province from the Taliban guerrillas and checked the opium traffic that had sustained them.

Apart from their omnipresent checkpoints, the Marines also introduced the Marjah Accelerated Agricultural Transition program. It offered opium farmers an incentive package of cash, wheelbarrows, shovels, new water pumps, and all-important safe-conduct passes to move securely through this war zone. Despite the Talibans night letters forbidding locals from interacting with coalition forces, the Marines were encouraged that more than 1,000 local farmers signed up for the program.

In the end, however, it wasnt sustainable. Four years later in 2014, as American troop levels in the country were beginning to fall, General Daniel Yoo stood before his Marines at Camp Leatherneck in Helmand Province and announced that they would all soon be heading home, leaving the provinces security in the hands of their Afghan allies. I am cautiously optimistic that they will be able to sustain themselves, the general said, but theyve got to want it more than we do.

Within a year, the Taliban were back, stronger than ever. Amid a nationwide offensive, the guerrillas focused, above all, on recapturing the poppy heartlands of Helmand Province, because, as the New York Times put it, the lucrative opium trade made it crucial to the insurgents economic designs. By December 2015, after overrunning checkpoints and winning back much of the province, they came close to capturing Marjah itself. Had American Special Operations forces and airpower not intervened to relieve demoralized Afghan troops and police, the town would undoubtedly have fallen.

Farther north, in the fertile poppy fields astride the Helmand River system, insurgents captured most of Sangin district, forcing the retreat of government soldiers who, hobbled by the endemic corruption of their government and military, were reportedly fighting with lack of ammunition and on empty stomachs. By 2016, President Obama was forced to reverse his drawdown and launch a mini-surge of hundreds of new U.S. troops to deny insurgents the economic prize of the worlds most productive poppy fields.

Despite support from American airpower and 700 Special Operations troops, in February and March 2016 embattled government forces retreated from Musa Qala and Khan Neshin, leaving the Taliban largely in control of 10 of Helmands 14 districts. After 3,000 government troops died in that Taliban offensive, the remaining demoralized forces hunkered down inside provincial and district capitals, leaving the countryside and the opium crops that went with it to the heroin-funded guerrillas.

In the midst of all that fighting, Helmands farmers managed to expand their poppy cultivation to 80,000 hectares by 2016, which represented 40% of the entire countrys drug production.

Sophisticated Methodology

Not only did this problematic drug war fail to curtail the traffic, but it also alienated the rural residents the government so desperately needed to win over. Worse yet, in the end it actually encouraged illicit opium production  a frequent outcome in Washingtons worldwide drug war that I once called the stimulus of prohibition.

Using sophisticated satellite imagery, Sopkos team, for example, found a troubling disconnect between areas that received development aid from Washington or its allies and those that were subjected to opium eradication programs. In strategic Helmand and Nangarhar provinces, for instance, satellite photographs clearly reveal that the various drug eradication projects ripped through remote areas where the population was highly dependent on opium poppy for its livelihoods, rendering poor farmers destitute. The development aid was, however, lavished on more accessible, largely drug-free districts near major cities elsewhere in Afghanistan, leaving countless thousands of farmers in critical rural areas angry at the government and susceptible to Taliban recruitment.

Even liberal development alternatives to those rip-up-the-poppies programs, claims Sopko, only served to stimulate opium production in surprising ways. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), for instance, spent $36 million on irrigation for a showcase Food Zone project, meant to promote the growing of legal crops in southern Kandahar Province. As it happened, though, this important infrastructure program actually turned out to contribute to rising levels of opium poppy cultivation  an unintended outcome that could be seen in similar irrigation projects in provinces like Nangarhar, Badakhshan, and Kunar.

Next door to Kandahar in central Helmand Province, another Food Zone program initially helped reduce the opium crop by 60%. But as British agronomist David Mansfield reports, by the spring of 2017 an unprecedented proliferation of poppies covered up to 40% of the farmland targeted by that project; guerrillas were back in force; and farmers felt, as one put it, that the Taliban is better than the government; they dont ban poppy, they just ask for tax. By now, of course, given all the years of bungled anti-drug programs, Mansfield concludes that the Kabul government has little hope of wresting back control of central Helmand.

USAID programs that emphasized increased wheat production proved similarly counterproductive. With higher-yielding varieties and improved agricultural technologies, writes Sopko, households in the well-irrigated central valleys of rural Afghanistan would be able to meet their family wheat requirements with a smaller part of their land, allowing a larger area to be allocated to [the] high-value opium poppy.

An Uncertain Future

Corroborating Sopkos pessimism, a recent report by Mujib Mashal of the New York Times depicted the worsening Afghan drug situation as the product, in part, of Washingtons failed policies. Fueled by a booming opium harvest, the Taliban has recently expanded from poppy growing into large-scale heroin production with an estimated 500 labs refining the drug inside Afghanistan  part of a strategy aimed at capturing a greater share of the $60 billion generated globally by the countrys drug exports.

Out of the whole opium eradication project, the National Interdiction Unit, an Afghan outfit trained by U.S. Special Forces, is more or less whats left when it comes to hopes for reducing the traffic in drugs. Yet their nighttime helicopter interdiction raids on mobile, readily reconstructed heroin labs are proving futile and their chief, reports Mashal, was recently sacked for probably leaking information to hostile forces. U.S. military commanders now realize that local Taliban bosses, enriched by the heroin boom, have nothing to gain from further peace negotiations, which remain the only way of ending this endless war.

Meanwhile, the whole question of opium eradication has, according to Mashal, gotten surprisingly little attention in the Trump administrations new strategy for the Afghan war. It seems that U.S. counter-narcotics officials have come to accept a new reality with a sense of helplessness  that the country now supplies 85% of the worlds heroin and theres no end to this in sight.

So why has Americas ambitious $9 billion counter-narcotics program fallen into failure again and again? When such illegality corrupts a society as thoroughly as opium has Afghanistan, then drug trafficking comes to distort everything  giving even good programs bad outcomes and undoubtedly twisting Trumps headstrong plans for victory into certain defeat.

Think of the never-ending war in Afghanistan as Washingtons drug of choice of these last 16 years.

Alfred W. McCoy, a TomDispatch regular, is the Harrington professor of history at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is the author of the now-classic book The Politics of Heroin: CIA Complicity in the Global Drug Trade, which probed the conjuncture of illicit narcotics and covert operations over 50 years, and the recently published In the Shadows of the American Century: The Rise and Decline of U.S. Global Power (Dispatch Books).

Follow TomDispatch on Twitter and join us on Facebook. Check out the newest Dispatch Book, Alfred McCoys In the Shadows of the American Century: The Rise and Decline of U.S. Global Power, as well as John Dowers The Violent American Century: War and Terror Since World War II, John Feffers dystopian novel Splinterlands, Nick Turses Next Time Theyll Come to Count the Dead, and Tom Engelhardts Shadow Government: Surveillance, Secret Wars, and a Global Security State in a Single-Superpower World.

Copyright 2017 Alfred W. McCoy

Via Tomdispatch.com
Reddit Email 41 Shares

by Allan Sloan. | ( ProPublica) |  

The Republican proposal will not only allow them to pass millions (or billions) to their heirs without inheritance taxes, it will also add another benefit on top of that.

This column was co-published with The Washington Post.

There are times that you run across something thats so preposterous that its hard to believe its true. But in this case, it is.

Im talking about the multiple  and permanent  set of tax breaks that some of the Trump administrations mega-wealthy appointees and their heirs stand to get if the estate tax repeal in the House Republicans tax bill becomes law.

The appointees Im talking about are those with a net worth above $11 million (which is a lot of them) who sold assets that the Office of Government Ethics said would pose conflict-of-interest problems in their new gigs.

Combine the rules that cover such sales with terms of the proposed estate tax repeal, and these people get a multilevel, multigenerational bonanza. A gift that would keep on giving (and giving and giving).

I couldnt believe what I was reading, and figured that I might be overly eager to uncover gifts to the ultra-rich in the House tax cut bill, which is by no means tax reform because it hurts millions of taxpayers in my home state of New Jersey and other places that arent reliably Republican, but bestows plenty of breaks on big businesses and the rich. So I asked tax expert Bob Willens of Robert Willens LLC, whom Ive consulted for decades, to show me where I was making a mistake.

It turned out that Willens couldnt believe what he was reading, either, when he parsed the proposed estate tax repeal provisions. I had to read that about eight times, Willens told me. It defies description. Its unheard of. Its unbelievable.

Now, let me show you why. And why mega-wealthy Trump appointees and their heirs would get level after level after level of tax goodies, even more than regular rich people would get.

Under Section 1043 of the tax code, enacted in 1989, eligible federal appointees (such as an energy secretary who owns oil stocks) who sell conflict-posing assets and reinvest the proceeds in something permissible, such as an index mutual fund, dont owe any tax until the replacement asset is sold. At that point, they pay taxes on the total gain in, to use our example, the mutual fund they bought with the proceeds of the assets they had to sell. In other words, the only benefit they get under current law is a deferral in their capital gains taxes. They dont get to permanently escape taxes.

I have no problem with this tax deferral, by the way. I dont think people should have to shell out serious money in order to work for the government. If they happen to benefit by being able to diversify their portfolios on a tax-deferred basis, the way former ExxonMobil chief executive Rex Tillerson could diversify out of his Exxon stock and long-time Goldman Sachs executive Gary Cohn could diversify out of his Goldman holdings, that doesnt bother me, either.

Besides, until now people who have gotten very large Section 1043 tax deferrals have been almost certain to be wealthy enough to trigger estate tax  no, its not a death tax, it applies to only about 1 in 500 estates  when they die. Some 99.8 percent of estates dont pay tax because about $5.5 million of assets are exempt from estate tax for a single person, and about $11 million for a married couple.

Now, watch where the outrageous part comes in. Under current law, heirs have to pay estate tax based only on the value of the inherited assets on the day the person who bequeathed them died. They dont have to pay a penny on the assets gains while the dearly departed owned them. (The adjustment is known as a basis step-up in tax jargon.) But of course, the estate has to pay estate tax of 40 percent of the amount by which the inherited assets exceed the $5.5 million/$11 million threshold. The tax-free basis step-up allows heirs to avoid having to pay both capital gains tax and estate tax on the assets they inherit, which strikes me as a reasonable thing.

However, under the Republican plans estate tax repeal, not only would heirs collect everything tax-free, but they would also get a tax-free basis step-up in the assets they inherit. By contrast, when the estate tax was repealed for a year in 2010 as part of the George Bush tax cut bill, the step-up in basis was largely negated, which stopped heirs from getting a mega-windfall.

I assumed that would be the case in whatever plan the Republicans proposed this time. In fact, I predicted that in a January article that I wrote with Cezary Podkul, then a ProPublica colleague, currently a Wall Street Journal reporter.

We felt that even if the estate tax were repealed, the heirs of Donald Trumps appointees would be subject to capital gains tax when they sold the assets their benefactors had acquired to solve conflict-of-interest problems.

Besides, even Trump, who campaigned on eliminating the estate tax, wasnt proposing that heirs get a totally free ride. He was proposing something  details of which were never made clear  that seemed to involve estates paying capital gains tax on unrealized gains above $10 million.

That idea of taxing estates in any way seems to have disappeared entirely from Trumps public statements these days. And I realize now that I was naive to think that Trump might ever promote anything that might cost him or his family any money.

To return to where I started, Im just astounded by the multiple tax breaks Trump appointees and their heirs stand to get if the House version of estate tax repeal becomes law. So is Bob Willens, the tax expert.

You get to diversify tax-free, he said, a tone of wonder in his voice. Then you get to bequeath your portfolio tax-free. And the most amazing part is that your heirs get to step up their basis in the inherited assets tax-free.

A great deal for these people. A terrible deal for the rest of us, who would have to pick up the tab for it.

ProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom. Sign up for their newsletter.

Via ProPublica

-

Related video added by Juan Cole:

Elizabeth Warren & Bernie Sanders Break Down the GOP Tax Plan
Reddit Email 392 Shares

Middle East Monitor |  

Prince Charles has come under fire after it came to light that he blamed the influx of foreign Jews for causing unrest in the Middle East and called on the US to take on the Jewish lobby in a letter penned in 1986.

Writing to his friend Laurens van der Post, the Prince argued that the exodus of European Jews in the middle of the last century helped to cause the great problems in the Middle East.

I now appreciate that Arabs and Jews were all a Semitic people originally + it is the influx of foreign, European Jews (especially from Poland, they say) which has helped to cause the great problems, the Prince wrote in a letter published by the Daily Mail. He added:

I know there are so many complex issues, but how can there ever be an end to terrorism unless the causes are eliminated? Surely some US president has to have the courage to stand up and take on the Jewish lobby in the US? I must be naive, I suppose!

The letter was found in a public archive and was written on November 24, 1986, following an official visit the then-38-year-old Prince made to Saudia Arabia, Bahrain and Qatar with the late Princess Diana.

The Prince of Wales wrote that the tour was fascinating and that he had learned a lot about the Middle East and Arab outlook.

A Clarence House spokesperson said in a statement that the opinions expressed in the 1986 letter were not The Princes own views, but instead reflected the opinions of those he met on his trip.

The letter clearly states that these were not The Princes own views about Arab-Israeli issues but represented the opinions of some of those he met during his visit which he was keen to interrogate, the statement said.

He was sharing the arguments in private correspondence with a long standing friend in an attempt to improve his understanding of what he has always recognised is a deeply complex issue to which he was coming early on in his own analysis in 1986.

Over the years, The Prince has continued his study of the complex and difficult themes he referenced here. He has built a proven track record of support for both Jewish and Arab communities around the world and has a long history of promoting interfaith dialogue and cultural understanding.

Prince Charles has enjoyed a relatively strong relationship with both Britains Jewish and Arab communities in the past.

The Prince had met with Austrian-born Holocaust survivors who are now British citizens earlier this year on a trip to Vienna, where he shared how his grandmother, Princess Alice of Battenberg, took in a Jewish family during the war and hid them, describing her efforts as amazing.

He has also been a patron of the Oxford Centre for Islamic studies for the past two decades, with the centres director, Farhan Nizami, describing the Prince as a friend of Muslims in 2013 and stating: I dont think there is another major figure in the Western world who has as high as a standing as he has in the Muslim world.

Via Middle East Monitor

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Reddit Email 532 Shares

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) |  

Two former intelligence officials on Sunday more or less said openly that Trump is compromised by Russia.

Jake Tapper asked former CIA head John Brennan about Trumps statement on Friday that he believed Russian President Vladimir Putin when he said that Russia did not interfere in the 2016 election, and dissed intelligence and law enforcement professionals such as James Comey and James Clapper as hacks.

JOHN BRENNAN, FORMER CIA DIRECTOR: Well, I think Mr. Trump knows that the intelligence agencies, specifically CIA, NSA and FBI, the ones that really have responsibility for counterintelligence and looking at what Russia does, its very clear that the Russians interfered in the election. And its still puzzling as to why Mr. Trump does not acknowledge that and embrace it, and also push back hard against Mr. Putin. The Russian threat to our democracy and our democratic foundations is real. And I think his continuing to not say very clearly and strongly that this is a national security problem, and to say to Mr. Putin, we know you did it, you would have to stop it, because there are going to be consequences if you dont.

Then Tapper asked further about Trumps amazing deference to Putin (since Trump defers to no one else), noting that Trump spoke of Putin as insulted by the allegation that he put his thumb on the till of the US election.

BRENNAN: Well, I think Mr. Putin is very clever in terms of playing to Mr. Trumps interest in being flattered. And, also, I think Mr. Trump is, for whatever reason, either intimidated by Mr. Putin, afraid of what he could do or what might come out as a result of these investigations. So, its very worrisome. And I think it sends a worrisome, very disturbing signal to our allies and partners who are concerned about Russian interference in their democratic processes as well. So, its either naivete, ignorance or fear, in terms of what Mr. Trump is doing vis-a-vis the Russians.

Let us parse Brennans reply. He begins by saying that Trump is easily manipulated through stroking of his ego.

Id just like to point out that you would never, ever want a president who is easily manipulated by foreign leaders.

But then Brennan went further. A second possibility is that Trump is intimidated by Putin.

That diction would suggest that Trump is a coward and lowers his eyes in acquiescence when Putin stares at him with that cold blue KGB gaze.

Id just like to point out that you would never, ever want a president who

can be easily cowed.

And then Brennan did it. He actually came out with it. The third possibility is that Trump is afraid of what Putin might do if the investigation continues, or what might come out as a result of it.

The former director of the Central Intelligence Agency openly alleged the real possibility that the sitting president of the United States is being successfully blackmailed and that policy is being made as a result of Trumps fear of exposure.

Brennan was clear that he has no proof that Trump is compromised.

But Brennan would not make this allegation unless he had at least circumstantial evidence of kompromat or compromising materials in the hands of Putin, of the release of which Trump is deeply afraid.

Id just like to point out that you would never, ever want a president who is being actively blackmailed by a foreign power.

Trump clearly acts out of character when it comes to Putin. He does not care what his chief of staff John Kelly feels, when Trump goes off on him and vehemently dresses him down. He does not care about the feelings of NATO allies when he lambastes them as freeloaders and fools taking in too many refugees. He does not care about Japanese feelings when he accuses them of cowardice, at a moment when the US needs Tokyo in its dispute with North Korea.

Trump is, however, deeply worried about Putins feelings. And he trusts Putin more than he trusts his own security officials.

Brennan is telling us, as a career spy, that he sees behavior that can only be explained by Kompromat.

You see, Brennan gave three possibilities, that Trump is easily manipulated by flattery, or easily cowed, or compromised. The first is true but cant account for the obsequiousness of Trumps behavior toward Putin. The second is not trueTrump is like an enraged bull rampaging around an arena trying to gore everyone in sight. His typical response to attempts to make him back down is to explode.

So what Brennan is really saying is that there is actually only one possible explanation for Trumps creepy and peculiar relationship to Putin.

Kompromat.



Related video added by Juan Cole:

Ex-intelligence chiefs fire back at Trump criticism (Entire CNN interview)
SEXSMITH, AB--(Marketwired - November 13, 2017) - Angkor Gold Corp. (TSX VENTURE: ANK) (OTC PINK: ANKOF) ("Angkor" or "the Company") CEO Mike Weeks announced today the termination of the Company's earn-in exploration agreement with Blue River Resources Ltd. (TSX VENTURE: BXR) on Angkor's wholly-owned Banlung License, which includes the Okalla East and Okalla West Prospects.

"Blue River has not met its obligations under the earn-in agreement," said Angkor CEO Mike Weeks, "and as such Angkor has terminated the agreement on the Banlung License effective immediately." As a result of the termination of the Agreement, Blue River has earned no interest in or rights to the Banlung License.

Angkor has five exploration licenses in Cambodia totalling approximately 983 square kilometres. All licenses were renewed earlier this year. The Company has earn-in and exploration agreements in place for several of Angkor's other licenses. These include a USD $3 million three year agreement with JOGMEC (Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation) on Angkor's 100% owned Oyadao South license that commenced this year, and the recently announced USD $2 million, two year exploration agreement with Australian-based gold company, Emerald Resources NL ( ASX : EMR), on Angkor's wholly-owned Koan Nheak property in northeastern Cambodia.

"Angkor is in great demand as a development partner in Cambodia," continued Weeks, "with excellent government relations, a large land package and long history in the country. While we are sorry to end our relationship with Blue River, we have numerous parties interested in our exploration licenses and hope to explore several proposals for advancing Banlung in the near future."

ABOUT ANGKOR GOLD CORP.

ANGKOR Gold Corp. is a public company listed on the TSX-Venture Exchange and is a leading mineral explorer in Cambodia with a large land package and a first-mover advantage building strong relationships with all levels of government and stakeholders.
Kansas State University wins national Innovation Award from the Association for Public and Land-grant Universities

Monday, Nov. 13, 2017



From left, Peter Dorhout, vice president for research at Kansas State University, and Rebecca Robinson, director of economic development for the Kansas State University Institute of Commercialization, accept the Innovation Award from the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities for the university's economic engagement efforts. | Download this photo.

MANHATTAN  Kansas State University has been named winner of a national award for extraordinary economic engagement efforts.



The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities named the university the winner of its Innovation Award at its fifth annual Commission on Innovation, Competitiveness and Economic Prosperity's Innovation and Economic Prosperity University Awards on Nov. 12.



Economic engagement efforts include universities working with public and private sector partners in their states and regions to support economic development through a variety of activities, including innovation and entrepreneurship, technology transfer, talent and workforce development, and community development. Kansas State University was recognized for outstanding work in technology transfer, entrepreneurship and business development.



Peter Dorhout, vice president for research, and Rebecca Robinson, director of economic development at the Kansas State University Institute for Commercialization, accepted the award on behalf of the university at the association's annual meeting in Washington, D.C.



"Building the economic prosperity of Kansas has always been a priority at K-State, and we are pioneering efforts to understand what it means to be a 21st-century land-grant university," said Richard Myers, president of Kansas State University.



According to Myers, advancing prosperity in our complex environment requires building innovative partnerships.



"K-State has excelled at embracing the diversification, technology and business-friendly approaches that collaboration and economic development require," Myers said.



The university's award application highlighted the K-State Knowledge Based Economic Development partnership, the Center for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship and the K-State Institute for Commercialization. Knowledge Based Economic Development has facilitated partnerships with Manhattan and private sector organizations that have resulted in the creation of hundreds of jobs in the area since the organization's founding in 2008. The Center for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship provides mentorship, support and funding to entrepreneurs. In the last academic year, the center awarded more than $256,000 in grants to entrepreneurs. Finally, the K-State Institute for Commercialization facilitates technology transfer, strategic partnerships with industry, and research and development collaborations. The institute facilitates an average of 500 unique industry interactions each year. In the past five years, those interactions have led to nearly $15 million in corporate-generated cash royalties, funded research and company equity.



Dorhout said the organizations featured in the award application are representative of the university's overall approach to engagement.



"We have developed a culture of engagement at K-State that starts with our faculty, staff and students, all of whom are working to ensure that our research makes it to the marketplace to help improve the lives of our citizens," Dorhout said.



Dorhout noted that the university has developed processes that facilitate collaboration.



"We have built many partnerships in Manhattan and around the state, and K-State research and education programs add value to the people and the industries in the state," he said. "We have more than 480 active collaborations with companies, plus groups facilitating the business development that creates jobs in Kansas."



The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities' Commission on Innovation, Competitiveness and Economic Prosperity, which brings together public university leaders focused on economic engagement issues, designed and implemented the Innovation and Economic Prosperity Awards program. To be eligible for an award, an institution must first earn the Innovation and Economic Prosperity University designation from the association, which Kansas State University received earlier in 2017. To receive that designation, universities conduct a rigorous self-study of their economic engagement efforts that includes input from external stakeholders and results in a growth and improvement plan.



The other finalists for the awards were the Georgia Institute of Technology, Iowa State University, Pennsylvania State University and the University of Maryland.






The Young Republican national convention will be in Omaha and Lincoln in 2019.

More than 500 active young Republican leaders from across the nation are expected to attend the event.

"For the first time in several years, we will bring our national membership to a strong Republican state in the Heartland," Young Republican National Federation Chairman Jason Emert said.

Earlier this month, Emert announced his candidacy for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives from Tennessee.

Spencer Head, chairman of the Nebraska Federation of Young Republicans, said the national YR event presents "an amazing opportunity to highlight our great statewide leaders and Nebraska on the national political stage."

Nebraska was chosen as the host state at the fall meeting of the Young Republican national board in West Palm Beach, Florida, over the weekend.

Gov. Pete Ricketts and Omaha City Councilwoman Aimee Melton will co-chair the host committee. Omaha has been designated as the host city.

"With Nebraska's values and Omaha's national reputation as one of the best cities for young professionals, our state is the perfect place to host the Young Republican national convention," Ricketts said.

The Young Republican organization is composed of members between the ages of 18 and 40.
Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art meets national museum standards for excellence

Monday, Nov. 13, 2017

MANHATTAN  The Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art at Kansas State University is being recognized for continued excellence.



The American Alliance of Museums, the premiere museum professional organization in the country, has reaccredited the university's art museum following a review process that included an extensive self-study by museum staff and a site visit by an accreditation team.



"Reaccreditation means the Beach Museum of Art continues to meet national standards and best practices for the nation's museums," said Burt Logan, chair of the American Alliance of Museum's Accreditation Commission and director and CEO of the Ohio History Connection, in a congratulatory letter to Linda Duke, Beach Museum of Art director.

"It also shows the Beach Museum of Art remains a member of a community of institutions that have chosen to hold themselves publicly accountable to excellence," Logan said.



"I'd like to thank university administration and most especially, our hard-working and talented museum staff, Friends and Advisory Council members, and Board of Visitors for helping the museum retain this important status," Duke said.



Logan also noted in his letter that through a rigorous process of self-assessment and review by its peers, the Beach Museum of Art has shown itself to be a good steward of its resources held in public trust and is committed to a philosophy of continual institutional growth.



"The Beach exemplifies the role of museum as connector, sharing its knowledge with its university community and using technology to fulfill its obligation to serve Kansas audiences," Logan said. "We also note that the education staff's calculated experimentation and proactive approach to program development steeped in current cutting-edge research is exemplary."



While the Beach Museum of Art's reaccreditation is assured, Duke said the site visit report did list one important concern: the need to ensure additional funding for the museum. Current levels of donations and endowment income have limited the museum's budget and necessitated reduced operating hours.



But Duke said the site report also praised campus leadership for the value it places on the Beach Museum of Art and its mission to further the teaching, research and service functions of the university through its programming and educational outreach efforts. One such example is the introduction of Visual Thinking Strategies to the campus and community. This educational methodology is based on looking at works of art to help develop cognitive, communication, observation and social skills.



From the site review report, reviewers wrote: "In many ways, K-State President Richard Myers encapsulated the power of the museum's educational outreach with his observation that the museum plays a key role in helping students and other audience members to think about the nature of communication through close, directed attention to works of art but, even more powerfully, to think about the very question of what one might want to communicate. Reflecting on the museum's sensitivity to matters of diversity, community and inclusion, President Myers noted that the museum helps its audience to consider how we see ourselves and who we want to be."



Site review report authors included Mark Chepp, executive director of the Southern Ohio Museum and Cultural Center, Portsmouth, Ohio, and Anne Collins Goodyear, co-director, Bowdoin College Museum of Art, Brunswick, Maine.



The Beach Museum of Art serves as home to the university's art collection, which now includes more than 10,000 objects. Its exhibitions and programs connect regional art, culture, and interests with the larger world.



The museum's next self-study for reaccreditation will be due Nov. 1, 2026.






By Alex Doukas





Governments around the world have recognized that coal is in terminal decline and have committed to rapidly phase out coal-fired power.

Countries with phase-out commitments include France, the U.K., Canada, Denmark, and many others. In October, Italy committed to phasing out coal by 2025, and the newly-formed government in the Netherlands by 2030, including 3 plants only completed in 2015.

Investment trends reflect this shift: the International Energy Agency reports renewable electricity investment in 2016 reached $297 billion, nearly four times more than coal-fired power. While renewable electricity is already cheaper than coal in many parts of the world, the World Economic Forum projects by 2020, solar will be cheaper than coal worldwide (without even counting the massive health and climate costs of coal pollution).

I had the privilege of participating in the international conference on coal phase out and the energy transition in Chungnam province on October 24. The conference showed that Korea has taken its first steps toward phasing out coal, realizing the best way to deal with the rapid decline of coal is to plan for it, not ignore it.

Planning for a coal phase out can protect the dignity of coal workers, while seizing on clean energy's economic opportunity. Korea is already a world leader in renewable energy technologies, and is home to three of the world's top six battery companies, a market expected to grow rapidly alongside renewable energy sources.

However, Korea can show greater leadership.

In July and October, I co-authored two reports that show, among the G20 countries, relative to the size of its GDP, Korea was the largest provider of fossil fuel finance overseas, funneling billions of dollars to dirty energy projects through government-backed institutions like the Export-Import Bank of Korea, K-Sure, and the Korean Development Bank.

To make matters worse, these studies also found that Korea's public finance for clean energy abroad appears to be negligible, a shocking finding given Korea's business leadership in clean energy technology.

But the future is still to be written: the new government can choose to end public finance for overseas coal projects, and position Korea as a clean energy leader around the world, helping to address climate change and reduce air pollution while creating economic opportunity for Koreans.

Private banks and global ratings agencies already have a bleak view of coal: in October, global ratings agency Standard and Poor's warned that the economic viability of assets such as coal-fired power stations will be "vastly impaired" in the future.

By ending its public finance for overseas coal projects, Korea can help other countries avoid the mistake of locking into a dirty energy system, when the cost of solar and wind is dropping rapidly and coal technology is past its sell-by date.

Just weeks ago, Canada and the UK launched a Global Coal Phase-out Alliance, which will gain momentum through the UN climate negotiations in November and the Paris summit on climate finance in December. Korea could add its leadership to this effort, securing its place as Asia's climate leader.





"Alex Doukas is a program director for Oil change international, research and advocacy group for energy transition based in Washington D.C."
By John Burton





Watching American news coverage of Donald Trump's trip to Korea last week, the focus was naturally on what the U.S. president would say or do. But that also meant that President Moon Jae-in was assigned by the U.S. media the role of a bit player in his own country.

That is one example of how Korea has had difficulty in making its voice heard in U.S. in the last few months despite the escalating tension between Washington and Pyongyang. American journalists focus almost exclusively on this dynamic while largely ignoring Seoul's perspective.

This is placing Seoul at a disadvantage in influencing U.S. policy toward the Korean peninsula among the American policy elite as well as the public. There are genuine grounds for concern about "Korea passing," as the U.S. media gives an inordinate amount of attention to the North Korean nuclear issue, while ignoring other key developments in South Korea. This is occurring at a particularly critical time when the Trump administration also wants to revise or even abolish the KORUS FTA.

Americans tend to view events on the Korean peninsula through the prism of national security. Little heed is given to the fact that Korea is entering a new phase as a rising and pragmatic middle power that is shaping both regional and global trends at a time of significant geostrategic changes. The Moon administration's efforts to rebalance the economy and reform Korea's energy policy, for example, receives little attention in even leading U.S. media such as the New York Times and Washington Post.

The result is that the Korean government should review its communications strategy in the U.S., particularly in Washington, D.C.

This situation is occurring despite Korea being one of the ten biggest spenders among foreign governments in conducting lobbying activities in the U.S. This includes hiring several prominent law firms to conduct lobbying activities with the U.S. Congress, and public relations agencies to perform media outreach.

Seoul spent around $4 million in 2013 on lobbying activities, the most recent estimate available from the Sunlight Foundation, an NGO that tracks lobbying activity.

But some of that money fails to achieve results. For example, one lobbying firm has been paid $25,000 a month to support a bill that would allow more Korean engineers to work in the U.S. for Korean companies such as automakers, but the proposal has remained stalled in the U.S. Congress for the last several years. Korea has also contracted the services of the Podesta Group, whose founder recently resigned because of alleged violations of foreign lobbying laws.

More worthwhile has been financial support provided by the government-affiliated Korea Institute for International Economic Policy for the U.S.-Korea Institute (USKI) and the Korea Economic Institute of America (KEIA) in Washington DC, which are regarded as the two premier think tanks in the U.S. that focus exclusively on Korean issues.

The USKI, which is affiliated with the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University, has established itself as a highly credible and influential source when it comes to national security issues involving the Korean peninsula. The mission of the KEIA is broader in scope as it promotes dialogue between Korea and the U.S. on economic, political and cultural relations.

In many respects, KEIA occupies a unique role since it is only government-affiliated institute of its kind from Northeast Asia that is operating in the U.S., with neither Japan nor China having an equivalent organization.

That means that KEIA can serve as an effective voice for Korea in the U.S. and Washington since it serves as an excellent source of information for all aspects of Korean society, particularly when the Korean embassy in the U.S. lacks a senior diplomat in charge of communications.

KEIA's current focus is mainly academic in nature by sponsoring academic symposia, papers and journals, university outreach programs and dialogue between Korean and U.S. officials and lawmakers. It also holds an impressive series of panels in Washington on a variety of Korean topics (Full disclosure: I have moderated a couple of the KEIA seminars) and produces insightful commentaries and podcasts by its expert staff.

KEIA is also well positioned to coordinate activities with other Korean organizations operating in the U.S. including the Korea Foundation, the Korea International Trade Association and the Korea Tourism Organization, to improve messaging to the American public and help influence policy debates of significance to Korea. This is particularly important when there is a need for an effective and streamlined voice in the crowded and fragmented U.S. media landscape.

Instead of spending money on expensive U.S. lobbying and public relations firms, the Moon administration now has the opportunity to promote a more cost-efficient and credible way to make Korea's voice heard in the U.S. by devoting more resources to KEIA and USKI.





John Burton (johnburtonft@yahoo.com), a former Korea correspondent for the Financial Times, is now a Washington, D.C.-based journalist and consultant.
On Sept. 11, 2001, America was exposed to unlikely heroism when the passengers of United Flight 93 stormed the flight deck and scuttled the airliner in the Pennsylvania countryside. Decisions were made among the passengers that, if they were to die, they could do it on their own terms and not allow terrorists to multiply their crime.

Two days after the senseless attack in Sutherland Springs, I twice heard on news accounts a voice advising Americans that this sort of thing is getting more common -- and that we all need to consider our response if we found ourselves in such a situation. The news account then interviewed citizens who might arm themselves.

I do not choose weapons. But I will take a lesson from Flight 93. I believe with all my heart that, if a shooter knew that upon the first shot, every able person in the room was committed to turn and rush him, he would have second thoughts about attacking.

Think about it. The shooter enters and is anxious and highly agitated. He expects people to cower and hide. But what if they dont hide -- and instead come from all directions because they have calculated that they could be shot in place or they could prevent greater tragedy being one of many crowding into and overwhelming the shooter?

Like the Flight 93 passengers, it would mean more to me to die trying to prevent greater harm than die trying to hide from semi-automatic bullets.

I offer this as a Christian and patriot. It seems like the spirit of America. God forbid that any who read this will find themselves in such a situation. If you and I are there together, I pledge to be leading the charge, and I invite you and others will join me.

Tom Pappas, Lincoln
Area 51 Facts

(Image credit: Getty)

Area 51. The name conjures an aura of secrecy, mystery, and of course, extraterrestrial happenings. Indeed, the military installation  located about 80 miles (129 kilometers) northwest of Las Vegas, Nevada  is the site of secretive military testing. So what do we really know about Area 51, myths and conspiracies aside? Here are 15 facts you can hang your hat on.

What's in a name?

(Image credit: Dennis N. Grasso/USGS)

Area 51 is just the sort of bureaucratic military jargon that sounds like the basis for a vast conspiracy. Where, after all, are Areas 1 through 50? In fact, the name comes from designations on Nevada Test Site maps from the 1950s. Area 51 is part of the Nevada Test Site (now known as the Nevada National Security Site), a remote area of desert 65 miles (105 kilometers) north of Las Vegas. It was the Nevada Test Site that hosted hundreds of nuclear weapons tests starting in the 1950s, almost 100 of which were above ground.

Conspiracy Central

(Image credit: Roswell Daily Record)

Actual nuclear tests apparently aren't scary enough. Area 51's major claim to fame is as an alleged extraterrestrial technology research site. It all started in July 1947, when the Roswell Daily Record's front-page headline screamed "RAAF Captures Flying Saucer On Ranch in Roswell Region." The U.S. military claimed the unidentified crashing object was just a weather balloon; conspiracy theorists insisted it was an alien spacecraft which was then taken from the Roswell ranch property to Area 51 for reverse-engineering. And perhaps there was a large-eyed alien "gray" inside? In September 1994, the Air Force released a report with a fuller story: The wreckage was indeed a balloon, but not an ordinary weather balloon. Instead, it was an atomic monitoring balloon meant to detect far-off nuclear testing blasts.

Delayed UFO Claims

(Image credit: MAJIC12FILMS/YouTube)

Despite the headline-making balloon crash in 1947, Area 51 didn't really get its extraterrestrial reputation until the late 1980s, when a man named Robert Lazar told a Las Vegas television station that he worked at a mysterious site called S-4 near Area 51 to reverse-engineer crashed flying saucers. This caused quite a stir, but Lazar was later found to have fabricated his employment not only on the base, but his entire background: He claims to have graduated from MIT and Caltech but actually went to neither, and he also claims to have worked for Los Alamos National Laboratory, which also turned out to be false.

No visitors

(Image credit: Getty)

Area 51 is on the map, but good luck actually getting there. It's a restricted area, with armed guards patrolling the fences around the parameter. They're colloquially known as "Camo dudes" because that's what they wear when on the job. Given the testing of stealth aircraft on the site, this kind of secrecy isn't very surprising. However, the guards may be the ones who are most affected by the military silence surrounding the site. Guards have sought compensation for breathing problems they say they've experienced since being exposed to toxic chemicals from the burning of the coatings meant to shield aircraft from radar.

Another conspiracy?

(Image credit: Rodney Grubbs/NASA)

As if crashed UFOs weren't enough, some conspiracy theorists also think that Area 51 is where the moon landing was staged. In the 1974 book, "We Never Went to the Moon: America's Thirty Billion Dollar Swindle," conspiracy theorist Bill Kaysing argues that NASA astronauts never made it to space and that all the footage of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walking on the lunar surface was filmed at Area 51.

Of course, the moon landing wasn't faked  The six Apollo missions even brought back 842 pounds (382 kilograms) of moon rock as souvenirs. Some space equipment, like rovers and life support systems, were tested in Nevada at a nearby nuclear testing site, however.

Air Force affiliation

(Image credit: Charbonneau/Rex/Zuma)

Officially, Area 51 is part of the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR), which is affiliated with Nellis Air Force Base. According to the Air Force, the NTTR is the largest combined air and ground space for peacetime military operations in any democracy in the world. It covers a total of 2.9 million acres (1.2 million hectacres) and 5,000 square miles (12,950 square km) of restricted airspace.

What's it really for?

(Image credit: Central Press/Getty)

The Nevada Test and Training Range is used to train aircraft crews in combat scenarios and for live munitions training, according to the Air Force, as well as operational testing. In the past, the site has been used to test and develop new helicopters, airplanes, unmanned drones and other top-secret military technologies. One of these was the famous U-2 spy plane, an ultra-high altitude aircraft used for reconnaissance. This plane's very first flight took place at Area 51 (officially known as Groom Lake) in August 1955.

Paradise in the Desert

(Image credit: TD Barnes and Roadrunners Internationale/CIA)

During Area 51's heyday as a testing site for the U-2 and other secretive military tech, engineer Kelly Johnson came up with a deft bit of rebranding to convince government workers and their families to pick up and move to the middle of the desert, according to TIME Magazine. He nicknamed the place "Paradise Ranch." It's paradise indeed  if you like desert scrubland and temperatures that regularly hit 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees C) in the summer.

Secrecy yields conspiracy

(Image credit: Alien Planet/YouTube)

Many of the conspiracy theories that surround Area 51 are the result of the government's need to keep the base secret. The alleged UFO may have been "just" a nuclear reconnaissance balloon, but the Air Force didn't want the public to know much about their spy capabilities either. Many of the alleged UFO sightings around the base were known by Air Force officials to be U2 test flights, which flummoxed hobby and commercial pilots because they flew so high above regular air traffic, according to declassified CIA history. Air Force officials obfuscated what was going on with statements about "natural phenomena" and "high-altitude weather research."

Continued activity

(Image credit: Mapping Service/DigitalGlobe/Google Earth)

After the U-2 plane program, Area 51 remained a testing ground for other spy planes, such as the Lockheed A-12 Oxcart and the D-21 Tagboard, according to NBC News. Today, the site is still used. Google Earth views show neatly kept runways and a small, orderly cluster of buildings, and in some views there is evidence of new construction over the past decade.
rnest Hemingway and his fourth wife, Mary Welsh, hold their pets on the Hemingway farm in Havana, Cuba, on March 20, 1946.

This article was originally published at The Conversation. The publication contributed the article to Live Science's Expert Voices: Op-Ed & Insights.

When he published "The Sun Also Rises" in 1926, Ernest Hemingway was well-known among the expatriate literati of Paris and to cosmopolitan literary circles in New York and Chicago. But it was "A Farewell to Arms," published in October 1929, that made him a celebrity.

With this newfound fame, Hemingway learned, came fan mail. Lots of it. And he wasn't really sure how to deal with the attention.

At the Hemingway Letters Project, I've had the privilege of working with Hemingway's approximately 6,000 outgoing letters. The latest edition, "The Letters of Ernest Hemingway, Volume 4 (1929-1931)"  edited by Sandra Spanier and Miriam B. Mandel  brings to light 430 annotated letters, 85 percent of which will be published for the first time. They offer a glimpse at how Hemingway handled his growing celebrity, shedding new light on the author's influences and his relationships with other writers.

Mutual admiration

The success of "A Farewell to Arms" surprised even Hemingway's own publisher. Robert W. Trogdon, a Hemingway scholar and member of the Letters Project's editorial team, traces the author's relationship with Scribner's and notes that while it ordered an initial printing of over 31,000 copies  six times as many as the first printing of "The Sun Also Rises"  the publisher still underestimated the demand for the book.

Additional print runs brought the total edition to over 101,000 copies before the year was out  and that was after the devastating 1929 stock market crash.

In response to the many fan letters he received, Hemingway was typically gracious. Sometimes he offered writerly advice, and even went so far as to send  upon request and at his own expense  several of his books to a prisoner at St. Quentin.

At the same time, writing to novelist Hugh Walpole in December 1929, Hemingway lamented the amount of effort  and postage  required to answer all those letters:

"When The Sun Also Rises' came out there were only letters from a few old ladies who wanted to make a home for me and said my disability would be no drawback and drunks who claimed we had met places. Men Without Women' brought no letters at all. What are you supposed to do when you really start to get letters?"

Among the fan mail he received was a letter from David Garnett, an English novelist from a literary family with connections to the Bloomsbury Group, a network of writers, artists and intellectuals that included Virginia Woolf.

Though we don't have Garnett's letter to Hemingway, Garnett appears to have predicted, rightly, that "A Farewell to Arms" would be more than a fleeting success.

"I hope to god what you say about the book will be true," Hemingway replies, "though how we are to know whether they last I don't know  But anyway you were fine to say it would."

He then goes on to praise Garnett's 1925 novel, "The Sailor's Return":

"all I did was to go around wishing to god I could have written it. It is still the only book I would like to have written of all the books since our father's and mother's times." (Garnett was seven years older than Hemingway; Hemingway greatly admired the translations of Dostoyevsky and Tolstoy by Constance Garnett, David's mother.)

An overlooked influence

Hemingway's response to Garnett  written the same day as his letter to Walpole  is notable for several reasons.

First, it complicates the popular portrait of Hemingway as an antagonist to other writers.

It's a reputation that's not entirely undeserved  after all, one of Hemingway's earliest publications was a tribute to Joseph Conrad in which Hemingway expressed a desire to run T.S. Eliot through a sausage grinder. "The Torrents of Spring" (1926), his first published novel, was a parody of his own mentors, Sherwood Anderson and Gertrude Stein and "all the rest of the pretensious [sic] faking bastards," as he put it in a 1925 letter to Ezra Pound.

But in the letter to Garnett we see another side of Hemingway: an avid reader overcome with boyish excitement.

"You have meant very much to me as a writer," he declares, "and now that you have written me that letter I should feel very fine  But instead all that happens is I don't believe it."

The letter also suggests that Garnett has been overlooked as one of Hemingway's influences.

It's easy to see why Hemingway liked "The Sailor's Return" (so well, it appears, that he checked it out from Sylvia Beach's Shakespeare & Co. lending library and never returned it).

A reviewer for the New York Herald Tribune praised Garnett's "simple but extremely lucid English" and his "power of making fiction appear to be fact," qualities that are the hallmark of Hemingway's own distinctive style. The book also has a certain understated wit  as do "The Sun Also Rises" and "A Farewell to Arms."

Garnett's book would have appealed to Hemingway on a personal level as well. Though it's set entirely in England, the portrait of Africa that exists in the background is the same sort of exotic wilderness that captured the imagination of Hemingway the boy and that Hemingway the young man still longed explore.

Imagining Africa

But Hemingway's praise of Garnett leads to other, unsettling questions.

From its frontispiece to its devastating conclusion, Garnett's book relies on racial stereotypes of an exoticized, infantilized Other. Its main character, an African woman, brought to England by her white husband, is meant to command the reader's sympathy  indeed, the choice she makes in the end, to send her mixed-race child back to his African family, hearkens to an earlier era of sentimental literature and decries the parochial prejudices of English society.

However, that message is drowned out by the narrator's assumptions about inherent differences between the races. Garnett's biographer Sarah Knights suggests that Garnett was "neither susceptible to casual racism nor prone to imperialist arrogance," yet Garnett's 1933 introduction to the Cape edition of Hemingway's "The Torrents of Spring" claims "it is the privilege of civilized town-dwellers to sentimentalize primitive peoples." In "The Torrents of Spring," Hemingway mocked the primitivism of Sherwood Anderson (cringe-worthy even by 1925 standards), but as Garnett's comment indicates, Hemingway imitated Anderson's reliance on racial stereotypes as much as he criticized it.

What, then, can we glean about Hemingway's views on race from his exuberant praise of "The Sailor's Return"? Hemingway had a lifelong fascination with Africa, and his letters show that in 1929 he was already making plans for an African safari. He would take the trip in 1933 and publish his nonfiction memoir, "Green Hills of Africa," in 1935. The work is experimental and modernistic, but the local people are secondary to Hemingway's descriptions of "country."

Late in life, however, Hemingway's views on Africa would shift, and his second safari, in 1953-4, brought what scholar of American literature and African diaspora studies Nghana tamu Lewis describes as "a crisis of consciousness" that "engendered a new commitment to understanding African peoples' struggles against oppression as part, rather than in isolation, of changing ecological conditions."

But back in 1929, when Hemingway was wondering what to do with an ever-growing pile of mail, that trip  along with another world war, a Nobel Prize and the debilitating effects of his strenuous life  were part of an unknowable future.

In "The Letters 1929-1931" we see a younger Hemingway, his social conscience yet to mature, trying to figure out his new role as professional author and celebrity.

Verna Kale, Associate Editor, The Letters of Ernest Hemingway and Assistant Research Professor of English, Pennsylvania State University

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.
RACINE  Veterans Day commemorations are often filled by valiant stories of courage, of Medals of Honor, Purple Hearts and Bronze Stars.

What sometimes gets lost in those heroic  and sometimes tragic  tales of bravery and sacrifice, however, are the contributions of the everyday service members whose work ensures missions can be completed.

Racine native Allen Adams is one of those service members.

A technical sergeant in the United States Air Force, Adams is stationed in Turkey, supporting combat search and rescue operations in Syria and Iraq.

It is the 29-year-olds third deployment to the Middle East. Adams, who has been in the Air Force for 10 years now, is permanently stationed at Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany, where his wife and 3-year-old daughter live.

As part of his duties in Turkey, Adams, an HVAC engineer, works with members of his unit to make sure the heating and air-conditioning systems are running smoothly so that the critical communications equipment his fellow airmen rely on to complete dangerous maneuvers operates efficiently.

In addition to working on those systems, Adams also helped to construct the entire base camp, he said.

When he first arrived in Turkey in September for his current deployment, one of the two generators that provide power to the entire camp began malfunctioning, and Adams worked with his unit to solve the problem before the whole camp lost power.

There was oil everywhere. Both generators were at maximum load, but we were able to get another generator, Adams said. We basically saved the mission.

The Park High School graduate said he wanted to share the work he does in hopes of shining a light on the unsung efforts of countless other servicemen and servicewomen from the Racine area and across the country.

There are thousands of soldiers and airmen that carry out important roles every day, said Adams.

His sister, Master Sgt. Khalilah Oliver, has been in the Air Force for 17 years.

Speaking about her grandsons contributions, Shirley Oliver said she was happy when she heard Adams was hoping to join the Air Force years ago.

Hes always been a good kid. I raised him. Yes maam, I am proud, Oliver said. One thing I can say about Allen: He is a person that wants to be someone. He is a person who thinks; I like that about him, too.
Earth may be uninhabitable just a few centuries from now, so humanity should prepare to spread out into the cosmos, Stephen Hawking has advised.

If humanity doesn't become a truly spacefaring species in the next five centuries or so, we may well go extinct, Stephen Hawking said, according to media reports.

During a video presentation Sunday (Nov. 5) at the Tencent Web Summit in Beijing, the famed cosmologist warned that the ever-rising human population, and its mounting energy needs, could render Earth uninhabitable by the year 2600, according to the British newspaper The Sun.

Hawking therefore advised that we get our act together and "boldly go where no one has gone before," The Sun reported.

During his talk, Hawking also highlighted the exploration potential of Breakthrough Starshot, a $100 million project that aims to develop tiny, uncrewed, sail-equipped probes that will be accelerated to 20 percent the speed of light by powerful lasers.

Such nanocraft could get to Mars in less than an hour and theoretically fly by the closest exoplanet to Earth  the possibly habitable Proxima b, which lies about 4.2 light-years from us  after a space journey of just 20 years, Hawking and other Starshot team members have said.

"Maybe if all goes well, sometime a little after the middle of the century, we'll have our first picture of another planet that may be life-bearing orbiting the nearest star," Breakthrough StarshotExecutive Director Pete Worden, the former head of NASA's Ames Research Center, said at the summit in Beijing, according to The Sun.

Follow Mike Wall on Twitter @michaeldwall and Google+. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook or Google+. Originally published on Space.com.
The frilled shark (<i>Chlamydoselachus anguineus</i>) is a rare, deep-water shark that sports rows of three-pointed holding teeth. (The above frilled shark was photographed in October 2004; it isn't the same one that was caught near Portugal.)

Deep-sea fishermen recently spotted the snake-like shark (Chlamydoselachus anguineus) in a pile of fish they unintentionally caught, known as bycatch, while they were fishing off the coast of Portugal. The shark died, but the fishermen handed it over to a research vessel, where scientists could study it, according to Boy Genius Report (BGR), a news site.

The examination gave scientists a close-up look at the shark's roughly 300 three-pointed teeth, which it uses to grab and kill prey, including fish, squid and other sharks. [In Photos: Seeing Sharks Up Close]

Margarida Castro, a fishery science researcher at the University of the Algarve, in Portugal, told Sic Noticias, a Portuguese news outlet, said that these strange teeth, arranged in a frill-like pattern, inspired the shark's name. The teeth look like backward needles, and its jaw can snatch prey more than half its size.

See more

The roughly 5-foot-long (1.5 meters) shark has barely changed in the past 80 million years, earning it a "living fossil" title. The fishermen reported catching the C. anguineus at 2,300 feet (700 m) under water  about half as deep as it can swim, as the species is known to range from about 65 feet to 4,900 feet (20 to 1,500 m) underwater, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

These sharks have an incredibly long gestation period lasting between one and two years  a period almost on a par with that of an elephant, according to the IUCN. Moreover, like an elephant calf, these shark pups aren't small. The pups are born live (as opposed to being laid as eggs) and can measure up to 2 feet (60 centimeters) long, the IUCN said. They are usually born in litters of two to 15 pups, the organization added.

In December 2003, a single trawl caught 34 frilled sharks  15 males and 19 females  just north of the Azores Islands in the mid-Atlantic Ocean, about 900 miles (1,400 km) west of Portugal. Given that it's rare to catch C. anguineus, it's likely that the trawl captured the sharks during a mating event, according to a 2008 study in the Journal of Ichthyology (opens in new tab).

Even though both the 2003 catch and the most recent one were near Portugal, these toothy sharks live in both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, usually near outer continental shelves and the bases of islands, the IUCN said. As an "animal of least concern," it's far from endangered, likely, in part, because it's rarely caught as bycatch. However, when fishermen do catch it, C. anguineus is typically discarded, used as fishmeal or kept for its meat, the IUCN said.

Even though it's not endangered, there are still safeguards in place to protect the shark. In 2007, the European Union Fisheries Council established a "zero total allowable catch limitation" for vulnerable sharks, the IUCN said. The frilled shark was added to this list in 2010, and the measure was enforced starting in 2012. Parts of Australia also prohibit trawling in areas below 2,300 feet (700 m), the IUCN reported.

Even so, a fisherman in Australia caught one of these weird beasts in 2015, Live Science previously reported.

Original article on Live Science.
Confusion reigns

One sure way of dividing the Warkworth community is to put in a barrier to close off Elizabeth Street from the north and the west (MM November 1). Auckland Transport seems determined to add even more confusion at the worst intersection in New Zealand. Any experienced traffic engineer will tell you that the only way to take out the confusion is to simplify the situation and give drivers very clear instructions on what they can do and when they can do it. This is why in July 2017, I tabled a proposal for linked traffic signals. These were published in Mahurangi Matters (MM July 5).This solution was provided to AT with a request to discuss it with their signals experts. They said they would meet with us, but six requests later and there is still no willingness to have a meaningful consultation. The proposed linked signals are very simple and do not increase the phase period. The two situations where you currently have to give way to traffic coming from five different directions at the same time are eliminated and replaced with positive signals. No traffic movements are removed by this proposal. The exit from Kowhai Park is relocated to become a left turn out onto the SH1 slip lane, thus removing one source of conflict. The capacity of the intersection is improved from the east because the traffic gets a clear green without an overriding Give Way to the right. Clarity equals efficiency. Hesitation equals delays. I have a feeling that AT wants to create dissention so that they have a reason to do nothing.

Roger Williams, Warkworth Area Liaison Group traffic engineering adviser

Blind NAG

A recent letter by NAG Group members the Maltbys (MM October 18) would suggest they are not aware of the significant improvements Auckland Council has brought for Rodney citizens. I have lived in Rodney for some 60 years, building my first home in Snells Beach and a later home in Scotts Landing. The founder of NAG, Bill Townson, has been a close neighbour for some 30 years, so he must be aware of the improvements in Council services. For me, the Supercity has offered numerous tangible benefits. Rates have not increased to any great extent. We have seen the development of sporting facilities with beautiful fields created in Warkworth and Orewa. My late wife just loved the library facilities where the vast resources of the Auckland City library system became available to Rodney residents on amalgamation. A superb new library, offering a multitude of services, has been built in Wellsford for the town and surrounding rural areas. Large rubbish bins have been provided for every home across Rodney along with specialised collection vehicles. New sections of road have been constructed to a standard I had never seen in the old Rodney Council. New wide footpaths have been built through sections of Algies Bay. Leaking sewer mains in the Algies Bay area have been replaced at a cost of millions. The disgraceful Warkworth sewage plant, which discharges directly into the river a few hundred metres below the town, is to be closed. This plant should never have been built and is a monument to the short-sighted councillors who proposed it at the time. The ongoing discharges from the sewage works into the Mahurangi River have seen water quality diminish to the point where the water is always turbid and brown due to very high levels of bacteria from the inflowing sewage. Gone are the beautiful water colours seen in the Puhoi and Waiwera rivers. The river is unused for swimming and recreation. It is a disgrace and a result of successive councils failing in their duties. Those proposing this ridiculous breakaway want to move back into the past where there would be minimal funds, no money to replace the dreadful sewage schemes left by Rodney, poor road maintenance and the list would go on.

Warren Agnew, Scotts Landing

Worse than Hill St

Living in Kawau View Road, Snells Beach, we hear a lot about the difficulty of negotiating the Hill Street intersection in Warkworth. We travel to Warkworth to do our shopping. We leave the town via the lights at Whitaker Road, then back to Snells Beach no problem.

We have a much bigger problem at the roundabout at Snells Beach. When driving up Snells Beach Road, it is impossible to see who is approaching on our right. A hedge, a power pole and a transformer block our view completely. Meanwhile, those driving down Mahurangi East road have a clear view and often boot it through the intersection. Our solution is to enter Mahurangi East road via Kauri Crescent. At least we can see.

Graeme Miller, Snells Beach
The Rodney Battalion of the Home Guard.

The centennial of WWI has raised awareness of New Zealands sacrifices during that Great War and subsequent conflicts. In 1994, a local historian, the late Ted Halfpenny, wrote an article recalling WWII tragedies that happened in our district while he was a member of the Home Guard.

The Home Guard was formed in 1940 and initially was desperately short of equipment. Only the perseverance and ingenuity of the guardsmen enabled them to carry out their training. Japans entry into WWII meant invasion became a very real threat to New Zealand. Registration for the Home Guard was made compulsory for men of military age not already in the army and men aged 46-50. By May 1943, it was 124,000 strong, equipped with uniforms and weapons.

In 1942, the local battalion camped in Wellsfords Memorial Park and was involved with building bridges and road blocks in Pakiri, Hoteo North, Dome Valley and Wharehine.

They also dug weapons pits on the surrounding hills.

On June 26, a truck taking men to job sites was hit by a train at the Wellsford crossing. The officer-in-charge, Ernest Schischka, and his driver, Paul Walters, were killed. Eight men in the back of the truck escaped serious injury. A day after their funeral in Puhoi, some men were allowed home for the weekend but were urgently recalled. A truck was sent to collect them. Ted wrote, When we reached the Memorial gates the boy on guard duty told us we were in quarantine as one of the lads (Don Becroft) had contracted meningitis and been taken to Auckland Hospital. Don survived the illness but Ronald Browne, 16, was collected by ambulance the following morning after becoming unwell. He died that same evening.

The guardsmen were in quarantine for 10 days and moved from the Agricultural Show building into tents, where they had frost on their beds. Unfortunately, the day the quarantine period expired there was another case of meningitis, so the men were confined for another 12 days.

In December, some of the guardsmen were building an aircraft-spotting post on Prospect Hill, Wharehine. As they were pulling a telephone wire up to the installation, a restraining wire broke and the wire came in contact with a power line. Two men, John Pavlovich of Te Arai and William Parks of Warkworth, were killed instantly. Ted noted that within three months there were five deaths in a group of about 30 men, but these episodes had little or no publicity at the time.

However, their sacrifices have now been recognised, and their names are rightly honoured among other war casualties on the Auckland Museums Online Cenotaph: aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph.

Lyn Johnston, Albertland Museum

www.albertland.co.nz
Taking charge of Rodneys police force is a role that Inspector Bruce OBrien says he is especially invested in, having lived in the area since childhood.

On October 30, Inspector OBrien took over the role of Rodney Area Commander, vacated by Inspector Mark Fergus.

Inspector OBrien has lived on the Hibiscus Coast since 1985, when his parents moved to Red Beach, and is bringing up his own family of two young children in Millwater.

Plumbings loss was the polices gain  on leaving school he took up an apprenticeship but as soon as he turned 19, he handed in his wrench and applied to join the police.

He credits his neighbour, Orewa policeman Jon Brambley, who gave him his first ride in a police car and came along on school camps, with inspiring him to consider the police as a career.

Jon was a bit of a role model, who seemed to know everyone, he says.

In a varied career, Inspector OBrien has worked from Whangarei to South Auckland, including several stints in Orewa. He has policed large sporting fixtures and concerts as part of Auckland citys tactical policing unit and at one time was officer-in-charge of Auckland airport which, he says, is like a small city in itself, with around 20,000 people working in its environs every 24 hours.

Inspector OBrien says family harm is an area where a lot of the work stays with you long after the incidents are over and that it is important that police put themselves in the shoes of the people they are dealing with.

At times you have to make split second decisions which could potentially have long-term consequences, so there is a lot of pressure on police to get it right, he says.

Everyone makes mistakes and most learn from them, he says. Persistent offenders are a small percentage, but they are responsible for the most harm in our communities and they are the ones we focus on.

Reducing the number of burglaries and returning stolen property, including some precious family heirlooms, is part of the job he has found particularly satisfying.

After promotion to Inspector, he worked as Area Prevention Manager in Manurewa; here the focus was on working on crime prevention alongside government agencies and community organisations.

Inspector OBrien says that hes seen policing change significantly, with moves to reflect the ethnic makeup of the community and bring more women into the force.

Off duty, he loves spending time with his family. He is also is a keen fisher who loves to travel and keep himself fit and healthy.

Currently, he is in the middle of a Masters degree in Criminology and Management at the University of Cambridge in the UK. A key element of this is the study of how various enforcement or preventative tactics work (or dont work) on particular types of crime. Next year he will write his thesis, which he says will be around reducing re-offending.

In Rodney, he says a big focus will be road policing and burglary, along with anti-social behaviour and vehicle crime.

Im up for the challenge, he says. We want to make sure people feel safe living in this community, which I feel is the best part of New Zealand. I hope they will have trust in the police and bring their problems to us.
Rodney-based MP Tracey Martin picked up a swag of portfolios following the announcement of a Labour-New Zealand First coalition government, but one appointment stands out from the others.

Mrs Martin was personally contacted by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and asked if she would accept the role of Minister for Children.

Mrs Martin says the request was a bit of a shock because she imagined the portfolio would remain under the general umbrella of the Ministry of Social Development.

But Ms Ardern pressed Mrs Martin to take the role, citing Mrs Martins championing of the role of grandparents raising grandchildren in a previous Parliament and her interest in childrens education in general, particularly special education.

Once it was offered, Mrs Martin had no hesitation in accepting the job and says it is the one portfolio she is most passionate about.

She is also Minister for Internal Affairs, Minister for Seniors and Associate Minister of Education.

Mrs Martin says the break from Social Development provides a terrific opportunity to make the ministry more child-focused and give it the voice of the child.

One initiative already underway that Mrs Martin approves of is the formation of youth panels, comprising children formerly in state care, who now advise the ministry on policy.

Mrs Martin has some clear ideas about what success in the childrens portfolio will look like if she performs the job well.

We will have less child abuse, less child poverty and more foster families ready to step up and look after children, she says. We will have greater resourcing around those families that need support earlier, so their children dont become some of the 6000-odd each year that need to be taken care of by the state.

Mrs Martin will be joined in government by Rodney-based list MPs Marja Lubeck (Labour) and Jenny Marcroft (NZ First), who entered Parliament for the first time at this years election.

Ms Lubeck says its been an exciting time and the government has already hit the ground running by banning overseas investors from purchasing existing housing stock, which has freed up more houses for Kiwis.

We have 40,000 homeless as it is and that is ridiculous in a country like New Zealand, she says.

She says the new policy will help struggling New Zealand families buy their first home and start creating really good home bases.

Ms Lubeck was born in the Netherlands and she was looking forward to swearing her oath of allegiance in both English and Dutch. It will be the first time a New Zealand MP has spoken in Dutch at a swearing in ceremony.

Fellow MP Jenny Marcroft also believes the government has made a good start and is especially happy with a coalition agreement to extend free mammograms for women until the age of 74.

My mother died from breast cancer so I was very pleased to see that come through. Not a lot has been talked about it yet, but it will have a big impact on women, she says.

Meanwhile, Rodney MP Mark Mitchell must content himself with a spell in opposition for the first time.

He says a big disappointment is losing his position as Minister of Defence saying our defence forces have found themselves with huge responsibilities in connection with the fight against ISIS, its earthquake responses and protecting New Zealands economic interests.

We have never asked NZ defence forces to do so much since WWII, he says.

Mr Mitchell worries that the new finance minister, Grant Robertson, has indicated defence is an area where cuts can be made.

Mr Mitchell adds that he does not feel his role as a Rodney MP has diminished in any way in opposition, saying many of the big infrastructure projects he championed  notably Hill Street and Penlink  have also earned the support of parties now in government, particularly NZ First.

You could argue my role as MP for Rodney has been enhanced because I can hold the government to account for promises made during the election.

Marja Lubeck

Mark Mitchell

Jenny Marcroft
Photoshop CC, Adobes flagship image editing app, remains an industry standard because of its innovative vision of how the software can assist photographers and graphic designers in doing their jobs. While technically, Photoshops subscription model frees it from the tyranny of yearly upgrades, Adobe still announces high-profile updates on a yearly schedule. Having dispensed with commercial version numbers (it is now at version 20), Adobe now renames the app according to the prospective year.

If you already use Photoshop CC, then you are either a Creative Cloud or a Photography Plan subscriber, which means that the Photoshop 2019 update is automatically available. If you are not a subscriber, new features in the 2019 version may inspire you to give the app a try.

The 2019 version offers improvements to existing features like Content Aware Fill and Home Screen, as well as new tools like the Frame Tool and dynamic Blend Mode previews. It even adds something many felt it should have had all along: a Color Wheel. The Symmetry Mode, which was a technical beta in the last version, has now been fully implemented, letting you paint brush strokes in a symmetrical pattern.

Improvements to the interface, like matching the font size to the apps controls, makes the experience more cohesive. A single click in the Preferences scales toolbars, icons, buttons, labels, and panels according to type sizetiny, small, medium, and large.

Jackie Dove You can now scale the interface to the font size.

The new version of Photoshop revamps some common key commands to match most other programs. The new Undo (Command-Z) makes sense to most people, though it might be a challenge to the muscle memory of current Photoshop users who have long been accustomed to a different key combo and the Step Backward command for multiple undos. Similarly, Transforming a layer no longer needs the Shift key to preserve aspect ratio as you resize. You can now have Photoshop do math calculations in the image sizing tool or other fields that call for numeric values.

Jackie Dove Adobe has fashioned the home screen into a centralized resource for recent shots, tutorials, and your Lightroom catalog that you can access at any time via a new Home icon in the Options bar.

Color Wheel

Jackie Dove Finally, Photoshop features a native Color Wheel.

The absence of a color wheel, a la Corel Painter, has always irked some users, and now Photoshop 2019 sports one. It operates the same way as classic color wheels, and will doubtless please many users who no longer have to rely on a third-party color wheel plugin.

Content Aware Fill Workspace

Content Aware Fill is an algorithm that sees whats behind an unwanted or distracting object in your image, allowing you to remove it without a trace, and replacing it with the background that would have been there. This year, Photoshop leans into the content aware process with a new command and accompanying workspace that offers tools and options for more precise and complex fills.

You can now use an AI-enhanced live preview (powered by Adobes Sensei artificial intelligence engine) to pick and choose which part of the image the program should sample or exclude for precise control over the results. This update to the Content Aware Fill feature let me remove an unwanted object from a photo Ive been working on literally for yearsan extremely challenging job that I was unable to accomplish with previous versions.

Jackie Dove Gotta lose the white shirt guy holding the beer. Use the new Content Aware Fill command.

Jackie Dove The ability to control the fill sampling completely removes the white shirt guy and provides a great place to crop for a pleasing composition.

Live Blend Mode Preview

Live Blend Mode is another timesaver for the Photoshop workflow, letting you cycle through every blend mode with just a mouse hover to see how each would look if applied. Its also great for newcomers to get quick idea of what blend modes can do.

Caption: Live Blend Mode preview lets you try each option directly on your image without a mouse click.

Jackie Dove Live Blend Mode preview lets you try each option directly on your image without a mouse click.

Frame Tool

The friendly new Frame Tool makes masking easier for new users by creating a placeholder for frames in your images. That way you can place any image into the frame and it will automatically resize to fit the window you created. You can create as many frames as you want in a layout. Once images are inside the frame, you can transform, move, or swap them.

Jackie Dove The new Frame Tool lets you draw rectangular or elliptical frames into which you can drag and drop any image you want for a perfect fit.

Bottom line

With Photoshop CC 2019, the question is not whether to upgrade: Creative Cloud or Photography Plan users already made that decision. Its more about whether you want to invest in the subscription to get its top notch new features.

If you are an advanced amateur, photo enthusiast, or pro photographer or designer, give Photoshop CC 2019 a try. The Photography Plan costs $9.99 per month, and it includes Lightroom CC, Lightroom Classic CC, Adobe Spark with premium features, Portfolio, and 20GB of online storage. Enhancement of the Content Aware Fill feature alone is worth the price of admission, with the Frame Tool and Blend Mode previews as close runners-up.
CALEDONIA  Frank and Barbara Suetholzs home on the 2100 block of 5 Mile Road was surrounded by ash trees before the emerald ash borer infestation hit.

Two large trees in the front had been the parent trees of the two to three dozen that surrounded the back porch and the yard. Barbara said theyve had to hire a tree service three times this year to clear each of the affected trees.

We felt so bad; I wanted to do something to feel good, said Barbara. If life gives you lemons, you make lemonade.

Before cutting down the two parent trees in the front, they called the River Bend Nature Center in Caledonia, where the staff put them in touch with Sherry Lou Martin, a chain-saw artist. Martin said that when she met with the Suetholzes, they knew they wanted to do some kind of carving, but didnt know what.

I just start asking them questions like, Why is that tree so special?  said Martin. I think that as we stood in the front yard that memory came back to her.

When the Suetholzes moved into their home in 1966, they got their first of many rough collies, a skinny male with named Lad.

He was a poor specimen of a collie, said Barbara.

But Lad was a hunter, which is unusual for a collie.

While he was here we didnt have any varmints around, said Frank. Didnt realize until he died how many we had in this area.

Proud pup

In 1973, as a group of housing developments were going up, more wildlife were moving across Frank and Barbaras yard. One day, Lad was in the yard when he spotted a big raccoon and the skinny little collie managed to chase the large critter up a tree.

That was the biggest thing hed ever caught, said Barbara. He was so proud. All day, he was parading around under that tree.

Not that the raccoon was harmed or concerned.

That raccoon didnt worry about it, said Frank. He went to sleep.

Later that night they brought Lad inside so the raccoon could make its escape.

The story became the stuff of family legend, a story that Barbara liked to retell and their children remembered, even though they were all young when it happened.

For Martin, it seemed the perfect fit for the two last ash trees. One tree was sawed down and fashioned into a base for the sculpture of Lad that Martin carved out of pine. The second tree, which was the actual tree the raccoon climbed, they trimmed down to the fork and placed the pine raccoon statue in the crook where it had waited.

Since Martin installed Lad and the raccoon on Halloween, the Suetholzes have noticed cars slowing down as they pass the house. Barbara said she loves the way Martin captured Lads essence.

He looks so proud with his chest all puffed out, she said.

Martin said she loves turning peoples tales into artwork.

I get to know people and I get to hear their special stories, she said. Theres nothing better than being able to articulate that story into art.
by Ray Schultz , November 13, 2017

SparkPost, the cloud email service that delivers 3 trillion emails per year, has been made available on AWS Marketplace, the company announced today. The arrangement brings enterprise email workloads to AWS, while allowing marketers to integrate SparkPost into Amazon Web Service-based applications, the firm says.

The SparkPost subscription is integrated into the AWS bill to provide access to users, including technical account managers and email deliverability experts, the company adds.

Starting in December, clients will also be able to subscribe to SparkPosts premium support services through the ASW Marketplace.

Claiming to be the only cloud-native email delivery service on AWS, SparkPost says it can deliver higher peak email volumes than traditional data centers, and that it can elastically scale up to meet demand.

In addition, developers can use SparkPost to implement email notifications, app-onboarding, welcomes, user invites , prompts, account management and security alerts, all that traffic that apps increasingly generate under the banner of transactional, notifications, says SparkPost CEO Phillip Merrick.

advertisement advertisement

Via SparkPost, those apps can take advantage of real-time engagement around the email stream, Merrick adds.

When a user opens an email, for example, that will be known when they visit the website or a mobile app. Or, Merrick notes, a marketer can route it to a call center and have someone call that individual. Merrick adds that reliance on in-house data centers is "the 2005 way."

SparkPost also provides security features, including company-wide SOC2 Type 1 assessment.

Amazons services such as Simple Email Service (SES) purportedly do not offer advanced features and access to experts.

SparkPost claims that it delivers over a fourth of the worlds non-spam email. Numerous firms use the firms API email technology, and clients include LinkedIn, Comcast, Pinterest, The New York Times, Twitter and Zillow.

SparkPost states that large-scale email delivery had not previously been available through cloud-based systems.
by Joe Mandese @mp_joemandese, November 13, 2017

In an unusual -- maybe even unprecedented -- move, Fox News personality Sean Hannity is rallying his fans to attack a brand that dropped support for his show.

In a series of tweets, Hannity has been encouraging and applauding fans who are sharing tweets, social media posts and videos trashing and even smashing Keurig coffee makers in retribution for Keurig dropping its sponsorship of Hannitys show. That happened after the talk-show host broadcast a segment appearing to support Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore, following reports that he engaged in sexual activities with underage girls.

Using hashtags #BoycottKeurig or #SmashYourKeurig, Hannity has been retweeing and commenting on the reverse boycott of a former brand sponsor of his show.

Hannity has also mounted a campaign against left-leaning media watchdog group Media Matters for America, which has been promoting the consumer brand boycott against Hannity for supporting Moore following the allegations.

Media Matters for America contributed to a successful boycott of former Fox News personality Bill OReilly, following reports that he sexually abused women.
by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, November 13, 2017

Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley said Monday that he is investigating whether Google violated state antitrust and consumer protection laws.

When a company has access to as much consumer information as Google does, its my duty to ensure they are using it appropriately, Hawley stated. He says he has sent Google a subpoena.

The investigation will focus on Google's use of data about consumers, as well as allegations that it discriminates against competitors in the search results. Hawley specifically is questioning whether Google's privacy policy adequately discloses its data-mining practices.

He says Google "collects substantial information" about consumers' use of services like the shopping search engine "Google Shopping," and airline booking service "Google Flights."

advertisement advertisement

"Through this extensive cross-platform data collection, Google can construct highly detailed profiles of users and their online activity," Hawley says in a fact sheet issued Monday. "Google leverages this user information as part of its highly profitable online advertising business, and it also may sell certain user information to third parties."

Hawley also argues that Google may "manipulate the results of its search engine" to favor its own services, even if its algorithms "might otherwise indicate that the websites are less relevant to a users search than are competitors websites."

Additionally, Hawley says he plans to investigate allegations that Google wrongly scrapes material from competitors' sites. Yelp recently complained to the FTC that Google was continuing to scrape Yelp's content.

A Google spokesperson says the company hasn't yet received a subpoena. "We have strong privacy protections in place for our users and continue to operate in a highly competitive and dynamic environment," the spokesperson added.

Hawley's move comes as Google and other tech companies are facing increasing pressure from policymakers. Last week, Sen. Al Franken (D-Minnesota) said he believes that Google, as well as Facebook and Amazon, should be required to follow the same net neutrality principles as broadband providers. "No one company should have the power to pick and choose which content reaches consumers and which doesnt," Franken wrote last week week in The Guardian.

Others, however, question whether neutrality concepts can be extended to content companies that explicitly aim to provide relevant results to users.

In 2013, the Federal Trade Commission cleared Google of allegations that it violated antitrust laws by promoting its own offerings -- like Google Maps -- in the search results.

When the FTC closed its case, Google agreed it would allow companies to opt out of appearing in the vertical search engines -- like Google Local -- and still show up in the general search results. Former FTC Chair Jon Leibowitz said at the time that the agency sought that agreement in order to resolve "troubling allegations" that Google misappropriated rivals' content. "Google allegedly 'scraped' the user-generated reviews of local restaurants displayed on Yelp, and led consumers to believe that these reviews were its own. When some of these Web sites complained to Google about this practice, Google allegedly threatened to remove them entirely from Googles search results," Leibowitz stated.
by Sara Guaglione , November 13, 2017

Business Insider has launched a subscription offering called BI Prime, which will target readers who want access to its original financial news reporting.

BI Prime has been in the works for for some time. It was first mentioned soon after Business Insider was acquired by German media group Axel Springer in 2016. The company also owns Bild and Die Welt, which have paywalls.

While most of Business Insiders content will remain free, BI Prime will keep some of the publishers financial reporting behind a paywall, according to The Wall Street Journal, which first reported the news.

Consumers and readers understand that outstanding journalism has value, Claudius Senst, the companys new head of consumer subscriptions, told WSJ. And they accept that you need to pay for it.

advertisement advertisement

Business Insider is offering two tiers for BI Prime. Subscribers can pay $9.95 a month or $99 for an entire year. Readers can also get a one-month trial for $1.

In 2012, the company launched BI Intelligence, a paid premium market research service. The service starts at around $300 to $400 annually for newsletters. All-access memberships begin at over $2,000 a year.

While BI Intelligence is targeted at professionals, the new subscription offering is aimed at more casual readers who are interested in business news. According to WSJ, Business Insider has recently committed to producing more exclusive reporting and original content and less SEO-driven click-bait articles.

"We've demonstrated that the subscription model works, within the business category," Business Insider co-founder, editor and CEO Henry Blodget told AdAge in 2016. "This is another test of a larger potential subscription business."

While it has proven difficult to get readers to pay for content, publishers are trying to convince consumers to support journalism. Last month, USA Today launched an ad-free subscription offering for its mobile app for $2.99 a month, and Vanity Fair is reportedly planning to introduce a paywall to its digital content.
by Alex Weprin , November 13, 2017

The current state of over-the-top video is complicated and political, but the opportunities in the space will only get bigger as more consumers embrace new platforms, executives said at the Interactive Advertising Bureau Video Symposium on Monday.

Brands, content creators and agencies were all represented at the symposium, which sought to explore the opportunities and challenges of OTT video.



What is exciting as a marketer is the ad-supported growth in OTT platforms, said Sophie Kelly, senior VP of the North American whiskeys portfolio at beverage giant Diageo. Kelly noted that while Netflix may be king of the OTT universe, ad-supported options continue to grow at an aggressive pace as well. Hulu, for example, was growing at 2% per quarter.

And while Netflix does not accept any advertising for now, eventually its subscriber count will slow down or reach a ceiling.

advertisement advertisement

When that happens, they are going to be looking for more revenue opportunities, Kelly said, implying that advertising is the next logical step.

Still, the world of OTT remains messy, with a slew of players on the content and technology side.

It is truly complicated, said Andrew Snyder, senior VP of video strategy and solutions for Time Inc.s Video Center of Excellence. Snyder added that as a content company, Time Inc. wanted to offer a rolled-up solution for brands looking to reach young consumers.

Its "political, said Sarah Warner, managing partner and digital investment lead for programmatic and video at GroupM. Warner compared the current state of OTT to a pool with swim lanes, where different players tried to encroach on lanes that may have traditionally been dominated by other players in the ecosystem.

Every publisher has set themselves up differently and are approaching this marketplace differently. I would love to get uniformity, but also parity, Warner added.

As brands increase their spend on OTT services, they are also trying to navigate an ecosystem that is more fragmented than traditional media platforms.

It is a total arms race. Everyone is trying to figure out, how do we crack the consumer distribution platform? said Snyder, noting that Time Inc. not only invests in video on its own platforms, but also on Twitter, skinny bundles and elsewhere.

Are you going to shift your entire TV budget to OTT? No, youre not, said Kelly, who added that while brands may still buy on traditional platforms, they need to be engaged with the platforms that tomorrows media consumers will be using.
by Ray Schultz , November 13, 2017

Email users are being threatened by massive credential theft, according to a study by Google, the University of California, Berkeley and the International Computer Science Institute. And phishing is the main way of getting to them.

Phishing victims are 400 times more likely to be hijacked compared to random Google users, Google reports.

In contrast, the rate is ten times more likely for data breach victims and 40 times more likely for keylogger victims.

Google studied 778,000 potential victims of keylogging, 12.4 million potential victims of phishing, and 1.9 billion user names and passwords exposed by data breaches in the year between March 2016 and March 2017, it says.

The risk of a full email takeover depends on how the attackers acquired a victims credentials, Google found.

For example, only 7% of victims in third-party data breaches have their current Google password exposed, compared to 12% of keylogger victims and 25% of phishing victims, it states.

advertisement advertisement

According to Google, 4,069 phishing kits and 52 keyloggers were responsible for the active attacks.

Phishing kits are ready-to-deploy packages for creating and configuring phishing content that also provide built-in support for reporting stolen credentials, Google writes.

The most popular phishing kit is a website that emulates Gmail, Yahoo, and Hotmail logins, Google continues.

This kit was used by 2,599 blackhat actors to steal 1.4 million credentials, Google notes.

The most popular keylogger tool was the off-the-shelf product HawkEye. It was used by 470 blackhat actors to generate 409.000 reports of user activity on infected devices, Google writes.

HawkEye and Predator Pain provide built-in functionality to steal on-device password stores, harvest clipboard content, and screenshot a victims activity in addition to monitoring keystrokes, Google points out.

All this, in turn, is feeding a massive data blackmarket.

Google adds that the main home for phishers and keyloggers is Nigeria, followed by other African nations and locales in Southeast Asia.

Phishing victims are primarily located in the United States and Europe, whereas keylogging victims are in Turkey, the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, and Iran, Google states.

Google offers the caveat that its dataset is strictly a sample of underground activity, yet even our sample demonstrates the massive scale of credential theft occurring in the wild.

Google recently announced its Advanced Protection program for users at elevated risk of attack.
by Tanya Gazdik , November 13, 2017

Felix Brautigam is leaving Porsche and joining Jaguar Land Rover as chief marketing officer.

He also gets a spot on the automakers board of management. Brautigam joins the business immediately, but takes full responsibility on Jan. 1, reporting directly to Ralf Speth, Jaguar Land Rover chief executive officer.

Brautigam replaces Gerd Mauser, who is retiring from the business at the end of the year but will continue as chairman of Jaguar Racing to lead next seasons Formula E campaign. He joins Jaguar Land Rover from Porsche AG in Stuttgart, where he was most recently vice president for Europe, responsible for 51 markets. He has also served as managing director of Porsche France and general manager marketing communications. He started his career at General Motors, with stints at Saab, Vauxhall and Opel.

Speth said Brautigam will be tasked with increasing the success of our world-class brands with an even greater portfolio of new models designed to delight our customers, delivering experiences they will love for life. He added that Mauser presided over an unprecedented period of growth in our business, bringing consistency and creativity to our global marketing operations.

advertisement advertisement

Brautigam says he plans to help take Jaguar Land Rover and the customer experience to the next level. His experience with another luxury brand like Porsche will be helpful since the buyers are very similar, says Rebecca Lindland, Cox Automotive executive analyst

JLR has a wonderful British heritage that they can pull from, and that certainly helps brands like Aston Martin, Burberry, and Sunseeker, Lindland tells Marketing Daily.

But the luxury market is changing, she says, noting that the oldest Millennials are turning 40 next year.

Their reasons for purchase are different than the Baby Boomers and Gen Xers who have revitalized Range Rover and are currently revitalizing Jaguar, she says.

Since Jaguar Land Rover is a global automaker, Brautigam also needs to be aware of how the brand is perceived differently in each region.

He needs to understand how JLR is perceived in Dubai versus New York versus Los Angeles versus Paris, she says. But certainly his experience at Porsche will be a big benefit to him.
'Tall, dark and handsome'- a phrase that has been repeatedly used by most women to describe their ideal man. Though remarkably sexist, this phrase has stuck with men since eternity. The fascination that women have with tall men might be hard to wrap your head around and is, probably never going to end. But height has nothing to do with what you can achieve and your favorite Hollywood celebrities have proved it, time and again.

We are pretty sure you must have wondered at least once in your life, as to what is the exact height of your favorite male actor. Are they really as tall as they look on screen or is it just a good camera angle?

So we've put stars in a height line-up to prove that big talent comes from stars of all heights.

1. Robert Downey Jr.

The ever-so-popular 'Iron Man' star Robert Downey Jr. might look taller on screen in his red and gold armor but in reality, he is no taller than 5ft 9in.

 Reuters

2. Tom Hardy

He is best known for roles in movies like 'Mad Max: Fury Road', 'Inception', 'The Revenant' and as Bane in 'The Dark Knight Rises', a film in which he wore thick footwear to add to his stature, as he is 5'9 tall.

 Twitter

3. Vin Diesel

He isn't as big as he looks (at least not height-wise). The American actor best known for roles in films such as the 'Fast and the Furious series and 'Pitch Black', has often been described as being 6'4 tall. However, on a radio show, the actor claimed that he is 6ft 1in , but wears thick heeled boots a lot of times.

 Reuters

4. Leonardo DiCaprio

Leo's height has been a rather debatable topic for some. For some reason, his fans and the press think that the actor looks shorter than he claims to be and have a hard time believing the fact that the actor is actually 6 feet tall.

 Reuters

5. Ryan Gosling

Ladies go gaga over this Canadian actor who is best known for his performances in movies like 'The Notebook' and 'La La Land'. The actor who has been gifted in the looks department also stands at a good height of 6 feet.

 Reuters

6. Tom Cruise

His colleagues and ex-girlfriends have often made fun of his 5'7 height. But when you've had a long and successful career like him, who cares?

 Reuters

7. Brad Pitt

Brad is 5 ft. 11 in. tall but his fans argue that he's actually taller than has been reported.

 Reuters

8. Ryan Reynolds

When asked about his height in an interview, the witty 'Deadpool' star said I'm 6' 2" with a 5' 10" face".

 Reuters

9. Daniel Radcliffe

Our beloved 'Harry Potter', who is considered as one of the shortest actors in Hollywood, stands at 5 ft. 5 in. Due to his short height, he has to stand on a box during filming as most of his co-stars are taller than him!

 Reuters

10. Johnny Depp

Known for his role as Captain Jack Sparrow in the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' movies, Depp has been quoted saying, "I'm not the biggest guy in the world by any means -- I'm only five-foot-eleven".

 Reuters

11. Mark Wahlberg

The 'Ted' actor claims that he is only 5 feet 10" and that it often comes as a surprise to people.

 Reuters

12. Bradley Cooper

Bradley who gained worldwide popularity for his role in 'The Hangover' movie series is one of the tallest actors in the Hollywood industry. As per an interview, he stands at an extremely good height of 6 ft. 2 in (almost).

 Reuters

13. Chris Hemsworth

Chris is 6 ft. 3 in. and that used to pose a problem for him until he auditioned for 'Thor', where his magnificent, truck-like body was deemed perfect for the role.

 Reuters

14. Dwayne Johnson

The multi-talented Dwayne Johnson, also known by his ring name 'The Rock' revealed in an interview that he is almost 6 ft. 5 in. tall.

 Reuters

15. Ben Affleck

Ben is again, one of those unfortunate ones whose height proved to be an issue during his acting career. The actor revealed in an interview in the year 2000, 'I was 6 feet 3 and people told me, 'You're too big to be a leading man.

 Reuters

16. Matthew McConaughey

The 'Interstellar' star's listed height puts him around 6 feet, but on certain occasions; he has said that he stands at 5 feet 11 3/4 inches.

 Reuters

17. Jason Statham

Jason's British accent and handsome looks make him extremely popular among the ladies. Although he isn't as tall as most men in the industry, he stands well above the average male height with his 5 feet 10 inches.

 Reuters

18. Dev Patel

The British actor, who found great success with the blockbuster 'Slumdog Millionaire', has been listed by his agency at a height of 6ft 2 in.

 Reuters

19. Matt Damon

Best known for roles in 'Saving Private Ryan', 'The Martian', 'Good Will Hunting' and 'The Departed', Matt has faced quite a few issues due to his weight and height and revealed earlier in an interview that, "I'm 5-10.5, maybe 5-11 if I totally stretch out".

 Reuters

20. Will Smith

Will has always appeared as quite the tall guy and in this case, appearance is not deceptive. The actor stands tall at 6 feet 2 inches.

 Reuters

21. Hugh Jackman

The star stands tall and proud at 6 feet 2 inches and various reports have made rounds on the web saying that he doesn't truly represent the 'Wolverine' character as in the comics the character is only 5 feet 5 inches tall. His fans however, don't seem to mind it.

 Reuters

22. Keanu Reeves

Having starred in action films such as 'Speed' and 'The Matrix', Keanu Reeves is known for having a chiseled body which when combined with his height of 6 ft. 1 in. makes for a killer combination.

 Reuters

23. Tom Hiddlestone

The British star who is well known for his role as Loki in the 'Thor' series, has revealed that he himself isn't too sure about his exact height. He said in an interview, I'm 6ft. 2in, 6ft.3in...I'm never quite sure, it seems to vary.

 Reuters

24. Benedict Cumberbatch

Our beloved 'Sherlock', with his unusual curly hair and angular face, looks very different from your usual Hollywood hunks but his height is just at par as he stands at almost 6 ft. tall.

 Reuters

25. Chris Pratt

Last but definitely not the least, Chris Pratt's height of 6 ft. 2 in. shouldn't come as a shock as it is pretty obvious that the actor is super tall.

 Reuters
Wilbur Ross is President Donald Trumps secretary of commerce. Arguably moreso than any other Cabinet member, he is the leading proponent of Trumps America First policy on international trade.

Ross made a point of selling off numerous holdings to join the Trump administration. Which makes all the more curious the report that he has retained his investments in a shipping firm he once controlled that has significant business ties to a Russian oligarch subject to American sanctions and Russian President Vladimir V. Putins son-in-law, according to newly disclosed documents.

The shipper, Navigator Holdings, earns millions of dollars a year transporting gas for one of its top clients, a giant Russian energy company called Sibur, whose owners include the oligarch, Gennady Timchenko, and Kirill Shamalov, Putins son-in-law. Ross kept an investment in Navigator, which increased its business dealings with Sibur even as the West sought to punish Russias energy sector over Putins incursions into Ukraine, the New York Times reported Nov. 5.

Partnerships used by Ross, whose private equity firm has long been the biggest shareholder in Navigator, have a 31 percent stake in the company. Though his personal share of that stake was reduced as he took office in February, he retained an investment in the partnerships valued between $2 million and $10 million, and stood to earn a higher share of profits as a general partner, according to his government ethics disclosure and securities filings.

Ross stake in Navigator has been held by a chain of companies in the Cayman Islands, one of several tax havens where much of his wealth  estimated at less than $700 million, Forbes.com reported Tuesday on its website  has been tied to similar investment vehicles. Details of these arrangements surfaced in a cache of leaked files from Appleby, one of the worlds largest offshore law firms, which administered some 50 companies and partnerships in the Caymans and elsewhere connected to Ross.

The Appleby documents, obtained by the German newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung, were shared with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists and other media organizations, including The New York Times. They show how the Bermuda-based Appleby worked to help the wealthy elite, from Russian oligarchs to Middle Eastern princes, as well as multinational corporations like Apple and Nike, avoid billions of dollars in taxes.

Ross ethics agreement, filed in January, listed the partnerships he intended to keep, but not the investments they held. Previously, Navigator had been mentioned in a separate, 57-page description of his holdings for the year that ended in December 2016, but with no hint of its ties to Sibur.

There is no evidence of illegality in any of Ross dealings. But thats not the point.

President Trump is encouraging Congress to send him a tax reform bill which includes a lower corporate tax rate with a specific goal of encouraging American companies to discontinue the practice of inversion: merging with a foreign company and incorporating the new company in that country to pay a corporate tax rate lower than the American rate.

The stated goal of the Trump administrations trade policy is America First.

Why, then, did the presidents commerce secretary  having made a pointedly public divestment in so many of his public holdings to become this adminstrations America First point man  maintain his business relationship with such high-profile Russians, including one subject to American sanctions, and stash his money in the Cayman Islands?

Secretary Ross should sell his stake in Navigator. It would show us hes serious about putting America first.
Are you looking for ways to make your fat face look thinner? We all undergo that phase wherein we are looking for a hairstyle that enhances our face cut. Obviously, these hairstyles aren't going to take the weight off your face but it'll definitely enhance and make your face cut look a little sharper leading on to make your face look thin.

After all, optical illusions aren't just for magicians. These are visual tricks that are effective in making your face look in a certain way and give an extra edge to it. So, if you have a big round face and you want to cut a kilo off it, these are the hairstyles that you'll have to try getting. So, here is the list of 7 hairstyles that'll make your face look thinner.

Beard styling is another way to make face look thinner. Also, we are not talking about permanent weight loss. While Keto isn't the ultimate way for permanent weight loss, getting a haircut isn't either. We're not saying a hairstyle will literally cut some kilos, all we mean is: lumberjack styles won't thin your face. There's a way around sculpting your face into looking its best and that's the stuff we're talking of here. So, whether you possess a round face or have just been letting your weighing scale down lately, these 5 cuts will ditch the extra weight anyway.

1. Pompadour

 Pinterest/Shahid Kapoor

While most men since 2014 (since the pompadour's inception), have fallen for this 'do, they've eventually grown out of it because of its over-saturation. But while that was a fair move, men with chubby faces should stick by it to cut a kg off their face. The whole idea is to make your face appear longer and hence, since pompadours glorify jaw lines and sharpen the chin, you rather keep them close.

2. Crew/Buzz Cut

 Facebook/David Beckham

Practicality winners and your once-in-a-lifetime phase (at least)crew cuts or buzz cuts are a little hard to match. One, because they need no effort/styling. Two, they take at least 10 years off your face. And three, they turn your sideburns into your cardio to lose you a kilogram. Keep them not too thick/not too thin and medium in length. Time to narrow your jawline!

3. Faux Hawk

 Cortes Masculinos

First off, this is not a Mohawkwe're not fools to recommend it to you in 2017. That said, two things about the Mohawk are 'thinify' wands: its angular play and voluminous properties that happen to modify your face. So basically, use the cut's elements as a baseline, mold it as per preference and arrive upon a faux hawk (not a mohawk). Stick to medium-length hair and keep the sides/back short.

4. Asymmetrical Messy Fringe

 Pinterest/Mens Hairstyles

While asymmetrical head fringes are annoyance in the summer (cc: sweat), they're not in F/W. Plus, with their games of dimension and depth with the mane, not forgetting, the asymmetry tooare starter points to reducing the roundness of the face. Most importantly: they even make your head appear shorter. And while this isn't the spiffiest option out there, it's worth the weight loss.

5. High Volume Undercut

 Pinterest/Mens Style

A flat top haircut is not too common these days but it definitely makes your face look thinner. The brainchild behind this look is to add volume on top of your head to make your face not look round and look oval. This is just another way of giving an edge to your face.

These hairstyles can change your life for better, but if you won't risk it, you wouldn't ever know. SO here is the time to get rid of that extra weight off your face instantly. Also, the best and permanent solution to this problem is to start losing weight by working out but meanwhile these hairstyles will do it.
Chevrolet has a new gift for vroom lovers. The all-new 2019 Corvette ZR1 has finally made an appearance in the City of Gold and we can't take our eyes off of it! The Dubai Auto Show was definitely the perfect to unveil the supercar, given that General Motors has put in a lot of sweat and moolah in making the next-gen Corvette a luxurious whip.

Source: Chevrolet

The orange bodywork of the Corvette is easy on the eyes and the very first look at the vehicle will get your pulse racing, but that's not all. The makers wanted a refreshing piece and what's more refreshing than tangerine brake calipers, rocker and splitter accent stripes, seat belts, interior stitching and a unique bronze aluminum interior trim? They are calling it the Sebring Orange Design Package, and we think it's so revitalising it's almost edible!

Source: Chevrolet

General Motors have paid attention to the tiniest of details for the ZR1 to be a razor smooth fast drive. They have improved the cooling of the car by giving it a "special carbon-fiber halo hood" that has an opening in the middle, and they have even reworked the wings of the supercar to maximise downforce and reduce drag.

Source: Chevrolet

The word you're hunting for is "steamy", and the ZR1 is not just steamy because of how it looks but also because it's deadlier than a stallion on heat. Chevrolet worked in a LT5 6.2L V-8 supercharged engine that is capable of pumping out 755hp that can make it reach a top speed of nearly 338kmph. This makes the ZR1 the most powerful Corvette yet. The driver can control this baby with a seven-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic transmission in order to put the metal to the test.

Source: Chevrolet

Oh, and oh! What's a quick lap without some nice music blaring in the background (or some soothing Beethoven to keep you from going overboard with excitement, if that's your kind of thing), which is why Chevrolet packed in a Bose sound system.

International roads will be graced with its presence early next year and it appears that Chevrolet will be manufacturing 3000 units annually. There is no intelligence on its price tag, but General Motor's newest offering won't be easy on the pocket. From where we see it, the new Corvette is nothing short of perfect, and will be worth every penny spent!
Were excited to announce that metalbulletin.com is now part of fastmarkets.com.

A new look and an improved experience means you can still stay ahead of this fast-moving metals market with price data, news and market intelligence right here on Fastmarkets.

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.
Gospel artiste Emelia Arthur, who is also the made-in-Ghana campaign ambassador, will tour some business centres in the capital from today to Friday, November 17, 2017,

The tour, dubbed 'Made-In-Ghana Mobile Exhibition', will see various Ghanaian producers display their products on a moving van through some principal business centres in Accra for promotion.

The campaign ambassador will stop intermittently at vantage points to interact with prospective and potential consumers and explain to them the need to patronise locally-made products as the Christmas approaches.

The tour will be climaxed on November 18, 2017 with a made-in-Ghana dinner at the Osu Castle to honour some industry players who have worked around the clock to ensure that Ghanaian products are accepted by all.

The gospel artiste was unveiled as the made-in-Ghana campaign ambassador in 2016 by the Ministry of Trade & Industry.

Emelia Arthur's role as an mbassador will include serving as a role model for the campaign, creating awareness on made-in-Ghana goods and services on her various platforms and participating in events related to the made-in-Ghana campaign.

The gospel artiste has released a new song titled 'Nyame Enndi Ye Abro' (God Won't Forsake Us) to help bolster her crusade.

The track, sung in Fante, Twi, Ewe and Ga says once we plant seeds and they germinate, it means God won't ever forsake us so we must rise and raise up this country by relying on our own efforts, she added.
Dancehall artiste Livingstone Etse Satekla, popularly known as Stonebwoy, says he can't put a figure on the number of songs he has released.

Speaking to Naa Klordey Odonkor on Ultimate Brunch, the dancehall artiste stated, One thousand would be an exaggeration, but I have a lot of songs in the system, those that I have featured on and those that I have released.

According to him, his first album 'Grade 1', which was released under Samini music, has 18 tracks and his second studio album 'Necessary Evil' has more than 30 songs and his third album now has 24 songs and has six songs on his 'Livingston EP'.

Stonebwoy is expected to release his third studio album titled 'Epistles of Mama' (EOM), dedicated to his late mum who passed away in 2015.

The double album which has two CDs made up of reggae and Afro-beat has 12 songs on each CD, and it is expected to be released on the internet on December 12, 2017, something his fans should look forward to this yuletide.

He added that the reggae CD features top Jamaican reggae artistes like Chronixx, Kabaka Pyramid, Gramps Morgan and others.

The Ashaiman-born hitmaker also features Kevin Boy, King Promise, Ebony, Amaraee and Efya on his yet-to-be released album.
Photo credit - culled from Ghananewsagency.com

13.11.2017 LISTEN

The rate of armed robbery cases in Ghana keep surging but these attacks may be the fault of the victims.

With the advent of the internet and social media, Ghanaians are putting a lot of information about their personal lives on social media.

Maybe, for the fun of it but these actions could spell doom for social media users.

The internet, similar to most things has its negative and positives and how you use it will determines how it will treat you.

In an interview with Afua Pokuaa on Adom FM, Frank Kofi Asamoah, an Ethical Hacker and Cyber Security Analyst noted that when people take pictures and post them online detailing their every moment, they unknowingly invite armed robbers to visit them.

"In as much as you are taking photos of your lives and posting them, posting about your travel life, you are asking robbers to visit you since you are not home," he said in the interview.

"You are just exposing yourself to unwanted people which is used against you," he added.

He further advised Ghanaians to stop posting their private life on the Internet as private issues are only meant for family.

He adds: "I feel for these victims but one way or the other, they exposed themselves which is being used against them."

He notes that social media has its positives and negatives but the onerous lies on the user and how disciplined users are while using it.

On the positives, he cited an example where his room mate connected to his dad he had never met before on Facebook and how other companies use it to advertise their products for real time feedback.

On employment, Asamoah sheds light on how most companies are now looking through social media before making employment decision and the fact that people are loosing jobs in the US because of what they post on social media.

A recent example is that of a BBC story that surfaced on the internet last week about a woman called Rachel who lost her job of 21 years because of a picture she posted on Facebook.

According to the BBC, she had held a music night for people in the care home she worked and the residents in the area but the authorities were simply unhappy with the move.

Copyright (2017) Modern Ghana

All rights reserved. This article, or any portion thereof may not be reproduced, paraphrased or used in any manner whatsoever without giving full credit to modernghana and the author of the article. However, it could be used in brief quotations and in reviews.
13.11.2017 LISTEN

Given the conundrum over the cost-saving Ghana Post Addressing System that has totally thrown the dunderheads of the NDC into chaos, unfashionable members of the umbrella have nauseated even the blond talkative at the White House. It has gotten Donald Trump talking about the abusive nuclear effects of Akpeteshie. But why not, when drunkards of the NDC are overly intoxicated with this spirit, especially the type that is toxically fermented by the use of rusted metal nails and sugar.

So Kokoon Anyidoho walked straight into a KVIP toilet when he tried to use the Ghana Post App. In addition to his obnoxious ignorance of everything, especially the art of public decorum, this blubber of lard, a member of the NDC swinery, cannot hide his obfuscation with this rather simple application. I want to confirm and reconfirm, that if John Dramani Mahama, the disgraced former president, who recently described Ghanaians as pigs, had attempted to take a brilliant step as this, the App would have cost thirty times more. After all, the recent expose on SSNIT indicated that their specific App cost over $80 million US Dollars. This happened under his watch and almost certainly with his approval.

That particular scandal was neither condemned by the humpty dumpty Anyidoho nor was it by the babies with sharp teeth of whom Kwesi Pratt is a chore member. Why do we have to be subjected to such imbecility, and why do we have to allow such people to disturb our peace? There are a number of sanatoriums in the country that were woefully neglected by the NDC of gloom which can accommodate these dangerous madmen.

What is worse is the fact that some NDC educated illiterates are campaigning against the Ghana Post Addressing System because it was initiated by Dr Mahmood Bawumia, Vice President of the Republic of Ghana. He is the nemesis of the NDC, the destroyer of fart-filled bubbles like Kokoon Anyidoho, and one of the many players of the drive to retire the NDC forever. We have achieved that, in shaa ALLAH#GoodRiddance!

Let me advise Kokoon Anyidoho to do well and remain in the toilet that he was led to because this smart APP has appropriately sent him to where he deservedly has created an abode for himself. And to Kwesi Pratt, your trademark stomach journalism is abhorring and very unpatriotic.

#Apuu
13.11.2017 LISTEN

Bonn, Germany (12 November 2017)  The mayors of 25 pioneering cities, including Accra, Durban & Cape Town, representing 150 million citizens, have pledged to develop and begin implementing more ambitious climate action plans before the end of 2020 to deliver emissions neutral and climate resilient cities by 2050. These plans will ensure the cities deliver on their share of emissions reductions required to realise the ambition of the Paris Agreement.

In concrete terms, these climate action plans, developed with the support of C40 Cities, will help the worlds largest cities cut their emissions steeply over the next decade, and reach net-zero emissions by 2050. The plans will also demonstrate how each city will adapt and improve its resilience to climate related crises and extreme weather events. Finally, the plans will detail the wider social, environmental and economic benefits for all citizens, of taking climate action.

The C40 member cities that have made this pioneering commitment, are: Austin, Accra, Barcelona, Boston, Buenos Aires, Cape Town, Caracas, Copenhagen, Durban, London, Los Angeles, Melbourne, Mexico City, Milan, New York City, Oslo, Paris, Philadelphia, Portland, Quito, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, Santiago, Stockholm & Vancouver.

In delivering the Deadline 2020 programme C40 will be working in collaboration with other leading city initiatives such as The Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance to achieve long-term emission reduction goals across more cities.

C40 Cities today also announced that they will provide direct support to nine African megacities in developing unprecedented, robust and evidence-based long-term climate action plans that align with the goals of the Paris Agreement. This project (Cities Matter: Capacity building in sub-Saharan African megacities for transformational climate change mitigation) is part of the International Climate Initiative (IKI). The Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB) supports this initiative on the basis of a decision adopted by the German Bundestag.

The cities supported through this initiative are: Accra, Cape Town, Addis Ababa, Dar es Salaam, Durban, Johannesburg, Lagos, Nairobi and Tshwane.

The Paris Agreement is very clear on what needs to happen to take courageous climate action, said Mayor of Paris and C40 Chair, Anne Hidalgo. Mayors of the worlds great cities are shaping the century ahead and paving the way for a better, healthier and greener future. Mayors do what they must do, not what they can, and these plans and policies are an excellent example of our state of mind. With the support of key partners, like BMUB and C40, African cities are playing a leading and decisive role in delivering on the ambition of the Paris Agreement.
Forming a Church Safety Team

By Greg Ellifritz. November 5th, 2017

Article Source

This is a guest post from my friend Ron Borsch, a retired police officer and well known law enforcement trainer. He has been doing some consulting in the field of church safety and has come up with some great ideas about forming a church security team. Check out his article and all the additional references he provides.

-Greg

Checking our Stopwatch of Death database back to 1975, we find that church murders have been increasing with alarming frequency. Regrettably, ignoring the problem is only trolling for a tragedy. It is perfectly normal for us to not want to think about violence, much less murder, or mass murder in church. Today, however, safe havens do not occur naturally, they require our personal attention, intention, planning, and effort. A Volunteer Safety Team (VST) is certainly a practical consideration.

Until our legislators and decision makers for schools, churches, malls, theaters and workplaces become enlightened to the primary factor in saving the most lives (on-site good guys with guns), these locations will continue to be the preferred hunting grounds for active killers. Before we detail suggestions for forming a volunteer safety team, we need a closer examination of the problem.

ROULETTE WHEEL OF RISK

Churches are certainly not the respected sanctuary they once were. The problem with failing to consider the evil intentions of those who would introduce a homicidal invasion in a church, is a very serious risk. While this risk is admittedly of low frequency, it is also a high probability for catastrophic tragedy. Calculate the risk for yourself here by reading the patterns from our Stopwatch of Death database:

As far as we are aware, no Rapid Mass Murder, (RMM), at a church occurred in the entire decade 1975-1984;

One occurred in 1985,

No RMM for the next eight years;

One RMM in 1994;

No RMM for four years;

One RMM in 1999;

No RMM for the next five years, now pay attention hereon ...

One each RMM in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008;

Two RMM in 2009; No RMM for two years;

Three RMM in 2012;

No RMM for two years;

One RMM in 2015.

We are not the only ones concerned, see FBI Offers Security Training for Houses of Worship

Rapid Mass Murder at any church was unheard of for a long while. Abruptly, five years in a row we had one or two a year. The three RMM we had in 2012 made churches the third most frequent active killer target, after educational facilities and workplaces but ahead of malls, theaters, Etc. Laws, rules and signs that forbid guns in these locations are obeyed only by the law-abiding. Criminals with homicidal intent are not dissuaded by laws, rules or signs. In fact, it appears evident that they depend on these exact laws, rules or signs for their very own safety, to guarantee that innocent victims will be disarmed and defenseless. Clearly, being ready and prepared for a potential active killer attack is so much better than gambling with parishioners lives by doing nothing to counter a documented existing threat.

ONE PREPARED CHURCH

On Sunday, December 9th 2007, an active killer arrived at the New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado with a rifle, at least two pistols, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, and massacre on his mind. Twelve hours earlier and 70 miles away, this cowardly but determined murderer had already attacked the Arvada missionary church, murdering two and wounding two others. New Life is a mega-church and had about 7,000 parishioners on campus at the time of the attack. Arriving at the church, this predatory rogue human began by shooting five, (murdering two, wounding three), parishioners in the parking lot.

The fact that no one was harmed inside the church was by design. New Life church had the foresight to prepare, and was enlightened enough to form a cadre of volunteer armed security guards. A very special church guard on duty that day was Jeanne Assam, a former police officer. At the start of the attack, she was the first to act, moving towards the shooters entry point to keep him away from the congregation. Assam opened fire on this rogue human with her personally owned, concealed firearm. Police say that after suffering multiple hits from Assams gun, the coward fatally shot himself. Assam later stated that God guided me and protected me [and I] did not think for a minute to run away.

TWO TYPES OF RANDOM ACTORS

The random acting active killers that we formally track are not the only threat that churches face. Informally we also track terrorists who may also be inspired by, if not actually directed by criminal Islamists, both foreign and domestic. As evidenced by the slaughter of Jews and Christians in the Middle East and Europe, terrorists will inevitably spread terror into numerous other countries including America. For reference on this topic, see Islamic Terrorists, Today!

Utopian belief that a law, rule or No-Guns sign would be obeyed by criminals or terrorists does not meet any common sense standard, and certainly pales in the light of a study: Pretend Gun-Free School Zones: A Deadly Legal Fiction by David B. Kopel. Who are these Active Killers that commit Rapid Mass Murder almost anywhere? What are their traits and what can we do to stop them? A four minute preview of a video presented by LTC/Ret. Dave Grossman may be helpful in understanding how they operate.

WINNING WITHOUT FIGHTING?

What these two different types of mass murderers have in common is the fact that neither type of coward arrive at the crime scene expecting a fight. They fully intend to be totally dominant in their slaughter of innocents. They carefully select their target locations by insuring that their victims are disarmed and utterly defenseless. Inevitably, among specific targets in America, will be Christian churches, Jewish synagogues, and moderate Muslim Mosques. Unlike Junior and Senior High schools, colleges and workplaces where Rapid Mass Murder incidents have an age and familiarity connection, churches typically are targeted by homicidal killers with no connection to whatsoever to the congregation.

When an active killer or terrorist pre-plans and scouts a facility or church, they may judge it to be too hard of a target and pass it up for a easier location. The harder-appearing church has then won the fight without bloodshed or actual fighting. In states that allow the option of having on site armed church security, it is certainly preferable to utilize that option. If a surprise attack occurs, the on-site armed good guys can minimize the carnage.

CONGREGATION SAFETY

We have documented that it is evil individuals with Numerous Unstable or Troubling Symptoms who have committed Rapid Mass Murder at various locations such as educational facilities, malls, theaters, workplaces, and churches. Outside of being a generally documented location where a group of disarmed and defenseless innocents are gathered, so far there does not seem to be any rhyme or reason for the killers choice of church or the worshipers within. Therefore, it is more than prudent to seriously consider congregation safety. Having appropriate foresight to anticipate this risk is both responsible and realistic. To not do so is subscribing to the Roulette Wheel of Risk. While this risk may be low, the consequence of tragedy is high. When murders occur in church, you can only imagine how devastated the entire congregation and community would be.

PLAIN CLOTHES SURPRISE

A low-profile or plainclothes approach is more comfortable for both the volunteers and fellow parishioners. More importantly, having plainclothes security is an important strategic and tactical advantage against a potential active killer. Actually, any number of armed good guys with CCW permits is much preferred over disarmed innocents in church. Some enlightened pastors have a welcome mat out for their faithful parishioners with CCW permits. That is one approach, the other approach is more formal. Having an armed Voluntary Security Team, (VST), for church functions and services has become an intelligent and knowledgeable safety precaution in todays world. As Chad Baus points out in his excellent piece, CCW in places of worship: I believe this speaks quite strongly to the idea that insurance companies -- even one that has strong roots in pacifism -- have come to realize that there are significant liability risks from banning guns altogether.

WE SUGGEST YOU DECIDE

There does not seem to be much information in the area of forming a church safety and security team. Having been published on several prestigious law enforcement Internet sites regarding the active killer problem and Rapid Mass Murder, I previously authored a successful piece on church safety. I have also consulted with advocates of armed, on-site good guys from their churches locally as well as an advocate from a mega-church who traveled to meet with me.

It therefore seems natural to share information that others may find helpful in creating their own church policy on armed good guys being welcomed in church and some fundamentals in forming an on-site church safety and security team. Interested groups are free to modify and expand upon my suggestions for a custom solution, appropriate for their own churches. I am open to share-back from readers. We suggest, you decide. Lets start with selecting security team members...

RESPONSIBLE SELECTION:

An important consideration in the selection process is that candidates already have or are receptive to developing a proper Guardian-Mind-Set training for the duty of protecting the congregation against lethal threats. For example, some of my law enforcement students suggested they knew of volunteer armed church guards that cowered and or fled when the shooting started. Applicants should be stable, sober, level headed, mature adults, generally able-bodied, with skill-sets and psychological makeup approved by the judgement of the Pastor.

Team members should be familiar with how the mind works under stress, (natural freezing before fight or flight), how Reality Based Training scenario repetitions reduce the freezing time process, and the four stages of John Boyds OODA Loop, and Rebooting the OODA Loop.

Generally speaking, present or prior service military or police would be a good place to start looking for volunteers for your team. However, trusted parishioners, interested enough to have earned their own concealed carry weapon permit, should not be overlooked. The CCW folks are already pre-vetted by having passed a criminal history background check. At a minimum, the CCW folks have also been certified in a state mandated class which includes gun safety and safe gun handling. As a group, they are documented as being quite well behaved since there are penalties for malpractice on their part that could cause them to lose their valuable carry license.

What size should a Voluntary Safety Team be? We can say with certainty that when an active killer actually strikes, most reasonable people would have wished that there were more on-site armed good guys present. Operating at minimum staffing is not recommended, people get sick, injured, Etc. Church size is the main consideration for the size of the VST. A suggested ratio for a smaller church (under one hundred worshipers) is a minimum of two on-site armed good guys at every service. A mega-church may well have two on-site armed good guys for every one hundred worshipers. One church we know of has a minimum of six VSTs at each service.

Church records should maintain a file category for the Volunteer Security Team, along with a list of all CCW permit holders given written permission to carry a firearm in the church. A separate personnel file for each, with a copy of their drivers license, state, police or military ID card, photograph, copy of their CCW permit should be created. Periodically, the team, including new team members, should review recent ID photos of all CCW permit holders so they can recognize and be familiar with them in case of an incident. Training volunteer candidates is our next challenge.

Volunteering must include follow through with training commitments. Shooting is a perishable skill, and many CCW permit holders actively shoot for recreation or competition. Many are even better marksman than the average police officer. Getting enough of the right sort of volunteer candidates to form a team may be difficult due to various considerations such as: church size, training and meeting time demands, personal cost of ammunition for practice, targets, etc. Costs may be subsidized by donations from time to time. Larger churches can sometimes absorb these costs into their budget.

TRAINING:

Within the congregation may be folks with useful skill-sets and credentials that would be helpful in training the Voluntary Safety and Security Team. For example, medical doctors, nurses, or firemen could assist with basic first aid skills. Parishioners with military and police backgrounds could help out with multiple skills such as handgun training and education in other skill-sets. Resources outside the congregation could be local police and fire departments, a local hospital, the American Red Cross, etc.

The state of Ohio requires law enforcement officers to qualify with their firearms at least once annually. Most progressive police departments have firearm training sessions more often. While police are far more likely to respond to a firearm confrontation, it is still possible that church security teams might have to engage a shooter. Regular ongoing training is a must. Once in possession of a permit to carry, VST team members should, at minimum, shoot their states law enforcement qualification test at least once per year.

Live fire practice on a quarterly basis is even better. Reality-based humanoid targets and decision making skills (shoot, dont shoot targets), and shooting in a crowd of innocent people should also be required. Periodic hands-on scenarios and on-site training with Air-Soft, (training handguns projecting only plastic BBs, not as powerful as Paint-Ball guns), is also recommended.

USE OF FORCE:

Training should also include awareness in identifying pre-incident crises, verbal de-escalation methods, and police notification procedures. Training must include appropriate use of force and the necessary mind-set for the justifiable use of deadly force. Other training consisting of use of less-lethal force (empty-hands, weapon grade flashlights, OC/Pepper-spray, baton, etc.) is also recommended. Periodic meetings and training sessions will enhance the VSTs overall awareness and group cohesiveness.

All training should be documented and include an attendance list, subjects taught, and dates the training took place. VST personnel who pursue extra training or shooting on their own time should document that training as well. Additional selected resources for basing training presentations can be found at the end of this article. Pastors should consider introducing their church security team leaders and trainers to other churches teams for the potential of cross-training, accelerated learning, and even VST teams training together.

ADDITIONAL TRAINING RESOURCES:

What to Do in an Active Shooter Situation

Video:  Surviving An Active Shooter

Video: Armed citizens can and have stopped mass shootings

Video: Active Killer Prevention Training with OSHA Message

Video: Surviving An Active Killer

Video and brief article: What To Do if You Face an Active Shooter

Video and article: READY. AIM. TRUTH: Can Armed Citizens Defeat Active shooters?

Video: (OFFICE RELATED) Run-Hide-Fight, Surviving an Active Killer Event.

Videos: Left of Bang

Video: Options For Consideration Active Killer Training Video

About the author: Since the 1990s, Ron Borsch has been the manager and lead consultant of the PACT Consultant Group. Supported by the seven SEALE Chiefs of Police, he is also the founder and from 1998 to 2015, was the manager and lead trainer for the SEALE Regional Police Training Academy in Bedford Ohio. Ron built this academy from this seven police department cooperative to eventually serving over one hundred law enforcement agencies from ten states. Rons three decade law enforcement career was with Bedford Ohio PD, (Range-master, SWAT, Defensive Tactics, Etc.). He is a Viet Nam veteran, (1965-66), serving as a U.S. Army Paratrooper with the 101st Airborne. Ron has also presented practical arrest control subjects in five states and co-designed a triple stimulus firearms target with state approved scoring specifications.

Back to Top


The First Lady has been enstooled by the chiefs and people of Ningo Traditional area as the Development Queen of Great Ningo under the stool name Naa Naa Djangmahkuor I.

Rebecca Akufo-Addo enstoolment was done on Saturday by Nene Kanor Atiapah II, acting President of the Great Ningo Traditional Council, during the Centenary Anniversary Celebration of the formation of the Ningo state.

It was to honour the First Lady for her immerse and continuous support towards the development of the Ningo and its people.

In her maiden address as queen mother, the First Lady expressed her gratitude to the people of New Ningo and Great Ningo for the honour.

She said she is aware the responsibility the honour places on her, promising she will never relent in doing all she can to support the development of Ningo, to lift high the name of Ningo and ensure our citizens have better lives.

She also entreated all the people of Ningo to strive for peace so we can develop and enjoy the benefits of development stressing that without peace, development is difficult.

The First Lady also encouraged the queen mothers and other community leaders to support the various initiatives by her Foundation, the Rebecca Foundation such as the Telema Project.

The project is intended for empowering women to improve their economic status as well as other initiatives to reduce teenage pregnancy and keep girls in school.

Story by Ghana|myjoyonline.com
12.11.2017 LISTEN

The Chiefs and people of Otinibi a suburb of Accra under the Kpone Katamanso District Assembly (KKDA), have vowed to stop the President, Nana Addo-Dankwa Akufo-Addo from commissioning a landfill site in the area.

According to the Chiefs, the sitting of the landfill site is too close to their shrine whom they hold allegiance to in terms of tradition, spirituality and protection.

They have also vowed to protest the siting of the landfill site on their land, which to them, was not right.

"We respect our shrine the same way we respect our churches and Mosques; no one will dump waste into churches and places of worship so we are not going to allow this waste project to be commissioned here at all," the concerned Chief, Nii Ago Kotei Klufio angrily stressed.

The Chief revealed that Kpone Katamanso District Assembly approached the family to buy but they didnt show up again and now are entering the land by force.

They have therefore vowed to resist all attempts by government to embark on this waste disposal project.

It would be recalled that Government acquired a 77-acre land from the area in 2013 to be used as a dump site to serve Accra.

The project is expected to process about 20,000 tonnes of garbage that may be produced in the nations capital.

According to them, Augustus Klufio who is the acting Chief but not the Substantive Chief has granted the assembly access for the landfill site but that portion of land does not belong to him.

They claim that the rightful owner of the land is Nii Ago Kotei Klufio and his brothers.

When Augustus Klufio was contacted and confronted, he denied giving out the land, and told them the assembly maybe want to take it by force.

Choro Adams, the Assembly Man and the Environmental Officer at the Assembly confirmed that there is indeed an issue like that.

"The issue might cause an embarrassment to the President if not handled well as a matter of urgency," the Assembly man revealed.
13.11.2017 LISTEN

In 2015, Global Religious Futures estimated that 74.9% and 15.8% of Ghanaians identified themselves as Christians and Muslims respectively. The United Nation Population Division estimated Ghanas population in 2016 to be 28.20 million. Although many Ghanaians are engaged in income earning activities, especially in the informal sector, only 1.2 million people are registered for tax purposes (Source: Ghana News Agency, November 1, 2017). When I read the above news item, I sighed and retorted; probably the Ghana Revenue Authority must introduce a miracle tax since the remaining population evading tax might be in churches waiting for miracles. Miracle-ridden faith phenomena inundating many churches must be a source of perturbation to any development-oriented sentient creature in Africa.

One of the controversial topics in philosophy of religion is miracle. In philosophical terms, miracle implies any happening that is not usual and can hardly be explained through a natural cause. In the view of some philosophers, such an event must be due to divine interventions. The Scottish philosopher and historian, David Hume, credited with the famous dictum; A wise man proportions his belief to the evidence rejected the notion of miracles on the grounds that they are a violation to the laws of nature. Hume opined that the only evidence to support miracle is witness testimony, while evidence to support laws of nature is acquired through the uniform knowledge of individuals over time.

Hume claimed that no testimony is sufficient to establish a miracle, unless the testimony be of such a kind that its falsehood would be more miraculous than the fact which it endeavors to establish. An American philosopher, John Earman claimed that David Hume has insufficient understanding of probability and looking at the frequency of an event occurring is not enough to determine probability. The philosopher, Peter Millican offered a solid argument for Humes famous assertion about miracle. Millican argued that Humes position on miracle is neither frivolous nor unintelligible. It offers practical and generally correct guidelines on the interpretation of some happenings of some unnatural events and did not involve any illicit double counting. Therefore, Earmans probabilistic deficiency claim against Hume is logically a flaw and philosophically untenable. The debates on miracle go on ad infinitum.

Be that as it may, miracles are possible but their happenings are not only limited to Christian believers. When religious teachings focus only on miracles, it could derail national development. In Europe, industrial revolution became possible based on the writings of Max Weber as espoused in The protestant ethics and the spirit of capitalism published in 1905. Weber presented a solid argument that the rise of religious group such as Calvinists was instrumental to the capitalist spirits. He intimated further that Protestants saw capitalism as an end itself and accumulation of profits as a virtuous life.

Ghana benefited tremendously from the writings of Weber. The history of Ghana is incomplete without the contributions of the orthodox churches such as Catholic, Methodist, Presbyterian, Anglican and Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Churches. The contributions of these churches through the provision of educational institutions and healthcare facilities have substantially accelerated national development. We must equally commend Ghana Muslims especially the Ahmadiyya Muslim missions for their contributions in the aforementioned sectors. Per historical records, as at 1927, the colonial government had only Achimota School and about four (4) elementary schools, while the Christian Missions in Ghana had many secondary schools, a teacher training college (PTC, at Akropong-Akuapem) and over 100 elementary schools. In some of my previous articles, I indicated that cocoa was first brought to Ghana by the Basel Mission (Presbyterian Church) before Tete Quarshie who himself was a mission trained gold-smith brought some pods from Island of Fernando Po in modern Equatorial Guinea. I am in pain to witness that these good churches contributing to national development have lost membership to some unmitigated self-seekers amassing wealth from their credulous followers. What is more irritable if not palpably risible? The miracle-ridden pastors pray for their followers kids for admissions from St. Roses, Holy Child, Presbyterian Boys Secondary, Opoku Ware School, Prempeh College, St. Augustine, Pope John, St. Peters, Mfantsipim, Weslay Girls, Archbishop Porter Girls and other good mission schools in the country. Vice they say is due to ignorance (Socrates)! Truth be told, government alone cannot provide the developmental needs of Ghanaians.

Now there are no funds to employ medical doctors in Ghana and politicians must be honest! The Ghana Medical Association has described as a denial of healthcare delivery to Ghanaians, the government's failure to employ trained medical doctors and dentists to serve in the under-served areas. President of the association, DCOP Dr. Ebenezer Ewusi-Emmim says though Ghana still suffers from the poor doctor-patient ratio, some trained doctors and dentists are wasting away at home (Source: myjoyonline.com, November 11, 2017). Ghana risks becoming a failed state if a highly demanded professionals like medical doctors join the unemployment queue while the healthcare delivery in the country is saddled with challenges.

Here are the list of hospitals by churches from places I know in Ghana. St. Joseph Hospitals (Koforidua, Nkwanta), Holy Family Hospitals (Techiman, Nkawkaw and Berekum), St. Francis Xavier Hospital (Assin Fosu), Wenchi Methodist Hospital, St. Theresas Hospital (Nkoranza). St. Dominic Hospital (Akwatia), Presbyterian Hospital (Agogo), St. Martins Catholic Hospital (Kasei), St. Michaels Hospital (Jachie-Pramso), SDA Hospitals (Maase-Offinso, Wiamoase and Kwadaso-Kumasi). Ahmadiyya Muslim Hospitals at Asokore and Techiman could also be mentioned.

There comes the class of religious Jacobinists in 1980s whose teachings are not only inimical to development but indoctrinated their followers into accepting that laziness, poverty, unsuccessful marriages and sickness are all spirits! They also teach their members that any good thing done outside the church does not please God. Religious faith must be decoupled from logic. I am strongly convinced that if the Orthodox Churches still have all the members of charismatic churches, the alarming unemployment situations would be nipped in the bud. Ghana is on the brink of economic decline, the greatest effect the scaffolding hypocrisy glutting the society.

The contributions of Catholic, Methodist, and Presbyterian or SDA bishops are not always commended. Sadly, they are not part of the most influential Ghanaians. I am without a soupcon of consternation because there are only two kinds of men, the righteous who think they are sinners and the sinners who think they are righteous (Blaise Pascal). A whole Independence Square and Sport Stadia are given to miracle-driven teachers to lure believers to pay money for miracles. Nothing wrong with that if the teaching focuses on salvation, virtuous life style, prayerful behavior, hard work and perseverance. Freedom of religion a blessing or a curse?

Article 21 of Ghanas fourth Republican constitution guarantee freedom of religion and worship. Every conscionable Ghanaian knows with perfect certitude that the inclusion of religious freedom in the 1992 constitution was a significant milestone towards the protection of inalienable rights and liberty. Recent religious pogrom against the Rohingya Muslim minority in Myanmar (Burma) attests to the salient significance of freedom of worship.

Besides, on November 7, 2017, the ruling of Indonesias Constitutional Court in favor of freedom of religion remains a watershed moment for the Christians and other religious minorities in that country. Indonesia is a country with the largest Muslim population in the world. Over the years, there had been accusations of a synergy between Indonesian government and the Muslim majority to burn Christians alive. Incidents of church burning are not uncommon in Indonesia until this year November 7, verdict.

One would expect that the increasingly predominant reports of bloody religious intolerance in some parts of the world, would have goad Christians in Ghana to make appropriate use of their veritable religious freedom enshrined in the 1992 constitution. However, cases of religious hocus pocus demonstrated by some self-acclaimed bishops are increasing at bewildering pace. When a church leader burns underwear of his gullible church members on the grounds of giving them breakthrough, how can we talk about collecting taxes from these members waiting for manifestation of their miracles? Right teachings at the podium are destined to accelerate economic and social development. The government must not only be concerned about teachers and schools but also who trains the children in churches must be a concern.

Let me succinctly conclude by stating that Bishops linking virtue with capitalist spirit as demonstrated by Calvinism and orthodox churches must be encouraged to do more for the nation. Government must sensitize the philanthropists and charitable organizations to donate only to those churches contributing to national development but not those dancing and twisting their hips alluringly to defeat the spirits of laziness and poverty. When the religious bodies begin to venture into capitalism, governments capital expenditure could be used to arrest other challenges such as employing doctors, nurses and teachers. Some of us were dumfounded by miracle-oriented teachings dominating many churches and indeed, it is derailing national development. Pastors must use podium to encourage members to pay tax. This will help in curbing the huge balance of payment deficit bedeviling our country. When the church teachings are properly streamlined and tailored toward spiritual and social growth they can be engines of development. Government must promote a golden age of positivism/empiricism rather than metaphysical balderdash regulating our mindsets under the behest of some self-acclaimed miracle spiritualists. Miracle is not a bad thing but when salvation is compromised for miraculous teachings it becomes a problem. There is no miracle than the birth and death of Christ! It is heart-wrenching to hear that only 1.2 million population pay tax to cater for about 28.20 million people, albeit more religious men in Ghana. God Bless Our Homeland Ghana.

By Nana Yaw Osei, Minnesota, USA. [email protected]
By Lydia Kukua Asamoah, GNA Special Correspondent in Bonn, Germany

(Sponsored by GIZ Ghana, Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, and Ghana Chamber of Mines)

Bonn, Nov 12, GNA-Ghana is currently formulating a multi sectoral Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) implementation plan which is being prepared with the involvement of all the line Ministries and stakeholders.

The civil society organisations (CSOs), the business community, and institutions, were all being engaged in the efforts to get a well nationally contributions that would be well embraced by all to help Ghana attain her commitment towards the Paris Climate Change Agreement.

The Country is also engaging in awareness creation within the communities and local government authorities to educate the populace on the NDCs, to help in implementing the NDCs.

Mr Daniel Tutu Benefoh, a Director at the Climate Change Unit of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), who announced this at the ongoing Conference of Parties COP23 held in Bonn, Germany, said Ghana was also planning to formulate a climate change Bill to back the implementations of the NDCs.

He said the country was also looking at the development of Green Climate Fund project pipeline, being managed by the Ministry of Finance, as parts of the country's efforts to scale-up access to solar energy.

There was another intervention on RED+, and also the programme of building of resilience in the savanna landscape, Mr Benefoh noted at a Ghana day event held on the sidelines of COP23, on the theme: 'Demonstrating Progress in Ghana's Climate Agenda, Trilateral Cooperation in Renewable Energy, cities and Climate'.

The Ghana Bonn event was used to share the key objectives of Ghana's renewable energy plan and other actions being undertaken under the trilateral agreement.

It was also to help demonstrate to the world what Ghana was doing within the Climate agenda and how it was preparing through policy and programmes and projects to undertake activities within the NDCs.

Mr Benefoh noted that Ghana was also currently formulating proposals on its NDC adoption plans (Nationally Adaptation Plan) while discussing how to put in place risk transfer financing with the support from the GIZ.

'Then the other aspect is also the innovative financing mechanisms which we think must go beyond the traditional budgeting of financing and look at other sources of financing that can really help us mobilise these resources.

'And therefore, we are looking at the possibility of having a green fund instrument in the country and also a green line of credit to private sector which is also being formulated with the Ministry of Finance, he noted.

He said a national Climate change fund which was part of the environmental fiscal reform programme that the Ministry of Finance was leading was also be to be created.

There were also sectorial efforts on stopping deforestation in the country that cut across policy interventions and making investment in the cocoa landscape to producing cocoa sustainably and also ensuring that illegal mining was combated in the country.

Mr Benefoh said Ghana had also announced a gender and NDC initiative with the aim to promote and articulate the voice of gender in the NDC planning and implementation, saying 'we think that is a very important piece of our efforts'.

The NDCs are cornerstones of the Paris Agreement on climate change that set out the actions that countries plan to undertake to achieve the agreement's objectives, focused on limiting the rise in average global temperatures to well below 2C, ideally to 1.5C.

Renewable energy features prominently in most of these NDCs, confirming that the transition to a renewable energy future has come to be recognised globally as central to addressing climate change.

Various governments are well underway with implementing the first set of NDCs and would begin to review them in 2018, which entails taking stock of the adequacy of those NDCs to meet the objectives set out in the historic 2015 climate agreement.

The NDCs would be revised or updated by 2020, and every five years thereafter, and with each revision aimed at being more ambitious than the previous one.

As a contribution to this process, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) had undertaken an analysis of current NDCs, which were compared with national renewable energy targets, plans, programmes and policies, as well as with current trends in renewable energy deployment.

At the same time, where data was available, IRENA compared NDCs and national renewable energy targets with the estimated cost-effective potential for increased deployment.

IRENA's analysis suggested that while renewable energy targets and policies were indeed critical components of NDCs, there was substantial scope for countries to increase their renewable energy ambitions.

COP23, being hosted by the Fiji Republic as the Chair, with the German government supporting, opened in Bonn on November 6 and would be closing on November 17.

Delegates around the globe are hoping to ensure greater momentum for the Paris Agreement and to raise the level of ambition needed to address global warming at the two week event.

GNA
13.11.2017 LISTEN

Prof Alex Dodoo, the Director General, Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), said recent media reportage on sub-standard cables in the country, had given an impression, which might not be necessarily true.

At a Press Conference in Accra, Prof Dodoo said, the GSA had brought all stakeholders together to discuss what had happened and the way forward.

He said the Authority in collaboration with other stakeholders would continue to protect consumers from dealers of substandard cables.

The Director General said published literature showed that between 40 to 80 per cent of cables being sold on the market across most developing countries - Africa and Asia were of substandard; adding that "that is a fact".

Prof Dodoo said it was like a high proportion of cables circulating on the market were not known, adding, "the good thing is that the collaboration between the GSA, the importers association, the local manufacturers in Ghana and the cable dealers association is stronger than we actually thought and we have resolved to do a few things," he said.

"We cannot let it be business as usual, we take Ghanaians serious and we take the business of government seriously. We cannot let our people buy things which do not give value for mone and also damaging our property," he added.

He said GSA had decided in collaboration with the cable importers association, the cable dealers and the local manufacturers associations (Ghana Electrical Dealers Association), to put certain measures in place to protect consumers.

The measures include; registering all sellers and importers of electrical cables; with their names on the website of the GSA.

He said consumers were being advised that a genuine cable at the minimum would have certain marks; stating that "it doesn't mean that all with those marks are necessarily genuine, but those without the marks, please don't even look at them. They cannot be genuine," he stated.

Prof Dodoo noted that by putting the names of those whose products had being registered on their website, the GSA was accepting a liability for the products, they had certified for.

The Executive Director said as a result, the GSA would intensify its market surveillance, and if they find anything on the market which does not meet standards, the public would be informed about it, adding that, "bad products are like bad air, which affects everyone,'.

He appealed to the public to inform the GSA on any suspected bad product seen in the market as their doors were opened to every citizen.

Mr Joseph Obeng, the President of the Electrical Dealers Association told the GNA that stakeholders had acknowledged the problem of fake cables in the system, which was not good for the public or manufacturers. 'Most imported cables have been tested by the GSA and there is no cause for alarm," he added.

He said: 'As stakeholders in the cable business, we have also agreed with the GSA to publish the names of all tested cables, so that the public could be aware and choose, whatever they wanted.

Mr Obeng said the dealers were committed to collaborating with the GSA in attaining quality standards in the cable industry.

Mr Clifford Frimpong, the GSA Director of Testing took the stakeholders and the media through a presentation on the finding of the Authority on cables in the market that were tested. GNA

By Amadu Kamil Sanah, GNA
13.11.2017 LISTEN

Members of the Agona Swedru-Awutu Bawjiase-Kasoa branch of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union(GPRTU) have expressed their gratitude to the Agona East District Chief Executive (DCE) for responding swiftly to their concerns to reshape their roads.

According to the Union Members, Mr Dennis Armah-Frempong, the DCE, had shown that he was a good and listening Chief Executive appointed by President Nana Akufo-Addo to represent the people of Agona East District.

Alhaji Ibrahim Wahab, Chairman of the Swedru-Awutu Bawjiase-Kasoa branch of GPRTU said this when he addressed members of the Union at Agona Swedru.

He said the drivers were going through hell with regard to the persistent breaking down of their vehicles. Adding 'drivers are now happy about the reshaping of the road from Agona Asafo to Mankrong-Junction and beyond'.

It would be recalled that the Agona Swedru-Awutu Bawjiase trunk was awarded on contract to a Chinese Multi-National Contractor by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government before it left office in 2016.

The construction works was later stalled after the bitumen had been removed and the situation compelled the Agona East Assembly to reshape the road to speed up transportation of goods and services.

Alhaji Ibrahim Wahab expressed satisfaction at the reshaping of the road by Agona East Assembly and appealed to the government to impress upon the Contractor to speed up the project.

Speaking to the Media, Mr Armah-Frempong said the drivers made a strong appeal to his office about the deteriorating nature of the road and he forwarded their concerns to the Regional Minister in Cape Coast.

The DCE said the Regional Minister, Mr Kwamena Duncan acknowledged the concerns raised by the drivers and responded accordingly.

Mr Armah-Frempong stated that on record, the road had been awarded on contract, but the Company had delayed in executing the project.

The DCE said government would do everything possible to satisfy Ghanaians, especially people working in the private sector to enhance economic development.

GNA
13.11.2017 LISTEN

The VSO ICS Alumni Association Ghana, a volunteer group at the weekend embarked on a sensitisation campaign to educate students of Ada Senior High School on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Mr Benjamin Ayine Sarfo, the Secretary for the Association in an interview with the Ghana News Agency said the programme was to expose and create awareness about the SDGs among the students and encourage them to make a change in their communities.

He said the event was also to promote the activities of the association to the students and inspire them to be active citizens as well as create voluntary opportunities for them.

Mr Sarfo, who is also the Project Lead for the SDG Campaign believed that the students were future leaders and there was the need to get them to understand the goals and contribute their quota to its attainment.

The students were divided into 17 groups, to discuss each of the SDGs, spearheaded by the volunteers.

In each of the groups, the students were grouped into sessions to discuss their understanding of the goals and how they could contribute in achieving those goals and make an impact in their communities.

Ms Bridget Ocansey and Kojovi Afandzinam, Team Leaders for group one discussing the first goal 'No Poverty', explained to the students that eradicating poverty in all forms remained one of the greatest challenges facing humanity.

They said the number of people living in extreme poverty dropped by more than half between 1990 and 2015 from 1.9 billion to 836 million, and that more were still struggling for the most basic human needs.

They educated students that the SDGs were bold commitments to end poverty in all forms and dimensions by 2030 which involved targeting the most vulnerable, increasing access to basic resources and services, and supporting communities affected by conflict and climate-related disasters.

Ms Gladys Baidoo, Team Leader for group two, touching on the second goal 'Zero Hunger', told the students that the goal aimed to end all forms of hunger and malnutrition by 2030, and ensure that all people especially children had access to sufficient and nutritious food all year round.

This she explained to the students involved promoting sustainable agricultural practices: supporting small scale farmers and allowing equal access to land, technology and markets.

Ms Abiba Ibrahim and Sefakor Fekpe, the Team Leaders for group four, explaining on the goal four 'Quality Education', said by 2030, government must ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes.

They said the goal also enjoined authorities to ensure that all youth and a substantial proportion of adults, both men and women, achieved literacy and numeracy.

Ms Berlinda Amenu, a student of the school expressed her delight for the education since that was the first time she heard about the SDGs, adding that she was enlightened about the causes and effects of poverty.

'With the knowledge acquired, I am aware that education was critical to ending poverty and I pledge to take my studies seriously for better future', she added.

Master Cyril Nana Afriyie, also a student, commended the organisers for the programme and that he was challenged to focus on his talent and do it better as well as ensure proper sanitation practices for healthy living.

The 17 SDGs, build on the successes of the Millennium Development Goals to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity.

The goals provide clear guidelines and targets for all countries to adopt in accordance with their own priorities and the environmental challenges of the world at large.

GNA

By Kodjo Adams, GNA
13.11.2017 LISTEN

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said he would not abandon Christ in all his endeavours as President since it is the power of God that would guide him to accomplish his vision of creating prosperity for all Ghanaians.

He said it was the power of God that propelled him to the presidency and would, therefore, rely on God's wisdom, understanding and direction to implement pragmatic policies set out by his government to transform the economic fortunes of the country.

'The scriptures say give onto Caesar what is Caesar's and onto God what is God, but I cannot achieve any meaningful development without God's intervention and, therefore, I will not abandon Christ as President of Ghana,' he stressed.

President Akufo-Addo made these remarks at the Black Star Square in Accra on Sunday, during the Centenary Celebration of the Christ Apostolic Church International (CACI).

The year-long celebration was held on the theme: 'Hundred Years of Impacting the World through Pentecostalism'.

The occasion brought together over 10,000 members of the Church across the world, including India, Italy, Belgium, United Kingdom, USA, South Africa and Nigeria, to acknowledge God's grace and mercies for sustaining them throughout the turbulent years.

President Akufo-Addo expressed gratitude to all the pastors who encouraged and supported him throughout the campaign period with prayers and asked for their continuous support and prayers in order to accomplish his vision for the nation.

He gave the assurance that his government would root out corruption from the system and implement pragmatic policies that would inure to the benefit of all Ghanaians.

The President noted that Ghana had never been a poor country because it had been endowed with abundant human and natural resources, but it required truthful and God-fearing leaders to utilise them for the wellbeing of the ordinary Ghanaian.

He reiterated his commitment to fulfill his campaign promises to Ghanaians, saying 'The promises I made to Ghanaians are not lies but genuine promises and I will make sure they are fulfilled'.

President Akufo-Addo said his government had started implementing some of the promises already including the Free Senior High School and asked the support of all well-meaning Ghanaians to fulfill the rest in the course of his tenure of office.

The President noted that, every Ghanaian child deserved to be educated since education had become a useful tool in the development of every nation and assured that every Ghanaian child would receive free SHS education so as to advance the cause of national development.

He said the Church had complemented government's development efforts over the years and commended the Christ Apostolic Church International for contributing its quota towards socio-economic development of the nation as well as keeping the faith in Christ alive.

Apostle Dr. Stephen Kwame Amoani, the Chairman of the CACI, on behalf of the Church, presented three brand new ambulances to the Ghana Ambulance Service which would be distributed to Sunyani Government Hospital, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi and 37 Military Hospital in Accra.

Another ambulance which is yet to arrive in the country would be given to the Tamale Hospital in the Northern Region to enhance health delivery.

President Akufo-Addo joined the leadership of the Church to cut an anniversary cake to climax the centenary celebration.

The President spiced the occasion with his majestic dancing moves to the songs from the Church Choir that erupted the celebration grounds, amidst cheers and camaraderie.

The Christ Apostolic Church was founded by Apostle Peter Newman Anim at Asamankese in the Eastern Region in 1917.

The church currently has over 1.5 million members and 5,087 branches across the world.

GNA

By Godwill Arthur-Mensah/Joyce Danso, GNA
13.11.2017 LISTEN

Mr Kojo Asemanyi, the Member of Parliament for Gomoa East has lauded proprietors of private schools for their immense contributions to education in the country.

He said owners of private schools were playing major roles in the development of the human resource of the country, through the establishment of educational institutions.

Mr Asemanyi made the commendation during the graduation ceremony of the St Joseph Montessori School at Liberia Camp - Buduburam in the Central Region.

The MP encouraged private school authorities to go ahead with their good works so that they continue to produce quality future leaders to manage the country.

GNA
12.11.2017 LISTEN

Daniel Nii Ade Tagoe, the Head of Nii Ade Nkpa Family of Kokrobite-Langba and Tuba, has called on Ghanaians to celebrate the Free Senior High School policy of the government instead of condemning it.

He said education is the backbone of every nation and that 'any country which lacks it will be in total darkness.'

Daniel Nii Tagoe made the call in an interview with the Ghana News Agency at the weekend at Kokrobite-Langba, a suburb of Accra in the Ga South Municipality.

He said President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo must be praised for fulfilling his promise of making senior high school free and therefore needed to be patted on the shoulder by Ghanaians for such a big initiative to advance the education of the country.

He urged opinion leaders such as chiefs, the clergy, members of parliament, among others to lend their support to the policy by bringing on board other measures that would sustain it for the benefit of posterity.

GNA
Ken Ofori Atta, Minister of Finance

12.11.2017 LISTEN

The Minister of Finance presents the financial plan of the government for the next year at a time when there is a global call for world leaders to Fund Education. This global call has become necessary because it is profound that, it is only through education, that a country can shape the future for generations to come. It is also apparent that, an investment in education results in both direct and indirect benefits to the individual and society. In other words, the positive externality of education spreads from the immediate family, to the community of the person and the entire country in the short-term to the long-term.

Therefore, at a time that leaders of developing countries are being called upon to spend more than 20% of its expenditure on education, an analysis of government expenditure on education seems to suggest we are not doing bad at all. Thus, over the years the education expenditure as a percentage of GDP has ranged between 6 - 8% between 2011 and 2016, while education expenditure as a percentage of government expenditure hovers around 22% - 27%. It is a known fact that, Ghana is one of the countries in Africa that spends higher percentage of its total budget and GDP on education.

In the 2017 budget, there was a 10% increase in the allocation to the education sector, this was in relation to the amount apportioned to the sector in 2016. This increment, even though, a normal trend, seems to have been necessitated by the governments policies in the education sector, prime among them, was the free SHS which represented about 5% of governments contribution to funding of the education sector budget. There was also the restoration of teacher trainees and nursing students allowance among others. These interventions automatically upsurges governments expenditure in education. Based on this background, I dare say, the education sector will received a considerable amount of budget allocation in the financial plan of the government for 2018, coming on the milieu that, the government want to make this economy a Knowledge Economy. Knowledge Economy according to the World Bank thrives where there is skilled labour availability and good educational system.

Apart from Government of Ghanas contribution to the education sector, there are other sources of funding for the sector which ranges from 20% to 30%. These include donor support (average of 3.5% over the past 6 years), GetFund (average of 8% for the past 6 years), Annual Budget Funding Amount (ABFA) (1% average) and Internally Generated Funds (IGFs) (12% average). This implies that, government would still have to increase his expenditure in the education sector since the other sources have not brought in much over the years.

Even though the government spends a lot in the education sector, majority of the money spent in the sector goes into the payment of salaries and wages with about 5% spent on capital expenditure. It is an undeniable fact that, in some of the years, wages and salaries took almost 100% of the allocation to the education sector with virtually nothing for capital expenditure. This is the reason why, I think there is a need to have a critical look at this sector as the government set out to present its budget for 2018.

First of all, this budget is going to be presented at a period of the implementation of the free SHS policy. The roll out of the policy has revealed the infrastructural deficit in our secondary school system. It was obvious to our policy makers that, removing the financing barrier to education will necessarily increase enrolment. In a country where majority of us are used to residential form of education as opposed to distance education and day schooling system, it was clear that, there will be congestion in our boarding schools. Unfortunately, we could not set out a criteria to indicate who qualifies to be in the boarding house. This was the basis for the overwhelming numbers admitted as boarders in most of the schools with its corresponding challenges. It is expected that, about 30% of the education expenditure is marked for capital expenditure. This should focus on building dormitories for most of the schools across the length and breadth of the country and renovating already existing ones. With 2018/19 academic year in sight, there is the need to address the infrastructural problems in our secondary school system before the next batch of free SHS entrants are admitted. This, the government should show commitment in the budget for 2018. Again, funds should be released for the completion of the E-Blocks started by the previous government and the current government should as a matter of urgency start the upgrading of the 42 secondary schools into model schools. These are decisions that should be treated as urgent to ensure that, the infrastructural challenges are minimized before the next academic year. Increasing the capital expenditure means reducing the allocation for other areas in the education sector. However, there have been an indication from the Minister of Education that, there is going to be recruitment of over 20, 000 teachers in 2018. This is a very good news since as a country, we have not been able to meet our standard of a teacher to student ratio of 1:25 for secondary education. But, the truth is, this will come with serious budget implications. It will be interesting to see how the Minister of Finance and his team will factor this into the allocation for the education sector. Again, the education sector transcends secondary education. In fact, most educationist have pushed for a more focused intervention at the Basic school level which will feed into the secondary school level. It is anticipated that, there would be an increase in the capitation grant from Ghc 9.00 to Ghc 15.00. This will be the second time this government will be increasing the capitation grant from the previous amount of Ghc 4.50 (100% increment). It is imperative that, this is done to give meaning to the quest of ensuring that, no child is left behind in our pursuit to achieving the global target of education for all. It is time to give meaning to FCUBE. The increasing numbers in the secondary schools imply that, there is the need for government to start expanding infrastructure at the various tertiary education institutions. Even though, I am of the view that, we can absorb most of these students by restructuring our distance education programmes and make it more competitive, it does not take away the fact that, currently our tertiary education institutions are overcrowded. There is a need for government to show commitment to expand the infrastructure in these tertiary institutions and a signal to this effect should be given in the budget statement. There are equally other areas in the education sector that need serious attention. We as a nation, have decided to convert our Polytechnics into Technical universities, what this means is that, we should as a matter of urgency provide the needed resources to these Technical universities to be able to deliver their core mandate, that is, produce highly technical graduates for the world of work and serve the middle manpower needs of this country. This can be done by upgrading the teaching and learning resources in these universities and improving the quality of teaching in the various technical and vocational institutes in the country. It is expected that, a substantial amount of money will be devoted to technical and vocational education with the aim of achieving this purpose.

Economics thrives on the problem of scarcity. Scarcity implies that human wants are unappeasable but the resources to satisfy these wants are limited. This problem of scarcity leads to other terms such as choice, scale of preference and opportunity cost. It is therefore my utmost believe that, if a government set out to undertake a policy direction, with the political will and determination, it can achieve it irrespective of the cost implications. However, it is also true that, spending more on one sector of the economy would imply forgoing other sectors or reducing the amount of money to be spent in the other sectors. That technically satisfies Pareto optimality. It will be interesting to see how the budget statement will find a fine balance between the numerous needs of the various sectors of the economy and still achieve the needed results.

If the government prepares its scale of preference, and places education at the zenith, it implies that, that is our utmost priority. Achieving a Knowledge economy should not just be a grandiloquence, it should been seen through a tangible commitment to the education sector with a substantial focus on Technical and vocational education while improving the Basic level education and strengthening our tertiary institutions and invest in research and development. This should be evident in the budget statement to be delivered by the Minister of Finance. Without downplaying the contribution of other sectors, it is recognizable, the world over that, the most potent resource a country can ever boast of is its human resource. An educated human capital is worth more than thousands of other material resources. Let our government spend substantial amount of money in improving the quality of education at all levels and let us change Ghana within the short-term to the long-term. The global call for world leaders is FUND EDUCATION, my call to the President and his team is FUND EDUCATION.

Peter Partey Anti

The writer is the Acting Executive Director, The Institute for Education Studies (IFEST), an education think tank in Ghana. He is an Education Economist, Professional Researcher and the National Consultant for GIGA and CEval (Research Institutes in Germany).
The community health screening and outreach was held at Donyina, in the Ashanti region of Ghana, on Tuesday 7TH November, 2017. The event which was in fulfilment of the constitutional provisions with respect to the objectives of the Ghana Herbal Medical Students Association (GHEMSA), KNUST enjoyed support from Rock care Clinic Limited.

Over 300 inhabitants benefited from the free health screening in response to publicity made weeks to the event, coupled with a float throughout the township an hour to the screening by student volunteers. The Health screening process included: entry of demographics (like name, age, weight, etc), Body Mass Index (BMI) determination from height and weight, Blood Pressure determination, Blood Sugar determination, Blood groupings, Hepatitis B screening, counselling, and dispensation of herbal products from Rock Care Clinic. Hepatitis B Vaccination was also administered at reduced prices.

Outreach to schools within the Donyina Township was held simultaneously with the health screening. It saw the education of students on Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene related diseases including; Malaria, Cholera, Diarrhoea, etc. Distribution of health tracts was carried out to augment the outreach process. The students were also enlightened on the Bachelor of Science Degree in Herbal Medicine and the need to opt for the programme in the future. Authorities at the visited schools were thankful to the Herbal Medical Students from the Department of Herbal Medicine, Faculty of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, KNUST.

President of GHEMSA KNUST, Mr Oduro Kwabena Patrick, in an interview commended the student volunteers who showed up for the event which he described as successful. He was also appreciative of the Health Committees efforts headed by Mr Nketiah Reinhard, in putting together the screening. Mr Patrick commended Rockcare Clinic Limited for their continual support of the Associations Health Screenings and called for more of such support from other herbal industries and hospitals/clinics in the future as the Association plans to move beyond community outreaches to the district level, and subsequently, the national level.

The Public Relations Officer (P.R.O) of GHEMSA, Mr Odoom Samuel, also in an interview held, addressed the misconceptions associated with the BSC Herbal Medicine Programme and Herbal Medicine Practice. According to Him, Activities like Health Screenings gives Herbal Medical Students the opportunity to experience what lies ahead of them in Clinical Practice, after the program, internship, and professional qualifying exams. According to him, The Herbal Medicine Degree Programme remains unique as it trains Health care Professionals (Herbal Medical Officers) in aspects of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences coupled with the traditional Ghanaian Herbal Medicines, the scientific way, to solve health conditions orthodox medicine have failed to address. He called on the government to show commitment towards the development of Herbal medicine by ensuring that every government health facilities across the country own herbal units or clinics as a matter of urgency. He also pleaded with the government to help place much relevance on the license of Herbal Medical Officers /Medical Herbalists through appropriate agencies to foster the needed development in the herbal industry.

Rock Care Clinic Limited is a clinical diagnostic and effective treatment centre with several branches nationwide. They are also manufacturers and suppliers of highly efficacious herbal medicines like Genecure 4-4-2 Capsules, Paakum Capsules, Roc Tonic, and Roc Koo Laxative.
13.11.2017 LISTEN

It is hardly a hidden secret that many customs officers are uncultured thieves, nation wreckers, and lily-livered dastards, very insincere and grossly unjust. That is the least that could be said, describing some of these folks. There was a high ranking officer I once knew who loved pineapples so much that visitors were often advised to get to his heart through his stomach. Very laughable I must say! But The Herald newspaper that reported a fake, baseless, and unfounded story accusing the finance minister of a charge he is completely innocent of seems to be worse in all those dirty traits. After all, an NDC newspaper has nothing better in it than the shit it is used to wipe off a dirty behind.

That said, many other officers are brave soldiers of progress and development who live and breathe patriotism. Those people are, however, often discarded in quite insolent terms as if they are the cancer that is afflicting the greater cancer in the Customs Excise and Preventive Service. But what hasnt been said about the paperless system? This is the revolution that has toppled the blood-sucking venture of looters in the CEPS. Hasnt anyone noticed the expensive cars that these civil servants drive? Heavens!

It is about time we asked them, Where from. Some live in private villas that cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. The very NDC stooges whose corruption has been culled by the smart paperless system are involved in painting a bleak picture of the situation in a derogatory manner as to involve the spotless name of the Honourable finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta.

Within one month from the implementation of the paperless system, government gained hundreds of millions of Ghana Cedis that would have otherwise vanished into the pockets of those thieves. The Director-General of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority has also instituted some measures, putting his foot down in spite of the shenanigans of some appointees who have colluded with corrupt CEPS officers to bypass or beat the system. At least so far so good.

The finance Minister, I can state on authority, will never condone illicit acts that will cause financial losses to the State. The Green Tag that they mentioned is erroneously skewed to drive home the wrong idea in order to create disfavour for the Minister. You see, there are diplomatic goods that come through without scanning. Just like diplomatic parcels that come by air are not screened, scanned, or searched, so also diplomatic containers are not. It is normal diplomatic practice. Diplomatic parcels for Ghanaian Embassies and High Commissions all over the world are not searched either. It is an international regulation, so Herald Newspaper, come again!

Lets not allow sand be thrown into our eyes. We refuse to be blinded by the unholy diction of thieves that do not care whether Ghanaians sleep on an empty stomach or not. All that they care about is to fill their bellies and those of the urchins in their homes. Aaah! The 2017 budget was as excellent as the governance of President Nana Akufo-Addo; very excellent I must say!

On the 15th of this month, November, 2017, the budget for 2018 is going to be read in Parliament. I have no doubt it is going to be an excellent one, too. At least we are told that the electricity tariffs that incompetent ex-president John Mahama hiked to levels of over 300% are going to decline. We will all soon be witnesses. The NDC buffoons, out of an acute case of skin pain (jealousy) are pulling every trick in the book to cause disaffection for Ken Ofori-Atta.

How come the cedi depreciated from GHs1.20/1$, when NPP handed over to NDC in 2009, to GHs4.40/1$, at the time change was effected in 2017? The free-fall of the economy during John Mahamas days was a drop into a bottomless abyss. Because President Akufo-Addo has declared war on corruption that his ministers have equally adopted, especially Ken Ofori-Atta, hooligans in uniform want to tarnish his image in connivance with The Herald toilet paper. It is really nothing more than a toilet paper that is even too dirty to wipe the arse of a hardened farmer on a savannah yam farm with.

The Customs Advance Ruling System is quite simple. The authorities in charge have the right to give a discount on eligible imports. What is so wrong with that? In fact they can even give waivers. For example, picture this: an importer of items to be used at a factory in Ghana has to pay duty, which makes the final product more expensive than the imported replica. Since the unfavourable laws and regulations were entrenched by the unfriendly government of the drunkard ex-president John Mahama and his thieves, the Customs Advance Ruling System is applied to maintain the continuity of the Ghanaian business. This, also, ensures the livelihoods of Ghanaian employees. So you see, the NDC looney characters behind the Herald rubbish paper, a masquerader of gross inefficiency in the journalism profession, are but another face of the distorted NDC coin.

Whether they like it or not, the paperless system will continue to bring government more revenue, and the modalities in place will be used in favour of the whole nation rather than that of Ibrahim Mahama, Lordina Mahama, their familes, extended surrogates, and the other criminals under the NDC perforated umbrella. With Ken Ofori-Atta at the helm of affairs at the Ministry of Finance, those thieves will go hungry.

Oh and lest I forget, was it not CEPS officers who connived with Ibrahim Mahama to steal millions of Cedis by way of dud cheques or more? Herald newspaper editor, try to be objective, #YouStink.

#Akromfo3k)mB3DeMo
Members of the Ghana and UK Parliament met in Accra from 9-11 November to discuss good practices and to strengthen public financial scrutiny.

Chairs of the Ghana Public Accounts and Finance Committees, Chair of the UK Public Accounts Committee and a senior UK Clerk took part in the programme.

It included sessions on how to make committees even more effective in how they oversee the spending of taxpayers money.

This is a follow-up to the visit by the Ghana Finance Committee to Westminster in September 2017 where they met with representatives of the Bank of England, the UK Treasury and HM Revenue and Customs.

This was arranged by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK (CPA UK).

The delegation from the UK Parliament is Meg Hillier MP and Chris Stanton, the Clerk of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee and former Clerk of the UK Treasury Committee.

The delegation leader and Chair of the UK Public Accounts Committee, Hillier said, financial scrutiny and the oversight of public spending is a crucial part of ensuring a democracy is effective.

I am delighted to work with the Chairs and Members of the Public Accounts and Finance Committees in the Parliament of Ghana to deliver this programme.

Finance and Public Accounts Programme

The programme will include interactive discussions and practical exercises to increase the technical skills of new members of the committees and strengthen relations between the two parliaments.

Later this year Ghanaian Parliamentarians will also attend the Westminster Seminar on Parliamentary Practice and Procedure and the Westminster Workshop on Public Accounts Committees in London.

This is to further increase their skills and knowledge which are also being run by CPA UK.

Story by Ghana|Myjoyonline.com | JoyBusiness
We reached Trolltunga after seven hours, 13.5km and 1,000m of elevation gain. The fog rolled in as a line of 35 people waited to take their picture on the iconic cliff. Translating to Trolls Tongue, Trolltunga juts out of a steep mountainside 700m above Lake Ringedalsvatnet near Odda in south-western Norway. Formed 10,000 years ago during the Ice Age when a glacier frozen to the mountain broke off, it has in recent years become one of Norways most famous geological sites  and one of its most controversial.

Deciding wed wait until the next morning to have our picture taken on the rock, my hiking partner Jacqueline and I were shown to our tent by our day guide. The only ones in our group to stay overnight, we tossed our rucksacks in the already-pitched tent about 500m from the cliff edge and took a nap. A few hours later, our overnight guide Erlend Indrearne arrived with a young couple from China who would camp with us. It was raining, so we all took shelter in the small emergency cabin next to our tents to cook meatballs over a single burner and drink cups of Solboer Sirip (a redcurrant juice) mixed with chilled water. Wind blew in through the cabins broken window, and the wooden floors creaked with every shift in bodyweight as we tried to get comfortable.

Trolltunga, which translates to Trolls Tongue, juts out 700m above Norway's Lake Ringedalsvatnet (Credit: Thomas Trutschel/Getty Images)

How many hikers usually have to turn around? I asked, laying a damp sleeping bag from the storage room across mine and Jacquelines laps. I thought back to the beginning of the hike when two people out of our group of 20 turned back after 45 minutes of steep hiking.

At least one or two in every group. Indrearne replied, dishing the warm meatballs onto five plates. Many of them come unprepared and dont understand the intensity of nature here. Or they come with no respect and leave their garbage scattered everywhere.

Is it just tourists who leave behind rubbish? I asked. Or Norwegians too?

Its really the tourists who take advantage of allemansratten , he said. Norwegians know better. We were raised on fjellvettreglene .

Norway visitors often take advantage of allemansratten, an ancient 'right to roam' (Credit: Thomas Trutschel/Getty Images)

Although a traditional right from ancient times, allemansratten has been part of the Outdoor Recreation Act since 1957. The rules are simple: you can sleep anywhere as long as you stay at least 150m away from the nearest residency, and if you sleep more than two nights in the same place, you must ask the landowners permission. Most important, though, is that those who practice allemansratten should have respect for nature, the wildlife and the locals.

Norway is not the only country to practice this right to roam law. Other countries include Finland, Iceland, Sweden, Latvia, Austria, the Czech Republic and Switzerland. What separates Norway from the rest, however, is fjellvettreglene.

Fjellvettreglene, known as Norways mountain code, was introduced after a several accidents occurred during Easter of 1950. After 15 people died in the elements during another Easter of 1967, the Norwegian Trekking Association and The Red Cross announced their campaign  Welcome to the mountains, but be responsible . Fjellvettreglene, which encourages people to have a healthy and respectful relationship with nature, has since become a crucial part of Norwegian culture. It includes points such as planning your trip and reporting wherever you go, bringing necessary equipment to assist yourself and others, always knowing where you are, seeking shelter if necessary and feeling no shame in turning around.

Fjellvettreglene taught us nature doesnt care about our egos. We should show as much respect and take as much caution as possible. Take this hike, for example, Indrearne explained. For people who arent experienced hikers, this is considered extreme. Not many tourists realise that. For Norwegians, were hikers. We grew up with this nature. We know how powerful it can be.

Foreign hikers are angering Norwegians by leaving behind garbage (Credit: Ingunn B. Haslekaas/Getty Images)

Fascination for the outdoors comes naturally to Norwegians because of friluftsliv. Coined in 1859, the philosophical concept of friluftsliv means free-air life and is used to illustrate the raw dedication and passion Norwegians have for nature. It equates the sensation of going backpacking in the mountains or camping on the shore with the feeling of being home.

But while friluftsliv encourages people to practice allemansratten and allemansratten encourages the love for friluftsliv, fjellvettreglene is the education to preserve and protect nature.

Since Trolltunga is becoming a brand-new bucket-list item, were trying to educate the rest of the world now, too.

While Odda, the nearby town to Trolltunga, has been called the rotten apple of the Hardanger region because of its industrialised look, today the town has become a popular tourist destination  and its primarily because of Trolltunga. From just 1,000 tourists in the whole of 2010, Trolltunga saw 1,800 visitors in one 2017 day alone.

Indrearne explained this surge of tourists coming to Trolltunga. People want the same picture they see on Instagram and Facebook. A lot dont care about the experience of the hike. They just want proof that they did it, and theyre ruining the nature up here with their garbage.

Some regions of Norway have seen a 32% increase in tourism from 2015 to 2016 (Credit: James D. Morgan/Getty Images)

Nationally, Norway has experienced an 11% increase in tourism from 2015 to 2016, with some regions seeing as much as a 32% increase. But, while good for the economy, this tourism boom has become a threat to Norways ancient right to roam law.

Were proud of allemansratten here, but the truth is that its creating dangerous situations, said Indrearne, shaking his head. Norway has never had to regulate hikes before, but we believe Trolltunga may have to be one of the first. Its become a big controversy.

Used toilet paper, leftover barbeque grills, abandoned tents, sweet wrappers and plastic bottles can be found littered all around Trolltunga. Someone even wrote their name on the cliff in black pen. And with the high amount of people who come unprepared for such a strenuous hike, Norways leading hiking group, Friluftsliv, also has called for regulations on the number of tourists hiking to Trolltunga and other of the countrys threatened geological attractions. Lasse Heimdal, leader of the outdoor organisation, defended their stance by saying that it is urgent that we now take measures to ensure that outdoor life is safeguarded.

The amount of people up here takes hold of the nature, Indrearne continued. On a busy day, you may have to wait in line for an hour and a half just to get a picture. To control this, wed like to regulate how many people can hike in a day. As for camping, we believe passes should be a requirement and should be limited. Starting hike times should also have regulations so people dont start too late and find themselves stuck up here. We also encourage people to do a guided hike. As guides, were trying to set examples for others to be respectful to the nature.

Erlend Indrearne: We grew up with this nature. We know how powerful it can be (Credit: Morten Falch Sortland/Getty Images)

The next morning, Jacqueline and I began the 13.5km descent. A rescue helicopter hummed low to the ground searching for a hiker. We walked past the long line of exhausted people waiting to take their picture on the cliff, some wearing sneakers wrapped in plastic bags and others in short sleeves shivering in the 5C wind. We stood in the back of the line, waiting to get our picture taken by Indrearne; the only way to get the iconic picture of the rock jutting upwards is by going on a guided hike where your guide suspends upside down 10 to 12m to take your photograph.

Do we really want to wait for this picture? I asked Jacqueline.

No, she replied. Not really. Its the scenery along the hike down Id rather see.

I nodded in agreement. We turned around and began our descent through Norways dramatic landscape, taking our time and remembering the rules of fjellvettreglene.
Health experts in the Ashanti Region have cautioned the public against killing suspected rabid dogs for food.

Bosomtwe District Director of Health, Dr Moses Barima Djamety, says killing the infected dogs for food hampers investigation into rabid cases.

Dog bite in the Bosom District has become worrisome, with increased cases.

Thirty-five incidents of dog bite have been recorded as at the end of last month when reported cases for the whole of 2016 stood at 72.

Last Wednesday, 15-year-old Eric Kojo Gbedievi, was bitten by his dog at Pramso in the Bosomtwe District of the Ashanti Region.

The dog left what Eric's parents thought was minor scratches, however, the bite almost took the teenage boy's life.

The dog refused to eat for three days but we didnt pay attention to what it meant. In one of the days, immediately, I came home from school, the dog became aggressive and bit me on my thigh he narrates.

Eric is currently receiving treatment and his condition has been stable.

But unlike Eric, five-year-old Kelvin Badu suffered deep cuts on his thighs and knee as a rabid dog almost tore his skin off.

Kelvin had been sent to a compound house where the sick dog was and reaching the house, the dog was unusually aggressive but before anyone could help, the dog had attacked him.

We were in the room at the time so I came out, captured the dog and put it back into its cage. After a while, we realised it had destroyed the cage from within and died in the process, an eye-witness narrated.

Health officials have told residents that when dogs become too aggressive or too quiet, they must alert them.

The dog was supposed to be quarantined but it happened that they had given the dog to someone who didnt know the history of the dog and they have eaten it, Dr Barima said about the suspected rabid dog that bit little Kelvin.

He says that makes it impossible to have saliva samples to run tests in the laboratory.

In this case, fortunately, we had the head of the dog for testing for rabies but the issue is that the head of the dog is roasted which could. The head of the dog has been submitted to the veterinary service and we are waiting for the results, he said.

Thirty-one-year-old father of Kelvin, Kwaku Manu, keeps a close eye on his son as he struggles to walk.

Since Wednesday, my son has not been to school because he unable to walk now," he laments.

He observes that most of the time when people are bitten by dogs, they dont report it, they apply kola nut and other concoction on it which makes the wound infected and worse off.

To address the issue of rabies, it is a legal requirement to vaccinate dogs annually. Every dog owner must comply, he reiterates.

He adds: "It is cheaper because yearly, it will take you about 10 cedis to vaccinate a dog but when the dog gets rabies and bites somebody the human vaccine will cost about 350 cedis or more. If any person is bitten by a dog, please do not kill the dog nobody should eat the dog, allow the veterinary officers to do their job.

The district office is however excited that following a recent campaign in the district, many people have begun reporting dog bites.
13.11.2017 LISTEN

Authorities at the Asokore Mampong Municipality in the Ashanti Region are asking the government to consider animal rearing as part of the Planting for Food and Jobs programme for the area.

Farmers in the municipality grow a lot of exotic vegetables like cabbage, carrot, green pepper and spring onion, but these were not included in the selected crops for the Planting for Food and Jobs initiative.

Communities under the municipality have challenges with arable lands for farming but they are blessed with the skill in animal husbandry.

Residents, mostly Muslim and people from the northern part of the country, are already engaged in commercial and domestic livestock farming.

Municipal Director of Agriculture, Ms Josephine Amo, believes such venture is one of the best options for creating jobs.

According to her, in Asawasi [a town in the municipality], every three houses that you take, they either sheep, goats or cattle being reared there, which helps them during the Eid celebrations, they sell and make a lot of money which helps them to take care of their children.

In fact, Asokore Mampong tops in the rearing of ruminants in the region. I think if every household is helped to rear these animals, lets say a number of males and females are giving to them, it will help and at the end of the year we will go to these people and collect the off-springs and give it to another household.

She projects that in a matter of five or six years, every household will be rearing animals to support the project.

We are trying to ask the committee for Planting for Food if animals can be a part so that our farmers here too can enjoy, she adds.

Ms Amo spoke to Luv Business during a town hall meeting with members of the public on government initiatives to improve lives and the economy.

Municipal Chief Executive for Asokore Mampong, Alidu Seidu, says the assembly has secured land for the setting up an abattoir and to provide a ready market for meat and other animal products.

He says he is in talks with the chief of Parkoso (Parkosohene) over a land that was earmarked for a market in Parkoso for the project.

When you go to Kumasi Abattoir, for instance, about 90 percent of the workers there hail from Asokore Mampong it is from here that they go there to work. So why dont we find a way of getting them back into the system of ours so that we can also generate some money for the government, he said.
13.11.2017 LISTEN

It isnt fake news. And it isnt something new either. Perhaps its the rise, thats prompted Ghana Petroleum Commissions plan to unleash tough sanctions to deal with perpetrators in the Black Gold industry.

But where would the Commission take this fight to?

Gordon Offin-Amaniampong writes

Ghanaians fronting for International Oil Companies (OICs) under the pretext of joint venture agreement in the oil and gas industry could soon smell the rat. It appears the Petroleum Commission has had enough of their stunts and its possibly ready to apply what oil experts describe as punitive action against the agents.

The acting Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Petroleum Commission, Egbert Faibille says his outfit will soon come out with modalities to sanction Ghanaians fronting for these multinationals under the guise of joint venture agreement in the business. Mr. Faibille said: The Petroleum [Local Content Local Participation] Regulations, 2013 L.I. 2204 prohibits such fronting since OICs use it as a veil to evade tax payment.

According to him, the Commission is considering a comprehensive move such as convergence between the Commission and the registrar of the companies to ensure that we have the bonafide of people who are behind these companies. We also intend introducing clauses into upcoming petroleum service contracts making some of these offences punishable by law maybe jail terms and fines and several other options we are considering.

Where would the Commission take this fight to?

As we already learned there are existing laws that (the Petroleum [Local Content Local Participation] Regulations, 2013 L.I. 2204) prohibit such fake deals. Ironically, what we find on the ground is totally different. It shows fraud, it shows manipulation and sheer impudence carried out by the very public officials that are supposed to guard against corruption.

And I think the commissions intention to introduce new clauses in future petroleum service contracts is indicative that the previous legislative instrument (s)lacked that powers to crack the whip or sanction offenders.

Of course sanctions could help stem the tide or curtail the unholy alliance. However, one must also consider the forces behind these fake joint venture agreements. The sort of people fronting the so-called partnerships would determine the effectiveness or otherwise of the sanctions. In fact this would in part depend on who is behind such an agreement and how we can deal with that individual.

Be reminded if those fronting for these foreign companies are the influential in society then it would be difficult if not impossible to achieve any positive result. That I can guarantee would turn out to be an exercise in futility just like others.

Is this fronting thing peculiar to the oil industry?

Oil and Gas arent the only areas where this activity is prevalent. It abounds in several industriesmining, manufacturing, banking, the hospitality industry etc. Perhaps gold tops it all no wonder the country has many foreign nationals everywhere, especially the Chinese. It appears they own most of the small scale mining companies.

With regard to the black gold, Ghana lifted its first oil from Jubilee field in 2011. Since then the country has seen many expats visit and ventured into the industry. However, the understanding one gets is that they often have Ghanaians who front for them. They pretend to be the right owners of the companies but it doesnt take long for such companies to be out of business.

Theres no denying fact that expatriates in many countries have used this tactic to evade taxes. Its believed to be an old trick but still growing strong and the tricksters continue to have a field day. And I think the practice mightve started even before Ghana earned her first petro dollars ($112 million).

Mr. Faibille told the local media that some expatriates seize the opportunity to escape paying tax. Information available to the commission indicates that most Ghanaian companies fold up after the business agreement has been signed leaving the expatriates to operate. There are foreigners or expats behind and just give what I will call a pittance to Ghanaians for the fake joint venture, he said.

Effects of fronting for foreign companies

The perpetrators of this activity oftentimes gloss over its net social implications. The narrative has been Me (the individual) rather that the nation or We the people. So heres my advice, if youre considering fronting for foreign company A or B, I urge you to rescind that decision. This is because your net profit is negligible. Think about your country, think about our country and think about the future generation. Dont be that selfish individual that thinks theres no tomorrow.

Mr. Faibille gave a sense of what happens when this occurs.

As a result of this fronting , he saidDeclaration with respect to income and for that matter payment of tax to VRA and other essentials are not reached.

Did you get that? I suppose.

Many a time we dont think through when were engaging such shady deals or realise that were own enemies. We line our pockets with pittances from these expats at the expense of the state. And then when say VRA cannot pay its bills or is cash strapped we put the entire blame on her instead of tracing the problem to its right source.

It is not clear when the commission will roll out its sanctions which will include fines and jail terms for offenders. In that vein, what might be crucial here is getting the right people to enforce the laws and I believe if we do that we will be able to minimise or curtail the problem.
13.11.2017 LISTEN

Dr. Anarfi Asamoa-Baah, a former Deputy Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) is to be appointed as a goodwill ambassador for the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA).

This follows a request for collaboration from Prof. Alex Dodoo, GSA Director-General, during a courtesy call by Dr. Asamoa-Baah on Friday, November 10.

Prof Dodoo commended Dr. Asamoa-Baah who joined the WHO as a Senior Policy Advisor to the Director-General in August 1998 for his significant contributions to the UN health body for close to two decades. Following his initial role as Senior Advisor, Dr. Asamoa-Baah was nominated as Executive Director, External Relations and Governing Bodies in November 2000, after which he was appointed as Deputy Director-General in January 2007.

Before joining the WHO, Dr. Asamoa-Baah was the Director of Medical Services in the Ministry of Health, Ghana.

During the visit, Prof Dodoo and Dr. Asamoa-Baah discussed and explored ways in which the GSA can leverage Dr. Asamoa-Baahs wealth of experience for the benefit of the agency and the country as a whole. Dr. Asamoa-Baah readily offered to share his rich experiences by serving as a goodwill ambassador and consultant to the agency.

Prof. Dodoo and his guest discussed a broad range of topics relating to standards, consumer protection, training and consultancy. With respect to the latter, GSAs Director-General disclosed that past executives of the agency would soon be engaged to form a standalone consortium to provide various consultancy services.

I am very pleased with your appointment to head GSA, and will do whatever I can to help you succeed. I am therefore willing to accept your invitation to serve as a goodwill ambassador and consultant to the agency, Dr Asamoa-Baah said.

My passion, post retirement, is to help groom the current crop of professionals for leadership positions and to be a strong advocate supporting an environment that is receptive to learning and mentoring from a broad range of past employee experiences for the benefit of the agency.

Prof. Dodoo thanked Dr. Asamoa-Baah for his acceptance and noted that the arrangement will be formalised at the next GSA Board meeting.

Also present at the meeting were George Anti, GSA Business Development Manager and Peter Agbeko of the agencys Public Relations Department.

GSA is the government agency mandated to promote standards in the country and aims to become a world-class standards organisation, which is customer-focused. Its primary mission is to protect consumers, facilitate trade and promote industrialisation through Standardisation, Metrology and Conformity Assessment.

Its core values revolve around, customer focus, excellence, integrity, teamwork and people development.
The. DCE for Tain, Hon. Charity Akua Foriwaa Dwommor

13.11.2017 LISTEN

Communities in the Tain District of the Brong Ahafo Region have been urged to complement the efforts of government to ensure speedy development in the District. The admonishing was made by the District Chief Executive for Tain,Hon. Charity Akua Foriwa Dwommor in various communities during her familiarisation tour. The tour which aimed introducing the Chief Executive to the Chiefs and people of the area was also used to get first-hand information about the developmental challenges confronting the people.

Addressing separate gathering in the various communities, the District Chief Executive was thankful to the president, Nana Addo Danquah Akufo Addo for the opportunity given her to serve the people of Tain as the District Chief Executive. She also apologized to the chiefs and people in the various communities for her late visit this according to her was as a result of ensuring that proper handing over and accountability was done to afford her to start on a clean sheet. She assured the people of governments commitment to the development of the area and appealed for their support.

Various demands including electricity extension, road construction, health facilities, and school infrastructures, amongst others were made on the District Chief Executives. Responding to the demands of the communities, Hon. Charity Akua Foriwaa Dwommor disclosed that government has already started work on various projects in the District. She mentioned that the Nsuhunu -Bepoase road, culverts on the Debibi-Brodi road and the Debibi town gutters have all been awarded on contract for work to begin soon.

On electricity, the District Chief Executive also revealed that the previous administration awarded a contract for extension of power in various communities and connection of some communities to the national grid. She however said the contractor was facing cash-flow challenges since he has pre-financed most the work done so far but she was quick to add that government was working at paying him and as soon as that was done he will come back to site. She assured the people that the Tain District Assembly will support any community that on its own initiates any developmental intervention as the District has created a budget line for such initiatives. The District Chief Executive told the people that work was almost done to get a District Police Command and a Magistrate Court for the District ensure justice and security in the District

On governments flagship One-Village-One Dam policy, the District Chief Executive revealed that various communities in the District including Debibi,Degedege will benefit from policy. She appealed to the communities to take advantage of Governments policies such as the Free Senior High School, Planting for Food and Jobs to ensure development of the District.

The tour took the District Chief Executive to communities like Menji,Brohani,Namasa,Debibi,Nasana,Hani,Nsuhunu,Tannorkrom amongst other. She was followed by executives of the New Patriotic Party in the Tain Constituency, Assembly Members and officials of the Tain District Assembly.
President Nana Akufo-Addo has said he will always seek the face of God in every decision he takes the head of state.

Delivering an address at a Church Service held at the Black Star Square to climax the centenary celebration of the Christ Apostolic Church International (CAC), Akufo-Addo said his rise to the office of the President of Ghana was Gods doing.

Gods favour carried me to where I am now. I know it isnt my strength that has brought me this far. It is the strength of God that has brought me this far, President Akufo-Addo said.

He called on the entire leadership and membership of the CAC to continually bear him in prayer for the constant supply of Gods grace to abound towards him and his government as they steer the affairs of the Republic.

We have Men of God like Apostle Amoaning doing Gods work and helping Ghana to rise and move forward, President Akufo-Addo stated.

The Chairman and Leader of the Christ Apostolic Church International, Apostle Dr Stephen Amoaning in his Centenary message pledged the Churchs constant support and advice to government to ensure that the Akufo Addo administration succeeds during its term in office.

The Church, as part of its 100-year anniversary, donated four state-of-the-art ambulances to the Ghana Ambulance Service to support the nations efforts at providing medical services to Ghanaian.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com
13.11.2017 LISTEN

A Circuit Court at Nsuta has sentenced an electrician to two years imprisonment for forging documents of two public institutions.

Twenty-eight-year-old Awal Mohammed of Amanten in the Brong Ahafo Region, faked a letter from Volta River Authority and Northern Electrification Distribution Company.

It was meant for the supply of power and meter to one Alhassan Yakubu, also of Amanten.

Police Chief Inspector Daniel Gbedzinu told the court a technician Engineer at the VRA/NEDCO office at Ejura in the Ashanti Region, detected the fraud and reported the matter to police.

He said Alhassan Yakubu presented the letter to the VRA/NEDC office requesting for supply of electricity and meter to his house.

The prosecution said a careful scrutiny of the letter showed it was forged.

Presiding Judge, Lydia Osei Marfo, advised the staff of Ministries, Departments and Agencies to properly secure their documents to avoid unscrupulous people from laying hands on them.
DAKAR, Senegal, 13th November, 2017,-/African Media Agency (AMA)/- After calling on their governments to invest in immunization for the girl child on October 11th, and engaged them to eradicate Polio once and for all on October 24th, civil society across Africa are making sure Pneumonia vaccines are high on the agenda on November 12th.

In commemorating World Pneumonia Day, organizations in over ten countries are calling for more domestic financing to Pneumonia vaccines, routine immunization programs and strengthening of health systems.

Immunization remains the most effective strategy to prevent Pneumonia even though it is a treatable disease. Yet the disease is still not getting the much-need attention it deserves and continues to be the lead killer disease of children under five years; more than Malaria, HIV/AIDS and Measles combined.

"We need to raise more awareness and push our governments to increase local financing for immunization, improve the policies and expand coverage of routine immunization programs so that all children can benefit, because too many children continue to die from Pneumonia." Says Abdul Swaray from Children Advocacy Forum - Sierra Leone.

More than 1 million children's lives could be saved every year if prevention and treatment interventions for Pneumonia were widely introduced in the world's poorest countries especially in Africa and South Asia.

Some countries like Kenya, Uganda and Zambia have developed district, state and national plans to intensify actions for the control of Pneumonia. Many more have integrated Pneumonia specific actions into their national child health and child survival strategies.

These efforts are still shy of the investments required to meet the Global Vaccince Action Plans and for the disease to be eradicated completely. Only greater political will and greater domestic ressources will ensure the Addis Declaration on Immunization that Africa heads of states endorsed in January 2017 is not just words, but truly serves to keep children alive.

Signed by,

1. Concern Health Education Project (Ghana),

2. Muslim Family Counseling Services (Ghana),

3. AFRIVAC (Senegal),

4. Community Restoration Initiative Project (Uganda),

5. Community Health and Research Initiative (Nigeria),

6. Nigerian Women Agro Allied Farmers Association (Nigeria),

7. PROVARESSC (Cameroon),

8. Coalition 15 (Cameroon),

9. KANCO (Kenya)

10. FENOS-CI (Cote d'Ivoire),

11. Public Health Initiative Liberia (Liberia),

12. POSSAV (Guinea),

13. Malawi Health Equity Network (Malawi),

14. Children Advocacy Forum Sierra Leone & Focus 1000 (Sierra Leone),

International organizations and institutions lending their voice to the campaign are WHO AFRO, the New Venture Fund, CoMo and GAVI.
Two unemployed friends who attacked and robbed a trader and her granddaughter of a mobile phone, handbag and eighty Ghana cedis have been slapped with a 15-year jail term by a Juabeng Circuit Court over the weekend.

Kwabena Agyeibi, 31 and Isaac Gyamfi -22 of Mampongteng Korea pleaded guilty to three charges after police retrieved mobile phones, handbag and mask they wore and other offensive weapons to rob their victims at Nsuta-Atonsu in the Sekyere Central District of Ashanti Region.

The two convicts, armed with knives and their faces covered with masks emerged from a bush and attacked the victims who were returning from a store at about 10 p.m on November 8, 2017.

Madam Adwoa Nyarko suffered knife wounds on one of the fingers. The convicts bolted with mobile phones, a handbag containing personal effects and an amount of GHS 80.00.

A report was made to the Police the following morning. The accused persons were arrested at Agona the next day with the stolen items and the tools they used for the robbery, including knives, a cutter and the mask.

They were arraigned before the Juabeng Circuit Court presided over by His Lordship Abdul Yussif Asibey for conspiracy, robbery and possession of offensive weapons.

The two unemployed friends, however, pleaded guilty to all the three charges and were sentenced to 15-year imprisonment each in hard labour.
Piccadilly Biscuits has embarked on an investment programme that will see its entire operation revamped and modernised.

The company, under the leadership of Mr Nicolas Abou Haider, remains committed to the modernisation of its entire bakery in North Kaneshie. The ambitious programme includes investment in building upgrades, new equipment and specialist staff training programmes.

All of this is great news for jobs, for manufacturing and for Ghana as Piccadilly will not only employ more people for manual work, but will invest in upskilling existing staff with specialised training. The company plans to create 200 new jobs within two years and expects to draw from its rich reservoir of great recipes, created over its history, to refresh some amazing new varieties and bring them to the Ghanaian market.

The pride of Ghana for six whole decades, Piccadilly remains one of the oldest bakeries in Ghana. The company was founded by Dr Samir Eid the very year that Ghana gained independence from British colonial rule. Dr Eid, himself a second generation baker, was born in the Gold Coast in 1932.

Piccadillys biscuits have been highly sought after for generations because of their quality, wholesomeness and true affordability. This modernisation programme is intended to ensure that the company continues in the tradition of offering great, affordable biscuits for many years to come. New equipment is also being installed that will bring to market some exciting new biscuit varieties.

The company suffered a setback last February when a consignment of imported flour developed weevils in storage whilst still within its expiry date. Although the bakery itself was not contaminated by the affected flour, the incident led to the precautionary stoppage of production by the FDA. The company has recovered from this incident and has now received full certification from the FDA for its bakery manufacturing operation in North Kaneshie.

We have put strict procedures in place to prevent the recurrence of such an incident commented Nicolas.

Further, Piccadillys facilities are today GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) certified by the FDA. Piccadilly is a proud brand that offers customers a guarantee of wholesomeness and it has done so for generations. The ingredients that are used in our biscuits are the very best available and our formulations are very nourishing. Not many know, for instance, that all our flour is fortified with the Vitamins that our children need.

The companys current range of biscuits includes Digestives, Malt & Milk, Hye Me Ma, Crunchies and Shortbread. At Christmas and at Christmas only, Piccadilly bakes the nations favourite, the Gem biscuits. These biscuits are made to a unique recipe that the companys founder imported from the UK six decades ago.

Piccadillys Gem biscuits have come to define the spirit of Christmas in Ghana; by the way they are gifted and shared by so many. But in all the activities that come with the yuletide, there is no more interesting to see than how children react to the arrival of Piccadillys Gem biscuits. Today, Piccadillys Gem biscuits have an international following across the whole Ghanaian diaspora.

All of this is great news for jobs, for manufacturing and for Ghana. Piccadilly will not only employ more people for manual work, but will invest in upskilling existing staff with specialised training. The company plans to create 200 new jobs within two years and expects to draw from its rich reservoir of great recipes, created over its history, to refresh some amazing new varieties and bring them to the Ghanaian market. Watch this space! www.piccadillybiscuits.com
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) is on a 'Mission Impossible.' It is a propaganda genre undertaken out of political desperation by a party bereft of ideas to prosecute a credible agenda for power.

It is unsurprising. Having relied on machinations to win elections including interfering with the electoral system for many years, these are rather dry times. It is becoming almost impossible to continue with such diabolic ploys antiquated as they have become, for same objectives. This is a reality which poses a seeming insurmountable obstacle for the party. Identifying a shining star as represented by Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and attempting to shoot it down could be tempting though not an acceptable alternative.

The ultimate goal of the mission is to discredit the Vice President so that the stumbling block he poses would give way. If only they could do so with some finesse and intelligence not with a concentrated dose of imbecility.

Unfortunately it is an unproductive project especially since the man leading the charge is only making cacophonous noise bereft of convincing premises.

Recall Hassan Ayariga's cheap pranks during the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) Presidential debate series. A party which can engage jokers to inconvenience other players in a major engagement of wits can equally have the ilk of Isaac Adongo, Bolgatanga Central MP come unfurl similar imbecility on the political plane. It does not matter whether they make sense or not. It is Machiavellian in nature even if those behind it know too well that it won't pass muster.

If Hassan Ayariga's could pass for a normal conduct from a man known for such pranks because of his level of understanding of issues, not somebody who is an MP and representing the good people of Bolgatanga Central.

Just what sense is there in Isaac Adongo referring to the Vice President as an empty economist? Somebody who continues to churn out antidotes to the myriad economic challenges left behind by the previous government, the MP was associated with, is one who should be regarded with deference. Most good people of Ghana are doing so many of them belonging to the NDC. It was the votes of such persons which dealt the devastating blow to the NDC during the last polls.

Somebody whose academic pedigree surpasses Adongo's and from whose cognition Isaac Adongo can learn a lot to upgrade himself cannot be an empty economist.

A person who has been rated high by international financial institutions and whose academic qualifications are without blemish having been issued by some of the most outstanding establishments in the world cannot be empty. The one who speaks rather recklessly without giving thought to what he spews out is rather empty.

The source of such effusions can pass for either a hypocrite or a dunce who ignorantly thinks he is being believed when really he is but a political nuisance.

Listening to the analysis which led him to label the Vice President empty, triggers derision. In fact, many who listened to him were in stitches laughing their hearts out.

Sometimes we pity those who allow themselves to be turned to buffoons to satisfy the political programmes of others regardless of the scar such theatricals will leave on them.
13.11.2017 LISTEN

Finland's Foreign Trade and Development Minister, Kai Mykkanen, will visit Ghana in mid-November.

He will arrive in the country with a business delegation comprising more than 20 Finnish companies operating in the areas such as power, ICT, telecommunications, CleanTech, health & wellbeing and education.

The visit takes place in the year that marks Finlands 100th Anniversary as an independent nation.

It is also the year when Ghana celebrates its 60th Anniversary, and Finland-Ghana diplomatic relations reach 40 years.

The Ambassador of Finland to Ghana, Pirjo Suomela-Chowdhury, said the visit is a clear indication of the strengthening business relations between Finland and Ghana.

The envoy said that already there are many important Finnish companies doing business in Ghana.

Previous high-level visits and company interest also bear witness to the numerous possibilities for cooperation.

With its reputation as one of the most stable countries in Africa and with the new government in place since early this year, Ghana is seen by many Finnish companies as an attractive business destination.

Ambassador Suomela-Chowdhury believes that expanding trade between Finland and Ghana will offer many more opportunities for true win-win partnerships that will benefit both countries and their peoples for years to come.

Examples of areas where Finland has strong know-how and expertise include renewable energy, waste and water treatment, telecommunications, digitalization, security, health & wellbeing and education  all areas that have great relevance also to the Ghanaian government and the private sector.

For Finnish companies, the visit will be an excellent chance to present their strengths, while learning more about the possibilities that the local market offers.

While in Ghana, Minister Mykkanen, together with the business delegation, will be looking forward to meeting important high-level decision makers, as well as representatives of the private sector, to explore ways of further promoting trade between the two countries.

Earlier this year, Finlands Centenary Anniversary project CodeBus Africa, was launched in Ghana.

It was replicated in nine other African countries to help promote girls' education in ICT and computer coding.
The Accra Regional Police Command has apprehended 50 men suspected to be land guards operating in the region.

According to DCOP George Alex Mensah, the regional commander the suspects were arrested in areas like Ngleshie Amanfrom, Ofankor-Obimpe, Ashiyie, Quartey Papafio, Adjen Kotoku, Oyarifa, Asalaja, Mayera, Tuba, East Airport and Ayi Mensah.

Addressing the media, DCOP Mensah said the operation was part of the commands measures to clamp down on land guard activities in the region.

He said the land guards, between the ages of 18 and 50 years, were apprehended in a special operation.

DCOP Mensah said 21 of the suspects are on remand, while 20 are also on court bail but nine are also on police enquiry bail.

The police, through its operational exercises, were able to impound and retrieve among other things, a Toyota Corolla (private car), some military uniforms and accoutrements, a pickup vehicle, a number of Pump Action guns, machetes, Jack knives, some quantities of live and empty cartridges and motorbikes.

These suspected land guards operated in the bushes and it was very difficult for the police to get them arrested, DCOP Mensah averred.

He said anytime the police get information about their activities  after attacking a land owner  suspects escape through the bushes.

By Linda Tenyah-Ayettey

([email protected])
Interesting and intriguing ways there are in which the human mind works. How conveniently easily forgotten or thought suppressed is the unpleasant taboo to suit social stability. The distasteful known is not mentioned in the open because it is not nice and would possibly rock the boat of content and gets suppressed in silence.

For some reason, something happens somewhere in human civilisation. What is already known suddenly pops up as a never known. The ever known becomes the never known; all because this time round, society has moved to a level it can tolerate without disintegrating.

The consequence is today's hashtag me too (#MeToo) downpour which has drenched many a high and mighty in America's soft power (culture) industry and politics. Quickly, the movement has spread across the Atlantic to mother Britannia where an embattled woman leader is struggling to contain the sisterhood onslaught.

The assault is not necessarily anti-domineering male unduly exploiting the feeble powerless female. It is male exploiting female and male and the in-between. It is a whole exploitation explosive constructed around LGBTI. You can look the acronym up; google or something if you are not familiar with that today's in-word.

My case of 'ever as if never' is based on a 1980s movie which was shot to depict the exploitation today construed as widespread. I remember this actress Pia Zadora who was vilified, castigated and ostracised for her role in the film 'The Lonely Lady.' It was the story of a woman who had to painfully endure what she ought not to have been taken through in order to make it as an actor in Hollywood. I keep thinking why no one seems to have mentioned that film in the contemporary goings on about sexual exploitation by the powerful man (heterosexual or gay or both) over the weak person (most likely woman but also minor who could be male or female). So far, I haven't heard or read about a woman with enough power to exploit a man, other women or a minor.

Considerably, films are being unfilmed; storylines are being rewritten; told stories are being untold; film scenes are being replaced. Mainly, it is because the all-powerful directors and producers and whoever was positioned to influence a victim's progress took full advantage to sexually exploit.

It is somehow comforting to have learned from a Wall Street executive that in their domain, a man who considers himself powerful enough to take advantage of a woman could have that cost him his job.

She triumphantly pronounced how she had stopped a man who had made a pass at her from being employed by an organisation she was working in. Her boss, who was insisting employing that particular man quickly yielded to her 'don't employ' when she indicated the prospective employee would be a sexually harassing poison.

Why all this is a beef is simply because of the discussion around gas safety. It's as yet to make reference to what I knew about the distribution of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) for domestic and other uses in the motherland. That is, as it happened in the early 1970s, and most probably before and after.

As a student at the University of Cape Coast, I happened to make trips to Agona Swedru over gala and other issues. I would usually find transportation to Winneba Junction from where I was sure to continue to my destination. On two occasions, I got a paid lift from this man. He was dressed in khaki shirt and trousers and drove a pick-up (what north Americans call truck); or a pick-up truck. It was a single cabin in those days so I would sit beside the driver in the passenger seat. Behind would be loaded cylinders of gas. From Accra to Takoradi, cylinders would be full; while Takoradi to Accra, they would be empty. That is to say, cylinders were filled at a central point from which they were carried to the points of use. One didn't have to carry the cylinder to the place where it was filled. The cylinder came to you already filled with gas. Thus, no contact of the user with the filling point.

I don't think I have the knowledge to meaningfully contribute to the debate over degasification and foolproof gas safety.

I only thought people should know what is supposed to be the new way of doing things used to be the way things were done. In the 70s, it was undoubtedly a tiny use base. Today, it is a mass use base. Whether we are going to have huge trailers (articulators) loading the cylinders, as opposed to the small pick-ups, I can neither know nor tell. My point is, it is ever happened although it's being made to be as never happened.

By Kwasi Ansu-Kyeremeh


The chiefs and people of Atwima Akropong in the Ashanti Region have protested against the proposed sitting of the capital of the newly-created Atwima Nwabiagya North District Assembly at Barekese with a strong appeal to the government to rescind the decision.

As part of its policy to create new districts in the country, the Akufo-Addo government is said to have proposed Barekese as the capital of the new district, which is created from the Atwima Nwabiagya District.

But the elders of Atwima Akropong see the choice of Barekese as the administrative headquarters of the district as politically unfortunate and inappropriate, blaming it on the machinations of some officials of the previous National Democratic Congress (NDC) government.

Enraged at the development, hundreds of disgruntled residents in Akropong and other neighbouring communities took to the streets last Friday to register their displeasure and appealed to the government to move the district capital to Atwima Akropong, considering massive facilities in the area.

The demonstrators, who marched through the principal streets of the town under tight security, wielded placards with inscriptions some of which read, 'President wohye yen bo, kae', 'Benito, Aden?', 'no Akropong, no district capital', 'Nana remember 2020' and 'restore the district'.

Atwima Akropong is said to be a historical town which used to be the district capital in 1952 when the Atwima Nwabiagya by-election was held which saw the opposition, National Liberation Movement (NLM), led by Baffour Akoto defeating the Convention People's Party (CCP).

In a speech, Nana Ataani Amankwa-Pam, Akwamuehene at Akropong, stated that more than two thirds of the chiefs and people from other Atwima Nwabiagya towns support Akropong to be made the district capital instead of Barekese.

Historically, it was the district capital of Atwima Nwabiagya after Kumasi West District was divided into two, namely Atwima Nwabiagya District with its capital at Akropong-Ashanti and Ahafo Ano North with its capital at Tepa-Ashanti, the chief said.

The capital of Atwima Nwabiagya was reportedly moved to Nkawie through the machinations of a member of the Presidential Commission during Dr Kwame Nkrumah's regime. The town was perceived to be against Dr Kwame Nkrumah's Convention People's Party (CPP).

Nana Ataani Amankwa-Pam said unlike Barekese, Akropong boasts of many infrastructural facilities like the Osei Tutu Senior High School, a magistrate court, police station, libraries, great basic schools, good sewage systems, road networks, water, play grounds and other necessary facilities that can be developed to befit a modern district capital.

In matters of revenue generation in 2017, the chief claimed Atwima Akropong collected GH3,958, while Barekese generated GH3,444.

These and several other businesses and institutions, according to the people, make Atwima Akropong a suitable town to be made the district capital for the Atwima Nwabiagya North Assembly for massive development.

FROM James Quansah, Kumasi
12 cadres of Chand-led party arrested

The District Police Office Kaski has arrested 12 cadres of Nepal Communist Party, led by Netra Bikram Chand 'Biplav' in the district as they were found involving in anti-election activities.
Pilgrims whose luggage were left behind in Saudi Arabia after this year's Hajj last Saturday began claiming them at the Hajj Village in Accra.

The luggage which were in excess of the allowable limit were packed into five containers and left the Hajj Board with no option than to transport them by sea to Tema.

They arrived a few days ago and eventually conveyed to the Hajj Village late Friday. The distribution began after a thanksgiving service organised by the Ghana Hajj Board.

The Thanksgiving Service was graced by various Islamic clergymen across the country and Muslims chiefs.

The host of the programme Sheikh IC Quaye who is also the Chairman of the Ghana Hajj Board in his speech, presented a scorecard of his stewardship which he rated very high. He doffed his hat for President Akufo-Addo and the Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia for their support to the Hajj management but for which the airlift could not have been possible.

'Mr. President your support led to a 2017 Hajj that could be described as the most caring and successful in the history of Hajj operations in Ghana,' he said.

For the first time ever, the government of President Akufo-Addo, he observed, 'cleared a debt of GH31 million incurred by the previous board to pave way for Ghana's participation in the Hajj.'

He recalled the backlog of persons who even though paid for the airlift to Saudi Arabia could not make it adding that even though the previous board chairman Alhaji Tanko Rauf admitted the monies were paid these are yet to be refunded. 'We are still waiting' he said.

The current Hajj Board, he went on, has set a record by raising for the first time the allowable baggage weight to 50 kg free of any charges. 'Comparatively in 2016, the allowable weight per pilgrim was 46kg and SAR30 per extra kilogram' he said.

Another feat the board chalked he said, was 'the levy of SAR500 chargeable per pilgrim who had performed Hajj multiple times which was borne by the Board.'

In the area of processing of passports the board he said 'is not comparable to any previous Hajj organization in the country. It completely eliminated the perennial uncertainties and long sleepless nights and confusion that characterize this aspect of Hajj operations.'

The Hajj Board displayed three awards he attracted from some Saudi organizations.

The National Chief Imam Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu who was the guest of honour at the Thanksgiving activity commended the Hajj Board for the event and expressed gratitude to the government for effectively playing its facilitating role in the management of the Hajj.

While regarding the Hajj as the largest assemblage of humanity in the world, he added that, 'it is a reflection of a fundamental reality of life: appreciation of diversity in the collective interest of humanity. This is in line with Quran 49: 13.

O Mankind, we have created you from a male and a female, and have put you into nations and tribes, so that you may know one another. The noblest person among you is the most pious.

On the basis of this verse, he said 'it is ideal that Hajj operations are ruled by piety, probity, accountability, transparency, and equality. These values would undoubtedly ensure best practices and maximize the comfort of Ghanaian pilgrims.'

Alhaji Ibrahim Adjei who represented the Vice President at the function expressed gratitude to the National Chief Imam for his anchor role during the Hajj and for praying for the nation during the religious exercise.

The thanksgiving exercise ended with an inspection of the luggage in an adjoining holding room followed by the commencement of release of claimed items.

Some of the baggage have been dispatched to Tamale for pilgrims who were airlifted from that end of the country.
The Wa Central Constituency in the Upper West Region has continued to elude the New Patriotic Party since the inception of multi-party democracy in 1992 despite the different strategic efforts always put in by the party, election after election. From the performance trend however, the closest the party ever came to winning the parliamentary seat was in 2016 when Hon Issahaku Tahiru lost by some seven hundred votes to the incumbent member of parliament-Hon Rashid Pelpuo. It was such a painful and shocking loss considering the amount of work put into the campaign which witnessed unprecedented commitment and sacrifices from the youth especially, who desired a new-face and a sense of direction for the Wa Central Constituency. The zealousness to depart from the lame leadership under the watch of Hon Rashid Pelpuo propelled and energized the New Patriotic Party fold across the length and breadth of the Constituency to campaign tirelessly day and night to achieve the desired goal of annexing the Wa Central Parliamentary seat.

Unfortunately, whilst all of these masses of the New Patriotic Party toiled and sacrificed beyond measure to win the seat as well as make Nana Addo president, the Constituency Chairman-Ali Kamara clandestinely and selfishly went into cahoots with the NDC Candidate and incumbent member of Parliament-Hon Rashid Pelpuo. The Constituency Chairman defied all possible logic and threw caution to the wind by secretly campaigning for Hon Rashid Pelpuo and by so-doing hampering the chances of the NPP Candidate in the 2016 elections. Mr Ali Kamara is on record to have trekked around the constituency at very ungodly hours to meet prominent stakeholders of the NPP in an attempt to convince and sway them to vote against Hon Issahaku Tahiru Moomin in favour of Hon Rashid Pelpuo. In one of the instances, he was caught spot-on and red-handed by candidate himself in the company of the then Municipal Chief Executive-Hon Nuhu Putiaha at Boli;one of the populous villages within the Wa Central Constituency in full swing campaigning for Hon Rashid Pelpuo and the NDC.

This cannot be the mark of a person deserving of the position of constituency chairman in a liberal party like the New PATRIOTIC PARTY. Mr Ali Kamara was also seen by a number of people frequenting the flagstaff office of Hon Rashid Pelpuo for what is believed to have been secret meetings intended to further the anti-NPP agenda in 2016. He ostensibly went there for his booties whilst he sacrificed the toils and sacrifices of thousands of party members who is supposed to lead as Constituency Chairman.

Latest information and evidence available to the public concerning this shameful and unimaginable romance between the Wa Central Constituency Chairman and the NDC through the Wa Central Parliamentarian is the inexplicable award of a contract to the Chairman from the MPs share of the Common Fund. This Project is the Zonal Council office situated at Boli in the Wa Municipality. No one can constrain and heckle the Chairman from legitimately bidding for and going ahead to win a contract under the procurement laws of Ghana. But when the chairman decides to trade off his position as an opposition leader in the constituency for a contract from the Member of Parliament, it obviously raises eye browse and becomes a matter of concern as his loyalty and commitment are put to the litmus test. As if that doesnt suffice, records from the Wa Municipal Assembly on the disbursement of the MPs Common Fund reveals that the Chairman is remitted on Quarterly basis by the Member of Parliament. This clearly disgusts and frustrates the masses of the party in the constituency who have been sacrificing their time, efforts and sometimes meager financial resources to keep the party afloat.

In the wake of this unfortunate conduct by the Constituency Chairman, it behooves on all responsible party members to push for a new sense of leadership and direction for the party in the Wa Central Constituency. The incumbent chairman can no more be entrusted with the destiny of the party and as such he must bow out of any party executive contest to save himself the little credibility left in him. Under the circumstance, the NPP as a liberal democratic establishment which thrives on equity and equality cannot hound him from offering himself for election if he shamefully decides to. However, the masses of the people in the constituency whose cherished dream of changing the statuesque in the Wa Central Constituency got dashed as a result of the greed and selfishness of Ali Kamara must rise up and oppose any further attempts to entrench and perpetuate these negative and retrogressive tendencies.

If the party hierarchy does not deem it appropriate to investigate all of these damning and stinking allegations and possibly bring the Constituency Chairman to book in order to deter others, the ordinary members of the party must show that they have the power to make and unmake leaders in the party.

LONG LIVE THE NPP,

GOD BLESS NANA AKUFO ADDO,

LONG LIVE MOTHER GHANA.

BY; MUSAH TUPARE

CONCERNED PARTY MEMBER
A group calling itself, the Young Cadres Association (YCA) a vibrant youth chapter in the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), has called on the President Akufo-Addo led NPP administration to leave the former President John Dramani Mahama alone and fix the economy.

In a statement issued on Monday November 13, 2017 by the Brong Ahafo Regional Chapter of Young Cadres Association, indicated that the NPP came to power by deceit, accusations of corruption and incompetency against Mahama led NDC administration.

According to the group, elections 2020 will provide the perfect opportunity for Ghanaians to distinguish between truth and deceit; competence and incompetence: and the actual nepotistic and corrupt people and those who mean well for all.

The group also added that the election 2020 will show to Ghanaians the best distinction between the NDC and NPP which of these political parties have the interest of the larger populace at heart.

They revealed that only ten months in governance, the President Akufo-Addo led NPP administration has involved in a lot of scandals upon scandals and to them, these scandals are unprecedented.

They also told the NPP that if they think they are performing and implementing their campaign promises then they shouldn't worry about the return of former President John Mahama.

"If the NPP think that they are doing so well with the implementation of their campaign promises why would they be worried about the return of President Mahama, a candidate they defeated in the 2016 elections? The NPP should be worried because the Nana Addo-Bawumia government is not living up to expectations and Ghanaians are seeing the signs clearly.

Below is the full statement

NPP Government's Dishonesty Provides Excellent Opportunity for the Return of the NDC - Young Cadres B/A

Election 2020 will provide the perfect opportunity for Ghanaians to distinguish between truth and deceit; competence and incompetence; and the actual nepotistic and corrupt people and those who mean well for all. Indeed, election 2020 will show to the Ghanaians the best distinction between and NDC and the NPP and which of these two parties has the interest of the larger populace at heart.

In the run up to the 2016 elections the then candidate Akuffo-Addo and his running mate Dr Bawumia campaigned across the length and breadth of Ghana levelling accusations of corruption, incompetence, nepotism, among others, on the Mahama-led NDC government which led to Ghanaians voting massively for the NPP in the 2016 December polls. A lot has happened on the political landscape of the country since the inauguration of Nana Akufo-Addo as the President on January 7th 2017.

Looking at the scandals upon scandals that have hit the 11 months old NPP government, one wonders the message on which this government will campaign on for the 2020 elections.

If the NPP thinks that they are doing so well with the implementation of their campaign promises why would they be worried about the return of President John Mahama, a candidate they defeated in the 2016 elections? The NPP should be worried because the Nana Addo-Bawumia government is not living up to expectations and Ghanaians are seeing the signs clearly. At least Ghanaians now know the following about the NPP government:

1. President Akufo-Addo cannot campaign on the issue of bloated government again after appointing 110 ministers and deputy ministers with their assistants.

2. Dr Bawumia cannot campaign about borrowing again after trying to give a 419 name to borrowing as leveraging.

3. At least Ghanaians now know that going to the IMF was not a bad thing as Dr Bawumia made us to believe in 2016

4. The President cannot campaign on family and friends government again after appointing almost every family member of his to serve in his government.

5. President Akufo-Addo cannot look into the eyes of the Galamsey operators and tell them that he is going to offer them jobs after failing them

6. Dr Bawumia cannot campaign about corruption again after spending USD 2.5 million dollars on a fraudulent GhanaPostGPS app and spending GHC 177 million to raise a failed energy bond.

7. Abu Jinapor cannot jump from radio station to TV station to accuse appointees of JM of corruption after being exposed by A+Plus for collecting 20,000 dollars before arranging for a meeting with the President.

8. President Akufo-Addo cannot campaign on insecurity in the country after presiding over 11 months of mayhem visited on innocent Ghanaians by his Invincible and Delta Forces

9. Samira Bawumia cannot stand on a platform and insult President Mahama again after her brother has being appointed deputy NADMO boss and her father an ambassador.

10. Ghanaians have come to realise that after all Dr Bawumia is an overhyped economist.

11. Ghanaians have now realised that President Mahama did no wrong in accepting the GITMO 2 .

12. Ghanaians have seen that President Mahama did no wrong in pardoning the Montie 3 after they had spent some days in prison.

12. Ghanaians now know that President Mahama is not wicked and insensitive as we were made to believe by Otiko Djaba and other NPP communicators.

13. Ghanaians now know that, after all President Akufo-Addo and Dr Bawumia lied about the DKM, God is Love, Jastar Motors and other microfinance scandals in Brong/Ahafo just to gain votes.

14. Ghanaians now know that vehicles left in the care of the state at the Flagstaff House have been stolen by the NPP operatives as revealed by Abronye DC.

15. Ghanaians now know that President Akufo-Addo appointees are engaged in massive corrupt act as revealed by Prof Martey and others.

In conclusion Ghana voted for change in 2016 based on the lies and deceit of Nana Akufo-Addo and Dr Bawumia but now the signs are clear and the NDC and President Mahama have been vindicated. This clearly explains why the NPP is worried about the come back of President Mahama. The standard of life of the average Ghanaian is worse off today as compared to 2016.

President Akufo-Addo and his vice have failed the INTEGRITY TEST and must be shown the exit.

LONG LIVE GHANA

LONG LIVE NDC

LONG LIVE YCA

SIGNED

MICHEAL DERY

(PRESIDENT YCA)

0245983380

BRIGHT BOTCHWAY

(GEN.SECRETARY)

0249999145

BAGBIN MPONDAN

(YCA SECRETARY B/A)

0248822593

Source: Daniel Kaku
Former Member of Parliament, Nii Amasah Namoale has challenged the NPP-led government to prosecute any corrupt NDC official as they promised Ghanaians during the campaign.

The former MP told Mikki Osei Berko on TV3s After Hours that, the NPPs corruption claims against NDC officials prior to the election last year was mainly propaganda which is why they are struggling to prosecute officials of the previous administration, challenging the president to go to court if he has any evidence of wrong doing.

Namoale also insisted that the new Ghana Digital Address System is simply a 419 scam by the government to dupe Ghanaians.

We have been scammed. I am telling you. They are in governmentThe bus branding was 3.5 million Cedis. This one is 15 million Cedis and they are telling you every year they will pay.

Watch the full interview below:


Bonn, Nov 13  Raising ambition to act on climate change and raising the large amount of finance needed to do it are so completely inter-connected that governments and the entire financial sector must see it as a single challenge.

High-level representatives from across the sector at todays COP23 Finance for Climate Day highlighted their efforts to meet the goals of the Paris Climate Change Agreement and underlined that this challenge of coordination and coherence needed to be quickly addressed.

They set out what needs to be done next by governments, cities, states, business and multilateral institutions to secure the pace and scale of investment required, before and after 2020, to meet the Paris goal of keeping the average global temperature rise well below 2 degrees Celsius and as close as possible to 1.5 Celsius.

Eric Usher, Head of UNEP Finance Initiative said: "At the heart of the climate challenge are two gaps we urgently need to bridge: the ambition and the investment gap.

It is up to national governments now to increase the ambition of their NDCs to close the 17 GtCO2e emissions gap that we still face for 2030. When it comes to the investment gap, however, we need all financial players - public, private, domestic, international - and including markets and regulators, to work together effectively to mobilize at least USD 1.5 trillion of climate finance that is needed every year. Let this Finance Day be the start of a new and determined chapter of climate finance innovation, collaboration, and impact," he said.

What is more, every dollar invested in cutting greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change gets double the bang for the buck because the results directly support the only sustainable future possible, which is captured in the international communitys 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Finance for climate is flowing at a greater pace than ever, with vibrant and growing markets for renewable energy, electric vehicles, green buildings and climate-smart agriculture seeing aggressive growth, backed by exponential advances in innovative green financial instruments, indices and markets.

Equally, the finance sector is recognizing to a much greater degree where and how climate change presents risks to its existing investments and the need to adjust their portfolios away from carbon-intensive assets to reduce that risk.

However, as a series of discussions taking place at the UN Climate Change Conference today highlights, much more is needed to secure finance and investment at the scale required to deliver a fully de-carbonized and climate-resilient global economy by 2050.

Laura Tuck, Vice President Sustainable Development, World Bank said: The potential for climate friendly investment in areas such as clean energy and climate-smart agriculture is enormous.

The key is to get the funding to flow so that everyone everywhere can benefit from low-carbon and climate resilient investments. Thats why we are working with the UN and our other development partners to create the conditions that will attract investors and to get all forms of finance  public, private, philanthropic - working together for maximum impact, she said.

Vladis Dombrovskis, Vice-President of the European Commission said: Hundreds of billions of euros in investment are needed to transition to a low carbon economy and meet the target of well below 2 degrees warming. This is a challenge but also an opportunity for the EU to become a magnet for green investment and lead the way in mobilising both public and private financing for sustainable projects. That is why we are preparing for early next year an Action Plan on sustainable and green finance.

Brahim Hafidi, President of Souss-Massa Region and First Vice-President of the National Association of Moroccan Regions, said: Today Localizing is the new Globalizing, and Cities and Regions around the world have demonstrated their leadership in climate action for inclusive, resilient, sustainable and low carbon infrastructure development plans.

The Global Mapping of Initiatives for Localizing Climate Finance, launched today by the Cities Climate Finance Leadership Alliance, shows acceleration in providing funding, financing and technical assistance support to local and regional governments from the whole range of stakeholders. This major publication is a unique reference-compass to help match demand and supply. The integration of local and subnational projects in NDC investment plans, especially for adaptation and resilience funding and financing, is a key priority, he said.

Peter Damgaard Jensen, CEO of Danish Pension provider PKA and Chair of the Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (IIGCC) said: Strong investment signals from policy makers across carbon trading, energy, transport and buildings are essential to unlock the necessary capital. Climate-related disclosure consistent with the recommendations of the FSBs Task force will also be paramount, to provide greater legal certainty alongside efforts to ensure an international level playing field.

That is why my organization is launching a new programme focused specifically on investor practices in this area, with a focus on ensuring ongoing dialogue between IIGCCs growing membership of asset owners and managers about latest developments of climate disclosure in line with TCFD recommendations. Effective pricing of climate related risk by financial markets is essential to help realize the goals of the Paris Agreement, he said.

The High Level Finance for Climate Day at COP23 focused on:

Investment to reallocate capital flows towards low-carbon and resilient growth, with additional upfront capital or risk sharing, to deliver financial returns and resource savings;

Inclusion to ensure that flows reach the countries and communities with greatest needs in terms of both sustainable growth and reducing vulnerability, effectively doubling flows to developing countries by 2020;

Integration to make the long-term consequences of climate change and wider sustainability factors a routine part of financial decision-making and accountability both in terms of opportunity and risk, to avoid financial system instability;

Innovation to enable green deal flow, particularly risk sharing for emerging economies and frontier markets, for domestic markets to grow;

Infrastructure that provides climate resilience tapping the financial systems endless capacity for innovation and speed of action;

Transparency on finance and investment through simple and harmonised approaches, norms and standards that in turn support climate investment plans and polices tailored to national needs, priorities and capacities, that attract diverse capital sources and greater private sector risk.

Further information:

The Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (IIGCC) is a collaborative forum with 145 mainly mainstream investors across 11 countries with nearly 21 trillion in assets under management (including 9 of the top ten largest European pension funds or asset managers). It aims to encourage public policies, investment practices and corporate behaviour which address long-term risks and opportunities associated with climate change.

The Cities Climate Finance Leadership Alliance (CCFLA) is a multilevel and multi-stakeholder coalition launched under the initiative of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in 2014. Today CCFLA has 50 international reference members : networks of cities and regions, private investors coalitions, development and commercial banks, national governments, research centers, UN agencies, foundations and civil society organizations that have come together to implement a set of measures designed to catalyze and accelerate investment into low-carbon and climate-resilient infrastructure in urban areas.

CCFLA is launching at COP23 (Monday 13th) its 2017 Global Mapping of Initiatives on Localizing Climate Finance This reference publication presents a global overview of CCFLA members activities that are available today worldwide, and support the development, financing and funding of subnational and local climate action.

The Global Fund for Cities Development-FMDV co-hosts the CCFLA Secretariat, with the support of R20, UN Environment and UNDP. Created by UCLG and Metropolis, and acting as a matchmaker between demand and supply, FMDV is an Alliance of Local and Regional Governments focusing on local economic development and financing for subnational action. FMDV provides solutions and expertise to create and implement the enabling environment, appropriate conditions and mechanisms allowing local and regional governments access to the necessary resources to fund and finance their urban development strategies, especially through long-term and hybridized financing.
13.11.2017 LISTEN

Apostle Dr. Stephen Kwame Amoani, Chairman of the Christ Apostolic Church International (CACI), has reminded pastors that 'the Message of the Cross' is salvation for people to live godly and responsible lives; but not the accumulation of earthly wealth.

He, therefore, urged them to shun the monetisation of the word and the insatiable desire for wealth and power, which was gradually creeping into the Church.

Apostle Dr Amoani, who was delivering a sermon to climax the Centenary Celebration of the Church, urged them to care for their flock, show compassion for the poor and devote to prayer that would bring healing and relief to the afflicted.

He said as Ministers of God, they were the model as the light and salt of the world, therefore, they should guard against deviation.

Apostle Dr Amoani said it was also prudent that all Christians examined their lives and re-dedicated themselves to the work of God, learn to forgive, uphold their integrity and respect the sanctity and dignity of life.

He said urged Ghanaians to continue to be one another's keeper irrespective of their political affiliation, eschew rancour and live in unity.

Thousands of members of the Church from Ghana and beyond, filled the Black Star Square, in Accra, to pray, praise, sing and dance to glorify the Lord for seeing the Church through the decades.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo was the Guest of Honour at the Service, attended also by the Israeli Ambassador to Ghana, Ami Mehl, many Christian delegates, as well as some from the Church's branches in the United Kingdom, India, Nigeria, Cote d'Ivoire and other countries.

The year-long anniversary was held on the theme:'100 years of Impacting the World through Pentecostalism.'

Apostle Dr Amoani noted that 100 years in the life of the Church, marked a significant milestone in the life of the Church, therefore, the occasion was meant to thank God for his faithfulness over the years.

He said the occasion would also be used to identify its weaknesses and strengths as well as continue to submerge the church in strong biblical teachings in the coming years.

He paid glowing tribute to the Founder of the Church, Apostle Peter Newman Anim, who is acknowledged as the 'Father of Pentecostalism in Ghana' for his selflessness and dedication to the cause of Christianity.

'I am happy that a small prayer group, which began at Asamankese in the Eastern Region by Apostle Anim in 1917, has blossomed into many churches.'

He said the impact of Apostle Anim and other dedicated leaders had led to the growth of the Church, which has more than 1.5 million members with more than 5,087 branches world-wide. It has 1,086 work force.

Apostle Dr Amoani, who is also the Vice President of the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC), said the Church would continue to partner the State in advancing national socio-economic development.

He gave the assurance that the fire that was set ablaze by the Founder continued to live on, saying, 'This demonstrates that Jesus Christ is real and alive.'

Apostle Dr Amoani pledged the Church's continued support to helping the needy and deprived institutions and individuals.

In a fraternal message, Apostle Professor Opoku Onyinah, President of GPCC, noted that 100 years in the life of any organisation, especially a church planted for the purpose of propagating the unadulterated gospel of Jesus Christ, as well as helping to meet the needs of the deprived and vulnerable was worth celebrating.

Apostle Prof. Onyinah said: "Your impact in the country has been felt through the transformational leadership you have provided your congregation and how well you have been able to spiritually managed crises over the years.'

The Most Reverend Dr Charles Agyin - Asare, Presiding Bishop of the Perez Chapel International, said: 'As pioneers of Pentecostalism in Ghana, you set the pace for the Church through your holy spirit-empowered preaching, salvation and manifestation of divine power'.

Rev. Dr. Victor O. Abbey, Acting Moderator of the General Assembly, Presbyterian Church of Ghana, noted that: 'These celebrations offer us the opportunity to give thanks to God for making the vision of Apostle Peter Newman Anim a reality because like Paul, he was not disobedient to the heavenly call.'

Apostle Dr Michael Nimo, a former Chairman, CACI, led the Church to pray for the President and the nation.
Vegetable farmers have appealed to the government of Ghana under Nana Akufo-Addo to take advantange of the ban lifted on Ghana's exports by the European Union by revamping vegetable farming.

According to the farmers, this is the time government needed to support them with all the necessary tools and agro-chemicals to improve planting, post harvest management as well as packaging in line with high professional standards.

Most of these included Cumcumber, Tomatoes and Cabbage farmers mainly from the Atomic farms under the Atomic Energy in Accra.

The group led by Alexander Agbena, Secretary to the Atomic Energy Farmers Association, expressed these concerns when some trained and certified agronomists visited the Atomic farms last week.

About 30 agronomists, who were recently trained by GhanaVeg, were dispatched to go and educate farmers on the their farms through the use of the right application of modern farming technologies to boost production.

The training was under the auspices of GhanaVeg with support from the Department of Applied Plant Research of Wageningen UR in the Netherlands.

These certified agronomists who have undergone the on-field training on seedling production, crop protection, spray techniques, irrigation and fertilization among others at the Atomic farms on in Accra, demonstrated and transferred their knowledge to farmer groups in the vegetable sector.

The move enabled farmers to get experience from direct demonstrations and ask the necessary questions from the experts.

Deputy Program Leader at GhanaVeg, Sheila Assibey-Yeboah, stressed that the initiative is to promote a competitive sector.

"Vegetables are now cash crops which when invested into, will generate a lot of income to improve Ghanas economy," she said.

On his part, the Netherlands Ambassador to Ghana, Ron Strikker assured the farmers of continued support to enable Ghana commercialize the production of vegetables through the use of technology.
It is an honor to write this tribute to our Royal, Father, Uncle, Brother and Friend, Oheneba Osei Pipim of Manhyia.

We first met Oheneba in Cincinnati, Ohio when he was invited by the Host Association, the Asanteman Association of Greater Cincinnati to celebrate the 2013 Asante Day with us. During our Town Hall meeting, Oheneba was offered the opportunity to address the Asanteman Council. His special leadership abilities and charismatic personality were readily apparent as he began to speak! It was clear that he would most likely have an outstanding relationship with the Council. In his speech, he touched on several spheres of life but focused on encouraging us to make collaborative effort as Ashanti Diasporas to continue to portray the Ashanti Culture in North America. He concluded his speech by encouraging us always not to forget to help our brothers and sisters back home. He commended ACONA for all what they have done for Ghana and specifically for Ashanti Region.

This first encounter marked the beginning of our longstanding friendship with him. Oheneba was committed to improving socio economic development in the Ashanti Region and therefore supported ACONA in many ways, in its commitment to actively raising the quality of life for the people living in the Ashanti region in Ghana. To underscore this, Oheneba in collaboration with Nana Antwi Gyeabour, Kenyasi Adontenhene led a fundraising event during the 2017 Asante Day celebration in Columbus, Ohio to raise thousands of dollars in support of ACONAs long-term Nursing School Project. That was a clear manifestation of his natural gift of innovative thinking, visionary spirit, and the tenacious patience required to successfully carry out his vision.

Oheneba was always deeply concerned with the divisions within some of the associations that was not good for ACONA and Asanteman as a whole. He had stressed on the need for all Ashantis to stay united for the common good of the Council and Asanteman in general. The ACONA leadership, considering his concerns has concluded that the only legacy that will preserve Ohenebas memory with us is to keep a united front and work in our respective associations to bring unity among ourselves. This view is also shared with an overwhelming majority of ACONA members - a revelation of how deep Ohenebas contribution to the Council is felt.

In whatever role we knew him, from whatever vantage point, he stood apart as someone special. Oheneba will be sorely missed as a Royal, Father, Uncle, Brother and Friend by many, but never will he be forgotten by those who were fortunate enough to have known him !

OHENEBA, DAMIRIFA DUE ! DAMIRIFA DUE ! DAMIRIFA DUE !

Sincerely yours,

Kwaku Agyeman Duah

Kwaku Agyeman Duah

Executive Secretary (ACONA)
13.11.2017 LISTEN

Introduction

Trending within the social media landscape is a featured article by Danaa Nantogmah in his attempt to shed light on the Bimbilla chieftaincy crisis. In this article, Danaa dilated upon a wide range of issues, which in his view are the facts and fictions about Nanung (Bimbilla) chieftaincy issues. A significant portion of the article was devoted to malign and tarnish the reputation of the Bangyili Royal Gate, especially with a deliberate distortion of the facts of history about Naa Dahamani lineage, while it struggled unsuccessfully to salvage the fast sinking image and diminishing influence of the Kpatihi family in the scheme of affairs in Nanung Chieftaincy with the powers and authority they, in fact, do not have. It is against this background that the Bangyili Royal Gate wish to put into perspective some of the inconsistencies, fabrications, inaccuracies, and contradictions in that verbose and incoherent assessment of Nanung Chieftaincy issues by Danaa.

Any objective minded scholar worth that accolade will classify Danaa as an amateur who doesn't even appreciate the import of what he writes, and not the University Lecturer that he calls himself. This is because the copious reproduction of a fraudulently secured court verdict to justify the unorthodox claim to the Bimbilla paramountcy, and to over hype the actual role of the Kpatihi family in Nanung chieftaincy, as claimed in Dana's article is indeed laughable. It is the more reason why the Bimbilla chieftaincy matter is still pending in the highest court of the land while Danaa is quick to falsely accuse people like Dr. Chambas of influencing the 1993 Nakpa Verdict by the Northern Regional House of Chiefs in favor of Naa Salifu DAWUNI.

Danaa conveniently forgets that the 2012 Bimbilla Verdict by the Northern Regional House of Chiefs, upon which his analysis and conclusion is based, was secured through political patronage, corruption and vast conspiratorial subterfuge perpetrated on the people of Nanung by erroneously associating the name of Mr. Andani Dassana with the Andani Royal Gate in Dagbon to court political support that influenced the ruling in favor of Mr. Andani Dassana. It is regrettable to say that some of our brothers in Dagbon, because the name of one of the contenders for Bimbilla Naa is Andani Dassana, have mistakenly linked the Andani and Abudu chieftaincy divide to that of Nanung. This is completely misplaced, because the chieftaincy issue in Nanung is unique and different in its entirety, it is an intra-gate issue among the Gbumayili royals.

While Danaa and his cohorts feel that putting the matter before the highest court of the land could reveal the truth and jeopardize their claims, the Bangyili Royal Gate is confident that the precedence in Nanung customs and traditions, if presented as evidence in a court of law, will vindicate itself and preserve it customs and traditions.

The Rulings by the Northern Regional House of Chiefs

The Regional Houses of Chiefs are quasi-judicial bodies, having the status of high courts. Matters of chieftaincy are normally referred to them because it is believed that they have adequate information on the specific customary practices relating to each traditional area within their jurisdiction, and by this will be guided in the adjudication of cases filed before it, instead of relying so much on the technicalities and procedural issues that are normally associated with our mainstream courts.

It is regrettable to say this, but important for the readers and the general public to know that in my candid assessment and examination of the customs, traditions and history of Nanung, the Northern Regional House of Chiefs erred in its 2012 ruling that ostensibly elevated the role of the Kpatihi Naa as a sub-chief in matters of enskinment of chiefs over the authority of the Bimbilla Naa as the paramount chief and the Juo Naa as the chairman of the kingmakers in Nanung. Can you imagine any of the paramount chiefs  the Naa Yiri from Gmanpurigu, the Yegbonwura from Gonjaland and the Yaa Naa from Dagbon, will readily empower any of their sub-chiefs in such a manner as to suggest that they have much powers than their overlords in matters of appointment and selection of sub-and-divisional chiefs?

This is because by giving this skewed ruling, it means that anytime any kpatihi Naa or any person designated to perform such role or customary rites, and refuses to comply with the authority and directives of the Bimbilla Naa as the paramount chief or the Juo Naa as the chairman of the kingmakers, and any other chief is delegated to do it, is null and void. Is this not absurd? Indeed, the 2012 verdict falsely glorified the power of the Kpatihi Naa in the selection and enskinment of chiefs, including the selection of Bimbilla Naa, which is inconsistent with the custom and history of Nanung, because it wrongly suggests that the Kpatihi Naa has power over their overlords (Bimbilla Nanima) when it comes to the selection and enskinment of chiefs. It also gives the false appearance of the truth and facts of Nanung custom and tradition, as it relates to the role of the Kpatihi Naa or the Kpatihi family. This is what Danaa and his cohorts has capitalized on to exaggerate their claims and the role of the Kpatihi family in Nanung Chieftaincy contrary to the established custom and tradition of Nanumbas.

Interestingly, the Regional House of Chiefs ruled in 1993 that great grandsons were not debarred from ascending the throne of Bimbilla Naa as far as known customs of Nanung is concerned, let alone Nakpa Naa, that same body could suddenly turn around and say in the 2012 ruling that great-grandsons were not qualified to ascend the throne of Bimbilla without setting aside their previous ruling. Isnt the 2012 ruling an obvious fraud perpetrated on the good people of Nanung? They also erroneously declared that the brother of Kpatihi Naa Ponadow, Azindow was the acting regent of kpatihi Naa, who performed the enskinment customary rites on Mr. Andani Dassana, and therefore, legitimized his ascension to the throne of Bimbilla Naa. Incredulous, isnt our Regional House of Chiefs supposed to know that in the Nanumba custom and tradition it is not brothers who are made regents, indeed, it is sons who are made regents?

It even becomes more confusing when the chairman of the panel who presided over the verdict in 1993 in favor of Naa Salifu DAWUNI against Kpatihi Naa Ponadow, was the same chairman who presided over the 2012 verdict in favor of Mr. Andani Dassana against Naa Salifu Dawuni. As to the position of the panel that the majority carries the vote in the 2012 corrupted ruling is most unfortunate, because it is not supported by precedence in Nanung history, it is not supported by logic and it is not supported entirely by law.

However, Danaa, who used the 2012 ruling by the Regional House Chiefs to justify his outrageous unsubstantiated claims, in which he claimed that the 1993 Nakpa ruling that was in favor of Bimbilla Naa Abarika Attah II and Nakpa Naa Salifu DAWUNI could not be traced. In addition, Mr. Danaa disclosure in his article that a panel member confided in Kpatihi Naa Ponadow that they presented a good case but lost because of an imaginary influence is contradictory and exposes Danaa as a pathological liar or a very confused person. Granted that this was true, though it is an interpolation, could that also suggest that Kpatihi Naa Ponadow attempted corrupting the process, and when he did not succeed, explanation had to be offered by the panel member?

Furthermore, it is difficult to appreciate how Danaa can discount the existence of that 1993 ruling, and yet has always claimed an appeal was filed at the National House of Chiefs. It is worthy to let the readers know that this appeal was struck out at the National House of Chiefs on arrival, and has not been appealed against any further. Interestingly, failure to secure an appeal to reverse or set aside the 1993 Nakpa verdict implies that, that verdict is still relevant in determining the outcome of the pending case at the Supreme Court, whether Danaa acknowledges its existence or not.

In law evidence is weighted, but not counted, and evidence if even adduced by a single person deserves credit. Our Regional House of Chiefs have questions to answer when the case that is pending at the Supreme Court is called. Questions to answer not in relation to their physical presence in the courts but when their judgment is put under scrutiny by the very learned judges of the Supreme Court.

The Kpatihi Family

Here is the truth about the Kpatihi family in Nanung, which Danaa should have known, because his continuous attempts to hype the importance of the Kpatihi family in Nanung Chieftaincy over and above the Juo Naa, and other kingmakers is not supported by facts of Nanung custom and history. Danaa should stop embarrassing himself with this cock and bull stories and listens to the truth. Kpatihi Naa Yidantogma's position at the Bimbilla Naa's palace was reintroduced through the magnanimity of our father, Bimbilla Naa Natogma Attah II, but today ingrates or ungrateful persons like Danaa and his cohorts are those crucifying and biting the fingers that fed them, and brought the Kpatihi family out of the shadows back to the limelight of Nanung custom and tradition after almost a century of being barred from the palace of the Bimbilla Naa by Naa Pienkpaa.

After the Kpatihi chieftaincy title was disbanded during the reign of Naa Pienkpaa following that pugnacious behavior exhibited by Kpatihi Naa Napari, similar to what the current crop of the Kpatihi family, which Danaa belongs to, are displaying in Nanung today. Indeed, after disbanding the Kpatihi title in the palace of the Bimbilla Naa, about 11 chiefs (Bimbilla Nanima) have come to the Bimbilla throne without the involvement of any Kpatihi Naa. So Mr. Danaa must stop lying that the Kpatihi is the sole chief that is entitled to enrobe or enskin chiefs, without whom any enrobement or enskinment is null and void as highlighted disgracefully by the contradictory and politically orchestrated by the 2012 ruling of the Northern Regional House of Chiefs.

As for the regalia in the possession of the Kpatihi family, it is with the family because Juo Naa entrusted it to the Kpatihi's family care when the integrity of your forebears could be vouched for. It does not belong to the Kpatihi family, and Danaa should get educated on these matters and stop deceiving himself and the general public.

Let Danaa and those who share his views be told that, the first major involvement of a Kpatihi Naa among the kingmakers of Nanung to select a paramount chief after almost a century of absence was during the installation of the late Naa Dassana. Naa Dassana was chosen over and above Bagbab Naa DAWUNI because like Danaa rightly stated, his skin title of Nakpa Naa was higher than Bakpaba Naa. His choice was not so much of the involvement of Kpatihi Naa Yidantogma on his side but rather the involvement of the Juo Naa, who undoubtedly is the chairman of the kingmakers, and who has always been part of the selection process of all Bimbilla Nanima since the coming into being of the Nanumba kingdom.

This is unlike the Kpatihi who was not part of the kingmakers for almost over a century, and yet chiefs were installed. It is not surprising that Danaa is a member of the Kpatihi family, who is a master at peddling lies to smear or tarnish the reputation of the Bangyili Royal Gate. Danaa should stop that attempt to usurp the enviable position of the Juo Naa for the Kpatihi family. No objective and level-headed Nanumba will back such a claim because it is dishonest and disingenuous to the custom, tradition, and history of Nanung.

Let it be admitted that Kpatihi Naa, Yidantogma was a distinguished and honorable man, so respected and truthful that he brought great honor to the title, kpatihi Naa. With honesty and integrity, he restored the dignity and glory of the Kpatihi family. Unfortunately, the gains chalked by him for his family and Nanung has been crushed by his two succeeding sons, kpatihi Naa Ponadow and the current Azindow, who undoubtedly are the Achilles heel of chieftaincy in Nanung. Through their conduct, the value of chieftaincy in Nanung has been severely eroded. Let nobody deceive himself into thinking that you can profit from an institution you have helped to crush.

The facts, the truth and the evidence

Danaa in his write-up attempted to cast aspersions on the integrity of the late Dakpam Naa Atta Natogma by stating that in the historic contest for the paramountcy between Naa Dassana and Bakpaba Naa DAWUNI, he (Dakpam Naa Attah Natogma) attempted to play down the consensus-building approach to selecting the paramount chief and tried to introduce the majority vote paradigm, but did not succeed. Danaa needs to know that even though Naa Dassana had the minority votes, he was eventually settled on, on account of the fact that the Nakpa skin was higher than the Bakpaba skin. Granting that, that was the case, doesn't Mr. Danaa, notice that it contradicts the position held by the Northern Regional House of Chiefs that Mr. Andani Dassana's choice was valid on account of the fact that in their estimation in modern democracy majority carries the vote?

This act of Danaa and his cohorts of choosing and picking what suits them is what we will aptly describe as a hypocrisy of the highest order. It even goes to confirm the position held by most Nanumbas that succession to the Bimbilla paramountcy is hierarchically defined and to back the bid of a prince who has no title and citing examples in the history of Nanung that do not fit into contemporary chieftaincy arrangement is complete thievery and have to be resisted as is currently the case in Nanung. So the majority carries the vote mantra, in the selection of chiefs, the Northern Regional House of Chiefs spewed out in their ruling is not supported by logic, common sense and the laws customs and tradition of Nanung. Let me repeat, in law, evidence is weighted but not counted, and evidence, if even adduced by a single person deserves credit.

Naa Sulgme, Dogiporga, Goyamba, Naa Salifu kurli, they are so quick to mention as chiefs who became chiefs without titles to back the fraudulent claim of Mr Andani to ascend the paramountcy is dishonest and disingenuous. This is because those were the formative years of the Nanung kingdom and they each sat in as regents before being confirmed as chiefs. Mr Andani was not his father's regent. More so, if they can conveniently cite Naa Sulgme to back their claim to paramountcy, then they have no moral justification to claim that Naa Salifu DAWUNI's lineage to Gbugmayili gate maternally (although in reality he is linked both maternally and paternally to Gbumayili gate) should be a hindrance to his being a paramount chief of Nanung.

This is because Naa Gmantambu at the time of his death had no son of his own and Naa Sulgme was his sister's son, and if the antecedence of history was to apply then in Nanung nephews could be qualified. But you see, Nanung kingdom was in its formative years, and for over a century now since the rotational principle between the Gbugmayili gate and Bangyili gate began, no one has used his naked name to ascend the throne of Bimbilla. So that picking and choosing to satisfy their naked greed and selfishness must stop. You are not wiser than the rest of Nanung.

In his write-up, Danaa also creates an impression that Dakpam Naa Dadinkai was not enskinned as a Bimbilla Naa because he was a great-grandson. That is a concoction, a fabrication, and a blatant lie. It is unfortunate that Danaa is misleading himself and his readers, because everyone who knows Nanung history knows that but for the untimely death of Dakpham Naa, Dadinkai before the final funeral rites of Naa Abudulai Andani, he (Dakpham Naa Dadinkai) was the next to become the Bimbilla Naa from the Bangyilli Royal Gate. He virtually had no contender since he was occupying the highest ranked skin of Dakpam in the Bangyili Royal Gate. The issue of Dakpam Naa Dadinkai being a great grandson, and therefore, was denied on account of that never arose at all. During that time, there was no Kpatihi Naa in the Bimbilla Naa's palace. In fact, as stated earlier, Kpatihi Naa Yidantogma was recognized Kpatihi Naa by Bimbilla Naa Natogma Attah II, and therefore, Kpatihi Naa Yidantogma had no role in the installation of the next paramount chief, Bimbilla Naa Natogma Attah II, who was promoted from the Gbengbalga skin to the paramountcy when Dakpam Naa Dadinkai died.

It is important to let readers know that, the operative and functional definition of a chief or who can be a chief under the customary law of Ghana is the person who can trace his lineage to an ancestor either by paternal or maternal bloodlines or patrilineal or matrilineal system of inheritance. Therefore, any traditional area that decides to put a cap to limit those who can become chiefs to only sons or grandsons are their own creation, as is the case in Dagbon, and must come out with evidence or precedence of such enactment, signed and agreed upon by the major stakeholders such as members of the royal gates involved and kingmakers, otherwise, the constitutional definition of who qualifies to ascend the paramountcy as per our customary law of Ghana applies.

Indeed, when our brethren in Dagbon were debating to limit those who qualify for the paramountcy to only sons, we in Nanung rejected it, with a clear understanding that chieftaincy was a clan property. In the debate on this matter among the stakeholders in Dagbon, proponents against the enactment to limit the ascension to the paramountcy to only sons cited Nanung as an example. This debate can be accessed from the book titled The Lords of Dagbon by Martin Staniland, who happens to be a Westerner, who studied and extensively wrote on Dagbon Chieftaincy issues.

It is reported when the idea of limiting succession to Bimbilla paramountcy was presented to the Nanumba Traditional Council during the reign or regime of Naa Abudulai Andani, he appeared to have bought into it. However, it was out rightly rejected because Dakpam Naa Dadinkai, who was next in line to become Bimbilla Naa from the side of Bangyilli Royal Gate, at that time, argued strongly that if Naa Abudulai Andani buys into the idea that only sons could ascend to the throne of Bimbilla Naa, then he (Naa Abudulai Andani) should abdicate the Bimbilla throne since he (Naa Abudulai Andani) was not a son of any Bimbilla Naa but was purportedly acclaimed to be a grandson of Jua Naa Andani, who in turn was one of the sons of Naa Gbugma. In that case Naa Abdulai was a grandson.

We re-emphasise the word purportedly the son of Jua/Nakpa Naa Andani because well researched history of nanung tells us that Naa Abudulai had no direct relationship with Naa Gbugma, but got connected to the gate through his association with Jua Naa Andani's maternal Uncle Yagri lana, but was loved so much by Jua Naa Andani who nurtured him. This explains why the very known appellation of Naa Abudulai Andani, was " wumsri gare dugra" (a child you raised could be better than a child you gave birth to) This has not been an issue to most people in Nanung to belabor because once he found himself in the line of the Chieftaincy and passed through the hierarchy defined to become the paramount chief, people of Nanung took it in their stride and accepted the status quo.

So there has not been anywhere or any time in the history of Nanung that, as a kingdom we have sat down to say that only sons and grandsons can become paramount chiefs. If anyone has that evidence he should provide it or shut up. In any case Mr. Danaa and those who share his views and the Northern Regional House of Chiefs have not been able to convince anybody why Mr Andani Dassana was more qualified above others, because at the time he laid claim to the title they were other people who were equally sons of paramount chiefs. So being a son alone could not be the only qualifying criteria because there were existing sons of the Gbugmayili gate who were much older than Mr Andani Dassana, but were never chosen to contest the title of Bimbilla Naa with Naa Salifu DAWUNI.

The right to vote in an election in Ghana is not limited only to being Ghanaian but also to be a registered voter of sound mind and attaining the voting age of eighteen. So on what basis Mr. Andani was chosen over and above people like Nzo Fusheini Balga and Yepalsi Naa. As for the twisted and warped story that he was selected by the head of the Gbugmayili gate is a fallacy because Gbugmayili is a clan designation and cannot be limited to only one string of the Gbugmayili, that is the Naa Abudulai and Naa Dassana hegemony. Other wings of the Gbugmayili included the lineage of Naa SHERU and Naa Mahama Kalo, who Naa Salifu DAWUNI traces his lineage from. More so it has never been the practice in Nanung that it is family heads who determine who should be paramount chiefs. Indeed the choice of chiefs have always been left to the institution of kingmakers to perform that role based on a predetermined qualification and selection criteria.

The claim of Naa Salifu DAWUNI'S relationship to the Gbugmayili gate is only maternally is a deliberate, and an orchestrated grand scheme, carefully rehearsed by the conspirators to water down his claim to the paramountcy. Otherwise, contrary to the attempt by Mr. Danaa and his conspirators to pin his lineage to Gbugmayili gate maternally, particularly in the adjudication processes at Northern Regional House of Chiefs that led to the verdict of 2012 it has never been the case.

Naa Dassa and Kpatihi Family disregard for Naa Abarika Attah II

The very early signs of disregard and disrespect to Naa Abarika's rulership, manifested when he enskinned Karaga lana Gbarigbari to Nakpa, in opposition to a lobby initiated by Kpatihi Naa Ponadow, to make Juo naa Mahama the Nakpa Naa. (Refer to the minutes of the kingmakers in January 1983 for details) When Kpatihi failed to secure that request, he together with Jua Naa Mahama in a counter, installed Nakpa Naa Mushe to Nakpa. It took the bold decision and integrity of Nakpa Naa Mushe to decline the installation they performed on him to avoid a very early confrontation within the chieftaincy cycles when Naa Abarika took over the reign of leadership of the Nanung kingdom.

It has always been a grand scheme by the kpatihi family to be the defacto paramount chief of Nanung. Sit somewhere and dictate and direct how the kingdom is governed to satisfy their own whims and caprices. No way, we know your actual status in Nanung chieftaincy, and will no longer tolerate this kind of belligerency in the scheme of affairs. Azindow does not simply have what it takes to direct affairs in nanung. We know clearly who he is made of. In any case kpatihi Naa Ponadow could not have been a better repository of the knowledge, traditions and customs of Nanung than Naa Abarika. He was old enough to be his father.

In life, principles are principles. You either have it or you don't have it, one can't assume a middle position in matters of right and wrong. However, it is regrettable and unfortunate to say this about someone we objectively consider one of the fallen heroes of Nanung, Kpatihi Naa Ponadow, who came across as somebody who was holding himself in that ambivalent position, claiming to be principled when indeed he was not. The claim that Naa Salifu DAWUNI'S relationship to the Gbugmayili gate is maternal is a deliberate orchestrated grand scheme, carefully rehearsed by the conspirators to water down his claim to the paramountcy. Otherwise, contrary to the attempt by Danaa and his conspirators to pin his lineage to Gbugmayili Royal Gate maternally, particularly in the court processes that led to the verdict of 2012, it has never been the case.

As stated earlier, Kpatihi Naa Ponadow didnt come across as principled as is claimed because it was he who performed the enrobement or enskinment rites to make Naa Salifu DAWUNI the Bakpaba Naa. Everybody in Nanung knows that the Bakpaba skin is for chiefs who relate to the chieftaincy title paternally. Why did Kpatihi Naa Ponadow not refuse to enrobe or enskin Naa Salifu DAWUNI to Bakpaba Naa on principle if he thought Naa Salifu DAWUNI is related to the Gbugmayili Royal Gate only by maternal blood. As for this cock-and-bull stories about his relationship to Gbugmayili Royal Gate is only maternal is incomprehensible because it won't wash. Can Danaa explain to us why Naa Dassana himself enskinned Naa Salifu's father, Lepuhi Naa DAWUNI to Lepuhi if he knew he was related to the Gbugmayili Royal Gate only by maternal blood? These concocted, fabricated, blatant lies must stop because it doesn't resonate with sound logic, and only explains why we have these intra chieftaincy gate conflict among the Gbumayili Royal Gate.

For instance, when rumors of a legal action against Naa Abarika Attah II by Kpatihi Naa, Ponadow and Lepuhi Naa, over their disagreement with the enskinment or elevation of Bakpabnaa Salifu DAWUNI to Nakpa Naa surfaced, Kpatihi Naa Ponadow vehemently denied knowledge of the suit against Naa Abarika Attah II when he was invited to the WORIKPOMO's house and later at Naa Abarika Attah's palace. In the hall (zong) of Naa Abarika Attah II, with a Quran in hand he (Kpatihi Naa Ponadow) feigned innocence. But when the summons letter to the suit finally came, he (Kpatihi Naa Ponadow) was the first petitioner. Today, Danaa and his cohorts want everybody to clap for the Kpatihi family for being the kingpins of Nanung chieftaincy when in reality they are the setback to peace and tranquility in Nanung, which truncate the development of the Nanumba Traditional Area.

Truth be told, it is common knowledge in Nanung that the total disregard of the reign of Bimbilla Naa Abarika Attah II by the Dassana and Kpatihi families are the reasons why we are where we are today. Danaa and cohorts cannot disrespect a legitimately enskinned paramount chief, and hiding under the banner of political influence, trying hard to impose a prince without chieftaincy title on the people of Nanung or expect Nanumbas to pay homage to someone who gate crushed or attempted to leapfrog onto the paramountcy just because his father was once a Bimbilla Naa. There is an established precedence in Nanung as to who is qualified to contest to become the paramount chief of Bimbilla or Bimbilla Naa, which must be respected and it does not include a prince without a chieftaincy title. If every prince can just wake up one day to claim the title of Bimbilla Naa, because their father was a past Bimbilla Naa, then there will continue to be chaos in Nanung, because the good people of Nanung are aware of the established criteria for the succession of Bimbilla Naa.

The attempt by the Kpatihi family to single out Dakpam Naa Atta's family for vilification will never wash. The Bangyili family is a much unified family and guided by the sincerity and truthfulness of our fathers, grandfathers and great grandfathers. We are very conscious of the fact that kingship or leadership is gift of God. By the mercies of God, he has already made the Naa Dahamani family and by extension the core of the Bangyili gate is great. We do not need to be paramount chiefs at all cost to make an impact in Nanung. We will not scale the walls unreasonably and by that action crush the destiny of the Nanumba kingdom as has been done by some people.

You assume leadership to deliver progress to your people. You don't assume leadership to satisfy your very narrow personal ego and create a divided kingdom by pitching brothers against brothers and families against families. It is disgraceful, it is repugnant. We pray that we don't get counted as those who crushed the Nanung kingdom because of personal greed and selfishness. Our mindsets are not clouded by greed and discrimination. We are undoubtedly a significant stakeholder in the scheme of affairs in Nanung Chieftaincy, and any attempt by a very minority few like the Kpatihi family to consign as to the periphery is wishful thinking.

It is with clearness of conscience and mind that Naa Natogma Attah II had to perform ritual sacrifices to reinstitute the title of the Kpatihi Naa in the palace of the Bimbilla Naa, and by the confidence reposed in Kpatihi Naa Yidantogma he carved a niche for your family and if by the recklessness and greed of succeeding Kpatihi Nanima you can crush the integrity of your family that is your bane. We continue to remain resolute.

BANGYILI ROYAL GATE COMMUNICATIONS

Written by Prince Abarika Yabdow
The Minority in Parliament has delivered a damning verdict on government's management of the economy with just 11-months in office.

The Minority is predicting there will be severe austerity equivalent to that of 1983 in Ghana next year because of the government's poor management of the economy over the last 11 months.

At a budget preview forum in Parliament House, its spokesperson on Finance, Casiel Ato Forson said the government has failed in delivering on the many promises it made during the 2016 election.

He cited the reduction in taxes, which was promised by then candidate Akufo-Addo as one of the promises yet to see the light of day.

Rather than reducing taxes on importation, Mr Forson said with the three percent VAT flat rate scheme introduced by the government has led to importers now having to pay 20 percent tax on their imports.

This vindicates the position as Minority when the three percent rate was introduced, but which unfortunately was ignored by the managers of the Ghanaian economy, he said.

According to him, importers are also complaining about the astronomical increase in duty payments at the countrys ports since the government took over.

FInance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta

Mr Forson said it was important for government to use the opportunity during the budget presentation to address these concerns as failure to do so will worsen the business climate, especially at the time that Ghana has slipped 12 places on the World Banks Ease of doing business report.

The deterioration is most unfortunate because around the same time last year under the NDC government, Ghana moved up 13 places on the same index and was adjudged the best place to do business in West Africa ahead of Nigeria and Cote dIvoire, he noted.

On the countrys debt, Mr Forson wondered why the vice president and finance minister are yet to render an apology to Ghanaians for promising not to borrow but seem to be doing worse than the previous administration did.

According to him, the countrys debt has ballooned alarmingly within the first 11 months of the Akufo-Addo-led administration, a situation which is surprising especially when they touted their abilities to prevent this from happening.

At the last reckoning, the public debt has increased from GHS122.6 billion in January 2017 to GHS138.6 billion as of June 2017 and is set to increase to about GHS150 billion by December 2017, he said.

With this, the Minority is predicting that Ghana will go back to being a Highly Indebted Poor country, because the country may not be able to stand with the huge debt.

Mr Forson says the banking sector is in distress and will not be able to provide financing to ensure job creation due to the manner in which it has handled the Ghana Commercial Banks take over of UT and Capital Bank.

Government, he said, ignored the Minoritys advice cautioning it not to leave the original owners of the banks and transferring the liability to taxpayers as a fiscal measure.

Our information suggests that GCB will be receiving GHS2 billion worth of government bond, which is an equivalent of one percent of GDP to balance its assets, a situation the Minority decries.

For the Minority, it was the irresponsible conduct and mismanagement by the owners of the banks that led to the collapse and for government to be burdening tax payer, who is already troubled with high fuel and electricity prices and general hardship is most unfortunate.
Strong earthquake hits Iraq and Iran, killing at least 396 (Update)

At least 396 people were killed when a magnitude 7.3 earthquake jolted the northern border region between Iran and Iraq on Sunday, state media in the two countries said, and rescuers were searching for dozens trapped under rubble in the mountainous area.
Former Attorney General, Martin Amidu has appealed to President Nana Akufo-Addo not to sign into law, the recently passed Major Mahama Trust Bill by parliament, saying it is defective in many ways.

Parliament on Thursday, 9 November gave legal backing for the establishment of a fund to cater for the wife and two children of Major Maxwell Adam Mahama, an officer of the 5th Infantry Battalion of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), who was lynched by a mob at Denkyira-Obuasi on 29 May 2017, while on detachment duties.

He was in the area as part of an operation to clamp down on illegal mining activities known as galamsey.

Major Mahama was murdered while in the rank of a Captain and was posthumously promoted to the rank of Major. He died at the age of 32.

Mr Amidu, however, said the Bill has been rushed through parliament without the opportunity given to citizens to scrutinise it.

Mr. President, the Bill that Parliament passed for your signature suffers from several constitutional, legal and policy defects that should have been conditions precedent to its enactment.

Portions of the Bill passed by Parliament for your signature are inconsistent with and contravene the 1992 Constitution in several material particulars.

It also seriously undermines and puts to naught several provisions of the Armed Forces Act, 1962 (Act 105) as revised, and Regulations made thereunder to compose and regulate the conduct of the Ghana Armed Forces, the anti-graft campaigner said in his latest article.

Mr Amidu is not the first to express concerns about the Act. Two lawyers, Prof Kwaku Asare and Edward Akuffo, had earlier written expressing concerns about why the Bill was totally centred on the deceased Major Mahama rather than being broad-based to cover any security officer that suffers similar fate in the future.

The Major Mahama Bill is problematic at several levels. First, it targets only the departed officer and his immediate family and ignores the other security personnel we have lost in the past. Second, the initiation and passage of the bill flout the principles of universalism and non-discrimination. The power of parliament to isolate people for rewards, punishment or different treatment is dangerous and must not be countenanced. As a collective and representative body of the people, we expect that Parliament shall at all times pass general bills that are neutral, impartial, and non-discriminatory. The rule of law requires that laws are made pursuant to the generality principle, which provides that when laws are made they must apply to broad categories of people and must not single out individuals or groups for special treatment.

We strongly believe that the approach to institutionalizing the Major Mahama Trust Fund Bill will not only create bitterness for other families who have lost their loved ones while serving Ghana, but as well, will affect the collective morale of servicemen and women. We as a nation have a moral duty to keep the morale of our service personnel high at all times. Without their efforts, our human and national security, as well as economic prosperity will be in serious jeopardy. We must operate a country that is committed to principles, fairness and equal citizenship as indicated by the preamble, letter and spirit of our Constitution, the two lawyers wrote.

Mr Amidu has added his voice to why Nana Akuf-Addo must hasten slowly in signing the Act into law.

Below is Mr Martin Amidu's full article:

MR. PRESIDENT, THINK LONG BEFORE SIGINING THE MAJOR MAHAMA TRUST ACT: BY MARTIN A. B. K. AMIDU

I am writing to add my voice to three written and published appeals by three well-meaning citizens to His Excellency the President, Nana Akufo Addo to think long before appending his signature to the Major Mahama Trust Bill which Parliament passed on 8th November 2017. (See Major Mahama Bill; good idea gone bad on Ghana Web's features column of 11th November 2017: Lawyer begs Akufo-Addo not to sign Major Mahama Trust Fund into Law, Ghana Web's General News of 11th November 2017; and A Bill Akufo-Addo must not sign into law just yet on Ghana Web's features column of 12th November 2017.)

Mr. President, the Bill that Parliament passed for your signature suffers from several constitutional, legal and policy defects that should have been conditions precedent to its enactment. Portions of the Bill passed by Parliament for your signature are inconsistent with and contravene the 1992 Constitution in several material particulars. It also seriously undermines and puts to naught several provisions of the Armed Forces Act, 1962 (Act 105) as revised, and Regulations made thereunder to compose and regulate the conduct of the Ghana Armed Forces.

Mr. President, the speed with which the Major Mahama Trust Fund Bill was laid on 24th October 2017 and passed by Parliament on 8th November 2017 without citizens being given the chance to make any inputs into its constitutionality and legality ought to be sufficient reason for you, who promised participatory democracy to the electorate, to make haste slowly in signing this Bill. Major Mahama was killed on 29th May 2017 by Ghanaian citizens who at the time could not have known his official identity, let alone his name and tribe. The perpetrators committed a criminal offence for which they must face the consequences under the Constitution and laws of Ghana, which presumes them innocent until proven guilty.

Mr. President, the appeals you are receiving from patriotic citizens (some of whom have been your ardent supporters over the years) is an indication that the Bill was treated as though it were one under a certificate of urgency, without adequate invitation to the public to make inputs to ensure acceptability by the mass of Ghanaians and particularly a substantial portion of the membership of the Ghana Armed Forces when enacted.

Mr. President, Lieutenant-General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka, Captain C. Y. Borkloe, Captain A. K. Avevor and Sergent Osei Grunshie fell during the insurrection of 17th April 1967. They had been preceded by Pte. Adjoba Grunshie; Pte. Lawrence Mensah; Cpl. Lassey Sewoatsri; Sgt. Abudulai Allasan; Pte. Arnold Kwao and Cfn. Daniel Odame who died in the 24th February, 1966 Revolution. These events happened during a military regime but it took the National Liberation Council (NLC) and the Ghana Armed Forces almost three and four years respectively to pass the General Kotoka Trust Act, 1969 (NLCD 339) not for Gen. Kotoka alone but all the gallant men who fell during the two events.

Mr. President, the NLC saw wisdom in allowing the criminal justice system and the Armed Forces Act to exhaust their processes in accordance with the due process of law before acting on the matter.

Mr. President, I know your love and penchant for democracy, the rule of law and due process. My worry, Mr. President, for the Nana Akufo-Addo I have known over the years, is why this matter is being rushed through as though it were a matter which cannot wait for the constitutional and legal processes connected with or related to the gruesome killing of the army officer to be exhausted before you decide on enacting the Major Mahama Trust Fund Bill into law.

Mr. President, you have shown by word and deed that Ghana is a constitutional democracy, ruled under laws in accordance with the rule of law and the due process of law. In view of the fact that the victim of the gruesome act turned out to be a commissioned officer of the Ghana Armed Forces one expected that in addition to the Constitutional processes and the criminal laws taking their natural course fairly and impartially, the Armed Forces Act, 1962 (Act 105) as revised would be complied within whatever actions the Government wanted to take in this matter.

Mr. President, the Executive, and Parliament of Ghana through its Defence and Interior Committee has a duty as representatives of the electorate of Ghana under the 1992 Constitution to investigate and disclose to the electorate of Ghana the circumstances under which a fellow citizen, in this case a member of the Ghana Armed Forces, found himself at the time and place he was killed. Why was the officer in that village at that time of the morning alone? Was he on active duty or on a frolic of his own? The answers to these questions will not excuse the lynching of any citizen whether a soldier or a civilian but for a member of the Ghana Armed Forces it is a condition precedent to further actions under Act 105.

Mr. President, is it true that Major Mahama was repatriated from Lebanon on Ghanabatt 82 in 2015 for driving into what seemed like a no-go area that was under the control of Hezbollah elements and was consequently repatriated on the last chalk 4? Mr. President, this question is important for those who are questioning the lone mission he was on in the village at the time of his killing. The records are to the best of my knowledge at the IPO at Burma Camp and you as Commander-in-Chief should have been briefed by now. This is public knowledge in Burma Camp!

Mr. President, on 30th May 2017 the Minister of Defence was reported by Joy FM to have promised Ghanaians a thorough investigation into the killing of the army officer which he described as weird. On 2nd June 2017 Class FM reported that the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Lieutenant General Obed Akwa promised Ghanaians that: investigations will be conducted into why Captain Maxwell Mahama, was jogging alone at the time he was attacked. Mr. President, the CDS was reacting to very pertinent military issues raised by Major Osahene Boakye-Djan (rtd).

Mr. President, you know that under the Armed Forces Act, 1962 the death of the army officer would of necessity have to be investigated and the people of Ghana are entitled to the results of that investigation. Ghanaians are not aware that this has been done. The Minister of Defence who promised an investigation has also not made available to the electorate any results of any investigations. What was his authority under Act 105 for presenting the Bill to Parliament under his signature as the Minister of Defence as though he was acting under the Armed Forces Act for and on behalf of the Ghana Armed forces?

Mr. President, the Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Interior which has a constitutional duty to investigate this matter on behalf of the electorate has taken no such steps to the best of my knowledge to do so. Yet when four United States of America soldiers were killed in active service in Niger a few days ago Sen. John McCain, the chairman of the Senate Armed Forces Committee threatened to issue a subpoena to the Executive for more information. He was reported in the following terms: the White House was not being up front about the Niger Ambush, and he said he would like the information his committee 'deserves and needs'.

Mr. President, in Ghana, Parliament on the contrary has rather presented you with a Bill to sign into law in which the Chairman of the Defence and Interior Committee and his Ranking member are to be trustees of the fund with financial benefits even before they could undertake their constitutional duties to the people of Ghana under the 1992 Constitution. Could this be an incentive to kill any parliamentary investigations?

I have been away since 3rd November 2017 to my village where electricity and network is a scarce commodity that is why I am trying to get this appeal to you so belatedly through the media before the budget overtakes the pertinent issues I have raised herein tomorrow.

Mr. President, there is a tendency on the part of many politicians and political appointees to over please every sitting President in whatever he says. Your wishes when you state them ought to be implemented in accordance with the due process of law where feasible. I sincerely do not think the Bill presented to you for signature meets constitutionality and due process of law. That is why I urge you to think long before you sign it.

Martin A. B. K. Amidu

(Citizens Vigilance for Justice  CIVIG-JUSTICE)

13th November 2017

-Classfmonline
African leaders on Monday used a regional forum to call for extra support as the continent moves to assure its own security after years of Western interventions.

The annual Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security this year brings together the presidents of Mali, Rwanda and hosts Senegal along with military officials and experts to discuss the continent's serious challenges in the sector.

The vast Sahel region, stretching from Senegal to Sudan, has turned into a hotbed of lawlessness since chaos engulfed Libya in 2011, Islamists overran northern Mali in 2012 and Boko Haram rose up in northern Nigeria.

In an opening address, Senegal's President Macky Sall told the forum a "military response must be comprehensive, and one of solidarity, to leave terrorist groups no place to hide.

"The risk today is seeing terrorists defeated elsewhere seeking fallback zones in Africa," Sall added.

Sall pointed to the western intervention in Libya as an example of why African populations had to be involved in decisions on rooting out terror groups, as the nation's instability has fuelled conflict elsewhere.

"We must beware of preconceived solutions formulated without Africans," Sall added. "The consequences of these interventions, which we are living in the Sahel, are often worse that what they were supposed to rectify."

The forum follows the recent launch of the G5 Sahel force, an anti-jihadist military initiative working across Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger to counter the significant threat Al-Qaeda-linked groups pose in the region and to stop Islamic State gaining a foothold.

The world's newest joint international force, the five-nation G5 Sahel plans to number up to 5,000 military, police and civilian troops by March 2018.

Paul Kagame, the Rwandan President who will chair the African Union from 2018, said African nations "have only ourselves to blame" if the international community alone decided on the continent's security needs.

Beyond the Sahel, the Shabaab, a militant group aligned with Al-Qaeda, regularly carries out suicide bombings in its bid to overthrow Somalia's internationally-backed government, while conflict in eastern Congo, Central African Republic and South Sudan blights the continent.

The Dakar Forum is a French-backed initiative, and the European nation retains a heavy military presence across the Sahel.

French Defence Minister Florence Parly said Africans "know what it is to by wounded to the core by terrorist savagery," paying tribute to the 130 people killed in the 2015 Paris attacks on the event's second anniversary.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has told African journalists that they have a duty to help change the perception about Africa, and establish a narrative, which is more positive.

He said African media practitioners have faced many challenges, ranging from a highly polarized media environment, lack of technological support, limited investment in the sector, poorly paid journalists, threats to their lives, corruption, and lack of requisite training.

These challenges, he said, have led to the African media, largely shirking its responsibility in telling the African stories.

As a result, the narrative has been shaped and told by foreign journalists through their own lenses and words. The projection of the continent, as a result, has often been about war, disease, poverty and famine, he said.

President Akufo-Addo said this on Monday, 13thNovember, 2017, when he delivered a speech at the ongoing Bloomberg Africa Business Media Innovators Summit, held at the Kempinski Hotel, Accra on Monday.

The President noted that, the externally generated story of Africa might be hard to take, but so long as there is widespread poverty and inequality, that will be the image that is going to be portrayed.

This means that you, our writers, our journalists from the continent, the writers of the African story, carry a great responsibility. When you write, what you write must be about the limitless possibilities on the continent. What is written about Africa by African writers must have the ultimate reference status, he said.

African writers, the President stressed, played remarkable roles in the liberation of the continent from imperialism, and thereby set the tone for the discourse about the identity of Africans.

It is now for you, our business and financial journalists, to set the tone for the economic development and prosperity of Africa. When our young people do not see a future in their countries, and cross the Sahara desert on foot and drown in the Mediterranean Sea, in a desperate bid to reach the mirage of a better life in Europe, no amount of beautiful lyrics will change our image, he bemoaned.

The President noted that, when African economies grow and improve, and its youth get educated and are self-confident and full of hope, the world finds its way to our doors, and the language and history of our countries become attractive to our own and foreign universities.

When African economies improve and there is increasing prosperity, we will find that more and more people will become interested to invest in our continent, resulting in thriving economies, and the creation of progressive and prosperous nations.

President Akufo-Addo was confident that technological advancement and innovations will help change the face of Africa's media, and present the continent with even more greater control to tell its own story.

That is why the Bloomberg Media Initiative in Africa (BMI), is a great initiative to help build the capacity of Africa's media. This programme, I am confident, will deepen the capacity of our media, and equip them with the relevant skillset to tell the African story  the story of potential triumph over adversity, economic successes over failures, and initiatives that will lead to the sustainable development of the continent, he said.

Through their work, President Akufo-Addo urged financial and business journalists on the continent to bring to the attention of governments and decision-makers why the promotion of business-friendly environments is important.

They need to understand that the way to building that environment is when government and regulatory policies enhance, rather than inhibit or frustrate trade, commerce and investments. Promoting the rule of law by our governments assures and gives confidence to the investor community that their investments would be safe.

When we master the narrative, we can then effectively tell the story about the looting of Africa, and the huge amounts of illicit funds that flow from our continent, funds which, if we are able to control, would be available to finance the development of the continent, he added.

President Akufo-Addo applauded the Ghanaian media for being active in tackling the social ills of the country, and advocating for the investment that will contribute to the sustainable development of the country.

This generation of African media practitioners has to be the generation that refuses to be either victim or pawn, and accepts to travel down the path of genuine popular empowerment, which represents the strongest guarantee of our independence and sovereignty. Freedom of expression, encompassing media freedom, are critical elements of that journey, which we must guard jealously at all times, he added.
Ministers from 13 European and African countries on Monday pledged steps to ease the migrant crisis around the Mediterranean, vowing especially to improve conditions for migrants held in Libya.

Interior ministers and other representatives from countries impacted by the ongoing wave of migration up through Africa towards Europe, including Libya, voiced deep concern over the "ongoing human tragedy" along the so-called Central Mediterranean route.

"The participants intend to address the challenges posed by the alarming situation along the migration route to North Africa," Switzerland, which hosted the third meeting of the so-called contact group on the crisis, said in a statement.

Thousands of migrants and refugees who attempt to travel along this route "find themselves in catastrophic situations," it said, pointing to widespread abuse and extortion along the way, and to the many who perish in the desert or trying to cross the Mediterranean.

So far this year, nearly 3,000 people have died trying to make the dangerous sea voyage to Europe, according to UN figures.

A main focus for the participants at Monday's meeting was "strengthening the prevention of migrant smuggling, combating human trafficking and supporting the voluntary return of migrants to their countries of origin," Bern said.

In a joint declaration, the ministers voiced particular concern for the refugees and migrants who attempt to transit through war-ravaged Libya, often falling prey to serious abuse there at the hands of human traffickers and others.

A top priority, they said, was to "improve the conditions in detention centres and promote alternatives to detention."

They vowed to support authorities and organisations providing humanitarian assistance to migrants and refugees and push for the release from detention of especially vulnerable people, including children and the elderly.

The announcement came after the UN at the weekend evacuated 25 "extremely vulnerable refugees" of Eritrean, Ethiopian and Sudanese nationals from Libya to Niger.

UN refugee chief Filippo Grandi told Monday's meeting that his agency hoped to evacuate another 400 vulnerable refugees from Libya by the end of the year.

The ministers also said they would work with Libyan authorities to create a system for monitoring the situation of detained migrants to ensure "the respect of international human rights and humanitarian standards."

The declaration also stressed the need to step up investigations and prosecutions of human traffickers and to improve resettlement options for refugees along the migration route.

A few months ago, the UN refugee agency urgently called or 40,000 resettlement places for refugees stranded in Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Sudan and Tunisia.

But Grandi on Monday lamented that so far only 10,500 places had been offered worldwide.
13.11.2017 LISTEN

The Brong Ahafo Regional Branch of the Police Wives Association (POLWA) on Saturday appealed to the Police Administration to promote their husbands at the right time to motivate and inspire them to work with greater commitment.

According to the POLWA the delays in the promotion sometimes depressed their husbands and consequently did not help the cause of dedicated service delivery in the interest of the nation.

Madam Veronica Twumasi, the Regional President, made the appeal at a durbar to mark the 30th Anniversary Celebration of the Association in Sunyani.

The programme, on the theme: 'Empowering Wives to Support their Husbands to Succeed at Work,' was part of a national celebration observed in all the 10 regional capitals in the country.

She said promotions to deserved personnel in the Service in due time would inure to the benefit of the nation because besides the resultant increased remuneration, they would derive the necessary psychological satisfaction as a motivational factor to work even better.

Madam Twumasi also pleaded with the Government to endeavour to provide enough and improved accommodation facilities for personnel of the Police Service to enhance their family and social lives to serve the nation well.

She expressed regret at the deplorable state of some of the Police barracks and appealed to the Government to adequately resource the Service to undertake massive renovation of those barracks in addition to increasing the stock with new and befitting building facilities.

The Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Mr. Kwame Takyi Poku, the Regional Police Commander, expressed worry that sometimes POLWA meetings were attended by few members only.

He, therefore, charged all policemen to encourage their wives to actively participate in the affairs of the Association adding that the regional and national executive must put robust measures in place to bring all members on board.

DCOP Poku entreated divisional, district and unit commanders to take interest in ensuring that the Association was vibrant and strong within their jurisdictions.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has admitted his campaign promises are ambitious and doubts he will be able to fulfil all before the end of his four-year term.

President Akufo-Addo outlined a litany of promises on the campaign trail including Free SHS programme, One District, One Factory, One Village, One Dam, Office of the Special Prosecutor among others.

President Akufo-Addo believes Ghana needs such policies for rapid transformation and to better the lives of citizens. However, his fear is that the four years may be too short to completely realise that dream.

I have ambitious promises, but I dont know if Ill be able to fulfil all of them, Akufo-Addo stressed at the 2017 Blomberg Africa Business Media Innovators Summit in Accra on Monday, November 13, 2017.

President Akufo-Addo pointed out his government is putting in a lot of efforts to build a robust economy by creating jobs through the agriculture sector under the Planting for Food and Jobs pogramme among others.

Already, his government has rolled out his main campaign mantra Free Senior High School programme, which was executed in September. The New Patriotic Party government has also started the digital property address system, restoration of the nurses allowance, the paperless system at the ports, the One District, One Factory policy and the E-registration at the Registrar Generals department.

The 11-month-old government has also scrapped some nuisance taxes but is yet to implement the One District, One Dam programme, the creation of the Office of the Special Prosecutor, reduction in electricity tariff, creation of five regions among others.

Africa Business Media Innovators (ABMI) 2017 is a three-day gathering hosted by Matt Winkler, Co-Founder & Editor Emeritus, Bloomberg News, and Justin Smith, CEO of Bloomberg Media. Focused on Africa, but with a global perspective, ABMI17 will explore how best to maintain a flourishing media sector and how business and financial journalism can best contribute to sustainable development on the African continent.
Omni Bank said it has obtained five potential investors who will help it meet the Bank of Ghanas new minimum capital requirement for banks ahead of the December 2018 deadline.

The Central Bank in September increased the capital requirement to GH400 million as part of moves to consolidate the sector.

It has warned banks which fail to meet the target would lose their licenses.

However, Omni Bank said it has made greats strides so far and hopes to seal the deal with the investors, two of whom are foreign by the end of November this year.

Managing Director of Omni Bank, Phillip Oti-Mensah who disclosed this to JoyBusiness, said the bank engaged the services of a transaction advisor to secure potential investors to help recapitalize the bank.

We have actually gone very far and we are close to signing MOUs with these investors, Mr. Oti-Mensah said.

He also assured customers that Omni Bank is strong and ready to recapitalize. He also ruled out any plans to merge with other banks. Banks that fail to recapitalize may have merge with others or lose their licenses.

The over 200 percent increase in the minimum capital requirement is the biggest capital witnessed in the country.
The major opposition New Democratic Congress (NDC) has spelled doom for the governments 2018 plans, saying the budget [yet to be read] cannot create jobs.

NDC spokesperson on Finance, Casiel Ato Forson, at a press conference the party held in parliament Monday, made the declaration as a conclusion to a series of other gloomy verdicts he dealt on the 11-month-old Akufo-Addo-led NPP government.

According to Mr. Forson, the 2018 budget contrary to the expectations of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government, will not create any jobs to alleviate Ghanaians from their sufferings because of some four reasons he explained on behalf of the NDC.

The first reason he gave was that the commercial banks in the country cannot lend money to private businesses because the banks are in big distress since they were coerced into issuing bonds which he described as "death swaps".

We thought the bond will be issued to free liquidity space but unfortunately the bond was unsuccessful so the banks have no liquidity, he said.

Also, theres a severe austerity looming in 2018 likable to that of 1983 during the infamous famine. Mr. Forson and the NDC believe so because according to him, there is a budget deficit of 3.8 which is in the know of the Bretton Woods Institutions [World Bank and IMF] as well.

Thirdly, how can you create jobs when you have mandated the central bank [Bank of Ghana] to pursue tight monetary policy, he asked.

The last reason he gave was that the real sector is projected to grow at the same rate it did a year ago.

The real sector, the non-oil GDP is projected to grow at the same level in 2018 as it did in 2016, this the minority finds abysmal.

He ended by cautioning government appointees not to intimidate NDC members when they apply for jobs because we pay taxes as well and we are also Ghanaians, he said.
13.11.2017 LISTEN

Ministers and Deputies will from 2018 start using Camrys and Corollas instead of V8s as part of cost-cutting measures to be introduced by the Akufo-Addo administration, Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko has hinted.

I hear so much talk about V8 this month and I am a little confused. What I do know is that the Minister of Finance has stubbornly refused to buy the usual Toyota Land Cruiser V8 or what-have-you for ministers since the change in Government.

Even the vehicles that were ordered by the previous Government have had to be audited and stalled and audited with little appetite for them except that the contract may have to be honoured even after some necessary adjustments.

I am also aware that the Finance Minister is in fact planning to buy Toyota Camry, Corolla and the like for Ministers and their deputies, etc. from 2018 onwards. So why all of a sudden all the talk as if there is rather a surge in V8 numbers procured for Govt officials? The irony of social media campaigns, sometimes, the president's nephew wrote on his Facebook page.
The Deputy Majority Chief Whip has admitted government has struggled to meet its revenue target in the first year of the Nana Akufo-Addo government but maintains the government has not reneged on its promises.

On the contrary, Martin Nyindam said the government has delivered on its major campaign promises and cited the flagship free senior high school policy, as well as the restoration of the teacher trainee allowances, nursing trainee allowances as a testimony of governments fulfilled promises.

We are struggling to raise revenue but we havent run away all our flagship programmes have been delivered he told Joy News Gifty Andoh Appiah hours after the Minority in Parliament had painted a bleak picture of the countrys economy.

The Minority Spokesperson on Finance Cassiel Ato Forson in the company of the Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu on Monday organized a budget preview conference in which they damned governments handling of the economy.

Forson said given the incompetent nature in which the economy has been handled the country would face hardships similar to the endemic poverty the country experienced in 1983.

Rather than reducing taxes on importation, Mr Forson said with the three percent VAT flat rate scheme introduced by the government has led to importers now having to pay 20 percent tax on their imports.

This vindicates the position as Minority when the three percent rate was introduced, but which unfortunately was ignored by the managers of the Ghanaian economy, he said.

According to him, Ghanas business climate, keep worsening by the day, claiming Ghana has slipped 12 places on the World Banks Ease of doing business report.

The deterioration is most unfortunate because around the same time last year under the NDC government, Ghana moved up 13 places on the same index and was adjudged the best place to do business in West Africa ahead of Nigeria and Cote dIvoire, he noted.

But the Majority has debunked the claims that Ghana is heading towards the brink with the possibility of a return to the 1983 hardships.

How can you be talking about a repeat of 1983 poverty for a government that has brought free SHS in 11 months?

A poor man who could not afford to send his child to school is now happy because that child goes to school for free.

The teacher trainee, nursing trainee is happy because their allowances are back, Martin Nyindam reacted to the Minority claims.

Despite the challenges with the implementation of the SHS, Nyindam said government is not unaware of the challenges but is doing everything possible to solve all the bottlenecks.

He has absolute confidence in the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori Atta and the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, without whom he said the country would have been in a precarious situation.

They took the country from nowhere and are bringing it somewhere, he said, adding, we are never going to fail.

Dazed?

Commenting on the 2018 budget statement which would be read on Wednesday, the MP for Kpandai said the NDC members who are shouting on roof tops will be left completely dazed when the budget is read.

The minister and the economic management team know what they are aboutThey are working on the revenue targets, he said.

We will progress despite the challenges he added.

But MP for Bolga Central Albert Adongo insists the government is on the path of failure. He told Gifty Andoh-Appiah no one put a gun on the head of the government to promise a free SHS, one district one factory, 200m cedis Zongo development fund when there is no money.

He said the government cannot put the estimated cost of implementing the SHS at 400million only to release 80 million for the implementation.

So is it the 80million that we have to clap for Akufo-Addo? he asked.
8 killed, 34 wounded in road accidents

At least eight people died in separate road accidents in Kailali and Dang districts on Saturday and Sunday.
Are we on the cusp of yet another rise in geo-political risk in the Middle East?

It looks that way, and the implications for global markets could be massive.

There are some major issues going down in Saudi Arabia right now. About a week ago, Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman ordered the arrest of some of the most powerful ministers and princes in the country.

Mohammad bin Salman, or MBS as he is known, is the son of the 83-year-old Saudi King Salman. He is the architect behind the Vision 2030 project, a hugely ambitious plan to develop the Saudi economy and move it away from its dependency on oil.

Part of that plan is to sell 5% of the state owned oil company, Saudi Aramco, for around US$100 billion.

Just a few weeks ago, the Ritz Carlton in Riyadh hosted some of the worlds top bankers and finance types, as MBS sold his vision for a modern Saudi Arabia.

Soon after they left, the Ritz Carlton hosted hundreds of Saudi elite, arrested on corruption charges by MBS, who many expect to soon be the King.

Saudi Arabia has an extremely complex ruling system. I dont pretend to understand it. But its potentially in a very fragile state right now.

The arrests that MBS recently ordered go all the way to the top of the business elite and the royal family itself. Alwaleed bin Talal is perhaps the biggest scalp. He is the grandson of Ibn Saud, the modern founder of Saudi Arabia, and perhaps the richest man in the Kingdom.

Theres no doubt there will be backlash.

MBS is trying to send a message that if the Saudi state wants to modernise and move away from oil dependency, it must move away from endemic corruption, and away from the perception that corruption exists on a grand scale.

The country is a relatively young one. MBS is therefore betting on social support for his reforms and crackdown on the elites who benefit most from the Saudi social structure.

Hes also trying to break the hold of the hardcore religious clerics. You cant develop an industrial economy with the strict religious culture that Saudi Arabia has now. MBS first move was to allow women to drive. The fact that they couldnt do so already may seem insane from our perspective, but allowing it is a big blow to the Wahhabi clerics power base.

Thats all happening inside the Kingdom. But theres a lot going on around it, too. Just after the news of the arrests, Iranian backed Houthi rebels in Yemen fired a ballistic missile at Riyadh.

And just prior to that, the Lebanese Prime Minister and Saudi ally Saad Hariri announced his resignation in Riyadh, and on Saudi Television !

Whats Lebanon got to do with it?

Well, Hariri was a part of a national unity government that includes the Iranian-backed Hizbollah. Are the Saudis now trying to destabilise Lebanon in order to fight a proxy war with Iran?

Thats the big issue here. Iran and Saudi Arabia are regional powers. They are enemies because the Saudis are Sunni Muslims, while the Iranians are Shia. Religion strikes again

The whole Syrian civil war was a proxy war between these two powers. The US backed the Saudis and the rebels while the Iranians and the Russians backed the ruling Assad-led Syrian government.

Qatar has also fallen out with the Saudis. The Kingdom is losing its longstanding regional influence, while Iran grows in stature.

At the same time, the soon-to-be-King is making waves internally by trying to bring about a cultural revolution.

When youre swimming in oil, you can afford the buy support via a generous welfare state, and turn a blind eye to all sorts of corruption. But if youre trying to move away from oil dependency, the status quo has to change.

While it will change, it will take time and wont go at all smoothly. This is why youre going to see a rise in Middle Eastern instability  again.

And where will you see it most from an investment perspective? Where you always do; in oil and to a lesser extent, gold.

You can see in the chart below how oil has rallied significantly from the June lows. Much of the more recent price rise is due to the tumultuous events I relayed above.

Oil clearly looks like it needs to pull back in the coming weeks. But the recent breakout to multi-year highs and the likelihood of increasing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East bode well for further gains in 2018.

Regards,

Greg Canavan,

Editor, Crisis & Opportunity
Review of CI.133 will aid in ...
Billionaire Chaudhary busy canvassing votes for NC candidate Koirala

Billionaire Binod Chaudhary, who recently joined Nepali Congress (NC), has kept himself busy in the partys election campaign here in Nawalparasi district.
Challenges galore for 5-time MP, 4-time PM Deuba

If Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba wins the upcoming federal parliamentary election, this will be his sixth straight victory after the restoration of democracy in 1990. But challenges for the four-time prime minister cannot be overlooked in his home constituency Dadeldhura in the remote far-western hills.
President Donald Trump View Photos

President Trump delivered an Address at the U.S.-ASEAN Summit in Manila, Philippines.

Trump was Mondays KVML Newsmaker of the Day. Here are his words:

President Duterte, distinguished leaders, friends and partners: Im honored to represent the United States of America at this U.S.-ASEAN Commemorative Summit. We gather today at a time of great promise and great challenge.

I speak to you on behalf of 350 million Americans with a message of friendship and partnership. Im here to advance peace, to promote security, and to work with you to achieve a truly free and open Indo-Pacific, where we are proud and we have sovereign nations, and we thrive, and everybody wants to prosper.

This year we mark 40 years of friendship and cooperation between the United States and this organization. Its a long time. I also want to congratulate ASEAN on 50 years of promoting peace and prosperity and stability in Southeast Asia and in the broader Indo-Pacific region.

Rodrigo, I would like to commend you on your success as ASEAN chair at this very critical moment in time and in the associations history  such an important event. And I want to thank you for your incredible hospitality.

And the show last night, the talent at that show  I assume mostly from the Philippines  was fantastic. Thank you. And you were fantastic, also, very much, from the Philippines. (Applause.) We couldnt tell the difference. (Laughter.)

I send the people of the Philippines warm greetings from the people of the United States.

I also want to thank Prime Minister Najib of Malaysia for the excellent job youve done as coordinator, and I appreciate it very much. I really appreciate it. You have coordinated so well with us.

For five decades, this organization has brought together a vital assembly of nations to build consensus on critical issues facing the region and the world. You have created a forum for all nations with a stake in the Indo-Pacific to listen, learn, and develop solutions to common challenges through strategic dialogue.

The United States remains committed to ASEANs central role as a regional forum for total cooperation. This diplomatic partnership advances the security and prosperity of the American people and the people of all Indo-Pacific nations.

In recent decades, nations across the region have built strong societies, robust economies, and vibrant communities of citizens. Really proud  totally proud, always  of their heritage, and confident in who they are.

Today, we celebrate your incredible success, and we also seek economic partnerships on the basis of fairness and reciprocity. As the world knows, the United States, since our election on November 8th, has been moving ahead really brilliantly on an economic basis. We have the highest stock market weve ever had. We have the lowest unemployment in 17 years. The value of stocks has risen $5.5 trillion.

And companies are moving into the United States. A lot of companies are moving. Theyre moving back. They want to be there. The enthusiasm levels are the highest ever recorded on the charts. So were very happy about that, and we think that bodes very well for your region because of the relationship that we have.

So we want our partners in the region to be strong, independent, and prosperous, in control of their own destinies, and satellites to no one. These are the principles behind our vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific.

So again, I wish you all the best of luck. Its an honor to be here. And, Rodrigo, thank you very much for the way you treated all of us. Thank you.

The Newsmaker of the Day is heard every weekday morning at 6:45, 7:45 and 8:45 on AM 1450 and FM 102.7 KVML.
By Lambert Strether of Corrente.

Readers, Im sorry this is a bit light. Im having enormous workflow problems trying to transition away from Yahoo Mail, and I have all sorts of material hung up in Outbox limbo. (iOS has the pleasing UX characteristic of simply leaving mail it cant send in the Outbox without alerting you in any way, ever). Hopefully Ill get this sorted soon. lambert

Trade

Led by Japan, the TPP-11 trade ministers issued a joint statement on Saturday outlining their plan for bringing the deal into force under the new name of Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. That includes a list of 20 provisions that would be suspended now that the United States is no longer part of the pact [Politico]. But the documents also referred to four more issues that must be resolved before countries are ready to sign the revised accord. Those include an issue on state-owned enterprises related to Malaysia; a commitment on coal affecting Brunei; a dispute settlement provision involving trade sanctions connected with Vietnam; and a cultural exception issue related to Canada . CanLit rules, eh?

[Trump] encouraged Vietnam to buy more from the United States, adding: We make the best equipment, we make the best military gear and planes and anything you can name. The missiles are in a category that nobody even comes close' [Politico]. If by missiles Trump means drones, Im not sure hes right. If he plans to sell Vietnam ballistic missiles, that would be quite remarkable.

Politics

2016 Post Mortem

UPDATE The One County In America That Voted In A Landslide For Both Trump And Obama [Cook Political Report]. Howard County, Iowa (population 9,332), stands out as the only one of Americas 3,141 counties that voted by more than 20 percentage points for Obama in 2012 and Trump in 2016. Democrats cant credibly blame Howard Countys enormous 41-point swing in just four years on a last-minute letter to Congress, voter ID laws or Russia-sponsored Facebook ads. Last month, [Laura] Hubka resigned her post as [Democrat County] chair and published a scathing blog post about Democrats aloofness to voters in places like Howard County and the partys failure to come to grips with the election result. Can we just stop and admit were part of the problem? she vented to me. People who were longtime supporters didnt want to hear what we had to say anymore.' Right. What they want to hear about is Russia, Russia, Russia! Also, Facebook.

2020

Biden 2020? Its Not as Crazy as It Sounds [Albert Hunt, Bloomberg]. After three-and-a-half years of Trump, what will swing voters be looking for? A grown-up who is committed to getting things done by trying to bridge the bitter partisan divide. A person with experience in governing, savvy about the ways of Washington and wary of national-security booby traps. A reputation for incorruptibility to drain the ethical swamp of the Trump years. Im totally certain that the Senator who condemned a generation of college students to debt slavery by making student loans non-dischargeable in bankruptcy can reinvent himself to appeal to millennials, even at the age of 74. In other words, Biden 2020 is exactly as crazy as it sounds. Yet Clinton is also looking forward, having started a new slush fund that could easily become a campaign super PAC. Its called Onward Together, and she cited it in a volley of tweets where she claimed credit for the Democrats wins in the New Jersey and Virginia governors races [New York Post]. Or, as the Twitter-banned Peter Douche rehashtagged it; #OwnedTogether. Heres the Tweet: Last night was a great reminder of whats possible when we come together and fight for what we believe in. So I wanted to take a few minutes to celebrate the extraordinary successes of a few groups Iand Onward Togetherproudly fight alongside.  Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) November 8, 2017 So, if you want to know who the Clintonite front groups are, they are: @RunforSomething, @EmergeAmerica, @IndivisibleTeam, @ColorofChange (Philly only), as well as @theDemocrats, @EMILYsList, and @TheDLCC. I wonder how many of these progressive groups support #MedicareForAll? @IndivisibleTeam most certainly does not.

2017

McConnell Says He Believes Roy Moore Accusers, Calls on Him to Quit the Race [NBC]. McConnell said Republicans are exploring a write-in option in Alabama. Thats an option were looking at  whether or not there is someone who could mount a write-in campaign successfully, McConnell said. The centrist war on the left continues: A self-described socialist unseated the third-ranking Republican in the Virginia House of Delegates and helped Dems make historic gains  and the head of this Dem Party think tank wants you to think it was because of centrism. https://t.co/HWHGJp4s4W  David Sirota (@davidsirota) November 13, 2017 Neeras tweet: What is @Davidsirota going to do when he learns of analysis from @notlarrysabato that @Ralphnortham pulled votes for Carter (& outperformed him) not the other way round? https://t.co/SShewh2pjP  Neera Tanden?? (@neeratanden) November 12, 2017 Centrist coat tails, a novel concept.

Trump Transition

Polling shows that the president will need to do a slick sales job to convince the public that theyll benefit from tax reform. A recently-released NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll shows just 25 percent of registered voters approve of the Trump plan, while 35 percent oppose. A 40 percent plurality have no idea whats even in the emerging tax proposal. These numbers, suggesting public unfamiliarity with a crucial White House initiative, are eerily similar to the early numbers on the failed Obamacare rollback [National Journal]. Even more worrisome for Republicans: By nearly a 2-to-1 ratio, more voters think the plan will actually raise taxes (25 percent) than cut them (14 percent). Republican politicos desperately want to sell a tax cut to their constituents, but good luck making that case when tax cuts are being paired with the removal of deductions popular among many middle-class families. Trump dominates the GOP base. Party leaders live with the consequences. [WaPo]. Republicans have been dealing with a split between their establishment wing and a populist insurgency for some time. This is a function of the widening socioeconomic coalition that now comprises the Republican Party, a coalition that includes what used to be called country club Republicans; evangelical Christians, who became a powerful force inside the party beginning with Ronald Reagan (and who are no longer a monolithic political force); and a 21st-century version of what once were called Reagan Democrats. Trump has added an additional layer. Candidate Trump ran roughshod over those issues and questions. He attracted his own coalition, found a path through the states in the upper Midwest that secured his electoral college victory, and along the way rewrote the rules for how a Republican could win the presidency. A useful summary. Democrats, cut the cheer [WaPo]. whatever strength Democrats have gained from identity politics appears to have reached a natural ceiling. Candidate Trump built his campaign on his willingness to offend people. He bashed immigrants, linked Mexicans to violent crime, dog-whistled to white supremacists. Yet when the votes were counted, Trump outperformed 2012 GOP nominee Mitt Romney among African American voters and matched Romney among Latinos. Well see how this plays out in a post-Weinstein world. Id speculate that if Democrats do nothing more than create a 10% vs. 10% fight, and take down some celebrities and media figures  as opposed to that supervisor at Walmart  the current moral panic will make no difference at all in 2020. (Roy Moore figures are a separate issue.)

Realignment and Legitimacy

A convicted felon-turned-environmental activist registered as a Democrat but running as a Republican defeated the black female Democratic incumbent in Yorks mayoral race on Election Day last week [Washington Examiner]. And he did it with a local coalition of Bernie Sanders and Republican supporters and a breakdown of trust in the leadership of the incumbent mayor. To be fair, this is an outlier. DSA delivering concrete material benefits: Scenes from the flu vaccine clinic today. We were able to help almost 50 people get shots today! Thank you to all who donated & volunteered. pic.twitter.com/xTWupakM0p  DSA North Texas (@DSA_NorthTexas) November 11, 2017 Trumps real constituency isnt the white working class at all [E.J. Dionne, WaPo]. Rather than just celebrate the good news, Democrats and anti-Trump Republicans should move next to undermine Trumps key asset. He needs to be exposed as a fraud whenever he says he has the backs of the forgotten men and women whose living standards have been shattered in the new economy. Admittedly, doing this will be harder for conservatives than for progressives. Dionne neatly lumps liberals and the left under progressives. In fact, doing this is easy for the left, because putting the working class first is what the left is all about it. Doing this is nearly impossible for liberals; see Thomas Frank.

Stats Watch

Today is a very dull day for official statistics.

Shipping: Some 82 percent of all assets have a random failure pattern, [Ralph Rio, vice president of Enterprise Software of ARC Advisory, a leading technology research firm for industry and infrastructure] said [Logistics Management]. That probability of failure can be reduced through increased IoT examination of these patterns to better do preventative maintenance in trucks, railroad cars and other transport assets, he said.

Shipping: Heathrows jubilant announcement that cargo volumes are up some 10% year-on-year has been tempered by severe congestion in the cargo area [The Loadstar]. One forwarder told The Loadstar this week: Heathrow is screwed currently, due to queues and congestion. They just started turning all vehicles away  which is not conducive to speeding-up already delayed air freight movements.'

Shipping: Freight volumes and rates are busting out all over. Shipper-carrier discussions are focused more on securing capacity than on pricing. Transport assets are now in big-time demand [DC Velocity]. Even the humble domestic trailer on flatcar, written off several years ago as an anachronism in a containerized world, has come roaring back to life. The equipment is experiencing double-digit traffic gains due to a shortage of containers in the U.S. trades and concerns that shippers and intermodal marketing companies will need a safety valve in the event truck capacity is inadequate on key lanes.

Retail: Fewer major retailers have announced large-scale hiring announcements so far this year, which reflects the drop in the number of October employment gains in the sector. Gains fell 8 percent from last year to 136,700, the lowest October gain since 2011, when the sector added 134,200 jobs [Econintersect]. Compensated for in warehousing and trucking, one hopes. Which it isnt, really, labor not being fungible.

Retail: The turmoil [in changing technology and shifting consumer buying patterns] has been evident at U.S. seaports, where imports of traditional toys slumped 5% in September, according to trade analysts Panjiva, while videogame shipments rose 40% [Wall Street Journal].

Retail: Alibaba racked up more than $25.3 billion in sales in [the annual Singles Day promotion] 24-hour sales period, 42% more than a year ago, while JDs $19.1 billion in sales were up 50% from last year [Wall Street Journal]. Alibaba added incentives, including pushing preorders, marketing games and fresh promotions that produce big numbers but also come at a cost to margins. And the sudden spike in shipments can jam logistics operations.

Supply Chain: Researchers at Texas A&M reported as part of a study for analytics group Inrix that driving times for U.S. commuters have been relatively constant over the past decade but the congestion has spread out beyond the traditional morning and evening busy periods. The WSJs Jo Craven McGinty writes the delays are mounting, and Inrixs annual scorecard shows congestion now costs each U.S. drivers a total of nearly $300 billion [Wall Street Journal]. The expanding congestion clock is putting more pressure on distribution channels, complicating efforts by truck and delivery drivers to operate outside the busiest traffic windows.

Labor: Which Firms Create More Jobs: Startups or Older Firms? [Federal Reserve Bank of St Louis]. Dvorkin and Gascon found that the startups accounted for most of the net job creation from 2011-2014. ZOMG!! Start-ups!!!!! Except: Almost all the US jobs created since 2005 are temporary.

Honey for the Bears: Still no sign of a rebound (FRED chart of commercial and industrial loans, still cratering) [Mosler Economics]. And this handy chart:

Thanks, Obama!

The Bezzle: Tesla Approaches Terminal Decline [Seeking Alpha]. Normally I wouldnt run a piece like this, but this seems well-researched. See especially section 4. Management for personnel attrition. Readers, typical for the genre, therefore a steep discount to be applied? Or a good take?

Rapture Index: Closes down 1 on volcanoes. There has been much rumbling, but few eruptions [Rapture Ready]. Record High, October 10 2016: 189. Current: 184. That comment: I didnt know evangelicals did Zen.

Todays Fear & Greed Index: 59 Greed (previous close: 54, Neutral) [CNN]. One week ago: 66 (Greed). (0 is Extreme Fear; 100 is Extreme Greed. Last updated Nov 9 at 7:00pm. A modest swing toward greed before the weekend.

Health Care

On the first day of enrollment alone, Nov. 1, one source close to the process told The Hill that more than 200,000 people selected a plan for 2018, compared with about 100,000 last year. More than 1 million people visited healthcare.gov that day, compared to about 750,000 last year, the source said [The Hill]. It is still early in the process and it is unclear how the final sign-up numbers will come out. Sign-ups early in the enrollment season are often people renewing their coverage, not new enrollees.

UPDATE Kevin Drum goes triumphalist, as ObamaCare reaches (roughly) 50% approval ratings: After all, whats wrong with decent health care at a decent price for everyone, especially if it hasnt turned America into a socialist hellhole where we all have to wait months to see our government doctor? [Mother Jones]. Kumbaya, Kevin

Big Brother Is Watching You Watch

The PreCheck program is billed as a convenient service to allow U.S. travelers to speed through security at airports. However, the latest proposal released by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reveals the Department of Homeland Securitys greater underlying plan to collect face images and iris scans on a nationwide scale. DHSs programs will become a massive violation of privacy that could serve as a gateway to the collection of biometric data to identify and track every traveler at every airport and border crossing in the country [Electronic Frontier Foundation]. Officer, where does it say I cant wear my Nixon mask a public space? Or my adversarial, perturbed luggage, for that matter.

Our Famously Free Press

THE BLOG NOBODY NEEDS. Its Wonkette [The Outline]. If you ever wanted to know how liberal bloggers in the MySpace era would have reacted to the news that Donald Trump would one day be president, [senior editor Evan Hurst] spells it out: Trumps First Days In Office Were Epic F!ck Show, And We Cant Stop LOLing.'

News of the Wired

Searx is a free internet metasearch engine which aggregates results from more than 70 search services. Users are neither tracked nor profiled [Github]. I tried it out. Google News search has gone from merely bad to practically useless (and from an agnotological standpoint, actively malevolent):

So Im looking for alternatives.

Seriously? I paid 80$ to have Vader locked? [Reddit]. Top comment is said to be The most downvoted comment in Reddits history (-368K points as of this writing).

Patterns and Privilege, East and West: Jeffrey Milsteins LANY [Lens Culture]. Gorgeous aerial photography. (All the pictures take a bit to load, though some appear right away.)

* * *

Readers, feel free to contact me at lambert [UNDERSCORE] strether [DOT] corrente [AT] yahoo [DOT] com, with (a) links, and even better (b) sources I should curate regularly, (c) how to send me a check if you are allergic to PayPal, and (d) to find out how to send me images of plants. Vegetables are fine! Fungi are deemed to be honorary plants! If you want your handle to appear as a credit, please put it in the subject line. Otherwise, I will anonymize by using your initials. See the previous Water Cooler (with plant) here. Todays plant (Bob):

Bob writes: Not a great fall for pictures. It got very cold, then summer started. Lots of washed out browns on bright, hot days. Not the best for pictures.

Readers, Im doing OK on fall foliage now, but Im so fascinated to learn that this map is off, Im going to leave the request up just to see what there is to see

* * *

Readers: Water Cooler is a standalone entity not covered by the NC fundraiser. So do feel free to use the dropdown and click the hat to make a contribution today or any day. Here is why: Regular positive feedback both makes me feel good and lets me know Im on the right track with coverage. When I get no donations for five or ten days I get worried. More tangibly, a constant trickle of small donations helps me with expenses, and I factor that trickle in when setting fundraising goals. So if you see something you especially appreciate, do feel free to click the hat!
Hard Brexiters (which increasingly looks like it will be disorderly Brexit) are now openly making a spectacle of Theresa May. After May made a move towards realism in her September speech in Florence, where she offered to make a payment to the EU during a rather vaguely described transition period, the rabid Brexit wing has been even harder after her than usual. Last week, she was apparently muscled into supporting having Parliament set a specific Brexit date in its Great Repeal Bill, as opposed to having the flexibility to firm that up later, as the legislation currently stipulates. Oh, and the dates and time she proposed appears to be 23 hours later than the EUs idea of when Brexit is now set to happen

Like many others, Matthew Parris in the Times tore into the idiocy of this idea and used it as a point of departure to describe the leadership vacuum in the UK. But the headline (which may not be his doing) described the situation as May humiliating herself. I dont think that is quite right. May is tolerating being used and abused by the likes of Boris Johnson and Michael Gove. Look at their latest stunt: a letter expressing no confidence in May signed by 40 Conservatives.

This is a nasty stunt. Its purpose is simply to browbeat May. You need 48 votes to put a no confidence vote before Parliament, and even if things were to get that far, it probably would not pass. The Tories are deeply divided and it isnt clear whether Labour wants the poisoned chalice of taking up the Brexit negotiations and aftermath (they could easily excuse unenthusiastic support of May as putting country before party, that having snap elections now would be disastrous for Brexit execution). One British politics watcher volunteered that Johnson and Gove are unlikely to have pulled that trick on a bloke.

From Parris:

What on earth is going on when a prime minister (in name only) has to write a newspaper column promising to bind her own hands by act of parliament? And when she does so purely to calm jangled nerves in a Brexit movement whose followers do not themselves know what they want or who leads them, while an equally leaderless former-Remain movement stares at its shoes, bereft of a response, an agenda or anyone to command them? Theresa May, we learn, has promised to introduce a new clause in the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill stating that references to exit mean exit on March 29 2019 at 23:00:00. We will therefore, apparently, automatically leave the EU, or turn into pumpkins, or both, as the clock strikes, er, 11 Behind an appearance of resolve, such a clause is a testament of weakness: an implicit recognition that people dont trust you to keep to your promise  like saying cross my heart and hope to die. Mrs May knows shes a one-woman hostage situation, in office at the pleasure of a relatively small but fanatical wing of her parliamentary party: the hard Brexiteers, gripped by a jihadist willingness to blow up the government along with themselves if they dont get their way she knows she will soon be breaking difficult news to them: news of how much Britain is prepared to pay, and what we may have to concede, for the deal were negotiating. Some Brexiteers wont like this: hence the need now to throw them red meat.

Parris confirms what even US observers have likely already figured out: it unlikely that Johnson or Gove could become the leader of the Tory party. Not only is the party deeply split, but Johnson is not well liked personally and is correctly seen as the most reckless sort of opportunitist. Moreover, it is still possible that the hard Brexiters did manage to force yet another round of elections, polls now show that only a pretty small minority, IIRC 26%, think the UK is managing Brexit well. So confidence in Tory competence has dropped like a stone. Moreover, the Tories poor performance in Mays misguided snap election was widely seen as a vote against a hard Brexit. So there is every reason to think Labour would win if there were elections now.

Yet like the NRA in the US, the Brexit ultras keep wielding influence out of proportion to their apparent popularity. The less irrational wing of the Conservatives appeared to be getting the upper hand after the disastrous snap election. But their most influential minister, Philip Hammond, has been on the defensive for the last couple of months.

The ability of the hard line Brexiters to punch well above their weight is due to having the strong and vocal support of the press barons. But it is also due to their success in pushing May around, or at least being able to check her. The appearance of power alone can be self-reinforcing.

But how long will May stand for this treatment? She might rationalize it as doing her best to prevent worse outcomes. But the difference between catastrophic and cataclysmic is unlikely to be calibrated well by the public or historians.

This video manages to look kind compared to what is actually going on. After all, May merely looks silly:

But Brexit looks like an entire country engaged in deliberate mutilation, like cutting, which is antiseptically described as non=suicidal self harm. Personally, a disorderly Brexit looks plenty suicidal. However, the discomfort of looking at Brexit reminds me more and more of the movie Black Swan, in which a newly promoted prima ballerina who is already tightly wound and practices cutting, comes apart under the stress. The movie starts mixing her delusions with her activities, and it becomes harder and harder to tell them apart.

And the beliefs of the Brexiteers are simply incomprehensible to everyone else. Its like dealing with cultists. This tweetstorm gives a terrific short-form treatment. Key observation:

Been conversing (on and offline) with grassroots Brexitists again. Really struck by their intense lack of interest in the details of how to make it happen  verging on hostility to it, as if the search for practical steps to make it work is a trap (1/9)  Alan Finlayson (@ProfAFinlayson) November 9, 2017

I think thats one more piece of evidence for the fact that Brexitism is a species of Utopian ideology, for which the belief in its happening is more important than its actually happening (2/9)  Alan Finlayson (@ProfAFinlayson) November 9, 2017

Its wish is to become/embody an archetype  an ideal sort of (English) person, cleansed of Un-English things and with the power to make anything happen (like English Gods of old) (5/9)  Alan Finlayson (@ProfAFinlayson) November 9, 2017

This utopianiasm is interacting in a nasty way with the ugly side of British management, such as it is. The US has tendencies along these lines, but nowhere near as fully advanced as the syndrome Clive described recently:

Whats struck me most about the UK governments approach to the practical day-to-day aspects of Brexit is that it is exemplifying a typically British form of managerialism which bedevilles both public sector and private sector organisations. It manifests itself in all manner of guises but the main characteristic is that some leader issues impractical, unworkable, unachievable or contradictory instructions (or a strategy) to the lower ranks. These lower ranks have been encouraged to adopt the demeanour of yes-men (or yes-women). So youre not allowed to question the merits of the ask. Everyone keeps quiet and takes the paycheck while waiting for the roof to fall in on them. Its not like youre on the breadline, so getting another year or so in isnt a bad survival attitude. If you make a fuss now, youll likely be replaced by someone who, in the leaderships eyes is a lot more can-do (but is in fact just either more naive or a better huckster To the big cheeses, the problem is with the underlings not being sufficiently clever or inventive. The real problem is the dynamic theyve created and their inability to perceive the changes (in the same way as swinging a wrecking ball is a change) theyve wrought on an organisation. May, Davies, Fox, the whole lousy lot of em are like the pilot in the Airplane movie  theyre pulling on the levers of power only to find theyre not actually connected to anything. Wait until they pull a little harder and the whole bloody thing comes off in their hands.

Here is an vignette, of a You arent imaginative enough Glorious Brexiteer versus someone trying to minimize the damage of Brexit, courtesy bizmath, hoisted from the Guardians comment section (Id provide a link except the comments are not indexed in Google, oddly):

Hoofitoff Employers agree. Unions agree. The City agrees. An overwhelming majority of parliament agrees. All wants a frictionless, tariff-free, open relationship with the EU, negotiated outside its political framework  however asymmetrical that might be. Even within the leave camp, majority opinion is for the retention of single market freedoms, provided there are restrictions on EU immigrants accessing public services. This is the sensible view May should be harnessing and cohering. This option is simply not available  the UK retains a tariff-free open relationship with the EU by either paying for Associate Membership (Norway/Switzerland model) or by remaining in the EU. The EU cannot allow retention of single market freedoms without a country committing to the four freedoms, so restrictions on EU immigrants accessing public services is out of the question. Of course, the UK currently has the option to do what all of the 27 EU countries do, which is to apply the 3-month rule to EU citizens. Meanwhile in the real world outside of Westminster, I have just spent the autumn at the annual Trade Fairs and Exhibitions in Europe as my company trades almost exclusively with customers in the EU. We received some clear messages; 1) EU customers would love to continue to do business with UK companies, but with no certainty regarding access to the market, certifications, tariffs, prices and delivery times, they are very reluctant to place any orders beyond next summer. They cannot order parts or components from British companies (to be used in the assembly of their own final products) as this creates huge complications when they want to sell on if these parts are not of EU origin.

2) Competitors based within the EU are spending time and effort exploiting this uncertainty and are aggressively targeting our customers, offering all of the certainty that UK companies cannot. They are doing their 2018 and 2019 deals now. By the time the UK government reaches a decision, regardless of whether it is Brexit or Remain, lasting damage will have been done and hundreds of thousands of orders and jobs will have been lost. 3) National and Regional governments in the EU are very keen to attract jobs and investment to their areas. They recognise that a million job losses in the UK means the opportunity to attract a million jobs to their areas. E.g. Land Rover have already invested 1 billion in a new car factory in Slovakia. Companies such as mine really have to relocate in order to remain in business, and we have been met with positive advice and support everywhere that we have been. It makes the headlines when Nissan or Toyota threaten to leave, but nobody notices the thousands of small companies quietly moving away and taking their jobs and tax revenues with them. AliWaterson Thanks. I wish this comment was circulating in Westminster. Hoofitoff It is. This is what the CBI, Institute of Directors, Motor Manufacturers, Federation of Small Businesses et al meant when they wrote to Davis two weeks ago and what they would have been telling May and Corbyn last week at the CBI conference. Whether anyone is listening is another matter. Listening to Davis last week you could be excused for thinking that hed misplaced the letter under his Daily Telegraph or put it in the bottom drawer along with the Sector Reports. If he has read the FT over the last 18 months, he will have been getting the same message. carlosalberto1970 If you cannot see opportunities in Brexit maybe you should try another line of work.

If the EU can see threats and opportunities, you can bet there will be the same for UK businesses, which you have interestingly left out of your unbiased analysis. MugwumpCockwomble Tell us what great opportunities Brexit offers to those who are losing tarif free access to a market of almost 500m consumers. Hoofitoff We have looked at the opportunities that Brexit presents. We have spent 15 years building up a successful business, a good team of staff, loyal customers and a good reputation. We have the worlds largest and most stable trading bloc located 25 miles away. Being located in the south-east of England, we can be in any European city within 2 hours. Our products can reach our customers overnight  we have even had couriers deliver samples to customers same day. We have a stable payments system with few problems with currency fluctuations, as all EU currencies are pretty much tied to the Euro. Only the Pound fluctuates, but we can manage that. We need very little in the way of customs paperwork, and what we do complete is standard for all 27 countries. None of the post-Brexit opportunities come even close to this. Tariffs and distance to market will make our products uncompetitive. Our skilled staff, mainly from the EU due to their language skills and local knowledge, do not feel welcome and do not know if they can remain. Entering new markets will require new staff with new skills. Non-tariff barriers will delay our shipments. It costs time and money to employ someone to complete customs paperwork, both for imported materials and exported finished goods  all adding more to the price of our products. If we attempt to enter the US market, we risk our entire business coming under the jurisdiction of the US authorities. Even if we want to export to new countries, the government cannot tell us the rules and agreements under which we can trade  these might take another 2-5 years to agree. Changing the business or looking at other markets means starting from scratch. Despite Johnson and Fox claiming that the world is queuing up to do business with the UK, there is no evidence of this. There are no new undiscovered markets  the entire developed world has well-established marketplaces that are extremely difficult to enter. Meanwhile there are indeed opportunities and we have a simple solution to our problem  we will relocate to within the EU and join the thousands of other companies doing the same. We have been offered modern, clean facilities with excellent transport links, putting us even closer to our customers. We will have high-speed internet, even in a semi-rural location 20 miles from the nearest major town. We will re-organise our workforce  our staff can work remotely from their new locations in their home countries, improving their work/life balance and reducing our costs. Except for mining and agriculture, almost all businesses today are extremely portable and can relocate within weeks. Even car factories can be dismantled and relocated, or production outsourced to factories with spare capacity. As the CBI and others keep telling the government, they need clarity by Christmas or they will be leaving the UK.

It would be better if I were wrong, but I dont see any way out of this mess. As ugly as things are with May at the helm (and I never thought Id say this), having her quit or be deposed is likely to lead to even worse outcomes.
Yves here. This post is a bit weedy since it goes into the details of some London stock market machinations via a Russian oligarch, Oleg Deripaska, that look to have left Russian state banks sitting on a $112 million loss.

Deripaska is more dependent on US revenues than any other Russian oligarch. That is also why he is particularly sensitive to his and his companies exposure to possible sanctions. A few months back, the Associated Press reported in the sort of Russian influence article that tries to connect dots that may not be connected. In 2005, Manafort solicited Deripaska and won a $10 million per annum assignment that included language that the services would greatly benefit the Putin government. The article states that Manafort and Deripaska had business dealings until at least 2009 but also says it is unclear how much Manafort actually did and what he was paid. However, their relationship went seriously south, as demonstrated by 2014 suit by Deripaska against Manafort over a $19 million investment gone bad. As Helmer described the suit in an earlier post:

Oleg Deripaska (lead image, left) is famous for snatching other peoples money and legging it.

The records of the High Court in London show what he did to Mikhail Chernoy (Cherney), Boris Berezovsky, and Roman Abramovich. Chernoy recovered $200 million in 2012; click to open.

Only two people have ever taken Deripaskas money and legged it themselves. In April 2008 Paul Manafort (lead image, right) took $18,938,400 from Deripaska in return for which he promised to invest up to $100 million in Ukrainian cable television and telecommunications companies. Manafort trousered the cash, or so Deripaska has alleged in court, as he has been trying to get his money back. The Cayman Island litigation is a case of applying to a judge to bar the barn door after the horses had bolted several years earlier. It is an application from Deripaskas lawyers to wind up the partnership which he and Manafort had registered on the island through a string of their cutout companies on the ground that Manafort had run away.

Deripaska sued the Associated Press for libel in federal district court in the DC after the Associated Press ran the story on Deripaska hiring Manafort in 2006, presumed to be on behalf of Putin, which despite Deripaskas and Manaforts very public fallen out, was taken as proof that Putin had a channel to Trump in 2016 via Manafort.

As one contact put it, Deripaska reacted with more injured innocence and more spending than anybody in Moscow could understand. Helmers post explains that mystery: the EN+ prospectus shows that Deripaska has been expanding aluminium shipments to the US and now depends on the US market more than any other Russian billionaire.

In parallel with the libel suit, Deripaska bought large (read: expensive) advertisements in papers like the Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post professing his innocence of accusations that he was trying to interfere in the US election, with Manafort or without him. The Post took his money, ran the ad, then ran this story: Russian billionaire attempts to stifle AP scoop.

Oh, and Deripaska libel case? It was tossed out of court recently, see Oleg Deripaska, Supposed Ally of Paul Manafort, Slapped Down by Washington Court

By John Helmer, the longest continuously serving foreign correspondent in Russia, and the only western journalist to direct his own bureau independent of single national or commercial ties. Helmer has also been a professor of political science, and an advisor to government heads in Greece, the United States, and Asia. He is the first and only member of a US presidential administration (Jimmy Carter) to establish himself in Russia. Originally published at Dances with Bears

Last week, the first week in the life of Russias EN+ Group on the London Stock Exchange, Oleg Deripaska, control shareholder and chief executive, took $500 million in cash for himself, then triggered a $112 million loss for the other shareholders led by the Russian state bank, VTB.

This followed an investigation by the UKs Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) of EN+s application to list and trade global depositary receipts (GDRs) instead of ordinary shares, which Deripaska will not be listing at all. Approval for the listing on the London exchange was given on condition that Deripaska published a series of investment warnings and liability disclaimers at the head of the EN+ prospectus, which was issued on November 3. In capital letters, investors were warned: INVESTMENT IN THE GDRS [of EN+] INVOLVES A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK. PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS SHOULD READ THE ENTIRE PROSPECTUS, PARTICULARLY, THE SECTION HEADED RISK FACTORS, WHEN CONSIDERING AN INVESTMENT IN THE COMPANY.

London sources say the market took this warning so seriously, there is almost no investor demand for the shares. Sold to a group of insiders at $14 before trading commenced last week, the issue of 112.1 million shares fell towards $12.80 before price support was observed. At a current price of $13 per GDR (equals one ordinary share) $112.1 million in market capitalization has already been lost.

EN+ Group (ticker ENPL:LI) is the Moscow-based, Jersey-domiciled holding which owns Russias aluminium monopoly Rusal and a group of electricity-generating companies. The latter sell most of their electricity to Rusal, subsidizing Rusals profit by discounting the electricity price. For background on their combination, read this.

Deripaska and his family owned 95.65% of EN+ before last weeks listing; the balance of 4.35% was owned by VTB, one of Deripaskas principal creditors. For the story of VTBs 2011 purchase of EN+ and the taking of an EN+ board seat, read this.

Despite the Kremlin order to return the ownership of strategic Russian assets from offshore to domestic jurisdiction, the EN+ prospectus for its initial public offering (IPO) reveals that Deripaska continues to own EN+ through two entities, B-Finance Limited (registered in the British Virgin Islands) with 61.55%; and Basic Element Limited (Jersey), with 21.1%. These two offshore entities are owned in turn by Fidelitas International Investments Corporation, which Deripaska set up in Panama.

THE EN+ SHAREHOLDER LINE-UP



Source: EN+ prospectus, page 210.

After the IPO, Deripaska and his kin will own about 76%, with a buyback right as described in footnote 4 of the table. In twelve months time, there is an agreement with VTB that Deripaska will have the option to buy back all of the shares he has sold through the bank. VTBs original stake of almost 22 million shares (4.35%) has turned into 3.81% of the new shareholder line-up.

Another 6.2% has been acquired by the so-called Chinese cornerstone investor, AnAn and the CEFC group; for details, click. The Singapore-listed AnAn is close to insolvency, and subject to Singapore stock exchange regulation. According to the prospectus, a new entity, called AnAn CEFC (Cyprus) International Investment Ltd., has been created especially for the purpose of participation in the Offering and holding the GDRs. This appears to mean that VTB, which is lending the purchase money, can control the shares under Cyprus law, not Singapores.

The prospectus, which was drafted by lawyers from the US firm White & Case and the UK firm Linklaters, says: VTB may enter into an agreement with the Cornerstone Investor [AnAn] in relation to providing financing to the Cornerstone Investor in respect of the Cornerstone Investor GDRs to be acquired pursuant to the Cornerstone Investment Agreement. May enter means has entered. It also means that VTB loaned $500 million for the Chinese part of the IPO transaction, whose proceeds will be divided between Deripaskas pocket and the payoff of VTBs loan to EN+ of $942 million.

Deripaska had his lawyers issue this claim in the prospectus: The Cornerstone Investor is an independent third party and is not an existing shareholder of the Company. This is not a ruse that has persuaded anyone in the market.

In practice, as state news agency Tass has reported, AnAns stake belongs to VTB, and is covered by a buy-back agreement from Deripaska himself. Tasss Moscow sources said that VTB now has control of 10.02% of EN+. Securing its loans to EN+ before the IPO and the payoff of its $942 million loan, VTB held Deripaskas pledges over 32.55% of EN+s shares.



Oleg Deripaska (left) and VTB chairman Andrew Kostin (right) in Davos in February 2015.

According to the prospectus, that leaves a shareholding balance after the IPO of 13.4%. This has been reported by EN+ as a free float of independent investors. In fact, they are almost all state funded, government controlled, or related parties. The EN+ prospectus, dated November 3, can be read in full here.

The London Stock Exchange (LSE) rules for GDRs do not apply the same corporate governance standards, financial reporting to the market, and prohibition of insider trading which regulate ordinary share listings. For more details, read this.

In fact, EN+ admits, there is a risk that the newly issued GDRs will be shunned in the market. There is no guarantee that an active trading market for the GDRs will develop and continue after the London Admission. If an active trading market for the GDRs does not develop, it could have a material adverse effect on the liquidity and the market price of the GDRs and investors may not be able to sell the GDRs they purchased in the Offering at or above the Offer Price or at all. As a result, investors who purchase the GDRs in the Offering could lose all or part of their investment in the GDRs. The Offer Price of the GDRs has been determined after consultation with the Selling Shareholder and the Company, and may not be indicative of the market price of the GDRs after the Offering. In other words, if you dont have a price support and repurchase deal with Deripaska, dont buy the GDRs.

Also, the GDR will remain a phantom, according to the prospectus, because Deripaska doesnt intend to list the underlying shares in the business on any stock exchange. EN+ admits this is a red flag. Unlike the shares underlying most of the other GDRs traded on the London Stock Exchange, the Ordinary Shares [of EN+] are neither listed nor traded on any stock exchange. The Group does not intend to apply for the listing or admission to trading of the Ordinary Shares on any stock exchange. As a result, a withdrawal of Ordinary Shares by a holder of the GDRs, whether by election or due to certain events will result in that holder obtaining securities that are not listed and significantly less liquid than the GDRs, and the price of those Ordinary Shares may be discounted as a result of such withdrawal.

With such admissions that there is no genuine market, there was nowhere for the share price of EN+ to go but down. This is what happened.

EN+ SHARE PRICE TRAJECTORY IN THE FIRST WEEK, MOSCOW STOCK EXCHANGE

Source: http://www.enplus.ru/investors/share-graph.jsp

EN+ SHARE PRICE TRAJECTORY ON LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10



Source: http://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/prices-and-markets/stocks/summary/company-summary-chart.html?fourWayKey=US29355E2081USUSDIOBE

Three state banks  Sberbank, Gazprombank and VTB  are also listed in the prospectus as taking 22 million of the new shares. That represents 31% of the free float as advertised. What they have done with the shares has not been reported to the market nor disclosed by EN+. But Russian market reports indicate that the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), a state entity, and the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), also a state entity, have agreed to buy the bulk, most likely on buyback terms with Deripaska, or loan and repurchase (repo) terms with the state banks.

Deripaskas prospectus writers issued this peculiar disclaimer after they knew the QIA purchase had been contracted. This Prospectus and any other material in relation to the Offering do not, and are not intended to, constitute an invitation or an offer of securities in the State of Qatar (including the Qatar Financial Centre) and accordingly should not be construed as such. The GDRs have not been, and shall not be, offered, sold or delivered at any time, directly or indirectly, in the State of Qatar. Any offering of the GDRs shall not constitute a public offer of securities in the State of Qatar no subscription to the GDRs may or will be consummated within the State of Qatar. Any applications to invest in the GDRs shall be received from outside of Qatar.



The Emir of Qatar, Tamim Al Thani, meets President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin in January 2016. For details of the investment relationship between the sovereign funds of the Qatari and Russian governments, read this.

Glencore, Rusals principal metal trader and holder of 8.75% of Rusal shares, has agreed to convert its Rusal scrip into EN+ paper, with a seat on the board. The prospectus reports (page 211) the conversion transaction but not the shareholding in EN+ which has resulted from the formula agreed between the companies to compensate Glencore for the recent loss of Rusal share value.

Although Andrei Kostin and Ivan Glasenberg will now have their seats on the EN+ board, Deripaska will keep control of the cashflow of the company. Its his intention, the prospectus says, to pay dividends, whether the group, or its aluminium and electricity units, run at a profit or at a loss. The Company paid dividends in the amount of U.S.$318 million in 2016, U.S.$262 million in 2015 and U.S.$203 million in 2014, the prospectus reports. But in 2014 EN+ suffered a loss of $624 million. To cover the payout to Deripaska that year, EN+ had to borrow.

If things go badly for aluminium and electricity in the years ahead, and EN+ becomes a lossmaker again, it will still be a cash cow for Deripaska. The Company, says the prospectus, has adopted a dividend policy to pay on at least a semi-annual basis the dividends which will be equal to the sum of: (i) 100% of dividends received from RUSAL; and (ii) 75% of Free Cash Flow (as defined herein) of En+ Power, subject to a minimum of U.S.$250 million per annum (with U.S.$125 million in December 2017).

Free Cash Flow is defined by EN+ as the cash flows generated from operating activities before capital expenditures and interest less interest paid and less capital expenditures adjusted for restructuring fees, payments from settlement of derivative instruments, one-off acquisitions plus dividends from associates and joint ventures. In 2014, for example, when the group was lossmaking, the free cashflow was reported as $532 million  $616 million of it attributed to Rusal, and a negative $84 million for EN+. That year, Rusal reported a profit of $293 million after a loss of $3.3 billion in 2013. The prospectus issues this Deripaska risk warning: there can be no assurance that the Majority Shareholders interests, views or strategy in relation to the development of the Groups business will coincide with those of other shareholders.

For an unusual Russian analysis of Deripaskas dividend plan, read this.

Deripaska doesnt favour analysis of his business conduct in the marketplace. On one occasion when that threatened his listing of Rusal on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in December 2009, this was the result, according to Moscow court records; and also according to western intelligence telephone interceptions.

EN+ does acknowledge the risk that published analysis of Deripaskas business may adversely affect the value of EN+ shares. The media and others have speculated publicly from time to time about a wide variety of matters relating to the Groups beneficial ownersadverse media speculation, claims and other public statements of the kind referred to above may adversely affect the value of the GDRs or distract the Groups management from their day-to-day management responsibility.

The threat that the US government may add Deripaska, Rusal and EN+ to the current economic warfare sanctions against Russian targets has been reported here. The EN+ prospectus acknowledges the risk. It also reveals that Rusals sales revenues, and Deripaskas profit, are increasingly dependent on shipments of aluminium to US warehouses and buyers. Last year the US became the leading destination for Rusal exports.

DERIPASKAS SALES GEOGRAPHY  GROWING DEPENDENCE ON THE US



Source: EN+ prospectus, page 111.

As the table shows, the US is now the largest single national customer of EN+. In 2014, by contrast, the Netherlands was the largest customer, primarily because of warehousing of aluminium in Dutch ports; the Dutch share of Rusals global sales was 39%. That year US deliveries comprised $892 million, or 21% of the total. But now the US has jumped to $1.2 billion (35%), while the Netherlands has fallen to $664 million (20%). China is virtually insignificant as a destination; Japan, where Toyota is the major customer, has fallen from $871 million to $610 million.

Since the start of US economic warfare against Russia in 2014, no major Russian corporate group or individual oligarch has increased his business with the US, except for Deripaska. For his effort to defend his reputation in US federal court, read this.

In addition to the political risk of American sanctions, EN+s prospectus warns that aluminium price volatility remains a major investment risk for share buyers. A sustained weak LME [London Metals Exchange] aluminium pricing environment, deterioration in LME aluminium prices or a decrease in regional premiums or product premiums, could have a material adverse effect on the Groups business, financial condition and results of operations.

TRAJECTORY OF THE ALUMINIUM PRICE OVER THE PAST SIX MONTHS

Revealed in the small print is that Glencore currently accounts for one tonne in every three (34%) of Rusals metal sales; and that the next four customers control another 13%  Toyota, Mechem SA (a secretive metals trader based in Lausanne), and two Russian aluminium processors  Samara Metallurgical Works (SMZ) and Kamensky-Uralsky Metallurgical Works (KUMZ). SMZ was sold by Rusal to Alcoa in 2004, and then in 2015 Alcoa sold to Stupino, which is part of the state metals holding, Russian Technologies. KUMZ used to be part of Victor Vekselbergs SUAL group until it was merged into Rusal on Kremlin order in 2006.

Pollution of water and air arent major risks facing EN+, the prospectus claims. They are simply costs which EN+ and Rusal pay as small fines. According to EN+, in September 2016, the Russian Government introduced a new scale of fixed-fee rates payable for negative environmental impact, depending on the particular type of pollutant. The lowest fees were imposed for pollution within the statutory limits, intermediate fees were imposed for pollution within individually approved limits and the highest fees were imposed for pollution exceeding all such limits. In 2016, 2015 and 2014, such fees amounted to U.S.$7.2 million, U.S.$10.7 million and U.S.$16.5 million for RUSAL, respectively, and U.S.$0.8 million, U.S.$1.9 million and U.S.$2.5 million for En+ Power, respectively. It is within the discretion of the Russian authorities to individually permit pollution in excess of the statutory limits, but any request may be denied. Moreover, the payment of fees for exceeding these statutory limits does not relieve the Group from its responsibility to take environmental protection measures and undertake restoration and clean-up activities.

In other words, EN+ considers itself free to operate in violation of the applicable environmental laws and regulations, almost scot-free. For details of the Siberian environmental protection campaign against EN+, click to open.
Stars that vary in brightness shine in the oral traditions of Aboriginal Australians The Conversation

Stranded orca whale successfully re-floated in Marlborough New Zealand Herald. Yves: Look at how much effort to save the orca! They kept it cool all night.

Bitcoin Plunges 29% From Record High Bloomberg. Yves: Anything that falls 29% in a day isnt money, at least in anything other than an economy that is in some sort of collapse.

Are we failing to protect the child stars of YouTube? New Statesman

Oil Spills in Nigeria Could Kill 16,000 Babies a Year Newsweek

Waymos fully self-driving vehicles are here Waymo Team, Medium. This is the money quote: By giving people access to a fleet of vehicles, rather than starting with a personal ownership model, more people will be able to experience this technology, sooner.

Waymo Tests Its Self-Driving Cars In My Town. Here Are The Odd Things Ive Seen. Forbes. It would certainly be nice if we had data from parties who werent massively conflicted.

Brexit

60,000 join far-right march on Polands Independence Day Seattle Times

Disputed Catalan President Carles Puigdemont: Spain has damaged democracy Sky News

Syraqistan

India

China?

The World Needs to Prepare for Peaked China The American Conservative

North Korea

They Want to Know If Trumps Crazy Politico (Re Silc). Very interesting, especially for 38 North readers.

New Cold War

Trump Transition

Trump era brings lowest stock market volatility since early 1960s FT. Probably not what volatility voters had in mind?

Democrats in Disarray

Poll: Nearly half of white Southerners feel like theyre under attack The Hill

Poll: 37 percent of Alabama evangelicals more likely to vote for Moore after allegations The Hill

In Idaho, program to fight voter fraud may cause more problems than it catches Idaho Statesman. Crosscheck.

Sports Desk

Health Care

Why Americans Are Going To Love Single Payer Peoples Policy Project Lower-Income Countries That Face The Most Rapid Shift In Noncommunicable Disease Burden Are Also The Least Prepared Health Affairs. (Again, if anybody from Health Affairs is reading this, I can go use Safaris reader if I dont want to read your articles O.N.E.L.E.T.T.E.R.A.T.A.T.I.M.E in your ginormous font, but is that what you really want me to do?)

Big Brother Is Watching You Watch

Imperial Collapse Watch

Fat Leonard probe expands to ensnare more than 60 admirals WaPo (CM). And we wonder why the Navys ships keep colliding with other ships.

Class Warfare

How to Get Over the Need to Be Liked by Everyone You Meet New York Magazine. Science fiction? Role-playing fantasy? Huh?

Could Rome Have Had an Industrial Revolution? Medium. Especially for History of Rome fans.

The catalogue that made metrics, and changed science Nature

The Bus Factor: Life for Open-Source Projects After a Developers Death WIRED (CL).

Mind the Gap Granola Shotun (SC). Code and land use. Very important.

Antidote du jour (via):

See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here.
EC: Security upped for candidates

In the wake of recent attacks on some candidates, the government on Sunday notified the Election Commission that security for the contestants of the upcoming federal and provincial elections had been tightened.
Lambert: Somebody should ask the TFA alums who were so prominent in decapitating #BlackLivesMatter at the national level what they think about charter supporters who take the Sacklers blood money.

By Sarah Darer Littman is the author of middle-grade and young adult novels, and has previously written for Hearst Newspapers and CTNewsJunkie.com. She teaches writing in the MFA program at Western CT State University and at the Yale Summer Writers Workshop. Originally published at Alternet.

The notoriously secretive Sackler family, also known as the OxyContin Clan, has been the subject of much scrutiny of late, including lengthy exposes in the New Yorker and Esquireshining a harsh light on the connection between the drug that made the Sacklers wealthy and their philanthropic giving. But there is another troubling beneficiary of Sackler largesse that has escaped public scrutiny: charter schools. OxyContin heir and Purdue Pharma director Jonathan Sackler is a major funder of charters and an extensive network of pro-charter advocacy groups.

Figuring out who is funding the latest charter school-promoting front group often feels like a game of whack-a-mole. Thats why reading Patrick Radden Keefes recent New Yorkerpiece, The Family That Built an Empire of Pain, made so much fall into place. Keefe writes, Purdue and other pharmaceutical companies have long funded ostensibly neutral nonprofit groups that advocate for pain patients.

The same influence techniques Purdue used to promote painkillers are now being used by Jonathan Sackler to expand charter schools.

Promotional Power

The late Arthur Sackler, the eldest of three brothers who bought the company in 1952, was posthumously inducted into the Medical Advertising Hall of Fame, and cited for his achievement in bringing the full power of advertising and promotion to pharmaceutical marketing. Yet Allen Frances, former chair of psychiatry at Duke University School of Medicine, quoted in the New Yorker piece, highlighted the darker side of that power: Most of the questionable practices that propelled the pharmaceutical industry into the scourge it is today can be attributed to Arthur Sackler. As a copywriter at a medical advertising agency, Arthur Sackler devised strategies to promote drugs like Librium and Valium. Now, some of those same strategies are now being used with the aim of promoting charter schools.

Jonathan Sackler, Arthurs nephew, is a well-known name in the education reform movement. He founded the charter school advocacy group ConnCan, progenitor of the nationwide group 50CAN, of which he is a director. He is on the Board of Directors of the Achievement First charter school network. Until recently, Sackler served on the board of the New Schools Venture Fund, which invests in charter schools and advocates for their expansion. He was also on the board of the pro-charter advocacy group Students for Education Reform.

Through his personal charity, the Bouncer Foundation, Sackler donates to the abovementioned organizations, and an ecosystem of other charter school promoting entities, such as Families for Excellent Schools ($1,083,333 in 2014, $300,000 in 2015 according to the Foundations Form 990s) Northeast Charter School Network ($150,000 per year in 2013, 2014 and 2015) and $275,000 to Education Reform Now (2015) and $200,000 (2015) to the Partnership for Educational Justice, the group founded by Campbell Brown which uses impact litigation to go after teacher tenure laws. Earlier this year, the Partnership for Educational Justice joined 50CAN, which Sackler also funds ($300,000 in 2014 and 2015), giving him a leadership role in the controversialand so far failing causeof weakening worker protections for teachers via the courts.

Just as Arthur Sackler founded the weekly Medical Tribune, to promote Purdue products to the medical professional who would prescribe them, Jon Sackler helps to fund the74million.org, the nonpartisan education news website founded by Campbell Brown. The site, which received startup funding from Betsy DeVos, decries the fact that the education debate is dominated by misinformation and political spin, yet is uniformly upbeat about charter schools while remarkably devoid of anything positive to say about district schools or teachers unions.

Vertical Integration

The Sackler special sauce is vertical integration. As far back as the early 1960s, staffers for Tennessee Senator Estes Kefauver prepared a memo for a subcommittee he chaired that was looking into the rapidly growing pharmaceutical industry.

The Sackler empire is a completely integrated operation in that it can devise a new drug in its drug development enterprise, have the drug clinically tested and secure favorable reports on the drug from various hospitals with which they have connections, conceive the advertising approach and prepare the actual advertising copy with which to promote the drug, have the clinical articles as well as advertising copy published in their own medical journals, [and] prepare and plant articles in newspapers and magazines.

This was used to great effect in promoting OxyContin. Art Van Zee MD looked at the Marketing and Promotion of OxyContin and found that in 2001 alone, the company spent over $200 million to market and promote the drug through a variety of methods. In the settlement in the US District Court of Western Virginia, the company admitted to misbranding the drug with the intent to defraud and mislead the public.

The company was lavish with branded swag for health care practitioners. According to a GAO report, these included, OxyContin fishing hats, stuffed plush toys, coffee mugs with heat-activated messages, music compact discs, luggage tags, and pens containing a pullout conversion chart showing physicians how to calculate the dosage to convert a patient to OxyContin from other opioid pain relievers.

The GAO report went on to quote the DEA as saying the Purdues use of branded promotional items in the marketing of OxyContin was was unprecedented among schedule II opioids, and was an indicator of Purdues aggressive and inappropriate marketing of OxyContin.

The description of lavish swag will sound familiar to anyone who has witnessed one of the no-expenses-spared charter school rallies that are a specialty of Sackler-funded organizations like Families for Excellent schools. Then there is the dizzying array of astroturf front groups all created for the purpose of demanding more charter schools. Just in Connecticut, weve had the Coalition for Every Child, A Better Connecticut, Fight for Fairness CT, Excel Bridgeport, and the Real Reform Now Network. All of these groups ostensibly claim to be fighting for better public schools for all children. In reality, they have been lobbying to promote charter schools, often running afoul of ethics laws in the process.

Take Families for Excellent Schools, a grassroots group that claims to be about parent engagement, yet was founded by major Wall Street players. In Connecticut, the group failed to register its Coalition for Every Child as a lobbying entity and report a multimillion-dollar ad buy expenditure and the costs of a rally in New Haven.

In Massachusetts, Families for Excellent Schools-Advocacy (FESA) recently had to cough up more than $425,000 to the Massachusetts general fund as part of a legal settlement with the Office of Campaign and Political Finance, the largest civil forfeiture in the agencys 44-year history. Massachusetts officials concluded that FESA violated the campaign finance law by receiving contributions from individuals and then contributing those funds to the Great Schools Massachusetts Ballot Question Committee, which sought to lift the cap on the number of charter schools in the state, in a manner intended to disguise the true source of the money. As part of the settlement, the group was ordered to reveal the names of its secret donors. Jonathan Sackler was one of them.

Patrick Riccards, a former CEO of ConnCan, the pro-charter group that Sackler founded in 2005, told me, Jon went to Berkeley and in many ways fits into that idealistic mold. But at the same time it was he who made it clear to me that one of the reasons ConnCan existed was to leverage the investment in the charter community, in Achievement First, which is still the dominant charter school network in the state. [CT] The venture capital community  has put tons of money into seeing Achievement First grow, first in Connecticut, then in New York, then in Rhode Island.

Its all part of the model, concluded Riccards. While you have a public vision of great public schools for all, ConnCans focus was: how does the charter industry continue to grow? Every year, ConnCans fight was how do we increase the number of seats, and how do we increase the per pupil expenditure?

Staggering Toll

OxyContin was approved for use in treating moderate to severe pain in 1995. Purdue was determined to make the drug a hit, and funded doctors like Russell Portenoy, who said in a 1993 interview with the New York Times: There is a growing literature showing that these drugs can be used for a long time, with few side effects and that addiction and abuse are not a problem.

Except that the literature was based on short-term usage, not on long-acting opioids taken over extended periods of time. By 2003, Portenoy admitted to the Times that he had misgivings about how he and other pain specialists had used the research. Although he had not intended to mischaracterize it or to mislead fellow doctors, he had tried to counter claims that overplayed the risk of addiction. But if not for such mischaracterizations, the Sacklers wouldnt be as wealthy, and America might not be suffering from a public health crisis that is costing the country an estimated $78.5 billion a year.

Even as the scope and scale of the opioid epidemic unfolds, the fortune OxyContin built continues to grow. In the case of OxyContin heir Jonathan Sackler, part of that fortune is being devoted to expanding charter schools and weakening protections for teachers in traditional public schools. Patrick Keefes New Yorker feature ends with a stunning statistic: An addicted baby is now born every half hour. He asks whether such devastation should give pause to organizations that benefit from the Sacklers extensive philanthropy. In the case of the charter schools and education reform advocacy groups that Jonathan Sackler funds, the answer to that question should be obvious.
Uber announced on Sunday that it had resolved the issues on its side necessary to proceed with a planned $10 billion investment by SoftBank. Keep in mind that it is still not certain that the deal will get done, although most observers seem to think the odds are now high. The deal closing is still contingent on enough current shareholders being willing to accept the price that SoftBank will offer for $9 billion, which would give SoftBank a reported 15% interest in the company. SoftBank will also buy $1 billion in new shares at a price that has been reported as the same price at its recent valuation, of $68-$69 billion.

The bizarre new money valuation has gone unchallenged in the press despite the fact that SoftBank has proposed buying the bulk of its shares at a 30+% discount to the last funding round. Its particularly questionable given that, as a recent paper on unicorn valuations stressed, unicorns like Uber have valuations that are overstated by an average of 49%. The reason is that journalists accept uncritically venture capitalist blather about the value of the last financing. But pre-IPO venture-capital-funded companies dont issue a single, fungible class of stock as public companies do. Each funding round has idiosyncratic voting rights and often economic rights too.

And there are reasons to doubt even the actual value of the SoftBank $1 billion of new money which is being presented as if it validates the last round of investment and thus will allow Uber to keep pretending its still worth than much.even with nine times as many shares being sold by insiders with superior knowledge at a vastly lower price.

While the terms for the $1 billion portion may have changed, some press reports indicated that the this portion would purchase a preferred stock. That gives it priority in bankruptcy. It could even be a cumulative preferred, so that payments accrue and have a specified priority if and when the business is profitable. If nothing else, preferred almost certainly means means this security has better economic rights than those received by investors in the last funding round. As a result, that means the valuation even on this $1 billion is at a discount to the last financing.

As someone who worked on Wall Street back when it was criminal only at the margin, it it bizarre to see a down round of funding occurring, with insiders planning to sell out on a significant basis, and the captured press treating this as business as usual. In my day, for an IPO, the very maximum insiders could cash out was 16%, pretty much the level SoftBank plans to buy, and then only if they were also raising a large amount of money for the current operation (meaning at least as much as the insider sale) and had a very good growth story to tell. Now one can say that this just means SoftBank is overeager or stupid. But insiders selling out on such a scale pre-IPO is not a good look, to put it mildly.

Finally, in his assessment of the significance of this announcement, Hubert Horan mentions Ubers UK court loss in passing. I am remiss in not writing up this case in detail, but it is significant by virtue of London being Ubers most (only?) profitable foreign market. This appellate court judgment would seem to destroy Ubers business model in the UK permanently since this ruling, like the lower court one it affirmed, is very solid on the logic and recitation of facts, and it seems unlikely that this ruling would be overturned at the High Court, were it even willing to hear the case. Moreover, the appellate judge, Judge Eady, is apparently of the a contract is a contract is a contract school, yet threw out Ubers argument, that all you had to do was look at the contract and see that the drivers could not possibly be employees (which among other things would entitle them to minimum wage once they had the app on within their authorized territory) because the contract said not (the drivers provided transportation services; Uber was a mere booking agent). From the opening section of the ruling:

In considering the ETs [Employment Tribunals] findings, it was necessary to have regard to its Judgment as a whole. Doing so, it was apparent that they were neither inconsistent nor perverse. In particular, the ET had permissibly concluded there were obligations upon Uber drivers that they should accept trips offered by ULL and that they should not cancel trips once accepted (there being potential penalties for doing so). It was, further, no objection that the ETs approach required the drivers not only to be in the relevant territory, with the app switched on, but also to be able and willing to accept assignments; that was consistent with Ubers own description of a drivers obligation when on-duty. These findings had informed the ETs conclusions not just on worker status but also on working time and as to the approach to be taken to their rights to minimum wage. Inevitably the assessment it had carried out was fact- and context-specific. To the extent that drivers, in between accepting trips for ULL [Uber London Ltd], might hold themselves out as available to other PHV operators, the same analysis might not apply; hence the ETs observation that it would be a matter of evidence in each case whether and for how long a driver remained ready and willing to accept trips for ULL.

If you skim the ruling, you can see the many ways Uber exercises control over the drivers, requires them to accept rides, and threatens to punish them if they seek to establish a relationship with a passenger by responding to a request to have their phone number or asking a rider for their number.

Clive flagged this part:

73. Having found that the terms on which Uber relied did not correspond with the reality of its relationship with the drivers, the ET considered itself free to disregard them; noting the unequal bargaining positions of the parties (in particular, many Uber drivers  a substantial proportion of whom did not speak English as their first language  would be unused to reading and interpreting dense legal documents couched in impenetrable prose), the ET saw this as: 96.  an excellent illustration of the phenomenon of which Elias J (the presiding judge) warned in the Kalwak case of armies of lawyers contriving documents in their clients interests which simply misrepresent the true rights and obligations on both sides

Ouch.

In any event, it is hard to see SoftBank not wanting a lower valuation in light of this lossunless it had already assumed the appeal would fail.

Now to Huberts take:
(Natural News) There has been a steady rise in reported cases of eye syphilis infection in the U.S., according to health officials.

Cases of ocular syphilis were once rare, but have been steadily gaining ground in the U.S.  from data collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 12 cases were initially reported from two major cities  San Francisco and Seattle  between December 2014 and March 2015, and more than 200 cases in total were reported from 20 states, between 2014 and 2016.

Ocular syphilis develops out of a syphilis infection in the spinal cord that has spread to the eye. According to the CDC, it can involve any eye structure and can blur the vision and even cause permanent blindness, if diagnosed incorrectly or left untreated.

CDC findings have reported that majority of cases have been among HIV-infected MSM (men who have sex with men), but a few cases have occurred among those uninfected including heterosexual men and women. CDC advises that all patients with syphilis should receive an HIV test if status is unknown or previously HIV-negative.

CDC added that clinicians must be on the look-out for ocular syphilis and screen any patient for vision-related complaints, especially those most at risk such as HIV-infected persons, MSM, persons with multiple or anonymous partners, and others with risk factors.

The rate of sexually-transmitted diseases has skyrocketed in the U.S., with the biggest increase seen in cases of congenital syphilis at 27.6 percent between 2015 and 2016. The rate of primary and secondary syphilis infections went up 17.6 percent since 2015. (Related: HIV transmission MYTH totally blown away by new science: Unprotected sex with HIV-infected partners produces almost ZERO new infections.)

This report was featured in the Daily Mail.

Facts about syphilis

Syphilis is a chronic bacterial disease, caused by the bacteria Treponema pallidum. It is typically contracted through vaginal, anal, and oral sex, but can be transmitted by other means. In rare cases, it is contracted through prolonged kissing. Some diagnoses could be delayed as symptoms often manifest similarly to other conditions.

According to CDC, syphilis has several stages  primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary. The symptoms are characterized by painless sores in the primary stage; and skin rash, swollen lymph nodes and fever in the second stage. Interestingly, the latent stage of the infection will not manifest any symptoms.

However, tertiary syphilis is associated with severe medical problems. A doctor can usually diagnose tertiary syphilis with the help of multiple tests. It can affect the heart, brain, and other organs of the body, according to CDC.

An injection of penicillin will help eliminate the infection in its early stages. For those with latent syphilis, but are unsure for how long theyve had the disease, doctors recommend having three doses of penicillin injection every seven days.

As previously mentioned, the symptoms of this infection can be mistaken with common conditions, and ocular syphilis may manifest as other types of eye infection at first glance. One such case was that of a 55-year-old woman who was initially diagnosed with bilateral progressive retinal vasculitis, but repeated serological tests revealed the true nature of the infection after her vision continued to deteriorate.

According to the National Institutes of Health: Ocular syphilis has no typical manifestation and the serologic tests are insufficiently sensitive, especially in late-stage syphilis. These often lead to delayed diagnosis and antibiotic management.

For more clinical advisories about infectious disease outbreaks, visit Outbreak.news.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

CDC.gov 1

CDC.gov 2

NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov
(Natural News) No matter what timezone youre in, each night millions of people struggle with insomnia. However, ICANSLEEP, a cannabis inhaler, can be the answer to this sleep disorder.

The product, which looks like an inhaler, can allegedly help you fall asleep in 10 minutes or less, claims the ICANSLEEPs inventor. When used, the cannabis inhaler will squirt a dose of the drug into the lungs, and this will be enough to induce a sedative effect that will not make users feel the high often associated with marijuana use. (Related: Cannabis innovators set out to map the marijuana genome: new information could prevent the sale of falsely advertised bud.)

Based on the test results, researchers shared that insomniacs will only need one dose from the ICANsleep inhaler to fall asleep. The participants also claimed that after using the product, they woke up refreshed and that it didnt have any negative side-effects. ICANsleep looks like an asthma inhaler and has an estimated price of 100 British Pounds ($132).

Take note that the product will only be available in Israel and California by next year, pending further trials. ICANSLEEPs manufacturers are keeping their fingers crossed that they can convince the U.K.s drug watchdog, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority (MHRA), to approve it for legal use.

Insomnia sufferers, which make up about a third of the adult population in the U.K., will benefit greatly once the cannabis inhaler is made publicly available. Aside from fatigue, sleeping problems like insomnia are often linked to a higher risk of being diagnosed with health concerns like depression, diabetes, heart attack, obesity, and stroke. The sleep disorder will also shorten your life expectancy.

The studys key findings

ICANSLEEP was developed by Israeli researchers who came up with a device which turns cannabis into a vapor. The cannabis inhaler was specifically designed to contain less than a quarter of the amount of [tetrahydrocannabinol] THC, which is the main psychoactive chemical that make users high.

Based on animal tests, the inhaler took effect in 10 minutes or less. ICAN, the Israeli firm which makes the inhaler, reassured concerned citizens that the gadget is not addictive and is safe to use. In an interview with The Sun, ICAN founder Saul Kaye shared, Insomnia is mostly an anxiety disorder and cannabis can be very effective at reducing anxiety. He continued, Also, it does not leave you feeling like you have a hangover.

Investor William Levine of CannRx added, You take a puff or two depending on the dosage and in ten minutes you will be drowsy enough to sleep. But Dr. Neil Stanley, former head of sleep research at Surrey University, warned the publication that the jury is still out on cannabis and further research was necessary before ICANSLEEP shows up on store shelves.

Last month, the manufacturers of the product held CannaTechUK in London. The event was the U.K.s first-ever cannabis medical conference, and it was organized to inform the public and encourage debates about the issue of medical marijuana use and products like ICANSLEEP. Kaye commented, The MRHA and regulators are starting to see the need for better regulation that reflects the current social and medical status of cannabis, yet they are moving slower than pretty much everyone else out there.

He concluded, Interest from U.K. investors in the sector is at an all-time high. Mothers are outraged over the lack of access to products for epilepsy, pain, and cancer treatments. As we have seen in other countries this is one of the biggest drivers towards better access for patients.

How cannabis can help you sleep better

While waiting for ICANSLEEPs pending approval, here are some benefits that you can enjoy if you use cannabis to help manage your sleeping problems:

Aged cannabis makes you sleepier  Since THC degrades over time, it converts to a sedating chemical called cannabinol (CBN), which is is five times more sedating than THC even though it takes much longer to form.

Pair cannabis with natural remedies to maximize its sleepy effects  While effective on its own, cannabis works even better when used with other natural sleep aids like a cup of chamomile tea.

Promote better breathing  Using cannabis might help people who have sleep apnea, a sleep condition that involves frequent obstructions of breath, where such lapses last from a few seconds to several minutes.

You can learn more about medical marijuana and other natural cures at CannabisCures.news.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

Leafly.com

TheSun.co.uk
(Natural News) Forests cover about 30 percent of the planet, but deforestation is clearing these essential habitats and converting them into farms and ranches, among others. This damaging method is most prevalent in tropical rainforests such as the Amazon rainforest in Brazil. This method ruins the quality of the land and forces many species of animals to cram into smaller, more limited space. The worst of it is that deforestation drives some animals to extinction.

The biggest driver of deforestation is agriculture, more notably the production of cocoa in less-developed countries; however, a recent study reveals that mining-induced deforestation has mostly devastated the Amazon jungle between 2005 and 2015.

Major drivers of deforestation

Cocoa, or chocolate, is an export product that is largely consumed in developed nations such as the United States. However, the beans from which our favorite treat is made, are almost exclusively grown and harvested in less-developed nations in West Africa, Asia, and Central and South America. These countries have an extremely small demand for this luxury crop than anywhere else in the world, and they happen to depend on this product for their livelihoods. Many of the small farmers growing cocoa live in poverty  only about three percent of the price of each chocolate bar goes to the farmer.

Mark Noble, visiting assistant professor of sociology and anthropology at Lehigh University, reveals a link between cocoa exports and deforestation, in a newly published research. Noble notes that recent reports suggest damaging trends due to more demand and changing cultivation strategies. This means that the higher the concentration of cocoa exports, the more elevated the rates of deforestation across producing nations are.

I was surprised to see how there is evidence that cocoa exports are linked to deforestation where they were not less than 20 years ago, says Noble. He also highlights that the demand pressures for increased cocoa exports further impairs the possibilities for successful or sustainable development in lesser-developed nations: Now increased demand and more industrial growing practices are leading to pressure on forests where this was not the case in prior decades.

While agriculture remains the leading cause of deforestation, a recent study reveals that mining operations in Brazil have contributed to roughly 10 percent of forest loss in the Amazon between 2005 and 2015. (Related: Deforestation in the Amazon increased 29 percent over the past year.)

The study, led by the University of Vermont, finds that around 90 percent of mining-induced deforestation was 12 times greater outside the mine lease areas granted by Brazils government, than within them.

Laura Sonter of UVMs Gund Institute for Environment says that the current rate of deforestation caused by mining has hit the 10 percent threshold, which is already alarming and warrants action. These results show that mining now ranks as a substantial cause of Amazon forest loss.

According to researchers, mining infrastructure, which includes housing and new transportation routes (roads, railways and airports) built by mining companies or developers, is a form of off-lease deforestation. Key minerals targeted by mining companies in the Amazon include iron ore for steelmaking and bauxite to produce aluminum.

Our findings show that Amazon deforestation associated with mining extends remarkable distances from the point of mineral extraction, says Gillian Galford of UVMs Gund Institute and Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources.

The researchers tracked landscape changes around the Amazons 50 largest active mines, analyzing 10 years of deforestation data from Brazils Space Agency (INPE).

We hope these findings help government, industry, and scientists to work together to address this issue, says Sonter, who led the study as a UVM postdoctoral researcher, before joining the University of Queensland (Australia).

The research is published in Nature Communications.

Sources include:

ScienceDaily.com 1

ScienceDaily.com 2

Lehigh.edu

JWSR.pitt.edu
Global food prices dipped in October, led lower by dairy products, averaging 27 percent below its all-time high reached in early 2011, according to the latest data from the UNs Food Agriculture Organization (FAO). The Food Price Index averaged 176.4 points in October, down 1.3 percent from September while still up 2.5 percent from a year earlier.

The Cereal Price Index averaged 152.8 points in October, up a notch from September and 10.5 points (7.4 percent) higher than the same month last year. Wheat quotations were generally lower, pressured by large exportable supplies from the Black Sea and increased competition among exporters. Maize prices increased slightly in the United States, although those from South America were weighed down by large supplies. Rice prices strengthened in October, amid seasonally tight Japonica and fragrant supplies, with additional support for Japonica prices stemming from a series of tenders in the Far East.

The Vegetable Oil Price Index averaged 170 points in October, down 1.8 points (1.1 percent) compared to the previous month and close to the level recorded one year ago. Palm oil values weakened on higher than anticipated inventory levels in Malaysia and the expectation of production gains in Southeast Asia, while soy oil prices eased on good soybean harvest progress in the United States and forecasts of ample global availabilities in 2017/18. Lower sunflower oil quotations, facilitated by large export availabilities in the Black Sea region, also weighed on the index.

The Dairy Price Index averaged 214.8 points in October, down 9.4 points (4.2 percent) from September and marking the first drop since May 2017. At that level, the index was 32 points (17.5 percent) above its value in October 2016, but 22 percent below its peak reached in February 2014. International quotations for butter, skim milk powder (SMP) and whole milk powder (WMP) eased in October, while cheese remained more stable. Butter and WMP prices fell as importers held back on purchases, awaiting arrival of new supplies from Oceania. Low demand and ample intervention stocks in the European Union hastened the decline of SMP prices. A balanced cheese market contributed to more stable cheese quotations.

The Sugar Price Index averaged nearly 203 points in October, down 1.4 points (0.7 percent) from September and as much as 112 points, or 36 percent, below the corresponding month last year. Sugar prices fell in October as the potential for higher supplies in 2017/18 was further reinforced with prospects for a larger beet crop in the European Union and bigger output in the Russian Federation. Weaker Brazilian Real, increasing the potential for larger export sales from Brazil, also weighed on international prices, especially in view of a significant slowdown in purchases by China because of higher import tariffs.

The Meat Price Index averaged 172.7 points in October, down 1.6 points (0.9 percent) from September and continuing a trend of moderate declines that began in July. International prices of pig and ovine meat declined in October, while those of bovine meat increased and of poultry were stable. Intense competition among exporters and sluggish import demand have been behind the declines in pig meat prices observed in recent months. Bovine meat prices rose for the third consecutive month due to limited spot offers from Oceania. A seasonal increase in ovine meat supplies in Oceania pushed down ovine prices, while poultry meat markets remained well balanced.
U.S. Coast Guard officials were investigating a report of a dead body found on a tanker moored at the Conoco Phillips facility in Richmond late Sunday night.

The original call was relayed to the Coast Guard from Richmond police at about 7:25 p.m., reporting a crew member aboard the Argent Sunrise tanker ship was dead, the Coast Guard said.

Investigators were at the scene along Canal Boulevard, and no further details were available.

The Argent Sunrise is a commercial chemical tanker built in 2008 and currently sailing under the flag of Panama.
Two men were transported to the hospital Saturday night after being stabbed during a dispute over a parking spot in San Francisco, according to police.

Both men were taken to the hospital in critical condition, police said.

During the feud, which occurred around 10 p.m. in the area of 24th and Alabama streets, the suspect entered the victim's car and started to assault him before stabbing him, police said.

The victim then stabbed one of the suspects, according to police.

Further information was not available.
Officials investigating a murder-suicide involving a father and son in Foxborough, Massachusetts now say the gun was stolen.

The district attorney said 49-year-old William Scaccia Jr. used a gun stolen from his friend to shoot and kill his 6-year-old son Anthony and then later himself.

Foxborough Police said they had had a "significant history" with the father, and that history resulted in them denying the Massachusetts father a gun permit in July.

At the time of the murder on Sept. 21, Scaccia was facing pending charges stemming from a Sept. 16 domestic incident.



Scaccia's friend told police that he unexpectedly showed up at his house the afternoon before the shooting. And it wasn't until after the shooting that the friend checked his gun locker and found his firearm was missing.

Foxborough Police responded to a home on East Street around 11:30 p.m. on Sept. 21 for a medical emergency when they found Anthony upstairs in the home with a single gunshot wound. He was taken to Norwood Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Police also found Scaccia Jr. dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. A gun, shell casings, and a note believed to have been written by the father were also found in the home.

The kindergartner lived at the home with his grandmother and mother, who a neighbor said was working overnight at the time of the shooting. The boy's father did not live there, but the neighbor said he had come over and was arguing about custody, which is when things turned tragic.

Scaccia also intentionally set a fire in the home, police said, but it was extinguished by a neighbor before emergency crews got to the scene.

Scaccia was an Iraq War veteran, and family members say he struggled with PTSD after serving overseas.

SUICIDE PREVENTION HELP: The National Suicide Prevention Hotline (1-800-273-8255) is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Hours before a woman whose family runs a popular restaurant in Cheshire, Connecticut was scheduled to be deported Monday back to Albania, a country she hasn't been to in 15 years, after a temporary stay of deportation was issued.

Denada Rondos escaped Albania at age 16, fearing for her life because of religion, ethnicity and gender. She said her parents sent her to the United States with a passport that was not hers and she's been told she committed fraud because of that.

The mother of three American-born children is married to a U.S. citizen. Rondos, who is Greek Orthodox, said she came to the U.S. to escape religious persecution in the Muslim-majority country and has applied for asylum.

Her attorney, Erin O'Neil-Baker, said Rondos arrived in the United States in 2002 following severe discrimination and harassment in Albania that was directed at her family for their political opinions.

Baker filed a new asylum claim based in part on increased discrimination and violence in southern Albania against the Greek minority ethnic group.

Denada met her husband, Viron, in New York and they moved to Connecticut,choosing to live Litchfield. They started several businesses, including Viron Rondos Osteria, an Italian restaurant that employs more than 50 people, which they have been looking to expand. Denada Rondos assists with the accounting and bookkeeping.

"He bought a business that had gone dark. The restaurant was closed. There was nothing going on up here in terms of restaurant business, and he turned this place around," said Cheshire Mayor and Town Council Chairman Robert Oris. "If his wife isn't here to support him, I'm sure that this business is going to be put into jeopardy."

Denada's attorney said the Immigration Court in New York had issued a removal order against her in 2007 and Denada had received earlier stays of removal until one was denied in September.

Denada was given an ankle monitor to keep an eye on her movements.

Viron and Denada's three children were all born in the U.S. Niko is 7 years old. Katerina is 5 years old. Alxandra is 1 year old.

The family had packed bags to go with Denada to Albania and they expected to leave around 3 p.m. to get on a flight, but the temporary stay was issued.

"I thank them for giving me the chance to stay and I'm thankful that I can go home and unpack," Denada said.

O'Neil-Baker said they wanted to reopen Denada's old removal order from 2007 and that they also filed an emergency stay of removal with the board, the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

She said they've filed a waiver to excuse her removal order so that she can get permanent residency based on her marriage to a U.S. citizen.

"In an exercise of discretion, ICE has allowed Mrs. Rondos to remain free from custody with periodic reporting requirements. The agency will continue to closely monitor her case to ensure her departure in compliance with her final order of removal," ICE said in a previous statement.

U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Esty, D-Conn., met with Rondos Friday afternoon and attended a vigil Sunday.

She said she wrote a letter to immigration authorities in support of Rondos, urging them to grant every consideration possible to remain in the United States and continue her pathway to citizenship.
Jim ONeill, former assistant secretary and director of tax policy for the New Mexico taxation and revenue department, discusses taxes and politics.

Taxes and Politics will be the topic of the November meeting of Albuquerque Press Women and Friends, Monday, November 13, at 11:30 AM, at Golden Corral (5207 San Mateo NE). Our speaker will be Jim ONeill, one of the states most prominent and trusted tax experts. Hell talk about the New Mexico tax system in the context of the upcoming legislative session, its effect on economic development and the states position in the competition for businesses and jobs.

Jim ONeill is President of ONeill Consulting LLC, founded in July 2001 and specializing in providing advice on New Mexico state and local taxes and tax legislation.

ONeill was Assistant Secretary and Director of Tax Policy for the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department from 1984 through his retirement in 2001. He was involved in developing the Departments regulations and rulings, coordinating and presenting the Departments position on program issues to the Legislature and being one of the Departments voices to the community.

Since leaving his state position he has been active in New Mexico tax issues, consulting for clients such as the New Mexico Municipal League, the New Mexico Association of Counties and private businesses. In 2003 he was Chief of Staff of the New Mexico Blue Ribbon Tax Reform Commission. In 2010 he served on the New Mexico Government Restructuring Task Force. He is a founding board member and first Secretary-Treasurer of the New Mexico Tax Research Institute.
New Haven firefighters responded to Gateway Community College on Monday morning after suspicious powder was found in a package and determined the substance was harmless.

The building at 20 Church St. was partially evacuated and students outside campus told NBC Connecticut they were not allowed into the building.

According to a tweet from the school, one building was evacuated.

"GCC is open but evacuating the North Building. All the proper authorities are here. There is no threat to the public or the GCC population just precautionary measures," the tweet read.



GCC is open but evacuating the North Building. All the proper authorities are here. There is no threat to the public or the GCC population just precautionary measures.  GCC (@GatewayNewHaven) November 13, 2017

Seven people were checked out for possible exposure to the substance as a precaution, according to the fire chief.

Firefighters determined the substance was harmless and the "all clear" was given around 1 p.m.

Authorities are still trying to determine from where the package came.
A person was found dead of a suspected drug overdose in Hartford Sunday morning, prompting a hazmat response.

Hartford fire officials said the Drug Enforcement Administration, police, fire and other agencies all responded to the scene at 127-129 Freeman St.

Fire officials said they responded to a medical call at the address around 3:30 a.m. and a person was found dead inside the home.

Authorities initially said the victim might have died from exposure to the drug, but police later clarified that they suspected it was an overdose.

Around 7:30 a.m. police determined the situation required a hazmat response. The DEA, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Hartford police and Hartford fire crews all responded.

Hartford Police Deputy Chief Brian Foley said a small amount of an opioid was found on scene and that the case is a suspected overdose. The hazmat response was out of an abundance of caution and there is no danger to anyone in the area.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine the cause of death.

The state lab will determine what the substance is through testing.
NBC CONNECTICUT NAMES RYAN HANRAHAN CHIEF METEOROLOGIST

HARTFORD, CT  NBC Connecticut / WVIT today announced Ryan Hanrahan as the First Alert Weather teams new Chief Meteorologist, effective immediately. He will deliver real-time weather forecasts for the stations weekday evening newscasts from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and at 11 p.m.

Ryan delivers accurate, no-nonsense forecasts. I am confident he will thrive in this new role, said Susan Tully, President and General Manager of NBC Connecticut. His expertise and Connecticut roots blend to provide an unmatched knowledge that our viewers can trust.

Becoming a Chief Meteorologist in Connecticut has been a dream of mine since I was a kid growing up on the shoreline, added Hanrahan. Im thrilled for this opportunity and excited to continue to share my love of weather and science with our viewers and in my home state.

A native of Guilford, Connecticut, Hanrahans interest in weather was sparked by the 1989 tornado in Hamden, as well as hurricanes Gloria and Bob. After graduating with a bachelor's degree in Meteorology from Pennsylvania State University, he worked at WNYT, the NBC affiliate in Albany, New York. Hanrahan joined NBC Connecticut in 2005, after studying atmospheric science in graduate school at SUNY Albany. During his tenure at NBC Connecticut, Hanrahan has forecasted many of the states biggest storms including hurricanes Irene and Sandy, the October snowstorm of 2011, the blizzard of 2013 and the 2011 tornado in nearby Springfield, Massachusetts. In 2016, he was awarded a New England Regional Emmy in the Weather Anchor category in recognition of his weather forecasts and coverage.

About NBC Connecticut

Owned by NBCUniversal, NBC Connecticut / WVIT serves its audience with local news and weather information across multiple platforms, including more than 40 hours of newscasts each week on WVIT, news segments on CT COZI TV and online at NBCConnecticut.com. The station is Connecticuts leader with Facebook and Instagram followers and provides mobile users on-the-go breaking news updates and weather information through a customized application. NBC Connecticuts commitment to excellence in journalism has been recognized with numerous Emmy Awards, and the prestigious Peabody Award and Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award.

###
State officials are expressing surprise at the extent of alleged abuse that took place at Connecticut's only maximum-security psychiatric hospital.

Miriam Dephin-Rittmon, the commissioner of the state Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services Commissioner, told state lawmakers Monday that top officials "never had information that would suggest a pattern this significant."

State police have been investigating since allegations surfaced that staff members poked and kicked a 59-year-old patient and put a dirty diaper put on his head.

Thirty-seven employees at Whiting Forensic Division of the Connecticut Valley Hospital in Middletown have been implicated in the alleged abuse of a patient. Seven have been fired and 10 have been arrested.

Dephin-Rittmon said fear and intimidation helped to cover up the alleged abuse, which she said "has sickened me and haunted me" ever since she saw the video evidence.

She said her agency is "working very hard to understand how this could happen," noting it's "not reflective of our whole system."

Dephin-Rittmon added that the alleged abuse was a failure of management and the agency has replaced most of that team.

In a prior statement, the SEIU Healthcare 1199NE union spokeswoman Jennifer Schneider wrote:

"Patient abuse is totally unacceptable. The events of the last few months have made it clear that there is much needed reform required at Whiting Forensic. Our members are working to develop reform policies in an effort to help eliminate these abuses and make Whiting a safer and more efficient facility."

State Senator Heather Somers, co-chair of the public health committee, hosted the public hearing and said it is needed to combat what she calls a culture of cruelty.

During the hearing she said if it wasnt for whistleblowers, officials would not have had any idea of the abuse.
Domestic violence cases have sharply increased in Texas in recent years.

Figures from the state Department of Public Safety show more than 214,000 wives, husbands, girlfriends and others were injured or died in 2016 at the hands of a family member. The statistics show that's an increase from about 193,000 in 2011.

In Houston, local police report they received more than 24,000 domestic violence cases in the first 10 months of this year. That's a 45 percent increase over a similar period in 2013, the Houston Chronicle reported.

"We continue to underestimate the reach and devastation of domestic violence," said Gloria Aguilera Terry, chief executive of the Texas Council on Family Violence.

The Houston Police Department operates a special victims division and has been posting special crimes officers at women's shelters across the city to help victims more easily report cases of domestic violence, said Capt. David Angelo, who oversees the division. Angelo said that domestic violence investigations are an "absolute priority."

"We recognize a husband who batters his wife may be a murderer tomorrow," he said.

The gunman in the recent church shooting in Sutherland Springs had a history of domestic violence. Investigators found that Devin Patrick Kelley had been given a bad conduct discharge from the Air Force after pleading guilty to assaulting his first wife and stepson.

Victim advocates said the shooting is an example of how domestic violence often spill out into public spaces. More than half the country's mass shootings between 2009 and 2016, in which at least four people were killed with a gun, were related to domestic or family violence, according to a study by Everytown for Gun Safety, a nonprofit that focuses on firearm regulation.

"Up until now, the media would lose interest in a shooting once they found out it was a domestic violence incident and not a 'real' crime," said Amanda Johnson, with the Dallas chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. "Sutherland Springs is a game changer."
A 25-year-old man from Oklahoma who was struck and killed by a car at a gas station in Orange was identified Sunday by the Orange County Coroner's Office.



Dylan Moran, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, was hit by a vehicle at a Valero gas station in Orange on Friday at about 1 a.m., according to the coroner's office. He died at the scene.

Moran was visiting California on business as an independent consultant for hospitals and clinics. When he arrived, he called his mother and left her a voicemail to tell her he was safe. Not long after -- on the day before Veterans Day -- the Marine veteran was struck and killed.

"Please help me find the person who did this, please," his mother Elizabeth DeGeeter said.

The crash is being investigated by the Orange Police Department. They're looking for an older model dark colored two-door Chevrolet Camaro that hit him. A second vehicle may also have been involved, according to police.

Anyone with information regarding the fatal hit-and-run is asked to contact the Orange Police Department at 714-744-7444.

If you would like to donate to a GoFundMe account set up to help Dylan Moran's family, you may do so here. Note that GoFundMe deducts 7.9 percent of all funds raised in the form of platform and payment processing charges.
A Florida man says he can't live without his emotional support squirrel, but his condo association says the animal has to go.

Ryan Boylan received a notice last month that he needs to give up the squirrel, Brutis, or face eviction from his Clearwater Beach condo, WFLA reported.

Boylan says he and Brutis became inseparable after he rescued her last year during Hurricane Matthew.

"Ever since then I mean, oh my God, I cant imagine not being around her, Boylan said.

Boylan has a doctor's note that says he's suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder after a car accident. He registered Brutis on RegisterMyServiceAnimal.com as an emotional support animal.

But according to a complaint filed by the condo association against Boylan and the condo owner, exotic animals are not allowed. The complaint also alleges that Boylan didn't submit paperwork that Brutis was an emotional support animal until this past summer.

Property management discovered Brutis after she was chased up a tree by a dog last April. Condo officials say it's a liability if something happens with the squirrel.

Boylan said he contacted Florida's Commission on Human Rights, claiming discrimination. They sent a letter to the association on his behalf citing the Fair Housing Act, which protects emotional support animals.

The case is pending.
I dont see Modi, Lee Kwan Yew, Mahathir as Authoritarian rulers

The only Nepali listed as a billionaire by Forbes magazine, Binod Chaudhary has developed a massive business empire that spans 120 countriesmainly in the snack and beverage, hotel and real estate sectors.
The love of one local father and former police officer is propelling him beyond the call of duty for his son  and teaching current officers skills that really hit home.

For Bart Barta, autism is personal. Barta's 13-year-old son Daniel was diagnosed with autism ten years ago  something that one out of every 68 kids in the United States is diagnosed with, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"The whole trajectory of our family life completely changed because now our focus was on getting Daniel the therapies that he really needed, the former Coral Gables officer and retired commander said.

Barta has provided special autism training for more than five thousand officers from South Florida to Tennessee. His motivation is simple.

"I want Daniel to be safe, I want other people with autism to be safe if they come in contact with a law enforcement officer, Barta said.

Last year, a 23-year-old man with autism wandered from his group home. In an encounter with North Miami officers, police shot his caretaker, Charles Kinsey. Kinsey was wounded in the leg and survived.

"After that incident occurred in North Miami, I was contacted by the police department and asked if I could come and provide training to their officers and I did, said Barta.

Barta says he trained North Miami's entire department, teaching officers to recognize and respond to someone with autism. Barta says it's important for officers to understand and be able to communicate with someone who has autism because its easy to misinterpret what they are trying to convey.

"When Daniel gets nervous or he gets anxious, he may have difficulty communicating effectively, Barta said. "If you ask a person with autism 'Where do you live?' they may tell the officer, 'In a house' and then the officer might think that the person is being a smart Alec. In fact the person is not, because that's literally what they heard."

Barta said the most important thing about his mission is "autism understanding and autism acceptance"  and it's a mission that makes Daniel proud of his dad.

This October, a new state law was enacted requiring the same training Barta is doing for all law enforcement officers in the state of Florida.
Ivanka Trump and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Monday took their tax overhaul tour to New Jersey, where they promised legislation moving through Congress would simplify the tax code and ease burdens on taxpayers.

Trump and Mnuchin spoke at the Bayville Fire Hall alongside outgoing Republican Gov. Chris Christie, who introduced them, and GOP Rep. Tom MacArthur, who represents the district where the event was held.

The event lasted roughly a half-hour, with members of the invitation-only audience allowed to submit questions in advance. About two-dozen pickets protested the Republican tax plan outside the event, including one holding tombstone-shaped sign that said "RIP Middle Class," and the event itself was interrupted twice.

Jason Ireland of Brick was blocked from entering before the event and shouted into the room, "Why are they taking questions only from Republicans?"

Toward the end of the question-and-answer forum, Democratic voter Marianne Clemente, of Barnegat, asked MacArthur whether she could ask a question, but was denied. She criticized the tax plan afterward.

"The middle class are gonna be hurt by this," she said.

Trump, a senior adviser to her father, President Donald Trump, has been promoting the plan across the country, including an event last month in the Philadelphia suburbs. The event came the same day Democratic Gov.-elect Phil Murphy held an event in Newark with Democratic lawmakers to criticize the plan.

The proposals in Congress pose problems for New Jersey, where property taxes are among the nation's highest. The average property tax bill in New Jersey was about $8,500 last year, according to the state.

The House bill allows homeowners to deduct up to $10,000 in property taxes while the Senate proposal unveiled by GOP leaders last week eliminates the entire deduction. Republicans are calling for cutting corporate rates and reducing the number of brackets on income tax from seven to four.

The House and Senate versions would eliminate deductions for state and local income taxes and sales taxes paid.

"The simplicity is so important," Ivanka Trump said. "When you think about 94 percent of Americans require assistance to fill out their taxes. That's absurd. That really is absurd, and that doesn't benefit the ordinary Americans."

MacArthur said the House bill won his support after the $10,000 property tax deduction cap was included. He had previously opposed the measure, he said.

Asked about why more audience questions  especially critical ones  weren't included, MacArthur said the event was about giving Trump and Mnuchin a platform to talk about tax reform.

"What we wanted was to give them a chance to speak and let people hear them speak," he said. "As you know, town halls can get out of control. That' not what I was after today."

Some of the attendees were supportive of the proposal, though not optimistic they would necessarily save money.

Jean Hopkins, of Berkeley Township, said she was "not fully confident" that she'll save money under the GOP plans.

"We're moving in the right direction," she said. "I just think with the administration we have the right people working for us."
President Donald Trump's lengthy Asia trip wound down as it began, with a visit meant to be centered on trade and North Korea shadowed by questions about Russia.

Trump was in the Philippines, the final stop of his trip, on Monday, poised to hold formal talks with President Rodrigo Duterte, who has overseen a bloody drug war that has featured extrajudicial killings and fears of vigilante justice. But Trump remains dogged by things he has said, and has not said, about Russia.

Days before he left for the five-nation Asia trip, Trump's campaign chairman was indicted on charges he laundered millions of dollars through overseas shell companies and a campaign adviser pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI. And while White House aides have been pleased with the president's messaging through stops in Japan, South Korea and China, Trump has brought Russia to the forefront again as he makes his final stops.

He tried to have it both ways Sunday on the issue of Russian interference in last year's presidential race, saying he believes both the U.S. intelligence agencies when they say Russia meddled and Russian President Vladimir Putin's sincerity in claiming that his country did not.

"I believe that he feels that he and Russia did not meddle in the election," Trump said of Putin at a news conference in Hanoi with Vietnam's president.

"As to whether I believe it, I'm with our agencies," Trump said. "As currently led by fine people, I believe very much in our intelligence agencies."

U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded that Russia meddled in the 2016 election to help the Republican Trump defeat Democrat Hillary Clinton. A special counsel's examination of potential collusion between Moscow and Trump campaign aides so far has led to indictments against Trump's former campaign chairman and another top aide for crimes unrelated to the campaign, and a guilty plea from a Trump foreign policy adviser.

Multiple congressional committees are also investigating.

On Saturday, Trump lashed out at former heads of the U.S. intelligence agencies, claiming there are plenty of reasons to be suspicious of their findings and dismissing them as "political hacks."

John Brennan, the former CIA director, responded Sunday on CNN's "State of the Union" that Trump was dismissing the former officials  himself included  as "political hacks" in an attempt to "delegitimize" the intelligence community's assessment that Russia interfered in the election.

"I think Mr. Putin is very clever in terms of playing to Mr. Trump's interest in being flattered. And also I think Mr. Trump is, for whatever reason, either intimidated by Mr. Putin, afraid of what he could do or what might come out as a result of these investigations," Brennan said.

James Clapper, the former director of national intelligence, called the threat from Russia "manifest and obvious."

"To try to paint it in any other way is, I think, astounding and, in fact, poses a peril to this country," Clapper said on "State of the Union."

Questions about whether Trump believes the assessment about Russian election-meddling have trailed him since January, when he said for the first time, shortly before taking office, that he accepted that Russia was behind the election-year hacking of Democrats that roiled the White House race.

Trump told reporters traveling with him to Hanoi on Saturday that Putin had again vehemently denied the allegations. The two spoke during an economic conference in Danang, Vietnam. Trump danced around questions about whether he believed Putin but stressed Putin's denials.

"Every time he sees me, he says: 'I didn't do that.' And I believe  I really believe  that when he tells me that, he means it," Trump said, arguing that it makes no sense for him to belabor the issue when Russia could help the U.S. on North Korea, Syria and other issues.

In Hanoi on Sunday, Trump also pointed to sanctions the U.S. has imposed on Russia as punishment for election meddling. "They were sanctioned at a very high level, and that took place very recently," he said. "It's now time to get back to healing a world that is shattered and broken."

Trump was originally slated to depart Manila for Washington on Monday. He added a day to the schedule amid criticism that he would have missed the final summit.

Now Trump is slated to attend the Association for Southeast Asian Nations conference on Monday to urge allies to pressure North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons program. And he is expected, in meetings with other leaders, to push his agenda for bilateral, rather than multinational, trade agreements.
Health officials are ramping up efforts to stop the spread of Hepatitis A in Los Angeles County as cases begin to surge among gay and bisexual men who are not homeless.

The surge is happening during the battle against the state's massive outbreak, which has claimed 20 lives and has sickened more than 600 people, mostly in the homeless community. The outbreak started in San Diego and was reported in September.

Los Angeles County has seen 15 reported cases among those who are homeless or use recreational drugs since the outbreak began, the Los Angeles Times reported. But officials say an unrelated hepatitis A outbreak affecting the LGBT community has sickened 14 gay or bisexual men this year, compared with nine last year and one the year before.

The Los Angeles County Health Alert Network has advised medical providers to offer Hepatitis A vaccinations to men who have sex with men, as it is the best method for preventing the infection. Providers also have been advised to offer the vaccine to homeless people.

Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver disease that can spread easily through homeless populations because it thrives in unsanitary conditions and is primarily spread through contact with feces via surfaces or sexual contact.

A Los Angeles City Council committee approved a plan Oct. 18 for the city to consider a system of portable restrooms to address the recent outbreak. Councilman Mike Bonin introduced a motion calling on the city to explore the option, and the Homelessness and Poverty Committee approved it unanimously.

"Without access to the basic right of a restroom, people living on the streets are at a significantly increased risk of contracting diseases like hepatitis A that are spread through human feces," the motion states.

Bonin's motion would direct city staff and some agencies to report to the Homelessness and Poverty Committee on the need for additional public restrooms, including on the potential for creating a system of portable public restrooms modeled after the "Pit Stop" program in San Francisco.

The motion also seeks a report on available funding sources for emergency portable restrooms, as well the bathroom attendants that would be required to operate them.

It also would direct the city attorney to report on the city's laws regarding the placement of portable restrooms in designated locations, including city-owned parking lots.

"Opening additional public restrooms faces two challenges: funding and proper locations," the motion says.

"Best practices indicate public restrooms should be staffed by attendants to keep the facilities clean and free of criminal activity. And even if adequate funding were available, there remains a lack of adequate space in our dense neighborhoods to place restrooms without encroaching in the public right-of-way."

The Pit Stop Program is a partnership between Bay Area Rapid Transit and the city of San Francisco that provides portable public toilets at 17 locations.

Dr. Gil Chavez of the California Department of Public Health's Center for Infectious Diseases said that adding hand-washing stations and bathrooms near homeless encampments could help fight the disease.

"I think there are two keys to preventing hepatitis A -- one being vaccination, and two being good access to sanitation," Chavez said.

The state has vaccinated more than 80,000 at-risk people to try to fight the spread of the disease and Gov. Jerry Brown declared of a state of emergency back in October due to the outbreak.

A report released in June found there are only nine public toilets available at night in the Skid Row neighborhood, where roughly 1,800 homeless people sleep at night.

The lack of toilets is worse than refugees in Syria are experiencing and violate the United Nations standards of hygiene, according to the "No Place to Go" report prepared by homeless advocacy groups, including the Los Angeles Central Providers Collaborative, Los Angeles Community Action Network and the Downtown Women's Center.
Researchers are studying whether firefighters suffered any toxic exposure in last month's deadly Northern California wildfires.

The San Francisco Chronicle reported Sunday that researchers plan to take blood and urine samples from 200 firefighters for the study.

A cancer-research organization of the San Francisco firefighters' union is contributing $100,000 for the study. California state health officials and toxic-substances officials are assisting the work.

Screenings will begin on Tuesday. Those firefighters interested in participating are encouraged to call 415-779-1010 to schedule an appointment. Samplings are slated to take place in San Francisco at 325 Newhall St. and in Santa Rosa at 2126 W. College Ave.

Wildfires that broke out Oct. 8 killed at least 43 people over a half-dozen counties in Northern California. Researchers say it's important to test for any exposure to toxins as soon as possible after the fires.
A defiant Roy Moore on Saturday insisted the allegations of sexual misconduct decades ago were false and voters in Alabama would "see through this charade."

The Republican Senate candidate showed no signs of backing down despite the demand of a growing number of Washington Republicans for him to step aside.

Moore made his first public appearance on Saturday since The Washington Post on Thursday published interviews with four women who said Moore had tried to have sexual or romantic relationships with them decades ago - when they were teenagers and Moore was in his 30s and an established attorney.

A wave of national Republican leaders, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, called for Moore to drop out of the race if the allegations are true. Trump, who is in Asia and said he was too busy to keep up with the news about Moore, referred to a prior statement given to reporters that said Trump believes Moore will "do the right thing..." if the allegations are true.

That did not sit well with some Moore supporters.

"I'm really upset at my own party for condemning him so quickly," said Tom Byars, who came to hear Moore speak at the Mid-Alabama Republican Club at a library in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, on Saturday. "Even with the president, you know, he had some trouble, too, and he's turned around and tried to condemn Roy Moore to step down?"

Moore's speech in Vestavia Hills on Saturday was his first public appearance since the report, although he had also denied the story Friday to conservative radio host Sean Hannity. Moore used the occasion to accuse the Post of engaging in a "desperate attempt to stop my political campaign for United States Senate."

The staunch GOP audience - which included state Supreme Court Justice Glenn Murdock and members of Alabama's Republican National Committee - gave Moore a standing ovation when he finished speaking.

Moore denied claims in the story that he had provided beer and wine to women too young to buy it themselves, or that he'd had sexual contact with a 14-year-old girl.

"I have not provided alcoholic beverages, beer or anything else, to a minor," Moore said. "I have not been guilty of sexual misconduct with anyone."

Moore also said it was "strange" that women would wait 40 years to make such accusations shortly before a general election. Moore is running against Democrat Doug Jones to fill the U.S. Senate seat previously held by U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

"That's not a coincidence. It's an intentional act to stop the campaign," Moore said.

But a lawyer for one of the women quoted in the Post report said the women whom Moore victimized were young teenagers while he was a powerful prosecutor.

"They likely feared that he would publicly persecute them ... precisely as he has done this week," Attorney Paula Cobia said in an email to The Associated Press.

Jones, speaking at an event Saturday in Tuscaloosa, said Moore needed to do more to address the allegations. "These are very serious allegations that he needs to significantly try to address," Jones said, according to the Tuscaloosa News reported.

Before Moore's speech, his opponents gathered outside the library, carrying signs and chanting anti-Moore slogans.

A group consisting mostly of women gathered to oppose Moore. Cheryl Knowles, a Vestavia Hills Democrat, held up a sign that said "#NoMoore" outside the library where Moore spoke.

"Please tell the people of America that some of us are so embarrassed," said Knowles.

Moore also said there would be new "revelations" in connection with the newspaper report that brought allegations of sexual misconduct to light.

"In the next few days there will be revelations about the motivations and the content of this article that will be brought to the public," he said. "We fully expect the people of Alabama to see through this charade."

A spokesman for Moore declined to provide further information about what information those revelations might contain.

In the hours following the Post report Thursday, some Republicans speculated that Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey would delay the Dec. 12 special election.

However, Ivey spokesman Josh Pendergrass said Saturday that Ivey "is not considering and has no plans to move the special election for U.S. Senate."
Election officials in Virginia are counting provisional ballots, and the results could change which political party controls the state's House of Delegates.

The House is split, with 51 Republicans and 49 Democrats. Just one district turning blue would create a 50/50 split, with Lt. Gov.-elect Justin Fairfax, a Democrat, holding the tie-breaking vote.

Three House of Delegates races in the state are too close to call, including in the 28th District, which includes parts of Stafford County and Fredericksburg.

Republican Bob Thomas leads Democrat Joshua Cole by just 84 votes.

The Stafford County Electoral Board voted in a closed session Monday to seek a legal opinion on whether it can count 55 absentee ballots -- some from military service members -- that were found the morning after the election at a post office just down the street from the board's office.

"The court will make the final decision as to whether these 55 ballots will be counted," electoral board chair Doug Filler said.

In addition to the 55 absentee ballots, theres an unknown number of provisional ballots. Provisional ballots often are cast because a voter failed to bring proper identification to the polls. They are counted after other votes. Also, some claim another 1,100 absentee ballots are not being counted.

Protesters chanted and held signs in Stafford County Monday morning, concerned that some votes would not be counted.

Thomas' campaign said in a statement: "The Thomas campaign is firmly committed to fair, open and honest elections -- based upon the laws of the Commonwealth. \We believe that every vote that was legally cast should be counted under the provisions prescribed within the Code of Virginia."

Cole told News4, "We have to make sure there is fairness and equality across the board, and that's really what we are concerned about -- to make sure everybody has an opportunity for their voice to be heard."

The Virginia House Democratic Caucus is concerned that voters "may have been improperly disenfranchised."

We continue to monitor the canvass in Stafford County very closely and remain concerned that military and overseas voters may have been improperly disenfranchised in violation of the U.S Constitution and federal and state law," they said in a statement. "We will watch carefully what the board does [Tuesday] and will assess our options at that time. But make no mistake, we will do everything we can to ensure that every eligible voter has his or her vote counted."

Voters had the chance to defend their ballots to county officials. They initially had to do so by Monday at noon. On Monday afternoon, the Stafford County electoral board gave provisional ballot voters one more day to defend their ballots. Fifty people who voted this way were notified they could follow up to try to make their vote count.

In District 40, which covers parts of Fairfax County and Prince William County, Democrats claimed a victory before officials uncovered that a voting machine error gave Donte Tanner an extra 100 votes. Long-time Republican incumbent Tim Hugo now has the lead.

On Monday, Fairfax County accepted 16 provisional ballots for this race. Tanner gained 12 votes and Hugo gained 4. Those results do not include the District 40 precincts that fall into Prince William County.

Overall, the Fairfax County Electoral Board accepted 360 provisional ballots on Monday, out of 686 that were cast.

Once electoral boards determine which ballots should be accepted, the final votes will be calculated. Then, the votes will be reviewed by a state office and certified.

The results could be released as early as Monday, officials said.
Flames tore through a Prince George's County home, leaving a woman and a firefighter hospitalized.

The fire broke out Sunday afternoon at a home on Eastern Avenue in Capitol Heights, Maryland, fire officials said.

Firefighters rescued one woman from the basement of the home and she was taken to a hospital in critical condition.

A firefighter sustained burns to his ears and was treated at a burn unit, fire officials said.

Fire investigators believe the fire started in the basement before extending to the first floor of the single-family home.

Neighbors told News4 a woman and her daughter have lived in the home for many years. It's not known which of them was taken to the hospital.

"She's without a home. Her home is gone. Now, I don't know what they're going to do. The holidays are coming up, so I don't know. Just really feel sorry for our neighbors," one neighbor said.
IBN directed to move ahead with DPR of Kathmandu Metro rail

Government on Monday directed the Investment Board Nepal (IBN) to move ahead with the Detailed Feasibility Study (DFS) and Detailed Project Report (DPR) of a metro rail project in Kathmandu Valley.
The founder and CEO of Chobani has no regrets about moving his Greek yogurt company to south-central Idaho, a region embroiled in the national debate over refugee resettlement that spread to company boycotts by far-right bloggers and conspiracy theorists.

"I hear the conversations here and there, but it's a peaceful community that we all love," said Hamdi Ulukaya, a Turkish immigrant. "It's the home of Chobani."

Ulukaya spoke to The Associated Press before a Thursday announcement of a $20 million expansion of the company's facility in the city of Twin Falls  the world's largest yogurt plant  to serve as its global research and development center tackling how yogurt is made and consumed.

It's a project Ulukaya says he's been planning for several years. As to what innovations the company plans for the 70,000-square-foot facility, Ulukaya isn't sharing yet. He said the focus will be on offering natural and non-synthetic products.

The project follows a series of expansion efforts by Chobani since opening its Idaho plant in 2012. The $450 million, 1 million-square-foot plant is the company's second after Ulukaya started Chobani in New York. The company employs 2,000 workers, including 300 refugees.

However, Chobani's time in Idaho also has taken a darker turn as anti-immigrant advocates have seized on the company's open stance on refugees. Fringe websites have falsely claimed that Ulukaya wanted to "drown the United States in Muslims." Other websites, like Breitbart News, falsely attempted to link Chobani's hiring of refugees to an uptick in tuberculosis cases in Idaho.

To counteract the hateful rhetoric, Chobani sued right-wing radio host Alex Jones earlier this year, saying that Jones and his InfoWars website posted fabricated stories linking Ulukaya and the company to a sexual assault case involving refugee children in Twin Falls. Jones originally promised to never back down in his fight against the yogurt giant but eventually retracted his statements in a settlement.

Ulukaya declined to comment on the Jones lawsuit but said the rise in anti-refugee sentiment has never delayed a project he wanted to pursue. And he says he is committed to being a welcoming company.

"Don't leave anyone out," he said. "At Chobani, we believe in second chances."

During Thursday's expansion launch, Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter praised Chobani's impact on the community.

"This new investment in Twin Falls reflects Chobani's commitment to Idaho and to the people who have responded so positively to its corporate citizenship," Otter said in a prepared statement. "Congratulations to all those who are contributing to Chobani's growth, just as Chobani is contributing to ours."

Strong economic growth in south-central Idaho  an agriculture-dominant area dubbed the Magic Valley  led Ulukaya to describe the region as the "Silicon Valley of food," pointing to the wide range of food manufacturing plants that have invested in food science since Chobani moved to the state.

"It's an ecosystem generated for food making," he said. "There's now a general knowledge around food science that wasn't there 10 years ago."

The boon extends to Chobani's Idaho workers, who earn an average of $15 an hour, more than twice the minimum wage of $7.25.

The company's new facility will be open for employees to enjoy, featuring sweeping windows to overlook the rural farm landscape and Sawtooth Mountains, complete with an exercise room, kitchen and visitors center.
Police have made two arrests after a major drug raid in a Lowell, Massachusetts home.

Danny He, 25, and Tommy Prum, 23, were arrested in their Madison Street apartment as police executed a search warrant. He and Prum were both charged with drug trafficking and unlawful possession of ammunition. Additional charges are expected to be filed against a third individual connected to the case.

According to Lowell Police, detectives recovered 24 grams of cocaine, 46 rounds of .45 caliber ammunition and $1,124 in cash. The apartment was later condemned by building and health inspections.

The arrests were the second successful execution of a warrant for a major drug operation this Sunday. Earlier in the day, police seized 23 grams of cocaine and a sawed-off shotgun in a similar raid on Second Street.
Police said a 19-year-old was killed in an officer-involved shooting overnight in Massachusetts.

Fall River police responded to a city industrial park for reports of "loud bangs and smoking cars" at about 11:37 p.m. Sunday. The caller told police a green hatchback car was smoking and reported hearing bangs that sounded like gunshots. The caller was unsure if it was a crash or a fight.

Police arriving at the scene noticed a number of vehicles leaving the area. The first responding officer attempted to stop a vehicle from leaving the scene. During that encounter, the officer fired shots into the vehicle, striking the driver.

The driver, later identified as Larry Ruiz-Barreto, 19, of New Bedford, was transported to Charlton Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later.

Around 2 a.m. Monday, police were called to a disturbance at Charlton Memorial Hospital. Police said 10 to 15 of Ruiz-Barreto's family members had gathered at the hospital waiting to hear of his status and were being disruptive. When they learned that he had died, the group in the waiting room began throwing chairs and tables and kicking trash barrels and hand sanitizer stands, shattering windows and glass and damaging other property. One man spat at a police officer and threatened to shoot and kill police.

Police from several neighboring communities were called in, and five people were ultimately arrested on disorderly conduct and disturbing the peace charges.

The incident remains under investigation.

The five arrested at the hospital were arraigned Monday.

At the courthouse, members of Ruiz-Barreto's family cried and held each other, telling NBC Boston that the teen's hands were up during the incident when he was shot by police.

All of the family members arrested were released and are due back in court in January.
A taxi driver in Saugus, Massachusetts was held at gunpoint and had his cab stolen on Sunday night by a suspected shoplifter making a getaway.

Now police are actively searching for the man who carjacked the taxi.

Saugus Police received a 911 call just before 7 p.m. on Sunday from a DICK'S Sporting Goods on Broadway. The caller reported that a male had fled the store, possibly carrying merchandise.

Jose Antonio Grullon, a driver at Garcia's Taxi, says he picked up the subject earlier that night. The man asked Grullon to take him to the DICK's in the Square One Mall, and then asked him to wait outside.

When the man returned carrying three jackets, Grullon locked the doors to his car. The man took out a gun.

According to police, the suspect approached Grullon's gray Ford Fusion Taxicab, broke the driver's side window and tossed Grullon onto the street. When Grullon regained his senses, his cab was gone.

The vehicle was last seen driving off in the direction of Essex Street. Its license plate number is 412C.

The suspect is described as being a male in his 30s. He was last seen wearing a black hat and jacket.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Saugus Police Department at 781-941-1199.
Maine's senior senator renewed her call for Alabama U.S. Senate nominee Roy Moore to withdraw from the race following an explosive report alleging sexual misconduct with a 14-year-old girl decades ago.

Joining a growing chorus of establishment Republican lawmakers in Congress, Sen. Susan Collins cited Moore's statement and a radio interview with Fox News' Sean Hannity in which he denied the charges.

"I did not find his denials to be convincing and believe that he should withdraw from the Senate race in Alabama," Collins tweeted Monday afternoon.

I have now read Mr. Moores statement and listened to his radio interview in which he denies the charges. I did not find his denials to be convincing and believe that he should withdraw from the Senate race in Alabama.  Sen. Susan Collins (@SenatorCollins) November 13, 2017

The Washington Post broke the story Thursday after reporting the stories of a woman who recalled sexual misconduct by the former judge when he was in his 30s and she was 14 years old, and three others who described him pursuing romantic relationships with them while they were teenagers.

"If there is any truth at all to these horrific allegations, Roy Moore should immediately step aside as a Senate candidate," Collins had tweeted out the day the news broke.

Firefighters in Uxbridge, Mass. are searching for a mother and daughter missing after a massive overnight fire

Over the weekend, Moore announced he would file a lawsuit against the Post and that neither Democrats nor Republicans want to see him win a special Senate election.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell also said Monday that Moore "should step aside," adding that he believes Moore's accusers.

U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire spoke to a crowd of supporters following her win over Scott Brown

Moore is running for the Senate seat vacated by now-U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions against Democrat Doug Jones. The special election will be held Dec. 12.


Conference seeks to ignite move of God in Kings Lynn Conference seeks to ignite move of God in Kings Lynn

Revival 300 Kings Lynn, a movement seeking to encourage 300 Christians of all denominations to pray for revival in the West Norfolk town, is hosting a two day conference this November to spark spiritual revival.
A Norwich church has temporarily relocated to a boxing ring where self professed 'hard men' will tell their stories of finding faith. The first Tough Talk event is set for November 20.

A Norwich church has temporarily relocated to a boxing ring where self professed 'hard men' will tell their stories of finding faith. The first Tough Talk event is set for November 20.

How can we help feed those in need? Andrew Frere-Smith reminds us of the importance of meals, and offers us some food for thought as the rising cost of living impacts our communities. Read more

Latest Norfolk Christian community events Events of interest to the Norwich and Norfolk Christian community happening over the next few weeks are listed. Read more

John leads Norwich churches trip to Holy Land Experienced Holy Land traveller and former CEO of YMCA Norfolk, John Drake, is leading an inter-church tour from Norwich to Israel and Palestine in March 2023, with a few places still available. Read more

Christmas rhyming play by North Norfolk teacher Matthew Pickhaver, who lives in North Norfolk, has just published the third of his series of play scripts on the theme of Christmas, which is now available to buy. Read more

Advent and Christmas events at Norwich Cathedral From an Advent Open Evening to Carols in the Cloister and an array of special services and concerts with Norwich Cathedral Choir, there is lots to look forward to at Norwich Cathedral this festive season. Read more

Norwich church to hold Sunday healing service Witard Road Baptist Church is hosting a healing service on November 27 led by Rev Ray and Ruth Scorey from Norfolk Healing Rooms. Read more

Sheringham youth attend forbidden church The youth group at Lighthouse Community Church in Sheringham were forced to meet at a secret location earlier this month when the Lighthouse building had, supposedly, been shut down by the authorities. Read more

Christmas pud workshop at Norwich church Not made your Christmas pudding yet? Don't know where to start? Come along to a Christmas pudding workshop at Norwich Central Baptist Church on November 21 with MasterChef contestant Jane Wyndham. Read more

Norwich Foodbank provides over 4,700 food parcels Norwich Foodbank gave out 4,793 emergency food parcels to people across Norwich in the last year  with 1,790 of these going to children. Read more

Poppies cascading in Sheringham church A fall of poppies cascades from the pulpit in St Andrews Methodist Church in Sheringham, and anyone is welcome to come and see them. Read more

Bishop Graham's prayers for COP27 climate conference Bishop Graham is publishing daily prayers on social media for the current COP27 climate conference, and is asking all to join. Read more

Discovering the Orange in your life The vibrant colours of autumn have been inspiring regular contributor Jane Walters to focus on the positive. Read more

YMCA annual celebration set to inspire YMCA Norfolk is set to hold its much anticipated 2022 annual celebration and awards ceremony on November 17, after almost 3 years since the last event due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more

Hub manager vacancy at community shop Earlham Community Shop Community Interest Company is looking to appoint a manager for this new venture being developed in the heart of NR5 Norwich. Read more

Abbey Days brings Christmas Magic to Wymondham Visitors to Wymondham Abbeys Christmas fair will be able to treat their children to a magic show and fun baking workshop while they browse more than 60 stalls. Read more

Salvation Armys new Christmas Appeal in Norfolk The Salvation Army has launched their new Christmas appeal across Norfolk which, this year, has evolved from the much-loved Toys and Tins appeal. Read more

Are we storing up treasures on earth? Rising prices affect us all, and Anna Heydon urges us to spare a thought for those who will be struggling with the cost of living this winter. Read more
Over the past decade, network management tools have evolved from being fault based to performance based. This has become a critical element in running infrastructure because faults dont matter as much.

That might seem like a strange thing to say, but consider the fact that critical infrastructure such as switches, routers, Wi-Fi access points and servers are deployed in a way to protect against outages. Infrastructure is built so redundantly today that any hardware device can go down and its likely no one will notice.

Also on Network World: 7 must-have network tools

A bigger problem is managing user performance. Often users call in about a certain application not working well, but when the engineer looks at the dashboard, everything is green. Performance problems are much harder to diagnose and can kill employee productivity.

Earlier this year, I did some research that looked that the impact of poor application performance and found that workers are 14 percent less productive because of application issues. Think about that statistic. Businesses invest billions of dollars every year in technologies to make workers more productive, but if they could just get all the applications they already run to work optimally, employee productivity would increase 10 percent or more.

Focus on the users, not the network

That is why IT professionals need to shift the focus of management from the network to the user. The problem with network management is that by definition, it provides a bottom-up view of the world where user experience is inferred. User performance management (UPM) is more top down where the underlying technology and dependencies are understood, so if a Wi-Fi AP gets overloaded, the network operations team can quickly understand which applications and users will be impact.

Its important to note that UPM cant be achieved by taking a fault management tool and retrofitting or putting a new dashboard on it. Instead, UPM is achieved through a combination of data, machine learning and the cloud for scale.

Nyansa updates its Voyance UPM product, adds machine learning

One vendor trying to make UPM a reality is a startup called Nyansa. This week the company announced some updates to its Voyance UPM product that shift it from being a self-contained product to a machine learning platform that provides proactive remediation advice and can share data from third parties, extending Voyances value.

The new version now pulls in SYSLOG information from Ciscos Identity Services Engine (ISE), HPE Arubas ClearPass and Free RADIUS. This is an extra data source that provides information into DHCP and DNS issues that can reveal user issues that indicate connectivity problems. This tends to the biggest source of problems on Wi-Fi networks, and Nyansa has about 70 percent of the market covered with just Aruba and Cisco.

The SYSLOG integration will be important as Internet of Things (IoT) deployments become more common. Voyances machine learning algorithms can take the SYSLOG data and alter network operations when an IoT device performs at a level that is business impairing.

Nyansa Nyansa Voyance dashboard

Nyansa also added externally facing APIs to extend the platform. Data from Nyansa can now be exported to IT workflow products such as ServiceNow. Voyance could spot a performance issue and then proactively open a trouble ticket, enabling IT to get a handle on the problem before users report it.

Alternatively, Voyance could send data directly to a communication platform like Slack where data from specific endpoints, applications or users could be sent to a particular group of people. For example, problems reported with a customer-facing application could send information directly to a Slack Room that also includes the experts responsible for the application. This could significantly shorten the resolution ping pong that occurs as trouble tickets get passed back and forth before the problem actually gets solved.

Another interesting feature added to Voyance is the ability to easily tag a device or person. The tagging enables engineers to constantly monitor the experience of critical assets or even people. The book Animal Farm taught us we are all equal, but some people are more equal than others  and now IT can know when someone who is more equal, like C-level executives or high-performing salespeople, experience problems. This can also be used to monitor things such as factory floor equipment, heart pumps or other mission-critical IoT devices. This data can also be searched on, filtered or exported for additional analysis.

Nyansa helps IT become predictive rather than reactive

Nyansa uses machine learning to enable IT to move from a reactive model to a predictive one. Voyance now includes a remediation engine that provides IT with a view into where and how network incidents are happening and the impact on user experience. It also recommends specific actions to fix those problems  things IT may not even know are causing problems. For example, the remediation engine could suggest the 2.4 GHz radios on APs be turned off because they cause Wi-Fi problems.

One particularly valuable feature is that the tool now shows how many lost client hours will be recovered or lost by each action taken or not taken. This can help IT operations prioritizes its efforts. Think of this as Splunk on steroids where Splunk shows lots of data but the insights and actions need to be determined by smart engineers who can correlate the data. The machine learning in Voyance does that heavy lifting, so IT can figure out what to fix faster and in an order that is most meaningful to the business.

Managing user performance isnt done by measuring one particular aspect of the network. Its more about understanding all the IT elements that make up s service and the relationship between them  and then having the insight to understand how that impacts productivity. With the volume of data available today, this cant be done manually. Its important for IT pros to start using machine learning-based tools like Nyansa to solve those tough-to-fix performance problems that kill worker productivity.
Mather LifeWays Institute on Aging Announces Age Well Study

EVANSTON, Ill: Mather LifeWays Institute on Aging (MLIA), the award-winning research area of service of Mather LifeWays in Evanston, Illinois, announces the launch of a landmark study, Age Well, designed to determine the effects that living in a Life Plan Community has on residents' long-term health and wellness.





(Posted on 11 November 2017, 1668621122 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/business-world-news.php  (Posted on 11 November 2017, 1668621122 173O212O198O32)

"The impact of living in a Life Plan Community is under-explored," said Cate O'Brien, PhD, Assistant Vice President and Director Mather LifeWays Institute on Aging. "There are a number of reasons to believe the impact is a positive one, most notably that Life Plan Communities offer an opportunity-rich environment with programs, amenities, services and health care that support wellness, sense of community, and opportunities to find fulfillment, and this study will help to qualify -- and quantify - those beliefs."The five-year study will contribute to important research to support and inform the Seniors Housing industry, and will be facilitated by MLIA in collaboration with Northwestern University. MLIA researchers will lead the quantitative survey component of the study with NU contributing to the qualitative component of the study."The study will give us important insight into the 'urban legend' that living in a Life Plan Community helps people live longer, healthier lives," said Mary Leary, CEO and President, Mather LifeWays. "We're excited to provide the platform for the research and eager to learn the results."Additionally, Mather LifeWays Institute on Aging is partnering with LeadingAge, American Seniors Housing Association (ASHA), Life Care Services (LCS), Moorings Park, Ziegler, and NIC, who will recruit at least 50 Life Plan Communities to participate."We are extremely pleased to be involved in this study and believe this research has the potential to truly quantify the benefits of a life plan community," said David Schless, President, American Seniors Housing Association.Participating communities and organizations will receive an annual report on key findings, such as quality of life, self-reported health, and additional health-related measures. If more than 30 of their residents participate, they will also receive a one-page brief which is specific to their community. At the end of the five-year study, each community will also receive a copy of the full report.MLIA will host two, 30-minute Age Well Study Webinars, on Wednesday, November 8, and Thursday, November 16 to explain more about how organizations can get involved, and to answer any questions.
Left forces UML, Maoists for party merger at the earliest

The two constituents of the left alliance, CPN-UML and the CPN (Maoist Centre) are preparing for party unity at the earliest, with leaders claiming to have sorted their major ideological differences.
Sorry, that page not found!



Please visit our Home Page for latest updates
India, Australia, Japan, US discuss cooperation in Indo-Pacific region

Manila [Philippines], November 12 : Officials from India's Ministry of External Affairs, Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs, Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and United State's Department of State met in Manila on Sunday for consultations on issues of common interest in the Indo-Pacific region.





(Posted on 12 November 2017, 1668621123 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/world-news.php  (Posted on 12 November 2017, 1668621123 173O212O198O32)

The discussions focused on cooperation based on their converging vision and values for promotion of peace, stability and prosperity in an increasingly inter-connected region that they share with each other and with other partners.The officials also agreed that a free, open, prosperous and inclusive Indo-Pacific region serves the long-term interests of all countries in the region and of the world at large.The officials also exchanged views on addressing common challenges of terrorism and proliferation linkages impacting the region as well as on enhancing connectivity.Meanwhile, the Indian side highlighted India's Act East Policy as the cornerstone of its engagement in the Indo-Pacific region.
Thomson Reuters Launches Latest Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report

GENEVA: Thomson Reuters released its report, Global 250 Greenhouse Gas Emitters: A New Business Logic, in tandem with the United Nation's flagship emissions gap report.





(Posted on 12 November 2017, 1668621124 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/us-news.php  (Posted on 12 November 2017, 1668621124 173O212O198O32)

Both reports were released in advance of the upcoming Climate Change Conference (COP 23). The report was written in collaboration with CDP, an international not-for-profit organization holding the world's largest collection of self-disclosed corporate environmental data, Constellation Research and Technology, a team of sustainability experts from Yale University, and BSD consulting, a global sustainability consultancy.Key contributions were also made from Baker McKenzie, KPMG, State Street Global Exchange, the United Nations Gigaton Coalition, and the Norwegian Climate and Environment Ministry, and the European Space Agency.Global 250 Greenhouse Gas Emitters: A New Business Logic presents the latest greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions data from the world's 250 largest publicly traded emitters. The Global 250 is a group of businesses in the oil, gas, utility, automotive, aircraft, manufacturing, steel, mining and cement sectors. This report looks at best practices across the economy and aims to demonstrate the relationships between decarbonisation and long-term financial performance. This information is critical to investors and policymakers, alongside the demands for increased transparency and accurate and comparable performance metrics.Key findings include:aThis small group of companies are responsible for 1/3 of global annual emissions (including their value chains) and will help determine the fate of efforts to address climate changeaComparing the relationship between multiyear decarbonisation trajectories and a broad set of financial performance metrics, there is no evidence of a trade-off between financial and environmental performance among the G250aRoughly 20% of the G250 have strategies in place to drive business transformations necessary to reduce their climate impactsaA meaningful number of that 20% are demonstrating that their transformation strategies create real business value through cost structure improvements and new revenue growth opportunities, as well as risk mitigationaNew strategy centric metrics are introduced to better understand how firms can be assessed along their sector based decarbonisation pathwaysDavid Craig, President Financial and Risk, at Thomson Reuters, commented, "Firms that are transitioning to lower carbon business models are building competitive advantage and reputational equity for the long-term. Sustainability considerations in corporate strategic planning will be increasingly important to global economic prosperity and increasingly important to investors who are looking for this leadership."Erik Solhiem, head of UN Environment shared, "As global policymakers regulate to reduce emissions, going green is increasingly a requirement for doing business. The markets are moving rapidly, and the private sector is where some of the most exciting low-carbon innovations and new business opportunities are taking place. This leadership is essential to close the emissions gap and ensure long-term economic prosperity."Tim Nixon, Head of Sustainability Thought Leadership, at Thomson Reuters, and co-author for the report commented, "Current emission trends are flat when they should have been going down by roughly 3% per year. This delay in reduction will increase the cost and complexity of the required transformations in the future, and decreases the probability of meeting targets required for limiting disruptive climate events. The urgent commitment of non-state actors is critical."David Lubin, Co-Chairman and Managing Director of Constellation Research and Technology, remarks, "Our team has been at work with Thomson Reuters for more than two years developing a new framework for assessing the business value of sustainability strategies, including deep decarbonisation. This report reveals how leading firms climb the curve, exploiting a historic opportunity to enhance their competitiveness today and ready themselves to prosper in our fast approaching low carbon future."Lance Pierce, President of CDP North America, commented, "What's powerful about this report is it highlights in a new way what business leaders are doing to innovate and find a pathway to success in a carbon-constrained world. At CDP we are delighted to partner with Thomson Reuters and Constellation Research & Technology in helping show how the "Sustainability Premium" is real, and to pull back the curtain on the trend toward how the businesses of the future will be managing themselves."Patsy Doerr, Global Head of Corporate Responsibility & Inclusion, commented, "Providing clients with the information they need to do their jobs effectively is at the heart of what we do at Thomson Reuters. Every year, a rapidly increasing percentage of total managed assets are allocated to ESG investing. Analysts need to know which companies are operating responsibility so they can make smart investment decisions for the long haul."In collaboration with CDP, data for the report was gathered from publicly available GHG emissions data from businesses and from estimates either from CDP or Thomson Reuters environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) research data. Thomson Reuters ESG research data gathers standardized, objective, quantitative and qualitative ESG data from an estimated 5,000 publicly listed companies.
Fully Autonomous Vehicle Developer Optimus Ride Raises USD 18 Million In Series A Funding

BOSTON: Optimus Ride, a MIT spinoff company developing self-driving technology, announced it has closed an USD 18 million Series A funding led by Greycroft Partners with participation from Emerson Collective, Fraser McCombs Capital and renowned venture capitalist and current director of MIT Media Lab, Joi Ito.





(Posted on 12 November 2017, 1668621124 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/us-news.php  (Posted on 12 November 2017, 1668621124 173O212O198O32)

Optimus Ride has raised a total of $23.25 million through two rounds of financing. The company will immediately use the capital to scale its current vehicle fleet and make strategic hires as well as continue its efforts to educate the market of the potential of fully autonomous driving technology.A recent study from Boston Consulting Group and the World Economic Forum, "Making Autonomous Vehicles a Reality: Lessons from Boston and Beyond," predicts that driverless cars could reduce air pollution, significantly lessen notorious city traffic and free up much needed additional parking space. With ties to MIT and a founding team with a collective three decades of experience in robotics, on-demand transportation and electric vehicles, Optimus Ride is uniquely positioned to help usher in the next era of transportation in the City of Boston and beyond."Autonomy is currently revolutionizing the transportation industry." said John Elton, Partner at Greycroft. "The changes will impact not only transportation users' free time, but the broader world with a safer, more environmentally friendly and inclusive transportation system. Greycroft is thrilled to partner with the Optimus Ride team. They are a diverse group that combines the top technical talent in computer vision and machine learning with expertise in urban design."Earlier this year, Optimus Ride received approval from MassDOT to test highly automated vehicles in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In addition, the company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with MassDOT along with the City of Boston to enable testing of self-driving vehicles on roads and public property in the City of Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, beginning in Raymond L. Flynn Marine Park."I have known the Optimus Ride team since the very beginning of their journey as entrepreneurs, and it's been rewarding to serve as a mentor to them up to this point," said Joi Ito. "They embody the type of innovation truly interdisciplinary teams can achieve, and I'm excited to continue to support their success in the years ahead.""My colleagues and I are extremely proud of what we have accomplished to date, and recognize that the industry is just scratching the surface of the powerful long-term benefits of driverless vehicles," said Ryan Chin, CEO, Optimus Ride. "Having the financial backing and guidance of Greycroft and our other venture partners will help us to harness our passion and execute our ultimate vision even more rapidly."
Iraqi Army helicopter crashes, kills three

Baghdad [Iraq], November 12 : An Iraqi Army helicopter on Sunday crashed, in south of Baghdad, killing three persons.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621125 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/middle-east-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621125 173O212O198O32)

The Russian-made M17 helicopter was on a training mission when it crashed in Al-Shorjh area in Wasit province, reported Turkey's Anadolu Agency, citing a military statement.The cause of the accident was not immediately known.According to the local media reports, Iraq's Defence Ministry had earlier reported seven deaths in Sunday's tragic crash, however, in accordance with the final report on the mishap, the number of deaths has been three.The province is located about 100 miles (160 kilometers) southeast of Baghdad, far from the front lines of the war with the Islamic State group.
Swaraj assures help to kin of Indian-origin motel owner shot dead in US

New Delhi , November 12 : External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj on Sunday assured that the government will provide all the help to the family of the Indian-American motel owner, who was shot dead in the US.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621125 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/more-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621125 173O212O198O32)

In a tweet post, Swaraj said, "We are in touch with the family of the deceased and will provide them all help."Akash R. Talati, a US citizen of Indian origin, 40, who owned Knights Inn and Diamondz Gentlemen's Club in Fayetteville city, North Carolina, was shot dead yesterday by an assailant who was escorted out of his club.The security guard returned the fire and the assailant was also injured.Swaraj said that the Indian Embassy in the US has informed her of the circumstances leading to Talati's death.Talati reportedly hailed from Anand in Gujarat.
USW Salutes Variety the Children's Charity for 90 Years of Helping Families in Need

PITTSBURGH: The United Steelworkers (USW) today congratulated Variety the Children's Charity on the eve of its 90th Annual Gala to be held Friday at Heinz Field and thanked the organization for its dedicated service to families in the Pittsburgh region.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621126 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/us-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621126 173O212O198O32)

Variety Pittsburgh serves 54 counties in Pennsylvania and West Virginia by providing adaptive strollers, bikes and communication devices that enable disabled children and their families to enjoy activities that they would not otherwise.USW International President Leo W. Gerard, who will be honored with the 2017 Catherine Variety Sheridan Humanitarian Award at the gala, said that the charity's My Stroller, My Bike and My Voice programs have made a huge difference for thousands of families in the Pittsburgh region, including those of union members."In the communities hardest hit by job losses due to unfair trade, too many families with disabled children feel the additional isolation of poverty," Gerard said. "When given the opportunity to show these families that they are not alone and to change a child's life for the better, we must act on it every time."Gerard credited Variety Pittsburgh CEO Charles LaVallee for uniting a wide range of organizations and individuals to benefit those in need, citing the inclusion of labor and business leaders as well as former governors from both political parties at Friday's event."Variety's longevity and success prove that we can still find common ground without regard to the superficial differences often used to polarize us," Gerard said. "The USW is proud to be part of this diverse coalition dedicated to giving children new experiences and empowering their families to realize new possibilities."Founded in Pittsburgh in 1927, Variety has grown into an international organization with a network of 42 offices in 13 countries and has raised over $2 billion to help children in need.The USW represents 850,000 men and women employed in metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply and the energy-producing industries, along with a growing number of workers in public sector and service occupations.
New policy to ensure at least 10pc forest cover

The government is preparing a new forest policy in a bid to ensure at least 10 percent forest cover in each local level of the country.
Landmark study highlights the impact of Indiana's major research institutions

INDIANAPOLIS: From the state's earliest beginnings, research universities have contributed significantly to Indiana's society and economy.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621127 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/us-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621127 173O212O198O32)

Indiana University, Purdue University and the University of Notre Dame have a powerful impact on our state with a combined 1.44 million living alumni, $1.3 billion in annual research expenditures1, and resources that touch all 92 counties.These universities are recognized among the top 150 best institutions in the world2 and boast alumni and faculty that include 73 National Academies Members, 20 Nobel Prize winners, and three World Food Prize recipients.A new report by TEConomy Partners, The Importance of Research Universities, looked at four major functional areas of the state's three major research universities: knowledge expansion and innovation; economic development; the enhanced capabilities of human capital; and societal well-being and quality of life. The report provides a comprehensive look at their influence on the state and identifies areas of opportunity."These premier universities represent critical components within our economic ecosystem to produce and attract talent, anchor our communities and participate in innovation for the future prosperity of Indiana, and our country," David L. Johnson, president and CEO, BioCrossroads, said. "Their role is increasingly important in strengthening our society and economy, and the report highlights the need to advance their unique contributions to our state."Bill Stephan, Indiana University vice president for engagement, said the focus of research institutions is to impact lives here at home, across the country, and indeed the world."At Indiana University this includes, among several initiatives, the Clinical Translational Sciences Institute from which laboratory discoveries and innovations more rapidly advance to the bedside, and funding Grand Challenges research projects to cure diseases, prepare for environmental change, and address the addictions crisis," he said.Key statistics include:aFor the fall of 2016, the universities' combined enrollment exceeded 132,000 - enough to fill every seat in Lucas Oil Stadium (70,000 seats) almost two times over.aThe 2015 research expenditures of Purdue University ($558.6 million), Indiana University ($544.2 million) and Notre Dame ($191 million) total almost $1.3 billion. Combined, these direct research expenditures exceed the direct annual economic impact of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on the state by more than four times.aBetween 2012 and 2016, Indiana institutions produced 59,115 academic publications. Indiana institutions produced 2.9 percent of all U.S. academic publications, despite the state comprising only 2.1 percent of the total U.S. population. Indiana is "punching above its weight" in terms of academic research output."Research is the life blood of a top-tier public research university, and one measure of our impact and contributions are publications from our faculty and students. Solving the big global challenges is a team effort, and Purdue is proud to foster a collaborative environment that enables our world-class faculty from diverse disciplines to combine their skills and address the world's most pressing problems," Suresh Garimella, Purdue's executive vice president for research and partnerships and the Goodson Distinguished Professor of Mechanical Engineering, said.Other areas of the universities' impact include Purdue University's agricultural extension services, Indiana University's excellence in music and the arts, and University of Notre Dame's extensive community engagement and service."The health and vitality of our local community and the surrounding region are essential to our students, faculty, staff, and their families," Thomas G. Burish, Charles and Jill Fischer Provost at Notre Dame, said. "We partner with leaders in South Bend and across the state in efforts to strengthen and diversify our economy and enhance quality of life throughout the region. For example, Notre Dame helped to lead the recent Regional Cities initiative, significantly increased our investment in the Notre Dame IDEA Center, which incubates and commercializes innovative technologies, and we are partnering with the City of South Bend on the MetroLab Network. In addition, our students and faculty have significant impact on the region through their volunteer and community service activities."The research universities' significant impact makes vital and dynamic contributions to the state. Several programs are already underway to address opportunities outlined in the report, including enhanced university connectivity to collaborative research opportunities and tech transfer.aThe Indiana Biosciences Research Institute, which connects Indiana's world-leading life sciences corporate community to the research universities and includes funding from the State of Indiana;aPurdue's $52 million partnership with Eli Lilly and Company; quantum computing partnership with Microsoft and $57 million agreement with Rolls Royce;aLilly Endowment's grant to the Indiana University School of Medicine to attract and retain talent and the success of the Indiana Clinical and Translational Science InstituteaNotre Dame's expansion of its innovation and commercialization IDEA Center and hiring of an Associate Provost and Vice President for Innovation.According to the report, one area for improvement is in the external federal research funding, particularly from Department of Defense grants.The full report, The Importance of Research Universities, as well as an infographic are available at www.biointellex.com, BioCrossroads' website for reports and educational information.
UK Aid opens refurbished hospital laboratory in Sierra Leone

LONDON: UK and Sierra Leone governments open improved public health lab at Connaught hospital in Freetown to fight the spread of highly infectious diseases like Ebola.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621127 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/uk-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621127 173O212O198O32)

Today the UK Government and the Sierra Leone Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS) will formally open a newly refurbished diagnostic laboratory at Connaught hospital in Freetown.This is the third and final laboratory built with UK Aid that will be handed over to ministry leadership alongside 2 additional facilities in Makeni and Bo. A cohort of 15 Sierra-Leonean hospital staff has also been fully trained as technicians to work in the laboratories.Funded by UK Aid and implemented by Public Health England (PHE) in partnership with MoHS, the project supports the country's public health capacity to detect and control the spread of high consequence infectious diseases like Ebola and Yellow Fever, using the latest diagnostic techniques.In the same week, the newly trained technicians will graduate following completion of a PHE-led molecular virology training programme. Sierra Leone has a very limited number of doctors and nurses, and Ebola had a tragic impact on that already stretched capacity. The process of training new staff is an essential part of efforts to rebuild that capacity.Several of the graduates have also undergone additional training which will allow them to train future cohorts in molecular diagnostic techniques to ensure this knowledge and skill-set is passed on, helping to sustain this critical capability for the long-term.The laboratories are part of a broader UK programme of support which is helping to strengthen the Government of Sierra Leone's own capacity to better deal with serious future health outbreaks following the devastation caused by Ebola in 2014.The premises include a fully equipped molecular facility which will allow the MoHS to test for a range of high consequence pathogens, with Ebola testing being specifically supported by the UK Aid-funded Resilient Zero programme.A ceremony is being held at the Connaught Hospital in Freetown to mark the handing over of the completed building works from the UK Government to the ministry. The laboratories will be opened by HE Dr Abu Bakarr Fofanah, Minister of Health and Sanitation, Dr Brima Kargbo, Sierra Leone's Chief Medical Officer and HE Guy Warrington, British High Commissioner in Sierra Leone and Duncan Selbie, Chief Executive of PHE.The refurbishment will create an environment where high-risk samples (such as those from suspected Ebola cases) can be tested safely, and will also allow the Government of Sierra Leone to further expand diagnostic capacity in other areas for both infectious and non-infectious diseases, and thereby strengthening the public health system in Sierra Leone in the long-term.Chief Medical Officer of Sierra Leone, Dr Brima Kargbo said:"The recognition of diseases through the laboratory system is the foundation of disease control and prevention. Therefore, accurate and timely laboratory services has become the bedrock upon which current disease treatment, prevention and control programmes are based. The reliance on laboratory-derived information has, for several years, been in line with the development of modern medicine and public health. At this stage we are grateful to the UK Government for their invaluable support in this direction."British High Commissioner, Guy Warrington, who spoke at the launch, said:"I want to congratulate the Ministry of Health and Sanitation for the progress that has been made to renovate these facilities under their leadership. I also want to recognise the newly trained molecular lab technicians for their vital work in running these labs. On behalf of the UK Government I am proud that we were able to support this important work through UK Aid funding and with the valuable expertise provided by our colleagues at Public Health England. I look forward to these labs continuing to serve the people of Sierra Leone and helping keep them safe from infectious diseases for many years to come."Duncan Selbie, Chief Executive of Public Health England said:"The people of Sierra Leone are hugely resilient and have coped with a huge amount of destruction and disease in recent years. I am proud of the part that PHE has played in working with the Sierra Leone government to help strengthen Sierra Leone's health system and grow the country's ability to protect itself against potentially devastating diseases."In Sierra Leone alone, the Ebola outbreak killed around 4,000 people, with more than 8,700 cases confirmed. The recovery costs for the country have been estimated at $844 million. Recently the country has also been tragically hit by mudslides, which killed over 500 people. The UK Public Health Rapid Support Team was deployed to tackle the prevention of potential cholera outbreaks following the mudslides.The new public health capability, as well as the establishment of a national public health institute in Sierra Leone itself, are both positive results of the national and international learnings from the Ebola outbreak.From January 2018 PHE begins a two-year ODA funded programme of supporting MoHS in developing public health infrastructure to meet International Health Regulations (IHR). The focus of the Sierra Leone element of the programme will be on long term sustainability of laboratories, and IHR capacity building integrated within health system strengthening.
Global Win-Win Cooperation - B and R Digital Economy Strategic Alliance Conference Takes Place

JINAN, China: With Global Win-Win Cooperation as the theme, the B and R Digital Economy Strategic Alliance Conference was held on November 2 at the Inspur Jinan Science and Technology Park, Jinan, China.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621128 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/world-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621128 173O212O198O32)

Attendees include enterprise representatives Peter Sun, Chairman and CEO of Inspur Group; Owen Chan, Senior Vice President of Cisco Systems, Inc., Chairman of Cisco Greater China and Co-Chairman of Cisco China Board; Charles Kiang, General Manager of Technology Partnership of IBM Great China Group; Stefan Merz, SVP Corporate Strategy & Development of Diebold Nixdorf; and Angel Ruiz, Head of Ericsson Media. Three Chinese national financial institutions, namely the Export-Import Bank of China, China Development Bank, and China Export & Credit Insurance Corporation also attended the event wtih diplomatic envoys from five countries, including Winnie Natala Chibesakunda, Ambassador of Zambia to China, and more than 200 representatives of companies from other countries to witness the establishment of "B&R" Digital Economy Strategic Alliance.In the keynote speech "Global Win-Win Cooperation", Peter Sun said, "As the initiator of the 'B&R' Digital Economy Strategic Alliance, Inspur hopes to partner with top technology companies in the world and Chinese national financial institutions, help countries along the Belt and Road to solve their insufficient funding and technical problems in informatization construction, and bring the benefits of digital economy development to people there."As China's first Belt and Road integrated platform started by companies, the alliance adopts the cooperation mode of "1+4+3", which means an alliance of Inspur and four global technology giants, Cisco, IBM, Diebold Nixdorf and Ericsson, with support from three of Chinese policy-based financial institutions, the Export-Import Bank of China, China Development Bank and China Export & Credit Insurance Corporation. The platform provides brand new technology and funding solutions of datacenters + cloud services, smart finance, smart home, smart taxation and smart cities for countries along the Belt and Road.Owen Chan, Charles Kiang, Stefan Merz and Angel Ruiz affirmed the achievements of their cooperations. They said, the alliance will bring out their strengths in technologies, products and markets. They will work with Inspur to provide countries along the Belt and Road with advanced technology solutions and to realize the global win-win cooperation. The three financial institutions also promised to provide sufficient financial support for the alliance to promote the digital silk road.
HNA Group Donates 1,000 Tickets to Asia Society to Support US-China Cultural Exchanges

NEW YORK: HNA Group, the Asia Game Changer Diplomacy Champion Partner at Asia Society's Annual Game Changer Awards, last night donated 1,000 airline vouchers to the Asia Society in support of their educational and cultural exchange programs that strengthen partnerships between the United States and China.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621129 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/us-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621129 173O212O198O32)

Commenting on the donation, HNA Group CEO Adam Tan said, "We are pleased to support Asia Society and this ticket donation is part of HNA's global efforts to promote understanding, mutual respect and international relations between China and the US.""At HNA we have a long history of supporting both cultural and business exchanges, along with our philanthropic efforts focused on mutual social benefits including education and healthcare. We're delighted that by supporting Asia Society, we also further our mission, building unity of spirit and purpose."The donation was unveiled in conjunction with a new Game Changer Special Recognition Award, symbolically presented to the species of the Giant Panda in a special ceremony at the Chengdu Panda Base in Western China, recognizing the pivotal role the species has played in US-China diplomacy over the past 45 years.Since President Nixon's historic visit to China in 1972, a critical step in relations between the two nations, and China's subsequent symbolic gift of two Giant Pandas to the U.S. (Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing), the Panda has been a long-reigning diplomatic symbol of peace relations, and increased economic and cultural engagement.Asia Society President, Josette Sheeran said: "We are most grateful for this generous multi-year commitment by a major global company to build vital bridges between the US, China and Asia. This contribution is deeply appreciated and will help ensure greater dialogue and understanding at a critical time in the world."The tickets vouchers are for HNA's flagship carrier Hainan Airlines, which last week launched direct services between New York's JFK and the cities of Chongqing and Chengdu, home of the Giant Panda. Tom Nagorski, Asia Society's Executive Vice President, took Hainan Airline's maiden flight from JFK to Chengdu and back again when he presented the award to the pandas on October 28th. The award unveiled last night in a special video segment showcasing HNA's role as 'Diplomacy Champion Partner'.Each of the routes operate twice weekly on Hainan Airlines' fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, with capacity for over 60,000 passengers per year. The Chongqing-New York will be Hainan Airlines' longest flight route - roughly 7,573 miles.
WestJet named Best Low-Cost Airline - the Americas

CALGARY: WestJet announced it has been recognized as Best Low-Cost Airline - The Americas for 2018 by www.airlineratings.com. The website rates more than 425 airlines around the globe to determine its award winners.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621129 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/us-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621129 173O212O198O32)

"It is an honour to be named Best Low-Cost Airline for the whole of North and South America," said Ed Sims, WestJet Executive Vice-President, Commercial. "This is a reflection of the hard work and caring nature of our more than 13,000 WestJetters. The timing on this award is welcome as we begin to build our international reputation in preparation for the arrival of our Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners in 2019.""WestJet was selected on its innovation of bringing affordable and safe travel to millions across North America," said AirlineRatings.com Editor-in-Chief Geoffrey Thomas. "In addition, WestJet's employees have brought back the magic of flying to its guests."
AnaVation Ranks 5th in Washington Business Journal's List of 50 Fastest Growing Companies

RESTON, Va: AnaVation, a leading provider of intelligence collection and processing, analytical systems and big data infrastructure solutions to Federal Law Enforcement, Intelligence Community (IC), Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the Research and Development (R and D) organizations in the United States Federal Government, is honored to announce it has been named one of the top 50 Fastest Growing Companies in the Greater Washington Area by The Washington Business Journal.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621130 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/business-world-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621130 173O212O198O32)

This prestigious achievement follows AnaVation being named one of The Washington Business Journal's Best Places to Work for the second straight year, earlier in 2017.Every year the Washington Business Journal publishes a List of the 50 Fastest Growing Companies in the Washington area. AnaVation ranked number five in the 50 companies honored by the publication's highly respected directory of fast growing organizations, with 158.44% of financial growth over the three-year period."Our customers have very important missions which require a capacity for innovation and exceptional service," said Charles Quillin, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). "We have hand selected amazing engineers to provide meaningful results for our customers. This recognition by the Washington Business Journal substantiates the strategies employed by our experienced leadership team and the values we embrace at AnaVation."
Pick 'n Save Teams Up with BP to Launch Customer Fuel Savings Program

MILWAUKEE: It's the most wonderful time of the year, and the perfect time to start stocking up on all the holiday fixings. This year, Pick 'n Save customers can rejoice in knowing they're saving on both food and fuel.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621130 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/business-world-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621130 173O212O198O32)

Pick 'n Save, the largest grocery banner of Roundy's Supermarkets Inc. (Roundy's), and BP, a global leader in fuel and energy, teamed up to launch a points-based customer loyalty fuel rewards program throughout the state of Wisconsin.Beginning November 2, Pick 'n Save and Metro Market customers will be eligible to save up to $1 per gallon of fuel for every 1,000 points redeemed at participating BP stations. For every $100 customers spend using their Fresh Perks card, they can save 10 cents per gallon on fuel.aPick 'n Save shoppers can earn Fuel Points (one point per every dollar spent) by purchasing items using their Fresh Perks card.aOnce a shopper spends $100 on groceries, they will earn ten cents off per gallon of fuel at participating BP stations.aEach time a shopper spends an additional $100 on groceries using their Fresh Perks card, they will earn 10 cents more off per gallon. If a shopper spends $200, they will earn 20 cents off per gallon. Spend $400? Earn 40 cents off per gallon, etc.aFuel Point savings can be redeemed by swiping a Fresh Perks card or using a phone number associated with the card at participating BP stations."We are always looking for new and innovative ways to save our customers money and help them find value," said Jim Hyland, Roundy's VP of Communications and Public Affairs. "Teaming up with BP allows us to provide even more savings and rewards so our customers can focus on what matters most this holiday season and beyond."To participate in the fuel rewards program, customers will need to use their Fresh Perks card with every purchase. Double fuel points will be rewarded for gift card purchases in-store. In addition, 50 points will be added at the pharmacy on qualified prescriptions. Shoppers can view their Fuel Points balance any time on their Fresh Perks account at www.picknsave.com/account/pointssummary or at the bottom of every purchase receipt. New members can sign up for Fresh Perks for free at any store register or online at www.picknsave.com.To celebrate the launch of this partnership, Pick 'n Save and BP will kick off a two-week donation program and event to benefit Meals on Wheels. From November 14 through the 28th, Pick 'n Save will donate nutritious meals including soup, fresh fruit and other non-perishables to homebound residents throughout Southeastern Wisconsin. BP will provide gas gift cards to volunteer drivers of the program. A donation event featuring representatives from Pick 'n Save, BP and Meals on Wheels will take place November 14 at the Pick 'n Save in Menomonee Falls; more information on the event to come.
It's [Almost] Turkey Time: Foster Farms Serves Up Tips For The Perfect Thanksgiving Turkey

LIVINGSTON, Calif: With the most anticipated meal of the year just weeks away, the countdown to turkey time is on. The Thanksgiving preparation spotlight can make even the most experienced home cooks feel the pressure to perfect their holiday turkey.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621130 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/us-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621130 173O212O198O32)

Family-owned poultry producer Foster Farms is offering tips to help home cooks brine, roast, grill, stuff and carve the perfect bird. Foster Farms' Turkey Tips webpage - which includes a turkey roasting/grilling timetable, a step-by-step carving tutorial with slideshow and a delicious stuffing recipe from Foster Farms co-founder Verda Foster - will help cooks of all levels prepare a flawless Thanksgiving turkey. A sampling of tips pulled from the webpage include:aBrilliantly Brined: Proper brining makes the meat very juicy - not salty. Flavor brining is used to enhance the texture and taste of the turkey to its most delicious potential. Use a heavy-duty container that can hold approximately eight quarts of liquid, such as food-grade plastic, stainless steel or glass, when brining the turkey. Do not use aluminum containers, as they are corrosive. Always refrigerate the brine solution, preferably overnight. If it is not cold, the meat will absorb too much salt. For a delicious twist try Foster Farms' Honey Garlic Brine recipe.aRoasted Perfection and Grilling Guidelines: Always use a meat thermometer. While boneless or ground turkey is fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165EsF, bone-in turkey is fully cooked when the meat thermometer reads 180EsF. For specific roasting and grilling times based on turkey weight and whether it's stuffed/unstuffed, check out the Roasting Turkey and Grilling Turkey webpages. And remember, at altitudes above 5,000 feet add approximately five to 10 minutes of cooking time per pound.aSumptuous Stuffing: Don't stuff the bird too tightly, as this will make the stuffing heavy and harder to fully cook. If you want more of the delicious side dish, bake stuffing covered in an oven-proof dish to an internal temperature of 165aF. Verda Foster's tried and true stuffing recipe has been a crowd pleaser for generationsaCarve It Like a Boss: Stop. After cooking, give that bird at least 20 minutes before carving. To steady the bird, leave the wings on until you've carved both sides of the breast. To remove the wing, slice into the joint, which attaches it to the body, carving as much meat from the body as possible.aKitchen Safety: Remember your ABC's - Always Be Careful - when preparing, cooking and storing turkey. This means thorough hand washing, using separate cutting boards for raw meat, cooking to the proper internal temperature, refrigerating leftovers within two hours of cooking, and following package guidelines during preparation.For complete details, holiday recipe inspiration and more advice, visit www.fosterfarms.com/turkey-tips/. Foster Farms offers a variety of turkey products to meet the needs of today's home cooks ranging from whole body turkeys, tenderloins, and ground turkey, to turkey sausage, patties and marinated varieties. Foster Farms also offers Simply Raised with No Antibiotics products and Organic turkey products including whole body turkeys and organic ground turkey.
St. Martin's Press To Publish Margaritaville's First Cookbook

NEW YORK: St. Martin's Press and Margaritaville Holdings today announced the publication of MARGARITAVILLE: The Cookbook: Relaxed Recipes for a Taste of Paradise, the first cookbook for the global lifestyle brand.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621131 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/us-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621131 173O212O198O32)

Co-authored by Margaritaville concept chef Carlo Sernaglia and food writer Julia Turschen, the book features dishes that keep Margaritaville fans coming back for more - expertly translated into easy-to-prepare, do-it-yourself recipes. The book will be available in hardcover and e-book versions beginning May 1, 2018."Our team is thrilled to partner with Margaritaville, a fun and authentic lifestyle brand that truly is synonymous with paradise," said Jennifer Enderlin, Executive Vice President and Publisher of St. Martin's Press. "This first-of-its-kind cookbook will provide a unique and entertaining way for readers to enjoy the flavors and stories of Margaritaville in the comfort of their homes."From breakfast recipes that set a laid-back pace for the day ahead to dinner favorites like Margaritaville's signature Cheeseburger in Paradise and Seared Grouper with Mango Salsa, to side dishes like Lobster Hash Browns with Jalapeno Cheese and fun desserts like Baked Florida, MARGARITAVILLE: The Cookbook features an array of appetizers, soups, salads, burgers, sandwiches, main dishes, sides, and dessert recipes fit for any taste at any latitude and time of day. And, because it's always 5 o'Clock Somewhere, the cookbook is of course complete with recipes for the perfect cocktail, including Jimmy's Perfect Margarita, Paradise Palomas and more.Chef Carlo Sernaglia has a deep understanding of Margaritaville's most famous signature dishes. With a law degree in one hand and a lionfish spear in the other, he chose to follow his heart to the ocean and ultimately, to the kitchen. His passion for cooking took him through Italy, Venezuela and Florida before arriving on the shores of Margaritaville, where he uses his appetite for fresh ingredients and bold flavors to provide memorable meals.In MARGARITAVILLE: The Cookbook, Carlo teams up with accomplished food writer Julia Turschen to bring recipes from Margaritaville into kitchens across the world. The combination of recipes, stories, and gorgeous full color food and lifestyle photography throughout, is sure to put home cooks in a Margaritaville state of mind. With more than 60 food and beverage locations worldwide - and concepts including Margaritaville restaurant, 5 o'Clock Somewhere Bar & Grill, LandShark Bar & Grill and award-winning JWB Prime Steak & Seafood - Margaritaville celebrates the flavors of island life and provides a taste of paradise. "Our goal with this cookbook is to bring something fresh to readers - not just fresh ingredients, but a fresh approach to cooking at home, at the beach or on a boat with friends and family," said Sernaglia. "We worked hard to provide simple, step-by-step instructions to recreate some of Margaritaville's signature recipes at home or wherever your adventures take you, along with new dishes that create the feeling of a tropical escape."Julia Turshen is the author of Feed the Resistance and Small Victories, named one of the Best Cookbooks of Fall 2016 by The New York Times. She has written for Vogue, Bon Appetit, Food & Wine, Saveur, SELF, The Washington Post, T Magazine and The Wall Street Journal. She lives in upstate New York with her wife, dogs, and cat.World publishing rights for MARGARITAVILLE: The Cookbook were acquired by Macmillan Executive Vice President Will Schwalbe and St. Martin's Press Senior Editor BJ Berti from Kari Stewart and Esther Newberg at ICM Partners.
New roadmap

The election campaign for the two phases of elections to the federal parliament and provincial assemblies is now in full steam. Political leaders have fanned across the country to convince the population of the contents of their manifestos and their own individual utility for the voters.
Lord Ahmad participates in UN Security Council debates on the Sahel and Children in Armed Conflict

LONDON: Lord Ahmad, Minister for the United Nations, visited New York on 30 to 31 October to participate in 2 debates at the UN Security Council.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621131 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/uk-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621131 173O212O198O32)

These sessions, convened by France as part of her Security Council presidency and chaired by the French Minister for Foreign Affairs, Jean-Yves Le Drian, discussed international support to the G5 Sahel Joint Force and Children and Armed Conflict.The Minister outlined the UK's strong political support for the G5 force and the ongoing commitment to peace and security across the Sahel. He called for a redoubling of efforts for peace, noting that a successful peace process is at the heart of any strategy to defeat terrorism and traffickers in the Sahel.In response to the Secretary-General's report on Children and Armed Conflict, Lord Ahmad expressed concern at the increasing number of grave violations being committed against children in areas of conflict, including an alarming rise in the number of cases of humanitarian access being denied to those most in need. He expressed strong support for the work of the Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict and called on the UN to do more to help protect children's rights.During the visit, Lord Ahmad also met the Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohamed, Jane Connors, Victims' Rights Advocate for the United Nations and the Foreign Ministers of Mali, France and Sweden.
USW: Congressional Democrats' Better Deal Proposal Would Help Working Families by Strengthening Unions

PITTSBURGH: United Steelworkers (USW) International President Leo W. Gerard issued this statement today following yesterday's release of a white paper by Congressional Democrats outlining measures for working families to utilize collective bargaining to improve their lives.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621132 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/business-world-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621132 173O212O198O32)

In anticipation of the release of the Republican tax plan, which would provide massive tax cuts for the wealthy at the expense of American workers, these measures have even greater significance.Working families across America should support the latest phase of the Congressional Democrats' "A Better Deal" as it provides a blueprint for workers to build better lives by organizing and bargaining collectively. It calls for workers to have the freedom to negotiate.For more than three decades now, wages have been stagnant while profits and executive compensation have skyrocketed. During this time, incomes for the top 1 percent rose by 204 percent while incomes for the bottom 50 percent rose by just 1 percent.To add further insult, the tax plan now being proposed by Republicans would provide major cuts for the wealthy at the expense of working families. These cuts will greatly increase the deficit and could lead to future cuts in essential programs such as Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.The Democratic proposal would ban state laws that undermine worker freedoms to join together and bargain. While federal law requires unions to provide equal representation to all workers in a unionized workplace, regardless of membership, 28 states have passed laws that strip workers of the resources they need to bargain for higher wages, better benefits and improved working conditions. These so-called right-to-work laws do not give anyone the right to a job. They result in lower wages and decreased access to health care and pensions for union and nonunion workers alike.The proposal calling for the freedom to negotiate would strengthen penalties on predatory corporations that violate workers' rights. While a growing number of workers would join a union if given a free choice, many fear retaliation for supporting one. Companies threaten to close shop in 57 percent of union elections, fire union supporters in 34 percent of elections, threaten to cut wages in 47 percent of elections, and use one-on-one supervisory meetings to threaten union supporters in 54 percent of organizing campaigns.
UVM's Sustainable Innovation MBA Ranked No. 1 Best Green MBA in America by 'The Princeton Review' i

BURLINGTON, Vt: Six years ago when Sanjay Sharma took over as dean of the Grossman School of Business, he set his sights on an ambitious goal: to become the top MBA program in the country for sustainable innovation.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621132 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/business-world-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621132 173O212O198O32)

That dream became reality on Oct. 31 when The Princeton Review ranked the University of Vermont Grossman School of Business' Sustainable Innovation MBA program No. 1 on its 2018 list of "Best Green MBA" programs. UVM took over the top spot from the University of Oregon, which dropped to No. 4 behind second-place Yale and Portland State, followed by No. 5 Stanford.The decision to replace a traditional 38-year-old MBA program with the nation's first one-year AACSB-accredited MBA focused entirely on sustainable innovation seemed risky, but according to Sharma, was perfect timing. A growing demand by companies seeking managers to convert global sustainability challenges into business opportunities for triple bottom line performance - a measure of a company's financial, social and environmental impact - was undeniable."We were fortunate that the Vermont brand and UVM's strengths and identity resonated with the sustainability ethos," says Sharma. "While it was a major risk for the school, we decided to take a big leap and go 'all in' because we were convinced that the future of business education was to educate managers for tomorrow so that they could develop profitable business solutions to societal needs and demands for the next 50 years."The "Best Green MBA" rankings are based on students' assessments of how well their school is preparing them in environmental/sustainability and social responsibility issues, and for a career in a green job market. The Grossman School of Business' Sustainable Innovation MBA was also included in The Princeton Review's list of the 267 Outstanding On-Campus MBA programs. This list was based on data from surveys of 23,000 students attending the schools and of administrators at the graduate schools.Worldwide practicums with top companies, access to exclusive job network set program apartA number of aspects of UVM's Sustainable Innovation MBA set it apart from other programs. The course curriculum, based entirely on sustainability and innovation, is delivered by world class faculty in this arena under four modules: foundations of management; building a sustainable enterprise; growing a sustainable enterprise; and focusing on sustainability.Following coursework, students engage in a three-month practicum - a capstone experiential project to address issues such as poverty, climate change, and the environment - with companies like PepsiCo, 1% For the Planet, Philips, Ingersoll Rand, Burton, Keurig, and Facebook. Students traveled to India, Mexico, Ghana, Brazil, Denmark, China, Kenya, and Guatemala to complete practicums, which have led to sustainability and innovation-related jobs at Ben & Jerry's, King Arthur Flour, Pottery Barn, Seventh Generation and others.Students also have access to a new career management system called "Launch" designed to propel them into careers in renewable energy, clean tech, affordable health care, inclusive business, entrepreneurship within larger companies, start-ups, and other innovative ventures. The program's Changemaker Network, composed of more than 125 companies and individuals focused on sustainable business, puts students in direct contact with mentors who help them land jobs within the program's condensed 12-month format."We devote one hundred percent of our energy to creating a robust back end that injects people into an opportunity network that helps students realize their personal and professional dreams," says professor and Sustainable Innovation MBA co-director Stuart Hart, the world's leading authority on the implications of environment and poverty for business strategy. "If you are a student interested in figuring out how to use the power of business and enterprise to make a positive impact on the world, that's all we do."The Princeton Review ranking comes on the heels of a No. 8 ranking by Corporate Knights - a Toronto-based media and research company focused on clean capitalism - in its "Better World MBA Rankings." The UVM program moved up two spots from last year and is now ranked third among U.S. schools, trailing only Duquesne University and MIT's Sloan School of Management.Corporate Knights ranks programs based on the number of core courses, institutes and centers, and faculty research produced in the last three years related to sustainability, including corporate responsibility, human rights, and ethics."We are excited to teach and help launch the next generation of innovative leaders who will create the kinds of transformative sustainable business models and strategies that the world demands," says professor and co-director David Jones. "We are also honored to have our unique MBA program recognized by these organizations after just our third cohort of graduates."
South China Sea issue left out from ASEAN Chairman's statement draft

Manila [Philippines], November 13 : The November 11 draft of the Chairman's Statement to be issued at the end of the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit leaves out the section on the South China Sea dispute. In its place are the words Chair to provide in brackets.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621133 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/world-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621133 173O212O198O32)

This leaves the development to speculations that the leaders of ASEAN may leave the maritime dispute up to Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte to express the regional bloc's position on recent developments in the contested South China Sea."[The] Chairman's Statement has yet to be finalised pending the actual conclusion of the Summit, so we will only see the final language of the Statement afterwards," CNN quoted Philippines Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Robespierre Bolivar, as saying, on Tuesday.President Duterte had, on Sunday, said the territorial dispute was "better left untouched", in his speech at the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit.Earlier on Saturday, President Duterte met Chinese Premiere Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Meetings in Vietnam, where he was expected to raise the issue on the South China Sea.ASEAN and China are now expected to announce the start of negotiations for a code of conduct in the South China Sea when they meet later Monday, CNN reports.The code is intended to set rules of behaviour in the contested areas as the sovereign claims remain unsolved.United States President Donald Trump had also offered to serve as a mediator on the South China Sea territorial disputes.Earlier in the day, President Duterte and his wife Honeylet Avancena welcomed the world leaders at the opening ceremony of 31st ASEAN Summit in Manila.Prime Minister Narendra Modi also arrived there and shook hands with President Duterte here.Among the highlights of the opening ceremony was a music and dance excerpt from the musical Rama Hari, based on the characters of the Ramayana, an epic narrative that is a shared heritage among the ASEAN member states.The performers were Arman Ferrer and Lara Maigue, vocal soloists, Ballet Philippines, choreographed by Alice Reyes, with the Philharmonic orchestra conducted by Herminegildo Ranera.Prime Minister Modi later visited the International Rice Research Institute in Los Banos, Philippines, earlier in the day, and inaugurated the Resilient Rice Field Laboratory.The Prime Minister is on a three-day visit to Manila to attend the ASEAN India summit and East Asia Summit on November 14.Terror and Trade related issues will be on top of Modi's agenda during his visit.During his visit, Prime Minister Modi will participate in special celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of ASEAN.The Prime Minister will also attend the ASEAN business and investment summit on November 13 and regional comprehensive economic partnership meeting on November 14 in Manila.He will also meet the members of the Indian community at a reception to be hosted by the Indian envoy in Philippines.
Haryana CM to meet Kejriwal on air pollution issue

Chandigarh (Haryana) , November 13 : Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar may meet Delhi state chief, Arvind Kejriwal on Monday to discuss the issue of pollution that has beset the northern part of India.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621133 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/india-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621133 173O212O198O32)

Responding in the affirmative to a written request by Kejriwal, the Haryana Chief Minister wrote back on Friday, saying that he would be in the national capital from afternoon of November 13 till forenoon of November 14, and in Chandigarh thereafter. Further, he asked Kejriwal to "call [him] to fine tune a mutually convenient date, time, and venue for the meeting."In response to Delhi Chief Minister's allegation that the main reason for air pollution in the national capital is the stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana, Khattar said that a collective action was needed, and further commented that Kejriwal's letter betrayed his "inability to rise above short term electoral interests.""Your assertion 'the Governments have failed to provide them economically viable solution' gives away your subconscious awareness of your government's inaction in this regard," he added.Khattar further questioned Kejriwal over the steps taken against stubble burning by farmers in Delhi, and conveyed the Union Agriculture Minister's information that Haryana has allocated Rs 39 Crore towards crop residue management, out of Rs 45 crore funds."Punjab has not spent even a paisa out of its allocation of Rs 97.58 crore," he added.On November 8, Kejriwal had sent a letter to chief ministers of neighbouring Punjab and Haryana states, urging them to work jointly to resolve the air pollution issue.Thereafter, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking compensation for farmers for crop resident.Singh also refuted any possibility of a meeting with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, saying the issue of pollution crisis was a much bigger issue involving all states contributing to pollution.
Capacity building tours by Indian Army for Kashmir students elicit positive response

Budgam (Jammu and Kashmir) , November 13 : The students of ITI and Polytechnic institutions of Kashmir's Budgam district visited various industrial centres of Delhi, Noida and Gurugram to include PUSA ITI, Aryabhatta Polytechnic Institute, Army Institute of Management and Technology, Global Institute of Technology, Maruti Udhyog Limited and Hero Limited, as part of a capacity building tour organised by the Indian Army.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621134 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/india-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621134 173O212O198O32)

During the tour, the students were acquainted to modern day technologies being used by these reputed companies. Counselling sessions on the various courses that were being offered by the institutions were also held, with the intention of making the students aware about career prospects in their chosen vocations.The tour was a part of the ongoing initiative that the Army has undertaken to improve awareness levels of the students of Jammu and Kashmir.The initiative elicited a positive response from the locals and did so, in its previous stint too.Earlier in June this year, a similar capacity building tour was organised for students of ITI Srinagar and ITI Bemina to Chandigarh, Mohali and Ludhiana. The students got an opportunity to visit premier institutions like ITI Ludhiana, ITI Chandigarh, Punjab University and privately-run institutions like Lovely Professional University and Chandigarh University."Such tours organised by the Indian Army under its flagship welfare initiative, Operation Sadbhavna, go a long way in enhancing awareness levels of students of Kashmir who do not get much opportunity to visit other parts of the country. It gives to them the confidence to venture out in pursuit of career enhancement," said Lt. Gen. PS Mehta, who has recently retired from the Indian Army and who is a native of Kashmir."The tours spark in the young minds and motivate them to work harder to acquire jobs in such prestigious companies," added Gen. MehtaThe Army holds a large number of educational, awareness and capacity building tours for various strata of society in Jammu and Kashmir during the winter months. This is the chosen time since educational institutions are closed for the winter break.While students form a predominant part, the initiative also includes elders and religious leaders who get an insight into the cultural diversity and also exchange views with eminent personalities like political leaders, educationists, professionals in various fields etc.
A first atlas on rural migration in sub-Saharan Africa

ROME: A first atlas to offer a better understanding of complex rural migration patterns in sub-Saharan Africa has been published today.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621134 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/business-world-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621134 173O212O198O32)

The atlas - Rural Africa in motion. Dynamics and drivers of migration south of the Sahara - also highlights the important role rural areas will continue to play in shaping the continent's migration for decades to come."Population growth translates into a massive expansion of the labour force. Some 380 million new working age people are expected to enter the job market by 2030. Of those about 220 million are likely to be in rural areas. The challenge is to generate enough employment to absorb this booming labour force. This is why agriculture and rural development must be an integral part of any response to large migratory movements," said Kostas Stamoulis, FAO Assistant Director-General, Economic and Social Development Department.Through a series of maps and in depth case studies, the 20 authors of the atlas, representing different research institutions, think tanks and international organizations from and outside Africa, explore the complexity of the interrelated causes that drive people in Africa to leave their homes. They shed light on regional migration dynamics and perspectives, and foster understanding of rural migration."The atlas is timely as the need for new analytical tools to improve our understanding of Africa's migration is becoming more and more pressing. In the face of climate change and unprecedented population growth, the atlas doesn't only provide a stimulating overview on rural migration, it can also help shape more coordinated and coherent actions to address migration," added Kostas Stamoulis.The atlas is the result of a partnership between the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations (FAO), with technical support from the Centre for the Study of Governance Innovation (GovInn) in South Africa."This atlas is an innovative contribution which will support the policy debate not only between governments and the international community, but also between and with local stakeholders," said Jean-Luc Khalfaoui, CIRAD's Director General for Research and Strategy.North versus sub-Saharan Africa: different migration flowsThe atlas notes that the vast majority of Africans (75 percent) are migrating within Africa, whilst the overwhelming majority of North Africans (about 90 percent) migrate to Europe. Hence, sub-Sharan Africa "is in motion", but mainly within the limits of the continent.Western and Eastern Africa are the most dynamic regions with about 5.7 and 3.6 million intra-regional migrants in 2015.
Four African States apply for Fisheries Transparency Initiative membership

ABIDJAN, Cote d'Ivoire: Guinea, Mauritania, Senegal and the Seychelles have informed the FiTI Secretariat of their desire to join the Fisheries Transparency Initiative (FiTI).





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621134 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/business-world-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621134 173O212O198O32)

On the model of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), FiTI is a code of conduct involving States, civil society, development partners and operators in the fisheries sector that provides for the publication of all national legislation on and all contracts related to the fisheries sector.With the support of Peter Eigen, former president of Transparency International and an iconic EITI figure, a draft FiTI Charter was drawn up following discussions between different stakeholders, and validated at a plenary session held in April 2017 in Bali, Indonesia.Under the FiTI Charter, an independent evaluation of candidacy should be the subject of national consultations at workshops attended by all stakeholders: government representatives, private sector representative and civil society actors.To familiarize States with the content of the Charter, the African Development Bank-financed a workshop to provide information on and validate the FiTI Standard held on June 26 and 27, 2017 in Victoria, Seychelles, for representatives of States and civil society and private sector actors from seven island and coastal countries in the Indian Ocean Region."The publication of contracts will help potential investors gain a better view of opportunities available. For example, if an investor knows that another investor has been authorized to catch 10,000 tonnes of sardines in a particular country and that the margin for increase of the total allowable catch for that species is limited, the investor will apply for a permit to fish a different species," FiTI focal point Jean-Louis Kromer told the AfDB.Beyond its keen interest in improving the governance of fisheries, the AfDB Group is helping its regional members gain the maximum benefit from their fisheries resources, particularly through initiatives promoted by the African Natural Resources Centre (ANRC), which encourages them to favour integrated development through planning and conservation.
Africa e-learning Market Reached a Value of More Than USUSD 600 Million in 2016, Exhibiting a CAGR of Around 15pc During 2009-2016

MUMBAI: Bharat Book Bureau announces the addition of the report Africa E-Learning Market: Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2017-2022 to its offering.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621135 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/business-india-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621135 173O212O198O32)

E-learning is a system based on formalized teaching with the help of electronic resources. It can be termed as a network enabled transfer of skills and knowledge which offers the flexibility to fit in a large number of recipients at the same or different time schedules. It is gaining prominence in the African countries as classroom teaching is unable to meet the growing need to impart quality education. The African education system is underfunded with education institutes being situated in remote areas and lacking considerably qualified teaching staff. As a result of this, learners from different areas are encouraged towards adopting e-learning methods, such as K-12 sector, post-secondary, corporate and government learning, etc.From desktop computers to smartphones, e-learning spans the array of devices that are available for the consumers. It facilitates the learners to choose from a wide range of specially designed courses, along with accessing various learning tools, sharing content online, and engaging in interactive sessions from miles apart. E-learning also aids learners with different learning abilities to proceed through courses as per their convenience. As a result of its various advantages, the market for e-learning is further expected to reach a value of more than US$ 1,400 Million by 2022.The report has segmented the market on the basis of type as packaged content, services and platform. Currently, packaged content accounts for the majority of the total market share. The market is further segmented on the basis of technology, covering mobile learning, simulation based learning, game based learning, learning management system (LMS), etc. Amongst these, mobile learning holds the majority of the market share. On a regional-basis, South Africa, Morocco, Nigeria, Tunisia, and Kenya emerge as countries where e-learning is gaining prominence rapidly. South Africa represents the largest region, accounting for nearly one-fourth of the African market. An analysis of the competitive landscape provides the details key players operative in the market. Some of the major players are Eneza Education, Via Afrika, Obami, Tutor.ng, and Dapt.io.This report provides a deep insight into the Africa e-learning industry covering all its essential aspects. This ranges from macro overview of the market to micro details of the industry performance, recent trends, key market drivers and challenges, SWOT analysis, Porter's five forces analysis, value chain analysis, etc. This report is a must-read for entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, consultants, business strategists, and all those who have any kind of stake or are planning to foray into the Africa e-learning industry in any manner.Key Aspects Analysed:aTrends and dynamics in the e-learning market.aMajor product types and their current and future market potential.aMajor technology segments and their current and future market potential.aKey drivers/restraints and their impact on the current and future market scenario.aExamination of the competitive landscape.aMajor E-Learning Types Covered in This Report:aPackaged ContentaServicesaPlatformsMajor Technologies Covered in This Report:aMobile LearningaSimulation Based LearningaGame Based LearningaLearning Management System (LMS)aOthersMajor Sectors Covered in This Report:aK-12 SectoraPost-SecondaryaCorporate and Government LearningaOthersMajor Regions Covered in This Report:aSouth AfricaaMoroccoaNigeriaaTunisiaaKenyaaOthersFocus of the Analysis:aOverviewaHistorical and current market scenarioaMarket trendsaMarket forecast
TouchCare Launches Data-Driven Health Advocacy Business to Lower Employer Healthcare Costs

NEW YORK: TouchCare announces the launch of its health advocacy business, providing a service and platform that reduces healthcare costs, increases employee productivity, and cuts through the confusion associated with the American healthcare system.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621135 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/us-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621135 173O212O198O32)

TouchCare applies their healthcare expertise and data analytics to gain a deep understanding of their client's benefits needs to execute a strategy that increases employee engagement in benefits, enables better decision making, improves employee productivity and reduces healthcare costs.To support the new business, TouchCare has expanded the leadership team in New York City, hiring CEO Rob LaHayne. Mr. LaHayne, an employee benefits executive who spent the past three years building the benefits practice at Namely, brings 12 years of experience developing and deploying benefits solutions for midsize and large employers. Also joining the company are Vice President, Client Success, Codi Gill and Natalie Austin, Marketing Director, a former Virgin Pulse marketing leader."TouchCare addresses a real need for a data driven solution that reduces healthcare costs," said Mr. LaHayne. "By helping employers harness their data for better cost containment strategies, TouchCare can lower costs while also giving employees an awesome experience that enables them to be more productive, more knowledgeable, and ultimately healthier."Linking data, technology, and human touch, TouchCare becomes a strategic partner to employers, driving meaningful member engagement leading to more informed decisions and healthcare savings. Members can contact TouchCare Expert Health Assistants via the web, phone, email or the app, making the service available any time a member has a health benefits concern. TouchCare's mission is to enable better consumerism by solving member benefit problems, reducing unnecessary spending, and avoid over-billing."The team at GateHouse Media cherish the partnership we have built with TouchCare and their Expert Health Assistants have worked hard to solve our employees' healthcare issues, offering provider recommendations, addressing billing concerns and booking healthcare appointments," said GateHouse Director, HR Programs, Suzanne England. "It's certainly reduced the burden on HR and the stress that surrounds healthcare. Our employees love TouchCare!"TouchCare saves its customers up to 10% on their healthcare costs during the first three years of operations. For an average mid-sized employer with 10,000 employees, that can be over $7 million in annual savings that goes straight to the bottom line.
NIC Asia Bank to float bonds worth Rs3b

NIC Asia Bank will soon float bonds worth Rs3 billion, which will generate yields of 9 percent per annum.
National Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week 2017

OTTAWA: The Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network (CAAN) announces Indigenous leadership will gather on November 30, 2017 in Ottawa, ON for a Parliamentary Breakfast to launch Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week 2017.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621136 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/business-world-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621136 173O212O198O32)

It will be followed December 1 - 6, 2017 by events across the country (Vancouver, Edmonton, Regina, Winnipeg, Iqaluit, Toronto, and more) to unite an Indigenous response to HIV and AIDS in a parallel theme to international World AIDS Day: Right to Health.This series of events across Canada will connect Indigenous organizations, government partners, health care providers, and community leaders as they reflect on what has been achieved and what must still be achieved by testing to "know your status", eliminating stigma and discrimination, and ensuring equitable access.To end the AIDS epidemic, global efforts are aligned around a 90-90-90 Strategy which sets three measures of progress. On World AIDS Day 2016, the Government of Canada reported Canada's advances on these measures: 80% of HIV-infected people in Canada know their status; 76% of those who know they have HIV are on treatment; and 89% on treatment have suppressed viral loads."Indigenous communities hold the knowledge needed to close HIV target gaps, as we continue to be over-represented 2.7 times higher than other Canadians," said Ken Clement, CEO of Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network. "Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week is an opportunity for Indigenous Peoples, researchers, and policy makers to share wise and promising practices, learn from each other and build relationships across the country."Right to Health is attune to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People. Barriers exist to Indigenous Peoples' Right to Health including stigma, discrimination, and systemic racism. Indigenous communities hold strengths of traditional knowledge, culture, language and connection to land which supports wellbeing and health equity.The Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network and its launch day co-hosts, Canadian Global Health All-Parliamentary Caucus HIV TB & Malaria, Interagency Coalition on AIDS and Development (ICAD), and Pauktuutit Inuit Women's Association of Canada invite you to participate in Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week as it brings awareness to the different aspects of HIV prevention and key populations such as Indigenous women and youth living with HIV and AIDS.
Locally Grown Nurture Burger Launches on Amazon Fresh, Preliminary Profits go to North Texas Food Bank

FRISCO, Texas: Nurture Burger, 100pc grass-fed ground beef is now available for home delivery in Dallas-Ft. Worth through Amazon Fresh and profits from November sales will be donated to the North Texas Food Bank.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621136 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/us-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621136 173O212O198O32)

Nurture Burger, produced by Frisco-based Nurture Ranch, is 100% grass-fed ground beef, raised in the tall lush dells of the East Texas free range without antibiotics, hormones or grain. Until now, Nurture Burger was not available for consumer purchase."Nurture Ranch was founded with the mission to improve the food supply through better quality meats. We are proud to be fulfilling our mission by bringing Nurture Burger directly to consumers' homes through Amazon Fresh and supporting the important work North Texas Food Bank does for our community," said Rodney Mason, Nurture Ranch CEO.Nurture Burger is made from sirloin, rib, brisket, chuck and round for a one-of-kind, clean, delicious taste that is lower in calories and saturated fat than traditional beef. Nurture Burger is sold directly to consumers via Amazon Fresh in North Texas and to finer restaurants and institutions across the country.Dale Long, North Texas Food Bank interim VP of Operations stated, "We are grateful to Nurture Ranch and all of their customers for supporting the Food Bank. There is a hunger crisis in North Texas as so many of our neighbors don't know where their next healthy meal will come from. This donation couldn't come at a better time, as we prepare for the extra demands of the holidays and colder winter months."
Condo Authority launches Ontario's first online tribunal and new training for condo directors

TORONTO: Condominium communities across the province now have access to new services to support condo living available through the Condominium Authority of Ontario (CAO).





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621137 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/business-world-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621137 173O212O198O32)

The CAO has launched the Condominium Authority Tribunal (CAT), which is Ontario's first online dispute resolution service, and new mandatory Director Training e-modules that will equip condo directors with the skills and information to run their condo corporation more effectively."The new tribunal, a first of its kind, will transform how disputes are resolved in condo communities. By regulation, the tribunal will begin by dealing with records disputes," says Tom Wright, Chair of the CAO. "In addition, the training program will help to equip condo directors with skills and information to assist in the running of the corporation, in addition to resolving problems and fostering a positive community culture."The new, free training is mandatory for condo directors who are elected or appointed to a board on or after November 1, 2017. Condo directors must complete the training within six months of being elected or appointed, including directors that are re-elected and re-appointed after this date. The training is also available to any condo owner or member of the public at no charge."We understand that issues and disputes within condo communities can have a big impact on an owner's enjoyment of their home," says Robin Dafoe, Executive Director of the CAO. She stresses that "the online tribunal and director education being launched today are the initial "beta" versions of these online tools. We want to hear from condo owners and directors to continue to refine these services to meet their needs."On September 1st, Director Training pilot modules were available on the CAO website. Over 320 people participated in the pilot training with 93% who rated the content as valuable and 94% who indicated that the modules were easy to navigate.The launch of the CAT is the result of a review of the Condominium Act, 1998, which revealed the need for an easier and more cost-effective method of resolving disputes in condo communities.Ian Darling, Chair of the CAT says, "The new Condominium Authority Tribunal will provide condo owners and corporations with a fast, fair, and low-cost online dispute resolution service. The three-stage process allows users the option of going as far as they need in order to resolve a dispute."The first stage, Negotiation, allows users to file their case, and for a fee of $25, they are provided with access to the CAT's online dispute resolution (ODR) system to negotiate in a neutral forum and attempt to resolve the dispute themselves.If the dispute cannot be resolved at this stage, the users can move to stage two, which is Mediation, for a cost of $50. In this stage, a dedicated CAT mediator will join the case and assist the users in resolving the dispute.If still unresolved, the dispute moves to the third and final stage, Tribunal Decision, where a dedicated CAT member will conduct a formal adjudication of the dispute for a cost of $125.Currently, the CAT is accepting cases that relate to disputes regarding records, with more types being added gradually in the future, by government regulation.To develop the CAT's online dispute resolution (CAT-ODR) system, the CAO partnered with the University of Montreal's Cyberjustice Laboratories. After an extensive review of various software solutions available in North America, the CAO chose to build upon Cyberjustice's PARLe open source platform, which is already helping to resolve disputes online for Quebec consumers.The CAT-ODR solution has been integrated into the CAO's enterprise technology platform, which also offers the CAO's full suite of online services, including self-help information and tools, condominium registration, and condo director training. This end-to-end, user-focused enterprise technology solution is being delivered on a Microsoft 365 platform by Adoxio Business Solutions.
Vionic Opens First California Retail Space in Westfield San Francisco Centre

SAN RAFAEL, Calif: On November 2nd Vionic footwear will debut its first pop-up shop in the heart of San Francisco's shopping district in the Westfield San Francisco Centre. The shop will be open through April '18 and will carry the complete line of Vionic products for women and men, including boots, heels, active styles, slippers and more.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621137 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/us-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621137 173O212O198O32)

"We are excited to open our first Vionic pop-up shop in California to showcase Vionic to our customers. San Francisco is the perfect venue for us since we are a San Francisco Bay Area based brand - we are proud to have a Vionic shop in our own backyard," says Vionic President Connie Rishwain. "Our pop-up will showcase the full extent of our line and we think customers will be delighted to experience Vionic first hand."Vionic combines coveted trends and innovative technology, offering shoes with unmatched style and addictive support. A decade following the introduction of its iconic Tide sandal, the Vionic collection has evolved with on-trend styles featuring an expanded range of materials and silhouettes. Building upon the biomechanical benefits that highlight the brand's success, the line now boasts an elevated range of sleek sandals and casual sneakers as well as heels, wedges, and active offerings adored by media and influencers. Vionic has been featured in press including *O, The Oprah Magazine, The Today Show, InStyle, Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, Redbook, Buzzfeed, Refinary29, Men's Health, Travel + Leisure, and PeopleStyle*.As many brands focus solely on e-commerce, Vionic is embracing a more personal approach. With soaring numbers of raving fans and a strong online presence, the Vionic pop-up shop will allow current and new customers to feel the Vionic difference in person. Associates will have extensive knowledge of Vionic products and its unique technology concealed within every style. Vionic's San Francisco shop follows the successful opening of its first branded retail store that opened earlier this year in partnership with a local retailer in Ohio.
C Spire to launch ultra-fast 1 Gbps internet access initiative for businesses

TUPELO, Miss: Tupelo may soon become the epicenter of the next phase of C Spire's Tech Movement initiative designed to make affordable, ultra-fast broadband Internet access widely available to consumers and businesses across Mississippi.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621137 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/us-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621137 173O212O198O32)

Tupelo Mayor Jason Shelton and C Spire executives have invited 1,300 local business owners to a pair of meetings on Monday, Nov. 6 at the BancorpSouth Arena and Conference Center to learn more about the opportunity to get Gigabit speed internet access for their enterprises for as low as $200 a month, the lowest price available in the nation.A lunch session is scheduled at 11:30 a.m. and an after work social is set for 5:30 p.m. at the facility, 375 East Main Street, in downtown Tupelo. Registration closes on Friday, Nov. 3. To secure a seat at one of the meetings, business owners need to register at http://events.cspire.com/fiberfasttupelo."I've had a vision for some time now to see our city become the first in Mississippi to make Gigabit speed internet access available to all our 4,400-plus businesses and nearly 39,000 residents," said Shelton, noting that the high-tech infrastructure will pave the way for economic growth, new jobs and improved quality of life for residents and businesses.Tupelo is one of at least two dozen cities chosen by C Spire to begin the first U.S. effort aimed at making Gigabit internet widely available to businesses ranging from coffee houses and restaurants to law offices, accounting and tax services. The company aims to make ultra-fast service available to one out of every five of the state's 250,000 businesses.Gigabit access for businesses is the second phase of a major private sector technology deployment by C Spire this fall that features a massive expansion of ultra-fast broadband internet and wireless fiber-based fixed internet to more than 250,000 consumers and small businesses in cities and towns across the state.The broadband expansion is a key part of the C Spire Tech Movement, an outgrowth of the company's 2013 groundbreaking Fiber-to-the-Home program, one of the first of its type in the U.S. and the fastest to connect thousands of Mississippi consumers in nine communities across the state to Gigabit internet, digital television and home phone services."We're excited about partnering with the city of Tupelo to make the benefits of ultra-fast, fiber-based Internet available to their local businesses," said Allen McIntosh, vice president and general manager for C Spire Business Solutions, noting that businesses who received an invitation to the meetings have been pre-qualified for the Gigabit service.McIntosh said the city has been divided into six business fiberhoods - designated areas that are within several hundred feet of the company's extensive infrastructure of buried fiber optic cable. Even the 3,300 businesses that are outside of the primary sphere of influence can receive the service if there is enough interest, he added."With this model, we can make these cutting-edge 21st century services available anywhere as long as there is enough interest to justify our capital investment," McIntosh added, noting that C Spire has installed over 8,000 route miles of fiber optics and owns and has deployed more wireless spectrum in Mississippi than any other communications carrier.McIntosh said the goal of the meetings is to gauge interest among businesses and discuss next steps for the project. Similar meetings are planned later in the month, including one in Laurel on Nov. 9. "Our goal is to meet with local leaders and develop a plan that will make these services available to as many businesses as quickly as possible," he said.The high-tech firm has been on a mission to expand broadband availability and boost average mobile and fixed broadband speeds in Mississippi. Overall, C Spire plans to deliver broadband Internet to over 250,000 residents and businesses with speeds ranging from 25 Mbps in underserved areas, 100 Mbps in other communities to 1 Gbps for businesses using the latest fiber optic and fixed wireless technologies, which enable faster and more widespread availability of critical services. The company also is continuing its FTTH Gigabit deployment in several communities across the state.The broadband expansion plan is part of a broader C Spire Tech Movement initiative designed to leverage the company's technology leadership and investments to help transform its service areas. Other elements of the program include leading the development of a tech workforce in Mississippi through education initiatives, expanding tech innovation and development of a state-of-the-art digital customer care platform for customers and team members.In recent years, C Spire's continuing technology investment has played a central role in recent state gains for average mobile and fixed broadband speeds in Mississippi. The company became the state's fastest Internet service provider in 2014 and more than quadrupled speeds in the state following its successful FTTH initiative.C Spire plans to share more details as it rolls out each phase of the Tech Movement, including specific markets, pricing and speeds in the programs. In the meantime, consumers and businesses can go to cspire.com/internetlaunch for more details, updates and frequently asked questions.
Wildlife Conservation Network EXPO Reveals Gains in Global Conservation

SAN FRANCISCO: Results are in from this fall's Wildlife Conservation EXPO, hosted by the Wildlife Conservation Network (WCN), offering hope for the future of conservation. More than 50 organizations from around the world working at the forefront of wildlife conservation gathered to share developments, challenges, and accomplishments in their field.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621138 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/us-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621138 173O212O198O32)

The Wildlife Conservation EXPO is one of the only opportunities for wildlife conservationists to come together and interact directly with one another, the public, and thought leaders in the field.Milestones reported during the EXPO include:aPainted Dog Conservation announced the removal by Anti-Poaching Units of 2,000 poaching snares in the past year alone.aEwaso Lions announced the birth of four new cubs in a community focus area in Samburu, Kenya, bringing the total number of lions to 50, up from 11 in 2007.aEthiopian Wolf Conservation Programme introduced oral vaccinations in a fight against rabies and diseases threatening the survival of the species, where fewer than 500 remain.aGlobal Penguin Society completed the management plan for the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve "Blue Patagonia", protecting over 20 penguin colonies and thousands of species of animals, plants, and fish.aSave The Elephants have identified and are working to secure three new wildlife corridors with local communities in northern Kenya.aMarAlliance announced a goal to establish a National Shark Advisory Committee and a quantifiable reduction in demand and consumption of shark meat and fins.aSnow Leopard Conservancy established a network of more than 25 guardians, shamans and community mobilizers to protect snow leopards in countries with a high risk of poaching.WCN's Jeffrey Parrish, Vice President of Conservation, explains why now more than ever, solidarity within the conservation community is crucial to the success of all species. "Hope lies in heroes. There are independent grassroots conservationists that punch above their weight, delivering massive impact with great efficiency - and WCN brings them and their supporters as close together as possible to give them the resources they need to succeed and scale what works. Together, they are working to make sure our world stays wild."
Companies exemplifying work and resource management honored at 20th annual Planview Horizons customer conference

AUSTIN, Texas: During the 20th annual Planview Horizons customer conference held Oct. 17-19 in San Antonio, Texas, Planview recognized companies who advanced work and resource management by achieving and exceeding their goals for strategic planning, portfolio and resource management, product innovation, enterprise architecture, and collaborative work management.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621138 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/us-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621138 173O212O198O32)

2017 recipients of the Planview Vision Awards include Etihad Airways, Hallmark Cards, Manulife, MassMutual, Moffitt Cancer Center, and The University of Texas System."Each of our 2017 Planview Vision Awards recipients is committed to driving growth through technology and product innovation," said Scott Hardey, Planview chief customer officer. "By leveraging Planview work and resource management solutions, these seven companies have been able to reduce time-to-market, build intelligent products for a global marketplace, support key functions in IT organizations, and achieve strategic goals across the enterprise."Etihad AirwaysThe second-largest airline of the United Arab Emirates, Etihad Airways operates more than 1,000 flights per week to 110 passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Americas. With Planview Innotas, Etihad successfully embedded a consistent project portfolio management process to improve schedule performance by 20 percent and accelerate time to market by 4 weeks. Etihad is connecting strategy with execution across the organization to enable rapid growth and championing a culture of success.Hallmark CardsHeadquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, and employing more than 28,000 worldwide, Hallmark Cards, Inc. operates a diversified portfolio of businesses, each focusing on creating a more emotionally connected world by making a genuine difference in every life, every day. Hallmark uses Planview Projectplace in many creative ways and to make the invisible visible. Once they moved their Kanban board from a Post-It note wall to a secure workspace in Projectplace, they were able to replace complex, spreadsheet driven processes while reducing the amount of paper used, and today their Kanban boards are a breeze to create, maintain, read, and access.ManulifeManulife is a global financial services group, operating as John Hancock in the United States and serving more than 22 million customers. Manulife needed a standard process to manage applications across the enterprise. Disconnected spreadsheets and inconsistent formats created a quarterly fire drill. Planview Troux gave the company a single view into applications in use across the business. Manulife can now map application dependencies and key compliance information to prioritize applications and track critical data usage.MassMutualWith 5 million customers, Springfield, Massachusetts-based MassMutual is a leading mutual life insurance company that is run for the benefit of its members and participating policyowners. MassMutual offers a wide range of financial products and services, including life insurance, disability income insurance, long term care insurance, annuities, retirement plans, and other employee benefits. Since 2013, MassMutual has expanded Planview Troux from simply storing business applications and capabilities, to being the primary support system for key roles within its technology organization.Moffitt Cancer CenterTampa-based Moffitt Cancer Center is one of only 49 National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers. Within 90 days, Moffitt Cancer Center deployed Planview Enterprise and just one year later, after ditching spreadsheets, they were able to realize their strategic vision of converging enterprise architecture, the PMO, and IT governance.The University of Texas SystemThe University of Texas System is one of the largest public university systems in the United States, with 14 institutions and an enrollment of more than 234,000 students. With Planview Enterprise, The University of Texas System tracks outcomes and delivers updates to the UT System chancellor, executive officers, and institution presidents, so they can make informed decisions on strategic initiatives across 14 institutions.
Regulators sign an agreement with the Abu Dhabi Global Market Financial Services Regulatory Authority

MONTREAL: The securities regulatory authorities in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec and Saskatchewan (participating jurisdictions) today announced a co-operation agreement with the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM).





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621139 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/business-world-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621139 173O212O198O32)

The agreement will allow the participating jurisdictions and the FSRA to refer to one another innovative businesses seeking to enter the others' markets.The agreement is an extension of the work of the CSA Regulatory Sandbox Initiative, which was launched in February 2017, and the ADGM Regulatory Laboratory, which has been in operation since November 2016. These innovation functions provide a controlled environment for businesses to develop and test innovative solutions that promote efficiency and consumer choices in the financial sector."This agreement with the FSRA is a positive step for the CSA, which has already taken steps with the Sandbox to help innovative businesses seeking to operate across Canada," said Louis Morisset, CSA Chair and President and CEO of the Autorite des marches financiers. "The co-operation agreement further builds on the Sandbox by helping innovative businesses seeking to expand globally."The co-operation agreement is subject to the domestic laws of each authority and does not modify or supersede any applicable laws in force in, or applicable to, any such authority's respective jurisdiction.The CSA, the council of the securities regulators of Canada's provinces and territories, co-ordinates and harmonizes regulation for the Canadian capital markets.
Hooda asks PM to use funds for tackling air pollution

Chandigarh (Haryana) , November 13 : Congress leader Deepender Singh Hooda on Monday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting him to use the National Clean Energy and Environment Fund towards tackling the problem of air pollution in North India, while alleging that the funds are being used to cover the loss caused due to the implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST).





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621139 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/india-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621139 173O212O198O32)

"As reports suggest that National Clean Energy and Environment Fund is being used towards compensating the states' revenue loss due to GST, in this context, I request you to also use the fund towards tackling the issue of pollution in Delhi, NCR and North India," the letter read.Hooda further urged the prime minister to convene a meeting of the chief ministers of Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh to devise a concrete and long-term solution, and allocate appropriate budget towards the same as soon as possible, "so that the problem can be tackled in a time-bound manner, and the issue does not repeat in the next year."In the letter, the Congress MP from Rohtak said the Centre and state governments should rise above ideological differences to combat the problem together.
Equifax India appoints K M Nanaiah as Country Head

Mumbai (Maharashtra) , November 13 : Global information solutions company, Equifax Inc. on Monday announced appointment of K M Nanaiah as its Country Head.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621140 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/business-india-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621140 173O212O198O32)

Equifax India, which leverages high velocity analytics, business intelligence solutions, and industry leading data, is on an upward trajectory and unveiling a variety of new solutions."Nanaiah will provide leadership and oversight for both the bureau (ECIS) and analytics businesses (EA) in India," said Equifax MD, Emerging Markets and chairman of the board Equifax India, Shahid Charania.Nanaiah comes to Equifax from Renoir Management, a global consulting firm with in-depth knowledge of the B2B and B2C market ecosystem after spending two decades in sales and general management roles in global business environments.Prior to Renoir, Nanaiah served as MD, Pitney Bowes, India where he set up and led the country business unit for over ten years.
Olis rival Adhikari urges voters to choose young and dynamic leaders

Nepali Congress candidate Khagendra Adhikari, a new name in national politics, has come under the spotlight for his decision to contest opposite CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli, arguably the most secure top leader in the upcoming polls, in Jhapa-5.
Duterte calls media 'spies' as he meets Trump in Manila

Manila [Philippines], November 13 : Philippine's President Rodrigo Duterte jocularly called the media 'spies' during his maiden talks with President Donald Trump.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621140 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/world-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621140 173O212O198O32)

The two leaders met on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Manila.According to CNN, when reporters began shouting questions, Duterte said, "we will be discussing matters that are of interest to both the Philippines and (the US) ... with you around, guys, you are the spies."Trump laughed in response even as Duterte repeated, "yes, you are."The meeting between the two outspoken leaders came in the backdrop of Duterte's reversal of the policy of his pro-American predecessor, Benigno Aquino.In one-on-one sit-down meeting with Duterte, Trump called the US-Philippine relationship "great" and "successful"."We have had a great relationship. This has been very successful," said Trump.The US leader refrained from answering any questions on the allegations of human rights abuses in the Philippines in the country's war on drugs.
Panasonic North America and Pappas MacDonnell Win Gold at the 2017 ITSMA Marketing Excellence Awards

SOUTHPORT, Conn: ITSMA, the leading source for B2B marketers, has named Panasonic North America one of 18 winners of its 2017 Marketing Excellence Awards.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621140 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/us-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621140 173O212O198O32)

The award, given for the company's work with Southport, Connecticut-based marketing and communications agency Pappas MacDonnell, Inc., was presented on November 1, during ITSMA's 24th Annual Conference, Marketing Vision 2017, in Cambridge, Massachusetts.Panasonic North America received Gold in the Brand Differentiation category for the Technologies That Move Us brand platform and campaign. Winners were chosen for excellence in innovation, program execution and business results."This year's winners stood apart with inspiring programs that drove substantial impact on the business," said Dave Munn, President and CEO of ITSMA. "Panasonic provided an outstanding example of how a brand can differentiate itself in today's connected economy."To change the way business and government customers think of Panasonic North America, Pappas MacDonnell helped create a new brand narrative and integrated marketing campaign. The Technologies That Move Us platform gave voice to a new company vision and positioned Panasonic as the forward-thinking technology partner that customers wanted."Our goal was to transform how our brand was perceived in North America. This initiative far exceeded all our expectations," said Lauren Sallata, Chief Marketing Officer at Panasonic North America. "This is truly a new chapter for a storied brand entering its 100th year."
Bell Helicopter and GES Win Gold Stevie Award in 2017 International Business Awards

LAS VEGAS: Bell Helicopter and GES were recognized as the winner of a Gold Stevie Award in the Best Exhibition Display, Stand or Feature category in The 14th Annual International Business Awards, held in Barcelona, Spain. The prestigious award recognized Bell Helicopter's exhibit at HAI HELI-EXPO 2017.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621141 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/us-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621141 173O212O198O32)

"We are truly honored for our exhibit to win Gold in the International Business Awards," said Chief Communications Officer for Bell Helicopter Robert T. Hastings. "The reveal of a new aircraft is especially exciting in the helicopter industry. We are embarking on a new era at Bell Helicopter. We are leveraging our history of pioneering new technologies to showcase what's next in aviation. We wanted our exhibit at HAI HELI-EXPO 2017 to build anticipation and demand for our products and services while providing customers with an unforgettable experience that lasted long after the curtain was raised. And we believe we accomplished that mission. Mission accomplished!""GES is grateful for our long and successful partnership with Bell Helicopter," said GES Sr. Strategic Account Executive, Melissa Levesque. "They are so open to us being part of their team that developing award-winning exhibits and experiences, like HAI 2017, becomes a wonderful collaboration of ideas and creativity."Stevie Award winners were determined by the average scores of more than 200 executives worldwide who participated on 12 juries.Comments from the Stevie Award judges included, "A well-considered exhibition display/stand with a really strong sense of aesthetics and quality finish. Importantly the exhibition provided an artful balance between edutainment, self-discovery, and corporate showmanship. Very strong strategic thought at work in the project's objectives and design approach, very creative, strong tactical delivery and outstanding results. Well done."The International Business Awards are the world's premier business awards program. The 2017 IBAs received entries from more than 60 nations and territories. A record total of more than 3,900 nominations, from more than 60 nations and territories including organizations of all sizes and in virtually every industry were submitted this year for consideration in a wide range of categories.
Suning's Net Profit Surges 321.23pc In First 3 Quarters As It Strengthens Integration of Online and Offline Presence

NANJING: Suning Commerce Group (Suning Commerce), a Fortune Global 500 company owned by China's commercial giant Suning Holdings Group (Suning or the Group), has reported a sky-rocketing year-on-year increase of 321.23pc in net profit through the first three quarters this year, according to its just-released financial report.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621141 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/business-world-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621141 173O212O198O32)

Together with other appealing results, the report demonstrates that the Group's innovative online-to-offline ("O2O") retail strategy has been a great success.According to the report, Suning.com, the bellwether of Suning's e-commerce business, generated an operating revenue of RMB131.88 billion(USUSD19.95 billion) for the first three quarters, up 26.98% year-on-year. Net income attributable to shareholders from business operation climbed to RMB672 million(USUSD100 million), up 321.23% year-on-year. In Q3, the operating revenue rose 36.96% year-on-year.The past three quarters saw the best performance of Suning's e-retail business since it geared up for O2O from 2009. Suning Commerce's online presence also reported a 65.54% rise in revenue year-on-year to RMB66.23 billion (approximately USUSD10 billion, including tax), contributing slightly more than half of total operating revenue."We're excited to see what we've achieved in the first three quarters. The retail business in China has come to a turning point. It is seen that O2O will be a trend in the next phase of the industry, and Suning is committed to fully embrace this new trend with its leading deployment of 'Smart Retail' with the expertise and technology accumulation both online and offline," said Zhang Jindong, Chairman of Suning Commerce Group and Suning Holdings Group.Founded in 1990, Suning has opened over 3,700 physical stores both around the country and overseas, delivering customized services to various communities. With retail in its genes, Suning lunched its e-commerce platform Suning.com in 2010, and now its expertise and experience in online retail has been honed over the past eight years. In 2012, Suning proposed the innovative business model which is similar to "Walmart adds Amazon", strategically balancing its online and offline businesses to improve synergy. Sun Weimin, Deputy Chairman of Suning Commerce Group, noted that while brick-and-mortar retail is the Suning's obvious strength, it has built a vibrant online presence with advanced technologies. The O2O retail model brings one-stop seamless shopping experience to consumers, while creates recognized value for Suning and its shareholders.The revenue and customer loyalty from the online business has been increased significantly since its inception. "Suning's online and offline businesses complement each other effectively. We are leveraging Suning's advantage in supply chains, logistics, data and financial services to create the best shopping experience," said Sun.By 2018, Suning plans to add 5,000 physical stores that will be connected to its online presence, while another three self-service stores would be opened during China's largest annual shopping spree, the "11/11 O2O Shopping Festival".
The Sentient Enterprise: New Business Book Focuses on Future of Analytics

SAN DIEGO: Teradata (NYSE: TDC), the leading data and analytics company, today announced the general availability of a new book by Oliver Ratzesberger, of Teradata, and Mohan Sawhney, of Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management, that presents a bold vision into the future of analytics, automation and artificial intelligence (AI) in an increasingly digital world.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621142 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/business-world-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621142 173O212O198O32)

The book has quickly gained popularity as a Wall Street Journal Bestseller (subscription required) for the week ending October 22, 2017, its first full week of availability."Executives understand that they have to act now to get ahead of a rapidly changing, digital world," says Ratzesberger, Executive Vice President and Chief Product Officer, Teradata. "The Sentient Enterprise is a North Star, a specific set of business-wide capabilities, for enterprises to create a culture of data-first decision-making at scale.""In a world where every home, pocket and purse has countless real-time, smart and self-serve apps, enterprises are embarrassingly behind the curve," says Mohan Sawhney, recognized scholar, thought leader, speaker and professor at Northwestern Kellogg. "The Sentient Enterprise is an essential set of capabilities for enterprises to institutionalize an analytics culture and make autonomous decisions at massive scale, in real-time.""The Sentient Enterprise" details a layered, five-stage journey through progressively more advanced "platforms" of capabilities, resulting in agile enterprises that intuitively connect people, processes, data and outcomes. The book recounts success stories from companies on the journey like Dell, Verizon Wireless, eBay, General Motors, Siemens, Volvo, Wells Fargo and other organizations that have transformed their business practices through analytics. It forecasts enterprise decision-making so proactive and automated that the organization will eventually become more self-aware and "sentient.""Historically, the creation of analytics was a somewhat unstructured and 'artisanal' activity, driven by individual human hypotheses and curiosity. ... But with the five 'platforms' described in this book, analytics can move well beyond the artisanal stage. They are a linked set of capabilities for making analytics operational, production-based and shared across the enterprise a a high-volume manufacturing operation for data and analytics-based decisions." 1The book summarizes what it means to be "sentient," serving as a roadmap for organizations struggling to make decisions at the speed of data. It outlines five foundational qualities of a sentient enterprise:aProactive and able to sense micro-trends signaling the next opportunity, or alerting the next crisisaFrictionless because the business can act as a single organism without any impedance or bottlenecks created by silosaAutonomous to listen to data and make decisions in real-time without much human interventionaScalable to any size company and able to leverage unlimited data for making decisionsaEvolving through intelligence that is native and emergentPrior to Teradata, Oliver Ratzesberger spent seven years at eBay, leading its data warehouse and big data platform programs. As head of Teradata R&D, he now oversees a global organization including more than 1,900 technologists around the world.Mohan Sawhney is the McCormick Foundation chair of technology, clinical professor of marketing and the director of the Center for Research in Technology and Innovation at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. His research currently focuses on modern marketing, organic growth and business innovation. Professor Sawhney advises and speaks to Global 2000 firms and government worldwide.
Armory strengthens asset management team with distressed debt senior hire

LOS ANGELES: Industry veteran James Duplessie joins Armory Group, LLC (Armory) as Senior Principal, bringing over 25 years of experience investing in middle market distressed companies.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621142 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/us-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621142 173O212O198O32)

James will work with Nick Tell, Armory's Co-Founder and Portfolio Manager, to help identify, evaluate and execute on distressed investment opportunities in the middle market. James will also help oversee Armory's other investment strategies which includes discounted high yield bonds and leveraged loans for middle market companies.James began his investing career in the early 1990's with O'Connor & Associates. He later co-founded Epic Asset Management to focus on investing in middle market distressed companies. Epic was acquired in 2008 by Citigroup, where James served as Head of Distressed Debt Strategies. Most recently, James led the Distressed Debt Team for Napier Park Global Capital, the entity formed when Citigroup spun out its hedge fund group in 2010."With a large portion of middle market high yield debt expected to mature in the next two years, we believe we are approaching the start of another distressed debt cycle for middle market investing," said Nick. "James' extensive experience, relationships and track record in distressed investing will be advantageous for Armory's middle market platform, and its ability to execute on attractive investment opportunities for its investors. We are honored to have him on our investment team."James earned a B.A. in Economics from Washington and Lee University, a J.D. from Wake Forest University School of Law, and an M.B.A. from Tulane University.
Lake St. Martin First Nation begins return to new community with completion of first 40 homes

WINNIPEG: The governments of Canada, Manitoba and Lake St. Martin First Nation are working together to bring home residents displaced by severe flooding in 2011.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621143 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/business-world-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621143 173O212O198O32)

Today, the Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Indigenous Services, and the Honourable Eileen Clarke, Minister of Indigenous and Northern Relations for the Province of Manitoba, congratulated Lake St. Martin First Nation on the completion of 40 homes in their new community.Lake St. Martin Chief and Council celebrated by distributing new home keys to band members, who are now able to begin the return home.Up to 190 homes will be ready for occupation by the end of January 2018.Water treatment and sewage treatment facilities including a new lagoon are completed. The new Kindergarten-to-Grade 12 school will accommodate up to 324 students and is expected to be complete by September 2018.Quotes"This has been a difficult time for First Nations affected by the 2011 flood, and they are determined to rebuild as safer and stronger communities. I am thrilled that members of Lake St. Martin First Nation have started to return home to their newly rebuilt community. Our government is committed to completing the work needed to get all remaining 2011 flood evacuees home to safe and sustainable communities."The Honourable Jane PhilpottMinister of Indigenous Services"Together with our federal and First Nations partners, our government is proud to announce the return of evacuees back to Lake St. Martin. We will continue to work positively and respectfully with the First Nations to ensure the safe return home of affected community members."The Honourable Eileen ClarkeMinister of Indigenous and Northern Relations, Province of ManitobaQuick FactsaIn addition to these 40 homes, it is expected that up to 190 homes will be completed by the end of January 2018.aThe housing project represents an investment of $49.5 million, cost-shared 50/50 between the Province of Manitoba and Canada.aThe Government of Canada is providing $19.7 million for the construction of the new school.aCanada and Manitoba have also invested in the development and servicing of the new community site, located on higher ground above the record flood levels experienced in 2011.
Red Cross Home Fire Campaign Installs One-Millionth Free Smoke Alarm, Saves Hundreds of Lives

WASHINGTON: The American Red Cross announced today that one million free smoke alarms have been installed and 285 lives have been saved due to the efforts of the volunteers and community partners who have participated in the organization's Home Fire Campaign.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621143 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/us-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621143 173O212O198O32)

"Since 2014, Red Cross volunteers across the country have been teaming up with local fire departments and community partners to reduce home fire tragedies in at-risk communities," said Gail McGovern, president and CEO of the Red Cross. "We want to thank every person and organization who has supported our Home Fire Campaign and helped us reach our one-millionth milestone. These efforts will help us save even more lives."With the support of 4,400 partner organizations, the Red Cross has helped to make more than one million people safer through home visits to install free smoke alarms, assist families with developing fire escape plans and provide home fire safety education. Since 2014, the Campaign has also reached nearly 895,000 kids through youth preparedness programs, helped to create more than 340,000 home fire escape plans, and replaced more than 51,000 smoke alarm batteries.This work is made possible thanks to generous financial donations from national partners: Almost Family, Delta Air Lines and International Paper. The Red Cross has also received funding from FEMA through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.This spring, the Red Cross will Sound the Alarm through a nationwide series of home fire safety and smoke alarm installation events from April 28 to May 13, 2018. Working with volunteers and partner organizations, the Red Cross plans to install 100,000 free smoke alarms across more than 100 major cities. Volunteers and financial contributions are needed.Join this Red Cross effort today by volunteering to install smoke alarms in your community, making a financial contribution, or taking steps to protect your own family from home fires. Together, we can Sound the Alarm about fire safety and help save lives.
Pepperidge Farm Milano Cookies and Chatbooks Announce Savor Your Moments

NORWALK, Conn: Pepperidge Farm Milano Cookies and Chatbooks, an automatic photo book app, are teaming up to announce Savor Your Moments, a consumer engagement campaign launching just in time for the holiday season.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621144 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/us-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621144 173O212O198O32)

The partnership was designed to encourage and inspire women and moms alike to make time for themselves to enjoy more moments of well-deserved "me" time. The co-branded campaign will feature exclusive consumer offers and a social media contest designed to engage women through the key campaign message, "Savor Your Everyday Moments."The Milano cookies Save Something for Yourself brand campaign empowers women who understand the art of compromise to save something for themselves. With this partnership, Milano cookies and Chatbooks are creating a tangible opportunity for mom to maximize her "mom" time and to savor more of her "me" time. Saving time with Chatbooks means having more time to do the things you love, like seizing a moment of silence to enjoy a Milano cookie (or three).The partner offers, starting today, will be available in Milano packs and delivered in Chatbooks packages. In addition, all Milano fans can use the promo code: MILANO to receive one free Series softcover photo book from Chatbooks. For more information on the offer, visit www.chatbooks.com/milano."It was such a natural fit to partner with a like-minded brand such as Chatbooks, who acknowledges and celebrates the everyday mom and her everyday moments," said Chris Foley, SVP/CMO, Pepperidge Farm. "This campaign was built on our mutual understanding of today's busy woman, and the shrinking amount of time she has to herself.""The holidays can be a whirlwind, especially for moms," added Vanessa Quigley, co-founder and Chatbooker-in-Chief, Chatbooks. "We're excited to partner with Milano cookies to encourage moms to take a well-deserved break amid the hustle and bustle so they can savor the amazing around them."Milano and Chatbooks will launch a social media contest today inviting consumers to share photos of how they save time for themselves during the chaos of the holiday season. The contest aims to uncover real holiday moments and spotlight supermom holiday hacks. Consumers can submit their photos on Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #SavorYourMoments and #Contest. Winners will be rewarded with a year's supply of "me time": enough cookies and photo books to last 12 months.
Millennials are the most vacation deprived

BELLEVUE, Wash: Expedia.com released its 2017 Vacation Deprivation report, an annual study that looks at the vacation habits of more than 15,000 working adults across 30 countries, revealing that Americans are struggling to use their vacation time.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621144 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/business-world-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621144 173O212O198O32)

Millennials are the most vacation deprived age group (62 percent) and receive the least vacation time. They are also the most likely to shorten their trips due to impending workload (53 percent) compared to their older counterparts.It's not just the millennials who are struggling to achieve work-life balance. Around half of workers in the U.S. report feeling somewhat or very vacation deprived, and in 2017 will fail to use approximately 462 million vacation days.The primary reasons cited for not taking time off are budget (43 percent), the desire to save up vacation days for a longer holiday (30 percent), and not being able to get away from work (22 percent). Expedia hopes this report will serve as a friendly reminder to Americans to make the time to take their vacations.Positive effects of vacationAcross the board, Americans agree vacations are important for general health and wellbeing (94 percent) and help them feel more connected to their friends and family (91 percent). Conversely, skipping vacations can have a negative impact on many aspects of professional and personal life. The report revealed:aThe benefits of vacation are widespread, with Americans returning from vacation happier (96 percent), better rested (93 percent), less stressed (94 percent), in better health (93 percent) and closer to their partner or family (90 percent).aProfessionally, taking time away results in a better attitude when returning to the office (60 percent), with the added benefits of being more focused (40 percent), more productive (46 percent) and more relaxed (68 percent).aFurthermore, almost two-thirds of workers globally (65 percent) feel that being vacation deprived results in decreased productivity. Possibly related: almost half of Americans (48 percent) confess they regularly spend time at work dreaming and planning future vacations.aMore than disconnecting from work (61 percent) and exploring a new place (62 percent), Americans say it's spending quality time with family or friends that makes them happiest on vacation (69 percent)."This study confirms what we already know - that taking time off is a critical piece of living a happy, balanced life," says Nisreene Atassi, global head of communications for Expedia.com. "If the thought of taking a week or more off work is causing you to put vacation plans on hold, consider taking a long weekend or adding personal time onto a business trip. Even a short refresh can be a gamechanger for your mental and emotional health and wellbeing."American perceptions about time off are changingWhile vacation deprivation levels worldwide are on the rise (53 percent up from 49 percent in 2016), Americans were among a handful of countries that saw reduced deprivation levels - down four percent from 2016. Another positive change is that the U.S. workforce is feeling less guilty for taking time off, down to only eight percent from 14 percent in 2016. However, the number of vacation days received, used and lost remained consistent year over year, with Americans on average receiving 15 days of vacation and only taking 12. So, while perceptions and anxiety about taking vacation might be changing for the better, this shift has yet to translate into people using up more of their allotted vacation time.Staying connected on vacation contributes to rising stress levels - especially for millennialsAs the world becomes more digitally connected, people are increasingly struggling to digitally disconnect while on vacation, with 24 percent of Americans checking in at least once a day in 2017, up from 20 percent in 2016. The report revealed:aThis behavior leads to more stress for 39 percent of U.S. respondents, and is particularly damaging for younger workers who were the most likely to feel stressed as a result of checking work-related emails and messages (41 percent).aAlmost half of people around the world (48%) say they have had to cancel or postpone a vacation due to work.aHowever, being connected isn't all bad. 68 percent of people around the world use mobile devices to research and book activities while in destination, and more than half check in on social media (55 percent) or share photos and videos will family and friends (58 percent).Vacation deprivation by industry and localeGeography and occupation influence vacation deprivation levels, with those in the marketing and media field ranked as the most deprived globally (66 percent). The report revealed:aCity-dwellers are more deprived than their suburban and rural neighbors, with Seoul (85 percent), Mumbai (76 percent) and Paris (70 percent) ranking as the top three most deprived urban areas globally.aIn the U.S., those living in the western part of the country were more vacation deprived (54 percent) than other regions.aThe most deprived industries for American workers are Real Estate (73 percent), Food & Beverage (60 percent) and Health (56 percent).Workers are split on mental healthMost Americans (77 percent) believe mental health days should be considered sick leave, versus vacation time. This is one of the highest consensuses in the world, and a sentiment strongly shared by workers in Norway (90 percent), Canada (77 percent), Australia (77 percent) and New Zealand (77 percent). On the other side of the spectrum, respondents in Asia primarily feel the opposite, with a full 80 percent of Taiwanese respondents viewing mental health days as vacation time. The emphasis on mental health in the U.S. and other parts of the world will hopefully encourage more people to view time off as a right, not a luxury, and enjoy the positive effects of vacation.
President leaving for UAE today

President Bidya Devi Bhandari is leaving for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Monday on a four-day official visit at the invitation of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan.
Ascensia Diabetes Care Adds Further Experts to Judging Panel for Challenge and Expands Competition Into More Regions

BETHESDA, Maryland: Today, during the Diabetes Technology Meeting in Bethesda, MD, USA, Ascensia Diabetes Care announced two new judges that have been added to the judging panel for the Ascensia Diabetes Challenge, as it prepares for the competition to open for entries from the Americas and Asia Pacific.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621145 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/us-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621145 173O212O198O32)

Healthcare innovation experts Dr Neal Kaufman, USA, and Dr Sidney Yee, Singapore, have both joined the judging panel for the competition. Dr Kaufman is an experienced clinician, public health academic and digital health executive, and is an expert in using technology to improve business and health outcomes. Dr Yee has expertise in the field of medical devices and healthcare technology, including significant experience bringing innovative diagnostic technologies to market.The Ascensia Diabetes Challenge is a global innovation competition that was launched on September 31, 2017. The challenge is seeking innovative digital solutions to support diabetes management and improve the lives of those living with type 2 diabetes. Finalists, runners-up and the winner will all receive cash prizes to support further development of their ideas from a total prize fund of a200,000. The winner will also have the opportunity to partner with Ascensia to further develop their solution.Neal Kaufman, MD, MPH, co-founder and Chief Medical Officer, Canary Health, Los Angeles, USA, explained, "Individuals with type 2 diabetes often have one or more chronic conditions impacting their health and their quality of life. People can improve their outcomes when they are able to effectively self-manage their lives, their relationships and their emotions. It is essential that we bring evidence-based approaches that have been shown to improve outcomes to the millions of people who could benefit, which can only happen by using digital technologies that provide virtual support. I know there are new ideas and effective approaches out there that need funding and support to become realities. It is my honor to be part of the Ascensia Diabetes Challenge to find and promote the innovators behind these efforts."Dr Sidney Yee, CEO, Diagnostics Development Hub, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, explained, "Social science needs to be integrated in disease management solutions for people with type 2 diabetes, to enable a holistic view of the patient journey rather than episodic management. Sustainable compliance will only happen through a combination of motivational factors that involve both social aspects and patient support. Transformational innovations that are able to impact the patient journey will change clinical practice and disrupt the status quo. These innovations need funding and support to develop them into viable solutions. I am grateful to be part of this Ascensia Diabetes Challenge and look forward to uncovering those transformational innovations through this initiative."The competition opened for entries from Europe on October 1, 2017 and is set to open for entries from Asia Pacific and the Americas on November 6, 2017. Entries can be submitted via the online portal at ascensiadiabeteschallenge.com, and the competition will be open until the end of January 2018."The external experts on our judging panel will provide critical expertise as we review and assess the submissions for this challenge," explained Michael Kloss, CEO Ascensia Diabetes Care. "We see the potential for digital technology to help people with type 2 diabetes manage their lives and hope that this competition will uncover new solutions that we can help bring to a global patient population. We are delighted to welcome Dr Neal Kaufman and Dr Yee to this judging panel and we look forward to working with them to review the entries to find those undiscovered digital diabetes solutions from innovators across the world."Dr Kaufman and Dr Yee join external experts Dr William Polonsky, a clinical psychologist, Dr Masood Nazir, a general practitioner with a special interest in diabetes and digital health, and Robin Swindell, a type 2 diabetes blogger.
5 Dairy Alternative Beverage Trends to Watch in 2018

ROCKVILLE, Md: The market for dairy and dairy alternative beverages will reach a projected USD 28 billion by 2021, according to market research firm Packaged Facts in the new report, Dairy and Dairy Alternative Beverage Trends in the U.S., 4th Edition.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621145 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/us-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621145 173O212O198O32)

Spurring the segment's growth will be plant-based dairy alternatives, which are expected to come to represent 40% of the combined total of dairy and dairy alternative beverages, up from 25% in 2016 when dairy alternative beverages alone accounted for barely $6 billion in retail sales.The shift away from traditional dairy products such as cow's milk towards plant-based alternatives revolves around health concerns with a growing number of consumers coming to believe that plant-based foods are healthier than animal-based foods. Further, there is a growing consumer base that is motivated by animal welfare concerns, leading them to choose plant-based beverages, as well as other plant-based foods over animal-based products."Vegetarians and vegans together account for less than 15% of all consumers and their numbers do not grow very rapidly, but a growing number of consumers identify themselves as flexitarian or lessitarian, meaning that they've cut back on their consumption of animal-based foods and beverages. It is this group that is most responsible for the significant and ongoing shift from dairy milk to plant-based milk," says David Sprinkle, research director for Packaged Facts, which also recently established a free curated webpage on dairy and dairy alternatives.In recent years, the plant-based dairy beverage alternatives category has seen an expansion of several nut- and legume-based milk alternatives beyond soy, rice, coconut, and almond to include varieties made from cashews, hazelnuts, macadamias, peanuts, pecans, and tiger nuts. In addition, there are non-dairy milks being offered made from bananas, cassava, oats, and potatoes, among others.Looking ahead to 2018, Packaged Facts expects several of these new and novel non-dairy milks to find a wider audience:aBarley Milk: Pioneering a new plant-based milk alternative category is Canvas, a startup that has developed a way to convert unused barley grain leftover from the beer brewing process into a sustainable plant-based beverageaa winning idea for consumers concerned about the issues of food waste and sustainability. The line offers five flavors including original, cold brew latte, cocoa, turmeric chai, and matcha. All varieties are free from refined sugar, dairy, and artificial ingredients.aFlax Milk: The key selling point for flax milk is its high Omega-3s content. The leading brand, Good Karma, reports that it offers 1,200 mg per serving of this essential nutrient, further noting that its flax products are free of all major allergens. In addition to its various sweetened and unsweetened, flavored, and protein enhanced flax milks, Good Karma offers flax milk-based drinkable yogurts and eggnogs.aHemp Milk: Participants in the hemp production industry have suggested that only 1% of the North American population has ever tried a food or beverage with the ingredient. This is a segment with the potential for rapid growth as consumers look for alternatives to the established plant-based beverage segments. Hemp is an excellent source of Omega-3 fatty acids as well as being a good source of plant-based protein, with all ten essential amino acids.aPea Milk: While the idea of pea milk may sound quite unappetizing to many, it does have certain advantages over other dairy alternatives that may make it a hit with consumers. For example, the pea milk brand Ripple says that one serving has 8 grams of protein, the same as cows' milk, compared to about 1 gram of protein in coconut or almond milk. And, Ripple has half the sugar of cows' milkasomething more and more consumers are sensitive to as they watch their waistlinesaalong with 50% more calcium, and vitamin D and iron. Ripple offers a pea-based half & half product as well as its pea milk line.aQuinoa Milk: This beverage formulation is reported to be high in protein, fiber, vitamins, and all nine of the essential amino acids. It also contains important minerals such as magnesium, iron, copper, manganese, zinc, and phosphorus and has a low glycemic index.
Global carbon emissions to rise again in 2017

Washington D.C. [USA], Nov 13 : A new research suggests that global carbon dioxide emissions are on the rise again after three years of diminutive growth.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621146 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/world-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621146 173O212O198O32)

The research reveals that global emissions from all human activities will reach 41 billion tonnes in 2017, following a projected 2% rise in burning fossil fuels.Director of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research at University Of East Anglia Professor Corinne Le Quere said, "Global CO2 emissions appear to be going up strongly once again after a three year stable period. This is very disappointing"."With global CO2 emissions from human activities estimated at 41 billion tonnes for 2017, time is running out on our ability to keep warming well below 2AC let alone 1.5AC", Le Quere added.The research also says that coal use in China and the US are expected to increase this year.In addition to that, China's and India's emissions are projected to grow by 3.5% and 2% respectively.The United States' and European Union's emissions are projected to decline only by 0.4% and 0.2% respectively.Continuing the streak of sad news, atmospheric CO2 concentration reached 403 parts per million in 2016, and is expected to increase by 2.5 parts per million in 2017.However, there is one good news and that is renewable energy has increased rapidly at 14% per year over the last five years.Dr Glen Peters of the Centre for International Climate Research in Oslo said, "The growth in 2017 emissions is unwelcome news, but it is too early to say whether it is a one-off event on a way to a global peak in emissions, or the start of a new period with upward pressure on global emissions growth."All of this might be an unwelcome message for policy makers and delegates at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 23) in Bonn this week."Policy makers in Bonn are preparing for the Global Stocktake under the Paris Agreement, that will start in 2018 and occur every five years, and this puts immense pressure on the scientific community to develop methods and perform measurements that can truly verify changes in emissions within this five-yearly cycle," Prof Le Quere added.Commenting on the sad state of global climate and hoping for a better future, Le Quere said, "This year we have seen how climate change can amplify the impacts of hurricanes with more intense rainfall, higher sea levels and warmer ocean conditions favouring more powerful storms. This is a window into the future"."We need to reach a peak in global emissions in the next few years and drive emissions down rapidly afterwards to address climate change and limit its impacts," he concluded.The research was conducted by University of East Anglia and the Global Carbon Project and the findings were published today simultaneously in the journals Nature Climate Change, Earth System Science Data Discussions and Environmental Research Letters.
Industry Leader in Study Startup Releases Updated eBook on Starting Clinical Trials

SAN FRANCISCO: goBalto, Inc., the leading provider of cloud-based clinical study startup solutions, announced today the latest release of its popular eBook '10 Steps to Clinical Study Startup.' Since its inaugural release, the eBook has been downloaded over 62,000 times.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621146 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/us-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621146 173O212O198O32)

Clinical trials that get off to a good start are more likely to be successful trials. The study startup (SSU) phase is where this happens, and includes such activities as investigator selection, regulatory and ethics submissions, site trainings and ends with the site initiation visits. SSU is a time-consuming component of a clinical study, a notorious bottleneck, that can contribute to significant delays due to manual and old-school paper-based processes, requiring multiple approvals and hand-offs between sponsor and sites, as well as, between individual team members both at the site and within/between the sponsor, which makes the process a perfect candidate for optimization.But what exactly happens in the SSU phase and how can it be improved? Through years of dialogue with sponsors, contract research organizations (CRO) and sites, we've identified 10 key steps that clinical trial sponsors take to select sites and activate them for a clinical study. Further, we've pinpointed where the SSU process fails and how to optimize each of these steps so that you can gain a competitive advantage in new drug development."We are proud to have partnered with numerous thought leaders in the industry in the creation of this latest update," said Jae Chung, goBalto's Founder and President. "Examining all of the steps and pitfalls of study startup it's easy to see why all too often, study startup does not end even as the study progresses through conduct."This eBook will take you step-by-step through SSU. The 10 steps are comprehensive and typical of the study startup process in the United States; however, you may find that the order of the steps vary from company-to-company and study-to-study.Chung added, "Better managing clinical study startup represents a substantial opportunity for sponsors to reduce clinical study timelines, and costs, enabling therapies to get to those in need faster."
GO-Biz Launches Cyber-Health IT Advisory Board with USC Center for Body Computing

SACRAMENTO, Calif: The Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) announced the formation of a new Cyber-Health Information Technology Advisory Board as part of an ongoing effort to support cybersecurity innovation and bolster advanced technology industries.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621147 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/us-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621147 173O212O198O32)

The advisory board will be led by the University of Southern California (USC) Center for Body Computing and will include representatives from industry and education cybersecurity experts."California's entrepreneurs and innovators are on the cutting edge of technologies that will redesign everything from how we commute, grow our crops and manage our health," said Panorea Avdis, Director, Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development. "Cybersecurity is a critical core component of all of these growth industries, and we are partnering with education and industry experts to ensure data is secure and protected."The USC Center for Body Computing will lead the advisory board with its founder and executive director, Leslie Saxon, MD, serving as chair. The advisory board will work to help further identify, define and communicate the cyber risks versus benefits associated with health IT solutions. The board will also identify existing collaborative processes that can help enhance the overall cybersecurity position for healthcare technology, before developing pilot projects to address gaps and test solutions."We're honored to partner with the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development to spearhead the Health IT advisory board to assure we are defending patient information against hacking vulnerabilities and ensuring medical data is shared but safe while also adequately notifying the public about potential risks," said Saxon.The Health IT advisory board includes the following leaders in technology and digital health: Chris Tyberg, division vice president Information Security for Abbott Medical Devices; Amy Tong, director and State chief information officer for the California Department of Technology (CDT); Darin Andersen, MBA, co-chair of the Economic Development Subcommittee for Cybersecurity Task Force of the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services; Bill Britton, vice president of information technology and chief information officer, California Polytechnic State University; Wainwright Fishburn, Global Head, Digital Health, Cooley LLP; John Mattison, MD, chief medical informatics officer at Kaiser Permanente, SCAL; and Andrew Thompson, chief executive officer of Proteus Digital Health.The advisory board is scheduled to host two industry board meetings convening this fall and in spring 2018. The group will develop a white paper that outlines both immediate collaborative opportunities and a long-term strategy to bolster cybersecurity for health IT and mobile health."As a state with a worldwide reputation as technology leader, California is the ideal place to build this board to address key issues regarding the intersection of technology and healthcare," added Saxon.In addition to this advisory board, GO-Biz's cyber-related activities include chairing the Economic Development Subcommittee of the California Cybersecurity Task Force, a statewide partnership comprised of key stakeholders, subject matter experts, and cybersecurity professionals from California's public sector, private industry, academia, and law enforcement; administering the annual CyberCalifornia Innovation Challenge, a statewide cybersecurity competition for high school students; and co-managing CASCADE, an initiative to bolster California's defense supply chain cybersecurity resilience, innovation capacity and diversification strategies along with the Governor's Office of Planning and Research (OPR).
Apttus Adds Two Silicon Valley Tech Veterans to Board of Directors

SAN MATEO, Calif: Apttus, the global leader in Quote-to-Cash and Contract Lifecycle Management solutions utilizing artificial intelligence, today announced the appointment of Sue Bostrom and Tim Cabral to its Board of Directors.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621147 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/us-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621147 173O212O198O32)

Bostrom, the former EVP and CMO at Cisco Systems, and Cabral, CFO at Veeva Systems, together bring more than forty years of enterprise-level strategic technology experience to Apttus' board.Sue Bostrom currently serves on the board of directors of ServiceNow, Nutanix, Varian Medical Systems and Cadence Design Systems. She held various leadership positions at Cisco over 14 years including EVP/CMO and Senior Vice President of the Internet Business Solutions Group that shared Internet best practices with global Fortune 500 companies and governments. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from the University of Illinois and a Master of Business Administration degree from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.Tim Cabral brings nearly thirty years of technology finance experience and nearly twenty years of software finance and operations expertise. He currently serves as CFO of Veeva Systems a leading global provider of cloud-based software solutions for the life sciences industry. Prior to Veeva, Cabral served as CFO and Co-founder of Agistics, a cloud start-up focused on employee management services and in senior operational finance roles at PeopleSoft, an enterprise software company focused on HCM and Financials.Bostrom and Cabral join Apttus' current board members George Kadifa of Sumeru Equity Partners, Neil Malik of K1, Kirk Krappe, Apttus founder, Chairman, and CEO and Neehar Giri, Apttus founder and Chief Solutions Officer:aKirk Krappe: a veteran of enterprise software with over two decades of SaaS experience, Kirk Krappe is co-founder, chairman and served as CEO of Apttus since its founding in 2006. Previous to Apttus, Kirk held the roles of EVP of Worldwide Markets at I-many, CEO of Nextance, as well as SVP at Corio through its IPO and as VP at Oracle.aNeehar Giri: an Apttus co-founder, internet and enterprise software visionary and veteran in the Contract Lifecycle Management and Enterprise Quoting business processes. He co-founded Nextance, a provider of enterprise software for large organizations in 1999, and previously served as Chief Solutions Architect at Clarify, a leading CRM company.aGeorge Kadifa: with over three decades of operating experience in the technology sector, Kadifa is Co-Founder and Managing Director of Sumeru Equity Partners. Prior to Sumeru, George held the roles of EVP at HP, reporting to the CEO and a member of the Executive Committee, Operating Partner at Silver Lake, and leadership positions at technology and management consulting companies such as IBM, Corio Corporation Oracle, Booz-Allen & Hamilton and Xerox.aNeil Malik: in addition to managing the day-to-day operations of K1 as its CEO, Neil is an active board member for the West Coast based private equity firm's portfolio companies and advisor to its management teams. Previously, Malik worked for Kayne Anderson, Brentwood Associates, Olympus Partners, and J.P. Morgan Securities. He has served as a director of numerous companies and also serves on the Board of Directors of Junior Achievement of Southern California."Sue and Tim are both extremely qualified and visionary executives with decades of technology experience," said Kirk Krappe, Apttus CEO. "Immediately after meeting them, I knew they would provide huge value and guidance to Apttus. As board members, their direction and leadership will progress our unified vision for Apttus and the long-term success of our customers and partners."
Boston Interiors Opens First New Hampshire Location in Bedford

BEDFORD, N.H: Boston Interiors, a furniture retailer offering quality casual, contemporary and classic furniture, opens its first New Hampshire location today. The 21,000-square foot showroom is located at the newly renovated Bedford Grove Shopping Center and will be the company's eighth location.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621148 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/us-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621148 173O212O198O32)

The town of Bedford will welcome Boston Interiors with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, November 8. Manchester Mayor Gatsas, along with other local dignitaries, media, employees and members of the community are invited to attend the opening, take a tour of the store and enjoy refreshments.With proven success throughout Massachusetts, Boston Interiors is happy to be part of the New Hampshire market and provide the Bedford community with a comprehensive selection of furniture and home goods, all available, if desired, with the advice of experienced in-house interior design experts."New Hampshire has always been an expansion goal of ours," said Boston Interiors CEO Stefanie Lucas. "The town of Bedford is an ideal location and an exciting opportunity. We are looking forward to showcasing our products and sharing our design expertise with the Bedford community."Boston Interiors will occupy what was formerly Hannaford grocery store, near Panera in Bedford Grove Shopping Plaza, and will be the anchor tenant of the center. A ninth location for the company is scheduled to open in Dedham, Mass. later this year.
Karnataka minister admits abusing his cook after video surfaces

Belgaum (Karnataka), Nov. 13 : Karnataka Social Welfare Minister H Anjaneya on Monday admitted that he abused his cook for not serving tea during an event on Sunday.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621148 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/karnataka-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621148 173O212O198O32)

The minister said he later apologised for his inappropriate behaviour."See he is our boy, yes in anger I used that language, but then I said sorry to him. No need to drag the issue," said, Anjaneya.A video of the Karnataka Minister abusing his cook for not serving tea to the guests on time has gone viral on internet.The incident reportedly occurred at Kopal in Karnataka during a state-level convention of the Mochi community, which was even attended by former Lok Sabha speaker Meira Kumar.
PSC bars central bank from amending retirement policy

The Public Service Commission (PSC) has poured cold water on the plan of the central bank to immediately scrap a provision that makes it mandatory for employees to retire after completing 30 years of service.
TCR2 Therapeutics Appoints Cell Therapy Pioneer Dr. Stephan Grupp to Advisory Board

CAMBRIDGE, Mass: TCR2 Therapeutics Inc. today announced the appointment of Stephan Grupp, MD, PhD, the Yetta Deitch Novotny Professor of Pediatrics at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania (U Penn), and Chief of the Section of Cellular Therapy and Transplant at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) to its Advisory Board.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621149 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/us-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621149 173O212O198O32)

Dr. Grupp is a world-renowned pediatric oncologist and cancer researcher who delivered chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy to the first pediatric patient in the world and paved the clinical development path for engineered T cell therapies, most notably Novartis's recently approved Kymriah (tisagenlecleucel)."Dr. Stephan Grupp has helped to revolutionize T cell immunotherapy and we are thrilled to welcome him to TCR2's Advisory Board," said Mitchell (Mitch) Finer, PhD, Chairman of TCR2's Advisory Board and Member of the company's Board of Directors. "His outstanding contribution and deep experience in developing cell-based and molecularly-targeted therapies to treat leukemia and solid tumors will be invaluable to TCR2 as it gets ready to initiate clinical studies of its lead program TC-210 in 2018."In addition to Drs. Finer and Grupp, TCR2's Advisory Board members include several other leaders in T cell biology and cell therapy:aMarcela Maus, MD, PhD - Leading researcher on CAR T and cancer immunotherapyDirector of Cellular Immunotherapy, Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MAaKai Wucherpfennig, MD, PhD - Prominent T cell biologist and cancer immunologistVirology Director of Center for Cancer Immunotherapy Research, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Professor and Chairman, Department of Cancer Immunology, Boston, MAaWolfgang Schamel, PhD - Leading researcher on T cell receptor signalingProfessor and Chairman, Institute of Biology III (Molecular Immunology) and Centre for Biological Signaling Studies (BIOSS), University of Freiburg, GermanyaDavid Ryan, MD - Oncology clinical development expertChief of Hematology/Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA"Solid tumors have been a challenge in the CAR T field, and TCR2 and its TRuC programs are approaching this challenge in innovative ways. I look forward to working with Dr. Finer and my fellow Advisory Board members on these new approaches," said Dr. Grupp.Having conducted many preclinical studies for CAR T cell therapy and initiated the first pediatric CAR T cell trial for acute lymphoblastic leukemia at CHOP in 2012, Dr. Grupp then led the first multicenter global study of Kymriah, which became the first CAR T therapy to receive approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In addition to his groundbreaking work in the field of CAR T cell therapy, Dr. Grupp has pioneered new strategies for stem cell transplantation. He helped to develop and lead clinical trials that resulted in FDA approval of a new treatment for veno-occlusive disease, a deadly complication of stem cell transplantation.An attending physician and oncology researcher at CHOP since 1996, Dr. Grupp is a Professor of Pediatrics at U Penn's Perelman School of Medicine where he joined as a faculty member also in 1996. He completed his clinical training in pediatrics and pediatric hematology/oncology at Boston Children's Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, performing post-doctoral research in immunology at Harvard. Dr. Grupp earned his MD and a PhD in Immunology from the University of Cincinnati.
KPMG Comments On House GOP Tax Reform Plan

NEW YORK: Tax leaders from KPMG LLP, the audit, tax and advisory firm, offered the following perspectives in response to today's announcement on tax reform.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621150 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/us-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621150 173O212O198O32)

"Today's House GOP tax bill is the opening bid on tax reform, not the final one," said John Gimigliano, Principal-in-Charge of Federal Tax Legislative Services at KPMG. "Now taxpayers, advisors, and lobbyists will all move into high gear to evaluate and support or oppose the proposal."Gimigliano also noted: "Recent history suggests that the first version of legislation is always the most ambitious version. And that ambition is diminished as the bill makes its way through each stage of the legislative process. So the next question is how much of today's proposal can stick."Gimigliano added: "The Chairman's mark will likely be modified in Committee markup and the Senate will produce its own bill subject to more changes. A House and Senate product must get reconciled in conference. It's possible that any final conference report won't bear a strong resemblance to either the House or Senate bill."Jeffrey C. LeSage, Vice Chairman-Tax, KPMG Americas, said: "Odds for passage of a tax bill have never been higher, but that's not the same thing as saying tax reform is a certainty, even with this first effort now in hand. Whether the final resultaafter all the negotiations that lie aheadais true, permanent tax reform or some of other form of tax relief remains to be seen."
First Phase of America's Next Life Science Corridor Begins

ROCHESTER, Minn: World-leading biomedical and life science research and innovation will soon have a new home. Mortenson, Destination Medical Center (DMC), State of Minnesota, and local leaders today broke ground on the first of several planned new facilities within the 16-city-block Discovery Square sub-district, a keystone of Rochester's USD 5.6 billion DMC initiative.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621150 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/us-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621150 173O212O198O32)

As a "Silicon Valley of Medicine," Discovery Square will unite doctors and researchers in a one-of-a-kind campus to explore and bring innovative new discoveries to patients and the market faster.Next to Mayo Clinic, the first phase is a four-story, approximately 90,000 square-foot building designed to support the acceleration and translation of the most promising health-related therapies and technologies. It and subsequent phases of Discovery Square will support job growth in the life sciences that will further differentiate Minnesota's leading healthcare economy. It is scheduled to open in 2019.Mortenson announced in June that Mayo Clinic is the first anchor tenant and will lease 30,000 square feet across three floors to help establish a one-of-a-kind ecosystem among research and innovation leaders. Three Mayo Clinic groups will occupy space in the new building: Biomedical Technology, Advanced Manufacturing of Regenerative Products, and Advanced Diagnostics. Mortenson is currently in talks with other prospective tenants that range from startups to large multinational leaders in health, science and technology."The DNA of this building and Discovery Square is the innovation, collaboration, and translation of science and discovery," said David Mortenson, chairman, Mortenson. "A complementary tenant mix will have the opportunity to work alongside the best and brightest in Rochester on real-world, life-changing solutions. It will enhance connectivity and enable high-level collaboration to share ideas and test and deliver new products. We are truly excited about the purpose of this facility, its programming and its role within the greater Destination Medical Center vision.""Discovery Square will be the place where Minnesota's next generation of medical start-ups will want to be. It will create new opportunity for jobs, innovation, and economic growth, and represents a major step toward fulfilling our mission of building America's City for Health," said Lt. Governor Tina Smith, chair of the DMC Corporation Board of Directors. "I thank Mortenson, Mayo Clinic, and the Rochester community for their work on the Discovery Square project. This is great news for Rochester and our state.""Mayo Clinic has been a worldwide leader in patient care, education and research for more than 150 years," stated John Noseworthy, M.D., president and CEO of Mayo Clinic. "Realizing the vision of Discovery Square will be a key factor in continuing our mission to provide world-class care and accelerating the translation of Mayo's groundbreaking research into practice through collaboration.""Discovery Square is the keystone to the Destination Medical Center economic development strategy," said Lisa Clarke, executive director of the DMC Economic Development Agency. "It will be the catalyst for driving new job growth to Rochester and creating the live-work urban environment needed for a viable downtown core."Building Highlights:aScheduled to open in 2019aLocated near the historic Mayo Clinic downtown campus and the Gonda Building, adjacent to Mayo Clinic's Guggenheim, Hilton and Stabile BuildingsaProximity to Collider, an entrepreneurial ecosystem for tech innovators and collaborators in RochesteraAn integrated, open workspace design allows tenants to adapt their use of space as they grow and as the biomedical and life science industries continue to changeaProfessionally managed day-to-day building activity and event programming throughout the yearaCommon spaces will be centralized within the building to promote collaboration among tenantsaThe four-story, approximately 90,000 square-foot facility is located at the corner of 4th Street SW and 2nd Avenue SW in the Discovery Square sub-district in Rochester, Minn.The building was designed by the team of RSP Architects and HOK, two of the leading healthcare design firms in the world. Colliers is the leasing agent and oversees tenant recruitment in partnership with Mortenson. Property leasing information is available through Louis Suarez, VP Healthcare Services with Colliers International | Minneapolis-St. Paul, at Louis.Suarez@colliers.com.
National Bank Correspondent Network is changing its name to National Bank Independent Network

MONTREAL: National Bank Correspondent Network is pleased to announce that it is changing its brand name to National Bank Independent Network.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621150 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/business-world-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621150 173O212O198O32)

Impelled by the strength of the National Bank team, National Bank Independent Network will remain committed to offer independent wealth management firms an integrated suite of premium products and services.HighlightsaThe Canadian independent market continues to evolve and offer additional choices to Canadian Investors. The National Bank Independent Network brand change, effective November 1, 2017, better reflects the expanded clientele serviced by this channel.aNational Bank Independent Network supports over 400 independent financial services firms, including Introducing Brokers, Portfolio Managers and Investment Fund Managers who have a combined total of over $160 billion in assets under administration.Quote"At National Bank Independent Network, we have over 200 dedicated professionals to support independent firms with our industry-leading products and services. The investors that make the choice to work with an independent money manager or advisor will know their assets are safe and secure at National Bank. We are very excited about our new trademark, and our continued support of the independent network across Canada", says Patrick Primerano, President & CEO of National Bank Independent Network.
PJM Executive Selected as Woman of Distinction

VALLEY FORGE, Pa: PJM Interconnection, operator of the nation's largest power grid, congratulates Nora Swimm, senior vice president - Corporate Client Services, for being honored among the 2017 Philadelphia Business Journal's Women of Distinction.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621151 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/business-world-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621151 173O212O198O32)

Swimm is being honored for her professional achievement, dedication to mentorship and community involvement."Nora is well deserving of this honor," said PJM President and CEO Andy Ott. "From the time she joined PJM in 2001, she has led PJM through many successes, including creating new information architecture and infrastructure in her early days in information technology and continuing through many other strategic initiatives that guide PJM's success. She has also been instrumental in building a culture at PJM that fosters growth for employees, promotes diversity and inclusion, and values giving back to the community.""I am honored to be recognized along with this strong network of women who are leading the way in businesses across the Philadelphia region," Swimm said. "I believe that there are many ways to give back to your community and helping to pave the way for other women in leadership is something that I'm passionate about."The Women of Distinction honor spotlights the region's most influential business women from various industries and professions, corporate and nonprofit. Swimm was selected for her professional achievements and for making a difference in her community and within PJM. The awards are presented at a dinner in Philadelphia on Nov. 16.Swimm recently was selected to join The Forum of Executive Women, a distinguished organization of women leaders in the Greater Philadelphia area. The mission of The Forum of Executive Women is to encourage action to increase inclusion in the region through its members.She also is on the board of directors for the American Association of People with Disabilities. AAPD is a national cross-disability civil rights organization dedicated to increasing the political and economic power of people with disabilities.PJM Interconnection, founded in 1927, ensures the reliability of the high-voltage electric power system serving 65 million people in all or parts of Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. PJM coordinates and directs the operation of the region's transmission grid, which includes over 82,000 miles of transmission lines; administers a competitive wholesale electricity market; and plans regional transmission expansion improvements to maintain grid reliability and relieve congestion. PJM's regional grid and market operations produce annual savings of $2.8 billion to $3.1 billion. For the latest news about PJM, visit PJM Inside Lines at insidelines.pjm.com.
Frost and Sullivan and CNI to Acknowledge Top Nepalese Companies across Industries at "2017 Nepal Business Excellence Awards"

Kathmandu, Nepal : Frost and Sullivan along with Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) is set to host the first edition of 2017 Nepal Business Excellence Awards on November 14, 2017 at Hotel Soaltee Crowne Plaza, Kathmandu.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621151 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/business-world-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621151 173O212O198O32)

The awards aim to recognize companies demonstrating a unique approach to doing business in their respective markets, and companies delivering exceptional performance with a major impact on business and society in Nepal.The awards banquet will commence with an interactive panel discussion titled "Nepalese companies will be globally competitive by 2022 - An utopic assumption or a possible reality?" moderated by Aroop Zutshi, Global President & Managing Partner, Frost & Sullivan. It will discuss the role of "Business Excellence" in making this vision a reality, along with the challenges for industries, the government policies, infrastructure etc. that will be required to become competitive globally.Discussing the assessment process experience, Nitin Kalothia, Director, Manufacturing & Process Consulting Practice, Frost & Sullivan said, "The awards through its incisive assessment process will enhance awareness and accelerate the adoption of global best practices in Nepalese companies. This will further improve growth, profitability and competitiveness of the organizations."The awards assessment framework is designed to keenly assess and highlight focus areas to business leaders that would help them build sustainability in their businesses and recognize companies that have demonstrated deployment of sustainable and investor friendly business models. The evaluation scrutinizes the four core business processes of an organization:Business PlanningStrategy Alignment and DeploymentOrganization BuildingProcess ManagementProcesses mentioned above leads to the fifth core element of the assessment procedure - Business ResultThe Executive Committee represented by eminent thought leaders and industry experts from Frost & Sullivan and CNI will collectively assess the results of these studies to select the winner, benchmarked against the highest standards in their industry, to ensure the award recipients are best-in-class.CNI President, Hari Bhakta Sharma said, "The country is heading toward policy stability, leading to steady economic growth and opening up vast investment and expansion opportunities for companies. Therefore, Nepalese companies must adopt internationally accepted systems to boost efficiency, output, competence and corporate culture to stay relevant in the market."The awards program this year has four major categories of participation based on sales turnover of the businesses: Emerging Business, Medium Business, Large Business and Mega Large Business. The companies participating this year will be across verticals like Manufacturing, Trading, Telecommunications, Airlines, IT&ITES, Hotels, Education Consulting, Banking and Financial Services & Insurance.Recognition will be given to companies in the four participating categories and separately for manufacturing and service sectors. There will be three distinct levels of Awards, i.e. Silver, Gold and Platinum. The company scoring the highest on the assessment framework amongst all organizations will be awarded the "Super Platinum Award". There will be a maximum of three awards in the three levels of recognition.To know more about the 2017 awards and the methodology, please log onto www.frost.com/2017nbea or to participate in the 2018 edition, please reach out to: Ms. Iru Shrestha, Frost & Sullivan at iru.shrestha@frost.com and Mr. Shanker Man Singh, Confederation of Nepalese Industries, shankerman.singh@cnind.org with your full name, company name, title, telephone number and company e-mail address.About Frost & SullivanFrost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, works in collaboration with clients to leverage visionary innovation that addresses the global challenges and related growth opportunities that will make or break today's market participants. For more than 50 years, we have been developing growth strategies for the global 1000, emerging businesses, the public sector and the investment community. Is your organization prepared for the next profound wave of industry convergence, disruptive technologies, increasing competitive intensity, Mega Trends, breakthrough best practices, changing customer dynamics and emerging economies?Website: http://ww2.frost.comTwitter: @Frost_Sullivan & @Frost_MENASAFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/frostandsullivanLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company-beta/4506/About CNIThe apex body of Nepalese industrialists, the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI), was established by the captains of Nepal's Industrial and corporate sector on April 17, 2002. Since its establishment, CNI has been raising issues like the persistent economic situation imbroglio, need for reforms in financial sector, strengthening of private sector's capabilities, the streamlining of private sector's initiation on development agenda, double digit growth issues and industrialization based on trade competitiveness. It is an organization that works in coordination with other organizations and is increasingly becoming involved in areas where the existing system has failed to deliver. The organization is working along the lines of several organizations in various developing countries such as India, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, etc. and hopes to hire expertise as well as bilateral support in development of the Confederation, the theme of which is, "Talking Business, Talking Change".
Razer Inc. Announces Results of Global Offering

Hong Kong : Razer Inc. (Razer or the Company, HKEX stock code: 1337), the leading global lifestyle brand for gamers, today announces its Offer Price and results of its Global Offering. Razer has successfully set the Offer Price at HKUSD 3.88 per Offer Share (excluding brokerage of 1pc , SFC transaction levy of 0.0027pc , and Hong Kong Stock Exchange trading fee of 0.005pc ), which results in Razer having a market capitalization of approximately HKUSD 34,389 million (assuming the Over-allotment Option is not exercised).





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621152 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/business-india-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621152 173O212O198O32)

Razer initially offered a total of 1,063,600,000 Offer Shares in the Global Offering, comprising an International Offering and a Hong Kong Public Offering.The Hong Kong Public Offering was very significantly over-subscribed by 290.24 times of the total number of 106,360,000 Offer Shares initially available for subscription under the Hong Kong Public Offering.Due to the over-subscription in the Hong Kong Public Offering, a total of 425,440,000 Offer Shares have been reallocated from the International Offering to the Hong Kong Public Offering.As a result of such reallocation, the final number of Offer Shares allocated to the Hong Kong Public Offering and the International Offering are 531,800,000 Offer Shares and 531,800,000 Offer Shares respectively, representing 50% and 50% of the total number of Offering Shares initially available under the Global Offering. The Offer Shares initially offered under the International Offering were also very significantly over-subscribed.Based on the Offer Price of HK$3.88 per Offer Share, the net proceeds from the Global Offering to be received by the Company, after deduction of the underwriting fees and commissions and estimated expenses payable by the Company in connection with the Global Offering and assuming that the Over-allotment Option is not exercised, are estimated to be approximately HK$3,930.7 million.Dealings in the shares of Razer on the Main Board of the Stock Exchange are expected to commence at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, November 13, 2017.Credit Suisse (Hong Kong) Limited and UBS Securities Hong Kong Limited are the Joint Sponsors of the Global Offering. Credit Suisse (Hong Kong) Limited and UBS AG Hong Kong Branch are Joint Global Coordinators. Credit Suisse (Hong Kong) Limited, UBS AG Hong Kong Branch, China International Capital Corporation Hong Kong Securities Limited, CMB International Capital Limited, ICBC International Capital Limited and UOB Kay Hian (Hong Kong) Limited are the Joint Bookrunners. Evercore Asia Limited acts as the Company's Financial Advisor in relation to the Global Offering.
NASA Hosts Industry Day for Unmanned Aircraft in National Airspace Collaboration

EDWARDS, Calif: NASA Aeronautics is heavily involved in developing solutions for safe integration of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in the national airspace.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621152 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/us-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621152 173O212O198O32)

NASA has two UAS projects that work in lock-step with the Federal Aviation Administration to address the challenges facing UAS integration across the full spectrum of aircraft type and sizes, and the environments in which they fly.NASA's Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration in the National Airspace System project, or UAS in the NAS, will contribute capabilities designed to reduce the technical barriers related to safety and operational challenges associated with integrating larger-sized UAS -- those that weigh 55 pounds or more and fly higher than 500 feet, including full-size repurposed Predator and Global Hawks -- into the national airspace.For UAS under 55 pounds that fly below 400 feet, NASA leads an associated effort called UAS Traffic Management, or UTM, that focuses on integration solutions to safely enable large scale small UAS operations in low altitude airspace. Accommodating these new entrants in a safe manner along with pre-existing users, such as gliders and helicopters, is a critical national objective.The purpose for NASA's Industry Day, currently scheduled for Nov. 30 in San Diego, is to meet and gather input from various commercial and academic partners who have an interest in or have technologies available that can support the UAS in the NAS project's Systems Integration and Operationalization (SIO) demonstration in the summer of 2020. The goals for the day include leveraging agency research in integrated detect and avoid, command and control, and other state-of-the-art UAS vehicle technologies with a pathway toward Federal Aviation Administration certification for vehicle operations above 500 feet or more above ground level. Specific objectives for the Industry Day include:aGaining technical information on relevant industry efforts such as technology development cycles and overall plans for UAS commercializationaObtaining schedule-related information to determine whether or not a 2020 SIO demonstration date is feasibleaAcquiring reasonable fiscal rough orders of magnitude (ROMs) from Industry to guide partnership/acquisition decisions, and ensure the SIO demonstration can be successfully executed within resourcesaCommunicating NASA expectations for the NASA partnership development processaFostering coordination across industry participants and potential partnership teams
Union Minister for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi Announced Haj Policy of the Year 2018

Mumbai : Union Minister for Minority Affairs Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi announced the process of Haj 2018 here in the press conference today. Along with Mr. Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi. While making the announcement of Haj 2018 at Haj House, Shri Naqvi said that this time, the Central Government has announced Haj process one month before in comparison to the last year.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621153 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/india-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621153 173O212O198O32)

This will provide enough opportunities for all the concerned agencies to make preparations well in advance so that world class facilities to the Haj pilgrims are ensured. Haj 2018 related process started today. People can apply for Haj from 15th November.Shri Naqvi said that Haj 2018 will be performed according to the new Haj Policy. The high-level committee, constituted to frame the new policy, has already submitted its report and Minority Affairs Ministry has been looking into its recommendations. The new Haj policy aims to make Haj pilgrimage more comfortable, smooth and transparent. Pilgrims' safety and their facilities are our priority.Shri Naqvi also launched a new Haj Mobile App, based on modern facilities and technology. This app will make Haj application process easier and comfortable. Applying for Haj, enquiry and information, news and updates and e-payment are main features of Haj Committee of India Mobile App. Application for Haj can be made directly from the app. Registration fees can also be made through this app.Shri Naqvi said that the Central Government has been working to make the entire Haj process online so that people can get an opportunity for the pilgrimage with complete transparency and comfort.Chairman of Haj Committee of India Mehboob Ali Kaiser said, "The online application should be done in huge numbers, this will benefit Pilgrims on one hand and on the other hand Haj Committee staff will also get a chance to work very smoothly. The Central Haj Committee will request all State Haj Committee to promote the online application. Haj Committee of India will request the Saudi Arabian government to make Indian immigration online for Haj, so that after landing on Saudi Arabian airport, Indian hajis do not have to wait too long and face problems. The chairman further said that online immigration has also been reviewed by the Haj Review Committee.The Central Government has also been pressurized that they will talk to the Saudi Arabian Government in this matter.Dr. Maqsood Ahmed Khan, CEO of Central Haj Committee said that Before this time, Indian hajis were kept in the darkness, but this time Haj Committee gave complete information about the Haj expenditure in the Haj application. Hajis who use embarkation points of small towns did not know that there is a huge reduction in air fares if they use the embarkation points of big cities. Keeping these things in mind, the Haj Committee has adopted a transparent system.Shri Naqvi said that the new Haj policy includes maintaining the reservation for people above 70 years age wish to go for Haj and allowing women over 45 years of age in a group of four or more for Haj without a male relative or "Mahram". Shri Naqvi said that the report on new Haj policy is under consideration of Minority Affairs Ministry and positive discussion is going on, on keeping the number of embarkation points as it is at 21 at present.For the first time, for Haj 2018, details of total expenditure to be incurred by the pilgrims is given in the Haj application form. This is a step towards transparency. Haj application form for 2018 also contains the embarkation points-wise detailed air fare comparison which will be beneficial for the pilgrims as for the first time they will get option for embarkation points of their own choice.For example, Haj airfare per pilgrim from Sri Nagar is Rs 1,09,692 while from Delhi it is Rs 73,697. So the pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir can opt for Delhi embarkation point. Similarly, the Haj airfare from Guwahati is Rs 1,15,646 per pilgrim while it is Rs 83,027 from Kolkata. So, the pilgrims from states of Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh & Sikkim can opt for Kolkata. Pilgrims from Gaya, where the airfare is Rs 1,13,680 can also opt for Kolkata. This will ensure that the pilgrims don't face problems even after abolition of Haj subsidy.Shri Naqvi said that Haj 2017 was very successful and smooth as the Central Government had completed all the necessary preparations well before time in cooperation and coordination with concerned agencies. A total of 1,24,940 Haj pilgrims performed Haj 2017 by 454 flights between 24th July to 28th August through Haj Committee of India. About 45,000 pilgrims went through private tour operators. India's Haj quota for 2017 had been increased significantly by Saudi Arabia Government to 1,70,025.Haj pilgrims from India went to Saudi Arabia from 21 embarkation points- Delhi, Mumbai, Goa, Guwahati, Lucknow, Mangalore, Varanasi, Srinagar, Kolkata, Gaya, Ranchi, Bhopal, Bangalore, Nagpur, Ahmedabad, Aurangabad, Chennai, Cochin, Jaipur, Indore, Hyderabad.From Ahmedabad, a total of 11073 Haj pilgrims went to Haj this year. Besides Ahmedabad, Haj pilgrims went through Aurangabad (2764); Bangalore (4734); Bhopal (1758); Chennai (3440); Cochin (11805); Delhi (16627); Gaya (6484); Goa (656); Gauhati (4472); Hyderabad (6347); Indore (1794); Jaipur (4767); Kolkata (10263); Lucknow (12314); Mangalore (768); Mumbai (6297); Nagpur (2181); Ranchi (3133); Srinagar (8103) and Varanasi (5072).
Tempers flare due to shortage of fertiliser

Farmers of the far-western district of Kanchanpur have flared up, as they have not been able to get hold of fertilisers during the peak wheat plantation season.
Mayor Eric Garcetti joins Cal State LA, YMCA officials to announce Achieve LA college-readiness initiative

LOS ANGELES: Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti joined California State University, Los Angeles and YMCA officials Wednesday to launch Achieve LA, an initiative to create pathways to higher education for local youth.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621153 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/us-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621153 173O212O198O32)

Achieve LA will leverage existing Cradle to Career Success Initiative programs at four YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles locations to inform youth about the college admissions process and prepare them to enroll at a university. Youth who participate in the initiative and meet minimum university requirements will be guaranteed admission to Cal State LA.The program is the first of its kind at any YMCA, according to officials with the association."We believe that a child growing up in Boyle Heights or South L.A. should have the same access to programs and support as kids in Brentwood or Encino," Garcetti said at the Nov. 1 news conference at the Weingart East Los Angeles YMCA. "There's no limitaif you believe, you can achieve."The mayor was joined by Assemblymember Miguel Santiago, whose 53rd District includes areas that will be served by the initiative, Cal State LA Executive Vice President Jose A. Gomez and YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles President and Chief Executive Officer Alan C. Hostrup.Under the partnership, Cal State LA students will mentor and advise youth in the YMCA programs. These students, some of whom attended the news conference, are part of the university's #IServeLA initiative, which provides thousands of volunteers who serve community-based organizations across Los Angeles.Achieve LA will be offered at the Weingart East Los Angeles YMCA location, as well as the Crenshaw Family YMCA, Southeast-Rio Vista YMCA and Weingart YMCA Wellness and Aquatic Center in South Los Angeles."Achieve LA is about dreamsathe dreams of our community, the dreams of our youth and the dreams of our families," Gomez said. "Working with Mayor Garcetti, Assemblymember Santiago and the YMCA family, we will make those dreams a reality through higher education."Hostrup, who officially announced the initiative, said the YMCA was honored to launch the partnership with Cal State LA."The program will offer teens in our city's most under-resourced communities, the tools, the support and guidance needed to reach their potential by providing a clear pathway to college," Hostrup said.Santiago praised the new initiative and thanked the YMCA and Cal State LA for their commitment to serving youth in Los Angeles. Santiago is the author of Assembly Bill 19, which was signed into law last month and waives fees for first-time community college students for one year."We know, out of this program, we will ensure that every student that goes through these doors will get a college diploma. Right, kids?" Santiago said to dozens of students decked out in bright gold and blue Achieve LA T-shirts.The fifth graders from KIPP LA Prep, next door to the Weingart East Los Angeles YMCA, responded to Santiago with a resounding, "Yeah!"Jaren Savage, whose mother Sharoni Little received bachelor's and master's degrees at Cal State LA, shared how he benefitted from the programs he participated in at the Weingart YMCA Wellness and Aquatic Center as a child growing up in Compton. Savage, who recently graduated from high school, plans to study car design in Torino, Italy, next year."Thanks to this historic partnership between the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles and Cal State LA, thousands of youth just like me will have the chance to attend Cal State LA and become Golden Eagles," Savage said.Gomez noted that Achieve LA aligns with the mayor's L.A. College Promise and College Corners initiatives, which are creating pathways to higher education and fostering a greater understanding of the college admissions process for all Angelino families.Garcetti applauded the new Achieve LA partnership and Cal State LA's success in transforming students' lives."Cal State Los Angeles is not just a great university in the greatest city on the face of the earth, they're No. 1athey're No. 1 for social mobility and economic mobility in the United States of America," Garcetti said. "They beat Harvard, they beat Princeton, they beat Stanford, they beat UCLA, they beat USC, they beat Cal. In other words, taking folks who grew up in the bottom quintile and move into the top quintile in this country. In a moment when we are looking for those escalators, we're looking for those staircases, we're looking for those opportunities, Cal State LA does that each and every day."
Train the New Workforce to Change the Economic Scenario: Amitabh Kant

New Delhi : Jaipuria School of Business recently organised an International Conference at NDMC Convention Centre, New Delhi. The theme of the conference was Changing Economic Scenario: Strategies for Business Sustainability. The Conference opened with a video address by Hon'ble Union Minister of Commerce Shri Suresh Prabhu.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621154 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/business-india-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621154 173O212O198O32)

Sh. Amitabh Kant, CEO, NITI Ayog, Govt. of India was the Chief Guest & Key Note speaker at the conference. He laid emphasis on training the new workforce in adapting themselves towards changing economic scenario. He appreciated the mode of start ups and emphasized on innovative management of land, water and gas. Sh. Sanjeev Chopra, Additional Chief Secretary to the Government of West Bengal, was the Guest of Honour. He said that Technology and Idea are the driving forces of change today. Young workforce has to be highly adaptive to technology to keep pace with the Global Standards. He emphasised on the importance of asking questions and listening carefully for answers can come from anywhere.Sh. Shishir Jaipuria, Chairman, Board of Governors, Jaipuria School of Business addressed the gathering and welcomed all the dignitaries and guests to the event. He laid emphasis on importance of Education and training for the new emerging workforce to bring Business sustainability. He appreciated Inclusive growth and initiatives taken by Indian government towards transformation of financial processes. Dr S K Mahapatra, Director, Jaipuria School of Business proposed a vote of Thanks.A Book was also released on the Conference Theme with edited articles and research papers.Over 300 intellectuals from the academia, banking sector, corporate and civil society participated in the conference. Over twenty eminent intellectuals addressed the gathering at the conference including Mr Alexander Shchegolev, Dy. Trade Commissioner, Russian Embassy; Mr. TK Arun, Editor, Opinion, Times of India; Mr. Anand Pillai, MD, Leadership Matters; and Sh. KG Suresh, Director General, IIMC to name a few. There were two technical sessions where the panellists deliberated and discussed the possible business sustainability measures at length. The first panel discussion was moderated by Dr. Aquil Busrai, Director, Aquil Busrai Consulting while the second one was moderated by Mr. Vijay Sinha, Sr. V P, JSW Energy Ltd.Twenty four selected research papers were presented the Conference by presenters from various institutes in India, Mauritius, Dubai, and the U.S. The papers were adjudicated by Dr. Vidya Sekhri, Director, ITS, Ghaziabad, Jury for the paper presentation. Dr. Sekhri, in her address appreciated the insightful work of the presenters. The best presenters were awarded during the valedictory session by Guest of Honour, Sh. K G Suresh, Director General, IIMC, S K Mahapatra, Director, Jaipuria School of Business, and Mr Vinod Malhotra Advisor, Jaipuria Group of Educational Institutions. Mr. Vinod Malhotra delivered the valedictory address while the Conference Director, Dr. NK Gupta presented the Vote of Thanks.
Desktop Metal Announces International Expansion Throughout Asia Pacific for Its Metal 3D Printing Systems

Burlington, Mass., United States : Desktop Metal, the company committed to bringing metal 3D printing to engineers and manufacturers, today announced it will begin accepting international pre-orders of its metal 3D printing system, the Studio System from companies throughout Asia Pacific. The announcement comes as Desktop Metal is experiencing tremendous interest and demand from manufacturers and strategic partners around the globe.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621155 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/business-world-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621155 173O212O198O32)

"Our vision is to make our Desktop Metal 3D printing solutions accessible to engineers and manufacturers around the world," said Ric Fulop, CEO and co-founder of Desktop Metal. "We plan to begin offering our metal 3D printing technology internationally and will be accelerating production to meet worldwide demand first for our Studio System and later for our Production System.Our partnerships with best-in-class resellers in each of these geographies bring us closer to making metal 3D printing solutions available to all who want to realize the benefits of rapid prototyping and mass production of metal parts. We are excited to see what happens next in manufacturing as we welcome these new countries to our landscape."To support its international expansion plans, Desktop Metal has developed strategic partnerships with authorized Desktop Metal international resellers to immediately begin pre-selling its Studio System throughout APAC, including Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, China, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, India, Australia and New Zealand. To date, the company has partnered with 13 resellers throughout APAC to pre-sell and support its systems. Availability of the Studio System will vary by country. Interested buyers should visit www.desktopmetal.com/international for the complete list of APAC resellers and country-specific information.About the Studio SystemThe Studio System, which debuted in May 2017, is the first office-friendly metal 3D printing system for rapid prototyping and is 10 times less expensive than existing technology today. The Studio System is a complete platform, including a printer, a debinder, and a sintering furnace that, together, deliver complex and even impossible geometries of metal 3D printed parts right in an engineer's office or on the shop floor.To manufacture metal 3D printed parts at scale, Desktop Metal also debuted the only 3D printing system for mass production of high resolution metal parts today, the Production System.About Desktop MetalDesktop Metal, Inc., based in Burlington, Massachusetts, is accelerating the transformation of manufacturing with end-to-end metal 3D printing solutions. Founded in 2015 by leaders in advanced manufacturing, metallurgy, and robotics, the company is addressing the unmet challenges of speed, cost, and quality to make metal 3D printing an essential tool for engineers and manufacturers around the world. Desktop Metal has raised a total of $212 million in financing, with the Series D marking the largest round ever for an additive manufacturing company. In 2017, the company was selected as one of the world's 30 most promising Technology Pioneers by World Economic Forum, and was recently named to MIT Technology Review's list of 50 Smartest Companies. For more information, visit www.desktopmetal.com.
SiriusXM to Launch The Billy Graham Channel

NEW YORK: SiriusXM announced today the launch of The Billy Graham Channel, a limited-run channel headlined by world-renowned Christian evangelist, Billy Graham, founder of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621155 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/us-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621155 173O212O198O32)

"The Billy Graham Channel" will debut on Monday, November 6 at 12:00 am ET through Friday, November 17 at 11:59:59 pm ET on channel 145 on satellite and via streaming.Launching in celebration of the acclaimed preacher's 99th birthday, SiriusXM listeners nationwide will have access to the preacher's timeless, inspiring messages from his seven decades of ministry."On November 7, Billy Graham celebrates his 99th birthday and we, along with SiriusXM, thought a channel featuring some of Mr. Graham's most memorable messages would be a fitting way to mark the occasion. 'The Billy Graham Channel' is the kind of gift Mr. Graham would greatly appreciate: it helps point others to the hope found in Jesus Christ," said Jim Kirkland, Executive Director of Audio Media, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association."Billy Graham has inspired millions of Americans with his uplifting messages of hope, courage, love, and forgiveness," said Dave Gorab, Vice President and General Manager, Talk Programming, SiriusXM. "We are honored to be part of Billy Graham's 99th birthday celebration by bringing this limited engagement channel to SiriusXM listeners coast to coast."In addition to the catalog of Graham's motivational messages and sermons, "The Billy Graham Channel" will also include personal reflections on the pastor's life by family and friends including Billy Graham's son, Franklin Graham, and his daughter, Anne Graham Lotz. The channel will also showcase remarks from Presidents Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush.Born in 1918, evangelist Billy Graham has preached the Gospel to nearly 215 million people in more than 185 countries and territories. Since the 1949 Los Angeles Crusade that vaulted Mr. Graham into the public eye, he has led hundreds of thousands to make personal decisions to live for Christ, which is the main mission of his ministry.
Precarious work takes centre stage as college faculty rally at Queen's Park

TORONTO: The issue of precarious work was high on the agenda for college faculty, students, and their supporters at a raucous rally at Queen's Park today.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621155 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/business-world-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621155 173O212O198O32)

"The fight for equal pay for equal work, to get rid of precarious jobs, to have more full-time jobs, that's the exact right fight," the President of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) told thousands of faculty who bused in from across the province. "You're at the pointy edge of that fight, and you're making a difference for everybody."The OPSEU bargaining team for over 12,000 college professors, instructors, counsellors, and librarians returned to the bargaining table with the College Employer Council this morning. It was the first time the two sides had met since faculty went on strike October 16.Treatment of contract faculty at the colleges has been a sticking point in the talks. Some 70 per cent of all college faculty work on short-term (usually four-month) contracts with sub-standard wages and no job security. Some are in the striking bargaining unit; others are non-union but voted in an OPSEU representation vote earlier this month."With Bill 148, the Fair Workplaces, Betters Jobs Act, in committee this week, I'm calling on the government to recognize that, when it comes to precarious work, our colleges are the eye of the storm," Thomas said following the rally. "Contract faculty and part-time staff have been doing the same great work as their full-time colleagues but they've been treated as second-class citizens in the workplace."This has to stop," he said. "The colleges need to wake up and realize that we are in a new era. That means bargaining in good faith to treat contract faculty fairly, and it means recognizing bargaining rights for those who do not yet have a collective voice."Thomas also called on the colleges to realize that faculty need more say in academic decisions if they are to equip students for an ever-changing workforce. He called on the colleges to take concrete steps to include faculty and students alike in the planning and oversight of programs and courses.
The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels announces groundbreaking ceremony for The Peninsula London

HONG KONG and LONDON: The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited (HSH) today celebrated the groundbreaking ceremony for The Peninsula London in Belgravia, London. The Duke of Westminster attended as Guest of Honour at the ceremony which was hosted by HSH Chairman, The Honourable Sir Michael Kadoorie.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621156 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/business-world-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621156 173O212O198O32)

Speaking at the event, Sir Michael said: "This is an important day for our group. We were most pleased, after many decades of searching, to have found such a magnificent location for The Peninsula London hotel and residences. It is our vision that The Peninsula London shall be recognised as one of the finest hotels in the world. We will welcome international guests and showcase the best of British culture, design, art and cuisine combined with traditional warm Asian hospitality, while also ensuring that The Peninsula London is embraced as a prominent fixture in the community and equally beloved by local residents."HSH Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Mr Clement Kwok added: "The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels' philosophy is to focus our business on a small number of hotels which are recognised as being amongst the best in the world. We emphasise quality rather than quantity and all our hotels are situated in the most prime locations in major international gateway cities. London is one of the world's most dynamic and vibrant cities, with a unique energy and culture, and we believe it has a most exciting future. The Peninsula London hotel and residences will set new standards in luxury and service and we believe they will be the finest in the London market when complete."The project site for The Peninsula London is in a spectacular location overlooking Hyde Park Corner and the Wellington Arch and will comprise a 190-room hotel and 24-28 luxury residential apartments, with opening currently scheduled for 2021.As part of the project, the owners will also provide affordable housing located at Buckingham Palace Road in Westminster. The project is expected to support over 2,000 jobs and deliver additional expenditure of GBP60m to the London economy annually, offering a significant boost to London's tourism industry.
Pennsylvania to Transform Communications for Public Safety; Governor Wolf Approves Buildout Plan for First Responder Network

HARRISBURG, Pa: Pennsylvania is advancing communications capabilities for first responders. Today, Governor Tom Wolf announced his decision to accept the FirstNet and AT and T* plan to deliver a wireless broadband network to the state's public safety community. FirstNet will bring advanced technologies that will help Pennsylvania's first responders save lives and protect communities.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621156 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/us-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621156 173O212O198O32)

"When an emergency strikes, Pennsylvania first responders are called upon to handle the situation and support the community," Governor Wolf said. "As we have learned from recent events in many parts of the country, a vital component needed for coordinating a response is the ability for all responders on the scene to share information as events unfold."AT&T, in a public-private partnership with FirstNet, will build, operate and maintain a highly secure wireless broadband communications network for Pennsylvania's public safety community at no cost to the state. The FirstNet network will drive innovation and create an entire system of modernized devices, apps and tools for first responders.Following an in-depth evaluation of the proposed AT&T and FirstNet plan, as well as proposals by other potential vendors, Pennsylvania selected the FirstNet and AT&T public-private partnership, bringing public safety the overall best value solution with the least risk.FirstNet will transform the way Pennsylvania's fire, police, EMS and other public safety personnel communicate and share information. Specifically, it will:aConnect first responder subscribers to the critical information they need in a highly secure manner when handling day-to-day operations, responding to emergencies and supporting large events.aCreate an efficient communications experience for public safety personnel in agencies and jurisdictions across the state when responding to natural disasters that occur all year in Pennsylvania, such as severe winter storms, tornadoes, high winds and flooding.aEnhance and expand network coverage along Pennsylvania's vast areas of mountains, farmland and forests to cover areas that are today underserved. This will benefit first responders and residents throughout the state's rural areas.aProvide first responders with access to dedicated network assets that can be deployed for additional coverage and support when needed.aDrive infrastructure investments and create jobs across the state.FirstNet and AT&T designed Pennsylvania's network solution with direct input from the state's public safety community. FirstNet has been meeting with Pennsylvania's officials and public safety personnel for several years to address their unique communication needs. These include:aImproving coverage and making deployables readily available in less populated areas.aProviding modern communications tools at affordable costs to help first responders operate safer and more effectively.aMaking Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) solutions available to public safety volunteers.aGiving public safety agencies local control to adjust user prioritization at the state and incident commander level in response to outages and emergencies."Governor Wolf's decision will deliver innovation and interoperability to first responders in the Keystone State, helping them serve and protect their communities," said FirstNet CEO Mike Poth. "We are pleased to have delivered the network plan that best meets Pennsylvania's needs and look forward to connecting public safety throughout the Commonwealth."The administration's decision to opt in will enable AT&T and FirstNet to begin planning and construction ahead of schedule. This will create a highly secure public safety network for Pennsylvania's first responder subscribers - who will also have priority use and preemption on this network.Priority access to voice and data across the existing nationwide AT&T LTE network will be immediately available to subscribers. Preemption for primary users over the AT&T LTE network is expected by year-end. This means fire, police, EMS and other public safety workers will have dedicated access to the network when and where they need it - 24/7/365, like their mission."Today is an historic day for public safety in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania," said J. Michael Schweder, President of AT&T Mid Atlantic. "I'd like to thank Governor Wolf and his staff for the hard work they put into determining how best to deliver the FirstNet network to first responders and residents in our great state. We're honored to support the public safety mission here today, and every day for the next 25 years."
Whiskey Prison Releases First Bourbon: Conviction

MT. PLEASANT, N.C: Conviction Small Batch Bourbon has been released from prison. Southern Grace Distilleries, the first distillery in the United States to be located in a former prison, has released their first bourbon after opening their doors three and a half years ago: Conviction Small Batch Bourbon.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621157 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/business-world-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621157 173O212O198O32)

"The hard time aging in oak barrels behind bars here at Whiskey Prison has created a cask strength bourbon that's subtly sweet and smooth," said Southern Grace Distilleries CEO Leanne Powell.Reviews seem to agree. As John Trump wrote for Liquor.com, "It's remarkably smooth and complex. The nose reveals ripe cherries and a comforting hint of cinnamon, bringing to mind warm apples covered in brown sugar. A sip offers hints of honey and just a touch of oak. The barley brings a soft sweetness, much like an Irish whisky, especially after adding a drop of water. Soft vanilla and bright orange linger on the palate."Conviction Small Batch Bourbon enters the world bourbon market having already received high praise for its taste. Earlier this week the spirit won a Gold Medal at the MicroLiquor Spirit Awards.Southern Grace Distilleries makes a charitable contribution for every bottle they sell, and the charitable partner for Conviction is the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association, the oldest and largest sustainable agriculture organization in the Southeast. "Without corn you can't have bourbon. When you enjoy bourbon, thank a farmer. I'm so glad we can help support the efforts of the Carolina Farm Stewardship and their project at the Lomax Incubator Farm which is right down the road from our distillery," said Powell.Southern Grace Distilleries, known as Whiskey Prison, was founded in 2014 and is located in a former North Carolina state prison in Cabarrus County, NC, located about 25 minutes northeast of Charlotte. Conviction is now available in North Carolina, South Carolina, Washington, DC, and available online via cellar.com.
The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels announces groundbreaking ceremony for The Peninsula London

HONG KONG and LONDON: The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited (HSH) today celebrated the groundbreaking ceremony for The Peninsula London in Belgravia, London. The Duke of Westminster attended as Guest of Honour at the ceremony which was hosted by HSH Chairman, The Honourable Sir Michael Kadoorie.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621157 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/business-world-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621157 173O212O198O32)

Speaking at the event, Sir Michael said: "This is an important day for our group. We were most pleased, after many decades of searching, to have found such a magnificent location for The Peninsula London hotel and residences. It is our vision that The Peninsula London shall be recognised as one of the finest hotels in the world. We will welcome international guests and showcase the best of British culture, design, art and cuisine combined with traditional warm Asian hospitality, while also ensuring that The Peninsula London is embraced as a prominent fixture in the community and equally beloved by local residents."HSH Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Mr Clement Kwok added: "The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels' philosophy is to focus our business on a small number of hotels which are recognised as being amongst the best in the world. We emphasise quality rather than quantity and all our hotels are situated in the most prime locations in major international gateway cities. London is one of the world's most dynamic and vibrant cities, with a unique energy and culture, and we believe it has a most exciting future. The Peninsula London hotel and residences will set new standards in luxury and service and we believe they will be the finest in the London market when complete."The project site for The Peninsula London is in a spectacular location overlooking Hyde Park Corner and the Wellington Arch and will comprise a 190-room hotel and 24-28 luxury residential apartments, with opening currently scheduled for 2021.As part of the project, the owners will also provide affordable housing located at Buckingham Palace Road in Westminster. The project is expected to support over 2,000 jobs and deliver additional expenditure of GBP60m to the London economy annually, offering a significant boost to London's tourism industry.The Peninsula London hotel has been designed by UK-based Hopkins Architects Partnership, with the interiors designed by Peter Marino Architect. Food and beverage outlets are being designed by Archer Humphryes and CAP Atelier, with specialist lighting designed by Speirs + Major. Engineering services are provided by WSP and Cundall. The Development and Project Manager is Prime Development, construction management is being handled by Sir Robert McAlpine and cost management by Arcadis. Demolition by Keltbray is almost complete and piling by Cementation Skanska is now underway.
Unidentified group fires at Puns team

In a repeated instance, some unidentified persons attempted to attack CPN (Maoist Centre) leader Barshaman Pun in Duikholi Rural Muncipality-3 on Sunday. Former finance minister Pun is the left alliances candidate for federal parliamentary election in Rolpa.
A New Way of Building Inclusive Workplaces

TORONTO: What does an inclusive workplace look like? How can Greater Toronto organizations be prepared to make the most of the region's diverse workforce? The Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC) has launched a new resource to help employers answer these questions.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621158 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/business-world-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621158 173O212O198O32)

Recent census data shows that over 46% of people in Toronto are immigrants, from countries across the world. The number of people from racialized communities has also grown, as has the number of children and grandchildren of immigrants.More and more, diversity is a fact of today's labour market and employees in Canada now typically find themselves working alongside people with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. TRIEC's new framework, the Inclusive Workplace Competencies, can help organizations fully leverage this diverse talent, and build a work environment where everyone can fully contribute.Competencies describe what it looks like when you are performing effectively in your role. They list the core skills and behaviours that organizations expect their employees to demonstrate. They can be used in different ways, including in performance review and appraisals, during hiring processes, and to help employees determine their training and development needs.TRIEC has developed a set of competencies that specifically set out what inclusive behaviour in the workplace looks like. They are adaptable so users can build their own customized list - and add them to their existing competency framework if their workplace already has one in place."Canada relies on immigrant talent, but employers need tools and resources to ensure everyone can contribute their skills and experience," said Margaret Eaton, TRIEC's Executive Director.HR and diversity and inclusion professionals have already shown enthusiasm about implementing the resource. "It's a great way to embed diversity and inclusion into every part of the workplace," said Anita Sampson Binder, Vice President of Recruitment Strategy and Delivery at ARES Staffing Solutions. "From hiring and interviewing people, to training them, to performance management, they can be used in so many places."
CVS Health Offering Hepatitis A Vaccine to Broward County Residents Following Increase in Local Cases of the Illness

WOONSOCKET, R.I: CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) is encouraging unvaccinated Florida residents to receive the Hepatitis A vaccine, following the Florida Department of Health's (DOH) announcement that the state has seen an increase in locally acquired Hepatitis A cases.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621158 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/business-world-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621158 173O212O198O32)

MinuteClinic walk-in medical clinics in Florida currently have vaccine available and are able to administer the immunization to patients to protect against Hepatitis A. Many CVS Pharmacy locations have the vaccine available as well. According to the Florida DOH, there have been 34 cases of Hepatitis A infection reported in Broward County since January 2017. During a typical year, the Florida DOH usually receives reports of seven cases of Hepatitis A.Vaccination is the most effective way to protect people from Hepatitis A and MinuteClinic and CVS Pharmacy are offering the Hepatitis A vaccine at select locations across the state. There are 101 MinuteClinic locations with 10 in Broward County, as well as 876 CVS Pharmacy locations in Florida with 76 in Broward County. Patients planning to go to MinuteClinic to get vaccinated for Hepatitis A can visit MinuteClinic.com to view wait times at nearby clinics. Consumers can visit CVS.com or use the CVS Pharmacy app to locate a nearby CVS Pharmacy and to schedule a Hepatitis A vaccination appointment. Patients are encouraged to contact their local pharmacy to confirm availability."Immunizations are an important part of preventive care and a critical way to prevent the spread of serious illness, like Hepatitis A," said Tobias Barker, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of MinuteClinic. "Our MinuteClinic nurse practitioners and CVS Pharmacy pharmacists are able to provide vaccinations to Floridians who may have been exposed to the virus or who are unaware of their vaccination status. They can also help ensure that patients stay up to date on vaccinations in the future."Hepatitis A vaccine may provide protection against the disease if given within two weeks after exposure. People who have had Hepatitis A disease or previously received two doses of the Hepatitis A vaccine do not need to be immunized for Hepatitis A again. Symptoms of Hepatitis A infection usually appear two to six weeks after exposure and include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, abdominal discomfort, dark urine, diarrhea, and yellow skin and eyes.At MinuteClinic, the Hepatitis A vaccine can be provided to can be provided to adults and children 18 months and older. CVS pharmacists can provide the Hepatitis A vaccine to people ages 18 and up. It is administered in one primary dose and a second booster dose, usually administered 6 months later. Vaccine supplies will be replenished at these locations as needed. Patients should check with their insurance plans for coverage details prior to their MinuteClinic or CVS Pharmacy visit.While vaccination provides the best protection from Hepatitis A, frequent hand-washing with soap and water after using the bathroom, changing a diaper, and before preparing food can help prevent the spread of the illness. Appropriately cooking foods can also help to prevent infection.
New federal training program builds on marine emergency response in Indigenous communities on B.C. coast

OTTAWA: A new project from the Government of Canada is giving members of coastal Indigenous communities in British Columbia additional knowledge, skills and training to help build on the role they play in marine safety in their communities.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621159 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/business-world-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621159 173O212O198O32)

The first training session under the Indigenous Community Response Training project wrapped up this week at the Canadian Coast Guard station in Bamfield, B.C. Nine members from seven northern First Nations in the province graduated from the Coastal Nations Search and Rescue course. The participants were on the water for four days of training, taking part in advanced search and rescue simulations and live exercises with Canadian Coast Guard vessels.The Indigenous Community Response Training project helps to enhance important search and rescue and environmental response capabilities within Indigenous communities through the delivery of a training curriculum tailored to meet the needs of individual communities. This will enhance emergency response partnerships between the Coast Guard and Indigenous communities.The project falls under one of the four main priority areas identified in the Oceans Protection Plan that aims to strengthen partnerships and launch co-management practices with Indigenous communities, including building local emergency response capacity. Canada's $1.5-billion Oceans Protection Plan is designed to improve marine safety and protect Canada's marine environment and coastal communities.Quotes"Members of coastal and Indigenous communities in British Columbia play an important role in marine safety. They are often the first to arrive on the scene when incidents arise near remote coastal areas. The Indigenous Community Response Training project is just one of the ways we are partnering with coastal and Indigenous communities in B.C. to improve marine safety and protect our coasts."The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, P.C., Q.C., M.P., Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard"We have enjoyed the Coast Guard training in Bamfield very much. We look forward to the Coast Guard folks visiting our communities so that we can introduce them to our culture and our territories."Michelle Atchison, Nisga'a NationQuick FactsaThe Indigenous Community Response Training project provides participants with classroom and hands-on training and education on topics like Marine Search and Rescue, Environmental Response, and the Incident Command System, which is quickly becoming the standard methodology when responding to maritime and other all-hazard incidents across Canada.aIn addition to formal training sessions under this project, the Canadian Coast Guard will deliver other certificate courses to Indigenous participants throughout the year, including Marine Advanced First Aid and First Responder Oil Spill Training.aThe Indigenous Community Response Training project is an important piece of the foundation in continuing to build upon the strong partnerships between the Government of Canada and coastal First Nations in B.C., including the expansion of Indigenous Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary Units in the province.aThrough the Oceans Protection Plan, the Government of Canada is working with Indigenous and coastal communities and marine stakeholders to help keep Canadian waters and coasts safe and clean for today and into the future.aThe next training session will take place in Bamfield, B.C. in February 2018.
Carnival Cruise Line Unveils Enhanced Military Appreciation Program In Honor Of Veterans Day

MIAMI: In honor of Veterans Day, Carnival Cruise Line is enhancing its military offerings benefiting active and retired members of the U.S. Armed Forces.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621160 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/us-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621160 173O212O198O32)

The cruise line is launching a new monthly cruise giveaway for military families who attend one of Carnival's military appreciation events held on board during every cruise across the fleet. Additionally, a special booking incentive in November provides special discounts for military personnel which are combinable with the line's already-low Early Saver rates.New beginning this November, Carnival's shipboard military appreciation events will feature a chance for military families to win a free three- to eight-day cruise from any U.S. homeport to the Bahamas, Caribbean or Mexico. One drawing per month will be held from all entries received fleetwide, with the monthly winners to be announced on the Facebook page of Carnival's well-known cruise director turned brand ambassador, John Heald. The events will also feature a moving new video tribute honoring the Armed Forces and narrated by Carnival President Christine Duffy.A special booking promotion for active and retired military personnel running from Nov. 3-14, 2017, provides a $50 onboard credit per cabin plus a two-category upgrade and reduced deposits from $99 per person, which can be combined with Carnival's highly attractive Early Saver rates. In addition, guests who qualify for the promotion can book up to two additional staterooms with the same bonuses and pricing."Carnival has always been a big supporter of military families and I'm proud to say that we carry more active and retired military personnel than any other cruise line in the world," said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. "We take great pride in showing our appreciation for those who serve with this expanded program."
Hoffa: New House Tax Bill Benefits Big Business, Wealthy Over U.S. Workers

WASHINGTON: The following is a statement from Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa in response to the rollout of a new House Republican tax proposal today that would give corporations and the nation's wealthiest households a huge tax cut at the expense of hardworking Americans.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621160 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/us-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621160 173O212O198O32)

"At a time when big business is already pocketing sky-high profits and the top one percent of earners are seeing their incomes significantly grow, it is confounding why Congress would focus on increasing their wealth at the expense of the country's workers. Working Americans would see much-needed deductions for medical costs ended under this legislation. The bill would also cap deductions on local and state taxes as well as home mortgages, deductions that middle-class families rely on."The march to repeal the estate tax that only affects the nation's most wealthy and lowering the corporate tax rate from 35 to 20 percent will not help those working hard every day to support their families. Those tax cuts will be paid for by more than $4 trillion in cuts to Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and education, services that benefit working Americans. The rest of the cost will be thrown on the backs of our children and grandchildren to cover."This plan is a flashback to the 1980s, when trickle-down economics was all the rage. It is now widely agreed to have been a failure, especially for those fighting to make ends meet. If Congress wants to provide real economic relief for middle-class Americans, it can start by repealing the 40 percent excise tax on high quality insurance plans. That's the kind of change that will help those who need it the most."Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.
NexBank Supports TREC Shark Tank: GrowSouth

DALLAS: NexBank SSB, a regional bank based in Dallas, Texas, is proud to announce that it is the presenting sponsor of TREC Shark Tank: GrowSouth.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621160 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/us-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621160 173O212O198O32)

TREC Shark Tank: GrowSouth was organized by The Real Estate Council Community Fund and is scheduled to take place on Thursday, November 2nd at Gilley's Dallas in Dallas, Texas. Modeled after the hit television show, TREC Shark Tank will feature three teams pitching their real estate projects impacting Southern Dallas to a panel of local real estate investors. Each investor has committed up to $500,000 to one or more projects.NexBank SSB is a Founder member of TREC and has been a primary investor with the Community Fund since 2014. In the last twelve months, NexBank provided $110,000 in grants and it currently provides a $2 million line of credit to support the fund's commercial real estate projects, which benefit low-income families and communities in Dallas and Collin Counties.
A renewed relationship in action: Tlicho Financing Agreement

OTTAWA: Modern Treaties and Self-Government Agreements are at the forefront of reconciliation. Canada is committed to working with its partners to promote the full and meaningful implementation of these agreements, based on recognition of rights, respect, cooperation and partnership.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621161 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/us-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621161 173O212O198O32)

The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, and Grand Chief George Mackenzie, Tlicho Government, today announced the signing of the renewal of the Tlicho Financing Agreement.Under the Tlicho Financing Agreement, Canada provides funding to support the core operation of the Tlicho Government and implementation of the Tlicho Agreement, including land management, as well as for the delivery of federal programs and services such as economic development and health.Under this renewed agreement, the combined impact of the application of new funding levels and the recently-announced moratorium on own-source revenue offsets results in a substantial increase to Tlicho's net transfer.With the renewal of the Tlicho Financing Agreement, the Government of Canada continues to honour its commitments and work with the Tlicho Government to implement the Tlicho Agreement to support social and economic development. Furthermore, this is a sign of collaboration within the treaty partnership. The renewed Financing Agreement will be in place for three years ending March 31, 2020. The parties may also agree to replace the Financing Agreement sooner should Canada implement revised policies as a result of the Collaborative Fiscal Policy Development Process.Quotes"Implementation of modern treaties is key to advancing reconciliation with Indigenous peoples in Canada. These agreements promote self-determination, and establish a foundation for social development and economic growth for the benefit of all Canadians. The effective implementation of reasonably stable, predictable, and flexible fiscal arrangements is an essential component of success for modern treaty holders such as Tlicho. Together, we will continue to forge a new government-to-government relationship based on recognition of rights, respect, collaboration, and partnership."The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, MD, PC, MPMinister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs"After many years of hard work, we are grateful for the efforts of both parties in achieving this agreement. It represents progress in our fiscal relationship and will help us meet the needs of Tlicho citizens and support the economy of the North. We are committed to the collaborative fiscal policy development process and we see this as an important step forward in building out our Nation-to-Nation relationship and a strong fiscal foundation for our government. Our ability to help our people and promote our way of life is fundamental to who we are."George MackenzieTlicho GovernmentQuick FactsaThe first Tlicho Financing Agreement came into effect in 2005 and was signed by the Tlicho Government and Canada. This agreement provided funding to support the Tlicho Government in implementing the Tlicho Agreement - a modern treaty including full self-government.aUnder the renewed Financing Agreement, the Tlicho will receive a transfer of approximately $8.6 million in 2017-2018.
Emmy Award-Winning Physician And Talk Show Host 'Doctor Nandi' Set To Join The HITN TV Family

BROOKLYN, N.Y: HITN, the largest non-commercial Hispanic network in the United States that offers educational and entertaining content to more than 44 million households across the United States, announced the addition of 'Doctor Nandi' to its 'Vida y Salud Television' program block, a unique space devoted to improving the health of the US Hispanic community.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621161 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/us-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621161 173O212O198O32)

'Doctor Nandi' will broadcast with Spanish subtitles weekdays at 3:00 p.m. Eastern / 11:00 a.m. Pacific starting next Monday, November 6th.'Doctor Nandi' is an award-winning, hour-long talk show created and hosted by Doctor Nandi, the charismatic physician with a mission to improve the health of America and the world with compassion, empathy and integrity. During the show, the physician will interview special guests, asking them insightful questions that promote a discussion about health topics as varied as prostate cancer, breast cancer treatment and senior care.'Doctor Nandi' is an International Emmy Award-winning program that helps audiences identify health problems, offering viewers and their families practical and realistic solutions to conditions common among the US Hispanic community," remarked Erika Vogt-Lowell, Director of Programming and Acquisitions at HITN. "Doctor Nandi's approach to discussing wellness, fitness, and nutrition by incorporating compassion with a sense of community makes his show a perfect fit for the 'Vida y Salud Television' program block.""Having access to the right information at the right time is very important, and we at HITN are certain the addition of 'Doctor Nandi' to our 'Vida y Salud' program block will continue to inspire our viewers to adopt healthy habits that improve their health and general wellbeing," added Michael D. Nieves, President and CEO of HITN."I am excited to collaborate on this project with HITN and to reach millions of Spanish-speakers in the United States, inspiring them to become their own '#HealthHeroes,'" Doctor Nandi said. "Prevention is the most effective way to combat many of the health problems common among Hispanics, including obesity and diabetes, and it starts with modifying nutrition and lifestyle habits."HITN's 'Vida y Salud Television' is a health and wellness program block designed to be informative programming for US Hispanics. Vida y Salud Television' is committed to helping its viewers adopt healthy habits that will result in a healthier lifestyle. In addition, HITN offers a wide range of content online on its VidaySalud.TV Website where viewers can sign up for free personalized health bulletins via email and links to VidaySalud.com's extensive library of medical topics, as well as special live events.
American Association for Respiratory Care Honors Tri-anim Health Services with Zenith Award

DUBLIN, Ohio: Tri-anim Health Services, one of the nation's largest distributors of specialty respiratory, anesthesia and other critical care supplies and equipment, was recently awarded the 2017 Zenith Award, from the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC). The award was given at the 2017 AARC Congress in Indianapolis.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621162 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/us-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621162 173O212O198O32)

Voted on by AARC members, the Zenith Award is given to the top companies in the respiratory care industry and is widely considered the "people's choice" award for the respiratory care profession. AARC members are asked to evaluate and identify outstanding companies using criteria including: quality of equipment and supplies; accessibility and helpfulness of sales personnel; overall company responsiveness; service records; truth in advertising; and support of the respiratory care profession."Earning this award is a high honor and a direct result of our commitment to deliver exceptional service, solutions and quality products to our valued customers," said Tom Metcalf, president, Acute. "Our mission is to serve our customers in such a way that we are contributing to their ability to deliver the best patient care and outcomes as we strive to be the best company in specialty medical sales and distribution. We are honored to receive this prestigious award."
Chicken Industry Concludes new Federal Provincial Agreement and Welcomes Alberta Back into the Flock

OTTAWA: The final step in concluding a new Federal Provincial Agreement for Chicken (FPA) was taken earlier this week. On October 31st, Farm Products Council of Canada determined that Governor-in-Council approval is not required for the new FPA.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621162 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/us-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621162 173O212O198O32)

This brings to close more than 8 years of discussions and negotiations to arrive at a new allocation methodology that is not only supported by all federal and provincial signatories, but also delivers on the requirements of the Farm Products Agencies Act for Chicken Farmers of Canada (CFC) to take comparative advantage into account when allocating production growth.The new FPA provides increased certainty to all industry stakeholders. "With it, we have the tools we need to grow, develop and thrive" added Benoit Fontaine, Chair of Chicken Farmers of Canada. "This FPA marks our industry's total commitment to a dynamic and always evolving supply management system for chicken."With the new FPA in hand, today, the Canadian chicken industry welcomed back Alberta Chicken Producers into the agreement, bringing all provinces back into the system.Alberta had withdrawn from the FPA in 2013, but continued to work at CFC on the modernization of the allocation system, to ensure that Canadians from coast to coast continue to enjoy a steady supply of fresh, high-quality, Canadian-grown chicken."Our focus on responding quickly to the changing demands of consumers in every province, and to meeting all our challenges, are among the many reasons we are a Canadian success story," said Fontaine, "We're excited to have all our provinces back on board."This comes at a time when the Raised by a Canadian Farmer brand is gaining increased awareness in the marketplace. Consumers know that when they buy chicken with the Raised by a Canadian Farmer logo, they are getting chicken raised by farmers with a commitment to excellence in food safety, animal care and sustainability."The agreement provides strength to the Canadian chicken industry and shows that we can work together to evolve our supply management system for the benefit of all," said Michael Laliberte, Executive Director.Supply management is a uniquely Canadian response to market volatility in a perishable product market. Consumer demand is rarely static. It changes as a result of demographic shifts, immigration from countries with different food preferences, and new science related to human health and nutrition.This latest FPA is paramount to the Canadian chicken industry's continued strategic growth. The active support and participation of the federal and provincial governments enhances the nation's international trade position, backing Canada's right to use the marketing systems of its choice.Chicken Farmers of Canada represents the 2,800 chicken farmers from coast to coast, and ensures that the chicken that reaches Canadians' tables is safe, delicious, and raised to the highest standards: yours.
Illinois Solar Energy Association Raffles Tesla Model X

CHICAGO: There's no doubt about it: electric vehicles (EVs) are taking off. As people have become more concerned about reducing their carbon footprint, many car manufacturers have expanded their EV options. However, the company to keep your eye on is still Tesla.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621163 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/us-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621163 173O212O198O32)

Tesla started with only the sporty Roadster, but their options are expanding to more consumer- and family-friendly models, such as the more affordable Model 3 and the Model X, a roomy SUV. The Model X is one of the very first all-electric SUVs, and also the winner of numerous awards, including the distinction of the American Automobile Association's Top Green Vehicle overall for 2017. This year, you could win one of your own.The Illinois Solar Energy Association (ISEA) has been holding a fundraising raffle to win a Tesla for four years. ISEA is a nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about solar energy, as well as advocating for renewable energy legislation in Illinois. They see EVs, as well as solar energy, as crucial parts of the path towards a more sustainable world. This will be ISEA's first year raffling the Model X - they had previously only raffled the Model S. They are excited that the EV world is growing and are proud to offer this new option.Past winners share that same enthusiasm. "I entered the raffle because I wanted to support the solar industry in Illinois," says 2015's winner. "I figured that I wouldn't win, but it was a good cause and I figured it would come back to me in one way or another (less pollution, maybe a cool car)." Once he did win, his test drive of the Model S proved to him that the car was everything it claimed to be. "I test drove the car and got to test the auto pilot software on the highway, which was amazing. It is a great car, very quiet and very fun to drive."Support solar in Illinois and enter for a chance to win a Tesla Model X! Visit the ISEA store at store.illinoissolar.org and learn more at their website, www.illinoissolar.org.Selected rules: Only 2,500 tickets will be sold, and the drawing will be held on December 7th. There is no limit on the number of tickets that can be purchased. You do not need to be present at the drawing to win. If fewer than 2,400 tickets are sold, then the drawing converts to a 50/50 drawing. Tickets are only valid if sold in the continental US.
Talen Energy Announces Sale of its IEC Gas Pipeline to New Jersey Resources

THE WOODLANDS, Texas: On Thursday, November 2, 2017, Talen Energy Corporation (Talen Energy) and New Jersey Resources Corporation (NJR) announced the execution of a definitive agreement for the sale of 100pc of the equity interests in Talen Energy's Interstate Energy Company LLC (IEC) pipeline subsidiary to Adelphia Gateway, LLC (Adelphia), a subsidiary of NJR.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621163 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/us-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621163 173O212O198O32)

Talen Energy's IEC subsidiary currently owns and operates an 84-mile pipeline that interconnects the producing region of southeastern Pennsylvania to the Philadelphia gas market.Aggregate consideration for the sale is $189 million payable in cash, of which up to $23 million is contingent cash consideration based on certain specified conditions. The sale is expected to close in approximately 12 months, following receipt of all necessary permits and regulatory actions, including those from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission."Since December of 2016, Talen Energy's new management team has continued to deliver on its plan to improve the company's operational performance and divest non-core assets, while generating significant cash flow," said Ralph Alexander, Talen Energy's Chief Executive Officer. "This transaction will allow the company to monetize an under-utilized resource for significant cash value. We continue to evaluate the potential of Talen Energy's remaining real estate and natural gas asset footprint, including the company's significant natural gas demand across our power generation fleet."As part of the agreement, Talen Energy subsidiaries will enter into contracts with Adelphia, whereby the northern portion of the pipeline will continue to supply natural gas to Talen Energy's Martins Creek and Lower Mount Bethel generating stations. The southern 50-mile portion of the pipeline will be repurposed by Adelphia to flow natural gas to the greater Philadelphia region and provide customers with a new source of clean, safe and low-cost natural gas supply."The sale of the IEC pipeline, together with our previously announced non-core asset sales, completes the execution of Talen Energy's $325 million non-core asset sale program announced earlier this year. I am pleased to report that we have met and exceeded this target approximately one year ahead of the schedule we committed to our investors," said Alex Hernandez, Talen Energy's Chief Financial Officer. "The IEC pipeline sale will be EBITDA neutral for Talen Energy as our gas transportation costs paid to Adelphia will be offset by O&M savings related to the sale."UBS Investment Bank acted as lead financial advisor to Talen and Bracewell LLP served as legal counsel.
Prime Minister to travel to Vietnam and Philippines

OTTAWA: The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced that he will travel to Vietnam and the Philippines from November 6 to 14, 2017.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621164 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/us-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621164 173O212O198O32)

The trip provides an opportunity for the Prime Minister to meet with partners in the Asia-Pacific region, and promote a progressive trade agenda that creates good, middle class jobs and more opportunities for people on both sides of the Pacific.Prime Minister Trudeau will undertake an official visit in Vietnam. In Hanoi, he will meet with the President of Vietnam, Tran Aai Quang, the Prime Minister, Nguyan Xuan Phuc, the President of the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Nguyan Tha Kim Ngan, as well as the Secretary General of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Nguyan Phu Trong.The Prime Minister will then head to Ho Chi Minh City, where he will meet with Vietnamese business leaders, and participate in an armchair discussion at Ton Duc Thang University. Finally, he will travel to the city of Da Nang to attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting. At the Economic Leaders' meeting, the Prime Minister will promote Canada as a partner of choice for trade and investment in the region, and deepen economic cooperation with APEC economies.After the Economic Leaders' Meeting, Prime Minister Trudeau will travel to the Philippines to attend the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Manila. While at the Summit, the Prime Minister will take part in the Canada-ASEAN Commemorative Summit to review relations between Canada and the 10 ASEAN countries and identify areas where we can increase collaboration.Quotes"Canada and Vietnam's relationship is anchored in strong people-to-people connections, and has expanded greatly in the last forty years. I look forward to meeting with Vietnam's leaders to advance important issues like good governance and human rights, strengthen our trade and investment cooperation, and create more opportunities for our middle class."a The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada"Everyone - including women, youth, and Indigenous Peoples - should have the opportunity to benefit from the opportunities that flow from the global economy. That is the message I will bring to the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting and the ASEAN Summit. Canada will continue to promote a progressive trade agenda that benefits the middle class, and look for more opportunities to engage the Asia-Pacific region."a The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of CanadaQuick FactsaPrime Minister Trudeau previously met with President Quang on the margins of APEC in November 2016, and with Prime Minister Phuc on the margins of the G7 in Japan in May 2016.aVietnam has been Canada's largest trading partner in the ASEAN region since 2015.aTwo-way merchandise trade between Canada and Vietnam totaled $5.5 billion in 2016, up from $4.7 billion in 2015. Since 2011, overall bilateral merchandise trade between the two countries has more than tripled.aCanada exported close to $528 million in merchandise to Vietnam, including fish, crustaceans, cereals, fertilizers, grains, seeds, and fruit. Merchandise imports were nearly $5 billion, led by mechanical and electrical products, footwear, knit apparel, woven apparel, and furniture.aCanada is a founding member of APEC. Established in 1989, it has since become the pre-eminent economic forum in the Asia-Pacific region. APEC's primary purpose is to facilitate economic growth and prosperity in the region. APEC includes economies critical to Canada's future economic prosperity and security interests.aCanada has been a Dialogue Partner of ASEAN for 40 years, and supports the organization's goal of maintaining the peace, stability, and security to allow Southeast Asia - and the wider Asia-Pacific region - to further develop and prosper.
A first atlas on rural migration in sub-Saharan Africa

ROME: A first atlas to offer a better understanding of complex rural migration patterns in sub-Saharan Africa has been published today.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621164 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/business-world-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621164 173O212O198O32)

The atlas - Rural Africa in motion. Dynamics and drivers of migration south of the Sahara - also highlights the important role rural areas will continue to play in shaping the continent's migration for decades to come."Population growth translates into a massive expansion of the labour force. Some 380 million new working age people are expected to enter the job market by 2030. Of those about 220 million are likely to be in rural areas. The challenge is to generate enough employment to absorb this booming labour force. This is why agriculture and rural development must be an integral part of any response to large migratory movements," said Kostas Stamoulis, FAO Assistant Director-General, Economic and Social Development Department.Through a series of maps and in depth case studies, the 20 authors of the atlas, representing different research institutions, think tanks and international organizations from and outside Africa, explore the complexity of the interrelated causes that drive people in Africa to leave their homes. They shed light on regional migration dynamics and perspectives, and foster understanding of rural migration."The atlas is timely as the need for new analytical tools to improve our understanding of Africa's migration is becoming more and more pressing. In the face of climate change and unprecedented population growth, the atlas doesn't only provide a stimulating overview on rural migration, it can also help shape more coordinated and coherent actions to address migration," added Kostas Stamoulis.The atlas is the result of a partnership between the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations (FAO), with technical support from the Centre for the Study of Governance Innovation (GovInn) in South Africa."This atlas is an innovative contribution which will support the policy debate not only between governments and the international community, but also between and with local stakeholders," said Jean-Luc Khalfaoui, CIRAD's Director General for Research and Strategy.North versus sub-Saharan Africa: different migration flowsThe atlas notes that the vast majority of Africans (75 percent) are migrating within Africa, whilst the overwhelming majority of North Africans (about 90 percent) migrate to Europe. Hence, sub-Sharan Africa "is in motion", but mainly within the limits of the continent.Western and Eastern Africa are the most dynamic regions with about 5.7 and 3.6 million intra-regional migrants in 2015.Evidence also suggests that, in most sub-Saharan Africa countries, internal migration is the dominant migration pattern. For example, half of Kenya's and Senegal's migrants move within national borders, and in Nigeria and Uganda, in-country migration is as high as 80 percent.This supports global estimates indicating that the number of people moving within their countries is six times higher than the number of emigrants.Sub-Saharan Africa: a unique context and demographic featureSub-Saharan Africa's population increased by 645 million people between 1975 and 2015, and is set to increase by 1.4 billion in the next forty years (by 2055) - a unique demographic feature in world history.By the middle of the century, the estimated rural population in sub-Saharan Africa is projected to increase by 63 percent. Sub-Saharan Africa is the only region in the world where rural population will continue to grow after 2050.For a mostly rural Africa, this population growth means a massive expansion of the labour force (about 220 million rural youth will enter the working age in the next 15 years), more dense rural areas, and a huge pressure on the agricultural sector, making the need for economic diversification and job creation more critical.Who is migrating?Rural migrants are mostly young people, and the majority come from farming families.Around 60 percent of rural migrants are between 15 and 34 years old. Most migrants are men; however in some countries like Mozambique, Democratic Republic of the Congo or Burkina, women form the majority of those who are migrating.Rural people have generally lower school attainments than their urban counterparts, and rural migrants are no exception. Migrants tend, however, to spend more years in school than non-migrants do.More urban, but also more ruralUnlike in other parts of the world, sub-Saharan Africa has become more urban but without becoming more industrialized. Cities are characterized by a precarious urban informal sector, often persistent poverty and limited formal employment opportunities.More so than elsewhere, Africans move not only into towns, but also out of them and between rural areas.Climate change and migrationSub-Saharan Africa is particularly vulnerable to climate change due to its extensive reliance on rain-fed crop production, which represents 96 percent of agricultural land, and limited economic and institutional capacity to adapt to climate impacts.Studies indicate that tropical regions will experience wheat and maize crop losses as a consequence of even small changes in temperatures. Crop losses for major cereals are estimated at around 20 percent by 2050 if no action is taken to mitigate the effect of climate change.The atlas reflects on the complex link between climate change and rural migration. Although environmental challenges can influence migration, the decision to migrate is also determined by social, economic and political factors.Future of migration: unpredictable but manageableWhile the complexity of interrelated factors driving migration makes it impossible to exactly predict migration dynamics in the future, the atlas draws attention to crucial variables - such as size of rural population; location and occurrence of extreme weather events; poverty and hunger levels; job opportunities; quality of governance - to identify possible migration scenarios for the future.The atlas notes that managing the future of migration should involve: safe, orderly and regular migration channels; the development of sustainable large cities; a stronger investment in intermediary cities; and the development of smaller rural habitats with provision of quality services.It highlights that the decision of a rural person to migrate should not be dictated by survival or search for a decent life, but inspired by an aspiration for new experiences. For that to happen, it is necessary to invest in agriculture and rural development and to adopt a territorial perspective, fostering rural-urban linkages that will help to transform Africa's rural areas into Asafe havensA offering a better life.
IFC Report Finds Policy Reforms, Innovation Can Unlock Trillions in Climate Finance

WASHINGTON: The East Asia and Pacific region remains a major driver in global growth of demand for climate smart technologies, according to a new report by IFC, a member of the World Bank Group.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621164 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/us-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621164 173O212O198O32)

Among the report's key findings is that demand for renewable energy in emerging markets is on the rise, led by China and India. China is currently a leader in grid-tied renewables and Japan is the second largest investor globally in rooftop and other small scale solar PV projects. Globally, new investment potential in wind and solar power between now and 2040 is $6 trillion. Half of this potential is in the Asia-Pacific region. Infrastructure remains another major area for investment and green buildings will require $3 trillion regionally from now until 2025.The report identifies seven industry sectors that can make a crucial difference in catalyzing private investment: renewable energy, off-grid solar and energy storage, agribusiness, green buildings, urban transportation, water, and urban waste management. Already, more than $1 trillion in investments are flowing into climate-related projects in these areas. But trillions more could be triggered by creating the right business conditions in emerging markets, the report found.It says developing countries can meet climate targets promised in the landmark Paris Agreement by catalyzing trillions of dollars in private investments through a combination of smart policy reforms and innovative business models."The private sector holds the key to fighting climate change," said IFC CEO Philippe Le Houerou. "The private sector has the innovation, the financing, and the tools. We can help unlock more private sector investment, but this also requires government reforms as well as innovative business modelsawhich together will create new markets and attract the necessary investment. This can fulfill the promise of Paris."IFC's Creating Markets for Climate Business report offers several examples of such an approach. On Sunday, Egyptian officials signed an agreement to create the world's largest solar park. IFC provided a landmark $653 million debt package that will finance the construction of 13 solar power plants near the Egyptian city of Aswan. The agreement occurred only after a series of reforms by the government and the creation of innovative financing structures. It is expected to lower electricity generation costs and reduce Egypt's dependence on imported fossil fuels.The report's findings point to specific investment opportunities including:A Renewable energy investments could climb to $11 trillion cumulative by 2040areforms such as renewable energy auctions, land title reforms, and supportive energy storage policy frameworks are implemented would make this possible.A Investments in off-grid solar and energy storage can reach $23 billion a year by 2025 aif countries use differentiated tariffs, clear technical and safety standards, and targeted financial incentives while supporting new business models for community based solar such as Pay-as-You-Go and innovative finance solutions such as securitization assets.A Trillions of dollars of agribusiness investment can become more "climate-smart"aif governments ensure property rights, good transportation infrastructure, and regulations and fiscal policies that encourage climate-smart investment while promoting improved farmer-training practices and using financial innovation to provide working capital for farmers.A Investments in green buildings could reach $3.4 trillion cumulative by 2025 as key emerging marketsaif countries adopt better building codes and standards and create targeted financial incentives such as green-building certification and mandatory benchmarking of energy use. Other important reforms should encourage new utility business models, such as green mortgages and energy service companies.A Trillions of dollars in investments in sustainable urban transportation can be mobilized in the coming decadeaif governments issue mandates to enable infrastructure investments and adopt municipal transit plans that can spur innovations, such as light rail.A Investments in water supply and sanitation could exceed $13 trillion cumulative by 2030afor this governments would need to establish water pricing at predictable and sustainable levels to increase the creditworthiness of utilities while entering into public-private partnerships and adopting performance-based contracts.A Investments in climate-smart urban waste management could reach $2 trillionaif cities work to attract private sector participation through improved regulatory and enforcement frameworks, using economic incentives and cost-recovery mechanisms such as feed-in tariffs, and driving waste-conscious consumer behavior.Addressing climate change is a strategic priority for IFC. Since 2005, IFC has invested $18.3 billion of its own funds in long-term financing for climate-smart projects and mobilized an additional $11 billion from other investors. The latest report is a follow-up to the Climate Investment Opportunities report issued by IFC last year, which found that the Paris Agreement could create $23 trillion in investment opportunities for 21 emerging-market countries.
Sanderson Farms Donates USD 2 Million to Disaster Relief Efforts

LAUREL, Miss: Sanderson Farms, Inc., presented a check for USD 1 million to the American Red Cross to aid in recovery efforts for people devastated and displaced by recent back-to-back natural disasters.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621165 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/us-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621165 173O212O198O32)

An additional $1 million contribution was given to Samaritan's Purse last week. In addition to the monetary donations, Sanderson Farms has also donated over 500,000 pounds of chicken, ice, and supplies to those hit hardest by the devastation."Sanderson Farms has vital facilities in several communities impacted by the recent hurricanes, and our chicken is sold and shipped to customers in both Puerto Rico and Mexico," said Joe F. Sanderson, Jr., CEO and Chairman of the Board of Sanderson Farms. "We are saddened that these hurricanes, floods, earthquakes and wildfires have directly impacted our neighbors, many of whom are our business partners and loyal customers. We are committed to doing everything that we can to assist the recovery efforts during this time of great need."Nearly 16,000 Red Cross disaster workers have been mobilized to support relief efforts following hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria, and Nate. In the past nine weeks, the Red Cross has provided over 1.3 million overnight stays at emergency shelters in eight states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Red Cross has served more than 6.7 million meals and snacks, and provided more than 5.7 million relief items to people in need.In addition, the Red Cross has over 470 workers in California where more than 27,900 overnight stays have been provided to people seeking refuge from wild fires in 30 Red Cross shelters. The organization is providing support in Mexico where media reports more than 153,000 homes have been destroyed or damaged. The American Red Cross works closely with the Mexican Red Cross to provide humanitarian aid and assistance during large emergencies and is committing $100,000 toward the Mexican earthquake relief effort. In addition, American Red Cross disaster specialists are on standby to assist."Thanks to the generosity of donors such as Sanderson Farms the Red Cross can respond immediately to disasters like hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria, and the California wildfires with food, shelter and the necessary humanitarian supplies to ensure people are safe," said Mike Ryan, VP of Development at the American Red Cross. "We are grateful for Sanderson Farms' ongoing support as we work together to provide hope and help to people in need."Samaritan's Purse has deployed disaster response specialists to areas hit hardest by the hurricanes, including Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico, and Dominica. Throughout five sites in Texas and four in Florida, more than 11,000 volunteers have joined together in response to over 5,500 homeowner requests for help - clearing debris, removing downed trees, and cleaning out flood-damaged homes. The organization is preparing to begin home rebuilding projects that will continue over the next two years."Samaritan's Purse is grateful to Sanderson Farms for their generous donation that will support the relief work we are doing in Texas, Florida, and the Caribbean," said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan's Purse. "Because of their generosity, we will be able to help more families devastated by these catastrophic hurricanes."Samaritan's Purse has airlifted more than 546 tons of critical supplies to the Caribbean, providing emergency relief in St. Maarten, Turks and Caicos, Dominica, Puerto Rico, Antigua, and Barbuda. The international relief organization is delivering crucial aid via helicopter to remote Puerto Rican villages that have been isolated by mudslides and debris. Essential items, such as hygiene kits, blankets, water filters, and rolls of heavy-duty plastic sheeting for emergency shelter, are being flown in to Puerto Rico regularly by a DC-8 cargo jet.On the Caribbean island of Dominica, an estimated 75 percent of homes are considered uninhabitable. Samaritan's Purse has distributed heavy-duty tarps to more than 10,000 households. Medical personnel, equipment, and supplies were sent to Dominica to help meet some of the island's critical needs. Throughout the Caribbean, Samaritan's Purse has installed ten community water filtration units. Many of these systems use reverse osmosis technology to convert sea water to fresh, drinking water. In Barbuda, Samaritan's Purse is providing the only clean water available on the island."Millions of our neighbors, partners, customers, and friends continue to suffer from the effects of these natural disasters," said Lampkin Butts, President and COO of Sanderson Farms. "In times of devastation and crisis, it is most important to focus on helping people rebuild their lives and their communities. We will continue to help where we can as our neighbors continue the recovery efforts."
Bonsall West Elementary School Awarded USD 5,000 Barona Education Grant For Technology Tools

SAN DIEGO: The Barona Band of Mission Indians has awarded students and teachers at Bonsall West Elementary School a USD 5,000 Barona Education Grant. The public school, located in Oceanside in San Diego's North County, will use the grant to purchase 19 Chromebooks, 20 Headphones and two iPads to update the school's technology.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621166 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/business-world-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621166 173O212O198O32)

"I am proud to work with the Barona Band of Mission Indians in their quest to provide a 21st century education to our young students through their amazing education grant program," said Assemblyman Rocky Chavez. "This grant will provide students more opportunities to connect with emerging technologies in the classroom!"Since the Barona Education Grant program was launched in 2006, Barona has awarded over $3.2 million to California schools statewide. The program has equipped 641 schools with hundreds of computers, thousands of books, iPads, computer software programs and various other technologies and school supplies.Barona Tribal Vice-Chairman Raymond Welch presented the $5,000 check to the school's principal Tina Calabrese and students."Bonsall West Elementary school's mission is to inspire everyone to do their best, be respectful, work hard, think of others and dream big," said Chairman Edwin "Thorpe" Romero of the Barona Band of Mission Indians. "Our Tribe is proud to provide the funds that will help to make those big dreams a reality by providing all students an equal opportunity to learn new skills through technology."The Barona Education Grant program is the first of its kind in California created and administered by a Tribal Government. The goal of the program is to create strong educational opportunities for the children of California building upon the success of the Barona Indian Charter School, which operates under a continuous improvement model. Schools throughout California can apply for educational grants from Barona to purchase much-needed supplies and materials that promote academic improvement. Each grant awarded by the Barona Education Grant Program is $5,000.
2017 California Economic Summit to Expand Plan to Elevate Californians Out of Poverty

SAN DIEGO: The California Economic Summit will develop a policy agenda to lift 18-million Californians who live in or near poverty into the middle class. The ambitious agenda-titled Elevate CA-builds on the Summit's One Million Challenges focused on expanding workforce training, addressing the state's housing crisis and fortifying California's water supply, which are key elements to securing prosperity for all Californians.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621166 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/us-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621166 173O212O198O32)

Four of California's leading gubernatorial candidates, the top three higher education leaders along with nearly 500 business, civic, education, and government officials from all regions of the state will convene in San Diego on Nov. 2-3, for the two-day Summit, which is now in its sixth year."The Summit is uniquely qualified to take on this critical issue in California," said Eloy Ortiz Oakley, chancellor of the California Community Colleges. "This is a complex issue that demands our attention. The Summit's vast network and ability to bring people together to tackle difficult issues is exactly how to attack the economic insecurity that millions of Californians feel. The California Community Colleges are proud to be part of this effort."The Summit also is explicitly calling out the distinct needs of rural California, which covers 55 percent of the state's land mass but only 9 percent of the population. Rural California's recovery has lagged behind the rest of the state. Issues like the digital divide, watershed and land management and new natural resource industries like biomass hold the key to a rural economic recovery in California."We are very pleased the Summit has recognized the importance of rural California," said Bob Williams, chair of the Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC). "For all Californians to achieve the California dream rural areas must participate. We look forward to working with the Summit to achieve that goal."The Summit led a statewide conversation on Elevate CA this summer and fall that attracted nearly three dozen Californians with their prescriptions on how to address the upward mobility crisis in California. With an issue this complex, there are many ideas on how to address it. Expanding the earned income tax credit, directing more resources to early education, expanding workforce training and investing more in community colleges are just some of the solutions proposed."This conversation is being noticed across the state. People know we simply can't wait any longer to address the upward mobility crisis in California," said Lenny Mendonca, co-chair of California Forward which manages the Summit. "The Summit, with its highly motivated and talented network and its unique ability to gather people of different views to find a common solution, is exactly the right vehicle."The notable state leaders in attendance include Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom; Treasurer John Chiang; former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa; Senator Toni Atkins; Senator Steve Glazer; Senator Bill Dodd; Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula; University of California President Janet Napolitano; California State University Chancellor Timothy White; California Community Colleges Chancellor Eloy Ortiz Oakley; City of San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer; and, Ben Metcalf of the California Department of Housing and Community Development.Van Ton-Quinlivan, vice-chancellor for Workforce and Economic Development for California Community Colleges, will receive the 2017 California Steward Leaders Award, to be presented by Bill Allen, CEO of the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation.California Forward and the California Stewardship Network developed the California Economic Summit. It is the only effort bringing hundreds of leaders from across California to develop a shared strategy for advancing the state's triple bottom line: growing the economy, improving environmental quality, and increasing opportunity for all.The first California Economic Summit took place in Santa Clara in 2012, with Los Angeles following in 2013, Sacramento in 2014, Ontario in 2015 and Sacramento again in 2016.
Government unveils plans to strengthen fundamental research in Canada

OTTAWA: Strong science is the foundation for the transformative discoveries and innovations that improve our world: new medical therapies, artificial intelligence technologies, novel agricultural practices and more.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621167 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/business-world-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621167 173O212O198O32)

That's why developing a long-term plan for science in Canada is critical to ensuring researchers have the support they need to continue asking bold questions, training new generations of students and making a difference through the sciences.Today, the Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science, outlined the government's vision for science at the annual Canadian Science Policy Conference in Ottawa. The plan the Minister articulated was informed by her mandate letter, the recommendations made in Canada's Fundamental Science Review and her many interactions with talented researchers and students working in facilities across the country.The Minister's vision is summed up in three points: strengthen science, strengthen evidence-based decision making and strengthen the culture of curiosity in Canada. The Minister is delivering on these points through a variety of actions, the most recent of which include:aimplementing changes to the Canada Research Chairs program, such as limiting renewals of the Tier 1 Chairs, to increase diversity, equity and inclusiveness;aestablishing a new Canada Research Coordinating Committee (CRCC) to improve collaboration among the three federal granting councils and the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) to the benefit of researchers;acharging the Chief Science Advisor with assessing the merits of creating a network of departmental chief science advisors in government;aannouncing new investments in research and research infrastructure, such as $554 million through the CFI's Innovation Fund, for the new tools and facilities researchers need to make discoveries and train the next generation of students; andabuilding on the success of the first Prime Minister's Science Fair by encouraging more youth to consider a career in the STEM disciplines.These, along with the many other actions the Minister has taken to date to invest in and support science, are part of a multi-year plan that will foster world-class research and deliver on Canada's growth objectives.Quotes"Our government understands that if we are to fulfil our goals of building a strong economy, promoting a cleaner environment and growing the middle class, we must rely on science. The work of researchers across our country drives our ability to make evidence-based decisions about our health and safety, our communities, and our future prosperity. I firmly believe a shared vision for science will ensure that we have a strong research foundation to draw on for years to come."- The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of ScienceQuick factsaIn addition to limiting renewals for Tier 1 Chairs to a maximum of two 7-year terms, Minister Duncan also announced further changes to the Canada Research Chairs program that will foster greater equity and diversity.aThe Canada Research Coordinating Committee was launched on October 27, 2017, and will include the presidents of the three granting councils, who will chair the committee on a rotating basis. The committee will also call on the expertise of the Chief Science Advisor, the president of the National Research Council and the deputy ministers of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada and Health Canada.aThe Minister of Science commissioned Canada's Fundamental Science Review and is now in the process of implementing many of the recommendations for strengthening science in Canada made by the independent review panel.
A Work of Bae Dong-shin, a World-Renowned Painter of South Korea, Sold for 1.5 Million Dollars at an eBay art auction

SEOUL, South Korea: A palm-size work by Bae Dong-shin (1920-2008), a Korea-born world-renowned painter, was sold for 1.5 million dollars at an international art auction on eBay.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621167 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/world-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621167 173O212O198O32)

The work owned by Watanabe Ryu, was sold at the auction had long been kept in Osaka, Japan. Its title is "Portrait of a Lady". A watercolor painting created in 1954 on paper of a very small size (13.4x21.4cm), it was sold to a Japanese collector.As for the works by Bae Dong-shin, a nude painting which was 56x38cm, ten times as large as this one, was sold for 360,000 dollars to a Japanese collector around October 2014.The recent sale of the work by Bae Dong-shin registered South Korea's highest price per ho, the size unit for Korean paintings. Further, it made Bae the first South Korean artist successively sold at eBay auction, a world-class online art market.Meanwhile, according to BBC in July 2014, eBay signed with Sotheby for online auction operation.Bae Dong-shin debuted as a painter into the Japanese art community as a full member of Jiyu Bijutsu Association in 1943 when he was selected for Jiyu Bijutsu Association Exhibition. Returned to Korea, his home country, Bae Dong-shin worked in Gwangju, his home town. And having upgraded watercolor, previously regarded as a study in Korea, to a legitimate genre of fine art, the painter was recognized in his country as the 'authority in Korean watercolor painting' when he was alive.
Rishikul Yogshala Announces Yoga Retreat in Kerala, India

VARKALA, India: With the onset of winter season, Rishikul Yogshala has disclosed latest updates about its upcoming Yoga Retreat scheduled to be held in the months of December, January and February.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621168 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/business-india-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621168 173O212O198O32)

The 1 week and 2 week Yoga and Ayurveda Retreat is going to be conducted in the mesmeric beach of Varkala in Kerala.With the aim of offering relaxation and internal rejuvenation to various entities, this wonderful yoga retreat in Kerala is being organized by Rishikul Yogshala. Yogis, travelers, yoga erudite from all over the globe are welcome to join this healthy holidays retreat for mental and physical upheaval. Yoga and Meditation class, Detoxifying Yoga Therapy, Yogic Deep Relaxation class are going to be some of the highlights of this program. Additionally, the participants shall also be taken for local visits and excursions to explore the mesmeric beauty of the town; Visit to Varkala and Kaapil Beach with Back water Drive, Ashram visit, Visit to Fish Aquarium, to name a few. All the guests shall be further pampered with two rewarding Ayurvedic Massages (at no additional cost) during the course of the yoga program.The participants shall be provided with beautiful and cozy accommodation in the pristine premises of Varkala Beach. Decked in wood and lush green scenery, the venue is only a few meters away from the breathtaking sea. Guests can avail the option of staying nearer to the beach or, can avail the option of dwelling in wooden huts, situated at the top of Varkala cliff. The rooms allotted are well-kept and equipped with all modern amenities such as twin beds, mosquito nets, water geyser, TV, seating area, etc. The rooms can be availed on both sharing and private basis. Extracted and prepared in Ayurvedic herbs, the food shall be served thrice a day along with rejuvenating herbal drinks. The meals shall be purely yogic and fused with palatable flavors for gratification of the body and soul.Rishikul Yogshala has been actively spreading the education of yoga and spirituality since 2010. Being an RYS category yoga school, the Yogshala has always strived as the epitome of quality education in the science of yoga. The school majorly specializes in traditional styles of yoga, such as Hatha and Ashtanga Yoga. The Yogshala, that is headquartered in Rishikesh, India, serves as the passionate member of the yoga education community by being present in various major locations of India and abroad such as Nepal, Thailand, Vietnam, Kerala, and Mysore.In addition to Yoga and Ayurveda Retreats, the school conducts certified RYT 200, 300 and 500 Hour programs. All the yoga classes, therapies and treatments are offered under the experienced teachers and assistants. Grab the opportunity to experience the magic of Kerala with the well balanced healthy living.
Wave of Hobby Lobby Employees Seek Denied Overtime Pay

NEW YORK: Retail employees of the arts-and-crafts giant Hobby Lobby Stores Inc. are taking legal action to recoup the overtime wages their employer has denied them.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621168 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/us-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621168 173O212O198O32)

Workers have increasingly turned to the arbitration process, one of the only legal avenues available to them, to hold Hobby Lobby accountable for routinely forcing them to work more than 40 hours per week without compensation beyond their weekly salary.Attorneys for the nationally acclaimed law firm Klafter Olsen & Lesser LLP represent several workers in arbitration proceedings and have repeatedly and successfully argued that misclassifying workers as managers exempt from earning overtime pay is a clear violation of federal and state laws."We are confident that our team can win back money that Hobby Lobby routinely steals from its employees across the country," said Fran Rudich, Partner at Klafter Olsen & Lesser and lead attorney for the workers in these arbitration proceedings. "Too many people are forced to work long hours, giving up valuable time with their families, without earning any overtime pay. Our legal team is continuing the fight for disenfranchised workers nationwide."The employees in these cases were labeled by Hobby Lobby as "co-managers" or "assistant managers," in order to exempt them from the Fair Labor Standards Act requirement that employees be paid time-and-a-half wages for all hours worked in excess of 40 per week. In actuality, their jobs do not involve managerial work: they don't have the authority to supervise other workers, to delegate tasks or to hire or fire other employees. Instead, they perform the same tasks as other hourly workers, such as stockers, cashiers and other non-managerial employees.As a condition of employment, Hobby Lobby forces its employees to sign a binding arbitration agreement, waiving their right to bring most workplace disputesaanything from harassment to discrimination to wage theft-before a judge or to join forces with colleagues who might be facing similar issues.Klafter Olsen & Lesser has developed an expertise in representing aggrieved workers in these mandatory arbitration cases. The firm has successfully negotiated settlements on behalf of numerous Hobby Lobby employees and is actively pursuing cases to win a measure of financial justice for workers who rely on overtime to help make ends meet. Workers who feel they've been wrongly categorized as managers and unfairly denied overtime pay are encouraged to contact the firm, as are attorneys looking to refer such cases.
103-Year-Old Bowler and Harmonica Player Refuses to Let Dementia Slow Her Down

BRENTWOOD, Tenn: Playing the harmonica, dancing, bowling: For Brookdale Senior Living resident Dorothy Plummer, these longtime passions bring purpose as well as pleasure to daily life.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621169 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/us-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621169 173O212O198O32)

What may be surprising is that Plummer is not only 103 - she is living with dementia. Plummer embodies Brookdale's mission of person-centered care, which focuses on sustaining individual interests and daily routines to give meaning to each person's life. As part of National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month, Brookdale is offering a free downloadable journal to help others with dementia look for ways to live life to the fullest.Experience the interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/players/English/7722151-brookdale-senior-living-alzheimers-awareness/"When people hear someone has Alzheimer's, the label of the disease can unfortunately replace who the person is," said Juliet Holt Klinger, senior director of dementia care for Brookdale. "Their life becomes shaped by the diagnosis. The things they love to do may be taken away when they don't need to be. This can cause disengagement, potentially leading to depression, isolation, loss of appetite, weight loss, and even falls."Brookdale's person-centered care is based on understanding a dementia diagnosis does not change an individual's identity. "It's knowing them, honoring all of their life history and their preferences, and recognizing them as a skilled, talented human being," Holt Klinger said. "It's providing consistent assignment of care partners who truly understand them. In short, we provide an entire culture of caring and programming that puts the person living with the disease at the center of everything we do."Holt Klinger encourages people with dementia to have open, honest conversations with their loved ones early in the disease process. The downloadable Alzheimer's care journal has been designed to help with these discussions. "When a person with the dementia makes it clear how they would like to live, what brings them purpose and joy, and what will matter to them as the condition progresses, it is much easier for care partners to help create and sustain the life that is meaningful to them."Plummer, who raised three sons on a farm, has played the harmonica much of her life and has long loved to dance. She bowled in leagues with an 11-pound ball until her local alley closed when she was 101. Learning about these passions in order to provide person-centered care was a crucial first step when she moved into Brookdale College Square in Overland Park, Kansas."When a new resident arrives, we work on understanding their life story, what they love to do, what engages them," said Brookdale's Pamela Luna, Clare Bridge program coordinator who works with Plummer. "Then we incorporate these interests into our activities calendar so they can continue to pursue them and also connect with others by sharing them."Plummer happily accepted the suggestion that she play her harmonica for other residents and has joined in the frequent dancing at Brookdale College Square. Her passion for bowling has prompted the community to plan a resident league."She's involved and active," said Gary Herrick, Plummer's son. "Everything has made her life more enjoyable and that's the key for our family. We want her to be happy.""All of us define ourselves by what we do well," Holt Klinger said. "It's crucial that people with dementia continue to have access to that things they want to do, for which they are talented and skilled - in short, that make them still feel like and be themselves."In addition to focusing on person-centered dementia care in its Clare Bridge Program, Brookdale dedicates significant time and resources to the fight against the disease, with strong participation in the Alzheimer's Association's Walk to End Alzheimer's. In 2016, the company raised more than $2.4 million and remained the largest fundraiser nationally, with over 6,800 associates, residents and family members taking part in the 706 teams Brookdale fielded for the Walk nationwide. Since 2008, Brookdale has contributed nearly $10 million to the Walk to End Alzheimer's.
MEMS and Sensors Safeguard Autonomous Cars, Boost Agricultural Productivity and Anticipate Needs

SAN JOSE, Calif: SEMI-MSIG's MEMS and Sensors Executive Congress (MSEC) held November 1-2 in San Jose, CA, challenged industry executives to see beyond traditional dividing lines of human-machine interaction.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621169 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/us-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621169 173O212O198O32)

MEMS and sensors were hailed as the enablers for pervasive, connected and contextually aware computing and seen as drivers for an explosion of new applications and possibilities. Securing autonomous vehicles from hackers and improving crop yields to feed the 10 billion people we will have on the planet by 2050 were two popular examples of new applications.Lama Nachman, Intel fellow and director of the company's Anticipatory Computing Lab, explored contextually aware systems during her keynote. Lachman said that technology needs to be more proactive, anticipating our needs, e.g., Google Now. One challenge lies in using sensors to measure things for which they were not designed, such as emotions and physiology. Lachman exhorted MSEC attendees to develop more configurable systems and sensors so that they can be used for other applications and possibly drive the next "killer app."Lars Reger, CTO, NXP Automotive Business Unit, described the essential and extensive use of MEMS and sensors in automotive connectivity, autonomy, electrification, and safe and secure mobility during his keynote. Reger noted that "motion sensors are the key to increasing security in keyless entry systems, reducing hacking." He concluded that "entering a new era of automated driving requires functional safety and security," telling MSEC attendees, "we need the best sensors to achieve a failure-free model in autonomous vehicles."Alissa Fitzgerald, founder and managing member, A.M. Fitzgerald & Associates, noted that the pipeline for emerging technologies generally begins with university labs turning out proof-of-concept devices. "The next $1B product is lurking in a lab somewhere," said Fitzgerald. She also encouraged attendees to look for key trends in emerging technologies, citing "ultra-low power, a migration from capacitive MEMS to piezoelectric sensors and actuators, the stagnation of silicon sensors, and a movement toward paper and plastic sensors." She drew her results from a review of more than 500 papers from academic conferences, filtered for commercial viability.Henri Hekman, CEO and president of SoilCares BV, explained how his company is using MEMS near infrared (NIR) devices to scan soil samples. "To feed a surging global population, we cannot increase arable land so we must increase agricultural productivity. The place to start is in the soil." Hekman said that SoilCares is conducting trials in Africa and North America as it launches in 20 countries in 2017.SEMI-MSIG Executive Director Frank Shemansky expanded upon themes from MEMS & Sensors Executive Congress. "From device-makers to commercial application developers, there was a collective buzz around ubiquitous intelligent sensing," said Shemansky. "Speakers explored the critical role of sensing in more natural and immersive user interfaces, including voice, in interpreting emotion, in anticipating needs, in managing medication, and in providing safer, more secure ways to build autonomous vehicles that will actually save human lives. As we look toward 2018 and beyond, the MEMS and sensors industry will continue to work closely with the consumers of our products, as we help them to further advance human-machine interaction in meaningful ways."Technology Showcase Winner and Hall of Fame RecognitionsA highly anticipated event at the Executive Congress, the Technology Showcase, was a forum where four finalists competed for attendees' votes and the title of "winner." The 2017 Technology Showcase winner, Menlo Digital-Micro-Switch Technology by Menlo Micro, demonstrates fundamental materials' advancements that improve the size, speed, power handling and reliability of MEMS switches. Menlo Micro's MEMS-based switching element is the width of a human hair, enabling RF switching 1,000 times faster and lasts 1,000 times longer than traditional mechanical switches.SEMI-MSIG also inducted two new members into the SEMI-MSIG Hall of Fame: Raji Baskaran, pathfinding lead, Hardware and Software Co-optimization, Intel Corporation: Saffron Technology Group, and Kevin Crofton, executive vice president and COO, SPTS Technologies, an Orbotech Company.Upcoming EventsSEMI-MSIG will host a MEMS & Sensors Pavilion at CES 2018, January 12-19, 2018 at the Sands Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV.MEMS & Sensors Technical Congress will take place February 12-15, 2018 at the Hyatt Regency Monterey in Monterey, CA.
Electric Bus Market Outlook to 2022 Reviewed in New Research Reports

PUNE, India: Electric Bus Market Global Industry report provides an exhaustive scenario of the Current market comprising of industry Trends, Share, Size and 2021 Forecast, added by DeepResearchReports to its vast research database.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621170 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/business-india-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621170 173O212O198O32)

The report is based upon arduous data analysis carried out by industry doyens. The all-inclusive analysis of these data provides an in-depth and detailed insight into the global Electric Bus market. The report further provides the new and existing players with information such as company profiles, facts and figures, product picture and specifications, sales, market share and contact information.Major companies with their market volumes and revenues are covered for each of the regions. A few top players in the industry are Yutong, King Long, Zhong Tong, Nanjing Gold Dragon, BYD, DFAC, CRRC, Foton, ANKAI, Guangtong, Volvo, New Flyer, Daimler, Gillig and others.The major Electric Bus market (including United States, EU, China, Japan, South Korea, India, etc.) is analyzed, data including: market size, import and export, sale segment market by product type and applications. Then we forecast the 2017-2022 market size of Electric Bus.The report focuses on global major leading companies providing information such as company profiles, sales, sales revenue, market share and contact information. Finally the marketing, feasibility of new investment projects are assessed and overall research conclusions offered.With 185 tables and figures to support the Electric Bus market analysis, this research 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. 2017-2022 forecasts for Electric Bus market provided in this report include 2017-2022 Electric Bus capacity production overview, production market share, sales overview, supply sales and shortage, import export consumption and cost price production value gross margin.Related research titled "2017 Market Research Report on United States Automotive Electric Bus Market" focuses on United States 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 United States Automotive Electric Bus Industry development trends and marketing channels are analyzed.Finally the feasibility of new investment projects are assessed and overall research conclusions offered. With 141 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. 2017 Major Manufacturers Analysis of Automotive Electric Bus are Yutong, King Long, Zhong Tong, Nanjing Gold Dragon, BYD, Daimler, Iveco, Volvo, DFAC, CRRC, Foton, Anhui Ankai Automobile, Guangtong, Volvo, New Flyer, New Flyer Industries, Gillig, Nanjing Jiayuan EV, Shandong Yi Xing Electric Automobile and others.
Idol Worship: UMe Honors Billy Idol's '80s Rock and Punk Legacy With Vinyl Reissue Bonanza

LOS ANGELES: UMe and punk rock icon Billy Idol celebrate several of his best-loved works with newly remastered vinyl reissues of Idol's first two solo LPs, Billy Idol and Rebel Yell, plus the expansive double-LP greatest-hits collection Idolize Yourself: The Very Best of Billy Idol. Each release is available beginning November 3rd on high-quality vinyl with faithfully reproduced iconic original album art.





(Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621170 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/us-news.php  (Posted on 13 November 2017, 1668621170 173O212O198O32)

Billy Idol's series of successes in the early 1980s brought punk attitude into the pop mainstream. With a career that stretched back to the original British punk scene as the front-man of scene trailblazers Generation X, the swaggering, charismatic Idol relocated to New York City at the dawn of the '80s and reinvented himself as one of the era's most consistently popular performers.Billy Idol, originally released on July 16, 1982, introduced Idol to mainstream American audiences and succeeded in launching his solo career. Teaming Idol with producer Keith Forsey and longtime guitarist/collaborator Steve Stevens, Billy Idol introduced a sleek, streamlined sound and includes hits such as "White Wedding," and "Hot in the City."Originally released on November 10, 1983, the multi-platinum smash Rebel Yell built on the foundation created by its predecessor and features Idol advancing and evolving his dance infused rock/pop sound. Once again working with Stevens and Forsey, with recording done at New York's Electric Lady Studios, Rebel Yell was a commercial smash featuring songs including the legendary title track, "Eyes Without a Face," and "Flesh for Fantasy." Each of these hits are represented by iconic music videos that kept Idol in the public eye during the initial heyday of MTV.While Billy Idol and Rebel Yell flash back to Idol's formative days as a solo performer, Idolize Yourself: The Very Best of Billy Idol offers a widescreen overview of his entire storied recording career. First issued on CD in 2008, the 18-song Idolize Yourself features all of Idol's vintage hits including his early club smashes "Dancing with Myself" and "Mony Mony," plus "Cradle of Love," "Rebel Yell," "White Wedding," "Eyes Without A Face," "Flesh For Fantasy," "Sweet Sixteen," "To Be A Lover," and more. The record concludes with two songs newly recorded just for this collection's initial release: "John Wayne" and "New Future Weapon."Each of Billy Idol's recordings retain their original power, despite many of them having been released over thirty years ago. There is no better way to hear them than on these classic albums, newly released on high-quality vinyl.
Malnutrition rates among Rohingya refugee children in Bangladesh appear to be at least double earlier estimates

GENEVA: Preliminary data from a nutrition assessment conducted last week at Kutupalong refugee camp in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, shows a 7.5 per cent prevalence of life-threatening severe acute malnutrition - a rate double that seen among Rohingya child refugees in May 2017, UNICEF said today.





(Posted on 14 November 2017, 1668621171 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/world-news.php  (Posted on 14 November 2017, 1668621171 173O212O198O32)

"The Rohingya children in the camp - who have survived horrors in Myanmar's northern Rakhine State and a dangerous journey here - are already caught up in a catastrophe," said UNICEF Bangladesh Representative Edouard Beigbeder. "Those with severe malnutrition are now at risk of dying from an entirely preventable and treatable cause."Malnutrition rates among children in northern Rakhine were already above emergency thresholds. The condition of these children has further deteriorated due to the long journey across the border and the conditions in the camps. Around 26,000 people who live in the Kutupalong camp face acute shortage of food and water, unsanitary conditions and high rates of diarrhoea and respiratory infections. Cases of measles have been reported.The Kutupalong nutrition assessment, conducted between October 22 and 28, surveyed 405 households including families who arrived there both before and after violence escalated in northern Rakhine on August 25.Two additional assessments are planned in other sites in November, including one at a makeshift settlement. The findings from the three assessments will update the projected number of children expected to suffer severe acute malnutrition over the next few months, and guide the emergency response.UNICEF and partners are treating over 2,000 acutely malnourished children at 15 treatment centres, with six additional centres currently being set up. UNICEF is also working with health partners to identify and treat diarrhoea and pneumonia, and will be conducting mass vaccination and nutrition screening campaigns this month."The humanitarian community needs to be able to do far more to treat and protect these extremely vulnerable children," Beigbeder said. "For that we need far more attention to the crisis, and far more resources for the response. These children need help right now."Notes to editors:The nutrition assessment was undertaken in partnership with Action Contre la Faim, Save the Children, UNHCR and WFP. The Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta provided technical assistance.To date, the UN-coordinated US$434 million response plan for the Rohingya refugee crisis is 32 per cent funded.
Exciting changes to the Orthodontic Community of Portugal

FRANKLIN, Ind: G and H Orthodontics is very excited to announce an exclusive partnership with Osteoclass LDA to distribute G and H products in Portugal. This will provide orthodontists of Portugal with greater access to the great products from G and H and improved service levels across the country.





(Posted on 14 November 2017, 1668621171 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/us-news.php  (Posted on 14 November 2017, 1668621171 173O212O198O32)

Osteoclass will offer all of the premier brands of G&H products like miniPrevail brackets, TitanMoly wires, Bambino-Ties ligatures, and the complete suite of orthodontic products."The best partnerships in the orthodontic community last a very long time, so it is important to establish your business with the right companies," says Steven Torelli, International Sales Director for G&H Orthodontics. Torelli, having more than 25 years' experience in the orthodontic industry, is very confident in the selection of Osteoclass to represent the G&H brand for all of Portugal. He continues, "After a long and detailed search process, it is exciting to begin this new chapter in Portugal."Osteoclass is located in Lisboa, Portugal. It's a company that shares the same values as G&H Othodontics: Quality products and great customer care. Mr. David Antunes, Marketing and Business Strategy Manager at Osteoclass, said, "I want everyone to know this is a great day to be recognized as the exclusive dealer for G&H Orthodontics brand products, and the entire company looks forward to continuing to deliver exceptional services to all orthodontists in Portugal."
Chery's New RUIHU 5X Exhibits Supreme Quality On Its All Terrain Eurotrip

STUTTGART, Germany: After making an equally thrilling entrance as the EXEED TX at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the all new Chery star, RUIHU 5X hit the road. With china.com and over ten domestic and international media channels the new model began its all terrain Eurotrip.





(Posted on 14 November 2017, 1668621171 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/world-news.php  (Posted on 14 November 2017, 1668621171 173O212O198O32)

It visited the 100+ year old Bosch in Stuttgart, maxed out on the German Autobahn, traversed country roads and made short work of the Hessen mountain paths. Later the RUIHU passed through Rudesheim and Rothenburg becoming part of the picturesque scenery offered there. Exhibiting passion and also control the RUIHU 5X maintained a smart charm and stayed connected the entire time, bringing to fruition Chevy's new philosophy "fun, boundless amazement" and this time Europe gives a thumbs up.Tracing Quality: Top Notes - European Engineers Approve!Chery is China's largest independant exporting company and has a business system worthy of the top 100. RUIHU 5X on its quality tracing Eurotrip made its first stop in Stuttgart to pay a visit to one of Chery's partners - and the world's first big motorcar technical specialists - Bosch.Bosch and Chery have enjoyed a 20 year partnership so far bringing Chery to the European standards it can now boast. This time RUIHU 5X came prepared with the automatic safety system supplied by Bosch, the electronically controlled fuel injection and top of the line dashboard are just a couple of many other features that owe their creation to this decades long partnership. All of these features meet the strict European standards and are designed to improve the control and general driving experience of the car.Unimpeded all-terrain, "easy to drive and smart", you are the sceneOn the German Autobahn, RUIHU 5X remained beautifully steady and did its track record justice. This combined with the progressive pedal power and the ergonomics of the seat gives the driver a great sense of confidence and tremendous feeling when driving.In the majestic old towns and on the quiet streets of rural Germany, the new RUIHU 5X attracted some attention from local passers-by causing them to even stop and admire Chery's new star child. In their eyes the RUIHU 5X is richer and braver in design than the traditional European equivalents.One challenge that the RUIHU 5X looked forward to was the mountain roads of Hessen. These routes are very demanding on a car's control, stability and safety; the perfect opportunity for RUIHU 5X to demonstrate her 1.5T + DCT, both energetic and responsive.RUIHU 5X comes with Chery's own interconnected Cloudrive 3.0 smart system. A 99.9% accurate voice command system that supports Android and iOS connections and offers both Baidu Maps and AutoNavi satnav systems. Drivers can also connect to the car's systems via the mobile app for features such as long distant route safety and calculations, making Chery the first Chinese brand to provide a vehicle mounted system with mobile connectivity and mobile app features.This time, Europe gives a thumbs upUtilising Germany's precise technical art with an attitude that strives for quality of life and searches for beauty with the Chery brand, this Eurotrip tracing quality back to the source won RUIHU 5X positive acclaims such as "easy to drive" and "smart". The high approval RUIHU 5X received from the media and European engineers set the stage for further praise and attracted the interest from young drivers.
Continental Receives In-Principal Approval of First Refinery

SAMARINDA, KALIMANTAN TIMUR, Indonesia: Continental Energy Corporation (OTCQB: CPPXF) (the Company) today announced that its Indonesian subsidiary PT Continental Hilir Indonesia (CHI) has received the in-principal approval of the Governor of the Indonesian province of East Kalimantan for the construction and operation of a crude oil refinery to be built at KIPI Maloy located in the Kutai Timur Regency of East Kalimantan.





(Posted on 14 November 2017, 1668621172 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/business-world-news.php  (Posted on 14 November 2017, 1668621172 173O212O198O32)

The approval includes the Company's plan for the Phase-1 construction of a simple refinery of 6,000 barrels of crude oil per day capacity; plus an associated 10MW electrical power generation facility utilizing heavy fuel oil produced by the refinery, and a tank farm for crude oil feedstock and refined product storage. The Phase-1 refinery will produce diesel fuel, B30 biodiesel, LPG, naphtha, marine fuel oil, and residual fuel oil for local sale direct to industry, distributors, and consumers within the East Kalimantan region. During Phase-1, the Company has made arrangements with an internationally recognized oil trader to supply imported crude oil to the refinery, until such time as crude oil feedstock can be purchased under long term contracts from local oil producers within the East Kalimantan ProvinceThe Company expects that the total investment for Phase-1 to be US$50 Million and targets end of December 2018 for commissioning and delivering of first refined products. Pre-fabricated modular refinery units sourced from the USA, and erected on site, are expected to provide a fast track to realization of the project in accordance with the Indonesian "KLIK" national policy for facilitating capital investments that involve expedited construction schedules.Phase-2 of the Company's plan will increase the capacity of the refinery to 24,000 barrels per day and add complex equipment to permit the production of automotive gasoline and jet fuel. Phase-2 is expected to increase the total project investment to US$ 150 Million and produce first refined products by the end of 2020.KIPI Maloy is a new international port and industrial park built within the Maloy Batuta Trans Kalimantan special economic zone (the "KEK-MBTK"). The KEK-MBTK is one of eight special economic zones established by the Indonesian federal government to provide comprehensive facilities to domestic and foreign investors. The KEK-MBTK was built by, and is directly administered by, the regional governments of East Kalimantan Province and of Kutai Timur Regency. Investors in the KEK-MBTK enjoy special licensing procedures and fiscal incentives, including beneficial import and export terms for international trade.The Company intends to build, own, and operate the KIPI Maloy refinery through PT Kilang Kaltim Continental, a special purpose Indonesian corporation established for foreign direct investment. The Company is in discussion with several interested financial partners, project funding sources, and lenders located in Indonesia, Dubai, and the USA.Managing Director of the Company's CHI subsidiary, Karsani Aulia, "We are proud to be awarded this opportunity to participate in the economic growth and development of East Kalimantan and Kutai Timur. The Continental's team's long business experience and technical expertise in Indonesian oil and gas has earned us the trust to undertake this opportunity. We are confident we can make a substantial contribution to implementing the master plan for the region's economic development under the visionary guidance of Drs. H. Awang Farouk Ishak, MM, MSi, Governor of East Kalimantan, and Ir. H. Ismanundar, MT, Regent of Kutai Timur. We expect the KIPI Maloy refinery to be the first of many future Continental projects within this rapidly growing region."
Youth facing barriers to employment benefit from job skills training and employment opportunities in Surrey

OTTAWA: Building a strong middle class means giving Canada's youth the tools they need to find and keep good jobs.





(Posted on 14 November 2017, 1668621172 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/us-news.php  (Posted on 14 November 2017, 1668621172 173O212O198O32)

Today, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, announced a new project that will give youth in Surrey job skills training and hands-on work experience.Up to 100 youth will participate in the project, which will be delivered by Alexandra Neighbourhood House, thanks to more than $1 million in Government of Canada funding through the Skills Link program. The youth will develop skills to help them find and keep jobs, such as financial literacy and workplace safety, and will receive tips from guest speakers from the community. They wil also gain valuable work experience in such fields as retail, food services, and tourism.Skills Link supports projects that help young people who face more barriers to employment than others develop basic employability skills and gain valuable job experience, which, in turn, assists them in making a successful transition into the workforce or to return to school. These youth could include those who have not completed high school, single parents, Indigenous youth, young persons with disabilities, youth living in rural or remote areas or newcomers.Quotes"We know that our communities are healthier and stronger when everyone can fully participate. Supporting youth as they transition into the workforce is a key way in which we can grow our economy and strengthen the middle class.Youth in Surrey will benefit tremendously from the opportunity to develop their skills and gain valuable workplace experience."- The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour"The Youth K.R.U. project was developed in response to youth concerns regarding the lack of employment training opportunities in their community of South Surrey White Rock. The youth also expressed concern around emotional wellness, and have identified lack of employment as contributing factor. We believe the Youth K.R.U. program will help ensure that youth who want and need to stay in their home community have the opportunity to do so, contributing to a vibrant, inclusive and caring community."- Penny Bradley, Executive Director of Alexandra Neighbourhood House"The Skills Link program has provided me with a community of participants whom all share the same goals and possess determination. This has allowed me to learn about myself, learn about how I work with others, and the type of career I want to work towards and how I'm going to achieve such personal success. At the end of the four month program, I feel as though my ability to self-motivate will be much improved, and my resume is going to be the best it can be! And because of this my confidence going into a workplace will exist, whereas prior to this opportunity leaving the comforts of my own home was a challenge."- Program participantQuick FactsSkills Link is one of three program streams under the Government's Youth Employment Strategy (YES). Each year, the Government invests more than $330 million in YES to help support young Canadians between the ages of 15 and 30 to get the information, skills, job experience and abilities they need to find and maintain good employment.Total funding for YES was increased by $278 million in 2016-17, representing the largest investment since its launch.Budget 2017 is investing an additional $395.5 million over three years for YES, starting in 2017-18.Combined with Budget 2016 measures, these investments will help:amore than 33,000 vulnerable youth develop the skills they need to find work or go back to school;acreate 15,000 new green jobs for young Canadians; andaprovide over 1,600 new employment opportunities for youth in the heritage sector.
New PFM Partnership Gives 89 Pennsylvania Colleges and Universities New Tool to Help Overcome Financial Challenges

PHILADELPHIA: PFM and the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania (AICUP) today announced a new partnership that will grant 89 higher education institutions across the Commonwealth access to the preeminent software tool on the market built specifically for comprehensive financial modeling.





(Posted on 14 November 2017, 1668621173 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/us-news.php  (Posted on 14 November 2017, 1668621173 173O212O198O32)

PFM's Whitebirch Multi-Year Planning Software (Whitebirch) platform will now provide financial officers at Pennsylvania institutions large and small with an easy to implement tool that can quickly conduct comprehensive multi-year analyses and sensitivity testing on major issues, including:aStudent enrollment projections (fees & discounts)aCapital projects and initiatives modelingaRecession and other economic scenariosaSalaries, staffing and benefits expense what-ifsaCredit rating impact analysis"By partnering with a statewide organization that exclusively serves the interests of higher education institutions, we're giving Pennsylvania's colleges and universities a unique advantage in meeting the challenges of the 21st century," said PFM Managing Director Brett Matteo, who heads PFM's Strategic Forecasting practice. "We were founded and remain headquartered in the Keystone state, so this partnership is a particularly proud moment for PFM."Acquired in 2015, PFM has customized Whitebirch to put reliable answers to mission-critical questions at leaders' fingertips, such as:aHow might a new pricing strategy impact student enrollment?aWhat is the best way to fund capital projects or initiatives?aWhat impact will increased spending on capital projects have on operations?aAre we prepared to weather the next economic downturn? Do we have sufficient reserves and manageable risk exposure?aHow will salary negotiations and contracts impact our bottom line over the next 3-5 years?aHow might any, or all, of these issues affect our credit rating?"This not only gives Pennsylvania institutions a unique advantage compared to those in other states, it also puts our members - many of which are small and increasingly strained financially - on a level playing field with their larger colleagues in higher education," said Tim Alexander, AICUP Vice President of Finance and Administration. "We always look for new ways to support our members, and this is truly a no-brainer. We're excited to see the impact of this partnership in the years to come."
Government of Canada proposes regulatory amendments for magnetic toys

OTTAWA: The use of small powerful magnets is a popular feature in children's toys, but these magnets can be dangerous if swallowed by children. When more than one powerful magnet is swallowed in a short period of time, the magnets can attract one another, causing serious and even life-threatening injuries.





(Posted on 14 November 2017, 1668621173 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/business-world-news.php  (Posted on 14 November 2017, 1668621173 173O212O198O32)

That is why Health Canada is taking action to help protect the health and safety of Canadians, particularly children, from unsafe consumer products.Health Canada announced today that it will publish proposed amendments in the Canada Gazette, Part I that set out mandatory new requirements and tests for magnetic toys in the Toys Regulations. The amendments will be published for a 75-day consultation period.The proposed regulatory changes include restrictions on both the size and strength of magnetic toy components, as well as specific tests to identify dangerous magnetic parts that may separate from a toy during play. These changes will align Canadian safety requirements for magnetic toys with those in the U.S. and in Europe.The proposed mandatory requirements for magnetic children's toys do not affect the current prohibition on dangerous novelty magnet sets. These items will remain banned in Canada.Canadians are encouraged to review the proposed amendments and to submit feedback to Health Canada by January 17, 2018.Quick FactsaA 2013 survey of more than 100 retail locations found over 700 different magnetic toys being sold in Canada.aSince 2006, Health Canada has regularly communicated with Canadians and the toy industry about the risks of small powerful magnets in toys and has negotiated recalls of dangerous magnetic toys.aThe Department issued a notice to industry in 2013 stating that certain novelty magnet sets, often marketed as desk toys for adults, are considered a danger to human health or safety and therefore their sale in Canada is prohibited under the authority of the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act.aIn a limited survey, conducted by the Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program, of hospital emergency department data from 2005 and 2011, 53% of children with magnet-related problems required emergency room treatment and 3% required hospital admission.Quotes"Parent and caregivers should feel confident that the toys they buy are safe for children, including toys that may contain magnets. These proposed amendments will help to better protect our children, particularly younger children, from potentially life-threatening injuries that can happen if they swallow small powerful magnets."Ginette Petitpas TaylorMinister of Health
Spencer Trask and Co Chairman Kevin Kimberlin Gives Presentation on the Origin of First Pocket Sized Cell Phone

OLD GREENWICH, Conn: Spencer Trask and Co., a privately held advanced technology development firm, today released a presentation that its Chairman Kevin Kimberlin gave in conjunction with this year's Mobile World Congress Americas event in held San Francisco.





(Posted on 14 November 2017, 1668621174 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/business-world-news.php  (Posted on 14 November 2017, 1668621174 173O212O198O32)

As the new iPhone X was being unveiled in nearby Cupertino, Kevin Kimberlin spoke about "some of the shoulders Steve Jobs stood on" when launching the iPhone, considered by many to be the most popular consumer product ever introduced.Kimberlin detailed his experience working with Millicom and Jan Stenbeck to make practical two tipping points that launched the smartphone revolution: the pocket-sized portable cellular phone--which set a standard for the shape, form and size of mobile phones for 30 years-- and the first cellular network to carry data via text message."When I discovered Millicom in 1982 and saw the mocked-up prototype of a consumer-friendly, portable cellular phone, I calculated the market need," said Kimberlin. "People may not realize that only approximately 8% of the people in the world had a landline telephone in 1982; that's why I saw the cell phone as the phone for the rest of the world."The full video and transcript of Kimberlin's presentation are available online at www.smartphoneorigin.com.Kimberlin also participated in a panel discussion at Mobile World Congress Americas where he discussed the evolution of mobile technology and the future of IOT.
Ribbon Cutting Signals the Newest Luxury Vacation Destination in Puerto Penasco, Mexico

PHOENIX: Under new ownership! Esmeralda Luxury Resort recently celebrated its official ribbon cutting ceremony in Puerto Penasco, Sonora, Mexico.





(Posted on 14 November 2017, 1668621174 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/business-world-news.php  (Posted on 14 November 2017, 1668621174 173O212O198O32)

The ceremony was to commemorate the resumption of the construction, on the seven-tower complex that will contain 281 luxury condominiums, 15 penthouses, 4 pools, and a fine dining restaurant along with a gym, spa and pool bar once completed.An impressive guestlist included worldwide businessmen, investors, media, and of course the family of Esmeralda Luxury Resort joined Daniel Butterfield-President and Nick Najera-Vice-President for the event, alongside Puerto PeAasco's Mayor Kiko Munro, signaling a strong level of support from local government for the project.Mr. Butterfield and Mr. Najera both have a recognized record of accomplishment in the real estate development and hospitality industries. Along with their expertise and a comprehensive marketing strategy they intend on positioning Esmeralda Resort throughout Mexico, as well as on the international scene.On the project itself, Mr. Butterfield stated; "Our main goal was to not just provide a uniquely different luxury vacation destination, but make a positive contribution to the surrounding communities and their economies. The revitalization of the project has created many new job opportunities, and has resulted in lasting business ties with local officials."
Comerica Bank Demonstrates Support for Employee Service in the National Guard and Reserve

DALLAS: Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense office, announced that Peter Sefzik, Comerica Bank Texas Market President, signed a Statement of Support for the National Guard and Reserve.





(Posted on 14 November 2017, 1668621174 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/us-news.php  (Posted on 14 November 2017, 1668621174 173O212O198O32)

The signing ceremony took place at the Comerica Bank Tower in Dallas, Texas on Thursday, Nov. 2. Sefzik was joined by Craig McKinley, ESGR National Chairman.The Statement of Support confirms Comerica Bank joins other employers in pledging:aWe fully recognize, honor and comply with the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act (USERRA).aOur managers and supervisors will have the tools they need to effectively manage those employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve.aWe appreciate the values, leadership and unique skills service members bring to the workforce and will encourage opportunities to hire Guardsmen, Reservists and Veterans.aWe will continually recognize and support our country's service members and their families in peace, in crises and in war."Today supportive employers are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation's National Guard and Reserve units. The ESGR Statement of Support program is the cornerstone of ESGR's efforts to gain and maintain employer support. The intent of this program is to increase employer support by encouraging participating employers to act as advocates for employee participation in the military," said McKinley. "Comerica Bank is setting a high standard for all financial institutions to follow by providing above and beyond support of the nation's veterans, many of whom currently serve in the National Guard and Reserve.""By meeting the Statement of Support criteria, Comerica Bank will stand proudly with their National Guard and Reserve employees who continue to answer our nation's call to defend our way of life. Their personal sacrifices are essential to the strength of our nation," added McKinley."Comerica's support of the National Guard and Reserve reaffirms our proud commitment to provide career opportunities to the brave men and women who serve our country," Sefzik said. "They bring leadership, discipline, initiative and unique problem-solving skills to the workplace, which make them ideally suited for a variety of professions. When companies hire our military members, we all benefit."
Canadian environment ministers chart progress of actions on climate change and air quality

VANCOUVER: The Government of Canada is committed to working with provincial, territorial, and Indigenous partners to ensure clean air, clean water and clean soil for Canadians; to fight climate change; and to build a stronger, more sustainable economy.





(Posted on 14 November 2017, 1668621175 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/business-world-news.php  (Posted on 14 November 2017, 1668621175 173O212O198O32)

Today, Canada's Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Catherine McKenna, participated in a meeting of the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment to discuss air quality and climate change. This annual gathering of federal, provincial, and territorial environment ministers was hosted by British Columbia's Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, George Heyman, this year's CCME chair.The event was an opportunity for environment ministers to review the progress on their climate actions and to identify further areas of collaboration and partnership.During today's meeting, the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment released a new State of the Air Report, an interactive web report informed by all provinces and territories on air quality and the efforts of governments to improve it. The report shows that Canada reduced its air emissions as the economy grew.Air pollutants that cause smog and acid rain have decreased, helping save thousands of lives and reducing trips to the hospital.Over the past few decades, federal, provincial, and territorial governments have worked together and have taken action to reduce air-pollutant emissions from sources such as vehicles, power plants, and residential wood burning. These actions have contributed to reductions of smog and acid rain.The government's environmental initiatives, such as phasing out coal-fired electricity by 2030, will further improve the country's air quality and public health.By world standards, Canada ranks high in terms of clean and healthy air. The actions we are taking today will lead to even better conditions in our towns and cities for generations to come.The federal provincial and territorial governments agreed to tougher standards for nitrogen dioxide, which will result in further improvement in the quality of our air and improve the health of Canadians.Prior to their meeting, Ministers held discussions with representatives of the Assembly of First Nations, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, and the Metis National Council, sharing ideas and perspectives about opportunities and challenges as Canada moves to a stronger, more resilient, low-carbon economy.At the end of the meeting, the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment's presidency transferred from Minister Heyman to Minister McKenna. She will hold this position for a year and will host and chair the next meeting in 2018.Federal, provincial and territorial governments continue to take action against climate change: pricing carbon pollution; reducing emissions in each sector of the economy; adapting to climate change; and supporting clean technologies, innovation, and jobs.Quotes"I'm proud of the progress we've made to improve our air quality and make our communities healthier. This work has saved thousands of lives of Canadians. By continuing to work together, we can do even more to ensure healthier communities. On climate change, I know that through collaborationaespecially with our Indigenous partnersawe will continue to see great achievements to grow a clean economy and ensure a more sustainable planet."As the incoming chair of the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment, I look forward to hosting my provincial and territorial counterparts in Ottawa next year. At our next meeting, we will continue to tackle the critical issues facing Canadians, including climate change, clean air, clean water and clean growth. We will also work collaboratively with Indigenous leaders on shared priorities such as climate action. Canadians understand that the environment and the economy go together and that we have the opportunity to grow a cleaner economy, create good jobs and ensure a more sustainable future for our kids and grandkids."- Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
Government of Canada pays tribute to those who served in the First World War

GIVENCHY-EN-GOHELLE, France: The Battle of Vimy Ridge proved to be a great triumph, but it came at a heavy cost. It was 100 years ago that the 100,000 Canadians who served there suffered more than 10,600 casualties, nearly 3,600 of which were fatal.





(Posted on 14 November 2017, 1668621175 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/business-world-news.php  (Posted on 14 November 2017, 1668621175 173O212O198O32)

In April of this year, Canadians and allies alike, took time to remember this never forgotten story of perseverance, heroism and strength. The Government of Canada remembers and honours the legacy of generations of Canadians who have served our country.Today, the Government of Canada held an official ceremony of remembrance at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in Givenchy-en-Gohelle, France.Mr. Vincent Klassen, charge d'affaires, Embassy of Canada in France, joined Marc Del Grande, Secretary General of the Prefecture of Pas-de-Calais and representative of the French Republic; members of the Canadian Armed Forces based in Europe; Veterans; military representatives from other countries; and Canadian and French citizens for a ceremony of remembrance at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial.We encourage all French citizens and Canadians to remember. This Veterans' Week, express your gratitude and appreciation for Canada's Veterans, those who gave their lives in service, and members of the Canadian Armed Forces and Royal Canadian Mounted Police, who come from diverse ethnic, linguistic, cultural and regional backgrounds. Join the conversation on social media by using the hashtags #CanadaRemembers and #Passchendaele100 or visit canada.ca/canada-remembers.Quotes"Following Canada's historic victory at Vimy Ridge in the spring of 1917, the impressive triumph at Passchendaele that autumn added to Canada's growing reputation as having one of the best offensive fighting forces on the Western Front during the First World War. This Veterans' Week, let's show that Canada remembers these brave Canadians in uniform, the fallen, and those who have continued to serve our country over the years since then. We are forever grateful for their strength and selfless determination to uphold our values and freedom."The Honourable Seamus O'Regan, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence"The inspiring Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France beautifully represents the contributions and sacrifices of Canadians during the First World War. The symbolic figures found on the monument's base and towering pylons tell an important story of sacrifice, sorrow and hope. Representing values like faith, justice, peace, honour, charity, truth, knowledge and hope, together these evocative figures embody the universal virtues that define Canada today. The majestic Canadian National Vimy Memorial stands as a tribute to all who served their country in battle in that four-year struggle and particularly to those who gave their lives. Lest we forget."Mr. Vincent Klassen, charge d'affaires, Embassy of Canada in FranceQuick Factsa2017 is a special year of commemoration for Canada, including Canada 150, the 100th anniversaries of the Battle of Vimy Ridge and the Battle of Passchendaele, and the 75th anniversary of the Dieppe Raid.aOn April 9, 1917, during the Battle of Vimy Ridge, the four divisions of the Canadian Corps fought side-by-side for the first time and demonstrated great bravery in capturing the heavily defended position to win an impressive victory.aBuilt at the highest point of Vimy Ridge, the memorial marks the site of a significant and historic event and stands as a tribute to all Canadians who served during the First World War. Carved on the walls of the monument are the names of 11,285 Canadian soldiers who were killed in France and whose final resting places were then unknown.a2017 marks the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Passchendaele. In a muddy corner of Belgium, Canadians overcame almost unimaginable hardships to capture this ruined village in 1917.
Standard guidelines for stroke treatment currently recommend clot removal only within six hours of stroke onset. But a milestone study with results published today in the New England Journal of Medicine shows that clot removal up to 24 hours after stroke led to significantly reduced disability for properly selected patients.

The international multi-center clinical study, known as the DAWN trial, randomly assigned 206 stroke victims who arrived at the hospital within six to 24 hours to either endovascular clot removal therapy, known as thrombectomy, or to standard medical therapy.

Thrombectomy involves a catheter placed in the femoral artery and snaked up the aorta and into the cerebral arteries where the clot that is blocking the artery, and causing the neurological symptoms, is retrieved.

Almost half of the patients (48.6 percent) who had clot removal showed a considerable decrease in disability, meaning they were independent in activities of daily living 90 days after treatment. Only 13.1 percent of the medication group had a similar decrease. There was no difference in mortality or other safety end-points between the two groups.

"These findings could impact countless stroke patients all over the world who often arrive at the hospital after the current six-hour treatment window has closed," says co-principal investigator Raul Nogueira, MD, professor of neurology, neurosurgery and radiology at Emory University School of Medicine and director of neuroendovascular service at the Marcus Stroke & Neuroscience Center at Grady Memorial Hospital.

"When the irreversibly damaged brain area affected by the stroke is small, we see that clot removal can make a significant positive difference, even if performed outside the six-hour window," says co-principal investigator Tudor Jovin, MD, director of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Stroke Institute. "However, this does not diminish urgency with which patients must be rushed to the ER in the event of a stroke. The mantra 'time is brain' still holds true."

Neuroscience eBook Compilation of the top interviews, articles, and news in the last year. Download a copy today

To select patients for the trial, the researchers used a new approach which used brain imaging and clinical criteria as opposed to just time alone.

"Looking at the physiological state of the brain and evaluating the extent of tissue damage and other clinical factors seems to be a better way to decide if thrombectomy will benefit patients as opposed to adhering to a rigid time window," says Nogueira.

The researchers planned to enroll a maximum of 500 patients over the course of the study period. However, a pre-planned interim review of the treatment effectiveness after 200 patients were enrolled in the trial led the independent Data Safety Monitoring Board overseeing the study to recommend early termination of the trial, based on pre-defined criteria demonstrating that clot removal provided significant clinical benefit in the studied patients.

"Our research and clinical teams are immensely proud of these breakthrough findings, which are so profound they will likely result in a paradigm shift that will not be seen again for many years in the field of stroke therapeutics," says Michael Frankel, MD, professor of neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, chief of neurology and director of the Marcus Stroke and Neuroscience Center for the Grady Health System.

According to Frankel, the Emory neuroscience team was a major contributor to the DAWN trial, working at Grady Memorial Hospital, the second leading site of the trial's enrollment.

The DAWN trial included trial locations in the United States, Spain, France, Australia and Canada. The trial was sponsored by Stryker Corporation, a medical technology company that manufactures the clot removal devices used in the study.

The DAWN trial results were presented at the European Stroke Organization Conference in May.
Increasingly virulent strains of Escherichia coli are circulating in wastewater around the world, and the race is on to find novel treatment processes that could help reduce the spread of these pathogens. KAUST researchers examined how three strains of E. coli found in Jeddah's wastewater supply fared when placed under strong sunlight: they showed, while two strains were reduced, one strain persisted.

"Solar irradiation is used unintentionally in many places when treated wastewater is stored in an evaporation pond prior to reuse or when it is used to irrigate crops in daylight," says Pei-Ying Hong, who led the project with PhD student Nada Al-Jassim and coworkers at KAUST's Water Desalination and Reuse Center. "However, because this approach is unintentional, it is difficult to know how successful it has been. We therefore decided to analyze what happens to E. coli in wastewater under solar irradiation."

Sunlight is known to kill pathogens in freshwater. In fact, as Hong notes, nongovernment organizations recommend that rural communities with no treatment for basic drinking water should store their water in transparent plastic bottles, and that they place these bottles in direct sunlight for some hours before consumption.

Genetics & Genomics eBook Compilation of the top interviews, articles, and news in the last year. Download a copy today

Hong's team used a similar idea; they prepared two reactors each carrying a strain of E. colia recently discovered, highly antibiotic-resistant strain called PI-7, and a common, nonvirulent strain called DSM1103. These reactors were subjected to solar irradiation for 24 hours, while two identical reactors were stored in the dark as controls. The team took samples at regular intervals from the four reactors and analyzed changes to the genetic make-up and the survival rates of each strain of E. coli.

"The viable cell counts of both strains reduced considerably, but E. coli PI-7 decayed at a slower rate compared to DSM1103," says Hong. "Rather worryingly, and unlike DSM1103, PI-7 formed 'persister' cells in the later stages of prolonged solar exposure. This means a small portion of PI-7 cells can withstand solar treatment and regrow again when the environmental conditions become favorable."

PI-7 defended itself against solar irradiation by upregulating genes related to cellular repair and oxidative stress, along with various virulence factors. However, during the genetic analysis, Al-Jassim noted with interest that genes carried by PI-7 to protect it from viruses were downregulated during solar irradiation.

"I'm now working on isolating these viruses, known as bacteriophages, in the hope that they could be used to increase the susceptibility of PI-7 toward solar irradiation," says Al-Jassim. "By using both bacteriophages and solar irradiation at the same time, such antibiotic-resistant strains might be more easily killed off."

Source: https://discovery.kaust.edu.sa/en/article/402/sunny-solution-for-killing-e.-coli
Treatments commonly used to prevent acute kidney failure and its complications arising from common angiography procedures make no difference to health outcomes, a major new study has found.

A team of international researchers studied the effectiveness of two common treatments used to prevent serious harm to patients undergoing angiography.

The worldwide study published in the New England Journal of Medicine investigated the effects of sodium bicarbonate and -N-acetylcysteine and found that neither were any better than using saline alone. These treatments were thought to reduce the impact of the contrast agents used in angiography upon kidney function, having been studied and used for over 15 years.

Lead author Dr. Steven Weisbord, of the Veteran's Administration, said: "Both of these treatments are used in hospitals all over the world with the belief that they are helping patients. The scientific evidence to support such practice has been confusing, so the use of these treatments varies between hospitals and individual doctors.

Co-author Assoc Prof Martin Gallagher, of The George Institute for Global Health, added: "This definitive study has shown that these treatments are not helping people avoid acute kidney failure nor the other poor outcomes that result from this complication. In addition, they are adding unnecessary complexity and cost."

Millions of these angiograms are performed around the world annually, with some 76,000 heart-related angiograms done in Australia every year. Patients who have a history of kidney disease, heart failure or diabetes have a higher risk of these complications, which are associated with longer hospital stay, higher mortality and worsening of kidney function.

Dr Weisbord said: "Whilst these treatments do not appear to cause harm, our results suggest that patients should instead just be treated with saline which is both cheaper and more readily available."

The study is an international collaboration with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and involved 5,000 patients from the US, Australia, New Zealand and Malaysia.

The results from this research, which were also presented at the AHA Scientific Sessions 2017, will inform and shape worldwide clinical guidelines.

Source: https://www.georgeinstitute.org/media-releases/study-ends-debate-over-best-way-to-prevent-acute-kidney-failure-post-angiogram
insights from industry Reda Guiha Regional President, International Developed Markets Pfizer Vaccines

An interview with Reda Guiha, Regional President, International Developed Markets Pfizer Vaccines, conducted by Alina Shrourou, BSc

Why are we discussing vaccines in the aging population?

The World Health Organisation marked World Pneumonia Day on November 12th to promote interventions to protect against, prevent and treat pneumonia. The condition is a worldwide killer affecting people of all ages, however the aging population is at an increased risk.

Streptococcus pneumoniae. Credit: Maxx-Studio/Shutterstock.com

A recent analysis titled PneuVUE 65 years and over report revealed that only 18% of people aged 65 and over report having received a pneumonia vaccination. An unacceptable statistic considering pneumonia causes over 100,000 deaths per year in the 65 years and over age group in Europe.

What do you mean by the term aging population?

The term refers to the increasing proportion and number of older persons, typically aged 60 years and over. It is estimated that between 2000 and 2050, the proportion of the world's population over 60 years old will double from about 11% to 22%.

Improvements in public health, nutrition and medicine mean people are living longer than ever before. Every country is experiencing growth of this kind and, according to the United Nations, aging will become one of the most significant social transformations of the twenty-first century  with implications for nearly all sectors of society. Europe and Japan in particular will be significantly affected by this huge demographic shift, which will pose challenges for healthcare systems.

What challenges does the aging population pose on healthcare as we know it?

Demand for healthcare will increase across primary and secondary care, with long-term support placing massive pressure on healthcare systems. Research has shown that older adults who adopt healthy behaviors and use preventive services  like vaccinations  are more likely to remain healthy, live independently, and incur fewer health-related costs.

Despite this, healthcare systems are geared towards diagnosis and treatment, with European governments spending an average of just 2.8% on healthcare prevention. The inevitability of challenges associated with an aging population means that healthcare communities should shift the balance from treating infectious diseases, such as pneumonia and influenza, to preventing them.

Why are there low numbers of older people reporting vaccination?

Even in healthcare systems where vaccines are readily available to older people, vaccination rates remain suboptimal. We need to understand why people from 65-year-olds running companies, to 75-year-olds juggling the care of grandchildren, or 85-year-olds living in care homes, are falling through the system when it comes to vaccines.

The latest PneuVUE analysis confirms a need for improved vaccination awareness in this population and reveals that only 35% of adults aged 65 and over know that a pneumonia vaccination exists. Low awareness of pneumonia, its severity and preventative options are key reasons for why a vaccination gap in this population has emerged.

Is it important for this gap to be closed? If so, what is being done to encourage people to get vaccines?

The World Health Organization in Europe recognizes vaccination as one of the health strategies with the greatest potential to achieve health gains for older people. As we work together to manage the challenges associated with the aging demographic of our worlds population, closing the vaccination gap in older people should be a priority for healthcare systems.

At Pfizer, we have supported a number of initiatives of international NGOs, to raise awareness of the importance of healthy aging and the vital role that vaccination can play. Wherever possible, public dialogue around vaccination should be encouraged, and if you know an elderly person who does not receive vaccination against infectious diseases, you can suggest they visit their doctor to discuss whether this option is right for them. Only through healthcare communities working together, can we start to close the vaccination gap.

Are there other benefits associated with closing the vaccination gap?

New strategies are urgently required to combat threats such the growing antimicrobial resistance crisis. It is a growing opinion that better vaccine coverage in older people is part of the comprehensive approach needed to tackle antimicrobial resistance. Vaccines can help address this global concern by preventing infections as well as reducing the transmission and circulation of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria.

How large is the threat of antimicrobial resistant in older people?

Antimicrobial resistance is an urgent and growing global health threat. With antibiotics prescribed more frequently to older adults than to younger patients, the aging population will drive even greater antibiotic consumption worldwide.

Furthermore, long-term care facilities that house older adults can become reservoirs of resistance due to high levels of medication use in such facilities. Antibiotic-resistant infections are already resulting in over 50,000 deaths annually in Europe and the associated economic burden is estimated to be 1.5 billion, per year. If the issue of antimicrobial resistance is not rapidly addressed, estimates indicate that by 2050 more people will die from antibiotic-resistant infections than cancer.

How can the healthcare industry help address these challenges?

Industry partners, healthcare providers and governments need to collaborate to secure additional investment and encourage innovation to address critical challenges such as the vaccination gap and antimicrobial resistance.

At Pfizer, we have recently collaborated with the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy and the University of Dundee to launch the Massive Open Online Course on antimicrobial stewardship. The course helps healthcare professionals understand and address the global threat of antimicrobial resistance, focusing on how to responsibly use high-quality antibiotics safely in everyday practice. So far, over 5,000 healthcare professionals have completed the course.

Pfizers current and pipeline vaccines offer potential to tip the balance for healthcare systems from treatment to prevention. Through industry collaborations and global initiatives, Pfizer is not only helping to keep older people healthier for longer, but also improving the wellbeing of the population. Vaccination strategies are key to help in the fight against challenges such as the antimicrobial resistance crisis.

Where can readers find more information?

For more information please have a look at our website: https://www.pfizer.com/science/vaccines

And for the PneuVUE 65 years and over report: https://www.ipsos.com/ipsos-mori/en-uk/pneuvuer-new-view-pneumonia-among-older-adults

About Reda Guiha

Reda Guiha is the Regional President of the Vaccines Division, International Developed Markets for Pfizer Inc., one of the worlds premier innovative biopharmaceutical companies. Reda has held senior international sales and marketing roles across a number of major disease areas in different countries and regions.

In 2000, Reda joined Pharmacias French affiliate as Oncology Business Unit Director and managed the Specialty Therapeutics Business Unit in France following Pharmacias merger with Pfizer in 2003. In 2006, he was appointed Senior Sales Director for the Cardiology Franchise and, in 2007, became Vice President for the Oncology, Ophthalmology and Endocrinology Division.

Reda then managed the French Oncology Business Unit until September 2012 when he progressed to Business Unit Head of Specialty Care, France; a division responsible for vaccines, inflammation and hospital specialty products. After this national tenure, Reda was appointed Regional President of the European Vaccine Business in 2014 and then Regional President of the Vaccines Division in 2016 when his role was expanded to include Japan, Korea, Australia and New Zealand.

Prior to joining Pharmacia and Pfizer, Reda worked for Rhone-Poulenc Rorer (Aventis) as Senior International Marketing Director for Oncology and later as Vice President of Oncology based in France and the United States. He originally trained as a pharmacist before joining the pharmaceutical industry as a medical sales representative in Egypt, the United Kingdom and Italy.
China has overtaking the US in the total number of ranked supercomputer systems in the top 500 by a margin of 202 to 143. It is the largest number of supercomputers China has ever claimed on the TOP500 ranking, with the US presence shrinking to its lowest level since the lists inception 25 years ago.

Just six months ago, the US led with 169 systems, with China coming in at 160. Despite the reversal of fortunes, the 144 systems claimed by the US gives them a solid second place finish, with Japan in third place with 35, followed by Germany with 20, France with 18, and the UK with 15.

China has also overtaken the US in aggregate performance as well. The Asian superpower now claims 35.4 percent of the TOP500 flops, with the US in second place with 29.6 percent.

The top 10 systems remain largely unchanged since the June 2017 list, with a couple of notable exceptions.

Sunway TaihuLight, a system developed by Chinas National Research Center of Parallel Computer Engineering & Technology (NRCPC), and installed at the National Supercomputing Center in Wuxi, maintains its number one ranking for the fourth time, with a High Performance Linpack (HPL) mark of 93.01 petaflops.

Tianhe-2 (Milky Way-2), a system developed by Chinas National University of Defense Technology (NUDT) and deployed at the National Supercomputer Center in Guangzho, China, is still the number two system at 33.86 petaflops.

The Tianhe-2 is being upgraded to the Tianhe-2a which will have about 95 petaflops after the upgrade.

The original plan was to upgrade the system with the newer Knights Landing devices. But after the US government instituted an embargo on these chips to certain Chinese supercomputing sites, including the Guangzhou center, the National University of Defense Technology (NUDT) had to come up with plan B. In this case, that meant developing their own coprocessor. That turned out be the Matrix-2000, a DSP-type chip, tweaked for more general-purpose computation.

According to slides presented at the forum, each Matrix-2000 will deliver 2.4576 teraflops (peak), which more than doubles the 1.0 teraflops delivered by the original Xeon Phi chip. The Matrix-2000 consists of 128 cores, each one providing 16 double precision flops per cycle. Those flops are delivered by a 256-bit vector unit, which as Satoshi notes, is in line with the Knights Corner chip it replaces.

Other enhancements include an interconnect that is 40 percent faster interconnect (to 14 Gbps) and has 50 percent lower latency (1 us). This is likely the TH-Express-2+ that NUDT has talked about before. In addition, main memory has been bumped from 1.4 to 3.4 petabytes, slightly improving the bytes-to-flops ratio of the Tianhe-2. Storage has also been enhanced in both capacity and I/O bandwidth.

China is working on three exascale prototype supercomputers. They will likely have around 200 petaflop performance and will be released starting as early as next month and going through 2018.

The US should have its 200 petaflop supercomputer working in 2018.

The US is currently targeting 2023 for an exaflop supercomputer. China is working towards 2019-2020 for an exaflop supercomputer.

Piz Daint, a Cray XC50 system installed at the Swiss National Supercomputing Centre (CSCS) in Lugano, Switzerland, maintains its number three position with 19.59 petaflops, reaffirming its status as the most powerful supercomputer in Europe. Piz Daint was upgraded last year with NVIDIA Tesla P100 GPUs, which more than doubled its HPL performance of 9.77 petaflops.

The new number four system is the upgraded Gyoukou supercomputer, a ZettaScaler-2.2 system deployed at Japans Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, which was the home of the Earth Simulator. Gyoukou was able to achieve an HPL result of 19.14 petaflops. using PEZY-SC2 accelerators, along with conventional Intel Xeon processors. The systems 19,860,000 cores represent the highest level of concurrency ever recorded on the TOP500 rankings of supercomputers.

Titan, a five-year-old Cray XK7 system installed at the Department of Energys (DOE) Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and still the largest system in the US, slips down to number five. Its 17.59 petaflops are mainly the result of its NVIDIA K20x GPU accelerators.

Sequoia, an IBM BlueGene/Q system installed at DOEs Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, is the number six system on the list with a mark of 17.17 petaflops. It was deployed in 2011.

The new number seven system is Trinity, a Cray XC40 supercomputer operated by Los Alamos National Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratories. It was recently upgraded with Intel Knights Landing Xeon Phi processors, which propelled it from 8.10 petaflops six months ago to its current high-water mark of 14.14 petaflops.

Cori, a Cray XC40 supercomputer, installed at the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center (NERSC), is now the eighth fastest supercomputer in the world. Its 1,630 Intel Xeon Haswell processor nodes and 9,300 Intel Xeon Phi 7250 nodes yielded an HPL result of 14.01 petaflops.

At 13.55 petaflops, Oakforest-PACS, a Fujitsu PRIMERGY CX1640 M1 installed at Joint Center for Advanced High Performance Computing in Japan, is the number nine system. It too is powered by Intel Knights Landing Xeon Phi processors.

Fujitsus K computer installed at the RIKEN Advanced Institute for Computational Science (AICS) in Kobe, Japan, is now the number 10 system at 10.51 petaflops. Its performance is derived from its 88 thousand SPARC64 processor cores linked by Fujitsus Tofu interconnect. Despite its tenth-place showing on HPL, the K Computer is the top-ranked system on the High-Performance Conjugate Gradients (HPCG) benchmark.

For the first time, each of the top 10 supercomputers delivered more than 10 petaflops on HPL. There are also 181 systems with performance greater than a petaflop  up from 138 on the June 2017 list. Taking a broader look, the combined performance of all 500 systems has grown to 845 petaflops, compared to 749 petaflops six months ago and 672 petaflops one year ago. Even though aggregate performance grew by nearly 100 petaflops, the relative increase is well below the lists long-term historical trend.

A further reflection of this slowdown is the list turnover. The entry point in the latest rankings moved up to 548 teraflops, compared to 432 teraflops in June. The 548-teraflop system was in position 370 in the previous TOP500 list.

HPCG Results

The TOP500 list is now incorporating the High-Performance Conjugate Gradient (HPCG) benchmark results into the list to provide a more balanced look at system performance. The benchmark incorporates calculations in sparse matrix multiplication, global collectives, and vector updates, which more closely represents the mix of computational and data access patterns used in many supercomputing codes.

As previously mentioned, the fastest system using the HPCG benchmark remains Fujitsus K computer, which is ranked number 10 in the overall TOP500 rankings. It achieved 602.7 teraflops on HPCG, followed closely by Tianhe-2 with a score of 580.0 teraflops. The upgraded Trinity supercomputer comes in at number three at 546.1 teraflops, followed by Piz Daint at number four with 486.4 teraflops, and Sunway TaihuLight at number five at 480.8 teraflops.
Blue Frontiers is the first seasteading company. Floating Islands can mitigate sea level rise. Rising seas are hurting island and coastal nations. Environmentally conscious technologies will create opportunities.

French Polynesia is ready to innovate and become resilient to the threat.

In January 2017, The Seasteading Institute signed a Memorandum of Understanding with French Polynesia, creating a pathway for the first pilot project of floating islands governed under a special governing framework. The Seasteading Institute entered into a collaboration with Blue Frontiers to develop floating islands and administer the seazone. We will begin building floating islands when the seazone legislation is implemented in French Polynesia in 2018.

They are building a community of people interested in participating in the creation of the floating islands and seazone. They co-hosted the First Tahitian Seasteading Gathering in May 2017. We are offering curated trips to Tahiti in the fall of 2017 to introduce people to the local community and Blue Frontiers vision for the seazone.

Blue Frontiers is engaged in business development activities to make our endeavor a financial success and create long-term viability for the project. We are welcoming of potential partnerships and collaborations, and invite all serious inquiries.

The agreement requires us to conduct an economic impact analysis, develop an environmental assessment framework, and undertake legal research to aid in the creation of a seazone  inspired by the legal structures of special economic zones and international best practices. Additionally, we are fulfilling our obligations, developing the islands, and will administer the SeaZone, with no public funding.

French Polynesia is creating what is effectively a special economic zone for the Seasteading Institute to experiment in and has offered 100 acres of beachfront where the group can operate.

In 2011, Mr. Quirk, an author, was at Burning Man when he first heard about seasteading. Mr. Quirk and his collaborators created a new company, Blue Frontiers, which will build and operate the floating islands in French Polynesia. The goal is to build about a dozen structures by 2020, including homes, hotels, offices and restaurants, at a cost of about $60 million. To fund the construction, the team is working on an initial coin offering. If all goes as planned, the structures will feature living roofs, use local wood, bamboo and coconut fiber, and recycled metal and plastic.

I want to see floating cities by 2050, thousands of them hopefully, each of them offering different ways of governance, Mr. Quirk said. The more people moving among them, the more choices well have and the more likely it is we can have peace prosperity and innovation.

I want to see floating cities by 2050, thousands of them hopefully, each of them offering different ways of governance, Mr. Quirk said. The more people moving among them, the more choices well have and the
A nannys immigration or income status can also be a deterrent. In the last nine years, Oliver Quillia, a producer and father of two in the Bronx, has posted exactly one photo on Instagram of his beloved nanny, Lynn, whose last name he withheld for similar reasons. If it werent for the under the table pay we give her, I would probably post way more photos of her, Mr. Quillia, 47, said.

But when oversharing parents omit nannies on Instagram or Facebook, it can indeed be intended to shape perception of their own characters. I think many of us on social media, probably subconsciously, want to perpetuate this idea that were doing it all on our own, said Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, an associate professor of history at the New School and a mother of two.

Ms. Petrzela is a self-described exhibitionist on Facebook, but it wasnt until five years after she and her husband hired their nanny, Nancy Peter, that she realized shed never posted a photo of the woman they consider a third parent. (Ms. Petrzelas husband hadnt, either, but hes not active on social media).

My children respect and love her so much, and I do too, Ms. Petrzela, 39, recalled thinking. Why am I making that invisible?

Ms. Petrzela, who is white, had also considered the racial context between her and Ms. Peter, who is Afro-Caribbean. Though Ms. Petrzela is confident their relationship is respectful, the history of white families being ministered to by women of color is not a really beautiful history, Ms. Petrzela said. Part of me felt hyper-aware about even the impression that any of those dynamics are repeating themselves in our home.

While Ms. Peter is not on Facebook, she said she appreciates being included. It makes me feel part of the family, she said. I did not give birth to the kids, but I love them very much. Of other parents who dont want pictures with their nannies, she said, Its not fair. Im going to tell you the truth: most parents feel that if the children are too close to the nanny, that theyre losing something.
Roy S. Moore seemed to be squirming as the interviewer dug in.

Did he recall dating girls as young as 17? Not generally, no, Mr. Moore, the embattled Republican Senate nominee in Alabama, replied haltingly. So why had The Washington Post found numerous people who said otherwise? You understand this was 40 years ago, Mr. Moore replied, and after my return from the military, I dated a lot of young ladies.

Sean Hannity, who conducted the interview for his syndicated radio show on Friday, seemed unsure about how to proceed on his Fox News show later that night. What if, in fact, he was just inarticulate? the host asked, after starting things off with a replay of his interview with Mr. Moore. Throwing it out. Devils advocate.

Mr. Hannity rarely extends this kind of generosity to the usual, liberal-leaning targets of his hit prime time show, which, since moving to 9 p.m. this fall, has reclaimed the No. 1 spot in cable news.

But his handling of Mr. Moore  tough questions, followed by the benefit of the doubt  reflects a moment of uncertainty for the conservative media, as it confronts deep divisions within the American political right.
CENTREVILLE, Nova Scotia  This lobster factory on a windswept bay in eastern Canada is so remote that its workers have to drive for miles just to get cellphone service. But Gidney Fisheries is truly global, with its lobsters landing on plates in Paris and Shanghai through trade agreements hammered out in far-off capitals.

Of late, these trade pacts have been shifting in the factorys favor, giving it an advantage over its American competitors.

A new trade agreement between Canada and the European Union has slashed tariffs on imports of Canadian lobsters. That means more 747s filled with Christmas-red crustaceans will depart from Nova Scotia for European markets this winter  and more revenue will flow to Gidney Fisheries. The factory, which in the 1800s sent its lobsters to Boston by steamship, is flush with potential as it gains access to new markets and plans to increase its work force by roughly 50 percent, adding dozens of positions to its current payroll of around 85 workers.
And while Congress passed a bipartisan law in 2015 creating a new payment framework that is supposed to reward doctors for value over volume, Mr. Trumps Department of Health and Human Services has exempted more doctors from a provision that created merit pay by giving them bonuses or penalties depending on the quality of their work.

In September, the department released an outline of a new direction for the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, set up by the Affordable Care Act to test models aimed at improving medical care and reducing costs. While the Obama administration had pushed large, mandatory experiments to test new models of pay, the Trump administration wants to encourage smaller, voluntary programs  and has asked the doctors to help design them.



Clearly a great big foot has been put on the brake, said Donald Crane, the chief executive of CAPG, a group of doctors and hospital administrators that, unlike many in the profession, has pushed to tie physician pay to quality measures rather than the old model of fee for service.

Mr. Crane was referring specifically to the scaling back of the cardiac and joint replacement programs by Tom Price, an orthopedic surgeon and Republican former congressman chosen by Mr. Trump as secretary of health and human services. Mr. Price, who resigned in September over his use of expensive private jets, had accused the Obama administration of trying to commandeer clinical decision-making by forcing doctors to participate in experiments that test new ways of paying for care. Mr. Trump is said to be close to appointing a successor  possibly Alex Azar, a former pharmaceutical company executive who worked in the Department of Health and Human Services under President George W. Bush  and doctors groups will be watching carefully to see if the agency continues in the same direction.

Already, other administration officials have signaled support for protecting doctors and giving them more say. The agencys Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, led by Seema Verma, has suggested it will accept more recommendations than it did in the past from a committee of doctors formed by the American Medical Association on how much Medicare should pay for services and procedures  essentially letting doctors set their own pay.
Beside a font of holy water, tourists took in the Mass via the screens of their phones, some mounted on selfie sticks. By the entrance, devotees stood praying, but every so often phone-holding hands would pop up above the crowd to snap a picture. One man stood in the back, hunched in what appeared to be deep devotion  to select the perfect photo filter for his picture of the cathedrals eaves.

In the pews, most people pored over the missals. But a surreptitious few checked email, planting their phone between the pages of the Psalms. One woman strode boldly through the nave as the organ played, her earbuds in, video chatting all the while.

Its probably a trend they should embrace, said Edward Zhong, 25, a doctor visiting from Australia with his brother Mark, 21, who spent much of the homily taking pictures. Dr. Zhong suggested the church might go so far as create an app for use during Mass. They probably could access a greater demographic  people who are born with an iPhone in their hand.

Joseph Zwilling, a spokesman for the Archdiocese of New York, said that some churches already offer apps, a trend he does not approve. There are enough occasions for our mind to wander during Mass; we shouldnt be using these artificial things that take us away, he said.

What happens when you have your phone out? It buzzes, you get a text, you get a Facebook update, you get a notification. Suddenly, youre not thinking about whats happening in the Mass Mr. Zwilling added. Thats the real danger of having your phone.
The Democratic Party certainly did well in last weeks elections. In one place after another, voters seemed to reject President Trumps hateful, lawless politics. The results have further energized progressives for 2018, which will be a vastly more important referendum on Trump than 2017.

But if Democrats are going to succeed next year and beyond, they cant focus only on last weeks positive signs and start believing their own spin. They also need to think about the warning signs. There were more of those than many people realize.

The reality is, the Democratic victories occurred almost entirely in areas that had voted for Hillary Clinton last year. In Trump country, Democrats continued to struggle.

Outside of highly educated suburbs and racially diverse cities, Democrats still do not have an effective response to Trumpism. And they need one. To build a national coalition  one with the power to pass policies that can help the middle class, protect civil rights and combat climate change  Democrats have to do better in whiter, more rural areas.
Last year, Senator Christopher Murphy decided it was time to resort to a filibuster about the need to control the nations relentless gun violence. With the help of colleagues in the Senate chamber, he spoke for 15 hours. Nothing changed.

This year, the Connecticut Democrat, sounding even more desperate, tried political candor: I wish it didnt feel like Groundhog Day  but one day it wont, Mr. Murphy insisted after the Las Vegas gun rampage left 58 dead and many more wounded last month. Theres no great social change movement in this country that didnt have failures before it had success, he said of his perennial proposal, perennially rejected, for tighter background checks on gun buyers.

In the Capitol, no one more clearly epitomizes the Groundhog Day image of dogged persistence in the face of repeated rejection than Senator Dianne Feinstein. The California Democrat responded to the Texas massacre last week (26 dead) by once more introducing her signature proposal to revive the federal ban on rapid-fire assault weapons adapted from the military battlefield. Resolute as Sisyphus, she had helped pioneer and steer to passage a 1994 ban with a 10-year life (the result of a compromise) that the equally dogged National Rifle Association successfully blocked when the time came for renewal.

Had the earlier ban survived, and her fellow legislators showed the same gumption in the face of the gun lobbys threats, the sorts of military-style, semiautomatic weapons brandished to spray death in Las Vegas and Texas would have been banned. Now shes back again, ignoring Groundhog Day with a passion that was ignited in 1978 when, as president of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, she was the first on the scene when two colleagues  Supervisor Harvey Milk and Mayor George Moscone  were shot to death by an assassin.
Businesses and the wealthy, the Republicans argument goes, will bring their money back to our shores and pay taxes on it if rates are lower. But there are few mechanisms included in their tax package that would actually push either group to do so, rather than keep it abroad and away from taxation.

The House package included a new tax on intellectual property royalties multinational corporations pay to offshore affiliates in an effort, the writers say, to keep them from moving money to tax shelters. But, after an outcry from those multinationals, an amendment was added on Monday that weakens its impact such that its worth 95 percent less. Senate Republicans, meanwhile, havent included it in their version of the legislation.

The House package also calls for a one-time tax of 7 percent and 14 percent on offshore earnings that have been stockpiled abroad, and an effective 10 percent rate on high returns to a parent company headquartered in this country from foreign subsidiaries, both efforts to supposedly keep multinationals from avoiding taxes. The Senate version proposes even lower rates on offshore earnings. Those rates are far lower than the 20 percent rate Republicans want to levy on corporate profits  and a huge drop from the current rate of 35 percent  leaving an incentive to keep money elsewhere.

The House plan shifts the country to a territorial tax system, in which companies would owe taxes only on money they make here. Money generated abroad in foreign subsidiaries would be subject to the taxes of that country, so theyd have even more incentive to keep it in the low-tax places the Paradise Papers show theyve already been using.

None of these provisions go after wealthy individuals who keep their money in offshore accounts to avoid paying taxes. Instead, the House package hands these same people a variety of giveaways: an enormous loophole via a lower tax rate on pass-through businesses; the elimination of the alternative minimum tax that ensures they have to pay at least something; and the eradication of the tax on the wealthiest estates.

The groups that are already dodging taxes through offshore accounting are the ones that make out with the biggest benefits. According to an analysis by the conservative Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, $1 trillion of the overall $1.5 trillion cost is from cuts for businesses. According to the Tax Policy Center, the highest-income families can expect the biggest reward. The richest 0.1 percent of Americans will get an average $278,370 reduction in their tax bill by 2027, while the poorest two-fifths of the country get around $25.

The Republican tax plan would shift more of the tax burden onto those who can least afford to shoulder it and relieve those who are already starving the government of tax revenue. The Paradise Papers shine yet another spotlight on how the rich and powerful game the system to avoid paying what they would otherwise owe. The rest of us suffer for it. Why hand them even more favors?
TUSCALOOSA, Ala.  Last weeks allegations of sexual misconduct against Roy Moore, the Republican candidate for Senate in Alabama, have drawn bipartisan denunciations in Washington, with many of his would-be colleagues calling on him to leave the race. Here in Alabama, however, the reaction has been considerably more muted.

If anything, the allegations seem to have forced many of the party faithful to rally around him. Mr. Moore, for his part, is not only refusing to step aside, but is making fund-raising appeals based on the accusations. While his accusers accounts no doubt hurt him, there is still a very good chance that Roy Moore will win the special election on Dec. 12.

The national party has made it clear that it wants nothing to do with Mr. Moore; on Friday the National Republican Senatorial Committee severed its ties with his campaign. But as his supporters have defiantly pointed out, there is nothing the Republicans can do to stop Alabamians from electing Mr. Moore.

That doesnt mean the Senate is powerless. In fact, Mitch McConnell and other Senate leaders have the constitutional authority to prevent Mr. Moore from actually serving if he is elected. The real question is whether the partys leadership is prepared to use this authority.
Consider the strategic and historical magnitude of what President Donald Trump said last week: He said that he believed the intelligence conclusions of a nation hostile to this country  Russia  over the intelligence conclusions drawn by American agencies.

It is a striking declaration, a betrayal of American trust and interests that is almost treasonous in its own right.

On Saturday aboard Air Force One, en route to Hanoi, Vietnam, Trump said of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russias assault on our elections:

He just  every time he sees me, he says, I didnt do that. And I believe  I really believe that when he tells me that, he means it. But he says, I didnt do that. I think hes very insulted by it, if you want to know the truth.

Trump went on to call the fact that Russia interfered in our election an artificial Democratic hit job that would cause people to die in Syria because Putins hurt feelings about being called on his crimes would prevent him from making a deal to end the bloody conflict in that country. And he called former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, former C.I.A. Director John O. Brennan and former F.B.I. Director James Comey political hacks.
As the column has grown up, it has begun to try on new forms. The Modern Love Podcast, produced with WBUR-Boston, puts these stories on the air (and sometimes in theaters), with actors such as Emmy Rossum, Jake Gyllenhaal and Colin Farrell bringing their own interpretations. In 2017 alone, people have spent more than 140 cumulative years reading Modern Love online and have downloaded the equivalent of 600 years of Modern Love Podcast episodes.

The column has amused, enraged, enlightened and moved. Mary Alice Hostetters Dear Dad: Weve Been Gay a Really Long Time, detailing how she came out in her 60s to her 95-year-old Mennonite father, caused a Mennonite teenager in Lancaster County, Pa., who was struggling with her own sexuality, to write: Reading this has given me hope that maybe, just maybe, I wont be met with hatred if I ever decide to come out. Heather Burtmans My Body Doesnt Belong to You spurred story after story from women who also had been catcalled and harassed.

Marriages worldwide resulted from strangers asking each other the 36 questions in Mandy Len Catrons essay To Fall in Love With Anyone, Do This. And who knows how many spouses were subjected to exotic animal training techniques after Amy Sutherlands 2006 essay What Shamu Taught Me About a Happy Marriage went viral. (My father-in-law was one of them.)

More recently, Amy Krouse Rosenthals You May Want to Marry My Husband, a love letter in the form of a personal ad published 10 days before her death, led to a mass cry event  one that began, prepublication, among my own colleagues.
The Treasury Department has not yet released any economic analysis of the congressional plans. Economists at Goldman Sachs said last month that they expect tax cuts to generate enough additional growth to offset about a fifth of their revenue losses. That means $1 trillion of net tax cuts would lose $800 billion on a dynamic basis.

Dynamic scoring is inexact in the best of circumstances. Under the compressed congressional schedule this fall, it is even more difficult, said Alan J. Auerbach, a University of California, Berkeley, economist who is widely considered a godfather of modern dynamic scoring models.

As a result, only a few models have churned out consistent dynamic analyses that attempt to account for all the provisions of the House and Senate bills. The Tax Foundation has one. Mr. Smetters and his Penn Wharton team have another. Perhaps the most important scorekeeper on that front, the congressional Joint Committee on Taxation, is due to weigh in this week, with an analysis of the bill pending in the House.

Ironically, the models that so far have produced the least optimistic forecasts for the Republican plan are the ones that most closely track the assumptions conservatives have long espoused about the economy: that racking up deficits and debt will hold back growth.

That is the case with the Penn Wharton model, which finds that the House bill would lose between $1 trillion and $1.7 trillion over a decade in revenue, after accounting for growth, depending on various assumptions about the flow of investment dollars in the global economy and the growth-stoking power of tax cuts. The Tax Foundations more optimistic model projects the Senate bill would lose $500 billion in revenue after growth effects.

Other economists have produced optimistic effects based on approximations of a bill Congress might eventually agree upon. On Friday, Douglas Holtz-Eakin and Gordon Gray of the conservative American Action Forum released an analysis that attempts to mirror the joint committees methodology, but that models a bill with smaller net tax cuts than in the Republican plans. It found such a plan could cost as little as $310 billion over a decade.

The one model so far to suggest that the bills could fully pay for themselves comes from a Boston University economist, Laurence J. Kotlikoff, who employs what he calls a more comprehensive view of the global economys dynamics than other economists do. Mr. Kotlikoffs analysis finds large growth effects from the House and Senates plans to cut top corporate tax rates to 20 percent from 35 percent today. It makes some growth-boosting assumptions that differ from the bills as drafted, and it essentially excludes the impacts of personal income tax changes on the economy; other models find those changes would affect growth and revenue.
Top Trump administration officials cautioned Sunday that Roy S. Moore, the Republican Senate nominee in Alabama, should be allowed to defend himself against allegations that he pursued sexual and romantic relationships with teenage girls, even as Senate Republicans appeared to have largely abandoned his candidacy.

And Marc Short, the White Houses legislative director, said he expected that President Trump would give the matter more attention when he returns from an extended trip through Asia later this week.

I think the presidents obviously on a very important trip, and when he returns I think well have that conversation, Mr. Short said on NBCs Meet the Press.

The accusations against Mr. Moore have consumed political circles from Alabama to Washington since Thursday, when The Washington Post published the accounts of four women accusing Mr. Moore of misconduct. Senate Republicans have made their stance relatively clear, pulling out of a joint fund-raising agreement with Mr. Moores campaign and rescinding endorsements in the days since the allegations came to light.
But in a sign of their fundamental advantages, Republicans have a far shorter list of races that concern them, and multiple party strategists said they believed there were only 35 to 40 Republican lawmakers in seats that Democrats could seize. In some of the most populous states in the country  including Michigan, Pennsylvania and Texas  Republicans believe they can lose no more than two or three seats, and perhaps fewer.

Former Representative Thomas M. Reynolds, Republican of New York, who led the National Republican Congressional Committee in 2006, said the congressional map was far better for Republicans now than it was a dozen years ago, the last time a Democratic wave election tipped control of the House.

Redistricting has strengthened both state chambers and the Congress, and that is much more significant in 2017 than it was in 2006, Mr. Reynolds said. Look how many seats are in play. Its not that many.

In addition to gerrymandering, Mr. Holder and other Democrats have warned insistently about the impact of state-level voting procedures that threaten to disadvantage lower-income and minority voters. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has begun to track states and localities where Republicans have total control of election administration, and Democratic aides say they plan to assemble lawyers around the country to monitor election machinery for red flags of partisan interference.

Yet the partys ability to roll back the most significant voting restrictions may be limited. While federal courts have invalidated or reined in some of the most stringent restrictions  in North Carolina, Texas and Wisconsin  there are 17 states that now require voters to show photo identification at the ballot box. The types of acceptable identification vary, but Democratic-leaning minorities and young people are least likely to possess them.

The impact of those restrictions is difficult to measure, but experts say they do deter would-be voters from casting ballots. In Texas, where Democrats are targeting four House seats, Stephen Ansolabehere, a political scientist at Harvard University, analyzed the states voter rolls for plaintiffs in a federal lawsuit and concluded that 608,000 of the 13.5 million registrants lacked any of the seven IDs accepted at polling places. Black voters were two to three times as likely as whites to have none of the identifications; Hispanics one and a half to two times as likely.
PARIS  A verdict in one of the most closely watched war crimes cases in recent history  the genocide trial of Ratko Mladic, the former Bosnian Serb general held responsible for the massacre of some 8,000 Muslim men and boys at Srebrenica in 1995  is expected this month, after a judge rejected defense lawyers pleas to postpone the judgment.

The decision, by the United Nations war crimes tribunal in The Hague, came after defense lawyers for Mr. Mladic, 75, contended that he was no longer mentally and physically competent to appear in court. His is the last high-profile case before the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia.

Lawyers have demanded that Serbian doctors review Mr. Mladics condition, insisting that court-appointed physicians have been playing down their clients dire state and neglected to carry out important tests for heart disease and brain damage. The lawyers also say they were denied the full release of all of his medical records.

Dan Ivetic, an American lawyer who is the co-counsel on the Mladic team, said his clients condition  already weakened by two strokes by the time he was arrested in 2011  has worsened since his trial ended last December. Court-appointed doctors as well as teams of Russian and Serbian specialists who saw him in 2015, have said that Mr. Mladic risked another stroke or a heart attack.
TEHRAN  An earthquake struck the border region of Iran and Iraq on Sunday, killing over 100 people in Iran, the countrys National Medical Emergency Service reported, according to the state English-language television news channel, Press TV.

In Iraq, emergency workers said at least six Iraqis living in remote villages in Sulaimaniyah Province, near the Iranian border, had died.

Hundreds were reported injured in both countries.

The quake, which struck shortly before 10 p.m., was centered about 19 miles outside Halabja, in eastern Iraq (about 125 miles northeast of Baghdad) and had a magnitude of 7.3, according to the United States Geological Survey.

The head of Iraqs water resource management, Hassan Janani, reported that the Darbandikhan dam, also in Sulaimaniyah, had sustained some damage, although his teams did not believe that residents were in any danger. A more complete assessment was planned after daybreak, he said.
Three buses stand on their heads in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin in an installation that recreates a makeshift barricade erected in Aleppo, Syria, in 2015 to protect civilians against snipers during the height of the countrys civil war. The installation, Monument, by the Syrian-German artist Manaf Halbouni, is based on a picture of the barrier taken by the photographer Karam Al-Masri that was widely shared on the internet at the time.

The site of major political events throughout German history, the gate has a special symbolic resonance for Germans. It was where the official ceremony to mark the reunification of Germany was held in 1990. Mr. Halbouni, who was born in Damascus in 1984, told Reuters that he chose to recreate that barricade in that location because the Brandenburg Gate is a symbol of destruction and of the end of war.

It was also a symbol of division, but then came to represent unity, he continued.

Monument, which was presented in Dresden earlier this year, was met with protests from far-right groups there. In February, demonstrators shouted down the citys mayor, Dirk Hilbert, at a ceremony to unveil the work, which had been installed in front of the Frauenkirche, a large church was destroyed in the Allied bombing of the city in 1945 and rebuilt after German reunification.

According to a report by The Guardian, a news statement from the far-right party Alternative for Germany called Mr. Halbounis work an abuse of artistic freedom and attacked the artist as a rootless wanderer.
That bomb blast became the signature style with which Avedon went on to create many series of photographs, including The Family, 69 portraits of the most powerful and influential Americans in 1976, published in Rolling Stone for the countrys bicentennial. His 1985 book, In the American West, consists of portraits of anonymous workers, drifters, cowboys and random citizens made throughout the Western United States over five years, a contrast to the pantheon of accomplishment and celebrity that characterized most of Avedons portraiture.

In conceiving Nothing Personal, Avedon might have had in mind a dialogue with The Americans, by Robert Frank, published five years earlier  an artists book that struck a sober note about the story America told itself versus the realities of daily life for its citizens. At the time, The Americans was little known outside of New York art circles, but the book had a profound influence on photographers  including Avedon  and on the direction of photography itself. While Mr. Frank had traveled across the country to capture happened-upon moments in ordinary life, Avedons idiom was the portrait, with which he was equally intent on telling a deeper truth about America. Implicit in Avedons version was the persistent threat to our existence, something the Cuban missile crisis had brought that much closer two years before Nothing Personal was published. At the time, Avedon considered the portraits in the book to be some of my very best work.

Yet, to his surprise and chagrin, the public reaction was swift and hostile. Writing in The New York Review of Books, Robert Brustein lashed out at the books extravagant snow-white covers with sterling silver titles before excoriating the effort in his critique. (It predated by six years Tom Wolfes incendiary 1970 essay, Radical Chic: That Party at Lennys, in New York magazine  a savage takedown of New Yorks intellectual circle of limousine liberals as conspicuous hypocrites.) Nothing Personal pretends to be a ruthless indictment of contemporary America, Brustein wrote, but the people likely to buy this extravagant volume are the subscribers to fashion magazines, while the moralistic authors of the work are themselves pretty fashionable, affluent, and chic.
The long-running art world dispute between Alec Baldwin and the art dealer Mary Boone has been settled, with Ms. Boone paying at least $1 million to the actor and celebrity.

Mr. Baldwin sued Ms. Boone in New York State Supreme Court last year, asserting that he had been defrauded when he purchased a painting from Ms. Boone in 2010.
HBO and PBS honor Veterans Day with two new documentaries. And the wildly imaginative comedy Ill Behaviour arrives on Showtime.

Whats on TV

WAR DOG: A SOLDIERS BEST FRIEND (2017) 8 p.m. on HBO; also on HBO streaming platforms. Directed by Deborah Scranton (The War Tapes), this new documentary looks at the bond between Special Operations soldiers and the K9s that serve them in combat. Three soldiers recount how their loyal, four-legged partners stood by their side on the battlefield and provided emotional support during the darkest times.

PARADISE RUN 7 p.m. on Nickelodeon. Set in Hawaii, this game show pits pairs of young contestants against each other in grueling competitions.

MAN WITH A PLAN 8:30 p.m. on CBS. Matt LeBlanc dips his toes into hands-on parenting in this family sitcom. Mr. LeBlanc plays Adam Burns, a contractor who gives up his role as Daddy Fun Times to become a stay-at-home dad after his wife, Andi (Liza Snyder), returns to work. Adam  a beer-loving mans man  struggles with his new role but finds his way. The sitcom has its amusing moments, but its premise is a tad outdated, James Poniewozik wrote in The New York Times. In this second-season premiere, Andi becomes jealous when her daughter Kate (Grace Kaufman) turns to the familys new babysitter for advice. Even worse, the attractive hire has her eyes on Adam.
During the summer of 2013, Joe Bidens oldest son, Beau, learned he had a glioblastoma, an especially ferocious and pitiless type of brain tumor. Biden told almost no one. His grief did not spill into open view. But eventually, the world came to know. Beau Biden  Iraq War veteran, former attorney general of the state of Delaware  died on May 30, 2015. He was 46.

Most civilians have the luxury, if you could call it that, of mourning privately. Biden did not. He repeatedly said that work was his salvation during that time, which wasnt hard to believe. But you had to wonder about the nature of his dual existence. Every time he made a public appearance, there was another man entirely, a frightened or broken one, tucked inside the guy we saw on TV.

Whats most remarkable about Bidens Promise Me, Dad: A Year of Hope, Hardship, and Purpose is that hes decided to give us full visibility into the agony and strangeness of that period, showing just what it was like to care for his son  and then mourn him  while simultaneously fulfilling his duties as vice president. The book is a backstage drama, honest, raw and rich in detail. People who have lost someone will genuinely take comfort from what he has to say.

But this memoir is also a political book, one in which Biden touts his accomplishments and makes frequent forays into the wetlands of foreign and domestic policy. His position-paper entractes can be awkward and artless, much like the author himself. But after a time, you come to understand why hes mixing in pages of his curriculum vitae with pages about grief: To Biden, the two are intertwined. Its almost as if he suffers from a kind of political synesthesia. Deciding whether to run for the Democratic nomination in 2016, he writes, was all tied up with Beau.
COLD OPEN: Why did Frank Sinatra denounce me from stages all over the world? Donald Trump said he was going to buy the New York Daily News in order to fire me. Sean Connery called me up one day, he told me he would like to stick my column up my ass. I said, well gee, thats the nicest offer Ive had all week. (LAUGHS) WITH A REGARD THAT BORDERED ON THE PROMOTIONAL WHILE SPICING UP THE HEADLINES WITH AN OCCASIONAL NEWS-GRABBING FEUD. Like the marital dispute between Donald and Ivana Trump IN HER 60 YEARS IN YORK CITY JOURNALISM, LIZ SMITH BECAME A ONE-WOMAN PHENOMENON. SHE WAS THE MOST INFLUENTIAL GOSSIP COLUMNIST OF HER ERA, THE QUEEN OF DISH WHO MINGLED WITH SOCIALITES, POWER BROKERS, BROADWAY ACTORS AND HOLLYWOOD CELEBRITIES, AS IF SHE WAS ONE OF THEM. (00:38:51;26) Q: Gossip is gossip and a good friend of yours, Kate Hepburn said to you once, how do you write this drivel? SMITH: No, she said, how can you stand to do the things you do? (LAUGHS) Q: Did you ever feel compromised that youd gone from quote-unquote, journalism to quote-unquote, gossip? SMITH: Well I had tried to be a standard journalist. You know I had gone to the Times and to The New Yorker and everywhere else and I couldnt get arrested. I wasnt an Ivy League.... I mean I wasnt Vassar, Smith. Those were the kind of girls they were hiring. I was just this little hick with a journalism degree from University of Texas which didnt mean much. So that sounds a little defensive, but I think the question is did I ever feel I compromised? Yes. I dont think anybody can write, Im not just talking about gossip, I dont think anybody can write entertainment journalism without feeling a little compromised. I went along probably with it too much. Q: in what way? 0:39:42.7 SMITH: But I did work hard. I mean I worked hard to try to tell the truth and draw the lines. But I want to tell you something, when youre writing, I think all writers, they have to reinvent their ethics every day. CRITICS SAID THAT BY BEFRIENDING HER SUBJECTS, SHE COMPROMISED HER JOURNALISTIC OBJECTIVITY. Shes been accused of being too nice. I went along probably with it too much. Q: in what way? 0:39:42.7 SMITH: But I did work hard. I mean I worked hard to try to tell the truth and draw the lines. But I want to tell you something, when youre writing, I think all writers, they have to reinvent their ethics every day. CRITICS SAID THAT BY BEFRIENDING HER SUBJECTS, SHE COMPROMISED HER JOURNALISTIC OBJECTIVITY. Shes been accused of being too nice. Smith believes these kinds of cheap thrills have replaced the glamorous world she covered during most of her career. SMITH: I think things are very, very different in the last ten years from the entire rest of my life. You know in New York alone, I lived through all of the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and here we are in the 21st Century and things are very different over the last ten years. I would just say over you know the millennium things have been going downhill. Theyve gone downhill culturally. /// (00:18:35;05) It seems trite to say this, but what changed is television first changed everything because it began to dilute talent, dilute effort, dilute creativity. And now the internet has come along, everything is known instantly, theres no thrill of discovery. // (00:24:25;04) I dont see it as adding glamour and fun and you know any real meaning to life. So Im sort of disillusioned with my chosen profession. MARY ELIZABETH SMITH WAS BORN ON FEBRUARY 2, 1923 IN FORT WORTH, TEXAS, ONE OF THREE CHILDREN BORN TO AN ECCENTRIC, FUN-LOVING COTTON BROKER AND A STRICT, SOUTHERN BAPTIST MOTHER. SHE WOULD THAT SAY HER CHILDHOOD COULD BE DEFINED BY THE TRAVIS AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH ON ONE SIDE, AND THE TIVOLI MOTION PICTURE THEATER ON THE OTHER. THERE, EACH SATURDAY, SHE DREAMT OF MAKING HER FAME AND FORTUNE IN THE BIG CITY. SHE WOULD DO JUST THAT - WITH A TEXAS ACCENT. (00:04:55;26) I had rea
1. Yes. The ordinance goes against state law and is not in the best interest of the cities.

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

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

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

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

Vote

View Results
AAP's Gopal Rai takes on Centre for Delhi pollution

India

oi-Shreya

By Shreya

Recommended Video

Delhi Smog : Gopal Rai hits out at Center

Delhi Rural Development Minister Gopal Rai on November 13 took on the Central Govt and Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on the increasing levels of air pollution in the National Capital.

He said, "The concern for the better health of the people of Delhi is not only the responsibility of the Delhi Government, it is also the responsibility of the Central Government, however, the Central Government does not seem to be bothered by the crisis situation. The AAP Government is doing all it can and will continue to do so for the people of Delhi, but Central Government cooperation is also needed."

"The burning of stubble by farmers is an issue which every year creates a situation like this - deterioration of air quality in the capital, but what has the Haryana Government done about it?" he asked.

On the implementation of the odd-even rule to bring the situation under control, the minister said that a review petition has been submitted to the Supreme Court post the NGT's decision to withdraw exemptions for two-wheelers and women - to which the government said that it is not ready to 'compromise' the safety of women. Gopal Rai said that a final call on the issue will be taken after the Supreme Court hearing on November 13.

He said, "The pollution in the National Capital has always been an important point of discussion in the Delhi Government Cabinet and as well as for Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal,"

Gopal Rai while briefing the media also said that the pollution levels are being monitored by the Delhi Government on a regular basis and a decision will be taken very soon based on reports from scientists.

OneIndia News

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Monday, November 13, 2017, 19:09 [IST]
After Amarinder Singh, Haryana CM hits out at Kejriwal over stubble burning

India

oi-Deepika

By Deepika

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has hit out at his Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal over stubble-burning, asking him what he has done to check stubble-burning in Delhi as air pollution peaked to alarming levels.

Kejriwal had said that high level of pollution and smog in Delhi were not just due to local reasons and blamed crop burning for worsening of air quality.

He said he had written to the chief ministers of both states to put their heads together to find a solution, but had not been given an appointment by either.

"I am ready to meet you "anytime anywhere." There is no response from your office on meeting," countered Haryana Chief Minister ML Khattar in his reply to Kejriwal, also asking, "There are 40,000 farmers in Delhi. What are you doing about them?"

"We have taken all possible steps in Haryana. We have also requested people burning stubble to not do so," Khattar said, alleging that Punjab is the bigger culprit. He said that while the neighbouring state had not used "a penny out of 98 crores allotted to check farm fires, Haryana used 39 crores out of 45 crores allotted" to it for the purpose.

Khattar further questioned Kejriwal over the steps taken against stubble burning by farmers in Delhi, and conveyed the Union Agriculture Minister's information that Haryana has allocated Rs 39 Crore towards crop residue management, out of Rs 45.

Hitting back at Arvind Kejriwal for pointing fingers at the neighbouring states for pollution in the national capital, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Thursday said that his Delhi counterpart does not understand the problem.

"Kejriwal is a peculiar person who has views on everything without understanding the situation. There is 20 million ton of paddy straw, where do I ask farmers to store? So .Kejriwal doesn't understand this problem," said Amarinder Singh.

OneIndia New

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Monday, November 13, 2017, 18:28 [IST]
Art of Living Yamuna floodplains case: NGT reserves judgment

India

oi-Vikas

By Vikas

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Monday reserved that order in a case pertaining to the Art of Living (AOL) allegedly damaging the Yamuna floodplains during the three-day World Culture Festival in 2016.

AOL's World Culture Festival, which was held in Delhi on the bank on Yamuna river, had grabbed headlines for allegedly polluting and damaging the Yamuna floodplain ecosystem.

The NGT had earlier slapped an interim fine Rs 5 crore on the Foundation for environmental damage while efforts were made to ascertain the exact costs of the damage. The Art of Living founder, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar had said that the Centre, Delhi government and the National Green Tribunal should be held responsible for allowing his foundation to organise the World Culture Festival on the Yamuna floodplains in March 2016.

The National Green Tribunal had on October 3 directed the Delhi government to respond to the claim made by the Art of Living foundation that debris on the Yamuna banks existed prior to its three-day cultural extravaganza.

[AOL vs NGT: DDA says Yamuna floodplains restoration may take 10 years]

The AoL had contended that the event site was not an identified floodplain even after NGT's 2015 direction to the authorities to demarcate the floodplain, and hence it cannot even be considered a floodplain.

The AoL's contention came in the backdrop of an expert committee earlier telling the NGT that a whopping Rs 42.02 crore would be required to restore Yamuna floodplains which was ravaged due to the AoL cultural extravaganza.

AoL told the bench that the contention of the committee that compaction has been caused by the World Culture Festival organised by it was "erroneous and untenable" as the panel has not conducted any scientific test or geotechnical investigation of the soil density of the land.

OneIndia News

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Monday, November 13, 2017, 17:54 [IST]
Delhi's 10th Queer Pride march painted the capital in rainbow colours

India

oi-Shreya

By Shreya

Recommended Video

Delhi queer parade : National capital got painted in colours of rainbow | Oneindia News

On Sunday, the National Capital bathed in the beautiful colours of the rainbow as hundreds took to the streets to protest against discrimination and penalty on grounds of sexual preference - in Delhi's 10th Queer pride march, despite the smog and increasing air pollution.

The protest march which started from Barakhamba road and ended at Jantar Mantar saw people of different sexual orientations - gay, lesbian, straight, bisexual, standing in solidarity with those who are considered sexual 'minority' or the 'unnatural' ones.

Provocative slogans were raised such as, "I am gay, It's OK", "Hey hey ho ho homophobia has to go," and "Hum honge kamiyaab."

The protest march on Sunday stood for 10 years of constant struggle by the community against discrimination, homophobia, social stigma, legal penalties for involvement in same-sex relationships under section 377 of the IPC - which criminalises same-sex relationship.

Speaking to Oneindia, Smriti, 22, a college student said, "I should have the right to love whoever I want, and I should not be called a criminal for loving someone. We cannot call ourselves a democracy if we don't have the right to choose our partners,"

Vikash Anand, a computer engineer, who came at the march said, "I have always been discriminated on grounds of my sexual preference. No matter how capable I am as a professional or as a citizen of this country, it always boils down to my sexual orientation, and that makes me feel caged in an independent India."

On August 2017, with the historic Right to Privacy judgment by the Supreme Court, the LGBT community had seen a ray of hope when observations made while making the verdict said that sexual preference is one's private matter and no one can be jailed for the reason. With the Top Court's judgment - privacy declared a fundamental right, the section 377 which criminalises same-sex is the among the various sections which could possibly be struck down.

OneIndia News

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Monday, November 13, 2017, 22:56 [IST]
Gujarat elections: Nitish predicts comfortable victory for BJP

India

oi-PTI

Patna, November 13: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday said the people of Gujarat were likely to be swayed by the sentiment that "they have their own prime minister", predicting a comfortable victory for the BJP in the upcoming Gujarat Assembly polls.

"I do not think there is any danger to the BJP in the Gujarat polls. This is my assessment. Will the people of the state vote against the party when it is likely to be at the back of their minds that they have their own prime minister? We ought to take these sentiments into account," he told reporters on the sidelines of his weekly "Lok Samvad" programme.

The JD(U) chief, however, side-stepped a query on Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi showing a lot of aggression during his poll campaign in Gujarat.

"I have seen him (Gandhi) in action for long. I am not aware of any new aspect that is being pointed out," he said.

The JD(U) has decided to contest the Gujarat Assembly polls on its own and field candidates on a handful of seats.

Kumar, who is the national president of the JD(U), which shares power in Bihar with the BJP, was responding to queries about the Gujarat polls being touted as the "semi-final" to the 2019 Lok Sabha election.

"A situation has arisen where elections are held in some part of the country every year and every such poll is deemed to be a semi-final. This will change only when parliamentary, assembly and civic body polls are held simultaneously, as was the case long time back," he said.

Replying to a query, Kumar said, "I am in favour of simultaneous polls (to Parliament and the state Assemblies).

But that is not possible in the foreseeable future. Over the years, mid-term polls have taken place in many states which has upset the schedule. A state, where the Assembly may not have completed its tenure by the time Lok Sabha polls are announced, is unlikely to agree to such a proposal.

"But this is a matter worth a national debate. The constitutional options must be explored."

The 182-member Gujarat Assembly will go to the polls in two phases -- on December 9 and 14. The counting of votes will be taken up on December 18.

Replying to another query, the JD(U) leader, who again joined hands with the BJP-led NDA in July, after severing ties with the saffron party in June 2013, made it clear that his party's stands on issues such as Ayodhya, Article 370 and a uniform civil code remained unchanged.

"There has been no change in our stance on Ayodhya, Article 370 and a uniform civil code. Even on gauraksha (cow protection), I have had a talk with the prime minister, who agreed with me that strict action, in accordance with the law, should be taken against those who violate it," he said.

Asked about his support to the Patidars' demand for reservation, a potent issue in the Gujarat election, Kumar said, "We have supported all such demands, whether they involved the Jats or the Marathas. My view is that an agrarian crisis lies at the root of such demands being raised by relatively better-off communities. A solution to the problem should be found keeping this backdrop in mind".

On the issue of reservation to women, the JD(U) chief said, "It is a myth that giving reservation to women, before securing a separate quota for the women in the OBC and SC/ST categories, will lead to a lower representation of the women.Our experience in Bihar proves that."

He said,"Even though our then national president, Sharad Yadav, had objections that is why our party had supported the Women's Reservation Bill in the Rajya Sabha."

PTI

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Monday, November 13, 2017, 17:35 [IST]
AIMPLB wants Sharia courts in all districts; BJP says this isn't Islamic Republic of India'

Fact Check: Did this Hindu family from US convert to Islam

The Islamic radicalisation of coastal Karnataka and why we must be concerned

Islamic banking will not be pursued by RBI

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

Recommended Video

India will not adopt Islamic Banking system says RBI | Oneindia News

Islamic banking will not be introduced in India. The RBI decided not to pursue a proposal for Islamic banking in the country.

The decision was taken after considering the wider and equal opportunities available to all citizens to access banking and financial services. This was revealed by the Reserve Bank of India in an RTI reply.

Islamic or Sharia banking is a finance system based on the principles of not charging interest, which is prohibited under Islam.

The issue of introduction of Islamic banking in India was examined by the RBI and the government of India, it said.

"Taking into account, the wider and equal opportunities available to all citizens to access banking and financial services, it has been decided not to pursue the proposal further," the central bank said in its reply to the RTI application filed by a PTI correspondent.

The RBI was asked to provide details of steps being taken for the introduction of Islamic or 'interest-free' banking in India .

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on August 28, 2014 launched Jan Dhan Yojana, a national mission to bring about comprehensive financial inclusion of all the households in the country.

In late 2008, a committee on Financial Sector Reforms, headed by former RBI governor Raghuram Rajan, had stressed on the need for a closer look at the issue of interest-free banking in the country.

"Certain faiths prohibit the use of financial instruments that pay interest. The non-availability of interest-free banking products results in some Indians, including those in the economically disadvantaged strata of society, not being able to access banking products and services due to reasons of faith," the committee had said.

Later, on the instruction of the central government, an inter-departmental group (IDG) set up in the RBI examined the legal, technical and regulatory issues for introducing interest free banking in India and has submitted its report to the government.

The RBI had in February last year sent a copy of the IDG report to the finance ministry and recommended an "Islamic window" in conventional banks for gradual introduction of Sharia-compliant banking.

"In our considered opinion, given the complexities of Islamic finance and various regulatory and supervisory challenges involved in the matter and also due to the fact that Indian banks have no experience in this field, Islamic banking may be introduced in India in a gradual manner.

"Initially, a few simple products which are similar to conventional banking products may be considered for introduction through Islamic window of the conventional banks after necessary notification by the government," it had said in a letter to the ministry.

OneIndia News
2 non-local labourers shot at by terrorist in J&K's Anantnag

FM Nirmala Sitharaman hints at possibility of Centre considering restoration of state status to J&K

In J&K, 14,000 dropouts find their way back to schools

One Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorist gunned down in Jammu and Kashmir

J&K: Two terrorists killed, policeman injured in Handwara

India

oi-Vikas

By Vikas

Two terrorists were killed and a policeman was injured in Jammu and Kashmir's Handwara area. The search operations are currently underway.

The terrorists earlier today attacked a police party in Handwara.

On November 4, one policeman was martyred and another injured after terrorists fired on a police team in south Kashmir's Pulwama district

On November 2, five jawans were injured in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district after a CRPF vehicle was attacked by the terrorists.

On October 10, terrorists had attacked a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) vehicle in Jammu and Kashmir's Sanat Nagar Chowk.

OneIndia News
From using Bhagwad Gita to local rowdies, Christian missionaries are on overdrive mode in Karnataka

Karnataka: Doctors protest against KPME act, CM assures discussion

India

oi-Chennabasaveshwar

By Chennabasaveshwar

Doctors of Private Hospitals Association and Indian Medical Association held a protest against KPME Act in Belgaum on Monday.

The Karnataka government has begun a process to amend Karnataka Private Medical Establishment Act (KPME) to regulate the charges for treatment in private clinics and hospitals. It is alleged that some hospitals were charging exorbitantly.

I will go into fast unto death from tomorrow itself.: Dr Ravindra, IMA Karnataka President on being asked what would he do if the govt passes KPME Act pic.twitter.com/HMxBhy899Q  ANI (@ANI) November 13, 2017

Dr Ravindra, IMA Karnataka President, said, "I will go into fast unto death from tomorrow itself," if the government passed the act, reported ANI.

Out-patient service in private hospitals and clinics across Karnataka were affected on Monday as some 50,000 private doctors went on strike.

The protest was staged on the first day of the 10-day winter session of Karnataka Legislature, which began this morning.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah assured agitating doctors that the State government would hold a round of discussion with them before the controversial the KPME bill is tabled in the winter session of the legislature.

OneIndia News
Vaishno Devi shrine to get Skywalk by Nov

IRCTC Navratri special train to Vaishno Devi: Check dates, fare and other details

Across religions and faiths, Mata Vaishno Devi a blessing for the region

NGT caps number of devotees visiting Vaishno Devi shrine each day to 50,000

India

oi-Chennabasaveshwar

By Chennabasaveshwar

Recommended Video

NGT caps number of devotees to Vaishno Devi shrine at 50,000 each day | Oneindia News

The National Green Tribunal on Monday capped the number of devotees allowed to visit Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir at 50,000 each day.

The court said any more people found proceeding towards the shrine would be stopped either at Ardhkumari or Katra.

All new constructions taking place inside shrine complex are also stayed.

Keeping in view the structural integrity of the cave shrine, the court said the burden of additional pilgrims the cave shrine could be compromised.

The NGT also halted all new constructions taking place inside the shrine complex.

A new path to Vaishno Devi exclusively for pedestrians and battery-operated cars will be opened from November 24, the court said.

(With agency inputs)

OneIndia News
Padmavati row: Allow freedom for filmmakers, Film associations ask Irani, Singh

India

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia

Mumbai, Nov 13: In order to show solidarity to award-winning director Sanjay Leela Bhansali, whose upcoming film, Padmavati, has been mired in controversies, members of several film bodies have come together to demand "freedom for filmmakers" on Monday.

According to reports, the Indian Film and Television Directors' Association (IFTDA) on Monday are planning to make an appeal to Union information and broadcasting minister Smriti Irani and Union home minister Rajnath Singh, on behalf of four other associations, to allow freedom for filmmakers in the wake of the ongoing controversy over Padmavati.

The members of IFTDA, Cine and TV Artists Association (CINTAA), Western India Cinematographers Association (WICA), Screenwriters Association (SWA) and Association of Cine and Television Art Directors and Costume Designers, will also hold a press meet in Mumbai later on Monday.

"Five bodies are coming together to make an appeal for freedom of expression for filmmakers. The industry is shocked and we are hurt that a filmmaker like Bhansali is being heckled and abused. Bhansali symbolises success of our film industry in many ways, and if he can be treated like this and harassed, things are not right," Ashoke Pandit, IFTDA President, told IANS.

He said their appeal is for the ministers to take note of the controversy and uphold the freedom for filmmakers.

"Nobody has seen the film, yet people are making assumptions and attacking and abusing Bhansali. Similar controversy happened around 'Indu Sarkar'. What will we do? We can't make films to suit everyone's ego. If someone doesn't want to watch the film, don't watch it. If someone doesn't want it to release, go to court," Pandit said.

The historical drama is scheduled to release on December 1. The film is hogging the limelight for all the wrong reasons as some Hindu groups and political parties, including the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), claim that the film distorts history and wrongly portrays Rajput queen Padmavati, a contention Bhansali has repeatedly rebuffed.

Even the film's lead actor Shahid Kapoor on Sunday has urged the people to first watch the movie without harbouring any preconceived notions.

Addressing the issue, Shahid, who plays Maharawal Ratan Singh in the film, told reporters, "I've been saying this for a long time. Watch the film and then decide. Give the film a chance and don't form preconceived notions. We have tried to keep everyone's feelings and interests in mind.

"We have tried to make the film as best as we could. We will respect whatever people think of the film but you should see it first."

The period drama features actress Deepika Padukone in the title role of Rani Padmavati, the Rajput queen, and consort of Ratan Singh.

Actor Ranveer Singh will be seen as Alauddin Khilji, the medieval-era Delhi sultan.

OneIndia News
Ryan school murder: Exam phobia led to the murder says juvenile

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

I had exam phobia and wanted it to be postponed at any cost, the juvenile accused of murdering Pradyuman Thakur said. The juvenile or child in conflict said at a counselling session with the members of the juvenile justice board said that the only reason for him to carry out the murder was to ensure that the exams were postponed.

He said that he had purchased a knife from the Sohna market. On September 8 i reached the school and left my school bag in the classroom. I went up to Pradyuman and asked him to accompany me to the washroom on the pretext of seeking a favour. He knew me and hence was easily convinced. At the washroom I slit his throat, the juvenile further told the board members.

Meanwhile the CBI produced the juvenile before Judicial Magistrate First Class Devender Singh on Saturday. As the agency did not seek further extension of custody, the court sent the juvenile to the Faridabad observation home.

OneIndia News

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Monday, November 13, 2017, 7:17 [IST]
'Ram Setu' 1st week box office collection: Here's how much Akshay-starrer earned, so far

SC asks Modi govt to clarify its stand on Ram Setu within 6 weeks

India

oi-Deepika

By Deepika

The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Centre to clear its stand on the Ram Setu case within six weeks.

The apex court gave the government six weeks' time to file an affidavit on their stance.

It also asked the government to file an affidavit on if they want to remove the Ram Setu or protect it.

Also known as Adam's Bridge, Ram Setu runs from Pamban Island near Rameshwaram in south India to Mannar Island off the northern coast of Sri Lanka.

As believed by Hindus, Ram Setu is the bridge built by Lord Ram's army to reach Ravan's Lanka to free his wife Sita from the demon king's captivity.

It is said to be one of the most important religious sites for Hindus as it played a significant role in the Ramayana.

The bridge has been embroiled in controversy since 2005 after the government's Sethusamudram shipping canal project was planned. It required dredging in the region.

A project titled Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project was mooted by the Government of India and a feasibility study ordered in the 1990s.

In 1997, the Government decided to go ahead with the project but only finalised it in 2005. It calculated that successful completion of the project would cut travelling by about 350 nautical miles and will save 10 to 30 hours' sailing time. Plans were also drawn up to develop 13 minor ports in India, and fishing harbours and other infrastructure in both India and Sri Lanka.

The project involves creating an 83-km-long deepwater channel that will link Mannar with Palk Strait by extensive dredging and removal of the limestone shoals that constitute the Ram Sethu.

New Delhi thinks it will bring down shipping costs and add to India's exchequer in the form of transit fees.

The project has been condemned and opposed by a wide spectrum of the Indian people. Religious right wing parties have come down on the plans to destroy something built by Lord Rama.

Matters came to a head in 2007, when the Archaeological Survey of India filed an affidavit before the court that said Ram was a mythical character and Ramayana had no historical basis. The BJP used the affidavit to mount a campaign against the Congress.

OneIndia News
Explained: Can Mukul Roy be disqualified as MLA for jumping from BJP to TMC

TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee serves legal notice to BJP leader Mukul Roy

India

oi-Amitava

By Amitava

On the heels of expelled Trinamool Congress leader Mukul Roy's allegations, TMC Youth leader Abhishek Banerjee has sent a legal notice to Roy demanding an unconditional apology within 48 hours, failing which legal action would be taken against him.

Incidentally, Mukul Roy in his first ever public address as a BJP leader on November 10 had alleged that the "Biswa Bangla" is not a Government enterprise but is owned by Abhishek Banerjee. Along with this Roy also claimed that the "Jago Bangla" newspaper, the mouthpiece of the TMC was also owned by Abhishek Banerjee.

The State Government had immediately refuted the allegations regarding the Biswa Bangla stating that the company, brand and the logo "Biswa Bangla" is solely owned by the Government of West Bengal.

The notice sent to the BJP headquarters in Kolkata stated that Roy should abstain from making and circulating derogatory statements.

The notice stated that the remarks made by Roy in regard to "Biswa Bangla" and "Jago Bangla" are false. The notice demanded an unconditional apology from Roy within 48 hours failing which civil and criminal defamation suits would be filed against Roy.

The notice claimed that the remarks were deliberately made to defame Banerjee. "In the event the aforesaid action as caked upon in the instant letter is not taken, within the period mentioned, our client would be constrained to initiate strong action, both civil and criminal, against you" stated the legal notice sent to Roy.

Roy's counsel reportedly stated that they would counter the same "legally" thereby negating any chance of a "unconditional apology."

Banerjee is a TMC Lok Sabha MP and the nephew of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

On Monday the Youth TMC held a public rally at Rani Rashmoni Avenue, Kolkata, the same venue from where the BJP and Mukul Roy had made the allegations in a similar rally on November 10.

OneIndia News

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Monday, November 13, 2017, 20:38 [IST]
Mamata's party has replaced 'Rule of Law' by 'Rule by TMC law': Rijiju

West Bengal Government contemplating to buy the house where the bard had lived in London

International

oi-Amitava

By Amitava

The West Bengal Government is contemplating to buy the house in North London where Rabindranath Tagore had penned the translation of "Gitanjali."

Tagore had lived at No. 3 Heath Villas in Hampstead Heath in 1912 where he had translated that "Gitanjali" into English.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee who is at present in London had a meeting with Dinesh Patnaik, acting Indian High Commissioner to the UK expressing a desire to buy this private property.

The property is valued at an estimated 2.7 million Pounds. Reports are that the Chief Minister has expressed a desire to buy the house and convert it into a memorial.

The house already has a blue plaque which states "Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941) Indian poet stayed here in 1912."

During her visit to London in July 2015, also Banerjee had expressed desire to buy the house. She had then stated that she had approached the Indian High Commissioner to see if a deal could be worked out with the owners of this private property.

On Sunday Banerjee unveiled the blue plaque at the family home of Sister Nivedita in Wimbledon.

Incidentally, a blue plaque is a permanent sign installed in a public place in the UK and elsewhere to commemorate a link between that location and a famous person or event, serving as a historical marker.

The blue plaque unveiled at 21 High Street, Wimbledon read "Sister Nivedita (Margaret Noble" Educationalist and Campaigner for Indian Independence lived here." It is in this house that Sister Nivedita lived before leaving for India in 1897 answering the call given by Swami Vivekananda.

Banerjee on Sunday attending the unveiling ceremony as the Chief Guest recalled Sister Nivedita's contribution stating that the Sister was dedicated to the cause of India.

The CM highlighted the Sister's role in serving the plague affected people of Bengal in 1899. "We have a College named after Sister Nivedita and have acquired the house in Darjeeling where she had breathed her last in Darjeeling and the house in Kolkata where she used to live and opened a girls school," stated Banerjee.

Acting Indian High Commissioner to the UK said steps have been taken by the Indian High Commission to prepare a map incorporating the important locales and buildings where famous Indian lived in an around London.

"For India, Sister was a dedicated soul, working relentlessly in the service of humanity, education and overall development of women and other sections of society. Her vision and mission continue to be our inspiration and guiding force" added Banerjee.

Banerjee talked of the similarity of heritage properties of London and Kolkata. "Everywhere we have English heritage in Kolkata. It was the capital of British India for a long period" added the CM.

She presented statues of Swami Vivekananda and Sister Nivedita to the Mayor of Merton. The statues will be kept in the History Museum at Wimbledon.

Swami Suhitananda of Ramakrishna Mission talked about the stiff resistance that Sister Niovedita had to overcome in her path to women's empowerment. "However her indomitable spirit saw Sister through" added Swami Suhitananda.

Mamata Banerjee will be attending the India-UK Business Council meeting. She will be inviting investments in Bengal.

OneIndia News
Mutual cooperation in Covid era will strengthen our ties in future: PM Modi at 18th ASEAN-India summit

ASEAN summit: Modi holds bilateral talks with Donald Trump

International

oi-Madhuri

Recommended Video

PM Modi meets US President Donald Trump during 15th ASEAN - India summit, Watch | Oneindia News

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will have a packed schedule in Manila on Monday as he attends the opening ceremony of the 15th ASEAN-India summit and holds bilateral meetings with US President Donald Trump and Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte.

Earlier on Sunday, Modi arrived in the Philippine capital on a three-day visit to attend the ASEAN-India and East Asia summits where he is likely to reassert India's push for crafting a global approach to deal with growing challenge of terrorism and radicalisation besides pitching for steps to boost regional trade.

On the sidelines of the main events, Modi is also likely to have a series of other bilateral meetings with his counterparts of Japan and Australia, Shinzo Abe and Malcolm Turnbull.

Prime minister Modi will also participate in the ASEAN business and investment summit as well as a meeting of leaders of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

The RCEP, comprising 10-member ASEAN bloc and six other countries - India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand - is engaged in negotiations for a free trade pact.

In his maiden visit to the Philippines as the prime minister, Modi will also attend a reception by the Indian community and visit the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and Mahavir Philippines Foundation.

OneIndia News
'Health for all': WHO chief thanks PM Modi amid G20 Summit

India does not think small anymore: PM Modi tells Indians in Bali

What PM Modi said after meeting world leaders at G20 Summit

PM Modi, Xi Jinping greet each other at G-20 dinner in first meet after Galwan clash

PM Modi, US President Biden exchange greetings at Mangrove forest visit in Bali

Bengaluru is No 1 on Indias innovation index, home of technology: PM Modi

PM inaugurates 'Shri Narendra Modi Resilient Rice Field Laboratory' in Philippines

International

oi-Chennabasaveshwar

By Chennabasaveshwar

Recommended Video

PM Modi in Manila inaugurated 'Resilient Rice Field Laboratory' | Oneindia News

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated 'Shri Narendra Modi Resilient Rice Field Laboratory' at Los Banos, in the Philippines.

PM said his visit to International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) was a great learning experience. He said, "Saw the exceptional work IRRI is doing towards mitigating poverty and hunger by improving rice cultivation. Their work benefits many farmers and consumers, particularly in Asia and Africa."

PM saw a detailed exhibition on rice varieties and the impressive work done by IRRI with women farming cooperatives.

IRRI is working towards developing a better quality of rice seed and addressing food scarcity issues. A large number of Indian scientists are working in IRRI and contributing to Research and Development in these areas.

While inaugurating the laboratory at Los Banos, PM Modi also presented two Indian rice seed varieties to the IRRI gene bank.

International Rice Research Institute in Manila PM Narendra modi visits International Rice Research Institute in Manila. IRRI has successfully collaborated with Indian Council for Agricultural Research to introduce drought-tolerant, flood-Mtolerant and salt-tolerant varieties of rice in India. Courtesy: @MEAIndia Dr. Umesh Singh gives an overview of IRRI Indian scientists at IRRI brief PM Modi on benefits of special rice varieties which provide substantial benefits to Indian farmers. Dr. Umesh Singh gave an overview of IRRI South Asian Regional Center in Varanasi. Courtesy: @MEAIndia Dr. Ranjitha Puskur explains transforming agriculture Dr. Ranjitha Puskur explained about the support provided to women for transforming agriculture. IRRI and its partners provided 2, 00, 000 women farmers in Odisha with capacity building programs, stress-tolerant rice varieties and improved agriculture technology. Courtesy: @MEAIndia PM briefed on flood-tolerant rice varieties PM Modi being briefed on flood-tolerant rice varieties which withstand 14-18 days of submergence. Grown by more than 4 mn farmers in India, these varieties provide 1-3 tons more yield per hectare in flood affected areas, which is key to food security and farmers' income.Courtesy: @MEAIndia OneIndia News
Tillerson to warn Myanmar Army over atrocities against Rohingya muslims

International

pti-PTI

Washington, November 13: The United States has been cautiously stepping up pressure Mayanmar's army, while taking care to avoid endangering the civilian government of Aung San Suu Kyi in the face of widespread "atrocities" against ethnic Rohingya people.

As the US takes a more active role in the region -- several American delegations have passed through in recent weeks -- Secretary of State Rex Tillerson plans to travel to Myanmar on Wednesday to meet Suu Kyi, the nation's leader, as well as army chief General Min Aung Hlaing.

Myanmar is the country formerly known as Burma. Tillerson is expected to adopt a firm tone with military leaders there, whom he has deemed "responsible" for the crisis facing the Rohingya, an embattled Muslim minority that has seen more than 600,000 of its members flee to neighboring Bangladesh in two and a half months.

In the name of putting down a supposed Rohingya rebellion, the army has since late August waged a sweeping military campaign in the western state of Rakhine, burning villages and sending thousands into what has become the largest exodus in today's world.

The United Nations has denounced the campaign, including allegations of killings and mass rape, as "ethnic cleansing."

Recently returned from Myanmar and the overflowing refugee camps in Bangladesh, Simon Henshaw, the State Department official responsible for refugee and migration issues, said the scene in the camps was "shocking."

"The scale of the refugee crisis is immense," he said, adding: "The conditions are tough. People are suffering." "Many refugees told us, through tears, accounts of seeing their villages burned, their relatives killed in front of them," Henshaw said.

"The world can't just stand by and be witness to the atrocities that are being reported in that area," Tillerson said last month. But it is unclear what steps the United States might take. Up to now, the State Department has merely strengthened a few punitive measures aimed at Myanmar's army.

The initial condemnations were "important," Sarah Margon of the organization Human Rights Watch told AFP, "but they stopped and there has been very little concrete action since then."

She called for targeted economic sanctions meant to bring an end to "some of the most brutal and horrific atrocities that have been seen in years."

In the absence of more determined action from the White House or State Department, several members of the US Congress are calling for sanctions to limit military cooperation with Myanmar and ban its army members from US soil. A draft bill would also ban the importation of rubies or jade from the country.

"The bill is an important, although belated, first step in pushing the Myanmar military to end the violence in Rakhine state," said Joshua Kurlantzick of the New York-based Council on Foreign Relations.

Now, he said, other parts of the government "should take action as well." The State Department has not ruled out supporting further sanctions.

But the United States has been careful in drawing a line between the military and the civilian government led by the Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.

PTI
Fact Check: PM Modi never told ICC to replay the India-England semi-final game at T20 World Cup

PM Modi meets UK PM Rishi Sunak on the sidelines of G20 summit in Bali

'Health for all': WHO chief thanks PM Modi amid G20 Summit

India does not think small anymore: PM Modi tells Indians in Bali

What PM Modi said after meeting world leaders at G20 Summit

PM Modi, Xi Jinping greet each other at G-20 dinner in first meet after Galwan clash

Trump said lot of good report coming from India': Jaishankar

International

oi-Vikas

By Vikas

Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar on Monday said that the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump lasted for about 45 minutes during which both leaders discussed on a host of issues including terrorism and trade.

Modi and Trump met on the sidelines of the 15th ASEAN-India summit in the Philippines.

"Meeting lasted for about 45 minutes. It started with President Trump saying that there is a lot of good report coming from India, he was talking mainly in economic terms," Jaishankar said while briefing the media in Manila.

"Bilateral was mainly on economic issues, trade and investment was discussed. Thrust of the discussion was how to grow trade & investment..President shared impressions of his Asian visit. Terrorism also came up, particularly in context of the region west of India, all the way till the middle-east," he added.

Earlier on Sunday, Modi arrived in the Philippine capital on a three-day visit to attend the ASEAN-India and East Asia summit.

The RCEP, comprising 10-member ASEAN bloc and six other countries - India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand - is engaged in negotiations for a free trade pact.

In his maiden visit to the Philippines as the prime minister, Modi attended a reception by the Indian community and visited the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and Mahavir Philippines Foundation.

OneIndia News

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Monday, November 13, 2017, 21:09 [IST]
India's stand on Rohingyas gracious so far but housing them would be risky

Why Myanmars strict conditions make Rohingya repatriation difficult

International

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia

Naypyidaw, Nov 13: Will Rohingya refugees, who have recently fled Myanmar to avoid violence and persecution, be ever allowed to go back home?

The question is haunting not only the Rohingyas but the global community at large. After various countries, including India, the United States (US) and China, supported the repatriation of Rohingyas from Bangladesh, Myanmar continues to dilly dally the issue.

At least 622,000 Rohingyas have taken shelter in various refugee camps in Bangladesh since violence broke out in the Rakhine State of Myanmar on August 25. Faced with the daunting task of taking care of so many people with limited resources, Bangladesh has appealed to Myanmar to take back its "citizens".

In a recent meeting between officials of Bangladesh and Myanmar, the latter had agreed to take back at least 150-300 Rohingyas per day provided they have proper documents with them.

However, according to a report published by Kolkata-based Bengali newspaper, Anandabazar Patrika, now Myanmar has put forth four "strict" conditions for the repatriation of Rohingya refugees.

"Those Rohingyas who can provide documented proof of long-term residence in Myanmar, want to return to Rakhine of their own will, can prove that they have relatives on the Myanmar side of the border and (in the case of children) can provide evidence their parents are permanent residents of Myanmar will be allowed to return," the Myanmar government wants the four conditions to be fulfilled for the repatriation of Rohingyas, as per the report of Anandabazar Patrika.

The newspaper has called these conditions "strict" which almost makes it difficult for the repatriation of Rohingyas to their homeland.

The Myanmar government announced the conditions for refugee repatriation during an international conference on India-Myanmar relations in Yangon on Friday.

Several experts feel that the refugees who have left their country in a haste to save themselves from getting killed won't have cared to bring with them so many documents to Bangladesh.

Thus those staying in refugee camps in Bangladesh are unlikely to possess papers to fulfill conditions set by the Myanmar government which makes their return almost impossible.

When asked about why the rules framed by the Myanmar government for the return of Rohingyas "strict", Myanmar's ministry of foreign affairs secretary U Kyaw Zeya stated that "Of course it is mandatory to show some documents such as school registration, medical treatment at hospitals, work documents. Otherwise, it is difficult to take them."

OneIndia News
President Donald Trump during a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman in Riyadh earlier this year

While Trump's been cavorting in Asia this past week distracting the corporate MSM's attention a most ominous development has occurred elsewhere on the international front.

That ominous development has occurred in Saudi Arabia which has the potential to explode into a wider war in the Middle East.

Mohammad bin Salman (MbS), the 32-year-old crown prince to his father the senile 82-year-old King Salman, has initiated a purge against his rivals--a palace coup if you will--within the Saudi hierarchy consolidating his power in the kingdom.

All this occurred after Houthi rebels in Yemen fired a missile north of the Saudi capital Riyadh blaming Iran for supplying the weapon calling it an "act of war" on the part of Iran.

At this time Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri visiting Saudi Arabia at the request of King Salman suddenly announces his retirement on Saudi radio for "acts of aggression" by Lebanon's Shiite Hezbollah for destabilizing the government in Lebanon and threatening his life. Then the Saudi's incongruently blame Hezbollah for "attacking" Saudi Arabia--didn't happen--also calling it "an act of war".

Meanwhile the Saudis having developed a not-so-secret alliance with Israel and according to a video by Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah saying the Saudis are pushing Israel to attack Lebanon. Of note Israel just completed its largest war games in the Mediterranean. Also MbS has told his Saudi citizens in Beirut to leave the country.

From afar Trump threw his support for bin Salman calling his purge a "cleanup against corruption", applauding his "liberalization of women in Saudi Arabia-allowing them to drive a car--while also naming Hezbollah a terrorist organization.

It's hard not to conclude volatility has been ratcheted up with these developments.

As for diplomacy in this situation it's nowhere to be found.

What's unclear to this observer is the role of Putin and Russia in these latest developments. To say the least they've become a major player in Syria. Russia's entry into the Syrian war since September 2015 along with Iran, Hezbollah, Iraq alongside Assad's Syrian Arab army saved the regime of President Assad, helping to rid the country of proxy, mercenary jihadist ISIS and al Qaeda terrorists that have been primarily supported by the US and Saudi Arabia not the regime change in Syria they expected.

Which begs the question--would Russia stand idly by if its Hezbollah ally in Syria is attacked in the air in Lebanon? Russia doesn't announce its military actions beforehand. And Russia would not intervene in Lebanon unless the Lebanese government formally requested their assistance.

What seems assured if Hezbollah positions in Lebanon are attacked in the air by Israel Hezbollah most undoubtedly would fire missiles into Israel. Hamas could/would fire its missiles from Gaza into Israel and a wider conflagration will ensue, possibly with the Israeli IDF invading Lebanon.

Abdul Bari Atwan, the former editor-in-chief of Rai-al-Youm, a London-based pan Arab newspaper, writes, [1] "In a few days or weeks' time... military confrontations... will arise... the start of a Saudi/Iranian military clash with Saudi Arabia sealing all Yemini ground, air and sea outlets under the pretext of closing all the breaches and preventing Iranian missiles from reaching the Houthi's.

"The bombardment of Lebanon... trying to eradicate Hezbollah. They may retaliate by bombarding the Israeli state with thousands of missiles... with the possibility of Iranian and Syrian intervention.

Next Page 1 | 2

(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
On Saturday in Barcelona, hundreds of thousands of protesters demanded release of their jailed representatives.

Background: There is a separatist movement in Catalonia, the Northeastern province of Spain (capital=Barcelona). The central Spanish government has declared the movement illegal and jailed the elected people's representatives to their provincial government.

Eight former members of Catalonia's dissolved Cabinet and two activists are in jail while Spanish authorities investigate their alleged roles in promoting an illegal declaration of independence last month in violation of Spain's Constitution. WaPo article



Rally in Catalonia

(Image by Washington Post) Details DMCA



Video

Deep Background: The machinery of democracy are being undermined, including independent news services, voting mechanics, and structures of government. Unless we take to the streets, we will certainly lose what is left of our democracy. Whether for or against independence, the Catalan people are lighting the way for us.
From Truthdig



(Image by Mr Fish/Truthdig) Details DMCA



The disease of globalized corporate capitalism has the same effects across the planet. It weakens or destroys democratic institutions, making them subservient to corporate and oligarchic power. It forces domestic governments to give up control over their economies, which operate under policies dictated by global corporations, banks, the World Trade Organization and the International Monetary Fund. It casts aside hundreds of millions of workers now classified as "redundant" or "surplus" labor. It disempowers underpaid and unprotected workers, many toiling in global sweatshops, keeping them cowed, anxious and compliant. It financializes the economy, creating predatory global institutions that extract money from individuals, institutions and states through punishing forms of debt peonage. It shuts down genuine debate on corporate-owned media platforms, especially in regard to vast income disparities and social inequality. And the destruction empowers proto-fascist movements and governments.

These proto-fascist forces discredit verifiable fact and history and replace them with myth. They peddle nostalgia for lost glory. They attack the spiritual bankruptcy of the modern, technocratic world. They are xenophobic. They champion the "virtues" of a hyper-masculinity and the warrior cult. They preach regeneration through violence. They rally around demagogues who absolve followers of moral choice and promise strength and protection. They marginalize and destroy all individuals and institutions, including schools, that make possible self-criticism, self-reflection and transcendence and that nurture empathy, especially for the demonized. This is why artists and intellectuals are ridiculed and silenced. This is why dissent is attacked as an act of treason.

These movements are also deeply misogynistic. They disempower girls and women to hand a perverted power to men who feel powerless in the global economy. They blame ethnic and religious minorities for the national decline. They foster bizarre conspiracy theories. And they communicate in the Orwellian newspeak of alternative facts. They claim the sole right to represent and use indigenous patriotic and religious symbols.

India, built on the foundations of caste slavery, has become one of many new neofeudal states, among them Turkey, Poland, Russia and the United States. Its neofeudal structure continues to carry out atrocities against Dalits -- the former "untouchables" -- and now increasingly against Muslims. India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who as the chief minister of the western Indian state of Gujarat oversaw a vicious anti-Muslim pogrom, has defended sectarian discrimination and violence even though this year he made a tepid declaration that "[w]e will not tolerate violence in the name of faith" and issued other unconvincing appeals for religious peace. As prime minister he has employed threats, harassment and force to silence those who decry human rights abuses and atrocities carried out in India. He attacks his critics as "anti-national" -- the equivalent of "unpatriotic" in the United States.

Modi, like his fellow demagogues in other parts of the world, including Donald Trump, speaks in the language of moral purity and promotes self-serving historical myth. Indians who eat beef -- a huge number -- are targeted, school history books are being rewritten to conform to right-wing Hindu ideology and its open admiration for fascism, and entertainers considered too political or too salacious are under attack.

There are within America's corporate power structures individuals, parties and groups that find the hysterical, imbecilic and irrational rants of demagogues such as Trump repugnant. They seek a return to the polished mendacity of politicians such as Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. They hope to promote the interests of global capitalism by maintaining the fiction of a functioning democracy and an open society. These "moderates" or "liberals," however, are also the architects of the global corporate pillage. They created the political vacuum that the demagogues and proto-fascist movements have filled. They blind themselves to their own complicity. They embrace their own myths -- such as the belief that former FBI Director James Comey and the Russians were responsible for the election of Trump -- to avoid examining the social inequality that is behind the global crisis and their defeat.

The 400 richest individuals in the United States have more wealth than the bottom 64 percent of the population, and the three richest Americans have more wealth than the bottom 50 percent of the U.S. population. This social inequality will only get worse as the weak controls that once regulated the economy and the tax code are abolished or rewritten to further increase the concentration of wealth among the ruling oligarchs. Social inequality at this level, history has shown, always results in these types of pathologies and political distortions. It also, potentially, presages revolution.

The short-term political and economic gains made by the Democratic Party and liberal class in the last few decades came at the expense of the working class. The liberal class, because of its complicity in globalization, has destroyed its credibility as well as the credibility of the "liberal" democratic values it claims to represent. Enraged workers, lied to for decades by "liberal" politicians such as Bill and Hillary Clinton and Obama, delight in Trump's crude taunts and insults directed at the power structure and elites they loath. Many Americans are perhaps aware that Trump is a con artist, but he at least appears to share their disdain for the "liberal" elites who abandoned them.

It will eventually become apparent to some, perhaps many, of Trump's supporters that he is cravenly in the service of the 1 percent and has turbocharged the corporate kleptocracy. The Democratic Party, busy purging Bernie Sanders supporters from its ranks, is banking on this epiphany to revive its political fortunes. The Democratic leadership has no real political strategy, other than to hope that Trump implodes. They are backing and funding opposition movements such as Indivisible and the women's marches, as well as the witch hunt about Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, all of which have as their sole focus removing Trump and restoring the Democratic Party to power. This form of resistance is sterile and useless.

But there are other resistance movements -- the most prominent being the battle by the water protectors at Standing Rock to block the Dakota Access pipeline -- that attack the disease. It is easy to tell the resistance from the faux resistance by the response of the state. During the women's marches, Democrats, including Debbie Wasserman Schultz, were honored participants. The police were usually courteous and helped facilitate the marches; arrests were few and coverage by the corporate press was sympathetic.

In contrast, during the long encampment at Standing Rock, which took place under the Obama administration, the nonviolent resisters were physically attacked by police, the National Guard and private security contractors. These forces used dogs, pepper spray, water cannons in subzero temperatures, sound machines, drones, armored vehicles and hundreds of arrests in their efforts to destroy the resistance.

Attack the symptoms and the state will be passive. Attack the disease and the state will be ruthless.

Once Trump's base begins to abandon him -- the repression in Turkey under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is a good example of what will happen -- the political landscape will turn very ugly. Trump and his allies, in a desperate bid to cling to power, will openly stoke hate crimes and violence against Muslims, undocumented workers, African-Americans, progressives, intellectuals, feminists and dissidents. He and his allies on the "alt-right" and the Christian right will move to silence all organs of dissent, including corporate media outlets fighting to restore the patina of civility that is the window dressing to corporate pillage. They will harness the power of the nation's substantial internal security apparatus to crush public protests and to jail opponents, even those who are part of the faux resistance.

Time is not on our side. If we can build counter-capitalist movements that include the working class we have a chance. If we can, like the water protectors at Standing Rock, mount sustained acts of defiance in the face of severe state repression, we have a chance. If we can organize nationwide campaigns of non-cooperation we have a chance. We cannot be distracted by the symptoms. We must cure the disease.
Dear Editor! I would like to offer you my new article. Adomas

A NATO defense ministers' meeting that took place in Brussels on November 8-9 resulted in the new and very important decisions for the future of Europe.

Speaking at the meeting, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said it is vital that European roads, ports, bridges and rail networks are able to carry tanks and heavy military equipment. Stoltenberg also added that NATO countries have agreed to cooperate to improve civil-infrastructure objects to make them usable for military needs. What does it mean in practice for Europe in general and for the Baltic States in particular?

Lithuanian authorities, for example, will for sure try to attract NATO attention to the capabilities of its largest sea port - Klaip--da. As it is well known, that Klaip--da is one of the few ice-free ports in northernmost Europe, and the largest in Lithuania. It serves as a port of call for cruise ships as well as freight transport. The port was always an important gateway of trade between East and West. But times have changed. The gateway is open now only for the West. The East day by day refuses services because EU economic sanctions against Russia that Lithuania actively supports have caused Moscow response - redirection of its traffic to other ports.

The more so Russian Ministry of Transport has declared that the redirection of Belarusian oil products from the Baltic ports to Russian ones will begin already in 2017.

Lithuanian government has to seek new partners to raise money in order to support Klaip--da port experiencing difficulties due to loss of Russian and Belarus transit.

Lithuanian government supposed to propose NATO the more active use of its largest port for NATO military purposes. Evidently that is the easiest way to cope with the economic problems by means of somebody else. As usual the authorities do not think about the consequences of such steps. The Baltic States have firmly established themselves as the most begging countries in Europe. An every new step in their foreign policy worsens image of States as the independent units on the international arena. The more so they continue to teases a Russian bear that will see in Klaip--da's militarization the serious threat to its security.

The image of main potential victim of Russia doesn't make Lithuania stronger in the eyes of large political players and the time will come when nobody will take Lithuania as a self-sufficient partner. Making Klaip--da a military port Lithuania puts an end to any possibility to return Russian and Belarus goods to the port.

NATO promises new roads, bridges, new railway networks, airports and sea ports but do not warn about new wave of misunderstanding and increasing security risks in the region.
From Paul Craig Roberts Website

In recent columns posted on my website, I brought attention to two dramatic and dangerous developments between the two major nuclear powers.

One was the public statement of the deputy commander of the Russian military's Operation Command at a recent Moscow security conference. Lt. Gen. Viktor Poznihir, Deputy Chief of the Main Operations Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces, stated at the Moscow International Security Conference that the Operations Command of the Russian General Staff has concluded that Washington is preparing a nuclear first strike on Russia.

The other is the report that the US is collecting Russian DNA for the US Air Force weapons laboratory, the implication being that the US intends to research if a bio-weapon can be created that only targets Russians.

As far as I can ascertain, neither of these startling developments were reported in the US media. One would think that the White House would have been on the telephone to Putin giving reassurances that the US is not planning a surprise nuclear attack on Russia. One would think that the publication of US contracts for Russian DNA and Putin's public statement about it would have immediately resulted in President Trump ordering a halt to the Russian DNA project.

But not a peep.

Instead, the morons ruling us are content to send two back-to-back messages to Russia that we intend to wipe out Russia.

Can you imagine anything more reckless and irresponsible than to convince a nuclear power that you have targeted them for destruction?

Where are the American and European media? The presstitutes are busy at work repeating endlessly the military/security complex and DNC's lies about "Russiagate." Alternatively, the presstitutes are focused on what the NFL's national anthem policy will be.

We are experiencing the total failure of the leadership of a country.

While threatening Russia, the military/security complex and the presstitutes are simultaneously creating an ominous Russophobia among the US and European populations.

President Trump said after his recent unofficial meeting with President Putin that he believed Putin that there was no Russian government interference in the US election. This set off a cacophony of denunciations by presstitutes, dumbshit politicians, and corrupt military/security officials. See Stephen Lendman here.

Recently I pointed out that these highly visible threats to Russians are mindless considering the military inferiority of the United States. The Saker concluded that I was correct in my assessment.

The Saker has now provided considerable detail documenting Russian military superiority. If the morons in Washington persist in their insane aggression against Russia, the US will completely disappear from the face of the earth and likely also its dumbshit European vassals. Here is The Saker's presentation.

Meanwhile, the effort to keep Americans and Europeans totally ignorant of everything that is really happening, substituting Washington's controlled explanations for actual reality, continues. For telling the truth, the news service RT has been forced to register as a "foreign agent" under the Foreign Agents Registration Act.

Next Page 1 | 2

(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
Progressive Content Not Found

Sometimes, authors delete their progressive content after publishing.



To see if the progressive content was renamed or re-published, please click here.
It's hard to be objective about Roy Moore. Ever since his days as circuit judge of Etowah County, Alabama, he's been a hero to religious conservatives and the bane of civil libertarians. The former powered his two elections to the office of Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court, on his promise to "return God to our public life and restore the moral foundation of our law." The latter effected his two removals from that office over his insistence that his religious beliefs trump the law (including the US Constitution).

That Moore is one of America's most controversial political figures shouldn't distract us from the most obvious and important question concerning the latest controversy: Did he, as alleged in a Washington Postexpose, engage in sexual activities with a 14-year-old girl (and other minors) while he was a thirty-something prosecutor?

Moore's enemies and the Democratic Party want it to be true. They weren't able to beat him at the ballot box in either of his two runs for Chief Justice, or in this year's Republican primary for US Senate. And removing a US Senator is harder than beating him in an election before he becomes one.

Moore's supporters want it to be false -- not just because election results depend on it, but because no one likes to learn he or she was conned by a supposed moral exemplar.

The Republican Party NEEDS the allegations to be false. Unless they collapse in a spectacular manner, the GOP loses. They lose a Senate seat if Moore loses the election. If he wins it, the party's Senate majority is faced with the choice of seating him and thereby publicly owning his alleged sins, or refusing to seat him and facing the ire of his supporters. If the allegations stand up at all, that thin Republican Senate majority is in danger next November either way.

The most sickening aspect of this whole thing is that some of Moore's supporters tell us the truth doesn't matter -- that it was a long time ago, that he isn't accused of forcibly raping anyone, and that hey, the Virgin Mary was young too, so no biggie. That dog won't hunt.

I personally loathe Roy Moore, and don't hold with a "presumption of innocence until the charges are proven beyond a reasonable doubt" standard when it comes to personal reputation. Public opinion is not a criminal court proceeding. My personal biases push me toward believing Moore's accusers.

On the other hand, the timing is suspspect. Why are we only now hearing things that, if true, would have sent him home in disgrace, possibly even to prison, at previous points during his long career?

That it took a personal scandal to slow Moore's advance toward Capitol Hill is the real embarrassment here. Roy Moore should not be elected to the US Senate because he opposes the values the United States is supposedly founded upon. Hopefully Alabama voters will make the election about that and write in Libertarian candidate Ron Bishop.
Article submitted with editing by Franklin Lamb, Oxford, UK.

Preface: Franklin Lamb has conducted research on Libya's archeological treasures and politics over the past more than two decades of many visits to the country. During the 2011 uprising, Lamb was in Libya and filed more than two dozen Reports all of which are available on OpEdNews (see author's page ).

In late 2011 Lamb repeatedly defended Saif Al Islam as well as both of their alma mater, the London School of Economics (LSE), relative to Saif's defense of his Doctoral Thesis in front of the stern and frankly a bit intimidating Professor Lord Meghnad Desai and other LSE faculty. A suggestion cropped up in some social media which insinuated that there might have been some sort of malfeasance during the hours-long oral examination.

Lamb's refutation of the insinuations was that during his own defense of his PhD thesis at the LSE, there was no way that the examiners would cut corners and risk their academic standing, as well as that of the London School of Economies. Lamb noted: "I nervously defended my thesis on the subject of Pollution as a problem of International Law in front of a six-member inquisition, who cut me no slack. I am very sure that they did not for Saif either."

Meanwhile, Lamb is urging Saif and his sister Aisha, a lawyer and former UN Goodwill Ambassador, to help heal their great country and work for Libya's future by entering politics, given that their popular and tribal support is rising dramatically.

The purpose of the following communication by Saif Al Islam, edited by Franklin Lamb, is to pinpoint for the global public some of the events that the Libyan people were subjected to over the past six years, during which few doubt that horrendous crimes were committed against the Libyan people. Crimes committed under the banner of an International Responsibility to Protect (R2P), and offered as a purely humanitarian intervention for the protection of civilians, and to introduce democracy and prosperity across Libya. Tragically the result was the obverse.

NATO forces, in collaboration with some Arab regimes and a few thousand Libyans, attacked the people of Libya, with the majority of the weapons in their arsenal. The R2P 'humanitarian rationale' dictated to the international community was as misguided as the invasion of Iraq in 2003, and was nothing less than a systematic destruction of a sovereign nation, peaceful people and culture, including much destruction of Libya's archeological history, which we are witnessing again today in Syria.

The brief memorandum below documents some of these crimes and calls on the international community, human rights organizations and NGOs to support Libya and her people during this tragic period and assist to rebuild this small but unique country.

Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
The US, EU countries, and Israel are terrorist in the eyes of the Islamist President of Turkey and Ayatollah of Iran. But the Turkish media like to repeat this statement below in every news or article for the readers to read in the hope they will dislike PKK Kurdish forces: 'The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, Israel, the European Union, and the United States.'

If the US, EU countries, and Israel are terrorist, how they can call PKK terrorist? It is only to help ease the Turkish madness toward themselves. It works; they are selling weapons to Turks to kill civilians and accepting Turkish explanation that 'Everyone Is a Terrorist' who wants freedom and peace from Turkish murderers.

Turkish army lost the war to PKK Kurdish forces on Zagros Mountain range from the Black Sea to Northern Iran-Iraq border and now President Erdogan's son-in-laws are manufacturing bomb-laden drone to be used against the PKK forces instead of using Turkish armed forces.

Turkish President Erdogan and his family must be ready to take revenge from PKK forces for the generation to come. PKK could use the bomb-laden drone to kill President Erdogan and his family members too. The rule of war is you kill others, then you should be ready to be killed by others too. You can not be protected anymore like before.

PKK is an organization that will take revenge. Anyone dares to kill PKK members, they should be prepared to be killed by the PKK forces. PKK members are working together as family members. And now they have the technology to use bomb-laden drones too.

Turkish President Erdogan is thinking that he will get away with murder. He hopes to stay in power for many generations to come. But bomb-laden drones can do the job anytime. They do not need to wait for the generation to come. You can fly the bomb-laden drone in the Ankara-Turkey too.

The world is changing rapidly; no one is secure anymore. The rapid technology development can help or harm people.

Indeed, PKK has every right to use any means for self-defense.

References

In Erdogan's Turkey, Everyone Is a Terrorist

click here

Erdogan: The US is 'sheltering a terrorist'

click here

Erdogan questions why U.S. has armed Syrian Kurdish 'terrorists,' disputes claims of dictatorship

click here

Next Page 1 | 2

(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
Prime Minister Binali Yildirim Saturday (November 11) denied Turkey's involvement in an alleged plot involving former U.S security adviser Michael Flynn to kidnap U.S.-based controversial cleric Fetullah Gulen, allegedly behind last year's coup attempt to overthrow President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Extraditing Gulen is a major priority for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

In an interview with CNN television host Fareed Zakaria, Yildirim said Turkey was expecting the White House to extradite Gulen. However, "we see that there is no signal [through] which extradition will occur," said Yildirim.

When asked if Flynn had given any assurances to Turkey, Yildirim said: "No, we are not dealing with Michael Flynn, we are dealing with the government of United States."

The Wall Street Journal reported Friday, special counsel Robert Mueller is investigating Michael Flynn and his son's alleged plan to forcibly remove Gulen from the United States and deliver him to Turkey.

Flynn, who is President Trump's former national-security adviser, and his son Michael Flynn Jr. were allegedly were involved in a plan to deliver Fethullah Gulen to the Turkish government, which views Gulen as a political enemy and has pressed the U.S. for his extradition, the Journal reported. In exchange, Flynn and Flynn Jr. would be paid as much as $15 million.

Flynn -- who was forced out of his White House job this year after revelations that he had misled officials about his conversations with the Russian ambassador -- reportedly discussed the plan with Turkish government representatives last December. The meeting caught the attention of FBI, who have questioned at least four people about it.

The Journal quoted one person who spoke to the FBI as saying that the alleged discussions included transporting Pennsylvania-based Gulen on a private jet to the Turkish prison island Imrali. Turkish officials, according to the Journal, first raised the possibility of removing Gulen from the country by force in an earlier meeting that took place in September.

Flynn had publicly supported Gulen's extradition in an op-ed published on The Hill -- a U.S. political website -- on November 8, the U.S. presidential election day, according to Zakaria.

Yildirim said the Turkish justice minister was in contact with his U.S. counterpart regarding Turkey's extradition request. "They were in communication. They are still in communication to provide some progress on that matter."

He compared the defeated coup attempt in Turkey to the September 11 attacks in New York, adding that Turkey was the first country to offer help and send its army to Afghanistan to fight the U.S. war on terror.

"We didn't ask who was behind this. The United States said this is Al-Qaeda behind of this attack and Al-Qaeda is responsible. Nobody asked the United States is there any evidence that Al-Qaeda did so," he said.

Flynn's top attorney in a statement, on November 10, called the allegations "outrageous" and "false".

Flynn, who only lasted 24 days as Trump's national-security adviser, has been a key figure in Mueller's Russia investigation.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accused FETO and its leader Gulen plotting the July 15, 2016 attempted coup, which left 250 people killed and nearly 2,200 injured.

Turkish-US relations

Next Page 1 | 2 | 3

(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
With Approval Voting (AV), a voter is presented with a list of all of the candidates and asked to mark which of the candidates the voter approves of for the office in question. This might appear to be a positive voting system as defined in an earlier article, Neither Positive nor Negative but Balanced Voting, because a voter can only vote explicitly for each specific candidate. But on the other hand, some people (it will be convenient to call them AP-partisans) will claim that it is a balanced system because of the technical point that one can vote against a specific candidate by specifying approval for all of the other candidates.

This might seem to be an extreme example of strategic voting, insisting that the voter vote a prescribed way for all of the other candidates (no matter what the voter's feelings about those other candidates) in order to make clear the voter's feelings about that one specific candidate. Strategic voting strikes many voters as dishonesty and voting system that it leads voters to resort to strategic voting would at least seem not to provide voters with adequate ability to express their feelings explicitly and directly.

The apparent conflict described above was resolved, at least technically, in the earlier article, Approval Voting and Confusing Language, by carefully explaining the meaning of balanced voting. I don't mean to imply any ownership of the word "balanced," but I do need to make it clear that different people may use the term in other ways.

You may recall that in the earlier article, What Might be the Best Voting System? Balanced Approval Voting (BAV) was introduced as the balanced form of AV. With this voting system, a voter has the option, for each candidate, to specify approval or disapproval or to remain neutral on that specific candidate by expressing neither approval nor disapproval. AV, by way of comparison, allows the voter only the opportunity for each candidate to specify approval or not to specify approval (effectively remain neutral with respect to that candidate.



Free vector graphic: Horizontal, Balance, T, Weigh Out - Free ...678 -- 720 - 60k - png

(Image by pixabay.com) Details DMCA



AV-partisans like to consider AV to be balanced, but their notion of balance is weaker than the way I have used the term. They prefer the weaker version despite the facts that it reduces the voter's freedom of expression and it encourages strategic voting. They feel that AV is just as good as BAV, because (by their definition) AV is already balanced.

Perhaps a good way to see how these two notions of balance differ will become apparent by exploring an example election played out using the two different voting systems. Let's consider an election between three candidates, A, B and C. Let us suppose that A is a very polarizing candidate who is strongly supported by 51% of the voters but who is intensely opposed by the 49% of the other voters. Candidate B on the other hand is not particularly disliked by anyone but is strongly supported by 40% of the voters (all of whom are among the 49% who oppose A). C has the support of only 6% of the voters but is opposed by 4%. In terms of net favorability, both A and C have 2% favorability while B has 40% net favorability. BAV directly measures net favorability and so B would be the clear winner with BAV.

However, in an AV election (without any strategic voting), A would receive 51% approval, B would receive 40% and C would receive 6%, making A the clear winner rather than B. But we have to consider that B voters might decide to vote strategically against A rather than for B. The only way they can do that is to vote approval for both B and C rather than just for B. But this serves only to increase the approval rating for C, perhaps by as much as 40%. In this case C would becom the winner with 55% approval.

Supporters of A or B together make up 91% of the voters. The remaining 9% could perhaps, for some reason, all decide to strategically cast votes for B but this would increase B's approval rating to at most 49% against A's 51% and C's 55%. Despite the fact that B has the greates net approval, there is no way that B could win under AV. Recall, however, that B would win under BAV.

I leave it to you to decide whether net approval is a good basis for choosing who to collect. But for myself, it seems about as good a criterion as any I can think of.
From Our Future

The concentrated wealth of the global plutocracy is the dark matter of the world economy: it is rarely glimpsed and difficult to measure, yet it reshapes everything around it.

Two recent reports -- the UBS/PwC report on the "new Gilded Age" of the international billionaire class, and the "Paradise Papers" released by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) reveal ways corporations and the ultra-wealthy avoid taxes. In doing so, they offer a glimpse into this darkness.

Together, these releases tell us a lot about the wealthy few who run the world.

We now know that the British royal family has been less than open with the people they rule, who preserve their dubious privilege to monarchy. And we have learned that, by investing in a Lithuanian shopping center as an end run around taxes, U2's Bono may have finally found what he's looking for.

But these reports also help us see how much we still don't know about the powerful few. In an era when, according to the Institute for Policy Studies, only three Americans -- Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, and Warren Buffett -- own more wealth than half of our entire population, we need to do more to understand -- and confront -- the super-concentration of resources.

The Swiss bank UBS and the American accounting firm PriceWaterhouseCoopers weren't looking to write an expose' when they prepared their annual "Billionaires Insights" report for 2017. On the contrary. So-called "very high net worth individuals" are the financial industry's most sought-after clients. The report is entitled, without any apparent irony, "New value creators gain momentum."

And gain momentum these billionaires did. As the report notes, "Globally, the total wealth of billionaires rose by +17% in 2016, up from USD $5.1 trillion to USD6.0 trillion."

Did your net worth grow by 17 percent last year? Unless you're one of the world's 1,542 billionaires, chances are it didn't.

In the United States, wealth for most households grew at a much slower rate, while racial disparities in wealth persist in middle-class households.

Analyses from economists Thomas Piketty, Emmanuel Saez, and Gabriel Zucman show a dramatic gain in income for the very wealthy -- and no one else -- in recent decades. In a useful explainer, David Leonhardt of the New York Times concluded:

"Yes, the upper-middle class has done better than the middle class or the poor, but the huge gaps are between the super-rich and everyone else. The basic problem is that most families used to receive something approaching their fair share of economic growth, and they don't anymore."

Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve reports that millions of Americans continue to struggle -- 30 percent of adults, roughly 73 million people, are finding it difficult to make ends meet or are barely getting by. Just under one fourth of all adults said they could not pay all their bills for the current month. 44 percent said they could not cover an emergency expense of $400, and one fourth of all adults reported that they had to forgo medical treatment during the past year because of the cost.

As of last report, America's 10 wealthiest men -- they are all men -- are collectively worth more than $633 billion. The combined wealth of these 10 men has risen by nearly $116 billion since the start of this year alone.

The explosive growth of billionaire wealth, at a time when the middle class is dying and millions of Americans are struggling, has implications for democracy as well as the economy.

The work of political scientists Martin Gilens and Benjamin Page has shown that the preferences of the majority have very little effect on government policy, while the political wishes of the wealthy few are far more likely to become reality.

Next Page 1 | 2 | 3

(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
The Goddard School's Dynamic Learning Through Play Curriculum Grows Presence in Columbus Goddard Systems, Inc. (GSI), the franchisor of The Goddard School preschool system, announces its latest school in Gahanna, OH is open. Located at 5515 Morse Road, the new school is operated by husband and wife franchisees, Ryan and Catherine Park.



Ryan, a veteran of the auto industry, and Catherine, a retail operations specialist, discovered The Goddard School through family members who own two locations in the Columbus area. Ryan and Catherine also experienced firsthand the positive impact that The Goddard School made on their daughter successes in and outside of the classroom. Coupled with their love for working with children and families, the Parks knew that this was the only franchise business they were interested in pursuing.



The Goddard School preschool system prides itself on its unique dual-management system, a distinguisher in the early childhood education industry. Franchise owners are onsite at each location and work alongside an educational director, whose focus is to communicate and work with teachers, as well as to implement The Goddard School curriculum. This system ensures a hands-on, community-focused approach when it comes to early childhood education. With each school opening, The Goddard School also has a local economic impact, creating an average of 20 to 25 jobs within the community.



The Goddard Schools play-based approach, called Fun, Learning Experience (or F.L.EX.), is grounded in research on how children learn best: children experience the deepest, most genuine learning when they are having fun.



At The Goddard School, the focus is on building each childs emotional, academic, social, creative and physical skills to provide a well-rounded experience and ensure each one becomes confident, joyful and fully prepared in school and in life.



With nearly 30 years of experience in early childhood education, The Goddard Schools unique dual-management system creates lasting community bonds as owners are on-site at the Schools to provide support to the communities they serve, said Joe Schumacher, Chief Executive Officer of Goddard Systems, Inc. One area that truly sets us apart from other childcare systems is our philosophy based on learning through play, designed to teach and reinforce 21st century skills, including social behaviors such as communication, critical thinking, creativity and collaboration. This philosophy fosters a lifelong love of learning and creates meaningful connections at an early age.

Jobs relating to STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) are currently the fastest growing segment of the U.S. economy, and a focus on developing 21st century skills such as creativity and innovation, as well as the abilities to collaborate, communicate and think critically, is expected to increase over time. By introducing 21st century skill concepts early on, children develop a strong foundation and a passion for STEAM at the very beginning of their education.

Catherine and I have both experienced the importance of early childhood education and care with our daughter. We would like parents to feel the same trust and peace of mind that we felt at The Goddard School, said Ryan Park. Our daughters enjoyment for school is something all children should share, and we look forward to becoming the best early childhood education program in the Gahanna community.

The Goddard School located in Gahanna, OH can be found at 5515 Morse Road, Gahanna, OH 43230. Please call 614-982-0200 or email Gahanna2OH@goddardschools.com. For general information and franchising opportunities, please visit www.goddardschoolfranchise.com .



ABOUT THE GODDARD SCHOOL FRANCHISE

The Goddard School Franchise, franchisor of The Goddard School preschools, is consistently named one of the top childcare franchises in the United States by Entrepreneur magazine, and one of the Top 200 Franchise Systems (in worldwide sales) by Franchise Times. Headquartered in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, The Goddard School franchise currently licenses more than 460 franchised Schools with more than 65,000 students in 37 states. The Goddard School's AdvancED- and Middle States-accredited F.L.EX. Learning Program (Fun Learning Experience), a comprehensive play-based curriculum developed with early childhood education experts, provides the best childhood preparation for social and academic success. With a proven system in place and a strong network of dedicated franchisees, The Goddard School Franchise is the acknowledged leader in franchised childcare and a premier educational childcare provider. For more information, visit www.goddardschoolfranchise.com



Konnect Agency

Emily Johnston

ejohnston@konnectagency.com

888 S. Figueroa Street, Ste 1000

Los Angeles, CA 90017



This release was published on openPR.



Permanent link to this press release: Copy Please set a link in the press area of your homepage to this press release on openPR. openPR disclaims liability for any content contained in this release.
Sell on Best Buy Canada using CedCommerce plugin for Magento

https://cedcommerce.com/magento-extensions/bestbuy-canada-magento-integration

https://cedcommerce.com/magento-2-extensions/bestbuy-canada-magento-2-integration

https://cedcommerce.com/marketplace-integration/bestbuy-integration

https://cedcommerce.com/magento-extensions/bestbuy-magento-integration/

https://cedcommerce.com/magento-2-extensions/bestbuy-magento-2-integration/

Portland, Oregon  (November 9, 2017)  Enabling online sellers to maximize their sales channels this festive season, CedCommerce, this time launched Magento-based plugin enabling online sellers to offer their products at Best Buy Canada.Among the most popular marketplaces of Canada, Best Buy has 99% brand awareness and 18 million customers visit the marketplace each month making it an ideal destination for sellers based out of Canada to list their products at.The core category of the best buy marketplace is consumer electronics however, it oversees substantial traffic for Baby, luggage, jewelry, and furniture.Features and Specifications:Like its predecessors, Best Buy Canada integration plugins automates nearly all the selling operations. Some of the critical operations include -1. Bulk Uploading of products2. Near-Real-Time Synchronization of data between BestBuy and Magento store3. Auto Accept orders so as to prevent any penalty in case of delay in accepting orders4. Error notifications to notify the data inconsistencies according to Best Buy guidelines.The Best Buy Magento Integration is compatible with Magento 1.7, 1.8, 1.9 and 2.0, 2.1, 2.2 & above.Pricing and Availability:The Best Buy Canada Marketplaces integration plugin is available at Cedcommerce website and can be downloaded from their respective product pages -For Magento 1 ->For Magento 2 ->Each of the extension is available at a one-time payment of $499.About Best Buy Canada:First opened in fall of 2002, Best Buy is one Canada's largest retailer operating best buy canda, best buy mobile, geeksquad.com. Over 18 million customers bestbuy.ca each month and is recognized by Canada Post in 2014 as the best Omni-Channel Integration in 2014.About CedCommerce:Established in 2010, CedCommerce is an e-commerce web development agency which has to date enabled 3500+ sellers to sell across 40+ marketplaces and is the Official Channel Partner of Walmart, Newegg, Sears, Fruugo, and Tophatter.Links -Started in 2010, the company has been involved in over 1000 ventures of customizing solutions to address all the unique needs. Fuelled by its rich experience, the company has developed highly popular JET SHOPIFY INTEGRATION APP being used by 500+ sellers across the United States of America. And recently, it became the Official Channel Integration Partner of Walmart, Sears, and Newegg. The company offers all the products that make selling easier on e-commerce.CedCommerce Inc, 1812 N Columbia Blvd, Suite C15-653026, Portland, Oregon, 97217, USA
Ozfoodhunter gives best food delivery service

https://ozfoodhunter.com.au/

Ozfoodhunter is an online food ordering company in all over Australia. With approximately 2000+ great local restaurants available online food delivery or on the app, ozfoodhunter has the most complete restaurant network for food takeaway and delivery ordering in the Australia. Ozfoodhunter.com.au offers fast food delivery right to your door. Whether you want food delivery or Takeaway in any state across Australia, you can order online for speedy delivery and Takeaway. When you find what you're looking for, you can place your food online, free of charge. Oh, and we also give you access to coupons, special deals ,reviews and a 24/7 customer care team that tracks each order and makes sure you get exactly what you want. You can have the tasty and delicious food on its way!Whats the thing we have to do 3 times in a day? Mm dont think much its a simple answer eating, to eat we have to cook, to cook we should know how to cook, if notif notttt.. Simply order from online food delivery or on the app. The simple and easy way to order food online, you can choose from wide range of multi cuisine restaurants nearby you with customer access to coupons, special deals ,reviews and a 24/7 customer care team that tracks each order which are helpful for you in choosing a best restaurant. 2000+ restaurants has been listed in the online or App.Each restaurant consists of its own updated menu with price & images of the food which they serve, if you are in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or anywhere all across the Australia we show the restaurants nearby you by tracking your geographical positioning system, also you can place orders for your loved ones in other different locations.We make your payments secure, you can pay with PayPal, credit card, debit card or by cash. In case of any cancellation we refund your money in no time. Share your food experience online by rating and reviewing your order. We would love to hear from you, let us know your thoughts and suggestions.To find out more, head to ozfoodhunter.com.au or download the mobile app & get $5 off on your order & also earn 50 for referral from the App Store or Google Play.Food delivery and Takeaway in Australia, Order food online from accurate choice of local restaurants, pay online or cash get delivery & takeaway with 10% off.OZFOODHUNTER5/63 Jackson streetHamilton, Brisbane -4007AustraliaWebsite:Email: contact@ozfoodhunter.com.au
Tech India Infotech | Website Designing Company

www.techindiainfotech.com

Tech India Infotech, A professional website designing company based in Delhi has been ranked on search engine on best web designing company in Delhi. Tech India Infotech always focused on the implementation of latest trends in web designing features, such as dynamic designing, mobile responsiveness in its quest to provide unmatchable web experience to the users.Usage of Internet has skyrocketed over the last two years and India is one of the highest yearly growth rates of internet usage. That is the reason many businesses are approaching web designing agencies, in order to sell their products or services online and increase their reach. The Indian government took the revolutionary initiative to digitalization of the entire trade and commerce across the country.As per the change of customer behavior buying products offline to online many businesses are starting E-commerce platforms to sell their product and services. Tech India Infotech as a professional website designing company in Delhi based provides the customized solution for every online marketing business.As per Mr. Puneet Parmar, Founder TechIndia Infotech,  51 % of the population worldwide is using the Internet. In this digital age, you cant expect your business to be successful without a website. We understand the importance of a website. Our company experience with website designing and development and proficiency in providing seamless UI/UX.About Tech India Infotech:TechIndia Infotech is a leading Website Designing, Web Development and Digital Marketing Company that offers specialized Web services, along with SEO, PPC, and Social Media Marketing Services.The company comprises of the founder - Puneet Parmar along with a dedicated team of Web Designers, Web Developers, Digital Marketing and others. They provide real-time market information to their clients, in-depth market research, seasoned analytics services, an expertise in web development services, unparalleled quality in the services provided, and more.For more information on the services of Tech India Infotech and the services offered, visit their official websiteTech India Infotech is a leading name in the field of website designing, web development and Digital marketing services by offering a wide range of web programming services that include custom web design, Corporate website, Dynamic website, E-commerce website, Website Redesigning etc. The team of Tech India Infotech has an extensive experience in web designing and development. Contact us for complete web solution services.Company Address : Tech India Infotech.Plot No. 70, 2nd Floor, Sai Enclave,Near by PF Office, Sec- 23 DwarkaNear Dwarka Sec 9 Metro Station,New Delhi - 110077.Contact no- 098998 60656Mail to: info@techindiainfotech.com
Nov 13, 2017: Veterinary Thermography Market Forecast 2023 FLIR Systems, Vet-Therm, SPI Corp, Digatherm

Veterinary Thermography

https://goo.gl/Pm6DZJ

http://www.spiremarketresearch.com/global-veterinary-thermography-market-2017-demand-insight-key-plyers-segmentation-and-forecast-to-2022

A market study  Global Veterinary Thermography Market  examines the performance of the Veterinary Thermography market Size 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Veterinary Thermography market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Veterinary Thermography market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.Get Free Sample Of Report:The Global Veterinary Thermography Market 2017 report includes Veterinary Thermography market Size, Revenue, market Share, Veterinary Thermography industry volume, market Trends, Veterinary Thermography Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Veterinary Thermography Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2023.Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Veterinary Thermography Market Forecast 2017:Animal Infrared ImagingFLIR SystemsVet-ThermTeletherm Infrared SystemsSPI CorpDigathermVeterinary Thermography Market : Type AnalysisShort-Wavelength Thermography CamerasMid-Wavelength Thermography CamerasLong-Wavelength Thermography CamerasVeterinary Thermography Market : Application AnalysisVeterinary ClinicsVeterinary Diagnostic CenterResearch InstitutesFirstly, the report covers the top Veterinary Thermography manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Enquiry for More Info@Further, the Veterinary Thermography report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Veterinary Thermography industry, Veterinary Thermography industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Veterinary Thermography Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.The Veterinary Thermography research report includes the products that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the Veterinary Thermography market revenue worldwide.Finally, Veterinary Thermography market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:Spire Market Research is a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244United States
Nov 13, 2017: Roots Pump Market Forecast 2023 Howden, Aerzen, Taiko, Anlet, Unozawa

Roots Pump

https://goo.gl/yrC2ZQ

http://www.spiremarketresearch.com/global-roots-pump-market-2017-demand-insight-key-plyers-segmentation-and-forecast-to-2022

A market study  Global Roots Pump Market  examines the performance of the Roots Pump market Size 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Roots Pump market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Roots Pump market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.Get Free Sample Of Report:The Global Roots Pump Market 2017 report includes Roots Pump market Size, Revenue, market Share, Roots Pump industry volume, market Trends, Roots Pump Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Roots Pump Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2023.Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Roots Pump Market Forecast 2017:Gardner DenverDresser (GE)Tuthill CorporationHowdenAerzenTaikoAnletUnozawaITOShandong Zhangqiu BlowerHengrongTohin MachineChangsha BlowerTianjin BlowerHaifudeRoots Pump Market : Type AnalysisShaft Kiln Roots PumpsAerification Roots PumpsAeration Roots PumpsRoots Pump Market : Application AnalysisOEMAftermarketFirstly, the report covers the top Roots Pump manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Enquiry for More Info@Further, the Roots Pump report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Roots Pump industry, Roots Pump industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Roots Pump Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.The Roots Pump research report includes the products that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the Roots Pump market revenue worldwide.Finally, Roots Pump market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:Spire Market Research is a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244United States
Nov 13, 2017: Atherosclerosis Drugs Market Forecast 2023 GlaxoSmithKline, Sanofi, Bayer AG

Atherosclerosis Drugs

https://goo.gl/9yydaL

http://www.spiremarketresearch.com/global-atherosclerosis-drugs-market-2017-demand-insight-key-plyers-segmentation-and-forecast-to-2022

A market study  Global Atherosclerosis Drugs Market  examines the performance of the Atherosclerosis Drugs market Size 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Atherosclerosis Drugs market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Atherosclerosis Drugs market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.Get Free Sample Of Report:The Global Atherosclerosis Drugs Market 2017 report includes Atherosclerosis Drugs market Size, Revenue, market Share, Atherosclerosis Drugs industry volume, market Trends, Atherosclerosis Drugs Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Atherosclerosis Drugs Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2023.Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Atherosclerosis Drugs Market Forecast 2017:GlaxoSmithKline PlcMerck & CoF Hoffmann-La Roche LtdIsis PharmaceuticalsAnthera PharmaceuticalsNovartis AGSanofiJohnson and JohnsonBayer AGMedicine CompanyCardium TherapeuticsAtherosclerosis Drugs Market : Type AnalysisMedicationsSurgery DrugsAtherosclerosis Drugs Market : Application AnalysisHospitalsClinicsFirstly, the report covers the top Atherosclerosis Drugs manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Enquiry for More Info@Further, the Atherosclerosis Drugs report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Atherosclerosis Drugs industry, Atherosclerosis Drugs industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Atherosclerosis Drugs Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.The Atherosclerosis Drugs research report includes the products that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the Atherosclerosis Drugs market revenue worldwide.Finally, Atherosclerosis Drugs market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:Spire Market Research is a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244United States
Nov 13, 2017: Branded Generics Market Forecast 2023 Mylan NV, Novartis AG, Eva Pharmaceutical, Pfizer

Branded Generics

https://goo.gl/6xxZeD

http://www.spiremarketresearch.com/global-branded-generics-market-2017-demand-insight-key-plyers-segmentation-and-forecast-to-2022

A market study  Global Branded Generics Market  examines the performance of the Branded Generics market Size 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Branded Generics market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Branded Generics market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.Get Free Sample Of Report:The Global Branded Generics Market 2017 report includes Branded Generics market Size, Revenue, market Share, Branded Generics industry volume, market Trends, Branded Generics Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Branded Generics Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2023.Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Branded Generics Market Forecast 2017:Mylan NVNovartis AGEva Pharmaceutical IndustriesPfizerSun Pharmaceutical IndustriesAspen Pharmacare HoldingAbbott LaboratoriesValeant Pharmaceuticals InternationalBranded Generics Market : Type AnalysisAlkylating AgentsAntimetabolitesHormonesAnti-HypertensiveLipid Lowering DrugsAnti-DepressantsAnti-PsychoticsAnti-EpilepticsBranded Generics Market : Application AnalysisOralParenteralTopicalFirstly, the report covers the top Branded Generics manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Enquiry for More Info@Further, the Branded Generics report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Branded Generics industry, Branded Generics industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Branded Generics Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.The Branded Generics research report includes the products that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the Branded Generics market revenue worldwide.Finally, Branded Generics market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:Spire Market Research is a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244United States
Nov 13, 2017: Cancer Supportive Care Products Market Forecast 2023 Novartis Ag, Amgen Inc, Fagron Group BV

Cancer Supportive Care Products

https://goo.gl/cqbnEv

http://www.spiremarketresearch.com/global-cancer-supportive-care-products-market-2017-demand-insight-key-plyers-segmentation-and-forecast-to-2022

A market study  Global Cancer Supportive Care Products Market  examines the performance of the Cancer Supportive Care Products market Size 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Cancer Supportive Care Products market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Cancer Supportive Care Products market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.Get Free Sample Of Report:The Global Cancer Supportive Care Products Market 2017 report includes Cancer Supportive Care Products market Size, Revenue, market Share, Cancer Supportive Care Products industry volume, market Trends, Cancer Supportive Care Products Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Cancer Supportive Care Products Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2023.Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Cancer Supportive Care Products Market Forecast 2017:Novartis AgJohnson & JohnsonHoffmann LA- Roche LtdAmgen IncBaxter International IncAPR Applied Pharma Science Research SAFagron Group BVTeva Pharmaceuticals Industries LtdKyowa Hakko KirinAcacia Pharma LtdF Hoffmann-La RocheDARA BioSciencesNovartis AGPfizerCancer Supportive Care Products Market : Type AnalysisNon-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory DrugsAnti-InfectiveAnti-EmeticsMonoclonal AntibodiesErythropoietin Stimulating AgentsOpioid AnalgesicsBisphosphonatesGranulocyte Colony Stimulating FactorsCancer Supportive Care Products Market : Application AnalysisHospitalsClinicsFirstly, the report covers the top Cancer Supportive Care Products manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Enquiry for More Info@Further, the Cancer Supportive Care Products report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Cancer Supportive Care Products industry, Cancer Supportive Care Products industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Cancer Supportive Care Products Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.The Cancer Supportive Care Products research report includes the products that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the Cancer Supportive Care Products market revenue worldwide.Finally, Cancer Supportive Care Products market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:Spire Market Research is a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244United States
Nov 13, 2017: Female Stress Urinary Incontinence Treatment Devices Market Forecast 2023 Bard Medical, Boston Scientific

Female Stress Urinary Incontinence Treatment Devices

https://goo.gl/wiXZfr

http://www.spiremarketresearch.com/global-female-stress-urinary-incontinence-treatment-devices-market-2017-demand-insight-key-plyers-segmentation-and-forecast-to-2022/

A market study  Global Female Stress Urinary Incontinence Treatment Devices Market  examines the performance of the Female Stress Urinary Incontinence Treatment Devices market Size 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Female Stress Urinary Incontinence Treatment Devices market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Female Stress Urinary Incontinence Treatment Devices market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.Get Free Sample Of Report:The Global Female Stress Urinary Incontinence Treatment Devices Market 2017 report includes Female Stress Urinary Incontinence Treatment Devices market Size, Revenue, market Share, Female Stress Urinary Incontinence Treatment Devices industry volume, market Trends, Female Stress Urinary Incontinence Treatment Devices Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Female Stress Urinary Incontinence Treatment Devices Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2023.Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Female Stress Urinary Incontinence Treatment Devices Market Forecast 2017:Johnson & JohnsonBard MedicalAmerican Medical SolutionsBoston Scientific TeleflexKarl Storz and ColoplastFemale Stress Urinary Incontinence Treatment Devices Market : Type AnalysisSiliconesPolyurethane FoamsFemale Stress Urinary Incontinence Treatment Devices Market : Application AnalysisGynecology ClinicHospitalsAmbulatory Surgical CentersFirstly, the report covers the top Female Stress Urinary Incontinence Treatment Devices manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Enquiry for More Info@Further, the Female Stress Urinary Incontinence Treatment Devices report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Female Stress Urinary Incontinence Treatment Devices industry, Female Stress Urinary Incontinence Treatment Devices industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Female Stress Urinary Incontinence Treatment Devices Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.The Female Stress Urinary Incontinence Treatment Devices research report includes the products that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the Female Stress Urinary Incontinence Treatment Devices market revenue worldwide.Finally, Female Stress Urinary Incontinence Treatment Devices market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:Spire Market Research is a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244United States
Nov 13, 2017: Transconductance Amplifiers Market Forecast 2023 Texas Instruments, ON Semiconductor, NJR

Transconductance Amplifiers

https://goo.gl/CFo9Nw

http://www.spiremarketresearch.com/global-transconductance-amplifiers-market-2017-demand-insight-key-plyers-segmentation-and-forecast-to-2022

A market study  Global Transconductance Amplifiers Market  examines the performance of the Transconductance Amplifiers market Size 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Transconductance Amplifiers market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Transconductance Amplifiers market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.Get Free Sample Of Report:The Global Transconductance Amplifiers Market 2017 report includes Transconductance Amplifiers market Size, Revenue, market Share, Transconductance Amplifiers industry volume, market Trends, Transconductance Amplifiers Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Transconductance Amplifiers Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2023.Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Transconductance Amplifiers Market Forecast 2017:Texas InstrumentsON SemiconductorNJRLinear TechnologyNXPNTE ElectronicsKrohn-HiteInfineonClarke-HessTransconductance Amplifiers Market : Type Analysis1 Channel Transconductance Amplifiers2 Channel Transconductance AmplifiersTransconductance Amplifiers Market : Application AnalysisCurrent-Controlled FiltersCurrent-Controlled OscillatorsMultiplexersElectronic Music SynthesizersFirstly, the report covers the top Transconductance Amplifiers manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Enquiry for More Info@Further, the Transconductance Amplifiers report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Transconductance Amplifiers industry, Transconductance Amplifiers industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Transconductance Amplifiers Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.The Transconductance Amplifiers research report includes the products that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the Transconductance Amplifiers market revenue worldwide.Finally, Transconductance Amplifiers market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:Spire Market Research is a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244United States
Nov 13, 2017: Water Cooled Chillers Market Forecast 2023 Daikin, ALTO, Carrier UK, Trane

Water Cooled Chillers

https://goo.gl/WXuP9d

http://www.spiremarketresearch.com/global-water-cooled-chillers-market-2017-demand-insight-key-plyers-segmentation-and-forecast-to-2022

A market study  Global Water Cooled Chillers Market  examines the performance of the Water Cooled Chillers market Size 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Water Cooled Chillers market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Water Cooled Chillers market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.Get Free Sample Of Report:The Global Water Cooled Chillers Market 2017 report includes Water Cooled Chillers market Size, Revenue, market Share, Water Cooled Chillers industry volume, market Trends, Water Cooled Chillers Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Water Cooled Chillers Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2023.Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Water Cooled Chillers Market Forecast 2017:DaikinALTOGeneral Air ProductsJohnson ControlsCarrier UKTraneMotivair CorporationMcQuayZarsky IndustriesSmardt-OPKSCHLEEShiniCoolsoonDAISHIBAShenzhen KeweitaiTOPCHILLERWater Cooled Chillers Market : Type AnalysisWater Cooled Scroll ChillerWater Cooled Screw ChillerWater Cooled Chillers Market : Application AnalysisPlastic IndustryElectrons & PlatingChemical IndustryPrintingFirstly, the report covers the top Water Cooled Chillers manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Enquiry for More Info@Further, the Water Cooled Chillers report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Water Cooled Chillers industry, Water Cooled Chillers industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Water Cooled Chillers Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.The Water Cooled Chillers research report includes the products that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the Water Cooled Chillers market revenue worldwide.Finally, Water Cooled Chillers market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:Spire Market Research is a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244United States
Nov 13, 2017: Drilling Rigs Market Forecast 2023 Transocean, Ensco, Nabors Industries, Seadrill

Drilling Rigs

https://goo.gl/jdBCXt

http://www.spiremarketresearch.com/global-drilling-rigs-market-2017-demand-insight-key-plyers-segmentation-and-forecast-to-2022

A market study  Global Drilling Rigs Market  examines the performance of the Drilling Rigs market Size 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Drilling Rigs market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Drilling Rigs market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.Get Free Sample Of Report:The Global Drilling Rigs Market 2017 report includes Drilling Rigs market Size, Revenue, market Share, Drilling Rigs industry volume, market Trends, Drilling Rigs Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Drilling Rigs Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2023.Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Drilling Rigs Market Forecast 2017:TransoceanEnscoNoble CorporationNabors IndustriesSeadrillDrilling Rigs Market : Type AnalysisLand RigsBarge RigsPlatform RigsDrillshipDrilling Rigs Market : Application AnalysisPetroleum Drilling IndustryWater Well DrillingMining Drilling IndustryFirstly, the report covers the top Drilling Rigs manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Enquiry for More Info@Further, the Drilling Rigs report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Drilling Rigs industry, Drilling Rigs industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Drilling Rigs Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.The Drilling Rigs research report includes the products that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the Drilling Rigs market revenue worldwide.Finally, Drilling Rigs market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:Spire Market Research is a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244United States
Nov 13, 2017: Electronic Grade Glass Fibers Market Forecast 2023 Jushi Group, CPIC, Vetrotex

Electronic Grade Glass Fibers

https://goo.gl/mr54uH

http://www.spiremarketresearch.com/global-electronic-grade-glass-fibers-market-2017-demand-insight-key-plyers-segmentation-and-forecast-to-2022/

A market study  Global Electronic Grade Glass Fibers Market  examines the performance of the Electronic Grade Glass Fibers market Size 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Electronic Grade Glass Fibers market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Electronic Grade Glass Fibers market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.Get Free Sample Of Report:The Global Electronic Grade Glass Fibers Market 2017 report includes Electronic Grade Glass Fibers market Size, Revenue, market Share, Electronic Grade Glass Fibers industry volume, market Trends, Electronic Grade Glass Fibers Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Electronic Grade Glass Fibers Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2023.Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Electronic Grade Glass Fibers Market Forecast 2017:Jushi GroupOwens Corning CorporationPPG IndustriesCPICTaishan Fiberglass (Sinoma)Sichuan Weibo New Material GroupJiangsu Jiuding New MaterialVetrotex (Saint-Gobain)Changzhou Tianma GroupElectronic Grade Glass Fibers Market : Type AnalysisGeneral-Purpose Glass FibersSpecial-Purpose Glass FibersElectronic Grade Glass Fibers Market : Application AnalysisBuilding & ConstructionElectronicsTransportationFirstly, the report covers the top Electronic Grade Glass Fibers manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Enquiry for More Info@Further, the Electronic Grade Glass Fibers report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Electronic Grade Glass Fibers industry, Electronic Grade Glass Fibers industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Electronic Grade Glass Fibers Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.The Electronic Grade Glass Fibers research report includes the products that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the Electronic Grade Glass Fibers market revenue worldwide.Finally, Electronic Grade Glass Fibers market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:Spire Market Research is a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244United States
Nutraceutical Ingredients Global Market Intelligence (2012-2022)

Nutraceutical Ingredients Global Market Intelligence (2012-2022)

https://www.reportsworldwide.com/report/nutraceutical-ingredients-global-market-intelligence-2012-2022

https://www.reportsworldwide.com/enquiry?report_id=41917

Boston, MAReportsWorldwide has announced the addition of a new report title Nutraceutical Ingredients Global Market Intelligence (2012-2022) to its growing collection of premium market research reports.The report  provides market intelligence on the different market segments, based on type, application, and geography. Market size and forecast (2011-2020) has been provided in the report.The primary objectives of this report are to provide1. comprehensive global market intelligence through detailed segmentation2. market size and forecasts, growth rates, market dynamics, industry structure and developments, market situation, trends3. detailed analysis of current dynamics and trends, key market players, and strategies in the market4. detailed value chain analysis and review of growth factors essential for the existing market players and new entrants5. provide emerging opportunities in the market and the future impact of major drivers and restraints of the market and6. support decision makers in making cost-effective business decisions.To view a detailed description and Table of Contents please visit:KEY FINDINGS FROM THE REPORT -The global nutraceutical ingredients market is expected to grow at a CAGR of more than 7% from 2018 to 2022.- The global nutraceutical ingredients market is dominated by the Asia-Pacific region, followed by Europe.- The key players operating in nutraceutical ingredients market are ADM, Cargill, BASF, Royal DSM and DuPont among many others.- Sprout Intelligence expert team estimated that the global nutraceutical ingredients market in 2015 was worth more than USD 35 billion.To Get Sample Copy of Report please visit @ReportsWorldwide.com is a leading provider of global market intelligence reports and services. With research reports from top publishers, consulting and advisory firms, ReportsWorldwide.com offers instant online access to a growing database of expert insights on global industries, companies, products, geographies and trends.Press Contact:Abigail CrastoSenior Vice President101, Arch StreetBoston, MA 02110USPhone +1 (617) 398-1947abigail@reportsworldwide.com
Wireline Services Global Market Top Key Players  Schlumberger , Halliburton , Baker Hughes , Weatherford , Superior Energy Services and Forecast to 2022

Wireline Services Market

https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/1018346-global-wireline-services-market-size-status-and-forecast-2022

https://www.wiseguyreports.com/enquiry/1018346-global-wireline-services-market-size-status-and-forecast-2022

www.wiseguyreports.com

Global Wireline Services MarketDescriptionWiseGuyReports.Com adds Global Wireline Services Market Size, Status and Forecast 2022 Research To Its Database.This report studies the global Wireline Services market, analyzes and researches the Wireline Services development status and forecast in United States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia. This report focuses on the top players in global market, likeSchlumbergerHalliburtonBaker HughesWeatherfordSuperior Energy ServicesPioneer Energy ServicesC&J Energy ServicesExpro GroupArcherCOSLBasic Energy ServicesOilservWireline EngineeringSGS SACNPC/CPLEQT/QinterraGet sample Report @Market segment by Regions/Countries, this report coversUnited StatesEUJapanChinaIndiaSoutheast AsiaMarket segment by Type, Wireline Services can be split intoElectric LineSlick LineMarket segment by Application, Wireline Services can be split intoWireline LoggingWireline InterventionWireline CompletionEnquiry About Report @Table of Contents -Major Key PointsGlobal Wireline Services Market Size, Status and Forecast 20221 Industry Overview of Wireline Services1.1 Wireline Services Market Overview1.1.1 Wireline Services Product Scope1.1.2 Market Status and Outlook1.2 Global Wireline Services Market Size and Analysis by Regions1.2.1 United States1.2.2 EU1.2.3 Japan1.2.4 China1.2.5 India1.2.6 Southeast Asia1.3 Wireline Services Market by Type1.3.1 Electric Line1.3.2 Slick Line1.4 Wireline Services Market by End Users/Application1.4.1 Wireline Logging1.4.2 Wireline Intervention1.4.3 Wireline Completion2 Global Wireline Services Competition Analysis by Players2.1 Wireline Services Market Size (Value) by Players (2016 and 2017)2.2 Competitive Status and Trend2.2.1 Market Concentration Rate2.2.2 Product/Service Differences2.2.3 New Entrants2.2.4 The Technology Trends in Future3 Company (Top Players) Profiles3.1 Schlumberger3.1.1 Company Profile3.1.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.1.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.1.4 Wireline Services Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.1.5 Recent Developments3.2 Halliburton3.2.1 Company Profile3.2.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.2.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.2.4 Wireline Services Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.2.5 Recent Developments3.3 Baker Hughes3.3.1 Company Profile3.3.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.3.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.3.4 Wireline Services Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.3.5 Recent Developments3.4 Weatherford3.4.1 Company Profile3.4.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.4.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.4.4 Wireline Services Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.4.5 Recent Developments3.5 Superior Energy Services3.5.1 Company Profile3.5.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.5.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.5.4 Wireline Services Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.5.5 Recent Developments3.6 Pioneer Energy Services3.6.1 Company Profile3.6.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.6.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.6.4 Wireline Services Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.6.5 Recent Developments3.7 C&J Energy Services3.7.1 Company Profile3.7.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.7.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.7.4 Wireline Services Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.7.5 Recent Developments3.8 Expro Group3.8.1 Company Profile3.8.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.8.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.8.4 Wireline Services Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.8.5 Recent Developments3.9 Archer3.9.1 Company Profile3.9.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.9.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.9.4 Wireline Services Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.9.5 Recent Developments3.10 COSL3.10.1 Company Profile3.10.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.10.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.10.4 Wireline Services Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.10.5 Recent Developments3.11 Basic Energy Services3.12 Oilserv3.13 Wireline Engineering3.14 SGS SA3.15 CNPC/CPL3.16 EQT/Qinterra..CONTINUEDAbout UsWise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, Industry research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports understand how essential statistical surveying information is for your organization or association. Therefore, we have associated with the top publishers and research firms all specialized in specific domains, ensuring you will receive the most reliable and up to date research data available.NORAH TRENTPartner Relations & Marketing Managersales@wiseguyreports.comPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US)Ph: +44 208 133 9349 (UK)
Worldwide Vanilla Market 2017 Share, Growth and Regional Forecast 2022

Reportsweb

http://www.reportsweb.com/global-vanilla-market-research-report-2017

http://www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW0001526216/sample

http://www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW0001526216/discount

http://www.reportsweb.com/buy&RW0001526216/buy/2900

This report studies Vanilla in Global market, especially in North America, Europe, China, Japan,Southeast Asia and India, focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with capacity, production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, covering Lochhead Manufacturing Co, Spice Jungle, Vanilla Queen, David Michael & Co and Heilala Vanilla.For more information about this report atMarket Segment by Regions, this report splits Global into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue, market share and growth rate of Vanilla in these regions, from 2011 to 2021 (forecast), like, North America, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia and India. Split by product type, with production, revenue, price, and market share and growth rate of each type, can be divided into Powder, Paste and Other. Split by application, this report focuses on consumption, market share and growth rate of Vanilla in each application, can be divided into, Industrial, Food Service, Retail and Other.Request a sample copy atTable of Content1 Vanilla Overview2 Global Vanilla Market Competition by Manufacturers3 Global Vanilla Analysis by Region4 Global Vanilla Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2011-2016)4.1 Global Vanilla Consumption by Regions (2011-2016)4.2 North America Vanilla Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2011-2016)4.3 Europe Vanilla Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2011-2016)4.4 China Vanilla Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2011-2016)4.5 Japan Vanilla Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2011-2016)4.6 Southeast Asia Vanilla Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2011-2016)4.7 India Vanilla Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2011-2016)5 Global Vanilla Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type5.1 Global Vanilla Production and Market Share by Type (2011-2016)5.2 Global Vanilla Revenue and Market Share by Type (2011-2016)5.3 Global Vanilla Price by Type (2011-2016)5.4 Global Vanilla Production Growth by Type (2011-2016)6 Global Vanilla Market Analysis by Application6.1 Global Vanilla Consumption and Market Share by Application (2011-2016)6.2 Global Vanilla Consumption Growth Rate by Application (2011-2016)6.3 Market Drivers and Opportunities6.3.1 Potential Applications6.3.2 Emerging Markets/Countries7 Global Vanilla Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis7.1 Lochhead Manufacturing Co7.1.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Its Competitors7.1.2 Vanilla Product Type, Application and Specification7.1.2.1 Powder7.1.2.2 Paste7.1.3 Lochhead Manufacturing Co Vanilla Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2015 and 2016)7.1.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.2 Spice Jungle7.2.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Its Competitors7.2.2 Vanilla Product Type, Application and Specification7.2.2.1 Powder7.2.2.2 Paste7.2.3 Spice Jungle Vanilla Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2015 and 2016)7.2.4 Main Business/Business OverviewAsk for Discount at8 Research Findings and ConclusionPurchase Complete Report atWe provide best in classcustomer service and our customer support team is always available to help you on your research queries. Our commitment to customer service is best exemplified by free analyst support that we offer to our clients which sets us apart from any other provider. We also offer enterprise subscriptions which provide significant cost savings to our clients.Contact Us:Call: +1-646-491-9876Email: sales@reportsweb.com533, 6th floor, Amanora Township,Amanora Chambers, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028
Nov, 13 2017: Automotive Rain Sensing Wiper System Market Forecast 2023 Hella, Bosch, Valeo, Xenso, Hamamatsu Photonics

Automotive Rain Sensing Wiper System

http://bit.ly/2jehOL9

http://www.spiremarketresearch.com/global-automotive-rain-sensing-wiper-system-sales-market-2017-demand-insight-key-players-segmentation-and-forecast-to-2022

http://www.spiremarketresearch.com

Automotive Rain Sensing Wiper System Market Research 2017A market study "Global Automotive Rain Sensing Wiper System Market" examines the performance of the Automotive Rain Sensing Wiper System market 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Automotive Rain Sensing Wiper System market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Automotive Rain Sensing Wiper System market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.The Global Automotive Rain Sensing Wiper System Market 2017 report includes Automotive Rain Sensing Wiper System market Revenue, market Share, Automotive Rain Sensing Wiper System industry volume, market Trends, Automotive Rain Sensing Wiper System Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Automotive Rain Sensing Wiper System Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2022.To Get Sample Report Click Here:Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Automotive Rain Sensing Wiper System Market 2017 : Bosch DENSO TRW Valeo Hella Xenso Hamamatsu PhotonicsAutomotive Rain Sensing Wiper System Market : By Application Commercial Vehicles Passenger CarsFirstly, the report covers the top Automotive Rain Sensing Wiper System manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Further, the Automotive Rain Sensing Wiper System report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Automotive Rain Sensing Wiper System industry, Automotive Rain Sensing Wiper System industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Automotive Rain Sensing Wiper System Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.Browse Full Report Here:The Automotive Rain Sensing Wiper System research report includes the products that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the Automotive Rain Sensing Wiper System market revenue worldwide.Finally, Automotive Rain Sensing Wiper System market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:"Spire Market Research" is a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244, USAWeb:Email: sales@spiremarketresearch.com
Nov, 13 2017: Automotive Remote Keyless Entry Systems Market Forecast 2023 Atmel, Continental, Denso, Marquardt, Delphi

Automotive Remote Keyless Entry Systems

http://bit.ly/2AxoqZ3

http://www.spiremarketresearch.com/global-automotive-remote-keyless-entry-systems-sales-market-2017-demand-insight-key-players-segmentation-and-forecast-to-2022

http://www.spiremarketresearch.com

Automotive Remote Keyless Entry Systems Market Research 2017A market study "Global Automotive Remote Keyless Entry Systems Market" examines the performance of the Automotive Remote Keyless Entry Systems market 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Automotive Remote Keyless Entry Systems market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Automotive Remote Keyless Entry Systems market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.The Global Automotive Remote Keyless Entry Systems Market 2017 report includes Automotive Remote Keyless Entry Systems market Revenue, market Share, Automotive Remote Keyless Entry Systems industry volume, market Trends, Automotive Remote Keyless Entry Systems Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Automotive Remote Keyless Entry Systems Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2022.To Get Sample Report Click Here:Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Automotive Remote Keyless Entry Systems Market 2017 : Continental Delphi Hella Mitsubishi Electric ZF TRW Alps Electric Atmel Denso Hyundai MOBIS MarquardtAutomotive Remote Keyless Entry Systems Market : By Application OEMs AftermarketAutomotive Remote Keyless Entry Systems Market : By Type Microwave Radio FrequencyFirstly, the report covers the top Automotive Remote Keyless Entry Systems manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Further, the Automotive Remote Keyless Entry Systems report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Automotive Remote Keyless Entry Systems industry, Automotive Remote Keyless Entry Systems industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Automotive Remote Keyless Entry Systems Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.Browse Full Report Here:The Automotive Remote Keyless Entry Systems research report includes the products that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the Automotive Remote Keyless Entry Systems market revenue worldwide.Finally, Automotive Remote Keyless Entry Systems market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:"Spire Market Research" is a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244, USAWeb:Email: sales@spiremarketresearch.com
Digital Signature Software Market - Evolving Industry Trends and key Insights by 2025

https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/15889

https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/digital-signature-software-market.asp

The global digital signature software market was valued at US$ 587.6 Mn in 2016 and is projected to cross US$ 3,400 Mn by the year 2025. Sales revenue is expected to increase at a CAGR of 22.4% during the forecast period (2017-2025).For more information on this report, fill the form @Increasing adoption of digital signature in legal proceedings is boosting the growth of the digital signature software marketAs a certain level of secrecy is required in legal proceedings, digital signature technology can be of great help in this field. A digital signature is generated using specific software and devices and ensures security of data once a document has been digitally signed. This ensures greater security to the party signing the document as well as to the one receiving it and it authenticates the identity of both the parties. The software generates a digital signature, which is unique to the person linked to the executive document in a way that if it is changed, it becomes invalid; and hence the digital signature enables the party to know that the integrity of the said document has been compromised. Digitally signed documents have a great potential in the legal field, thereby aiding the growth of the digital signature software market during the assessment period.Inherent advantages like savings of money and time likely to boost the growth of the digital signature software marketOne of the chief reasons for the growth of the digital signature software market is the cost and convenience of the digital signature. Adoption of digital signature ensures significantly lower use of sharing documents as compared to the process adopted in the use of physical documents, which involves paper, printing, and various other formalities such as shipping or courier costs. As a result, a large number of organizations are opting to switch to paperless processes, which in turn is driving the growth of the global digital signature software market. Also, due to the adoption of the digital signature technology, there is a considerable saving of time as compared to the conventional processes that entail filling in details in documents, rekeying data, searching for lost documents, or tracking down a contract that has been lost in email.As digital signatures are cumbersome to implement, this may stall the growth of the digital signature software marketThe implementation of a digital signature is a very complicated process. First, one has to obtain a digital signature or a physical token from a certified authority requiring government issued ID and biometric data. A digital signature is convenient for those parties who opt for regular transactions. However, in the case of one-time transactions for consumers and for small businesses, the process is complicated and inconvenient. Also, some digital signature processes can be computationally intensive, slowing down business processes and limiting their ability to scale. This may hamper the growth of the digital signature software market.Browse Market Research Report @Digital signature for small and medium enterprises is an upcoming opportunityWith the migration from traditional deployments like on-premise to cloud deployment model, digital signatures are providing a chance for small and medium institutions to adopt the technology. The cloud deployment model eliminates on-premise deployment cost and maintenance cost. This technology is provided on pay-per-use basis, where customers need to only pay for what they have used. By adopting digital signature technology, small and medium enterprises can reduce the time taken to physically sign important documents, which also helps save money. Hence, there is a huge opportunity for small and medium enterprises to adopt this technology.Global Digital Signature Software Market Analysis & Forecast, By IndustryIn terms of revenue, the BFSI segment is projected to be the most attractive industry segment in the global digital signature software market during the forecast period. The BFSI segment is expected to register comparatively higher year-on-year growth rates throughout the forecast. Revenue from the BFSI segment is estimated to increase from US$ 159.6 Mn in 2016 to US$ 1,138.1 Mn by 2025 end, representing a CAGR of 25.3% from 2017 to 2025. The BFSI segment accounts for the highest market share in the global digital signature software market due to its adaptation in various departments like loans, mortgages and administration departments. The BFSI segment is estimated to create incremental opportunity of US$ 950.9 Mn between 2017 and 2025.About PMRPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Ourresearch model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance..Contact PMR305 Broadway,7th FloorNew York City, NY 10007United StatesT: +1-646-568-7751Tollfree: +1 800-961-0353
Nov, 13 2017: Fire Extinguishers Market Forecast 2023 Britannia Fire, Gielle, Bull Products, Tyco Fire Protection

Fire Extinguishers

http://bit.ly/2zwnKpb

http://www.spiremarketresearch.com/europe-fire-extinguishers-market-2017-demand-insights-key-palyers-segmentation-and-forecast-to-2022

http://www.spiremarketresearch.com

Fire Extinguishers Market Research 2017A market study "Europe Fire Extinguishers Market" examines the performance of the Fire Extinguishers market 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Fire Extinguishers market state and the competitive landscape Europely. This report analyzes the potential of Fire Extinguishers market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.The Europe Fire Extinguishers Market 2017 report includes Fire Extinguishers market Revenue, market Share, Fire Extinguishers industry volume, market Trends, Fire Extinguishers Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Fire Extinguishers Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2022.To Get Sample Report Click Here:Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Europe Fire Extinguishers Market 2017 : UTC Tyco Fire Protection Minimax DESAUTEL Survitec Group Limited BAVARIA Gielle Group ANAF S.p.A. Protec Fire Detection plc a.b.s.Fire Fighting S.r.l. Lichfield Fire & Safety Equipment Feuerschutz Jockel GmbH Britannia Fire Jewel Saffire Products PII Jactone Products Valle-Union Extintores Bull ProductsFirstly, the report covers the top Fire Extinguishers manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Further, the Fire Extinguishers report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Fire Extinguishers industry, Fire Extinguishers industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Fire Extinguishers Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.Browse Full Report Here:The Fire Extinguishers research report includes the products that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the Fire Extinguishers market revenue worldwide.Finally, Fire Extinguishers market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:"Spire Market Research" is a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244, USAWeb:Email: sales@spiremarketresearch.com
Steady Growth to be Witnessed by Textile Floorings Market During 2016 - 2026

https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-1629

https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1629

https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/checkout/1629

www.futuremarketinsights.com

Global sales of textile floorings is estimated to reach US$ 109.7 Bn by 2016 end, witnessing a y-o-y growth of 4.8% over 2015. Carpets segment is expected to continue to account for major share in the textile floorings in 2016, to account for 90.7 %, up from 90.5 % in 2015.Demand for tufting technology, which offers lower manufacturing cost, as well as easy installation and ease of use by consumers, is expected to continue to increase over the forecast period (20162026). Among material types, synthetic textiles segment is expected to remain dominant, accounting for US$ 93 Bn by 2016 end.On the basis of application, residential segment accounted for the largest share in terms of revenues in 2015 and it is estimated to remain the same in 2016. Residential segment is estimated to account for US$ 69.2 Bn in 2016, an increase of 5.1% over 2015.Request for Table of Contents @Asia Pacific Excluding Japan (APEJ), is the largest market for textile floorings. The market in the region is estimated to be valued at US$ 35.8 Bn by 2016 end. Increasing construction activities and infrastructure development in countries such as China, India, ASEAN countries and MEA, which are few of the most lucrative markets globally, is expected to provide an impetus to the demand for textile floorings. In addition, to being the largest market in terms of revenue and volume consumption, APEJ will continue to remain the fastest growing market globally.Growing construction industry in the U.S. and Asia Pacific region is estimated to drive the demand for textile floorings in 2016. Revival of residential construction sector in the U.S. and improving infrastructure facilities in developing regions are expected to boost demand for textile floorings. While the EU economy remains shrouded in uncertainty; steady growth of the construction sector in Western Europe is expected to continue creating growth opportunities for textile floorings manufacturers.Request for Sample @Mohawk Industries Inc., Shaw Industries Group Inc., Tarkett S.A, Beaulieu International Group N.V, and Interface, Inc. are the major players in the global textile floorings market, accounting for 12.0% market revenue share in 2015. Leading players in the market are focusing on increasing acquisitions of regional manufacturers in order to enhance their operations with minimum capital expenditure, thereby strengthening their value chain.Long-term Outlook: The long-term outlook on the global textile floorings market remains positive, with the market value expected to increase at a CAGR of 5.7% during the forecast period.Buy Full Textile Floorings 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.616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
LED lighting market : Applications, Technology Trends, Growth Drivers and Challenges

https://www.psmarketresearch.com/market-analysis/led-lighting-market

https://www.psmarketresearch.com/market-analysis/led-lighting-market/report-sample

www.psmarketresearch.com

LED lighting solutions overcome the built-in constraints of traditional lighting solutions such as high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps, compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) and plasma lamps. LED lighting offers numerous benefits over conventional lighting solutions, including energy-efficiency, longer life span and durability. LEDs are presently being used for wide range of applications, such as residential lighting, commercial lighting, industrial lighting, street lighting and public-places lighting. The continuous fall in LED price has led to positive forecasts for the penetration of LED lighting in several application segments.Explore Report Description at:The key factors propelling the growth of global LED lighting market include increasing adoption of energy efficient lighting solutions, declination in prices of LEDs and modernization and development of infrastructure. LEDs offer several advantages over many conventional lighting technologies in terms of energy efficiency, lifetime, versatility, and color quality and cost efficiency. Owing to this, their penetration is continuously increasing in the residential, commercial and industrial lighting applications.In terms of regional split, Asia-Pacific (APAC) has been the largest LED lighting market, and it is further forecasted to contribute largest revenue to the global market. Backed by swift penetration of LED lighting in developing economies such as China and India, Asia-Pacific has several underpenetrated markets for LED lighting, which may be the areas of opportunity. Moreover, Asia-Pacific has emerged as a hub for major original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) for miscellaneous lighting products, which makes it a booming LED market. For instance, China has been the largest revenue contributor to the global lighting industry, accounting for over 40% of the global production. In addition, investment in research and development to launch new LED products for several applications in the emerging countries of Asia-Pacific, including Taiwan, Vietnam and South Korea, is the major factor propelling the growth of the LED lighting market in the region.Download Free Report Sample at:The global LED lighting market is highly fragmented due to the presence of large number of regional and international players across the globe. Due to the fragmented nature of the market, the competition among the global and regional players is high. It has also been observed that several large players are losing their market share owing to the competition posed by new entrants, especially from China. Some of the major companies operating in the global LED lighting market include Phillips Lighting Holding B.V., General Electric Company, OSRAM Licht AG, Cree, Inc., Eaton Corporation Plc, Virtual Extension, Dialight plc, Zumtobel Group AG, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. and Sharp Corporation,.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.Contact:AbhishekManager  Client Partner347, 5th Ave. #1402New York City, NY - 10016Toll-free: +1-888-778-7886 (USA/Canada)Email: enquiry@psmarketresearch.comWeb:
Nov, 13 2017: Automotive Exhaust Manifold Market Forecast 2023 Sango, Faurecia, Bosal, Tenneco, Yutaka Giken, Eberspacher

Automotive Exhaust Manifold

http://bit.ly/2i94q7J

http://www.spiremarketresearch.com/global-automotive-exhaust-manifold-market-2017-demand-insights-key-palyers-segmentation-and-forecast-to-2022

http://www.spiremarketresearch.com

Automotive Exhaust Manifold Market Research 2017A market study "Global Automotive Exhaust Manifold Market" examines the performance of the Automotive Exhaust Manifold market 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Automotive Exhaust Manifold market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Automotive Exhaust Manifold market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.The Global Automotive Exhaust Manifold Market 2017 report includes Automotive Exhaust Manifold market Revenue, market Share, Automotive Exhaust Manifold industry volume, market Trends, Automotive Exhaust Manifold Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Automotive Exhaust Manifold Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2022.To Get Sample Report Click Here:Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Automotive Exhaust Manifold Market 2017 : Faurecia Tenneco Inc. Eberspacher Futaba Industrial Co. Ltd. Sango Co.Ltd. Benteler International AG. Friedrich Boysen GmbH & Co. Kg. Yutaka Giken Co. Ltd. Sejong Industrial Co., Ltd. BosalAutomotive Exhaust Manifold Market : By Application Passenger Cars Commercial VehiclesAutomotive Exhaust Manifold Market : By Type Single Wall Double wallFirstly, the report covers the top Automotive Exhaust Manifold manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Further, the Automotive Exhaust Manifold report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Automotive Exhaust Manifold industry, Automotive Exhaust Manifold industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Automotive Exhaust Manifold Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.Browse Full Report Here:The Automotive Exhaust Manifold research report includes the products that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the Automotive Exhaust Manifold market revenue worldwide.Finally, Automotive Exhaust Manifold market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:"Spire Market Research" is a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244, USAWeb:Email: sales@spiremarketresearch.com
The Oxygen Concentrator Market grows exponentially as expansion activities edges up

http://www.marketresearchglobe.com/request-sample/602926

http://www.marketresearchglobe.com/send-an-enquiry/602926

http://www.marketresearchglobe.com/

The Global Oxygen Concentrator Market Research Report 2017 renders deep perception of the key regional market status of the Oxygen Concentrator 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.The report on Global Oxygen Concentrator Market is a professional report which provides thorough knowledge along with complete information pertaining to the Oxygen Concentrator industry a propos classification, 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.Download Report Sample @Report Includes:-The report cloaks the market analysis and projection of Oxygen Concentrator 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 Oxygen Concentrator Market.The report is generically segmented into six parts and every part aims on the overview of the Oxygen Concentrator 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 Oxygen Concentrator industry in the global markets.Get Report Discount@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 Oxygen Concentrator Industry. The production value and market share in conjunction with the SWOT analysis everything is integrated in this report.The major players profiled in this report include: Heltman Medikal AS Inogen Invacare Jiangsu Konsung Medical Equipment Jiangsu Yuyue Medical Equipment & Supply Co., Ltd Kare Medical and Analytical DevicesAbout Market Research Globe:Market Research Globe is a competent consulting company in the field of Global Market Research. We provide our clients a wide range of customized Marketing and Business Research Solutions to choose from, with the help of our ingenious database developed by experts. We help our clients understand the strengths of diverse markets and how to exploit opportunities. Covering a diverse range of business scopes from Digital products to Food industry, we are your one- stop solution right from data collection to investment advices.Contact us:Liberty Society,Koregaon Park, Pune- 411001,Maharashtra, India.US: +1-888-376-9998Email- sales@marketresearchglobe.comWeb-
Future Trend Of Global Truck Telematics Market

https://www.researchbeam.com/global-truck-telematics-size-status-and-forecast-2022-market/purchase-enquiry

https://www.researchbeam.com/global-truck-telematics-size-status-and-forecast-2022-market/request-sample

https://www.researchbeam.com/global-truck-telematics-size-status-and-forecast-2022-market/enquire-about-report

Research Beam has added a report on Global Truck Telematics Market Research Report 2017. The report entails the qualitative and quantitative analysis of current and future market estimations. It also divulges details about the mode of research methodology used for the study. It includes data from primary as well as secondary resources. The report is a useful resource for industry players, new entrants in the marketplace, and investors as it helps them plan their business to gain fruitful and meaningful outcomes. It makes them aware of the production, capacity, revenue, supply, consumption, export, import, the challenges and risks associated with the industry, and much more. The report has a mention of the market drivers and opportunities. Key players are profiled in the report and their developments in recent years are mentioned, which helps in understanding the competitive outlook of the global Truck Telematics market.Save Upto 15% on this Report@A brief overview of the global Truck Telematics industry is provided in the report based on product scope and market status & outlook. The market is segmented on the basis of type, end-users/application, and geography. By type, the market is further bifurcated into Embedded Connectivity, Smartphone Integration, Tethered Solutions. The report provides information about the production, price, revenue, market share, and growth rate of each type. Application wise, the market is segmented Satellite Navigation, Mobile Data, Truck Tracking, Others. Regarding this segment, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, consumption, market share, and growth rate. Geographically, the market has been analyzed across North America, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia, and India. The status and prospect through 2012-2022 for each of these regions are listed in the report.The projections in the report are made by studying the current and future market potential from 2012 to 2022 in terms of value and volume. The market forecast is provided on the basis of capacity, production, consumption, import, export, revenue, price, trends, and growth rate.Request Sample Report@The global Truck Telematics market report also provides an analysis of the manufacturing cost of the product. This includes the key raw materials, the proportion of manufacturing cost structure, and manufacturing process analysis. The key raw materials encompass the price trend, key suppliers, and market concentration rate. The proportion of manufacturing cost structure incorporates the raw materials, labor cost, and manufacturing expenses.The global Truck Telematics market report has a mention of the industrial chain, sourcing strategy, and downstream buyers. This incorporates the overall industrial chain analysis, upstream raw materials sourcing, raw materials sources of the product major manufacturers in 2015, and downstream buyers.The report also throws light on the marketing strategy used for the study. It includes marketing channel (direct marketing, indirect marketing, and marketing channel development trend) and market positioning (pricing strategy, brand strategy, and target client).The global Truck Telematics market report also covers an analysis of the market effect factors. This includes the technology progress/risk (substitutes/threat and technology progress in the related industry), consumer needs/customer preference change, and economic/political environmental change.Enquire About Report@The key players which provide solutions in the global Truck Telematics market include SiriusXM, Airbiquity, At&T, Continental, Delphi Automotive, Intel Corporation?. Information about the production, capacity, price, revenue (value), and market share of each of these manufacturers from 2012 to 2017 are clearly described in the report. In addition, the report details the basic information, manufacturing base, area of sales, and competitors of each of the players. The trends and marketing strategies such as mergers and acquisitions, adopted by each of the manufacturers provide an understanding of the level of competitiveness prevailing in the industry.Contact Us5933 NE Win Sivers Drive,#205, Portland, OR 97220United StatesToll Free: +1 (800) 910-6452Int'l: +1-971-202-1575help@researchbeam.comAbout UsIt is crucial for market players to take leaps strategically and update themselves with recent trends, opportunities, and emerging investment pockets. We, at Research Beam, adhere to these factors and offer a wide range of reports that are detailed and enable our clients to achieve their goals with long term planning coupled with competitive advantage.Our database includes a broad array of various market reports from numerous publishers across the globe. These reports of several market categories and sub-categories help our clients to find the exact report they are looking for. We are instrumental to provide quantitative and qualitative insights in their area of interest and bring reports from various publishers under one umbrella to save their time and money. Our clients across the world are gaining profits from the information given in the reports sourced by us.We also provide customization services by coordinating with the publisher and ensuring that our clients requirement are fulfilled. Our team bridges the gap between our clients & publishers and assists them with expert inputs. We offer relevant and precise research reports to fulfill business requirements at the best price.
Nov, 13 2017: Calorimeter Market Forecast 2023 Linseis, Willsun, Malvern, Netzsch, Kaiyuan, Shimadzu, Sundy

Calorimeter

http://bit.ly/2hpfYmw

http://www.spiremarketresearch.com/global-calorimeter-market-2017-demand-insights-key-palyers-segmentation-and-forecast-to-2022

http://www.spiremarketresearch.com

Calorimeter Market Research 2017A market study "Global Calorimeter Market" examines the performance of the Calorimeter market 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Calorimeter market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Calorimeter market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.The Global Calorimeter Market 2017 report includes Calorimeter market Revenue, market Share, Calorimeter industry volume, market Trends, Calorimeter Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Calorimeter Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2022.To Get Sample Report Click Here:Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Calorimeter Market 2017 : TA Netzsch Mettler-Toledo IKA Malvern Shimadzu Setaram Leco Parr HITACHI Linseis Kaiyuan Sundy U-therm WillsunFirstly, the report covers the top Calorimeter manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Further, the Calorimeter report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Calorimeter industry, Calorimeter industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Calorimeter Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.Browse Full Report Here:The Calorimeter research report includes the products that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the Calorimeter market revenue worldwide.Finally, Calorimeter market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:"Spire Market Research" is a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244, USAWeb:Email: sales@spiremarketresearch.com
The I/O Module Market shows signs of renewed vigor in economies worldwide

http://www.marketresearchglobe.com/request-sample/602924

http://www.marketresearchglobe.com/send-an-enquiry/602924

http://www.marketresearchglobe.com/

The Global I/O Module Market Research Report 2017 renders deep perception of the key regional market status of the I/O Module 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.The report on Global I/O Module Market is a professional report which provides thorough knowledge along with complete information pertaining to the I/O Module industry a propos classification, 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.Download Report Sample @Report Includes:-The report cloaks the market analysis and projection of I/O Module 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 I/O Module Market.The report is generically segmented into six parts and every part aims on the overview of the I/O Module 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 I/O Module industry in the global markets.Get Report Discount@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 I/O Module Industry. The production value and market share in conjunction with the SWOT analysis everything is integrated in this report.The major players profiled in this report include: Panasonic TE Connectivity Commell VIA Technologies ACCES I/O Product BACHMANN BARTECAbout Market Research Globe:Market Research Globe is a competent consulting company in the field of Global Market Research. We provide our clients a wide range of customized Marketing and Business Research Solutions to choose from, with the help of our ingenious database developed by experts. We help our clients understand the strengths of diverse markets and how to exploit opportunities. Covering a diverse range of business scopes from Digital products to Food industry, we are your one- stop solution right from data collection to investment advices.Contact us:Liberty Society,Koregaon Park, Pune- 411001,Maharashtra, India.US: +1-888-376-9998Email- sales@marketresearchglobe.comWeb-
Nov, 13 2017: Dairy Alternative Beverages Market Forecast 2023 Panos Brands, Nutriops, SunOpta, Archer Daniels Midland

Dairy Alternative Beverages

http://bit.ly/2ia4lRk

http://www.spiremarketresearch.com/global-dairy-alternative-beveragesmarket-2017-demand-insights-key-palyers-segmentation-and-forecast-to-2022

http://www.spiremarketresearch.com

Dairy Alternative Beverages Market Research 2017A market study "Global Dairy Alternative Beverages Market" examines the performance of the Dairy Alternative Beverages market 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Dairy Alternative Beverages market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Dairy Alternative Beverages market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.The Global Dairy Alternative Beverages Market 2017 report includes Dairy Alternative Beverages market Revenue, market Share, Dairy Alternative Beverages industry volume, market Trends, Dairy Alternative Beverages Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Dairy Alternative Beverages Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2022.To Get Sample Report Click Here:Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Dairy Alternative Beverages Market 2017 : Archer Daniels Midland WhiteWave Foods Company Blue Diamond Growers SunOpta Earths Own Food Hain Celestial Group Organic Valley Panos Brands Living Harvest Foods Elden Foods Pascual Group Sanitarium Health & Wellbeing Nutriops Daiya FoodsDairy Alternative Beverages Market : By Application Hypermarkets and Supermarkets Independent Retailers Convenience StoresDairy Alternative Beverages Market : By Type Soy Milk Almond Milk Rice MilkFirstly, the report covers the top Dairy Alternative Beverages manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Further, the Dairy Alternative Beverages report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Dairy Alternative Beverages industry, Dairy Alternative Beverages industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Dairy Alternative Beverages Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.Browse Full Report Here:The Dairy Alternative Beverages research report includes the products that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the Dairy Alternative Beverages market revenue worldwide.Finally, Dairy Alternative Beverages market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:"Spire Market Research" is a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244, USAWeb:Email: sales@spiremarketresearch.com
Nov, 13 2017: Dash Cam Market Forecast 2023 iTRONICS, Qrontech, Blackview, Garmin, Fine Digital, Nextbase UK

Dash Cam

http://bit.ly/2AEAGHh

http://www.spiremarketresearch.com/global-dash-cam-market-2017-demand-insights-key-palyers-segmentation-and-forecast-to-2022

http://www.spiremarketresearch.com

Dash Cam Market Research 2017A market study "Global Dash Cam Market" examines the performance of the Dash Cam market 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Dash Cam market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Dash Cam market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.The Global Dash Cam Market 2017 report includes Dash Cam market Revenue, market Share, Dash Cam industry volume, market Trends, Dash Cam Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Dash Cam Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2022.To Get Sample Report Click Here:Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Dash Cam Market 2017 : Blackview First Scene Philips Nextbase UK PAPAGO DOD Garmin SAST REXing Qrontech DEC Kehan HUNYDON JADO Blackvue iTRONICS Fine Digital DAZA Cansonic Cobra Electronics HP Auto-vox OtherDash Cam Market : By Application Passenger Vehicle Commercial VehicleDash Cam Market : By Type Single Channel Dash Cameras Multi-Channel Dash CamerasFirstly, the report covers the top Dash Cam manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Further, the Dash Cam report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Dash Cam industry, Dash Cam industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Dash Cam Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.Browse Full Report Here:The Dash Cam research report includes the products that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the Dash Cam market revenue worldwide.Finally, Dash Cam market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:"Spire Market Research" is a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244, USAWeb:Email: sales@spiremarketresearch.com
Property Management Software Market | Report Is a Complete Study Of Current Trends in The Market, Industry Growth Drivers, and Restraints

https://www.researchbeam.com/2017-2022-property-management-software-report-on-united-states-and-global-status-and-forecast-by-players-types-and-applications-market/purchase-enquiry

https://www.researchbeam.com/2017-2022-property-management-software-report-on-united-states-and-global-status-and-forecast-by-players-types-and-applications-market/request-sample

https://www.researchbeam.com/2017-2022-property-management-software-report-on-united-states-and-global-status-and-forecast-by-players-types-and-applications-market

https://www.researchbeam.com/2017-2022-property-management-software-report-on-united-states-and-global-status-and-forecast-by-players-types-and-applications-market/enquire-about-report

Research Beam has added a report on Global Property Management Software Market Research Report 2017. The report entails the qualitative and quantitative analysis of current and future market estimations. It also divulges details about the mode of research methodology used for the study. It includes data from primary as well as secondary resources. The report is a useful resource for industry players, new entrants in the marketplace, and investors as it helps them plan their business to gain fruitful and meaningful outcomes. It makes them aware of the production, capacity, revenue, supply, consumption, export, import, the challenges and risks associated with the industry, and much more. The report has a mention of the market drivers and opportunities. Key players are profiled in the report and their developments in recent years are mentioned, which helps in understanding the competitive outlook of the global Property Management Software market.Save Upto 15% on this Report@A brief overview of the global Property Management Software industry is provided in the report based on product scope and market status & outlook. The market is segmented on the basis of type, end-users/application, and geography. By type, the market is further bifurcated into Term License, Subscription License, Perpetual License. The report provides information about the production, price, revenue, market share, and growth rate of each type. Application wise, the market is segmented into Household Application, Commercial Application, Industrial Application. Regarding this segment, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, consumption, market share, and growth rate. Geographically, the market has been analyzed across North America, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia, and India. The status and prospect through 2012-2022 for each of these regions are listed in the report.The projections in the report are made by studying the current and future market potential from 2012 to 2022 in terms of value and volume. The market forecast is provided on the basis of capacity, production, consumption, import, export, revenue, price, trends, and growth rate.Request Sample Report@The global Property Management Software market report also provides an analysis of the manufacturing cost of the product. This includes the key raw materials, the proportion of manufacturing cost structure, and manufacturing process analysis. The key raw materials encompass the price trend, key suppliers, and market concentration rate. The proportion of manufacturing cost structure incorporates the raw materials, labor cost, and manufacturing expenses.The global Property Management Software market report has a mention of the industrial chain, sourcing strategy, and downstream buyers. This incorporates the overall industrial chain analysis, upstream raw materials sourcing, raw materials sources of the product major manufacturers in 2015, and downstream buyers.Check Full Report With TOC@The report also throws light on the marketing strategy used for the study. It includes marketing channel (direct marketing, indirect marketing, and marketing channel development trend) and market positioning (pricing strategy, brand strategy, and target client).The global Property Management Software market report also covers an analysis of the market effect factors. This includes the technology progress/risk (substitutes/threat and technology progress in the related industry), consumer needs/customer preference change, and economic/political environmental change.Enquire About Report@The key players which provide solutions in the global Property Management Software market include AppFolio, Buildium, London Computer Systems, MRI Software, RealPage, Yardi Systems, Accruent, ARGUS Software, Genkan, PROMAS, Property Boulevard, Rentec Direct, RentPost, Realty Information Systems, Rosmiman Software Corporation, Skyline Property Management, Total Management, TOPS Software. Information about the production, capacity, price, revenue (value), and market share of each of these manufacturers from 2012 to 2017 are clearly described in the report. In addition, the report details the basic information, manufacturing base, area of sales, and competitors of each of the players. The trends and marketing strategies such as mergers and acquisitions, adopted by each of the manufacturers provide an understanding of the level of competitiveness prevailing in the industry.Contact Us5933 NE Win Sivers Drive,#205, Portland, OR 97220United StatesToll Free: +1 (800) 910-6452Int'l: +1-971-202-1575help@researchbeam.comAbout UsIt is crucial for market players to take leaps strategically and update themselves with recent trends, opportunities, and emerging investment pockets. We, at Research Beam, adhere to these factors and offer a wide range of reports that are detailed and enable our clients to achieve their goals with long term planning coupled with competitive advantage.Our database includes a broad array of various market reports from numerous publishers across the globe. These reports of several market categories and sub-categories help our clients to find the exact report they are looking for. We are instrumental to provide quantitative and qualitative insights in their area of interest and bring reports from various publishers under one umbrella to save their time and money. Our clients across the world are gaining profits from the information given in the reports sourced by us.We also provide customization services by coordinating with the publisher and ensuring that our clients requirement are fulfilled. Our team bridges the gap between our clients & publishers and assists them with expert inputs. We offer relevant and precise research reports to fulfill business requirements at the best price.
Digital Utility Market Analytical Overview 2017 and Top Leaders: Accenture, Capgemini SA, Microsoft, IBM, Cognizant, Cisco, Oracle, SAP SE, ABB

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/4140

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/digital-utility-market-4140

Market Research Future published a research report on Digital Utility Market Research Report- Global Forecast 2023  Market Analysis, Scope, Stake, Progress, Trends and Forecast to 2023.Market HighlightsThe study reveals that digital utility is trending in North America region. The digital utility demand is growing very rapidly as it is providing platform solution for implementing energy efficiency, optimizing business process management and real time analytics that enhances the field services through integration of all IT services and others. The adoption of advanced digital technology in utility are widely used in U.S. The technology includes big data analytics, digital marketing, Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and others. These adoption has enabled digital transformation for numerous utilities.In North America region, the socioeconomic pressures and technology innovations are driving the market of digital utilities. The digital utilities transformation are providing services such as digital utilities maturity assessment, customer & communities experience transformation, digital asset management, digital utilities enterprise architecture and others. In 2016, the U.S. government has launched the Smart Grid Investment Grant program for smart grid development.Get Sample of Report @The most utilities are mainly investing in digital assets management. These digital assets can optimize asset planning, asset information management, asset condition monitoring, program performance management, investment functions and others. For instance, Sigma R Squared, Inc. is offering UtiliManager software which can manage Utility Documentation and Asset Management needs via virtual and interactive web-based tools.The Global Digital Utility Market is growing rapidly over ~12% of CAGR and is expected to reach at USD ~ 253 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 The Global Digital Utility Market Research Report -Forecast to 2023.Key Players Capgemini SA (France) International Business Machine Corporation (U.S.) Accenture PLC (Ireland) Microsoft Corporation (U.S.) Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation (U.S.) Cisco Systems Inc. (U.S.) Oracle Corporation (U.S.) SAP SE (Germany) Siemens AG (Germany) General Electric Company (U.S.) ABB Ltd.(Switzerland)Global Digital Utility Market SegmentationThe global digital utilities are bifurcated into component, deployment type, end-users, and region. The component includes hardware, software, services and other. The deployment type includes on premises, cloud, hybrid and others. The end-users includes residential, commercial, retail and others. The region includes North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and rest of the world.Market Research Analysis:On geographic basis, global digital utility market is studied in different regions as Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of world. It has been observed that North America region is leading with largest market share growth in the digital utility market due to the major companies such as Oracle Corporation, Cisco System Inc., Microsoft Corporation and others, are investing in the digital utility transformation. In this market, Europe is to be estimated to be the second largest market share for digital utility during the forecast period. As companies like SAP SE (Germany), Siemens AG (Germany) are focusing on the digital utilities transformation.Get complete Report @Intended Audience Digital utility manufacturing companies Product sales and distribution companies Digital utility providers Electric utilities Electrical infrastructure providers IT vendors Research and development companies Market research and consulting firms Solution providers Technology standards organizations Technology investors System IntegratorsAbout 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.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.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 Box Making Machines Market 2017 Analysis by Key Manufacturers, Suppliers, Elite Designs, Pricing, Analysis

https://www.qyresearchreports.com/sample/sample.php?rep_id=1335263&type=S

https://www.qyresearchreports.com/report/global-box-making-machines-sales-market-report-2017.htm/toc

http://www.qyresearchreports.com

Qyresearchreports include new market research report Global Box Making Machines Sales Market Report 2017 to its huge collection of research reports.This report on the global Box Making Machines market has been developed by a selected group of professional market research analysts, with a solitary goal to present the current scenario of the market for Box Making Machines and throw light on its growth prospects. The report targets audiences such as manufacturers of Box Making Machines, government agencies, and other research consultancy services. The report presents comprehensive assessment of the major factors that may impact the demand in the global Box Making Machines market, analyzes the challenges or pitfalls, and catches the latest trends, which the existing vendors must take a note of in order to stay ahead of the competition.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @This report on the global Box Making Machines market provides estimations regarding the market size in terms of value (USD million). It includes both top-down and bottom-up views in order to estimate and validate the size of the Box Making Machines market and of several other related submarkets in the overall global market. The opportunities open in the market for Box Making Machines by manufacturing countries type and application, and presents forecast for the duration of 2017-2022 has also been discussed extensively in this research report.As this report targets the stockholders of the global Box Making Machines market, it was only wise that some of the leading companies currently in this market are profiled in order to represent their market share, product portfolio, and recent strategic decisions. This chapter is also aimed at understanding the potential of the entrance of new players. Leading players in the global Box Making Machines market have been detected via secondary research, and their dominance in respective regions have been evaluated through rigorous primary as well as secondary research.Browse Complete Report with TOC @List of Tables and FiguresFigure Global Box Making Machines Market Size (Million USD) by Regions (2012-2022)Figure United States Box Making Machines Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Figure China Box Making Machines Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Figure Europe Box Making Machines Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Figure Japan Box Making Machines Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Figure Southeast Asia Box Making Machines Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Figure India Box Making Machines Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Figure Global Box Making Machines Sales Volume (K Units) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Figure Global Box Making Machines Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Figure Global Market Major Players Box Making Machines Sales Volume (K Units) (2012-2017)Table Global Box Making Machines Sales (K Units) of Key Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)Table Global Box Making Machines Sales Share by Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)About UsQYResearchReports.com is an unimpeachable source of market research data for clients that comprise acclaimed SMEs, Chinese companies, private equity firms, and MNCs. We provide market research reports on various categories such as Energy, Chemicals, Alternative and Green Energy, Manufacturing, Machinery, Pharmaceuticals and Materials, and Glass.Contact usBrooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Web:Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com
Hermetic Packaging Market Size to Witness Significant Growth During 2017 - 2025

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=23492

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=T&rep_id=23492

Hermetic packaging is defined as an advanced level packaging technique which has it primary applications in passive and active electronic devices and it also has usage in semiconductor and electronics industry. Increasing demand for solutions primarily for high reliability and often advanced performance applications, and are extensively used in defense, aerospace and military along with commercial applications are fueling the demand for hermetic packaging across different regions.A sample of this report is available upon request @The hermetic packaging market has been segmented into by type which includes ceramic-metal sealing, reed glass, transponder glass, passivation glass among others. The market has been segmented into by end use industry which includes automotive, aerospace and defense, healthcare, telecommunication, industrial equipment, among others. The geographical segmentation of the hermetic packaging market includes, Asia Pacific, Europe, South America, North America and Middle East and Africa (MEA).In order to prevent any sort of outside physical and chemical or environmental contamination and to protect highly sensitive electronic components used for critical applications which include aerospace, military and defense is one of the major driving factors for the market. Hermetic packaging prevents liquids and gases from entering the package cavity where the die is mounted. Additionally, owing to the hermetic package materials, these are able to withstand and work in higher temperatures. Furthermore, hermetic packaging prevents the semiconductor component from any sort of corrosions more efficiently than any other equivalent plastic packaging. There is different sort of hermetic packaging technique possible which includes multilayer ceramic packages, metal can packages, pressed ceramic packages. In case of multilayer packages, the ceramic tape layers are primarily metalized, laminated and then fired to create the package body. Moreover, pressed ceramic packages are usually a three part construction which includes base, lid and leadframe. Furthermore, metal can packages consist of a metal base with leads exiting through a glass seal. Transistors, lasers, sensors, photodiodes, MEMS switches among others are some of the prime application area of hermetic packaging. Increasing demand for high end packaging techniques in automotive and telecommunication industry is one of the prime factors behind d the growth of hermetic packaging market. Additionally, rising application of hermetic packaging in the medical industry is another major factor fueling the market. High electrical insulation, mechanical stability, protection against corrosion and prevents chemical contamination and pressure transmission are some of the major attributes of hermetic packaging which in turn is increasing the usage of hermetic packaging across different end use industries. Semiconductor components are primarily made of gallium arsenide (GaAs) or silicon (Si) are highly sensitive and require protection against, soiling, damage, aggressive chemical substances or humidity. In order to avoid any sort of contamination the application of the hermetic packing is growing in different industrial components. Strict rules and regulations regarding the packaging materials and increasing packaging cost are some of the restraining factor for the market. Growing adaptation of hermetic packaging across research and labs instrument application along with aeronautics and space and automobile are some of the major opportunities for the market.In 2016, Asia Pacific accounted for the largest market share in terms of revenue for the hermetic packaging market, followed by North America and Europe. China is leading the market for hermetic packaging in Asia Pacific. Additionally, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea and India are holding prominent position in the hermetic packaging market in Asia Pacific. In North America, the U.S. accounted for the highest market share I n terms of revenue, followed by Canada and Mexico. Moreover, Germany, Italy, the U.K., France is major contributors contributing of the hermetic packaging market. In South America, Brazil and Argentina both are anticipated to encounter positive development over the forecast period from 2017 to 2025.In Middle East and Africa (MEA), there has been positive development and advancement in the field of semiconductor and electronics packaging and other industries for instance; healthcare, automotive and high growth of industrial sector is fueling the demand for hermetic packaging market.To view TOC of this report is available upon request @There are some of the major players of the hermetic packaging market operating globally which include Texas Instruments Inc. (The U.S.), and AMETEK, Inc. (The U.S.), Amkor Technology, Inc. (The U.S.), Schott AG (Germany), Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (The U.S.) among others.About USTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a next-generation provider of syndicated research, customized research, and consulting services. TMRs global and regional market intelligence coverage includes industries such as pharmaceutical, chemicals and materials, technology and media, food and beverages, and consumer goods, among others. Each TMR research report provides clients with a 360-degree view of the market with statistical forecasts, competitive landscape, detailed segmentation, key trends, and strategic recommendations.Contact Us-U.S. OFFICE:State Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207
Global Telephonic Switching Apparatus Market 2017-2025

IndexBox has just published a new report "World: Telephonic Or Telegraphic Switching Apparatus - Market Report. Analysis and Forecast to 2025" ( no link?utm_source=opr ).This report is best suitable for you if you: Are planning to enter a new geographical market and wish to know which one is best for your product Are planning to enter a new product market and want to have a detailed overview of the market before entering Already work in a given market and want to update your knowledge on the topic Are developing/reviewing your company strategy and wish to know the existing trends in the market Want to find the best country to import a product from Are consulting a client in the given industry and wish to get a deep understanding of the situation in the market Are planning to open new production facilities and wish to choose the best location.The report serves the above mentioned purposes by providing a deep analysis of the key indicators of the telephonic switching apparatus market. It includes a market overview, which consolidates the key conclusions made from the analysis of the market study, giving insights on the most meaningful markets based on the comparative analysis. The report also provides a outlook of how the market is expected to change in the coming years, based on historical trends, external and internal factors, and the main drivers changing the market. Each section contains a a detailed analysis of the data provided. Specifically, the report indicates the historical developments and relevant perspectives of telephonic switching apparatus production volumes, consumption data, as well as producer prices.The trade section provides crucial data, such as historical data on imports/exports, changes in the direction of trade, as well as import/export prices. Analysis of telephonic switching apparatus trade shows the opportunities that are opening before producers and suppliers in a changing market.Product coverage: Telephonic or telegraphic switching apparatus.Countries coverage: Worldwide - the report contains statistical data for 200 countries and includes detailed profiles of the 50 largest consuming countries (United States, China, Japan, Germany, United Kingdom, France, Brazil, Italy, Russian Federation, India, Canada, Australia, Republic of Korea, Spain, Mexico, Indonesia, Netherlands, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Sweden, Nigeria, Poland, Belgium, Argentina, Norway, Austria, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Colombia, Denmark, South Africa, Malaysia, Israel, Singapore, Egypt, Philippines, Finland, Chile, Ireland, Pakistan, Greece, Portugal, Kazakhstan, Algeria, Czech Republic, Qatar, Peru, Romania, Vietnam) + the largest producing countries.Data coverage: Telephonic switching apparatus market value and size; Major trends in the telephonic switching apparatus market; Historical data of production volumes and its dynamics; Per capita consumption data and its dynamics in recent years; Breakdown of telephonic switching apparatus production by region and country; Outlook of the market in the middle term; Trade volumes and prices; Profiles of major telephonic switching apparatus producers.Methodology:Our methodology consists of obtaining information from various trusted sources (both paid and open), which include, but are not limited to: International official statistical agencies Governmental statistical agencies Official trade statistics Paid trade databases Industrial associations Company reports Industry experts.Our analysts compare the information gathered, confirm it with sources when required, and analyze the collected data, developing a full clear picture of the market and coming up with the final numbers. It is crucial to understand the trends of the market, for which we do provide study, taking into account events in the market, in adjacent and related markets, raw material markets, and markets, which are the main demand creators for the product under research. As for the forecast, it is conducted using analytical models of country-by-country data on consumption, production, exports, imports, prices, as well as the industry trends, economic trends, consumption trends, possible political and technological trends.Source: no link?utm_source=oprIndexBox is a leading market research publisher in the world. You can find more than 25,000 research reports in our web store, which cover global industries and regional markets. All the worldwide marketing data you need is at your fingertips.Company Name: IndexBoxContact Person: Kirill BezverhiEmail: kirill.bezverhi@indexbox.co.ukPhone: +44 20 3239 3063Adress: United Kingdom, 44 Main Street, Douglas, South Lanarkshire, Scotland, ML11 0QW
Nuclear Power in Spain Industry by Manufacturers, Production and Applications Research Report Forecast to 2030

https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/2479036-nuclear-power-in-spain-market-outlook-to-2030-update-2017-capacity

https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/2479036-nuclear-power-in-spain-market-outlook-to-2030-update-2017-capacity

www.linkedin.com/company/4828928

https://twitter.com/WiseGuyReports

https://www.facebook.com/Wiseguyreports-1009007869213183/?fref=ts

Summary"Nuclear Power in Spain, Market Outlook to 2030, Update 2017 - Capacity, Generation, Investment Trends, Regulations and Company Profiles", is the latest report from the industry analysis specialists that offer comprehensive information and understanding of the nuclear power market in Spain.The report provides in depth analysis on global nuclear power market with forecasts up to 2030. The report analyzes the power market scenario in Spain (includes thermal conventional, nuclear, large hydro, pumped storage and renewables) and provides future outlook with forecasts up to 2030. The research details nuclear power market outlook in the country and provides forecasts up to 2030. The report highlights installed capacity and power generation trends from 2006 to 2030 in Spain nuclear power market. A detailed coverage of nuclear energy policy framework governing the market with specific policies pertaining to nuclear is provided in the report. The research also provides details of active nuclear reactors in the country, market size of major equipment and company snapshot of some of the major market participants.GET SAMPLE REPORT @Scope- A brief introduction on global carbon emissions and global primary energy consumption.- Historical period is during 2006-2016 (unless specified) and forecast period is for 2017-2030.- Overview on the global nuclear power market with installed capacity and generation trends, installed capacity split by region in 2016, installed capacity split by major nuclear power countries in 2016 and investment trends.- Power market scenario in Spain provides detailed market overview, installed capacity and power generation trends by various fuel types (includes thermal conventional, nuclear, large hydro and renewables) with forecasts up to 2030.- Details of Spain nuclear power market with installed capacity and generation trends, installed capacity by reactor type, installed capacity share by contractor/owner and information on major active and upcoming projects.- Key policies and regulatory framework supporting nuclear power development.- Company snapshots of some of the major market participants in the country.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 Spain nuclear power market.- Facilitate decision-making based on strong historic and forecast data for nuclear power market.- Position yourself to gain the maximum advantage of the industrys growth potential.- Identify key partners and business development avenues.- Understand and respond to your competitors business structure, strategy and prospects.Table of Content: Key Points1 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 Nuclear Power to Grow at a Slower Pace than Other Power Generating Sources 62.3 Thermal Power is the Dominant Source in the Power Mix 62.4 Reduced Reliance on Nuclear Energy 73 Introduction 83.1 Carbon Emissions, Global, 2001-2016 83.2 Primary Energy Consumption, Global, 2001-2030 103.3 Report Guidance 134 Nuclear Power Market, Global, 2006-2030 144.1 Nuclear Power Market, Global, Overview 144.2 Nuclear Power Market, Global, Installed Capacity, 2006-2030 154.2.1 Nuclear Power Market, Global, Installed Capacity Share by Region, 2016 and 2030 164.2.2 Nuclear Power Market, Global, Installed Capacity Share by Country, 2016 and 2030 174.3 Nuclear Power Market, Global, Power Generation, 2006-2030 204.3.1 Nuclear Power Market, Global, Generation Share by Region, 2016 and 2030 224.3.2 Nuclear Power Market, Global, Generation Share by Country, 2016 and 2030 234.4 Nuclear Market, Global, Investment Trends, 2016-2020 255 Power Market, Spain, 2006-2030 275.1 Power Market, Spain, Overview 275.2 Power Market, Spain, Installed Capacity, 2006-2030 285.2.1 Power Market, Spain, Cumulative Installed Capacity by Fuel Type, 2006-2030 285.2.2 Power Market, Spain, Share in Cumulative Installed Capacity Split by Source Type, 2016 and 2030 315.2.3 Power Market, Spain, Net Capacity Additions by Fuel Type, 2016-2030 325.2.4 Power Market, Spain, Comparison of Technologies Based on Installed Capacity, 2016-2030 345.3 Power Market, Spain, Power Generation, 2006-2030 365.3.1 Power Market, Spain, Power Generation by Fuel Type, 2006-2030 365.3.2 Power Market, Spain, Comparison of Technologies Based on Power Generation, 2016-2030 396 Nuclear Power Market, Spain, 2006-2030 416.1 Nuclear Power Market, Spain, Overview 416.2 Nuclear Power Market, Spain, Installed Capacity, 2006 - 2030 42ContinuedACCESS REPORT @Get in touch:LinkedIn:Twitter:Facebook:Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe.WISE GUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersPune - 411028Maharashtra, India
Knife And Scissors Market - Global Industry Analysis, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2017 - 2025

IndexBox has just published a new report "World: Knives, Scissors And Blades - Market Report. Analysis and Forecast to 2025" ( no link?utm_source=opr ).This report is best suitable for you if you: Are planning to enter a new geographical market and wish to know which one is best for your product Are planning to enter a new product market and want to have a detailed overview of the market before entering Already work in a given market and want to update your knowledge on the topic Are developing/reviewing your company strategy and wish to know the existing trends in the market Want to find the best country to import a product from Are consulting a client in the given industry and wish to get a deep understanding of the situation in the market Are planning to open new production facilities and wish to choose the best location.The report serves the above mentioned purposes by providing a deep survey of the key indicators of the knife and scissors market. It includes a market overview, which consolidates the key conclusions made from the analysis of the market survey, giving insights on the most valuable markets based on the comparative analysis. The report also provides a outlook of how the market is expected to change in the coming years, based on historical trends, external and internal factors, and the main drivers changing the market. Each section contains a an in-depth study of the data provided. Specifically, the report outlines the historical developments and existing prospects of knife and scissors production volumes, consumption data, as well as producer prices.The trade section provides crucial data, such as historical data on imports/exports, changes in the direction of trade, as well as import/export prices. Analysis of knife and scissors trade shows the opportunities that are opening before producers and suppliers in a changing market.Product coverage: Knives with cutting blades, serrated or not, including pruning knives, (other than knives and cutting blades, for machines or for mechanical appliances) and blades therefor; scissors, tailors' shears and similar shears, and blades therefor.Countries coverage: Worldwide - the report contains statistical data for 200 countries and includes detailed profiles of the 50 largest consuming countries (United States, China, Japan, Germany, United Kingdom, France, Brazil, Italy, Russian Federation, India, Canada, Australia, Republic of Korea, Spain, Mexico, Indonesia, Netherlands, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Sweden, Nigeria, Poland, Belgium, Argentina, Norway, Austria, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Colombia, Denmark, South Africa, Malaysia, Israel, Singapore, Egypt, Philippines, Finland, Chile, Ireland, Pakistan, Greece, Portugal, Kazakhstan, Algeria, Czech Republic, Qatar, Peru, Romania, Vietnam) + the largest producing countries.Data coverage: Knife and scissors market value and size; Major trends in the knife and scissors market; Historical data of production volumes and its dynamics; Per capita consumption data and its dynamics in recent years; Breakdown of knife and scissors production by region and country; Outlook of the market in the middle term; Trade volumes and prices; Profiles of major knife and scissors producers.Methodology:Our methodology consists of obtaining information from various trusted sources (both paid and open), which include, but are not limited to: International official statistical agencies Governmental statistical agencies Official trade statistics Paid trade databases Industrial associations Company reports Industry experts.Our analysts compare the information gathered, confirm it with sources when required, and analyze the collected data, developing a full clear picture of the market and coming up with the final numbers. It is crucial to understand the trends of the market, for which we do provide study, taking into account events in the market, in adjacent and related markets, raw material markets, and markets, which are the main demand creators for the product under research. As for the forecast, it is conducted using analytical models of country-by-country data on consumption, production, exports, imports, prices, as well as the industry trends, economic trends, consumption trends, possible political and technological trends.Source: no link?utm_source=oprIndexBox is a leading market research publisher in the world. You can find more than 25,000 research reports in our web store, which cover global industries and regional markets. All the worldwide marketing data you need is at your fingertips.Company Name: IndexBoxContact Person: Kirill BezverhiEmail: kirill.bezverhi@indexbox.co.ukPhone: +44 20 3239 3063Adress: United Kingdom, 44 Main Street, Douglas, South Lanarkshire, Scotland, ML11 0QW
Global Cement Plate Market Analysis And Forecast 2017-2025

IndexBox has just published a new report "World: Cement Plates, Sticks, Tips And The Like For Tools - Market Report. Analysis and Forecast to 2025" ( no link?utm_source=opr ).This report is best suitable for you if you: Are planning to enter a new geographical market and wish to know which one is best for your product Are planning to enter a new product market and want to have a detailed overview of the market before entering Already work in a given market and want to update your knowledge on the topic Are developing/reviewing your company strategy and wish to know the existing trends in the market Want to find the best country to import a product from Are consulting a client in the given industry and wish to get a deep understanding of the situation in the market Are planning to open new production facilities and wish to choose the best location.The report serves the above mentioned purposes by providing a deep survey of the key indicators of the cement plate market. It includes a market overview, which consolidates the key conclusions made from the analysis of the market survey, giving insights on the most extensive markets based on the comparative analysis. The report also provides a forecast of how the market is expected to change in the coming years, based on historical trends, external and internal factors, and the main drivers changing the market. Each section contains a a comprehensive study of the data provided. Specifically, the report outlines the historical developments and relevant projections of cement plate production volumes, consumption data, as well as producer prices.The trade section provides crucial data, such as historical data on imports/exports, changes in the direction of trade, as well as import/export prices. Analysis of cement plate trade shows the opportunities that are opening before producers and suppliers in a changing market.Product coverage: Plates, sticks, tips and the like for tools, unmounted, of cermet.Countries coverage: Worldwide - the report contains statistical data for 200 countries and includes detailed profiles of the 50 largest consuming countries (United States, China, Japan, Germany, United Kingdom, France, Brazil, Italy, Russian Federation, India, Canada, Australia, Republic of Korea, Spain, Mexico, Indonesia, Netherlands, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Sweden, Nigeria, Poland, Belgium, Argentina, Norway, Austria, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Colombia, Denmark, South Africa, Malaysia, Israel, Singapore, Egypt, Philippines, Finland, Chile, Ireland, Pakistan, Greece, Portugal, Kazakhstan, Algeria, Czech Republic, Qatar, Peru, Romania, Vietnam) + the largest producing countries.Data coverage: Cement plate market value and size; Major trends in the cement plate market; Historical data of production volumes and its dynamics; Per capita consumption data and its dynamics in recent years; Breakdown of cement plate production by region and country; Outlook of the market in the middle term; Trade volumes and prices; Profiles of major cement plate producers.Methodology:Our methodology consists of obtaining information from various trusted sources (both paid and open), which include, but are not limited to: International official statistical agencies Governmental statistical agencies Official trade statistics Paid trade databases Industrial associations Company reports Industry experts.Our analysts compare the information gathered, confirm it with sources when required, and analyze the collected data, developing a full clear picture of the market and coming up with the final numbers. It is crucial to understand the trends of the market, for which we do provide study, taking into account events in the market, in adjacent and related markets, raw material markets, and markets, which are the main demand creators for the product under research. As for the forecast, it is conducted using analytical models of country-by-country data on consumption, production, exports, imports, prices, as well as the industry trends, economic trends, consumption trends, possible political and technological trends.Source: no link?utm_source=oprIndexBox is a leading market research publisher in the world. You can find more than 25,000 research reports in our web store, which cover global industries and regional markets. All the worldwide marketing data you need is at your fingertips.Company Name: IndexBoxContact Person: Kirill BezverhiEmail: kirill.bezverhi@indexbox.co.ukPhone: +44 20 3239 3063Adress: United Kingdom, 44 Main Street, Douglas, South Lanarkshire, Scotland, ML11 0QW
Gum Argentina Industry 2017- By Plan Future Business Decisions Using the Forecast Figures

https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/2479038-gum-confectionery-market-in-argentina-outlook-to-2021-market-size-growth

https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/2479038-gum-confectionery-market-in-argentina-outlook-to-2021-market-size-growth

www.linkedin.com/company/4828928

https://twitter.com/WiseGuyReports

https://www.facebook.com/Wiseguyreports-1009007869213183/?fref=ts

Pune, India, 13th November 2017: WiseGuyReports announced addition of new report, titled Gum (Confectionery) Market in Argentina - Outlook to 2021: Market Size, Growth and Forecast Analytics.SummaryGum (Confectionery) Market in Argentina - Outlook to 2021: Market Size, Growth and Forecast Analytics is a broad level market review of Gum market in Argentina.Gum Confectionery includes all bubble and chewing gum (including functional gum and sugar free gum). Also includes dental gums.Gum market in Argentina registered a positive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.04% during the period 2011 to 2016 with a sales value of ARS 2,479.30 Million in 2016, an increase of 2.27% over 2015. The research handbook provides up-to-date market size data for period 2011-2016 and illustrative forecast to 2021 covering key market aspects like Sales Value and Volume for Gum and its variants Bubble Gum, Chewing Gum.GET SAMPLE REPORT @Furthermore, the research handbook details out Sales Value for top brands for the year 2013 to 2016, Demographic Analytics and overall market sales by Distribution Channel (Hypermarkets & Supermarkets, Convenience Stores, Department Stores, Dollar Stores, Variety Store, Cash & Carries and Warehouse clubs, eRetailers, Food & Drinks specialists, Drug stores & Pharmacies, Health & Beauty Stores, Other general retailers and others) where ever applicable.The research handbook acts as an essential tool for companies active or planning to venture in to Argentina's Gum (Confectionery) market. The comprehensive statistics within the research handbook provides insight into the operating environment of the market and also ensures right business decision making based on historical trends and industry model based forecasting.Sales Values in the handbook are depicted in USD ($) and local currency of country and Volumes are represented in M Kilograms.Scope- Overall Gum (Confectionery) market value and volume analytics with growth analysis from 2011 to 2021.- Value terms for the top brands.- Distribution channel sales analytics from 2013-2016.Reasons to buy- Get access to authoritative and granular data on the Gum (Confectionery) market and fill in the gaps in understanding of trends and the components of change behind them.- Enhance your understanding of the market to update your strategic and tactical plans based on volume and value changes, brand dynamics and distribution trends.- Analyze the components of change in the market by looking at historic and future growth patterns.- Use the data to understand future patterns of the market trends from winners and losers to category dynamics and thereby quickly and easily identify the key areas in which you want to compete in the future.Table of Content: Key Points1 Gum Market Overview2 Argentina Gum Market Analytics, 2011-212.1 Gum Value Analytics, 2011-212.1.1 Gum Market by Value, 2011-212.1.2 Gum Market Value by Segments, 2011-212.2 Gum Volume Analytics, 2011-212.2.1 Gum Market by Volume, 2011-212.2.2 Gum Market Volume by Segments, 2011-212.3 Argentina Gum Demographic Analytics, 2012-162.3.1 Argentina Gum Demographic Analytics by Age Group, 2012-162.3.2 Argentina Gum Demographic Analytics by Education Level, 2012-162.3.3 Argentina Gum Demographic Analytics by Gender, 2012-162.3.4 Argentina Gum Demographic Analytics by Urbanization, 2012-163 Argentina Gum Market Analytics, by Segment 2011-213.1 Bubble Gum Analytics, 2011-213.1.1 Bubble Gum Market by Value, 2011-213.1.2 Bubble Gum Market by Volume, 2011-213.2 Chewing Gum Analytics, 2011-213.2.1 Chewing Gum Market by Value, 2011-213.2.2 Chewing Gum Market by Volume, 2011-214 Argentina Gum Brand Analytics by Value, 2013-164.1 Gum Brand Analytics by Value, 2013-165 Argentina Gum Brand Analytics by Volume, 2014-165.1 Gum Brand Analytics by volume, 2014-166 Argentina Gum Distribution Channel Analytics by Value, 2013-166.1 Gum Distribution Channel Analytics by value, 2013-167 AppendixContinuedACCESS REPORT @Get in touch:LinkedIn:Twitter:Facebook:Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe.WISE GUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersPune - 411028Maharashtra, India
Ethnic/Traditional Snacks Peru 2017 Market Challenge, Driver, Trends & Forecast to 2021

https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/2457064-ethnic-traditional-snacks-savory-snacks-market-in-peru-outlook-to-2021

https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/2457064-ethnic-traditional-snacks-savory-snacks-market-in-peru-outlook-to-2021

www.linkedin.com/company/4828928

https://twitter.com/WiseGuyReports

https://www.facebook.com/Wiseguyreports-1009007869213183/?fref=ts

Pune, India, 13th November 2017: WiseGuyReports announced addition of new report, titled Ethnic/Traditional Snacks (Savory Snacks) Market in Peru - Outlook to 2021: Market Size, Growth and Forecast Analytics.SummaryEthnic/Traditional Snacks (Savory Snacks) Market in Peru - Outlook to 2021: Market Size, Growth and Forecast Analytics is a broad level market review of Ethnic/Traditional Snacks market in Peru.Ethnic/Traditional Snacks - Snacks from non-western cultures, usually Asian specialties e.g. Bombay mixEthnic/Traditional Snacks market in Peru registered a positive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.51% during the period 2011 to 2016 with a sales value of PEN 43.47 Million in 2016, an increase of 6.95% over 2015. The research handbook provides up-to-date market size data for period 2011-2016 and illustrative forecast to 2021 covering key market aspects like Sales Value and Volume for Ethnic/Traditional Snacks and its variants Ethnic/Traditional Snacks.GET SAMPLE REPORT @Furthermore, the research handbook details out Sales Value for top brands for the year 2013 to 2016, Demographic Analytics and overall market sales by Distribution Channel (Hypermarkets & Supermarkets, Convenience Stores, Department Stores, Dollar Stores, Variety Store, Cash & Carries and Warehouse clubs, eRetailers, Food & Drinks specialists, Drug stores & Pharmacies, Health & Beauty Stores, Other general retailers and others) where ever applicable.The research handbook acts as an essential tool for companies active or planning to venture in to Peru's Ethnic/Traditional Snacks (Savory Snacks) market. The comprehensive statistics within the research handbook provides insight into the operating environment of the market and also ensures right business decision making based on historical trends and industry model based forecasting.Sales Values in the handbook are depicted in USD ($) and local currency of country and Volumes are represented in M Kilograms.Scope- Overall Ethnic/Traditional Snacks (Savory Snacks) market value and volume analytics with growth analysis from 2011 to 2021.- Value terms for the top brands.- Distribution channel sales analytics from 2013-2016.Reasons to buy- Get access to authoritative and granular data on the Ethnic/Traditional Snacks (Savory Snacks) market and fill in the gaps in understanding of trends and the components of change behind them.- Enhance your understanding of the market to update your strategic and tactical plans based on volume and value changes, brand dynamics and distribution trends.- Analyze the components of change in the market by looking at historic and future growth patterns.- Use the data to understand future patterns of the market trends from winners and losers to category dynamics and thereby quickly and easily identify the key areas in which you want to compete in the future.Table of Content: Key Points1 Ethnic/Traditional Snacks Market Overview2 Peru Ethnic/Traditional Snacks Market Analytics, 2011-212.1 Ethnic/Traditional Snacks Value Analytics, 2011-212.1.1 Ethnic/Traditional Snacks Market by Value, 2011-212.2 Ethnic/Traditional Snacks Volume Analytics, 2011-212.2.1 Ethnic/Traditional Snacks Market by Volume, 2011-212.3 Peru Ethnic/Traditional Snacks Demographic Analytics, 2012-162.3.1 Peru Ethnic/Traditional Snacks Demographic Analytics by Age Group, 2012-162.3.2 Peru Ethnic/Traditional Snacks Demographic Analytics by Education Level, 2012-162.3.3 Peru Ethnic/Traditional Snacks Demographic Analytics by Gender, 2012-162.3.4 Peru Ethnic/Traditional Snacks Demographic Analytics by Urbanization, 2012-163 Peru Ethnic/Traditional Snacks Brand Analytics by Value, 2013-163.1 Ethnic/Traditional Snacks Brand Analytics by Value, 2013-164 Peru Ethnic/Traditional Snacks Brand Analytics by Volume, 2013-164.1 Ethnic/Traditional Snacks Brand Analytics by volume, 2013-165 Peru Ethnic/Traditional Snacks Distribution Channel Analytics by Value, 2013-165.1 Ethnic/Traditional Snacks Distribution Channel Analytics by value, 2013-166 Appendix6.1 Definitions6.1.1 Category Definitions6.1.2 Distribution Channel Definitions6.1.3 Volume Units and Aggregations6.1.4 CAGR Definition and Calculation6.1.5 Graphical representation of Brands6.1.6 Exchange RatesContinuedACCESS REPORT @Get in touch:LinkedIn:Twitter:Facebook:Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe.WISE GUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersPune - 411028Maharashtra, India
Refineries in India Market Business 2017 Share, Trend, Segmentation Research Report 2018

https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/2488391-refineries-product-market-and-capacity-expansion-opportunities-and-outlook-in-india

https://www.wiseguyreports.com/conferences

https://www.wiseguyreports.com/seminars

SUMMARYWiseGuyReports published new report, titled Refineries, Product Market and Capacity Expansion Opportunities and Outlook in IndiaExamining the market expansion trends for petrochemical industry in India and the scope of businessIt is pertinent to note that an investment to the tune of approximately USD 5.2 Billion, is what Indian refining industry is anticipating till 2020 in developing its brownfield refineries. In this line Indias largest downstream player, IOCL also plans to invest about USD 27 Billion in coming 5-7 years to expand its refining capacity from 80.7 MTPA to about 150 MTPA through both brownfield and greenfield capacity creation. Not only this, but the other dominant industry players such as BPCL, HPCL etc. are also not far behind in catching up the footprints of IOCL in this regard. For instance, BPCL has invested an amount of USD 2.5 Billion in an Integrated Refinery Expansion Project at its Kochi refinery. Like this, there are many examples indicating the market size expansion of Indias Brownfield Refinery segment.India is a major demand centre and supply hub of petroleum products in Asia. Infact, with demand for petrol growing at 6%, the country is anticipated to surpass China by 2018 becoming Asias fatest growing oil market. Having said that, despite this growing demand India might not see greenfield refinery capacities coming its way for atleast upcoming 2-3 years here on. But, this doesnt fade way the investment attractiveness of the refining industry in India, as the country plans to focus on modernizing , technologically upgrading and capacity expansion of the already existing refineries.GET SAMPLE REPORT @Key Queries ResolvedWhat are the key factors driving refinery business market in India?What shall be the market for refined products in India till 2022?How fair would be the gasoline market in India till 2022?What would be the demand-supply dynamics of petrochemicals till 2022?How fair would be the LPG market in India till 2022?Whether the future of refining industry in India would be a continuous retreat or rising profitability?What would be the demand of diesel oil in India till 2022?What would be the capital investment trends in upcoming refineries in India?What would be the player wise refining capacity expansions in India till 2022?What would be the market share of players into Indias refining industry till 2022 by capacity?What would be the market share of players into Indias refining industry till 2022 by revenue?What would be the market share of players into Indias refining industry till 2022 by products?Key points to buyEvaluating the business attractive index parametric benchmarking for Indian refining industryExamining business opportunities in creating additional capacityExamining business case for value chain players into refining industry for market expansionEvaluating product wise refining capacities and forecasts till 2022Identifying major restraints to refining business in IndiaTable of ContentsContents and Coverage:Refining Industry & Refined Products in India- OverviewRefinery Business Market- Drivers & Restraints in IndiaRefined Products Market Demand and Supply Dynamics in India  Examining the Current ScenarioRefinery Capacity Expansion & Opportunities in India, Status as on 2017Refinery Capacities- Historic Trend and Outlook in IndiaMarket Share Analysis & Opportunities in Refinery Business of India  Examining the Current MarketMarket Expansion & Refining Business Matrix EvaluationCompanies Deck for Refinery Business in India..CONTINUEDFor accessing accurate and deep understanding and to gain latest insights and key developments in the area of your interest, we also have a list of conferences in which you will be interested in, for more information, cordially checkFor updating knowledge or for thoroughly understanding various terminologies, we also have vast list of seminars for your reference, for more information cordially checkWise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Research Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe.WISEGUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersPune - 411028Maharashtra, India
Disinfectors Market for Disinfectors is Expected to Grow at a CAGR of 10.2% from 2017 to 2020

MRRSE

https://www.mrrse.com/sample/1304

https://www.mrrse.com/disinfectors-market

https://www.mrrse.com/enquiry/1304

https://www.mrrse.com/disinfectors-market

https://www.mrrse.com/

https://www.industrynewsanalysis.com/

Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) has been serving as an active source to cater intelligent research report to enlighten both readers and investors. This research study titled Disinfectors Market: Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2017 - 2020 Get Free Sample Report @Disinfection is an essential procedure that is performed for infection control in healthcare facilities such as hospitals, clinics, elder care institutes and laboratories, using disinfectors and other infection control equipment such as sterilizers. Medical instruments, bedpans and urine bottles are placed inside the washers and flusher for disinfecting. The market is anticipated to grow with increasing number of hospital-acquired infections that has compelled medical professionals to use disinfectors. In addition, increase in the number of surgeries performed at hospitals and clinics and rising geriatric population will further propel the growth of disinfectors market. This is due to the fact that elderly people are more prone to various diseases that increase their hospital visit and uptake of various medical services. Hence, owing to the above mentioned facts the demand for disinfectors is expected to grow.The global disinfectors market, based on product type has been segmented as washer disinfectors, flusher disinfectors and endoscope reprocessors. The market for washer disinfectors has been further segmented as single chamber and multi-chamber washer disinfectors. Single chamber washer disinfectors market has been further segmented as single door and double door. The market for these products has been extensively analyzed based on number of installed base, efficiency, application area and cost. The market size and forecast in terms of USD million for each product type has been provided for the period 2012 to 2020, considering 2013 as the base year. The report also provides compounded annual growth rate (% CAGR) for the forecast period 2014 to 2020 for each segment.Browse Full Report with TOC @The global disinfectors market has been segmented based on applications as hospitals and clinics, pharmaceutical and elder care institutes. The market for these applications has been extensively analyzed based on the consumption pattern, usage pattern and efficiency. The market size and forecast in terms of USD million for each product type has been provided for the period 2012 to 2020, considering 2013 as the base year. The report also provides the compounded annual growth rate (% CAGR) for the forecast period 2014 to 2020 for each segment.The global market for disinfectors has also been segmented based on application as life sciences, medical devices and pharmaceuticals. The market for these products has been extensively analyzed based on the number of hospitals, pharmaceutical and life-sciences companies, and compatibility of sterilization equipment and disinfectants for cleaning. The market size and forecast in terms of USD million for each product type has been provided for the period 2012 to 2020, considering 2013 as the base year. The report also provides the compounded annual growth rate (% CAGR) for the forecast period 2013 to 2019 for each segment. In addition, current market trends and recent developments have been taken into consideration while determining the growth rate of the global disinfectors market.Send an Enquiry @The global market for disinfectors has also been provided for four major geographic regions: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of the World (RoW). The market for each geographical region has been extensively analyzed based on the number of hospitals, pharmaceutical and life-sciences companies, epidemic scenario, regulatory scenario, economic development, presence and reach of key companies. The market size and forecast in terms of USD million for each product type has been provided for the period 2012 to 2020, considering 2013 as the base year. The report also provides the compounded annual growth rate (% CAGR) for the forecast period 2013 to 2019 for each segment. Detailed qualitative analysis of the factors responsible for driving and restraining the growth of the disinfectors market and future opportunities are provided in the report. PESTLE analysis has also been done while estimating individual geographies in order to provide current as well as future status. A list of recommendations for existing as well as new entrants has been discussed in the study to help in decision making.Some of the key players of the global disinfectors market include Getinge Group, STERIS Corporation, Advanced Sterilization Products Services, Inc., OLYMPUS CORPORATION and Belimed Group. Market players are profiled in this report on the basis of attributes such as company overview, financial overview, business strategies adopted by the companies to ensure sustainability and maximize profits and product portfolio, and recent developments.Check Discount @About MRRSEMarket 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.Contact UsState Tower90, State StreetSuite 700Albany, NY - 12207United States Telephone: +1-518-730-0559Email: sales@mrrse.comWebsite:Read More Industry News At:
North America Egg Processing Market Worth will reach USD 9.56 billion by 2021

http://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/north-america-egg-processing-market-2466/

http://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/north-america-egg-processing-market-2466/request-sample

http://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/north-america-egg-processing-market-2466/inquire

http://www.marketdataforecast.com/blog/

As per the report North America Egg Processing Market By Type (Dried, Liquid, Frozen), By Application (Bakery, Confectionery, Dairy Products, Ready-to-eat, Soups & Sauces, Others), And By Region - Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, And Forecasts (20162021) published by Market Data Forecast, this Market is expected to reach USD 9.56 billion by 2021 from USD 8.16 billion in 2016, growing at a CAGR of 3.21%.View Summary of the report @North America Egg Processing Market Segmentation: By Type: Introduction, Dried, Liquid and Frozen By Application: Introduction, Bakery & Confectionery, Dairy products, Ready-to-eat and Soups & Sauces By Geography: Introduction, United States and CanadaKey Findings of the study: North America Egg Processing Market will reach USD 9.56 billion by 2021 The North America Egg Processing Market has witnessed rapid growth in the consumption of egg and its products which has in turn helped the market itself to show huge growth in recent years. Other major driving factors include advancements in technological, emerging markets and also new product launches. On the other hand, the market faces challenges as well like, time consuming regulation policies, stringent food safety regulations and animal welfare regulation policies. These factors have been holding the market down from reaching its true potential. Actini Group (Actini Sas), Cal-Maine Foods, Inc., Moba B.V., Avril SCA, Eurovo S.R.L., Interovo Egg Group B.V., S.P.A., Igreca S.A., Bouwhuis Enthovan, Sanovo Technology Group are some of the major companies dominating the North America Egg Processing Market.Free Sample Market Brochure of the report is available @Make an Inquiry @About MarketDataForecast:Market Data Forecast is a firm working in the area of market research and business intelligence. With rich experience in research across various business domains, we cater to the needs of both individual and corporate clients. Our analyst team comprises expert professionals in market research, who with their collective knowledge and skillset dedicatedly serve clients from various industries and regions.Media Contact:Abhishek ShuklaInternational Business Development ManagerMarket Data ForecastDirect Line: +1-888-702-9626; Mobile: +91 998 555 0206Mail: abhishek@marketdataforecast.comVisit MarketDataForecast Blog @
Future of Leather Specialty Chemical Market Size 2022 Lanxess, Stahl, Balmer Lawrie, Pulcra-Chemicals, Zhejiang Communication, Brother Enterprises, Indofil

https://www.marketstudyreport.com/request-a-sample/682222/?utm_source=OPR-AN

https://www.marketstudyreport.com/check-for-discount/682222/

https://www.marketstudyreport.com/reports/global-leather-specialty-chemical-market-by-manufacturers-regions-type-and-application-forecast-to-2022

https://www.marketstudyreport.com/reports/world-powder-coatings-market-research-report-2022-covering-usa-europe-china-japan-india-south-east-asia-and-etc?utm_source=RR-AN

https://www.marketstudyreport.com

https://www.marketstudyreport.com/category/news-releases/

MarketStudyReport.com Add New Global Leather Specialty Chemical Market by Manufacturers, Countries, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 to its research database. The report presents a deep study of the market growth factors and drivers. The report spread across 116 pages with table and figures in it.Global Leather Specialty Chemical Market Size, Status and Forecast 2022 provides Market information about Manufacturers, Countries, Type and Application. This Industry report also states Company Profile, sales, Leather Specialty Chemical Market revenue and price, market share, market growth and gross margin by regions.Leather specialty chemical Market include chemicals essentially required in the early stages of leather processing. It includes low sulphide unhairing agents, aldehyde tanning agents, chromium sulphate, fungicides, formic acid and so on. They play a vital role in the business. For example, formic acid lowers the pH value of skin and fungicides helps in preventing fungal growth in skin/hide.Request a Free sample PDF of this research to evaluate more:Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Leather Specialty Chemical in Global market, especially in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa. This report categorizes the market based on manufacturers, regions, type and application.Market Segment by Manufacturers, this report covers Lanxess, Stahl, Balmer Lawrie, Pulcra-Chemicals, Zhejiang Communication, Brother Enterprises, IndofilMarket Segment by Regions, regional analysis covers North America (USA, Canada and Mexico), Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy), Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia), South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia etc.), Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa)Market Segment by Type, covers Tanning & Dyeing, Beamhouse Chemicals, Finishing ChemicalsMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided into Footwear, Furniture, Auto, Garments, GlovesRequest Discount for Global Leather Specialty Chemical Market Research Report @There are 15 Chapters to deeply display the global Leather Specialty Chemical market.Chapter 1, to describe Leather Specialty Chemical Market Size Introduction, product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2, to analyze the top manufacturers of Leather Specialty Chemical Market Size, with sales, revenue, and price of Leather Specialty Chemical, 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 Leather Specialty Chemical, for each region, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, to analyze the key regions, with sales, revenue and market share by key countries in these regions;Chapter 10 and 11, to show the Leather Specialty Chemical Market Size by type and application, with sales market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 12, Leather Specialty Chemical market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2017 to 2022;Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Leather Specialty Chemical sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data sourceFor More Info on Market Research @Related Reports: -World Powder Coatings Market Research Report 2022 (covering USA, Europe, China, Japan, India, South East Asia and etc)Powder Coatings market research report provides the newest industry data and industry future trends, allowing you to identify the products and end users driving Revenue growth and profitability.Marketstudyreport.com allows you to manage and control all corporate research purchases to consolidate billing and vendor management. You can eliminate duplicate purchases and customize your content and license management.Market Study ReportThe Green Suite #4594,Dover, DE 19901United StatesPhone: 1-201-355-0868US Toll Free: 1-866-764-2150Email: sales@marketstudyreport.comWebsite:News:
Research Details Developments In The Halal Pharmaceuticals Market Research Report 2017

https://www.alltakemarketresearch.com/enquiry/request_sample/12522

https://www.alltakemarketresearch.com/report-detail/Halal-Pharmaceuticals-Market

Halal Pharmaceuticals Market research report helps to get access to industry data and upcoming trends which will give you avenues to know about the market. This report gives opportunities to go through with industry analysis, share and forecast, Providing brief description about the market size its competitors and product identification.Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), market share and growth rate of Halal Pharmaceuticals in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), coveringNorth AmericaEuropeChinaJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaRequest For Free Sample Of The Report @Global Halal Pharmaceuticals market competition by top manufacturers, with production, price, revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturer; the top players includingCCM PharmaceuticalsPharmaniagaRosemont PharmaceuticalsSimpor PharmaBosch PharmaceuticalsNOOR VITAMINS...On the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoTabletsSyrupsCapsulesOthersObtain Report Details @On the basis of the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, consumption (sales), market share and growth rate for each application, includingHealth Care ProductsDrugsIf you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.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
Enjoy Group Discounts for the Diamond WifiBuddy at Japan Wifi Buddy

https://www.japanwifibuddy.com/blog/group-discounts-for-the-diamond-wifibuddy

United States 13-11-2017. Japan Wifi Buddy is the leading company gladly provides best pocket Wifi facility in Japan for English speaking tourists. It has recently introduced its new Diamond Package with group discounts. Although, it has three different plans for internet users but Diamond package is one with unlimited features. It is perfect for people who cannot even think about living without internet. Apart from this, the businessmen who need to access their emails or need to perform their official tasks during their stay in Japan consider renting pocket Wifi in Japan.A fast speed internet during your trip in Japan can be ultimate thing if you want to enjoy your trip at the fullest. Pocket Wifi device has endless benefits and it works similarly as your broadband or Wifi works at home. You can use it for any purpose as it is completely secure to use and you can even protect it with password. For Diamond Japan Wifi rental plan, Japan Wifi Buddy provides special discounts to large groups.Here at Japan Wifi Buddy, you will be able to get special discount on Diamond Package and percentage of discounts is: If you want to connect 5+ devices then you will get 10% discount If you want to connect 10+ devices then you will get 12% discount If you want to connect 20+ devices then you will get 15% discountThese discounts are provided by Japan Wifi Buddy just to help your whole group to stay connected. If you are really willing to get such discounts then make sure you book your Jaapn Wifi rental from Japan Wifi Buddy. The pocket Wifi routers it provide you are really ideal to meet the needs of tourists in Japan.Get more detail on Japan Wifi rental plans and group discounts by visiting at:Japan Wifi Buddy is the leading pocket Wifi provider is glad to announce its special discount on new Diamond plans. It is perfect choice for large groups who want to stay connected during their trip in Japan.When it comes to selection of Japan Wifi rental plan then make sure you contact to Japan Wifi Buddy.1424 Ellsworth Ct.,Thousand OaksCA (California), 91360USA
Car Sharing Market to witness a massive CAGR of 34.8% over 2016-2024

https://www.fractovia.org/request-sample/398

https://www.fractovia.org/request-purchase/398

https://www.fractovia.org/news/industry-research-report/carsharing-market

https://www.fractovia.org

In the light of the recent paradigm shift in the automotive sector, car sharing market is widening its horizon in sync with the latest automobility trend. The industry aims at providing a cost-effective solution to the vehicle owners to upgrade their mobility and daily commute. Efficient usage of parking space, better accessibility, improved travel choice and on top of it reduced carbon emissions are some of the attributing factors offered by these solutions. In this respect, some of the strict government regulatory bodies involved with the emission of hazardous air pollutants such as EPA, NESHAP will leave a positive impact on the overall market outlook. As per Global Market Insights Inc.,  car sharing market is slated to record a massive double digit y-o-y growth (34.8%), with a projected revenue collection of more than USD 16.5 billion by 2024.Request for a sample of this research report @Below is the in-depth analysis of the market based on business models, applications, and regions over 2016-2024: One way and round trip are the basic two business models prevalent in the industry. One way car sharing industry is witnessing a huge adoption owing to its operational advantages and customer flexibility. Moreover, round trip car sharing market will also observe substantial growth trends in the coming years, attributed to the benefits associated with this business model such as less carbon dioxide emissions and cost effectiveness. Car sharing industry share from business applications is anticipated to experience a significant upswing over the coming time frame. Increasing on-demand mobility among corporates is influencing its large-scale implementation in the global business space. Vehicle parking space which is a major problem faced by several leading corporate firms, can also be addressed by the incorporation of car sharing services in the business world. Corporate applications which held a major portion of industry share is past years, is forecast to continue its prominence in the application landscape. Driven by on time availability and dependability, car sharing market from private application will also grow substantially in the years ahead. The growth trajectory of China market is tremendous. As per estimates, China car sharing market is slated to grow staggeringly at an annual rate of 40% over 2016-2024. Presence of a large number of established market players such as Park24 and Orix Auto, as well as startups is catering the industry growth in this region. Furthermore, numerous automotive manufacturers and vendors are investing in Chinese companies, which in a way is influencing the regional market dynamics. U.S. dominated the global car sharing industry in 2015, owing to the rapid regional technological advancements.Make an inquiry for buying this report @Improper transportation infrastructure especially in emerging economies, including China, Turkey, Mexico is posing a great threat to car sharing market. However, the increasing popularity of the car sharing services among younger population to avoid traffic hassles will provide a lucrative roadmap for the industry over the years ahead. Some of the prominent players in car sharing industry include DriveNow, AutoLiv, Zip Car, Car2go, and Uber.Browse key industry insights spread across 130 pages with 52 market data tables & 13 figures & charts from this report Car Sharing Market in detail along with the table of contents at:About Fractovia.orgFractovia.org is one of India's leading in-house and free news portal. It is fully automated, and operates on a constant premise, interfacing with news sites and offering redesigned breaking features to readers across the globe. Our mission is to offer individuals opportunities for connections with news writers and distributors which they can pursue. We operate by mapping articles pertaining to breaking news, constantly and progressively, against a pre-determined word-based theme, offering important connections to readers and clients, as well as distributers.Contact Us:Arun HegdeCorporate Sales, USAFractovia.orgPhone: 1-302-846-7766Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688Email: sales@fractovia.orgWebsite:
Levant Power Cable Market size for 2016 was valued over USD 3 billion and is set to witness gain over 8% by 2024

Levant Power Cable Market

https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/1618

https://www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/1618

https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/levant-power-cable-market

https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/control-cable-market

https://www.gminsights.com

https://gminsights.wordpress.com

Growing government and private funding to refurbish the war affected public assets will drive the levant power cable market size. The Government of Iraq signed a strategic agreement with Siemens to strengthen and upgrade the countrys traditional energy infrastructure with the modern and secured systems. In 2016, Iraq invested USD 358 billion toward construction projects post-civil war.Rising focus towards the expansion of clean energy with the aim to reduce the dependency on conventional fossil fuel will accelerate the power cable market share. In 2016, Government of Jordan announced the third renewable energy tender to add 200 MW of solar and 100 MW of wind projects. In 2017, Government of Israel had announced the development of countrys largest solar power project having capacity of 310 MW by 2018. The country is also targeting to meet 10% of its electricity demand from the renewable sources by 2020.MV power cable market is set to exceed USD 2 billion by 2024 owing to its high adaptability across the transmission and distribution applications. In 2016, Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC) announced an investment of over USD 1.6 billion towards the strengthening of its existing transmission network.Request for Sample Copy of this research report @Syria power cable market is witnessing significant downturn on account of internal conflicts between government and rebels. However, post-civil war the industry is poised to witness exponential growth subject to growing construction spending toward rebuilding of affected areas.Growing demand for electricity on account of rising urban population coupled with expansion of T&D network will further augment the power cable market share. In 2017, Turkey Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources announced the development of Dardanelles (Canakkale) Strait Submarine Cable Project with cumulative transmission capacity of 4 GW. The Government of Iraq has signed strategic agreement with ABB in 2017 towards implementation of new energy transmission systems with an estimated investment over USD 500 million.Construction power cable market is set to expand over 8% owing to increasing infrastructure funding from public and private financial institutions toward development of infrastructural projects. In 2017, Government of Lebanon announced that it is seeking over USD 10 billion from international community to cope with the presence of huge presence of Syrian refugees over the next seven years.Make an inquiry for purchasing this report @Government initiatives to reduce the dependency on the conventional energy generating sources will foster the Jordan power cable market. The countrys energy demand had grown significantly in the past five years due to substantial economic and population growth. Presently it is heavily dependent on fuel import to satisfy 96% of its energy needs which covers 17.6% of its GDP.Key players across the Levant power cable market include Bahra, Riyadh Cables, MESC Jordan, Nexans, KEI Limited, Prysmian, The Okonite Company, Southwire Company, Belden, Oman Cables, Saudi Cables, Sumitomo Electric, DUCAB, Nuhas Oman, and El-Sewedy.To access sample pages or view this report in detail along with the table of contents, please click on the link below:Browse Related Report:Control Cable Market Size, Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook (U.S., Germany, UK, Italy, Russia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, UAE, South Africa), Application Development, Competitive Landscape & Forecast, 2016 - 2023About Global Market InsightsGlobal Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary researchContact Us:Arun HegdeCorporate Sales, USAGlobal Market Insights, Inc.Phone: 1-302-846-7766Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688Email: sales@gminsights.comWeb:Blog:
Global Offshore Support Vessels Operation Market 2022 Elite Demand, Top Brands, key Development, Overview

https://www.qyresearchreports.com/sample/sample.php?rep_id=1361693&type=S

https://www.qyresearchreports.com/report/global-offshore-support-vessels-operation-market-size-status-and-forecast-2022.htm/toc

http://www.qyresearchreports.com

Qyresearchreports include new market research report Global Offshore Support Vessels Operation Market Size, Status and Forecast 2022 to its huge collection of research reports.The report on the global market for Offshore Support Vessels Operation tries to help stakeholders gather a proper understanding about the current trends and vulnerabilities of the market. It is made up of important information that provide a thorough insight into the global market for Offshore Support Vessels Operation. This is comprised of growth drivers and restraints shaping the trajectory of the market from 2017 to 2022. The report also sheds light on the different regulatory policies likely to mold the course of the market in the next couple of years.The information has been packed in the report after complete primary and secondary research. Data related to financial records of key companies in the market has been obtained from the Offshore Support Vessels Operation markets historical statistics. Further, analysts have also interviewed industry veterans and other trusted industry sources for necessary insights needed to compile the detailed report.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @The report banks upon market-leading analytical tools such as Porters five forces and SWOT analysis to gain an accurate understanding of the bargaining power of buyers and suppliers and the threat from new entrants and close substitutes available in the market. It also helps to figure out the opportunities and pitfalls awaiting players in the global Offshore Support Vessels Operation market.To further scrutinize the global market for Offshore Support Vessels Operation, the report segments it based on various parameters such as type of products and applications and geography. It also attempts to uncover the most attractive segments and regions that are considerably contributing to the growth in the market.The report provides an executive-level blueprint of the global Offshore Support Vessels Operation market that comprises of profiles of the prominent companies operating in it. It studies their unique selling points (USPs) and weaknesses and key strategies as well.Browse Complete TOC (Table of Contents) of Report @@List of Tables and FiguresFigure Offshore Support Vessels Operation Product ScopeFigure Global Offshore Support Vessels Operation Market Size (Million USD) (2012-2017)Table Global Offshore Support Vessels Operation Market Size (Million USD) and Growth Rate by Regions (2012-2017)Figure Global Offshore Support Vessels Operation Market Share by Regions in 2016Figure United States Offshore Support Vessels Operation Market Size (Million USD) and Growth Rate by Regions (2012-2017)Figure EU Offshore Support Vessels Operation Market Size (Million USD) and Growth Rate by Regions (2012-2017)Figure Japan Offshore Support Vessels Operation Market Size (Million USD) and Growth Rate by Regions (2012-2017)Figure China Offshore Support Vessels Operation Market Size (Million USD) and Growth Rate by Regions (2012-2017)Figure India Offshore Support Vessels Operation Market Size (Million USD) and Growth Rate by Regions (2012-2017)Figure Southeast Asia Offshore Support Vessels Operation Market Size (Million USD) and Growth Rate by Regions (2012-2017)Figure Global Offshore Support Vessels Operation Market Share by Type in 2016About UsQYResearchReports.com is an unimpeachable source of market research data for clients that comprise acclaimed SMEs, Chinese companies, private equity firms, and MNCs. We provide market research reports on various categories such as Energy, Chemicals, Alternative and Green Energy, Manufacturing, Machinery, Pharmaceuticals and Materials, and Glass.Contact usBrooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Web:Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com
Thailand Water Pump Market to Reflect Significant Incremental Opportunity of US$ 25.6 Million Till 2021

https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/6197

https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/6197

https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/checkout/6197

https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com

Persistence Market Research (PMR) in its recent report titled, Thailand Market Study on Water Pump: Industrial Segment to Witness Highest Growth by 2021, projects that the Thailand water pump market is expected to grow at a healthy CAGR of 6.3% during the forecast period.In terms of revenue, the Thailand water pump market accounted for US$16.7 Million in 2014 and is projected to reach US$25.6 Million by 2021.Factors fuelling the market include low manufacturing costs, expansion of water supply network, massive urbanization and industrialization, increasing arable land and land under cereal production. Thailand is an agriculture-driven country. Growth in the agricultural sector, linked with increasing arable land and land under cereal production is leading to growing trend of micro irrigation in small farms, which is projected to increase deployment of centrifugal water pumps.Request for Report Sample @Similarly, the country is undergoing rapid economic growth and industrialisation and is also poised to emerge as a substantial market. It plays a crucial role as its one of the manufacturing hubs for water pumps. Deployment of monobloc pumps is increasing due to the growing trend of family farming, which is carried out on small agricultural plots and requires low HP centrifugal pump for micro irrigation. Pumps for domestic and agriculture application offer minimal product differentiation in terms of cost and quality. Similar buyer trends apply to both end-user segments.On the basis of pump type, the submersible water pump segment is estimated to be the most dominant segment, with 63.5% of the overall Thailand water pump market share in 2015, followed by monobloc water pump segment with 36.5%share. Growth of the monobloc water pumps segment over the forecast period is expected to be driven by increasing demand for application in agro-industrial and food production purposes.Request for Report TOC @As of 2014, Thailand is among the worlds top ten countries in terms of water consumption for agro-industrial and food production. Central & Eastern Thailand region was the largest market in terms of revenue contribution, accounting for 30.2% of the overall Thailand water pump market in 2014.The Bangkok area is one of the most prosperous parts of Central & Eastern Thailand and is a dominant contributor to the national economy, with the infertile Northeast being the poorest in similar terms.Southern Thailand market is projected to lose 80 BPS during the forecast period. The region is part of a narrow peninsula, with a distinctive climate and terrain. Its economy is based on rice cultivation and rubber production. Mountainous terrain and absence of large rivers are conspicuous features of this region.By end-use application, the agriculture segment is projected to continue its dominance throughout the forecast period. Agriculture application segment is expected to gain 40 BPS during the forecast period as a major portion of the countrys GDP is generated from agricultural activities. However, the industrial segment is forecasted to register the highest CAGR by 2021.Growth of the market in East Asia is mainly driven by increased adoption of water pumps in power plants, for development of new infrastructure, in heavy industry, municipal wastewater treatment plants, irrigation and drinking water facilities.Key players in the Thailand water pump market includeGrundfos, KSB AG, Kirloskar Brothers Limited, Ebara Corporation. Global players like Grundfos, Sulzer Ltd, Flowserve Corporation focus on research and development initiatives to introduce innovative products to attain sustainable advantages over the competition. In addition, these players also focus on expanding their regional presence through mergers and acquisitions.Buy Thailand Water Pump Market Report @Water pump manufacturers in Thailand usually sell their products via distributors, who account for approximately 80% sales share as compared to 20% share via direct sales.Global and regional players in Thailand water pump market focus on entering into long-term tie-ups with engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) companies and distributors. Chinese players have tie-ups with retailers to enhance customer reach.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.Our client success stories feature a range of clients from Fortune 500 companies to fast-growing startups. PMRs collaborative environment is committed to building industry-specific solutions by transforming data from multiple streams into a strategic asset.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway,7th FloorNew York City, NY 10007United StatesTel: +1-646-568-7751Tollfree: +1 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWebsite:
Autonomous Car Market - Recent Study including Growth Factors, Applications, Regional Analysis, Key Players and Forecasts

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=12653

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/autonomous-cars-driverless-cars-market.html

http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com

The global market for autonomous cars is likely to emerge as a massive entity in the forthcoming years. The significantly rising number of accidents across the world is predicted to drive the growth of this market substantially over the next few years. Moreover, the growing awareness among consumers regarding the benefits autonomous cars offer to its users, such as the enhanced mobility is projected to fuel the demand for autonomous cars in the years to come. The regulatory concerns, however, may hinder the growth of this market to some extent in the near future.Analysts estimate the worldwide autonomous car market to account for 0.60 mn units in 2025. Expanding at a CAGR of 47.50% between 2025 and 2035, the shipment volume is likely to increase to 29.31 mn units by the end of 2035.Get an exclusive sample of this report @Level 3 Autonomous Cars to Dominate Global MarketOn the basis of the level of automation, the global autonomous car market can be segmented into level 1, level 2, level 3, level 4 and level 5. With technology reaching its tipping point, it is expected that level 1 and level 2 autonomous cars will hold a comparatively smaller share in the overall market in 2025. The features offered in such cars are expected to become obsolete by then, making way for new and better options. Early adopters will begin to move on to the next level of automation with advanced options.Level 3 autonomous cars are likely to witness the most prominent demand across the world over the forecast period. The rapid proliferation and uptake of advanced autonomous driving technologies, specifically in the technologically advanced regions, is anticipated to boost the growth of this segment in the future.Browse Research Report @North America to Emerge as Leading Regional Market for Autonomous CarsNorth America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America, and the Middle East and Africa are projected to surface as the main regional markets for autonomous cars over the forthcoming years. Among these, North America is expected to experience a relatively faster adoption of autonomous cars and hence, is anticipated to witness a higher growth rate than other regional markets in the future.On a similar note, Asia Pacific is also expected to witness a healthy rise in the demand for these cars in the near future on a backdrop of growing awareness pertaining to advancements in technology and the significant increase in the disposable income of consumers. Within Asia Pacific, the level 3 automated cars are projected to contribute a massive share of total demand volume, thanks to the imminent development in the information and communication infrastructure in China, Singapore, and Japan.Apart from this, the high population in this region is also projected to drive the growth of the Asia Pacific market for autonomous cars. Economies with sharp increasing geriatric population, such as Japan and China, are predicted to be the early adopters of the autonomous cars in Asia Pacific.Audi AG, Ford Motor Co., Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, General Motors Co., Nissan Motor Co. Ltd., Tesla Motors, The Volvo Group, Toyota Motor Corporation, Uber Technologies Inc. and Waymo LLC are expected to foray early in the global market for autonomous cars.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.comWebsite:
OLG Koln: Only serious misconduct justifies withdrawal from contract of inheritance

https://www.grprainer.com/en/legal-advice/private-clients/law-of-succession/last-will-and-testament.html

www.grprainer.com/en/

www.grprainer.com/en

Apart from a will, it is also possible to prepare a contract of inheritance as a way of organizing ones estate. It should be noted, however, that a contract of inheritance has a significantly stronger binding effect.In the absence of a will or contract of inheritance, the rules of intestate succession apply automatically following the death of the testator. If these run contrary to the testators wishes, a testamentary disposition ought to be drafted. In doing so, one needs to carefully weigh up whether a will or contract of inheritance is the most appropriate form. A will provides the testator with greater freedom when it comes to drawing up the agreement, whereas a contract of inheritance binds both parties to the contract. Having said that, a contract of inheritance cannot be subsequently altered or rescinded. If no appropriate provisions are set out in the contract of inheritance, we at the commercial law firm GRP Rainer Rechtsanwalte note that withdrawal is only possible if misconduct on the part of the other contractual party that would justify divestment of the compulsory portion can be proven.In its judgment of July 3, 2017, the Oberlandesgericht (OLG) Koln [Higher Regional Court of Cologne] ruled that a testator had not effectively withdrawn from the contract of inheritance with his wife (Az.: 2 Wx 147/17). The married couple had concluded a notarized contract of inheritance 53 years prior to the death of the husband in which they had designated each other as sole heirs. Several months before his death, the husband announced his withdrawal from the contract of inheritance and appointed his children as heirs. A dispute emerged between the wife and the children concerning who had become the heir(s). The OLG Koln held that the wife had become the sole heir.The parties had not agreed to a reservation of the right to withdraw in the contract of inheritance, which meant that withdrawal was only possible if the relevant contractual partner had been guilty of serious misconduct. The Court clarified that this misconduct needed to be sufficiently serious that it would have justified divestment of the compulsory portion. This would only be the case if the legal heir was guilty of committing a crime or wilfully committing a serious offence against the testator. In the case in question, while the wife had withdrawn around 19,000 euros from the testators account and set up a monthly standing order to her benefit in the amount of 2,000 euros, the OLG concluded that this alone did not amount to an offence involving property.Lawyers who are experienced in the field of succession law can advise on all issues pertaining to wills and contracts of inheritance.GRP Rainer LLPis an international firm of lawyers and tax advisors who are specialists in commercial law. The firm counsels commercial and industrial companies and corporations, as well as associations, small- and mid-sized businesses, self-employed freelancers and private individuals worldwide from offices Cologne, Berlin, Bonn, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Munich, Stuttgart and London UK.Contact Michael RainerLawyer, Managing PartnerGRP Rainer LLPGurzenich-QuartierAugustinerstrae 1050667 CologneGermanyPhone: +49 221-27 22 75-0info@grprainer.com
Nuclear Decommissioning Services Market to Experience Increased New Open Doors from a Portion of the Developing Patterns

Nuclear Decommissioning Service

http://www.orbisresearch.com/contacts/request-sample/520727

http://www.orbisresearch.com/reports/index/2017-market-research-report-on-global-environmental-testing-industry

http://www.orbisresearch.com/contact/purchase/520727

https://www.linkedin.com/company/orbis-research

https://twitter.com/orbisresearch

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Orbis-Research/820969017982115

The study of the "Nuclear Decommissioning Service Market" provides the market size information and market trends along with the factors and parameters impacting it in both short and long term. The study ensures a 360 view, bringing out the complete key insights of the industry.In our aim to provide our erudite clients with the best research material with absolute in-depth information of the market, our new report on Global Nuclear Decommissioning Service Market is confident in meeting their needs and expectations. The 2017 market research report on Global Nuclear Decommissioning Service Market is an in-depth study and analysis of the market by our industry experts with unparalleled domain knowledge. The report will shed light on many critical points and trends of the industry which are useful for our esteemed clients.Request sample copy of this report @The report covers a vast expanse of information including an overview, comprehensive analysis, definitions and classifications, applications, and expert opinions, among others. With the extent of information filled in the report, the presentation and style of the Global Nuclear Decommissioning Service Market report is a noteworthy.The Global Nuclear Decommissioning Service Industry report provides key information about the industry, including invaluable facts and figures, expert opinions, and the latest developments across the globe. Not only does the report cover a holistic view of the industry from a global standpoint, but it also covers individual regions and their development.The Global Nuclear Decommissioning Service Industry report showcases the latest trends in the global and regional markets on all critical parameters which include technology, supplies, capacity, production, profit, price, and competition. The key players covered in the report provide a detailed analysis of the competition and their developments in the Global Nuclear Decommissioning Service Industry. Accurate forecasts and expert opinion from credible sources, and the recent R&D development in the industry is also a mainstay of the Nuclear Decommissioning Service Market report.Highlights of the report:A complete backdrop analysis, which includes an assessment of the parent marketImportant changes in market dynamicsMarket segmentation up to the second or third levelHistorical, current, and projected size of the market from the standpoint of both value and volumeReporting and evaluation of recent industry developmentsMarket shares and strategies of key playersEmerging niche segments and regional marketsAn objective assessment of the trajectory of the marketRecommendations to companies for strengthening their foothold in the marketBrowse Complete Report @Global Nuclear Decommissioning Service market competition by top manufacturers, with production, price, revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturer; the top players including Areva Group Babcock International Studsvik AECOM Westinghouse Electric ...The report also focuses on the significance of industry chain analysis and all variables, both upstream and downstream. These include equipment and raw materials, client surveys, marketing channels, and industry trends and proposals. Other significant information covering consumption, key regions and distributors, and raw material suppliers are also a covered in this report.Finally, the Nuclear Decommissioning Service Market report ends with a detailed SWOT analysis of the market, investment feasibility and returns, and development trends and forecasts. As with every report on Orbis Research, the Nuclear Decommissioning Service Industry is the holy grail of information which serious knowledge seekers can benefit from. The report which is the result of ultimate dedication of pedigree professionals has a wealth of information which can benefit anyone, irrespective of their commercial or academic interest.Purchase a copy of Environmental Testing Market visit @For more information contact sales@orbisresearch.com .Some Major Points from Toc:Chapter One: Nuclear Decommissioning Service Market OverviewChapter Two: Global Nuclear Decommissioning Service Market Competition by ManufacturersChapter Three: Global Nuclear Decommissioning Service Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2012-2017)Chapter Four: Global Nuclear Decommissioning Service Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Region (2012-2017)Chapter Five: Global Nuclear Decommissioning Service Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by TypeChapter Six: Global Nuclear Decommissioning Service Market Analysis by ApplicationChapter Seven: Global Nuclear Decommissioning Service Manufacturers Profiles/AnalysisChapter Eight: Nuclear Decommissioning Service Manufacturing Cost AnalysisChapter Nine: Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream BuyersChapter Ten: Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/TradersChapter Eleven: Market Effect Factors AnalysisChapter Twelve: Global Nuclear Decommissioning Service Market Forecast (2017-2022)Chapter Thirteen: Research Findings and ConclusionChapter Fourteen: AppendixFor any enquires before buying, connect with us @ enquiry@orbisresearch.comAbout Us:Orbis Research (orbisresearch.com) is a single point aid for all your market research requirements. We have vast database of reports from the leading publishers and authors across the globe. We specialize in delivering customized reports as per the requirements of our clients. We have complete information about our publishers and hence are sure about the accuracy of the industries and verticals of their specialization. This helps our clients to map their needs and we produce the perfect required market research study for our clients.Contact Information:Hector CostelloSenior Manager  Client Engagements4144N Central Expressway,Suite 600, Dallas,Texas  75204, U.S.A.Phone No.: +1 (214) 884-6817; +9164101019Follow Us on LinkedIn:Follow us on Twitter:Like us on Facebook:
Siemens joins forces with Future Energy East Africa: Africas new economic powerhouse is taking root in Eastern Africa

Business should be profitable but also serve society

http://www.future-energy-eastafrica.com

The smart money is on East Africa, says Lukas Duusema, CEO, Siemens Eastern Africa, in the run-up to the upcoming Future Energy East Africa conference and exhibition which is taking place in Nairobi, Kenya from 29-30 November. Siemens is a platinum sponsor for this long-running event.Africas new economic powerhouse is taking root in Eastern Africa, with Ethiopia and Kenya taking the lead, and Tanzania and Uganda reinforcing this emerging regional cluster of more than 300 million people, says Mr Duursema.He explains: Ethiopia for example is fast becoming a regional powerhouse. There are huge opportunities in renewable energy, especially in wind, thermal and hydro and demand is increasing for efficient and sustainable infrastructure to support skills development and job creation. Siemens has been active in the region for decades, but it is not just about our past, it is about how we develop alongside society to grow a more inclusive economy. We are in Africa as an investor, employee and supplier of efficient technologies. Right now, for instance we are helping to increase the reliability of energy supply through an interconnector being built between Kenya and Ethiopia.The Siemens Country Manager for Kenya, Mr Johan Helberg adds that the HVDC transmission link is one of the largest infrastructure measures in East Africa. The roughly 1,000 kilometers-long direct current transmission line, known as the Ethiopia-Kenya Power Systems Interconnection Project, will transmit environmentally friendly hydroelectricity from Ethiopia to Kenya.Earlier this year, during the World Economic Forum in May, Siemens signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Uganda to cooperate in the areas of power supply, industry, transportation and healthcare and to focus on infrastructure investments and partnerships between public and private sectors. Mr Duursema adds: we are also in the process of setting up and expanding our East African footprint by making Ethiopia the HQ of our operations.Business should also serve societySiemens has been in Africa for 157 years and we want to support sustainable development with solutions and projects in Africa, for Africa, says the Siemens CEO.He continues: a business always has an obligation to be profitable. However, it should also serve society, create value for society  not just in the short term but in a lasting way, for the benefit of future generations. At Siemens we call this approach Business to Society. We aim to contribute to local value creation and play a constructive role in shaping Africas sustainable development through tangible and meaningful engagement.East Africas energy journeyFormerly known as the East African Power Industry Convention or EAPIC, which was a firm, favourite fixture on the regions power calendar for the last 19 years, Future Energy East Africa, with the official support of the Kenyan Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, will once again host many of the regions leading energy decision makers from 29  30 November 2017.The event is recognised as being a distinctive gathering of stakeholders within the power value chain which includes governments, power generation companies, transmission and distribution companies, off takers, developers, investors, equipment manufacturers and providers, technology providers, EPCs, legal and consulting firms all with a shared goal of supporting the on-going implementation of finding lasting solutions to East Africas energy challenges.Future Energy East Africa dates and location:Strategic conference: 29-30 November 2017Venue: Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi, KenyaFuture Energy East Africa is organised by Spintelligent, a multi-award-winning Cape Town-based exhibition and conference producer across the continent in the infrastructure, real estate, energy, mining, agriculture and education sectors. Other well-known events by Spintelligent include African Utility Week, Future Energy Nigeria (formerly WAPIC), Future Energy Central Africa (formerly iPAD Cameroon), Future Energy Uganda, Agritech Expo Zambia, Kenya Mining Forum, Nigeria Mining Week and DRC Mining Week. Spintelligent is part of the UK-based Clarion Events Group.Snr Communications Manager: Annemarie RoodbolTelephone: +27 21 700 3558Email: annemarie.roodbol@spintelligent.comWebsite:Postal address: PO Box 321, Steenberg, 7947, South Africa
Pepperfry Coupons - Save Money on Furniture and Lifestyle Products

https://freekaamaal.com/pepperfry

FreeKaaMaal is a one-stop place where the customers can analyze deals and offers from various leading portals for a satisfying shopping experience. The website also has loads of coupons with guaranteed discounts for the customers. FreeKaaMaal brings Pepperfry coupons to benefit its users with the best bargains on buying furniture and lifestyle products. The discount coupons are valid on a variety of products available on Pepperfry website. Furniture retailers share a major portion of the growing e-commerce industry. Online furniture stores provide consumers access to many top brands, offering a widespread choice of products. Besides, a smooth shopping experience from anywhere the discounts also lure customers to shop online.About Pepperfry Coupons:-Pepperfry is a leading online store offering a wide range of home and lifestyle products. Founded in 2010, Pepperfry is headquartered in Mumbai, with stores and warehouses in various cities like Delhi, Gurgaon, Lucknow, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Pune, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Goa, Ghaziabad, and Chennai. The home and lifestyle store has products to choose from categories such as furniture, decor, kitchen, dining, housekeeping, lamps & lighting, and hardware & electrical. The e-commerce portal delivers to more than 50 cities and also has furniture rentals service available in 8 cities across the country.While shopping from Pepperfry customers can expect heavy discounts with an array of promotional offers. Pepperfry coupons provide extra discounts on your purchase from the home and lifestyle store. Click on the buy now button on the product shopping page to head to the order confirmation page. Here you will see the dialog box asking you to enter a coupon code. Enter Pepperfry coupon code and click on the apply button to receive the applicable discount as per the offer. Once the discount is applied, complete your purchase by providing the required details like the address.Get latest Coupons From FreeKaaMaal:-Saving money using the Online discount coupons is easy with FreekaaMaal. The bargain hunting site has a huge collection of latest and updated coupons from more than 600 online retailers. There are discounts on clothing, electronics, food, travel and they are updated every day. The new deals and coupons help you to save a fortune on almost everything you want to buy. FreeKaaMaal also ensures a smooth shopping experience on the go through its mobile site and Android app. The website works in close collaboration with top e-commerce companies like Amazon, Flipkart, Tata CL iQ, MakeMyTrip, Cleartrip, Mobikwik, Shopclues, Nykaa and much more.For more information visit our website:-The online marketplace has witnessed rapid growth and the deal-hunting websites have prospered equally with the numbers growing every season. The Deals and coupons industry has come up as a parallel industry where users share deals.Office No. 208 A The IthumIT Park A Block, Plot 40Noida 62 Uttar Pradesh
The Most Special Collection Of Affordable Yet Extraordinary Valentine Gifts Online

Romantic Teddies on Boat Valentine Gift by Way2flowers

https://www.way2flowers.com/valentine/gifts-for-her

https://www.way2flowers.com/valentine

www.way2flowers.com

https://www.way2flowers.com/valentine/flowers

This successful online shop is known for its dedication to regularly updating every category of gifts like birthday cakes, flowers and valentine gifts. Every customer of this reputable shop online these days gets 100% satisfaction and fulfills all their expectations about how to enhance every aspect of the online shopping from the comfort of home.Many men in our time are eagerly searching for the most exclusive valentine gifts to make their beloved one pleased on the upcoming Valentines Day. They can directly make contact with this online shop and get an excellent assistance on time as awaited. There is a different collection of the best Valentine Gifts for Her Online [] at this time.All new visitors to this online shop get satisfied with the mobile compatibility as well as user-friendly features. They feel confidence and happiness to suggest this online shop for those who ask about how to Send Valentine Gifts Online [] from anywhere at any convenient time.A team of dedicated staff members of this company provides an instant support and clarifies doubts about new visitors and customers. They have both expertise and experiences in this competitive sector. They understand the significance of providing the most outstanding guidance and make every customer satisfied with a hassle-free online gift shopping.The most competitive prices of extraordinary valentine gifts give 100% satisfaction and ever-increasing confidence to suggest this online shop for others. Crystal clear description and images of all gifts available in this shop online enhance the overall shopping experiences as expected by every customer.The unique elements of affordable valentine gifts these days encourage many people to prefer and suggest this online shop. All gifts available in this online shop are available at reasonable prices. Every visitor to this shop gets 100% satisfaction and fulfills all their wishes about online shopping.Customers are advised to check back regularly on Way2flowers.com and read the companys blog, for ingenious gift ideas.###To learn more about Way2flowers.com, please visit:All new visitors and regular customers of way2flowers online cake shop these days get 100% satisfaction.This online shop Way2flowers has the most excellent yet inexpensive valentine gifts to make customers happy. Many customers of this company these days feel happiness and also the confidence to suggest it for others. As a result, the overall recognition and number of satisfied customers of this online shop are increased in recent times.Media ContactCompany Name: PUNSONS FLORAContact Person: Meenakshi SinghPhone: 9818768901Address: Wadhwa Nagar, Baltana, Zirakpur, ChandigarhCountry: IndiaWebsite:
Innovate Tax Keeps Growing Now with a New Office in the UAE

Innovate Tax - Compliance without Compromise

Shortly after successfully launching a fully functional office in Sofia, Bulgaria, Innovate Tax is proud to announce the opening of its new office in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). With the Emirates and Saudi Arabia introducing Value-Added Tax (VAT) at the beginning of 2018, and the rest of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries including Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Bahrain following later on, Innovate Tax is firmly placed to expand on its already successfull operations in the Middle East and beyond.The advantages of the region as a business location are well-known  a leading international centre for commerce, finance, industry and tourism; a dynamic workforce and a government which continues to invest in strategic infrastructure and transportation projects to ensure economic opportunity and prosperity. The UAE is renowned for attracting foreign business and investment through free-trade zones and favorable taxation policies.Innovate Tax will take advantage of these benefits while providing to its clients the most complete end-to-end indirect tax solution  just when its needed! There is hardly a better time to serve your clients than when they have to introduce VAT for the first time. Innovate Tax is now there to make that transition smooth and easy.Innovate Tax are the leading global experts in VAT automation solutions, offering a unique and cost effective approach to implementing VAT in any ERP system, especially Oracle R12 and Oracle Fusion Cloud.Innovate Tax bridges the gap between Oracle and tax technology, translating complex tax rules into user-friendly and fully automated tax solutions. Their mission is To provide the best end-to-end indirect tax solution on any Oracle ERP platform, always delivering, always innovating. They strive to change the current status quo of indirect tax processing by applying the solution to the problems at source. As they only specialise in Oracle, their skillset, passion and the innovative products make Innovate Tax the best and most experienced Oracle Indirect Tax consultancy worldwide.Innovate Tax are Oracle Centric, Solution Agnostic.Innovate Tax LtdSuite 101, Heath Place, Ash Grove, Bognor Regis, West Sussex, United Kingdom, PO22 9SL
Directed deceased donation: beyond the impartial allocation system

E.K. Massey, F. Ambagtsheer, W. Weimar (Eds.) Ethical, Legal and Psychosocial Aspects of Transplantation - Global Challenges

www.pabst-publishers.de

www.psychologie-aktuell.com

"Within a pluralistic account of morality, partial values have a merit of their own and should be assessed in their own terms. These values are extremely relevant in the field of organ transplantation, but are misunderstood at a political level where partiality is put at par with injustice, and where fairness is exclusively taken as impartial justice." Dr. Medard Hilhorst (Erasmus Medical University Rotterdam) argues "that partial values are fundamental for social life and that directed donor preferences should be incorporated and facilitated in a new system of fair organ allocation. The justification for a prohibition of directed wishes is mistaken, whereas arguments to lift the prohibition are ethically convincing."The study appeared in "Ethical, Legal and Psychosocial Aspects of Transplantation", edited by E.K. Massey, F. Ambagtsheer, W. Weimar.Hilhorst notes various wishes:- donation to specified person- as well as to a specified group- either as a preference (a priority wish) or- as a strict condition (if not feasible, there will be no donation at all)- put forward, orally or written in advance, by the donor/patient or- the relatives on patients behalfHilhorst emphasizes arguments that favour directed donations:- autonomy and self-determination- optimizing outcomes- coherence in the system- restoration of trust- relevancy of partial values"Personal relationships imply special loyalities and moral duties and give rise to personal choices, particular preference and specific wishes. Personal ties are a moral source of their own, they bring along their own motivation and language, and their own justification. For example, the question Why do you want to give to your partner, not to the system?, gets its own answer: Because my partner needs it. Referring to this special loyality makes sense and is not reducible to the general duties embodied in the current impersonal allocation system ...">>> E.K. Massey, F. Ambagtsheer, W. Weimar (Eds.) Ethical, Legal and Psychosocial Aspects of Transplantation - Global Challenges. Pabst 2017. Print: ISBN 978-3-95853-292-2. eBook: 978-3-95853-293-9Pabst Science Publishers (Lengerich/Westfalen) veroffentlicht zehn psychologische und neun medizinische Fachzeitschriften; daruber hinaus erscheinen bei Pabst aus den gleichen Fachbereichen mehr als hundert Bucher jahrlich - teils wissenschaftliche Spezialtitel, teils allgemeinverstandliche Fachliteratur.Pabst Science PublishersEichengrund 2849525 LengerichTel. 05484-308Fax 05484-550E-Mail: pabst.publishers@t-online.deInternet:
Creta Maris Beach Resort stood out among 610 hotels in Crete

https://we.tl/ibQfGg0ria

http://www.maris.gr/media/image-library.aspx

www.cretamaris.gr

Creta Maris Beach Resort located in Hersonissos, Crete, stood out among 610 hotels of Eastern Crete, by winning the "Outstanding Package Performing" award! This distinction, which comes from Expedia.com, proves once again that despite the difficult economic and political circumstances in Greece, Creta Maris Beach Resort continues to impress its partners and guests, promoting worthily the island of Crete.The Outstanding Package Performing award was the result of Creta Maris' well-organized operation, the planned sales and booking policy, as well as the preference shown by the travelers to the resort, who chose the outstanding booking packages that it offers.During the official awarding ceremony organized by Expedia.com, Nikos Vlassiadis, General Manager of Creta Maris Beach Resort and Michalis Roussakis, Assistant Manager, were proud to receive the award from Anna Tzenou, Market Manager of Expedia.com for the area of Heraklion.About Creta Maris Beach Resort:Creta Maris Beach Resort belongs to Metaxas Group of Companies and has been operating since 1975. It has a capacity of 680 rooms, suites and bungalows, 6 restaurants, 7 bars, 7 swimming pools, gym, Hammam spa, Asterias Childrens Club, and a great space for outdoor and indoor activities.About Expedia.com:Expedia, Inc. is the worlds largest online travel company, with an extensive brand portfolio that includes leading online travel brands, such as Expedia.com, a leading full service online travel company with localized sites in 33 countries.Please find pictures on high resolution on the below link:Please find pictures of Creta Maris Beach Resort on high resolution on our site:Creta Maris Beach Resort with a capacity of 680 rooms, has been originally launched in 1975 and is situated next to Hersonissos, just 25 minutes (24km) from the Heraklion Airport.A blend of tradition and luxury together on a beautiful beach with crystal clear waters where guests can experience the authentic Cretan hospitality.Faye PapaioannouCreta Maris Beach ResortHersonissos, 700 14 Crete, Greece+30 28970 27110F:+30 28970 27119Email:marketing@cretamaris.grWebsite:
Global Yoga Mat Market by Manufacturers, Countries, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022

Market Research HUB

https://www.marketresearchhub.com/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=1369907

https://www.marketresearchhub.com/report/global-yoga-mat-market-by-manufacturers-countries-type-and-application-forecast-to-2022-report.html

https://www.marketresearchhub.com/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=1369907

https://www.marketresearchhub.com/

https://www.industrynewsanalysis.com/

The report on Yoga Mat market is the latest addition to the huge database of Market Research Hub. This research study is segmented on the basis of applications, technology, geography, and types. The report provides a detailed Yoga Mat Industry Overview along with the analysis of industrys gross margin, cost structure, consumption value, and sale price. The leading companies of the Yoga Mat Market, manufacturers, and distributors are profiled in the report along with the latest Industry development current and future trends.Request Free Sample Report@This report studies the Yoga Mat market. Yoga mats are specially fabricated mats used as an aid during the practice of yoga to prevent hands and feet slipping during practice. They are mainly used both for home use and for yoga studios.Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Yoga Mat in Global market, especially in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa. This report categorizes the market based on manufacturers, regions, type and application.Market Segment by Manufacturers, this report coversLululemonManduka PROliteJade YogaHugger Mugger Para RubberPrAna RevolutionaryGaiam, EasyogaHATHAYOGAKharma KhareHosa GroupYogabumAeroliteAuroraeBarefoot YogaKeep wellKhatalandMicrocell CompositeYogarugsCopeactiveYogasana, A. KolckmannJiangXi Lveten PlasticLiformeStarlight YogaBean ProductsMarket Segment by Regions, regional analysis coversNorth America (USA, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia etc.)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa)Market Segment by Type, coversPVC yoga matsRubber yoga matsTPE yoga matsOther yoga matsMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided intoHouseholdYoga clubOthersBrowse Full Report with TOC@There are 15 Chapters to deeply display the global Yoga Mat market.Chapter 1, to describe Yoga Mat Introduction, product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2, to analyze the top manufacturers of Yoga Mat, with sales, revenue, and price of Yoga Mat, 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 Yoga Mat, for each region, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, to analyze the key regions, with sales, revenue and market share by key countries in these regions;Chapter 10 and 11, to show the market by type and application, with sales market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 12, Yoga Mat market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2017 to 2022;Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Yoga Mat sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data source.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 :-
At A CAGR Of 7.97%, Global Waterborne Epoxy Resins Market Will Expand For The Period From 2017 - 2021

Market Research Report

https://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=902736

https://www.researchmoz.us/global-waterborne-epoxy-resins-market-2017-2021-report.html/toc

http://www.researchmoz.us/

http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG

Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "At A CAGR Of 7.97%, Global Waterborne Epoxy Resins Market Will Expand For The Period From 2017 - 2021" to its huge collection of research reports.Waterborne epoxy resins are thermosetting resins that are used in various end-user industries such as automotive, textile, construction, furniture, packaging, and other end-user industries. They demonstrate high gloss, excellent chemical and corrosion resistance, good adhesion, high mechanical stability, high flexibility and compatibility, optimized performance, and good impact and abrasion resistance properties. These resins are also dustproof. The application segment of waterborne epoxy resins includes coatings, adhesives, and composites.Technavios analysts forecast the global waterborne epoxy resins market to grow at a CAGR of 7.97% during the period 2017-2021.Covered in this reportThe report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the global waterborne epoxy resins market for 2017-2021. To calculate the market size, the report considers the revenue generated through sales of waterborne epoxy resin products for end-use industries such as construction, automotive, textile, furniture, packaging, and others.The market is divided into the following segments based on geography:APACEuropeNorth AmericaROWTechnavio's report, Global Waterborne Epoxy Resins 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 vendorsAditya Birla ChemicalsAllnexHexionHuntsmanOlinTo Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Other prominent vendorsAir Products and ChemicalsIncorezKUKDO ChemicalNAN YA Plastics IndustrialReichholdMarket driverIncreasing shift toward green and eco-friendly products.For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket challengeDeclining export demand from Western economies.For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket trendInvestment in developing economies.For a full, detailed list, view our reportKey questions answered in this reportWhat will the market size be in 2020 and what will the growth rate be?What are the key market trends?What is driving this market?What are the challenges to market growth?Who are the key vendors in this market space?What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key vendors?What are the strengths and weaknesses of the key vendors?Browse TOC @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 @
Military Biometrics Market Predicted to Surpass US$ 10,620.6 Mn by 2025

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/military-biometrics-market.html

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=19937

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/checkout.php?rep_id=19937<ype=S

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/

The competitive scenario of the global military biometrics market is intense and extremely competitive and Transparency Market Research (TMR) in its latest report predicts that the competition will gain more momentum in the years to come on account of new players entering in the market. These new players could possibly cause ripples among the large pool of existing global players. The top five companies within the global military biometrics market are: Crossmatch, Safran, M2SYS Technology, 3M Cogent, and NEC Corporation. These five companies collectively held a whopping 61% of the market in 2016. Leading players are engaging in the development of new products so as to gain competitive advantage among other players. Players are increasingly investing in research and development so as to come up with products that are technologically advanced. Players are also working closely with end users, software integrators, and resellers so as to make most of the opportunity in hand and enhance the return on investment.View Report Preview @According to a TMR, the global market for military biometrics will be worth US$10.62 bn by 2025, expanding at a 7.4% CAGR from 2017 to 2025. By geography, Asia Pacific will emerge as a lucrative region. Europe and North America collectively accounted for 55% of the market in 2016. North America is anticipated to lead in the market for the rest of the forecast period driven by the growing concerns over illegal migration in the U.S. On the basis of type, the market is expected to be led by the fingerprint recognition segment. Facial recognition segment is also anticipated to witness a steady growth in the years to come.Growing Infiltration and Identity Threats to Drive Demand for Military BiometricsA TMR analyst said that, the demand for military biometrics is anticipated to increase in the coming years on account of the growing demand for advanced technology so as to fight terrorism. With growing need for addressing infiltration and similar security issues, it has become utmost important to adopt military biometrics. The growing number of nations struggling with forged identities, identity thefts, and illegal immigrations will spur a heightened demand for military biometrics. More and more airports and borders across countries are making use of biometrics authentication systems in a bid to reduce terrorism and terror attacks.Request to View Sample of Research Report @Complicated Installation to Pose a Challenge for Military Biometrics MarketOn the other hand, the complexity of military biometrics systems could be a challenge. The high cost may also be a deterring factor for large scale adoption. In addition to this, the installation of these systems is complicated and requires skilled personnel. The fact that it involves security of highly confidential data, necessitates for the system to never be compromised and as this system cannot be reset easily, it is a big factor for reduced adoption. However, the continuous technological advancements in this field is estimated to reduce the impact of this restraint.Buy Military Biometrics Market Research Report @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:
Talcum Powder Market Lead to Remain Unchallenged throughout 2017 2022

Talcum Powder Market

https://www.reportsmonitor.com/request-sample/?post=466371

https://www.reportsmonitor.com/global-talcum-powder-sales-market-report-2017-4/

www.reportsmonitor.com

Talcum Powder MarketThe Talcum Powder Market report introduces the competitive scenario of the significant market players in light of the business revenue, client requests, organization profile; the business strategies utilized as a part of Talcum Powder Market advertise which will help the developing business sector portions in settling on fundamental business choices.In this report, the global Talcum 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.Ask for Sample Copy of Talcum Powder Market Report @Talcum Powder Market Report focuses on top manufacturers in global market:Imerys, Mondo Minerals, Specialty Minerals Inc, IMI FABI Talc Company, Golcha Group, Xilolite, Hayashi-Kasei, Beihai GroupTalcum Powder Market Report On the basis of product:Cosmetics Grade, Coatings Grade, Paper Grade, Plastics Grade, Waterproofing GradeTalcum Powder Market Report by Application:Paint, Coatings, PlasticsBy Regions, this report covers (we can add the regions/countries as you want)United States, China, Europe, Japan, Southeast Asia, IndiaBrowse Full Table of Contents and Report Description @The examination research overall Talcum Powder flour grandstand covers key cash related viewpoints, thing portfolios, association graph, SWOT examination, key headways and improvements, frameworks of key players drew in with the market. The information on the level associations is mined with the help of a strong research process took after at Reports Monitor Market Research which covers the entire demand and supply condition identifying with the assorted areas analyzed already.Table of Contents1 Global Talcum Powder Competition by Players/Suppliers, Type and Application1.1 Global Talcum Powder Market Competition by Players/Suppliers1.1.1 Global Talcum Powder Sales and Market Share of Key Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)1.1.2 Global Talcum Powder Revenue and Share by Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)1.2 Global Talcum Powder (Volume and Value) by Type1.2.1 Global Talcum Powder Sales and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)1.2.2 Global Talcum Powder Revenue and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)1.3 Global Talcum Powder (Volume and Value) by Region1.3.1 Global Talcum Powder Sales and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)1.3.2 Global Talcum Powder Revenue and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)1.4 Global Talcum Powder (Volume) by ApplicationContinuedAbout UsReports Monitor (ReportsMonitor.com) is a platform to meet the market research and business intelligence requirements. Our aim is to change the dynamics of the Market Research industry by providing quality intelligence backed by data. Your requirement for market forecasting is fulfilled by our exclusive quantitative and analytics driven intelligence. We have a vast collection of reports, covering maximum industries worldwide. Our process is meticulously planned and executed in order to use maximum resources and explore the market for getting genuine insights. Decision makers can now rely on our distinct data gathering methods to get factual market forecasting and detailed analysis.Contact UsJay MatthewsDirect: +1 513 549-5911Email: sales@reportsmonitor.comWebsite:
Wax Market Professional Survey Capacity, Production and Share by Manufacturers 2017

Wax Market Professional Survey Capacity, Production and Share by Manufacturers 2017

https://www.reportsmonitor.com/request-sample/?post=461731

https://www.reportsmonitor.com/check-discount/?post=461731

https://www.reportsmonitor.com/make-enquiry/?post=461731

http://www.reportsmonitor.com

ReportsMonitor.com has added Global Wax Market Research Report 2017.The research article entitled Worldwide Wax Market offers very useful reviews into the generic market trends and also the features that propel this Universal market place. This sector analyse deeply covers the main features of the Global Wax Market about the Industry structure including landscaping plan, the issues, require opportunities, including the anticipated industry success.Get Your Free Sample Report @Major Regions play vital role in Wax market are: North America, Europe, China, Japan, Middle East & Africa, India, South America, Others.Top Key manufactures of Wax Market are China National Petroleum Corporation (China), Sinopec Limited (China), Exxon Mobil Corporation (US), Sasol (ZA), Lukoil (Russia), Shell (Netherlands), Nippon (Japan), Westlake Chemical, Petrobras (Brazil), Total (France), Rosneft (Russia), IGI Wax (US), Clariant (China), ROMONTA (Germany).The Wax Market, presents critical information and factual data about the global Wax Market, providing an overall statistical study of this market on the basis of market drivers, market limitations, and its future prospects. The widespread global Wax opportunities and trends are also taken into consideration in Wax industry.On the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each Type, primarily split into Petroleum and Mineral Wax, Synthetic Wax, Natural Wax.By Application, the market can be split into Candles, Packaging, Board Sizing, Rheology/Surface Application, Health Industry, Others.Check Discount on this report@Some points from TOC:1 Global Wax Market Size (Sales Volume) Comparison by Type (2012-2022)2 Global Wax Market Size (Sales Volume) Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20163 Global Wax Market Size (Value) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)4 Global Wax Market Competition by Players/Suppliers5 Global Wax Sales (Volume) and Revenue (Value) by Type (Product Category) (2012-2017)6 Global Wax Players/Suppliers Profiles and Sales Data7 Wax Manufacturing Cost Analysis8 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers9 Global Wax Market Size (Value and Volume) Forecast (2017-2022)Have a query on this report? @All aspects of the Wax industry report are quantitatively as well as qualitatively assessed to study the global as well as regional market comparatively. The basic information such as the definition, prevalent chain and the government regulations pertaining to the Wax market are also discussed in the report.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.comWebsite:
Formaldehyde-Free Resin Market: Challenges and Opportunities Report 2016 - 2026

https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-2407

https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-2407

www.futuremarketinsights.com

Formaldehyde-free resins are the adhesive which replaces traditional urea-formaldehyde glass mat resins and phenol-formaldehyde insulation. They are designed for mineral fiber and fiberglass applications in commercial & industrial and non-woven residential insulation. The global formaldehyde-free resin is expected to have substantially high growth rate, attributed to growing adhesive industry across the globe. North America accounts for significantly high revenue share in the global formaldehyde-free resin market, attributed to robust marketing and demand for furniture in the region.Global Formaldehyde-Free Resin Market Dynamics:The growth of global formaldehyde-free resin market is driven by growing furniture, construction, and adhesive industry. The macroeconomic factor responsible for the growth of global formaldehyde-free resin market is the rapid rate of urbanization, rising disposable income, and regulations over the use of adhesive for furniture. The advantages of formaldehyde-free resin including be easy-to-use, easy-to-store, reduce emissions of hazardous formaldehyde, and requiring no capital investment for retrofitting also fueling the global formaldehyde-free resin market. The company providing the formaldehyde-free resin have significantly high opportunity in regions such as North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific, owing to the significant demand for formaldehyde-free resin with rising demand for the adhesive in the regions. The formaldehyde-free resin market also has a significant opportunity in Latin America and the Middle East and Africa region as these are the emerging market, attributed to rising disposable income of consumers in these regions.Request For Report Sample:Global Formaldehyde-Free Resin Market Segmentation:Basically, global formaldehyde-free resin market is segmented on the basis of product type, end-use, and region. On the basis of product type global formaldehyde-free resin market is segmented as wood adhesive, foil bonding adhesive, fiberglass adhesive, and mineral fiber adhesive. Among the product type segment, chemicals contribute for the significant revenue share over the forecast period in global formaldehyde-free resin market, owing to increasing demand for formaldehyde-free resin in various segments of the chemical industry. On the basis of end-use, the global formaldehyde-free resin market is segmented as residential insulation and commercial and industrial (C&I) insulation, wherein commercial and industrial (C&I) insulation segment is growing at a significant growth rate.Based on product type, the global formaldehyde-free resin market is segmented into:Wood AdhesiveFoil Bonding AdhesiveFiberglass AdhesiveMineral Fiber AdhesiveBased on end-use, the global formaldehyde-free resin market is segmented into:Residential InsulationCommercial and Industrial (C&I) InsulationGlobal Formaldehyde-Free Resin Market Regional Outlook:Based on the geographies, the global formaldehyde-free resin market is fragmented into seven key regions -- North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific except Japan, Japan, and the Middle East & Africa. Among the regions, North America accounts for a significant share of global formaldehyde-free resin market, owing to relatively high-value share of the region in the global furniture market. Western Europe is followed by North America region in the global formaldehyde-free resin market. The Asia-Pacific except Japan region accounts for significantly high volume share in the global formaldehyde-free resin market, owing to the substantial growth in the furniture industry in the region as a result of growing population. Eastern Europe and Japan also accounts for significant value share in the global formaldehyde-free resin market, owing to the significant growth of the adhesive product industry over the forecast period. The developing economy such as Middle East Africa and Latin America have a moderate opportunity in the global formaldehyde-free resin market, owing to the rapid rate of urbanization. Overall, the outlook for the global formaldehyde-free resin market will have a positive growth over the forecast period, owing to the increasing demand for the non-hazardous adhesive in end-use industries as an anti-counterfeiting measure.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC):Global Formaldehyde-Free Resin Market Player:Few players in the global formaldehyde-free resin market include DSM Inc., Georgia-Pacific Chemicals LLC, The Dow Chemical Company, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, EGGER GROUP, and NineSigma, 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.CONTACT:Future Market InsightsAbhishek Bhudoliya616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
PCR Machine Market Detailed Analysis by Revenue forecast, company share, competitive landscape, trends and growth factors 2022

PCR Machine Market Forecast

https://www.htfmarketreport.com/sample-report/791187-global-pcr-machine-market-2

https://www.htfmarketreport.com/reports/791187-global-pcr-machine-market-2

https://www.htfmarketreport.com/buy-now?format=1&report=791187

https://www.htfmarketreport.com/enquiry-before-buy/791187-global-pcr-machine-market-2

HTF MI recently added a new research study in its database that highlights the in-depth market analysis with future prospects of PCR Machine market. The study covers significant data which makes the research document a handy resource for managers, industry executives and other key people get ready-to-access and self analyzed study along with graphs and tables to help understand market trends, drivers and market challenges. Some of the key players mentioned in this research are Thermo Fisher, Roche, QIAGEN, Bio-rad, Agilent, Bioer, Biosynex, Esco, Analytik Jena & Techne.Get Access to sample pages @The research covers the current market size of the Global PCR Machine market and its growth rates based on 5 year history data. It also covers various types of segmentation such as by geography [North America, China, Europe, Southeast Asia, Japan & India], by product /end user type [LED, Halogen Lamp & Others], by applications [Universities, Hospitals & Others] in overall market. The in-depth information by segments of PCR Machine market helps monitor performance & make critical decisions for growth and profitability. It provides information on trends and developments, focuses on markets and materials, capacities, technologies, CAPEX cycle and the changing structure of the Global PCR Machine Market.This study also contains company profiling, product picture and specifications, sales, market share and contact information of various international, regional, and local vendors of Global PCR Machine Market, some of them are Thermo Fisher, Roche, QIAGEN, Bio-rad, Agilent, Bioer, Biosynex, Esco, Analytik Jena & Techne. The market competition is constantly growing higher with the rise in technological innovation and M&A activities in the industry. Moreover, many local and regional vendors are offering specific application products for varied end-users. The new vendor entrants in the market are finding it hard to compete with the international vendors based on quality, reliability, and innovations in technology.Global PCR Machine (Thousands Units) and Revenue (Million USD) Market Split by Product Type such as LED, Halogen Lamp & OthersMarket Segment by Type 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022LED xx xx xx xx xx Xx xx-Change (%) xx% xx% xx% xx% xx% xx% xx%Halogen Lamp 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%The research study is segmented by Application such as Universities, Hospitals & Others with historical and projected market share and compounded annual growth rate.Global PCR Machine (Thousands Units) by Application (2017-2022)Market Segment by Application 2012 2017 2022 Market Share (%)2022 CAGR (%)(2017-2022)Universities xx xx xx xx% xx%Hospitals xx xx xx xx% xx%Others xx xx xx xx% xx%Total xx xx xx 100% xx%Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), and market share and growth rate of PCR Machine in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), coveringMarket Segment by Regions 2012 2017 2022 Share (%) CAGR (2017-2022)North America xx xx xx xx% xx%China xx xx xx xx% xx%Europe xx xx xx xx% xx%Southeast Asia xx xx xx xx% xx%Japan xx xx xx xx% xx%India xx xx xx xx% xx%Total xx xx xx xx% xx%Read Detailed Index of full Research Study at @Key questions answered in this report - Global PCR Machine Market Professional Survey Report 2017What will the market size be in 2022 and what will the growth rate beWhat are the key market trendsWhat is driving Global PCR Machine marketWhat are the challenges to market growthWho are the key vendors in Global PCR Machine market space?What are the key market trends impacting the growth of the Global PCR Machine market?What are the key outcomes of the five forces analysis of the Global PCR Machine market?Buy this research report @There are 15 Chapters to display the Global PCR Machine market.Chapter 1, to describe Definition, Specifications and Classification of PCR Machine , Applications of PCR Machine , Market Segment by Regions;Chapter 2, to analyze the Manufacturing Cost Structure, Raw Material and Suppliers, Manufacturing Process, Industry Chain Structure;Chapter 3, to display the Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of PCR Machine , Capacity and Commercial Production Date, Manufacturing Plants Distribution, R&D Status and Technology Source, Raw Materials Sources Analysis;Chapter 4, to show the Overall Market Analysis, Capacity Analysis (Company Segment), Sales Analysis (Company Segment), Sales Price Analysis (Company Segment);Chapter 5 and 6, to show the Regional Market Analysis that includes North America, China, Europe, Southeast Asia, Japan & India, PCR Machine Segment Market Analysis (by Type);Chapter 7 and 8, to analyze the PCR Machine Segment Market Analysis (by Application) Major Manufacturers Analysis of PCR Machine ;Chapter 9, Market Trend Analysis, Regional Market Trend, Market Trend by Product Type [LED, Halogen Lamp & Others], Market Trend by Application [Universities, Hospitals & Others];Chapter 10, Regional Marketing Type Analysis, International Trade Type Analysis, Supply Chain Analysis;Chapter 11, to analyze the Consumers Analysis of PCR Machine ;Chapter 12, to describe PCR Machine Research Findings and Conclusion, Appendix, methodology and data source;Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe PCR Machine sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data source.Get 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:HTF Market Intelligence Consulting Private LimitedUnit No. 429, Parsonage Road, Edison, NJ USA - 08837sales@htfmarketreport.comPh: +1 (206) 317 1218
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Market Comprehensive Analysis and Future Estimations 2022

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/magnetic-resonance-imaging-market.html

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=191

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=191

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/checkout.php?rep_id=191<ype=S

http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/

The global magnetic resonance imaging market is projected to rise from a valuation of US$6,611.0 Mn in 2017 to reach US$9,120.8 Mn by end of 2022. The market is forecast to expand at a CAGR of 6.6% from 2017 to 2022. The substantial demand for noninvasive diagnostic imaging technique for a detailed anatomical study of almost any body part, particularly for soft tissues, is the primary factor driving the magnetic resonance imaging market. The wide popularity of MRI for the diagnosis of various neurological conditions in the absence of any standard alternate modality world over is a key factor boosting the market. A rising geriatric population and the growing prevalence of chronic conditions are crucial factors expected to catalyze the demand for MRI modality. Furthermore, the growing application of MRI-guided radiotherapy for brain tumors and in neurosurgical planning is a crucial factor accentuating the market.Read Report Overview @Recent advances in scanning technology used in MRI and substantial advancements made in imaging contrast agents with respect to biologic tolerance and contrast capability are key developments expected to accentuate the market. In addition, the notable flexibility in the use of these agents is also a significant factor bolstering their demand among patient populations. For instance, paramagnetic contrast agent is preferred for obtaining an accurate and precise diagnosis. The rise of novel applications areas of MRI modality such as in diagnosing multiple sclerosis and breast cancer is a notable trend boosting the market.The high cost of MRI system, along with problems in serviceability, and the low reimbursement Rates for MRI procedures in various developing countries are key aspects likely to hinder the growth of the market. Nevertheless, the advent of cardiac pacemaker-compatible MRI modality is a significant product innovation opening up exciting opportunities for market players.Request Sample Report @Geographically, North America is the leading market and is predicted to hold the major revenue share throughout the forecast period. The revenue contributed by this regional market is estimated at US$3,212.1 Mn by 2022 end. The dominance is attributed to the vast commercial demand for technologically advanced MRI modality, mainly for a timely diagnosis of various chronic disorders among populations. Of all the product types of magnetic resonance imaging, 1.5 T MRI currently is the dominant segment and is predicted to hold a share of 49.5% by the end of assessment period.A number of players are focused on launching of a wide portfolio of advanced MRI equipment and are focusing on geographic expansion in a move to consolidate their shares over the forecast period. Key players operating in the global magnetic resonance imaging market include Siemens Healthineers, Koninklijke Philips N.V., Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation, GE Healthcare, Esaote SpA, Hitachi Medical Systems, Neusoft Corporation, and Xingaoyi.Request Magnetic Resonance Imaging Market Report Brochure @The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique is widely used for a detailed, non-invasive diagnostic imaging of various parts of the body, such as bones and joint, spinal cord, heart and blood cells, breast, prostate and adrenal glands. The modality is increasingly preferred for a detailed examination of brain tissues and various internal organs such as adrenal and prostate glands. The growing incidence of a variety of conditions related to central nervous system, spine lesions, tumors, and strokes is a key factor propelling the demand for MRI technique. In a number of developing and developed regions, healthcare clinics and hospitals are focusing on using better imaging contrast agents and employing a combinations of different sequence types for boosting their adoption among patient populations.Buy Full Magnetic Resonance Imaging Market Report @About TMRTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector - such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Global Gummy Vitamins Market is likely become worth US$4.17 bn over 2017-2025

https://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=1359776

https://www.researchmoz.us/gummy-vitamins-market-global-industry-analysis-size-share-growth-trends-and-forecast-2017-2025-report.html/toc

https://www.researchmoz.com/checkout?rep_id=1359776&licType=S

http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG

The report on the gummy vitamins market analyzes the current and future scenario of the global market. Growing emphasis on preventive care among customers, advantages of gummy form of vitamins over regular pills and rising demand of gummy vitamins among adults and baby boomers are the major drivers of the global gummy vitamins market.The gummy vitamins market report comprises an elaborate executive summary, which includes a market snapshot that provides information about various segments of the market. It also provides information and data analysis of the global gummy vitamins market with respect to the segments based on product type, age group and geography.Click to get Sample PDF:The global market for gummy vitamins to rise at a steady CAGR of 5.2% during the period between 2017 and 2025. Expanding at this rate, the market will likely become worth US$4.17 bn by 2025 from US$2.68 bn in 2016.A detailed qualitative analysis of drivers and restraints of the market and opportunities has been provided in the market overview section. In addition, the section comprises porters five forces analysis and value chain analysis to understand the competitive landscape in the market. This section of the report also provides market attractiveness analysis, by geography and market share analysis by key players, thus presenting a thorough analysis of the overall competitive scenario in the global gummy vitamins market.View Complete TOC with Tables and Figures at:Based on product type, the gummy vitamins market is segmented as single vitamins and multivitamins. The single gummy vitamins products segments is further segmented into biotin, omega & DHA, vitamin C, CoQ10, vitamin D, melatonin, high-fiber formulas, and others. The product market segments have been analyzed based on available products in markets, product pipeline for new gummy vitamins products, demand for single and multivitamin products, cost-effectiveness, and preference for gummy vitamins product among different age group. The market size and forecast for each of these segments have been provided for the period from 2015 to 2025, along with their respective CAGRs for the forecast period from 2017 to 2025, considering 2016 as the base year.Based on age group, gummy vitamins market is segmented into children and adults. The market segments have been extensively analyzed based on availability of different gummy vitamins products for children and adults, demand for these products among children and adults and geographical coverage. The market size and forecast in terms of US$ Mn for each segment have been provided for the period from 2015 to 2025. The report also provides the compound annual growth rate (CAGR %) for each market segment for the forecast period from 2017 to 2025, considering 2016 as the base year.Geographically, the global gummy vitamins market has been categorized into five major regions and the key countries in the respective region: North America (the U.S., Canada), Europe (the U.K., Germany, Russia, France, Spain, Italy, and Rest of Europe), Asia Pacific (Japan, India, China, Australia & New Zealand and Rest of Asia Pacific), Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, and Rest of Latin America) and Middle East & Africa (South Africa, UAE and Rest of Middle East & Africa). The market size and forecast for each of these regions and the mentioned countries have been provided for the period from 2015 to 2025, along with their respective CAGRs for the forecast period from 2017 to 2025, considering 2016 as the base year. The research study also covers the competitive scenario in these regions.Buy Report:Global Gummy Vitamins Market: Competitive LandscapeThe report also profiles major players (CMOs and key players) in the global gummy vitamins market based on various attributes such as company overview, financial overview, product portfolio, business strategies, manufacturing capacity and recent developments. Major players profiled in this report includes CMOs such as ABH Labs, LLC, Boli Naturals LLC, Vitakem Nutraceutical Inc., Ferrara Candy Company, Gimbal Brothers, Inc., Melrob Group, Makers Nutrition, LLC, Santa Cruz Nutritionals, Nutra Solutions USA, Contract NUTRA, Ernest Jackson, F. Hunziker + Co AG, Softigel By PROCAPS, Sirio Pharma and major manufacturer players such as BAYER AG, The Honest Company, Inc., SmartyPants Vitamins, Church & Dwight Co. Inc., Hero Nutritionals, Herbaland Naturals Inc., Life Science Nutritionals, Zanon Vitamec, Boscogen, Inc., Nature's Products, Inc., MDC Pharmaceutical Pvt. Ltd., Wellnext Health and others.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.Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-621-2074Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Email: sales@researchmoz.usFollow us on LinkedIn at:
Global Metering Software Market 2017 Key Players - 3D Systems, Inc., Carl Zeiss AG, Microsoft, Konica Minolta Inc., Nikon Inc., Renishaw Plc., Rudolph Technologies, Inc., FARO Technologies, Inc., Perceptron Inc.,.

Metering Software Market

https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/2489553-global-metering-software-market-size-status-and-forecast-2022

https://www.wiseguyreports.com/enquiry/2489553-global-metering-software-market-size-status-and-forecast-2022

https://www.wiseguyreports.com/checkout?currency=one_user-USD&report_id=2489553

Metering Software Market:WiseGuyReports.com adds Metering Software Market 2017 Global Analysis, Growth, Trends and Opportunities Research Report Forecasting to 2022reports to its database.Executive SummaryThis report studies the global Metering Software market, analyzes and researches the Metering Software development status and forecast in United States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia. This report focuses on the top players in global market, like3D Systems, Inc.Carl Zeiss AGMicrosoftKonica Minolta Inc.Nikon Inc.Renishaw Plc.Rudolph Technologies, Inc.FARO Technologies, Inc.Perceptron Inc.Metrologic GroupTech Soft 3DGOM MetrologyCreaformOptical Gaging Products (OGP)Retecon (Pty) Ltd.Worklogix Middle EastVerisurf Software, Inc.Image Metrology A/S3d Digital CorpMinds MechanicalSPSSMathworksGMSHexagonRequest Sample Report @Market segment by Regions/Countries, this report coversUnited StatesEUJapanChinaIndiaSoutheast AsiaMarket segment by Type, the product can be split intoOnline SoftwareOffline SoftwareMarket segment by Application, Metering Software can be split intoConsumer ElectronicsPower and EnergyMedicalIndustrial ManufacturingAutomotiveAerospace and DefenceOthersIf you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.For further information on this report, visit -Table of ContentsGlobal Metering Software Market Size, Status and Forecast 20221 Industry Overview of Metering Software1.1 Metering Software Market Overview1.1.1 Metering Software Product Scope1.1.2 Market Status and Outlook1.2 Global Metering Software Market Size and Analysis by Regions1.2.1 United States1.2.2 EU1.2.3 Japan1.2.4 China1.2.5 India1.2.6 Southeast Asia1.3 Metering Software Market by Type1.3.1 Online Software1.3.2 Offline Software1.4 Metering Software Market by End Users/Application1.4.1 Consumer Electronics1.4.2 Power and Energy1.4.3 Medical1.4.4 Industrial Manufacturing1.4.5 Automotive1.4.6 Aerospace and Defence1.4.7 Others2 Global Metering Software Competition Analysis by Players2.1 Metering Software Market Size (Value) by Players (2016 and 2017)2.2 Competitive Status and Trend2.2.1 Market Concentration Rate2.2.2 Product/Service Differences2.2.3 New Entrants2.2.4 The Technology Trends in Future3 Company (Top Players) Profiles3.1 3D Systems, Inc.3.1.1 Company Profile3.1.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.1.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.1.4 Metering Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.1.5 Recent Developments3.2 Carl Zeiss AG3.2.1 Company Profile3.2.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.2.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.2.4 Metering Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.2.5 Recent Developments3.3 Microsoft3.3.1 Company Profile3.3.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.3.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.3.4 Metering Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.3.5 Recent Developments3.4 Konica Minolta Inc.3.4.1 Company Profile3.4.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.4.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.4.4 Metering Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.4.5 Recent Developments3.5 Nikon Inc.3.5.1 Company Profile3.5.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.5.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.5.4 Metering Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.5.5 Recent Developments3.6 Renishaw Plc.3.6.1 Company Profile3.6.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.6.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.6.4 Metering Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.6.5 Recent Developments3.7 Rudolph Technologies, Inc.3.7.1 Company Profile3.7.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.7.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.7.4 Metering Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.7.5 Recent Developments3.8 FARO Technologies, Inc.3.8.1 Company Profile3.8.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.8.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.8.4 Metering Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.8.5 Recent Developments3.9 Perceptron Inc.3.9.1 Company Profile3.9.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.9.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.9.4 Metering Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.9.5 Recent Developments3.10 Metrologic Group3.10.1 Company Profile3.10.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.10.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.10.4 Metering Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.10.5 Recent Developments3.11 Tech Soft 3D3.12 GOM Metrology3.13 Creaform3.14 Optical Gaging Products (OGP)3.15 Retecon (Pty) Ltd.3.16 Worklogix Middle East3.17 Verisurf Software, Inc.3.18 Image Metrology A/S3.19 3d Digital Corp3.20 Minds Mechanical3.21 SPSS3.22 Mathworks3.23 GMS3.24 Hexagon4 Global Metering Software Market Size by Type and Application (2012-2017)4.1 Global Metering Software Market Size by Type (2012-2017)4.2 Global Metering Software Market Size by Application (2012-2017)4.3 Potential Application of Metering Software in Future4.4 Top Consumer/End Users of Metering Software5 United States Metering Software Development Status and Outlook5.1 United States Metering Software Market Size (2012-2017)5.2 United States Metering Software Market Size and Market Share by Players (2016 and 2017)6 EU Metering Software Development Status and Outlook6.1 EU Metering Software Market Size (2012-2017)6.2 EU Metering Software Market Size and Market Share by Players (2016 and 2017)7 Japan Metering Software Development Status and Outlook7.1 Japan Metering Software Market Size (2012-2017)7.2 Japan Metering Software Market Size and Market Share by Players (2016 and 2017)8 China Metering Software Development Status and Outlook8.1 China Metering Software Market Size (2012-2017)8.2 China Metering Software Market Size and Market Share by Players (2016 and 2017)9 India Metering Software Development Status and Outlook9.1 India Metering Software Market Size (2012-2017)9.2 India Metering Software Market Size and Market Share by Players (2016 and 2017)10 Southeast Asia Metering Software Development Status and Outlook10.1 Southeast Asia Metering Software Market Size (2012-2017)10.2 Southeast Asia Metering Software Market Size and Market Share by Players (2016 and 2017)11 Market Forecast by Regions, Type and Application (2017-2022)11.1 Global Metering Software Market Size (Value) by Regions (2017-2022)11.1.1 United States Metering Software Revenue and Growth Rate (2017-2022)11.1.2 EU Metering Software Revenue and Growth Rate (2017-2022)11.1.3 Japan Metering Software Revenue and Growth Rate (2017-2022)11.1.4 China Metering Software Revenue and Growth Rate (2017-2022)11.1.5 India Metering Software Revenue and Growth Rate (2017-2022)11.1.6 Southeast Asia Metering Software Revenue and Growth Rate (2017-2022)11.2 Global Metering Software Market Size (Value) by Type (2017-2022)11.3 Global Metering Software Market Size by Application (2017-2022)12 Metering Software Market Dynamics12.1 Metering Software Market Opportunities12.2 Metering Software Challenge and Risk12.2.1 Competition from Opponents12.2.2 Downside Risks of Economy12.3 Metering Software Market Constraints and Threat12.3.1 Threat from Substitute12.3.2 Government Policy12.3.3 Technology Risks12.4 Metering Software Market Driving Force12.4.1 Growing Demand from Emerging Markets12.4.2 Potential Application13 Market Effect Factors Analysis13.1 Technology Progress/Risk13.1.1 Substitutes13.1.2 Technology Progress in Related Industry13.2 Consumer Needs Trend/Customer Preference13.3 External Environmental Change13.3.1 Economic Fluctuations13.3.2 Other Risk Factors14 Research Finding/Conclusion15 AppendixMethodologyAnalyst IntroductionData SourceContinuousBuy this Report @Contact Us:Norah Trentsales@wiseguyreports.comPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US); +44 208 133 9349 (UK)About Us:Wise Guy Reports Is Part Of The Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. And Offers Premium Progressive Statistical Surveying, Market Research Reports, Analysis & Forecast Data For Industries And Governments Around The Globe. Wise Guy Reports Features An Exhaustive List Of Market Research Reports From Hundreds Of Publishers Worldwide. We Boast A Database Spanning Virtually Every Market Category And An Even More Comprehensive Collection Of Market Research Reports Under These Categories And Sub-Categories.Addres:WISEGUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersPune - 411028Maharashtra, IndiaPhone :+91 841 198 5042
Berlin needs 20,000 new flats annually

ACCENTRO Latest news

www.accentro.co.uk/services/latest-news/

www.accentro.co.uk

No less than 194,000 new flats will need to be raised in Berlin between now and 2030 to cover the citys housing demand. But so far, construction areas for only 179,000 new flats have been zoned. These figures were quoted by Katrin Lompscher, Berlins Senator for Urban Development, in mid-October as she presented the interim report for the residential urban development master plan. The new urban development master plan is supposed to be completed by 2018, and the construction area gap of 15,000 flats will have to be closed by then.The short supply in building land could be further exacerbated if Tegel Airport is not decommissioned as planned. During a referendum on 24 September 2017, the majority of Berlins population voted in favour of keeping Tegel Airport operational even after the new airport in Schonefeld (BER) goes live. The airport grounds in Tegel and in the immediately surrounding area is currently earmarked for the development of 9,000 flats overall.New-Build Housing Development Needs to Gather MomentumSenator Katrin Lompscher for Urban Development added that 20,000 flats will have to be completed in Berlin annually in the coming years in order to stay on top of the keen demand for housing in the city. By 2022, the completion rate can be scaled back to around 10,000 new flats annually. At the moment, the situation is marked by pent-up demand on a massive scale because the number of flats raised between 2013 and 2016 fell short of the mark by around 77,000 residential units.But to achieve the target of 20,000 new-build flats per year, housing development in Berlin seriously needs to pick up the pace. In 2016, only 13,659 apartments were completed in the city. This summer, the state office for statistics let it be known that the number of planning permissions had actually suffered a year-on-year decline during the first half-year of 2017. Then again, housing construction gathered considerable momentum during the summer months, so that the number of new flats approved during the first eight months showed a one-year increase by around eleven percent, rising from 14,404 at the end of the prior-year period to 16,014 by the end of August 2017. It is now of the essence to sustain this trend if the demand for new housing is to be met long-term.Remember Further DensificationZoning new building land is an important step in the right direction, but one must not lose sight of the option of further densification in a major city like Berlin. Between January and August 2017, the issuance of planning permits for restructuring projects in residential buildings went against the overall trend in Berlin, as the number of permits dropped from 998 to 949 year on year.For further information go to:ACCENTRO GmbH is a real estate service provider that specialises in the retailing of large housing portfolios. Our fortes include:- the socially responsible, tenant-sensitive selling of large housing portfolios,- the exit-oriented asset management of housing portfolios,- and investment consultancy in either area.ACCENTRO looks back on more than fourteen years of experience in the privatisation business, and act as sales partners of major housing associations.ACCENTRO GmbHMarketingJerome TheisUhlandstrae 16510719 Berlin
CNC Electronics West Inc Announce Industry Leading 2 Year Warranties on All New Replacement Fanuc Power Supplies

A14B-0061-B002 Fanuc Power Supply Unit

http://fanuc.cnc-electronics.net/

As one of the leading FANUC Specialists covering the Western States of the US, CNC Electronics West have an extensive inventory of Fanuc power supply units with their NEW replacements all supplied with an industry leading 2-year warranty.Stock of their new replacement Fanuc power supply units includes power supplies for the Fanuc system 3 & system 6 and the control series Zero C (0-C, 0- D, 0-F) family of controllers.All new Fanuc replacement power supplies are built in the USA by CNC Electronics West and customers can be assured that they will receive a product that is of a high quality and is of a superior product to any other offered elsewhere. With savings of up to 80% on prices offered by the original equipment manufacturer, CNC Electronics West are able to offer a really cost effective viable alternative.In addition to new replacements, CNC Electronics West also offer their core service exchange program with somewhere in the region of 69 different Fanuc power supplies currently supported. The Fanuc systems covered under this include system 3, 6, 10, 11, 15, 16, 18, 20, 21, 0A, 0B, 0C, 0D, 0F.With more than 100 test rigs available for various GE Fanuc drives, control boards, monitors, power supplies, motors, encoders and keyboards CNC Electronics West also offer a range of electronics inspection, testing and diagnostics services on many Fanuc control systems. For any items not in stock in most cases they can offer a 24-hour repair turnaround on system power supplies, input units and graphic CRT/MDI power units. All refurbished exchange, and repairs power supply units from system 3 through to series 16/18/21i come with a 180-day warranty.Regardless of the service required and whether customers need their Fanuc 3 tested or a diagnosis of a fault on the latest controls, CNC Electronics West can help.For further information and a more detailed description of the power supplies CNC Electronics West can offer please visit the Fanuc Power Supplies page on their website. http://fanuc.cnc-electronics.net/products/fanuc- power-supply-unit/.Out Now! The 2018 CNC Electronics West Price List. Please contact CNC Electronics West directly to request your copy.Founded in 2009 to help customers in the Western states of the US, CNC Electronics West based in San Diego are the premier independent FANUC PARTs specialists to Western US, Canada, Mexico and the rest of the Americas.Combined with their East coast partner and the rest of the group they offer many services for Fanuc CNC and GE Fanuc. Services include extensive AC servo and spindle, Alpha & Alpha i power supply module testing, repair and parts for exchange. Same Day / 24-hour turnaround on FANUC Repairs, and large stocks of CNC monitors, PCBs, and much more.In addition to parts distribution, CNC Electronics West also offer a full sales and after sales service, a reliable warranty program and a range of testing and diagnostic services that are second to none.CNC Electronics West Inc1445 Tidelands AvenueNational City, CA.91950USANews EditorT: +1-619-477-9011F: +1-619-477-9015E: sales@cnc-electronics.net
Gleistein Ropes goes to METS 2017 in Amsterdam with new and improved solutions for the international marine leisure industry

New GeoYacht Rope Catalogue incl. Sailmaker Range

http://www.gleistein.com/kataloge-interaktiv/geoyacht/index.html#1

www.gleistein.com

Latest products and the new, expanded GeoYacht catalogue  now including the sailmaker range  at the Gleistein booth in Hall 1, Stand 256Bremen/Amsterdam, 14 November 2017Gleistein Ropes presents numerous highlights at METS 2017, the worlds largest marine equipment trade show, including Alex Thomsons lines of choice from on board of HUGO BOSS made with Dyneema SK99 and the specially-developed innovative lines deployed by the successful Danish Olympic sailing team. The latest GeoYacht catalogue showcasing the full range of Gleisteins solutions for the marine leisure industry  and now incorporating the full sailmaker range  will also debut at the industry trade show and be available to visitors. METS 2017 takes place at the Amsterdam RAI Exhibition and Convention Centre and runs until 16 November. The Gleistein booth is located in Hall 1, Stand 256, as usual.Gleistein continues to uphold and extend its reputation for delivering the optimal solution for every marine leisure cordage demand at METS 2017. Product highlights featured will include those now added to the latest instalment of the expanded GeoYacht catalogue, being unveiled at the industry trade fair, including: RunnerTwin noveni made with a core of unbeatably strong Dyneema SK99 to provide ultimate performance as proven by the Alex Thomson on board of HUGO BOSS RunnerTwin Olympic made with a Dyneema core and an innovative triple fibre cover for outstanding grip with optimised abrasion resistance, developed especially as a competition sheet for the Danish National Sailing Teams successful medal-winning bid at the Rio Olympics Discover  a completely revamped, dinghy sheet now made with a coated, load-bearing Dyneema core enabling it to be stripped as required for lowest weight while retaining its exceptionally grippy attributes DynaOne black  delivering the renowned DynaOne steel wire replacement characteristics in a pure, through-dyed black colour and made with 100% Dyneema.For the first time, the new GeoYacht catalogue will also incorporate Gleisteins complete sailmaker range, which encompasses specialised solutions such as: BolTwin  made with 100% Dyneema, specially developed as a high-performance luff line and precisely attuned to the performance and elongation characteristics of laminated sails for regatta and super yachts; and RollerTwin  specially constructed to enable endless furler lines with no bulging or losses of strength in the splice zone.Trade fair visitors will be the first to have the opportunity to pick up a personal copy of the new GeoYacht catalogue, which is being delivered to METS right off the presses. Clearer and more concise than ever, the catalogue will also feature numerous handy tips, including a special section on optimal mooring practice. The entire GeoYacht catalogue is also now available online atas an interactive PDF on the Gleistein Ropes website.The Marine Equipment Trade Show 2017 is taking place 14-16 November at the Amsterdam RAI Exhibition and Convention Centre. The Gleistein booth is located in Hall 1, Stand 256.About Gleistein RopesGleistein has been manufacturing ropes since 1824 and is the oldest family industrial company in Bremen (Germany). Together with its Trencin (Slovakia) plant the company boasts two of the most modern rope manufacturing facilities in the world with a total production area of more than 19,000m. Modern chemical fibres, sophisticated designs and future-oriented rope finishing equipment and procedures offer a definite quality plus that directly benefits the consumer. Gleistein offers a complete service, provides its customers with industry-leading know-how and assists in selecting the perfect rope  whatever the need. Ready-to-use finishing of products, execution of contracted tests and the development of tailor-made solutions round out the comprehensive range of services.Press contacts:Thomas SchlatzerGeo. Gleistein & Sohn GmbHHeidlerchenstrasse 728777 Bremen, GermanyTel: +49 (0)421 69049-31Fax: +49 (0)421 69049-99Email: schlaetzer@gleistein.comWeb:Markus Woltmannslant PR & Native English TextLeuschnerdamm 1310999 Berlin, GermanyTel: +49 (0)30 36 44 11 04Email: press@slant.de
Telecommunication Services Global Group of Eight (G8) Countries are Expected to Reach a Value of $691,278.2 Mn in 2021

http://www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW0001706801/sample

http://www.reportsweb.com/telecommunication-services-global-group-of-eight-g8-industry-guide-2017

http://www.reportsweb.com/buy&RW0001706801/buy/1495

The G8 countries contributed $626,531.0 million in 2016 to the global telecommunication services industry, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -4.3% between 2012 and 2016. The G8 countries are expected to reach a value of $691,278.2 million in 2021, with a CAGR of 2% over the 2016-21 period.Among the G8 nations, the US is the leading country in the telecommunication services industry, with market revenues of $308,426.0 million in 2016. This was followed by Japan and the UK, with a value of $120,485.4 and $46,369.6 million, respectively.The US is expected to lead the telecommunication services industry in the G8 nations with a value of $335,922.4 million in 2016, followed by Japan and the UK with expected values of $133,544.0 and $51,195.4 million, respectively.Get Sample Copy of Report@The G8 Telecommunication Services industry profile provides top-line qualitative and quantitative summary information including: market share, market size (value and volume 2012-16, and forecast to 2021). The profile also contains descriptions of the leading players including key financial metrics and analysis of competitive pressures within the market.Essential resource for top-line data and analysis covering the G8 telecommunication services market. Includes market size and segmentation data, textual and graphical analysis of market growth trends and leading companies.Save time carrying out entry-level research by identifying the size, growth, major segments, and leading players in the G8 telecommunication services marketUse the Five Forces analysis to determine the competitive intensity and therefore attractiveness of the G8 telecommunication services marketGet More Information@Leading company profiles reveal details of key telecommunication services market players' G8 operations and financial performanceAdd weight to presentations and pitches by understanding the future growth prospects of the G8 telecommunication services market with five year forecasts by both value and volumeCompares data from the US, Canada, Germany, France, UK, Italy, Russia and Japan, alongside individual chapters on each countryTable of Contents:IntroductionWhat is this report about?Who is the target reader?How to use this reportDefinitionsGroup of Eight (G) Telecommunication ServicesIndustry OutlookBuy This Report@Telecommunication Services in CanadaTelecommunication Services in FranceTelecommunication Services in GermanyTelecommunication Services in ItalyTelecommunication Services in JapanTelecommunication Services in RussiaTelecommunication Services in The United KingdomTelecommunication Services in The United StatesCompany ProfilesLeading companiesAppendixMethodologyAbout MarketLineAbout ReportsWeb:ReportsWeb.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.Contact Us:Call: +1-646-491-9876Email: sales@reportsweb.com
Long Term Care (LTC) Market Analysis by key business priorities, SWOT, strategy, competitive landscape, vendor assessment forecast up to 2022

Long Term Care (LTC) Market Analysis

https://www.htfmarketreport.com/sample-report/791064-global-long-term-care

https://www.htfmarketreport.com/buy-now?format=1&report=791064

https://www.htfmarketreport.com/reports/791064-global-long-term-care

https://www.htfmarketreport.com/enquiry-before-buy/791064-global-long-term-care

https://www.linkedin.com/company/13388569/

HTF MI recently added a new research study in its database that highlights the in-depth market analysis with future prospects of Long Term Care (LTC) market. The study covers significant data which makes the research document a handy resource for marketing managers, analysts, industry executives, consultants, sales and product managers, and other key people who are in need of ready-to-access and self analyzed study along with graphs and tables to help understand market trends, drivers and market challenges. Some of the key players mentioned in this research are Brookdale Senior Living, Sunrise Senior Living, Emeritus Corporation, Atria Senior Living Group, Extendicare, Gentiva Health Services, Senior Care Centers of America, Kindred Healthcare, Genesis Healthcare Corp. & Home Instead Senior Care.Get Access to sample pages @The research covers the current market size of the Global Long Term Care (LTC) market and its growth rates based on 5 year history data. It also covers various types of segmentation such as by geography [United States, EU, Japan, China, India & Southeast Asia], by product /end user type [Home Healthcare, Hospice, Nursing Care & Assisted Living Facilities], by applications [Female & Male] in overall market. The in-depth information by segments of Long Term Care (LTC) market helps monitor performance & make critical decisions for growth and profitability. It provides information on trends and developments, focuses on markets and materials, capacities, technologies, CAPEX cycle and the changing structure of the Global Long Term Care (LTC) Market.The study also contains company profiling, product picture and specifications, sales, market share and contact information of various international, regional, and local vendors of Global Long Term Care (LTC) Market, some of them are Brookdale Senior Living, Sunrise Senior Living, Emeritus Corporation, Atria Senior Living Group, Extendicare, Gentiva Health Services, Senior Care Centers of America, Kindred Healthcare, Genesis Healthcare Corp. & Home Instead Senior Care. The market competition is constantly growing higher with the rise in technological innovation and M&A activities in the industry. Moreover, many local and regional vendors are offering specific application products for varied end-users. The new vendor entrants in the market are finding it hard to compete with the international vendors based on quality, reliability, and innovations in technology.Global Long Term Care (LTC) (Thousands Units) and Revenue (Million USD) Market Split by Product Type such as Home Healthcare, Hospice, Nursing Care & Assisted Living FacilitiesBuy this research report @Market Segment by Type 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022Home Healthcare xx xx xx xx xx Xx xx-Change (%) xx% xx% xx% xx% xx% xx% xx%Hospice xx xx xx xx xx Xx xx-Change (%) xx% xx% xx% xx% xx% xx% xx%Nursing Care xx xx xx xx xx Xx xx-Change (%) xx% xx% xx% xx% xx% xx% xx%Assisted Living Facilities xx xx xx xx xx Xx xx-Change (%) xx% xx% xx% xx% xx% xx% xx%The research study is segmented by Application such as Female & Male with historical and projected market share and compounded annual growth rate.Global Long Term Care (LTC) (Thousands Units) by Application (2017-2022)Market Segment by Application 2012 2017 2022 Market Share (%)2022 CAGR (%)(2017-2022)Female xx xx xx xx% xx%Male xx xx xx xx% xx%Total xx xx xx 100% xx%Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), and market share and growth rate of Long Term Care (LTC) in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), coveringMarket Segment by Regions 2012 2017 2022 Share (%) CAGR (2017-2022)United States xx xx xx xx% xx%EU xx xx xx xx% xx%Japan xx xx xx xx% xx%China xx xx xx xx% xx%India xx xx xx xx% xx%Southeast Asia xx xx xx xx% xx%Total xx xx xx xx% xx%Read Detailed Index of full Research Study at @The research insights solutions 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 Long Term Care (LTC) market? Who are the key market players and what are their strategies in the Global Long Term Care (LTC) market? What are the key market trends impacting the growth of the Global Long Term Care (LTC) market? What trends, challenges and barriers are influencing its growth? What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the vendors in the Global Long Term Care (LTC) market? What are the key outcomes of the five forces analysis of the Long Term Care (LTC) market?There are 15 Chapters to deeply display the Global Long Term Care (LTC) market.Chapter 1, to describe Long Term Care (LTC) Introduction, product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2, to analyze the top manufacturers of Long Term Care (LTC) , with sales, revenue, and price of Long Term Care (LTC) , in 2017;Chapter 3, to display the competitive situation among the top manufacturers, with sales, revenue and market share in 2017;Chapter 4, to show the Global market by regions, with sales, revenue and market share of Long Term Care (LTC) , 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 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 [Female & Male], from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 12, Long Term Care (LTC) market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2017 to 2022;Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Long Term Care (LTC) sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data source.Get 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.Craig Francis (PR & Marketing Manager)HTF Market Intelligence Consulting Private LimitedUnit No. 429, Parsonage Road Edison, NJNew Jersey USA  08837+1 (206) 317 1218sales@htfmarketreport.comConnect with us at
Growing Application of Embedded Security System Market - Forecast 2022

Embedded Security System Market

https://www.qyresearchgroups.com/request-sample/596350

https://www.qyresearchgroups.com/report/global-embedded-security-system-market-research-report-2017

https://www.qyresearchgroups.com/check-discount/596350

https://www.qyresearchgroups.com

QY Research Groups has released a latest report based on thorough research on Embedded Security System 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 Embedded Security System market.Get Sample Copy of this 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 Embedded Security System 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.The methodological analysis which is used to approximate and forecast the Embedded Security System 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 Embedded Security System 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.Browse full report with Table of Content @The Embedded Security System 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 industryKey Companies Analysis: Infineon, STMicroelectronics, NXP Semiconductors, Gemalto, Texas Instruments, Renesas, Qualcomm, Microchip, Samsung, Idemia, Rambus, Cisco, Escrypt, Kurz and Ovd Kinegram and Laks .Some points from TOC:-Global Embedded Security System Market Research Report 20171 Embedded Security System Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Embedded Security System1.2 Embedded Security System Segment By Product1.2.1 Global Embedded Security System Production and CAGR (%) Comparison By Product (Product Category)(2012-2022)1.2.2 Global Embedded Security System Production Market Share By Product (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Secure Element and Embedded SIM1.2.4 Trusted Platform Module1.2.5 Hardware Security Module1.2.6 Hardware Tokens1.3 Embedded Security System Segment By Security Type1.3.1 Authentication and Access Management1.3.2 Payment1.3.3 Content Protection1.4 Global Embedded Security System Segment by Application1.4.1 Embedded Security System Consumption (Sales) Comparison by Application (2012-2022)1.4.2 Wearables1.4.3 Smartphones and Tablets1.4.4 Automotive1.4.5 Smart Identity Cards1.4.6 Industrial1.4.7 Payment Processing and Cards1.4.8 Computers1.5 Global Embedded Security System Market by Region (2012-2022)1.5.1 Global Embedded Security System Market Size (Value) and CAGR (%) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.5.2 United States Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5.3 EU Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5.4 China Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5.5 Japan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5.6 South Korea Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5.7 Taiwan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.6 Global Market Size (Value) of Embedded Security System (2012-2022)1.6.1 Global Embedded Security System Revenue Status and Outlook (2012-2022)1.6.2 Global Embedded Security System Capacity, Production Status and Outlook (2012-2022)Ask 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.comWebsite-
Graphene Battery Market Segmentation and Forecast to 2022

Reportsweb

http://www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW00011014348/sample

http://www.reportsweb.com/global-graphene-battery-market-forecast-2017-2022

http://www.reportsweb.com/buy

ReportsWeb.com has announced the addition of the Global Graphene Battery Market Forecast 2012-2022 The report focuses on global major leading industry players with information such as company profiles, product picture and specification.A comprehensive research report created through extensive primary research (inputs from industry experts, companies, stakeholders) and secondary research, the report aims to present the analysis of Global Graphene Battery Market By Type (Bearer Card, Registered Card), By Application (Oil Fees, Parking, Tolls, Car Wash, Others); By Region (North America, Europe, APAC, ROW) and By Country (USA, Canada, UK, Germany, Spain, China, Japan, South Korea)Request For Free Sample@Increasing fleet size coupled with rising penetration of the Graphene Battery across the developing regions is backing the growth in Global Graphene Battery Market. Additionally, increasing number of petrol and service stations is backing the growing fuel volume across various regions. Increased offering of value added services combined with amplifying technological advancements is fuelling growth in the Graphene Battery market.The European Graphene Battery market hold immense business opportunities for the pure-play companies like FleetCor and Wex as the traditional Graphene Battery players i.e. major oil companies like Royal Dutch Shell and BP are increasingly outsourcing this business. In the North American market, the pure-play companies are already dominating the Graphene Battery market.Complete report is available atScope of the ReportGlobal Market, By Value (Actual Period- 2012-2016, Forecast Period- 2017-2022)- Global Graphene Battery Market-By Value, By Fuel Volume- By Sensor Type-Registered Card, Bearer Card- By Application-Oil Fees, Parking Fees, Tolls, Car Wash, OthersRegional Markets-North America, Europe, APAC, and RoW (Actual Period- 2012-2016, Forecast Period- 2017-2022)- Graphene Battery Market-By Value, By Fuel Volume- By Sensor Type-Registered Card, Bearer Card- By Application-Oil Fees, Parking Fees, Tolls, Car Wash, OthersTable of Contents:1. Research Methodology2. Executive Summary3. Strategic Recommendation4. Graphene Battery- Product Outlook5. Global Graphene Battery Market- Growth and Forecast6. Global Graphene Battery Market- By Type7. Global Graphene Battery Market- By Application8. Global Graphene Battery Market-Regional Analysis9. Europe Graphene Battery Market- An Analysis10. Europe Graphene Battery Market- Country Analysis11. North America Graphene Battery Market- An Analysis12. North America Graphene Battery Market- Country Analysis13. Asia Pacific Graphene Battery Market- An Analysis14. Asia Pacific Graphene Battery Market- Country Analysis15. Market DynamicsPurchase complete report atRW00011014348/buy/2900ReportsWeb.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.Contact Us:505, 6th floor, Amanora Township,Amanora Chambers, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028Phone : +91-20-67278686E-Mail : info@reportsweb.com
Global Ambulatory Healthcare IT Market 2017 is Rising prevalence of chronic diseases By 2024

Global Ambulatory Healthcare IT Market ? Industry Trends and Forecast to 2024

http://databridgemarketresearch.com/inquire-before-buying/?dbmr=global-ambulatory-healthcare-market

http://databridgemarketresearch.com/request-a-sample/?dbmr=global-ambulatory-healthcare-market

http://databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-ambulatory-healthcare-market/

http://databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-hemostats-market/

http://databridgemarketresearch.com/blog/

Global Ambulatory Healthcare IT Market By Type (Ambulatory Services, Primary Care Offices, Outpatient Departments, Emergency Departments, Surgical Specialty (Ophthalmology, Orthopedics, Gastroenterology, Spinal Injections, Plastic Surgery, Others), Medical Specialty, Others), By Modality (Hospital-affiliated, Freestanding), By Surgery Type (Opthalmology, Orthopedics, Gastroenterology, Pain Management, Others), By Application (Laceration Treatment, Bone Fracture Treatment, Emergency Care Service, Trauma Treatment), By Geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Europe, South America, Middle East and Africa)  Industry Trends and Forecast to 2024Inquire for further detailed information, Inquire before Buying Report @Customize Report of Global Ambulatory Healthcare IT Market Also Available On Request (As per Requirement)The Ambulatory Healthcare IT Market accounted to USD 2.7 billion in 2016 growing at a CAGR of 5.5% 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.Ambulatory Healthcare IT Market  Market Segmentation:By type the market for ambulatory healthcare IT market is segmented into ambulatory services, primary care offices, outpatient departments, emergency departments, surgical specialty, medical specialty, others. The surgical specialty segment is further sub-segmented into ophthalmology, orthopedics, gastroenterology, spinal injections, plastic surgery, others.By modality the ambulatory healthcare IT market is segmented into hospital-affiliated, freestanding. On the basis of surgery type the market is segmented into opthalmology, orthopedics, gastroenterology, pain management, others.On the basis of application the ambulatory healthcare IT market is segmented into laceration treatment, bone fracture treatment, emergency care service, and trauma treatment.Request For Sample Report @:Based on geography, the market is segmented into five geographical regions: North America Europe Asia-Pacific South America Middle East and AfricaThe geographical regions are further segmented into 29 major countries such as U.S. Canada, Mexico, Germany, France, U.K., Belgium, Switzerland, Belgium, Turkey, Japan, China, Singapore, Brazil, India, Russia, South Africa and others.Ambulatory Healthcare IT Market Competitive Analysis:The ambulatory healthcare IT 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 ambulatory healthcare IT market for global, Europe, North America, Asia Pacific and South America.Some of the major players operating in this market areSome of the major players operating in ambulatory healthcare IT market are AmSurg Corporation, Surgical Care Affiliates, Surgery Partners, HCA Holdings, Inc, Healthway Medical Group, SurgCenter, Trillium Health Partners, Medical Facilities Corporation, Nueterra, Aspen Healthcare, Healthway Medical Corporation Limited, Aspen Healthcare, Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) Holding, Terveystalo Healthcare Oyj, Nueterra Healthcare, Intergra Med America Inc. among others.Get customize Full Report Here @Related ReportGlobal Hemostats Market- Trends and Forecast to 2024Global Hemostats Market, By Product Type (Thrombin Based, Combination, Oxidized Regenerated Cellulose Based, Gelatin Based, Collagen Based Hemostat), By Indication (Wound Closure, Surgery), By End-User (Hospitals, Clinics, Ambulatory Centers, Community Healthcare, Others), By Geography (North America, South America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa)  Trends and Forecast to 2024About Data Bridge Market Research:Data Bridge Market Research set forth itself as an unconventional and neoteric Market research and consulting firm with unparalleled level of resilience and integrated approaches. We are determined to unearth the best market opportunities and foster efficient information for your business to thrive in the market. Data Bridge endeavors to provide appropriate solutions to the complex business challenges and initiates an effortless decision-making process.Contact:Vishal DixitData Bridge Market ResearchTel: +1-888-387-2818Email: Sales@databridgemarketresearch.comInvestor: investors@databridgemarketresearch.comVisit Blog
Global Behenyl Alcohol Market to Reflect 4.5% CAGR by 2021

https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/6976

https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/6976

https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/checkout/6976

https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com

According to the latest market report published by Persistence Market Research titled  Global Market Study on Behenyl Alcohol: Asia Pacific to Witness Highest Growth by 2021, the global behenyl alcohol market to expand at a CAGR of 4.5% during the forecast period, 2015 - 2021.Behenyl alcohol (CAS: 661-19-8), often referred to as docosanol, is a saturated fatty alcohol used to thicken and stabilise formulations. It is categorised on the basis of purity level. Behenyl alcohol with the purity level of 70% is most commonly used. However, behenyl alcohol with purity over 80% is very rarely used. Behenyl alcohol accounted for a mere 1.4% share of the overall fatty alcohols market, and for 14% share of the overall C16+ fatty alcohols market in 2014.Request for Report Sample @Global behenyl alcohol market is projected to account for 54,200.9 metric tons by the end of 2021. In terms of value, the global behenyl alcohol market accounted for US$ 119.4 Mn in 2014. It is projected to witness the increase in volume due to rising demand from end-use segments.The report analyses the global behenyl alcohol market in terms of market value (US$ Mn) and market volume (metric tons), by end-use segment, region and application; and provides information regarding market dynamics, value chain, competitive landscape, current trends, market estimations and forecast.Globally, Asia-Pacific is expected to dominate the market throughout the forecast period and is projected to witness a 1.4X increase in its volume production by the end of 2021. While Japan and India are two major exporters of behenyl alcohol chemicals globally, South Korea is one of the key importers of behenyl alcohol in Asia Pacific. In Asia Pacific, India is the largest producer of rapeseed and behenyl alcohol. A large number of companies based in the country export rapeseed to North America, Europe and other parts of Asia. Sun care products are widely used in Asia Pacific. It accounted for nearly US$ 2.2 Bn in 2014. The increase in demand for sun care products, in turn, is expected to boost overall demand for behenyl alcohol globally. Though the market is gaining traction in Asia-Pacific, low presence of Chinese players in the behenyl alcohol market has significantly reduced price competitiveness among the companies based in Japan, India and Europe. As a result, manufacturers are expected to generate high-profit margins in the Asia Pacific region. Europe is the next lucrative destination for behenyl alcohol manufacturers.Request for Report TOC @Among the end-use segments, behenyl alcohol finds the largest application in the cosmetics industry, followed by pharmaceuticals and others. The pharmaceuticals end-use segment is expected to gain traction in the near future due to increasing demand for behenyl alcohol in ointments. Increasing demand for high-quality cosmetic products is influencing manufacturers to opt for high-quality ingredients such as behenyl alcohol, which has a relatively non-sticky property as compared to other ingredients.Globally, per capita consumption of cosmetics is increasing at a rate of 3.4% per year. Per capita consumption of cosmetics is expected to grow exponentially in the near future due to a significant rise in geriatric population, especially in Japan and China.By application type, the behenyl alcohol market is segmented into emollients, emulsifiers, thickeners and others. The emollients segment is expected to dominate the overall behenyl alcohol market by the end of the forecast period, i.e. by 2021. The segment is projected to register an above average growth rate over the forecast period. Global consumption of emollients stood at 130,000 metric tons in 2014. Consumption of behenyl alcohol as an ingredient in emollients accounted for a significant proportion of the total emollients consumed globally.Buy Behenyl Alcohol Market Report @Key market participants covered in the report include BASF SE, Kao Corporation, VVF Chemicals Limited, Godrej Industries Ltd., Sasol Ltd. and Nikko Chemicals Co., Ltd.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.Our client success stories feature a range of clients from Fortune 500 companies to fast-growing startups. PMRs collaborative environment is committed to building industry-specific solutions by transforming data from multiple streams into a strategic asset.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway,7th FloorNew York City, NY 10007United StatesTel: +1-646-568-7751Tollfree: +1 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWebsite:
Bit Holders Market 2017 to Witness Growth Based On Rising Incidence of economy Till 2022: Reports Monitor

Bit Holders Market

https://www.reportsmonitor.com/request-sample/?post=461878

https://www.reportsmonitor.com/make-enquiry/?post=461878

https://www.reportsmonitor.com/check-discount/?post=461878

www.reportsmonitor.com

This report covers the global Bit Holders market various parameters and the growth prospects. It covers the overall market scenario and gives an in-depth analysis of the various competitors and the market value.The Bit Holders Industry split has been done according to the production, distribution, revenue and market share and the overall growth rate of Facial Surgery Equipment Package.Ask for Sample @The top competitors of Bit Holders market along with the different parameters are production, price, revenue, market share for each manufacture are GearWrench, Wiha, STAHLWILLE, EJOT, Armstrong Tools, Wera Tools, Garant, Adolf Wurth, VESSEL.The geographical split of this Industry is divided into the following with several key regions such as North America, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia and India.On the basis of product, this Bit Holders industry report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each Type, primarily split into Magnetic Bit Holder, General Type.Major applications/end users, consumption (sales), market share and growth rate of Bit Holders Market for each application, including Household, Automotive, Industrial.Have A Query On This Report? @Some Points from TOC:1 Bit Holders Manufacturing Cost Analysis1.1 Bit Holders Key Raw Materials Analysis1.2 Key Raw Materials1.2.1 Price Trend of Key Raw Materials1.2.2 Key Suppliers of Raw Materials1.3 Market Concentration Rate of Raw Materials1.3.1 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers1.4 Bit Holders Industrial Chain Analysis1.4.1 Raw Materials Sources of Bit Holders Major Manufacturers in 20161.4.2 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders.Check Discount on this report@We at Reports Monitor provide a comprehensive analysis by providing in-depth reports of the various market verticals. Our Mission is to provide a detailed analysis of the vast markets worldwide, backed by rich data. Decision makers can now rely on our well-defined data gathering methods to get the correct and accurate market forecasting along with detailed 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 Us:Office C & D - 4th Floor,Siddhi Towers,Above Rupee Bank,Kondhwa Road,Pune 4461878048,Maharashtra,IndiaIndia: +91 2069535353Jay MatthewsDirect: +1 513 549-59461878Email: sales@reportsmonitor.comWebsite:
Comprehensive Report on Savoury Yogurt by Persistence Market Research 2016 - 2024

https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/12361

https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/12361

https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com

Savoury yogurt is made from locally sourced milk, probiotic cultures, and sea salt, which is an excellent source of protein. Savoury yogurt is vegetarian, gluten free, and also consists of lactose in less percentage (less than 5%). Savoury yogurt is used as a part of meal or on the social or traditional occasions. Savoury yogurt is used to enhance the meal or to enhance the taste. Grass-fed milk is mainly used in the production of savoury yogurt to enhance the flavor (natural), which is also a source of Omega-3 fatty acids with powerful anti-inflammatory properties. The global savoury yogurt market is anticipated to register significant CAGR during the forecast period.Global Savoury Yogurt Market: Drivers, Restraints, and TrendsChanging attitude of customers towards savoury yogurt and other healthy food is heavily influencing the global savoury yogurt market. Furthermore, increasing consumer demand for savoury yogurt, increase in consumer disposable income, and change in consumer taste preferences owing to increase in number of flavors are fuelling the demand for savoury yogurt across the globe. In addition, worldwide increase in vegan population and growing consumer awareness regarding health benefits of savoury yogurt is expected to boost the demand for savoury yogurt.Request For Report Sample@However, higher cost of savoury yogurt is limiting the growth of global savoury yogurt market.Manufacturers of savoury yogurt are focused on innovations in the flavors, and using grass-fed milk for savory yogurt production, are identified as key trends.Global Savoury Yogurt Market: SegmentationThe global savoury yogurt market is segmented on the basis of flavor type, distribution channel, and application.On the basis of flavor type, the global savoury yogurt market is segmented into:StrawberryBlackberryMangoTomatoSweet PotatoButternut SquashOther (Apricot, Black Cherry, Orange, Blueberry, Carrot, Beet, Apple etc.)Based on the distribution channel, the global savoury yogurt market is segmented into:Supermarkets or HypermarketsIndependent RetailersConvenience StoresOn the basis of application, the global savoury yogurt market is segmented into:Food & BeverageConfectioneryGlobal Savoury Yogurt Market: Regional OutlookBased on the geographies, the global savoury yogurt market is segmented into five key regions, namely North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Middle East & Africa. North America is expected to dominate among the regions for savoury yogurt market.This is due to increase in number of manufacturers in the US. In addition, increasing consumer demand for flavors such as Chipotle Pineapple and Sriracha Mango in US is driving the savoury yogurt market. Growing population in India and China coupled with healthy economic outlook creates a significant opportunity for growth of Savory yogurt market in Asia Pacific region. Europe is expected to follow Asia Pacific region, this is attributed to increase in consumer disposable income and consumer demand for savory yogurts in France, Germany and UK. Additionally, Germany and UKs consumers are used to eat savory yogurt as a part of meal. Latin America and MEA are anticipated to witness modest growth rate over the forecast period, this is attributed to the rise in health awareness and demand for nutritious and healthy food, and changing lifestyle in Brazil, South Africa and GCC countries.Visit For TOC@Global Savoury Yogurt Market: Key PlayersSome of the major players identified in the global savoury yogurt market includeNestleBlue Hill, Inc.Sohha Savory YogurtChobani, LLCConAgra Foods, Inc.General Mills, Inc.YoplaitStonyfield Farm, Inc.Wallaby Yogurt CompanySmari OrganicsThe Chaat Company, LLCAbout UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Ourresearch model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and marketresearch methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.Contact USPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Web:Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.com
Global Silicone Market: Global Analysis and Opportunity Assessment 2017-2022

Silicone Market

https://www.reportsmonitor.com/request-sample/?post=466202

https://www.reportsmonitor.com/global-silicone-sales-market-report-2017-3/

www.reportsmonitor.com

Silicone MarketThe Silicone Market report introduces the competitive scenario of the significant market players in light of the business revenue, client requests, organization profile; the business strategies utilized as a part of Silicone Market advertise which will help the developing business sector portions in settling on fundamental business choices.In this report, the global Silicone 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.Ask for Sample Copy of Silicone Market Report @Silicone Market Report focuses on top manufacturers in global market:Dow Corning Corporation, Wacker Chemie AG, 3M Company, BASF SE, Bluestar Silicones International, Kaneka, KCC Corporation, Momentive Performance Materials, Evonik IndustriesSilicone Market Report On the basis of product:Synthetic Rubber, Silicone Oil, Silicone Resin, Silicone GelSilicone Market Report by Application:Chemicals, Medical, Automotive, Construction Of Buildings, Electrical And Electronic, Plastic, TextileBy Regions, this report covers (we can add the regions/countries as you want)United States, China, Europe, Japan, Southeast Asia, IndiaBrowse Full Table of Contents and Report Description @The examination research overall Silicone flour grandstand covers key cash related viewpoints, thing portfolios, association graph, SWOT examination, key headways and improvements, frameworks of key players drew in with the market. The information on the level associations is mined with the help of a strong research process took after at Reports Monitor Market Research which covers the entire demand and supply condition identifying with the assorted areas analyzed already.Table of Contents1 Global Silicone Competition by Players/Suppliers, Type and Application1.1 Global Silicone Market Competition by Players/Suppliers1.1.1 Global Silicone Sales and Market Share of Key Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)1.1.2 Global Silicone Revenue and Share by Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)1.2 Global Silicone (Volume and Value) by Type1.2.1 Global Silicone Sales and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)1.2.2 Global Silicone Revenue and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)1.3 Global Silicone (Volume and Value) by Region1.3.1 Global Silicone Sales and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)1.3.2 Global Silicone Revenue and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)1.4 Global Silicone (Volume) by ApplicationContinuedAbout UsReports Monitor (ReportsMonitor.com) is a platform to meet the market research and business intelligence requirements. Our aim is to change the dynamics of the Market Research industry by providing quality intelligence backed by data. Your requirement for market forecasting is fulfilled by our exclusive quantitative and analytics driven intelligence. We have a vast collection of reports, covering maximum industries worldwide. Our process is meticulously planned and executed in order to use maximum resources and explore the market for getting genuine insights. Decision makers can now rely on our distinct data gathering methods to get factual market forecasting and detailed analysis.Contact UsJay MatthewsDirect: +1 513 549-5911Email: sales@reportsmonitor.comWebsite:
Global Expanded Perlite Market for Construction Products, Fillers, Horticultural Aggregates, Filtration

https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/reports/235594/expanded-perlite-for-construction-products-market-research-reports

https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/sample/235594

https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/enquiryBuy/235594

http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/

Latest industry research report on: Global Expanded Perlite Market : Industry Size, Share, Research, Reviews, Analysis, Strategies, Demand, Growth, Segmentation, Parameters, ForecastsGlobal Expanded Perlite Market: OverviewExpanded perlite is the form of perlite product obtained after the loss of water and molecule up till its softening point, where its volume increases more than 35 times its original volume. They possess various characteristic features such as high insulation and acoustic properties. They have excellent water retention properties and has relatively high water density.Complete Report Details @The report estimates and forecasts the expanded perlite market on the global, regional, and country levels. The study provides forecast between 2016 and 2025 based on volume (Kilo Tons) and revenue (US$ Mn) with 2016 as the base year. The report comprises an exhaustive value chain analysis for each of the product segments. It provides a comprehensive view of the market. Value chain analysis also offers detailed information about value addition at each stage. The study includes drivers and restraints for the expanded perlite market along with their impact on demand during the forecast period. The study also provides key market indicators affecting the growth of the market. The report analyzes opportunities in the expanded perlite market on the global and regional level. Drivers, restraints, and opportunities mentioned in the report are justified through quantitative and qualitative data. These have been verified through primary and secondary resources. Furthermore, the report analyzes global average price trend analysis of expanded perlite.Request For Sample Report @The report includes Porters Five Forces Model to determine the degree of competition in the expanded perlite market. The report comprises a qualitative write-up on market attractiveness analysis, wherein application and countries have been analyzed based on attractiveness for each region. Growth rate, market size, raw material availability, profit margin, impact strength, technology, competition, and other factors (such as environmental and legal) have been evaluated in order to derive the general attractiveness of the market. The report comprises price trend analysis for expanded perlite between 2016 and 2025.Global Expanded Perlite Market: Research MethodologySecondary research sources that were typically referred to include, but were not limited to company websites, financial reports, annual reports, investor presentations, broker reports, and SEC filings. Other sources such as internal and external proprietary databases, statistical databases and market reports, news articles, national government documents, and webcasts specific to companies operating in the market have also been referred for the report.In-depth interviews and discussions with a wide range of key opinion leaders and industry participants were conducted to compile this research report. Primary research represents the bulk of research efforts, supplemented by extensive secondary research. Key players product literature, annual reports, press releases, and relevant documents were reviewed for competitive analysis and market understanding. This helped in validating and strengthening secondary research findings. Primary research further helped in developing the analysis teams expertise and market understanding.Have Any Query? Ask Our Expert @Global Expanded Perlite Market: Market SegmentationThe study provides a comprehensive view of the expanded perlite market by dividing it into application type and geography. The expanded perlite market has been segmented into construction products, fillers, horticulture aggregates, filtration & process aids, and others. Application segments have been analyzed based on historic, present, and future trends, and the market has been estimated in terms of volume (Kilo Tons) and revenue (US$ Mn) between 2016 and 2025.Regional segmentation includes the current and forecast demand for expanded perlite in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa (MEA). Additionally, the report comprises country-level analysis in terms of volume and revenue for end-user and product type segments. Key countries such as the U.S., Germany, France, the U.K., Spain, Italy, India, China, South Africa, Mexico, and Brazil have been included in the study. Market segmentation includes demand for individual application in all the regions and countries.Global Expanded Perlite Market: Competitive LandscapeThe report covers detailed competitive outlook that includes market share and profiles of key players operating in the global market. Key players profiled in the report include Imerys SA, Supreme Perlite Company, Cornerstone Industrial Minerals Corporation, and Silbrico Corporation. Company profiles include attributes such as company overview, number of employees, brand overview, key competitors, business overview, business strategies, recent/key developments, acquisitions, and financial overview (wherever applicable).The global expanded perlite market has been segmented as follows:Expanded Perlite Market  Application Type AnalysisConstruction productsFillersHorticulture AggregatesFiltration & Process AidsOthersExpanded Perlite Market  Regional AnalysisNorth AmericaU.S.CanadaEuropeGermanyFranceU.K.RussiaSpainRest of EuropeAsia PacificChinaIndiaJapanASEANRest of Asia PacificMiddle East & AfricaGCCSouth AfricaRest of Middle East & AfricaLatin AmericaBrazilMexicoRest of Latin AmericaAbout usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.Contact UsState Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-621-2074Website:Email: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
SOC services: Helping you get ahead of Cyber crime.

www.sumasoft.com

Texas (USA), England( London)&; India (Business Network)- : SOC services is a centralized unit that deals with security issues on an organizational and technical level. Security Operations Centre services has mission to continuously monitor and improve an organizations security posture. It prevents, detects, analyzes, and responds to cyber security incidents with the aid of both technology and well-defined processes and procedures.McAfee Lab Report says 93% of respondents for being unable to triage all potential cyber threats and 67% for reporting an increase in security incidents which indicates a need of outsourcing SOC services.Distributed Denial of services (DSSoS) attacks increased by 15% in the year 2016. To best prepare for this kind of cyber attack, companies are starting to engage with service providers to detect, monitor, and respond to threats through Security Operations Center.What are the major advantages of SOC services?Prevent Data hacking:Preparing for known attacks is hard enough. A well-functioning SOC Services team can form the heart of effective threat detection. It can enable information security functions to respond faster and work more collaboratively to prevent data hacking.Prevent Threats, Vulnerabilities and Malware:SOC services collect data through analysis, remediation, reporting and forensics to deliver end-to-end security management. SOC services also help demonstrate compliance with industry and regulatory standards.Round-the-clock support:Depending on the organization's tolerance for downtime, a reliable SOC services team must be operational round-the-clock, that likely requires overlapping staff who help ensure that security incidents are effectively addressed regardless of time of day or day of week.Since 2000, Suma Soft has been providing advanced technical skills and subject-matter expertise to mitigate security threats. We offer SOC Services to both b2b and b2c enterprises globally. Oursuperior security monitoring services include superior security policies to check integrated and cross-device security layers across platforms.Our experts monitor the frequently changing threat scenario and analyze cross-platform threats to offer a wide range of IT security operations.Delivered 500+ SOC Services Projects247 Security Operation Center Team CoverageISO27001 & ISO9001 Certified Procedures & ProcessesImprove Downtime by 99.99%Suma Soft has been an industry leader for over 17 years. We provide advanced BPO Solutions in USA-based environment, Software Development Solutions across USA and India, Technical Support Services, IT Security Audit Solutions USA and IT Security Consulting and Implementation Services.7880 San Felipe Street, Ste 120, Houston TX 77063-1647
Radiance Cosmedic Centre is still the Top Hair Transplant Clinic in Delhi NCR

Dr. Mayank Singh Founder of Radiance Cosmedic Centre

http://www.networkdigitalcontent.com/2017/11/if-hair-transplant-is-number-one.html

In a fresh survey conducted online, Radiance Cosmedic Centre has again emerged as the top hair transplant clinic in Delhi NCR. This is unprecedented because for the last three years the results have been the same and all this have been possible due to consistently high standards set by this clinic over the last four years.Dr. Mayank Singh one of the few board certified plastic surgeons in India who is now a globally recognized name in hair transplant. All this is due to the fact that this clinic is known as the best place for women to get a hair transplant and also to get bad hair transplant reversed.So when we asked Dr. Mayank how it feels to again be ranked as the top hair aesthetic clinic in Delhi NCR, he said I always thought reaching to the top is very difficult but the fact is it was quite easy but the most difficult part is to hold on to that position and to do that I believe in only one thing which is constant innovation of techniques so patients can get the best results.When asked what special steps he takes to ensure top rank is maintained, Dr. Mayank said I am constantly being asked to speak at various medical conferences in India and abroad and I ensure I am always listening and learning from others and never be complacent. I adapt to any new change that takes place in hair transplant procedures and that way I am able to help all my patients get the best hair transplant.Here is the list of top 10 hair transplant clinics:1. Radiance Cosmedic Centre2. Soods Hair Transplant Clinic3. Berkowits Hair Transplant Clinic4. Provelus Hair Transplant5. Satya Hair Transplant Delhi Clinic6. Dermalife7. AK ClinicsSource:Radiance Cosmedic Centre offers best hair transplant & affordable cosmetic surgery in Delhi, India. Dr. Mayank Singh is an award-winning plastic surgeon and is often called to give lectures at an international gathering of plastic surgeons.Contact Info & DetailsRadiance Cosmedic CentreSouth Delhi Address:S 329 Greater Kailash Part 2On M Block Market RoadNew Delhi  110048Mobile no.: 8527844462Phone No: 011  41612128, 011  4161212E-Mail: drmayanksingh@yahoo.inWest Delhi Address:BE  106 , JanakpuriNear Mira Model School,New DelhiMobile no.: 8527844462Phone No.: 011  25503429E-Mail : drmayanksingh@yahoo.in
Enhance your online presence with Digital Heptagon

https://www.digitalheptagon.co

Digital heptagon is the leading WEBSITE DESIGN & development AND DIGITAL MARKETING AGENCY, located in Jaipur. Digital Heptagon is a well-renowned name in the market for SEO, Web development & designing, Mobile Application development, Email marketing, Social media marketing, Facebook Marketing, Content Marketing and the Digital marketing. Their amazing business solutions and marketing strategies take business towards the height of success.Services offered by Digital HeptagonImportance of Web Design from their eye:Web designing is essential for any business to get success in the online realm. Website designing is paramount which determine you whether the visitor will stay on your site or live your site within a 5 second. Their designs are clear and professional and they perfectly blend with the custom functionalities further implemented into them. Connect with their services to develop an exceptional website to boost your online presence.How can Digital Marketing strategies improve the business online presence?The digital marketing is increasing day by day people start making their online presence very well. through digital marketing, you can easily get in touch with many people around you who are interested in your business and try to get in touch with you. through that, you can easily be in touch with your related customers. With Digital Heptagon you can make your online presence very well. people now prefer to use more laptops, mobile phones the world is getting advanced day by day.SEO plays a vital role in maintaining the business online presence. Almost all of us use google search engine but no one clicks on the second or third page. It is important for you to keep your website to be visible on the first page, at least in top three. Digital Heptagon marketing strategies such as content marketing, facebook marketing and much more assure you with increased visitors count, customer's engagement and growth in your business and most important conversion rate on your website.The company always put their best efforts. You can check this with their amazing portfolio. Visit their website for more inquiries and to get in touch with them. Dont feel shy to get in touch with them.The owner of the digital heptagon company Mr Karan Gulati and their team members is very well experienced and also very humble in nature as he makes you comfortable in the very first meeting. Also, you can share your personal business ideas and information with them. Digital Heptagon is the one on whom you can trust. And surely, you wont regret.The company is always focused on their work and business strategies. Their proven marketing business solutions are what you should try if you want to give your business a new phase and reputation.Digital Heptagon provides their services all over the world. Their headquarters are in Jaipur, Rajasthan. You can contact them by visiting their site or drop them a mail.WEBSITE =Contact Details:Karan GulatiFirst floor, D-274, Sarvanand Marg, Malviya Nagar, Jaipur Raj.911414086563info@digitalheptagon.coDigital Heptagon is the leading Internet Marketing Specialist, who provides exceptional online marketing & design services to all small or large businesses that are looking to expand their business globally.First floor, D-274, Sarvanand Marg, Malviya Nagar, Jaipur Rajasthan 302017
Global and United States Vehicle Wiring Harness In-Depth Research Report 2017-2022 | Now Available at Researchmoz.us

Vehicle Wiring Harness

https://www.researchmoz.us/global-and-united-states-vehicle-wiring-harness-in-depth-research-report-2017-2022-report.html/toc

https://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=1300351

https://www.researchmoz.us/global-and-united-states-vehicle-wiring-harness-in-depth-research-report-2017-2022-report.html

https://www.researchmoz.us/

http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG

Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Global and United States Vehicle Wiring Harness In-Depth Research Report 2017-2022" to its huge collection of research reports.The report is based on the market historical data from 2012 to 2016 and forecast the market trend from 2017 to 2022.This 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 Vehicle Wiring Harness industry.Major CompaniesYazaki Corporation (Japan)Sumitomo (Japan)Delphi (UK)Leoni (Germany)Lear (U.S.)Fujikura (Japan)Furukawa Electric (Japan)PKC Group (Finland)Nexans Autoelectric (Germany)Kromberg&Schubert (U.S.)THB Group (China)Coroplast (Germany)Get Comple TOC With Tables and Figures @Key RegionsNorth AmericaUnited StatesCaliforniaTexasNew YorkOthersCanadaLatin AmericaMexicoBrazilArgentinaOthersEuropeGermanyUnited KingdomFranceItalySpainRussiaNetherlandOthersAsia & PacificChinaJapanIndiaKoreaAustraliaSoutheast AsiaIndonesiaThailandPhilippinesVietnamSingaporeMalaysiaOthersAfrica & Middle EastSouth AfricaEgyptTurkeySaudi ArabiaIranOthersMain types of productsVehicle Wiring Harness Market, by Product CategoryBody Wiring HarnessChassis Wiring HarnessEngine Wiring HarnessHVAC Wiring HarnessSpeed Sensors Wiring HarnessVehicle Wiring Harness Market, by Vehicles TypeLight Vehicles Wiring HarnessHeavy Vehicles Wiring HarnessVehicle Wiring Harness Market, by Key ConsumersPassenger VehicleCommercial VehicleTo Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Table of ContentsGlobal and United States Vehicle Wiring Harness In-Depth Research Report 2017-2022Chapter One Global Vehicle Wiring Harness Market Overview1.1 Global Vehicle Wiring Harness Market Sales Volume Revenue and Price 2012-20171.2 Vehicle Wiring Harness, by Product Category 2012-20171.2.1 Global Vehicle Wiring Harness Sales Market Share by Product Category 2012-20171.2.2 Global Vehicle Wiring Harness Revenue Market Share by Product Category 2012-20171.2.3 Global Vehicle Wiring Harness Price by Product Category 2012-20171.2.4 Body Wiring Harness1.2.5 Chassis Wiring Harness1.2.6 Engine Wiring Harness1.2.7 HVAC Wiring Harness1.2.8 Speed Sensors Wiring Harness1.3 Vehicle Wiring Harness, by Vehicles Type 2012-20171.3.1 Global Vehicle Wiring Harness Sales Market Share by Vehicles Type 2012-20171.3.2 Global Vehicle Wiring Harness Revenue Market Share by Vehicles Type 2012-20171.3.3 Global Vehicle Wiring Harness Price by Vehicles Type 2012-20171.3.4 Light Vehicles Wiring Harness1.3.5 Heavy Vehicles Wiring HarnessChapter Two United States Vehicle Wiring Harness Market Overview2.1 United States Vehicle Wiring Harness Market Sales Volume Revenue and Price 2012-20172.2 Vehicle Wiring Harness, by Product Category 2012-20172.2.1 United States Vehicle Wiring Harness Sales Market Share by Product Category 2012-20172.2.2 United States Vehicle Wiring Harness Revenue Market Share by Product Category 2012-20172.2.3 United States Vehicle Wiring Harness Price by Product Category 2012-20172.2.4 Body Wiring Harness2.2.5 Chassis Wiring Harness2.2.6 Engine Wiring Harness2.2.7 HVAC Wiring Harness2.2.8 Speed Sensors Wiring Harness2.3 Vehicle Wiring Harness, by Vehicles Type 2012-20172.3.1 United States Vehicle Wiring Harness Sales Market Share by Vehicles Type 2012-20172.3.2 United States Vehicle Wiring Harness Revenue Market Share by Vehicles Type 2012-20172.3.3 United States Vehicle Wiring Harness Price by Vehicles Type 2012-20172.3.4 Light Vehicles Wiring Harness2.3.5 Heavy Vehicles Wiring HarnessChapter Three Vehicle Wiring Harness by Regions 2012-20173.1 Global Vehicle Wiring Harness Sales Market Share by Regions 2012-20173.2 Global Vehicle Wiring Harness Revenue Market Share by Regions 2012-20173.3 Global Vehicle Wiring Harness 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 Vehicle Wiring Harness by Companies 2012-20174.1 Global Vehicle Wiring Harness Sales Volume Market Share by Companies 2012-20174.2 Global Vehicle Wiring Harness Revenue Share by Companies 2012-20174.3 Global Top Companies Vehicle Wiring Harness Key Product Model and Market Performance4.4 Global Top Companies Vehicle Wiring Harness Key Target Consumers and Market PerformanceChapter Five United States Vehicle Wiring Harness by Companies 2012-20175.1 United States Vehicle Wiring Harness Sales Volume Market Share by Companies 2012-20175.2 United States Vehicle Wiring Harness Revenue Share by Companies 2012-20175.3 United States Top Companies Vehicle Wiring Harness Key Product Model and Market Performance5.4 United States Top Companies Vehicle Wiring Harness Key Target Consumers and Market PerformanceChapter Six Global Vehicle Wiring Harness by Consumer 2012-20176.1 Global Vehicle Wiring Harness Sales Market Share by Consumer 2012-20176.2 Passenger Vehicle6.3 Commercial Vehicle6.4 Consuming Habit and PreferenceContinue...Browse Detail 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: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @
Automated CPR Devices Market foreseen to grow exponentially over 2027

https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-5343

https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-5343

https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/checkout/5343

www.futuremarketinsights.com

Future Market Insights (FMI) announces the release of its latest outlook titled,Automated CPR Devices Market: Global Industry Analysis (20122016) and Opportunity Assessment (20172027). According to the report, the global automated CPR devices market was valued at US$ 60.0 Mn in 2016 and is anticipated to reach US$ 191.2 Mn by 2027, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.3% throughout the 10 year forecast period.Market Drivers and RestraintsThe global automated CPR devices market is largely driven by a growing demand from emergency medical services and a rising need for technologically advanced EMS. An increasing public awareness of cardiac arrest and increasing training programmes is also positively influencing revenue growth of the automated CPR devices market. Also, increasing government funding and grants encouraging the use of automated CPR devices in order to improve survival rates of cardiac arrest victims coupled with a rapidly increasing geriatric population across the globe owing to the impact of reducing mortality rates and declining fertility rates has also widened the scope for automated CPR device manufacturers.Request Sample Report@Conversely, high cost of automated CPR devices, the substantial weight of the device and high training requirements are some minor restraints in the global automated CPR devices market. Additionally, conflicting results from observational studies regarding the use of automated CPR devices is also hampering the growth of the automated CPR devices market. While some observational studies have confirmed that the application of automated CPR devices can immediately improve hemodynamic effect and perfusion, some studies show less or no impact from the use of such devices.Unmet clinical needs are expected to offer favourable growth opportunities in the near future. Increasing demand for innovative products so as to ensure cardiac arrest survival rates through cardiopulmonary resuscitation are providing favourable prospects for growth of the global automated CPR devices market. There is a strong need for the improvement of existing CPR devices with some desired features such as inbuilt pulse rate check function and automated injectable function.Global Automated CPR Devices Market: Forecast by End UserAmong the various end users of automated CPR devices, the hospitals segment is likely to dominate throughout the forecast period with a CAGR of 11.6% in terms of value.The emergency medical services segment remains the third largest market and represents a Market Share Index of 0.6 over the forecast period.Request for Table of Contents@Global Automated CPR Devices Market: Forecast by RegionRegion-wise, Europe dominated the global automated CPR devices market in 2016 in terms of revenue, accounting for 36.5% revenue share. However, Asia Pacific is foreseen to witness a relatively high CAGR of 11.1%. The market in Europe is expected to remain dominant throughout the forecast period.Adoption rates for automated CPR devices vary according to region, which is resulting in disparity in market trends across regions. Factors such as differentiation in EMS and its functioning and lack of awareness amongst the populace are responsible for the varying adoption rates across different geographies. The U.S. is witnessing major investments in automated CPR devices due to the increasing number of market players with new technologies in the region.Global Automated CPR Devices Market: Competitive LandscapeKey players considered in the global automated CPR devices market include ZOLL Medical Corporation, Physio-Control Inc., Brunswick Biomedical Technologies, Michigan Instruments, and SunLife Science Inc. The global automated CPR devices market is consolidated with the top two players bagging over 50% of the total market share. Most players are engaged in various activities such as new product development, increasing investments in clinical research, expansion of geographical presence and brand building via strong marketing strategies in order to sustain in the competitive global market.Buy Automated CPR Devices Market Research 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 :
UK Mobile & Tablet Retailing Market 2017  By Analyzing the Performance of Various Competitors

https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/1510481-mobile-tablet-retailing-in-the-uk-2017

https://www.wiseguyreports.com/conferences

https://www.wiseguyreports.com/seminars

SUMMARYWiseGuyReports published new report, titled Mobile & Tablet Retailing in the UK"Mobile & Tablet Retailing in the UK 2017" report offers comprehensive insight and analysis of the UK mobile and tablet markets, the main trends and hot issues, best in class retailers, and consumer shopping behaviour. It also provides forecasts to 2022 across key retail sectors.Expenditure via the mobile channel is set to grow by 112.0%, overtaking the tablet market over the next five years, and accounting for 23.8% of all online expenditure by 2022. The growing investment in mobile developments along with the increasing use of social media and familiarity with mobile payments will aid mobile expenditure growth.GET SAMPLE REPORT @Tablet spend is increasing at a slower rate as consumers are choosing to spend more time browsing and buying on their mobiles. Electricals is the only sector where tablet sales are forecast to outperform mobile sales by 2022.Retailers must have a mobile first strategy and focus on the personalization of content and products, offering an easy and simple checkout process as well as a variety of delivery and collection options to appeal shoppers' need for convenience.The report provides in-depth analysis of the following -- The hot issues- What people buy- Where people shop- How people shopScope- Food & grocery will see the highest growth on mobile over the next five years, with greater usage, improved websites and apps as well as consumer confidence driving purchases through this channel.- Clothing & footwear, the biggest part of the mobile market, will continue to be the largest driver of mobile spend to 2022. Pureplays such as boohoo.com and ASOS, which target the younger consumer who is more willing to purchase on a mobile device, will boost spend on mobile.- There is an opportunity for home sectors, where retailers have been slower to react to mobile developments, to capitalise on the growth coming from mobile by targeting shoppers who have abandoned purchases or advertising must-have products via social media channels.Key points to buy- Utilise our five year forecasts to 2022 for the mobile and tablet markets, and sector penetration to understand the main areas of growth.- Identify the key players in the mobile and tablet markets using our in-depth analysis of how and why certain sectors are performing well in the market to gain strategic insight into this.- Understand the key drivers and inhibitors affecting the market.- Recognise which consumers are shopping via mobile and tablet and utilise analysis of shoppers motivations and browsing/purchasing behaviour to enable a better understanding of the mobile and tablet markets moving forward.Table of ContentsThe hot issuesWhat people buyWhere people shopHow people shopMethodology..CONTINUEDFor accessing accurate and deep understanding and to gain latest insights and key developments in the area of your interest, we also have a list of conferences in which you will be interested in, for more information, cordially checkFor updating knowledge or for thoroughly understanding various terminologies, we also have vast list of seminars for your reference, for more information cordially checkWise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Research Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe.WISEGUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersPune - 411028Maharashtra, India
In-Depth Research Report on Global and United States Biopsy Devices Market Analysis 2017-2022 | Researchmoz

Biopsy Devices Market

https://www.researchmoz.us/global-and-united-states-biopsy-devices-in-depth-research-report-2017-2022-report.html/toc

https://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=1300350

https://www.researchmoz.us/global-and-united-states-biopsy-devices-in-depth-research-report-2017-2022-report.html

https://www.researchmoz.us/

http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG

Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Global and United States Biopsy Devices In-Depth Research Report 2017-2022" to its huge collection of research reports.The report is based on the market historical data from 2012 to 2016 and forecast the market trend from 2017 to 2022.This 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 Biopsy Devices industry.Major CompaniesC. R. Bard, Inc. (U.S.)Becton, Dickinson and Company (U.S.)Cook Group Incorporated (U.S.)Devicor Medical Products, Inc., (Germany),Argon Medical Devices (U.S.)B. Braun Melsungen AG (Germany)Cardinal Health, Inc. (U.S.)Olympus Corporation (Japan)Boston Scientific Corporation (U.S.)FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation (Japan)INRAD, Inc. (U.S.)Medtronic plc (Ireland)Get Comple TOC With Tables and Figures @Key RegionsNorth AmericaUnited StatesCaliforniaTexasNew YorkOthersCanadaLatin AmericaMexicoBrazilArgentinaOthersEuropeGermanyUnited KingdomFranceItalySpainRussiaNetherlandOthersAsia & PacificChinaJapanIndiaKoreaAustraliaSoutheast AsiaIndonesiaThailandPhilippinesVietnamSingaporeMalaysiaOthersAfrica & Middle EastSouth AfricaEgyptTurkeySaudi ArabiaIranOthersMain types of productsBiopsy Devices Market, by Device ProductNeedle-based Biopsy InstrumentsLocalization WiresProcedure TraysOthersBiopsy Devices Market, by Guidance TechniqueUltrasound-guided BiopsyStereotactic-guided BiopsyMRI-guided BiopsyOthersBiopsy Devices Market, by Key ConsumersBreast BiopsyLung BiopsyColorectal BiopsyProstate BiopsyOthersTo Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Table of ContentsGlobal and United States Biopsy Devices In-Depth Research Report 2017-2022Chapter One Global Biopsy Devices Market Overview1.1 Global Biopsy Devices Market Sales Volume Revenue and Price 2012-20171.2 Biopsy Devices, by Device Product 2012-20171.2.1 Global Biopsy Devices Sales Market Share by Device Product 2012-20171.2.2 Global Biopsy Devices Revenue Market Share by Device Product 2012-20171.2.3 Global Biopsy Devices Price by Device Product 2012-20171.2.4 Needle-based Biopsy Instruments1.2.5 Localization Wires1.2.6 Procedure Trays1.2.7 Others1.3 Biopsy Devices, by Guidance Technique 2012-20171.3.1 Global Biopsy Devices Sales Market Share by Guidance Technique 2012-20171.3.2 Global Biopsy Devices Revenue Market Share by Guidance Technique 2012-20171.3.3 Global Biopsy Devices Price by Guidance Technique 2012-20171.3.4 Ultrasound-guided Biopsy1.3.5 Stereotactic-guided Biopsy1.3.6 MRI-guided Biopsy1.3.7 OthersChapter Two United States Biopsy Devices Market Overview2.1 United States Biopsy Devices Market Sales Volume Revenue and Price 2012-20172.2 Biopsy Devices, by Device Product 2012-20172.2.1 United States Biopsy Devices Sales Market Share by Device Product 2012-20172.2.2 United States Biopsy Devices Revenue Market Share by Device Product 2012-20172.2.3 United States Biopsy Devices Price by Device Product 2012-20172.2.4 Needle-based Biopsy Instruments2.2.5 Localization Wires2.2.6 Procedure Trays2.2.7 Others2.3 Biopsy Devices, by Guidance Technique 2012-20172.3.1 United States Biopsy Devices Sales Market Share by Guidance Technique 2012-20172.3.2 United States Biopsy Devices Revenue Market Share by Guidance Technique 2012-20172.3.3 United States Biopsy Devices Price by Guidance Technique 2012-20172.3.4 Ultrasound-guided Biopsy2.3.5 Stereotactic-guided Biopsy2.3.6 MRI-guided Biopsy2.3.7 OthersChapter Three Biopsy Devices by Regions 2012-20173.1 Global Biopsy Devices Sales Market Share by Regions 2012-20173.2 Global Biopsy Devices Revenue Market Share by Regions 2012-20173.3 Global Biopsy Devices 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 Biopsy Devices by Companies 2012-20174.1 Global Biopsy Devices Sales Volume Market Share by Companies 2012-20174.2 Global Biopsy Devices Revenue Share by Companies 2012-20174.3 Global Top Companies Biopsy Devices Key Product Model and Market Performance4.4 Global Top Companies Biopsy Devices Key Target Consumers and Market PerformanceChapter Five United States Biopsy Devices by Companies 2012-20175.1 United States Biopsy Devices Sales Volume Market Share by Companies 2012-20175.2 United States Biopsy Devices Revenue Share by Companies 2012-20175.3 United States Top Companies Biopsy Devices Key Product Model and Market Performance5.4 United States Top Companies Biopsy Devices Key Target Consumers and Market PerformanceChapter Six Global Biopsy Devices by Consumer 2012-20176.1 Global Biopsy Devices Sales Market Share by Consumer 2012-20176.2 Breast Biopsy6.3 Lung Biopsy6.4 Colorectal Biopsy6.5 Prostate Biopsy6.6 Others6.7 Consuming Habit and PreferenceContinue...Browse Detail 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: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @
Wireless Power Transmission Market to Display a Positive Growth US$ 17.15 bn By 2025

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/wireless-power-transmission-market.html

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=29015

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/checkout.php?rep_id=29015<ype=S

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/

Some of the prominent participants in the global wireless power transmission market are Qualcomm Technologies, LG Electronics Inc., SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS Co., Ltd., Inc., Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd., and Texas Instruments Inc. A key strategy leveraged by them is carefully-considered strategic alliances with global technology providers in the wireless power transmission market.View Report Preview @As per a report by Transparency Market Research, the global wireless power transmission market is slated to expand at a cracking pace by clocking a CAGR of 19.2% during the period between 2017 and 2025 to become worth US$17.15 bn by 2025 from US$3.6 bn in 2016.Affordability of Inductive Coupling makes it Dominant SegmentThe global wireless power transmission market can be segmented based on different parameters such as range, technology, and application. On the basis of basis of technology, for example, it can be segregated into inductive coupling, resonant inductive coupling, and capacitive coupling, among others such as microwave, laser beam, radio frequency, etc. Currently, the segment of inductive coupling accounts for maximum share in the market owing to its relative affordability, reliability, and easy availability. In the years ahead too, the segment is slated to maintain its dominant share.Depending upon geography, the key segments of the global wireless power transmission market are North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East and Africa. Among them, Asia Pacific leads the market. In held 40.0% share in 2016. North America, however, is slated to overtake Asia Pacific in the years to come. In the next couple of years, allocation of substantial funds by governments of nations such as India, Japan, and South Korea for industrialization and urbanization projects is anticipated to create substantial opportunities in the wireless power transmission market in the region. Rising demand for consumer electronics such as smartphones and laptops, especially in India, South Korea, Japan, and China has contributed to an overall shift in market trends.Request to View Sample of Research Report @Industrialization and Urbanization Stoke Market GrowthThe overall standard of living has improved worldwide, thanks to the swift face of industrialization and rampant urbanization. Demand for digitization and infrastructural development such as smart lightning, wireless charging roads for electric vehicles and bullet trains has been increasing significantly. This has propelled the usage of wireless power transmission technology, thereby encouraging wireless power transmission technology providers and system manufacturers across the globe to develop efficient products and solutions, explains the lead analyst of the report.Apart from the aforementioned growth driver, the global market for wireless power transmission is also being stoked by the increasing spending capacity of people worldwide, the high degree of suitability, operational efficiency, reduced maintenance cost, digitalization, growing infrastructural activities, and innovation of numerous technologies to form a complete wireless power transmission solution for various applications, such as consumer electronics, healthcare devices, and automotive.One drawback in the wireless power transmission market is the initial cost of investment, which is high. The growing demand for wireless charging in consumer electronics, medical devices, and automotive industries is helping to overcome this challenge.Buy Wireless Power Transmission Market Research Report @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:
Pine Derived Chemicals Market Size to Grow Steadily during Forecast period 2017  2025

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=23618

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=T&rep_id=23618

http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com

Pine derived chemicals market has shown a rapid growth in recent years, owing to the rapid increasing applications segments such as printing industry, adhesive and sealants industry painting industry food and beverages, cosmetic and others. Some of the major regions such as North America, Asia Pacific, and Latin America are the main producer of pine derived chemical due to the availability of pine trees. Pine derived chemicals are majorly used in the construction industry, adhesives industry, and healthcare sector among others. Rising application in adhesives, printing inks, soaps and detergents, plasticizers, resins, surface coatings, fragrance chemicals and the others would ensure a steady growth of pine derived chemicals market during the forecast period.Increasing focus on natural ingredients is a major factor pushing the demand for the market for pine derived chemicals at the global level. Pine derived chemicals are environmental friendly.. There is a need to reduce the use of fossil fuels in order to decrease carbon dioxide emission and carbon footprints. Thus, the demand of naturally derived chemicals is expected to witness a steady growth during the forecast period. However, the limited availability of the pine trees across the globe is one of the key factors hindering the growth of the pine derived chemicals market at present.Request For Report Brochure@The influx of new and innovative products coupled with increasing consumer awareness about the natural chemicals derived from pine trees are among the major factors fueling the growth of the market in North America, Asia Pacific and Latin America. Diversification of product portfolio through research and development activities along with company mergers and acquisitions are certain key strategies being adopted by the major companies to strengthen their foothold in the global pine derived chemicals market. North America held the largest market share of global pine derived chemicals market in 2016. Additionally, Asia-Pacific is anticipated to be the fastest growing market during the forecast period. India, Japan and China are the major contributors to the growth of the pine derived chemicals market on account of rapid urbanization and strengthening economic conditions in these countries. These countries are expected to lead the market throughout the forecast period.The global pine derived chemicals market is segmented by type, by source, by application and by region. On the basis of different type of pine derived chemicals market is segmented into tall oil rosin, tall oil fatty acid, gum turpentine, sterols, pitch, gum rosin and others. In terms of application the market of pine derived chemicals is segmented by printing inks, paints and coating, adhesive and sealant and others.Visit For TOC@Based on region, the market of pine derived chemicals is segmented by North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa and Latin America. U.S. is the major market for pine derived chemicals in North America. Further, the growth of the pine derived chemicals market in Europe is majorly contributed by Germany, U.K., France and Italy among others. Asia Pacific is led by India, China and Japan among others. Middle East and Africa is led by U.A.E., and South Africa among others, while Latin America is dominated by Brazil and Argentina among others.About Us:-Transparency Market Research 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.90 State Street, Suite 700, Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Mayocoba Beans Market Intelligence Report for Comprehensive Information 2017 - 2025

https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/17470

https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/17470

https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com

Global Mayocoba Beans Market: OverviewMayocoba beans are the low-cost substitute for the meat, as it contains the similar nutrients as meat. It provides meaty, rich, and buttery quality to various food recipes. The mayocoba beans contain high amount of nutrients such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, etc. and used in a number of recipes. The global mayocoba beans market is expected to grow at a significant growth rate, attributed to rapid growth of food & beverages industry across the globe over the forecast period.Global Mayocoba Beans Market: DynamicsHealth benefits of mayocoba beans such as high nutrition content of the beans are expected to drive the growth of the market. The beans is preferred by the vegetarian or vegan population as it is a vegetarian substitute for meat. This, in turn, leads to increasing the market share of mayocoba beans across the globe. Growing food and beverages industry is also another factor fuelling the global mayocoba beans market over the forecast period. Moreover, the reasonable cost of mayocoba beans is expected to bolster its growth in developing economies such as the Middle East and Africa and Asia Pacific. Merger & acquisition among the supply chain entities and mayocoba beans suppliers are the trending factors in global a mayocoba beans market over the forecast period. Mayocoba beans processor can leverage potential opportunities in regions such as North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific, attributed to increasing demand for healthy food products in the regions. Global mayocoba beans marketers are focusing on strengthening its supply chain and focusing on high priority market.Request For Report Sample@Global Mayocoba Beans Market: SegmentationThe global mayocoba beans market is segmented on the basis of source, end-use, and region. Demand for the organic mayocoba beans is relatively in global mayocoba beans market with a significant growth rate over the forecast period. Whereas, natural mayocoba beans is expected to account for relatively high-value share. On the basis of end-use segments, the household segment is expected to dominate the global mayocoba beans market, attributed to high demand for the mayocoba beans products across the globe. Whereas, commercial segment is expected to expand at a significant growth rate over the forecast period in the global mayocoba beans market.Based on the source, the global mayocoba beans market is segmented into:NaturalOrganicBased on the end-use, the global mayocoba beans market is segmented into:CommercialFood ServicesHospitalityHouseholdGlobal Mayocoba Beans Market: Regional OverviewOn the basis of geography, the global mayocoba beans market is fragmented into seven regions namely, North America, Asia Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ), Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Middle East & Africa and Japan. The North America mayocoba beans market is expected to dominate the global mayocoba beans market in terms of revenue share over the forecast period followed by Western Europe mayocoba beans market, owing to increasing vegetarian and vegan population. Whereas, Asia-Pacific is expected to expand at a relatively significant growth rate in the global mayocoba beans market over the forecast period, attributed to the rapid growth rate of food & beverages industry in the region. The Middle East & Africa, Eastern Europe, and Latin America are expected to represent a moderate opportunity in the global mayocoba beans market, owing to the moderate economic, agricultural and industrial development in the region. Overall, the outlook for the global mayocoba beans market is positive over the forecast period.Visit For TOC@Global Mayocoba Beans Market: Key PlayersSome of the players identified in the global mayocoba beans market include Natural Supply King Global (PTY) Ltd., From The Farmer, Bush Brothers and Company, C&F Foods Inc., The Parade Company, Verde Valle, S.A. De C.V., La Casita S.A., and Bush Company, Inc.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Ourresearch model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and marketresearch methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.Contact USPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Web:Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.com
Global Aquaponics Market Professional Survey Report 2017: PFAS, EcoGro, Aquaponic Lynx

https://www.qyresearchreports.com/sample/sample.php?rep_id=1094636&type=S

https://www.qyresearchreports.com/report/global-aquaponics-market-professional-survey-report-2017.htm

http://www.qyresearchreports.com

Qyresearchreports include new market research report Global Aquaponics Market Professional Survey Report 2017 to its huge collection of research reports.The intensive report here collects alternate points of view having a place with the general Aquaponics market which verbalizes the present-day information and future exposures with reference to the dynamic forces at play. The prime purpose behind the examination report is to offer the endorser with a broad configuration and make available the accommodating substances and records. The quantifiable and testing explanations behind the examination other than executes information on issues, for instance, drivers, shackles, and projections to gage the conceded result of the general Aquaponics market through the cross of the said gage period in the examination report. The report in like course passes on a brief and world class record of the predefined market takes after, which joins two or three events of the veritable obsessions at work which are concentrated to trigger change in the market or may cause any negative impact.This report other than stations into the general Aquaponics market by in a general sense analyzing the thing and industrialized chain of the market. This is required to in like way help in passing on true blue data and information on compound parts of the fitting market, for instance, material identifying with frameworks for the managing body in the standard and general strata, transport and transmission structure, objectives, and clarifications behind premium got for the contributed mean.Fill the form for an exclusive sample of this report @The report uses two or three demonstrated industry examination and entire contraptions. They allow the examination gather pass on a revealed key evaluation of the general Aquaponics market and help endorser and market troupes to be directed regarding theory and business judgments. The wide thinking about the examination gives a market position on an undeniable and moment scale. It gathers significant and discretionary research structures in this manner. The overseers have figured the recorded experiences and rose it from the forward and in this way around change the condition to design a structure for the general Aquaponics market in the years ahead.Table of ContentsGlobal Aquaponics Market Professional Survey Report 20171 Industry Overview of Aquaponics1.1 Definition and Specifications of Aquaponics1.1.1 Definition of Aquaponics1.1.2 Specifications of Aquaponics1.2 Classification of Aquaponics1.2.1 Media Filled Growbeds (MFG)1.2.2 Nutrient Film Technique (NFT)1.2.3 Deep Water Culture (DWC)1.2.4 Other1.3 Applications of Aquaponics1.3.1 Household1.3.2 Commercial1.3.3 Academic1.3.4 Other1.4 Market Segment by Regions1.4.1 North America1.4.2 China1.4.3 Europe1.4.4 Southeast Asia1.4.5 Japan1.4.6 IndiaAccess the Report and full TOC @2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Aquaponics2.1 Raw Material and Suppliers2.2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Aquaponics2.3 Manufacturing Process Analysis of Aquaponics2.4 Industry Chain Structure of Aquaponics3 Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Aquaponics3.1 Capacity and Commercial Production Date of Global Aquaponics Major Manufacturers in 20163.2 Manufacturing Plants Distribution of Global Aquaponics Major Manufacturers in 20163.3 R&D Status and Technology Source of Global Aquaponics Major Manufacturers in 20163.4 Raw Materials Sources Analysis of Global Aquaponics Major Manufacturers in 20164 Global Aquaponics Overall Market Overview4.1 2012-2017E Overall Market Analysis4.2 Capacity Analysis4.2.1 2012-2017E Global Aquaponics Capacity and Growth Rate Analysis4.2.2 2016 Aquaponics Capacity Analysis (Company Segment)4.3 Sales Analysis4.3.1 2012-2017E Global Aquaponics Sales and Growth Rate Analysis4.3.2 2016 Aquaponics Sales Analysis (Company Segment)4.4 Sales Price Analysis4.4.1 2012-2017E Global Aquaponics Sales Price4.4.2 2016 Aquaponics Sales Price Analysis (Company Segment)5 Aquaponics Regional Market Analysis5.1 North America Aquaponics Market Analysis5.1.1 North America Aquaponics Market Overview5.1.2 North America 2012-2017E Aquaponics Local Supply, Import, Export, Local Consumption Analysis5.1.3 North America 2012-2017E Aquaponics Sales Price Analysis5.1.4 North America 2016 Aquaponics Market Share Analysis5.2 China Aquaponics Market Analysis5.2.1 China Aquaponics Market Overview5.2.2 China 2012-2017E Aquaponics Local Supply, Import, Export, Local Consumption Analysis5.2.3 China 2012-2017E Aquaponics Sales Price Analysis5.2.4 China 2016 Aquaponics Market Share Analysis5.3 Europe Aquaponics Market AnalysisList of Tables and FiguresFigure Picture of AquaponicsTable Product Specifications of AquaponicsTable Classification of AquaponicsFigure Global Production Market Share of Aquaponics by Type in 2016Figure Media Filled Growbeds (MFG) PictureTable Major Manufacturers of Media Filled Growbeds (MFG)Figure Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) PictureTable Major Manufacturers of Nutrient Film Technique (NFT)Figure Deep Water Culture (DWC) PictureTable Major Manufacturers of Deep Water Culture (DWC)Figure Other PictureTable Major Manufacturers of OtherQYReseachReports.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
Brown Sugar Market - Key Growth Factors and Industry Analysis 2017-2022

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=20984

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/brown-sugar-market.html

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com

The global brown sugar market is likely to exhibit robust growth in the coming years on the back of rising demand from the food and beverage industry. Brown sugar is a type of refined sugar containing molasses, which also imparts the brown color. Production of molasses is a part of the production process of ordinary refined sugar, but can also be added to refined sugar afterwards to turn it into brown sugar. Brown sugar is a staple in the production of various commercially important food and beverage products such as bakery products and sweetened beverages. The global brown sugar market is thus likely to exhibit steady growth in the coming years due to the steady growth trajectory expected from the food and beverage industry.Download exclusive Sample of this report:According to Transparency Market Research, the global brown sugar market was valued at US$18.3 bn in 2017 and is likely to rise to US$26.5 bn over the 2017-2022 forecast period at a solid CAGR of 7.7%.Here are the key insights into the global brown sugar market:Rising demand for bakery products in urban areas is likely to be a major driver for the global brown sugar market. The bakery products industry is a key consumer of powdered, granulated, as well as syrup brown sugar and is likely to remain a major contributor to the global brown sugar market due to the increasing awareness of Western bakery products in emerging markets. The rising indigenous bakery products industry in emerging regions such as Latin America and Asia Pacific is likely to remain a significant contributor to the global brown sugar market in the coming years due to the rising popularity of bakery items in urban areas in these regions. Household production of bakery products is also likely to increase in emerging regions due to the increasing interest in cooking bakery products, leading to a steady rise in the demand from the brown sugar market.Obtain Report Details @The beverage industry is likely to be a major contributor to the global brown sugar market in the coming years. Aerated and fruit-based beverages have become widely popular across the world due to the instant appeal and demand for brown sugar in beverage production is thus likely to benefit massively over the coming years. The rising popularity of local beverage manufacturers, who can compete with international players due to the cheaper regulatory expenses, is likely to remain a major driver for the global brown sugar market in the coming years, particularly in emerging regions such as Southeast Asia and Latin America. The dairy industry is also likely to contribute significantly to the brown sugar market across the world due to the rising awareness about the utility of dairy products as a healthier alternative to conventional sweetened and aerated beverages.Geographically, Asia Pacific except Japan is likely to remain the leading contributor to the global brown sugar market over the coming years. The region accounted for more than 33% of the global brown sugar market in 2017 and is likely to remain relevant to the global brown sugar market figures over the coming years in spite of a fall in market share. North America is likely to become increasingly relevant to the global brown sugar market in the coming years due to the growing demand from the packaged food and beverage industry. The longstanding popularity of bakery products in North America has been a major driver for the brown sugar market in the region. The North America market for brown sugar is expected to grow from US$2.5 bn to US$3.8 bn over the 2017-2022 forecast period at a robust 8.7% CAGR.Europe is also likely to remain a dominant contributor to the global brown sugar market thanks to the widespread presence of traditional bakery practices, which often make use of molasses more than modern operations. The Europe brown sugar market is expected to be valued at more than US$4.7 bn by 2022, with the region likely to exhibit a 7.7% CAGR over the 2017-2022 forecast period.Competitive TrackingThe global brown sugar market is highly competitive due to the presence of several players looking to claim a major share in global figures. Leading players in the global brown sugar market include AkzoNobel NV, Masco Corporation, Hempel A/S, Jotun A/S, The Valspar Corporation, Axalta Coating Systems Ltd., Nippon Paint Holding Co. Ltd., BASF SE, and PPG Industries Inc. Moreover, new entrants could join the brown sugar market over the coming years due to the increasing commercial prospects of the food and beverage industry in the urbanized modern world.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Non-Destructive Testing and Inspection Market Size & Worth at a CAGR of 8.0% Till 2024

Non-Destructive Testing and Inspection Market 2017-2024

http://databridgemarketresearch.com/request-a-sample/?dbmr=global-non-destructive-testing-inspection-market

http://databridgemarketresearch.com/inquire-before-buying/?dbmr=global-non-destructive-testing-inspection-market

http://databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-non-destructive-testing-inspection-market/

http://databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-sensor-patch-market/

http://databridgemarketresearch.com/blog/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/data-bridge-market-research

databridgemarketresearch.com Provides new report Non-Destructive Testing and Inspection Market Size & Worth at a CAGR of 8.0% Till 2024, also the Global Non-Destructive Testing and Inspection Market, By Geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Europe, South America, Middle East and Africa), By Technique (Ultrasonic Testing (UT), Visual Testing, Magnetic Particle Testing (MPT), Liquid Penetrant Testing (LPT), Eddy Current Testing (ECT), Radiographic Testing (RT), Acoustic Emission Testing (AET)); By Method (Visual Inspection, Surface Inspection, Volumetric Inspection) By Service (Inspection Services, Equipment Rental Services, Calibration Services, Training Services), By Vertical (Manufacturing, Oil & Gas, Aerospace & Defense, Public Infrastructure, Automotive, Power Generation)  Industry Trends and Forecast to 2024Report Analysis:Global Non-Destructive Testing and Inspection Market Size accounted for USD 7.5 billion in 2016 growing at a CAGR of 8.0% 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.Report Definition:Non-destructive testing and inspection is a non-invasive inspection technique used to testing, or evaluating materials, components or assemblies for discontinuities, or differences in characteristics without causing damage to the serviced part or system. These testing services are performed in variety of industries such as manufacturing, oil & gas, aerospace & defense, public infrastructure, automotive, power generation to comply with a wide variety of industry standards, government contracts, and unique customer requirements.Get Sample Copy of this Report @This report consists of below pages: No of pages: 350 No of Figures: 60 No of Tables: 220Report Segmentation:The non-destructive testing and inspection market is segmented on the basis of technique into Ultrasonic Testing (UT), Visual Testing, Magnetic Particle Testing (MPT), Liquid Penetrant Testing (LPT), Eddy Current Testing (ECT), Radiographic Testing (RT), Acoustic Emission Testing (AET), and Other Techniques.The global non-destructive testing and inspection market is also segmented on the basis of method into visual inspection, surface inspection, volumetric inspection, and other methods.On the basis of service, the global non-destructive testing and inspection market is further segmented into inspection services, equipment rental services, calibration services, and training services.On the basis of end-user, the global non-destructive testing and inspection market is further segmented manufacturing, oil & gas, aerospace & defense, public infrastructure, automotive, power generation.On the basis of geography, global non-destructive testing and inspection 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.For More Details In-Depth Enquiry @Company Share Analysis:The report for non-destructive testing and inspection 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.Major Market Competitors:Some of the major players of the global non-destructive testing and inspection market are General Electric Company, Olympus Corporation, Ashtead Technology Ltd., MISTRAS Group Inc., Nikon Corporation, Magnaflux Corporation, Zetec Inc., Sonatest Ltd., Sonotron NDT, Bosello High Tech SRL, Yxlon International GMBH, Fischer Technology Inc., Eddyfi NDT Inc., FujiFilm Corporation, ibg NDT Systems Corporation, Institut Dr. Foerster GmbH & Co. KG., KARL STORZ GmbH & Co. KG, Magnetic Analysis Corporation, NDTS India (P) Limited, among others.Major Market Drivers: Rising adoption of IOT solutions Continuous advancements in electronics, and automation & robotics Strong government to safety and product quality regulations Increasing need for the capability of aging assetsView Full Report Visit @Related ReportGlobal Sensor Patch Market Industry Trends and Forecast to 2024Global Sensor Patch Market, By Geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Europe, South America, Middle East and Africa), By Product (Temperature Sensor Patch, Blood Glucose Sensor Patch, Blood Pressure/Flow Sensor Patch, Heart Rate Sensor Patch, ECG Sensor Patch, Blood Oxygen Sensor Patch); By Application (Monitoring, Diagnostics) By End-Users (Healthcare, Fitness and Sports)  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 Blog:Follow us on LinkedIn:
Noni Juice Market Research Study for the Period (2017-2025)

https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/17593

https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/17593

https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com

Global Noni Juice Market: OverviewWith rising health conscious behaviour among the consumers, demand for healthy and nutritious products growing exponentially. Noni is a small evergreen herb which is commonly found in subtropics and tropic regions of the world. Noni fruit is also known as Indian mulberry and is botanically known as Morinda citrifolia. Noni fruit exhibit distinctive and versatile therapeutic properties. Traditionally noni was used for dyeing purpose due to the presence of a yellow chemical called anthraquinones. However, noni fruit also exhibit distinctive and versatile therapeutic properties. Noni fruit and juice is known for their health benefits, whereas its bark and leaves hold traditional use in many parts of Asia. Noni juice is derived from noni fruit and is widely used as nutritional tonic owing to its therapeutic and alternative medication properties. Noni juice is globally acquiring speculations due to its healing characteristics. Hence, driving the growth of the market.Global Noni Juice Market: Drivers and RestraintsIncreasing inclination of the consumers towards health befitting products is expected to propel the growth of noni juice market. Noni juice is attributed to prevent the risk of cancer, helps in proper functioning of the liver and heart and also helps to prevent certain health conditions such as gout and diabetes. Hence, gaining traction in nutraceutical industry. Apart from these health benefits, noni juice also poses antioxidant properties which further exerts antifungal, antibacterial and antipsychotic effects which helps in preventing conditions such as arthritis. Hence, broad spectrum of health benefits, is expected to propel the growth of noni juice market. With presence of anthraquinones noni juice has a stimulating effect on the skin and prevents the early wrinkle formation. Moreover, presence of biochemical component proxeronine and essential fatty acid, it helps in smooth functioning of cell membrane which, thereby, help to restore healthy skin. Hence, is extensively used in personal care industry. Also, increasing demand for natural and organic products among consumers is also expected to spur the demand for noni juice as it can be obtained naturally and organically.Request For Report Sample@However, noni juice tends to elevate the level of potassium. Thus, people having high potassium content may have side effects of having noni juice. It is also associated with liver damage and absorptions. Hence, lack of warning signs on the labels coupled with lack of consumer knowledge may affect the growth of the market.Global Noni Juice Market: SegmentationOn the basis of source, noni juice market is segmented into:-NaturalOrganicOn the basis of application, noni juice market is segmented into:-Food & BeveragePharmaceuticalPersonal CareGlobal Noni Juice Market: Region wise OutlookThe global noni juice market is categorised into seven regions, namely, Western Europe, Eastern Europe Middle East and Africa (MEA), Asia Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ), Japan, Latin America and North America. Noni juice market is expected to record substantial growth in North America. Rising health concern and preventive health awareness, has led to adoption of products offering array of health benefits. Thereby, supporting the growth of noni juice market. Asia Pacific is expected to record significant growth in the noni juice market. As it is being native of the region along with rising demand for healthy products across the globe would propel the export market of noni products in Asia Pacific region. With increasing geriatric population demand for noni juice is expected to increase in Japan owing to its ability to prevent arthritis and other bone related diseases.Visit For TOC@Global Noni Juice Market: Key PlayersSome of the prominent players identified in the global noni juice market includes: Dave's Group of Companies, Vitis Industries., Royal Noni Fiji Ltd, Noni Biotech International, LLC, Cook Islands Noni Marketing Ltd., Tahitian Gold Co., Inc., Virgin Noni Juice, Noni Connection Inc.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Ourresearch model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and marketresearch methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.Contact USPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Web:Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.com
Global Turret Punch Press Market 2017 : Business Rising Awareness, Financial Plan to 2022

https://www.qyresearchreports.com/sample/sample.php?rep_id=1258103&type=S

https://www.qyresearchreports.com/report/global-turret-punch-press-market-professional-survey-report-2017.htm

http://www.qyresearchreports.com

Qyresearchreports include new market research report Global Turret Punch Press Market Professional Survey Report 2017 to its huge collection of research reports.The report Turret Punch Press Market is a comprehensive industry study featuring qualitative and quantitative analysis. In todays complex business environment, players in the global Turret Punch Press market need to remain updated about the latest trends. The latest intelligence on the Turret Punch Press market can help companies form more informed business decisions. Furthermore, knowing the latest market trends will also help companies avoid any unnecessary business risks in the changing landscape of the global Turret Punch Press market. The research report on the global Turret Punch Press market presents to readers recent news, key deals, and other trends that are shaping the market. Furthermore, the valuable recommendations provided in the global Turret Punch Press market report will help companies form a more effective strategy, whether to penetrate a new market or expand their portfolio.The research report begins with a brief industry overview. In this section, the report offers definition, specifications, classifications, and applications of Turret Punch Press. Further to this, key data on the latest industry news and major deals is covered. This will update readers regarding the key events that are shaping the global Turret Punch Press market. Moreover, the report also provides the latest news and details regarding the regulatory framework of the global Turret Punch Press market.Get Research Summary Of The Report:Lastly, the research report delivers a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape of the global Turret Punch Press market. This section covers the analysis of key companies operating in the global Turret Punch Press market with their portfolio, production data, company profile, price, revenue, and cost. In addition to this, this section also enlists the contact information of these major firms.Table of ContentsGlobal Turret Punch Press Market Professional Survey Report 20171 Industry Overview of Turret Punch Press1.1 Definition and Specifications of Turret Punch Press1.1.1 Definition of Turret Punch Press1.1.2 Specifications of Turret Punch Press1.2 Classification of Turret Punch Press1.2.1 Flywheel Drive1.2.2 Mechanical Punch Press1.2.3 Hydraulic Punch Press1.2.4 Servo Drive Turret Punch Press1.3 Applications of Turret Punch Press1.3.1 Automotive Manufacturing1.3.2 Power Industry1.3.3 Shipbuilding1.3.4 Military-industrial Complex1.3.5 Machinery Manufacturing1.4 Market Segment by Regions1.4.1 North America1.4.2 China1.4.3 Europe1.4.4 Southeast Asia1.4.5 Japan1.4.6 IndiaView TOC (table of content) of the Report:2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Turret Punch Press2.1 Raw Material and Suppliers2.2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Turret Punch Press2.3 Manufacturing Process Analysis of Turret Punch Press2.4 Industry Chain Structure of Turret Punch Press3 Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Turret Punch Press3.1 Capacity and Commercial Production Date of Global Turret Punch Press Major Manufacturers in 20163.2 Manufacturing Plants Distribution of Global Turret Punch Press Major Manufacturers in 20163.3 R&D Status and Technology Source of Global Turret Punch Press Major Manufacturers in 20163.4 Raw Materials Sources Analysis of Global Turret Punch Press Major Manufacturers in 20164 Global Turret Punch Press Overall Market Overview4.1 2012-2017E Overall Market Analysis4.2 Capacity Analysis4.2.1 2012-2017E Global Turret Punch Press Capacity and Growth Rate Analysis4.2.2 2016 Turret Punch Press Capacity Analysis (Company Segment)4.3 Sales Analysis4.3.1 2012-2017E Global Turret Punch Press Sales and Growth Rate Analysis4.3.2 2016 Turret Punch Press Sales Analysis (Company Segment)4.4 Sales Price Analysis4.4.1 2012-2017E Global Turret Punch Press Sales Price4.4.2 2016 Turret Punch Press Sales Price Analysis (Company Segment)5 Turret Punch Press Regional Market Analysis5.1 North America Turret Punch Press Market Analysis5.1.1 North America Turret Punch Press Market Overview5.1.2 North America 2012-2017E Turret Punch Press Local Supply, Import, Export, Local Consumption Analysis5.1.3 North America 2012-2017E Turret Punch Press Sales Price Analysis5.1.4 North America 2016 Turret Punch Press Market Share Analysis5.2 China Turret Punch Press Market Analysis5.2.1 China Turret Punch Press Market Overview5.2.2 China 2012-2017E Turret Punch Press Local Supply, Import, Export, Local Consumption Analysis5.2.3 China 2012-2017E Turret Punch Press Sales Price Analysis5.2.4 China 2016 Turret Punch Press Market Share Analysis5.3 Europe Turret Punch Press Market AnalysisList of Tables and FiguresFigure Picture of Turret Punch PressTable Product Specifications of Turret Punch PressTable Classification of Turret Punch PressFigure Global Production Market Share of Turret Punch Press by Type in 2016Figure Flywheel Drive PictureTable Major Manufacturers of Flywheel DriveFigure Mechanical Punch Press PictureTable Major Manufacturers of Mechanical Punch PressFigure Hydraulic Punch Press PictureTable Major Manufacturers of Hydraulic Punch PressFigure Servo Drive Turret Punch Press PictureTable Major Manufacturers of Servo Drive Turret Punch PressTable Applications of Turret Punch PressQYReseachReports.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
Widefield Imaging Systems Market to be at Forefront by 20162026

https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1732

https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-1732

https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/checkout/1732

www.futuremarketinsights.com

Advanced imaging systems are becoming the crux of all intricate medical procedures, especially for methods that treat ailments of sensitive body parts & organs. Widefield imaging systems are known to play a similar role in treatment of various eye disorders and diseases. One wrong touch to the naked eye can, not only irk the patient, but also give rise to tremendous physical discomfort and lead to undue exposure to infectious diseases. Medical professionals, hence, are promoting the use of widefield imaging technologies for assisting the imaging purposes in treatment of ocular oncology, diabetic retinopathy and other retinal diseases. A recent study conducted by Future Market Insights illustrates that diabetic retinopathy accounted for over one-third of global widefield imaging systems revenues in 2016.According to Future Market Insights The global market for widefield imaging systems, which is presently valued at US$ 385.8 million, will soar at 8% CAGR and bring in revenues worth US$ 834.5 million by the end of 2026.Diabetic Retinopathy will account for over US$ 320 million revenues by 2026-end, procuring nearly 40% of the global market value.Demand for widefield imaging systems will be high for treatment of glaucoma, registering an increment at 9.2% CAGR.Request to View Sample Report @Apropos the report titled Widefield Imaging System Market: Global Industry Study and Opportunity Assessment, 2016-2026, North America is projected to account for more than 40% of global revenues throughout the forecast period. Sales of widefield imaging systems in Asia-Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ) region will surpass US$ 130 million by 2026-end. Latin America and the Middle East & Africa (MEA) regions are likely to exhibit sluggish growth, compared to Western Europe and Eastern Europes widefield imaging system market. Meanwhile, Japans widefield imaging systems sales will surpass US$ 65 million revenues by the end of forecast period.Request For Table Of Content @European medical device manufacturers are observed to play key role in the global widefield imaging system market. Some of the leading manufacturers of widefield imaging systems include Centervue SpA (Italy), Optos plc, Carl Zeiss Meditec (Germany) and Heidelberg Engineering GmbH (Germany). US-based companies Visunex Medical Systems, Inc. and Clarity Medical Systems, Inc. are also observed as key players in the global market for widefield imaging systems.Highlights of the research on global widefield imaging system market include:Hospitals will remain the largest end-user of widefield imaging systems, accounting for global revenues worth over US$ 300 million by 2026-endThroughout the forecast period, demand for standalone widefield imaging systems will remain higher. Although, portable modality of using widefield imaging systems will gain traction. While sales of instruments will remain higher compared to software used in widefield imaging systems, data analysis & interpretation software are likely to witness higher demand over the forecast periodBuy Widefield Imaging Systems Market Research 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:
Stretch Hood Film Market Predicted to Witness Surge in the Near Future 2017 - 2027

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=24650

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=T&rep_id=24650

http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com

Stretch hood film offers a reliable and cost effective packaging solutions for various products thereby minimizing product damage during transportation and logistics. It is applied on the pallet in the similar fashion as that of the stretch film except that it makes use of heat to pack the pallets tightly with the film.This approach has helped in minimizing the wastage of film and thus has reduced overall packaging cost. Due to this advantageous feature, the stretch hood film market is expected to grow in terms of demand throughout the forecast period. Stretch hood films are primarily made by LDPE and LLDPE. The use of these polymers makes the product cheaper as well as enhances its applicability over various pallet profiles. Industries like food, beverage, cosmetics, etc. are increasingly making use of stretch hood films for packaging of their products during transportation.Stretch Hood Film Market  DynamicsStretch hood films are expected to witness high demand from various industrial verticals including food, beverage, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. Due to its cost effectiveness and ease of application, stretch hood films is being preferred over other wrapping solutions like stretch wrap and shrink wrap. Over last few decades, global pharmaceutical and food and beverage industry have shown a continuous growth which is expected to have a positive impact on the demand for global stretch hood films throughout the forecast period.Request For Report Brochure@The cosmetics industry have also emerged as a growing industry in worlds emerging economies and the trend is anticipated to continue throughout the forecast period thereby creating more opportunities for stretch hood film which is extensively used for packaging the product during transportation and logistics by this sector. Thus, the applicability of the stretch films in various industries and its cost effectiveness are anticipated to drive the overall market of stretch hood films between 2017 and 2027. However, the conventional packaging solutions like containers, film wraps, shrink wraps, etc. are expected to challenge the overall demand and may act as restraint for the stretch hood film market over the forecast period.Stretch Hood Film Market  SegmentationThe stretch hood film market is segmented as follows:On the basis of material type, stretch hood film market is segmented into:PEHDPELDPELLDPEOthersOn the basis of end use, stretch hood film market is segmented into:PharmaceuticalsCosmeticsFoodHomecareOthers (tiles, bricks, etc.)Stretch Hood Film Market  Region wise outlookThe global stretch hood film market is segmented into North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa.For the past few decades, Asia Pacific has experienced a burgeoning growth in pharmaceutical industry. The demand of the allied product such as stretch hood film is thus expected to witness a hike in terms of demand from this sector over the forecast period. India and China, the two emerging economies have shown a continuous growth in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry. This growth is also anticipated to reflect into increasing demand for the stretch hood film from these regions. North America has a well-established market and is therefore expected to follow Asia Pacific in terms of demand for the stretch hood film throughout the forecast period. Latin America is anticipated to show relatively slower growth in the stretch hood film market owing to its stagnant economy. Europe and Middle East and Africa are expected to reflect a sluggish growth in stretch hood film market between 2017 and 2027 due to the prevailing stagnant economy in the region.Visit For TOC@Stretch Hood Film Market  Key PlayersThe key players in the stretch hood film market include Packaging Machinery Co.Ltd., The Dow Chemical Company, MSK Verpackungs-Systeme GmbH, Rosenflex (UK) Limited, ERA-PACK s.r.o., bpi.europe, Specialty Polyfilms Pvt. Ltd., Napco Modern Plastic Products Company, MURAPLAST d.o.o.About Us:-Transparency Market Research 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.90 State Street, Suite 700, Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Hydrazine Hydrate Market Evolving Technology, Trends and industry Analysis 2022

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/hydrazine-hydrate-market.html

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=4686

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=4686

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/checkout.php?rep_id=4686

http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com

According to Transparency Market Researchs new market research report, titled Hydrazine Hydrate Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2014 - 2022, hydrazine hydrate is an inorganic compound used in many end-use industries due to its favorable chemical properties. Hydrazine hydrate is typically colorless and has an odor similar to ammonia. It is commercially manufactured using three production processes: the Bayer-Ketazine process, the peroxide process, and the Olin-Raschig process.Read Report Overview @These production processes also use various raw materials such as sodium hypochlorite, ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, and acetone along with catalysts to form hydrazine hydrate. The study report states that the global hydrazine hydrate market stood at US$350.0 million in 2013 and is further expected to reach US536.3 million by 2022. Owing to its use in a number of industrial applications, the global market for hydrazine hydrate is expected to expand at a CAGR of 4.9% from 2014 to 2022.The report covers the impact of the various market drivers and restraints acting on the hydrazine hydrate market during the forecast period and highlights the growth opportunities in the hydrazine hydrate market globally and regionally. It also provides a decisive view of the global hydrazine hydrate market by segmenting it in terms of end user segments. The segmentation in the report has been analyzed based on present and future trends. By end use, the report enlists water treatment, agrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, polymerization and blowing agents, and others (including metal purification, etc) as some of the major end-use segments of the hydrazine hydrate market.Request Sample Report @As hydrazine hydrate is one of the main blowing agents used in the polymer industry, a strong outlook for polymer foams in the polymer industry is expected to drive the hydrazine hydrate market with significant growth. Polymerization and blowing agents was the largest end-use segment, with a market share of more than 35% in 2013. This segment is expected to be the fastest growing segment of the hydrazine hydrate market until 2022. Besides its usage in the polymer industry, hydrazine hydrate is also used in many other industries such as water treatment and agrochemicals. The global agrochemical industry revenue is expected to grow at a rapid pace between 2013 and 2022. Rise in the production of intermediates used in insecticides and fungicides is anticipated to boost the demand for hydrazine hydrate from the agrochemical industry in the near future.Request Hydrazine Hydrate Market Report Brochure @Hydrazine hydrate is toxic to humans and its usage is thus limited to a certain extent. However, its use in fuel cells as an effective substitute of polymers can bring about a resurgence of the overall market in major regions such as North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific. By geography, the global hydrazine hydrate market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa. Among these regions, the highest demand for hydrazine hydrate from the polymer industry as a blowing agent is expected to be observed in Asia Pacific in the next few years.Buy Hydrazine Hydrate Market Research Report @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:
Baby Drinks Market to deliver improved profitability in near Future

https://www.alltakemarketresearch.com/enquiry/request_sample/12524

https://www.alltakemarketresearch.com/report-detail/Baby-Drinks-Market

Infant method, infant juices, and little one electrolyte incorporate vitamins and supplements for the advancement of the toddler. In spite of the fact that doctors prescribe breastfeeding to new child youngsters, toddler formula may be applied as an option because of the comparative supplement substance. The marketplace is pushed by way of increment in the amount of girls experts. In addition, modifications in manner of lifestyles, ascend in working elegance population, and development in more according to capita disposable earning inside the growing economies, for example, China, India, and Indonesia among others, have moved the market improvement. Notwithstanding, concerns identified with sustenance well being and decrease in global birth fee are required to bog down the marketplace improvement.China is the maximum profitable locale for infant liquids manufacturers. The rollback of the one tyke association with the aid of the Chinese government has brought about increment in newborn child populace, which could aid the utilization of toddler drinks. Huge length, high acquiring electricity, and multiplied utilization of little one drinks are relied upon to aid the market improvement in China. Child beverages includes infant juice and newborn infant recipe. All toddler drinks in light of natural product squeezes which can be meant for the utilization via kids underneath three years are integrated underneath infant juices.Request For Free Sample Of The Report @Baby juice has low front charge in this area as it isn't accessible all around. Customers basically lean in the direction of newborn infant equation because of ascend in the quantity of operating girls and adjustments in manner of existence. Additionally, toddler method is concept to be the sole wellspring of nourishment for toddlers. High nourishment content material in baby beverages blended with the inclination of specialists for infant drinks is predicted to support the development of this marketplace inside the tremendous nations of Asia Pacific including Japan, India, China and Australia amongst others over the forecast length. Dynamic advancements with the aid of infant drinks makers, wellness and fitness patterns and developing assortments of items are the real drivers adding to the extension of the toddler savors advertise Asia Pacific.The global baby drinks market can be segmented on the basis of type and region. On the basis of type, the global diabetic food market can be segmented into Bottled Baby Drinks, Canned Baby Drinks, Baby Cereals, Others. On the basis of region, the global baby drinks market can be segmented into North America, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America.Obtain Report Details @Some of the key players in the global baby drinks market include Heinz and Hain Celestial Group, Nestle S.A., Mead Johnson Nutrition Company, LLC., Abbott Laboratories, Beingmate Group Co. Ltd., Danone, Campbell Soup Company, HiPP GmbH & Co., D. Signstore and Arla Foods among others.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
Chemical Indicator Inks Market Analysis by Global Segments, Growth, Size and Forecast 2020

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/chemical-indicator-inks-market.html

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=4077

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=4077

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/checkout.php?rep_id=4077<ype=S

http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com

A new report published by Transparency Market Research (TMR) published a report on the global chemical indicator inks market. The report, titled Chemical Indicator Inks Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2014 - 2020, is available for sale on the companys website. The report offers a comprehensive overview of the market.According to the report, the global chemical indicator inks market was worth US$30.2 mn in 2013 and is expected to reach US$53.1 mn by 2020, growing at a CAGR of 8.4% from 2014 to 2020. This robust growth rate will be fueled by the growing need for sterilization monitoring and a pressing need to avert the spread of hospital-related infections.Read Report Overview @Chemical indicator inks are used in several sterilization monitoring processes, as they change color when exposed to certain sterilants at set temperatures. The change indicates that the process of sterilization is complete and the instruments are safe to be used for the next surgery. The factors contributing to the growth of the global chemical indicator inks market are the growing number of nosocomial infections and strict rules about sterilization in the healthcare sector. Thus, analysts predict this will foster the growth of global chemical indicators inks market in various sectors.Request Sample Report @The global chemical indicator inks market has been segmented on the basis of sterilization processes, products, printing, applications, and regions. The sterilization processes include ethylene oxide, steam, vaporized hydrogen peroxide and plasma, formaldehyde, and others such as ionizing radiation. The list of products in the global chemical indicator inks market includes water-based chemical indicator inks, UV-cured chemical indicator inks, and solvent-based chemical indicator inks. The printing processes used in the global chemical indicator inks market are gravure printing, flexographic printing, and screen printing. The application of chemical indicator inks is seen while sterilizing bags, bottles, prefillable syringes, IV & blood containers, pouches, thermoformed trays, tags and labels, and others such as blister packs. Regionally, the global chemical indicator inks market is spread over regions such as Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, and Rest of the World.Request Chemical Indicator Inks Market Report Brochure @Some of the key players in the global chemical indicator inks market are North American Science Associates Inc. (NAMSA), RIKEN CHEMICAL Co., Ltd., 3M, Tempil (LA-Co Industries), NiGK Corporation, SteriTec Products Inc., Propper Manufacturing Company, Inc., ETIGAM bv, Terragene SA, gke GmbH, STERIS Corporation, and Crosstex International Inc. (subsidiary of Cantel Medical Corporation). The report gives an accurate estimate of the competitive landscape of the global chemical indicator inks market by profiling these companies along with providing the readers the financial status of these companies, their marketing strategies, and research and development plans.Buy Chemical Indicator Inks Market Research Report @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:
Growing Industrialization will influence the Quail Eggs Market Growth 2017 - 2025

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=25001

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=T&rep_id=25001

http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com

Quail eggs are the eggs which are laid by various species of quail. Quail are medium sized birds which are found through regions such as North Africa, Europe and parts of Asia. Quail eggs are smaller than chicken and duck eggs that are widely consumed and are also sold at novelty food stores globally. Quail eggs have essential properties such as boosts energy level, improves metabolism, balances cholesterol, reduces blood pressure and helps in preventing chronic disease.Quail eggs contains high amount of protein as compared with chicken eggs. Quail eggs helps in strengthening the immune system, increasing brain activity, promotes memory health, etc. Consumption of quail eggs is higher in the Asian market as it is commonly sold as inexpensive street food which is rich in protein source and has flavorful yolk present in the eggs. This is increasing the demand for quail eggs in many culinary areas worldwide. Thus naturally laid quail eggs are rich source of protein and healthy option which is projected to drive the market growth over the forecast period.Global Quail eggs: Market SegmentationThe global quail eggs market is segmented on the basis of type, distribution channel, application and region. The quail eggs market is segmented on the basis of type such as coturnix quail egg, button quail egg, and others. In the type, coturnix quail eggs are widely used on a large scale and is dominating the global quail eggs market as it is cheaper than others. The global quail eggs market is segmented on the basis of distribution channel in which quail eggs are available on online stores, supermarket/hypermarket, and convenience food stores. The global quail eggs market is segmented on the basis of application such as cosmetics, food industry, processed products and others. Hence, the global quail eggs market is expected to significantly increase the revenue contribution over the forecast period.Request For Report Brochure@Global Quail eggs Market: Regional OutlookGeographically, the global quail eggs industry can be divided by major regions which include North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific, Japan and Middle East and Africa. Globally, among all regions, Asia Pacific has developed as the dominant region in global quail eggs market followed by North America. Increasing demand for spices as a flavoring agent in various food products, has strengthened the growth of global quail eggs market and hence is projected to significantly expand the revenue contribution of the market over the forecast period.Global Quail eggs Market: Growth DriversThe global quail eggs market driving factors are increasing demand for quail eggs in various food products and cosmetics. Increasing demand for natural laid quail eggs by health conscious consumers is also another factor in driving the global quail eggs market. Manufacturers are focusing on providing healthier pickled quail eggs product offerings to various restaurants and food stores. Quail eggs helps consumers in managing their blood pressure and helps in preventing chronic diseases, which is another major factor for driving the global quail eggs market worldwide. Hence, the global Quail eggs market is expected to observe robust growth over the forecast period.Visit For TOC@Global Quail Eggs Market: Key PlayersSome of the key players identified across the value chain of the global quail eggs market include Norfolk Quail Ltd., Clarence Court, Rabbit River Farms, Caillor, The Original Egg Company, Fayre Game Limited, GRANJA AGAS SA, OJSC "Uglich poultry.", Seng Choon Farm Pte Ltd. are among others. The companies are expected to expand their business by enhancing their product portfolio in global quail eggs market. The companies are projected to frame certain strategies in future in order to gain the competitive advantage in global quail eggs market till 2025.About Us:-Transparency Market Research 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.90 State Street, Suite 700, Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Calcium Nitrate Market by Regional Analysis, Key Players and Forecast 2020

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/calcium-nitrate-market.html

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=2301

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=2301

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/checkout.php?rep_id=2301<ype=S

http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com

Transparency Market Research has released a new market report titled Calcium Nitrate Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2014 - 2020. According to the report, the global calcium nitrate market was valued at US$ 7.37 Bn in 2013 and is projected to reach US$ 10.18 Bn by 2020, expanding at a CAGR of 4.8% between 2014 and 2020. In terms of volume, the global calcium nitrate market stood at 14,602.1 kilo tons in 2013.Read Report Overview @Steadily growing global demand for grain crops and increasing demand for wastewater treatment in emerging economies is expected to boost demand for calcium nitrate. Demand for calcium nitrate is largely driven by high consumption of calcium nitrate fertilizers in emerging economies in Asia Pacific and Latin America to meet their respective food requirements. However, calcium nitrate is hygroscopic in nature and is classified as hazard class 5.1 by regulatory regimes. This could hamper the growth of the market.Request Sample Report @Based on application, the global calcium nitrate market has been segmented into fertilizers, wastewater treatment chemicals, concrete manufacturing, explosives, and others. In terms of volume, fertilizers is expected to be the largest and fastest growing segment of the calcium nitrate market. The fertilizers application segment accounted for a share of over 50% of the global calcium nitrate market in 2013. Explosives was the second-largest segment of the global calcium nitrate market in 2013 and accounted for a significant market share in the same year. The others segment includes molten salts and regenerable cold packs.Request Calcium Nitrate Market Report Brochure @Asia Pacific is anticipated to be the fastest growing and largest market for calcium nitrate in terms of revenue during the forecast period. The calcium nitrate market in Asia Pacific accounted for approximately 55% of the share in 2013 and is expected to expand at a rapid rate due to increasing demand for food crops in emerging economies such as China and India, which is expected to boost consumption of calcium nitrate-based fertilizers. RoW is expected to be the second-fastest growing market due to the booming agriculture and mining sectors, boosting demand for calcium nitrate fertilizers and emulsion explosives. North America and Europe are likely to witness moderate growth during the forecast period in terms of volume.Buy Calcium Nitrate Market Research Report @The calcium nitrate market is moderately concentrated; it is dominated by small and medium regional companies. Key players in the market include Agrium, Inc., Airedale Chemical, GFS Chemicals, Inc., Haifa Chemicals Ltd., Prathista Industries Limited, Rural Liquid Fertilisers (RLF), Shanxi Jiaocheng, Tianlong Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., Sterling Chemicals, Uralchem Holding PLC, Vardhaman Fertilizers and Seeds Pvt. Ltd., and Yara International ASA. Companies are focusing on expanding their manufacturing capacities and establishing new business units in the emerging markets of Asia Pacific to strengthen their customer base and seek new opportunities in the region.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.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:
Ethylene Market : Growth, Demand, Supply, SWOT, Consumption, ROI to 2020

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ethylene-market.html

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=2205

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=2205

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/checkout.php?rep_id=2205<ype=S

http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com

The ethylene market is fairly competitive with the presence of a number of prominent petrochemical companies focused on the production of ethylene and a variety of useful derivatives, observes Transparency Market Research (TMR). Global players are constantly boosting their production capacities to gain a competitive edge in the market. Some of the leading players operating in the ethylene market are LyondellBasell Industries N.V., INEOS, Total S.A., Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LLC, Sinopec Limited, Royal Dutch Shell plc., Exxon Mobil Corporation, The Dow Chemical Company, and SABIC.Read Report Overview @The ethylene market is projected to rise at a CAGR of 6.0% during 20142020 and the valuation of the market is expected to reach US$234.2 bn by the end of the forecast period.Substantial Demand for Ethylene Oxide in Manufacturing PlasticsRegionally, the market is segmented into North America, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa (MEA), and Asia Pacific. Of these, currently, Asia Pacific is the major regional market and is expected to retain its dominance throughout the forecast period. A major demand for ethylene is expected to come from countries such as India, China, Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam. This is attributed to the substantial applications of ethylene in numerous end-use industries.Request Sample Report @Based on application, the market is segmented into ethylene oxide, polyethylene, ethylene benzene, vinyl acetate, alpha olefins, and ethylene dichloride. Of these, the ethylene oxide segment is projected to rise at a maximum CAGR over the forecast period. The demand for ethylene oxide is driven by its substantial application in the production of ethylene derivatives, primarily used in manufacturing plastics.Extensive Application of Ethylene in Making Packaging Products Boosts MarketThe growth of the ethylene market is primarily driven by its substantial applications in a variety of end-use industries such as packaging, construction, and automotive. The commercial production of ethylene in large volumes through the process of catalytic oxy-dehydrogenation has positively impacted the growth of the market. The growing number of applications of different types of polyethylene such as linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) and high density polyethylene (HDPE) in making a number packaging products has boosted the ethylene market across regions.Request Ethylene Market Report Brochure @Ethylene are widely used in making containers, drums, pipes, and films. The burgeoning packaging industry in various developing and developed regions is expected to catalyze the market. There is a growing worldwide demand for ethylene oxide derivatives such as ethylene glycols and polyester fibers in the manufacturing of plastic products, particularly bottles. This has bolstered the uptake of ethylene. The use of ethylene oxide in manufacturing a variety of industrial chemicals has gained traction in the petrochemical industry, thereby accentuating the growth of the ethylene market. However, the recent volatility in crude oil prices in major regions and regulatory concerns owing to the toxic effects of some of the ethylene derivatives are the crucial factors likely to hinder the growth of the market. Nevertheless, emerging applications of ethylene in the production of a large number of useful industrial chemicals are expected to open up exciting opportunities for manufacturers in the coming years.Buy Ethylene Market Research Report @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:
Maple Syrup Market Trends, Forecast, and Analysis by Transparency Market Research 2017 - 2027

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=25718

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=T&rep_id=25718

http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com

Maple syrup is made from xylem sap of three common species maple trees which includes the red maple (Acer rubrum), the sugar maple (Acer saccharum) and the black maple (Acer nigrum) and contains high sugar content in the sap. Various species of maple trees are selected and holes are drilled into their trunks from which the exuded sap is collected, which is then processed by the heating method and concentrated syrup is collected.Other maple syrup sources include box elder of Manitoba maple (Acer negundo), the bigleaf maple (Acer macrophyllum) and the silver maple (Acer saccharinum). Maple syrup consists of a range of volatile organic compounds which includes hydroxybutanone, vanillin and propionaldehyde. Maple syrup contains various flavors such as malto, strawberry furanone and furanone. Maple syrup is widely used as toppings for various bakery products such as waffles, cakes, pancakes, bread rolls, and French toast. Maple syrup is also used for flavoring a wide range of food products such as hot cereal, ice cream, sausages, fruit juices, corn fritters, baked beans, baking powder, fresh donuts and baked apples. Maple syrup is also used as an alternative to honey in wine mead.Request For Report Brochure@Global Maple syrup: Market SegmentationThe global maple syrup market is segmented on the basis of raw material, application, distribution channel, and region. The maple syrup market is segmented on the basis of raw material which includes the red maple, the black maple, and the sugar maple. Maple syrup made from sugar maple is used widely for flavoring a variety of food products. The global maple syrup market is segmented on the basis of application in which maple syrup is used as a flavoring agent in bakery products such as baking powder, waffles, pancakes, French toast and oatmeal. Granulated maple sugar is used as a topping on coffee cake, oatmeal, grapefruit or crumb cake. The global maple syrup market is segmented on the basis of distribution channel such as online stores, retail stores, and super/hyper market. Hence, the global maple syrup market is expected to significantly increase the revenue contribution over the forecast period.Global Maple syrup Market: Regional OutlookGeographically, the global maple syrup industry can be divided by major regions which include North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Middle East and Africa. Globally, among all regions, North America has developed as the dominant region in global maple syrup market. Increasing demand for maple syrup as a flavoring agent in various food products, has strengthened the growth of global maple syrup market and hence is projected to significantly expand the revenue contribution of the market over the forecast period.Global Maple syrup Market: Growth DriversThe global maple syrup market driving factors are increasing demand for baking foods such as pancakes, waffles, bread rolls and coffee cake. Increasing opportunities in bakery industry is also another factor in driving the maple syrup market along with rising in the production of maple syrup as it contains an abundant amount of minerals such as manganese, potassium, and calcium. Maple syrup is also used as a natural sweetener in various food products which is another major factor driving the global maple syrup market.Many maple syrup producers are providing healthier product offerings based on the increasing demand for maple syrup as a flavoring agent in a variety of food products. Hence, the global maple syrup market is expected to observe robust growth over the forecast period.Visit For TOC@Global Maple syrup Market: Key PlayersSome of the key players identified across the value chain of the global maple syrup market include Ontario Maple Syrup Producers Association, New Hampshire Maple Producers Association, Inc., New York State Maple Producers Association, Pennsylvania Maple Association, Michigan Maple Syrup Association, Thompson's Maple Products, Bascom Family Farms, H.J. Heinz Company and Vermont Maple Sugar Makers Association. The companies are expected to expand their business by enhancing their product portfolio in global maple syrup market. The companies are projected to frame certain strategies in future in order to gain the competitive advantage in global maple syrup market till 2025.About Us:-Transparency Market Research 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.90 State Street, Suite 700, Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Dining Table 2017 Global Market Key Players  ROCHE-BOBOIS, Kartell, Baker, Restoration Hardware, EDRA, Poliform  Analysis and Forecast to 2022

Dining Table Market

https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/2484939-global-dining-table-market-professional-survey-report-2017

https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/2484939-global-dining-table-market-professional-survey-report-2017

https://www.wiseguyreports.com/checkout?currency=one_user-USD&report_id=2484939

Dining Table Market 2017Wiseguyreports.Com adds Dining Table Market Market Demand, Growth, Opportunities, Analysis of Top Key Players and Forecast to 2022 To Its Research Database.Report Details:This report provides in depth study of Dining Table Market using SWOT analysis i.e. Strength, Weakness, Opportunities and Threat to the organization. The Dining Table Market report also provides an in-depth survey of key players in the market which is based on the various objectives of an organization such as profiling, the product outline, the quantity of production, required raw material, and the financial health of the organization.This report studies Dining Table 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, coveringROCHE-BOBOISKartellBakerRestoration HardwareEDRAPoliformFlorenseHulstaVaraschin spaLES JARDINSQuanyouQumeiRedappleGINGER BROWNUSM Modular FurnitureOlyIKEAA.R.T. FurnitureNiermann WeeksANDERSENJENSEN LEISURE FURNITURERequest a Sample Report @On the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoSolid Wood Dining TableSteel Wood Dining TableMarble Dining TablePlastic Dining TableOthersBy Application, the market can be split intoHouseholdRestaurantCanteenBy Regions, this report covers (we can add the regions/countries as you want)North AmericaChinaEuropeSoutheast AsiaJapanIndiaIf you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.Complete Report Details@Major Key Points in Table of Content:1 Industry Overview of Dining Table1.1 Definition and Specifications of Dining Table1.1.1 Definition of Dining Table1.1.2 Specifications of Dining Table1.2 Classification of Dining Table1.2.1 Solid Wood Dining Table1.2.2 Steel Wood Dining Table1.2.3 Marble Dining Table1.2.4 Plastic Dining Table1.2.5 Others1.3 Applications of Dining Table1.3.1 Household1.3.2 Restaurant1.3.3 Canteen1.4 Market Segment by Regions1.4.1 North America1.4.2 China1.4.3 Europe1.4.4 Southeast Asia1.4.5 Japan1.4.6 India2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Dining Table2.1 Raw Material and Suppliers2.2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Dining Table2.3 Manufacturing Process Analysis of Dining Table2.4 Industry Chain Structure of Dining Table..8 Major Manufacturers Analysis of Dining Table8.1 ROCHE-BOBOIS8.1.1 Company Profile8.1.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.1.2.1 Product A8.1.2.2 Product B8.1.3 ROCHE-BOBOIS 2016 Dining Table Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.1.4 ROCHE-BOBOIS 2016 Dining Table Business Region Distribution Analysis8.2 Kartell8.2.1 Company Profile8.2.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.2.2.1 Product A8.2.2.2 Product B8.2.3 Kartell 2016 Dining Table Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.2.4 Kartell 2016 Dining Table Business Region Distribution Analysis8.3 Baker8.3.1 Company Profile8.3.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.3.2.1 Product A8.3.2.2 Product B8.3.3 Baker 2016 Dining Table Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.3.4 Baker 2016 Dining Table Business Region Distribution Analysis8.4 Restoration Hardware8.4.1 Company Profile8.4.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.4.2.1 Product A8.4.2.2 Product B8.4.3 Restoration Hardware 2016 Dining Table Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.4.4 Restoration Hardware 2016 Dining Table Business Region Distribution Analysis8.5 EDRA8.5.1 Company Profile8.5.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.5.2.1 Product A8.5.2.2 Product B8.5.3 EDRA 2016 Dining Table Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.5.4 EDRA 2016 Dining Table Business Region Distribution Analysis8.6 Poliform8.6.1 Company Profile8.6.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.6.2.1 Product A8.6.2.2 Product B8.6.3 Poliform 2016 Dining Table Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.6.4 Poliform 2016 Dining Table Business Region Distribution Analysis8.7 Florense8.7.1 Company Profile8.7.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.7.2.1 Product A8.7.2.2 Product B8.7.3 Florense 2016 Dining Table Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.7.4 Florense 2016 Dining Table Business Region Distribution Analysis8.8 Hulsta8.8.1 Company Profile8.8.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.8.2.1 Product A8.8.2.2 Product B8.8.3 Hulsta 2016 Dining Table Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.8.4 Hulsta 2016 Dining Table Business Region Distribution Analysis8.9 Varaschin spa8.9.1 Company Profile8.9.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.9.2.1 Product A8.9.2.2 Product B8.9.3 Varaschin spa 2016 Dining Table Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.9.4 Varaschin spa 2016 Dining Table Business Region Distribution Analysis8.10 LES JARDINS8.10.1 Company Profile8.10.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.10.2.1 Product A8.10.2.2 Product B8.10.3 LES JARDINS 2016 Dining Table Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.10.4 LES JARDINS 2016 Dining Table Business Region Distribution AnalysisContinued.Buy now @Contact Us:NORAH TRENTPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US)Sales@Wiseguyreports.ComPh: +44 208 133 9349 (UK)ABOUT US:Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports features an exhaustive list of market research reports from hundreds of publishers worldwide. We boast a database spanning virtually every market category and an even more comprehensive collection of market research reports under these categories and sub-categories.ADDRES:WISE GUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India
Medical Device Coatings Market - Global Industry Analysis and Forecast | 2020

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/medical-device-coatings-market.html

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=269

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=269

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/checkout.php?rep_id=269<ype=S

http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com

China has emerged as a major market for medical device coatings and has become the primary force driving the global market, states Transparency Market Research in its recent report. The study, titled Medical Device Coatings Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2014 - 2020, indicates that developing at a healthy CAGR of 7.4% from 2014 to 2020, the global medical device coatings market is likely to grow from US$6.63 billion in 2013 to US$10.93 billion by 2020.Read Report Overview @The alarming occurrence of epidemic diseases, increasing awareness regarding hygiene, and expanding global population has fueled the growth of the medical device coatings market. However, stringent government regulations and volatility of raw material prices are likely to restrain this market over the next five years. On the basis of product, the medical device coatings market is segmented into hydrophilic coatings, anti-microbial coatings, drug-eluting coatings, and others such as anti-thrombogenic coatings. With a 40% share in 2013, anti-microbial coatings dominated the medical device coatings market, while hydrophilic coatings are expected to be the most rapidly growing product segment by the end of the forecast period.Request Sample Report @Medical device coatings are mainly used in cardiology, general surgery, gynecology, neurology, dentistry, orthopedics, ophthalmology, and others. General surgery presented the strongest demand for medical device coatings on syringes, catheters, guide wires, and others. Cardiovascular reported the second strongest demand in 2013 and is likely to be the most rapidly developing application segment by 2020. Medical device coatings in this discipline are used on angioplasty catheters, balloon catheters, guide wires, coronary stents, occlusion devices, and other percutaneous devices.Request Medical Device Coatings Market Report Brochure @Geographically, the global medical device coatings market is divided into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World. North America held more than 45% of the demand in 2013, emerging as the leader in the medical device coatings market. Recent technological developments in the field are likely to help this region retain its lead through 2020. Even though Europe was the second-largest medical device coatings market in 2013, this region is expected to lose market share by the end of the forecast period owing to strict regulations imposed by the European Union. Identified as the fastest growing regional segment by 2020, the Asia Pacific medical device coatings market is driven by growing demand from dentistry and cardiovascular end users especially in India, China, and Southeast Asia.Buy Medical Device Coatings Market Research Report @The research report discusses the competitive landscape of the global medical device coatings market and profiles some of the leading companies operating at an international and domestic level. These companies are Royal DSM N.V., Specialty Coating Systems, Inc., Sono-Tek Corporation, AST Products, Inc., Hydromer, Inc., Hemoteq AG, Covalon Technologies Ltd., Precision Coating Company, Inc., Merit Medical Systems, Inc., AdvanSource Biomaterial Corporation, Harland Medical Systems, Inc., SurModics, Inc., BioCoat, Inc., Coatings2Go, LLC, and PPG Industries, 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.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:
Cement Market Analysis by Global Segments, Growth, Size and Forecast 2020

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/saudi-arabia-cement-market.html

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=4015

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=4015

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/checkout.php?rep_id=4015<ype=S

http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com

Saudi Arabia boasts a booming construction industry with magnificent yearly industry output. The country is also the largest market for construction work in the Middle East, ahead of Iran, Turkey, and other neighboring Gulf countries. Hence, the demand for cement, which constitutes the intrinsic component in construction activities, is inevitably high in Saudi Arabia. To study present market dynamics and the growth prospects of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Cement Market, Transparency Market Research has published a report titled Cement Market - Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2014  2020.Read Report Overview @In terms of volume, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia cement market exhibited a production capacity of 55,700.0 kilo tons in 2013, and it is expected to reach 78,258.8 kilo tons by 2020, developing at a moderate 5.4% CAGR between 2014 and 2020. The cement market in Saudi Arabia stood at US$3.59 billion in 2013.Cement is the cornerstone of construction activities around the world. Fuelled by rapid economic development, Saudi Arabia offers lucrative prospects for investment. Hence, investors from across the globe are trying their luck in the economic segments of the country, the construction industry being one of them. The country itself is guided by the policy of large-scale infrastructural development, which has significantly aided its construction industry. Rapid urbanization, infrastructural development, and increasing demand for commercial and residential construction are identified in the report as primary factors propelling the Saudi Arabia cement market.Request Sample Report @The growth prospects for the cement market in Saudi Arabia seem vibrant, however, the key vendors may have to address challenges related to the supply of subsidized fuel and unbridled government interventions to enjoy unhindered progress, says a lead TMR analyst. The report on the Saudi Arabia cement market provides an executive-level blueprint of the market that analyzes the different factors that are likely to impact the growth trajectory of the market. Among the key application segments, infrastructure development dominated the market in 2013, accounting for 50% of the total demand generated in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Fuelled by increased government spending to bolster infrastructure development, the cement market in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is anticipated to expand exponentially.Request Cement Market Report Brochure @In terms of cement consumption, the central region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia led the cement market with a 32% share in 2013. The region was trailed by the western and eastern regions. The high cement consumption in the central region can be attributed to its rapid urbanization. Hence, the central and western regions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have become the most lucrative destinations for cement producers. The cement market in Saudi Arabia will also benefit from the expanding tourism in the country, which will correspondingly boost new construction activity in the country. Some of the leading players in the Saudi Arabia cement market profiled in the report are Saudi Cement Company, Riyadh Cement Company, Yamama Cement Company, and Najran Cement Company.Buy Cement Market Research Report @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:
Wax Market : Growth, Demand, Supply, SWOT, Consumption, ROI to 2020

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/wax-market.html

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=1015

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=1015

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/checkout.php?rep_id=1015<ype=S

http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com

A recent research report published by Transparency Market Research projects the global wax market to expand at a CAGR of 2.6% during the period between 2014 and 2020. The report, titled Wax Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2014 - 2020, estimates the global wax market to be worth US$8.98 bn by 2020. The overall market stood at a valuation of US$8.21 bn in 2013 and at 4,539.9 kilo tons in terms of volume.Read Report Overview @The report points out that the rising base of end-use industries such as adhesives, rubber, cosmetics, packaging, candles, and wood and fire-logs is driving the global wax market. The growing demand from the packaging and cosmetics industries is particularly contributing towards the growth of the market. However, the closure of Group I base oil refineries will inhibit the growth of the global wax market during the forecast horizon. The overall market has a huge opportunity to grow with the introduction of gas-to-liquid (GTL) waxes.Request Sample Report @In terms of product types, the report segments the global wax market into petroleum and mineral wax, synthetic wax, and natural wax. Petroleum and mineral wax has been sub-segmented into microcrystalline wax, paraffin wax, and other petroleum and mineral waxes. Synthetic wax has been categorized into polymer wax, GTL wax, and others. Natural wax has been segmented into vegetable wax, bee wax, and other natural wax. In 2013, petroleum and mineral wax was the largest product segment in the market. However, during the forecast period, synthetic wax is expected to be the fastest growing product type as it resembles petroleum to a large extent and can be used as a substitute for petroleum wax across a number of applications. Synthetic wax held a share of 11% in the market in 2013. In the coming years, the natural wax segment is expected to register moderate growth.Request Wax Market Report Brochure @In terms of end-use industries, the global wax market has been categorized into packaging, candles, wood and fire-logs, adhesive, rubber, cosmetics, and other end-use industries. Candles held the largest share in the market in 2013 and accounted for more than 41% of the market. The packaging and cosmetics industries are driving the demand from the market.The report studies the global wax market across five key regions: Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, Middle East and Africa, and Central and South America. Asia Pacific dominated the overall market in 2013 as the region is the largest producer of petroleum wax across the globe. While China leads the production of petroleum wax, Malaysia contributes largely to the production of natural wax.Buy Wax Market Research Report @The report profiles some of the key players in the global wax market such as The International Group, Inc. (IGI), China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), Sasol Wax, Exxon Mobil Corporation, Lukoil, Sinopec Limited and Royal Dutch Shell plc, Total Petrochemicals & Refining USA Inc., and Petroleos de Venezuela SA.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:
Penoxsulam Market Analysis, Current and Future Trends 2020

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/penoxsulam-market.html

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=3689

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=3689

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/checkout.php?rep_id=3689<ype=S

http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com

Transparency Market Research, in its latest report, forecasts that by 2020, the highest demand for penoxsulam will come from the Asia Pacific region - a region where agrarian economies will see increased consumption of the herbicide. In 2013 as well, the Asia Pacific region stood as the foremost demand generator in the global penoxsulam market, creating about 55% of the global demand for the herbicide. The report, titled Penoxsulam Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2014 - 2020, states that leading crop producers such as China, Bangladesh, India, Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia will consume large amounts of penoxsulam.Read Report Overview @According to the website of the Statistics Division of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, in 2013, Asia accounted for about 90.6% of the total amount of rice and paddy produced globally. The rice cultivation sector creates the highest demand (85%) for penoxsulam as compared to other types of crops globally.Request Sample Report @The findings of the report state that the Rest of the World (RoW) region comes second only to the market leader - Asia Pacific - in terms of demand. Analysts who created the report expect that the RoW region will report a significant rate of growth as far as the consumption of penoxsulam goes. The report further notes that North America is the smallest market, because the amount of rice grown in the region is insignificant as compared to the market leaders. Thus, the North America penoxsulam market will put up a lackluster performance through the current decade.Europe, on the other hand, will experience an expansion of the penoxsulam market, but not at a very remarkable rate. Rice is grown in a few European countries that experience temperate climate, but the availability of several other herbicides will likely eat into the market share of penoxsulam in Europe. Some of the other herbicides that compete with penoxsulam are acetochlor, butachlor, and clomazone; but penoxsulam remains the most widely used herbicide for weed control.Request Penoxsulam Market Report Brochure @Desirable attributes of penoxsulam-such as its mobility when used in both terrestrial and aqueous environments and its ability to prevent weed growth without harming fauna and animals-will encourage farmers to use this herbicide. This will impel growth in the penoxsulam market over the forecast period of this report.But one aspect that could potentially disrupt the global penoxsulam market is the expiry of Dow AgroSciences LLCs patent on the herbicide somewhere around 2017. This will encourage many new entrants in the market, creating an interesting competitive mix over the next year or two. Besides profiling the company that launched penoxsulam in 2005 (Dow AgroSciences LLC), this report also profiles other strong contenders in the penoxsulam market, such as Hangzhou Tianlong Biotechnology Co., Ltd. and Shijiazhuang Xingbai Bioengineering Co., Ltd.The study offers a comprehensive analysis of the market in terms of both revenue and volume, and offers market estimates for the period between 2015 and 2020.Buy Penoxsulam Market Research Report @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:
Isoxaflutole Industry Outlook, Growth Prospects and Key Opportunities 2020

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/isoxaflutole-market.html

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=3691

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/checkout.php?rep_id=3691<ype=S

http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com

A new report has been published by Transparency Market Research titled Isoxaflutole Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2014 - 2020. TMR, a market intelligence company based in the United States, says in its report that the isoxaflutole market was valued at US$ 116.3 million in 2013 and is expected to reach US$ 163.0 million by 2020, expanding at a CAGR of 5.1% from 2014 to 2020. In terms of revenue, the global isoxaflutole market stood at 2569.5 kilo tons in 2013. Isoxaflutole originated in 1996 under the distinctive label of Balance by Rhone-Poulenc Ag Company. The company entrenched its chemicals business division as an independent company named Rhodia in the year 1997 and it was purchased by Solvay SA in 2011. According to this report, isoxaflutole is extensively used in the production of vegetable crops such as sugarcane and maize.Read Report Overview @Momentous manufacturing of these food sources in developing economies including Brazil and developing regions such as Asia Pacific is likely to expand the isoxaflutole market over the next few years in these provinces. A few of the leading companies employed in the manufacturing and buying of isoxaflutole include E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company and Bayer CropScience. Bayer CropScience manufactures isoxaflutole under the distinctive label of Balance and Merline.As per the TMR report, isoxaflutole demanded globally in vegetable crops comprised approximately 90% of the market share in 2013. The vegetables such as sugarcane and corn are the only harvest that expends isoxaflutole herbicide. Sugarcane has depleted in a number of applications such as bio-fuels and food. The manufacture of sugarcane is associated to a variety of communal and ecological factors. Nevertheless, its production has immensely aggrandized due to the advancement in domiciliary support measures accompanied with highly regulated trade. These aspects have additionally encouraged the usage of isoxaflutole herbicides for plant production.Request Sample Report @Geographically, the market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World (RoW). Asia Pacific was among the topmost in demand for isoxaflutole, accounting for approximately 30% of the comprehensive market in 2013. The high demand for isoxaflutole in the region is contributed by the large-scale production of vegetable crops such as sugarcane and maize in the region.Due to the ascending demand for food, the production of these kinds of crops has been expanding in the region. This is the reason and the main component responsible for the increasing exhaustion of herbicides such as isoxaflutole for applications used in crop protection. This herbicide is exclusively used in the above mentioned crops and also in some other peculiar fruit crops. Insistence for Isoxaflutole is less in North America and Europe due to minimized production of sugarcane and maize in these regions.Buy Isoxaflutole Market Research Report @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:
Spirodiclofen Market by Regional Analysis, Key Players and Forecast 2020

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/spirodiclofen-market.html

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=3989

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=3989

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/checkout.php?rep_id=3989<ype=S

http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com

A new market research report has been recently published by Transparency Market Research, a U.S.-based market research and intelligence firm. The research report provides an in-depth analysis of the global spirodiclofen market for fruits and other crops. It also provides the past and current performance of the market, along with the existing trends and growth prospects. The research report is titled Spirodiclofen Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2014 - 2020.According to the research report, the global spirodiclofen market stood at US$119.9 million in 2013 and is projected to touch US$172.1 million by the end of 2020, growing significantly at a 6% CAGR between 2014 and 2020.Read Report Overview @Spirodiclofen helps keep crops healthy and away from diseases, which increases the productivity. The demand for spirodiclofen is expected to rise in the forecast period, owing to the increasing production of walnuts, almonds, tangerines, etc. Moreover, the increased production of tomato to cope with rising food demand is expected to propel the demand for spirodiclofen through the forecast period.Request Sample Report @The research report has segmented the global spirodiclofen market on the basis of crop type into fruits and other crops (such as ornamental plants and tomato). In 2013, the fruit segment dominated the global spirodiclofen market. Spirodiclofen is commonly used in numeorus fruit crops such as almond, pear, avocado, apple, lime, grapes, and lemon. In 2013, almond plantations held more than 50% of the spirodiclofen market on the basis of demand. The research report states that the spirodiclofen market is quite expansive and has excellent growth prospects due to its impending usage in many other types of crops, including decorative plants and fruiting vegetable crops, in the forecast period.Request Spirodiclofen Market Report Brochure @The research report has geographically segmented the global spirodiclofen market in four regions: Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, and Rest of the World. In 2013, Europe dominated the global spirodiclofen market, accounting for 25% of the market. The dominance of Europe can be attributed to the tremendous use of chemicals in crops such as almonds and walnuts. Asia Pacific held the second position in the same year. In Latin America and North America, spirodiclofen is used as a 240 SC spray formulation named Envidor and produced by Bayer CropScience. As per the research report, Asia Pacific is expected to witness a high rate of development in the global spirodiclofen market through the forecast period.Buy Spirodiclofen Market Research Report @Furthermore, the research report has provided a detailed analysis of the prominent companies operating in the global spirodiclofen market. The two leading companies mentioned in the research report are Hangzhou Tianlong Biotechnology Co. Ltd. and Bayer CropScience.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:
Dairy Alternative Market, Global Industry Analysis, Forecast 2022

http://bit.ly/2iRBLUc

http://bit.ly/2yWCsq6

http://bit.ly/2zTovcO

http://bit.ly/2jlNgHr

Dairy alternative based food and beverages are prepared from dairy-free milk, extracted from various plant-based sources. These are increasingly being consumed by lactose intolerant and vegan individuals. A wide variety of food and beverages are available in the market, which is prepared from milk derived from sources such as almond, soy, rice, coconut, and others. Popularly consumed dairy alternative based products are milk, ice-cream, cheese, butter and others.For More Info, Get Sample:Increasing awareness about the benefits of dairy alternative products and growing vegan population are the major factors boosting the demand these products. Moreover, increasing health consciousness, the rise in disposable income and awareness towards chemical free products are some of the other factors fueling the market growth. However, higher cost compared to conventional milk/milk based products and prominence of low-cholesterol, and low-fat conventional milk/milk based products have emerged to be major challenges for the players operating in the market. The market is anticipated to offer attractive business opportunities owing to rising lactose intolerance and increasing demand for soy, rice, and almond milk proteins in the global market. Moreover, innovation in sources and flavors of dairy alternative based food & beverages is expected to unfold opportunity for the players operating in the market.The world dairy alternative market is segmented on the basis of source, application, distribution channel, and geography. By source, the market is categorized into four segments which include soy milk, almond milk, rice milk, and other sources. By application, the market is segmented as food and beverages. Food is further categorized into a spread, creamer, yogurt, tofu, and others. Large retail, small retail, specialty store and online are the segmentation by distribution channel. Geographically, the market is classified into North America (U.S., Canada, and Mexico), Europe (UK, Germany, France and rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, Japan and rest of Asia-Pacific), and LAMEA (Latin America and Rest of LAMEA).Enquire About Report :The companies profiled in the report are WhiteWave Foods Company (U.S.), Blue Diamond Growers (U.S.), SunOpta Inc.(Canada), Earths Own Food Company Inc.(Canada), Living Harvest Foods Inc. (U.S.), Hain Celestial Group, Inc.(U.S.), Organic Valley Family of Farms (U.S.), Panos Brands LLC (U.S.), Pascual Group (Spain), and Eden Foods Inc.(U.S.).KEY BENEFITS The report provides a comprehensive analysis of current and future market trends in the world dairy alternative market to identify the potential investment pockets. The report provides information regarding key drivers, restraints, and opportunities for impact analysis. Quantitative analysis of the current trends and forecasts from 2016 to 2022 are provided to showcase the financial appetency of the market. Porters Five Force model of the industry and SWOT analysis illustrates the potency of the buyers & suppliers participating in the market. Value chain analysis in the report provides a clear understanding of the roles of stakeholders involved in the value chain.Also Get Discount:Table Of Contents CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTIONo Report Descriptiono Key Benefitso Key Market Segmentso Research Methodology Secondary research Primary research Analyst tools and models CHAPTER 2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2.1 Executive Summary 2.2 CXO Perspective CHAPTER 3 MARKET OVERVIEW 3.1 Market Definition and Scope 3.2 Key Findings 3.2.1 Top impacting factors of the Dairy alternative market 3.2.2 Top winning strategies in Dairy alternative market, 2010-2015 3.2.3 Top investment pockets 3.3 Value Chain Analysis 3.3.1 Raw material suppliers 3.3.2 Dairy alternative producers 3.3.3 Distribution platforms 3.3.4 End Users 3.4 Porters Five Forces Analysis 3.4.1 High bargaining power of buyers due to similarity in offerings 3.4.2 Moderate bargaining power of suppliers due to easy availability of ingredients 3.4.3 High threat of substitute due to innovation in conventional milk/milk products 3.4.4 High threat of new entrants due to attractive industry growth 3.4.5 High rivalry among competitors due to similarity in offeringsGet Full OF TOC:About UsWe have a large database of quality and precise market research reports that will be very beneficial for your organization. Reports that we sell are authentic in nature and from reputed publishers, hence it can definitely help you with your growth opportunities. Research Beam will always make sure to bring most ethical and high-quality reports. We value your relationship with us and look forward to a long-term relationship.Contact UsGlobal Head Quarters5933 NE Win Sivers Drive,#205, Portland, OR 97220United States+1 (800) 910-6452help@researchbeam.com
ICT and business process outsourcing in the UK public sector, 2010-2015

https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/sample/160997

https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/reports/160997/ict-and-business-process-outsourcing-in-the-uk-public-sector-2010-2015-market-research-reports

https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/reports/160997/ict-and-business-process-outsourcing-in-the-uk-public-sector-2010-2015-market-research-reports.pdf

http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/

"The Report ICT and business process outsourcing in the UK public sector, 2010-2015 provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"Product SynopsisThe public sector is under tight budget constraints, and there are pressures to find new cost effective and innovative ways to deliver services. As a result, private and third sector involvement in delivering public services is expected to grow and move into new areas, especially as the coalition government has openly stated its commitment to using markets, choice and competition to drive public service reform.The outsourcing market will become increasingly diverse. The ICT-only outsourcing market is mature, and the focus will shift from back office infrastructure programmes to frontline service delivery, increasing the range of potential suppliers to government. The changing public service landscape will give rise to a new set of opportunities and threats to ICT suppliers. On the positive side, there are areas of growth for suppliers to target which, given the current spending constraints, is valuable. However, it also intensifies the competitive landscape as public service delivery specialists are moving into the market space that ICT service providers would prefer to occupy. The purpose of this report is to evaluate the current size of outsourcing opportunities, key drivers and suppliers, and provide a five year outlook on the future direction of travel.Get Sample Copy Of This Report @Introduction and LandscapeKable's 2011 BPO report highlights key contract wins and changes throughout the year. It also highlights the big players in each public sector vertical.Key Features and BenefitsThe focus of this report is on outsourcing opportunities that include a significant ICT element. These range from the traditional outsourcing or management of the ICT infrastructure, where technology is at the core of the contract, to BPO agreements, where those processes require a significant investment in ICT to support delivery.Naturally, there are a large number of support services, such as facilities management, that do not involve a significant ICT element. These types of outsources fall outside of the scope of this report, but are included within Kable's wider UK Public Sector Outsourcing - The Big Picture publication, which looks beyond the use of ICT in the UK public sector to examine the broad range of services that are commissioned by public sector bodies.For the purpose of this report, we regard outsourcing as including the following:ICT-intensive BPO: the transfer of a public sector business process and function to the private sector, often involving the transfer of people and/or assets, and using ICT to support delivery;ICT outsourcing: the transfer of the ICT function from the public to the private sector, often involving the transfer of people and/or assets;communications outsourcing: the transfer of the voice and/or data communications infrastructure from the private to the public sector;managed service: the private sector is contracted to manage part of a service on behalf of the public sector, for example application hosting, web hosting and desktop management.View Report @Key Market IssuesGain insight into the public sector ICT BPO market in the UK.Gain knowledge on the developments in the UK ICT BPO market over a five year period to 2015.Provides you forecasts for ICT BPO spending split by vertical.Highlights key contract wins and changes.Highlights the big players in each public sector vertical.Key HighlightsGrowth in outsourcing is expected to return as the government's reform agenda takes hold, and rhetoric around greater private sector involvement in the delivery of public services becomes a reality. However, the type, pace and degree of change varies between sectors, and this will shape the level of outsourcing opportunities going forward.Suppliers that have built up a strong position from traditional growth markets will need to re-assess their strategies and focus. The coalition has made it clear that it does not view 'big bang' transformation programmes as the best approach to leveraging ICT to achieving its objectives; and competitive dynamics will change as the emphasis shifts from traditional ICT outsourcing to the purchasing of end-to-end business processes to support the delivery of public services.View Sample PDF @Table of Content1 Executive summary2 Introduction2.1 Scope and structure3 Market sizing and forecast3.1 Market sizing3.2 Market forecast3.3 Contract renewals3.4 Types of outsourcing3.4.1 ICT outsourcing3.4.2 Business process outsourcing3.4.3 Managed communications services4 Sector profiles4.1 Central government4.2 Local government4.3 Health4.4 Education4.5 Criminal justice4.6 Defence4.7 Transport5 Supplier landscape5.1 Overview5.2 HP5.3 BT5.4 Fujitsu Services5.5 Capgemini5.6 IBM5.7 Serco5.8 Atos Origin5.9 Airwave5.10 Capita5.11 LogicaAbout 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
Internet of Things (IoT) Professional Services World Market Insights by Size, Status and Forecast 2022

Internet of Things (IoT) Professional Services Market

https://www.htfmarketreport.com/sample-report/790985-global-internet-of-things-18

https://www.htfmarketreport.com/reports/790985-global-internet-of-things-18

https://www.htfmarketreport.com/buy-now?format=1&report=790985

https://www.htfmarketreport.com/enquiry-before-buy/790985-global-internet-of-things-18

https://www.linkedin.com/company/13388569/

HTF MI published a new industry research that focuses on Internet of Things (IoT) Professional Services market and delivers in-depth market analysis and future prospects of Global Internet of Things (IoT) Professional Services market. The study covers significant data which makes the research document a handy resource for managers, analysts, industry experts and other key people get ready-to-access and self-analyzed study along with graphs and tables to help understand market trends, drivers and market challenges. The study is segmented by Application/ end users [Smart Buildings, Smart Manufacturing, Smart Healthcare, Smart Transport and Logistics & Other], products type [IoT Consulting Services, Technology Consulting Services, Business Consulting Services, Operational Consulting Services & Other] and various important geographies like United States, EU, Japan, China, India & Southeast Asia].Get Access to sample pages @The research covers the current market size of the Global Internet of Things (IoT) Professional Services market and its growth rates based on 5 year history data along with company profile of key players/manufacturers such as Accenture PLC, Atos SE, Capgemini, Cognizant Technology, IBM Corporation, Infosys Limited, NTT DATA Corporation, Tata Consultancy Services, Tech Mahindra & Wipro Limited. The in-depth information by segments of Internet of Things (IoT) Professional Services market helps monitor future profitability & to make critical decisions for growth. The information on trends and developments, focuses on markets and materials, capacities, technologies, CAPEX cycle and the changing structure of the Global Internet of Things (IoT) Professional Services Market.The study provides company profiling, product picture and specifications, sales, market share and contact information of key manufacturers of Global Internet of Things (IoT) Professional Services Market, some of them listed here are Accenture PLC, Atos SE, Capgemini, Cognizant Technology, IBM Corporation, Infosys Limited, NTT DATA Corporation, Tata Consultancy Services, Tech Mahindra & Wipro Limited. The market is growing at a very rapid pace and with rise in technological innovation, competition and M&A activities in the industry many local and regional vendors are offering specific application products for varied end-users. The new manufacturer entrants in the market are finding it hard to compete with the international vendors based on quality, reliability, and innovations in technology.Global Internet of Things (IoT) Professional Services (Thousands Units) and Revenue (Million USD) Market Split by Product Type such as IoT Consulting Services, Technology Consulting Services, Business Consulting Services, Operational Consulting Services & Other. Further the research study is segmented by Application such as Smart Buildings, Smart Manufacturing, Smart Healthcare, Smart Transport and Logistics & Other with historical and projected market share and compounded annual growth rate.Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), and market share and growth rate of Internet of Things (IoT) Professional Services in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), covering United States, EU, Japan, China, India & Southeast Asia and its Share (%) and CAGR for the forecasted period 2017 to 2022.Read Detailed Index of full Research Study at @Key questions answered in this report - Global Internet of Things (IoT) Professional Services Market Size, Status and Forecast 2022What will the market size be in 2022 and what will the growth rate beWhat are the key market trendsWhat is driving Global Internet of Things (IoT) Professional Services marketWhat are the challenges to market growthWho are the key vendors in Global Internet of Things (IoT) Professional Services market space?What are the key market trends impacting the growth of the Global Internet of Things (IoT) Professional Services market?What are the key outcomes of the five forces analysis of the Global Internet of Things (IoT) Professional Services market?Buy this research report @There are 15 Chapters to display the Global Internet of Things (IoT) Professional Services market.Chapter 1, to describe Definition, Specifications and Classification of Internet of Things (IoT) Professional Services , Applications of Internet of Things (IoT) Professional Services , Market Segment by Regions;Chapter 2, to analyze the Manufacturing Cost Structure, Raw Material and Suppliers, Manufacturing Process, Industry Chain Structure;Chapter 3, to display the Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Internet of Things (IoT) Professional Services , Capacity and Commercial Production Date, Manufacturing Plants Distribution, R&D Status and Technology Source, Raw Materials Sources Analysis;Chapter 4, to show the Overall Market Analysis, Capacity Analysis (Company Segment), Sales Analysis (Company Segment), Sales Price Analysis (Company Segment);Chapter 5 and 6, to show the Regional Market Analysis that includes United States, EU, Japan, China, India & Southeast Asia, Internet of Things (IoT) Professional Services Segment Market Analysis (by Type);Chapter 7 and 8, to analyze the Internet of Things (IoT) Professional Services Segment Market Analysis (by Application) Major Manufacturers Analysis of Internet of Things (IoT) Professional Services ;Chapter 9, Market Trend Analysis, Regional Market Trend, Market Trend by Product Type [IoT Consulting Services, Technology Consulting Services, Business Consulting Services, Operational Consulting Services & Other], Market Trend by Application [Smart Buildings, Smart Manufacturing, Smart Healthcare, Smart Transport and Logistics & Other];Chapter 10, Regional Marketing Type Analysis, International Trade Type Analysis, Supply Chain Analysis;Chapter 11, to analyze the Consumers Analysis of Global Internet of Things (IoT) Professional Services ;Chapter 12, to describe Internet of Things (IoT) Professional Services Research Findings and Conclusion, Appendix, methodology and data source;Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Internet of Things (IoT) Professional Services sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data source.Get 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.Connect with us atHTF 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
IoT Engineering Services Market Size by Key Vendors Aricent (US), Wipro (India), Capgemini (France)

IoT Engineering Services Market

https://www.htfmarketreport.com/sample-report/791001-global-iot-engineering-services-market

https://www.htfmarketreport.com/reports/791001-global-iot-engineering-services-market

https://www.htfmarketreport.com/buy-now?format=1&report=791001

https://www.htfmarketreport.com/enquiry-before-buy/791001-global-iot-engineering-services-market

https://www.linkedin.com/company/13388569/

HTF MI published a new industry research that focuses on IoT Engineering Services market and delivers in-depth market analysis and future prospects of Global IoT Engineering Services market. The study covers significant data which makes the research document a handy resource for managers, analysts, industry experts and other key people get ready-to-access and self-analyzed study along with graphs and tables to help understand market trends, drivers and market challenges. The study is segmented by Application/ end users [Industrial, Manufacturing, Automotive & Other], products type [Product Engineering, Cloud & Platform Engineering, UI/UX Design, Analytics, Security & Maintenance Services] and various important geographies like United States, EU, Japan, China, India & Southeast Asia].Get Access to sample pages @The research covers the current market size of the Global IoT Engineering Services market and its growth rates based on 5 year history data along with company profile of key players/manufacturers such as Aricent (US), Wipro (India), Capgemini (France), IBM (US), TCS (India), Happiest Minds (India), Infosys (India), Cognizant (US), eInfochips (US), RapidValue (US) & Tech Mahindra (India). The in-depth information by segments of IoT Engineering Services market helps monitor future profitability & to make critical decisions for growth. The information on trends and developments, focuses on markets and materials, capacities, technologies, CAPEX cycle and the changing structure of the Global IoT Engineering Services Market.The study provides company profiling, product picture and specifications, sales, market share and contact information of key manufacturers of Global IoT Engineering Services Market, some of them listed here are Aricent (US), Wipro (India), Capgemini (France), IBM (US), TCS (India), Happiest Minds (India), Infosys (India), Cognizant (US), eInfochips (US), RapidValue (US) & Tech Mahindra (India). The market is growing at a very rapid pace and with rise in technological innovation, competition and M&A activities in the industry many local and regional vendors are offering specific application products for varied end-users. The new manufacturer entrants in the market are finding it hard to compete with the international vendors based on quality, reliability, and innovations in technology.Global IoT Engineering Services (Thousands Units) and Revenue (Million USD) Market Split by Product Type such as Product Engineering, Cloud & Platform Engineering, UI/UX Design, Analytics, Security & Maintenance Services. Further the research study is segmented by Application such as Industrial, Manufacturing, Automotive & Other with historical and projected market share and compounded annual growth rate.Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), and market share and growth rate of IoT Engineering Services in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), covering United States, EU, Japan, China, India & Southeast Asia and its Share (%) and CAGR for the forecasted period 2017 to 2022.Read Detailed Index of full Research Study at @Key questions answered in this report - Global IoT Engineering Services Market Size, Status and Forecast 2022What will the market size be in 2022 and what will the growth rate beWhat are the key market trendsWhat is driving Global IoT Engineering Services marketWhat are the challenges to market growthWho are the key vendors in Global IoT Engineering Services market space?What are the key market trends impacting the growth of the Global IoT Engineering Services market?What are the key outcomes of the five forces analysis of the Global IoT Engineering Services market?Buy this research report @There are 15 Chapters to display the Global IoT Engineering Services market.Chapter 1, to describe Definition, Specifications and Classification of IoT Engineering Services , Applications of IoT Engineering Services , Market Segment by Regions;Chapter 2, to analyze the Manufacturing Cost Structure, Raw Material and Suppliers, Manufacturing Process, Industry Chain Structure;Chapter 3, to display the Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of IoT Engineering Services , Capacity and Commercial Production Date, Manufacturing Plants Distribution, R&D Status and Technology Source, Raw Materials Sources Analysis;Chapter 4, to show the Overall Market Analysis, Capacity Analysis (Company Segment), Sales Analysis (Company Segment), Sales Price Analysis (Company Segment);Chapter 5 and 6, to show the Regional Market Analysis that includes United States, EU, Japan, China, India & Southeast Asia, IoT Engineering Services Segment Market Analysis (by Type);Chapter 7 and 8, to analyze the IoT Engineering Services Segment Market Analysis (by Application) Major Manufacturers Analysis of IoT Engineering Services ;Chapter 9, Market Trend Analysis, Regional Market Trend, Market Trend by Product Type [Product Engineering, Cloud & Platform Engineering, UI/UX Design, Analytics, Security & Maintenance Services], Market Trend by Application [Industrial, Manufacturing, Automotive & Other];Chapter 10, Regional Marketing Type Analysis, International Trade Type Analysis, Supply Chain Analysis;Chapter 11, to analyze the Consumers Analysis of Global IoT Engineering Services ;Chapter 12, to describe IoT Engineering Services Research Findings and Conclusion, Appendix, methodology and data source;Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe IoT Engineering Services sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data source.Get 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.Connect with us atHTF 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
Welding Products Market trends estimates high demand by 2020

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/welding-products.html

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=850

www.transparencymarketresearch.com/

The global welding products market is moderately fragmented with the key players such as Lincoln Electric, ESAB, and ITW leading in the market. These three players accounted for a collective share of 30% in 2013, states a new report by Transparency Market Research (TMR). This market is capital intensive and thus, local vendors find it difficult to compete with the larger players. Local players are unable to compete with large players on the basis of quality, services, functionalities, and features. Thus, these small players are entering into the market by introducing products that are low in price. Some of the players operating in the welding products market are: Voestalpine AG, Sonics & Materials Inc., Fronius International GmbH, Rofin-Sinar Technologies Inc., Arcon Welding, Bohler, Panasonic, Daihen Corp, and OBARA Co. In order to increase their production capacities and focus on innovations, companies are adopting the strategy of merging or acquiring other players.View Report Preview:According to the report, the global market opportunity in welding productsis expected to rise from US$19,080.3 mn in 2015 to US$23,777.5 mn by 2020. On the basis of technology, the resistant welding segment is expected to lead and account for 26.8% of the market by 2020. By product, the stick electrodes segment is expected to retain its leading position in the market and account for 40.9% of the market by 2020. On the basis of application, the automobile and transportation segment is anticipated to lead in the years to come and account for 17.8% of the market by 2020. The building and construction segment will be the second most lucrative application segment by 2020. Asia Pacific is expected to hold a dominant share in the market and is estimated to account for 43.8% of the market by 2020.Oil and Gas Sector to Drive Growth Prospects of Welding Products MarketAccording to the lead author of this report, the demand from the automotive sector will boost the global welding products market. In addition to this, the repair and maintenance of automobiles will also boost the demand for welding products. Further, the high demand from the construction sector will help in driving the growth prospects of the welding products market in the coming years. The growth in the construction and infrastructural activities across developing economies is aiding the growth of the market.Moreover, the oil and gas sector is also creating a heightened demand for welding products. The construction of new manufacturing facilities and revamping the old oil infrastructures will drive the demand for welding products. The growing concerns relating to safety in the oil and gas industries will drive the need to replace old and worn out pipelines and install new ones, in turn boosting the demand for welding products. Furthermore, the increase in the drilling activities in the oil and gas sector will drive the demand for offshore rigs, which in turn will create growth opportunities for the global welding products market, states a TMR analyst.High Cost of Labor in Developed Nations Posing a Challenge for MarketOne of the key restraints in the global welding products market is the lack of skilled and trained labor. Labor cost in developed countries is too high, which in turn escalates the production prices, reducing the profit margins of manufacturers. Lack of skilled labor also hampers the process of welding, restraining the growth of this market. Despite the availability of new technologies, the dearth of skilled labor will make it difficult to implement and provide quality services to customers. On a positive note, the growth of the wind energy power sector will create fresh opportunities for the growth of the global welding products marketThis information is based on the findings of a report published by Transparency Market Research, titled Welding Products Market (Consumables - Stick Electrode, Solid Wires, Flux-cored Wires, SAW Wires & Fluxes and Gases; Technology - Arc Welding, Resistance Welding, Oxy-fuel Welding, Laser-beam Welding, and Ultrasound Welding; Application - Automobile & Transportation, Building & Construction, Marine, and Repair and Maintenance) - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2014 - 2020.Request Brochure 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 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:
Global Fuel Card Market size, share, innovation, increasing demands, trends and forecast 2017-2021

https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/sample/1273744

https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/reports/1273744/global-fuel-card-size-trends-market-research-reports

"The Report Global Fuel Card Market: Size, Trends & Forecasts (2017-2021) provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"Scope of the ReportThe report entitled Global Fuel Card Market: Size, Trends & Forecasts (2017-2021) provides an in-depth analysis of the global fuel card market with detailed description of market size and growth. The analysis includes market size in terms of value, market share by region and, addressable market. Fuel card penetration rate by region, on the basis of types of vehicle has also been provided.The report also provides brief regional/country analysis of Europe. The analysis include market sizing in terms of value and fuel spending. Europe is expected to dominate the global fuel card market in the forecasted period also.Get Sample Copy Of This Report @Furthermore, the report also assesses the key opportunities available in the market and outlines the market dynamics that are and will be accountable for growth of the industry. Growth of the global fuel card market has also been forecasted for the period 2017-2021, taking into consideration previous growth outlines, growth drivers and the existing and forthcoming trends.A brief company profiling of major players namely BP, WEX Inc., FLEETCOR and, Royal Dutch Shell has been provided in the report on the basis of aspects like business overview, financial overview and business strategies adopted by respective companies.Company CoverageBritish Petroleum (BP)WEX Inc.FLEETCORRoyal Dutch ShellRegion CoverageEuropeView Report @Executive SummaryA card especially designed for the payment the fuel stations are known as fuel cards or fleet cards. The card is similar in appearance like a credit card, and works in a similar way.A wide variety of fuel cards are available in the market and each with different features and specifications. The most common types of fuel cards are: Branded Fuel Cards, Universal Fuel Cards and, Merchant Branded Cards. On the basis of type of vehicles, fuel cards are available for light fleets and heavy fleets.The global fuel card market has increased at a significant growth rate over the past few years and projections are made that the market would rise in the next four years i.e. 2017 to 2021. The global fuel card market is expected to increase on the back of rising demand for cashless fuel transactions, consolidation of the fragmented market, availability of a large number of value added services associated with fuel cards, etc. Yet the market faces some challenges such as rising competition from new entrants, changing legal framework, volatile oil prices, rising consumer expectations, etc.Table of Contents1. Executive Summary2. Introduction2.1 Overview of Fuel Card2.1.1 Types of Fuel CardOn the Basis of VehiclesOn the Basis of Enterprise2.1.2 Benefits of Fuel Card2.1.3 Major Fuel Card Providers3. Global Market Analysis3.1 Global Fuel Card Market Analysis3.1.1 Global Fuel Card Market by Value3.1.2 Global Fuel Card Addressable Market by Region3.1.3 Global Fuel Card Market Share by Region3.1.4 Global Light Fleet Fuel Card Penetration Rate by Region3.1.5 Global Heavy Fleet Fuel Card Penetration Rate by Region3.1.6 Global Fuel Card Addressable Market Segments by Region3.1.7 Global Revenue per Fleet Card4. Region/Country Analysis4.1 European Fuel Card Market Analysis4.1.1 European Fuel Card Market: An Outlook4.1.2 European Fuel Card Market by Value4.1.3 Northern Europe Fuel Card Market by Fuel Spending4.1.4 Western Europe Fuel Card Market by Fuel Spending4.1.5 Eastern Europe Fuel Card Market by Fuel Spending4.1.6 Southern Europe Fuel Card Market by Fuel Spending5. Market Dynamics5.1 Growth Drivers5.1.1 Availability of Host of Options5.1.2 Alleviation of Fuel Theft5.1.3 Cost Saving5.1.4 Rising Demand for Cashless Fuel Transactions5.1.6 Consolidation of Fragmented MarketAbout 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.State Tower 90 Sate Street, Suite 700 Albany, NY 12207 Tel: +1-518-621-2074 USA: Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948
Spinal Cord Trauma Treatment Market to Exhibit a Healthy Growth of 3.7% CAGR Between 2017-2025

https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/17353

https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/17353

https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/checkout/17353

http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com

Spinal Cord Trauma Treatment Market: Global Industry Analysis 2012  2016 and Forecast 2017  2025 is the recent report of Persistence Market Research that throws light on the overall market scenario during the period of eight years, i.e. 2017-2025. According to this report, Global spinal cord trauma treatment market is expected to witness significant growth during the forecast period. This growth is expected to be primarily driven by increasing incidence of spinal cord trauma, and increasing government support to reduce the burden of spinal cord injuries. Additionally, development of nerve cells growth therapy is expected to boost the market in near future. The global market for spinal cord trauma treatment is is estimated to be valued at US$ 2,276.3 Mn in terms of value by the end of 2017. The global spinal cord trauma treatment market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 3.7% over the forecast period to reach a value of US$ 3,036.2 Mn by 2027 end.Request to view table of content @On the basis of end user, the global spinal cord trauma treatment market is segmented into hospitals and trauma centers. Hospitals segment dominated the global spinal cord trauma treatment market in revenue terms in 2016 and is projected to continue to do so throughout the forecast period. Hospitals and trauma centers segments are expected to approximately similar attractive index. Hospitals segment accounted for 53.2% value share in 2017 and is projected to account for 52.5% share by 2025 end.On the basis of injury type, the global spinal cord trauma treatment market is segmented into complete spinal cord injuries and partial spinal cord injuries. Partial spinal cord trauma treatment segment is expected to show better growth than the completed spinal cord treatment segment due to higher growth in the incidence rate of partial spinal cord trauma than the complete spinal cord trauma. With US$ 1,870.3 Mn market value in 2025, this segment is likely to expand at CAGR 3.8% throughout the projected period.Request Sample Report @On the basis of treatment type, the global spinal cord trauma treatment market is segmented into corticosteroid, surgery, and spinal traction segments. Surgery segment dominated the global spinal cord trauma treatment market in revenue terms in 2016 and is projected to continue to do so throughout the forecast period. Surgery segment is the most attractive segment, with attractiveness index of 2.6 over the forecast period.This market is segmented into five regions such as North America, Latin America, Europe, APAC and MEA. Asia-Pacific account for the largest market share in the global spinal cord trauma treatment market. Large patient population due to the high rate of road accidents and crime is making the Asia Pacific region most attractive market for spinal cord trauma treatment. On the other hand, MEA and Latin America is expected to be the least attractive market for spinal cord trauma treatment, with attractiveness index of 0.3 and 0.5 respectively over the forecast period.Acorda Therapeutics, Inc., Asterias Biotherapeutics, ReNetX Bio, BioArctic AB, BioTime, Inc., InVivo Therapeutics, Kringle Pharma, Inc., Novartis AG, Pfizer Inc., Pharmicell Co. Ltd., Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc., and Bioaxone Biosciences, Inc. are some of the key players in the global spinal cord trauma treatment market.Buy Spinal Cord Trauma Treatment 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:
Global Fast Fashion Retail Market with Focus on The United States (2017-2021 Edition)

https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/sample/1208753

https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/reports/1208753/global-fast-fashion-retail-with-market-research-reports

"The Report Global Fast Fashion Retail Market with Focus on The United States (2017-2021 Edition) provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"Scope of the ReportThe report titled Global Fast Fashion Retail Market with Focus on The United States (2017-2021 Edition) provides an in-depth analysis of the global fast fashion retail market by value and by volume. The report provides a regional analysis of the fast fashion market of the United States. 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 fast fashion 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.Get Sample Copy Of This Report @The competition in the global Fast Fashion market is dominated by the four big players, Zara, H&M, Gap, Inc. and Uniqlo. Further, key players of the fast fashion market Zara, H&M, Uniqlo and Gap, Inc. are also profiled with their financial information and respective business strategies.Company CoverageZaraH&MGap Inc.UniqloView Report @Executive SummaryFast fashion is the delivering of latest runway trends but at a minimal pricing and low maintenance cost; thus having a mass appeal. In other words fast fashion refers to the ability to capture the latest fashion trends and bring them to public as quickly as fast food. The fast fashion has risen from out-of-the-box thinking that departs from convention, which includes a shift from planned production to quick response production, shift from local business to global business, a shift from following trends to leading trends, and a shift from media centric marketing to spatial marketing. The major advantages of fast fashion are short production time, more styles and lower quantities. The disadvantages of fast fashion are imitation of original products and false price notion.The global fast fashion market has increased at a significant CAGR during the years 2005-2016 and projections are made that the market would rise in the next four years i.e. 2017-2021 tremendously. The fast fashion market is expected to increase due to growth in media development, increase in expenditure on fast fashion, growing youth population and growth of emerging economies. Yet the market faces some challenges such as, decline in spending on apparel, inventory management, perishable and volatile demand.Table of Contents1. Executive Summary2. Introduction2.1 Apparel Industry: An Overview2.1.1 Segmentation of Apparel Industry: Gender, Fashion Trend and Product Type2.1.2 Industry Supply Chain2.2 Fast Fashion: An Overview2.2.1 Fast Fashion Strategies2.2.2 Advantages & Disadvantages of Fast Fashion2.2.3 Perspectives in Fast Fashion2.2.4 Fast Fashion Brands v/s Luxury Brands3. Global Market Analysis3.1 Global Apparel Industry: An Analysis3.1.1 Global Apparel Market by Value3.1.2 Fast Fashion as Proportion of Total Apparel Market3.2 Global Fast Fashion Retail Market: An Analysis3.2.1 Global Fast Fashion Retail Market by Value3.2.2 Global Fast Fashion Retail Market by Store Count4. Regional Market Analysis4.1 The US Fast Fashion Retail Market: An Analysis4.1.1 The US Fast Fashion Retail Market by Value4.1.2 The US Fast Fashion Retail Market by Store Count4.1.3 The US Fast Fashion Market Retailers v/s Traditional Retailers5. Competitive Landscape5.1 Global Competitive Landscape5.1.1 On the Basis of Sales5.1.2 On the Basis of Strengths and Supply Chain5.1.3 On the Basis of Employees5.1.4 On the Basis of Suppliers5.1.5 On the Basis of Penetration in New Markets in 20165.2 The US Competitive Landscape5.2.1 On the Basis of Store Count5.2.2 On the Basis of SalesAbout 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.State Tower 90 Sate Street, Suite 700 Albany, NY 12207 Tel: +1-518-621-2074 USA: Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948
Global Elderly Care Services Market Size (Value and volume) and Market Share 2021

https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/sample/1221345

https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/reports/1221345/global-elderly-care-services-market-research-reports

"Elderly Care Services Market - technological advancement and increasing demand for quality life by senior citizensScope of the ReportThe report titled Global Elderly Care Services Market (2017-2021 Edition) provides a detailed analysis of the elderly care services market with description of market sizing and growth, segmentation of market by products & services and major markets, top market players etc. The report recapitulates the factors that will be responsible for the growth in the market in the forecasted period.The report also provides country analysis of the US, Canada, Europe and India in terms of market sizing and growth. The US and Canada (in North America) are the market leaders followed by European countries. Among Asia-Pacific countries, India has been emerged as the market leader in elder care services. In coming years, Asia-Pacific would be the key market player as the growth of ageing population is more than other nations worldwide.Get Sample Copy Of This Report @Furthermore, the report also profiles key market players such as Extendicare Inc., Brookdale senior Living Inc., Kindred Healthcare Inc. and Genesis Healthcare Inc. on the basis of attributes such as company overview, recent developments, strategies adopted by the market leaders to ensure growth, sustainability, financial overview and recent developments.Company CoverageExtendicareBrookdale Senior Living Inc.Kindred Healthcare Inc.Genesis Healthcare Inc.View Report @Executive SummarySenior citizens need assistance with daily activities as well as healthcare requirements who needs a quality life. Due to all these requirements there emerged a market known as elder care services market which specifically came into existence to serve the ageing population worldwide. Elder care services market has been divided into various segments. Elderly care business includes in home care, assisted living, nursing home facilities by skilled professionals, hospital care and pharmaceuticals. Among these, in-home care, assisted living and home healthcare segment are getting popularized day by day and provide quality life to senior citizens. Adult day care centres are designed for older adults who are no longer managing independently or who are isolated or lonely. Home care services are provided by family members and close relatives.Global elder care market has shown positive trends over the past few years. The primary reasons behind the growth of the market are increased ageing population worldwide, increasing demand for quality life by senior citizens, positive government regulation in healthcare segment to provide cost-effective medical treatment to the aged population, technological advancement, and chronic illness among old age population etc. the market is expected to achieve a moderate growth in the forecasted period. Global elder care services market continued to expand at a swift pace from 2017-2021.Table of Contents1. Executive Summary2. Introduction2.1 Elderly Care Service Market: An Overview2.1.1 Elderly Care Service: An Introduction2.1.2 Types of Elder Care Centers2.1.3 Category of Elderly Care Market3. Market Analysis3.1 Global Elderly Care Services Market: An Analysis3.1.1 Global Elderly Care Services Market by Value3.1.2 Global Elderly Care Services Market by Segmentation3.1.3 Global Elderly Care Market by Technology Products3.2 Global Home Care Services Market: An Analysis3.2.1 Global Home Care Services Market by Value3.2.2 Global Home Care Market by Players Type3.3 Global Home Healthcare Market: An Analysis3.3.1 Global Home Healthcare Market by Value3.3.2 Global Home Healthcare Software & Services Market by Value4. Country Analysis4.1 The US Elderly Care Services Market: An Analysis4.1.1 The US Elderly Care Services Market by Value4.1.2 The US Home Care Market by Value4.2 Canada Home Healthcare Market: An Analysis4.2.1 Canada Home Healthcare Market by Value4.3 European Home Healthcare Market: An Analysis4.3.1 European Home Healthcare Market by Value4.4 Indian Home Healthcare Market: An Analysis4.4.1 Indian Home Healthcare Market by Value5. Competitive Landscape5.1 Global Elderly Care Service Competitive Landscape5.1.1 Global Elder Care Services Market Player Comparison5.2 The US Home Healthcare Market by Player Share5.2.1 The US Home Healthcare Market Share By Player6. Company Profiling6.1 Extendicare6.1.1 Business Overview6.1.2 Financial Overview6.2 Brookdale Senior Living Inc.6.2.1 Business Overview6.2.2 Financial Overview6.3 Kindred Healthcare Inc.6.3.1 Business Overview6.3.2 Financial OverviewAbout 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.State Tower 90 Sate Street, Suite 700 Albany, NY 12207 Tel: +1-518-621-2074 USA: Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948
Global Automotive LED Lighting Market size, share by types, application, products, regions 2021

https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/sample/1208752

https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/reports/1208752/global-automotive-led-lighting-market-research-reports

"The Report Global Automotive LED Lighting Market (2017-2021 Edition) provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"Scope of the ReportThe report titled Global Automotive LED Lighting Market (2017-2021 Edition) provide an in-depth analysis of the global automotive LED Lighting market with detailed analysis of market size and growth, market share and economic impact of the industry. The report also provides market size of the global automotive lighting market.The report provides detailed regional analysis of Europe and Asia-Pacific (Japan) for the automotive LED lighting market.Get Sample Copy Of This Report @Growth of the global automotive lighting market and global automotive LED lighting 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 market for global automotive LED lighting is fragmented and major competitors are Koito, Stanley, Hella, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (Magneti Marelli) and Lumberg Holding. Further, key players of the global automotive LED lighting market are also profiled with their financial information.Country CoverageEuropeAsia-Pacific (Japan)Company CoverageKoitoStanleyHellaFiat Chrysler Automobiles (Magneti Marelli)Lumberg HoldingView Report @Executive SummaryGenerally the automotive lighting uses three technologies for the lamps which could be LED technology, HID/Xenon or Halogen. The LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) are the most recent technology to be used by the automotive industry. The LEDs are used more because of the changing technology and demand for more energy efficiency.There are two main segments of automotive lighting system which are classified as Exterior Automotive Lighting and Interior Automotive Lighting. There are various sub segments of the exterior and the interior segments of the automotive lighting market, which are Auxiliary Lights, Headlights, Tail lights, Side Lights, Interior Lights, Parking Lights, Brake Light, Fog Lights and Daytime Running Light. Global Automotive LED Lighting market has increased at a significant annual growth rate as compared to the preceding year and projections are made that the market would rise in the next five years i.e. 2017-2021 tremendously. The upsurge in the market was due to various factors such as rapid growth in the global automotive industry, increasing focus on fuel and energy efficiency, etc.The major growth drivers for the automotive LED lighting market are increasing sales of lightweight vehicles worldwide, growing automobile industry, increasing LED penetration and focus on energy efficiency. Despite the market is governed by various growth drivers, there are certain challenges faced by the market such as slow growth of vehicle sales in BRIC nations, high costs of LED, high research and development costs, etc.Table of Contents1. Executive Summary2. Introduction2.1 Automotive Lighting: An Overview2.2 Automotive Lighting Sub Segments: An Overview2.2.1 Auxiliary Lights2.2.2 Headlights2.2.3 Tail Lights2.2.4 Side Lights2.2.5 Brake Lights2.2.6 Interior Lights2.2.7 Parking Lights2.2.8 Fog Lights2.2.9 Daytime Running Light2.3 Automotive Lighting by Technology: An Overview2.3.1 Halogen2.3.2 Xenon (HID)2.3.3 LED2.4 Advantages of LED Lighting3. Global Market Analysis3.1 Global Automotive Lighting Market: An Analysis3.1.1 Global Automotive Lighting Market by Value3.1.2 Global Automotive Lighting Market by Segments3.2 Global Automotive LED Lighting Market: An Analysis3.2.1 Global Automotive LED Lighting Market by Value3.2.2 Global Automotive LED Lighting Market by Segments3.3 Global Automotive LED Lighting Market Sub Segments: An Analysis3.3.1 Global LED Headlight Market by Value3.3.2 Global LED Headlight Market by Volume3.3.3 Global LED Tail Light Market by Value3.3.4 Global LED Brake Light Market by Value3.3.5 Global LED DRL Market by Value3.3.6 Global Automotive LED Market Sub Segments by Penetration Rate3.4 Global Automotive Lighting Market: Market Share Analysis3.4.1 Global Automotive Lighting Market Share by Segments3.4.2 Global Automotive LED Market Share by Segments3.4.3 Global Automotive LED Market Share by Sub Segments3.5 Global Headlight Market: Market Share Analysis3.5.1 Global Headlight Market Share by Light Source3.5.2 Global LED Headlight Market Share by Players4. Regional Market Analysis4.1 Asia Pacific Automotive LED Market: An Analysis4.1.1 Asia Pacific Automotive Lighting Market by Value4.2 Japan Automotive Headlight Market: An Analysis4.2.1 Japan Automotive Headlight Market by Value4.2.2 Japan Automotive Headlight Market by LED Lighting Players4.3 Europe Automotive Lighting Market: An Analysis4.3.1 Europe Automotive Lighting Market by ValueMarketResearchReports.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.State Tower 90 Sate Street, Suite 700 Albany, NY 12207 Tel: +1-518-621-2074 USA: Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948
Global Airport Baggage Protection Market Analysis Size, Trends & Forecasts 2021

https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/sample/1250725

https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/reports/1250725/global-airport-baggage-protection-size-market-research-reports

https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/enquiry/1250725

"The Report Global Airport Baggage Protection Market: Size, Trends & Forecasts (2017-2021) provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"Scope of the ReportThe report titled Global Airport Baggage Protection Market: Size, Trends & Forecasts (2017-2021), provides an in-depth analysis of the global airport baggage protection market by value. The report also gives an insight of the global airport market and airport retail market by value and by segments. The report 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 airport baggage protection 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.Get Sample Copy Of This Report @The airport baggage protection market is still very fragmented with three leading players, SecureWrap, TrueStar and Safe Bag. The airport baggage protection market has a plenty room for consolidation.Further, key players of the global airport baggage protection market SecureWrap, TureStar Group SpA and Safe Bag Group are also profiled with their financial information and respective business strategies.Company CoverageSafe Bag GroupTrueStar Group SpASecureWrapView Report @Executive SummaryThe airport retail consists of retail shopping centres into differentiated businesses that attract the interest of entrepreneurs in the commercial sectors. The landscape in airport retail is constantly evolving as changes in consumer behaviour and retail strategy develop at significant pace. Enhanced technology, sophisticated customer data and consumer demands set against a context of challenging macro-economic conditions have all combined to create this environment.The airport retail by segments include, Services, Electronics, Hypermarkets, Main Stores, etc. The airport baggage refers to the baggage that is shipped much earlier or simultaneously to the passengers flight at the destination point or the arrival point. In airport terminals a baggage reclaim area is where the passengers on arrival claim their checked-in baggage after disembarking from an airline flight.To prevent baggage loss, damage, misplace during the check-in phase in the airports during the check-in phase to uploading the baggage for shipping, several companies or market players have evolved and are tapping this field referred to as Airport Baggage Protection.Send An Enquiry Request @The airport baggage protection is a sub-segment of a much bigger and wider airport retail. The airport luggage-wrapping service stations are located in the check-in areas. The passenger makes a payment in the machine and spew out a durable plastic that is wrapped around the suitcase. The baggage is protected and tracked through a guaranteed film wrapping.The global airport baggage protection market has increased at a significant CAGR during the last couple of years and projections are made that the market would rise in the next four years i.e. 2017-2021 tremendously. The airport baggage protection market is expected to increase due to growth in GDP per-capita, international tourism, etc. Yet, the market faces some challenges such as, global economic downturn, high probability of terror attack, etc.Table of Contents1. Executive Summary2. Introduction2.1 Airport Retail: An Overview2.1.1 Airport Retail by Segments2.2 Airport Baggage Protection: An Overview3. Global Market Analysis3.1 Global Airport Market Segmentation3.2 Global Airport Retail Market: An Analysis3.2.1 Global Airport Retail Market by Value3.2.2 Global Airport Retail Market by Segments3.2.3 Global Airport Baggage Protection Market by Value4. Market Dynamics4.1 Growth Drivers4.1.1 Increasing Global GDP Per-Capita4.1.2 Rising International Tourism4.1.3 Growing Global Passengers Carried Through Air Transport4.2 Challenges4.2.1 Global Economic Downturn4.2.2 High Probability of Terror Attack4.2.3 Speculated Impact of Brexit4.2.4 Obstacles to Airport Baggage Protection4.3 Market Trends4.3.1 International Passenger Growth Trend4.3.2 Understanding the Customer Need5. Competitive Landscape5.1 Global Airport Baggage Protection Market Players by Penetration6. Company Profile6.1 Safe Bag Group6.1.1 Business Overview6.1.2 Financial Overview6.1.3 Business StrategyAbout 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.State Tower 90 Sate Street, Suite 700 Albany, NY 12207 Tel: +1-518-621-2074 USA: Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948
Global Healthcare Contract Packaging Outsourcing (CPO) Market: Size, Trends & Forecasts (2017-2021)

https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/sample/1273743

https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/reports/1273743/global-healthcare-contract-packaging-outsourcing-market-research-reports

https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/enquiry/1273743

"The Report Global Healthcare Contract Packaging Outsourcing (CPO) Market: Size, Trends & Forecasts (2017-2021) provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"Scope of the ReportThe report entitled Global Healthcare Contract Packaging Outsourcing (CPO) Market: Size, Trends & Forecasts (2017-2021), provides analysis of the global healthcare CPO market, with detailed analysis of market size and growth, segments and penetration.Moreover, the report 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 healthcare CPO market has also been forecasted for the years 2017-2021, taking into consideration the previous growth patterns, the growth drivers and the current and future trends.Get Sample Copy Of This Report @Partners Group (PCI), UDG Healthcare Plc (Sharp) and FedEx (GENCO) are some of the key players operating in the global healthcare CPO market, whose company profiling has been done in the report. In this segment of the report, business overview, financial overview and business strategies of the companies are provided.Company CoveragePartners Group (PCI)UDG Healhcare Plc (Sharp)FedEx (GENCO)View Report @Executive SummaryContract packaging outsourcing (CPO) refers to the commissioning of packaging activities to third party vendors. In recent times, it has become common for manufacturing companies to outsource these non-core services in which they do not possess expertise/have knowledge to third party vendors. The pharmaceutical companies are also hiring CPO in order to focus on their core processes in a better manner.The CPO market can be divided on the basis of services and verticals. On the basis of services, the market can be classified into primary, secondary and tertiary packaging. On the basis of verticals, the market can be divided into healthcare, food and beverage, home and fabric & beauty care. The healthcare CPO market can be further sub segmented into commercial and clinical segments.The global healthcare CPO market is expected to increase at high growth rates during the forecast period (2017-2021). The global healthcare CPO market is supported by various growth drivers, such as strong growth in biologics market, better focus on core processes, exit of contract manufacturers and greater scrutiny by the FDA.However, challenges associated with serialisation, less penetration of CPO in the healthcare industry, reluctance of pharmaceutical companies to outsource packaging activities and limited scope in the clinical segment are some of the challenges faced by the market. Increasing emphasis on serialisation and scope of consolidation in the future are some of the latest trends in the market.Send An Enquiry Request @Table of Contents1. Executive Summary2. Introduction2.1 Outsourcing: An Overview2.2 Contract Packaging Outsourcing (CPO): An Overview2.3 Global Contract Packaging Outsourcing Market Segments2.4 Healthcare (Pharmaceutical) Outsourcing: An Overview2.5 Healthcare Outsourcing Market Segments2.6 Healthcare Contract Packaging Outsourcing Market Segments3. Global Market Analysis3.1 Global Healthcare Contract Packaging Market: An Analysis3.1.1 Global Healthcare Contract Packaging Market by Value3.1.2 Global Healthcare Contract Packaging Market by Segments3.1.3 Global Healthcare Contract Packaging Market by Region3.1.4 Global Inhouse Healthcare Contract Packaging Market by Value3.1.5 Global Healthcare Contract Packaging Market by End User3.1.6 Global Commercial Healthcare Contract Packaging Market by Value3.1.7 Global Clinical Healthcare Contract Packaging Market by Value3.2 Global Healthcare Contract Packaging Outsourcing (CPO) Market: An Analysis3.2.1 Global Healthcare CPO Market by Value3.2.2 Global Healthcare CPO Market by Penetration3.2.3 Global CPO Market by Penetration in Commercial Healthcare Contract Packaging Market3.2.4 Global CPO Market by Penetration in Clinical Healthcare Contract Packaging Market3.2.5 CPO Market by Penetration in The US and Europe Healthcare Contract Packaging Market4. Market Dynamics4.1 Growth Drivers4.1.1 Better Focus on Core Processes4.1.2 Exit of Contract Manufacturers4.1.3 Strong Growth in Biologics Market4.1.4 Greater FDA Scrutiny4.2 Challenges4.2.1 Challenges Associated with Serialisation4.2.2 Less Penetration of CPO within the Healthcare Industry4.2.3 Investment in Own Production Facilities by Pharmaceutical Companies4.2.4 Direct Cost not Sufficient to Boost Outsourcing4.2.5 Limited Scope in the Clinical Trial Segment4.3 Market Trends4.3.1 Increasing Emphasis on Serialisation4.3.2 Scope for Consolidation in FutureAbout 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.State Tower 90 Sate Street, Suite 700 Albany, NY 12207 Tel: +1-518-621-2074 USA: Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948
Monochloroacetic Acid Market trends estimates high demand by 2020

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/monochloroacetic-acid-market.html

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=2946

www.transparencymarketresearch.com/

Monochloroacetic acid is a colorless, crystalline, water-soluble compound obtained by the reaction of acetic acid with chlorine. It is used to manufacture versatile intermediates required to synthesize chemicals such as carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), 2, 4-D, glycine, thioglycolic acid, synthetic caffeine and barbiturates. Monochloroacetic acid is a halogenated derivative of acetic acid that is used as a building block in organic synthesis. It exists in three crystal modifications: alpha, beta and gamma. Commercial MCA is produced in the alpha form and is available as flakes or in water solution. Major end-user industries for monochloroacetic acid include oil drilling, personal care, agrochemicals, construction and dyes.View Report Preview:Key applications of monochloroacetic acid can be segmented as cellulosics, agrochemicals, surfactants, thioglycolic acid and others. Cellulosics was the largest application segment and accounted for over 32% of the total MCA market in 2013. MCA is extensively used in cellulosics (predominantly carboxymethyl cellulosics) and in agrochemicals such as glyphosate, 2, 4-D and dimethoate, among others. MCA is the main ingredient for producing glyphosate. Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) is used as a thickening agent in a wide range of products. These include oil field admixtures, foods, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and textiles. It is produced through the reaction of MCA with cellulose. Demand for CMC is expected to rise exponentially due to an increase in industrial applications. This, in turn, is likely to boost demand for MCA during the forecast period. Additionally, a major portion of the total MCA is consumed in the manufacture of agrochemicals such as 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 4-D), glyphosate and dimethoate. Demand for these agrochemicals is high in agrarian economies such as China, India and Brazil. This trend is anticipated to continue over the next few years. This, in turn, is estimated to drive demand for monochloroacetic acid in the near future. However, volatility in raw material prices may hamper the overall monochloroacetic acid market.Asia Pacific was the leading market for monochloroacetic acid in 2013, followed by Europe. The global monochloroacetic acid market is likely to be driven by China due to increasing industrialization in the country. China consumes more than 50% of MCA produced globally each year. This trend is expected to continue over the next few years owing to the presence of various end-user industries in China, which require MCA on a large scale for the manufacture of various products. Thus, demand for MCA in China is a primary driver for the global MCA market. Monochloroacetic acid is majorly used to manufacture CMC in Europe. However, the use of CMC has declined in the recent years due to closure of plants in the region owing to the fluctuation in raw material prices. This, in turn, has adversely affected demand for MCA in Europe. North America is expected to witness steady growth during the forecast period. Rest of the World is anticipated to experience substantial growth during the forecast period owing to high demand for agrochemicals and CMC from Brazil.The global monochloroacetic acid market is consolidated in nature, with the top three companies accounting for more than 60% of the market share in 2013. Leading companies in the market include AkzoNobel N.V., CABB GmbH and the Dow Chemical Company. There are over 100 MCA producers in China, and the major ones include Hebei Donghua Chemical Group, Wuxi Greenapple Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., Shandong Huayang Science and Technology Co., Ltd., Hebei Shijiazhuang Synthesis Chemical Plant, and Shijiazhuang Hengyi Chemical Co., Ltd. There has been a production capacity increase in China and India in the past few years. However, demand for MCA in CIS is met by imports.Request Brochure 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 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:
Australia Lime Market Predicted to Reflect a Sluggish Expansion of CAGR By 1.7% Through 20162024

https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/11503

https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/11503

https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/checkout/11503

http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com

Persistence Market Research (PMR) delivers key insights on the Australia lime market in its latest report titled, Lime Market: Australia Industry Analysis and Forecast, 20162024.The lime market in Australia is expected to expand at a CAGR of 1.7% in terms of value over the forecast period, 20162024. The market has been segmented by product type and application. The application segmentation consists of mining & metallurgy, building materials, agriculture, water treatment and others of which the mining & metallurgy segment is expected to account for the highest share of the lime market in Australia throughout the forecast period, to account for 31.4% by 2024. Demand for energy-efficient and cost-effective solutions is expected to be a priority for lime manufacturers in the country over the forecast period. By product type, slaked/hydrated lime segment is expected to continue to dominate the market in terms of both value and volume throughout the forecast period. The segment is estimated to be valued at US$ 146.7 Mn and account for volume share of 68% in 2016. By application, mining & metallurgy and building materials, segments in the Australia lime market are expected to account for significant volume shares of 38% and 35%, respectively.Request to view table of content @New South Wales is expected to be the largest market for lime in Australia throughout the forecast period. The market in the region is estimated to be valued at US$ 59.1 Mn by 2016 end. In terms of production, Western Australia is expected to be a major producer, contributing over 65% to the total lime production in the country, and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 0.8% over the forecast period.Key players in the Australia lime market include Adelaide Brighton Ltd., Boral Limited, Sibelco Australia, Omya Australia Pty. Ltd, Wagners, and Lime Group Australia. Key players in the Australia lime market are focusing on enhancing their product portfolios. They are focusing not only on basic lime products but also on importing quicklime from ASEAN countries such as Thailand and Vietnam and Southeast Asian countries such as China to minimize a cost of raw materials involved in a lime production. Manufacturers are focusing on capitalizing on economies of scale to increase production, profitability, and offer cost-effective products in order to target cost-sensitive population in the region. Joint ventures, acquisitions, and strategic collaborations in terms of production and distribution of lime have been the common strategies employed by these companies to achieve their production objectives.Request Sample Report @Long-term Outlook: The long-term outlook on the Australia lime market remains on the conservative side, with the market expected to expand at a modest CAGR of 1.7% in terms of value during the forecast period. The revival of the mining sector in the country, increasing demand from the construction sector, particularly in the countrys east coast region, and demand from the water treatment industry are some of the factors expected to sustain a growth of the lime market in Australia.Buy Australia Lime 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:
Muconic Acid Market to observe high growth by 2020

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/muconic-acid-market.html

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=1992

www.transparencymarketresearch.com/

The analytical market research report Muconic Acid Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2014 - 2020 is now available on Transparency Market Researchs official site. The gloal mubconic acid market report serves as a detailed market research guide for clients requiring latest industry figures and insights. According to the report, the global muconic acid market was worth US$54.21 million in 2013 and will reach an estimated value of US$86.54 million by the end of 2020.View Report Preview:The global muconic acid market will expand at a 7.0% compounded annual growth rate during the forecast period of 2014 to 2020.The primary key driver behind the growth of the global muconic acid market is the massive demand for adipic acid. The growing demand for nylon fibers worldwide is fueling the growth of the market for adipic acid. In 2013, the adipic acid segment in the global muconic acid market was by far the leading segment in terms of volume; it held over 85% of the total volumes share in 2013. Other derivative segments of muconic acid such as caprolactam will also benefit from the increasing demand for nylon fibers globally.The global muconic acid market is divided according to application into plastics, lubricants, carpets and textiles, biomarkers, etc. Adipic acid finds application majorly in the textile and automotive industries. Caprolactam, another derivative of muconic acid, also finds its application in the textile industry. Volume-wise, the carpets and textiles segment led the global market for muconic acid in 2013 with a 46% share of the global market. The plastics application segment of muconic acid emerged as the second leading segment in terms of volume during the same year. Plastic made using muconic acid derivatives finds an extensive use in the automobile industry in tire cords along with other manufacturing parts such as conveyor belts. The automobile industry employs nylon widely due to its lightness and high tensile strength.Some of the top market players that supply the automobile and textile industry with muconic acid derivatives are Santa Cruz Biotechnology Inc., Myriant Corporation, and Sigma-Aldrich Corporation. One key trend that will shape the global muconic acid market in the coming years is the increasing consumer preference towards bio-based muconic acid products. This trend provides significant opportunities to existing and emerging market players in the global muconic acid industry. However, industry players will be challenged by the accelerating presence of bio-based and chemical-based substitutes for muconic acid derivatives. Many of these substitutes tend to be cheaper compared to muconic acid products, which might hamper the growth of the overall muconic acid market.Geographically, North America and Europe will continue to dominate the global muconic acid market. These two regions have led the global muconic acid market thanks to the concentration of the production of muconic acid derivatives in these regions. A 5.4% CAGR will be demonstrated by the North America muconic acid market in the forecast period. Asia Pacific will also display moderate growth in the global muconic acid market during the forecast period.Request Brochure 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 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:
Future of the Philippines Defense Industry Trends and Forecasts to 2022

https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/sample/1370861

https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/reports/1370861/future-of-the-philippines-defense-market-research-reports

"The Report Future of the Philippines Defense Industry - Market Attractiveness, Competitive Landscape and Forecasts to 2022 provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"The Future of the Philippines 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.SynopsisThis report offers detailed analysis of the Philippines 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.Get Sample Copy Of This Report @In particular, it provides an in-depth analysis of the following -- The Philippines defense industry market size and drivers: detailed analysis of the Philippines 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 Philippines 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 Philippines defense industry. It provides an overview of key players, together with insights such as key alliances, strategic initiatives, and a brief financial analysisView Report @Scope- The defense budget of Philippines for the year 2017 is US$2.9 billion. For the historic period, 2013-2017, the defense budget of the country registered a CAGR of 11.55%. The defense budget is currently being driven by efforts to modernize the army, threats from terrorist organizations, and tensions in the South China Sea.- During the historic period, the Philippines MoD allocated an average of 38.5% of the total defense budget to capital expenditure, while an average of 61.5% was reserved for revenue expenditure. Over the forecast period, allocation towards capital expenditure is expected to increase at an average of 40.9%.- The MoD is expected to invest in multi-role aircraft, diesel electric submarines and infrastructure construction.Reasons to buy- This report will give the user confidence to make the correct business decisions based on a detailed analysis of the Philippines 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 Philippines defense industry covering sections including demand drivers, Porters Five Forces Analysis, Key Trends and Growth Stimulators, and latest industry contractsTable of Contents1. Introduction 71.1. What is this Report About? 71.2. Definitions 71.3. Summary Methodology 91.4. About Strategic Defence Intelligence 112. Executive Summary 123. Market Attractiveness and Emerging Opportunities 133.1. Current Market Scenario 143.1.1. Primary threat perception 143.1.2. Military doctrine and strategy 153.1.3. Military fleet size 163.1.4. Procurement Programs 223.1.5. Social, political and economic environment and support for defense projects 233.1.6. Political and strategic alliances 243.2. Defense Market Size Historical and Forecast 253.2.1. The Philippines defense budget to grow at a forecast-period CAGR of 12.49% 253.2.2. Tensions in the South China Sea and modernization initiatives to drive the defense industry 273.2.3. Defense budget as a percentage of GDP to remain at an average of 0.87% over the forecast period 283.3. Analysis of Defense Budget Allocation 303.3.1. Share of capital expenditure will increase over the forecast period 303.3.2. Capital expenditure is anticipated to record a forecast-period CAGR of 12.94% 323.3.3. The army accounted for the largest percentage share of the overall Philippines defense budget 343.3.4. Army defense expenditure to reach US$2.0 billion in 2022 363.3.5. Per capita defense expenditure to rise over the forecast period 403.4. Homeland Security Market Size and Forecast 413.4.1. The homeland security market will post a forecast-period CAGR of 9.12% 413.4.2. Illicit drug trade drives homeland security expenditure 433.4.3. The Philippines falls under the highly affected category in the terrorism index 443.4.4. The Philippines faces threats from terrorist organizations 453.4.5. The Philippines has a terrorism index score of 7.1 473.5. Benchmarking with Key Global Markets 483.5.1. The Philippines ranks among the worlds key global defense markets 483.5.2. The Philippines defense expenditure is relatively smaller than other Asia countries 503.5.3. The defense budget as a percentage of GDP to decline over the forecast period 513.6. Market Opportunities: Key Trends and Drivers 523.6.1. Multi-role aircraft 523.6.2. Diesel electric submarines 533.6.3. Infrastructure construction 544. Defense Procurement Market Dynamics 554.1. Import Market Dynamics 564.1.1. Limited domestic defense capabilities to drive the countrys defense imports 564.1.2. The US, Indonesia and South Korea are the major suppliers for the Philippines 574.1.3. Aircraft and ships accounted for 90.0% of defense imports 584.2. Export Market Dynamics 594.2.1. No defense exports for the Philippines 595. Industry Dynamics 605.1. Five Forces Analysis 605.1.1. Bargaining power of suppliers: low 61About 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.State Tower 90 Sate Street, Suite 700 Albany, NY 12207 Tel: +1-518-621-2074 USA: Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948
Plant Growth Regulators Market to increase rapidly by 2020

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/plant-growth-regulators.html

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=1314

www.transparencymarketresearch.com/

The plant growth regulators market is growing at a significant pace in present times, says Transparency Market Research in its new study Plant Growth Regulators Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2013 - 2019. The study states that the global demand for plant growth regulators is growing at a CAGR of 8.5% from 2013-2019 and is expected to reach US$5,936.2 million by 2019. In 2012, the market stood at US$3,360.0 million.The aim of this study is to provide an unambiguous evaluation of the global plant growth regulators market and provide detailed analysis and forecast of the overall market on a global as well as regional level.View Report Preview:The plant growth regulators market is all about chemicals that help in growing, nurturing, and shaping plants in complex ways. Certain plant growth regulators occur naturally, while a few such as auxins, cytokinins, and mepiquat chloride are man-made synthetic growth regulators that are used in specific pharmaceutical and agriculture applications.The demand for cytokinins has been on the rise due to their capacity to protect the carbon and nitrogen assimilation process in plants during stress. They also help enhance the capacity of plants to endure water deficiency. In 2012, cytokinins accounted for more than 40% of the global demand and were the majorly consumed plant growth regulators across the global platform.Moreover, the auxins market segment is also expected to drive growth into this market due to the rising demand for medicinal plants within the herbal medicine industry. Europe observed a high demand for plant growth regulators in 2012 due to tremendous requirement in the organic farming industry. This industry uses certain plant hormones such as cytokinins, gibberellins, and auxins for various techniques of farming. Plant hormones such as gibberellins and mepiquat chloride are widely used in seed germination in cotton plants. The market for these two segments is expected to follow a similar growth trend in the coming years in accordance with a rise in the textile industry.The future of the plant growth regulators market is bright due to an increasing demand for organic food. This segment is expected to fuel growth of the growth regulators market over the forecast period 2013-2019. Also, the growing demand for profitability coupled with increasing globalization has posed conspicuous growth opportunities for companies focusing towards less threatening crop protection products and developing innovative products such as plant growth regulators.Request Brochure of the Report:Growing at a CAGR of 9.2% from 2013-2019, Asia-Pacific is expected to witness the fastest growth in the next four years. Significant emerging economies in the Asia-Pacific such as China and India are anticipated to be the dominant market players until 2019. High growth in these regions will be due to the large demand for plant hormones in cotton production that is eventually used in textile industry.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 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:
Climaveneta Heat Pump for ReStart4Smart

University

www.climaveneta.com

https://www.melcohit.com

Today, at 10:30 am at the Microsoft House in Milan, the press conference for the launch of ReStart4Smart: the project of the prototype home of the future designed by Sapienza University of Rome team will be held. The project will take part in the Solar Decathlon competition, the Olympic games for universities with Sustainable Architecture programs that will be held in 2018, in Dubai. There will be 21 universities from 15 different countries.According to a revolutionary model called Architecture 4.0, the Sapienza project aims at applying and testing the most advanced tools, materials, and technologies available in the market to create a sustainable home, able to meet the needs of efficiency, comfort, safety, and affordability. The project is supported by more than 30 industry leaders who, as partners, have actively collaborated to the initiative offering the most innovative solutions and the distribution of the final results.On the comfort side, the Sapienza team has chosen Mitsubishi Electric Hydronics & IT Cooling Systems for their Climaveneta branded air conditioning units. The HVAC system is based on a i-NRG 230/1/50 heat pump with i-HWD2 ducted units and i-LIFE2 HP fan coils. i-NRG is the new generation heat pump that, thanks to advantages of DC frequency driven fans and circulating pumps (inverter) for both plant and domestic hot water circuits, provides the energy required by the system, perfectly following the actual load of the building.Follow Climaveneta:youtube.com/user/climavenetaweb, @ClimavenetaHVAC, linkedin.com/company/climaveneta, facebook.com/climavenetaHVAC/Media Relations:Sara Di Clementesara.diclemente@melcohit.comMitsubishi Electric Hydronics & IT Cooling Systems S.p.A. is Mitsubishi Electric Company specialized hydronic systems for air conditioning and heating and in IT cooling solutions.Mitsubishi Electric Hydronics & IT Cooling Systems S.p.A. designs, produces and markets innovative, energy efficient products and provides value added services for Indoor Climate Control in commercial buildings and for Refrigeration (ICC&R) of industrial processes and ICT applications through CLIMAVENETA and RC.MEHITSMitsubishi Electric Hydronics & IT Cooling Systems S.p.A.via Valsugana 98 - 36022 Cassola (VI)Italy+390424509500
Digital Healthcare Market Lucrative Opportunities Across Globe

https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/digital-healthcare-market

https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-708

https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-708

https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/

Future Market Insights (FMI) delivers key insights on the Global Digital Transformation Market in Healthcare in its latest report titled Digital Transformation Market in Healthcare: Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment 2015 - 2025.The global digital transformation market in healthcare is projected to register a healthy double-digit CAGR of 13.7% during the forecast period due to various factors, regarding which FMI offers vital insights in detail in its report.On the basis of type, the market has been segmented into solutions and services. The solutions segment accounted for over 55% share of the global digital transformation market in healthcare in 2014, and is expected to register double-digit CAGR similar to that projected for the global digital transformation market in healthcare over the forecast period.Obtain Report Details:The solutions segment is sub-segmented into connected electronic health record (EHR), connected billing, connected healthcare information system, CRM, ERP, collaboration tools and remote patient monitoring.Revenue contribution by connected healthcare information system sub-segment was 15.6% in 2014, and is projected to grow to 22.5% by the end of 2025, witnessing gain of 692 Basis Point Share and registering a double-digit CAGR of 16.1%.The services segment is sub-segmented into customer service, business process outsourcing (BPO), consulting and integration service. Business process outsourcing sub-segment is anticipated to witness highest CAGR of 16.6% during the forecast period. In contrast, integration services sub-segment is projected to dominate the services segment with 39.7% market share by the end of 2025.Growth of the global digital transformation market in healthcare is mainly driven by increasing demand for cloud-based services, increasing per capita healthcare spending, growing ageing population and introduction of e-Health initiatives such as incentive programs by government.Additionally, healthcare organizations are focused towards providing customized healthcare apps for wearable fitness devices, which in turn is increasing demand for customer application services.Make Enquiry @These applications enable patients to access healthcare information through mobile and wearable devices. In early 2015 for example, Stanford Health Care launched Myhealth mobile app for patients. This app allows patients to access their respective records on EHR.This report covers trends driving each segment and respective sub-segments and offers analysis and insights of the potential of the digital transformation market in healthcare in specific regions.By region, North America dominated the digital transformation market in healthcare with over 50% market share in 2014 and is anticipated to remain dominant by the end of 2025.This is attributed to advancements in digital technology and supportive government regulations and policies regarding digital transformation across the healthcare sector in the region.Healthcare organizations in major countries of North America such as the U.S. and Canada are focused towards adopting remote patient monitoring solutions, CRM solutions, healthcare information systems and other cloud-based solutions to enhance healthcare services.Western Europe and Asia Pacific Excluding Japan (APEJ) collectively accounted for over 34.6% of the overall digital transformation market in healthcare share in 2014.Among all the regions, APEJ is anticipated to register highest CAGR between 2015 and 2025, followed by Middle East & Africa, owing to proliferation of wearable and mobile devices and growing adoption of EHR within these region.Key players in the global digital transformation market in healthcare include IBM Corporation, Accenture PLC, AT&T Inc., CGI Group Inc., Syntel Inc. and Deloitte Consulting LLP. Strategic partnerships, collaborations and joint ventures are some of the major strategies followed by key players operating in the digital health market to outperform competitors.Get Toc @About FMIFuture 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 centres in the U.S. and India.FMIs research and consulting services help businesses around the globe navigate the challenges in a rapidly evolving marketplace with confidence and clarity. Our customised and syndicated market research reports deliver actionable insights that drive sustainable growth. We continuously track emerging trends and events in a broad range of end industries to ensure our clients prepare for the evolving needs of their consumers.FMIs team of over 200 research analysts provides market intelligence at global, regional, and country level. Our analysts are committed to provide independent insights, relying on our cognitive defusion training module, which conditions them to look at data objectively and unbiasedly.Contact FMI616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531Email:sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Radiation Cured Products Market to Record Study Growth by 2020

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/radiation-cured-products.html

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=1805

www.transparencymarketresearch.com/

By 2019, the global radiation cured products market will be worth US$ 7,930.1 million, states a recent study by Transparency Market Research. The U.S.-based market intelligence firm projects that the global radiation cured products market, generated revenues of US$4,938.5 million in 2012, will exhibit a 7.0% CAGR from 2013 through 2019. Coatings, adhesives, inks and paints have to often be cured using radiation to ensure that they adhere well to a surface and last long. These radiation cured products are typically used in a variety of end-user industries such as metal, paper, wood, glass, and more. These findings are further analyzed in the report titled Radiation Cured Products Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2013 - 2019.View Report Preview:For the purpose of this study, the market has been segmented based on radiation cured product types as: coatings, inks and adhesives. Of these, the largest market share-in terms of both revenues and volume-was held by radiation cured coatings, as of 2012. The next largest product segment was that of radiation cured inks, while radiation cured adhesives took the third spot in the global radiation cured products market. Backward integration prevails to a significant degree in the RCP industry because for the most part, RCP producers are also engaged in ancillary business lines such as the production of RCP feedstock material. This puts companies in the radiation cured products market in an advantageous competitive position because they wield a higher control over the procurement and supply of raw material without having to depending excessively on third parties.Further, the report states that the greatest advantage that the global radiation cured products market possesses is that it is a faster curing method, especially as compared to traditionally-used thermal curing processes. The radiation curing process is more compliant to the latest environmental regulations, and has thus been witnessing higher demand over the last few years. The report identifies the other key growth driver for the global radiation cured products market as an augmentation in infrastructure activities in major developing regions of the world. The need for wood coatings, especially, has risen, thus proving favorable to the overall global radiation cured products market. End-users are also especially attracted to radiation cure (radcure) technology because it ensures optimum material utilization and any waste generate through this process can be disposed of in according to general waste disposal guidelines.Radiation cured inks have a promising future, the report states. According to TMR analysts, this is because industries are moving toward high-value digital inks and energy cured inks that will offer an impetus to the global market for radcure inks (especially in the printing and packaging industries).However, the global radiation cured products market will have to face headwinds in the form of an escalation in raw material prices. The most vital raw materials in the radiation curing process are monomers and oligomers, which are derived from crude oils. The frequent and sudden fluctuations in the global crude oil prices create a certain degree of instability in this market.The largest regional markets within the global radiation cured products market, as of 2012, were Asia Pacific and Europe. About 40% of the total demand in the global radiation cured products market came from Asia Pacific in the aforementioned year, making it the leading regional player. This will lead to more investment dollars being pumped into the APAC region over the next few years.Capacity expansion will be a core competitive strategy for players in the global radiation cured products market. This has been prompted by growth in industries such as wood coatings, textiles, and packaging. The report contains profiles of key market leaders such as Ashland Inc., Bayer MaterialScience, BASF SE, Cytech Industries, DIC Corporation, and others.Request Brochure 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 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:
Australia Ammonia Market is projected to Reflect 6.3% CAGR throughout 2016-2024

https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/11527

https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/11527

https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/checkout/11527

http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com

Persistence Market Research delivers key insights on the Australia ammonia market in its latest report titled, Australia Market Study on Ammonia: Increasing Consumption in Nitric Acid Production to Drive Growth by 2024. The ammonia market in Australia is estimated to register 5.8% Y-o-Y growth in 2016 over 2015 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 6.3% over the forecast period (2016-2024).By product type, anhydrous ammonia segment is expected to continue to dominate the market in terms of value and volume share throughout the forecast period (20162024). Production of ammonium nitrate by explosives manufacturers to cater to demand for industrial explosives from the mining sector is anticipated to drive growth of the Australia ammonia market over the forecast period. Also, increasing demand for nitrogen-rich fertilizers such as DAP and MAP is expected to drive volume sales of ammonia during the forecast period. However, volatility in natural gas prices and increasing dependency on fertilizer imports are factors expected to restraint growth of the ammonia market in Australia.Request to view table of content @On the basis of end use, nitric acid segment is expected to exhibit relatively strong projections by 2024 end, owing to pivotal use of nitric acid both directly and as precursor to other downstream products. The segment is expected to continue to account for major value and volume shares in the Australia ammonia market throughout the forecast period, to account for 46.2% by 2024 in terms of value and expand at a CAGR of 7.9% in terms of volume during the forecast period. Ammonium nitrate segment in the Australia ammonia market is expected to be valued at US$ 172.0 Mn by 2016 end, registering 7.3% Y-o-Y growth over 2015.Request Sample Report @On the basis of application, industrial chemicals segment is expected to maintain its dominance throughout the forecast period. Explosives segment is expected to register the second-highest CAGR of 7.5% over the forecast period, to reach value of US$ 298.2 Mn by 2024 end.Western Australia is the largest market for ammonia. The market in the region is estimated to be valued at US$ 230.7 Bn by 2016 end. The ammonia market in New South Wales is anticipated to expand at a significant CAGR of 7.2% in terms of value over the forecast period.Key players in the Australia ammonia market include Yara International ASA, Orica Limited, Incitec Pivot Limited, and CSBP Limited (Wesfarmers Limited). The Australia ammonia market is highly consolidated, with limited number of ammonia manufacturers and suppliers. However, major players in the market are focusing on expanding their production of ammonium nitrate to cater to demand for industrial explosives from the mining industry. Increase in ammonium nitrate production is anticipated to significantly increase demand for ammonia and nitric acid.Buy Australia Ammonia 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:
North And Latin America Water Pumps Market to Exhibit a Healthy Growth of 4% CAGR Between 2016  2024

https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/13618

https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/13618

https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/checkout/13618

http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com

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.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.Request to view table of content @Availability of cheap Chinese water pumps: North American and Latin American manufacturers of water pumps are constantly at risk of losing market presence to newly-entered Chinese pump makers. Consumers in these regions end up opting for cheap Chinese water pumps, which tend to go kaput in short span of time. On the other hand, availing Chinese water pumps becomes more practical for consumers with tight budget, especially for deploying them in agricultural activities.Durability & energy efficiency of centrifugal pumps: Manufacturers of centrifugal water pumps in this region are improving the operating life of their products. This has decelerated the rate at which water pumps get replaced. Low replacement rate has dragged down the aftermarket sales of water pumps in North America and Latin America, thereby impeding the aggregate market revenues.Budget limitations in industrial and agricultural sectors: Expenditure on water pumps fares on a tightrope in North America. Submersible pumps are also expected to impact the adoption of centrifugal water pumps in this region. Latin Americas industrial sector is likely to trim its gross expenditure, which will incidentally impact the sales of water pumps in this region. Low profit margins in North Americas agriculture industry have also slowed down the rate at which water pumps were being installed or replaced in farming activities.Request Sample Report @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. 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 North And Latin America Water Pumps 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:
Global Telecom Cloud Billing Market Reflect a Modest CAGR of 26.5% Throughout 2017 - 2024

Oracle, Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. are Some Major Players of "Global Telecom Cloud Billing Market"

http://databridgemarketresearch.com/request-a-sample/?dbmr=global-telecom-cloud-billing-market

http://databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-telecom-cloud-billing-market/

http://databridgemarketresearch.com/speak-to-analyst/?dbmr=global-telecom-cloud-billing-market

http://databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-content-delivery-network-cdn-market/

http://databridgemarketresearch.com/blog/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/data-bridge-market-research

databridgemarketresearch announced addition of new report, titled  Global Telecom Cloud Billing Market By Geography, Billing, Application, Cloud Platform, Deployment, Rate of Charging Mode, Service, End User- Industry Trends and Forecast to 2024This report studies Global Telecom Cloud Billing Market accounted for USD 2.3 billion in 2016 growing at a CAGR of 26.5% 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.The telecom cloud billing comprises of a wide array of activities which ranges from the process of usage tracking for voice and data, levying charges upon respective tariffs, generating invoices to the customers among others through the various cloud based solutions on public, private, or hybrid deployment. No of pages : 350Request for Free Sample Global Telecom Cloud Billing Market Visit @: No of Tables: 220Major Market Competitors:Some of the major players of the global telecom cloud billing market are Oracle, Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd., Netcracker Technology, Cerillion PLC, Redknee Inc., CGI Group Inc., Ericsson AB, AMDOCS, AsiaInfo, Inc., Tech Mahindra Limitedamong others.Major Market Drivers & Restraints: Lower Operational and Administration Cost Need for Real-Time Billing Increased Demand for Bundled Services Increasing Mobile Penetration Telecom Regulations Legacy SystemsMarket Segmentation:On the basis of billing Convergent Prepaid Postpaid Interconnect RoamingOn the basis of application Revenue Management Account Management Customer ManagementOn the basis of geography, global telecom cloud billing 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.On the basis of cloud platform Software As A Service Infrastructure As A ServiceBrowse Detailed about the report Visit @On the basis of deployment Public Private HybridOn the basis of rate of charging mode Subscription Based Usage BasedOn the basis of service Professional ManagedOn the basis of end user Individuals EnterprisesHave any Query Regarding this Report? Contact us Visit @:Related ReportGlobal Content Delivery Network (CDN) Market  Industry Trends and Forecast to 2024Global Content Delivery Network (CDN) Market By Geography; Type (Standard/Non-Video Content Delivery Network, Video Content Delivery Network); Core Solution; Adjacent Service; Service Provider; Organization Size; Vertical  Industry Trends and Forecast to 2024Read More: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 Yucca Mohave Extract Market 2017 - Agroin, PLAMED, DPI, BAJA Yucca Co, Naturex

https://www.fiormarkets.com/report-detail/52259/request-sample

https://goo.gl/U4G3kV

www.fiormarkets.com

Yucca Mohave Extract market report issues the latest industry data and future trends permitting you to discern the products and end users driving Revenue growth and benefits. The industry report lists the leading competitors and provides the insights strategic industry Analysis of the key factors influencing the market.Download Free Sample Report @The report includes the forecasts, analysis and discussion of important industry trends, market size, market share estimates and profiles of the leading industry Players.The leading companies in the Global Yucca Mohave Extract Market mentioned in the report:AgroinDPIBAJA Yucca CoNaturexDesert King InternationalAmerican ExtractsNova MicrobialsIngredients By Nature, LLCGaruda InternationalPLAMEDBacked by extensive primary and secondary research, the report Global Yucca Mohave Extract Industry delivers valuable market insights. The report has been prepared using inputs from industry experts and features valuable recommendations from senior analysts. The report offers a comprehensive overview of the Global Yucca Mohave Extract industry.The reports includes market drivers, restraints, challenges, opportunities, investment potential, leading technologies, future roadmap, player profile, regulatory ecosystem, and strategies. The report also delivers market size forecasts for Yucca Mohave Extract Industry. The forecasts are further mentioned for the top segment of the Yucca Mohave Extract market. This report comes with several charts, graphs, and graphics to make it an interesting read.Access Full Report @The industry research is disperse over the world which includes Yucca Mohave Extract market in USA, Europe, Japan, China, India and South East Asia.This report includes industry definitions and types, regions, Yucca Mohave Extract industry analysis like industry revenue, growth rate and price analysis, market share by players and regions, supply chain analysis, various company profiles, globalization and trade inclusive of business locations, supply channels, marketing strategy and barriers to entry, Import, Export, Consumption and Consumption Value by Major Countries.Thus, the research study provides a comprehensive view of the global Yucca Mohave Extract market, offering market dimensions and evaluations for the period from 2017 to 2022, keeping in mind the aforementioned factors.Available Customizations:Along with the given market data, Fior Markets offers customizations according to the companys specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:Regional AnalysisFurther breakdown of a region with respect to a particular country or additional applicationCompany InformationDetailed analysis and profiles of additional market players.Fior Markets is a leading market intelligence company that sells reports of top publishers in the technology industry.Our extensive research reports cover detailed market assessments that include major technological improvements in the industry. Fior Markets also specializes in analyzing hi-tech systems and current processing systems in its expertise.Contact UsMark StoneSales ManagerPhone: (201) 465-4211Email: sales@fiormarkets.comWeb:
New Research Analysis Nerve Monitoring Devices Market, Trends, and Forecast 2017 - 2024

MRRSE

https://www.mrrse.com/sample/1807

https://www.mrrse.com/nerve-monitoring-devices-market

https://www.mrrse.com/enquiry/1807

https://www.mrrse.com/

Nerve monitoring devices are used by surgeons in an intraoperative manner for the monitoring and identification of any changes in the body during surgery. The monitored parts commonly include the peripheral nerve functions, the spinal cord, and the brain. Nerve monitoring devices are largely used during general surgeries as well as surgeries of the ear, nose, and throat. Neural function monitoring is irreplaceably invaluable in the effort to prevent damage to nerves in the middle of a surgery. The chances of nerve damage during surgery can be extremely high for certain types of surgeries, making the use of nerve monitoring devices absolutely essential.Click here For Free Sample Report @The number of neural surgeries being performed around the world are increasing at a swift pace, primarily owing to the increasing geriatric population. This is broadening the scope of demand for the global nerve monitoring devices market and will continue to do so for the coming years. The developed economies has so far shown a strong suite of healthcare development in terms of technologies and infrastructure and hold prime candidates for the leading demand in the global nerve monitoring devices market. Meanwhile, emerging economies, owing to their massive population densities, are bound to show up on the map sooner rather than later in terms of massive demand scales for various nerve monitoring devices.Global Nerve Monitoring Devices MarketNerve monitoring devices are various implements used to supervise the function of the nervous system during surgeries. Since neural function is absolutely vital and the risk of inadvertent damage to nerves during several surgeries is moderately high, nerve monitoring devices have gained widespread acceptance in recent years. Nerve monitoring devices monitor the integrity and ensure the continued function of a few key areas, in order to avoid irreparable nerve damage.The global nerve monitoring devices market is propelled by the increasing number of neural surgeries and the increasing geriatric population, among other factors. The report presents the expected qualitative and quantitative impact of the driving and restraining factors influencing the global nerve monitoring devices in the 20162024 forecast period, in addition to data on the competitive and commercial dynamics of the nerve monitoring devices industry.Global Nerve Monitoring Devices Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe major driver of the nerve monitoring devices market is, naturally, the increased number of neural surgeries performed around the world. Due to advancements in our knowledge about the nervous system, increasingly complex neural surgeries can now be performed with near-absolute safety. This has led to a consequent rise in the demand for nerve monitoring devices.The rising geriatric population around the world is also a significant factor propelling the global nerve monitoring devices market. The elderly are more prone to nervous diseases than their younger counterparts, and the former are also more likely to require surgical interventions than the latter. Both these factors lead increased demand for nerve monitoring devices, since they are used in both neural and other surgeries that present a risk of nerve damage.Browse Full Report With TOC @Apart from these, the major driving factor propelling the global nerve monitoring devices market is increasing awareness among the global population. The broadening population pool of patients who can afford advanced medical treatments is also boosting the global nerve monitoring devices market.Global Nerve Monitoring Devices Market: Geographical OverviewThe global nerve monitoring devices market is led by North America. The increasing demand for neural surgeries in the region, the high purchasing power of patients in the region, and the firm establishment of major medical research avenues have been the primary drivers for the North America nerve monitoring devices market. The high geriatric population of the region has also helped the expansion of the nerve monitoring devices market.Europe was the second-largest market for nerve monitoring devices in 2015. Several governments in Europe have proactively encouraged medical research, which has boosted the neural surgery sector. The Europe and North America markets for nerve monitoring devices are also helped immensely by the heavy public health-care expenditure, as well as the presence of sufficient reimbursement schemes.In the coming years, though, the increasingly urbanized Asia Pacific market for nerve monitoring devices is expected to emerge as a major regional player in the global market. As health-care infrastructure spreads across developing economies such as China, India, and Japan, advanced medical procedures and devices will become easily available, driving the market for implements such as nerve monitoring devices.Major players operating in the global nerve monitoring devices market include Medtronic, Nihon Kohden Corporation, Inomed, Dr. Langer Medical GmbH, EMS Biomedical, and Natus Medical Incorporated.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, Luxembourg)Eastern Europe (Poland, Russia)Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, ASEAN, Australia and New Zealand)Middle East and Africa (GCC, Southern Africa, North Africa)The report has been compiled through extensive primary research (through interviews, surveys, and observations of seasoned analysts) and secondary research (which entails reputable paid sources, trade journals, and industry body databases). The report also features a complete qualitative and quantitative assessment by analyzing data gathered from industry analysts and market participants across key points in the industrys value chain.A separate analysis of prevailing trends in the parent market, macro- and micro-economic indicators, and regulations and mandates is included under the purview of the study. By doing so, the report projects the attractiveness of each major segment over the forecast period.Highlights of the report:A complete backdrop analysis, which includes an assessment of the parent marketImportant changes in market dynamicsMarket segmentation up to the second or third levelHistorical, current, and projected size of the market from the standpoint of both value and volumeReporting and evaluation of recent industry developmentsMarket shares and strategies of key playersEmerging niche segments and regional marketsAn objective assessment of the trajectory of the marketRecommendations to companies for strengthening their foothold in the marketMake An Enquiry @Market Research Reports Search Engine(MRRSE) is an industry-leading database of market intelligence reports. MRRSE is driven by a stellar team of research experts and advisors trained to offer objective advice. Our sophisticated search algorithm returns results based on the report title, geographical region, publisher, or other keywords.MRRSE partners exclusively with leading global publishers to provide clients single-point access to top-of-the-line market research. MRRSEs repository is updated every day to keep its clients ahead of the next new trend in market research, be it competitive intelligence, product or service trends or strategic consulting.State Tower90, State StreetSuite 700Albany, NY - 12207United StatesTelephone: +1-518-730-0559Email: sales@mrrse.comWebsite :
Matrix Affiliates with an Esteemed Partner to Conduct a Product Expo in Kolkata

As one of the leading Telecom and Security solutions company, Matrix has led by legacy, providing superior communication and safety experience to enterprises with its wide, yet varied product portfolio. An innovator in the business communication and safekeeping with an ever so growing reach in the Indian and the international markets, it specializes in providing solutions in different industry verticals like Banking, Manufacturing, Retail, Hospitality, Healthcare and Education. Designed to be highly scalable, reliable, secure and flexible, the solutions offer value and boost collaboration.Recently, Matrix associated with its prestigious partner Chalissery Fibre to Home Technologies Pvt. Ltd. to conduct a product expo in Kolkata on 10th November17. The event saw display of full range of Telecom products, including IP-PBXs, User Terminals, VOIP and GSM Gateways and Unified Communication Servers. The main attraction, however, was the very recently launched Smart IP Deskphone  SPARSH VP710. It is engineered to deliver Business Media Applications with a touch of Android experience. Moreover, being a smarter terminal it optimizes the return on investment by utilizing UC features to a certain extent.Matrix also demonstrated its much-lauded security products in the expo. The newly launched Aadhaar Enabled Biometric Attendance System (AEBAS)  a Linux based attendance management system captured the attention of government dealers. Matrix also displayed its Your Mobile Your Identity themed Access Control solution at the event. The device empowers user to mark his attendance by scanning the QR code or by twisting the phone. The device possesses capability of recording the attendance details of 255 devices and 25,000 users without a server.Matrix created a buzz with its inventive surveillance solutions at the event. Matrix IP cameras are equipped with sensors engineered on the SONY patented EXMOR technology. The sensors can be centrally controlled and managed by Matrix VMS. No requirement of servers for monitoring multiple locations and facility of preventive security using advanced video analytics make the cameras an alluring investment option. Furthermore, the cameras are equipped with the option of instant notifications with email, SMS, calls and video pop-ups.We regularly conduct product expos to create awareness about our business solutions and educate the customers about the product range. The massive customer footfall at the Kolkata Expo is a glaring illustration of the faith our clients have put in Matrix as a zealous Telecom and Security solution provider, said Ganesh Jivani, Managing Director.About MatrixEstablished in 1991, Matrix is a leader in Telecom and Security solutions for modern businesses and enterprises. Matrix, an innovative, technology driven and customer focused organization, is committed to keep pace with the revolutions in the telecom and security industries. With more than 40% of its human resources dedicated to the development of new products, Matrix has launched cutting-edge products like IP Video Surveillance, Access Control, Time-Attendance, Unified Communications, IP-PBX, Universal Gateways, Convergence, VOIP Gateways and GSM Gateways. These solutions are feature-rich, reliable and conform to the international standards. Having global footprints in Europe, North America, South America, Africa and Asia through an extensive network of more than 1,000 channel partners, Matrix ensures that the products serve the needs of its customers faster and longer. Matrix has gained trust and admiration of customers representing the entire spectrum of industries. Matrix has won many national and international awards for its innovative products.Matrix Comsec394 GIDC, Makarpura, Vadodara
Heavy Duty Telehandler Industry Including Top Key JCB Ltd., Liebherr Machines, Caterpillar Inc, Merlo, Pettibone Traverse LLC 2023

Heavy Duty Telehandler Market, Heavy Duty Telehandler Industry, Heavy Duty Telehandler Market 2017, Heavy Duty Telehandler Market

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/2452

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/heavy-duty-telehandler-market-2452

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/heavy-duty-telehandler-market-2452

Global Heavy Duty Telehandler Market ReportA telehandler, also known as telescopic handler, is a machine used for lifting of loads in construction, agriculture, logistics, and other industries. The machine is also useful in material handling, digging trenches and undergrounds mine baskets. It is a hybrid of a crane and a forklift.Request a Sample Report @Key Players:The key players of heavy duty telehandler market are Manitou (U.K.), JCB Ltd.(U.K.), Liebherr Machines (Switzerland), Caterpillar Inc. (U.S.), Merlo (Argentina), Pettibone Traverse LLC (U.S.), Wacker Neuson (Germany), Skyjack Inc. (U.S.), Sennebogen Maschinenfabrik GmbH (Germany), GEHL Company (U.S.) and others.The growth of the Heavy Duty Telehandler Market is expected to be driven by its widespread use in construction and agriculture. Telehandler are constantly evolving as more sophisticated construction equipment from being typical landscaping and farming equipment due to their high load bearing capacity and 360 movement capability. Telehandler have the capability to be combined with other industrial machines for reducing the overall cost of production. The ability of the equipment to perform a wide variety of tasks such as in farming and construction, contribute to the growth of the market.Study Objectives of Heavy Duty Telehandler Market: To provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast for the next 5 years of the various segments and sub-segments of the global heavy duty telehandler market To provide insights about factors affecting the market growth To analyse the global heavy duty telehandler market based on various tools such as Supply Chain Analysis, and Porters Five Force Analysis To provide historical and forecast revenue of the market segments and sub-segments with respect to regions and their respective key countries To provide country level analysis of the market with respect to the current market size and future prospective To provide country level analysis of the market for segments by application and region To provide strategic profiling of key players in the market, comprehensively analysing their core competencies, and drawing a competitive landscape for the market To track and analyse competitive developments such as joint ventures, strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, new product developments, and research and developments in the Global heavy duty telehandler market.Complete Access Report @Regional Analysis of Heavy Duty Telehandler Market:Asia-Pacific in the largest region for the heavy duty telehandler market, owing to factors such as rapid industrialization and increased manufacturing activities in the region. The market for heavy duty telehandler, is flourishing in developing nations such as China due to the emergence of industries and manufacturing activities in the Asia-Pacific region.Product Analysis:Product matrix which gives a detailed comparison of the market for different recycled product typesAdditional Information:Regulatory LandscapePricing AnalysisMacroeconomic IndicatorsGeographic Analysis:Geographical analysis across 15 countriesCompany Information:Profiling of 10 key market playersIn-depth analysis including SWOT analysis, and strategy information of related to report titleCompetitive landscape including emerging trends adopted by major companiesTable of Content1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY2 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY3 MARKET DYNAMICS4 GLOBAL HEAVY DUTY TELEHANDLER MARKET, BY APPLICATION5 REGIONAL MARKET ANALYSIS6 COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS7 LIST OF TABLESTABLE 1 GLOBAL HEAVY DUTY TELEHANDLER MARKET, BY APPLICATIONTABLE 2 GLOBAL HEAVY DUTY TELEHANDLER MARKET, BY REGIONSTABLE 3 NORTH AMERICA HEAVY DUTY TELEHANDLER MARKET, BY COUNTRYTABLE 4 NORTH AMERICA HEAVY DUTY TELEHANDLER MARKET, BY APPLICATIONTABLE 5 U.S. HEAVY DUTY TELEHANDLER MARKET, BY APPLICATIONTABLE 6 CANADA HEAVY DUTY TELEHANDLER MARKET, BY APPLICATIONTABLE 7 EUROPE HEAVY DUTY TELEHANDLER MARKET, BY COUNTRYTo Access More Featured TOC @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 Future+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.comOffice No. 524/528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India
U.S. Hernia Mesh Repair Devices Market is Projected to Register +4.6% CAGR through 2024

U.S. Hernia Mesh Repair Devices Market Trends, 2024

http://databridgemarketresearch.com/request-a-sample/?dbmr=u-s-hernia-mesh-repair-devices-market

http://databridgemarketresearch.com/speak-to-analyst/?dbmr=u-s-hernia-mesh-repair-devices-market

http://databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/u-s-hernia-mesh-repair-devices-market/

http://databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-hernia-mesh-repair-devices-market/

http://databridgemarketresearch.com/blog/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/data-bridge-market-research

databridgemarketresearch.com provides new report U.S. Hernia Mesh Repair Devices Market is expected to reach USD 2,061.89 million by 2024 from USD 1,450.00 million in 2016, at a CAGR of 4.6% 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.The major factors driving the growth of this market are the increasing number of hernia surgeries, rising prevalence of hernia diseases, growth in demand of advanced meshes and technological advancements in hernia mesh repair devices. On the other hand, high cost of hernia surgery and complications related to hernia mesh repair surgery may hinder the growth of the market. No of pages: 175Get Free Sample Copy of this Report @Report Segmentation:U.S. hernia mesh repair devices market is segmented on the basis of product type and hernia type.U.S. hernia mesh repair devices market is segmented into 2 types on the basis of product type, namely synthetic type and biological type. Synthetic mesh is further sub-segmented on the basis of product type and structure. The product type of synthetic mesh segmented into flat mesh and 3-D mesh. Structure type is segmented into absorbable mesh and non-absorbable mesh. In 2017, the synthetic mesh market segment is expected to account for the largest share of 61.0% of U.S. hernia mesh repair devices market, by product type.On the basis of hernia type, the U.S. hernia mesh repair devices market is segmented into seven major hernia types which include inguinal hernia, incisional hernia, umbilical hernia, femoral hernia, hiatal hernia and parastomal hernia and others. In 2017, the Inguinal Hernia is one of the dominating sectors of U.S. hernia mesh repair devices market with 72.0% market share.For Any Query Speak to Expert @ No of Figures: 30Key Drivers of U.S. Hernia Mesh Repair Devices Market:Some of the major factors driving the market for hernia mesh repair devices market report are increasing number of hernia surgeries, rising prevalence of hernia diseases, growth in demand of advanced meshes and technological advancements in hernia mesh repair devices.o According to an article published by Society of Laparoscopic Surgeons, per year above 1,000,000 hernia repairs were performed in the United States. This growing number of the surgery is anticipated to grow the market in the forecast period.o In June 2017, W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. received a FDA approval of GORE SYNECOR product which is a biomaterial used in hernia repair surgeries. This technological advancement is expected to boost the market.o An umbilical hernia surgery can cost a patient approximately from USD 4,000.0 to USD 11,000.0. However, high cost of hernia surgeries has become a hindrance in the growth of the U.S. hernia mesh repair devices market. No of Tables: 125Key Points of U.S. Hernia Mesh Repair Devices Market:JOHNSON & JOHNSON SERVICES, INC is going to dominate the U.S. hernia mesh repair devices market following with Medtronic and B. Braun Melsungen AG, along with others such as C. R. BARD, INC., W. L. GORE & ASSOCIATES, INC., ATRIUM and ACELITY L.P. INC.o Flat synthetic mesh market segment dominated the U.S. hernia mesh repair devices market.o By structure, absorbable synthetic mesh segment expected to dominate the U.S. hernia mesh repair devices market and will grow with the highest CAGR in the forecasted period of 2017  2024.View Full Report Visit @Related ReportGlobal Hernia Mesh Repair Devices Market  Trends and Forecast to 2024Global Hernia Mesh Repair Devices Market, By Product Type (Synthetic Mesh (Flat, 3D) (Absorbable, Non-Absorbable Mesh), Biologic Mesh), By Hernia Type (Inguinal Hernia, Incisional Hernia, Umbilical Hernia, Femoral Hernia), By Geography ((North America By Country), (Europe By Country), (APAC By Country), (MEA By Country), (South America By Country))  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 Blog:Follow us on LinkedIn:
Global Connected Lighting Module (CLM) Market Research Report 2017 Consumption & Growth Rate

QYresearchreports

https://www.qyresearchreports.com/sample/sample.php?rep_id=1365092&type=S

https://www.qyresearchreports.com/report/global-connected-lighting-module-clm-market-research-report-2017.htm/toc

Qyresearchreports include new market research report "Global Connected Lighting Module (CLM) Market Research Report 2017" to its huge collection of research reports.The thorough report here assembles different perspectives having a place with the general Connected Lighting Module (CLM) market which verbalizes the present-day data and future exposures with reference to the dynamic powers at play. The prime reason for the examination report is to offer the endorser with a sweeping format and make accessible the gainful certainties and records. The quantifiable and testing illuminations behind the examination other than executes data on issues, for example, drivers, shackles, and projections to gage the postponed outcome of the general Connected Lighting Module (CLM) market through the cross of the said gage period in the examination report. The report in like course passes on a brief and world class record of the predefined market follows, which joins a couple of occasions of the veritable fixations at work which are concentrated to trigger change in the market or may cause any negative effect.This report other than stations into the general Connected Lighting Module (CLM) market by in a general sense examining the thing and industrialized chain of the market. This is required to moreover help in passing on good 'ol fashioned information and data on compound parts of the fitting market, for example, material relating to methodologies for the directing body in the standard and general strata, transport and transmission structure, targets, and purposes behind premium got for the contributed mean.Order a Free Copy of Sample Report @Global Connected Lighting Module (CLM) market competition by top manufacturers, with production, price, revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturer; the top players includingOSRAMPhilips LightingMolexSamsungWard & Burton, Inc.Focal Point LightsGooeeThe report utilizes a couple of demonstrated industry examination and whole contraptions. They permit the examination collect pass on an uncovered fundamental assessment of the general Connected Lighting Module (CLM) market and help endorser and market troupes to be advised with respect to theory and business judgments. The wide thinking of the examination gives a market position on an obvious and minute scale. It amasses key and optional research structures thusly. The administrators have figured the recorded encounters and rose it from the forward and thus around change parade circumstance to plan a structure for the general Connected Lighting Module (CLM) market in the years ahead.Table of Contents1 Connected Lighting Module (CLM) Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Connected Lighting Module (CLM)1.2 Connected Lighting Module (CLM) Segment by Type (Product Category)1.3 Global Connected Lighting Module (CLM) Segment by Application1.4 Global Connected Lighting Module (CLM) Market by Region (2012-2022)1.5 Global Market Size (Value) of Connected Lighting Module (CLM) (2012-2022)2 Global Connected Lighting Module (CLM) Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1 Global Connected Lighting Module (CLM) Capacity, Production and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.2 Global Connected Lighting Module (CLM) Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.3 Global Connected Lighting Module (CLM) Average Price by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.4 Manufacturers Connected Lighting Module (CLM) Manufacturing Base Distribution, Sales Area and Product Type2.5 Connected Lighting Module (CLM) Market Competitive Situation and TrendsView TOC (table of content) of the Report:7 Global Connected Lighting Module (CLM) Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis7.1 OSRAM7.1.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.1.2 Connected Lighting Module (CLM) Product Category, Application and Specification7.1.3 OSRAM Connected Lighting Module (CLM) Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.1.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.2 Philips Lighting7.2.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.2.2 Connected Lighting Module (CLM) Product Category, Application and Specification7.2.3 Philips Lighting Connected Lighting Module (CLM) Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.2.4 Main Business/Business OverviewList of Tables and FiguresFigure Picture of Connected Lighting Module (CLM)Figure Global Connected Lighting Module (CLM) Production (K Units) and CAGR (%) Comparison by Types (Product Category) (2012-2022)Figure Global Connected Lighting Module (CLM) Production Market Share by Types (Product Category) in 2016Figure Global Connected Lighting Module (CLM) Consumption (K Units) by Applications (2012-2022)Figure Global Connected Lighting Module (CLM) Consumption Market Share by Applications in 2016Figure Global Connected Lighting Module (CLM) Market Size (Million USD), Comparison (K Units) and CAGR (%) by Regions (2012-2022)Figure Global Connected Lighting Module (CLM) Revenue (Million USD) 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 US:1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com
Test strip Market : Worldwide Market Preview by 2021

Test strip Market

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/672

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/enquiry/672

the global as well as regional market share of various players based on volume of test strip sold is also analysed in the report. Lastly, the report provides company profiles of major players in the market.Test strip are the most important tools in Point of Care (POC) diagnostics. They help to achieve precise and rapid diagnosis of various critical diseases such as urinary tract infection (UTI), liver disease, kidney diseases, diabetes test, ophthalmic disease and others. The Test Strip market is expected to grow at higher growth rate due to Government's Support in various healthcare sectors, High prevalence of incidences of UTIs, Rising Diabetic Population, and various Technological advancements are the major growth drivers of test strip market. However, stringent regulatory policies, Lower adoption of this technology in under developed countries such as Latin American and African Countries, and inadequate reimbursement for test strips may restrict the growth of this market.The test strips are based on various technologies such as electrochemical and photometric. Majority of the test strips are based on electrochemical technology. The photometric technology market is expected to witness the highest growth. Roche Diagnostics, Life scan, Inc., Abbott Laboratories, and Bayer are the leading players in the test strip market, by volume. These players possess state of art manufacturing facilities and strong sales and distribution network which have helped them to gain leadership position in the market.The other prominent players include Arkray Inc., Ascensia Diabetes Care Holdings Ag, B. Braun Melsungen AG, Chiltern Medicare Ltd, Henry Schein, Lifeassay Diagnostics (Pty), Siemens Healthcare, Taidoc Technology Corporation, and Teco Diagnostics.Request a Sample Report atBased on the product type the test strip market by type is divided into urine test strip, diabetic strips, and fluorescein. Diabetic strips segment is expected to grow at high growth rate due to rising government bodies concerns for diabetes across the globe. There is an incessant rise in the number of diabetic people worldwide. According to International Diabetic Federation, there were 415 million people living with diabetes in 2015, and this number is poised to reach 642million by 2040.For proper maintenance of the disease, there is a requirement of monitoring the blood glucose level t regular interval. Theses arises need for self-glucose monitoring. Blood glucose test strip is an essential part of self-blood glucose monitoring. The market for blood glucose test strip was estimated at $13.7 billion in 2015 and is expected to reach $18.5 billion by 2020. The growth of the market is driven by launch of advanced test strips based on innovative technology which provide more accurate and reliable results.Furthermore, based on the applications the test strip market is segmented into disease diagnosis and pregnancy tests. The disease diagnosis segment is further segmented into urinalysis, blood glucose analysis, and ophthalmic diagnostic. The urinalysis segment is consisting of urinary tract infection (UTI), liver disease, kidney diseases, diabetic test, and others.Based on End users the test strip market is further divided into institutes & research laboratories, hospitals & clinics, diagnostic laboratories, and consumers. The rising demand of the point of care (POC) is expected to drive end users market for global test strip market.Based on region, North America accounted for the largest share in the global test strip market, followed by Europe and Asia Pacific. The Asia Pacific market is expected to witness the highest growth owing to rising awareness regarding self-monitoring. Furthermore, various players are investing in the Asia Pacific market which is another major factor fueling the market growth.Scope of the ReportThis market research report covers the global test strips market by product, application, functions, end user, and region.Global Test Strip Markets, By Product TypeUrine test stripDiabetic StripsFluoresceinGlobal Test Strip Market, By ApplicationDisease DiagnosisUrinalysis Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Liver Disease Kidney Diseases Diabetic Test OthersBlood Glucose AnalysisOphthalmic DiagnosticPregnancy TestGlobal Test Strip Market, By FunctionVisual Test StripsAutomated Test StripsGlobal Test Strip Market, By End UsersInstitutes & Research LaboratoriesHospitals & ClinicsDiagnostic LaboratoriesConsumersGlobal Test Strip Market, by Region North Americao U.S.o Canada Europeo Germanyo Franceo U.K.o Italyo Spaino Rest of Europe Asiao Japano Chinao Indiao Rest of AsiaAsk Question to Expert atTable Of Content1 Introduction1.1 Definition1.2 Scope Of The Study1.2.1 Research Objectives1.2.2 Assumptions & Limitations1.3 Market Structure2 Research Methodology2.1 Research Process2.2 Primary Research2.3 Secondary Research2.4 Forecast Model3 Report Excerpt4 Forecast Indicators4.1 Introduction4.2 Growth Drivers4.2.1 Government's Support4.2.2 Technological Advancements4.2.3 High Prevalence Of UTIs4.2.4 Rising Diabetic Population4.2.5 Technological Advancements4.2.6 Players Engaged In Creating Awareness4.3 Growth Barriers4.3.1 Varied Regulatory Stringency Across Globe4.3.2 Lower Rate Of Adoption In Under Developed Countries4.3.3 Inadequate Reimbursement For Test Strips4.4 Market Opportunities4.4.1 Rising Point Of Care4.4.2 Rising Disposable Income Of Emerging Economies4.5 Macroecnomical Indicators5 Market AnalysisAbout 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.comMRFR has the distinguished objective of providing the optimal quality research and granular research to 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 answer your most important questions.Our Research Analysts are eager to share their knowledge and assist you in refining market research parameters, choosing right market studies, and evaluating both the market scope and the research methodologies of varied segments.We bridge the gap between our clients and their clients by identifying and decoding just the target group, while generating leads with the highest accuracy.Years of research into diverse fields of work has ingrained within us, a proficiency so distinguished that our industry-specific specialists identify with your business ideas and feel the pulse of your challenges and opportunities. This enables us for providing assistance, through our consulting and strategic consulting services, in informed managerial decision making. In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industries, WantStats Research and Media often conducts industrial visits for its research analysts. Relevant inputs from various established market participants, help our clients make significant contribution in respective markets are a huge motivation for all of us to endlessly furnish quality. We depend greatly on profound insights into complex realms of our study.Pune, India
Welding Equipment & Consumables Market worth over $25bn by 2024

https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/2050

https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/welding-equipment-and-consumables-market

https://www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/2050

https://www.gminsights.com/

Endowed with a profoundly vast application spectrum, welding equipment & consumables market stands to gain massive remuneration by the end of 2024, subject to its incredibly extensive demand. Almost all the major businesses inclusive of building & construction, automotive, oil & gas, aerospace, and transportation find the necessity to deploy welding equipment for a plethora of industrial processes. This humungous expanse of end-use sectors and the fact that every one of them has been depicting a consistently expanding growth rate, is a pivotal factor that is deemed to stimulate welding equipment & consumables market in more ways than one.Request for a sample of this research report @The demand for technologically advanced welding components across myriad end-use domains has prompted welding equipment & consumables equipment industry giants to come up with a unique range of innovative products equipped with highly efficient features. Miyachi America, a key firm partaking in welding equipment & consumables market share, for instance, had introduced the Miyachi MAWA-300A Micro TIG Welder in 2014  an arc welder that is deployed for joining conductive and dissimilar materials. Over the years, this product has carved out a rather important place for itself in welding equipment & consumables industry, having found extensive applications across the automotive, medical equipment manufacturing, home appliance, and mobile manufacturing sectors.Another very recent instance validating the prevalence of innovations in welding equipment & consumables market is Millers all-new ArcReach welding technology. This unique piece, developed by Miller Electric Mfg. Co. in 2017 has been designed to save two hours of a welders work/day thereby saving labor costs for companies. The product is equipped with the Cable Length Compensation and Adjust While Welding advancements, which are obtained by pairing ArcReach accessories with the power sourced of Millers XMT 350 FieldPro, inclusive of numerous feeder and remote options. With ArcReach tech, Miller has strategically consolidated its position in welding equipment & consumables industry.Latest Research Report on Welding Equipment & Consumables Market @An articulate synopsis of Asia Pacific welding equipment & consumables marketAsia Pacific has been touted to be one of most remunerative growth avenues for welding equipment & consumables industry. One of the most vital reasons for this prediction is the robust expansion of the automotive and construction sectors in the region. The year 2016 chronicled a commercial vehicle production of more than 811,000 in India, 3,698,000 in China, and 1,330,000 in Japan. These statistics are evidence enough to testify that the automotive sector has been experiencing profound growth across APAC. Given that the domain excessively deploys welding components in automobile manufacturing, it goes without saying that APAC welding equipment & consumables market would stand to gain immense profits from the automotive sector.The construction sector in APAC has observed a high rise since 2010, pertaining to the vital drivers such as the ever-increasing population, subsequent demand for housing, and the rapidly rising rate of urbanization. As per statistics, APAC would contribute close to 50% toward the overall construction sector by 2020, having accounted for 40% in 2010. The robust pipeline of construction and infrastructure projects across countries such as India and China is certain to propel Asia Pacific welding equipment & consumables industry in the coming years. Estimates in fact, claim APAC to account for 40% of the overall welding equipment & consumables market share by 2024.Make an inquiry for purchasing this report @Welding equipment & consumables industry growth has been forecast to experience a slight hindrance in the ensuing years, primarily pertaining to the emergence of novel technologies such as friction stir welding, that is essentially deployed in the automotive sector. The technology encompasses the joining of two work pieces in the solid state with a non-consumable tool. Subject to its ease of operation and convenience of functionality, it has been gaining precedence in the aerospace, shipbuilding, and transportation domains, and is likely to hamper welding equipment & consumables market share. However, companies such as Miyachi America Corporation, ESAB Group, Senor Metals Private Limited, Lincoln Electric Company, Arcon, Panasonic Corporation, and Miller Electric, have been attempting to bring about a slew of technological interventions to combat the aforementioned constraints, to bring about a renewed dynamism in welding equipment & consumables industry. Subsequently, the introduction of modernistic welding procedures and distinguished products is certain to impact welding equipment & consumables market size, slated to cross USD 25 billion by 2024.About Global Market Insights:Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology.Contact us:Arun HegdeCorporate Sales, USAGlobal Market Insights, Inc.Phone:1-302-846-7766Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688Email: sales@gminsights.comWeb:
Enterprise Cyber Security Global Market 2017: Key Players  Venustech, Westone, H3C, Huawei, Symantec Corporation, Sangfor, 360 Enterprise Security

Enterprise Cyber Security Market

https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/1991634-global-enterprise-cyber-security-market-research-report-2017-2022-by-players

https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/1991634-global-enterprise-cyber-security-market-research-report-2017-2022-by-players

https://www.wiseguyreports.com/checkout?currency=one_user-USD&report_id=1991634

Enterprise Cyber Security Market 2017Wiseguyreports.Com adds Enterprise Cyber Security Market Market Demand, Growth, Opportunities, Analysis of Top Key Players and Forecast to 2022 To Its Research Database.Report Details:This report offers an overview of the market trends, drivers, and barriers with respect to the Enterprise Cyber Security Industry market. It also provides a detailed overview of the market of different regions across United States, Europe, China, Japan, India, Southeast Asia and Others. The report categorizes Enterprise Cyber Security Industry market by By Product, By Species, and application. Detailed analysis of key players, along with key growth strategies adopted by them is also covered in this report on Enterprise Cyber Security Industry market.This report focuses Global market, it covers details as following:Key PlayersVenustechWestoneH3CHuaweiTopsecNsfocusSangfor360 Enterprise SecuritySymantec CorporationAsiainfoDBAPPSecurityRequest a Sample Report @Key RegionsNorth AmericaUnited StatesCanadaLatin AmericaMexicoBrazilArgentinaOthersEuropeGermanyUnited KingdomFranceItalySpainRussiaNetherlandOthersAsia & PacificChinaJapanIndiaKoreaAustraliaSoutheast AsiaIndonesiaThailandPhilippinesVietnamSingaporeMalaysiaOthersAfrica & Middle EastSouth AfricaEgyptTurkeySaudi ArabiaIranOthersMain types of productsEnterprise Cyber Security Market, by Security Service CategorySecurity SoftwareSecurity HardwareSecurity ServicesEnterprise Cyber Security Market, By VersionNormal VersionCustomised VersionEnterprise Cyber Security Market, by Key Consumers (End User)GovernmentEducationEnterpriseFinancialMedicalOthersComplete Report Details@Major Key Points in Table of Content:Global Enterprise Cyber Security Industry Market Research Report 2017-2022 by Players, Regions, Product Types & ApplicationsChapter One Methodology and Data Source1.1 Methodology/Research Approach1.1.1 Research Programs/Design1.1.2 Market Size Estimation1.1.3 Market Breakdown and Data Triangulation1.2 Data Source1.2.1 Secondary Sources1.2.2 Primary Sources1.3 DisclaimerChapter Two Enterprise Cyber Security Industry Market Overview2.1 Market Coverage2.2 Global Enterprise Cyber Security Industry Market Sales Volume Revenue and Price 2012-2017Chapter Three Enterprise Cyber Security Industry by Key Players 2012-20173.1 Global Enterprise Cyber Security Industry Sales Volume Market Share by Key Players 2012-20173.2 Global Enterprise Cyber Security Industry Revenue Share by Key Players 2012-20173.3 Global Key Players Enterprise Cyber Security Industry Key Product Model and Market Performance3.4 Global Key Players Enterprise Cyber Security Industry Key Target Consumers and Market Performance.Chapter Six Global Key Players Profile6.1 Venustech6.1.1 Venustech Company Details and Competitors6.1.2 Venustech Key Enterprise Cyber Security Models and Performance6.1.3 Venustech Enterprise Cyber Security Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast6.1.4 Venustech Enterprise Cyber Security Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross Margin6.2 Westone6.2.1 Westone Company Details and Competitors6.2.2 Westone Key Enterprise Cyber Security Models and Performance6.2.3 Westone Enterprise Cyber Security Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast6.2.4 Westone Enterprise Cyber Security Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross Margin6.3 H3C6.3.1 H3C Company Details and Competitors6.3.2 H3C Key Enterprise Cyber Security Models and Performance6.3.3 H3C Enterprise Cyber Security Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast6.3.4 H3C Enterprise Cyber Security Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross Margin6.4 Huawei6.4.1 Huawei Company Details and Competitors6.4.2 Huawei Key Enterprise Cyber Security Models and Performance6.4.3 Huawei Enterprise Cyber Security Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast6.4.4 Huawei Enterprise Cyber Security Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross Margin6.5 Topsec6.5.1 Topsec Company Details and Competitors6.5.2 Topsec Key Enterprise Cyber Security Models and Performance6.5.3 Topsec Enterprise Cyber Security Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast6.5.4 Topsec Enterprise Cyber Security Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross Margin6.6 Nsfocus6.6.1 Nsfocus Company Details and Competitors6.6.2 Nsfocus Key Enterprise Cyber Security Models and Performance6.6.3 Nsfocus Enterprise Cyber Security Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast6.6.4 Nsfocus Enterprise Cyber Security Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross Margin6.7 Sangfor6.7.1 Sangfor Company Details and Competitors6.7.2 Sangfor Key Enterprise Cyber Security Models and Performance6.7.3 Sangfor Enterprise Cyber Security Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast6.7.4 Sangfor Enterprise Cyber Security Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross Margin6.8 360 Enterprise Security6.8.1 360 Enterprise Security Company Details and Competitors6.8.2 360 Enterprise Security Key Enterprise Cyber Security Models and Performance6.8.3 360 Enterprise Security Enterprise Cyber Security Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast6.8.4 360 Enterprise Security Enterprise Cyber Security Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross Margin6.9 Symantec Corporation6.9.1 Symantec Corporation Company Details and Competitors6.9.2 Symantec Corporation Key Enterprise Cyber Security Models and Performance6.9.3 Symantec Corporation Enterprise Cyber Security Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast6.9.4 Symantec Corporation Enterprise Cyber Security Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross Margin6.10 Asiainfo6.10.1 Asiainfo Company Details and Competitors6.10.2 Asiainfo Key Enterprise Cyber Security Models and Performance6.10.3 Asiainfo Enterprise Cyber Security Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast6.10.4 Asiainfo Enterprise Cyber Security Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross MarginContinued.Buy now @Contact Us:NORAH TRENTPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US)Sales@Wiseguyreports.ComPh: +44 208 133 9349 (UK)ABOUT US:Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports features an exhaustive list of market research reports from hundreds of publishers worldwide. We boast a database spanning virtually every market category and an even more comprehensive collection of market research reports under these categories and sub-categories.ADDRES:WISE GUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India
Cervical Dystonia Market Key Player Shares, Innovations, Analysis and Forecasts to 2023

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/1416

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/cervical-dystonia-market

Market research future has a cooked research report on Global Cervical Dystonia Market. The Global Cervical Dystonia Market is growing rapidly and expected to continue its growth by the end of 2023Global Cervical Dystonia Market Research Report, By Type (Torticollis, Retrocollis, Laterocollis and others), By Treatment (Oral Therapy, Intravenous, Surgery and other), on End User (Hospital, Clinics and other) - Forecast till 2023Get a Copy of Sample Report @SegmentationGlobal cervical dystonia market has been segmentedOn the basis of type which includes torticollis, retrocollis, laterocollis .On the basis of treatment they are segmented into oral therapy, intravenous, surgery.On the basis of end user they are segmented into hospital, clinics .Market Synopsis of Global Cervical Dystonia Market:Market Scenario:Cervical dystonia is a rare disease also known as spasmodic torticollis. It is one of the painful chronic neurological movement disorder causing the neck to turn involuntary to any of the direction. It is a rare disease. The major driving factors for the market for cervical dystonia is increasing aging population across the globe. Females are more likely to be get affected by cervical dystonia. Beside this increasing number of treatment for cervical Dystonia and improvement in infrastructure has provided fuel for the growth of the market. On other hand success rate of the treatment and increasing cost of the treatment is the major cause for restraining the growth of cervical Dystonia market.Global cervical dystonia market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5% during forecasted period 2017-2023.Key players for global cervical dystonia marketALLERGAN (Ireland)Solstice Neurosciences LLCIpsen Biopharmaceuticals Inc. (France)Merz Inc (US)Addex Therapeutics (Switzerland) Revance Therapeutics Inc. (US)Browse Full Report @Regional AnalysisOn regional basis, global cervical dystonia market is dominated by North America which is followed by Europe. Increasing prevalence of cervical dystonia and increasing aging population is the major factor for growth of this market in this region. Asia Pacific is the fastest growing region for the cervical dystonia market. While due to less development in pharmaceutical and medical sector Middle East and Africa contribute least in cervical dystonia 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 North America, 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 questionsContact:Akash Anand,Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com
Project Portfolio Management (PPM) 2017 Global Market Key Players  Upland Software, CA Technologies, Oracle, Software AG, SAP SE, Microsoft  Analysis and Forecast to 2022

Project Portfolio Management (PPM) Market

https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/1748837-global-project-portfolio-management-ppm-market-research-report-2017-2022-by

https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/1748837-global-project-portfolio-management-ppm-market-research-report-2017-2022-by

https://www.wiseguyreports.com/checkout?currency=one_user-USD&report_id=1748837

Project Portfolio Management (PPM) Market 2017Wiseguyreports.Com adds Project Portfolio Management (PPM) Market Market Demand, Growth, Opportunities, Analysis of Top Key Players and Forecast to 2022 To Its Research Database.Report Details:This report provides in depth study of Project Portfolio Management (PPM) Market using SWOT analysis i.e. Strength, Weakness, Opportunities and Threat to the organization. The Project Portfolio Management (PPM) Market report also provides an in-depth survey of key players in the market which is based on the various objectives of an organization such as profiling, the product outline, the quantity of production, required raw material, and the financial health of the organization.This report offers an overview of the market trends, drivers, and barriers with respect to the Project Portfolio Management ( PPM) market. It also provides a detailed overview of the market of different regions across United States, Europe, China, Japan, India, Southeast Asia and Others. The report categorizes Project Portfolio Management ( PPM) market by By PPM Type, By Deployment, and application. Detailed analysis of key players, along with key growth strategies adopted by them is also covered in this report on Project Portfolio Management ( PPM) market.This report focuses Global market, it covers details as following:Key PlayersUpland Software, Inc. (Texas, US)Planview, Inc. (Texas, US)Planisware S.A.S. (California, US)Oracle Corporation (California, US)Software AG (Darmstadt, Germany)SAP SE (Walldorf, Germany)Microsoft Corporation (Washington, US)Changepoint Corporation (Washington, US)CA Technologies (New York, US)Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company (California, US)Clarizen (California, US)ErviceNow, Inc. (California, US)Foxtable (Zhanjiang, China)Request a Sample Report @Key RegionsNorth AmericaUnited StatesCanadaLatin AmericaMexicoBrazilArgentinaOthersEuropeGermanyUnited KingdomFranceItalySpainRussiaNetherlandOthersAsia & PacificChinaJapanIndiaKoreaAustraliaSoutheast AsiaIndonesiaThailandPhilippinesVietnamSingaporeMalaysiaOthersAfrica & Middle EastSouth AfricaEgyptTurkeySaudi ArabiaIranOthersMain types of productsProject Portfolio Management (PPM) Market, by PPM TypeSoftwareServicesProject Portfolio Management (PPM) Market, by DeploymentOn-premisesCloudProject Portfolio Management (PPM) Market, by Key ConsumerProject managementPortfolio managementDemand managementFinancial managementResource managementOthersComplete Report Details@Major Key Points in Table of Content:Global Project Portfolio Management (PPM) Industry Market Research Report 2017-2022 by Players, Regions, Product Types & ApplicationsChapter One Methodology and Data Source1.1 Methodology/Research Approach1.1.1 Research Programs/Design1.1.2 Market Size Estimation1.1.3 Market Breakdown and Data Triangulation1.2 Data Source1.2.1 Secondary Sources1.2.2 Primary Sources1.3 DisclaimerChapter Two Project Portfolio Management (PPM) Industry Market Overview2.1 Market Coverage2.2 Global Project Portfolio Management (PPM) Industry Market Sales Volume Revenue and Price 2012-2017Chapter Three Project Portfolio Management (PPM) Industry by Key Players 2012-20173.1 Global Project Portfolio Management (PPM) Industry Sales Volume Market Share by Key Players 2012-20173.2 Global Project Portfolio Management (PPM) Industry Revenue Share by Key Players 2012-20173.3 Global Key Players Project Portfolio Management (PPM) Industry Key Product Model and Market Performance3.4 Global Key Players Project Portfolio Management (PPM) Industry Key Target Consumers and Market Performance.Chapter Six Global Key Players Profile6.1 Upland Software, Inc. (Texas, US)6.1.1 Upland Software, Inc. (Texas, US) Company Details and Competitors6.1.2 Upland Software, Inc. (Texas, US) Key Project Portfolio Management ( PPM) Models and Performance6.1.3 Upland Software, Inc. (Texas, US) Project Portfolio Management ( PPM) Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast6.1.4 Upland Software, Inc. (Texas, US) Project Portfolio Management ( PPM) Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross Margin6.2 Planview, Inc. (Texas, US)6.2.1 Planview, Inc. (Texas, US) Company Details and Competitors6.2.2 Planview, Inc. (Texas, US) Key Project Portfolio Management ( PPM) Models and Performance6.2.3 Planview, Inc. (Texas, US) Project Portfolio Management ( PPM) Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast6.2.4 Planview, Inc. (Texas, US) Project Portfolio Management ( PPM) Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross Margin6.3 Planisware S.A.S. (California, US)6.3.1 Planisware S.A.S. (California, US) Company Details and Competitors6.3.2 Planisware S.A.S. (California, US) Key Project Portfolio Management ( PPM) Models and Performance6.3.3 Planisware S.A.S. (California, US) Project Portfolio Management ( PPM) Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast6.3.4 Planisware S.A.S. (California, US) Project Portfolio Management ( PPM) Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross Margin6.4 Oracle Corporation (California, US)6.4.1 Oracle Corporation (California, US) Company Details and Competitors6.4.2 Oracle Corporation (California, US) Key Project Portfolio Management ( PPM) Models and Performance6.4.3 Oracle Corporation (California, US) Project Portfolio Management ( PPM) Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast6.4.4 Oracle Corporation (California, US) Project Portfolio Management ( PPM) Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross Margin6.5 Software AG (Darmstadt, Germany)6.5.1 Software AG (Darmstadt, Germany) Company Details and Competitors6.5.2 Software AG (Darmstadt, Germany) Key Project Portfolio Management ( PPM) Models and Performance6.5.3 Software AG (Darmstadt, Germany) Project Portfolio Management ( PPM) Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast6.5.4 Software AG (Darmstadt, Germany) Project Portfolio Management ( PPM) Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross Margin6.6 SAP SE (Walldorf, Germany)6.6.1 SAP SE (Walldorf, Germany) Company Details and Competitors6.6.2 SAP SE (Walldorf, Germany) Key Project Portfolio Management ( PPM) Models and Performance6.6.3 SAP SE (Walldorf, Germany) Project Portfolio Management ( PPM) Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast6.6.4 SAP SE (Walldorf, Germany) Project Portfolio Management ( PPM) Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross Margin6.7 Microsoft Corporation (Washington, US)6.8 Changepoint Corporation (Washington, US)6.9 CA Technologies (New York, US)6.10 Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company (California, US)Continued.Buy now @Contact Us:NORAH TRENTPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US)Sales@Wiseguyreports.ComPh: +44 208 133 9349 (UK)ABOUT US:Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports features an exhaustive list of market research reports from hundreds of publishers worldwide. We boast a database spanning virtually every market category and an even more comprehensive collection of market research reports under these categories and sub-categories.ADDRES:WISE GUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India
Smoking Cessation and Nicotine De-Addiction Market of ME&A, Business Structure, Operations, Major Products Predict By 2022

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/2737

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/mea-smoking-cessation-nicotine-de-addiction-market-2737

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/check-discount/2737

Market Scenario:Smoking cessation and nicotine de-addiction are drugs and therapies used in the treatment of withdrawal symptoms associated with the cessation of nicotine. As indicated by the World Health Organization tobacco kills around 6 million individuals every year and of these very nearly 5 million passings are the consequence of direct tobacco use and roughly 600,000 are the aftereffect of passive smoking. Tobacco additionally infers its users of income, raises healthcare cost and hinder financial advancement.The market for Middle East and Africa smoking cessation and nicotine de-addiction was estimated to be around $ 1040 million in 2016. Taking all factors into consideration, we expect the Middle East and Africa smoking cessation and nicotine de-addiction market to reach around $ 2108.38 million, by 2022 growing at a CAGR of 12.5%.Get Sample Report @Only 42 countries, representing 19% of the world's population, have instituted advertisement regulations such as pictorial warnings. The other critical market driving factor is the huge number of unmet needs. The World Health Organization (WHO), estimates around 1,100 million smokers worldwide with emerging economies accounting for around 70% of the Middle East and Africa smoker population. Nicotine use also is a risk factor for many diseases and disorders such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer etc. Green tobacco sickness, caused by nicotine absorption through the skin by the handling of wet tobacco leaves in tobacco industry is also a concern especially among children. Tobacco quitting assistance in the form of national cessation services with cost-coverage are available in only 24 countries, representing 15% of the world's population.Market Segment:Middle East and Africa smoking cessation and nicotine de-addiction products market has been segmented on the basis of treatment which comprises of pharmacological, therapies etc. On the basis of distribution channels; market is segmented into pharmacies, online and de-addiction centers. On the basis of product type; market is segmented into drugs, inhalers, patches, sprays and gums and others.Regional Analysis:Algeria and South Africa followed by Ethiopia are fastest growing markets in Africa. The rest of Africa market however has maximum population with unmet medical needs. The market trends include development of better products such as nicotine gums and patches, e-cigarettes etc.UAE is the largest market in the entire Middle East and Africa smoking cessation and nicotine de-addiction products market closely followed by Egypt.Companies Involved:Cipla Inc., GlaxoSmithKline plc. Nicotek LLC, Lorillard, Inc, Pfizer Inc, VMR Products LLC, Johnson & Johnson, Novartis International AG.Browse Report @Study Aim:To provide country level analysis of the Middle East and Africa smoking cessation and nicotine de-addiction market by treatment (pharmacological, therapies and others), by product type (drugs, inhalers, patches, sprays and gums and others) and by distribution channels (pharmacies, online, de-addiction centers) and other 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 of the marketTo track and analyze competitive developments such as joint ventures, strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, new product developments along with research and developments Middle East and Africaly.To provide detail analysis of the market structure along with forecast for the next 6 years of various segments and sub-segments of the Middle East and Africa smoking cessation and nicotine de-addiction market.To provide past and estimated future revenue of Middle East and Africa smoking cessation and nicotine de-addiction markets segments and sub-segments. To provide country level analysis of the market with respect to the current market size and future growth prospect.The report for Middle East and Africa smoking cessation and nicotine de-addiction market by Market Research Future comprises extensive primary research along with detail analysis of qualitative as well as quantitative aspects given by various industry experts, key opinion leaders to gain a deeper insight of the market and industry performance. The report gives a clear picture of current market scenario which includes past and estimated future market size in terms of value and volume, technological advancement, macro economical and governing factors in the market. The report provide detail information about and strategies used by top key players in the industry. The report also gives a broad study of different markets segments and regions.Important Audience:Smoking cessation and nicotine de-addiction products manufacturers, Smoking cessation and nicotine de-addiction products suppliers, Market research and consulting service providers, De-Addiction centers.Get Discount for this Report @Table of Contents1 Introduction2 Research Methodology3 Market Dynamics4 Market Factor Analysis5 Middle East And Africa Smoking Cessation And Nicotine De-Addiction Market, By Treatment6 Middle East And Africa Smoking Cessation And Nicotine De-Addiction Market, By Product Type7 Middle East And Africa Smoking Cessation And Nicotine De-Addiction Market, By Distribution Channels8 Middle East And Africa Smoking Cessation And Nicotine De-Addiction Market, By Country9 Company Landscape10 Company Profile11 AppendixAt 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.Akash Anand,Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com
Vagal Nerve Stimulation Market  Hypothesis Investigation Report; With a 8.68 % of CAGR by 2023

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/4479

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/check-discount/4479

Vagal Nerve Stimulation (VNS) Market Information: By Product (Implantable VNS Devices and External VNS Devices), By Application (Depression, Epilepsy, Migraine, And Others), By End Users (Hospitals, Ambulatory Surgical Centers, And Others) - Global Forecast Till 2023Market ScenarioThe Global Vagal Nerve Stimulation Or Vagus Nerve Stimulation Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of ~ 8.68 % during the forecast period 2017-2023.Vagal nerve stimulation or vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a treatment method that involves delivering electrical impulses to the vagus nerve. Vegas nerve acts as a translator between gut and brain. Gut uses the vagus nerve like a walkie-talkie and translates signals via electric impulses, which called action potentials. VNS treatment is used for certain types of intractable epilepsy, depression, and others. In most common cases, overstimulation of the vagus nerve causes fainting. Vagus nerve stimulation is a procedure, which involves implantation of a device that stimulates the vagus nerve with electrical impulses. This device is normally implanted under the skin below the patients clavicle. Lead wires from the generator are excavated up to the patients neck and wrapped around the left vagus nerve at the carotid sheath, where it delivers electrical impulses to the nerve. After successfully implanted, the generator sends electric impulses to the vagus nerve at a regular intervals.Get a Copy of Sample Report @Vagal nerve stimulation (VNS), may offer hope for patients who dont improve with conventional depression treatment. A small battery-powered device like a pacemaker is inserted under the skin in the neck, from where it emits pulses of weak electrical current to stimulate part of the vagus nerve.Increasing prevalence of neurological disorders, increasing investment of biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries in R&D, and rising need for the better treatment methods drives the growth of the market. Moreover, favorable reimbursement policies, increased application and significant investments in development of new technologies for the treatment of epilepsy, and other cardiac indications will fuel the market growth during the forecast period.According to the WHO estimates, neurological disorders are responsible for 4.5%-11% of all illnesses including low or high income economies. This is far higher as compared to the number of respiratory ailments, gastrointestinal disorders, or cancers, and the burden is expected to increase further over the coming years.However, higher cost of these treatment procedure may hamper the market growth during the corresponding period. As per Epilepsy Foundation, VNS therapy currently costs approximately USD 30,000, which includes the implant and surgical procedure and it is not affordable to the patients living in low income economies.Key Players of Vagal Nerve Stimulation MarketSome of key the players in the market are LivaNova PLC (UK), EnteroMedics Inc. (US), ElectroCore Medical LLC (US), Boston Scientific Corporation (US), Cyberonics, Inc. (US), NeuroMetrix, Inc.(US), ImThera Medical (US), and Inspire Medical Systems, Inc.(US)Intended Audience Pharmaceutical Companies Medical Devices Companies Research and Development (R&D) Companies Government Research Institute Academic Institutes and UniversitiesSegmentations The global vagal nerve stimulation market has been segmented on the basis of products, application, and end user. On the basis of products, the market is segmented into implantable VNS devices and external VNS devices. On the basis of application, the market is segmented into depression, epilepsy, migraine, and others. On the basis of end user, the market is segmented into hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, and others.Get Discount @Regional AnalysisThe Americas dominates the global vagal nerve stimulation market owing to well-developed technology, increasing prevalence neurological disorders, high healthcare spending, and increasing government support for research & development. Furthermore, increasing R&D activities and the presence of major companies have fuelled the growth of the market in this region.Europe holds the second position in the global vagal nerve stimulation market. It is expected that the government support for research & development and availability of funds for research will drive the market in Europe region over the review period.Asia Pacific is the fastest growing vagal nerve stimulation market owing to the presence of rapidly developing healthcare technology, huge patient population, and high healthcare expenditure. Moreover, increasing new opportunities in countries like China, India, Japan, and South Korea will make this as emerging and the fastest growing market across the globe. Furthermore, increasing demand for quality devices in the healthcare will lead to the use of advanced equipment, which, in turn, will increase the growth of the VNS devices in the region.On the other hand, the Middle East & Africa holds the least share of the market due to limited availability of medical facilities, less availability of funds, and poor political conditions in Africa.ContinueWe are thankful for the support and assistance from Vagal Nerve Stimulation Market Research Report- Global Forecast till 2023 chain related technical experts and marketing experts during Research Team survey and interviews.About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Media Contact:Akash Anand,Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com
Cell Cycle Analysis Market Global Market Snapshot by 2021

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/673

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/check-discount/673

Market Research Future Issue Analysis report on Cell Cycle Analysis Market Research Report - Global Forecast to 2021 Market Trends, Scope, Stake, Progress, Analysis and Forecast to 2021.Cell Cycle Analysis Market Research Report, By Product (Software, Kits, Microscope, Instruments), Method (Flow Cytometry, HCS), Application (Research, Diagnosis), End User (CRO, Hospital, Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical, Academic)- Global Forecast to 2021Cell cycle analysis is commonly used in biomedical research studies and clinical diagnosis. It helps in distinguishing cells that are in different phases ofcell cycle and used to determine the cellular response to biological stimulations and various drug. Cell cycle analysis traditionally carried out though the sensitive fluorescence detection methods such as flow cytometry and laser scanning cytometry.The Cell Cycle Analysis Market is expected to grow at high growth rate due to corporate & government support in cell-based researches, high prevalence of chronic genetic diseases, growing healthcare industry and increasing medical spending, rising incidence of cancer, and technologically advancements. However, high prices of automated cell cycle analysis instruments, and reluctance among researchers to use advanced cell cycle analysis techniques may restrict the growth of this market. Furthermore, theinstruments used in cell cycle analysis are relatively expensive, and large in size. It also requires a considerable amount of maintenance, which is less likely to be feasible for small research groups.Hence it is difficult for the small research group to access to this equipment when required quick diagnostic results on site. Also, reluctance among researchers to use advanced cell cycle analysis techniques is another growth barrier for the market.The cell cycle analysisisperformedthroughmethods such as cytometry, cell imaging, cell counting, Microscopy, and others. Majority of these methods are based on florescence assays. Among these methods cytometry methods are expected to command the highest market share in 2015. The prominent players in cell cycle analysis market are Becton, Dickinson and Company, Merck KGAA, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., Danaher Corporation, GE Healthcare, Agilent Technologies, Inc., Olympus Corporation, PerkinElmer, Inc., Promega Corporation, Affymetrix, Inc., Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., Miltenyi Biotech, and Nexcelom Bioscience LLC.These players possess state of art manufacturing facilities and strong sales and distribution network which have helped them to gain leadership position in the marketGet a Copy of Sample Report @Based on the method the cell cycle analysis by product is divided into instruments, consumables, software and others. Consumables market is further segmented into assay, reagents & kits and other consumables. There is an incessant rise in the number of genetic disease worldwide which is expected to drive the growth of this market.`Furthermore, based on the applications the cell cycle analysis market is segmented into diagnosis, therapeutics, research, and others. The research segment is expected to grow at highest CAGR due to rising government and corporate support for cell based research.Based on End users the cell cycle analysis market is further divided into Academics & Research Institutions, Hospitals and Diagnostic Laboratories, Pharmaceutical- CROs and Biotechnology Companies, and Other End Users. The rising incidences of cancer and genetic diseaseare expected to drive end users market for global cell analysis market.Based on region, North America accounted for the largest share in the global cell cycle analysis market, followed by Europe and Asia Pacific. The Asia Pacific market is expected to witness the highest growth owing to rising awareness regarding self-monitoring. Furthermore, various players are investing in the Asia Pacific market which is another major factor fueling the market growth.The cell cycle analysis market research report provides detail analysis of market in terms of value market. The report also provides the future outlook of the market till 2021. Moreover, the global as well as market share of various players based on methods is also analyzed in the report. Lastly, the report provides company profiles of major players in the market.Scope of the ReportThis market research report covers the global cell cycle analysis market by product / methods, application, end user, and region.Get Discount @Global Cell Cycle Analysis Market, by Products / Method Introduction Cytometry Flow Cytometry Instruments Consumables Assay Reagents & Kits Other Consumables Software Image Cytometry Instruments Consumables Assay Reagents & Kits Other Consumables Cell Imaging & Cell Counting Instruments High Content Screening (HCS) Automated Cell Counter Consumables Assay Reagents & Kits Other Consumables Microscopy Instruments Consumables Assay Reagents & Kits Other Consumables OthersGlobal Cell Cycle Analysis Market, by Applications Introduction Diagnosis Therapeutics Research OthersGlobal Cell Cycle Analysis Market, by End Users Introduction Academics & Research Institutions Hospitals and Diagnostic Laboratories Pharmaceutical- CROs and Biotechnology Companies Other End UsersGlobal Cell Cycle Analysis Market, by Region Introduction North America S. Canada Europe Germany France K. Italy Spain Rest of Europe Asia Japan China India Rest of Asia Rest of the WorldThe report for Cell Cycle Analysis 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 regionsContinueWe are thankful for the support and assistance from Cell Cycle Analysis Market Research Report - Global 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
Automotive Whiplash Protection System Market Analysis, Trends, Regional Outlook & Forecast 2023

Automotive Whiplash Protection System Market

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/4710

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/automotive-whiplash-protection-system-market-4710

Market Highlights:The global automotive whiplash protection system market is very dynamic, and is expected to witness significant growth over the forecast period. Automotive whiplash protection system is one of the most crucial part vehicles, which has been highly accepted by major vehicle manufacturers. Automotive industry has become one of the major revenue generating industries, and has come up with several technological advancements in the last few years where, automotive whiplash protection system is one of them. The global Automotive Whiplash Protection System Market has seen a remarkable growth in the global market and it has been observed that, its demand in future is expected to grow at ~12.10% CAGR.This market has majorly been aided by the growing factors such as rising awareness regarding road accidents, strict government regulations and policies on road safety, growing sales of passenger cars, and technological advancements. Also, the major opportunity for the market growth is the shift of global automotive players to the emerging economies, and the rising demand for high end vehicles.Get a Sample of Global Automotive Whiplash Protection Systems Market @Market Research Analysis:Region wise, the global automotive whiplash protection system market has been segmented as North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Rest of the World. North America, among them has accounted for the largest market share, in 2016, followed by Europe and Asia Pacific. Policies regarding road safety, and strict government regulations coupled with growing awareness in North America, have become the major growth drivers. Europe, has been witnessing a rise in the sales of passenger vehicles, which has augmented the demand for automotive whiplash protection system. Also, Germany, U.K. and France, being the leading countries in Europe, have fuelled the growth of the market. Asia Pacific has registered the fastest growth of all economies.Key Points Covered in 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 ModelContinueScope of the ReportThis study provides an overview of the global Automotive Whiplash Protection System Market, tracking two market segments across four geographic regions. The report studies key players, providing a six 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 whiplash protection system market by type, by vehicle type and by regions.By Type Headrest Backrest OthersBy Vehicle Type Passenger Vehicles Commercial VehiclesBy Regions North America Asia Pacific Europe Rest of the WorldGlobal Access Automotive Whiplash Protection Systems Market Full Report @Some of the Key Players in the market are: Robert Bosch (Germany) Delphi Automotive (UK) Hyundai Mobis (South Korea) Continental AG (Germany) Grammer AG (Germany) Autoliv Inc.(Sweden) Lear Corporation (US) Takata Corporation (Japan) Volvo Group (Sweden)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
Americas Acrylic Teeth Market Size, Development Status, Type and Application, Segmentation, Forecast by 2021

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/572

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/acrylic-teeth-market-572

Market Research Future Published Analysis report on Americas Acrylic Teeth Market Forecast to 2021 Market Trends, Scope, Stake, Progress, Analysis and Forecast to 2021.The report firstly introduced Americas Acrylic Teeth Market including classification, application and industry chain overview; Then we deeply analyzed Americas growth forecast indicators by the as well as the regional market conditions that including the product price, profit, utilization, supply, demand and industry growth rate etc.Get a Sample Copy @In the end, the report introduced medical suction device market SWOT analysis, PEST analysis, market share analysis and competitive landscape, company profiles by analyzing the major players. It is a depth research study on Americas Acrylic Teeth Market. We are thankful for the support and assistance from Americas Acrylic Teeth Market chain related technical experts and marketing experts during Research Team survey and interviews.TABLE OF CONTENTS1 Introduction2 Research Methodology3 Report Excerpt4 Forecast Indicators5 Market Analysis6 Americas Acrylic Denture Market, By Type7 Americas Acrylic Denture Market, By Application8 Geographical Exploration9 Competitive Analysis10 Company ProfilesBrowse Full Report Details @ContinueWe are thankful for the support and assistance from Americas Acrylic Teeth Market 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
North America Dental Software Market Demand, Growth, Opportunities and Analysis of Top Key Player Forecast to 2027

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/784

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/north-america-dental-software-market-784

Market Research Future Published Analysis report on North America Dental Software Market Research Report - Forecast to 2027 Market Trends, Scope, Stake, Progress, Analysis and Forecast to 2027.North American Dental Software Market information by Application (Clinical, Administration, Communication, Others) by Product type (Communications, Dental imaging, Planning, Practice Management) by Purchase (Subscription, Ownership) - Forecast to 2027Market Synopsis of Dental Software:Market Scenario:The level of assistance which is provided by dental software is one of the key reasons as to why the demand of dental software will increase in the market. Dental software makes the process smooth and increases the efficiency of every dental hospital or clinic. And with the availability of the subscription model in dental software market the low budget dental clinics and hospitals can also access this service, hence the demand for dental software will be growing at a tremendous growth rate. Globally the market for Dental Software is expected to grow at the rate of Significant CAGR from 2016 to 2027.Get a Copy of Sample Report @Key Players:The key players that are involved in North America Dental Software market are Carestream Health, Inc.Abeldent, ACE Dental, Denti Max, Dexis, Henry Schein Dental, Open Dental, Sirona Dental Systems, Clear Dent and others.Segments:The market for Dental Software is segmented in mainly three parts i.e. by Type, Application, Deployment, Purchase, End Users and its various sub-segments; by type Practice Management, Software Patient, Communications Software, Treatment Planning Software, Patient Education Software, Dental Imaging Software, Dental Imaging Management Software, and Software for Dental Instruments. Whereas by application include Clinical Application, Administration, Communication and others. Furthermore by Development segment include Web Based and On Premise/ Cloud Based. And by Purchase include Subscription Model Ownership Model and by End Users include Hospitals and Clinics Academic and Research Institutes Others.List of Tables1 Introduction2 Research Methodologies3 Forecast Indicators4 MARKET ANALYSIS5 Market Analyses6 U.S. Dental Software, Market Value & Volume Forecast (2011-2024) (USD $Million)7 U.S. Dental Software, by Application Market Value & Volume Forecast (2011-2024) (USD $Million)8 U.S. Dental Software, by Type Market Value & Volume Forecast (2011-2024) (USD $Million)9 U.S. Dental Software, by Deployment Market Value & Volume Forecast (2011-2024) (USD $Million)10 U.S. Dental Software, by End Users Market Value & Volume Forecast (2011-2024) (USD $Million)11 U.S Dental Software, by Region Market Value & Volume Forecast (2011-2024) (USD $Million)12 COMPANY LANDSCAPE13 COMPANY PROFILE14 MRFR CONSLUSION15 APPENDIXBrowse Full Report Details @Study Objectives of Dental Software: 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 North America Dental Software market. To provide insights about factors affecting the market growth. To Analyze the Dental Software 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, 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 Type, Application, Deployment, Purchase, End Users, 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 North America Dental Software market.The report for Dental Software 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.ContinueWe are thankful for the support and assistance from North America Dental Software 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
Lung Cancer Treatment Market Outlook to 2022

healthcare report , Lung Cancer , Lung Cancer Treatment,Lung Cancer Treatment Market

http://optimainsights.org/request-toc/lung-cancer-treatment-market-outlook-to-2022

http://optimainsights.org/reports_categories

http://optimainsights.org/services

Market Overview, Key in-line Products, Market Share Distribution, Competitive Dynamics, Regulatory Outlook, Pipeline Development, Growth Catalysts & Challenges, Leading Market & R&D Trends, Partnership & Deals Analyses, Global Sales forecast of in-line and pipeline products, Fast Growing Private Companies, Management Perspectives, Commentaries, Market Outlook & Summary ConclusionsThe global lung cancer drugs market was valued at $3.1bn in 2016 and is forecast to grow at a healthy 31.1% CAGR between 2016 and 2022, resulting in 2022 global sales of $20.2bn driven by targeted therapies & strong market uptake of a range of Immuno-Oncology (IO) treatments.Exhibit 1:Lung Cancer Market Size  2016-2022 ($m)Epidemiology:Lung cancer is the 2nd most common cancer in both men (after prostate) and women (after breast cancer). It is one of the most aggressive cancers and the leading cause of cancer death in the world, more than colon, breast, and prostate cancers combined. According to estimates by the American Cancer Society, approximately 223,000 new cases will be diagnosed and approximately 156,000 people will die of this disease in 2017.After initial diagnosis, only 16.8% of all lung cancer patients are alive for 5 years or more. However, as most cases are caused by cigarette smoking, with the decrease in smoking, the incidence rate is expected to be stable or decreasing over time.According to the NCCN, 15% of patients are diagnosed at stage I where cancer is still confined to the primary site; 22% diagnosed at stage II/IIIA where cancer has spread to regional lymph nodes or directly beyond the primary site; and 57% at Stage IIIB/IV (advanced stage) where the cancer has already metastasized. The 5 year survival for advanced stage is less than 5%.A persistent cough is the most common symptom, making early detection of lung cancer difficult. A minority of lung cancers are diagnosed when the disease is still localized, and therefore amenable to potentially curative therapy (surgery, radiation).The majority of lung cancer patients present with either stage III locally advanced (22%) disease or stage IV metastatic (57%).Lung Cancer Types:Based on physiology, lung cancer is broadly split into 2 main types: Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC), and Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC).Exhibit 2:Major Types of NSCLC:Adenocarcinoma accounts for 40% of all lung cancer, and it is the most common type of lung cancer in non-smokers. The cancer starts in early versions of the cells that would normally secrete substance such as mucus. Mutations of ALKS and EFGR are more commonly seen in this subtype.Squamous cell carcinoma accounts for 30% of total lung cancer, and it is closely related with history of smoking. It usually starts in early versions of squamous cells which are flat cells that line the inside of the airways in the lungs.Large cell carcinoma accounts for 15% of all lung cancer, and it is typically harder to treat as it grows and spreads quickly.Exhibit 3: Major Types of NSCLCRequest For TOC :Current Standard of Care:Chemo is the treatment of choice in the 1st line setting for lung cancer. Of the patients that fail chemo, it is reported that only 30% are suitable to continue subsequent treatments. 2nd and 3rd line treatment options typically include single chemo, targeted therapies such as Roche's Tarceva (Erlotinib), and Eli Lilly's Cyramza (ramucirumab) plus docetaxel.Approximately 10-15% of first-line patients harbor EGFR mutations and are best treated by Tarceva (erlotinib), Iressa (gefitinib) or Gilotrif (afatinib) while recently approved Tagrisso (osimertinib) is used for T790M-mutant patients who have failed frontline EGFR inhibition.Xalkori (Crizotinib) is used for ALK+ patients (3-7%) upfront, with both Zykadia (ceritinib) and Alecensa (alectinib) options for Xalkori (crizotinib) failures.Report Details :Leading CompaniesLeading commercial immunotherapies (IO) include Bristol Myers Yervoy, and Opdivo, Mercks Keytruda and Roches Tecentriq. Bristol, Merck and Roche have only approved therapies in 2nd and 3rd line setting at this stage and are expected to dominate based on their first mover advantage.AstraZeneca, Pfizer/Merck KGaA have products in advanced stages of trials and pivotal data read out is expected in next 1-2 years. AstraZeneca is also working on co-formulating durva+treme into a single administration which is believed to provide significant benefits on pricing flexibility in the combo vs mono indications.Future Market SizeOptima Insights estimate that the global immunotherapy market in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) could reach $20bn in 2022. Immunotherapies are currently primarily used in 2nd and 3rd line setting. Going forward, we expect increased adoption of immunotherapies in in first line treatment of lung cancer (NSCLC). Our scenario assumes both immunotherapies and immunotherapy-chemo combos will demonstrate benefits over standard chemotherapies in the first-line NSCLC setting and become new standards of care in patients regardless of PD-L1 expression and I/O immunotherapies.Future Treatment ParadigmOur Service :Lung cancer represents the biggest opportunity in Immunotherapy. There are countless ongoing studies across a wide variety of indications facing immunotherapy. The initial wave of IO mono and combo therapies have been a step forward in the war on cancer. However there still remain significant room for improvement on both efficacy and safety. We continue to see the development of a wide variety of IO mechanisms that could broaden the activity of the current PD-1/ Lung cancer fist line treatment approach. This should improve outcomes for patient and alter the competitive landscape and size of the opportunity as we move on.Optima Insights is an innovative research and insights driven enterprise committed to offer actionable intelligence to the global life science and healthcare market. We believe that meaningful insights and improved strategic content holds the key to improved ROI for our clients. We strike an innovative engagement model with our clients to Co-Create Intelligence that would address very specific issues facing them within their functional areas. We continuously support clients through the entire journey map to enable them take better business decisions towards attaining market leadership.Address: #1 MMC, Road, Chennai. Pin - 600060, Tamil Nadu, I N D I APhone: +91 966 6620 365 1 424 2554 365 (US)Whatsapp: +91 966 6620 365Email: info@optimainsights.org
North America Clinical Laboratory Test Market Growth Opportunity and Industry Forecast to 2022

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/2249

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/north-america-clinical-laboratory-test-market-2249

Market Research Future Published Analysis report on North America Clinical Laboratory Test Market Research Report - Forecast to 2022 Market Trends, Scope, Stake, Progress, Analysis and Forecast to 2022.North America clinical laboratory test Market information, by Type of Laboratory (Hospital based, Central/Independent, Physician office laboratory and others), By Type of Test (CBC and other routine blood test, anatomic pathology, molecular test, immunology test, drug test and others) By country (U.S., Canada, and Rest of North America), Forecast to 2022Market Synopsis of North America clinical laboratory test Market:Market Scenario:Clinical laboratory testing has emerged as the most growing segment of healthcare over the past few years. Clinical laboratory testing includes all routine check-ups and other pathology tests for the diagnosis of various diseases ranging from CBC and other routine blood test, anatomical pathological testing, molecular, immunological, drug testing and other tests for disease diagnosis and treatment.Get a Copy of Sample Report @Key Findings: The North America clinical laboratory test Market, is expected to reach $140.8 billion by 2022. U.S. holds the largest share of 88% of the North America clinical laboratory test Market.Key players of North America clinical laboratory test market:The key players in the North America clinical laboratory test market are; AURORA Diagnostic (USA), Laboratory Corporation of America (US), LifeLabs Medical Laboratories (Canada), and Quest Diagnostics (US).Segments:The North America clinical laboratory test market is majorly segmented on the basis of type of laboratory, type of test, and by country. Based on the type of laboratory, the market is segmented into hospital based laboratory, central/ independent laboratory, physician office laboratory, and others. Based on type of test these are classified into CBC and other routine test, anatomic pathology, molecular test, immunology test, drug test and others. Further on the basis of country the market is classified into U.S., Canada, and Rest of North America.Browse Full Report Details @Study objectives: To provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast for the next 5 years of the various segments and sub-segments of the North America clinical laboratory test market. To provide insights about factors affecting the market growth To analyze the North America clinical laboratory test 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. 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 of laboratory, by type of test and, by country. 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 North America clinical laboratory test market.Intended Audience North America clinical laboratory commodities 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 UniversitiesThe report for North America clinical laboratory test 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.ContinueWe are thankful for the support and assistance from CBCT Dental Imaging Market Research Report- Global- Forecast to 2023 chain related technical experts and marketing experts during Research Team survey and interviews.About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Media Contact:Akash Anand,Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com
Sandalwood Oil Market Report for Period 2017 till 2023 Meena Perfumery(IN), Naresh International(IN), Essentially Australia(AU) and Others

Sandalwood Oil Market

https://goo.gl/UvGRKj

https://goo.gl/UvGRKj

https://goo.gl/UvGRKj

http://marketreportscompany.com

Global Sandalwood Oil Market report provides detailed analysis of companies namely Meena Perfumery(IN), Naresh International(IN), Essentially Australia(AU) 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.Musk is a class of aromatic substances commonly used as base notes in perfumery. They include glandular secretions from animals such as the musk deer, numerous plants emitting similar fragrances, and artificial substances with similar odors. Musk was a name originally given to a substance with a penetrating odor obtained from a gland of the male musk deer. The substance has been used as a popular perfume fixative since ancient times and is one of the more expensive animal products in the world.Request for Free Sample Copy of Global Sandalwood Oil Market 2017Top Company Profiles and Analysis included in this report:TFS Corporation(AU)Santanol Group(AU)RK-Essential Oils Company(IN)Meena Perfumery(IN)Naresh International(IN)Essentially Australia(AU)Katyani Exports(IN)New Mountain Merchants(AU)Dru Era(LK)A.G. Industries(IN)Blue Bell Fragrances(IN)OthersGlobal Sandalwood Oil Market: Key Product TypeIndian Sandalwood OilAustralian Sandalwood OilOthersGlobal Sandalwood Oil Market: Key ApplicationPersonal careAromatherapyPharmaceuticalOthersGlobal Sandalwood Oil Market: Key RegionAsia-PacificNorth AmericaEuropeSouth AmericaMiddle East & AfricaThe Global Sandalwood Oil Market analysis report provides detailed value chain for analysis of Global Sandalwood Oil 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 Sandalwood Oil 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 Market Segment Overview1.1.1 Product Definition1.1.2 Market by Type1.1.2.1 Indian Sandalwood Oil1.1.2.2 Australian Sandalwood Oil1.1.2.3 Others1.1.3 Market by Application1.1.3.1 Personal care1.1.3.2 Aromatherapy1.1.3.3 Pharmaceutical1.1.3.4 Others1.2 Global Market Size1.2.1 Global Overview.......................Continue (Global Sandalwood Oil 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
Polycarboxylate Superplasticizer Market Report for Period 2011 till 2023 Shijiazhuang Yucai, Liaoning Kelong, Shangdong Huawei and Others

Polycarboxylate Superplasticizer Market

https://goo.gl/jjircQ

https://goo.gl/jjircQ

https://goo.gl/jjircQ

http://marketreportscompany.com

Global Polycarboxylate Superplasticizer Market report provides detailed analysis of companies namely Shijiazhuang Yucai, Liaoning Kelong, Shangdong Huawei 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.Request for Free Sample Copy of Global Polycarboxylate Superplasticizer Market 2017Top Company Profiles and Analysis included in this report:SikaBASFGraceArkemaFosrocSobute New MaterialMapeiKao ChemicalsTakemotoKZJ New MaterialsShijiazhuang YucaiNippon ShokubaiAir Products & ChemicalsLiaoning KelongShangdong HuaweiHuangteng ChemicalEuclid ChemicalTianjing FeilongFuclearWushan Building MaterialsJilongShanxi KaidiOthersGlobal Polycarboxylate Superplasticizer Market: Key Product TypeStandard SuperplasticizerRetarding SuperplasticizerEarly Strength SuperplasticizerOthersGlobal Polycarboxylate Superplasticizer Market: Key ApplicationCommercial ConcretePre-cast Concrete UnitsOthersGlobal Polycarboxylate Superplasticizer Market: Key RegionAsia-PacificNorth AmericaEuropeSouth AmericaMiddle East & AfricaThe Global Polycarboxylate Superplasticizer Market analysis report provides detailed value chain for analysis of Global Polycarboxylate Superplasticizer 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 Polycarboxylate Superplasticizer 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 Upstream1.2.2 Downstream1.2 Market Segment1.2.1 by Type1.2.1.1 Standard Superplasticizer1.2.1.2 Retarding Superplasticizer1.2.1.3 Early Strength Superplasticizer......................Continue (Global Polycarboxylate Superplasticizer 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
Orthokeratology Lens Market Report for Period 2017 till 2022 Alpha Corporation, Lucid Korea, Brighten Optix and Others

Orthokeratology Lens Market

https://goo.gl/Vc5FAf

https://goo.gl/Vc5FAf

https://goo.gl/Vc5FAf

http://marketreportscompany.com

Global Orthokeratology Lens Market report provides detailed analysis of companies namely Alpha Corporation, Lucid Korea, Brighten Optix 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.Ortho-K is a non-surgical refractive treatment. In order to correct your short-sightedness and astigmatism, the cornea has to be re-shaped. Our optometrists tailor your Ortho-k lenses with highly permeable lens materials according to the precise measurement by the Corneal Topographer.Request for Free Sample Copy of Global Orthokeratology Lens Market 2017Top Company Profiles and Analysis included in this report:AutekEUCLIDParagonAlpha CorporationLucid KoreaBrighten OptixContexProcorneaOthersGlobal Orthokeratology Lens Market: Key Product TypeBoston MaterialParagon MaterialOthers MaterialGlobal Orthokeratology Lens Market: Key ApplicationTeenagersAdultsOthersGlobal Orthokeratology Lens 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 Orthokeratology Lens Market analysis report provides detailed value chain for analysis of Global Orthokeratology Lens 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 Orthokeratology Lens 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 Orthokeratology Lens Introduction1.2 Market Analysis by Type1.2.1 Boston Material1.2.2 Paragon Material1.2.3 Others Material1.3 Market Analysis by Applications1.3.1 Teenagers1.3.2 Adults1.4 Market Analysis by Regions......................Continue (Global Orthokeratology Lens 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
Automotive Fuel Filter Market Is Expected To Grow At A CAGR Of 6.5% By 2023

Automotive Fuel Filter Market

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/3187

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/automotive-fuel-filter-market-3187

Market Highlights:The automotive fuel filter is used to prevent the dust particles from interfering with the system. It eliminates the dust particle from the fuel, preventing the dust to enter into the fuel pump. Fuel pumps are generally used for controlling emissions to protect the environment. If dust particle enter the fuel pump, they cause a system breakdown. So fuel filters are widely used in automobiles to reduce instances of breakdown. The major drivers for the automotive fuel filter market are increase in the vehicle production and stringent government regulation for the emission control. Other factors that are responsible for the growth of this market are growth in automotive industry and technology advancement.Key Players:The key players in automotive fuel filter market are Mann+Hummel (Germany), ALCO Filters Ltd (Cyprus), Ahlstrom Corporation (Finland), Cummins Inc. (U.S.), Sogefi SpA (Italy), Donaldson Co. Inc. (U.S.), Mahle GmbH (Germany), Clarcor Inc. (U.S.), Denso Corp. (Japan), and Hengst SE & Co. KG (Germany).Request a Sample Copy @Market Research Analysis:Asia-Pacific is expected to dominate the automotive fuel filter market during the forecast period due to the rising vehicle production in the developing countries such as India, China, South Korea, and Indonesia. The rising per capita income in these countries is also expected to result in the growth of this region. North America is expected to be the second largest region in the fuel filter market due to the increase in the number of the eco-friendly automobiles and stringent government regulations for the use of eco-friendly components in the vehicles. Europe is expected to emerge as a small portion of the fuel filter market during the forecast period. The global automotive fuel filter market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.5 % during the forecast period.Browse Full Report @Scope of the Report:This study provides an overview of the global automotive fuel filter 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 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 fuel filters market by its vehicle type, by fuel type, by sales channel, and by region.By Vehicle Types Passenger car LCV HCVBy Fuel Type Gasoline DieselBy Sales Channel OEM AftermarketBy Region North America Europe Asia Pacific Rest of the WorldAbout 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
Rainscreen Cladding Industry Global Analysis Including Top Key Kingspan Insulation PLC, Carea Ltd., MF Murray Companies, Celotex Ltd. 2023

Rainscreen Cladding Market, Rainscreen Cladding Industry, Rainscreen Cladding Market 2017, Rainscreen Cladding Market 2023, Rainsc

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/3941

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/rainscreen-cladding-market-3941

Global Rainscreen Cladding MarketRainscreen cladding refers to an attachment of the outer skin with a ventilated cavity provided to a new or existing building infrastructure. The rainscreen cladding protects the exterior wall of a building from rainwater and prevents it from penetrating in the interiors of the buildings.Request for Sample Report @Key Players:The key players of global Rainscreen Cladding Market include: Kingspan Insulation PLC (Ireland), Carea Ltd. (London), MF Murray Companies (U.S.), Celotex Ltd. (U.K.), CGL Facades Ltd. (U.K.), Rockwool International A/S (Denmark), Eco Earth Solutions (India), FunderMax Holding AG (Austria), Euramax (Netherlands), Trespa International B.V. (Netherlands) and others.Product Analysis: Product matrix which gives a detailed comparison of the market for different recycled product typesAdditional Information: Regulatory Landscape Pricing Analysis Macroeconomic IndicatorsGeographic Analysis: Geographical analysis across 15 countriesCompany Information: Profiling of 10 key market players In-depth analysis including SWOT analysis, and strategy information of related to report title Competitive landscape including emerging trends adopted by major companiesMarket Synopsis:The major factors driving the global Rainscreen Cladding Market are the increase in demand for energy efficient buildings construction and the emerging need for exterior wall protection. The increase in construction of residential and non-residential buildings in the developing and the developed nations, is also driving the growth of the Rainscreen Cladding Market. The introduction of stringent government policies has led to an increase in demand for eco-friendly buildings, thereby leading to an increase in use of rainscreen cladding.The Rainscreen Cladding Market is expected to grow with 7% CAGR during the forecast period.Study Objectives of Rainscreen Cladding Market: To provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast for the next 6 years of various segments and sub-segments of the global Rainscreen Cladding Market To provide insights about factors affecting the market growth To analyze the global Rainscreen Cladding Market based on various tools such as 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 four main geographies, North America, Europe, APAC, and Rest of the World (ROW) and their countries To provide country level analysis of the market with respect to the current market size and future prospective To provide country level analysis of the market for segment by type, end-use and regions To provide strategic profiling of the key players in the market, comprehensively analyzing their core competencies, and drawing a competitive landscape for the market To track and analyze competitive developments such as joint ventures, strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, new product developments, and research and developments in the global Rainscreen Cladding Market.Segmentation:Regional Analysis of Global Rainscreen Cladding Market:The Europe region is the fastest growing region for the rainscreen cladding, owing to the rapid urbanization and the increasing population in the region, which is leading to an increase in the number of construction activities. This increase in construction activities is further leading to the growth of the Rainscreen Cladding Market in the region. The market is further driven with the introduction of rules and regulations by the European commission with the objective of promoting the use of energy in an efficient manner across all end-use industries such as residential, commercial and industrial.The report for Global Rainscreen Cladding 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.Access Complete Report @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 Future+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.comOffice No. 524/528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India
Petoskey library hosting food drive this holiday season

The Petoskey District Library has partnered with Manna Food Project to host a food drive Nov. 14  Dec. 23 to help people in need this holiday season.
Bryce Starling - Teaser:

Emmett Hancock Out of My Element:

Sending it in Utah:

Irish Death Trail in Bellingham, WA:

2017 Season Edit:

Freeride Or Die:

Lucid - Marvin Buchholzki:

Beast Coasters 13: We 3 Lana:

9.8M/S^2:

Teiva & Temarii Dirt Jump in Tahiti:

Greg Watts at Woodward Tahoe:

Kriss Kyle Rips BMX at Unit 23 Skatepark - Raw 100:

Blood, Sweat & Trails - Jay Lonergan:

Demolition Days - Pat Casey & FOD Sessions:

Yeah Right! - Eric Koston - Full Segment:

Classic Covers - Jim Greco:

This Mountain Life - Trailer:

Magnetic - A Whistler Blackcomb Movie:

Salomon TV: Dream Trip - Kashmir:

Follow Through:

Rider: Bryce Starling. Full video coming in Spring.After a long summer of dust and warm temperatures Emmett takes on some of the rowdiest conditions of the year.Jack Graham and friends ripping in Utah.This is one of my favorite trails on the mountain, so I decided to make a quick shredit on it! Enjoy!4 out of 4 Tomas agrees that the north shore is still extreme, so czech it out.I'm back on the big bike after a road trip in the Alpes! Flat pedals, sick lines... what else do you need?Lucid shows the talented rider Marvin Buchholzki in a unique surrounding. Directed, filmed, and edited by Tim Zerban with the help of Nima Rafiee, Karim Hussein, Simon Schwarz and Piroschka Brucker.Lana Del Rey was born in upstate New York and she babysat one of our friends when they were like six. Wilmington and Lake Placid have an awesome riding scene with tons of different trails and fun terrain. Hometown homie Cam Willis and the Barkeaters Trail Alliance (BETA) showed us the goods, thanks fellas!Riding in Colorado, Wyoming, and British Columbia.Riders: Temarii Buillard and Teiva Niva.Greg Watts had a chance to try some of the new trails at Woodward, Tahoe. Looks like they have a wide variety to ride on. Watch and see.With the Scottish winter in full swing, king of style and steeze Kriss Kyle took to his local skatepark for an absolute shred session to kick the winter doldrums. The man never disappoints when it comes to pushing the boundaries of BMX and how he attacks a park, so we decided to take our Raw 100 series indoors to listen to the pure shredding as Kriss explores Unit 23.When the first shovelful of the infamous orange magic dirt was scooped and stacked into a pile on a strip of undeveloped land in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, back in 1994, it sparked a clay inferno that resulted in multiple lines filled with various progressive jumps that became the legendary Posh Woods. The lasting impact and huge influence that Posh and the locals have had on the global trails community is undeniable. The bar on jump construction and shaping, trails etiquette, and dedication (to name a few) has been raised multiple notches over the last two decades, thanks to Posh. One current Posh local has been there since day one and continues to steer the ship with relentless passion - Jay Lonergan. In his DIG Issue 90 interview, Joe Rich summed up his lifelong friend well: Jays life is dedicated to that place. It is a huge part of his soul. Just seeing that love and dedication for it, him riding his bike and doing what he needs to do get that feeling he needs from it. Even working long hours at a full-time job and going straight from work to build the trails for a month at a time, only to have them washed away and start that process again thats just another level altogether. Its one thing to do it for a year or two, but almost 20 years (Ed. note: over 23 at this point), thats a different breed of human. Enjoy some wisdom straight from the mind of arguably the most dedicated rider to the trails lifestyle, of all time. All hail the Trail Shaman.The Demolition team has always had a heavy list of all around-riders, and with boss man Brian Castillo making the team picks, it proves that the apple really doesnt fall far from the tree. Demolition recently got local SoCal team riders Dennis Enarson, Pat Casey, Matt Cordova, Tyler Fernengel, Kris Fox, Andrew Lazaruk, Parker Heath, Dallas Dun, John Wadlund, and friends Nathan Sykes, Larry Edgar, and Heath Pinter together for two days of shredding. They turned up the desert heat at FOD and kicked it with the Caseys for two days of riding, chilling, and good times.Koston is a street legend for a reason.Some skaters have their personality shine through both video parts and photography. This high-risk 5-0 cover just screams Greco.This looks amazing!Starring: Stan Rey, Justin Lamoureux, Jesse Millen, James Heim, Craig McMorris, Eric Hjorleifson, Evan McEachran, Helen Schettini, Ian Morrison, KC Deane, Teal Harle, Robin Van Gyn, Dean Bercivitch, Mikey Ciccarelli, Logan Pehota, Matty Richard, Devun Walsh, Annie Boulanger PY LeBlanc, Mike Douglas, Marcus Culver, Mikey Nixon, Alexi Godbout & Friends.Twenty-two year old Swede, Lovisa Rosengren, chooses Gulmarg, Kashmir as her dream trip spot with Cody Townsend and Kalen Thorien. What was supposed to be a cultural trip, turns into so much more when a 3 meter storm rolls through the resort.People have opinions about skier Caroline Gleich: Inspirational. Gumby. Social media star. Role model. Model masquerading as a mountaineer. At sixteen, she stumbled upon a copy of the cult classic guidebook The Chuting Gallery. Irreverent and wonderfully arbitrary, the guidebook lays out a set of 90 ski mountaineering lines across Utahs Wasatch Mountains. They were difficult and dangerous. When she first said out loud she wanted to ski them, she was met with laughter. Maybe it was because I was five feet tall, or I was a little blonde girl, but I remember that clearly  and it didnt feel good says Gleich. After a decade building her skills, Gleich set out to complete her vision and become the skier she dreamt of being. Follow Through is a story of loss, belonging and desire for respect. In this age of hyperconnectivity, which voices do we choose to hear and which do we ignore?Title Photo by: boardnz To check out videos submitted by fellow Pinkbike members that didn't quite make Movie Mondays here
By Moses Kyeyune:

The Leader of Opposition Parliament Winnie Kiiza has tasked government to address concerns by striking doctors rather than coercing them back to work.

The call comes in the midst of controversy after doctors declared an industrial action last week, demanding better pay and improved working conditions.

The strike has since paralysed business in health facilities, prompting government to swing into action with an iron hand.

However, in a press conference at Parliament today, Kiiza says that government must swallow its pride and handle medical workers demands with humility.
Apheresis Market report categorizes the global market by Application (Renal Diseases, Hematology, Cardiovascular Diseases), Procedure (Plasmapheresis, Photopheresis), Technology (Centrifugation & Membrane Filtration), End User & Geography

Apheresis Market

PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-13 13:59:13

Press Information

Transparency Market Research

90 State Street, Suite 700



Albany, NY 12207



Rahul Singh

Head  Internet Marketing

+1-518-618-1030

email

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/apheresis-market.html





# 723 Words

90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Head  Internet Marketing+1-518-618-1030

According to a TMR analyst, The global market for apheresis is anticipated to exhibit a 10.2% CAGR between 2017 and 2025. In 2016, the market was worth US$1.85 bn and is likely to touch a valuation of US$4.33 bn by the end of 2025. Based on procedure, the market has been segmented into erythrocytapheresis, leukapheresis, plateletpheresis, LDL apheresis, photopheresis, and plasmapheresis. Among all these, the market was reigned by the plasmapheresis segment in 2016 owing to the growing number of procedures pertaining to donor plasmapheresis across the globe. The segment is further estimated to experience an 8.9% CAGR over the course of the forecast period. Region-wise, the market is anticipated to be dominated by North America until the end of the forecast period. This growth can be attributed to the extensive development of the healthcare infrastructure in the region.Read Report Overview @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/apheresis-market.html The huge ascent in the prevalence of chronic maladies worldwide has prompted an extensive demand for blood components for use medical products such as immunoglobulin, coagulation factors, plasma, and albumin. Additionally, strict safety regulations are prompting the expanded concentration of healthcare facilities on the security and viability parts of these items, which has prompted specialized advances in apheresis items and techniques. In this manner, the rising interest for blood parts and plasma for therapeutics is anticipated to remain a key constrain affecting the general advancement of the worldwide apheresis market in the following couple of years.The market is additionally anticipated to profit by the enlarging set of therapeutic apheresis, which is provoking the expanded utilization of apheresis methodology in the treatment of various ailments and signs. According to the American Society for Apheresis' (ASFA) Apheresis rule's 2016 version, there are 87 ailments (78 out of 2013 release) and 179 sign for apheresis. In 2016, three new hematological signs were included these rules. Such enlarging utilizations of apheresis is anticipated to drive development for apheresis market in the coming years.Request Sample Report @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=896 The set-up of apheresis includes expensive disposables and apheresis systems. Furthermore, technically skilled operators are needed to conduct these procedures. This further, raises the cost of the operations, thus, making the complete procedure expensive. This type of situation also becomes a Herculean state in developing economies. Apheresis is also termed unaffordable for treating certain other diseases in which several other alternatives are also available which are equally efficient in treating the disease and are inexpensive as well. This issue is anticipated to have a huge impact on the growth of the global market for apheresis.Transparency Market Research (TMR) observes in a research report that the competitive landscape in the global apheresis market is likely to be intense owing to the fact that a few leading vendors hold a substantial share in the market. The future threat arising from new entrants is likely to be comparatively low over the coming years because of the license required for manufacturing equipment, technical expertise needed to venture into this field, and expensive nature of the manufacturing process, which is keeping the new players at bay. The focus on mergers, collaborations, and strategic collaborations is likely to be high in the coming years with leading companies looking forward to tighten their grip in the intensely competitive market and amid the growing cost related pressures. The leading companies in the market comprise B. Braun Melsungen AG, Cerus Corporation, Fresenius Kabi AG, Haemonetics Corporation, Terumo Corporation, and Asahi Kasei Medical Co. Ltd.Buy Full Apheresis Market Report @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/checkout.php?rep_id=896<ype=S About TMRTransparency 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.
Retractable Needle Safety Syringes Market report categorizes the Asia Pacific market by Product Type (Manual and Automated), End-users (Hospitals, Clinics, and Ambulatory Surgery Centers) & Geography

Asia Pacific Retractable Needle Safety Syringes Market

PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-13 14:03:32

Press Information

Transparency Market Research

90 State Street, Suite 700



Albany, NY 12207



Rahul Singh

Head  Internet Marketing

+1-518-618-1030

email

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/asia-pacific-retractable-needle-safety-syringes-market.ht





# 690 Words

90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Head  Internet Marketing+1-518-618-1030

As per TMR, the Asia Pacific market for retractable needle safety syringes stood at US$236.7 mn in 2016. Rising at a CAGR of 8.90% during the period from 2016 to 2024, the opportunity in this market is predicted to reach US$467.2 mn by the end of the forecast period. Hospitals have emerged as the leading end user of retractable needle safety syringes in Asia Pacific. Thanks to the increasing insurance coverage, this segment is likely to remain the key contributor to this market in the years to come.Read Report Overview @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/asia-pacific-retractable-needle-safety-syringes-market.html The report considers manual retractable needle safety syringes and automatic retractable needle safety syringes as the key products available in the Asia Pacific market for retractable needle safety syringes. Among these, the demand for manual retractable needle safety syringes has been higher and the trend is anticipated to continue over the forecast period, thanks to their affordability.The report also presents a geographical study of this market, where it considers China, Japan, India, New Zealand and Australia, ASEAN Countries, and the Rest of Asia Pacific as the main geographical segments. Japan has been dominating this regional market and, expanding at a CAGR of 9.10% between 2016 and 2024, is anticipated to retain its position over the next few years.Request Sample Report @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=24083 The continual expansion in the healthcare industry in Asia Pacific, fueled by the rising number of favorable initiatives by various governments across this region, is having a significant influence on the Asia Pacific market for retractable needle safety syringes, says the author of this study. With government institutions promoting the safe injection practices by encouraging people to shift to safe syringes, this market is likely to rise exponentially in the years to come. India and several other nations in the Southeast Asia are increasingly collaborating with the WHO to encourage the usage of safe syringes in an effort to prevent the proliferation of deadly diseases.Apart from this, the market is also expected to gain significantly over the forecast period from various factors, such as the technological advancements, increasing shift of people towards self-administration of drugs, and the growing awareness pertaining to the benefits offered by retractable needle safety syringes. However, the emergence of more advanced drug delivery methods, thanks to the recent developments in medical science, may limit the adoption of retractable needle safety syringes in the near future. Besides this, the high cost of these safety syringes are also projected to hamper this market over the forthcoming years, reports the research study.Request Asia Pacific Retractable Needle Safety Syringes Market Report Brochure @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=24083 The Asia Pacific retractable needle safety syringes market demonstrates a highly consolidated business landscape, finds a new research report by Transparency Market Research (TMR). The top four players, namely, Becton, Dickinson and Co., Smiths Medical, Medtronic Plc, and Retractable Technologies Inc., held more than 95% of the overall market in 2015.These enterprises are focusing aggressively on expanding their operations across the region, for which they are strengthening their distribution network considerably. Apart from this, they are also engaging into strategic alliance to gain a strong foothold in the overall market.Buy Full Asia Pacific Retractable Needle Safety Syringes Market Report @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/checkout.php?rep_id=24083<ype=S About TMRTransparency 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.
PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-13 12:50:52

Press Information

Transparency Market Research

90 State Street,



Suite 700



Rahul

Marketing Head

+1-518-618-1030

email

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/





# 595 Words

90 State Street,Suite 700Marketing Head+1-518-618-1030

The global chlorine market is forecasted to garner a strong growth in the near future with the rising demand for chlorine derivatives in a wide scope of applications such as paints and coatings, adhesives, food processing, plastic, cosmetic, pharmaceuticals, and water. The market demand could embrace an escalating boost due to the application of chlorine as a raw material in the manufacture of various chemicals. The mercury cell technology is foreseen to be completely dissolved by 2020 due to the gradual shift toward membrane technology because of strict regulations pertaining to mercury emission.As per the estimations of Transparency Market Research (TMR), the global chlorine market could reach a valuation of US$42.7 bn by 2022 end, progressing from a valuation of US$31.1 bn achieved in 2017. The market is projected to rise at a CAGR of 6.5% during the forecast period 20172022.View Report at https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/chlorine-market.html Global Chlorine Market: Major InsightsThe global chlorine market is foretold to experience a spur in demand owing to the application of chlorine as a solvent in the pharma sector. As one of the fastest growing consumers of chlorine, polyvinyl chlorine (PVC) could ensure a greater growth in the market while riding on an increasing demand in sectors such as packaging, construction, and automobile. The growth of water treatment plants across the world as a necessity could augur well for the market since most of them use chlorine on a regular basis.The international chlorine market is envisioned to be segregated according to end use, where key segments could be vinyls, organic chemicals, water treatment, and chlorinated intermediates. As per the publication, vinyls are expected to be counted as a market with a higher revenue share growing at a CAGR of 6.2% between 2017 and 2022. In 2017, it accounted for a US$14.4 bn. However, by the end of 2022, it could earn a US$19.5 bn. The percentage share anticipated for this market is 47.9% to be achieved by the concluding forecast year. Its annual growth could be greater than that of other segments by end use.Request A Sample Of This Report: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=31184 With respect to geographical classification, the international chlorine market is prognosticated to testify the superiority of Asia Pacific except Japan (APEJ) in view of revenue. This region could expand at a CAGR of 7.2% during the tenure of the forecast period, putting behind developed regions such as North America and Europe. Growing at a 6.4% CAGR, North America could create opportunities as it secured a US$5.4 bn in 2017. Running at a CAGR closer to this one, Japan could be valued at a US$3.9 bn by 2022. Latin America and the Middle East and Africa (MEA) are envisaged to be other regions of the market.Global Chlorine Market: Vendor LandscapeThe worldwide chlorine market is predicted to include key industry players such as Ercros S.A, Olin Corporation, BASF SE, PPG Industries, Occidental Petroleum Corporation, FMC Corporation, Hanwha Chemical Corporation, Ineos Group Ltd., Tata Chemicals Ltd., and Tosoh Corporation. Report buyers could take advantage of the clear and meticulous explanation of the markets competitive landscape provided by the analysts.Buy Chlorine Market Research Report: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/checkout.php?rep_id=31184<ype=S 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.
PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-13 12:12:35

Press Information

Future Market Insights

616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,



Valley Cottage, NY 10989,



United States



T: +1-347-918-3531



F: +1-845-579-5705



Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.com



Website :www.futuremarketinsights.com



Rahul Singh

Marketing Head

+1-347-918-3531

email





Published by

Abhishek Budholiya

+1-347-918-3531

e-mail

http://www.futuremarketinsights.com







# 614 Words

616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite :www.futuremarketinsights.comMarketing Head+1-347-918-3531Abhishek Budholiya+1-347-918-3531

Future Market Insights has come up with a new publication titled Construction Chemicals Market: Global Industry Analysis (2012-2016) and Opportunity Assessment (2017-2027), which tracks the performance of the global construction chemical market for the projected period of 10-years i.e. between 2017 and 2027. The global construction chemical market is expected to grow on a positive note during the forecast period. In terms of volume, consumption of construction chemicals across the globe was pegged at 23,934 KT in 2016 and is expected to increase at a CAGR of 4.9% (By volume) over the forecast period to reach 40,158 KT by the end of 2027. Growth in the market is expected to be driven by favourable policies and regulations and growing construction activities across the globe. Emphasis on oversea business development and sales, apart from domestic market and customized products for end use industries are the new trends witness in the global construction chemical market.Global Construction Chemicals Market- Key TakeawaysThe U.S. is estimated to dominate the North America construction chemicals market with remarkable value share in terms of consumption over the forecast periodDue to growth of the construction industry in countries like Brazil and Mexico, there has also been an increase in the demand for constriction chemicalsGermany dominates the Western Europe construction chemicals market. This is attributed to the wide use of construction chemicals in industrial, commercial and residential segmentWith more than 65 % of share in the overall construction chemical consumption, China dominated the APEJ market in 2016In terms of value and volume, GCC countries are expected to dominate the MEA construction chemical marketRussia dominates the Eastern Europe construction chemicals market. The country accounted for nearly 44% share in the overall Construction Chemicals consumption in Eastern Europe in 2016Request Sample Report@ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-284 Global Construction Chemicals Market- Forecast by Product TypeOn the basis of product type, the global construction chemical market is segmented into water proofing chemicals, protective coating, concrete admixture, adhesives and sealants and asphalt additives. The concrete admixture segment is expected to have a majority share in the global construction chemicals market throughout the forecast period. Increasing rate of urbanization in the Asia Pacific region, coupled with increasing demand from the residential sector and rising infrastructure development, are major driving factors for the growth of the concrete admixture segment.Global Construction Chemicals Market- Forecast by Application TypeOn the basis of application type, the global construction chemical market is segmented into residential, commercial & industrial and infrastructure. The residential and commercial & industrial segments together are expected to hold a major share of the global construction chemicals market throughout the forecast period. The sale of construction chemicals for residential applications is expected to be valued at US$ 24.63 Bn by 2027 end, registering CAGR of 5.8% in terms of value during the forecast period.Request for Table of Contents@ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-284 Global Construction Chemicals Market- Forecast by RegionThis report has covered seven regions namely, North America, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, APEJ, Japan and MEA. With 45.3% revenue share, APEJ region is expected to dominate the market in 2027. Rising per capita income and rapid urbanisation & infrastructure development in APEJ are the major driving factors for the growth of the construction chemicals market.Global Construction Chemicals Market- Key PlayersSome of the key players operating in the global construction chemical market are BASF SE, GCP Applied Technologies, SIKA AG, The Dow Chemical Company, RPM International Inc., Ashland Inc., MAPEI, Akzo Nobel NV, Arkema SA, Fosroc, Covestro AG, HB Fuller Company, Lanxess AG, The 3M COMPANY, Wacker Chemie AG, Huntsman Corporation, Momentive, Performance Materials, and Guangzhou Jointas Chemical Co., Ltd.Buy Construction Chemicals Market Research Report@ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/checkout/284
PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-13 12:41:54

Press Information





Published by

Abhishek Budholiya

+1-347-918-3531

e-mail

http://www.futuremarketinsights.com







# 593 Words

Abhishek Budholiya+1-347-918-3531

The process of combining medical and psychotherapeutic treatment to address the dependence on alcohol and drugs such as prescription drugs and street drugs is called rehabilitation. Addiction to alcohol and drugs is considered a chronic disease. If the addiction is untreated, it can have serious life threatening effects. Drug and alcohol addiction is treated with several steps such as detoxification, counselling, medication, and long term follow ups to avoid relapse. Withdrawal symptoms are serious such as sweat, nausea, and vomiting. Hence, addiction is considered treatable, but a complex process.Request a Brochure to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=28526 The global drug and alcohol rehabilitation market is expected to expand at a significant growth rate during the forecast period. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 26.9% of people aged 18 and above were engaged in binge drinking in a month in 2015. Rising prevalence of alcoholism is likely to be a key factor driving the global market from 2017 to 2025. Increased usage of illegal drugs is another factor anticipated to propel the global market during the forecast period. Furthermore, rise in major depression disorders, surge in trend among youngsters toward drugs and alcohols, underage drinking, peer pressure, and self-medication are some of the factors projected to fuel the growth of the global drugs and alcohol rehabilitation market during the forecast period. Serious withdrawal symptoms of the treatment is a major factor anticipated to restrain the global market from 2017 to 2025.The global drugs and alcohol rehabilitation market can be segmented based on treatment, screening, end-user, and region. In terms of treatment, the global market can be segmented into counselling, medication, and behavioral treatment. The medication segment can be sub-segmented into opioid addiction, tobacco, alcohol, and others. The medication segment is expected to account for a significant share of the global market during the forecast due to increase in usage of illicit drugs, alcoholism, and self-medication. Based on screening, the global market can be divided into oral fluid drug screening, urine drug screening, breathe alcohol screening, hair analysis, and others. In terms of end-user, the global drugs and alcohol rehabilitation market can be segmented into rehabilitation centers and clinics, hospitals, and home care settings. The rehabilitation centers and clinics segment is anticipated to hold the largest share of the global market during forecast period due to factors such as increasing federal funding.The global drug and alcohol rehabilitation market is projected to expand at a significant growth rate across regions. Geographically, the global drug and alcohol rehabilitation market can be divided into North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Middle East & Africa. North America dominates the global market in terms of value. Factors attributed to the growth of the market in North America are increase in patients suffering from major depression, prevalence of unhealthy lifestyle, surge in drug trafficking, and peer pressure. Europe is anticipated to account for the second largest share of the global market due to highest number of alcoholism-related disorders in the region. The market in Asia Pacific is expected to experience high growth due to increase in alcohol usage.Request for Report ToC: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=T&rep_id=28526 To maintain a significant position in the global drug and alcohol rehabilitation market, the key players are adopting strategies such as mergers and acquisitions, robust research and development, and geographical expansion. Major players operating in the global drug and rehabilitation market are Indivior, Inc., West-Ward Pharmaceuticals Corp., and Pfizer, Inc., among others.
According to the research report, the North America facial injectables market is expected to reach a valuation of US$5.8 bn by the end of 2024 as compared to US$2.1 bn by the end of 2015. Between the forecast years of 2016 and 2024, the global market is expected to rise at a CAGR of 12.0%.

PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-13 12:52:34

Press Information

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/checkout.php?rep_id=18515<ype=S

State Tower, 90 State Street, Suite 700, Albany NY - 12207



Rahul Singh

Marketing Manager

15186181030

email

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com





# 526 Words

State Tower, 90 State Street, Suite 700, Albany NY - 12207Marketing Manager15186181030

The North America facial injectables market is quite monopolistic in nature with one player dominating the overall market dynamics. As of 2016, Allergan Plc., held a share 62.0% in the regional market. The company dominance is a result of the strong brand value of its drugs like Botox & Juvederm. Presently, Botox is leading the market and is expected to retain its stance all throughout 2024.The overall market has been segmented into the U.S. and Canada on the basis of geography. Out of the two countries, the U.S. is expected to assume the lead in the overall market due to a high demand for botulinum toxins and dermal fillers. Improving lifestyles and growing preference for minimally invasive surgeries are expected to drive the demand for facial injectables across the U.S.In terms of products, the market is segmented into botulinum toxin, hyaluronic acid, collagen, and particle and polymer fillers. Of these, the botulinum toxin segment held a leading share in the global market in 2015 as it is predominantly being used for correcting lines, creases, and wrinkles. Thus, between 2016 and 2024, the botulinum toxin segment is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 12.7%.Read Report Overview @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/north-america-facial-injectables-market.html Synthetic Facial Injectables with Long-lasting Effects Propel DemandDevelopment of synthetic products with polymers and particles has upped the demand for facial injectables across North America. The new products have a longer shelf-life, which prolongs the need to re-treatment. Thus, the widening availability of facial injectables that tend to have permanent effects is driving the demand for products in the overall market. Furthermore, as the frequency of treatment is reduced it has also brought down the cost of facial injectables treatment, thus making it affordable.Request Sample Report @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=18515 The market for facial injectables across North America has also been flourishing against the backdrop of growing preference for minimally invasive surgeries. Thus, the growing inclination toward minimally invasive procedures in dermatological applications is expected to drive the overall market. The growing focus on aesthetics and physical attractiveness are proving to be the persuasive factors in the propelling demand for facial injectables in North America. Changing lifestyles, rising disposable incomes, and altering understanding of beauty and attractiveness is encouraging several users to opt for facial injectables that can reverse the signs of aging to restore the youthful glow.Request Facial Injectables Market Report Brochure @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=18515 Side Effects of Facial Injectables Challenge Market GrowthThe strength of aforementioned market drivers is likely to be challenged by a few restraints in the North America facial injectables market. The possibility of allergic reactions due to the involvement of living organisms and related chemicals and enzymes is anticipated to hamper the growth of the overall market. Furthermore, side-effects such as edema, bleeding, and bruising are also expected to restrain the growth of the regional market. The poor reimbursement policies associated with facial injectables are expected to curb the spending on these expenditures in the near future.Buy Full Facial Injectables Market Report @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/checkout.php?rep_id=18515<ype=S
Flowering Stimulants Market By Type (Solid Flowering Stimulants, Liquid Flowering Stimulants), By Application (Agriculture And Horticulture) And By Region - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, And Forecasts (20162021)

We Think Through Different Layers, We Work Across Different Vertical

PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-13 12:46:02

Press Information

Market Data Forecast

531/MIG-II, Rd Number 1, Kukatpally Housing Board Colony, Kukatpally, Hyderabad, Telangana 500072



Abhishek Shukla

Sales Manager

+1-888-702-9626

email

http://www.marketdataforecast.com





# 827 Words

531/MIG-II, Rd Number 1, Kukatpally Housing Board Colony, Kukatpally, Hyderabad, Telangana 500072Sales Manager+1-888-702-9626

The Global Flowering Stimulants Market was worth USD xx billion in 2016 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of xx%, to reach USD xx billion by 2021.View report: http://marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/flowering-stimulants-market-4159/ Flowering of plants is very essential in both agriculture and horticulture. In horticulture good flower yield is the priority to bear fruits and in agriculture also good flowering gives good yield. So, farmers always try to increase the flower yield by using excessive fertilizers, both organic and chemical. This increases the yield but it has a limit to the growth and use of excessive fertilizers support growth of other vegetation which is not desirable.Flower formation in plants is stimulated by certain hormones namely auxin, cytokinin, gibbrellic acid and Ethylene. Flowering stimulants increases the production of these substances in the plant and also in ratios favorable for flower yield. Currently, Nitrobenzene mixed with some other chemicals is the best and most used stimulant. It is estimated that flowering stimulants increase the flower yield by more than 40%.Download free sample report: http://marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/flowering-stimulants-market-4159/request-sample Increase in the crop yields has become stagnant due to the increase in the use of fertilizers and other chemicals. This increased the demand alternatives which can increase the crop yield resulting in the demand for flowering stimulants. Increasing necessity to improve crop yields due to the decreasing agricultural land, rapidly increasing population and increasing awareness among people regarding the stimulants are expected to drive the flowering stimulants market. However, availability of alternate chemicals and strict approval regulations are restricting the market growth.The Flowering Stimulants market is segmented by type, application and region. Based on the type, the market is segmented into Solid Flowering Stimulants and Liquid Flowering Stimulants. Liquid flowering stimulants hold the largest market share as they are easily absorbed by the plant within a short time. On the basis of application, the market is segmented into Agriculture and Horticulture. Usage of flowering stimulants is very high in horticulture. It is because of the restrictions on the use of many fertilizers in horticulture. Agriculture segment is expected to be the fastest growing segment due to the increasing popularity for flowering stimulants.Inquire before buying: http://marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/flowering-stimulants-market-4159/inquire On the basis of region, the global Flowering Stimulants market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa. Asia Pacific holds the largest market share. It is because Asia Pacific is the leading cultivator of horticulture where flowering stimulants are widely used. Latin America is expected to be the fastest growing segment due to the increasing awareness among consumers.Some of the major players in Flowering Stimulants market are Greenland Bio-Science, Molecule Agri, Nitesh Agro Industries, Sikko Industries, Redox Industries, Rishabh Intermediates, Bhartiya Fertilizers and Chemicals and Agrichem Life Science.Market SegmentationType Introduction Liquid Flowering Stimulants Solid Flowering Stimulants Y-o-Y Growth Analysis, By Type Market Attractiveness Analysis, By Type Market Share Analysis, By TypeApplication Introduction Agriculture Horticulture Y-o-Y Growth Analysis, By Application Market Attractiveness Analysis, By Application Market Share Analysis, By ApplicationThe scope of the report: Global, 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 marketAbout 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.
PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-13 14:07:01

Hillstone Networks Joins Ecosystem for Arrays Network Functions Platform for a high-performance and resilient security solution

Hillstone Networks CloudEdge Integrates with Array Network Functions Platform for Advanced Threat Protection

Hillstone Networks

Zeyao Hu

inquiry@hillstonenet.com

or

PAN Communications for Array Networks

Kirsten Ashton, 407-734-7332

arraynetworks@pancomm.com

Hillstone Networks a leading provider of network security solutions, today announced a partnership with Array Networks, the network functions platform company. As part of the joint effort, Hillstone has joined Arrays growing third-party ecosystem of technologies that have been tested and proved compatible with the AVX series.

Hillstones CloudEdge provides the same robust set of security features offered by the companys NSS Labs Recommended next-generation firewalls. CloudEdge identifies and prevents potential threats associated with high-risk applications while providing policy-based control over applications, users and user groups. In addition, CloudEdge provides comprehensive security features including granular application identification and control, intrusion prevention, anti-virus, attack defense, URL filtering, cloud sandbox and more.

The AVX Series uniquely offers the flexibility of cloud and virtualization, with the guaranteed performance of dedicated appliances. Up to 32 Array and third-party networking and security virtual appliances may be deployed on an AVX platform, reducing rack space and energy overhead while enabling pay-as-you-grow deployment and streamlining network functions virtualization (NFV) roll-outs.

By leveraging Arrays AVX Series network functions platform, virtual application delivery controllers and virtual SSL VPNs, as well as Hillstones CloudEdge NGFW and other third-party virtual appliances, enterprises and service providers can deploy a complete, best-of-breed solution for endpoint and data center security as well as application availability and performance. Network functions such as NGFW, ADC, SSL VPNs and others may be deployed on different sized VMs as needed to fit the workload and throughput requirements of a given environment. In addition, VMs may be deployed in mix-and-match configurations, and service chained to create very efficient, agile and secure topologies.

The joint solution from two network visionaries bring together critical features of the Hillstone NGFW with the agility and performance of the Array Networks platform for a comprehensive virtual solution, said Lingling Zhang, SVP of product and marketing at Hillstone Networks. The joint solution addresses our customers challenges of security, scalability and performance without compromise.

Hillstone CloudEdge supports major hypervisor technologies and cloud management platforms. Its automatic deployment, service chain orchestration, centralized license management and Rest API functions enable the cloud user the capability of self-service and self-management based on their business needs without interruption from cloud administrators.

Partnering with Hillstone Networks, and certifying CloudEdge for deployment on the AVX platform further expands options for organizations that are looking to consolidate data centers, gain flexibility and choice, and eliminate the trade-offs of performance versus agility, said James Kwon, senior director of product management at Array Networks. Hillstones CloudEdge is proven technology that offers a complete suite of NGFW capabilities. By combining CloudEdge with Arrays AVX platform and virtual ADCs and SSL VPNs, organizations have unprecedented flexibility to design and deploy best-of-breed solutions custom-fit to their needs and requirements.

About Hillstone Networks

Hillstone Networks Layered Threat Protection provides continuous threat defense at traditional perimeters, internal networks and Cloud. Established in 2006 by NetScreen, Cisco and Juniper executives, Hillstone Networks is relied on by more than 14,000 customers around the world, including Fortune 500 companies, higher education, financial institutions and service providers. Hillstone Networks US headquarters is in Santa Clara, California. To learn more, visit www.hillstonenet.com.

About Array Networks

Array Networks, the network functions platform company, develops purpose-built systems for deploying virtual app delivery, networking and security functions with guaranteed performance. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, Array is poised to capitalize on explosive growth in the areas of virtualization, cloud and software-centric computing. Proven at over 5000 worldwide customer deployments, Array is recognized by leading analysts, enterprises, service providers and partners for next-generation technology that delivers agility at scale. To learn more, visit: www.arraynetworks.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/201711130054

.@Hillstone_Net joins forces with @arraynetworks Functions Platform for Advanced Threat Protection Solution
PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-13 10:53:20

Press Information

Persistence Market Research





Rahul Singh

Marketing Head

+1-646-568-7751

email

https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/



Published by

Abhishek Budholiya

+1-347-918-3531

e-mail

http://www.futuremarketinsights.com







# 537 Words

Marketing Head+1-646-568-7751Abhishek Budholiya+1-347-918-3531

Hydrophobic interaction chromatography resins is defined as a technique used for the process purification of biomolecules. Hydrophobic interaction chromatography resins is an alternative for the size exclusion chromatography and ion exchange chromatography. Hydrophobic interaction chromatography gives better results when the impurities are of a similar isoelectric point or have similar molecular weight.The hydrophobic interaction chromatography resins technique is utilized for the separation of proteins and peptides, separation of DNA plasmid. This technique is also used in purification of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), purification of glycoproteins with high carbon content, purification of plasmid DNA purification. The hydrophobic interaction chromatography resins have various benefits over other chromatography resins such as robust chemical stability between pH 1-13, temperature range stability 40 to 600 C and autoclavable at 1210 C, compatible with organic solvents, low non-specific protein binding, and superior recovery. The increasing monoclonal antibody research and genomic and proteomics studies boost the demand for the hydrophobic interaction chromatography resins.The global hydrophobic interaction chromatography resins market is anticipated to register a significant CAGR over a forecast period. The increasing research and development activities in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry is the major factor boost the demand of the hydrophobic interaction chromatography and drives the market. The growing demand of monoclonal therapeutic antibodies and biosimilars also increases the demand for the chromatography resins and drives the market. The efficient use of hydrophobic interaction chromatography resins in separation techniques in the food industry as well as water and environmental analysis also propels the demand for hydrophobic interaction chromatography resins and drives the market over the forecast period.Request for TOC @However, the lack of skilled labor force to handle and operate hydrophobic interaction chromatography resins may hamper the growth of the global hydrophobic interaction chromatography resins market. The increasing use of alternative ion-exchange and affinity chromatography resins may affect the demand of hydrophobic interaction chromatography and restrain the growth of the global hydrophobic interaction chromatography resins market.On the basis of regional presence, the global hydrophobic interaction chromatography resins market is segmented into five key regions: North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Middle East & Africa. Currently, North America is contributing the leading shares to the global hydrophobic interaction chromatography resins market in terms of value and anticipated to register a significant CAGR over a forecast period. The Europe is also contributing the moderate shares to the market due to the increasing research and development activities in pharmaceutical and biotechnology. APAC is the most lucrative market for the hydrophobic interaction chromatography resins and expected to show a robust growth to the global hydrophobic interaction chromatography resins market. MEA is at a nascent stage to the global hydrophobic interaction chromatography resins market and anticipated to register a decent growth to the market over a forecast period. Overall, the global hydrophobic interaction chromatography resins market is expected to show significant growth over a forecast period.Key PlayersSome of the major market players in hydrophobic interaction chromatography resins market globally include Tosoh Corporation, Pall Corporation, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., General Electric Company, Avantor Performance Materials, Inc., Merck KGaA, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, Purolite Corporation and Repligen Corporation.Request to view Sample Report:
By Robert Muhereza:

The Police in Kabale are holding a 26 year old man for faking his kidnap and demanding Shs 4m from his parents.

The police spokesman for Kigezi region Elly Matte has identified the accused person as Victor Twinamatsiko.

He is said to have disappeared on October 30 and was arrested on Nov 8 from Muko Sub County in the neighboring district of Rubanda by the police after tracking the mobile phone he was using.

It was established that the phone numbers he was using were located in Muko Sub County instead of Kampala and

Mukono where he claimed he was being held in a safe house.

Upon arrest Twinamatsiko confessed to having faked his kidnap because he wanted the money to solve a traffic offence he committed in 2012 when he knocked dead a one Judith Tukamuhabwa while riding a motorcycle.
PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-13 12:27:25

Press Information





Published by

Abhishek Budholiya

+1-347-918-3531

e-mail

http://www.futuremarketinsights.com







# 460 Words

Abhishek Budholiya+1-347-918-3531

Diabetes is a serious complex condition which can affect the entire body. Diabetes occurs due to inadequate secretion of insulin inside the pancreas. Insulin secreted by pancreas in hormone made by beta cell which is responsible for the conversion of glucose from food to energy. There are different types of diabetes, all type diabetes serious and complex body condition. The three main types of diabetes are type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes.Type 2 is prolonged condition of body which inadequate production of insulin by pancreas to convert the glucose from food energy. Type 2 diabetes is strongly associated with genetic and family related risk factors. In general, type 2 diabetes develop occur in adults after the age of 45 but nowadays the prevalence of children and young adults suffering from diabetes are is increasing. Some of the major symptom of type 2 diabetes are excessively thirstiness, feeling tired and lethargic, always feeling hungry, require more time to cure heals and others. Diabetes is non-curable disease and it can only be controlled by changing life style and medication. Medication given by pill or injections to increase the level of insulin in human body. Insulin are injected by using syringe and insulin pens.Request a sample of this report -Increasing prevalence of diabetes worldwide is the primary factor driving the growth of inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes treatment market. Rising geriatric population and change in life style of people is also responsible for the rapid increasing prevalence of diabetes globally. Increasing initiative by NGO for the treatment of diabetes among the people will boost the growth of this market. Technological advance leads to development of highly improved drugs for the treatment of diabetes will propel the growth of inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes treatment market. On other hand, unfavorable reimbursement policies will restrain the growth of inadequately controlled type2 diabetes treatment market. Besides that, high cost drug and chances of technical error will also impact the growth of inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes treatment market.The inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes treatment market is expected show robust growth over the forecast period due to rise geriatric population suffering from type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes include 85-90% diabetes case globally. According to 7th edition of the International Diabetes Federations (IDF) 415 million people are suffering from diabetes worldwide. Same study also stated that China ranked highest number of people with diabetes which over 100 million people suffering from diabetes. Currently there are very few drugs are available in the market for the treatment of inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes.Some of the players across the value chain of inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes treatment market are Sanofi S.A., Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH, Eli Lilly and Company and others.Request a ToC of this report -
PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-13 02:01:02

INSPIRIO Gears up for Growth with High Calibre Client Service Director

INSPIRIO CO., LTD

PR team

Tel: 02 309 3611

Email: HELLO@INSPIRIO.COM

Address: Suite 1811, Floor 18, Park Ventures Ecoplex, 57 Wireless Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

INSPIRIO, the first-ever digital transformation agency in Asia, announced further expansion plans for the fast-growing Asia. Currently serving and partnering Fortune 500s, including Thailands largest media broadcaster, in advisory, consulting and training roles, the agencys work spans global tech, FMCG companies, and innovative start-ups. Their services range from offering social media and creative solutions, digital analytics and business intelligence to spearheading world-class campaigns and strategic projects.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/201711120050

Vorasiri Supanichvorapart - Client Service Director (Photo: Business Wire)

Vorasiri Supanichvorapart has been appointed to the role of Client Service and Marketing Director, reporting directly to Charoen Singh, Founding Partner and Managing Director. Vorasiri brings highly relevant experience of over 10 years in Digital Experience Design, Social Analytics and Intelligence, latest in leading the strategic direction for a major digital agency.

Vorasiris appointment comes in response to the continued growth of INSPIRIO business, which has taken new businesses in early 2017. Vorasiri will be based in Bangkok, Thailand, managing and developing a number of the firms key client relationships. She also takes on overall responsibility to oversee marketing activities in Asia.

INSPIRIO has a really strong reputation in the digital industry, combined with the firms successful growth in Europe and Asia, attracted me to the role, comments Vorasiri. It is also an exciting time to expand in Asia as many businesses are facing the challenges to implement digital technologies to be ahead in their industries and I will continue to build the company reputation as a leading digital transformation agency.

Vorasiri, who joins INSPIRIO from bigger agencies in digital communities for Market Intelligence, has more than ten years of services experience, with specific expertise in digital transformation.

Charoen Singh, Founding Partner and Managing Director for INSPIRIO says, We are delighted to welcome someone of Vorasiris calibre to the business. Her backgrounds and experiences in Client Services will be of particular benefit as we are seeing increased demand from both new and existing clients in this area. INSPIRIO has secured several significant new mandates year to date, a trend we expect to continue throughout 2017.

INSPIRIO growth mirrors that of digital industry, according to the latest statistics, the net revenue value reached a new record high, an increase of more than 50% YOY growth.

More information about INSPIRIO and their services is available here.

http://www.inspirio.com/

About INSPIRIO:

INSPIRIO, the first-ever digital transformation agency in Asia, is helping businesses define, develop, and achieve their digital goals through strategy, program design and execution. They are also driving into brave new waters of industry transforming applications.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/201711120050
Transdermal Skin Patches Market report categorizes the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia market by Product Type (Drug in Adhesive, Matrix, Reservoir, Vapor), Application (Nicotine Cessation, Hormone replacement therapy, Neurological Disorders), Distribution Channel & Geography

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Transdermal Skin Patches Market

PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-13 13:51:59

Press Information

Transparency Market Research

90 State Street, Suite 700





Albany, NY 12207



Rahul Singh

Head  Internet Marketing

+1-518-618-1030

email

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ksa-transdermal-skin-patches-market.html





# 664 Words

90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Head  Internet Marketing+1-518-618-1030

According to the research report, the Saudi Arabia transdermal skin patches market is expected to be worth US$67.41 mn by 2025 from US$44.96 mn in 2016. During the forecast years of 2017 and 2025, the global market is projected to surge at a CAGR of 4.7%. Out of the various products, the market will be led by the matrix segment, which is expected to account for a share of 35.1% in the overall market by the end of 2025. Amongst the distribution channels, the hospital pharmacies are expected to dominate the overall market over the forecast period.Read Report Overview @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ksa-transdermal-skin-patches-market.html The increasing expenditure on healthcare and rising awareness about diseases and disorders have augmented the sales of transdermal skin patches across Saudi Arabia. These patches are extensively being used to route drug administration for a localized joint or a muscle conditions. These patches are gaining steady momentum as they offer greater advantages in comparison to other drug delivery methods. Analysts anticipate that these patches will continue to be in high demand as they are known to by-pass the liver first-pass metabolism, which oral products are incapable of. As growing number of people are realizing this benefit, the demand for transdermal skin patches is seen to be escalating in Saudi Arabia.The usage of transdermal skin patches also eliminates the need for injections, which further reduces the risk of cross contamination and infections. In case of adverse effect to the medication, these patches can be quickly removed as well. The growing number of geriatrics and accessibility to convenient healthcare have augmented the demand for transdermal skin patches in recent years. Growing investments in research and development of transdermal skin patches have also had a positive influence on the revenue of the overall market. The emerging trend of self-administration of medications at home is expected to bolster the uptake of these patches in the foreseeable future.Request Sample Report @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=26171 Despite the strong market drivers, the Saudi Arabia transdermal skin patches market is likely to be restrained by a few factors. For instance, the increasing abuse of transdermal patches as a quick treatment for disabling severe pain has become a serious restraint for the Saudi Arabia market. In extreme cases, these patches have also resulted in deaths, which have now become a cause of major concern amongst health experts. Additionally, these skin patches are also known to have side-effects such as discoloration of skin, dizziness, and severe redness. Thus, all of these factors are expected to result in a major hurdle for the Saudi Arabia transdermal skin patches in the years to come.Transparency Market Research (TMR) has observed that the completion in the Saudi Arabia transdermal skin patches is between moderate to high. Just about a handful of players have a strong presence in the overall market due to a high-level of expertise. The leading players, Johnson & Johnson, Novartis AG, and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., held a collective share of about 22% in the overall market in 2016. This has significantly intensified the competition.Buy Full Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Transdermal Skin Patches Market Report @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/checkout.php?rep_id=26171<ype=S About TMRTransparency 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.
The healthcare industry in the past half-decade has seen an exponential rise in growth. With the rising incidence in non-communicable diseases, a demand for healthcare providers has increased.

PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-13 12:10:04

Press Information





Published by

Abhishek Budholiya

+1-347-918-3531

e-mail

http://www.futuremarketinsights.com







# 522 Words

Abhishek Budholiya+1-347-918-3531

The healthcare industry in the past half-decade has seen an exponential rise in growth. With the rising incidence in non-communicable diseases, a demand for healthcare providers has increased. Healthcare providers have tried to keep up with the demand, however there is a huge scope for development. With awareness among the people with respect to hygiene in the past few decades, millennials and generation-Y have been given a lot of attention. This has led to the weakening of the immune system. A new wave of disorders has emerged where people have become allergic or incapable of digesting certain foods. One of the most common disorders is lactose intolerance. This is caused by the paucity of the lactase enzyme. Lactase is an enzyme present in the gut of human beings and other mammals which is utilized in the breakdown of lactose into glucose and galactose. Lactose is present in dairy products, and lactase helps in the digestion of said products. To counter this problem, lactase supplements are utilized to treat this disorder, or lactase is added to dairy products to break down lactose before consumption.Request For ToC @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-2200 Lactase Market- Market Dynamics:According to few studies, there are 10-20% people are lactose intolerant in US alone. Some ethnicities harbor this problem in higher percentages. Lactose supplements are prescribed for said individuals, or lactose is added to the dairy product to break down lactose before consumption. Due to these disorders, there is avoidance of the intake of dairy products. In the long term, the avoidance of said products can lead to problems like osteoporosis. Lactase supplements are also prescribed for other problems of indigestion as well like Irritable bowel syndrome, bloating, gasses etc. With the exponential rise I h e healthcare market, we can expect to see a significant rise in CAGR for lactase market throughout the forecasted period of 2016-2026. Lactase is widely used in the dairy production. The properties of lactase help reduce the lactose content in the products while sweetening the product and reduced viscosity. These products are perfect for lactose intolerant individuals. As the food and beverages industry is witnessing a surge in growth, lactase market is also pegged to witness a healthy CAGR throughout our forecasted period of 2016-2026.Lactase Market- Regional Outlook:In terms of geography, the lactase market has been divided in to five key regions; North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Middle East & Africa. The lactase market is expected to exhibit an above average CAGR during the forecast period. Asia Pacific region is expected to witness a high demand for lactase over the forecasted period. Highest growth is expected to be seen specifically from India and China. Significant growth will also be witness in Middle East and Africa, Eastern Europe and Latin America.Request For Report sample @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-2200 Lactase Market- Major Players:Some of the key players in the lactase market are Parchem fine & specialty chemicals, McNeil Nutritionals, LLC, Nutriteck, Shandong Tianjiu Bio-Tech Co., Ltd., Mitushi Biopharma, Amano Enzyme, Inc., OENON Holdings, Inc., Dumoco, Nisarg Life Sciences India Pvt. Ltd., Avanscure Lifesciences Pvt. Ltd.,
Latin America Trifluralin Market By Crop (Field Crops And Fruits & Vegetable Crops), By Type (Miscible Oil And Granula), By Application (agricultural Land Application, Non-agricultural Land Application, And Energy Production) And By Region - Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, And Forecasts (20162021)

Market Data Forecast

PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-13 07:38:59

Press Information

Market Data Forecast

Hyderabad, India.



Abhishek Shukla

Sales Manager (International Business Development)

+1-888-702-9626

email

http://www.marketdataforecast.com/





# 480 Words

Hyderabad, India.Sales Manager (International Business Development)+1-888-702-9626

Latin America Trifluralin Market is worth USD xx million in 2016 and estimated to grow at a CAGR of xx.xx% , to reach USD xx million by 2021. The Latin America Trifluralin market is developing at an exceptionally quick pace.Browse Market data tables and in-depth TOC of the Latin America Trifluralin Market to 2021 @ http://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/latin-america-trifluralin-market-4503/ Trifluralin are treated sewage sludge which are intended to be used as soil conditioner. These are considered as organic solids which are derived from the sewage treatment processes. They are rich in minerals and nutrients, and are used in a various sectors, ranging from agriculture to energy production. Mostly they are used as a natural fertilizer. Trifluralin have major application in the sector of agriculture, energy recovery, mine reclamation, water treatment and crop fertilizer.The significant drivers are development of the agricultural sector and growing demand for herbicide. Trifluralin reduces the time required to remove weeds as compared to other herbicides, thus increasing its demand. Rise in demand for weed removing chemicals in developed and developing nations is further expected to boost the trifluralin market. Trifluralin is toxic for aquatic animals, and hence not recommended by European Union (EU).However competition from substitute products and huge cost are proving to be a barrier in the Trifluralin market.Free sample of the report is available @ http://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/latin-america-trifluralin-market-4503/request-sample The Latin America Trifluralin market is segmented on the basis of crop, type, application and region. Based on crop the market is segmented into field crops and fruit & vegetable crops. Based on type the market is segmented into miscible oil (emulsifying concentrate) and granula (GR). Based on application the market is segmented into annual grasses, wireweed, spurrey, fathen, and others.Latin America market region includes countries such as Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and remaining countries of South America. The rising focus of key players on enhancing their market presence across the globe is estimated to encourage the growth of the market in the Latin America regions.Inquire before buying @ http://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/latin-america-trifluralin-market-4503/inquire Shandong Qiaochang Chemical Co., Ltd., Chongqing Shurong, Shenzhen Sunrising Industry Co., Ltd., Chemical Co., Ltd., BASF, Jiangsu Fengshan Group Co., Ltd., and Dow Chemical Company are the leaders in the Latin America Trifluralin 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 Visit MarketDataForecast Blog @ http://www.marketdataforecast.com/blog/ View latest Press Releases of MDF @ http://www.marketdataforecast.com/press-releases
PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-13 12:55:15

Press Information





Published by

Abhishek Budholiya

+1-347-918-3531

e-mail

http://www.futuremarketinsights.com







# 657 Words

Abhishek Budholiya+1-347-918-3531

High level of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in blood may turn life-threatening, as it deposits in the blood vessels, narrowing the lumen, and leads to coronary heart diseases. This condition is commonly called atherosclerosis. LDL apheresis is a procedure that involves withdrawing blood from the patients body, removing LDL cholesterol and pumping the remaining blood back into the patients body. The LDL apheresis procedure is recommended to patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), a common genetic disorder that leads to a high level of LDL cholesterol. This procedure is also performed for patients who are non-responsive to medications for lowering blood LDL cholesterol levels. The heterozygous type of FH has prevalence of 1 in 500 across all the countries, while the homozygous FH is found in 1 in 10 million population.Request a Brochure to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=28493 According to the World Health Organization, in 2008, the prevalence of elevated total cholesterol was 54% in Europe, 48% in North America, and 29% in Southeast Asia. It is estimated that one-third of the heart diseases are caused due to elevated level of cholesterol in the blood. Lifestyle-induced diseases, pollution, and other metabolic diseases are further projected to increase the number of patients with atherosclerosis. Other application areas for LDL apheresis therapy are under study such as renal diseases, hematology diseases, and others. This is projected to drive the demand for LDL apheresis machines and disposables in the near future. Moreover, favorable reimbursement scenario in developed markets such as North America and Europe is driving more patients to opt for LDL apheresis therapy. However, the procedure attracts high capital investment in terms of device and set up. It also attract expensive consumables and skilled healthcare professionals to perform the procedure, which in turn makes the procedure expensive.The global LDL apheresis therapy market is segmented on the basis of product, technology, and end-user. In terms of product, the global LDL apheresis therapy market can be segmented into devices and disposables, the disposable segment include columns, filters, tubing, etc. In terms of technology, the global LDL apheresis therapy market can be segmented into double filtration plasmapheresis or cascade filtration, immunoadsorption, heparin-induced LDL precipitation (HELP), dextran sulphate lipid adsorption, and hemoperfusion. The hemoperfusion is performed by advanced procedures such as direct adsorption of lipoproteins (DALI) and whole blood perfusion (Liposorber D). Dextran sulfate lipid adsorption and HELP are the most widely employed techniques for LDL apheresis in recent years. However, technically advanced hemoperfusion systems are found to be more promising and are anticipated to dominate the market in near future due to their efficiency and simplicity of use. In terms of end-user, the global LDL apheresis therapy market can be segmented into hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, and blood banks.In terms of geography, the global LDL apheresis therapy market can be segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World. North America is estimated to hold a prominent share of the global LDL apheresis therapy market and is anticipated to expand at a high growth rate due to acceptance of technology, well-established healthcare industry, and high healthcare expenditure from the public and private sector. Europe is projected to follow North America in terms of share of the global LDL apheresis therapy market due to increasing prevalence of elevated cholesterol in blood and developments in healthcare infrastructure. Technical advancements in markets such as Japan and increasing healthcare expenditure in emerging markets such as India and China are likely to propel the LDL apheresis therapy market in Asia Pacific in the near future.Request for Report ToC: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=T&rep_id=28493 Major players operating in the global LDL apheresis therapy market include Kaneka Pharma Europe N.V, B. Braun Melsungen AG, Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA, Asahi Kasei Medical Co., Ltd., Medicap GmbH, Kawasumi Laboratories Inc. Terumo Corporation, and Haemonetics Corporation.
Lipase Market By Source (Microbial Lipases, Plant Lipases, Animal Lipases), By Application (Animal Feed, Dairy, Bakery, Confectionery, Others), By Functions (Frozen Food And Beverage Additives And Food And Beverage Texturants) And By Region - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, And Forecasts (20162021)

We Think Through Different Layers, We Work Across Different Verticals

PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-13 12:52:32

Press Information

Market Data Forecast

531/MIG-II, Rd Number 1, Kukatpally Housing Board Colony, Kukatpally, Hyderabad, Telangana 500072



Abhishek Shukla

Sales Manager

+1-888-702-9626

email

http://www.marketdataforecast.com





# 872 Words

531/MIG-II, Rd Number 1, Kukatpally Housing Board Colony, Kukatpally, Hyderabad, Telangana 500072Sales Manager+1-888-702-9626

The Global Lipase Market was worth USD 457.2 million in 2016 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.6%, to reach USD 629.3 million by 2021.View report: http://marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/lipase-market-3596/ Lipase is an enzyme produced by pancreas which catalyzes biochemical reactions in which hydrolysis of fats take place. It also hydrolyzes ester bonds in triglycerides to form mono glycerides and free fatty acids and also helps in formation of fatty acids. Lipases are also involved in inflammation and cell signaling.Absence or inadequacy of lipase in body results in high cholesterol, high risk towards diabetes, decreased cell permeability, muscle spasms and high levels of triglycerides in the body. Lipases are used in industries for yogurt and cheese fermentation. Recombinant lipase enzymes are being used in applications such as laundry detergents, baking and as biocatalysts in converting vegetable oil into fuel.Download free sample report: http://marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/lipase-market-3596/request-sample Increase in pancreatic disorders and number of patients undergoing pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy, use of lipases in cosmetics industry, changing food habits and increase in consumption of dairy products are driving the lipase market. Use of lipase in food and beverages industry as flavoring agent and to increase shelf life of food products is also expected to drive the market. Uncertainties in patent protection laws are restraining the market growth.The global lipase market is segmented on the basis of source, application, functions and region. Based on source of lipase, the market is segmented into microbial lipases, animal lipases and plant lipases. Microbial lipases produced from bacteria and yeast account for the largest market share as they are most preferred in enzymes industry due to the low cost and high effectiveness compared to that of plants and animals. Based on applications, the market is segmented into Animal Feed, Dairy, Bakery, Confectionery and Others. Animal feed application leads the market in this segment due to increase in livestock production and increasing meat consumption. Dairy products applications are the fastest growing segment due to the changing eating habits and rise in disposable incomes of people. Based on functions the market is segmented into Frozen Food and Beverage Additives and Food and Beverage Texturants.Inquire before buying: http://marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/lipase-market-3596/inquire On the basis of geography, the global market is analyzed under various regions namely North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa. Asia Pacific region is the largest market segment due to the increase in demand for bakery and processed dairy products in this region. Latin America region is projected to be the fastest growing segment due to the increase in food and beverage industries.Major players in the lipase market are E. I. Du Pont De Nemours and Company, Associated British Foods PLC, Amano Enzymes Inc., Novozymes A/S, Advanced Enzymes, Enzyme Development Corporation, Renco New Zealand, Koninklijke DSM N.V., Chr. Hansen Holdings A/S, and Clerici-Sacco Group.Market SegmentationSource Introduction Microbial Lipases Plant Lipases Animal Lipases Y-o-Y Growth Analysis, By Source Market Attractiveness Analysis, By Source Market Share Analysis, By SourceApplication Introduction Animal Feed Dairy Bakery Confectionery Others Y-o-Y Growth Analysis, By Application Market Attractiveness Analysis, By Application Market Share Analysis, By ApplicationFunctions Introduction Frozen Food and Beverage Additives Food and Beverage Texturants Other Functions Y-o-Y Growth Analysis, By Functions Market Attractiveness Analysis, By Functions Market Share Analysis, By FunctionsThe scope of the report: Global, 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 marketAbout 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.
PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-13 13:09:12

Press Information

Transparency Market Research

90 State Street,





Suite 700



Rahul

Marketing Head

+1-518-618-1030

email

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/





# 612 Words

90 State Street,Suite 700Marketing Head+1-518-618-1030

Deep-sea Applications Drive DemandAt the forefront of driving demand in the global marine coatings application, is their deep-sea application which protects ships from harsh weather conditions and improves their appearance. The marine industry comprises of bulk tankers and carriers, cargo ships, cruise ships and container ships. Marine coatings play a crucial role in increasing fuel efficiency of vessels and hence bring down fallout on the environment. The new shipbuilding industry has been experiencing sluggish growth of late. However, rising demand for marine coatings during ship repair and maintenance activities is likely to boost market growth during the forecast period, explains the lead analyst of the TMR report.As per a report by Transparency Market Research, the global marine coatings market will, in probabilities, expand at a CAGR of 6.1% between 2017 and 2025. Rising at this pace, the market which was worth US$8.53 bn in 2015, is predicted to reach a value of US$14.52 bn by 2025.View Report Preview at https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/marine-coatings.html Focus of Product Development Positively Influence MarketThe ever expanding oil and gas industry, more extensive usage of coatings to make sure the long-term security of the marine assets, and the enforcing of the IMO ballast tank coating norms, have all contributed significantly to the global marine coatings market. Further, customer preference and strict government policies regarding eco-friendly products is lending a considerable hand in boosting product innovation. Researchers and manufacturers are now focusing on developing anti-fouling metal-free coating which will not negatively impact the marine life. However, slow growth of the ship building industry is expected to be a restraining factor for the growth of the overall market.Some of the key products in the global marine coatings market are anti-fouling coatings, foul release coatings, anti-corrosion coatings, etc. The anti-fouling coatings, among them, which provide protection to vessels and ships from fouling organisms and slime, accounted for a leading share in the market in 2016. Rise in ship repair and maintenance activities that require anti-fouling coatings is expected to stoke their demand in the near future.Request A Sample Of This Report: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=902 Asia Pacific, Latin America, North America, Europe, and the Middle East and Africa are some of the key regions in the global marine coatings market. Of them, Asia Pacific dominates the global marine coating market in terms of volume and value. In 2016, it held over 60% value share of the market. Powered by shipbuilding activities in China, Japan, and South Korea, the market in the region is predicted to maintain its leading position in the years ahead too.The global marine coatings market, which is consolidated on account of a handful of top players accounting for a significant share in it, has been growing at a healthy clip  a trend it is likely to retain in the near future as well. Keen players in the market are focused on product development and usually bank upon a wide array of products to cater to the specific demands of the client.Buy Marine Coatings Market Research Report: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/checkout.php?rep_id=902<ype=S Some of the prominent players in the global marine coatings market are Akzo Nobel N.V., PPG Industries Inc., Jotun A/S, Hempel A/S, Chugoku Marine Paints Ltd., and Sherwin-Williams Company.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.
Medical Gas Analyzer Market report categorizes the global market by Type (Single Gas, Multiple Gas), Technology (Electrochemical, Optical, Infrared), End user (Ambulatory Surgery Centers, Diagnostics Centers, Research Institutes) & Geography

Medical Gas Analyzer Market

PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-13 13:57:08

Press Information

Transparency Market Research

90 State Street, Suite 700



Albany, NY 12207



Rahul Singh

Head  Internet Marketing

+1-518-618-1030

email

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/medical-gas-analyzers-market.html





# 691 Words

90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Head  Internet Marketing+1-518-618-1030

As per estimates presented in a report by Transparency Market Research, the global medical gas analyzer market is projected to be worth US$179.24 mn by the end of 2024 from US$136.91 mn in 2015, expanding at a CAGR of 3.1% between 2016 and 2024.The single gas analyzer product segment led the medical gas analyzer market with a share of nearly 84% vis-a-vis revenue and a share of over 97% in terms of volume in 2015. The segment is expected to rise at a CAGR of 3.2% between 2016 and 2024, mainly because of the low price factor and easy availability of the product segment.Read Report Overview @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/medical-gas-analyzers-market.html Geography-wise, North America held the leading share of the medical gas analyzer market in 2015. The presence of an ultramodern healthcare infrastructure and stringent regulations in place to avoid medical gas accidents are accounted to be the leading drivers of the North America medical gas analyzer market.Some of the key growth drivers of the global medical gas analyzer market include easy adoption of new variants of medical equipment, rapid pace of technological advancement, and the increasing number of hospitals and healthcare centers worldwide. The inclusion of gas sensing technologies such as paramagnetic, infrared, and zirconia that enable safer and speedier measurement of medical gases is also acting in favor of the medical gas analyzer market. Further, data communication and interactive features such as touch screen, alarm system, barcode reader, and data recording and storage that make the handling of medical devices easier is benefitting sales of medical gas analyzer.Request Sample Report @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=15335 The continuous emergence of stringent safety compliances and statutes for healthcare providers to adhere to them is also anticipated to display an increased demand for gas analyzers in the forthcoming years. Increasing number of hospitals, diagnostic centers, and healthcare centers, especially in emerging economies is expected to present growth opportunities to the medical gas analyzer market.On the flip side, high cost of new technologies that make them uneconomical for many end-users is acting as a significant restraint for the markets growth. Nevertheless, several end-users are procuring them on rental basis, especially in regional markets where cost is a concern.Request Medical Gas Analyzer Market Report Brochure @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=15335 The global medical gas analyzer market is characterized by a largely consolidated vendor landscape and dominance of a handful of large manufacturers that have operations in key regional markets, says a new report by Transparency Market Research (TMR).The global market for medical gas analyzers is experiencing immense growth opportunities in developing and less developed economies. However, low-cost products from new market participants in emerging economies is expected to affect the market presence of dominant players. In this scenario, investments in research and development, innovation, and mergers and acquisitions are the key growth strategies that key market players have resorted to. For example, Servomex, a leading company for medical gas analyzer, introduced the next-gen multi-gas analyzer variant SERVOPRO MULTIEXACT 5400 in 2016, with features of paramagnetic, thermal conductivity, and zirconia. Another example is Teledyne Technologies that acquired Frontline Test Equipment Inc., and Quantum Data Inc. This enabled the former to incorporate data communication features into its products.Buy Full Medical Gas Analyzer Market Report @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/checkout.php?rep_id=15335<ype=S About TMRTransparency 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.
PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-13 14:37:09

Press Information

Transparency Market Research

Transparency Market Research



State Tower,



90 State Street,



Suite 700,



Albany NY  12207



United States



Rahul Singh

Marketing Head

+1-518-618-1030

email

http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com





# 519 Words

Transparency Market ResearchState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY  12207United StatesMarketing Head+1-518-618-1030

The global metallic pigments market was valued US$736.2 million in 2014. The market is expected to reach a value of US$1,286 million by 2023, if it can maintain an estimated CAGR of 6.4% from 2015 to 2013. According to a report released by Transparency Market Research, titled Metallic Pigments - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2015 - 2023, the markets primary growth driver has been growing demand for aluminum.The report states that aluminum was the largest product segment of the global metallic pigments market in 2014.Read Report Overview @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/metallic-pigments-market.html A majority of the market was taken up by plastics, printing inks, coatings, and paints that were based on aluminum pigments. Aluminum was the preferred metal due to the visual appeal that it brought out. In comparison, 15% of the 2014 global metallic pigments market was held by copper, which is used to apply a gold bronze finishing to products. Copper pigments are in larger use in the application segments of personal care and printing inks. Other major product segments include chromium and stainless steel.Request Sample Report @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=2315 Among the various end users, the global metallic pigments market was dominated by paints and coatings. Automotive OEM and refinish coatings make major use of metallic pigments, along with architectural projects. Due to the corrosion resistance provided by metallic pigments, they are also used in marine coatings.The global metallic pigments market in 2014 had printing inks as the second largest end-use segment. Printing inks were used as offset inks and in flexography, gravure, and digital inks. The demand for metallic pigments is set to increase by the end of 2023.The fastest growing end-use segment of the global metallic pigments market is expected to be personal care in the near future. Demand for metallic pigments from building materials and plastics are expected to remain stable for the reports forecast period.Request Metallic Pigments Market Report Brochure @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=2315 The reports geographical segmentation of the global metallic pigments market reveals Asia Pacific as the largest consumer. The region held over 30% of the market in 2014, and the report expects it to maintain its lead for the time being. The regions growth is mainly attributed to a high demand for plastics, printing inks, and paints and coatings.Europe and North America, on the other hand, are set to show a declining demand from the global metallic pigments market. The primary restraint on the market is the increasingly stringent environmental protection regulations employed by the regions governing bodies.MEA and Latin America are expected to be the new emergent regions in the market, as they continue to show growing requirement for metallic pigments. However, the demand is still reportedly less and could possibly fall by the end of 2023.Some of the top companies operating in the global metallic pigments market are Asahi Kasei Corporation, Silberline Manufacturing Co., Carl Schlenk AG, BASF AG, and ALTANA AG.Buy Metallic Pigments Market Research Report @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/checkout.php?rep_id=2315<ype=S
By Benjamin Jumbe:

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir arrives in the country tomorrow for a two- day official visit

President Bashir last visited Uganda in May 2016 to attend the swearing in of President Museveni for the current term in office.

According to a statement from statehouse, during the visit, a number of areas of cooperation will be discussed including trade and investment, agriculture, regional peace and security as well as international matters of mutual interest.

President Al-Bashir is to be accompanied by Ministers, Senior Officials and a business delegation in various sectors, with a Sudan-Uganda Business Forum expected to be held.

President Museveni and his Sudanese counterpart have since 2015 been trying to forge mutual cooperation and positions towards regional and global issues.
PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-13 13:00:43

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 396 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for Mountain Lake Minerals Inc.--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Wolfville, Nova Scotia (FSCWire) - Mountain Lake Minerals Inc. (CSE:MLK). has issued a press release with the following headline:Mountain Lake Closes Option with New Dawn Resources on Caledonia Brook Gold ProjectTo 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 Mountain Lake Minerals 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/Mountain Lake Minerals Inc.Source: Mountain Lake Minerals Inc. (CSE: MLK)Date: November 13, 2017Time: 7:00 AM EST--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of Mountain Lake Minerals 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.)
Ocular Drug Delivery Technology Market report categorize the global market by Technology (Topical, Ocular Inserts, Iontophoresis, Intraocular Implants and In Situ Gel & Punctal Plugs), Disease Type (Glaucoma, Diabetic Retinopathy, Macular Degeneration), End User & Geography

Ocular Drug Delivery Technology Market

PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-13 13:43:39

Press Information

Transparency Market Research

90 State Street, Suite 700



Albany, NY 12207



Rahul Singh

Head  Internet Marketing

+1-518-618-1030

email

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ocular-drug-delivery-technologies.html





# 669 Words

90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Head  Internet Marketing+1-518-618-1030

A report by Transparency Market Research predicts the global ocular drug delivery technologies market to expand at a steady 6.8% CAGR between 2017 and 2025 to become worth US$18.124 bn by 2025-end vis-a-vis revenue from US$ 10.2 bn in 2016.Some of the primary growth drivers in the global ocular drug delivery technology market is the low bioavailability of drugs in conventional ocular therapies, increasing occurrence of glaucoma and macular degeneration, increasing preference among patients for targeted ocular drug delivery techniques, and approval of the FDA for new ocular drug delivery techniques.Read Report Overview @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ocular-drug-delivery-technologies.html However, there are a number of factors serving to restrain the market as well. As per the lead analyst of the TMR report: Ocular inserts and implants provide advantages such as high corneal penetration, greater dissolution area, and sustained release of medication. However, the foreign body sensation in the eye due to the solidity of the implants lead to discomfort accompanied by irritation, drug dilution, and excessive lachrymation. Therefore, even though they provide enhanced drug delivery alternatives, the discomfort is likely to arrest the growth of this segment. Depending upon the type of technology, the global ocular drug delivery technology market can be segmented into topical, ocular inserts, iontophoresis, intraocular implants, and in-situ gel and punctal plugs, among others. Of them, the topical segment dominates the market revenue-wise. Going forward too, the topical segment is expected to retain its leading share of about 50.2% in revenue till 2025. This is mainly because of the growing pool of elderly and the rising number of regional players in the ophthalmic technology market.Request Sample Report @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=2869 Geographically, the key segments of the global ocular drug delivery technology market are North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa. North America, at present, is a dominant region because of the strong demand for targeted drug delivery to the posterior eye and concentration of prominent manufacturers. In 2016, the region held a substantial 52.5% share in the market.The global ocular drug delivery technology market is consolidated in nature. The top three companies operating in the market, namely Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Alimera Sciences, and Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. (Bausch & Lomb Incorporated) account for over half the share in it. Of them, Santen Pharmaceuticals and Valeant Pharmaceuticals have a stronghold over the market because of their wide array of topical ocular drug products. Alimera Sciences captured 14% to 18% market share in 2016 due to commercialization of Iluvien manufactured by pSivida Corp.Request Ocular Drug Delivery Technology Market Report Brochure @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=2869 Keen manufacturers  both large and small regional ones  in the global ocular drug delivery technology market are collaborating with hospitals and other suppliers or acquiring other companies in order to bolster their positions. They are also looking to expand their share with a robust pipeline of products in ophthalmic sector. Competition in the market will likely heat up in the near future on the back of favorable reimbursement policies of governments and increasing number of research grants.Buy Full Ocular Drug Delivery Technology Market Report @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/checkout.php?rep_id=2869<ype=S About TMRTransparency 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.
Organ Transplant Market

PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-13 07:42:58

Press Information

Coherent Market Insights

1001 4th Ave,



#3200



Mr Shah

CEO

2067016702

email

http://www.coherentmarketinsights.com





# 708 Words

1001 4th Ave,#3200CEO2067016702

Organ transplantation is the surgical operation in which a healthy organ is removed from one person and transplanted to another person whose organ is failed or damaged. In the organ transplantation, the donated organ may be from living donor, deceased donor, or from an animal. Whereas in some cases an artificial organ is used in the transplantation procedure. Organ transplantation gives new life to the individual with damaged or failed organ. The most common organ transplant includes kidney, heart, liver, pancreas, lung, and intestine. Double organ transplantation is also possible such as kidney and pancreas transplant, and heart and lungs tran splant. A Kidney transplant is the most common type of organ transplant whereas intestine transplant is the least common type of the organ transplant. Vascularized Composite Allografts (VCA) which includes hand and face transplantation is also possible due to the advancements in the organ transplantation area.Request For Sample Copy@Growing population with organ failure is the important factor driving the growth of organ transplant marketAccording to WHO Global Observatory on Donation and Transplantation in 2014, approximately 119,873 organs were transplanted annually and that was 1.81% observed increase over 2013. Moreover, increase in chronic diseases which are leading to the organ failure, rise in injurious habits such as smoking and drinking further leading to organ disability or failure are the other factors contributing to the growth of organ transplant market. The data given by National Kidney Foundation, U.S in 2016, there are around 121,678 people waiting for an organ transplant, among which 100,791 people are waiting for kidney transplant. The rising population awaiting for organ transplant and increase in mortality rate due to the inadequate organ for transplantation might create opportunities in the organ transplant market. Some other factors owing to the growth of organ transplant market includes refinement and improvement in surgical techniques and treatment strategies that are helping to increase survival rates, and the launch of new anti-infective and immunosuppression techniques contributing to the lower risk of organ rejection after transplantation, and the development of organ preservation and organ procurements. However, the high cost of transplantation, stringent ethical policies, and lack of reimbursement, organ trafficking and low supply of organs are some restraints that are hindering the growth of organ transplant market.Kidney transplant holds the maximum share of organ transplant market due to rising renal diseases patientsOn the basis of organ type, the organ transplant market is segmented intoKidney,Heart,Lungs,Liver,Intestine,OthersTechnological advantages and established healthcare sector fueling to the domination of major region in organ transplant marketRegional segmentation of organ transplant market by Coherent Market Insights comprises of North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa, and Middle East. North America and Europe region holds the maximum share in the organ transplant market due to the growing success of organ transplant surgeries, technological advancements, and the drug discovery that is important for transplantation. Well established healthcare infrastructure is also contributing to the domination of these regions in the organ transplant market.Growing awareness about organ donation is expected to help the business players to progress in the organ transplant marketKey industry players operating the organ transplant market includes Organogenesis Incorporated, Terumo Co., OrganOX, Transplant Biomedical, Preservation solution, TransMedic, WorldHeart Co., Waters Medical systems, and Jarvik Heart Incorporated. The industry players of organ transplant market relies on organ donation which further collected, stored, and distributed by them. The increase in awareness about the organ donation is expected to create opportunities for the industry players. Whereas factors such as, proximity to key suppliers, understand the government policies and get access to volunteer labor are important for the business players to sustain in the organ transplant market.Ask For the Discount@About Coherent Market Insights:Coherent Market Insights is a prominent market research and consulting firm offering action-ready syndicated research reports, custom market analysis, consulting services, and competitive analysis through various recommendations related to emerging market trends, technologies, and potential absolute dollar opportunity.Contact Us:Mr. ShahCoherent Market Insights1001 4th Ave,#3200Seattle, WA 98154Tel: +1-206-701-6702Email: sales@ coherentmarketinsights.com Visit Coherent Market Insights Blog @ https://blog.coherentmarketinsights.com Connect with us on LinkedIn @ https://www.linkedin.com/company/coherent-market-insights
PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-13 13:00:47

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 413 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for Orsu Metals Corporation--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---White Rock, BC (FSCWire) - Orsu Metals Corporation (TSX Venture:OSU). has issued a press release with the following headline:Orsu Metals Announces Results from Phase 2 Trenching and Drilling Program at 1 km Long Mineralization of Zone 23 and Adit 5, Sergeevskoe Gold Project, RussiaTo 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 Orsu Metals Corporation, or to see additional press releases issued by this company, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser: http://www.fscwire.com/public-company/Orsu Metals CorporationSource: Orsu Metals Corporation (TSX Venture: OSU, OTC Bulletin Board: ORSUF, WKN: A2DXX6, ISIN: VGG6777T1802)Date: November 13, 2017Time: 7:00 AM EST--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of Orsu Metals Corporation and disseminated through FSCwire.About FSCwireFSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.), is a global newswire dissemination, SEDAR, SEDI, and EDGAR / XBRL service provider.FSCwire is a full service global newswire dissemination company and is fully approved by all exchanges in Canada and the U.S. Press releases can be distributed for all sizes of public, private or not for profit companies and any other organization requiring news distribution. In addition to individual companies; public relations, communications and investor relations firms trust FSCwire to distribute press releases for their respective clients.In addition to newswire dissemination FSCwire also offers EDGAR, XBRL, SEDAR, SEDI, and additional services for publicly traded companies. For more information, please go to our website: http://www.fscwire.com Maximum News Dissemination by FSCwire. http://www.fscwire.com Copyright 2017 - FSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.)
According to the research report, the global point-of-care diagnostics market is expected to reach a valuation of US$ 11.7 bn by the end of 2024 as the market promises to progress at a CAGR of 6.9% between 2016 and 2024.

PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-13 12:34:52

Press Information

Transparency Market Research

State Tower, 90 State Street, Suite 700, Albany NY - 12207



Rahul Singh

Marketing Manager

15186181030

email

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com





# 553 Words

State Tower, 90 State Street, Suite 700, Albany NY - 12207Marketing Manager15186181030

The top four players operating in the global point-of-care (POC) diagnostic market held a massive chunk of 78.8% in the overall market in 2015. Alere Inc., Becton Dickinson & Co., Abbott Inc., and F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. dominated with their strong product portfolio, observes Transparency Market Research. Innovation and technological advancement will remain imperative to all the companies in the global market, states the lead author of this research report. In the coming years, these companies are expected to strengthen their positions in developing countries of China, India, Latin America, and Africa to tap into their gigantic scope of unmet medical needs.Read Report Overview @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/care-diagnostics-market.html On the basis of product, this market is segmented into lateral flow assay test, flow-through test, solid phase assay test, and agglutination assay test. Of these, the lateral slow assay test is expected to stand out amongst the others as the segment is estimated to acquire a share of 38.3% in the global market by 2024. The demand for these test will continue to remain high due to their decentralized availability. These tests are also likely to replace laboratory-based immunoassays in decentralized POC testing locations. The lateral flow tests include a sample pad, detection conjugate, reagent pad, test and control reagent lines, nitro-cellulose membrane, and absorbent pad and plastic-adhesive backing card. The demand for these tests will also be backed by booming geriatric population, the high prevalence of chronic disorders, and a rising demand for home-based testing.Request Sample Report @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=1128 In terms of geography, the global market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa. Out of these, North America is poised to account for a share of 38.0% in the global market by the end of 2024. The regional market will be driven by the booming demand for automated diagnostics, strategic collaborations and mergers and acquisitions, and some remarkable technological innovations. Furthermore, design and development of point-of-care diagnostic testing kits to simplify patient demands are also expected to spell a positive spell for the North America point-of-care diagnostics market. Analysts anticipate that Asia Pacific will also be an emerging region in the global market due to a huge population base that has a plethora of unmet medical needs.Request Point-of-care Diagnostics Market Report Brochure @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=1128 Inability of Multiple Screening Impedes Market GrowthSeveral diseases or infections show similar symptoms, which demands accurate testing by screening the patient for multiple diseases. The inability of point-of-care testing to screen for multiple purposes is its biggest drawback. Thus, patients are still opting for laboratory testing to ensure they get accurate results for serious infections. Additionally, the inability to interpret the diagnostic tests is also dissuading many from using homecare kits. Currently, rapid medical diagnostics kits only offer qualitative results without providing any quantification of data. This results in inaccuracy of interpretation and can hamper the treatment. Despite the prolific amount of research and development and marketing of point-of-care testing, these kits provide approximation and can lead to a misdiagnosis. All of these factors are collectively hampering the growth of the global market to a large extent.Buy Full Point-of-care Diagnostics Market Report @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/checkout.php?rep_id=1128<ype=S
PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-13 07:32:10

Press Information





Published by

Abhishek Budholiya

+1-347-918-3531

e-mail

http://www.futuremarketinsights.com







# 621 Words

Abhishek Budholiya+1-347-918-3531

The global packaging industry is driven by the demand for better and convenient packaging. Globalization has eliminated all barriers and increased transit distance and time for products. Protective packaging ensures the safety of the product throughout the supply chain. Cartons are one such protective packaging solution. High demand for such packaging has led to the need for increased production of carton. Automation has transformed the global manufacturing industry and is expected to show a steady growth rate, with more companies switching to automated production units with minimal human intervention. This creates a plethora of opportunities for the global cartoning machine market. Cartoning machines are packaging systems which erect, close and erect, fill and seal carton blanks or folded and side seam sealed cartons. The cartoning machine market is expected to grow on the backdrop of the carton packaging market, and the FMCG industry. Innovation in the industry has led to many patents in the cartoning machine market, which in turn makes the market competitive and paves the way for key players in the market to innovate. The end-use industries for cartoning machines include the likes of food & beverages, and the pharmaceutical industry, both of which are growing rapidly in developing areas, thereby creating a positive outlook for the cartoning machine market.Request For Report Sample: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-4462 Cartoning Machines: Market DynamicsIncreasing logistics and e-commerce has led to a high demand for the cartoning machines market. Cartons are extensively employed for the transportation of the product to different places for safe transit. Cartons have an increasing demand from food & beverages segment especially for the storage of non-carbonated beverages. The above factors cumulatively are driving the global cartoning machines market. The presence of packaging types other than cartons is gaining traction among the end users which is one factor restraining the growth of the global cartoning machines market. Innovation such as integrated barcode systems and vision system is a key trend prevailing in the global cartoning machines market.Cartoning Machines: Market SegmentationThe global cartoning machine market is segmented on the basis of machine type, end use, packaging material, and geography. On the basis of machine type, the global cartooning machine market is segmented into vertical cartoning and horizontal cartoning machines. Vertical and horizontal cartoning machines are further sub segmented into manual, semi-automatic, and automatic cartoning machines. On the basis of end use, the global cartoning machine market is segmented into food & beverages, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics & personal care, and others. On the basis of packaging material, the global cartoning machine market is segmented into paperboard and corrugated fiberboard.Cartoning Machines Market: Regional OutlookOn the basis of geography, the global Cartoning Machines market is segmented into North America, Latin America, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Europe. Asia Pacific is currently leading the cartoning machines market due to extensive industrialization and increasing food & beverages industry. Cartoning machines are extensively used by the logistics sector in the region. North America is expected to exhibit sluggish growth due to mature industries in the region. Growing e-commerce in Europe is expected to spur the demand of cartoning machines and the region is expected to witness steady growth. Latin America is anticipated to witness stagnant growth over the forecast period as the region is ongoing an economic recession and there are not much innovations taking place in the region.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC): https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-4462 Cartoning Machines Market: Key playersSome of the key players operating in the global cartoning machines market are EconoCorp Inc., Robert Bosch GmbH, ACG Worldwide, Langley Holdings PLC, Pakmatic Company (PTY) LTD, Betti s.r.l., Bivans Corporation, Trustar Pharma & Packing Equipment Co., Ltd., Engelmann & Buckham Ltd., and Molins Group.
Artificial Pancreas Systems Market

PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-13 13:04:09

Press Information

future market insights

616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018, Valley Cottage,NY







1-347-918-3531

email





Published by

Abhishek Budholiya

+1-347-918-3531

e-mail

http://www.futuremarketinsights.com







# 468 Words

616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018, Valley Cottage,NY1-347-918-3531Abhishek Budholiya+1-347-918-3531

Growing number of diabetics in the US, Canada and European countries has been compelling hospitals to keep artificial pancreas systems in stock. Government-funded organisations in North America and Europe are collaborating with local as well as global medical device manufacturers to meet the rising demand for artificial pancreas systems. A latest report published by Future Market Insights reveals that the value of artificial pancreas systems market in North America and Europe reached US$ 86.5 Mn by the end of 2016. The report also predicts that people suffering from diabetes in these regions will keep opting for artificial pancreas systems in order to control their blood sugar levels externally.Lifestyle of residents in Europe and North America is triggering the incidence of diabetes (type 1 as well as type 2) in these regions. Substantial rise in diabetic patients compels doctors, pathologists and endocrinologists to treat patients malfunctioning pancreas superficially. The rate at which a physiological pancreas get replaced with a substitute (artificial pancreas system) will keep gaining momentum in this region. By the end of 2026, more than US$ 280 Mn worth of artificial pancreas systems will be sold in North America and Europe, registering a revenue growth at 12.6% CAGR.Request to View Sample Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-na-3058 Almost every artificial pancreas system sold in these regions will treat patients suffering from type 1 diabetes. In US, the occurrence of diabetes mellitus type 1 is expected to surge beyond control. The US artificial pancreas systems market is presently valued at just over US$ 40 Mn, and will account for over two-third of North Americas artificial pancreas system revenues through 2026. Canadas artificial pancreas system revenues, on the other hand, will surge rampantly at 13.8% CAGR.Hospitals will remain the largest distribution channel for artificial pancreas systems across North America and Europe. Although, the report does highlight a noticeable presence of e-commerce websites in global distribution of medical devices as critical as artificial pancreas systems. Among these regions, North America will remain dominant over Europes artificial pancreas system market. Likewise, the demand for artificial pancreas systems will be fairly high in Western Europe, compared to Eastern Europe. Germany, France, the UK and Poland are leading European countries that are more likely to showcase revenue growth at over 11.5% CAGR.Request For Table Of Content @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-na-3058 One of the largest company in North America & Europes artificial pancreas systems market has been identified as Illinois-based medical device manufacturer  Medtronic plc. With it, the UK-based Cellnovo is also being recognised as a prominent manufacturer of artificial pancreas systems. Other key players in the artificial pancreas systems market across North America and Europe include, Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc., Dexcom Inc., Insulet Corporation, and Tandem Diabetes Care Inc.Buy North America & Europes artificial pancreas systems market Research Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/checkout/3058
PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-13 09:20:32

Press Information





Published by

Abhishek Budholiya

+1-347-918-3531

e-mail

http://www.futuremarketinsights.com







# 527 Words

Abhishek Budholiya+1-347-918-3531

Transparency Market Research (TMR) recently published a report to give a comprehensive overview on the global salicylic acid market. The report provides exhaustive details about the present market dynamics and how the incumbent trends are likely to impact the markets trajectory in the near future. In its 69 pages, the report provides an executive-level snapshot of the market and presents an in-depth analysis of the value chain, factors affecting the demand for salicylic acid  on both the regional and global level - and the growth prospects of the overall market. The report is titled Salicylic Acid Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2013 - 2019 and is available for sale on TMRs website. According to the findings of the report, the global salicylic acid market, which was worth US$292.5 million in 2012, will grow at an impressive 8.6% CAGR between 2013 and 2019.View Report Preview:Driven by growing beauty consciousness among the present generation, the market for salicylic acid is projected to value US$521.2 million by the end of 2019. With regard to volume produced during the forecast period, the demand for salicylic acid will increase at a 6.4% CAGR from 95,000.0 tons in 2012.Focusing on hair and skin health has become a common trend in present times. This is one of the most conspicuous factors propelling the market for salicylic acid. The range of skin and hair care products available in the market today offer medical benefits that help reduce problems such as hair fall, dandruff, acne, psoriasis, or blemishes. Salicylic acid is a crucial component that goes into the manufacture of these products. Hence an increase in demand for skin and hair care products will directly correspond to the expansion of the market for salicylic acid, as observed in the report. Salicylic acid is one of the most widely used commercial chemicals. It finds application in organic synthesis, it is an important component of aspirin, and it is also effective in treating common skin conditions such as acne. According to the report, robust growth is expected for the market spurred by the discovery of new growth opportunities. The growing demand for aspirin as a pain killer and in the treatment of fever, cough, and cold has positively impacted the market for salicylic acid.Request to view Sample Report:Among its multiple industrial applications, the report identified pharmaceuticals as the largest application segment within the global market for salicylic acid in 2012. Pharmaceuticals accounted for over 50% of the total demand from the salicylic acid market that year. Salicylic acid is used as an additive in a wide range of medical drugs and ointments, apart from being a key component in aspirin, which, according to the report, is driving the demand for salicylic acid in the pharmaceutical industry.Geographically, North America was identified as the largest market for salicylic acid in 2012. The region accounted for 35% of the total market that year, followed by Asia Pacific. The report foresees exponential growth for the salicylic market in Asia Pacific.Request Brochure of the Report:
PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-13 09:20:53

Press Information





Published by

Abhishek Budholiya

+1-347-918-3531

e-mail

http://www.futuremarketinsights.com







# 498 Words

Abhishek Budholiya+1-347-918-3531

U.S.-based market analysis firm Transparency Market Research has released a new report about the global silicon carbide market, titled Silicon Carbide - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2013 - 2019. The report estimates that the silicon carbide market will grow considerably upon its 2012 market value of US$1.45 billion at a CAGR of 15.3% during the reports forecast period.View Report Preview:Silicon carbide, also known as carborundum, is among the toughest materials known to man. Its physical properties result in a demand from various end-use applications. The report analyzes the demand from seven such end-use applications: steel and energy, automotive, aerospace and aviation, military and defense, electronics and semiconductors, medical and healthcare, and others. Among these, the triumvirate of steel and energy, electronics and semiconductors, and automotive took up about 70% of the global market in 2012. However, the medical and healthcare sector, along with the automotive industry, is expected to be the fastest growing end-use application of silicon carbide.Two major types of silicon carbide dominate the global market: black and green. These two took up more than 90% in the 2012 market. The steel industry is the largest consumer of black silicon carbide. These two categories are expected to not just keep up their dominance over the global market, but grow at the fastest rates as well. Other types of silicon carbide are treated as a single subcategory and dont hold much sway over the global market. They are used in niche applications that are not expected to experience drastic changes.Geographically, the global silicon carbide market is divided into four regional submarkets: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of World. Asia Pacific was by far the dominant shareholder in the silicon carbide market, with a market share of more than 50% in 2012. This high demand is due to the increasing developmental standards in many of the countries in the region and increasing distribution of infrastructure.Request to view Sample Report:Of the other three segments, Europe and Rest of World took up more than 30% of the market between them. The European silicon carbide market is driven mainly by the prevalence of the automotive industry in Europe, while Rest of World is in a similar state of increasing development as Asia Pacific. Accordingly, Asia Pacific and Rest of World are expected to be the fastest growing geographical segments of the silicon carbide market, due to increasing demand from developing countries such as China, India, Brazil, Indonesia, Russia, etc. The report analyzes each regional submarket according to type of silicon carbide as well as the share of each end-use application, in terms of both volume and revenue.The report also profiles major players in the silicon carbide market, such as Carborundum Universal Ltd., Entegris Inc., Gaddis Engineered Materials, Norstel AB, AGSCO Corporation, etc.Request Brochure of the Report:
PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-13 11:13:01

Press Information

Future Market Insights











email





Published by

Abhishek Budholiya

+1-347-918-3531

e-mail

http://www.futuremarketinsights.com







# 641 Words

Abhishek Budholiya+1-347-918-3531

The large scale economic collection of proteins is an increasingly important problem for the biotechnology industry. Since the cell lines used are living organisms, they must be fed with a complex growth medium. Separation of the desired protein from the fermentation broth poses challenges. An improved single-use centrifuge system has a single means for both feeding and collecting liquid streams aseptically from rotating components. Also, methods and apparatus for centrifugal separation of cells from cell culture media of large cell culture batches can be done by processing a large volume within a few hours, using pre-sterilized, single-use fluid path components. The apparatus uses a sealing approach that improves reliability while avoiding air contamination as well as shedding from mechanical seals. The risk of process liquid leaks is minimized. Advances in cell culture techniques have greatly increased the cell populations and titers of the target proteins in culture fluid. Most biopharmaceutical companies today are seeking ways to integrate single-use technologies into processing workflows.Single Use Centrifuge Systems Market: Drivers and RestraintsIncreasing demand of biologics and advancements in medical technology are fuelling the growth of the single-use centrifuge systems market. Minimal manufacturing and maintenance costs of single-use products and instruments attract users to adopt this technology in bio-production. Increasing research on cell biology and stem cells is propelling the demand for single-use centrifuge systems. One of the biggest drivers of the current evolution of biological facility design is the implementation of single-use systems. There is a desire in the industry to use pre-sterilized, single-use centrifuges for some large, production scale operations, but the mere geometric scale-up of the existing smaller designs has not been successful beyond a processing rate of 1-2 liter/min. Technical limitations inherent in the smaller existing designs preclude a direct geometric scale-up approach which is one of the major restraints of the single-use centrifuge systems market.Single Use Centrifuge Systems Market: OverviewDrug pricing control is forcing large and emerging biotech companies to change their overall approach in development and production of biopharmaceutical products. This is leading to rising demand for improved process optimization and more efficient operations such as single-use technologies and bioengineering. This is also creating growth opportunities for single-use technologies market. However, stringent regulations imposed by various governments hamper the growth of single-use centrifuge systems market. Increasing number of mergers and acquisitions of biotech and pharmaceutical companies and rapid product launches are key trends in the single-use centrifuge systems market.Request for TOC @Single Use Centrifuge Systems Market: Region-wise OutlookGeographically, North America dominates the single-use centrifuge systems market. This is due to major investments by the biopharmaceutical industry in the region. Moreover, increased awareness about therapeutic applications of biopharmaceutical products has also fueled the market in North America. The U.S. represents the largest market for single-use centrifuge system in North America, followed by Canada. In Europe, Germany, France, and the U.K. hold significant shares of the single-use centrifuge system market. The single-use centrifuge system market in Asia is also expected to experience high growth rate over the next five years. This is due to improving life science infrastructure in this region. Furthermore, increased foreign investment in this field is also supporting the growth of the single-use centrifuge systems market in the region. India, China, and Japan are expected to be the fastest-growing markets for single-use centrifuge system market in Asia.Single Use Centrifuge Systems Market: Key PlayersSome of the major market players of single-use centrifuge system include Becton Dickinson and Company Limited, Merck KGaA, Pneumatic Scale Angelus, Sartorius Stedim Biotech, and much more. The companies in this market are adopting various strategies like agreements, expansions, and product launches to increase their share and create a strong position in the single-use centrifuge systems market.Request to view Sample Report:
The Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has this afternoon arrived in the country for a two day state visit.

Top on agenda during his visit, is the South Sudan peace process and bilateral discussions with his host on a number of areas of cooperation between Sudan and Uganda.

President Al-Bashir is accompanied by Ministers, Senior Officials and a business delegation in various sectors, with a Sudan-Uganda Business Forum expected to be held.

Since 2015, the Museveni and Bashir have been trying to patch the on-and-off relations between the two governments.

President Bashir is wanted by the Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC) on two counts of crimes against humanity and genocide of more than 300,000 deaths in Sudans Darfur region.

Security at Entebbe International airport and surrounding areas was tight.

He was last in the country in May last year to attend President Musevenis fifth swearing-in ceremony.

Since 2015, the two leaders have been trying to patch the on-and-off relations between the two governments.

President Bashir is wanted by the Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC) on two counts of crimes against humanity and genocide of more than 300,000 deaths in Sudans Darfur region.

The court issued double warrants for him; 2009 and 2010 on two counts of crimes against humanity and genocide of more than 300,000 deaths in Sudans Darfur region. Copies of the warrants were served to government.

ICC handles four major international crimes of aggression, war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity.

Top on agenda during his visit, is the South Sudan peace process and bilateral discussions with his host on a number of areas of cooperation between Sudan and Uganda.
PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-13 01:41:02

SolarReserve Applauds Queenslands Commitment to Renewable Energy and Solar Thermal Technology

SolarReserve

Mary Grikas, (310) 315-2274

mary.grikas@solarreserve.com

The Government of Queensland, Australia, has announced the Powering Queenslands Future Plan  its commitment to deliver affordable and stable power for Queensland households, businesses and industry, while acting on climate change. As part of this commitment, the Government will:

Create a publicly owned power generation company, CleanCo, with a mandate to deliver 1,000MW of new renewable energy projects for Queensland, with a focus on flexible dispatchable generation, and

Provide capital funding of $50 million to support a baseload solar thermal power station, which can provide electricity in Queensland even at night

SolarReserve fully supports Queenslands commitment to renewable energy, and specifically to solar thermal technology. With the pledge of $50 million in funding for solar thermal, along with a publicly owned generation company that will deliver up to 1,000 megawatts of renewable projects by 2025, through mechanisms including signing power purchase agreements, the Queensland Government is establishing a policy framework that will facilitate investment in solar thermal projects in the State.

SolarReserve, the global leader in solar thermal technology with molten salt energy storage, is looking at sites across Queensland to develop up to six solar thermal facilities, representing a $3.8 billion AUD investment in Queensland in the next 10 years that will deliver up to 900 megawatts of fully dispatchable firm renewable electricity, creating up to 24,000 direct, indirect and induced jobs. In August, SolarReserve signed a long-term Generation Project Agreement (GPA) with the South Australian Government to build the 150 megawatt Aurora solar thermal power station with 8 hours of energy storage near the town of Port Augusta, South Australia.

About SolarReserve

SolarReserve is a leading global developer, owner and operator of utility-scale solar power projects, with more than $1.8 billion of projects in operation worldwide. The company has commercialised its proprietary ThermaVault advanced solar thermal technology with integrated molten salt energy storage that delivers renewable energy that is dispatchable 24/7. The technology is now one of the worlds leading energy storage technologies, and allows solar energy to operate like traditional fossil-fired and nuclear electricity generation  except the fuel is the sun which means zero emissions, zero hazardous waste, and zero dependence on fuel price volatility.

Since the company's formation in early 2008, SolarReserve's experienced team has assembled a pipeline of over 13 gigawatts across the world's most attractive, high growth renewable energy markets. SolarReserve is headquartered in the US, and maintains a global presence with seven international offices to support widespread project development activities across more than 20 countries.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/201711120051

Excited to support #Qld commitment to dispatchable solar thermal for day & night #solar power! @AnnastaciaMP
PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-13 13:03:55

Press Information





Published by

Abhishek Budholiya

+1-347-918-3531

e-mail

http://www.futuremarketinsights.com







# 795 Words

Abhishek Budholiya+1-347-918-3531

Specialty pharmaceuticals are branded (on patent) injectable, infusions or oral medication that, with high cost, high complexity, and high touch, with limited or exclusive availability and distribution, are used to treat chronic or rare diseases such as cancer, AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Virus Syndrome), Hepatitis C, Crohns disease, rheumatoid arthritis, etc. Specialty pharmaceuticals can be biotechnology products, orphan or ultra-orphan drugs, and medication that are included in the drug class strategy of specialty therapeutics and are typically biology-based that structurally mimic or are analogues of compounds found inside the human body. High touch management is essential for specialty pharmaceuticals as they require; temperature control; safe and specialized handling, shipping, and distribution; appropriate injection or administration technique for medication; drug management by pharmacist or physician having in-depth education of patient as well as the medical condition; and better side-effect management. Specialty pharmaceuticals are available only through specialty wholesalers, while pharmacies can have access to specialty pharmaceuticals through specialty wholesalers with special contract having different price structures and unique terms and conditions.Request a Brochure to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=28505 The specialty pharmaceuticals market is estimated to witness a lucrative growth due to the plateauing of generic dispensing rate. Moreover, fast-track development of new pharmaceutical industries, major merges and acquisitions among pharmacies, and improvement in pharmacy benefit management (PBM) and healthcare plans, are anticipated to bring about consolidation in the specialty pharmaceuticals market. The specialty pharmaceuticals market in the U.S is anticipated to play a significant role in the global specialty pharmaceuticals market. For instance, according to a report published by, IMS Health, National Sales Perspectives (June 2016), of the top 20 pharmaceutical products or drugs sold in the U.S (2015), about 11 were specialty pharmaceuticals, which included, Harvoni, Humira, Enbrel, Remicade, and Copaxone.Drug spending on novel drugs is another factor driving the specialty pharmaceuticals market, due to the increase in number of launches of high-priced specialty drugs. For instance, specialty drugs contribute to less than 2.0% of the total prescriptions in the U.S, but according to a report published by Americas Health Insurance Plans (AHIS) (2016), specialty pharmaceuticals accounted for approximately one-third of the total spending on the commercial prescription pharmaceuticals in 2015 (US$ 337.0 Bn), while it was also reported that about 225 new specialty pharmaceuticals are estimated to be launched in the next five years. Moreover, according to a report published by National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) in Jan 2016, cancer, multiple sclerosis, and inflammatory conditions are rated as the top three specialty therapy classes ranked by number of members on annual basis, while the conditions accounted for more than 60.0% of the total expenditure for specialty pharmaceuticals billed through pharmacy benefit.Thus, rising spending on pharmaceutical as well as anticipated launch of high number of novel specialty drugs is likely to fuel the specialty pharmaceuticals market. Necessity of special handling, storage, and administration of specialty drug, and high cost of specialty pharmaceuticals are key restraints of the specialty pharmaceuticals market, as high cost treatment is unaffordable for a majority of the population, thus opting for low-cost alternatives. For instance, a specialty drug treatment regimen of about 2 to 8 weeks for Hepatitis C virus infection costs around US$ 65,000 to US$ 189,000 in California. Moreover, ravicti, carbaglu, lumizyme, actimmune, and soliris, are considerably expensive specialty pharmaceuticals that costs about US$ 793, 632, US$ 585,480, US$ 626,400, US$ 572,292, and US$ 542,640, per patient, per year, respectively. Ravicti and carbaglu specialty pharmaceuticals function to inhibit buildup of nitrogen in the bloodstream, preventing death due to coma. Lumizyme is employed to treat muscle weakness, preventing heart and respiratory failure. Actimmune is utilized to treat conditions that disrupt normal bone marrow formation and immune system functioning. Soliris is used to prevent progressive destruction of red blood cells and related life-threatening conditions.Request for Report ToC: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=T&rep_id=28505 The specialty pharmaceuticals market has been segmented on the basis of disease indication, mode of administration, distribution channel, and region. In terms of disease indication, the specialty pharmaceuticals market can be segmented into oncology, autoimmune disorders, viral hepatitis, HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) antivirals, multiple sclerosis, and others. In terms of mode of administration, the specialty pharmaceuticals market can be segmented into oral and injectable/infusions. In terms of distribution channel, the specialty pharmaceuticals market can be segmented into hospital pharmacies, retail pharmacies, specialty pharmacies, drug stores, and e-commerce. In terms of region, the specialty pharmaceuticals market can be segmented into Asia Pacific (APAC), Europe, Middle East & Africa (MEA), North America (NA), and Latin America (LA).Key players operating in the global specialty pharmaceuticals market include Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc., AbbVie Inc. Gilead, Pfizer Inc., Amgen Inc., AstraZeneca, Janssen Global Services, LLC, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., and rEVO Biologics, Inc.
Surgical Sutures Market report categorizes the global market by Product Type (Absorbable Sutures, Non-absorbable Sutures), Application (Gynecological Surgeries, Cardiovascular Surgeries, Orthopedic Surgeries), End User & Geography

Surgical Sutures Market

PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-13 14:06:27

Press Information

Transparency Market Research

90 State Street, Suite 700



Albany, NY 12207



Rahul Singh

Head  Internet Marketing

+1-518-618-1030

email

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/surgical-sutures-market.html





# 713 Words

90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Head  Internet Marketing+1-518-618-1030

Transparency Market Research states that the global market for surgical sutures will exhibit a 3.9% CAGR from 2017 to 2025, rising to a valuation of US$5,080.1 mn by 2025.The rising global demand for surgical sutures is chiefly attributed to increasing numbers of surgical procedures, surging global population, rapidly expanding geriatric population base across developed and developing economies, rising disposable incomes, and the rising willingness of the global population to spend on healthcare and wellness. Technological advancements enabling the development of suture materials capable of improving wound closure time and tissue approximation, which add more value to the final result of surgeries, are also fueling the uptake of surgical sutures across the globe. Moreover, the vast improvements observed in healthcare facilities such as the rising numbers of clinics and hospitals, especially in developing economies, are also intensifying the growth opportunities of the global surgical sutures market.Read Report Overview @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/surgical-sutures-market.html However, certain factors, such as the availability of other advanced wound closure materials and the burgeoning demand for minimally invasive procedures could hamper the growth prospects of the global surgical sutures market to some extent during the forecast period. The rising demand for precision surgical sutures and the rising number of vendors, especially in several developing economies where a number of local manufacturers offer surgical sutures at significantly low prices, have intensified price wars. The need to offer products at low costs to survive in such environment is adversely affecting the profit margins of leading players, which is consecutively bringing down funds usually invested in R&D activities and eventually resulting in the lack of innovative products in the global market.On the basis of product type, the segment of absorbable sutures, which accounted for a nearly 60% of the overall market in terms of revenue contribution in 2016, is expected to remain the leading segment throughout the forecast period. The segment is expected to offer an incremental opportunity of nearly US$880 mn between 2017 and 2025. Geographically, the North America market dominated the global market in 2015, accounting for a nearly 35%. Factors such as the rising numbers of orthopedic surgeries and the high per capita expenditure on healthcare will continue to drive the strong demand for surgical sutures in the North America market throughout the forecast period.Request Sample Report @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=19172 The global market for surgical sutures features a largely consolidated vendor landscape, with the top five vendors accounting for over 65% of the market in 2015, states Transparency Market Research in a recent report. The market features an intensifying price war due to the emergence of a number of domestic players selling products at significantly low prices. These leading players, namely Acelity L.P. Inc., Smith & Nephew plc, Cardinal Health, Medela AG, Integra LifeSciences Corporation, dominate the global surgical sutures market owing to their innovative product offerings and strong customer relationships.With profits margins rapidly shrinking and the threat of alternatives becoming a huge challenge, companies operational in the field are focusing on expansion across emerging economies where the high prevalence of cardiovascular diseases is leading to a huge surge in open-heart surgeries. An instance of this would be Medtronics acquisition of Covidien plc., an Ireland-based healthcare company and manufacturer of medical devices and supplies, in 2015. The acquisition helped the former gain benefits such as expanding geographical access to a high-growth potential region and lower operational costs.Buy Full Surgical Sutures Market Report @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/checkout.php?rep_id=19172<ype=S About TMRTransparency 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.
Syringes Market

PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-13 10:54:02

Press Information

Coherent Market Insights

1001 4th Ave,





#3200



Mr Shah

CEO

2067016702

email

http://www.coherentmarketinsights.com





# 953 Words

1001 4th Ave,#3200CEO2067016702

Syringes are simple reciprocating pumps that are used for incorporation or injection of a solution into the body. Syringes are also used for isolation of various bodily fluids such as blood from various parts of the body. Syringes usually consist of a plunger that fits exactly within a cylindrical barrel. The linear push mosh movement of the plunger facilitates expulsion of liquid from the open end of the tube, which is usually attached to a sterile needle. Syringes are normally made out of plastic or glass materials. Disposable syringes that are heavily incorporated in the healthcare practices are usually made up of plastics, whereas high-end syringes such as microliter syringes are made out of glass material.Exposure to various medical tests involving isolation or administration of solutions into and out of the body everyday are responsible for fueling growth of the global syringes marketNational Health Council reveals that 75% of the total healthcare costs are a result of chronic diseases reflecting an increasing demand for proper healthcare requirements in terms of quality, safety, and sterility of medical devices. The National Health Council recorded around 133 million people affected with chronic diseases in the U.S., in 2014. This accounted for around 40% of the total population of the country. . Moreover, millions of people are daily exposed to some kind of test that requires intravenous modes of injection in which the use of syringes is a prerequisite. This reflects the high demand for syringes, which is expected to rise due to the increasing population and improvement of the healthcare infrastructure worldwide.Request For Sample Copy@The plastic and disposable syringes segment accounts for highest shares in the global syringes marketOn the basis of type, the global syringes market is segmented asGeneral SyringesSpecialized SyringesThe general syringes segment holds a larger share of the market as compared to that of the specialized ones due to its ease of accessibility and cost effectiveness. However, the specialized syringes segment is expected to fuel the market growth owing to the accurate delivery of the products and better performance.On the basis of usability, the global syringes market is segmented into:Sterilizable / Reusable SyringesDisposable SyringesThe disposable syringes segment holds the largest share of market as it ensures higher safety and more effective means of infection prevention as compared to reusable syringes. These syringes are also very budget-friendly that has resulted in massive transformation of the conventional era of using reusable syringes to the use of disposable ones. These syringes moreover are easily accessible in the pharmacies as well as hospitals.Based on the material, the global syringes market is segmented into:Glass SyringesPlastic SyringesGlass syringes have lower risk of reaction with the solution filled inside the syringe, however, the use of plastic syringes reduces the risk of blood borne infections as this material is categorized under disposable syringes. The plastic syringes are also easier to use as compared to the glass ones, which facilitates self-administration to patients that are regularly advised to inject a biological or chemical solution. Thus, the significant use of plastic syringes is expected to propel growth of the global syringes market in the near future.North America is expected to dominate the global syringes market owing to well established production facility and government initiativesOn the basis of geography, the global syringes market is segmented into North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa. North America dominates the market, followed by Europe. The U.S. has a large number of medical facilities, high-end hospitals, and healthcare centers, which contribute to growth of the market in North America. The government is also actively involved in improving the quality of healthcare in the country. For instance, the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act in the U.S., provides regulatory guidelines to help manufacturers improve safety of syringes. However, Asia Pacific is expected to grow at the fastest rate over the forecast period, owing to technological implementation for producing better and cheaper syringes.Rising incidence and prevalence of chronic diseases is expected to be the major cause fueling growth of the global syringes marketThe primary reason to bolster the global syringes market is the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases in the world. These diseases primarily include diabetes, cancers and other diseases that requires the use of syringes. For instance, diabetes affected 422 million people in 2014, according to the World Health Organization. Many of these patients were advised regular intravenous administration of insulin, which in turn helped fuel the demand for syringes, ultimately leading to growth of the global syringes market. Several other factors such as growing health hazards, epidemic of various infectious diseases, and rise in the global population which leads to increasing incidence of diseases every day are all creating a conducive environment for growth of the syringes market. However, the advancement in technologies such as diffusion pumps and needle- free IV connectors are expected to hamper the market growth.The key players operating in the global syringes market are Treumo Corporation, Medtronic Plc, Becton, Dickinson and Company, B. Braun Medical Inc., Smiths Medical, Hindustan Syringes and Medical Devices Limited, NIPRO Corporation, Hamilton, SCHOTT AG, Gerresheimer AG, and Codan Medizinische Gerate GmbH & Co KG.Get More Details On this Report:About Coherent Market Insights:Coherent Market Insights is a prominent market research and consulting firm offering action-ready syndicated research reports, custom market analysis, consulting services, and competitive analysis through various recommendations related to emerging market trends, technologies, and potential absolute dollar opportunity.Contact Us:Coherent Market Insights1001 4th Ave,#3200Seattle, WA 98154Tel: +1-206-701-6702Email:sales@ coherentmarketinsights.com Visit our news Website: http://www.coherentnews.com
PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-13 05:31:06

Press Information





Published by

ACN Newswire

+65 6304 8926

e-mail

https://www.acnnewswire.com/







# 1153 Words

ACN Newswire+65 6304 8926

Asia Wine Academy Debuts, Public Day on SaturdayHONG KONG, Nov 9, 2017 - (ACN Newswire) - The 10th edition of the HKTDC Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair opened today and will continue until 11 November at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the fair welcomed Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, as the guest of honour at this morning's opening ceremony."Entering its 10th anniversary, the Wine & Spirits Fair has grown to become a major event of its kind in Asia," said Margaret Fong, Executive Director of the HKTDC. "This year's fair features 1,070 exhibitors from 38 countries and regions. We are particularly pleased to welcome first-time exhibitors from Malaysia, Mauritius, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine." 1,000+ exhibitors on showHong Kong's wine industry took off after the HKSAR Government eliminated all duty-related customs and administrative controls on wine in 2008. Wine imports have since jumped more than seven-fold, from HK$1.6 billion in 2007 to HK$12 billion in 2016. As the region's renowned wine trading and distribution centre, Hong Kong serves as a gateway for global wine traders to enter Asian markets. This year's Fair features more than 30 group pavilions representing wine-producing regions, trade organisations and governmental organisations from around the world. Among them are new pavilions organised by the Syndicat General des Vignerons de la Champagne (SGV) of France, Southern United States Trade Association, the Russian Export Center, Enterprise Mauritius, Confederacao dos Agricultores de Portugal, Setubal Peninsula Wines of Portugal, and Asociatia Producatorilor si Exportatorilor de Vinuri of Romania.The central European country Slovenia, which has a growing beekeeping industry, is debuting the "Bee World" Interactive Pavilion at the fair to promote "World Bee Day" (20 May), as proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly. Some Slovenian exhibitors will also showcase wines made from honey. Dejan Zidan, Slovenia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food, attended the wine-tasting session, "A Flight of Wines from Slovenia," to promote the country's fine wines. Bilateral trade between Slovenia and Hong Kong has been growing in recent years, with Slovenian agricultural and wine exports to Hong Kong exceeding EUR 500,000 in the first half of this year.Global exhibitors are showcasing an array of wines and exhibits at the fair. Some of the highlights include:1) Robotic Bartender Demonstrations at the Ice Bar.2) The new Champagne Avenue, where SGV presents seven growers from four wine regions, along with Champagne tastings by small and medium-sized producers3) Chateau Mercian Nagano's Chardonnay Unwooded 2015 from Japan, the Gold Award winner of the International Wine Challenge 2017. Japan's oldest winery, Chateau Mercian has been operating since 1877. This white wine presents a refreshing peach and lemon peel flavour.4) Dictador 20 Years Solera System Rum from Colombia. With 15 international awards to its name, the rum is one of the world's most awarded varieties of its kind, thanks to its combined use of ancient recipes and modern technology.5) The 2014 Girard Cabernet Sauvignon from the United States. It was served at the first state dinner US President Donald Trump hosted for Chinese President Xi Jinping.Theme zones include Liquor & Beverage Products, Friends of Wine, Wine Education and Wine Accessories Equipment and Services, helping to foster the industry's development.Asia Wine Academy debutsThe Wine & Spirits Fair marks its 10th anniversary with the debut of the Asia Wine Academy, co-organised by the HKTDC and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM). Based on the SHTM's MSc in International Wine Management programme, two courses will be conducted by Masters of Wine Jeannie Cho Lee MW and Steve Charters MW, entitled "Contemporary Trends in Wine Consumption" and "Mastering Tasting & Rising Wine Trends" respectively. Participants will be awarded a certificate of attendance.During the fair, more than 70 events will be held to provide a comprehensive business exchange platform for visitors. These include a Wine Industry Conference, a gala dinner, thematic seminars and more than 50 tasting sessions presenting fine wines from Australia, Germany, Bordeaux (France), Japan, Italy and Slovenia.Some of the highlights of today's opening day include the Wine Industry Conference, entitled "Trends to Watch in 2018: The Business of Bubbles and Beyond," as well as the ninth Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition Award Ceremony, to be held this evening followed by a Gala Wine Dinner. Under the theme "Cabaret Festival," the Gala dinner features a menu prepared by two Michelin-starred Chef Fabrice Vulin from the Macau French restaurant, The Tasting Room. A seminar entitled "Improve Your F&B Operations by Teaming up with Wine & Beverage Suppliers" will be held tomorrow, as well as the buyer forum "Easy Access: Facilitating Wine Trade to the Mainland Market," where speakers will discuss the hottest industry topics.Public DayThe Wine & Spirits Fair will be open to public visitors aged 18 or above* on the last day (11 November). Regular tickets are priced at HK$200 each. Valid ticket holders on that day will receive a Lucaris crystal wine glass on a first-come first-served basis and while stocks last.Events held on Public Day include the wine-tasting master class, "Welcome on Board to a First-class Wine Journey by Debra Meiburg, Master of Wine." Public visitors can also attend beer workshops, wine tastings, cocktail, whisky and liquor demonstrations, and seminars including "Enjoy Sake from Kumamoto with Kumamon," "What Makes a Good Wine?", "Choosing from a Wine List," and "How a Hongkonger Made Wines in Italy," a sharing session by Hong Kong Wine & Spirits Writers Association Chairman Ronny Lau. The Hong Kong Wine Competition 2017 will also be held on Public Day.The HKTDC is again organising the Hong Kong Wine Journey citywide promotion, putting together more than 90 wine-related activities in November. While Fair visitors can enjoy free corkage at selected restaurants, the public can take part in a series of events, including wine tasting, themed tours and wine-and-food pairing sessions. For details, please refer to the Hong Kong Wine Journey map or the Fair website.*Tickets:Public Day tickets to the Wine & Spirits Fair are priced at HK$200 each and are sold on site. Until tomorrow (10 November), visitors can also purchase Public Day tickets at a special price of HK$99 on HOKOBUY, FeedMeGuru, Yahoo, Group Buyer, GOBUYA and HKTVmall; or they can purchase mobile tickets on TNG Wallet. Visitors with valid tickets will receive a Lucaris crystal wine glass on-site on a first-come, first-served basis, while stocks last.Public visitors can also enrol in the Asia Wine Academy at a special price of HK$690 (original price: HK$990) on the Wine & Spirits Fair website, online group-purchase platforms, Timable, Feedme Guru or TNG Wallet. The price includes a complimentary Wine & Spirits Fair ticket and a Lucaris crystal wine glass, valued at a total HK$1,300 on a first-come, first-served basis, while stocks last.
Urinary Catheters Market report categorize the global market by (Product Type - Intermittent Catheters, Foley Catheters, and Male External Catheters), End User & Geography

Urinary Catheters Market

PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-13 13:41:11

Press Information

Transparency Market Research

90 State Street, Suite 700



Albany, NY 12207



Rahul Singh

Head  Internet Marketing

+1-518-618-1030

email

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/urinary-catheters-market.html





# 714 Words

90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Head  Internet Marketing+1-518-618-1030

A report by Transparency Market Research forecasts the global urinary catheter market to grow at a CAGR of 5.3% between 2017 and 2025 to reach a valuation of US$5,003.1 mn by 2025 from US$3,130.7 mn in 2016.Depending upon product type, the global urinary catheters market can be segmented into intermittent catheters, Foley catheters, and male external catheters. The segment of intermittent catheters held a jaw-dropping share of more than 64.5% of the market in 2016 in terms of revenue. The product segment is expected to witness considerable growth over the forecast period due to its several advantages that it offers.Read Report Overview @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/urinary-catheters-market.html Among the key geographical segments of the global urinary catheters market, North America held the leading share of 44.9% in the overall market in 2016 in terms of value. Supremacy of the region is attributed to a well-established pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, increasing research activity, and increasing prevalence of neurological disorders and urinary incontinence.The topmost factor driving the global urinary catheters market is technological advancements in urinary catheters. The high incidence of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) and flaws in condom catheters has necessitated the introduction of technologically advanced urinary catheters made of improved materials. The geriatric population that accounts for a considerable patient pool suffering from urinary disorders, especially incontinence and urinary retention, explains the lead analyst of the study. Hence, the rising population of this group is one of the key growth drivers of the urinary catheters market. Moreover, the rising incidence of chronic diseases is providing ample opportunities to the growth of this market. As per a report published by CamStent Ltd., more than 25% patients that are hospitalized in the U.S. every year receive urinary catheterization for proper bladder drainage. Urinary catheters are also predicted to witness high demand due to increasing healthcare expenditure.Request Sample Report @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=3936 On the flip side, lack of reimbursement policies for urinary catheters is limiting their use among patients that need temporary catheterization during the course of treatment for other diseases. Rising number of catheter-associated urinary tract infections globally is limiting the use of urinary catheters.Nevertheless, high unmet needs of a large patient pool suffering from urinary disorders is expected to provide large opportunities to the growth of this market.The global urinary catheter market features a highly competitive vendor landscape with the presence of a handful of key players that operate globally and several regional players, according to a new report by Transparency Market Research (TMR). In order to outdo their competitors, several players in the market are investing heavily to develop differentiator products that will further intensify competition, especially among local players. However, parity pricing among these products compels companies to sustain the competition at low-profit margins.Request Urinary Catheters Market Report Brochure @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=3936 Another noticeable growth trend observed in the market is acquisitions by means of which companies are not only expanding their shares but also strengthening their position across various geographies. TE Connectivity Corporation, for example, acquired AdvancedCath in February 2015 to enhance its medical business and strengthen its position in the medical industry which is expanding at a fast pace.Some prominent names in the global urinary catheter market are Coloplast, B.Braun Melsungen AG, Teleflex Incorporated, Convotec, Cook Medical, Medtronic plc, CURE MEDICAL LLC, and Hollister Incorporated.Buy Full Urinary Catheters Market Report @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/checkout.php?rep_id=3936<ype=S About TMRTransparency 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.
PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-13 11:14:51

Press Information

Future Market Insights









+1-347-918-3531

email





Published by

Abhishek Budholiya

+1-347-918-3531

e-mail

http://www.futuremarketinsights.com







# 613 Words

+1-347-918-3531Abhishek Budholiya+1-347-918-3531

The introduction of value based healthcare services has changed the traditional way in which providers used to bill for care. Providers need to pay on the value of care they provide instead of paying based on the number of visits and treatment the patients undergo. This change in the reimbursement platform is driving the value based healthcare services by directing better care at low costs. But for those healthcare providers who cannot achieve the required targets, the financial fines and lower reimbursement can create a prominent financial liability. As a patient and a healthcare customer, they pay more for the services and the treatment they get, where sometimes the cost can go out of the control of the patient. But with the introduction of new health plans and value based healthcare services are coming together on the solutions which will benefit the patients wallet and health. Value based healthcare services address to the rising healthcare expenditure, clinical inefficiency and repetition of services.Request for TOC @Global Value Based Healthcare Services Market- Market Dynamics:The most significant driver for the rapid development of the global Value Based Healthcare Services market is the healthcare-related risks shifting from the patients to their healthcare providers. With patient focused healthcare policies having changed the way medical care is delivered, it is now easy to see why the demand for Value Based Healthcare Services rising steadily. Where until a few years ago manual processes were the only means of carrying out everyday operations, automation and interconnectivity have made that approach nearly obsolete. Also, the global medical tourism industry is recording good growth numbers every year. This has helped healthcare providers in emerging economies adopt a positive investment option as far as care management solutions are concerned. However, it would be too early to say that the growth of the Value Based Healthcare Services market has taken off in the real sense. Several regions that have high investment potential but are restrained by the lack of internet connectivity are a missed opportunity for companies in the global Value Based Healthcare Services market. Moreover, in some countries in Asia and Latin America where basic healthcare infrastructure still remains below the desired levels, it will be a while before the environment becomes conducive to the adoption of Value Based Healthcare Services.Global Value Based Healthcare Services Market-Regional Outlook:Geographically, the Value Based Healthcare Services market has been segmented into North America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific excluding Japan, Japan, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. Regionally, North America was the largest market for Value Based Healthcare Services and North America is anticipated to maintain its dominance during the forecast period due to rise in the healthcare reforms. Followed by Europe and then Asia Pacific. Asia Pacific is the most progressive market for Value Based Healthcare Services. This growth is mainly attributed to factors such as improving population perspective and increasing awareness Furthermore, the Value Based Healthcare Services market in Latin America is likely to expand at a significant CAGR. Brazil and Mexico are driving the Value Based Healthcare Services market in the region due to favorable initiatives taken by the respective governments. Moreover, rising research and development would fuel market growth in Latin America.Global Value Based Healthcare Services Market- Major Players:Currently, the global Value Based Healthcare Services market is highly competitive owing to the involvement of many established players and government policies. Some of the key players in the global Value Based Healthcare Services market are Deloitte, McKesson Corporation, NextGen Healthcare, Genpact Limited, Athena Healthcare, Siemens Healthcare and many others.Request to view Sample Report:
The Federal Government on Monday announced that it had recovered 64.6 million dollars electricity debt from its international customers.

The Minster of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola announced this at the 21st monthly power sector meeting in Asaba.

Mr. Fashola said the money recovered was from Benin and Niger Republic.

He said that Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trader (NBET) would work out modalities for distribution the fund to the value chain operators.

The minister also announced that Rural Electrification Agency (REA) had completed guidelines for the operation of the rural electrification fund.

He said the fund would help vulnerable groups and communities to gain access to funding to support their electricity development programme.

By way of explanation, the rural electrification fund was created by section 88 of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act (EPSRA) of 2005 to promote support and provide rural electrification access.

The fund will provide a partial single payment capital subsidy and or technical assistance to eligible private Rural Power Developers, NGOs or communities to invest in options such as hybrid mini grids or solar home systems to scale up rural access to electricity.

What they are likely to get are minimum amounts of N3.5m and maximum amounts of N106m or 75 per cent of project cost whichever is less, he said.

According to him, REA will publish details of the guidelines and eligibility.

These, he said, were only headline items of developments that characterised the progress the government was making month after month, especially since March 2017.

He said that progress was also being recorded at the distribution levels.

He listed the recent achievements in the franchise areas of the Benin DisCo to include the newly completed Asaba main 2x15MVA injection substation commissioned on Monday.

Mr. Fashola said the completion of the substation was expected to improve service by reduction of load shedding and increase power supply to Okwe, Akuebulu, Jarret, Ogbeofu, Osadebe way, Okwe housing estate and Oduke.

Minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day, week by week and month by month we have not only gained momentum, we are seeing progress that inspires us to continue, because the power problem can be successfully managed by Nigerians.

On further measures to improve power supply in the coverage areas of the Benin DisCos, Fashola said Asaba  Benin 330KV line was energized to service on Nov. 3.

Asaba 330kv substation is now being fed from both Benin and Onitsha.

The line also raised the number of circuits from Onitsha to Benin to three.

According to him, a 40mva 132/33kv mobile transformer is undergoing installation at Auchi with in-house capacity to be commissioned in two weeks time.

Mr. Fashola also disclosed that a new 330/ 132kv substation would be constructed at Okpai with a 132kv line from the station to service a proposed 132/33kv substation at Kwale.

He also hinted that installation of a new 60mva 132/33kv transformer would commence at Irrua transmission station any time from now.

The minster thanked well-meaning Nigerians who acknowledged that their experience on the power supply had improved, adding that their honesty inspired government and the operators to continue the improvement.

He, however, admitted that there were other challenges that must be collectively addressed.

On estimated billing and metering, he also explained that government and sector operators were anxiously awaiting for the regulation from NERC to open up meter supply business.

(NAN)
Lualaba Provincial Governor, Richard Mujey, said on Monday that 30 people were killed and more than two dozen injured when a train derailed then caught fire in Democratic Republic of Congo.

The freight train was traveling from the Southern Copper and Cobalt mining hub of Lubumbashi to Luena, in Lualaba province, on Sunday when it left the tracks and tumbled into a ravine near the town of Buyofwe.

Theres major damage because the tanker cars caught fire, Mujey told Reuters.

Around 30 dead and 26 wounded were transferred to the hospital in Lubudi, 25 km from the scene of the accident.

The train had taken on a number of passengers before the accident, and Mujey said the death toll could rise further.

Eleven of the trains 13 cars caught fire following the derailment.

Officials from Congos national railway company, the SNCC, were investigating the cause of the crash, which was not immediately known.

Rail accidents are relatively common in Congo due to aging, poorly maintained infrastructure and lax enforcement of safety standards.(Reuters/NAN)
President Omar al-Bashir of Sudan arrived for a three-day visit in Uganda on Monday, defying an international Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against him.

The ICC issued arrest warrants for al-Bashir in 2009 and 2010 on charges of war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity in the Sudanese region of Darfur.

Uganda is not planning to arrest al-Bashir, in spite being a signatory to the Rome Statute that established the ICC, Ugandan President Yoweri Musevenis press secretary Don Wannyama said.

Ugandas position is that the arrest warrant is uncalled for, which is the position of the African Union, said Wannyama.

Our position is that Africa can solve its own problems.

Al-Bashir and Museveni were meeting to hold bi-lateral talks on the issues of trade, regional security and migration, according to the press secretary.

It is al-Bashirs second visit to the East African nation since the warrants were issued.

In May 2016, the Sudanese leader attended a re-election ceremony held for Museveni.

Other African nations, including South Africa, have ignored the ICCs demands to detain al-Bashir.

In July, the ICC ruled that South Africa violated its rules when failing to arrest al-Bashir during his visit to Johannesburg in 2015.

The court did not, however, refer the case to the UN Security Council, saying that would not foster cooperation with South Africa.

(dpa/NAN)

Share this: Twitter

Facebook


The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, said it will commence a total and comprehensive indefinite strike on Monday due to the federal governments failure to fulfil the outstanding agreement made with the union.

The National President of the union, Usman Dutse, confirmed this in a phone interview with PREMIUM TIMES Sunday night.

According to the union president, there was a meeting between the union and ministry of labour on October 16 with an agreement to develop a memorandum of understanding to resolve the issues.

We were told by the federal ministry of labour that a memorandum of understanding will be given, but weve not gotten one till date and that is why our members say there is no seriousness on the side of the government.

Mr. Dutse said another meeting with the federal government has been scheduled for Wednesday, November 15.

All academic activities will be suspended during the strike, he said.

Our union is constrained to lament that our sector is on the verge of collapse and needs all the emergency attention it urgently deserves.

Efforts to get a reaction from the Ministry of Labour on the strike were unsuccessful. Its spokesperson, Samuel Olowookere, did not respond to calls and text messages sent to him.
Godfatherism, Biafra agitation, inter-party disagreements were some of the highlights of the 2017 Anambra State gubernatorial debate held in Awka, the state capital, on Sunday as five candidates vying to become the next governor put across their plans to the public.

Economy, education, infrastructure, power generation, industrial development, security, unemployment and alternative ways of generating revenues for the state dominated discussions.

Though members of the audience were thrilled as candidates took subtle shots at each other at the slightest opportunity in a bid to sound convincing, their overall performance did not match previous debates.

All the candidates were not very specific in detailing their plans for the state.

The debate was organised by Channels Television and kicked off at about 7 p.m. Although 37 political parties and candidates will participate in the November 18 election, only the candidates of the five major parties took part in the debate.

The participating candidates were: Willie Obiano of the ruling All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA; Tony Nwoye of the All Progressives Congress, APC; Oseloka Obaze of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP; Osita Chidoka of United Progressive Party, UPP; and Godwin Ezeemo of the Peoples Progressive Alliance, PPA.

Shots Fired!

The incumbent governor, Mr. Obiano, was the first to throw shots at every other candidate.

What Anambra need is someone that can drive the process. Im the only guy here that can do that. Tony(APC) doesnt have the executive capacity; he hasnt even worked in his entire life. Obaze(PDP) worked in the UN, but the best place for him to work right now is in Syria. He should be distributing relief materials. My other fellow with executive capacity is Chidoka (UPP), but the only experience he has is in checking number plates and controlling traffics (referring to when Mr. Chidoka was road safety boss), Mr. Obiano said.

Mr. Obiano said contrary to claims that his predecessor left N75 billion in government coffers before he left, what he met on ground was N35.5 billion.

I hate to think that we came here to ridicule people, this is serious business. Under Obiano this state has been broken and we need to fix it. Lets get serious, the challenge is that this incumbent governor has in the last four years spent almost N600 billion without any commiserate work on ground to show, Mr. Obaze said in response to Mr. Obiano.

He was, however, quick to dismiss the speculation that former governor Peter Obi was his political godfather.

Mr. Obaze said he left APGA for PDP and also came out of retirement from partisan politics because he felt the state has been hijacked.

I have to speak up, I have to come back to fix things, he said.

The first shock I have is that the governor thinks saving for future generation is a waste of time and I think that is scandalous. That is disastrous. What is lacking is focusing on the people, the human beings, Mr. Chidoka, a former aviation minister, said referring to Mr. Obianos earlier statement on state reserves.

Below is our analysis of what the candidates presented as their plans for the state and our assessment of how well they performed. Candidates are rated on a scale of 1 to 10 on how articulate their plans were. The scores only represent our review of how the candidates performed at the debate and not how they would perform as governors.

1) Tony Nwoye (APC): Adorned in a black suit, Mr. Nwoye appeared calm and diplomatic contrary to his antecedents as a radical activist. He hinged his plan for the state on power, road and security. He said the major challenge bedevilling the state is lack of electricity and portable roads which he described as the drive for foreign investors.

If we can have steady power supply and good roads, our industries will grow, we are going to manufacture more. Most of the power lines in Anambra are 33KVA instead of 330KVA. I will do more on power if am elected governor, I willalso work on many roads and I will make security a topmost priority because all this will create an enabling environment for foreign investment, he said.

On education, Mr. Nwoye said he will ensure easy access to primary, secondary, tertiary and vocational studies within the state. He said he will transform the health sector by upgrading community based health centres.

Mr. Nwoye said his government if elected will create employment for the youth especially IPOB members agitating for Biafra. He, however, failed to throw more weight on agriculture, trade and commerce which are some of the strengths of the state.

Score: 5/10.

2) Godwin Ezeemo (PPA): Unlike the raucous response some of the other contestants elicited from the audience, Mr. Ezeemo was more relaxed in martialing his points. He started by saying that Anambra is a trade driven economy that can be boosted by creating an enabling environment for foreign investment. He spoke on power generation stressing the need for a sanitized power distribution system. He gave insights on his exploits in empowering students in the education sector.

Mr. Ezeemo said his government when elected will be anchored on locally made products. We do not need to import things we need to generate what we need immediately. We have good soils for agriculture. We need to invest in agriculture, generate raw materials and food. All this will create more employment opportunities, more finance and revenue will be accumulated. He, however, failed to lend voice to critical issues like security, health among others.

Score: 5/10.

3) Osita Chidoka (UPP): By far Mr. Chidoka was one of the stars of the debate. He literally took other contestants to the cleaners with masterful delivery and oratory dexterity. He used data and statistics to buttress his points, although like another contestant observed, he did not provide sources for most of his debatable statistics. Mr. Chidoka, however, leaned more on self-determination and the need for the renegotiation of the Nigerian state. Any party that do not subscribe to the right to self-determination and the rights of component parts of Nigeria to express themselves freely, that party does not approximate my philosophy. I believe that Nigeria is a product of negotiation, we must negotiate, we negotiated and got independence we negotiated and created the mid-western states. Nigeria is a subject of continuous negotiation.

On education, Mr. Chidoka promised to provide and make the use of mandatory technology among students. Only 13 per cent of our students in JSS are computer literate. The education our children are getting is the education of yesterday, I will take them get the education of tomorrow.

Mr. Chidoka emphasised that human capacity development would be the major focus of his administration if elected. He said he will run a digital government that will be practically based on the people where jobs will be created for the unemployed, roads and infrastructure will be built and protection of the lives and properties of the people will be topmost priority. Mr. Chidoka said with technology, his government will drive a robust foreign and local investment campaign in Anambra. He said he will also stand as a bridge between the angry IPOB youth and the Nigerian state. He said IPOBs problem is not just employment but getting a better deal from the government.

Though he failed to mention key areas like power and health, he was smart enough to place his policies side by side the incumbents and allowed listeners to quickly appraise the better.

Score: 7/10.

4) Willie Obiano (APGA): As the incumbent governor, Mr. Obiano put out quite an impressive show. Instead of being on the defensive as widely expected, he was rather on the offensive as he seized every little opportunity to taunt his opponents verbally, accusing them of lacking information and being unprepared. He hugely relied on his achievements over the past three and a half years.

He said his government is up to date in payment of salary, pension and gratuity. He said he met 101 projects when he took over and he has completed 51 of them. He also said he awarded 94 projects which included 12 bridges.

Under my watch we are now self-sufficient in trade and agriculture. We now export rice, vegetables and yam, he said.

He said the former governor made N40 billion internally generated revenue in 8 years while his government has generated N551 billion; although in reality his government has only generated about N50 billion.

On infrastructure, he said two buildings will be built in every community in the state after the completion of his eight years in office.

Every community got N40 million already in my first tenure, each community will get N200 million in my next four years in office.

On IPOB, he said he will create more jobs to keep the youth busy and end the agitation. He however did not give his take on security, health, power among other issues.

Score: 6/10.

5) Oseloka Obaze (PDP): Mr. Obaze articulated his views well but spent most of his allotted time either attacking or responding to the incumbent. He has a personal history with APGA. He was the secretary to the state government, SSG, under former governor Peter Obi who led the state under APGA before he defected to PDP. Mr. Obaze also served as SSG under Mr. Obiano for over a year.

He seemed to have allowed personal differences to affect his delivery. His key words was that the state has been hijacked under the current governor and needs to be fixed. He was, however, critical of the Nigerian government for proscribing IPOB on one hand while Niger Delta militants and Fulani herdsmen are left out. He said if elected, his government will create more jobs especially for the IPOB youth.

Score: 6/10.
President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday declared support for the primary school reform being undertaken by Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State.

The governor has announced plans to sack about 22,000 teachers who failed a competency test. The Kaduna government has also commenced the process to recruit 25,000 competent teachers to replace the ones to be laid off.

The move to lay off the unfit teachers has been condemned by labour unions in the state as well as a senator, Shehu Sani, who accused the governor of trying to replace the teachers with his cronies.

On Monday, President Buhari expressed his stance at a special retreat of the Federal Executive Council in Abuja held at the banquet hall of the Presidential Villa.

I visit one Nigerian I respect. He said after his training here in Nigeria and United states, he went to his primary school to see what could he contribute, I will not mention his name; but when he went, he couldnt differentiate between the students or the children and the teachers, the president said.

And what El-Rufai is trying to do now is exactly what (the respected Nigerian) told me 10 years ago. It is a very very serious situation when teachers cannot pass the exams they are supposed to teach the children to pass. It is a very tragic situation we are in and this gathering together to me is one of the important (things) in this administration, Mr. Buhari said.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how two-thirds of primary school teachers in Kaduna State failed to score up to 75 per cent when asked to write examinations. Most of the questions contained in the examination where those of primary four students, the state government said.

Scripts of some of the teachers released by the state government showed they had difficulty answering questions like the full name of the governor and the three states of matter.

Despite the opposition to the move the sack the unfit teachers, Mr. El-Rufai has said there is no going back, while the state government has started receiving applications for the 25,000 teachers to be employed.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1NwQO2dG8Y&w=560&h=315]
President Muhammadu Buhari has been urged to declare a state of emergency in education in Nigeria and to substantially increase governments investment in the sector.

The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, made the appeal on Monday at a retreat the presidency held for ministers on education. The event was at the old Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

According to Mr. Adamu, President Buhari should pay attention to education the way he has done to insecurity and the economy.

He said Nigeria is seriously underfunding education, even when compared to other sub-Saharan African countries, and warned that the federal government would have to spend significantly more, if it would achieve its goals as a change government.

According to the minister, to meet the 13 campaign promises he made to Nigerians on education, the president needs to spend at least one trillion naira yearly on the sector.

In the 2018 budget proposals he presented on Tuesday to the National Assembly, President Buhari allocated N605.8 billion, representing seven per cent of the budget, to the sector.

The minister said this is not adequate, as other countries at par with Nigeria allocate at least 20 per cent of their budgets to the sector.

Mr. President, to achieve the desired change that education needs, there is the need for improved funding and a measure of political will in national governance.

Such is the weight of the problems that beset our education and the deleterious effect it has had on our national development efforts that I believe that this Retreat should end with a declaration of a state of emergency in education so that we can face the challenges frontally and squarely, he said.

The minister noted that since 1999 when democratic governments returned, annual budgetary allocation to education in Nigeria has been between four per cent and ten per cent.

None of the E9 or D8 countries other than Nigeria, allocates less than 20 per cent of its annual budget to education. Indeed even among sub-Saharan Africa countries, we are trailing far behind smaller and less endowed nations in terms of our investment in education, Mr. Adamu said.

He, therefore, urged Mr. Buhari for a major investment in education in the nations interest.

He stressed that such investment, which requires about N1 trillion each year, would be in line with the presidents as well as APCs campaign promises before the 2015 election.

A clear guide, Your Excellency, is the costing of the APC campaign promises in education which shows that after four years, would be minimum of one trillion Naira per annum, required to fulfil your 13 promises, he said.

The minister noted that for education to be revived in Nigeria, the government should consider special incentives such as scholarships and automatic employment for education graduates.

I am strongly persuaded that if we offer automatic scholarship to students who take education, and automatic employment and a preferential compensation package to those who take to teaching as a profession, our system will improve tremendously.

If we give regulatory agencies the teeth to bite and do their work, mediocre teachers will soon disappear from our classrooms.

If we insist on professionalism with appropriate deadlines set for those who teach, the situation will improve phenomenally. We can minimize and in due course eliminate mediocrity in the education sector, the minister said.

Speaking at the retreat, President Buhari pledged the commitment of his administration to revamping the sector.

Mr. Buhari lamented that education in Nigeria has suffered serious neglect by successive administrations.

He, however, said since he came into office, Nigerias participation in all relevant international education fora and investment in education as well as collaboration with development partners were an indication of his administrations high level of commitment towards ensuring that every capable Nigerian receives good quality education.

Mr. Buhari said all his efforts are justifiable only to the extent that schooling is effective in promoting the realisation of national objectives, attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and Education For All (EFA) by 2030.

He also said these targets are happily, in harmony with the manifesto and the CHANGE agenda of our Party, the All Progressive Congress (APC).

It is also in agreement with my campaign promises during the 2015 elections exercise and in pursuit of the yearnings and aspirations of the generality of Nigerian citizens.

The president said the retreat was significant because We cannot progress beyond the level and standard of our education.

Today, it is those who acquire the most qualitative education, equipped with requisite skills and training, and empowered with practical know-how that are leading the rest.

We cannot afford to continue lagging behind. Education is our launch-pad to a more successful, more productive and more prosperous future.

He said his government was committed to revitalising the countrys education system and making it more responsive and globally competitive.

One of the primary roles of education is to build and sustain individual and societys development. It renews and improves the economic, social, political and cultural aspects of any nation, he said.
Zimbabwes army chief has warned President Robert Mugabe to end the purge in the countrys ruling Zanu-PF party, threatening to step in.

The warning came a week after Mr. Mugabe fired his deputy, Emmerson Mnangagwa, a move widely seen as meant to clear the path for Mr. Mugabes wife, Grace, to become president.

Mr. Mnangagwa, a former defence minister, was once seen as a possible president. He has since fled into exile.

On Monday, Army Chief Constantino Chiwenga, a general, told a news conference attended by 90 senior army officers that the removal of people who were involved in the independence struggle, like Mr. Mnangagwa, would not be tolerated, the BBC reports.

Although he did not mention the president by name, the warning is understood to be directed at the 93-year-old Mr. Mugabe.

The current purging which is clearly targeting members of the party with a liberation background must stop forthwith, the general said.

We must remind those behind the current treacherous shenanigans that when it comes to matters of protecting our revolution, the military will not hesitate to step in.

He said the squabbling between politicians had led to no meaningful development in the country for the past five years, the BBC report says.
The Centre for Democracy and Development, CDD, has warned that the Nigerian government must be vigilant to ensure that last minute conflict triggered via SMS or social media contents are not allowed to disrupt the forthcoming Anambra governorship election.

The CDD, in a paper titled No Election, No Referendum, made the observation against the backdrop of threats by the secessionist Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB to stop the November 18, Anambra Governorship Election.

The IPOB, through its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, had earlier said unless the Nigerian State calls for a referendum to determine the status of the country, there would be no election in Anambra State.

In series of press interviews and YouTube videos, Mr. Kanu insisted that the Anambra election would not hold.

The IPOB agitation had in recent months protested several times in the South-east region, after the release of Mr. Kanu from detention.

But despite being labelled a terrorist organisation, members of the IPOB staged a demonstration in Onitsha, the Anambra State capital, threatening voters not to participate in the November 18 governorship election in the state.

Last Friday, members of the secessionist group sang and marched around the commercial town, threatening to unleash mayhem on potential voters in the forthcoming guber race.

The CDD, in its report noted that government must not assume that the proscription of the group has rendered it toothless in the scheme of things because proscription does not stop organisations from functioning.

It noted that the group may attempt to enforce its boycott of the election at all cost and this may lead to an outcome that threatens democracy not just in Anambra State but also in the South-east and indeed the country as a whole.

The destruction of lives and property cannot be entirely ruled out at this stage as the group may not only resort to confronting the security forces but may also attempt disrupting the elections.

We cannot completely rule out the possibility of IPOB trying to disrupt the polls as they have been accused of harassing political party stalwarts and candidates, including a confrontation with incumbent Governor Willie Obiano during a church service on July 30, 2017 at St. Josephs Catholic Church Ekwuluobia, the report said.

The report, however, explained that with the determination of the state to conduct the election, it is likely to be conducted as planned as arrangements for massive deployment of security forces have already been concluded.

The CDD also warned that the security forces should not use excessive force in case of any skirmishes arising during the election, adding that the Operation Python Dance 11 has elicited so much pain and emotional anguish within the Igbo community.

The Nigerian State must accept that the attachment to Biafra among a part of the Igbo community is real and deep-rooted and force cannot drive away such sentiments. Not all members of the community however believe that secession is the best option so the way the security forces operate will have consequences for which side increases its support.

It is also important to note that if IPOB engages in violence and disrupts the election and their activities lead to a declaration of a state of emergency on Anambra state, it is IPOB that will lose its social capital. In that case, it is possible that the entire South-east may revolt against IPOB and cause an implosion that will invert the Biafra struggle against itself.

There are already a number of disgruntled citizens in Anambra State who believe that IPOB has singled their state as a guinea pig that will make them the only Igbo state without an elected governor in the South-east. Such an outcome, desired by IPOB would trigger a constitutional crisis as the term of the governor would have elapsed and a sole administrator will have to be appointed by the Federal Government.

The report further pointed out that a successful election boycott by the IPOB poses extreme danger to the Federal Government and national politics as it will boost the confidence of secessionists and facilitate referendum for Biafra Republic. It said this will equally trigger the drive for other ethnic groups or sections of the country to toe the same line.

On the other hand, it said, a failure of the boycott will also place the Biafran struggle on the line, should Anambra people come out en-mass in November to vote.

It is therefore imperative that the Nigerian government desists from using force and militarising the state to avoid low voter turn out and also to avoid violence or a faceoff with the IPOB secessionist movement, the report said.

Therefore, the report noted that to make the election possible, voter education becomes extremely important on the part of the political parties and INEC.

The report went further to disclose that it is likely that six LGAs may witness low voter turnout as a result of the IPOB call for election boycott, adding that these LGAs are the strongholds of IPOB and are likely to mobilise members and sympathizers to boycott the governorship election.

What this means is that the election would hold in many LGAs but it may witness poor voter turnout in the strongholds of IPOB in areas such as Ogbaru, Onitsha North and South, Oyi, and Idemili North and South, it said.

The report explained that the assurance from 179 communities under the aegis of the Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ASATU), is a positive sign that would facilitate mobilisation of voters. This, it explained, is because the unions could mobilise vigilante groups in their various communities to checkmate the activities of the IPOB during the governorship election since Anambra State has one of the strongest density of vigilante groups in the South-east.

Nonetheless, the CDD posited, following Operation Python Dance 11 and the discontent it generated, the likelihood of having high voter turnout is low.

Finally, the State, civil society and communities must be vigilant that last minute conflict triggers via SMS or social media are not allowed to disrupt the election.

Read the full CDD report here.

No Election No Referandum
A civil society organisation, Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), has accused the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, of abusing powers bestowed on his office in handling of the case between the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, and Senator Isa Misau.

The group questioned why the AGF took up a case between two citizens an apparent favour of one.

The case between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Senator Misau is currently being heard by the Federal High Court, Abuja.

Mr. Misau alleged that Mr. Idris stole about N10 billion monthly as internally generated revenue from policemen attached to private citizens and oil companies, engaged in romantic affairs with policewomen, and practiced favouritism in the promotion and appointment of Commissioners of Police.

The Senate set up a committee to probe the allegations, but the IGP while appearing before the panel declined to answer questions saying it would amount to subjudice since the matter was in court.

In an open letter on Monday, the CDHR described the decision of AGF to file criminal charges against Mr. Misau as an abuse of power.

It is utterly worrisome that although the allegations by Senator Misau, being investigated by the Senate, are specifically directed at or against the person of Mr. Ibrahim Idris and not against the Federal Government or the Nigerian Police Force, but the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation, exploiting your office and acting on behalf of the Federal Government, filed two separate charges in different courts against Senator Misau for allegedly making injurious statements against Mr. Ibrahim Idris, the IGP, the letter reads.

Both cases are pending in Abuja before the Federal High Court and the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, respectively. This decision to file two criminal charges against Senator Misau, apparently in favour of Mr. Ibrahim Idris, the IGP, in the circumstance, comes across as an abuse of your office as the Attorney-General of the Federation. By instituting those criminal charges against Senator Misau you have given the very dangerous impression that the Buhari Administration is determined to cover up allegations of corruption made against any public officer.

While calling on the AGF to withdraw the cases, the group challenged Mr. Malami to allow the IGP to defend himself.

Mr. Ibrahim Idris, the IGP, has filed a libel suit against Senator Isah Misau. Since Mr. Idris has rightly decided to defend his own reputation by suing for libel, the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) is compelled to request that you immediately discontinue the embarrassing criminal charges against Senator Misau without any delay. We are convinced that the libel suit filed by Mr. Idris will restore his reputation if Senator Isah Misau fails to substantiate his allegations at the trial of the libel suit. The office of the Attorney General of the Federation is not to engage in taking up causes against citizens in apparent favour of certain individuals because they hold public offices.
An FCT High Court sitting in Jabi on Monday sentenced two civil servants, Mohammed Audu and Yusuf Ayodeji, to 105 years imprisonment, for fraudulent activities.

The convicts, who were Procurement Officers in the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in July 2016.

Mr. Audu was docked on a 10-count charge while Ayodeji faced a five-count charge, both bordering on conspiracy, abuse of office and awarding contracts to companies in which they had interests, among others.

The convicts were brought pursuant to Section 26 of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) Act 2000, punishable under Section 12 of the same Act.

They were in charge of a World Bank project known as Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS), an economic reform governance project.

The judge, Yusuf Halilu, in his judgment, sentenced Mr. Audu to seven years imprisonment on each of the 10-count charge, amounting to 70 years.

Mr. Halilu also sentenced Mr. Ayodeji to seven years each on each of the five-count charge, amounting to 35 years imprisonment.

According to him, the convicts took advantage of their positions as procurement officers to perpetrate the criminal acts at the World Bank project.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Boss Mustapha, has conveyed President Muhammadu Buharis goodwill message to former Vice-President, Alex Ekwueme, in a London hospital.

Upon approval by President Buhari, Mr. Ekwueme was rushed to the hospital in an air ambulance in what was described as a critical condition.

The SGF, who was in London before Mr. Ekwuemes arrival, was received by his spouse, Helen Ekwueme, on behalf of the Ekwueme family.

Mr. Mustapha told the Ekwueme family that the president and all Nigerians are praying for the speedy recovery of the elder statesman, adding that he believed that the doctors were doing their best.
Raymond Dokpesi, one of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, National Chairmanship aspirants, has said that all the eight chairmanship aspirants will sign a peace accord as part of their commitment to a successful convention.

Mr. Dokpesi, the founder of Daar Communications, disclosed this in an interview with journalists after the PDP Governors Forum met with all aspirants in Enugu. The meeting ended in the early hours of Monday.

Mr. Dokpesi disclosed that all the aspirants had agreed to sign the peace accord at the partys national secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, by 4 p.m.

He described the move as part of efforts by the aspirants to ensure that the party comes out of the convention stronger and united.

With that accord being signed, we are going to look forward to a very peaceful and harmonious convention.

Asked if the issue of zoning came up at the meeting of the forum with the aspirants, Mr. Dokpesi said the party was explicit enough on the issue of zoning.

He said that while the partys presidential ticket was zoned to the North, the position of chairman was zoned to the South, without specific reference to states or geopolitical region.

He said that the candidates had agreed to work together

After the zoning principle, all the aspirants have agreed to work together to come up with a common position. Anybody can contest.

If the party in its wisdom and the aspirants agreed within themselves and notify the party early enough that would be fine.

Also asked if the issue of a consensus candidate was deliberated at the meeting, Mr. Dokpesi said no, but that did not mean there was no discussion among the aspirants.

Today on the way forward, a few of the aspirants met in the morning and in the afternoon and discussed which solution can be adopted.

Mr. Dokpesi added that following the meeting, he would go ahead with his campaign and consultation to fulfil his ambition.

The Governor of Ekiti and Chairman of the Forum, Ayodele Fayose, said that the partys national convention, scheduled for December 9, would be a world class event that other political parties would emulate.

Mr. Fayose said that the party has worked hard and it has all it takes to win the Saturday Anambra governorship election.

We are using this opportunity to demand that the election should be credible. It should not only be credible but seen to be credible.

We want to believe that Nigeria is of age to organise election that is acceptable at home and internationally, on November 18 in Anambra, Mr. Fayose added

In attendance were the Chairman of the partys National Caretaker Committee, Ahmed Makarfi, as well as all the PDP governors, except that of Ebonyi who was represented by his deputy.

Other aspirants at the meeting were Bode George, Gbenga Daniel, Uche Secondus, Tunde Adeniran, Jimi Agbaje, Taoheed Adedoja and Rashid Ladoja.

Also in attendance were Ike Ekweremadu, the Deputy President of the Senate; Gabriel Susuwan, former Benue Governor; Adolphus Nwabara and Sule Lamido.
The founder of Innoson Nigeria Limited, Innocent Chukwuma, has denied there was a bench warrant application at the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court instituted by the Nigerian government seeking his arrest.

The government had applied for a bench warrant for the arrest of Mr. Chukwuma and his company, as well as Charles Chukwu and Anajekwu Sunny for failure to present themselves before the court.

The defendants, alongside Maximian Chukwura and Mitsui Osk Lines, are facing a four-count charge of falsifying shipping documents amounting to N2.4 billion.

While Mr. Chukwura and Mitsui Osk Lines had attended every court proceeding since the charges were instituted in 2015, the rest had been continually absent.

In his response to the PREMIUM TIMES publication, Mr. Chukwuma through Cornel Osigwe, Head of Corporate Communications at Innoson Group, said there was no pending charge against the Innoson boss as the police had, on February 17th, 2016, withdrawn the charge to enable it conclude investigation of the allegation leading to the charge.

But documents seen by PREMIUM TIMES showed that on March 8, 2017, the Attorney General of the Federation wrote to the Inspector General of Police requesting that he produce for arraignment in court Innoson Nigeria Limited and Messrs. Chukwuma, Chukwu, and Anajekwu, who had been granted administrative bail by the police.

Last month, the government filed an application praying the court to issue a bench warrant arrest against the defendants. The court adjourned till November 21 to hear the application for the issuance of a bench warrant.

Mr. Chukwuma further accused Guaranty Trust Bank of sponsoring misleading stories in the media against him in order to avoid payment of N8.4 billion awarded against it by the court.

Efforts by PREMIUM TIMES to reach the bank was unsuccessful. An officer of the bank, who declined to state his name, on Monday promised to channel the questions posed to him to the appropriate quarters and revert within 24 hours. Subsequent calls to him were not answered.

Read Innosons Right of Reply below

False Allegation: No Application for Issuance of Bench Warrant against Innoson

Our attention has been drawn to a false publication on Premium Times of Friday, November 3, 2017captioned Nigeria Police want Court to order arrest of Innoson Motors boss, and we, as a result, deem it proper to respond and put the records straight.

First, a bench warrant can only be applied for and, if the necessary conditions are met, be issued by the Court in a pending charge. As it is, there is no charge pending against Innoson Motors Boss  Chief Innocent Chukwuma, his company, Charles Chukwu, Maximian Chukwura, Mistsui Osk Lines and Anajekwu Sunny. Although, in December 2015, the Inspector General of Police initiated Charge No: FHC/L/565C/2015 against Chief Innocent Chukwuma and 5 others, the Police through its instrument duly initialed and filed in the Court, in the same charge, on February 17, 2016 withdrew the charge to enable it conclude investigation of the allegation leading to the charge.

The genesis of the withdrawn trumped-up charge:

At all material time Innoson Nigeria Ltd. was a customer of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc. Sometime in 2012 Innoson discovered that GTB imposed and debited its current account with over N700 million excess and unlawful charges. GTB failed and refused to refund the N700 million to Innoson. Consequently, Innoson commenced Suit No: FHC/AWK/CS/139/2012 against GTB and thereat the Court rendered judgment in the sum of N4.7 Billion with 22 per cent interest on the judgment debt until satisfaction of the judgment debt in favour of Innoson against GTB. GTB appealed to the Court of Appeal, Enugu Division against the judgment in Appeal No: CA/E/288/2013. However, on December 9, 2014, the Court of Appeal ordered GTB to pay the judgment debt, which then stood at over N6 billion, into an interest-yielding account in the name of the court.

Also, in Suit No: FHC/L/CS/603/2006, the Federal High Court, Ibadan Division ordered GTB, in a garnishee order absolute made on 29th day of July 2011, to pay N2.4 billion to Innoson. Also, The Court of Appeal Ibadan Division in its judgment of February 6, 2014 in Appeal No: CA/I/258/2011 affirmed the decision of the Federal High Court and ordered GTB to pay the N2.4 billion to Innoson.

As at 2013/2014 the outstanding indebtedness of GTB to Innoson by reason of the judgment debts was over N8.5 billion. In its various affidavits, particularly at the Court of Appeal in Appeal No: CA/E/288/2013, GTB deposed that if it pays the outstanding judgment debt of N6 billion, let alone the N8.5 billion, it will collapse and be out of business.

Consequently, in order to save itself from paying the outstanding judgment debts to Innoson, it resorted to a fictitious petition and, in a characteristic manner, the trumped-up charge  Charge No: FHC/L/565C/2015  which was properly and competently withdrawn by the police on February 17, 2016.

Now turning to the allegation of falsification of shipping documents and representing them as genuine to obtain a loan ofN2.4 billion from GTB: GTB did not at any time grant any loan of N2.4 billion to Innoson and there was no such thing as Innoson obtaining any loan from GTB with shipping documents.

Innoson obtained, and had repaid same, a loan of N1.3 billion from GTB and secured same with a legal mortgage of its properties worth over N1.4 billion. For emphasis, shipping documents, vide: Bills of Lading, are issued when goods covered by them are already loaded onto the carrying vessel, and no manufacturer would release its goods for shipment unless it is paid or its payment guaranteed. In this circumstance, if GTB is saying that Innoson used bills of lading to obtain loan from it, does it mean that it didnt investigate the genuineness of the bills of lading before granting the loan  this is not an attribute of a seasoned bank except that of an unethical and a careless bank; secondly, it means that for Innoson to have the bills of lading the goods were already paid for and as such it does not need any loan from GTB in that regard. This shows that no loan was obtained with shipping documents  bills of lading.

Again, GTB paid the duties for all the goods Innoson imported with the facility it granted to it before Innoson cleared the goods covered by the Bills of Lading. As at the time of payment of the duties GTB knew or ought to know that the goods covered by the Bills of Lading and its facility were to be cleared. Again, after clearing the goods Innoson returned to GTB the relevant exchange copies/documents for transmission to Central Bank of Nigeria and accordingly GTB transmitted them to the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Innoson never did anything hidden, fraudulent or criminal in all its dealings with GTB. GTB is only looking for means to blackmail, hoodwink and force Innoson to forego its monetary judgment against it. This judgment debt as at today stood at over N10 Billion. GTBs strategy in this regard knows no limit. Recently, in a ploy to get the Supreme Court of Nigeria set aside the N2.4 Billion judgment debt against it, it alleged through a motion in Appeal No: SC/694/2014 that Innoson obtained the judgment in Appeal No: CA/I/258/2011 by fraud but the Supreme Court in its wisdom, and rightly, dismissed that in May 2017. As a result, Innoson commenced a N400 billion suit against GTB in Suit No: FCT/HC/CV/2448/2017 at the High Court Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

There is pending at the Court of Appeal an appeal on whether there is any charge at the Federal High Court, given the police withdrawal of the charge. Though the motion for stay of further proceedings was dismissed by the Court of Appeal while the substantive appeal is still pending, Innoson has appealed against that decision to the Supreme Court of Nigeria, thus SC:839/2017. At the Supreme Court, Innoson filed motions for stay of further proceedings in Charge No: FHC/L/565C/2015 and stay of execution of the directive of the Court of Appeal that proceedings should continue. Innoson has given the Federal High Court Notice of these two motions pending at the Supreme Court.

Justice Faji did not adjourn, on October 10, to November 21 for hearing of the application for issuance of bench warrant but rather to study the ruling of the Court of Appeal and to hear Innosons and others preliminary objection. There was no application for issuance of bench warrant pending before Honourable Justice Faji on October 10.

Cornel Osigwe

Head of Corporate Communications

Innoson Group
The Ebonyi Police Command on Monday warned the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) and political parties supporters against disruptive acts during President Muhammadu Buharis visit to the state on Tuesday.

Ebonyi Commissioner of Police (CP), Titus Lamorde, gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abakaliki.

He said the command was well equipped to deal with all forms of security challenges before, during and after the presidents visit.

According to Mr. Lamorde, any individual or group of persons that foment trouble before, during and after the visit would be severely dealt with, as people are advised to conduct themselves well.

I will not disclose the number of personnel we have drafted for security reasons, but I assure citizens that enough personnel have been deployed across the state to ensure a hitch-free visit.

The presidents visit is a welcome development as the citizens should cooperate with security agencies to make it a successful one, he said.

He said his officers had been adequately trained to relate well with the citizens during the visit and advised people to conduct their activities within the confines of the law.

We would not meddle into political issues as security outfit, but the visit is developmentally-oriented because of the numerous projects the President would inaugurate.

My officers would not intimidate or harass individuals or groups as the duty of ensuring a hitch-free event is a collective one, he said.

(NAN)
About 11,000 applicants have applied for the over 3,000 ad-hoc vacancies for the forthcoming local government council elections in Kwara State.

Abdulrahman Ajidagba, the chairman of the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission, KWASIEC, disclosed this in Ilorin on Monday.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Mr. Ajidagba said that the applicants had undergone training and written test to justify their capabilities for the exercise.

The KWASIEC boss said the documents of the successful ones among the applicants were currently being sorted out at the commissions office in Ilorin.

The chairman said the commission would soon release the names of successful candidates that it would engage.

According to him, the commission had put necessary machinery in place that would enhance its conduct of credible, fair, reliable and acceptable elections.

The council election is slated for November 18.
Gov. Aminu Masari of Katsina State on Monday presented the 2018 appropriation bill of N211.4 billion at the State House of Assembly.

Mr. Masari, who presented the estimates in Katsina, said the budget was tagged Budget of Actualization.

He said the appropriation bill had a capital expenditure of N160 billion, representing 75.7 per cent of the total budget, while recurrent expenditure was put at N51.4 billion, representing 24.3 per cent.

Mr. Masari said the projected Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to finance the budget was N10.2 billion as well as N26.2 billion from other internal sources, while N131 billion was expected from the Federation Account.

He said the 2018 recurrent revenue increased by 30 per cent, compared to the figure in 2017, just as the recurrent expenditure in 2018 increased by 17.4 per cent over that of 2017, which was 13 per cent.

The governor said the personnel cost in the 2018 budget was N24.6 billion, overhead cost N12 billion, while consolidated revenue and other charges were N14.6 billion.

He said under capital expenditure, the economic sector received N42.8 billion; social sector, N47.1 billion; regional development, N52.1 billion, while administration received N6.8 billion.

Mr. Masari said that judiciary was allocated N691.2 million; the legislature N302.7 million; while contingency had N2.6 billion and N7.3 billion was for debt servicing.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that education sector received the lion share of N42.4 billion, representing 20 per cent of the budget.

Responding, the Speaker, Abubakar Yahaya, promised to ensure speedy passage of the budget for people of the state to continue to enjoy the dividends of democracy.

Mr. Yahaya said that the house would scrutinise the budget with the aim of making necessary amendments. (NAN)
Secessionist agitations in the South-eastern part of the country especially by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, was one major issues that dominated discussions during the 2017 Anambra State gubernatorial debate held in Awka, the state capital, on Sunday.

Chief among the hurdles before the successful conduct of the election is the call for its boycott by the Nnamdi Kanu-led separatist IPOB.

The group said it does not want the November 18 election to hold until the Nigerian government accedes to its demand for a referendum for the realisation of the breakaway state of Biafra.

However, Mr. Kanus whereabouts remain unknown after clashes occurred between IPOB members and soldiers, who were on a military operation in Abia State.

As the clashes continued, the military labelled IPOB a terrorist organisation, a decision later backed by the federal government through a court order. Meanwhile, Mr. Kanus lawyer accused the army of kidnapping his client on September 14.

Despite being labelled a terrorist organisation, IPOB on Friday staged a demonstration in Onitsha, the commercial nerve of Anambra State, threatening voters not to participate in the November 18 governorship election in the state.

Sundays debate organised by Channels Television gave the candidates from the five major political parties vying to become the next governor a chance to promote their plans to the public.

One of the questions thrown at them by the moderator was on how they would resolve the IPOB agitation when elected.

If I become governor, I will engage these angry IPOB youths positively because most of them dont have work. I will create jobs for them. I am an activist and I am one of them so I know how it feels like to be overlooked, Tony Nwoye, the All Progressives Congress, APC flagbearer said.

For incumbent governor Willie Obiano of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, restructuring is key to calming down the frayed nerves of the IPOB youths.

Its time to sit down and restructure once and for all, he said.

Godwin Ezeemo of the Peoples Progressive Alliance, PPA however blamed former ministers from the region for not addressing critical issues affecting the people when they were in power, hence the agitation.

IPOB emanated out of the fact that the South-eastern youths have been marginalised particularly in this administration and nobody feels good when his rights are denied.

Besides that, in Jonathans administration, the South-easterners occupied choice ministerial positions and they did nothing like building of roads, creating jobs and making good policies for the region. They couldnt provide leadership and that is why we are having problem. They were in ministries of aviation, finance, petroleum etc.

So in this dispensation, because of the fact that they said we didnt vote for them, we were denied our own piece of the cake.

Mr. Ezeemo added that if elected, he will address those issues causing agitations.

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP flagbearer, Oseloka Obaze, was however critical of the Nigerian government for proscribing IPOB on one hand while Niger Delta militants and Fulani herdsmen are left out.

The Niger delta militants were not declared terrorists, we also have the Fulani herdsmen and none of them has been proscribed. I do not understand how this governor can sit here and young people who are unemployed, who are looking for a source of livelihood are branded terrorists and proscribed. Weve had election in the state before and IPOB never said dont vote. Why this is happening on his (Obiano) watch is because it was mishandled. We have to have an adoptive government that can accept responsibility, Mr. Obaze said.

He said if elected, his government will create more jobs especially for the IPOB youth.

The United Progressive Party candidate, Osita Chidoka, has a different view. He said IPOB problem goes beyond unemployment.

This issue is fundamental structural problem with Nigeria. It only manifested indifferent forms. It manifested as MASSOB in 2001. The leaders of MASSOB was charged to court and imprisoned and bailed.

You should not forget that Nnamdi Kanu was the London chairman of APGA. The whole idea of APGA was a party that will represent the interest of Ndigbo, uniting the Igbos in Nigeria. It was the failure of APGA, it was APGA turning into a money making machine. APGA derailed from its function as a party that will speak for Ndigbo that led to the new wave of agitation.

The people agitating all over the world are not unemployed, they are doctors, they are lawyers, they are Igbo people. They are saying that there is a feeling of impotence and inability in the construction of the current Nigerian state to properly address the issues the people are having and that the Nigerian state needs to be renegotiated. That is what they are saying.

Meanwhile, a political pressure group, the Northern Front For Equity and Justice, in Abuja on Monday called on Igbos to put their acts together and forge a common front saying they can produce an Igbo president by 2023.

The leader of the group, Yunusa Sule, said their position follows recent agitations by IPOB and other secessionist groups for a separate nation. The group said the Igbos can thrive under a united Nigerian if they play their cards right politically.

According to the group, the agitations point to the injustice and marginalisation ravaging different ethnic nationalities in the country, not just the Igbos.

The group said it was saddening that despite the contributions of the South-east to the nation, it was yet to produce a president.

When Gen. Yakubu Gowon, a former head of state of Nigeria declared, No victor, No vanquished and proclaimed the 3RS of reconstruction, rehabilitation and reconciliation after the civil war, it was targeted at healing the wounds of the ill-fated war.

But 47 years after, the people of the South-east still feel short-changed in the rulership equation of this country as they are yet to produce a president of Nigeria, the group said.

It added that rather than play the secessionist card of politics of exclusion, the Igbos should re-strategize politically.

It is in this regard that notable Igbo leaders like Owelle Rochas Okorocha and Dr Orji Uzor Kalu have always called on Ndigbo not to play politics of exclusion. These two leaders have shown great patriotism as they rejected any attempt to divide this country.
The best graduating Law student of the University of Ibadan, 2015/2016 academic session, Joseph Ogunmodede, on Monday explained how he was able to achieve the academic feat.

Mr. Ogunmodede, who had a first class degree, said he was able to attain the feat due to hard work and diligence, adding that nobody can be a success except he or she can pay the price.

Mr. Ogunmodede also explained why he established an online platform to creatively educate the world on their legal rights and duties.

In short, you can begin from anywhere and still reach for the stars. All you need is to summon the courage. As we move on in life, create value and watch yourself climb the ladder of success.

As you know, for you to achieve anything, you must have a sense of purpose. My fellow graduating students, we need to set goals for ourselves and be focused. With patience, determination and dedication, we shall reach the better tomorrow that is ahead of us, for we have a very bright future.

The world has gone digital; technology remains the future of human relations and we now have access to the global market if only we can make optimal use of our technological gadgets. Check out the lives of the most successful entrepreneurs, they look for a need and meet it. Why dont we do likewise?

He made the remarks on Monday while delivering a valedictory speech on behalf of his colleagues at 69th convocation ceremony of the university.

The graduand, whose father, Benjamin Ogunmodede, is also a legal practitioner said the online platform, www.thelegaldiary.com, known as The Legal Diary, would remain part of his testimony as a lawyer.

Personally, with all sense of humility, I have led by example in this regard by founding The Legal Diary, which is an online platform to creatively educate the world on their legal rights and duties, he said.

Mr. Ogunmodede lamented the level of unemployment in the country. He tasked his colleagues and other youth never to stay idle waiting for opportunities but to create such opportunities for themselves.

This is a critical time in our lives. Many of us are asking ourselves, what next?, What does the future hold for us? The fear is, even more, overwhelming with the current economic situation in Nigeria which is characterised by abysmally low employment rate and the relative unease in doing business, he said.

Nevertheless, I urge us to use the little resources at our disposal to meet the needs of people. In my view, unemployment is a myth. It is a basic principle of economics that human wants are insatiable and this clearly indicates that there is always something to be done, he added.
Several police officers and students were on Monday injured as the police sought to forcefully disperse a protest by the students.

The students who were of the Federal College of Agriculture, Moore Plantation, Ibadan, were said to be protesting against the management of the institution. In the early hours of the day, they marched to the Ibadan  Abeokuta expressway, thereby inhibiting the flow of traffic.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that the provost of the college, Babajide Adenikan, called in the police when the protests went out of control and headed away from the campus towards the town.

Footage on twitter apparently captured by one of the students showed police officers chasing the students back into the school premises using teargas and stones. The students were also seen hauling stones and other projectiles at the police officers.

Sporadic gunshots were also heard and two female students were seen being taken away to a hospital after they were supposedly injured by the attacking police officers.

In his reaction, the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Odude, said four police officers were injured in the mayhem and had been hospitalised.

He said that eight police vans were also damaged by the students during the clash. He confirmed that five students had been arrested in connection with the attacks.

The police commissioner said the crisis which erupted on Monday had been brewing for a long time and the police had made efforts to use dialogue to resolve it.

It has been an off and on situation, said Mr. Odude. We have been on this for the past six months, meeting them and trying to resolve the issue. We have met the students union leaders and the school authority.

According to him, the students had been warned earlier to limit their union activities within the school campus, as interfering with other peoples rights to use public utilities was unlawful.

Today they blocked the main road during protest and we sent policemen there, but they became violent and attacked the policemen, he said.

Four of them were injured and they are now in hospital. Eight police vans were also destroyed.

We have to use force to push them back into the school. Being students does not confer the liberty to break laws.

Those who were arrested will be charged to court after due investigation.
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.




Another summit planned in Beijing next month

By Yi Whan-woo

President Moon Jae-in and Chinese President Xi Jinping have agreed to restore relations between Seoul and Beijing in all sectors.

They reached the agreement during a summit on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in Danang, Vietnam, Saturday.

Their bilateral talks came after the governments of South Korea and China struck an agreement on Oct. 31 to end the diplomatic row over a U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery deployed in South Korea.

Moon accepted Xi's invitation to visit China next month, while Xi said he will "make efforts" to come to the Winter Olympics, slated for Feb. 9 to 25, 2018, in PyeongChang, Gangwon Province.

The two leaders also agreed to bolster efforts to resolve the North Korea nuclear crisis, something Xi had refused to discuss with Moon over the past few months.

"I'm so glad that the two countries have agreed to restore exchanges and cooperation in every field through diplomatic consultation, and put their relationship on a normal track," Moon said. "We had hardship in our relations, but now is the time for us to reconfirm how South Korea and China are precious to each other. I hope the two sides will work together to recover the time we lost."

Citing a Korean proverb, "After the rain, the ground is stiff," and also a Chinese idiom with a similar connotation, Moon said he is confident about the positive impact to be brought about by his summit with Xi.

"My meeting with President Xi will be a signal to resume cooperation in politics, the economy, culture, human resources and other fields," he said.

Moon's remarks came in response to Xi's opening speech, in which the latter expressed hope that their summit will be a "significant turnaround for the two sides to cooperate on bilateral development and issues on the Korean Peninsula."

"Both China and South Korea have common interests in a wide range of areas on world peace, the development of economies and societies among others," he said

Xi stressed mutual respect, communication and cooperation on the key national interests of the two sides, saying, "China-South Korea relations and the situation on the peninsula are at a critical point."

The two leaders agreed to discuss "future-oriented relations" in December when Moon visits Beijing for another summit.

When asked by Moon to visit South Korea on the occasion of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, Xi said he will try to come and also promised to send a high-level delegation if he cannot do so.












TAMPA, Fla., Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AACSB International (AACSB) announced today that American University in Dubai, Chung-Ang University Business School, and Texas A&M University-Kingsville have earned accreditation in business.

Founded in 1916, AACSB is the longest-serving global accrediting body for business schools, and the largest business education network connecting students, educators, and businesses worldwide. Through today's ratification, a total of 799 institutions across 53 countries and territories have earned AACSB Accreditation in business. Furthermore, 185 institutions maintain an additional specialized AACSB Accreditation for their accounting programs.

"AACSB's accreditation standards are designed to help schools discoverand deliver ontheir differentiated mission, so they can foster meaningful change through engagement, innovation, and impact," said Robert D. Reid, executive vice president and chief accreditation officer of AACSB International. "We commend each school for their exemplary work and thank them for their dedication to academic excellence."

Achieving accreditation is a process of rigorous internal focus, engagement with an AACSB-assigned mentor, and peer-reviewed evaluation. During this multi-year path, schools focus on developing and implementing a plan to align with AACSB's accreditation standards. These standards require excellence in areas relating to strategic management and innovation; student, faculty, and staff as active participants; learning and teaching; and academic and professional engagement.

"For over a century, AACSB Accreditation has been synonymous with the highest standards of business education," continued Reid. "From the start of the accreditation process, schools must demonstrate that they have the resources, credentials, and dedication needed to provide students with a first-rate, future-focused business education, while remaining committed to a continuous improvement review every five years."

For more detailed information about AACSB Accreditation, please visit aacsb.edu/accreditation.

About AACSB International

As the world's largest business education alliance, AACSB InternationalThe Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) connects educators, students, and business to achieve a common goal: to create the next generation of great leaders. Synonymous with the highest standards of excellence since 1916, AACSB provides quality assurance, business education intelligence, and professional development services to nearly 1,600 member organizations and more than 790 accredited business schools worldwide. With its global headquarters in Tampa, Florida, USA; Europe, Middle East, and Africa headquarters in Amsterdam, the Netherlands; and Asia Pacific headquarters in Singapore, AACSB's mission is to foster engagement, accelerate innovation, and amplify impact in business education. For more information, visit aacsb.edu.

SOURCE AACSB International
PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Aberdeen Chile Fund, Inc. (NYSE American: CH) announced that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Fund, which was previously scheduled for Monday, January 8, 2018, will now be held on Friday, January 19, 2018 for the purpose of electing directors. The Meeting will be held at the offices of Aberdeen Asset Management Inc., 1735 Market Street, 32nd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103. The record date for the Annual Meeting is November 7, 2017.

Proposals by shareholders of the Fund intended to be presented at the January 19, 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must be received by the Fund (addressed to Aberdeen Chile Fund, Inc., 1735 Market Street, 32nd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103) for inclusion in the Fund's proxy statement relating to that meeting no later than Thursday, November 23, 2017. Any shareholder who desires to bring a proposal for consideration at the January 19, 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders without including such proposal in the Fund's proxy statement must deliver written notice thereof to the Secretary of the Fund (addressed to Aberdeen Chile Fund, Inc., 1735 Market Street, 32nd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103) no later than Thursday, November 23, 2017.

Closed-end funds are traded on the secondary market through one of the stock exchanges. The Fund's investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor's shares may be worth more or less than the original cost. Shares of closed-end funds may trade above (a premium) or below (a discount) the net asset value (NAV) of the fund's portfolio. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.

If you wish to receive this information electronically, please contact [email protected]

aberdeench.com

SOURCE Aberdeen Chile Fund, Inc.

Related Links

http://aberdeench.com


This year's edition of holiday cheer has the famous Aflac Duck in a warm blue hat and scarf holding his big and caring heart on his chest, demonstrating his passion for helping children and families. The plush duck is a replica of the new balloonicle that will ride down Sixth Avenue in New York City during the 2017 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. As always, when you give the cozy plush duck a gentle squeeze, he will quack his famous "Aflaaac!"  generating smiles for a great cause.

"The impact and popularity of the Aflac Holiday Duck program with Macy's has continued to grow over the last 17 years of our partnership," Aflac Foundation President Kathelen Amos said. "An ambassador of holiday joy, the Aflac Duck also symbolizes the deep commitment of the Aflac family to the fight against pediatric cancer. Over the last 23 years, Aflac has provided more than $119 million for support of pediatric cancer. We are excited to be joined in this fight by all the purchasers of the Aflac Holiday Duck, and are grateful for their generosity, and for Macy's support in raising awareness of this important cause."

"The Aflac Holiday Duck is one of our most cherished annual keepsakes, and we are excited to create the latest edition of the famed Aflac plush duck based on our brand-new balloonicle in this year's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade," said Jordan Dabby, vice president of Partnership Marketing at Macy's. "For almost two decades, Macy's and Aflac have helped to raise awareness and funds for the fight against childhood cancer. We hope the sale of this adorable plush continues that great legacy and adds much needed support for a great cause this holiday season."

The Aflac Holiday Duck comes in two sizes: a 6-inch version priced at $10 and a 10-inch version listed at $15. Since 2001, more than $3 million has been raised from the sale of these fuzzy keepsakes of Aflac's cherished feathery mascot.

Aflac's Holiday Duck sales are a part of the company's comprehensive program called the Aflac Childhood Cancer Campaign, which also includes the company's annual commitment to donate $2 to The Aflac Foundation Inc.  up to $1.5 million  for every social activity posted on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #Duckprints.

For 22 years, childhood cancer has been Aflac's primary philanthropic cause, and the company has raised more than $119 million, including monthly donations of more than $500,000 from the company's independent sales agents. For more information about the Aflac Holiday Duck and Aflac's longtime commitment to childhood cancer, please go to AflacChildhoodCancer.org.

About Aflac

When a policyholder gets sick or hurt, Aflac pays cash benefits fast. For more than six decades, Aflac insurance policies have given policyholders the opportunity to focus on recovery, not financial stress. In the United States, Aflac is the leader in voluntary insurance sales at the worksite. Through its trailblazing One Day PaySM initiative, Aflac U.S. can receive, process, approve and disburse payment for eligible claims in one business day. In Japan, Aflac is the leading provider of medical and cancer insurance and insures 1 in 4 households. Aflac insurance products help provide protection to more than 50 million people worldwide. For 11 consecutive years, Ethisphere has recognized Aflac as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies. In 2017, Fortune magazine recognized Aflac as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work for in America for the 19th consecutive year and in 2017 included Aflac on its list of Most Admired Companies for the 16th time. Aflac Incorporated is a Fortune 500 company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AFL. To find out more about Aflac and One Day PaySM, visit aflac.com or aflac.com/espanol.

Aflac herein means American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus and American Family Life Assurance Company of New York.

Media contact  Jon Sullivan, 706.763.4813 or [email protected]

Analyst and investor contact  David A. Young, 706.596.3264 or 800.235.2667, FAX 706.324.6330, or [email protected]

SOURCE Aflac

Related Links

http://www.aflac.com


MORTSEL, Belgium and GREENVILLE, South Carolina, November 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

A single platform approach with Agfa HealthCare Enterprise Imaging will be implemented by London Health Sciences Centre and St. Joseph's Health Care London and will include other regional hospitals in southwestern Ontario , creating one of Canada's largest integrated digital imaging systems.

Health Care London and will include other regional hospitals in southwestern , creating one of largest integrated digital imaging systems. The solution will consolidate multiple picture archive and communication systems (PACS), providing secure access to patient medical images.

Agfa HealthCare recently signed an agreement with London Health Sciences Centre to implement its Enterprise Imaging technology, which will facilitate a common image-sharing platform. The suite of solutions will allow each participating facility to seamlessly connect with patient imaging and textual data across London and the region, consolidating multiple imaging IT systems.

"We are delighted these hospitals in the southwest region of Ontario have selected our Enterprise Imaging solutions. This will consolidate patient data and help facilitate clinical collaboration and continuity across the care continuum," says Frank Pecaitis, senior vice president, North America, Sales and Marketing, Agfa HealthCare.

The suite of Enterprise Imaging solutions includes the following applications:

Enterprise Imaging for Radiology - a highly customizable workflow tool designed to help radiologists achieve optimal efficiency in reading radiological studies.

- a highly customizable workflow tool designed to help radiologists achieve optimal efficiency in reading radiological studies. Enterprise Imaging Exchange -- allows efficient and secure transfer of multiple types of patient studies.

-- allows efficient and secure transfer of multiple types of patient studies. Web-based XERO  universal image viewer - provides secure access to DICOM and non-DICOM imaging data from different departments and multiple sources, in one view, to clinicians inside and outside of the hospital.

- provides secure access to DICOM and non-DICOM imaging data from different departments and multiple sources, in one view, to clinicians inside and outside of the hospital. Standardized Departmental Workflows, which allow all image-producing service lines to capture and associate imaging studies with an episode of care, to drive enterprise-wide efficiency.

"We are proud of the partnership work across the region that will help improve the care and experiences we collectively deliver to the patients we serve. We are hopeful that this imaging collaboration can be expanded further over the seven years of this agreement," said Glen Kearns, integrated vice president, Diagnostic Services and Chief Information Officer for London Health Sciences Centre and St. Joseph's Health Care London.

For an image, courtesy of Agfa HealthCare, click here .

About Agfa HealthCare

Agfa HealthCare, present in one hospital out of two, is a leading provider of eHealth & Digital Imaging solutions. Care organizations in over 100 countries rely on Agfa HealthCare to optimize their efficiency and improve patient care.

Marc De Fre

Global Marcom Director, Agfa HealthCare

T +32(0)3-444-73-19

[email protected]

SOURCE Agfa HealthCare
DUBLIN, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Allergan plc (NYSE: AGN) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for VRAYLAR (cariprazine) for the maintenance treatment of adults with schizophrenia. VRAYLAR is also approved in the U.S. in adults for the acute treatment of schizophrenia and acute treatment of manic or mixed episodes of bipolar I disorder.1

"Schizophrenia is one of the most challenging mental health disorders to manage  particularly due to the complexity of patient symptoms, varying response to treatment and high rates of relapse," said Dr. Herbert Meltzer, Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine. "The goal of clinicians is to minimize relapses, which can cause significant personal distress, and can often have serious implications for a patient's health. The approval of VRAYLAR for the maintenance treatment of schizophrenia provides an important therapy for patients and physicians who are in need of long-term treatment options."

Without maintenance treatment, 60  70 percent of schizophrenia patients relapse within one year. Once a schizophrenia patient reaches the stable or maintenance phase of treatment, it is important for the physician to develop a long-term treatment management plan to minimize relapse risk, monitor for and reduce severity of side effects, and address residual symptoms where possible.2

The efficacy of VRAYLAR in the maintenance treatment of schizophrenia was based on an up to 72-week, multinational, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized withdrawal study in the prevention of relapse in adult patients with schizophrenia. The study included a 20-week open-label phase where patients with schizophrenia were treated with cariprazine 3, 6 or 9 mg per day. Patients who responded and met the stabilization criteria during the open-label period were then randomized either to continue their VRAYLAR dose (3, 6 or 9 mg per day) or be switched to placebo for up to 72 weeks or until a relapse occurred. The primary endpoint was time to relapse during the randomized, double blind phase.1

The study demonstrated that VRAYLAR y significantly delayed the time to relapse compared to placebo (P=0.0010). Relapse occurred in nearly twice as many placebo-treated patients (49.5%, n=49/99) as VRAYLAR-treated (29.7%, n=30/101) patients. The safety results were consistent with the profile observed to-date for VRAYLAR.1

"The differences in how people with schizophrenia respond to treatment underscores the importance of having additional treatment options," said David Nicholson, Chief Research & Development Officer at Allergan. "We are pleased that the FDA has recognized the benefits of VRAYLAR for maintenance treatment of adults with schizophrenia. This approval demonstrates our continued investment in VRAYLAR, as well as our commitment to developing treatments that address unmet needs facing people living with mental illness."

About Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a chronic and disabling disorder that affects about 2.4 million American adults.3 It imposes significant burden on patients, their families and society. Symptoms fall into three broad categories: positive symptoms (hallucinations, delusions, thought disorders and movement disorders), negative symptoms (such as loss of motivation and social withdrawal) and cognitive symptoms (problems with executive functioning, focusing and working memory).4

About VRAYLAR (cariprazine)

VRAYLAR is an oral, once daily atypical antipsychotic approved for the acute treatment of adult patients with manic or mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder, with a recommended dose range of 3 to 6 mg/day, and for the treatment of schizophrenia in adults, with a recommended dose range of 1.5 to 6 mg/day.

While the mechanism of action of VRAYLAR in schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder is unknown, the efficacy of VRAYLAR could be mediated through a combination of partial agonist activity at central dopamine D and serotonin 5-HT 1A receptors and antagonist activity at serotonin 5-HT 2A receptors. Pharmacodynamic studies with cariprazine have shown that it acts as a partial agonist with high binding affinity at dopamine D 3 , dopamine D 2 , and serotonin 5-HT 1A receptors. Cariprazine demonstrated up to ~8-fold greater in vitro affinity for dopamine D 3 vs D 2 receptors. Cariprazine also acts as an antagonist at serotonin 5-HT 2B and 5-HT 2A receptors with high and moderate binding affinity, respectively as well as it binds to the histamine H 1 receptors. Cariprazine shows lower binding affinity to the serotonin 5-HT 2C and  1A - adrenergic receptors and has no appreciable affinity for cholinergic muscarinic receptors. The clinical significance of these in vitro data is unknown.

VRAYLAR was discovered and co-developed by Gedeon Richter Plc and is licensed to Actavis, now Allergan, in the U.S. and Canada.

Visit www.VRAYLAR.com for more information.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

WARNING: INCREASED MORTALITY IN ELDERLY PATIENTS WITH DEMENTIA-RELATED PSYCHOSIS Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death. VRAYLAR is not approved for treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis

Contraindication: VRAYLAR is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity. Reactions have included rash, pruritus, urticaria, and events suggestive of angioedema.

Cerebrovascular Adverse Reactions, Including Stroke: In clinical trials with antipsychotic drugs, elderly subjects with dementia had a higher incidence of cerebrovascular adverse reactions, including fatalities vs placebo. VRAYLAR is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis.

Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS): NMS, a potentially fatal symptom complex, has been reported with antipsychotic drugs. NMS may cause hyperpyrexia, muscle rigidity, delirium, and autonomic instability. Additional signs may include elevated creatine phosphokinase, myoglobinuria (rhabdomyolysis), and acute renal failure. Manage with immediate discontinuation, intensive symptomatic treatment, and monitoring.

Tardive Dyskinesia (TD): Risk of developing TD (a syndrome of potentially irreversible, involuntary, dyskinetic movements) and the likelihood it will become irreversible may increase with the duration of treatment and the cumulative dose. The syndrome can develop after a relatively brief treatment period, even at low doses, or after treatment discontinuation. If signs and symptoms of TD appear, drug discontinuation should be considered.

Late-Occurring Adverse Reactions: Adverse events may first appear several weeks after initiation of VRAYLAR, probably because plasma levels of cariprazine and its major metabolites accumulate over time. As a result, the incidence of adverse reactions in short-term trials may not reflect the rates after longer term exposures. Monitor for adverse reactions, including extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) or akathisia, and patient response for several weeks after starting VRAYLAR and after each dosage increase. Consider reducing the dose or discontinuing the drug.

Metabolic Changes: Atypical antipsychotics have caused metabolic changes, such as:

Hyperglycemia and Diabetes Mellitus: Hyperglycemia, in some cases associated with ketoacidosis, hyperosmolar coma, or death, has been reported in patients treated with atypical antipsychotics. Assess fasting glucose before or soon after initiation of treatment, and monitor periodically during long-term treatment.

Hyperglycemia, in some cases associated with ketoacidosis, hyperosmolar coma, or death, has been reported in patients treated with atypical antipsychotics. Assess fasting glucose before or soon after initiation of treatment, and monitor periodically during long-term treatment. Dyslipidemia: Atypical antipsychotics cause adverse alterations in lipids. Before or soon after starting an antipsychotic, obtain baseline fasting lipid profile and monitor periodically during treatment.

Atypical antipsychotics cause adverse alterations in lipids. Before or soon after starting an antipsychotic, obtain baseline fasting lipid profile and monitor periodically during treatment. Weight Gain: Weight gain has been observed with VRAYLAR. Monitor weight at baseline and frequently thereafter.

Leukopenia, Neutropenia, and Agranulocytosis: Leukopenia/neutropenia have been reported with antipsychotics, including VRAYLAR. Agranulocytosis (including fatal cases) has been reported with other antipsychotics. Monitor complete blood count in patients with pre-existing low white blood cell count (WBC)/absolute neutrophil count or history of drug-induced leukopenia/neutropenia. Discontinue VRAYLAR at the first sign of a clinically significant decline in WBC and in severely neutropenic patients.

Orthostatic Hypotension and Syncope: Atypical antipsychotics cause orthostatic hypotension and syncope, with the greatest risk during initial titration and with dose increases. Monitor orthostatic vital signs in patients predisposed to hypotension and in those with cardiovascular/cerebrovascular diseases.

Falls: VRAYLAR may cause somnolence, postural hypotension, motor and sensory instability, which may lead to falls and, consequently, fractures, or other injuries. For patients with diseases, conditions, or medications that could exacerbate these effects, complete fall risk assessments when initiating antipsychotics and recurrently for patients on long-term therapy.

Seizures: Use VRAYLAR with caution in patients with history of seizures or with conditions that lower the seizure threshold.

Potential for Cognitive and Motor Impairment: Somnolence was reported with VRAYLAR. Caution patients about performing activities requiring mental alertness (eg, operating hazardous machinery or a motor vehicle).

Body Temperature Dysregulation: Use VRAYLAR with caution in patients who may experience conditions that increase body temperature (eg, strenuous exercise, extreme heat, dehydration, or concomitant anticholinergics).

Dysphagia: Esophageal dysmotility and aspiration have been associated with antipsychotics. Antipsychotic drugs, including VRAYLAR, should be used cautiously in patients at risk for aspiration.

Drug Interactions: Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors increase VRAYLAR concentrations, so VRAYLAR dose reduction is recommended. Concomitant use with CYP3A4 inducers is not recommended.

Adverse Reactions: In clinical trials, the most common adverse reactions (5% and at least twice the rate of placebo) are listed below:

Schizophrenia: The incidences within the recommended dose range (VRAYLAR 1.5  3 mg/day and 4.5  6 mg/day vs placebo) were: EPS (15%, 19% vs 8%) and akathisia (9%, 13% vs 4%)

Bipolar mania: The incidences within the recommended dose range (VRAYLAR 3  6 mg/day vs placebo) were: EPS (26% vs 12%), akathisia (20% vs 5%), dyspepsia (7% vs 4%), vomiting (10% vs 4%), somnolence (7% vs 4%), and restlessness (7% vs 2%)

Please also see full Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warning.

About Allergan plc

Allergan plc (NYSE: AGN), headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, is a bold, global pharmaceutical company and a leader in a new industry model  Growth Pharma. Allergan is focused on developing, manufacturing and commercializing branded pharmaceutical, device, biologic, surgical and regenerative medicine products for patients around the world.

Allergan markets a portfolio of leading brands and best-in-class products for the central nervous system, eye care, medical aesthetics and dermatology, gastroenterology, women's health, urology and anti-infective therapeutic categories.

Allergan is an industry leader in Open Science, a model of research and development, which defines our approach to identifying and developing game-changing ideas and innovation for better patient care. With this approach, Allergan has built one of the broadest development pipelines in the pharmaceutical industry with 55+ mid-to-late stage pipeline programs currently in development.

Allergan's success is powered by our more than 18,000 global colleagues' commitment to being Bold for Life. Together, we build bridges, power ideas, act fast and drive results for our customers and patients around the world by always doing what is right.

With commercial operations in approximately 100 countries, Allergan is committed to working with physicians, healthcare providers and patients to deliver innovative and meaningful treatments that help people around the world live longer, healthier lives every day.

For more information, visit Allergan's website at www.Allergan.com.

Forward-Looking Statement

Statements contained in this press release that refer to future events or other non-historical facts are forward-looking statements that reflect Allergan's current perspective on existing trends and information as of the date of this release. Actual results may differ materially from Allergan's current expectations depending upon a number of factors affecting Allergan's business. These factors include, among others, the difficulty of predicting the timing or outcome of FDA approvals or actions, if any; the impact of competitive products and pricing; market acceptance of and continued demand for Allergan's products; difficulties or delays in manufacturing; and other risks and uncertainties detailed in Allergan's periodic public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to Allergan's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 and Allergan's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2017. Except as expressly required by law, Allergan disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

References

1. VRAYLAR [package insert]. Irvine, CA: Allergan USA, Inc.; 2017.

2. Practice Guidelines for the Treatment of Patients with Schizophrenia. American Psychiatric Association. Available at: https://psychiatryonline.org/pb/assets/raw/sitewide/practice_guidelines/guidelines/schizophrenia.pdf. Accessed November 2017.

3. Schizophrenia. NIH Research Portfolio Online Reporting Tools (RePORT). U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.. Available at: https://report.nih.gov/nihfactsheets/ViewFactSheet.aspx?csid=67. Accessed November 2017.

4. Schizophrenia. National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH). Available at: https://infocenter.nimh.nih.gov/nimh/product/Schizophrenia/TR%2015-3517. Accessed November 2017.

CONTACTS: Allergan:

Investors:

Daphne Karydas

(862) 261-8006

Media:

Mark Marmur

(862) 261-7558

Frances DeSena

(862) 261-8820

SOURCE Allergan plc

Related Links

http://www.allergan.com


WASHINGTON, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- America's Promise Alliance, the nation's largest network dedicated to improving the lives of children and youth, is extending the Healthy Schools Fund to communities working to create healthier school environments for all children.

As part of Together for Healthy and Successful Schools, a new initiative of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), America's Promise will select three to five districts and/or community-level organizations that will receive up to $300,000 for two years to support existing collaborative efforts.

Through this work, America's Promise seeks to answer the following questions:

What if every young person went to a school that focuses on academics as well as social and emotional development and physical health? How do we create the conditions to make it so all children, no matter where they are from, or how much money their family makes, has access to a school that helps them develop into well-rounded adults?

Recognizing that school-centered health intersects with many areas outside of educationhousing, employment, transportation, and food access efforts should serve as a hub for cross-sector collaboration, youth and community engagement, and broader policy and systemic change. Selected grantees will display alignment with this vision and a proven ability to accelerate positive change for young people in schools and their communities.

"America's Promise has always believed that to support young people who are struggling the most, it takes approaches that focus on all of a child's developmental needs," said John Gomperts, president and CEO of America's Promise. "When communities have healthy schools young people experience greater health, achieve better academic outcomes, and in turn, impact the entire community. Our partnership with RWJF will enable us to help build demand among practitioners, community members, and decision-makers to make healthy schools the norm and create the conditions for every child to have a healthy, successful life."

Districts and organizations in the following 20 states are eligible to apply: Alaska, California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, and Washington.

"To ensure all young people can seize educational opportunities, they need to be at their healthiest," said Jennifer Ng'andu, senior program officer at RWJF. "Research shows that healthy, nurturing, and safe schools help young people make the most of their education and that success leads to a healthier, longer, more successful life. RWJF launched the Together for Healthy and Successful Schools initiative in recognition of the critical connections between health, learning and long-term well-being."

To learn more about the America's Promise Healthy Schools Fund and to apply, visit www.americaspromise.org/healthy-schools-fund. Informational sessions about the grant will take place on November 28 and December 7. The deadline to submit applications is January 22, 2018.

America's Promise Alliance's Partnership with RWJF to Support Healthy Schools

America's Promise Alliance is offering the America's Promise Healthy Schools Fund as a result of its grant award to lead the strategic action and alignment arm of the Together for Healthy and Successful Schools initiative.

Funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the initiative has the goal of advancing a more holistic approach to ensuring healthy, successful students; thriving communities; and a better future for everyone. America's Promise will work closely with its fellow granteesChild Trends and Washington University in St. Louis  which are leading the policy and research arms of the initiative, respectively.

In its role, America's Promise will activate and align existing and new stakeholders at both the local and national levels to support and build demand for healthier schools. America's Promise has partnered with five leading organizations  ChildObesity180, Communities In Schools, FoodCorps, the National Association of Community Health Centers, and Turnaround for Children  to provide support and work with communities to learn about successfully supporting health and well-being in schools.

For more information, please email [email protected]

America's Promise Alliance leads more than 450 organizations, communities and individuals dedicated to making the promise of America real for every child. For more information, visit www.AmericasPromise.org.

Media Contact: Tonya Williams

[email protected]

202-657-0644

SOURCE America's Promise Alliance

Related Links

http://www.americaspromise.org


AMSTERDAM, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Amsterdam Trade Bank N.V., a specialized financial institution focused on the entire spectrum of international trade finance, shipping and asset financing, today announced that it has entered into a cooperation agreement with MID-SHIP Capital LLC, a merchant banking firm based in New York, focused on delivering principal and investment banking solutions to the energy, commodities and transportation sectors.

Amsterdam Trade Bank and MID-SHIP Capital will expand their individual businesses by offering specialized credits and loans, as well as providing investment banking products and services. The cooperation will enhance the origination and execution capacity of both organizations at a time when client demand for creative capital solutions is paramount. Together, Amsterdam Trade Bank and MID-SHIP Capital, have a unique team of seasoned finance professionals able to deliver tailored products and services that are based on deep knowledge of the complexities and ever-evolving nature of the global energy & transportation markets.

"In MID-SHIP Capital and its partners, we found the unique expertise and industry focus required to broaden the scope of solutions we provide to traders and ship owners alike, expanding our business with principal and investment banking services," said Harris Antoniou, Chief Executive Officer of Amsterdam Trade Bank.

Dean Fezza, Chief Executive Officer of MID-SHIP Capital commented, "We are excited about this cooperation as ATB's management team has deep banking experience, a proven track record and a strategy that aligns perfectly with the sectors we focus on as well as our vision."

About Amsterdam Trade Bank

Amsterdam Trade Bank NV (ATB) is a fully licensed specialized financial institution focused on the entire spectrum of international trade finance (grain, metals & oil), shipping and asset financing. ATB serves an existing client base active in all aspects of international trade, whether they are commodity traders, ship owners or otherwise involved in the global logistics chain. Additionally, ATB offers consumer savings and deposit products in the Netherlands, Germany and Austria. ATB is headquartered in Amsterdam since 1994. ATB operates from a global financial hub and is well-positioned to serve traders and asset owners interested in financing international operations.

About MID-SHIP Capital

MID-SHIP Capital provides principal and investment banking services to the energy, commodities and transportation sectors. Leveraging MID-SHIP Group's industry-leading service capabilities, MID-SHIP Capital's team of finance professionals deliver capital solutions that are based on deep knowledge of the complexities of global supply chains. Investment banking services are offered through MID-SHIP Securities LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of MID-SHIP Capital. MID-SHIP Securities is a licensed broker-dealer registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, a member of SIPC (www.sipc.org) and a member of FINRA (www.finra.org).

Founded in 1974, the MID-SHIP Group provides a full range of services covering the entire supply chain, providing clients with a single point of management for their global cargo shipments. MID-SHIP's global team of cargo brokers, ship brokers, chartering and supply chain management specialists manage the transportation and logistics needs of over 200 clients worldwide. The MID-SHIP Group has strategically located offices that span the world including USA (NY, PA, TX, LA, FL), Australia, Brazil, China, Italy, Turkey, and UAE.

Media Contact: Michael Hanson, 1-203-406-0106, Ext 3711, [email protected]

SOURCE MID-SHIP Capital
PLACERVILLE, CA, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - Anything Technologies Media Inc's. (OTC: EXMT) Board of Directors announced today that the company has signed a Joint Acquisition Marketing Agreement with Bitcoin Super Highway to co-market the newly developed Bitcoin Super Highway, a Bitcoin Asset Acquisition System.

The Bitcoin Super Highway is a newly developed concept assisting members in acquiring Bitcoin assets. By upgrading .05 of a Bitcoin to Phase 1 in the Bitcoin Super Highway, an individual can see that .05 of a Bitcoin grow to .3 Bitcoin to 1.8 Bitcoin and then 27.35 Bitcoin. This system is a crowdfunding concept that benefits every member equally and no one is left behind. The concept is unique to the Bitcoin market and the price is secondary to the acquisition side by being part of this program.

Bob Hadley President of BSH stated, "We are extremely excited about our new relationship with ATM. We feel we have one of the most unique programs that are set to take advantage of the popularity of Bitcoin. ATM brings an outstanding media presence to the BSH and we are excited about the newly formed Joint Acquisition Marketing Agreement. These will open doors for future acquisitions and joint-partner opportunities.

For more information about BSH go to www.bitcoinsuperhighway.info and www.bitcoinsuperhighway.com to sign up for the Bitcoin Super Highway.

About Anything Media Technologies, Inc.

To purchase ATM health products please visit: www.nutraprobar.com & www.imdmeds.com

Anything Technologies Media Inc., www.anythingtechnologiesmedia.com is a Multi-Media Digital applications, production and marketing Company. ATM is the parent company of subsidiary Corporations, and is also focused on partnerships and acquisitions in new technologies, robotics, and manufacturing sectors. ATM sold 51% of R-Quest Hydroponics to iMD Companies Inc (OTC: ICBU) for stock of ICBU for 100 million shares of common stock. The company and partners each have their own professional management team with extensive backgrounds in finance, manufacturing, marketing and distribution. ATM's goal is to combine the expertise of our team members to create a cohesive force, which will carry the company forward in the marketplace.

Safe Harbor Statement:

Certain statements made in this press release constitute forward-looking statements that are based on management's expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions. Words such as "expect," "anticipates," "plans," and variations of these words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, which are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual future results and trends may differ materially from what is forecast in forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release and the company does not undertake any obligation to update or publicly release any revisions to forward-looking statements.

SOURCE Anything Technologies Media Inc.
SPRINGDALE, Ark., Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- This holiday season, Cargill is working with three Arkansas food banks to provide local families with their Thanksgiving turkey. The donation of 120,000 pounds of whole Honeysuckle White turkeys will serve well over 100,000 people and will be distributed to families by the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank, the Arkansas Food Bank and the River Valley Regional Food Bank.

"This community is home for 1,200 Cargill employees and we are proud to help ensure our neighbors have access to safe, nutritious and quality turkey this holiday season," said Shane Acosta, general manager of Cargill's Springdale turkey complex.

Each food bank will receive approximately 40,000 pounds of Honeysuckle White turkey. Combined, these three food banks provide nutritional support, including distribution of food products through agency partners, to residents across Northwest, West Central, Central and Southern Arkansas.

"With the holidays fast approaching, our food bank's agencies  our Hunger Heroes, as we call them  will be able to provide these turkeys for families in need to enjoy a great Thanksgiving meal and support our mission to leave no person hungry," said Mike Ichniowski, director, River Valley Regional Food Bank. "Cargill is always there for us and for those we serve."

According to Feeding America, Arkansas ranks second to last in the nation for overall access to healthy food. One in six Arkansans struggles with hunger, compared to the national average of one in eight people. For children, it is one in four facing hunger issues in Arkansas.

"At this time of year, the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank is especially thankful for partners like Cargill. Cargill supports our efforts with product donations throughout the year and this donation of turkeys will continue to make a meaningful impact in our community," said Kent Eikenberry, president and CEO, Northwest Arkansas Food Bank. "There are more than 71,000 people in Northwest Arkansas that lack access to enough food. With Cargill's support, they will be able to enjoy a meal this holiday season."

Cargill's Springdale facility was established in 1965. In the last five years, the facility has donated more than one million pounds of turkey products during the holiday season helping those in need in our surrounding communities.

"For so many Arkansans, putting a holiday meal on the table is an important part of their family tradition," said Rhonda Sanders, CEO, Arkansas Food Bank. "With one in four in our service area struggling with hunger, Cargill's generous gift of turkeys this holiday season will ensure that our neighbors in need can enjoy a holiday meal with their families."

Food banks receiving turkeys are members of the Feeding America network. As a global company, Cargill works with partners in 18 countries to address hunger, food waste, food safety and other issues around the world. This helps achieve the company's purpose to nourish the world in safe, responsible and sustainable way. Cargill's partnership with Feeding America helps advance innovative local food sourcing models, while also increasing access to nutritious food and supporting community health and nutrition programs.

About Cargill

Cargill provides food, agriculture, financial and industrial products and services to the world. Together with farmers, customers, governments and communities, we help people thrive by applying our insights and 150 years of experience. We have 155,000 employees in 70 countries who are committed to feeding the world in a responsible way, reducing environmental impact and improving the communities where we live and work. For more information, visit Cargill.com and our News Center.

About Cargill Protein

Headquartered in Wichita, Kan., Cargill Protein is an industry leader that produces, distributes and markets beef, turkey, chicken and egg products to retail, foodservice and food ingredient companies throughout North America, and exports meat and by-products around the world. Cargill Protein's 28,000 employees, and more than three dozen protein processing facilities in the U.S. and Canada, are focused on delivering superior, innovative, products and services to help customers grow their businesses by meeting consumer desires. Cargill Protein is a unit of Minneapolis-based Cargill, Incorporated. For more information, visit www.cargill.com and our News Center.

SOURCE Cargill

Related Links

http://www.cargill.com


ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill., Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE: AJG) today announced the acquisition of Westlake Village, California-based Associated Insurance Services, Inc. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Founded in 1962, Associated Insurance Services is an independent commercial and personal lines property/casualty insurance agency with a focus on construction industry, retail, hospitality and manufacturing clients. Michael C. Creswell, Tim McClain, Megan B. Gaines and their associates will continue to operate from their current location under the direction of Scott Firestone, head of Gallagher's Southwest Region retail property/casualty brokerage operations.

"Associated Insurance Services strengthens our brokerage operations geographically and enhances our ability to serve the whole spectrum of contractors," said J. Patrick Gallagher, Jr., Chairman, President and CEO. "I am very happy to welcome Michael, Tim, Megan and their associates to our growing Gallagher family of professionals."

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., an international insurance brokerage and risk management services firm, is headquartered in Rolling Meadows, Illinois, has operations in 34 countries and offers client service capabilities in more than 150 countries around the world through a network of correspondent brokers and consultants.

Investors: Ray Iardella Media: Linda J. Collins VP  Investor Relations VP  Corporate Communications 630-285-3661/ [email protected] 630-285-4009/ [email protected]

SOURCE Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.
ATLANTA, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- ATL Tech Gives Back, a day-long event intended to harness Atlanta's passionate technology community for greater good, will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 5. Hosted by social service platform Community Bucket and startup technology publication Hypepotamus, and powered by Cox Enterprises, the quarterly event will allow 130 volunteers to give back through three different service projects with Atlanta nonprofits.

Since its inception this year, ATL Tech Gives Back has engaged 300+ attendees from technology companies ranging from enterprise to startup in volunteer projects with four community nonprofits.

On December 5, participants will have the option to work with one of three nonprofits: Park Pride, Trees Atlanta, or Crossroads Atlanta.

"This will be the 3rd quarterly event for ATL Tech Gives Back, and I'm floored at how the tech community has really shown up for Atlanta," said Jacey Lucus, President of Community Bucket. "These companies, from startups to some of the city's biggest enterprises, have such a strong desire to support the non-profit sector and have fun while doing it. With this event series, Community Bucket has been able to increase our impact tremendously for each of the partners we work with."

The schedule for the day is as follows:

Volunteers meet at service project location: 12:30 p.m.

Service project: 12:30-3 p.m.

Social gathering at Techstars Atlanta, Ponce City Market 3-5 p.m.

Cox Enterprises is the title sponsor of ATL Tech Gives Back. Atlanta Tech Village, the country's fourth-largest startup hub, is also a sponsor of the December event.

Tickets for ATL Tech Gives Back are $15 and include admission and supplies for volunteer project, food and drinks at social, and a t-shirt. Enterprises, startup incubators, and co-working spaces are also able to purchase tickets as a group by contacting [email protected].

For more details on ATL Tech Gives Back, please visit the event website here. Participants are invited to join in on the conversation via #ATLTechGivesBack on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

About Community Bucket:

Community Bucket is all about improving Atlanta  encouraging more volunteerism, creating more interesting ways to meet people, and tapping into the power of crowds to create positive change. Community Bucket started in the Summer of 2012 with a clear and simple mission  Service Made Social  and the vision to transform how the millennial generation connects in this city. The organization just celebrated its' 5th anniversary, and has since exceeded 12,000 service hours with more than 2,500 passionate volunteers.To learn more or get involved, visit communitybucket.com.

About Cox Enterprises:

Cox Enterprises is a leading communications, media and automotive services company. With revenues exceeding $20 billion and approximately 60,000 employees, the company's major operating subsidiaries include Cox Communications (cable television distribution, high-speed internet access, telephone, home security and automation, commercial telecommunications and advertising solutions); Cox Automotive (automotive-related auctions, financial services, media and software solutions); and Cox Media Group (television and radio stations, digital media, newspapers and advertising sales rep firms). The company's major national brands include Autotrader, Kelley Blue Book and Manheim. Through Cox Automotive, the company's international operations stretch across Asia, Australia, Europe and Latin America.

About Hypepotamus:

Fueled by the same entrepreneurial spirit that drives the folks we cover, Hypepotamus generates awareness about the south's innovative tech & creative community to retain local talent by connecting them with opportunities. Hypepotamus.com is the go-to source of news, events, job listings and resources for the flourishing southern tech industry. We showcase the students, innovators, companies and venture capitalists that are proud to call it home.

SOURCE Cox Enterprises
IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- AutoGravity, a revolutionary FinTech platform that empowers car shoppers to buy and finance any new or used car in minutes, has surpassed 1,000,000 users looking for the digital alternative to the car-shopping journey. AutoGravity empowers car buyers to browse thousands of cars and get up to four personalized finance offers on any vehicle in minutes  all in the palm of their hand. Launched in 2016, AutoGravity rapidly expanded from 100,000 users in its first six months to more than one million users less than a year later, growing its user base ten times in just one year.

"We empower car buyers, dealers and lenders with a cutting-edge digital retail solution," said AutoGravity CMO, Serge Vartanov. "AutoGravity eliminates ambiguity by linking monthly payments to actual cars, saving consumers time and creating efficiency for dealers and lenders."

In 2017 alone, AutoGravity users requested more than $1 billion in vehicle financing. By letting users find and finance their car from their smartphone, AutoGravity meets the increasing market demand for digital retailing and transparency in lending. AutoGravity features, including real-time inventory, streamline the car-buying process by showing users exactly which dealerships carry the cars they want and letting them search for financing from the same indirect lenders those dealerships work with. With finance offers in hand, AutoGravity users know their monthly payment - all they have to decide is whether to pick up their car or have it delivered to their home or office.

"I bought my car last week and used AutoGravity. I applied online on my phone at lunch and within 10 minutes I had a call from the dealership," said Deb Tebbs, President and CEO of Cascade Sotheby's International Realty. "This was the easiest car purchase ever!" AutoGravity shows users everything they need to buy any dealership car, down to the mileage, options and photos, and gives them the peace of mind of selecting the rate, lender and payment that's right for them.

AutoGravity has built partnerships with many of the largest banks and financial institutions in the world, including key automotive lenders such as Mercedes-Benz Financial Services, Volkswagen Credit and Hyundai Capital America. Additionally, AutoGravity has partnered with the top five dealer groups in the U.S., building a network of more than 2,000 dealers. For more information about AutoGravity, please visit www.autogravity.com.

About AutoGravity:

AutoGravity is revolutionizing the way people buy and finance cars. Harnessing the power of the smartphone, AutoGravity technology provides a new level of transparency, convenience and speed to the car shopping and financing process. AutoGravity partners with the world's leading banks and financial services companies to give car buyers direct control over their car financing options while connecting them to a nationwide network of trusted car dealerships. Available on iOS, Android and Web, AutoGravity empowers car buyers with up to four binding offers in minutes. Based in Irvine, California, AutoGravity was founded by an international team of digital natives and auto industry veterans. For more information on AutoGravity, please visit www.AutoGravity.com and follow @AutoGravity on Twitter.

SOURCE AutoGravity

Related Links

http://www.autogravity.com


PIETARSAARI, Finland, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Beamex introduces a free of charge, cloud-based calibration certificate generation software called LOGiCAL. It was developed to offer an easy-to-use, modern, cloud-based software for documenting calibration results. Beamex has been producing and developing calibration equipment for more than 40 years, and calibration software for over 20 years.

In the process industry, most calibrations performed need to be documented in a calibration certificate. It is notable that many sites manually document calibrations using paper and pen, making it an inefficient process that is prone to errors.

As a solution to the industry's needs, Beamex has launched a new calibration software product called LOGiCAL.

"LOGiCAL reads the calibration results from Beamex documenting calibrators, such as the Beamex MC6 or Beamex MC4, and hence does not store any critical data in the cloud. When you perform calibrations using these calibrators, they automatically store the calibration results in their memory. LOGiCAL software can read these results and convert them into a PDF calibration certificate that you can either store or print," Product Manager Antti Makynen describes.

The LOGiCAL cloud communicates with the calibrators using a web service technology, meaning that the calibration certificate can be generated using any device connected to the internet and a web browser, given that the calibrator is connected to the computer and running LOGiCAL. It is compatible with most browsers, such as Chrome, Internet Explorer or Safari.

"To start using LOGiCAL, all you need to do is to visit the Beamex LOGiCAL product page and navigate from there to register. After the registration, you can start using it right away. You will need to have a Beamex MC6 or Beamex MC4 calibrator with the Documenting Calibrator option to utilize LOGiCAL," Antti Makynen continues.

The initial use of LOGiCAL will be available at no cost while further capabilities will become available as chargeable options. Beamex is committed to developing additional functionality in LOGiCAL based on user feedback and market requirements.

"We are excited to bring LOGiCAL to the market as it delivers a very high value to customers that today use pen and paper for calibration. LOGiCAL makes it easy for everyone to take their first steps towards a streamlined calibration process since it's safe, has a small carbon OR environmental footprint and requires minimal IT support," says Jan-Henrik Svensson, CEO of Beamex Group.

Beamex continues to develop its market leading CMX calibration software; an excellent choice for even the most demanding and regulated companies.

LOGiCAL - Calibrations made simply, logical!

BEAMEX is a leading worldwide provider of calibration solutions that meet even the most demanding of requirements for process instrumentation. Beamex offers a comprehensive range of products and services - from portable calibrators to workstations, calibration accessories, calibration software, industry-specific solutions and professional services. Through Beamex's subsidiaries, branch offices and an extensive network of independent distributors, their products and services are available in more than 80 countries. Beamex has more than 12,000 customers worldwide. www.beamex.com

For further information, please contact:

Beamex Headquarters:

Beamex Oy Ab

Ristisuonraitti 10

FI-68600 Pietarsaari

Finland



Phone: +358-10-550-5000

Fax: +358 10 550 5404

E-mail: [email protected]

Website: www.beamex.com

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

http://news.cision.com/beamex/r/beamex-introduces-logical---a-free-of-charge--cloud-based-calibration-software,c2389577

The following files are available for download:

http://news.cision.com/beamex/i/logical-photo-v1,c2276878 LOGiCAL photo v1

SOURCE Beamex

Related Links

http://www.beamex.com


CHICAGO, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Biotech pioneer BIOLIFE4D is reporting significant progress in its quest to become the first company to bioprint a fully functional and transplantable human heart, tapping regenerative medicine and biomedical engineering veteran Adam W. Feinberg, Ph.D. to lead its accomplished Scientific Advisory Team.

"BIOLIFE4D is focused and working incredibly hard, putting the right talent and technology in place to be first to market with a commercially viable 3D bioprinting process for complete human organs  and Dr. Feinberg is precisely the right person to head up our science and medical team," said BIOLIFE4D CEO Steven Morris. "His expertise, leadership and dedication are invaluable as we drive toward our specific goal of bioprinting human hearts  creating a new paradigm of life-saving care that will give patients the gift of time."

In addition to his new role at BIOLIFE4D, Feinberg is Associate Professor of Materials Science & Engineering and Biomedical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) and Principal Investigator of the Regenerative Biomaterials and Therapeutics Group. He has vast experience developing materials-based engineering strategies to control the self-organization and assembly of various cell types into tissues  a foundational requirement to successfully bioprint human organs.

BIOLIFE4D is a new, equity crowdfunded company focused on making human organ replacement commonplace globally using an approach that combines recent breakthroughs in regenerative medicine, stem cell biology, 3D printing techniques and computing technology.

BIOLIFE4D seeks to optimize a process that will capitalize on the growing number of milestones that have been reached in the field of 3D bioprinting recently. For example, in May CNN reported that a collaboration of scientists including BIOLIFE4D's Ramille Shah, Ph.D. implanted a 3D bioprinted ovary in an infertile mouse that allowed it to mate naturally and give birth to live pups.

Feinberg, who will work closely with Shah and others on the BIOLIFE4D science team, earned his BS in Materials Science and Engineering, with an option in bioengineering, from Cornell University with co-op experience working on total artificial hearts.

He also received a MS and Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Florida, and completed his postdoctoral training at Harvard University in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, where he developed new biomaterials and cardiac tissue engineering strategies for three-dimensional myocardial regeneration, with a focus on stem cell-based approaches.

Feinberg presented at the 47th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting has been the recipient of numerous awards and recognition, including the National Institutes of Health Director's New Innovator Award, the George Tallman Ladd Faculty Research Award (Carnegie Institute of Technology, CMU), and the National Science Foundation CAREER Award.

"I am excited to be part of BIOLIFE4D as the company works to make transplant-grade 3D bioprinted organs a reality," said Feinberg. "Focused research and development is foundational to accelerating the clinical translation and commercialization of these technologies. We have an exceptional Scientific Advisory Team that CEO Steve Morris has assembled, with world-class expertise across science, engineering and medicine."

In addition to Shah, Feinberg's colleagues at BIOLIFE4D include Ibrahim Ozbolat, Ph.D. from Penn State University, Sean Palecek, Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin at Madison, Shayn Peirce-Cottler, Ph.D. from the University of Virginia, Raimond Winslow, Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University and Janet Zoldan, Ph.D. from the University of Texas in Austin. In addition, Jeffrey Morgan M.D., FACS, FACC, an accomplished thoracic and cardiac surgeon from the Texas Heart Institute, joined BIOLIFE4D as Chief Medical Officer.

BIOLIFE4D has filed a $50 million initial public offering with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under Regulation A+ equity crowdfunding rules, allowing everyday investors to help the company bring its groundbreaking cardiac tissue regeneration and organ replacement process to market. The "Reg A+" rules, outlined under the 2012 Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act, allow companies to raise up to $50 million in equity from non-accredited investors and others.

To learn more about BIOLIFE4D and to express interest in investing visit https://biolife4d.com/invest/.

About BIOLIFE4D

BIOLIFE4D is a pioneering biotech company laser focused on leveraging advances in life sciences and tissue engineering to 3D bioprint a viable human heart suitable for transplant  lifesaving technology that gives patients the gift of time. With BIOLIFE4D, a patient-specific, fully functioning heart will be created through 3D bioprinting using the patient's own cells  eliminating the well-known challenges of organ rejection and long donor waiting lists that plague existing organ transplant methods. Financed through equity crowdfunding, BIOLIFE4D is driving a movement to transform the treatment of heart disease, the leading cause of death among both men and women globally. Learn more and invest at biolife4d.com. Follow us on social media @BIOLIFE4D.

Although you are currently able to express your interest in investing, BIOLIFE4D Corporation is not yet accepting investments. No money or other consideration is being solicited by the company at this time, and if sent in response, will not be accepted. No offer to buy the securities can be accepted and no part of the purchase price can be received until the offering statement is qualified, and any such offer may be withdrawn or revoked, without obligation or commitment of any kind, at any time before notice of its acceptance given after the qualification date. If you indicate interest, your indication of interest involves no obligation or commitment of any kind.

Press Contact:

Consociate Media for BIOLIFE4D

Brian Harris

[email protected]

(804) 815-8377

SOURCE BIOLIFE4D

Related Links

http://biolife4d.com


CHANTILLY, Va., Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Ridge Networks announced today that it will be exhibiting and providing demonstrations of its BorderGuard and AppGuard cybersecurity solutions at the second annual Capital Cybersecurity Summit on November 14-15, 2017, at Booth #36.

The Capital Cybersecurity Summit will take place at The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner and will feature distinguished keynote speakers and panels offering insights on emerging cybersecurity technologies, digital solutions, operations and enforcement from the private sector and government perspectives. FBI Cyber Division Deputy Assistant Director Howard Marshall will keynote the Summit's opening reception on November 14.

Blue Ridge will offer hands-on demonstrations of both its BorderGuard and AppGuard solutions.

Blue Ridge's BorderGuard suite of products isolate and contain operational technology (OT) and Industrial IoT (IIoT) systems and networks from larger enterprise network vulnerabilities by virtually overlaying existing networking environments, creating trusted enclaves that prevent unauthorized access and contain all communications within trusted environments. OT and IIoT devices within the BorderGuard-enabled enclave are not discoverable or addressable from other networks. By using an overlay approach, BorderGuard deployments do not require changes to network infrastructure. The products allow authorized remote access to devices, while maintaining multi-layer isolation from IT networks and even the endpoint PC used for access. This provides extensive protection against insider threats as well as malicious end-users, while allowing secure remote access.

AppGuard prevents malware from detonating without requiring scanning, updates, or signature-based detection, which can be easily defeated by new emerging undetectable malware attacks. It delivers valuable Indicators of Attack (IOA) well in advance of conventional detection, response, and containment products which typically rely on detecting and identifying Indicators of Compromise (IOC) after a compromise has already occurred.

For more information, visit: www.blueridgenetworks.com or contact us at [email protected].

ABOUT BLUE RIDGE NETWORKS

Based in Northern Virginia, Blue Ridge Networks is a visionary cybersecurity pioneer providing proven network breach prevention, secure remote access, and endpoint security solutions. Its BorderGuard suite of products isolate, contain, and protect operational technology and information technology systems by creating trusted enclaves that prevent unauthorized access and contain network sessions for remote sites, users, and Industrial IoT devices. Blue Ridge also provides AppGuard, an award-winning endpoint breach prevention solution that stops malware from detonating without requiring detection, scanning, or updates, thus preventing breaches from occurring that are undetectable and unstoppable by other methods. Blue Ridge solutions have protected critical operations for some of the largest US government, financial, infrastructure, and healthcare customers for more than twenty years with no reported breaches.

SOURCE Blue Ridge Networks

Related Links

http://www.blueridgenetworks.com


NEW YORK, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- BNY Mellon Investment Management (BNY Mellon IM), the world's largest multi-boutique asset manager with more than $1.8 trillion in assets under management (AUM)1, today announced that it will launch a specialist multi-asset investment manager in 2018.

The new business will combine BNY Mellon's three largest U.S. investment managers  Mellon Capital Management (MCM), Standish Mellon Asset Management (Standish), and The Boston Company Asset Management (TBCAM)  to offer institutional and intermediary clients high quality single and multi-asset investment strategies in both active and passive solutions.

With over $560 billion in AUM,2 the combined business will rank as a top 10 U.S. institutional asset manager3 and a top 50 manager globally.4 It will employ more than 300 investment professionals, with U.S. offices in Boston, San Francisco and Pittsburgh, and investment staff through affiliates in London, Singapore and Hong Kong.

"Clients are increasingly looking for specialist managers with differentiated investment strategies and competitive pricing. This requires scale in risk management, technology and operations to deliver upon these needs," said Mitchell Harris, CEO of BNY Mellon Investment Management. "This combined U.S. business will give clients unified access to our intellectual capital in multi-asset strategies, alongside a strengthened investment process and an optimized platform with increased resources to deliver innovative and competitively-priced solutions. Today's investment environment is evolving rapidly, and BNY Mellon's multi-boutique model is well positioned to offer specialist active and passive solutions from our bench of leading investment managers."

The existing businesses  each global in focus and largely institutional in nature  bring together unique investment solutions and skills:

MCM uses a systematic process to deliver advanced equity and fixed income indexation and factor-based smart beta strategies, as well as multi-asset products.

Standish is a fundamental, active fixed income manager with expertise in global and opportunistic fixed income (in both developed and emerging markets), U.S. municipal bonds and U.S. short duration bonds.

TBCAM is a research-driven active equity manager with expertise in value, growth and core styles as well as opportunistic and long/short alternative equity strategies.

The individual companies' investment teams, processes and philosophies for their core strategies will remain substantially the same, ensuring they maintain their focus on delivering customized investment outcomes for clients. As the teams collaborate more closely together over time, these investment processes and philosophies will be enhanced via an optimized operational infrastructure and the addition of new analytical tools and research capabilities.

The management teams at MCM, Standish, and TBCAM, with the support of BNY Mellon IM, will be leading the integration of the businesses. Chief Investment Officers will be appointed from each business to maintain continuity of the investment process across all strategies. They include:

Jeff Zhang from MCM for Multi-Asset, Index and Smart Beta

Dave Leduc from Standish for Active Fixed Income

Dave Daglio from TBCAM for Active Equity

The new business will be headquartered in Boston and led by Chairman and CEO Des Mac Intyre, currently CEO of U.S. Asset Management at BNY Mellon IM. Des most recently served as Head of Investment Process Oversight at Bridgewater Associates. Previously, he served as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Standish. His investment management experience spans more than three decades and includes roles as Chief Operating Officer at Pareto Partners and Head of Risk and Treasurer for GM Asset Management.

"Each business already has in-depth investment expertise in their respective areas. By combining them we will be able to increase our investment in their collective capabilities and add new investment solutions for the benefit of clients," said Des Mac Intyre.

The combination of the three businesses is expected to be completed within 12 months. During this transition period, MCM, Standish and TBCAM will maintain their existing product brands until the launch of a unified brand later in 2018.

For more information on this announcement, visit our microsite 

https://im.bnymellon.com/building-a-multi-asset-firm-for-the-future

About BNY Mellon Investment Management

BNY Mellon Investment Management is one of the world's leading investment management organizations and one of the top U.S. wealth managers, with $1.8 trillion in assets under management as of September 30, 2017. It encompasses BNY Mellon's affiliated investment management firms, wealth management services and global distribution companies. BNY Mellon Investment Management is part of BNY Mellon, which has $32.2 trillion in assets under custody and/or administration as of September 30, 2017. BNY Mellon can act as a single point of contact for clients looking to create, trade, hold, manage, service, distribute or restructure investments. BNY Mellon is the corporate brand of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (NYSE: BK). Additional information is available on www.bnymellon.com. Follow us on Twitter @BNYMellon or visit our newsroom at www.bnymellon.com/newsroom for the latest company news.

About Mellon Capital

Mellon Capital has provided investors with distinct insights into complex capital markets since 1983. Our unique approach to fundamentals-based systematic investing drives our capabilities, which include multi-asset, smart beta, and index strategies. We are committed to helping our clients reach their investment goals. That's why we have been an innovative pioneer of dynamic multi-asset allocation for more than 30 years. Our intellectual curiosity, sophisticated research platform, global reach, and flexibility to transact in all liquid asset classes help us deliver powerful and unique investment solutions. For more information please visit www.mcm.com.

About Standish

Standish is a dedicated fixed income manager that traces its roots back to 1933, when its predecessor firm, Standish, Ayer & Wood, Inc., began managing fixed income portfolios for U.S. financial institutions, banks and insurance companies. We provide investment management services across a broad spectrum of fixed income asset classes. These include: Absolute Return (Opportunistic), Total Return (Global Core Plus, Core Plus, and Core), Global Credit, Emerging Market Debt (Sovereign, Corporate), Insurance Client Strategies, Tax Sensitive and Crossover Strategies. For more information please visit www.standish.com.

About TBCAM

The Boston Company has provided active equity investment-management services rooted in fundamental research, bottom-up stock selection, macro perspectives and risk controls since 1970. We manage portfolios for a variety of client types using a time-tested approach coupled with the deep, broad-based experience of our investment professionals. For more information please visit www.thebostoncompany.com.

Media Contacts:

Stan Neve

[email protected]

212-635-7314

Andrew Conn

[email protected]

212-635-7823

This information may contain forward-looking statements, which may be expressed in a variety of ways, include the use of future or present tense language. These statements and other forward-looking statements are based upon current beliefs and expectations and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties (some of which are beyond BNY Mellon's control). Factors that could cause BNY Mellon's outcomes to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the risk factors set forth in BNY Mellon's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2016, the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2017, and its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements in this news release, speak only as of the date of publication and BNY Mellon undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement.

1 AUM as of 9/30/17

2 AUM as of 9/30/17

3 According to eVestment data as of Q3 2017

4 According to 2016 data published by Pensions & Investments

SOURCE BNY Mellon Investment Management

Related Links

http://www.bnymellon.com


According to recent research conducted by Bob Evans*, consumers, on average, will spend nearly $200 and 15 hours this year preparing a full Thanksgiving meal from scratch, using high-quality, fresh ingredients, for eight people. As a solution, Bob Evans, known for its delicious farm fresh homestyle meals, is offering the Thanksgiving Farmhouse Feast  complete with all the traditional Thanksgiving fixings  for just $109.99. Guests just order online, pick up, reheat and serve. Instead of spending 80 percent of the time researching recipes, creating grocery lists, and working on meal prep, hosts can serve a homestyle meal and spend the rest of the time enjoying family and friends.

"Thanksgiving is a time that's meant to be spent with family and friends, building memories around the dining room table over great-tasting food," said Saed Mohseni, president and CEO of Bob Evans Farms, Inc. "We take pride in providing quality, homestyle holiday dishes that our guests are looking to include on their Thanksgiving tables and we're thrilled to offer guests a complete meal option at such a great value. This allows hosts to spend less time in the kitchen and more time around the table with the ones they love most."

The Thanksgiving Farmhouse Feast serves eight and includes Bob Evans' signature slow-roasted whole boneless turkey breast, sliced hickory smoked ham, bread & celery dressing, homestyle mashed potatoes, gravy, buttered sweet corn, green beans with ham, macaroni & cheese, cranberry relish, rolls, a whole apple pie, a whole pumpkin pie with whipped topping, and a loaf of pumpkin bread.

Guests can place orders online at www.BobEvans.com, by phone, or in-restaurant at one of the 500 locations across the country, now through Nov. 22. If you miss the deadline or if you'd prefer to let Bob Evans take care of all the cooking and cleaning this holiday  head over to your local Bob Evans Restaurant on Thanksgiving Day for a delicious, homestyle holiday meal.

*Based on average costs of ingredients from national supermarket chains and suggested meal preparation guidelines.

About Bob Evans Restaurants

Bob Evans Restaurants is a chain of family style restaurants founded and headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, which owns and operates 500+ family restaurants in 18 states, primarily in the Midwest, mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions of the United States. Bob Evans believed in treating strangers like friends and friends like family; and those principles are alive today at every Bob Evans Restaurant. As a private company owned by Golden Gate Capital, Bob Evans Restaurants is focused on providing quality food and hospitality to every guest at every meal, each and every day.

For more information and restaurant locations, also visit www.BobEvans.com.

SOURCE Bob Evans Restaurants

Related Links

http://www.bobevans.com


Kendallville, IN (46755)

Today

Mostly cloudy with snow flurries and snow showers, especially in the afternoon. Temps nearly steady in the mid 30s. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 50%..

Tonight

Variably cloudy with snow showers. Low 27F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 60%. Snow accumulations less than one inch.
According to a national survey conducted by Boston Market this month, approximately 1 in 3 consumers (30 percent) reported feeling nervous about cooking a Thanksgiving meal and nearly half will use prepared foods within their holiday meal.* From Heat & Serve Thanksgiving meals that are pre-cooked and can be picked up chilled before Thanksgiving to Holiday Catering delivered for ten or more and even a Thanksgiving Day meal available in-restaurant, Boston Market is offering a number of ways to ease Thanksgiving prep and encourage consumers and their company to enjoy a no-hassle holiday meal.

The full menu of Boston Market holiday meal options include:

Holiday Heat & Serve : Chilled complete meals, entrees, sides or pies to feed four to twelve are fully cooked and can be ordered ahead of time and picked up in any Boston Market restaurant the week of Thanksgiving . For $119.99 , guests can order a Complete Thanksgiving Meal for 12, featuring a whole roasted turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry walnut relish, vegetable stuffing, dinner rolls, spinach artichoke dip and crackers, one apple pie and one pumpkin pie.

Chilled complete meals, entrees, sides or pies to feed four to twelve are fully cooked and can be ordered ahead of time and picked up in any Boston Market restaurant the week of . For , guests can order a Complete Meal for 12, featuring a whole roasted turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry walnut relish, vegetable stuffing, dinner rolls, spinach artichoke dip and crackers, one apple pie and one pumpkin pie. Thanksgiving Day Meal: Join Boston Market on Thanksgiving Day for a traditional, delicious plated meal featuring sliced roasted turkey breast or half signature rotisserie chicken, two sides, a dinner roll and a slice of apple pie or pumpkin pie for $12.99 . Family Meals, whole pies and hot side dishes can also be picked up on November 23 as last minute additions to accompany any meal.

Join Boston Market on for a traditional, delicious plated meal featuring sliced roasted turkey breast or half signature rotisserie chicken, two sides, a dinner roll and a slice of apple pie or pumpkin pie for . Family Meals, whole pies and hot side dishes can also be picked up on as last minute additions to accompany any meal. A La Carte : Need an extra side for your celebration or looking for another option or appetizer to round out your meal? Order chilled, fully cooked main dishes, appetizers, sides or pies ahead of time and pick up in any Boston Market restaurant the week of Thanksgiving . These items will also be available for purchase in-restaurant on Thanksgiving Day while supplies last.

Need an extra side for your celebration or looking for another option or appetizer to round out your meal? Order chilled, fully cooked main dishes, appetizers, sides or pies ahead of time and pick up in any Boston Market restaurant the week of . These items will also be available for purchase in-restaurant on while supplies last. Holiday Catering: Get it while it's hot with buffet-style dinner for groups of ten or more starting at $10.49 per person which can be delivered to your home or office or picked up at Boston Market restaurants for parties big and small.

Get it while it's hot with buffet-style dinner for groups of ten or more starting at per person which can be delivered to your home or office or picked up at Boston Market restaurants for parties big and small. Thanksgiving Home Delivery: In addition to the holiday options listed above, Boston Market recently launched its first-ever Thanksgiving Home Delivery program that offers complete Thanksgiving spreads shipped right to the front door. Through November 19 , consumers in the continental United States can visit BostonMarket.com to order from a menu of five, fully-prepared and pre-cooked signature Boston Market Thanksgiving Heat & Serve meal options starting at $84.99 (plus tax and shipping). Each order will ship frozen and once fully thawed, ready to heat and serve within two to three hours.

"Thanksgiving is all about home style cooking that brings loved ones together around the dinner table, and it's our mission to lend a helping hand in the kitchen or at our restaurants to make those meal preparations as easy as possible," stated Boston Market Vice President of Marketing Tim Hartmann. "It's our holiday joy to provide five different, yet delicious ways our guests can enjoy a Boston Market holiday meal this Thanksgiving."

Nearly all Boston Market locations will be open on Thanksgiving Day (menu selections and hours may vary by location). For pricing, menu details and to place holiday orders visit BostonMarket.com or call 866-977-9090. Follow us on social media @BostonMarket #holidayexperts.

*Boston Market conducted the nationwide online survey in October 2017 among 1,001 adults ages 18+ who celebrate Thanksgiving with a meal and own some level of responsibility for cooking/providing food at the meal. The sample was surveyed through independent third-party ROI Rocket Online Survey Panel.

About Boston Market

At Boston Market, dinner is always ready. Boston Market Corporation, headquartered in Golden, Colorado, has given time back to busy families and individuals for 30 years with quality, home style meals at a convenient value in more than 450 U.S. locations. The expert in rotisserie cooking, Boston Market prepares its fresh chicken and all natural turkey in signature rotisserie ovens and features an extensive selection of home style sides and made-from-scratch cornbread. As one of the country's largest providers of catering services, Boston Market offers convenient, same-day orders and delivery for corporate and personal events of all sizes. In January 2017, Boston Market officially launched its "Quality Guarantee," which acts as a continued commitment to all guests that Boston Market will serve all-natural and fresh, never frozen, gluten-free, whole chicken with no added hormones, steroids, antibiotics or MSG. For more information, visit the company's website at www.bostonmarket.com. For the latest news and deals, follow @bostonmarket on Twitter or join us on Facebook.

Media Contact

Seth Grugle, ICR

646-277-1200

[email protected]

SOURCE Boston Market

Related Links

http://www.bostonmarket.com


LONDON, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/3365827







These factors have contributed to steadily declining revenue across the sector since 2008. Consumers continue to migrate from fixed-line voice telephony to mobile and VoIP alternatives, while there is increasing pressure on SMS and MMS services from the growing use of alternative OTT messaging services. Mobile network operators are also faced with reduced roaming revenue following the decision by the European Commission, which became effective from June 2017, to bring international roaming rates in line with domestic rates. Nevertheless, there are considerable opportunities for telcos to develop popular bundled packages.



The telecom sector has nevertheless benefitted from Bulgaria's adoption of EU regulatory measures, which has encouraged investment in the sector from other telcos as well as private equity firms. The incumbent Vivacom has been privatised, and the government no longer holds the golden share' which had enabled it to veto certain key decisions. Although the liberalised market has attracted new market entrants, Vivacom remains the dominant player.



This report provides an overview of Bulgaria's fixed-line telecom market, including data on regulatory developments, the strategies and performances of the major operators and an assessment of the evolution of fixed-line networks.



Key developments:

- Regulator introduces IP interconnection

- regulator signs MoU with Montenegrin telecom regulator to cooperate on reducing cost of telecom services

- amended Electronic Communications Act focused on enhancing regulator's powers

- Vestitel begins building second Greece-Bulgaria fibre link

- report update includes the regulator's market data for 2016, telcos' operating and financial data to Q3 2017, recent market developments.



Companies mentioned in this report:

Vivacom, Orbitel, Vestitel, MobilTel.



Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/3365827



About Reportbuyer

Reportbuyer is a leading industry intelligence solution that provides all market research reports from top publishers

https://www.reportbuyer.com



For more information:

Sarah Smith

Research Advisor at Reportbuyer.com

Email: [email protected]

Tel: +44 208 816 85 48

Website: www.reportbuyer.com

SOURCE ReportBuyer

Related Links

http://www.reportbuyer.com


DALLAS, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Attorneys from Dallas' Caldwell Cassady & Curry led by name principal Austin Curry have helped a group of Texas property owners turn back the federal government in its attempt to seize nearly 90,000 acres of land located near the Red River along the Texas/Oklahoma border.

The lawsuit was resolved through a settlement approved on November 8 by Judge Reed O'Connor in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas. Under the settlement, the landowners will retain their property, and the border between Texas and Oklahoma has been established as lying within the flow of the Red River.

"It's unfortunate that our clients had to defend their property against the government's claims to their land," says Mr. Curry. "And the settlement proves that our clients were always right  that the government's surveys were faulty and invalid. We are honored to have helped our clients achieve this result."

Mr. Curry represented the landowners along with lawyers from the Texas Public Policy Foundation and fellow Caldwell Cassady & Curry attorneys Brad Caldwell, John Summers and Daniel Pearson.

The property owners and their families have worked on the land and paid property taxes for generations. They accused the U.S. Bureau of Land Management of wrongly trying to seize their property based on the government's argument that the Texas/Oklahoma border had moved over the years based on the Red River's shifting path.

Mr. Curry's clients were joined in their lawsuit by the Texas Attorney General's Office and others, including support from Texas Governor Greg Abbott. The settlement also includes an agreement with federal officials to dismiss previous land surveys covering the property. The Bureau of Land Management also agreed to issue a disclaimer on prior agency maps that show federal boundaries extending into Texas.

The case is Aderholt, et al. v. U.S. Bureau of Land Management, et al., No. 7:15-CV-00162, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas.

Caldwell Cassady & Curry represents companies and individuals in high-stakes civil litigation, including patent infringement cases, fiduciary duty cases, class actions, and disputes involving company founders. The firm has tried and won some of the nation's top verdicts against the largest companies in the world. To learn more, visit www.caldwellcc.com.

For more information, contact Bruce Vincent at 214-763-6226 or [email protected].

SOURCE Caldwell Cassady & Curry

Related Links

http://www.caldwellcc.com


HARRISBURG, Pa., Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Capital BlueCross today announced Medicare plan options for 2018 featuring low out-of-pocket costs and expanded benefits. The locally-based health insurer's BlueJourney HMO and BlueJourney PPO plans are available to Medicare-eligible individuals within its 21-county Pennsylvania service area.

"As a community-based health insurer, we are dedicated to providing the best possible coverage at the best possible price," said Debbie Rittenour, senior vice president of government programs at Capital BlueCross. "Our BlueJourney HMO and BlueJourney PPO plans offer a variety of features to meet the needs of our Medicare-eligible customers. We also encourage anyone who is looking for Medicare coverage to reach out to us during the open enrollment period. We are available to help explain the options and determine what may work best for them."

Capital BlueCross offers three BlueJourney HMO plan options and two BlueJourney PPO plan options. Features common to many of the plans include:

Affordable monthly premiums (BlueJourney HMO plans with premiums as low as $0 )

) One of the area's largest networks of doctors and hospitals

Primary care visits as low as $5

No deductibles to satisfy before medical and prescription drug benefits begin

Monthly allowance for over-the-counter (OTC) drugs for all individual plans

Expanded dental benefits with an annual allowance of $1,500

Routine vision and hearing benefits including a hearing aid allowance

100% coverage with no copays for preventive screenings and immunizations, including pneumonia and flu shots

BlueJourney HMO and BlueJourney PPO plans also include:

Free membership at a Silver&Fit  fitness club or two free Silver&Fit  home fitness kits

fitness club or two free Silver&Fit home fitness kits 24/7 access to Nurse Line, which connects customers to a Registered Nurse or to recorded information on more than 1,100 health topics

Following the initial enrollment period, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) annual enrollment period, October 15 to December 7, allows individual Medicare beneficiaries to enroll in or change a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan with a January 1, 2018 effective date.

Throughout the annual enrollment period, Capital BlueCross is offering free informational seminars to help Medicare beneficiaries understand their Medicare options. To find and register to attend a seminar, visit CapitalBlueMedicare.com or call 1-800-990-4201 (TTY: 711). A sales person will be present with information and applications. For accommodation of persons with special needs at sales meetings, beneficiaries should call 1-800-990-4201 (TTY: 711).

Medicare beneficiaries also can visit a Capital Blue store to meet with a representative in person. Locations and hours are available at CapitalBlueStore.com.

Capital BlueCross' BlueJourney HMO and BlueJourney PPO plans also can be purchased through one of the company's licensed brokers or agents.

Important Information for Medicare Beneficiaries

This information is not a complete description of benefits. Contact the plan for more information. Limitations, copayments, and restrictions may apply. Benefits, premiums and/or co-payments may change on January 1 of each year. You must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium.

About Capital BlueCross

Capital BlueCross, headquartered in Harrisburg, Pa., is the leading health solutions and insurance company in Central Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley. A partner in the community's health for nearly 80 years, Capital BlueCross offers health insurance products, services and technology solutions that provide peace of mind to consumers and promote health and wellness for our customers.

More than a health insurer, the company delivers innovative solutions through a family of diversified businesses that is creating a healthier future and lowering health care costs. Among these solutions are patient-focused care models, leading-edge data analytics, and digital health technologies. Additionally, Capital BlueCross is growing a network of Capital Blue stores that provide in-person service and inspiration to help people reach their health goals. Capital BlueCross is an independent licensee of the BlueCross BlueShield Association. For more information, visit capbluecross.com.

BlueJourney PPO is offered by Capital Advantage Insurance Company, a Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract. BlueJourney HMO is offered by Keystone Health Plan Central, a Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in BlueJourney PPO and BlueJourney HMO depends on contract renewal. Silver&Fit is a program of ASH Fitness, Inc. On behalf of Capital BlueCross, ASH Fitness, Inc. assists in the administration of this fitness program. ASH Fitness, Inc. is an independent company.

Y0016_MK18_AEPPRRL Accepted 11/11/2017

SOURCE Capital BlueCross

Related Links

http://www.capbluecross.com


Moreover, 23 states have value-based targets or mandates that payers and providers agreed to achieve, 17 have or are considering adoption of ACOs or ACO-like entities, and 12 have or are considering episodes of care programs. Just 7 states have little to no activity around value-based payment models.

These insights and more are revealed in Value-Based Reimbursement State-by-State. Published by Change Healthcare, the report and accompanying state-by-state matrix provide a detailed accounting of the alternative payment landscape in all 50 U.S. states plus Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia.

Readers can explore a wide range of approaches taken by the states as well as examine significant variation in levels of sophistication, leadership commitment, and resources devoted to the transition from fee-for-service to alternative payment models.

"This report clearly shows that most of the country is committed to value-based payment as a key component of health reform in order to bend the cost curve and ultimately achieve the Triple Aim," said Carolyn Wukitch, senior vice president & general manager, Network and Financial Management, Change Healthcare. "To scale these complex payment arrangements, payers and providers will need to rely even more on their healthcare information partners to help them model, automate, and analyze their programs to ensure cost savings, appropriate care, and fast, accurate payment."

Value-Based Reimbursement State-by-State is based on an analysis of publicly available information compiled from May through October 2017. The study relies on information gleaned from primary sources, including state resources, federal government resources, and contractors that participate in state-initiated value-based payment programs. In addition, data available from secondary sources was reviewed, including research reports from healthcare industry analysts; mainstream, business, and trade media; and think tanks, public policy institutes, and research institutes.

The full report is available for download at StateVBRstudy.com. A supporting webinar, produced in partnership with the HealthCare Executives Group (HCEG), will examine state-level value-based payment initiatives on Nov. 15 at 2 p.m. Eastern time. In addition to providing an overview of the report, the webinar will feature insights from Brooks Daverman, the director of Strategic Planning and Innovation for TennCare (Tennessee Medicaid), one of the leaders in state-level value-based payment innovation. All interested healthcare stakeholders are encouraged to attend the webinar.

About Change Healthcare

Change Healthcare is inspiring a better healthcare system. Working alongside our customers and partners, we leverage our software and analytics, network solutions, and technology-enabled services to help them improve efficiency, reduce costs, increase cash flow, and more effectively manage complex workflows. Together, we are accelerating the journey toward improved lives and healthier communities. Learn more at www.changehealthcare.com.

SOURCE Change Healthcare

Related Links

http://www.changehealthcare.com


BEIJING, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- China New Borun Corporation (NYSE: BORN; "Borun" or the "Company"), a leading producer and distributor of corn-based edible alcohol in China, today announced that it plans to release its unaudited financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2017, after the market closes on November 21, 2017.

Borun's management will hold a corresponding earnings conference call and live webcast at 8:00 a.m. E.T. on Wednesday, November 22, 2017 (9:00 p.m. Beijing time on Wednesday, November 22, 2017) to discuss the results and highlights from the third quarter 2017 and answer questions from investors. A webcast of the call will be available at http://ir.chinanewborun.com. Listeners may access the call by dialing:

United States Toll Free: 1-866-519-4004 US Toll/International: 1-845-675-0437 Hong Kong Toll Free: 800- 906-601 Hong Kong Toll: 852- 3018-6771 China Toll: 800-819-0121 China Toll (Mobile): 400-620-8038 Conference ID: 8986459

A replay of the webcast will be accessible through November 30, 2017 on http://ir.chinanewborun.com or by dialing:

United States toll free: 1-855-452-5696 International: 61-2-8199-0299 Passcode 8986459

About China New Borun Corporation

China New Borun Corporation (NYSE: BORN) is a leading producer and distributor of corn-based edible alcohol

sold as an ingredient to producers of baijiu, a popular grain-based alcoholic beverage in China. The Company also produces DDGS Feed, liquid carbon dioxide and crude corn oil as by-products of edible alcohol production, and chlorinated polyethylene (CPE) that is widely used in chemical industries. China New Borun is based in Shouguang, Shandong Province. Additional information about the company can be found at http://www.chinanewborun.com and in documents filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov.

Contact Information

Asia Bridge Capital Limited

Michael Tieu

Phone: +86-10-8556-9033 (China)

+1-888-870-0798 (U.S.)

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE China New Borun Corporation

Related Links

http://www.chinanewborun.com


WASHINGTON, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today the Alliance to Fight the 40 | Don't Tax My Health Care, a broad-based coalition committed to repealing the 40 percent "Cadillac Tax" on employer-sponsored health benefits issued the following statement urging swift Congressional action to address the 40% "Cadillac Tax" that threatens to reduce health care coverage and drive up costs on 178 million Americans:

"The clock is ticking and Congress must act now to address the 'Cadillac Tax'. Although the tax does not become effective until 2020, it is already having a negative impact. Employers typically plan their benefits 18 to 24 months ahead of implementation. That means, employers are making decisions right now on plan designs for 2020," said James A. Klein, president of the American Benefits Council.

"Repealing the 'Cadillac Tax' has strong bipartisan support in the Senate and House, and we urge Congress to address this tax before the end of the year."

Why the "Cadillac Tax" Must Be Addressed Now

Congress must act now to address the looming 40% "Cadillac Tax" on employer-sponsored health plans. Although the 40% tax is slated for 2020, employers are making changes to their health plans today .

As part of the benefits planning process, many employers work with insurers and benefits firms to build health benefits packages for employees 18-24 months in advance, which means employers are making changes to plans that will raise health care costs for working families now.

Employers try to make gradual changes to avoid sudden cost-increases for employees. This means employers are already making changes to health coverage, which include reducing benefits, eliminating health plan choices, narrowing networks, decreasing health savings account contributions, eliminating spousal coverage, wellness plans and on-site medical clinics, and increasing deductibles for employees.

Benefit Design Changes Underway to Avoid the Tax

Recent studies1 2 indicate that significant numbers of employers are already modifying their plan designs to avoid paying the 40% tax. One report found that 62% of employers who determined they would be affected by the tax were planning to make significant changes to their health plans three years prior to the tax taking effect . Since the effective date was delayed until 2020, that means plan changes are being made now for the implementation date which is a mere two years away. Projected changes include 33% of employers who plan to increase out-of-pocket costs and 31% who plan to limit FSA, HSA, and/or HRA contributions, among other benefit cutbacks.

Immediate Consequences of Waiting to Repeal the "Cadillac Tax"

Increased out-of-pocket expenses : Increasing out-of-pocket costs for employees is the main way to decrease the cost of the plan, upon which the "Cadillac Tax" is calculated. Increased cost-sharing will force workers to pay more for their health care without enhancing the value of the coverage.

: Increasing out-of-pocket costs for employees is the main way to decrease the cost of the plan, upon which the "Cadillac Tax" is calculated. Increased cost-sharing will force workers to pay more for their health care without enhancing the value of the coverage. Eliminating programs employers use to control costs and keep workers healthy : Plan features designed to promote better health and reduce costs  such as employee assistance plans, on-site health clinics, and flexible spending accounts  are counted toward the thresholds that trigger the tax and may be some of the first benefits to go.

Plan features designed to promote better health and reduce costs  such as employee assistance plans, on-site health clinics, and flexible spending accounts  are counted toward the thresholds that trigger the tax and may be some of the first benefits to go. Potential cost increases for the federal government : Employer-sponsored insurance is more cost-effective than government health insurance programs. Waiting longer to repeal or further delay the tax could result in more employees choosing options that are more expensive for the federal government as private employer-sponsored insurance becomes less affordable.



1 American Health Policy Institute, "ACA Excise Tax: Cutting Family Budgets, Not Health Care Budgets," October 2015, http://www.americanhealthpolicy.org/Content/documents/resources/AHPI_Excise_Tax_October_2015.pdf

2 Aon Hewitt, "New Aon Hewitt Survey Shows Majority of Companies Taking Immediate Steps to Minimize Exposure to Excise Tax," October 16, 2014, http://ir.aon.com/about-aon/investor-relations/investor-news/news-release-details/2014/New-Aon-Hewitt-Survey-Shows-Majority-of-Companies-Taking-Immediate-Steps-to-Minimize-Exposure-to-Excise-Tax/default.aspx

Contact: Tara Bradshaw

202-441-8255

SOURCE Alliance to Fight the 40

Related Links

http://www.fightthe40.com


DUBLIN, Ohio, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Community Choice Financial Inc. ("CCFI") filed its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2017 with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Monday, November 13, 2017. CCFI will host a conference call on Thursday, November 16, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. (ET) to discuss the results for the quarter. CCFI will make this call available for replay for one month starting approximately two hours after the call has ended. The conference call can be replayed in its entirety by dialing (855) 859-2056 (toll free) or (404) 537-3406 (international) and enter conference ID "6984319".

Financials are publicly available at www.sec.gov

Conference Call Dial-In Information:

International Direct: +1 (937) 203-2407

U.S. Toll Free: +1 (877) 497-9564

Conference ID: 6984319

About Community Choice Financial Inc.

Community Choice Financial Inc. is a leading retailer of financial services to unbanked and underbanked consumers through a network of 501 retail storefronts across 12 states and are licensed to deliver similar financial services over the internet in 31 states. CCFI focuses on providing consumers with a wide range of convenient financial products and services to help them manage their day-to-day financial needs including consumer loans, check cashing, prepaid debit cards, money transfers, bill payments, and money orders. Please visit www.ccfi.com for more information.

Forward-Looking Statements and Information:

Certain statements contained in this release may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of federal securities laws. All statements in this release other than those relating to our historical information or current condition are forward-looking statements. For example, any statements regarding our future financial performance (including, but not limited to, CCFI's ability to execute its long-term strategy and to manage operational efficiencies across its national footprint), our business strategy, and expected developments in our industry are forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the current views and expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, those views and expectations and the related statements are inherently subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are not under our control and may not even be predictable. Therefore, actual results could differ materially from our expectations as of today and any future results, performance, or achievements expressed directly or impliedly by the forward-looking statements.

CONTACT: Greyson Eves, 614-798-5900

SOURCE Community Choice Financial Inc.

Related Links

http://www.ccfi.com


WASHINGTON, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The following is being released by Keller Rohrback L.L.P and Munger, Tolles, & Olson LLP about the lawsuit Jabbari v. Wells Fargo, No. 3:15-cv-02159, in the Northern District of California.

Wells Fargo & Company and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. ("Wells Fargo") have reached a $142 million Class Action Settlement related to claims that bank employees opened accounts, provided services, or submitted applications for products and services without customers' authorization.

Included customers had certain Wells Fargo credit cards, lines of credit, checking, or savings accounts opened or applied for in their name without their permission, or had authorized identity theft protection services from Wells Fargo, from May 1, 2002, to April 20, 2017.

Cash benefits for eligible customers include:

Fee Reimbursement: A payment to compensate individuals for fees they may have paid in connection with unauthorized accounts.

Credit Impact Damages: Cash to compensate individuals for damages caused by harm to their credit.

Additional Payment: Any money remaining in the fund, after paying the benefits above and all costs and expenses, will be paid out as additional compensation on a per-account basis.

Eligible customers can now submit a simple claim form online or by mail by February 3, 2018 to get a payment. Claim forms are available at the website, www.WFSettlement.com, or by calling 1-866-431-8549.

Important Information and Dates:

Eligible customers must object to or exclude themselves from the Settlement by February 19, 2018 . Please note the Court recently extended these deadlines.

Please note the Court recently extended these deadlines. Eligible customers must submit a claim form online or by mail by February 3, 2018 .

. The Court will hold a hearing on March 22, 2018 to consider whether to approve the Settlement. This hearing date may change, so check www.WFSettlement.com for updates. Class Counsel may also request reimbursement of costs as well as attorneys' fees of up to 15% of the Settlement Fund.

For more information:

SOURCE Keller Rohrback L.L.P and Munger, Tolles, & Olson LLP
HOUSTON, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Juan Fueyo, MD, Professor at MD Anderson Cancer Center Department of Neuro-Oncology, presented results of a comprehensive study on the oncolytic virus Delta-24-RGDOX at the 2017 Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) Meeting, held in National Harbor, MD on November 10th  12th.

DNAtrix, an oncolytic virus company, is developing Delta-24-RGDOX (also known as DNX-2440), which locally expresses OX40L (CD252) in tumor cells following infection. The Delta-24-RGDOX backbone is based on the highly potent oncolytic adenovirus, DNX-2401, currently in Phase 2 testing with Merck's checkpoint inhibitor, Keytruda. The data presented at SITC builds on Dr. Fueyo's recent publication in Cancer Research, and demonstrates that Delta-24-RGDOX triggers an antitumor immune response, an abscopal effect, and tumor-specific immune memory, leading to prolonged survival in difficult-to-treat models of cancer.

"DNAtrix is developing best-in-class oncolytic viruses that replicate and persist for weeks to aggressively kill tumor cells while triggering an acute immune response. Delta-24-RGDOX is an excellent example of DNAtrix's platform, as it delivers effective combination therapy for cancers while minimizing side effects and cost," said Frank Tufaro, PhD, CEO of DNAtrix. "We have already shown that DNAtrix oncolytic viruses can be combined safely with other chemotherapies and immunotherapies to provide a new modality for treating cancers."

Details of the presentation:

Efficacious AntiMelanoma Immunity Induced by OX40 LigandExpressing Oncolytic Adenovirus Delta24RGDOX

Abstract Number: P409

First Author: Hong Jiang, PhD

To access the recently published paper on Delta-24-RGDOX, visit the Cancer Research website http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/77/14/3894.long

For more information about ongoing DNAtrix clinical studies, visit the ClinicalTrials.gov website: NCT02798406 (DNX-2401 + KEYTRUDA for recurrent glioblastoma) and NCT03178032 (DNX-2401 monotherapy for newly diagnosed pediatric diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma).

About DNAtrix Armed Virus Platform

DNAtrix is developing oncolytic viruses that feature the backbone of DNX-2401 and express immune modulatory molecules following infection of tumor cells. The first candidates, expressing members of the TNF receptor superfamily that enhance T-cell activity, have shown remarkable efficacy in animal models of cancer, including breast, melanoma, brain and lung. The first virus on this platform, DNX-2440, which expresses OX40 ligand, will enter the clinic soon for evaluation in a variety of solid tumors.

About DNAtrix

DNAtrix is a privately held, clinical stage, biotechnology company developing oncolytic virus immunotherapies for cancer. DNAtrix's lead product, DNX-2401, is a conditionally replicative oncolytic adenovirus being evaluated in clinical trials for recurrent glioblastoma, a brain cancer for which there is neither a cure nor adequate treatment. The company is backed by Morningside Ventures and Mercury Fund, and has been awarded a grant from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT). For more information, please visit the company website at www.dnatrix.com.

Contact

DNAtrix

Imran Alibhai, PhD

SVP Business Development

[email protected]

SOURCE DNAtrix

Related Links

http://www.dnatrix.com


MELVILLE, N.Y., Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Canon Solutions America, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Canon U.S.A., Inc., and Drexel University today announced the launch of TRIPOD at Writers Room: people, places, portraits. Drexel and Canon Solutions America teamed up to create a unique, scalable, replicable, and measurable model for written and creative expression in underserved communities. This program, initiated by Canon Solutions America's Enterprise Managed Services Division, the current managed services program provider at the university, is designed to increase literacy and life skills for all participants.

TRIPOD at Writers Room combines photography and writing in a compelling format that is capable of producing the individual and social impact outcomes that distinguish Drexel's involvement in West Philadelphia. Building on the success of Writers Rooma College of Arts and Sciences initiative within the Dornsife Center for Neighborhood Partnerships, an urban extension center in West Philadelphia's "Promise Zone"this exciting initiative will continue fostering authentic relationships between people from diverse backgrounds, incorporating Drexel students, faculty, staff, and neighbors young and old. This includes teenage students in Philadelphia from the highly acclaimed Mighty Writers.

"The College of Arts and Sciences encourages Drexel students and community members to learn and grow together, which not only cultivates valuable relationships, but also demonstrates that diverse perspectives strengthen and enrich our understanding of the world," says Donna Murasko, PhD, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Prior workshops at Writers Room have used photographs as a vehicle to facilitate written expression with select transformative results, but never before has there been an opportunity to explore photography as an independent form of expression.

"TRIPOD at Writers Room is designed to confront, explore, and embrace imaginative approaches to documenting, archiving, reporting, and responding to the past, present, and ongoing changes in our shared community from multiple and diverse perspectives. This combination has the potential to generate profound intergenerational and diverse social-economic learning," says Rachel Wenrick, associate teaching professor of English and director of Writers Room.

TRIPOD will involve small teams (triads), consisting of a community member from Writers Room, a high school student from Mighty Writers, and a Drexel undergraduate, who will meet bi-monthly to develop projects and independent work facilitated by Writers Room faculty over a nine-month period. They will begin the program with a weekend workshop facilitated by Canon's Imaging Technology Consumer Group to get basic camera instruction and photography fundamentals that focus on the intersection of writing and photography as expressive media tools. With this unified collaboration between multiple Canon divisions for the benefit of Drexel's community enrichment program, the organization is once more establishing its commitment to finding unique ways to support its valued customers.



Khalia Robinson, program director of Mighty Writers West offers, "Experience is the best teacher. With partnerships like what we're doing with Drexel's Writers Room and Canon, the children have an opportunity to experience things that may never have had access to."

The participants are also encouraged to join Writers Room's regular monthly workshops to provide additional points of engagement and spread awareness for these projects throughout the community. At the culmination of Drexel's Spring Term, a reading and reception featuring the work of these triads will be held at the Dornsife Center to celebrate this work and its fruition.





"Consistent with the One Drexel  One Canon mission, this program is a wonderful way to create trust between the neighborhood and the university. Canon is proud to strengthen and broaden the photography component of the program, as we continue to look for ways to support Drexel in their efforts to develop a curriculum and a shared set of outcomes," said Valerie Belli, Vice President, Enterprise Managed Services Division, Canon Solutions America.

About Drexel University

Founded in 1891 in Philadelphia, Drexel is a comprehensive urban university of more than 24,000 students, consistently ranked in America's top 100 by U.S. News & World Report. Drexel is a leader in experiential, technology-infused education, enriched by the nation's premier cooperative education program. The University's recognized excellence in translational research is supported by the Coulter Foundation through the Coulter-Drexel Translational Research Partnership. Drexel advances its culture of innovation by encouraging multidisciplinary collaboration, technology commercialization and entrepreneurship  an approach exemplified by the ExCITe (Expressive and Creative Interaction Technologies) Center, the interdisciplinary A.J. Drexel Institutes, Drexel Ventures, the Innovation Center @ 3401 Market Street, the Close School of Entrepreneurship and the Baiada Institute for Entrepreneurship. Drexel is also committed to becoming the nation's most civically engaged university, improving quality of life in its neighborhood and the city through the twin engines of community partnerships and innovation-based economic development.

About Canon Solutions America, Inc.

Canon Solutions America provides industry leading enterprise, production, and large format printing solutions, supported by exceptional professional service offerings. With the technology offerings of the Canon and Oce brands, Canon Solutions America helps companies of all sizes improve sustainability, increase efficiency, and control costs through high volume, continuous feed, digital and traditional printing, and document management solutions. A wholly owned subsidiary of Canon U.S.A., Inc., Canon Solutions America is headquartered in Melville, N.Y. and has sales and service locations across the U.S. For more information on Canon Solutions America, please visit csa.canon.com.

Canon is a registered trademark of Canon Inc. in the United States and elsewhere. Oce is a registered trademark of Oce-Technologies B.V. in the United States and elsewhere. All other referenced product names and marks are trademarks of their respective owners and are hereby acknowledged.





 2017 Canon Solutions America, Inc. All rights reserved.

Canon Solutions America, Inc. Website: Editorial Contact: http://csa.canon.com Conor Febos For sales info/customer support: 631-330-4109 1-844-443-INFO (4636) [email protected]

SOURCE Canon Solutions America, Inc.

Related Links

https://csa.canon.com


BOSTON, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Research shows that engaged therapists contribute to better outcomes. Education Resources Inc. provides customized in house training for hospitals, medical rehab facilities, home health organizations, skilled nursing facilities, outpatient organizations, and child development organizations.

Contact [email protected] or call the office at 800-487-6530 to train your staff

"It's been such a great experience working with you all to set up this course. You make it very easy to successfully host a course...we'll want to host a course again in the future."

- C. Mena, Physical Therapist from Women and Children's Hospital in Columbia, MO

In-House training is a cost-effective option for training a group of staff without the expense of leaving the facility. Facility partners select the course, dates and times and can tailor the content to address specific clinical needs, continuing competency requirements and professional development goals.

Browse course topics from neonatal through adult and geriatric care here: http://www.educationresourcesinc.com/in-house-training

Education Resources will provide:

Distinguished Faculty:

Wide variety of internationally renowned faculty

Cutting edge and relevant continuing education courses

Courses for adult and geriatrics, pediatrics including NICU, school-based and EI

Suggestions for new course topics and speakers are welcome

Competitive pricing:

Flexible competitive pricing

Pricing is customized based upon size of the group, length of the course and course materials and instructors.

Coordination of every detail:

Understand the training objectives

Offer options for courses, instructors and pricing

Book speaker travel and pay speaker expenses

Communicate with Facility Partner and the speaker about the course content

Supply CEU certificates for each participant. Depending upon the course, Education Resources offers CEUs for PT, OT and/or SLP.

Facilitate seamless coordination of course materials and speaker requirements

To learn more about Education Resources, Inc. visit: https://www.educationresourcesinc.com/

CONTACT: Alyson Loria, 508-359-6533, [email protected]

SOURCE Education Resources, Inc.

Related Links

https://www.educationresourcesinc.com


SANTA CLARA, Calif., Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Elastifile, the enterprise hybrid cloud data management company, today announced its support for Amazon Web Services (AWS), and that it has been certified as an Amazon Partner Network (APN) Technology Partner. Elastifile will also demonstrate its data fabric for dynamic cross-cloud workload migration at AWS re:Invent, at booth 1040 from November 27-December 1 in Las Vegas.

Elastifile enables dynamic and cost-effective hybrid cloud workflows by integrating on-premises and cloud environments within a unified, high-performance data management platform. By leveraging the Elastifile Cloud File System and CloudConnect dynamic object tiering, enterprises can now manage both active and inactive data via cost-effective cloud infrastructure that scales according to the needs of their applications. Elastifile's unique capabilities enable mission-critical hybrid- and cross-cloud workflows across a wide variety of industries including life sciences, semiconductor design, managed service providers, and more.

With Elastifile's support for native AWS deployments, enterprise customers can finally deliver on their AWS hybrid cloud strategies, including lift & shift and cloud bursting, without having to refactor applications or compromise their enterprise SLAs and data services. As a full APN Technology Partner, Elastifile's software-defined data infrastructure integrates with AWS to seamlessly and efficiently manage dynamic workloads with linear scale-out POSIX file services. Elastifile also integrates S3 object tiering and leverages advanced data reduction to implement efficient, self-service file check-in and check-out between active and inactive data tiers, thus delivering the most cost-effective and agile data management across sites and clouds. At re:Invent 2017, Elastifile will showcase a set of demonstrations of this powerful new hybrid cloud capability for AWS.

"Damecon wanted to transition more of our back-end services and bursting to AWS, but we struggled with the cost efficiency and performance," said Rob Christ, Director of Damecon Group. "Elastifile allowed us to efficiently 'lift and shift' our data from on-premises to AWS through their cloud-based file system."

"By selecting AWS, we are enabling our enterprise customers to extend the scope and agility of their cross-cloud workflows," said Amir Aharoni, CEO and co-founder of Elastifile. "These enterprises can now cost-effectively integrate AWS within their dynamic hybrid cloud infrastructures. Come see for yourself at re:Invent."

AWS re:Invent is a learning conference hosted by Amazon Web Services for the global cloud computing community. To schedule some personal time with Elastifile, please visit https://www.elastifile.com/talk-to-us or just come meet us at booth 1040.

Follow Elastifile:

https://twitter.com/elastifile

https://www.linkedin.com/company/elastifile

https://www.facebook.com/Elastifile/

About Elastifile

Elastifile is redefining the way data is stored and managed, enabling seamless deployment of private and hybrid cloud solutions. With enterprises and service providers looking to support both on-premises and cloud workflows across both active and inactive data workloads, Elastifile uniquely delivers this to application, analytics, and infrastructure teams as the single global namespace of a distributed file and object system. This elastic, scale-out, software-only BYOH (bring-your-own-hardware) solution provides all the advantages of public IaaS to the data center and uncompromised enterprise data services and SLAs in the cloud.

With nearly 100 employees, Elastifile is based in Santa Clara, California and Herzliya, Israel, with global Sales and Marketing offices in North America and Europe, and R&D in Israel. Elastifile was founded in 2013 and is backed by Battery Ventures, Lightspeed Venture Partners, and CE Ventures, plus seven strategic investors from the cloud, data center and storage industries including Dell Technologies Capital, Cisco Investments, and Western Digital Capital. Elastifile's founders and leadership team includes a powerful mix of experience across enterprise storage, virtualization, applications, and flash to help transform its customers' hybrid cloud workflows.

SOURCE Elastifile

Related Links

http://www.elastifile.com


VANCOUVER, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - Eldorado Gold Corporation ("Eldorado" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on the Company's exploration activities completed to date in 2017. Highlights from the period include:

Lamaque resource upgrade and resource expansion drilling: over 31,000 metres of drilling at the Triangle deposit completed since the July acquisition of Integra Gold Corporation ("Integra"). Drilling has affirmed the quality of the current resource and highlights the upside potential of the Lamaque project, including intercepts from the C7 zone of 25.44 grams per tonne (g/t) Au over 3.5 metres and 7.47 g/t Au over 4.4 metres.





over 31,000 metres of drilling at the Triangle deposit completed since the July acquisition of Integra Gold Corporation ("Integra"). Drilling has affirmed the quality of the current resource and highlights the upside potential of the Lamaque project, including intercepts from the C7 zone of 25.44 grams per tonne (g/t) Au over 3.5 metres and 7.47 g/t Au over 4.4 metres. Completion of the year-one drilling program at Bolcana, Romania : results of over 23,000 metres at our new Bolcana porphyry project confirm the size and potential of the system, as highlighted by drillhole TRSD013 which featured an intercept of 1,246.0 metres from surface grading 0.94 g/t Au and 0.27% Cu.





results of over 23,000 metres at our new Bolcana porphyry project confirm the size and potential of the system, as highlighted by drillhole TRSD013 which featured an intercept of 1,246.0 metres from surface grading 0.94 g/t Au and 0.27% Cu. Resource conversion drilling at Efemcukuru: infill drilling of inferred resources in the Kestane Beleni vein continues to intersect ore grades and widths, while exploration drilling at the nearby Kokarpinar vein has identified a new high-grade shoot.





infill drilling of inferred resources in the Kestane Beleni vein continues to intersect ore grades and widths, while exploration drilling at the nearby Kokarpinar vein has identified a new high-grade shoot. Exploration development and underground resource expansion drilling at the Stratoni Mine: Development of the hangingwall exploration drift continues, and completion of over 4,500 metres of underground drilling confirms the continuation of the Mavres Petres orebody into previously untested areas.

Peter Lewis, Eldorado's Vice President, Exploration stated, "The results to date from the 2017 exploration programs reflect the quality of both our brownfields programs and new projects, and bode well for extending the life of our current operations while strengthening our internal growth pipeline. We are particularly pleased by the strong results from the Lamaque project, where we have identified high-grade vein intercepts outside of the previously defined resources, and we look forward to expanding our exploration programs to new targets on the property."

Presented below are project updates for several of the principal 2017 exploration programs. Summary tables of drillhole intercepts from these programs are included in Appendix 1, including estimates of true thicknesses of mineralized zones and cuts of high-grade assays where appropriate.

Lamaque Project, Canada

On July 10, 2017, Eldorado completed the acquisition of Integra and its flagship Lamaque project in Val d'Or, Quebec. Eldorado continued the 2017 drilling program initiated by Integra with over 80,000 metres drilled year to date on the Triangle deposit, Plug 4, and Lamaque deep targets.

Six surface drill rigs are currently active at the Triangle deposit, where we have drilled over 31,000 metres since July. A majority of the drilling consisted of resource conversion holes targeting the upper parts of the C2 and C4 zones, and definition drillholes within the C2 bulk sample area. To date, the C2 bulk sample program has included development on four levels (Figure 1) from which 20,992 tonnes have been processed at the Camflo mill. The definition drilling, underground mapping of the C2 zone, and average head grade for the processed material (7.10 g/t Au) all confirm the validity of the geological and resource models. Au recovery from the processed material has been 95.52%.

The remaining resource expansion holes targeted extensions of the main C zones and their splays. This drilling has locally expanded the limits of the C2, C4, and C5 zones and both extended and confirmed the continuity of high-grade splays associated with the main C zones. These zones were not included in the previous Integra resource model.

Notable intercepts of these splays include:

9.57 g/t Au over 7.14 metres true thickness in hole TM-16-180AW03M01 (C3 splay)

7.30 g/t Au over 4.56 metres true thickness in hole TM-16-114BW01M02 (C4 splay)

8.08 g/t Au (capped at 30 g/t Au) over 4.62 metres true thickness in hole TM-16-180AW02 (C4 splay).

At deeper levels, new intercepts correlated with the C5, C6, C7, and previously unrecognized deeper zones demonstrate the significant upside potential of the Triangle deposit beyond the existing resource areas. Examples include:

11.83 g/t Au (capped at 30 g/t Au) over 3.50 metres true thickness in hole TM-15-037W02M02 (C7)

7.77 g/t Au (capped at 30 g/t Au) over 6.88 metres true thickness in hole TM-15-032W02 (C6)

10.62 g/t Au (capped at 30 g/t Au) over 6.02 metres true thickness in hole TM-15-032 (C6 Splay)

7.49 g/t Au over 7.10 metres true thickness in hole TM-15-032W01M03 (new zone)

Drilling is now shifting to focus on other targets within the Lamaque project area. The Company expects to drill approximately 15,000 metres for the remainder of the year.

Bolcana Project, Romania

The Company's new Bolcana project is a large copper gold porphyry system located approximately six kilometres west of our Certej epithermal deposit development project in Romania. The 2017 exploration program at Bolcana totaled over 23,000 metres of drilling in 25 holes, and tested an area measuring 1,200 metres by 900 metres, locally to a depth of more than 1,200 metres (Figure 3 and 4).

Results from the 2017 drilling outline a large gold-rich porphyry system centered on a calc-alkaline intrusive complex. Elevated gold and copper values are associated with chalcopyrite and bornite within diorite porphyry intrusions and associated magmatic-hydrothermal breccias. Mineralization is continuous to the depth extent of drilling, with highest grades found in shallow residual potassic zones and in a deeper high-grade potassic core (Figure 4). Drillhole TRSD013, which tested the central core of the system, intersected 1,246 metres from near surface with an average grade of 0.94 g/t Au and 0.27% Cu. This includes a shallow high-grade zone of 200.0 metres grading 1.43 g/t Au and 0.3% Cu and a deeper zone of 206.0 metres grading 1.55 g/t Au and 0.35% Cu. In addition, high grades have been intersected in a second shallow zone referred to as the south zone located approximately 200 metres south of the central zone (Figure 3) where drillhole TRSD017 intersected 132.0 metres grading 1.88 g/t Au and 0.34% Cu. The 2017 program was recently concluded and results are being evaluated to define future exploration plans for the project.

Efemcukuru Mine, Turkey

At the Efemcukuru epithermal vein deposit, drilling in 2017 included 15,700 metres of resource conversion drilling on the Kestane Beleni vein and an additional 4,000 metres testing exploration targets in the nearby Kokarpinar vein system (Figure 5). Most of the resource conversion drilling at Kestane Beleni has utilized drill stations in the new Kestane Beleni hangingwall exploration drift and has targeted inferred resources downdip from the current production levels in the South Ore Shoot and in the transition zone between South and Middle Ore Shoots. Notable results from this program include high-grade intercepts in the South to Middle Ore Shoots transition zone, with 8.77 g/t Au over 12.65 metres (EF-2703) and 8.19 g/t Au over 8.31 metres true thickness (EF-2614) (Figure 6).

Surface drilling at the Kestane Beleni northwest zone has infilled areas previously drilled at a wide spacing, reducing drillhole spacing to approximately 50 metres over most of the mineralized zone. Although the vein is narrower here than in the South and Middle Ore Shoots, intercept grades commonly equal or exceed those in the current resource model (Figure 7). New drilling has defined two distinct trends of high grade ore shoots, with significant intercepts of 19.48 g/t Au over 4.32 metres (EF-024) and 173.5 g/t Au over 1.4 metres true thickness (EF-033).

At Kokarpinar, exploration drilling in this year's program is testing the northern part of the vein system where complex splays and limited drill site availability had hampered previous drill testing. Nineteen holes were completed, three of which define a new high-grade shoot with intercept grades of up to 29.0 g/t Au over 1.2 metres true thickness. Step-out drilling is currently in progress testing the down-plunge extension of this shoot.

In addition, a 21.2 kilometre induced polarization survey was completed over the Efemcukuru license area in August, with the objective of identifying blind drill targets in the footwall to the Kestane Beleni vein. Results are currently being evaluated, with drilling of new targets scheduled for 2018.

Stratoni Mine, Greece

The Stratoni deposit is a high-grade carbonate replacement deposit consisting of massive sulfide lenses occurring within and adjacent to the Stratoni fault zone. The Company is currently developing an exploration drift in the hangingwall to the fault zone that provides platforms for drilling untested areas downdip of and along strike to the west of the known orebody. Year to-date, 22 underground drillholes have been completed from the new development, which included seven resource conversion holes targeting existing inferred resources. Most of these holes intersected ore thicknesses equal to or greater than those predicted by the resource model, with high silver and base metal values. Resource expansion drilling to date has tested an area measuring approximately 100 metres by 100 metres downdip of the deposit. Nine of the 15 holes in this area intersected massive sulphide intervals comparable to those in the main orebody. Two drill rigs are currently active at the project testing additional stepouts to the deposit.

KMC Project, Serbia

During 2017, at the Karavansalija Mineralized Center (KMC) project, approximately 18,500 metres of diamond drilling have been completed at the Shanac, Copper Canyon, Gradina, and Medenovac prospects. The Shanac prospect is a large magnetite skarn system discovered by Eldorado in 2016. Gold mineralization within the skarn assemblage is hosted by Cretaceous limestone underlying an altered and weakly mineralized Tertiary andesitic volcanic sequence. 12 holes were drilled into the centre of the Shanac system in 2016 and an additional nine drillholes have been completed in 2017 to define the margins of the mineralized body. Gold grades within magnetite skarn at Shanac are typically 0.5 g/t Au to 2.0 g/t Au over vertical intervals of 50 to 200 metres beginning at depths of 150 to 300 metres from surface, with highest grades localized in a gently dipping lens just below the Tertiary volcanic rocks (Figures 8 and 9).

At the Gradina and Copper Canyon prospects, 2017 drilling targeted extensions of high-grade intercepts associated with zones of retrograde skarn mineralization identified in previous drill campaigns, and also tested new conceptual targets.

Regional exploration crews are currently completing initial stream sediment, soil, and rock chip sampling at recently granted licenses surrounding KMC and elsewhere in Serbia and Kosovo. Initial results have delineated several new target zones to be followed up with geological mapping and ground magnetic surveys.

Regional Exploration, Brazil

Throughout 2017, exploration activities in Brazil have focused on grassroots programs at our Borborema, Mara Rosa, and Nazareno project areas. The Borborema project includes 3,400 square kilometres of exploration licenses in Pernambuco, Ceara, and Paraiba states in areas prospective for orogenic gold systems. Since July 2016, the Company has completed an extensive regional geochemical survey of the entire project area, and drilled three early-stage targets. The Mara Rosa project in Goias state includes over 280 square kilometres of exploration licenses and license applications covering the Mara Rosa greenstone belt. Soil geochemical surveys, mapping, and outcrop sampling programs have defined priority targets on which preliminary drill testing was recently completed and a review of results is underway. The Nazareno project area in Minas Gerais state covers a southwest offshoot of the prolific Quadrilatero Ferrifero (QF). The licenses cover roughly a 70 kilometre strike length of a regional shear zone within the Nova Lima group, the same greenstone sequence hosting most of the major deposits in the QF. Drilling commenced in September on several prospects.

Since the beginning of 2016, we have added approximately 600 square kilometres of licenses to our Brazil exploration portfolio, mostly in the Mara Rosa, Ipora, and Piranhas areas in Goias state and surrounding our Tocantinzinho development project in Para state.

About Eldorado Gold

Eldorado is a leading intermediate gold producer with mining, development and exploration operations in Turkey, Greece, Canada, Romania, Serbia and Brazil. The Company's success to date is based on a highly skilled and dedicated workforce, safe and responsible operations, a portfolio of high-quality assets, and long-term partnerships with the communities where it operates. Eldorado's common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: ELD) and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: EGO).

Qualified Person

Dr. Peter Lewis P.Geo., Eldorado's Vice President, Exploration, is the qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") for the disclosure of technical information in this press release. Eldorado operates its exploration programs according to industry best practices and employs rigorous quality assurance and quality control procedures. All results presented are based on half-core samples of diamond drill core analyzed at accredited laboratories. Drill core from Efemcukuru was prepared at Eldorado's sample preparation facility at Canakkale and assayed at ALS Minerals laboratory in Izmir, Turkey. Drill core from the Bolcana, KMC, and Stratoni projects was prepared and analyzed at ALS Minerals laboratories in Rosia Montana, Romania and Loughrea, Ireland. Drillcore from the Lamaque project was prepared and analyzed at Bourlamaque Laboratories in Val d'Or, Quebec. All Au assays are based on fire assay analysis of a 30 gm charge followed by an atomic adsorption finish. Samples with Au grades above 5.0 g/t at the Lamaque project and 10.0 g/t at other projects were re-assayed and completed with a gravimetric finish. Cu grades at Bolcana are based on f and grades over 0.4% Cu were reassayed with four-acid digestion and an ICP-AES finish. Zn and Pb grades at Mavres Petres were determined from an aqua regia digestion with an ICP-AES finish. Certified standard reference materials, field duplicate and blank samples were inserted regularly and were closely monitored to ensure the quality of the data.

Forward Looking Statement

Certain of the statements made and information provided in this press release are forward-looking statements or information within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements and forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "continue"", "projected", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "projected", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or the negatives thereof or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "to be", "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Such forward-looking statements or information include, but are not limited to, statements or information with respect to the Update on 2017 Exploration Program and drilling results.

Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information by their nature are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information.

We have made certain assumptions about the forward-looking statements and information, including assumptions about the geopolitical, economic, permitting and legal climate that we operate in; the future price of gold and other commodities; exchange rates; anticipated costs and expenses; production, mineral reserves and resources and metallurgical recoveries, the impact of acquisitions, dispositions, suspensions or delays on our business and the ability to achieve our goals.

Even though our management believes that the assumptions made and the expectations represented by such statements or information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statement or information will prove to be accurate. Many assumptions may be difficult to predict and are beyond our control.

Furthermore, should one or more of the risks, uncertainties or other factors materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements or information. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, among others, the following: geopolitical and economic climate (global and local), risks related to mineral tenure and permits; gold and other metal price volatility; mining operational and development risk; foreign country operational risks; risks of sovereign investment; regulatory environment and restrictions, including environmental regulatory restrictions and liability; discrepancies between actual and estimated production, mineral reserves and resources and metallurgical testing and recoveries; risks related to impact of the sale of our Chinese assets on the Company's operations; risks related to the acquisition of Integra Gold Corporation; additional funding requirements; currency fluctuations; litigation and arbitration risks; community and non-governmental organization actions; speculative nature of gold exploration; dilution; share price volatility; competition; loss of key employees; and defective title to mineral claims or property, as well as those factors discussed in the sections entitled "Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk factors in our business" in the Company's most recent Annual Information Form and Form 40-F. The reader is directed to carefully review the detailed risk discussion in our most recent Annual Information Form filed on SEDAR under our Company name, for a fuller understanding of the risks and uncertainties that affect the Company's business and operations.

There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements or information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements or information contained herein. Except as required by law, we do not expect to update forward-looking statements and information continually as conditions change and you are referred to the full discussion of the Company's business contained in the Company's reports filed with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada and the U.S.

Cautionary Note to US Investors Concerning Estimates of Measured, Indicated and Inferred Resources

The terms "mineral resource", "measured mineral resource", "indicated mineral resource", "inferred mineral resource" used herein are Canadian mining terms used in accordance with National Instrument 43-101  Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") under the guidelines set out in the Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and Petroleum (the "CIM") Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, adopted by the CIM Council, as may be amended from time to time. These definitions differ from the definitions in the United States Securities & Exchange Commission ("SEC") Industry Guide 7. In the United States, a mineral reserve is defined as a part of a mineral deposit which could be economically and legally extracted or produced at the time the mineral reserve determination is made.

While the terms "mineral resource", "measured mineral resource," "indicated mineral resource", and "inferred mineral resource" are recognized and required by Canadian regulations, they are not defined terms under standards in the United States and normally are not permitted to be used in reports and registration statements filed with the SEC. As such, information contained herein concerning descriptions of mineralization and resources under Canadian standards may not be comparable to similar information made public by U.S. companies in SEC filings.

Mineral resources which are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. With respect to "indicated mineral resource" and "inferred mineral resource", there is a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and a great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of a "measured mineral resource", "indicated mineral resource" or "inferred mineral resource" will ever be upgraded to a higher category.

Accordingly, information herein containing descriptions of our mineral deposits may not be comparable to similar information made public by US companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements under US federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.



Appendix 1: Tables of drillhole intercepts

Lamaque, Canada

Table 1 lists resource expansion drillholes completed at the Lamaque project since May 31, 2017, for which full assay results have been reported and verified. Intercepts reported are limited to those with 1) Au grade (g/t) times true thickness (metres) values greater than 10.0, and 2) average Au grade greater than 4.0 g/t. Grades presented in brackets are recalculated with individual assays capped at 30 g/t Au.



Table 1: Lamaque Project, Drilling Results Hole ID From (m) To (m) Interval (m) True

thickness

(m) Au (g/t) Zone Triangle











TM-15-032 1242.8 1244.8 2.0 1.72 8.8 C6-splay and 1308.0 1314.5 6.5 6.02 11.05 [10.62] C6-splay TM-15-032W01M01 815.10 818.35 3.25 2.47 8.89 [7.35] C4 TM-15-032W01M03 1122.2 1126.0 3.8 2.77 4.46 C6 and 1255.8 1256.4 0.6 0.56 29.75 C6-splay and 1288.0 1291.0 3.0 2.93 7.87 C6-splay and 1323.0 1324.0 1.0 0.94 11.32 C6-splay and 1331.5 1337.3 5.8 4.33 4.83 [4.61] C7 and 1423.5 1426.0 2.5 2.34 4.38 Triangle Deep and 1460.8 1462.3 1.5 1.40 11.31 Triangle Deep and 1861.8 1866.4 4.6 4.42 4.00 Triangle Deep and 1874.1 1881.2 7.1 6.82 7.49 Triangle Deep TM-15-032W02 1136.0 1145.3 9.3 6.88 8.99 [7.77] C6 and 1183.0 1183.5 0.5 0.46 21.82 C6-splay and 1827.2 1830.1 2.9 2.60 4.05 Triangle Deep TM-15-037W01M03 1020.0 1021.25 1.25 1.04 11.49 C6-splay and 1175.0 1179.4 4.4 3.73 7.47 C7 TM-15-037W02M02 1155.0 1158.5 3.5 3.22 25.44 [11.83] C7 TM-15-082W01M01 775.6 781.5 5.9 5.45 22.51 [20.19] C5 TM-16-114BW01M02 667.7 669.5 1.8 1.98 9.07 C4-splay and 677.2 681.8 4.6 4.56 7.30 C4-splay TM-16-114BM02 687.0 689.0 2.0 1.96 22.36 [15.82] C4-splay TM-16-180AW01 394.7 397.0 2.30 2.03 10.18 C2 and 395.9 397.0 1.1 1.09 18.36 C2-splay and 666.0 668.1 2.1 2.05 15.36 [12.99] C4-splay TM-16-180AW02 414.1 416.5 2.4 2.38 4.52 C2-splay and 476.8 477.3 0.5 0.49 24.18 C2-splay and 652.9 659.5 6.6 6.31 38.97 [25.15] C4 and 661.2 666.0 4.8 4.62 8.76 [8.08] C4-splay TM-16-180AW03M01 580.7 587.9 7.2 7.14 9.57 C3-splay TM-16-201AW01M01 450.5 454.5 4.0 3.58 6.26 C2 TM-16-220W02M01 369.0 369.61 0.6 0.59 20.41 C2-splay TM-16-220W03 312.5 313.5 1.0 0.9 11.99 C2-splay TM-17-287AM02 782.0 784.0 2.0 2.01 6.90 C4-splay TM-17-289 439.0 443.0 4.0 3.14 6.54 C3 TM-17-290M01 505.0 506.8 1.8 1.79 6.66 C3-splay and 878.5 881.0 2.5 2.47 5.91 C5-splay and 895.0 897.0 2.0 1.98 6.09 C5-splay TM-17-290W01M01 502.0 504.5 2.5 2.49 5.74 C3-splay TM-17-294W01M01 1005.0 1006.0 1.0 0.74 26.98 C5-splay TM-17-303AW01 474.0 474.7 0.7 0.66 99.97 [30.0] C3 TM-17-311B 393.5 395.5 2.0 1.95 22.41 [9.11] C2-splay TU-17-097 88.0 88.65 0.65 0.60 69.87 [30.0] C2 TU-17-107 284.6 286.8 2.2 1.98 13.25 [9.48] C3-splay TM-15-032W01M02, TM-15-037W02,

TM-15-037W02M01, TM-17-295AM01,

TM-17-295AW01, TM-17-299A,

TU-17-040 No intercepts above reporting threshold

Bolcana, Romania

Table 2 lists all exploration drillholes completed at the Bolcana project in the 2017 program. Intercepts reported are limited to those with 1) Au grade (g/t) times thickness (metres) greater than 100.0, and 2) average Au grade greater than 0.4 g/t. No grade capping is deemed necessary. Due to the irregular nature of the mineralized zones, only drillhole thicknesses are presented.



Table 2: Bolcana Exploration Drilling Hole ID From (m) To (m) Interval

(m) Au (g/t) Cu (%) TRSD004 618.0 1864.0 1246.0 0.41 0.18 including 838.0 996.0 158.0 1.22 0.29 TRSD008 498.0 574.0 76.0 1.58 0.34 TRSD009 630.0 940.0 310.0 0.83 0.20 including 758.0 904.0 146.0 1.33 0.18 TRSD013 18.0 1264.0 1246.0 0.94 0.27 including 53.0 253.0 200.0 1.45 0.30 and 744.0 950.0 206.0 1.55 0.35 TRSD014 158.0 878.0 720.0 0.40 0.16 TRSD016 504.0 944.0 440.0 0.63 0.17 TRSD017 230.0 774.0 544.0 0.72 0.21 including 362.0 494.0 132.0 1.88 0.34 TRUD001 681.0 1365.0 684.0 0.50 0.20 including 1083.0 1193.0 110.0 1.00 0.33 TRUD002 973.0 1249.0 276.0 0.40 0.19 TRUD003 681.0 1459.0 778.0 0.66 0.18 including 781.0 1195.0 414.0 1.01 0.21 TRUD004 892.8 1308.8 416.0 0.58 0.14 TRUD005 745.0 1135.0 390.0 0.55 0.15 TRUD006 790.1 1948.1 1158.0 0.44 0.21 TRUD007 695.1 1345.1 650.0 0.70 0.19 including 791.1 1147.1 356.0 1.00 0.19 TRSD001-003; 005;

010-012; 15 No intercepts above reporting threshold

Efemcukuru, Turkey

Table 3 include all resource delineation and exploration drillholes completed at Efemcukuru in the 2017 program for which full assay results have been reported and verified. Intercepts reported are limited to those with 1) Au grade (g/t) times true thickness (metres) greater than 10.0, and 2) average grade greater than 3 g/t. No grade capping is applied to individual assays.



Table 3a: Middle and South Ore Shoots Resource Conversion Drilling Hole ID From (m) To (m) Interval

(m) True

Thickness

(m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Pb (%) Zn (%) EF-2519 200.2 203.2 3.0 2.94 4.34 7.90 0.42 0.96 and 224.6 227.15 2.55 2.51 19.60 13.69 0.77 0.99 EF-2552 214.8 218.95 4.15 4.14 6.64 20.87 1.86 2.16 EF-2614 233.7 242.3 8.6 8.31 8.19 7.83 0.03 0.09 EF-2669 216.35 224.05 7.7 7.41 4.92 62.60 7.42 3.68 EF-2703 211.4 224.05 12.65 12.65 8.77 8.43 0.51 1.67 EF-2588, 2641, 2665, 2694, 2698, 2700, 2680,

2707, 2709, 2715, 2717; EFD-037, 040, 041 No intercepts above reporting threshold



Table 3b: Kestane Beleni Northwest Resource Conversion Drilling Hole ID From

(m) To (m) Interval (m) True

Thickness

(m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Pb (%) Zn (%) EFD-002 45.8 53.75 7.95 6.43 9.78 23.24 0.35 0.52 EFD-003 28.4 31.2 2.8 2.80 8.27 20.20 0.28 0.26 EFD-005 27.5 30.7 3.2 2.99 4.49 5.00 0.06 0.12 and 34.1 45.8 11.7 10.89 6.56 22.63 0.21 0.17 EFD-007 80.0 82.25 2.25 2.23 7.02 14.78 0.21 0.42 EFD-008 77.9 82.05 4.15 4.09 4.00 6.02 0.06 0.10 EFD-011 97.75 100.75 3.0 2.72 5.65 14.25 0.33 0.45 EFD-013 86.0 87.85 1.85 1.74 12.17 18.66 0.30 0.03 EFD-016 96.5 99.15 2.65 2.25 5.37 20.58 0.90 0.03 EFD-017 133.0 134.95 1.95 1.69 9.41 13.31 0.43 0.71 EFD-018 116.45 117.75 1.30 1.27 92.70 126.00 3.88 4.50 EFD-019 135.6 140.9 5.3 4.75 5.67 7.14 0.30 0.63 EFD-024 134.6 139.05 4.45 4.32 20.27 13.15 0.35 0.56 EFD-029 184.1 187.0 2.9 2.82 11.11 53.31 1.91 0.89 and 202.5 203.4 0.9 0.88 16.90 19.00 0.28 0.47 EFD-030 162.40 163.85 1.45 1.41 20.80 27.00 1.68 1.39 EFD-033 245.45 246.9 1.45 1.40 173.50 92.00 0.72 1.88 EFD-001, 004, 006, 009, 010, 012, 014,

015, 020-023, 025-028, 031, 032, 034 No intercepts above reporting threshold



Table 3c: Kokarpinar Exploration Drilling Hole ID From (m) To (m) Interval

(m) True

Thickness

(m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Pb (%) Zn (%) KV-618 125.8 131.0 5.2 2.2 6.50 21.65 2.34 1.54 KV-619 97.5 102.2 4.7 2.1 5.01 89.55 3.93 2.75 KV-620 156.4 159.25 2.85 1.2 29.02 43.86 2.87 5.51 KV-617, KV-621 to KV 628 No intercepts above reporting threshold

Stratoni, Greece

Table 4 lists all resource conversion and resource expansion drillholes completed at the Stratoni mine in the 2017 calendar year, for which full assay results have been reported and verified. Intercepts reported are limited to those with %Zn equivalent (defined as %Zn + %Pb x 1.2 + Ag(ppm) x 0.0165) multiplied by estimated true thickness (metres) values of greater than 25.0 Gold is not recovered from the current processing circuit. No grade capping is applied to individual assays.



Table 4: Stratoni Underground Drilling Hole ID From (m) To (m) Interval

(m) True

thickness

(m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Pb (%) Zn (%) Resource Conversion Drilling MP0773 125.7 140.5 12.7 11.9 4.14 233 8.24 10.83 MP0775 128.4 136.4 8.0 7.7 4.03 135 10.68 11.43 MP0776 117.0 125.6 8.6 8.6 3.74 97 3.17 4.09 and 129.0 136.9 7.9 7.9 2.05 378 16.68 12.03 MP0780 141.6 148.0 6.2 5.3 4.49 624 9.51 12.40 MP0785a 121.0 139.5 18.5 15.3 5.78 271 9.6 7.5 Resource Expansion Drilling MP0777 121.70 136.0 15.2 14.7 7.70 233 10.09 11.71 MP0779 145.4 180.0 34.6 28.9 2.77 76 3.0 9.7 MP0786 110.3 135.2 24.9 23.0 5.89 276 8.8 6.0 MP0793 121.5 134.4 12.9 11.2 6.5 201 8.3 11.9 MP0794 131.7 170.4 37.9 35.2 2.39 96 3.9 5.3 MP0795 158.7 166.7 8.0 7.4 4.12 138 5.6 18.3 MP0798 164.0 175.9 11.9 10.4 4.9 86 3.0 6.2 MP0778, MP0787-0790, MP0800 No intercepts above reporting threshold

KMC, Serbia

Table 5 lists all exploration drillholes completed at the KMC project in Q4 2016 and in 2017, for which full assay results have been reported and verified. Intercepts reported are limited to those with 1) Au grade (g/t) times thickness (metres) greater than 50.0 for Shanac and 15.0 for Gradina and Copper Canyon, and 2) average grade greater than 0.4 grams per ton for Shanac and 1.0 g/t for Gradina and Copper Canyon. No grade capping is deemed necessary. Due to the irregular nature of the mineralized zones, only drillhole thicknesses are presented.



Table 5: Karavansalija Mineralized Centre Hole ID From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) Cu (%) Shanac Zone

EOKSC1684 360.0 435.9 75.9 2.02 - and 603.8 675.8 72.0 1.11 0.25 EOKSC1686 175.8 361.9 186.1 1.32 0.11 EOKSC1687 305.2 352.3 47.1 1.08 0.17 EOKSC1688 338.8 474.0 135.2 0.98 0.19 EOKSC1690 99.0 233.0 134.0 0.99 - and 293.8 421.6 127.8 1.04 0.23 EOKSC1691 276.0 363.0 87.0 0.98 - EOKSC1692 322.4 394.0 71.6 1.22 0.30 EOKSC1693 243.0 446.0 203.0 0.99 - EOKSC1696 159.5 256.3 96.8 0.75 - and 294.6 434.5 139.9 0.91 - EOKSC1799 255.0 393.0 138.0 0.59 0.10 EOKSC17102 392.0 460.0 68.0 0.90 - EOKSC1694, 1695, 17100, 17103,

17104, 17105, 17107, 17109, 17110 No intercepts above reporting threshold Gradina Zone EOKSC17106a 809.0 813.4 4.4 3.58 - EOKSC1797a 1118.4 1126.0 7.6 2.44 - EOKSC1683 No intercepts above reporting threshold Copper Canyon Zone EOKSC1685 143.0 159.3 16.3 1.54 0.39 and 529 571 42.0 2.38 - and 738.5 763.8 25.3 2.65 - EOKSC1689 145.7 155.5 9.8 2.35 0.22 and 213.9 217.0 3.1 4.42 0.16 and 508.0 509.1 1.1 21.0 - EOKSC17101 78.0 148.0 70.0 0.92 0.55 EOKSC1798a, 1798b No intercepts above reporting threshold

SOURCE Eldorado Gold Corporation
ROCKLAND, Mass., Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- EMD Serono, the biopharmaceutical business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, in the U.S. and Canada, received approval for a redesigned version of GONAL-f RFF* Redi-ject (follitropin alfa injection) pen injector from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Originally approved in 2013, the new pen injector was reported to be easy to learn and easy to use in a simulated-use study including 86 women with infertility and 30 fertility nurses.1

"As a committed fertility treatment partner, we aspire to develop user-friendly treatment options for patients," said Richard R. Smith, Senior Vice President and Head of US Fertility and Endocrinology at EMD Serono. "The best drivers for innovation come from the insights of people using our products, which is why feedback from patients and healthcare professionals was critical in redesigning the pen injector features."

The redesigned GONAL-f RFF Redi-ject pen is the second version since its initial approval, underscoring EMD Serono's commitment to enhancing its product offering. Building on a strong foundation as the only fertility drug pen injector that does not require mixing or loading, the new pen offers a larger display window for dose readability.

GONAL-f RFF Redi-ject (follitropin alfa injection) was first approved for use by the FDA on October 17, 2013 and is available in three sizes: 300 IU, 450 IU and 900 IU. GONAL-f (follitropin alfa for injection) vials were first approved for use by the FDA in September 1997.

Supporting the one in eight couples in the U.S. suffering from infertility is a key focus for EMD Serono,2 and the redesigned version of the GONAL-f RFF Redi-ject pen is one example of EMD Serono's ongoing dedication to the fertility community.

For more information about the new GONAL-f RFF Redi-ject pen injector, please call Fertility Lifelines at 1-866-538-7879.

References

Schertz, J , 'Patient Evaluation of the Redesigned Follitropin Alfa Pen Injector', (1742-5247): Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery 2017; 1-50. "Fast Facts About Infertility," RESOLVE, The National Infertility Association. 19 April 2015 , http://www.resolve.org/about/fast-facts-about-fertility.html ( 15 August 2017 ).

About GONAL-f RFF Redi-ject (follitropin alfa injection)

GONAL-f RFF Redi-ject (follitropin alfa injection) is indicated for induction of ovulation and pregnancy in oligo-anovulatory women in whom the cause of infertility is functional and not due to primary ovarian failure and development of multiple follicles in ovulatory women as part of an Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) cycle. Prior to treatment, complete an evaluation of female and male partners to determine infertility diagnosis. Primary ovarian failure should be excluded.

GONAL-f RFF Redi-ject is contraindicated in women who exhibit: Hypersensitivity to rhFSH preparations or excipients, high levels of FSH indicating primary gonadal failure, pregnancy (Pregnancy Category X), uncontrolled non-gonadal endocrinopathies (thyroid, adrenal, pituitary disorders), sex hormone dependent tumors of the reproductive tract and accessory organs, tumors of pituitary gland or hypothalamus, abnormal uterine bleeding, ovarian cyst or enlargement of undetermined origin, not due to polycystic ovary syndrome.

GONAL-f RFF Redi-ject is a potent gonadotropin for use by physicians specializing in fertility treatment or reproductive health and only when appropriate monitoring facilities are available. The lowest effective dose should be used given risk of abnormal ovarian enlargement and Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS).

Thromboembolic events both in association with, and separate from OHSS have been reported in women treated with gonadotropins and can be serious. Women with generally recognized risk factors for thrombosis, such as personal or family history, severe obesity, or thrombophilia, may have an increased risk of venous or arterial thromboembolic events, during or following treatment with gonadotropins.

Ovarian torsion has been reported after treatment with gonadotropins.

Serious pulmonary conditions (e.g., atelectasis, acute respiratory distress syndrome and exacerbation of asthma) have been reported in women treated with gonadotropins.

Serious systemic hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, have been reported.

The couple should be advised of the potential risk of multi-fetal gestation and birth before beginning therapy. During clinical trials, multiple births occurred in 20% of live births in women receiving therapy for ovulation induction and 35.1 % of live births in women undergoing ART.

The incidence of congenital malformations after some ART specifically in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) may be slightly higher than after spontaneous conception.

The incidence of spontaneous abortion and ectopic pregnancy may be increased.

Both benign and malignant ovarian neoplasms have been infrequently reported; causality has not been established.

Both ultrasound and serum estradiol measurement should be used to monitor follicular growth and maturation, timing of the ovulatory trigger, detecting ovarian enlargement and minimizing the risk of the OHSS and multiple gestation.

The most common adverse reactions (5%) in OI include: headache, abdominal pain, and ovarian hyperstimulation. The most common adverse reactions (5%) in ART include: abdominal pain, nausea, abdominal enlargement, headache, and injection site reactions (pain, bruising).

In addition to advising patients about the proper use of treatment, the duration and necessity of monitoring, handling of missed doses, OHSS, and multi-fetal gestation and birth, patients should be advised to review the Patient Information Leaflet which contains risk information, follow the Instructions for Use for the GONAL-f RFF Redi-ject, not share the device or reuse needles, and to ask their HCP about questions.

*RFF Revised Formulation Female

Full prescribing information for GONAL-f RFF Redi-ject can be found at: http://www.emdserono.com/ms.country.us/en/images/Gonal-f_RFF_Redi-ject_PI_tcm115_140008.pdf?Version

About EMD Serono, Inc.

EMD Serono is the biopharmaceutical business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, in the U.S. and Canada - a leading science and technology company - focused exclusively on specialty care. For more than 40 years, the business has integrated cutting-edge science, innovative products and industry-leading patient support and access programs. EMD Serono has deep expertise in neurology, fertility and endocrinology, as well as a robust pipeline of potential therapies in oncology, immuno-oncology and immunology as R&D focus areas. Today, the business has approximately 1,300 employees around the country with commercial, clinical and research operations based in the company's home state of Massachusetts. www.emdserono.com

SOURCE EMD Serono
DUBLIN, November 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

The "Ethylene (ET): 2017 World Market Outlook and Forecast up to 2021" report has been added to Research and Markets' offering.

The present report is an essential resource for a one looking for detailed information on the world ethylene market. The report covers data on global, regional and national markets including present and future trends for supply and demand, prices, and downstream industries.



In addition to the analytical part, the report provides a range of tables and figures which all together give a true insight into the national, regional and global markets for ethylene.



Report Scope:



The report covers global, regional and country markets of ethylene

It describes present situation, historical background and future forecast

Comprehensive data showing ethylene capacities, production, consumption, trade statistics, and prices in the recent years are provided (globally, regionally and by country)

The report indicates a wealth of information on ethylene manufacturers and distributors

Region market overview covers the following: production of ethylene in a region/country, consumption trends, price data, trade in the recent year and manufacturers

Ethylene market forecast for next five years, including market volumes and prices is also provided

Key Topics Covered:



1. INTRODUCTION: ETHYLENE PROPERTIES AND USES



2. ETHYLENE MANUFACTURING PROCESSES



3. ETHYLENE WORLD MARKET



3.1. World ethylene capacity

- Capacity broken down by region

- Capacity divided by country

- Manufacturers and their capacity by plant



3.2. World ethylene production

- Global output dynamics

- Production by region

- Production by country



3.3. Ethylene consumption

- World consumption

- Consumption trends in Europe

- Consumption trends in Asia Pacific

- Consumption trends in North America



3.4. Ethylene global trade

- World trade dynamics

- Export and import flows in regions



3.5. Ethylene prices in the world market



4. ETHYLENE REGIONAL MARKETS ANALYSIS



Each country section comprises the following parts:

- Total installed capacity in country

- Production in country

- Manufacturers in country

- Consumption of in country

- Suppliers in country

- Export and import in country

- Prices in country



4.1. Ethylene European market analysis

Countries covered:

- Austria

- Belarus

- Belgium

- Bulgaria

- Croatia

- Czech Republic

- Finland

- France

- Germany

- Hungary

- Italy

- Netherlands

- Norway

- Poland

- Portugal

- Romania

- Russia

- Serbia & Montenegro

- Slovakia

- Spain

- Sweden

- Switzerland

- Ukraine

- UK



4.2. Ethylene Asia Pacific market analysis

Countries included:

- Australia

- Azerbaijan

- China

- India

- Indonesia

- Japan

- Kazakhstan

- Malaysia

- Singapore

- South Korea

- Taiwan

- Thailand

- Uzbekistan



4.3. Ethylene North American market analysis

Countries under consideration:

- Canada

- USA



4.4. Ethylene Latin American market analysis

Countries overviewed:

- Argentina

- Brazil

- Chile

- Colombia

- Mexico

- Venezuela



4.5. Ethylene Africa & Middle East market analysis

Countries examined:

- Algeria

- Egypt

- Iran

- Iraq

- Israel

- Kuwait

- Libya

- Nigeria

- Qatar

- Saudi Arabia

- South Africa

- Turkey



- UAE



5. ETHYLENE MARKET PROSPECTS



5.1. Ethylene capacity and production forecast up to 2021

- Global production forecast

- On-going projects



5.2. Ethylene consumption forecast up to 2021

- World consumption forecast

- Forecast of consumption in Europe

- Consumption forecast in Asia Pacific

- Consumption forecast in North America



5.3. Ethylene market prices forecast up to 2021



6. KEY COMPANIES IN THE ETHYLENE MARKET WORLDWIDE



7. ETHYLENE END-USE SECTOR



7.1. Consumption by application

7.2. Downstream markets review and forecast



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/h7xp5k/ethylene_et



Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]dmarkets.com



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

SOURCE Research and Markets

Related Links

http://www.researchandmarkets.com


PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Excision BioTherapeutics, a life science company focused on the development and commercialization of advanced gene editing therapeutics for the treatment of life-threatening disease caused by viruses, today announced they are the first company to secure exclusive licenses from UC Berkeley for their newly discovered CRISPR gene editors.

In February of 2017, Drs. Jennifer Doudna and Jillian Banfield published a paper in Nature, indicating the discovery of new CRISPR-Cas systems from uncultivated microbes and opening the door for the development of new versions of the genome editing technology. Excision BioTherapeutics is the first company to secure licenses to further explore these gene editors as they relate to infectious diseases, including HSV, HBV, HTLV-1, and many other viruses, opening up more ways than ever before to explore possible treatments and/or cures.

In addition to improving its research capabilities and expanding its pipeline, the licenses give Excision BioTherapeutics the right to sub-license these editors to others, such as pharmaceutical companies, providing them with new research alternatives to develop medicines or treatments.

"The discoveries made by the Doudna and Banfield laboratories open up so many possibilities. As a result of their incredible work to develop these alternatives in the gene editing space, we can now take our expertise and intellectual property and make significant progress in medical treatment options for some of the world's worst infectious diseases," said Thomas Malcolm, Ph.D., founder, president and CEO of Excision BioTherapeutics.

According to a news report from GenomeWeb.com on the Nature paper, "Given that virtually all environments where life exists can now be probed by metagenomic methods, we anticipate that the combined computational-experimental approach will greatly expand the diversity of known CRISPR-Cas systems, enabling new technologies for biological research and clinical applications."

Added Malcolm: "By working with additional nucleases to Cas9, we are increasing the possibilities for harnessing this incredible technology and we are looking forward to bringing these to the industry and intend to develop them to the fullest capability."

"These newly discovered gene editors have the potential to offer flexibility and complementary gene editing approaches beyond the currently employed CRISPR/Cas9 for research and development of preventative and therapeutic strategies toward incurable diseases caused by pathogenic viruses in humans," says Kamel Khalili Ph.D., Professor and Chair of Neuroscience, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University and founder and Principal Scientific Advisor to Excision BioTherapeutics.

"Advancements of this magnitude are exactly what makes ARTIS Ventures so proud to be backing exceptional companies in the biotech space such as Excision BioTherapeutics," said Stuart Peterson, president of ARTIS Ventures. "We have the utmost confidence in what Thomas and his team are doing, having already made great progress on HIV with Cas9. These new editors add even greater potential and we look forward to seeing how they leverage them to improve lives."

About Excision BioTherapeutics Inc.

Excision BioTherapeutics Inc. is a life science company focused on the development and commercialization of advanced gene editing therapeutics for the treatment and eradication of life-threatening disease caused by neurotropic viruses (viral infections).

The company was founded in 2015 out of Temple University's Lewis Katz School of Medicine in Philadelphia, PA. Company founders include Thomas Malcolm, Ph.D., Kamel Khalili, Ph.D., Rob Simmons, and David Rowe. In addition, the Company has licensed the viral gene editing technology from Temple University for commercial development and clinical trials. The team has already produced a considerable intellectual property portfolio covering the use of the CRISPR and other gene editing tools in relation to a targeted pipeline of indications, as well as innovative companion diagnostics. For more information visit www.excisionbio.com.

SOURCE Excision BioTherapeutics Inc.

Related Links

http://www.excisionbio.com


FARGO, N.D., Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, SunButter, the pioneer of U.S. grown, seed-to-jar sunflower butter, joined Governor Doug Burgum, SunButter employees, Walmart representatives and local officials to celebrate its continuing commitment to manufacturing in Fargo, North Dakota. Additionally, the company celebrated Walmart's commitment to buy an additional $250 billion in products supporting American jobs by 2023.

Part of Red River Commodities, Inc., SunButter employs more than 20 people locally and is quickly expanding to meet demand. As one of the fastest growing manufacturers in its category, SunButter has nearly doubled its sales over the past two years, selling millions of jars of sunflower butter across North America.

"Walmart is a driving force in the growth of our company, positively impacting our employees and community," said Justin LaGosh, director of sales and marketing at SunButter. "We're honored to continue supporting Walmart's American Jobs Initiative and also look forward to bringing new jobs and manufacturing to Fargo."

Data from Boston Consulting Group estimates that Walmart's initiative will create 1 million new American jobs, including direct manufacturing job growth of approximately 250,000 and indirect job growth of approximately 750,000 in the support and service sectors.

"SunButter is an outstanding example of North Dakota-grown entrepreneurialism and innovation that also highlights our role as the nation's No. 1 producer of sunflowers," said Gov. Burgum. "We are grateful to SunButter for choosing to build its business in North Dakota, and to Walmart for setting a goal of buying $250 billion in products supporting American jobs. Together, their commitments to local manufacturing are having a tangible impact in Fargo and communities across our state."

"Our customers have told us that second to price, where products are made influences their purchase decisions," said Cindi Marsiglio, vice president, U.S. manufacturing, Walmart. "We are focused on buying great quality products that create jobs in communities across the U.S. It makes sense for our customers, our communities and our company."

SunButter was developed as a safe and delicious solution for families with peanut and tree nut allergies. As the pioneer of seed-to-jar sunflower butter, SunButter's products are U.S. grown and produced in one continuous process from field to table that ensures fresh flavor and improved product consistency. SunButter is free of the top food allergens (including peanuts, tree nuts, soy, dairy, eggs, wheat, fish, and more), and is known for its delicious roasted sunflower seed taste and healthy nutrition benefits.

SunButter has proudly manufactured its products in the United States since 2002 with a full product line of sunflower butter. In addition to growing its sunflower seeds in the U.S., the company sources most of its materials domestically.

About SunButter

Founded in 2002 in Fargo, North Dakota, SunButter LLC is the pioneer of field-to-table sunflower butter. SunButter was developed as a safe and delicious solution for families with peanut and tree nut allergies. The company's locally-grown, specially-roasted sunflower seeds are processed in a dedicated peanut free and tree nut free facility. The sunflower seeds are grown in a region of the country where peanuts are not grown, eliminating the risk of cross-contamination. SunButter is free from the top 8 food allergens: peanuts, tree nuts, soy, milk, eggs, wheat, fish, and crustacean shellfish. SunButter is also free from Canada's ten priority food allergens, which include mustard, sulfites, and sesame. Made with delicious U.S. grown, roasted sunflower seed, SunButter boasts 7 grams of protein per serving and more vitamins and minerals than nut butters. SunButter provides 45% of the U.S. recommended daily allowance for vitamin E with no trans-fats and less saturated fat than the leading brand of almond butter. SunButter is vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and certified kosher. All SunButter varieties are made with non-GMO sunflowers, and most varieties are Non-GMO Project Verified.

SunButter products are available at Walmart and other fine retailers nationwide. For more information, visit SunButter.com or SunButterFoodService.com.

Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

Follow us on Instagram

Follow us on Pinterest

Subscribe to our YouTube

SOURCE SunButter

Related Links

http://www.sunbutter.com


NEW YORK, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Flying Tiger Copenhagen announces that it will open a 1,150-square-foot store in Menlo Park, Edison. The new store, offering its renowned mix of fun shopping and quirky, award-winning Danish design, will have a grand opening on November 14th.

The Menlo Park store, is Flying Tiger Copenhagen's 8th store in the United States. This expansion reflects Flying Tiger Copenhagen's explosive international growth, with 2-3 store openings worldwide every week, and more than 800 stores globally, in cities from Tokyo and Seoul to Milan, London, Paris, and of course Copenhagen.

Head of North America, Sren Friis explains. "Danish design is immensely popular in the US. Flying Tiger Copenhagen's strength is that we can offer Danish design at surprisingly affordable prices," "We want to inspire people to be creative and try new things. We are excited to finally be able to sell our great products in New Jersey."

A visit to Flying Tiger Copenhagen is never boring. The popular Danish home retailer offers a quirky and ever-changing assortment of award winning own-designed products. Each month you can find up to 300 new products accessibly, of which many are created by the design team in Denmark, who have won prestigious design awards, including the Red Dot Award, iF design Award and GOOD Design Award.

For the Menlo Park store opening Flying Tiger Copenhagen, will offer complimentary cookies and balloons. First 500 visitors will receive a free tote bag with goodies.

About Flying Tiger:

Flying Tiger Copenhagen is a rapidly expanding chain of Danish stores offering a quirky, ever-changing selection of own-designed products at affordable prices. We introduce up to 300 fun and useful new products every month. You'll find things for your home, play, and parties, as well as snacks, electronics, gadgets and more. Our design team in Copenhagen has won several international design awards for our innovative products. In 1995 the first Tiger store opened in Copenhagen. There are currently more than 800 stores in 30 countries across Europe, Asia and the US.

For further information:

Soren Friis, (917) 274-9500

SOURCE Flying Tiger Copenhagen

Related Links

https://us.flyingtiger.com/en-US


Criminal charges are pending against a La Crosse man who fled from police Monday afternoon on the La Crosse River marsh trails before crashing into a house, according to police.

Trevor Maloney, 20, fled from the Menards parking lot about 12:25 p.m. after an officer found the car had been stolen. He failed to stop for police at 30 Copeland Ave., drove on the marsh trails and on Monitor Street before officers ended the pursuit about a minute later, police said.

Maloney then crashed into a house in the 500 block of Gould Street and fled on foot. No one was home at the time.
COCONUT CREEK, Fla., Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- ForceField Energy Inc. (ticker symbol: FNRG) (the "Company" or "ForceField") announced today that it has received preliminary approval from the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York of a settlement agreement in the stockholder derivative action entitled: In Re ForceField Energy, Inc. Derivative Litigation, Lead Case No. 1-15-CV-2782-ARR-VVP. According to the terms of the Settlement Agreement and the Court's Order, the Company is required to publish the following notice:

TO: ALL OWNERS OF FORCEFIELD ENERGY, INC. ("FORCEFIELD") COMMON STOCK (TICKER SYMBOL: FNRG) AS OF SEPTEMBER 26, 2017, WHO CONTINUE TO OWN SUCH SHARES.

PLEASE READ THIS NOTICE CAREFULLY AND IN ITS ENTIRETY. YOUR RIGHTS MAY BE AFFECTED. THIS NOTICE RELATES TO A PROPOSED SETTLEMENT AND DISMISSAL OF STOCKHOLDER DERIVATIVE LITIGATION AND CONTAINS IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING YOUR RIGHTS. YOUR RIGHTS MAY BE AFFECTED BY LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IN THIS ACTION.

IF THE COURT APPROVES THE SETTLEMENT AND DISMISSAL OF THE ACTION, STOCKHOLDERS OF FORCEFIELD WILL BE FOREVER BARRED FROM CONTESTING THE APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSED SETTLEMENT AND FROM PURSUING THE SETTLED CLAIMS.

THE COURT HAS MADE NO FINDINGS OR DETERMINATIONS RESPECTING THE MERITS OF THE ACTION. THE RECITATION OF THE BACKGROUND AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE SETTLEMENT CONTAINED HEREIN DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE FINDINGS OF THE COURT. IT IS BASED ON REPRESENTATIONS MADE TO THE COURT BY COUNSEL FOR THE PARTIES.

YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED, pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23.1 and an Order from the Honorable Allyne R. Ross of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York (the "Court"), that a proposed settlement agreement has been reached among Plaintiffs,1 derivatively on behalf of ForceField Energy, Inc. ("ForceField" or the "Company"), the Individual Settling Defendants, and ForceField in connection with the above-captioned consolidated stockholder derivative action titled IN RE FORCEFIELD ENERGY, INC. DERIVATIVE LITIGATION, Case No. 1:15-cv-2782-ARR-VVP (the "Action").

Plaintiffs filed the Action derivatively on behalf of ForceField to remedy the alleged harm caused to the Company by the Individual Defendants' alleged breach of their fiduciary duties and other alleged misconduct. The proposed Settlement, if approved by the Court, would fully, finally and forever resolve the Action on the terms set forth in the Stipulation and summarized in this Notice, including the dismissal of the Action with prejudice.

As explained below, a Settlement Hearing shall be held before the Court on January 30, 2017 at 11:00 a.m., before the Honorable Allyne R. Ross, at the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, Courtroom 8C S, 225 Cadman Plaza East, Brooklyn, New York 11201, to determine whether, inter alia, the proposed Settlement is fair, reasonable, and adequate, and should be finally approved by the Court and whether Plaintiffs' Counsel's Fee Award, including Service Awards to the Plaintiffs, should be finally approved. You have the right to object to the Settlement and the Fee Award in the manner provided herein. If you fail to object in the manner provided herein at least fourteen (14) days prior to the Settlement Hearing, you will be deemed to have waived your objections and will be forever bound by the Judgment to be entered and the releases to be given, unless otherwise ordered by the Court.

This Notice is not intended to be and should not be construed as an expression of any opinion by the Court with respect to the merits of the claims made in the Action, but is merely to advise one of the proposed Settlement and of one's rights if he, she or it owned ForceField stock as of September 26, 2017 and continues to hold ForceField stock through the date of the Settlement Hearing ("Current ForceField Stockholder").

BACKGROUND

Factual Background of the Action

ForceField is a Nevada corporation that purports to have its principal executive offices located in New York, New York and to be a designer, distributor and licensee of alternative energy products and solutions. Plaintiffs allege in the Action that the Individual Defendants breached their fiduciary duties by: (1) engaging in a scheme to manipulate the price and trading volume of ForceField's stock by using undisclosed nominee accounts to purchase and sell the stock and by using stock promoters and broker dealers who failed to disclose to potential investors that they had been paid by the Individual Defendants to promote the purchase of the stock and whose reports were reviewed by ForceField's management before publication; (2) by failing to maintain for the Company adequate internal and financial controls; and (3) by making false and misleading statements by failing to disclose to the investing public (a) the above scheme, (b) that certain members of ForceField's management have troubling histories with fraudulent companies, and (c) that the Company lacked adequate internal and financial controls.

Procedural Background

On May 13, 2015, plaintiff Brown, derivatively on behalf of ForceField, filed a verified shareholder derivative complaint in this Court, initiating the action captioned Brown v. St-Julien et al., Case No. 1:15-cv-02782 (the "Brown Action").

On May 29, 2015, plaintiff Su, derivatively on behalf of ForceField, filed a verified shareholder derivative complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, initiating the action captioned Su v. St-Julien, et al., Case No. 1:15-cv-04174 (the "Initial Su Action").

On June 26, 2015, lead plaintiff in the related securities class action filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York captioned IN RE FORCEFIELD ENERGY INC. SECURITIES LITIGATION, Case No. 1:15-cv-3020 (the "Securities Class Action"), filed a motion requesting the United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (the "MDL Panel") to transfer and coordinate or consolidate for pretrial proceedings related actions, including the Initial Su Action and the Brown Action, in the Eastern District of New York (the "Transfer Motion").

On July 10, 2015, plaintiff Su, derivatively on behalf of ForceField, re-filed his verified shareholder derivative complaint in this Court, initiating the action captioned Su v. St-Julien, et al., Case No. 1:15-cv-04080 (the "Su Action").

On July 13, 2015, plaintiff Su voluntarily dismissed the Initial Su Action without prejudice.

On July 15, 2015, plaintiff Su filed a brief in response to the Transfer Motion.

On July 20, 2015, plaintiff Brown filed a brief in response to the Transfer Motion.

On July 20, 2015, Defendants filed their opposition to the Transfer Motion.

On August 19, 2015, plaintiffs Su and Brown filed an unopposed motion to consolidate the Su Action and the Brown Action into the Action and appoint The Brown Law Firm, P.C. and Harwood Feffer LLP as co-lead counsel in the Action (the "Motion to Consolidate").

On October 13, 2015, the MDL Panel issued an order denying the Transfer Motion.

The Court so ordered the Motion to Consolidate on January 12, 2016.

On March 16, 2016, the Settling Parties filed a stipulation to stay proceedings, staying the Action pending the resolution of motions to dismiss filed in the Securities Class Action. The Court so ordered the stipulation to stay on April 27, 2016.

On March 29, 2017, the motion to dismiss the third amended complaint made by the Company and defendants Natan and Williams in the Securities Class Action was granted, in part, and denied in part.

Settlement Negotiations

Plaintiffs' Counsel, Defendants' Counsel, and counsel for the lead plaintiff in the Securities Class Action, formally commenced settlement negotiations in an in-person meeting at the office of Defendants' Counsel on April 25, 2017. After engaging in further extensive negotiations that included numerous email exchanges and telephonic conferences, the Settling Parties reaching an agreement in principle to resolve the Action. The Settling Parties agree that the resolution of the Action was a material factor in the settlement of the Securities Class Action. Specifically, the resolution of the Action was a material factor in the Company's insurers' decision in consideration for settling the Securities Class Action to pay the sum of three hundred and fifty-six thousand dollars ($356,000.00) for the benefit of all persons who purchased or otherwise acquired the common stock of the Company during the period from August 20, 2013 through and including April 20, 2015, and were damaged thereby, excluding certain persons. The Settling Parties vigorously negotiated, at arm's-length, the attorneys' fees and reimbursement of expenses to be paid to Plaintiffs' Counsel (the "Fee Award"), in light of the substantial benefits that will be conferred upon the Company as a result of the settlement of the Action. The Settling Parties agreed to the Fee Award in the amount of forty-four thousand dollars ($44,000.00), subject to approval by the Court.

PLAINTIFFS' COUNSEL'S INVESTIGATION AND RESEARCH, PLAINTIFFS' CLAIMS, AND THE BENEFIT OF SETTLEMENT

Plaintiffs' Counsel conducted investigations relating to the claims and the underlying events alleged in Action, including, but not limited to: (1) reviewing and analyzing the Company's public filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), press releases, announcements, transcripts of investor conference calls, and news articles; (2) reviewing and analyzing the allegations contained in the Securities Class Action; (3) researching and drafting shareholder derivative complaints; (4) researching and drafting briefs in response to the Transfer Motion; (5) researching the applicable law with respect to the claims in the Action and the potential defenses thereto; and (6) engaging in extensive settlement discussions with Defendants' Counsel.

Plaintiffs' Counsel believe that the claims asserted in the Action have merit and that their investigation supports the claims asserted. Without conceding the merit of any of Defendants' defenses or the lack of merit of any of their own allegations, and in light of the benefits of the Settlement as well as to avoid the potentially protracted time, expense, and uncertainty associated with continued litigation, including potential trials and appeals, Plaintiffs have concluded that it is desirable that the Action be fully and finally settled in the manner and upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Stipulation. Plaintiffs and Plaintiffs' Counsel recognize the significant risk, expense, and length of continued proceedings necessary to prosecute the Action against the Individual Settling Defendants through trials and possible appeals. Plaintiffs' Counsel also have taken into account the uncertain outcome and the risk of any litigation, especially complex litigation such as the Action, as well as the difficulties and delays inherent in such litigation. Based on their evaluation, and in light of the significant benefits conferred upon the Company and its shareholders as a result of the Settlement, Plaintiffs and Plaintiffs' Counsel have determined that the Settlement is in the best interests of Plaintiffs, ForceField, and Current ForceField Stockholders, and have agreed to settle the Action upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.

DEFENDANTS' DENIALS OF WRONGDOING AND LIABILITY

The Individual Settling Defendants have denied, and continue to deny, each and every claim and contention alleged by Plaintiffs in the Action and affirm that they have acted properly, lawfully, and in full accord with their fiduciary duties, at all times. Further, the Individual Settling Defendants have denied expressly, and continue to deny, all allegations of wrongdoing, fault, liability, or damage against them arising out of any of the conduct, statements, acts or omissions alleged, or that could have been alleged, in the Action and deny that they have ever committed or attempted to commit any violations of law, any breach of fiduciary duty owed to ForceField or its shareholders, or any wrongdoing whatsoever. Had the terms of the Stipulation not been reached, the Individual Settling Defendants would have continued to contest vigorously Plaintiffs' allegations, and the Individual Settling Defendants maintain that they had and have meritorious defenses to all claims alleged in the Action. Without admitting the validity of any of the claims that Plaintiffs have asserted in the Action, or any liability with respect thereto, Defendants have concluded that it is desirable that the claims be settled on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein. Defendants are entering into this Settlement because it will eliminate the uncertainty, distraction, disruption, burden, and expense of further litigation of the Action, and because Defendants have determined that the Settlement confers substantial benefits upon ForceField and Current ForceField Stockholders.

Neither the Stipulation, nor any of its terms or provisions, nor any act performed or document executed pursuant to or in furtherance of the Settlement: (a) is, may be construed as, or may be used as an admission of, or evidence of, the truth or validity of any of the Released Claims, of any claims or allegations made in the Action, or of any purported acts or omissions by the Defendants; (b) is, may be construed as, or may be used as an admission of, or evidence of, any fault, omission, negligence, or wrongdoing by the Defendants, or any concession of liability whatsoever; or (c) is, may be construed as, or may be used as an admission of, or evidence of, a concession by any Defendant of any infirmity in the defenses that Defendants asserted or could have asserted in this Action or otherwise.

THE SETTLEMENT HEARING

The Settlement Hearing will be held before the Honorable Allyne R. Ross on January 30, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. in Courtroom 8C S of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, 225 Cadman Plaza East, Brooklyn, New York 11201 to determine: (i) whether the proposed Settlement, upon the terms set forth in the Stipulation, should be finally approved in all respects as fair, reasonable, and adequate; (ii) whether the Judgment approving the Settlement, substantially in the form of Exhibit C attached to the Stipulation, should be entered, dismissing the Action with prejudice and releasing and enjoining the prosecution of any and all Released Claims; and (iii) whether Plaintiffs' Counsel's Fee Award, including any Service Awards, should be finally approved. At the Settlement Hearing, the Court may hear or consider such other matters as the Court may deem necessary and appropriate. The Court may adjourn the date of the Settlement Hearing without further notice to Current ForceField Stockholders, and the Settlement Hearing may be continued by the Court at the Settlement Hearing, or at any adjourned session thereof, without further notice.

THE SETTLEMENT

The Settling Parties agree that the resolution of the Action was a material factor in the settlement of the Securities Class Action. Specifically, the resolution of the Action was a material factor in the Company's insurers' decision in consideration for settling the Securities Class Action to pay the sum of $356,000 for the benefit of all persons who purchased or otherwise acquired the common stock of the Company during the period from August 20, 2013 through and including April 20, 2015, and were damaged thereby, excluding certain persons.

DISMISSAL AND RELEASES

In connection with the Court's approval of the Settlement, the Settling Parties will jointly request entry of the Judgment by the Court, dismissing with prejudice all claims that Plaintiffs have alleged in the Action and any other Released Claims.

Upon the Effective Date, ForceField, Plaintiffs, derivatively on behalf of ForceField, and each of ForceField's stockholders shall be deemed to have, and by operation of the Judgment shall have, fully, finally, and forever released, relinquished, and discharged the Released Claims (including Unknown Claims) against the Released Persons and any and all derivative claims arising out of, relating to, or in connection with, the defense, settlement or resolution of the Action against the Released Persons. ForceField, Plaintiffs, and each of ForceField's stockholders shall be deemed to have, and by operation of the Judgment shall have, covenanted not to sue any Released Person with respect to any Released Claims, and shall be permanently barred and enjoined from instituting, commencing or prosecuting the Released Claims against the Released Persons except to enforce the releases and other terms and conditions contained in the Stipulation and/or the Judgment entered pursuant thereto.

Upon the Effective Date, each of the Released Persons shall be deemed to have, and by operation of the Judgment shall have, fully, finally, and forever released, relinquished, and discharged each and all of Plaintiffs, their beneficiaries, and Plaintiffs' Counsel from any and all Defendants' Released Claims.

ATTORNEYS' FEES AND EXPENSES

In recognition of the substantial benefits provided to ForceField and Current ForceField Stockholders as a result of the settlement of the Action, ForceField has agreed to cause its insurers to pay to Plaintiffs' Counsel an award of attorneys' fees and expenses in the total amount of forty-four thousand dollars ($44,000.00) (the "Fee Award"), subject to approval by the Court. The Fee Award is the product of vigorous, arm's-length negotiations between the Settling Parties. The Settling Parties agree that the Fee Award is fair and reasonable in light of the substantial benefits conferred upon ForceField and Current ForceField Stockholders by the Settlement. In light of the substantial benefits they have helped to create for all Current ForceField Stockholders, the Plaintiffs may apply for Court-approved service awards in the amount of five hundred dollars ($500.00) each (the "Service Awards"). Each Service Award, to the extent that it is applied for and approved in whole or part, shall be funded from the portion of the Fee Award distributed to that Plaintiff's counsel.

THE RIGHT TO OBJECT AND/OR BE HEARD AT THE SETTLEMENT HEARING

Any Current ForceField Stockholder may object and/or appear and show cause, if he, she, or it has any concern, why the Settlement should not be approved as fair, reasonable, and adequate, why Judgment should not be entered thereon, or why the Fee Award, including any Service Awards, should not be finally approved; provided, however, unless otherwise ordered by the Court, that no Current ForceField Stockholder shall be heard or entitled to contest the approval of the terms and conditions of the Settlement, or, if approved, the Judgment to be entered approving the Settlement, or the Fee Award, unless that Stockholder has, at least fourteen (14) days prior to the Settlement Hearing: (1) filed with the Clerk of the Court a written objection to the Settlement setting forth: (a) the nature of the objection; (b) proof of ownership of ForceField common stock on September 26, 2017 and through the date of the Settlement Hearing, including the number of shares of ForceField common stock held and the date of purchase; (c) any and all documentation or evidence in support of such objection; and (d) the identities of any cases, by name, court, and docket number, in which the stockholder or his, her, or its attorney has objected to a settlement in the last three years; and (2) if a Current ForceField Stockholder intends to appear and requests to be heard at the Settlement Hearing, such stockholder must have, in addition to the requirements of (1) above, filed with the Clerk of the Court: (a) a written notice of such stockholder's intention to appear at the Settlement Hearing; (b) a statement that indicates the basis for such appearance; (c) the identities of any witnesses the stockholder intends to call at the Settlement Hearing and a statement as to the subjects of their testimony; and (d) any and all evidence that would be presented at the Settlement Hearing. If a Current ForceField Stockholder files a written objection and/or written notice of intent to appear, such stockholder must also simultaneously serve copies of such notice, proof, statement, and documentation, together with copies of any other papers or briefs such stockholder files with the Court (either by hand delivery or by first class mail) upon each of the following:

Timothy W. Brown Martin H. Kaplan THE BROWN LAW FIRM, P.C. GUSRAE KAPLAN NUSBAUM PLLC 240 Townsend Square 120 Wall Street Oyster Bay, NY 11771 New York, NY 10005 Co-Lead Counsel for Plaintiffs Counsel for Defendants



Robert I. Harwood

HARWOOD FEFFER LLP

488 Madison Avenue

New York, NY 10022

Co-Lead Counsel for Plaintiffs







Any Current ForceField Stockholder who does not make his, her, or its objection in the manner provided herein shall be deemed to have waived such objection and shall forever be foreclosed from making any objection to the fairness, reasonableness, or adequacy of the Settlement and the Fee Award, including any Service Awards, as set forth in the Stipulation, unless otherwise ordered by the Court, but shall be forever bound by the Judgment to be entered, the dismissal of the Action with prejudice, and any and all of the releases set forth in the Stipulation.

CONDITIONS FOR SETTLEMENT

The Settlement is conditioned upon the occurrence of certain events described in the Stipulation, which requires, among other things: (1) entry of the requested Judgment by the Court; (2) the payment of the Fee Award; and (3) the Judgment has become Final. If, for any reason, any one of the conditions described in the Stipulation is not met and/or the entry of the Judgment does not occur, the Stipulation might be terminated and, if terminated, will become null and void; and the Settling Parties to the Stipulation will be restored to their respective positions as of the date immediately preceding the date of the Stipulation.

EXAMINATION OF PAPERS AND INQUIRIES

This Notice contains only a summary of the terms of the Settlement. For a more detailed statement of the matters involved in the Action, reference is made to the Stipulation, which may be inspected at the Clerk of the Court's Office, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, 225 Cadman Plaza East, Brooklyn, New York 11201, during business hours of each business day or by visiting the investor relations portion of ForceField's website at www.forcefieldenergy.com.

Any other inquiries regarding the Settlement or the Action should be addressed in writing to Co-Lead Counsel for Plaintiffs in the Action: Timothy W. Brown, The Brown Law Firm, P.C., 240 Townsend Square, Oyster Bay, NY 11771, Telephone: (516) 922-5427, Facsimile: (516) 344-6204; or Robert I. Harwood, Harwood Feffer LLP, 488 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10022, Telephone: (212) 935-7400, Facsimile: (212) 753-3630.

PLEASE DO NOT TELEPHONE THE COURT REGARDING THIS NOTICE.

1 For purposes of this Notice, the Court incorporates by reference the definitions in the Settling Parties' Stipulation and Agreement of Settlement, fully executed as of September 26, 2017 (the "Stipulation"), and all capitalized terms used herein, unless otherwise defined herein, shall have the same meanings as set forth in the Stipulation. A copy of the Stipulation may be inspected at the Clerk of the Court's Office for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, 225 Cadman Plaza East, Brooklyn, NY 11201 or by visiting the investor relations portion of ForceField's website at www.forcefieldenergy.com.

SOURCE ForceField Energy Inc.

Related Links

http://www.forcefieldenergy.com


SEDONA, Ariz., Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Every year in the U.S. some 70,000 people die from MRSA, strep and other hospital-acquired infections. That is more deaths in one year than American troops killed in Iraq and Afghanistan combined. Ironically, a large percentage of those infections and deaths could have been avoided, says Jeanne Dockins, RN, BSN, CNOR, who spent more than 30 years as a surgical nurse at a level I trauma center.

Jeanne Dockins

Among those affected is Dockins' sister, who in 2004, became a paraplegic from an infection she acquired during back surgery. Oral DNA testing (like a fingerprint) confirmed the source of the strep infection came from the mouth of the surgical technician and was passed through the technician's mask to the surgical site.

Dockins, who has appeared in the documentary "Say Ah, The Cavity in Healthcare Reform," has been a guest on numerous radio talk shows discussing how to survive a hospital stay.

She can answer such questions as:

What steps can you take to avoid an infection in the hospital?

What relationship does gum disease have to coming down with an infection elsewhere in your body?

How can you quickly knock out an infection without antibiotics?

What can you do to increase the effectiveness of antibiotics?

What steps can you take to prevent a surgical site infection?

What can you do to prevent a urinary tract infection?

How can you heal MRSA with an FDA-cleared product?

About Jeanne Dockins

Jeanne Dockins spent more than three decades as a surgical nurse at a level I trauma center where she observed that 40 percent of her surgical patients were having surgery with dentist-diagnosed active periodontal infections. Through her Mastery of Self-Healing website, she empowers people to take responsibility for their own health and healing and sells nanosilver products that are FDA cleared to deactivate viruses and kill bacteria and fungus.

Availability: Nationwide by arrangement

Contact: Jeanne Dockins, RN, (419) 960-5460; [email protected]; www.masteryofselfhealing.com

SOURCE Jeanne Dockins
"We are proud to showcase our environmental initiatives at the terminals," says David Brinkley, Director of Distribution & Customer Resources at Roanoke Cement Company. "Having the Wildlife Habitat Council's recertification for each of them is a distinguished recognition confirming that all of Roanoke Cement's sites are on the right track ecologically. We look forward to continuing our conservation efforts providing pleasing, "green" features within our terminal campuses. A few examples include pollinator meadows at Front Royal and Winston-Salem, avian habitats for the Eastern Bluebird in Richmond, and stream restoration in Bristol."

WHC's certification program, "Conservation Certification," is built on best practices of global recognition programs, reflects contemporary conservation efforts, and applies its collective learning to the future of biodiversity in the U.S. and around the globe. Front Royal, Richmond and Winston-Salem were originally certified in 2013 and this endorsement marked their second recertification. Bristol was originally certified in 2015. Certification by WHC is valid for two years.

WHC's certification recognizes meaningful wildlife habitat management and conservation education programs. The WHC certification serves as an objective evaluation, provides third-party credibility and helps companies, like Roanoke Cement, showcase its long-term commitment to managing quality habitat for wildlife, conservation education and community outreach initiatives.

Roanoke Cement Company is a subsidiary of Titan America, LLC, a leading heavy building materials producer in the eastern United States. Titan America is headquartered in Norfolk, VA, and its products include cement, aggregates, ready-mixed concrete and fly ash beneficiation. Its parent company, Titan Cement Company, S.A., headquartered in Athens, Greece, is a signatory to the UN Global Compact, a group of companies committed to sustainable and socially responsible business practices.

CONTACT: Mary Beth Kramer

Kramer Consulting

(215) 431-3946

SOURCE Roanoke Cement Company

Related Links

http://www.titanamerica.com


JUPITER, Fla., Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) presented G4S Secure Solutions (USA) with the Extraordinary Employer Support Award during G4S' Veterans Day ceremony at the company's Jupiter headquarters. The award recognizes G4S' sustained support of National Guard and Reserve service. James Dicks, the ESGR State Chairman for Florida, presented the company with the award.

"Our commitment to the ESGR mission of supportive work environments for service members is strong and we are honored to accept this award," said Drew Levine, President, G4S Secure Solutions in North America. "We do this because it's the right thing to do and because we recognize that no group has contributed to our company's success quite as much as our service members."

Also during the ceremony, Levine recognized Brian Reynolds, G4S Director Veterans Employment and Military Affairs. Levine added: "Brian -- our 'Marine for Life' -- has devoted his career to G4S and his heart and passion to telling veterans and Guard and Reserve members about the amazing career opportunities they will find at G4S."

In order to be eligible for the award, recipients must have previously received either the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award or the Pro Patria Award and have demonstrated sustained support of the guard and reserve for three years after receiving the award. G4S has received numerous ESGR Employer Awards including the Pro Patria Award for three consecutive years, the Above and Beyond Award and numerous G4S leaders have received the Patriot Award and Seven Seals Award.

G4S' support continues beyond Veterans Day 2017. This year, G4S' Dignity and Respect committee partnered with G4S Safety Net, a program developed to support employees and their families when a G4S employee is deployed. Throughout the year, G4S offices and employees across the United States are collecting items to create care packages to be sent to deployed employees and their families.

About G4S

G4S is the world's leading global, integrated security company specializing in the delivery of security and related services to customers across six continents. The group is active in more than 100 countries, and is the largest employer quoted on the London Stock Exchange with over 585,000 employees and has a secondary stock exchange listing in Copenhagen. For more information on G4S, visit G4S.us.

SOURCE G4S

Related Links

http://www.g4s.us/en-US


NEW YORK, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- After exceeding expectations in 2017, the global economy is projected to carry forward its current momentum to generate a 3 percent growth rate through 2018, according to The Conference Board's latest Global Economic Outlook.

The Conference Board Global Economic Outlook 2018 provides projections for the output growth of the world economy, including 11 major regions and individual estimates for 33 mature and 36 emerging market economies for 20182022 and 202327.

"Global growth has finally left the starting gate since the global economic and financial crisis," said Bart van Ark, Chief Economist of The Conference Board. "GDP growth, which we predicted to grow at 2.8 percent a year ago, is likely to end at about 3 percent for 2017, and through 2018."

While the growth path of mature markets will remain solid in the short term, potential for much faster growth is limited, and a growth slowdown is likely to set in later in the decade. "As some major emerging markets are maturing themselves, especially China, they are unlikely to return to growth trends of the past," added van Ark. "The good news is that a larger role for qualitative growth factorsan improvement in labor force skills, digitization, and especially stronger productivity growthmay help sustain growth and provide better conditions for businesses to thrive over the next decade."

Mature Economies to Continue Momentum

Momentum in mature economies increased during 2017, which sets them up to continue growing at a decent pace in 2018 compared to the previous five-year average of 1.8 percent (20122017). Mature economies are projected to grow by 2.1 percent in 2018 compared to 2.2 percent in 2017. The US economy will especially benefit from carrying stronger investment growth into next year. By the middle of 2018, several European economies may see some weakening of cyclical tailwinds and fall back to their medium-term growth trend. These slowdowns will mostly be quite modest. On the other hand, Japan and the UK are projected to slow more dramatically next year.

Emerging Markets to Gain Some Strength

Emerging markets will continue to gain some strength in 2018 (projected to grow by 3.8 percent, compared to 3.7 percent in 2017), but there are significant differences across countries. China had somewhat stronger growth in 2017 than anticipated, due to a revival in exports and ample government support of the economy in the run-up to the once-every-five-year Party Congress in October. But China will continue its long, soft fall going into 2018. India, which had a weaker-than-expected year due to implementation difficulties with major policy initiatives, such as the demonetization of large currency notes and the introduction of a country-wide goods and services tax, will see improved growth in 2018, largely driven by consumption. Brazil will continue to recover slowly from a deep economic crisis, while Mexico is likely to face more headwinds from uncertainty around the NAFTA negotiations and domestic policy uncertainty related to upcoming elections in 2018.

Challenges to Sustaining Current Economic Strength

The Conference Board warns that several factors may limit the period during which the current strength in the global economy may continue:

The growth uptick in 2017 reflects a combination of unique events, including the stabilization of energy and commodities prices, improved business confidence based on hopes for fiscal stimulus and tax reforms by the new US administration, a cyclical recovery in Europe , and China's policy-driven growth stimulus. These events are unlikely to provide sustained growth going forward.

, and policy-driven growth stimulus. These events are unlikely to provide sustained growth going forward. A less-than-convincing recovery in investment may limit the speed with which technology can be translated into productivity growth.

A slowdown in consumption growth is possible in several countries, as real wage growth remains slow, even as labor markets tighten.

Global trade growth may remain modest at best in light of a shift in growth toward less trade intensive categories of services, such as retail and personal and government services, causing a slower medium-term growth path, especially for emerging markets.

Policy and geopolitical risk may also distort the growth path in 2018. Some of those risks are related to domestic policy, especially in the United States , India , and China . Others are more geopolitical and geoeconomic in nature, related to a possible fallout from dragging negotiations on Brexit and other threats to Europe's stability, an acceleration in protectionism or even a trade war between the US and China , and increased risk of political or even military conflicts in different parts of the world.

Long-term economic trends and structural changes pose even bigger risks in the global economy. Slow labor force growth due to aging populations, troubles with translating technology into productivity, and unequal distribution of the benefits of technological change have limited the potential size of the economy. Unfavorable corporate tax regimes and business regulations may be additional structural factors hindering business investment.

Strengthening the Qualitative Sources of Growth

The Conference Board's Global Economic Outlook identifies several forces that could help strengthen the quality of growth and make it more sustainable over the next decade:

Labor shortages may help induce faster investment growth especially in sectors with high demand for scarce talent. This increased capital intensity is a source of labor productivity growth, particularly for Europe , the United States , and other mature economies.

, , and other mature economies. Investment growth can also be sustained by improvements in the "quality" of capital, caused by a shift toward more investment in machinery and equipment and a greater concentration in digital assets and services.

The impact of digital technology investments on business productivity growth may only become more pronounced over time. In recent years, the biggest companies have, on average, widened the productivity growth gap relative to the larger segments of small and medium-sized companies by making the complex digital transformation process work to their benefit.

Emerging markets with substantial scope for "catch up" growth will see strong contributions from quantitative growth sources, in particular labor force growth and investment. At the same time, they'll be increasingly challenged to raise their qualitative growth contributions as they transition from primarily export and investment-driven economies to ones more dependent on domestic growth factors, notably consumption and services sector growth.

The skill composition of the workforce is another critical qualitative growth component. Emerging markets still have substantial scope to bring better educated and skilled workers into the labor force as the less educated retire. Mature economies have to zoom in on critical talent shortages arising from slower labor force growth.

For more information on The Conference Board Global Economic Outlook: https://www.conference-board.org/data/globaloutlook/

For other information on economic data and analysis by The Conference Board: https://www.conference-board.org/data/

ABOUT THE CONFERENCE BOARD

The Conference Board is a global, independent business membership and research association working in the public interest. Our mission is unique: To provide the world's leading organizations with the practical knowledge they need to improve their performance and better serve society. Winner of the Consensus Economics 2016 Forecast Accuracy Award (U.S.), The Conference Board is a non-advocacy, not-for-profit entity holding 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt status in the United States. www.conference-board.org

SOURCE The Conference Board

Related Links

http://www.conference-board.org


VALLEY COTTAGE, New York, November 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

An Insights Engine is a platform that applies relevancy methods to discover, organize, and analyze data to enable existing or synthesized information to be delivered proactively or interactively. Insights engine platforms help enterprises generate evidence-based understanding of customer needs by providing the necessary capability to engage with content and extract insights without manipulating it at the source. Future Market Insights, in the report 'Insights Engine Market: Global Industry Analysis (2012-2016) and Opportunity Assessment (2017-2027)', expects the global insights engine market to push past a value of US$ 860 million by 2027.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161020/430874LOGO )



Vertical - Focus on IT & Telecom and Retail & Consumer Goods in Insights Engine Market

The verticals to keep an eye out for in the insights engine market are IT & Telecom and Retail & Consumer Goods. Retail & Consumer good vendors are adopting insights engine platforms to gain an in-depth understanding of customer needs and predict search queries to improve result relevancy. Insights engine platforms are also being tested and implemented in various IT & Telecom companies to allow them to gauge customer usage patterns. It becomes possible to extract maximum customer revenue by way of insights engine platforms. The retail & consumer goods vertical is slightly larger than the IT & Telecom vertical at the end of the forecast period.

Request a Sample Report with Table of Contents and Figures: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-4373

Component - Services Component to Grow Rapidly in Insights Engine Market

In 2017, the software component is roughly thrice the size of services in the insights engine market. Nonetheless, the services component is on track to witness an exponential CAGR of 20.6% from 2017 to 2027, making it a lucrative opportunity that cannot be ignored in the insights engine market. Almost all providers offer timely software updates to their insights engine platforms as it is absolutely critical. However, the update occasionally raises compatibility issues with legacy systems that the client may be using. The issues are typically related to customization and functionality and could constraint growth of the insights engine market.

Deployment - SaaS Tails On-Premise Deployment in Insights Engine Market

On-premise deployment is considerably larger than SaaS deployment segment in the insights engine market and is likely to retain its pole position through the next decade. The on-premise deployment segment is poised to have a value of just under half a billion in the insights engine market by end 2027. The market attractiveness index of the on-premise deployment segment is 5.0 and companies would be advised to focus their attention on this highly lucrative segment in the insights engine market.

Region - North America Highly Influential in the Insights Engine Market

North America had the largest contribution in 2017 and is projected to gain a massive 610 BPS by the end of the forecast, at the expense of all other regions in the global insights engine market. North American enterprises are seeking to harness the potential of machine learning and AI capabilities for customer feedback, sales support, and marketing activities and companies in the insights engine market now offer their products at a highly competitive price. This allows businesses there to opt for updated search solutions, growing the overall insights engine market.

Competition Dashboard in the Insights Engine Market

The companies profiled in the report are Funnelback, IntraFind Inc., Coveo Solutions Inc., Sinequa, Microsoft Corporation, Attivio, Mindbreeze GmbH, Dassault Systemes, Smartlogic, IBM Corporation, Microfocus, Lucidworks, Expert System, IHS Markit Ltd, and Market Logic.

Browse Research Release at https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/press-release/insights-engine-market

Takeaways

Insights engine platform vendors would do well to expand their business in North America by entering into agreements with small and medium-scale enterprises. Insights engine platforms could further enter into partnerships with cloud service providers and launch new solutions as online shopping is on the verge of a boom.

Popular Reports by FMI:

Interactive Whiteboard Market : https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/interactive-whiteboard-market

: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/interactive-whiteboard-market eDiscovery Market : https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/ediscovery-market

https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/ediscovery-market RFID Market: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/rfid-market

Browse More Electronics, Semiconductors, and ICT Market Insights

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 and an aerial view of the competitive framework and future market trends.

Contact Us

616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,

Valley Cottage, NY 10989,

United States

T: +1-347-918-3531

F: +1-845-579-5705

T (UK): +44(0)20-7692-8790

Sales: [email protected]

Press Office: [email protected]

SOURCE Future Market Insights
The educational sessions include: " Introducing TurboHD 4.0: Efficient, High-Resolution Analog Innovation " about achieving high-resolution performance without investing in IP, which will take place on Thursday, Nov. 16, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in room 1A23, and " Future Technology Playbook: Preparing Your Business for AI Technology " on deep learning as a revenue-generator, also on Thursday, Nov. 16, from 12:50 p.m. to 1:40 p.m. at booth #478. Lou Bellock, product manager - hardware for Hikvision USA and Canada will present both educational sessions.

Attendees are also invited to visit Hikvision on the show floor at booth #225, where the latest in Hikvision surveillance technology will be showcased, including products from the Smart Pro, Value Plus H.265+, Thermal, Specialty Cameras and TurboHD lines. Hikvision representatives will be on hand to meet and speak with booth visitors throughout the expo.

The ISC East Featured Product Showcase in Booth #269, will include the Hikvision's DS-2TD4035D-25 Bi-Spectrum PTZ Camera System. Attendees are invited to vote for the best product on Wednesday, Nov. 15 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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.

SOURCE Hikvision
BEDFORD, Mass., Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Homology Medicines, Inc., a genetic medicines company, announced today that it entered into a research and development collaboration with Novartis to use Homology's proprietary gene editing technology to develop new treatments for select ophthalmic targets and a hemoglobinopathy disease. Under the terms of the agreement, Novartis made an upfront payment to and an equity investment in Homology. In addition, Novartis is providing funding to advance the programs and to explore new opportunities for Homology's technology platform. Homology is also eligible to receive milestone payments from Novartis, plus royalties from the sale of products commercialized under the collaboration.

"This collaboration leverages Homology's differentiated gene editing technology and Novartis' ability to bring innovative therapies to patients," said Arthur Tzianabos, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Homology Medicines. "We look forward to working with Novartis to expand our pipeline and rapidly translate our platform into new and potentially curative treatments for patients."

For Novartis' feature story on the collaboration with Homology, visit Novartis.com.

Under the collaboration, Novartis will gain worldwide exclusive rights to Homology's proprietary technology platform for select ophthalmic targets and a hemoglobinopathy disease. Homology will retain U.S. commercial rights and share U.S. profits with Novartis for in vivo applications related to the hemoglobinopathy program, a strategic area of focus for Homology.

Homology's broadly applicable technology enables highly efficient homologous recombination-based in vivo gene editing. Using Homology's proprietary adeno-associated virus vectors derived from human hematopoietic stem cells (AAVHSCs), the technology deploys a single component system to mediate gene editing. This approach has demonstrated highly efficient and precise on-target gene editing capabilities in multiple disease models and does not require exogenous nucleases or promoters.

Outside of this collaboration, Homology is currently in IND-enabling studies for an inborn error of metabolism disease. Homology also has ongoing discovery efforts targeting several rare diseases using its AAVHSC gene correction platform, which is capable of both gene editing and gene therapy.

About Homology Medicines, Inc.

Homology Medicines is a genetic medicines company translating proprietary gene editing and gene therapy technologies into novel treatments for patients with rare diseases. The combination of a new multidimensional gene correction platform and a management team that has successfully developed and commercialized rare disease therapies positions the Company to move beyond the current limitations of gene therapy and gene editing approaches to improve patient care. Homology Medicines has built foundational intellectual property on gene editing and gene therapy using vectors derived from naturally occurring human adeno-associated viruses (AAVs). The Company's technology is precise, on-target and highly efficient for in vivo editing of genetic mutations. The team and technology create a significant opportunity for Homology Medicines to rapidly advance a diverse pipeline of new medicines that address and potentially cure the underlying cause of genetic diseases. For more information, please visit www.homologymedicines.com.

SOURCE Homology Medicines, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.homologymedicines.com


TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Last week, Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez applauded the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's six-month extension of Temporary Protected Status for 57,000 Honduran immigrants. But he also called for a solution that would allow these Hondurans to legally stay in the United States for longer.

Honduras Applauds Extension of Temporary Protected Status for Honduran Immigrants

"Unlike other countries designated for Temporary Protected Status, Honduras submitted an official request to the U.S. government to extend this program for our compatriots," President Hernandez said. "We are pleased that our request has paid off and that the United States has decided to protect hard-working Hondurans who have made lives for themselves and their families in the United States. But we must work toward a longer-term solution."

President Hernandez officially requested a TPS extension for Honduras in June, when he met with U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, and then-U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly in Miami, Florida.

"We continue to promote comprehensive immigration reform," Honduran Foreign Minister Maria Dolores Aguero said.

In her official memo on the six-month extension for Honduras, Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Elaine Duke noted, "At this time, after receiving reporting from a broad spectrum of sources, I have concluded that additional time is necessary to obtain and assess supplemental information to make this determination in an appropriately deliberative manner."

The Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, program offers refuge to immigrants from countries facing economic or political turmoil. The U.S. government added Honduras to the program after Hurricane Mitch killed more than 5,000 Hondurans and caused nearly $4 billion in damage in 1998.

Under, the Department of Homeland Security's decision, TPS status for the 57,000 Hondurans covered by the program will expire July 5, 2018, rather than January 5.

"My administration has advocated fiercely on behalf of the tens of thousands of Hondurans who are living in, working in, and contributing to the United States," President Hernandez said. "We hope that the United States will recognize their contributions -- and further extend their protected status."

Media Contact

Andrew Grafton

[email protected]

(202)-471-4228 ext. 119

www.keybridgecommunications.com

SOURCE Republic of Honduras
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Motor America announces it will donate 2,000 frozen turkeys to families in Orange County, California, in time for Thanksgiving. This donation is a part of the company's ongoing mission to help build stronger communities.

"Hyundai Motor America is committed to giving back to the community and helping its neighbors during times of need," said Zafar Brooks, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility. "This recent donation of 2,000 fresh frozen turkeys is a practical way to assist families in time for the Thanksgiving holiday. We are honored to partner with over 20 community based organizations in distributing the turkeys and other items to insure they get to those who are in need. "

As a part of this effort, Hyundai is conducting its annual food drive effort at its offices with its employees from November 6 until November 18th. The public can drop off can-goods and non-perishable items at one of 5 other drop-off locations in Fountain Valley:

The Fountain Valley Senior Center, 17967 Bushard St., Fountain Valley

Fountain Valley Recreation Center, 16500 Brookhurst St., Fountain Valley

Fountain Valley City Hall Building, 10200 Slater Ave., Fountain Valley

The Fountain Valley Bowl, 17110 Brookhurst St., Fountain Valley

Fountain Valley Chamber of Commerce, 10055 Slater Ave #250, Fountain Valley

In addition, Hyundai headquarters employees are participating in a CANstruction project that will raise additional food donations. Teams of Hyundai employees will use their creativity and skills to building CANstruction structures using can-goods and non-perishable food items. Each project is expected to be built with 2,000 can-good items. The can-goods will be added to the overall food drive donation, which will all be donated to Share Our Selves, a non-profit organization that provides over 60,000 meals a year to Orange County residents. The public is invited to join us by making a donation of can-goods at one of the above locations or directly to Share Our Selves.

For more details on Hyundai Motor America, please visit www.hyundaiusa.com

Please visit our media website at www.hyundainews.com

Hyundai Motor America on Twitter | YouTube | Facebook

ABOUT HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA

Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through 835 dealerships nationwide. All new Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by the Hyundai Assurance program, which includes a 5-year/60,000-mile fully-transferable new vehicle limited warranty, Hyundai's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty and five years of complimentary Roadside Assistance.

SOURCE Hyundai Motor America

Related Links

http://www.hyundainews.com


NEW YORK and TEL AVIV, Israel, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Illusive Networks, the leader in deception-based cybersecurity, announced today that CRN, a brand of The Channel Company, has named Illusive a finalist in the Security - Threat Analytics category of their 2017 Tech Innovators Program.

The 2017 Tech Innovator Award commends vendors in a broad range of categories, with the winners and finalists chosen from among hundreds of applicants in areas including security, cloud computing and networking.

"We continually advance our Deceptions Everywhere technology to proactively safeguard enterprise networks against the next generation of advanced cyber attacks and facilitate network hygiene. In particular, we pay close attention to ensure our forensics are optimized to enable the mitigation of deadly attacks at the earliest opportunity," said Ofer Israeli, Found & CEO, Illusive Networks. "We're honored to be recognized by CRN as a Tech Innovators finalist, further endorsing our solution at the forefront of threat detection."

Named as one of CRN's '25 Coolest Network Security Vendors' earlier this year, Illusive Networks also received recognition by The Wall Street Journal in its inaugural Tech Companies to Watch and Momentum Partners as one of ten cybersecurity companies on their Watch List.

Illusive's award-winning, distributed deception platform blankets a company's entire network with information that deceives attackers. Deceptions are placed on every endpoint and server to mimic application, data, network and system components that an attacker would use to further attack efforts.

Automatically generated and AI-driven, Illusive's deceptions are tailor-made for the customer's environment to appear realistic and authentic to attackers. As soon as attackers attempt to use the deceptive data, Illusive detects and alerts enterprise security teams, providing real-time, contextual forensic data from the source host that enable informed, targeted and timely incident response operations. Illusive's agentless technology is IT-friendly, easy to deploy and scalable, presenting an ideal solution for protecting the vast networks of global corporations.

The 2017 Tech Innovators list is featured online at crn.com/techinnovators.

About Illusive Networks

Illusive Networks is pioneering deception-based cybersecurity with its patented Deceptions Everywhere technology that neutralizes targeted attacks and Advanced Persistent Threats (APT) by creating a deceptive layer across an enterprise network. By providing an endless source of false information, Illusive disrupts and detects attacks with real-time forensics and without disruption to business, while real-time forensic and risk insights support more effective and efficient incident resolution.

For more information, please visit www.illusivenetworks.com or follow on LinkedIn , @Illusivenw on Twitter and Facebook.

About the Channel Company

The Channel Company enables breakthrough IT channel performance with our dominant media, engaging events, expert consulting and education, and innovative marketing services and platforms. As the channel catalyst, we connect and empower technology suppliers, solution providers and end users. Backed by more than 30 years of unequaled channel experience, we draw from our deep knowledge to envision innovative new solutions for ever-evolving challenges in the technology marketplace. www.thechannelco.com

CRN is a registered trademark of The Channel Company, LLC. The Channel Company logo is a trademark of The Channel Company, LLC (registration pending). All rights reserved.

SOURCE Illusive Networks

Related Links

http://www.illusivenetworks.com


CHICAGO, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- InfoReach, Inc. (www.inforeachinc.com), is excited to announce further expansion of the natively supported programing languages for the flagship TMS product suite's API. The light-weight and fully decoupled TMS API can be used from the server, desktop or mobile environment using any of the following:

Java

C++

C#

Python

Go

Ruby

Objective-C

Node.js

PHP

InfoReach CTO Vitaly Shatsky points out, "The new approach empowers our users with broader high-performance API capabilities and allows us to support all the most commonly used programming languages without a need to maintain language- or platform-specific libraries." Client applications can have independent process lifecycle from the TMS backend and can be geographically distributed over WAN if needed, connecting remotely using the fully secure API.

The TMS API can be used for a variety of tasks like implementing trading and execution strategies, loading baskets with parent orders, sending out as well as canceling/modifying child orders, controlling the trading operations, feeding custom signal data into the system, listening in real-time to any of the live data streams, facilitating pre-trade/in-trade/post-trade TCA and regulatory reporting, etc.

Request a demo

About InfoReach

InfoReach is an independent provider of multi-asset broker-neutral software solutions for electronic trading, including OMS and EMS platforms for global equities, futures, options, forex, and fixed income. InfoReach team delivers high-performance technology with high-touch support. The buy-side and sell-side client systems are tailored to accommodate current and future needs. They are configurable to deliver unique adaptations without adding development time and costs.

For more than 20 years, InfoReach has helped clients to improve their trade execution process and performance with efficient design and support of consolidated trading tools and global connectivity network.

InfoReach is a privately-held company headquartered in Chicago, with offices in New York and Amsterdam. For more information, visit www.inforeachinc.com.

Media Contact: Nick Halvorsen, InfoReach, Inc.

312 332-7740 ext2018

[email protected]

SOURCE InfoReach, Inc.

Related Links

http://inforeachinc.com


SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Insider Technologies today announced the new Sentra Lighthouse mobile app, further extending the capabilities of its NonStop monitoring services. The Lighthouse service monitors key performance metrics of the HPE NonStop infrastructure, providing real time insights into performance and health. Status alerts, critical alerts and access to historical data are accessed directly from the Sentra Lighthouse app.

Mobile. First. Monitoring. HPE NonStop Monitoring

"We are thrilled with the addition of a mobile application that complements our monitoring platforms," says Stuart Reyner, Head of Development at Insider Technologies. "Our clients are amongst the most demanding in the world. It's important that we give them visibility of their infrastructure through current methods such as push notifications alongside traditional tools such as email and SMS."

HPE NonStop customers employing Insider Tech's Reflex monitoring platform can take advantage of the mobile application at no additional cost. The App shows a graphical display of the health of the NonStop's CPU and DISK subsystems.

Users can select views of Physical and Virtual disks; Busy Processes and Bad Processes. From each item, users can drill down further to obtain metrics and any associated alerts, which are categorized into severity - Low, Medium and High.

The app is available on both Android and iPhone. Try the demo mode without installing anything on the NonStop.

Download at www.lighthouse-monitoring.com.

The official launch will be made at NonStop Technical Boot Camp 2017.

About Insider Technologies: For nearly 30 years, our solutions have been at the heart of our clients' infrastructures. From the UK's Central Bank to the most secure intelligence agencies, Insider Technologies is a worldwide leader in big data monitoring and management. www.insidertech.co.uk

Karl Gilbank

Insider Technologies Limited

+447802867137

[email protected]

SOURCE Insider Technologies Limited

Related Links

https://www.insidertech.co.uk


In recent years, with the rapid development of the artificial intelligence and the breakthrough in the artificial neural network optimization, the application of the artificial intelligence has expanded into many industries continuously energizing and reforming social production and people's lives. The security industry, as a set of high-definition video, intelligent analytic, integration of cloud computing technology industry, has developed from single security industry to multiple industries. It has elevated the production efficiency, improved the life to the direction of Intellectualization, and provided users with more deep learning intelligence solutions. Among them, artificial intelligence is inseparable from the big data and high-intensity computing; meanwhile, the security industry is a field with huge amount of data and complex dates, both bound to face a new wave of challenges in the ever-changing AI development.

Current situation on Deep Learning & Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence cannot do without big data and high-intensity computing. Deep learning is precisely one of the core drivers and technologies based on the unique attribute of "big data + big model + large platform". Intel thinks that the full use of AI at different industries is helpful to create maximum social value. However, its study is still on the way of supervised learning. Application is concentrated on four fields: financial loans, online shopping, security and voice recognition. In the future, if Intel wants to move from technological upgrading to industrial upgrading in the field of AI. It needs to make the breakthroughs in computing capabilities, i.e. the enhancement of artificial intelligence capabilities and continuous breakthroughs in performance and adaptability.

The Challenge of Deep Learning & Artificial Intelligence

As a form of artificial intelligence applications, deep learning requires constant data training and the algorithm adjustment in actual performance which also requires the support and the storage of massive data and powerful computing capabilities, whether the video surveillance view is clear, the transmission is efficient and reliable, process relevant data are ready in time and effective feedback are provided by the back-end data center, are the primary challenges that security enterprises are likely to encounter.

For instance, there are many types of data information involved in the security industry. In terms of data structure, it includes all kinds of unstructured, structured and semi-structured information. Unstructured data mainly refers to video and image recordings, such as video surveillance, vehicle high way check point capturing pictures, face-capturing images and alarm-capturing images. Structured data include maintenance data records, analysis of structural description records and the related information database. Semi-structured data include face modeling data, fingerprint records etc. For continuous monitoring, every minute and every second is useful. The frequency of such updates is extremely fast and is occurring in large numbers almost at all times.

To quickly and efficiently filter valid information from these small amounts of information, security enterprises need to have following capabilities. Firstly, enterprises should improve the capability and the efficiency of unstructured information processing, and the ability to accurately and quickly process video images and extract useful information. It is necessary to extract useful information from the large data and the featuring modeling data, and to describe some extent of the information. Secondly, enterprises should improve big data processing technology and platform framework; provide rapid retrieval mechanism for security data information; form a targeted data information processing architecture; rapid retrieval and analysis from structured and semi-structured information.

Developing Trend of Deep Learning & Artificial Intelligence Technology

Deep learning and artificial intelligence computing represents a new wave of computing that plays an increasingly important role in resetting the core competitiveness of an enterprise. The more data an enterprise has, the more accumulated business information and the greater the value it gains. It brings an opportunity as well as higher technical requirements for the security industry.

First of all, security enterprises need to intensify studies of application in computing deeply, while they complete the security system and application. At the same time, to improve network compression and R&D abilities, the performance of hardware accelerators and the ability of processing, and to handle massive data. Especially, the most urgent subject concerning accuracy of the intelligent video applications, as well as the analytic, are the problems that need to be solved by security enterprises.

The video structure solution released by Intel & ICETech based on NVR and IPC

As the provider of AI+ solutions, ICETech has been exploring artificial intelligence for nearly 10 years. Starting from the establishment of the algorithm team in 2012, to formally beginning the deployment of deep learning technologies and related algorithm precipitation, it is said that ICETech has achieved a qualitative leap. At this time, depending on the video structure solutions created by Intel and ICETech, based on NVR and IPC, both sides aim at deepening the exploration of the advanced learning techniques and co-creating an AI platform.

AI NVR Solution

The platform integrates ICETech deep learning technology. Intel based processors, and powerful video processing capabilities of Intel  Apollo Lake processor core graphics, enable one-of-a-kind integration of NVR, AI deep learning processing and on-wall controller and H.265 hardware codec and display capabilities. H.265 hardware decoding and display functions, and scalable hardware intelligent analysis acceleration module can be regarded as the most ideal and best cost-effective products, which can identify efficiently more than 1500 vehicles' models, brands, sub-brands, years, car body, colors and license plates and differentiate between vehicles, humans beings and non-vehicles with a high accuracy. The platform provides a powerful, stable and sensitive security monitoring system for the users.

Conclusion

With the rise of intelligent terminals, the enrichment of the deep learning scenarios and the convergence of the computing storage will accelerate the application of AI. Intelligent terminals and computing storage edge will become a trend. The video structure solutions created by Intel and ICETech based on NVR and IPC is a new milestone for the security industries. In the future, ICETech will continue to develop in the algorithm, constantly improving the technology. We believe that, in the near future, we will bring a new surprise to the security industry surprise.

SOURCE Beijing ICETech Sciences & Technology Company
NEW YORK, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Deutsche Bank today announced the lineup for its Depositary Receipts Virtual Investor Conference ("dbVIC") on November 15th and 16th, featuring live webcast presentations from international companies with American Depositary Receipt (ADR) programs in the US.

Representatives from participating companies based in Germany, Japan, Norway, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland and the UK will respond to questions during formal presentations, and will also interact with investors via virtual trade booths. The conference is targeted to all types of investors as well as analysts interested in non-US companies.

There is no fee for participants to log in, attend live presentations or ask questions.

To register, please use the following link: www.adr.db.com/dbvic

Pre-registration is suggested to save time.

November 15th Agenda (US Eastern Standard Time):

EDT Company Name Country Local Ticker ADR Ticker









09:00 Murray & Roberts Holdings Limited South Africa MUR OTC Pink: MURZY 09:30 Harmony Gold Mining Company Ltd South Africa HAR NYSE: HMY 10:00 Legal & General Group plc UK LGEN OTC Pink: LGGNY 10:30 Inchcape plc UK INCH OTC Pink: INCPY 11:00 Clicks Group Limited South Africa CLS OTC Pink: CLCGY 11:30 Daiichi Sankyo Company Limited Japan 4568 OTC Pink: DSNKY 12:00 Continental AG Germany CON OTC: CTTAY

November 16th Agenda (US Eastern Standard Time):

EDT Company Name Country Local Ticker ADR Ticker









08:30 Subsea 7 S.A. Norway SUBC OTC Pink: SUBCY 09:00 Vodacom Group Limited South Africa VOD OTC Pink: VDMCY 09:30 Swiss Re Ltd. Switzerland SREN OTC Pink: SSREY 10:00 Serco Group plc UK SRP OTC Pink: SCGPY 10:30 Smith & Nephew plc UK SN NYSE: SNN 11:00 Repsol S.A. Spain REP OTCQX: REPYY

After the Conference, presentations will be available for replay.

In addition to specializing in administering cross-border equity structures such as American and Global Depositary Receipts, Deutsche Bank provides corporates, financial institutions, hedge funds and supranational agencies around the world with trustee, agency, escrow and related services. The Bank offers a broad range of services for diverse products, from complex securitizations and project finance to syndicated loans, debt exchanges and restructurings.

Deutsche Bank is a leading client-centric global universal bank serving 28 million clients worldwide. Deutsche Bank provides commercial and investment banking, retail banking, transaction banking and asset and wealth management products and services to corporations, governments, institutional investors, small and medium-sized businesses, and private individuals. Deutsche Bank is Germany's leading bank, with a strong position in Europe and a significant presence in the Americas and Asia Pacific.

Deutsche Bank is sponsoring the Deutsche Bank Depositary Receipt Investor Conference solely for informational purposes. Deutsche Bank does not prepare, review, approve or edit any presentations, statements, documents or other information or materials, whether in written, electronic or verbal form, provided by any company participating in such conference, and disclaims any responsibility for the accuracy or adequacy of any such information or materials. Deutsche Bank is not promoting, endorsing or recommending any company participating in the conference.

The Depositary Receipts have been registered pursuant to the US Securities Act of 1933. Nothing in this communication constitutes an offer or solicitation by Deutsche Bank or any other issuer or entity for the purchase or sale of any securities, nor does it constitute a solicitation to any person in any jurisdiction. No part of this communication may be copied or reproduced in any way without the prior written consent of Deutsche Bank. Depositary Receipts Services referenced in this communication are provided by Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, an indirect subsidiary of Deutsche Bank AG and a member, FDIC. Depositary Receipts are not deposits or obligations of or guaranteed by Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, are not insured by the FDIC, and are subject to investment risks (including the possible loss of principal invested). Copyright November 2017 Deutsche Bank AG. All rights reserved.

SOURCE dbVIC - Deutsche Bank Virtual Investor Conference

Related Links

virtualinvestorconferences.com


BOSTON, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- John Hancock Investments has expanded its exchange-traded fund (ETF) product lineup today with the launch of John Hancock Multifactor Small Cap ETF. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP ("Dimensional"), which is regarded as one of the pioneers in strategic beta investing, was selected to design the underlying equity index for the new small-cap ETF based on Dimensional's time-tested factor-based approach. The ETF (ticker JHSC) trades on the NYSE Arca.

"We're once again pleased to team up with Dimensional to bring their proven multifactor approach to investors seeking exposure to small-cap equity markets," said Andrew G. Arnott, president and CEO of John Hancock Investments. "Our firm's momentum in the ETF space has been strong, and we now have $1 billion in ETF assets under management."

Dimensional began applying the concept of factor investing more than 30 years ago. Today, the firm is a respected manager in the industry. Dimensional's approach is rooted in decades of academic research into the factors that drive expected returns and offers a compelling track record of delivering results to investors.

John Hancock Multifactor Small Cap ETF seeks to track and fully replicate a custom small-cap index designed by Dimensional. The new ETF consists of securities in the U.S. universe issued by companies whose market capitalizations are smaller than the 750th largest U.S. company but larger than the smallest 4% of U.S. companies.

"A focus on small caps is a logical extension of our product line, and complementary to our 12 previously launched multifactor ETFs," said Steve L. Deroian, head of ETF strategy at John Hancock Investments.

John Hancock Investments has had a relationship with Dimensional and its portfolio management teams since 2006, with strategies offered as both individual John Hancock mutual funds and through John Hancock asset allocation portfolios. Previous ETF launches have included U.S. large- and mid-cap portfolios, a developed market international portfolio, and a range of sector-specific offerings.

About John Hancock Investments

John Hancock has helped individuals and institutions build and protect wealth since 1862. Today, we are one of the strongest and most-recognized financial brands. We serve investors globally through a unique multimanager approach: We search the world to find proven portfolio teams with specialized expertise for every strategy we offer, then we apply robust investment oversight to ensure they continue to meet our uncompromising standards and serve the best interests of our shareholders. Our approach to asset management has led to a diverse set of investments deeply rooted in investor needs, along with strong risk-adjusted returns across asset classes.

About John Hancock and Manulife

John Hancock is a division of Manulife Financial Corporation, a leading international financial services group that helps people achieve their dreams and aspirations by putting customers' needs first and providing the right advice and solutions. We operate primarily as John Hancock in the United States, and Manulife elsewhere. We provide financial advice, insurance and wealth and asset management solutions for individuals, groups and institutions. Assets under management and administration by Manulife and its subsidiaries were over $1 trillion (US$806 billion) as of September 30, 2017. Manulife Financial Corporation trades as MFC on the TSX, NYSE, and PSE, and under 945 on the SEHK. Manulife can be found at manulife.com.

One of the largest life insurers in the United States, John Hancock supports approximately 10 million Americans with a broad range of financial products, including life insurance, annuities, investments, 401(k) plans, and college savings plans. We also offer advice through Signator, a network of independent financial advisors. Additional information about John Hancock may be found at johnhancock.com.

The stock prices of small companies can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large companies, and value stocks may decline in price. Shares may trade at a premium or discount to their NAV in the secondary market, and a fund's holdings and returns may deviate from those of its index. These variations may be greater when markets are volatile or subject to unusual conditions. Errors in the construction or calculation of a fund's index may occur from time to time. Please see the fund's prospectus for additional risks.

John Hancock Multifactor Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) shares are bought and sold at market price (not NAV), and are not individually redeemed from the fund.

Clients should carefully consider a fund's investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses before investing. To request a prospectus or summary prospectus with this and other important information, call us at 800-225-6020, or visit us at jhinvestments.com.

John Hancock ETFs are distributed by Foreside Fund Services, LLC, and are subadvised by Dimensional Fund Advisors LP. Foreside is not affiliated with John Hancock Funds, LLC or Dimensional Fund Advisors LP.

Dimensional Fund Advisors LP receives compensation from John Hancock in connection with licensing rights to the John Hancock Dimensional indexes. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP does not sponsor, endorse, or sell, and makes no representation as to the advisability of investing in, the John Hancock Multifactor Small Cap ETF.

JHAN-2017-11-03-0790 ETFSCPR 11/17

SOURCE John Hancock Investments
June 21-24, 2018 at Columbia University, NYC

PASADENA, Texas, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Coenzyme Q 10 Association (ICQA; http://icqaproject.org/) is a non-profit organization that fosters basic and applied biomedical research on Coenzyme Q 10 (CoQ 10 ). Their mission is to advance knowledge on basic biochemistry and molecular genetics, as well as preventive and therapeutic effects of CoQ 10 . Kaneka Nutrients (www.kanekanutrients.com) is a founding member and proud to partner with ICQA for the Ninth Scientific Meeting to be held in at Columbia University in New York City June 21  24, 2018.

"We have not held our Scientific Meeting in the United States in over 10 years. As such, we are excited to bring this meeting back to the United States. Previous Scientific Meetings have been held in Japan and Europe," said Dr. Placido Navas, Chairman of The International Coenzyme Q10 Association.

Every two to three years, nearly 350+ researchers and other professionals choose to attend the ICQA International Scientific Meeting to learn about the latest advances of Conventional CoQ 10 and the Ubiquinol form of CoQ10, meet with colleagues from around the world and strike new collaborations.

The critical goals of the IQCA are to promote international collaborative research efforts to expand scientific knowledge and to optimize the use of CoQ 10 as preventative and therapeutic interventions in human health. To achieve these important goals, ICQA organizes an international scientific meeting to present cutting-edge CoQ 10 and Ubiquinol CoQ 10 research in major clinical topics including: mitochondrial and degenerative diseases, aging, cardiovascular disorders, and nutritional supplementation needs and mechanisms that can benefit people suffering these conditions.

Dr. Navas added, "As in the 2015 Bologna Scientific Meeting, exciting sessions on the areas of CoQ 10 and Ubiquinol CoQ 10 research that have advanced significantly in the last few years will be presented including: mitochondrial diseases (primarily CoQ 10 deficiency syndrome), cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and aging. There is evidence of efficacy of CoQ 10 supplementation in these conditions. Significantly, the European Medicines Agency has recently registered Ubiquinol as an orphan drug for CoQ 10 deficiency syndrome."

Mark your calendars for this important Scientific Meeting to learn about the advances of Conventional CoQ 10 and the Ubiquinol form of CoQ 10 . Visit icqaproject.org for more information and to register.

Contact Information:

Ron Martin

Kaneka Nutrients

+1-281-291-3185

SOURCE Kaneka Nutrients

Related Links

https://www.kanekanutrients.com


(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/602495/Yoav_Tzruya_Fiona_Darmon.jpg )



Yoav Tzruya, who until recently served as JVP Partner and Head of the JVP Labs in Beer Sheva, has been instrumental in leading several of JVP's most disruptive investments in the cyber-security and Artificial Intelligence domains, including the investment in CyActive and its subsequent acquisition by Paypal, as well as several additional transactions. With his rich technological background in cyber-security, Artificial Intelligence, networking and media, Yoav has been focused on identifying and nurturing companies from inception to international expansion. A recognized industry leader, Yoav leverages his experience as an executive with various technology and startup companies, as well as in the Israeli Air Force, to the benefit of JVP's portfolio companies.

Fiona Darmon is among the leading investment figures in the Israeli VC scene, with over 15 years' experience in a variety of private equity and venture capital investment roles in private and public investment groups. Fiona was among the founding members of Israel's first corporate VC, shaping numerous companies across the areas of mobile, semiconductors and media. Serving in recent years as Partner and COO of JVP, Fiona brings a unique combination of business and investment acumen to her new role, with strong strategic thinking. Among the chief orchestrators of the Fund's strategic collaboration framework spanning China, Europe and the US, Fiona bridges between technologies and potential markets.

Erel Margalit, JVP Founder and Chairman: "In recent years, Yoav and Fiona have demonstrated exceptional skills and success in the fields they are leading in the Fund, serving as key drivers in promoting Israeli innovation and investment development, as well as scaling and building companies from seed to growth. As leader of JVP Labs, focused on our early-stage investment strategy, Yoav brings to the role proven experience and expertise in the fields of cyber-security, data analytics, AI and others. As one of Israel's key female voices in hi-tech, Fiona has served as a major driver in leveraging the Israel innovation ecosystem globally. Together with JVP Managing Partners Kobi Rozengarten, Gadi Tirosh, Rafi Kesten and the rest of the JVP team, Yoav and Fiona have succeeded in building significant strategic ties between Israel and investors from Europe, Asia and the US, opening a gateway for Israeli technologies - bolstered even further with the recent launch of JVP Play. I have no doubt that their contribution will grow as the Fund continues to create and grow new companies focused on disrupting global markets."

Yoav Tzruya: "Our work with JVP's partners and CEOs from the Fund's portfolio over the past few years has been marked with significant successes and top financial performance. This includes establishing our cyber-security hub in Beer-Sheva and teaming up with key multinationals," said Yoav Tzruya. "I am thrilled to have the chance to continue to materialize JVP's vision, building category leaders and establishing the foundations for next-generation innovative companies."

Fiona Darmon: "JVP is one of the most dynamic and forward-thinking VC funds in the world today, and I am proud to have had the privilege of working closely not only with the fund's management, but also with its investors over the years, sharing not only JVP's achievements, but the opportunities and progress of Israeli hi-tech as a whole."

About JVP: Jerusalem Venture Partners ("JVP") is an internationally recognized top-quartile venture capital firm dedicated to building world-class companies, with an emphasis on emerging technologies from Israel. Established in 1993 by Dr. Erel Margalit, JVP has raised to date close to $1.2 billion across eight funds, spanning all stages of venture capital, from early through expansion-stage. With deep technological expertise and strong company-building skills, JVP has invested in and built over 120 companies over the years in Israel, Europe, Asia and the US. With a global network of strategic business partners spanning the key industries guiding our world today, JVP is renowned for creating some of the largest and most disruptive companies to emerge from Israel. JVP leverages its market expertise, experienced and dedicated team and substantial capital base to build companies with the potential to shape global markets.

For more info: Pnina Ben Ami, VP Marketing, JVP, [email protected]

SOURCE JVP
JERSEY CITY, N.J., Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Legal-Bay LLC, The Lawsuit Settlement Funding Company, reports today that a wrongful death lawsuit against Maimonides Medical Center has resulted in a settlement of $26 million dollars. The plaintiffs filed a medical malpractice and negligence suit after the hospital botched the diagnosis and delivery of the couple's twins.

In 2010, after an ongoing cramping and bleeding incident, mother Danielle Madden Buck made repeated trips to the Brooklyn hospital only to be sent home, assured that her 20-week pregnancy was progressing normally. A week later, she was in labor. The twins were born at 1.5 pounds with numerous health complications. One of the babies died after only a month; the other is still alive but battling multiple disabilities. Both outcomes were found to be a direct result of the hospital's negligence. Danielle and Andrew Buck sued the hospital for 13.5 million; a jury awarded them $26MM.

Chris Janish, Legal-Bay CEO, commented on the situation, "This is a tragic story, and our hearts go out to the victims; and the family members. Medical Malpractice cases in New York and all across the country are an area of funding that we focus on."

Legal-Bay is dedicated to helping victims involved in wrongful death liability, car and truck accidents, and personal injury suits by offering lawsuit funding capital for plaintiffs awaiting trial. For more information on Legal-Bay's lawsuit cash advance programs, please visit the company's website at http://lawsuitssettlementfunding.com.

If you, or a loved one, need some financial support while you await your settlement, call Legal-Bay on its toll-free hotline, where live agents are available to assist you, at: 877.571.0405.

Legal-Bay's programs are non-recourse lawsuit cash advances, also known as case funding, which means you only repay the settlement advance if you win your case. None of the programs should be considered to be a lawsuit loan, lawsuit loans, settlement loans, settlement loan, pre settlement loans, pre-settlement loans, pre settlement loan or a pre-settlement loan.

To apply online, visit: http://lawsuitssettlementfunding.com and an experienced agent will respond to your request shortly.

Contact: Chris Janish, CEO

Email: [email protected]

Ph.: 877.571.0405

SOURCE Legal-Bay LLC

Related Links

http://lawsuitssettlementfunding.com


A bipartisan group of state legislators wants to make it illegal to impersonate people over the internet in certain circumstances.

The bill in the Wisconsin Legislature would make it a misdemeanor for a person to use a false online persona to contact others  a scheme commonly referred to as catfishing  with the intent to frighten, intimidate, harm, threaten, abuse, harass, defraud, or obtain a benefit from someone else.

You can create a fictitious identity and literally lure or bait someone to come in and contact you, and that is not (currently) a crime, said state Sen. Janet Bewley, D-Ashland.

Under the bill, a violation would be a Class B misdemeanor, which could result in a fine of up to $1,000, no more than 90 days in jail or both. The bill has drawn bipartisan support in the state Senate and Assembly.

The proposal covers both the impersonation of someone who is real, without the persons consent, or the creation of a false identity. It provides exemptions for satire or parody.

Rep. Bob Kulp, R-Stratford, brought the idea to Bewley after a man pretending to be someone else tried to dupe Kulps older friend out of money through Facebook.

He was trying to get money out of this vulnerable person, Kulp said.

The bill would largely modernize a law enacted in 1996, long before the proliferation of social media sites like Facebook and Twitter, Kulp said.

Under that statute, people can be charged with a misdemeanor if they use computerized communication to actively frighten, intimidate, threaten, abuse or harass others under their own identity or when trying to keep their identity secret.

The world has changed a lot in the last 20 years, Kulp said. Really, its cleaning up language. Were all about that on either side of the aisle.

The bill states the use of someones name, photo, signature, voice or likeness could be considered impersonation, and a victim would need to reasonably believe the impostor is real.

This is prevalent enough that in order to make the internet a safe place, we have to have protections like this in place, Bewley said.

In 2010, the documentary Catfish followed a man from New York City chasing down the identity of a Michigan woman with whom he built a relationship through Facebook. He ultimately found out the woman had crafted a fake profile and wasnt who she said she was online.

An anecdote in the documentary about how catfish are put in tanks with codfish when being shipped overseas to keep the cod agile and fresh resulted in the films title and coined the term catfishing.

Catfishing drew national attention when former Notre Dame linebacker Manti Teo believed his online girlfriend died from leukemia in 2012 after being involved in a car crash. The next year, Deadspin reported Teo had been the subject of a hoax. His girlfriend never existed.

Last year, Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin signed a law that allows people to request an injunction of and seek monetary damages for the unauthorized use of their pictures or videos online. It also leaves an exemption for satire and parody.

In 2015, a Minnesota state legislator brought forth a bill that proposed making it a felony to impersonate someone online with the intent to cause harassment. It never received a committee hearing.

The Wisconsin bill is scheduled for a hearing at the Assemblys Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee on Thursday, Kulp said.

He said he thinks there is a fairly good chance of the bill being passed this legislative session, which will likely wrap up early next year.

While we still have a calendar in play, I think theres a chance, Bewley said. Its an important piece of legislation.
NEW YORK, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- LendKey, the leading lending-as-a-service solution for banks and credit unions, today announced a partnership with Invite Education to bring industry-leading college planning tools to its lending clients and subsequent customers.

Invite Education provides families with content and tools to actively manage the college planning process from birth to graduation. Their software solutions help families with a one-stop shopping experience for higher-education financial planning, navigating school selection, and discovering potential scholarships. By partnering with Invite Education, LendKey's clients and customers will receive complimentary access to premium content and services, including financial aid calculators, college planning webinars, scholarship search, and more.

"Paying for college is often a stressful and daunting challenge for families," said John Hupalo, CEO and Founder of Invite Education. "It is a jargon filled, unfamiliar process and many families do not fully understand how to navigate it. We're excited to work with LendKey and provide their customers with access to our easy to use financial literacy tools to help people make better decisions when it comes to planning and paying for higher education."

College costs continue to rise and increased by nearly 1200% from 1978 to 2010. The sharp staggering increase creates financial hurdles for families that aren't prepared and don't start the planning process as early as possible.

"Our lending clients provide financial services to nearly 15 million consumers nationwide," said Vince Passione, CEO and founder of LendKey. "Given the cost of college education, it is never too early to start planning and saving. The combination of Invite Education's content and planning tools and our lending client's education financing solutions ensures that families have the chance to avoid mistakes and be successful in the college planning process."

About LendKey

LendKey pioneered the lending-as-a-service model by creating white-labeled lending solutions that transform financial institutions into profitable digital lending businesses. LendKey's customized solutions help financial institutions attract new business, grow relationships, manage liquidity, and mitigate risk. The company manages the entire lending process, which includes demand generation, online decisioning, loan origination, customer service and balance sheet management. Founded in 2009 and based in New York and Cincinnati, LendKey works with hundreds of credit unions and banks and has deployed more than $1.7 billion in capital to date. For more information, please visit business.lendkey.com.

About Invite Education

Founded in 2012, Invite Education demystifies the process of planning and paying for college by providing a comprehensive suite of information, tools and services for families. Offering an online custom College Planning Center, a weekly podcast called My College Corner, a blog and a book, they partner with organizations to provide this valuable information to their employees, members and customers.

SOURCE LendKey
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Lil' Drug Store Products Inc. (LDSP) has announced that NoDoz, the most recognized brand in the alertness aid category, will soon be available to the convenience store channel. NoDoz alertness aid caplets will be available for shipment to convenience stores beginning on November 20, 2017.

"We are excited to bring NoDoz to convenience store shoppers and help them fight fatigue when they need it most, whether to stay awake on long drives or for an added edge to complete tough assignments," says Doug Marquardt, LDSP Director of Marketing. "Convenience stores are the perfect retail outlet for the NoDoz brand as consumers use NoDoz anytime throughout the day."

Recent research surveys by Brandware showed that consumers recognize the NoDoz brand more than any other brand in the alertness aid category and view NoDoz as a safe and effective way to help restore mental alertness and fight fatigue. Social media posts on Facebook and Twitter occasionally reference the NoDoz brand when people are preparing for long road trips, working a double shift, or studying for college tests.

LDSP acquired the NoDoz brand in June 2017. One NoDoz caplet contains approximately the same amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee, so it is a safe and effective way to get an energy boost. NoDoz is currently sold in 60 dose bottles at Walmart, Walgreens, and grocery chains such as Kroger. Starting in November 2017, NoDoz will be available at convenience stores in on-the-go pack sizes suitable for immediate use occasions.

"The NoDoz brand is another great example of Lil' Drug's commitment to bringing trusted, consumer preferred brands to the convenience store channel," adds Marquardt. "There are so many occasions when convenience store shoppers need an extra boost of energy to get through the day. It is an easy decision for retailers to add NoDoz to the many Lil' Drug Store health and beauty products they already sell in their stores."

Lil' Drug Store Products is the #1 supplier of health and beauty care (HBC) products to the convenience store channel. The company carries a complete assortment of HBC products in over 100,000 convenience stores across the United States, including exclusive distribution on brands such as Rolaids, Ricola, Carmex, Allegra, Rayovac, Opti-Free PureMoist, Systane Ultra, Harvest Snaps and Popchips. Shoppers can count on Lil' Drug Store Products to meet their needs when away from home.

SOURCE Lil Drug Store Products Inc.

Related Links

http://www.lildrugstore.com


PORTLAND, Maine, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Beacon Group welcomes Major General James "Jim" Madora, as Senior Advisor for Beacon's Aerospace, Defense & Government practice. Major General Madora will work alongside Senior Vice President Matt Keegan and Beacon's President and CEO Cliff Farrah. Major General Jim Madora is a retired Army Major General who has over 10 years' experience in the defense industry.

"I am really looking forward to having Jim on the team. I am certain he will offer sage wisdom and experience. His expertise in air defense, national security, and business will help us provide our clients with top notch strategies," says Senior Vice President and ADG practice leader Matt Keegan.

Major General Madora has had a distinguished career in the United States Army. His last assignment before retirement was as Director of Army Program Analysis and Evaluation, in the office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Programs and Resources. In this role, he developed Army funding strategy and the 6 year $500B Army Program / Budget Plan. During his career, Major General Madora commanded at platoon, company, battalion, brigade and general officer level. He is a combat veteran and his numerous military awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, 6 awards of the Legion of Merit, 3 awards of the Bronze Star and 3 awards of the Army Meritorious Medal.

"Major General Madora's addition to the team is a wonderful way to position the firm for our activities in 2018. As we recently observed Veterans Day, our firm is grateful for the opportunity to work with some of our country's finest and most knowledgeable veterans through our Senior Advisor Program. Major General Madora exemplifies the thought leadership and strategy acumen our clients value so highly," said Cliff Farrah, Beacon's President and CEO.

Originally from Wilmington, Delaware, Jim is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point. He also holds a Master's Degree in Mathematics and a Master's Degree in Operations Research and Statistics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a Master's Degree in Business Administration from Long Island University. In addition, he received a State Department Fellowship to serve as the Army's representative to the United States State Department Senior Executive Seminar. Major military schools attended include the United States Marine Corps Amphibious Warfare School, Army Command and General Staff College and the National War College.

Media Contact: Natalie Barr, [email protected]

SOURCE The Beacon Group

Related Links

http://www.beacongroupconsulting.com


CLEVELAND, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- McDonald Hopkins LLC, a business advisory and advocacy law firm, will be hosting a Business Hour regarding the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation and how the regulation could affect American businesses.

The event, Is Your Business Ready for the GDPR, will feature Dominic Paluzzi, co-chair of the firm's Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Practice Group, as moderator with data privacy colleagues Christine Czuprynski, Samuel Goldstick and Cody Wamsley as panelists.

During the panel discussions, Paluzzi, Czuprynski, Goldstick and Wamsley will provide important information and answers on a wide array of topics concerning the European rule such as:

A recap of the basics: Who, what, when, where, why and how of the GDPR

The expanded territorial scope of the GDPR, which may impact many U.S. businesses

The risk of significant penalties- up to 4 percent of annual gross revenue- for non-compliance

The 72 hour regulatory notification requirement

The Business Hour will be held on Nov. 28 at 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. ET at McDonald Hopkins' Cleveland office at 600 Superior Avenue East. For those who cannot attend in person, the event will be live streamed as a webcast. Participants will be given an opportunity to have questions answered by the panel. Interested participants in the free program are encouraged to visit the event page for more information and to register.

About McDonald Hopkins

Founded in 1930, McDonald Hopkins is a business advisory and advocacy law firm with locations in Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus, Detroit, Miami, and West Palm Beach. With more than 50 service and industry teams, the firm has the expertise and knowledge to meet the growing number of legal and business challenges our clients face. For more information about McDonald Hopkins, visit mcdonaldhopkins.com.

CONTACT:

Deborah W. Kelm

McDonald Hopkins LLC

600 Superior Avenue, East, Suite 2100

Cleveland, Ohio 44114

Phone: 216.348.5733

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE McDonald Hopkins

Related Links

http://www.mcdonaldhopkins.com


WASHINGTON, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Musculoskeletal Clinical Regulatory Advisers, LLC (MCRA), a leading advisory firm and Clinical Research Organization (CRO) to the medical device industry, is pleased to announce that it has recently delivered the second of three training workshops for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This workshop was focused on innovation, and the complexities involved due to the many stakeholders and the milestones required for value creation.

The Experiential Learning Program (ELP) is a learning opportunity designed to help all levels of FDA within the Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) to better understand real-world experience as it relates to the design, manufacture and commercialization of medical devices. It aims to collaboratively explore device technology and obtain the necessary knowledge to enhance the review process and support communication between sponsors and the CDRH review staff. MCRA has been selected to deliver three ELP workshops on clinical development, medical device innovation and reimbursement in the medical device industry.

At the most recent ELP workshop on innovation, MCRA's experts shared insights and case studies on key topics impacting the medical device industry today, specifically taking into account the substantial size of the device industry and the increasing concerns of rising healthcare costs, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the U.S. FDA, and numerous other governmental and private stakeholders that all have a seat at the table in influencing whether industry has proved safety, efficacy, and cost effectiveness over existing treatments. MCRA also discussed the rise of clinical evidence requirements on most technologies, both new and existing, and the increasing investment required for successful commercialization, which is putting additional strain on both companies and investors.

Speaking on the impact of programs like ELP, MCRA's General Manager, David Lown said, "MCRA is proud to be selected by FDA to participate in its ELP program. It confirms the value of our experience and the expertise our consultants deliver to over 500 medical device clients globally. Our hope is that FDA benefits from our shared knowledge in helping device companies identify and manage the opportunities and challenges in today's marketplace."

For more information on MCRA, please visit www.mcra.com

About MCRA

Founded in 2004, Musculoskeletal Clinical Regulatory Advisers, LLC (MCRA) is a leading adviser and clinical research organization to the neuro-musculoskeletal and orthopedic industry. MCRA's value lies in its industry experience and integration of five business value creators: regulatory, reimbursement, clinical research, healthcare compliance and quality assurance. MCRA's integrated approach of these key value creating initiatives provides unparalleled expertise for its clients. MCRA has offices in Washington, DC, Manchester, CT and New York, NY, and serves nearly 500 clients globally.

Contact

David W. Lown

General Manager

212.583.0250 ext. 2111

[email protected]

SOURCE Musculoskeletal Clinical Regulatory Advisers, LLC

Related Links

http://www.mcra.com


"Ken is leading some of the most important studies in Parkinson's research," said MJFF CEO Todd Sherer, PhD. "His work is having a monumental impact on the way we conduct research, with important implications for patient-centered studies, data sharing and acceleration of therapies for the millions who need them."

Sherer and Michael J. Fox presented the prize at a Foundation event in New York City on November 11, 2017.

Marek's work strives to identify Parkinson's in its earliest stages, particularly with imaging technologies, and his efforts have validated loss of dopamine function visualized in specialized brain scans as an early marker of the disease. In addition to serving as principal investigator of PPMI, a longitudinal MJFF-sponsored study of more than 1,500 participants at 33 clinical sites around the world, Marek leads the Parkinson's Associated Risk Syndrome (PARS) study under way at 15 clinical sites in the United States.

Beyond scientific findings, Marek's impact on research is felt in the rise of patient-centered studies and adoption of data sharing. By including people with Parkinson's in study development and design, such as through the PPMI Patient Advisory Committee, Marek has paved the way for a greater share of voice for those living with disease. In addition, his commitment to open-access data speeds analysis and therefore discovery and validation. PPMI data, available online in real-time, has been downloaded more than 1.4 million times by researchers around the world.

Over his career  as leader of PPMI and PARS, founder of IND and Molecular NeuroImaging, and former director of the Movement Disorders Center at Yale University School of Medicine, among other appointments  Marek also has imbued the next generation of investigators with his passion for neuroscience and dedication to patients.

The Robert A. Pritzker Prize for Leadership in Parkinson's Research, awarded annually by MJFF since 2011, was established by Karen Pritzker, daughter of Robert A. Pritzker, and her late husband, investor Michael Vlock. Their gift provides a $100,000 unrestricted research grant to the Pritzker Prize recipient each year, and Pritzker and Vlock have been generous donors to MJFF.

"I'm honored to be recognized with the Pritzker Prize, but it's an honor, too, for all the people I've worked with over the years to have this work recognized," said Marek. "It really is a milestone in our ongoing effort to develop tools for Parkinson's disease research to ultimately identify individuals at risk for Parkinson's and treat people even before symptoms arise. I am grateful to my partners at The Michael J. Fox Foundation for their collaboration and substantial contribution to this work."

He will direct his grant to build on findings from PPMI and PARS to create a model to predict Parkinson's risk looking at factors such as dopamine function loss, smell loss and genetics. More accurate prediction of Parkinson's disease could help select people for clinical studies and point to prevention strategies.

About the Robert A. Pritzker Prize for Leadership in Parkinson's Research

The Robert A. Pritzker Prize for Leadership in Parkinson's Research is named in honor of the late Robert A. Pritzker, a renowned industrialist, entrepreneur and philanthropist. Pritzker was founder of The Marmon Group and president of Colson Associates, Inc., holding companies for a variety of manufacturing and medical businesses. Additionally, he was an early promoter of the field of medical engineering at his alma mater, the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) in Chicago, where he also played a key role in expanding the biomedical research community through his support of The Pritzker Institute for Biomedical Science and Engineering at IIT.

The MJFF Scientific Advisory Board serves as the jury panel. Selection criteria include the nominee's complete body of work in the PD field with an emphasis on its impact on accelerating drug development; field-wide impact of the nominee's work; dedication to patient-relevant science; and influence on and encouragement of the next generation of PD investigators.

The award itself is designed by renowned artist and Parkinson's patient Tom Shannon.

About The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research

As the world's largest nonprofit funder of Parkinson's research, The Michael J. Fox Foundation is dedicated to accelerating a cure for Parkinson's disease and improved therapies for those living with the condition today. The Foundation pursues its goals through an aggressively funded, highly targeted research program coupled with active global engagement of scientists, Parkinson's patients, business leaders, clinical trial participants, donors and volunteers. In addition to funding more than $750 million in research to date, the Foundation has fundamentally altered the trajectory of progress toward a cure. Operating at the hub of worldwide Parkinson's research, the Foundation forges groundbreaking collaborations with industry leaders, academic scientists and government research funders; increases the flow of participants into Parkinson's disease clinical trials with its online tool, Fox Trial Finder; promotes Parkinson's awareness through high-profile advocacy, events and outreach; and coordinates the grassroots involvement of thousands of Team Fox members around the world.

For more information, visit us at michaeljfox.org, on Facebook or Twitter.

SOURCE The Michael J. Fox Foundation

Related Links

www.michaeljfox.org


Specialized surgical tables using the latest technology and data intelligence provide better patient positioning and can improve post-operative outcomes. For surgeons seeking an adjustable operating table with high-quality materials, the Zentrum i3 is a versatile, multidisciplinary operating table that incorporates smart technologies with intuitive design. Unique features include an enhanced articulated weight capacity, collision avoidance, tip avoidance, integrated powered drive assist, 2 level attachment detection, wireless touchscreen pendant and leading edge ergonomic design. The table system is precise and safe while easy to operate and configure. The Zentrum i3 also incorporates Tempur-Pedic Medical Pads for effective pressure redistribution.

The Levo Head Positioning System is a new addition to Mizuho OSI's capabilities for spine surgery. The Levo System is designed to provide the surgical team with an interface that is safe, fast, and easy to engage. The technology's unique interface places the surgeon in control, supporting initial head positioning and cervical spine corrections throughout the procedure. Various interchangeable modules support the use of a skull clamp or face pillow, providing a versatile platform that delivers optimal utilization within each practice.

Mizuho OSI has combined its expertise with TRILUX Medical to offer triathlon, the world's first complete modular OR solution, currently releasing in the EMEA and APAC markets. The triathlon team works with customers to develop the appropriate OR environment with the highest levels of information security and trust for doctors, patients, hospitals and planners. Whether it's spinal surgery, a complicated hip or knee surgery, or emergency procedure, triathlon can create an intelligent modular operating room concept that ensures the best patient care, even during complex and sophisticated operations.

"With a growing need for more patient care facilities around the world, new hospitals are searching for cutting-edge technologies in their operating rooms that can better serve patients and create optimal surgical outcomes," said Greg Neukirch, vice president of Marketing and Sales at Mizuho OSI. "MEDICA gives us the opportunity to demonstrate our range of innovative OR tables and variable supply units to a global audience."

In addition to featured surgical tables, head positioning options, and OR development services at MEDICA, Mizuho OSI is displaying the Hana Table for orthopedic procedures, Trios Surgical Table System, ProAxis Spinal Surgery Table, its line of General Surgery Tables, and OR system (Paramon OR integration systems, Aurinio LED OR Lights, Medidrant Pendent systems, and IS 500 OR supply system).

About Mizuho OSI

Mizuho OSI is a U.S. based company and the leader in the markets for specialty surgery and patient positioning. The company's portfolio includes specialty surgical tables for procedure-specific approaches that improves patient outcomes in spine and orthopedic surgeries, a range of general surgical tables, and consumable surgical patient care products. Mizuho OSI products are sold direct in the U.S. and Germany, and by the Mizuho Corporation in Japan. Both companies sell their products and solutions worldwide through authorized international distributors. Mizuho OSI is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mizuho Corporation located in Tokyo, Japan, a leading surgical table manufacturer in Asia. The Mizuho Group also includes TRILUX Medical, a subsidiary of Mizuho OSI. TRILUX Medical is a provider and manufacturer of surgical lights, surgical pendants, operating room patient integration, video management systems, and turn-key operating room solutions. TRILUX Medical products and solutions are sold direct in Germany and worldwide through authorized international distributors. More information is available at www.mizuhosi.com

SOURCE Mizuho OSI

Related Links

http://www.mizuhosi.com


WELLESLEY, Mass., Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- During the past two years, more than 25 million Americans were starting or running new businesses in the United Statesaccording to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) 2016 United States Report released today by Babson College. Additionally, more than half of Americans see good opportunities around them for starting a business.

Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) United States Report

Unique to this GEM report is a city-level analysis of entrepreneurship in Boston, Miami, and Detroit. Collectively, they provide a window into how entrepreneurship occurs locally in different parts of the United States.

"While entrepreneurship is promoted and celebrated nationally, many initiatives occur at the city level, like Boston's MassChallenge and Miami's Venture Hive accelerators," said Babson College Professor and report co-author Donna Kelley. "It is important to identify a city's needs and monitor progress relative to entrepreneurshipwhether that means, for example, supporting women or youth entrepreneurs, or assisting ventures that introduce innovations or create jobs."

This latest GEM report provides a comprehensive and detailed account of entrepreneurship in the United States. A key aim is to provide a broad audienceeducators, researchers, policymakers, practitionerswith information and analysis that can enhance understanding, decision making, and actions regarding entrepreneurship. In its 18th consecutive year, GEM continues to serve as the largest and most comprehensive single study of entrepreneurship in the world.

U.S. Highlights

Fifty-seven percent of Americans see good opportunities around them for starting a business. This is what distinguishes the United States most when compared to the world's other 26 innovation-driven economies, where, on average, 41 percent see entrepreneurial opportunities around them.

U.S. entrepreneurs also are driven most by opportunity (88 percent). Necessity motives dropped to only 11 percentbelow the low level reported in 2008, before the recession depressed entrepreneurship rates in the years that followed.

Thirty-seven percent of all U.S. entrepreneurs are developing and delivering innovative products or services. This represents the highest level on this indicator in 15 yearshigher than the average for all other innovation economies (31 percent).

U.S. entrepreneurs are twice as likely to compete in the finance sector compared to the average innovation-driven economy.

While the 26 other innovation-driven economies demonstrate their highest total entrepreneurial activity (TEA) among 25- to 34-year-olds, the U.S. actually peaks in the next oldest age group, among the 35- to 44-year-olds.

The slight overall rise in U.S. TEA rate is due to an increase among women entrepreneurs. More women entered entrepreneurship last year than the year before, while this level has remained the same for men.

Boston, Miami, and Detroit

Regional TEA Activity:

Miami22 percent

Detroit20 percent

National average12.6 percent

Boston12 percent

Close to one out of five entrepreneurs in Miami and one out of six entrepreneurs in Detroit are starting businesses out of necessity. Only 8 percent of entrepreneurs in Boston are doing the same.

Both Boston (46 percent) and Detroit (43 percent) show higher levels of innovative entrepreneurial activity compared to the national average, with Boston's level nearly twice that of Miami (24 percent).

Detroit stands out for having the highest entrepreneurship levels among the lowest third of the income category, while the highest third of the income earners are most likely to start businesses in Boston and Miami.

Age patterns show high entrepreneurship rates among young people in Detroit, those in mid-career in Miami, and people in their late careers in Boston.

Out of the three cities, Boston demonstrates the widest entrepreneurship gender gap. Women in Boston start businesses at around half the rate that men in Boston do.

Capability perceptions are at or above the national average in Miami (60 percent) and Detroit (57 percent). Likewise, compared to the national average, a lower proportion of entrepreneurs in Miami (27 percent) and Detroit (21 percent) are afraid to fail. People in Boston, however, did not exhibit high perceptions about startup capabilities, and they reported a higher fear of failure than in the other two cities.

In Miami (24 percent) and Boston (36 percent), a larger percentage of entrepreneurs have at least some graduate education compared to the national average (19 percent).

In terms of industry:

Miami shows high startup activity in manufacturing/transportation

shows high startup activity in manufacturing/transportation Boston has higher-than-average levels in information/communications technology and finance/real estate

has higher-than-average levels in information/communications technology and finance/real estate Detroit exhibits higher wholesale/retail activity than national levels

Compared to national averages, Miami and Boston have more than twice the proportion of entrepreneurs who plan to have more than 25 percent of their total sales go to international markets.

About the Report

This report provides a detailed assessment of entrepreneurship in the United States, based on the 18th annual survey of the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM). The GEM U.S. team, based at Babson College in Massachusetts, is one of 65 national research teams who conducted an annual adult population survey (APS) in their economy in the summer of 2016. The 2016 GEM Global Report provides national-level comparisons on key entrepreneurship statistics across these economies and groups of economies by both geographic region and development levels.

Report authors include: Babson College Professor Donna Kelley; Babson College Vice Provost of Global Entrepreneurial Leadership Candida Brush; Babson College Professor Andrew Corbett; Babson College Associate Professor Madhi Majbouri; and Babson College Associate Professor Phillip Kim.



National Key Findings

Attitudes

Opportunity perceptions are high and increasing in the United States .

. Compared to 2009, twice as many Americans saw good opportunities around them for starting a business in 2016 (57 percent in 2016 versus 28 percent in 2009).

Americans remain confident in their entrepreneurial abilities, with 55 percent reporting they have the capability to start a business, versus 43 percent on average across the other 26 innovation-driven economies.

Fear of failure took an upward turn in 2016, reversing a three-year trend of gradual declines that had followed four years of post-recession increases.

Activity

After experiencing a drop in 2015, TEA rates moved slightly upward in 2016 to 13 percent, continuing a six-year trend of high and relatively stable levels.

Opportunity motives are higher in the United States than among its innovation-driven peers (88 percent versus 78 percent on average for the 26 other innovation-driven economies).

than among its innovation-driven peers (88 percent versus 78 percent on average for the 26 other innovation-driven economies). Necessity motives dropped to 11 percent of TEA in 2016, below the low level reported in 2008, before the recession depressed entrepreneurship rates in 2009 and 2010 and when necessity accounted for a higher proportion of business starts.

The majority of entrepreneurs, 64 percent, are white, reflective of the U.S. population.

African Americans and Hispanic ethnicities, however, also contribute substantially to entrepreneurship in the United States , accounting for 14 percent and 8 percent of entrepreneurs, respectively.

, accounting for 14 percent and 8 percent of entrepreneurs, respectively.

Results from 2014 to 2016 suggest that entrepreneurship rates are more stable among the white population and less stable among the other two ethnicities, particularly the African American group.

A two percentage point jump in established business ownership in 2016 reflects previous increases in startup activity, which provided a larger base of potential businesses that could be sustained into maturity.

Entrepreneurial intentions in the United States are lower than the average of the 26 other innovation-driven economies (12 percent versus 16 percent), but nascent activity levels are higher (9 percent versus 5 percent).

are lower than the average of the 26 other innovation-driven economies (12 percent versus 16 percent), but nascent activity levels are higher (9 percent versus 5 percent). The United States shows an above-average level of entrepreneurial employee activity (EEA) for its development level, at 7 percent compared to an average of 5 percent for the 26 other innovation-driven economies.

shows an above-average level of entrepreneurial employee activity (EEA) for its development level, at 7 percent compared to an average of 5 percent for the 26 other innovation-driven economies. The United States also is unique in having high rates of both EEA and TEA, demonstrating that American entrepreneurs are prolific in both independent and organizational contexts and that being entrepreneurial doesn't necessarily mean one must give up working as an employee.

Impact

Thirty-seven percent of all entrepreneurs in the United States are developing and delivering innovative products or services, representing the highest level for this indicator in 15 years and higher than the average for all other innovation economies (31 percent).

are developing and delivering innovative products or services, representing the highest level for this indicator in 15 years and higher than the average for all other innovation economies (31 percent). Eight percent of American entrepreneurs are starting information and communications technology (ICT) businesses.

Ten percent of U.S. entrepreneurs state they are competing in medium- or high-technology sectors, and the same percentage report using new technology to produce or deliver their product or service.

Compared to the average for the 26 other innovation-driven economies (33 percent), the United States has fewer entrepreneurs (22 percent) competing in the wholesale/retail sector.

has fewer entrepreneurs (22 percent) competing in the wholesale/retail sector. U.S. entrepreneurs are twice as likely as the average innovation-driven economy to compete in the finance sector (8 percent versus 4 percent).



Other service-based industries account for 40 percent of TEA in the United States .

. Forty-two percent of U.S. entrepreneurs and 35 percent of U.S. established business owners expect to hire six or more employees in the next five years.

10.4 percent of entrepreneurs expect 25 percent or more of their sales to come from customers living outside the United States , down from 11.6 percent in 2015.

Age

Compared to the 26 other innovation-driven economies assessed by GEM in 2016, where the 25- to 34-year-olds had the highest average TEA rate, the TEA rate in the United States peaks in the next oldest age group, among the 35- to 44-year-olds (17 percent).

peaks in the next oldest age group, among the 35- to 44-year-olds (17 percent). While the United States generally has a low percentage of entrepreneurs who state they started their businesses out of necessity, a higher proportion of necessity motives drive entrepreneurs older than 45 compared to younger age groups.

generally has a low percentage of entrepreneurs who state they started their businesses out of necessity, a higher proportion of necessity motives drive entrepreneurs older than 45 compared to younger age groups. Compared to the older population in the United States , those in the younger age groups are more likely to see opportunities, but they are less likely to believe they have the needed capabilities for entrepreneurship, and their fear of failure is higher.

, those in the younger age groups are more likely to see opportunities, but they are less likely to believe they have the needed capabilities for entrepreneurship, and their fear of failure is higher. The gender gap in TEA rates is widest at mid-career (21 percent for men; 13 percent for women) with smaller but still substantial gaps in the age groups before and after mid-career.

Gender

The slight overall rise reported in the U.S. TEA rate is due to an increase among women entrepreneurs.

In 2016, entrepreneurship rates rose for women by one percentage point to 10 percent while staying relatively steady for men at 15 percent.

Women's perceptions of opportunities and entrepreneurial intentions rose in 2016 (to 54 percent and 11 percent respectively), and the gender gap in these indicators narrowed.

The gap between women and men in perceived capabilities increased slightly, however, with women exhibiting less confidence than men in their ability to start a business (48 percent versus 62 percent).



Fear of failure has inched upward for both women (from 33 percent to 36 percent), and men (from 27 percent to 31 percent).

Only 3 percent of women entrepreneurs start information and communications technology businesses, compared to 11 percent for men.

Similarly, only 3 percent of women entrepreneurs consider their businesses to be in medium or high technology sectors compared to 8 percent of men, but women entrepreneurs are almost as likely to use new technology in their businesses: 9 percent compared to 10 percent for men.



Compared to men, women start a much higher percentage of businesses in wholesale/retail (26 percent for women, 17 percent for men) and health/education/government/social services (21 percent versus 12 percent).

Among entrepreneurs, women are more likely than men to introduce products and services that are new to customers and not generally offered by competitors (40 percent compared to 35 percent). They are less likely than men to report that more than 25 percent of their sales are international (8 percent versus 14 percent).

About the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor

The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) was initiated in 1999 as a joint venture of Babson College and the London Business School. It has gained widespread recognition as the most authoritative longitudinal study of entrepreneurship in the world and accomplishes this effort through the collaborative work of a consortium of national teams consisting of academic researchers from around the world. Each national team oversees an annual survey of at least 2,000 working-age adults (ages 18 to 64). Starting with just 10 developed economies in 1999, the project has grown to involve more than 100 economies during 18 annual cycles. GEM is unique because, unlike most entrepreneurship data sets that measure newer and smaller firms, GEM studies the behavior of individuals with respect to starting and managing businesses. At a time in history when individual entrepreneurial activity may hold the key to transforming the global economy and discouraging ingrained economic disparity in countries with minimal economic opportunity, GEM data has influenced national economic policies and continues to expand its collaborative role. For more information, follow GEM on Twitter.

About Babson College

Babson College is the educator, convener, and thought leader for Entrepreneurship of All Kinds. The top-ranked college for entrepreneurship education, Babson is a dynamic living and learning laboratory where students, faculty, and staff work together to address the real-world problems of business and society. We prepare the entrepreneurial leaders our world needs most: those with strong functional knowledge and the skills and vision to navigate change, accommodate ambiguity, surmount complexity, and motivate teams in a common purpose to make a difference in the world, and have an impact on organizations of all sizes and types. As we have for nearly a half-century, Babson continues to advance Entrepreneurial Thought & Action as the most positive force on the planet for generating sustainable economic and social value.

Media Contact: Brianna Radicioni, 781-239-4548, [email protected]

SOURCE Babson College

Related Links

http://www.babson.edu


EXTON, Pa., Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Morphotek, Inc., a subsidiary of Eisai Inc., announced today that it will present its Residue-Specific Conjugation Technology (RESPECT) at the 9th Annual Protein & Antibody Engineering Summit (PEGS) Europe being held November 13-17 at Epic Sana Lisboa Hotel in Lisbon, Portugal. The presentation will take place on Tuesday, November 14 at 12:15 p.m. local time during the Next-Gen Engineering stream.

RESPECT is a site-specific conjugation technology that targets select amino acid residues as a way of producing investigational homogeneous ADCs with defined drug-to-antibody ratios. The platform allows for site-specific conjugation of a single cytotoxic payload or two payloads with different mechanisms of action. It employs a proprietary high-throughput screening system that can simultaneously evaluate hundreds of ADC products consisting of variable antibody candidates linked to cytotoxic payloads to identify those optimal for client-desired biophysical properties, target-specific binding and potential therapeutic efficacy. As part of Morphotek's ADC Services, a proprietary payload, which incorporates the FDA-approved eribulin, which is modified via a chemical linker, is offered as an option to develop investigational ADCs for companies interested in developing next-generation formats of their own antibodies.*

"We are pleased to have this opportunity to present our proprietary RESPECT platform at the upcoming PEGS Europe," said Nicholas Nicolaides, President and CEO of Morphotek. "In this presentation, we will highlight our transglutaminase-based conjugation technology that targets specific lysine residues in IgG antibodies and uses a single amino acid addition or substitution to efficiently produce homogeneous site-specific antibody conjugates, suitable for scalable manufacturing."

Morphotek's end-to-end ADC Services business allows for multiple entry points for clients, starting from development of an antigen site-specific bioconjugate-ready monoclonal antibody and ADC to in vivo safety and efficacy validation. Additional options include manufacture of GMP clinical trial material, GLP toxicology studies and development of IHC companion diagnostics for patient screening. For more information on Morphotek's ADC Services business and RESPECT platform, please contact [email protected].

*The ADC described herein is investigational, as efficacy and safety have not been established. There is no guarantee that this ADC will be available commercially.

About Morphotek

Morphotek, Inc., a subsidiary of Eisai Inc., is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing novel classes of biological-based products to treat cancer, inflammatory and infectious diseases. Our mission is to develop novel targeted therapies that attack underlying disease pathways, and in oncology indications, that can overcome the immunosuppressive effects by tumors on immune-mediated experimental therapies. Our diverse pipeline includes clinical-stage monoclonal antibodies to lead targets folate receptor alpha, mesothelin and endosialin, as well as antibody-drug conjugates and bispecific antibodies to undisclosed targets in preclinical development. Our mission is supported by proprietary cutting-edge technologies in antibody engineering, manufacturing and screening optimization platforms, along with our expertise in developing diagnostics to support patient selection and therapeutic strategy. For more information, please visit www.morphotek.com.

About Eisai Inc.

At Eisai Inc., human health care (hhc) is our goal. We give our first thought to patients and their families, and helping to increase the benefits health care provides. As the U.S. pharmaceutical subsidiary of Tokyo-based Eisai Co., Ltd., we have a passionate commitment to patient care that is the driving force behind our efforts to discover and develop innovative therapies to help address unmet medical needs.

Eisai is a fully integrated pharmaceutical business that operates in two global business groups: oncology and neurology (dementia-related diseases and neurodegenerative diseases). Each group functions as an end-to-end global business with discovery, development, and marketing capabilities. Our U.S. headquarters, commercial and clinical development organizations are located in New Jersey; our discovery labs are in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania; and our global demand chain organization resides in Maryland and North Carolina. To learn more about Eisai Inc., please visit us at www.eisai.com/US and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

About Halaven (eribulin mesylate) Injection

Halaven (eribulin mesylate) is a microtubule dynamics inhibitor indicated for the treatment of patients with:

Metastatic breast cancer who have previously received at least two chemotherapeutic regimens for the treatment of metastatic disease. Prior therapy should have included an anthracycline and a taxane in either the adjuvant or metastatic setting.

Unresectable or metastatic liposarcoma who have received a prior anthracycline-containing regimen.

Discovered and developed by Eisai, eribulin is a synthetic analog of halichondrin B, a natural product that was isolated from the marine sponge Halichondria okadai. First in the halichondrin class, Halaven is a microtubule dynamics inhibitor. Eribulin is believed to work primarily via a tubulin-based mechanism that causes prolonged and irreversible mitotic blockage, ultimately leading to apoptotic cell death. Additionally, in preclinical studies of human breast cancer, eribulin demonstrated complex effects on the tumor biology of surviving cancer cells, including increases in vascular perfusion resulting in reduced tumor hypoxia, and changes in the expression of genes in tumor specimens associated with a change in phenotype, promoting the epithelial phenotype, opposing the mesenchymal phenotype. Eribulin has also been shown to decrease the migration and invasiveness of human breast cancer cells.

Important Safety Information for Halaven (eribulin mesylate) Injection

Warnings and Precautions

Neutropenia: Severe neutropenia (ANC <500/mm3) lasting >1 week occurred in 12% of patients with mBC and liposarcoma or leiomyosarcoma. Febrile neutropenia occurred in 5% of patients with mBC and 2 patients (0.4%) died from complications. Febrile neutropenia occurred in 0.9% of patients with liposarcoma or leiomyosarcoma, and fatal neutropenic sepsis occurred in 0.9% of patients. Patients with mBC with elevated liver enzymes >3  ULN and bilirubin >1.5  ULN experienced a higher incidence of Grade 4 neutropenia and febrile neutropenia than patients with normal levels. Monitor complete blood cell counts prior to each dose, and increase the frequency of monitoring in patients who develop Grade 3 or 4 cytopenias. Delay administration and reduce subsequent doses in patients who experience febrile neutropenia or Grade 4 neutropenia lasting >7 days.

Peripheral Neuropathy: Grade 3 peripheral neuropathy occurred in 8% of patients with mBC (Grade 4=0.4%) and 22% developed a new or worsening neuropathy that had not recovered within a median follow-up duration of 269 days (range 25-662 days). Neuropathy lasting >1 year occurred in 5% of patients with mBC. Grade 3 peripheral neuropathy occurred in 3.1% of patients with liposarcoma and leiomyosarcoma receiving HALAVEN and neuropathy lasting more than 60 days occurred in 58% (38/65) of patients who had neuropathy at the last treatment visit. Patients should be monitored for signs of peripheral motor and sensory neuropathy. Withhold HALAVEN in patients who experience Grade 3 or 4 peripheral neuropathy until resolution to Grade 2 or less.

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: HALAVEN can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman.

Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with HALAVEN and for at least 2 weeks following the final dose. Advise males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with HALAVEN and for 3.5 months following the final dose.

QT Prolongation: Monitor for prolonged QT intervals in patients with congestive heart failure, bradyarrhythmias, drugs known to prolong the QT interval, and electrolyte abnormalities. Correct hypokalemia or hypomagnesemia prior to initiating HALAVEN and monitor these electrolytes periodically during therapy. Avoid in patients with congenital long QT syndrome.

Adverse Reactions

In patients with mBC receiving HALAVEN (eribulin mesylate) Injection, the most common adverse reactions (25%) were neutropenia (82%), anemia (58%), asthenia/fatigue (54%), alopecia (45%), peripheral neuropathy (35%), nausea (35%), and constipation (25%). Febrile neutropenia (4%) and neutropenia (2%) were the most common serious adverse reactions. The most common adverse reaction resulting in discontinuation was peripheral neuropathy (5%).

In patients with liposarcoma and leiomyosarcoma receiving HALAVEN, the most common adverse reactions (25%) reported in patients receiving HALAVEN were fatigue (62%), nausea (41%), alopecia (35%), constipation (32%), peripheral neuropathy (29%), abdominal pain (29%), and pyrexia (28%). The most common (5%) Grade 3-4 laboratory abnormalities reported in patients receiving HALAVEN were neutropenia (32%), hypokalemia (5.4%), and hypocalcemia (5%). Neutropenia (4.9%) and pyrexia (4.5%) were the most common serious adverse reactions. The most common adverse reactions resulting in discontinuation were fatigue and thrombocytopenia (0.9% each).

Use in Specific Populations

Lactation: Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in breastfed infants from eribulin mesylate, advise women not to breastfeed during treatment with HALAVEN and for 2 weeks after the final dose.

Hepatic and Renal Impairment: A reduction in starting dose is recommended for patients with mild or moderate hepatic impairment and/or moderate or severe renal impairment.

For more information about HALAVEN, click here for the full Prescribing Information.

Morphotek Contacts:

Investor Inquiries: Media Inquiries: Rod Dausch Diana Martens 610-423-6111 610-423-6085 [email protected] [email protected]

SOURCE Morphotek, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.morphotek.com


"It is our responsibility as a family-owned company in the seafaring business for more than 300 years, to come to the aid of our family, friends and neighbors in dire times," said Richard Sasso, chairman of MSC Cruises USA. "This donation is one of many ways we are working to set the industry standard to help those who need it most and we're proud to utilize our global resources to assist as the Caribbean works to recover and rebuild."

Dona Regis, CEO, Tortola Pier Park adds, "We are honored to work with MSC to bring their donation of a much needed, prefabricated building to life for use as a school in the British Virgin Islands. This donation will allow our children to continue their education and focus on the future. It is with deep and heartfelt gratitude that we say thank you to MSC as we continue to rebuild a stronger island."

To date, MSC has tapped its global network of partners to ship goods, including water, food, medical supplies, building materials, mattresses and empty containers for shelter and safety use to the islands of Puerto Rico, St. Maarten, British Virgin Islands and Dominica. This effort includes shipment of materials through cargo containers provided by MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, ferries provided by GNV, MSC's ferry division, as well as external partners to deliver essentials to the islands. As one example, due to the catastrophic consequence of no power across many islands, MSC provided shipping services specifically to bring emergency lighting from Cyalume Technologies to the people who needed it most in Puerto Rico.

While most cruise ports in the region are now open for business, MSC continues to work with credible and connected partners to assist in restoring islands in the area, working to create a better and stronger Caribbean for the future.

Please see here for additional photos for use. For more information on MSC's relief efforts in the Caribbean, please visit http://bit.ly/MSCGroupHurricaneRelief.

ABOUT MSC CRUISES

MSC Cruises is the world's largest privately-owned cruise company and the number one cruise line in Europe and South America. The Company sails year-round in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean and offers seasonal itineraries in northern Europe, the Atlantic Ocean, Cuba and the French Antilles, South America, southern Africa, and Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sir Bani Yas. The MSC Cruises' experience embodies the elegant side of the Mediterranean to create unique and unforgettable emotions for guests, through discovery of the world's cultures, beauties and tastes.

Following a more than 6 billion USD investment endeavour between 2003 and 2013 for the construction of 12 modern cruise ships, MSC Cruises launched in 2014 an industry-unprecedented nearly 10 billion USD investment plan to build another 11 next-generation mega cruise ships, coming into service between 2017 and 2026. The Company is set to nearly triple its capacity by 2026. MSC Cruises vacations are sold across the globe through a significant distribution network in 67 countries. The Company employs over 17,000 people across the globe, both ashore and on board its ships. The MSC Cruises fleet comprises 13 modern ships: MSC Meraviglia, MSC Preziosa; MSC Divina; MSC Splendida; MSC Fantasia; MSC Magnifica; MSC Poesia; MSC Orchestra; MSC Musica; MSC Sinfonia; MSC Armonia; MSC Opera and MSC Lirica.

MSC Cruises feels a deep responsibility for the environments in which it operates and was the first company ever to earn the Bureau Veritas "7 Golden Pearls" for superior management and environmental stewardship. In 2009, MSC Cruises began an enduring partnership with UNICEF to support various programs assisting children worldwide. So far, more than $7.5 million has been collected in voluntary guest donations.

ABOUT MSC MEDITERRANEAN SHIPPING COMPANY

MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A. is a privately owned global shipping company founded in 1970 by Gianluigi Aponte. As one of the world's leading container shipping lines, MSC operates 480 offices across 155 countries worldwide with over 70,000 employees. With access to an integrated network of road, rail and sea transport resources which stretches worldwide, the company prides itself on delivering global service with local knowledge. MSC's shipping line sails on more than 200 trade routes, calling at over 500 ports.

SOURCE MSC Cruises USA

Related Links

http://www.msccruisesusa.com


BASEL, Switzerland, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Myovant Sciences (NYSE: MYOV), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing innovative therapies for women's health and endocrine diseases, today announced corporate updates and reported financial results for the second fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2017.

"We made significant clinical and corporate progress this quarter as we continue to build Myovant into a leading women's health company. The positive results from Takeda's two Phase 3 studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of relugolix for the treatment of uterine fibroids provide strong support for Myovant's ongoing Phase 3 studies of relugolix for the treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding associated with uterine fibroids," stated Lynn Seely, M.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Myovant Sciences. "In addition, we secured flexible financing commitments of up to $140 million, which puts us in a strong financial position to support the Phase 3 development of relugolix in uterine fibroids, endometriosis and advanced prostate cancer."

Recent Business Progress

Positive results in two Phase 3 clinical studies conducted by Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited ("Takeda") to evaluate the efficacy and safety of relugolix for the treatment of uterine fibroids.

On October 2, 2017 , Myovant announced that Takeda reported positive top-line results from a Phase 3 study in Japan evaluating the efficacy and safety of relugolix compared with leuprorelin for the treatment of women with heavy menstrual bleeding associated with uterine fibroids. Relugolix met the study's primary endpoint, achieving an 82.2% response rate, and was observed to be statistically non-inferior to leuprorelin (p = 0.0013) in meeting the study's primary endpoint, the proportion of patients achieving a pre-defined reduction in menstrual bleeding. The incidence of adverse events in the study was generally similar between treatment groups and consistent with the mechanism of action of the study medications.

, Myovant announced that Takeda reported positive top-line results from a Phase 3 study in evaluating the efficacy and safety of relugolix compared with leuprorelin for the treatment of women with heavy menstrual bleeding associated with uterine fibroids. Relugolix met the study's primary endpoint, achieving an 82.2% response rate, and was observed to be statistically non-inferior to leuprorelin (p = 0.0013) in meeting the study's primary endpoint, the proportion of patients achieving a pre-defined reduction in menstrual bleeding. The incidence of adverse events in the study was generally similar between treatment groups and consistent with the mechanism of action of the study medications. On November 9, 2017 , Myovant announced that Takeda reported positive top-line results from a Phase 3 study in Japan evaluating the efficacy and safety of relugolix compared with placebo for the treatment of pain associated with uterine fibroids. Of the women treated with relugolix, 57.6% achieved a marked improvement in pain symptoms compared to 3.1% treated with placebo (p< 0.0001). Adverse events in the study were consistent with the mechanism of action of relugolix and adverse events observed in previous clinical studies.

, Myovant announced that Takeda reported positive top-line results from a Phase 3 study in evaluating the efficacy and safety of relugolix compared with placebo for the treatment of pain associated with uterine fibroids. Of the women treated with relugolix, 57.6% achieved a marked improvement in pain symptoms compared to 3.1% treated with placebo (p< 0.0001). Adverse events in the study were consistent with the mechanism of action of relugolix and adverse events observed in previous clinical studies. Takeda plans to submit the data from both studies to regulatory authorities in Japan for marketing authorization of relugolix for the treatment of uterine fibroids. Myovant will be solely responsible for obtaining FDA approval for relugolix in the United States .

Secured flexible financing commitments of up to $140 million. On October 16, 2017, Myovant announced that it had secured up to $140 million in flexible financing commitments from NovaQuest Capital Management ("NovaQuest") and Hercules Capital, Inc. ("Hercules"). The NovaQuest financing is comprised of a note purchase commitment of up to $60 million and an equity purchase commitment of up to $40 million. An additional $40 million of debt financing capacity is committed in the form of a term loan facility from Hercules. Myovant plans to use the net proceeds from both financings to fund the ongoing Phase 3 development of relugolix in uterine fibroids, endometriosis and advanced prostate cancer. Pursuant to the agreements, upon closing, Myovant received net cash proceeds of approximately $32 million under the financing commitments.

Second Fiscal Quarter 2017 Financial Summary

Research and development (R&D) expenses for the quarter ended September 30, 2017 were $24.2 million, compared to $3.8 million for the comparable period in 2016. The increase over the prior year period is primarily due to costs associated with the five ongoing Phase 3 clinical trials of relugolix which were initiated in 2017. R&D expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2017 consisted primarily of clinical trial and clinical drug supply costs of $19.7 million, personnel expenses of $3.0 million, share-based compensation expense of $0.7 million, and costs billed to us under the services agreements with Roivant Sciences, Ltd. and Roivant Sciences, Inc. ("the Services Agreements") of $0.5 million, including personnel expenses and third-party costs associated with the preparation of our clinical and other research programs. R&D expenses were $3.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016, and consisted primarily of costs billed to us under the Services Agreements of $2.7 million, including personnel expenses and third-party costs associated with the preparation of our clinical and other research programs and share-based compensation expense.

General and administrative (G&A) expenses for the quarter ended September 30, 2017 were $6.1 million, compared to $3.0 million for the same period in 2016. G&A expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2017 consisted primarily of personnel-related and general overhead expenses of $2.3 million, share-based compensation expense of $2.1 million, legal and professional fees of $1.2 million and costs of $0.5 million billed to us under the Services Agreements, including personnel expenses, overhead allocations and third-party costs. G&A expenses were $3.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016, and consisted primarily of share-based compensation expense of $1.3 million, legal and professional fees of $1.0 million and costs of $0.3 million billed to us under the Services Agreements, including personnel expenses, overhead allocations and third-party costs.

Net loss for the quarter ended September 30, 2017 was $29.9 million, or $0.50 per share, compared to $34.7 million or $0.82 per share for the same period in 2016. The decrease in net loss was driven by the change in the fair market value of the previously outstanding Takeda warrant liability during the second quarter of 2016, which did not recur in the second quarter of 2017 due to its expiry on April 30, 2017. This was offset by an increase in costs associated with the ongoing LIBERTY 1 and LIBERTY 2, SPIRIT 1 and SPIRIT 2, and HERO Phase 3 clinical studies which were initiated in 2017 as well as increased personnel expenses to support Myovant's growing operations.

Cash totaled $129.3 million on September 30, 2017.

About Relugolix

Relugolix is an oral, once-daily, small molecule gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor antagonist that has been evaluated in over 1,600 study participants in Phase 1, Phase 2 and Phase 3 clinical trials. In these trials, relugolix has been shown to be generally well tolerated and to suppress estrogen and progesterone levels in women and testosterone levels in men. Common side effects are consistent with suppression of these hormones. In the ongoing Phase 3 SPIRIT clinical trials in women with endometriosis-associated pain and the ongoing Phase 3 LIBERTY clinical trials in women with heavy menstrual bleeding associated with uterine fibroids, relugolix will be evaluated with and without low-dose hormonal add-back therapy, the addition of which is expected to decrease potential side effects such as bone mineral density loss and hot flashes. The ongoing Phase 3 HERO study is evaluating relugolix in men with advanced prostate cancer.

About Myovant Sciences

Myovant Sciences is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing innovative therapies for women's health and endocrine diseases. Myovant's lead product candidate is relugolix, an oral, once-daily, small molecule that acts as a GnRH receptor antagonist. Myovant has initiated three clinical programs for relugolix consisting of five international Phase 3 clinical trials, two in women with heavy menstrual bleeding associated with uterine fibroids (LIBERTY 1 & 2), two in women with endometriosis-associated pain (SPIRIT 1 & 2), and one in men with advanced prostate cancer (HERO). Myovant is simultaneously developing MVT-602, a kisspeptin agonist, for the treatment of female infertility as part of assisted reproduction. Takeda Pharmaceuticals International AG has granted Myovant an exclusive, worldwide license to develop and commercialize relugolix (excluding Japan and certain other Asian countries where Takeda retains exclusive rights) and an exclusive license to develop and commercialize MVT-602 in all countries worldwide. Over time, the company intends to expand its development pipeline to include other potential treatments for women's health and endocrine diseases. For more information, please visit the company's website at www.myovant.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including without limitation, statements related to: Myovant's focus on building Myovant into a leading women's health company; Takeda's reported results from its Phase 3 studies of relugolix and any support those data may have for Myovant's Phase 3 studies of relugolix; Takeda's plans to submit the data from both studies to regulatory authorities; Myovant's ability to advance the clinical development of relugolix through the LIBERTY 1, LIBERTY 2, SPIRIT 1, SPIRIT 2 and HERO clinical trials; and Myovant's ability to obtain funding under the new financing commitments and plans for the development of its pipeline and completion of its clinical studies. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the words "believe," "anticipate," "continue", "estimate", "project," "expect," "plan," "potential," "intends," "will," "would", "could", "should" or the negative or plural of these words or other similar expressions that are predictions or indicate future events, trends or prospects but the absence of these words does not necessarily mean that a statement is not forward-looking. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially and reported results should not be considered as an indication of future performance. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements as a result of these risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation: the terms and conditions of the financing commitments, which could limit the availability of future funding, risks associated with the success, cost and timing of our product development activities and clinical trials; the approval and commercialization of our product candidates relugolix and MVT-602; and increased regulatory requirements. These statements are subject to the risk that clinical trial data are subject to differing interpretations, and regulatory agencies, medical and scientific experts and others may not share Myovant's views of the clinical study data. There can be no assurance that the clinical programs for relugolix or MVT-602 will be successful in demonstrating safety and/or efficacy, that we will not encounter problems or delays in clinical development, that any of our product candidates will ever receive regulatory approval or be successfully commercialized, or that we will obtain future funding under the new financing commitments. For a further description of the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed in these forward-looking statements, as well as risks relating to Myovant's business in general, see the "Risk Factors" section of our quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 10, 2017, and in Myovant's future filings with the SEC, including without limited, Myovant's quarterly report on Form 10-Q expected to be filed with the SEC on November 13, 2017 and other filings that Myovant makes with the SEC from time to time. These forward-looking statements are based on information available to Myovant as of the date of this press release and speak only as of the date of this release. Myovant disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law.

MYOVANT SCIENCES LTD. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited, in thousands, except share and per share data)









Three Months Ended September 30,

Six Months Ended September 30,

2017

2016

2017

2016















Operating expenses:













Research and development (includes $679 and $814 of share-based compensation expense for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 and $1,539 and $1,789 for the six months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively) $ 24,170



$ 3,753



$ 41,878



$ 18,326

























General and administrative (includes $2,070 and $1,336 of share-based compensation expense for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 and $3,411 and $2,982 for the six months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively) 6,141



2,967



10,323



5,529

























Total operating expenses 30,311



6,720



52,201



23,855

















Changes in the fair value of the warrant liability 



27,984







29,817

Other (income) expense (138)







204





Loss before provision for income taxes (30,173)



(34,704)



(52,405)



(53,672)

Income tax (benefit) expense (265)



8



820



11

Net loss $ (29,908)



$ (34,712)



$ (53,225)



$ (53,683)

Net loss per common share  basic and diluted $ (0.50)



$ (0.82)



$ (0.90)



$ (1.29)

Weighted average common shares outstanding  basic and diluted 59,459,500



42,512,254



59,353,966



41,646,657



MYOVANT SCIENCES LTD. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited, in thousands)









September 30, 2017

March 31, 2017 Assets





Current assets:





Cash $ 129,332



$ 180,838

Prepaid expenses and other current assets 3,738



3,221

Income tax receivable 



105

Total current assets 133,070



184,164









Deferred tax assets 



208

Furniture and equipment, net 965



906

Other assets 2,098





Total assets $ 136,133



$ 185,278









Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity





Current liabilities:





Accounts payable $ 1,354



$ 3,329

Income tax payable 456





Accrued expenses 14,547



11,978

Due to Roivant Sciences Ltd. and Roivant Sciences, Inc. 731



3,030

Total current liabilities 17,088



18,337









Warrant liability 



52

Deferred rent 326



113

Total liabilities 17,414



18,502









Total shareholders' equity 118,719



166,776

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 136,133



$ 185,278



Investor Contacts:

Frank Karbe

Chief Financial Officer

Myovant Sciences, Inc.

DeDe Sheel

Director, Investor Relations

Myovant Sciences, Inc.

[email protected]

SOURCE Myovant Sciences

Related Links

http://www.myovant.com


NEW YORK, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Namecheap has partnered with New York On Tech to provide digital training and resources to students from local New York City high schools.

New York On Tech helps underrepresented young students prepare for academic and professional careers in technology, connecting them to opportunities and industry experts. They also provide training courses to enhance digital skills.

"Creating an online presence is an absolute must for the next generation of entrepreneurs and innovators. Combining Namecheap's technology with New York On Tech's mission will help provide students with the tools and skills they need to help them in all areas of their lives. In doing this, we hope to contribute to building the tech talent of tomorrow! Our partnership is incredibly exciting," said Richard Kirkendall, CEO of Namecheap, Inc.

Namecheap will provide digital toolssuch as free domains and other resourcesso students can easily create a website. They will also run a series of workshops that help students understand how an online presence can make life milestones more attainable. Examples include applying for college and internships, and the most effective way to search for jobs.

The workshops will consist of several two-hour training sessions focused on the importance of self-branding. The students will also utilize resources provided by Namecheap, and put their best work online for prospective college admissions or employers.

"Our partnership with Namecheap will allow New York On Tech students to gain a fundamental understanding of how they can showcase the skills they are learning in our program via the world wide web to attract new opportunities," said Jessica Santana, Executive Director, New York On Tech. "An online brand is critical in a 21st-century workforce and economy and we are excited to partner with industry leaders like Namecheap to provide these tools and resources to students."

By making these sessions personally relevant and engaging, Namecheap's goal is to empower students and encourage them to take their next steps toward their academic or career goals.

The partnership launch event will be held on November 16th from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the General Assembly, 902 Broadway, 4th Floor, in New York City.

About Namecheap

Founded in 2000 by Richard Kirkendall, Namecheap is a leading ICANN-accredited domain name registrar with more than 8 million domains under management. The company offers domain names at some of the best prices in the industry, with full-featured hosting packages, secure SSL certificates, and WhoisGuard privacy protection services.

About New York On Tech

New York On Tech programs provides the tools and skills students need to further themselves in technology. They work with more than 50 high schools, companies in various capacities and mentor/volunteers/instructors throughout New York City to help provide access to computer science and technology education to students.

Media Contact:

Shante Jenkins

[email protected]

Ziggy Chau

[email protected]

SOURCE Namecheap

Related Links

http://www.namecheap.com


Dell EMC combines high-performance computing and data analytics with advances in machine and deep learning, enabling enterprises to address opportunities in areas such as fraud detection, image processing, financial investment analysis and personalized medicine

New Dell EMC Machine Learning and Deep Learning Ready Bundles enable customers to easily deploy and benefit from machine and deep learning capabilities

New Dell EMC PowerEdge C4140 accelerator-based platform for demanding cognitive workloads, powered by latest generation NVIDIA GPUs and Intel Xeon Scalable processors, offers new performance capabilities for machine and deep learning

Tweet this

New @DellEMC #machinelearning, #deeplearning #readysolutions & @DellEMCServers bring #HPC #dataanalytics to mainstream enterprises http://bit.ly/2ArPVCP #SC17

Full story

Dell EMC announces new machine learning and deep learning solutions, continuing the company's work to bring high performance computing (HPC) and data analytics capabilities to mainstream enterprises worldwide. This enables organizations to take advantage of the convergence of HPC and data analytics and realize advancements in areas including fraud detection, image processing, financial investment analysis and personalized medicine. These new innovations represent the next step in the company's focus on democratizing HPC, optimizing data analytics with artificial intelligence (AI) technology innovations, and advancing both the HPC and AI communities.

While AI techniques, such as machine learning and deep learning, are rapidly being deployed by many organizations across several industries, only a small number possess the expertise to design, deploy and manage such systems to use them effectively for rapidly gaining new insights. By leveraging Dell EMC's ecosystem of strong, curated partnerships and internal expertise in HPC and data analytics services, the company's new solutions offer customers the ability to harness the power of the massive amounts of their collected data, delivering faster, better and deeper business insights in real-time.

Enabling the best path for machine and deep learning

As emerging technologies, enterprises often have difficulty knowing where to begin to get the most out of their machine and deep learning solutions. To help them benefit from machine or deep learning, quickly and efficiently, Dell EMC offers customers HPC solutions focused on specific use cases and business problems backed by industry and HPC expertise and guidance.

Combined with knowledge from Dell EMC experts, the new Dell EMC Machine and Deep Learning Ready Bundles are part of a new portfolio that delivers on the commitment of democratizing HPC and helping customers achieve faster, better and deeper data insights. These Ready Bundles combine pre-tested and validated servers, storage, networking and services optimized for machine and deep learning applications. The new Ready Bundles:

Enable faster, better, deeper data insights: Identifying, analyzing and automating data patterns empowers customers to do more with their data in a wide range of applications such as facial recognition for security, tumor diagnosis in healthcare, and better understanding of human behaviors in the retail industry.

Identifying, analyzing and automating data patterns empowers customers to do more with their data in a wide range of applications such as facial recognition for security, tumor diagnosis in healthcare, and better understanding of human behaviors in the retail industry. Include trusted experts: Using the knowledge and experience of Dell EMC and its strong ecosystem of technology partners helps customers get the most out of machine and deep learning solutions quickly.

Using the knowledge and experience of Dell EMC and its strong ecosystem of technology partners helps customers get the most out of machine and deep learning solutions quickly. Maximize efficiency, security and control: Enabling customers to reduce the costs associated with moving significant amounts of data in hybrid cloud environments while minimizing risk and maximizing data control.

Dell EMC Ready Bundles for Machine and Deep Learning will help mainstream enterprises worldwide get a competitive advantage from these capabilities on-premises and in hybrid cloud environments.

Dell EMC Deep Learning Ready Bundle customers will benefit from the introduction of the new Dell EMC PowerEdge C4140 server, supporting latest generation NVIDIA Tesla V100 GPU accelerators with PCIe and NVLink high-speed interconnect technology. This new offering is an example of the Dell EMC and NVIDIA strategic agreement for joint development of new HPC, data analytics, and artificial intelligence products and solutions announced at ISC'17 in June.

Dell EMC also plans to introduce Ready Bundles working closely with Intel technology. Dell EMC and Intel have embarked on a Joint Innovation Agreement to collaborate on advancing artificial intelligence, machine learning and deep learning.

Accelerate time to insights with Dell EMC PowerEdge

The new Dell EMC PowerEdge C4140 server is an ultra-dense, accelerator optimized server platform with an innovative systems design. The PowerEdge C4140 features two Intel Xeon Scalable Processors and four NVIDIA Tesla GPUs to deliver optimized performance for demanding cognitive workloads. The new PowerEdge C4140's acceleration technology is ideal for intensive machine learning and deep learning applications to drive advances in scientific imaging, oil and gas exploration, financial services and other HPC industry verticals.

Transforming the future by expanding HPC, Big Data capabilities into machine and deep learning

Dell EMC's new machine and deep learning solutions build on experience gained in collaborations with customers leading research that maximizes the value from machine learning.

The Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC) at The University of Texas at Austin actively has conducted research to identify brain tumors using machine learning as one of the first applications of its new "Stampede2" supercomputer with Intel Xeon Phi 7250 processors across 4,200 nodes connected with Intel Omni-Path Fabric. This system was developed in collaboration with Dell EMC, Intel and Seagate and ranks No. 12 on the TOP500 list of the most powerful computer systems worldwide.

Additionally, Simon Fraser University's "Cedar" supercomputer was built for big data, including artificial intelligence, with 146 Dell EMC PowerEdge C4130 servers with NVIDIA Tesla P100 GPUs. Canada's most powerful academic supercomputer ranks No. 94 on the TOP500 and No. 13 on the Green500, helping researchers chart new territory across several areas. University researchers use Cedar to study the continually changing DNA code in bacteria, with public health agencies worldwide, implementing faster and more effective infectious disease control measures.

Availability

The Dell EMC Ready Bundles for Machine Learning and Deep Learning will be available in the first half of 2018 through Dell EMC and its channel partners.

Dell EMC PowerEdge C4140 will be available worldwide in December 2017 .

Supporting quotes:

Dr. Jeremy Hammond, associate director, research technology, The University of Sydney, Australia

"The addition of advanced deep-learning capabilities to our Artemis supercomputer, thanks to the Dell EMC PowerEdge C4140, allows our researchers to investigate questions previously unattainable. Informatics and supercomputing represent a revolutionary shift to the academy, and the performance and flexibility of the Dell EMC PowerEdge C4140 is a perfect resource for our extremely talented researchers and students. This transformational computing platform ensures our initiatives in translational data science, the biomedical sciences, humanities and social sciences, and advanced engineering are making a lasting impact on communities and industry, both locally and globally."

Dan Stanzione, executive director, Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC)

"Our researchers have an incredible task in front of them  to sift through mountains of data and determine how the information can help improve outcomes in critical areas from health research to natural disaster response to fundamental science. The power of our Stampede2 supercomputer is invaluable to this task, and we are pleased to continue to partner with Dell EMC to continue to add powerful capabilities to this system."

Karl Freund, senior analyst, AI and Machine Learning, Moor Insights & Strategies

"Dell EMC has set forth a pragmatic and holistic approach to address customers' needs for building intelligence into their business and solutions. It is apparent that Dell acquired knowledgeable AI and data scientists along with the rest of EMC for an even stronger, combined Dell EMC. These folks get itAI isn't easy, but it doesn't have to be so terribly hard given the right products and services."

Bill Wagner, CEO, Bright Computing

"Bright and Dell EMC have a proven, long-standing relationship in the HPC market, so extending the work we've done together into a machine learning appliance is a natural step for us. Together, Dell EMC and Bright are making it faster and easier for organizations to begin using machine learning within their businesses, and just as important, automatically scale their machine learning programs as they become more sophisticated."

Naveen Rao, vice president and general manager, Artificial Intelligence Products Group (AIPG), Intel

"Intel is excited to announce our strategic collaboration with Dell EMC to enhance the Ready Bundles for Deep Learning and Machine Learning. This collaboration will help organizations of all sizes accelerate innovation and discoveries."

Gilad Shainer, vice president of marketing, Mellanox Technologies

"The combination of Dell EMC's platforms with Mellanox's In-Network Computing capabilities and advanced acceleration engines offers customers an ideal solution for the most demanding high-performance computing and machine learning workloads. By providing end-users with native RDMA, SHARP, GPUDirect, NVMe offloads and a myriad of other benefits, our mutual customers can enjoy the highest return on investment, while improving total cost of ownership of their data center. We are working together with Dell EMC to introduce new capabilities and bring the new HDR 200Gb/s into future Dell systems."

Ian Buck, vice president and general manager, Accelerated Computing, NVIDIA

"NVIDIA is focused on advancing the world's deep learning capabilities and ecosystem, and our joint innovation with Dell EMC plays an important role. With products and solutions that bring to life the powerful, deep learning capabilities of our Tesla V100 GPUs, our combined technologies offer customers faster discovery to help them make faster, smarter decisions with growing amounts of valuable data."

Armughan Ahmad, senior vice president/general manager, Hybrid Cloud and Ready Solutions, Dell EMC

"Our customers consistently tell us that one of their biggest challenges is how to best manage and learn from the ever-increasing amount of data they collect daily. With Dell EMC's high performance computing experience, we've seen how our artificial intelligence solutions can deliver critical insights from this data, faster than ever before possible. Working with our strategic technology partners, we're able to bring these powerful capabilities to all enterprises. When you think about what this means for industries like financial services or personalized medicine, the possibilities are endless and exciting."

Additional resources

About Dell EMC

Dell EMC, a part of Dell Technologies, enables organizations to modernize, automate and transform their data center using industry-leading converged infrastructure, servers, storage and data protection technologies. This provides a trusted foundation for businesses to transform IT, through the creation of a hybrid cloud, and transform their business through the creation of cloud-native applications and big data solutions. Dell EMC services customers across 180 countries  including 98 percent of the Fortune 500  with the industry's most comprehensive and innovative portfolio from edge to core to cloud.

Copyright  2017 Dell Inc. or its subsidiaries. All Rights Reserved. Dell EMC and the Dell EMC logo are trademarks of Dell Technologies in the United States and/or other jurisdictions. All other marks and names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective companies.

SOURCE Dell EMC
"The Top Workplaces award is not a popularity contest. And oftentimes, people assume it's all about fancy perks and benefits," says Doug Claffey, CEO of Energage. "But to be a Top Workplace, organizations must meet our strict standards for organizational health. And who better to ask about work life than the people who live the culture every daythe employees. Time and time again, our research has proven that what's most important to them is a strong belief in where the organization is headed, how it's going to get there, and the feeling that everyone is in it together." Claffey adds, "Without this sense of connection, an organization doesn't have a shot at being named a Top Workplace."

Having moved to a brand new Headquarters location in August 2017, Collabera is thrilled to continue celebrating milestone achievements in 2017. "We've put a lot of time and energy into developing a strong workplace culture and environment. Winning this award proves to us that our vision for the Collabera team has truly come to fruition," says Collabera Chairman Hiten Patel. "With a rapidly expanding team, it's so gratifying to know that everyone in Collabera is on the same page and are reaching for the same goals."

About Collabera

Collabera has been a leader in IT staffing for over 25 years and is one of the largest diversity IT staffing firms in the industry. We are known for our high-touch, customer-centric approach, offering our clients unmatched quality, responsiveness, and flexibility. With over 60 offices nationwide, our clients appreciate our streamlined execution, highly efficient service, and exceptional talent management that goes above and beyond traditional staffing services. Collabera has been named the Best Staffing Firm to Work For in the large firm category by Staffing Industry Analysts, the global advisor on contingent work, for six consecutive years.

About Energage, LLC

Headquartered in Exton, PA, Energage specializes in employee feedback surveys and workplace improvement. This year alone, more than two million employees in over 6,000 organizations will participate in the Top Workplaces campaigna program it conducts in partnership with more than 40 prestigious media partners across the United States. Energage also provides consulting services to improve employee engagement and organizational health. Energage is a founding B Corporation member, a coalition of organizations that are leading a global movement to redefine success in business by offering a positive vision of a better way to do business.

Patricia Wilson

[email protected] & 973-889-5200

Collabera.com

SOURCE Collabera

Related Links

http://www.collabera.com


BASEL, Switzerland, November 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

NousCom, an oncology company developing next-generation cancer vaccines based on its Exovax platform, today announced preclinical data of its neoantigen-based cancer vaccine in combination with Nektar Therapeutics' NKTR-214, a CD122-biased cytokine agonist which is currently in clinical trials.

NousCom combined its vectored genetic vaccine encoding multiple cancer neoantigens, capable of inducing potent and broad T cell responses, with NKTR-214, designed to expand the specific population of vaccine induced cancer-killing T cells which infiltrate the tumor. Strong synergy between the two agents was observed, leading to an unprecedented anti-tumor effect in mice.

Highlights of the poster presentation include:

Combination treatment of NousCom vaccine and NKTR-214 resulted in tumor regression in 90% of mice

All animals cured by this combination treatment were resistant to the second tumor challenge

A triple regimen based on NousCom vaccine, NKTR-214 and anti-PD1 resulted in 100% cure of animals with established tumors

Combination treatments induce strong and broad neoantigen specific immune response

Dr. Elisa Scarselli, CSO of NousCom said, "We are very encouraged by these preclinical results. This data confirms our hypothesis that the NousCom vaccine, which induces potent and broad T cell responses, synergizes with powerful immunomodulators, such as NKTR-214. The combined treatment has shown unprecedented cure rates in very stringent animal model."

Dr. Scarselli continued, "We look forward to continuing our collaboration with the team at Nektar Therapeutics with the goal of further validating our technology platform and developing more effective therapies for the benefit of cancer patients."

The poster entitled "Great Apes Adenoviral vaccine encoding neoantigens synergizes with immunomodulator (NKTR-214) to cure established tumors in mice" (P434) was presented at The Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) Annual Meeting on November 11, 2017 at the National Harbor, Maryland. The abstract can be accessed here (p. 499).

About NousCom

NousCom is a private oncology company developing next-generation immunotherapies. NousCom's proprietary technology platform, Exovax, harnesses the full power of the immune response by combining viral vectored genetic vaccines based on neoantigens with other immunomodulators. The Company's lead program NOUS-209 is being developed as a prophylactic vaccine to prevent the occurrence of cancer in Lynch Syndrome Carriers and as a therapeutic vaccine for cancers characterized by Microsatellite Instability. NOUS-209 has the potential to be the first neoantigen off-the-shelf cancer vaccine tested in the clinic.

NousCom is led by an experienced management team that has worked together for many years in previous successful enterprises, including IRBM/Merck and Okairos (acquired by GSK), and are veterans in the field of genetic vaccines.

NousCom, which was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland with operations in Rome, Italy, is backed by international life sciences investors: 5AM, Abingworth, LSP (Life Sciences Partners) and Versant Ventures.

For more information on NousCom, please visit the company's website at http://www.nouscom.com

Contacts :

NousCom

Marina Udier, Chief Operating Officer

E : [email protected]

Tel: +41-41-79-723-7536

Citigate Dewe Rogerson

Sylvie Berrebi, Mark Swallow, Pip Batty

[email protected]

T: +44(0)20-7638-9571



SOURCE NousCom
EAST HANOVER, N.J., Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Novartis today announced results from a new analysis of the Phase III CANTOS study presented by Dr. Paul Ridker at the American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Sessions 2017 and published simultaneously in The Lancet.1 The pre-planned secondary analysis of an exploratory endpoint showed that people with a prior heart attack who achieved hsCRP levels below 2mg/L at three months after the first dose of canakinumab had a 25% reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) versus placebo (HRadj=0.75, 95% CI 0.66-0.85, p<0.0001).1 These patients also had a significant reduction of 31% in the rate of cardiovascular (CV) death (HRadj=0.69, 95% CI 0.56-0.85, p=0.0004) and all-cause death (HRadj=0.69, 95% CI 0.58-0.81, p<0.0001).1 There was no significant reduction in these endpoints observed among those treated with canakinumab who achieved hsCRP levels equal to or above 2mg/L.1 This analysis indicates that on-treatment hsCRP testing may offer a quick and reliable way to identify the patients most likely to achieve the greatest benefits from long-term canakinumab treatment.2,3 It also demonstrates that treating inflammation in addition to lowering cholesterol may significantly reduce the risk of recurrent CV events.1

"This CANTOS analysis suggests that the initial biologic response to canakinumab may provide a simple method to identify which patients are most likely to obtain long-term benefits," said Dr. Paul Ridker, MD, CANTOS Study Chairman and Director of the Center for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention at Brigham and Women's Hospital. "Importantly, these data also support the value of targeting inflammation when treating patients who have had a heart attack in the past, reinforcing that 'lower is better' when it comes to levels of inflammation."

"This outcome is an exciting new development in the field of personalized cardiovascular medicine," said Vas Narasimhan, Global Head, Drug Development and Chief Medical Officer, Novartis. "In addition to offering targeted cardiovascular benefits for patients, personalized treatment approaches can also be more cost-efficient for the overall healthcare system. We hope we can bring this innovative treatment to patients in the near future."

The analysis also evaluated the number of patients needed to treat (NNT). NNT is an epidemiological measure used to communicate the effectiveness of a healthcare intervention in which the lower the NNT, the more effective the intervention. The estimated NNT of the subgroup of patients was 16, indicating that 16 patients treated with canakinumab whose hsCRP values dropped below 2mg/L would need to be treated for five years to prevent one death, heart attack, stroke or coronary revascularization. The NNT for the CANTOS cohort as a whole was 24.

Canakinumab has been shown to have major effects on inflammation, which is associated with atherothrombosis, the main cause of acute coronary syndromes and CV death.1,4 People with elevated inflammatory biomarkers, such as hsCRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein), are at an increased risk of CV events.4 The hsCRP test is a simple, inexpensive and widely available blood biomarker test that may also be used for residual inflammatory risk.2 This subgroup analysis by Dr. Paul Ridker included patients whose level of hsCRP at three months was 2mg/L or greater, as well as those whose level was less than 2mg/L, which is a commonly used clinical cut point for hsCRP measuring residual inflammatory risk.1 The analysis supports that patients who achieve an hsCRP level of less than 2mg/L by the third month on-treatment may receive the greatest benefit from long-term treatment with canakinumab.1 The safety profile of canakinumab in the subgroup of patients whose hsCRP levels dropped below 2mg/L was consistent with the overall study population.1 The overall rates of adverse events (AEs), serious AEs, and discontinuations due to AEs in CANTOS were similar to placebo across all canakinumab doses.3 There was no relationship between on-treatment hsCRP levels and adverse events.1

With more than 10,000 patients enrolled in the study over six years, CANTOS was one of the largest and longest-running clinical trials in Novartis history.1 As previously announced, initial data from the CANTOS study showed that quarterly treatment with 150mg canakinumab resulted in a statistically significant 15% reduction in MACE - a composite of CV death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and stroke - in people with a prior heart attack and inflammatory atherosclerosis.3

Pending final regulatory discussions, Novartis plans to file CANTOS CV data for regulatory approval in Q4 2017.

About CANTOS (NCT01327846)

The Canakinumab Anti-inflammatory Thrombosis Outcomes Study (CANTOS) (NCT01327846) is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, event-driven Phase III study designed to evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of quarterly subcutaneous injections of canakinumab (also known as ACZ885) in combination with standard of care in the prevention of recurrent cardiovascular (CV) events among 10,061 people with a prior myocardial infarction (MI) and with a high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) level of 2mg/L.1 The study evaluated three different doses of canakinumab vs placebo.1 The primary endpoint of the study was time to first occurrence of major adverse CV events (MACE), a composite of CV death, non-fatal MI, and non-fatal stroke.1 Initial results showed that canakinumab met the primary endpoint and led to a statistically significant 15% reduction in the risk of MACE, compared to placebo (p-value 0.021).3 This benefit was sustained throughout the duration of the study (median follow up 3.7 years) and was largely consistent across key pre-specified baseline subgroups.1 Secondary endpoints included time to first occurrence of the composite CV endpoint consisting of CV death, non-fatal MI, non-fatal stroke and hospitalization for unstable angina requiring unplanned revascularization; time to new onset type 2 diabetes among people with pre-diabetes at randomization; time to occurrence of non-fatal MI, non-fatal stroke or all-cause mortality; and time to all-cause mortality.1 The study ran for approximately six years.1 The overall rates of adverse events (AEs), serious AEs, and discontinuations due to AEs were similar to placebo across all canakinumab doses.3 During the average follow-up time of 3.7 years, serious infections were reported in 11.3% vs 10.2% and malignancies were reported in 6.4% vs 7.1% of participants (canakinumab 150mg vs placebo, respectively).3 Fatal infections were rare and occurred in about one per 1,000 patients on placebo.3

In a pre-specified secondary analysis designed to address the relationship of hsCRP reduction to event reduction in CANTOS, the researchers evaluated the effects of canakinumab on rates of MACE, CV mortality, and all-cause mortality according to on-treatment levels of hsCRP.1 The researchers used multivariable modeling to adjust for baseline factors associated with achieved hsCRP and multiple sensitivity analyses to address the magnitude of residual confounding.1

About heart attack and inflammatory atherosclerosis

Heart attack occurs in about 580,000 people every year in the five largest European Union countries and 790,000 people in the United States alone.5,6 Despite optimal standard treatment, patients who have had a prior heart attack live with a higher ongoing risk of secondary major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), a composite of cardiovascular (CV) death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and non-fatal stroke.6 It has been shown that in about four in 10 people, this risk is directly related to the increased inflammation associated with inflammatory atherosclerosis as measured by a high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) biomarker level of 2mg/L.7 The recurrent MACE in people with inflammatory atherosclerosis are associated with increased morbidity, mortality and reduced quality of life and currently represent a major economic burden on patients and healthcare systems around the world.

About ACZ885 (canakinumab)

Canakinumab (ACZ885) is a selective, high-affinity, fully human monoclonal antibody that inhibits IL-1, a key cytokine in the inflammatory pathway known to drive the continued progression of inflammatory atherosclerosis.8-12 Canakinumab works by blocking the action of IL-1 for a sustained period of time, therefore inhibiting inflammation that is caused by its over-production.13,14 Canakinumab is the first and only investigational treatment which has shown that selectively targeting inflammation significantly reduces cardiovascular risk.

Disclaimer

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by words such as "potential," "can," "will," "plan," "expect," "anticipate," "look forward," "believe," "committed," "investigational," "pipeline," "launch," or similar terms, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential marketing approvals, new indications or labeling for the investigational or approved products described in this press release, or regarding potential future revenues from such products. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations regarding future events, and are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. There can be no guarantee that the investigational or approved products described in this press release will be submitted or approved for sale or for any additional indications or labeling in any market, or at any particular time. Nor can there be any guarantee that such products will be commercially successful in the future. In particular, our expectations regarding such products could be affected by, among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including clinical trial results and additional analysis of existing clinical data; regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally; our ability to obtain or maintain proprietary intellectual property protection; the particular prescribing preferences of physicians and patients; global trends toward health care cost containment, including government, payor and general public pricing and reimbursement pressures; general economic and industry conditions, including the effects of the persistently weak economic and financial environment in many countries; safety, quality or manufacturing issues, and other risks and factors referred to in Novartis AG's current Form 20-F on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Novartis is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

About Novartis

Located in East Hanover, NJ Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation is an affiliate of Novartis which provides innovative healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines, cost-saving generic and biosimilar pharmaceuticals and eye care. Novartis has leading positions globally in each of these areas. In 2016, the Group achieved net sales of USD 48.5 billion, while R&D throughout the Group amounted to approximately USD 9.0 billion. Novartis Group companies employ approximately 121,000 full-time-equivalent associates. Novartis products are sold in approximately 155 countries around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.novartis.com.

Novartis is on Twitter. Sign up to follow @Novartis at http://twitter.com/novartis

For Novartis multimedia content, please visit www.novartis.com/news/media-library

For questions about the site or required registration, please contact [email protected]

References

Ridker PM, et al. Relationships of C-Reactive Protein Reduction to Cardiovascular Event Reduction Following Treatment with Canakinumab: Analyses from the Canakinumab Anti-inflammatory Thrombosis Outcomes Study (CANTOS). The Lancet. 2017. AHA. Invasive Tests and Procedures. Available at: http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/HeartAttack/SymptomsDiagnosisofHeartAttack/Invasive-Tests-and-Procedures_UCM_303931_Article.jsp#.WUlhC-vythF. Last accessed June 2017 . Ridker PM, et al. Antiinflammatory Therapy with Canakinumab for Atherosclerotic Disease. N Engl J Med. 2017. Ridker PM. Testing the inflammatory hypothesis of atherothrombosis: scientific rationale for the cardiovascular inflammation reduction trial (CIRT). J Throm Haemost. 2009; 7 (Suppl. 1): 3329. EU5 MI trend. Based on Eurostat discharge data. Novartis data on file. Benjamin E, et al. Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics2017 Update: A Report From the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2017; 135:e146-e603. Ridker PM. How Common Is Residual Inflammatory Risk? Circ Res. 2017; 120:617-619. Fearon WF, Fearon DT. Inflammation and cardiovascular disease: role of the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist. Circulation. 2008;117:2577-2579. Duewell P, et al. NLRP3 inflammasomes are required for atherogenesis and activated by cholesterol crystals. Nature. 2010;464(7293):1357-61. Rajamaki K, et al. Cholesterol Crystals Activate the NLRP3 Inflammasome in Human Macrophages: A Novel Link between Cholesterol Metabolism and Inflammation. PLoS One. 2010; 5(7):e11765. Ridker PM, Luscher TF. Anti-inflammatory therapies for cardiovascular disease. Eur Heart J. 2014; 35(27):1782-91. Ridker PM. From C-Reactive Protein to Interleukin-6 to Interleukin-1. Circ Res. 2016; 118:145-156. Ridker PM, et al. Interleukin-1 inhibition and the prevention of recurrent cardiovascular events: rationale and design of the Canakinumab Anti-inflammatory Thrombosis Outcomes Study (CANTOS). Am Heart J. 2011; 162(4):597-605. Ridker PM, et al. Effects of Interleukin-1 Inhibition with Canakinumab on Hemoglobin A1c, C-Reactive Protein, Interleukin-6 and Fibrinogen. Circulation. 2012; 126(23):2739-48.

Novartis Media Relations Central media line: +41 61 324 2200 E-mail: [email protected]









Eric Althoff Novartis Global Media Relations +41 61 324 7999 (direct) +41 79 593 4202 (mobile) [email protected]

Carla Barry-Austin Novartis US Pharma Communications +1 862 778 0249 (direct) +1 862 325 4959 (mobile) [email protected]





Novartis Investor Relations Central investor relations line: +41 61 324 7944 E-mail: [email protected]









Central Samir Shah +41 61 324 7944 Pierre-Michel Bringer +41 61 324 1065 Thomas Hungerbuehler +41 61 324 8425 Isabella Zinck +41 61 324 7188

North America Richard Pulik +1 212 830 2448 Cory Twining +1 212 830 2417

SOURCE Novartis

Related Links

http://www.novartis.com


AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With more than 234,000 licensed nurse practitioners (NPs) providing exceptional health care to patients throughout the country, there is much to celebrate during this year's National Nurse Practitioner Week. Health care depends on the expert knowledge and clinical expertise of NPs to meet today's patient and public health needs. The faith that patients have in nurse practitioners is evidenced by the more than 1.02 billion visits made to NPs annually.

Eighty nine percent of NPs are certified in an area of primary care, thus creating expert providers for the ever-growing number of people in need of patient-centered, high-quality, comprehensive health care. In addition to providing expert patient care, NPs also spend time with their patients, educating them on making better lifestyle and health care decisions, which can ultimately benefit them, their families and communities, while lowering the cost of care. To make patient access to NPs even greater, 22 states and the District of Columbia have removed outdated barriers to NP practice, giving patients full and direct access to care provided by nurse practitioners. Other state legislatures are also reviewing Full Practice Authority (FPA) as the need for direct access continues to grow.

U.S. News & World Report ranked NPs number two on its 2017 list of "The 100 Best Jobs in America." "Roughly 23,000 new NPs graduated this past school year  a 15.5 percent increase from the year before  and that speaks volumes about the job satisfaction, stability, and yes, compensation levels of the NP role," said Joyce M. Knestrick, PhD, APRN, CRNP, FAANP, president of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. "There has never been a better time to be an NP."

The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), the largest national professional membership organization for nurse practitioners of all specialties, represents the interests of the more than 234,000 licensed NPs in the U.S. In recognition of NP Week, AANP is offering a $20 membership discount to those NPs not currently an NP Member. To join as an NP Member, simply use discount code NPWEEK on your membership application. As The Voice of the Nurse Practitioner, AANP provides legislative leadership at the local, state and national levels, advancing health policy; promoting excellence in practice, education and research; and establishing standards that best serve NP patients and other health care consumers. To locate a nurse practitioner, go to npfinder.com. For more information about NPs, visit aanp.org.

SOURCE American Association of Nurse Practitioners

Related Links

http://www.aanp.org


"Entering China underscores how Peet's has grown systematically since going private in 2012 as the company has delivered consistent, double-digit growth while evolving its omni-channel model comprised of several super premium brands, product formats, and geographies," said Shawn Conway. "Expanding internationally is a natural progression of our United States success and Peet's recognizes that China is a fast-growing market with a flourishing base of coffee lovers seeking distinctive experiences. We are very excited by China's coffee market momentum and for the opportunity to cater to their young consumers eager to discover exceptionally fresh, hand-roasted coffee."

"We are excited to bring Peet's wonderful tradition of premium craft coffees to China," said Lei Zhang, Chairman and CEO of Hillhouse Capital. "We believe Chinese consumers deserve the highest quality products and Peet's offers this in the form of some of the best coffee in the world."

Catering to "Coffee First" In China

As the vanguard of the craft coffee movement, Peet's has put Coffee First for over 50 years by sourcing the world's best beans, hand-roasting them in small batches, and preparing delicious handcrafted beverages.

"In response to the growing demand in China for premium craft coffee, Peet's Coffee is thrilled to bring to the region its handcrafted mastery and to welcome new fans into the Peetnik community," said Vivian Zhang. "When Alfred Peet opened his first coffeebar in Berkeley, California in 1966, he established our long-standing commitment to roasting the highest-quality coffee and Peet's continues to stay true to that in China. A coffeebar that lives up to that approach offers a unique destination for adventurous coffee connoisseurs wanting to discover and enjoy the best of the best from experts who have spent over fifty years perfecting their craft."

Peet's Roasters in China will fresh-roast each batch at the Donghu Lu flagship, continuing Peet's tradition of craft roasted coffee. This sensory approach relies on sight, smell and sound to ensure each batch is roasted to perfection. Peet's China Roasters completed an extensive apprenticeship program at Peet's LEED Gold certified roastery in Alameda, California with John Niccolini, Head Roaster, Peet's Coffee.

Additional features of the Peet's Coffee Shanghai coffeebar include:

A Discovery Bar that invites patrons to take a personalized coffee journey through custom cups, tasting flights, and courses led by our roasters and baristas.

An exacting standard of freshness, with all coffees sold or served within 28 days of roasting, ensuring peak of flavor and aroma.

A dynamic semi-circular design showcasing expert baristas, the craft of espresso preparation and hand-brewed coffee.

Coffee roasted on-site on a Probat roaster specially modified for Peet's distinctive style.

An exclusive in-house pastry chef whisking up exquisite gourmet desserts and baked goods that are freshly made throughout each day using high-quality ingredients.

A range of twelve coffees sourced by the Peet's Coffee team, including Major Dickason , Big Bang, Colombia Luminosa, French Roast, Espresso Forte, and many more.

, Big Bang, Colombia Luminosa, French Roast, Espresso Forte, and many more. Espresso beverages made with freshly ground coffee, hand-pulled shots, and freshly steamed, high-quality milk and crafted on La Marzocco La Strada espresso machines.

An array of signature Peet's Coffee beverages, ranging from Cortados to The Black Tie.

Flexible and comfortable gathering spaces, community tables, and a spacious outdoor patio overlooking the vibrant street of Donghu Lu, located in the Former French Concession.

A "living wall" installation of fresh plants that integrates nature into an urban atmosphere, restoring balance by enhancing indoor air quality and brightening moods of patrons.

Timed to the opening of the Shanghai coffeebar, Peet's Coffee China will also rollout "Peetniks," a regional loyalty program available locally through WeChat.

To learn more about the Shanghai coffeebar, visit Peet's Coffee China on WeChat and Weibo.

About Peet's Coffee:

Peet's Coffee is a U.S. specialty coffee company founded by Alfred Peet in 1966 in Berkeley, California. Mr. Peet grew up in the coffee trade and moved to America from Holland after World War II. His coffee style was unlike anything Americans had ever tasted beforesmall batches, fresh beans and a superior quality roast that is rich and complex. Mr. Peet's influence on the artisan coffee movement inspired a new generation of coffee entrepreneurs, including the founders of Starbucks. Today, Peet's upholds its commitment to delivering a premium product by continuing to source the world's best beans, hand-roast in small batches, and craft every beverage by hand. Peet's asserts a strict standard of freshness to ensure optimum flavor, including a unique direct store delivery network serving over 14,000 grocery stores to personally vet the freshness date on every bag. Peet's is dedicated to growing its business through its retail, grocery and e-commerce channels while maintaining the superior quality of its coffee. Peet's is also proud of its status as the first LEED Gold certified roastery in the United States. For more information, visit www.peets.com. Stay connected to Peet's: @peetscoffee on Twitter and Instagram and facebook.com/peets.

About Hillhouse Capital:

Founded in 2005, Hillhouse Capital is a global firm of investment professionals and operating executives who are focused on building and investing in high-quality business franchises that achieve sustainable growth. Independent proprietary research and industry expertise, in conjunction with world-class operating and management capabilities, are key to Hillhouse Capital's investment approach. Hillhouse Capital partners with exceptional entrepreneurs and management teams to create value, often with a focus on enacting technological transformation and innovation. Hillhouse Capital invests in the consumer, technology, media and telecommunications, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, financials and business services sectors in companies across all equity stages. Hillhouse Capital and its group members manage more than US$30 billion in assets on behalf of institutional clients such as university endowments, foundations, sovereign wealth funds, and family offices.

SOURCE Peet's Coffee

Related Links

http://www.peets.com


AMSTERDAM and NEW YORK, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), a global leader in health technology, today announced that it will be showcasing its integrated vascular solutions comprising interventional X-ray systems, diagnostic and therapeutic devices, planning and navigation software and services at the 2017 VEITHsymposium (VEITH) in New York, New York (November 14 - 18, 2017). At the symposium, Philips will launch PVDandMe.com, a new patient education website providing resources on peripheral vascular disease (PVD) to help patients improve their quality of life.

One in every 20 Americans over the age of 50 has peripheral artery disease (PAD), a common peripheral vascular disease. If left untreated, PAD can become a serious condition linked to severe complications and an increased risk of a heart attack and stroke [1]. Since peripheral vascular disease often has few symptoms, the need for understanding of the condition and integrated solutions offering personalized care is extremely critical. Philips' new patient website provides information about common peripheral vascular disease conditions, signs, symptoms, causes and risk factors. Philips also has launched a complementary PVD site for healthcare providers, Philips.com/PVDresources, with tools to help clinicians establish an office-based laboratory, improving practice workflow and educating colleagues.

"The new Philips unbranded, patient-focused PVD website is a rich resource to aid patients with peripheral vascular disease in understanding their condition to seek treatment to improve their quality of life," said Dr. Raghu Kolluri, MS, MD, RVT, System Medical Director of Vascular Medicine at OhioHealth. "By offering extensive information from treatment options to the physician locator tool, Philips is helping patients better understand their diagnosis and seek appropriate treatment."

At VEITH, Philips will showcase its leading portfolio of interventional imaging systems, devices, software, and services. With its recent acquisition of Spectranetics in August 2017, Philips' expanded range of therapy devices for peripheral vascular disease at this year's symposium will include:

Azurion is the next generation image-guided therapy platform, which enables clinicians to easily and confidently perform a range of routine and complex procedures, helping them to optimize interventional lab performance and provide superior care.

Stellarex drug-coated balloon delivers top-tier clinical results for common to complex patients. As the only commercially available drug-coated balloon with two reported randomized controlled trials, Stellarex has demonstrated durability with consistently high patency rates in a wide range of patients.

The Phoenix atherectomy system, which combines the benefits of existing atherectomy systems, delivers a unique, hybrid [2] atherectomy option to help physicians tailor the treatment approach for each patient.

SymphonySuite is Philips' comprehensive program that includes a robust set of tools to support efforts in opening, growing and maintaining office based lab solutions.

"Our recent acquisition of Spectranetics has accelerated our expansion into therapy devices, complementing our image-guided therapy portfolio that is designed to help clinicians perform efficient and effective treatments," said Christopher Barys, Image Guided Therapy Devices Business Leader for Philips. "Additionally, the launch of the patient resource and clinician webpage demonstrates how we are working to improve patient care and further our goal to help clinicians decide, guide, treat and confirm the right therapies for their patients."

See the calendar of events, as well as general information about Philips' presence at the show here. Visit the Philips and Philips Spectranetics booths (#426 and #308) and the Philips Pavilion in the Nassau suite to experience innovative solutions that deliver the full health continuum in the vascular space. Follow the #VEITH17 conversation on @PhilipsLiveFrom throughout the event.

[1] National Institutes of Health, Facts About Peripheral Arterial Disease (P.A.D.), NHLBI.NIH.gov, September 2017

[2] Directional cutting ability only available with Phoenix 2.4mm deflecting catheter

For further information, please contact:

Fabienne van der Feer

Philips Image Guided Therapy

Tel: +31 6-22698001

E-mail: [email protected]

About Royal Philips

Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a leading health technology company focused on improving people's health and enabling better outcomes across the health continuum from healthy living and prevention, to diagnosis, treatment and home care. Philips leverages advanced technology and deep clinical and consumer insights to deliver integrated solutions. Headquartered in the Netherlands, the company is a leader in diagnostic imaging, image-guided therapy, patient monitoring and health informatics, as well as in consumer health and home care. Philips' health technology portfolio generated 2016 sales of EUR 17.4 billion and employs approximately 73,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. News about Philips can be found at www.philips.com/newscenter.

SOURCE Royal Philips

Related Links

http://www.philips.com


LONDON, November 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Rexgenero Ltd, a clinical-stage regenerative medicine company developing advanced cell-based therapeutics with a focus on Critical Limb Ischemia, is pleased to announce today the appointment of Sam MacHour to its Scientific Advisory Board (SAB). Mr. MacHour has spent more than 30 years in life sciences, supporting global pharma, biologics and medical device multinationals around the world achieve success and speed deliver much needed treatments to patients. Mr MacHour joins Professor Jill Belch; Dr Marianne Brodmann; Professor Keith Harding; Professor William R. Hiatt; and Professor Paul Quax PhD, on Rexgenero's Scientific Advisory Board.

Mr. MacHour was formerly Vice-President and Global Head of Quality, Compliance and Regulatory at Lonza, the world's largest biologics contract-manufacturing company. At Lonza, Sam developed and led the quality and regulatory strategy and execution for the company's nine business units covering biologics, pharmaceuticals, chemicals and high-performance product. Prior to joining Lonza, Sam worked at different senior positions helping Fortune 500 pharmaceutical, biologics, and medical device multinationals such as Becton Dickinson, Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson establish leadership in the areas of development, operations and drug commercialization. Sam holds an MSc. degree in Nuclear Physics from Concordia University, a post-doctoral degree in Diplomacy & Strategy from the CEDS and is a graduate of Harvard's Business School General Management Program. Sam is Director and Founder of Executives Without Borders, a not-for profit organization.

"I'm pleased to join Rexgenero's Scientific Advisory Board at this very important time in their growth," said Sam MacHour. "Beyond the company's current therapeutic focus, I believe that Rexgenero's cell therapy know-how holds tremendous promise for the treatment of a number of unmet medical needs in wound healing and cardiovascular diseases for which we lack effective therapeutic options today."

Joe Dupere, Rexgenero's CEO, said "We are delighted to welcome Sam MacHour to our Scientific Advisory Board which is composed of world-class experts in the fields of cardiovascular diseases, wound healing and advanced therapies. Sam's vast industry experience of strategic development will be instrumental to help us guide our lead product, REX-001, to commercialisation and develop our pipeline of advanced cell therapies."

Photo available on request

About Rexgenero

Rexgenero is a clinical-stage regenerative medicine company developing innovative cell-based therapies targeting serious diseases with unmet medical needs.

The Company's lead candidate REX-001 is a highly innovative autologous cell therapy that is being studied in two Phase III clinical trials in patients with Critical Limb Ischemia (CLI) with diabetes, a poorly treated disease with a high risk of amputation and death. REX-001 has been shown to be effective in Phase I/II and Phase II trials, alleviating CLI in the majority of patients, offering the potential to increase the quality of life of CLI patients by reducing pain, alleviating ulcers, increasing mobility, improving sleep and reducing the need for amputation. Rexgenero is developing REX-001 in a range of indications and, pending approval, intends to launch and market this specialty product in major territories.

Rexgenero is a privately-owned company, which draws on an exceptional understanding of the fundamental science of cell therapies developed by the Andalusian Health Authority (Servicio Andaluz de Salud) and Andalusian Initiative of Advanced Therapies.

The Company was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in London (UK) with R&D and manufacturing operations in Seville (Spain).

For more information, please visit www.rexgenero.com

Media Contact:

Rexgenero

Joe Dupere, CEO

T: +44-(0)-203-709-1969

E: [email protected]



Citigate Dewe Rogerson

Sylvie Berrebi, Shabnam Bashir

T: +44-(0)-20-7638-9571

E: [email protected]



SOURCE Rexgenero
DENVER, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design is pleased to announce the launch of its new website. The website went live on November 10 at www.rmcad.edu. The updated design offers a more accessible design, while bringing more focus to content that best represents the spirit of RMCAD.

The website launch is tied to a broader effort to expand RMCAD's reach into the Denver art community and beyond. In October, the college hosted a community event to show the public the changes and innovations that are happening at the school to further enhance the student experience.

"RMCAD is one of Denver's best kept secrets," said Chris Spohn, President of RMCAD. "As we strive to bring greater visibility to the amazing work faculty, students and alumni are doing, we hope the website will serve as a vehicle to share our evolving and dynamic campus."

The new design boasts a number of improvements, including:

A responsive design to allow easy access on mobile and tablet devices

Image galleries of student and alumni work

Revitalized, rich content and imagery that represents the student experience at RMCAD

To view the new website, visit www.rmcad.edu.

ABOUT ROCKY MOUNTAIN COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN



A premier arts school in the Denver area, Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design is an innovative, rigorous, and community-oriented global learning environment that inspires passion for critical thinking and prepares learners to be forces of change in the creative industries, our communities, and the world.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Daron Rodriguez

[email protected]

303.753.6046

SOURCE Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design

Related Links

http://www.rmcad.edu


President & CEO Morris Gad said, "Walking into a Diamonds International store is an unforgettable experience. In celebrating the 50 th anniversary of tanzanite, the Safi Kilima Tanzanite shop in shop will be an eye-catching center piece to every store, attracting customers immediately to the brilliant blue stone through open case displays, vitrines and a moving display screen that shares all that is happening in the world of Safi Kilima Tanzanite."

The new shop in shops feature simple and lush color palettes, an upscale and an experiential new logo, rich materials and varying textures. Materials featuring exotic textures and designs are sculpted to form jewelry cases, large, brightly lit vitrines, and video screens looping the Safi Kilima Tanzanite ad campaign featuring Victoria's Secret, Maxim model Anna-Christina Schwartz; photographed by Chris Chieco.

Diamonds International is starting the rollout of the Safi Kilima Tanzanite shop in shops in 2017 and will continue through 2018 encouraging customers to commemorate and celebrate every travel experience with Safi Kilima Tanzanite.

About Safi Kilima Tanzanite:

Founded in 2010, Safi Kilima Tanzanite is a global leader in tanzanite. The premier brand is exclusive to Diamonds International and Tanzanite International stores; the largest tax and duty-free jewelry retailer in the Caribbean, Mexico and Alaska. In 2017, Tanzanite celebrated its 50th anniversary and the timeless quality, superior grade and value that has become synonymous with the rare, blue and violet colored stone. For more information please visit www.safikilima.com.

About Diamonds International:

With over 125 stores, Diamonds International is the largest and most prominent privately held jewelry retailer in the Caribbean, Mexico, and Alaska. Established in 1988, Diamonds International is the world's largest tax-free, duty-free jewelry retailer providing tourists with an extensive portfolio of fine jewelry and elegant timepieces. Sourcing from the world's largest and most important mines, while supporting ethical mine-to-market practices, the patented 90 faceted Crown of Light diamond cut and acclaimed Safi Kilima Tanzanite collection are both exclusive to the U.S. based fine jeweler. For more information about Diamonds International, visit www.diamondsinternational.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Diamonds International

Samantha Eng

e. [email protected]

c. (516) 250-8914

SOURCE Diamonds International

Related Links

http://www.diamondsinternational.com


SANTA BARBARA, Calif., Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Santa Barbara Chocolate, the home of premium professional chocolate and trusted source for quality bulk chocolates for chocolate lovers and makers, chefs and bakers worldwide, introduces bulk organic rainforest dark couverture chocolate with 72% cocoa solids and no soy lecithin.

Santa Barbara Chocolate

"Sustainable cacao farming is environmentally better and shade-grown rainforest cacao is the secret to our best-selling organic dark chocolate," said Jason Vishnefske, master chocolatier and co-founder of Santa Barbara Chocolate. "Our new organic rainforest dark couverture chocolate with 72% cocoa solids and no soy lecithin or vanilla is as pure as dark chocolate gets. No soy and no vanilla make it uniquely pure. It's gluten- and GMO-free, too. Just three wholesome ingredients: organic cocoa beans, organic sugar and organic cocoa butter. It's smooth and earthy, with slight fruity flavors, and is the highest-quality organic chocolate certified Kosher and Fair Trade."

Unlike regular chocolate, couverture chocolate contains a higher percentage of cocoa butter (relative to other ingredients), resulting in superior flavor and texture, making it the preferred chocolate for bakers and chefs worldwide. After cocoa butter is extracted from cacao beans, the result is the cocoa solids percentage, a number that determines how much of the chocolate by weight comes from the bean. The higher the cocoa solids number, the higher the quality and the health benefits. Research from the Journal of the American Medical Association has shown that even one ounce of dark chocolate high in cocoa solids daily has beneficial vitamins and nutrients, including magnesium, which is essential in lowering blood pressure. Studies have shown dark chocolate, which is rich in flavonoids (naturally occurring nutrients found in plants that provide a boost in antioxidants), is now among the list of superfoods and can boost brain power and may contribute to better cholesterol and glucose levels.

"By the bag or by the case, Santa Barbara Chocolate's high-quality organic dark chocolate can be eaten from the package and is perfect for baking or candy making. Vegans will love it. People with soy lecithin and dairy allergies will love it. Everyone will love it."

Santa Barbara Chocolate's organic dark chocolate is USDA-certified, gluten- and GMO-free, Ethical Trade cacao and Kosher Pareve chocolate.

How Do We Do It?

Sourcing shade-grown rainforest chocolate, in harmony with nature  the truly organic way, makes all the difference when it comes to creating premium-quality organic chocolate. The world's rainforests, with their high humidity, rainfall and protective green canopies providing shade for the evergreen cacao (in Latin, Theobroma  "food of the gods") trees, provide the perfect environment for creating the world's best chocolate.

"Santa Barbara Chocolate works in harmony with nature so that every tree, every leaf and every ray of sunlight contributes towards the authentic taste of our pure, unadulterated chocolate," Vishnefske said. "There is a huge difference when it comes to the taste of shade-grown chocolate vs. sun-drenched chocolate. In the shade, the cacao plant works in perfect precision with the climate, the environment and the sunlight  the way nature intended. On a cacao farm, the plants sit in direct sunlight on clear-cut land being scorched by the sun."

Vishnefske says this perfect infiltration of the rainforest leaves working in harmony with the sun and the plants provides the darkest, sweetest soil bursting with earthy nutrients, allowing the plant to thrive without contamination or chemical manipulation. Santa Barbara Chocolate also gives their certified-organic Theobroma trees 32 square feet of space each, so the tropical rainforest winds can blow around all four sides of the tree, penetrating the branches and ensuring the cacao fruit develops and ripens properly and with full flavor. Because demand for chocolate is so high worldwide, cacao trees must be grown and harvested sustainably, which is why Santa Barbara Chocolate works with local farmers who check the trees daily and care about the chocolate, the sustainability of their communities and protecting the land around them.

"Every morsel of pure chocolate from Santa Barbara has traveled a long way  from the tiny cacao shoots that burst through the sun-glazed forest floor to the farmer's hands that picked the bean  and is chocolate with a conscience. This is shade-grown chocolate."

About Santa Barbara Chocolate

Santa Barbara Chocolate, the home of premium professional chocolate and wholesale source for quality bulk chocolates for chocolate lovers and makers, chefs and bakers worldwide, is a California-based chocolate factory that makes high-quality organic chocolate couverture, 100 percent pure cacao, cocoa powder, chocolate chips and gourmet drinking chocolate. Co-founded in 1992 by master chocolatier Jason Vishnefske, Santa Barbara Chocolate has been the trusted source for high-end chocolate at affordable prices for 25 years. By merging the high standards of European chocolate craftsmanship with a fresh and vibrant California-lifestyle approach, Vishnefske has helped elevate chocolate from "junk food" to a healthy delicacy. Our suppliers around the world are fully accredited with one or more of these systems, programs or organizations: HACCP, UTZ Cocoa, USDA Organic, NOP Organic, Fair Trade and Rainforest Alliance. Call us at 805.477.7682 or visit us online at SantaBarbaraChocolate.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, YouTube and Google+.

CONTACT:

Jason Vishnefske

805.477.7682

[email protected]

Related Images

image1.jpg

image2.jpg

image3.jpg

Related Links

Santa Barbara Chocolate

Bulk Organic Dark Chocolate 72% without Soy Lecithin

Related Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SojN93OaEBg

SOURCE Santa Barbara Chocolate

Related Links

http://SantaBarbaraChocolate.com


NEWARK, Calif., Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Sanveo Inc., a pioneer in bringing next generation technology solutions to the AEC industry worldwide, announced today that it will be exhibiting at BIM World conference in Munich later this month. The conference, which provides a space for great minds in the AEC industry to come together and discuss innovative solutions, will be held at the ICM International Congress Center Munich, on the 28th and 29th of November.

"Not only is our company going through a phase of exceptional growth in the US, the demand for our services is growing beyond the US market as well," says Irshad Rasheed, COO of Sanveo Inc. "Attending BIM World in Munich will not only help us to connect with the audience who is looking to partner up with a strong construction technology solutions provider, but will also help us validate Germany as potentially the next region for expansion. Currently, the AEC industry in Germany is more accepting than ever to implement BIM, VDC and construction technology solutions to deliver project success."

"Although this is our first move in the European market, by successfully delivering on two mega projects in Middle East in the past, we have demonstrated our capability in executing projects on the international stage," shared Irshad Rasheed.

At BIM World, Sanveo will be exhibiting at Booth #215. In addition to that, a large team from Sanveo will also be attending Autodesk University conference which takes place this week in Las Vegas, from 13th to 16th of November. At Autodesk University, Sanveo will be exhibiting at Booth B215.

About Sanveo:

Sanveo is a construction technology firm specializing in BIM (building information modeling), VDC (virtual design and construction) and advanced technology consulting solutions. Since its inception in 2008, Sanveo has demonstrated consistent commitment to quality which has led Sanveo to be a part of 140+ projects across the US. Sanveo's portfolio includes Aviation, Hospitals, High-Rise Buildings, Corporate Offices, Industrial Buildings, Data Centers, Universities, Specialized Buildings and more. At its core, Sanveo strives to empower its clients to extract the most value out of project information to make effective decisions, enhance productivity and improve quality. Sanveo was ranked No. 5 on the Silicon Valley Business Journal's 'Fastest Growing Private Companies' list for 2016. For more information, visit www.sanveo.com.

Media Contact:

Sanveo, Inc.,

Irshad Rasheed

[email protected]

39899 Balentine Drive, Ste. 265

Newark, CA, USA

+1-510-770-1900

SOURCE Sanveo, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.sanveo.com


NEW YORK, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- This holiday season, wake up your palate with crisp white wines from Chablis, Bourgogne's northernmost region, where the cool climate and Kimmeridgian soil meet to produce lively, mineral-driven Chardonnay-based wines. To make the holidays even more memorable this year, treat yourself and your loved ones to wines from the Chablis Premier Cru appellation: praised for its high quality sites, it yields elegant and complex wines tailored to accompany sophisticated and delicate foods. Open them now to enjoy their delicious food-friendliness, or wrap them up for the wine lover in your life, as these wines can be aged to let their personalities fully develop.

The Chablis Premier Cru appellation counts 40 Climats, precisely delimited plots of land that benefit from specific geological and climatic conditions, with each one of them bringing their own character to the resulting wine. One particularity concerning Chablis Premier Cru is that the Climats are spread between the right and left banks of the Serein river and wines from each bank express a different character.

Climats from the left bank, such as Cote de Lechet, Vaillons and Montmains, tend to produce fresher, leaner wines with bright acidity. Those from the right bank, including Vaulorent, Fourchaume, Mont de Milieu and Montee de Tonnerre, are perhaps the most famous due to their proximity to the Chablis Grand Cru sites. They offer richer and riper wines that are rounder in the mouth with fuller fruit flavors.

As an aperitif, a Chablis Premier Cru can be sipped while enjoying a cheese board offering both hard cheeses and local Bourgogne varieties such as Epoisses.

Served with appetizers, Chablis Premier Cru's salty notes marry well with caviar, oysters and shellfish dishes, such as sea urchin souffle, stuffed crab, lobster and scallops, whether raw as a carpaccio or cooked in a sauce.

With your main course, the mineral styles of Chablis Premier Cru wines will pair well with your Thanksgiving turkey, to cleanse your palate between bites, while rounder styles will stand up well to the flavors of Christmas ham. Salmon, both smoked and poached, also makes a great match as Chablis Premier Cru wines' crispness brings a light touch to the fatty texture of the fish. Their crispness also works to add some backbone to foods with a melting texture, such as risotto and pasta in rich mushroom sauces.

Whether you choose a Chablis Premier Cru wine from the left or the right bank, be sure that its mineral notes will be the perfect partner to the grilled, braised and smoked flavors of your holiday dishes.

About Chablis wines

The Chablis Commission, part of the Bourgogne wine board, manages the worldwide promotion of the wines of Chablis. Located only 2 hours from Paris, Chablis is the most northern of the 5 wine-producing regions in Bourgogne, Chardonnay's birthplace. Chablis' vineyards are composed of 13,343 acres spread-out in 300 estates. Elegantly simple, Chablis wines can only come from France. Divided into four different appellations (Petit Chablis, Chablis, Chablis Premier Cru, Chablis Grand Cru), these 100% Chardonnay based wines call for an invite to purity and minerality. With around 40 million bottles produced each year, Chablis wines represent a third of white Bourgogne offerings and export annually over 65%.

For media queries  imagery, samples, or interviews with the Chablis Commission  please contact:

Marguerite de Chaumont Quitry Francoise Roure Sopexa c/o Bourgogne Wine Board Marketing Communications Manager, BIVB [email protected] [email protected] +1 (212) 386-7441 +33(0)3 86 42 42 22

www.chablis-wines.com / @purechablis #purechablis

SOURCE Chablis wines

Related Links

http://www.chablis-wines.com


TOKYO, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Hiromasa Ikeda, Vice President of the Soka Gakkai International (SGI) Buddhist association, joined other participants in stressing the moral case for ridding the world of nuclear weapons and urged increased efforts in awareness-raising at the conference on "Perspectives for a World Free from Nuclear Weapons and for Integral Disarmament" held at the Vatican in Rome on November 10 and 11.

Ikeda stated, "Nuclear weapons are dangerous from a security perspective. From an ethical and moral perspective, they are wrong. This renders them unacceptable in any hands. With the geopolitical risks of nuclear conflict rising to unprecedented levels, it is vital that this awareness be shared widely by all people."

He also stressed SGI's educational focus on creating opportunities for dialogue. "This can foster a shared awareness that nuclear weapons - in any hands - are dangerous and wrong as a means of protecting the things and people we treasure."

SGI was one of 13 cooperating organizations involved in the conference hosted by the Vatican's Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.

On November 10, conference participants were received in audience by His Holiness Pope Francis, who spoke of the "mentality of fear" created by nuclear weapons, saying, "Weapons of mass destruction, particularly nuclear weapons, create nothing but a false sense of security. They cannot constitute the basis for peaceful coexistence between members of the human family, which must rather be inspired by an ethics of solidarity."

Several Nobel Peace Prize Laureates addressed the conference, including Beatrice Fihn, Executive Director of 2017 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate ICAN (the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons), who thanked people of faith for their efforts toward the historic adoption of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in July this year, saying, "This treaty is not the final step in our journey out of nuclear darkness, but the beginning of the end."

Other Nobel Peace Prize Laureates who spoke included Muhammad ElBaradei, Jody Williams, Muhammad Yunus, Mairead Maguire and Adolfo Perez Esquivel. High-level representatives of the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross and Masako Wada of Nihon Hidankyo, a victim of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki, also spoke.

His Eminence Cardinal Peter K. A. Turkson, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, closed the conference calling for ongoing dialogue and action, stating, "Everything is connected and everyone is connected. Together we can rid the world of nuclear weapons, invest in integral human development, and build peace."

Other cooperating organizations were the Embassy of Italy to the Holy See, Catholic Bishops' Conference of Germany, Catholic Bishops' Conference of Japan, Interdisciplinary Center "Sciences for Peace" (CISP) at the University of Pisa, Georgetown University, Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies of the Keough School of Global Affairs, Mazda Motor Europe GmbH, Notre Dame University, Nuclear Threat Initiative, Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs, Senzatomica and the Italian Union of Scientists for Disarmament.

The Senzatomica anti-nuclear weapons exhibition, originally created by the Istituto Italiano Soka Gakkai, was on display during the conference.

Soka Gakkai International (SGI) is a community-based Buddhist association with 12 million members around the world. It has a 60-year record of peace education activities toward the abolition of nuclear weapons.

Contact:

Joan Anderson

Office of Public Information

Soka Gakkai International

Tel: +81-80-5957-4711

Fax: +81-3-5360-9885

E-mail: anderson[at]soka.jp

SOURCE Soka Gakkai International
THE HAGUE, Netherlands, November 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Royal Dutch Shell plc ("Shell") (NYSE:RDS.A) (NYSE: RDS.B) announces an agreement to sell part of its stake in Woodside Petroleum Limited ("Woodside") to equity investors.

Shell's subsidiary, Shell Energy Holdings Australia Limited ("SEHAL"), has entered into an underwriting agreement with two investment banks, for the sale of 71.6 million shares in Woodside, representing 64.0% of its interest in Woodside and 8.5% of the issued capital in Woodside, at a price of A$31.10 per share, resulting in total pre-tax proceeds of approximately $1.7 billion (A$2.2 billion). The sale is expected to complete on November 14, 2017.

Shell's Chief Financial Officer, Jessica Uhl, said "This sale is another step towards the completion of our three-year $30 billion divestment programme, which is an important part of our strategy to reshape Shell, to deliver a world class investment case, and to strengthen our financial framework. Proceeds from the sale will contribute to reducing our net debt."

Upon completion of the sale, SEHAL will continue to own a 4.8% interest in Woodside. SEHAL has agreed that it will not dispose of any of its remaining shares in Woodside for a minimum of 90 days from completion of the sell-down, with limited customary exceptions.

Notes for editors

Outside of its interest in Woodside, Shell has the following interests in Australia:

QGC venture (Shell operated, majority interest);

Arrow Energy (Shell 50% interest);

Gorgon LNG (Shell 25% interest);

North West Shelf (Shell 16.67% interest);

Prelude FLNG project (Shell operated 67.5% interest);

Browse Development venture (Shell 27% interest);

Sunrise LNG joint venture (Shell 26.6% interest)

Shell Energy Australia (Shell 100% interest)

Recent history of Shell's investment in Woodside:

In November 2010 Shell sold 10% of the issued capital of Woodside, retaining a 24.27% interest in Woodside. This interest was further diluted to 23.08% because of Shell's decision not to participate in Woodside's dividend re-investment programme.

In June 2014, Shell sold approximately 78.27 million shares in Woodside representing 9.5% of Woodside's issued share capital, retaining an interest of 13.58%, This interest was further diluted to 13.28% because of Shell's decision not to participate in Woodside's dividend re-investment programme.

During the second quarter 2016, Shell management concluded that a change in Shell's level of involvement over Woodside's financial and operating policy decisions resulted in Shell no longer having significant influence. Its classification was therefore changed from an associate (carrying amount: $2,144 million) to an investment in securities (carrying amount at fair value: at change in classification in Q2 2016 $2,442 million).

Cautionary note

The companies in which Royal Dutch Shell plc directly and indirectly owns investments are separate legal entities. In this announcement "Shell", "Shell group" and "Royal Dutch Shell" are sometimes used for convenience where references are made to Royal Dutch Shell plc and its subsidiaries in general. Likewise, the words "we", "us" and "our" are also used to refer to subsidiaries in general or to those who work for them. These expressions are also used where no useful purpose is served by identifying the particular company or companies. 'Subsidiaries', "Shell subsidiaries" and "Shell companies" as used in this announcement refer to companies over which Royal Dutch Shell plc either directly or indirectly has control. Entities and unincorporated arrangements over which Shell has joint control are generally referred to as "joint ventures" and "joint operations" respectively. Entities over which Shell has significant influence but neither control nor joint control are referred to as "associates". The term "Shell interest" is used for convenience to indicate the direct and/or indirect ownership interest held by Shell in a venture, partnership or company, after exclusion of all third-party interest.

This announcement contains forward-looking statements concerning the financial condition, results of operations and businesses of Royal Dutch Shell. All statements other than statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements of future expectations that are based on management's current expectations and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. Forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements concerning the potential exposure of Royal Dutch Shell to market risks and statements expressing management's expectations, beliefs, estimates, forecasts, projections and assumptions. These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as 'anticipate', 'believe', 'could', 'estimate', 'expect', 'goals', 'intend', 'may', 'objectives', 'outlook', 'plan', 'probably', 'project', 'risks', "schedule", 'seek', 'should', 'target', 'will' and similar terms and phrases. There are a number of factors that could affect the future operations of Royal Dutch Shell and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements included in this announcement, including (without limitation): (a) price fluctuations in crude oil and natural gas; (b) changes in demand for Shell's products; (c) currency fluctuations; (d) drilling and production results; (e) reserves estimates; (f) loss of market share and industry competition; (g) environmental and physical risks; (h) risks associated with the identification of suitable potential acquisition properties and targets, and successful negotiation and completion of such transactions; (i) the risk of doing business in developing countries and countries subject to international sanctions; (j) legislative, fiscal and regulatory developments including regulatory measures addressing climate change; (k) economic and financial market conditions in various countries and regions; (l) political risks, including the risks of expropriation and renegotiation of the terms of contracts with governmental entities, delays or advancements in the approval of projects and delays in the reimbursement for shared costs; and (m) changes in trading conditions. No assurance is provided that future dividend payments will match or exceed previous dividend payments. All forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this announcement. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional risk factors that may affect future results are contained in Royal Dutch Shell's 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2016 (available at http://www.shell.com/investor and http://www.sec.gov ). These risk factors also expressly qualify all forward looking statements contained in this announcement and should be considered by the reader. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this announcement, November 13, 2017. Neither Royal Dutch Shell plc nor any of its subsidiaries undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or other information. In light of these risks, results could differ materially from those stated, implied or inferred from the forward-looking statements contained in this announcement.

We may have used certain terms, such as resources, in this announcement that the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) strictly prohibits us from including in our filings with the SEC. U.S. Investors are urged to consider closely the disclosure in our Form 20-F, File No 1-32575, available on the SEC website http://www.sec.gov

LEI number of Royal Dutch Shell plc: 21380068P1DRHMJ8KU70

Classification: None

Enquiries



Investor Relations

International: +31-70-377-4540

North America: +1-832-337-2034



Media

Shell Australia Media Relations: +61-417-007-344

Shell International Media Relations: +44-207-934 5550

Shell US Media Relations: +1-832-337-4355



SOURCE Royal Dutch Shell plc
TORONTO, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - Sierra Metals Inc. (TSX: SMT) (BVL: SMT) (NYSE AMERICAN: SMTS) ("Sierra Metals" or "the Company") has filed a technical report prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") on the Yauricocha Mine (the "Report"). The Report supports the disclosure made by the Company in its news releases dated September 28, 2017 entitled "Sierra Metals Significantly Increases Mineral Resource Estimate for Yauricocha Mine, Peru." and dated October 26, 2017 entitled "Sierra Metals Significantly Increases Mineral Reserve Estimate for Yauricocha Mine, Peru." There are no material differences in the mineral reserves and resources contained in the Report from those disclosed in the news releases.

The Report included Reserves and Resources for the Yauricocha Mine with:

Total Proven and Probable Contained Metal has significantly increased by 86% silver, 237% copper, 58% lead, 96% zinc, and 97% gold as compared to the previous reserve estimate.





Total Measured and Indicated Contained Metal has significantly increased by 72% silver, 128% copper, 74% zinc, 64% lead and 61% gold.





Total Inferred Contained Metal has significantly increased by 55% silver, 59% copper, 105% zinc, 42% lead and 83% gold.





Mineral Reserves for Yauricocha are 8,917,000 tonnes averaging 48.3 g/t silver, 1.2% copper, 0.8% lead, 2.4% zinc and 0.5 g/t gold representing a 135% tonnage increase compared to the previous Reserve Estimate. This new Reserve Estimate more than doubles the previous mine life at current throughput levels when compared to the previous reserve Estimate.





Mineral Resources for Yauricocha are 13,206,000 tonnes averaging 62.3 g/t silver, 1.5% copper, 0.9% lead, 2.8% zinc and 0.6 g/t gold representing a 68% tonnage increase from the previous resource estimate.





Total Inferred Mineral Resources for Yauricocha are 6,632,000 tonnes averaging 43.0 g/t silver, 1.2% copper, 0.5% lead, 2.2% zinc and 0.5 g/t gold representing a 77% tonnage increase from the previous resource estimate.





Increases to contained copper reflect the discovery and delineation of new Cu-rich zones in Cuye, Mascota, and Esperanza as well as a 14% increase in Copper Price compared to the previous estimate.





Metal pricing, metallurgical recoveries, costs, and other modifying factors have been updated to reflect July 31, 2017 actuals and assumptions.

The Report dated November 10, 2017 with and effective date of July 31, 2017 is entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report on Resources and Reserves Yauricocha Mine Yauyos Province, Peru", and was prepared by independent SRK Consulting (U.S.), Inc.

Signed by Qualified Persons:

Matthew Hastings, MSc Geology, MAusIMM (CP), SRK Principal Consultant (Resource Geology)

Shannon L. Rheaume, BASc Mining and Mineral Processing, PEng, SRK Senior Consultant (Mining Engineer)

Daniel H. Sepulveda, BSc, SME-RM, SRK Associate Consultant (Metallurgy)

Jeff Osborn, BEng Mining, MMSAQP, SRK Principal Consultant (Mining Engineer)

John Tinucci, PhD, PE, ISRM, SRK President/Practice Leader/Principal Consultant (Geotechnical Engineer)

Reviewed by:

Erik C. Ronald, MEng, PG, MAusIMM, SRK Principal Consultant (Resource Geology)

John Tinucci, PhD, PE, ISRM, SRK President/Practice Leader/Principal Consultant (Geotechnical Engineer)

Peter Clarke, BSc Mining, MBA, PEng, SRK Principal Consultant (Mining Engineer)

Notes on Reserve Estimate

The procedures and methods supporting the mineral reserve estimations have been developed in conjunction with Sierra Metals mine planning personnel. The reserve estimates presented herein have been conducted by Sierra Metals and reviewed by SRK using supporting data generated by the site. SRK notes that the methods and procedures are reasonable and consistent with industry best practice. Each mining area was evaluated using reasonable mining block shapes based on the mining method applicable to the zone. Data and information supporting the mining recovery, mining dilution, reconciliation-based grade adjustments, metallurgical recoveries, consensus commodity pricing, and treatment and refining charges have been provided by Sierra Metals and reviewed by SRK. These factors are used to calculate unit values for the blocks in the models. Historic and expected direct and indirect mining, processing, and general and administrative costs were provided by Sierra Metals. To be considered economic, the Net Smelter Return (NSR) value of the mining block must be greater than the economic cutoff. Blocks below the economic cutoff but above the marginal cutoff are, in some cases, included in the reserve where they are in between or immediately adjacent to an economic block, and it is reasonable to expect that no significant additional development would be required to extract the marginal block. Isolated blocks, defined as blocks with no defined access, have been excluded from the reserve. Mined out areas were provided by Sierra Metals personnel.

SRK is of the opinion that the reserve estimations are suitable for public reporting and are a fair representation of the mill feed tonnes, grade, and metal for the Yauricocha deposit.

Notes on the Resource Estimate

The procedures and methods supporting the mineral resource estimation have been developed in conjunction with Minera Corona geological personnel. The understanding of the geology and mineralization at Yauricocha is based on a large volume of geologic data as well as a robust history of production. SRK has reviewed the methods and procedures for data collection methods supporting the estimate, and notes that they are reasonable and consistent with industry best practice. Geology models were generated by Minera Corona geologists using Datamine Studio or Leapfrog Geo, and locally vary significantly from those used in previous reports. A combination of diamond drilling, channel sampling, and mine mapping have been used to inform these models, and SRK is of the opinion that they are an accurate interpretation of the mineralization at Yauricocha. These models, presented as 3D wireframes, are used to constrain block models, which are flagged with variables such as bulk density, mine area, depletion, unit value, etc.

The resource estimations presented herein have been conducted or reviewed by independent consultants using supporting data generated by the site. SRK conducted independent estimations for the Mina Central area, Esperanza, Mascota, and the majority of the Cuerpos Pequenos Area. Cachi Cachi estimations and select Cuerpos Pequenos estimations were conducted by Minera Corona personnel and reviewed by SRK. Grade for the five primary commodities (Ag, Au, Cu, Pb, Zn) is estimated into the block models using both drilling and channel samples, applying industry-standard estimation methodology. Interpolation methods were generally via ordinary kriging or inverse distance depending on quantities of data. Mineral resources estimated by the independent consultants are categorized in a manner consistent with industry best practice, and are reported above reasonable unit value cut-offs based on actual marginal production costs to satisfy public reporting criteria.

SRK is of the opinion that the resource estimations are suitable for public reporting and are a fair representation of the in-situ contained metal for the Yauricocha deposit.

The Report is available for review on both SEDAR (www.sedar.com) and the Company's website (www.sierrametals.com).

Qualified Persons

The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Gordon Babcock P.Eng., Chief Operating Officer and a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

Americo Zuzunaga, MAusIMM CP (Mining Engineer) and Vice President of Corporate Planning is a Qualified Person and chartered professional qualifying as a Competent Person under the Joint Ore Reserves Committee (JORC) Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves.

Augusto Chung, FAusIMM CP (Metallurgist) and Consultant to Sierra Metals is a Qualified Person and chartered professional qualifying as a Competent Person on metallurgical processes.

About Sierra Metals

Sierra Metals Inc. is Canadian based growing polymetallic mining company with production from its Yauricocha Mine in Peru, and its Bolivar and Cusi Mines in Mexico. The Company is focused on increasing production volume and growing mineral resources. Sierra Metals has recently had several new key discoveries and still has many more exciting brownfield exploration opportunities at all three Mines in Peru and Mexico that are within close proximity to the existing mines. Additionally, the Company also has large land packages at all three mines with several prospective regional targets providing longer term exploration upside and mineral resource growth potential.

The Company's Common Shares trade on the Bolsa de Valores de Lima and on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "SMT" and on the NYSE American Exchange under the symbol "SMTS".

Continue to Follow, Like and Watch our progress:

Web: www.sierrametals.com | Twitter: sierrametals | Facebook: SierraMetalsInc | LinkedIn: Sierra Metals Inc

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian and U.S. securities laws related to the Company (collectively, "forward-looking information"). Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the Company's operations, including the anticipated developments in the Company's operations in future periods, the Company's planned exploration activities, the adequacy of the Company's financial resources, and other events or conditions that may occur in the future. Statements concerning mineral reserve and resource estimates may also be considered to constitute forward-looking statements to the extent that they involve estimates of the mineralization that will be encountered if and when the properties are developed or further developed. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "expects", "anticipates", "plans", "projects", "estimates", "assumes", "intends", "strategy", "goals", "objectives", "potential" or variations thereof, or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking information.

Forward-looking information is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking information, including, without limitation, risks inherent in the mining industry including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected geological formations, floods, labour disruptions, explosions, cave-ins, weather conditions and criminal activity; commodity price fluctuations; higher operating and/or capital costs; lack of available infrastructure; the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; risks associated with the estimation of mineral resources and the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits and the inability to replace reserves; fluctuations in the price of commodities used in the Company's operations; risks related to foreign operations; changes in laws or policies, foreign taxation, delays or the inability to obtain necessary governmental permits; risks relating to outstanding borrowings; issues regarding title to the Company's properties; risks related to environmental regulation; litigation risks; risks related to uninsured hazards; the impact of competition; volatility in the price of the Company's securities; global financial risks; inability to attract or retain qualified employees; potential conflicts of interest; risks related to a controlling group of shareholders; dependence on third parties; differences in U.S. and Canadian reporting of mineral reserves and resources; potential dilutive transactions; foreign currency risks; risks related to business cycles; liquidity risks; reliance on internal control systems; credit risks, including risks related to the Company's compliance with covenants with respect to its BCP Facility; uncertainty of production and cost estimates for the Yauricocha Mine, the Bolivar Mine and the Cusi Mine; and other risks identified in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), which filings are available at www.sedar.com and www.sec.gov, respectively.

This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company's forward-looking information. Forward-looking information includes statements about the future and are inherently uncertain, and the Company's actual achievements or other future events or conditions may differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking information due to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors. The Company's statements containing forward-looking information are based on the beliefs, expectations, and opinions of management on the date the statements are made, and the Company does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's beliefs, expectations or opinions should change, other than as required by applicable law. For the reasons set forth above, one should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

Note Regarding Reserve and Resource Estimates

All reserve and resource estimates reported by the Company are calculated in accordance with the Canadian National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and the Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy Classification system. These standards differ significantly from the requirements of the SEC. The differences between these standards are discussed in our SEC filings. Mineral resources which are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.

SOURCE Sierra Metals Inc.

Related Links

www.sierrametals.com


CHICAGO, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Signator Investors, Inc. celebrated the second anniversary of the launch of the Signator Women Advisors Network (SWAN) with its inaugural SWAN forum, held recently in Chicago. The network was formed to provide targeted support to Signator's women financial advisors, and to help better serve the growing market of women investors.

"I believe it's the consistent willingness of our advisors to share best practices, and support the growth and success of each other, that makes SWAN initiatives like the forum so successful," said Caron Scorpio, AVP Marketing at Signator, and co-founder of SWAN. "The forum is one initiative that is part of Signator's overall commitment to supporting the growth  and recognizing the achievements  of our current and future women advisors."

The SWAN forum was held as part of Signator's annual Practice Advancement Conference (PAC), and drew leading women advisors from around the country for a full slate of workshops, panel discussions, presentations and relationship-building exercises.

One who was favorably impressed with the forum was Signator Investors financial advisor Christina Nash of Knox Grove Financial, LLC: "Our team arrived ready to seek out those best practices that we felt we needed to improve upon. Our peers did not let us down," she said. "We walked away inspired and full of ideas."

And Alice Tang, vice president of the Signator firm BPG Wealth Management, LLC, added, "At our SWAN Forum, our candid sharing of knowledge and experience, and our interactive discussions were converted into collective wisdom that benefited our participants. I see a bright future where our Signator female advisors come to the table, not to compete with male advisors, but complement each other  so both our clients and our industry win."

About Signator Investors, Inc.

Signator Investors, Inc. is a dual-registered broker dealer/investment adviser with a national network of independent firms and more than 2,000 financial professionals across the U.S. A leader in the financial services industry having the stability and scale to offer an innovative business model, Signator gives entrepreneurial financial professionals the power to effectively build unique businesses, based on their own vision and market opportunity. For more information on Signator Investors, Inc. and its national network of independent firms, visit http://www.signatorinvestors.com/.

About the Signator Women Advisors Network (SWAN)

The Signator Women Advisors Network provides women advisors with resources and opportunities for business and professional growth, recruiting support, and tools to help attract the next generation of female advisors to Signator, and a forum to recognize the many accomplishments of its women advisors. In addition, the network offers resources relating to serving the needs of women clients.

Ten of Signator's leading women advisors form the advisory committee and meet on a regular basis to drive the guidance, support and services offered by the network. Any Signator advisor can be a member of the Signator Women Advisors Network. Members are part of a community invested in using the resources available and sharing their own ideas and suggestions.

0185-20171109-412964

PR-2017-81

SOURCE Signator Investors, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.signatorinvestors.com


LONDON, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5193318







There is now considerable investment from Telkom, Liquid Telecom South Africa, Broadband InfraCo and municipal providers. Nevertheless, the poor historic availability and level of service of fixed-line networks encouraged the growth of the mobile sector for both voice and data services and this segment commands most investment and effort among telcos. Under a converging regulatory regime hundreds of alternative service providers have been able to enter the market to offer a range of services.

Other key regulatory matters aimed at shaping the market include the licensing of LTE spectrum.



This was anticipated in late 2016 but in February the auction of spectrum in several bands was put on hold indefinitely. This has caused some difficulties for mobile network operators, which are desperately short of spectrum and which have had to rely on spectrum refarming and other measures to increase network capacity.



To create more competition, the government created Broadband InfraCo, a national infrastructure company to provide cheap backbone network capacity to service providers. In September 2017 the government considered a plan to merge Broadband Infraco with Sentechs satellite service to create a national broadband network managed by a single broadband provider.



The mature mobile market has seen rapid growth since competition was introduced to the sector in the 1990s. SIM card penetration by late 2017 was approaching 143%, driven partly by the popularity of multiple card use as also by the take-up of mobile broadband services. Mobile internet accounts for about 95% of all internet connections, and with about 94% of the population able to access WiMAX/LTE services this sector will continue to see strong growth in coming years.



Key developments:

- Neotel rebranded as Liquid Telecom South Africa;

- Orange Group opens two PoPs in Cape Town and Johannesburg, providing additional wholesale internet connectivity;

- Regulator to conduct mobile data pricing study, ready for March 2018;

- Comsol announces 5G fixed-wireless trials using spectrum in the 28MHz band;

- MTN trials LTE-LAA network providing data at over 400Mb/s;

- Regulator pushes back LTE spectrum auction until further notice;

- Vodacom and MTN trial LTE-Unlicensed services;

- Regulator extends MTRs until September 2018;

- Telkom FttC infrastructure passing close to two million premises;

- MTN increases investment in fibre infrastructure by 170% in H1 2017;

- Department of Telecommunications allocates ZAR1.4 billion to pursue broadband initiatives;

- Report update includes the regulator's March 2017 report on the ICT sector, operator data to March 2017.



Companies mentioned in this report:

Telkom, Liquid Telecom South Africa (Neotel), Vodacom, MTN, Cell C, Virgin Mobile, Broadband InfraCo, Transtel, Eskom, SEACOM, SITA, Sentech, Dark Fibre Africa (DFA), Internet Solutions, FibreCo, eFive, WASACE, Atlantic Internet Services, Business Connexion, Internet Solutions, Verizon Business, MWEB, Vox Telecom (DataPro), iBurst (Rain, WBS, Blue Label).



Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5193318



About Reportbuyer

Reportbuyer is a leading industry intelligence solution that provides all market research reports from top publishers

https://www.reportbuyer.com



For more information:

Sarah Smith

Research Advisor at Reportbuyer.com

Email: [email protected]

Tel: +44 208 816 85 48

Website: www.reportbuyer.com

SOURCE ReportBuyer

Related Links

http://www.reportbuyer.com


NEW YORK, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- S&P Global Platts, the leading independent provider of information and benchmark prices for the commodities and energy markets, today announced that it has launched a new North-Northeast Brazil anhydrous ethanol assessment. The new assessment reflects demand for greater transparency and a clearly defined methodology to help market participants understand the drivers of pricing.

Ian Dudden, Global Content Director, Agriculture, S&P Global Platts said: "The North-Northeast of Brazil is a region that is net short ethanol and therefore needs to import from the Center-South region of the country as well as from the United States. Following consultation with market participants, we have seen strong interest in our new NNE Brazil weekly ethanol price assessment, which provides increased transparency, is underscored by a robust methodology, and reflects trade volumes in this key part of the market. It builds out our Brazilian coverage and complements our global ethanol benchmarks.

"So far this year our ethanol analysis shows falling production in the NNE region, with imports having more than doubled to over a third of consumption, compared to just 15% in 2016. We expect this trend to continue into 2018 amid the lower production expectations for the 2017-18 NNE sugar cane crop. Overall ethanol production in Brazil is expected to remain stagnant due in large part to older cane in the fields and lower crushing volumes offsetting an anticipated increase in the ethanol mix. We expect Brazil will remain a net importer of ethanol for a second consecutive year," Dudden concluded.

The NNE assessment will reflect anhydrous ethanol standard ANP quality in Suape, one to 15 days forward from date of publication. S&P Global Platts will calculate the assessment basis delivered at place (DAP) Suape, Pernambuco. Other locations and Incoterms such as free on board (FOB)/cost, insurance and freight (CIF) may be considered but will be normalized back to the basis location. Platts will take into consideration product produced regionally, transfers from the Center-South region and volumes delivered from international locations.

The minimum volume assessed will be 250,000 liters, or 250 cubic meters, and the maximum volume assessed 1,000,000 liters, or 1,000 cubic meters. Other volumes may also be considered but in relation to the assessed volume range. Platts would consider standard payment terms such as payment within 10 days of "delivery." The assessments will be time-stamped to a 4:30 pm local time (Sao Paulo) Friday as a weekly assessment.

Contact

Americas: Kathleen Tanzy, + 1 917 331 4607, [email protected]

About S&P Global Platts

At S&P Global Platts, we provide the insights; you make better informed trading and business decisions with confidence. We're the leading independent provider of information and benchmark prices for the commodities and energy markets. Customers in over 150 countries look to our expertise in news, pricing and analytics to deliver greater transparency and efficiency to markets. S&P Global Platts coverage includes oil and gas, power, petrochemicals, metals, agriculture and shipping.

S&P Global Platts is a division of S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI), which provides essential intelligence for individuals, companies and governments to make decisions with confidence. For more information, visit www.platts.com

SOURCE S&P Global Platts

Related Links

http://www.platts.com


"At Mount Saint Mary's, we know that education changes lives," says President Ann McElaney-Johnson. "We've seen it time and time again in the lives of our students. Their stories move us. Their ambitions challenge us. Their triumphs inspire us."

That is why President McElaney-Johnson and the University's board of trustees have organized "An Unstoppable Campaign for Mount Saint Mary's University." The campaign's leadership has set the lofty goal of raising $100 million by 2020 in order to realize a host of ambitious visions to further support students' dreams.

Funding priorities include broadening Mount Saint Mary's rigorous academic programs; sending students to study and conduct research around the world; funding vital student scholarships; redoubling the University's efforts for the advancement of women in Los Angeles and beyond; and constructing a Wellness Pavilion that will serve as the centerpiece of Mount Saint Mary's wellness movement that is making the University a national campus model for healthy living.

Over the past two years, lead gifts from longtime supporters have enabled Mount Saint Mary's to raise $68 million to jump-start this campaign. Now, the University is inviting all to join in this effort to empower new generations of unstoppable students.

"This is a bold but necessary effort if we truly want to support not just our students, but also their families, their future employers, our communities and the world," says Judith R. McDonald, chair of Mount Saint Mary's campaign committee.

"We know that supporting bright, dedicated students produces an amazing return on investment for our communities in the form of nurses, teachers, entrepreneurs, public servants, scientists, social workers and more. Our graduates become forces for good in their professions and in communities across Southern California, and beyond."

KEY CAMPAIGN FUNDING PRIORITIES

Educational Excellence

Center for the Advancement of Women: As a women's university founded on the belief that women are capable of greatness, research and advocacy on issues such as gender parity, equitable opportunity and leadership development are woven into the fabric of Mount Saint Mary's . This Center is creating a hub for gender equity research, public programming and partnerships dedicated to eradicating gender inequities everywhere.

As a women's university founded on the belief that women are capable of greatness, research and advocacy on issues such as gender parity, equitable opportunity and leadership development are woven into the fabric of . This Center is creating a hub for gender equity research, public programming and partnerships dedicated to eradicating gender inequities everywhere. Center for Global Initiatives: Through this Center, the University envisions graduating globally educated, culturally fluent leaders who are equipped to change the world. In order to change the world, though, students must first see, experience and understand it. Thanks to an expanded Center for Global Initiatives, more students can be sent out into the world through international internships, service learning and study abroad.

Through this Center, the University envisions graduating globally educated, culturally fluent leaders who are equipped to change the world. In order to change the world, though, students must first see, experience and understand it. Thanks to an expanded Center for Global Initiatives, more students can be sent out into the world through international internships, service learning and study abroad. CSJ Institute: More than 90 years ago, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet (CSJs) founded Mount Saint Mary's to empower women to reach their greatest potential. The University's new CSJ Institute will preserve and advance the CSJs' historic commitment to serve all persons without distinction, to respond to the needs of the times and to prepare fearless visionaries for a just future.

More than 90 years ago, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet (CSJs) founded to empower women to reach their greatest potential. The University's new CSJ Institute will preserve and advance the CSJs' historic commitment to serve all persons without distinction, to respond to the needs of the times and to prepare fearless visionaries for a just future. STEM: Women remain woefully underrepresented in STEM careers, which are increasingly becoming the most sought-after and highest-paying occupations in the 21st-century workforce. This campaign will enable Mount Saint Mary's to develop strong offerings in STEM fields such as computer programming and engineering, and build on the success of our biological and physical sciences programs.

Women remain woefully underrepresented in STEM careers, which are increasingly becoming the most sought-after and highest-paying occupations in the 21st-century workforce. This campaign will enable to develop strong offerings in STEM fields such as computer programming and engineering, and build on the success of our biological and physical sciences programs. Nursing: The healthcare industry is facing a long-term nursing shortage, and the vitality of our communities is at stake. That's why the University's nursing programs are developing highly qualified nurses who can not only provide patient care, but also help to transform a struggling healthcare system into one that is effective, efficient, community-based and patient centered.

The healthcare industry is facing a long-term nursing shortage, and the vitality of our communities is at stake. That's why the University's nursing programs are developing highly qualified nurses who can not only provide patient care, but also help to transform a struggling healthcare system into one that is effective, efficient, community-based and patient centered. Academic Innovation and Creativity: Mount Saint Mary's has some of the most talented, dedicated faculty in higher education. This campaign aims to equip them with more of the resources they need to help students engage and thrive  in the classroom, in the lab and out in the field. Increased funding will enable the University to expand original, faculty-mentored research for undergraduates, honor program initiatives and professional development opportunities.

Student Scholarships

Mount Saint Mary's foundation is built on the knowledge that women are capable of greatness, and a belief that women should have the opportunity to contribute their talents at every level of society. They won't have that opportunity, though, if they cannot afford to attain an education and pursue their greatest aspirations.

"An Unstoppable Campaign" will allow the University to grow its endowment in order to ensure that every student who is prepared for the Mount Saint Mary's experience can do so. This is especially important considering the rich diversity of students that the University serves, particularly as a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution where more than half of its students are the first members of their families to attend college.

Wellness Pavilion

Mount Saint Mary's believes that it has a responsibility to respond to the needs of the times. And the times are calling for strong, confident and resilient leaders. That's why its inclusive and empowering Mount Wellness movement is designed to make the University a model for healthy living, and an example that can lead the way for colleges and universities across the nation.

Mount Saint Mary's planned Wellness Pavilion  the first new building on the University's original Chalon Campus in more than 30 years  will offer everything students need to master the art of living vigorously. That includes a true fitness center, exercise studios and the campus' first gymnasium to help students be more physically active; social spaces, quiet rooms and sleep studios to help students de-stress and sleep better; and training rooms, a physical therapy clinic and a peer wellness hub that will enable students to assist each other in attaining their personal health goals.

Join the campaign

"To accomplish all of this and create long-lasting, transformational change, we know that we cannot do this alone," President McElaney-Johnson said in announcing the campaign. "Together, though, we can start a bold, new chapter in the history of Mount Saint Mary's University. Thank you for joining us in this mission."

To learn more about the campaign, and to give, visit msmu.edu/campaign.

About Mount Saint Mary's University

Mount Saint Mary's is the only women's university in Los Angeles and one of the most diverse in the nation. The University is known nationally for its research on gender equity, its innovative health and science programs, and its commitment to community service. As a leading liberal arts institution, Mount Saint Mary's provides year-round, flexible and online programs at the undergraduate and graduate level. Weekend, evening and graduate programs are offered to both women and men. Mount alums are engaged, active, global citizens who use their knowledge and skills to better themselves, their communities and the world. msmu.edu

SOURCE Mount Saint Mary's University

Related Links

http://www.msmu.edu


BELLEFONTE, Pa., Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Jim and Evelyn Piazza, parents of Timothy J. Piazza, issued the following statement today, accompanied by their attorney, Thomas R. Kline, of Kline & Specter PC. The statement, presented after today's filings by the District Attorney of Centre County, Pennsylvania, follows:

We would like to thank the District Attorney and the State College police for their continued commitment and effort's in finding justice for our son Tim's death. Tim was a happy and caring human being and a wonderful son who just wanted to join an organization to find friendships and camaraderie. Instead he was killed at the hands of those he was seeking friendship from. We have spent the past eight months wondering - how can this happen on the campus of Penn State? The visions of him lying in a hospital bed, battered and bruised, and on life support looking as if he got hit by a tractor-trailer make no sense. He was just trying to join an organization. Over the last several months we listened to defense arguments centered around victim blaming or how could the defendants have known they were putting someone seriously at risk since no one died before, as if they were entitled to one free death, or the catch all argument of "we don't know". They claimed we don't know what else happened other than what was seen in the upstairs video and we don't know what happened in the basement. Guess what guys - now we know. We know there were more criminal and egregious negligent behavior by the same and more people. As for the argument of how could they know they were putting someone seriously at risk - that's a joke. Did none of them pay attention in their high school health class? Coercing someone to drink 7-8 drinks in 12 minutes or close to 20 drinks in a matter of 90 minutes is egregiously reckless and according to the police and the DA is criminal. Then they left him to die alone and tried to cover it up.



Hazing is illegal and justice needs to be served. It's time to man up fellas and be held accountable for your actions. We are making holiday plans without our son Tim because of your actions. If you did not commit the acts you did, we would not be here today and we would be anxiously awaiting Tim's return home for Thanksgiving break on Friday. Instead we are asking  how do we make sense of the obvious void on Thanksgiving. Hazing needs to stop. There is just no place for it. A statement needs to be made. Universities throughout the country are starting to take a much tougher stance against hazing and the hazers. We applaud them. The leadership at Penn State needs to take a tougher stance and should start by following through on their own proposals. However, I remain concerned.



We would also like to thank our family, friends and the thousands of total strangers, who share our common goal of justice and an end to hazing, for all of their continued support, thoughts, and prayers. We know we are not on this journey alone. This was evidenced by a letter we received just last week from a complete stranger who said, "I will always remember Tim, because his life mattered to me". Thank you.

SOURCE Kline & Specter
GOTEBORG, Sweden, November 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Stena Bulk is reorganising its business activities into three business areas: Crude & Fuel, Products & Chemicals and LNG and have appointed two new managing directors. At the same time, its business activities previously conducted under the name of Stena Weco are being coordinated and incorporated into Stena Bulk. Additionally, a new office in Copenhagen will be opened in the next few days. As a result, the company will leave its office in Rungsted, which until now has been used by Stena Weco.

"This is a natural transition from the old structure to the new one where we now have total control over our business involving product and chemicals transportation in the MR segment. This and other adjustments will result in a clearer structure as regards our business and organisation", says Erik Hanell, President and CEO, Stena Bulk.

Reorganisation

At the same time as the reorganisation came into force, two new managing directors were appointed, namely, Mats Karlsson (Crude & Fuel) and Johnny Schmolker (Products & Chemicals).

"After many years working with, among otheoilr things, the creation and development of the successful Sonangol pool, I am looking forward to taking greater responsibility in this business area", says Mats Karlsson, Managing Director, Crude & Fuel.

"I have held a leading position at Stena Weco since it was started up 6,5 years ago and I am happy to have a key role in the incorporation of the two companies' business into a single business", says Johnny Schmolker, Managing Director, Products & Chemicals.

In other changes, Johan Javert has been appointed as Vice President, Commercial Operations, and Sofia Eriksson will take on the position of General Manager, Business Control, WW. Bjorn Stignor continues as Managing Director of Golden Stena Weco in Singapore as does Goran Hermansson as General Manager of the business area LNG.

New office in Copenhagen

Stena Bulk Products & Chemicals, Denmark has moved in to the newly incorporated Stena Rederi AS' domicile, where also Stena Line, Stena RoRo and Northern Marine Management are present. The office is located in Copenhagen near the Port of Tuborg. Stena Bulk will also continue to have regional offices in Gothenburg, Houston, Singapore, Shanghai and Dubai.

Background information on Stena Bulk, Products & Chemicals Earlier this year, Stena Bulk signed an agreement to acquire the remaining 50% of the shares in Stena Weco from its partner WECO Shipping. This means that Stena Weco has now been incorporated into, and is wholly owned by, Stena Bulk. Together with Stena Weco's fleet of 65 tankers, Stena Bulk operates around 100 tankers. A third of these are owned and two-thirds are chartered.

With offices in six countries, Stena Bulk is one of the world's leading tanker shipping companies. The company controls a combined fleet of around 100 tankers. Stena Bulk is part of the Stena Sphere, which has more than 20,000 employees and sales of SEK 60 billion. www.stenabulk.com

CONTACT:

For further information, please contact:

Erik Hanell

President & CEO

Stena Bulk AB

Mobile: +46-704-855-002

[email protected]

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

http://news.cision.com/stena-bulk/r/stena-bulk-reorganises--coordinates-and-opens-new-office-in-copenhagen,c2387831

The following files are available for download:

http://mb.cision.com/Main/2249/2387831/750833.pdf Stena Bulk reorganises, coordinates and opens new office in Copenhagen http://news.cision.com/stena-bulk/i/new-office-in-copenhagen,c2276921 New office in Copenhagen

SOURCE Stena Bulk
NEW YORK, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Reflecting a recent surge in the volume and diversity in its transactional work growing out of the firm's recently adopted strategic plan, Stroock has named two new co-heads of its firmwide Corporate Practice group. The new leadership is supported by a cross-functional team of partners in a variety of related groups.

Taking over as co-chairs of the Corporate team are longtime partners Christopher Doyle and Jeffrey Lowenthal. Mr. Doyle has particular experience in mergers and acquisitions, securities offerings, commodities financings and corporate governance. Mr. Lowenthal focuses on corporate finance, reorganizations and business combinations. Both lawyers boast extensive deal histories.

The elevation of new corporate group leadership complements a recent firmwide strategic review at Stroock. "Our transactional practice, with a powerful, integrated platform, is designed to help our clients across so many areas of corporate work  M&A, capital markets, financial restructurings, private equity and other investment funds, tax, and government regulatory counsel in support of their most critical deals," said Stroock co-managing partner Jeffrey Keitelman.

"Chris Doyle and Jeff Lowenthal have an enormous breadth of combined transactional experience and first-rate client advisory skills, as well as the ability to motivate and connect with their colleagues, making them the ideal partners to oversee our multi-disciplinary deal teams and energetically grow our corporate services offerings," Mr. Keitelman continued, noting that the previous co-heads of the group had recently moved to other firms.

Stroock's corporate group has turned in a strong year in transactions, advising on large M&A deals in the software, financial services, cybersecurity, insurance, specialty chemicals and other sectors. In addition to its M&A work, Stroock's corporate practice encompasses a wide range of matters in the areas of capital markets, commodities focused on the energy sector, private equity, insurance, private funds and infrastructure, among others.

Thoroughly integrated with the firm's transactional practices, Stroock's financial restructuring lawyers have worked on the largest bankruptcy cases of the year, including Caesars, Avaya, Seadrill, Toys R Us and 21st Century Oncology, which total approximately $43 billion of restructured debt. And Stroock's real estate group has been at the center of the biggest commercial property deals, including the $2.15 billion recapitalization of 10 Hudson Yards in Manhattan.

Not to be overlooked, the firm's regulatory team in Washington has represented buyers and sellers undergoing sensitive CFIUS and related agency reviews in connection with more than $83 billion in inbound acquisitions into the U.S. by foreign purchasers.

"There are so many crosswinds impacting corporate transactions right now  a changing tax code, shifting regulatory environment, sky-high valuations, extreme consolidation in many industries. We think we have the right mix of expertise and experience, especially with Chris and Jeff at the helm, to help our clients make the best decisions regarding their own dealmaking," said Stroock co-managing partner Alan Klinger.

Backgrounds on Messrs. Doyle and Lowenthal

Christopher Doyle advises on mergers, acquisition financing and securities offerings, Mr. Doyle counsels companies and boards on corporate governance and compliance matters. He represents issuers and underwriters in debt and equity offerings, including IPOs, PIPE, registered offerings and 144/A transactions. His clients have included leading names in energy/commodities, defense and aerospace, technology, software, manufacturing and retail.

According to his Chambers review, clients note of Mr. Doyle, "He is the one that is creative in terms of finding solutions to problems. He is absolutely all over the detail. He knows everything."

Christopher Doyle was a member of the M&A and Corporate Finance groups at National Westminster Bank before joining Stroock in 1995.

Jeffrey Lowenthal joined Stroock in 1990 after practicing six years with Cravath, Swaine & Moore. His practice spans corporate financings and securities offerings, as well as acquisitions, reorganizations and general corporate matters. In addition to work on public offerings and private placements, he advises public companies on complex disclosure requirements under federal securities laws.

Mr. Lowenthal has represented parties on all sides of business combinations  mergers and asset sales as well as joint ventures. In the credit space, he often advises bondholder committees, lenders, insurers and other institutions and investors in large debt restructurings. He has handled deals in a wide range of industries, including apparel/retail, energy, technology, gaming, transportation and financial services.

Mr. Lowenthal has been a featured speaker on corporate matters for the Practicing Law Institute.

Stroock provides strategic transactional, regulatory and litigation advice to advance the business objectives of leading financial institutions, multinational corporations and entrepreneurial businesses in the U.S. and globally. With a rich history dating back 140 years, the firm has offices in New York, Los Angeles, Miami and Washington, DC. For more, visit www.stroock.com.

Contact: Xenia Kobylarz 212-806-6528 [email protected]

SOURCE Stroock

Related Links

http://www.stroock.com


AMARILLO, Texas, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- In a groundbreaking study conducted this summer, business leaders of all sizes from across the country report they are routinely choosing to establish and grow their businesses in mid-sized cities rather than large metro areas. Mid-sized cities outperformed large cities across almost every measure related to business satisfaction.

Developed by Inc. Media and the PhD Resource Group, LLC, and in conjunction with the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation and Texas Tech University, the study analyzed those critical success factors business owners and senior executives consider when determining where to locate or expand their companies.

The full study, published online by Inc. Magazine, was led by Dr. Bradley Ewing, principal at PhD Resource Group, LLC, and C.T. McLaughlin Chair of Free Enterprise at the Texas Tech University Rawls College of Business.

"The findings in the study were definitive. Business owners are resoundingly more satisfied in mid-sized markets than in larger, more congested areas," stated Ewing. "Communities like Amarillo offer exactly what companies are looking foraccess to high quality infrastructure, lifestyle, capable workforce and other essential ingredients for long-term growth and success."

When surveyed, business owners and executives of businesses in mid-sized cities (defined as those with populations between 100,000 and 500,000) repeatedly stated their preference for smaller markets over major metros with regard to quality of life, cost of living, cost of doing business, and access to overall business support.

Business leaders were 27% more satisfied with their access to resources versus their peers in larger cities.

Owners and operators in mid-sized markets were 23% more satisfied with the costs and access they experience in their smaller communities as compared to their peers in major metros.

Mid-sized cities rated 24% higher in access to universities and research facilities versus their big city counterparts.

"This study illustrates what we have experienced in Amarillo for many years," stated Barry Albrecht, president and CEO of the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation. "We know mid-sized communities like ours offer strong business support, low costs, and a better work/life balance. The rate at which businesses are starting and growing in Amarillo is just another testament to the benefits and opportunity communities like ours offer."

The findings further illustrated that three primary factors influence business owners when determining the location of their companies: average growth of business revenue, access to resources, and overall quality of life.

The study is part of a multi-year campaign launched by the AEDC with Inc. Magazine. The initiative is managed in conjunction with Amarillo College, West Texas A&M University, West Texas Enterprise Center, Texas Tech University, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, and Amarillo National Bank.

CONTACT: Reagan Hales, Vice President Marketing & Communications, 806-379-6411, [email protected]

About the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation:

The Amarillo Economic Development Corporation was established in 1990 to serve as the primary organization tasked with recruitment, retention and expansion of business in the Amarillo, Texas area. The mission of the Amarillo EDC is to attract businesses to Amarillo by offering highly-skilled, highly-paid positions; to expand and retain existing local businesses in Amarillo; and to foster a business environment conducive to entrepreneurship. Learn more at www.amarilloedc.com.

About Texas Tech University:

Texas Tech University, founded in 1923 and located in Lubbock, Texas, is listed among the nation's top doctoral universities in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Of the 115 universities listed in the Highest Research Activity category, Texas Tech is one of 81 public institutions in the top tier.

About Inc. Media:

Founded in 1979 and acquired in 2005 by Mansueto Ventures, Inc. is the only major brand dedicated exclusively to owners and managers of growing private companies, with the aim to deliver real solutions for today's innovative company builders. Winner of the National Magazine Award for General Excellence in both 2014 and 2012. Total monthly audience reach for the brand has grown significantly from 2,000,000 in 2010 to over 13,000,000 today. For more information, visit www.inc.com.

SOURCE Amarillo Economic Development Corporation

Related Links

https://www.amarilloedc.com


AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Summit Hotel Properties, Inc. (NYSE: INN) ("Summit" or the "Company") today announced that Gregory A. Dowell, its EVP and Chief Financial Officer, plans to retire from the Company on March 31, 2018. Mr. Dowell has been with Summit for over three years and has led the Company's finance and accounting functions through periods of substantial growth and improvement. He has played a key role in the long-term succession planning for the Company and will continue to work closely with his successor during the upcoming transition period.

Mr. Dowell said, "The past three years have been professionally rewarding and personally gratifying. It has been a privilege to be a part of such a dedicated and cohesive team. I am confident in this team and their ability to continue to create value for shareholders."

Jonathan P. Stanner, EVP and Chief Investment Officer, will succeed Mr. Dowell as EVP and Chief Financial Officer, effective March 31, 2018. Mr. Stanner joined the Company in April 2017 and has become an integral member of the management team. Prior to joining Summit, he held various positions at Strategic Hotels and Resorts, including the role of CFO. Mr. Stanner will continue to oversee the Company's investment activities following the transition.

Daniel P. Hansen, the Company's Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, noted, "I am proud of all that we have accomplished at Summit during Greg's tenure and appreciate his tremendous efforts in elevating our finance organization. I am confident that Jon will continue to build on these accomplishments and I look forward to working closely with them both to ensure a successful and seamless transition."

About Summit Hotel Properties

Summit Hotel Properties, Inc. is a publicly traded real estate investment trust focused on owning premium-branded hotels with efficient operating models primarily in the upscale segment of the lodging industry. As of November 13, 2017, the Company's portfolio consisted of 79 hotels with a total of 11,590 guestrooms located in 24 states. For additional information, please visit the Company's website, www.shpreit.com and follow the Company on Twitter at @SummitHotel_INN.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains statements that are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are generally identifiable by use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will," "should," "potential," "intend," "expect," "seek," "anticipate," "estimate," "approximately," "believe," "could," "project," "predict," "forecast," "continue," "plan," "likely," "would," or other similar words or expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and can include future expectations, future plans and strategies, financial and operating projections or other forward-looking information. Examples of forward-looking statements include the expected retirement of Mr. Dowell and appointment of Mr. Stanner to the position of Chief Financial Officer, and the expected timing of both actions. These forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, not all of which are known to the Company and many of which are beyond the Company's control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the state of the U.S. economy, supply and demand in the hotel industry and other factors as are described in greater detail in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Unless legally required, the Company disclaims any obligation to update any information contained in this news release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE Summit Hotel Properties, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.shpreit.com


WASHINGTON, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Senator Elizabeth Dole, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Dr. David J. Shulkin, and former First Lady Laura Bush are joining hundreds of military caregivers, government officials, industry, and non-profit leaders in the nation's capital today to outline, define, and highlight the journey taken by military and veteran caregivers as they adjust to life in that role. According to RAND, there are 5.5 million military caregivers in the United States providing $14 billion per year in uncompensated care to wounded, ill, and injured veterans. These hidden heroes provide support outside of the spotlight, often alone, and at the expense of their own physical, mental, and financial health. Until now, the military caregiving experience was largely anecdotal  undocumented and unmeasured. Now, under the leadership of the Foundation, the VA, Philips, and Georgetown University, and through the insight of event attendees, a comprehensive map will be developed to document the military caregiving journey and assist service providers, healthcare professionals, and advocates as they work to support the needs of all military families.

The Foundation is proud to host Former First Lady Laura Bush, who has been a steadfast champion of caregivers and their families though her work with the George W. Bush Institute. The Bush Institute, based in Dallas, Texas, includes the Military Service Initiative, which works to ensure veterans, their caregivers, and their families make successful transitions to civilian life by gaining meaningful employment and education opportunities, and overcoming the invisible wounds of war.

"In the last several years, there has been a sea change in the way we understand and respond to the unique needs of our nation's hidden heroes," said Senator Elizabeth Dole, a caregiver to her husband, Senator Bob Dole, and founder of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation. "While more and more Americans are recognizing the caregivers in their communities, we still don't know enough about the day-to-day experiences and challenges they face and, as a result, we don't know where support services are going to have the most impact. By listening to caregivers and collaborating with healthcare providers, policymakers, and industry and non-profit leaders, we are closer to understanding how to better support caregivers at every phase of their journey."

Through collaboration with a coalition of partners over several months, two representative military caregiver journey maps have been developed to explain the milestones military caregivers face along their journey. The maps share a common set of key intervention points where a wide cross-section of caregivers, healthcare providers, and others can provide timely support and services.



"At VA, our caregivers are selfless hidden heroes and we appreciate all the work they do," said VA Secretary David J. Shulkin. "We are proud to join the Elizabeth Dole Foundation as partners who understand and value the role of caregivers and the sacrifices they make day in and day out."

The convening, held at the Capital Hilton, thanks to the generosity of Hilton, will include in-depth working sessions focused on refining these journey maps, moderated by a team of experts from Philips.

"Philips shares the Elizabeth Dole Foundation's and the VA's goal of accelerating access to better care and support for our nation's military and veteran caregivers, and to do that we need to collaboratively map out the intervention points where we can most effectively engage," said Joe Robinson, Senior Vice President, Health Systems Solutions, Philips North America. "At Philips, we're committed to meeting veterans and caregivers where they are through connected care solutions, which can provide respite and peace-of-mind to caregivers and veterans."

The backbone of this effort is insight provided by the Dole Caregiver Fellows, caregivers from across the nation selected to represent the Foundation in their communities, and whose personal experiences are reflected in the map.

The journey map will be finalized and disseminated throughout 2018.

Four major initiatives in support of military and veteran caregivers will also be announced at the 2nd Annual National Convening:

Senator Elizabeth Dole is announcing a groundbreaking new initiative in partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs called The Campaign for Inclusive Care, which aims to integrate caregivers into their veteran's medical team by training thousands of doctors, nurses and social workers inside VA to better support caregivers throughout their journey. Supported by a philanthropic investment from USAA, this program will empower caregivers and improve their overall health and well-being, while also improving healthcare outcomes for patients and the culture for healthcare providers across the nation.

is announcing a groundbreaking new initiative in partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs called The Campaign for Inclusive Care, which aims to integrate caregivers into their veteran's medical team by training thousands of doctors, nurses and social workers inside VA to better support caregivers throughout their journey. Supported by a philanthropic investment from USAA, this program will empower caregivers and improve their overall health and well-being, while also improving healthcare outcomes for patients and the culture for healthcare providers across the nation. Secretary Shulkin is revealing plans for a Center of Excellence for Research on Veteran Caregivers, fulfilling a major goal of the Foundation, and a recommendation of the 2017 RAND research blueprint, which was commissioned by the Dole Foundation. The Center of Excellence will be a driving force for caregiver research, deepening our collective understanding of who military and veteran caregivers are and how we can best support them.

research blueprint, which was commissioned by the Dole Foundation. The Center of Excellence will be a driving force for caregiver research, deepening our collective understanding of who military and veteran caregivers are and how we can best support them. Senator Dole and Secretary Shulkin are announcing a collaboration to connect Hidden Heroes Cities with VA Community Veteran Engagement Boards nationwide. This initiative will be piloted in New York , Las Vegas , and Chicago beginning early 2018.

, , and beginning early 2018. Immediately prior to the conference, Senator Dole and Secretary Shulkin signed a memorandum of understanding, solidifying the partnership between the Elizabeth Dole Foundation and the Department of Veterans Affairs, and focused on enhancing support for caregivers.

The 2nd Annual National Convening is made possible by generous support from the following partners: Philips North America, Hilton, Wounded Warrior Project, Pritzker Military Museum & Library, USAA, The Wall Street Journal, Booz Allen Hamilton, American Airlines, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, The Independence Fund, CareLinx, Cigna, and KPMG.

About Elizabeth Dole Foundation

The Elizabeth Dole Foundation is the preeminent organization empowering, supporting, and honoring our nation's 5.5 million military caregivers  the spouses, parents, family members, and friends who care for America's wounded, ill or injured veterans at home. Founded by Senator Elizabeth Dole in 2012, the Foundation adopts a comprehensive approach in its support and advocacy, working with leaders in the public, private, nonprofit, and faith communities to recognize military caregivers' service and promote their well-being. Learn more about the Elizabeth Dole Foundation at www.elizabethdolefoundation.org.

The Hidden Heroes Campaign, an initiative of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, brings vital attention to the untold stories of military caregivers and provides a safe, secure place where caregivers can meet and access carefully vetted resources at HiddenHeroes.org. Another aspect of the Campaign, Hidden Heroes Cities, is an effort to galvanize local leaders across America to identify military caregivers in their communities and the local resources to support them. To date, 110 cities from San Antonio to New York, from Washington, DC to San Diego have signed on. Learn more about Hidden Heroes at www.hiddenheroes.org.

About Royal Philips

Royal Philips is a leading health technology company focused on improving people's health and enabling better outcomes across the health continuum from healthy living and prevention, to diagnosis, treatment and home care. Philips leverages advanced technology and deep clinical and consumer insights to deliver integrated solutions. Headquartered in the Netherlands, the company is a leader in diagnostic imaging, image-guided therapy, patient monitoring and health informatics, as well as in consumer health and home care. Philips' health technology portfolio generated 2016 sales of EUR 17.4 billion and employs approximately 71,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. News about Philips can be found at www.philips.com/newscenter.

Media Contact:

Jeff Valliere

202-441-2894

[email protected]

SOURCE Elizabeth Dole Foundation
NEW YORK, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- About Warehouse Vehicles



Warehouse vehicles are the vehicles which assist the movement of goods and people within the premises of the warehouses. Warehouse vehicles are defined as mobile machines that are used to transport cargo or people within the limits of the warehouse. Some examples of warehouse vehicles are counterbalance trucks and narrow aisle trucks. The global warehouse vehicles market has been segmented on the basis of product type such as counterbalance trucks, narrow aisle trucks, tow trucks, pallet trucks and others.



Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05192419





Technavio's analysts forecast the global warehouse vehicles market to grow at a CAGR of 6.12% during the period 2017-2021.



Covered in this report

The report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the global warehouse vehicles market for 2017-2021. The report presents a detailed picture of the market by way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources.



The market is divided into the following segments based on geography:

 Americas

 APAC

 EMEA



Technavio's report, Global Warehouse Vehicles Market 2017-2021, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.



Key vendors

 Crown

 Jungheinrich

 KION GROUP

 Toyota



Other prominent vendors

 CONHERSA

 Douglas Equipment Company

 Godrej Material Handling

 Hyster Company

 Lokpal Industries

 Mighty Lift

 Ningbo Ruyi Joint Stock

 NOVELTEK

 PalletTrucksUK

 Patel Material Handling Equipment

 Puma Lift Trucks

 RICO manufacturing

 Sroka Incorporated

 STILL Materials Handling

 The Raymond Corporation

 Yale Materials Handling Corporation



Market driver

 Rising e-commerce retail sales

 For a full, detailed list, view our report



Market challenge

 High initial investment and maintenance cost

 For a full, detailed list, view our report



Market trend

 Rising popularity of non-marking tire

 For a full, detailed list, view our report



Key questions answered in this report

 What will the market size be in 2021 and what will the growth rate be?

 What are the key market trends?

 What is driving this market?

 What are the challenges to market growth?

 Who are the key vendors in this market space?



You can request one free hour of our analyst's time when you purchase this market report. Details are provided within the report.



Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05192419



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



https://www.reportlinker.com





__________________________

Contact Clare: [email protected]

US: (339)-368-6001

Intl: +1 339-368-6001

SOURCE Reportlinker

Related Links

http://www.reportlinker.com


CHICAGO, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Safe + Fair Food Company, creator of non-GMO, clean label and allergy-friendly foods, today announced the launch of the first two brands in its portfolio, The Kid's Stuff and Good to Give. These brands are the first rollout in the company's expanding line of free-from products, created to serve the millions of families impacted by food allergies, with safe foods at fair prices. All products are available for purchase at www.safeandfair.com and shipping nationwide.

The Kid's Stuff Good to Give

"We're thrilled to announce the launch of our exciting new brands that embody our mission to create affordably priced, safe and delicious foods that will impact real change in the allergy-friendly food market," says CEO Will Holsworth. "At SAFE + FAIR, all our products are carefully crafted with the best ingredients to elevate the standards of great tasting foods that everyone can afford. As a father, I believe all children should have access to real foods; and as a company, we believe we have a responsibility to the millions of families with food allergies to make the safe food choice the easy and affordable choice."

THE BRANDS

The Kid's Stuff (Box of 36 for $14.99)

Made to please the kid in you, The Kid's Stuff products are named after SAFE + FAIR's founders' children. All of these products are clean label and nut-free. They are made with whole grains and free-from peanuts, tree nuts, GMO's, artificial ingredients and trans fats.

The initial product offering includes Abby's Chocolate Chip Cookies and Remy's Cinnamon Grahams. Forthcoming products include Gavin's Granola, Quinn's Crackers, Jane's Trail Mix and Claire's Bars which are currently in development. Next available on the website are Gavin's Cinnamon Granola and Remy's Honey Grahams.

Good to Give ($1.99  $2.99)

Created to make every day more carefree, the Good to Give brand includes delicious desserts, meals and snacks that are made with clean ingredients and without nuts, artificial colors, flavors and preservatives.

To start, this line will offer Chocolate and Vanilla Cake Mix and Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese. Good to Give products that will soon follow include Brownie Mix, Pancake and Waffle Mix, Granola Cereal, Granola Bars, Oatmeal, Trail Mix and more. Many of these options will also be gluten-free, including soon to be released gluten-free Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese, Chocolate Brownie Mix, and Blonde Birthday Cake Brownie Mix.

The Safe + Fair Food Company's innovation and direction is developed in house by the company's seasoned executive team. The company is led by Will Holsworth, former President and Chief Growth Officer at Muscle Milk (which sold to Hormel for $470M). Jessica Grelle, SVP of Innovation + R&D, leads the creation of the company's original and clean label recipes, and Jessica Kelly, Head of Design + Customer Engagement, is in charge of the company's product packaging and design. Under their leadership, SAFE + FAIR's near-in innovation pipeline will continue to grow rapidly and introduce a wide variety of clean label and allergy-friendly products.

To learn more about The Safe + Fair Food Company and purchase products, please visit www.safeandfair.com.

About The Safe + Fair Food Company

The Safe + Fair Food Company was founded in 2017 by friends, Dave Leyrer and Pete Najarian, two fathers of children with food allergies. Their vision was to create a wide corridor of safety and transparency around their own (and other) kids with food allergies through wholesome, delicious foods that are safe and fairly priced. To further its mission, The Safe + Fair Food Company will donate 3 percent of all proceeds to the Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research at Stanford University to support science, research and care. The company will continue to execute against its vision by creating and acquiring great brands and products that share the core attributes of being SAFE + FAIR, and make it easier and fun for families and communities to snack safe. Learn more at: www.safeandfair.com.

Press Contact:

Morgan Bellock

Zapwater Communications

E: [email protected]

P: 312.943.0333

SOURCE The Safe + Fair Food Company

Related Links

http://www.safeandfair.com


FRAMINGHAM, Mass., Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Whether you gather over turkey at Thanksgiving, trim the tree or light the menorah or kinara, majority of American's believe that gathering as a 'family' is the most meaningful way to mark the holidays. For that reason, T.J.Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods are embarking on a mission to help families come together this season through "Gift My Gathering," a contest that will gift 5 families with a custom holiday get-together.

TJX To Family Internet Carla Hall teams up with T.J.Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods to announce Gift My Gathering, and make it possible for families to come together this holiday season and celebrate what matters most - each other.

Experience the interactive Multichannel News Release here:

https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8220751-tjmaxx-marshalls-homegoods-gift-my-gathering

The retailers have recruited the help of Chef and host of The Chew, Carla Hall, to inspire others to celebrate with loved ones. Carla kicks off the "Gift My Gathering" contest on November 13th  awarding one deserving family in The Chew audience with a surprise and delight holiday experience.

"Family means everything to me. Despite everyone's crazy schedules around the holidays, we always value gathering around the table to enjoy a meal and cherish our time together," said Carla Hall. "That's why I'm so excited to partner with T.J.Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods to share the importance of gathering and helping bring families together during the most special time of the year."

The holiday contest encourages families to share why their family is the greatest gift for a chance to win their own custom gathering. Submissions will be collected between November 13 and November 28 at GiftMyGathering.com.

When setting out to explore the unique ways we celebrate during the holidays, T.J.Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods discovered that 70% of people agree that they are looking forward to exchanging gifts and conversations while 74% of those surveyed shared that they have a unique holiday tradition that signifies the holiday and 59% look forward to plates of turkey, while the remainder look forward to stuffing, and pumpkin pie.

Beyond the "Gift My Gathering" contest, T.J.Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods and their customers have helped provide at least 21 million meals to local Feeding America  food banks to help families in need this season.*

Gift My Gathering Contest: How to Participate

Visit www.GiftMyGathering.com between now and November 28th and tell T.J.Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods how to help you gather with the people that matter most this holiday season. Submissions should be accompanied by a photo and original story. Five families will be chosen across the U.S. to make it possible for them to come together and celebrate with a custom holiday gathering, courtesy of the brands.

ABOUT T.J.MAXX

Since its first store opening in 1977, T.J.Maxx has helped customers maximize what matters most in their lives by offering an ever-changing selection of high-quality, brand name merchandise at amazing savings. T.J.Maxx is the nation's largest off-price retailer, with more than 1,000 stores spanning 49 states and Puerto Rico.

ABOUT MARSHALLS

Marshalls is one of the nation's leading off-price family retailers with more than 1,000 stores spanning 48 states and Puerto Rico. Since opening its first store more than 40 years ago, the Marshalls name has become synonymous with off-price shopping. Marshalls shoppers can find a surprising selection of high-quality, on-trend brand name and designer merchandise for men, women and children, footwear, accessories and home merchandise - all at incredible prices.

ABOUT HOMEGOODS

HomeGoods operates more than 500 stores across the country and since 1992 has offered shoppers an always changing selection of inspiring home fashions, including designer and brand names, in every style and for every room in the home, all at incredible values.

ABOUT THE SURVEY Methodology:

Morning Consult, on behalf of T.J. Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods, conducted a national survey of 2,201 adults from October 31 - November 02, 2017. The interviews were conducted online and the data were weighted to approximate a target sample of adults based on age, race/ethnicity, gender, educational attainment, and region. Results from the full survey have a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points.

GIFT MY GATHERING CONTEST RULES

No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Gift My Gathering is sponsored by The TJX Companies, Inc. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S., D.C. and Puerto Rico, 18 & older. Begins 8:00 a.m. ET on 11/13/17 & ends 11:59 p.m. ET on 11/28/17. For official rules, visit giftmygathering.com.

*Each $1 helps provide at least 10 meals secured by Feeding America on behalf of member food banks.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Charly Rok

(212) 704-4472

[email protected]

SOURCE T.J.Maxx; Marshalls; HomeGoods
SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Token, Inc., a turnkey open banking platform provider, and Envestnet | Yodlee (NYSE: ENV), a leading data aggregation and data analytics platform powering dynamic, cloud-based innovation for digital financial services, today announced a strategic partnership to combine their expertise in PSD2-compliant payments and financial data aggregation.

Token's open banking operating system, TokenOS, enables banks to generate revenue from PSD2 compliant payments and simplifies access to banks for third-party service providers, via a universal API. Token OS helps reduce the cost, enhance the security and remove friction from a wide variety of payment types, including bill pay, e-commerce, B2B payments and money transfers.

The Envestnet | Yodlee Financial Data Platform enables personalized financial apps by delivering data from more than 16,000 global sources. Using consumer permission-based access to financial accounts and transaction information supported by bank-level security, the Envestnet | Yodlee Platform and its Aggregation API deliver bank, credit card, investment, loans, rewards, and other financial account data needed for personal financial wellness, lending, and wealth advisory apps and services.

By launching a synergetic partnership that empowers both companies to leverage each other's strengths, Token and Envestnet | Yodlee can now serve EU banks with a powerful joint proposition. Combining the universality and security of TokenOS and the depth and breadth of Envestnet | Yodlee's Platform and API integration create the most compelling, secure and comprehensive open banking payment and information solution available to EU banks.

Steve Kirsch, CEO and Founder of Token, commented: "We are delighted to work with Envestnet | Yodlee to transform the future of banking. When it comes to PSD2, developers are not going to support hundreds of unique bank APIs; they will only write to one common API, maybe two. This means that banks that create their own proprietary API risk not being able to deliver the variety and freedom that customers expect in the digital age."

"Instead, banks should support a common open banking platform  one that is easy, secure, interoperable, low cost and developer friendly. Our partnership with Envestnet | Yodlee, the market-leading API aggregator, makes Token's proposition more attractive than ever for both banks and developers."

Jason O'Shaughnessy, Senior Vice President for EMEA and Australia at Envestnet | Yodlee, added: "Both Token and Envestnet | Yodlee believe that open data access is critical to enabling innovative tools that can help consumers improve their financial lives. Our shared dedication to improving the banking end-user experience means that Token and Envestnet | Yodlee are a natural partnership, and it's great to see Token leverage our financial data aggregation platform to deliver secure, customer-centric solutions to their clients."

About Token

Token is a technology company headquartered in San Francisco with offices in London. Token's open banking platform helps banks quickly and cost effectively meet the PSD2 compliance requirements before the deadline, and generate new revenue. Further, it raises security and reduces fraud and disintermediation. Unlike in-house developed solutions, Token supports the same API across all banks. Banks that use Token will have access to the most third-parties' applications. This in turn means greater revenue for those banks.

Token's team combines years of highly successful execution and innovation in the technology, banking and security sectors. Token's CEO and Founder, Steve Kirsch, has invented several groundbreaking Internet technologies and has had multiple billion dollar exits. Token's co-founder, Yobie Benjamin, was formerly the Global CTO at Citigroup, where he was responsible for the processing of quadrillions of dollars a year in payments.

Token has been recognised in the 2016 GTS Global Innovator Competition as the 'Most disruptive company across all categories, globally', and is the winner of PlugAndPlay's 2016 Fintech EXPO, which was contested by more than 1000 applicants from around the world.

For further information, please consult: www.token.io or follow us on Twitter: @token_io

About Envestnet

Envestnet, Inc. (NYSE: ENV) is a leading provider of intelligent systems for wealth management and financial wellness. Envestnet's unified technology enhances advisor productivity and strengthens the wealth management process. Envestnet empowers enterprises and advisors to more fully understand their clients and deliver better outcomes.

Envestnet enables financial advisors to better manage client outcomes and strengthen their practices. Institutional-quality research and advanced portfolio solutions are provided through Envestnet | PMC, our Portfolio Management Consultants group. Envestnet | Yodlee is a leading data aggregation and data analytics platform powering dynamic, cloud-based innovation for digital financial services. Envestnet | Tamarac provides leading rebalancing, reporting, and practice management software for advisors. Envestnet | Retirement Solutions provides retirement advisors with an integrated platform that combines leading practice management technology, research and due diligence, data aggregation, compliance tools, fiduciary solutions and intelligent managed account solutions.

More than 59,000 advisors and 2,900 companies including: 16 of the 20 largest U.S. banks, 39 of the 50 largest wealth management and brokerage firms, over 500 of the largest Registered Investment Advisers, and hundreds of Internet services companies, leverage Envestnet technology and services. Envestnet solutions enhance knowledge of the client, accelerate client on-boarding, improve client digital experiences, and help drive better outcomes for enterprises, advisors, and their clients.

For more information on Envestnet, please visit www.envestnet.com and follow @ENVintel.

SOURCE Envestnet | Yodlee

Related Links

http://www.envestnet.com


NEW YORK, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Summary

Netherlands is the largest confectionery market in terms of per capita expenditure (in US dollar terms). The per capita expenditure on confectionery products in US dollar terms grew, by 2.0% CAGR in the last five years, owing to the weakening of the euro against the US dollar. However, it is expected to grow at a higher CAGR during 2016-2021.





Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05175894







Dutch confectionery market is being led by the chocolate category, which recorded modest growth at a CAGR of 3.1% during 2011-2016. However, it is expected to record strong growth in the next five years and will be worth US$1.6 Billion in 2021. Sugar confectionery, the second-largest category in the market, is expected to record the slowest growth during 2016-2021. On the other hand, gum, which is the smallest value category, recorded growth at a CAGR of 3.6% during 2011-2016. It is forecast to continue being the fastest-growing category in the next five years and will be worth US$0.4 Billion in 2021.



The report "Top Growth Opportunities: Confectionery in the Netherlands", provides an overview of the confectionery market, analyzing market data, demographic consumption patterns within the category, and the key consumer trends driving consumption. Proprietary Risk vs Reward Opportunity model pinpoints the best growth opportunities for confectionery 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.



Companies mentioned in this report: Tirol Choco, Esthechoc, Naive, Fudge Kitchen, Ridiculously Good, Katja Knuffiesfeest, Cereal Stevia Sweet, lovechock, Diesch, Vinoos by AMS, Gerard van Riessen B.V., Frisia, Look O Look, Artisan Du Chocolat London.



Scope

- This growth during the forecast period is primarily attributed to high disposable incomes and quality consciousness of the working population, which propels them to spend on indulgent confectionery products as a way to relax after a hectic day.

- Furthermore, the majority of Dutch consumers are willing to spend more on confectionery products that are organic in origin and are labeled as 'Fairtrade'.

- Consequently, the Dutch confectionery market offers strong opportunities and is clearly a long-term market.



Reasons to buy

- Get a detailed understanding of consumption to align your sales and marketing efforts with the latest trends in the market.

- Identify the areas of growth and opportunities, which will aid effective marketing planning.

- The differing growth rates in regional product sales drive fundamental shifts in the market.

- This report provides detailed, authoritative data on these changes - prime intelligence for marketers.

- Understand the market dynamics and essential data to benchmark your position and to identify where to compete in the future.



Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05175894



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



https://www.reportlinker.com





__________________________

Contact Clare: [email protected]

US: (339)-368-6001

Intl: +1 339-368-6001

SOURCE Reportlinker

Related Links

http://www.reportlinker.com


SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Ori Eisen, Founder & CEO of identity authentication leader Trusona and Jim Routh, Aetna Chief Security Officer, on Thursday, November 16, 2017 will share their "No Passwords" vision and best practices on how healthcare authentication security can be stronger and more convenient for healthcare organizations both internally (employees) and externally (providers and members).

The online event hosted by the National Health Information Sharing and Analysis Center (NH-ISAC) is an opportunity to hear about Aetna's Next Generation Authentication system and Trusona's #NoPasswords identity authentication technology. The hour-long webinar will explore the need to move away from passwords and the benefits of identity authentication solutions that are available today.

WHAT: Presentation: "Best of both worlds: Boosting Security and Convenience - Passwordless Healthcare Authentication." Online event will explore innovations to better secure company assets and provide friction-free authentication to healthcare employees, providers and members. As part of Trusona's #NoPasswords revolution, this presentation will explore the importance of moving away from static passwords, Knowledge Based Answers (KBA) and SMS verifications - and why healthcare leaders such as Aetna are moving to dynamic identity authentication Trusona's technology provides both authentication and identity proofing with patented anti-replay technology that assures a user's credentials can't be stolen or replayed to imitate a member's login. This event is an opportunity to hear how Aetna is driving a paradigm shift in online identity authentication to defend against the sophisticated cyber attacks that target health care organizations while meeting members' desire for simplified authentication. WHEN: Thu, Nov 16, 2017 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM EST WHO:  Jim Routh is Chief Security Officer (CSO) and leads the Global Information Security function for Aetna. He is the Chairman of the FS-ISAC Products and Services Committee and former Board Member. He is a Board Member of the National Health-ISAC. He was formerly the Global Head of Application and Mobile Security for JPMorgan Chase. Prior to that he was the CISO for KPMG, DTCC and American Express and has over 20 years of experience in information technology and information security as a practitioner, management consultant and leader of technology functions and information security functions for global financial service firms. Routh is the winner of the 2009 BITS Leadership Award for outstanding leadership of the Supply Chain Working Group.

 Ori Eisen, Trusona founder and CEO, has spent the last two decades fighting online crime, and is respected for his business knowledge and leadership. Trusona, the global leader in Identity Authentication, solves the world's current authentication anonymity. Prior to Trusona he founded 41st Parameter, the leading online fraud prevention and detection solution which was acquired by Experian in 2013. Ori also served as the Director of Fraud Prevention at American Express and VeriSign/Network Solutions. Ori is often quoted by industry insiders, and receives numerous invitations to keynote industry events and conferences. WHERE: Find out more and register at: https://www.trusona.com/events/webinar-best-of-both-worlds-boosting-security-and-convenience-passwordless-healthcare-authentication

About Trusona

Trusona is the global leader in Identity Authentication offering a suite of no password solutions spanning from frictionless login to the world's only insured authentication. Trusona's dynamic authentication relies on patent-pending anti-replay technology that use the unique nature of every action to prove the True Persona behind every digital interaction. Trusona is leading the #NoPasswords Revolution where there are no passwords to be created, remembered, stolen, or compromised ensuring people are who they say they are and no one else can. The company was founded in 2015 by CEO and cyber security expert Ori Eisen and is funded by Kleiner Perkins, Microsoft Ventures, Seven Peaks Ventures, and 2M. For more information about Trusona visit www.trusona.com.

CONTACT: Joe McGurk, [email protected]

SOURCE Trusona

Related Links

https://www.trusona.com


SUNNYVALE, Calif., Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Within 30 hours, two of Plug and Play FinTech's batch startups were acquired: Vault by Acorns and Qumram by Dynatrace.

Vault, a developer of retirement fund investment services, was acquired by Acorns, a micro-investment service that automatically invests small amounts from its customers' bank accounts into investment funds. Vault was previously a batch startup of Plug and Play that went through the 12-week accelerator program in Sunnyvale, California.

"I moved down to California from Portland for the duration of the Plug and Play program and it was priceless. We built a very strong network, in addition to generating two strong leads from top U.S. banks," said Randy Fernando, co-founder and CEO of Vault. "Plug and Play also facilitated speaking engagements at the likes of TechCrunch Disrupt, which gave me even more exposure. There was a lot of momentum that came from the Plug and Play program."

Qumram, a startup that captures 100% of all digital interactions on client sites, is one of the most recent graduates from the Plug and Play FinTech accelerator program and generated two POCs from world leading banks. "The journey has been fantastic; the amount of contacts and opportunities we were able to get was really great," said Mathias Wegmueller, co-founder of Qumram. "Plug and Play gave us the confidence to partner with the right customers that showed we have a valuable product."

"We are so excited for both the Vault and Qumram teams in their respective acquisitions over the past couple of days," said Scott Robinson, founder and VP of Plug and Play FinTech. "These teams hustled day in and day out while they participated in our program and we are very lucky to have shared a chapter in their journey." Plug and Play FinTech positions startups for success by connecting them to leading financial institutions.

"When startups join Plug and Play, it's not a marketing activity - it's real work and you should have a person fully dedicated to the 12-week program because then you'll get great value out of it," said Mathias Wegmueller, co-founder of Qumram.

To learn more about Plug and Play FinTech's accelerator program, please visit www.plugandplaytechcenter.com/corporations/fintech/ or contact Ashlene Ramadan at [email protected].

About Plug and Play

Plug and Play is a global innovation platform. We connect startups to corporations and invest in over 150 companies every year. Since inception in 2006, our programs have expanded worldwide to include a presence in 22 locations globally giving startups the necessary resources to succeed in Silicon Valley and beyond. With over 6,000 startups and 180 official corporate partners, we have created the ultimate startup ecosystem in many industries. We provide active investments with 200 leading Silicon Valley VCs, and host more than 365 networking events per year. Companies in our community have raised over $6 billion in funding, with successful portfolio exits including Danger, Dropbox, Lending Club, PayPal, SoundHound, and Zoosk. For more information, visit www.plugandplaytechcenter.com

SOURCE Plug and Play

Related Links

http://plugandplaytechcenter.com


SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Unison Home Ownership Investors, the leading provider of home ownership investments, today announced multiple promotions and additions to its management team and substantial 2018 expansion plans in response to extraordinary growth in transaction volume and other successes during the first ten months of 2017.

In 2017, Unison expanded into five additional states including Illinois, New York, Arizona, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, bringing its total footprint to twelve states plus Washington D.C. Unison expects to further its footprint dramatically over the course of 2018 to over 70 percent of U.S. single family residential housing units.

Unison has also processed over 14,000 consumer inquiries for its flagship programs: HomeBuyer, which increases housing affordability and purchasing power, and HomeOwner, which allows existing homeowners to unlock a portion of their home equity without borrowing. With both programs, the consumer can use the money provided by Unison for up to 30 years without interest or monthly payments. As partners, Unison and the homeowner share in the change in value of the property, up or down, when the homeowner decides to sell.

In addition, Unison has made significant additions to its network of partnering lenders and real estate brokers, and introduced a new suite of tools which make it easier for them to offer Unison's compelling down payment solution to deserving buyers, especially millennials who face difficult financial challenges.

"We are extremely proud of what we have accomplished this year and are eager to move into 2018 with great momentum," said Thomas Sponholtz, chairman and CEO, Unison. "Our programs are poised to help thousands of people nationwide; our tools and team are stronger than ever and we have high expectations for the future based on the solid foundation we have built as a company."

To carry this growth trajectory into 2018 and beyond, Jim Riccitelli has assumed the role of President focusing on facilitating Unison's rapid expansion and supporting Unison's trademark focus on consumer education and financial literacy. Bill Walker and Brian Elbogen, former Managing Directors, have been promoted to Chief Revenue Officer and Chief Strategy Officer; respectively, Laura Wensley has been brought on as Director of Finance, Rayan Rafay has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer of Unison's investment management business, General Counsel John Arens has taken on additional responsibilities as Managing Director of Business Operations, and Heather Phillips has joined as Associate General Counsel.

Earlier this year, Unison was recognized as a leader in today's financial technology space by winning three Benzinga Global Fintech Awards, and the FinovateSpring 'Best of Show' Award. GoBankingRate included Unison on its list of 'Startups to Watch in 2018' and Bank Innovation added Sponholtz and Riccitelli to its list of 'Most Innovative CEOs in Banking.' In addition, the company raised over $300 million in total investment capital, experienced significant growth in headcount and added industry veteran, Ron Suber, as an investor and strategic advisor. The company will also launch additional products and expects to grow origination volume by over 500 percent next year.

About Unison Home Ownership Investors

Unison is the leading provider of home ownership investments, modernizing home financing through long-term partnerships. Unison works with lenders, regulators and institutional investors to integrate home ownership investing into the U.S. housing finance system. Unison HomeBuyer helps purchasers buy the home they want with less debt and risk, typically by doubling the down payment. The larger down payment makes it easier to qualify for a loan, increases buying power, lowers the monthly payment and/or allows a buyer to reserve cash. Unison HomeOwner provides current homeowners with cash to eliminate debt, remodel, pay for school, invest or as a cash cushion, without the added debt or payments of a home equity loan or HELOC.

Unison's platforms have received prestigious recognitions including the FinovateSpring 2017 and Benzinga 2017 Best of Show awards. Headquartered in San Francisco, Unison operates in 13 states and has secured over $300M in total capital. For additional information, visit https://www.unison.com.

Media Contacts

Michael Micheletti

Director of Corporate Communications

415-365-0092

[email protected]

Ivy Chen

Account Director, MWWPR

415-580-6133

[email protected]

This press release contains projections and 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. Some of the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained herein include, without limitation: (i) the contraction or lack of growth of markets in which we compete and in which our products are sold (ii) unexpected increases in our expenses, including manufacturing expenses, (iii) our inability to adjust spending quickly enough to offset any unexpected revenue shortfall, (iv) delays or cancellations in spending by our customers, (v) unexpected average selling price reductions, (vi) the significant fluctuation to which our quarterly revenue and operating results are subject due to cyclicality in the wireless communications industry and transitions to new process technologies, (vii) our inability to anticipate the future market demands and future needs of our customers, (viii) our inability to achieve new design wins or for design wins to result in shipments of our products at levels and in the timeframes we currently expect, (ix) our inability to execute on strategic alliances, (x) the impact of natural disasters on our sourcing operations and supply chain, and(xi) other factors detailed in documents we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements in this release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

SOURCE Unison Home Ownership Investors

Related Links

http://www.unison.com


DUBLIN, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- United Neuroscience (UNS), a clinical stage biotechnology company dedicated to developing best-in-class therapies for Alzheimer's disease, neurodegenerative disorders and orphan indications in neurology, announced today that Ajay Verma, M.D., Ph.D., chief medical officer, will present at the CNS Summit 2017 being held Nov. 16-18, 2017, in Boca Raton, Florida.

"We recognize that successfully addressing the challenge of treatment for neurological disease will require an ecosystem of global leaders in the biopharmaceutical industry," said Ajay Verma, M.D., Ph.D., chief medical officer of UNS and member of the CNS Summit Leadership Council for the Clinical Trials of the Future (CTF) initiative. "We are proud to join the speakers and panelists presenting at this year's CNS Summit to share knowledge that will help accelerate the development of new treatments across the field."

Details of the presentation are as follows:

Track: CNS Summit Parallel Session, Session 5: Neuroscience Date: Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017 Time: 1:30 p.m. EST Location: Boca Raton Resort & Club, Boca Raton, Florida

About United Neuroscience

United Neuroscience is a clinical-stage biotech company dedicated to the development of best-in-class immunotherapeutics. Headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, with operations in Taiwan and the United States, United Neuroscience was founded to address the global social and economic burden of neurological disease. United Neuroscience is developing therapeutic and preventive vaccines against endogenous proteins implicated in neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) as well as orphan indications in neurology. For more information please visit www.unitedneuroscience.com.

Contacts

David Schull or Rich Allan

Russo Partners, LLC

(212) 845-4271

(646) 942-5588

[email protected]

[email protected]

SOURCE United Neuroscience

Related Links

http://www.unitedneuroscience.com


BOCA RATON, Fla., Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The University of Manitoba recently concluded that Colflex Super Oregano Oral Spray is both safe and effective in the fight against cold and flu bacteria growth, the Winnipeg Free Press reported Nov. 2.

Innotech Nutrition developed the formula, which is a blend of essential spice oils like oregano, thyme, spearmint and lemon, and its sales have steadily increased over the past four years, mostly via word of mouth and with minimal promotion. Doctors wanted assurances that the combination of ingredients was safe to use on a daily basis before recommending it to patients, so Innotech put its formula to the test  literally.

"In the lab, we found this product halted the incubation of staph, strep, E. coli and salmonella bacteria in less than 30 minutes," said Dr. Peter Jones, Canada Research Chair in Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals and the Director of the University of Manitoba's Richardson Center. "Moreover, our double-blind, randomized clinical trial showed Colflex had no effect on the glucose levels, lipids or liver enzymes of people who took the supplement over a period of four weeks."

Innotech Nutrition developed Colflex as a naturopathic alternative to help people avoid taking already overused antibiotics, and the spray is 100 percent all natural. The results of the testing were exactly what Innotech Nutrition had hoped.

"There are more than 25,000 natural health products sold in Canada with many different claims of benefits, but they are seldom put to the test," Innotech Nutrition CEO Wayne Friesen said. "Customers have told us that Colflex is very effective, but we wanted definitive proof that it not only works, but is very safe. Testing at the Richardson Centre confirmed that."

A bottle of Colflex is $19.99 and contains about 165 sprays. Three sprays per day along the traditional rest and fluids is the recommended usage to help halt the incubation of bacteria.

For more information on Colflex and other Innotech Nutrition products, visit www.innotechnutrition.com. To read the article on Colflex in full, visit www.winnipegfreepress.com/business/throat-spray-proven-effective-for-fighting-cold-flu-454627533.html.

Please direct inquiries to:

Brian Gould, 561-544-0719

[email protected]

SOURCE Innotech Nutrition

Related Links

http://www.innotechnutrition.com


Founded in 2002 by Jerry Bostelman, Jay Hollomon, and Brian Waller, Vaco partnered with its first private equity partner, Quad-C Management, Inc. ("Quad-C") in 2014. Since that time, Vaco has experienced significant growth through extending core business lines and entering new markets. Vaco completed seven acquisitions during Quad-C's ownership that significantly expanded its executive search practice, widened its breadth of services in healthcare IT and added new geographies domestically and internationally, including Canada and India.

"Vaco is exceedingly appreciative of Quad-C's contributions over our incredibly fruitful three-year partnership," said Vaco Founder and CEO Jerry Bostelman. "Olympus brings that same fresh perspective and collaborative approach. Their contribution will be invaluable as we explore how to more cohesively deliver our complete solutions to clients, expand our service lines and geographies throughout the globe and institutionalize the essence of Vaco to ensure its eternal viability."

Vaco operates more than 35 offices around the globe, with 780+ employees and 4,300 consultants worldwide. Vaco specializes in delivering people driven solutions and matching the strongest c-suite leadership, accounting, technology, healthcare IT, and administrative professionals with the unique project and permanent needs of its clients.

"In a relatively short period of time, we made significant investments in the company and were able to roughly double Vaco's revenues, while diversifying the company's end markets," said Timothy Billings, a Partner at Quad-C. "Vaco has an exceptionally strong culture and leadership team and we wish them continued success during their next stage of growth."

Jason Miller, a Partner at Olympus, remarked that, "Jerry, Jay, Brian, and the rest of the Vaco team have built a remarkable entrepreneurial culture that has led to impressive growth across multiple industries and geographies. We look forward to working with them to continue that success."

William Blair & Company, L.L.C., and CHILDS Advisory Partners acted as financial advisors and White & Case LLP acted as legal advisor to Quad-C and Vaco in connection with the transaction.

About Vaco

Vaco provides boutique level service with global reach in the areas of executive search, consulting, permanent placement, and strategic staffing. Areas of expertise include accounting, finance, technology, healthcare IT, operations, administration and international managed services. Vaco has become a premiere talent solutions firm by attracting, developing and retaining the strongest players in the industry for their entire careers, so they are available to serve clients, candidates and consultants for the duration of theirs. Since its founding in 2002, Vaco has grown to more than 35 offices across the globe, 780+ employees, 4,300 consultants and $450M in revenue. Vaco has been named to Inc. magazine's list of the fastest-growing private companies for the past 11 years and is dedicated to developing long-term relationships, life-long careers and creative client solutions. Learn more about Vaco's capabilities and unique company culture at www.vaco.com

About Olympus Partners

Founded in 1988, Olympus manages over $5.5 billion on behalf of corporate pension plans, public retirement systems, university endowment funds, and the executives of Olympus' portfolio companies. The majority of their limited partners have been investors with Olympus for decades, and Olympus Growth Fund VI, their latest offering, has committed capital of $2.3 billion. For more about

SOURCE Vaco

Related Links

http://www.vaco.com


AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- CreditShop and Varde Partners today announced that Varde will acquire Austin-based CreditShop. CreditShop is a specialty finance company focused on providing consumer friendly credit products and personal loans to prime and near-prime consumers. CreditShop is the 25th largest MasterCard and Visa credit card issuer in the United States.

In March 2017, CreditShop acquired a $1.6 billion MasterCard credit card portfolio from Barclaycard. The company expects to launch its own credit card products in 2018.

"Varde's acquisition of CreditShop provides an attractive entry point into the $500 billion consumer credit card industry and is an extension of our strategy of growing specialty finance platforms globally. We believe the experienced leadership team and scale of the platform will allow CreditShop to gain significant market share in a segment largely underserved by the traditional banking system following the financial crisis," said Aneek Mamik, North America Head of Specialty Finance at Varde Partners.

"We are excited to have Varde as our new owner and strategic partner, bringing unique resources, capabilities and experience within consumer finance," said Daniel Duncan, CEO of CreditShop.

Commensurate with the closing of this transaction, CreditShop also issued a new $1.2 billion credit card receivables securitization. The securitization transaction was executed in the 144A capital markets and had strong subscription levels. Credit Suisse acted as initial purchaser on the securitization. Credit Suisse also acted as exclusive placement agent to CreditShop on its transaction with Varde.

About CreditShop:

CreditShop is a consumer finance company headquartered in Austin, TX, with an additional office in Wilmington, DE. The company offers personal loans and credit card products to prime and near-prime consumers. CreditShop operates in all 50 states, and is a top 25 MasterCard and Visa credit card issuer.

About Varde Partners:

Varde Partners is a $13 billion global alternative investment firm that employs a value-based approach to investing across a broad array of geographies, segments and asset types, including specialty finance, real estate, corporate credit, mortgages, energy and transportation. The firm sponsors and manages a family of private investment funds with a global investor base that includes foundations and endowments, pension plans, insurance companies, other institutional investors and private clients. Now in its third decade, Varde employs more than 270 people globally with regional headquarters in Minneapolis, London and Singapore.

SOURCE CreditShop
FREO Financial & Real Estate Operations GmbH, has celebrated the opening of the Mall of Switzerland (MOS), north of Lucerne. Over 1,000 invited guests, from the fields of politics, business and tourism, enjoyed the autumnal temperatures.

Before it was transferred to Halter AG in 2014, the site...

Photos: Manuel Lopez/PPR/Mall-of-Switzerland



[]
Two residential properties in the historic suburb of Millers Point, including Sydneys first ever walk-up apartment building and an entire row of period terrace duplexes, will be sold through auction on December 14.

There is a price guide of $9 million to $9.5 million, which will be the second most expensive Millers Point disposal, after a block of 12 apartments at 44-48 Merriman Street and 56-62 Bettington Street sold for $12.3 million in 2016.

They are being sold off by Property NSW on behalf of Family and Community Services as part of the Millers Point sales programme to fund social housing. So far, the sales have delivered more than $467 million.

As of August, 655 new social housing dwellings have been completed and 422 dwellings are under construction, Property NSW said in a media release.

Stevens Buildings at 73 Windmill Street (picture above) is of architectural importance and is recognised by the NSW Trust as the first residential apartment building to be constructed in NSW.

Designed by renowned architect Joseph Alexander Kethel (1866-1946), the heritage building sits on a 1,802 sqm site and comprises 11 apartments (nine x one bedroom and two x two bedrooms) capturing views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Garrison Church and Observatory Hill.

It was built in 1900 as a boarding house on the site of the former Live and Let Live Hotel and was the first walk-up block of flats in Sydney.

Some apartments offer dual aspect and flow through. All have open balconies with the ground floor with its own courtyard.

The other building, 74-80a High Street, comprises eight two-bedroom period terrace duplexes divided into two blocks each comprising four apartments on a 539 sqm island site. 74-80a High Street is expected to fetch about $8 million to $8.5 million.

The block is one of a group of early twentieth century workmens apartments built by the Sydney Harbour Trust in the early 1900s.

There is scope to transform the apartments to their original condition, subject to Conservation Management Plan (CMP). The solid brick construction boasts deep verandahs, spacious kitchens, living and dining areas, with the first floor duplexes also comprising roof-top drying terraces with panoramic views across Barangaroo, Balmain and Darling Harbour.

Both addresses will be sold in one line (separately) via public auction through Robert Lowe and David Hickey of Savills Australia and Richard Shalhoub of Sothebys International Realty on behalf of Property NSW.

This is a truly unique occasion for investors and developers alike to own a piece of Sydneys rich heritage said Robert Lowe of Savills.

Richard Shalhoub of Sothebys International Realty added that there was potential to transform the 1900s historical masterpiece Stevens Buildings into luxurious residences.

There is actually tremendous scope to restore and transform both assets which are zoned as R1 General Residential, which will provide housing needs for the community and maintain the existing land use pattern of predominately residential use and we expect interest from both local and offshore investors and developers he continued.

Separately, McGrath Estate Agents have also started marketing the following properties that are to be auctioned on December 6:
The NSW government has sold its former Motor Registry site in the tightly held Inner West suburb of Five Dock to a private investor for $10.5 million.

The 1 Ramsay Road site comprises a corner parcel of land with an area of 1,970 sqm.

Parts of the site remain undeveloped but the 372 sqm of net lettable area from the existing two-storey brick building could be developed for additional floor space, subject to council approval.

The government divested the former motor registry as it was deemed surplus with the roll out of the new Service NSW centres.

The sale was handled by Neil Cooke, Stuart Cox and Johnathon Broome of Savills Australia.

The site has an 8.5 metre height limit and allows for a prestigious development.

It is currently leased to WestConnex for use as office accommodation and parking for a three-year term expiring 31 December 2019 at a rental of $150,000 per annum net plus GST.

This land offers excellent development upside (STCA) within close proximity to the Sydney CBD, local retail and transport amenities which gives reason as to why we were inundated with unprecedented levels of enquiry, said Cooke.

The sale price of $5,328 per square metre of potential GFA reflected the prime corner location and development uplift, added Cox.
A growing appetite for Canberras office market has prompted the Willemsen Group to list Belconnens Northpoint Plaza for sale.

The family group has owned the office investment property since it was developed in 1987.

The listing comes as investors are turning their sights to Canberras secondary office market, with a series of transactions completed or in the offing in the lead up to 2018.

The trend is being driven by the anticipation of strong rental growth and a pickup in tenant demand in the short to medium term.

Canberra Times added that the building's agent suggested a buyer could use the block for apartments or a hotel, leaving the future for its tenants unclear.

Centrelink leases about 16 per cent of the building, which also houses Quest Training, Sonic Healthcare, Marist Youth Care, medical and other offices.

CBRE Research highlights that secondary grade net effective rents recorded a 6% annual increase in the period to Q3 2017. Meanwhile, white collar employment grew 3.1% over the year to March 2017, with the business services sector adding 5,300 employees during that time-frame.

The Belconnen listing is being handled by CBREs Michael Heather.

Northpoint Plaza presents a compelling value-add opportunity that will be acquired at below replacement cost, yet is 75% occupied and provides substantial passing income, Heather said, adding that there was also the opportunity to increase the returns through a refurbishment and releasing strategy.

Given its strategic location in the Belconnen Town Centre opposite Westfield Belconnen, the site would also suit future residential redevelopment or conversion to hotel or serviced apartments to capitalise on its park frontage and upper level lake views.

Recent transactions of value-add office assets include 39 Brisbane Avenue, Barton, which was purchased by boutique fund manager Quintessential Equity for $16.5 million. Another Barton property at 42 Macquarie Street is currently in due diligence with a Sydney-based investment group.

Heather noted that Belconnen was also on investors radars as one of the better performing secondary office markets in the ACT.

Belconnens secondary vacancy rate is currently 5%, comparing favourably to Tuggeranong (23%), Woden (21%) and Civic (15%).
Lendlease has lodged a planning application with the Department of Planning & Environment for an engineered timber office building at Barangaroo South, the second of its kind for the precinct.

The application proposes a sister building to International House Sydney.

The building, if the department approves it following public exhibition, will be Lendleases sixth engineered timber building in Australia, joining its neighbour International House Sydney, 25 King in Brisbane, Forte Apartments and Library at The Dock in Melbourne, and Jordan Springs Community Hub in Western Sydney.

With engineering by Lendleases DesignMake business and architecture by Tzannes Associates, which also designed International House Sydney, the design offers a larger floorplan to suit the needs of modern businesses.

It will have ground level retail tenancies and six floors of office space constructed from cross laminated timber and glulam (glue laminated timber), a revolutionary building material which has a structural strength akin to concrete and steel.

Rob Deck, managing director of Barangaroo South, said Australias first engineered timber office building, International House Sydney attracted a lot of interest from the property industry, business sector and general public.

It was completed this year and has won several design awards.

This second such building will be the final opportunity in Barangaroo South for prospective commercial tenants seeking an exciting, sustainable and innovative workplace for their employees, said Deck.

The proposed building will be located on Hickson Road in front of Tower 1, International Towers Sydney, and is expected to be completed in late 2019.

The plan proposes total commercial floor space of nearly 10,000 sqm Net Lettable Area and a typical floorplate of nearly 1,700 sqm NLA.

Lendlease is targeting a 6 Star Green Star Design and As Built rating and at least a 5 Star NABERS Energy Base Building rating.

It will be serviced by end-of-trip bicycle facilities located in the basement.
GUEST OBSERVER

Queensland election campaigns often focus on big projects for the regions, such as for roads, power plants and mines. But research suggests that mega projects, such as in gas and coal, have not transformed skills or improved employment prospects in regional Queensland.

Take away the temporary booms from construction and other short-term jobs, and employment growth overall is no better than before the global financial crisis. Certainly Queenslands regions are no more resilient. Instead of these mega projects, whats needed are new sources of economic value in knowledge, services, and technology.

Between 2010 and 2013 investment in coal mining surged 400% in the Bowen Basin. Further south, in the Surat Basin and at Gladstone, four international consortia spent more than A$70 billion fast-tracking a coal seam and liquid natural gas industry.

These projects fell far short of generating new skills and enduring businesses in the regions. Continuing dependence on resources and agriculture also creates its own vulnerabilities, as both are challenged by market and investment volatility, and increased climate risk.

Overall the focus on mega projects has weakened social and economic resilience in communities across Queensland. Resilience refers to the capacity of regional communities to handle risks and manage change. Resilient regions deepen and diversify their economies.

Megaproject sugar highs

Annual construction spending in the resources sector peaked at A$36.6 billion in Queensland in 2013-14, and has dropped by 70% since. Unemployment has doubled in Queenslands northern, central and outback regions.

The impact is seen in Townsville, Rockhampton, and Gladstone, who are now pitching to become bases for Fly In Fly Out workers. Rather than drive their own local economic development, these cities are punting on the next big mining project.

Gladstone is already the pin-up of the construction boom-bust development model. The port city boasts a highly trained workforce in alumina and aluminium processing, cement, liquid natural gas and chemical manufacturing. Still, it waits on the next big mining construction boom.

What regional Queensland really needs is politicians to abandon short-term economic fixes, in favour of a sustainable long term vision. Policies would have greater impact if they focused on skills and enterprise training. Stronger regional collaboration to broker opportunities for smart businesses is essential.

Just north of Brisbane, Moreton Regional Council is showing the way by transforming a former industrial site into a university campus. Tertiary education will come to the fast growing region along with a research and technology park, creating the jobs of the future.

Regional Queensland can also learn from the European Commissions smart specialisation structural assistance programs that help regions build knowledge-based competitive industries through strategic public funding and support for research and development etc.

By 2020, smart specialisation in Europe is expected to deliver 15,000 new products to market, 140,000 new startups and 350,000 new jobs.

Integral to the European strategy is strong collaboration between the research and university sectors, and regional industries. Strong cooperation between levels of government is key to the success. The industries are as varied as cheese manufacturing in Spain, new transport systems in Finland, and materials manufacturing in France.

The Europeans have found that changing business culture and boosting entrepreneurship are just as important to creating opportunity as large infrastructure projects.

What Queensland should do

Queensland should rethink its big projects for a big country approach. Regional jobs that depend on project investment without generating local income are not sustainable. Small business and community must be restored to centre stage in development strategy.

Small and medium businesses collectively account for more than 99% of all business in Queensland, and three times as many people work in the states A$20 billion manufacturing sector (169,000) as work directly in the resources sector (48,000).

But small and medium businesses lack the profile of the big end of town, and the large resources companies have been effective at selling the narrative that they are central to the A$300 billion Queensland economy.

The priority for developing Queenslands regions should be investment that generates small business growth, local income, new skills and communities. Particular emphasis has to be given to attracting and retaining talented people.

The state government can best help regional Queensland by heeding the Productivity Commissions call to help regional Australia adapt and exploit the opportunities of ever present change. This requires greater local initiative, making the most of competitive strengths, and training people to better engage with the world.

The global services sector is a $US47 trillion industry. For regional Queensland to tap into this sector will require skills in fields as diverse as big data, biotechnology, genetics, robotics, communications, and digital manufacturing.

A good start has been made in the Advance Queensland Regional Innovation Programs which have challenged regions to think outside the box, collaborate, and come up with their own strategies. It complements the federal governments Building Better Regions Fund.

This approach challenges the current politically dominated top down model of regional development. Its a vision for regional Queensland that extends beyond resources, agriculture, tourism and construction to the people themselves.

John Cole, Executive Director, Institute for Resilient Regions, University of Southern Queensland.

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.
GUEST OBSERVER

An innovative project designed to house people at risk of homelessness will soon deliver 57 transportable homes across nine sites in Melbournes inner west. Victorian Planning Minister Richard Wynne approved the social housing project on Ballarat Road last week. The proponent is Launch Housing, a Victoria-based community organisation that provides housing and homelessness support services.

The addition of 57 dwellings for vulnerable Melburnians is valuable in its own right, particularly given the rapid increase in the numbers of people sleeping rough in Melbourne. However, it is the potential for expanding the concept that makes the project so exciting.

I started researching this project and interviewing the key stakeholders earlier this year. Several elements embedded in the Ballarat Road project represent both innovative and scalable responses to Australias urgent social and affordable housing needs.

Elements of an innovative solution

Innovation rarely results in an entirely unprecedented idea, product or service. More often it recombines existing elements in novel ways to create a new solution.

In the Ballarat Road case, all the elements of the project already existed. It is the interaction between the involved partners, the design and construction techniques and the land leasing arrangements that make it so interesting.

The project uses vacant land on Ballarat Road that would otherwise remain unused for several years. Schored Architects

The construction

Schored Architects designed the homes to a six star green rating. The units, designed for singles or couples, will be built in a factory before being transported to the sites.

Temporary transportable units are not new. In Amsterdam, the Keetwonnen project was developed in 2005 to provide 1,000 affordable, transportable units for students.

However, prefabrication and modular design is still embryonic in Australia. It accounts for about 3-5% of all new construction and housing.

The size of the industry constrains innovation, competition and variety. It also presents challenges in terms of managing projects. As one participant I spoke to explained:

"The pre-fab world and modular design world is very much in its infancy  to the point where the prefab  there are no standards around documentation when you purchase a pre-fab home. So what you are using is existing architectural builders contracts rather than using something specific "

It has the complications of How is it transported? How is it stored? Does it meet Australian Building Code standards? It opens up that myriad of questions which the pre-fab world hasnt answered yet.

The partnership

The project is the product of a collaboration between a community organisation, a government transport department (VicRoads) and a philanthropic donor. The connection, born of a series of serendipitous meetings and events, pulls together different resources and skill sets.

This kind of partnership is increasingly common as social housing moves towards a multi-provider system. Instead of a focus on government funded public housing, there is a greater reliance on partnerships between government, philanthropy, the not-for-profit sector and private industry. This requires commercial know-how and networking on the part of housing providers - the capacity to be a pivot point. As one participant from Launch Housing explained:

"Once people have locked in and engaged with an idea, they bring their own ideas. You dont need to know what to ask for  And then it is about being an agency that has some kind of position or authority being a kind of pivot point for these offers and allowing things to happen. We are that."

The project is also significant because it attracted substantial philanthropic support. The Harris family contributed A$4 million and continue to advise on and support the project. For them, the capacity for scaling up the project is a significant factor in supporting it.

The land leasing

This project is an interesting case study because it leases VicRoads land. It is financially viable because the land is being leased at a peppercorn rate  a nominal fee to meet legal requirements.

VicRoads is willing to do this because the units are transportable. This means they can be moved to a new site when the land is eventually required for road expansion.

As one of the largest landowners in the state, VicRoads owns thousands of properties and vacant land parcels that have been acquired for future road widening.

A scalable solution

The project is scalable if key elements are assembled effectively: constructed dwellings, funding mechanisms, planning permissions and land.

The capacity to bolster existing factories or create new factories to build pre-fabricated homes exists. Evidence of demand and the success of this pilot project could help support that goal.

Housing projects designed to be affordable for very low-income individuals or households are not financially viable without significant subsidy. To scale up this solution would require government funding, another tranche of philanthropic donation, or a hybrid commercial and not-for-profit structure.

This project has undergone a fraught planning process. Maribyrnong City councillors unanimously supported the plan. But many members of the local community opposed the project, which the planning minister eventually called in for assessment.

Ongoing implementation of projects like this one may be supported by either better community engagement or fast-tracked planning processes for underutilised government land and social housing, as highlighted in the state government strategy, Homes for Victorians.

Various government departments, religious groups, philanthropic organisations and individuals manage significant land resources. Land is held vacant in anticipation of future needs, often sitting unused for decades.

Temporary dwellings could be an interim solution to urgent housing need and can be removed when land is required for other uses. This approach goes a long way to removing the barriers to use and could challenge how we think about vacant land in Australia.

Katrina Raynor, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Transforming Housing Project, University of Melbourne

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.
A McGrath spokesperson has dismissed a newspaper report that McGrath could soon be back in private hands.

The Australian Financial Review reported founder John McGrath and former Sydney franchise boss Shane Smollen were "understood to be working on a deal to take back control of the listed real estate flop."

The article quoted one source, identified only as "a senior industry source."

They had reportedly told The Australian Financial Review there was a "lot of movement" going on behind the scenes at McGrath.
The trend in housing finance eased a bit, to a total of around $33 billion in September.

The value of investor loans was possibly pumped up a little in the preceding month by refinancing activity, but the monthly trend remains steadily down to about $12 billion, as tweaks to lending standards continue to lean against activity.

The $33 billion result and the related easing in investor loans were variously described as a "walloping fall", "down the gurgler", a "staggering drop", and even plain old "grim".



A grim $33 billion it is!

Recall that this result comes precisely one month after investor loans had "bounced back", "spiked", "staged a comeback", and all the rest of it.

I guess that goes with the territory when you have to find something new and exciting to say every month. Anyhoo, here's the chart, in all of its walloping grimness!

Owner-occupiers continue to settle on the near-record levels of new stock, with commitments for new dwellings continuing to surge to the highest level since 1978.



Homebuyer demand still looks to be strongest in Victoria, mirroring demographic trends.

Click to enlarge

The trend number of owner-occupier commitments in Western Australia has been edging slightly higher for the past 5 months, suggesting moderately improving conditions.

First homebuyers return

September is a shorter month than August, as well as playing host to a public holiday and a Grand Final.

Not surprisingly, then, i n original terms the number of first homebuyer loans pulled back slightly from a 93-month high.

As a share of housing finance commitments, however, first homebuyer loans rose again, now levitating from 17.2 per cent to 17.4 per cent, to notch a 4-year high.

The return of the first homebuyer has largely been driven by incentives in New South Wales and Victoria.

Despite the reported monthly decline, in truth first homebuyer numbers were markedly higher over the third quarter in both NSW (58 per cent) and VIC (32 per cent) - it all depends on the preferred narrative, though the figures should be watched closely for revisions.

On average, first homebuyers are borrowing a little less than a year earlier, perhaps implying that, at the margin, the incentives have encouraged more wavering buyers onto the ladder.

For non-first homebuyers loan sizes are now rising again, however, as they are wont to do once markets get to grips with new lending rules.

Centralising demand

Nothing particularly unexpected to see here, with investor loans declining in response to tighter lending criteria, trending down to sit about 8 per cent lower than at the end of last year, in turn leading to a fairly steady result overall.

The headline numbers suggest housing finance is flattening, as demanded by market commentators and regulators alike.

This suggests it will become more challenging over the next few years for investors to find outperforming markets, following a very easy ride over the past decade, when simply buying properties in Sydney resulted in jackpot returns.

Where to look?

Outstanding 2016 Census research from Terry Rawnsley at SGE Economics & Planning showed that the capital cities created 900,000 new jobs over the five years to 2016, while the whole of regional Australia combined created close to zero. Zip.

Sydney alone created nearly 500,000 jobs jet over the past decade, with the inner suburbs accounting for a disproportionately high share of the employment growth.

Between 2011 and 2016, total Sydney employment boomed by 342,000, while employment in regional New South Wales went backwards, falling by 17,000.

Drilling down a level, Rawnsley found that employment growth has become more heavily focused on the inner cities of the largest metropolises, especially Sydney and Melbourne.

It's worth remembering that these figures comprise a period where resources construction declined, so the contrast over the next five years may not be quite so stark.

Still, with employment growth exploding in the inner cities and investor loans being tightened, upwards pressure returning on rents seems likely in 2018.
In the torrent of the relentless 24/7 news cycle, lets not allow a new normal to prevail. We cant forget that just days ago, a madman opened fire on a church in a small town south of San Antonio, Texas, killing at least 26 and wounding 20 or so. It was the worst mass shooting in the Lone Star States history, and it added to a horrific and growing toll for recent such gun-related outbreaks.

These incidents not only devastate the communities in which they occur. They also put giant strains of doctors, nurses, emergency medical technicians, and hospitals. All respond in ways that deserve a major salute, as well as empathy, compassion, and shared grief for the victims, their families, and those who seek to save and protect lives in chaotic situations.

The killing in Sutherland, Texas, posed its own unique stresses, with medical experts heaping praise on EMTs and first-responders for their heroic work at the scene, and then speeding those in need to care at hospitals at least 35 miles away.

The victims flooded into Connally Memorial Medical Center and Brooke Army Medical Center in nearby San Antonio, where University Hospital bore the brunt of the emergency care. And University, an academic medical center, teaching hospital, and Level 1 trauma center (shown in photo), was staffed in an unexpected but fortunate way.

Thats because the institution was undergoing a periodic credential review by a visitors team from the American College of Surgeons. The seven trauma surgeons from the ACS leaped into action, joining University staff to help treat patients in 14 operating rooms.

The doctors and nurses recalled the horrible casualties, with those with military experience saying victims had suffered wounds not seen except on battlefields. As a Level 1 trauma centera designation indicating it can handle some of the direst emergenciesUniversity is not a stranger to grim situations.

But the New Yorker captures the distance and horror that even medical professionals must maintain and experience, interviewing a University anesthesiologist about his time of tragic treatments.

In my practice, I see the major harms that patients can suffer while seeking medical services, and, yes, I also appreciate and am grateful that so many dedicated doctors, nurses, first-responders, and hospitals can rise to awful occasion, and provide remarkable medical care.

Were approaching a time of thanks and a season of what should be awe about greater things and purpose. It might be appropriate for all of us to consider now just how far medicine has advanced, and how much so many caregivers change and save lives.

We also must recognize the distances we must go. This has been a terrible year for calamities, natural and man-caused. It is appalling and unacceptable that patients and medical systems in Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Isles, Florida, and Texas are still struggling to recover from storms and flooding. President Trump should stop congratulating himself and his Administration for their early responses to these disasters, and come to grips with the reality that recovery efforts need to be deep, thoughtful, and sustained.

Meantime, its shameful that hundreds of victims of a mass shooting in Las Vegas must battle not only to regain their health but also with staggering medical bills. To those who continue to question why health insurance matters so muchyes, including under the Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacarethe mass shootings offer a terrible reminder that all of us are inches and moments away from medical catastrophes beyond our control, and for which we may need long, costly support.

Thoughtful Americans, of course, can also renew their vociferous support for Congress to lift its bizarre ban on evidence-based research to avert gun violence. Columnist Nicholas Kristoff and the New York Times have put together a fine presentation to make the case why this kind of study is long past due and so necessary. It also might provide even more data as to why and how the nation should crack down on too-available military assault weapons such as the AR-15, the rifles that have proved deadly in rampages in the Texas church, a Las Vegas outdoor concert, and the Sandy Hook elementary school in Newton, Conn.
Publishing has its legends and its stars, and when Publishers Weekly president George Slowik told me that he met Bob Weileditor-in-chief of Nortons Liveright imprint, whose authors have included Robert Crumb, Patricia Highsmith, Primo Levi, and E.O. Wilsonon New Yorks Fire Island and that they talked about upcoming books, I knew there would be one for me. And when I heard about Tinderbox, the story of the Up Stairs Lounge fire in New Orleans in 1973 and its place in gay history, I had my book.

I grew up in Greenwich Village; I went to the infamous 82 Club on East Fourth Street when I was a teenager (youll have to look up that bit of New York history if you want moreIm not talking); I saw the devastation wrought by AIDS. But Id never heard of the Up Stairs Lounge fire, the unsolved case of arson that was the largest murder of gay people until the 2016 massacre at Pulse in Orlando, Fla. The stairs up to the club were doused in lighter fluid and set ablaze; when the door was open a fireball spread through the club like a flame shot from a flamethrower, according to a survivor who had served in the military. A suspect was arrested but never charged, and he committed suicide in 1974.

Weil makes it clear, when we have lunch to talk about this book, that he views it as much about civil rights history as gay history. The story of the fire is seminal, not only because of the many deaths but because it disappeared from the nations consciousness, because it took place in New Orleans, and because the victims and survivors were mostly blue-collar workers. Stonewall was four years earlier, but gay culture in New Orleans existed under the radar in 1973. Weil remembers it; he was 17 years old when the Up Stairs lounge fire occurred.

The aftermath of the tragedy was, according to Weil, more telling than the fire itself. Many families were too embarrassed to even claim their dead; the Catholic church wouldnt bury the bodies. Weil references American literature: The Scarlet Letter is the fundamental American novel. Theres a long strain in American history of persecution of the other.

So how did the story of this terrible fire that claimed the lives of 32 peoplea story that received so little attention in the media when it happenedbecome a book on Liverights 2018 summer list? Robert Fieseler, the author, calls it magic. Fieseler graduated from Columbia University School of Journalism in 2013. His mentor was Samuel Freedman, whose coveted book writing seminar Fieseler took. I always had a dream to write a book that matteredthat dealt with civil rights, gay rights, human rights. I didnt expect it would come about in a six-degrees-of-separation scenario, Fieseler says.

That scenario started with Weil: the book was his idea. He tells me he was having lunch with Nicholas Lemann of the Columbia journalism school, and he asked if Lemann thought there was a book in the Up Stairs Lounge Fire. Lemann, who is from New Orleans and had worked at the New Orleans alternative newspaper the Vieux Carre Courier at the time of the fire, said he thought it was a great idea. Weil visited Freedman, who suggested Fieseler.

As Fieseler puts it, one email changed my life; more poetically, he credits providence. It was, he says, like placing a hand into a glove.

Although Fieseler had written short pieces, he says he had never undertaken a project of this magnitude: I knew it would be a challenge. I wanted the book to be a definitive telling of this history from a journalistic and historical perspective rather than the perspective of gay activism.

If there was any question whether Fieseler was the right writer for the job, it didnt linger. Weil was, Fieseler says, overcome by my enthusiasm. He adds: It started out as an arranged marriage and morphed into a loving adoption. He was an editor looking for a vessel to take on the responsibility of telling this story. Fieseler moved to New Orleans for a year and a half, and again providence stepped in. Two good friends were living in the city and had a spare room.

There wasnt a lot of money, Weil says. It was a first book.

But Fieseler tells me he was going to write this book with or without a contractthe book became its own monster. His goal was to talk to the survivors, the families of the victims; he felt it was important to get them to open up. When I interview, I say who I am and get personal, he says. I give over the steering wheel and usually, after the first interview, people are willing to talk.

Some families couldnt talk about it any more, and Fieseler notes that, at the time of the fire, there was no counseling and the gay community had reason to distrust psychiatry, which then often focused on curing homosexuality. After talking to the survivors and the families, he felt responsible for telling the story.

Weil calls Tinderbox a heroic example of reporting. He adds, It became an obsession for Fieseler; he went into archives all over the country.

Fieseler says that, although the book was Weils idea, between the idea and the book proposal, Weil realized that his baby had become Fieselers baby. Bob made me fight for it, Fieseler says. The proposal had to be great for it to go forward. But at one point, Bob said to me that, even if the book didnt work for Liveright, I know handing it to you is the right thing. 

Liveright gave the go ahead for the proposal in mid-2015, and the manuscript, with Weil as editor, went through several versions starting in early 2017. The final copyedit was done this past August.

Weil is excited about Tinderbox. When it launches this summer, there will be an event in New Orleans, possibly with the survivors of the fire, but Weil is aware of the sensitivity of the subject. Parts of the book are hard to stomach, he says. Its a story of a city and a time and a community. What was it like to be a closeted man in New Orleans in 1973? The gay culture was macho. The men who died in the fire were longshoreman, grocery clerkssix were married, five had children.

I tell Weil that my husband was at the Stonewall Inn when the riots started. Weil asks me if he was gay. My husband? The Italian-American tough guy from central casting? I say no, but then Weil and I look at each other, and together we admit, Who knows?
Washington, D.C.s Southeast Anacostia neighborhood is poised to get its first bookstore in over twenty years with the opening of MahoganyBooks later this month.

Founded by Derrick and Ramunda Young, the 500 sq. ft. bookstore will be located in the Anacostia Arts Center and will feature, the owners said, books written for, by, or about people of the African Diaspora.

Mahogany first opened in 2007 as an online-only store and subsequently began selling books at events around the Washington D.C. metro area. The partnership with the 9,300 sq. ft. arts center will root the bookstore in a historically African American neighborhood of the district, whose last bookstore, part of the small D.C.-based Pyramid Books chain, closed in the mid-1990s.

According to Derrick Young, the design of the bookstore and the partnership with the arts center will allow Mahogany to continue to focus on literary and cultural events. The bookstore space will be designed to hold smaller community discussions and readings, while the arts centers auditorium will be used for larger events.

It is important we create a rich, concerted space where readers and writers connect and discuss issues of yesterday and today that impact our culture and how we see ourselves, said Young in the statement.

During its first year, the bookstore will also be host to Duende District, a D.C.-based pop-up bookstore whose missionto be run for and by people of coloraligns closely with that of MahoganyBooks. I love that it's an African-American/Latinx bookstore collaboration, says Duende owner Angela Maria Spring. These kinds of partnerships are what will make our communities even stronger.

The bookstore is slated to open on November 24 and a formal grand opening will be celebrated in February during Black History Month.
Laura Ayrey Burnett has stepped down as executive director of the Mountains & Plains Independent Booksellers Association, effective immediately.

The Board of Directors has initiated a national search for Burnett's replacement. As the board looks for Burnett's successor, Kathy Keel, the associations longtime project manager, who is based in Fort Collins, Colo., will step into the role of running the organization. Keel will be assisted by Marnie OConnor, its associate project manager.

Burnett, who is based in Park City, Utah, has served as the regional booksellers associations executive director since 2010, after the previous executive director, Lisa Knudsen, stepped down. Burnett told PW that she tendered her resignation two weeks ago and has since strategized with MPIBA's nine-member board on an exit strategy.

"I travel a lot for this job," Burnett said. "I have four little kids, including a baby. Whenever I leave them, it's so hard on the family. I need to be a mom for awhile. Not being part of the industry, that's the hardest, but I hope to come back in some capacity."

MPIBA board president Anne Holman, of the Kings English Bookstore in Salt Lake City, told PW that she sympathizes with Burnett's position. She explained that the board "is hoping [the next executive] director will spend a lot of time traveling around the region." She went on: "Our numbers were on the decline for a number of years, but have been on the rise for the past two years. We're headed in the right direction and we're looking for someone to keep that momentum going." Holman said that the board hopes to hire a new executive director by the end of this calendar year.

Mountains & Plains was founded in 1975 and has 125 bookstore members hailing from 13 states in the west and southwest regions of the U.S.
Members of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) met for a Publishing Summit last week, the organizations first annual meeting since combining forces with the International Digital Publishing Forum (IDPF) in February. The two-day conference drew more than 200 participants from around the world, a mix of publishing professionals, librarians, developers, executives, and digital creatives working with a now shared sense of purpose.

The W3C has spent more than 20 years creating global standards for the Web and Web-based technologies. IDPF developed the EPUB format to be the universal accessible interchange and delivery ecosystem for eBooks and other digital publications, a goal that aligned with W3C's mission.

We need to have a dialogue within the publishing industry about the future of publishing and the web platform, said Bill McCoy, the former executive director of IDPF and the executive tasked with guiding the organizations merger with the W3C. But that dialogue can't be a bunch of Web engineers in a closed room. It has to be with the actual people building products, building solutions, and creating content. We have all those people here.

The pressing need for a common standard in digital publishing was made clear during a panel discussion about global eBook adoption. In Japan, the majority of eBooks comply with the EPUB3 format, the most flexible and future-facing iteration of the EPUB format. In contrast, Argentinean digital book producer Julian Calderazi said that low quality eBooks abound throughout Latin America and most publishers have no desire to update to the EPUB3 standard.

We built the EPUB format essentially for books, but that we always wanted it to be usable for other things, said Liisa McCloy-Kelley, VP, director eBook product development & innovation at Penguin Random House and IDPF board member. Now weve brought the format to this bigger community in this bigger environmentwhere hopefully well get greater adoption.

During a presentation at the summit, McCloy-Kelley shared a long list of print formats that publishers currently cant adapt as digital booksmostly due to the technical limitations of eBook formats. These included pop-up books, flap books, touch and feel books, and books with more than 3,000 images. We hope that our working with the W3C moves to the place where we have more control for these formats, she said, looking forward to a day when a shared digital standard could include digital publishing with virtual reality elements, augmented reality add-ons, or other innovations yet to appear.

Accessibility was another major theme at the summit, as speakers argued that single digital book standard would make it much easier for more readers to access content. Digital publishing has been really important in the disability community, said George Kerscher, chief innovations officer for the DAISY Consortium and former president of IDPF. Access to information is a fundamental human right. We are working to make sure that standards and technologies support that access.

Many speakers looked ahead to the future of content, exploring how data analysis, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality will reshape content in the future. O'Reilly Media founder and author Tim O'Reilly summed up these opportunities in his keynote. Publishing is a marketplace problem of matching up the people who know something or have a story to tell with the people who want to find them, he said, expressing hope that artificial intelligence and analytics would help publishers target readers with the efficiency of Amazon.

Abhay Parasnis, the chief technology officer at Adobe, hinted at how Adobes Sensei artificial intelligence platform will someday help publishers craft deeply personalized content for readers. Macmillan Learning chief operating officer Ken Brooks shared slides showing how the company already uses digital reading data to tailor learning to individual students.

The most futuristic example came from Bluefire Productions founder Micah Bowers. The creator of the Bluefire Reader imagined what reading will look like in a future where virtual reality tech is portable and ubiquitous. The company has created a prototype virtual reality environment for reading EPUB books in a soothing simulated environment. Imagine being on a noisy bus, he said. But you could be sitting on a beach reading your favorite book in virtual reality.

At the end of the conference, Maurice York, an associate librarian overseeing digital preservation as the University of Michigan Library/Publishing, offered some technological context. The librarian read a quote from a 1949 issue of Popular Mechanics magazine describing a 30-ton computer with 19,000 vacuum tubesan unimaginably huge machine that is now eclipsed by the power of a single smartphone. From a library perspective, we actually have to wonder," he said, holding up his smartphone. "In 60 or 70 years, is this going to be the equivalent of 19,000 vacuum tubes? Will everybody look back at this and say What on earth were they thinking? Thats super weird.

Yorks library has preserved everything from papyrus to rare books to carefully standardized digital books, but the librarian reminded publishers to prepare for a future where technology might remove the need for screens and paper altogether.
Saudi Arabia and Iran could be headed toward a major war.

Recent power struggles in Riyadh, the shooting down of a Yemeni missile over the Saudi capital, and rising Saudi alarm over Iran's strengthening position in the Middle East have created a potentially deadly brew of instability.

War between the two major powers can start anywhere in the region, including in the Persian Gulf. But Lebanon may be the fault line of a possible earthquake. Saad Hariri, Lebanon's erstwhile prime minister, was recently summoned to Riyadh and resigned his position over Iranian meddling. However, reports indicate that he quit power under Saudi duress. Riyadh has also accused Hezbollah, Iran's greatest ally in the region, of declaring war against Saudi Arabia. Israel, worried about Iran's expansion in Syria and Iraq and Hezbollah's growing military strength, is reported to be forming a partnership with the Saudis in order to roll back Iranian influence.

War can start anywhere in the region, but Lebanon may be the fault line of a possible earthquake.

Jerusalem and Riyadh's concerns with Iran's power are shared by the Trump administration, which has not only criticized the Iran nuclear agreement but indicated a more aggressive push against Tehran's regional power.

Saudi Arabia, beset by domestic woes and a grinding war in Yemen, may be tempted by a military option against Iran. Its enthusiasm for the use of arms may also be shared by Israel's political leadership and some elements of the U.S. government. However, a war against Iran is highly risky and highly unlikely to erode Iranian power or weaken the Islamic Republic at home. If anything, Iran has demonstrated an uncanny ability to exploit U.S. strategy in the Middle East to further its own interests. A more assertive U.S.-Saudi-Israeli approach could backfire spectacularly, plunging the region into further chaos without solving the Arab-Persian rivalry.

The 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq heralded Iran's rise and triggered an ever-growing sense of Saudi anxiety. Since then, Tehran has emerged as a major power broker in Baghdad, Damascus, and Beirut. The Iran nuclear agreement and President Obama's policies of engaging Iran, while beneficial for American interests, were viewed by the Saudis with deep suspicion. The new Saudi leadership, led by Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, has launched an aggressive policy of countering Iran across the region.

A more assertive U.S.-Saudi-Israeli approach to Iran could backfire spectacularly.

The Saudis were a major supporter of the Syrian opposition fighting the Assad regime and have backed Sunni groups opposed to Iranian influence in Lebanon. But Riyadh's strongest thrust against Iran has taken place in Yemen. The Saudis have launched a devastating air war against Yemeni civilian and military targets in order to overthrow the pro-Iranian Houthi militia. The missile launched against Riyadh last week originated from Yemen and was likely in retaliation for Riyadh's continuing air campaign.

While Riyadh may have struck a more muscular posture, its policies have failed to counter Iran or its allies. The Assad regime has emerged victorious with massive Iranian and Russian help. Yemen faces starvation as the Houthis maintain their grip on power. And Shi'a militias in league with Iran have been instrumental in defeating the Islamic State and the Kurdish Regional Government in Iraq. The Iraqi central government is not a pawn of Iran, but it has gravitated toward Persian-Shi'a majority Iran instead of its Arab neighbors.

Thus, Riyadh may have viewed Lebanon as a tempting target to punish Iran. The Hariri government's political coalition with Hezbollah gave a veneer of legitimacy to Iranian influence in Beirut. And it would have complicated a stronger U.S.-Israeli-Saudi push against Hezbollah. With Hariri out of the way, Riyadh can apply political and economic pressure against Hezbollah while Israel considers military action against its growing missile capabilities. Hezbollah, bled by its involvement in the Syrian conflict, may be viewed as being particularly vulnerable by its many opponents.

But Riyadh's strategy carries enormous risk. Hezbollah may be under duress, but it is heavily armed and backed by Iran's allies in Syria. An Israeli military campaign against Hezbollah is unlikely to be swift and decisive despite Israel's conventional military superiority. Hezbollah is armed with thousands of missiles capable of hitting Israel, even despite Jerusalem's impressive anti-ballistic missile capabilities. And Hezbollah has often thrived in times of war and crisis, while the Lebanese people have borne the costs of its political ambitions and machinations.

Ultimately, the region's problems must be solved at the negotiation table.

An Israeli conflict with Hezbollah, supported by Washington and Riyadh, could quickly draw in Iran and spread to the Persian Gulf, one of the most heavily armed regions in the world. A war between Iran and Saudi Arabia is likely to result in major economic devastation, disrupting energy supplies and throwing the global economy into another major recession. Saudi Arabia may be armed with a sophisticated air force, but Iran has built the region's largest missile inventory and currently commands tens of thousands of battle-hardened Shi'a militiamen. Even those Iranians deeply opposed to the Islamic Republic are likely to rally around their government as it fights Saudi Arabia and its partners.

Ultimately, the region's problems must be solved at the negotiation table. None of the main actors can use their respective militaries to solve problems rooted in authoritarian governance, economic corruption, social malaise, and religious and ideological bigotry.

The United States should encourage Tehran and Riyadh to settle their differences rather than facilitate aggressive Saudi action. Otherwise, the region will be plunged into an even bigger crisis without an end in sight.

Alireza Nader is a senior international policy analyst at the nonprofit, nonpartisan RAND Corporation.

This commentary originally appeared on Atlantic Council on November 13, 2017. Commentary gives RAND researchers a platform to convey insights based on their professional expertise and often on their peer-reviewed research and analysis.
The latest political earthquake in Saudi Arabia has led to much speculation over the future of the kingdom and the Gulf Arab states. But most analyses have ignored the far bigger issue looming over the region's upheavals: Prospects for a military confrontation between the U.S. and Iran are rapidly escalating.

Just as Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman was consolidating absolute power last weekend  cracking down on the last royal relatives, billionaire investors, Wahhabi clerics and rights advocates who posed a threat to his reign  the kingdom announced it was holding Iran responsible for a missile attack on Riyadh by Yemen's Houthi rebels. The group does have ties to Tehran, but Saudi claims remain unsubstantiated.

Meanwhile, a close Saudi ally, Prime Minister Saad Hariri of Lebanon, abruptly resigned his post while on a visit to Riyadh, citing fears of an Iranian attempt on his life. The Lebanese army and Iran's ally in Lebanon, Hezbollah, deny any such plot. Lebanon is increasingly becoming a flashpoint in the cold war between Tehran and Riyadh.

If Saudi Arabia forces a showdown with Iran, the U.S. would find itself in the middle of it. Statements by President Donald Trump and his national security team point to a more aggressive U.S. posture toward Tehran. This pushback includes de-certifying Iranian compliance with the 2015 nuclear pact despite overwhelming evidence of Iran's compliance, as well as imposing sanctions on the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, Hezbollah, and Iran's ballistic missile program....

The remainder of this commentary is available on bloomberg.com.

Alireza Nader is a senior policy analyst at the nonprofit, nonpartisan RAND Corporation. Amir Handjani is a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council.

This commentary originally appeared on Bloomberg on November 11, 2017. Commentary gives RAND researchers a platform to convey insights based on their professional expertise and often on their peer-reviewed research and analysis.
Robbie Williams 2017 European tour has chosen Blackmagic Designs URSA Mini Pro and URSA Mini 4.6K, as well as the DaVinci Resolve 14, to capture and edit backstage moments as well as live performance highlights.





Hangman Productions James Tonkin, a long-time collaborator with Robbie Williams, was tasked with covering the entire development of the tour, from rehearsals through to live shows in the UK and Europe.Not only did we have to turn around short edits for social media as we toured, but we also had to factor in that there might be a need for a longer form documentary at the end of the tour, said Tonkin. Because of that, whatever I shot with needed to be reliable and roadworthy to handle the rigors of touring.James designed a gimbal setup with remote focus system for a 12mm Laowa f2.8 or Carl Zeiss ZE 50mm F1.4, together with clean audio running from the URSA Mini Pros top microphone.The URSA Mini Pros size and weight matched the gimbal perfectly, he said. I even balanced the rig so I could use the built-in screen to make set-up quicker and avoid adding additional hardware and weight. I hadnt previously relied too much on the cameras focus peaking, however it proved invaluable as I would often work alone, walking backward to follow Robbie on stage and adjust the ND filters while walking from inside to outside in one fluid shot.A handheld URSA Mini 4.6K complemented the gimbal and was paired with EF lenses, as well as a Blackmagic URSA Viewfinder for concert shooting and general backstage coverage. With improvements to its performance and handling of camera formats, DaVinci Resolve from Blackmagic now forms an integral part of Hangman Studios production and post-production workflow, according to Tonkin. Anything we shot Id offload into Resolve for review each night, adding corrective LUTs and correcting aspect ratio if wed filmed in anamorphic, he recalled. Wed then create proxies to work from and store on portable bus powered drives.While sitting in [a] Manchester station waiting to take a train back to London after a show, I was able to quickly proxy ten minutes of 8K and 5K footage into 1080p H.264 files using a five-year-old laptop and then upload via 4G back to the edit so we could meet an editing deadline. The fact that we were traveling at the time didnt stop the process of delivering the files where they needed to be, or our ability to work with them. This is exactly what software should always be, a tool to enable creativity regardless of where you are and what youre running it on.
FUSION will debut its fresh series, Real America with Jorge Ramos, on 21 November in the US.





Award-winning journalist Jorge Ramos will ask provocative questions of the disrupters, dreamers and dynamic-thinking Americans who are on the cutting edge and making a difference in this uncertain time.Jorge is the quintessential American  a proud, hard-working immigrant for whom the promise of America is tangible, said FUSION president Daniel Eilemberg. His curiosity is infectious and this series, like all his projects for FUSION, will further elevate the voices that are writing the next chapter of our nations history.In the premiere instalment , Ramos travels to Puerto Rico to measure the impact of the disaster. He explores what life is really like in Puerto Rico weeks after Hurricane Maria, and asks why it has taken so long for these US citizens to get much needed aid and electricity. He interviews those struggling to live without basic resources, along with the mayor of San Juan Carmen Yulin Cruz  who has challenged President Trump on response efforts  the Governor Ricardo Rosello, and others who are providing aid, including former New York Yankee and Puerto Rico native Jorge Posada and his wife Laura.Upcoming episodes will feature revealing profiles of actor and comedian John Leguizamo, Governor John Kasich (R-OH), artists and activists Ai Weiwei and JR, and world-renowned brain surgeon Dr. Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa, among others.
State broadcaster Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV) has been told by the Government to prepare for the launch of direct-to-home (DTH) television services.





Minister of State for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage, Marriyum Aurangzeb (pictured), has directed the PTV to initiate work immediately to provide state of the art, affordable, uninterrupted and quality services.Plans to launch a DTH service in Pakistan are part of the policy of the present PML-N Government to change the digital landscape of the country which also includes the introduction of 4G and 5G mobile technology, she added.Detailed proposals for the introduction of DTH services are expected from PTV within seven days. Aurangzeb also called for the best available technology for the provision of high quality services on a par with international platforms, with the utmost consideration given to ensuring transparency in the entire process.In early 2017, three licences to private operators to launch DTH TV services in Pakistan were declared null and void after legal concerns over PEMRAs eligibility guidelines.
The War at Home will be screened and open to the public at Cine on Wednesday, Nov. 15 at 7:30 p.m. With the 50th anniversary of the major Dow protest in Madison, Wisconsin, being this year and the timeliness of current day protests, a screening and discussion of this documentary is highly relevant.
Moon Taxis newest music video for its latest single Two High displays the bands personality in such a way that audience members get a sense for their down-to-earth and adventurous attitudes. Yet, while the music video succeeded in giving a face to the band, it failed to give viewers something new, something that stands out from the generic feel-good song.
Thanksgiving travel: What to expect at the Indianapolis airport

Thanksgiving at the Indianapolis International Airport will be defined by inflated prices, nearly pre-pandemic crowds and competitive seat booking.
An Afghan official says a suspected Taliban attack in the western province of Farah has killed eight police officers.

Mohammad Naser Mehri, a spokesman for the provincial governor, said the militants attacked a police checkpoint near the provincial capital, also named Farah, early on November 13.

Mehri said the security post briefly fell to the Taliban but was later retaken when reinforcements arrived.

He added that one police officer was slightly wounded in the attack and was subsequently arrested on suspicion of links with the Taliban.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the assault, which comes as the Western-backed government in Kabul is struggling to beat back insurgents in the wake of the exit of most NATO forces in 2014.

In late October, nine Afghan soldiers were killed in Farah Province when militants stormed a security post. The Taliban claimed responsibility for that attack.

Based on reporting by AP and dpa
YEREVAN -- The prosecutor in the trial of former separatist Nagorno-Karabakh military commander Samvel Babayan has urged an Armenian court to convict the retired army general of arms smuggling and money laundering.

In his indictment speech on November 13, prosecutor Aram Aramian claimed that the evidence presented at trial proved Babayan's guilt on both counts. He asked the court to sentence Babayan to seven years in prison.

Babayan was the top commander of ethnic Armenian forces in Nagorno-Karabakh from 1993 to 1999.

Armenian-backed separatists seized the mainly Armenian-populated region from Azerbaijan during a war that killed some 30,000 people; intermittent fighting has continued since a 1994 cease-fire and diplomatic efforts to resolve the territorial dispute have brought little progress.

Babayan was arrested in March of this year after the National Security Service claimed to have confiscated a surface-to-air Igla missile system and that Babayan was allegedly behind its acquisition.

The arrest came about two weeks before parliamentary elections in which Babayan voiced support for an opposition alliance led by former Defense Minister Seyran Ohanian and two former foreign ministers.

The alliance, known by the acronym ORO, contends that the criminal case is politically motivated.

Babayan, his associate Sanasar Gabrielian, and five other men went on trial in July. The once-powerful general has repeatedly denied prosecutors' claims that he promised to pay other suspects $50,000 for the delivery of the weapon.

Babayan, 52, was arrested previously in 2000 and sentenced to 14 years in prison after being convicted of masterminding a botched attempt on the life of the president in Nagorno-Karabakh's separatist government.

After his early release in 2004, Babayan relocated to Yerevan, where he set up a political party that fared poorly in the 2007 parliamentary elections, and then emigrated to Russia in 2011.

He returned to Armenia in May 2016, citing what he said was the increased risk of renewed war with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh and the neighboring regions that the separatists control.
BRUSSELS -- A letter signed by several members of the European Parliament condemning the treatment of imprisoned Azerbaijani journalist Afqan Muxtarli was sent on November 13 to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

The letter, signed by 47 lawmakers and seen by RFE/RL, condemns the prosecution of Muxtarli and demands his immediate release.

It was sent a week ahead of the Eastern Partnership summit in Brussels, where Aliyev is expected to meet with EU leaders.

"We regret to learn about the severe restrictions imposed on Mukhtarli to meet his relatives and make phone calls. During the first month of his imprisonment, Mukhtarli was not allowed to make a single phone call to his family, only after three months he was allowed to see his brother," the letter said.

The letter also expressed concern that Muxtarli's lawyers "had to endure physical abuse and the fact that some of their defense related material was being temporarily confiscated and read by the employees of penitentiary service."

Muxtarli was abducted in Georgia's capital, Tbilisi, on May 29 and subsequently transferred to Azerbaijan, where he is currently awaiting trial on charges of illegal border crossing and smuggling, dismissed by Human Rights Watch as "politically motivated."

The letter states that "the release of Afghan Mukhtarli and all other political prisoners currently under arrest would show a genuine commitment of Azerbaijani authorities for the further cooperation and partnership with the European Union prior to the forthcoming Eastern Partnership Summit and beyond."

Azerbaijan is currently ranked 162nd out of 180 countries in Reporters Without Borders' 2017 World Press Freedom Index.
The Chechen Republic's Supreme Court last week cleared the way for a libel suit brought by the Chechen Interior Ministry against the Moscow-based human rights organization Civic Assistance, the independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta, and Ramazan Dzhalaldinov, a resident of the southern village of Kenkhi.

In April 2016, Dzhalaldinov incurred the anger of Chechen Republic head Ramzan Kadyrov by addressing an open letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin accusing Kenkhi authorities of corruption.

The Chechen Interior Ministry's suit, which according to Novaya Gazeta lawyer Pyotr Zankin contains gross legal errors, was prompted by public statements by Novaya Gazeta and Civic Assistance founder and head Svetlana Gannushkina about alleged reprisals subsequently inflicted on Dzhalaldinov and his family, possibly by Chechen law enforcement agencies, between May and early November 2016. Specifically, the ministry accused the three defendants of damaging its professional reputation through statements they made in November 2016.

The Chechen authorities appear to have orchestrated a purportedly spontaneous demonstration in front of the Supreme Court building last week by some 100 people who made sarcastic and derogatory comments about human rights activists and journalists who, they alleged, routinely distort the situation in Chechnya, the news portal Caucasian Knot reported on November 10. Some of the participants subsequently told RFE/RL's North Caucasus Service they were paid 1,000 rubles ($16.90) for attending the protest.

Kadyrov had responded to Dzhalaldinov's appeal to Putin by branding him a liar, whereupon Dzhalaldinov lodged a formal complaint with Russian Prosecutor-General Yury Chaika requesting that he take legal action against Kadyrov for having publicly insulted him.

On May 6, 2016, Kadyrov traveled to Kenkhi, where he assured the predominantly Avar population that local officials accused of pocketing the compensation due to residents for damage inflicted on their property during the wars of 1994-96 and 1999-2000 would be punished. Kadyrov also promised to repair local highways and connect the village to the mains gas supply. For good measure, he also fired the district head and local police chief.

Just days later, however, Dzhalaldinov's home was burned to the ground under suspicious circumstances, with his family accusing Chechen law enforcement personnel of torching the place and threatening to kill his wife and three daughters.

TV 'Apology'

Possibly in light of the widespread negative publicity, unconfirmed reports suggested an agreement had been reached that Dzhalaldinov would publicly apologize to Kadyrov in return for a promise that Dzhalaldinov and his family would not be subjected to any further reprisals. On May 30, the Chechen state TV company broadcast footage in which Dzhalaldinov apologized to Kadyrov. Caucasian Knot, however, quoted Novaya Gazeta journalist Yelena Milashina as saying Dzhalaldinov told her the apology footage was selectively edited.

Despite the indications that no further action would be taken against Dzhalaldinov, in August 2016 a district court found him guilty of circulating false information and sentenced him to 160 hours of community service.

Then, in early November, Dzhalaldinov disappeared but contacted Gannushkina a few days later to explain to her that he had fled Chechnya after being summoned to Grozny on November 2 by Chechen First Deputy Interior Minister Apti Alaudinov. In a post on her Facebook page, Gannushkina quoted Dzhalaldinov as saying Alaudinov threatened to kill him if he continued to publicize the apparently still difficult situation in Kenkhi.

Several weeks later, on December 9, Novaya Gazeta convened a press conference in Moscow at which both Milashina and Gannushkina provided detailed accounts of the pressure and harassment to which Dzhalaldinov had allegedly been subjected.

The Interior Ministry's suit reportedly did not quote verbatim from either Gannushkina's Facebook post or the allegedly defamatory statements she and Milashina made at that press conference, or provide concrete evidence that those statements were untrue or damaging. That is said to be among reasons cited by both Novaya Gazeta and Gannushkina in disputing its legality.

They also argue that, because both organizations are registered in Moscow, the libel suit should have been filed there, not in Chechnya. They suggest Dzhalaldinov was listed as a co-defendant to provide a legal foundation for taking them to court in a remote corner of Chechnya rather than in Moscow, where journalists for national and international media outlets would seek to report on the hearing.

Oleg Orlov of the Moscow-based human rights watchdog Memorial told Caucasian Knot that Dzhalaldinov does not legally qualify as a defendant because although he was the primary source of the information made public by Milashina and Gannushkina at the December 2016 press conference, he did not disseminate it personally.

In addition, Gannushkina has argued, first, that Civic Assistance should not be held legally responsible for a post she made in a private capacity, rather than as its leader; and, second, that nowhere in her Facebook post did she refer to the Chechen Interior Ministry as such (although she did mention First Deputy Interior Minister Alaudinov).

She also argued that, in light of widespread speculation at the time of Dzhalaldinov's disappearance following his confrontation with Alaudinov that the Chechen Interior Ministry had either apprehended or killed him, the revelations at the press conference that Dzhalaldinov was alive and well and no longer in Chechnya served to uphold the ministry's professional reputation by exonerating it of the suspicion of foul play, rather than damage it.

Possible Alternative Motive

Even though the Interior Ministry's collective libel suit and the seemingly orchestrated demonstration outside the Supreme Court building against perceived distortions of reality by Moscow-based journalists and human rights organizations suggest a new campaign of intimidation by Chechen authorities, the timing suggests a possible alternative motive.

The press conference at which Milashina and Gannushkina discussed Dzhalaldinov's case took place on December 6, 2016. Later that month, according to Caucasian Knot, the ministry launched an investigation and concluded in early April 2017 that there were no grounds for a criminal case.

Also in April, however, Milashina went public with allegations that gays in Chechnya were being subjected to harassment, detention, and torture. She later published what she said was a death list drawn up by the Chechen Interior Ministry of young men suspected of involvement in the December 2016 attacks on police in Grozny at least 14 of whom were apprehended and summarily executed.

The question thus arises: Did those revelations so enrage the Interior Ministry and/or Kadyrov personally that it was decided to bring a libel suit against Novaya Gazeta, and were Civic Assistance and Dzhalaldinov named as co-defendants simply to confuse the issue?

The views expressed in this blog post do not necessarily reflect those of RFE/RL.


Peacekeepers? What peacekeepers?

Speaking at a press conference at the APEC summit in Vietnam last week, Vladimir Putin said he was unaware of any specific proposals to send peacekeepers to the Donbas.

The Kremlin leader said he had "not heard anything about it," knows "nothing about it," and that "it doesn't exist."

Now, back in September, of course, it was Putin himself who proposed sending a very limited contingent of peacekeepers to the Donbas.

But he proposed deploying them only along the line of contact and not throughout the occupied territories and on the Russian-Ukrainian border, as Kyiv had long been demanding.

It was a clever ploy that created the impression that Russia was giving in to a key Ukrainian demand -- when, in fact, it was doing nothing of the sort.

But since then, the idea of sending peacekeepers to Ukraine has taken on a life of its own.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin says a Security Council resolution on peacekeepers is pretty much ready.

And The Wall Street Journal recently reported that Kurt Volker, the U.S. special envoy to Ukraine, plans to propose a contingent of 20,000 peacekeepers when he meets with Kremlin aide Vladislav Surkov in Belgrade today.

If peacekeepers are ever sent to Ukraine, the significance of where they are deployed is important -- and not just because this would determine the mission's effectiveness.

Where a peacekeeping mission is deployed will send a powerful signal about how the international community views the war in eastern Ukraine.

If it's deployed along the line of contact, it would perpetuate Moscow's preferred myth that the war in Ukraine is an internal affair and Russia is simply a mediator.

But if they are deployed throughout the occupied areas and on the Russian-Ukrainian border, it would recognize the conflict in the Donbas for what it is: a Russian war of aggression.

So stay tuned.

Keep telling me what you think in the comments section, on The Power Vertical's Twitter feed, and on our Facebook page.

Keep telling me what you think on The Power Vertical's Twitter feed and on our Facebook page.
The blast in NATO-member Poland that killed two people was likely caused by a Ukrainian air-defense missile but it was Russia that was ultimately responsible because it started the war, alliance chief Jens Stoltenberg has told a news conference in Brussels.

The Polish Foreign Ministry said a Russian-made missile fell on November 15 on the village of Przewodow, a village in eastern Poland about 6 kilometers from the border with Ukraine, killing two people and raising global alarm that the Ukraine war could spill into neighboring countries.



"Our preliminary analysis suggests that the incident was likely caused by a Ukrainian air-defense missile fired to defend Ukrainian territory against Russian cruise missile attacks," Stoltenberg told a news conference after an emergency meeting of NATO ambassadors on November 16.



"An investigation into this incident is ongoing and we need to await its outcome. But we have no indication that this was the result of a deliberate attack," Stoltenberg said.



"But let me be clear. This is not Ukraine's fault. Russia bears ultimate responsibility as it continues its illegal war against Ukraine," he added.



Stoltenberg said the incident proved the risks of the war in Ukraine but added that there was no indication Russia was preparing offensive military actions against NATO allies.



The preliminary findings came after U.S. President Joe Biden, citing information about the trajectory of the projectile, said November 16 that it was "unlikely" that Russia fired the missile before adding, "I'm going to make sure we find out exactly what happened."

Poland, meanwhile, signaled it may in the end not invoke NATO's Article 4, which provides for consultations among allies in the face of a security threat, since the blast was likely caused by a Ukrainian air-defense missile and not by Russia.



"From the information that we and our allies have, it was an S-300 rocket made in the Soviet Union, an old rocket, and there is no evidence that it was launched by the Russian side," Polish President Andrzej Duda said. "It is highly probable that it was fired by Ukrainian anti-aircraft defense."

WATCH: Russia launched a barrage of missiles against Ukraine on November 15, hitting energy infrastructure facilities in regions across the country and plunging Kyiv and other cities into darkness.

The incident occurred during what Kyiv said was Russia's most intensive wave of missile attacks on cities across Ukraine since the start of the war in February.



Ukraine says it shot down most of the incoming Russian missiles with its own air-defense missiles. Ukraine's Volyn region, just across the border from Poland, was one of the many Ukraine says was targeted by Russia's attacks.

Russia has denied its missiles hit Polish territory, saying the reports were "a deliberate provocation" to escalate the situation.

Biden, speaking after convening emergency talks with leaders of Western allies in Indonesia on the sidelines of a G20 summit, pledged support for Poland's investigation into what it had called a "Russian-made" missile.

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.

Biden stressed that investigations into the incident were still ongoing, but said there was "total unanimity" among world leaders in supporting Poland in its efforts to establish the circumstance of the incident.



"It is unlikely in the lines of the trajectory that it was fired from Russia, but we'll see."

The Kremlin on November 16 hailed Washington's "measured" response to the incident.



"In this instance, attention should be paid to the measured and more professional response from the American side," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.



Peskov said that, as opposed to the U.S. response, a number of countries had made "baseless statements" about Russia's involvement "without having any idea of what had happened."



"We have witnessed another hysterical, frenzied Russophobic reaction, which was not based on any real data," Peskov told reporters.



The Russian Defense Ministry said on November 16 that its strikes on Ukraine on the previous day were no closer than 35 kilometers from the Polish border, RIA Novosti news agency reported.

Biden spoke by phone with Duda, offering "full U.S. support for and assistance with Poland's investigation," the White House said.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and French President Emmanuel Macron -- all leaders of NATO member states -- voiced solidarity with Poland.

The incident came as Russia unleashed one of the heaviest missile attacks since the start of the war on sites across Ukraine aimed at crippling the country's energy infrastructure.Ukrainian officials said that more than 90 missiles were fired in the attacks.

Biden on November 16 called those attacks "barbaric," and Zelenskiy described them as a "slap in the face" for the G20 summit.



The summit has been dominated by the Ukraine war, with members struggling to find common ground on Russia's unprovoked invasion of its neighbor.



In a joint statement issued November 16, leaders came together to condemn the war's effects but remained divided on assigning blame.

With reporting by Reuters, AP, AFP, and BBC
Iranian officials say at least 340 people have been killed and nearly 4,000 others injured in a devastating earthquake near the Iran-Iraq border. Irans Interior Ministry says most of the casualties are in Kermanshah Province, with residents reporting feeling the 7.3 magnitude quake throughout the region, from Turkey to Kuwait.



In Iraq, officials said at least seven people were killed and more than 320 others injured on the Iraqi side as a result of the quake.



The U.S. Geological Survey said it was centered 32 kilometers southwest of the city of Halabja in northeastern Iraq at a depth of 33.9 kilometers.



The town of Sarpol-e Zahab, about 15 kilometers from the Iraq border, was one of the hardest hit, with dozens of people killed, reports said.
Welcome back to the China In Eurasia briefing, an RFE/RL newsletter tracking Chinas resurgent influence from Eastern Europe to Central Asia. Im RFE/RL correspondent Reid Standish.

Before we get started, a few announcements: The newsletter is now biweekly, rather than going out only on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. To subscribe, click here.

And I will also be launching Talking China In Eurasia, a new podcast. Im joined by the Royal United Services Institutes Raffaello Pantucci to talk about Xi and Putin. Listen to the first episode here or below.

Xi Gets Pragmatic About Russia At The G20

It was light on optimism, but U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping injected a healthy dose of pragmatism back into the U.S.-China relationship with their meeting in Bali at a time when global anxiety is rising over Russias war against Ukraine.

Finding Perspective: The meeting on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit was far from a breakthrough, but it did repair some damage from the recent backslide in relations between both countries and send some signals that the world isnt necessarily destined for Cold War 2.0.

The more than three-hour talks saw some blunt exchanges over contentious issues like Taiwan and North Korea, but the two leaders also pledged more frequent communications and decided that U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Beijing for follow-up talks in 2023.

Of particular note, Biden raised Russias invasion of Ukraine and threats by Russian President Vladimir Putin to use nuclear weapons. Both leaders reiterated their agreement that a nuclear war should never be fought, according to a White House readout.

While far from a sea change for Chinese policy, thats notable. The credibility of Beijings claims to be neutral on the Ukraine war continue to come under scrutiny, and China has shown discomfort of late with the Kremlins nuclear saber-rattling.

Xi made similar comments after a November 4 summit with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and during another G20 meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, according to the French readout.

Why It Matters: Xi is not abandoning Putin, but this marks the latest shift for Beijings balancing act over Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Four Chinese officials briefed on the February 4 meeting between Xi and Putin, where they declared a no-limits partnership, told the Financial Times that Putin didnt tell Xi the truth about the invasion and that Beijing was caught off guard by it.

What Xi knew about Putins war plans has been a topic of debate, and there is evidence to support both the idea that Xi was aware and that he was caught off guard.

Many analysts are of the opinion that Xi knew about Putin's decision to invade but expected a quick victory, which perhaps was what Putin believed at the time.

Others point to a steady stream of dismissals from Chinese officials and experts about the likelihood of an invasion in February and the fact that Beijing did not evacuate its citizens from Ukraine  like Western nations did  as evidence that China was not expecting a war.

China certainly has its own interests in keeping a distance from Moscows war and using that space to do some upkeep with the West. But perhaps the most important point here is that even if Putin did blindside Xi, China has stuck with Russia despite its battlefield failures, political isolation, and the atrocities its troops are accused of committing.

Again, this is pragmatism more than anything else. As Chinese experts often say, even if Russia is looking unattractive these days, why would Beijing abandon its main anti-Western partner as China continues to be in the crosshairs of rising American pressure?

Read More

 Want to hear more about Russia and Chinas complex relationship amid the Ukraine war? Then tune in to the debut of Talking China In Eurasia today at 2 p.m. CET/ 8 a.m. EST. You can listen live here and find the episode on RFE/RLs website and wherever you listen to your podcasts.

 Condemning Russias invasion of Ukraine and its global fallout is shaping up to be the key theme of the G20, with the Financial Times reporting that a joint communique from the summit takes aim at Moscow.

Expert Corner: The Future Of The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)

Readers asked: Did Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharifs recent trip to Beijing breathe new life into the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)? How do Islamabad and Beijing really feel about the project after all these years?

To find out more, I asked Filippo Boni, an expert on China-Pakistan relations at the Open University in Britain:

Shehbaz Sharif's visit to China was high on symbolism and relatively low on substance. While the two sides were keen to reaffirm and emphasize the strength of their strategic partnership, no significant new commitment was made. Apart from a few memorandums of understanding and attempts from the Pakistanis in the run-up to the trip to address some of CPECs issues  including payments to Chinese independent power producers  nothing major came from the visit. This is despite Sharif's attempts at revitalizing CPEC since April and the very close ties he enjoys with the Chinese leadership.

The outcome of this visit is not entirely surprising, especially if interpreted against the backdrop of Pakistan's current domestic predicaments. The security situation for Chinese nationals has deteriorated, the economy is struggling, and political instability is at one of its highest points in recent years. All these dynamics, coupled with the global scaling down of Belt and Road Initiative financing, have likely impacted Beijing's lack of commitment to new projects.

After almost 10 years and $25 billion worth of projects, there seems to be a general consensus on both sides that the first phase of CPEC  the one focused primarily on energy projects  was largely successful. The same cannot be said for the second phase, including the slow progress on the development of Special Economic Zones, and for the port of Gwadar, where little progress has been made for the ports full commercial functioning.

Do you have a question about Chinas growing footprint in Eurasia? Send it to me at StandishR@rferl.org or reply directly to this e-mail and Ill get it answered by leading experts and policymakers.

Three More Stories From Eurasia

1. 'Sweep It Under The Rug'

Recent allegations of China operating 54 overseas police stations have fueled controversy around the world and sparked investigations, but in Hungary and Serbia the new findings are being met with swift denials by authorities, despite growing evidence.

The Details: My colleagues Akos Keller-Alant from RFE/RLs Hungarian Service, Mila Durdevic from RFE/RLs Balkan Service, and I reported on the fallout from these revelations and the slew of probes launched in many European countries recently.

The stations are overseas operations of the public security bureaus from two Chinese provinces and are used to persuade citizens to return to China, including through pressure on family members at home. While most of those involved appear to be suspected of crimes such as telecommunications fraud or corruption, dissidents have also reported that the stations have been used to monitor and threaten them.

Fourteen governments have already launched investigations into the overseas police stations, and the Dutch and Irish governments have ordered China to shut down the facilities in their countries.

But in Hungary and Serbia  two countries where Beijing is said to operate such facilities and whose governments prize their warming political and economic ties with China  officials appear to be trying to sweep it under the rug, as one analyst characterized it, despite growing scrutiny from opposition lawmakers in each country.

2. Global Ripples Hit Central Asia

Political and economic shocks from Moscows war in Ukraine, coupled with added strains from tensions between Beijing and Washington, are taking their toll around the world, especially in Central Asia, where countries in the region are closely tied to both China and Russia.

What It Means: As RFE/RLs Uzbek Service reported, Vladimir Norov, the countrys foreign minister, warned about geopolitical tensions affecting stability in the region and beyond while addressing his counterparts at an Organization of Turkic States meeting in Samarkand.

The breakdown in global cooperation is felt particularly strong in Central Asia. While some economies have been able to benefit by becoming a new home for businesses and capital relocated from Russia, others are seeing investment dry up and their economies coming under strain.

World Bank Vice President for Europe and Central Asia Anna Bjerde recently warned that Uzbekistan needs to continue with its market reforms in order to withstand the global economic shocks that are to come.

RFE/RLs Kyrgyz Service also reported that the countrys government is trying to court more investment but that questions remain from investors about Kyrgyzstans stability and investment climate. According to official statistics from January to June of this year, China is the leading source of foreign investment, with $129 million during that span.

3. The Tech In Moscows Iranian Drones

A new investigation by Schemes, the investigative unit of RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, looked into electronic components underpinning Tehran's production of the Mohajer-6 drone, which Russia has used in its war in Ukraine, and found that theyre far from homegrown.

What You Need To Know: The Mohajer-6 drones contain components produced by companies from the United States and the European Union, both of which have sanctions restricting the export to Iran of technology that can be used for both civilian and military purposes.

The investigation also found drone components produced in China, including a real-time mini-camera made by a Hong Kong firm.

The drone also contains a microchip bearing the logo of a California technology company and a thermal-imaging camera that Ukrainian intelligence says may have been produced by a firm based in Oregon or China.

The international tech in the drone not only highlights the complex ecosystem that allows firms and buyers to circumvent sanctions slapped on both Iran and Russia, but also the close networks between Chinese and Western tech companies that still exist, despite a recent push to break some of those linkages.

Across The Supercontinent

On The Mainland: The watchdog group Freedom House recently launched a new project called the China Dissent Monitor, which tracks protests and other forms of dissent inside China. Read it here.

Censored: Chinese authorities behind a major trade expo in Shanghai pulled an opening ceremony address by European Council President Charles Michel that was set to criticize Russia's illegal war in Ukraine and call for reduced European dependency on China, Reuters reported.

Backtracking: British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has softened his countrys stance toward China, moving away from his predecessor Liz Trusss decision to label it a threat.

One Thing To Watch

How long will Chinas stringent COVID policies stay in place?

New infections are rising as a winter wave hits and popular frustration continues to boil over inside the country as investor confidence stays dented over the measures. New footage also showed crowds of residents in the southern metropolis of Guangzhou escaping a compulsory lockdown and clashing with police.

Thats all from me for now. Dont forget to send me any questions, comments, or tips that you might have.

Until next time,

Reid Standish

If you enjoyed this briefing and don't want to miss the next edition, subscribe here. It will be sent to your in-box on the first and third Wednesdays of each month.
BISHKEK -- Kyrgyz opposition leader Omurbek Babanov, who finished second in the October 15 presidential poll and is being investigated for alleged calls for disturbances, has stepped down as the leader of the Respublika--Ata-Jurt (Republic--Homeland) parliamentary faction.

A faction member, lawmaker Aliyarbek Abjaliev, told RFE/RL that Babanov's letter of resignation was discussed at the faction's gathering on November 13.

According to Abjaliev, the faction's new leader will be elected in the near future.

Babanov managed to obtain more than 33 percent of the vote in last month's presidential election.

On November 4, the Prosecutor-General's Office launched investigations into Babanov's attempts at "stoking ethnic, racial, and religious hatred" and "publicly calling for the violent change of the constitutional order."

Right after the election, Babanov left the country and his current whereabouts is unknown.

Babanov's meeting with the president of neighboring Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbaev, during his campaign in early October led to a standoff between the two Central Asian states.

Outgoing Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambaev's publicly accused Kazakhstan of meddling into the Kyrgyz elections and accused Babanov of being "a foreign country's puppet."

Former Prime Minister Sooronbai Jeenbekov won the election and his inauguration is expected on November 24.
BISHKEK -- Authorities in Kyrgyzstan's northern Chui region say they have arrested the leader of a banned Islamic group.

Regional police department spokesman Nurbek Toktosunov told RFE/RL on November 13 that a 47-year-old man arrested in late October is "the leader of a religious community that follows the teachings of the Yaqyn Inkar Islamic movement."

Yaqyn Inkar was founded in India. Authorities in Kyrgyzstan, a mostly Muslim country whose secular government is wary of people whose religious beliefs or practices fall outside the mainstream, deemed it an extremist organization and banned it in June.

Toktosunov also said that the suspect has two wives, as well as 12 children who have never been officially registered and were not enrolled in school.

According to Toktosunov, the suspect regularly visited India and Bangladesh to take part in Yaqyn Inkar seminars and in 2003 translated several books of the religious group from Urdu into Kyrgyz and Russian.

Members of Yaqyn Inkar try to live as people did when the Prophet Muhammad was alive, in the seventh century. They do not use modern technical devices, refuse medical and social services, travel on foot, and wear only traditional white clothes.

In 2016, before the group was banned, Kyrgyz officials expressed concerns about the religious movement, saying it was propagating its ideas without obtaining legal permission.
22 A balloon shaped like the famous Christ The Redeemer statue that overlooks the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro floats at sunrise above Sydney, Australia as part of an advertisement campaign for an online betting company. (Reuters/Steve Christo)
A Russian judge has summoned state oil company chief Igor Sechin to court a second time after the powerful ally of President Vladimir Putin failed to show up to testify in a high-profile extortion trial.

With Sechin absent from the much-anticipated hearing at Moscow's Zamoskvoretsky District Court, Judge Larisa Semyonova issued a summons for the Rosneft CEO to appear on November 15.

The developments added drama to a case that has grabbed headlines in Russia and underscored rivalries in circles close to Putin.

Sechin, a longtime associate of Putin and his former deputy chief of staff, had been expected to testify on November 13 as a witness in the extortion trial of former Economy Minister Aleksei Ulyukayev.

Ahead of the hearing, a Rosneft spokesman said that Sechin had not received a summons.

After Sechin failed to appear, Semyonova said that officials at Rosneft headquarters had refused to accept the summons.

A summons was delivered to "Sechin's place of work at Rosneft. Employees declined to receive it," the judge said.

She later announced the order for a second summons, this time instructing Sechin to appear on November 15. She said that like the initial summons, it would be delivered by a court officer as well as by e-mail and fax.

Ulyukayev, one of the highest-ranking officials to be arrested in Russia since the Soviet era, is accused of extorting a $2 million bribe from Sechin in exchange for his ministry's approval for Rosneft to acquire a majority stake in regional oil company Bashneft.

Prosecutors say that Ulyukayev was caught red-handed -- accepting a case full of cash from Sechin at Rosneft's Moscow headquarters in a sting operation -- and Putin fired him shortly after he was detained in November 2016.

He is under house arrest and looks gaunt and pale in comparison to his appearance when he was in the government.

Ulyukayev, whose trial started in August, says he is not guilty. He has accused Sechin and the Federal Security Service (FSB) of setting him up, saying he thought the case contained bottles of wine.

Sechin served for years as deputy Kremlin chief of staff and is seen as a close ally of Putin.

The newspaper Vedomosti quoted an unidentified Russian official as saying that later on November 13 -- the day he had been summoned to court -- Sechin was to take part in talks led by Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the Black Sea resort city of Sochi, which is nearly 1,400 kilometers south of Moscow.

Vedomosti reported that Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that, but there was no public statement from Peskov and Rosneft declined to comment.

Both the prosecution and defense have called for Sechin to testify.

With reporting by RBC, Gazeta.ru, RNS, Interfax, TASS, and Reuters
WASHINGTON -- Russia's state-funded RT television network has registered in the United States under a decades-old law intended to limit foreign governments from spreading propaganda in the country.

The filing from RTs American operating unit, T&R Productions LLC, was dated November 10 and was acknowledged by the Justice Department late on November 13.

"Americans have a right to know who is acting in the United States to influence the U.S. government or public on behalf of foreign principals," U.S. acting Assistant Attorney General Dana Boente said, in the department's first comment on the matter.

While RT had protested the registration requirement as an abandonment of the U.S. constitutional guarantee of press freedom, Boente said asking agents of foreign governments to disclose basic information about themselves to the public "does not inhibit freedom of expression [and] does not restrict the content of information disseminated."

RT officials first disclosed the department's request that the channel comply with the Foreign Agent Registration Act (FARA), which requires people working in the United States for a foreign government in a "political or quasi-political capacity" to register.

A report from U.S. intelligence agencies in January said that RT and the website called Sputnik spread misinformation as part of a Russian-government effort to influence the 2016 presidential election.

In the run-up to the filing, Russian lawmakers and Foreign Ministry officials repeatedly complained about the pressure, and warned of retaliation against U.S. media in Russia, including RFE/RL.

"Forced to choose between a criminal case and registration, we chose the latter. And we congratulate American freedom of speech and all those who still believe in it," RT's editor in chief, Margarita Simonyan, said in a Twitter post on November 13.

RT joins at least six other foreign media outlets that are currently registered under FARA, including Canada's CBC, Japan's NHK, and the China Daily.

In Moscow, one senior Russian lawmaker said parliament was drafting legislation under which some foreign media could be deemed "foreign agents" in Russia.

Andrei Isayev, who is the deputy head of the United Russia party's parliamentary faction, said Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Voice of America, CNN, and German public broadcaster Deutsche Welle were among the organizations that could qualify once the legislation is passed.

The comments from Isayev echoed remarks by parliament speaker Vyacheslav Volodin last week. President Vladimir Putin suggested on November 11 that some of the proposals discussed in the parliament might be too harsh, but he also asserted that Russian media outlets were under attack in the United States.

Deputy speaker Pyotr Tolstoi said on November 13 that the legislation would not affect media outlets' bureaus or correspondents in Russia, only the media companies themselves. He did not provide details.

The scope of Russia's current "foreign agents" law, which Kremlin critics and civil-society activists say has been used to silence dissent and discourage a free exchange of ideas, does not include media outlets.

While RT distributes its programs freely in the United States on cable television, RFE/RL is already subject to severe restrictions in Russia, with nearly all of its radio broadcasts forced off the air by 2012 due to administrative pressure. Neither RFE/RL nor VOA has access to cable TV in Russia.

U.S. officials say the Russian law differs significantly from FARA, which was passed in 1938 specifically to counter fears of Nazi propaganda and misinformation being spread in the United States.

State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said last month that the need for registration "is simply triggered when an entity or an individual engages in political activity."

Russia's threats against U.S. media come ahead of a March 2018 presidential election in which Putin is widely expected to seek a new six-year term. The Kremlin's control over the media and political levers, along with his popularity, make his victory a foregone conclusion.

With reporting by RIA Novosti, Interfax, Reuters, and TASS
The longtime editor of Russia's respected Novaya Gazeta newspaper will step down from his post this week.

Dmitry Muratov, 56, told the RBK news agency on November 13 that he was not seeking another term as the paper's editor in chief, a post he has held for 22 years. The paper's editorial staff will elect a new leader at a meeting on November 17.

Muratov said the newspaper will form a new oversight organ called the Editorial Council that will be responsible for all "strategic matters." An unidentified source at the newspaper told RBK that Muratov would participate in that council.

Muratov was one of a group of journalists who founded the newspaper in 1993, shortly after leaving the Komsomolskaya Pravda daily.

Former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev donated part of his 1990 Nobel Peace Prize money to the paper.

Under Muratov's leadership, Novaya Gazeta, which is published three times a week, has emerged as one of the leading independent media outlets in Russia. It has earned plaudits for its reporting on corruption and human rights violations.

Its current circulation is about 190,000 copies.

Six Novaya Gazeta journalists -- including Yury Shchekochikhin, Anna Politkovskaya, and Anastasia Baburova -- have been killed since 2001 because of their journalistic work.

Muratov won the International Press Freedom Award, presented by the Committee to Protect Journalists, in 2007. In 2010, he was awarded France's Legion of Honor.
Ties between Russia and Turkey are back on track, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said as he met with Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the southern city of Sochi for talks set to focus on the Syrian conflict.

"I want to note at the beginning of our meeting that our relations can be considered practically completely restored," Putin was quoted as saying by the Russian state news agency TASS on November 13.

Relations between Russia and Turkey soured badly after Turkish jets shot down a Russian warplane near the Syrian border in November 2015, but Putin and Erdogan have taken steps to mend ties since then.

Along with Iran, they have sponsored a series of negotiations on the Syria conflict in Kazakhstans capital, Astana.

Addressing reporters in Istanbul on November 13 before departing for Sochi, Erdogan described Putin as "my dear friend."

The Kremlin has said that Putin and Erdogan plan to discuss regional and international issues including the "joint fight against terrorism" and the efforts to end the more than six-year war in Syria, Turkey's southern neighbor.

They are also expected to discuss prospects for increasing bilateral trade and cooperation in the energy sector, it said.

Erdogan said he would discuss with Putin more technical details on plans to buy S-400 surface-to-air missile systems from Russia.

Putin and Erdogan last met in Ankara on September 28. After the talks, the two presidents said they agreed to closely cooperate on ending Syrias civil war.

Russia has given crucial military and diplomatic backing to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government throughout the war, which began with a government crackdown on protesters and has killed hundreds of thousands of people.

Turkey supports rebels who want to oust Assad.

With reporting by dpa, TASS, Interfax, and Reuters
The U.S. envoy for efforts to end the Ukrainian conflict, Kurt Volker, is set to meet with Kremlin aide Vladislav Surkov on November 13 to explore deploying United Nations peacekeepers to eastern Ukraine.

Volker has said he would meet Surkov in Serbias capital, Belgrade, for a discussion of principles to see if they can agree on what a peacekeeping force might look like.

We are not in agreement on this yet, he told reporters in Washington on November 3.

Fighting between Kyiv government forces and Russia-backed separatists who hold parts of Ukraines Donetsk and Luhansk regions has killed more than 10,000 people since April 2014. Several cease-fire deals announced as part of the Minsk accords -- September 2014 and February 2015 pacts aimed to resolve the conflict -- have reduced fighting but not stopped it.

Alexander Hug, the principal deputy chief monitor of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's Special Monitoring Mission (OSCE SMM) to Ukraine, said last week that 425 civilians have been killed or injured in the conflict since the beginning of this year, according to Ukrainian media. Thirty-nine of them were children.

In a tweet on November 12, Volker said the civilian casualty toll for 2017 is "outpacing 2016" and added: "People of Donbas deserve a real ceasefire."

Russian President Vladimir Putin in September proposed deploying UN peacekeepers on the contact line separating the sides of the conflict to protect monitors from the OSCE.

The plan swiftly drew criticism from both Kyiv and the West, in part because of concerns that deployment only along the front line would cement Russian control over separatist-held territory.

Volker said Washington wants the mission to monitor the entire conflict area and make sure heavy weapons are pulled back.

Putin later said he was open to adjustments to his initial proposal, but no agreement has been reached.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko's office said on November 4 that he held a telephone conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson during which they coordinated further steps for the deployment of an international UN mission in the separatist-held parts of Luhansk and Donetsk, including the border between those areas and Russia, which Kyiv says is used to ship weapons and military personnel in from Russia.

Volker last met Surkov on October 7 in Belgrade. The venue of the talks was not disclosed, although Serbian media said the two men met at a hotel.

Belgrade is a neutral venue. Volker had refused to meet with Surkov in Russia, and Surkov is barred from the European Union under sanctions imposed in response to Russia's aggression against Ukraine.

The two held talks for the first time on August 21 in the Belarusian capital, Minsk.

Tillerson appointed Volker, a former U.S. ambassador to NATO, as the U.S. special representative for Ukraine negotiations in July.

With reporting by Bloomberg
A month old, the boy had to wear clothes meant for two- or three-year-olds. He cannot walk or even crawl. At birth he weighed 3.5 kilos, about the same as his brother Mario who is now a normal boy. I thought it was because I had good breast milk, said his mother, 24-year-old Isabel Pantoja. One of the main hypotheses is that he could have a disease called Prader-Willi Syndrome, a genetic condition in which children have an insatiable appetite and weak muscle tone. But the child does not eat voraciously or spend the day demanding food.



This is the family

The parents where shocked when a paediatrician told them the boy might need hormone injections that cost $US555 (A$724) each. His father who works at a juice plant earns just a little over $US200 a month. The treatment could help. His parents created a Facebook page and opened a bank account for people to donate money for Luis Manuels medical care. He has to go to the hospital as many as four times a week for tests. For the instant, no real solution was found to help him.
She was also unable to speak and had to receive emergency care. When we found her, blood covered everything above her chin. Her face was soaked in blood. I didnt know what had happened, Matsumotos daughter told to media. Investigators did not find anything that would indicate someone had broken into the home of the suspected attack but did eventually realize the slashes on her face looked like cat scratches.

After, they found traces of blood. One of the cats looked like it had human blood on it. Police are analyzing a blood sample taken from the claw of the cat which might have scratched the victim, was announced. The motivation of the cat aggression was not yet found. There are not information previously linked the old woman to the cats. The only supposition is about a hunting behavior of the animal and some special circumstances generated by the little mobility of the woman. It was also unclear what will happen with the cat if will be found guilty.
You must have JavaScript enabled in your browser to utilize the functionality of this website.
Notes: What if Navy blitz becomes blueprint? Notre Dame 'would welcome that'
SEATTLE  A privately funded team may beat NASA to the punch when it comes to looking for life on the Saturn moon Enceladus.

Breakthrough Initiatives  a program founded by billionaire tech investor Yuri Milner to hunt for alien life and help explore the cosmos  is considering launching a mission that would fly through the plume of water vapor and other material emanating from Enceladus' south polar region, Milner said here yesterday (Nov. 9) at The Economist magazine's inaugural global space summit, called "A New Space Age."

NASA's Saturn-orbiting Cassini spacecraft discovered the plume, and the 100-odd geysers that create it, in 2005. Subsequent observations by the probe revealed that these geysers are blasting stuff out from a potentially habitable ocean of salty liquid water that sloshes beneath the 313-mile-wide (504 kilometers) moon's icy shell. [Photos of Enceladus, Saturn's Geyser-Blasting Moon]

The plume provides a way to sample this ocean without even touching down on Enceladus. Cassini flew through the plume repeatedly during its epic Saturn mission, which ended with a fiery plunge in September, but the probe was not outfitted with life-detection gear. So astrobiologists have been clamoring to go back.

Milner  who already funds the $100 million intelligent-alien hunt Breakthrough Listen as well as Breakthrough Starshot, a $100 million interstellar-flight project  shares their enthusiasm.

"We formed a sort of little workshop around this idea: Can we design a low-cost, privately funded mission to Enceladus which can be launched relatively soon and that can look more thoroughly at those plumes and try to see what's going there ahead of a more expensive mission that NASA is considering right now, which might take maybe 10 years to launch?" Milner said.

That possible NASA mission would be an effort under the agency's New Frontiers program with a cost cap of approximately $1 billion. Two of the 12 candidates the space agency is mulling for the next New Frontiers project, which will launch in the mid-2020s, are Enceladus-focused.

NASA is expected to pare this list down to a few finalists by the end of the year and announce the selected mission in 2019.

Milner didn't provide further details about the possible Breakthrough Initiatives Enceladus mission, such as its projected cost or timeline. He said the organization is taking a broad look to assess the various options.

"How can we, for the first time ever, design and send  launch, actually  a privately funded interplanetary science mission?" Milner said. "That's what we're thinking about."

Follow Mike Wall on Twitter @michaeldwall and Google+. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook or Google+. Originally published on Space.com.
Virgin Galactic's second SpaceshipTwo space plane, VSS Unity, soars over the Mojave Desert during an unpowered test flight in December 2016.

SEATTLE  Suborbital space tourism and research may be just the beginning for Virgin Galactic.

The private spaceflight company eventually aims to add superfast point-to-point passenger flights to its repertoire, which would dramatically reduce the time needed to get from Boston to Beijing or Sydney to San Francisco, according to Virgin Galactic CEO George Whitesides.

On such trips, Virgin Galactic's vehicle would likely fly considerably faster than the now-defunct Concorde, which reached a top speed of about Mach 2, or twice the speed of sound, he added. (The speed of sound depends on temperature; at room temperature, it's around 774 mph, or 1,246 km/h.)

"We think something that's, you know, in the Mach 3 to [Mach] 5 space is really interesting, because you can really radically shorten those long-duration flights, but it's not so fast  at a certain point, you may not need to go so fast," Whitesides said.

SpaceShipTwo will carry six passengers up past 328,000 feet altitude (100 kilometers), the point where astronaut wings are awarded. See how Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo works in this SPACE.com infographic (Image credit: Karl Tate, SPACE.com contributor)

Whitesides' comments echo recent remarks by Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson. Late last month, Branson said that a partnership with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will help Virgin Galactic "accelerate our program for point-to-point supersonic space travel," among other things.

For now, however, the company is working to get its second six-passenger SpaceShipTwo space plane, known as VSS Unity, ready to fly customers on brief trips to suborbital space and back, for tourism and research purposes. (The first SpaceShipTwo, VSS Enterprise, crashed during a test flight in October 2014, killing co-pilot Michael Alsbury and injuring pilot Peter Siebold.)

A carrier plane named WhiteKnightTwo hauls SpaceShipTwo aloft, then drops the space plane at an altitude of about 50,000 feet (15,000 meters). At that point, SpaceShipTwo's rocket motor kicks on, blasting the vehicle to suborbital space. SpaceShipTwo then comes down to Earth for a runway landing.

Passengers will get to experience about 5 minutes of weightlessness and see the curvature of Earth against the blackness of space, company representatives have said. A ticket to ride the vehicle currently sells for $250,000, and more than 600 people have reserved a seat to date, Whitesides said.

VSS Unity has performed a number of unpowered "glide flights" so far and should start rocket-powered tests soon, company representatives have said. Commercial operations should begin shortly thereafter, but exactly when is unclear; Whitesides doesn't announce predicted timetables.

"We'll fly when it's ready," he said. "We'll fly when it's safe."

Virgin Galactic isn't the only spaceflight company with point-to-point travel on its mind. In late September, SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk said his company's "BFR" Mars-colonization architecture may also be used to carry passengers on superfast trips from place to place on Earth.

Follow Mike Wall on Twitter @michaeldwall and Google+. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook or Google+. Originally published on Space.com.
Madrid, Nov 12, 2017 (SPS) - Thousand of people representing Spanish solidarity associations with the Saharawi people and members of the Saharawi community living in Spain demonstrated Saturday in Madrid to demand the holding of a referendum on self-determination in Western Sahara as soon as possible.

The protesters waved Sahrawi flags, banners in which slogans are written asking for peace for the Saharawi people, the right to self-determination and justice and respect for human rights in the occupied Saharawi territories."

They also chanted" peace and freedom for the Saharawi people "," guilty Morocco and responsible Spain ", where are human rights ?" and many other slogans put forward in this event organized every year in Madrid, to denounce the tripartite agreements of Madrid of November 14, 1975 through which Spain has ceded the Saharawi territory to Morocco and Mauritania.

Coming in thousands from all Spanish cities, the protesters of all ages highlighted during this demonstration, the suffering endured by the Saharawi people following these agreements that allowed Morocco to invade and occupy the Saharawi territory illegally since 1975. (SPS)

062/SPS/TRA
B ombardiers link-up with Airbus will be good for jobs and investment, the embattled Canadian company said on Monday.

The Canadian company, which has a factory in Belfast with 4000 employees, is fending off a 300% import tariff slapped on it by America after a complaint by Boeing.

Last month Airbus took a majority stake in Bombardiers C-Series aircraft arm, which employs 1000 making wings for the jets.

Speaking at the Dubai Airshow, commercial aircraft chief Fred Cromer said this deal would only strengthen Bombardier and lead to more wings coming out of Belfast.

My message to all employees on the C-Series programme, and certainly in Belfast, is to keep doing what youre doing. You are producing in Belfast amazing wing technology, said Cromer.

Airbus is to expand its plant in Alabama, raising fears of cuts in Belfast. Cromer said: It is not a replacement of jobs. The US production line will give us bigger volume and give us access to the US marketplace.

The US Department of Trade earlier sided with Boeing that C-Series sales in the US should be slapped with import duties of up to 300%. Boeing claims the aircraft is being subsidised and sold below cost in the US.

A final ruling is expected early next year.
T he Mayor of London, together with the property industry, on Monday made a last-ditch plea asking Chancellor Philip Hammond to take emergency action on housebuilding, as fears about the impact of Brexit on recruitment heighten.

Sadiq Khan said housebuilders are increasingly worried that leaving the bloc could make the capitals housing crisis worse, with a number of companies concerned about access to some 100,000 construction workers from the European Union.

He added that losing skilled workers could be catastrophic for building plans.

As Hammond prepares for his November 22 Budget, Khan called for:

Devolution of new powers to London, such as greater control over public land, and allowing councils to borrow to invest in homes;

A massive increase in government funding for homebuilding and infrastructure;

Guarantees of the rights of EU nationals living in London.

The British Property Federation, which counts listed builders British Land and Capital & Counties as members, urged the government urgently to make a deal on EU workers rights to be here, while the Home Builders Federation warned reducing the supply of workers could threaten future building.

Jon Di-Stefano, chief executive of Telford Homes, said: I am pleased that the Mayor recognises the urgency required.

London builder Mount Anvil also supported the plea.

The building industry is also facing falling consumer confidence and flagging prices since the Brexit vote.

Property website Rightmove on Monday said more than a third of homeowners trying to sell their house have been forced to reduce their asking price, with the number of price cuts at their highest level since 2012.
D ear Mr Johnson

I am glad we finally spoke on the phone yesterday. You said how sorry you were for my wife Nazanins suffering, that your priority was her well-being and that she had the support of the whole country.

I am grateful too that you agreed to meet in the coming days. As I said yesterday, I would like us to discuss then the practicalities of my coming with you when you travel to Iran to visit Nazanin, a trip that I hope will be made as soon as possible. That means you personally asking the Iranian authorities if I can travel with you, and asking them to vouch for my safety.

Your mistake in saying that Nazanin was in Iran training journalists  as opposed to the reality: that she was there on holiday with our daughter Gabriella, visiting her family  has raised the stakes for my wife. Your words are being used against her by Tehran to rationalise her imprisonment and as grounds for a new court case against her. She was on the news in Iran again on Saturday night; the broadcaster repeated the argument that you had revealed Nazanins so-called crimes. The net effect of that is that she is in danger. I want you to solve this mess created in your name.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe explainer

My wife is angry now. She has been in prison for 19 months. She has lost control of her emotions because she has lost all control over her life. Now she has become even more tense and stressed because shes seen herself on Iranian State TV. She cried over the coverage, and felt it was a violation that they used pictures from our family photo album. It is too much pressure on her. She feels on the verge of a nervous breakdown.

The stress is taking a physical toll on her. She went to hospital on Saturday for an ultrasound because she had found lumps in both her breasts. The lumps are believed to be benign but related to stress. She has been suffering from sharp pains in her breasts for months and has a family history of breast cancer, so the specialist is keeping her under surveillance. She will have to return to the hospital this week to see how the lumps have responded to treatment and whether there is a need to operate.

Nazanin is cross with me on the phone. She is looking for someone to provide assurance, and it is my job to give her hope and assurance it will all work out OK. She is reliant on her husband to know what he is doing and on her Government to know what it is doing  the jury is out there. Certainly the Government has refused to acknowledge its role in the gravity of Nazanins situation.

My daughter Gabriella, who is only three, is also suffering. She saw her mother on TV, and knew that her grandparents  who she is living with  were distraught at the coverage. She knows now not to tell the other children at nursery that her mother is in prison, and she knows too that her family is different in some way. She tries to work out why.

Gabriella cant remember her life before Iran. Her English is almost gone  she speaks Farsi now. She asks what clothes she has in London, what toys, what her room is like. To her, her home here seems like Harry Potter  another world of strange languages and sudden packages in the post.

Nazanin is being held because she is British and is being used as a bargaining chip against the UK, now justified by your words. That direct connection of her to you is why I believe my wife should be entitled to diplomatic protection  rather than consular assistance, as she has now. Nazanin is no longer simply a consular case as she has been endangered in a deeper way. As Foreign Secretary, I would like you to instruct your department personally to give her that protection.

With the help of Redress, we submitted a legal opinion to the Foreign Office two months ago, setting out the abuse of Nazanins rights and why she is entitled to diplomatic protection. The Foreign Office has not answered our lawyers questions on this, nor has it acknowledged any violation of Nazanins rights in its replies to parliamentary questions.

The Foreign Office always emphasises that Nazanin is a dual national. But her life is in Britain  she has a British home, a British job, a British husband, a British child. Given the way dual nationality works, Britain can choose to say we will protect her as though she is British.

Boris Johnson incorrectly states that Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was teaching journalists in Iran

The Foreign Office refuses to acknowledge that she is being held because she is British and that she faces a longer sentence because of your words  my understanding of the strange reluctance to apologise. It also refuses to acknowledge the abusive nature of the Iranian legal system. Nazanin was not allowed to speak at her trial. Her lawyer was prosecuted for defending her, so a case is now open against him. Her new lawyer  a specialist human rights lawyer  has not been allowed to come to any hearings so far. This is not meeting the standards of fair trials, yet the Foreign Office has not said this.

More than a year ago, we went to the UN group on arbitrary detention  it ruled that Nazanins detention was arbitrary, and referred her case to the special rapporteur on torture. The UN called for her immediate release. It made the call again last month. Both times, the Foreign Office declined to join the UN in that call, or even to acknowledge the opinion.

I do not believe it is in Nazanins interests for there to be any resignations. My complaint is not that her imprisonment has become a diplomatic incident this past week. It is that it wasnt for the 19 months that came before. I do not believe Nazanins interests are served by more instability. Just as Tulip Siddiq is Nazanins parliamentary representative and has pushed the British Government to address this case, you are Nazanins Foreign Secretary, her Governments voice vis-a-vis Iran.

I dont want to be a campaigning husband and father any longer. I want to go back to being an ordinary husband and father, with my wife and child at my side.

It is time for the UK government to take responsibility for Nazanins suffering and its role in prolonging it. Its time for us to bring Nazanin home together.

Yours, Richard Radcliffe
T here are 700,000 young people living at or below the poverty line in London but these bald figures say little about the challenges many children face.

The Childrens Commissioner for England, Anne Longfield, has issued a report on children who are vulnerable or at risk in some way  from those in dysfunctional families to those who shoulder burdens far too heavy for their years  and she estimates there are at least 670,000 such children in England. We examine their plight during this week.

Today we focus on child carers, the admirable young people who have to care for parents or siblings when they should be cared for themselves.

Our investigation by David Cohen is called Lost Childhoods: in these circumstances, it is hard to be a child.

As the Commissioner points out, the academic progress of our children is meticulously documented throughout their time at school, but their other needs  social, physical and emotional  are less well monitored.

Our investigation will help shine light into these dark corners of our society and the children hidden in them.

To help these vulnerable youngsters, we must first know what their situation is; our investigation will help do just that. Then, we can act.

Read the letter, Boris

Today we publish a letter from Richard Ratcliffe to the Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson, on the plight of his wife Nazanin.

This London mother has been in prison in Iran for the past 19 months; yesterday Mr Johnson spoke to Mr Ratcliffe and expressed his sympathy for him.

Mr Johnson should take his letter to heart: in particular, he should do his best to ensure that Mr Ratcliffe accompanies him on his visit to Iran and is enabled to see his wife in prison and his small child, a British citizen.

Her position was compromised when the Foreign Secretary mistakenly said that Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe was in Iran to teach journalism, rather than to visit her family.

Her treatment at the hands of the Iranian judiciary has been shocking: she was not allowed to speak at her trial; her lawyer has been prosecuted for attempting to defend her.

Right now, Iran is preoccupied with the disastrous effects of an earthquake.

The Foreign Secretary will want to express his concern but must still make it his priority to press Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffes case and ensure that she and her small daughter come home.

Mr Ratcliffe has behaved with great dignity but he wants to be a normal husband and father; Mr Johnson must help make that happen.

Loading....

Charging ahead

One of the great impediments to Londons electric car revolution is that there are so few charging points in the city.

Well done, then, to Wandsworth council, which is to consider proposals on Wednesday for installing charging points on lampposts in every residential street in the borough.

There are practical difficulties getting enough charging points to make electric cars the realistic proposition they must be, not least the shortage of parking space: Wandsworths approach is just what we need.
I ve been working in nature conservation for The Wildlife Trusts for 30 years, and in that time the Thames has gone from being one of the dirtiest estuaries in Europe to one thats so improved that bass, flounder and even seahorses are found. This is all thanks to European legislation, which made our government clean up its act and do the right thing by our rivers, estuaries and seas.

The Thames is strongly protected by environmental laws and, as with many other wild places around the UK, these laws are set at a Europe-wide level. When we leave the EU we need some way of holding government to account  and now Environment Secretary Michael Gove has recognised this with his announcement of a new independent body to oversee protection of the environment.

This is welcome news and its all about accountability. An independent body  an environment watchdog  will allow individual citizens to make a complaint if they feel government is not taking enough care of the air we breathe, the water we drink and the seas we swim in. In addition, Gove has made one of the most positive statements any government has made about the environment in the past 20 years: Nothing is more vital than the future of our environment and the natural world. We are their custodians and must safeguard their future if our ambition for a green Brexit is to become a reality.

This follows the news that Gove is going to ban the use of neonicotinoid pesticides, which harm wild bees and other pollinators. He said: If you follow the evidence and do the right thing, then ultimately the judge will be Is the country in a better position? And it will be.

While Goves words are heartening, the Government will need to back them up with action. Despite the best efforts of decades of initiatives and a nation that adores Sir David Attenborough and the natural world, wildlife is faring worse in the UK than most other countries. Over the past 50 years, 56 per cent of species have declined, while 15 per cent are at risk of disappearing altogether.

Gove must go further to create real change  lets have an ambitious new Environment Act. It could include the Governments commitment to natures recovery within a generation and set measurable milestones for bringing back our wildlife. Integrating nature into the planning system and embedding it across government departments wont just be good for wildlife, itll be good for people, too. We all want to live in a world that hums with bumblebees and reverberates to the sound of birdsong once more. An Act could make it a reality.

Joan Edwards is director of public affairs for The Wildlife Trusts


T he owner of JD Wetherspoon, Tim Martin, may boast that Brexit will do no harm to his business. But his boasting depends on a ruthless disregard of a whole range of businesses that are going to face serious disadvantages.

Take the business of caring for vulnerable adults in a care home or a hospital, with its significant dependence on European staff. Here is a business that is more complex and crucial than that of selling beer.

Martin is behaving just like the wealthy financiers before the 2008 crash, who were eager to take greater and greater risks precisely because they convinced themselves that there were no risks to themselves or others.

Andrew Wilks

Will your paper realise that Brexit is here to stay? We do not want to be governed by the European Union in any form and by politicians who have never moved outside their cosy jobs. Who wants to have our laws and courts run by the EU?

The concept of a European market was good in theory but what it has turned into in practice is the EU taking billions of pounds from our economy. We managed as a country for decades without it and we will be a hundred times better off when we leave.

Don Williams

To the undecided over Brexit, here are two things to consider. First, the Brexiteers say we can trade with countries around the globe. Since when has importing goods from tens of thousands of miles away ever made more economic sense than importing goods from 20 miles across the Channel?

Second, doesnt the fact that the Brexit campaign was supported by Ukip show that Brexit is more about bigotry than anything else?

Brexit is the greatest act of economic self-harm this country has made since we declared war twice on Germany.

Mike New

I do hope the hundreds of thousands of EU citizens living here in London will be reassured by the Governments announcement of a clear, simple and streamlined system that will allow them to register to stay in the UK after Brexit.

The UK Government has been clear all along that it wants to find a transparent and fair system for EU citizens to stay here and have their rights protected.

Now it is set out in the clearest of terms. Perhaps now the myth of mass deportations can be put firmly to bed?

Syed Kamall MEP (Con)



Sack Boris before his ego explodes

We are always being told how clever Boris Johnson is, but I just dont get it.

This is the man who is so culturally ignorant that he thinks its OK to quote Rudyard Kipling in Myanmar and may have endangered a womans life in Iran by sheer thoughtlessness. And lets not forget his Brexit campaign bus with the big lie on the side of it about the NHS getting an extra 350 million a week.

You couldnt make it up; this is Britains Foreign Secretary. How much more harm can he do before his ego explodes?

Gill Barnes



Priti Patels removal from the Cabinet as International Development Secretary was doubtless necessary, and perhaps Michael Fallons too Defence Secretary. But there is something about Boris Johnsons complacency that makes him especially dangerous.

In his world, it seems it is fine to play fast and loose with the facts and that his actions do not have consequences. He needs to go before he does any more damage. Nothing about the man suggests he has learnt a smidgen from his blundering.

Steve Jackson



Cambridge is too cruel on students

Phoebe Luckhurst somewhat made light of Professor Eugene Terentjevs email to first-year science students at Cambridge University, where he claimed that, for a large fraction of students, their full brain capacity will not be quite enough to succeed [November 9].

I studied natural sciences at Professor Terentjevs Cambridge college. In my first term I went from a bright, confident comprehensive- school kid to feeling dim-witted and inadequate.

Arrogant academics sneered at most of us, and only the exceptionally bright were of much interest. That was 30 years ago, but it seems not much has changed.

If Oxbridge really wants to diversify its intake and get the best out of its students, this elitist, condescending and often cruel culture needs to change.

Cara Jenkinson



Parties must link to solve housing crisis

Housing is the single most important issue facing this country; it started with Margaret Thatchers foolish policy of selling off council housing and continued with the Tony Blair government.

The private sector cannot solve this problem, unless we resort to something as drastic as a Private Finance Initiative, which has also been a disaster.

In the Sixties, working-class people had little but they had a decent home. I disagree with certain comments made by others that there is a link between the current state of the housing market and Brexit. House prices are ridiculous and most people cannot afford them  action needs to be taken to build more houses.

Extra charges need to be applied to vacant homes, we need rent controls and to restrict houses to people who live and work in London.

How can we be comfortable with Middle East dictators and their families owning property in London?

It is time for change and a cross-party committee to come up with solutions to this pressing problem.

Patrick Lyne



Blood on UK hands in the Middle East

Few rational people would disagree with David Lindsay [Letters, November 9] over our role in the Saudi destruction in Yemen. But to understand UK foreign policy you need to examine the history of intervention and the continuing chaos in the Middle East.

We all know too well the pretext the UK used to invade Iraq. In Libya, the narrative was Arab Spring and human rights.

In Syria, similar messages were used and al Qaeda-linked militants armed by us were rebranded as moderates. And regarding Saudi Arabia, we support a state driven by religious ideology and regional domination.

Any sensible and open-minded person reflecting on all this would seriously wonder where the principles of democracy, human rights and freedom fit into our apparent willingness to contribute to promoting religious-inspired conflict abroad?

Kevin Smith

Join the conversation: #esnewsviews
N icola Mendelsohn is telling me about the most important piece of technology in her house  the old-fashioned alarm clock. It stops the Facebook boss, her Labour peer husband Jonathan and their four children (aged 12 to 20) from bringing their phones to bed.

Otherwise thats the excuse: my phones my alarm! the 46-year-old says. They do have phones and the kit  but were strict on screen time. We dont let them have phones by the beds. Every night we have a phone amnesty and everyone puts their phones at a charging station in the hall. Theres lots of data about it. I believe in limiting the time the kids spend on screens. Read a book! Kick a ball! Her youngest, Zac, isnt even on Facebook or Instagram. Were very clear on the rules that youve got to be 13 to join... Kids need boundaries. Theyve always needed boundaries.

Were sitting in Facebooks Euston Road office. Its home to all the trappings of tech: the free ice-cream bar; the rooms named in honour of The Lord of the Rings; the open-plan layout to eschew hierarchy (even CEO Mark Zuckerberg and COO Sheryl Sandberg dont have their own offices).

Although based here, Mendelsohn is only on a flying visit to London. As head of Europe, the Middle East and Africa, she is Facebooks most senior employee outside the US, and the most powerful woman in UK tech. Not that she acts like it. She is unstuffy (she once confessed her love for Idris Elba to me) and doesnt do jargon or showboating, though she is analytical (when you look at the data... is her most-uttered phrase). Dressed in lace-up, over-the-knee boots with a giant sparkly poppy on her black dress and a perfect blow-dry, she looks immaculate, but she once shared a photo of herself on a bad hair day to debunk the myth of perfection for other women.

She is from the Madeleine Albright school, believing women must help other women. Which is why shes so proud of She Means Business, a joint initiative with Facebook, the Federation of Small Businesses and the British Chambers of Commerce to encourage female entrepreneurship. Launched 18 months ago, it gave 10,000 women training to help them launch their own businesses. For Mendelsohn, this is a personal mission. Her parents owned a catering firm, her grandparents had a haberdashery business and before joining Facebook she ran the advertising company Karmarama.

New research by She Means Business found that women are held back by a lack of relatable role models, so the latest ambition is to work with 50,000 women next year across the country, focusing on mentorship.

Daniel Hambury/Stella Pictures L

Does Mendelsohn consider herself a role model? Theres a bashful smile. My daughter Gabi, whos 20, says I am. Thats what makes me the most proud. I was telling her how lucky I was that I had a mum who worked, and Gabi said, The same for me and my friends  we look at you and we learn. Mendelsohns eyes water. I was like Oh my god! It was really emotional.

The research found that womens confidence falls in their late 20s to mid 30s. Where my daughter is today, its seize the world, we can do anything but really quickly the world tells them you cant do this. Women look around and cant see anyone around like them doing it. We come into the workplace in equal numbers but filter out as you get more senior.

Men can help too, she stresses. We have a lot of training here about being the ally. Men can make a massive impact on this. Turning around and telling their wives and daughters you can do this is an enormous part of this. But so is being aware of your own biases and making sure you confront them. Theres a lot of research on that  if you look at CVs and take the gender out, the women get many more interviews.

Its also about cash. Only a tenth of the money invested in companies is invested in those led by women. Thats to do with role models too. If youre an investor, you can see lots of different examples of men who have done successful businesses  there are far fewer women.

Mendelsohn receiving her CBE in 2015 / AFP/Getty Images

Facebook offers unconscious bias training for staff  its voluntary but all of Mendelsohns managers signed up. She still feels theres a lot of work to be done, though. Is there enough diversity in tech? Definitely not. We publish our gender diversity report every year, because if you dont count, you cant address the problem. Our numbers are not good enough: 67 per cent of our workforce is male  its massively skewed because of the engineering side of the business, where we only have 17 per cent women. Theres a big pipeline issue in tech companies  role models are part of that.

Given the recent outpouring of sexual harassment stories in the news, I ask how big that problem is in tech. I think people are realising that workplace environments are not good enough, and how that makes people feel. And some horrific things have happened. I can only speak for Facebook, and I am proud to say that I havent seen any of this here.

Facebook keeps finding itself under scrutiny in many other ways, though  especially over the proliferation of fake news and its role in elections. A fake story that Donald Trump had been endorsed by Pope Francis went viral on the site. Does she think Facebook should accept any blame for Trumps victory?

She chooses her words carefully: The platform is a platform for people to have a voice  thats something were proud of. Both the Republicans and the Democrats use Facebook for their campaigns  Barack Obama was a very famous case study. You have lots of different issues that swirl together in this area. But ultimately, elections are about people and what their choices are. They look to different places for news  Facebook is just one of those places.

Inspiring British women on Instagram 1 /28 Inspiring British women on Instagram 1. Adwoa Aboah Model and founder of GURLS TALK @adwoaaboah "My story starts in London. I was born there. Ive spent most of my life there. It is my home. Instagram has helped me connect to girls all over the world, it has given me a platform to share my story, speak my truths and give other girls the opportunity to do the same." @adwoaaboah 2. Lucille Clerc Illustrator @lucille_clerc "My story reflects my experience as an illustrator between two cultures, being French and living in London. Its a door to my sketchbook, my personal research and techniques, and a way to raise attention on topics that matter to me." @lucille_clerc 3. Mabel McVey Musician @mabelmcvey "Strong female role models have always been very important to me and my story. When looking at a camera, it isnt about a man being on the other end, its about me. Its about feeling positive about myself and I want other young women to feel confident about themselves too." @mabelmcvey 4. Glacier Girl Activist @glacier996girl "My story is about raising awareness for climate change and adapting the aesthetic of eco-friendly to appeal to the iGeneration." @glacier996girl 5. Gill Button Artist @buttonfruit "Im a compulsive painter of faces. I seek to portray the confidence and power that people gain through self-adornment, but I always aim to show a hint of inner vulnerability. Instagram is the perfect environment to post my paintings and drawings. Its fantastic to get an instant reaction to new paintings Ive been working on, and it spurs me on to keep creating. The community of artists Im lucky enough to be part of is the most inspirational and supportive Ive known since leaving art college. It is also amazing that so many international clients find me on Instagram which has given my career a brand new lease of life." @buttonfruit 6. Iska Lawrence Model @iamiskra "My story is about showing the world that you can stand up for yourself when trolls or online bullies try and attack you and bring you down. Instagram has completely changed my life, opening up opportunities in my career and allowing me to find my voice. When I began posting honest and un-retouched photos on Instagram, I received hundreds and eventually thousands of supportive messages and comments. I felt more confident about my body and most importantly found a platform I could use to help others who struggle with body image and self-esteem." @iamiskra 7. Becky Jane Brown Vlogger and artist @BeckieJBrown "My story is that I battle depression and trichotillomania, where Im compelled to tear out all my hair. I strive to create more awareness for my disorder, whilst trying to bring hope to other sufferers around the world. I mainly use Instagram to document small but important moments from each day of my life, a combination of sad and uplifting experiences but all important regardless. My main focus is to show others that no matter what conditions or disorders we have, we can have normal lives and be happy." @BeckieJBrown 8. Nicky Baker Shepherdess @therunningshepherdess "My story is about a woman working in a predominantly male environment. I hope that it shows that although I may not be as physically strong as the men working on the farm, I am just as capable." @therunningshepherdess 9. Rachel Siegfried Flower farmer @gandgorgeousflowers "My story captures a life in flowers on our flower farm in Oxfordshire. I strive to show the changing seasons through palette of flowers and foliage that I grow which I use to inspire and create my floral designs. Instagram has helped me to champion British cut flowers and share how we sustainable grow them to produce naturally beautiful and stylish designs which reflect our gardens and landscape." @gandgorgeousflowers 10. Jools Walker Cyclist @ladyvelo "My stories is a narrative of my life on two wheels. Through my combination of positive images and words, I aim to redefine what the stereotype of cycling is and use my voice to encourage other women to do the same. Instagram has given me a platform to show diversity in cycling does exist. It allows me to reach other to other everyday women and inspire them to get out there and ride, smash stereotypes along the way and encourage them to share their stories." @ladyvelo 11. Carrie Anne Roberts Entrepreneur @mre.soeur "My story is about life as a single mother and small business owner. I believe in the power of sisterhood and the importance of sharing stories so I try to stay extremely candid with my posts, exposing the struggles and triumphs of motherhood and the early stages of a creative brand. Im passionate about forming real connections, celebrating women and throwing out waves of positivity and self-acceptance in order to build a sense of community." @mre.soeur 12. Olivia Bradbury Student @mathsbiochem "My story captures the changing attitudes towards teenage girls taking traditionally male-dominated subjects in school; showing them that subjects dont come with a gender." @mathsbiochem 13. Viviana Gomez Morales Skateboarder @ViviGomez12 "My story captures the strength and versatility of female skaters. In the world of skateboarding its common for a guy to say hes never seen a girl skateboarder. I hope that my photographs shine a light on the amazing ladies who are out there ripping the streets and encourage other women to get involved." @ViviGomez12 14. Sisters Uncut Activists @sistersuncut "Sisters Uncut is an intersectional feminist direct-action group that campaigns against cuts to domestic violence services in the UK. We often post photos of our actions on Instagram because its a way for us to share our demands amongst a wide audience. The further we can spread our message the more we can build a movement and reach people who might not have heard about us otherwise. Its important that we show our Sisters that we are fighting for and alongside them, and by capturing our actions and sharing them on Instagram people can connect with what we are doing online. There are many women and non-binary people on Instagram who inspire and encourage us." @sistersuncut 15. Munroe Bergdorf Activist and DJ @munroebergdorf "My story is one of self-empowerment and self-belief. Growing up, there werent any aspirational trans women of colour in the media I could relate to, so hopefully through documenting my achievements and experiences I can show younger trans girls and boys that their gender isnt something that should stand in the way of what they want to accomplish in life." @munroebergdorf 16. Helen Downie Artist @Unskilledworker "My story is about me waking up to painting at the age of 48 and committing and being disciplined to the action. I have learned more about myself through this process than in any other experience in my life. I post my work to Instagram and I consider it finished. At this point I am able to see the work outside of the environment it was created and in doing so, I gain a new perspective. Instagram has cut out the traditional gatekeepers which allows for my work to be seen by a wider audience." @Unskilledworker 17. Molly Gunn Entrepreneur @SelfishMother "My story is since 2011. The year I had my firstborn, Rafferty. The year I was a mixed-up new mum. The year I discovered sanity lay in my sense of self. The year my blogzine and brand Selfish Mother was born. Instagram is a window to Selfish Mother. A way to connect with our likeminded tribe." @SelfishMother 18. Dina Torika Designer and Vlogger @dinatokio "My story is all about inspiring women through style, in particular the Muslim modest dresser that loves expressing her individuality. Deconstructing the stereotype that the woman in a hijab is oppressed and reinventing what it means to be a British Muslim woman in todays society." @dinatokio 19. Davorka Andjelic Artist @tilly2milly "I use Instagram as a platform to connect with inspiring and creative people around the world. My main theme is paper dolls, which I make using magazines and newspapers. For me they represent a connection with raw emotion to which only children are privileged. They express my emotions of joy, sadness, hope and fear. Because of Instagram I started taking them on my travels and it is truly wonderful to find little corners of the world where they look at home." @tilly2milly 20. Jaz OHara Activist @theworldwidetribe "My story demonstrates how love and compassion come out on top. Despite the most difficult circumstances, humanity will prevail. My story took me on a journey from working in fashion in London, to living in a refugee camp in Calais, France after a post I wrote about my first visit there went viral. My story is about encouraging and inspiring responsibility and power within each of us to stand up for what we believe and create positive change." @theworldwidetribe 22. Amber Kirk-Ford Blogger @themilelongbookshelf "My story is about the importance of literature and how reading the right book can change your life. My aim is to show how fun and brilliant books can be and that theyre not boring, dusty tomes you might remember with dread from school." @themilelongbookshelf

Does she feel that Facebook is a publisher, though? No, she says firmly. Were a tech company.

The site has just announced that it will double the number of people working on brand safety  which includes fake news  from 10,000 to 20,000 people. Were going to invest in the tools too  the machine-learning and the AI. The desire is that you should never see anything that isnt what you want to see in your news feed  that is real, that is credible. Theres an area thats easy to sort out, around the types of companies that have financial incentive to spread false news  they get taken down. Thats really clear.

Last week, Facebooks former (and founding) president Sean Parker said that both Facebook and Instagram were designed to consume as much of users time as possible, which means they give you a dopamine hit when someone likes your photo or comments on a post. He termed it a social validation feedback loop... exploit[ing] a vulnerability in human psychology.

Does Mendelsohn share any of his concerns? I dont know Sean, but ultimately it comes down to this  everybodys Facebook is different. You choose the friends you want to be friends with, the brands you want to follow, the newspapers, the publishers. Every single one is different and every single one really is about the things that matter to you. So its almost a question back to people: if these are things that are important to people, then I think they do have a role in your life.

Are we addicted to getting likes though; if I post something, and no one likes it, do I still exist? I cant speak for you, she laughs. Well, I am not.

So whats next for Facebook? Instagram is very exciting  Instagram stories has 300 million people using it every single day. And then theres new work were doing around communities  we changed the mission a few months ago to giving people the power to build communities.

There have been rumours of a Mark Zuckerberg 2020 presidential run but Mendelsohn is dismissive. Hes been really clear that he has said no. Hes running Facebook  thats quite a big job.

Mendelsohn herself sits on the Mayor of Londons business advisory board. So would she ever consider a move into politics? She laughs so hard she struggles to answer. Thats a definite no.
H ackers have fooled the iPhone Xs Face ID security system with a 3D-printed mask.

Vietnamese security firm Bkav posted a video online showing the new Apple smartphone unlocking when presented with a fake face.

The team created the mask by printing a 3D facial frame, adding on a silicone nose and printed images of the owners eyes and mouth.

The mask is said to have cost just 115 to make.

Bkav hasnt released full details of how its mask works, with other tests involving life-like mask renderings proving unsuccessful.

It is quite hard to make the "correct" mask without certain knowledge of security, a Bkav blog post states. We were able to trick Apple's AI, because we understood how their AI worked and how to bypass it.

The 3D-printed mask that fooled iPhone X's Face ID / Bkav

The post adds: Potential targets [for Face ID hacking attempts] shall not be regular users, but billionaires, leaders of major corporations, nation leaders and agents like FBI need to understand the Face ID's issue.

In its keynote presentation introducing the iPhone X, Apple claimed that it had used masks in testing Face ID to make sure they could not fool the security software.

Apple iPhone X launch - In pictures 1 /26 Apple iPhone X launch - In pictures Apple iPhone X launch - In pictures Jeremy Selwyn Marco Pierre White Junior 3rd in the queue at the Apple iPhone X launch queue in Regent Street Jeremy Selwyn Apple iPhone X launch - In pictures Jeremy Selwyn Apple iPhone X launch - In pictures Jeremy Selwyn Marco Pierre White Junior 3rd in the queue the Apple iPhone X launch queue in Regent Street Jeremy Selwyn Apple iPhone X launch queue at Regent Street Jeremy Selwyn Melissa Klein and her dog Nemo at the Apple iPhone X launch queue in Regent Street Jeremy Selwyn Apple iPhone X launch queue at Regent Street Jeremy Selwyn Apple iPhone X launch queue at Regent Street Jeremy Selwyn Apple iPhone X launch queue at Regent Street Jeremy Selwyn Marco Pierre White Junior 3rd in the queue at the Apple iPhone X launch queue in Regent Street Jeremy Selwyn The first customer to the Apple Omotesando store holds a box containing his iPhone X as he poses to the media on November 3, 2017 in Tokyo, Japan Getty Images Employees welcome the first person to enter an Apple store during the launch of the new iPhone X at Dubai Mall in Duba EPA People look at iPhone X during its launch at the Apple store in Singapore Reuters Customers wait outside an Apple store during the launch of the new iPhone X at Dubai Mall in Dubai EPA Customers queue outside an Apple store during the launch of the new iPhone X at Dubai Mall in Duba EPA People queue overnight for the iPhone X launch outside the Apple store in Singapor Reuters People look at iPhone X during its launch at the Apple store in Singapore REUTERS First customers display their iPhone X sets at an Apple showroom in Sydney AFP/Getty Images Apple Store staff shout and whistle to encourage the queue of people on a street awaiting the worldwide release of the iPhone X to the general public at the Apple Store in Sydney, Australia EPA

Face ID replaces the fingerprint scanner on previous iPhone models. The iPhone X featured a depth sensor in the front-facing camera area, which allows the phone to take a 3D map of the users face.

It also has an infrared camera to make Face ID work in the dark.

Face ID is new to the iPhone X, which celebrates 10 years of Apples smartphone. Its the most expensive iPhone ever, costing 999.
T he idyllic fishing village of Positano, perched on the Amalfi coast, has to be one of the most Instagrammed places in the world, up there with the white-washed rooftops of Santorini, Greece, and the New York skyline.

But it appears that the town has cottoned on to its popularity. Michele De Lucia, Positano's mayor, told The Times that the town has introduced a photography fee of 1,000 (880, $1,160).

People wishing to take photos of the stunning backdrop for advertising or commercial purposes will be required to apply for the permit, while the cost for filming commercial videos will be 2,000.

Tourists and journalists can rest assured, though, as any photos or films taken for educational, journalistic, or private purposes are exempt from the fee.

Michele De Lucia, the town's Mayor said: Not everyone can be allowed to link their brand to Positano.

We are also doing it to control the territory, because improvised film sets were blocking the passage of pedestrians in the towns key arteries.

The news comes as other Italian towns are doing quite the opposite in order to attract more attention, not less.

Ultimate Instagram bucket list 1 /13 Ultimate Instagram bucket list Swing in the Sea, Maldives - 34 percent The Sail Hotel, Dubai - 32 percent The Colosseum, Italy - 31 percent The Blue Lagoon, Iceland - 28 percent Cliffside swimming pools, Santorini - 24 percent Niagara Falls, America - 20 percent Sydney Harbour Bridge, Australia - 19 percent Central Park, America - 19 percent The Northern Lights, Iceland - 17 percent The Eiffel Tower, France - 16 percent

In May, the mayor of Bormida, an Italian mountain village, introduced a bonus of 2,000 (1,700) to anyone willing to move there in an effort to boost its dwindling population of 394.

Daniele Galliano, mayor of the rural village in the mountainous Liguria region, posted an ad on Facebook seeking new inhabitants to the picturesque village.

The population of the village had shrunk in recent years as young people have left to find work in cities.
T wo victims of Arthur Collins nightclub acid attack called for tougher sentences for offenders as they revealed images of their horrific injuries.

Phoebe Georgiou, 23, and Lauren Trent, 22, were celebrating their birthdays when they were caught by the acid flung by Collins in Mangle E8, Dalston.

Both went through months of mental and physical rehabilitation therapy for their injuries after the attack on April 17.

Once active and outgoing, Miss Georgiou now confines herself to her family home in north London and suffers night terrors and anxiety in crowded places.

"It's not just physically scarring, it's mentally which is the hardest," she said.

Acid victim: Phoebe Georgiou suffered burns in the attack / PA

"Now I have a life sentence to deal with, with scars and mental injuries. And I have to see a therapist about twice a week because I'm dealing with such bad anxiety and panic attacks and sleep paralysis."

It comes as horrific images of their injuries were revealed after Collins was found guilty of the attack at Wood Green crown court on Monday.

He will be sentenced on December 19, after 16 people were injured in the horrifying incident earlier this year.

Injuries: Lauren Trent was a victim of the acid attack in the Mangle E8 nightclub / PA

Miss Georgiou said: "They didn't check my bag, they didn't search us, or my friend.

"They didn't scan IDs either, which I thought was a bit shocking."

Hours later, in the packed club, both women were preparing to leave when the acid was thrown.

A momentary action stopped each of them sustaining more damage, Miss Trent stooping to collect her bag, and Miss Georgiou climbing up a raised step.

"A drink doesn't just clear a dance floor like that," Miss Trent said.

Lauren Trent: The 22-year-old suffered first degree burns to her legs, feet, chest and neck. / PA

"As I bent down, it was like opening a Coke bottle - it made that sound, that hissing sound.

"As I went to the side I realised this wasn't just a drink. I grabbed my neck and skin was coming off straight away in my hands."

Miss Georgiou saw a "thick, steaming" liquid flying towards her, and a "toxic" smell in the air.

She said: "I stepped on the step and literally one second after I felt a big splash all over my chest and my arm.

"I looked up and I saw it flying in the air. It was a thick liquid, it was steaming. And then I smelt the smell.

CCTV shows the moment Arthur Collins throws acid in nightclub

"It was toxic. I couldn't breathe, I was choking - it was choking my complete breathing airways and I looked down and my top was sizzling through to my skin."

Between her arrival at Homerton Hospital in east London at 1.30am and her transfer to a specialist burns unit in Chelmsford, Essex, at 7am, Miss Georgiou was confined to a freezing cold shower in an effort to contain the burns.

"I saw my reflection in the shower hold, which was so shocking because my whole chest looked like it had been ripped apart and I could see the inside of my chest and my arm," she said.

Guilty: Arthur Collins / Metropolitan Police

"When I was transferred to Chelmsford, all the broken skin had to be scraped off. While I was doing that I was on Entonox (gas and air) for the pain, because it was indescribable.

"But I would take any pain to get better."

Miss Trent, original from Bournemouth, suffered first degree burns to her legs, feet, chest and neck.

Her friend, who was also caught in the attack, suffered facial burns and permanent scarring.

"I'm one of the lucky ones," Miss Trent said.

"The thing that's in the back of my mind is that if I hadn't have bent down to pick up my bag, that would have been my face."
A specialist in infectious diseases feared she had lost seven years of invaluable research on tackling Ebola after a prolific burglar raided her home as she treated ill children, a court heard.

Dr Felicity Fitzgerald was tending to a sick baby at North Middlesex hospital when she got news that her home had been broken into and ransacked.

Forced to leave her post midway through a shift, she then discovered that the thief  as well as rifling through her drawers and raiding her jewellery box  had stolen a laptop and back-up hard-drive containing her research on the recent Ebola outbreak.

Dr Fitzgerald flew out to Sierra Leone in 2014 to spend seven months helping tackle the spread of the virus, and has just finished her PhD on infectious diseases.

She told Blackfriars crown court the burglar could have stolen seven years of my life, as well as dealing a setback to research into treatments for children infected with Ebola. However, she was able to retrieve most of her work, which had been automatically stored online.

Describing the moment, on March 28, when she learned of the break-in at her 1.8 million home, she said: I was in the middle of seeing to a sick baby when I got a text from a neighbour saying it looked like I had been burgled and the police were on their way.

It felt like a punch in the stomach, I thought I was going to be sick. The court heard the burglar ransacked the house, stealing expensive jewellery with sentimental value. He even ate smoked salmon from the fridge.

I live by myself and the idea of someone breaking in and rifling through my belongings was a violation, said Dr Fitzgerald. My house was a happy, safe, and much-loved refuge where I would feel secure and in peace, but suddenly all that was polluted.

Michael Welsh, 51, a drug addict of no fixed address, was jailed for nine years and four months on Friday after admitting burgling Dr Fitzgeralds home, as well as 10 other properties across north London. He stole 20,000 of jewels from a home in Highgate, including a 13,500 platinum engagement ring, and ripped out a safe full of valuables during a raid in St Johns Wood.

Welsh, who had just been freed from prison and had 29 previous convictions dating as far back as 1978, also came face-to-face with two of his victims during the burglaries, including one man who woke to find the thief in his bedroom. Welsh also admitted stealing the takings during two break-ins at the Park Theatre in Finsbury Park.

Judge Rajeev Shetty dubbed him a one-man crime wave for the string of break-ins between March and July this year. Jailing him, he said: One victim, a doctor, lost not just her own laptop but also a back-up hard-drive and faced the possibility of losing years of medical research she was using to try to save lives. Thankfully that did not transpire.
T en thugs on five mopeds launched a mass raid on the Apple store in Regent Street early today snatching thousands of pounds worth of laptops and iPads.

The gang struck in the early hours driving a high powered scooter through the glass front doors of the store before storming inside.

Two security guards tried to intervene but there were threatened with hammers by the gang who were inside the premises for less than three minutes.

Police said they were first called at 12.42 am to reports of a robbery in Regent Street.

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO OF THE RAID IN PROGRESS

Witnesses said the gang posted look-outs outside as several of the group ran inside and snatched items on display stands before escaping on waiting mopeds.

The Regent Street apple store was targeted by a mob of moped thugs / Vantagenews.com

Early today forensic experts were examining the scooter left abandoned inside the glass doors of the store.

Detectives are examining CCTV images of the incident and appealed for witnesses today.

The raid comes as police are battling an epidemic of moped related thefts and raids across London.

This morning there was no sign of the raid and the store was open as usual.

One customer Hajra Ali, 37, from Ilford, said: Moped attacks have got really, really bad and Im not surprised this happened. I dont know what the Met is doing about it.

There have been loads of moped attacks in my area, they even use them for house break ins. They break into the front door, one goes inside to grab what they want and then they get out. There are always two of them on each moped.

There have been lots of acid attacks too, Ive heard really scary stories in our area.

Police said Apple phones, tablets and watches were taken in the raid. Two iPhone Xs were later recovered near Kings Cross.

Managers at the Apple store refused to comment today.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or anonymously on Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.
S cotland Yard launched a new campaign today urging people to give up their guns to keep them out of the hands of criminals.

Officers have urged members of the public to hand in any unwanted firearms, such as handguns, shotguns and antique weapons to "prevent them from falling into criminal hands".

The video, part of the Met's #GiveUpYourGuns campaign, comes following a 27 per cent hike in gun crime in the UK last year - with almost 50 per cent of offences recorded by the Metropolitan Police.

Launched to coincide with a national firearms surrender campaign, the Met's video targets gun crime among young people in the capital.

The video talks through reasons for carrying a firearm and challenges them / Metropolitan Police

The social media video tells the story of a young man who underestimates the risks of carrying a gun.

Captions throughout the video show the young man's reasons for buying the gun, such as "it's just one weapon for protection" and challenges them.

It warned that the gun could take lives and may make the carrier a potential target.

The hard-hitting clip ends by showing the consequences of carrying a weapon, as the gun appears to be used to kill another young man.

"Whatever your reasons for carrying a gun, it will never be worth the risk. Give it up," the video says.

The video talked about the risks of carrying a firearm / Metropolitan Police

Data from the National Office of Statistics showed over two-thirds of police forces recorded a rise in offences involving firearms from June 2016 to June 2017.

Met Police was the force with the largest increase.

This came after a 42 per cent surge in gun crime offences were reported in London from April 2016 to April 2017, in addition to a worrying rise in the number of guns being carried on London's streets.

Met Police commissioner Cressida Dick spoke of her "huge concern" about the rise in gun crime in April.

UK starts two-week firearms surrender appeal

Commander Jim Stokley, of the Mets Trident and Area Crime Command, said: We urge members of the public who may have any unwanted guns to hand them in to police to prevent them from falling into criminal hands.

The guns we see being used in shooting incidents in London are often converted, formerly legally-owned, firearms.

Others are acquired and distributed by criminal networks to threaten or harm their local communities.

We know that friends, family members and girlfriends of gang members are often asked to look after firearms to hide them from police, but saying its not my gun is not a defence.

"Illegal possession of a firearm can mean five years behind bars, and if you are found guilty of possession with intent to supply, that can lead to an even longer prison sentence.

Each firearm we retrieve helps to reduce the threat of gun crime in London.

Commander Jane Gyford, of City of London Police, said: The City of London Police take a zero tolerance approach to gun crime and also to those in possession of firearms even if they dont intend to use them.

I would encourage anyone who knows about, or owns, an illegal firearm, to surrender it at one of the designated police stations across the UK.

This can help keep dangerous weapons out of the wrong hands.

The surrender will run for two weeks from Monday, 13 to Sunday, 26 November. Those who would like to hand in a firearm or ammunition can check the opening times of their station in advance here.

The national firearms surrender is organised by the National Ballistics Intelligence Service.

If you know of anyone involved with illegal firearms call police on 101 or independent charity Crimestoppers (anonymously) on 0800 555 111.
A young man was shot repeatedly at close range through the window of his parked car in an execution-style attack, witnesses said today.

Khalid Farah, 26, was sitting in the Ford Focus outside an off-licence in Southall when a gunman walked up to the window and opened fire at 1.23am on Saturday.

His sister today paid tribute to a kind and gentle soul as relatives said they had no idea why he was targeted.

Police said the gunman was a passenger in a black SUV which pulled up alongside Mr Farahs car in front of the Superstore in Lady Margaret Road.

Mr Farah suffered a number of gunshot injuries and was taken to hospital but died a few hours later. Today his sister, who did not want to be named, said: He was a caring boy who loves his family. He was a gentle soul.

"Everyone who met him liked him and he had lots of friends. We dont know why he was attacked. We want justice.

She said Mr Farah, from East Acton, supported Chelsea. He had three brothers, one of them a twin. A local business owner said: There were two men in the car. The man with the gun was the passenger.

He got out and fired two shots at the young man before getting back in the car. Then the car sped away.

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Partridge, who is leading the murder investigation, said: The route taken away from the scene has been identified as along Lady Margaret Road towards the Ruislip Road and then along the Parkway heading towards the M4.

This route is always busy and it is possible that the manner and speed in which this vehicle was being driven shortly after 1.23am attracted the attention of other motorists. He appealed for any motorists with dash cameras, or anyone with possible phone footage of the vehicle, to contact police.

Members of the local Somali community met police officers last night to discuss the killing. Mohamed Ali, a Conservative council candidate in Acton, said: The community is devastated by what happened.

There have been no arrests. Anyone with information is asked to contact the incident room on 020 8358 0300 or via Twitter @MetCC.
B oris Johnson has apologised "for inadvertently causing her further anguish" to a British mother jailed in Iran after he incorrectly claimed she had gone to the country to train journalists.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was arrested last year on a visit to her parents and was handed a five-year sentence on allegations of spying and attempting to topple the Iranian regime.

Mr Johnson returned from Brussels to answer an urgent question on the case in the House of Commons, amid continuing concern that his suggestion to a parliamentary committee that Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe was training journalists in Iran has exposed her to the threat of the doubling of her five-year jail sentence.

Addressing MPs in the House, he apologised to the British mother for the incorrect remarks he made last week about her and admitted that his words could and should have been clearer.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and daughter Gabriella / AFP

He said: The British Government has no doubt that Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe was in Iran on holiday and that was the sole purpose of her visit.

As I said in the House last week, my remarks on the subject before the Foreign Affairs Select Committee could and should have been clearer.

I acknowledge that the words that I used were open to being misinterpreted and I apologise to Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe and her family if I have inadvertently caused them any further anguish.

The House should bear in mind that Irans regime and no-one else has chosen to separate this mother from her infant daughter for reasons even they find it difficult to explain or describe.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe with her husband Richard Ratcliffe and their daughter Gabriella / PA

Mr Johnson is to meet her husband on Wednesday to discuss the possibility of her being offered "diplomatic protection" as part of Government efforts to secure her return from Iran.

Downing Street confirmed that the Foreign Office is looking into the possible use of the status after Richard Ratcliffe spoke with the Foreign Secretary by phone at the weekend.

It is thought that legal advice will have to be taken before determining whether the status - which would raise Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe's plight from a consular case to a formal dispute between the two countries - is the best method for speeding her release.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe explainer

She was last week threatened with an extension to her jail term Mr Johnson had incorrectly claimed she had gone to the country to train journalists.

Her husband Mr Ratcliffe, who says his wife is on the verge of a nervous breakdown, has appealed to be allowed to join Mr Johnson on a trip to Iran planned by the end of the year, and to visit her in jail with the Foreign Secretary.

He also urged the Foreign Office to ensure that all ministers know that the Government position is that his wife was on holiday at the time of her arrest, after Environment Secretary Michael Gove said in a TV interview that he did not know what she was doing in Iran.

Mr Ratcliffe described diplomatic protection as the "crucial next step" in the campaign for his wife's release.

"It is important," he said. "There's a way in which the Government will stand up and protect her much more stridently if she is given diplomatic protection.

"It is something that is within the gift of the Government to do. She is a British citizen, so she is eligible. And it is something for them to decide whether they want to or not."

Mr Ratcliffe said it was important for the Government to make clear to Iran that holding British citizens, some of them for many years, was "not OK".

But he added: "I think it is hard. It is not for me to sit here and say 'It is really easy, they just need to make a phone call'.

"Because of course Boris Johnson has made phone calls before, Theresa May has made phone calls before - it wasn't magically solved.

"I think it is clearly a complicated situation off-stage and it requires lots of complicated negotiations.

"The fact that the Government is making it clear that this is a top priority makes it much more likely to be solved. That can only be a good thing.

"But hand on heart, I can't promise that it is just the neglect that has led to this situation. They have obviously been trying at some level, it is just now they need to try harder."


P ressure is mounting on Boris Johnson to quit as Foreign Secretary after he wrongly claimed that London woman Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe had been training journalists in Iran before she was jailed there.

Mrs Zaghari-Radcliffe's local MP, Labour's Tulip Siddiq, has joined a chorus of politicians calling for Mr Johnsons resignation after he made the blunder while speaking to a Commons committee earlier this month.

Ms Siddiq said he should step down if the Hampstead mother spends "even one more day" in an Iranian jail as a result of his blunder.

She joins Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, London mayor Sadiq Khan, shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry, Tory minister Anna Soubry and Labour MP Yvette Cooper in calling for Mr Johnson to quit.

The MP for Hampstead and Kilburn has been campaigning for the release of Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe since she was arrested at the airport in Tehran 18 months ago.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and daughter Gabriella / AFP

In September, the mother-of-one was jailed for five years on allegations of spying and attempting to topple the Iranian regime.

The 38-year-old had been visiting her parents to introduce them to her daughter, Gabriella.

Loading....

Earlier this month, she was summoned back to court and threatened with further charges after Mr Johnson mistakenly said that she had been training journalists at the time of her arrest.

Her husband, Richard Ratcliffe, 42, now says his wife is on the edge of a nervous breakdown amid health concerns after lumps were found in her breast.

Tulip Siddiq is calling for Boris Johnson's resignation / Daniel Hambury: Stella Pictures

Speaking on BBC Breakfast on Monday, Ms Siddiq called on the Foreign Secretary to "make amends" for his words.

"This issue isn't political point-scoring for me; this about getting an innocent mother home," she said.

"I've been campaigning on this for 18 months - if Boris Johnson is going to Iran then I have a few demands.

"The first is that he needs to take my constituent, Richard Ratcliffe, with him.

Loading....

"When he gets to Iran, I want him to meet Nazanin face to face. There's a history of British diplomats going to Iran, visiting the very prison that Nazanin is in and not getting to meet her."

She added: "If the Foreign Secretary goes to Iran, meets Nazanin, takes Richard and officially retracts the statement he's made then at least he's trying to make amends for what he said."

She said: "If my constituent spends even one more day in prison as a result of what the Foreign Secretary said then he should resign."

The couple's daughter, now three, had her British passport confiscated during her mother's arrest and has since been in the care of her grandparents in Iran.
P arliament will get a vote on the final Brexit deal before the country leaves the EU, David Davis has told MPs.

The Brexit Secretary said that once there is an agreement on the UK's exit, there will be a piece of primary legislation to enact it.

The final deal will be implemented via a government bill, meaning MPs will be able to vote on it, Mr Davis said on Monday.

Mr Davis announced a Withdrawal Agreement and Implementation Bill, which MPs will be able to amend, to cover areas such as citizens' rights, the so-called divorce bill and a transition period.

He said the new legislation will provide "certainty and clarity" as Britain leaves the EU.

David Davis: The Brexit Secretary's comments came as Theresa May was to hold a meeting with European business leaders / Getty Images

Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Davis said: "It's clear that we need to take further steps to provide clarity and certainty both in the negotiations and at home, regarding the implementation of any agreement into United Kingdom law.

"I can now confirm that once we have reached an agreement we will bring forward a specific piece of primary legislation to implement the agreement."

He added: "This confirms that the major policy set out in the withdrawal agreement will be directly implemented into UK law by primary legislation, not by secondary legislation with the Withdrawal Bill.

David Davis: Now time for both sides to seek Brexit solutions

"This also means that Parliament will be given time to debate, scrutinise and vote on the final agreement we strike with the European Union.

"This agreement will only hold if Parliament approves it."

The move was seen as an attempted concession to Tory rebels ahead of votes this week on the separate EU (Withdrawal) Bill, also known as the repeal bill, with the Government facing potential defeat on plans to guarantee MPs a "meaningful vote" on the deal.

But it triggered an immediate backlash from potential Tory rebels.

Heidi Allen said Mr Davis's attempt at a concession was "pointless" as the Government is trying to amend the Withdrawal Bill to say Britain's membership of the EU will formally end at 11pm on March 29, 2019.

Reacting to the Brexit Secretary's announcement, Ms Allen, Conservative MP for South Cambridgeshire, tweeted: "Pointless if we have enshrined a drop dead date in the Bill, & get a deal at 11th hour! There'd be no time!

"And also offers no safeguard if no deal is reached. Unacceptable."

Antoinette Sandbach said: "The announcement is meaningless if, for any reason, the timetable slips beyond March 2019."

Shadow Brexit Secretary Kier Starmer described today's announcement as a "significant climbdown".

He said: "This is a significant climbdown from a weak Government on the verge of defeat.

"For months, Labour has been calling on ministers to guarantee Parliament a final say on the withdrawal agreement.

"With less than 24 hours before they had to defend their flawed Bill to Parliament, they have finally backed down.

"However, like everything with this Government, the devil will be in the detail.

"Ministers must now go further. They need to accept Labour's amendments that would ensure transitional arrangements, and protect jobs and the economy from a cliff edge."

Mr Davis confirmed in an answer to Tory former cabinet minister Owen Paterson that Britain will leave the EU on March 29 2019 with no deal if MPs vote down the new piece of legislation.
A Tory politician has accused Kensington's Labour MP of writing a "racist" article labelling him a "token ghetto boy" before she entered Parliament.

Emma Dent Coad criticised Shaun Bailey, a former advisor to David Cameron who contested the Hammersmith constituency in 2010, in a blog post that year.

In the online article, posted when she was a local councillor, she quoted former neighbours describing him as a free-loading scumbag and the most hated man in North Kensington.

She hit out at the Tory candidate, who is now a London Assembly Member, for allegedly describing North Kensington where he grew up as a ghetto.

Describing Mr Baileys former position as an aide to Mr Cameron, the Labour politician wrote that he was a token ghetto boy, adding: who can say where this man will ever fit in, however hard he tries?

In a statement on Monday, Mr Bailey called on Ms Dent to apologise for the hate-filled, racist article.

A spokeswoman for Ms Dent Coad said it was "clear" from the blog post she was "quoting Bailey's own comments about parts of the borough, plus those of his Conservative colleagues on Kensington and Chelsea Council."

David Cameron walks with Shaun Bailey, the then Conservative party candidate for Hammersmith, in west London in 2010 / Getty Images

But Mr Bailey said: I am shocked and saddened by the hate-filled, racist article written by Labour MP Emma Dent Coad which has surfaced this afternoon.

During my time in politics I have dealt with prejudice and attacks from hard-line groups, including the BNP, but not once have I been labelled a token ghetto boy.

He added that she should be ashamed of her use of language in the April 2010 blog post.

He continued: As someone who was born into a poor family in Ladbroke Grove, I am proud of my charity work helping deprived community groups in the area Ms Dent Coad, who has a long history of public intimidation, now represents.

He also said that the Labour Party should consider her position.

It comes after she sparked anger by taking a swipe at the Prince Harry, and for also claiming Prince Philip had been unfaithful to the Queen.
A nxious business leaders from every major European country today piled pressure on Theresa May to prevent Britain crashing out of the EU without a trade deal.

The Prime Minister was warned that thousands of jobs could be lost if she fails to pull off an agreement at a vital EU summit next month.

Fifteen business groups were attending the No 10 talks, including Britains own CBI and Institute of Directors, plus Medef of France, Germanys BDI, Confindustria of Italy, Spains CEOE and VNO-NCW of the Netherlands.

The appeal from firms comes after it was revealed that pro-Brexit Cabinet ministers Boris Johnson and Michael Gove sent Mrs May a letter demanding that the Government make more preparations for a no-deal exit.

British business warned Mrs May that drastic contingency plans to shift some staff abroad had been drafted by a quarter of firms.

One in 10 firms were already considering how to implement them in case there is no assurance of a transition period before the end of March.

Edwin Morgan, head of policy at the Institute of Directors, told the Standard: They have really got to move on to talking about that and getting it agreed quickly so that business do not have to trigger drastic contingency plans.

Bernard Spitz, the head of Frances Medef, said every country would lose out if Britain crashed out and destroyed the integrity of the European market. What we expect today is to hear some progress on the British side to let the negotiations start in January, he told Radio 4s Today programme.

Downing Street said todays meeting would discuss shared opportunities for industry as the UK prepares to leave the EU. Mrs May planned to set out her vision of a bold and deep economic partnership including a bespoke trade deal.

But firms want her to increase her 20 billion cash offer to the EU.

The EUs chief negotiator Michel Barnier last week set a two-week deadline for the UK to make concessions, including on EU citizens rights and the Northern Ireland border, in order for trade talks to be allowed.

CBI director general Carolyn Fairbairn told Today: This is an important meeting because the urgency that is shared by businesses across Europe is growing by the day. The big message today is around mutual interest.

The International Monetary Fund today warned of a negative impact on British growth from Brexit.

The Washington-based organisation said Europes single-currency countries were set for a boom while Britains prospects were less certain.

If the United Kingdom leaves the European Union without an agreement, there will be a notable increase in trade barriers, potentially accompanied by disruption of services in various sectors, with significant negative impact on economic activity.

Labour put down amendments to the Withdrawal Bill to keep open the option of staying in the single market. Shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer said: No deal is a very, very bad outcome.
R ichard Ratcliffe has spoken of the memories that got his wife through solitary confinement in an Iranian prison.

Speaking from his family home, Mr Ratcliffe said that the memory of his wife Nazanin sitting on the sofa at home with a cup of tea while he played with their daughter is what helped her get through eight months in solitary confinement.

He said that he does not focus on that particular moment but that when he thinks about what it would be like to have them back he imagines having them home and having the toys all moved around again, tidying them up and treading on Lego - all those kind of things that are just the bustle of normal life, rather than an empty house that is staying in the same way it was."

In April 2016 Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe, 38, was arrested when trying to leave Tehran with her young daughter Gabriella.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe with her husband Richard Ratcliffe and their daughter Gabriella / PA

She was accused of plotting to topple the regime and sentenced to five years in prison. She denies all the charges.

Currently she has spent 20 months in prison, while her daughter stays with her Grandparents in Tehran.

Mr Ratcliffe described his current way of life as temporary living and that he is keeping the house the same as he thinks it is important for his wife and child to return to familiar surroundings.

The family home in West Hampstead remains almost untouched from how it was when his wife and daughter were last in it, he added.

He spoke about the strain the time away has had on his relationship with his daughter, who he communicates with over Skype.

"Inevitably as her English faded and she learnt Farsi, our relationship has been restrained," he said.

Mr Ratcliffe also spoke of the toll the time in prison has taken on his wife whom he speaks to over the phone.

He described how his wife has admitted to him a number of times that she is on the brink of a nervous breakdown.

He said that her first few weeks in prison were the hardest for his her and that she still will not talk about it.

The family had hoped that she would be home by Christmas and that they chose the date because it is something to look forward to, it is such a nice time having the family together and of course she is eligible for early release around there, (plus) it is her birthday as well."

The campaign for Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffes release has gained a lot of attention in recent weeks after Boris Johnson falsely claimed that she had been in Iran training journalists.

Campaigners say that Mr Johnson's mistake could lead to Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe facing an increased prison sentence.

Mr Johnson has since apologised for his remarks and he said that he will go out to Iran before the end of the year.

Mr Ratcliffe said: "Now when I get on the train, people recognise me and wish me well. That is really important to me, it really matters.

"Now we are in a different place, yes, it is really stressful for me, it is very stressful for Nazanin, but hopefully it will lead us to a happy conclusion."
B illionaire Bill Gates has revealed what he would do if he lost all his money.

Writing in a blog called Gates Notes, the co-founder of the Microsoft Corporation revealed that if he had to live on $2 a day, he would raise chickens.

Mr Gates explained that he came to this decision after meeting people from some of the worlds poorest countries.

He noted that for people living in severe poverty, their lives were improved by owning chickens.

He wrote: Through my work with the foundation, Ive met many people in poor countries who raise chickens, and I have learned a lot about the ins and outs of owning these birds.

Mr Gates told the the reader that chickens were a financially sound investment as the animals reproduce quickly and can be sold for $5 in West Africa.

Alongside being a good investment, Mr Gates said that chickens and their eggs are a good source of nutrition.

He also mentioned that owning chickens can empower women as chickens usually stay close to home and are classed as a womans animal, compared to goats and cows.

He said that women who raised and sold chickens often reinvested the money they made into their families.

Mr Gates foundation, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, in association with the Heifer International Charity, donates livestock to some of the worlds poorest regions.

He said that chickens were a huge factor in the foundation achieving its goals in Africa.

Mr Gates said: Our foundation is betting on chickens. Alongside partners throughout sub-Saharan Africa, we are working to create sustainable market systems for poultry.

"Its especially important for these systems to make sure farmers can buy birds that have been properly vaccinated and are well suited to the local growing conditions.

"Our goal: to eventually help 30 percent of the rural families in sub-Saharan Africa raise improved breeds of vaccinated chickens, up from just 5 percent now."
D onald Trump is no stranger to a power handshake with a world leader but he came unstuck when he tried a slightly more complicated greeting.

Mr Trump was in the Philippines for the opening ceremony today of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) conference hosted by the countrys president Rodrigo Duterte.

Leaders gathered in capital Manila for the traditional Auld Lang Syne-style ASEAN handshake.

The announcers instructions briefly baffled Mr Trump, who at first simply crossed his hands.

Get a grip: Donald Trump at the opening ceremony of the ASEAN conference in Manila / Reuters

He then turned to those flanking him, Mr Duterte and Vietnams prime minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, and extended his arms outward, to find that was wrong as well.

Finally he laughed, crossed his arms and reached to the correct sides.

Struggle: Mr Trump with Vietnam premier Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Rodrigo Duterte / AP

Previously Mr Trump has waged handshake battles with French president Emmanuel Macron, Japans prime minister Shinzo Abe and Canadian premier Justin Trudeau.

At an earlier gala, Mr Duterte  who has faced criticism for the deaths of thousands of people in an anti-drug crackdown  crooned a love song in a duet with local pop star Pilita Corrales. He later explained he did it on the orders of the US president.
A draft bill has emerged in Australia that permits same-sex marriage but could legally allow wedding vendors to deny their services to gay couples.

The bill comes as Australia comes closer to a result in its same-sex marriage postal survey. If the "yes" vote wins, it will be down to parliament to create a bill that allows same-sex marriage.

Politicians will fight it out over which exemptions to include in the bill.

A draft bill written by Liberal Senator James Paterson published on Monday would give a number of wedding service providers the right to turn away gay couples. This includes florists, bakers and hotels.

On top of this, the draft bill would include a clause that enables government officials to refuse to register same-sex marriages on the state registry.

The bill will also protect individuals who do not believe in same-sex marriage.

It will do so by stating the individuals right to hold, act and express these beliefs overrides any state or territory laws in place to prevent discrimination against LGBTI people.

Mr Patersons draft bill was written in response to another bill by Liberal Senator Dean Smith.

Mr Smiths bill has gained the support of Labour and The Equality Campaign. His bill has a much narrower set of exemptions designed to protect marriage celebrants and religious organisations.

Speaking to Buzzfeed, Mr Paterson said: I suspect 30-40 per cent of Australian will vote no [in the survey]. I don't think their votes should mean we shouldn't have same-sex marriage, but I do think that their freedoms should be protected and I think my bill is a bill that best does that."

Alex Greenwich, co-chair of Australian Marriage Equality, has said that Mr Patersons bill would divide Australians.

He said: Australians have been voting not to entrench discrimination in legislation," he said. "That is what senator Paterson's bill seeks to do.

"Are we going back to a time in Australia where there were signs outside a shop saying who they would serve and who they wouldn't?"
A transcript detailing an initiation ceremony into the Mafia in Canada has been released by the FBI.

An undercover police agent was inducted into the Bonanno crime family, one of New York's five crime organisations, as part of an organised crime probe into drugs, guns and money.

In November 2015, Damiano Zummo, a mobster from the Bonanno crime family, travelled to Canada to conduct an initiation ceremony of a new member, according to court papers filed after his arrest, The Times reported.

But the recruit was an undercover agent sponsored by police from the US and Canada to record video and audio of the ceremony.

The reason why were here is from this day forward, youre gonna be an official member of the Bonanno family, Mr Zummo said, according to the papers.

He said: From this guy, this guy, this guy, everybody approved it, so from this day forward, youre a member of the Bonanno family. Congratulations.

You only answer to the Bonanno family, added the 44-year-old, who was arrested on various charges, including drug dealing, weapons possession, and money laundering.

The transcript does not detail other elements that take place in the traditional Mafia ceremony, which usually includes a blood oath and the burning of a picture of a Catholic saint.

Bridget Rohde, acting US lawyer in Brooklyn, said: The recording of a secret induction ceremony is an extraordinary achievement for law enforcement and deals a significant blow to La Cosa Nostra.

The investigation led to the arrest of 13 alleged mob figures from the Bonanno, Gambino and Todaro crime families in both the US and Canada. Mr Zummo faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
B oris Johnson is to make a fresh push for British diplomats to visit London mother Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe in prison.

The Foreign Secretary has received an application from her husband Richard Ratcliffe for diplomatic protection in a bid to give her more support.

Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe, from Hampstead, has not been visited by anyone from the UK since she was jailed at Irans Evin prison 19 months ago. Mr Ratcliffe says his wife is falling apart in jail and her health is deteriorating.

He did not call for Mr Johnson to resign and is hoping to visit Iran with the Foreign Secretary before Christmas.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and daughter Gabriella / AFP

After a phone call between Mr Johnson and Mr Ratcliffe at the weekend, it emerged that diplomatic protection  which would give her more legal rights  is an option that will be explored by the Foreign Secretary.

Mr Ratcliffe said: The battle for me is to ask the Government to acknowledge responsibility for Nazanins protection and thats why diplomatic protection is important.

The most important thing is that the embassy can visit her in person. Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe is currently entitled to consular assistance, which covers missing travel documents and support if injured or ill.

Unsure: Gove appeared to leave doubt over the actions of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe after saying he did not know why she was in Iran at the time of her arrest / PA

However, her dual British-Iranian citizenship is not acknowledged in Iran, which means her rights as a British citizen have been ignored.

Mr Ratcliffe said: My understanding is that the UK Government could decide that she meets the criteria of diplomatic protection. That she is British, shes been punished because she is British and theres clear evidence that there has been violation of her rights. I suggested it. Mr Johnson said he would take it into consideration.

Theresa May today faced fresh calls to sack Mr Johnson, who mistakenly told the Foreign Affairs Committee on November 1 that Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe had been training journalists in Iran.

Boris Johnson: Comments he made were reportedly being used in Tehran as a justification to extend the jail sentence imposed on a Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe / PA

Patience Wheatcroft, the Conservative peer, told BBC: She should certainly dismiss Boris... because as the Foreign Secretary he is proving to be a liability.

"Boris has many good qualities. I find him great company, he is hugely entertaining. He is very clever in many ways. But he has slipped up once too often and to endanger the future of a British citizen in the way that he has is just untenable  he has to go.

Baroness Wheatcroft also criticised Michael Gove, the Environment Secretary, who yesterday told the Andrew Marr Show that he did not know what Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe was doing in Iran when she was arrested. The peer said this remark was equally appalling.

An ex-Foreign Office minister, Mark Malloch-Brown, cast further doubt on Mr Johnsons future. He said: He is a rumbustious round peg in a very square Foreign Office hole.

Lord Malloch-Brown said the Foreign Office would make sure ministers were intimately briefed on sensitive consular cases.

Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe was arrested by Irans Revolutionary Guard at the end of a family holiday in April 2016.

She was charged with trying to topple the regime, which she denies, and sentenced to five years. There are fears Mr Johnsons gaffe could lead to an extension of her term.
A group of incredibly brave women at a hell-hole prison in Iran are keeping up the spirits of London mother Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe who has been behind bars for over a year.

Her husband said today a famous human rights activist and lawyer, Narges Mohammadi, and other political prisoners of the harsh Iranian regime were offering their support to his wife while she is locked up inside notorious Evin jail.

Ms Zagari-Ratcliffe has formed a strong bond with some 20 women who are incarcerated on the Womens Wing of the notorious jail, whose record of torture and beatings has been condemned by international campaigners.

But it is his wifes precious friendship with Narges that has proved a biggest source of hope throughout her ordeal, her husband Richard Ratcliffe disclosed to the Evening Standard.

Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe has suffered severe physical and mental trauma since being arrested as she tried to leave Tehran last year with her daughter Gabriella following a holiday.

Boris Johnson wrongly said Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe was training journalists, in a major diplomatic blunder / PA

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson told a Commons committee earlier this month that Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe was "training journalists" in Iran at the time of her arrest last year. His comments were used in Tehran to justify threats to extend her jail term.

The women offering aid to Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe are both mothers who have been torn apart from their children. The Ratcliffes daughter Gabriella, three, is living with her grandparents in Tehran after Ms Zagari-Ratcliffe was jailed on propaganda charges in April 2016.

Mr Ratcliffe said: A few of [the women] have been there for a very long time and make sure that everyone is kept busy.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe is being given the support of other inmates in the notorious Evin jail / PA

The easiest thing to do is to lie on your mattress feeling sorry for yourself. They sat her down and said why dont you teach English to the other prisoners. So she does that once a week.

Its a way that everybody can contribute. They have a cleaning rota, they do craft work. This is experienced women saying we will be strong and stand up for yourselves.

I am thankful for all they have done for Nazanin to remind her of the kindness in Iranian culture, and the hope to survive.

Loading....

Ms Mohammadi has spent the last 15 years in and out of prison. She is a long-standing campaigner against the death penalty and has received many international human rights awards. Her twin son and daughter are now living in Paris with their father.

She was the person who wrote to the Iranian judiciary to specially ask for Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe to be brought out of solitary confinement and onto the Womens Wing instead.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe explainer

Mr Ratcliffe said: They are looking out for each other. When its [our daughter] Gabriellas birthday they made her a bag. Another made her a wooden elephant. They are kind and care for each others children. Theres the solidarity that they are all together.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe with her husband Richard Ratcliffe, who has begged the Government to intervene and help her / PA

Narges is the one she would first turn to ask whats going on. She used to work for a human rights organisation and she understands the law.

Ms Zagari-Ratcliffe, 38, shares a room with 20 women, who sleep on bunkbeds. Some of those behind bars are allegedly Irans most outspoken critics of the regime.

Her fellow inmates also include Afarin Niasari, a gallery owner in Tehran, who alongside her American-Iranian husband has been charged for organizing mixed-gender parties for foreign diplomats and their Iranian associates and serving alcohol at their home.

Other women to spend time in Elvins political wing include Roxana Saberi, an Iranian-American journalist arrested in 2009 for reporting without press credentials. Iranian-Canadian journalist Maziar Bahari, was imprisoned for 118 days whilst covering the 2009 presidential election. Mahboudeh Abbasgholizadeh, an Iranian womens rights activist and campaigner against stoning punishments, spent a month in the jail.

Marina Nemat, who was imprisoned and tortured at Evin between 1982 and 1984, said: In the Womens Wing I saw my classmates. It was horrendously crowded so I would run into people I knew.

The student activist had been rounded up alongside other school friends and charged with being an enemy of God.

Now in her 50s and living in Canada, Ms Nemat said: I made a lot of friends. We became very close we did everything together and supported each other and gave each other emotional support. You relied on each other.

When people ask me how I survived, I always say it was because of my cellmates.

Michael Gove found himself facing criticism today for supporting Boris Johnson over the Foreign Secretary's remarks about Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe.

Anna Soubry told BBC Radio 4's Westminster Hour: "It's just bizarre to try and stand up for what Boris has done. It's not a question that Boris has said something that could be wrongly interpreted. He was very clear in what he said and he was wrong.

"This woman is wholly innocent. She's done nothing wrong. She's been falsely imprisoned.

"The fault, of course, is with the Iranians, but the primary duty of all government is to protect its citizens and keep us safe, especially your Foreign Secretary."
T hree US Navy warships have put on a joint show of strength off the Korean Peninsula, sending a powerful message to rogue dictator Kim Jong-un to halt his regimes nuclear missiles programme.

The USS Ronald Reagan, USS Theodore Roosevelt and USS Nimitz and their multi-ship strike groups are participating in the four days of exercises expected to end tomorrow.

It is the first time three of the 100,000-tonne aircraft carriers have sailed together in more than a decade.

According to President Donald Trump, an American nuclear submarine has also been dispatched to the region.

The exercise is seen as more than sabre-rattling by Washington. Mr Trump is said to have ordered the drills to impress North Korean leader Mr Kim that he will not be intimidated by Pyongyangs continued nuclear and ballistic missile testing.

After arriving in South Korea on the first leg of his Asia tour last week, the US president ratcheted up his criticism of the rogue regime, stating we hope to God we never have to use Americas military arsenal against the North.

The three-ship flotilla arrived in the Western Pacific as Mr Trump went to war on Twitter with the North Korean leader after a statement issued by the Pyongyang government referred to him as an old lunatic.

Why would Kim Jong Un insult me by calling me old, when I would NEVER call him short and fat?, Mr Trump tweeted.

I try so hard to be his friend, added the president, who has branded Kim as the little rocket man in the past.

The USS Ronald Reagan, USS Theodore Roosevelt and USS Nimitz Strike Groups are underway and conducting operations in international waters as part of a three-carrier strike force exercise / EPA

North Korean officials reportedly believe that by ramping up the US presence in the Korean Peninsula, the Trump administration could ignite another Korean war.

Pyongyang also accused the US and its allies, including Japan, of trying to escalate the military tension and increase arms race in the region with each passing day.

The state-run Korean Central News Agency said the arrival of the three carriers was part of Washingtons sinister intention to maintain military hegemony in the region.

The USS Theodore Roosevelt and USS Nimitz Strike Groups and ships from the South Korean Navy at sea in the Western Pacific / EPA

Admiral Scott Swift, the commander of the US Pacific Fleet, said: Multiple carrier strike force operations are very complex, and this exercise in the Western Pacific is a strong testament to the US Pacific Fleets unique ability and ironclad commitment to the continued security and stability of the region.

The US carriers held drills on either side of the waters separating the Korean Peninsula and Japan.

Each carrier holds more than 60 aircraft, including F/A-18 fighter jets, airbourne early warning and control aircraft and helicopters for anti-submarine warfare.

The ships accompanying the carriers includes destroyers and cruisers equipped with the Aegis system as well as Tomahawk cruise missiles.

The last time three US aircraft carrier strike groups worked together in the Western Pacific was off the US island of Guam in 2007, according to a Navy statement.
D aisy Ridley says advice from Carrie Fisher helped her cope with the pressure and sudden celebrity of appearing in Star Wars.

The actress, 25, made her breakthrough in 2015s The Force Awakens alongside fellow Londoner John Boyega.

She returns as heroine Rey in The Last Jedi, which is released next month, but will have fewer scenes this time with Boyegas character, Finn.

She told Elle magazine how they supported each other on their blockbuster debut  and about her doubts over her own performance in the first film.

Journey: Daisy Ridley in her shoot for Elle magazine / Liz Collins/ELLE UK

She said: Its not this big adventure that Im on with John [unlike in the first movie].

I was thinking I did the first one because I didnt really know what I was getting myself into and I was having loads of fun, and suddenly [with the second] Im realising what this actually is, and I cant f****** do this.

Im highly dramatic  so its all, Oh my God. Finally I was like, Oh yeah, this is working.

Daisy Ridley explains why she has quit Instagram

She added: I didnt think I was good in the first film, and I was struggling with that.

Ridley worked with Fisher on the two films, and revealed that the late actress  who came to fame in the franchise in the Seventies as Princess Leia  told her not to shrink away from success but to enjoy it.

She said: And that was wonderful. At work, youre normal, youre not the anomaly, unlike in other situation

Read the full interview in the December issue of Elle UK, on sale tomorrow.
P iers Morgan nearly swore on Good Morning Britain after he failed to spot a grammatical error on his Christmas album.

The pedantic presenter, who is normally a stickler for grammar, unveiled the mocked up artwork and track list for the festive album which features the singles I'll Be Home For Piersmas and O Come All Ye Morgan.

Morgan said he was really impressed with the product  but his delight was short lived after co-host Susanna Reid pointed out a glaring error.

The album title was missing a possessive apostrophe in Morgans name.

Embarrassing: Piers Morgan with his Christmas album / S Meddle/ITV/Rex

Reid asked: Do you think I could just point out something thats going to get your blood boiling?

Theres a missing apostrophe.

Morgan  who frequently calls out Twitter users on poor grammar  snatched the album out of her hands, shouting: What? Oh for f-.

Clearly revelling in his error, Reid continued: Morgans Merry Christmas should be possessive.

This would have passed me by but if you follow Piers on Twitter, you will know that possessive apostrophes are his thing.

Viewers were quick to mock the blooper, with one tweeting: And without the apostrophe!!! @piersmorgan I am disappointed by this poor editing.

Another posted: @piersmorgan oh ffs, missing apostrophe!

Others joked they were looking forward to track four, titled Silent Piers, and asked if there will be an extended version.

Morgan threatened the nation with a Christmas album after Nick Knowles, Bradley Walsh and Jason Manford tried their hands at a musical career.

National Television Awards 2017 1 /48 National Television Awards 2017 Holly Willoughby Anthony Harvey/Getty Keith Lemon and Paddy McGuinness Ian West/PA Mark Wright and Michelle Keegan Anthony Harvey/Getty Katie Price Dave Benett Helen Skelton Dave Benett Myleene Klass Dave Benett Katie Piper Dave Benett Susanna Reid Dave Benett Keith Lemon and Paddy McGuinness Ian West/PA Emma Willis Anthony Harvey/Getty Mark Wright and Michelle Keegan Ian West/PA Fearne Cotton Ian West/PA Scarlett Moffatt and Caroline Flack Getty Images Faye Brookes and Gareth Gates Ian West/PA Mary Berry Anthony Harvey/Getty Alesha Dixon Anthony Harvey/Getty Piers Morgan Dave Benett Sir Tom Jones Dave Benett Aidan Turner Anthony Harvey/Getty Loose Women Ian West/PA Scarlett Moffatt Dave Benett Rochelle and Marvin Humes Anthony Harvey/Getty Tess Daly and Vernon Kay Ian West/PA Casey Batchelor Dave Benett Megan McKenna and Pete Wicks Ian West/PA Ola Jordan Ian West/PA Sarah-Jane Crawford Ian West/PA Honey G Anthony Harvey/Getty Images Martin Kemp Ian West/PA Wayne Bridge Dave Benett Danny Baker Dave Benett Larry Lamb and Jordan Banjo Matt Crossick/PA Bradley Walsh and Mark Labbett Anthony Harvey/Getty Jorgie Porter Ian West/PA Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes Ian West/PA James Arthur Anthony Harvey/Getty

Good Morning Britain is on ITV, weekdays at 6am.
Countries & Areas

Search for country or area A Afghanistan Albania Algeria Andorra Angola Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Australia Austria Azerbaijan B Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bhutan Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Brazil Brunei Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burma Burundi C Cabo Verde Cambodia Cameroon Canada Central African Republic Chad Chile China Colombia Comoros Costa Rica Cote dIvoire Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czechia D Democratic Republic of the Congo Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic E Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Eswatini Ethiopia F Fiji Finland France G Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Greece Grenada Guatemala Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana H Haiti Holy See Honduras Hungary I Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Israel Italy J Jamaica Japan Jordan K Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Kosovo Kuwait Kyrgyzstan L Laos Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg M Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Mauritania Mauritius Mexico Micronesia Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Morocco Mozambique N Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria North Korea North Macedonia Norway O Oman P Pakistan Palau Palestinian Territories Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Poland Portugal Q Qatar R Republic of the Congo Romania Russia Rwanda S Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Korea South Sudan Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Sweden Switzerland Syria T Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand Timor-Leste Togo Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Tuvalu U Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom Uruguay Uzbekistan V Vanuatu Venezuela Vietnam Y Yemen Z Zambia Zimbabwe
This page may have been moved, deleted, or is otherwise unavailable. To help you find what you are looking for:

Enter Search Term(s):

Still cant find what youre looking for? Send us a message using our contact us form. To report a broken link or other problems with the website, please include the URL.

Thank you for visiting state.gov.
So far this year al Shabaab carried out about 40 major bomb attacks in Mogadishu, often using a vehicle. These attacks have killed nearly 900 people, most of them civilians. Most of these dead occurred during the October 14 th attack, the largest death toll in Somali history. While most Somalis oppose al Shabaab and other Islamic terrorists the region has been subject to outbreaks of fanatic violence like this for centuries. The worst of it tends to come from Somalia.

Naturally because of this relations between Somalis and their neighbors have never been good and they got worse when Britain decided to leave in the 1960s and allow the Somalis, united for the first time ever, to sort things out for themselves. That has not gone well and there are two proposed solutions to the problem.

The UN and foreign aid groups urge peaceful means to bring peace to Somalia. But this has not worked after more than two decades of effort. The world is no longer willing to pay for this.

The other alternative is not attractive either. Historically force is the only thing that has worked in Somalia. British 19th century colonial administrators learned that the best way to deal with unruly and extremely violent Somalis was to "shoot on sight, shoot first, shoot to kill, keep shooting." Al Shabaab and ISIL qualify for that but few outside the region want to admit it. The neighbors are fine with this, they have been doing this for a long time, long before the Westerners showed up.

Not unexpectedly, post-colonial Somalia proved unable to govern itself. Britain (and Italy, until 1940) administered Somalia from 1884 to 1960 and after much effort imposed more peace, prosperity and unity than the region had known for some time. That lasted about two decades and then the usual bad habits began tearing Somalia apart again. The tribal (clan) rivalries kept the pot boiling and even the rise of a "clean government" party (the Islamic Courts) after 2001, based on installing a religious dictatorship, backfired and turned into al Shabaab. That caused even more Somalis to flee their homeland and led to even more problems as Somali refugees throughout Africa and worldwide acquired a reputation for violence and criminal behavior. The traditional solution was a few well-armed and relatively wealthy coastal cities surviving by providing useful trade items for the clans of the interior and maintaining sufficient military resources (locally and via distant allies) to deal with the periodic major outbreaks of violence in the badlands. The current outbreak is al Shabaab but there have been several others in the last century or so, usually involving Islam and Somali fondness for mayhem against anyone nearby who seemed vulnerable enough and wealthy enough to make it worth the effort. No one wants to go back to the old ways but no one has come up with a more effective new way to deal with the problem.

Donor nations who provide the billions each year to make UN aid and peacekeeping possible are crossing Somalia off their list of acceptable causes. There are many other areas where the money and peacekeepers are needed and would have more lasting impact. The neighbors, especially Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia are getting ready for the worst, a return to old school rules along the lines of shoot on sight, shoot first and so on. Somalis call this unfair. The neighbors call it self-defense.

The American Presence

There have been about 25 American airstrikes in Somalia this year, most of them against al Shabaab but some against the local ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) group. There are about 500 American troops in Somalia, mainly to help with training, advise Somali officers and help provide air support. The U.S. (and the West in general) want to keep Somalia from becoming a base area for international Islamic terror groups. The main American base is in nearby Djibouti, a nation with a Somali majority (about 60 percent of a one million inhabitants) but a tradition of making deals not mayhem. Several foreign powers (France, America, China) pay well to maintain bases in Djibouti, which keeps the outlaws out and provides income to an otherwise impoverished part of the world.

Ethiopia

Ethiopian troops recently returned to Somalia, after dealing with their own Somali problem inside Ethiopia. Unrest among ethnic Somalis next door in Ethiopia was a problem for much of 2017 but by October the government had calmed things down and Ethiopians displaced by the violence began returning home. The Ethiopian government returned its attention to the Somali problem in Somalia.

The Ethiopian problem was not about violence against Somalia but between ethnic Somalis in eastern Ethiopia and the non-Somali Oromo people who live to the west. The Ethiopian province of Ogaden, which comprises most of eastern Ethiopia contains a largely ethnic Somali population. To the west of Ogaden is Oromia, where the largest minority in Ethiopia (the Oromo) predominate. There have long been territorial disputes along the Ogaden-Oromia border and these have flared up again in 2017 and took a while for the government and armed forces (many withdrawn from Somalia) to deal with.

Meanwhile many Somalis believe Ogaden belongs to Somalia. Islamic radicals in Somalia have long sought to conquer Ogaden but the Ethiopians have been defeating these efforts for generations. That is not going to change, especially since oil and gas has been discovered in Ogaden, and drilling is underway. In 2015 Somalia and Ethiopia signed an agreement to not provide rebels from the other nations with sanctuary.

November 11, 2017: In the south (Middle Juba, 400 kilometers southeast of the capital) an American UAV used a missile to kill several Al Shabaab gunmen spotted setting up an ambush. The UAV was in the area supporting a major ground operation against al Shabaab camps in the area and further north in the Bay Region. After several days these army raids left nearly a hundred al Shabaab dead and large quantities of weapons captured along with dozens of vehicles and other equipment.

November 10, 2017: About 50 kilometers north of Mogadishu an American airstrike killed 13 al Shabaab gunmen.

November 9, 2017: Some 160 kilometers west of the capital (Bay Region) an American UAV used a missile to kill several Al Shabaab gunmen.

With the prospect of the UN and AU withdrawing most peacekeepers starting in December and into the next year Uganda has offered 5,000 troops for use against al Shabaab in Somalia if someone provided the same pay and benefits (training, logistics support and new equipment) normally provided for UN sponsored peacekeepers. This proposal is pitched Western nations and Gulf oil states. Ethiopia and Kenya would also like of that help but dont want to sent more troops into Somalia long-term.

November 7, 2017: The AU (African Union) announced it would withdraw 1,500 of the 21,000 peacekeepers in Somalia by the end of the year. The UN resolution authorizing the 21,000 peacekeepers in Somalia expires by the end of May 2018 and major reductions in the Somali peacekeeping force would come after that.

November 6, 2017: Peacekeepers launched a major operation to clear al Shabaab groups along the 90 kilometer highway from Mogadishu to the Ballidogle airport north of the city.

In the south (Middle Juba) al Shabaab executed four men in public after accusing of them of spying for the Ethiopian and Somali governments.

November 4, 2017: The United States ordered non-essential embassy personnel to leave Somalia because of the growing al Shabaab threat in Mogadishu.

November 3, 2017: In the northeast two U.S. airstrikes hit ISIL camps using six missiles and killing several Islamic terrorists in and around the remote Puntland village of Buqa. This was the first American airstrikes against ISIL in Somalia and was believed to be an effort to kill or injure the senior leadership. ISIL is not a major presence in Somalia or northeast Africa in general. The local ISIL affiliate attracts the most fanatic Islamic terrorists and they get themselves killed off quickly and antagonize other Islamic terror groups as well as the population in general. But ISIL has set up shop in a remote area of Puntland and the local government, which cooperated in reducing the piracy problem, appreciates all the help it can get.

November 2, 2017: Kenya is undergoing another political crises because of tribal divisions corrupting the 2017 general elections. The problem is another outbreak of election fraud based on tribal divisions. Five tribes comprise about two thirds of Kenyas population. For decades, the Kikuyu (the largest minority, with nearly a quarter of the population) dominated, led by the Kenyatta family. But since 2007 candidates from an opposition coalition led by the Odinga family (of the Luo tribe that comprises about one-eighth of the population) won the support of most voters. In 2007 the Kikuyu president tried to change the numbers, got caught, and this set off widespread fighting between Kikuyu and other tribes. This killed over a thousand people, and caused over a half a million people to flee their homes. The 2007 crises was solved by creating new procedures to supervise elections and quickly settle disputes. That worked during the 2013 elections but has stumbled during the 2017 elections. With a population of 49 million, there is now a possibility that Kenya could fall into the same chaos that Somalia, and so many other African nations, have. This is mainly about family politics because the Kenyatta and Odinga clan were leaders of the fight to gain freedom in the 1950s and dominated politics ever since. While both clans deny dynastic aspirations, both have grown rich from corrupt practices while in office. Most Kenyans see this as more about money and power than the welfare of the voters in general but the Odinga are seen as less corrupt and more likely to push through more reforms.

November 1, 2017: In the southwest (Gedo, 320 kilometers from Mogadishu) about a thousand Ethiopian troops in 30 trucks crossed into Somalia to assist in operations against al Shabaab.

In the north (Puntland) one protestor was killed in the port town of Bosaso. Locals were protesting a recent deal with Dubai to spend $336 million from Dubai for expanding the Bosaso port facilities. The locals believe the Dubai firm will raise port fees once the upgrades are done. Part of this is the usual Somali distrust of and dislike of foreigners, especially Arabs, who have been investing in Somali coastal towns and cities for centuries. The locals tend to believe they are not getting a fair share of the profits.

October 30, 2017: In Mogadishu the government fired the heads of national police and the national intelligence agency because of the inability to prevent the last two al Shabaab terror attacks in the city that left over 400 dead. There has been a lot of disagreement in the government over how to deal with the al Shabaab threat. Days before the October 14 bombing the defense minister and head of the army both resigned because of disagreements over how to deal with al Shabaab. In reality the former defense minister and army leader were political rivals who had problems working together and complained that other government leaders would not cooperate with them (or each other) either. Family and clan come first and anything thing else is either an opportunity or obstacle. Ancient traditions do not die easily or at all in most of Somalia. The few Somali leaders who believe otherwise (usually because of living and working for years in the West) are considered odd, or troublesome if they get in the way of what more traditional Somali leaders do.

October 28, 2017: In Mogadishu five al Shabaab men, including two suicide bombers, attacked a heavily guarded hotel near the presidential palace. Two of the attackers died and three were captured but not before 29 people were killed.

October 24, 2017: In the south (Barire, 50 kilometers southwest of Mogadishu) al Shabaab used a suicide bomber to attack a police station and kill four people.

October 16, 2017: Some 55 kilometers southwest of Mogadishu an American UAV used missiles against suspected al Shabaab gunmen.

October 14, 2017: In Mogadishu an al Shabaab suicide truck bomb left 358 dead and over fifty missing. The explosion took place at a crowded road junction next to a hotel. The explosion caused the occupied hotel to collapse and ignited a nearby fuel truck. This caused an unusually high death toll.

In the south (Barire, 50 kilometers southwest of Mogadishu) al Shabaab moved into the town as troops were withdrawn and sent to Mogadishu.
Nobody wants to become the victim of hackers who compromise online accounts, yet it's something that 15 percent of internet users have reported experiencing. Following a year-long study by Google and UC Berkeley, we know that data breaches are the most popular method of stealing users' credentials, but phishing scams are more dangerous because of the extra information that's exposed.

From March 2016 to March 2017, Google and UCB trawled public and private hacker forums and paste sites to search for stolen log-in names, passwords, and other account details. Google said the investigation showed how this information was obtained.

It turns out that data breaches are the most common way for user credentials to leak online, which isn't that surprising, given their regularity and size. Prominent breaches such as those by Yahoo, LinkedIn, and MySpace contributed to 1.9 billion records being leaked, most which were being traded on private forums. 12 million credentials were obtained though phishing kits, while 780,000 credentials came from keyloggers.

12 percent of the records exposed through data breaches used Gmail addresses, and 7 percent of these cases saw the same password used for both accounts. The success rate is higher when using phishing and keyloggers: 12 - 25 percent of passwords obtained using these attacks yielded valid passwords. Around 234,000 valid names and passwords are obtained through phishing every week, whereas keyloggers yielded about 15,000 valid credentials each week.

In terms of risk to the user, phishing was the greatest threat, followed by key loggers then third-party breaches. While the victim of a data breach is ten times more likely to have their account taken over than a random Goole user, someone who falls for a phishing scam is 400 times more at risk. This is because of the way phishing kits obtain information such as secret questions, device identifiers, geolocations, IP addressed, and phone numbers.

Over 4000 distinct phishing kits were discovered during the study, the most popular of which emulates Gmail, Yahoo, and Hotmail login pages. Most of the kits originate from African and East-Asian countries, with Nigeria having the highest concentration of operators.

While it's not infallible, two-factor authentication remains the best way to protect your online accounts. If you want even more protection, there's U2F USB security key support for accounts such as Facebook, Google, and Dropbox.
Facebook is constantly adding new features to its platform in an effort to remove obscene content, but it doesn't always get things right. The latest confusing decision by the social network saw it ban the sale of Christmas cards featuring hand-drawn animals because of their "sexual" and "adult" nature.

Artist Jackie Charley, who lives in the Scottish borders, was hoping to sell the creations through her Bothycrafts Facebook page, but the company found them inappropriate, for some reason.

Charley told the Daily Mail that she tried uploading the images five times, yet each attempt was blocked and met with the following message: "It looks like we didn't approve your item because we don't allow the sale of adult items or services (e.g. sexual enhancement items or adult videos)."

As you can see from the drawings of the robin redbreast, stag, and squirrel, there isn't much sexiness going on in the cards. It was speculated that the ban could be related to one of the cards being titled 'Robin Redbreast,' but it was just named 'Robin.' Maybe Facebook thought the squirrel was showing too much interest in his nuts.

While the company still hasn't explained why it wouldn't allow the images, the ban has now been overturned. Facebook "insiders" have suggested it was an error, and a spokesperson said it is investigating the matter.

Facebook came under a barrage of criticism last year when it removed the historic 'Napalm girl' photo taken during the Vietnam war because it violated the site's policy on nudity. The resulting controversy saw it reinstate the photograph, which was uploaded by Norwegian writer Tom Egeland.

Last week, Facebook announced it was experimenting with a new method of preventing revenge porn by asking potential victims to send in their nude photos.
Microsoft's "most powerful console ever," the Xbox One X, finally got its worldwide release last week. Despite a few caveats, early reviews are mostly positive and it's selling well. In the UK, the machine has sold 80,000 units during its first week after release, putting it ahead of the rival PlayStation 4 Pro.

GameIndustry.biz reports that the Xbox One X is quite a way ahead of Sony's competitor, which sold just over 50,000 units in the first week after launch back in November 2016. It took the PlayStation 4 Pro a total of four weeks to reach the Xbox One X's current figure of 80,000 sales.

The Xbox One X has sold around the same number of Switch consoles that were snapped up back when the hybrid console launched in March, though it's been pointed out that both this machine and the PS4 Pro experienced stock shortages that will have affected their sales performance.

Most of the Xbox One X consoles sold in the first week were the 'Project Scorpio' special editions. The Scorpio branding, which was the console's codename before Microsoft unveiled the real name at E3, appears on the console and controller in this version.

Microsoft will no doubt be pleased with the numbers. It will always be happy to beat its big rival, and the dearth of launch titles coupled with the fact that the Xbox One X is even more expensive in the UK (as is pretty much everything) make the sales figures extra impressive.

At the start of the month, Microsoft revealed that, unlike the PlayStation 4 Pro, the Xbox One X natively supports 1440p monitors.
Uber rival Lyft is hitching a ride and heading north. The transportation company on Monday said it'll be opening for business in Toronto in time for the holidays.

The ride-hailing platform is coming off of an excellent 2017 campaign, capped by a $1 billion round of funding last month led by Google parent company Alphabet. The investment brought the company's post-money valuation to $11 billion.

For comparison, Uber has a valuation of nearly $70 billion despite its rocky run as of late.

Lyft didn't provide an exact Canadian launch date but with less than seven weeks left before the calendar rolls over to 2018, the wait won't be long.

Launched in the summer of 2012, Lyft has steadily found success in its business albeit not quite as rapidly as Uber. It's done exceptionally well in recent memory, however, thanks in part to a bevy of scandals and other issues that have plagued Uber.

John Zimmer, Lyft's president and co-founder, told the Toronto Star that they view Toronto as a world-class city and that it'll likely become one of their top five markets overall.

Lyft will launch in Toronto with five options: regular vehicles for up to four people, "Plus" vehicles that can carry up to six passengers, high-end options under its Premier brand, luxury black cars with a "top driver" under the Lux banner and an SUV version of Lux.

Passenger rates and driver pay haven't yet been revealed but will likely be in line with typical American markets.
Due to his promise to save the Amazon, the Brazilian leftist leader was welcomed as a hero at COP27, as reported by Bloomberg | Read More
South America Strategy: Volkswagen Invests 560 Million At Plant In Argentina

 New SUV model for South America to roll off assembly line at Pacheco plant from 2020

 Volkswagen brings further momentum to global SUV offensive

 President of Argentina, Mauricio Macri, is guest at Volkswagen plant

 CEO Diess: "South America and Argentina play an important role in growth for the Volkswagen brand"

WOLFSBURG - November 12, 2017: Volkswagen is investing some 560 million over the next five years in the production of a new SUV in Pacheco, Argentina. From 2020, the plant will deliver the new model built in Argentina to the entire South American continent. The new vehicle project will create some 2,500 jobs. Volkswagen is thus bringing further momentum to its South America strategy.

"We are laying the foundations for the brand's growth on international markets with Volkswagen's Transform 2025+ strategy. South America and Argentina play an important role in this regard. Key elements of the growth strategy are the biggest model offensive in the history of the brand and the systematic regionalization of our business. We will be underpinning our positioning at the top of the volume segments and winning further market share with new models from Volkswagen tailored to the wishes of customers in the markets", Dr. Herbert Diess, CEO of the Volkswagen brand, said during a meeting with the President of Argentina, Mauricio Macri, and the CEO of the Volkswagen South America Region, Pablo Di Si, in Pacheco.

Under its Transform 2025+ future strategy, Volkswagen is taking measures to successfully realign business on world markets. The brand is increasingly delegating responsibilities previously controlled centrally from Wolfsburg to the regions. Going forward, the regions will hold full responsibility for the entire scope of business activities  right through to decisions relating to the model range. In addition to South America, responsibilities have also been delegated to the regions of North America, China and the Sub-Saharan area of Africa.

The new vehicle project in Argentina is a further milestone in what is to date the Volkswagen brand's largest product offensive in the South America region. The design, size and equipment of the SUV planned for 2020 and based on MQB technology are targeted to appeal to a broad customer base on the South American continent  and thus bring further momentum to the brand's South America strategy.

"Volkswagen believes in the great potential of the South American continent. The investments create the optimal conditions for the efficient production of our new SUV  built in Argentina for the markets in South America", Volkswagen South America's CEO Di Si said.

The modernization measures under the investment plans will optimize the manufacturing process and thus enhance both quality and sustainability in production. This is the ideal preparation for start of production at the Pacheco plant in 2020.

Volkswagen has launched the largest product offensive in its history in South America: 20 new models based on the Modular Transverse Toolkit (MQB), including a totally revamped pickup range and further locally-built SUVs, will be launched in the region by 2020. The localized variant of the MQB will therefore play a decisive role in enhancing the Volkswagen brand in South America with new, attractive vehicles for the region. Assuming a positive overall market trend, the company expects to move back into the black in South America by 2020. Currently, there is a significant increase in deliveries in the region. Some 36,000 vehicles were handed over to customers from January to October  that represents an increase of more than 60 percent compared with the same period last year. Key drivers behind this positive development are Brazil and Argentina. Growth in the small car segment, which includes the Gol and Voyage, in these markets is particularly strong.
Personal and Business Car Leasing Trends from Fulton Leasing

Sulhamstead, 13th November Fulton Leasing, one of the most established vehicle finance businesses in the country with over 36 years experience, release their Autumn data on the top 5 best-selling personal and business lease cars.

LEASING TRENDS THIS AUTUMN

Fultons research has revealed that BMW and Mercedes are topping the Manufacturer Leasing charts, while Ford and Volkswagen continue to fall.

Furthermore, the study showed that when people are looking for generic manufacturers as their leasing option, the majority opt for German reliability in the form of Mercedes or BMW, leaving Volkswagen trailing behind, likely as a result of the recent emissions scandal that affected over 1.2million UK diesel vehicles. LeaseTrends

WHAT TYPES OF CARS PEOPLE ARE INTERESTED IN?

According to the figures gathered by Fulton Leasing team, the yearlong dominance of the hugely popular Evoque is coming to an end.

The recent investigation shows that the Range Rover Evoque recently observed a fall in search volumes and the Mercedes A-Class has caught up, followed by the KIA Sportage.InterestTrends

Tano Di Girolamo, Managing Director of Fulton Leasing, commented: "We've also seen very strong interest in the Range Rover Evoque here at Fulton, particularly with the offers that were able to take to market. Its interesting to see the pick-up in volumes for the A-Class, and that seems to be in line with the deals that are available, particularly for business users. Its also great to see the Kia Sportage in the top 5, because its a really affordable and reliable family car that has taken on the likes of the Qashqai."

TOP-SELLING PERSONAL AND BUSINESS CARS

Apart from the interesting general figures in leasing trends, Fulton Leasing have also shared their own data in form of a quarterly tops sales report that refers to the top personal and business leasing plans.

Top 5 Personal Lease Cars (also available as Infographic)

This quarter, the 5 top-selling personal lease cars list is predominantly dominated by SUVs along with one manufacturer.

Fultons number one personal leasing car is Range Rover Evoque described as Land Rovers most successful model ever, thanks to its HSE Dynamic, which gives you 20-inch alloy wheels and upgraded infotainment system.

Second position belongs to another Land Rover model, Range Rover Sport, that combines interior luxury with raw power and has delivers in both town and country environments.

Jaguar F-Pace came in third position with its sleek, sporty look, plenty of room, and an impressive range of engines.The winners are followed by two runners-up, Range Rover Velar and KIA Sportage, making people able to get behind the wheel of more luxurious cars than even before at a lower cost.

Top 5 Business Lease Cars

The team at Fulton Leasing have also compiled a roundup of the 5 top business lease vehicles.A hugely appealing proposition for pick-up drivers is the Ford Ranger tough, rugged and durable commercial vehicles that combine great load space with comfort.The British-built Vauxhall Vivaro claimed itself second place on the podium of Fultons top- selling business cars thanks to its low running-costs and a wide range of deals available (below 200pm even on short leases).Mitsubishi L200, a car that is perfect for both carrying large loads and plenty of passengers, lands at number three. Ideal for a family car at weekends and the ideal tradesmans car during the week.Two popular vans, Ford Transit Custom and Citroen Relay, also found their place on the list.
From Our News Archive - Originally Published 11/13/2017

SEE ALSO: EV's Dirty Secret: The Daily Mail Exposes Cobalt Mining - The Human Tragedy Behind Lithium Battery Production

LOS ANGELES, November 13, 2017 --

USA News Group - It seems that the increase in demand for lithium has Chinese manufacturers of electric vehicles (EVs) digging deep to secure the future supply of the metal. Apparently they are so concerned about producers' abilities to fill downline supply that Chinese EV companies are now willing to buy lithium that's yet to be mined.

Companies that could be in line to produce or simply sell the in-ground resources include QMC Quantum Minerals Corp. (TSX-V: QMC) (OTC: QMCQF), Galaxy Resources (OTC: GALXF), Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile , Lithium X Energy Corp. (TSX-V:LIX) (OTC: LIXXF).

This new move by Chinese automakers is understandable, since all major automakers, including several major Chinese manufacturers, are planning to increase their electric vehicle (EV) quotas dramatically. That fact, combined with greater use of lithium in power grid storage, is creating a serious projected lithium supply deficit that could hit as early as 2020.

Companies with lithium production are expanding their production, while a forward looking group of junior companies are working feverishly to bring on new lithium sources.

A new lithium player that could be a winner as a result of the Chinese approach is QMC Quantum Minerals Corp. (TSX-V: QMC) (OTC: QMCQF), which is looking to open up lithium reserves in Canada's hard-rock lithium category. The company is developing a large historical resource in Manitoba -a region with very favorable mining logistics.

Larger companies that are working to expand their lithium reserves may use selling in-ground assets as a way to bolster development. These include Galaxy Resources (OTC: GALXF), Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile , and Lithium X Energy Corp. (TSX-V: LIX.V) (OTCQX: LIXXF), all of which are in major expansion of their respective lithium resources.

CHINA'S MASSIVE HUNGER FOR LITHIUM

China is poised to become a monster consumer of lithium. And while the country holds its own significant reserves of the word's lithium resources estimated at about 7 million tons, they realize that they will need much more supply to handle all of their future needs.

China's concerns for securing future lithium reserves is highlighted in a recent agreement by Australian lithium company Pilbara Minerals.

In September, Pilbara announced its agreement with China's Great Wall Motors Company to back Pilbara's Pilgangoora Stage 2 expansion. The agreement is a true landmark for producing one of the very first off-take funding and equity investment agreements by a Chinese EV Manufacturer for lithium.

The deal gives Pilbara an upfront Australian $28 million for 75,000 tpa of stage 2 production from Pilgangoora and up to 225,000 tpa over the following 10 years via a debt or off-take pre-payment facility.

What's most important to note is that this marks a new stage where the car manufacturers are starting to realize the need to lock in their EV metals supply well in advance.

OFF-TAKE IS A SIMPLE WAY FOR CHINA TO GAIN GROUND

An off-take agreement, such as the one modelled by Pilbara working with Great Walls Motors, is one way that China, and other major consumers of lithium, could help to secure their future with supplies not yet mined or produced.

An offtake agreement is an agreement between a producer of a resource and a buyer of a resource to purchase or sell portions of the producer's future production. These are normally negotiated prior to the construction of a mine in order to secure a market for the future output of the facility.

Off-take agreements can benefit the miners greatly too, since if lenders can see the company has a purchaser of its production, it makes it easier to obtain financing to construct a facility.

If, as lithium consultant Sam Jaffe of Cairn ERA predicts, lithium-ion battery demand rises from 80 GWh this year to 750 GWh in 2026, it's likely that the off-take model may become commonplace with lithium companies. Fully realized, we are talking about a whopping 10-fold increase in demand within 10 years.

QMC QUANTUM MINERALS FITS THE MOLD

In the category of production in the ground ready to be bought, QMC Quantum Minerals presents a potentially very attractive lithium target.

QMC is a Canadian mining company focused in Manitoba's mineral region, which just ranked in as 2nd among all global mining districts in a global survey. Manitoba it seems has competitive tax regimes and efficient permitting procedures surrounding environmental regulations and land-claims.

QMC Quantum Minerals must have considered this when they located their current project. In 2016, the company acquired a known lithium property, the Cat Lake Lithium Property, formerly known as the Irgon Mine.

QMC is right in the hot spot; their Cat lake property is just 20km from the world class Tanco Mine Property, which was previously North America's largest and sole producer of spodumene (Lithium).

Their predecessor on the Cat Lake discovery drilled 25 holes into the property's Irgon Dike between 1953 and 1954. The result was a reported historical resource estimate of 1.2 million tonnes grading 1.51% Li20 over a strike length of 365 meters and to a depth of 213 meters.

In other words, the Cat Lake Property is believed to hold a very significant amount of lithium that would make sense to bring to production, by off-take or conventional means.

QMC Quantum's geological team says they have no reason to disagree with the accuracy of those historical drill results. They are already drilling and stripping away the overburden to prove up the lithium, which is also expected to extend the known strike length of this dike.

The massive demand for Li-ion batteries continues to swell as EV makers up their forecasts. The Chinese have taken the leap to move into the supply chain and secure lithium still in the ground.

According to miner Galaxy Resources, during October, 99.5% lithium carbonate China spot prices were up 1.5%, and are up 23% over the past year. At the same time, lithium cobalt oxide China spot prices were up 0.33% for the month, and 16.91% over the past year.

The Chinese EV makers have good reason to position themselves in future lithium now. Lithium prices don't appear to be abating any time soon and quick-to-turnaround lithium sources like QMC Quantum Mineral's Cat Lake Project will not remain undeveloped forever.

POTENTIAL COMPARABLES

Galaxy Resources (OTC: GALXF)

Galaxy Resources Limited is a lithium-focused resources company, with assets spanning Australia, Canada and Argentina. Galaxy is currently advancing plans to develop the Sal de Vida Lithium and Potash Brine Project ("Sal de Vida") in Argentina, which is situated in the Lithium Triangle, a region where Chile, Argentina and Bolivia meet. Sal de Vida is a proven high quality resource has excellent promise as a future low cost production facility. Galaxy also owns the Mt Cattlin Spodumene Mine near Ravensthorpe in Western Australia and the James Bay Lithium Pegmatite Project in Quebec, Canada.

Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile

Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A., is a producer of potassium nitrate and iodine. The Company produces specialty plant nutrients, iodine derivatives, lithium and its derivatives, potassium chloride, potassium sulfate and certain industrial chemicals. Its segments include specialty plant nutrients, industrial chemicals, iodine and derivatives, lithium and derivatives, potassium, and other products and services Lithium and its derivatives are used in batteries, greases and frits for production of ceramics. Potassium chloride is a commodity fertilizer that is produced and sold by the Company across the world.

Lithium X Energy Corp. (TSX-V: LIX.V) (OTCQX: LIXXF)

Lithium X Energy Corp. is a lithium exploration and development company with a goal of becoming a low-cost supplier for the burgeoning lithium battery industry. On July 11th, the company announced that further to its news release of June 29th, 2017, the Company has closed the definitive agreement with Aberdeen International Inc. for the purchase of Aberdeen's remaining 50% interest in Potasio y Litio de Argentina S.A., which controls 100% of the Sal de los Angeles Project. The project consists of 8,154 hectares covering 95% of Salar de Diablillos, and has an NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate of 1.037 million tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent in the indicated category and 1.007 million tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent in the inferred category.

For a more in-depth look into QMC you can view the in-depth report at USA News Group: http://usanewsgroup.com/2017/11/12/lithium_is_positioned_perfectly-2-2-2/

Article Source:

USA News Group

http://usanewsgroup.com

info@usanewsgroup.com

Legal Disclaimer/Disclosure: This piece is an advertorial and has been paid for. This document is not and should not be construed as an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to purchase or subscribe for any investment. No information in this Report should be construed as individualized investment advice. A licensed financial advisor should be consulted prior to making any investment decision. We make no guarantee, representation or warranty and accept no responsibility or liability as to its accuracy or completeness. Expressions of opinion are those of USA News Group only and are subject to change without notice. USA News Group assumes no warranty, liability or guarantee for the current relevance, correctness or completeness of any information provided within this Report and will not be held liable for the consequence of reliance upon any opinion or statement contained herein or any omission. Furthermore, we assume no liability for any direct or indirect loss or damage or, in particular, for lost profit, which you may incur as a result of the use and existence of the information, provided within this Report.

DISCLAIMER: USA News Group is Source of all content listed above. FN Media Group, LLC (FNM), is a third party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. FNM is NOT affiliated in any manner with USA News Group or any company mentioned herein. The commentary, views and opinions expressed in this release by USA News Group are solely those of USA News Group and are not shared by and do not reflect in any manner the views or opinions of FNM. FNM is not liable for any investment decisions by its readers or subscribers. FNM and its affiliated companies are a news dissemination and financial marketing solutions provider and are NOT a registered broker/dealer/analyst/adviser, holds no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security. FNM was not compensated by any public company mentioned herein to disseminate this press release.

FNM HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.


Peter Aalbk Jensen. Photo: Tobias Seeliger/ullstein bild via Getty Images

Nine women have said they experienced bullying, sexual harassment, and degradation while working at Zentropa, a production studio co-founded by director Lars Von Trier. Danish authorities are investigating the claims in response to a report published in Politiken. Von Trier was not named in the claims, according to The Guardian, but fellow Zentropa co-founder Peter Aalbk Jensen was the focus of many.

The women claimed that Jensen would grope them and ask to spank them. They also say he would ask female trainees to fetch nipple clamps and  in a truly bizarre turn  vaccinate his pigs. At company Christmas parties, Jensen would allegedly give awards to trainees who undressed the fastest and the one with the longest pubic hair, which would be measured on stage in front of the audience.

The women in the report spoke of an ingrained culture of sexual harassment, degradation, and bullying. Several interviewed by Politiken had stopped working in film altogether due to their treatment.

Jensen, who left his post as CEO in 2016, said he did not remember the alleged incidents but they probably happened. Per Politiken:

Ill say this: I have no interest in submission and degradation. Im interested in testing boundaries, especially where the red line is, he said. There have been plenty of times when Ive been over the top or gone too far. And I stand by that fully. But the question is whether you are an adored leader or not. And I am an adored leader 

Deadline confirmed that Denmarks Working Environment Authority will review the production firm, which has produced movies such as Nymphomaniac and Melancholia. Current Zentropa CEO Anders Kjrhauge told Politiken, This does not match my perception and this picture does not correspond to the Zentropa that I know.
Roy Moore. Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images

A fifth woman has come forward with a sexual-assault allegation against former Alabama Supreme Court chief justice and current Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore. On Monday afternoon, famed attorney Gloria Allred held a press conference with Beverly Young Nelson, who says that Moore assaulted her when she was 16 and he was the 30-year-old assistant district attorney of Etowah County, Alabama.

Nelson says that in 1977, Moore was a regular customer at the Old Hickory House, the restaurant where she worked after school, and flirted with her often, though she did not reciprocate. In December of that year, she says, she brought her yearbook to work and he asked to sign it, which she found flattering. (Allred presented the signed yearbook during the press conference.)

A week or two later, Nelson claims, she worked the closing shift at the restaurant and was waiting for her boyfriend to drive her home. She says he was running late and Moore offered her a ride. Nelson accepted, at which point she alleges Moore drove to the deserted, dark back of the restaurant and began groping her breasts and trying to force her head towards his crotch.

I was terrified  I thought he was going to rape me. I was twisting and struggling and begging for him to stop. I had tears running down my face, Nelson says. At some point he gave up and he then looked at me and told me Youre just a child. I am the district attorney of Etowah County and if you tell anyone about this, no one will ever believe you.

Nelson says he then finally let her leave the car, and she quit her job the next day. Over the years, shes told her sister, mother, and husband about the alleged assault but was inspired to go public following the bombshell Washington Post story in which four women came forward to say that Moore pursued them when they were between the ages of 14 and 18.

Moores supporters have either slammed the accusations as false or defended his alleged actions. Moore himself has taken many positions, from saying he didnt remember dating teen girls (among other things), to outright denying that it ever happened, to threatening to sue the Washington Post.

Nelson dismissed any potential accusations that this was a politically motivated accusation, saying that she supported Trump. This has nothing to do with Republicans or the Democrats, she says. This has everything to do with Mr. Moores assault when I was a teenager. I thought I was the only victim.

This post has been updated throughout.
George H.W. Bush in 2003. Photo: Pool

A sixth woman has come forward with a story about former president George H.W. Bush groping her  and says that he did so when she was only 16 years old.

Roslyn Corrigan told Time that the incident occurred in November 2003. Her father worked for the Central Intelligence Agency, and officers and their family members were welcoming Bush, then 79, for a visit at the Woodlands, Texas, office. It was during a photo opportunity when she alleges the incident happened. As soon as the picture was being snapped on the one-two-three he dropped his hands from my waist down to my buttocks and gave it a nice, ripe squeeze, which would account for the fact that in the photograph my mouth is hanging wide open, she said. I was like, Oh my goodness, what just happened?

Several people, including Corrigans mother, told Time that she had discussed the groping with them in the past. Her story also follows the pattern of the other women who have come forward with an allegation against the ex-president  all of them have said that Bush grabbed them from behind during a photo opportunity.

Bushs spokesperson, Jim McGrath, has not denied the past allegations, instead apologizing and saying, He has patted womens rears in what he intended to be a good-natured manner. Others have suggested that the women coming forward with these stories should be ashamed.

I dont know, maybe it never really hit people that I was a child at the time and that goes beyond a guy being inappropriate in the workplace to a peer or somebody in his age range, Corrigan said. I was a child.
Sikolo Brathwaite, wearing a beaded hairpiece by designer Carolee Prince. Photo:  1962 Kwame Brathwaite /Courtesy of the Museum of the City of New York

Our clothes often reflect what we hope to achieve while wearing them. Thats the premise behind an upcoming exhibit at the Museum of the City of New York, which will explore the style behind social movements of the 1960s. The eras overhaul of American culture coincided with many radical changes in fashion, visible on the streets of New York amid outrage over the Vietnam War, civil-rights protests, and the womens-rights movement.

It started in 1961, when the Kennedys moved into the White House and Jacqueline Kennedy began choosing sleeveless sheath dresses and oversize sunglasses over frilly dresses. Other women took cues from the First Lady, wearing similarly liberated looks. Then in 1965, Vogue editor Diana Vreeland coined the term Youthquake, describing a mod explosion of bright colors and streamlined shapes that started in London and became a fashion phenomenon. Miniskirts and color-block dresses blurred gender lines and exuded sexuality, mirroring the rise of Op and Pop Art and Beatlemania. The decade ended with hippies dressed in the New Bohemia look, complete with recycled scarves, gypsy skirts, and fringe jackets.

Opening November 22, the show Mod New York: Fashion Takes a Trip will feature 70 looks from the 1960s at the Museum of the City of New York. Designers including Mary Quant, Geoffrey Beene, and Pauline Trigere will be on display alongside jewelry, shoes, handbags, and design sketches, tracing the transformation in clothing from 1960 through 1973. The exhibit will also feature images of Truman Capotes Black and White Ball, and photographs by Kwame Brathwaite that popularized the Black is Beautiful slogan. Click through for a preview. The exhibition is accompanied by the book Mod New York: Fashion Takes a Trip, published by the Monacelli Press.

Mod New York: Fashion Takes a Trip is on display at the Museum of the City of New York from November 22 through April 1, 2018.

Photo: Museum of the City of New York

Tiger Morse (attributed)

Dress of vinyl, ca. 1965.

Grandassa model Pat Bardonelle during the Garvey Day Parade, August 17, 1968.

Photo: Museum of the City of New York/Rights assessment is your responsibility.

Drawing by Anna Marie Magagna, ca. 1968.

Photo: Museum of the City of New York

Bill Blass for Maurice Rentner, retailed by Saks Fifth Avenue

Coat of foliate printed mohair and synthetic pile, 1967.

Naturally 68 photo shoot in the Apollo Theater featuring Grandassa models and AJASS founding members (except the photographer, Kwame Brathwaite), at center from left: Frank Adu, Elombe Brath, and Ernest Baxter

Photo:  1962; Courtesy of the photographer and the Museum of the City of New York

Sikolo Brathwaite wearing a beaded hairpiece by designer Carolee Prince, ca. 1967.
2 People Stabbed Inside Minnesota Mall of America

Two people were stabbed at the Mall of America in Minnesota on Sunday night, police say.

Bloomington Police tweeted that a subject is in custody after a stabbing at Macys, but did not elaborate. Police later told media outlets at the scene that the stabbing was part of an attempted robbery.

A subject is in custody after a stabbing at Macy's MOA. BPD will address media at the media staging area across Killebrew Dr @8:30 pm  Bloomington Police (@BPD_MN) November 13, 2017

A person was stabbed in the back in the mens section of the Macys first floor, the Star Tribune reported. Another person was also stabbed, and the suspect was injured, police said.

Two people have been transported to the Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, Fox9 reported.

One of the victims is reportedly in critical condition.

Breaking: massive police presence at the Mall of America after reports of a possible incident at Macy's. #Fox9 pic.twitter.com/aSIUsnvBvO  Christina Palladino (@CPalladinoFox9) November 13, 2017

Mall Of America is closed due to stabbing on the first floor of Macys.   (@itssjaida) November 13, 2017

My daughter could see people lying on the ground who had been stabbed, Kim Schwieters said, according to the Tribune. We saw two cops running toward Macys, she said. By the time we got to the main areathe mens department is to the rightmore police started running in with their guns drawn.

Police told people to leave the area before they closed the store, she said.

#BREAKING: First images from the scene of investigation of violent incident at Macy's in @mallofamerica. Our @joemazankstp is there and snapped these. Stay with @KSTP for confirmed details as soon as we learn them. pic.twitter.com/lGewZrZsXu  Matt Belanger (@MattKSTP) November 13, 2017

#BREAKING: Witness of stabbing at @mallofamerica tells @KSTP it happened in the men's section of Macy's. She heard screaming and crying and saw multiple victims before hiding to save herself pic.twitter.com/U3vbYIeVH0  Matt Belanger (@MattKSTP) November 13, 2017

Another witness saw the man walking through before, talking to himself, really really loudly talking to himself, she said. Kind of drew attention to himself.

Another woman wrote on Twitter: Just lived through the scariest experience of my life. I heard someone screaming He got me! He got me! I knew something was not right. Some other shoppers ran toward the screaming, and someone (who I believe was the victims brother) yelled 911! I called the police and hid.

BREAKING: Police confirm stabbing at Mall of America, one person in custody https://t.co/YhcQEGEdoA pic.twitter.com/EGSHECsNMQ  Fox News (@FoxNews) November 13, 2017

#BREAKING: Bloomington police confirm suspect in custody after stabbing at Macys at @mallofamerica. Chopper 5 LIVE over scene now: pic.twitter.com/h9O14MDsUV  Matt Belanger (@MattKSTP) November 13, 2017

Police: Mall of America stabbings were part of a failed robbery attempt https://t.co/z4447MDQ3u  Steve Lookner (@lookner) November 13, 2017

Mall of America, Bloomington PD Presser: Macy's stabbing was an "interrupted theft." Suspect attempted to rob something from a dressing room. He was confronted and produced a knife; stabbed two people. Injuries are not life-threatening.  Peter Wright (@peterkwright) November 13, 2017

A suspects name or a motive have not been given.
23 Children Hurt Inside Trampoline Gym: Reports

Twenty-three children were hurt after a stairwell at a trampoline gym collapsedwhich sent the children hurtling toward the ground.

The children are now recovering in area hospitals, ABC13 reported.

It was really scary, one child told ABC13. Everybody was crying and bleeding.

The wooden platform broke at a business called Vault PK, located at 1699 Main St., KTLA reported. The incident took place at 7 p.m. Saturday, the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department said on Twitter.

The platform collapsed while children and adults were on top of it, officials confirmed.

A stairway collapse has injured approximately20 kids at Main and Sigsbee.  SDFD (@SDFD) November 12, 2017

Four of the injured children are listed in serious condition, fire officials stated.

The platform these kids were going up was real sketchy, you could tell it wasnt going to hold all that weight, parent Cory Brizendine told ABC13. Some 30 to 40 children were called to the stairwell to get pizza.

All of a sudden, it just crashed down and I heard people screaming when it was coming down, he said.

Jordan Alvarez, 13, said he considers himself lucky.

I fell, luckily I landed on a cushioned pad, Alvarez said. Luckily I didnt get hurt.

Praying they bounce back. 23 Children Hurt After Platform Collapses in San Diego Trampoline Gym  KTLA https://t.co/KxaDlDPaCb  @danfromdc (@danfromdc) November 12, 2017

The gyms owner Jessica Ho told ABC that she was devastated.

Her statement read: We are truly heartbroken tonight, as these children and their parents arent just our memberswe see them weekly, they are our gym family  I had my own children there tonight. I am just as devastated for all the children affected as any other parent. Their safety has always been a priority. My heart aches for the families who call Vault PK home.

We are working with authorities and will continue to do so to resolve this. That is all we can say for now.

And while youre here 

We have a small favor to ask of you. More people are reading The Epoch Times than ever, but ad revenues are plummeting across the media. If you can, please share this article on Facebook so you can help The Epoch Times. It takes less than a minute. Thank you very much!
3-Year-Old Shoots 1-Year-Old: Police Arrest 25-Year-Old Shawn Moore

A Tennessee man was arrested and charged in the death of a 1-year-old who was shot with his gun by a 3-year-old on Friday, Fox reported.

Shawn Moore, 25, was arrested by Memphis Police and was charged with criminally negligent homicide, being a convicted felon in possession of a handgun, and tampering with evidence.

The 3-year-old accidentally shot 1-year-old Robin Keefer, police said. It came after Moore placed Robin in a bed that also contained his gun.

It was determined that Robin Keefer was actually shot by her 3-year-old sibling with Moores firearm, police said, the Commercial Appeal reported.

Breaking: ambulance carrying infant shot on Mendenhall arriving at LeBonheur with MPD escort @WMCActionNews5 pic.twitter.com/f4ghZzTaHp  Kendall Downing (@kendall_downing) November 10, 2017

The gun was then heard going off in the apartment complex. The girl was rushed to a hospital but she was pronounced dead there, Fox reported.

The 3-year-old was not identified, and his relationship to Moore is unclear.

TONIGHT: A convicted felon is back in jail after a 1yo girl was shot and killed yesterday. Shawn Moore told investigators her 3yo brother pulled the trigger after he left his gun out. More on the suspect's long criminal past on @3onyourside. pic.twitter.com/r6WhulCY94  Nina Harrelson ? (@NinaHarrelsonTV) November 11, 2017

The girl was found lying in a rear bedroom at the home, and she appeared to have been shot in the head.

Police said that Moore took the gun and fled the scene. He later turned himself into police.

#UPDATE: A Memphis family is devastated after an infant girl who recently celebrated her first birthday died after being shot. Family identified that baby as Robin Keefer, described by loved ones as full of laughs. https://t.co/6na3SdfsOg pic.twitter.com/b345MqcpdC  Local 24 News (@LocalMemphis) November 11, 2017

According to the Appeal:

Her mother said she saw Moore armed with a pistol and asked why he had it. Moore responded that he needed it for protection. The mother said that Moore was sitting on the side of her bed when she lay Robin down, and that she heard a gunshot but did not see who fired the gun.

Moore later turned himself in at the Mount Moriah precinct and told officers that the weapon that killed Robin was in his backpack. A S&W .40-caliber pistol with a magazine and a spent shell casing stuck in the chamber was recovered. Moore was charged with criminally negligent homicide, being a convicted felon in possession of a handgun, and tampering with evidence.

No bond was set for Moore, who was booked in jail.
The logo of Amazon is seen at the company logistics center in Lauwin-Planque, northern France, on Feb. 20, 2017. (Pascal Rossignol/Reuters)

Amazon Says Australia Launch Imminent Ahead of Spending Season

SYDNEY (Reuters)  Amazon.com Inc is really close to opening in Australia, its country manager said on Monday, as the U.S. e-commerce juggernaut prepares to shake up an already-fragile brick-and-mortar retail sector in the worlds No. 12 economy.

While Amazon did not give an exact start date, the remarks from Rocco Braeuniger suggest the company will ship goods from its first Australian warehouse in time for the end-of-year holiday season, a moment seen by analysts as a tipping point for Australias staid retailers.

Let me tell you we are getting really, really close, a jeans-wearing Braeuniger told about 600 prospective product merchants at an open day on the Sydney waterfront, held to encourage merchants to sell on its website.

Since confirming plans to open in Australia in April, Amazon has signed up many thousands of sellers, added Braeuniger, who relocated from his native Germany for the role in August.

Australians can already buy Amazon products from offshore, but having a warehouse locally cuts sometimes sizable international shipping costs, adding to pressure on retailers already struggling with the overheads that come from maintaining shopfronts and employing checkout staff.

Earlier this month, Australias top department store chain Myer Holdings Ltd cut its growth targets, citing weak trading conditions, while rival David Jones recently contributed to the first profit decline in eight years for its owner, South Africas Woolworths Holdings.

In a sign of further headwinds for offline retail, Braeuniger said his $540 billion company planned to bring more services to Australia, from the outset, than it had previously flagged.

While Amazon said earlier that it would offer Australia its marketplace service, where retailers hire Amazons infrastructure but run their own sales, Braeuniger said the company would also run its own retail unit, ordering and shipping its own product.

He suggested Amazon would wait, however, before taking on Australias grocery market. The firm took years to offer the service in other countries and its really, really complicated to make fresh food delivery a great customer experience.

Amazon, among the latest tech heavyweights to expand in Australia, has snapped up a sprawling nine-floor office in Sydneys financial hub, with sweeping views of the Harbour Bridge and Hyde Park.

In August, it said it had picked a distribution warehouse in Australias second-largest city Melbourne, also on the east coast where about four-fifths of the countrys 24 million people live.

Amazon in Australia might not be the end of retail as we know it https://t.co/vJUURkym7P  A/Prof Gary Mortimer (@The_Grocery_Dr) September 4, 2017

By Byron Kaye
At Least 67 Killed, 500 Injured in Iran-Iraq Quake

BAGHDAD/ERBIL, Iraq (Reuters)  At least six people died in one just city in Iraq and several dozen were killed across the border in Iran on Sunday when a strong earthquake hit the region, officials and state media in the two countries said.

The US Geological Survey said the quake measured a magnitude of 7.3, while an Iraqi meteorology official put its magnitude at 6.5 with the epicenter in Penjwin in Sulaimaniyah province in the Kurdistan region close to the main border crossing with Iran.

Across the border in Iran, state TV said several people were killed and many others injured when at least eight border villages were damaged. Electricity had been cut in the area and rescue teams had been dispatched to the area.

On the Iraqi side, the most extensive damage was in the town of Darbandikhan, 47 miles (75 kms) east of the city of Sulaimaniyah in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region. More than 30 people were injured in the town, according to the Kurdish Health Minister Rekawt Hama Rasheed.

The situation there is very critical, Rasheed told Reuters.

The districts main hospital was severely damaged and had no power, Rasheed said, so the injured were being taken to Sulaimaniyah for treatment. There was extensive structural damage to buildings and homes.

There were reports of injuries in a stretch of cities, towns and rural villages near the Iranian border, including Halabja, Khanaqin and Panjwin.

#Earthquke has damaged #Khanaqin's biggest mosque, Abu Hafsa in north east of Iraq. A powerful quake jolted #Iraq and western border cities of #Iran hours ago. pic.twitter.com/2ovtTpl6EB  M.Reza Noroozpour (@noroozpour) November 12, 2017

Residents were keeping away from their homes and sleeping on the streets, several hours after the quake hit.

In Halabja, local officials said that a 12-year-old boy died from an electric shock when an electric cable fell during the earthquake.

Iraqs interior minister ordered civil defense and fire fighting crews to be on high alert after the quake.

In Iran, the earthquake was felt in the capital Tehran. Media gave contradictory casualty figures. Semi-official Fars news agency and state news agency IRNA said at least six people had been killed and many others injured in the border town of Qasr-e Shirin.

But the governor of Qasr-e Shirin, Faramarz Akbari, said only two people had died in the town and 25 others were injured.

The quake was felt in several Iranian provinces bordering Iraq eight villages were damaged electricity has been cut in some villages and rescue teams have been dispatched to those areas, TV reported.

Semi-official Tasnim news agency quoted an emergency services official as saying there were fears that casualties in villages and small towns could be high.

People were staying out on the streets in towns in the western Kermanshah province because of the threat from aftershocks, a local Red Crescent official told TV.

So far, the quake has followed by over a dozen aftershocks ranging from 3.1 to 4.1 in magnitude, reported Farsnews.

Dancing in the Air

Many residents in the Iraqi capital Baghdad rushed out of houses and tall buildings in panic.

I was sitting with my kids having dinner and suddenly the building was just dancing in the air, said Majida Ameer, who ran out of her building in the capitals Salihiya district with her three children. I thought at first that it was a huge bomb. But then I heard everyone around me screaming Earthquake!'

There were similar scenes in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region, and across other cities in northern Iraq, close to the quakes epicenter.

7.5 siddetli depremin bir kafenin guvenlik kamerasdan.

The Heavy #Earthquake in CCTV of one of the cafes in #Sulaymaniyah .#Kurdistan pic.twitter.com/Opj4Hq4IBm  Rasan Remzi (@RasanRemzi) November 12, 2017

Iraqs meteorology center advised people to stay away from buildings and not to use elevators, in case of aftershocks.

Residents of Turkeys southeastern city of Diyarbakir also reported feeling a strong tremor, but there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties in the city.

Turkish Red Crescent Chairman Kerem Kinik told broadcaster NTV that Red Crescent teams in Erbil were preparing to go to the site of the earthquake, and that Turkeys national disaster management agency AFAD and National Medical Rescue Teams (UMKE) were also preparing to head into Iraq. AFADs chairman said the organization was waiting for a reply to its offer for help.

In a tweet, Kinik said the Turkish Red Crescent was gathering 3,000 tents and heaters, 10,000 beds and blankets and moving them towards the Iraqi border.

We are coordinating with Iranian and Iraqi Red Crescent groups. We are also getting prepared to make deliveries from our northern Iraq Erbil depot, he said.

Israeli media said the quake was felt in many parts of Israel too.

By Raya Jalabi and Ahmed Rasheed
BMW Driver Miraculously Escapes Death in Freeway Overpass Crash

A BMW driver escaped death after crashing early Saturday morning near a freeway in San Francisco, CBS reported.

The car flew off the freeway and crashed on the street below. Photos showed the vehicle upside-down.

Breaking : Car flies off freeway in San Francisco, lands on city street.

Photo courtesy : @sffdpio pic.twitter.com/BwBDMPmJIH  KGO Assignment Desk (@KGOdesk) November 11, 2017

Driver suffered non-life threatening injuries : Incident under investigation.

Photo courtesy: @sffdpio pic.twitter.com/6tn673zBJB  KGO Assignment Desk (@KGOdesk) November 11, 2017

The accident took place 4 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11, as the car was eastbound on Interstate 80 and landed on Vermont Street.

The driver then transported himself to the hospital, police said.

The cause of the crash and the drivers condition are not clear.

According to NBC Bay Area, the driver sustained nonlife-threatening injuries and rescued himself from the accident.BMW Driver Miraculously Escapes Death in Freeway Overpass Crash
A worker lugs a carcass of beef at Smithfield market in London. The UK government is requiring abattoirs to install CCTV from spring 2018. (Sinead Lynch/AFP/Getty Images)

CCTV Cameras to Be Made Compulsory in Slaughterhouses

The British government is to require slaughterhouses to install CCTV, to crack down on mistreatment of animals.

Abattoirs that are found to mistreat animals will face losing their licence or being prosecuted.

The Food Standards Agency intends to highlight cases in which animals have been badly treated, with vets having access to the last 90 days of footage.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) said that the new measures will come into force from next spring, with slaughterhouse owners given six months to comply.

A month-long consultation showed 99 percent support among the 4,000 respondents, including members of the public, industry groups, and welfare campaigners, according to DEFRA.

Environment Secretary Michael Gove said, We have some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world and want to cement our status as a global leader by continuing to raise the bar.

The reaction to this consultation highlights the strength of feeling among the public that all animals should be treated with the utmost respect at all stages of life and be subject to the highest possible welfare standards, he said in a statement.

Animal welfare groups welcomed the new legislation.

RSPCA Head of Public Affairs David Bowles said: We applaud the Secretary of State for his steadfast and focused commitment to ensuring the highest possible animal welfare standards in the UK.

The RSPCA looks forward to seeing the details of the proposal as issues such as where the cameras will be located, footage quality and storage, and who can have access to it are essential to making the legislation meaningful, he said in a statement online.

We also believe there are further ways to improve the slaughter of farm animals once the UK exits the EU, such as prohibiting electrical water-bath stunning for poultry and prohibiting slaughter without stunning.

Heather Hancock, Chairman of the Food Standards Agency (FSA), also welcomed the decision.

Last year, the FSA Board concluded that, without mandatory CCTV in slaughterhouses, we would see minimal further progress in businesses improving animal welfare or complying with official controls to protect public health.

We look forward to working with the industry as CCTV plans are implemented, and to seeing public confidence rise as a result, she said in a statement.
A glimpse into the atelier art movement

LONDONFollowing just a half hour train ride from the center of London, a short walk along the River Thames and along the bend to Barnes High Street, you pass various shopsa grocery store, a cafeand while you might keep an eye out, passing the fishmongers, then a hardware store, you could easily miss The Barnes Atelier of Art. The small brick building is tucked at the end of a narrow, moss-covered alleyway. Once you see the distinctive wrought-iron sign jutting out and the lions head knocker on the door, you know you are at the right place.

It was an old bakehouse, Nancy Fletcher said.

Thats why we kept the oven downstairs, Travis Seymour chimed in.

And it does work, Fletcher said, smiling, her eyebrows rising as she looked at her husband.

After nine months of renovating the building and using it as their studios for a time, the artist couple founded the atelier a year ago in the southwest London district. Barnes is a part of London that seems oblivious to the big city. With 18th- and 19th-century buildings, a high proportion of independent shops and boutiques, a farmers market, a duck pond, and plenty of peace and quiet, the community is the perfect fit for The Barnes Atelier.

In the broader scope of the increasing number of ateliers that have emerged in the past two decades around the world, the Barnes is especially keen on passing on the classical realist tradition, a visual language of Western art that has been developing for more than 700 years. Above all, the artists of the atelier value quality over quantity and artistry that is backed by masterful skill.

Fletcher is from the agricultural area of Lincolnshire in North England. Seymour is from the North Carolina coast. They shared with me their journey as a couple, as painters, and as teachers. It quickly became clear that besides the oven, the warmth of The Barnes Atelier stems from Seymour and Fletchers passion for creating and fostering beautiful art.

Everyone is always so amazed when they find us, Fletcher said, not only referring to their nestled location, but mostly to their artwork and teaching.

The couple met as students at the Angel Academy of Artone of the main art academies in Florence, Italy, that teach in the classical realist tradition. They also took extra workshops at The Florence Academy of Art and at Charles Cecil Studios, before moving to New York City for Fletcher to study at Jacob Collinss Water Street Atelierthe precursor of todays Grand Central Atelier.

Fletcher and Seymour were particularly impressed by Collinss work and his way of teaching; he was the first teacher to give Fletcher a demonstration. It was possibly the best move that I have made, Fletcher said. It helped me to no end. Collins proved to possess all the qualities of a principled mentor, which the couple would later emulate.

After two years in New York and some time in North Carolina, the couple moved to England. Seymours paintings were selling in several galleries in the United States, but Fletcher was receiving more commissions from England. We had an agreement we would go in the direction of whoevers career was strongest, Seymour said. We have had more success in this country with this particular style of portrait.

A couple of Fletchers portraits were exhibited in the BP Portrait Award exhibitions of the National Portrait Gallery in London in 2012 and in 2015. Her first at BP was a portrait of Seymour sitting on a chair with his palette and paintbrushes in hand. It has a mesmerizing quality about it, with light effects inspired by the Danish Golden Age painter Christen Kobke.

I sat for 40 hours! Seymour chimed in.

Hes going to be my muse, obviously, for the rest of my life, Fletcher said, smiling.

The painting was printed for the banners of the National Portrait Gallery, which provided great publicity for Fletchers work and at least two years of commissions.

At that point, I discovered who I was as an artist and what I wanted to explore, Fletcher said. Being under pressure, back in London, doing the commissions, having a high-profile agent push my work, and understanding the competition out there.

Around that time, Seymour was teaching at the LARA (London Atelier of Representational Art) while he renovated the old bakehouse that would become the Barnes Atelier.

Seymour paints figures with understated narratives. He was just starting a three-quarter life-size figure of a lady in an evening dress, and the canvas could be seen leaning at the back of the ateliers upstairs studio. He spends most of his time teaching, reserving one day a week for his own painting, while Fletcher takes care of their two children during the day and paints commissioned work in the evenings.

We have very different lives now than when we were in school, but we both look back very fondly on those years in Florence and in New York, Seymour said.

It was monumental in our lives, Fletcher said.

Straight and Narrow Path

The walls of the ateliers kitchen, stairwell, and upstairs studio hold academic drawings and paintings Fletcher and Seymour made during their student years. The figures are perfectly proportioned; the shading looks impeccably smoothno lumps, bumps, spots, or specs of graphite on the paper. Some of the drawings took about 80 hours to create; a few were left unfinished, revealing the preparatory line drawing below the knees.

Only a few of the paintings on display show the couples personal styles, to leave ample space for students to develop their own. Seymours attitude to teaching could be summed up as do as I do. And what he says to students is consistent with what he does. Talent is certainly going to help put you at the top of any field, but not without diligence and dedication, [which is] the groundwork for success, Seymour said.

The downstairs studio is lined with casts, separated by black curtains, for students to draw in the morning hours. After a lunch break, they fill the upstairs studio to draw a portrait or figure from a model. Fletcher and Seymour give demonstrations throughout each trimester.

The couple decided to set the standards high. It takes a hearty degree of dedication to create works of art with the techniques of the old masters. Yes, this is difficult, Seymour said. If it would be easy, everyone would be doing it. The intimate space of the atelier itself lends itself to only accommodating a select number of students.

I say to my students, we are in London. Like New York, there are plenty of places to learn how to draw and paint. This is not the only way by any means, but its the method I have chosen to use, which I can translate effectively, Seymour said, referring to his work. The path to technical proficiency can be difficult to navigate, and I try my best to lay it out as clearly as I can for them.

Drawing From Life

On the second day of the fall term, the students began the afternoon by determining who would have each easel position in front of the model. The students randomly picked pieces of papers that were numbered with the names of old masters on them: 1-Michelangelo, 2-Leonardo, 3-Rubens, 4-Raphael, 5-Van Dyck, 6-Rembrandt, 7-Titian. The eighth easel was left for Seymour to draw alongside them.

Theres 13 minutes left in this sitting, so anyone who has chosen their spot already can begin what you were doing yesterday: Sketch, sketch, sketch, Seymour announced. The students made little marks for the top and the bottom of the figure, then measured the middle. When you find the landmark that lies halfway on the model, you will know it has to be on that line, and then [you can determine] your width-to-height ratio. That is all you want to do for the first 20 minutes, Seymour said.

That first 20-minute sketch is just a warmup; after finishing, the students erase and start all over again. There are lots of limitations we all put in front of us that can easily be remedied, but which are not easy to implement. So from the very beginning, just sharpening your pencil effectively can render almost miraculous effects, but it requires a conscious effort, because you have to stop what you are doing and go sharpen your pencil, Seymour said. The mantra is sharp pencil, go slow.

Seymour is currently teaching seven full-time students. We are very fortunate that there are a continuous number of students who particularly like the way that Nancy and I teach and want to dedicate three-plus years to learning from us. We feel very humbled.

There can be many sacrifices that students make, such as temporal, familial, and financial ones, in order to study with us, and we dont take that for granted. I try to see each of them at least five times a day, every day. Most of the students have a minimum commute of an hour, and two of them commute more than three hours.

While the three-year Master Academy program is designed for aspiring professional realist painters, part-time students receive the same degree of instruction during the day. Part-time students benefit from seeing the work done by full-time students, and I do think, in a small environment like this, its quite nice to see a fresh face every so oftento keep things snappy, Seymour said.

The Barnes Atelier of Art attracts incredibly dedicated students who want to draw and paint all day, aspiring to mastery. The intense concentration, coupled with the peaceful atmosphere in the quaint atelier, forges diamondsa wonderful environment for painters to emerge within the classical realist tradition.

The couple has received commissions from clients in Barnes as well. You build upon that and you keep on building, and its amazing, Fletcher said. Its what life is about, the memories and the relationships that you have with individuals.

Follow @milenefernandez on Twitter or @milenejf on Instagram
4 Killed in Detroit Crash, Toddler Survives With Minor Injuries

Four people died after an SUV crashed on the I-94 in Michigan, but police say a toddler walked away with only minor injuries.

First responders found two males ejected from the car and two females inside when they arrived at the scene of the wreck on a slick portion of the I-94 near 8 Mile Road in Harper Woods, in southeastern Detroit.

A 2-year-old boy was seen walking away from the wreck with firefighters, Local 4 Detroit reported.

Update: SUV in fatal accident on 94 has been removed. 4 people died. One toddler will be okay. The freeway will open soon. #local4. pic.twitter.com/oivhE1pC2j  Nick Monacelli (@nickmonacelli) November 13, 2017

Good Samaritans stopped and helped free the child from the mangled wreck, WXYZ reported.

The toddler was buckled into a car seat and suffered minor injuries. None of the adult victims, ages 18 to 25, were wearing seatbelts, state police say.

The baby was in the car seat, a crash witness told WXYZ. That was the only thing that probably saved the baby.

Update: 2 males, 2 females killed in 94 accident. Males ejected, females were still in SUV. Toddler able to walk with firefighters. #local4 pic.twitter.com/qfWX6nO4rT  Nick Monacelli (@nickmonacelli) November 13, 2017

The eastbound stretch of I-94 was closed for six hours as police investigated the crash. The highway reopened at 7 a.m., Detroit News reported citing the Michigan Department of Transportation.

Speed, wet weather, and alcohol may have contributed to the crash, although the investigation is still ongoing.

Police say that the 2006 Buick SUV was traveling in the left lane and passing other vehicles at a high speed when the driver lost control, crossed three lanes of traffic and slammed into a bridge at 1 a.m. on Nov. 13.

Eastbound I-94 near 8 Mile reopens six hours after horrific crash kills four people. The only survivor is a baby found in a car seat. pic.twitter.com/BxpZNjZi7Q  Shelley Childers (@ShelleyChilders) November 13, 2017

A woman who lives in the area told Local 4 that crashes are commonplace on this stretch of I-94.

Every couple weeks there are sirens going down there. It always seems its either right before the bridge over here, or right here, Shannon Thurman said.

And I can tell you from experience people fly down this stretch going 80 mph, dont think about it, Thurman added. The other issue is that onramp right there, people dont merge well. It happens all the time.

Two men and two women killed in overnight single-car crash on I-94 eastbound near 8 Mile. A baby found in a car seat is the only survivor. pic.twitter.com/Jl6IwLOfm4  Shelley Childers (@ShelleyChilders) November 13, 2017

Police scheduled a press conference about the crash later on Monday.

The names of the victims have not been released.

From NTD.tv
Regent Street was Apple's first store in Europe, and has handled more than 60 million customers over the past 12 years, and will be the first store in Europe with the new design concept. (Leon Neal/Getty Images)

Moped Gang Ransacks Flagship Apple Store

A security guard was threatened with a hammer as he tried to stop a moped gang from ransacking Londons flagship Apple store in the early hours of Monday morning.

Police said that ten thugs on five mopeds smashed their way into the Regent Street store. Two minutes later, the thieves made off with iPhones, iPads and watches worth thousands of pounds.

The Metropolitan Police said they were alerted to reports of a robbery at around 12:45 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 13.

Detectives are investigating the CCTV recordings of the incident. A red moped was abandoned inside the glass doors of the store, according to Sky News.

Two iPhone Xs were recovered near Kings Cross.

Look-outs were reportedly posted outside the store, while others ran inside and took Apple products on display stands. The suspects then drove off on waiting mopeds, the Evening Standard reported.

One customer, Hajra Ali, 37, from Ilford, told the newspaper that this was not an isolated attack in the capital.

There have been loads of moped attacks in my area, they even use them for house break-ins, he said. They break into the front door, one goes inside to grab what they want and then they get out. There are always two of them on each moped.

There are over 50 moped-enabled crimes in London every day, according to the Mayors office.

The Apple store raid comes just one month after a smash and grab at a high-end jewellery store on the same famous shopping street.

The raid at Mappin & Webb jewellery store on Oct. 9 involved six suspects. Three thieves forced themselves into the store using weapons including a hammer, an axe and bats, according to police. The trio then left with three other thugs who were waiting outside on revved-up mopeds.

Moped-related thefts in the capital have risen by an estimated 60 percent in the past two years.

According to police, 1,009 mopeds were stolen in London in October 2015; this April they stole 1,598.

Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe helped a tourist who was slashed in the face by muggers on a moped this July. The man in his 50s was targeted for his Louis Vuitton bag in the affluent London area of Chelsea.
Multiple Casualties After Plane Crashes in Kentucky, FAA Says

Four people were killed when their single-engine light plane crashed in Glasgow, Kentucky, on Nov. 12, according to reports.

The Piper PA32 went down at 2:21 p.m. near the Fountain Run area of Barren County, according to to the Federal Aviation Administration, reported AP.

Witnesses say ambulances, firetrucks and the Barren County Coroner were at the scene.

WSMV reported that the plane and its passengers were headed toward Lake Cumberland Regional Airport in Somerset, Kentucky, about 80 miles away from the crash site.

Three of the passengers were pronounced dead at the scene, and the fourth passed away shortly after at the Medical Center in Bowling Green, said state police.

The victims have yet to be publicly identified and the cause of the crash is unconfirmed.

Authorities described the wreckage as mangled with a field of debris up to 200 feet wide, according to WKRN.

#BREAKING UPDATE: 4 people have died after a single-engine plane crash in Barren County, KY. Victims have not been indentified as of yet. @NC5 https://t.co/9vQFoJ4Eh7 pic.twitter.com/LJKD0Qui5i  Brandon Marshall (@NC5_BMarshall) November 12, 2017

Kentucky State Police Public Information Officer Jeremy Hodges told WBKO that from initial inspection, it appeared that the plane hit some treetops before finally coming to a stop against some tree trunks.

Kentucky State Police had to cease their investigation with the fading daylight.

Happening NOW @wnkytv 4 dead in Barren County small plane crash. @CeciliaWNKY on the scene at this hour with the latest developments. pic.twitter.com/lzaKhAbqSx  WNKY TV (@wnkytv) November 13, 2017

National Transportation Safety Board spokesman Terry Williams said investigators will continue the investigation at the site on Monday, according to AP.

Glasgow is 100 miles south of Louisville, Kentucky.
A North Korean soldier (back) stands guard at the Military Demarcation Line in the border village of Panmunjom between South and North Korea in Panmunjom, South Korea on Oct. 9, 2016. (Jeon Heon-Kyun-Pool/Getty Images)

North Korean Soldier, Shot and Wounded, Defects to South

A North Korean soldier defected to the South on Monday after being shot and wounded by the North Korean military, South Korea said.

The soldier was found on the south side of the border village of Panmunjom, about 50 meters south of the Military Demarcation Line, wounded in his shoulder and elbow, according to a South Korean defense ministry official.

He defected from a North Korean guard post nearby and was being treated in hospital.

The defector was urgently transferred to hospital in a helicopter of the United Nations Command, and there was no exchange of fire with our side, the ministry official told Reuters.

Since it was an area exposed to the North, we had to crawl toward there to get him out, the official added.

There was no immediate comment on the incident from North Korea.

A South Korean army soldier, second from left, is seen as medical members treat an unidentified injured person, believed to be a North Korean soldier, at a hospital in Suwon, South Korea, Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. (Hong Ki-won/Yonhap via AP)

South Korean army soldiers talks with a medical doctor as he prepares to treat an unidentified injured person, unseen, believed to be a North Korean soldier, at a hospital in Suwon, South Korea, Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. (Lee Jung-son/Newsis via AP)

While on average more than 1,000 North Koreans defect to South Korea every year, most travel via China and it is unusual for a North Korean to cross the land border dividing the two Koreas, which have been in a technical state of war since their 1950-53 conflict ended in a truce, not a peace treaty.

The last such crossing was in June.

The South Korean ministry official said the soldiers condition and military rank remained to be verified.

The defection comes amid tension between the two Koreas, and between the United States and the North.

In this April 24, 2013, file photo, North Korean soldiers stand on steps overlooking the border village of Panmunjom, North Korea, which has separated the two Koreas since the Korean War. (AP Photo/David Guttenfelder, File)

North Korea has this year been boosting its nuclear and missile capacity with a series of tests as it faces off with U.S. President Donald Trump who has vowed to stop it from being able to hit the mainland United States with a nuclear weapon.

North Korea conducted its sixth and most powerful nuclear bomb test on Sept.3, but has not launched any missiles since firing one over Japan on Sept. 15, the longest such lull this year.
Police Arrest Suspect in Murder of Father of Three

Minneapolis police arrested a man suspected in the Monday murder of a 26-year-old father of three.

Henry Benjamin Cousins is being held without bail and is expected to be charged with murder, according to a press release from Minneapolis police. Cousins, 32, was convicted in 2015 of illegal gun possession.

Officers responding to a 911 call found David Ryman wounded on Lyndale Avenue North and 47th Avenue North in Mounds View, Minnesota, at 6 p.m. on Nov. 6.

The officers provided medical care until an ambulance arrived. After emergency medical technicians took over, Ryman was declared dead at the scene.

Police believe the victim and the suspect had an argument before the shots were fired. Ryman was fixing a food truck when he was shot, police spokesman Corey Schmidt told the Twin Cities Pioneer Press.

The suspect was not associated with the truck, Schmidt added.

The Hennepin County Medical Examiner ruled the death a murder, saying that Ryman was shot in the neck and chest.

The shooting occurred on a block that has a Dairy Queen, casual food shops, visiting food trucks, and light industry, Star Tribune reported.

Nikkole Johnson, a food truck employee in the area, told Star Tribune that she was within a foot of Ryman when he was shot. Ryman was a mechanic in the area and serviced various vehicles, she said.

Rymans family said that his third child was born in September.

David Ray Ryman you will be missed but you will always be remembered for your heart and soul, Rymans sister, Samantha Ryman, wrote on Facebook. You were a good dad and brother and my best friend. I thank you for everything.

Ryman had gone to Monterey High School in Burbank, California, according to his Facebook profile. He is originally from North Hollywood.

Rymans sister, Samantha, posted a photo of a tattoo on Facebook featuring her brothers name and dates of birth and death.

I will always love you and miss you, she wrote in the post.

You will always be in our hearts, she wrote in another post.

Samantha Ryman started a GoFundMe page to collect funds for funeral expenses. As of Sunday, the page had exceeded the $3,000 donation goal.

David was my student in Burbank, CA., wrote one of the contributors on GoFundMe. We were both from Minnesota, and he would often hang out by me at lunch and we would talk about cars. He showed mechanical skills at a young age and was a really easy guy to get along with. Im really sorry to hear about his passing. God bless.

The homicide unit and the crime lab are investigating the murder.

From NTD.tv
The Catholic Art Guild holds its first conference

CHICAGOThe Catholic Art Guild has set out to restore the sacred role of art in Roman Catholic churches, hosting its first conference, Beauty and the Restoration of the Sacred. Its yet another step in the recent resurgence of beauty in art.

As Father Joshua Caswell said at the well-attended conference on Oct. 29, the mission of the Catholic Art Guild can be demonstrated with a story about St. John Cantius, for whom the church sponsoring the guild is named. One day, a servant girl dropped and broke a jug of water. She wept at the thought of being punished by her mistress. St. John, in compassion, picked up the pieces of the jug and, through prayer, not only restored the broken vessel to a seamless condition, but also turned the water to milk.

The Catholic Art Guild hopes to repair the broken state of sacred art and its role in the church.

In the setting of The Drake hotel in Chicago, four guest speakersan artist, an architect, an educator, and a philosophertalked about restoring art to its proper role of illuminating the sacred.

Artist Anthony Visco, director of the Atelier for the Sacred Arts, spoke of his own journey as a survivor of modernism. In high school, Visco was inspired by Michaelangelos Pieta when it came to New York for the 196465 Worlds Fair. He copied the masterpiece in his sketchbook. But when he applied to art school, the teachers discouraged his hand [that] belonged to another time period.

Visco quickly learned to create relevant art. He visited dumps and rearranged what he found there, for example. I couldnt do anything wrong as far as the art world was concerned, he said. In fact, he was awarded a Fulbright for his work, which took him to Florence, Italy.

In Italy, Visco rediscovered the beauty of centuries-old sacred art and spent a year teaching himself to regain the skills hed lost in art school. Since then, Visco has created sculptures, murals, and reliefs for sacred spaces. He also trains young artists and works to promote wider classical training in the sacred arts.

Duncan Stroik, architect, author, professor of architecture at the University of Notre Dame, and the founding editor of the Sacred Architecture Journal, asked an intriguing question: Would museums that house the sacred art treasures of the past bother to collect whats created today?

Church architecture today often follows the trends in secular societythose of modernism and postmodernismrather than reflecting humanitys highest aspirations, Stroik said. When congregations do follow traditional models of architecture, they dont hire the best artists or use quality building materials, and the results are mediocre.

Stroik believes that by hiring leading artists of faith, using superlative materials, and providing classical training for artists in an academy of sacred arts, churches could reclaim their century-old purpose of expressing eternal truths in glorious form.

Denis McNamara, associate director and associate professor at the Liturgical Institute of the University of Saint Mary of the Lake, posed the question of what makes a church a church. For Roman Catholics, it entails bringing the heavenly reality to earth through signs and symbols.

McNamara pointed out several of these symbols. The church itself is made of stones, just as each parishioner of the faith is a living stone, comprising the church body. The heavenly reality may be revealed in icons, their visual simplicity allowing one to fast with the eyes and contemplate exemplars of the ideal. Gems or gem-like colors, McNamara said, are the manifestation of a soul moving from basic ore to polished perfection. The artwork adorning the ceiling or behind the altar traditionally displays a heavenly vista to inspire worshipers to see themselves among the multitudes with God. Together, these make a church a church.

Taking a step back, keynote speaker Roger Scruton spoke of ways of knowing reality. The philosopher and author of more than 40 books believes beauty is important for non-believers, too.

Knowledge derived from science, he said, claims that sacredness can be reduced to the need for our genes to be reproduced in our progeny. Faith builds community, and community ensures survival.

But the world has a meaning which is greater than what is revealed to our ordinary scientific inquiry, he said. The scientific way of seeing the world neither accounts for our everyday experiences nor for the sacred.

Is there another way to know the world, then? When we see beautiful art, like Sandro Botticellis Birth of Venus, we experience not only idealized beauty but something beyond it, he said. It seems to be looking back at us, and we relate to the painting as we relate to other people: subjectively. Similarly, when we experience the sacred, we feel as though we are in communion with someone whom we cannot reach.

Beautiful, classical art naturally points to this subjective other, Scruton believes, and relies on this relational way of understanding the world, so utterly beyond the reach of science and yet so fundamental to us as humans.
SC Senator Arrested for DUI, Says His Wife Was Driving

South Carolina Sen. Paul Campbell isnt above the law.

Campbell, 71, was arrested on DUI charges and struggled to stand when police officers put handcuffs on him, The Post and Courier reported. His vehicle crashed into 21-year-old Michaela Caddins car on Interstate 26, prompting police to respond to the scene.

Campbell was found in the passengers seat of his car. His wife, Vicki Campbell, was behind the wheel of the car, officials said.

Caddin alleged that the state senator switched seats with his wife after the accident. Police asked him to get out of the car, and they noticed he was under the influence.

When he was asked during a sobriety test, Campbell said that hes diabetic and one of his legs is shorter than the other, which is why he cant walk a straight line, reported the New York Daily News.

He was later arrested for driving under the influence after officers determined his blood alcohol content.

This may cost me my job. You know that, I guess, he told officers in the video. This is not fun. This kinda sucks. Im going to change the law on this  Im not DUI. I wasnt driving the car anyway, he said.

The Post and Courier reported that Campbell said that he was not driving, although Caddin disputes that.

Hes slated to appear in court on Jan. 8.
President Donald Trump and Russia's President Vladimir Putin talk as they make their way to take the "family photo" during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders' summit in Danang, Vietnam, on Nov. 11, 2017. (MIKHAIL KLIMENTYEV/AFP/Getty Images)

Trump and Putin Reach Agreement on Syria

Meeting on the sidelines of the APEC conference in Vietnam, President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to continue open channels of military communications that they say have resulted in greater losses to ISIS.

The two presidents said in a joint statement that enhanced de-conflicting efforts, such as increased communications between their militaries, have proven successful and will continue until the ISIS terror group is defeated.

With both Russian and United States military personnel operating in Syrian airspace, there has been a longstanding concern of a potential accident and subsequent conflict between the two.

Military communications between the United States and Russia have been suspended several times, most recently in April following a U.S. airstrike on a Syrian airfield in retaliation for chemical weapons use by the Syrian regime. Russian troops were present on the airbase.

Trump and Putin also agreed that there is no military solution to the conflict in Syria.

Instead, they say that constitutional reform and free and fair elections under UN supervision are needed.

In the joint statement, the leaders urged all Syrian parties to participate actively in the Geneva political process and to support efforts to ensure its success.

A U.N. security council resolution adopted on Dec. 18, 2015, calls for an inclusive and Syrian-led political process that meets the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people.

However, that political process never happened, and instead over 400,000 people have been killed according to U.N. numbers since the start of the conflict in 2011.

The successful implementation of the agreements announced today will save thousands of lives, the statement quotes Trump as saying.

Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Nov. 11 that the agreement was the result of just a few conversations between him and Putin.

We had two or three very short conversations because of the meeting, the fact that were at a meeting. But during those conversations, we talked about Syria and de-conflicting, Trump said.

We have areas where  their troops are facing our troops and theres nothing in between, Trump said.

He also said he wished that the United States and Russia had better relations, as it would help the United States with some of its most pressing problems, the most notable being North Korea.

Youre talking about millions and millions of lives. This isnt baby stuff. This is the real deal. And if Russia helped us, in addition to China, that problem would go away a lot faster, Trump said.

He said that relations between Russia and the United States have been damaged by a fake barrier that was created by false allegations of collusion between him and Russia during the 2016 campaign.

When will all the haters and fools out there realize that having a good relationship with Russia is a good thing, not a bad thing. There [sic] always playing politics  bad for our country. I want to solve North Korea, Syria, Ukraine, terrorism, and Russia can greatly help!, Trump wrote on Twitter on Nov. 11.

When will all the haters and fools out there realize that having a good relationship with Russia is a good thing, not a bad thing. There always playing politics  bad for our country. I want to solve North Korea, Syria, Ukraine, terrorism, and Russia can greatly help!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 12, 2017

He also pointed to the fact that former President Barack Obama, as well as his Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, had attempted to improve relations with Russia after Obama came to office in 2009, but were unable to do it.

In 2009, soon after coming to office, Obama called for a reset in relations with Russia during a visit to Moscow.

Just a few months earlier, Secretary of State Clinton had in Geneva presented her Russian counterpart, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, with a big red symbolic button labeled reset in English, but famously mislabeled with the wrong Russian translation for the word reset.

Does the Fake News Media remember when Crooked Hillary Clinton, as Secretary of State, was begging Russia to be our friend with the misspelled reset button? Obama tried also, but he had zero chemistry with Putin, Trump said on Twitter.

Does the Fake News Media remember when Crooked Hillary Clinton, as Secretary of State, was begging Russia to be our friend with the misspelled reset button? Obama tried also, but he had zero chemistry with Putin.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 12, 2017

Relations between Russia and the United States sharply deteriorated during Obamas second term in office, including over Ukraine and the conflict in Syria.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping and wife Peng Liyuan and U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania attend a state dinner at the Great Hall of the People on Nov. 9, 2017 in Beijing, China. (Thomas Peter - Pool/Getty Images)

Trump Announces China to Issue New Sanctions against North Korea

Tweet follows after meetings secure Chinese commitment to denuclearized North Korea

China will be increasing its sanctions against North Korea, President Donald Trump tweeted on Monday.

President Xi of China has stated that he is upping the sanctions against #NoKo. Said he wants them to denuclearize. Progress is being made.

President Xi of China has stated that he is upping the sanctions against #NoKo. Said he wants them to denuclearize. Progress is being made.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 11, 2017

The announcement comes as Trump returns from this 11-day trip through five Asian countries with a critical commitment from Chinese leader Xi Jinping: to take a firm stand against North Koreas nuclear ambitions.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Nov. 11, Trump drew attention to the significance of Xis statement two days earlier to stop the nuclearization of North Korea.

Thats a big statement, said Trump. A lot of people didntthey didnt pick that up.

I even looked up, because I was sitting, waiting to speak. And I said, Wow, thats a big statement.

Trump said that Xi was the most powerful Chinese leader since Mao Zedongperhaps even more soand that he wanted to do the right thing.

When asked what hed like to see next from Xi, Trump said he hoped the Chinese leader would ratchet up the pressure on North Korea, and expected that Xi would do so.

I think hes doing that. We had a long talk about it I was with him for hours, said Trump.

Xis statement came at the halfway point of Trumps Asia tour when the two leaders made their prepared statements at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Nov. 9.

Xi said the two countries would cooperate on major international issues to better contribute to the peace and prosperity of the region.

On the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, we reiterated the firm commitment to achieving denuclearization of the Peninsula and upholding international nonproliferation regime, said Xi.

At the time, Trump said the discussion had also covered their shared commitment to fully implement U.N. Security Council resolutions, a commitment he called on other nations to follow.

All responsible nations must join together to stop arming and financing, and even trading with the murderous North Korean regime, said Trump.

In regards to Trumps tweet, the White House has not released details of what Chinas additional sanctions will look like.

With China moving steadily to implement the current sanctions, which some reports indicate include the ejection of North Korean workers before the required deadline, the focus may now turn to Russia.

Trump suggested that could be the case in his comments before his bilateral meeting with Vietnamese leader Tran Dai Quang on Sunday.

President Xi, I think, is going to be a tremendous help. I hope Russia, likewise, will be a tremendous help. I think they can make a big difference, said Trump.

In his comments on Air Force One, Trump said he was unable to have a full conversation with Putin about the North Korean situation.

We just had these little segments that we were talking about Syria, said Trump, blaming an artificial Democrat barrier that had kept him from developing closer ties with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

If I had Russia and China helping us with North Korea, I think that would solve it. But this artificial barrier gets in the way.

That barrier is the politicized investigation of allegations that Russia interfered in the U.S. presidential election.

Trump said he had asked Putin about it several times and Putin assured him he did not interfere.

When a reporter asked Trump if he believed Putin, Trump said, I cant stand there and argue with him. Id rather have him get out of Syria, to be honest with you.

That whole thing was set up by the Democrats, he added. I mean, they ought to look at Podesta. They ought to look at all of the things that theyve done with the phony dossier. Those are the big events.
US Donald Trump waves as he arrives during the ASEAN-US 40th Anniversary Commemorative Summit on the sideline of the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Manila on Nov. 13, 2017. World leaders are in the Philippines' capital for two days of summits. (AARON FAVILA/AFP/Getty Images)

Trump Opens Door to Peaceful Solution to North Korea Conflict

News Analysis

President Donald Trump has opened the door to a peaceful resolution to the North Korean nuclear crisis.

Speaking before South Koreas National Assembly on Nov. 7, Trump delivered a personal message to North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un.

I also have come here to this peninsula to deliver a message directly to the leader of the North Korean dictatorship: The weapons you are acquiring are not making you safer. They are putting your regime in grave danger. Every step you take down this dark path increases the peril you face, Trump said.

However, despite North Koreas relentless pursuit of nuclear weapons, and its frequent threats to use such weapons against the United States and key allies, Trump said there is a way forward.

Despite every crime you have committed against God and man, were ready to offer, and we will do thatwe will offer a path to a much better future, Trump said.

It begins with an end to the aggression of your regime, a stop to your development of ballistic missiles, and complete, verifiable, and total denuclearization.

That better future might be found in the praise Trump gave of South Korea in his speech.

Family by family, city by city, the people of South Korea built this country into what is today, one of the great nations of the world. And I congratulate you. In less than one lifetime, South Korea climbed from total devastation to among the wealthiest nations on Earth, he said.

Today, your economy is more than 350 times larger than what it was in 1960. Trade has increased 1,900 times. Life expectancy has risen from just 53 years to more than 82 years today.

Trumps statement in South Korea is consistent with his push for a diplomatic solution to the crisis. Last month, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson told CNN said that Trump had instructed him to find a diplomatic solution, while military contingency plans were being prepared to pressure Kim Jong Un to the negotiating table.

With those military plans fully in place now, including the deployment of three aircraft carriers to the Western Pacific, Trump, a firm believer in the doctrine of peace through strength, is adding personal pressure to get Kim to the negotiating table.

A Nov. 12 Tweet by Trump might point to Trumps change in strategy. While responding to North Korean state media, which had described him as a lunatic old man, Trump said about Kim that he would NEVER call him short and fat?' and wrote that hes actually trying hard to be his friend.

While the Tweet can be interpreted many different ways, including as a simple strike back against the North Korean insult combined with sarcasm on trying to be friends, it might actually point to a switch in Trumps strategy.

Despite the threat of military force, North Korea has not engaged in talks on its nuclear program. Extending the offer of a better future for North Korea, and personal engagement, offers another way to encourage talks.

Why would Kim Jong-un insult me by calling me "old," when I would NEVER call him "short and fat?" Oh well, I try so hard to be his friend  and maybe someday that will happen!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 12, 2017

Trumps building of relationships with other leaders has so far served him well. He has cultivated a close relationship with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, resulting in China going far beyond mandated U.N. Security Council sanctions in countering North Korea.

Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Australia are among the nations who have pledged to help the United States to solve the North Korean nuclear crisis.

The North Korean situation continues to be a problem, Trump said on Nov. 12 while in the Philippines.

President Xi I think is going to be a tremendous help  I hope Russia likewise will be a tremendous help, he said.

While Trump has cultivated a close relationship with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, as well as Japans Shinzo Abe, and has worked to improve relations with South Koreas Moon Jae-in, he has not been able to work on his relationship with Russias Putin.

Trump said that the fake narrative that he colluded with Russia in winning the elections, was making it difficult to improve relations with Russia.

I call it the artificial Democrat barrier. It gets in the way, which is a shame, Trump said.

Youre talking about millions and millions of lives. This isnt baby stuff. This is the real deal. And if Russia helped us, in addition to China, that problem would go away a lot faster.
Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro talks to the media in front of images of Venezuela's national hero Simon Bolivar, during a news conference at Miraflores Palace in Caracas, Venezuela on Aug. 22, 2017. (REUTERS/Marco Bello)

Venezuelas Maduro Dismisses Default Possibility on Eve of Debt Talks

CARACASVenezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said on Sunday, Nov. 12, the country would never default on its debt, a day before debt talks with creditors that will be overseen by two officials under sanction by the United States.

Vice President Tareck El Aissami and Economy Minister Simon Zerpa will meet with creditors in Caracas on Nov. 13, Maduro said, contradicting earlier reports that sanctioned officials would skip the meeting to reduce investor anxiety about attendance.

People have bet on Venezuela declaring default  never, Maduro said during his weekly Sunday broadcast. Default will never reach Venezuela. (We) will always have a clear strategy and right now that strategy is to renegotiate and refinance the foreign debt.

The talks are aimed at beginning to restructure about $60 billion in bonds.

U.S. sanctions have made it practically impossible for Venezuela to refinance debt because U.S. banks cannot buy newly issued Venezuelan bonds. Restructuring talks are equally problematic because the sanctions bar investors from dealings with several officials on the newly appointed debt commission.

Maduros vow to restructure and refinance in such an environment has left investors wondering if he is, in fact, preparing the groundwork for default.

Tomorrow we begin the first round of renegotiation and refinancing of Venezuelas debt. It will be presided by our companion Tareck El Aissami  and the presidential commission that I have assigned to this task, he said.

He said 414 investors had confirmed their attendance, describing that as 91 percent of all holders of Venezuelan foreign debt. That figure seemed to contrast with the overwhelming response of investors contacted by Reuters, who said they were unlikely to attend.

Market sources said last week they had been told that officials sanctioned by U.S. President Donald Trumps administration would not appear at the meeting.

Trumps administration has imposed several rounds of sanctions this year, accusing Maduros government of undermining democracy and violating human rights.

Investors last week were optimistic about the meeting.

Bonds issued by Venezuela and state oil company PDVSA rallied on Friday as efforts to keep current on obligations fueled optimism ahead of the meeting.

Even though state-run power utility Corpoelec was declared to be in default on Friday for failing to make an interest payment on time, investors were heartened when the company said it had sent the money.

Maduro on Sunday said Corpoelec had indeed paid but that banks have been sabotaging such transfers, echoing frequent accusations that the country is besieged by an economic war.

What happens is that international banks hide the funds that have already been deposited  they hide them, Maduro said. Citibank, you gangsters at Citibank, you have tried to do damage to our country on various opportunities.

Citi declined to comment.

By Deisy Buitrago
Woman Shot Inside Indoor Play Center in Front of Kids: Police

A woman died after her husband shot her inside an indoor play center in Marysville, Michigan, on the evening of Saturday, Nov. 11.

Cheryl L. Pilarowksi was shot by her husband at her business, Jump N Jam, reportedly in front of her kids. The husband was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the familys home in Kimball Township, Marysville Police reported.

Police later identified the husband as Matthew Pilarowski, 34.

The shooting triggered chaos at the indoor play center where there were a number of children were celebrating a birthday. MLive reported that the couples 4-year-old witnessed the shooting, as well as a 9-year-old Cheryl Pilarowksi had from another relationship.

As you can probably imagine, there was just mass hysteria there, Marysville police Deputy Chief Ron Buckmaster told MLive.

Cheryl Pilarowski was later pronounced dead at Lake Huron Medical Center in Port Huron.

The couples home was secured by police after they figured out where they lived.

The suspects vehicle was parked in front of the residence, lights were on, Buckmaster told MLive

At this point in the investigation, it appears this was the result of domestic violence, Marysville Police said in a release.

Witnesses said that the couple had been fighting in the parking lot of the business a day earlier.

What bothers me most is that someone would do that in front of their own child, the Buckmaster said.
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.
How to watch and what to know about Northern Iowa at South Dakota
SAN FRANCISCOUber completed a deal Sunday to sell a significant stake of itself to SoftBank, a Japanese conglomerate, paving the way for the ride-hailing company to make sweeping governance changes and to go public by 2019.

Under the agreement, a consortium of investors led by SoftBank will buy at least 14 per cent of Uber through a combination of new and existing stock, according to three people briefed on the process, who spoke on condition of anonymity because those details are confidential. SoftBank plans to buy about $1 billion (U.S.) of fresh stock at Ubers current valuation of about $68.5 billion, but the bulk of the deal will be purchasing existing Uber shares from investors.

SoftBank is to buy the existing Uber shares in a process called a tender offer, which takes at least a month to complete. During that process, a price will be set for the existing Uber shares. If investors are reluctant to sell and SoftBank cannot hit its threshold of 14-per-cent ownership of Uber, SoftBank can walk away from the deal.

Read more:

Lyft, Ubers ride-hailing rival, is expanding to the GTA

Uber reaches for the skies with plan to demo its sleek flying taxi by 2020

Uber pledges $5 million to tackle sex assault problem

Weve entered into an agreement with a consortium led by SoftBank and Dragoneer on a potential investment, Matt Kallman, an Uber spokesperson, said. We believe this agreement is a strong vote of confidence in Ubers long-term potential. Upon closing, it will help fuel our investments in technology and our continued expansion at home and abroad, while strengthening our corporate governance.

The agreement follows an Uber board meeting on Oct. 3, when directors voted to move forward with an investment from SoftBank. As part of the deal, Ubers board agreed to sweeping governance changes, including measures that reduce the influence that Travis Kalanick, Ubers former chief executive, has at the company. He still has a seat on the companys board. The SoftBank investment also sets up Uber to go public by 2019, another provision that was contingent on the deal.

Since that meeting, SoftBank, Uber and Ubers early investors have haggled over deal terms. Some of Ubers early investors, like the venture capital firm Benchmark, initially wanted to retain certain shareholder rights that they hold through their Uber stock, according to two of the people briefed on the discussions. Benchmark and others ultimately agreed to waive those rights in exchange for concessions from SoftBank over the tender offer process, the people said.

Benchmark has agreed not to work with other investors to prop up the price during the tender offer. The firm will also suspend the lawsuit that it filed against Kalanick, and drop the suit upon completion of the tender offer.

SoftBank plans to purchase the Uber shares along with other investors, including Dragoneer, an investment firm. SoftBank will gain two Uber board seats as part of the investment.

Uber does not necessarily need new money, as it has raised more than $10 billion in debt and equity and has some $5 billion in the bank. But the SoftBank investment will let some of the companys investors sell their shares to lock in huge gains. Early employees also stand to sell for significant sums.

SoftBank also owns pieces of ride-hailing companies around the world, including Didi Chuxing in China, Ola in India, Grab in Southeast Asia and 99 in Brazil. The firm, led by Masayoshi Son, could help Uber navigate its relationships with those global rivals. Uber left the China market in 2016 by selling its operation to Didi and taking a minority investment stake in the new company.

SoftBanks investment in Uber pressures Ubers main U.S. rival, Lyft, to raise more money to compete on driver incentive deals and lower prices. As the two companies battle for market share, both have lost hundreds of millions of dollars a year.

Read more about:

SHARE:
Los AngelesThis buds for you has taken on a whole new meaning for Chris Burggraeve.

The former chief marketing officer for Anheuser-Busch InBev NV, the brewer of Budweiser beer, is moving from barley and hops to cannabis as the alcohol industry casts its sights on the burgeoning market for state-sanctioned marijuana.

Burggraeve, 52, has made two investments in the space. Most recently, he joined the advisory board of GreenRush Group. The San Francisco-based startup, which says it aims to be the Amazon of weed, closed its $3.6-million (U.S.) Series A fundraising round last week. Burggraeve, a native of Belgium with a masters degree in economics, also co-founded Toast, which makes pre-rolled joints.

The former beer executive is one of many entrepreneurs and investors increasingly flocking to the cannabis industry from the traditional business world. Big Beer took its first step last month when Constellation Brands Inc., which sells Corona in the U.S., announced its investment in Canopy Growth Corp., a Canadian seller of medicinal-marijuana products. In Burggraeves view, thats just the beginning.

Read more: Provinces split on plans for legal marijuana sales

This is one of the fastest-growing categories globally, he said. Why? Because people want it. When consumers want something, you ignore it at your peril.

Sixty-four per cent of the U.S. population now wants to lift the federal ban on marijuana, according to a Gallup poll released last month. Thats the largest rating since the firm started asking about the topic in 1969, the year of the Woodstock music festival, when only 12 per cent approved.

After leaving the corporate marketing world about five years ago, Burggraeve said hes focused on teaching, consulting and investing in what he considers disruptive categories. Cannabis, he said, could shake up the large beer companies in the same manner that smaller, independent brewers did over the past 20 years.

The same way that craft beer started and, for the longest time, was ignored and then exploded, theres no reason why the same thing wouldnt happen in this space, he said. There will be part supplementing and part complementing. The jury is out on how and where that will happen.

GreenRush is a technology platform that connects consumers, dispensaries and delivery people to bring pot to peoples doors. The company, which is live in California and Nevada, plans to expand to other states, including New York and Massachusetts.

The idea is to build up the business before marijuana is one day legal under federal law. Big companies such as Amazon shy away from the industry now because of the federal ban.

Cannabis is legal for recreational use in eight states and the District of Columbia, including California. That means one in five American adults can ingest the drug however they please. Twenty-one additional states allow for medicinal use of the plant. The industry hit $6 billion in sales in 2016, a figure that is expected to reach $50 billion by 2026, according to Cowen & Co.

Still, investing in marijuana isnt without risk. The Trump administration has sent mixed signals, though Attorney General Jeff Sessions is an ardent opponent of legalizing pot. And traditional banking institutions have largely stayed away, forcing most transactions to be conducted in cash.

Among alcoholic beverage companies, Constellation may have broken the taboo. They may now find the risk worth it, according to Burggraeve. Otherwise, brewers and distillers could find themselves falling behind.

It will all merge and cross-fertilize and fuse  not because the companies want it, but because the consumers want it, Burggraeve said.

SHARE:
New YorkEven before John Flannery began talking, Monday looked like one more bad day for General Electric Co.

It began around 6:30 a.m., with news that GE, once one of the most celebrated U.S. companies, was cutting its quarterly stock dividend for only the second time since the Great Depression.

Then things got worse. In front of hundreds of investors in midtown Manhattan, the new CEO delivered his long-awaited plan to shrink the beleaguered company back into Wall Streets heart. GE, he said, would now focus on just three businesses  power, aviation and health-care equipment  and exit others that have defined the quintessential American conglomerate for decades.

The reaction in the stock market was swift and brutal. GEs stock price, already down 35 per cent this year and the worst performer in the Dow industrials, tumbled on Monday by the most in two years. While Flannerys plans were generally in line with recent speculation, his presentation left some investors wondering whether his revamp would be enough to right the 125-year-old company.

There is no doubt that the plan outlined today marks a new era for GE, Deane Dray, an analyst at RBC Capital Markets, said in a note to clients. That said, does it go far enough?

GE plunged 7.2 per cent to $19.02 (U.S.) at market close in New York, the biggest intraday drop since August 2015.

John Flannerys strategic road map reflects a rigorous portfolio review, but suggests a tough slog ahead, Gautam Khanna, an analyst at Cowen & Co., said in a note to clients.

Reset year

In a sober presentation on a chilly morning, Flannery said 2018 would be a reset year. He cautioned that the power-equipment unit would take a couple of years to rebound.

GE will explore options to exit its locomotives unit and its majority stake in Baker Hughes, a provider of oil-field equipment and services. The company is also reviewing options for its lighting operations, a business that traces its origins to the companys formation by Thomas Edison.

The GE of the future is going to be a more focused industrial company, Flannery, who took over in August from Jeffrey Immelt. Soon were going to be proud of the performance.

Flannery already has made changes to top management, sought deep cost cuts and welcomed a representative of activist investor Trian Fund Management to GEs board. Flannery, who previously ran GEs unit manufacturing medical scanners and other health equipment, said last month that the company would divest at least $20 billion of businesses.

Lowered forecast

The moves follow a broad portfolio reshaping in recent years as Immelt sold most of GEs finance and consumer operations. Still, the latest steps will keep most of the current company intact and stop short of the full-scale breakup some analysts have recently called for.

Earnings next year will be $1 to $1.07 a share, GE said. That represents a significant decline from the $2 target that management has been discussing for several years. The new outlook is closer to analysts expectations, which were $1.18 on average before Mondays announcement, according to estimates compiled by Bloomberg.

The forecast became a point of contention this year as Immelt suggested in May that $2 a share would be tough to reach, a month after Trian, which has been one of GEs largest shareholders since 2015, said it believed GE could exceed the target.

GE will shrink the size of its board to 12 from 18 directors amid criticism from some investors and analysts over the size. Of the remaining members, three will be new to the board, GE said.

The quarterly payout will drop 50 per cent to 12 cents a share, the Boston-based company said in a statement, in a move that will save about $4.2 billion a year. GE last reduced the dividend in 2009 as it struggled with fallout from the financial crisis. We understand the importance of this decision to our shareowners and we have not made it lightly, Flannery said in the statement. We are focused on driving total shareholder return and believe this is the right decision to align our dividend payout to cash flow generation.

GE in October slashed its expectations for 2017 profit and cash flow as Flannery called the companys performance completely unacceptable.

Investors have been bracing for a dividend cut as GEs slide deepened in recent weeks. The payout had been recovering from a dramatic 68 per cent cut in 2009, after Immelt for weeks had said the payout was safe. Immelt has called slashing the dividend the worst day of my tenure as CEO.

SHARE:
The Apple logo was green. The symbol for Foot Locker was a sneaker. And Starbucks? The famous siren on every frappuccino and chai latte was not exactly the friendliest-looking sea dweller.

When 156 people were recently asked if they could draw some of the worlds most iconic brand logos from memory, some of their recreations were laughably off the mark. But something was not so funny for the companies that have tried to sear their brands into the minds of consumers everywhere: for 10 iconic brands, including Walmart, Burger King and Ikea, the overall percentage of near-perfect drawings was just 16 per cent.

That means fewer than one-fifth of the participants could remember the correct positioning of the familiar blue-and-red rectangle of Dominos, or the three black stripes of Adidas. Even Target  whose emblem involves a simple red bulls-eye above the brand name  confused people: 41 per cent forgot the number of circles.

People spend so much on marketing to get people to recognize and remember their brand, said Nelson James, co-founder and chief operating officer of the e-commerce site Signs.com, which led the study. We just wanted to know  does it work?

The answer is that being able to recognize a logo and being able to recreate it appear to be vastly different things. Although participants thought they had a good grasp on the designs, expressing confidence that they could redraw them without seeing them, their actual reproductions proved otherwise.

Logos are what companies use to help customers identify the brand, and choices like design, colour and font are critical, James said. Having these logos where you cant correctly recall details means something.

In an age of digital saturation, perhaps many of these carefully constructed logos are not as memorable as we think. A study conducted in 2014 by psychologists at the University of California, Los Angeles, similarly asked 85 participants if they could draw the familiar Apple logo from memory. More than half the subjects even identified themselves as strictly Apple users. Yet only one could draw the icon perfectly, as scored by a 14-point rubric.

Should Apple be worried? Not necessarily. Dr. Alan Castel, a psychology professor who was one of the authors of the study, said that the inability to accurately recall such daily ephemera as a brand logo really might be a beneficial quirk of our memory system.

We dont burden our memory with things we dont need to know, Castel said. He referred to a famous study in 1979 by psychologists Raymond Nickerson and Marilyn Jager Adams, in which participants were asked to draw the face of a penny. Most struggled.

Its rare that you really need to recall something from memory, Castel said. You simply recognize it, you see it on an item or a computer. You like it, you buy it.

Still, in recent years, brands such as Uber, YouTube and Dropbox have redesigned their logos, trying to make them more simple, more intuitive or more easily recognizable. In 2014, Airbnb announced its new logo, which it calls the Belo, in a video that noted that the design was easy for customers to draw.

Paul Stafford, co-founder of DesignStudio, the agency that led the rebranding effort, said that Airbnb envisioned people renting out their homes and putting their own spin on the Belo  on everything from magazines to bathrobes and shampoo bottles, like a hotel.

We had to create something that was so simple that everybody could draw it and interpret it themselves, Stafford said. They also wanted people to be sharing it. Right down to the people tattooing the mark on their arms.

Stafford, however, said that he did not think that being able to draw a logo necessarily indicates how well it resonates.

People often see logos so much that they feel like they know it. But they rarely critique it or study it enough to reproduce fine details  a phenomenon that psychologists such as Castel call inattentional amnesia. When something is seen frequently, the information ends up being more easily ignored or forgotten.

For instance, Castel said he would be curious how accurately people could recall the fine details of a stop sign.

We know its red, but the more subtle features  the exact shape of it, whether theres a white border around it  these are things we often miss, even though weve seen it millions of times, he said.

Perhaps the most surprising result of the Signs.com study was the company that fared best: Ikea. The Swedish furniture maker with the distinctive blue-and-yellow logo plastered across its giant retail stores was redrawn near-perfectly by 30 per cent of the participants.

Asa Nordin, who is a senior co-ordinator of Ikea trademarks at Inter Ikea Systems, said the unique shape, colours and longevity of the logo  it has been around since 1983  most likely contributed to its memorability.

The logo is merely the symbol for what the Ikea brand promises and delivers, Nordin said in an email. The logo shall mirror that promise as near as possible, as well as stand out from its surroundings. To be consistent and unique is clearly a strength of a logo.

The hardest logo to draw was Starbucks, which was redesigned in 2011. It is also arguably the most complex.

Simplicity is key, James said. Thats not necessarily a new concept. But this definitely corroborates that idea.

But is any logo overwhelmingly memorable? James is now curious. Initially, he resisted putting an overly straightforward and ubiquitous symbol in his study, such as those of McDonalds or Nike.

We thought it was too simple, James said. But, I wonder.

See some of the results below and here.

Read more about:

SHARE:
MONTREALHundreds of protesters marched through the streets of Montreal on Sunday to denounce racism, the far right and the provinces religious neutrality bill.

Organizers said the main goal of the gathering was to fight what they called the rise of racism and hate.

It was organized by a vast coalition of organizations that include womens groups, anti-globalization movements and student associations.

Read more:

Trudeau weighing options on Quebec face-covering bill after court challenge

Will Ottawa take up the legal fight against Quebecs face-covering ban?: Hebert

Quebec's face-covering ban challenged in court

Apart from a few skirmishes early on, the march was peaceful and featured demonstrators chanting and waving signs.

Many protesters said they were there to protest Quebecs Bill 62, which requires anyone giving or receiving state services to do so with their faces uncovered.

They argued the bill marginalizes Muslim women who wear niqabs and tacitly legitimizes Islamophobia.

The government has never been able to present anything that proves that, up until now, weve had any security problems whatsoever, said Eve Torres, a feminist protester.

On Oct. 20, Justin Trudeau weighs in further on the Quebec law banning people from covering their faces while receiving public services. The prime minister says it is not the role of government to tell women what they can or cant wear. (The Canadian Press)

Presently, were putting the spotlight on a group of women who have never posed a major problem in our society. It liberates racist speech, and we dont need that in the context of the rise of the far right.

The march occurred hours after a well-known statue of Sir John A. Macdonald in Montreals downtown was found covered in red paint.

An anonymous group took credit for the vandalism online, describing Macdonald as a white supremacist.

The organization, which described itself as a group of anonymous local anti-colonialist, anti-racist, anti-capitalist activists, expressed support for Sundays march but specified that its members werent directly affiliated with it.

Read more about:

SHARE:
A Montreal-area suburb has decided to forbid all nudity in the locker rooms of its municipal pools  a level of discretion that has one man wondering if it doesnt go too far.

Brossard advised residents in its newsletter this month it wouldnt allow men or women to walk around naked in their respective locker room and showers.

For now, the penalty is a simple warning. The city says it had to act after being inundated with complaints about nudity in what it considers a public space.

Longtime resident Roland Berard, 67, says he finds the new rule regressive.

I dont agree with having to cover up in the mens locker room when Im changing and when Im taking a shower, he said. I agree to be discreet.

Berard, who swims in the mornings when it is adults who are mostly present, said he doesnt see a problem changing or showering while naked.

The 30-year Brossard resident said hes never had an issue, even when his own children took swimming lessons at the same pools.

He wonders if educating kids about the human body shouldnt just be left up to parents.

I just thought it was a bit regressive to do that based on  I dont know how many complaints the city has had  complaints of people having other peoples nudity imposed on them, Berard said.

He said hes not looking to create conflict and will comply, but thinks its an issue worthy of discussion.

Eric Leuenberger, aquatic activities director for the City of Brossard, said the move comes amid widespread discontent among a wide range of pool users.

If the measures were reinforced, its because we got numerous complaints  from parents who didnt want their kids exposed to nudity and adults who were ill at ease, Leuenberger said. It might be a generational question, but we received many.

The coverup rules come as Brossard breaks ground on a new aquatic complex, one that will do away with gender-specific change areas in favour of a universal locker room. The facility is expected to be ready in 2019.

Brossard currently uses two high school pools with limited locker space.

The new $45-million aquatic centre includes the gender-inclusive shared space that will cater to individuals, families and people with disabilities, including a common area and private showers and change stalls.

The spaces are used in several facilities across Canada and are commonplace in European locales including Switzerland, France and Belgium.

The Brossard official defended the new rules as necessary, adding we cant have different rules for a category of citizens  we want one rule for everybody.

He said people like Berard will simply have to live with it.

Im not saying Mr. Berards behaviour is wrong, Leuenberger added. Ten years ago, we might not have said anything. But this is where we are now.

Leuenberger said there have been two complaints since the introduction of the new rules, including Berards.

Locker-room nudity also surfaced as an issue in Montreal this past summer when signs cropped up at a pool asking swimmers to show discretion and not hang around in the buff.

Read more about:

SHARE:
Ride-hailing company Lyft, Ubers main rival, will soon offer lifts to GTA residents in its first foray outside the U.S.

Weve been a business for five years and have been focused entirely on the United States, so we were very deliberate when making a decision to launch in Toronto as our first international market, John Zimmer, Lyfts president and co-founder, told the Star in an exclusive interview.

We see it as a world-class city. It will likely become one of our top five markets overall. We expect that to happen, and we see it as a city that really shares the values that we have at Lyft  focusing on people taking care of people, treating people well, treating people with mutual respect and promoting both inclusion and diversity.

Its a big decision. Its a big moment for us, and were excited to be coming to Toronto.

Preparing to go head to head with Uber, Lyft is signing up local drivers  including some who will respond to smartphone hails via both companies  and set up a local hub offering expertise to those who want to use their personal cars to make money.

Lyft plans to launch next month in the Greater Toronto Area and Hamilton with five options: regular vehicles for up to four passengers; the Plus service, with vehicles that can carry up to six people; Premier, offering high-end cars; Lux, with luxury black cars piloted by a top driver; and an SUV version of Lux.

The company is not yet ready to announce passenger rates, driver fees or details of the Toronto office.

The expansion comes more than five years after Uber barged into the Toronto market, upending the traditional cab industry. Its lobbying efforts helped produce, just over a year ago, council-approved regulations legalizing app-based private transportation companies alongside taxis.

Uber has become part of Torontos transportation scene, with almost 50,000 drivers  many part-time  and new services including food delivery.

Uber remains Americas ride-hail king, and quickly expanded to other countries, but has been rocked by scandals and lawsuits that triggered a #DeleteUber movement, questions over driver treatment, and the replacement of chief executive and founder Travis Kalanick.

Lyft, which retired fuzzy pink moustaches in drivers grilles in favour of glowing Amp dashboard signs, has mostly avoided such headlines.

Asked how Lyft will compete, Zimmer says 50,000 Torontonians downloaded the app this year with no service available. And, while he wont say the word Uber, he has no hesitation in positioning his company as a more ethical option to our competitor.

Its important to give people a choice  In order to provide the best hospitality to the end customer, you need to take best care of the drivers, and thats something weve done for five years, Zimmer said. It will be reliable, it will be affordable, but it will also be an experience more focused on the hospitality service.

He pointed to Lyfts decision, long before Uber, to let users tip drivers within the app, and a program to help non-owners rent cars by the week so that they, too, can earn money as drivers.

Khalid Ahmed, 31, says he makes about $30 an hour, less expenses, as an occasional driver for Uber. He plans to switch to Lyft.

Its new, its fresh. Its like waiting in line for the new iPhone  Ive got to have it, he said with a laugh. He also likes the companys mission statement and driver incentives. At the end of the day, Im available to the highest bidder.

Few, however, expect human drivers to be part of ride-hailings future. Uber has set up a lab in Toronto to test self-driving cars. Zimmer himself, in a September 2016 blog post, predicted that by 2021 the majority of Lyft rides would be in autonomous fleet vehicles.

CapitalG, the growth investment fund of Google parent company Alphabet, is leading a $1-billion (U.S.) round of financing in Lyft. Another Alphabet company, Sidewalk Labs, wants to develop a high-tech neighbourhood on Torontos east waterfront that will include self-driving cars and potentially buses.

Zimmer says there is no connection between Sidewalk Labs interest in Toronto and Lyfts move north. Still, his vision of the urban benefits of people electronically summoning transport, rather than owning it, jibes closely with the one espoused by Sidewalk Labs.

The bigger vision for Lyft is to say, for the last 100 years our cities have been shaped by car culture and by car infrastructure, and by car ownership specifically. Thats led to traffic, high expense, cities paved over, he said in the interview from San Francisco, where both Lyft and Uber are based.

 We can allow our cities to be redesigned around the people living in them instead of the cars parked in them.

Thats the bigger vision, and I think all of the things that we are seeing happening in Toronto are other reasons why we want to be there and we want to be part of that discussion and part of making sure that happens.

Not everyone is convinced. Kristine Hubbard, Beck Taxis operations manager, expects Lyfts entry to worsen Toronto gridlock. Its another reason to encourage cars to cruise the streets of our city  many of them who come from outside it  who otherwise wouldnt be there.

The taxi industry fought hard against Ubers entry. Noting she cant speak for cab owners or drivers, Hubbard said business for Beck  a dispatch and marketing service for independently owned taxi clients  has never been better.

But shes frustrated the market is getting more crowded before the city releases a review of the vehicle-for-hire bylaw promised after the one-year mark.

As more companies move into this space, we really need to see this report that is four months overdue, she said.

Read more about:

SHARE:
No date, no woo, and happily-ever-after.

Azad Chaiwala believes hes found the strategy for successful wedlock  just a click away on his newly launched GoMarry.com website.

I shun dating, the U.K. entrepreneur states, succinctly.

I see dating as two people, they glam up, they dress up, they go to these nice fancy places, nice music, and they try to woo the other person. Theyre trying to show this fake side of themselves or an exaggerated side of themselves. Its very dishonest. They look their best and theyre essentially playing the human equivalent of the mating dance. Whereas I advocate going on marriage meetings.

Its not such a new-fangled approach, really, based as the scheme is on non-Western cultures that cleave to arranged unions.

Hey, worked for him.

Chaiwala knew his future wife for three weeks before they tied the knot a dozen years and three children ago.

At the time, hed warned his bride-to-be and his pending in-laws that, as a practising Muslim born in Manchester of Pakistani heritage, hed probably take a second wife down the road.

I had nine marriage meetings before we agreed and 11 prior to actually getting married, he recounts.

One might reasonably describe that as a form of dating, except the couple was chaperoned throughout.

Love comes afterward, believe me, Chaiwala, 35, told the Star in a phone interview over the weekend. Love is this exaggerated thing. Weve turned love into what it isnt. Love is being able to grow together, creating a family together. Love is knowing what makes the other person happy and doing it without even thinking its a chore. Yet weve turned it into this thing where its all physical and sexualized and theres no companionship.

What a crock of generalization.

I love my wife. It took a while. But because we were in a bond of marriage, we both know why we got into it. We werent in love in the beginning. It was a thought-out process. Love will come.

Interestingly, Chaiwala, purportedly a millionaire, has not actually taken an extra wife, as is permitted (up to four) by his faith and legally allowed in some  by no means all  Muslim countries. There are reasons why it never happened, he says vaguely. But it still might, he claims.

Online dating, hookups, the app booty-call, is a free-for-all clamour. Men and women look for shortcuts from meet-to-mate. Chaiwala is cutting straight to the chase  without the chase.

He knows the template well, after earlier creating two other allegedly wildly popular websites: Secondwife.com, exclusively for Muslim matchmaking and Polygamy.com for anybody seeking multiple spouses (multiple wives, only; multiple husbands (polyandry) not permitted.

There has been, understandably, intense blowback from an appalled public. Womens groups, mainstream Muslim organizations that will not sanction polygamy, and politicians have raked Chaiwala  who lives in Newcastle, England  over the coals. His websites were specifically attacked in a report on the failures of social integration.

The practice of unregistered polygamy appears to be more commonplace than might be expected, Dame Louise Casey, the reports author, said last year. The existence of matchmaking sites like Secondwife.com and the prevalence of unregistered marriage is particularly concerning.

Her report estimated there were about 100,000 couples living in Shariah marriage, which have no legal basis in the U.K., with a significant number  perhaps 20,000  believed to be polygamous.

There are no reliable figures for Canada, where the phenomenon is most above-ground notorious in the Mormon breakaway sect of Bountiful, B.C., where religious leaders have been convicted for performing and participating in plural or celestial marriages, little more than a canonical construct for old perverts to copulate with young girls.

Chaiwala remains unapologetic and unrepentant. Just filling and formulating a need, he argues  Polygamy.com has 200,000 registered users, mostly from the U.K. and the U.S., two-thirds of them male. On Polygamy, weve had a lot of Canadian users. GoMarry.com, says Chaiwala, is up to 5,000 in just a month since launched.

Its odious, of course, and indisputably medieval in attitudes toward women, especially the wife-plus sites, and culturally accommodating run amok.

At no point am I advocating legal marriage, Chaiwala emphasizes, and the disclaimer appears on the sites splash page. What Im advocating is that there are too many mistresses. These are women who are being exploited by married men. They have no rights. They are secluded from family. The women are depressed. Theres no reliability there.

In his idealized version of plural marriages  Chaiwala hearkens to biblical scripture as well as Islamic texts for justification  these unions are publicly acknowledged and religiously registered.

The family would recognize the union. Shed be invited to the funerals, to the weddings, the barbecues etc. And the children would subsequently have a family, uncles and aunts, grandparents. If the relationship falters, youd have so many invested family members who could come in and mediate. The man would be held responsible.

Indeed, Chaiwala absurdly presents himself as a guardian of womens rights. Whats happening now is that women are being abused as prostitutes and men are bringing who knows how many girlfriends into the family with an unwilling participant, which is the first wife.

GoMarry.com, Chaiwala insists, is an antidote for societies falling apart, with the conventional family unit under assault. Yet his fix amounts to no less than acquiescent cheating  for a men-only club.

I am the landlord of 22 properties in the U.K. and ever single one of my properties is occupied by a single person, maybe a single parent. Thats not the way society should be, to die of loneliness. Its unsustainable from every aspect, financially, emotionally and psychologically for the happiness of the nation. People ending up cold, miserable in old-people institutionalized chicken-coop housing where youre dependant on the state and at the mercy of paid mercenaries who are emotionless. If your children abandon you, what do you expect from third parties basically getting paid a minimum wage?

Perhaps we are missing the point but nowhere does Chaiwala elucidate how arranged marriages would protect a spouse from the same sad fate.

From the beginning, they know theyre getting into a long-term relationship, he counters. Though surely thats the intent of all marriages, whatever happens in the unknowable future.

Parties interested in the service answer 250 questions online to match them with compatible spouse-seekers.

When two people click they are brought together, face-to-face, with a minimum of two observers. Yourself, the other suitor, and a chaperone for each person, purportedly guaranteeing truthfulness. The parties select from a further 100 questions, potential deal-breakers.

Its a systematic process. Youre not in love with them. You dont owe the other person anything and youre not playing the wooing game. After 10, 11, 12 meetings, you will know if the person is right for you or not. And those kinds of relationships seldom fail.

If it walks like an arranged marriage, talks like an arranged marriage, then surely its an arranged marriage, no? Chaiwala rejects the term, if not the concept.

If I said arranged marriages, people have got this weird idea that you are somehow bundled into the back of a van and youre shipped abroad to marry your one-eyed cousin that youve never met before, against your will.

Yeah, well, sometimes.

There are innumerable ways to end up miserable and alone. Love dies, attraction fades, differences widen. But there are also innumerable ways to end up alone and not miserable, though Chaiwala seems scarcely able to envision that possibility.

In Chaiwalas fantasy of marriage, a practical Shangri-La, love has got nothing to do with it. Not even a box for ticking on his questionnaire menu.

Adage: Marry in chaste, repent-not at leisure.

Read more about:

SHARE:
Ontarios medical regulator wants to force a former patient in a Toronto doctors ongoing sexual abuse discipline hearing to testify by having her arrested by the police.

As far as the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario is aware, it is the first time it has sought what is known as a bench warrant from a judge in order to compel a reluctant witness to give evidence.

The refusal by the witness  known as Patient A due to a publication ban  to appear at the college has put the matter of Dr. Suganthan Kayilasanathan in jeopardy.

Without her, there is likely no case against the doctor, who is facing allegations of sexual abuse of a patient and unprofessional conduct, which he denies.

The case raises the obvious question of whether it is ever in the best interests of justice to force the alleged victim onto the stand, particularly in sensitive cases such as sexual abuse.

Some critics view this unprecedented step by the college as an indication it is becoming more serious and aggressive in its sexual abuse prosecutions, following years of criticism from experts, courts and the public, while others say no good can come from compelling a witness.

Sheila Macdonald, who served on a provincial task force that made a number of recommendations last year to strengthen Ontarios law around sexual abuse of patients by health professionals, is unequivocal in her stance:

The college should not be forcing the patient to testify, Macdonald, provincial co-ordinator of sexual assault and domestic violence treatment centres in Ontario, told the Star in an email.

In the task force report, we made recommendations that would strengthen support for patients to help them through these lengthy processes and proceedings.

Inaction on implementing these recommendations will maintain the status quo which includes victims who want to withdraw from the college proceedings.

The task force was struck by Health Minister Eric Hoskins in the wake of a 2014 Star investigation into doctors still at work after having been found to have sexually abused their patients.

Some of its recommendations led to the creation of Bill 87. Passed in May, it amended the Regulated Health Professions Act, and added to the list of sexual abuse acts that require mandatory revocation of a health professionals licence.

A key component of the recommendations  the creation of an independent tribunal to investigate, prosecute and adjudicate sexual abuse complaints against health professionals  has so far not been acted on by the government. (Hoskins office said earlier this year he has engaged an advisory team to further study the recommendation.)

In the Kayilasanathan case, the college is alleging he wrote Patient A two doctors notes in the span of about a week in 2010 so she could avoid exams, and that the pair had sex at a Mississauga hotel one night during that week.

Under Ontario law, if a physician is found to have had sex with a patient, the penalty is automatic revocation of their licence.

Patient A didnt complain to the college herself; the regulator found out about the case from another physician.

A doctor who finds out about another physician having sex with a patient is required by law to report them to the college. Bill 87 increased the fine to a maximum of $50,000 for failure of a health professional to report to the college.

Lawyers for the college and Patient A sparred last week before a panel of the colleges independent discipline committee, made up of three doctors and two members of the public, as to whether or not the patient was coerced into testifying.

College lawyer Carolyn Silver said the patient was co-operative in the early part of the investigation, and consented to the college accessing her medical records. Patient As lawyer, Neil Perrier, said she wants no part in the proceedings.

He will be bringing a motion before the panel on Nov. 20 to quash the summons requiring the patient to testify. The court hearing for the college's application to enforce the summons and seek a bench warrant, which would lead to the arrest of the patient, has not yet been scheduled.

This is going to be a serious motion that is going to bring into play a number of public interest issues, Perrier told the panel Thursday.

The colleges position on the summons is different than in a previous case involving Kayilasanathan this past spring.

Along with another doctor, Amitabh Chauhan, he was facing a discipline proceeding on professional misconduct charges for allegedly drugging and sexually assaulting a woman. (The pair had been acquitted of the same allegations in 2014 following a high-profile judge-alone criminal trial. The burden of proof at the college is lower than in criminal court.)

But the alleged victim in that case also did not appear to testify. In that instance, Silver, who was also the colleges lawyer on that case, said the college would not be enforcing the summons by seeking a bench warrant, and withdrew the allegations against the two doctors.

In that case as well, the woman had not complained to the college. The regulator launched its own investigation in the wake of the criminal trial.

College spokesperson Kathryn Clarke told the Star that there were unique circumstances in that case, as the woman had already testified at the preliminary hearing and trial in the criminal matter, and her lawyer had told the college she could not subject herself to testifying a third time.

The college regularly serves summonses on witnesses, which creates a legal obligation for them to attend at the hearing, Clarke said. The college provides support to witnesses throughout the process in order to facilitate their participation in the process. When a witness does not comply with a summons, the college can seek a court order to enforce the summons.

Forcing an alleged victim of sexual abuse to testify should be the option of last resort, given its potential to cause added trauma and possibly deterring others from coming forward, but it may be necessary in the present Kayilasanathan case, said medical malpractice lawyer Paul Harte.

Speaking generally, he said an alleged victims testimony is often the main evidence in sexual abuse cases, and without it, the allegations must be withdrawn, allowing a doctor to continue to practice and potentially exposing the public to further harm.

The prosecutor in this situation is between a rock and hard place, he said. The college will want to ensure that the alleged victim is provided with as much support as possible during the process.

The fact that the college is considering this largely unprecedented step is an important indicator of the seriousness with which the college now takes allegations of sexual abuse.

In the criminal context, defence lawyer Daniel Brown said Crown attorneys would typically shy away from having sexual assault complainants arrested in order to secure their testimony, although it has happened in other provinces, and in other criminal matters.

Its already a traumatic experience to testify in a criminal case, said Brown, who recently co-authored a handbook for lawyers on prosecuting and defending sexual offences, with Crown attorney Jill Witkin.

Its traumatic to give evidence, especially involving sexual violence, and the Crown attorneys, for the most part, wont put unco-operative complainants through that process.

SHARE:
TTC employees in red vests were scattered along King St. on Sunday to help explain how a one-year pilot project aims to improve the daily commutes of over 65,000 streetcar riders.

The project will give priority to streetcars as a means of improving travel along the notoriously slow and busy artery between Jarvis and Bathurst Sts.

Our objective is to speed up streetcar travel times and improve its reliability for TTC customers along the route, said Brad Ross, a spokesperson for the TTC. Well be measuring those two things, in addition to ridership.

The main method of improving flow will be reducing the amount of cars on King St. Motorists are permitted to drive only one block before having to turn right. Left turns off of King St. are not allowed, nor is there any on-street parking.

Cars travelling eastbound on King Street must turn at Bathurst Street and vehicles traveling westbound must turn when approaching Jarvis Street.

Ed Osborne, who rode the streetcar on Sunday, is cautiously optimistic but said its too early to tell how the project will work, especially on a quiet Sunday.

The real test is Tuesday, he said. I hope its going to be better, I dont know . . . the 504 needs help.

There are some exceptions to the rules for motorists. Taxis will be allowed to travel along the street from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., which will accommodate the bustling nightlife on King. Ride-hailing apps like Uber do not have the same permissions, and the city has advised it to pick up passengers on other streets.

Emergency and maintenance vehicles can travel through the pilot area at all times of the day.

Cyclists can ride through the pilot area in the curb lane, but there are no dedicated bike lanes.

Leo, a cyclist, usually rides his bike on King, but is concerned that the changes will make drivers on King St. more aggressive. While he hopes for the best, he proposed closing the street to motorists completely.

Chris Drew, an urban planner, took the King streetcar Sunday and said they appeared to be moving faster.

It was fascinating to watch a street youve known and used for years be something different and good, he said. TTC passengers now have safer entrances/exits for the streetcars, referring to protected waiting areas in the curb lane.

We have to try something on our streets when they arent moving people efficiently, said Drew. We cant just pretend the status quo is good enough for eternity.

Tanya Richardson is optimistic about the pilot project. An everyday commuter, she hopes to see more streets adopt the model.

As our population grows, I think this is a great idea to keep the streets clear, she said. I think its going to help reduce stress . . . its just a relief, and its so nice not to have to run through traffic.

On the projects first day, many drivers seemed unaware of the new rules, driving through intersections and making illegal turns.

We remain hopeful that once everyone adjusts, that well begin to see improvement along the corridor.

Streetcar stops have moved to the far side of each intersection, with the exception of King at Bathurst and King at Portland, both on the north side.

Its going to take everyone a few weeks to adapt to and recognize the change on King, said Ross, the TTC spokesperson.

SHARE:
WASHINGTONAmid pressure from within the Republican Party to step aside, GOP Senate nominee Roy Moore on Sunday night called a newspaper report carrying allegations he had sexual contact with a 14-year-old girl four decades ago fake news and said a lawsuit would be filed in response.

Moores condemnation of a Washington Post story during a campaign speech in Huntsville, Ala., came hours after another fellow Republican, Sen. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, urged him to drop out of a special election for one of Alabamas Senate seats. Toomey said Moores explanations had been inadequate and that Republicans should consider Sen. Luther Strange as a write-in candidate to run against Moore. Strange lost the Republican primary to Moore.

Moore tried to raise money from the controversy, writing in a fundraising pitch sent about midafternoon that the vicious and sleazy attacks against me are growing more vicious by the minute. He told supporters, Im counting on you to stand with me at this critical moment by chipping in a donation to help me bust through the vicious lies and attacks and get the truth out to as many voters as possible before December 12.

Read more:

Roy Moore defiant in first public appearance since sexual misconduct allegations

Saturday Night Live addresses Roy Moore, Louis C.K. allegations

Woman says GOP candidate Roy Moore, the Ten Commandments judge, initiated sexual encounter when she was 14, he was 32

The Post story quoted four women by name, including the woman who alleged the sexual contact at 14, and had two dozen other sources.

In a Huntsville gym, Moore assured supporters that the Post story was a desperate attempt to stop my political campaign and that the allegations that he was involved with a minor child are completely unfalse and untrue and for which they will be sued, drawing a round of applause. He also questioned why such allegations would be levelled for the first time just weeks before the special election in spite of his decades in public life.

Why would they come now? Because there are groups that dont want me in the United States Senate, he said, naming the Democratic Party and the Republican establishment and accusing them of working together. He added, We do not plan to let anybody deter us from this race.

Roy Moore is showing no willingness to step away from the Alabama Senate race. Moore is answering GOP critics who say he should end his Alabama Senate candidacy if he engaged in inappropriate sexual conduct with minors four decades ago. (The Associated Press)

Toomey did not rule out the possibility that Senate Republicans might work to unseat Moore if he wins the special election against Democrat Doug Jones.

You know, this is a terrible situation, nearly 40-year-old allegation, well probably never know for sure exactly what happened, Toomey said on Meet the Press on NBC. But from my point of view, I think the accusations have more credibility than the denial. I think it would be best if Roy would just step aside.

The White House, pointedly noting that President Donald Trump did not back Moore during the primary, said Trump will likely weigh in on the Senate race when he returns from Asia later this week. The White House has already made clear that Moore should step aside if the allegations are proven to be true.

I think theres a special place in hell for those who actually perpetrate these crimes, White House legislative aide Marc Short said Sunday.

But, having said that, he hasnt been proved guilty, Short added. We have to afford him the chance to defend himself.

Moore is an outspoken Christian conservative and former state Supreme Court judge. The Post reported last Thursday that he had sexual contact with a 14-year-old girl and pursued three other teenagers decades earlier.

While he called the allegations completely false and misleading, in an interview with conservative radio host Sean Hannity he did not wholly rule out dating teenage girls when he was in his early 30s. Asked if that would have been usual for him, Moore said, Not generally, no.

The story stirred concern among anxious GOP officials in Washington in a key race to fill the Senate seat once held by Jeff Sessions, now the U.S. attorney general. Losing the special election to a Democrat would imperil Republicans already slim 52-48 majority in the Senate, which is hoping to pass a tax overhaul later this year.

But a Moore victory also would pose risks if he were to join the Senate GOP with a cloud of sexual misconduct allegations.

In the immediate aftermath of the Post report, a wave of national Republican leaders called for Moore to drop out of the race if the allegations are true. They included the head of the House Freedom Caucus, Rep. Mark Meadows of North Carolina, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz.

Roy Moore, the Republican nominee for an open U.S. Senate seat in Alabama, was plunged into an explosive scandal on Thursday when it was reported that he had sexual contact with minors.

Over the weekend, more Republicans distanced themselves from Moore.

Look, Im sorry, but even before these reports surfaced, Roy Moores nomination was a bridge too far, tweeted Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., on Saturday.

Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., on Sunday said Moores denials seemed to raise more questions.

Certainly, the allegations are very, very strong. The denial was not as strong as the allegations, Scott said. If the allegations are true, there is no doubt he should step aside. And not for the party, but for the American people. We have to find a way to restore trust and confidence in our elected officials in our government, and this goes in the wrong direction.

Even if Moore were to step aside, his name would likely remain on the ballot. And any effort to add Strange as a write-in candidate would threaten to divide the GOP vote in a way that would give the Democratic candidate a greater chance of winning. Moore beat Strange in the Republican primary in September.

Mindful of the stakes, Democrats on Sunday appeared largely content to let Republicans debate whether Moore should be their standard bearer in the race.

Look, we all know that Alabama is a very tough state politically for Democrats, but this is a special situation where we have a great candidate, said Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, the chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

On the other hand, you have a very, very flawed candidate in Roy Moore, which is why many people are calling upon him to step down, but Im going to leave this to the people of Alabama. This is their decision, he said.

Toomey and Short appeared on NBCs Meet the Press, Scott spoke on CBS Face the Nation, and Van Hollen was on Fox News Sunday.

SHARE:
SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICOHer memories of the storm came in flashes: neighbours screams, gushing water, swimming against the current with her son.

For Milagros Serrano Ortiz, a 37-year-old grandmother with long, curly hair, the nightmare did not end there. After two days of sheltering upstairs in a house across the street, she returned home to find the walls caked with mud and a vile stench emanating from her cherished possessions, which were rotting in the heat.

Anguished and overwhelmed, she confessed recently to a psychologist at an emergency clinic that she had begun to have disturbing thoughts and worries that she might act on them.

Read more:

Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda announces $2.5-million aid fund in Puerto Rico

A month after Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico is still working to get the power back on

Puerto Rico moves to cancel $300-million contract with Whitefish Energy as most of island still without power

Like what? the doctor asked.

Like swallowing a bottle of pills, she said, never waking up, and not feeling pain anymore.

The violent winds and screeching rains of Hurricane Maria were a 72-hour assault on the Puerto Rican psyche. There are warning signs of a full-fledged mental health crisis on the island, public health officials say, with much of the population showing symptoms of post-traumatic stress.

Puerto Rico was already struggling with an increase in mental illness amid a 10-year recession that brought soaring unemployment, poverty and family separation caused by emigration. Public health officials and caregivers say that Maria has exacerbated the problem.

Many Puerto Ricans are reporting intense feelings of anxiety and depression for the first time in their lives. Some are paranoid that a disaster will strike again. And people who had mental illnesses before the storm, and who have been cut off from therapy and medication, have seen their conditions deteriorate.

When it starts raining, they have episodes of anxiety because they think their house is going to flood again, said Dr. Carlos del Toro Ortiz, the clinical psychologist who treated Serrano Ortiz. They have heart palpitations, sweating, catastrophic thoughts. They think Im going to drown, Im going to die, Im going to lose everything.

With hurricane nearly two months in the past, the island is still in shock. Its residents are haunted by dozens of deaths caused by the storm, and many more life-threatening near misses. The reminders are inescapable. They lie in piles of rotting debris as tall as homes that still line many streets and in cellphones that are useless for checking on family members.

Returning to a routine is the most important step toward overcoming trauma, according to physicians and public health officials. But for most Puerto Ricans, logistical barriers like scarce water and electricity, as well as closed schools and businesses, make that impossible.

Since Sept. 20, when the storm came ashore at 6:15 a.m., more than 2,000 calls have overwhelmed an emergency hotline for psychiatric crises maintained by the Puerto Rican health department  double the normal number for that period of time, even though most residents still do not have working phones. Puerto Rican officials said that suicides had increased  32 have been reported since the storm  and many more people than normal have been hospitalized after being deemed dangerous to themselves or others.

At the emergency health clinic in Toa Baja, where Serrano Ortiz lives, Toro said that he had been frantically calling for help from colleagues in other cities because the facility was overrun with people in need of mental health care.

Because it is in a flood zone, Toa Baja was one of the worst affected areas in Puerto Rico. At least four people died there and water levels peaked at more than 12 feet. The city of 80,000 west of San Juan flooded multiple times, each time that it rained after Maria passed.

In his nearly 20 years of practicing medicine, Toro said, he had never before hospitalized as many people with suicidal or homicidal thoughts in such a short time period. Of about 2,500 people who had been to the clinic since it opened two weeks earlier, more than 90 per cent were referred for mental health screenings, Toro said. He and other practitioners at the clinic had already referred at least 20 people to psychiatric wards elsewhere on the island.

This is an emergency situation, he said. Its still affecting us. There are people that we havent seen.

Health workers are bracing for effects similar to those seen in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake, where cases of both moderate and severe psychiatric illnesses spiked. In New Orleans, many people experienced insomnia, cognitive impairment and short-term memory loss, which became known colloquially and among researchers as Katrina Brain.

Prolonged losses of electricity, water communications or infrastructure have been linked to the onset of mental health crises, said Dr. Domingo Marques, the director of clinical psychology at Albizu University, a prominent graduate school of psychology on the island with clinics in two major cities. All of those elements have been relentlessly present in Puerto Rico.

And this is all happening at once, he said. What we have lost is the foundation that holds a society together.

He said that Puerto Ricans would have to adjust their definition of normalcy in order to function: Its I survived. My family didnt die. Thats the new definition of OK.

This hurricane season has caused mental distress, and strained resources for treating it, throughout the Caribbean, according to reports from the U.S. Virgin Islands, Dominica and Antigua.

The mental health division of the Puerto Rican health department received $3 million (U.S.) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to co-ordinate a response to Maria, said Suzanne Roig, the administrator of the Puerto Rican agency.

Its doctors have been knocking on doors in the worst-hit parts of the island and visiting emergency shelters where people who lost their homes have been living.

We are trying to reach people to tell them that this crisis will pass, she said, and that they should not make permanent decisions.

The agency also started an initiative to monitor social media, and staged interventions in a handful of homes of people who posted what appeared to be suicide notes.

During high-volume hours, its staff members have been taking on extra shifts and working overtime to respond to the increase in phone calls to the 24-hour emergency crisis hotline.

For Serrano Ortiz, another threat to her mental and physical health loomed.

Before the storm, a scan of her throat had indicated that she may have cancer for the second time. But she has not been able to get any more information about her prognosis because her doctors offices have been closed.

At the emergency clinic, she told Toro that she might not have the energy to fight the disease again. When she looked in the mirror, she said, she saw in herself a reflection of her home  something dirty, smelly and tainted.

I dont feel like myself anymore, she said.

SHARE:
MANILA, PHILIPPINESJustin Trudeaus visit to the Philippines brought him within a short walk of a Canadian controversy that has lingered in the Port of Manila for years: about 100 stranded containers crammed with thousands of tons of rotting trash from Canada.

The case of the rancid Canadian garbage, festering in Manila for about four years, is well known in the Philippines  its made headlines and led to protests by environmental and public-health activists.

Theyve been calling on Canada to repatriate the waste, which is said to include old wires, CDs, used plastic cups and soiled adult diapers. Estimates in local news reports say there could be as much as 2,500 tons of trash in 103 shipping containers.

Read more:

Philippines' Duterte helps secure Trudeau invitation to security event

Donald Trump struggles with group handshake at ASEAN summit

Trump praises his great relationship with Duterte, issue of human rights comes up briefly

The shipments were allowed into the country because they were allegedly disguised as recyclable plastics. Upon inspection, however, customs officers discovered they were stuffed with reeking household trash  or worthless landfill junk.

The customs bureau warned the material could be hazardous and impounded the shipment.

During a visit to Manila two years ago, Trudeau was asked by a local reporter about the Canadian garbage.

He replied at the time that a Canadian solution was in the works and he vowed to make legislative changes to make sure it wouldnt happen again.

Its two years already and the waste still remains here, said Aileen Lucero, national co-ordinator of Manilas EcoWaste Coalition, one of many groups that have been fighting for the removal of the rubbish.

Coincidentally, she said a photo-op Sunday brought the prime minister within about 100 metres of the site.

Trudeau, in Manila for a summit of southeast Asian countries, made local media headlines with his visit to a nearby Jollibee fast-food joint  a restaurant chain thats sometimes referred to as the Filipino McDonalds.

He used the visit as a way to highlight the connection between the Philippines and Canada, where the company opened a store last year in Winnipeg to cater to the citys large Filipino population.

With news cameras rolling, Trudeau worked his way around the store greeting customers and staff, high-fiving toddlers and posing for selfies. A photo of his visit landed on the front page of a major Manila daily Monday morning.

He also ordered a meal  to go.

It is OK for us that the prime minister dropped by a 100-per-cent Filipino restaurant and take out fries or a burger for himself, Lucero said in an interview Monday.

But there is (something) much more important to take out and that is the Canada waste.

Her network of community groups fears the trash has contaminated the area where its stored. The intense rainy seasons in the country likely mean toxins have leached into the soil over the years, she added.

In 2014, the Philippine government recommended the containers be returned to Canada under the provisions of the Basel Convention, which prohibits developed countries from shipping waste to developing nations.

Ottawa is well aware of the fact the Philippine government cares deeply about resolving the situation, which was created by a commercial decision, said a senior Canadian official who spoke on condition anonymity.

The Canadian government had found a way to dispose of the waste in a location inside the Philippines in an environmentally responsible way, said the official, who wasnt authorized to discuss the matter publicly. But Ottawa is now waiting to see the Philippine governments next move following a court decision, which could mean the trash must be deported to Canada.

Canada now stands ready to work with local authorities to transport the trash back to Canada, if necessary, the official said.

Francisco Fernandez, the deputy chief of mission at the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa, said the case is still before the courts in the Philippines, but officials from both countries are working to find a solution.

I think both sides have already indicated their willingness to address the issue in a quick manner as possible taking into consideration whatever decision the trial court of the Philippines would have as regards the complaint pending before it, said Fernandez.

News reports have said that Chronic Inc., a plastics exporter based in Ontario, shipped at least some of the containers to the Philippines in 2013 and 2014. Jim Makris, the head of Chronic, could not be reached for comment Monday.

But he has flatly denied he shipped waste to the Philippines.

Their story of this garbage thing is just driving me nuts, Makris told the Toronto Star in 2014. Anybody whos in plastic, who knows plastic, will tell you. Its the stupidest thing Ive heard of in my entire life.

Lucero said she wouldve appreciated a visit by Trudeau to the waste site while he was in the area, so he could see it with his own eyes.

Canada has the resources ... they have their own means of removing waste and treating waste in an environmental manner, she said. Before the Canadian waste happened, Canada had a great reputation of establishing environmental health.

Read more about:

SHARE:
Global carbon dioxide emissions are projected to rise again in 2017, climate scientists reported Monday, a troubling development for the environment and a major disappointment for those who had hoped emissions of the climate change-causing gas had at last peaked.

The emissions from fossil-fuel burning and industrial uses are projected to rise by up to 2 per cent in 2017, as well as to rise again in 2018, the scientists told a group of international officials gathered for a United Nations climate conference in Bonn, Germany.

Despite global economic growth, total emissions held level from 2014 to 2016 at about 36 billion tons per year, stoking hope among many climate change advocates that emissions had reached an all-time high point and would subsequently begin to decline. But that was not to be, the new analysis suggests.

The temporary hiatus appears to have ended in 2017, wrote Stanford Universitys Rob Jackson, who along with colleagues at the Global Carbon Project tracked 2017 emissions to date and projected them forward. Economic projections suggest further emissions growth in 2018 is likely.

The renewed rise is a troubling development for the global effort to keep atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases below the levels needed to mitigate the worst effects of climate change. The more we emit now, scientists say, the more severe cuts will have to be later. Thats because of the very long atmospheric lifetime of carbon dioxide, which means we can only emit a fixed amount in total if we want to stay within key climate goals.

Its sort of, lose one year now, you have to pick up five years later, said Glen Peters, one of the studys co-authors and a researcher at the Center for International Climate Research in Oslo.

Emissions are forecast to reach around 37 billion tons of carbon dioxide from fossil-fuel burning and industrial activity in 2017, said the group, which published the results in the journal Environmental Research Letters and more detailed findings in Earth System Science Data Discussions. The renewed increase is driven largely by more fossil fuel burning in China and many other nations.

Weve been lucky in the last three years with emissions being flat without any real policy driving it, Peters said. If we want to ensure that emissions remain flat we have to put policies in place . . . and the second step is to start to drive emissions down.

Peters said the 2017 number would be a record high for emissions from fossil-fuel burning and industrial uses (such as cement), although carbon emissions from deforestation and land-use changes were actually higher in 2015.

Read more:

Environment Minister touts coal phase-out ahead of climate talks in Germany

Fiji brings first-hand experience with effects of climate change to UN summit

The scientists also acknowledge some uncertainty in their estimate, meaning that the 2017 emissions rise could be as low as 1 per cent or as high as 3 per cent.

All in all, the finding is bad news for global climate policy. The Paris agreement, now supported by every nation except for the United States, aims to limit the warming of the planet to well below 2 C above pre-industrial levels, and to try to hold warming to 1.5 C.

But this requires emissions not just to stay flat but to go down  rapidly.

The 2017 emissions data make it crystal clear that urgent and very serious emissions reductions are needed to stop global warming below 2 C, as was unanimously agreed in Paris, Stefan Rahmstorf, a climate scientist at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in Germany, said in an email. Rahmstorf was not involved with the current work.

Rahmstorf said there are currently about 600 billion remaining tons of carbon dioxide that can be emitted if the world is to have a good chance of keeping warming considerably below 2 C, and with some 40 billion tons of emissions each year, that leaves just 15 years.

If we start to ramp down emissions from now on we can stretch this budget to last us about 30 years, he said. With every year that we wait we will have to stop using fossil energy even earlier.

The rise of global emissions projected for the year 2017 in the current research is attributable to multiple causes.

In particular, Chinas emissions were projected to increase by 3.5 per cent in 2017 as the country consumed more of all three of the top fossil fuels  coal, natural gas and oil. China is the single largest emitting country.

India, which has been experiencing rapid emissions growth, will pull back to 2 per cent growth in 2017 because of economic contraction, the research suggests. Emissions from the United States and European Union are projected to decline 0.4 per cent and 0.2 per cent, respectively. But emissions for the rest of the globe  which, in total, are even larger than Chinas  will rise by close to 2 per cent, according to the projection.

If the increase continues, what many hoped was a plateau in emissions seen from 2014 to 2016 could come to look more like a pause.

During that era, many cited a broad decoupling of economic growth and emissions growth, thanks in part to greater energy efficiency and renewable energy. And theres no denying that renewables are continuing to grow around the world  making it hard to know quite what to make of the current emissions rise.

Its too early to say whether its a long-term trend, or just a one-off little blip, Peters said.

The new results reinforce just how much of the globes emissions trajectory depends on China, its largest emitter.

China took a number of steps to cut back coal emissions in the past three years, notes Joanna Lewis, a Georgetown University professor who studies energy trends in the country. This led to less coal use in the electricity and industrial sectors.

What is less clear is whether these trends can continue, Lewis said by email. Reduced plant operation and closures around the country are putting huge pressures on local governments to deal with slowing economic growth and unemployment. Overcapacity in these sectors, and particularly an overbuild of coal plants, means there is pressure to increase coal electricity production, which is often done through the curtailment of renewables. As a result, Chinas long term CO2 emissions trends are unclear at best.

While 37 billion tons of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels and industry represent the lions share of the globes emissions, there are also several billion tons of carbon dioxide each year from deforestation and other changes in how humans use land. When it comes to global tree loss, there are also worrying signs that it is not abating as hoped.

There are also rising emissions of methane, a greenhouse gas that is a stronger and faster warming agent, although not nearly as long-lived in the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. There is still a debate over where the methane growth is coming from, but much of it could be from animal agriculture.

The new findings will be immediately relevant to the proceedings in Bonn, since one part of the agenda involves laying the groundwork for a facilitative dialogue to take place next year, in which countries will take a hard look at where their emissions are, and where they need to be, to live up to the Paris goals.

Higher emissions will, in this context, inevitably mean deeper cuts will be required of participating nations  even as deadlines for avoiding the most severe effects of global warming draw near.

Read more about:

SHARE:
BERLIN  There are few countries which suffered as much under the Nazis than Poland did during World War II.

And yet, more than 70 years later, it has become a centre on the continent for the far right  and the government isnt doing anything about it, maintain liberal critics. In fact, the Polish far right feels increasingly emboldened by what it perceives as governmental recognition.

On Saturday, an estimated 60,000 protesters marched alongside ultranationalists and Nazis to mark the 99th anniversary of Polish independence. As my colleague Avi Selk summarized, the protesters carried banners and held up signs which had a clear far right extremist message:

Clean Blood, as seen by Politico.

Pray for an Islamic Holocaust, per CNN.

The march was distinct from other European far right events

European Nazis and members of the far right have co-opted other landmark memorial days or celebrations around Europe in the past as well. In the eastern German city of Dresden, for example, Nazis march every February to mark the destruction of the city by Allied forces during World War II. Those kinds of marches are usually condemned by officials as a misguided and dangerous form of nationalism that crosses the line to white supremacy and Nazi ideology. In Germany, leading politicians frequently join rallies in protest of the marches which have taken place for decades.

That was not the case for last weekends protests in Warsaw, which witnessed little government condemnation.

Read more:

Polish government defends Warsaw nationalist march as patriotic

Massive fascist rally in Poland shows how the far right has perverted the word patriotism: Paradkar

The origins of Polands independence march are fairly recent and date back to 2009. Within the next eight years, the annual event has attracted an increasing number of supporters and is now considered one of the worlds biggest. It not only draws visitors from other eastern European countries  where ultranationalist tendencies have become particularly pronounced since the 2015 refugee crisis  but also from Western Europe or the United States.

Liberals allege government support for ultranationalists

Saturdays march was not organized or officially promoted by the governing right-wing Law and Justice party. Yet despite the extremist slogans and posters, officials refrained from condemning the march, and even voiced public support: The countrys interior minister called the rally a beautiful sight.

Even if he may have been unaware at the time of some of the posters held up at the rally, he likely must have known about who has been behind this annual large-scale protest. Organizers involved in the mass demonstration include anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim radical groups such as the All Polish Youth and the National-Radical Camp, among others, according to AP.

Members of the All Polish Youth movement have had strong ties to the ruling Law and Justice in the past. In 2006, the former chairman of the movement was even named as the countrys vice prime minister.

On social media, critics of the government accused the Law and Justice party of trying to silence people opposed to ultranationalism, pointing to the arrests of counterprotesters on Saturday and the possible prosecution of a journalist who read out some of the slogans on live TV.

The rally is only the most public indication of Polands turn to the right

The lack of government response fits into a broader pattern that has emerged in Poland over the last two years as it has abruptly shifted to the right. Still considered a post-communism success story and robust democracy in 2015, the right-wing and anti-EU Law and Justice party swept into power that year after taking a decidedly anti-immigration stance and glorifying the countrys history and ignoring its darker aspects.

To many observers, the far right surge remains a mystery, given that Poland was doing well economically compared to other post-Communist nations and was increasingly being considered a key member of the EU and of NATO. Law and Justice may have won on a mandate to stop mass migration  but the refugee influx had affected Poland only marginally and put a much bigger burden on neighbouring Germany or Sweden.

Once in office, the Law and Justice party moved swiftly to weaken the opposition and other democratic institutions, like public television stations or the justice apparatus. Not all of those efforts have succeeded and the biggest blow to the party came this summer when the Polish president, who is independent of the party, refused to sign a law which would have retired all Supreme Court justices.

The party has still managed to consolidate its power. More than a hundred public TV employees resigned after the channel TVP Info was essentially turned into a government mouthpiece, and the countrys ranking in the Press Freedom Index subsequently dropped to partly free this year.

The ruling party and the far right share some goals in Poland

Law and Justice has long expressed skepticism or outright hatred of the European Union as an organization which acts hierarchically above nation states. Like other European right-wing parties, it has criticized EU ambitions to take more powers from national parliaments.

Unlike most other critics, however, the Law and Justice party has managed to find an EU scapegoat well-known enough at home to be used as a target: former Polish prime minister Donald Tusk, who is now the president of the European Council. State media outlets are now linking Tusk with the death seven years ago of the brother of Law and Justice leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski. There is no evidence to support such claims and critics have accused the government of a smear campaign.

Separately, Muslim and Jewish organizations have recently voiced concerns over discrimination and xenophobia by far right supporters in Poland. The European Jewish Congress worried about the normalization of such acts, and an insufficient government response.

In Poland, it appears that Saturdays exceptional march may in fact be the new normal.

SHARE:
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREANorth Korean soldiers shot at and wounded a fellow soldier who was crossing a jointly controlled area at the heavily guarded border to defect to South Korea on Monday, the Souths military said.

North Korean soldiers have occasionally defected to South Korea across the border. But its rare for a North Korean soldier to defect via the Joint Security Area, where border guards of the rival Koreas stand facing each other just meters away, and be shot by fellow North Korean soldiers.

The soldier bolted from a guard post at the northern side of Panmunjom village in the Joint Security Area to the southern side of the village, South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement. He was shot in the shoulder and elbow and was taken to a South Korean hospital, the Souths Defence Ministry said. It wasnt immediately known how serious the soldiers injuries were or why he decided to defect.

South Korean troops found the injured soldier south of the border after hearing sounds of gunfire, a South Korean Defence Ministry official said, requesting anonymity, citing department rules. South Korean troops didnt fire at the North, he said.

The defection came at a time of heightened tension over North Koreas nuclear weapons program, and could escalate animosities between the rival countries. North Korea has typically accused South Korea of enticing its citizens to defect, something the South denies.

About 30,000 North Koreans have defected to South Korea since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War, but most travel through China.

Panmunjom, once an obscure farming village inside the 4-kilometre-wide Demilitarized Zone that separates the two Koreas, is where an armistice was signed to pause the Korean War. Jointly controlled by the American-led U.N. Command and North Korea, the DMZ is guarded on both sides by hundreds of thousands of combat-ready troops, razor-wire fences and tank traps. More than a million mines are believed to be buried inside the zone.

American presidents often visit Panmunjom and other DMZ areas during their trips to South Korea to reaffirm their security commitment to the South. U.S. President Donald Trump planned to visit the DMZ to underscore his stance against North Koreas nuclear program when he came to South Korea last week as part of an Asian tour, but his plans were thwarted by heavy fog that prevented his helicopter from landing at the border area.

At Panmunjom, North Korean soldiers wearing lapel pins with the images of late North Korean leaders often use binoculars to monitor visitors from the South. They stand only several meters away from tall South Korean soldiers wearing aviator sunglasses and standing motionless like statues. This makes the area a popular stop for visitors from both sides.

Areas around Panmunjom were the site of bloodshed and defection attempts by North Koreans in the past, but there have been no such incidents in recent years.

The most famous incident was in 1976, when two American army officers were killed by axe-wielding North Korean soldiers. The attack prompted Washington to fly nuclear-capable B-52 bombers toward the DMZ in an attempt to intimidate North Korea.

In 1984, North Korean and UN Command soldiers traded gunfire after a Soviet citizen defected by sprinting to the South Korean sector of the truce village. The incident left three North Korean soldiers and one South Korean soldier dead. In 1998, a North Korean solider fled to South Korea via Panmunjom.

Read more about:

SHARE:
RANGOON, BURMAWhen Aung San Suu Kyi led the fight for democracy against Burmas despotic military rulers two decades ago, she bristled at the collective reluctance of Southeast Asian governments to intervene in her nations plight.

In a newspaper editorial published in 1999, the former opposition leader slammed the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, saying its policy of non-interference is just an excuse for not helping.

In this day and age, she wrote in an editorial in Thailands The Nation newspaper on July 13 of that year, you cannot avoid interference in the matters of other countries.

Today, Suu Kyi leads Burma, also known as Myanmar. And when she attends the ASEAN summit in Manila on Monday, shes likely to be counting on the bloc to keep silent while her government engages in a crackdown on Rohingya Muslims using tactics the UN has described as ethnic cleansing to force them to leave the Buddhist-majority country.

Its unclear whether the crisis will be on ASEANs official agenda, although Malaysia and Indonesia are likely to bring it up in talks on the meetings sidelines. Bangladesh, where more than 600,000 Rohingya have arrived since late August, is not part of ASEAN.

But little is expected to be done.

ASEAN summits are not designed to actually construct policy responses to major human rights issues that affect the whole region, said David Mathieson, a former human rights researcher who is now an independent analyst based in Myanmar. Right now, Suu Kyis government is benefiting from ASEANs culture of inaction.

The refugee crisis began Aug. 25 after Rohingya insurgents attacked several Myanmar police posts in northern Rakhine state. Security forces responded with brutal clearance operations that human rights groups say killed hundreds of people and left hundreds of Rohingya villages burned to the ground. Survivors have described arson, rape and shootings by Burma soldiers and Buddhist mobs for the purpose of forcing Rohingya to leave.

Myanmar has long denied them citizenship and most people insist the Rohingya are illegal immigrants, though theyve lived in Burma for generations.

Read more:

The Rohingya are enduring a hell on Earth

Canadian government will match private donations toward Rohingya refugee crisis

Trudeau to meet Burma leader Suu Kyi at APEC summit amid Rohingya crisis

Suu Kyi was awarded the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize for her non-violent struggle for democracy and human rights, in the words of the Nobel committee, but has been reluctant to defend the Rohingya. In a September speech, Suu Kyi asked for patience from the international community and suggested the refugees were partly responsible for the crisis. She also tried to play down the gravity of the exodus, saying more than half of the Rohingya villages in Burma had not been destroyed.

Though Suu Kyi has been the de facto head of Burmas civilian government since her party swept elections in 2015, she is limited in her control of the country by a constitution written by the military junta that ruled Burma for decades. The military is in charge of the operations in northern Rakhine, and ending them is not up to Suu Kyi.

Still, her government has staunchly defended the armys actions.

When the UN Security Council last week called for Burma to end the excessive military force and intercommunal violence that had devastated the Rohingya community, Suu Kyis office responded that it regretted the councils statement.

In an apparent reference to China, which has backed Burma, the government praised Security Council members who upheld the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of sovereign countries.

Non-interference has long been a bedrock of ASEAN, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.

Burma presidential spokesperson Zaw Htay said he did not know what would be discussed at the summit this week, so we cant say how we are going to respond to it.

Chandra Widya Yudha, director of the ASEAN Political and Security Cooperation at Indonesias Foreign Ministry, told The Associated Press that his government would address the Rohingya crisis at the meeting. We cannot keep silent because we have to help them, Yudha said.

Malaysia in particular has been critical of Burmas disproportionate use of force. Earlier this month, the predominantly Muslim country dissociated itself from an ASEAN statement expressing concern over the crisis because it said the statement misrepresented the reality of the situation, omitted reference to Rohingya Muslims as one of the affected communities and was not based on consensus.

Khin Zaw Win, a Yangon-based political analyst, said that both Burmas previous military junta and Suu Kyis government have benefited from ASEANs reticence, but that the bloc should take a firmer position on the Rohingya issue.

It has to be taken up if ASEAN is to remain credible, he said.

Writing in The Nation in 1999, Suu Kyi said that when ASEAN invokes the principle of non-interference, it does so not with a clear conscience.

They are afraid that there may be some aspects of their countries that might invite criticism, she said. Our position is that if they have problems that invite legitimate criticism, let there be criticism. If not, they have nothing to fear.

SHARE:
WARSAW, POLANDThe Polish president has sharply condemned expressions of xenophobia and racism at a weekend march by nationalists, saying there is no place in the country for anti-Semitism and sick nationalism.

It was the strongest and first unequivocal condemnation by a representative of the countrys conservative leadership of the white supremacist and racist views expressed by some of the 60,000 people who took part in a march on the Independence Day holiday Saturday in Warsaw.

Read more: Massive fascist rally in Poland shows how the far right has perverted the word patriotism: Paradkar

Government members over the past two days had mostly described participants as patriots and played down the nature of the xenophobic messages. Though many families took part in the march, the event was organized by far-right groups and some carried banners with slogans like White Europe of brotherly nations or had flags with Celtic crosses, a white supremacist symbol.

There were also anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim slogans and chants. One large banner read Deus Vult in Gothic lettering. Latin for God wills it, it was a cry used during the First Crusade in the 11th century, when a Christian army from Europe slaughtered Jews and Muslims in the Holy Land. In recent years, it has been used by the radical right to show hostility to Islam.

President Andrzej Duda said that there is no place in Poland for xenophobia, pathological nationalism and anti-Semitism and that the country must remain a land of open to all who want to come together and work for the good of the nation.

He said it makes no difference if a persons father was German, Jewish, Belarusian, Russian or whatever.

Earlier, the Foreign Ministry had said it strongly condemned racist, anti-Semitic and xenophobic ideas, but insisted the march was largely an expression of patriotic feeling, calling it a great celebration of Poles, differing in their views, but united around the common values of freedom and loyalty to an independent homeland.

Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson Emmanuel Nahshon called the event a dangerous march of extreme and racist elements.

We hope that Polish authorities will act against the organizers, Nahshon said in a statement to The Associated Press. History teaches us that expressions of racist hate must be dealt with swiftly and decisively.

Agnieszka Markiewicz, director of Warsaw office of the American Jewish Committee, a global Jewish advocacy group, said the holiday was seriously marred by hateful, far-right throngs that threaten the core values of Poland and its standing abroad.

On Monday, a small group of civic rights activists also protested what they saw as the authorities failure to respond properly to the behaviour of the nationalists. In a really in front of Warsaw city hall they chanted Warsaw free from fascism! One man held a banner saying, Poland, wake up. Fascism is coming. They then proceeded to a police station to protest there too.

SHARE:
In late 1992, 1,700 scientists from around the world issued a dire warning to humanity. They said humans had pushed Earths ecosystems to their breaking point and were well on the way to ruining the planet. The letter listed environmental impacts as though they were biblical plagues  stratospheric ozone depletion, air and water pollution, the collapse of fisheries and loss of soil productivity, deforestation, species loss and catastrophic global climate change caused by the burning of fossil fuels.

If not checked, wrote the scientists, led by particle physicist and Union of Concerned Scientists co-founder Henry Kendall, many of our current practices put at serious risk the future that we wish for human society and the plant and animal kingdoms, and may so alter the living world that it will be unable to sustain life in the manner that we know.

But things were only going to get worse.

Read more:

Fossil-fuel emissions to reach an all-time high in 2017, scientists say  dashing hopes of progress

Trump admin. releases report saying climate change is driven almost entirely by humans

The Doomsday Clock moves forward again  and scientists say Trump is a reason why

To mark the letters 25th anniversary, researchers have issued a bracing followup. In a communique published Monday in the journal Bioscience, more than 15,000 scientists from 184 countries assess the worlds latest responses to various environmental threats. Once again, they find us sorely wanting.

Humanity has failed to make sufficient progress in generally solving these foreseen environmental challenges, and alarmingly, most of them are getting far worse, they write.

This letter, spearheaded by Oregon State University ecologist William Ripple, serves as a second notice, the authors say: Soon it will be too late to shift course away from our failing trajectory.

Global climate change sits atop the new letters list of planetary threats. Global average temperatures have risen by more than half a degree Celsius since 1992, and annual carbon dioxide emissions have increased by 62 per cent.

But its far from the only problem people face. Access to fresh water has declined, as has the amount of forest land and the number of wild-caught fish (a marker of the health of global fisheries). The number of ocean dead zones has increased. The human population grew by a whopping two billion, while the populations of all other mammals, reptiles, amphibians and fish have declined by nearly 30 per cent.

The lone bright spot exists way up in the stratosphere, where the hole in the planets protective ozone layer has shrunk to its smallest size since 1988. Scientists credit that progress to the phasing out of chlorofluorocarbons  chemicals once used in refrigerators, air conditioners and aerosol cans that trigger reactions in the atmosphere to break down ozone.

The rapid global decline in ozone-depleting substances shows that we can make positive change when we act decisively, the letter says.

The authors offer 13 suggestions for reining in our impact on the planet, including establishing nature reserves, reducing food waste, developing green technologies and establishing economic incentives to shift patterns of consumption.

To this end, Ripple and his colleagues have formed a new organization, the Alliance of World Scientists, aimed at providing a science-based perspective on issues affecting the well-being of people and the planet.

Scientists are in the business of analyzing data and looking at the long-term consequences, Ripple said in a release. Those who signed this second warning arent just raising a false alarm. They are acknowledging the obvious signs that we are heading down an unsustainable path. We are hoping that our paper will ignite a widespread public debate about the global environment and climate.

Read more about:

SHARE:
WASHINGTONTo the hundreds of students who lined up outside the funeral home that April evening in 2010, Brian Betts had been a beloved Washington, D.C., middle school principal. A second father. An inspiration.

R.I.P. Mr. Betts, said their shirts and hoodies.

Mr. Betts, We Love You, read their signs.

But to ONeil McGean, who stood in the Pierce Funeral Home parking lot in Manassas, Va., gripping a friends hand and fighting back tears, Brian had been so much more.

He had been the love of ONeils life.

They had met at a stoplight, ONeils personality so boisterous it took him only a few seconds to make a lasting impression. Soon they bought a house together in the District, fixing it up in the evenings. They were inseparable for almost a decade. And even after their breakup, after ONeil moved to Mexico and Brian moved to Maryland, they remained good friends.

Then came the gunshots late one night inside Brians bedroom in Silver Spring, Maryland, and the phone ringing 2,000 miles away in Mazatlan.

A week later, ONeil stood in front of his exs casket wondering what had gone wrong.

Why did this happen, Brian? ONeil asked aloud.

The answer came two weeks later when police arrested four men, one of whom had arranged to meet Brian via a telephone chat line only to rob him, shoot him and leave him to die.

The crime chastened ONeil. He was already careful about living in Mexico. Now he grew wary of online dating.

But by Oct. 25, 2016, that caution had waned. After agreeing to meet someone through a dating app, ONeil disappeared  as did $16,000 from his bank accounts.

The question this time was less why than how.

How could ONeil fall prey to the same trap that had claimed Brian six years prior?

How could the 53-year-old not see it coming?

Hope he is OK

The first messages werent alarming.

Hola amigo, you there, Jorge Guillen Gonzalez wrote on Facebook messenger on Oct. 26, 2016.

Si, yo estoy aqui, replied Donnie McGean, ONeils oldest brother. All is good, and you?

Not as good (as) I want.

They had met six months earlier when Donnie and his wife visited ONeil in Mazatlan, a city known as the Pearl of the Pacific.

ONeil had moved there in 2006 after visiting a few times. The same charisma that had made him the centre of attention as a kid in the D.C. suburb of Chevy Chase, Md.  leading his little brother Chris and their friends through Rock Creek Park, refereeing fights after school, captaining dodge ball games  made him popular in the gay-friendly resort town.

It was in Mazatlan that ONeil met Jorge, a handsome young Mexican with dark hair, green eyes and a tattoo across his tightly muscled chest reading Warrior of God. They had dated for a short time before opening a cafe together in 2014.

Now Jorge said he was worried.

ONeil had gone on a date the night before with someone hed met on a gay dating app, Jorge said, and ONeil wasnt home yet, nor was he answering his phone. His two cherished dogs  Brandy and Guinness, named after ONeils favourite drinks  hadnt been fed.

Drug violence in the surrounding state of Sinaloa had crept into Mazatlan. So when Jorge said he was receiving strange Spanglish texts from ONeils phone, Donnie told him to call the police.

(I) really miss ONeil. He is my life. He knows how much I love him. Hope he is OK, wherever he is, Jorge wrote in broken English.

My heart is broken, he said later. I just wanna die.

Hang in there. I will be there tomorrow, Donnie wrote as he prepared to board a flight from his home in Maui to Mazatlan. Our family is very grateful to have you as a friend of ONeil. Without you we would be nowhere right now.

You dont give the orders

Twenty hours later, Donnie, an energetic 62-year-old who founded a trio of natural food groceries, stepped off a plane and headed to meet Jorge at the Hotel Punta Pacifico, a remote resort north of the city. It was here, Jorge said, that ONeil had gone to meet his date the night he disappeared.

But hotel employees denied seeing ONeil, and drone footage of the surrounding countryside showed no trace of him or his car.

The sun dipped over the ocean as Jorge drove them south to Mazatlan. They were eating seafood at a restaurant on the malecon when the Mexicans phone suddenly began to buzz.

The messages were from ONeils phone  but not from ONeil.

Pay great attention because I will not say it again, the kidnappers said in Spanish. If it occurs to you to do something rash, you will not hear from me or your little sponsor again.

The kidnappers had already withdrawn about $16,000 from ONeils bank accounts. Now they demanded $26,000 more, but gave confusing directions, first instructing Jorge to pay in the morning, then ordering him to deposit a fifth of the money immediately  without providing a bank account.

I wont do anything until I see a photo that ONeil is OK, Jorge wrote back.

First hand, came the cryptic, chilling answer. Want the other? You dont give the orders here.

As the texts became more threatening, Jorge grew visibly distraught, sobbing and retching, recalled Donnie, who was busy dialing FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration officials  contacts of a relative whod retired from the DEA  to ask them to try to trace his brothers phone.

The next morning, someone spotted ONeils car, parked downtown and filled with trash and beer bottles. As Donnie and Jorge watched state police dust the car for fingerprints, an officer pulled the American aside to say he had a bad feeling about Jorge.

Donnie shrugged it off, as he did the other things people said about Jorge: that ONeil had recently fired him from the cafe; that hed been banned from ONeils house for throwing wild parties while the American was away.

Jorge went everywhere with Donnie, translating for him by day and sleeping in the same house at night. He even suggested suspects to police, organizing a stakeout at a property where he said ONeil might be held, Donnie recalled.

ONeil had been a popular figure in Mazatlan, donating money to local causes and hosting events at his cafe, so his disappearance was major local news. On Oct. 31, Donnies fourth day in town, he and Jorge went to meet the mayor. Carlos Felton told Donnie hed spoken that morning to the governor, who had made it clear he wanted the case quickly solved.

A lot of these guys were very afraid that this would affect their tourism, would affect the cruise ships, Donnie later recalled.

The same day, Donnie met with the prosecutor handling ONeils disappearance.

What took you so long to come in here? Agripino Flores Sanchez asked. We told Jorge a family member has to sign off on the investigation.

The next day, when Donnie returned to talk to Flores, the prosecutor barred Jorge from entering the room. He then showed Donnie a diagram of communications between the suspected kidnappers. Jorges name appeared, Donnie recalled.

Donnie again dismissed the idea. Jorge must have been trying to reach the kidnappers to negotiate ONeils release, he thought.

The next day Mazatlan was packed with people celebrating the Day of the Dead. To take his mind off his brothers disappearance, Donnie walked among the thousands of partygoers with their faces painted like skulls before ducking into a restaurant to call a kidnapping expert.

If youre continuing to be hopeful, dont, the expert said after Donnie told him the kidnappers had gone quiet. Ill tell you right now that your brother is dead.

You cannot trust anybody

Donnies phone rang just hours after hed left Mazatlan.

Police had found ONeils body, his youngest brother, Chris, told him, and they had arrested Jorge.

Six years after Brians murder, ONeil had fallen prey to a similar trap  one allegedly orchestrated by his best friend.

ONeil had been lured not to the Punta Pacifico but to another hotel, where he had been beaten so badly that his lungs were punctured, investigators told Donnie. His brothers body was then wrapped in a hotel curtain, stuffed inside a large bag, ferried across town in a taxi and buried in a yard under freshly poured concrete.

The FBI agent had warned him not to look at ONeils face, so Donnie identified his little brother by the Irish family crest tattooed on his shoulder.

Mexican law does not allow Mexican media to fully identify suspects until they have been convicted. But multiple people close to the situation, including investigators and an attorney for Jorge, confirmed his arrest and those of two others: Luis David Soto and Carlos Ramon Anguiano. A fourth suspect, Joel Carrillo Anguiano  a relative of Carlos  has also been charged but remains at large.

State and local authorities did not respond to repeated requests for comment.

In an interview with The Washington Post, Jorges attorney, Hector Soto, said his client had been made into a scapegoat by officials eager to close a high-profile and politically sensitive case.

Jorge had sounded the alarm over ONeils disappearance and pressured police to investigate, Soto argued. A confession by Carlos Anguiano implicating Jorge was unreliable, he said.

Carlos says he was tortured into giving that statement, Soto said.

That accusation cuts deep in a country that has struggled to modernize its outdated, underfunded and, at times, corrupt criminal justice system. Despite a decade-long effort to bolster the rule of law by improving policing and introducing American-style oral court proceedings, more than 93 per cent of homicides go unsolved, according to the Citizens Council for Public Security and Criminal Justice, a Mexican think tank.

On the rare occasion that a homicide is closed, it is often tainted by accusations of torture, as in the case of two Australian surfers killed in Sinaloa a year before ONeil.

In a jailhouse letter sent to The Post by his brother, Jorge claimed he is innocent.

Im locked up because of the whims of prosecutors and the disabilities of judges, he wrote. Im locked up because the state government wants to get along with the American community.

Donnie McGean believes Jorge is guilty. Rather than signs of innocence, he sees Jorges retching and crying as evidence he knew the robbery had gone too far, and ONeil was dead. But even he isnt certain.

In Mexico, you cannot trust anybody, Donnie said, including the police.

A year after his brothers death, Donnie and his relatives worry that the case will fall apart. The governor who had prioritized ONeils case left office last year amid accusations of corruption.

I feel that the case is being put on the back burner, Donnie wrote to Sinaloas new governor, Quirino Ordaz Coppel, in May. A kidnapper, robber and murderer of an American living in Mexico is still walking the streets.

Donnie never received a response. Later he learned Ordaz, who did not respond to requests for comment, owns the Pacific Palace hotel, where ONeil was killed.

A month after ONeils body was found, expats drank tequila and sang Danny Boy at a memorial in Mazatlan. On the same day in Washington, mourners packed Blessed Sacrament for a memorial just as emotional as the one held for Brian.

Earlier this year, when Chris and Donnie went through their brothers belongings, they found dozens of childrens books Brian had given ONeil, each with a love note written inside.

And in his dressing room in Mazatlan, framed behind glass, they found a collage of photographs of ONeil and Brian  both of them now gone.

Read more about:

SHARE:
MANILA, PHILIPPINESHis lengthy Asia trip down to its final days, U.S. President Donald Trump opted Monday to keep his public focus on top priorities such as trade and combating terrorism rather than human rights, declining to shine a spotlight on the violent drug war overseen by his Philippine host.

Trump repeatedly praised Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, calling him by his first name, sharing a joke about the media and even complimenting Manilas weather. What he did not do was what many predecessors have done before: highlight human rights abuses while overseas.

Duterte has overseen a bloody drug war that has featured extrajudicial killings. He has even boasted about killing people with his own hands. But during brief remarks to reporters, Trump said he and Duterte have had a great relationship and avoided questions on whether hed raise human rights issues with the Filipino leaders.

Read the latest news on U.S. President Donald Trump

The White House later said the two leaders discussed Daesh, also known as ISIS or ISIL, illegal drugs and trade during the 40-minute meeting. Spokesperson Sarah Huckabee Sanders said human rights came up briefly in the context of the Philippines fight against illegal drugs. She did not say if Trump was critical of Dutertes program.

That appeared to conflict with the Filipino version of the meeting. Harry Roque, a spokesperson for Duterte, said there was no mention of human rights. There was no mention of extralegal killings. There was only a rather lengthy discussion of the Philippine war on drugs with President Duterte doing most of the explaining.

Despite all that, the two sides later issued a joint statement saying that the two sides underscored that human rights and the dignity of human life are essential, and agreed to continue mainstreaming the human rights agenda in their national programs.

On the sidelines of an international summit, Trump looked to strengthen ties with Pacific Rim allies, aiming to strike bilateral, rather than multinational, trade agreements, and increase pressure on North Korea to abandon its nuclear program. He met with Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday and highlighted their two nations deeper and more comprehensive ties, looking to strengthen a relationship that is vital to the U.S. vision of an Indo-Pacific region that attempts to de-emphasize Chinas influence.

He jointly met with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, with whom he had a contentious phone call last winter, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who hosted the president in Tokyo earlier in the trip. Trump raved about his accomplishments on his five-nation journey, particularly on trade and on North Korea, which the White House has suggested may be designated a state sponsor of terror.

Read more:

In China, Trump becomes the capitulator-in-chief: Burman

Drug war killings the elephant in the room between Trump, Duterte

Trump sends America First trade message in Vietnam

U.S. President Donald Trump struggles with the traditional Asian summit handshake. (The Associated Press)

Trump said he would wait until his return to Washington on Wednesday to elaborate with a major statement on those two topics but hinted at progress while in Manila.

Weve made some very big steps with regard to trade  far bigger than anything you know, Trump told reporters, pointing to business deals forged between U.S. and foreign companies.

Weve made a lot of big progress on trade. We have deficits with almost everybody. Those deficits are going to be cut very quickly and very substantially, Trump said.

Except us, Turnbull chimed in, to laughs.

Youre the only one, Trump responded. Trump also said the trip had been very fruitful for the United States and pointed to the warm welcomes he had received in capitals like Tokyo, Seoul and Beijing.

It was red carpet like nobody, I think, has probably ever received, Trump said. And that really is a sign of respect, perhaps for me a little, but really for our country. And Im really proud of that.

Trump met privately with Turnbull later Monday. But his interactions with Duterte drew the most scrutiny.

Advisers had said that while Trump was always unlikely to publicly chastise Duterte, he might offer criticisms behind closed doors. Trump would hold his tongue in public to avoid embarrassing Duterte, whom he is urging to help pressure North Korea and fight terrorism, and to avoid pushing him into the arms of China. Duterte has seemed less committed to the strategic partnership with the U.S.

Dutertes war on drugs has alarmed human rights advocates around the world, who say it has allowed police officers and vigilantes to ignore due process and to take justice into their own hands. Government officials estimate that well over 3,000 people, mostly drug users and dealers, have died in the ongoing crackdown. Human rights groups believe the victim total is far higher, perhaps closer to 9,000.

The opening ceremonies of the Association for Southeast Asian Nations conference began with pageantry, including a group photo of the leaders and the summits traditional handshake. That cross-body handshake, during which each leader shakes the opposite hands of those next to him or her, briefly baffled Trump, who then laughed as he figured out where to place his arms.

Read more about:

SHARE:
U.K. lawmakers will get a take-it-or-leave-it vote on the final Brexit deal, with their choices limited to accepting the agreement or voting for a chaotic crashing out of the block.

And if the government fails to reach a deal, the U.K. will leave without consulting Parliament, Brexit Secretary David Davis said on Monday.

The twin announcements provoked jeers in Parliament as what started out as a concession to a restive House of Commons, was quickly revealed to be a meaningless gesture. Several lawmakers, including Labours Pat McFadden, said they would be voting with a gun to their heads.

Read more:

Brexit chief says he expects talks to go until last moment before U.K. officially leaves bloc

U.K.s May says she has a degree of confidence Brexit talks will move to second phase

EU laments lack of Brexit progress as divorce talks reach state of deadlock

Further restricting lawmakers leeway in the final stages of Brexit, the government wants to write into law the date that Britain will leave. Designed as a concession to the most enthusiastic Brexit supporters in the divided Conservative Party, the proposal would mean theres no way Britain could ask for an extension if talks fail to produce a deal.

Dominic Grieve, a former attorney general and colleague of Prime Minister Theresa May who is now opposing the governments Brexit policy, called the proposal thoroughly stupid as he said it would tie the governments hands in negotiations. Davis blamed Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, the mechanism for departure, for why an extension would be difficult.

The extension of article 50 can only be done by unanimity and thats the weakness of it, he said.

As uncertainty about future trade relations threatens jobs and investment, business leaders from both sides of the English Channel urged May on Monday to accelerate talks on Britains exit from the EU.

European business leaders are urging Britain to make concrete proposals on the so-called divorce issues so the negotiations can move forward. The EU has refused to discuss trade until there is agreement on Britains financial obligations, citizens rights and the Irish border.

May is walking a political tightrope, trying to appease both Brexit hardliners and those in her party who want to maintain close ties to the EU.

May had pledged to outline her hopes for a bold and deep economic partnership between Britain and the EU after Brexit. A statement from her office later said that May reassured industry groups with the oft-repeated sentiment that the U.K. was leaving the EU, not Europe, and expressed her commitment to giving businesses the certainty they need by agreeing a time-limited implementation period as soon as possible.

Industry groups from Germany, France, Britain and other EU countries deployed representatives to London amid concern that time is running out to ensure more than 550 billion pounds ($719 billion U.S.) of trade keeps flowing smoothly after the U.K. leaves the bloc in March 2019. They want a transitional period during which Britain would remain in the European single market and customs union so companies could adjust to the new relationship after Brexit.

Business is extremely concerned with the slow pace of negotiations and the lack of progress, said Emma Marcegaglia, president of BusinessEurope, an umbrella organization of business lobbies. Business aims to avoid a cliff edge and therefore asks for a status quo-like transitional arrangement with the U.K. staying in the customs union and the single market as this will best provide citizens and businesses with greater certainty.

U.K lawmakers from both main parties have been pushing for Parliament to have a greater say in the process, with some tabling amendments to government legislation that aim to prevent Britain tumbling out of the trading bloc without a deal. That legislation goes to Parliament on Tuesday, when Mays minority administration will be tested.

Davis was upbeat that a deal will get done and in good time to go to lawmakers. He hopes an agreement will be sealed by October 2018, giving time to Parliament in London and the European Parliament in Strasbourg to approve it. It will go to lawmakers in London as a bill.

With files from the Associated Press

Read more about:

SHARE:
The controversy over Finance Minister Bill Morneaus handling of his personal finances has prompted a needed conversation about Canadas conflict-of-interest law and the office meant to enforce it.

Clearly something is wrong. Morneau was allowed, by law and purportedly on the advice of Ottawas ethics watchdog, to maintain control over a large stake in his former company, even as he ran the countrys finances. It is established procedure, but not a requirement, for ministers to place their holdings in a blind trust as a way of avoiding conflicts of interest, real or perceived. That Morneau  and, we now know, at least one other in Justin Trudeaus cabinet  did not do this is cause for real concern.

For these lapses, some have blamed loopholes in Canadas conflict-of-interest law, some have blamed the watchdog charged with enforcing that law, and some have blamed the government for its ethical laxity. Each view has merit.

Theres no doubt the federal Conflict of Interest Act should be improved. A number of sensible tweaks have been proposed in recent weeks, the most important being the closing of the loophole that allowed Morneau to continue to indirectly manage his investments through a holding company. As ethics commissioner Mary Dawson has long argued, the architects of the countrys fiscal policy should not be allowed to control, even indirectly, large personal holdings. Otherwise, as this case has illustrated, the appearance of conflict is unavoidable.

The Morneau affair has also raised important questions about the role of the ethics commissioner. Some have suggested Dawsons interpretation of the conflict-of-interest law is overly narrow, while others argue shes too inclined to avoid controversy and reluctant to challenge officials. To be fair, such criticisms were also leveled against her predecessor, and to some extent they may be an inevitable part of such a politically charged position.

But the recent controversy also makes clear the limitations of a narrowly legalistic interpretation of the role. If Dawson told Morneau that maintaining indirect control over his investments was allowed by the letter of the law without advising him that doing so would seem to violate its spirit, she failed.

The ethics commissioner should not just be an interpreter of the act but also an adviser on ethical judgment. The government is now 19 months into its search for Dawsons replacement. It should fill the role now with someone with a reputation not just for uprightness and skill in legal interpretation, but also for ethical reasoning and leadership and with a record of independent thought.

Still, not even the perfect law paired with the perfect watchdog would be adequate to the challenge of ensuring ethical government. Our conflict-of-interest laws will never provide answers for every ethical dilemma, nor should that be the goal. And, ultimately, the prime minister, his cabinet and other parliamentarians cannot outsource their own ethical responsibilities to a watchdog.

Take the ethical scandals dogging the Liberals. Whatever the conflict-of-interest act says about the cash-for-access fundraisers the Trudeau government for too long defended, these events clearly create the appearance of preferential access. The government should have known better. Whatever the ethics commissioner decides about the prime ministers Yuletide getaway to the Aga Khans private island, the trip clearly posed both ethical and optical problems. Trudeau should not have gone. Whatever the law on ministers indirect control over their assets, Morneaus failure to adequately separate himself from his wealth looks fishy to us. It should have looked fishy to him.

We need a better conflict-of-interest law and a watchdog who can do more than simply enforce it. But, as trust erodes and our democracy is tested, we also need moral leadership from our elected officials.

This is what Trudeau seemed to be getting at in his mandate letters to his ministers. The arrangement of your private affairs should bear the closest public scrutiny, he wrote, an obligation not fully discharged by simply acting within the law. The cynic will say thats never going to happen, which is simply proof of just how high is the hill to climb.

SHARE:
Justin Trudeaus Liberal government has used its so-called Magnitsky Act to impose sanctions on Russian and Venezuelan leaders accused of human rights violations. Politically, thats easy.

But the prime ministers trip to Manila this week provides an opportunity to use that law against one of the true villains of the modern era  Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. And that will be more difficult.

Duterte should be sanctioned. He condones, encourages and in all likelihood orders the murder of his own citizens. According to a complaint filed with the International Criminal Court in The Hague, he is responsible for the murder of at least 9,400 people suspected of being drug addicts or pushers.

Some murders were allegedly carried out by police acting under his instruction. Others are said to have been committed by state-financed vigilantes.

The European Union parliament has decried what it calls extrajudicial killings under the Duterte regime. The United Nations special rapporteur on extrajudicial killings has also taken him to task.

Duterte doesnt deny his guilt. He admits it. In fact, he revels in it.

The former tough-guy mayor of Davao was elected president last year on a promise to kill 100,000 drug addicts and pushers.

Last December, he bragged that as Davaos mayor he had personally shot dead suspected criminals in order to set an example for his police officers.

On Friday, at an Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation summit in Vietnam, he bragged that he was a teenager when he made his first kill.

At the age of 16, I already killed someone, he said. A real person. A rumble. A stabbing. I was just 16 years old. It was just over a look. How much more now that I am president?

Last year he compared himself to Hitler, saying he would like to kill as many drug addicts as the Nazi leader did Jews. At least Germany had Hitler, he said.

The foreign affairs minister says she shares serious concerns over human rights abuses in the Philippines. In Manila on Sunday, Chrystia Freeland said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is focused on attending ASEAN, an East Asian summit. (The Canadian Press)

Duterte does not take criticism well. He famously called Barack Obama a son of a whore when it was merely suggested that the then U.S. president might chide him for the murders.

On Friday, the Philippine president threatened to slap the face of the UN special rapporteur.

So Trudeau should be prepared if he dares to criticize Duterte. Yet how could the prime minister not do so, particularly in light of Canadas adoption of the Magnitsky Act last month?

That act, named after a Russian lawyer who died in prison after accusing officials there of tax fraud, gives Canadas government the power to impose sanctions and travel bans on foreigners deemed to have committed gross human rights violations.

This month, Ottawa announced it was targeting 52 officials from Russia, Venezuela and South Sudan  including Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

With the possible exception of the three South Sudanese officials, I doubt that any of the 52 has as much blood on his hands as Duterte.

Given its provenance, the danger in the Magnitsky Act has always been that it would be used exclusively as a political weapon in the new Cold War between the West and Russia. Adding Venezuela to the mix does little to alleviate this problem since Maduro is already on Washingtons hit list.

The inclusion of three officials deemed responsible for the carnage in South Sudan broadens the effective scope of the act and is therefore welcome. But, since South Sudan is a not an important player on the world stage, that move was also easy.

Telling the truth about Duterte would be politically more difficult. He is popular both at home in the Philippines and among many in the diaspora  including some who have emigrated to Canada.

But if the Liberal government truly believes in the principles behind the Magnitsky Act  if it truly believes there should be morality in foreign affairs  then Trudeau has no choice.

He cannot treat this murderous man as just another duly elected leader. He cannot travel all the way to Manila and ignore the killings there.

Practically, Canada can do little to affect events in the Philippines. But by using the Magnitsky Act against Duterte, it could at least signal its distaste.

Thomas Walkom appears Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Read more about:

SHARE:
If Toronto city council has any interest in making sure that damaged telecom boxes are fixed, it is doing an excellent job of disguising it.

Weve been on a campaign to hold telecom providers responsible for the shocking number of damaged equipment boxes on city streets. Until rules are imposed on them, its clear that they wont do anything about it.

Council had an excellent opportunity to lay down the law at its meeting last week, in the form of recommendations in a report on universal placement guidelines for telecom equipment.

It instead deferred the report, most of which dealt with locations for new equipment, and ignored a request that telecoms label boxes with their names, along with a phone number that could be called to report damage.

Community associations provided substantial input on the report, including a recommendation from David Crawford of the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood Association that all equipment be labelled, which seems quite reasonable.

Not only did it not adopt Crawfords recommendation  which weve also been pushing  city officials dont seem to even be aware of the problem.

We interviewed Carly Hinks, an acting director of transportation services who wrote the report, and could only conclude that she is indifferent to the issue.

Hinks said telecoms do have a requirement to maintain their equipment, but noted that the citys authority to impose standards is limited by federal communications legislation that supersedes municipal rules.

We can suggest, we can request, but if telecoms such as Rogers and Bell dont like what is suggested or requested by the city, it can appeal it to the CRTC, she said.

Whenever weve been challenged by the utilities, we always lose, Hinks said, adding, universal guidelines are things we have never before gotten agreement from the utilities on.

Hinks said city officials meet on a monthly or bimonthly basis with the telecoms on a wide range of issues and that shed raise broken equipment boxes with them at the next meeting.

That sounds like a nice way of saying nothing will change. If simply raising it with them would yield improvements, we doubt theyd need to be told.

If there was any legitimate interest on the part of city councillors or staff to hold the telecoms feet to the fire on maintenance, theyd impose standards as part of the guidelines and let them appeal it.

Imagine if Rogers or Bell was so dead set against doing the right thing that theyd appeal it to a higher power. It would amount to thumbing their nose at the idea of community responsibility.

The city should impose maintenance standards  if they have the will to do it  and lets see how Rogers and Bell respond.

What's broken in your neighbourhood? Wherever you are in Greater Toronto, we want to know. Send an email to jlakey@thestar.ca. Report problems and follow us on Twitter @TOStarFixer.

Read more about:

SHARE:
Bitcoin shed as much as $38 billion from its recent peak value over the weekend as the cryptocurency slumped and surged over a wild two-days of trading amid speculation that a delayed upgrade in its architecture has driven some investors to alternative digital coins with stronger blockchain backing.

Bitcoin prices plunged to as low as $5,500 each in weekend trading on the Bitsmap exchange, a stunning 27% slump from the $8,000 peak the cryptocurrency hit last week after its founders said they would delay a so-called "fork" in bitcoin's architecture that would give its blockchain -- a method used to track and verify transactions -- more power. The move, however, would have also potentially split the cryptocurrency into separate units.

Bitcoin recovered in late Sunday trading, and was marked at around $6,435 each in early London dealing on Monday, but remains intensely volatile as investors parse the implications of the "segwit2x" delay and monitor the increasingly rising prices of one of its rival digital currencies, bitcoin cash, which has a larger, more powerful blockchain and traded at a record high $2,600 each.

However, entrepreneur Charles Shrem, one of Bitcoin's founders, challenged the notion that bitcoin cash is a viable alternative to bitcion, suggesting on Twitter that its blockchain may be susceptible to alterations or influence.

The roll-out of a new Bitcoin data source, called SegWit2x, was designed to relive some of the pressure on the main network and speed up cryptocurrency transaction times, thus increasing their value.

Blockchain, the architecture that supports bitcoin's existence, has a cap on the information it can process, which some argue slows the speed of payment processing. To ease that congestion, software developers pushed to allow some data to leave the spine of the bitcoin system, a move some bitcoin miners say would reduce their ability to verify transactions, thus eroding their "bullet proof" appeal.

"Our goal has always been a smooth upgrade for Bitcoin. Although we strongly believe in the need for a larger blocksize, there is something we believe is even more important: keeping the community together, said Bitgo CEO, Mike Belshe. "Unfortunately, it is clear that we have not built sufficient consensus for a clean blocksize upgrade at this time. Continuing on the current path could divide the community and be a setback to Bitcoin's growth. This was never the goal of Segwit2x."

Check out some of the strangest cryptocurrencies in the game:

More of What's Trending on TheStreet:
What's the country's wealthiest man to do with an extra $80 million lying around?

Build his own "smart city," of course. Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) - Get Free Report cofounder Bill Gates and his investment firm Belmont Partners have invested $80 million to jump-start development of a smart community in Arizona.

Gates bought about 25,000 acres of land in the state's West Valley, about 45 minutes west of downtown Phoenix, Belmont Partners told local media, according to KPNX. The proposed community will be called Belmont.

"Belmont will create a forward-thinking community with a communication and infrastructure spine that embraces cutting-edge technology, designed around high-speed digital networks, data centers, new manufacturing technologies and distribution models, autonomous vehicles and autonomous logistics hubs," Belmont Partners said in a news release.

Belmont Partners said 3,800 acres will be devoted to office, commercial and retail space. About 470 acres will be used for public schools, and most of the rest of the land will be used for as many as 80,000 residential units. It's not yet clear when construction will begin.

"Comparable in square miles and projected population to Tempe, Arizona, Belmont will transform a raw, blank slate into a purpose-built edge city built around a flexible infrastructure model," Belmont Partners said.

Gates' venture into utopian community development will work to best similar attempts around the world. Nearby in Arcosanti, Arizona, architect Paolo Soleri created an experimental town in the 1970s aimed at integrating architecture and ecology.

In India, the federal government is working to build 100 high-tech cities to serve as idealistic layouts for the country's future infrastructure. The bid to create the smart cities began in 2014, but has drawn criticism from India's private sector for taking too long to get off the ground.

As for domestic smart city development, the ball is now in Facebook (FB) - Get Free Report billionaire Mark Zuckerberg's court to match this purchase.

Facebook is a holding in Jim Cramer's Action Alerts PLUS Charitable Trust Portfolio. Want to be alerted before Cramer buys or sells FB? Learn more now.

More of What's Trending on TheStreet:
BP plc (BP) - Get Free Report isn't as worried about the Middle East as some of its peers, CEO Bob Dudley said. Instead, the London-based oil company is most concerned about Venezuela as a geopolitical threat to the oil industry.

"I think Venezuela is just defying economic gravity," Dudley told CNBC at the Abu Dhabi Petroleum Exhibition & Conference. "I think that's a real wild card."

Venezuela is an OPEC nation and one of the world's largest oil producers. The country is currently mired in debt negotiations with foreign investors that began Monday. It's unclear if Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro will succeed in the debt talks, which could increase the risk of a debt default for the country.

Venezuela is looking to restructure roughly $60 billion in bonds. The country has struggled in refinancing, as U.S. banks are forbidden from buying new Venezuelan bonds due to sanctions imposed by the U.S. government.

Many oil industry leaders have focused concern on the Middle East, where Saudi Arabia's and Iran's relationship has become increasingly delicate.

BP stock dipped 0.52% to $40.09 in early trading Monday. Shares have gained 7.2% since the start of the year.

More of What's Trending on TheStreet:
Walt Disney Co. (DIS) - Get Free Report is taking precautionary measures after visitors to its Disneyland park in Anaheim, California, came down with Legionnaires' disease.

The Orange County Health Care Agency told local media that about 12 cases of Legionnaires were discovered three weeks ago. All of the patients affected lived in or spent time in Anaheim and nine visited Disneyland in September.

Disneyland has closed two of its cooling towers in the park in order to properly disinfect them. The towers, which were found to have high levels of the bacteria that causes Legionnaires', will reopen when it can be confirmed that they aren't contaminated anymore.

Legionnaires' is spread through mist from contaminated water. In this case, the contaminated water was used in the cooling towers. Legionnaires' can cause severe pneumonia, but it is not contagious from person-to-person.

One Anaheim patient has died as a result of the illness, but the patient had not visited Disneyland. There have been no new cases reported and Orange County said there's no longer any ongoing risk associated with the outbreak.

Disney stock dipped 0.27% to $104.50 in premarket trading Monday.

More of What's Trending on 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.
Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc., through its subsidiaries, produces, markets, and distributes fresh and fresh-cut fruits and vegetables in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Fresh and Value-Added Products, Banana, and Other Products and Services. It offers pineapples, fresh-cut fruit, fresh-cut vegetables, melons, and vegetables; non-tropical fruits, such as grapes, apples, citrus, blueberries, strawberries, pears, peaches, plums, nectarines, cherries, and kiwis; other fruit and vegetables, and avocados; and prepared fruit and vegetables, juices, other beverages, and meals and snacks. The company also engages in the sale of poultry and meat products; and third-party freight services business. In addition, it manufactures and sells plastic and box products, such as bins, trays, bags, and boxes. The company offers its products under the Del Monte brand, as well as under other brands, such as UTC, Rosy, Fruit Express, Just Juice, Fruitini, Mann's Logo, Arcadian Harvest, Nourish Bowls, Broccolini, Caulilini, Better Burger Leaf, RomaLeaf, and other regional brands. It markets and distributes its products to retail stores, club stores, convenience stores, wholesalers, distributors, and foodservice operators. Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. was founded in 1886 and is based in George Town, Cayman Islands.
AbbVie Inc. discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells pharmaceuticals in the worldwide. The company offers HUMIRA, a therapy administered as an injection for autoimmune and intestinal Behcet's diseases; SKYRIZI to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults; RINVOQ, a JAK inhibitor for the treatment of moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis in adult patients; IMBRUVICA to treat adult patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL), and VENCLEXTA, a BCL-2 inhibitor used to treat adults with CLL or SLL; and MAVYRET to treat patients with chronic HCV genotype 1-6 infection. It also provides CREON, a pancreatic enzyme therapy for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency; Synthroid used in the treatment of hypothyroidism; Linzess/Constella to treat irritable bowel syndrome with constipation and chronic idiopathic constipation; Lupron for the palliative treatment of advanced prostate cancer, endometriosis and central precocious puberty, and patients with anemia caused by uterine fibroids; and Botox therapeutic. In addition, the company offers ORILISSA, a nonpeptide small molecule gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist for women with moderate to severe endometriosis pain; Duopa and Duodopa, a levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel to treat Parkinson's disease; Lumigan/Ganfort, a bimatoprost ophthalmic solution for the reduction of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open angle glaucoma (OAG) or ocular hypertension; Ubrelvy to treat migraine with or without aura in adults; Alphagan/ Combigan, an alpha-adrenergic receptor agonist for the reduction of IOP in patients with OAG; and Restasis, a calcineurin inhibitor immunosuppressant to increase tear production, as well as other eye care products. AbbVie Inc. has a research collaboration with Dragonfly Therapeutics, Inc. The company was incorporated in 2012 and is headquartered in North Chicago, Illinois.
BlackRock, Inc. is a publicly owned investment manager. The firm primarily provides its services to institutional, intermediary, and individual investors including corporate, public, union, and industry pension plans, insurance companies, third-party mutual funds, endowments, public institutions, governments, foundations, charities, sovereign wealth funds, corporations, official institutions, and banks. It also provides global risk management and advisory services. The firm manages separate client-focused equity, fixed income, and balanced portfolios. It also launches and manages open-end and closed-end mutual funds, offshore funds, unit trusts, and alternative investment vehicles including structured funds. The firm launches equity, fixed income, balanced, and real estate mutual funds. It also launches equity, fixed income, balanced, currency, commodity, and multi-asset exchange traded funds. The firm also launches and manages hedge funds. It invests in the public equity, fixed income, real estate, currency, commodity, and alternative markets across the globe. The firm primarily invests in growth and value stocks of small-cap, mid-cap, SMID-cap, large-cap, and multi-cap companies. It also invests in dividend-paying equity securities. The firm invests in investment grade municipal securities, government securities including securities issued or guaranteed by a government or a government agency or instrumentality, corporate bonds, and asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities. It employs fundamental and quantitative analysis with a focus on bottom-up and top-down approach to make its investments. The firm employs liquidity, asset allocation, balanced, real estate, and alternative strategies to make its investments. In real estate sector, it seeks to invest in Poland and Germany. The firm benchmarks the performance of its portfolios against various S&P, Russell, Barclays, MSCI, Citigroup, and Merrill Lynch indices. BlackRock, Inc. was founded in 1988 and is based in New York City with additional offices in Boston, Massachusetts; London, United Kingdom; Gurgaon, India; Hong Kong; Greenwich, Connecticut; Princeton, New Jersey; Edinburgh, United Kingdom; Sydney, Australia; Taipei, Taiwan; Singapore; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Washington, District of Columbia; Toronto, Canada; Wilmington, Delaware; and San Francisco, California.
Spreen, Bedford North Lawrence give Bloomington South a hard time

No. 4 BNL shows off all its weapons to go to 4-0 on the season
Underway, in Arusha: EAC Sectoral Council on Trade, Industry, Finance and Investment. High on the agenda of the meeting are progress reports on; Status of the implementation of previous decisions; update on the EAC-EU-EPA; AGOA out-of-cycle review; Sectoral Committee on Investment and the Committee on Customs.

Diarise: SAIIA, in collaboration with Institute for International Trade, Australia workshop  The challenges of regional integration, trade facilitation and gender equity for Africa (1 December, Johannesburg)

EAC Industrial Competitiveness Report 2017: harnessing the EAC market to drive industrial competitiveness and growth (EAC/UNIDO)

The most encouraging finding of this report comes from the detailed analysis of the market opportunities offered by the EAC to its Partner States for expanding their manufacturing sectors. First of all, the EAC acts as a fundamental market for most of its Partner States, with high shares of manufactured exports remaining within the region, in particular for Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya. Exports to the rest of the world did not play the same role. In addition, it also provided the opportunity for all countries to expand their exports further to the regional market between 2000 and 2014, leading to a significant increase in their intra-regional manufactured trade ranging between 9% and 31% on average per annum. Secondly, throughout the years, the EAC market provided Partner States with the opportunity to export a larger share of higher value-added products. All countries, apart from Rwanda, exported a larger percentage of manufactured goods, as well as medium and high-tech products to the EAC, than to the rest of the world. Thirdly, and following from above, the EAC market allowed a more pronounced level of diversification of manufactured products traded within the region, with no domination of a particular sector. The largest exports came from the chemicals and plastic sector, as well as metals, followed by food and beverages. Whereas the top three products traded within the EAC contributed to 58% of total manufactured exports in 2014 in the EAC, the same figure at global level stands much higher at 71%.

Nonetheless, since 2010 we observed a slight contraction from the two biggest actors, Kenya and Tanzania, that diversified their markets more to Sub-Saharan African countries other than the EAC (in the case of Tanzania  mainly Congo, DRC, Zambia), and outside of Sub-Saharan Africa (for Kenya  mainly US, Serbia, India and China). Jointly, therefore, intra-regional manufactured trade has slowed down significantly, from an annual growth rate of 16% per annum between 2000 and 2010, to only 2% between 2010 and 2014. EAC manufacturing firms have therefore lost market share in one of the most dynamic regions, where demand for processed goods has been increasing at almost 17% per annum since 2010.

Findings concretely show several missed opportunities for EAC firms to tap into their own dynamic regional market. This was measured by trends in market shares across the period 2000-2014. A close examination of top 25 most demanded manufactured products showed that in most cases (22/25) EAC firms lost market share in the period, including cement, pharmaceuticals, iron/steel products, and fertilisers. In most cases, EAC manufacturing firms managed to increase their capacities, experiencing positive growth rates in the period (except for heavy petrol/bitum oils) but not at the pace and extent needed to keep up with the growth of EAC demand, therefore allowing other international firms to gain larger market share.

Protection of cars, dairy blocks EAC trade deal with southern Africa (Business Daily)

Protection of East Africas dairy and motor vehicle industries from competition is one of the stumbling blocks facing a trade agreement with southern African states. The EAC is negotiating a deal with SACU to scrap import duty on at least 60% of products traded between the blocs. However, a report released last week by the Council of Ministers on EAC Affairs and Planning shows that the two bodies failed to agree on several key tariff lines in a September meeting in Johannesburg. SACU requested that the EAC scrap duty on dairy products and motor vehicles within five years of signing the deal. The EAC did not respond positively. On motor vehicles and dairy products, (the) EAC has responded that the products are sensitive due to their strategic importance for economic development in the EAC, says the report. The EAC did agree to carry out an analysis on the implications of scrapping duty on motor vehicles. SACU also asked for immediate the liberalisation of trade in refrigerators, plastic tubes, beef, salt and wines once the deal is signed. EAC agreed to offer only refrigerators for immediate liberalisation, pleading time to consult on the rest. The southern African countries were similarly unreceptive of EACs request to liberalise trade in textiles, cut flowers, edible oils, fruit juices, coffee and vegetables.

COMESA trade policy, implementation: selected highlights from the recent Council of Ministers meeting

(i) Full FTA in sight as remaining states make steady progress to join. Fifteen of the 19 COMESA Member States as now fully in the regional Free Trade Area, with only four countries remaining. The Council of Ministers meeting in Lusaka last week noted the steady progress that the remaining countries are making towards full participation. Except for Swaziland which is exempted owing to its membership of SACU, the DRC, Congo, Ethiopia and Eritrea are all at various stages of eventually becoming full members of the FTA. The DRC is expected to achieve full participation by 2018 after reducing tariffs for COMESA originating products by 40%, 30% and 30% each year since it issued a gazette notice in December 2015. Eritrea is already offering 80% tariff preference to COMESA originating products. A study on the implications for joining COMESA FTA on the Eritrean economy was carried out and validated on 16 June 2017. This study will assist Eritrea in arriving at a decision regarding participation in the COMESA FTA. As a first step toward joining the FTA, Ethiopia reduced tariffs for COMESA originating products by 10% in 1989. In 2014, a study on the competitiveness of Ethiopian firms in participating the COMESA FTA was undertaken. The study recommended a phase down of products on which tariffs could be reduced to zero by 2019. The country is consulting on effecting further reductions. [COMESA mulls a shipping line to address high transport costs]

(ii) Digital Free Trade Area instruments ready for trials in member states. COMESA Secretariat has completed the design of the Digital Free Trade Area and its action plan and the Electronic Certificate of Origin (eCO) and its draft regulations. The two instruments are now ready for piloting in 15 Member States that are willing and ready to participate. They include: Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Rwanda, Sudan, Seychelles, Uganda, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Ministers attending the recent Ministerial Council meeting in Lusaka (3-4 November) welcomed the progress made on the development of electronic trade facilitation tools noting that they have the potential to transform regional trade. The Council recommended for a phased approach for rolling out the instruments for the Digital FTA. This will begin with the instruments that are ready and Member States that are ready to participate during the year 2017. Other segments will be finalized concurrently while addressing constraints Member States may have.

(iii) Ministers pledge support to innovation to raise product quality. Their decision was informed by a report presented to them showing that, on average, the level of technological sophistication of exported products from the COMESA region was not only low, but has also declined. The report noted that a narrow range of product sophistication across the member States has persisted. This notwithstanding that primary and resource based products in the COMESA region have continued to account for the largest share in the export basket. Except for Mauritius (43%), primary and resource based products together accounted for more than 60% of the export basket in all Member States, up from 50% in 2014. For Rwanda, Malawi and Zimbabwe these two categories accounted for more than 80% of the exports while for Burundi, DRC, Zambia, Comoros, Seychelles, Ethiopia and Djibouti they accounted for more than 90% of total exports. Put together, the products accounted for more than 60% of the export basket in all Member States, up from 50% in 2014, the report said. Rwanda, Malawi and Zimbabwe accounted for more than 80% of the exports while Burundi, DRC, Comoros, Zambia, Seychelles, Ethiopia and Djibouti they accounted for more than 90% of total exports.

Delays at Mombasa Port costing cargo importers millions in fines (Daily Nation)

Lack of multiple grain handlers, rains and inefficiencies at the Port of Mombasa are costing importers an arm and a leg. Delays in off-loading cargo has compelled importers to pay demurrage of up to Sh1.5 million a day. Grain importers have been the hardest hit by the delays, with huge volumes of maize and wheat being held at the facility awaiting discharge, a situation that could affect consumers in future as they will have to absorb the extra charges. Logistics firms and millers have raised concerns over the delays that have now cut supply of goods in the market, signalling a looming shortage. According to millers, the total expected grain arrivals at the port through 20 November is 720,000 tonnes. With no further delay caused by the rains, it might take 72 days to discharge the entire consignment.

Doing Business in Rwanda: Govt to introduce 15 new reforms (New Times)

For instance, under access to electricity, Rwanda ranked 119th globally and under this indicator, government plans to introduce five reforms by May next year, to ensure adequate and constant energy supply to investors. Rwanda Energy Group is working on a system that will monitor outages and record frequency and durations of power outages so that it is predictable for people running factories. The Government also seeks to reduce the time for connection from the current 34 days to 20 days as well as revising tariffs to introduce preferential rates for productive users. Other reforms under the indicator include introducing electricity quality service codes and reducing the cost of connection. The starting a business indicator, which ranked at 78th position in the last report, is scheduled to have three reforms which could influence a change in position. Under the indicator, three reforms are set to be introduced, including free application of online electronic billing machines, exemption of payment of trading license patente for startups that are small and medium enterprises as well as simplified process of employee benefits registration. [Botswana committed to ease of doing business  Masisi; Uganda Investment Authority: Low publicity dipped ease of doing business ranking]

Nigerias first Sub-National Competitiveness Index is now posted: access the National Competitiveness Council of Nigeria report here (pdf)

Lagos targets third largest economy by 2020, Africa's mega city in 2025 (The Guardian)

With a target to become Africa's third largest economy by 2020 and Africa's model mega city in 2025, the Lagos State government has reiterated its commitment to sustain the existing partnership with the private sector. This it aims to do by creating more business-support infrastructure and developing sound policies, which will build a solid framework and enable businesses thrive.

African economic growth rides on wireless rails (Bloomberg)

From the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean, hand-held phones are letting people become their own ATMs, increasing economic activity by enabling payments for food, travel, school and business. Wireless communication is driving economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa much as the railroad did in the 19th-century US, accounting for almost a tenth of global mobile subscribers and a growth rate that's beating the world. The transformation is reflected in the more than 1,300 publicly-traded companies that make up corporate Africa. The value of communications firms increased during the past five years to 25% of the total market capitalization of African companies, up from 16%, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Materials and energy, the natural-resources benchmarks that defined the region since its colonial days, diminished to a combined 18% from 27% during the same period.

Tax avoidance threatens development agenda, UNCTAD meeting told

The inaugural meeting of the Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Financing for Development happened to coincide with the publication of the Paradise Papers by a consortium of journalists exposing the vast scale of tax avoidance by transnational corporations and superrich individuals. Topics covered by the experts included the problem of illicit financial flows, a catch-all term for tax evasion, capital flight, trade mispricing, foreign exchange manipulations, money laundering and other maneuvers  including tax avoidance. The three-day meeting also looked at ways of strengthening domestic tax frameworks, the role of development banks, modernizing the Official Development Assistance system, and how private finance could be exploited through blended financing instruments. [Background papers available for download], [Tax base protection workshop ends with call for more support to strengthen Africas capacity]
No more elephant or lion acts. Those are now a thing of the past.

Italy has just announced that it will ban all animals in circuses and traveling shows. For a country that has an estimated 100 circuses, and roughly 2,000 animals working for them, this news represents a major accomplishment in the fight for animal rights.

The Italian Parliament signed the final piece of legislation on 8 November 2017, and now has one year to set out rules for implementing the ban.

This decision makes Italy the 41st country to ban animals in circuses -- something that countries as diverse as Romania, Mexico, Greece, Singapore, Costa Rica, Taiwan, Iran, and Colombia have already done -- while the United States and United Kingdom continue to use animals.

Jan Creamer, president of Animal Defenders International (ADI), is very happy about the ban:

"Travelling from place to place, week after week, using temporary collapsible cages and pens, circuses simply cannot provide for the needs of the animals. Through ADIs undercover investigations we have shown the violence and abuse that is used to force these animals to obey and perform tricks."



The Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE) agrees, having concluded that there is by no means the possibility that [wild mammals'] physiological, mental and social requirements can adequately be met [in traveling circuses].

Double-M (via Wisconsin Historical Images) -- 'How to give a lion a bath'/CC BY 2.0

In an article for The Guardian in 2013, responding to a statement by some British MPs that animals are appropriate in circuses, writer Karl Mathiesen made an argument that's still as relevant as ever: Why exploit animals if you can hire consenting humans in need of employment? He wrote:

"Sometimes you get caught on the wrong side of history ploughing an archaic furrow and then it's time to innovate or relocate. Plenty of circuses now exist animal-free. Couldn't the government spend the money set aside for regulating these operators on helping them to hire strikingly talented, well-remunerated humans to entertain crowds and reinvigorate the spectacle?"



Saying that animals should be kept in circuses for the purpose of educating children is absurd; there's little wonder or respect in witnessing tricks meant to make one laugh. Nor it is necessary, as camera technology has evolved to the point where watching Planet Earth is a far better teacher about the true habits of wild animals than watching them in a ring.

Italy's decision is indicative of the greater trend away from animals in circuses, and that is something to be celebrated.
When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site.
We've based ourselves in Leiden and Utrecht and Amsterdam of course.

Leiden is very convenient for train travel, from the airport, and to other cities. It's smaller than Utrecht but has a lovely centre and a relaxed atmosphere. It is close to Haarlem which is worth a visit. From Haarlem, you could soon be in Zandvoort. It's not the prettiest resort but it's an interesting place to visit. You can hire bikes and cycle along the sea front and to the nature reserve.

We liked Utrecht too, definitely worth a visit. We also enjoyed a few hours in Den Haag. It was a Sunday and there was a festival taking place. We could easily have spent longer there.

Enjoy!
Hi Everyone,

My husband and I are heading to Costa Rica to visit a friend. We have 15 full days plus 2 travel days. We fly in and out of LIberia. First trip (empty nesters wahoo). Our base is Flamingo beach but plan to take off for 5 to 7 days plus if need be. We would like to see volcanos, dif eco-systems, hike, water falls, a zip line, hot springs, culture. My husband is a visual artist so we really like to connect to the place, the people and their art and perspective. Budget for accommodation is 200 to 250. Would splurge for a few days if it is an experience. And would also pay less. We are in our fifties, fit ,enjoy laughing and just taking it all in.

Thinking

Flamingo and area for first 5 days (Tuesday until Sunday)

- Beaches, day trips, chill

Monteverde 2 or 3 days ( Sunday until Wed.)

- Zip, canopy Bridges, butterflies, Hiking, town

Arenal 2 or 3 days (Wed to Sat)

- Hot springs, Hiking, waterfalls, volcano, town?

Flamingo until we leave. (Sat to Thursday)

- Pick up where we left off

Questions:

1.Should we do Rincon de la vieja for a night or two either when we arrive, or on our way out of the Country, or a day trip from Flamingo or not bother. I have done alot of research thus far and I am surprised how little this area is mentioned but it looks as nice?

2. Would you do Rincon de la vieja rather then Arenal?

2. Accommodation recommendations Monteverde and Arenal? Were not rich but not a hostel either.

3. Should we include another destination?
Well, you kinda want to have your cake and eat it, too.

Tamarindo has a lot more going on than Samara, but the only thing Costa Rican about it is that it happens to be located in the country.

Alas, Samara is a lot quieter - but it's not dead at night, either. It's still a bit more "authentic," meaning that there are still quite a few Ticos who live in town (which you don't really get in Tamarindo).

In the end, you have to decide what is more important to you. If you can't see yourself in a rather gringofied town, than Tamarindo should be scratched from your list. However, the trade-off is a decreased level of activities...
Hey all, novice traveller here from malaysia. Planning a trip from saigon to siem reap. Following is the summary:

6dec17-fly from kl reach at 10am, city roam. Sleep at HCMC.

7dec17-Follow halfday tour to cao dai temple & Cu Chi tunnel. Halfday at distric 5 chinatown. Sleep at HCMC. (Or sleep at Cai Be/Can Tho if possible)

8dec17-Follow halfday tour to explore mekong delta, floating market, sampan ride etc at Can Tho. Catch a bus at phuong trang bus stop to chau doc for dinner (sleep at chau doc)

9dec17-7.30am hangchau boat to pp. Arrive at 12pm. City roam. Casino to win back trip money (sleep at pp, with money lol)

10dec17-buffer day. Maybe halfday in pp and travel to siem reap for dinner. Or morning ride to siem reap and city roam there. Or just stay in pp to get some rest

11dec17-angkor wat

12dec17-angkor wat, catch sunrise and sunset

13dec17-back to malaysia

Questions:

1. Malaysian does not need visa to travel to vietnam, so no pre-application needed, just arrive and go, correct?

2. How easy is it to book a hangchau boat (to phnom penh) at chau doc, especially at night? Does it consistently operate every single day? Ticket will cost 25usd correct?(because I saw in this forum someone missed their flight because they dont operate for that day). If I missed the boat ride I can still take bus from chau doc to pp that cost 6usd correct? How long will it takes for this bus travel?

3. How easy to find a hotel in can tho/chau doc without booking beforehand? Im assuming it's a small town that's why im worrying.

4. As a malaysian crossing border from chau doc to pp, do I still need visa that cost 30usd+5usd (so call'processing fee')?

5. If I travel to siem reap on morning 11th, I only spend about 1.5day in siem reap, is this enough for angkor wat? My focus is on angkor wat. is it worth it to hop into every single Wat? Will it be repetitive after a few?

6. Is my plan too optimistic? Any suggestion to change plan to increase reward/time ratio?

7. I am only booking hotel at HCMC on 6th, PP on 9th, SR on 11-12th. No booking for bus and boat ride. Am I exposing myself with too much uncertainty?

8. I know HCMC and PP has uber/grab, but can tho, chau doc, siem reap does not have correct?

Thanks for your time to guide me. Will contribute more into this forum in future.
Hi all,

First time visit to Vietnam (still under consideration) with the wife and 5 year old (kids club mandatory). I was first considering the Hyatt Regency/ Intercontinental at Danang, but read some reviews and believe the weather isn't the best that time in Danang.

Now considering the Angsana at Lang Co.

Question is: could the weather play spoil sport? As in, could it be too cold, or too rainy? The idea's to chill and get some sun! Scuba diving, if possible, would be great (am a certified diver).

We're looking at staying there for 6 nights commencing 23rd of December. Eating out isn't really important.

Thanks in advance.
I would be tempted to stay another night in Hiroshima and one less in Kyoto. Fron Hiroshima we also visited Miyajima and Iwakuni where there is a 400 year old bridge, castle and park, all worth seeing. Iwakuni is just another 20 minutes along the railway from Miyajima stop.

Another interesting thing to do in Hiroshima is to visit the wonderful little town of Saijo where you can tour the sake breweries and drink as many free samples as you like. Th e 7 breweries are all within 5 minutes walking distance from the station and are all about 100 years old.

http://saijosake.com/

How about leaving your luggage at lockers in Himeji Station and visiting the castle and continuing to Hiroshima that afternoon. That is what we did in September.

We took the ropeway up to Mount Misen and hiked back down---our leg muscles really suffered for the next two days.

Kyoto has so many attractions but we limited our temples to two as there are just so many in Japan and we got a bit tired of seeing so many. A day trip to Arashiyama is well worth doing. Take the JR line to Arashiyama/Saga Station and you will find that the scenic train leaves from a small station next door.

Visit Nishiki Market.

We loved our day trip to Nara, easy to spend the whole day there.

We also searched for a non-touristy place and we visited Omihachiman, 30 minutes north of Kyoto by train. It is on the banks of Lake Biwa, the biggest lake in Japan, and 20 minutes from the station is the historical district where there are canals, traditional houses, restaurants and a cable car that takes you up a hill where you will see beautiful views of lake and surrounding area.
You should have time - your Cebu flight check in would be around 12:30 so 1.5 hours is normally ok - I've only had guests take that long to get out of customs/immigration once when they didn't have enough staff processing flights (that was last year). But if your flight is delayed, the connection will get tighter.

If you leave you bag in a locker, your trip to the Philippines is three days or less?

As Bibimbob notes, check terminal arrival/departure. (and that the flight to Cebu is departing Narita airport).
As you are travelling in March and not in the peak season look for specials on the coral coast. Some may include full meals and some may not so it can get more expensive if you don't know what it will cost you before you leave.

I hear the Fiji Hideaway resort has good reviews but check a few out on Tripadvisor.

Check directly with the resorts to see if they do transfer from the resort directly to and from the airport.

You will find that transfers to the islands for 4 people could be rather expensive so the coral coast would be best IMO.
Hi - me and my partner are planning a trip to Fiji June 2018. As our flight stops off in Sydney we are also incorporating 3 nights in Sydney at the beginning of our trip. This leaves us with 16 days in Fiji before our flight home. Our flight lands and leaves from Nadi.

I am looking for some advice/ tips on where to go and what to see.

We are both quite adventurous and we both dive so we definitely want to do some diving and shark diving!!! We would also be interested in other activities so we are open to suggestions :)

Thanks in advance for your help!
Is your company in need of the most reliable and efficient best Best Jasmine Tea s in the market? Your good luck led you to the ideal situation, so congratulations! You are in the best possible place. By eliminating the need to read through dozens of Best Jasmine Tea reviews, we are saving you time and stress.

Many customers find it difficult to decide which Best Jasmine Tea product to buy. The dilemma is brought about by the many types of Best Jasmine Tea in the market. This comprehensive guide will provide you with a clear understanding of how you may choose the most suitable Best Jasmine Tea available in the market.
Saudi Arabia was a hotbed of activity this week, which spooked the oil market to a two-year high near $58 per barrel.

The Middle Eastern is undergoing internal turmoil after the heir to the throne, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, fired numerous government ministers and detained other princes on the premise of anti-corruption efforts. The moves are being seen by many as a consolidation of power, as the Crown Prince takes out many of the ruling class, some of whom rank among the wealthiest in the world.

On top of the internal struggles, Saudi Arabia shot down a missile last week that was fired at its capital from neighboring Yemen. U.S. intelligence officials confirmed that the missile came from Iran and was fired by pro-Iranian Houthi rebels in Yemen. Saudi Arabia has been at war with these rebels for years, but now declared that the missile attack may be an act of war by the Iranians.

If war were to break out between two of the Middle Easts major military powers, and two of the worlds largest oil producers, the impact on the global oil market would be devastating on a scale not seen since the first Gulf War.

Corn yields reach new record

Despite hot and dry weather this summer, U.S. corn yields hit a new record high this year at 175.4 bushels per acre, according to Thursdays update from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Crop yields have risen sharply in recent years due to crop genetics, better pest management, improving machinery, and increasingly efficient farming techniques. Rising yields have allowed the U.S. to continue providing a surplus of grain despite a rising global population, increasing livestock herds (that are largely grain-fed), and the additional demand from biofuel production.

This years harvest is projected to exceed 14.3 billion bushels, which could leave an excess, or carryover, of more than 2.3 billion bushels of corn. Fears of oversupply knocked corn to a new low price near $3.40 per bushel, cutting deeply into farmers profitability for those that waited until harvest to price their grain.
- A man in Uganda was on Thursday, November 9, arrested and remanded for claiming to be Jesus Christ

- Emmanuel Solomon Ssemakula who was initially arrested in July 2016 for the same offense said he did not recognise any worldly authority including the president

- The man was arrested alongside his three followers Femera Shanita, Zomonu Parusha and Nuseni Dawunini

A man claiming to be Jesus Christ was on Thursday, November 9, arrested and remanded for belonging and managing an unlawful society by the Magistrate's court in Uganda's Luwero District.

Emmanuel Solomon Ssemakula was on Thursday November 9 charged with belonging to unlawful society contrary to section 56 (1) and 2(a) of Uganda's Penal Code Act.

READ ALSO: Former Churchill Show comedienne Teacher Wanjiku parades hubby and father to her child for all and sundry to see

The man climing to b Jesus christ in Ugannda arrestedand and remanded. Photo: Christ Seven Blue Seal/Facebook

READ ALSO: An open letter to H.E The President, Uhuru Kenyatta, from Miss World Kenya Pageant Holder Mrs. Terry Mungai

According to a report by Uganda's Newspaper, Daily Monitor, the accused claimed not to be under any authority including the police, local council administration or the president of Uganda.

The man purporting to be Jesus was arraigned in court alongside his three followers who preferred to be identified with their alias names .

The three, Femera Shanita, Zomonu Parusha and Nuseni Dawunini were denied bail after they told the Ugandan court they had no relatives who would stand surety to enable them secure bail.

READ ALSO: Ciru Muriuki pens emotional message to fans after leaving the Trend show

It however emerged that the self proclaimed Jesus Christ, had denounced the name and disbanded his cult in Nakasake District in August 2016 where he was initially charged with the same offenses in June 2016.

The accused with his three followers posed threats to interfere with or avoid to submit to the laws of the land and Uganda.

ALSO WATCH: Uhuru Kenyatta nursery teacher tells it all

Source: TUKO.co.ke
- ODM MP Peter Kaluma listed the counties he suggested secede from Kenya and even drafted a Bill to push for this to happen

- The list excluded 7 counties- those from President Uhuru Kenyatta's backyard

- The list included counties from Deputy President William Ruto's backyard

A National Super Alliance Member of Parliament drafted a Bill for submission to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission regarding the secession of 40 counties from Kenya.

Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma drafted the bill on Monday, November 13, alleging that President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Jubilee regime had rigged elections, emasculated the Parliament, commissions and independent offices as well as ran a systematic suppression of other groups and communities.

For these reasons, Kaluma officially sought the secession of all 40 counties except those from Mount Kenya region, to form the People's Republic of Kenya.

Raila Odinga with Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma during a past rally. Photo: Standard.

READ ALSO: Raila, Orengo and Muthama are mental patients but they will be well - Moses Kuria

The excluded 7 counties are Tharaka Nithi, Embu, Nyandarua, Kirinnyaga, Kiambu, Murang'a and Nyeri counties.

Interestingly, the People's Republic will contain vote-rich Rift Valley region counties despite them being one of the major strongholds for the Jubilee Party, based on the fact that Deputy President William Ruto hails from this region.

READ ALSO: Raila should be accorded enough security when he jets back - ex-Uhuru political adviser

President Uhuru was declared the winner in the October 26 election which the opposition branded a sham, alleging it had been predetermined. Photo: PSCU

Install TUKO App To Read News For FREE

"President Uhuru Kenyatta's government has starved devolution of the growth it needs and has retained most of the funds in Nairobi county. The objective of the Bill is to amend the Constitution to split to allow for the creation of a new state to give effect to aspirations of the people of Kenya.," said Kaluma as quoted in the Daily Nation.

According to prior TUKO.co.ke, some governors from the opposition threatened to lead secession from Kenya based on some of the aforementioned issues.

NASA front runner Raila Odinga was also quoted saying that there must be a serious problem in Kenya if Members of County Assembly and MPs supported governors in secession calls.

Have something to add to this article? Send to news@tuko.co.ke

Source: TUKO.co.ke
- Mutahi Ngunyi wants the Luo nation allowed to secede

- He suggests in jest that they should join Uganda and be accommodated by president Yoweri Museveni

- Homabay MP Peter Kaluma has already drafted a secession Bill which is yet to be debated in parliement

Controversial political scientist Mutahi Ngunyi now suggests that the Luo should be allowed to separate from Kenya and have their own country.

He opines that they should move to Uganda where president Yoweri Museveni is likely to entertain them.

Ngunyi in a tweet on Monday,November 13 suggested perhaps Museveni will be more tolerant to them than Uhuru has been.

Mutahi Ngunyi.Photo:YouTube.

READ ALSO: The country will snap if Supreme Court nullifies Uhuru's win again-Mutahi Ngunyi

The Luo nation should be allowed to secede and join Uganda. Maybe Museveni will be more tolerant than Uhuru, he said and immediately drew sharp reactions from his followers.

The community forms the largest support of NASA leader Raila Odinga and majority of the members have been shot dead during demonstrations.

READ ALSO: Mutahi Ngunyi explains how Uhuru should deal with Raila

The protests have mostly been against the government or the electoral commission.

Raila has pushed the session talk with Homa Bay MP Peter Kaluma drafting a secession Bill.

If it goes through, then it will pave way for a referendum.

READ ALSO: NASA senator says no to boycott, warns it will hurt opposition supporters

NASA has already set in motion plans to set a Peoples Assembly in the counties it controls.

This Assembly will be used to drive the referendum agenda.

National Resistance Movement rally at Jacaranda

Source: TUKO.co.ke
Since the start of the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) in eastern Ukraine, 218,067 servicepersons and employees of the Ukrainian Armed Forces have received the combatant status.

Since the start of the anti-terrorist operation in eastern Ukraine, 218,067 servicepersons and employees of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, who took part in the ATO, have received the combatant status. Defense Ministrys decorations have been granted to 45,500 ATO participants, Ukrainian Defense Ministrys Spokesperson for ATO, Colonel Andriy Lysenko told a briefing, an Ukrinform correspondent reports he said. ol
Russian-backed militants launched 33 attacks on positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in ATO area in Donbas in last day.

This is reported by the ATO press center.

"The situation in the ATO area in eastern Ukraine remains tough. Over the past day, illegal armed groups violated the ceasefire along the entire contact line, having launched 33 attacks," the statement reads.

In Donetsk direction, militants used 82mm and 120mm mortars, grenade launchers, weapons on infantry fighting vehicles and small arms to shell Ukrainian positions outside Luhanske (59km north-east of Donetsk). Illegal armed formations also opened fire from weapons on infantry fighting vehicles near Avdiivka (18km north of Donetsk), Marinka (35 km south-west of Donetsk) and Butovka coal mine (11.4km north-west of Donetsk).

In Luhansk direction, Russian-backed militants launched attacks on positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine near Katerynivka (64km west of Luhansk), using 82mm mortars, grenade launchers and small arms. ATO troops outside Valuiske (20km north-east of Luhansk) came under heavy machine gun fire.

No casualties among Ukrainian servicemen were reported.

ol
The State Agency on Energy Efficiency and Energy Saving of Ukraine works fruitfully with the Ukraine-Denmark Energy Center (UDEC) to increase the investment attractiveness of renewable energy and stimulate industry to energy efficiency in Ukraine.

The agency's chairman, Serhiy Savchuk, said this in an interview with Danish customer experience agency Nordlid, according to the Ukrainian government website.

According to Savchuk, Denmark is one of the world's leading countries in renewable energy. According to Eurostat, in 2015, more than 51% of electricity in Denmark was produced from "clean" sources, and the largest share in this area is taken by wind power.

"Cooperation between Ukraine and Denmark is mutually beneficial. Danish renewable energy producers can appreciate the benefits of implementing projects in Ukraine, because today we have one of the highest 'green' tariffs in Europe and, moreover, with a tie to the euro. Long-term contracts for the purchase of 'clean' energy at the 'green' tariff are also foreseen," he said.

The statement notes that among the main areas of joint work of the agency and UDEC are an analysis of the possibilities of increasing the production of heat from "clean" sources, the creation of incentives for the implementation of projects on energy production from renewable sources and waste in Ukraine, the development of mechanisms for increasing energy efficiency in industry, and the improvement of the UAMAP Interactive Investment Map of Ukraine.

Cooperation between Denmark and Ukraine in developing heat recovery from renewable sources is particularly fruitful. At present, the agency and UDEC, together with Denmark's Ramboll and the Bioenergy Association of Ukraine, are developing an economic model for the installation of biomass cogeneration plants. Thanks to this model investors will be able to analyze the prospects of implementing such projects in Ukraine.

op
Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman will participate in the business forum entitled "Ukraine: Innovations and Opportunities" on Tuesday, November 14.

"On November 14, Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman will participate in the investment business forum entitled "Ukraine: Innovations and Opportunities ", the Governmental portal reported.

During the event, the participants will discuss innovations and prospects that modern Ukraine can offer, and the best way to prepare young people for jobs of the future.

The forum starts at 3 pm.

ish
The Polish Oil and Gas Company (PGNiG) sold 430 million cubic meters of gas in the first three quarters in Ukraine. The full-year company's gas sales in Ukraine will reach 700-800 million cubic meters.

Vice Chairman of the PGNiG Management Board for Trade Maciej Wozniak said this at a press conference in Warsaw, answering the question by an Ukrinform correspondent.

"We sold 430 million cubic meters of gas in the first three quarters in the Ukrainian market. We hope to double this result by the end of the year and reach the level of 700-800 million cubic meters," Wozniak said. At the same time, he added this would depend on the developments in the Ukrainian market.

PGNiG Vice Chairman stressed that the Polish side used the interconnector to export gas to Ukraine and was preparing to transport gas to Ukraine via a different route  through the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

He explained that the gas supplies to Ukraine through those countries were not a kind of alternative to expanding the capacities of the interconnector between Poland and Ukraine, but "additional opportunities for gas transportation to Ukraine."

Wozniak recalled that the PGNiG recently signed agreements with Ukrtransgaz on operation of Ukrainian gas pipelines and gas storage facilities, which allows for the "multidimensional cooperation" with Ukraine.

ol
The People's Front faction in the Verkhovna Rada initiates an appeal of the Parliament to the European Union regarding the criteria and conditions for obtaining membership in the European Union.

Head of the People's Front faction Maksym Burbak said this at a meeting of the Conciliation Council, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"We believe that the Parliament should appeal to the European community with a request to grant Ukraine the conditions and criteria to become a member of the European Union, and we will implement them," Burbak said.

He also stressed that NATO membership would be the best guarantee of Ukraine's security. "It is necessary to resume negotiations and sign a plan of action on Ukraine's membership in the Alliance," the head of the faction said.

In addition, he said that the parliament should consider bills "on a specific plan for accession to the European Union and NATO."

ish
Hungary has its own internal reasons to respond so aggressively to the language provisions of the Ukrainian education law, namely the start of the election campaign of incumbent Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

Member of the European Parliament from Lithuania Petras Austrevicius expresses this opinion in an exclusive interview with a Brussels-based Ukrinform correspondent.

"I saw the reaction of Orbans party at this law. It was very angry and politicized. I am convinced this is a part of his political campaign that has already started in Hungary on the eve of the next elections," the Lithuanian politician says.

At the same time, Austrevicius notes he is an advocate of more intensive consultations.

"Children of Ukrainian citizens should be fluent in the Ukrainian language, otherwise they will be isolated from further advancement in the society," Austrevicius says.

He also adds that currently the Hungarian members of the European Parliament, especially representatives of the Conservative Party led by Orban, actively criticize the Ukrainian law on education.

"Ukraine needs our understanding and support. I believe in further good-neighborly relations between Ukraine and Hungary," the Lithuanian politician stresses.

As reported, September 5, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine passed the law on education, which stipulates that the Ukrainian language shall be the language of teaching.

Hungary, Romania and Poland expressed their concern over the language provision of the law for the representatives of national minorities of Ukraine.

Ukraine sent the law on education for examination to the Venice Commission.

ol
France's position in relation to Ukraine is clear and remains unchanged - the solution to the conflict in the east of Ukraine is possible by strict implementation of the Minsk agreements.

Negotiations in the Normandy format should be resumed as soon as the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany is formed, the special representative of the French Government for relations with Russia, Jean-Pierre Chevenement, said in an interview with Interfax.

"France's position in relation to Ukraine is clear, it has not changed," Chevenement said, adding that the settlement of the conflict in the east of Ukraine "is possible through strict implementation of the Minsk agreements."

He also does not see at this stage the possibility of holding negotiations in the Normandy format.

"As for the talks in the Normandy format, it makes no sense to convene them before the formation of the new Government of Germany," he said.

ish
The Government of Germany has allocated EUR 1.5 million in financial aid for implementation of the humanitarian measures of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Ukraine.

Ukrinform learnt this from the Embassy of Germany in Ukraine on Monday.

"The German Federal Government continues to increase the financial support for the ICRC's humanitarian measures in Ukraine by allocating additional EUR 1.5 million for these purposes. In 2016-2018, the overall Germany's contribution to the ICRC in Ukraine will grow up to EUR 16 million," the statement reads.

The Embassy stresses that Germany funds a number of humanitarian measures and sub-projects within the framework of the project "ICRC Assistance, Protection, Prevention and Cooperation Activities in Ukraine 2016-2017" with a focus on eastern Ukraine. The activities financed by the project include medical care, support for medical facilities, preventive measures, provision of population with food products and personal hygiene products, water supply, medical and paramedical training, search for missing persons and family reunification, custody for prisoners, mine awareness projects and so on.

As noted, these measures are important contribution to overcoming the consequences of the conflict in eastern Ukraine. They improve the situation of internally displaced persons, families in those or other communities that granted them asylum, as well as those affected by the conflict on both sides of the demarcation line in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

ol
A meeting of Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Wess Mitchell and members of the Ukrainian Parliament will be held on November 14.

Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Foreign Affairs Hanna Hopko told journalists, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"The meeting will be held tomorrow," she said. However, she did not report on details of the agenda of this meeting.

As reported, Assistant Secretary Mitchell will meet with senior government officials in Kyiv, Ukraine, to reaffirm the United States commitment to Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity and encourage Ukraine to continue implementing critical reforms. He will also meet business leaders and civil society representatives to discuss Ukrainian efforts to transform the country into a prosperous, secure, and democratic European state.

ish
The British Council in partnership with the European Union National Institutes of Culture (EUNIC) network in Ukraine have announced about the launch of a new three-year programme - Culture Bridges.

The European Union in Ukraine wrote on its Facebook page that the programme is funded under the EUs support to the implementation of the Association Agreement between the EU and Ukraine.

The objective of the programs is the development of the cultural sector in Ukraine and to enable it to engage more effectively with cultural organizations and operators in the EU. The programme will run from November 2017 to October 2020. The EU allocates EUR 1.3 million to fund a range of activities including international mobility, national and international cultural cooperation projects, as well as training sessions and study visits to the EU member states. Over 100 grants are planned to be awarded over the next three years, reads the report.

Application forms will be available from November 20, 2017. Further calls for proposals under Culture Bridges will be made every three months in 2018 and 2019.

To learn more about Culture Bridges, please visit the website of the British Council in Ukraine.

iy
SPIN BOLDAK, Afghanistan, 11 November 2017  The town of Spin Boldak on Afghanistans southern border with Pakistan is at the epicentre of the global effort to eradicate polio.

This year, only Afghanistan and Pakistan have recorded wild poliovirus cases and the virus has no respect for the borders. As of 9 November 2017, there are 14 cases of wild poliovirus globally  nine in Afghanistan and five in Pakistan  the lowest number recorded in history.

Just this week, Afghanistans ninth case of the year, a three-year-old boy, was confirmed in eastern Afghanistan, close to the border with Pakistan, with the virus linked to transmission that had occurred earlier in the year across the border in Peshawar.

The reality is that you cant eradicate polio without coordination between health teams in both Afghanistan and Pakistan and a cross-border response in areas such as Spin Boldak.

Today, I met and saw vaccination teams in action who, day in and out, educate parents on the importance of vaccination and vaccinate children as they cross the border.

They are making a difference  since January this year, more than 44,000 Afghan children under 10 have been immunized at 19 vaccination posts along the border with Pakistan and Iran.

UNICEF and partners are committed to end polio and will continue to do whatever we can to stop the virus in its tracks, so that every child in Afghanistan and Pakistan  and the world - can grow up without fear of this entirely preventable deadly and debilitating virus.

###

For more information, please contact:

Denise Shepherd-Johnson, UNICEF Afghanistan, Mobile: +93 (0) 730 727 110 dshepherdjohnson@unicef.org

Feridoon Aryan, UNICEF Afghanistan, Mobile: +93 (0) 730 717 115, faryan@unicef.org
A draft statement to be issued on the final day of the Association of Southeast Nations (Asean) shows the bloc is reluctant to take a strong stance against China over the South China Sea dispute after Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte, who hosted the summit over the weekend, said now was not the time to address the issue.

Two paragraphs of the statement, obtained early by VOA Khmer, mention freedom of navigation and security in the region without referring to the South China Sea directly.

We underscored the importance of strengthening linkages in maritime cooperation to further promote mutual trust and confidence to ensure security, peace, and stability including in ensuring safety and freedom of navigation and overflight, it says.

We reaffirmed the shared commitment to maintaining and promoting peace, security, and stability in the region, as well as to the peaceful resolution of disputes, including full respect for legal and diplomatic processes, without resorting to the threat or use of force, in accordance with the universally recognized principles of international law, it adds.

Disputes over sovereignty in the South China Sea have emerged as one of the biggest security threats in the region over the past decade. As China has has become a world power, making assertive claims to a large swath of the energy-rich sea, which has significant strategic and commercial importance.

U.S. allies Japan and South Korea use the sea's shipping lanes, over which about $5 trillion in trade passes annually. China has reinforced its claims to the sea with the construction of artificial islands, which the United States and others have criticized.

In recent years, Asean has been split between members like Vietnam and the Philippines, which want to hash out these disputes as a regional bloc, and those like Cambodia, which want every affected country to negotiate individually with China. This is also the position taken by Beijing, which has insisted it will only engage in bilateral talks over these arguments.

Cambodia emerged as a leader of the pro-China bloc in Asean when it hosted the annual summit in 2012 and blocked attempts to release a strongly worded statement on the issue. Many interpreted the incident as a China-led effort to undercut regional unity and strengthen its own position. It was the first time in ASEANs history that its leaders could not agree on the wording of a joint statement.

At last years Asean summit in Laos, Cambodia also reportedly stymied efforts to release a statement on the issue, refusing to sign anything that mentioned the Philippines 2016 victory at the Permanent Court of Arbitration over its claims to part of the sea.

Prak Sokhon, Cambodian foreign minister, said in September that the countrys main goal was to find a peaceful resolution to the dispute while maintaining its neutrality.

Leaders at this years summit are expected to discuss the long-awaited code of conduct for the sea, which was finalized earlier this year by Chinese and Asean leaders.

Chheang Vannarith, a regional analyst, said Asean was retreating from taking forthright action over the South China Sea. The Philippines chair has been reluctant to push the agenda on the South China Sea in order to gain trust from China as well as economic incentives, he said.

They are diversifying their strategic and economic partners away from the US under Trump.

Peter Maguire, a law professor and Southeast Asia observer, said the abysmal failure of former President Barack Obamas Pivot to Asia strategy and Trumps unhinged rhetoric and decision to drop the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal had left the United States looking weak and confused in the region.

Chinas Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank and their Belt and Road Initiative have left few doubts as to who is the regions shotcaller. Americas unipolar moment was short lived and now the bill is due for our imperial overstretch, he said.

With the exception of Vietnamese waters, China already has de facto control of the South China Sea and most of the ASEAN nations seem resigned to this. Americas Freedom of Navigation operations are little more than a symbol show of force.

The draft statement to be issued at the end of this years summit said: The Leaders agreed to continue to build confidence through practical maritime cooperation. They adopted the Leaders Declaration on a Decade of Coastal and Marine Environmental Protection in the South China Sea, which is reflective of their shared commitment to the full and effective implementation of the DOC.

Meanwhile, some 800 civil society representatives from Aseans 10 member states and Timore-Leste met Asean leaders in Quezon City, north of Manila, to discuss broadening access to human rights in the region.

Thida Khus, executive director of Silaka, a Cambodian rights group, said the civil society groups would produce their own statement to submit to the forum, raising issues around indigenous peoples, democracy, transparency of investment and development and the rule of law.

In the draft Asean statement, its chairman said the grouping was committed to promoting the rights of migrant workers.

Phil Robertson, deputy director of Human Rights Watchs Asia division, said: I think it is very important that we have this Asean peoples forum to reflect the voices of the people, of Asean, of civil society, the community voices because those voices are not heard by their governments in many cases.
Amid an increasingly tense political climate and threats to dissolve the countrys main opposition party, Cambodias official election body on Thursday ended a controversial voter registration drive.

In a statement last week the National Election Committee (NEC) said only a third of those eligible to register had managed to do so.

According to the latest NEC figures, some 530,000 new voters registered out of a total of 1.6 million unregistered voters.

Som Sorida, NEC deputy secretary-general, said the number of unregistered voters remained comparable with the figure in 2016.

Though we tried to delay [the deadline], Cambodians abroad didnt have time to register and perhaps it was difficult for them to travel and register, he said.

Sorida said that about 8.4 million Cambodians were registered to vote, roughly 85 percent of the electorate, which he said was acceptable and better compared to other regional countries.

In 2016, ahead of local elections, the NEC registered some 7.8 million voters.

Hang Puthea, a NEC spokesman, said political tensions had not had a measurable impact on voter registration and that no extensions of the registration period would take place.

Bou Sophal, NEC chief in Sarika Keo commune in Kandal province, said only about 40 percent of eligible voters had registered there, which he said could be due to a large number of migrant workers in the area or possibly an effect of political tensions.

Perhaps it is because of political tensions. This is just what I predict, he said. We don't know the exact reasons. We need to ask them.

Huon Mala, 29, a grocer in the area, said she registered to vote for the first time ahead of the 2018 election. She said she has not decided which party to vote for. I dont care much about politics, she said. I just wait to vote.

Others, however, said they would not vote if the ruling Cambodian Peoples Party is successful in its bid to dissolve the countrys main opposition, the Cambodia National Rescue Party, which has been the only challenger to CPP rule since it was formed in 2012.

Eng Chhai Eang, CNRP vice president, claimed the political tensions had had a noticeable impact on voter registration and accused the government of a deliberate attempt to stop voters from registering.

The ruling party knows that if there are more voters registered, the opposition will gain more support. Thus, they need to find any means to make the registration less, he said.

Yoeung Sotheara, a legal officer with election watchdog Comfrel, said the voter registration period was acceptable but had not fully met civil societys expectations.

Some people registered to vote for the opposition CNRP. If it is dissolved, what is the registration for? They dont have an option to vote, he said.
Prime Minister Hun Sen on Friday dismissed foreign approval as necessary for next years election to be held in accordance with the rule of law and best practices.

The premier made the comments following criticism from several U.S. senators, who last week said they would not recognize the 2018 election if opposition leader Kem Sokha, who was jailed on treason charges in September, was not released.

Hun Sen told a visiting delegation of Southeast Asian and Japanese youth that he was committed to holding the election as scheduled in July next year.

"Whether they [the United States] help or not, it is not important for us. Whether you recognize it [the election] or not, our law demands Cambodian people accept it and that is the end of it, he said.

He said non-Cambodians should not interfere in Cambodias internal affairs and claimed the Cambodian people saw the arrest of Sokha as adhering to Cambodian legal procedure.

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court is due to rule in a case brought by the government against the Cambodia National Rescue Party that could see it dissolved under recent amendments to the political parties law, which has drawn strong criticism from abroad.

Son Chhay, a senior CNRP lawmaker, said foreign parties had to participate in the election in order to observe irregularities and ensure a free and fair election process.

"Today, there are only two parties that people have chosen in the National Assembly and when the CNRP is not allowed to compete, it makes the election not free and fair; it is unconstitutional, and it makes the majority of people unhappy, while the international observers who help to guarantee the implementation of liberal multi-party democracy ... cannot accept it," Chhay said.

Meas Ny, a political analyst, said the election would not be free and fair unless international observers were allowed to participate.

"Elections that comply with the provisions of the constitution and the Paris Accords require international observation and recognition, and when our election is not internationally recognized, the government cannot be recognized."
The offense, as border incursions go, was relatively small: Around 30 Lao soldiers strayed over a poorly demarcated area of the Lao-Cambodian border where there is ongoing road construction.

But the response was swift, large-scale, and highly public. First, Prime Minister Hun Sen threatened imminent war if Laos did not withdraw its soldiers within six days. Then he flew straight to Vientiane and relayed the threat directly to Laos prime minister, Thongloun Sisoulith. The night before he left Phnom Penh, military trucks and tanks rolled conspicuously through the streets of the capital near Independence Monument, an unusual sight on a Saturday night in the crowded city center.

Shortly after Hun Sen arrived in the Lao capital, the two leaders announced they had reached an agreement, with Hun Sen calling it a huge victory. The ruling Cambodian Peoples Party then issued a circular, later leaked online, instructing government officials across the country to publicly praise Hun Sens dispute resolution skills.

The document also called on directors of provincial and municipal party committees to persuade government officials, armed forces, teachers, monks, businesspeople, farmers, students and civil society organizations to submit petitions supporting the prime ministers diplomacy.

Most recently, a full military brigade of more than 3,000 soldiers has formally established two weeks ago and will be permanently stationed along the Cambodia-Laos border in Stung Treng province.

Its ostensible role is to defend the nation and its people and maintain good relations with the neighboring country.

But during a ceremony on October 28 to inaugurate the new Intervention Brigade 128, Defense Minister Tea Banh hinted at a dual purpose to the militarization, calling on the new soldiers to preemptively quash political protests.

Everywhere there is any movement to demand Kem Sokhas release, take action immediately without asking advice from the top, said Banh.

Photographs of the event posted on state media showed a large number of mortars, recoilless rifles, light machine guns and artillery arrayed in front of the new brigade, which comprises both redeployed soldiers and new recruits to the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF).

Shortly after Hun Sen proclaimed victory in the border kerfuffle, he turned his full attention to domestic politics and launched one of his biggest political crackdowns in years, arresting opposition leader Kem Sokha, moving to dissolve the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party, and targeting several independent media outlets and NGOs for closure.

So Chantha, a Cambodian political analyst, said border issues could be potent political symbols for leaders like Hun Sen, who frequently bolsters his claim to legitimacy by citing his ability to maintain peace and stability.

The solution to the border conflict with Laos can be a message showing that Hun Sen is still influential and a strongman who can solve all types of issues, he said.

He added that there had been heightened attention to border disputes in the lead-up to other national elections, most notably in 2008 when Hun Sen was praised for his forceful response to Thai attempts to claim land surrounding the Khmer temple of Preah Vihear.

Hun Sen himself cited this precedent during the Lao dispute, saying both incidents were examples of his special skill in keeping peace with Cambodias neighbors.

Caroline Hughes, a professor at the University of Bradford in the UK, wrote in a 2013 paper on Cambodian politics that the Preah Vihear dispute had a significant effect on the CPPs easy victory in that years national election.

We can speculate that in the context of this international crisis, discontent with CPP corruption and development politics was subsumed, she wrote.

Voters are strongly aware that it is the CPP that controls the Cambodian armed forces and therefore perhaps regard the party as better placed than its opponents to respond to a foreign invasion.

She argued that the border crisis, combined with lingering euphoria from the economic boom of the 2000s, made the 2008 election virtually unlosable for the CPP.

However, the premier and the CPP have proven sensitive to claims that his response to the border dispute was related to electioneering. In a speech in August, Hun Sen said he would arrest anyone who suggested as much.

Why do you take an invasion from another country to insult the military and think it is an approach to gain votes? he asked.

Whoever says this must be responsible before the law, he said.

Sourn Serey Ratha, the head of a minor opposition party, has been in jail since August after he joked on Facebook that ordinary soldiers in the field would suffer from deployment while military brass would reap the benefits from militarization, including the pleasures of wine and women.

He was arrested on August 14 and almost immediately sentenced to five years in prison for the offense.

Paul Chambers, a lecturer at the College of ASEAN Community Studies at Thailand's Naresuan University, said Hun Sen was playing to his strengths when he portrayed himself as a military leader and defender of territory.

Hun Sen was strong and popular with Cambodia's military because he has shown a strong supportive role in the defense of Cambodia and the championing of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, he wrote in an email.

This might also explain why he is particularly sensitive to perceived slights to the army, in which he is a five-star general. Over the past several months, Banh, the defense minister and a long-standing member of Hun Sens CPP, has also been unusually vocal in making public statements on politics, further reinforcing the strong ties between the military and the ruling party.

I think that there is a direct correlation between tensions with Laos and the need for Hun Sen to build popular support as the 2018 election approaches. Besides, Laos is not a threatening country for Cambodia if Vientiane were to really become upset at Hun Sen, Chambers said.

The approach may whip up nationalistic sentiment among Cambodians and this could be helpful for Hun Sen in anticipation of the 2018 general election in Cambodia, he added.

However, Sok Eysan, spokesman for the CPP, reiterated in a recent interview with VOA Khmer that there was no political element to the militarization whatsoever.

We did this to protect our territory, he said.

He added that Hun Sen was always wise with regard to border issues, and said the CPP circular ordering local officials to praise their superiors was unexceptional.

For the CPP, what the boss says, the subordinates follow, he said. It means the CPP is a party with firm discipline and solidarity and internal unity.
On this edition of Press Conference USA, host Carol Castiel and Tatiana Vorozhko, Senior Editor in VOAs Ukrainian Service talk with Alina Polyakova, Senior Fellow in the Foreign Policy program at the Brookings Institution, about the nature, extent and impact of Moscows disinformation campaign via social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, in the 2016 US presidential election.
Alabama Republican candidate Roy Moore is rebuffing a growing number of calls for him to abandon his campaign for a U.S. Senate seat in the wake of allegations he had sexual contact with a 14-year-old girl four decades ago when he was a local prosecutor in his early 30s.

Moore told political supporters Sunday that last week's report in The Washington Post, was "fake news" and "a desperate attempt to stop my political campaign." He said the newspaper "will be sued."

The newspaper's story, included an on-the-record account from the teenager, now in her 50s, and from three other women who said Moore pursued them when they were teenagers.

Moore told the political rally that "there are groups that don't want me in the United States Senate," naming the Democratic Party and establishment Republican officials in Washington. He accused them of working together to derail his campaign, but said, "We do not plan to let anybody deter us from this race."

The White House has said Moore should end his candidacy if the charges are proven to be true, a stance adopted by other key Republicans, including most Republican senators.

White House legislative aide Marc Short said Sunday, "I think there's a special place in hell for those who actually perpetrate these crimes. But, having said that, he hasn't been proved guilty. We have to afford him the chance to defend himself."



But other Republicans, including Senator Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania and two former Republican presidential candidates, Mitt Romney and Senator John McCain of Arizona, have called for Moore to end his candidacy in the special December 12 election against Democrat Doug Jones, a former federal prosecutor, or revoked their past endorsements.

The election is to fill out the last three years of the seat once held by Jeff Sessions, now attorney general in President Donald Trump's Cabinet.

Moore has tried to raise money off the controversy, telling potential donors that "vicious and sleazy attacks against me are growing more vicious by the minute."

He said, "I'm counting on you to stand with me at this critical moment by chipping in a donation to help me bust through the vicious lies and attacks and get the truth out to as many voters as possible before December 12."

Four surveys of voters taken in Alabama, a southern state, in the immediate aftermath of the newspaper story and Moore's adamant rejection of it show him to be in a close race with Jones, separated by a few percentage points, with a significant share of undecided voters.
Amnesty International says civilians in besieged areas of Syria are given no choice but to leave their homes under agreements reached between the countrys warring sides, and that thousands of forcibly displaced people now live under dire conditions.

In a report released Monday, the rights group said the Syrian government has increasingly relied on such deals as a strategy to force the opposition to surrender.

The Syrian conflict began in March 2011 with protests against President Bashar al-Assads government and grew into a civil war that has killed hundreds of thousands of people and led several million to leave their homes. Others stayed only to be held under siege by either government forces or rebel fighters.

In several cases in the past few years, the opposing sides have agreed to let people leave the besieged areas. The arrangements have included instances of coordinated movements of people from rebel-besieged areas into government-controlled territory, while those in towns besieged by pro-government forces took buses to rebel-held parts of Idlib province.

Amnesty said it looked at four agreements reached between August 2016 and March 2017 involving Daraya, eastern Aleppo, al-Waer, Madaya, Zabadani, Kefraya and Foua.

In most instances this displacement was not carried out for civilians security or an imperative military necessity. That means it violated the prohibition of forced displacement under international humanitarian law, amounting to a war crime, the report said.

Various rights groups have accused both Syrian government forces and opposition fighters of committing human rights abuses during the conflict.

The United Nations Security Council has issued resolutions urging the protection of civilians and the end of the sieges.

Amnesty said those messages are being ignored and said the U.N. should renew efforts to end unlawful attacks on populated areas, impose sanctions against those responsible for war crimes, impose an arms embargo on the Syrian government and to refer the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court.

All states should cooperate to bring an end to the dark stain on the worlds conscience that ongoing impunity for such crimes represents, said Philip Luther, research and advocacy director for the Middle East at Amnesty.

The report also calls on the Syrian government to stop forced displacement of civilians and to ensure those who are displaced are allowed to return to their homes.
Senate Republicans openly discussed expelling Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore if he win next months special election after a woman accused the Republican hopeful of sexually assaulting her when she was 16.



Beverly Young Nelson cried at a New York news conference as she alleged that Moore assaulted her in his car in the late 1970s when she was a student working at a restaurant that he frequented in Gadsden, Alabama. She accused Moore of groping her, touching her breasts and pushing her head toward his crotch.



Four other women accused Moore of sexual misconduct when they were teenagers in an article published last week by the Washington Post.

Moore has denied the allegations as a witch hunt and promised to pursue all legal options against these false claims.



Aghast at the prospect of an accused sex offender possibly joining the Senate, the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, Cory Gardner of Colorado, issued a statement calling Moore unfit to serve in the United States Senate.

If he refuses to withdraw and wins, the Senate should vote to expel him, because he does not meet the ethical and moral requirements of the United States Senate, Gardner said.



Many other Republicans expressed hope expulsion would not be necessary.



I think he should step aside, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said in his home state of Kentucky.



Moore would be doing himself, the state, the GOP, and the country a service by stepping aside, Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina tweeted. If he continues this will not end well for Mr. Moore.



Democrats concurred.



Ive always thought of the Senate as being a place that should be the conscience of the nation, Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont told VOA. This [Moore joining the Senate] is not the conscience wed want to show the nation.



I agree with many of my R[epublican] colleagues. He [Moore] doesnt belong in the Senate. Period, tweeted Senator Claire McCaskill, a former Missouri prosecutor.



But Moore, a former Alabama Supreme Court justice and firebrand Christian conservative, has given no indication he is contemplating pulling out. New polling data showed a tightened race between Moore and Democrat Doug Jones in Alabama, traditionally a Republican stronghold.



With just weeks to go before the December 12 special election, Moores name would remain on the ballot in Alabama even if he dropped out. Some Senate Republicans have suggested a write-in campaign, possibly for Republican Luther Strange, who was appointed to the Senate seat vacated by Jeff Sessions when he was confirmed as President Donald Trumps attorney general in February.

But Strange told reporters late Monday a write-in campaign by him is "highly unlikely."

"It's going to really be up to the people of our state to sort this out. Let the facts unfold," Strange told reporters.

A divided Republican vote could boost the chances of a Democratic victory in a state that has not had a Democratic senator since 1997. Should Republicans lose the seat, their slim two-seat Senate majority would be cut in half, further endangering tax cuts and other top Trump agenda items.



Republican Majority Whip John Cornyn issued a statement saying the accusations against Moore are disturbing and, if true, disqualifying. Cornyn withdrew his endorsement of Moore but added: The most appropriate course of action, in my view, is to leave the final judgment in the hands of Alabama voters.



Speaking with reporters, Cornyn declined to say if he supported expelling Moore should he win the election.



There hasnt been an election yet. So its hard to expel a senator if he wins an election that hasnt been held, Cornyn said.



The U.S. Constitution provides that each house of Congress may punish its members for disorderly behavior and, with the concurrence of two-thirds [of a body], expel a member.



Fifteen senators have been expelled in the history of the chamber. Ten were expelled during the American Civil War.



Ive looked at the statues involved [for expulsion], and it would take deliberation, Republican Senator Mike Rounds of South Dakota told reporters. Its a decision we would not make until that time [after the election].
The Somali community that settled in Canada says poverty and a lack of access to jobs and academic opportunities are some of the factors behind deadly gang violence that has taken a toll on its youth.

More than two dozen young Somali men have died in Alberta because of such violence in the past decade, with gang activity spreading to Toronto as well, officials say.

The Somali-Canadian population discussed the issue of gang-related deaths recently at a town hall forum hosted in Toronto by VOAs Somali Service. In attendance at the town hall were an Islamic preacher, a woman who lost a son to violence, and two people representing youth and parents in the community. More than 200 people attended, including parents, relatives and friends of the victims of gang violence.

In 1991, a large number of Somalis fleeing war in their east African country settled in a group of residential towers in northwest Toronto.

Cultural challenges

The community has struggled to integrate into Canadian life, but several speakers said the largest impediments are cultural challenges, as well as poverty and a lack of opportunities for Somali youth, panel members said.

Habiba Aden, a cofounder of a Somali group called Positive Change, lost her 26-year-old son Warsame Ali in a double homicide in September 2012 in Toronto. She said she believes cultural challenges and a loss of identity are major issues driving young Somalis toward gang activity.

Our sons lack paternal role model, and they do not speak their mother language, which forces them struggle with identity crisis, Aden said.

In Canada, mothers take the leading role of the family while still struggling with raising more than half a dozen kids. They do not get the same help and cultural co-parenting they would get back home from other family members, Aden said.

She said she believes those challenges lead families to be less physically affectionate with one another, and eventually drive their sons to outside influences.

Sidiq Ali Hashi, the youth representative on the panel said Somali youth are affected by the socioeconomic status of the community coupled with the influence of the poor neighborhoods they live in.

I think the reason is the environment where the Somali child is being raised. He grows up in the worst poverty-ridden neighborhoods of Toronto, Hashi said. He said the neighborhoods where Somali youth live lack investments and good schools.

Because of these challenges, some students drop out of school and fall in with drug dealers and gangs, Hashi said.

Canada, parents blamed

Panelist Sheikh Saeed Rageah, a religious scholar and Imam, said the education system in Canada has failed Somali youth, calling the schools systematic racism.

The education system in this country was designed to segregate us. When the Somali-Muslim child joins the school, he or she is labeled as a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD or ADD), which deprives them their rights for a fair teaching and homework support, Rageah said.

However, Saeed Mohamed Mohamud, a parent representative on the panel, said blame belonged not with Canadas education system but with parents.

Whatever it is, I think the system in this country was not designed for Somalis. It has been the same since we came here. But I would put the primary blame on a bad parenting of many members within the community, Mohamud said. I am a parent. I always see young boys who went to school in the morning, and when they come out hanging out the streets of Toronto with their backpacks. Where are the parents of these boys?

Some family members had questions for Toronto police, saying many of the homicide cases of slain Somalis remain unsolved.

Toronto police officials said about 40 percent of gang shootings in the city occur in the Toronto neighborhood where Somalis reside.

We have issues with regards to gang members, drug trade, poverty, lack of opportunity, lack of recreational facilities, inadequate  housing. We have issues with families themselves and the culture that is brought into the community, Toronto police Superintendent Mario Di Tommaso told VOA.

Di Tommaso said the gangs in Toronto, including those within the Somali community, are based on race, gender and ethnicity.

Community involvement

He said the Toronto police have spent resources to investigate the gang-related shootings and homicides, but he said some blame lies within the community and its lack of reporting such activity.

We will have many situations where the community at large, not necessarily the Somali community, will make observations, will witnesses something, and they are reluctant to call the police, Di Tommaso said. When that happens, you have a proliferation of crimes within that community, which breeds fear.

We need more witnesses from the community so that we can advance to our investigations, he added.

At least one parent, Mohamud agreed to a point. He said the community was not happy with how the police and law enforcement agencies handled cases involving the Somali youth, saying, We have a right that government investigates and tells us who killed our kids, but we also need to collaborate with the law enforcement agencies as well.

Abdirahman Yabarow, chief of VOA's Somali Service, said the forum was designed to give the Somali-Canadian community a chance to explore, brainstorm and find solutions behind the violence that is affecting their youth.

At the conclusion of the two-hour discussion, panelists proposed an organization aimed at gathering and making available resources for the community. They also urged those in the audience to unite against the influences that are pushing the Somali youth to drug- and gang-related crimes.
The issue of Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election followed President Donald Trump on his 12-day trip through five Asian nations.

On Saturday, when asked whether it came up during his conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Da Nang, Vietnam, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One, He said he didnt meddle; he said he didnt meddle. I asked him again. You can only ask so many times.

Trump went on to say, That whole thing was set up by the Democrats  slamming former United States intelligence leaders, including former CIA chief John Brennan and former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper.

They're political hacks. So you look at it, and then you have Brennan, you have Clapper and you have (James) Comey. Comeys proven now to be a liar and hes proven to be a leaker, he said on route to Hanoi, referring to the FBI's former director, who was fired early in Trumps presidency amid much controversy.

So you look at that. And you have President Putin very strongly, vehemently says he had nothing to do with that, Trump said.

The remarks drew rebuke from former U.S. intelligence officials and top U.S. lawmakers, including former Republican presidential candidate, Senator John McCain.

Theres nothing America First' about taking the word of a KGB colonel over that of the American intelligence community ... Vladimir Putin does not have Americas interests at heart. To believe otherwise is not only naive but also places our national security at risk, McCain said in a statement.

Clapper told the Reuters news agency, The fact the president of the United States would take Putin at his word over that of the intelligence community is quite simply unconscionable.

On Sunday, Trump said he was surprised by the criticism and tried to clarify his remarks on Putin, when questioned by reporters during a press conference in Hanoi.

I believe that he feels that he and Russia did not meddle in the election, Trump said. As to whether I believe it or not, I'm with our agencies, especially as currently constituted with their leadership. I believe in our intel agencies, our intelligence agencies. I've worked with them very strongly.

US intelligence communitys assessment of Russian meddling

Current U.S. intelligence officials declined to comment on Trumps remarks Saturday, but continue to stand by the communitys January 2017 assessment, which determined that Putin had ordered an influence campaign in 2016 aimed at the U.S. presidential election."

The document said the Central Intelligence Agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the National Security Agency, agree that Putin and the Russian government aspired to help President-elect Trumps election chances when possible by discrediting (Democratic presidential candidate and former) Secretary (of State Hillary) Clinton and publicly contrasting her unfavorably to him.

A U.S. intelligence official told VOA there has been no change to the assessment about Russias efforts to influence last year's election.

During the Aspen Security Forum in July, Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats said of Russia, Theyre trying to undermine Western democracy, noting Moscows influence efforts are quite a bit more sophisticated than they used to be.

At the same forum, CIA Director Mike Pompeo was asked whether Russia intervened in the 2016 election.

I have been asked it a million times; it is true, yeah of course. And the one before that, and the one before that, Pompeo said. They (Russia) have been at this a hell of a long time. And I dont think they have any intention of backing off.

Last month at the FDDs (Foundation for Defense of Democracies) National Security Summit in Washington, the CIA director was criticized for saying U.S. intelligence agencies had determined that Russian meddling did not sway the election.

When asked by a reporter if he could say with absolute certainty that the election results were not skewed as a result of Russian interference, Pompeo said, The intelligence communitys assessment is that the Russian meddling that took place did not affect the outcome of the election.

The issue is that the intelligence community never made an assessment of how Russian meddling, including the hacking of Democratic National Committee computers and subsequent dissemination of emails from key staffers, may have affected the election.

The January document noted, We did not make an assessment of the impact that Russian activities had on the outcome of the 2016 election. The U.S. intelligence committee is charged with monitoring and assessing the intentions, capabilities and actions of foreign actors; it does not analyze U.S. political processes or U.S. public opinion.

Recently, U.S. lawmakers questioned representatives of tech giants Facebook, Twitter and Google about Russia's use of their social media platforms to spread disinformation during last years presidential campaign.

Twitter says it was able to identify around 36,000 automated bot accounts that could be linked to Russia.

The Russian meddling campaign on Facebook comprised approximately $100,000 spent by fake accounts associated with the IRA on 3,000 ads between June 2015 and August 2017, according to Facebook lawyer Colin Stretch. The Internet Research Agency has been described as a Russian troll farm.

VOA' s National Security Correspondent Jeff Seldin contributed to this report.
A train crash in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday killed at least 34 people and injured at least 26 others in Lualaba province in the country's southeast, a government official said.



The injury and death toll is likely to rise because some train cars are on fire and some were carrying fuel, Lualaba governor Richard Muyej Mangez said. The wounded were sent to Lubudi hospital about 30 kilometers (18 miles) away from the crash site in Buyofwe, he said.



Radio Okapi reported that the National Railway Company of Congo train was carrying passengers and cargo from Lubumbashi to Luena, and 11 of its 13 cars caught fire. The cause of the accident is not yet known.

Local officials and train authorities have traveled to the scene.



Lubudi's chief medical officer said he was able to transport about 30 of the people injured to a hospital, and others remained at the scene awaiting transport, according to Radio Okapi. He said some of those injured lost limbs.
Iran has declared an official day of mourning Tuesday for the victims of Sunday's powerful earthquake along the western mountainous border with Iraq.

The 7.3-magnitude quake and several strong aftershocks killed more than 400 people and left another 7,000 hurt. Iraqi officials report at least seven deaths there.

The U.S. Geological Survey said quake was centered just outside near the town of Halabja in Iraq's Kurdistan region and was felt as far away as Turkey and Israel.

Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khameni, immediately sent government and military rescuers to the region.

Rescue teams along the Iran-Iraq border are using their hands to dig though the remains of collapsed houses. Body-sniffing dogs are looking for victims.

The World Health Organization has sent an emergency response team, including ambulances and surgical kits.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi ordered his government's aid agencies to do whatever they can.

Most of the victims were in the Kurdish town of Sarpol-e-Zahab, in Iran's Kermanshah province.

The quake struck late Sunday evening while many villagers were finishing dinner or getting ready for bed. People grabbed whatever belongings they could and fled into the cold, spending the night huddled around fires in makeshift camps.

Iran sits on several major fault lines and its history is filled with numerous deadly earthquakes.

A 2003 quake in the southern city of Bam killed at least 26,000 people, while a 2012 quake in East Azerbaijan province killed more than 300.
Rescuers in Iran continue to dig through the rubble Monday in a search for survivors after a powerful earthquake that struck the day before on the Iran-Iraq border, killing more than 400 people.

Iranian state media reported Monday the death toll was at 407 with thousands more injured there. The majority of the victims were located in the town of Sarpol-e-Zahab in Kermanshah province. Iraq's Red Crescent reported nine people dead and over 400 injured.

As dusk approached Monday, tens of thousands of Iranians were forced to sleep outside for a second night.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the 7.3 magnitude earthquake was centered near the town of Halabja in Iraq's Kurdistan region.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said he directed health and aid agencies to do whatever they can to provide assistance.

"We will do everything possible to help them. Wishing safety and security for all our people," he wrote on Twitter.

The initial earthquake was followed by multiple aftershocks that sent people fleeing from their homes overnight.

The quake cut power and telephone service to several Iranian and Iraqi towns, making rescue efforts more difficult.

Iran sits on several major fault lines and has been hit by multiple deadly earthquakes in the past. A 2003 quake in the southern city of Bam killed at least 26,000 people, while a 2012 quake in East Azerbaijan province killed more than 300.

WATCH: Real time impact of earthquake
The European Union has approved economic sanctions, including an arms embargo on Venezuela.

EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels announced the measures on Monday in response to regional elections last month, which they say worsened the countrys crisis.

The weapons ban is intended to prevent the government of President Nicolas Maduro from purchasing military equipment that could be used for repression or surveillance.

The sanctions also include setting up a system for asset freezes and travel restriction on some past and present Venezuelan officials close to Maduro.

Spain has long pushed for sanctions on those close to Maduro, but the EU has been divided over whom to target.

In Monday's statement, ministers said they would focus on security forces, government ministers and institutions accused of human rights violations, and the disrespect of democratic principles or the rule of law.

Last Thursday, the U.S. imposed financial sanctions on 10 current and former Venezuelan officials because of corruption and abuse of power allegations related to Maduros crackdown on the opposition.

The EU also stressed that it would not recognize Venezuela's pro-Maduro Constituent Assembly, whose 545 members took office in August and sidelined the opposition-led National Assembly. The EU said its creation has only served to "further erode democratic and independent institutions."
European and African ministers agreed on Monday to try to improve conditions for migrants in Libya and seek paths such as scholarships for Africans to reach Europe legally, to cut the death toll from smuggling across the Sahara and Mediterranean.

The deadly trek across the desert from sub-Saharan Africa through Libya and over sea to Italy is now the main route used by refugees and other vulnerable migrants heading to Europe, after Turkey closed the other main route via Greece that brought in nearly a million people in 2015.

Almost 115,000 migrants have landed on Italian shores so far this year. Almost 2,750 are known to have died while trying to cross the Mediterranean, the U.N. International Organization for Migration said on Friday, and the death toll in the Sahara desert is thought to be at least twice as high.

European and African officials say the numbers reaching Europe have finally been falling over the past few months due to better efforts to fight smuggling. But that has also left tens of thousands of migrants trapped in Libya, often detained in conditions rights groups say are dangerous and inhumane.

Interior ministers belonging to the Central Mediterranean contact group met in Switzerland to discuss the crisis.

While they talked about law enforcement measures to combat smuggling, their final statement focused more on efforts to alleviate the journey's harm.

Ministers from Algeria, Austria, Chad, France, Germany, Italy, Libya, Malta, Niger, Slovenia, Switzerland, Tunisia and Mali were among those backing the statement.

We had a very intensive exchange, because the questions we are dealing with are very demanding issues, Swiss Justice Minister Simonetta Sommaruga said after the meeting.

This is why we concentrated on protecting refugees. We had many people with different viewpoints sitting around the table, but nonetheless, on this point we all agreed ... We want to improve the situation of migrants and refugees, particularly in Libya.

Sommaruga said an improvement in the situation on the central Mediterranean route would be possible only if countries joined together to help stabilise Libya.

The ministers said they would work closely with Libyan authorities to ensure detained migrants and refugees were held with respect for human rights and humanitarian standards, and promised to secure priority release from detention for vulnerable people such as children and victims of torture.

They also pledged to create economic alternatives to smuggling, including pilot projects for pathways for Africans to reach Europe legally, such as scholarships and apprenticeships.

We risk this time to be seen as a dark chapter in European history. If we wish to change that situation, we must get together with those states which themselves are very severely affected by migration, Sommaruga said.
While more than 1 million internationals study in the U.S. for college and university, the rate at which they are arriving is slower, with a decline shown among new foreign students coming here.

The annual Open Doors report released Monday shows that the rapid rise of international students -- mostly from China and India -- over the past decade stalled in 2016-2017. Enrollment figures show about 10,000 fewer new students came to the U.S. this year over last.

This is the first time the number of new enrollments has declined in six years.

The factors driving the decline are a mix of global and local economic conditions, said Allan Goodman, president of the International Institute for Education (IIE), which compiles the data with the U.S. State Departments Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, such as declines in students coming from Saudi Arabia and Brazil.

Because of cutbacks in overseas government programs that fund scholarship in the U.S., Saudi enrollment in U.S. schools declined 14 percent. Brazil showed a 32 percent decline in the amount of students it sends here.

The cost of college in the U.S. and increased competition from universities and programs in other nations has dampened the attractiveness of higher education in the U.S., IIE reported.

What were hearing for the first time is Ouch! from families, Goodman said. Our costs have risen to the point where our students are looking for alternatives.

Schools in Germany, France, China and Japan, among others, are setting up programs taught in English, said Peggy Blumenthal, IIEs chief counselor to Goodman. Some of those programs are far less expensive than tuition and fees in the U.S., she said.

Countries and multinational employers around the world are competing to attract top talent. As more countries become active hosts of international students and implement national strategies to attract them, the competition  will only intensify, Goodman said.

Other factors dissuading internationals from coming to America? Safety and security for their children, and the existing political climate, experts said.

Increasing conflicts on U.S. campuses gives parents and grandparents pause before sending their young family members to America, said Rajika Bhandari, head of research, police and practice at IIE.

Incidents have made global news about fatalities and hurt in college towns, such as in Charlottesville, Virginia, where white supremacists clashed with opponents near the University of Virginia. One women and two male law enforcement officers were killed this summer in protests.

In the Midwest, a Chinese student abducted at the University of Illinois is presumed dead. Most recently, a Chinese student was killed in a car-jacking near the University of Utah. Two Indian immigrants who came to the U.S. as international students, were shot in Kansas as they enjoyed a drink after work. One died, and the news was widely reported in India.

Those incidents have dove-tailed with President Donald Trumps call for less immigration, specifically from Muslim-majority nations. Some students have expressed fear that their visas could be nullified, leaving them with incomplete degree programs in the U.S.

However, none of the 10 top countries that account for the overwhelming number of foreign enrollment are included in current visa restrictions.

China and India continue to send the most students: China sent 350,000 (nearly 7 percent increase), and India, 186,000 (more than 12 percent more than the previous year). Nepalese enrollment increased to more than 11,000 studying in the U.S. (20 percent upward shift); Vietnamese more than 22,400 (nearly 5 percent more than the past year).

Iranian enrollment increased to 12,600 students (3 percent increase) in U.S. schools, while Nigeria -- which sends the most African students to U.S. institutions -- had 11,700 students here, a nearly 10 percent increase.

Bangladesh sent more than 7,000 students to the U.S. in the past academic year, an increase of 9.7 percent.

Mexico is ninth in the list of countries that send students to the U.S., with nearly 17,000 in programs. That was a 0.6 percent increase over the past school year. Canada is No. 5, sending 27,000 students to the southern side of North America.

The No. 1 major for international students is engineering, business and management, math and computer science (which increased 18 percent), social sciences, physical and life sciences, fine and applied arts, health professions. Studies in Intensive English declined nearly 26 percent, with education declining more than 7 percent.

The number of international students in the U.S. are staying longer to participate in Optional Practical Training (OPT), a visa program that allows them to train in their field after their degree is complete.

IIE also conducts what they call a snapshot of trends for the current school year, 2017-2018. The nearly 500 colleges and universities say they see the same flattening in number of students and decline of about 7 percent in new students.

International students add about $39.4 billion to the U.S. economy through tuition, room and board and living expenses, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. Sixty percent of international students pay for their U.S. education through personal family funds.

The universities with the largest populations of international students are New York University, University of Southern California, Columbia University, Northeastern University, Arizona State University, University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign, University of California-Los Angeles, Purdue University, University of Texas-Dallas, Pennsylvania State University.

The states where most international students attend programs are California, New York, Texas, Massachusetts, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio, Michigan and Indiana.

The survey is conducted by IIE with the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO), American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), American Council on Education (ACE), Association of Public and Land Grant Universities (APLU), College Board, Council on Graduate Schools (CGS), National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC), and the Association of International Educators (NAFSA).

Please share your suggestion in the Comments here, and visit us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn, thanks!


Irish musician and anti-poverty activist Bob Geldof returned his "Freedom of the City of Dublin" award to his hometown Monday, saying he cannot hold an honor also given to Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi.

"I am a very proud Dubliner but cannot in all conscience continue to be one of the honored few to have received this great tribute whilst Aung San Suu Kyi remains amongst that number," Geldof said in a statement.

"In short, I do not wish to be associated in any way with an individual currently engaged in the mass ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya people of North West Burma."

Geldof is best known for organizing the 1985 "Live Aid" concert - reported to have been the biggest concert in the world, boasting multiple locations, and raising more than $104 million to combat hunger in Ethiopia.

Aung San Suu Kyi - a Nobel laureate - has come under fire internationally for failing to address what the U.N. has described as ethnic cleansing of the Muslim minority Rohingya. More than half a million Rohingya have fled across the border to Bangladesh to escape violence in Myanmar.

Fellow Nobel laureates, including the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, retired South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai, have also spoken out and called on her to say something to condemn the violence.

Aung San Suu Kyi initially maintained there had been a huge iceberg of misinformation about the plight of the Rohingya. She recently visited conflict-wracked northern Rakhine state, having come under pressure to halt a military crackdown. The operations were launched in response to attacks by Rohingya militants.
Editors note: November is Native American Heritage Month. First proclaimed by President George H. W. Bush in 1990, it is an opportunity to acknowledge the histories and cultures of Native people across the U.S., highlighting the challenges they have faced, their sacrifices and their contributions.

Native Americans have influenced every stage of America's development, noted President Donald Trump in his October 31, 2017 proclamation. They helped early European settlers survive and thrive in a new land. They contributed democratic ideas to our constitutional framers. And, for more than 200 years, they have bravely answered the call to defend our Nation, serving with distinction in every branch of the United States Armed Forces.

This month, VOA will highlight prominent Native Americans and their role in U.S. history, culture and society.

His given name was Goyahkla, one who yawns, but he later earned a nickname that has since become synonymous with battle.

Geronimo was born near the headwaters of the Gila River in what is today New Mexico sometime around 1829. He was the grandson of a chief and a member of one of four bands of Chiricahua Apache, the Bedonkohe.

Up until the 16th century, the Chiricahua homeland had stretched across 6 million hectares (15 million acres) in the U.S. southwest. But all that changed after Spain conquered Mexico and extended its domain well north into Apache territory. By the time Geronimo was born, the Apache had been fighting Spanish troops for more than a century.

At 17, he was admitted to the bands war council and joined raids against Mexico.

A turning point came in 1858, when he and his band traveled to conduct trade in Casa Verde, Arizona, still held by Mexico at that time. They left their women and children camped outside of town, under guard. When they returned from their business, they found Mexicans had attacked and killed nearly everyone in camp, including Geronimos wife and three children.

I could not call back my loved ones, I could not bring back the dead Apaches, but I could rejoice in  revenge, he later said in a dictated autobiography. Geronimo joined forces with three other Apache bands to march deeper into Mexico, where they captured, killed and scalped in retaliation.

Manifest destiny

James Polk was elected Americas 11th president in 1845. He believed in the concept of manifest destiny, that it was Gods will to expand the U.S. as far as the Pacific Ocean.

America had already annexed Texas. Mexico had claimed everything to the west and refused to sell it to the U.S. So the U.S. declared war and won all or part of what is now ten western states, including the Apache homelands. Settlers began pouring into the region, sparking waves of sometimes brutal attacks by Apaches and earning them the reputation of bloodthirsty savages.

By 1872, the Chiricahua realized that they were fighting a losing battle. Their leader, Cochise, negotiated a peace agreement with the U.S. government, by which he agreed to stop fighting and move his followers to a reservation in their home territory.

But the government reneged on that agreement two years later, and forced several thousand Apache to a reservation at San Carlos, Arizona, a barren place that U.S. troops called Hells Forty Acres.

Outraged, Geronimo and a group of followers escaped. He would elude the Army for a decade, hiding out in the mountains or slipping back and forth over the border with Mexico.

All the while, newspapers and magazines across the country roused audiences with tales of the bloodthirsty insurgent, vague on details but terrifying nonetheless.

In 1884, the government detailed an astonishing 5,000 troops to capture Geronimo and his band, aided by hundreds of Apache allies and volunteer militia. Geronimo, worn out from the chase, finally surrendered in late 1886.

The Army promised Geronimo he would not be executed but rather would be exiled for two years and then allowed to rejoin his family in Arizona. As it turned out, Geronimo would remain a prisoner of war for life.

Unfulfilled promises

Geronimo was put to work at a military fort in Florida, where he was displayed to tourists.

A year later, he was sent to Alabama and finally, in 1894 was moved to Fort Sill in Oklahoma, where he converted to Christianity. He would never see his homeland again. He was allowed to attend fairs and exhibitions, always under guard, where he sold autographs and pictures of himself, saving plenty of moneymore than I had ever owned before.

President Theodore Roosevelt invited Geronimo and five other Native leaders to ride in his 1905 inaugural parade. While in Washington, still under guard, Geronimo met with the president and asked to be returned to his homeland. Roosevelt turned him down.

Geronimo died of pneumonia on February 17, 1909, and was buried at Fort Sill.

Two days later, the Washington Post remembered Geronimo as a bad Indian. But it also noted that no spirit of gentleness or justice prompts the invasion of another peoples landsno spirit of brotherly love accompanied the rifle and the axe in their conquest of the ranges of the red man.

If Geronimo was a monster, the editorial concluded, civilization had a hand in making him one.
A week after an unprecedented crackdown on some of Saudi Arabias wealthiest princes and businessmen, foreign governments and investors are still trying to answer basic questions about a round-up Saudi authorities describe as an anti-corruption drive spearheaded by the Gulf kingdoms crown prince.



Is 32-year-old Mohammad bin Salman set on a power grab to ensure his succession will be untroubled when his ailing father dies? Or is he what he says he is, a reformer determined to modernize a kingdom infamous for a sclerotic system of governance thats weighed down by the demands of different branches of the extended royal family?

Rumors abound in the Saudi capital that the purge is not yet finished and more arrests in the coming days are being predicted by Saudi-based foreign diplomats, who remain stunned by the scale of the crackdown. Young middle-class Saudis, long frustrated by graft and the hidebound ways of the kingdom, are applauding the crown princes purge, but foreign investors are cautious, fearing Mohammad bin Salman may have bitten off more than he can chew.

Long viewed as a stable place to do business, the latest purge saw an estimated 500 people arrested, including the countrys richest man, Prince Waleed bin Talal, the billionaire businessman who co-owns the Four Seasons hotel chain and until recently was a major investor in Rupert Murdochs worldwide media empire. He was arrested at his luxury desert camp.

Prominent military figures were also targeted, including Prince Miteb bin Abdullah, the minster of the elite 100,000-strong National Guard and son of the late King Abdullah, whose death two years ago led to Mohammed bin Salmans appointment as crown prince by Saudis 81-year-old current monarch.

Air of uncertainty

But the round-up has introduced an element of uncertainty, say analysts. Investors are wary, fearful of advancing projects until they are sure business partners aren't going to be targeted in any subsequent crackdowns.

There is concern also that there might be a destabilizing reaction to the crown princes moves and an insurrection mounted by the old guard.

Some analysts think theres only a remote chance of a violent pushback by the targeted branches of the family targeted. The arrests will probably reduce the risk of anyone in the family challenging him in the foreseeable future, says Jane Kinninmont, an analyst with Chatham House, a British policy research group.

She believes thats why there was a theatrical element to the crackdown, which she views as a spectacular action designed to signal radical change and a dramatic departure from the past.

But investors are likely to continue to be cautious, at least in the short term. The crown prince has amassed plenty of enemies  from other princes to hardline clerics. At the same time he has launched simultaneous and dramatic foreign policy moves in the region, from pursuing a war with Iran-backed Shiite Houthis in neighboring Yemen to upending the government in Lebanon as part of a confrontation with Tehran, Saudi Arabias main rival in the Gulf.

No one is going to go there and put $300 million down on a project, if you arent sure about the stability of the government, according to Jean-Francois Seznec, managing director of the Lafayette Group, a U.S.-based private investment company and a visiting professor at the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University. Investment will slow, he says.

Too early to tell

It is too early to say if this is the beginning of a straight-forward anti-corruption drive, or is only an instrument by which the crown prince is going to try to defang his political opposition and centralize power, according to Gerald Feierstein, a former U.S. ambassador, and now an analyst at the Middle East Institute, a Washington-based policy research group.

Chatham Houses Kinninmont argues the two are not mutually exclusive. Saudi media portray this as a much-needed battle against corruption, while much of the Western media have viewed it as a political purge. Most likely, it is both, she says.

The crown prince has been pushing radical reform, including lifting a ban on women driving, curbing the powers of the religious police and launching an ambitious economic overhaul designed to make the country less dependent on oil. He has pledged to steer Saudi Arabia towards a moderate interpretation of Islam, straining the royal familys historic alliance with the countrys hardline religious establishment.

The House of Sauds control of the kingdom has been based on twin pillars, oil-wealth, which has allowed it to reward all the extended family, and appeasement of the austere ultra-conservative religious movement known as Wahhabism.

Saudi authorities have moved fast to try to reassure investors that they have nothing to fear from the crackdown, saying the accused will face transparent trials in state courts and not before religious Sharia judges. If that is the case, how far will transparency go and will it include in the future the crown prince overseeing a system of government that is far more far more open to public scrutiny?

The answer to that question will reveal whether Mohammad bin Salman is aiming truly to modernize Saudi Arabia or to shape a regime based on authoritarian populism.


North Korean soldiers shot at and wounded a fellow soldier who was crossing a jointly controlled area at the heavily guarded border to defect to South Korea on Monday, the Souths military said.



North Korean soldiers have occasionally defected to South Korea across the border. But its rare for a North Korean soldier to defect via the Joint Security Area, where border guards of the rival Koreas stand facing each other just meters (feet) away, and be shot by fellow North Korean soldiers.

The soldier bolted from a guard post at the northern side of Panmunjom village in the Joint Security Area to the southern side of the village, South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement. He was shot in the shoulder and elbow and was taken to a South Korean hospital, the Souths Defense Ministry said. It wasnt immediately known how serious the soldiers injuries were or why he decided to defect.



South Korean troops found the injured soldier south of the border after hearing sounds of gunfire, a South Korean Defense Ministry official said, requesting anonymity, citing department rules. South Korean troops didnt fire at the North, he said.



The defection came at a time of heightened tension over North Koreas nuclear weapons program, and could escalate animosities between the rival countries. North Korea has typically accused South Korea of enticing its citizens to defect, something the South denies.



About 30,000 North Koreans have defected to South Korea since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War, but most travel through China.



Panmunjom, once an obscure farming village inside the 4-kilometer-wide (2.5-mile-wide) Demilitarized Zone that separates the two Koreas, is where an armistice was signed to pause the Korean War. Jointly controlled by the American-led U.N. Command and North Korea, the DMZ is guarded on both sides by hundreds of thousands of combat-ready troops, razor-wire fences and tank traps. More than a million mines are believed to be buried inside the zone.
1 In this photo provided by Tasnim News Agency, relatives weep over the body of an earthquake victim, in Sarpol-e-Zahab, western Iran. Authorities reported that a powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck the Iraq-Iran border region and killed more than 400 people in both countries, sent people fleeing their homes into the night and was felt as far west as the Mediterranean coast.
Pakistan says a terrorist attack staged from across the Afghanistan border has killed at least two soldiers and wounded four others.

The militarys media wing said Monday the deadly raid occurred in Bajaur, a semi-autonomous tribal region on the Afghan border.

Pakistani troops effectively retaliated and killed up to 10 fleeing terrorists, the statement claimed. It blamed the absence of Afghan authority on the Afghan side of the border for encouraging militants to plot such attacks.

The anti-state Pakistani Taliban militant group claimed responsibility for plotting Mondays attack. A similar raid last week also killed a Pakistani solider in the Khyber tribal region.

The Pakistan military has recently begun installing a 12-feet-high robust fence along the nearly 2,600 kilometer, largely porous Afghan border to try to block such terrorist attacks from the other side, officials say.

The entire frontier, barring 300 kilometers of inaccessible" high altitude areas ranging from 12,000 feet, will be fenced under a comprehensive border management plan.

The Pakistan army is also constructing fully-equipped new posts and forts along the border, hoping the plan will address mutual concerns about terrorist infiltration from both sides.

The Afghan government opposes the fencing plan because Kabul traditionally disputes the British colonial demarcation, objections Islamabad rejects.

Pakistan defends its border security plan, saying anti-state militants after fleeing security operations have taken refuge in "ungoverned" Afghan areas and plotting cross-border terrorist attacks to destabilize the country.
Pakistan police have arrested eight men on suspicion that they stripped a 16-year-old girl naked and marched her through their village in revenge for her brother allegedly damaging their family honor by engaging in an illicit relationship with one of their female relatives.

The head of the local police station was relegated to routine work during an investigation into the teens claims that he told her what to say and changed her original statement.

I was threatened by the police which is why I couldnt say what had happened to me before. I was forced to say things that I didnt want to, the GEO news website quoted the girl as saying in a second recorded statement.

She said the investigating officer hurled abuse and kept her mother from being involved in the original statement, threatening that cases would be registered against her brother and other relatives if the teen pursued the matter.

When I started recording my statement, the police officer didnt write it correctly. Instead, he wrote only what he wanted to, the teen said.

Politicians and activists have protested the handling of the incident, which occurred the morning of October 27 when she was fetching water in Dera Ismail Khan, a town in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province near the Federally Administered Tribal Areas.

The girl said she was paraded around the village naked for an hour in accordance with a ruling by the local Jirga, which operates outside Pakistans legal system in some matters.

The prime suspect is still being sought. Provincial Police Chief Salahuddin Mehsud denied reports that police are under pressure but told VOAs Deewa service they are investigating the case very carefully because of the local political dynamics that have come into play in the aftermath of the case. He denied reports that an influential politician is protecting the suspect.

Domestic abuse, economic discrimination and acid attacks make Pakistan the world's third-most-dangerous country for women, a 2011 Thomson Reuters Foundation expert poll showed.

Hundreds of women are killed in Pakistan every year at the hands of relatives over perceived damage to family "honor" that can involve eloping, fraternizing with men or any other infraction against conservative values. Some are punished for the activities of male relatives. Others have been injured in acid attacks.
Polands Foreign Ministry said Monday that it strongly condemns racist, anti-Semitic and xenophobic ideas, but insisted that a large weekend march by nationalists in Warsaw was largely an expression of patriotic values.

The ministry said that the march Saturday on the Independence Day holiday was a great celebration of Poles, differing in their views, but united around the common values of freedom and loyalty to an independent homeland.



The event was organized by groups that trace their roots to radical nationalist pre-World War II anti-Semitic groups. Some 60,000 people took part, including families with children and older people. But there were also young men carrying banners with messages including White Europe of brotherly nations.

Some carried the Celtic Cross, a white supremacist symbol.

Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon called the event a dangerous march of extreme and racist elements.



We hope that Polish authorities will act against the organizers, Nahshon said in a statement to The Associated Press. History teaches us that expressions of racist hate must be dealt with swiftly and decisively.



The Polish Foreign Ministry said it was not justifiable to define the march based on some incidental elements. Underlining its opposition to extremism, the ministry recalled that it had opposed a visit to Poland by Richard Spencer, the leading American white nationalist.



Spencer was originally to have attended a conference in Warsaw a day before the march, but he was taken off the schedule after the ministry said it did not want him in the country.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met Monday with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, the fourth encounter between the two leaders this year and part of a warming of relations in the wake of tensions following Turkey's 2015 downing of a Russian warplane operating from a Syrian air base.

But analysts say despite recent images of smiles and warm handshakes between the two leaders, cracks in that rapprochement are starting to show and signs of tension remain.

Putin and Erdogan, they don't trust each other, particularly true on the part of Putin. He sees Erdogan as unpredictable, observed Haldun Solmazturk, head of the 21st Century Turkey Institute, an Ankara-based research group. That is a major problem in international relations and if you don't trust your partner there is not much you can do, he said.



The hastily arranged Sochi meeting came after Moscow was forced to postpone an international gathering this month in Astana on resolving the Syrian civil war. Turkey threatened to boycott the gathering because of Russia's invitation to the Syrian Kurdish group, the PYD. Ankara accuses the PYD of being linked to the PKK which has been waging a decades-long insurgency in Turkey.

The Russians invited them [PYD] to Astana over Turkeys strenuous objections [about] what will Turkey do if they go there. So I see this all very fluid, said international relations analyst Soli Ozel of Istanbuls Kadir Has University.

Syria a pivot point

Moscow, like Washington, is courting the Syrian Kurds.

Moscow is aware its ties with Ankara continue to offer important tactical advantages and is treading carefully, analysts say. The two sides are increasingly cooperating in Syria, with Russian and Turkish forces working together to enforce a deconfliction zone in the Syrian Idlib region, one of last opposition strongholds.

Russia obviously needs of Turkey in Syria to try and help control some of the Islamist groups that it feels Turkeys close to, says political columnist Semih Idiz of Al-Monitor website. Turkey is now keeping the peace in Idlib, the most dangerous part of Idlib, and Russia also needs its developing ties with Turkey in order to hit at the West and NATO. When we come to brass tacks [essential facts], when [we] look at Syria, we see the seeds of future problems.

The Idlib operation is a key issue in Mondays talks between the Russian and Turkish leaders. Ankaras priority is more about containing if not confronting Syrian Kurdish forces in the neighboring Afrin region rather than jihadists, said Solmazturk. I cannot see any indication that the Turkish government has any intention to deal with the jihadists, so this looks like a point of tension between Turkey and Russia.

Ever since Turkish forces were deployed in Idlib, Erdogan repeatedly threatened to attack Syrian Kurds in Afrin, where Russian soldiers are based. But the Turkish president, in a possible overture to Moscow last Friday, appeared to take a step back, insisting his forces in Idlib were only defensive.

Observers note Ankara appears wary of confronting Moscow over its stance towards Kurdish groups in the region. Russia has not even recognized the PKK as a terrorist organization, so even this illustrates the limit of this rapprochement, said Sinan Ulgen, a visiting scholar of the Carnegie Europe Institute. The United States and the European Union designate the PKK as a terrorist organization, but Erdogan continues to accuse his Western allies of supporting the group.

Analysts say one factor cited behind Ankara's apparent double standard is Moscows willingness to take forceful action. Following Turkeys 2015 downing of a Russian jet, Moscow slapped crippling sanctions on Ankara that were only recently lifted. The price of annoying the Russians was pretty steep as we've seen in 2016, observed Ozel.

Playing both sides

But Ankaras rapprochement with Moscow continues to provide important diplomatic leverage.

Ankara has a growing fight with the U.S., Prime Minister [Binali] Yildirim was there recently but it did not really change the scene much. Erdogan has a continuing quarrel with Europe. And he needs a counterbalance to all this, and Russia is providing the counterbalance, columnist Idiz noted, Not only because Russia doesn't meddle in Turkeys domestic affairs regarding democracy, human rights, and freedom of speech, it also provides Turkey with an element of leverage in Syria, and so President Erdogan is not willing to disrupt these developing ties with Russia.

Ankaras controversial procurement of Russia's S400 missile system is seen as having as much a diplomatic as military motive, sending a message that Turkey is not beholden to its NATO allies, who strongly oppose the sale.

The sale is reportedly on the agenda of the Sochi talks. But the missile purchase is proving symbolic of the limits of trust between Russia and Turkey, with the sale dogged by an ongoing dispute over how much technology Russia is prepared to transfer. Ankara is interested both in getting the missiles and in getting operation technology and production. [The] Russian military seems to be concerned over possible know-how-transfer, noted Zaur Gasimov, an Istanbul-based Russia-Turkey analyst for the Max Weber Foundation.


For more than a century she was known as the woman behind the throne, the empress who through skill and circumstance rose from lowly imperial consort to iron-fisted ruler of China at a time and in a place when women were believed to have no power at all.

But it turns out Empress Dowager Cixi was much more than that. The 19th century ruler, who consolidated authority through political maneuvering that at times included incarceration and assassination, was also a serious arts patron and even an artist herself, with discerning tastes that helped set the style for traditional Asian art for more than a century.

That side of Cixi comes to the Western world for the first time with Sundays unveiling of Empress Dowager, Cixi: Selections From the Summer Palace at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana. The wide-ranging collection, never before seen outside China, will remain at the Southern California museum through March 11 before returning to Beijing.

Wide-ranging collection

Consisting of more than 100 pieces from the lavish Beijing palace Cixi called home during the final years of her life, Empress Dowager includes numerous examples of intricately designed Chinese furniture, porcelain vases and stone carvings, as well as several pieces of Western art, rare in China at the time, that she also collected. Among them are a large oil-on-canvas portrait of herself she commissioned the prominent Dutch artist Hubert Vos to create.

Other Western accoutrements include gifts from visiting dignitaries, among them British silver serving sets, German and Swiss clocks, and a marble-topped table from Italy with inlaid stones in the shape of a chessboard.

This is even an American-built luxury automobile. The 1901 Duryea touring car, is believed to be the first automobile imported into China and as such may have involved the empress in the countrys first automobile accident when her driver is said to have hit a pedestrian.

We already have a lot of scholarship on who she is and how she ruled China. But this show brings you a different angle, said exhibition curator Ying-Chen Peng, as she led a recent pre-opening tour of it through the museum that was kicked off by a raucous performance of Chinese lion dancers accompanied by musicians loudly banging gongs cymbals and drums.

Through art, not politics

This exhibition seeks to introduce you to this woman as an arts patron, as an architect, as a designer, the American University art historian said.

Thats an approach that may finally have gotten it to the Western world. Anne Shih, who chairs the museums board of directors, noted recently that she spent 10 years trying to persuade the Chinese government to lend Cixis art.

The Bowers has built an impressive international reputation over the years by hosting exhibitions of priceless, historical, often larger-than-life artworks from Tibet, the Silk Road, the tomb of Chinas first emperor and other historic sites.

However, Shih says the Chinese government turned her down repeatedly. Officials told her the empress, who outlived two much younger emperors, including one who died mysteriously of arsenic poisoning, was just too controversial. Shes been portrayed in numerous films and books and not always positively.

Shih finally prevailed, however, when she emphasized this show would focus on art, not politics.

A passion for art

Although it does, it still becomes apparent to visitors what a formidable presence Cixi must have been as they enter a recreation of her throne room to be greeted by a larger-than-life portrait of her covered in jewels and razor-sharp fingernail protectors as she glares ominously at her audience.

Nearby, however, are objects that quickly make her passion for art clear. Prominent among them is a towering calligraphy work of black ink embossed on a sheet of paper that, stretching to about 6 feet (2 meters), is taller than the dowager was. She is said to have made it by wielding a large heavy brush while standing on a stool as some of the eunuchs who served her stretched out the paper.

Not far away are ink-and-paper drawings of flowers the empress also created, although Peng notes that when it came to painting, Cixi was a much better calligrapher.

Placed into the emperors harem as a low-level teenage consort, she quickly elevated her status by giving birth to his only son in 1856. When the emperor died six years later she installed the boy as his successor and, as the woman behind the throne, ousted opponents, brought in loyalists and ran the country herself for the next 43 years. She died in 1908 at age 72.

Although she led her country through numerous wars launched by foreign invaders during those years, she also found time to visit with dignitaries from other countries and to pursue her own passion for art.

Her real artistic skill, however, lay not in making art but in envisioning works that would stand the critical test of time and then finding skilled artisans to create them.

Her personal preference actually led to the further development of these very ornate designs, Peng said, observing some of the intricately carved, gold-inlaid furniture and hand-painted porcelain objects. Nowadays when you go to antique shops, you can see quite a few pieces in this style. You can say she was a trendsetter.
Just 14 months ago, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte called former U.S. President Barack Obama a son of a whore, prompting Obama to avoid meeting his Philippine counterpart at an Association of Southeast Asian Nations meeting in Laos.

But times have changed.

Now that association, better known as ASEAN, is meeting in Manila and Duterte is in charge. He has met current U.S. President Donald Trump twice ceremonially here and is holding an extended meeting with him Monday.

Dutertes chairing role in the association, along with regular state visits around Asia in his 16 months in office, have helped to refine his character, earning him new respect, analysts say.

He has to play along with the script, said Eduardo Araral, associate professor at the National University of Singapores public policy school. Otherwise it would be a very long day if he does his usual impromptu.

Trump and Duterte have so far this week shelved any differences, including possible U.S. objections to extrajudicial killings in his anti-drug campaign. Duterte also offered a polite no thanks to Trumps offer for mediation in the South China Sea sovereignty dispute involving five other governments, including the Philippines.

Duterte made friends last year with China, the seas most powerful claimant, and Beijing prefers two-way dialogue.

Profanity to diplomacy

Last year, in addition to insulting Obama, Duterte called the U.N. human rights chief an idiot over comments about killings in the Philippine anti-drug campaign.

In the same year, he threatened to kick out U.S. military personnel from the Philippines despite continued reliance on U.S. help in national defense since American colonialism ended in 1946.

The 72-year-old former mayor of the archipelagos second largest city also has told Filipinos he personally killed people.

But this year he has not only spurned profanity and threats in the face of foreign officials. Some credit him with getting Trump to extend his stay at this weeks summits by a day and avoiding any boycotts.

Police have stopped anti-Trump protest groups from disrupting the summit venues.

Filipinos who follow ASEAN, often those working near the summit venues in Metro Manilas booming bayside Pasay City, expect Duterte to use his improved image to form foreign relations strong enough to increase trade and investment.

Just last month, Japan pledged $5.8 billion in economic support as the Philippines pursues $167 billion in infrastructure renewal. China is offering $24 billion in investment and aid.

But experts caution that new trade and investment are more likely to respond to Philippine economic growth of 6.9 percent last year, low labor costs and cost savings from new infrastructure, such as railways and ports. Net foreign investment inflows rose 40.7 percent last year.

Public support

Rasheda Torio, an outdoor vendor of candies in Metro Manila, said shes proud of the Philippines but expects no tangible benefits from the summits this week.

Im just a small saleslady here, so I dont know if I can get that benefit, said Torio, 24.

After this meeting we will have strong economic relations, especially with ASEANs countries, said Ron Mendoza, 23, a retail worker at the giant SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City. He expects a faster flow of goods between the Philippines and other Asian countries.

I think even if we were having a little conflict with China before, we will be having a much stronger relationship right now, he said.

About two-thirds of Filipinos endorse Duterte, according to polls by the Metro Manila research institution Social Weather Stations.

Approval ratings have trended high over his term in office to date despite inflammatory talk and suspected use of extrajudicial killings, because many feel crime rates are falling. His image-building among foreign heads of state adds to public enthusiasm.

ASEAN leadership allows Asia to get to know Duterte better, said Anita Aduana, 52, who works at a vision clinic in Metro Manila. She expects more investment in the Philippines to follow.

We support him, I think, not only 100 percent but 200 percent, Aduana said. Thats the bigger part of it for ASEAN.

Sidestepping Southeast Asias big controversy

Duterte, though he still speaks his mind on issues such as Islamic State-backed terrorism and the social impact of illegal drugs, two topics that came up at the summits Monday, he has downplayed the South China Sea dispute involving the Philippines and four other ASEAN countries.

China, as the most powerful claimant, resents international condemnation of its island building or military infrastructure in the sea. It prefers bilateral talks on any disputes. Cooperative countries such as the Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam have received economic benefits in response.

The association is already working on a code of conduct to prevent mishaps on the sea that runs from China south to the island of Borneo.

The Philippines has actually managed the ASEAN chairmanship in a fairly normal matter this far, said Carl Baker, director of programs with the think tank Pacific Forum CSIS in Honolulu.

The one area where Dutertes leadership may have the biggest impact is the lack of emphasis that I expect to see on the South China Sea territorial disputes, Baker said.

I suspect what we will see on the topic is the narrative that China and ASEAN are working on fleshing out the Code of Conduct framework and the recognition that the territorial disputes must be resolved bilaterally, he said.


A Saudi-led coalition says it will reopen some airports and seaports in Yemen in order to allow in humanitarian aid.

The move comes a week after the coalition announced a temporary closure of all ports in response to the firing of a missile from Yemen toward Riyadh, blaming a vulnerability in inspection procedures for allowing Iranian military equipment to reach Houthi rebels.

A coalition statement said the first ports to reopen would be those under control of the Yemeni government, including Aden, Mukalla and Mocha.

The coalition hopes that these immediate, initial and important steps will help alleviate the suffering of the Yemeni people, it said.

It further called for the United Nations to send inspectors to rebel-controlled ports such as Hodeida to boost inspection and verification steps to prevent smuggling of weapons from Iran.

Iranian officials have repeatedly denied arming the Houthis, who seized the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, in late 2014. Last week, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif pointed to Saudi Arabias role in the conflict since it began airstrikes in defense of Yemens government in March 2015.

KSA (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) bombs Yemen to smithereens, killing thousands of innocents, including babies, spreads cholera and famine, but, of course, blames Iran, Zarif said.

The fighting in Yemen has left at least 10,000 people dead and millions in need of humanitarian aid.
Sexual assault charges targeting a prominent Islamic scholar have left many European Muslims stunned, and triggered sharply disparate reactions within the multi-faceted community, even as many fear a broader backlash.

Swiss-born theologian Tariq Ramadan took a leave of absence from teaching at Oxford University last week, following complaints of rape and assault filed by two French women and reports of similar charges in Switzerland. A statement by the university said the decision was mutual. Ramadan denies the accusations.

While some analysts say Ramadans star has been waning in recent years, the impact of the accusations has been immense. Especially in French-speaking countries, 55-year-old Ramadan inspired a generation of young Muslims to believe Islam and citizenship were compatible in a distinctly secular Europe. Unlike many religious clerics here, he spoke in French rather than Arabic during meetings and symposiums that were usually packed.

I think this affair is going to lead to big changes, said Alexandre Piettre, a specialist in Islam at the Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes, in Paris. He had a discourse of integration, and without it, it leaves space for political radicalism that was contained by it; those who reject public participation in the West and call for a return to Muslim countries  the Hijra  or even armed jihad.

Double discourse?



The grandson of Egypts Muslim Brotherhood founder Hassan el-Banna, Ramadan has long been a polarizing figure. Critics claim he wielded a "double discourse, hiding political Islam behind unifying rhetoric. He was temporarily banned from the U.S. under the Bush administration, a measure lifted under the Obama one.

Much of the debate surrounding him has taken place in France, where an estimated five million Muslims make up Western Europes biggest Islamic community.

In April, French authorities expelled Ramadans older brother, controversial Swiss preacher Hani Ramadan, on grounds he was a threat to public order.

The preacher also sparked outrage in 2002, by publishing an article in Frances Le Monde newspaper that supported stoning adulterers  a position condemned by his brother Tariq.

Tariq Ramadan: double discourse or double personality? Frances conservative Le Figaro newspaper asked last week, wondering if the "charming predator" was a sexual one as well.

Multiple accusations



The assault charges come amid a broader global outcry against sexual harassment, triggered by the Harvey Weinstein scandal that began in the United States. As the charges mounted last month, French activist and former Salafist Henda Ayari filed a police complaint accusing Ramadan of brutally raping her in a hotel room in 2012. Since then, another French woman has come forward with a similar story, according to media reports. French prosecutors are probing the accusations.

In neighboring Switzerland, a Geneva newspaper reported four young women said they had sexual relations with Ramadan as minors when he was teaching at their school  at least three of the incidents were said to be non-consensual. Media reported another rape claim in Belgium.

Meanwhile, Oxford University graduate Aymenn Jawad al-Tamimi posted a blog that gave voice to an American Muslim friend, who recounted an unwanted sexual advance by Ramadan in 2013. The account echoed a pattern described by the two French women: an initial interaction with Ramadan on social media to discuss religious matters, then an eventual meeting in a hotel room because Ramadan said he did not wish to be seen in public.

For me its not about his political views, said al-Tamimi, who works for a think tank opposed to Ramadan, but says he is not part of that debate.

I dont find him particularly insightful or been blown away by anything hes said, said al-Tamimi in a telephone interview, adding he had seen Ramadan speak at Oxford only once. For me its about people using their celebrity status to engage in sexual misconduct.

Accusations strongly denied

Ramadan has categorically denied the accusations, and filed for slander.

In a Facebook posting Saturday, he said he remained calm and had confidence in justice. For years, he has called for moderation, dialogue and openness, he wrote, and these are the values we need most today.

But these are not the reactions swirling in social media and in the press.

Charlie Hebdo, the French satirical newspaper that was targeted in a 2015 terrorist attack, has received death threats over an explicit front-page cartoon of Ramadan. Meanwhile, former prime minister Manuel Valls condemned the scholar on Twitter, saying he had denounced the duplicity of Tariq Ramadan for years.

Yet others suggest the allegations against Ramadan are a Zionist or Jewish plot or the manifestation of simmering racism, while a group of Muslim feminists sided with Ramadans alleged victims, in a statement published in Le Monde.

There is no Muslim exception when it comes to sexual abuse, researcher Fatima Khemilat wrote.

Divided community



These reactions, along with yet another  of Muslim hardliners pleased by Ramadans predicament  are sketching the lines of fracture in the Muslim community that will solidify in the future, analyst Piettre predicted. With, in the middle, all those who are distraught at what happened to Tariq Ramadan. Who believe its not possible, who are orphans.

In interviews, several prominent French Muslims remained guarded, saying they were waiting for French justice to pronounce judgement first.

Bordeaux imam, Tareq Oubrou, declined an interview request citing the ongoing investigation. The affair is of enormous gravity for the person concerned and notably for what he incarnates, he said in a text message.

But Mhammed Henniche of UAM 93, an alliance of French Muslims in the Seine-Saint-Denis region outside Paris, said the allegations against Ramadan would harden anti-Muslim sentiment.

Everyone who is against Tariq Ramadan will say this is proof that Islam is not a religion of peace, that its a barbaric religion that treats women as objects, he said.

For his part Abdallah Zekri, a senior member of the mainstream umbrella group, the French Council for the Muslim Faith, is underwhelmed by Ramadan, but criticizes the virulent reaction.

Tariq Ramadan is a big personality because the media made him one, he said. Hes never been my cup of tea. But he has not been judged or condemned, and I respect the presumption of innocence.
Ash Bhat and Rohan Phadte, computer science students, recently stared at a screen in their Berkeley apartment showing the Twitter account of someone called "Red Pilled Leah." They suspected she was a "bot," short for robot.

Red Pilled Leah joined Twitter in 2011 and had 165,000 followers. The majority of her 250,000 tweets were retweets on political topics. Was she a human with strong opinions or an automated account that is part of a digital army focused on riling up Americans over divisive social and political issues?

Internet companies are under pressure to do more to crack down on such automated accounts, following scrutiny over Russian-backed efforts to influence the last U.S. presidential election. But companies are struggling over how to identify the malicious bots from the merely opinionated human users.

The two students at the University of California, Berkeley developed a software program called botcheck.me that looks for 100 characteristics in Twitter accounts that they say are common among bots.

Among them, tweeting every few minutes, gaining a lot of followers in a short time span and retweeting other accounts that are likely bots. In addition, bot accounts typically endorse polarizing political positions and propagate fake news, they say.

Concern about Twitter bots

Twitter says that less than five percent of its 69 million monthly active users in the U.S. are automated, but some researchers have pegged the bots at closer to 15 percent.

U.S. lawmakers say that bots on Twitter played a role in trying to upend the democratic process.

"Bots generated one out of every five political messages posted on Twitter over the entire presidential campaign," said Senator Mark Warner, a Democrat from Virginia.

Facebook requires its users to prove their identity. To get an account on Twitter, on the other hand, a user needs a phone number. And Twitter allows automated accounts for legitimate purposes, such as for companies to provide customer service or for public safety officials to spread the word regarding a possible danger.

But the company is also trying to crack down on bots and "other networks of manipulation," the company said in a blog post.

Nonhuman Twitter behavior

Bhat and Phadte have worked on other projects, such as developing technology to determine the political bias of a news article or to detect fake news on Facebook.

WATCH: What Is a Twitter Bot?

They turned to Twitter after they noticed that many accounts tweeting about politics appeared to be "nonhuman," Bhat said. These accounts gained a lot of followers fast and tweeted and retweeted frequently, about five times as much as a human account. They promoted polarizing views and fake news.

Launched in October, Botcheck.me has a 93.5 percent accuracy rate, the students say. However, they have heard from real people complaining that their accounts have been falsely identified as "bots." When the algorithm makes a mistake, the two students say they investigate what went wrong and improve the program.

Phadte says it matters if a Twitter account is a human being or a robot.

"People are seeing political, polarizing opinions that aren't accurate," Phadte said. "People are getting angry at each other about stereotypes that are not really true."

Bot-like characteristics

Bhat pressed a blue button next to Red Pilled Leah's Twitter account. Botcheck.me scanned a person's Twitter history and ran the tweets through an algorithm to predict if the account was actually a bot.

Sure enough, Botcheck.me said Red Pilled Leah, who claims to be an entrepreneur with a master's degree in psychology, exhibits "bot-like characteristics."

The students said they have contacted Twitter about their software, but haven't heard back. Twitter didn't respond to a request for comment from Voice of America. However, the company has said that it can't share details of how it's determining which accounts are bots.

From their vantage point, the students say the bots are getting more sophisticated. A whole network of accounts will retweet a single tweet to spread a message quickly. And programmers can change bots' behavior as detection methods improve. But the students say that only makes it more important to determine when messages are being spread by malicious actors.

"The reason why this really matters is that we formulate our views based on the information we have available to us," Bhat said of the social media content. "When certain views are propagated on the network that is very artificial, it tends to influence the way we think and act. We think it is very horrific."

To use botcheck.me, users can download a Google Chrome extension, which puts the blue button next to every Twitter account. Or users can run a Twitter account through the website botcheck.me.
A juror in the bribery trial of U.S. Democratic Senator Bob Menendez has told the judge the panel is deadlocked.

The judge told the jury to go home and resume deliberations Tuesday, dismissing the prosecution's request that they stay and keep talking.

"Clearly there are jurors who believe in my innocence," Menendez told reporters outside the Newark, New Jersey courtroom.

He urged those who think he is innocent not let themselves be coerced in changing their minds.

The New Jersey Democrat is on trial for allegedly taking gifts from a wealthy Florida donor in exchange for political favors. They include trips aboard a private jet and a luxury vacation in Paris. The donor, a prominent Florida eye doctor, is also on trial.

Menendez and the doctor have denied the charges, saying the gifts were came out of their longtime friendship.

Last week, a dismissed member of the jury told reporters she believes the trial will end in a hung jury and that she had planned to vote to acquit.

Four of the jurors told the judge they heard the comments, even though they had been ordered not to read anything about the case.

The judge replaced the dismissed jury member with an alternate and ordered them to restart deliberations.
President Donald Trump is wrapping up 12-day, five-nation tour of Asia dominated by talks on the North Korea nuclear threat and bolstering trade.

After talks in Manila on Monday with the prime ministers of Australia and Japan, Trump promised to make a "major statement" on North Korea and trade when he returns to Washington this week. But he offered no details.

Trump's meeting with Australia's Malcolm Turnbull and Japans Shinzo Abe underscored the growing relationship between the three nations in the face of regional security issues. The top concerns include North Koreas nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs and countering Chinas increasingly assertive maritime territorial claims.

The key for us is to ensure very close trilateral cooperation so as to bring peace and stability on the ground, said the Japanese leader, who has been displaying a united front against North Korea with Trump.

We've got the same values and the same focus on ensuring that the North Korean regime comes to its senses and stops its reckless provocation and threats of conflict in our region, Turnbull said. Peace and stability have underpinned the prosperity of billions of people over many decades, and we're going to work together to ensure we maintain it.

Show of military force

A massive naval drill involving three U.S. aircraft carrier strike groups was underway in western Pacific waters as a show of force.

The U.S. naval vessels and aircraft were joined by elements of the South Korean navy and Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force.



The three leaders met on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit. Trump said "big progress" had been made on trade but he did not offer further details.

Meeting with Duterte

Earlier Monday, the U.S. leader met with Philippines' President Rodrigo Duterte, who hosted the ASEAN summit. Trump said the two have "a great relationship" and described their talks as "very successful."

A joint statement released by the U.S. and Philippines said the two leaders condemned Pyongyang's "unlawful nuclear weapons and missile development" and urged all nations, including those in the region, "to voice their opposition to these threatening programs and to take steps to downgrade their diplomatic and economic engagement with North Korea.

During a joint appearance, reporters tried to query whether Trump had raised the issue of human rights with Duterte. Duterte, facing strong criticism from human rights groups internationally, replied, "Whoa, whoa. This not a press statement. This is the bilateral meeting."

White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders later said of the meeting between Trump and Duterte: The conversation focused on ISIS, illegal drugs, and trade. Human rights briefly came up in the context of the Philippines fight against illegal drugs.

Dutertes spokesman denied that.

No, that issue was not raised, Harry Roque said replying to a reporters question. My understanding is he explained at length the Philippine policy on the war against drugs. And from the body language of the U.S. president, he seemed to be in agreement and he made an assurance that President Duterte has a friend in President Trump and hes been an ally since he was elected into office.

Sidestepping controversy

Earlier, as regional leaders gathered at a colorful ceremony to open the summit in Manila, Duterte sidestepped the controversy over his war on illegal drugs and its thousands of extrajudicial killings.

In opening remarks before the 17 other leaders at the summits plenary session, he called illegal drugs a menace that threaten the very fabric of our society, without mentioning methods of the response.

I apologize for setting the tone of my statement in such a manner, said Duterte. But I only want to emphasize that our meetings for the next two days present an excellent opportunity for us to engage in meaningful discussions on matters of regional and international importance.

The communique resulting from the talks is expected to announce that ASEAN will begin official negotiations for a code of conduct for the South China Sea, where several nations have conflicting territorial claims.

A number of countries have concerns about Chinas increased militarization of disputed islands it controls.

Anti-Trump protests

For a second day Monday several thousand militant protesters marched in Manila, clashing with riot police who responded with truncheons, water cannons and sonic alarms to keep the demonstration out of sight of the delegates at the ASEAN Summit, which is surrounded by a security cordon.

Protesters burned an effigy of Trump on Monday. Some protesters pushed the police, organizer Renato Reyes told VOA News, who said "scores" of protestors had been injured and some had to be treated at an on-site clinic. The protesters shouted for Trump to leave and accused the United States, a former colonizer of the Philippines, of looking for overseas wars.

Local media reported 10 people were injured, including six police officers.

Trump has praised his hosts during the Asia tour, which included stops in Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam and the Philippines.

"It was red carpet like nobody, I think, has probably ever seen," Trump told reporters.

Ralph Jennings and Kenneth Schwartz contributed to this report.
U.S. President Donald Trump repeatedly praised Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, virtually ignoring discussion of Duterte's human rights record in carrying out thousands of extrajudicial killings in his war against drug suspects.

White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said human rights briefly came up in the context of the Philippines fight against illegal drugs as Trump met for 40 minutes with Duterte in Manila.



But Duterte spokesman Harry Roque disputed that account, saying, There was no mention of human rights. There was no mention of extralegal killings. There was only a rather lengthy discussion of the Philippine war on drugs with President Duterte doing most of the explaining.

Rights groups had called on Trump to end his five-nation Asian trip with a statement condemning Dutertes killing of drug suspects in a far-reaching campaign. Human Rights Watch says that since mid-2016 security forces and unidentified gunmen have killed at least 7,000 suspected drug users and dealers, with 3,116 of the killings carried out by police. By comparison, the death toll in a year under Duterte is higher than the number killed while dictator Ferdinand Marcos was in power between 1972 and 1981.

Ahead of their meeting, Trump said of Duterte, "We've had a great relationship.

Trump praised Duterte for his organization of summits in Manila, saying he handled them "beautifully. I've really enjoyed being here."

Not a priority

In Washington, Republican Senator John McCain, a frequent Trump critic, said in a Twitter comment, Human rights obviously not a priority in @POTUSs meeting with Duterte  again, sad.

A joint statement by the U.S. and the Philippines said, The two sides underscored that human rights and the dignity of human life are essential,

and agreed to continue mainstreaming the human rights agenda in their national programs to promote the welfare of all sectors, including the

most vulnerable groups.

The communique said the two countries discussed the ongoing campaign in the Philippines against criminality including illegal drugs. Both sides acknowledged that illegal drug use is a problem afflicting both countries and committed to share best practices in the areas of prevention; enforcement, including capacity-building and transparency in investigations; and rehabilitation.

Before Trump was elected, Duterte attacked former U.S. president Barack Obama as a son of a whore last year after the Obama administration criticized Dutertes human rights record.

Ahead of Mondays meeting with Trump, Duterte said if the U.S. leader brought up human rights he would tell him to lay off.
Two became three as a scheduled Monday morning meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull was expanded to include Japans Shinzo Abe.

The change underscored the growing three-way relationship concerning regional security, especially regarding how to respond to North Koreas nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs, as well as countering Chinas increasingly assertive maritime territorial claims.

The key for us is to ensure very close trilateral cooperation so as to bring peace and stability on the ground, said the Japanese leader, who has been displaying a united front against North Korea with Trump.

Weve got the same values and the same focus on ensuring that the North Korean regime comes to its senses and stops its reckless provocation and threats of conflict in our region, Turnbull said. Peace and stability have underpinned the prosperity of billions of people over many decades, and were going to work together to ensure we maintain it.

Show of military force

A massive naval drill involving three U.S. aircraft carrier strike groups is underway in western Pacific waters as a show of force.

The U.S. naval vessels and aircraft have been joined by elements of the South Korean navy and Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force.

Trump says he will make a major statement on North Korea and trade when he returns to Washington following his 12-day, five-nation trip to Asia.

Weve made a lot of big progress on trade, Trump said at the start of his meeting with Turnbull and Abe on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit, adding that his Asia trip has generated $300 billion in sales to various companies, including China. However, he offered no details on the coming announcement.

Duterte meeting

Trump also had a one-on-one meeting on Monday with Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte, who is the host for the ASEAN summit.

Weve have a great relationship, Trump said. This has been very successful.

Reporters tried to query whether Trump had raised the issue of human rights with Duterte.

The U.S. president did not respond. Duterte, facing strong criticism from human rights groups internationally, replied, Whoa, whoa. This not a press statement. This is the bilateral meeting.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders later said of the meeting between Trump and Duterte: The conversation focused on ISIS, illegal drugs, and trade. Human rights briefly came up in the context of the Philippines fight against illegal drugs.

Earlier, as regional leaders gathered at a colorful ceremony to open the summit in Manila, Duterte sidestepped the controversy over his war on illegal drugs and its thousands of extrajudicial killings.

In opening remarks before the 17 other leaders at the summits plenary session, he called illegal drugs a menace that threaten the very fabric of our society, without mentioning methods of the response.

I apologize for setting the tone of my statement in such a manner, Duterte said. But I only want to emphasize that our meetings for the next two days present an excellent opportunity for us to engage in meaningful discussions on matters of regional and international importance.

South China Sea talks

The communique resulting from the talks is expected to announce that ASEAN will begin official negotiations for a code of conduct for the South China Sea, where several nations have conflicting territorial claims.

A number of countries have concerns about Chinas increased militarization of disputed islands it controls.

For a second day Monday, several thousand militant protesters marched in Manila, clashing with riot police who responded with truncheons, water cannons and sonic alarms to keep the demonstration out of sight of the delegates at the ASEAN Summit, which is surrounded by a security cordon.

Protesters burned an effigy of Trump on Monday. Some protesters pushed the police, organizer Renato Reyes told VOA News, who said scores of protestors had been injured and some had to be treated at an on-site clinic.

Local media reporters say 10 people were injured, including six police officers.

The protesters shouted for Trump to leave and accused the United States, a former colonizer of the Philippines, of looking for overseas wars.

Reyes, describing the Trump-Duterte encounters, told VOA that the two will get along very well, but thats not good for the Philippine people.

The U.S. president is praising his hosts in Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam and the Philippines for the welcome he has received.

It was red carpet like nobody, I think, has probably ever seen, Trump told reporters.

Ralph Jennings and Kenneth Schwartz contributed to this report.